Top New Electronics and Gadgets for Christmas 2011

I am a geek so I always love to receive a gadget for Christmas. This year there is a surplus of great gadgets to choose from and I am hard pressed to decide which one I want. With all the major players introducing new technology this year, it’s definitely going to be a bumper gadget Christmas! So what are the top gadgets for Christmas 2011 (note I list these in no particular order!):

It seems that the tablet is going to be the 'next big thing' in the electronics field. Apple have already cornered the market forcing Dell and HP almost out of the field, however Amazon have entered the market using Google's Droid OS and it looks like they may find a niche alongisde Apple:

iPad

Apple have done it again – they’ve gone and produced yet another game-changing device that has hordes of Apple fans drooling. While the concept of a hand held computer have been around for a long time, and several tablet computers have emerged over the years no one has actually had a device that has sold well. The iPad has changed that – essentially taking the iPod Touch and giving it a larger screen, and adding e-reading capabilities, the iPad challenges not only the e-reader market, but also the hand held computer and notebook market.

The iPad provides the best e-reading capabilities available, with multi-media ebooks and magazines available; it has access to thousands of Apps; it allows you play movies and music. While it is not the perfect gadget, it is one of the best, and no doubt will be one of the top gadgets for Christmas 2011. The iPad continues to improve with a better touch screen, more battery life and a vast and growing library of applications.

Kindle Fire

While we all would like an iPad, they are expensive. Amazon have now taken a step into the tablet market and produced their stunning Kindle Fire; based around the Android technology this promises to be an excellent little gadget and an ideal alternative especially for childreen and teens. With access to streaming movies, eBooks, music and Amazon's Apps it's definitely going to challenge the iPad and will be a top gadget for Christmas 2011.

There's not much going on in the electronic gaming industry in terms of hardware, but last year's products are still very hot:

Microsoft Kinect

Micorosoft have always been the behemoth of the technology industry; their products are very innovative but do not have the pizzazz of Apple or many other technology companies. However, for once they may have upset the apple cart by introducing a product that may not only revolutionize the video gaming industry, but also may change the way we all interact with computers and other gadgets, especially in the living room. Microsoft Kinect takes Nintendo’s motion sensing controller to a new level, essentially removing the need for any ‘hardware’ and using amazing camera and voice technology to allow you to control the XBOX 360 entirely with your voice or body. This innovative piece of technology has so many practical uses that the mind boggles when trying to think about them. There’s no doubt that this will be one of the best selling items for Christmas and arguably is the top gadget for Christmas 2011.

Sony PS3 Move

Sony are not going to be beaten by Microsoft or Nintendo and are releasing their own motion sensing system. It's a cross between Mictosoft Kinect and the Nintendo Wii controller - you still have a hand held controller but also have a camera to track your movement in 3D - it's supposed to be on of the most accurate sensor controller on the market - there's no doubt that the PS3 Move will be a top seller this Christmas.

Commodore PC64

Jump back in time to the 90s, and you’ll find the best selling computer of all time was the Commodore 64 which sold over 30 million units – now take the ubiquitous Commodore 64 chassis and insert modern technology and you end up with the Commodore PC64. Commodore USA have promised to produce this little retro looking PC in time for Christmas. With its retro design and nostalgia galore, it could be the surprise top gadget for Christmas 2010.

Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo have focused on creating a new hand held gaming system rather than producing a new Wii console – what they have come up with is Nintendo 3DS that allows players to play the latest games in 3D without using special glasses – it remains to be seen whether the latest 3D craze will be a fad or the future of gaming – but as this product is unique is definitely will be up there as a Christmas 2011 top gadget.

I am still undecided on the 3D TV - they are spectacular and have definately improved the quality of LCDs but I still feel the 3D aspect will eventually disappear:

3D TV

I was very skeptical about the new craze of 3D TV – back in the 70s and 80s when the old system of 3D movies was around, I was one of the people, that due to my eyesight found that the 3D effect simply didn’t work for me, and simply produced a blurred image for me. I therefore didn’t think that this had changed.

However, I visited Best Buy this week and tried one of the new 3D TVs on display and was amazed to find that the 3D glasses worked for me and the effect was fantastic! These TVs are stunning in standard 2D as well using the latest LED back-light technology, but I was simply amazed and stunned by the alacrity and quality of the 3D image produced on the new TVs – while it remains to be seen whether this technology catches on – not many people will want to have to wear glasses to watch tv all the time, it still is an amazing technology and will definitely be a top gadget for some of the more geeky people out there this Christmas.

The humble mp3 player will probably disappear in a few years as the tablet computer becomes the 'gadget' of choice, but for now the iPod is still the best, although Sandisk do produce some pretty decent mp3 players too:

iPod Touch

Apple changed the face of music and mp3 players with their ubiquitous iPod - the latest generation has taken it one step further by adding a cool touch screen making it far more intuitive than it has ever been. In addition, with access to thousands of cool apps it has become more than a simple music player but has moved into the realms of being a pocket computer – with some great games and apps it really is going to be a best seller this Christmas and will probably be a top gadget for years to come.