Nice Kettle - hefty price tag!

What’s different? The Vera kettle is a high-tech electric kettle with amazingly cool features such as a special electronic control for all functions allows the kettle to reach the desired water temperature (between 45 and 100°C) and ensures consistent and optimal heating for the preparation of each hot beverage. Vera also features an integrated screen into the handle to enable you to select any functions with a simple touch. Additional key features includes a self timer that sets and regulates the activation of the kettle and that can be easily programmed to be ready in time for coffee and tea breaks, a 360°connection to the base which permits easy use from any position and finally the display is equipped with a protective thermal security system that prevents the kettle from overheating.

Basically this little beauty is not just a pretty face! Available fromwww.wheredidyoubuythat.com

Eva Solo Table Grill In Black

This spring, the popular and prize-winning Eva Solo table grill is being launched in a new and stylish black colour. This innovative, modern outdoor grill is ideal for preparing delicious food outdoors in summer – its design representing a marriage of functionality and aesthetics. The table grill is made of fireproof porcelain with a practical handle which makes it easy to carry around

Price: £274

Website: www.amaroni.com

Bbq Bucket Gift Set

The fantastic BBQ Bucket is a wonderful gift for anybody who loves to relax out by the BBQ! Despite the size of the portable BBQ Bucket it is light enough to manage easily. To assist the cooking process is Chilli Dipping sauce, Texas Rib Cooking Sauce and some wine to help the barbecuing go with a swing. And don’t forget the ‘Burnt to Perfection’ cooking apron!

Price: £44.95

Website: www.GettingPersonal.co.uk

Guzzini Pic Boll – Picnicware Set

This is a slight update of a 1970s classic, keeping that same principle of everything plastic in a plastic ball, but now with a bit more colour and a slightly more contemporary feel. For your money you get: 2 x containers 1 x tray 6 x flat plates 6 x deep plates 6 x fruit plates 6 x beakers All dishwasher safe.

Price: £39

Website: www.amaroni.com

Flameboy Bbq Multi Tool

Everything you need is all contained in one useful hand-held piece of kit! Featuring 7 tools in 1, the Flameboy not only helps you tend to your barbie, it also features a bottle opener, and a corkscrew to make your garden party flow with plenty of merriment. At the head of the Flameboy you’ve got the expected steel tools that help you poke and prod your burgers until they are truly well done! The obvious parts are the spatula and the fork, but these also double as a pair of tongs, and the spatula has a serrated edge so you can slice up some side salad. Hidden in the handle is a handy slot for a lighter, so when you need to get those flames going, just whip it out and light away!

Price: £13.25

Website: www.drinkstuff.com

Microsoft today sparked a games console war when it unveiled a revolutionary new control system for the Xbox 360 that banishes the need for any hand-held controller.

A high-tech camera tracks players movements and projects them straight into the game on the screen.

The player of a football game, therefore, simply needs to swing a foot to kick the ball on the screen, while a boxing game will see legions of living room fighters dodging, weaving and throwing punches at invisible foes.

The motion-sensing technology goes much further than that currently available on the Nintendo Wii, which uses motion sensors within controllers that must still be clutched by the player.

A motion sensor in the device tracks the player and projects their movements onto the screen, making the player’s entire body the ‘controller’

The new Xbox 360 system, named Project Natal, will also have a voice recognition system allowing the player to speak to the machine and characters within games directly.

The system will be so sensitive, according to Microsoft, that it will be able to recognise different family members and even read facial expressions.

The gadget could spell the beginning of the end for the traditional hand-held joypad controller which has dominated console controls since Sega and Nintendo developed early gaming machines in the 1980s.

‘You are the controller,’ Microsoft’s Shane Kim said.

 ‘That’s a very powerful piece of technology – full body gesture tracking, not just two hands.’

The system, which plugs into the Xbox 360 eliminates the need for any hand-held controls and should be available next year

Don Mattrick, vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said the ‘Natal’ technology will refresh the gaming experience without forcing consumers to buy a new device.

Project Natal was unveiled at the annual E3 video game conference that drew celebrities such as Paul McCartney and Steven Spielberg.

  Demonstrating the power of the system, due to go on sale next year, a piece of paper with a drawing of a fish was passed in front of the camera, which instantly scanned the image and put it in the hands of the digital player on the screen.

The system also allows virtual interaction between players and other on-screen characters.

If a character on the screen throws something to your digital self, you can simply reach out in the real world and ‘catch’ the virtual object

Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios said: ‘This is about breaking down barriers. For far too long the controller has kept people from games.

