Famous Gadgets in 2012

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In modern usage, a gadget refers to any device or appliance which is found interesting, more on account of its novelty rather than its utility. Next only perhaps to currency, the gadgets change hands so frequently. Most gadgets are electronic devices and they are quite expensive when they appear for the first time. They are usually within the reach of the affluent of the society only. In the highly competitive environment, it does not take long for the newer version of the gadget to appear, which attracts the attention of the wealthy people, who do not hesitate to dispose of their older gadget at a throw-away price. The middle class avails the opportunity and quickly replaces the older versions and in this way an upgrading of gadgets continues in all segments of society. The phenomenon is so effective that it is not unusual to find beggars communicating on mobile phones or using hands-free and BlueTooth devices. Having a gadget today means nothing; it is having the latest gadgets that counts in society nowadays.

1. Google Nexus 7 Tablet

Google Nexus 7 Tablet
Google Nexus 7 Tablet

Google’s note showed on June 27, 2012, that the Nexus 7 tablet, which is a 7-inch computer with a 1280×800 pixel display. It was developed with Asus. The tablet was released in July 2012, and the market response was highly encouraging. The gadget serves to run Android 4.1, enabling it to display e-books and play music and video. Google Nexus uses the Android operating system and is produced in cooperation with many manufacturers. Before the launching of Google Nexus 7, the tablet market was almost exclusively captured by Apple with its iPad. With its competitive price at $209, Nexus 7 has been accepted in the market with a massive response.

2. Sharp 90-inch LED Aquos TV

Sharp 90-inch LED Aquos TV
Sharp 90-inch LED Aquos TV

Sharp 90-inch LED Aquos TV is the 2012 version of the Sharp Aquos, which is a range of LCD televisions. The first television of this range was released in 2001 in 13-, 15- and 20-inch sizes. In 2012 it released the largest LCD television of 90 inches, being the biggest LCD television in the world. It was unveiled in New York City. The television stands four feet high and is 6.5 feet in width. It is sleek, with the thickness of only five inches. It is light and weighs 141 pounds. By dint of advanced LED technology, it consumes electricity equal to or less than that which is consumed by two 75-watt light bulbs. It comes with Sharp’s built-in proprietary Smart central system. This system allows web browsing and use of Skype. With these feature, the price tag of $10,999.99 is obviously prohibitive for most people, but not for the affluent.

3. Sony 4K TV

Sony 4K TV
Sony 4K TV

The term 4K, also known as ultra-high definition, refers to the 4,000 pixels. It had been in extensive use in the film industry, but in addition to cinema houses, it has made its way into the TV lounges, through 4K TVs. Sony 4K TV is an 84-inch LCD TV with a separate stereo speaker system and passive 3D viewing. Both the active and passive 3D viewing systems have some weaknesses, but for the normal viewers who spend more time on viewing 2D, passive viewing is better. The XBR-84×900 is Sony’s first and the largest 4K screen. The first 4K TV was launched in the UK in November 2012. It was LG 84EM9600 and was followed by Sony XBR-84×900. Sony’s is a little more expensive at a $25,000 price tag, compared with LG’s, with a list price of $20,000.

4. iPad Mini

iPad Mini
iPad Mini

Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire are considered standard, 7-inch tablets but the iPad Mini is comparatively much lighter than both and therefore has an edge over them. It is easier to use. With a $329 price tag, it is comparatively more expensive and perhaps the price needs to be reduced. This, however, would translate into reduced profit for the company, but will be an added attraction for the consumer, resulting in increased sales. It is probably only a few categories of people, like the salespeople and visual artists, who like the larger tablets. Most of the common consumers, however, prefer the lighter version like the iPad Mini.

5. Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Paperwhite

Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best gadgets of 2012. It is designed to read in sunlight by dint of its glare-free screen. Its 6-inch display has a 1024×768 resolution. Its softly illuminated screen does not cause any strain on eyes. Moreover, its front lit screen helps easier reading compared with the backlit screen. It measures 169x117x9.1 mm. It weighs 213 g for the WIFI model and 222 g for the 3G model, the former with the easily affordable price tag of £109, while the latter is priced at £169. It has a robust battery, which lasts for weeks and is easily and fully recharged within four hours.

