LONDON, November 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• The Sunday Times   Tech List selects favourite gadgets of the year
• Research uncovers technology and spending habits this Christmas

With 37 shopping days until Christmas, the top ten gadgets of 2011 have been revealed by The Sunday Times. Compiled by a panel of technology experts, the results will be featured in the inaugural Tech List supplement within the main newspaper this weekend and online here. To coincide with the launch, consumer research was conducted looking at gadget and technology trends together with spending plans this Christmas.

Topping The Sunday Times Tech List's best gadgets of 2011 - the Elgato EyeTV mobile, which allows iPad2 users to watch and record Freeview digital TV channels via their tablet without the need for any internet connection. The inclusion of this smart piece of technology will no doubt see thousands of gadget mad Britons watching the Queen's speech on an iPad over Christmas dinner this year.

Also included are ski goggles with built-in GPS and cameras, "the world's best Lego kit" - comprising 2,048 pieces including a pneumatically operated crane, Angry Birds speakers and a self-recording DAB radio. The guide also features the year's top 100 gadgets, divided into categories including boys' and girls' toys, tablets, cameras, cycling, skiing, motoring and gaming.

According to new research released today, seven million people won't be bought a present by their partner this Christmas, however, The Sunday Times Tech List aims to inspire people who will and ensure they buy their loved-ones the right gift. The findings also revealed that men plan to spend more on their partner than women and that e-readers and tablets, such as the Kindle and iPad2, top the nation's present wish-list this festive season.

When asked about their technology preferences, the public voted the laptop as their favourite gadget, followed by the mobile phone, despite the current tablet trend. The research also discovered the sacrifices people would make to afford their most-wanted piece of technology - 24% of people would give up alcohol, 15% their social life, 11% their annual holiday and 6% would delay a marriage proposal or wedding.

Despite an increasing reliance on technology in everyday life, some still struggle with common phrases - 16% of people don't know what HD (high definition) stands for, with more women (84%) in the know than men (81%).

The Sunday Times' technology expert Matt Bingham, who oversaw the creation of the list, commented: "Gadgets are at the top of many people's Christmas wish-lists and the average British adult spends nearly half their waking hours using some kind of technology.  So it is no surprise that there are thousands of high-tech products to choose from.  The Tech List's top 100 Gadgets will help everyone cut through the techno-babble and enable them to choose the best possible gadget this Christmas."

The full Sunday Times Tech List, listing the top 100 gadgets, will be published in The Sunday Times on November 20.  It will also appear online at http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/public/techlist?CMP=KNGvccp1-TechListPR.

IF USING THIS INFORMATION PLEASE CREDIT: THE SUNDAY TIMES   TECH LIST

Notes to editors:

The Sunday Times   Tech List Top 10 Gadgets of 2011 -

1. Elgato EyeTV Mobile                  £100
2. Zeal Optics Transcend GPS goggles    £420
3. Light Strike                     from £30
4. Pure One Classic Series II            £55
5. JP Twister 2.4G Police Helicam       £137
6. Virgin Media TiVo           from £3/month
7. Lego Technic Unimog U400S            £145
8. Arcade Nano Sonic                   £9.85
9. Gear4 Angry Birds Speakers       from £50
10. Street Surfing Wave 360              £100

• Research conducted by OnePoll.com on Tuesday, November 15 2011 with sample base of 2,000 respondents
• FURTHER RESEARCH FINDINGS INCLUDING CITY BREAKDOWNS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

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SOURCE The Sunday Times