This year has seen technology take several pivotal leaps and bounds, from the introduction of next-generation games consoles to the first wave of true smart watches like the Moto 360 and the LG G Watch R.
But cool as they are, these products have overshadowed those that -- while deserving of the limelight -- haven't been given the chance they deserve.
Whether you've heard of them and written them off or never heard of them before, these are the gadgets that should absolutely be on your Christmas list -- and if not, on your list for 2015.
Whether it's the hugely underrated Nintendo Wii U or the world's best phone, the Nokia 105. These are the underdogs, bravely entering new territory.
The Best Tech You Never Bought But Should
Nokia 105(01 of08)
The Nokia 105 might be the best-performing mobile phone in the world. For starters it has a mammoth 12.5 hours of talktime and an even more impressive 35 days of standby. It'll play music for 46 hours and comes with all the modcons you'll need including a flashlight, games and media sharing via Bluetooth. OK so you can't get Facebook or indeed email but honestly, think how much better you'll feel once you've detoxed.Price: £17.66
Pencil by FiftyThree(02 of08)
Pencil by FiftyThree is the iPad stylus you've been waiting for. The fact that Apple still hasn't made one for iPad yet is something of a minor travesty but for those who want to draw, design and generally get creative this is the closest thing you can get. While it doesn't have the precision of Adobe or Wacom's rival products it's the easiest and most enjoyable to use. It's also beautifully made with a real wood body and surprisingly precise nib.Price: £64.99
Microsoft Word for iOS(03 of08)
Microsoft Word for iOS isn't the most romantic piece of tech and we're well aware of it. Regardless of whether you're a Windows or Mac user Word is still the dominant force for word processing. So no matter how pretty Pages might be, it can't hold a candle to Word. Thankfully Word on iOS now looks as beautiful as pages, is devilishly simple to use and as a cheery on top, is integrated into Dropbox so you can edit Dropbox docs on your iPad or iPhone using Word.Price: Free
Lego Mindstorms EV3(04 of08)
When we first used Lego Mindstorms for the first time it was nothing more than bricks that lit up and could -- after a lot of tinkering -- be made to move. Mindstorms EV3 is frankly space age in comparison. Using just one set you'll be able to build five highly intelligent robots, all of whom can be programmed using code you've learnt to write yourself or through your smartphone. Just because you've grown up doesn't mean you shouldn't play with Lego, especially when it's as cool as this.Price:£299.99
Google Chromecast(05 of08)
It's hard to put into words just how useful Google Chromecast actually is. Quite simply it can turn any TV with a HDMI connection into a smart TV. Once plugged in and connected to your wireless network it becomes an extension of your smartphone, your laptop or your tablet. As long as you can see the 'Cast' logo you can press it and send everything from iPlayer, Netflix, YouTube and even your Chrome browser up to the big TV. Buy it, plug it in and then keep your eyes peeled, before you know it you'll wonder why you didn't have it.Price:£30
The Vamp(06 of08)
The Vamp creates something of an awkward crossroads for you. On the one hand you have your beautiful sounding but ancient monitors, yet on the other hand you have the sparkling new wireless speakers of Sonos and others. Vamp provides a solution by turning your beautiful old speakers into wireless streamers. Charge it through USB and then connect it to your speaker, it'll not only power them but then send beautifully clear Bluetooth audio from your smartphone.Price: £50
Xbox One TV Tuner(07 of08)
The Xbox One TV Tuner is the quiet unassuming accessory of the year. It's not stylish to look at, it's not big and you'll never notice it existed once you've plugged it in. What it gives you in return though is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Hook it up to an aerial and it'll turn your Xbox One into a fully fledged Freeview box that can pause and rewind Freeview HD. Flick between games and TV or have both running at the same time, it's up to you.Price: £25
UPP Hydrogen Fuel Cell(08 of08)
The UPP Hydrogen Fuel Cell mobile phone charger is a revelation, it's futuristic and it's also pretty expensive. For those of you who want to brave the future though it'll keep your phone running for days without you ever needing to see so much as a hint of a wall plug. One the one side you have the fuel cell which creates the electricity then on the other end you attach the fuel cell: 2.23g of beautiful harnessable hydrogen gas. From that you should be able to charge your iPhone 4-5 times without having to worry about finding another power source.Price:£149.99