Top 10 Things We Didn't Have Ten Years Ago That We Can't Live Without Now

How did we ever survive without them? Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Things We Didn't Have 10 Years Ago That We Can't Live Without Now.

For this list, we'll be looking at a variety of technology and modern concepts that didn’t exist in their current form 10 years ago, but over the last decade have worked their way into the very fabric of our daily lives.

What is the cloud anyway? Sure, 10 years ago, most of us were connected to the internet, but our files were generally stored on our PC. If your computer suddenly stopped working, or acted strangely, there was a high risk of you losing your files. The Cloud, in it’s many popular forms, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive, enables users to upload content to remote servers where it can be shared with friends, accessed from any device and, most importantly, protected should your computer stop functioning. It's also great for companies, allowing them to access shared drives efficiently, both within a single office and around the globe. Talk about a game-changer.

Sure, a decade ago we had the likes of Leeroy Jenkins and the Spartan kick to hell, but without YouTube or social media, only a few memes truly ruled the Internet. These days, we have more than we know what to do with. The website knowyourmeme.com has thousands of memes catalogued, and yes... most of them are dank. From images, to clips, to Vines, we are constantly being bombarded by this dankness. While the memes of the past were indeed classics, it is the meme culture of today, in all its nuanced, ever-evolving, self-referential glory that we couldn’t live without.

While the website was founded in 2006, it wasn't until Twitter launched its mobile app that it really took flight. Since then, it’s not only become a leading social media platform with which to stay connected, but it's also been instrumental in movements like the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street, as a means of communicating breaking news and up to the minute developments more efficiently than traditional media. No need for long articles– just post a headline or image and watch it spread. The app has equally been embraced by companies as a marketing tool, and celebrities as a way to connect with fans. Who knew 140 characters could have such an impact?

Tinder has been the subject of some criticism as a result of its place in “hookup culture.” But when you think of the old alternatives… (shudder). This app might be young, but in its short lifespan, it has radically changed the dating world. Circumventing most of the awkwardness associated with friendzoning and inopportune crushes, the app allows you to swipe right on any user in your area who you find attractive. If that individual feels the same way, you are matched and can start communicating. Is it a perfect system? No. But being able to go through hundreds of people's pics sure beats spending hours at the bar or club to meet just one person... and still getting rejected.

Sure, it’s been around for over a decade, but it wasn't until 2006 that restrictions were lifted, making it so that anyone could join. Since then, Facebook has grown to become the top social media website, making its creator, Mark Zuckerberg one of the richest people in the world. Before Facebook, it was a lot tougher to keep in contact with old “friends”. Unless that is… you used Myspace. But based on its relatively diminished user-base, it seems people can live without that one time Facebook competitor. While Facebook has had its share of privacy and security issues, it's currently ranked as the 3rd most visited website, and is a constant presence in the lives of many people around the world.

The history of video is seemingly marked by one technological marvel after another. When the Lumière Brothers first showed their footage of train arriving in 1895, the crowd, unfamiliar with video, allegedly panicked! Imagine how they would’ve reacted to modern film. Over the last 10 years, video quality has taken multiple big steps. From 720p to 1080p, from 1080p to ultra-definition at 4K and higher - we've taken our television experience to the next level. The immersive, hyper realistic worlds presented in modern video games couldn’t exist without it. While old CRT televisions certainly have a quaint retro vibe to them, there aren’t many people who would willingly return to pre-HD technology.

Remember TV in the 90s? A limited selection of channels and time slots that forced us to watch a series on the broadcaster's schedule, rather than our own. Well, the past 10 years have completely reshaped how we consume television. Netflix began offering media streaming services in 2007 and in doing so, started a revolution. Suddenly, viewers could watch what they wanted, when they wanted. Netflix reigns supreme, but it’s no longer alone, with sites like Crackle, Hulu, Amazon and specific networks like HBO and Showtime getting in on the action. The ability to stream content to your TV with casting devices has only made streaming more attractive. It’s little wonder why people have been ditching cable and satellite.

We've all had unpleasant taxi rides before, be it thanks to a rude driver or payment problems. Officially hitting the streets across the U.S. in 2011, Uber presented a much-needed alternative, bringing with it driver reviews, online payment, and generally lower fares. The service has fundamentally rocked the industry. While it's not legal everywhere yet, it's clear that the young company is on the road to omnipresence. The word “uber” has joined the likes of Google and Wikipedia in becoming a commonly used verb. While it’s faced criticism for some of its business practices, it seems that the average passenger is willing to overlook the controversy for the sake of avoiding the hit or miss experience of a conventional taxi.

Back in the day, if you wanted to go anywhere unfamiliar, you'd have to get a printout from MapQuest or, perish the thought, use a conventional road map. Some cars had GPS installed, but it was a luxury. In 2008, Google came out with the Google Maps app, which could be used on Android devices. Using GPS, it was a vast improvement on MapQuest, which could only give one destination at a time, and was safer than those unwieldy paper maps. An added bonus is seeing all that crazy stuff with satellite view! Nowadays, Apple Maps and Google Maps are the leading options. Where would we be without these apps? Well... we'd be lost!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Steam

#Hashtags

Instagram

Yup, the one portable device that includes Twitter, Facebook, Tinder, Uber, and every other entry on our list. These little computers give you access to all of the above, and so much more. Offering an endless variety of apps for gaming, fitness, entertainment, productivity and beyond, smartphones have certainly earned a place in our lives. 10 years ago, Nokia flip phones were still the norm, and while they were revolutionary at the time, such devices feel archaic by today's standards. As of January 2016, smartphones had over 79% of the cell phone market. With such groundbreaking innovation in just 10 years, we can’t wait to see how far smartphones go in the decade to come.