FX.co ★ Top 8 breakthrough technologies of decade

WhatsApp

The world’s most popular instant messaging system was launched in 2009. According to analysts, the messenger has had a considerable impact on the world of technologies over the decade. WhatsApp can work on almost any mobile device. The platform uses end-to-end encryption which guarantees user privacy. Facebook purchased the messaging service for $19 billion dollars in 2014. Nowadays, WhatsApp is recognized as the standard for international mobile communications as well as one of the most prominent social platforms in the world.

Apple iPhone 4S

The iPhone, presented in 2007, is considered to be the most significant Apple’s development. Experts believe the launch became a turning point in the world of technology. When the iPhone 4S was produced in October 2011 it was a defining moment for Apple’s business. The smartphone has been upgraded multiple times. Presently, the iPhone has three new innovative functions. Among them are Siri, a virtual assistant, iCloud, and a camera which can take 8-megapixel images and high-definition videos. Thanks to this camera Apple managed to beat off its rivals.

Apple iPad

Another Apple’s innovation was first presented in 2010. Experts consider the iPad to be the company’s greatest achievement as Apple put a lot of effort in the development of the product. Thanks to Steve Jobs, the company’s CEO, mobile devices have become an integral part of people's lives. Nowadays, the iPad is recognized as the standard for tablets. According to Apple, the iPad is not only a convenient innovation for reading magazines and watching videos but a computer of the future.

Uber

Uber was launched in 2010. In the beginning, the company was operating in the US and then came to the european market. Thanks to the service a passenger can call a taxi by only touching a button on the screen of a smartphone. UberX, a cheaper version of the service, appeared in 2012. Today, Uber is available in countries across the world.

Instagram

Nowadays, Internet users cannot imagine their life without Instagram. You can find nearly anything on this popular service from personal information to videos and photos. According to experts, Instagram contributed to the high reputation of a smartphone camera. As a result, a new type of social network emerged which closely resembled a digital glossy magazine. Instagram became a popular platform for brands, businesses, and celebrities. The service merged with Facebook in 2012.

Oculus Rift

Virtual reality or VR, is another breakthrough innovation of the next generation. According to experts, VR has great potential. Oculus Rift was presented to a wide audience in 2013. The Oculus Quest, a virtual reality headset, has been developed over time. In early 2014, before Oculus Rift entered the market, Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg tested the product in a human-computer interaction lab at Stanford University. Consequently, Zuckerberg purchased the company for $2.3 billion.

Amazon Echo

The latest technology has had a great impact on music. Amazon Echo, a smart speaker developed by Amazon, was released in November 2014. In a short time, the innovation has expanded the list of significant technological products of the decade. One of the speaker's functions is the voice-controlled assistant service Alexa. It can give voice commands to turn on/off the light, control music flow, and add purchases to Amazon’s cart. Other large manufacturers followed the example of Amazon and developed similar products.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel has come a long way from a concept to the actual product. Google has been monitoring other manufacturers who use the Android mobile operating system on their devices for eight years before it released the Pixel smartphone. The device has features to Apple's iPhone. One of Pixel’s key functions is the ability to control hardware and software. The first Pixel smartphone caused a sensation in the world of technology. It inspired the world’s leading producers to develop sensors and camera lenses.