The 20th century has been all about one thing: innovation. Every year we have new technologies and new advancements that further advance our society. 2008 was no different and offered its own assortment of technological innovations. Below, in no particular order, is a listing of some of the most beneficial gadgets and gear to come out of 2008 that serve to improve your home, the economy, or life in general.

1. Mitsubishi LaserVue HDTV
   The LaserVue is an innovative new take on the HDTV. Instead of the standard LCD and Plasma technology, the LaserVue uses its namesake, lasers, to project an image on its display. It has a wider color gamut than any other TV and even uses two-thirds less power than similar-sized HDTVs. It’s available for a whopping $7000.
   
2. Nikon D90
   The Nikon D90 is a single-lens reflex camera and a high-definition video camera all in one. If you are willing to spend the money to upgrade your digital recording experience, than this would be the right investment for you. It retails for $1200.
   
3. Amazon Kindle
   The Amazon Kindle, like previous e-book readers makes use of a backlight-free E Ink display to display texts as an alternative to paper books. It only uses power when loading new pages and can last for hundreds of pages between charges. The Kindle’s key feature is a high-speed EVDO antenna that allows fast downloads from Sprint. The Kindle is available for $359.
   
4. Intel Atom Processor
   Not only is the Atom super small (47 million transistors on a single 26×26mm chip), but it is super efficient, with a power range from 1 watt to 2.5 watts. What the Atom brings to the market is the possibility to bring computer-level power into smaller formats, further evolving the potential for portable devices.
   
5. Roku Netflix Box
   If you have a Netflix account, then with the Roku box you will never have to wait for your movies to come in the mail ever again. The Roku connects to your TV and, through your home network, streams more than 12,000 movies and TV shows for free. The box costs $99, and requires a Netflix subscription.
   
6. Apple iPhone 3G
   The iPhone has been a top seller ever since its debut, so it comes as no surprise that it would be one of the hottest gadgets of 2008. It doesn’t handle email as well as the BlackBerry line, and as a phone, it is no better than most others, but it started a revolution. Available for $199.
   
7. Livescribe Pulse Smartpen
   Typical smart pens copy the movements of the pen and digitize the handwriting for later manipulation on a PC, but the Livescribe Pulse also uses an integrated microphone to record and retrieve audio. With a tap of the pen point to the appropriate handwritten segment, the pen will play the associated recording. The Livescribe goes for $149.
   
8. Nokia E71
   There were a lot of cell phones in 2008, and a lot of them were somewhat lacking. The iPhone 3G was notorious for its battery life, and the BlackBerry Storm had software that left a lot to be desired, for example. The E71, however, was one of the better reviewed units. It looked very good, had a fully developed OS, and a battery life that lasted not hours, but days.
   
9. Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw
   The Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw is a new breed of power tool that is a 12-volt hybrid of a jigsaw and reciprocating saw. Versatile enough to get into tight areas, yet powerful enough to get through tough jobs, the Nextec can operate at up to 2000 strokes per minute. It’s on the market for $150.
   
10. Potenco PCG1 Power Generator
    The Potenco PCG1 is a pull-cord generator that can be used to generate electricity for portable gadgets with greater efficiency than other hand-cranked devices. Perfect for use in remote regions of the world, the generator weighs 14 ounces and has both an internal NiMh battery and a mini-USB output jack. Two minutes of pull-cord effort can be converted into 40 minutes of talk time on a cell phone. Available for $99.
    
11. Nissan Around View Monitor
    Nissan’s new parking system allows you to see 360 degrees around your car. Standard parking systems only show a rear view, but the Nissan Around View Monitor uses ultra-wide-angle cameras positioned strategically around your vehicle and synthesizes the images into a bird’s eye view on-screen. Packages start at $1950.
    
12. M-Spector Digital Inspection Camera
    Technology used in home improvement has been growing quite steadily, and with the increase on DIYers out there, that technology has become much more consumer-friendly. Before you cut into your drywall, you need to be able to peek inside the walls and explore a bit in order to diagnose your problem. The M-Spector has an LED-lit lens on a 3 foot flexible cable that transmits an image to a 2.4 inch LCD monitor. Retails for upwards of $259.
    
