FHM Year Ender 2011: Techie!

The Apple iPhone 4S. Apple’s product launches have always been busy, well-publicized events. But what makes this year’s Apple product launch extra special is, well, there was no iPhone 5. But who needs the fiver when you've got the S? The iPhone 4S is a top-notch gadget. And yes, both Globe and Smart have already released it here which also created much buzz locally.

Google buys Motorola Mobility. Last August, Google decided to gobble up Motorola Mobility to the tune of $12.5 freakin’ billion dollars. Fact is, this is the biggest deal (so far at least) that the Big G has entered into in terms of buyouts. Now why spend that much moolah? We’re thinking of three reasons: Android, Google TV and the patent wars against Apple.

Nokia rides the Windows Phone 7 bandwagon. Early this year, Nokia decided to latch on Microsoft’s back for a partnership that will hopefully salvage its campaign in the smartphone wars. The Finns, eager to get back and mix it up with the big boys, paired with the Big M to adopt Windows Phone 7 OS as its main platform for its top-tier handsets. Symbian, we’ll miss you. Or not.

PLDT-Smart deal. We decided to include in this list the PLDT-Smart deal which is undeniably one of the biggest (if not the biggest) tech stories of 2011 here in the Philippines. The merger has received the go-signal from the NTC and will, from now on, push concerted efforts to provide, hopefully, better service and deals like the Smart-Sun Dual Plan 549. Certainly not very good news for the guys over at Globe.

R.I.P Steve Jobs, 1955 - 2011. And the biggest story to rock the tech world this year is Steve Jobs’ death back in October because of pancreatic cancer. This is a no-brainer actually given the man’s stature, ideas, contributions in terms of consumer gadgets and, yes, uncompromising will and drive to succeed. Plus, he has a colorful life, too, outside of the confines of his gigantic business in Cupertino. Love him or hate him but the fact remains that El Kapitan Steve Jobs will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic tech figures of our time.