You can’t avoid it any longer—it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping. But this year, skip the traditional go-to gifts of sweaters and boxers, and instead impress your family and friends with cutting-edge gadgets and gear. From the latest and greatest smartphone to the best handheld gaming system, we reveal the hottest gifts of 2011.

Samsung GALAXY Note

Samsung has taken the smartphone to a whole new level with the GALAXY Note. Featuring a large and immersive screen, best-in-class mobile input ‘with a touchscreen and the advanced S Pen, a full suite of features including built in photo and video editing capabilities, this is must-have for your most discerning gift recipients.

Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung LED 8000 Series TV

This incredible television is something everyone should experience: From its visually stunning LED HD picture to its Smart TV capabilities with a solid collection of apps including Facebook and Skype, it’s a must-have for anyone who’s a gadget lover.

Samsung LED 800 Series

Barnes & Noble Nook Simple Touch

The latest generation of the Barnes and Noble e-reader is faster, lighter, and thinner than its predecessor. And we haven’t even gotten to the best part: The new Nook has a two-month battery life (that’s an entire month more than the Kindle!). With its library of more than 2.5 million books, this is a dream come true for any book lover.

Barnes and Noble e-Reader

Casio Tryx Camera

There always seems to be a snazzy new handheld camera hitting the market—but this one rises way above the rest. The insanely flexible 12-megapixel Tryx can turn, twist, hang, and stand unassisted to get shots you never thought possible.

Casio Tryx Camera

Sony HD 3D Camcorder

Sony’s new camcorder isn’t the first to tout two lenses—but it is the first to have two imaging sensors and two processors. What does that mean? Unbelievably clear playback and the ability to seamlessly go from 3-D to 2-D HD and back.

Sony HD 3D Camcorder

Jawbone ERA Bluetooth Headset

Want to really impress him? This is the only headset on the market equipped with military-grade noise-cancelling technology to ensure the least amount of background noise possible during important phone calls. The design is really cool too.

Jawbone ERA Bluetooth Headset

Garmin GTU 10 GPS Tracker

This lighter-size tracker combines a Web-based tracking service with GPS technology so you can keep an eye on children, pets, or personal property. View the location of your tracker from your computer or, if you prefer, your mobile device. Perfect for the person who can’t get enough James Bond.

Garmin GTU 10 GPS Tracker

Livescribe Echo Smartpen (2GB)

Not only does this pen create digital backups of handwritten notes (when used with special paper), it also can record up to 400 hours of audio. Did we mention it has a camera too?

Livescribe

Nintendo 3DS

In the landscape of handheld gaming devices, the 3DS might not have the deepest selection of game titles. But what it lacks in selection it more than makes up for in its incredible, all encompassing 3-D experience (minus the glasses!). Once you play it, you’ll never put it down.

Nintendo 3ds

Nike Plus Sportswatch GPS (Powered by TomTom)

When Nike partnered with GPS powerhouse TomTom to create the Sportswatch GPS, we knew greatness would happen—and we weren’t disappointed. The watch tracks your time, distance, pace, and calories burned and seamlessly connects all this info with the NikePlus website to help you manage your running. Pretty slick.

Nike Plus Sportswatch GPS

The Japanese electronics giants, known world-wide for their G-Shock watches, recently unveiled a new prototype watch with Bluetooth capability.

You could be forgiven for not wanting to be seen wearing it on your wrist given its current appearance but if you look at some of the funky G- shock watches this one may get better looking.

This Bluetooth 4.0 enabled bit of kit has been designed to connect to the users smartphone, giving them the ability to view alerts on their wrist, directly from their phone. As well as text and email notifications, the calendar function means that all the reminders saved on the user’s phone can be easily viewed at the touch of a button.

Arguably the best feature is that when a call comes through to your phone the user can simply pull back their sleeve, look at their watch and see who’s calling. But it goes on, calls can even be rejected/ignored at the touch of a button. All this could mean no more fumbling in your pockets, hurriedly trying to pull the phone out before the caller hangs up and definitely  no more feeling popular when your phone rings, only to pull it out and see that it was your Mum calling.

The watch also boasts an automatic time zone update, handy for frequent travellers, and Casio also revealed that they hope to add public transportation, fitness and GPS functions to the watch before its release.

They are aiming to have the watch in shops by late 2011/early 2012, adding that it won’t largely out price other Casio models, which is a pleasant surprise. The long wait will allow Casio to address the small display and, hopefully, make it a bit easier on the eye, whilst smartphones catch up in regards to the Bluetooth 4.0.

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Check out these green gadgets for a fun and eco-friendly festival season.

CASIO Exilim EX-G1 black £189.95

 
Keep a record of all your festival adventures with the rugged and compact Exilim EX-G1. This 12.1-megapixel camera can withstand drops of up to 2.13 metres and is waterproof to depths of 3 metres.

Ploo Portable Toilet £18.00

When there are no facilities nearby or the queue to the loo is unbearably long, you’ll be glad you brought your Ploo. The Ploo is made from recyclable cardboard, uses degradable bags and can be reused. It is a festival must which can be conveniently packed as it pops up from a flat pack.

 LOGICOM FX250 Walkie Talkies £24.52

Worried about losing your friends in the masses? This two-way radio has a 5 km range ensuring that you can stay in touch with your friends in the festival area without the hassle of a problematic network or the added costs. Features include Voice Operated Transmission (VOX), Built-in Channel Scan, Audible Call Alert, Keypad Lock and LCD display. Requires 4 x AAA battery.

DRAPER 3 LED Waterproof Wind Up Torch £14.48

 This waterproof torch will be your greatest friend through heavy rainfall during festival season. Be prepared! One minute of winding gives up to 40 minutes of bright light.

All gadgets available online from www.pixmania.com