Experts pick top gadgets and games for 2011

By Dan Whitworth
Newsbeat technology reporter

2010 has been a good year for gadget fans and gamers: 3D televisions, tablet computers, ground breaking mobile phones and new gaming technology to name just a few of the developments over the last 12 months.

But what can people expect in 2011? Newsbeat's spoken to some technology and gaming experts to get their opinion on what could make it big in the next year.

We want your opinions too. Tell us what you're looking forward to, what you're excited about for the coming year let us know on our Facebook site.

Luke Peters - editor of T3 magazine

1. Smart TVs: Televisions that connect direct to the internet. They'll let people do things like surf online and download apps while watching TV.

2. iPad 2: This is the upgrade everyone is waiting for.

It should hopefully bring the price down, come with a front facing camera which will allow video messaging and be lighter.

3. Amazon Kindle 4: This version of the popular e-book reader should have a colour screen paving the way for much better content.

Things like magazines, newspapers as well as books.

4. Apple Mac App Store: It should help Apple redefine home computing to make it simple and accessible to all.

Apps are integral to packaging up web content into bite-size, easy-to-use chunks.

5. Electric cars: The first real glut of models will be released in 2011.

The most interesting aspect is how local government will adopt the idea and create proper refuelling infrastructure. Or not...

Stuart Miles - editor of Pocket-Lint.com

1. Blackberry Playbook: I think this is going to be able to do lots of different things compared with the tablet PCs out there at the moment.

Google's Chrome operating system is aiming for simplicity and speed

It's due out in early 2011 and I reckon it will really shake up the market. (Pictured top)

2. The Apple iPad 2: should also hit the shelves. Apple will probably add a camera to it and improve its screen resolution.

3. Really good games for the Xbox Kinect: While we've had some interesting games that show what's possible with Kinect, I think we can expect much better ones by next Christmas.

Developers will have had a chance to figure out how to really get the best from it.

4. Google Chrome OS Netbook: Google's new operating system is basically the same as its browser, but as an operating system it should be really quick to use.

This has the potential to change how we work on the go because it'll be incredibly lightweight, easy to use and, hopefully, affordable.

Neil Ashurst - senior executive at GAME

1. Forza 4: It was only announced a couple of weeks ago but it's going to be one of the next generation of games for Xbox Kinect.

Forza Motorsport 4 is one of the big titles being tipped by GAME for 2011

If it really does harness the power of Kinect into the Forza franchise it will make the game more realistic than ever before.

2. Kill Zone 3: This will be one of the first games to be released in 3D and still be compatible with Playstation Move.

There'll also be a 3D multiplayer version available.

Sony is backing this new technology and this shows just how important the company thinks it's going to be to the future of gaming.

3. Batman Arkham City: The sequel to one of 2010's surprise hits.

Because people enjoyed the original so much they are all likely to come back for this sequel and make it one of the biggest games of 2011.

4. Homefront video game: This is a completely new game, set in the near future where the Korean People's Army has invaded America.

It's written by John Milius, the man who wrote Apocalypse Now.

It sounds really interesting but slightly controversial, but the storyline seems to work.