Orchard Cider Kit

Have you ever dreamed of brewing your own cider at home but realised you did not have the foggiest idea of where to start? Well the orchard cider kit will help you brew up 8 bottles of tasty cider in just 14 days with a fairly respectful 3.7% strength.

The kit comes with a gargantuan 2 gallon tank that you ferment your cider in, 8 reusable bottles and even two pint glasses to serve your fresh brew in. There is no need to bring your own apples either as the kit is supplied with a special mixture that will produce a tasty cider with bubbles and all.

The hardest part of the whole process is that you have to be patient whilst the cider ferments – remember it only takes 14 days and watching the whole transformation is fun in its self (the container is clear so you can see it bubbling and changing).

Once the whole process has finished you can bottle up the amber nectar and slap on one of the supplied stickers on the side of the bottle. The only thing the kit doesn’t supply is sunshine – but its mighty tasty home brew cider all the same.

The orchard cider kit is available for around £65 from I want one of those from September onwards.

Apple To Launch HDTV In 2 To 4 Years?

According to one tech analyst, Apple will release a standalone HDTV that will bring together the features of the Apple set top box and the iTunes service. The update to the set top box, which ITV have been trying to prevent from being called iTV, is likely to be quite a change to the current model opting for a more cloud based system rather than a power sapping psycho of a set top box. It will reportedly include many of the same features and functions as the iPod and other popular Apple devices.

The change in Apple TV’s set top box is apparently paving the way for similar features on the potential future release of the HDTV. Users will be able to pay an iTunes fee that enables them to stream music, storing it in Apple controlled data centres rather than taking up precious hard drive space. This will also allow for the devices to use less power although is probably also a good way of ensuring that Apple is able to tie its users down to their service even further.

A new HDTV from Apple would be pretty much all encompassing. It would be able to stream both music and videos. They also have some experience in providing apps apparently (who knew?) and they have become masters of connecting their devices to the Internet. It could essentially do away with other set top boxes, media players, DVD players, and it could also include Internet access and web based apps.

This really is only the view of one such technology expert, though, and many do disagree that the Apple HDTV will launch. Will they do it? Well, with an estimated value of around $30bn a year, the HDTV market is one market that we think Apple may want to take on in some way.

Would you buy a fully integrated Apple TV?

Nanotechnology Means Solar Could Soon Be Everywhere

The fight to find a viable and meaningful use of renewable energy is far from over. Solar power is a fairly obvious use of our natural resources especially if global warming leads to hotter summers but solar panels can prove cumbersome and far from attractive. They are also quite costly unless you are one of the lucky ones to receive free solar panels from HomeSun and they are far from being the absolute solution that many experts seek.

However, nanotechnology experts at the University of Leicester could have made a major breakthrough that will one day see everyday items like windows, walls, and standard roof tiles creating energy where they stand. A nanite based solar panel film would be virtually invisible to the eye and could be fitted on anything that stood outdoors. Initially it would presumably cost a lot of money but as is often the way, the price would eventually come down as manufacturing processes were improved and made more cost effective.

The University of Leicester has joined forces with EnSol AS, a Norwegian company, in order to develop the idea of a solar film. The technology relies on a new type of solar cell that was first developed by EnSol AS chief Phil Denby and through the partnership it is hoped that it will be made more practical, more effective, and more cost effective.

You could basically end up wrapping your home in solar clingfilm, piercing a few holes, and then leaving it to cook in the microwave and producing enough electricity to power your home. Once electric cars become more commonplace it means that you’ll even be able to power your car so it would make you more cost effective too – or, at least, that’s the hope.

Have you got solar panels in your home?

Would you use solar cling film wrap to cover your home?

Sky 3D Is Here… Nearly

It’s been threatened and on the cards for quite a while but the announcement today is that Sky 3D TV will start airing from the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. That means a launch date of 1st October and the even better news is that you have the top end HD package and already own a 3D TV then you’ll be getting the service for no extra charge either. Premier league football matches, which have been trialled across the country in various pubs and other venues, will also be shown on the channel along with various films; Alice in Wonderland, for example, will be shown before Christmas.

To watch 3D TV on any of the channels (channel 4 is also reported to be working on 3D technology so watch this space) you will of course need at least a 3D TV and some lovely glasses and a few companies are knocking them out now so you’ve got a good selection to choose from.

The Samsung 9000 3D TV is a particularly good looking television set and is incredibly thin. In fact it’s less than one third of an inch thick so it can be hung anywhere you like enabling you to enjoy incredible looking 3D images and watch the new Sky 3D TV channel. it’s also got some nifty little features like the 9000 remote. It’s not only a touch screen remote but also shows TV feeds while you watch Blu Ray on your main screen. The TV itself will open its little control panel when you reach a certain distance too.

