RIM have been billing their BlackBerry PlayBook tablet as an iPad killer ever since they first revealed it way back in September 2010. With a greater focus on enterprise usage than the iPad 2, its smaller 7 inch form factor makes it a very different proposition from that of Apple's slate offering.

There can be only one slate at the top of the tablet pile; does the PlayBook have what it takes to knock the iPad off its lofty perch? With pricing and storage relatively balanced across each device, we focus here on breaking down the key tablet features to see which tablet is worthy of your cash.

Size and Design

The first and most obvious difference between the two tablets is their size. The BlackBerry PlayBook is a 7 inch device with dimensions of 193 x 130 x 10mm and a weight of 400g, while the iPad 2 is a 10.1 inch tablet with dimensions of 241 x 186 x 9mm, with the top-spec 3G model weighing a heavier 610g.

Apple have always had a strong eye for design and the iPad 2 is arguably their crowning hour - it's incredibly sleek, looking especially "sci-fi" with its new white bezel. Whereas the iPad 2 has a physical home button on the bottom of its bezel, the BlackBerry PlayBook has no buttons on its front side, making for a very slick and smooth front face, even if the black boxy design of RIM's unit is a little uninspired overall. The tiny power button on the PlayBook is a chore to find though.

Winner - Tie

While we prefer the look of the iPad 2, there's much to like about the portability of the PlayBook. This one comes down to personal preference then; a larger screen that's visually more engaging, or a smaller tablet that's easier to carry around with you.

Processor

The second generation iPad joins the dual-core tablet fray with its inclusion of an Apple A5 1Ghz dual-core chip. Though we've seen games like Infinity Blade exploit the new power available with the A5 chip, the original iPad was so zippy that it's an incremental update at best.

Likewise, the PlayBook uses a 1 GHz Cortex-A9 dual-core processor, which again results in a very slick, lag-free user experience.

Winner - Tie

Not much in this one. With both platforms relatively closed, you're unlikely to be able to push the tablets beyond their limitations, meaning that both processors are more than sufficient for running apps and the video formats open to them.

Operating System

RIM chose to adopt the relatively-niche QNX operating system for the BlackBerry PlayBook. Much like using a BlackBerry phone, QNX focusses on multi-tasking and gesture-based controls for quick navigation. It's a clean and simple interface with lots of room for customisation as well as a smart notifications bar.

With the forthcoming iOS 5 update fixing the notification problems that Apple's mobile devices usually inflict upon their users, iOS is now pretty much the perfect UI for a tablet device. A large, easily browsed grid system with room for App folders, what it lacks in customisation options it gains in simplicity, elegance and instinctive controls.

Winner - iPad 2

iOS is definitely the operating system of choice across any tablet right now. QNX, though far better than many had predicted, is still too fiddly for the average casual tablet fan, and lacks the pick-up-and-play ease of the iPad.

Apps

What can be said about the success of Apple's App Store that hasn't been said before? Hundreds of thousands of top quality apps, with thousands of iPad-exclusives from well-respected developers, plenty of free or pocket money programs, and a simple payment and download system that makes building up your app catalogue a cinch. It's no wonder there have been well over 10,000,000,000 downloads to date. The quality of games on the App Store in particular make the iPad 2 a rival for established portable gaming brands such as Sony and Nintendo.

BlackBerry users have never had much joy when it comes to the paltry offerings the App World store sells, but the news that the PlayBook wouldn't even support the existing mobile applications currently on offer came as a true shock. As a result, it's a minuscule amount of apps available to PlayBook owners in comparison to iPad users. Eventual Android app support will address this somewhat, but the few native BlackBerry apps are a disappointment.

Winner - iPad 2

The winner of this bout by a country mile, it can't be stressed enough how important strong apps are to the tablet experience, something the iPad 2 can deliver in spades.

Video

Again, Apple make it laughably easy to get paid-for video onto your device thanks to the well stocked iTunes video store. You can both rent and buy titles, with deals of the week giving you top-notch flicks for as little as 99p. Side-loading your own video content onto the iPad 2 is a chore though - without drag and drop support, all files have to be placed in the iTunes library and synced first, while its also incredible temperamental with .avi files, the most common of all video formats.

Though it's easier to get your own video files on the PlayBook, and it seems more happy to play back a greater variety of file types without conversion, it lacks a dedicated video store.

Once you've got compatible video file types on both tablets however, both play back movies without a hitch, with smooth, stutter-free playback.

Winner - Tie

Those looking to fill their tablet with brand new downloads will find the iPad 2 a sheer joy thanks to the iTunes store, but if you've already got a large library of video you want to watch on your tablet you'll have far less headaches with the PlayBook.

Web Browsing

Apple's Safari mobile browser laid the foundation for how best to present web browsing on the go, and it's still an incredibly slick, intuitive system to use. From pinch and tap-to-zoom controls to swiping through pages, it's a dream to use with easily legible text and accurate page rendering. Or at least accurate to a point; Steve Jobs' ongoing fued with Adobe over the Flash plug-in sees it notably absent in the iPad 2, and with so many websites relying on Flash content, you're likely to often see holes and gaps in websites where some sort of Flash wizardry should be.

Though Apple may have laid the ground-work, the PlayBook's browser is every bit a match for the iPad 2 in terms of web surfing ease, with equally intuitive gesture controls and accurate page rendering. It pips the iPad 2 to the post thanks to its excellent Flash rendering however, making the whole web truly available on the go.

Winner - PlayBook

See websites just as the site owners intended with the PlayBook. Can't really argue with that.

Email

A strange point to highlight you may think, but email support may be the real deciding factor for BlackBerry-owning, tablet fence sitters. While online webmail services are accessible to both the iPad 2 and PlayBook, only the iPad 2 has a native email client available offline. The PlayBook, despite its enterprise marketing and coming from a stable of excellent email clients on mobile devices, makes use of a clunky bridge system that requires a BlackBerry phone synced with the tablet to view emails offline. It's a secure system, but far from intuitive, and a real step-backwards from RIM considering they pretty much pioneered email on the go with BlackBerry smartphones.

Winner - iPad 2

The iPad's an obvious winner here. A forthcoming update will add native email support to the BlackBerry PlayBook, but that should have been included from the very beginning.

A far closer contest than we'd have first thought it would be, the PlayBook manages to keep up with the iPad 2 in many respects, and even bests it in the web browsing stakes. However, when it comes to operating systems, apps and emails, the iPad 2 shines through. In particular, the strength of the App Store makes Apple's tablet a force to be reckoned with, and one that tablets from all manufacturers will struggle to beat.

Nintendo have revealed their successor to their mega-popular Wii console at E3. Formally known as Project Cafe, it now has an official name: the Nintendo Wii U. And, just like the Wii and Nintendo DS and 3DS before it, it's got a few game-changing features and stunning innovations that will make your jaw drop. Read on for all we know so far about the Nintendo Wii U.

So what's special about the Wii U then?

