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Question of the day

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Illinois

* What’s your latest tech purchase and how’s it working out?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 11:41 am

Comments

Wirelss broadband card and I love it. Downloads are low but it is actually faster than some DSL’s I have used.

Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 11:48 am
The Droid phone from Verizon Wireless. Very cool device.

Comment by Joe in the Know Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 11:50 am
A disposal camera for $7. Worked out great!

Comment by OLD TIMER Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 11:53 am
Palm Pre - very sweet phone

Comment by CLJ Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 11:53 am
HP Elite Desktop with quad core and Windows 7. Fast and painless.

Comment by Nuance Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:03 pm
Bought an Old School Nintendo at a Pawn Shop over the weekend with Excite Bike, Mike Tyson Punch Out, and Mega Man 1, 2, and 3. That is a tech purchase that is working out great!

Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:05 pm
Low flow toilet. Hit one button and it does the job. Hit the other button and it works like a water cannon. Thorough. Takes no prisoners.

Comment by Joe Schmoe Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:12 pm
160 Gig Ipod. It works great and has huge battery life. I have over 1125 full CD’s on the thing and I still have 70 Gigs of free space.

Comment by Steve Bartin Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:12 pm
My 8G iPod is full of music and podcasts. I need a bigger one.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:16 pm
just got a 32GB iPhone 3Gs. Love it. Waited long enough but it was worth it.

Comment by chitownhv Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:16 pm
also a PS3. Great video games, plus they just partnered with netflix so you can watch streaming movies in HD.

Comment by chitownhv Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:19 pm
AT&T 945 phone for the desk, no complaints.

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:20 pm
a handheld gps to mark the good fishing cribs on lake shabbona. once on location, use the depth finder and trollers to fine tune the anchoring position. might invest in the underwater camera next.

Comment by insider Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:20 pm
“The Word,” app for my iPhone 3G. Now I’m part of the Colbert Nation. Works great.

Comment by Dead Head Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:21 pm
Dell laptop. It comes with free Napster for 1 year. Me likey. Also has a webcam thingy.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:23 pm
I’m thinking of getting a Ruko Player which allows for streaming Netflicks on the tee-vee. I’d much prefer to go with a PS3, but the wife ain’t a big fan of Grand Theft Auto, so that’s out.

Anybody have a Ruko? Is it worth the $80?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:27 pm
My Motorola DynaTAC - easy use.

Comment by Quacktastic Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:32 pm
For some reason, I got my eye on an iPod Touch. Can anyone offer a review?

Comment by Deep South Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:33 pm
I just bought an Amazon Kindle last week. I like it and I’ve already read through one book

Comment by David Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:39 pm
It was a while back, but I got a netbook for my birthday. It works great during session for checking and sending e-mail, and surfing the web at the capitol. It’s even better now that the GA offers free wi-fi now too.

Comment by Fantasma Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:44 pm
I just went from an old laptop with an outdated AMD processor, virtually no RAM, and dial-up internet to a new laptop with a Core 2 Duo processor, 4 GB ram, and wireless high speed. I feel like I have gone from a horse and buggy to a Corvette.

Comment by Old Shepherd Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:47 pm
Blackberry Storm. Like the screen and functions but the touchpad keyboard is a bit cumbersome.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:50 pm
Re 47th ward

Judging by your handle you’re my neighbor! Awesome. The ruko is weak. I got the xbox 360 for 100 dollars more and u can stream netflix, south park, and play halo and DVDs until the cows come home. I’m a big fan. FIFA 2010 is also sweet.

Comment by Patriot Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:54 pm
i got a toshiba mini because i’ve been flying too much lately and using my laptop on the plane is always a hassle (more so since they now have internet connections on the plane). i can’t say yet how i like it, as i just got it. give me a couple of flights and i’ll let you know…

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:56 pm
A Flip HD. Love it!

Comment by Rayne of terror Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 12:57 pm
Thanks Patriot.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:02 pm
new IPOD classic - seems fine
Interested in Kindle - how is it?
Also recently go a netbook - feels like a lovely purse but inspite of the antivirus protection, it caught a bug and is currently dead - so I am thinking of moving to Mac as they are less prone to such illness. - thoughts anyone?

Comment by OMG Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:08 pm
new ipod nano. The little video camera is a lot of fun; nice little built in speaker to share songs with others. I am amazed what this little thing can do for the price!

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:14 pm
Wii Hours of fun.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:18 pm
Food mill for my kitchen aid mix master. I have been making applesauce all day and my kitchen smell heavenly.

