Top Tech Gadgets of 2010 Reviewed

2010 was an incredible year on the technology front with several new gadgets designed with mobility and convenience in mind. Apple saw astounding success in the cell phone market and introduced a tablet PC this year designed to be easier to tote with similar features to a netbook or laptop. Google released a television product tapping into yet another tech sector while Amazon continues to outpace the competition with it's successful e-reader. Let's review the best gadgets of 2010 and explore the features and why they became a huge success.

Apple iPad
Price: $499-$829
Data Plans: $14.99, $25
Website: www.apple.com/ipad/

The iPad tablet PC revolutionized the mobile community with a much more portable device with the same features and software expected from a typical laptop. iPad introduced two models, one with Wi-Fi only, the other with 3G connectivity. If you choose a 3G version you can purchase a data plan and surf the internet anywhere you receive reception from AT&T.

The iPad includes a web browser, email, IM, video, and photo editing. You can use the iPad as a e-book reader, and the design is super slim and extremely light (1.5 pounds). The screen is 9.7 inches which is quite large and acceptable for using it in the car or on the go. Versions available from 16GBof storage up to 64GB and comes with a 1GHz Apple processor.

Amazon Kindle 3
Price: $139 (WiFi Only), $189 (3G + WiFi)
Introduced: July, 2010
Website: www.amazon.com/kindle

Amazon introduced the first e-reader on the market when they launched the Kindle back in 2007. The Kindle became an instant success which brought more competition into the sector from big-time players including Microsoft. Still a huge success in 2010, the Kindle has been revamped and improved upon after the competition brought the heat. Amazon responded with their newest e-reader the Kindle 3, which was introduced in July, 2010.

Key features include WiFi and 3G connectivity allowing users to instantly obtain new content or connect to the internet anywhere an open connection is available. The Kindle 3 is also smaller than past designs, roughly a half inch smaller width and height. Using the Kindle Store, you can obtain digital downloads of almost any book at an extremely reasonable price. For that reason alone, avid readers would find the Kindle to be a great investment and a must have tech gadget for 2010.

Google TV
Price: Varies based on TV Model, set top box, or DVR system
Introduced: May, 2010
Website: www.google.com/tv

Google TV is a smart TV platform which runs on set top boxes and HDTV's. Released in May, 2010, the Google TV platform uses Android to provide television via internet. Created by Google, Logitech, and Sony, the current array of TV's equipped is currently small. Sony provides the only televisions with Google TV built in. However other versions are available by Dish Network and included in the Logitech Revue set-top boxes.

Features of Google TV allow the ability to search the web for television content, browse web pages, read online television and comes with a QWERTY keypad remote. listings,

HTC Droid Incredible
Price: $200 w/ 2-year Verizon Contract
Introduced: April, 2010
Website: www.htc.com/incredible

Released back in April, the Droid Incredible was well received by the tech community and has revolutionized the mobile smart phone market. The Droid Incredible came with Android 2.1, with a subsequent release of Android 2.2 available since August.

Features include a powerful 1GHz processor, 8GB storage, and a microsd slot capable of up to 32GB. Graphics are powered by Adreno 200 and the phone includes an impressive 8-megapixel camera. Engadget released a statement earlier this year emphatically stating "The Droid is the best Android product you can purchase in America". The Droid Incredible is currently only available on the Verizon Wireless nationwide network. The introduction of Android 2.2 brought a built-in FM tuner, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

Apple iPhone 4
Price: $200 subsidized upgrade (16GB), $300 upgrade (32G), $400 without previous version + 2-year contract
Introduced: June 2010
Website: www.apple.com/iphone

Unveiled in June of 2010, the Apple iPhone 4 is the newest generation of iPhone by Apple. Controversy preceded the release when Gizmodo obtained a prototype of the phone for $5,000 before the product hit the market. The iPhone was lost by Apple employee Gray Powell in Redwood City, California. With the leak aside, the new iPhone 4 is a must have for the 2010 holiday season.

The iPhone 4 has many enhanced features, none more interesting than the video calling feature titled FaceTime. FaceTime allows you to video call other users and view each other during the call. With two camera installed, you can switch between showing your face or showing your surroundings.

Four times more pixels in the display screen enhance the vibrant colors and readability extensively over past versions of the phone. There are enough pixels that the human eye cannot distinguish the pixels even at close inspection. You are also able to record in HD while also editing the content directly on the phone. No past features are lost, only improvements which makes this an imperative upgrade for any tech-geek or iPhone fanatic.