Its the end of a Decade.  anyone remember the millennium bug?  and the hype that proceeded it?  That was nothing compared to the game changers we have seen since 2000.   Here we have decided to round them up ready for starting 2010 and the next decade of tech.  Let us know what products did it for you.

Here are 10 products we believe defined the decade for us.   You will have to decide the winning order as we simply couldn't, they all deserve first place.

Apple Macbook Intel released 2006

Ushered in the Intel transition and was the start of Apple gaining momentum as a real alternative to Windows domination.   The Macbook has become Apples best selling computer of all time selling more than 10 million units since launch.

Acer EEE PC Net-book launched 2007

The net-book was first considered a niche product that many disregarded as not here to stay.  However in the tough economic climate we have found ourselves in of late, the net-book has become one of the cornerstones of budget computing, even managing to fend off Microsoft’s Windows vista and forcing a rethink for Microsoft.

Apple Iphone launched 2007

When this phone was launched, Apple claimed they were going to reinvent the phone.  They haven't reinvented the phone but they have moved the goal post in peoples expectations of what a smartphone should be.  This has been a real game changer and with the introduction of the App store in 2008, The iphone has become the force to be reckoned with and has certainly changed the phone industry in a massive way. 

Sony Playstation 2 Launched 2000

Building on the success of the Playstation 1, this games console has sold more than 138 million units to date in 2009 and has become the best selling console of all time and games are still being released in 2010.  This console has still remained a great seller with competition from Sony’s own PS3, Microsoft Xbox and 360 and the mighty Nintendo Wii.

Apple Ipod Launched 2001

What is an MP3 player?  Duh an Ipod.   If you haven't already got one, you surely have one in your house, and even if you don't, you know many who do.  You would have had to walk around with your eyes closed to miss this yet nobody saw it coming.  This product rescued Apple and was a home-run of gigantic proportions.  The Ipod has revolutionised the music industry with Itunes and has paved the way for great products like the iphone.

Windows XP released 2001

Microsoft has always held the title of most popular OS and Windows XP was considered so popular that it managed to fight off its replacement Windows Vista.  Many consider service pack one to be where Microsoft “got it right”.   A combination of Vista’s heavy resource requirement and the popularity of the net-book saw many people downgrade from Vista back to XP in 2008.

Nintendo Wii released 2006

What do you get when you take a gamecube and a fancy motion controller?  A Wii.   Hailed by many as the gaming console that brought games to all ages.  The Wii continues to be a favourite amongst older gamers and has redefined party games with its popular Wii sports game.  Who would have thought a motion controller could make a console so popular?  The Wii has managed to fight off competiton from Sony’s PS3 and Microsofts Xbox 360 and has managed to outsell both by selling more than 56.1 million units since launch.

Nintendo DS Released 2004

The spiritual successor the the first Nintendo handheld the ‘Game and Watch’, The nintendo DS (Developers System) has sold over 113 million devices since launch in 2004 worldwide.   The Nintendo DS has become the popular choice for mobile gaming and has redefined what a mobile games console should be. 

Google Android released 2007

Google Android is a mobile OS based on a Linux kernel and open-sourced by google for use on mobile devices and smartphone’s.   Now developed by the Open handset alliance  this OS is fighting off competition from Microsofts Windows Mobile and Nokia Symbian as the dominant OS across multiple platforms.  We have tested out the Archos 5 internet tablet here running the 1.5 version of the OS and some products are now being released with 2.1.  2010 should see this OS become widespread and we believe it deserves a place on our list.

Blu-Ray Disc Released 2006

Beaten to market by a few months by HD-DVD, Blu-Ray was developed as the HD format of choice and the preceeding format war to follow would see HD-DVD recede from the market and Blu-Ray take its place as the dominant format, thanks to the increasing popularity of the PS3 from Sony and the support garnered for its anti-copying system from the major movie makers.

Honourable mention, the products that were important but not quite defining enough to make our list.

Sony Playstation 3 Released 2006

Whilst not as popular as the Xbox 360 and beaten so far in sales by the mighty PS2 and Wii,  the PS3 has helped define the decade as being one of the Best Blu-Ray players and creating a foothold for the format.

Apple Mac OSX released 2001

Maybe this should be higher on our list?  I guess you will decide.  As the OS of choice for  myself I have huge respect for this fantastic, easy to use and stable operating system.  Controversy over which OS is best has always been a hot topic, however as this OS is not mainstream, I have decided to give it honourable mention.  Mac OSX is the cornerstone of every Apple computer and is what makes a Mac a Mac.  Although there are ways of getting OSX to run on non Apple hardware, none give the complete experience of using a real Apple computer.  The ‘It just works’ appeal is really starting to create popularity for Apple and they are moving from the niche to the mainstream and gaining valuable market share year after year.  Mac OSX is currently on its 6th major release 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Macbook Air released 2008

The first computer from Apple to have the Unibody construction.  Whilst many consider this computer to be over priced, it cannot be disputed that the form factor is beautiful and the technical achievement remarkable.   Who says computers cant have sex appeal?

Pioneer Plasma’s

2009 was a very upsetting time when Pioneer announced they would be pulling out of Plasma TV production.   Indeed, I snapped up one of the very last KRP-600A 60 inch plasma displays.  Pioneer have been at the forefront of Plasma display technology for the last decade and due to the tough economic climate and the popularity of cheaper LCD televisions they have made the decision to stop producing these fantastic sets.   We will miss you?  well, I wont as I got mine, but a heartfelt goodbye to a favourite display manufacturer of many. 

Well all that I have left to say is best wishes for the new year and lets hope that the next decade brings with it some more amazing game changing products.   Personally i’m looking forward to 2010 and the possible launch of yet another game changer the Apple Tablet.   We are also excited to see what the JooJoo has to offer and will be bringing news of things we think deserve a place on the site as soon as we see them.  Its C.E.S in a week and we should see some great Android based devices as well as a few things that we weren't expecting i’m sure.  

Please take a moment to comment and visit our forums to see if there is anything you can help out with.  You never know, you might find an answer to a question you have been asking yourself.  I would like to take a moment to welcome all of the Jolicloud members to the forum, I hope you are liking what you see. 

Candy has just received her Viliv S5 and will be bringing a full review of it soon.  It may have been out for 8 months but i’m looking forward to seeing if it can still cut the mustard. 

Happy New year to you all from all of the team at Techreviewonline

Mark Perrin