Game Strap: Conceptual gadget

For all those train commuters, the journey does not have to be totally boring. Why not play games on the Game Strap, attached to the top hand railing? “Play a game with one hand?” you may ask. The answer is: yes!

The Game Strap is essentially a gaming console that also serves as a holding strap, and will be a great way to pass away time on a long commute. The idea is to have buttons on the side for the controls.

This is a concept for now but one thing is sure: if this does go into production people will be fighting over the space to stand on the train instead of gunning for a seat.

Pinoky

Imagine your kid playing with their favourite teddy bear, Mr Snuggles, who can move on his own? With the Pinoky, they can! This gadget may be gimmicky but kids all over the world will want one this Christmas because there is no greater joy than bringing stuffed animals to life, a la Mary Poppins.

The Pinoky is a simple contraption: it is a claw with a magnetic grip which has the power to shake the part of the stuffed animal it is attached to!

It can be programmed to record a certain movement. There is a remote control to action the motion, as well as an accelerator to speed up the motion. And voila, Mr Snuggles literally comes to life. Just grand!

Desktop Cup/Mug Warmer

Does this scenario sound all too familiar? You’re at the office and decide that you need that pick-me-up cup of coffee in the afternoon or just to kick-start your morning. You get back to your desk but just as you sit down you either a) get dragged into a meeting or b) get stuck into replying to an urgent host of emails. The result: you’re left with a cold cuppa joe. We all know that heating cup coffee in the microwave makes it taste beyond revolting.

With the USB Cup Warmer, the above situation can become a thing of the past. Your cup of coffee (or any hot beverage for that matter) will remain hot until you are ready to take those sips. Simply plug it into a spare USB port on your computer and you’re all set!

This is surely the perfect gift this Christmas for so many office warriors out there.

Leapfrog Explorer

The perfect-Christmas-present-for-our-kids pressure is on! Would you like to be hoisted to “Most Awesome Coolest Dad” for the year? I would! After learning that the Leapfrog Explorer won Toy of the Year Award in 2011, I figured this is my winning ticket.

The Leapster Explorer is an extraordinary new learning experience that encourages children to discover something new every day with endless ways to play and learn from games, e-Books, videos and online play to customisable learning skills and more.

It has a library of more than 40 games and the activities include cartridge games, downloadable learning apps (games, e-Books, videos, flash cards). Kids can learn school skills like reading, math, science and geography, plus creativity and life skills like music, health and problem-solving. You can also expand the fun and learning in LeapWorld - a safe, online world of learning games and activities.
What’s even niftier is that as parents, we can connect to the online LeapFrog Learning Path to see what our child is playing and learning, and explore ways to expand the overall educational journey.

It retails at R1200 at most stores. And that is a small price to pay to be the “Most Awesome Coolest Dad” for the year, yeah?

MIC iStation

If you’re a fan of old-school retro and Apple, you can now have the best of both worlds with the iStation – you get the iPad power with the Apple I aesthetics.

The iStation by MIC is essentially a docking station for the iPad, iPad2 and iPhone 4/S. It's constructed of wood and includes a removable wireless keyboard. Both the chassis and keyboard connect to the iPad via a Bluetooth connection, though you can still use the on-screen keyboard if you prefer. It also has a USB port, microSD slot and 3.5mm stereo audio input jack. The knob on the front of the chassis adjusts volume output from the iStation's embedded speaker.

If you don’t have an iPad you can you can still use the iStation for playing music off your normal memory stick, just plug it in and play music directly through the chassis.

The iStation is really easy to use, simply place the iPad in its cradle (either horizontally or vertically), plug the iPad into the chassis' power adaptor in order to keep the iPad charged, switch everything on, pair up the devices, and off you go!

It can be bought online from the M.I.C Store, priced at R700.

The Backpack Cooler Chair

Okay, so there is a good band playing at the Botanical Gardens and all your mates decide on an impromptu visit. You know you need a) your own chair and b) stuff to nosh. But the sardine express you are travelling in makes it difficult to take a bag packed with food plus a camping chair. What is a guy to do? Invest in the backpack cooler chair!

