UMBC Tech Bits

Jack’s 2010 Top 10 Technology Picks

With 2010 coming to an end I thought about what I considered to be the best technology tools for 2010. This list is based on tools I’ve used and is thus in no way a complete overview of everything on the market.

1. iPhone 4 - http://www.apple.com/iphone/
The one device that for me is indispensible is my iPhone 4. This device supports me finding my way ( GPS + maps), exercising (iPod + RunKeeper), capturing life (camera and video), staying connected (text, phone, email), and serves as my portable information applicance (web viewer, newspaper reader). Read my list of top iPhone Apps.

2. iPad - http://www.apple.com/ipad/
The iPad is a device that will remember as changing the way people interact with computers. When it first came out it was somewhat limited because it did not support multi-tasking. Since November, when IOS 4.2 came out I’ve been using this device much more and enjoying it immensely. In late November, Google Docs became available on the iPad. I use it to take notes, stay on top of email, manage my tasks, and develop plans. Read my list of top iPad Apps.

3. Google Docs - http://www.google.com/docs
Google docs has become one of my favorite software tools. I have been using it extensively for note taking, agendas, and collaborations. For simple editing tasks it is outstanding, especially if you want to share this with others to collaborate. While it is true that right now docs does not do everything that Microsoft Office does, what it does do works amazingly well. Coupling this with the fact I can now edit and view docs on my iPhone and iPad makes it worth living with what it can’t do.

4. Chrome browser - http://www.google.com/chrome
I have been using Google Chrome as my default browser for the last half year. I found chrome to be a fast and secure browser that of course works very well with google docs. I use this for most of my work but occasionally I find a site that doesn’t work well in Chrome and I bring that up in Firefox. Chrome handles javascript in web pages very well and has tools built into it to help prevent downloading malware. Chrome works on all major platforms.

5. Apple TV/ Netflix - http://www.apple.com/appletv/
The new Apple TV is one my favorite devices at home. Apple TV works with wireless network and has a connection to plug into the HDMI port of your hi-definition TV. The device allows you to play podcasts, youtube videos, or access content from Netflix and iTunes. Netflix offers a streaming instant service that provides thousands of movies and TV shows which has changed the way my family uses TV. This device came out in November and at $99 is much less costly than other devices like it on the market.

6. Windows 7 - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
As you may tell I tend to be a fan of Apple products. Recently, I helped my youngest son when he built his own computer and he installed Windows 7. I really found windows 7 to be a major improvement in usability and security. Recently, I helped to upgrade my wife’s computer to Windows 7 and really felt it is a major improvement and I must admit, comparable to OSX.

7. Office 2011 ( for Macintosh) - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products

Office 2011 for the Mac came out in late October and I have found it works well. It brings compatibility with Office 2010 for Windows and fixes a number of minor bugs found in Office 2008. To date I have been very impressed with the quality of the software and the added features. Microsoft added the ribbon interface to Office 2011 and I thought it would be an annoyance but in general I have not found it to be so.

8. Flipboard + Todo http://flipboard.com/ or http://www.appigo.com/todo/ipad

These two iPad applications are great examples of the potential of tablet computing and the kinds of innovative applications that will make tablet computing so compelling. Flipboard is an application that allows you to connect a variety of rich media sites such as facebook, google reader, washington post, and flickr and track what is happening. Todo is a great task manager and integrates with your email and web. For more information look at my article on iPad applications.

9. Logitech Internet Radio -
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/wireless-music-systems/devices/5847

The vast array of music on the Internet via Internet radio or streaming services such as Pandora make having access to this from something other than a computer very desirable. The logitech Internet Radio provides excellent sound quality and a nice user interface. It you have an iTunes music library on your computer the device can connect to that and play music from your own music library.

10. Kinect - http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kinect

This is one I don’t have but really want! I think this is the future of gaming and will look for this under the tree sometime in 2011.

What did I miss, drop me a note at,
jack@umbc.edu.

Posted by Jack Suess on December 31, 2010 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)