The Best and Worst of Tech in 2008

The year saw new highs and lows for personal technology

By David LaGesse

Posted: December 8, 2008

Leapfrog tag reader

Leapfrog tag reader

Liquid USB Drive

Liquid USB Drive

A bit poorer. A German developer posted a $999.99 application to Apple's new iPhone software store that did nothing but let buyers shout, "I Am Rich," which was its title. The software sold to eight buyers before Apple deleted it from the App Store. Two reportedly got their money back after they said they made the purchase in error. But developer Armin Heinrich stood to pocket $4,200 after Apple took its 30 percent cut.

Wet USB drive. A thumb drive with sloshing liquid inside is undeniably eye-catching. That serves the goal of the folks at CNK Promotions, which sells the drive in bulk with a printed message or logo of your choice. But it seems like a bad idea for the technology. Assuming the memory chip itself is sealed and protected from whatever is splashing about, too many people shove USB drives into a pants pocket. How to explain the big wet spot on your hip?

Bulky phones. Smartphones like the iPhone 3G and BlackBerry Storm have an excuse for being a bit hefty. But the Motorola Z9 shows that some manufacturers continue to churn out handsets with more brawn than brains. The device is as big as or bigger than full-featured smartphones but offers little more than smaller, equally powerful handsets. Others also sell for considerably less than the $100 charged by AT&T for the Z9, after rebate and with contract.

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Wwlkgvqj of RI @ Jul 15, 2009 21:36:20 PM

Livescribe Pulse Smartpen

I've got a Pulse Smartpen that I use to take notes for my classes in college and for meetings. I have to say it is by far the most useful gadget I've come across to date--being able to record everything you write and hear is priceless.

The pen features a computer inside that can run various applications and soon third party developers will be able to write applications for the pen! Text & audio quality is stellar! I'd recommend it to anyone that wants to organize information better, remember more from classes and meetings, and as they say 'to never miss a word'!

If you're interested in getting a Pulse for a friend or family member, (and it is quite a great gift!) check out livescribe.com/store and use discount code SCRIBE5A30 to get 10% off a 1gb/2gb pen!

Neil Parikh of RI @ Dec 08, 2008 23:29:24 PM

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