Hot Technologies: Top Technology Gadgets of 2008

I can do without all the hype when it comes to new technologies that promise to 'change the way we live our lives'. I am one of those people who would rather see a device settle into the market following its launch, before I go out and purchase one for myself or recommend one to an associate (unless, of course, I’m getting a freebie look at a beta model). So when the Apple 3G iPhone hoopla finally died down (and the inevitable bugs got fixed) I took the plunge and put my hand in my pocket. It is fair to say I have been suitably impressed ever since.

The 3G network which is the core component of the new iPhone is hugely impressive, data exchange and transfer rates are sensationally quick, and software updates to the phone are delivered without fuss or fan-fair. With regard to hardware, the iPhone device itself has changed minimally but impressively since the first release in November 2007 – with enhanced headphone connectivity and a more durable (slightly thicker) chrome chassis. It's a joy to use in so many ways and slender enough to fit into any pocket or bag. The iPhone also comes with groundbreaking touch screen technology and impressive specifications. Integration with the iTunes store makes it quick and easy to download and install applications, of which there are a few thousand now. It's not hard to say that the 3G iPhone is a major advancement in mobile communications.

The Slingbox TV signal sender / media streamer is the most impressive gadget I have had the pleasure of stumbling across in 2008, having marvelled at the way such a simple device could reduce arguments over who's turn it was to choose the channel in a TV-obsessed family household.

The Slingbox allows you to stream TV programs directly to an internet connected PC using your broadband connection. The streamed TV signal is delivered by connecting the Slingbox directly to your TV, satellite receiver or cable box. This sounds far too simple to be true, but it genuinely is. The Slingbox is a dream to setup and use, I’ve even heard rumors that my wife was able to configure our device in my absence, but I’m not convinced she didn’t call a ‘techi friend’ to do this for her! It is also an incredibly reliable device for this type of media streaming and can even send freeview TV signals without the need for direct connectivity to a TV. Although it's a superb innovation which delivers clean, seamless images from your TV to PC straight across your broadband connection, the Slingbox does however come with only one minor flaw. It would be even more impressive if 'version two' came with one-to-many connectivity. (The fancier Slingbox Pro does allows users to watch up to four channels at once.)