2008 In Review: Some Technology Battles End, While Others Begin
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The year in technology consisted of two major beginnings and ends – both at big annual Consumer Electronics Show. NY1's Adam Balkin filed the following report. First, the battle between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD came to a close when Time Warner, the last movie studio that had been backing both camps, announced it will no longer release movies on HD-DVD.
Toshiba, leader of the HD DVD group, insisted this was not the death knell. Just a few months later though, it finally caved and announced it will no longer manufacture HD-DVD players.
The other ending was that of Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. Gates delivered what is presumably is final pre-CES keynote. The 13-time world's richest man, the guy who many would argue brought computers and modern technology to the masses, stepped down from his day-to-day responsibility at Microsoft in order to devote more time to philanthropy.
Many would also argue 2008 was the year of the smart phone. First, Apple started selling the second version of its wildly popular iPhone, which promised more functionality while operating on AT&T's faster 3G wireless network. Later in the year, T-Mobile launches the first Android, also known as the Google phone – making it the first real competitor for the iPhone.
A few months later, Verizon brought touch-screen capability to business users locked into Blackberries with the Blackberry Storm.
Meanwhile, Google does not just enter the cell phone fray, it also launched its first Internet browser, Chrome, offering a load of features like detachable tabs, hoping to steal some users away from Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox.
The year was not all about emerging tech battles. A once fierce competition came to an amicable end, as Sirius and XM satellite radio get regulatory approval to merge forming one satellite radio provider.
With broadcast television gearing up for a switch to all digital, it may also be gearing up for a switch to more immersive. This year, the NFL broadcasted its first game in 3-D at movie theaters in three cities: New York, Boston, and Los Angeles. The college football BCS title game will be up next. Developers of the technology insist this will all be common via the TV in your home within five years.
The year ends looking forward to the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where technology experts are waiting to see how the tech world will respond to being hit, like just about every other industry, by the world's slumping economy.