Showing posts with label christmas 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas 2012. Show all posts

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

The 10 greatest gadgets of 2012

 

The 10 greatest gadgets of 2012

The world may have not come to an end as Mayan naysayers contended, but the year certainly has. As we move onto 2013 and all the tech to come, we’re taking a look back at the year that was, and the top ten gadgets of the last twelve months. Read on to see what made the cut, and chip in with your thoughts in the comments.

Apple iPad mini

It was slated on launch for its high pricetag compared to seven inch rivals, but Apple’s trimmed down tablet proved its worth with its pure power and premium build. Make no mistake, at some point soon this will soon be the iPad that everyone thinks of as the iPad.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

It’s rare for a company to invent a whole new category of phone, yet that’s exactly what Samsung’s done with its giant Galaxy Note series. Not only is the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 turbo-charged with fantastic, speedy software, it’s single-handedly resurrected the stylus and put it to good use. Or two-handedly, anyway.

Google Nexus 7

Asus stunned pundits with its low price seven inch Android tablet this summer. Its speedy software puts Amazon’s Kindle Fire efforts to shame, and six months on – a century in tech terms – it’s still the best slate in its class. At £159, it’s a feat of engineering and software married together that’s worthy of Apple.

Humax DTR-1000 YouView

It was almost lost in all the media hubbub about tablets, iCloud and Android, but 2012 also saw the launch of YouView, the Freeview HD service with a twist. It beautifully integrates all your favourite catch-up service right into the EPG, so you can even watch the shows you forgot to record. Seriously classy TV.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

It seems like a lifetime ago, but at the start of the year, Asus was the first to prove that somebody could create a tablet at the same price as an iPad that would actually sell. It was beautiful, thin and scorchingly fast, and regularly and promptly updated by Asus – if you were prepared to shell out for extra it even had a keyboard dock accessory to turn it into a laptop. A year on, the Google Nexus 10 has superseded it, but it was still an awesome tablet tech milestone.

Nintendo Wii U

If you didn’t get a Wii U this Christmas, it was only because it’s as rare as gold dust already. While the new console has its flaws, it’s wonderful to finally see Nintendo’s characters rendered in glorious HD, and it’s clear the Japanese gaming giant is only just getting started: the potential for the GamePad controller is vast. It also marks the start of the next generation of console wars, and we can’t wait to see what Microsoft and Sony are readying in response.

Nokia 808 PureView

Yes, as a phone, the Symbian-powered (or crippled) 808 PureView is awful. But as an example of what camera phones can be capable of, the 41 megapixel sensor around back is nothing short of breathtaking. Stunning detail and amazing low light performance point the way forward for 2013, and we’re already starting to see the tech emerge in Nokia’s more usable Windows Phones, like the Lumia 920.

Samsung Galaxy S3

With the epic, speedy Galaxy S3, Samsung finally arrived. The 4.8-inch beast is every bit the rival to the iPhone 4, especially now you can pick it up with 4G super speed connectivity. It’s a shame that Siri-rival S-Voice is utterly useless, but at least Google’s since filled that void with its own impressive Google Now service.

HTC One X+

One of the true tragedies of tech in 2012 has been the sidelining of HTC. The Taiwanese gadget company’s phones this year were nothing short of beautiful, and the beefed up HTC One X+ made this spring’s One X even better. With up to date Android Jelly Bean, a faster processor and new look, this is one future-proofed phone for design aficionados. Ignore at your peril.

Roku LT

The £49.99 Roku LT might just be the most improved gadget of 2012. Since launch earlier this year, the little HD rival to the Apple TV has been bolstered with extra channels and new services. But with a huge investment from Sky, it’s only going to get better next year: the Now TV channel will soon get sport and drama too, making it the world’s cheapest Sky box.

What were your favourite gadgets of 2012? Did we miss any? Let’s hear your views in the comments below!

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Monday, 31 December 2012

10 amazing things you can do with your new iPad mini

 

10 amazing things you can do with your new iPad mini

Unwrapped a brand new iPad mini for Christmas? Have we got a treat for you: it may be small, but it can pull off some big gadget feats. Here are ten things you might never know your iPad mini can do.

1. Video chat

Chat away to friends and family with the built-in front-facing camera using apps such as FaceTime or Skype, letting you keep in touch with loved-ones all over the world.

