Top Ten Gadgets for Christmas 2011

10 Commodore 64x PC

Commodore 64 Lives again!

It's back... and better than ever! The new Commodore 64 is a modern functional PC as close to the original in design as humanly possible. It houses a modern mini-ITX PC motherboard which comes in two configurations. The C64x Ultimate (C64x-UL) has a Dual Core 525 Atom processor and an nVidia ION2 graphics chipset, with the flagship model, the C64x Extreme (C64x-EX) which comes with a second generation Intel Sandybridge Core i7 capable of reaching speeds of 3.3Ghz. The new Commodore 64 comes in the original's taupe brown/beige colour, with other colours to follow.

The new Commodore 64 is a fully functional PC, so you can even install and use the latest versions of Windows and with a graphical boot menu at start up from which Windows can be selected to run, you needn't lose any of the functionality of the new C64's included operating systems. Commodore OS Vision comes with the WINE compatibility layer pre-installed which is capable of running selected Windows software. VirtualBox is also included with Commodore OS Vision, allowing you to install Windows and run Windows software in a seamless mode.

Click here for more information about the Commodore 64x PC

RRP $999.00 (C64x Ultimate) / $1499.00 (C64x Extreme)

09  SensoGlove

SensoGlove is the first and only golf glove with built-in sensors that constantly read the pressure of your grip. Practicing with SensoGlove will teach you the correct grip pressure for a smooth, consistent swing that delivers greater distance, enhanced precision and lower scores!

Maintaining a lighter grip pressure is regularly discussed in every golf magazine and by all the professional golfers and teaching pros. The trouble is that it is difficult to learn exactly what they mean by a light grip pressure and most golfers end up swinging with a death grip.

SensoGlove’s built-in digital computer actively monitors your grip with sensors placed strategically throughout the glove, providing instant feedback at all the points of your swing. SensoGlove’s audio feedback warns you at the moment your grip becomes too tight, allowing you to learn and maintain correct grip pressure at every point of your swing.

Everything about your swing is affected by the way you hold the club! SensoGlove will teach you the best grip for every part of your game!

Click here for more information about the SensoGlove

RRP £50.64

08   Huawei E586 Wireless Modem 

With its wireless interface, the E586 connects you to all Wi-Fi devices, creating your personal

Wi-Fi zone! Carry it in your pocket, and you can stay online anytime and anywhere, through any Wi-Fi device, mobile phone, PSP, digital camera, notebook, PDA etc. You will experience high-speed surfing and steady connection, characteristics of a true 3G era! Better user experiences include:

Intelligent power control
Temperature protection
Web messages
Web SD card info sharing
Small screen page setting
Screen display of statuses

Click here for more information about the Huawei E586 Wireless Modem               From £10.87 a month

07  Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure

(Video Game for Xbox 360, PS3 & PC)

One for the kids!

Skylanders are special action figures that come to life! Just take a Skylander, place it on the Portal of Power and BOOM! the Skylander will come to life in the video game.

It doesn't matter what gaming system your friends have at their house, the Skylanders work on and across all major video game systems. You can take your Skylanders over to your friend's house, drop them on their Portal of Power and your Skylanders will come to life in the game!

Click here for more information about Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure (Video Game for Xbox 360, PS3 & PC)

RRP £59.99

06   Amazon Kindle

Lose Yourself in Your Reading 

The most elegant feature of a physical book is that it disappears while you're reading. Immersed in the author's world and ideas, you don't notice a book's glue, the stitching, or ink. Amazon’s top design objective is to make Kindle disappear — just like a physical book — so you can get lost in your reading, not the technology.  

Ergonomic Design 

Kindle is easy to hold and read. It was designed with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages from any position. The new soft-touch, textured back is comfortable to hold and never gets hot in your hands. 

Precise 5-Way Controller
Kindle has an easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words. No on-screen fingerprints. 

Never Gets Hot
Unlike a laptop, Kindle never gets hot so you can read comfortably as long as you like. 

Built-in Wi-Fi
Kindle automatically detects nearby Wi-Fi networks at school, home, or your favourite café. At a hotel or café that requires a password? Simply enter the password and connect to the network. Once you have added a Wi-Fi network, Kindle will automatically connect to that network the next time you’re near the hotspot. 

