Digital Trends

Friends. Family. Gainful employment. A chance to dig into a big, juicy turkey with all the fixins and (fingers crossed) actually enjoy a full eight hours of sleep courtesy of a Tryptophan coma. These are tops on the list of things we’re truly thankful for this holiday season. But being the good consumerists and high-tech newshounds we are, we also have to give props where it’s really due – to all the shiny new gadgets and lifesaving technologies that let us squeeze 63 hours of fun and productivity into each and every day.

Considering the sheer amount of electronic goodness they sift through in any week, let alone month or (please, if you want to keep breathing, don’t make us even think about it) year, ever wonder what gizmos and applications your favorite editors find most (gasp) actually useful on an everyday basis? No need to guess… Below, you’ll find just a few of the countless great tools and toys modern-day science has made possible that we’d be lost, clueless and probably last spotted wandering around naked in Central Park without.

Nick Mokey, Associate Editor

SKYPE

Was there really a time when people paid $1.20 a minute to talk to pals in other countries? Count me glad to have skipped that era of history. Besides the free computer-to-computer version of Skype we all know and love, I adore the paid version, which not only lets me dial call almost anywhere in the world for $10 a month – I can also do it from my cell phone.

GMAIL

Cursed since birth with an atrocious memory, I’ve latched onto Gmail’s ultra-simple and functional search function to replace my long-term memory almost completely. Forget Android… I’m a Google cyborg. From birthdays and phone numbers to meeting times and my contact lens prescription, all the little bits of information I used to keep on slips of paper that got thrown away are now permanently just a search string away.

TOMTOM ONE THIRD EDITION

The best $90 I ever spent. Not only did this nifty GPS navigate me all 3,000 miles across the United States four months ago when I came to Portland to join Digital Trends full-time, it’s also been a vital crutch as I learn to navigate a new and foreign city. I’ve had the opportunity to play with much pricier and more full-featured nav systems, but this one really does the job just fine. Check out our TomTom One XLS review.

1992 HONDA CBR600

Any piece of technology that gets me to and from work 10 minutes faster and makes my commute the best part of my day deserves a special mention here. Getting 55 miles per gallon doesn’t hurt, either. Sorry, it’s not really “techy” in the strictest digital sense, but as far as favorite toys go, it’s at the top of my list.

CRAIGSLIST

From outfitting my college house with a 32-inch HDTV and a free hot tub, to landing nearly every single piece of furniture in my old Brooklyn apartment, I have a lot to thank Craigslist for, including the dream job I hold today. Thank you, Craig Newmark: Next time you’re in town, I owe you a can of Fresca.

Ian Bell, CEO

VERIZON FiOS

When Verizon actually manages to bill a month properly, that is… I love the crystal clear images, video on-demand in high-def capabilities and the vast array of HD channels to choose from. Some people complain there’s never anything good on TV anymore: Me, my beef’s with customer service, not the cable guide…

SONOS BUNDLE 150

Streaming whole house audio – what’s not to love? There’s nothing quite like singing along with a little Jay-Z while I’m taking a shower. Although, in retrospect, for the same reason, my wife may wish the technology had never been invented. She’s just lucky I’m not a big fan of Pantera. Watch our Sonos video review.

APPLE iPod & BMW

Thanks to built-in integration with my car, I can listen to whatever I want, when I want, whether on my way to work or cruising around on the weekend. We forget just how amazing these conveniences are. Need a quick reminder? Turn on the radio and listen to “Wolfman Bob” or Howard Stern having a conniption fit and tell me Steve Jobs doesn’t deserve a big old bear hug.

BLACKBERRY PEARL

Yes, by consumer electronics editorial standards, it’s older than sin. And no, I can’t be away from it for 15 minutes without going into convulsions or other disturbing symptoms of physical withdrawal. But it’s the lifeblood of my daily communications, and – oddly enough – keeps working even though I’ve dropped it like 50 times. Let’s see your iPhone or microphone-equipped Sony PSP-3000 do that.

PLAYSTATION 3

Yep, I’m a believer – mostly because I’m a home theater buff at heart. Other systems (forget you, Wii) might be pwning it on the sales charts, but I love using the console to stream video from PC to HDTV. You even get a Web browser now that lets you watch free videos off Hulu.com, which I have to thank for my new obsession with Mad Men. Playstation 3 review.