Top 20 Innovative Technology Products of 2006

Technology is changing the world as we know it. The group of us who keep up on the newest and latest technological developments are intrigued and excited about the forefront of technology, the internet, Google's massive empire and how we can make the most of it!

PC World recently released a list of the Top Twenty Most Innovative Products of of the Year, geared towards technology and the internet of course! From computer hardware, computer software, internet applications and tech gadgets, here is the list of the Top 20 Technological Innovations of 2006:

1. Microsoft Office 2007
Surprisingly this was at the top of their list, Microsoft doesn't typically take the lead as far as innovation goes. But, they hit the nail on the head with this one! With Microsoft's new features and developments associated with Microsoft Office 2007, including the ribbon nav at the top of the application instead of toolbars and the new Live Preview addition.





2. Intel Core 2 Duo
This is every computer nerd's dream, core duo processors are the newest craze and greatest love of us all.

3. Parallel's Desktop for MAC
MAC makes #3 surprisingly, but the product is fantastic! Makes it easy to run Windows on a MAC, which used to be near to impossible...Until now!

4. Nintendo Wii
Did you find yours for Christmas this year? Most likely not...:) They were selling like hot cakes



5. Samsung 32GB SSD
Newest flash drive, small size, perfect for notebooks. Setting the pace for laptop storage capabilities.

6. Sony Reader
Weighing on 9OZ, it might change the way we think about E-Books. I know I have to print out E-Books and online resources to save my eye energy! With this Sony Reader device, it doesn't even feel like you're looking at a computer screen

7. YouOS
An Entire Operating System that can run straight from your browser. Talk about virtual capability. Bridging Ajax Applications and internet browser technology, the YouOS takes #7 on the list.

8. Dell XPS M2010
Not quite a desktop and definitely less portable than a standard notebook: 20.1-inch screen, a slot-loading DVD drive, and a detachable, full-size Bluetooth keyboard, plus an integrated Webcam, eight built-in speakers, and a subwoofer.

9. Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 750 GB
Taking heed to the popularity of music files, videos pictures and other multi-media sources and the need for the storage of these files. Highest capacity of storage space in a single desktop disk.

10. T-Mobile Dash
Computer in a phone, E-mail in a PDA, the T-Mobile Dash compacts a ridiculous amount of capability in it's sleek, slim little package.

11. Pioneer Inno
Satellite Radio...Ok, Pause--Who saw that coming? The smart ones, that's who! Satellite radio has come a long way, and it has even further to go. Live Radio receiver, records and stores songs, better than an ipod, the ultimate in multi-media.

12. Farecast
Forecast the airfare prices? Newest competitive shopping device, predicting air fare prices, and recording the price fluctuations over time of year and location over time.

13.Sony BWU-100A Blu-Ray Disc Rewritable Drive
Blu-ray Disc burner, offers the most complete package at the best price, and unlike some others it can write to both 25GB single-layer and 50GB dual-layer discs.

14.Olympus EVolt E-330
digital SLR introduces a unique feature to this class of camera: an LCD that can provide a live preview of your shot.




15. Google Sketchup
Putting more virtual artists out of work, just like Adobe did to fine graphic artists. Makes creating interactive 3-d simulations EASY.

16. Sony Playstation 3
Gamers every where thanking the video game gods. A multicore cell processor. Blu-ray. Wi-Fi. A custom-designed nVidia graphics chip. A motion-sensing, wireless controller. We've seen many of these technologies before, but Sony gets major points for managing to pack all of them into one machine.

17. RIM Blackberry Pearl 8100
The RIM's network held blackberry together this year, with all the new innovations in cell phone and internet technology. Not to mention their integration of the multi-media craze: 1.3-megapixel camera, an audio player, and a video player to the usual BlackBerry features.



18. Rhapsody 4.0
Added two features that further separate it from the PC. The Sonos Digital Music System, connects directly to Rhapsody, without a PC. It also loads new songs in that categories that you choose when you connect a compatible portable player.

19. Logitech Newlooq
Heavy hockey puck-size dome that sits stationary on your desk, gives you lots of new ways of moving around your PC. Though it's targeted at design pros, it can help anyone who needs more control than a mouse and a scroll wheel offer.

20. Shure E500PTH Sound Isolating Ear Phones
Great for the airplane, great for roommates, great for spouses, these earphones knock ALL noise out, specifically they block 20 dB of outside noise, leaving you with a remarkably quiet listening environment.