The DStv Walka

Do you wish you could have access to telly all the time? With the DStv Walka, that wish is granted! Besides having a catchy name, this device is basically a handheld TV with a tiny 320p by 240p resolution screen.

Inside the DStv Walka box is everything you would need to watch TV on the go. You get the Walka, a USB charger, earphones, a TV stand, and hand lanyard. A long, delicate aerial provides signal and it needs to be fully upright in order to receive the best signal.

Channels included with the Walka are M-Net Series, eNews, CNN, SuperSport Blitz, SuperSport1 to 4,  Cartoon Network, Discovery, SONY Max, E! Mobile, Africa Magic, Channel O, and M-Net Mobile.

The sound is horrible so do yourself a favour and attach speakers or headphones as soon as you can to avoid killing your eardrums. However, we love the convenience of being able to have a TV in your pocket. The list of channels is small, but adequate. And the price is reasonable too.

At the end of the day we say Walka Walka, yeah yeah! We couldn’t resist that…

Nissan - world’s first self-repairing iPhone case

Don’t you hate it when your touch screen phone is ruined with scratches? That could be a thing of the past with Nissan’s world first self-healing iPhone case that makes use of their Scratch Shield paint technology.

The Scratch Shield paint is made from polyrotaxane, which has a chemical structure that is able to change back to its original shape and fill the gap that results from a scratch. Small scratches can self repair in an hour, while more severe scratches can take up to a week.

The Scratch Shield paint also provides a gel-like surface which makes the iPhone easier to grip compared to the glossy, slippery surface it now has.

If demand proves strong, Nissan plans to release the cases compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S for sale to the public later this year. Then it is time to wave goodbye to scratches for good!

The Really Tiny Booklight

We’ve all been here: you find yourself unable to stop reading that riveting book, but your partner needs to sleep so they request you switch the lights off. Do you oblige and end up tossing and turning thinking about the story or move to another room?  Don’t be so hasty because you do not have to do either!

Not only is this the most fashion-conscious book light on the market but it's surely the most trim and slim. The booklight is available in seven glamorous rubber coated colours and comes with batteries.

It has a simple easy-to-use clip on design; rotates 90 degrees for illuminating an entire page and is great for travel and those late-night reading sessions while at home.

It retails at R109.

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?