Each year around this time I do a roundup of the most-anticipated products of the coming year. This year I came up with 16 things we can't wait to see.
Since many companies like to keep future new releases under tight wraps so they don't short-circuit sales of their current products, we can't predict what all the new hot gadgets will be. But as usual, we expect to see a fair amount of intriguing stuff at this year's CES in Las Vegas, and we know that plenty of sequels to today's popular products are on the way--whether the company wants you to know it or not.
Why not?
More-affordable Apple AirPlay products
Apple iTV
Rumor has it that Apple will enter the TV market in 2012 with a set that will be a game-changer and once again turn another market on its head. We'll believe it when we see it.
Since many companies like to keep future new releases under tight wraps so they don't short-circuit sales of their current products, we can't predict what all the new hot gadgets will be. But as usual, we expect to see a fair amount of intriguing stuff at this year's CES in Las Vegas, and we know that plenty of sequels to today's popular products are on the way--whether the company wants you to know it or not.
Nintendo Wii U
Once again Nintendo
is trying to revolutionize the gaming industry with a system that has a
new controller with an embedded touch screen that allows you to
continue a gaming session on the portable controller even when your TV
is off.
On a more mundane level, this Wii
supports 1080p visuals and is backward-compatible with all Wii gaming
accessories and games. That latter trait may be its biggest selling
point.
No word on pricing or exactly when the Wii U will hit the market, but Nintendo says it will be in stores in 2012. CNET's game experts got some early hands-on time with the Wii U. | |
| Nintendo |
Google Ice Cream Sandwich products
The first Ice Cream Sandwich
(Android 4.0) smartphones have just started trickling out onto the
market. Loads more are coming in 2012. Yummy.
 |
| Android 4.0 |
iPad Mini
Will Apple do a 7-inch iPad? Some say no, some say yes, particularly with the success of Amazon's Kindle Fire. We hope Apple does go small. $299. 16GB. Slam dunk.
Better, more-affordable ultrabooks
Forget those underpowered Netbooks. The ultrabook is the new Netbook.
We already saw the price for these lightweight machines head into
reasonable territory in 2011. Now we look forward to the next batch
offering similar performance for even less money.
Next-gen MacBook Air
Rumor has it that the next generation of MacBook Pros and Airs will
get new designs, and we may very well see a 15-inch Air. Will the Air
get even slimmer?Why not?
Image: MacBook Air (Apple)
More-affordable Apple AirPlay products
In case you don't know what it is, Apple's AirPlay is a wireless streaming feature available on Apple
mobile devices that allows you to stream audio and video over Wi-Fi.
However, except for Apple TV and AirPort Express, AirPlay-compatible
products tend to be pricey (most are speakers).
They could all stand to shave $100 off their list prices (and more in some cases). Hopefully that will happen in 2012.
 |
| Apple's AirPlay |
Kindle Fire 2 (and Amazon's 10-inch tablet)
The Kindle Fire's been a big hit
and it isn't even that great. Just imagine what the Kindle Fire 2 will
be like. And oh, Amazon may well release a 10-inch tablet that undercuts
the iPad's price significantly. Can't wait for that to happen.
iPhone 5
For those of you who waited all
2011 for an iPhone 5, we've got news: you get to do some more waiting in
2012. When we'll see the iPhone 5 launch is anybody's guess, but
whether it's released in June or November, it seems like a safe bet that
it will have a new design and most likely support for 4G networks.
Apple iTV
Rumor has it that Apple will enter the TV market in 2012 with a set that will be a game-changer and once again turn another market on its head. We'll believe it when we see it.
iPad 3
Everybody's waiting--and
expecting--an iPad 3 with a higher-resolution display. If the past is
any indication, hear all about it in February or March, with a release
soon after.
PlayStation Vita
Sony's next-generation handheld
gaming device is slated to arrive in the U.S. on February 22, with dual
analog sticks, a touch screen, and graphics that rival the PS3's. The
Wi-Fi version is priced at $249 and the Wi-Fi/3G version will cost
$299.99 (3G service plan extra).
While many think the Vita has an
uphill road, it also has the potential to be a much-needed hit for Sony,
which has lost a lot of luster in recent years. CNET editors got an
early look at the Vita.
Wider LTE (4G) rollout
We'll see lots more 4G phones in 2012--and hopefully lots more 4G service
coverage with true broadband speeds.
Nook Tablet 2
Barnes & Noble continues to do
a lot of things right with its color Nook products. One request for the
next model, most likely due to arrive in November: a little Bluetooth,
please.
Nikon D800
The much-anticipated successor to the full-frame Nikon D700 was
supposed to arrive in 2011. Alas, it didn't. Word is this rumored
36-megapixel prosumer camera will finally launch in early 2012. Price
tag: We're guessing somewhere just south of $3,000.
Canon 5D Mark III
Like the Nikon D800, Canon's
full-frame follow-up to the EOS 5D Mark II was widely expected to arrive
in 2011. It failed to come, and was most likely delayed by the
combination of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami and Thailand flood
tragedies. The current 5D Mark II costs around $2,000. This one will
start out higher, most likely in the $2,500 range.
Windows 8
Unity is the theme with Windows 8, as Microsoft is bringing the Metro UI found
on smartphones and Xbox 360 to the PC and tablets. Word is a beta may
be out as soon as February with the final product ready to ship on PCs
in late fall.
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