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Editor’s Note: ZDNET’s “Technology that Changed Us” series was originally published in 2018. We have updated this installment to ensure accuracy and reflect recent technology developments.
In this 50-year retrospective, we are examining technologies that had a significant impact on the world, paved the way for the future, and changed us, both positively and negatively.
2000: Google AdWords
The introduction of AdWords revolutionized the online advertising industry, changing the way advertisers approached marketing strategies. AdWords allowed advertisers to purchase performance-based advertising, shifting the risk away from traditional advertising methods. By the end of 2024, Google’s ad revenue exceeded $200 billion.
2001: Apple iPod
The iPod played a crucial role in the shift towards a mobile-first environment, allowing users to carry their entire music collections with them. Windows XP and OS X also set the foundation for modern desktop operating systems.
2002: The Tor Project
Tor, based on an onion router project developed for the US Navy, provides secure communication that surpasses VPNs. Despite potential misuse, Tor remains a vital tool for protecting privacy in a world where surveillance is pervasive.
2003: Android founded
Initially developed for digital cameras, Android has become the most successful operating system in history, despite fragmentation and security concerns.
2004: Facebook founded
Facebook transformed social media and messaging, creating a vast platform that collects data on billions of users worldwide, raising concerns about data privacy and manipulation.
2005: YouTube
YouTube revolutionized video distribution, making internet videos accessible to everyone and reshaping advertising and consumer behavior.
2006: Twitter (now known as X)
Twitter introduced a new way to reach a broad audience instantly, with notable impact on politics and social communication.
2007: iPhone
The iPhone and the App Store revolutionized digital technology use, eliminating barriers between users and digital services.
2008: Airbnb
Airbnb disrupted the housing and hospitality industries, prompting reevaluations of zoning and land use policies globally.
2009: Fitbit Tracker
The first Fitbit kickstarted the quantified self movement, encouraging individuals to track their health and fitness data for improved well-being.