X-Mini capsule speakers

Audio speakers used to be big boxy things that weren't really portable. Laptop users had to pick between good sound quality and size, and there just wasn't really anything compact that could deliver great bass and volume. And unless you're using an oversized desktop replacement type laptop, built-in speakers just don't cut it at all. Then along came a little Singapore setup called XMI Pte Ltd who were determined to change all that. They created a pocket-sized ball speaker with a patented "pop-up" vacuum design that acted like a mini sub-woofer, and produces a level of bass and volume that is mind (and ear) blowing considering its itsy-bitsy size.
Numerous awards later, including winning the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards (Germany) and the Infocomm Singapore Award, the X-mini Capsule Speaker is now in its second generation and is being shamelessly ripped off by OEM manufacturers all over -- it's a sure sign that something's really good is when the OEM pirates start rolling out their third-party versions. We're hardly without one in our laptop bags these days and they're great for presentations or just setting up an impromptu disco hall, but more importantly, we don't need to carry an extra bag just for the speakers.

And there you go, the tech innovations that changed our world. We don't think we covered the list exhaustively -- there's still Hyflux's water filtration technology and Razer, the company that produces some of the best gaming mice around (did you know it was started and co-founded by a Singaporean?) -- but that's the beauty of technology. You don't need to be some giant corporation to change the world.