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Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: winter 2013 edition
Old Man Winter's reaching deep into his bag of tricks this season, but we've found the perfect escape from his world of rosy cheeks and frosty trees: just step into your local electronics store. Here, you can bask in the glow of the latest smartphones, each clamoring to join you for a new year of fun and adventures. Naturally, making sense of the dizzying array isn't an easy task, but our smartphone buyer's guide is here to help you find a handset that's sure to thrill. As you've probably noticed, a number of today's best smartphones are now available on multiple carriers. Likewise, we're introducing a new section that highlights devices that are available from three or more providers. The carrier section is also receiving a slight tweak, as you'll now find our top picks of carrier exclusives. Naturally, more smartphones than ever also means you'll find more choices than ever, but regardless of your budget or needs, you're sure to find a number of thrilling selections. So grab a cup of cocoa and join us after the break, where we round up the most exciting options of the new year.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: bags and cases
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Express. Gift giving is all about what's under that wrapping paper rather than the package itself, but when the holidays are over those shiny new gadgets won't just protect themselves from the inevitable wear and tear. Whether you're looking for a bag that can fit a notebook PC, SLR and then some; a slim messenger for toting a laptop to and fro or a durable case to shield against bumps and bruises, you'll find no shortage of options that are equal parts stylish and functional. Below, take a look at some of our favorites.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: HDTV and home theater
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's HTC One X+. It's been a great year for home entertainment, with geek-friendly blockbusters ruling the box office, HD streamers gaining popularity and a bevy of pixel-dense TVs hitting the market. Way back in January, CES showed off some breathtaking Smart TVs, and now -- while it's a pricey proposition -- an 84-inch 4K TV isn't the stuff of dreams. If you've been waiting to treat a loved one (or yourself) to some new gear, now's the perfect time to leap in. Head past the break to find some home theater goodness for every wallet size.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: fun stuff!
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's LG Optimus G. Ideally, all the gifts you'll give and receive will fall under the "fun" category, but sometimes this description is especially applicable. Welcome to the lighter side of tech, where you'll find gadgets meant to make life merrier rather than to impress with mile-long spec lists. That's not to say that these gizmos aren't productivity-friendly -- the picks below enable everything from learning to play the guitar to keeping New Year's resolutions on track.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: speakers and docks
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Express. Apple may have killed off the ubiquitous 30-pin connector, but that doesn't mean the dock is dead. Millions of older iPhones and iPads remain in use today -- and will for many years to come -- and Bluetooth and WiFi-equipped speaker rigs let you pipe in tunes regardless of your device's hardware port. Apple's Lightning adapter will also let last year's docks remain relevant, while standard 3.5mm inputs ensure compatibility with nearly any audio source. You should, of course, be aware of each system's connectivity before making a purchase, but don't let that previous-gen plug dissuade you from picking up an otherwise awesome setup. As always, we're happy to assist as you sort through the selection -- here are our top finds for every budget, so queue up some tunes and blast past the break.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: portable audio
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's HTC Windows Phone 8X. If you plan on picking up smartphones, tablets or laptops for you and your loved ones this holiday season, it's safe to bet most of them won't produce decent sound quality when left to their built-in devices. That's why we're here to highlight some portable audio wares that should help you jam out at home and on the go with pleasing sonic fidelity. We've narrowed it down to wired headphones, wireless headphones and wireless speakers that blend style, portability and, of course, quality to please many an audiophile.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: e-readers
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Express. Those predicting the death of the e-reader in 2012 at the hands of cheap 7-inch tablets have gotten quite the surprise this year. The space is quite alive, thanks to heated competition between industry leaders such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble and some solid choices from the likes of Kobo and Sony. There are still plenty of options for those who like a little multimedia with their books -- and don't mind doing their reading on an LCD.
Engadget holiday gift guide 2012: accessories
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's LG Optimus G. Sure, Ultrabooks and Windows 8 tablets are flashy gift options, but it's extras like the ones found here that really make 'em sing. Whether it's a desktop or portable storage solution, a smart thermostat or a secondary camera for those more experimental shots, we've got you covered. This collection of high-tech add-ons will surely snag the attention of anyone on your holiday shopping list, so mosey on past the break to start perusing.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: smartphones
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's LG Optimus G. If you have any gadget junkies in your life, there's a good chance they're craving a new smartphone. Whether you're on a tight budget or have a fat wallet, simply look to our surefire list of the best and most unique mobile devices to place under the tree. But enough with the chatter... let's start shopping!
