Top 10 Gadgets of 2010

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Every year, new eye-opening technological devices make their way to shelves that leave us all rushing to get the latest must-have gadgets. It seems, we as a society, cannot function without the assistance of these pricey toys.

But perhaps the most innovative gadget yet was released in December. It caused the most controversy of any gadget this year — and possibly ever. It was the metrehigh English teaching robot in Korea. This small yet powerful device, named EngKey, has a TV monitor to give the robot a human face. Currently there are 29 robots that are teaching in 21 elementary schools. They talk and read to the children, and can even dance!

The next device on the list has brought in huge revenues but isn't quite comparable to EngKey. The iPhone 4, Apple's fastest selling product ever, had people lining up at 3 a.m. to purchase what was arguably the most intricate phone on the market. Apple had a very good year; following the iPhone 4 came the iPad. In the first three months after its release, Apple sold three million of these compact, multi-purpose tablets. This device had a lot of people confused and also created a bit of controversy as to whether it is just another computer or something much more valuable and useful. The iPad debate continues to this day.

Google TV made headlines this year with its ability to multitask between surfing channels, apps and the web. It has taken television to a new level. It allows users to control the TV with their phones and allows full access to the Internet without restriction. This was not the only jaw-dropping TV of the year. Next up is Toshiba's Cell TV that offers 3D technology. Although these two TVs are in competition, they both offer very different television experiences. While Google TV acts as a multipurpose TV that focuses mainly on its ability to multitask, Toshiba's Cell TV brings 3D movies into your home so you don't have to pay $15 at the movies. Not only does this TV have the ability to turn any 2D movie into 3D with its TriVector technology, it has a 1 GB hard drive so it acts as a media server to the entire household, allowing you to watch television from your computer.

The iPhone 4 wasn't the only cell phone to hit the shelves this year. Android phones collectively overtook iPhone 4 sales. The new Google Nexus Android phone was a best seller. The Nexus runs the Gingerbread operating system, the newest and fastest version of Android. This phone has virtually all the popular features of the Apple iPhone with the most prominent difference being its look and software.

Next on the list is another device offering 3D technology: the Panasonic 3D Camcorder. This is so popular because as of now, Panasonic is the only company to deliver such a product, and a good one at that. These 3D cameras have been around in the movie industry for a while, considering the influx of 3D movies hitting theatres over the past three years; however, this is the first camera that is bringing 3D technology to the consumer level. It hit the shelves in the fall for a whopping $21,000.

The Macbook Air laptop provides all-flash storage, multi-touch trackpad and high-resolution display — all standard features offered on any Macbook. What is so special about this computer is its paper-like thinness. We were all shocked when Apple came out with the iPod Nano that was only the width of a pencil, and they have now transferred that technology to a laptop while maintaining all the incredible features a regular computer can provide (with the exception of less storage space).

On October 26, Barnes and Noble took their Nook Tablet ereader to the next level by adding colour. The Nook now has expandable memory and uses Android technology. Although it is just an e-reader right now, because it is built on Android technology means they can start looking at making it a more playful resource, much like the iPad.

Finally, the D-link Boxee Box concludes the top 10 gadgets of 2010. While Google TV provides Internet from the TV, requiring the purchase of a data plan, the Boxee Box was created for people who want to access the Internet from their TV without having to buy a special TV or have to budget for another data plan. It also has many other features; it provides full HD playback and connects to social sites such as Facebook. Now anything you can do on your computer you can do on your TV, with a more comfortable spot to sit — the couch.

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