Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS CameraPentax was one the first companies to introduce an entirely waterproof camera that looked just like a regular point and squirt, so to speak. It was largely ahead of the curve then, and so unusual, that as a gag, I'd sometimes pretend to drop my old Optio WP into a swimming pool or even a jug of water in a restaurant. It freaked people out. And getting underwater shots of the kids diving in was amazing.
Now there are plenty of waterproof models, but Pentax is breaking ground again. This is its 12th generation of adventure cameras. Not only is the new Optio WG-1 waterproof, it’s dust-proof, shock-proof, drop-proof, crush-proof and cold-proof too. But with a sensitive soul inside – 14MP, 5x internal zoom, video, digital microscope setting with its own lens-mounted LEDs and lots more nerdish stuff that most of you will never use. Only a particularly sad gadget columnist would venture into the deepest modes.
And fitting with the whole geo-tagging phenomenon – you tag your photo’s location when you’re sharing it – the Optio WG-1 has a GPS version that records your position.
Moreover, gone is a body that hides in a Clark Kentish fashion and in comes a rugged, gnarly design that says bring it on. There’s even a carabiner, so it must be tough.
Cost£310 (€370), from Amazon.co.uk (about £60/€71 less without GPS).
Parrot MinikitSmart Judging by the number of mobiles that are still being juggled while driving, enforcement of the law hasn't exactly got the drivers of Ireland quaking at the wheel. And we've all been party to calls that end abruptly with the mobile hitting the car floor as a garda approaches. Brings a whole new meaning to "dropped calls".
Parrot has several car-kit options, and this latest version has a number of things going for it. It’s a sucker-on-the- windscreen charging dock for smartphones such as the iPhone – I can hear the so whats – but it’s also got Bluetooth capabilities. This means you can use your phone’s full phone and increasingly powerful sat-nav functions. The Minikit can sync up to your mobile’s phonebook, including the voice-dialling, so a call can be made at a press of a button – with the nagging, sorry, I mean spoken directions from your phone’s GPS nav being played through the Parrot’s built-in speaker too.
As well as iPhone, the Minikit works with Crackberry, Android, Symbian and Windows Mobile. Though the latter two could easily prove to be the Betamax of mobile systems. The Minikit itself can recharge off an in-car 12V power point, with a claimed 10 hours’ talk time on a full charge, and there are cables included for most smartphone recharging too. And when you’re off on your hols, just peel it off and pack it with you.
Cost€99, from O2 stores.
Chaheati Heated ChairWell, that's given the game away: it's a, like, chair that's heated. The groan-inducing name is pronounced to rhyme with Tahiti. It continues the theme of sticking heating elements anywhere that anyone could possibly complain of the cold.
Gloves and boots are so, well, predictable: how about a chair? The Chaheati (that name growing on you?) will keep your butt and back nicely warm at about 38 degrees for some six hours. It’s collapsible so it can be brought fishing, camping or indeed queuing overnight for the sales to start. There could be a niche market for frozen poll station staff too of course. The swinging doors of the school gym and town hall keep them chilly.
The heating element is integrated into the Chaheati’s fabric with a rechargeable Li-ion battery supplying the juice which cranks it up in just 20 seconds. There are four temperature settings including frankly worrying 62 degrees backside-burner. Oh, and did I mention the built-in drink holder? Sheer luxury.
Cost$90 (€67), from chaheati.com.