GadgetSpeak Articles

'With its Zoomshot product, Digital Blue has combined the functionality of a pair of binoculars with a digital camera, Right from the start it should be made clear that, despite the claim on the box that this product is for those aged from 7 to adult, the kit is really only suitable for the lower age group, The binoculars are so small, with a distance of 75mm between the left and right view-finders, that I was reduced to using the kit in telescope mode - using just one

This is one with a 12.1 inch display and it comes in a variety of colours something that may bring favour with the ladies. I believe there is a pink one - luckily I was not sent it - I also remember green and blue. Mine was a sky blue offering. I am afraid I have to be a little vague as I have a pre production sample and certain drivers were missing as I assume was some of the software.

We liked some of these products so much,we've been able to get hold of some to put in our in December 07 - Gadgetspeak's largest ever prize draw. Heres a peak at what we think is going to be hot this Christmas - maybe you have your own thoughts? If so just .

It has been a number of years since I last had the opportunity to look at a web cam from Creative.  In fact it was back in the days when the company still preferred to be known as Creative Labs.  The intervening period has certainly seen some remarkable changes in the design and functionality of the device.  This new addition to the Creative family is the Live! Optia.

Intempo produce a range of iPod speaker systems, along with a varied range of other audio products. The IDS-05 is a mid-sized unit at 23x13x9cm (width x height x depth). Sound is produced by combination of three speakers - two stereo 3W, 2" mid-range speakers to the front and a single, centrally mounted 9W, 3" sub-woofer to the rear. The speakers are not covered with any protective grill.

First the all important dimensions these are of course maximum 19x17x6cm, the 19cm width is only 3cm at the rear. Under the unit is where the power adapter enters and where the aerial wire exits. The power lead is an adequate 1.8metres, the aerial lead is a barely adequate 60cm.

We'll be taking an in-depth look at Polaroid's Definia Range in December. This is a little sneak preview of the Polaroid range. Paul Smart recently and was impressed with the results. The Definia range take that core technology and integrates a digital (Freeview) tuner.

Funkix is described as a technology filled Sports Sack. Derived from an 80's craze, the multi-million selling "Hacky Sack" the Funkix takes this concept and moves it into the twenty-first century. There are three different types, all shaped like a mini football with a different 'technology centre'. All of them are designed to be thrown, kicked or juggled and aimed squarely at the 'kid' in all of us - big or small.

Stylophone This has been around - almost since I was a kid - it was endorsed by Rolf Harris who first came to notice for his digery doo and not his paintings 'do you know what it is yet' those came a lot later. This to me looks identical to one I saw very many years ago it is 16x10x3.5cm. I doubt the original had MP3 input or probably not a headphone output as I don't think 3.5mm jack plugs were around then.

On a recent train journey virtually half the passengers had headphones inserted with their favourite music blasting into their ears. Despite an ever increasing range of mobile players capable of delivering video - not one of those passengers were making use of that video capability. There are probably a couple of reasons for this.

It covers the various phases in laptop usage ranging from picking the right laptop, using it, and all the way through to upgrading it. From then onwards, it may be back to square one with having again to choose the right laptop etc. etc. However, by the time this occurs, there will probably be a new addition of the book to guide one through the process. When going into a High Street PC store one is faced with a confusing array of machines.

I am an inveterate labeller.  Whether it is my music collection, DVDs or even just to identify which plug connects to which device, you will usually find a label, with appropriate information, attached.  As a result I am an obvious candidate for a device that can print professionally looking labels to add that touch of style which I would rarely achieve if left to my own devices.

The Deal or No Deal electronic table top game is for four players. The first thing I liked about this board game is there are no pieces to loose! The lack of individual pieces makes this an easy game to play on the settee, in the car or to take around to the relatives on Boxing Day. Like other TV tie-in games, it does help if you've watched the TV show.

So apart from this being a full size keyboard it also comes with a stand to raise your notebooks screen so that in effect you have the same arrangement as you would get with a desktop, so you just put your laptop in the stand and forget it has a keyboard once you have tuned the cordless offering here to your notebook.

The 'Revival' range has been around for a little while from Roberts in various finishes. This limited edition version takes style to a new level. When you take it out of the packaging the first thing you notice is the weight - at around 1.5Kg (3lb) without batteries this is probably the heaviest DAB radio I've seen.

In an effort to differentiate their USB flash drive products from the competition manufacturers have put in varying degrees of effort into trying to make their particular products stand out from the rest of the pack.  Physical dimensions and various shapes have been tried as the means of differentiating certain brands while others have opted for the approach of adding extra value in the form of bonus software such as Ceedo, U3 and encryption protection.

The product QX5 Computer Microscope has been specifically developed to allow children to explore a world of small creatures and other items without too much fuss or mess.  This kit consists of a cylindrical shaped microscope with a permanently attached USB lead; a stand with a moveable tray for holding specimens; and software for displaying and adding special effects to the images.

Firstly for those occasional readers an MFU (Multi Function Unit) has fax capabilities whereas the AIO (All In One) does not. Both have the ability to print, scan and copy. It is 54x42x36cm and compare that to a lot of similar machines and you will see it is big. Mind you it has a duplex unit that adds to the second figure the depth and the third figure the height would be less without the page feed.

When I received four different hair straighteners I wondered what could be different about each. Most straighteners these days have ceramic plates, held to be better for your hair, and swivel leads to stop the wire from tangling up (a good invention).

Recently the company expanded its range of voice recorders with three new models in its DS series.  These models are the DS-30, DS-40 (the subject of this review) and the DS-50.  Measuring 110 x 37.5 x 16mm and weighing 73g, the DS-40 is a handy size device in more ways than one.  It will fit easily into a pocket or bag, without an unsightly bulge, when not in use.