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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Bright Spots for Tech in 2008

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(Newser) – 2008 wasn’t a great year for tech or the economy, but some gadget-makers did invest in innovation, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Areas where tech made more than token gains:

  • Digital cameras grow up: Not only are consumer cameras getting sharper, but some professional models can now record video.
  • Gaming shows a feminine side: More than half of Wii users are women.

  • The "digital living room" gets closer: Products by Sling Media and streaming Netflix service bring more of the Internet to your TV.
  • Smartphones become mini-computers: Apple's App store and a similar effort by Google make customizing your handheld easy and rewarding.
  • Social networking rises to the top: Not only did the Obama campaign employ the Web to orchestrate victory, but regular old sites like Facebook saw membership skyrocket.

An iPhone App.
An iPhone App.   (AP Photo)
The Netflix Player by Roku.
The Netflix Player by Roku.   (AP Photo)
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings shows off their new set top box at Netflix headquarters.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings shows off their new set top box at Netflix headquarters.   (AP Photo)
Roger Walland and daughters Rachel, 5, left, and Jennifer, 2, from Plano, Texas play Wii.
Roger Walland and daughters Rachel, 5, left, and Jennifer, 2, from Plano, Texas play Wii.   (AP Photo)
Dana Cohen enthusiastically plays
Dana Cohen enthusiastically plays "Animal Crossing: City Folk" for Wii at a pre-release event.   (AP Photo)
A Facebook page.
A Facebook page.   (AP Photo)
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social networking • iPhone • Facebook • digital camera • gaming • Netflix • streaming media • iPhone applications • Best of 2008

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