6. LG 55-inch 3D OLED HD TV

LG 55-inch 3D OLED HD TV
LG 55-inch 3D OLED HD TV

LG 55-inch 3D OLED HD TV was initially intended to be launched in the second half of 2012, but it was first displayed at the 2013 CES in Las Vegas. It is only 0.157 inches or about 4 mm thick and as such is half the thickness of Samsung’s OLED. LG’s four-color technology enables clearer color output. The colors do not show too much deviation from the standard on viewing from sides or wide angles. It weighs 7.5 kgs. It incorporates the smart TV platform, enabling connection to TV apps like iPlayer, LOVEFILM. It has inbuilt WIFI and utilizes LG’s 3D passive technology.

7. PlayStation Vita

PlayStation Vita
PlayStation Vita

PlayStation Vita is a handheld game gadget, manufactured and distributed by Sony Computer Incorporated, Singapore. It was released on February 22, 2012 and in May 2013 Sony announced that all PlayStation 4 games would be compatible with PlayStation Vita. The gadget includes a 5-inch OLED, two analog sticks, multi-touch screen and supports WIFI and BlueTooth. It has two cameras, one in front and the other in the rear. This feature allows personalization. The device also features stereo speakers, motion sensing system, microphone, three-axis electronic compass and built in GPS receiver. PlayStation Vita Game Card is its software, which can hold about 100 games.

8. Hi-call BlueTooth talking gloves

Hi-call BlueTooth talking gloves
Hi-call BlueTooth talking gloves

Hi-call BlueTooth talking gloves, comprised of a pair of purpose-made gloves, are interesting and useful gadgets for the consumers of cold countries. The gloves have a speaker and a microphone sewn into the thumb and the little finger. The warm gadget is especially useful for skiing sports persons. It is compatible with all mobile phones and BlueTooth. The gloves are made of 95 % polyacrylonitrile, 3% cotton, and 2% polyester. They are equipped with a rechargeable battery that lasts for 10 days on average. The pack includes a charging cable. Smartphones and tablets can be used without any difficulty while wearing the gloves. The gadget is priced at £50.

9. Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia Lumia 900
Nokia Lumia 900

Nokia Lumia 900 is one of the notable gadgets which appeared in 2012. It is a 127.8×68.5×11.5mm mobile phone weighing 160g. Its display is AMOLED multi touch screen. It is powered with 1.4GHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor with 16 GB internal storage and 512 MB RAM. Its 4.3-inch touch screen has a resolution of 480×800 pixels. It has an 8MPrear camera with dual LED flash which supports HD video recording and it has also a 1MP front camera. Although quite popular in 2012, it is bit outdated currently, as it has been superseded by Nokia’s own advanced models.

10. Nike+ Fuel Band

Nike+ Fuel Band
Nike+ Fuel Band

With the enhanced awareness and need for monitoring fitness, many different gadgets appeared in 2012. Nike+ Fuel Band was the most notable and popular among them. In the summer Wimbledon in London, Serena Williams wore the Nike+ Fuel band. The gadget plays like a fitness coach. Nike+ Fuel band is sleek, with LED lights which display, track activity, number of steps taken and calories consumed. The gadget is water resistant and comes in three different sizes and colors. The gadget is priced at $149. The fitness gadget measures and reminds of the actual pulse rate, steps taken and calories consumed. The gadget is an excellent device for fitness monitoring and logging.

Conclusion

Development in gadgets has played an important role in the advancement of many spheres of life, especially relating to the communication. Whereas the utility of the novelty gadgets is undeniable, a few of its adverse effects too are not ignorable. Growing children in their formative years seem to be extraordinarily attracted to the new gadgets and many of them turn a bit too ‘geeky.’ They do not find time to know and take care of good social norms and etiquettes. Moreover, they become overly dependent on the gadgets, even at the cost of their self-confidence. Some gadgets, which had been in the exclusive reach and use of the forces, are in the reach of a layman today and this has definitely affected society.

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