The end of 2019 marks at the same time the end of the decade that began in 2010. The opportunity to take stock of the high tech objects that have marked each year, and the entire industry.
In a world where the news is going faster and faster on the information superhighways, it is sometimes good to ask yourself and take the time to look in the rearview mirror. The end of a decade is the perfect opportunity for that.
The editorial staff selected, for each year, the most striking tech product. A product that has shaken the industry and met with great success.
1. 2010: APPLE IPAD
With the iPad, Apple did not create the touchpad, but the brand defined modern codes and popularized the concept, before monopolizing it.
Recipe? In 2010, Apple took an iPod Touch (an iOS device that does not phone) and enlarged the screen, causing the mockery of many observers who see only a giant iPod Touch. The tablet of the brand is today available in a wide range, and Apple does not hesitate to compare it to a real personal and professional computer.
The iPad can now replace a PC for certain uses.
The iPad has managed to find its place and we can consider that it is today one of the best devices produced by Apple, and especially one of the devices with the best value for money, a fact rare when talking about the Apple brand.
2. 2011: SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE
Samsung was one of the first smartphone manufacturers to offer Android devices, first with its Samsung Galaxy in 2009, then with the Galaxy S a year later. But it was truly a year later, in 2011, that the Korean manufacturer innovated with its very first Galaxy Note. It was then a massive smartphone with an extraordinary size. Be aware, he offered a slab of … 5.3 inches diagonal.
With the Galaxy Note, Samsung has made the large format smartphone the norm Admittedly, this format has something to smile about today where most devices have screens of more than 6 inches, but it was a daring bet for the time, while most of the smartphones on the market had diagonals between 3.5 and 4 inches.
If many laughed at the start of this 14.7 cm high smartphone, it is clear that the rest of the industry ended up following the Korean manufacturer as this format finally became popular among all manufacturers.
And that without even talking about the sacrosanct S-Pen stylus from the Galaxy Note range. A stylus that may have been taunted by some for whom the finger was more than enough, but which is now found on many Samsung, Huawei, Microsoft, and even Apple tablets. Above all, Samsung now seems on the point of democratizing more what made the particularity of the Note range by integrating an S-Pen on other smartphones. Definitely, the Galaxy Note first of the name was truly a pioneer.
3. 2012: PHILIPS HUE
Home automation has always existed in tech but has long been the domain of architects and wealthy people. The solutions available were not only expensive but also difficult to integrate into a coherent and functional form.
Philips had its “Eureka” moment in 2012 by creating the Hue range. The concept is simple: make home automation accessible by first touching the simplest but most important consumable in the house: the light bulb. A simple product, a simple shape, and maximum opening to all platforms.
Philips Hue bulbs were born and gave life to many competitors and a galaxy of objects. The general public was able to accept the appearance of connected objects in their homes thanks to the familiarity of the product as much as its simplicity of installation. From then on, the market could be created and flourish to become what we know today.
4. 2013: MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO
In 2013, Microsoft faced a dilemma. The software giant was concerned that PC manufacturers may not offer machines that take full advantage of Windows 8, its new operating system.
The firm then decided to embark on the manufacture and sale of laptops and took the opportunity to popularize a concept: that of the 2-in-1 tablet. Thus were born the Surface PCs and its flagship, the Surface Pro, presented to everyone’s surprise. This is an important event because, for the first time, Microsoft will compete with its manufacturing partners.
If the first generations did not meet with great success, Microsoft has managed to persevere and the Surface division now earns it more than a billion dollars in turnover each quarter. It’s also, but not only, with Surface products that Microsoft has been able to restore its image, previously associated with a cheesy business.
Microsoft has created an attractive enough market to force Apple to tackle it with the iPad Pro.
5. 2014: AMAZON ECHO
When artificial intelligence hit the market, it made a lot of noise … often for little. The concept is after all complicated to digest for the general public as well as for connoisseurs, and its often nebulous application.
There is one product that has however made it palpable and useful: the Amazon Echo. The connected and intelligent speaker capable of answering your questions while controlling home automation products in your home. Home automation products? Yes. The popular success of the Amazon Echo succeeded in launching this entire industry.
At least … popular American success. Across the world, the picture is not necessarily the same: Google Home, for example, is often more popular in France, simply because the brand is better known and respected here. In any case, connected and intelligent speakers are only experiencing stable and sustainable growth in recent years, as well as the connected objects around them, and this is undoubtedly due to the American giant.
