1. Who are you?
I am Rylan Barnes, co-founder of Big in Japan. We make fun and exciting applications for your phone like ShopSavvy. ShopSavvy lets you use your phone’s camera to scan a product’s barcode. It then gives you all the best prices on the internet and at nearby, local stores.

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
I must admit. I’m old fashioned when it comes to communication. Nothing beats a face-to-face conversation. I still love me some Facebook, Twitter, Skype, rotary phone, etc. They’re useful and even necessary. But I do find myself favoring the personal touch if I have the option. It’s just a much richer medium. For me half the conversation is in the inflection and facial clues.

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
I can’t live without a good laptop. For the past 20 years, the best-fit option for me has almost always been a Mac. My smartphone (of the day) would be a close second but that’s just my breathing tank that sustains me while I’m away from my computer. My life has always been about creating and building fun and exciting things and I need an actual computer for that. To me, my laptop is home. It’s a part of me.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own?
My TV remotes. I’m sorry folks, these need fewer buttons, not more. 40, 50, 60 buttons? It is a crime against humanity that companies still make them like this. And then I have to have 4 different remotes? That’s 200 buttons, many of which are duplicated. I have a Samsung TV and Samsung DVD player and, yes, I have to keep both remotes around. That is a shame. Universal remotes are not the solution either. They’re usually just the lowest common denominator across all your equipment and typically have MORE buttons.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
I want a remote control with one button. I want my large TV screen to display my options to me but only the options that apply to the context in which I’m operating. If I’m currently playing a DVD, all I need is stop, pause, reverse, and forward. I want to aim my remote at the appropriate menu on the TV and my TV should tell my peripheral equipment what to do. Obviously my equipment will have to be able to tell my TV what it CAN do first too but this is necessary so that it all requires ZERO configuration. My grandparents can barely watch TV anymore. I’m serious. And if something gets misconfigured, it costs them $60 to get it fixed. FAIL.

Company Site [Big in Japan]

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
I was really into Facebook last year, checking it constantly. I loved seeing friends’ photos and updates. I started using Twitter when I started Posterous.com since it’s so big in the web community. And the more I use it, the more value I find in it. Being able to follow smart people who are normally not accessible is incredibly powerful. I’m not into updating Twitter every time I do something–that’s just weird. But, I love sharing photos and links and ingesting the same from others.

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
This is probably your most common answer, but my iPhone. First of all, I’m always on the phone. I haven’t had a landline in 10 years and I’ve always needed tons of minutes each month. But then the iPhone adds so much more. I do use it as an iPod, I do use it for maps, Twitter, and a camera. It really has changed my life in so many ways. I am constantly pulling it out my pocket for so many reasons. The only problem with it is it’s too useful for its own battery life.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own
I’ve definitely owned some bizarre stuff in the past. A Cross Crosspad. A portable minidisk player. But generally I’m really good about getting rid of bad products on eBay (hopefully before other people figure out they suck so I can get my money back!). So, I don’t have too much old junk lying around the house. I am very proud of my Apple + Mac collection, about 8 computers in all, including a G4 cube that I used in college. I love that machine.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
Right now I’d love a 15″ Macbook Air with 3G. Basically I want a very small, light, thin laptop that’s always connected. The smaller the better.

Company Site: [Posterous]

1. Who are you?
I am a researcher and rapid prototyper. When I’m not doing research on the crossroads of technology and art, I’m prototyping artwork that blinks, twitches, and might even be tasty to eat. I have a master’s degree in information science and am close to finishing up my second master’s in art history. As Bug Lab’s chief laboratory technician, I administer a workshop for exploring the instant innovation available with modular technology components.

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
Real life. I find it easier to collectively build hardware face to face.

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
BUG from Bug Labs of course! Open source hardware and software so I can mod it any way I like.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own
The horseless carriage, so much wasted fossil fuels and pollution. We can do better.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
I don’t have to wish, I can build it with my BUG. It is the age of making and doing!

Company Site: [Bug Labs]

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
Facebook for my family and “real” friends, and Twitter for my internet pals (@randallb), because I need a replacement for watercooler chat when I work from home.

3. What is the gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
MacBook Pro. Not sure if it’s a “gadget” proper, but it’s basically everything I do in my life. I shoot my show using it, edit video, write biz docs, email, facebook, twitter, use it as my media center with Boxee, and pretty much everything I do for a living revolves around it.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own [mine’s an original Sony Reader]
Motorola Q. I got it for free from Sprint with their SERO plan to use primarily as a modem, but as I’ve used it as a phone, I’ve grown to loathe Windows Mobile even more. Oh, that and the battery life is absolute crap.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
A non-AT&T iPhone that could actually send and receive calls reliably, and also not have exorbitant pricing for the plan. Oh, that, and a gadget that automatically promotes my website, TechVi.com, so I don’t have to oddly do it in non-applicable questions.

