Phenomenon Version note — reviewed October 13, 2026: This is a historical 2019 case without the complete trace, ROM build, or app versions. The old call chain is checked against AOSP android-9.0.0_r1 as a reference, not an identification of the original ROM. An android-16.0.0_r1 comparison is add...

At the beginning of 2018, I wrote 2017 Best Items Recommendations. Recently, some people asked if I’d do one for 2018. Although 2018 was a tough year, there were still some great things worth recommending to everyone.

Just like in 2017, I’ll share things that I found helpful for work or life. The recommendations include apps, hardware, books, blogs, and columns. I hope they provide value to you in 2019.

Historical recommendations (reviewed October 2026): This is a record of my 2018 experience. Book lists, ratings, prices, course posters, and buying recommendations belong to that period. Updated platform support and membership limits are noted below; old QR codes are not current enrollment links.