Wish-list fuels Christmas gadget-giving frenzy

Tech savvy gadget aficionados have laid down the gauntlet to manufacturers by defining their dream handheld device, which should have a combination of PDA, smartphone, camera, music and video player functionality.

According to a recent poll of 3,260 shoppers, features like calendars and contact lists are essential, but they also want a device with an iPod-size memory to play and store music and other content, email functionality, GPS and phone. And they must be small, but with a large screen.

Surprisingly, MP3 player functions (77 per cent) ranked slightly higher than phone functionality (76 per cent) and GPS locators (65 per cent), while more hard drive memory (64 per cent) edged out cameras (63 per cent) in popularity.

The AvantGo 2004 Mobile Lifestyle survey revealed the following 'Top 12' must-have features of an all-in-one dream device:

1. Calendar/contact list
2. Easy synchronisation with PC
3. Great battery life
4. Email/messaging
5. Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
6. Compact size
7. MP3 player
8. Phone
9. Large screen
10. GPS locator
11. 20+ gigabyte memory
12. Camera

The poll predicted that electronic gadgets of all shapes and sizes, including PDAs and cellphones, have become "hot" holiday gifts, with devices like the Apple iPod, PalmOne Treo650, RIM Blackberry 7100t and Sony Ericsson P910 smartphone expected to fuel a Christmas gadget-giving frenzy.

The survey found that over three quarters (77 per cent) of respondents reported purchasing their own current handheld device, while 13 per cent received it as a gift.