Best & Worst of 2007: Hottest gadget of the year

Posted Nov 30th 2007 10:05AM by Brian White
Filed under: Products and Services, Consumer Experience, Apple Inc (AAPL), AT and T (T), Research in Motion (RIMM), iPhone

This post was part of AOL Money & Finance's Best & Worst of 2007 feature. The voting has now closed and readers have chosen Apple's iPhone as the hottest gadget of the year. Be sure and let us know in the comments if you are pleased with this result.

Hottest gadget of the year 2007 was definitely the year of the gadget. Every year, personal electronics get sleeker, attain more cutting-edge technology and functionality, and make their way into the the pockets and homes of millions of consumers. So, let's decide on which one was the biggest hitter this year, shall we?

First up, the Apple iPhone. Arguable the largest and most anticipated cell phone launch in history was in the news constantly form its January announcement until its June launch with partner AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T). Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: APPL) shined again as a marketing machine and hyped the iPhone as much as it could while tech blogs and the news media seemed to have a lust for the device months before it ever hit a single hand. What the iPhone lacked in features it made up for in style and user experience. The device sold more than a million units in the first three months it was sold, and has helped Apple maintain its aura as the coolest tech company on the planet this year.

Next, we have the Nintendo Wii. This $250 gaming system is the size of a large hardback book but has great graphics and a whole new way to play games. It's not nearly as cutting edge as the Sony PlayStation 3 or Microsoft Xbox 360, but that's not what it's about. The Wii was meant for everyone (not just gamers), and the way it makes players physically interact with games has been hailed as brilliant. Consumers think so too, as the Wii has outsold the Xbox 360 almost every single month in 2007, and is way ahead of the more expensive PlayStation 3 in unit sales as well.

For those who shunned Apple's iPhone for that massive amount of corporate email that needs responding to on the road, we have the BlackBerry Curve. This new Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) product combined the ease of managing multiple email accounts from a cell phone (and a functional keyboard as well) with the design sophistication of a high-end consumer cell phone, complete with megapixel camera, MP3 player, and advanced video functions. Those business consumers who also want a touch of fun-n-play with that BlackBerry chained to their hip got it this year with the Curve.

Last but not least, we have the Apple iPod Touch. This sophisticated iPod is basically the iPhone without the phone. It has the super-click touch interface, 8GB to 16GB of capacity, it's super-slim, and easily the coolest iPod ever built. For those who don't want the shackles to an AT&T contract at a minimum of $60 a month for 24 months, the iPod Touch is the solution.

What's your pick for the coolest gadget of 2007? Vote now!

Share the reasons for your pick of the hottest gadget in the comments, or let us know about any contenders we overlooked. Also be sure to see the rest of AOL Money & Finance's Best & Worst of 2007.

Tags: AAPL, Apple, Best and Worst of 2007, BlackBerry, BlackBerry Curve, cell phones, iPhone, iPod, iPod Touch, Nintendo, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Research in Motion, RIM, RIMM, Wii, Xbox 360

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-30-2007 @ 10:31AM

rcn said...

Garmin Nuvi 200 or 200W GPS. Wow-- could not be a better value for all that it does for you. It will probably save millions of gallons of gas a year if enough people bought GPS and particularily Garmin.

11-30-2007 @ 2:47PM

erntheburn said...

If enough people bought Garmins to save the "millions" of gallons of gas, the manufacture of the Garmins would certainly offset those saved gallons due to the millions of barrels of oil that would be required to churn the manufacturing processes.

2-08-2008 @ 10:30PM

Viper said...

I would say that the iTouch is the coolest product on the 2007- 2008 market.
The reason I say this is because iam posting this comment from mine right now.

12-02-2007 @ 3:20PM

eric bonwit said...

It just makes me wonder how the Wii can be selling so well when there never seems to be any at any of the local stores. Wal-mart will get one (which is gone in 2-3 minutes), and then not get another for a week or more.

Also, how is it that in 13+ months, a company the size of Nintendo has not been able to increase production to keep in step with demand?

12-02-2007 @ 6:42PM

Daniel said...

It's because it takes time to manufacture a system, and as soon as one like the wii is put on the shelf, its sold. I bought one a month ago 30 minutes after the store opened. They said I had bought the eighth wii that day.

12-02-2007 @ 5:29PM

JB said...

Garmin for sure!!! Saved my dog's life when I had to rush him to an ER vet 11PM on a Sunday night. The local 24hr vet was without a Dr that night and the closest one open was in the next County. Peace of mind to have that machine direct me to a place I'd never been before. Took me two freeways and multiple side streets, right to the front door!!! A true life saver!

12-02-2007 @ 6:27PM

daisy said...

Gadgets are great gifts this time of year. I love buying electronics for gifts as one size fits all.

I shop online and can wear my pj's, not use gas and a lot of times and not pay taxes!
I buy most of my stuff at an online shopping
mall that gives me between 5-55% back in cash on all my purchases.

There are over 1000 stores including Sephora, Apple, The Gap, Target (great for soo much), Macy's. I also wait for sales so I get my cash
back and the lowest price
http://www.dailyoink.com The site is ugly, but well worth it.

12-02-2007 @ 7:23PM

Judy said...

I admit I am not very technologically savvy. My generation did not grow up with this stuff. But would someone please explain the use and benefit of the Garming GPS things and how they save gas?

12-03-2007 @ 4:46PM

P said...

LOVE our Wii!!! Everyone LOVES our Wii!!! It has been the coolest thing for bringing people together and having a hilarious, fun time!!!

12-04-2007 @ 12:00AM

thattubakid4391 said...

I just don't understand how anyone can like the Wii. One of my friends had one, and we tried to like playing it for like six months, but it wasn't really all that great. The Wii can't hold a torch to the 360.

12-11-2007 @ 4:12AM

Jehanzeb said...

I cannot belive that iPhone is still highly regarded as a hot gadget of year even it has so many flaws in it. I think it is the most hyped gadget of the year instead of hottest. I do not want to list all the flaws Apple has in their gagdet, people who owns them knows how much improvement it needs.

The hottest, unique and innovative gadget of the year is Nintendo's Wii. There are pretty well reasons why. They have change the way consoles have been. A truely new concept.

12-25-2007 @ 8:03PM

Tony said...

the iphone is even listed no. 3 on this list
http://www.makefive.com/categories/technology/goods/best-christmas-gifts-for-gadget-geeks

I guess there's just too much hype for it that everyone becomes blind to everything that is terrible about it.

12-28-2007 @ 4:14PM

dfbdar said...

You should try the AT&T Tilt phone !!!! 3.0 MP Camera with zoom, WIFI, you can go online without a contract!!! Games, MP3 player, photos, movies, slide out keyboard,(full qwert) card slot for expandaable memory, full palm software, !! Its awesome !

12-28-2007 @ 5:42PM

tlyn1122 said...

I'm gettn the Wii today (couldn't get one B4 xmas, but I've had the iPhone since Tday. The only two flaws i've seen on my phone is that 1. you can't do mass text msg and 2. you can't add a recent phone call to the contact list. Other than that, i really do enjoy it, i'll keep in touch on my experience on the Wii. I have the 360 already and can't get my husband and 4 sons off of it so hopefully i will get to play with the Wii :)