Visit: [TechVi]

A lot of us use Twitter. But when you want to post images, videos, and audio, you might want to move to something like Tumblr. It’s an extremely easy blogging solution. But, who’s behind Tumblr? Get to know Marco Arment in this edition of “5 Questions.” He put together much of Tumblr. Would a Tumblr guy use Facebook? His answer may surprise you.

1. Who are you?
I’m Marco Arment, a web programmer in New York. I work for Tumblr and develop Instapaper on the side.

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
Tumblr, because I wrote much of it, so I’m a bit biased. Tumblr fits the way I publish online much better than anything else. I use Twitter a bit because it’s a different publishing context with a different community that I get some utility from. I currently have no use for Facebook, and most days, I forget that it exists. Like Windows.

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
A good Mac. As great as other gadgets get, the personal computer is still far more useful to me for far more tasks than any other device can be. I don’t foresee the general-purpose computer being meaningfully replaced in my lifetime.

But if a computer’s presence is assumed separately, I’d have to go with the iPhone. So much usefulness hasn’t been packed into a single device since… the personal computer.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own [mine’s an original Sony Reader]
Every TV tuner or video-capture card that I’ve ever purchased, from the old Hauppauge MPEG-2 PCI tuners to the modern USB-stick ATSC versions. Every time I buy one, I barely touch it for months or years and eventually get rid of it. A year or two later, I’ll forget that I never really use them and I’ll buy another one. I think I’ve gone through about six of them so far.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
A vastly improved type of battery.

Nearly all technological progress for portable electronics rests on battery technology. Without better batteries that hold more power with less volume and weight, progress slows to a crawl. And battery technology tends to move very slowly.

Otherwise, I’d have to pick an iPhone with better camera optics, video recording, more RAM, a faster CPU, and fewer App Store headaches for developers. The good news is that it sounds like I’m likely to get the former four items in about two months.

Site: [Tumblr]
Site: [Instapaper]
Site: [Marco.org]

1. Who are you?
Luke: Luke Francl, freelance hacker. [Pictured, on the left]

Barry: Barry Hess, prime hacker at Iridesco. [Pictured, on the right]

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
Luke: Twitter. I didn’t join Facebook because I was too old when it started and now that my Grandma’s on there, it’s too lame.

Barry: I have a Facebook account, but I’m not a very active user. Twitter rules the day!

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
Luke: Cliché, I know, but I love my iPhone. The always-on Internet is totally awesome. I hardly ever use it to listen to music.

Barry: Does Hulu on my laptop count as a gadget? If not, I’d also have to go with the iPhone. Although I find myself on it too often and I sometimes regret even having the device.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own [mine’s an original Sony Reader]
Luke: Probably a Treo 180 smart phone. Piece of junk, broke almost immediately. It made me swear off smart phones for 5 years.

Barry: I actually sold this long ago, but I owned a Sega Genesis 32X back in the day. Definitely my worst tech purchase.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
Luke: I would love a e-book reader with universal access to humanity’s shared library. Sort of like the Kindle but with every book ever and no DRM.

Barry: A mobile Netflix device with a high-resolution screen would be great. A mobile Hulu device would also be great. However, a mobile Netflix+Hulu device would signal the world has come to an end, which is something I’d like to avoid.

Follow these guys on Twitter: [Luke] and [Barry]
Check out FollowCost

It’s a pretty cool idea even if you aren’t the most granola hippie. Why should the picture be on if you’re not in? Plus by saving energy, you’ll see a lower electricity bill.

Thanks for doing this twinterview. What makes the Sony WE5 the greenest ever television?
The WE5 has a few key green features – energy efficient HCFL backlight using 50% less power, presence sensor and energy saving switch

Could you explain how exactly the Presence Sensor works? Will the TV turn off if I’m too still in the room?
[The] presence sensor detects both heat & motion so the TV knows if you are watching it. If you leave the room the picture will switch off.

Why HCFL instead of LED for the backlight when others have gone with LED?
LED uses less power than CCFL, but HCFL is using 50% less power so much more efficient backlight for the same picture quality.

Will all of your televisions be following the WE5′s lead — will all Sony TVs become greener?
All Sony TVs/products are designed to be as eco-aware as possible; all new BRAVIAs have Eco Features & onscreen manuals.

Will moving in a green direction in TV production benefit Sony as a company during a leaner economic period?
People are more cost & eco aware, WE5 will save energy & cut your bills – at least €300 over 10 years.

Could you expand on which Eco Features will be available Bravia-wide?
Most Bravias have light sensors which adapt brightness, power saving modes & operating power.

Where can people go to find out more about the WE5?
The best place is to check out the Sony website which contains a WE5 video, which is also on YouTube.

