10 Best Tech Gadgets of the Decade

The first decade of the 20th century is coming to an end. There is a huge list to choose from. Let's look at 10 of the best tech gadgets the decade has brought us.

Blackberry (2002)

The Canadian company, Research In Motion, introduced the it's first data/phone combination with the Model 5810 in 2002. It was a Java based device that worked on the 2G network. This tech gadget, one of the best of the decade, revolutionized the way businesses used phones and portable email.

iPhone (2007)

In 2007 the iPhone was introduced to the public. The iPhone gave us a multi-functional device that could transmit and receive phone calls and data. The iPhone has a built-in camera, and a processor that could run programs called "apps".

iPod (2001)

On October 23, 2001 Apple introduced it's first iPod. The first model actually used a hard drive. All other models used flash memory. The size of carrying your music was now much smaller. No longer did you have to carry CDs around in a bulky CD case.

eBooks (2006)

Sony introduce an eBook in 2006 and in 2007 Amazon came out with the Kindle. Later came the Kobo. Libraries started offering books for download in 2003, even though they have been offering eBooks for viewing from websites. With a dedicated device and wireless connection the eBook was an important gadget of the decade and one of the best.

Garmin GPS (2000)

Making folding maps a thing of the past Garmin came on to the GPS scene in 2000. Competition quickly followed. Now the public has a large selection of GPS gadgets and should never get lost again.

USB Flash Drives (2000)

The USB flash drive is to this decade as the floppy drive was to the 1990s. The ability to carry your data on a key-chain size device in your pocket was a true revolution. As the decade progressed the size of these gadgets did as well.

Point and Shoot Digital Cameras

Digital cameras were around before the decade of 2000 but were expensive and not in common use. They still make the list being one of the best tech gadgets of the decade. Following the year 2000 was an explosion of sales and innovations in the point and shoot digital cameras. Prices plummeted and people flocked to the new devices.

Nintendo Wii (2006)

November 19, 2006 saw the introduction of the Nintendo Wii. This game console was much different from previous consoles having the ability of wireless, hand held, three dimensional control. The tech has been improving and competition has set in with other game companies as the decade progressed.

Netbook (2007)

Netbooks came of age and were commercially introduced in 2007. Even though earlier smaller laptops claim the title of the first Netbook it is unclear if those laptops could be called "Netbooks". The modern Netbook is a smaller version of the laptop and usually runs Windows 7 Starter for it's operating system. These Netbooks are paving the way for cheap, low cost, computers that are Internet savvy.

Flatscreen Televisions

Even though flatcreen TVs came out in the late 1990s they were very expensive. As the decade following the year 2000 came upon us the prices dropped and the flatscreens became more affordable. The large, heavy, bulky TVs and computer monitors were rapidly replaced. These monitors/TVs have saved the world tremendous amounts of energy. The flatcreens are also safer with their lack of radiation the old CRTs had.

Conclusion

There are many other gadgets that could be considered the best of the decade. What is considered best can be defined by who is using the tech and their interest in the technology. This list is compiled from what is considered to be an average assessment of what the general public thought about the tech.

Sources: Personal experience.