12 hottest gadgets launched in 2012

2012 was a big year when it came to gadget launches, as we saw many devices with revolutionary features hitting the shelves. Courtesy impressive technologies and in many cases unprecedented sales, these new devices made headlines all year long and kept us guessing what will be the next big thing. 

Wondering which were the top 12 gadgets launched of 2012? Here's , read on..

1.Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 5 was the biggest gadget launch of the year when it came to the buzz surrounding its unveiling. This is the first iPhone to feature a 4-inch touchscreen with 326ppi pixel desity and runs on iOS6, the latest Apple mobile OS. The device is powered by the all-new propreitary dual-core A6 processor and is 18% thinner and 20% lighter than iPhone 4S. 

Available in 16, 32 and 64GB versions, this device comes with an 8MP rear camera with LED flash, as well as a 1.2MP front snapper for video calls. Apple iPhone 5's connectivity features include 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Other unique features of this smartphone are upgraded Siri, Lightning dock and EarPods that come in the box.

2.Apple new iPad

Taking over from iPad 2, the new iPad was launched twice in 2012, breaking Apple's streak of one device per year. The third-generation iPad featured a 9.7-inch IPS screen and came in 16, 32 and 64GB variants. It ran on iOS5, was powered by dual-core A5X processor, with 1GB RAM. 
Now discontinued, the third-generation handed over the mantle of Apple's flagship tablet to the fourth-generation iPad, which shared most specifications with its predecessor. However, the new features in the tablet were A6X processor, HD front camera, 4G LTE connectivity and Lightning connector dock.

3.Apple iPad mini

Apple's foray into the mini-tablet segment has been successful, as the device has met with success in the market. This tablet features a 7.9-inch IPS display and runs on dual-core A5 processor with 512MB RAM. The device comes in 16, 32 and 64GB variants and features the Lightning dock connector. 

iPad mini's connectivity suite consists of options like 4G LTE, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. This tablet has a 5MP camera on the rear, while a snapper of 1.2MP resolution is used in the front. Other features of this device are Apple's voice assistant Siri and 10 hours of battery life.

4.Google Glasses

During I/O 2012 in June, Google showed off a new invention - Google Glasses, an augmented reality display worn on the head, with a small display panel on the right side. The product runs on Google's Android operating system and can be used to display videos and emails, take pictures and videos etc on the go, all the time. 

Though it is at a very early stage in the development cycle, Google aims to bring calling and messaging functionalities to the device, along with its Google Maps.

5.Google Nexus 7

Google ventured into the tablet market with a phenomenal hit, Nexus 7. Manufactured by Asus, Google Nexus 7 features a 7-inch IPS screen and comes in 16 and 32GB variants. This tablet is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM and runs on Android 4.1, upgradable to Android 4.2. 

When it comes to connectivity, this tablet can access the internet only via Wi-Fi, while other data transfer options include Bluetooth, NFC and microUSB. Google Nexus 7 ha sno rear camera, while a 1.2MP camera is placed in the front.

6.IBM IdeaPad Yoga convertible tablets

Lenovo launched the IdeaPad Yoga range of convertible tablets in 2012. IdeaPad Yoga 13 features a 13.3-inch HD touch-enabled screen runs on Windows 8/ Windows 8 Pro operating system and comes with 128GB of SSD memory. The hybrid laptop runs on third-generation Intel Core i7 processor with 8GB RAM and provides battery life of 8 hours. 

IdeaPad Yoga 11 is the other variant in this series, having an 11.6-inch HD touch-enabled display, 64GB eMMC storage and 2 GB RAM. The convertible tablet runs on Windows RT, is powered by quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor and offers battery life of 13 hours.

7.LG Ultra HD 3D TV

2012 saw the launch of LG India's 84-inch Ultra HD 3D TV with screen resolution of 3840 x 2160p. Unique features of this product include 2D to 3D conversion, head-to-head gaming via Dual Play, voice recognition and Smart Share Plus. 

As for connectivity, LG's Ultra HD 3D TV includes built-in Wi-Fi as well as Intel's Wireless Display (WiDi) technology, which enables connectivity between TVs and PCs without the need for cables or internet access. LG has also introduced four-mode Magic Remote which allows users to access and navigates the Home Dashboard with this TV, along with 2.2 Speaker System with two 10W speakers and two 15W woofers.

8.Micromax LED TV

Micromax, the indigenous manufacturer best known for its low-cost smartphones, entered the TV segment in 2012 with a range of six LED televisions. 

The 23.6-inch Micromax LED TV is among the cheapest in its category and features a screen with brightness of 300nits and resolution of 1366x768p. Connectivity features in this product include HDMI, USB, PC audio and headphones. Featuring Energy Saving Mode, this LED television consumes 30W power and weighs 4.4kg.

9.Microsoft Surface

Microsoft stepped into the world of tablets with Surface, a sturdy device that has seen only modest sales as of now. The tablet features a 10.6-inch ClearType HD Display and runs on Windows RT, the stripped down version of Windows 8. 

This device is powered by a 1.3Ghz quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and comes in 32 and 64GB variants. Developed as an alternative to a laptop, this device can access the internet over Wi-Fi and transfers data via Bluetooth 4.0 and USB. The front as well as rear cameras of this device have 1.2MP resolution.

10.Nokia Lumia 920

Nokia unveiled its new flagship Windows Phone 8 smartphone in September this year. The device boasts of a 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ touchscreen and runs on a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor. Connectivity options in the phone include Wi-Fi, 4G, 3G, NFC, 2G, Bluetooth 3.0 and microUSB 2.0. Available with 1GB RAM and 2,000mAh battery, the Lumia 920 has internal memory of 32GB but does not support microSD card. 

The most intriguing feature of the Nokia Lumia 920 is its 8.7MP camera that features PureView imaging technology. The company says that the phone's camera can take snapshots and videos under any lighting condition and comes with Optical Image Stabilisation and dual LED flash. Nokia Lumia 920's rear snapper has resolution of 1280x960 pixels and 2.0f aperture. The phone also has a 1.3MP front camera for video calls.

11.Samsung Galaxy Camera

Though not the first Android camera in the world, Samsung Galaxy Camera got the spot due to 3G compatibility, the downside of its rival Nikon Coolpix S800c. This device has a 4.8-inch touchscreen and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), making it compatible with all apps available on Google Play marketplace. It is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1GB RAM and boasts of a 1,650mAh battery. The gadget supports sim-card for 3G connectivity and can also access the internet over Wi-Fi. 

Samsung Galaxy Camera has a BSI CMOS sensor and has digital and optical zoom of 21x each. The company has included features like optical image stabilisation and auto-focus (centre, multi and Face Detection) in this gadget. Some of the unique features of this camera are Instagram, Paper Artist, Dropbox, Photo Wizard, Video Editor, AllShare Play, S-Suggest and S-Voice.

12.Samsun Galaxy S III

Samsung's flagship smartphone, Galaxy S III, has met tremendous success in the market since launch. It has a 4.8-inch SuperAMOLED touchscreen and runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The device is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 1GB RAM. 

Available in 16 and 32GB versions in the country, the phone has an 8MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash and 1.9MP front camera. Connectivity options in the device include 4G, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and microUSB. It boasts of unique features like Smart Stay and S-Voice and comes with 50GB free storage on Dropbox.

Courtest:TOI-Tech