Learn more: [Sony Bravia WE5]

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?
Both! I despise the fanboy trait of only being able to like one thing from each category, it’s so limiting! I get asked the 360/PS3 question a lot and it drives me nuts.

I use Facebook mostly for keeping in touch with IRL friends, especially friends who live far away. I like being able to see what people are up to and touch base with an occasional comment, without having to phone everyone I’ve ever met once a month!

Twitter on the other hand is great for keeping in touch with the online community, particularly those who have supported my work and want to know what I’m working on next. My followers are great at offering advice, interesting comments, and answers to questions, and in return, I love throwing out links to interesting sites and letting people know what I’m up to. (Katharine2501 if you want to follow me!)

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?
Um… does the biro still count as a gadget? [Editor’s note: a “biro” is a ballpoint pen if you didn’t know -- I didn’t.] I think there are a lot of early and comparatively simple gadgets that get overlooked in this high tech age.

Imagine if you still had to cut your pens from goose feathers and carry bottles of expensive ink around with you in case you wanted to jot down a note? Developments in writing and recording technology might sound a bit weird to care about, but they have a huge impact on society.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own [mine’s an original Sony Reader]
Hmm, tricky one. I get really angry with the HP LaserJet which I bought a couple of years back. It was a really good bit of kit and was quite a hefty investment at the time, but after about a year of printerly joy (yes, just out of warranty), it developed a fault no amount of cleaning and troubleshooting could fix and started printing unwanted blotches down the side of every page.

Even with the fault it works well enough, and was expensive enough, that I don’t want to replace it, but anytime I need to print something smart I have to borrow a printer. If I’d gone for a cheaper model I could happily replace it, or if I’d bought a better one it might not have developed a fault, so yes, a frustrating buy.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?
A teleportation device! But only if I could wish it into a secret and singular existence just for me, mwahahaha! If I’m being less selfish, then a super small, super efficient solar panel cell that you could wear, maybe as a badge or a necklace, that would be able to collect enough energy to regularly charge your phone/PDA/mp3 player. No more dead battery in the middle of nowhere emergencies, and a nice contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.

Find Katharine on Twitter: [@katharine2501]

Sony recently introduced the Bravia WE5 which Sony calls the “greenest ever TV.” They said we could ask them about that. We’re taking suggestions on questions. What would you like to ask? Just go to Twiter and write your question with @gadgetell in your message. We’ll retweet your message to Sony.

Now if you ask questions that are off-topic, I don’t know if Sony will answer.

More on the BRAVIA WE5 [Sony Page]

1. Who are you?

I run a website called ChannelFlip.com, which is a portal for some really cool video content and podcasts about the latest technology, comedy, video games, movies and websites. I also appear regularly on a podcast called This Week in Tech with Leo Laporte, which is probably how most people know me. Before that I started a website called bit-tech.net, which was (and still is) geek mecca here in the UK.

2. Facebook, Twitter, or something else and why?

The phone. The phone has to be the most underrated communications tool around. I have friends that own an iPhone and never use it to make a damn phone call. Twitter is great for just staying connected to people that you otherwise wouldn’t talk to, though, particularly for guys. I’m never going to call up a buddy and just ask how it’s going, that’s a total girl thing to do. But with Twitter, I can secretly check in on them.

3. Gadget you couldn’t live without (and why)?

iPhone. Since getting one at launch (I got one from New York and hacked it to work in the UK) it’s now become inseparable from me. It runs my calendar, contacts, email, phone calls, news, games, travel information, everything. If someone took it away from me tomorrow, I would have no idea what I was doing. Things (which is an awesome Mac app for todos and project management) syncs onto my iPhone, so between that and my email, I never have to be disconnected. I left the house without it once, about 9 months ago, and I was practically in cold sweats all day. What are my friends doing? What email do I have? What’s the latest sports score? What’s the weather like on the other side of the world? All crucial questions that I need answered NOW.

OK, on a really serious note, the iPhone does a few things really well. 1) I always have up to date contact and calendar information because it syncs with my Mac on a push basis. 2) I can always get at my email and that syncs flawlessly with IMAP on Gmail. 3) I always have my Todos thanks to Things (although this is dying for the 3.0 update to do push syncing). 4) I always have my latest music and podcasts to listen to. These are the things that I do most each day and having one device – rather than a PDA, iPod and phone – makes my life so much easier.

4. Most regrettable piece of tech you own [mine’s an original Sony Reader].

Hmm. I’m going to say Gamecube. I bought it, played Super Smash Bros to death, and then could never find anything else worth playing. Bleh.

5. If you could wish a gadget into existence, what would it be?

An auto-expanding laptop screen. So a screen that was thin and light and attached to the MacBook Air, but which actually unfolded into a 24″ display when you set it up. Portable and practical. That would be uber.

Find Wil around the web:
ChannelFlip.com
Twitter