One word to describe this past year in tech: remarkable. Not only did we see some amazing mobile software hit the scene (peep the 50 Best Apps of 2012), but the market was also blessed with cutting-edge products from the industry’s titans. Apple released new models for each of its primary product divisions. Google earned critical praise for its recent wave of Android devices. Microsoft caught up with the competition and proved the Windows 8 platform is a force to be reckoned with. TDK set the standard for wireless audio streaming and Nike gave fitness freaks a gizmo that's changed the way people think about fitness.
Smartphones became, well, smarter and more advanced. Televisions took on colossal dimensions and are now producing IMAX-like visuals. And 3D printers opened us up to a world of insane and innovative inventions. So as we approach the New Year and anticipate the next generation of game-changing devices, it's only right we look back and rank the best gadgets of the 12 months.