Gadget review

APPLE's iPhone 3G has won a public vote to find the years best gadget,beating strong competition from three games consoles,a budget laptop and balloon-shaped iPod speaker system.The last version of the mobile that combines a phone with music and video player was chosen by readers of stuff magazine in its annual Gadget of the year awards.

The magazine described the iPhone 3G as "a faster,cleverer,version of an already remarkable phone".The phone's first incarnation,launched in Britain last year,won the coolest gadget prize at last years ceremony.

Other nominees included Sony's Playstation 3, Microsoft's Xbox 360,Nintendo's Wii Fit and the B & W Zeppelin iPod speakers. As stuff's Editor Fraser said: the nominated products were judged on their performance,designed and value, as well as "that elusive cool factor".They are the one out there on the street buying gadgets and so they are a great barometer. "Having our readers vote for a number of the awards has been fascinating" he said.

The magazine's own Gadget of the year prize,chosen by editorial staff,went to the Asus Ee Pc, a no-frills lap top that cost less than 300 pounds.The judges said it had made more of an impact than any other device and marked the start of a "laptop for everyone era". For more details, go to http://www.awards.stuff.tv