Gadget of the year revealed at ‘Tech Oscars’ – the T3 Awards
Tech experts reveal the best gizmos of 2017, from talking computers to smartphones
AMAZON’S Echo smart speaker was the big winner at the tech Oscars last night - picking up three gongs including top award gadget of the year.
The voice-controlled device - a virtual butler that users can shout commands at it to, say, control heating or order takeaways or provide a weather update - has been a hit, selling millions in the UK.
The Echo made news yesterday when The Sun revealed that Buddy the talking parrot mimicked his owner to order shopping via the gadget.
Amazon’s device was also named innovation and smart home product of the year at the T3 Awards, which was counted The Sun’s consumer editor Daniel Jones as one of its judges.
Samsung’s Galaxy S8 smartphone was named phone of the year, holding off competition from rivals such as Apple and HTC, and Sony picked up three awards in the TV, Bluetooth headphones and camera categories.
The awards, hosted in London and now in their 11th year, also saw former children’s TV star Johnny Ball - best known for shows such as Johnny Ball Reveals All - named tech personality of the year.
Since launching the UK at the end of last year, smart speakers and voice-enabled assistants have become increasingly prominent in mainstream technology products.
Google launched its Home speaker earlier this year and Apple is due to release its own HomePod in December.
GO GO GADGETS
The 2017 T3 Awards winners are:
- Gadget of the Year - Amazon Echo
- Brand of the Year - Nintendo
- Retailer of the Year - Amazon
- Phone of the Year - Samsung Galaxy S8
- Innovation of the Year - Amazon Echo
- Editor’s Choice Award - Tile Slim
- Luxury Tech of the Year - Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Shape
- Best Video Streaming Service - Netflix
- Best TV - Sony A1 Series
- Best TV Platform - BT TV YouView+ Ultra HD
- Best TV Audio Product - Q Acoustics M3 Soundbar
- Best Bluetooth Headphones (over/on ear) - Sony MDR-1000X
- Best Bluetooth Headphones (in ear) - Optoma NuForce BE Sport3
- Best Bluetooth Speaker - Cambridge Audio YoYo (M)
- Best Wi-fi / Multiroom Speaker - Denon Heos 7 HS2
- Best Hi-fi Product - Yamaha WXAD-10
- Smart Home Product of the Year in association with Sky News Swipe - Amazon Echo
- Best Connected Lighting - Philips Hue
- Best Connected Security - Netgear Arlo Pro
- Best Connected Eco/Energy Product - Hive Active Heating Kit
- Best Baby and Toddler Tech - Philips Avent Smart Baby Monitor
- Best Kitchen and Home Tech - AEG ComfortLift FSS62800P Dishwasher
- Best Home Networking Tech - Google Wifi
- Best Mid-range Phone - Honor 9
- Best Mobile Accessory - GEAR4 Piccadilly
- Best Smartwatch - Apple Watch Series 2
- Best Fitness Wearable - Garmin Forerunner 935
- Best Laptop - HP Spectre 13
- Best Gaming PC - Razer Blade Stealth
- Best Gaming Accessory - SteelSeries Arctis 7
- Best VPN - IP Vanish
- Best Camera - Sony α9
- Best Lifestyle Camera - Fujifilm instax SQUARE SQ10
- Car of the Year - Volvo XC60
- The Fun Award - Anki Overdrive
- Tech Personality - Johnny Ball
- Tech Legend - Gary Numan
- Lifetime Achievement - Jonney Shih
Amazon also picked up the best retailer prize at the awards ceremony.
T3 editor Dan Grabham said: “This year’s T3 Awards is the biggest ever, with all the hottest areas in tech covered, from mobile to connected home.
“Now, more than ever, the T3 Awards celebrates the best of everything.”
Only two other tech names picked up more than one award - with Sony’s A1 Series named best TV, while the Japanese giant’s MDR-1000X headphones won best Bluetooth headphones and its a9 camera also won its category.
Philips meanwhile won the best connected lighting award for their Hue smart light bulbs, and the baby and toddler tech award for their Avent Smart Baby Monitor.
Other winners on the night also included Netflix for best streaming service, and the Apple Watch Series 2 was named best smartwatch.
