The 10 Future of Gadgets

PCs will always be at the cutting edge of videogame development, with this latest Aurora beast from Alienware representing the current pinnacle of gaming hardware. The only problem being, you will need a lot of money to obtain the top-end version of this gaming juggernaut right now.

What is it: Alienware Aurora gaming PC
What they say: 'Competitive gamers asked for the ultimate gaming PC and Dell's new Alienware Aurora gaming desktop computer is the company's most advanced desktop ever.'
What it costs now: Over €5000 for the top-of-the-range model
When will we get it: Most consumer-level desktop PCs should boast this level of power by around 2015.

Hi-fi quality audio from an iPod dock is now becoming standard, thanks to the involvement of respected audiophile brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Arcam, Bose and others. The age of tinny or bass-heavy cheap iPod docks is soon set to come to an end (thankfully)! The latest quality audio brand to the iParty is Bayan Audio, with the astounding Bayan Audio 7 dual iOS dock.

What is it: Bayan Audio 7 dual iOS dock
What they say: 'The Bayan 7 drives a monster 120W of power to blast music of all genres to a new dimension with superior definition, depth and zero distortion - even at high volume.'
What it costs now: Around €350
When will we get it: Most €100-region iPod docks will hopefully sound this good by 2015, which should also see a booming demand for lossless digital music (as opposed to the current 'lossy' MP3 standard).

Toshiba is one of the first major TV brands to market with a decent large-screen glasses-free 3D TV. The Toshiba Regza 553X (previously known as the ZL2) has just gone on sale in Japan. It's a 55-inch screen beast billed as Toshiba's 'most advanced TV to date, featuring the very latest in imaging technology, including a revolutionary glasses-free 3D display that completely removes the need to wear 3D glasses.'

What is it: Toshiba Regza 553X glasses-free (auto-stereoscopic) 3D TV
What they say: 'The ZL2 boasts a range of leading technologies designed to provide a revolutionary 2D and 3D viewing experience, including face tracking, Resolution+, Auto Calibration, 2D to 3D conversion, and Smart TV features including Toshiba Places.'
What it costs now: Around €8,800
When will we get it: Most 3D TVs are likely to be auto-stereoscopic by 2015

In addition to 3D, the next big step forward for home cinema fans and lounge-based cinephiles is super high-def 4K technology, with Sony's latest €21,000+ 4K projector set to arrive in early 2012. If you want the ultimate home cinema set-up (and are prepared to pay the premium) then this is it.

What is it: Sony VPL-VW1000ES 4K home theatre projector
What they say: 'Delivers a variety of entertainment at more than four times the resolution of HDTV.'
What it costs now: Over €21,000
When will we get it: Most affordable home projectors will feature 4K tech by 2015

Nintendo is set to introduce the latest touch- and motion-controlled home gaming console later in 2012, with the forthcoming Wii U. In addition to ever-better versions of Mario, Zelda, Metroid et al, we also expect that the Wii U will integrate casual, cloud and mobile gaming in some intriguing and innovative new ways.

What is it: Nintendo Wii U
What they say: 'Nintendo gave up doing things by the book a long time ago.' TechRadar
What it costs now: To be confirmed
When will we get it: Nintendo is set to launch the Wii U at some as-yet-unspecified date in 2012.

Sony's 3D head-mounted display features twin OLED screens (one for each eye) and can cocoon you in your own personal 3D cinema. Compatible with everything from games consoles to 3D Blu-ray players, this is a truly sci-fi vision of where 3D entertainment could be heading over the next five to 10 years.

What is it: Sony head-mounted display 3D viewer
What they say: 'The Personal 3D Viewer from Sony is a personal entertainment system like never before. It puts you right into the heart of movies and gaming - a high definition, 3D, virtual 5.1 surround sound world of sensation.'
What it costs now: about €800
When will we get it: We hope to see more affordable HD 3D headsets arriving on the market over the next two to three years.

Sony and a number of other screen manufacturers are currently pumping considerable amounts of cash into the design and development of mobile, tablet and TV screens that we will soon be able to fold up and pop in a jacket pocket.

What is it: Roll-up mobile screens
What they say: 'The latest quantum dot tech - using tiny crystals that are 100,000 times thinner than a human hair - could well see all of us using flexi-screens within the next five years.'
What it costs now: To be confirmed
When will we get it: Roll-up screens are expected to be in widespread use on mobile TVs and tablets by 2015. That foldable iPad 4 rumour starts here...

AppRadio is the latest in-car entertainment tech from Pioneer. It's an evolution of the car stereo, enabling drivers to access all of the entertainment, music, navigation apps and more from their mobile phone, safely and easily, while they are on the road.

What is it: Pioneer AppRadio
What they say: 'The future of travel and mobile related tech will be all about apps, particularly with the increased use of the smartphone as the one 'go to' device for all communications and digital media needs.' Phil Barker, Pioneer
What it costs now: €350
When will we get it: Expect to see the retro-fit market for app-radio devices to boom over the next few years.

Companies such as Sony (with its latest 3D Bloggie mini-camcorder) and Flip have revolutionized the market for affordable camcorder tech in recent years. And Veho's Muvi HD Pro is currently one of the best mini-cams on the market for fans of extreme sports, who demand quality and ruggedness in equal measure.

What is it: MUVI HD Pro 1080p action camcorder
What they say: 'Our plans for the MUVI HD cameras in 2012 are very exciting, with the integration of wi-fi, GPS and night-vision technology, which will enable people to wirelessly stream their live feed to anywhere in the world. So you could be hitting some big waves in Australia and someone can be watching live on their laptop at home in London.' Steven Lewis - Veho, CEO
What it costs now: €300
When will we get it: Rugged high-def mini camcorders are coming down in price fast. Expect to purchase a similarly specced device for under €100 by mid to late 2013.

Despite a huge rise in the popularity of smartphone gaming - largely down to the success of Apple's iOS devices and developer-friendly iTunes App Store - there is still a booming market for hardcore gaming on handheld devices from Sony and Nintendo. Sony's new PlayStation Vita, with front and rear touchscreens and a meaty quad-core processor, is the latest indication of where this market is headed over the next five years.

What is it: Sony PlayStation Vita
What they say: 'PlayStation Vita is an incredible device that offers the best possible portable gaming experiences. Its revolutionary mix of features combined with social connectivity, delivers a platform for gamers to play games in a whole new way and to connect with their friends and the world around them.' Jim Ryan, President and CEO, SCEE.
What it costs now: around €270 (wi-fi only), €330 (wi-fi plus 3G version)
When will we get it: February 2012