To kick off the new year, we thought it might be a good idea to take a look through some of the expected tech launches in 2013.
Before you start back-flipping with excitement, none of this list has been confirmed, most of it comes from rumours. Still, rumours aren’t always wrong, so here's what we expect to be the hottest gadgets of 2013.
What it lacked against the competition was a class-leading screen, something for which Apple’s other tablets are known. So, in 2013, could a Retina display iPad mini be coming?
Before 2012 was even out, rumours had already begun of a higher-resolution iPad mini, alongside a thinner and lighter iPad 5.
The lack of Retina display on the 7.9-inch tablet was quite an omission for Apple, likely tied up in the need to drive prices down. Given the 720p nature of the screens on devices such as the Nexus 7, however, it may be that Apple rethinks this Retina-free approach to its small-form factor tablet in 2013.
What to expect? Well right now, the rumours point to a lack of announcement at E3 in 2013, with Microsoft instead going for a specific 720 launch event.
These have been further backed up with a recently leaked Bungie contract for the game Destiny, which made reference to the "next Xbox".
A new version of Kinect should also launch alongside the console, as well as much revamped internals, including, we hope, a Blu-ray player.
Again the rumour mill comes into play here, although we expect Amazon will most definitely do something in the mobile market in 2013, just to stop the Nexus 4 running away with it.
The phone has all but been confirmed, with its existence being mentioned to the Verge back in September by multiple sources.
Expect a heavily modified version of the Android OS, just like the Kindle Fire HD and an extremely persuasive price tag, with top-of-the-line internals.
The OS, or Firefox OS as it is known, can actually be tested right now from your computer. Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, here is near proof that a new OS is coming.
Unfortunately there have been no confirmed handsets yet, nor are there a lot of features to play with on the downloadable build, which runs within the Firefox browser.
The OS is as open source as possible and geared towards emerging smartphone markets, with it not requiring huge amounts of power or programming.
The result was one of the most awesome product launches ever, for a product you couldn’t really buy.
Google has already promised that those that signed up for the developer programme would be getting their beta units in 2013 so let's hope that the final Project Glass glasses will start turning on shop shelves up by the end of the year. It might be fairly unnecessary as tech goes, but expect the world to be information rich before the end of the year.
For $59,000 - roughly £40, 000 - Tesla will deliver a saloon like no other. The interior of the Model S is unparalleled and features a huge interactive centre console display not found even in the most expensive of saloons.
Then there is the five second 0-60 time and 300 mile range on a single charge. Combine all this and you have a fantastic car at a decent price that just happens to be electric. This could be the vehicle that kick starts the electric car revolution.
BlackBerry fans can expect two new phones to kick off the proceedings - an all touchscreen affair and a traditional QWERTY keyboard model akin to the BlackBerry Bold already on the market.
With a stack of new and exciting features in the operating system
already, RIMs job won't be convincing people they've got great hardware
and a great OS, but that their favourite apps will be available to.
Successful launch or not, many are expecting RIM to have to change
dramatically if it is to make it through 2013 without being bought or
going bust.
The verdict is still very much out, well at the start of 2013 is it, but that hasn't stopped people having a go at making a hands-on video of what they want the SGS4 to look like.
At its heart will be a quad-core Qualcomm APQ8064 chipset with Adreno
320 graphics, with great graphics results reported from an early
prototype - just the ticket to power the Full HD 1080p display. Expect a
CES2013 launch.
Before you start back-flipping with excitement, none of this list has been confirmed, most of it comes from rumours. Still, rumours aren’t always wrong, so here's what we expect to be the hottest gadgets of 2013.
Retina iPad mini
The iPad mini was a standout moment in 2012. Apple’s foray into the world of the affordable tablet was a somewhat symbolic backtrack over a product the company had originally steered clear of.What it lacked against the competition was a class-leading screen, something for which Apple’s other tablets are known. So, in 2013, could a Retina display iPad mini be coming?
