Review 2008: Top 10 IT innovations

Our latest look back at the year highlights the top technology innovations of 2008

What were the brightest ideas of the year?

It's been another exciting year for technology development, with advances in software, hardware and storage to help IT managers deliver better and more cost-effective systems. We highlight the 10 top innovation stories of the year.

Microsoft chases the server virtualisation pack

The software giant Looks to make up lost ground on VMWare with Hyper-V cost and virtual machine management products.

Samsung claims Flash breakthrough

The first solid state disk with Nand Flash memory is developed.

Microsoft boosts open source interoperability

A new web site aims to improve dialogue with open source community as Microsoft slowly opens up to outside developers.

VMware View 3 enhances virtual desktops

Virtual clients now take up less storage space and can be "checked out" to a laptop as the virtualisation specialist extends its capabilities.

IBM's Roadrunner flies at one petaflop

A US nuclear safety lab is to get the world's fastest supercomputer.

Windows 7 means business

Expectations for the next version of the Windows operating system are high - we look at what it has to offer business users.

Microsoft unveils Azure for cloud computing

Microsoft unveils its new professional platform for the “next 50 years of computing” as more firms turn to the cloud.

New mini-laptops challenge Eee PC

The mini-laptop market has been a real success story this year. Seven manufacturers line up rivals as Asus offers ra evamped model.

HP claims "memristor" breakthrough

A new element for circuit design could revolutionise computing.

Intel claims opto-electronic breakthrough

Researchers at the chip giant unveil a new technique that could dramatically boost network bandwidth.

What were your top IT innovations of 2008? Let us know your views by commenting on this article below.