Until October 15, lovers of all things consumer electronic will throng to the Airport Expo Dubai for deals, promotions and mega giveaways at Gitex Shopper. Offering the latest in consumer electronics, the event's retail atmosphere is so electric that visitors have been known to camp out for hours at the entrance on weekends just to be able to make it inside.
Last year more than 166,000 visitors contributed a total of Dh175 million in sales (an increase of 40 per cent over 2009). This year, the event is expected to tap into the estimated $3.4-billion (Dh12.4 billion) UAE consumer electronics market by offering 25,000 of the latest and cutting-edge products. We've got the skinny on the best of the fest.
The rise of the tablet
More than 75 tablets have been introduced or showcased across the world this year. Do look for 4G, intuitive user interface, cell radio capability (to access online anywhere), a 1GB RAM (for notebook-like processor speeds), a good and bankable app resource, and a robust OS platform that upgrades to the newer versions without a hassle.
Contenders
The Motorola Xoom grabbed quite a few headlines this year, with the Android 3.1 Honeycomb OS and dual-core processor and HD video. It's thin, light and powerful.
Toshiba's Thrive delivers full throttle web browsing and amplified HD entertainment thanks to the world's first mobile super-chip, NVIDIA Tegra 2. It also features three ports that most tablets don't offer — a USB 2.0, mini USB, and an HDMI port.
The Samsung Galaxy 10.1 is a design marvel with a grade-A user experience. Offering the brightest and sharpest screen quality, it hosts its own applications such as Memo and Mini Diary and has excellent camera and speaker systems.
RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook is a must-mention. It features its own BlackBerry Tablet OS, and sports quick deployment, processing and 4G like a hero's cape and supports Flash unlike others.
Saving the best for last, the Asus Eee Pad Transformer comes with a detachable keyboard, microSD slot for expandable storage and long battery life. It's notebook-like power delivers unbeatable processor speed, making it the one closest to unseating the major competitors for the top spot.
Upgrade your laptop
The Gitex Shopper favourite, laptops will headline again this year.
Keep the following things in mind if you are looking to buy one at the event. There will always be a need for faster data transmission. 700MB DivX rips are being replaced by 720p HD rips. Try and look for USB 3.0 ports (the speed bump is fantastic, two to three times faster than a regular drive).
New technology
Intel's on the verge of announcing its Light Peak technology that supports an insane 10Gbps using optical medium instead of copper wires. Apple's updated MacBook Pros are supposed to feature this technology with the Thunderbolt moniker. You'll be staring a lot less at a progress bar despite shuffling gigabits of data.
Storage space
Hybrid Hard Drives incorporate the vastness of hard drive space with a small capacity Solid State Drive (SSD) integrated into the body. The OS files are typically installed in the faster accessible SSD, whereas the spinning drive is used to store user data. Expect instant-on and ultra-fast boot times like an SSD-based PC, yet to have space to store all your content and save power.
Faster processors
Processors with punch include Intel's recent Atom processors, and even the top-of-the-line Sandy Bridge has graphics processors and memory controllers incorporated into the same chip. AMD's Fusion APU platform is pretty much on the same lines. The resulting communication between these components is faster and more efficient, thus improving performance and even saving power.
Models to look out for
If you're looking for aesthetics that blends with functionality do try LG's P430 and P530 super slim and light featuring Digital Living Network Alliance and Wireless Display. For a comprehensive mobile experience and good design, try out Samsung's Notebook 9 Series with its accelerated performance, second-generation Intel Core i5/i7 processor and a 128/256GB SSD. The Toshiba Satellite A300-15B is designed for the home user, but will run equally well at the office (although upgrades to the software may be required). HP's DV6 range offers gamers and HD video buffs the 3170 with a powerful quad-core processor that blazes through software, video and high-end gaming. The Impulse NPX-9000 is perfect for serious writers. With no LAN card, you won't spend all day browsing the internet, and will do some work instead. For the regular traveller, Asus Eee PC with a 12GB SSD, built-in 802.11b/g, and Intel mobile CPU is great. Let's not forget the Apple Mac Pro (13 inch), the latest version that outperforms its predecessor and overcomes its reputation as a niche product to enter the mainstream with aplomb.
Smarter phones on offer
We highlight smartphones that should be on your to-research list.
The LG Optimus 3D offers a full 3D experience without the need for 3D glasses. Its Tri-Dual configuration — a dual-core processor, dual cameras and dual-channel memory — provides improved performance for multitasking, viewing graphics-intensive websites, movie playback, play 3D games, and capture videos and images in 3D.
The Samsung Galaxy S II's amazing display is reason enough to buy it; however, its 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, dual-core 1GHz processor, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) OS, eight-megapixel camera, integrated memory and microSD card, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0, are equally compelling.
The BlackBerry Bold 9900 is a perfect union of a high-performance keyboard and touch display with a high-performance graphics processor and CPU. The high-resolution display delivers a highly responsive touch interface with fast and smooth graphics.
N8 is Nokia's exciting handset since the Communicator range, which will now feature its newest platform, the Symbian 3. Nokia also recently launched its N9 smartphone running on MeeGo OS (a collaboration of Intel's Moblin and Nokia's Maemo), with eight-megapixel autofocus camera, wide-angle lens and HD-quality video capture. It is the first smartphone with Dolby Digital Plus decoding and Dolby Headphone post-processing technology to provide excellent surround sound.
Smart TVs: 3D is the name of the game
It's time to plug your TV into the future, as the internet, personalised content preferences, and Digital Living Network Alliance will change the way we consume, interact and use our information. Intuitive user environments and point-and-click remotes will be on offer from the top players. As 3D content looms closer to becoming a reality, it's a good time to start reviewing 3D TVs as an option.
Sony's planned launch of 22 Smart TVs this year will feature its Bravia Internet Video service, including support for standard internet streaming sites. Internet-connected features include Skype support for video chat in 720p and Track ID.
LG has announced its Cinema 3D line of polarised-lens TVs. It will feature LG's next-generation 3D TV that eliminates dizziness, nausea, or discomfort thanks to its clearer, blur-free images. LG's USP is its 3D glasses — lightweight, and non-charging. The affordable price lets you get as many as you need.
Vizio's entire 2011 line-up will include its Theatre 3D polarised lens capability.
Cameras: something for everyone
Here's a good place to start when looking out for a great set of features for your camera.
If you are a casual photographer looking for a good mix of automated and manual controls, check out Canon PowerShot S100 and SX40 HS. Both have powerful new DIGIC V image processor that improves image quality and 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor that can shoot 1080p high-definition video.
FujiFilm's X10 takes a shot at the point-and-shoot crown offering full manual exposure controls, a RAW shooting mode, and a few unique extras making it a compelling competitor for other performance-minded semi-compact cameras.
Nikon's Coolpix S9100 pleases novices and experienced shooters alike. Despite the absence of manual controls, its 18X zoom and good macro capabilities make for great pictures.
Impressive and compact
The Canon PowerShot SD 4000 IS qualifies as one of the most impressive compact cameras tested offering image qualities and lens capabilities usually seen in professional cameras.
Samsung's SH100 offers an array of wireless sharing and remote control options with a lightweight body, while the Samsung NX200 compact with interchangeable lens is a follow-up to last year's NX100, adding a higher-resolution APS-C sensor, 1080p video capture, a more secure-feeling grip, and 3D shooting options to its mix of features.