Click here for more information about the Amazon Kindle

RRP £89.00

05   Apple iPod Nano

The best things in life have a soundtrack, and that’s where iPod nano shines. The easy-to-use Multi-Touch display gives you total control of your music experience. Tap to play, or tap Music to browse your collection by songs, albums, artists, playlists, genres or composers. You can even customise your Home screens so your music is organised just how you like.

The built-in accelerometer in iPod nano gives you real-time feedback on your workout, and you can upload data to the Nike+ website. There’s no need to connect a receiver or use a shoe sensor to track your steps, distance, pace and time. Just clip on iPod nano and go. In the gym, connect iPod nano to a Nike + iPod–compatible cardio machine to keep track of every workout. Back at your computer, upload all your data to the Nike+ website to create personal goals, check your progress and challenge your friends to top your results.

Click here for more information about the Apple iPod Nano                       RRP £115.00 (8GB) / £129.99 (16GB)

04   Samsung Multi-view MV800

 

The Flip-out Display - Life, from all angles

Easily capture your unique perspective. The MV800’s 3.0" Display flips up and down so you can frame shots at any angle without having to twist your body or bend your back. Snap a high-angle shot over a crowd to effortlessly capture a street performance, or get waist-level candid’s of your dog. Take low angle shots without getting on the ground, or spin the display all the way around for dazzling self-portraits. The LCD lets you stand the camera so everyone can enjoy from a comfortable position. Life’s more fun when you can cover all the angles. 

Click here for more information about the Samsung Multi-view MV800

RRP £249.99

03   Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360

Something For Everyone

Whether you're a gamer or not, anyone can play and have a blast. And with advanced parental controls and movies for the family, Kinect promises a gaming experience that's safe, secure and fun for everyone.

Full Body Gaming

Controller-free gaming means full body play. Kinect responds to how you move. So if you have to kick, then kick. If you have to jump, then jump. You already know how to play. All you have to do now is to get off the couch.

Use Your Voice

Kinect uses advanced entertainment technology to respond to the sound of your voice. Just say "Xbox" to reveal a series of voice commands. So you'll be able to control HD movies with the sound of your voice—no remote required.

It’s All About You

Once you wave your hand to activate the sensor, your Kinect will be able to recognize you and access your Avatar. Then you'll be able to jump in and out of different games, and show off and share your moves.

Click here for more information about the Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360

RRP £129

02   ASUS EEE Pad Transformer TF101

Transform to notebook mode with keyboard docking station and 16*¹ hours of battery life.

The Transformer sets itself apart from other tablets on the market by featuring an optional docking station. This provides access to a full QWERTY keyboard along with unique Android Function keys, turning the tablet Transformer into a full-fledged notebook.

A touchpad, 3.5mm audio jack, two USB ports as well as a built-in SD Card reader for easy file sharing and storage expandability makes the Transformer a versatile media hub. The docking station also extends the Transformer’s 9.5 hours* of battery life up to 16 hours*, so users can use it all day for work and play.

Click here for more information about the ASUS EEE Pad Transformer TF101

RRP £429.99

 

01   Samsung Galaxy S II

4.3" SUPER AMOLED Plus

The 4.3" SUPER AMOLED Plus display goes a step beyond the already remarkable SUPER AMOLED to provide enhanced readability, a slimmer design, and better battery consumption for the best viewing value of any Smartphone.

Dual Core Application Processor

Clocking at lightening speeds the performance of the Dual Core Application Processor provides functionality and density for fast browsing, quick multi-tasking, a smooth UI, snappy streaming and efficient gaming. With encoding/decoding ability that supports video play and recording, the Samsung GALAXY S II showcases outstanding power and performance.

8.49mm Slim Design

Taking slim to the next dimension. The Samsung GALAXY S II rides the leading edge with an ultra-slim 8.49mm form factor, a luxurious design and an easy grip. The ultra-slim smartphone also boasts 3D TouchWiz UX adds to the evolutionary experience with a futuristic user interface.

Click here for more information about the Samsung Galaxy S IIRRP                    £519.95 (SIM Free)