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iPad
Inventor: Steve Jobs. The iPad simplified lives and replaced other electronics (such as e-readers, scanners, etc). It also allowed gamers to have a bigger screen rather than gaming on the small screen of the iPhone. -
Lyft
Lyft (inventors: Logan Green and John Zimmer) launched in San Francisco. Lyft's competitor, Uber, launched in 2009. Both companies revolutionized our transportation options. It has created many jobs and is also a more environmentally friendly option when choosing to carpool with friends. -
Amazon Echo
Inventors: Rohit Prasad, Tony Reid, and Jeff Bezos. The Amazon Echo started the wave of many other smart speakers. Smart speakers have simplified our lives by being able to ask it a question and getting an answer rapidly without even having to lift a finger. There is some discrepancy as to when this device was "invented," so I used the date when it was released in the US. -
AirPods
Inventor: Apple. AirPods are Apple's first wireless bluetooth earbuds. The AirPods defined the market for wireless headphones. -
Shareable Electric Scooters
Bird (inventor: Travis VanderZanden) and Lime (inventors: Toby Sun, Brad Bao) were the first to start rolling out shareable electric scooters in 2010. They are more environmentally friendly than using a car. The scooters have also created jobs (manufacturing and moving/picking up the scooters). Now, it is a great way to socially distance while traveling or commuting.