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Top gadgets of 2011
A whole variety of gadgets were released in 2011, and while some didn’t crack the nod, some devices were very practical and great value for money. From high-end purchases to lower-end products, ITNewsAfrica compiled a list of the top gadgets reviewed throughout 2011.
Samsung has been known for their excellent electronics and with the release of their latest D5500 LED Smart television; they proved once again that mid-range pricing doesn’t mean less quality. The design is sleek and stylish, the display is crystal clear and the sound quality is superb. Although the D5500 isn’t the top of the range when it comes to LED televisions, it’s still pretty good.
2. New Xbox Metro dashboard update
Technically speaking, the new Xbox dashboard isn’t a gadget, but it has the built-in functionality to run applications such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. It’s one of the best updates that the Xbox has ever seen, and the interface’s design is incredibly refreshing. The new dashboard does make the Xbox a slight bit faster, and it’s very easy to just sit and browse around all the new stuff.
Parrot’s AR (Augmented Reality) Drone is one of the gadgets that we have had the most fun with. The AR Drone is truly a fun and unique gadget to play around with, and although it’s difficult to fly through the phone’s screen, but keeping an eye on it should make things easier.
4. Microsoft’s wireless Speedwheel
The Speedwheel is a great addition to any racing fanatics’ peripheral arsenal. The sturdily-built device sits comfortably in the user’s hands, and only weighs slightly less than a regular controller – making it the ideal piece of hardware. The wheel works brilliantly and it’s a really cool piece of hardware for any racing gamer.
The TomTom Live 120 is a great GPS unit, as it’s easy to navigate, the visuals are fantastic and it boots up very quickly. No unit is perfect, but as far as GPS units go, this one comes close. Although it’s not the greatest and most expensive GPS on the market, it also counts in its favour, as the value for money is excellent.
6. SanDisk Ultra 8GB flash drive
A flash drive is almost taken for granted these days, and it’s rather a pity. It’s one of those devices that we just pop into our pockets and forget about until we need them. One can never have too many flash drives, and SanDisk makes some of the best on the market. Its great value for money and it serves its purpose well.
The Android-powered Motorola Xoom is a really cool piece of technology, and while all tablets essentially function in the same way, the Motorola Xoom is one of the best alternatives to Apple’s iPad. Besides the fact that it runs on Android, the CPU and memory run incredibly fast, the screen is responsive and crystal clear and everything works the way it should.
8. TomTom High Speed Multi-Charger
Every owner of a USB-enabled device will know how important it is to keep it charged for optimal use, and the TomTom High Speed Multi-Charger really works well in this regard. It’s incredibly easy to plug in, connect a device and wait until its finished charging. It’s that simple. Its sturdy build will ensure that it’s not knocked over while driving, and it’s incredibly easy to set up.
Charlie Fripp – Acting Online editor
