Looking back at 2007 with envy

Stock markets have been erratically volatile, the U.S. economy is facing threats of an impending recession, and petrol prices are skyrocketing. The year 2008 isn't exactly off to a good start.

The bleak outlook reflects a stark difference to the past year, where most businesses saw stellar results and countries across the globe reported double-digit economic growth.

Employees at Google, in particular, probably celebrated the end of 2007 with fat bonuses after the search giant's shares crossed the US$700 mark for the first time in early-November.

Google also made headlines last year when it unveiled the Android mobile platform, sometimes dubbed Gphone. Little is yet known about the Internet company's foray into mobile computing, but Google is championing the new platform as a delivery mechanism for its services, applications and ads. With 2.5 billion mobile users in the world today, that presents a lucrative market for Google...as well as Apple.

The Mac OS maker marked another milestone in its history in September last year when it sold its 1 millionth iPhone, just 74 days after the mobile device went on sale. The landmark number exceeded the two years Apple took to sell its 1 millionth iPod.

Apple's nemesis Microsoft had an eventful 2007, too, as it continued to battle skepticism over Windows Vista and its Office Open XML document format . The software giant is, no doubt, hoping Service Pack 1--currently in beta and targeted for release in the first quarter of 2008--will help convince naysayers to change their mind about Vista.

Mobile computing and software platforms aside, Web 2.0 tools, social networking sites--specifically Facebook--and security issues also hog some of the limelight last year.

Here's ZDNet Asia's selection of the top 10 headlines in 2007, ranked chronologically, based on the number of pageviews and amount of reader feedback the articles generated, as well as their impact on the industry:

Vista still struggling as Linux finds its feet
Almost a year on from the release of Microsoft's Windows Vista, few U.K. companies say they expect to move all desktops to the operating system, according to a survey.
Monday, November 26, 2007

U.S. 'botmaster' faces up to 60 years prison
A Los Angeles man is facing up to 60 years in prison and fines of up to US$1.75 million after admitting to infecting at least 250,000 PCs with information-stealing malware.
Monday, November 12, 2007

Google sends Android to conquer mobile world
Don't count out a Google phone now that the company has an army of supporters behind its new mobile platform.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Linux and its identity
Linux fans are split into two camps, with one for the OS appealing to the masses. Should Linux go mainstream or stick to its core values?
Monday, September 24, 2007

AMD finally unveils Barcelona chip
Researchers work to mask intricate functionality of up-to-80-core chips, so hardware and software makers can more easily adapt to them.
Monday, September 10, 2007

Quarrel over OOXML
The open source community is up in arms over implications of Microsoft's Office Open XML standard. Microsoft answers, sort of.
Friday, August 10, 2007

Adobe Flash exploit could log keystrokes
Company has issued three critical security updates for its Flash Player, with threats including keylogging and cross-site forgery attacks.
Monday, July 16, 2007

Intel readies massive multicore processors
Researchers work to mask intricate functionality of up-to-80-core chips, so hardware and software makers can more easily adapt to them.
Friday, June 15, 2007

Rich, certified little red dot
Singapore has some of the most qualified--44 percent of respondents hold at least one professional certification--and highest-paid IT professionals in the region.
Friday, April 13, 2007

iPhone impresses, but future uncertain
Apple's first-ever cellular device scores on design, but analysts raise concerns in its ability to do well in the competitive smartphone segment.
Thursday, January 11, 2007