Video: TechRadar's alternative smartphone awards 2011

You remember 2011 right? That year that we're still currently in? Well, when it comes to smartphones, it's been an odd one alright.

From Apple misdirection to reboots a-plenty, we've seen some pretty crazy things appear that we could have seen coming no matter how many balls, crystal or otherwise, we gazed at.

So to that end, we've chucked together a video to praise, laud and castigate the firms that have been, erm... experimental over the last 12 months and delivered some hits and misses to smartphone lovers.

So sit back, crack open a mince pie and prepare yourself for many seconds of pleasure as we trawl back through the time since Santa last popped down our chimneys to discover which smartphone brands nailed it and which failed big-stylee.

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Video: Apps of the Year 2011

Ahh, apps. They're everywhere you look these days. First they were on computers, then smartphones and tablets and now they're in our TVs, on Facebook, Spotify and weaselling their way into our cars.

But which are the best of the bunch with which to adorn your precious tech? 2011 saw a number of big-name launches including Sky Go, Garage Band and OnLive but which made the grade?

Well don't say we never do anything for you – we've rounded the top ten apps of 2011 up into one handy video. And get downloading in five, four, three…

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Video: 2011 - a tumultuous year in tech

TechRadar has taken a look back at some of the highs and lows of 2011, in a tumultuous year for technology.

While 2012 can't arrive soon enough for the likes of Sony, and will always be tinged in sadness for Apple, it was also a year of great innovation and wonderful tech, including the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the arrival of the iPad 2.

So what have we picked out as the moments to remember in 2011? Check out the video below to find out:

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Video: TechRadar team's 2011 highs and lows

With 2011 coming to an end, some of TechRadar's London team have put together their own personal high and lowlights in a tumultuous year.

With gaming, phones and tablets all featuring – alongside the sad death of Apple icon Steve Jobs and the PSN hacking, take a look at the TechRadar team's thoughts on 2011.

You can check out the video below, and also put a few faces to the names you see writing your news and phone reviews.

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Video: Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft Surface

Microsoft's second generation Surface from Samsung has already won admiring glances the world over and TechRadar has spent some time with the table-top-tech to bring you a video look at what you need to know.

With both Microsoft and Samsung hoping that the education market and businesses wanting to show off their wares will take the Surface tech rather than your average consumer, the technology is certainly something we will begin to see seeping into our everyday lives.

Does that make this better than just a giant table with some neat connectivity tricks? TechRadar takes a look.

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Video: Ten top Android apps

Android has really raised its game in recent months as it chases the popular Apple App Store, with a whole host of top notch applications.

Sometimes the hardest thing can be tracking down the best and separating the wheat from the chaff, which is why TechRadar has gone to the trouble of bringing you articles like our 40 best free Android apps or the even more mahoosive Top 160 best Android apps 2011.

But, sometimes when time is short you just want to sit back and let someone talk you through the best apps around – so we've put together our video of 10 great apps you should seriously consider adding to your Android device.

Check out the video below:

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Video: A rollercoaster period for Apple

Steve Jobs' decisions to step down as CEO of Apple is just the latest dip in what has been a rollercoaster ride for the company over the past two years.

The tech titan has cited ill-health as the reason behind Jobs' decision, but Apple has never been in ruder health, despite the health problems of its most identifiable figure.

TechRadar has taken a look back at some of the key events in the past couple of years for Apple – including some massive highs and the odd low.

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