From its handy backpack design for easy mobility, to the insulated portable cooler for plenty of eats, to the comfy chair it is topped off with, this versatile device makes packing in a hurry child’s play. Fashioned from heavy-duty polyester and featuring a U-shaped zipper for easy access, an exterior water bottle pocket, two cushioned backpack straps with adjustable grips, and a durable metal frame to accompany the fabric seat, this backpack cooler chair miraculously folds flat for easy storage.

The chair measures around 40cm x 25cm x 18cm and 46cm x 30cm when the backpack chair is open. It retails between R380-R400.

Jawbone’s UP – the wearable health monitor for Apple devices

At first glance, the average Joe would never even suspect that inside this thin, attractive wristband is embedded technology that’s able to track your daily activities, sleeping patterns and diet.

The UP uses its inbuilt "MotionX" sensor to track your activity and transfers the relevant data to your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch via the headphone jack. A dedicated app then provides an overview of your movement, GPS routes, sleep and meals. UP is meant to integrate seamlessly into the user’s lifestyle “24 hours a day”.

The UP has a built-in Li-ion polymer battery which takes 80 minutes to recharge and lasts up to 10 days, according to Jawbone. It has a USB to 3.5 mm plug adapter for charging at 5V.

The UP monitoring system is only compatible with iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, iPad, or iPod Touch (iOS 4.1 and greater). The UP app is free but it does not work without the wristband and the wristband is not compatible with any other app or device.

The global launch is planned for near the end of the year.

The Kindle Fire

The newest addition to the Kindle family, the Fire features a vibrant 7-inch multi-touch display which utilizes IPS (in-plane switching) technology to provide an extra-wide viewing angle, so others can watch alongside with you.

The display produces 16 million colours at a resolution of 1024 x 600 and has been chemically strengthened to be 30 times harder and 20 times stiffer than plastic, which makes the Fire durable and more resistant to wear and tear.

Its user-friendly interface allows users to browse effortlessly through the menus. Being an Amazon product, the Kindle Fire gives you access to Amazon’s plethora of digital content, usage of the Amazon Cloud for free, unlimited storage, and Amazon prime members get unlimited free access to more than 10,000 movies and TV shows. If you’re not an Amazon prime member, you get a 30-day free trial of the service so you can get a taste of it.

Amazon has incorporated a revolutionary, high-speed Web browser in the Fire – the Amazon Silk - and have enhanced their WhisperSync tech further by now allowing you to pause movies and TV shows, so you can pick up exactly where you left off.

Just in time for Xmas!

The Citrusaw

I find it intriguing when someone combines a few tools to create one simple and easy-to-use master tool. It removes the hassle and bother of having to cart around all those separate, individual items just to get the job done, whatever that may be.

The Citrusaw is one such jewel of a tool and looks so charming that your chick will be all cuted out. The handle of the Citrusaw is a bottle opener, and the saw bit, obviously, is the knife that you would use to slice your lemon or lime to complete the taste of your beer or cider. Voila!

It’s pretty reasonable, retailing in at around R50.

Magnetic Light Switch Cover

The handiest gadgets are the ones that provide a simple solution to a simple problem. It’s the gadgets that you look at and go, “Now why didn’t I think of that?” Well here's one that allows you to turn on the lights and, at the same time, safely and securely store your keys in one fell swoop!

The Magnetic Light Switch Cover is a standard size switch cover plate with a high-power magnet incorporated into the back so you can slap your keys onto the plate as you turn on the lights. The magnet will ensure that your keys stay fastened to the plate so that they WILL be where you left them in the morning.

The Magnetic Covers are available in different colours and come in double and triple switch options. Retails at around R200.

The Grillslinger Braai Utility Belt

Think of the Grillslinger Braai Utility Belt as your braai toolkit. Never again will you waste precious beer drinking minutes with your mates digging around your kitchen drawers for those essential yet missing pieces of your braai kit. Just strap on this belt and you’re armed with every self-respecting South African man’s idea of the perfect braai tool kit.

The belt holds a set of high-quality Stainless Steel tools (tongs, spatula and knife) with each being easily accessible and easy to put away in assigned slots. It even has room for a bottle of oil and salt and pepper shakers, and if you’ve got the tongs in hand there’s a free space for your beer.

