Digital Landing loves technology

By Chris McGinn and Jessie Atkin

Print Story | Email Story
Add to My Digital Landing

Related Articles

• Four ways to keep your kids learning this summer
• Examining the Apple iPad
• TV enhanced: Get more out of your favorite TV shows
• Building a Website: Adding a Shopping Cart
• Social Media Safety: Ten Best Practices

Each year new gadgets hit the market. New websites surface in cyberspace. Cable companies  introduce new services to make your lives that much easier. Digital Landing brings you the 2009 version of Things We Love in the tech world.

DVR
Not only can you access your digital video recorder, or DVR, on your computer now but your computer in and of itself can act as a DVR.  You can search and schedule shows you want to watch from your computer so you don't miss anything, ever.  It's all about convenience and portability. From multi-room viewing, to converting programs for use on portable devices, and fast forward through commercials as always, the Tivo revolution continues to evolve. - Jessie
    
Facebook Mobile
Let's be honest, there are more people on Facebook than ever (whether or not we younger set want to admit it).  It's become a prime form of communication, up there with both text messaging and e-mail.  So why shouldn't it be just as accessible?  We've been e-mailing and texting from phones for ages, and "Facebooking" is now another possibility.  Facebook Mobile lets you upload photos, reply to messages, post on walls and more.  We love unlimited access, and Facebook mobile provides just that. - Jessie

Flip Mino HD Video Camera
This little beauty brings the power of HD video to simple push-button sharing of recorded movies with friends online via YouTube or mySpace. With customizable skins, the world's smallest HD camcorder is a treat to see. It's cinematic widescreen capabilities, 1280x720 resolution and 60 minutes of recording time, basically blow your phone's video function out of the universe. At less than $250, you should get one for everybody in your family. - Chris

Hulu.com
Miss your favorite show, want to check out one you've heard buzz about, or longing for a classic, then head over to Hulu. Your favorite NBC Universal and Fox network shows and even movies are all here as well as goodies from more than 100 other content providers like MGM, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. No more tiny screen boxes and hard-to-find show links. Hulu can stream full-screen and even HD to make web-watching accessible and enjoyable.  Best part -- it's free. - Chris    

iPhone
The iPhone has revolutionized the wireless telephone sector in just three short years. Its touch-screen technology, easy-synching ability and vast variety of downloadable applications make the iPhone tops in its class. BlackBerry caught on and came out with its own touch-screen smartphone in 2008, but the iPhone has the cool-kid factor going for it. - Addie
    
iPod
Incredible options and an unmatched design keep the iPod as popular as ever.  With shuffles starting at $49 and storage capacity maxing out at 120 GB on the iPod classic, the iPod is all but universally accessible.  With improved battery life, the greatest color options of all time, and a new mini that finally plays video like all its big brothers, what's not to love? - Jessie

Mobile GPS
We don't know how to use maps anymore.  With GPS we haven't had to know.  Now with mobile GPS we really don't have to know.  Forget a full GPS unit. Now, you can just upload a program to a phone you already travel with.  With things like Google search and turn by turn directions, mobile GPS is just as good as the real thing.  Forget directions while you're driving, now you can get directions as you walk too (and carrying a cell phone doesn't look as dumb as walking around with a GPS unit in your hand). - Jessie

Sonos
Sonos is a wireless multi room music system.  It comes with a controller whose similarities to the iPod design make it a synch to master.  The Sonos access music from everywhere, personal computer libraries to internet radio and pandora.  Setup is simple and almost instantaneous.  Music is easier than ever to find, why not upgrade the actual listening as well?  It's a complete system for a complete experience. - Jessie

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 ($500) is the world's first Wi-fi enabled camera, making photo taking and sharing to sites like Picasa, Shutterfly, and YouTube a snap. Take your pic, find a hotspot and send it directly to your favorite photo or video sharing site. It has all Sony's features like Intelligent Scene Recognition so the light is always right, Face Detection to get the best shot and Smile Shutter so you never miss one. With 4GB of internal memory and a 3.5-inch-wide touch panel Xtra Fine LCD™ screen, the Cyber-shot DSC-G3 is a great camera for anybody who likes to share their shots. - Chris

SYNC
Why should you give up your tech when you are on the road? Ford and Microsoft's collaboration -- SYNC -- links you to your phone, text messages, and music, safely and seamlessly. With new features like customized traffic, navigation and information services, SYNC is driving Ford into the lead for in-car connectivity. - Chris
    
Wii
The Nintendo Wii is still the best all-around game unit on the market today. With the ingenious wiimote design (that has yet to be matched) and it's everyone-can-play style the Wii deserves all the credit it's getting.  Beyond Wii's sole access to Mario titles, the Rock Band franchise is the perfect game addition to any Wii system.  Rock Band is available for other gaming systems, but is the perfect addition to the Wii because of the group mentality that already surrounds the system.  With games like Wii Sports, and Mario Party, Rock Band is a perfect (and incredibly fun) extra to add to the collection. - Jessie