The Wii U is Nintendo's first HD games console, making Nintendo new machine as graphically crisp as that of the PS3 or Xbox 360. However, this is far from being the main draw of the console, as the Wii U will continue the Wii's taste for innovation by offering a massive controller, fully motion compatible, dominated by an iPad-like touchscreen.

Using 25GB proprietary optical discs for games alongside downloadable content, the Wii U will also be totally backwards compatible with your old Wii titles, as well as making use of the old Wii Remotes in some capacity, meaning your last-generation peripherals wont be left collecting dust.

That Wii U controller is crazy! What's going on there?

Isn't it just? Like the Wii Remote and Nunchuk combo before it, the Wii U's controller is one of the strangest peripherals we've ever seen. A massive slate with a full suite of analogue sticks, triggers, face buttons and a D-Pad, like the Wii it too features motion controls, as well as introducing a camera that points directly at the player. However, things get really interesting when you take into account the 6.2 inch touchscreen that dominates the controller's centre. While the console itself is HD, this touchscreen isn't and from word coming in from hands-on tests so far, seems to have a resolution similar to that of the iPad.

It's how this new screen will be employed that's most interesting though. As well as obvious applications like item management in adventure games and removing overcrowded HUD and map data from the main screen, it has a few other intriguing gameplay uses, particularly in multiplayer modes where each player could in theory have their own individual screen. It'd be great for local FPS shooter games, where a split screen mode gives away an opponent's location for instance. Alternatively, demos have suggested that many Wii U games can be played simply by viewing them through this touchscreen - no HD TV needed, which will be great if Mum and Dad want to watch the news while little Jenny and Jimmy want to carry on playing. They'll be able to do that with this built in screen. For a better idea of how all this will work, check out the demo video below which features a few of Nintendo's E3 tech-demos being shown off:

What are the Wii U console's specs?

Nintendo have yet to reveal the full specs of the Wii U, and it's worth remembering that all that we've seen so far is technically still in the prototype stage and subject to change. Here's what we know so far though:

- IBM Power-based multi-core 45nm microprocessor
- AMD Radeon HD GPU
- Controller with built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, speakers, front-facing camera, microphone and 6.2in 16:9 touchscreen
- 1080p/1080i/720p/480p/480i video output
- HDMI
- SD
- USB

What games will launch with the Wii U?

Nintendo stressed that all games on show at this year's E3 for the Wii U were just tech-demos, designed to show off the console's potential, and were all unlikely to make it to retail in their current form.

However, they were happy to reveal a handful of games that should be ready to launch alongside the console upon its eventual release. They were Super Smash Bros 4, Lego City Stories, Batman: Arkham City, an Assassin's Creed game, Dirt, Ghost Recon Online, Tekken, Metro: Last Light, Aliens Colonial Marines, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, and Darksiders II.

As you can see, there's a fair few games there aimed to appeal directly to both the casual and hardcore markets (there's no way you'd have seen a gory Aliens game on the original Wii for instance), so it looks as though Nintendo are really trying to cater for all tastes with this console. As the name suggests its just as much about "U" and your hardcore single player experiences this time around as much as it is "Wii" and our causal multiplayer parties.

There aren't many 1st party titles confirmed though (such as in-house Mario or Zelda games made by Nintendo) but we'd be surprised if that didn't change before launch. However, it's good to see so many third party developers, like Gearbox and Ubisoft, with their biggest titles, already onboard.

How much will it cost?

Though the Wii is currently one of the most affordable consoles on the market, you can expect the souped-up Wii U to cost a fair bit more when it launches. "I don't think we can charge the same price as we currently do for the Wii," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Japan's Nikkei Newspaper. With the Wii launching in 2006 for a price of $250 (£179 in the UK), we'd expect roughly the same price range for the Wii U, and the usual mark up for the UK to around £200. That mad controller looks pretty special too, and we'd be surprised to see that sell for less that $60 or £50, maybe even a whole lot more considering all the crazy tech that's undoubtedly tucked away in there.

When will it be released?

Any time between April 2012 and December 2012. That's a pretty big time-frame, but we'd put money on the Wii U launching in November (just in time for the Christmas rush), just as the original Wii did. Hopefully supply will match demand this time.

Of all the buzz-terms floating around the mobile industry over the past twelve months, few have the potential to be more exciting than that of 4G. But, just like any with new technology, 4G has been wrapped up in so much jargon and hype that it can be difficult to spot just what makes it so special.

This quick beginner's guide should help you better understand what all the fuss surrounding 4G is all about, and what makes 4G potentially so cool for smartphone and tablet users the world over.

What is 4G?

You may have been able to figure this bit out from the name alone; 4G represents the fourth generation of cellular communications standards, following on from 3G, and 2G before even that. In theory, 4G should allow for drastically faster cellular data speeds, perhaps as much as 10x as fast, which would allow for far faster download and upload speeds from mobile devices.

4G will deliver speeds of 100 Mbps for mobile applications and 1 Gigabit per second for fixed networks, making regular home broadband look snail-paced in comparison. In an age where downloading films, music and applications on mobiles is becoming increasingly prevalent, with higher-quality file types resulting in ever-growing file sizes, 4G will let streaming and downloading whilst on the go become a smooth, stress-free experience.

Are there different forms of 4G?

Yes there are. Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTEA) and WiMAX Release 2 are the 4G services which the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have classified as true 4G. In a format war similar to Betamax and VHS, it's hard to say which of the two 4G forms will be dominant, though LTEA seems to edging ahead at this early stage.

For instance, Verizon and AT&T both agree that; "LTE provides a more natural upgrade for [their] GSM/UMTS/HSPA/CDMA-based networks and subscribers - and GSM is the dominant mobile standard worldwide, with more the 3 billion global customers as of February 2010."

Can I get a 4G connection yet?

In the UK no, and that's unlikely to change until 2012 at the earliest. OFCOM are still divvying up the 4G spectrum in Blighty, but we're expecting to here more news on this incredibly soon; perhaps even before the month is out.

In the United States, the answer is that you technically can get a 4G connection, but in practice right now it's a little underwhelming. Though T-Mobile and Sprint both claim to offer 4G connections in the USA, the truth of the matter is that these are more like 3.5G connections, as they are built upon HSPA+ (not LTEA or WiMAX Release 2) technology. They'll be upgradeable to true 4G once the network technology becomes available though.

When will the "true 4G" networks be available?

Despite marketing saying that 4G is already here, and that hopeful 2012 estimate for UK 4G we stated earlier, in reality we may still be quite a way away. It's a massive investment for the networks, with a complex array of antennas, towers and other such infrastructure to put in place before we will see the true 4G download speeds of 100 Mbps that the ITU categorise as real 4G. To that end, you're probably looking at 3 to 4 years, with some less-well-funded networks possibly never offering 4G connectivity.

Is it worth me buying a 4G phone then?

Probably not...yet. While handsets like the LG Revolution, the HTC Evo and the Motorola Droid Bionic are all capable of connecting to 4G networks, it's going to be a little while yet before they'll be able to access the full-fat 4G networks we described earlier anyway. With smartphone hardware moving so quickly, by the time the true 4G networks arrive, this first wave of 4G-enabled handsets may look quite aged.

