Images: Cheers and jeers for user design

Among other reasons why people adore it, TiVo solved the issue of programming time for the VCR, an old sore spot for non-technical types, according to Don Norman, professor of design at Northwestern University and author of "Emotional Design."

"You don't have to set the time with TiVo, it figures it out itself because shows are time-stamped. Turns out people don't want to watch a particular channel at a particular time; we want to watch a particular show like the Australian Open. That's what TiVo and related devices allow you to do. That is breakthrough," Norman said.

Photo by TiVo