07 January,2014 10:22 AM IST | | The GUIDE Team
The New Year promises plenty in terms of new gadget launches. From Chinese smart watches to a new PC-based gaming console, Android TV and LG’s highly-anticipated curved phone. The GUIDE zeroes in on seven of the most promising gadget launches to watch out for in 2014
>> LG G Flex
We've been hearing a lot about this curved screen mobile phone from LG, but come 2014, and you can take one home. We haven't seen one physically as yet, but its performance could set the precedence for future phones. The product has already been listed on the LG website, so our guess is, it may not take
long before it's made available here.
>> Steam Machine
So, you thought PS4 and Xbox are the only gaming consoles to die for? Wait till the Steam OS Machines arrive. Although its maker, Valve, has not announced any plans to launch the product in India, you won't miss much as you can build one at home, by yourself. If all goes right, this Linx-based console with its soft touch controller offering the flexibility and preciseness of a keyboard, could well be the father of all PC gaming.
>> iPad Pro, iPhone 6 and iWatch
Apple, it's being rumoured, is gearing up for some major releases in 2014. The list includes a new iPad, referred to as iPad Pro featuring a 12.9 screen, the iPhone Phablet with a screen size close to the Galaxy Note 3, and a wearable smart watch, referred to as iWatch.
>> GoPro 4
Expect the adventure camera manufacturer to take things a notch higher with the GoPro Hero 4. It will have more frames and resolution than the Hero3+, can capture a 4K video, 12MP photos up to 30 frames per second and comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Auto Low Light modes. You can also expect it to be waterproof beyond 40 metres, a major complaint that most GoPro users had with the Hero3+. Expected in October 2014.
>> Galaxy F, S5 and S6
According to reports, Samsung is planning to release a new Galaxy smartphone with a metal body. The Galaxy F, as it's called, will be its premium line of smartphones, and is expected to be launched around the same time as the much-awaited Galaxy S5.
>> Android TV
The Google TV, rechristened as Android TV, is expected to arrive sometime in 2014. From the looks of it, tech companies in India are eagerly waiting for this smart TV unit to hit Indian shores. The latest specs show the Android TV to feature 1.8 GHz Quad core, ARM Cortex-A9 processor, 16GB storage space and 2GB RAM; the Android TV could be the next big thing from Google.
>> More Chinese Smart watches
From HTC and ZTE to lesser-known companies like Nutshell, expect the market to be flooded with Chinese smart watch options. The Geak Watch from Nutshell runs on Android 4.1, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, and FM radio, and comes packed with sensors to monitor your health and fitness. Priced at $300, it's backed by a 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. The Geak Watch comes with 1.55-inch, 240 x 240
pixel multi-touch display. Besides, ZTE is planning to showcase one at CES 2014.