2. Control your Xbox

Microsoft’s SmartGlass has just been released, and lets you control your Xbox from the comfort of your new iPad mini. Use it to go through media on your Xbox, as a keyboard and mouse for Internet Explorer or just as a companion for when you’re gaming.

3. Makeshift set-top box

Combine your new iPad with an Apple TV and stream whatever you have on your iPad straight to the big screen, making it a makeshift smart TV. Combine that with Netflix or TVCatchup and you’ll never need a Sky box or DVD player ever again.

4. Comic book reader

With a plethora of comic apps in the App Store, you can turn your new device into a comic-breathing wonder device, letting you munch through comics like chocolates on Christmas day and making traditional comic books all but redundant.

5. TV Remote

OK, it might not be able to control your tradition infra-red TV set, but if it’s hooked up to a YouView box or a Plex media centre , then you can control what appears on your TV straight from your brand new slate.

6. Fitness

Keep in shape by using all manner of fitness apps available in the App Store, such as My Fitness Pal, which lets you track both what you’re eating and activity – plus you can make use of the built-in camera to log your progress in photos.

7. Arcade machine

Of course, who could forget, your new iPad mini is capable of playing all sorts of games. From Angry Birds to Cut The Rope, to even more graphics intensive games like Real Racing or Infinity Blade, there’s bound to be something in the App Store to keep your thumbs busy.

8. Drawing tool

While the popularity of Draw Something has waned, the screen size of the iPad mini lends itself well to little doodles. Using apps such as Paper will let you turn your device into a digital easel, where you can paint and draw to your heart’s content.

9. Digital photo frame

If you need to put your device down for a few minutes, why not make use of its size to turn it into a digital photo frame? Prop it on its side, get the slideshow going, and feel free to discuss/bore your latest holiday with the family.

10. Cookbook

The kitchen is a busy place, and there might not be room for a full fledged laptop, or even a larger iPad. The iPad mini, however, can lend its svelte size to the eager chef by serving as a cookbook. With apps such as Epicurious, or even Jamie Oliver’s Recipes, plus the whole internet at your fingertips, your new iPad mini is the ultimate cookbook to outdo Delia with

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Sunday, 30 December 2012

Tech trends: The biggest gadget shake ups of 2012

Tech trends: The biggest gadget shake ups of 2012

Time flies, eh? Almost as quickly as the gadget industry moves. As we draw to the end of 2012, we take a look back at the biggest trends of the year, from phablets to touchscreens in the place you’d least expect.

The seven inch tablet comes of age

Seven inch tablets have been around for years, but they didn’t mature until this summer, when Asus unleashed the super fact, super value Nexus 7 on the world. Rivals were quick to follow, with Amazon unleashing the Kindle Fire HD and Barnes & Noble the Nook HD. Even Apple weighed in with its 7.9-inch iPad mini. Make no mistake, this smaller, more portable sized tablet will soon become the standard for slates.

Android finds a size that fits

Apple’s arch rivals figured out something important not too long ago: not everyone likes the iPhone’s small screen size. So why compete? The likes of Samsung and HTC reacted with jumbo phones with screens measuring 4.7 inches across and beyond – and Samsung at least cleaned house with them. We’ve even seen the emergence of a new 5-inch-plus phablet category with the release of Samsung’s hotcake-selling Galaxy Note 2 – expect a slew of imitations to follow from everyone but Apple.

Laptops go touch

Windows 8 arrived in October, and with it a quiet revolution began: soon, you won’t be able to find a single decent new machine that doesn’t sport a touchscreen, from laptop to all-in-one. And why not? It’s just one extra way to interact, and with Windows 8’s huge, finger friendly icons, it’s a useful one too. Even Google is rumoured to be working on a touchscreen Chromebook running Chrome OS. How long before we see the same happen on Mac?

Voice recognition goes mainstream

The Siri voice assistant for iOS got a big update with iOS 6 this summer, bringing it to iPad and iPod touch, and adding some smart new commands. But it wasn’t alone. Google unleashed its new Google Now service in the summer that comes built into every Android 4.1 device: its voice recognition skills are phenomenally accurate and fast (and now also available on iPhone for those who are interested). As we move into 2013, expect voice to become one of the core inputs for tablets and phones.

Filters everywhere

Image sharing network Instagram struck gold this year – literally – when Facebook acquired it in a billion dollar deal in spring. The service, which specialises in providing retro image filters to tart up your camera phone snaps, passed the 100 million user mark, and soon attracted some stuff competition, when Twitter introduced image filters of its own to its mobile apps. Will it be enough? Time will tell.

