As in past years (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011), I am putting together a new list of my top tech. The list contains my favorite things from the last year, even if they were available in prior years. By "tech" I am basically including any new toys, apps, etc... that I find cool and/or useful and currently own or owned in the last year.
Note: I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page. Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon (though, I do have to pay taxes on them).
Note: I may get paid commissions for purchases made through any links to Amazon products on this page. Also, I get some products for free to review from Amazon (though, I do have to pay taxes on them).
My favorite tech of the year
Wiim Pro - I had the original Wiim on my list last year and this took it to a new level. This one has Coax out and Ethernet in, which means I no longer needed an adapter to connect it to my receiver. Also, the biggest flaw of the original is the optical output port which often had issues holding the cable. This company is beyond impressive with their numerous updates to the software and their constant tweaks to bring new hardware to the world at great prices. They have a new Wiim on the horizon with USB output and a LCD screen, so looking forward to that, too. It should be mentioned, that the Wiim Pro has more memory than the original Wiim which means it can also get updates ( like Roon) that are not available on the original Wiim.
Hi Fi Sound
KEF LS50 Meta - I have lusted for KEF LS50s for years. This year I decided to get a pair when I saw a used pair in perfect condition selling for $500 off the original price. My god, these things sound amazing on my desktop setup! These were a close second to my tech of the year, but I had to give the nod to Wiim since they are changing the audio world with their inexpensive well built devices. amzn.to/3skByRj
Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen, 2021 release)
Echo Show 8 - I grabbed one of these during one of Amazon's blow out sales. It has a nice display for showing slideshow pics, YouTube videos, Prime video or home security cameras. The speaker on this is really good, even though I mainly send music (Alex Casting Hi Rez via Amazon Music) to my Wim Mini from it. It doesn't have an analog output like my Echo Dot/Spot, which I consider a downside for some users. However "casting to the Wiim allows voice control of Amazon Music while taking advantage of my main office audio setup (. Very convenient and useful or my setup.
Computer Nerd
Loopdeck Live - This is a little box that connects to your computer and gives you shortcuts to any app or site you want and adds fine tuning inside apps like Final Cut and Lightroom. Not necessity for most, but it makes an amazing present. I know because I got mine as a present.
Stretching
AeroPilates5-Cord Pro Reformer - Due to stress, genetics, and working too many hours while sitting, my back and tight hamstrings have been a chronic issue this year. I have been doing acupuncture (highly recommended) which helps, but the Pilates is fantastic for loosening my tight hamstrings. It can also provide a low impact workout for anyone. It does require some space, but I got one that sits low to the ground and folds mostly out of the way between workouts. I bought mine from HSN, thanks to a nice zero interest payment plan, but it is currently out of stock. They have the 4 cord version or you can pick up a similar 5 corder version on Amazon.
Massage
Comfier- As above, I guess we can call this the year of the bad back. I looked into massage chairs, but then you have to find a place for a big bulky chair and spend thousands. We came close to doing that until I ran across the Comfier. This is a massager you can put in a chair or on the floor and get a great back and neck massage. When we have guests over, I just move it to a closet, so it isn’t the ongoing eye sore of most massage chairs. That being said, you lose some features, like leg/arm massage, so it isn’t a perfect substitute, but if your issue is mainly the back and neck, this can work wonders. I opted for the version with the app and I would recommend getting that version. It makes it easier to fine tun and control the massager.
Suck it
Shark/Dyson - I hope you don’t mind me putting these two together. However, they both clean the floors, but specialize in their own areas. The Shark solves the issue I had with my prior auto robot vacuum cleaners. It sucks the dirt from the machine and puts it in an easy to clean bin. The Dyson is a battery operated vacuum cleaner that can clean the places that the shark misses ( behind chairs and under furniture). It is configurable, so it can be carried in hand out to vacuum your car, too. The combo is great!
