Best Consumer Gadgets of 2012

Smartphones:

Samsung Galaxy S III:

The Galaxy S III is one of the fastest and most advanced devices, powered with its very own Exynos Quad-Core processor. And packed with Quad-Core 1.4GHz Arm Cortex-A9 processor, 1GB RAM, it runs on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. It comes with 4.8 inch HD Super AMOLED display which has 1280x720 pixels resolution, 8 MP primary camera with autofocus, LED flash, geo-tagging, touch focus, face and smile detection, image stabilization features and 1.9 MP secondary camera for video calling and chat. The Samsung S III also has a slew of new features that make it more human-like than ever. There is S-Voice, which is a voice assistant app similar to iPhone's Siri. Furthermore it has some interesting features like S-Beam, wireless charging, SmartStay, double tab scrolling, pop up play and many more. Presently the device comes in two storage variants: 16 and 32 GB and there is also a slot for a microSD card which allows the user to increase their memory to up to 64 GB. Price: Rs. 34900 (16GB), Rs 37900 (32GB).

iPhone 5

The latest version of the iPhone has a larger screen, is thinner and lighter, has improved camera, Maps in iOS 6, better battery life and ear buds. So Apple's newest smartphone looks pretty, but a host of cutting-edge mobile tech is absent. It's got a larger screen, a superb new design and generally all the moves required to make it into a worthy evolution. Price: Starts from Rs 45,500.

Nokia Lumia 920:

Though the Nokia Lumia 920 isn't a groundbreaking, game-changing device; it's a refreshed Lumia 900 with a newer operating system and some additional power. Nokia has produced a solid, well-built device which does the job you'd expect of a smartphone, without any lag. You may put off with the size, weight and high price tag of the Lumia 920, but it manages to keep pace with other big hitters such as the iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X+.

Expected Price: Rs 32,000.

HTC Windows Phone 8X

As its name suggests, this is HTC's first Windows Phone 8 handset - we'll just call it the HTC 8X from now on. On the surface, Windows Phone 8 is only a mildly tweaked version of Microsoft's slick mobile operating system, but there have been quite a few changes underneath. The OS now supports dual-core processors, such as HTC 8X's 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4, as well as high screen resolutions; the HTC 8X has a 720x1,280-pixel display. It's a slim and light phone, but doesn't quite have the class of handsets such as the Nokia Lumia 800 and the new Windows Phone 8-based Nokia Lumia 920. Expected Price: Rs 35,000

Samsung Galaxy Note II

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 belongs to a whole new category of smartphones which are known as phablets.The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a hybrid which features a 5.5-inch super AMOLED HD display. It has a powerful quad core Exynos processor and will come in 16, 32 and 64 GB variants, with support for a microSD card having capacity of up to 64GB. The USP of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the stylus which they call as the S-Pen. The Galaxy Note 2 has the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Price: Rs 39,990

Tablets:

Microsoft Surface

Microsoft launched this high-end tablet few months back. Microsoft Surface for Windows 8 Pro is mainly targeted at people who like their tablets to run on a powerful processor. This device runs on an Ivy Bridge processor and has up to 128GB of internal storage. Windows Surface for Windows 8 Pro comes with built-in stylus support. It also has a detachable keyboard that comes in many colors.This Surface tab is set to give tough fight to Apple's iPad 4 and Google Nexus 10.

Budget Tablets:

HCL ME:

The G1 is the latest model in the highly successful ME series. The HCL ME G1 is priced at Rs. 14999, is a 3G enabled 9.7 inch tablet, runs on the Android 4.0.4 Operating System on a 1.2 GHz Dual Core Cortex A9 CPU, which lets the users to multitask and navigate easily from one application to another.

iBall Slide i9702

iBall launched a new 9.7 inch, Android 4.0 running tablet called iBall Slide i9702 in India for Rs 14,999. It is the first budget tablet which comes with 9.7 inch touchscreen IPS panel display offering wider viewing angle compared to the normal screen.The tablet is powered with dual core processor at a clock speed of 1.5 GHz paired with 1GB of DDR3 RAM, G400 Mali graphic processor unit and runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system.