That’s the TV sorted but what about the glasses? If you’re going to watch a couple of hours of 3D TV then you need comfortable and reasonable looking glasses and these Optiks 3D glasses from Gunnar tick both of these boxes. They look great, work exceptionally well with standard 3D TV models and they’re comfortable to boot.

Have you gone 3D yet?

Do you still think it’s little more than a passing phase?

Zoku Quick Pop Maker review

Some phrases I have always wanted to say and possibly never will.

“Follow that taxi” (to a stunned NY cabbie whose cab I have just entered in by shouldering out an overweight businessman)

“Tell the Koreans it’s 4 billion or there’s no deal” (to be delivered into a mobile phone on a crowded train)

“I’ll just nip off and make some ice lollies”

Alright, so I’ve never actually harboured a life long dream of saying the last one, but the Zoku quick pop maker still sounds like a good idea. They look amazingly cool (sorry couldn’t resist) even before you make any ice lollies.

Design

It’s a sturdy box which you freeze. You then stick the pre-lollies into the three ice lolly shaped slots. You get 6 sticks with it, so losing three of them down the back of the sofa is an option open to you.

Notable Specifications

It makes ice lollies. What more does anyone need to know? Ok, it takes around 8 minutes to do its stuff and the fact that the thing isn’t tucked in your freezer means you can freeze a little, put a different flavour in and build a layered lolly treat. You can probably get around 8 or 9 sets of lollies done before you need to refreeze the box, unless you live in Ecuatorial Guinea that is.

Value

Does £40 sound reasonable for some ice lolly making fun? To some probably not but when you consider you can use the Zoku time and time again it is good investment. The quick pop is robust and should last a long time so long as you don’t step on it or melt it!

Summary

This is a nice little gadget which you and the kids will enjoy using. A hot summer’s day can turn into a refreshing afternoon of fun with the Zoku quick pop maker. And as with most gadgets, it is a great talking point or a thing to show off to your mates when they come around for the afternoon

Get it from – Firebox | Prezzy Box |

Lightsleeper Review

Do you find it difficult to get to sleep at night? If counting sheep, listening to low volume music and drinking a cup of hot milk don’t do it for you then you might want to try the Lightsleeper.

Design

A stylish, white lamp type of modern design means that it will look quite nice on your bedside table. It is small enough to be unobtrusive as well and may even prove a talking point should visitors frequent your boudoir – should you need it.

Notable Specifications

You can plug into your favourite wall socket or use AAA batteries. Once you switch it on you choose the brightness level you want and away it goes, playing restful patterns of pulsating lights on your roof. It turns itself off after half an hour, assuming that you are now snoring to high heaven, although you can turn it back on again with a gentle nudge.

Value

The Lightsleeper is perhaps a wee bit steep for some people at £125. However, anyone who has suffered sleep deprivation and restless nights may well be tempted to shell out the money for this clever little gadget. I think you would agree that a good nights sleep is priceless.

Summary

This could be a great solution for people who struggle to get a good night’s kip. It’s cool design and clever features make it a good choice when the Ovaltine fails.

Buy it from – Boots with 500 advantage points free

LG BX580 3D Blu Ray Player – Better Than The Rest?

Manufacturers were kind of slow to jump on the whole Blu Ray player bandwagon but it seems they don’t want to be left out in the cold again with 3D TV as pretty much everything at the moment is being created in 3D. Companies are clearly catching on to the general excitement and stir that is being created by the emerging technology. What’s more, companies like Panasonic, Sony, and now LG are even managing to combine the two technologies in some inspiring pieces of home entertainment kit.

The LG BX580 does exactly that because it is a 3D blu ray player. obviously, you still need the 3D TV, a pair of fetching 3D glasses (at least they look more like Blues Brothers glasses and less like the 1980s glasses they used to), and of course a 3D version of your favourite movie.

You’re given the choice of watching the film in 3D or in bog standard 2D and while there is a difference in colour and contrast (with 3D being slightly worse than 2D as you might expect) the overall look of 3D makes it well worthwhile.

As promised earlier by LG, you even get a number of web apps included in the BX580. You can look at news headlines, watch video clips, and store and share photos. These are decent offerings although if you’re after more from the web apps stable then you should look at other models of blu-ray player and if you want more web action and 3D then you’ll just have to wait.

The glasses provided are light and comfortable, as well as being rechargable, which is another good point, but overall the LG BX580 seems to promise a lot and then not quite deliver. There’s too few web apps, there are better quality 3D images from other brands, and you’re left hoping that they will improve what’s on offer with the next model.

