Buy a phone, get a free exercise bike

Mobile manufacturers are getting more creative with the way they lure customers in. Previously deals would include cashback options (and pesky statement sending in on particular dates) or other incentives such as free iPods, TV’s and laptops. True, if you’re getting these freebies, you do tend to pay a premium, by being tied into a longer contract or having a slightly sub-standard handset, but many opt for instant gratification, as a shiny new iPod can assuage many guilty feelings about owning an Android G1.

Well, I’ve just discovered that there are even kookier offers available for new mobile purchases, as now not only can you opt for the lovely Wii’s, XBOX’s and LCD TV’s, you can also choose to get free EXERCISE  EQUIPMENT with your handset. Yes, forget about pocket sized tech, how about a nice cardio machine to complement your shiny new handset? Read more…

Tags: cardo machine, ipod, mobile contract, Mobile phone

The Top Six New eReaders you’ll be coveting in 2010

It’s no secret that I’m a hardcore eBook fan, which probably has something to do with the fact that I speed read almost as fast as I talk. The variety of platforms to read eBooks on is expanding faster than ever as many companies are embracing the trend and we’re seeing a wide range of devices enter the market. The recent Consumer Electronic Show 2010 in Las Vegas had a large section dedicated primarily to eBooks and eReaders and I’ve rounded up the best of the bunch. They’re due out later this year, and will hopefully be (relatively) affordable.

The EnTourage eDGe

This device breaks new ground for the eBook market as it features a dual screen. The idea is that you use eInk on the left hand side to browse through books comfortably (eInk doesn’t cause the eyestrain that LCD does) and the other side to choose books and browse the web. The eReader part features a 9.7 inch screen and the LCD screen is 10.1 inches. I guess you don’t notice the difference when you close it, otherwise that would be quite ungainly. The eInk screen also lets you annotate books and write comments, and this will then be saved as a separate word document which lets you email it to peruse at your leisure.

The eDGe is compatible with ePub and PDF files, but they don’t currently mention any others which is a shame as it suggest JPEGs, DOCs and LIT files are all excluded. Though the eInk screen doesn’t show JPEG’s , they are displayed on the colour screen which might be a little confusing.

The colour touchscreen side is essentially a tablet style netbook, as you can browse the web, type emails and order more eBooks. You do this by opening a virtual keyboard and either using the stylus or your hand to type. MP3 files can be played so it can double up as a music player (nice for audio books perhaps) and there’s a video recorder included which is a little bizarre (hey- here’s a snap of me reading.. again) but a nice extra touch. The colour screen works by using my beloved Android OS (operating system) so you’ll be able to access a wealth of apps for the device. Is this really necessary for an eBook.? No, it’s taking eReaders away from their main purpose and making them a hybrid tablet mashup. Still, it’s innovative- if only the price wasn’t so high!

Currently $490 from Entourage (£300!)

Read more…

Tags: Amazon Kindle, Bookeen Orizon, ebook, enTourage eDGe, eReader, iriver story, Plastic Logic Que, Platic logic Que, Skiff ereader, Spring Design Alex

Speaking scales aim to help you cut the carbs

Overeating is an unfortunate but natural side effect of food tasting so DARN Good. Seriously, if that plate of fish and chips before you tasted like you were exhuming the contents of a tramps mildewing sock then you wouldn’t be guzzling so much down. Scientists, doctors and people trying to make a fast buck have come up with various solutions for the overeating endemic that’s making most of our teenagers aspirational American  citizens (broad stereotyping, I know) but aside from a couple of questionable products (Sensa sprinkles that you drop on your food to make it taste less moreish and the Alli pill that makes you poop out the extra fat) no one has yet solved this crisis. A worldwide ban of sugar might help, but till then, we need to learn to control ourselves and have a little more sense when making food choices.

