A Techie's Top 5 Must-Have Gadgets: Gazelle's Anthony Scarsella

For most of us, the core problem of the Information Age boils down to this: Gadget overload. But for Anthony Scarsella, Gazelle's Chief Gadget Officer, it's a different story. In his world, there isn't enough time to try every gadget.

And Scarsella knows his gadgetry, spending countless hours toying with what's new and what's worth your time. So who better to consult on five must-have gadgets? Here's his take on five gadgets that have made his life easier, and more enjoyable.

HTC One S Smartphone

"The smartphone is essentially your gadget Swiss army knife," Scarsella says. And for him, the go-to phone is the HTC One S ($49.99 via $50 mail-in rebate with free shipping, a low by $100; search for "HTC One" to find it). Much like the iPhone or other Android devices, it assumes the roles of GPS, digital camera, and laptop. "From thousand of apps, to staying connected at all times anywhere in the world, the smartphone is a one-man show. My phone is truly the one gadget I can't even go a day without."

The new iPad

As a guy who's commented so much about iPads, Scarsella found that he loves the third generation, new iPad. "When it comes to being entertained for hours, nothing beats the iPad," he says. "The best part is the mobility. Gone are the days I reach for my laptop or run to my desktop. The iPad — and tablets in general — are the future of computing."

Slingbox HD

The Slingbox is a device that transfers cable programming directly onto a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. And it's been one of Scarsella's favorite gadgets since it launched in 2006. "Being a heavy traveler, I loved the idea that I can essentially take my TV anywhere with me," he says. "And being a big soccer fan, I never want to miss any games because of travel or work. I can stream the game straight to my iPad or smartphone from anywhere I get [wireless] service."

Yurbuds Ironman and Sony MDR-V700 Headphones

If you're going to indulge in lots of media and gadgets, you'll need to invest in a good pair — or two — of headphones. Scarsella likes the Yurbuds Ironman Earbuds ($29.45 with free shipping, a low by $1), pictured, because they're great for working out. "These are sweat-proof, durable, and never fall out of my ear," But for home use, comfort is king, and Scarsella opts for a traditional headset. He loves his DJ-inspired Sony MDR-V700 Headphones because they are "classic and still produce great sound after 10 years of use."

PlayStation 3

While life is not all fun and games, computing can be — and computer enthusiasts of the world owe a lot to gamers, who inspired graphics and processing technologies. As for his PlayStation 3, Scarsella says it's the one gadget he honestly uses everyday, and that speaks volumes considering he doesn't call himself a gamer. "Content is king when it comes to consoles these days, and the PS3 brings me Netflix, Amazon, rentals, and gaming.... At the end of the day the PS3 is my household entertainment hub that I turn to every night over cable."

The bottom line, Scarsella says, is to build an arsenal of gadgets that support your lifestyle and come highly recommended for reliability and durability. It's not easy being a Chief Gadget Officer, but Scarsella has a love for tech that takes him far beyond the title of geek — and much close to chic.

Front page photo credit: Modern Life Blog