Whether you are one of those tekky types or just like having the latest and greatest here is a must have list of gadgets for 2011, but as we all know there is more and more that is available every year so don’t stop the search for you. Still early in the year and rumours are already spreading and 2011 is going to be the biggest year ever for newer and better products. Here is a list of my personal but certainly not exhaustive choices…

  • Even newer Iphone4. Don’t be surprised at a sooner rather than later approach with and the updated release of the new iphone 4 if not iphone 5. Despite being plagued with problems the savvy Apple marketers and Apple brand skilfully avoided any major backlash –- only Apple.
  • 3D smart phone by HTC. Expect an explosion in smarter than smart phones in 2011, currently only a rumour but as with most rumours in the gadget and gizmo industry, most rumours turn into reality and are a part of marketing strategy.
  • LG Optmus 2X. The first dual core smart phone with 4-inch WVGA display is along for the ride along with 8GB of on-board storage (expandable with up to 32GB of microSD) and a 1,500mAh battery – no larger than most single-core smart phones these days, so it’ll be interesting to see if the final retail units hold up through a day of typical use. Certainly a very real competitor to the iphone.
  • Even newer Ipad2. Don’t be surprised about the imminent release of an even better ipad2 with functions that you had forgotten about. Will the ipad be able to take SIM card and access the internet independently… rumours are circulating and leaked images were recently pulled from the internet.
  • New Apple laptop series with an updated processor. That’s right, for those of you who love apple and avoiding the need for constant computer support and love the smooth and stable OSX operating system, the Macbook series will be at least be updated with the i3, i5 or the i7 Intel processor. It has been a couple of years since the release of the Macbook series and it will not be surprising for a new series release and out date all existing versions. Apple holds onto their information very tightly but be ready for a drastic change in Q2 of 2011.
  • Sony 3D Vaio. According to Sony’s CEO in a recent press conference, 3D Vaios will debut next spring. The Sony prototypes shown at IFA use ‘frame-sequential’ technology, meaning that the laptop is able to display video at 240 frames per second to keep up with a 3D rate of 60 frames per second.
  • Logitech G35 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Headset. The ultimate in gaming headsets with external noise cancellation although at the higher end of gaming solutions is not as pricey as the Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones. Competing with Bose is the SE530 Shure Sound Isolating Earphones. I am not necessarily recommending you drop 500 dollars on ear buds, but if you do, I’d love to borrow them. Duel woofers in each ear.
  • Garman Nulink 1695 GPS Navigation. The best top of the range GPS navigation system for Australia. It also incorporates a data connection with Nulink. The importance of this feature is evident with the name change. Nulink provides traffic data, weather forecasts, fuel prices, flight status and other real time information. This is the most comprehensive service with a dedicated team providing the latest information and other premium services available on pay request. A truly useful navigation system.
  • Explosion in Cloud computing. Your own laptop and computer will no longer carry your software and operating system. Not new in itself, but still relatively un-used, expect the beginning of the change this year in the way our personal computers operate. Heavy work loads are going to be done on remote servers and a perfect example of the way this works is google documents, and I have recently replaced the software program MYOB with a cloud version Zero with spectacular results. Expect the imminent release of an Asus tablet running a version of windows. The advantage you will have a lesser need for software related computer repairs as your software will not be running on your computer.
  • Kindle 3. As great as the iPad is, it still doesn’t improve upon the book-reading experience of Kindle’s e-ink. This year’s model is improved in just about every way: faster, lighter, longer battery life, better contrast and bigger storage.
  • The handheld Nintendo 3DS game console. It will offer an auto stereoscopic screen that delivers a 3D effect to the naked eye, and one that can be controlled with a switch for comfortable viewing.
  • Duke Nukem Forever. After more than a decade of delays, ‘Duke Nukem Forever’ will debut on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC game systems in 2011 and is expected to dominate the gaming market coming from an already cult-ish following. The sequel was originally announced in 1997 and that gives you some idea of the amount of time that has been in to this truly amazing game for mature audiences.
  • Ibottleopener. For those who thought smart phones could do everything but open a bottle a bottle of beer you are wrong. This funky new case for the iphone has solved one of life’s necessities.

Each year the gadget world goes into frenzy within the first couple of weeks of January at the CES international exhibition. January 9 – 11 for 2011. A huge range of new products for lifestyle, fitness, outdoor, communication, home and a host of other categories are released every year.