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SMALL BUSINESS
Hottest Products of 2007
Previous-
Where the Buzz Was
Each year, a new crop of products takes center stage -- that handful of items that really seems to resonate with consumers and the media. Whether the products are highly anticipated or they shoot up out of nowhere, they create a tremendous amount of buzz.
So which products were hottest this year? From toys to drinks to gadgets, click through our gallery to see our top 15 picks.
Next: Hot Product No. 1 -
1. iPhone
No new product was more anticipated this year than Apple's iPhone. The buzz began in January when CEO Steve Jobs announced the iPhone at Macworld. Since its debut in June over 1.5 million iPhones have been sold.
More on iPhone's 'Hotness'
Next: Coke Zero -
Toshifumi Kitamura, Getty Images
2. Coke Zero
Coca-Cola's biggest product launch in over two decades has proven to be a huge hit and has helped drive Coke's stock price to a seven-year high in 2007.
First launched in 2005, Coke Zero did not catch fire until the company recast the brand this year with an edgier image.
More on Coke Zero's 'Hotness'
Next: Nintendo Wii -
Nintendo
3. Nintendo Wii
First released a year ago, the Wii has quickly risen to the top of the very competitive, multi-billion dollar video game console industry.
The console is the direct successor to the Nintendo GameCube and has sold over 13 million units this year.
More on Wii's 'Hotness'
Next: Slingbox -
4. Slingbox
This anytime, anywhere TV produced by Sling Media of San Mateo, California compresses and transfers live TV, satellite, or DVR video from your home to a computer anywhere in the world, all without requiring a PC to be up and running at home.
More on Slingbox's 'Hotness'
Next: Vitaminwater -
Mark Lennihan, AP
5. Vitaminwater
A decade ago, Energy Brands launched a line of drinks designed to appeal to a health-conscious clientele. This line under the Glacéau brand was the pioneer of enhanced water.
Rap artist 50 Cent earned an estimated $100 million thanks to his stake in Glacéau which Coca-Cola bought in 2007 for $4.2 billion.
More Vitaminwater 'Hotness'
Next: Tesla Roadster -
Tesla Motors
6. Tesla Roadster
Produced by electric car firm Tesla Motors, the Roadster is a fully electronic sports car. Tesla claims prototypes have been able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4 seconds.
Unveiled in 2006, the car was expected in 2007, but delays have pushed back its debut to early 2008. But good luck finding one. They are sold out.
More on Roadster's 'Hotness'
Next: Google Maps -
AP | Google Inc.
7. Google Maps
In April 2007, Google released a significant update which allowed anyone to create their own map "mashups" -- or what they call "My Maps."
Then in May, it released Street View with 360° panoramic street-level views of various U.S. cities. Privacy concerns only added to the buzz.
More Google Maps 'Hotness'
Next: 'Halo 3' -
Bungie Studios
8. 'Halo 3'
This video game developed for the Xbox 360 console saw opening day sales top $170 million on September 25, and a whopping $300 million in sales during its first week of availability. It broke the record for the highest grossing opening day in entertainment history. 'Spider-Man 3,' which holds the box office opening day record, only made $60 million in May.
More on 'Halo 3' 'Hotness'
Next: Hannah MontanaRelated Content:
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Mark Lennihan, AP
9. Hannah Montana
From a hit Disney TV show, to sold-out concerts, a clothing line, toys and an upcoming movie -- Hannah Montana is the "it" celebuproduct for tweens across America.
Disney seems to be pulling out all the stops, capitalizing on Hannah Montana's enormous popularity by merchandising the brand every way it can. (Miley Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, is the star of the show.)
More on Hannah's 'Hotness'
Next: Boeing 787 Dreamliner -
10. Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Boeing (BA) rolled out its new 787 Dreamliner in July to much fanfare. It is supposed to be more fuel-efficient and will carry between 210-330 passengers.
The company already has almost 750 plane orders and is expected to deliver the first planes in late 2008.
More 787 Dreamliner 'Hotness'
Next: Erasable Tattoos -
Getty Images
11. Freedom-2 Tattoos
Have you ever wanted a tattoo, but were afraid to get one because of its permanency? Well, now you don't need to worry about that. A company called Freedom-2 has developed a new tattoo technology that uses biodegradable dyes that can be dissolved in one semi-painful tattoo-removal treatment.
More on Erasable Tattoos
Next: BlackBerry 8800 -
12. RIM BlackBerry 8800
Research In Motion (RIMM) has done it again with the latest version of its popular BlackBerry. It gives its millions of 'CrackBerry' users more reasons to be addicted to this smartphone.
The popularity of the product has helped lift the company stock up over 150 percent in 2007.
More on Blackberry 8800
Next: Webkinz -
Nicholas Kamm, AFP | Getty Images
13. Webkinz
Are these loveable plush pets the next Beanie Babies? Time will tell, but with sales in the tens of millions their popularity has soared in 2007.
Each pet comes with a unique secret code that allows you to enter Webkinz World where you care for your virtual pet.
More on Webkinz 'Hotness'
Next: Nikon Coolpix S51 -
14. Nikon Coolpix S51c
What makes this one of the hottest products of the year is that not only does it take great pictures, but you can email your images or beam them directly from the camera to your Flickr account or to Nikon's own online photo bank.
More on Coolpix S51's 'Hotness'
Next: Second Life -
AP | Linden Research, Inc.
15. Second Life
The online virtual world launched in 2003, but really hit the mainstream in late 2006 and early 2007 when reports surfaced about the real money being made by virtual businesses there.
According to Second Life's Web site, they have over 10 million "residents," with approximately 1 million residents logging in within the last 30 days or so.
More on Second Life's 'Hotness'
Next: More on AOL -
Did We Miss a Hot Product?
Are you wringing your hands in disbelief that we didn't include a certain product in our hottest products of 2007 list? Tell us! Post Your Pick, Read Others
Product Trend of 2007:
Mini-Size Me?
This year we questioned whether a backlash to the "super-size me" mentality was spawning a rash of "mini" products. What we found: Top 'Tiny' Trends
Latest Money News & FeaturesRelated Features:
Hottest Features
AOL users can't stop clicking on these recent special features. Check out:
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- Company Slogans Quiz
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Hot Products We Missed?
Did we miss one?
Are you wringing your hands because you think one of the year's hottest products wasn't on our list? If so, tell us!
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