The Members Forum

The year's winding down, which means it's time to take stock of the companies, technologies and product categories that had big years, and those that did not.

As I write this, 2010 still has a good 40-or-so days left in it. Anything could happen. Apple could deliver a surprising new product, Microsoft could make a big leadership change, Cisco could belatedly realize that UMI is a terrible name for a product. However, I tend to think that the big stuff is done; people are shifting into holiday mode, which makes it a good time to ponder the year that was. As always, there are winners and losers. While some of 2010's biggest tech winners and losers are obvious, other selections may surprise you.

Winner: Apple
To use a sports metaphor, Apple was strong out of the gate this year with its landmark release of the Apple iPad. The company and product instantly defined a category and left every other tablet-building competitor rethinking their plans. The product is selling like hotcakes, and there are more built-for-iPad apps every day. Oh, and let's not forget that the company completely reimagined not one, but two major products: the iPhone and Apple TV. Please, please don't whine to me about iPhone 4 antenna issue: Apple owned it, addressed it and everyone, including consumers, moved on.

Losers: Magazines
Sorry, but even with all that iPad success, I don't see the platform saving this industry. Instead, many magazines have folded or collapsed into stronger online brands (Newsweek and Daily Beast). Meanwhile, a handful of physical print titles like Glamour, Vogue, and Women's Day are thriving.

PC Mag has the details HERE!