It’s all very Wild Wild West and Butch Cassidy.

The belt is machine washable and fully adjustable and retails at R790.

Black & Decker 36V Mower

Now here’s a mower you can toot your horn and brag to your mates about…

Battery-electric mowers are just as heavy as their gasoline counterparts, but the new Black & Decker 36V version weighs only 32,6 kg and has powered rear wheels which makes the pushing effortless. You can adjust the speed via a sliding lever, and the separate motor supplies plenty of torque to the wheels. The rechargeable mower also has a bigger battery, which means more power to the mower, so even the thickest grass won’t bog this baby down.

Other cool features include a frame which extends and collapses making storage much easier, and a battery in the top-end model that can be removed for charging and replacement, which is super for extending the mower’s range and life span.

This mower also has a new look from the previous model, which was streamlined and compact. The new sleek design is quite macho and wicked-looking and screams, “I mean business!”

The Black & Decker 36V mower retails at R3329.25, and the cheaper 45,7cm mower costs R2958.50, but doesn’t have a removable battery. A spare battery for the top-end model retails at R1482.95.

The U-socket USB outlet

Almost everything can be charged by USB these days, and while it’s really convenient to power up your favourite gadgets while working on your laptop, it’s a bit of a problem when your laptop is out of reach and you can’t find the wall socket adapter plug or don’t have one?

Kill your dependency on your computer to charge your gadgets and say hello to the U-socket USB outlet. The U-Socket replaces your standard wall socket with a socket that features two 2.1 amp USB ports. Not only can you charge your USB gadgets wherever you are in the house but now you can do it without giving up that valuable power plug, because the U-Socket still has 2 ports for your typical plug.

You do need to know a little bit about electricity and basic wiring to replace your old wall socket with the U-Socket but it’s a fairly simple DIY project.

The U-socket is perfect for the guy with too many gizmos and not enough USB outlets at hand. Unfortunately it’s not available in SA as yet but is bound to hit the shelves soon.

TomTom Go LIVE Service

TomTom has introduced new, driver-friendly versions of popular social networking and online travel services.

Their new Search & Go LIVE Services – which include Expedia, TripAdvisor and Yelp – allow users to access trusted online reviews and offers them the best route to get to their destination by working with TomTom’s map and routing technology.

The Twitter functionality in TomTom devices will feature an option to tweet the driver’s destination to their followers with the ETA. The Twitter message is pre-set by the user before they take off, so they can concentrate on the road ahead without trying to type and drive. The estimated time of arrival will be updated before the actual arrival to give more accuracy. All Twitter functionalities are optional, so if you want it off, so it shall be.

Within the Search & Go LIVE Services portfolio, the Expedia feature allows people to compare accommodation in their vicinity. Trip Advisor and Yelp give drivers access to live, impartial reviews for restaurants, hotels, spas and theatres, so travelling becomes a whole lot easier!
This service is set to be available in South Africa from 2012.

R2-D2 Peppermill

If you’re a die-hard Star Wars fan, why not add some spice to your kitchen with the R2-D2 Peppermill - the pepper grinder that looks like R2-D2?

Simply twist R2-D2’s head and - voila! - instantly ground pepper. It makes a great gift for a friend who is just as geek-crazy over Star Wars as you are, and is also bound to inspire a fair amount of conversation around the dinner table. All the Wookies on Tatooine are using it, what’s your reason not to?

This cute little gadget stands at a height of about 12cm and retails at about R145.

Cirrus Ice Ball Press

Many of us love a glass of painstakingly aged scotch, but you know you’re doing it wrong when you hectically dilute it with plain old ice cubes that melt too quickly. Luckily help is at hand.

The Cirrus Ice Ball Press chills your drink in the most delicate way possible. “How?” you may ask. Well, by using its single, oversized spherical-shaped ice ball it minimises surface area and therefore the water that makes its way into your drink. A sphere has the least surface area of any solid, which means slower dilution, and a single large sphere works best as it melts slower.