6. 2015: APPLE WATCH
A watch must have around the screen! This is what many people thought about the launch of the Apple Watch in 2015. It must be said that Apple’s vision was the right one since it has been very successful since then.
As with the iPad, Apple has managed to create a real market buzz for connected watches when the Apple Watch was released. Sales of the connected watch quickly became very important for the brand. In fact, Apple far exceeds the sales of its competitors in the market, with almost half of the market share for the Apple Watch.
Beyond this commercial success, the Apple Watch marked the decade for another reason. This series of devices also represents the new interest of brands for the health of users. With each new version of Apple Watch, Apple incorporates new functions to protect users, especially the elderly.
We could mention Google’s efforts with Google Fit, or more generally with its Verily division dedicated to health. We can also mention the work of the French Withings who is developing a series of connected health objects.
None of these devices, appear to be at the level of what Apple offers in terms of integration and ease of use. You always have a watch with you, so it’s a very good device for monitoring health in real-time.
7. 2016: APPLE AIRPODS
We can’t say it enough: Apple’s AirPods aren’t the first truly wireless headphones on the market. The title actually goes to Bragi’s Dash headphones launched two years earlier, in 2014. It’s hard to deny, however, that it’s Apple’s headphones that popularized the principle of headphones that are not connected to each other by a single cable.
It’s truly following Apple’s AirPods in 2016 that we’ve seen the entire industry gradually switch from Bluetooth headphones to completely wireless headphones. Whether it’s a consumer brand like Samsung or Sony, more audio-oriented manufacturers like Sennheiser, Bose or Jabra, or clearly Hi-Fi oriented manufacturers like Bang & Olufsen, all have followed Apple and its AirPods.
As often, Apple did not invent a truly innovative product. However, he was able to perfect the technology to make it as accessible as possible and popularize it on the market. There is no doubt that without the AirPods today we would not be enjoying the Sony WF-1000XM3, the Jabra Elite 75T or the Samsung Galaxy Buds. Not to mention other models with a design that we will call much more inspired like those of Xiaomi, Huawei or Realme.
8. 2017: NINTENDO SWITCH
When it comes to video game consoles, it’s hard not to think of the PS4 in recent years. However, it is all the same as a console that really innovated and whose success launched as much a tendency on the market of the tech that completely destroys the hopes of the fight of its competitor.
This is, of course, the Nintendo Switch. With its product halfway between home console and portable console, the Japanese manufacturer has managed to fulfill a dream that many players have had for years. And by adding the inimitable Nintendo touch as well as good support from third-party publishers and independent developers, he has created one of the most enjoyable consoles to use.
Today, the console continues to follow the success of the Nintendo Wii and has created an unprecedented movement for all players to demand a Switch version with each game announcement. The Nintendo Switch Lite makes the console more accessible to children and more limited budgets when the biggest players dream of a more powerful Pro version. Nintendo has once again created a phenomenon, the repercussions of which are undeniable.
9. 2018: XBOX ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER
Inclusion issues have been one of the red threads of this decade. Microsoft is one of the companies that has made inclusiveness its workhorse.
Behind what could seem like a simple communication campaign, there are real projects, and one of the best representatives of this policy is the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Designed in partnership with specialists, this controller is actually a hub ready to receive dozens of accessories adapted for people with disabilities.
The system is developed by Microsoft for Windows and Xbox but aims to be an open platform, which has allowed Logitech to create its own selection of compatible accessories.
10. 2019: SAMSUNG GALAXY FOLD
Some may object to the presence of the latter among those who have marked the decade. In a sense, these people will be right, because the debut of the Samsung Galaxy Fold was not as bright as its manufacturer hoped. Delayed due to bugs encountered by some testers, the first real foldable smartphone – at least more convincing than the Royole FlexPai – has ultimately not proven to be the long-awaited revolution … At least, for now. Let’s say that the Samsung Galaxy Fold will prove to be the long-awaited revolution in the future.
Certainly, the first model is largely perfectible, but it already opens the way to a multitude of possibilities and uses that will have to be explored and exploited in the years to come. Many manufacturers are already working on their own foldable smartphones to follow the Galaxy Fold and some have already materialized in the image of the Huawei Mate X or the Motorola Razr.
The Galaxy Fold is the result of many years of engineering and huge investments that aim to make it a pioneer in the transformation of smartphones that awaits us. And when, during the next ten years, we get used to the refined and more accessible foldable smartphones available on the market, it should be remembered that this new paradigm has its roots in the decade that is soon coming to an end.
Here is the end of our selection. Do not hesitate to tell us in the comments which tech devices have marked you the most during this decade!