FX.co ★ World’s top 8 gadgets and services

A modern trader cannot do without some gadgets which are always needed close at hand to monitor the latest trends in financial markets. The top-ranked gadget is Steve Job's iPad. The tablet was designed with an aim to replace PCs and laptops. It seems that it is doing it well. The iPad was a pioneer device in the tablet market, like the iPhone in the smartphones market. Today, the iPad is an excellent device for web browsing, communication, gaming and business apps.

Google Chrome is a software product standing second in the ranking. The browser's advantages are enhanced speed, improved security and stability. According to StatCounter estimates, more than 300 million people use Google Chrome, making it the undeniably most popular browser in the world.

Instagram is ranked third most popular service in the world. It as a free Internet-based photo-sharing application with elements of a social net. In 2013, it had at least 100 million active users. On the back of the popularity of this application, many developments emerged, one way or another associated with it.

The fourth position in the list of the most prominent services and devices goes to Kickstarter. It is the world's largest funding platform for creative projects. It is based on the principle of crowdfunding. It charges a 5% fee on the total amount of the funds raised. However, unlike traditional venture capital, Kickstarter claims no ownership stake in funded projects.

Android stands fifth in the ranking. Android is open source and far more open to alternative applications than iOS. The first Android-powered phone available to consumers was the HTC Dream released in 2008. Later, other smartphone makers introduced their Android devices. The platform also runs on cameras and smart watches. According to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, there are over 1.4 billion active Android users.

The 4G is ranked the sixth most groundbreaking technology in the world. It increases data throughput and link range and runs on a huge number of devices. 4G succeeds the third generation (3G) standards. It is a packet-switched technology, whereas 3G is circuit-switched one.

The seventh most cutting-edge service is Uber, an on-demand car service that allows you to request private drivers through mobile applications. Earlier, its drivers were only on high-priced cars, but later economy class cars became available. That was how Uber's global expansion started. The taxi service raised about $11.5 billion from venture capital and private investors in 14 rounds.

Popular messaging service WhatsApp is ranked the eighth most innovative service globally. Last year, it became fully free, with users paying only for the internet traffic. In February 2016, WhatsApp developers said the app had 1 billion active users.