To create your own ice balls with the Cirrus Ice Ball Press simply set a chunk of ice between the two halves, place the top half on the guide rails and let gravity work its magic. In no time at all you’ll have a perfect 70mm ice ball with which to enjoy your drink.

The Cirrus Ice Ball Press retails at R6000.

Handpresso Wild Instant Expresso Maker

We know how important coffee is, and we know how important it is to be able to grab a coffee on the go. Well, this little gadget will make satisfying your craving a lot easier.

The Handpresso Wild Instant Espresso Maker is a lightweight, portable espresso maker that is compatible with all E.S.E pods, which are readily available in the coffee section of all major stores and coffee shops. So whether you're in the bush or half way up the Sani Pass and in need of a shot, this doohickey allows you to easily brew up the perfect espresso in minutes. Simply pump up the handle to 16 bar (a gauge ensures you hit the perfect pressure every time), add water from your thermos to the mini reservoir, slip in a coffee pod and fire off your espresso. Voila!

The Handpresso Wild retails at R1600.


Voodoo Knife Block

If you’re a truly modern man then you can probably be found in the kitchen on most nights, right? If you proudly answered a “Hell Yeah” to these questions then this gadget is for you.

The Voodoo Knife Block set is a cut above other knife blocks mainly because it stands out in terms of originality and design. Crafted in rich red, black or chrome-coloured ABS plastic, the stylish set has five strategically positioned slots in the Voodoo “doll” which house the five knives.

Apart from its quirkiness, the sturdy Voodoo Knife Block set is a brilliant addition to any kitchen, thanks to the good quality knives that accompany it. Made from Molybdenum and Vanadium stainless steel, they’re considered sharper, more durable and rust-resistant than standard stainless steel knives.

This funky gadget will definitely bring out the Jamie Oliver in you so go get it… Chop, chop! Retails at about R950.

Jambox Speakers by Jawbone

When they said that dynamite comes in small packages, they weren’t kidding…this little wireless speaker/speakerphone sure knows how to go boom! It may be small, but the Jambox by Jawbone is the best sounding wireless speaker yet.

Delivering spectacular hi-fi audio with an output capacity of 85 decibels that fills even the largest of rooms, Jambox’s pair of proprietary acoustic drivers work in concert with an innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure to deliver its awesome sound.

When you sync it with MyTALK, Jawbone's online platform and an industry first, you can download apps, software upgrades and the latest features. Its integrated intelligence allows you to personalise Jambox to your specific preferences. With a powerful, built-in microphone, Jambox also frees you up to engage in crisp, clean-sounding conference calls absolutely anywhere.

Lastly, this gadget boasts a stainless-steel construction and industrial-weight moulded rubber casing which makes it sturdy, portable, and as good looking as it is convenient. Retails at around R2500.

Sony W Series Walkman

Designed to stay put during vigorous activity, the W Series Walkman mp3 Player is the one-piece music player that's ready for the man on the move. Better yet, it’s sweat resistant, so you really can drip all over it at the gym or on a long hike.

The player's unique spiral form comfortably floats on the back of your neck, allowing you to be hands-free, wire-free and distraction free. It's also easy to clean so you can prepare for your next gym session without any hassle.

Easily load your music by dragging and dropping music files from iTunes, Windows Media Player or Rhapsody and use the included USB cable to get up to 90 minutes of playback time from just a three-minute charge. Battery life is impressive after a full charge, lasting up to 11 hours.

Cool features include the ZAPPIN search feature, which allows you to easily navigate through your song collection by playing back main melodies. Then there’s the Jog Dial key to scroll and select your ideal track without the need for buttons. Awesomeness all round.

The W Series Walkman mp3 Player retails at about R800.

Vinturi Aerator Connoisseur Set

Ever wondered why the last glass of wine out of the bottle always tastes better than the first? No, it’s not because you’re totally wasted, it’s due to the fact that you need to let wine breathe if you want to enjoy it properly. What a schlep! If you’re one of those impatient folk who tries willingly but to no avail to distract yourself from the open bottle in front of you then the Vinturi Wine Aerator is for you.

