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2008 was a critical year for Windows Mobile. Lots of new devices and a slight platform upgrade to WM 6.1. This year's best devices were all about new experiences and Win Mo managed to find some answers to the I-phone experience. Whether it was the 3D TOuchflo experience from HTC Diamond or the X panels on the Xperia or Samsung's Widgets which livened up the Omnia. So here's a list that some WM enthusiasts will agree with and some might disagree with: - Sony Ericsson Experia Xi: Arguably the Windows Mobile Device of the Year and a device that has almost lived upto its pre-launch hype. Great specsheet with a super processor (528 Mhz) and high-rez display. The Panel Interface has added a whole new dimension to Windows Mobile and yet under all the frills is a solid, stable device which offers a near perfect blend of entertainment and business applications
- Samsung i-780: One of the most underrated WM devices but probably one of the best value devices of the year. Stable, good processor, a full QWERTY keyboard and fully loaded. Didn't live upto its potential (Especially in India) because of its unusual screen resolution (320x320) and the Windows 6.1 upgrade that never arrived.
- HTC Touch HD: While the Diamond and Touch Pro didn't live upto the hype on the performance and stability front, the Touch HD has probably been the brightest spark from HTC this year. A 5 MP shooter and a generous 3.8 inch screen and a host of features made sure this phone reached this list.
- Samsung Omnia i900: A terrific attempt from Samsung with a new user interface experience. Large screen, host of entertainment options and a 5 MP shooter (A WM first!) and one of the most talked about devices of the year.
It was a busy year for Tamil films with dozens of releases. I managed to watch a good number of the better films and according to me there were quite a few films that were watchable for a variety of reasons but still didn't make my final list due to some minor and major shortcomings. First the list of films that just missed my top 3. Films that I enjoyed (In full or in parts!) and films that I might have recommended during the year:- Anjaathey: Daringly different film and great performances marred a little by the extended climax
- Jeyam Kondaan: Well directed and scripted, good casting and performances but disappointing music
- Poo: Offbeat, Super performance by Parvathy, Terrific visuals. Average music and slightly meandering plot
- Arai En 305il Kadavul: Bold attempt, started on a funny note but got a bit too preachy towards the end
- Dhaam Dhoom: Awesome music and visuals, brisk start but the plot just loses focus towards the end
- Poi Solla Porom: Clean, Great Casting and very funny but nowhere near the original (Khosla ka Ghosla)
- Raman Thediya Seethai: Non formula film with good performances and screenplay. Music was a let down
- Vaaranam Aayiram: Soundtrack of the year! Surya was good but the film still lacked fizz.
And now my Top 3:
- Dasavathaaram: It may not have lived upto expectations and some of the Avtaars may have been wearing patchy make up but there is no denying that this was the most talked about film of the year (Second highest number of Google searches this year for any Indian film; second only to Jodha Akbar). The Parallel narratives, some of the avtaars (like Balram Naidu) and the production values were positives while the music and Asin dampened things. But above all Kamal showed us why he is a cut above!
- Subramaniapuram: One of the most promising Tamil films in recent times. M. Sasikumar's film was the dark horse of the year and Kangal Irandal was probably the song of the year. A refreshingly different film - Whether it was the casting or the production values or the plot. The only issue I had with the film was its subtle glorification of violence.
- Saroja: Venkat Prabhu's Chennai 28 was easily one of the best films of 2007 and Saroja walked into the 2008 hall of fame. It was one of the most entertaining films of the year with great casting and stellar performances. The film also reassured us that Commercial Tamil Cinema is headed in the right direction and that content can still be king in a superstar-dominated industry.
2008 was a critical year for Windows Mobile. Lots of new devices and a slight platform upgrade to WM 6.1. This year's best devices were all about new experiences and Win Mo managed to find some answers to the I-phone experience. Whether it was the 3D TOuchflo experience from HTC Diamond or the X panels on the Xperia or Samsung's Widgets which livened up the Omnia. So here's a list that some WM enthusiasts will agree with and some might disagree with: 
