What you would like to buy in 2008

GADGETS FOR THE NEW YEAR

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and MacWorld in San Francisco, both this January, promise to mark an exciting beginning for all those who can't get enough of gadgets.

Rumours are swirling over some important new product launches in the next few weeks, which include an ultra-portable, flash-memory-based Apple laptop and a much-improved version of the iPhone.

The temptation to buy these items as soon as they hit the shelves can be quite high, but don't forget the golden rule for this year -- be patient about the first generation gizmos. Remember last year's salutory lesson, when Apple slashed the price of its much-hyped iPhone by $200 less than 80 days after it went on sale?

Phones aplenty
Apple's iPhone is impressive, but the company does not seem to be eager to come to India. Moreover, its keyboard and screen are too dinky for most humans to use comfortably.

India will see many mobile phone vendors challenging the übergadget with handsets that offer users better ways to get data in and out.

For instance, the iMate Ultimate 8150 Windows smartphone that features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and an XGA-out port, allowing you to view your phone's display on a TV, monitor, or projector is worth watching out for.

Google announced it's finishing up a mobile-software package that will include an operating system and applications and cost absolutely nothing. But will not be a "Google phone" because Google only will provide the software. The phones will be made by companies like HTC, Motorola or Qualcomm. The phones are expected to be launched in mid-2008.

Media Players with Wi-Fi
Keep your eyes open for the the 32 GB iPod Touch by Apple, to be soon followed by 32 GB flash memory-based digital media players by Creative and Sonos.

In 2008, you will see more media players connecting to the Internet to stream music and videos or even download content, so expect your next portable media player to have a browser and Wi-Fi built in, à la iPod Touch.

Wireless standards are set to become a standard feature in gadgets. For instance, Pioneer's S502 tabletop radio uses Wi-Fi to access MP3s on your PC, along with internet radio stations.

HP MediaSmart LCD TVs have 802.11n adapters that do the same with stored video. Look for more devices of this type in 2008. Even the dorky photo frames are going Wi-Fi. By 2011, half of all digital frames sold worldwide will be wireless, according to Parks Associates.

Wii Balance Board
Wii Fit is a video game developed by Nintendo for the Wii console. It uses the pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board. The board is used for an extensive array of fun and dynamic activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games.

Many of these activities focus towards providing a "core" workout, a popular exercise method that emphasises slower, controlled motions. Family members will have fun staying active and talking about and comparing their results and progress on a new channel on the Wii Menu. Who says gaming is bad?

Notebooks
As more and more people opt for laptops over desktops, PC makers are ready to go on an overdrive to churn out a wider array of notebooks.

Do keep your pockets ready for the Asus Eee PC, that runs on Linux and is Internet-ready. Expect slimmer, lighter, speedier and hopefully fashionable looking machines with powerful battery back-ups. Laptops with 500 GB to even 1 terabyte memory don't seem far fetched in 2008.

Digicams and camcorders
Toshiba might be a new player in the overcrowded camcorder market but its Camileo Pro, a highly affordable but feature-packed model was a hit in 2007.

The excitement continues in the high definition category where High-definition D camcorders arrive to challenge the Sony and Canon axis at the top of the market. Exclusive price tags are definitely a put-off factor.