CES 2013, Android’s TV invasion, iPhone 6 and more: Gadget Digest

The Gadget Show  Friday 04 January 2013

It’s the calm before the storm of the Consumer Electronics Show next week, but there’s still been lots to get stuck into this first week of 2013. Read on for all the biggest breakthroughs in tech and gaming this week right here in your gadget digest.

CES kicks off next week

CES 2013 kicks off in Las Vegas next week, so expect non-stop tech announcements from all the biggest players in the industry. Some companies, eager to stand out, have jumped the gun and announced their wares already – including all the big TV makers – while Samsung has been touting its new 4G laptops and 3D cameras too. Expect even more next week.

Android invades your TV

This week’s seen a string of new, Android-powered set top boxes arrive to bring smart TV skills to any screen. We checked out Tely Labs’ clever Skype chatting webcam in our review, while Archos turned heads with its insane £99 machine that turns your telly into a tablet. On KickStarter meanwhile, a new Android games console caused a stir, smashing its target and promising to bring you HD games on the big screen for just £40.

Home automation heats up

Microsoft meanwhile quietly made what might be one of the most important purchases of the year, snapping up a home automation company, with plans to work its tech into its Xbox line up. That could mean you’ll soon be able to turn your lights off by yelling at Kinect, or cranking up the boiler with your phone while you’re under the covers in the depths of winter.

New super smartphones for 2013

It’s the start of a new year, and that means a new batch of super smartphones is just around the corner. Sony looks like it’ll be making the first move, as it gears up to launch two giant Android phones, the Xperia Z and ZL. But it’s not alone: reports are trickling in that Apple is already testing an iPhone 6, so iOS users won’t be left hanging in the smartphone arms race.

The best videos games to play this year

Last but not least, we took a look at all the big games headed our way this year: check out the video below to see 2013’s finest in action.