Comment by Boscobud Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:26 pm
Rich, I hope this might be an OK time to ask you to ask your legions of fans what iPhone apps they have that they love for work/politics/media/fun. Thanks.

Comment by Fan Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:27 pm
Logtech camera for my computer to Skype with family across the U.S. I was very impressed with the quality of the video.

Comment by Velma D. Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:30 pm
I bought a device that can scan a person and tell if they are liberal or conservative. Works every time….except for Mark Kirk. He keeps changing??

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:37 pm
If just a game counts, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It’s beyond awesome, and fighting in D.C. is pretty cool. Although the part where you play as a terrorist is a bit off-putting, though nice to see games being willing to tackle contravention subjects that have become the norm for network television.

If you want something bigger though, then I’d have to say my flat screen television that I got three or so months ago. It works fine, though it does this weird thing every once in a while where it has a ten second delay between turning it on and it actually coming on.

Comment by TJ Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:39 pm
Droid — it’s sooooo much better than my blackberry.

working pretty good as I work out the kinks and fuigure stuff out on it.

Comment by Todd Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:47 pm
Droid.

I don’t care if it is not as fancy as the iPhone. I get reception everywhere, which is why I never upgraded my AT&T blackberry to the iPhone. Just waited for right Verizon phone. Google maps app is incredible and the cool apps are coming…

Comment by Anon Sequitor Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:50 pm
WHISPER-CLOSE Toilet Seat. You have to raise it to use it and then just give it a little nudge and it will close quietly. My wife needed this when there were six males in the house. Better late then never.

Comment by Rich Sr Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:51 pm
Let’s see…I just upgraded to Comcast digital cable since the analog channels started disappearing. I didn’t buy any of it–Comcast is giving away or leasing at low low monthly rates!–and I gotta say it’s garbage. 4 or 5 tech people here in a week, no more splitting the signal through my Tivo, On Demand didn’t work, WAY too expensive, refurbished equipment instead of new, horrible tech support….

Am I writing anything that everyone didn’t know already?

Previous to my current tech debacle–Wii, iPhone, Yamaha stereo equipment, Prius, and Tivo home networking are all very cool and worth every penny.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 1:56 pm
4G Ipod Nano, great for music while working out at Snap Fitness Ctr.

Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:00 pm
Eagerly awaiting the release of a CapFax iPhone app

Comment by Apple Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:02 pm
I keep debating (with myself) about pre-ordering the new Barnes & Noble “Nook”. I am afraid that if I wait until they are in the stores in late November I won’t be able to get one for Christmas. Any advice?

Comment by off the record Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:06 pm
SONOS. Whole house audio at its best. For any true music junkie out there it’s a must investment.

Comment by ice phisher Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:07 pm
iPod touch — and I love it. And I recommend the ‘Concise English Dictionary,’ ‘Stanza’ (e-book reader) and ‘News Fuse USA’ as must have apps. (MiniPiano is pretty damn cool too.)

– MrJM
http://twitter.com/misterjayem

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Sprint HTC Hero - The phone rocks! And unlike AT&T I get great reception!

Comment by Anon14 Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Prius, Iphone, and Kindle–all in the last year, all great. I am in nerd heaven.

Comment by jake Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:18 pm
Kodak Disc camera.
Fits in my pocket but pictures are kinda grainy. Wonder if they’ll improve it?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:18 pm
My motorola 8 track player. I love the way it plays over and over.

Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:21 pm
Dumped my iPhone and back to the blackberry. What good are the apps if the phone and email do not work? Not much.

Comment by Cosmic Charlie Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:27 pm
Interested in more info on the Droid from those who have it. Is it really that much better than the IPhone? And is Verizon the only company that has it?

Comment by Noid Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 2:40 pm
I purchased a 2009 Dobbs Porkpie hat with the political BS detector. Whenever it picks up any bogus claims, spin or lies, it warms us the inner lining of the hat so that the wearer can know when they are being lied to without those around him noticing the hat warning him.

However, on Saturday night while listening to the C-Span coverage of the House actions regarding HR 3200, it exploded into a nuclear mushroom cloud.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:10 pm
Pre-sharpened, No2 pencil. Writes all day. Ultra low energy consumption. Very portable. Does not come with a manual. Sticks in ceiling tile and looks good in ceramic cup. Carpenter version stays in one place.

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:10 pm
Nail gun to do my garage roof. Make my day.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:18 pm
Going all solar & wind power…and off grid

Comment by Siyotanka Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:29 pm
iPhone3GS. At the other extreme, I still have a Sony Betamax on my shelf.

