2008 is over! Done! It's been an historic year, but technology is usually looking forward, not backward. Folks are already speculating about which new gadgets will debut at 2009's Consumer Electronics Show and Macworld conference. But before you shift gears into 2009, join us in taking a look back at ten of the hottest gadgets of this past year. Believe us when we say they're still covet-worthy!

Cell phones

Apple iPhone 3G

The original iPhone hit the shelves in 2007, but its lack of a high-speed 3G internet connection detracted from its appeal. In July of this year, the iPhone 3G was released. Not only did it make the network connection faster, but its release coincided with the launch of the Apple App Store, a marketplace full of useful tools and games for the phone. Since then, the iPhone's popularity has exploded, bringing the smartphone to a whole new crowd. The cultural impacth as been so significant, we're not even sure any explanation is needed for this pick.

T-Mobile G1

Less extraordinary for its hardware or design than it is for its software, the HTC-designed G1 was the first phone to use Google's Android operating system. Mobile phone software is notorious for being closed —that is to say, only the people who originally made it know how it works, so others with great ideas for new applications have to play by their rules if they can even play at all. The G1 and subsequent Android phones are open platforms, so the potential is limitless for new software tools that empower you. It remains to be seen if the G1 and Android will catch on, but tech fanatics are placing bets and hoping they will.

Laptops

Asus Eee PC 1000

One of the groundbreaking laptops that propelled the netbook craze into the stratosphere, the Eee PC 1000 was among the first computers to use Intel's Atom processor designed specifically for extremely portable machines. With it, you can access the internet anywhere, and the price is relatively low. Asus' Eee line had been in production since November of 2007, but the 1000 model is our pick for the best Eee PC, and our favorite netbook despite fierce competition from the MSI Wind and Acer's Aspire One.

 

Apple MacBook (Aluminum)

This year's refresh of Apple's MacBook was a leap ahead for the iconic laptop. Four changes were of note. First, the laptop was redesigned with an aluminum case for a sleeker, lighter, and sturdier build. The trackpad was reinvented as a multi-touch surface allowing gesture inputs, with different corners of the pad functioning as buttons. The screen became a glossy LED display. Finally, and perhaps most notably, NVIDIA's integrated GeForce 9400M graphics chipset was installed, allowing you to use the MacBook (previously notorious for terrible 3D graphics performance) to run many of today's graphics-intensive games and applications, as well as Mac OS X's new user interface elements.

Portable media

Sony Reader PRS-700

Possibly the biggest competitor to Amazon's Kindle e-book reader (released in late 2007), Sony's Reader PRS-700 features a sexy physical design, touchscreen functionality, an on-screen keyboard, and a stylus that can mark text. Digital book readers are just starting to catch on, but the PRS-700 is an important milestone after the Kindle. If you want to carry around a veritable library with you, it'll serve you well.

 

iRiver Spinn

We know it's easy to forget that the iPod isn't the only portable media player on the planet sometimes, but we're fans of the iRiver Spinn because of its minimalist body and innovative interface. It has a touchscreen like you'd expect, but it also has an unusual tactile wheel which can be turned to navigate through media files and pressed down when you want to select something to play. You won't get all the special apps supported by the iPod touch, but as a pure music-and-video experience, the Spinn's our favorite from 2008.

Cameras

Panasonic Lumix G1

The Lumix G1 is notable for being the first widely available micro four thirds digital camera. Micro four thirds tech has some of the important pro features of digital SLRs, but drops a few of the less important features to greatly reduce the camera's body size. That means picky photographers like yourself don't have to give up too much control over their images if they want to carry something lighter and less conspicuous. We expect this technology to grow in popularity in 2009 and beyond.

Flip Mino HD

It's no secret that we love the Flip Mino HD. We're still not sure we believe it's true even when we see it. How can a device smaller than most cell phones record 720p video? 2008 is an age of wonders! The videos you record with the Mino HD won't end up at Cannes Film Festival, but capturing those quick and fleeting moments in life that you'll want to revisit with the family on your HDTV is within its capabilities. And since it's small enough to be carried anywhere, you won't have to miss out on recording anything spontaneous.

Home entertainment

Wii Fit with Wii Balance Board

Wii Fit is a cultural phenomenon; it's so popular, you still probably can't find it on the store shelves. This exercise game for Nintendo's Wii console uses a balance board device to detect your movements (it reads shifts in weight across its surface), while the software playing on your TV gives you feedback on your workout. It's been showing up everywhere, including the women's clothing department at Wal-Mart of all places. You can spruce up exercise regiment with this thing, and he balance board is used with some other games as well, so if you manage to find one consider it an investment in future gaming experiences.

Memorex MVBD-2510 Blu-ray player

Want to experience high definition movies, but don't have a lot of cash? Before this year you were out of luck, but the Memorix MVBD-2510 brought the price of Blu-ray disc players down to a new low: the MSRP is $270, but you can find it for as low as $175. All the basic features are here: DVD upscaling, 1080p video, 5.1 surround sound, and HDMI output. Tech snobs will drop more dollars for the esoteric and advanced features of the high-end players, but Memorex's machine will satisfy most folks.