TIME Magazine chooses iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods as
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/16/time-magazine-chooses-ipad-apple-watch-and-a
irpods-as-best-gadgets-of-the-2010s/> 'Best Gadgets of the 2010s'
TIME Magazine is known for always highlighting the best inventions and
products every year, and this year was no different. As we are at the end of
another decade, the magazine took the opportunity to publish a list of the
best gadgets launched since 2010
<https://time.com/5745302/best-gadgets-of-the-2010s-decade/> .
Unsurprisingly, three Apple devices were chosen by TIME: the iPad, Apple
Watch, and AirPods.
The iPad tops the list as the best gadget of the decade. By coincidence or
not, Apple's tablet was introduced by Steve Jobs in January 2010, and it's
close to reaching its 10th anniversary next month. TIME editor Patrick
Austin said that, just like the iPhone, the iPad has driven a cultural
change in the way people think about a computer.
"Before the iPad's introduction in 2010, the idea of a "tablet computer" was
mostly relegated to slick science fiction movies and unwieldy
laptop-adjacent monstrosities running terrible software. [.] And while
competitors have had ample time to make laptops or detachable two-in-one
computers to attack the iPad's biggest pain points, Apple has continuously
advanced the platform's iPadOS and hardware."
The iPad has changed a lot since the first generation was announced. Apple
has introduced models in different sizes and for different purposes. The
iPad Pro, which is now the top-of-the-line model, has redefined the concept
of the iPad with a larger screen, Apple Pencil, and incredible
Apple-designed chips.
Another Apple product that appeared on the TIME's list is the Apple Watch.
It was unveiled in 2014, although rumors about Apple's new smartwatch have
been circulating on the internet for many years before that.
"While many have tried, no one has been able to match the polish and
performance of the Apple Watch, which set the standard for what a smartwatch
could do." said Austin. Apple Watch was first introduced as a fashion
accessory, but the product's direction has changed since then. Although
Apple still offers various models in different finishes, colors, and bands,
the Apple Watch today stands out much more for its health and fitness
features.
Apple Watch Series 4, introduced in 2018, has been redesigned and also has
gained a sensor capable of making electrocardiograms (ECGs). This year Apple
presented the Apple Watch Series 5 with always-on display and integrated
compass.
The AirPods were also mentioned on TIME's list of best gadgets of the
decade. First released in 2016, Apple's wireless earphones have conquered
the world and become the best-selling product in the category
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/11/19/apple-falls-in-true-wireless-hearables-marke
t-but-it-still-leads-the-segment/> .
According to TIME, "AirPods quickly became an icon in their own right, both
for their aesthetic appeal as well as their larger cultural impact." They
mentioned the fact that AirPods have become a social symbol, comparing them
to the iPod in the past.
The second-generation AirPods were launched earlier this year with the "Hey
Siri" feature and a wireless charging case, even without the AirPower
charger. Recently, AirPods Pro arrived with active noise cancellation, water
resistance, and other improvements for users deeply concerned about sound
quality.
Here is the full "best gadgets of 2010's" list published by TIME, which also
includes the Amazon Echo and Nintendo Switch:
1. Apple iPad (2010)
2. Tesla Model S (2012)
3. Raspberry Pi (2012)
4. Google Chromecast (2013)
5. DJI Phantom (2013)
6. Amazon Echo (2014)
7. Apple Watch (2015)
8. Apple AirPods (2016)
9. Nintendo Switch (2017)
10. Xbox Adaptive Controller (2018)
You can read TIME's full article with their opinions on each product here
<https://time.com/5745302/best-gadgets-of-the-2010s-decade/> .
Phil Schiller reflects on the early days of iPad and multi-touch in new
interview <https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/16/phil-schiller-ipad-interview/>
As the decade comes to a close,
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/15/technology/decade-in-tech.ht
ml> The New York Times has published its retrospective look back at the
2010s. The piece, titled "The Decade Tech Lost Its Way," includes a brief
quote from Phil Schiller in which he explains the origin of the iPad
<http://9to5mac.com/guides/ipad> and the role Steve Jobs played in its
development.
The iPad kickstarted the 2010s for Apple, with Jobs unveiling the device
during a special event on January 27, 2010. Schiller explains, however, that
the process really started when Jobs returned to Apple in 1997. At this
point, Apple was in the process of trying to reinvent itself with the idea
of a "computer device" under $500 with an "Apple quality and experience we'd
love," Schiller explains.
Jobs pointed out that, in order to hit that price, Apple would need to
"remove things aggressively," signaling the shift away from the clamshell
design. Schiller recalls:
And so the team started working on multitouch technology. During that
process, a human interface design, Bas Ording, showed us this demo where he
pretended to scroll and the whole screen moved up and down with realistic
physics. It was one of those "holy crap" moments.
It was during the development of what would become the iPhone 3G that Apple
turned its attention back to the iPad project. Schiller says that it was
easy to take what Apple had learned from the iPhone project, and create what
would eventually become the first-ben iPad.
When we got back to the iPad, it was really easy to imagine what to take
from the iPhone and what needed to be different to create the product it
would be. It really helped.
The full piece from
<https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/15/technology/decade-in-tech.ht
ml> The New York Times can be found here. It also includes a look at the
moment Tim Cook ascended as Apple CEO, Walt Mossberg's early memories of the
iPad, the development of Siri, and more.
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