This remarkably easy gadget allows you to enjoy your wine almost immediately: All you have to do is hold the Aerator over your glass and pour the wine into the top. The wine is then filtered and oxygenated to release all of those lovely aromas and flavours.

The Vinturi Aerator Connoisseur Set includes the Aerator itself and comes with a cool stand that allows you to make a real feature of the whole process. You’ll pop your wine glass underneath the Aerator (now attractively held in place so you don’t have to) and voila – magic! The set also comes with a sediment filter, a table stand for you to pop the Vinturi in when you're not using it, and a pouch to make sure it doesn't get clogged up with dust while it waits patiently in a drawer for your next wine night.

It is dishwasher safe and retails at R795.

Grilliput Mobile Braai

What’s the defining characteristic of a South African man? The ability to fire up a braai wherever and whenever he possibly can. Well, thanks to the Grilliput, you might find yourself scratching that itch more often.

The Grilliput is a pocket-sized powerhouse of a braai that you can take with you wherever you go. Drawing inspiration for its name from Lilliput, the island of small people from Gulliver’s Travels, this ridiculously compact camping grill is a clever piece of design. At only 29cm long and 2.2cm wide, you can stash it anywhere, so when you’re feeling the urge to chop ‘n dop, simply open it up into a 23x26cm braai. The grill can handle a whopping 560g of food placed upon it; it’s quick and easy to assemble and is made from tough stainless steel, so is super easy to clean. It even has a cleaning groove notched into it so you can scrape off the grill before you pack it up in its tiny solid tube.

The Firebowl is a great companion to the Grilliput. A mobile, compact and collapsible hearth with 4 stilted feet, it enables you to light a fire anywhere without the worry of scorching the earth. The adjustable fins also allow you to create a chimney so that heat can be directly aimed at the desired point. The Grilliput and Firebowl are innovative space miracles for minimalists, and quite simply the best mobile braai kit ever to hit the shelves. Get yours now for R520.

DIY Hooch Kit

You know you’re supposed to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day, right? Well, imagine being able to count an alcoholic drink beverage as one of your fruits? Dreams do come true, dudes, ‘cos now you can turn your favourite fruit juice into a lekker alcoholic drink.

This product ranks high on my list of legendary gadgets because it really does transform fruit juice into booze. How? You simply decant your favourite juice into a large bottle, pour in the magic powder, pop the rubber stopper and airlock into the lid and let the wonder of fermentation work its magic.

The minimum brewing time is 48 hours, but as with any booze, the longer you leave it to work the more potent your end product will become. The result is a refreshing fizzy fruit juice with a maximum alcohol content of 14%. What’s not to love?

You get 6 sachets of the magic powder, 1 airlock, 6 bottle stickers and an instruction leaflet for R180. Phuza on!

Biltong Maker

Now what could beat having your mates over to watch the rugga whilst they chow down on biltong that has been made by you? Ye shall hence forth be known as The Biltong King.

The "Biltong King" Biltong Maker by Mellerware lets you and your mates enjoy awesome tasting, and, better yet, home-made biltong and droe wors. Now you can prepare your very own biltong according to your taste and preferences using your favourite recipes and choice cuts of meat.

The device is lightweight, energy efficient, simple to assemble and really easy to clean, with a removable base plate keeping it hygienic. It has a clear front panel and a built-in circulating fan unit, so you can literally watch biltong appear before your very eyes. The unit comes with four hanging rods and 12 durable hooks, which translates to about 2kgs of meat at a time.

The Biltong Maker retails at around R450.

GoPro Hero HD Camera

My surfer friend Shawn lights up when he regales us with stories about his latest acquisition, the GoPro Hero HD camera. And it’s no surprise: there’s nothing not to love, especially for a guy who likes to record his daily wave conquests. From the reasonable starting price of R2300 to the endless mounts for your car, bike, surfboard etc, this little gadget seems to have it all.

The Hero has a 170-degree field of vision, which is great for reducing the vibrations it will experience while riding down the side of a mountain or inside the barrel of a big wave. This also ensures that what you are shooting is well within the frame but unfortunately makes waves and jumps look a little less impressive.

