Network World’s Holiday Gift Guide 2010 – Cool Tools (and Toys)

Attention gadget freaks, nerds, geeks, gearheads, children of all ages, and thoughtful holiday gift givers everywhere: the definitive guide to said holiday gifts, the annual Network World Gift Guide is out. I once again had the privilege of being part of Keith Shaw’s minions in producing this magnum opus, which is filled with all kinds of fun stuff and even a gem or two. The process, by the way, works like this: Keith drops me a note and asks if I can come by the office to pick up a couple of things to review. I show up. Keith asks me what I want (anything wireless or mobile, I tell him) and I try to leave with six to eight items, pretty much my limit given the demands of my day job. This year, however, that number grew to 14, of which I actually reviewed 12 (a disk array in my box of goodies was lacking disks, a feature I’m told, and an 802.11n router/client just didn’t seem that interesting). But, anyway, you can read my results, and those of Keith’s other dedicated associates, in Network World now.

The gems from my group: Samsung’s Fascinate Android Phone, which I liked so much I bought one for myself, Apple TV (ditto, this one’s been added to our Wireless Media Facility), which leads a very competitive genre that’s redefining home entertainment, brite-View’s HDelight wireless HDMI (yes, it really works, even at 1080p), and the SleepPhones headphones, which are perfect for those redeye flights. But there are many, many more, and many other reviewers besides myself. Have a look – there’s something for everyone here (at least everyone who reads Network World, anyway!).

And I still have a few to go – those received after the publication deadline. I’ll be doing those this week or next, and the reviews will be available in this blog or on Network World directly. Either way, I’ll post pointers here.