Notebook Cooler

Is your notebook getting too hot, and so frequently cuts out?

Then get one of these. This notebook cooler from Akasa will cool your devices to allow extended operation of your notebook.

It has a stylish and strong aluminium alloy body and low noise fans with an ON/OFF switch. It's non slip and powers direct from your notebook and includes an extra USB port for an additional device.

Great value for money at only 25.00

Gadget News: 27th

-PS3 breaks UK games console records

The Playstation 3 has become the fastest selling home games console, with 165,000 sold within two days of the launch.

The PS3 has seen off it's rivals despite that big price tag, but it's early days yet. Lets see what it can achieve in the long run.

-Microsoft sells 20 million copies of Vista.

Microsoft claims Windows Vista is off to a fast start, having sold more than 20 million copies since its 30 January consumer release.

By comparison, in its first two months, Windows XP sold 17 million copies, Microsoft said.

-Virgin takes a battering

Virgin Media has responded to the barrage of customer complaints it has received in recent weeks, claiming its performance has not been aided by its recent wrangling with BSkyB.

Readers of CNET.co.uk's sister site, silicon.com, have been posting angry feedback on a recent article about Virgin Media's customer service strategy, criticising the cable broadband giant for everything from poor up-time of its Internet service to unacceptable levels of customer service and long helpline wait times.

-Motion-sensing comes to mobiles

The same technology used in Nintendo's popular Wii games console that lets you bowl strikes and hit tennis volleys like you're Venus Williams is also making its way into mobile handsets.

Responding to a flick of the wrist or sweep of the arm, tiny sensors called accelerometers, which measure linear acceleration in the Wiimote game controller, translate motion into action on the screen. When the technology is added to a mobile phone, the handset's utility changes in several intriguing ways. It can, for example, function as a motion-sensing mouse that lets you browse the mobile Internet by tilting the device left, right, up or down. It even can allow you to monitor a fitness workout by measuring the number of steps you take, your speed and the calories burned.

Review: iPod Shuffle

Price: 55.00

The iPod Shuffle is quite a unique design which is available in five colours. It's an on-the-go MP3 player, which will hold 240 songs with 1GB capacity.

With being only 4.1cm long it will fit almost anywhere, on your jacket, belt or clip it to your bag. Use the 'shuffle switch' to mix up your songs or select to play your hand picked playlists you synced from iTunes.

There's a built in Lithium battery which is rechargeable, and will last for up to 12 hours when fully charged.

Overall the iPod Shuffle is value for money and it's excellent design and colour range puts it ahead of it's competitors. This is an on-the-go MP3 player for an on-the-go person.

To download iTunes 7 click Here

Waterproof Camera anyone?

If you want a waterproof digital camera then this is the one to get.

This is the Pentax Optio W30. With up to a depth of 3 meters for a maximum of 2 hours you can take all of your underwater snaps without a clumsy outer shell.

It's got 7.1 megapixels, anti refection LCD, shake reduction, movie mode, 3x optical zoom and 1cm macro photography.

Performs well and not bad for the money, but it only performs well under water, and not so well out of water. Price: 190

More info? Visit the Pentax Website.

The Future: Widget Station

Price: TBA

Widget Station is basically a desk clock which can run various Widgets. Widgets being applications which can perform a variety of tasks. Users will be able to browse for and download new widgets via the Internet, either Wirelessly or by USB or Ethernet, so you can see the latest Weather, Football scores, browse on-line photo albums etc. All from your bed side table.

It isn't due in Europe for a while yet, but it's definitely worth waiting for!

Want to find out more? Visit their Website.

Storm Watches

Treat yourself with one of these fantastic Watches from Storm.

Name: Robo

Features: Dual time

Size: Face 4cm, Strap 19cm adjustable.

Price: 90.00

Colours: Black, Orange, Blue, Green

Name: Binary

Features: LED Movement

Size: Face 3.7cm, Strap 18.5cm

Price: 80.00

Colours: Blue, Brown, Grey, Red

Name: Strider Leather

Features: Stainless Steel, Leather cuff strap

Size: Face 4cm, Strap 19cm adjustable

Price: 70.00

Colours: Black, Blue

Visit the Storm Website

Review: PlayStation 3

Price: 425

The Sony PlayStation 3 is almost here, so if you want one when it's released on the 23rd of March then get down to your local electronics store and pre-order one to get ahead of the rest.

The PS3 will cost more than it's competitors, so what exactly do you get for your money?

To start with PS3 games are not region coded, so you can buy a game anywhere in the world and it will work on your UK player. But this only applys to your PS3 games. Your PSone and PS2 games will still be regional, this also applys to DVD and Blu-Ray titles, they will only work on a player of the same region.

The PS3 will include a Blu-Ray player. The PS3 being the cheapest Blu-Ray player around. So get a HDTV and a Hi-Def DVD and sit back and enjoy the amazing picture quality.

The controller is Wireless and uses Bluetooth to connect to the main unit. Although there will be no vibration in the controller. The battery from the controller can be charged from the USB port on the front of the PS3. Which gives you 30 hours of gaming pleasure.

The PS3 is network ready and won't cost anything to set up, unlike XBox Live which you have to pay for.

Overall this is set to revolutionise the gaming world, it's years ahead of it's competitors and that heavy price tag doesn't seem so heavy after all when you think of those wonderfull features included.

Maximum Controllers 7, playback includes Blu-Ray, DVD, and CD. Storage 60GB, connections HDMI, AV multi-out, Optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB 2.0. Dimensions 325 x 98 x 274 mm. Weight 5 KG.