13. Caroma Profile Smart Dual Flush Toilet
    Caroma’s Profile Smart toilets are designed specifically with water conservation in mind. With a sink and faucet built directly into the toilet tank, the system shares a water source for flushing and uses less water than a separate toilet and sink would. The toilet and sink combo retail for $409.
    
14. Flip MinoHD
    The Flip is a high-definition camcorder that is no larger than an iPod. The recorder stresses one-button simplicity, and is easy to use. It comes with custom editing software and connects to you computer via USB. It also has 4GB of internal memory and an internal rechargeable battery that allows two hours of shooting time. Retails for $230.
    
15. Sennheiser MX W1 Wireless Headphones
    Entirely wireless, these headphones transmit sound from a plug-in transmitter unit that jacks into your source device (computer, iPod, TV, etc) and delivers the sound to your ear buds using the Kleer Corporation’s patented uncompressed sound. The ear buds and transmitter come with a case that recharges the unit. The package retails for $499.
    
16. FoxL Bluetooth Speaker
    The FoxL Bluetooth speaker, which is no larger than a sunglass case, makes carrying your music easy. No more 80’s-style boomboxes propped up on your shoulder. The speaker can sync up to you cell phone, MP3 player, or even the audio receiver in your car, allowing you to listen to music or have hands-free conversations using the built-in microphone. Available for $249.
    
17. Optoma Pico PK-101
    The Optoma Pico is a pocket-sized projector that you can carry with you and connect to your portable devices, such as your iPod or iPhone, and project an image on the wall. Anything that you can display on your device, you can display on the wall from as close as 8 inches up to 8 feet away. It works great with the FoxL wireless speaker to make it a fun group experience. It is available for $399.
    
18. Wii Fit & Wii Balance Board
    Wii Fit is one of those games that seeks to reinvent the video game genre by becoming a more practical family-oriented home utility, rather than a simple game. Combined with the Wii Balance Board, it becomes a full exercise training experience allowing you to do anything from aerobics to hula hooping.
    
19. Microsoft Sync
    Microsoft Sync is a hands-free voice recognition application that can be integrated into your car. It works with your phone and music player and even syncs with your iPod, cell phone, BlackBerry, and Zune. The vocal recognition system is top notch and responds to your voice commands for a smooth, entertaining in-car experience. The system is available for $395.
    
20. ZINK Digital Camera/Printer
    The ZINK combination camera/printer is like a modern day Polaroid, allowing you to take shots on your digital camera and then allowing you to print it out on 2″x3″ paper within seconds. ZINK, short for “Zero Ink”, means that the camera uses no ink or toner to create the image. The paper used is embedded with color-spectrum crystals that are heated to produce an image. This one retails for $199.99.
    
21. Intel Penryn
    The Intel Penryn was the successor to the Core 2 Duo, and the debutant of processors clocked at 45nm. The Penryn also included the SSE4 instructions which sped up functions like video encoding. It also featured the Bearlake chipset and used fabrication materials like hafnium-dielectric, which combined to produce a clock speed of 3.0GHz and an FSB of 1333MHz.
    
22. Slingbox SOLO
    The Slingbox SOLO is a media unit that allows you to watch your TV from anywhere, either on your laptop or on your cell phone. The SOLO syncs to equipment such as your set top box, DVR, or satellite system and transmits HD-quality signals to wherever you are. You can watch your own TV from work, from China, or from the North Pole. The system costs a mere $179.99.
    
23. MSI Wind
    In 2008, there was a wave of popularity with the smaller sized underpowered laptops. The MSI Wind is one of these. The line is not as fast or powerful as other, more expensive laptops, but the Wind is balanced and versatile, and most importantly, customizable. The Wind has a large user community that promotes methods of hacking and further customizing the laptop.
    
24. Chumby Internet Device
    The best way to describe the Chumby would be to call it an easy to use hub for home entertainment. It takes the idea of the widget and turns it into a home appliance. It acts as a music player, video player, news feed, digital photo frame, and mobile internet device. The Chumby has a touch screen and a WiFi connection, making it a versatile internet device for the home. Available for $180.
    
25. Honda Insight
    The Toyota Prius has been the leader in the hybrid vehicle market thus far, but in 2008 Honda introduced their plans for the second generation of the Honda Insight. This may prove to be a turning point in the electric vehicle market, as the Insight will sell for less than a Prius and will supposedly be more energy efficient.