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Top Tech Breakthroughs of 2008

As we approach the end of the year it's time once again for the never-ending stream of retrospectives and year-in-review discussions. Wired has their version of the best technology breakthroughs of 2008. From phones to shrinking laptops to flexible displays, there is no shortage of interesting advancements when looking back at this year. What other groundbreaking advancements were made this year, and what do we have to look forward to for 2009?

13 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Missing entry: by Katatsumuri · · Score: 5, Funny

    0. Year of Linux on the desktop!

    1. Re:Missing entry: by Zontar+The+Mindless · · Score: 4, Funny

      0. Year of Linux on the desktop!

      Hello, please check the title - it's "Top Tech Breakthroughs of 2008", not "Top Tech Breakthroughs of 2004".

      --
      Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
    2. Re:Missing entry: by francium+de+neobie · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, the year of Linux on the desktop will be on "Top Tech Breakthoughs of Year Aleph-1".

  2. Re:why look back by ChienAndalu · · Score: 5, Funny

    Because people have difficulties remembering the future

  3. Re:Solar Charged Laptops? by lobiusmoop · · Score: 4, Funny

    I live in Scotland, you insensitive clod.

    --
    "I bless every day that I continue to live, for every day is pure profit."
  4. Re:WTF? by Daimanta · · Score: 1, Funny

    It's easy.

    The word memristor has no reference to Apple whatsoever. The Apple app store on the other hand clearly portrays itself as being associated with Apple.

    The app store wins!

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
  5. Re:Oh dear by MightyYar · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seriously... My stock market crashing device didn't even make the list!

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  6. Re:why look back by bytethese · · Score: 2, Funny

    You serious? Dude, that 2023 World Series Game 7 was an instant classic!

  7. Re:Oh dear by dylan_- · · Score: 4, Funny

    so glad I live in the age of technological miracles

    Actually, this is *the* age of technological miracles. If technology continues to improve at an exponential rate, then we'll hit the "Singularity". If it doesn't and we plateau for some reason, that means we won't see this kind of progress again.

    However, people like you (PLY?) will never see this progress. Let me give you an example (may not be real (hah! DYSWID?)) of how this works:

    Progress 1990: "In 15 years time we'll be showing video on your computer that will be better than you have on a TV set!"
    PLY: "Yeah, right. Like I want to watch TV on a crappy little monitor and how come these things are always 15 years away?"

    Progress 1995: Demonstration of streaming some video over the Internet
    PLY: "Oh, that's great. Barely working video that's the size of a postage stamp. Wake me up when it's anywhere near as good as my old TV!"

    Progress 2000: Demonstration of near TV quality streaming on your computer.
    PLY: "Huh, what's the use when you can't get the bandwidth to watch anything, it's still not as good quality as TV, and there's no choice of programmes!"

    Progress 2005: Demonstration of full screen, HD TV streaming on your computer
    PLY: "Please! This is progress? I remember seeing video streaming way back in 1995!"

    Check your post to see which stage you're at for each of these...

    (p.s. Just joking. Don't take it seriously or personally. Have a great Christmas and New Year! Slainte!)

    --
    Igor Presnyakov stole my hat
  8. Re:Oh dear by Verdatum · · Score: 4, Funny

    Brilliant! The top tech breakthrough of 2009 shall be a self-padding end-of-the-year tech article! (available 3rd quarter 2012)

  9. Re:why look back by Hillgiant · · Score: 2, Funny

    I know! Lets have a top 10 list of reasons why there is a top 10 list! Or,a top 10 list of top 10 lists!

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    -
  10. Re:Solar Charged Laptops? by Daimanta · · Score: 4, Funny

    Personally, I'm waiting for a rain and fog powered laptop. If it can be powered by cold that's ok for the winter too.

    --
    Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
  11. Re:Oh dear by lxs · · Score: 5, Funny

    Read the headline. This is about top tech breakthroughs, not top tech breakdowns.