Top Gadgets of the Decade?

[Reid Kistler]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/ten-gadgets-that-defined-the-decade/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/30/...ned-the-decade/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"As 2009 winds down and we try to come up with new and clever ways of referring to the early years of this century, there's really only one thing left to do: declare our ten favorite gadgets of the aughts and show them off in chronological order."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1262296152.usr19541.jpg" style="border: 0;" /></p><p>The end of a year always produces a series of lists: Best of the Year, Worst of the Year, and so on. Naturally, the end of a decade brings about all the more reflection, and you can find various lists for the "2000's" almost anywhere you care to look. The good folks at Engadget have created one that may be of particular interest: the "Ten Gadgets That Defined the Decade" - from the Canon Digital ELPH camera to the ASUS Eee PC 900 netbook. The article is interesting, and I particularly enjoyed the handful of alternative thoughts provided. But the most fascinating thing to me was that - with all of the items listed - the feedback for the article seems to primarily debate the merits of Microsoft's Xbox 360 vs Sony's Playstation 2! What would your "Top Ten" be for the 2000's? Or do you think this list stands unchallenged?</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Chris Gohlke]

the feedback for the article seems to primarily debate the merits of Microsoft's Xbox 360 vs Sony's Playstation 2!

360 hands down versus the PS2 ;) , draw versus the PS3 (but considering it came to market a year before the PS3, I think the 360 wins).

Overall, I think the smartphone/iphone is the biggest thing of the decade. In 2000 I didn't even have a cell phone yet and in 2009, I have a phone that has more horsepower than my desktop PC did in 2000, that takes better pictures than most digital cameras did in 2000 and has faster internet access than was generally available in 2000 by hardwired connection.

[EscapePod]

I actually have the Canon PowerShot Elph SD100, and still use it (stays in my laptop bag, at the ready). It was replaced by an SD200, which introduced video capability, and given to my daughter. The SD200 was stolen when my home was robbed (Orlando = arguable crime "capital" of the world), so my daughter gave me back the SD100.

Gee, 10 years old.... maybe its time I updated???

[The Yaz]

Shouldn't LCD screens get a little mention as well? I know you can't claim one model or brand that started it all, but last I checked, My desktop in 2000 was hooked up to a 13" CRT and in 2010 its now a 24" widescreen LCD with stereo speakers and an iPod dock built in.

[Andy Dixon]

I think the best gadget for me was the new HD LCD Sony TV I got. It's made watching movies so much more pleasurable. Combining it with a home server and media center pc to make all my movies available at the push of a button, was the best thing I did.

[Reid Kistler]

"360 hands down versus the PS2 ;) , draw versus the PS3 (but considering it came to market a year before the PS3, I think the 360 wins)."

The Xbox seems to get a lot of love, in spite of the fact that their failure rate appears to be extraordinarily high - or was that something linked to only the earlier models??

Of course, my last gaming system was an Atari 7800.... :o


"Overall, I think the smartphone/iphone is the biggest thing of the decade..."

The Razr, the Palm Treo, and the iPhone all made the list, so the mobile phone / smartphone category(ies) got good representation.

It often seems odd how quickly "new technology" becomes first routine, and then outdated. The FAX Machine comes to mind: can remember when not even Every Business had one, then it was Expected (or Demanded!), then became common in homes (even if only as part of a Multi-function device) - and now Faxing - and particularly free-standing Fax Machines - has been largely replaced by email & pdf file transfers.

[Chris Gohlke]

The Xbox seems to get a lot of love, in spite of the fact that their failure rate appears to be extraordinarily high - or was that something linked to only the earlier models??

Of course, my last gaming system was an Atari 7800.... :o


My first 360 was DOA, second was perfect and had it for a few years. Just got my third (Black friday deal of $199 w/$100 gift card) and sold my old one for $90. Mostly did this to get one with an HDMI output.

My first two PS3s were used from Gamestop and both were DOA. Bought a slim this year and it has been flawless.