The big iPad 2 tech rivals

You’ve no doubt already got your iPad 2 on pre-order. If not, what exactly are you waiting for? But it’s not the only exciting gadget coming out in 2011. T3.com editor Kieran Alger identifies the five other pieces of tech that you should be considering adding to your ‘to buy’ list.

1. BlackBerry Playbook

“BlackBerry’s Playbook [above] is a direct rival to the iPad 2. It claims to have an operating system that’s powerful enough to be used in space stations. But the standout feature is its multi-tasking abilities. Importantly, the Playbook also boasts a button-free frontage, cameras at the front and back and is fully synchronisable with BlackBerry handsets.”

2. Galaxy Tab 2

“Samsung has upped the stakes with this. It’s bigger and undoubtedly better than the original, with a 10in screen in line with the iPad’s. Add to that Google’s cutting-edge Honeycomb Android 3.0 operating system, adding tabbed web browsing, an 8-megapixel camera and HD video, and it looks like a serious contender.”

3. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

“The iPhone’s gaming success couldn’t be ignored, and this is Sony Ericsson’s response. Touted as a PlayStation phone, it’s got a lot to live up to. As a gaming platform, it looks solid, but of course, it’ll live or die by the games that are actually released for it. But with Fifa, Metal Gear Solid and Assassin’s Creed announced, it looks like that shouldn’t be a problem after all.”

4. iPhone 5

“Expect the new iPhone to arrive this summer. Rumours include a smaller iPhone Nano, a larger 4in screen, a white version and even a complete form factor rethink. Gossip aside, what we’re most likely to see is an evolutionary improvement in spec, maybe the inclusion of an NFC-powered mobile payment e-wallet and, hopefully, a better antenna.”

5. LG Optimus 3D P920

“You can’t ignore 3D. At least, James Cameron doesn’t seem to want to let us. Incorporating two rear-facing cameras to let you shoot 3D videos, the smartphone also has a Nintendo 3DS-style screen so you can watch 3D on the move without glasses. And LG’s sponsored_longform with YouTube to let users upload and share 3D videos could solve the format’s biggest problem — lack of content.”