Before 2012 was even out, rumours had already begun of a higher-resolution iPad mini, alongside a thinner and lighter iPad 5.
The lack of Retina display on the 7.9-inch tablet was quite an omission for Apple, likely tied up in the need to drive prices down. Given the 720p nature of the screens on devices such as the Nexus 7, however, it may be that Apple rethinks this Retina-free approach to its small-form factor tablet in 2013.
Xbox 720
Wii U aside, console gamers have been long overdue a new piece of hardware to get stuck into. The Xbox 720, or whatever name it eventually launches with, is most definitely that.What to expect? Well right now, the rumours point to a lack of announcement at E3 in 2013, with Microsoft instead going for a specific 720 launch event.
These have been further backed up with a recently leaked Bungie contract for the game Destiny, which made reference to the "next Xbox".
A new version of Kinect should also launch alongside the console, as well as much revamped internals, including, we hope, a Blu-ray player.
Amazon Kindle phone
Amazon already makes big waves in the affordable tablet world with its Kindle Fire HD. Surely, then, the company is keen to get in on the cheap smartphone action as Google has, with the Nexus 4?Again the rumour mill comes into play here, although we expect Amazon will most definitely do something in the mobile market in 2013, just to stop the Nexus 4 running away with it.
The phone has all but been confirmed, with its existence being mentioned to the Verge back in September by multiple sources.
Expect a heavily modified version of the Android OS, just like the Kindle Fire HD and an extremely persuasive price tag, with top-of-the-line internals.
Mozilla Firefox mobile operating system
Currently in production, Mozilla plans on releasing a new mobile operating system to take on the likes of Apple and Android.The OS, or Firefox OS as it is known, can actually be tested right now from your computer. Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux, here is near proof that a new OS is coming.
Unfortunately there have been no confirmed handsets yet, nor are there a lot of features to play with on the downloadable build, which runs within the Firefox browser.
The OS is as open source as possible and geared towards emerging smartphone markets, with it not requiring huge amounts of power or programming.
Google Project Glass
Google showed just how exciting Project Glass could be at Google I/O. The Project Glass team, some skydivers, mountain bikers and general extreme types, all put the technology to the test.The result was one of the most awesome product launches ever, for a product you couldn’t really buy.
Google has already promised that those that signed up for the developer programme would be getting their beta units in 2013 so let's hope that the final Project Glass glasses will start turning on shop shelves up by the end of the year. It might be fairly unnecessary as tech goes, but expect the world to be information rich before the end of the year.
Tesla Model S
As electric cars go, Tesla’s model S represents the first genuine alternative to a mid-range saloon.For $59,000 - roughly £40, 000 - Tesla will deliver a saloon like no other. The interior of the Model S is unparalleled and features a huge interactive centre console display not found even in the most expensive of saloons.
Then there is the five second 0-60 time and 300 mile range on a single charge. Combine all this and you have a fantastic car at a decent price that just happens to be electric. This could be the vehicle that kick starts the electric car revolution.
BlackBerry 10
Set for a January 30 launch date, we've already started to see a number of "leaks" surrounding RIMs new BlackBerry 10 operating system as the company tries to ensure its survival.BlackBerry fans can expect two new phones to kick off the proceedings - an all touchscreen affair and a traditional QWERTY keyboard model akin to the BlackBerry Bold already on the market.
Samsung Galaxy S IV
Nothing official has been said, but you can bet Samsung will be keen to release a fourth version of its flagship Samsung Galaxy S smartphone. Will it have a flexible screen, an even bigger 5-inch screen, the ability to make a cup of tea, or will Samsung go retro and shrink the whole device to finally fit in any pocket.Sony Xperia Z / Yuga
Whether it will be called the Xperia Z or the Yuga doesn’t really matter. The fact remains that one of the most hotly anticipated gadgets of 2013 is set to be the first phablet from Sony. It’s rumoured to be water and dust-resistant have a 5-inch screen and measure 139 x 71 x 7.9mm.
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