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Saturday, 29 December 2012

Android, iPhone and Windows Phone: How to get your new smartphone up and running

 

Android, iPhone and Windows Phone: How to get your new smartphone up and running

So Santa’s put a brand new smartphone in your stocking, but you’re not quite sure how to get started with it. Look no further, as here’s our guide on how to get up and running with your brand new blower, no matter what flavour of operating system you’re on.

iPhone

Those lucky enough to receive a new iPhone this Christmas will have quite the easy task of getting set up. After taking it out of the box and giving it a good charge, switching it on will greet you with an easy step-by-step process to get you off the ground and started with your new phone.

Once you’ve set up all your details and connected to Wi-Fi, it’s time to kick off with some apps, and here’s a handy few to get started: Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, Dropbox, Evernote, Reeder, Flipboard, Instagram, Snapseed, Google Maps.

Android

If you’re switching on your new Android device for the first time, you’ll be greeted by the setup screen, where you can enter your Google account details, or be helped along the way to set up a Google account. Syncing your phone with your Google account gives you instant access to all your e-mails, calendars and contacts too, and you need one to use the Play app store, so be sure to sign up for one.

You can then customise your phone if you feel inclined, with a variety of keyboards, widgets and even different launchers too. Don’t worry about having to download YouTube or Google Maps, as they’re built straight into the OS.

Once you’ve set up your phone to your liking, connect up to Wi-Fi and get on to downloading all the apps you want. Here’s some to get started: Facebook, Twitter, SwiftKey, BBC iPlayer, Angry Birds, WhatsApp, Pocket, DropBox, Instagram, Spotify. Then it’s time to customise: read our handy guide to find out how to add all the latest Android features to your handset.

Windows Phone

After undressing your new Windows Phone from its box and you’ve juiced it up, getting started is as easy as the operating system itself. Once you’ve gotten to the set up screen, connect with your Microsoft account to sync your e-mails, Skydrive, and even your Xbox profile too, so you can carry around your avatar, achievements and gamerscore.

After you’ve gotten set up with your contacts and information, as well as choosing a colour scheme to suit you, it’s time to get started on the apps. Here’s some to get started with your new Windows Phone experience: Skype, WhatsApp, 4th & Mayor, Wordament, Cinemagraph, Lomogram, DrawSomething, Netflix, SkyDrive, SportsTracker, ESPN, and Weather

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Friday, 28 December 2012

Five fixes to give your old gadgets a new lease of life

Five fixes to give your old gadgets a new lease of life

Many might be receiving new gadgets for Christmas, but that doesn’t mean your old ones have to go straight in the bin. Far from it: there’s still plenty of life left in your old gadgets, so don’t hide them away in the drawer just yet. Follow our guide to reinvigorating them right here instead!

Software updates

Even if you think your gadget has been left to rot by its manufacturer, have search online to see if there are any software updates for it – there may well be, whether it’s a phone, laptop games console or even a camera, updating to the latest and greatest will probably come with a host of new features. Fun fact: any machine that can run Windows 7 will run Windows 8 too.

Upgrading the hardware

For those with an old laptop or computer lying around, an extra stick of RAM is easy to add, doesn’t cost an awful lot online, and will do wonders for your device. You could even pop in a larger hard drive, and if it really isn’t up to the task of being an everyday device, why not give it another purpose, such as using it as a file or media server?

Security camera

Whether it’s to watch your car or keep an eye on your pet, if you’re thinking of an inexpensive way of setting up a security camera, why not use one of your old phones and get some sort of security software on the device to serve that purpose instead? They’re small enough to fit in all sorts of different places, and are quite easy to keep powered. Plus, you can take advantage of the hardware in phones, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to pull down the video or images taken with the camera from afar.

Alternative uses for iOS

You might have received a shiny new iPhone or iPod touch for Christmas, but don’t chuck out your old models just yet. You could use them for different purpose. How about rigging an old device to serve as a controller for the house or media centre, or turn an old iPad into a dedicated Twitter-stream or photo frame?