Where can I find out more?

Check out Technode, the new quarterly digital magazine from the editorial team behind TechDigest.tv and ShinyShiny.tv.

We hope you like it! Any feedback can be left at Technode's Facebook page.

Summer's nearly here, and tech fans the world over are leaving their wire-ridden caves in search of some much-needed sunlight. You'll get a nasty complexion fit for a Twilight extra if you don't venture out, but that's not to say you can't bring some of the world's finest gadgetry out and about with you. Here we pick three of the best summer gadgets to help you work and play while on the beach, as well as a sneak peek as to where you can find even more of our favourite devices for the coming months.

Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo follow up the mega-popular DS handheld console with the 3DS. Packing in an autosteroscopic screen, it allows gamers to view 3D content without the need for expensive glasses. And the games aren't half bad too, with titles like PilotWings Resort and Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, already available alongside augmented reality features too. Next month also sees The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time get a 3D revamp on the console too, making one of the greatest Nintendo adventures of all time even more jaw-dropping.

Motorola Atrix

Is it a smartphone? Is it a laptop? Well, it's both actually. Motorola's mad hybrid device allows their latest smartphone to be paired with an ultra-portable keyboard dock, turning your smartphone into a 1GHz dual-core one-stop work machine. There's even 4G connectivity too in territories where it is available.

Apple iPad 2

The daddy of all tablets, Apple's iPad is still the slate device to beat. Drastically slimmer than the first generation model, but retaining the same superb battery life, the iPad 2 now squeezes in a camera for the odd photo snap and FaceTime VoIP call, a dual-core processor and a host of great new apps including Garageband.

Looking for some more gadgets to spend your hard earned cash on this summer? Then check out Technode, the new quarterly digital magazine from the editorial team behind TechDigest.tv and ShinyShiny.tv.

We hope you like it! Any feedback can be left at Technode's Facebook page.

It's probably the last thing you want to hear when you're browsing a gadget site with a strong slant towards mobile technology, but a new World Health Organisation (WHO) report has this week suggested that there may possibly be a link between mobile phone usage and lethal forms of brain cancer.

Working with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO has classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields found in mobile phones as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on an increased risk of glioma. Glioma is a malignant brain cancer which has previously been linked with mobile phone usage.

31 scientists from 14 countries scoured years' worth of research for the study. As a result, WHO have now said that mobile phones should be classed as "possibly carcinogenic".

Now the emphasis here is on "possibly" as WHO were unable to conclusively decide one way or the other whether or not smartphones are a direct link to certain forms of brain tumours. But the research did find snippets of evidence that suggested so.

Either way, erring on the side of caution is never a bad thing. Here are a few tips to help avoid exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields without ditching your trusty mobile.

1) Buy a Bluetooth headset

...or a wired one for handsfree calls. The idea here is that keeping the phone away from your head should reduce the exposure to the potentially harmful frequencies. While they can sometimes make you look like an extra out of The Matrix, stylish Bluetooth headsets can be picked up from as little as £10 or £15 nowadays.

2) Text more!

Again, by texting you're keeping the phone away from the sensitive areas of your brain that may be susceptible to an increased risk of cancer. Monthly contract deals usually come with far more texts available than any average person would ever use, so now is a great time to touch up on yr txt spk. Just watch you don't get RSI in the process.

3) When at home, use the landline

Another fairly obvious point, but why risk illness by using your mobile phone at home when most of us have a perfectly good landline sitting there unloved? Sure, it may not have Angry Birds built in or access to your Twitter hashtags, but the faithful old landline served us for many a good year before the advent of mobile phones. Rates to other landlines are usually significantly cheaper than with PAYG tariffs too.

4) iPhone 4 users, use FaceTime!

...or Skype or any other similar VoIP service that you favour. On a mobile you'll be holding the phone far enough away from your head to frame your pretty mug nicely, while on a computer you wont be near the potentially harmful phone at all.

I have no interest whatsoever in the Royal Wedding. Fair play to the young regal lovers for tying the knot and bagging us all an extra couple of Bank Holiday days off, but the near-certain pomp and excess of Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials rubs me up the wrong way.

If Kate and William are looking for a geeky, techy J-Lo replacement as their wedding planner, I'm their man. To prove my credentials, read on to see how Tech Digest would organise the ultimate Geek Fantasy Tech Royal Wedding, were money no issue, cybernetic bodyguards watched our backs and supernatural eco-warriors with a penchant for plastic rings existed...

Carriage: Star Wars AT-AT

You've got the aging royals standing on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace, it's pouring rain and Prince Philip is moaning that his tails are getting wet. Time is of the essence, if the millions watching the vows on YouTube are to get timely live coverage. A horse drawn carriage simply wont do. Enter the All-Terrain Armoured-Transport, AKA the AT-AT from Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back. There will be enough room for the whole of Eton in the boot, while the Queen could even quickly take a detour past John Lydon of the Sex Pistols' house and blow it to smithereens with the head-mounted laser cannons.

Arrival: Westminster Abbey Foursquare check-in

Prince Charles climbs out of the AT-AT, pops his top hat over his ears (after several troubled attempts) and walks through the doors of Westminster Abbey. But not before checking-in to the place of worship using Foursqaure on his smartphone. Alas; no free coffee comes with today's check-in, so he quickly nips around the corner to one of about 30 Starbucks on the adjacent street and does the same thing there.

Home Video: Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder

The whole ceremony may be being beamed live around the world to billions, but there's nothing like catching best man Prince Harry picking his nose with a cheekily zoomed home video camera. With Sky passing up the opportunity to cover the event in 3D, we'd love to see Prince Andrew rock up with a Panasonic HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder to film the day's festivities, though keeping Charlie's ears in frame might prove difficult.

Pageboy: R2-D2 astromech droid

If your pageboy isn't loveable, then he aint worth the ice-cream you're paying him in. If you want a reliable, iconic alternative with a motorised heart, R2-D2 is your droid. He's got more features than a sci-fi Swiss Army Knife, and will have your diamond wedding ring popping out of his spring-loaded head before you can say "Let the Wookie win".

Bodyguards: T-800 Terminator

With high profile guests from around the world, the Royal Wedding is potentially a target for trouble makers of all descriptions. If you've got people who need protecting, there's no better bodyguard than the T-800 model Terminator. I can see the touching scene at the end of the ceremony now as Her Royal Highness bawls into The Terminator's bullet-ridden leather jacket. His words of comfort? "I know now why you cry, but it is something I can never do". Beautiful.

Vicar: I-Fairy Robot

A vicar. That is a robot. $68,000 will secure the I-Fairy robot priest to rattle off your vows with its Speak-And-Spell voice. Noticing a pattern here? Well we never said that the tech wedding would ever stretch beyond a love of automated human replacements, but considering the stock smiles and well-trained poise the majority of the royal family seems to posses, you have to wonder which guests are the ones dreaming of electric sheep...

