Here are some items that have made it to Edwin Kee’s list of interesting gadgets for last year
Micro Four Thirds cameras
Amazon Kindle Fire
iPad 2
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
THE closest competitor to the iPad 2, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 is one of the more interesting tablets from the Android platform to have arrived in our markets. It not only has everything an Android fan would like to see and do but it also offers an alternative to those who do not want to have anything to do with Apple. It will require some effort from Samsung to be able to top this model but I’m quite sure the South Korean wizards will be able to come up with something this year.
2. iPad 2
YOU cannot have one without the other — the iPad 2 is the yin to the Galaxy Tab 10.1’s yang. Definitely the tablet to own if you are already an Apple fan who has yet to jump aboard the tablet bandwagon. Its only drawback seems to be its lack of a Retina Display screen — rumoured to be fixed in the upcoming iPad 3 (we shall call it that in the meantime!). With plenty of apps to play around with from the App Store, a tried-and-tested operating system and user interface, you will not go wrong with the iPad 2 if a tablet is high on your Most Wanted List.
3. Nokia Lumia 800
WHILE the world of smartphones might be segregated into just iOS and Android operating systems at this moment (with corporate users asking, “How about our BlackBerry OS?”), there remains one operating system that has one of the most fluid user interfaces to date — Windows Phone 7.5. Nokia certainly did itself a huge favour by siding with Microsoft where its latest range of smartphones are concerned, instead of sticking to Symbian or MeeGo, and the end result clearly shows. A solidly built phone, you will be able to enjoy the best of hardware and software if you want to try something different from the norm. It will take some time for Windows Phone 7 to build up a solid user base, so why not take your chances with Finland’s finest?
4. iPhone 4S
HOW can we leave out the phone that was released with so much emotional outpouring after that? With plenty of speculation as to what the suffix S stood for (iPhone 4 Steve, iPhone 4 Speed, you choose) after Steve Jobs’ passing, one of the best aspects of the iPhone 4S would be the introduction of Siri — the virtual voice assistant. Of course, it remains to be seen just how voice recognition would work with our accents, and Siri would need to tie-in with local apps to offer the highest degree of accuracy. While the iPhone 4S does not make that huge a jump in terms of technology over its predecessor, it still does not take away the fact that this is a highly sought after device.
5. Samsung Galaxy S II
SAMSUNG’s take on the smartphone did culminate in the Galaxy S II — sporting a really large display that is easy on your eyes, not to mention a speedy processor with different hardware configurations for different countries. Of course, we do not have 4G LTE connectivity in this part of the world, so we will just have to make do with 3G networks for the moment. The Galaxy S II’s greatest strength would be its lovely display, although underneath the hood lies all the relevant hardware to make this smartphone good enough to use without complaining into the new year.
6. Nintendo 3DS
JUST for curiosity’s sake, picking up the Nintendo 3DS is a good excuse for any parent (dads in particular) who want to introduce the “joys of gaming” to their kids, which is actually an excuse so that new fathers out there are able to get some next-generation portable gaming time in stereoscopic 3-D. Sure, the battery life is a far cry from the old school Nintendo DS, but with stereoscopic 3-D slowly but surely inching its way into our collective consciousness, it can be quite hard to avoid Nintendo’s latest portable console. Quality games might be trickling out slowly, but at least you have Super Mario 3-D Land and Mario Kart 7 to tide you over until the next big title. Just remember to take frequent breaks from your gaming time with the Nintendo 3DS, and the option to turn off 3-D effects is always a welcome one.
7. Micro Four Thirds cameras
WANT dSLR quality images without carrying around the bulk of one? Welcome to the world of Micro Four Thirds cameras. While the technology has been around earlier than 2011, there are certainly far more options in the market compared to the previous year, where you can side with either Panasonic or Olympus. With an ever increasing range of lenses being made available, toting one of these around is certainly a joy (and a relief to your shoulders), not to mention the gorgeous images that one can expect — assuming you marry it with reasonable photo taking skills. Beginners might find this to be the perfect device before jumping into the world of dSLRs.
8. Amazon Kindle Fire
I know that e-book readers are not exactly huge in Malaysia, but that does not rule out the kind of frenzy that accompanied the Amazon Kindle Fire when it was released in the US. Millions have been claimed to fly off the shelves by Amazon: This e-book reader is US$300 (RM930) cheaper than the iPad 2, but it comes with the sacrifice of performance and functionality, although it has enough bells and whistles to keep the casual user happy. Could the Kindle Fire be a market disruptor that would throw a spanner in the works for all the other tablet players out there? We’ll see a clearer picture this year.
As you can see, the list tends to be dominated by phones and tablets, but bear in mind that this is not an exhaustive one and I am quite sure that many of you have questions as to why other gizmos did not make it. Considering how we are moving towards a knowledge economy, and keeping in touch on-the-go plays a huge role, mobile devices tend to rank high on my list — hence the number of tablets and smartphones above. Have a Happy New Year, and may 2012 bring us more pocket-busting gadgets.
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