Huawei MediaPad Lite

Huawei MediaPad Lite is the company's first low cost tablet to hit the Indian market at a retail price of Rs 13,700. The Huawei MediaPad Lite sports a 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display with multi-touch system at a resolution of 1024 X 600 pixels. It is powered with Cortex A8 processor at 1.2 GHz clock speed, a 600 MHz graphic processor unit, 1 GB RAM and runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system (upgradable to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean).

Zen UltraTab A900

Zen Mobiles has launched a new 9 inch Android running tablet — UltraTab A900 in India which will be available for Rs 7,999 across the country. Zen Mobiles has partnered with HomeShop18 for initial marketing and has planned to release the device later in open market. The Zen UltraTab A900 is powered with 1.5 GHz processor paired with 512 MB of RAM and runs on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system along with Ultra Tab Sense user interface.

Mini Tabs:

This year we saw a lot of small size tablets enter the market. After the launch of iPad Mini, the 7 inch tab segment now has got some good options with the likes of the Nexus 7, the Kindle Fire HD and the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. Here is a glance at the major specs of the four tablets.

iPad Mini: Starts at Rs 26,700 (16GB, Wi-Fi)

Google Nexus 7: Rs 16,050 (16GB)

Kindle Fire HD: Rs 16,611 (16GB), Rs 20,571 (32GB)

Galaxy Tab 2: Rs 17,999 (16/32GB, Wi-Fi + 3G)

Televisions:

LG Smart TV:

LG launched the world's first 84-inch ultra HD 3D TV with a great picture quality. Ultra HD 3D TV, boasts a native “ultra definition” (UD) screen resolution of 3840 x 2160 to match its impressive size. The 84 inch Ultra HD 3D TV range is available at a price of approx Rs 17,00,000.

Televisions:

Micromax LED TV:

Micromax has entered the competitive consumer electronics with the launch of a series of LED TVs, and home entertainment systems. Micromax's LED TV range starts from 24-inches to 55-inches, and their prices vary from Rs 15,990 and go all the way up to Rs 1,29,990. The 50-inch and 55-inch models offer 3D capabilities.

Cameras:

Nikon D600

Nikon India has announced the launch of the FX-format digital-SLR camera D600. The smallest and lightest Nikon FX-format D-SLR, the Nikon D600 boasts a CMOS image sensor with 24.3-million effective pixels and an EXPEED 3 image-processing engine that offers superior definition with a range of advanced features. The Nikon D600 is available in black colour at an MRP of Rs 1,35,950 body only and Rs 163,950 with 24-85mm VR lens kit.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100:

The image quality on the RX100 is excellent, with excellent all-round performance, images have good detail, low noise and excellent exposure. The camera has a wide range of features to improve results with a number of dynamic range enhancing modes as well as a built in multi-shot HDR mode. Price: Rs 34,990.

Nikon COOLPIX S800c

A first of its kind Android-powered camera, featuring a 3.5-inch 819k dot OLED display with full touch support and packs in a Wi-Fi chip as well. Price: Rs 20,950

Games:

Max Payne 3:

Max Payne 3 is the first game in the franchise to be developed solely by Rockstar Games. It's the perfect blend of hard-boiled storytelling and cinematic action, the controls are tight, the gameplay is fluid and the graphics are both inviting and immersive. Platforms available — Xbox 360, PS3, PC.

Price: Rs 2,499 approximately

Sleeping Dogs:

Formerly known as True Crime: Hong Kong, Sleeping Dogs takes you through the dangerous crime world of the Triad organization with undercover officer Wei Shen. Players can do a variety of things like use weapons and martial arts as well as drive a variety of vehicles to bring down as many criminal fractions as possible. Platforms available: X360 360, PC, PS3.

Price: Rs 2,799