To Twenty-Ten and Beyond

Not only is a new year upon us, but also a new decade. When looking back at the past decade of technology advancement, it is hard to comprehend what to look forward to in the next ten years.

Think about it, the past 10 years have seen a move from desktop computers, to notebook computers, and now to pocket computers. PDAs and mobile phones have merged not only into smartphones, but with the advent of the iPhone, into what I call Genius-phones.

Speaking of the iPhone, look at what that did to the mobile phone market. Carriers aren’t calling as many shots anymore, buttons are so last-millennium, and everybody and their grandpa has an internet-connected phone.

The Mac has revolutionized computing from being just a tool to a lifestyle. The Mac lineup has become a source of design-inspiration for just about everything.

The noughties saw the arrival of Mac OS X, which has seen 7 major revisions. Apple even shifted from PowerPC processors to Intel. Let’s also not forget that Microsoft fumbled with Vista, but this past year finally gave Windows users a reason to get off of XP with Windows 7, which, in my opinion, is the most Mac-like Windows yet.

We’ve seen Apple return from near-death as a company to being one of the few super-successful corporations in a down economy. Not only is Apple debt-free and int he black, but they have $30 BILLION+ cash on hand.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t toss in something that we probably take for granted now. The iPod. This device changed everything. I remember when I first heard of the iPod in 2001. I didn’t understand it. I thought it would flop. I’m glad I was wrong. I’ve purchased very few CDs since I bought my first iPod in 2003, mostly because that is the year the iTunes Music Store landed. The iPod has helped Apple become the largest music retailer in the world! And now Apple has hit another home run with the App Store and the iPhone and iPod touch.

There is so much more that could be covered in tech for the past decade outside of Apple, but it would likely take me until after midnight to write about all of it.

I look forward to witnessing what happens in the next ten years, because right now, I can’t even begin to imagine.

Happy New Year, everyone! To Twenty-Ten and Beyond!