The average recording times are as follows: 1080p: 12 min/GB; 960p: 14min/GB; 720p: 16min/GB @ 30 fps, 11min/GB @ 60 fps. It’s recommended that you use fast SDHC cards to save battery life. The camera takes an 1100Mah 3.7 Volt battery from which you can get 2.5 hours of battery life in normal climates. The HD camera’s hardy housing retains heat, making it usable in the cold, and it also keeps noise interference, like wind, to a minimum.

The Hero has several still modes, but chances are you won’t be making much use of these - not if you’re a proper action junkie, that is.

Zseries Z008 RC Indoor Helicopter

When it comes to toys for boys, this little plaything rates high on my list.

For beginners considering flying, it’s advisable to start off with a small indoor helicopter such as this. This will give you the chance to learn how to fly and maintain steadiness of the aircraft while it’s airborne. The experience gained from starting off small helps reduce your crashes when you move up to larger helicopters.

This neat little helicopter has a four-channel remote, which allows it to bank to the left and right, veer up and down, forwards and backwards, and the nose can be turned to the left and right.

Small helicopters are also very practical when it comes to spare parts as they are extremely cheap. The battery allows for about 8 to10 minutes of flying time. You don’t need a large area to fly, just make sure the space is free of obstructions. Remember that the slightest gust of wind does affect the flight, so be sure to fly in a room that doesn’t have a lot of wind disturbance.

Mede8er MED500X Media Player

Gone are the days of having to find a unit big enough to house your gargantuan media collection. Thanks to the new era of media players, your entire media library is housed in a little black box and is accessible with a few clicks.

The Mede8er MED500X is one such media player that has become a highly coveted item. For an unassuming box it packs plenty of ports: HDMI, component, composite video, optical and co-axial digital audio, USB and Ethernet. There’s no Wi-Fi or storage, but the room inside the case for a hard drive makes up for that.

The user interface is bright and bold, with options that are clearly labelled and sensibly arranged. The MED500X also connects seamlessly to both shared network drives and UPnP media servers. Photo handling is adequate, same goes for its music playback. Video playback is equally fuss-free and the feature of thumbnail previews for files selected in the browser makes it easy finding the file you’re after. Support for almost every video format, save for QuickTime, makes the MED500X a versatile performer.

It retails at around R1800.

Logitech 300i Universal Remote

Who said men can’t multitask? With this new universal remote, mastering the art just became a little easier.

On receiving this remote for his birthday, my cousin was beside himself with childish excitement, even squealing, “It’s a thing of beauty!” And while I initially thought that was taking it a bit too far, I now agree with him.

For a start, this be-all-and-end-all URC has a whopping 55 buttons to play with, each of which can be customised with a simple click of a mouse.  The thought of getting out your PC and connecting to the net might seem like a pain but honestly set up is dead easy and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Cool features include the “one-button on and off” function for all devices, as well as a robust and hardy shell. It also works with your PVR like a dream. The best thing about this remote, however, is the price. Retailing at just R270 you’re getting good value for your money.

Other remotes with fancy LCD touch screens that also control your blinds and air conditioner are great, but they’re not as cost effective. And anyway, if you had a remote for everything you might never get off the couch.

Apple iPad2

The question looms: Is the release of the second-generation iPad something to get excited about?

The design of the iPad 2 has evolved slightly. It’s thinner, lighter and seemingly more contoured, which makes the tablet easier to hold. It also now comes equipped with a rear speaker and camera, although neither are anything to rave madly about.

The iPad 2 comes with a dual core 1Ghz “A5” chip, which allows for faster loading of websites, as well as switching between Apps and games. The battery life is pretty impressive, with up to 10 hours of continuous video playback. Display is the same brilliant 9.7 Inch LED backlit 1024x768 resolution as the first iPad, offering an incredible viewing experience from any angle.

The one cool inclusion that I would stand on a soapbox for is the Smart Cover that comes standard with the new iPad2. The cover magnetically attaches to the iPad and locks and wakes up the tablet similar to the lid of a laptop. What’s pretty neat too is that you can fold the Smart Cover into a prism, which acts as a stand for your device.

