Next Generation Portable
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Picks up where the PlayStation Portable left off, adding 3G connectivity, a shockingly crisp 5-inch OLED touch screen, and rear-mounted multitouch controls. Due at the end of 2011, it not only features dual joysticks and a gyroscope, accelerometer, and motion sensors for active play, but runs games stored on memory cards—including PlayStation 3-quality titles. Thank a staggeringly powerful quad-core CPU, built-in GPS, and extensive online features, with new renditions of Call of Duty, Killzone, Metal Gear Solid, and Wipeout already making jaws drop.
Sony / $TBD / www.playstation.com
ERA
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Every Bluetooth headset offers hands-free calling. But here’s the first to provide true motion controls, letting you shake the device to pair it with your smartphone or tap to answer calls. Coupled with reliable noise cancellation technology, high-definition audio, and a 25 percent larger speaker than predecessor the Icon boasts, you can literally hear and feel the difference. Nonetheless, we’re most jazzed by its support for downloadable apps, sure to produce some obnoxiously awesome results when coupled with the device’s integrated accelerometer.
Jawbone / $129 / www.jawbone.com
PlayBook
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BlackBerry’s answer to the iPad, this 7-inch tablet PC features a hefty 1GHz dual-core processor, native multitasking, and Flash browsing for rich web surfing, making it suitable for business or pleasure alike. Able to record video at 1080p HD resolution, the wireless-ready unit packs twin high-definition cameras for casual videoconferencing, including some legendarily embarrassing drunk dials. Boasting enterprise email support, 16-64GB of storage and 1GB of RAM, it’ll keep you from ever wanting to go off the grid.
RIM / Under $500 / www.rim.com
Nintendo 3DS
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Ushers in a new era for handheld entertainment by bringing glasses-free 3D gaming to the masses. Offering adjustable three-dimensional special effects, touch screen controls, and a circle pad for 360-degree motion, highlights also include online connectivity and motion and gyro sensors for advanced gesture tracking. Jam-packed with features from dual cameras to digital music playback and the ability to screen 3D movies and photos, we’re even more excited by the return of franchises like Kid Icarus, The Legend of Zelda, and Mario Kart.
Nintendo / $249.99 / www.nintendo.com
DualView ST700
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Snapping self-portraits and pouty-eyed profile pictures is a cinch with this two-faced digital camera, which has a sizable 1.8-inch LCD on the front as well as a 3-inch touch screen on the back. Making it simple to capture candid shots of you and your BFF, photos can be snapped at 16.1MP resolution, with 5X optical zoom and image stabilization features helping minimize blurring during late-night pub crawls. Bust it out, and you can worry less about aim, and more about what goofy pose to strike.
Samsung / $279.99 / www.samsung.com