Can’t wait to watch your favourite films in 3D?

Is the BX580 worth the money?

Seagate GoFlex Home NAS Makes Media Streaming Easier

Network storage devices are becoming more commonplace in the home because they offer the simple opportunity to store and share data across various devices including TVs and games consoles, as well as computers, laptops, and even mobile devices. You can even attach a wireless printer to some and use them as photo printers and networked printing devices.

However, they’re not yet as popular as we think they should be and that’s largely because they are seen as being a complicated piece of kit that the average home user wouldn’t be able to get to grips with.

The GoFlex Home from Seagate may well help to change that as it’s incredibly simple to use and surprisingly cheap while still offering all of the features that you would want in your NAS. You can stream content to media players such as games consoles and dedicated media players. It supports USB printers and even offers remote access using an iPad or iPhone. You can even enjoy remote access through Facebook or Twitter although for these latter two functions you do need to pay a little extra.

Currently available in the US, there are two drive size options available – the 1TB and 2TB models and costs will vary up to about $200 making them a very cheap option indeed. networking and set up is also made as easy as possible.

Seagate is very proud of its 5 minute setup and this means that no matter what your level of tech knowledge and wizardry you will be able to set up a home network with network media players in pretty much every room including your kid’s or mum’s room in typically less than half an hour or so without any need to get all messy in the more complex setup procedures.

Are you making the most of your home network?

Do you stream media in your home?

Coffee Gadgets For The Lazy Coffee Drinker

That first cup of morning coffee is critical to the performance of many of us. Drink it late and it can ruin your day, miss it out completely and you might as well have stayed in bed until tomorrow.

The problem is, until you’ve had the first mugfull you’ve probably not got the energy levels that you might need – fortunately, the Plain Lazy Mug will take a lot of the effort out of your morning coffee by stirring it for you; no need to lift a teaspoon.

Unfortunately you do still have to add the coffee, milk, and sugar yourself but once that’s done all you need to do is press the conveniently located button on the top of the handle where your thumb naturally rests and the battery operated mechanism will do the stirring for you.

Not only are the batteries included but they’re even already fitted so that’s another few joules of energy saved but you will need that because the mug isn’t dishwasher safe so you’ll have to wash it with a damp cloth yourself!

In the grand scheme of things, of course, stirring your coffee probably isn’t one of the most energetic things you need to do in a day but that’s where gadgets excel – making you believe that something reasonably effortless actually took a lot of effort.

If you’re feeling really lazy and you can’t be botheredl lifting the milk carton to your nose in order to determine its level of freshness then Craven have even produced a prototype Fresh Milk Jug which measures the pH value of the milk inside to determine whether it’s still fresh or not and displays its findings on the side. It’s only a prototype at the moment but we’re sure if enough people email Craven then it will be more than just a dream soon enough.

You can’t get enough lazy coffee gadgets as far as we’re concerned.

Any more prototype coffee gadgets that you know of?

Ubisoft Predicts Every Home Will Have One By 2013 But 12% Of Brits Can’t See 3DTV

Ubisoft has said that the level of demand for 3D gaming is such that it predicts every home will have 3DTV installed by the year 2013. However, research has shown if this is the case then a reasonable amount of them will be largely unused as 12% of all Brits are unable to see 3DTV in all its glory.

What’s more, according to a report in the Telegraph, Samsung announced a couple of months ago that its 3D TV sets (and 3D TV in general) could be harmful to those suffering from epilepsy as well as pregnant women, the elderly, and children. In fact, those deprived of sleep and those that have been drinking are also advised to stay away while the list of possible side effects for even the average viewer includes dizziness, altered vision, nausea, convulsion, and cramps.

The positive news is that as long as you’re between the ages of 18 and 40 and have a signed letter from your doctor you should be enjoying a much greater range of 3D entertainment (assuming you’re not one of the 6 million people that can’t actually enjoy 3D, of course).

3D technology means that images are constantly bombarded at the viewer’s eyes and according to The Eyecare Trust our brains struggle to comprehend what is being thrown at them due to poor binocular vision.

If you are one of the lucky 8 or 9 people in the country that will be able to watch 3D then you might be interested to learn that not only is there an incredible range of Samsung TVs and TVs from other manufacturers designed for the very purpose but the PS3 has had a firmware update which means it is capable of playing 3D games and Nintendo has recently announced the launch of a 3D mobile gaming device by the end of the year that will not require users to wear those “special” glasses.

How’s your binocular vision?

<Next Page » 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next Page »