The world has changed in the past decade in ways you don’t even realize. Here are 15 popular things we can’t live without that didn’t even exist 10 years ago.
Did you know that in the year 1900 people made hilarious predictions about the future? From flying postmen to an underwater bus powered by a whale, their ideas were certainly out of the box.
Postmen may not be flying around with jetpacks in 2019, but technology HAS advanced remarkably in the past 10 years.
If you could jump in a time machine and head back to 2009, you would see the huge steps taken. No apps to hail a ride, no smart speakers that control your home appliances, and no Marvel Universe!
Which popular things today have only graced our lives in the past decade? Read on to find out.
Popular Things That Didn’t Exist 10 Years Ago
Many of these futuristic inventions are technology-based, all with thanks from the internet. But the world has rapidly changed in other ways too. Such as fascinating ways to cook food, inventions of convenience, and a complex fictional universe.
Are you ready? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest inventions of the decade.
1. Apple iPad
Woah, slow down there…Apple iPads weren’t available ten years ago?
Yes, you may feel as though your iPad has always been an extension of your hand. But the popular device only came out in 2010!
Apple hailed the first version as “a magical and revolutionary device”. They went on to sell at least 100 million iPads in only three years. And we have to agree that it’s definitely one of the biggest inventions of the decade.
2. Smart Assistants
Another one of the best futuristic inventions of the decade has to be smart home devices. If you find yourself asking Alexa to play that funky music, or turn up the thermostat, remember that it was impossible 10 years ago.
Technology has advanced so much, you can control your lights, appliances, lock doors, and more. You can even ask Alexa to tell you a “yo mamma” joke.
3. Instagram
Source: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/
#OMG did you realize Insta has only been around since 2010?
On the first day when the filtered square photos started popping up, over 25,000 people signed up. Today, the popular app has around 1 billion users. With stories, filters, live videos, stickers and more, it’s ever-evolving to keep up with competitors.
As well as being one of the most popular social media outlets, it has also helped many people rise to fame. Nobody had heard of “Influencers” 10 years ago. Now, people make a living from hashtags and selfies.
4. Snapchat
Another social media star on the list of futuristic inventions is Snapchat.
The disappearing photo app originally launched in 2011 as “Pictaboo”. By September that same year, the name changed into Snapchat. But the app kept the ghostly branding from the original design.
It caught on with teenage users when one of the founder’s relatives started using the app in high school. After 6 years of hard work (and some slack from Kylie Jenner), Snapchat now has 186 million daily active users.
5. Google Chrome
Google Chrome technically came out at the end of 2008, but people didn’t catch on straight away. In 2009 the Chrome browser became a hit and many techies admit they can’t live without it today.
It’s an invention that made sense as Google already controls a large amount of web space. While there are many other browsers, Google Chrome ticks all the boxes. Their simple design is clean, fast, and get’s the job done.
Many other browsers, such as Explorer and Edge have become the butt of many jokes since Chrome popped up.
6. Food, Glorious Food
Source: https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/
Remember the good old days when whipping up a home-cooked meal required a long old trip to the grocery store? And you were in big trouble if you forgot your list!
Since 2012 you can have a meal-kit dropped onto your doorstep. These meal-kits have every ingredient you need to make an impressive meal.
Besides meal kits, there are many services that can do your grocery shopping for you. Make a list, send it through, and they will deliver to your doorstep. No traipsing down the aisles of a grocery store looking for ingredients anymore.
These futuristic inventions for foodies are great for older ones who find it hard to go shopping.
7. Uber
Taxis are so last decade!
Yes, in 2010 they called the very first Uber in San Francisco. By 2017, Uber drivers had taken up to 5 billion trips. In 2012, Lyft and Via jumped on the bandwagon and had similar success.
Why do people love these ride-hailing apps so much? Having a vehicle pick you up from any location with the tap of a button is too convenient to resist.
Uber is, no doubt, one of the biggest inventions of the decade. On top of its success, it’s one of the most popular jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago.