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: gaming
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Nothing quite says "holidays" like snuggling up with your favorite gaming device and putting some serious time into the backlog of games piling up next to the TV. But 2012 is a year of change when it comes to gaming devices -- PC graphics cards are dropping in price and easily outclassing console competition, and new entrants like the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Wii U offer novel ways to interact with classic characters. So, what should you get for the gaming-inclined people in your life? Read on to find out what will fit best into your budget this year.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: tablets
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. We've also teamed up with AT&T to give away one hot smartphone with each and every guide, so scroll to the end for today's prize, then leave a comment to submit your entry! You have to admit -- there's something extra special about receiving tablets. Perhaps it's their sleek and portable designs, or maybe it's because they're best for watching movies and playing games rather than pounding out important memos on a deadline. Their rep as entertainment devices is already changing, though: we've seen slates with pen input and bundled keyboard docks burst onto the market this year, and Windows 8 is only boosting that corporate-friendly image. Wherever you fall on the work / play spectrum, we've got some great slate choices for you. Hop past the break to dive in.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: digital cameras
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. We've also teamed up with AT&T to give away one hot smartphone with each and every guide, so scroll to the end for today's prize, then leave a comment to submit your entry! For digital cameras, 2012 has been an interesting year indeed. IFA in Berlin brought the first compelling Android-powered model, the Samsung Galaxy Camera, while Photokina delivered a handful of full-frame DSLRs and Sony's jaw-dropping Cyber-shot RX1. As smartphone cameras have evolved, dedicated snappers have, too -- this year's models are far more powerful than any we've seen before, and if you've been holding out for a significant advancement, now's the time to buy. We've sorted the top models for every budget, which you'll find gathered in our guide just past the break.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: ultraportables
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. We've also teamed up with AT&T to give away one hot smartphone with each and every guide, so scroll to the end for today's prize, then leave a comment to submit your entry! Just in time for the holidays, a slew of new Windows 8 Ultrabooks has arrived to make your shopping list all the more difficult. Not only must you settle on a screen size, you also have touch-enabled machines to consider -- and don't forget those Atom-powered hybrids, which pull double duty as standalone slates and full-fledged laptops. The deliberations may be endless, but we've whittled down the playing field to some prime contenders. Just hold your horses -- some of these slick machines are drumming up extra anticipation with release dates well into the holiday shopping season.
Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: fall 2012 edition
Shopping for a smartphone can be an exciting and arduous experience. Along with the promise of something new and fantastic, it brings the fear of commitment, and even worse, the prospect of saddling yourself to a lousy device for two years. Fortunately for you, Engadget spends tons of time playing with the latest gear and we're constantly on the lookout for what's coming next. If you're wanting to take the pain out of shopping for a smartphone, you've come to the right place. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: your one-stop resource to finding the best and most exciting handsets on the market today. Before you dive in, however, we've introduced a few changes to the buyer's guide, so take a minute to prepare yourself for what's in store. First and foremost, you'll now find alternate selections to supplement our top picks. This should already be familiar to many of you, which is the same format we use for our seasonal gift guides. The next one is a biggie: we've dropped the QWERTY selection. By and large, manufacturers and carriers alike have shifted their focus away from keyboard-equipped smartphones, and you'll rarely find more than one option on any given carrier. That said, if you still insist on the tactile experience, you'll always find everything you need to know in our reviews. Finally, whenever possible, you'll now find prices from Amazon Wireless, which allows us to provide you with more compelling budget selections and highlight the substantial savings that you can score by circumventing the carriers. It's not like they need your charity, anyway. If you're curious to see how it all unfolded -- and we know you are -- join us after the break, where we round up the very best smartphones of the season.
Engadget's $50,000 back to school sweepstakes: just 24 hours to go!
