In 2010, gadgets, and the people who use them, just couldn't sit still. Mobile devices from smartphones to tablets to ever-affordable e-readers made it easier than ever to work, play, surf, and chat on the go, while new motion control systems got gamers off the couch and breaking a sweat.

After months of speculation about a slate-like device, Apple kicked off the year in a big way with the iPad, consolidating the Netbook, e-reader, gaming device, photo frame, and iPod into an affordable mobile supergadget--and leading to an avalanche of apps to keep on-the-go consumers plugged in and entertained.

iPad, Nook, Kindle. (Sarah Tew/CNET)

Non-Apple-ites waiting for an Android counterpunch to the iPad got their wish this summer, when the Dell Streak, which walks the line between smartphone and tablet, finally made its way to U.S. shores. Samsung followed with another Android contender, the Galaxy Tab, and several other companies, including Acer, Asus, andLG, announced their own plans to jump into the Android tablet pool soon.

In other news (yes there was some), Research In Motion took the wraps off its first tablet offering, the BlackBerry PlayBook, while Dell, with its Inspiron Duo, re-confirmed that Windows 7 convertible tablets aren't dead yet.

Tablets weren't the only high-profile gadgets sporting Android, of course. After a slow start, Android phones started arriving fast and furiously this year, with handsets like the HTC Evo 4G (Sprint's first 4G phone); Moto Droid X; and Samsung Galaxy S series among those leading the pack.

Not content to let Android and iOS devices steal the smartphone thunder, Microsoft revamped its problematic Windows Mobile operating system, introducing Windows Phone 7 and an international cast of Windows Phone 7 handsets. RIM also came out with an overhaul of its mobile operating system, calling it BlackBerry OS 6.

And now back to Apple, which unleashed the iPhone 4--and what soon came to be known as "antennagate." Following the outcry over reported signal issues, the company handed out free cases to allay concerns about the design of the phone's antenna and its effect on the wireless signal. In the end, though, iPhone 4 sales may have been hit harder by the phone's lack of a Verizon connection than by any antenna issues.

Mobile wasn't the word just for gadgets though. Consumers also kept moving, literally, thanks to motion sensor systems like the PlayStation Move and Microsoft Kinect that showed up to take on the Wii and get gamers on their feet.

For those who preferred their entertainment sitting down, Barnes & Noble upped the e-reader ante by releasing a Nook in living color. And Netflix, available on an ever-growing roster of devices, continued to drive big chunks of downstream traffic.

Robots, as they are wont to do, delivered plenty of entertainment, too--with this year's crop massaging our sore backs, giving us sponge baths, sporting '80s Mohawks, and bowling perfect strikes. We can't wait to see what robots have up their metallic sleeves in 2011.

Featured coverage

Apple's iPad: What you need to know

January 27, 2010 12:29 PM PST

Apple on Wednesday finally delivered a tablet computer, calling it the iPad. Find out more about it, and Apple's other announcements in this roundup.

(Posted in Apple by Josh Lowensohn)

Just who will love the Kins?

April 13, 2010 10:19 AM PST

I'm definitely too told for the Kin, but I'm not certain that younger users will be satisfied, either.

(Posted in Dialed In by Kent German)

The Flash fracas between Adobe and Apple (FAQ)

April 23, 2010 4:00 AM PST

Adobe and Apple are jockeying for power over the mobile computing future, but it's not as simple as the fanboys and haters would have you think.

(Posted in Deep Tech by Stephen Shankland)

Apple announces free case for iPhone 4 users

July 16, 2010 10:57 AM PST

Existing customers who already purchased a special case for their iPhone 4s in hopes of preventing signal errors will get a refund.

(Posted in Apple by Tom Krazit)

Quick guide to the Samsung Galaxy S series

July 22, 2010 7:20 AM PST

Is it a phone or is it a family of phones? It's a little confusing but CNET's here to give you a overview of the Samsung Galaxy S series of Android devices.

(Posted in Android Atlas by Bonnie Cha)

BlackBerry OS 6 hands-on

August 4, 2010 9:05 PM PST

BlackBerry OS 6 is ready to make its grand debut on the RIM BlackBerry Torch. Is RIM's revamped platform enough to take on the competition? CNET takes a hands-on look.

(Posted in Dialed In by Bonnie Cha)

Dell Streak officially priced for U.S.

August 10, 2010 1:36 PM PST

Dell reveals pricing and availability for the Streak Android tablet. The Streak sells for $299.99 with new two-year AT&T contract, or $549 without, starting Thursday.

(Posted in Crave by Donald Bell)

Samsung Galaxy Tab: An Android contender

September 3, 2010 10:32 AM PST

It's got its rough patches, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab's size, screen, and performance shows Android tablets can work. Here's a hands-on look, with video.

(Posted in Deep Tech by Stephen Shankland)

iPhone 4 sales hurt more by carriers than antennas

September 9, 2010 10:09 AM PST

Survey of cell phone users by Piper Jaffray finds some said antenna issues affected their decision whether to buy an iPhone 4, but more complained about the phone not being available on Verizon.

(Posted in Apple by Lance Whitney)

A brief history of Android phones

December 10, 2010 3:11 PM PST

Two years ago, the Android OS was just a buzzword. But quite a few handsets later, it's a powerful force. CNET takes a look back at all the Android goodness that has come.

(Posted in Android Atlas by Kent German)

RIM unveils its tablet, the 'PlayBook'

September 27, 2010 1:40 PM PST

RIM's tablet finally gets unveiled. It's got two HD cameras, a beefy processor, and the company says it's "enterprise ready."

(Posted in Web Crawler by Josh Lowensohn)

Windows Phone 7 debuts: One phone won't rule them all

October 11, 2010 7:51 AM PST

Ultra-customized features and a diverse range of hardware are central to the launch of Microsoft's long-anticipated mobile operating system.

(Posted in Wireless by Caroline McCarthy)

Barnes & Noble unveils Nook Color

October 26, 2010 1:21 PM PST

The bookseller has officially introduced the Nook Color, a $249 Android-based color e-reader with a 7-inch screen that will ship on November 19. CNET has the full details.

(Posted in Crave by David Carnoy)

Motion control shoot-out

November 4, 2010 3:24 PM PST

We compare the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect, Sony PlayStation Move, and Nintendo Wii Remote Plus to see which is the ultimate motion control game system.

(Posted in Crave by Dan Ackerman)

Kinect officially a hit with 1 million units sold

November 15, 2010 3:07 PM PST

Microsoft says it has sold more than a million Kinect accessories for the Xbox 360, getting it one-fifth of the way to its end-of-year estimate for the devices.

(Posted in Microsoft by Josh Lowensohn)

PlayStation Move sales hit 4.1 million (with a catch)

November 30, 2010 1:05 PM PST

Sony says it's sold 4.1 million PlayStation Move units globally since its launch in September. But the company tells gaming outlets that figure is sales to retailers.

(Posted in The Digital Home by Don Reisinger)

Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad: Which e-book reader should you buy?

November 26, 2010 11:53 AM PST

A recent wave of price cuts makes it harder than ever to choose between the Kindle and the Nook--even as the more expensive iPad and other tablets beckon. What's the best choice for you? It depends.

(Posted in Crave by John P. Falcone)