16 most-anticipated tech products of 2012

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.

  

Here's our list. As always feel free to voice your opinion. And if you don't like our selections, suggest new ones. As I said, right now, we're at 16 picks (they're listed in random order), but I've left a few slots open for reader contributions. Make a good case and I'll add the product to the slideshow.

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. Here's what they thought.

Image credit: 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.

Screenshot by Josh Long/CNET

Image credit: Screenshot by Josh Long/CNET

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.

MacBook Air. (Apple)

Image credit: James Martin/CNET

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. See what they thought.

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. 

The Original Source

Holiday Gaming Stinkers: The Must-Not-Haves

It's easy to be tempted by low prices, especially during the holidays. Often times, deals are so good that you grab an item without thinking it through just so you can check someone off your shopping list.

The problem? Your friend or loved one winds up with a gift that sounds great in theory, but ends up having a shelf life shorter than a piece of bread. It might be good for a day or so, but you're not going to be real happy with it after that.

With that in mind, we've put together a cautionary list of gaming choices that might sound tempting to bargain-hunting shoppers, but may not be the wisest use of your money this year.

Nintendo Wii

The Wii is one of the most successful gaming consoles of all time, and it packs a sizable catalog of terrific games. It's also running for as low as $99 this holiday, making it seem like a steal.

But it's also about to become yesterday's news. The system's successor, the Wii U, is coming out next year. In terms of major new releases, Nintendo is largely done with the Wii -- the next Mario and Zelda games will almost certainly be Wii U exclusives, along with all of the company's other major franchises. And at the end of the day, Nintendo itself makes the best titles for any Nintendo system.

If you're buying for someone who is seriously behind the video game curve, it's at least an affordable choice. But gamers love looking to the future — and frankly, the Wii just isn't on that horizon.

PSP

Sony's handheld gaming system has a lot working against it. It's not a major focus for any publisher these days. It's facing increased competition from mobile devices. And, like the Wii, it's about to be replaced by a newer model.

While the success of next year's Playstation Vita is hardly a guarantee, it's certain to overshadow the PSP and take the wind out of that system's tattered sails entirely. If you want to get someone a good portable gift, pre-order a Vita and leave the current PSP on the shelf.

Original iPad or iPhone 3GS

Apple's devices are top retail items this year, but that doesn't mean you should grab anything that has the company's logo on it. The original iPad is available at discount at a number of outlets and the iPhone 3GS is either very cheap or free for most carriers, if you're willing to sign a two-year service agreement.

The prices can't be beat, but if you're a gamer (or buying for one), you're going to be disappointed. Both devices run on older hardware, and while they can handle Angry Birds and Cut the Rope without breaking a sweat, they struggle with newer hits like Infinity Blade 2. And that's just going to get more pronounced; some new games can't be played at all on the older iOS systems.

They're still just fine as tablets and phones and music players, but if you like to play the latest and greatest apps, you're better off paying for more recent models.

Need for Speed: The Run

Sometimes taking a game in a brand new direction re-energizes it and attracts a brand new audience. Sometimes it drives folks further away. Care to guess which effect this driving/action title has?

On paper, it's a winning formula: blend the franchise's blazing sense of speed with an action game element and a story reminiscent of The Cannonball Run. And, as an added bonus, toss in appearances by Christina Hendricks and a couple of Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. It should be the perfect guy-oriented game, right?

Maybe, but the final result earned just a 67 Metacritic score and was lambasted for its short gameplay and troubled design. Want a great arcade racer? Try Driver: San Francisco instead.

Duke Nukem Forever

Frankly, it's a miracle this game ever made it onto shelves — and after a dozen years in development, expectations were unreasonably high. Still, no one was prepared for what was ultimately released: A disastrous game trapped in the mid-90s.

Some fans were thrilled with the retro feel, but most were shocked at the outdated graphics and aged potty humor. You'd have to be a true fan of the series to enjoy the game.

To Gearbox's credit, the developer continues to support the game with DLC — and has stated it plans a Duke Nukem game that's entirely its own for the coming years. Even if you love Duke, you're  better off waiting for that one.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts One and Two

The final tome in the Harry Potter series was a rollicking ride that perfectly ended the tale of the Boy Who Lived. The movies were thrilling adventures that earned Oscar nominations, with Part Two whispered to be a contender for Best Picture this year.

But the games? They kind of sucked.

We're not sure why EA's quality control failed so miserably on these -- which had plenty of good source material to draw from -- but both parts of this series were absolutely terrible. Unfortunately, that's something a parent, aunt or uncle might not know. If you've got a little Muggle whose dream is to get into Gryffindor someday, buying them either of these games would be akin to tossing them in a room with Lord Voldemort. Opt for the exceptional Lego Harry Potter games instead.

The Originsl Source

China Electronic"Import Export"

Hot Products

Bevel Helical and Helical Gearbox India $125 Per Unit Min - FOB - L/C Apple iphone 4S United States (USA) $800 Per Unit Min - 5 Unit FOB - Preston International Airport Paypal LED Bulb Light-Elf Series China $6 Per Piece/Pieces Min - 1 Piece/Pieces FOB - Shenzhen T/T Ipad 2 64gb / iphone 4g Australia $300 Per Unit Min - FOB - L/C Apple iPad United Kingdom $500 Per Unit Min - 1 Unit FOB - London T/T Apple MacBook Pro MC725LL/A 17-Inch Laptop Indonesia $1199 Per Unit Min - 2 Unit FOB - Jakarta Port AlertPay

Premium Companies

henan hzz iron & steel co.,ltd. China 1501 Jincheng Buidling 6# East Unit, Jinshui Zone, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province,China zhejiang lema electrics co.,ltd China we have in this business for 28 years ,sepcialized in xeporting switches with high quanlity and competitive price,we have passed CE,CCC,UL,ISO9001,ISO14001and SGS cetification

Asia Digimart

Get trusted World quality
with 
a wholesale China price tag !

 Want to source QUALITY electronic products at the CHEAPEST possible prices from China ? Congrats! You just stumbled upon one of the few credible and reliable leading sites that offer a wide range of Electronics for home and office. From the latest digital cameras to stylish phones and music players, you can find the gadgets you need and more direct from the the factory of the world - China ! There are thousands of electronics suppliers out there in China. Finding credible and reliable ones is difficult. Sourcing good quality China products is tricky. We would like to help global buyers to get convenient access to variety of latest and competitively-priced products produced by verified China suppliers through Chinavasion - a one-stop sourcing hub.

Chinavasion online store carries large collection of trendy and relatively good quality electronic products at wholesale China prices. As they do all the vetting on the products and manufacturers, global buyers who are not familiar with the ground in China can expect to save a lot of trouble and hassle in their procurement undertaking.

Chinavasion has set quality as their top priority. Products sold by them are from pre-selected and pre-screened manufacturers and coupled with their own in-house quality control. Buyers can be assured of getting good quality electronics relative the cheap prices they are paying.

Operator Panel/Rack excl. PS,CPU, IO-Einheit

Power Supply

BOSCH CL200 NT200 24VDC