There's a big difference between just another good gadget or technology and one that's a game changer. It should redefine an existing product category or forge a new one. It should also compel other companies to step up their game (or shamelessly copy). These are just two key ingredients that went into selecting the winners for LAPTOP's first annual Game Changer Awards, which celebrates the most disruptive mobile innovations of the year.
If there's any one product that embodies Apple's entire product philosophy, it's the iPad mini with Retina Display. This is not a tablet that's designed to go head to head with cheaper slates like the Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HDX. With its crazy sharp 2048 x 1536-pixel screen and speedy 64-bit A7 chip, the mini is actually every bit the premium tablet that the new iPad Air is -- just in a more portable size. This small yet powerful tablet is our Editors' Choice.
The supersizing trend has finally hit Finland. Nokia is going large with the Lumia 1520, a Windows Phone 8 device sporting a massive 6-inch 1080p display. But that's not the only big thing about this phone. The handset features a 20-megapixel camera and the same oversampling technology used in the Lumia 1020. The 1520 also has a powerful Snapdragon 800 processor, LTE speeds on AT&T's network, and an all-day 3,400 mAh battery. If you're looking for a cross between a phone and tablet, this big-screen device offers a lot of value.