Kate's Dress: Enlightened LED Wedding Dress

Picture the scene; hundreds of TV vans are draining Westminster Abbey's power supply to broadcast the event to the world, when disaster strikes. A power-cut occurs just before Kate hits the aisle. Think a University of Edinburgh graduate like Kate wouldn't plan for something like this? Exactly; that's why she's wearing a wedding dress lined with 300 glowing LED lights from Enlightened. Touching and tacky at the same time.

The Rings: Captain Planet Elemental Rings

I-Fairy's done its part, the vows are exchanged, time to slip on those rings. But wait! What are those lights emanating from the newlyweds fingers! GASP! They aren't wedding rings, they're PLANETEER RINGS! Wills has Earth and Kate has Fire! Who'd have thought it? Up pops Captain Planet, cleaning up the ceremony's carbon footprint in an instant while his theme tune blasts over the PA. He's a hero, and he is going to take pollution down to zero, don't you know. GO PLANET!

After The Vows: Changing Your Facebook Relationship Status with a HTC Salsa or ChaCha

You've mopped up the tears, the crowd is cheering, the royal fanfare is trumpeting out around the globe. The next step on the path to marital bliss for Wills and Kate? Changing their Facebook statuses to "Married". A HTC Salsa or ChaCha, with their one-button-touch access to the social network, will have them broadcasting the change before they've even walked back down the aisle. Compared to the other ideas, this one almost seems sensible...

This week sees London's Earls Court play host to the InfoSec computer and mobile security conference, where all the major players from the anti-virus and back-up software developing fields come together to tout their wares. We caught up yesterday with Kaspersky Lab's Costin Raiu, the company's Director of Global Research and Analysis Team.

He gave Tech Digest readers his Top 3 free computer security tips that can keep you better protected straight away. Read on for the equivalent of a digital bullet-proof vest!

1) Keep Your Operating System Updated

In order of importance, firstly they should update their operating systems regularly; Android, Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, whatever. I know this can be quite painful, but it's very, very important as it patches up security flaws and gives hackers and malware less room to work within.

2) Never, EVER, Use Pirate Software Or Watch Pirate Movies

The second one is to make sure they don't use pirate software. A lot of pirate software, particularly with Mac OS, come loaded with trojans. This can also be extended to pirate movies; recently we've seen "movies" on pirate torrent websites where the files aren't actually real videos. Instead they claim the user doesn't have the proper codec to view the film, directing them to download it from unsafe websites. When they download it obviously their machines get infected. So staying away from pirate sources in general is my second free tip!

3) Use Common Sense When Clicking Unusual Links Or Browsing Social Networks

The third tip has to do with user mentality. A lot of things happen because users aren't aware of security threats, so they click on strange links or don't properly screen links that friends have sent purely because they trust their pals, even if they're not so sure of the source. It's about using common sense and being careful if you spot unusual messages from your friends or social network contacts. If you see strange applications trying to access your profile on Twitter or Facebook, just don't allow them unless you're absolutely sure they're approved! So that's my three free tips!

You can read our full in-depth interview with Costin by clicking here.

Smartphones: tools for chatting just to friends or potential hotlines to God?

It's a bit of a leap for the imagination to imagine chatting to The Man Upstairs on your Jesus Phone, but that's not to say you can't find a fair few apps to help you get in touch with your spiritual side, whatever your religion or level of faith may be.

We've rounded up ten of the best religious apps on a number of platforms for you to check out. Click below to get started.

Mother's Day is just around the corner in the UK (Sunday the 3rd of April to be exact) and, if you're anything like me, it's going to be a last minute dash to the shops to pick up something she'd like. Chocolates, flowers and a Michael Bublé CD are the staple gift choices, but what if Mum deserves something a little bit more adventurous this year? Gadgets are increasingly being tailored towards technophobic users with kit like the Kindle 3G, iPad 2 and Nintendo 3DS now billed as family devices rather than just for hardcore users.

And while we're sure there are plenty of mothers out there who know their way around a smartphone or tablet like the back of their hands, there are just as many who think an iPad is something you get from an optician. How will you know which gadgets would be suitable for them?

By following the advice of Tech Digest's Mum, that's how! Falling somewhere between the gadget-phobic and gadget-literate categories, we put five top bits of tech into Bernadette's hands (a Nintendo 3DS, an iPhone 4, a Kindle 3G, a Robert's colourSTREAM DAB and Internet Radio and an iPad 2) to see which device she'd most like to own.

Left on her own with each device for an hour, with only minimal input from us tech-heads, read on to see what she thought of each.

Nintendo 3DS - £187 from Amazon

It's the handheld games console that all the kids are clamouring for, and our full review awarded it a more-than-respectable score of 4/5. But what does our near-sighted mother make of glasses-free 3D?

"That 3D top screen is really good. I'm surprised to see that it actually works like they say in the adverts, but I'm not sure if I'd like to use it for too long. I think it would hurt my eyes. It's a nice size too, and all the little characters who keep popping up are funny. It's fairly simple to use and the 3D camera is a nice feature, but I honestly can't keep up with all the controls in these games. That Pilotwings one was far too difficult to steer, and all the other ones were too fast to keep up with. The speed of them made it difficult for my eyes to focus."

Apple iPhone 4 - starting at £510 from Apple

Despite being almost a year old, Apple's iPhone 4 is, signalling issues aside, still the smartphone to beat. With all those apps and a vibrant Retina display, have Apple done enough to pique Mum's interest?

"This is very nice. I like its size and design; it looks very clean and tasteful. That screen is really nice too, and I like all the cookery tools and news applications are on there. I really like looking up songs on YouTube too so it's good that that is in there too. It's a bit fiddily for me though; I don't want to have to swipe through loads of screens just to make a call, and I don't think I'd be able to figure out the internet settings stuff by myself. I can see why people would like it, but it's a little bit too complicated for me to have more than just a passing interest in."

Amazon Kindle 3G - £152 from Amazon

The wave of tablets that has washed over the tech world in recent months has done little to dent the popularity of Amazon's Kindle ereader devices. The 3G version is the top-spec model, offering a free mobile internet connection and book downloads straight to the device without the need for cables. But will it convince Mum to drop her paperbacks?

"At first the way the screen turns black before every page turn was quite off-putting, but once you get used to that quirk, the Kindle is great. I much prefer buttons over touchscreens, and the way you can buy books straight from the reader is a great idea. It's light too, and a good size for taking out; I could see myself happily reading on this in the park. The Twitter and Facebook bits don't interest me much, but I like how you can search for information on Wikipedia with it, as I find that website very useful."

Robert's colourSTREAM DAB and Internet Radio - £189.95 from Amazon

With thousands of internet radio stations, an iPod dock, USB port, DAB capabilities and a colour touchscreen, the Robert's colourSTREAM radio is one of our favourite music-boxes out there. It's not without its flaws though, and Mum is quick to spot them.

