Asus S400E, Berlin Boombox, Huawei Ascend G330and LIFX bulbs
Asus S400E €900
It’s a brave new world out there for Microsoft. It is hoping that consumers will take to a new generation of touch screen enabled devices. But rather than ditch the keyboard altogether, there are some compromises. The Asus S400E looks for all intents and purposes like a regular 14 inch laptop. The difference is that it has a touch-enabled screen, so that while you can type as usual on the keyboard, you can also bash away at the screen when necessary.
This won’t be to everyone’s liking, but it certainly helps bridge the gap between the old and new.
[ Asus.comOpens in new window ]
Berlin Boombox €63
If you yearn for simpler times, when music was a little less compact, the Berlin Boombox evokes a certain nostalgia.
It’s designed like a retro boombox, but it connects to your iPhone, iPod or other digital music player via a 3.5mm jack.
Not unusual, no, but this particular stereo is made from industrial strength cardboard.
It’s got two speakers, volume controls and runs off 3 AA batteries. You put it together and personalize it as you see fit. And the cardboard is even recycled.
[ Firebox.comOpens in new window ]
Huawei Ascend G330 €149
Huawei’s latest Ascend handset has come to Irish networks, with eMobile and Meteor snapping it up.
If you’re in the market for a more reasonably priced smartphone, the Ascend 330 isn’t a bad choice.
The follow-up to the Ascend 300 comes with a four inch display, a one GHz processor and runs Ice Cream Sandwich.
It’s also got a pretty decent battery, and DTS sound, so not only can you watch more video clips, but they also sound pretty good too.
[ Huawei.comOpens in new window ]
LIFX bulbs €29
Typical: you wait ages for a usable wifi-enabled light system for your home and then two come along together. Well, almost.
The LIFX bulb is on preorder for the time being, having come through crowdfunding site Kickstarter. The difference with LIFX is that there are no boxes to install, just the bulbs.
The app on your smartphone controls everything, from colour and brightness to what time they come on in the morning.
They’re also compatible with bayonet, Edison and downlighter bulb fittings.
