4 Most Anticipated Gadgets Coming out in 2012

Last year was a great year for gadgets, and tech analysts predict that 2012 will be a gadget-centric year as well. Most of the desired items on people's Christmas lists in 2011 were gadgets of some sort, and as more and more cool items are released in 2012, demand is only likely to increase for new computerized hardware. Whether it's smart TVs, new gaming consoles or blazing fast smartphones, people are eagerly anticipating the release of various electronic toys in the year to come. Whether we're using them for mundane things like finding great deals on car insurance or whether we're playing games, connecting with family or staying in touch with the workplace, one thing is generally held to be true: gizmos are really great. While there are many different gadgets to look out for, these four stand out among the pack as the most exciting items of 2012.

1) iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 is perhaps the most anticipated electronic item of 2012. Apple fans are among the most gadget-crazy individuals, and many analysts feel that the late 2011 release of the iPhone 4S was a bit of a letdown for iPhone buyers. While the latest iPhone model sold over a million units on the day of its release, many iPhone users are still holding out for the iPhone 5. The iPhone 4S looked exactly like the iPhone 4, and its only major difference from its predecessor was the inclusion of the "Siri" mobile assistant. With a release date in Fall 2012, the new iPhone is expected to incorporate a trendier appearance and better capabilities. The iPhone 5 will have a brushed aluminum back as well as a sleek, edged design, a larger screen and an improved quad-core processor. With 4G/LTE support, the iPhone 5 will enjoy ultra-fast network speeds as well.

2) Apple iTV and other Internet 3D TVs

While reports are mixed on whether Apple will release its Internet-ready TV, unofficially dubbed the iTV, one thing is for sure: 2012 will be the year of Internet-capable television. 3D TV is a nascent technology as well, and most analysts expect that the best TV gadgets of 2012 will be both able to connect to the Internet and offer 3D support through the use of specialized glasses. True 3D TV by way of holographic imaging, while available to well-financed corporate entities, is not expected to break into the consumer market until 2014 or 2015. Speculations about Apple's iTV abound, and even if it doesn't have 3D functionality, it will still probably provide game and apps support, social networking, and access to products like Netflix and Pandora. Meanwhile, Google's internet-ready TV software is expected to make a bigger splash in 2012, with full web browsing capabilities and the ability to stream video directly from the Internet.

3) Quad-core smartphones

In 2011, chipmaker NVIDIA introduced the Tegra 3 to the world. Close on its heels, ASUS developed the Transformer Prime. As the first quad-core processors for mobile handsets and tablets, gadget-making companies are expected to develop smartphones and tablet computers nearly as powerful as laptops and desktop computers. 2012 will be the year of blazing-fast mobile devices, powered by quad-core processors. For comparison, the iPhone 4S only uses a dual-core processor. Quad-core phones will be able to run more complex software and hardware processes by a factor of at least two. In addition to offering improved speeds and increased capabilities, the quad-core phones are expected to have longer battery lives. They may even be able to supplant laptops when it comes to speed and processing power, though analysts expect that jump won't happen until 2014 or 2015. The first quad-core mobile phones will be released in Spring 2012, but look to electronics expos in January and February for sneak previews of high-performance handsets.

4) Xbox 720 and Kinect 2

Finally, gamers rejoice in 2012! Reports are mixed on whether the next Xbox console will be released in late 2012 or sometime in 2013, but gadget lovers are still eagerly anticipating the new gaming machine. Rumors abound that it will come standard with the next iteration of the Kinect, expected to be able to read facial expressions, detect subtle differences in voice tone, and track finger movements. This will open up Kinect gaming to a whole new level of experience. As for the Xbox 720 specs, it is expected to run on an 8-core processor, making it one of the most powerful consumer electronic devices available. It is expected to have 3D support and MultiTV capabilities, and rumors have it that it will also be able to double as a DVR for live TV. We all love our gadgets here in the 21st century. As 2012 rolls out, we can't wait for the release of our new electronic gizmos. Fast speeds, new user experiences and ever-deepening connections with our computer technology represent the pinnacle of civilization and progress these days, and we all eagerly await the next push forward. 

 Pamela Smith is an admitted technology addict. As a proud owner of a classic car, Pamela is always trying to find the best deal for classic car insurance.