"That touch screen on the radio was a chore to use. It often didn't do what I wanted it to, or was too slow to react to things I thought I'd already selected. I don't think I'd be able to connect it to the internet by myself either, and some of those menus are full of things that I'd never use, like the sound settings. The number of radio stations is incredible though, and I like that I'm able to plug an mp3 player in (via a line-in port - Ed.) if I wanted to. It looks great, but it's just too much like hard work to use for me."

Apple iPad 2 - starting at £399 from Apple

The iPad 2 needs no introduction, being the top tablet on the market at the moment. Access to thousands and thousands of apps, equipped with dual cameras and significantly lighter than its predecessor, this dual-core sequel is a showstopper. Mum's smitten, but will the price tag sway her choice?

"This is lovely. It's like the iPhone but bigger I suppose, but I'd feel far more comfortable sitting down with this than the phone because of the size. The screen is nice and easy to read, and I like the App Store and iTunes and all the videos and simple games there are on them. It's a pity lots of them cost a couple of quid, especially since this thing costs so much money. You shouldn't spend over £500 on a gadget unless you're really going to use it a lot, and to me I could find plenty of things more interesting for that amount of money. I can totally see the appeal, but this is a sort of special gift, the kind you should reserve for Christmas or my birthday."

Mum's Verdict: Kindle 3G takes the crown

With all five gadgets tested, Mum goes for what many would consider the underdog of the pack - the Kindle 3G.

"They've each got little things I like and don't like about them. The Nintendo looks unlike any screen I've ever looked at, but I think it'd hurt my eyes after a while. I'm never really going to sit down and play Mario or whatever on it either really, am I? I like how much you can do with an iPhone, especially YouTube videos, but it looks like all the best of those app things have to be bought afterwards and I can't be bothered spending more money on something once I've already paid lots of money for it in the first place. The same goes for the iPad, though it's far too expensive in the first place; anyone spending that much money on me for Mother's Day needs to get their head checked. The Robert's radio was really good actually, but I've already got a radio that suits me fine, and the touchscreen wasn't as good as on the other gadgets.

"The Kindle would probably be the one I use most often I think. You don't need to faff around with it like the others to get it to work, and the screen was the easiest for me to read. It's a shame it isn't in colour, but I like how simple it is to use and how light it was too. I feel like there's less I could do wrong with the Kindle, and it'd probably make me read more because of the text size choices. The price is reasonable too. If the iPad was cheaper I'd lean towards that, but I think the Kindle is enough for me."

So there you go; if you're looking for a techy-toy for your old dear come this Sunday, it appears the Kindle 3G may be the gadget of choice. The iPad 2 is a close runner-up, and if money is no option, that too is more than worth a look.

So you've just hit the shops and picked up your 3D capable Nintendo 3DS handheld console. Or maybe you've pre-ordered the unit and woke to find it waiting on your doorstep. Either way, you're now ready to start gaming on the most advanced handheld we've ever seen.

But what to play? Tech Digest give a quick overview on what we consider to be the top 5 launch games for Ninty's new console.

Pilotwings Resort

Taking to the skies has always been an exhilirating part of the Pilotwings experience, and that's markedly more impressive on the 3DS thanks to its 3D visuals. The new control stick on the 3DS makes for pitch perfect controlling in Piltowings Resort, as you take on ever more brutal challenges, literally flying through hoops to progress. Plus, it's got jetpacks, which instantly makes any game way better.

Click here to buy

Rayman 3D

Apart from Mario 64, Rayman 3D was one of the best (and earliest) 3D platformers available on consoles. For the first time ever it truly lives up to its 3D branding thanks to the 3DS's autosteroscopic screen. It may be a good decade old now, but it remains one of the most colourful and fun classic platformers ever.

Click here to buy

Splinter Cell 3D

Splinter Cell 3D on the 3DS is not without its problems. It's a tad fiddily to control, doesn't look much better than a DS game and doesn't make good enough use of the console's improved power to render the much-needed light and shadows that are core to the game's stealthy experience. It is however a port of the excellent Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory title, meaning all those smart sneaky sequences are now available to take on the go with you. The only truly mature title to launch alongside the 3DS, the added depth effects certainly make it more exciting when silently sneaking up on a foe.

Click here to buy

Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition

Street Fighter IV is the best beat-em-up to hit consoles since the glory days of 16bit 2D brawlers. Making its 3D debut, Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition more than lives up to the gauntlet thrown down by its home console counterparts. Sweet depth effects and cool wireless StreetPass social multiplayer elements make it worth a look even if you already own another version of the game.

Click here to buy

Ridge Racer 3D

While Ashphalt 3D is an equally good game if you're craving a driving fix from the 3DS, we've got a soft spot for the Ridge Racer games. With impossible car physics that allow you to drift around bends like a Dancing On Ice contestant, it's far more fun than po-faced racers like Gran Turismo. Developers Namco have a good eye for spectacle too, offering up some of the maddest tracks we've seen in a driving game for some time, made all the more mental by the console's 3D effects.

Click here to buy

The iPad 2 launch is almost upon us, with Apple's latest tablet device hitting UK stores tomorrow. Much has been made of the dual cameras, sleeker size and faster chip, but what of the accessories you'll be able to pimp your slate out with?

We pick ten of the best accessories gunning for your green, ready to accompany your next-gen tablet device.

Click below to get started

2010 may have made the word "tablet" a household computing term, but 2011is the year the tablet wars will really get interesting. Apple have now revealed the iPad 2 and it again is set to sell like hotcakes, but keep in mind there was barely any competition last year when the first iteration was revealed. Now, with the release of Google's tablet-focussed Honeycomb Android OS, there are plenty of slates looking to take on the mighty iPad. From Motorola's Xoom to the 3D LG Optimus Pad, things are about to get truly interesting.

Jobs may have dismissed the competition as "copycats" at the iPad 2 launch on Wednesday, but that's not to say they don't all have a few of their own tricks up their sleeves to warrant your attention.

Here we take a look at the iPad 2's 5 biggest rivals.

Alongside the iPad 2 launch last night, Apple also revealed a handful of new apps ready to be downloaded alongside the new slate. We've written an in-depth guide to the new Garageband app, which you can read by clicking here.

Garageband for iPad has the potential to totally democratise music making. Not only will you not need an expensive PC rig to write hit tracks, as all the hardware and software you'd need can potentially be housed in the $499 tablet, but you need not have any real musical skill either. Smart Instruments, easily allowing novices to lay down pleasing chord progressions with a number of instruments, will allow any iPad 2 owner to become musically creative. Forget bedroom recording, the iPad 2's mobility will create a whole new wave of street producers.

That's not to say Garageband is purely for beginners. Here Tech Digest list 10 successful bands and artists who use the program on Macs, and will undoubtedly make the jump to the iPad 2 when on the road too.

Amidst the madness of the iPad 2 launch event last night we got some fleeting hands on time with the new tablet, and shot some video in all its Mr-Shaky-Cam-launch-event-hustle-and-bustle glory. From magnetic Smart Cover cases to a quick look at the FaceTime, iMovie, Garageband and Photobooth apps, we filmed whatever we could, where ever possible.

