Shruti Shekar’s Top 10 of 2023

As a lot of you’ve gotten already learn, 2023 was a whirlwind of a 12 months. I don’t assume it was the BEST 12 months, nevertheless it was a mid 12 months. Not too unhealthy, not too good; it was simply within the center. Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand put it completely: everybody wants a mean 12 months each from time to time, and I can’t complain. But with that, there have been just a few moments this 12 months that actually made me take into consideration how fortunate I’m to stay the life I do. I hope you take pleasure in my high 10 of 2023. Becoming EIC of Android CentralI feel it goes with out saying that the most important and most essential spotlight of my 12 months, and possibly my profession, was after I was requested to turn into Android Central’s editor-in-chief. And truthfully, it nonetheless feels surreal saying that. As my mom likes to say, when it rains, it pours (not all the time a foul factor!). It all occurred actually shortly, the transition from me being a managing editor to EIC. Up till that day, the one factor that I used to be actually good at was understanding what good content material was. I didn’t know something in regards to the enterprise aspect of a publication. But, with the proper steering from so many EICs at Future (our mum or dad firm), my boss, and different actually essential folks, I figured it out.But I feel what actually made my job extremely simple was my employees. Every single considered one of them stepped as much as a stage that went above and past my expectations. I’m eternally grateful for each single author and freelancer who believed in me and went together with the path and imaginative and prescient I’ve for Android Central.The second I used to be formally named EIC. (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)Give me one second whereas I take a second to thank them: Nick Sutrich, Jerry Hildenbrand, Michael Hicks, Namerah Saud Fatmi, Patrick Farmer, Harish Jonnalagadda, Andrew Myrick, Jay Bonggolto, Vishnu Sarangapurkar, Nickolas Diaz, Brady Snyder, Sam Dunsinger, Ted Kritsonis, Christine Persaud, Chris Wedel, Nick Ransbottom, Rajat Sharma, Sam Contreras, Tshaka Armstrong, and Anthony Nash.Finally, I wouldn’t be the EIC I’m right now if it wasn’t for Derrek Lee, my managing editor. We’re like two peas in a pod, and Derrek by no means as soon as stated “No” to what I wished to realize for Android Central. I’ve realized loads from him, particularly pondering deeply in regards to the Android house and business, and he’s been by my aspect since day one. Watching him turn into top-of-the-line managing editors has been a pleasure.Thank you for trusting me, group.Jiggy turned 1 (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)If you observe me on social media, then you’ll know who Jiggy is. He’s our most particular, candy labradoodle, who we received in 2022. I’ve by no means had a pet in my life, and naturally, the preliminary expertise was very overwhelming for my husband and me. We introduced a gorgeous residing creature into our house, and whereas we had been very ready, we had no concept among the issues we might expertise. Having a pet might be scary and generally extremely annoying. But what principally outweighs all of those emotions is the immense love and pleasure that comes with having a pet that actually unconditionally loves you. My absolute favourite time with him is each morning. Everything continues to be quiet, and other people haven’t totally woken up but. I get to spend alone time with him, and his candy nature has helped me turn into a much more affected person individual. Every butt wiggle, pet soar, noises he makes, growls, zoomies, and heat cuddles after a protracted day…all of it makes life so significantly better. Jiggy turned one on September 4, 2023; we’re so blessed and grateful to have him in our lives. We love you, Jig!Motorola’s development(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)If there’s one firm that I really can’t cease occupied with, it’s Motorola. It’s by no means been a model I speak about usually, neither is it a model I feel to inform folks about. But the glow-up that Motorola had this 12 months is like no different. I’ll always remember, in direction of the top of 2022, AC’s Nick Sutrich and Derrek Lee each spoke very negatively about Motorola’s haphazard telephone launches and the way lackluster its merchandise had been. We went to the extent of calling out the corporate for its complicated launches compared to its friends. Every time I spoke about Motorola in 2022, I’d facepalm. The firm actually missed the mark. However, issues utterly took a 180 this 12 months. The firm’s improved software program promise, providing longer-term OS upgrades, and launching among the greatest midrange telephones you will get in North America are just some of its achievements. I used to be significantly impressed with the launch of the Razr Plus this 12 months. Maybe they learn our work, or perhaps they don’t, nevertheless it’s good to see Motorola develop and turn into such a enjoyable firm to look at. I can’t wait to see what’s in retailer for you subsequent 12 months.Going to Korea (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)I’ve traveled a good quantity in my profession, and this 12 months, Samsung invited me to affix them at Samsung Unpacked 2023 (foldable version) in South Korea. I’ll be sincere: I may have watched the entire present from the consolation of my front room whereas I streamed it on my TV. But there’s one thing about going to a different nation, assembly folks in your business, and really studying about one other tradition. I met some actually enjoyable folks on the journey and received to satisfy Windows Central’s EIC, Daniel Rubino, which was my first time assembly somebody from Future. It was exceptionally humorous as a result of we ended up each being on the identical flight to Korea, and that made all the pieces a lot enjoyable. Thank you for the expertise, Samsung!!!Tears of the Kingdom & Hogwarts Legacy I’m not an enormous gamer, and after I do sport, I’m extremely choosy. So you may solely think about my pleasure when Zelda Tears of the Kingdom and Hogwarts Legacy launched. During the pandemic, I picked up Zelda Breath of the Wild and fell in love. It was a sport that taught me loads about endurance, perseverance, and exploring with no cause. It additionally taught me about going with the move and having fun with the generally sluggish tempo of an enormous gaming world. When I beat it, I performed it once more, and once more, and once more. When TOTK got here out, I took the Friday off to play – one thing I’d by no means achieved earlier than. The sport brings lots of pleasure to my coronary heart and, I’m positive, to so many different folks.  (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)I particularly wish to point out Hogwarts Legacy as properly. My husband and his greatest pal helped construct my PC in 2023, and I’ll be sincere, it was a really daunting expertise for me, understanding that I now have a PC that can open the world of PC gaming. Playing Hogwarts Legacy has a particular place in my coronary heart as a result of not solely was it the primary PC sport I performed, nevertheless it was linked to the magical world of Harry Potter. The sport introduced again lots of childhood reminiscences – from studying the books, pretending I used to be a witch, and watching the flicks. So many moments within the sport had been thrilling, and to expertise it in an open-world fashion was actually lovely. It virtually made me really feel like I used to be actually going to high school at Hogwarts. My culinary journey  (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)If I wasn’t a journalist, I do know that I’d have turn into knowledgeable chef. I really like cooking a lot. It calms me down, makes me really feel artistic, and I really like feeding folks. This 12 months was no exception. I realized many various issues, purchased my first Le Creuset, grew my knife assortment, and cooked many good meals. In the summer time, I additionally hosted my first coursed meal occasion. I deliberate out a menu, prepped the week earlier than, and had all the pieces prepared the day of. It turned out extremely profitable, and extra importantly, I’ve to thank my sous chef: my pretty husband. Here’s to 2024 having so many extra alternatives for cooking.Becoming a monetary steward  This previous 12 months was a really large studying expertise for me, particularly in my private life. I’m 34 years previous, and I’m not going to sit down right here and say I’m a monetary steward. I’ve struggled loads with turning into financially literate. But this 12 months, considered one of my targets was to be financially good and perceive why saving is so essential. I can proudly say that whereas I’m not good, I’m lastly getting it, and it feels so good (cries a bit of). Entering my cozy period I’m extremely fast-paced and a go-getter. I’ve grand goals and plenty of issues I wish to accomplish, and I’ll do all the pieces I can to get there. Unfortunately, that kind of character can generally overlook to remain current. One factor I actually wished to realize this 12 months was coming into my cozy period. Every second that I do NOT take into consideration my targets, I wish to be sluggish. I wish to stay a sluggish life, I wish to hearken to calming music, and I wish to be nonetheless. I found REALLY good music and, for my birthday, constructed my first Lego set. I learn loads, and in the summertime, I took time to sit down outdoors and take in the solar. Living a sluggish life after I’m not fast-paced has helped stability my thoughts and my soul. It has helped me to focus extra, assume clearly, keep current, and observe the issues round me extra.  I encourage you to apply staying nonetheless. Entering my sluggish, cozy period additionally helped me with different components of my private life. I grew spiritually, grew to become extra in-tune with my increased self, realized to remain calm, and actually understood the query: “What is my purpose in this life?”I do know that if there’s one factor my objective is, it’s to assist folks. I can’t wait to study extra about myself subsequent 12 months. A staple voice on CBC (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)I’ve wished to be a journalist since I used to be eight years previous, and I can’t start to precise how grateful I’m that I get to do what I really like each single day. More importantly, I’ve wished to be on TV my complete life. It simply so occurs that just a few years in the past, I received to go on TV and radio in Canada loads. However, this previous 12 months, I set to work extra carefully with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and have become a staple voice speaking in regards to the tech business on radio and TV. Being a number one voice within the tech house has been a useful expertise for me as a result of I’m able to break issues all the way down to listeners in a simple and digestible approach. As a journalist, this has been my greatest aim. Sometimes, know-how might be complicated to grasp, however having a platform just like the CBC to elaborate and speak about tech in depth has been fulfilling.Reading 40 books/”Migrations”I’ve to avoid wasting the perfect for final. I READ 42 BOOKS THIS YEAR! I’m a HUGE reader as a result of I really like to flee my actuality and soar into completely different worlds. Going again to my cozy life, studying has helped floor me and keep relaxed.While I do learn loads, I’ve by no means learn 42 books in a single 12 months. Typing this makes me so proud as a result of I by no means thought I may obtain it. Trying to slim down which e-book is my favourite of the 12 months was barely exhausting however not troublesome. It’s a e-book known as “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy. (Image credit score: Shruti Shekar / Android Central)The e-book is chilling and atmospheric and has a really deep which means about life, grief, and Mother Nature. I learn it in November, however it’s one e-book that I’ve not stopped occupied with, and I don’t assume I’ll cease occupied with it for a very long time. Coming in second was “A Fig For All The Devils” by C.S. Fritz. This e-book would have been primary, besides I simply cannot cease occupied with Migrations! That stated, C.S. Fritz did one thing actually fascinating and added a QR code to the e-book so you possibly can hearken to a curated playlist whereas studying the e-book…now that’s GENIUS. I want all authors did this!