The devices that outlined 2016–and what changed them

Here’s what’s gone meta on the web currently: youthful millennials and Gen Z are calling 2016 the “last good year.” Why? Life, in accordance with the web, felt lighter again then. This was a time earlier than politics polarized timelines, earlier than algorithms dictated feeds, earlier than the pandemic reshaped the whole lot. Social media truly felt social.

2016 was when former President Rodrigo Duterte had simply taken workplace, and Donald Trump was nonetheless on his manner into the White House. TikTok hadn’t but gone world and was confined inside China as Douyin, Vine was nonetheless making us chortle with janky clips, and YouTube movies weren’t polished productions. Wireless wearables have been solely starting to flee Silicon Valley labs, and neither AI slop nor brainrot was a factor.

Technology in 2016 felt easier, extra human. Many of the devices that outlined the 12 months have since been discontinued, however the tendencies they sparked stay on. Here’s a glance again at a few of the units we carried in all places – and the trendy equivalents that changed them.

When telephones nonetheless had buttons (and jacks)

In 2016, residence buttons nonetheless outlined telephones and tablets. The iPhone 6S Plus had simply received over the hearts of smartphone customers when Apple launched the iPhone 7 line, which eradicated the headphone jack as a result of the tech model additionally launched the primary iteration of the AirPods earlier that 12 months. Since then, iPhones have shed bezels and residential buttons, with the 2022-released iPhone SE being the final to have them. That shift set the template for almost each smartphone design immediately.

Most telephones lately have adopted an analogous development, however there are a couple of that reintroduced QWERTY keyboards (like those that Blackberry popularized within the early to mid-2010s) in addition to “dumber” type elements. Here’s a listing of those telephones and why they’re efficient methods to keep away from doom scrolling:

Wired earphones

AirPods could have been launched in 2016, however they have been seen as an pointless luxurious. They have been hella costly and simple to lose. Sure, the wi-fi earbud is extra reasonably priced and mainstream now, but it surely took some time for folks to undertake.

Until then, folks relied on the ol’ dependable: the wired earphones. They have been low-cost (good day, P100-wired earphones from CDR-King, anybody?), and you may get first rate sound high quality at first rate worth factors too! 

Wired earphones have been by no means phased out, however wi-fi earbuds did take over the marketplace for some time. Now, wired earphones are staging a comeback as a trend assertion and a nod to nostalgia. BLACKPINK’s Rosé has mentioned in previous interviews that she prefers wired earphones, and even Jennie has been noticed sporting them when she’s not performing.

If you desire a pair, Apple EarPods are nonetheless obtainable. Just ensure you purchase the correct plug (3.5 mm, Lightning, or USB-C). But, should you’re a part of Team Wireless now, the Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation was launched simply a few months in the past and packs critical noise-cancellation tech, exercise options, and better-fitting ideas.

Apple Watches and health trackers

2015–2017 was a pivotal period for Apple. In late 2015, the Apple Watch was first launched. This marked a pivotal second for watches and health trackers as smarter options have been slowly being launched into wearable units.

People had combined reactions to the primary Apple Watch; some argued you may as nicely purchase a conventional watch. Today, in fact, the Apple Watch is a large success and has undoubtedly influenced different tech manufacturers and even watchmakers to make their very own.

At the identical time, Fitbit was at its peak. Devices just like the Charge 2 and Blaze turned step counting right into a cultural obsession, with leaderboards and challenges that made health social.

While Apple Watches additionally finally absorbed these options, Fitbit’s affect is evident as immediately’s smartwatches all include well being monitoring baked in. Today, Fitbit lives inside Google’s Pixel Watch, whereas Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin dominate the health house.

Pre-Nintendo Switch and VR headsets period

Before the Nintendo Switch, we had the Nintendo 3DS. This was additionally the 12 months the primary Oculus Rift was launched.

Today’s handhelds – the Switch 2, Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally – pack highly effective specs and render console‑high quality graphics. Meanwhile, various handheld gaming consoles like Anbernic are bringing again the retro vibe by familiar-looking type elements and classic video games.

And in relation to headsets, whereas the Oculus Rift has since been discontinued, newer iterations just like the Meta Quest headsets and the Apple Vision Pro are actually obtainable. Not fairly a VR headset, however smarter eyewear like Ray-Ban Meta is beginning to make waves on this decade, too.

The timeless Kindle

If there’s one piece of tech that has remained largely unchanged, that might be e-readers just like the Kindle. Sure, the Kindle has, over time, been upgraded with extra storage, reminiscence, and high quality of life enhancements, however the essence of the system stays intact. Newer Kindles and e-readers have launched styluses and coloured e-ink screens over time. But truthfully, the Kindle again then feels strikingly acquainted beside the brand new Kindle units.

2016 tech in 2026?

Looking again, 2016’s devices remind us of a time when tech felt lighter, easier, and extra human. Many of these units are gone, however the habits they sparked, like streaming, scrolling, gaming on the go, and monitoring our well being, nonetheless outline how we work together with our units immediately.

The distinction? Everything’s sleeker, smarter, and powered by AI. Is that good progress or not? Only time will inform. – Rappler.com

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