And now we've put it all in one place for your convenience! Scroll down to check out each of the videos we shot last night.

iPad 2 Apps - FaceTime, PhotoBooth, iMovie and Garageband

FaceTime on iPad 2 - Quick Demo

iPad 2 - Smart Covers

iPad 2 - White colour version confirmed

iPad 1 vs iPad 2

iPad 2 - First shakey hands-on

To absolutely no-one's surprise last night, Apple lifted the lid on the next generation of their iOS tablet, the iPad 2. "Faster, lighter, thinner" was the mantra of the night, as a relatively healthy-looking Steve Jobs took to the stage to present the Cupertino team's latest toy.

We take an in-depth look here on what's on offer with the iPad 2.

Size and build features

The iPad 2 retains the 9.7 inch size of its predecessor, but is both noticeably thinner and lighter to boot. At just 8.8mm thick, it manages to be thinner even than the iPhone 4, while weighing just over 1.3 pounds makes the whole unit a third lighter than the original iPad. A built-in speaker and microphone allow for audio in and out, while a 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to playback media without annoying those around you. Front and rear facing cameras now make an appearance, with the on/off switch still located at the top right of the slate. The volume buttons stay on the right hand side along with a switch that can be set either as a screen-orientation lock or mute toggle. The home button stays in it's customary bottom-centre position of the bezel, with the bezel itself a similar size to that of the original iPad. The iPad 2 will be availabe in two colours, black-fronted with chrome backing or an all white design. Unlike the iPhone 4, the white iPad 2 will be ready on launch day.

Processor

The iPad 2 makes use of the A5 "system-on-a-chip" dual-core processor, which Apple promise will lead to dramatic improvements in gaming and multi-tasking performance. Clocked at 1.2 GHz, it's twice as fast as its predecessor the A4, without putting any extra strain on the battery life. Most notably, Steve Jobs promised GPU abilities would leap up thanks to the new chip, capable of 9x better performance than the previous iPad, which could see some very impressive iPad 2 games waiting in the wings.

Screen

If there was one big let down at the iPad 2 launch, it was that there has been no real improvements made to the tablet's screen over the original model. Still 9.7 inches diagonally, the multi-touch capacitive display retains the 1024 x 668 resolution of the first iPad. Many had hoped to see the high-resolution Retina display introduced with the iPhone 4 implemented, but it proved not to be the case. Maybe the iPad 3 will get it instead.

Cameras

As many had expected, the iPad 2 was revealed to have dual-cameras, front and rear. Paired with Photobooth, iMovie and FaceTime apps, they make a welcome addition, capable of 720p HD video capture. However, don't expect them to be a suitable replacement for a stills camera, as each has a sensor only capable of snaps less than 1 megapixel in size. They'll look fine on the iPad 2's 1024 x 768 screen, but won't be anywhere near the quality of even a dedicated compact camera.

Battery

Despite an incredible reduction in weight and thickness, as well as the inclusion of a more powerful chipset, the iPad's impressive battery life remains untouched on the iPad 2. You'll still squeeze 10 hours of usage out of a single charge, with a month's worth of standby time. You may notice that dip by an hour or so however should you be connecting to the web over a 3G connection.

Storage

As with the iPad, the iPad 2 will come with three built-in storage size options; 16GB, 32 GB and 64GB, with the pricing of each tablet rising accordingly. It was hoped that Apple may have introduced some expandable memory capabilities in the form of SD or microSD slots, but this proved not to be the case.

Connectivity

As with the original iPad, two different models will be available at launch: a Wi-Fi-only unit and a Wi-Fi and 3G model, the later giving you internet access whilst on the go through a cellular connection. Wi-Fi is of the 802.11a/b/g/n variety, while the 3G model also covers UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA (850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). Both also have Bluetooth 2.1 and EDR technology, handy for linking up accessories wirelessly, while many accessories will make use of Apple's proprietary 30-pin dock connector port.

iOS 4.3

A new version of the iOS software will launch alongside the iPad 2 in the shape of iOS 4.3. As well as introducing new apps, it makes a few significant improvements to the overall workings of the iPad. Firstly, the Nitro Javascript Engine from Safari on Mac OS X jumps to the iPad, making for faster web page load times and stability. iTunes Home Sharing will allow you to stream content from a desktop iTunes to other iOS devices wirelessly, as well as better stability and connectivity options with AirPlay devices. iPhone users will also be use iOS 4.3 to create theire own Wi-Fi hotspots with the new Personal Hotspot feature.

Accessories: Smart Covers and HDMI-Out connectors

Two interesting accessories will launch alongside the iPad 2. First is the Smart Cover, designed to protect the screen without adding weight or bulk to the slim design. Snapping on to the edge of the iPad 2 magnetically, the Smart Cover folds up onto itself to become a stand for the tablet. Available in five polyurethane colours and 5 leather styles, they will be available as a sold-separately add-on at launch. You'll also be able to do real-time iPad-to-HDTV mirroring with the iPad 2 thanks to a HDMI-out connector. Allowing you to push apps and videos to the bigscreen, the connector cleverly lets you simultaneously charge the iPad 2, perfect for those long Mad Men marathons.

Apps

New hardware and a new build of iOS mean a host of new Apple-built apps for the iPad 2. The dual cameras allow FaceTime to make the jump to the tablet, capable of making calls to any other FaceTime enabled device, including Macs and iPhones. The wacky photo-editing abilities of Photobooth also hit the iPad 2, alongside a finger-friendly version of iMovie. Rockers will be happy to see Garageband land on the iPad 2 as well, with force-sensitive software instruments, multi-track recording and the ability to record with real live instruments too.

Price

Pricing replicates that of the original iPad's various models and configurations. US prices for Wi-Fi models are $499 for 16GB version, $599 for 32GB and $699 for 64GB. Wi-Fi and 3G versions cost $629 for a 16GB iPad 2 3G, $729 for a 32GB 3G model and $829 for a 64GB 3G-enabled model. 3G iPad 2's will be carried by AT&T and Verizon at launch in the States. UK pricing has yet to be announced, but we'd imagine it would replicate those of the original iPad's launch, with a 16GB Wi-Fi model starting at £439, with prices rising incrementally depending on the model bought.

Release date

Perhaps most surprising of all was the news that the iPad 2 will be shipping so very quickly. Those living in the USA will be able to grab the next-gen tablet from March 11th, while 26 other countries, including the UK, will be able to get their hands on the slate two weeks later on March 25th.

As the dust settles over another Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona, it's time to reflect on the best new gear previewed at the 2011 event. From LG's 3D tablet to Facebook's tie-in with HTC, it's been a show that, while predictable, has nevertheless thrown up tons of quality new phones and tablets to start saving the pennies for.

Tech Digest here pick, in no particular order, our ten favourite gadgets from the show.

LG Optimus 3D

HTC Facebook Phones

Acer Iconia Smart 21:9

HP TouchPad

Samsung Galaxy S 2

LG Optimus Pad

HTC Flyer

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

ViewSonic ViewPad 4

Acer TAB W500

With this morning's unveiling of the Sony NGP and Nintendo's 3DS finally getting an official launch date, we've got the first proper handheld gaming console fight since the release of the original Nintendo DS back in 2004.