Nikon D40: Ups their game!

Price: 600 w/18-55mm lens

Nikon steps it up a level with introducing the D40x. The original D40 was the baby camera to the D80 (reviewed below), But it was feeling a little left out to it's rivals only having 6 mega pixels, whilst the others had anything up to 10 mega pixels.

Now the D40x has upped to 10 mp to get one over on it's rivals. Coming in cheaper than the Canon EOS 400D (reviewed below), it's sure to turn some heads when it's released on the 22nd March, just over a week away.

But we must feel sorry for those people who bought the D40, and now wishing they'd held out a little longer for the D40x to surface. Although it does cost 500 for the original with two lenses and 600 for the new model but with only one lens. Bit of a price difference but your budget can only decide which one to go for.

In a nutshell, I'd pay that little extra for the D40x to take advantage of the stronger sensor or any other touching up Nikon has made. But most of all to show Canon users just what Nikon can pull out of it's hat, and laugh at them as your camera was cheaper, and would be more than happy to match the spec of the Canon.

K800i: Buy it!

Free: w/contract

The Sony Ericsson K800i could quite possibly be one of the most elegant phones ever made. Could it be the eye catching design, the smooth finish, perhaps the Cyber-shot 3.2 megapixel camera or the features inside the phone itself. Lets find out...

The Sony is packed full of fun and features and comes in various colours, the best being copper brown as it gives out a sense of class and style. The rear of the phone incorporates a soft to touch feel, where as on the front the washed copper look gives it it's style.

The camera is by far one of the best on the market at the moment giving us a 3.2 megapixel snapper which is auto focus and boasts that Sony trademark, "Cybershot". Complete with a Xenon flash it's more Digi-cam than cam phone. There's also a VGA cam on the front for video calling.

Storage comes integrated and a tiny Sony M2 card slot built in on the side. But don't expect to get a memory card with it, you'll have to do a deal with your supplier.

Features included are the usual as expected, including, a radio, Bluetooth, IR, calender, music player, various applications such as Face Warp which is great, you'll have to try it to find out how great it is. There are some good games and many more available for download, as the K800i is WAP and Internet enabled.

What makes this phone a big hit is it's camera and the stylish good looks. The user interface is easy to use anyway as it's a Sony. Anyone with a Sony Ericsson should agree. The fact of the matter is if you want a phone full of features, a stylish design and topped off with an impressive camera, go out and buy this phone now. You won't be disappointed, well not until the iPhone's out anyway.

For more info visit the Sony website

Review: Apple iPhone

(Due Winter 2007)

Find out why everyones getting excited about this phone, and will Apple be able to make this the best selling gadget since their famous family of iPods?

First things first, it's beautifully designed and well proportioned. About as long as a Palm top computer and increadibly thin at 11.6mm. It runs on Apples operating system, OSX. Which is alot more impressive than the Windows Mobile system.

The screen is a multi-tap 3.5" widescreen. There are many different ways you can use your fingers on the touch screen, which you'll have to learn if you get one. Although fat fingers may pose a problem.

It comes pre-installed with many programmes including Google Maps. It includes 802.11g Wi-Fi and bluetooth 2.0. It's a disapointment there's only a 2mp camera, but who takes proper quality pics with their cam phone anyway? Storage comes up to 8GB. You get 5 hrs talk time or 16 hrs music playback, perfect for a whole load of MP3's.

Overall, this is set to be big when it's launched for sale in winter. And if you're thinking of buying a new phone any time soon i'd hold out a while longer as you might be pleasently suprised at what an excelent piece of gadgetry this is.

Visit Apple.com for more info.

Review: LG Prada Phone

Price: 400

This phone is set to sell, sell, sell, or be it until the iPhone arrives later this year. I can't say the LG's packed full of features, because it isn't. But it is touch sensitive which is the way forward, of course.

All the usual features included, 2mp camera , Bluetooth, Micro SD slot, Video capture mode etc. It does support office document compatibility and shows off with a flashy interface designed by Prada.

It might not quite match up to the iPhone's spec, but it should draw in buyers just for that over priced clothes label, Prada.

For more info visit the LG Website.

Review: Nikon D80

Features Include:

• - 10.2 megapixel sensor
  - 2.5" TFT LCD Screen
• - SD Card ready
• - USB 2 transfer
• -Compatible with Nikkor F Lenses

Price: 700

The D80 features a 10.2 megapixel sensor with a high level of resolution and sharp detail. The 10.2 megapixel sensor allows you to get the best and largest prints you require. With a start up time of 0.18 seconds you will be ready for action in a click.

This camera takes one of the most popular forms of storage, SD Cards. And the 2.5" TFT LCD screen will enable crystal clear viewing.

To find the best price for this and other cameras, try Pricerunner, located in our Links section. Or vist http://www.nikon-d80.com/

Review: Canon EOS 400D

• Features include:
• - 10.1 Megapixel sensor
• - EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• - 2.5" LCD
• - 9 Point wide-area AF
• - Plus many more...

Price: 720

This camera has a 10.1 megapixel sensor, so your prints will be crystal clear. Each time you start the camera up, the integrated cleaning system comes into action and shakes off dust from the sensor.

The 2.5" LCD screen makes viewing your pictures easier, so you know if you've got the right shot.

The 400D is compatible with an array of lenses and accessories. And it's lightweight and durability makes it your perfect partner.

For more information visit http://www.canon.co.uk/