Misc

While it might appear that some people are talking to themselves, it could be that they are using a Bluetooth headset linked to their mobile phone

Neither of these are what you may expect. The Rubik Cube is a speaker available from the Science Museum the Mouse has a hedgehog type covering but the spikes are soft and will not prick it comes from Brando in Hong Kong.

They are cute, adorable and child friendly. I am referring to a series of toys in the form of pets that respond to their owner.

Here I am looking at various styles of SmartPhone cases, from iLuv, Gear4 and Brando. The first for Apple iPod Touch, the next a kids design – Angry Birds – for iPhone and lastly for those on Android a wooden case for Samsung III.

First from Buffalo a 500GB Thunderbolt drive which should take care of the storage side. Second from Proporta a solution to your mobile device running out of power an external battery that you can keep in your wallet.

Joining texting and Twitter, we not have another method of getting a message across or perhaps up in the air.

I had almost forgotten that I had asked to review this next product when an email arrived announcing a sample was available. But was the wait worth it?

According to the packaging the Tini-copter is a gadget but that could cover a multitude of sins. Actually it is a miniature remote controlled helicopter that has been designed and created by 50 Fifty Gifts, a company which specialises in the novelty gift market. Aimed at those aged 8 years and upwards, the Tini-copter is available in either black or red as was the review unit.

As part of its all-encompassing range covering all aspects of modern-day living, SOD’s Law makes reference to batteries and their habit of choosing the most inconvenient time to run out of power.

Continuing my look at product line-ups available for the festive season, Gear4 takes central stage.

Many older people do not want or need lots of texts and mobile use as well as mountains of calls a month. So a service that offers some of everything at little or no cost seems nirvana. I have been testing one such service from Ovivo.

A visit to a Central London location introduced me to a range of products designed for relaxation, stress removal, air pollution and weighing functionality.

Blocking out unwanted noise while you listen to your favourite music is becoming a must-have feature of many new headsets. As yet I have not come across one that is 100% successful.

Despite the popularity of touch screens and virtual keyboards, many users still prefer a physical keyboard for inputting text to a tablet or mobile devic

It matters not if your device charges from mini or micro USB or uses the iPod 30pin connector. Here are two separate devices the first for your USB items both those of micro and mini type; the second for almost all ‘i’ type items. The third a device for those you manage to drop their phones.

The first from USB Kings Brando in Hong Kong and yes you can also charge it from USB as well as from Solar power. The second is something we all need to protect the most delicate part of your phone the tender screen.

Placing your valuable data on a small portable device can be risky unless the device comes with plenty of protection.

While I often complain about finger smears defacing modern appliances, an equally annoyance occurs when switching on a device to discover its battery has run down. Here is a possible solution for the latter but not the former.

WOWee – no I have not been partaking of certain substances nor have I accidentally impaled part of my anatomy on something sharp.

Two more offerings from the kings of USB Brando in Hong Kong. Both are used for cooling the first also carry a message or messages that show while spinning. The second a little more novel it comes in the shape of a cannon.

No matter how many USB ports you have, there could come a time when none are available for a new device especially when support for USB 3.0 is required.

It’s been a while since I have reviewed a watch with hands. In the last couple of years my life saving heart rate watch and the rather stylish – if strange – Nooka offering have taken my time, here a Casio Chronograph but it has hands.

Headsets tend to be a very personal choice with regards to style and functionality. I prefer the over-the-ear style for my listening pleasure.

Once again Birmingham has five days of mayhem with the Gadget Show taking centre stage, amongst the outrageous and unlikely are some more grounded items. In the storage arena these are shown by Verbatim on their stand.

Rather than add to cable clutter, why not make use of existing cables such as those used for electricity when setting up a network.

Here two items from different companies that apart from their individual uses also will work extremely well together. E6 is a headphone amplifier so is great when output is just too low, and, Bondi will hold lots of things like an iPhone in position for all sorts of uses.

First one designed for use with an iPad and by having Bluetooth it can also work with other systems even if it does not fit smoothly in. Second something the size of a ‘Palm’ type device with a small QWERTY keyboard and large trackpad.

Building up a network can be made easier by using existing facilities in the home in conjunction with Homeplug technology.

With the wrist watch seeming to go the way of the pocket watch nearly a century ago – most people now seem to check the time on their phone – a new offering needs something different about it to raise more than a glance.

STM has introduced a vertical laptop shoulder bag in which the computer is stowed vertically rather than the normal horizontal. This turns out to be a remarkably comfortable way to carry a machine together with its basic accessories, possibly an iPad, and some paperwork and so many people may consider it a viable alternative to the conventional ones.