Turn your aging PC into a media centre

With a wide range of different media centre suites available (many are free) for all sorts of PC configurations, it’s easy as pie to turn an old system into a movie-playing powerhouse that will serve up whatever you throw at it to the whole house. Using simple clients like Plex combined with online services like Netflix and YouTube, it’s easy to turn something old into something new, and it’s much better than letting it sit in the corner and gather up dust.

www.tell-me-first.com

Wednesday, 26 December 2012

2012: The 10 greatest games of the year

 

2012: The 10 greatest games of the year

For gamers, 2012 has been a big’un. With the Wii U, it’s marked the start of a whole new generation of consoles, but it’s also seen a glut of A grade games hit stores, both physical and digital. Join us as we look back at the ten best games of last year. Are there any we’re missing?

Assassin’s Creed 3

Ubisoft’s stealth franchise jumps to early America – and doesn’t skip a beat despite the change of scenery. This gripping adventure ratchets up the action even higher: we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Dishonored

It’s always a gamble for a studio to spend millions on a new game in a new setting, but it paid off big time here: stealthy dystopian adventure game Dishonored was the surprise hit of the year.

New Super Mario Bros U

Unquestionably the Wii U’s finest launch game. It may not pack any surprises, but Nintendo knows can spot when something that isn’t broken doesn’t need tampering with.

Halo 4

The first big non-Bungie Halo 4 game shocked fans and critics alike with its moving story, gameplay that harks back to the original, and perfectly balanced, addictive multiplayer. This is how you do a sequel.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2

Yeah, yeah, Call of Duty is getting a bit same-ish these days. But this year’s story is superb, the multiplayer engaging, and with built in broadcasting tech so others can watch your kill streaks, it’s surprisingly innovative too.

Forza Horizon

It’s rare that a driving game really stands out: make-car-go-fast-press-button is a mechanic developers mastered years ago. But Horizon is worth your time because it takes things off the track: exploring the open world scenery on four wheels is fun like you’d never expect.

Max Payne 3

Max Payne’s been away for nearly a decade, but Rockstar put to rest any doubts that the series had gone stale in the meantime. This solid noire adventure is as gripping as it is brutally violent.

Mass Effect 3

We know, we know: lots of you didn’t like the ending to Mass Effect 3. But BioWare loves you guys so much, it changed it for you with some DLC. And there’s no faulting the gameplay, a superb mix of RPG and run-and-gun shooter.

Kid Icarus: Uprising

It may have been twenty years in the making, but the third Kid Icarus game more than made up for the wait with its flying combat, perfectly suited to the Nintendo 3DS’ control.

Far Cry 3

A latecomer, but the newly released Far Cry 3 deserves a spot on the list: the paradise island setting is lush – until the inhabitants try to kill you. After that, things simply don’t let up.

Have we missed any instant classics? Let us know what made your top 10 in the comments below!

www.tell-me-first.com

Sunday, 16 December 2012

Smartphone stocking fillers: The best iPhone 5 cases

 

 

Smartphone stocking fillers: The best iPhone 5 cases

The Christmas holidays are coming up fast, and if you don’t act fast, before you know it, you’ll be one of those desperate folks scrabbling for the last items on the shelves. Or, you could just our advice and order some of the items in our gadget gift guides from the comfort of your home. Today, we’re taking a look at the best iPhone 5 cases to stuff in the stockings of Apple fans. Read on to see just what they are…

Speck’s PixelSkin series are great ways to add a bit more grip to your delicate metal smartphone, with a pleasant texture on the back that also makes your iPhone 5 stay firmly on the surface you’ve perched it on. Any Apple owners who’ve watched their precious iDevice slide off the side of the sofa will know what I mean,

QDOS iPhone 5 cases

QDOS’ iPhone 5 cases don’t push the boat out when it comes to design: they get the job done, fitting snugly around your blower with space for the camera and flash to peep out. But they offer some classy colour, with rich, metallic and deep hues – even one with a Union Jack on the back, if that’s your thing.

Tech21 Impact Band

It works just like the iPad mini equivalent: Tech21’s impressive orange goo lining the insides of the case acts as a proper shock absorbers. It’s barely any thicker than Apple’s colourful iPhone band, but much more protective.

Gear4 Angry Birds case

Yes, yes, Angry Birds has been around for a while now. But let’s be honest, it’s still cool. Gear4’s latest cases have been updated to match the Angry Birds Space them, and they look as cool as the game is fun.