Comment by wilecoyote Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:33 pm
Noid - Check out the Hero it’s made by HTC but has the same Google operating system as the Droid and is available on Sprint. Not sure if it is “better” than the Iphone, but it is definitely an equal and also works and you have reliable service. Sprint seems to be a lot less expensive than Verizon right now. Good Luck

Comment by Anon14 Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:42 pm
droid = awesome..I don’t think the HTC hero has the same OS..I believe the droid from verizon is the only stock android 2.0 device right now..and it’s worth every penny, car dock and home dock are awesome as well…love streaming pandora radio while driving using free google maps gps and checking my email, all from the car dock

Comment by anon Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 3:54 pm
Blackberry Tour (former Treo user) it sucks. Internet is slowwwwwwwwwwww. Still within my first 30 days - switching to the Moto Droid tomorrow thanks Verizon!

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 4:06 pm
Motorola DROID. Got it Friday & I am very happy with it. Switched from a Windows mobile device & much better off. All sorts of good free apps in the market for it. I have capitol fax docked on my home screen No need for a separate app. Also having a physical keyboard made typing this easy.

Comment by Blue Dog Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 4:13 pm
Thanks Anons and Blue Dog.

Comment by Noid Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 4:30 pm
I go an 80 gig Zune about 1 1/2 years ago and have put over 13,000 songs on it. I love it.

Comment by BMAN Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 4:36 pm
After suffering the loss of a TV in the bathroom because all stations went digital, I finally located one that would fit in the very narrow space the old one occupied. It’s an “IVIEW” sold by Radio Shack (usually on line, rarely have them in the stores here). Just recommended it to a friend and checked availability before I did so. Surprise! On sale for $100, a little less than I paid. It’s a 7″ flat screen, color, and has a good battery if you want to take it somewhere. Also had to pay COMCRAP $25 for a cable outlet, but overall the cost of the outlet and the TV has been worth it to me.

Comment by BehindTheScenes Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 4:56 pm
I bought a firewire card and I’m happy with the purchase. I no longer have to use a laptop to upload video and then be concerned about taking up not only space, but having skipped frames.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 5:33 pm
Thanks ice phisher for the SONOS idea! I’m sure Rich will get his dear old Dad one for Christmas!!

Comment by Rich Sr Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 5:42 pm
Blackberry curve 3 months ago, I love it and still haven’t watched the CD manual yet! My first smart phone, although it didn’t recognize the time change….

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 6:25 pm
VanMan - did you purchase a really long extended warranty for your hat? You’re gonna wish you had.

LE just purchased a new laptop with a bazilion gig and RAM, camera, wireless, more bells & whistles than I will ever need or learn to use. Worked out great last week when me and spouse took it to the Smoky Mountains. Only complaint - the wireless mouse chews up batteries and spits them out at me. Probably will go back to the reliable plug in.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 8:52 pm
HP computer with a bad motherboard that HP won’t fix.

Comment by Cal Skinner Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 9:03 pm
noid –

It is fast. Pulls up webpages with ease and there are some good free apps. I really like the visual voice mail app. You open it and it shows you your voice mail. you can play them from the screen, look at info or delete them. No more dialing in to your voice mail and having to listen to all of them.

I need to set different ringtones for email vs text messages and some othe stuff.

If you download your music to it, you can hit play, then with the menu options turn the song into a ringtone. Then go to your contacts and tag a person with that song for a ringtone. You don’t need to buy ringtones if you are using songs for them.

just what I have figured out in 24 hours. way too cool. and I think it fgoes head to head with iphone with better service.

Comment by Todd Tuesday, Nov 10, 09 @ 10:16 pm
A Blackberry Tour from Verizon…love it!

Comment by J-town Wednesday, Nov 11, 09 @ 7:12 am
A Kindle-as someone who loved books, this is still a winner. A tankless water heater which saves enough energy that the gas company sent someone to our house to check the meter. They didn’t think we were using any energy at all. Eliminating a pilot light driven heating system makes all the difference.

Comment by Diane Wednesday, Nov 11, 09 @ 8:22 am
Blackberry Storm. Like the screen and functions but the touchpad keyboard is a bit cumbersome.

Comment by sms Wednesday, Nov 11, 09 @ 11:48 am
Got the Droid, way cool. Browsing is super fast on bright hi res screen.

Comment by siriusly Thursday, Nov 12, 09 @ 8:38 am