Project Natal was unveiled at the E3 video game conference and will come as a blow to Xbox rivals the SOny PS3 and Nintendo Wii

‘Project Natal eliminates the need for a controller. It’s going to bring people together in a way we haven’t seen before.

‘This is not about competing with teh Wii, it is about taking the industry to the next frontier.’

At the conference Microsoft also announced plans to integrate music-streaming service last.fm, social network Facebook and microblogging site Twitter into its Xbox Live online community.

The move broadens Microsoft’s goal of transforming the console system – a distant number two to Nintendo’s Wii machine – into the centre of the living room.

Don Mattrick, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said the ‘Natal’ technology can refresh the gaming experience without making consumers buy a new device.

‘We can leap into a new era of interactive entertainment without launching a new console,’ he said.

Mr Kim would not reveal when ‘Project Natal’ games and service will be available, saying only that ‘it’s not a 2009 thing.’

Microsoft’s Don Mattrick (l), with director Steven Spielberg who was given an advance look at the new XBox Project Natal

The announcements underscore how the interactive gaming industry, a growing business with estimated annual sales of about £30.5billion despite the economic downturn.

The E3 event was kicked off by a demonstration of the upcoming version of Viacom’s Rock Band franchise featuring songs by The Beatles. Former band members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, widows of John Lennon

The Quicksit from www.ecoutlet.co.uk is a new foldable and portable low seat designed to be light, tough, stylish and the perfect accessory to any event where comfortable, casual seating is required.

This handy portable seat arrives flat packed and is quick and easy to assemble.
For the outdoors, the Quicksit is perfect for picnics, BBQs, camping, fishing or gardening and will come in very handy for for parties and get-togethers when extra seating is required.

When not in use, simply fold away for easy storage and the design also includes carry handles for easy transportation.

The Quicksit portable seat is made from 100% recycled polypropylene from the UKs manufacturing and retailing industries. Any waste accrued from the manufacture is also sold back to the recyclers in readiness for the next production batch thus creating an entirely closed-loop system.

The Quicksit is available in two formats:
Plain Black (£12.95) and Printed (£14.95)

Assembled Dimensions: 46cm (w) x 30.5cm (h) x 37cm (d)

Ultra thin and lightweight this stunning red, MP3 player has a two inch colour LCD screen. With room for up to 3850 songs or 61 hours of video it has eight music videos pre-loaded onto it, including the Ting Tings, Sandi Thom and Chris Brown. A BBC iPlayer download feature lets you catch up with your favourite shows.

Fuji FinePix Z33WP Waterproof Compact Camera – £179.95

Available in Kiwi Green, Hawaiian Blue and Rock Chick Pink, this new camera is waterproof to depths of three meters. The compact design and smooth grip shape means it won’t slip out of your hands when you’re trying to capture adventure shots. A Blog Mode re-sizes images to a cyber-friendly size so you can quickly and easily pop your pictures on social networking sites for all to see.

Canon IXUS 95IS Digital Camera – £249

Available in pink and blue, the new Canon IXUS digital camera is light and compact enough to fit into your pocket or purse. A smart, Auto Mode uses scene detection technology to identify your scene based on brightness, contrast and distance. The camera will then select the most appropriate scene mode from a choice of 17, for perfect pictures every time. You can also record movies with sound and a time-lapse function allows you to capture a changing scene for example drifting clouds.

Sony DCR-SX30ER Flash Memory/Memory Stick Camcorder – £279

Available in red and blue, this new light and compact camcorder offers easy recording with great picture quality. A high quality zoom lets you get close to the action and a clever face index and film roll index allow for quick, easy searches. You can also record directly onto the camcorder or onto memory sticks.

Canon IXUS 100IS Digital Camera – £299

This bright red digital camera also lets you shoot HD movies with stereo sound. You can then connect the camera to your HD TV to watch your movies back. Clever face detection automatically detects people in the frame and selects the optimum focus, exposure and flash for perfect shots. You can also shoot clear, bright images in dim conditions, ideal for places where flash photography is not allowed.

FOR YOUR HOME

Roberts RD60 DAB Digital Radio – £145

Available in four sophisticated colours, the Roberts RD60 DAB digital radio is a great way of adding colour to your home. Combining classic styling with state-of-the-art DAB technology, the radio features an easy to read LCD display and amber backlight. An auto tune feature makes it easy to use and you can also listen to the radio with headphones.