Otterbox iPhone 5 case

The Tech21 case can survive the odd tumble to the street floor: the Otterbox is the one you want if you’re the sort to accidentally throw your iPhone 5 out of the window of your office. Surprisingly, it looks good in the process, with a deep blue and green lining. There’s even a belt clip for the severely butter-fingered.

www.tell-me-first.com

Friday, 14 December 2012

Christmas 2012: The smart TVs with the apps you’ll actually use

 

Christmas 2012: The smart TVs with the apps you’ll actually use

There’s still time to stock up on tech prezzies before Christmas, but if you’re not sure which, don’t worry: help is at hand. In today’s gift guide, we’re looking at the smart TVs with the best apps to suit your needs – or whoever you’re buying for. Read on, and we’ll break them down for you.

What’s on Samsung?

Samsung’s smart TV platform might just be the most advanced out there, simply because it’s taken a leaf out of Apple’s iPhone App Store book and outsourced to developers. Instead of taking ages to make each new service itself, its app store is open to others, and as a result filled with must-have apps from YouTube to BBC iPlayer and Lovefilm. You can even find games (Angry Birds) and music (Spotify) on board: if it’s breadth of content you want, look no further than a Samsung smart TV.

Easy set up with Sony

Sony’s Internet TV platform lacks the app smarts of Samsung, but the complete package out of the box and ready to go might tempt you: from YouTube to Skype via BBC’s useful News and Sports apps, you’ll find lots on here ready to go. And because Sony smart TVs have Wi-Fi as standard, you won’t have to mess around with Wi-Fi cables or rejig your entire living room so your flatscreen is near your router. Go this way if you’re already in the Sony eco-system: its Music Unlimited service for mobile also works like a dream on its smart TVs too.

Movies with LG

If you’re a movie buff, LG smart TVs are the way to go. You won’t find as many TV catch up services built in, but you will find Lovefilm, Netflix, Blinkbox and Acetrax (think a la carte streaming rentals, rather than subscription) on there: right now, you even get £50 worth of Acetrax rentals when you buy an LG smart TV. LG’s service lacks the apps of rival Samsung, but when it comes to input it’s more than smart: you can use your phone as a remote, or even just gestures and voice using built in motion control.

The one under your TV already

If you can’t stomach the price tags of any smart TVs, don’t worry: the chances are you’ve already got one already, you just don’t know it. You can use everything from your phone to a Nintendo Wii to pipe through internet video on demand: we’ve got a handy guide on just how to do that right here

www.tell-me-first.com

Monday, 10 December 2012

Christmas 2012: The black and white guide to your perfect e-reader!


Christmas 2012: The black and white guide to your perfect e-reader! It’s Christmas time, and for many, that means lots of books on the Christmas list. But in 2012, there’s a new dilemma: what to actually read them on. The e-reader market has never been more packed, and it’s not just an Amazon one-man show any more. In today’s gift guide, we’re looking at the best digital paperback players for your friends and family, whatever their needs. Best for pockets Most black and white e-readers tend to hover around screen widths of six inches, around the size of a paperback. If you want something smaller and more pocketable, the Kobo Mini is what you want, with a teeny tiny, but perfectly legible five inch screen that slips into a back pocket or handbag. And at £59.99, it’s a bargain. Best for bargains If it’s a straight up e-reader you want for reading books on holiday, look no further than the entry level Amazon Kindle. With a crisp six inch black and white screen and Wi-Fi to download books and keep them in sync on Kindle apps for every computing platform under the sun, it’s simply the best value e-reader for its price (£69.99) on the planet right now. Best for Amazon haters Maybe you don’t like Amazon – that’s cool. There are still plenty of other e-reader options out there, the best of which is Barnes & Noble’s Nook SimpleTouch. It’s the equivalent of Amazon’s Kindle Touch, but starts at just £79. It connects to an online store, syncs with smartphone apps, and lets you leaf through pages with a tap of the display – and you can be sure a single penny won’t be going in Jeff Bezos’ pocket. Best for on the go If you’re just stocking up for a long holiday, a Wi-Fi powered e-reader is all you need, since you can just download books when you’re at home or on a hotspot. But if you want to read the virtual newspaper on the commute every day, or send articles on the internet to your e-reader(Yep, you can do that), you’ll want one with 3G. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite 3G is what you want: this Porsche of a digital paperback packs a stunning screen that you can light up in the dark, and free data for downloading books on the go. Multimedia double duty With access to Kindle, Nook and Kobo apps, almost every tablet doubles up as an e-reader these days. And while the iPad mini is our favourite tiny tablet, if you don’t want to use iBooks, you’ll get a better experience on Android, where you can buy books from within the app. The best of the Android tablets is still this summer’s stunning Google Nexus 7, with a great screen and compact frame. www.tell-me-first.com

Saturday, 8 December 2012

Christmas 2012: The top tablets in every price range!