The Mandometer aims to do just that, as it’s an electronic scale that you place your plate of food on.  The plate plots how quickly the food is reduced from the plate, and aims to train you to eat slower and savour each mouthful. This makes you more aware of how much you’re eating and should help you realize when you’re full. Read more…

Tags: Childhood Obesity Clinic, Eat Slowly, Mandometer Machine, slimming, weightloss

The Tweens are taking over technology

It’s common knowledge that the youth of today are far more technologically minded then we used to be. For one, they don’t need to queue at school for 15 minutes of grace on an outdated dial-up Gateway computer, and two; they’re dazzled with gadgets that connect them to the web and are heavily involved in social networking. There’s no denying that in ten years time our knowledge will becomes outdated, if not obsolete, with fresh faced twenty something’s running rings round us with intuitive understanding of the latest developments in touch  and 3D technology.

It seems manufacturers agree with this idea, as they’ve decided to target kids early. This year has seen the rise of the e-reader, the actualization of 3DTV and Android OS taking off, but it’s also seen a wide range of tech products created which TARGET TWEENS. But what’s so weird about this strategy is that  the products they’re using to tempt children into tech are actually really good and well thought out. They’re not just slapping a can of pink/blue paint on a toy, adding in batteries and expecting impressionable youths to be wowed, we’re talking his spec Disney themed netbooks and headphones created to fit the miniature proportions of children’s ears. Read more…

Tags: Asus Disney, Classmate, technology, tweens, Xmas

The Pop Up Booklamp is pretty special

pop up book lamp

Isn’t this stunning? When I first spotted it I did a double take when I saw a price next to it- as something this funky, unusual and beautiful normally falls into the realms of the prototype design. But no, investigation revealed this intriguing pop-up book lamp is actually for sale- and isn’t it gorgeous!

Details on quite how it works ate a little vague, but I can tell you that you can choose between a red or gray linen book that pops out a pretty lamp when it opens. There are two styles of lamp to choose from- Parisian style or Streetlamp, but whether it runs off batteries or electrical impulses isn’t clear.

Due to the fact the dimensions are 41×30 inches I’m guessing they could fit some sort of battery, but who knows? It’s gorgeous, its affordable and it’s seriously quirky!

Get it for $95 from Charles & Marie.

Tags: books, design, gadgets, geek, pop up book

Samsung release ST550 camera with dual LCD screen for easy self portraiture: Would a mirror have been an easier solution?

It’s an all to familiar occurrence- a night out with multiple vodka shots and strange coloured shooters, and you and your mates decide you simply must capture the rather unflattering moment. You squish your heads together, pull a cheesy face and the camera operator/mobile phone holder desperately tilts her arm at an unnatural angle to fit you all in the frame. And snap- you’re blinded by the flash and a head is out of frame. Sound familiar?

Enough practise and you’ll have mastered the art of getting heads in the picture, but angles are still tricky and you may find your look ruined by unfortunate double chins/blinking.

So what’s one to do? Other than risk your precious cam with a total stranger, options have been fairly limited.. till now. Samsung have just released new of two cameras that come with a dual LCD screen- one on the back and ONE ON THE FRONT to make taking that self portrait easier than ever. A timer counts down till the image is taken, or you can switch on the smile shutter mode, which will automatically take a pic whenever you beam at it. Read more…

Tags: camera, gadgets, samsung

Reasons computer games are good for your brain: Why Children should be encouraged into console gaming

Games and kids. They go together like Ribena and Hobnobs or anything of the confectionery nature, but all too often parents tend to regard console antics equal to truancy in terms of  desired activities for their lil ‘uns. But I don’t think this is necessarily fair or wise, and think the perception that games ares somehow wasteful, pointless and a bad influence should be counteracted.

I’d go so far as to say kids should be actively ENCOURAGED to pick up a Playstation pad as there is wealth of learning to be had from gametime that will be invaluable to their future development.

And here’s why.

-They teach you patience and reward you with bonus levels

How many hours did you have to play Zelda before you learnt the moves that would unlock the realm? It wasn’t just handed to you on a plate now was it- to succeed in games takes time, skill and dedication, all qualities we should want to foster in the youth of today. Magical realism now, surgeons of the future in ten years?

-They improve hand eye co-ordination

Team games are great but not every kid has the skills or the confidence to run straight into rounders or tennis. The majority of games require you to be very dexterous with your fingers which will improve your ability to react and interact with moving objects. Naturally the Wii takes this to a whole new level, and should boost confidence and aptitude when playing IRL. Read more…

Tags: children, gaming