Top 16 Tech Products of 2012
Typically, companies keep their new tech under tight lips so they don’t affect sales of their current products. However, this years CES in Vegas was the spear head for hype. This year, there have been a ton of new tech coming down the line. There’s nothing game-changing so far, more an evolution of current trends. Still, the top 16 products this year are sure to generate some buzz, especially in the cell phone and tablet market.
| Wii U
Up first we’ve got the Wii U and its new TV-in-a-controller. The Wii U’s controller takes immersion in gaming a step further with a built in touchscreen thatt interacts with the game you’re playing on the main display, of course being your living room TV. The new controller has been showcased doing a variety of things like acting as your inventory, being a window into a three dimensional space, giving one person a personal TV while everyone on the big screen tries to hunt them down, and even using the controller itself as a prop, like a shield or a window of a helicopter. Wii U’s new controller aims to capture even more of the casual gaming crowd. |
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iPad Mini More a mini in price than model, Apple reportedly plans to launch the tablet in Q3 of 2012. So far it seems to be a middle ground between the iPad and the iPod Touch, perhaps trying to cater to the personal digital assistant market, or perhaps to create a niche of its own. It will of course interact seamlessly with the Apple Digital Environment, and perhaps appeal to the eReader crowd with a smaller profile and more battery life. The mini is expected to start out at a cool $200. |
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| If you already have an Ipad Iphone 4 4g PS3, then a Mini Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard might be something you could use. Check one out. | |
| UltraBooks More and more tech companies are realizing the potential of making extremely portable, yet extremely powerful Netbooks. Of course since the term “Netbook” has been sullied by underpowered, and ultimately disappointing, tech products, the new term “ultrabook” has been coined by the corporate populace. Ultrabooks pride themselves on decent battery life, powerful performance, and mid cost. The best thing about ultrabooks? Flash memory that doesn’t use a noisy, battery sapping hard disk. |
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15” Macbook Pro/Air? Hipsters and Baristas rejoiced at the rumor that Apple might unveil a next gen Macbooks Pro and Air this year, and who’s to blame them? The new macbooks will be more durable, have a longer battery, and of course be more slim and powerful. In competition with the aforementioned ultrabooks, however, Apple has some serious thinking to do on pricepoint and selling options, since similar devices are starting to do what Apple does, but better and cheaper. |
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Kindle Fire 2 The Kindle Fire has been all the rage with bookworms who need a bit more color. The Tablet is certainly no slouch, but it isn’t the next big thing either. Kindle Fire 2 promises to be the answer to what Kindle is capable of. With promises of better features, more supported formats, longer batteries and higher rez screens, KF2 might be the next big thing. Add in Kindle’s plans to release a 10” tablet that’s cheaper than Apple and Kindle might be the top seller in its class this year. May be available mid-year. |
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Apple Airplay – Apple’s new WiFi feature showcases the ability to stream Audio and Video over a WiFi connection, however, the products that are compatible with the feature tend to be pricey and overhyped. Streaming data over WiFi is certainly no new thing, but the feature on Apple products is new and, frankly, long overdue. If they can just get the pricepoint down, it may be worth looking into. Until then, we’ll have to be content with  |
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iPhone 5 Apple may finally jump on the 4G bandwagon this year, but when is anyone’s guess. The iP5 is plenty of upgrade from iP4, but as to what it includes, is also anyone’s guess. Apple, as always, keeps a tight lip on their new toys. |
iPad 3 Another number to another product in Apple’s inventory, the iPad 3 is rumored to debut in Q2, though when and for how much is a good question. Higher resolution, better battery life, and an upgraded OS are all rumor mill stock. There’s little information on the particulars at this point. |
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Apple TV Trying to get its hands into the LCD TV cookie jar, Apple plans to release the Apple TV this year, with promises of WiFi capability and seamless integration with the Apple Digital Environment. With support from AirPlay, ATV will be able to stream audio and video with its fancy Wifi connection, but how and how much it will cost is another mystery altogether. |
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Sony’s lost a lot of customer base in recent years, and hopes to pull itself out of a slump with the new handheld Vita. The Vita promises dual analog sticks, a nice big touchscreen, and graphics to rival the PS3. It will hit U.S. shelves on February 22 (an actual release date for one of these products? Holy Circuits, Batman!). The WiFi only bundle will be sold for $249, while the WiFi/3G flavor will be a penny shy of $300, plus the added cost of a basic 3G plan. This could be the device that gets Sony back in the black. |
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Nook Tablet2 Barnes and Noble’s answer to the Kindle Fire 2, expected to release in Q4 this year, continues to build on the great success of the Nook Color. Competition is always good for the consumer, so as long as Nook and Kindle duke it out, we win. Hopefully better battery life and a little Bluetooth are included in this round. |
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Nikon D800 Looking to misplace three grand and find a full-frame, 36 megapixel, pro-consumer camera instead? I didn’t think so. But, in case you really do like losing money and finding more megapixels than your brain can comprehend, the D800 will likely launch in early 2012. Or pickup a new case and put the camera on a wish list. |
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Canon 5D Mark III Maybe you’re a savy camera shopper and you only want to fork out $2500 for a full frame ManyMegaPixel thingie. Maybe you’re a professional and 2500 bucks isn’t a big deal. Maybe you’re hoping it will come out in mid to late 2012. Maybe I’ll stop writing in hypotheticals. |
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Ice Cream Sandwich Androids new facelift, Ice Cream Sandwich, promises to add even more functionality to the homescreen and personalization to your static buttons. ICS has been showcased as having customizable static icons on the bottom of your homescreen that stays there no matter which screen you’re on, as well as updating the old menus and contact lists to make them more intuitive. ICS, however, is experiencing flash problems and will continue to do so at launch. |
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4G We’ll see a LOT more 4G phones and hopefully a wider 4G service area. I know in my hometown in Columbia, MO, we’re expected to finally have 4G this year. Here’s to hoping small town USA gets access to this lightning fast skynet. |
Windows 8 Yes, yes, the next highway robbery/circus sideshow act is slated to release late this year. Microsoft is trying to get all its ducklings in a row with integrating the Xbox 360, Metro Smartphones, and Tablets with its next gen operating system. No word on how much you’ll spend trying to figure out how to get your programs to run again. |
And that just about wraps it up. This year, expect to see more of the same, but better, faster, stronger, harder. In the wake of recent natural disasters, the tech market has some catching up to do, and might just be playing it safe until a new idea comes along.
-Stephen Rawlings