Top Tech Stories 2013: From Google Glass to Candy Crush

Dec. 16, 2013 — -- intro: It was a busy year in technology. Smartphones got smarter, tablets got thinner and lighter and social media got more social. Below are some of the biggest tech stories of the year based on both reader interest and our own editorial decision.

quicklist: 1category: title: Samsung Galaxy S4 Announcedurl: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/samsung-galaxy-s4-announced-control-phone-waves-tilts/story?id=18732190

text: In March, Samsung kicked off the 2013 smartphone wars with the Galaxy S4. The phone took direct aim at the iPhone with new voice control features and an improved camera.

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quicklist: 2category: title: Instagram Gets Video url: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/instagram-video-app-update-adds-filter-effects-15/story?id=19446706

text: In June, our Instagram feeds became a bit louder and animated. The company added 15-second video capabilities to its iPhone and Android apps.

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quicklist: 3category: title: Google Glass: What You Can and Can't Do With Google's Wearable Computerurl: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/google-glass-googles-wearable-gadget/story?id=19091948

text: After months of teasing and flashy marketing videos, Google finally let us see what was on the other side of Google Glass. We also began to hear about some of the real-world uses of the wearable computer.

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quicklist: 4category: title: Motorola's Moto X Phone Will Be Made in Americaurl: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/motorolas-moto-phone-made-america/story?id=19284860

text: It had been years since the tech industry had really focused on Motorola, but the Google-owned company began drumming up interest in its new U.S.-made Moto X smartphone in the summer. The Moto X hit shelves in August and we named it the best Android phone on the market.

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quicklist: 5category: title: Candy Crush Saga: Why Millions Can't Stop Matching Candy on Their Phonesurl: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/candy-crush-saga-millions-stop-crushing-candy-facebook/story?id=19314358

text: Many will remember 2013 as the year they spent way too much time swiping at candy on their smartphones. Sugar Rush!

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quicklist: 6category: title: Apple iOS 7 Now Available for Download url: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ios-now-download-software/story?id=20285691

text: In September, Apple not only released two new iPhones -- the iPhone 5s and 5c -- but it released the biggest software update to the iPhone since the birth of the iPhone. With iOS 7, Apple spruced up the design of the software and also included new features, including easy access to settings with Control Center.

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quicklist: 7category: title: Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4 url: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/xbox-playstation-guide-making-toughest-gaming-decision-years/story?id=20990332

text: Not one but two new gaming consoles made their way to market in the second half of 2013. The Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 fought for the attention of gamers and non-gamers alike on store shelves. Both Sony and Microsoft sold millions of the new consoles.

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