Fun in the Sun
Alpine Bluetooth speakers - These speakers filled a gap in our backyard lifestyle. We have three areas we like to listen to music and they change throughout the year. Having solar speakers means we can just pick them up and move them anywhere we want to listen. Of course, they aren’t completely perfect, occasionally, I will need to charge one manually when it doesn't get enough sun. Occasionally, they make some noises trying to connect when we don’t want to hear music, so we have to manually turn them off. That being said, they melt into the background with their rock-like facade and we can have music playing in seconds. In the summer we have them by the pool and in the fall we move the to the deck. They sound okay, but music outdoors always has a cost in sound quality. As a result, these get the job done.
Apple Pencil 2
I know this is kind of a boring pic, but I had a cheap knock pencil to use with my M1 iPad and the Apple Pencil 2 is a huge improvement. First off, it doesn't need to be turn off and on. Even the one I had that would charge through the iPad (most need USB-C) had to be turned off when not in use. Then each time I used it, it had to be connected to Bluetooth. Both things I can live with, but the Apple Pencil 2 just sits where you need it and works automatically the second you touch it to the iPad.
Mix it up
Ninja SS351 blender - we have several blenders already, but I got this one free from my job, so I was interested in trying some of the new features. This thing chops through ice like no other blender we have. My wife likes to make smoothies and this has a 24 ounce cup that is perfect for us to split a smoothie or drink part of it and store in the fridge.
Some final thoughts
While the new MacBook Pros would be a gigantic upgrade from my 2016 MacBook Pro, I just don’t feel much need for a laptop these days. I mainly use the iPad or iPhone for portability and a Mac Mini for desktop use. The laptop is nice for trips since I can offload photos to it and an external drive very easily, but the 2016 version still works for that need and many others.
As for the iPhone, I just don’t bother upgrading every year these days. I am on the two or three year upgrade plan. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the Raw 42 megapixel format that works for most of my needs, so I am going to sit it out a while to see if there is anything that they add that I really want. A 10x lens would be nice, but something I would rarely use, so I need a more compelling case to upgrade.
I guess you could say I am pretty happy with my current tech. I think a lot of tech has entered its “cash cow” phase where we aren’t seeing huge innovations each year and with my use case mainly being hobby related, it gets harder to justify upgrades for incremental changes.
There are some things I have on a wishlist, but most are just too difficult to justify… motorized projection screen (if I could drop one in on the same hangers I have for my pull down screen, I would do it now...just all the screens I have seen will require new holes which means filling holes and repainting the wall), wide angle lens for my Sony camera ( mainly shooting wide angle with my phone these days), Fiio R7 ( so cool, but hard to justify the cost when I have the same features in my current setup), a hardtop removal stand for my Jeep (just need to do a major clean up of garage to fit it and my jeep in there), etc.
Of course, by next year, there will be some new stuff out that I may not be able to resist. We will see, but right now, I have to see I am pretty happy with all of my tech...even stuff purchased years ago like my Big Green Egg.
As for the iPhone, I just don’t bother upgrading every year these days. I am on the two or three year upgrade plan. The iPhone 14 Pro Max has the Raw 42 megapixel format that works for most of my needs, so I am going to sit it out a while to see if there is anything that they add that I really want. A 10x lens would be nice, but something I would rarely use, so I need a more compelling case to upgrade.
I guess you could say I am pretty happy with my current tech. I think a lot of tech has entered its “cash cow” phase where we aren’t seeing huge innovations each year and with my use case mainly being hobby related, it gets harder to justify upgrades for incremental changes.
There are some things I have on a wishlist, but most are just too difficult to justify… motorized projection screen (if I could drop one in on the same hangers I have for my pull down screen, I would do it now...just all the screens I have seen will require new holes which means filling holes and repainting the wall), wide angle lens for my Sony camera ( mainly shooting wide angle with my phone these days), Fiio R7 ( so cool, but hard to justify the cost when I have the same features in my current setup), a hardtop removal stand for my Jeep (just need to do a major clean up of garage to fit it and my jeep in there), etc.
Of course, by next year, there will be some new stuff out that I may not be able to resist. We will see, but right now, I have to see I am pretty happy with all of my tech...even stuff purchased years ago like my Big Green Egg.
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