The iPhone topped Yahoo‘s U.S. top searches list for 2011. It’s the first time since 2002 a tech device has topped the list, when PlayStation 2 took the number one spot.

“The iPhone transcended gadget status,” said Vera Chan, Yahoo senior editor and web trend analyst. “The device helped facilitate political movements around the world, and embodied the vision of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.”

Chan added that Jobs’s decision to step down as Apple CEO in August and his death in October also fueled search activity for the iPhone.