Have you entered our back to school giveaway yet? If you've already commented on each of 15 eligible posts, you're all set -- you can only vote once on each article (15 times in all), so hang in there and wait for us to randomly select the winners. The rest of you, however, need to get a move on! There's only 24 hours remaining in the contest period, so be sure to get all 15 entries in before the clock strikes noon tomorrow. Good luck! Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags! Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets Engadget's back to school guide 2012: ultraportables Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers Engadget's back to school guide 2012: mainstream laptops Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming Engadget's back to school guide 2012: HDTV Engadget's back to school guide 2012: digital cameras Engadget's back to school guide 2012: portable audio Engadget's back to school guide 2012: accessories Engadget's back to school guide 2012: docks and clocks Engadget's back to school guide 2012: bags and cases Engadget's back to school guide 2012: printers Engadget's back to school guide 2012: fun stuff!
There are just four days left to enter our back to school sweepstakes with nearly $50,000 in prizes!
During the month of August, we published 14 back to school guides, covering product categories ranging from cameras and printers, to smartphones and ultraportables. With each post, we offered a selection of gadget must-haves, but we also gave you an opportunity to enter our massive back to school giveaway, including 15 identical bags stuffed to the brim (and far beyond) with some of the hottest devices of the season. You want these gadgets, and we want to help! The contest runs through noon (ET) on Friday, September 7th, so there's still plenty of time to enter -- simply leave a comment at each of our category pages, along with the giveaway post, to secure 15 chances to win. And to make things even easier, we're including links to all of our posts just below. Good luck, and have a fantastic semester! Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags! Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones Engadget's back to school guide 2012: tablets Engadget's back to school guide 2012: ultraportables Engadget's back to school guide 2012: e-readers Engadget's back to school guide 2012: mainstream laptops Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming Engadget's back to school guide 2012: HDTV Engadget's back to school guide 2012: digital cameras Engadget's back to school guide 2012: portable audio Engadget's back to school guide 2012: accessories Engadget's back to school guide 2012: docks and clocks Engadget's back to school guide 2012: bags and cases Engadget's back to school guide 2012: printers Engadget's back to school guide 2012: fun stuff!
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: fun stuff!
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. The good news? We're on to the fun stuff, the gear that isn't always practical but will definitely help you let off some steam after a tough mid-term. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Laptops, phones and e-readers might be slick pieces of tech, but they'll all be used for business while you're buried in term papers during the semester. We're rounding up a set of gadgets meant purely to lift your spirits -- whether it's zapping fellow froshmates in a game of Lazer Tag or an electric motorbike to blast through the countryside on a long weekend. We've even got a few borderline sensible gadgets, such as a robot that will clean up after a wild party at the dorm. Jump past the break for our full collection of antidotes to the end-of-summer blues.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: printers
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we have printers on our minds and on our desks -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the series we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! It's safe to say that, at some point, you'll need to print out a collection of assignments this fall. We're looking to save the environment just as much as the next set of folks, but physical outputs are still required for a number of things -- especially in the realm of academics. Now that WiFi has become a standard option on most ink-to-paper peripherals, the ability to print from mobile devices has become a hot commodity. A number of our selections offer just that, allowing you to get the job started without needing to be in front of a computer. Enough chatter, though... head on past the break to peruse our picks for the back to school season this year.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: bags and cases
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're helping you keep all your gear organized -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Trying to pack a load of gadgets, peripherals and a laptop into your average book bag usually isn't the most ideal setup -- especially when it's time to grab what you need throughout the day. To solve that dilemma, we've selected more than a handful of sacks and cases that'll keep your gear at hand and organized so that you'll spend less time rummaging for your gizmos and more time exploring your campus. Best of all, you can rest assured knowing many of the selections past the break are goods that we here at Engadget even rely on to get our gear in and out of the various events we attend -- jump past the break to see our picks.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: docks and clocks
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we have speaker docks in our sights -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here. If there's any post-adolescent period that deserves its own soundtrack, it's your college years. Sure, our portable audio picks will let you jam on the go, but the best collegiate experiences are shared with friends -- and listening to music should be no exception. Even if you'd prefer to keep your playlist out of your friends' feed, be it in person or online, you'll still need to wake up each morning, and what better way to ease into the waking world than with your favorite tracks? These speaker docks offer more functionality than your average smartphone clock, and they're certainly better equipped to play DJ when it comes time to close the books. Join us past the break for our 2012 picks.