DeLonghi Coffee Machine – £149

Brighten up your kitchen with the new DeLonghi Icona coffee machine, available in striking red and blue. Easy to use, the coffee machine is suitable for ground coffee and ESE pods and produces coffee shop tasting espressos and cappuccinos. A handy cup warmer ensures the optimum espresso temperature and flavour.
]]> http://totallygadget.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/all-things-bright-and-beautiful-inject-some-colour-into-your-life-this-summer-with-john-lewis/feed/ 2 totallygadget Sony NWZ-S639FR MP3 Walkman, 16GB Fuji FinePix Z33WP Waterproof Compact Camera - Rock Chick Pink Canon IXUS 95IS Digital Camera - Blue Sony DCR-SX30ER Flash Memory/Memory Stick Camcorder - Blue Canon IXUS 100IS Digital Camera Roberts RD60 DAB Digital Radio - Green DeLonghi Coffee Machine - Blue http://totallygadget.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/stress-less-with-this-crazy-electronic-bubble-wrap/ http://totallygadget.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/stress-less-with-this-crazy-electronic-bubble-wrap/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 10:46:51 +0000 totallygadget http://totallygadget.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/stress-less-with-this-crazy-electronic-bubble-wrap/ ]]>

It's Crazy!!!!

Don’t we all love popping bubble wrap? Even for the most anally retentive of us who have to pop every single bubble, bubble wrap provides a little bit of joy and stress relief in a world of uncertainty and economic gloom. But what happens when you finish your roll or really need the wrap for protecting your mother’s best china? Well you turn to Puchi Puchi’s electronic bubble wrap.
Each keychain device has 8 rubbery little bubble buttons which remarkably have a pretty close tactile feel to actual bubble wrap. With every press you hear a little pop. It’s so simple but o boy, so effective and guess what? There is one bonus! With every 100 pops you hear a surprise sound like a dog bark or door bell.

So if your boss is doing your head in,  You got to meet the inlaws for he first time or you can’t get through to your bank’s call centre then turn to your Puchi, Puchi for a little light relief!

Great fun at a great price of £6.95

The Ball chair is availabe in 13 amazing colours for this Summer ’09. New colours include yellow, Sapphire blue, petrol, khaki, mint, grey, red, white, black, fuschia, orange, gold and silver. Simple and colourful, the iconic Ball chair combines comfort and practicality with fun, cutting-edge design in vibrant colours.

The Ball chair is a versatile low-level chair designed for indoors and outdoors use. Just imagine a convivial cluster of ball chairs in the garden, a single colourful Ball Chair in a child’s room, or a small group of Ball Chairs roaming about your home.

A clever fusion of timber, leather and stainless steel, the fully portable Zeta sits on a brushed or polished stainless steel swivel base. The plywood body of the fire is shaped from a high frequency heated aluminium mold into the perfect elliptical shape. A thin stainless steel firebox insert is moulded to the internal face of the plywood, and the outer surface is upholstered in leather. The toughened glass screens that sit either side of the fire enhance the stunning visual effect created by the flame.

The Zeta is available in different leather colours including Ciocolatta, Nero, Ranch Hide and Latte.

Like other models in the Designer Range, the Zeta is fuelled by denatured ethanol, an environmentally friendly, renewable energy.

Great for Red or White

The temperature in each compartment of the SoWine can be independently controlled, meaning the wine is at the perfect serving temperature when you remove the bottle for drinking. You can have either two bottles of red, or 2 bottles of white or one of each, preserved and ready to serve.
The push down pump seals the open bottle, ensuring the perfect vacuum to slow the further oxidation of the wine. Simply open the door and the pump raises up to its starting position. Not cheap at £300 but worth it for wine buffs!

Look no wires!

Cable-clutter is a thing of the past with the new super slim, Sony Bravia KDL40ZX1U LCD TV. Just 2.8cm deep and only 9.9mm thick at its slimmest point, you can mount this beautiful TV on the wall and enjoy the clean design, as well as high definition pictures and sound, via the ultra-fast wireless connection from the external Media Receiver box. The external Media Receiver box doubles as a Freeview digital TV tuner and as long as it’s plugged into your TV aerial, it can sit up to 20 metres away from the screen. You can plug in all your kit, such as Blu-ray players, DVD recorders directly into the receiver and the on-screen XrossMediaBar makes it a breeze to browse all the televisions functions. You can also view your digital photographs through the Media Receiver’s USB port and watch a slideshow while listening to your favourite station using the Radio Display. A PC input allows a computer to be connected directly for an awesome gaming session on the big screen.

The Sony KDL40ZX1U also has a unique picture frame design with trim. It’s not only perfect for complementing your living room, but also displaying the six masterpieces from Pop Art to Van Gogh, that come pre-installed on the TV. Sony Bravia KDL40ZX1U LCD 1080p HD Ready Digital Television, 40 Inch – £2,999 from John Lewis