Nov 7, 2024
By: Kapil Yadav
Credit: iStock
Numerous innovations in tech have shaped how we interact with technology. Some gadgets became industry pioneers, setting trends that continue to influence today's devices. Here's a list of the most impactful ones.
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The 2007 iPhone revolutionised smartphones with its sleek design, touchscreen interface and app store, transforming communication, gaming, shopping, work and daily tasks, making mobile apps an essential part of life.
Credit: Apple
Without the IBM PC, the personal computer market would lack the widespread accessibility that we have today. IBM's 1981 launch, with its DOS licensing, shaped today's non-Apple PC industry.
Credit: IBM
The $35 Raspberry Pi, a tiny single-board computer, is used globally to teach programming. With over 8 million sold, it’s likely inspiring the next generation of tech innovators.
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Sony's 1968 Trinitron TV, with its innovative single electron gun design, became iconic, winning an Emmy and selling over 100 million units. It is known to shape the colour TV market for decades.
Credit: Sony
Released in 1977, the Polaroid OneStep camera made instant photos widely accessible, becoming a cultural icon. Its retro appeal still influences photography, inspiring apps like Instagram.
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Sony's Walkman, launched in 1979, revolutionised music with portable cassette playback, private listening via headphones and battery power. It sold over 200 million units, paving the way for the CD player and the iPod.
Credit: Sony
Released in 1989, the Game Boy’s small screen and simple design revolutionised mobile gaming. Its success (over 200 million units sold) influenced game design, impacting everything from handhelds to the iPhone.
Credit: Nintendo
The 2010 iPad revolutionised tablets with its user-friendly touchscreen, surpassing earlier, clunkier models. Its success, selling 3,00,000 units on day one, sparked debates on whether it could replace laptops.
Credit: Apple
GPS, originally a government project, became a commercial success after president Clinton opened it in 2000 for the general public. This led to devices by companies like Garmin and the rise of location-based devices and services like Uber.
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Fitbit revolutionised pedometers in 2009, adding digital tracking for steps, calories and sleep, with data syncing to a website. It sold over 9.2 million devices in 2022 and over 6.6 million devices in 2023.
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