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Check out some of the top news stories in technology and gadgets:

Verizon Sets Pricing for Galaxy Tablet. We’d previously taken a look at the anticipated Galaxy tablet, being released by mobile provider Verizon in time for the holiday season. This week Verizon announced their price point as well, a solid $599 with an additional $20 a month for 3G data. The tablet is likely to be the first major competitor to Apple’s iPad, with the Android 2.2 operating system shipping with it and a solid host of apps thanks to Verizon’s V-Cast store. Consumers will have a tough call to make, though. Apple’s iPad comes to Verizon stores this winter as well.

Growing Veggies Gets Easier. A Japanese company has demoed a gadget unlike any other. Boasting a large hydrated and heated container, the “Chef’s Farm” was premierd by Dentsu Facility Management for sale as a small vegetable plant. With a series of racks that can be moved from right to left, the contraption allows for the growth of a patch of lettuce in as little time as possible. In fact, Dentsu claims the plant is capable of producing 60 heads of fresh lettuce on a daily basis, making up for the hefty investment of about $90,000 in just a little over five years.

The Internet has become such a commonplace part of life in the 21st century that we all but take it for granted. The wealth of information easily available makes our jobs easier, it makes research easier, it makes staying in touch with friends easier. As universal as the Internet is, it can be surprising that some people do not wish for it to remain as such. The principle of Net Neutrality was first invented in the early 2000s as an idea to keep the Internet safe from the influence of large media companies. This grassroots movement recently was moved back to the front-page by a proposal introduced by Google and Verizon in tandem. Seen as a realistic alternative to Net Neutrality legislation, the proposal takes a comprehensive look at the current situation of the Internet and attempted to find a solution protecting users. While Google’s promise to be a benevolent corporation has done them wonders in the past, critics of the proposal point towards how it could be used to limit Internet access. Today we’ll be taking a look at the pros and cons of this new proposal for the world wide web.

First the good news. A primary concern for users was the intervention of a large government body in the regulation of Internet content. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the go-to regulatory body for information and communications, was long-suspected to be the portion of the federal government called upon to regulate the Internet. This was a primary concern for users, that an body such as the FCC would eventually use precedent to overstep the limitations placed upon them. Google and Verizon, however, placed strict limits on the FCC, specifically forbidding them to make blanket-type regulations over Internet content. Instead, content would be examined by the FCC on a case-by-case basis. This, in effect, prevents the FCC from becoming “content police” for what is and isn’t appropriate for Internet content. Libertarians, no doubt, are rejoicing at this news. FCC behavior, furthermore, should be similar in nature to appropriate web management standards, an idea that sounds great on paper but would likely be more troubling in execution.

Here’s a roundup of some of the loudest buzz on the web:

• A Verizon iPhone to hit the market? Rumor has it that a Verizon iPhone will be available to consumers as soon as January 2011. Two reports are powering this buzz: (1) AT&T’s quarterly filing, which details the company’s strategic plan to reduce dependency on a “single handset” and (1) Apple’s recent orders for Qualcomm CDMA chipsets “for a Verizon iPhone run in December.”
• Speaking of iPhones: Mark Papermaster, the exec. in charge of the iPhone, left Apple in the midst of the iPhone 4′s antenna problems. Those in the know-how are not authorized to provide additional details.
• ComScore released demographic information about the behavior of men and women online. Women are in the majority when it comes to social networking, email, and IM, and women over 55 are the largest demographic of online gamblers.
• An adjustable parking meter? The City of San Francisco will be installing parking meters that adjust their rates based on demand in order to control the city’s tough parking situation. The test-run will last for two years.

Today’s topic on Best and Worst touches a sensitive spot in my heart. The other day, my beloved cell phone of a year suffered a career-ending injury. As I carried a table up a small set of stairs, I tripped, crushing the touchscreen, and thus rendering the top half of the screen black and unreadable. As anyone who has lost a phone can attest, the hassle that goes along with it is frustrating and time consuming. I was lucky enough to still be under warranty, meaning Verizon (bless them) will have a new device sent my way in a matter of days. However, finding a smartphone that suits your personal needs can be nothing short of laborious, especially considering how difficult it is to determine the long-term use of a phone during a first impression. Don’t be fooled by nice designs or attractive colors, the following phones have issues that make them some of the worst smart phones on the market.

T-Mobile Sidekick LX
This phone is the epitome of style over substance. Its flashy design and attractive touchscreen make it initially appealing, but several design flaws plague the Sidekick. First of all, the structural integrity of the design is a bit suspect, as the screen’s two-axis flip motion can break easily if the phone is subject to any sort of abuse. While the phone sports a full QWERTY keyboard, which can make texting a breeze, the buttons on this particular smartphone are packed together, difficult for anyone with larger hands (or anyone without the fine-tuned motor skills needed to operate a QWERTY keyboard successfully). You’re best off looking for an alternative, such as the T-Mobile Dash, which boasts a great interface based out of Windows Mobile.

Blackberry 8300
As a whole, the Blackberry line of smartphones are quite good, with many features available on a variety of networks. If you’re looking for a device with great business capabilities, web integration, and email, a Blackberry can be a great choice. However, not all Blackberries are created equal, and some, like the 8300, fall flat next to their siblings. The Blackberry 8300, in some regards, is a lesser version of other Blackberry phones, meaning that the interface and keypad aren’t as sturdy and up-to-date. For perhaps the best experience with a Blackberry, check out the Blackberry Storm, which boasts some great unique features.

Nokia Surge 6790
Our final smartphone to avoid also looks like it could be a winner. But, alas, looks are also deceiving, once again. The Nokia Surge has a slim black design and a slide-out keypad, making it one of the better-looking smartphones. The device boasts some great synchronization with Gmail, Yahoo, and Windows Live, even if its operating system is a bit dates compared to competitors. However, there are some puzzling design flaws that make using the Nokia Surge downright frustrating. It’s impossible to dial a number without sliding open the keypad, a flaw that becomes more and more upsetting the longer you have the phone. Also, the small and slightly off-center screen can be hard to squint at in dark environments, as the brightness is lacking. For a similar, but better, alternative, check out the Samsung Jack.