Entertainment

This is an excellent voice and music recorder. Not only does it record in rather good stereo in MP3 but it can also record in WAV at 44.1 in 16bit (CD quality) but even up to 96 in 24bit.

Here I am looking at two items that come from the company that charges $3 US shipping no matter how large your order. Fist an MP3 player that looks like a largish Lego brick and then an Alarm Clock radio that takes SD cards so you can wake to your choice of music guaranteed.

This is a rather good iPod playing device, that just for good measure can play CD’s – of various types – has an FM radio and an ‘Aux’ input to play anything that can connect via a 3.5mm jack plug.

Here I will tell you about two different companies with wonderful earbuds that shall we say are not cheap. In fact both could probably cost more than the unit you plug them into.

The title says dual radio in this case it’s FM and Internet but it is also an MP3 player a Media Server and an Alarm Clock. The Internet part can be either Ethernet or Wireless connectivity.

Adding to the range of iPod accessories, not developed by Apple, is a new speaker and recharging unit from Logitech.

Apple were arguably late to the MP3 market - but when they got there, they certainly made an impact. Five generations on and the original distinctive iPod family were joined by the 'Touch', sporting many of the same features but in a significantly different package.

Here I will tell you about two of the board games I was promised at the Toy Fair in January that have recently arrived. First About Time a game stated to be for 14+, second one for 8+ Cat Attack.

I used to play – many years ago – in a snooker team – local league division three – and one of the team members always used to say you can’t beat a good w#*$ here my opinion differs slightly, it’s that you can’t beat a good read.

From the same company that recently supplied the 19inch offering for a prize draw, this is a Digital and Analogue offering that has all the possible external connectors you might want and it’s HD Ready and widescreen with 16:9 viewing.

Adding to its already extensive range of technology products, LINDY Electronics has released the LINDY USB DVB-T Receiver.

While you can receive a personal and friendly service from some traditional book sellers, the same is not always true when purchasing books online. Perhaps a new website can change this public conception.

This is a very good Internet radio that can work wired or wireless, stereo not mono as some are and the first plus is that it can also be used to play the content from your iPod. The second plus you will need to read on to find out about.

Two games from Drumond Park, the first Bubble Buster aimed at 4+ and the second Lyric aimed at teenagers and adults, so I suppose the latter should not be called a game!

Kensington have added to their range of audio accessories with this set of travel speakers, suitable for any media player with a standard jack socket but very obviously aimed at the iPod market.

In the coming weeks and months you will get a real alternative to Sky or Virgin that has only a one off payment to buy the box and fitting for your own satellite disk to view -at launch- 80 TV/Radio channels. In the coming months this will rise initially to 232 including (with the correct box) HD offerings from both BBC and ITV (the ITV is exclusive) and others as they become available.

Never the one to indulge in half measures and with a strong preference for “world firsts”, Archos has taken the opportunity recently to announce some new products and additions to the company’s current range of service offerings.

I am a lucky chap because just occasionally I get the chance to combine my job, my hobby and my passion all together as I do here while telling you about the latest CD from Georgia Mancio whose voice is a joy.

Three items from Belkin all sold as accessories for the iPod. First a clear Acrylic and brushed metal case. Next TuneBase FM that let’s you listen to your iPod through your car stereo and finally a dock that allows you to charge and Sync your iPod. Is this iPod heaven?

My school days were an awful long time ago and almost the only thing I remember about French is that the teacher had the most terrible case of halitosis I have ever come across.

Up until recently I had not heard of the Sandberg Company. One of its first products to reach me is the Panther Sound System.

It is not only cartoons that can feature talking feet; you can perform the same trick yourself with a little help from BamZ.

This is certainly not just another MP3 player. It is small enough to fit in even a child’s palm, it has a good four line display as well as for good measure an FM radio and a voice recorder.

I usually find that Ministry Of Sound systems have the odd extra sometimes quite unexpected, this does not disappoint. It’s a CD, FM/MW radio, iPOD, SD Card and USB stick system.

Is this a musical instrument or a tool to be used by a DJ, in the right hands it is either or both. One thing is certain it is like nothing else I know.

Items tend to dribble through from the Toy Fair, it is held in January for the trade and items shown are often really aimed at the Christmas sales market which starts in the autumn. This was the only product that came home with me from the Toy Fair. It soon had favour amongst the young and even the not so young. The main difference between this and numerous other mini helicopters is that is easier to fly.

As vinyl and tape recordings fade into obscuring, I decided to look for a method of safeguarding my out-dated music collection using modern technology.

While MP3 players are meant to be portable, they often arrive without the means to carry them unless you put them in a pocket or bag.

A refreshingly straightforward product that does not try to be all things to all people. Instead it tackles one thing and does it rather well!

If you wish to amplify the sound coming from your iPod or MP3 player then this could be for you. However it is also Bluetooth so you can do the same from your mobile phone or PDA.