CNET's Most Anticipated Tech Products in 2012

In anticipation for the new year, CNET comes up with a list of anticipated gadgets for 2012. This is my personal list as I had deleted some which I think should not be included and added a little bit of data about each gadget. Of course, the usual disclaimer is there that this gadgets may or may not well be introduced into the market as they are in the development stage and companies would not want to spoil the fun and end up spoiling their profits and marketing.
We put up the companies' selling point of the products and added the opinion of CNET's game experts. So here goes:

Nintendo Wii U

Image credit: Nintendo

Nintendo's next home console is introducing a revolutionary new touch screen controller with precision motion controls and full HD graphics that can continue a gaming session on the portable controller even when your TV is off.

CNET game experts say that the biggest selling point of this Wii U is it can support 1080p visuals and is backward-compatible with all Wii gaming accessories and games.

No word on pricing or exactly when the Wii U will hit the market, but Nintendo says it will be in stores in 2012. CNET game experts have some opinion about the gadget. Here's what they thought.

iPad Mini

The latest rumor is that Apple will do a 7.85-inch iPad Mini which will be available in late 2012. Some say this is Apple's response to Amazon's Kindle fire which is catching fire with gamers lately. 

CNET games experts say that Apple can hit slam dunk if it the supposed iPad Mini will feature a $299. 16GB. 

Better, more-affordable ultrabooks

With boasted features of light weight, long battery life, strong performance, ultra-fast loading times, and a reasonable pricing (under $1000) for base models, underrated netbooks may well just be forgotten. These ultrabooks had been in reasonable price territory in 2011 and may well be better in 2012 offering similar performance for even less money.

Next-gen MacBook Air

New rumors are in the rounds again for the next generation of MacBook Pros and Airs with new designs and in 15-inches even Macbook Air getting even slimmer.

More-affordable Apple AirPlay products

Apple's AirPlay is a wireless streaming feature available on Applemobile devices that allows you to stream audio and video over Wi-Fi. However, these products tent to be pricey which is mostly speakers except for Apple TV and AirPort Express. Hoping that they could shave $100 off their list prices (and more in some cases) in 2012, they might well hit the market again.

MacBook Air. (Apple)
Image credit: James Martin/CNET

Kindle Fire 2 (and Amazon's 10-inch tablet)

The Kindle Fire is best for those that want a tablet PC that handles all of the most important functions and does away with some of the least used functions found on other tablet PCs like the iPad 2. This focus on the most important functions of a tablet PC has allowed Amazon to offer the Fire at an incredible price-point of only $199. If you always wanted to get a tablet PC but couldn’t afford something like the iPad 2, this is for you. Just imagine what Kindle Fire 2 can be. Amazon may also well release a 10-inch tablet that undercuts the iPad's price significantly. 

iPhone 5

As we all know, no one really knows what the iPhone 5 will look like and when it will be released but one things is expected, I guess, is that it will have a new design just as the iPhone 4 looked very different from iPhone 3G.

iPad 3

Just as iPhone products are unpredictable, it's very well the same with iPad 3. Everybody's waiting--and expecting--an iPad 3 with a higher-resolution display. 

PlayStation Vita

Sony's next-generation handheld gaming device is slated to arrive in the U.S. on February 22, with dual analog sticks, a touch screen, and graphics that rival the PS3's. The Wi-Fi version is priced at $249 and the Wi-Fi/3G version will cost $299.99 (3G service plan extra).

Playstation Vita has the potential to be a much-needed hit for Sony, which has lost a lot of luster in recent years. CNET editors got an early look at the Vita. See what they thought.

Wider LTE (4G) rollout

We'll see lots more 4G phones in 2012--and hopefully lots more 4G service coverage with true broadband speeds.

Nook Tablet 2

Barnes & Noble continues to do a lot of things right with its color Nook products. One request for the next model, most likely due to arrive in November: a little Bluetooth, please.

Windows 8

Unity is the theme with Windows 8, as Microsoft is bringing the Metro UI found on smartphones and Xbox 360 to the PC and tablets. Word is a beta may be out as soon as February with the final product ready to ship on PCs.