As well as featuring favourably in the Time roundup, Netgear also managed to snag one of Popular Mechanics' coveted Breakthrough Awards.

Now Popular Mechanics is not at all well-known over here in the UK, but in the US it's considered a real bible for anyone interested in gadgets, cars, robotics and so forth. The Breakthrough Awards are also a big really big deal, and Netgear's wifi phone was named as one of the "most brilliant products of 2006"; not bad considering it's only just October!

Alongside the Netgear phone was a truly eclectic mix of winners in different categories, including a frankly amazing adjustable spanner (there's a phrase you don't hear often enough) and an electric tree lopper/pruner which I am desperately trying to justify buying, despite living in a third floor flat.

Now THAT'S what I call disruptive technology!