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Most-anticipated tech products of 2011 (photos)

What tech products are we most excited to check out in 2011? Here's a look at the contenders.

David Carnoy
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
David Carnoy
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BlackBerry Playbook tablet

BlackBerry is already showing off early builds of its iPad competitor. Will it live up to the hype? We're not sure, but a lot of people are intrigued to see how it performs when it's finally finished and ready to ship early this year.

More coverage:
BlackBerry PlayBook: Who will buy it?
BlackBerry Playbook First Look

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Sandy Bridge computers

Intel's next-generation CPU has an integrated graphics chip that competes with Nvidia's and ATI's (AMD) entry-level graphics cards. Sandy Bridge laptops and desktops are due to ship shortly and should offer compelling performance enhancements for the money.

More coverage:
Review: Origin Genesis (with Sandy Bridge CPU)
Intel's 'Sandy Bridge' for laptops tested

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Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS, which offers a glasses-free 3D gaming experience, is due to arrive March 27 in the U.S. for $249.99. How well it does may determine whether others jump into the 3D portable gaming space.

More coverage:
Nintendo 3DS official details revealed: March 27, $249

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Chrome OS products

Google has been seeding developers with rather spartan-looking Chrome OS laptops that include the Chrome OS SDK (software development kit), so they can begin developing apps for the new OS. Later this year, we should start to see actual Chrome OS laptops shipping.

More coverage:
Chrome OS puts the cloud in your hands

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Passive 3D TVs

LG and Vizio are bringing out TVs this year that require only basic (cheap) 3D glasses for viewing. Such technology may help breathe new life into 3D TV, which got off to a slow start in 2010.

More coverage:
LG puts passive 3D in 120Hz LED LCD TVs

Vizio XVT TVs proffer passive 3D, full LED

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HP WebOS (Palm) tablet and smartphones

We've been waiting to see what HP planned to do with its purchase of Palm and the WebOS. The company was quiet at CES, but recently, photos of an upcoming WebOS tablet leaked, so details should begin to emerge soon.

More coverage:
Report: HP WebOS tablets to boast cloud storage, 'premium audio'
Will HP's WebOS tablet arrive too late?

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Sony PlayStation Portable 2

Rumor has it that Sony may introduce its next-generation PSP early this year, though it also has a PSP Phone in the works that could arrive first.

In any case, word is that Sony will have a new PlayStation Portable ready to go in time for the holidays. It allegedly will offer a larger screen than the existing PSP models, as well as impressive graphics that rival those of the PS3.

More coverage:
Sony PSP2 concept designs (roundup)
Reports: PSP2 to be announced January 27

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Touch-screen Kindle (Kindle 4)

Back in 2009, Amazon bought little company called Touchco, fueling rumors that it was developing a touch-screen Kindle.

We don't know what Amazon has up its sleeve for the Kindle in 2011, but in order to shrink its device, it will probably have to do away with the keyboard and move to a touch-screen interface.

More coverage:
The company behind Sony's e-reader touch-screen technology

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Android Honeycomb tablets

The Motorola Xoom is one of several tablets that run a new version of Android called Honeycomb that's been designed for tablets.

Will it slow down the iPad? Maybe. A little.

More coverage:
Android Honeycomb video shows slick tablet OS
Motorola Xoom wins Best of Show. Here's why.

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Dual-core processor smartphones

Next-generation Android phones like the Motorola Atrix and the LG Optimus 2X will be powered by dual-core processors that bring speed enhancements to the next generation of smartphones.

Rumor has it that the next-generation iPhone will also have a dual-core processor.

More coverage:
Moto spills full details on Atrix 4G and laptop dock
LG's Optimus 2X is first dual-core smartphone

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iPad 2

Apple released the iPad in April 2010 and it seems likely the company will release a new iPad in April of this year.

No one knows exactly what it will look like but it will most likely be a bit smaller (and possible thinner), have a built-in camera, a faster dual-core processor and more-powerful graphics chip.

More coverage:
Latest rumor: iPad 2 won't feature Retina Display
Report: iPad 2 to use fast graphics chip

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iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 rumors are running rampant, with some suggesting that Apple's next iPhone will simply be an upgrade to the existing iPhone 4(dual-core processor, better graphics chip and battery life, and possible 4G data capabilities), while others say the phone will get thinner and truly get a makeover.

If the past is any indication, we should know the answer in June--or earlier if an Apple employee leaves a prototype in a bar.

More coverage:
iPhone 5: 20 most-wanted features

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