Top Ten Tech Tools for 2009


What do Google Apps Premier, the Dell Mini 9 netbook computer, the CardScan business card scanner, an HP Touchsmart PC, and the iPod Touch have in common? 

They are all among my top ten picks for technology tools that the well-equipped entrepreneur should have in 2009.

Every year around this time in my Inc Technology column I choose 10 technology tools that are particularly useful for small business owners, managers and entrepreneurs.  The list always includes a mix of hardware tools and software tools … inexpensive as well as premium level products.  This year’s choices start with a gadget that retails for under $10 all the way up to the stunning higher-end Touchsmart computer.  

Flip camera for tkaing video for your website

One of the items that made this year’s list is the hottest video camera around — the Flip (pictured above).  It’s small enough to fit into a pocket or purse, and comes in visually stimulating color designs to express your personality:

Flip HD Mino Video Camera Everyone from the New York Times to my video guru friend Jim Kukral is “flipping” over the Flip. It’s a very small, light, cheap camera that takes good quality video for the price (and can deliver HD output). It has a USB plug so you can plug directly into a computer to transfer the video. It even comes in a range of beautiful color combinations like pink, lime green, and black. Video is increasingly more important to have on your website to get found in search engines, and what easier way to get started creating video for your website.

Read my list at: Must Have Tech Tools for 2009.  Then tell us, what would be on YOUR top 10 list?


More in: 15 Comments ▼

Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

15 Reactions
  1. Perfect timing Anita! Last night I posted 10 Affordable Gifts For Computer Techs on my blog. While a little more narrowly focused than yours, I think our lists compliment each other by giving folks some practical and useful gift ideas for the Holidays!

  2. Thanks, Friendly Computer Guy! Anyone who wants to read Matt’s take on 10 Affordable Gifts, please see: http://www.yfncg.com/2008/12/11/10-affordable-gifts-for-the-computer-tech-on-your-list

  3. Just bought the flip last week, now I just need to get over the self-consciousness to use the video on my blog…

  4. Cool list that you have Anita.

    Oh Yep. I saw Matt’s gifts too. It’s also cool. I too have my “cool list” of must have tech for 2009.

    1. A Dell XPS M1330 notebook or HP Pavilion tx2500z notebook or HP 1035NR 10.1 inch netbook

    2. A Nikon D40 camera

    3. A 120 GB IPod Classic

  5. Erica, I know what you mean about self consciousness. How’s the Flip working out for you? As good as they say?

    Mary Grace, It looks like you are shopping for notebooks, given how specific you are about the different models. Hope you get one for Christmas!

    — Anita

  6. What about a smartpen? Technology has been around for a while but this one seems to be getting more useful.

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001AAN4PW/lockergnome

    Thoughts?

  7. Cool list just in time for Christmas. I was just looking around at netbooks a few days ago. I’d like to purchase one after the holidays. The Mobigrip would make a nice little stocking stuffer too. 🙂

  8. Anita,

    Nice compilation of gadgets. I will buy a Flip video camera for my Talk Fusion video email messages and greetings, and video clips for my blog.

    Today I will start a new series of podcast interviews and then it could be good to listen to the shows on an MP3 player of some sort. I have a simple one that I got as a bonus gift with a business newspaper subscription, but I want to have a new one that is more user friendly. I wouldn’t mind to have an iPod Touch.

    To Friendly Computer Guy: I will get the super tiny thumb drive or USB memory stick. I will soon get involved in a new t-shirt niche that is not “Sarcastic, Obscure or Pithy”… It will be a positive message with an interesting twist. Stay tuned! 🙂

  9. Our small company just bought a flip video camera (Ultra), and have been very impressed with the

    a) decent quality of the video – even in low-light situations
    b) excellent, simple, software which makes it possible to go from camera to the included production software (simple titles and transitions) to YouTube (or many other services) in minutes

    I would highly recommend it!

  10. @Anita – Thanks for providing the link!

    @Amanda – I’m eying a netbook myself, would be great to take onsite to clients houses.

    @Martin – I just got mine in the mail and it’s really great! I’m intrigued about your tee shirts…

  11. Friendly Computer Guy: I will participate in a meeting for the tee shirt venture tomorrow. I will tell you more later on. I has to do with personal relationship status an signal to other like minded individuals and kindred spirits.

    Christian Briggs: I am curious to learn more about Big Tree Top.

  12. That HP TouchSmart is really cool, huh? I love it.

  13. @Amanda, the Mobigrip is a nice stocking stuffer. I put one on the back on my iPod Touch when I was travelling recently. I love to watch movies on it during a plane ride, but if I have to move to let someone sitting next to me out or if I doze off, it has a tendency to fall out of my hand. With the Mobigrip it stayed put.

  14. Christian, glad to hear the Flip is working out so well. I don’t think I’ve heard anything negative about it anywhere.

    I put a lot of work into these picks, checking out products and trying them. I certainly don’t want to put myself on the line for something that turns out to be a piece of crap. 🙂

    Anita

  15. Christmas is coming…i cant wait, i wanted one eversince this video camera came out! Why cant actual video cameras be this cheap?