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Steve Tilley - Gadgets Columnist for Sun Media

By Zachary Mesenbourg

Imagine spending a full summer at a law firm shredding expired legal documents in a windowless, dimly lit room for eight hours a day. The reason for which was simply to save up enough money to buy an Apple 2c computer. That might classify you as a “techno geek.”

Yet years ago, that is exactly what Steve Tilley, self-proclaimed “techno geek” and gadgets columnist for Sun Media, went through just to get his hands on the computer.

“I told my parents it [Apple 2c] was for homework, but I really wanted it to play Castle Wolfenstein,” Tilley said.

Tilley already pens a humor column and writes computer, video game and technology reviews for Sun Media, which includes The Toronto Sun, Ottawa Sun and The Calgary Sun as well as the Canoe.ca Web site. But the opportunity to work on a gadgets column allowed him the chance to combine his gaming background with technology and entertainment.

“There is a lot of crossover between the areas of entertainment, gaming and electronics. I am a techno geek but had never applied that to my writing in a meaningful way ever before,” he said.

With gadgets and technological advances, it is easy to get caught up in the items themselves just because of how cool something looks or what it boasts it can do. But that mentality is what Tilley fights against in his column.

“Don’t get blinded by the coolness of stuff. It has to either make your life easier or be fun,” he said. “Otherwise why would I want to bring it into my life?”

The column has only been running for about a month now, during which Tilley has been searching for the “Holy Grail” of smart phones. After his findings, he still isn’t sure if one exists. One gadget he is dying to get his hands on is the Zune from Microsoft. Made as a competitor to the iPod, the player isn’t available in Canada yet because of regulatory issues. It is expected to land there early next year though, when he plans on giving it a thorough review.

In addition, one of the biggest technology trends he is following is the delivery of content over a variety of forms, especially streaming, wireless video. “I don’t think TV will be replaced. But what will be the next big thing for viewing and accessing content, especially on the go?” he said.

Another interesting topic is HD-DVD versus Blu-ray and who will emerge as the winner. “It is like VHS versus Beta again,” Tilley said. “Two formats offering similar features but that are incompatible with each other. It will delay the expansion.”

So what amazes a man who tracks technology for a living? “How much communication I do via text message…I have friends whose sole communication is via text message.”

Pitching Tips

“I have more ideas to write about than I will ever have time to cover,” he said. “But ideas about emerging trends, I am always interested to hear them.”

The earlier he hears about something the better. However, only contact him with trends and general technology stories. That is because for his gadgets column, he wants to be the one to choose his topic and be the “expert” for the review. His minimum lead time is one to two weeks. He prefers to be contacted by e-mail. If he is interested, he will follow up.