On January 27, 2006, Western Union pulled the plug on its telegram service a medium for conveying information quickly over long distances that dated back to 1844. The fact that few people mourned the telegram’s demise is a testament to technological advancement. Cell phones, e-mail, and other forms of instant, electronic correspondence rendered the telegram irrelevant some time ago. We’d say the writing was on the wall, but in fact it would be spelled out in text-message shorthand, or displayed on the color LCD of a Windows Mobile smartphone.
This month, we assemble our annual batch of consumer-electronics products that are now stirring up the kind of excitement and intrigue that must have greeted Samuel Morse’s first telegram; “What hath God wrought?” read the famous message. Were Morse alive today and could see our marvels of computer technology and digital entertainment, perhaps he’d be inspired to repeat himself.
In addition to highlighting a host of today’s highest-performing products, we include brief looks at—and obtain local perspectives about—three top stories that shook up the technology industry in 2006.
Note: Product pricing shown here
reflects manufacturers’ suggested retail prices or recently observed prices at
major electronics retailers.
Personal Computers: Downsized Desktops
During the past year, few revolutionary new features or capabilities showed up in laptop or full-size computers, but a new form factor started carving out a market niche. Led by trendsetter Apple, PC manufacturers started selling sleek, small desktop models.
Designed to fit nicely into dorm rooms, kitchen nooks, and other tight work spaces, the new PCs are small and stylish.
Apple introduced its Mac Mini in January 2005. This year’s model ($599 to $799) still measures in at just 6.5 inches square and 2 inches thick, but it comes packed with more power than ever, thanks to a new Intel Core 2 Duo processor configuration. Mac Minis arrive loaded with Apple’s iLife, a suite of photo, video, audio, and Web design applications lauded for their intuitive interfaces. Apple also throws in Front Row, a software package to help users easily browse and play their slideshows, home movies, and other multimedia content. The Mac Mini comes with a remote control to navigate Front Row functions from across a room. But don’t check the box for a mouse, keyboard, or monitor. Those you get to pick out—and purchase—separately.
