Fewer wires, more sound February 5, 2014 The wireless speaker system is fast becoming the hi-fi of the 21st century. Here we select the top eight Cambride Audio Minx Air 200, £349 This wireless speaker looks and sounds great. It’s at the larger end of the range, but the sleek design means it’ll blend into most living rooms. It performs as well [...]
iCame, iSaw, iConquered January 29, 2014 When Apple launched its iconic iPod it revolutionised the music industry. But with sales down 52 per cent on last year, its days may now be numbered. We look back at the glory days of the world’s favourite portable music player Classic 1st generationThis is where it all started: it was by no means the [...]
Get yourself connected January 22, 2014 We take a look at the gadgets giving a whole new meaning to “home computer” LG Smart TV, from £549 The LG SmartTV can live-stream, browse the web, Skype, and access GameWorld and the Android App Store. Watch two football matches side-by-side in real time on the split screen, gasp at special effects in 3D, [...]
Here’s how Google’s leading a revolution in green technology January 22, 2014 Google today sealed its third green energy deal in the space of three months, agreeing to buy electricity generated by four Swedish wind farms for the next ten years. For companies offering vast online services like Google and Microsoft, the energy requirements of growing numbers of data centers are one of the largest ongoing costs [...]
Bands on the run January 15, 2014 Here’s our pick of the fitness trackers As January fitness regimes start to grind you down, regain momentum by investing in one of these ingenious gadgets that monitors your heart rate, speed and number of calories burnt. Nike Fuelband SE £129 store.nike.com Jawbone UP £99.99 selfridges.com Adidas MiCoach £40 adidas.co.uk Garmin Forerunner 10 and Footpod [...]
Top five do-it-yourself fitness apps (all for iPhone and Android) January 15, 2014 Fitocracy FREE (with in app purchases) If you’re more at home playing World of Warcraft than working out, try Fitocracy, an app that gamifies your fitness regime. You score points by exercising, allowing you to level-up, earn achievements and eventually become a fitness master. Zombies, Run! £1.99 Struggle for motivation? What if you were being [...]
CES: the very best of the show so far January 8, 2014 The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for geeks. It sees several gigantic aircraft hangers packed full of the biggest releases from some of the world’s top tech firms. This year saw 3D printers move further towards the mainstream, while manufacturers of high-end TVs once again pulled out [...]
Geek Speak: Hands-on review: the new PS4 December 18, 2013 It’s the most powerful console in the world – but is it the one you should buy this Christmas? @steve_dinneen PLAYSTATION 4Sony | £349.99Four Stars EARLY reports that Sony’s next gen console is out-selling Microsoft’s Xbox One now seem premature – the latest figures have them locked in a dead heat. While Microsoft has pinned [...]
Some games to get you through Christmas December 18, 2013 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been rumbling on for years but the latest iteration promises something a bit different – this time you take the role of a swashbuckling pirate pillaging his way through the lush Caribbean. The graphics alone make this worth a look. Knack This on-rails adventure isn’t [...]
Geek Speak: Hands-on review: the Xbox One December 11, 2013 Microsoft’s new console is under fire from Sony’s PS4 – we put it through its paces XBOX ONE Microsoft | £429.99 Four Stars THE console wars are well and truly underway, with all three big players – Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo – having released their next-generation machines. Here is the lowdown on Microsoft’s latest device. [...]