Both are high-powered machines with innovative features and promising launch line-ups, but which should you be saving up for? Tech Digest lay all that is known about both devices on the table to give you a better idea of which is deserving of your cash.

Specs:

Nintendo 3DS: PICA200 GPU, 3.52 inch widescreen display / 800x240 resolution (400 pixels for each eye during 3D gameplay) top 3D screen, 3.02 inch bottom touch-screen display / 320x240 resolution, 5.3 inches x 2.9 inches x 0.8 inches in overall size, three cameras (two on rear casing, one above top screen at 0.3 megapixel), stereo speakers, motion sensor / gyro sensor, 2.4ghz / 802.11 wi-fi.

Sony NGP: ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core), SGX543MP4+ GPU, 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm overall size, 5 inch OLED display (960 x 544 ), capacitive rear touch pad with multitouch controls, front and rear cameras, built-in microphone, built-in stereo speakers, Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), three-axis electronic compass, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, Mobile network connectivity (3G), IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1)(Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode) and Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR.

Key Features

The Nintendo 3DS's headline hardware feature is its autostereoscopic 3D display, meaning you can enjoy 3D visuals from games and movies without the need for a pair of compatible 3D glasses. A slider on the console's edge allows you to adjust the effect's intensity, switching it off altogether if you prefer. Just like the DS, it's a dual-screen affair, with the top display showing 3D visuals, the lower having touchscreen controls. There's also traditional face and shoulder buttons, with both a digital pad and analogue stick as well as motion controls.

Graphics capabilities make a huge leap forward in the 3DS, sitting somewhere between the look of Gamecube and Wii titles, while the increased screen resolution (800 x 240) allows for very crisp and detailed visuals.

The Sony NGP packs in some really powerful graphics processing tech in the shape of an ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core) and SGX543MP4+ GPU. It should make it capable of near PS3-quality visuals, which will shine on the console's superb single 5-inch OLED touchscreen display (960 x 544).

Traditional face and shoulder buttons are supplemented by motion controls and an intriguing rear multitouch capacitive track pad, which, when used in conjunction with the hardware buttons, will allow for all manner of gesture based combination commands. The NGP also features twin analogue sticks, which should allow for precise camera control and intuitive accurate, movements in adventure and FPS titles.

Cameras and Augmented Reality

With both handhelds featuring front and rear cameras, taking a few snaps between gaming sessions is possible, as well as the likelihood of video chat over either 3G or Wi-Fi.

No word yet on the quality of the sensor in the Sony NGP, nor megapixel count. However, we do know that the dual-lens 3DS will be capable of taking 3D pictures, though it is clocked at a measly 0.3 megapixels.

Both will also be capable of Augmented Reality gaming thanks to these camera, though details on the implementation here are sketchy on both devices. The 3DS was demoed recently with a small cartridge which its cameras could recognise, warping whichever surface it was placed on when viewed through the device's screen. The NGP hasn't had a chance to show off its AR muscles yet, but the added GPS features give it some interesting location-aware potential too.

Connectivity, Stores and Online Platforms

Both consoles will feature Wi-Fi connectivity, though the Sony NGP is more fully equipped, throwing 3G and Bluetooth into the mix too, as well as the afore-mentioned GPS tracking capabilities. This means you'll be able to play online with pals on both consoles, as well as download games from their respective digital stores: The PlayStation Network for the Sony NGP and the eShop for the 3DS.

Playing against pals on the 3DS should be particularly easy thanks to the SpotPass and StreetPass connectivity options. SpotPass allows the console to passively access Wi-Fi networks and update console information and notifications from pals, while the StreetPass works in a similar way, informing you of nearby 3DS players waiting for a game. You'll also be able to exchange Mii avatar data using StreetPass.

The Sony NGP introduces the PlayStation Suite network, allowing games to be played across both the Sony NGP and Android tablets and smartphones too, more of which we'll touch upon in the next section.

Though neither Nintendo nor Sony have spoken of connectivity possibilities between their handheld and home consoles, you can certainly expect to see some sort of link between the NGP and PS3 eventually. The Wii on the other hand is coming to the end of its console life-cycle, so we'd expect to see the 3DS partner with whatever home console follow-up Nintendo have in mind post-Wii.

Launch Games

Traditionally, the Nintendo brand has been seen as more kid friendly than Sony, but all that may be set to change with the Nintendo 3DS. Launch titles include two gruesome Resident Evil games (Mercenaries 3D and Revelations), Street Fighter IV 3D and Dead or Alive Dimensions, all of which will certainly appeal to the hardcore gamer. 30 games in all are due to touch down over the course of the month following the console's launch.

Classic franchises such as Zelda (with the Ocarina of Time 3D remake) and Kid Icarus (with Kid Icarus: Uprising) will all fall within this window, and you can bet your bottom dollar that it wont be too long before Mario graces the console too. Backwards compatibility is promised with all Nintendo DS games, while the Virtual Console will give access to retro game downloads.

Details are slim on the Sony NGP titles, but a showreel that included Killzone, Reality Fighters, Smart As, Broken, Little Big Planet, Little Deviants, WipEout, Resistance, Hot Shots Golf, Gravity Daze and Uncharted gave a hint at what was to come.

The Sony NGP will also feature access to the newly revealed PlayStation Suite, which will provide cross-platform gaming to devices using the Android OS, be they smartphones or tablets. As the hardware limitations will vary wildly here, we expect these games to be rather simple; of the app variety rather than full retail quality.

Pricing and Launch Date

Nintendo's 3DS will launch in Europe on March 25th and the US on March 27th. It'll be available a month earlier in Japan, from February 26th. Though pricing will vary from retailer to retailer, somewhere in the region of £230 seems to be the going rate for the Nintendo 3DS pre-orders.

While it's too early to say when the Sony NGP will hit stores, safe money would be on a pre-Christmas launch, giving enough time for the hype surrounding the 3DS to die down, while also giving ample opportunity for Sony to reap in some holiday cash. As is traditionally the case with Sony hardware launches, expect to see Japanese gamers get hold of the console first.

No pricing available for Sony's console either yet, but a smartphone with similar OLED screen and connectivity options, let alone gaming capabilities, would set you back at least £250 as a conservative estimate. We're pitching for somewhere around £300 for the Sony NGP, which would be very expensive, but we're happy for Sony to prove us wrong on that count.

CES 2011 how wondrous your goggleboxes were!

From connected sets to mad 3D visors, the show threw up a load of new displays that Tech Digest would kill to have at home.

We've pulled together our five favourite bits of TV tech from the Las Vegas show. Check them out in the videos below.

1: Sony's 3D Headset

Our favourite bit of TV tech from the show wasn't technically a TV at all. This concept from Sony crammed two small OLED displays inside a Tron-like visor, giving the wearer a personal 3D display wherever they turned their head. It worked a charm, despite only being in the early stages of development.