8. The Marvel Universe
In 2008, the Marvel Universe began with the release of “Iron Man”. As the years went on, their world grew more complex with “The Incredible Hulk”, “Thor” and “Captain America” all running around on their own adventures.
It was only in 2012 that the team finally got together and the first Avengers movie came out. But it didn’t stop there. Marvel movies, TV shows, and more have expanded the universe to a whole new level.
Hardcore fans might argue that Marvel has been around for a LONG time. While that’s true, it’s only in the past 10 years that the Marvel Cinematic Universe got going.
Seriously, what did people talk about before the intricate and OTT storylines from Marvel?
9. Netflix Originals
Source: https://dbpost.com/
Remember when Netflix used to send DVDs in the mail? Long gone are those days!
Netflix Streaming services are one of the most popular things that didn’t exist 10 years ago. Even when their streaming services began, they produced all the content elsewhere. It wasn’t until “House of Cards” in 2013 that they started creating their own content.
Can you imagine life now without “Netflix and Chill” or binge-watching “Stranger Things”?
10. Air Fryers
Back to the foodie corner, air fryers are a cool invention that helps with a healthy lifestyle.
If you’re trying to stay healthy but have pangs for guilty pleasures, use an air fryer for an (almost) calorie-free snack. From mozzarella sticks to fried chicken, air fryers do it all without oil.
Philips was the first to unveil the handy appliance in 2010. Since then, they have sold more than 7 million units.
11. Fitbits
Fitness trackers for your wrist have also become one of the biggest inventions of the decade. It wasn’t long ago that fitness freaks strapped a pedometer onto themselves, not knowing how accurate the low-tech device was.
Fitbit launched fitness trackers that were accurate and wearable in 2009. Since then, they are going from strength to strength. Fitness trackers attract the millennial generation who are well-known for living healthier lifestyles.
Despite the competition, Fitbit pretty much owns 77% of the market for full-body activity trackers.
12. Vaping Devices
Source: http://d279m997dpfwgl.cloudfront.net/
Vaping devices have actually been around since the 1960s. Although back then, the device was pretty useless and didn’t catch on. In the past few years, vaporizers have become popular with enticing new flavors coming out regularly.
With about 9 million adult consumers, E-Cig and Vaping factories have created many jobs that didn’t exist 10 years ago. And vaping devices are constantly getting upgrades to make them more convenient to use. The latest being the Suorin Drop which is a refillable open pod system that fits in the palm of your hand.
13. The Selfie Stick
While most of these devices are “the biggest inventions of the decade”, let’s move on to something more controversial. The selfie stick!
Devices that hold cameras, such as tripods, have been around for a long time. But since the birth of the “Selfie”, phones with front-facing cameras, and the inability to extend our actual arm, selfie sticks took the lead.
In fact, Time’s Magazine added it to their 25 best inventions of 2014!
14. Airbnb
The idea for Airbnb came about in 2007 when the founders set up an air mattress in their living room. After several attempts, the online platform launched in late 2008. After the first year, the spare room rental platform became popular with those looking for inexpensive places to stay.
The company is now worth more than $31 billion and has plans to expand and grow to new heights.
15. Whatsapp
Source: https://static.whatsapp.net/
And last, but not least, Whatsapp!
Out of all the things that didn’t exist 10 years ago, Whatsapp has to be one of the most popular. After they founded the app in 2009, the company grew organically, especially in developing countries.
It wasn’t long until Mark Zuckerberg found out and saw its potential. He swooped in and bought the app for a whopping $19 billion. Of course, that price is nothing compared to how much he earns from it now.
Which Popular Things Can’t You Live Without?
Yes, life move moves fast. And as technology evolves, no doubt, many of these popular things will bite the dust in another decade or so. But for now, we can’t live without them!
Take Facebook, for example, since it came out in 2004 it’s had the world hooked. Are you addicted to Facebook? Click here to find out.