While this is all great, it’s not a good enough reason for updating your existing iPad. Our advice would be to hold tight for number 3, which promises new functionality and upgrades.

Apple iPod Nano

Attractive and functional, the new iPod Nano with multi-touch functionality will make Apple fans go gaga.

The updated device is smaller, lighter and comes with a built-in clip, which means it’s perfect for men on the move. Simply tap and swipe the 1.5 inch touch screen with a resolution of 240x240 pixels and you’ve got your music library at your fingertips!

The iPod Nano’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery means that you get to enjoy up to 24 hours of non-stop music. The FM Tuner is another super-cool feature that allows you to pause live radio with just a tap of your finger, so you’ll never miss a wicket, try or goal ever again! You’re also able to rewind up to 15 minutes back to catch up on what you’ve missed. This really is dynamite in a small package.

The 8GB retails at R1599 and the 16GB for R1999.

Controlling the Beverage Opening

Are you a geek who likes beer? Are you proud of that fact and want to take every opportunity to announce it? Are you a fan of inside jokes? If the answer to these questions is “Hells Yeah” then have we got a gadget for you. It’s a bottle opener with CTRL + O engraved on it, and the O is where you put the bottle cap.

Isn’t that awesome?

In true geek fashion there will undoubtedly be upgrades. Version 2.0 will probably have a wi-fi component to Tweet everytime you open a beer, 2.1 will have GPS capabilities so friends can find you for a social drink and by the time they release V3 you probably won’t even need to use your hands.

It will all be mind-controlled via the RFD chip implanted at the base of your brain.

TomTom Go Live 1000

My bro visited us over Easter and was advocating the latest TomTom Go Live 1000. Not wanting to have missed out on something new, I decided to check it out myself.

What’s cool about this system - apart from it having an 11cm touch screen and weighing only 220g - is that it comes with a 1-year free subscription to TomTom’s easy to activate Live Services. This includes (my favourite) HD traffic, which is updated every two minutes, allowing for near real-time notifications of delays and alternative routes. After your free year of Live Services, the subscription fee will set you back R499 per annum, but if, like me, these traffic updates were the deciding factor for you, you won’t mind splurging.

The only thing that annoyed me was the absence of a ‘back’ button on the menu. Once you’re in a sub-menu you have to hit ‘done’ in order to return to the navigation screen and then re-enter the menu. Apart from that, though, this little buddy is a welcome addition to my travels.

The TomTom Go Live 1000 retails at R3199.

Blackberry PlayBook

Blackberry’s answer to the iPad and Galaxy tab is here! Enter the Blackberry PlayBook, a 7-inch tablet with a dual-core 1 Ghz processor.

The playbook doesn’t run Android but rather QNX, a UNIX-based industrial platform recently acquired by RIM. This interface is very slick, multi-tasks brilliantly without any freezing, plays multimedia well, and web browsing is fast, effortless and even renders Flash, which iPad users will welcome with open arms.

While the tab is fully touch-screen dependent without any physical buttons, users have iterated that it’s quick and easy to master. The rear camera shoots 5MP as well as video, and the front camera shoots 3MP and allows for video calling. Blackberry phone users will be able to pair their devices with the tab, so you’ll be able to view your phone’s info on the tab.

Visit your nearest mobile retailer to find out more about this wishlist item.

DSTV Mobile Drifta

To be able to watch TV on the go sounded like a pretty damn fine idea, so I was keen to try out the new DSTV Mobile Drifta, which promises just that.

The Drifta is essentially a mobile decoder that uses a USB or WiFi connection to pair with your iPad, iPhone, PC or Mac for instant television satisfaction. Users can switch between large and small format windows effortlessly, which is really useful when you’re trying to write an email and keep an eye on the game at the same time.

What’s not so cool is that the Drifta’s battery life is poor with only two hours viewing at most, and it only has a handful of channels available - no movie channels!

The best news is that there are NO data fees involved in running the decoder. The Drifta connects directly to DSTV’s own DVB-H network and what’s great is that you don’t have to be a DSTV subscriber to use the service.

The Drifta retails at R599, and monthly subscription for non-DSTV Premium subscribers will cost you R36p/m.