2: LG Passive Cinema 3D TVs

Continuing the stellar work they've put into their 3D developments were LG, launching their new Cinema 3D range of passive 3D TVs. We spoke to George Mead of LG, who explained the companies increasing focus on passive sets, and why the general public seem to be leaning towards that technology rather than active 3D sets.

3: LG ST600 Smart TV Upgrader

Another ace bit of kit from LG was the ST600 Smart TV Upgrader. Expected to cost no more than £100 at launch, it turns any HDMI-equipped TV into a "Smart" TV, capable of web browsing and using apps. With connected sets expected to become ever more dominant in stores, this inexpensive box will make sure your older set isn't branded a dunce.

4: Sharp Aquos Quattron 3D TV

We're big fans of Sharp's Aquos Quattron range at Tech Digest, as shown in our review of the set. Sharp have now revamped the range with 3D smarts, and it's looking very special indeed.

5: Sony's 3D glasses-free autostereoscopic TV

Super-slim OLED TVs always attract the Tech Digest team like flies to a UV light trap, and Sony's 3D glasses-free autostereoscopic OLED TV was no exception. With a great viewing angle and a genuine sense of depth given to the images, it had even the edge of Toshiba's similar sets, despite the latter being expected to go to retail before the year is out.

While a tablet-saturated CES didn't make for an exactly inspiring 2011 show, there was still more than enough great tech on display to have us looking forward to the year ahead. Leaps forward in 3D display quality were exciting, while dual-core smartphones may prove to be the most exciting development in mobile technology since the advent of the app.

Tech Digest were on the ground at the annual Las Vegas show. Here are our picks of the best gear and announcements from CES 2011.

1: Sony's 3D headset concept

Easily the coolest item we saw at the show, concept or otherwise, was Sony's 3D headset. Fitting over your head like the old-school virtual reality sets, it employed two OLED screens and pseudo-5.1 channel headphone surround to give an effective, personal 3D cinema experience. It's a long way off from hitting stores, but we loved it even at this early stage.

2: LG Optimus 2X smartphone

While the LG Optimus 2X may seem a fairly standard Android handset, it actually sits on the cusp of what is sure to be the next major trend in smartphone technology. The first dual-core smartphone to hit the market, it runs at a blistering pace, swapping between intensive 3D gaming tasks and HD video recording without breaking a sweat. Dual-core is the future, and expect all major manufacturer's flagship handsets to follow suit.

3: ARM chip support for next version of Windows

No video for this one, but a huge CES story nonetheless. While the CES showstoppers inevitably turned out to be the Sony and LG big guns, there's a quiet revolution beginning to spark over at ARM, the UK semiconductor chip suppliers.

That's due to the fact that Microsoft dropped the bombshell that ARM mobile processors will be supported in the next iteration of their operating system, aka Windows 8.

What makes this such a big deal? Windows currently supports x86 silicon processors from the likes of AMD and Intel which, while powerful, are power hungry and noisy. This is significant particular in laptop and netbook computing, where the processors burn through battery power at an often alarming rate.

ARM chips, already making big waves on mobile platforms, are near silent and massively more power efficient. You're talking potentially quadrupled battery life and instant start-up times on devices using both ARM chips and the next Microsoft OS.

It also bodes well for Microsoft's next wave of tablets, which will inevitably house some variant of the Windows 8 platform, which will also benefit from the increased chip efficiency.

4: Motorola Xoom tablet

Motorola's Xoom tablet was easily the best of the 100+ tablets launched at the show. Running Android 3.0 Honeycomb (the first build of the OS to specifically work with the tablet form), the dual-core slate was zippy and packed full of features. 1080P HD video playback, 720p HD recording, 5MP stills, a front-facing camera, 32GB of storage, HDMI output, all housed in a gorgeous 10.1 inch unit. There's even a barometer inside to predict the weather by measuring atmospheric pressure. It's looking pretty special, and will give the inevitable iPad 2 some real competition.

5: Pioneer Network Vision HUD laser car satellite navigation concept

Another concept piece that's still way off from hitting the stores was the Pioneer Network Vision HUD. Sitting on your dashboard, it's a laser projector that syncs with your smartphone to beam data onto the inside of your windscreen. There's the potential for this concept to totally shake up the sat-nav market; imagine having a minimal Google Maps system projected right onto our car windscreen while you drive, alongside social network updates and contact info. Potentially distracting, if developed delicately it could change driving forever.

6: LG ST600 Smart TV Upgrader

Smart or connected TVs were all over the place at CES 2011. If the major manufacturers have there way, every TV in your house will be web-enabled and filled with apps. Thanks to LG, those features wont just be limited to brand spanking new sets either. Their ST600 Smart TV Upgrader connects to any TV with a HDMI port, and instantly turns it into an internet-savvy gogglebox. The best part? LG expect to sell for no more than £100 when it launches in the Spring. Definitely one of our show favourites.

7: Sony's 3D glasses-free autostereoscopic OLED TV

LG impressed back at IFA last year with their 31 inch 3D OLED display, but Sony went one better at CES 2011 by throwing autostereoscopic tech into the mix. Their OLED was vibrant, sharp and had a real sense of depth, without the need for glasses. If 3D is truly going to win over the hearts of the casual gadget fan, Sony are definitely moving the technology in the right direction.

8: Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series laptop/tablet hybrid

Not sure whether you want a laptop or a tablet PC? Get the best of both worlds with the Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series hybrid. The Sliding PC 7 Series solves your problem in that it can be used as a tablet with a touch screen and apps, but also features a sliding keyboard so it can be used as a fully functioning PC. It has a 10 inch screen, runs Windows 7 and has 3G connectivity as an option.

9: Gibson Firebird Z robotic guitar

Robotic guitars aren't exactly brand new, but we couldn't help but become smitten with the Gibson Firebird Z. The veritable axe-powerhouse have put together a very nifty guitar that, on a purely mechanical level is a dream to play. Throw into the mix near limitless built-in combinations of pedals and amp settings, as well as the very cool auto-tuning headstocks and you've got a guitar for the Jetsons age.

10: Angry Birds: Knock on Wood boardgame

A little bit of fun to round the list off. We went hands-on (literally) with the Angry Birds of mobile app fame, as they hit the real world with the Knock on Wood boardgame. It's a bit like Jenga, but with plastic pigs and birds, which will come as no surprise to the millions of fans the game already has.

2010 proved to be a vintage year for gaming! From motion controllers like Kinect and Move through to brand new handhelds like the Nintendo 3DS, there was plenty of new hardware to salivate over.

But the real stars of 2010 were the games themselves. Due to overwhelming competition from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 late last year, many publishers held back their big name games until early 2010. It meant for a bumper catalogue of sequels and triple-A titles crammed into the past 12 months.

We've tried to pick our ten favourite games of the year, but it's been no easy task. The list could have easily been twice as long. Honourable abscences from our list include Metroid: Other M, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Battlefield Bad Company 2 and Dead Rising 2; all worthy of your money, but didn't quite make the cut!

So, in descending order, here are Tech Digest's Top Ten Games of 2010.

Click below to reveal the winner