For some, Skype is more than technology—it's a life-changing invention. When Ed Gallagher developed a retinal disease eight years ago, his eyesight began to fade. Eventually, the disease left him completely blind. "I thought, 'Well, my life is pretty much at an end,'" he says.

Determined to remain independent and active, Ed turned to technology. He began wearing a camera that's hooked up to Skype. The camera also has an earpiece that allows him to talk to assistants who guide his every move.

Now, Ed is able to ski, sail and ride a bike again. "I just discovered true freedom of movement that I haven't experienced in the last 10 years," he says. "The best thing I've done in my life."