From a technology perspective, this decade — with Apple and Google being exceptions — sucked. There were some interesting things that happened that set us up for the teen decade, though, and that fuel anticipation for the 20s, which a hundred years ago, was actually a decade of wonder and excitement — and had a better name. Rather than focusing on the negatives, this week I’ll look back on the Aught Decade and some of its memorable products and initiatives.

I’ll close with my product of the week, the first smart-tablet that may define a product class that could dominate the next decade.

This is the question that is floating around this year. What is strange is that people act like the anticipated Apple device is made of fairy gold and powered by gnome breath. It will do everything and anything you want because we all know it is surrounded and protected by Steve Jobs’ now-famous reality distortion field. Personally, I think the class is interesting — but before Apple tosses stars in everyone’s eyes, I thought it might be interesting to consider what the tablet initially will be and what it eventually could be.

It’s been about a decade since the first practical MP3 players started popping up, and 10 years is plenty of time to collect a positively bloated library of digital music. Perhaps you got in at the ground floor with Napster in ‘99 and loaded up on free tunes before the music industry decided to do something about it. Maybe you remain a proud pirate, Bay or no Bay. Or perhaps one lonely weekend in 2006 you went to a quiet, dark place and set about ripping every single CD, cassette, record album and 8-track tape you’ve ever owned.

Ever since Apple announced its latest iPod nano with a built-in FM radio with live pause and iTunes tagging in September, I’ve been wondering how long it would take to bring the same feature to the iPhone and iPod touch. In fact, I was kind of surprised it wasn’t in the new iPod touch, but as the latest rumor suggests, that’s not so surprising after all. The rumor: Apple is busy developing a radio application for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, as well as for the second- and third-generation iPod touch.

At Apple’s September media event this year, the company introduced iPhone OS 3.1, 30,000 ringtones from major music labels, enhanced Genius technology that does its database magic on apps, and new Genius Mixes for songs. Apple also unveiled iTunes 9, which includes the iTunes LP that adds videos, lyrics, artwork, liner notes, interviews and more to to your digital albums. Then there’s Home Sharing for easy media transfers within a home, along with a redesigned iTunes Store. These are all fantastic new additions to the iPhone and iPod experience.

There are hundreds of decent sets of headphones and earbuds available for iPods, and there are dozens made specifically for the iPhone, including the now ubiquitous white earbuds that ship with the devices. But what if you’d like something a little different, yet aren’t willing to shell out audiophile-level cash? Enter the iFrogz’s EarPollution Timbre With Mic The sound-isolating earbuds boast a natural wood body that caught my eye when they were released this summer, but it took a while to get a pair sent over for review — apparently there were some good deals online.

After variously describing it as a hobby and pointing out that sales have been strong, Apple appears to have begun restructuring its Apple TV line. On Sunday, it dropped the 40 GB model from its lineup and cut the price of the 160 GB model by $100, to $229. Could Cupertino be giving up on the device, or is it laying the groundwork to take it to the next level? A check of Apple’s site shows that only the 160 GB model of the Apple TV is listed. However, the site also points to a free software update for owners.

Apple may be the best technology marketing company on the planet, if not the best personal technology manufacturer to date. However, when the company tries to say that the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP aren’t cool, I’m just left scratching my head. Let’s back up. What’s the context here? At Wednesday’s Apple media event — where the company announced a new version of iTunes and new iPods, including an iPod nano with a built-in video camera — the company went to great pains to position the iPod touch as a portable gaming device.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs returned to center stage to kick off the company’s media event in San Francisco on Wednesday. Apple made a slew of announcements, mostly focused on its iPod line and iTunes software, that included price cuts, new features and capabilities, and new products. It unveiled a new version of the iPhone/iPod touch operating system as well as new iPods and a ninth version of iTunes with new features. The run-up to the media event was rife with speculation about whether or not Jobs would appear.

iPod to Folder lets you back up iPod music files to a folder on your PC.

• Detects the iPod music structure
• Calculate the iPod music file size
• Counts folders and displays folder size
• Copy all songs into a folder (on any volume)

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CopyTrans(formerly CopyPod) allows to backup – copy – transfer your iPod Music to your PC. Ideal after a hard drive crash or viruses, before sending your iPod for repair or simply to move your iPod Music to a new computer. Features include: backup all song types (MP3/AAC/WAV/AIF), backup directly to iTunes saving your Playlists and Ratings, cool iTunes like design, rename songs on backup, backup albums in separate folders.

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iPodRobot iPod to Computer Transfer batch copy your ipod music, videos and photos back to your computer folder with just few clicks, can also import playlists, songs rating, comment, play count, volume adjustment to iTunes library. It is useful when you reinstall your system or you just want to take music, videos and photos from iPod to your computer, or backup all you music, videos and photos from iPod to a new computer, or just want to share your iPod contents with a friend. Don’t lose your music anymore, transfer from iPod to computer and iTunes.

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