alaTest Trends: Most Popular Products for March 2011
In order to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information and recommendations on products, we watch popular consumer trends very closely. Last month’s numbers are in, and it’s clear that most consumers are interested in Cell Phones, HDTVs, Laptops, and Compact Digital Cameras (in that order). But we didn’t stop there. We decided to take a look at which specific products have been getting the most attention.
Starting things off in the number one spot is the Nokia C7, a well balanced and multifunctional smartphone. Its 3.5-inch AMOLED screen stands out, and with its moderately fast processor, 8MP camera (capable of 720p video), GPS, and FM radio/transmitter, the C7 is almost like the Swiss Army Knife of phones. It doesn’t quite keep up with Android devices and iPhones, but it does have a very attractive price. Perhaps most importantly, though, is its Penta-band 3G radio, making it 3G compatible with most GSM cell carriers, a rarity amongst smartphones.
You may recognize the X8 from our last blog about great, affordable smartphones, so it should be no surprise that it is also a very popular device. It’s one of the best valued smartphones on the market, and while it has a few shortcomings, like its outdated version of Android and it’s small-ish 3-inch screen, it’s still a very capable device with full access to the entire Android Marketplace.
The LE5300 is an award winning LED TV series praised for its spectacular image quality and color reproduction. The LED design also means it’s thinner and up to 40% more energy efficient than traditional LCD models. It’s also surprisingly well priced for such a high-end LED TV model, surely playing a role in the attention it has been getting this last month.
When it comes to entry-level professional grade digital cameras, none do it quite as well as Canon with its EOS Rebel T2i (also known as the 550D). Canon really has spared no expense, packing it with an excellent image sensor and just about every feature necessary for the aspiring photographer or hobbyist. This camera will likely be a popular buy throughout the rest of the year.
5: Sony KDL-HX800 Series 3D LED TV
LED TVs are quickly replacing their LCD counterparts, and while LG’s LE5300 series offers great picture and color quality for the price, those willing to spend a little bit more on Sony’s HX800 series can experience an even more immersive viewing experience with some of the most vibrant colors any TV on the market has to offer, and in 3D no less! Throw in some of Sony’s state of the art imaging technologies, and it’s no wonder that the HX800 is turning some heads.
