Entertainment

Here is a fascinating game with myriad possibilities for kids through to adults - a chequerboard puzzle of 18 pieces which cover 64 squares in 101 different challenging combinations.

It's a great time of year to test gadgety toys and games. As Christmas draws closer we're reviewing some Gadgetspeak favourites. This week's selection includes some furry friends (Nintendogs Trainer Pup and Interactive Pup and Shaun the Sheep Music Scene) and the not so fluffy (the latest Tamagotchi and a Teletubbie stocking filler). Our kids loved all of these!

I'm a big fan of driving games so as you can imagine I was delighted to have the opportunity to take SEGA's latest release of their Rally game for a spin. Read on if you'd like to know how I faired!

This annual event takes place at a very early hour, unlike the Toy Fair the items of show here are available now, and, there are items that are already getting hard to find.

If you have a Bluetooth enabled audio device (MP3 player, mobile phone etc) and want a straightforward set of portable speakers then Parrot may just have what you're looking for in their Parrot Party product

While a drum roll is often used to announce a new product, in this case the drum roll is the product.

This is the ideal system for a child’s first system, not too many features no great bells or whistles but a good solid offering at a not too large a price. Alternatively it could be a backup unit.

This unit is tiny, it will easily fit in the palm of your hand but that does not stop it having a decent display and lots of memory that can be further expanded by adding an SD card

All your music on an iPod? Fed up with wearing headphones everywhere? Yearning for a 'traditional' music experience? You need one of the variety of 'solutions' to this problem - a traditional Hi-Fi, but with an added 'iPod slot'.

This is a dual tuner model, that means you can watch one Digital channel while watching another. It’s size and shape make it something different from all other units I have seen, it only has LED’s on the face and is stated to use only 2.4watts in standby this is stated as much less than most other similar units.

This brilliant game is fun for all teens and adults! Once you've played once you'll get addicted! But watch out for the last question, it may get a bit tricky!

This is quite a large parrot (larger than life size at 45cm) and it talks but in the time I have had him he has so far refuses to swear. It talks and moves but as yet he has not pooped, in fact all it’s habits are hygienic so a perfect pet.

Meeting up with an old acquaintance can sometimes be an enjoyable experience but that is not alwsys the case.

The Altec Lansing iM600 joins a growing list of systems that form part of the 'iPod economy' - the industry that has grown up around the worlds favourite media player.

Two vastly different toys one for the very young and one for the ‘boy or girl’ in us all. Firstly Wedgits some blocks that build into so many shapes. Then i-Penguin (I-CY) the follow up to the amazing i-Dog.

This great game by Eidos is fantastic for all the family and brill for cheeky sleepovers with your friends as this wonderful game comes with single AND multi-player!

These puzzles are not cheap but as with most quality items you do pay a premium for the finish. Certainly these puzzles while playable by children are probably more suitable for adults as the logic required requires study and thought.

The funkeys live in a world of their own - literally. One created within the confines of your computer in which they roam around and enjoy themselves, while carefully avoiding the tax-man!

Like many body parts, your brain can benefit from regular exercise. So let technology take the strain and use it to provide a mental gymnasium.

The Humax PVR 9200TB is the equivalent of the Sky Plus box for those of us that don't want to be tied to monthly subscriptions, but prefer the flexibility offered by FreeView.

This is another board game that will be a big hit at Christmas, I saw it last January at the Toy Fair and now – with our wonderful summer – I have played a number of games of it.

Shady Beats is a rather novel combination of MP3 speaker, cash carrier and sunglass case.

Whether looking to enhance the in-car or home multimedia experience, Parrot might have products of interest.

Apple have unveiled a torrent of changes to their iPod range of entertainment devices (they do a lot more than play music now!). Have the change done enough to boost Apples sales for another holiday season?

If you've had enough of the 'retro' look that seems to be mandatory from many DAB radio manufacturers, and want an excellent, full feature DAB radio into the bargain then the Roberts Gemini 55 radio should definitely be on your short list.

It’s not just winter that is good for games, here is one of the offerings that could be a big seller this Christmas that I saw at the Toy Fair last January. Perhaps a more responsible offering than ‘In The Drink’.

Back to Uni, renting a flat, camping, trekking, or just moving around a lot. Here are some MP3 speakers you can take anywhere!

Two headsets for different purposes, one from Microsoft that was originally developed for X-Box use and the second from Jabra that is designed to fit onto a car sun visor.

In April this year, Apple announced that the 100 millionth iPod had been sold. That figure is mind blowing in it's own right. So what's all the fuss about? To find out I've taken a look at the Apple iPod Shuffle, the latest second generation version.

Rather than headphones, you can use your FM radio to listen to your MP3 tracks.