But, and here’s the catch, everything I find so essential now will be completely outdated in like three years. Think about it – that new phone/game system/computer that you JUST got and are totally obsessed with will be old news very soon. And you will long for the day that you can get an upgrade.

That’s really kind of depressing. And a total waste of money, no?

Being that electronics go bad faster than those rotting apples in your fridge, it doesn’t always make sense to get the hottest, newest thing. There are just some pieces of technology you do not need. So, before you head off to Best Buy to ogle the latest and thinnest TVs for next year’s apartment, let’s discuss the things worth investing in vs. the things you can just play with at your guy friends’ frat house.

The Cell Phone:
Some things are pretty much a no brainier. Sure you probably CAN live without it, but why would you want to? With society’s on-the-go attitude (and our overflowing social calendars) trying to track us down on a land line is nigh impossible. And trying to find a friend at a party? Good luck. What you don’t need, though, is the latest and greatest phone the moment it comes out. Wait just a few short months and the price on that sick new touchscreen phone will drop.

The Blue Tooth:
Does it really take that much energy to lift that precious phone to your ear? And do you realize how ridiculous you look talking to yourself on the way to class? Pass on the blue tooth and save that money for something you really need, like rent. Or shoes. If you are doing something that prevents you from holding the phone, you probably shouldn’t be talking on it anyway.

Flat Screen:
They are pretty. They are cool. They are also very expensive pretty and cool items that you probably don’t need, especially to watch Gossip Girl. Hold onto that regular TV set a little longer, or just watch your shows online. You’ll save money on cable AND a TV purchase. Cha ching.

Blu-Ray:
Blu-Ray players are very cool, but you don’t need to splurge on one. DVDs are just fine and I’m confident they are going to stick around for awhile.

iPod Touch:
This thing is sweet – there is no doubt about it – but it is also really expensive and doesn’t hold nearly as much music as the pods that came before it. Yes, you can switch songs by tapping on a screen, but is that really worth the giant price tag? Probably not. Hold onto the iPod you’ve got until it’s dead. There will probably be 12 new iPods between now and then, so you’ll end up with an even better one in the long run.

Technology is ever changing and very disposable these days, so remember not to pick up anything just because it looks cool. Chances are something new a better is coming along in a few months.

Don’t forget! CollegeCandy is in the spirit of giving this year and we’ve teamed up with our friends at LimeLife.com to bring you the ultimate holiday gift: a brand new free iPod Touch!

Whether you still need something for dad, or you just want something for yourself, an iPod Touch is pretty bomb diggity. It plays music. It plays videos. It has WiFi. You can move things around with your finger!

Really, who doesn’t want one?

You know you do, so go get one. And tell your friends to try, too. Just click to enter at LimeLife.com. Good luck!

And let us tell ya; with CC on your side, geek has never looked so chic.]

When I was young I used to sit in my room late at night and go through the toy catalogue page by page, writing down everything I wanted in a handy, easy-to-use list for my mom. She was a busy woman; I was only trying to help her out. Well, she didn’t buy me anything that was on my ten page list and, although this list is quite a bit shorter, I don’t think she’s going to buy anything from this one either. But I can try.

Below is my Holiday Wish List. I know this season is all about the giving, but this is what I want to be getting. So, if you are in the mood to give, I am definitely in the mood to recieve any and all of these electronics.

Tunage!

I still want the Ipod Touch. It’s so much fun. Touch screens are just great on their own; they make anything ten times better and boat loads more fun. But this little machine is loaded with the awesome. Not just for music but for games and videos as well. I need at least 16 GB because I do a lot (what? I get bored!), but the 8 GB should be ample (and cheaper!) for your Average Joe. Of course, if you get even more bored than me there’s always the 32 GB option. . .

Phone!

Speaking of getting bored, I’m pretty bored with my phone. I’d love a new one. In fact I want the G1. Everything you love about Google in a phone. Since everyone in the world is already plugged into Google (hello, Gmail!) this phone is just an extension of your everyday. It’s like your laptop but small and with phone capabilities. The G1 is a hot little piece of equipment and makes an excellent stocking stuffer.

Games!

But sometimes I like to unplug from the world (which is what I call the internet) and just game mindlessly. I like to do this in new and different locations. Like the mall, the library, or the bus. For this, the Nintendo DS is my pick. I’ve been down with Nintendo since it was a gray box of 8 bit goodness. Nintendo is the King of handheld gaming. PSP ain’t got nothing on them. The DS has a wide array of games, handles well, and is extremely fun. Animal Crossing? I’m set.

TV!

I really need a new TV (for when I am bored of internet and gaming). I want to 32” HDTV. Not just because my old TV totally died on me, but because tube sets are on their way out. Not only that, but all the new gen systems (which are really current gen systems) like the Wii just look better on HDTV. And they save major space in small quarters.

Computer

So my laptop is clunking along pretty slowly these days. She’s an old girl and seen some better days. I’m loyal to her but I think its getting time to trade up. I don’t really use my laptop for anything other than a glorified typewriter, but it would be nice to be able to do other things. Like watch movies. Dell has some sweet deals and are easily customizable for whatever you need. Like loading up all that music for your sweet new iPod.

That’s my list. What do you guys want?

Apple released a brand new iPod on Tuesday and while the rest of the nation was captivated by all the pretty colors and the new gizmo’s shake-to-shuffle feature, I was a little busy geeking out about the other announcement: iTunes 8.

Unlike previous incarnations, iTunes 8 is shaking up the application for the first time in years, this time with the introduction of a better visualizer, a new way to peruse your library and a handy little feature called Genius.

Apple developed Genius to effectively change the way we browse our media. It uses a smarty-pants algorithm to scan and analyze all the music in your iTunes library. The first time you fire it up, (you’ll need an Apple account to get started, by the way) Genius scours the dark corners of the internet for all of your album art.

Once its done scanning, Genius is set to go to work. When you select a song, iTunes creates a 25, 50, 75 or 100 track playlist based on that song’s genre, speed, and general mood. It’s essentially Pandora with all of your own stuff. It’s a fun tool for making a quick work-out playlist, getting ready for a party, or discovering just how much of your music sounds a lot like “Brick” by Ben Folds Five. Or, if you have thousands of songs in your library, it’s is a great way to re-introduce yourself to old favorites.

And since Apple wouldn’t be Apple without trying to sell you something, there’s Genius Sidebar, which suggests other artists or songs you should pick up from the iTunes Store.

Don’t listen to music on the computer anymore? Genius is also available on-the-go on all of the new iPods. Badass!

So try it out and let me know what you think. If you make an awesome playlist based on “Brick,” let’s talk.

[Photo courtesy of pcmag.com]

Why? Because, as usual, Steve Jobs and his cronies have released a newer, better Nano. Poor 3rd generation Nano; so short and squat. Now she’s getting overshadowed by her taller, thinner replacement.

I know how that goes.

The new Nano – built with cleaner and less toxic materials – also comes in a full rainbow of colors and is the perfect combo of portability and function (sorta like this guy). New features include longer battery life, a larger screen and the landscape view for viewing cover flow and movies.

The coolest thing about the Nano, though, is that you just have to give it a little shake to shuffle your songs. That might be the coolest thing ever. And the reason why, as usual, I will be buying another Nano.

Damn you, Steve Jobs. DAMN YOU.