CNET Top 10 lists

It's been a long, long year, especially if you have one of these gadgets. Here are the lowest-rated technologies of the fourth quarter of 2006, as well as the lowest-rated products in each category.

It's been a gangbuster quarter for terrible tech, from exploding batteries to half-hearted upgrades to pretexting scandals and everything in between. Please join us on a lighthearted romp through the worst tech stories and products from the past three months. Then, skedaddle on over to page 2 of this feature and download some free apps that will make you miserable and possibly dumber.

Sports gadgets have evolved significantly since the Sports Illustrated football phone and the umpire clicker. Some of them even use batteries now. Before you run out to your local electronics store and throw money around like George Steinbrenner, take a look at our starting lineup of tech picks for sports fans.

Here we go again. These gadgets, games, downloads, and tech stories from the past three months stood out for all the wrong reasons.

For the first time in Must-Have Gadgets history, a product on our list has been replaced by itself. Kudos to the new Core 2 Duo Dell XPS 1710, which makes the best gaming laptop in the biz even better...but not for gaming. You can find out why by reading its full review in our number three spot.

A summer getaway is a great way to disconnect yourself from work, but you may want to stay connected to your entertainment. The good news is that it's easier than ever. These devices give you access to all your favorite things while you're away. A few of them can even stay at home and deliver your entertainment to you. Kick back, relax, and get ready to explore 10 new possibilities for summer fun. Bon voyage.

Calling a piece of tech the "best" often starts an argument, but just about everyone knows a lemon when they see it. December is a long way away, but we couldn't wait to put together a list of the worst tech, tech events, and downloads of 2006.

CNET editors reviewed thousands of products in 2005. And while it's fun to laugh at the worst of them, it's the top products everybody cares about. But which were the best? The following 10 are the cream of the crop that came through the CNET offices.

We love to rave about great products, but bad products deserve their time, too. Here's our list of the top 10 worst products of the year as rated by our reviewers. If you take joy in others' misery, this list's for you.

The holidays are upon us, the deals are coming fast and furious, and gadgets are the gift of choice this year. These 10 products represent the top gift ideas we have to offer--the coolest gadgets, the best bargains, the most droolworthy tech, and of course, the "money is no object" fantasy gear.