 

Christmas 2012: The top tablets in every price range!

Christmas is looming, but if you’re confused as to what to tech to treat your family to this December 25th, help is at hand. In today’s gift guide, we’re looking at the best tablets in every price category, meaning you’re bound to find the perfect one for you, whatever your budget.

Under £100

Look, we’re not going to lie: there’s a reason the likes of Apple and Samsung don’t sell tablets for under £100. By and large, they’re awful. If you’ve got your heart set on spending no more though, Storage Options’s £95 7-inch tablet is the way to go: for under a ton you get a responsive capacitive touchscreen and Android 4.0. It’s handy for video and casual websurfing, but lacks the premium finish of pricier competitors.

Under £200

You’re spoiled for choice in this price bracket, with top tier Android tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and super-sharp Nook HD kicking it at around the £159 level. But both are locked to their own app stores: you’re much better off with the superb, speedy Google Nexus 7, which runs slick and smooth Android Jelly Bean with no limitations. If you want a 3G connection too, try the Lenovo-made Vodafone Smart Tab 2, which starts at just £149.99 on pay as you go.

Kindle, Nook, Nexus and iPad mini: Seven inch tablets explained!

Under £300

If you’re prepared to spend up to £300, Apple’s entry level Wi-Fi iPad mini is a no brainer: as we said in our review, it feels like the proper iPad now. It’s much more portable, but can handle just about everything its bigger 9.7-inch brothers can too. And Apple’s app store is unsurpassed when it comes to quality tablet apps. Want something bigger? The 9.5-inch Nook HD+ is just £229, though like its smaller brother, limited to the apps on Nook app store only.

Under £400

Easy. 16GB Wi-Fi only iPad. It’s fast, phenomenal, and on the bleeding edge of tech with its crispy Retina Display – and it’s just £399. If you know you’re an Android fan, you could go for the £319, super sharp Google Nexus 10, but stock is hard to come by: it’s not a given yours will turn up before Christmas if you order it through the Google Play store right now.

Money to burn

If money is no object, break the bank on an iPad or iPad mini with more storage (32GB or 64GB), or 4G super speed connectivity thrown in. Both have pricing options stretching up to £659 and £529 respectively. You could also wait for a Microsoft Surface Pro full fat Windows 8 tablet – they’re out in January, with price starting at around £560 before tax, but wait for our full review before you splash out on an untested tablet OS.

Missed any bargains? Let us know your picks in the comments below

The Gadget Show | Christmas 2012: The top tablets in every price range! by The Gadget Show

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Android 4.2 updates, the PlayStation 4, Xbox Surface and much more

 

Android 4.2 updates, the PlayStation 4, Xbox Surface and much more: Gadget Digest

It’s been another epic week in gadgetry and gaming, and we wouldn’t blame you for struggling to keep up with it all. It’s just as well we’re here to do that for you: read on for our round-up of all the hottest stories of the week, here in the Gadget Digest.

Souped up smartphones

It’s been a busy week in all things Android. Google’s new version of its smartphone operating system, 4.2, is barely a week old, but it appears it’s already heading to the Samsung Galaxy S3 super phone. Not to be outdone, we started seeing the first signs that HTC’s incredible full HD phone, the HTC J Butterfly, is making the leap from Japan to the West.

Next-gen consoles

Microsoft’s got a new Xbox on the way, but it’s not what you think. It’s actually a tablet, according to sources, and it’ll run touchscreen games much like an iPad – but as we revealed in our feature, Microsoft’s no stranger to this form of handheld gaming. Meanwhile, we pulled together our wishlist of must-have features inside the Sony PS4: is there anything else you’d like to see?

Smart TV

Over on the smart TV front meanwhile, Google turned up the heat on Apple TV a little with the addition of movie and TV streaming on Google TV boxes in the UK. Virgin meanwhile took on its arch-rival Sky by releasing its TV Anywhere service for laptops, computers and iPhone and iPad. But as we found out, it has a few catches.

Games galore

While all the big tech for Christmas has already been announced, things are only just getting started on the gaming side of things. On mobile, Angry Birds Star Wars touched down and we checked out the bizarre Curiosity cube, which holds a life-changing prize for someone within. Over in console land, we also took a gander at Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and set loose our full review of Halo 4. Has it been worth the wait?

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