Top 10 Technological Advances of 2009

1. Cell Phones - Your cell phone has gotten so much smarter and comes with so many more features and options now than ever before. You can use your phone to connect online and update your facebook status, email, take and upload photos, store contacts, and so much more. I can't even list all of the great things in phones. You can download tunes, movies, and applications and games which enhance the features the phone comes with. For instance my husband frequently uses the GPS system he has on his Iphone to navigate us here and there with ease. If I get lost I know I can call him and with a few touches of a button he'll get me where I need to be.

2. Google Voice - While speaking about technological advances it would be criminal to leave this off the list. Everyone who's anyone in the technology world is talking about this feature. One of the things this program allows user to do is link their numbers together. For instance you link your cell phone to your work phone and home phone, now if you're on the cell phone when it rings it can also ring your desk or your home. While there are other great things about this program, this is the one I have heard the most about.

3. Video Games - The top three contenders in video games are all about giving you more options for your money. Gone are the days of waiting for the game to be in stock on a store shelf. Now you can download the games directly to your system without waiting in pesky checkout lines. You can also play with friends across the globe with new live features. Handheld users can link with friends and play games together on different systems. Stream music or movies through your television and so much more.

4. Blue Tooth - You thought I forgot this when I talked about cell phones, right? Well this has advanced so much I felt it deserved its own category. Blue tooth capabilities on a GPS allow users to access the most updated maps and directions. Avoid construction zones and more. Sit down in a room with a friend with blue tooth and download their pictures, ring tones, and more with easy access.

5. On Demand Options - in the entertainment industry they are striving and evolving to offer the consumer what they want when they want it. This means movie rentals are now offered on instant streams and downloads. In some part this to combat problems with torrents and illegal downloading by offering you the instant access you crave. Amazon, Blockbuster, and Netflix to name a few are now offering you instant access to a certain number of movies.

6. More Movie Options - While Blue ray has been around before the past year, the past year has seen it become much more affordable for the average household. In addition more movies are being released in 3D formats and options. Computer animation in movies has improved dramatically in recent releases. The graphics and animations are more evolved and lifelike.

7. More Browser Options - In the old days of bygone years users had limited browser options. Internet Explorer and Firefox remained the most popular choices. But new choices are cropping up. One of those being Google Chrome. It is said to boot faster than other browsers, search faster, and offer the user more conveniences. If you're a tech geek you have probably already given this browser a whirl. My husband, tech geek, has been using this exclusively since its release. He raves about the difference compared to even Firefox.

8. Gaming - This is an area that is constantly evolving. From online MMORG's to offline single player games. Book publishers are even crossing the lines into computer games to target adults looking for a quick game fix. Harlequin recently released a hidden object game with a free eBook. James Patterson has his name on a series of video games and rumor has it that Nora Roberts will jump into the gaming cross category very soon. Games aren't just for kids anymore! Thanks to the success of things like Cooking Mama and Diner Dash, developers are seeing women and adults are just as attracted to the fun and relaxation that games offer. In addition the graphics are constantly evolving as are the sound and types of games offered.

9. The Mac - Apple again sweeps the computer industry in a storm as they continue to evolve upon the Mac and offer improved products in 2009. The processors are faster, the screens better, and the capabilities surpass older models. In addition more software developers are aware they are a viable choice for many and have begun offering more programs that are as accessible to a Mac user as a Windows user. How many of us had almost forgotten the old Apple's the school used to have for us to learn on? The Mac Apple has made a huge comeback!

10. More Phone Options - While Skype may be old news, Magic Jack came out strong in a competition with other phone services being offered. Magic Jack attracted consumers with small prices and affordable monthly plans. Users are able to afford long distance conversations and connect via the computer. While there is plenty of room for improvement in this service, it is still worth mentioning as a growing trend and advancement.

There are so many advances each year in technology; it is hard to name only ten. Not being the tech geek my husband is, I had to choose the ones I was most familiar with for my list. I'm sure he could counter some of the items on my list with much better choices in his mind. The Internet is always evolving and changing and this affects technology as well. It goes without saying that shopping online has become as much a sport as going to your local mall. The deals and promotions, the price wars between major retailers, all of these things evolve and change constantly. When I hear of those that still don't have computers at home I wonder how they do it. I can't wait to see the great things in store for 2010!