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NEWS: Roberts Sound 43 iPod docking radio launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:49:45 +0100

In Ferrari red, Lamborghini yellow and Porsche white

Roberts has launched a new DAB/FM radio that offers CD playback and gets an iPod dock. The Sound 43 is also notable for being available in three "racy" colours - Ferrari red, Lamborghini yellow and Porsche white.

With a high gloss finish, the all-in-one system offers touch controls, an electric blue display, boasts 20 station presets, alarm clock, and comes complete with a remote control.

Boasting an acoustically tuned wooden cabinet with a 6 position equaliser and separate base and treble, Roberts claims "superb sound" for the new device, which goes on sale for ?230.

Tags: Audio Radios Roberts iPod speakers Alarm clocks DAB Radios CD

Roberts Sound 43 iPod docking radio launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:49:45 +0100

NEWS: Pure Siesta Flow will hit shops in time for Christmas

Amy-Mae Elliott — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:26:59 +0100

Connected bedside radio good for Santa requests

Pure has announced that its new Siesta Flow will hit shop shelves in the UK in time for Christmas.

The company's first internet connected bedside radio, it boasts an alarm tone for every day of the year via Pure's online portal, including sleigh bells, a grandfather clock, a fog horn and police sirens.

The DAB and FM radio uses a Wi-Fi connection to access internet radio, podcasts, listen again content and can also stream music direct from a Wi-Fi enabled computers.

Siesta Flow gets the Pure "PowerPort" which provides power to any USB accessory as well as an auto-dimming display, touch sensitive controls, four quick-set alarms, sleep and snooze timers, 30 DAB/FM presets and an input for an iPod/MP3 player.

Pure's most affordable internet-connected radio to date, the Siesta Flow will cost ?99.99.

Tags: Audio Radios Pure Digital Pure Siesta Flow Alarm clocks Internet radios Networking Wi-Fi

Pure Siesta Flow will hit shops in time for Christmas originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:26:59 +0100

NEWS: iTeufel Radio iPod alarm clock launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:37:31 +0100

Retro-styled "solution to grumpy mornings"

Teufel has announced the launch of the iTeufel Radio, a retro-styled radio, alarm clock and iPod docking station. ?

Angled, rather optimistically as the "ideal solution to grumpy mornings", the iTeufel offers an AM/FM radio and can charge the docked iPod.

The new docking clock comes complete with an "all-command" remote control and is priced at around ?138.

Tags: Audio iPod speakers Teufel Alarm clocks Radios

iTeufel Radio iPod alarm clock launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:37:31 +0100

NEWS: GrooveNeo iPod alarm clock launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:02:21 +0100

With humongous LED display

The GrooveNeo iPod alarm clock's big USP is that big display, which is designed to save the user from squinting bleary-eyed across the bed trying to work out if it's ten past 5, or 8.

The "jumbo" display means such squints will be a thing of the past, while the 2.75-inch full-range stereo speakers mean you'll know when it's time to get up.

The GrooveNeo offers the options or waking to AM/FAm radio, music from an iPod or iPhone or a buzzer alarm.

With touch-sensitive buttons, plus a remote control, the device charges iPods while docked, offers snooze and sleep functions and is mains-powered with a battery back-up.

Firebox is offering the GrooveNeo iPod alarm clock now for ?49.99.

NEWS: HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:16:21 +0100

Does what it says on the tin

HANNspree is tacking the Christmas shopping market from a new angle - an all–in-one Photo Alarm Clock.

Described as "the perfect bedside gadget", as you'd expect it features alarm clock functionality with three alarms and snooze and sleep options, a photo viewer as well as an FM radio and digital music player.

The 4.3-inch colour LCD screen can be set to display seven different clock face styles, a calendar or photos with a slideshow option while USB connectivity means file transfer for photos, as well as MP3 or WAV music files is said to be easy.

The HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock is available now from www.misco.co.uk for ?44.99.

Tags: Gadgets HANNspree Alarm clocks Cameras Digital photo frames Misco Radios

HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:16:21 +0100

NEWS: Pure's Chronos iDock Series II now on sale

Duncan Geere — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:35:35 +0100

Works with iPod and iPhone

Pure has let us know that its Chronos iDock Series 2, which it launched at IFA, is now available in the UK. The unit combines a number of functions into its shell, as well as support for both iPod and iPhone docking. While your device is docked, you can play music from it and control it via remote control.

Also in the iDock is a DAB, DAB+ and FM clock radio and a powered USB port so that you can connect up a phone charger, reading light, mini fan, cup warmer, or even a chainsaw. There's also a set of front-panel connectors so that you can connect up a pair of headphones or an MP3 player.

There are four on-board alarms that can be set to wake you up with the radio, a docked iPod or iPhone, or just a beep. There's also adjustable sleep and snooze timers and a dimmable display so that your bleary eyes don't get overwhelmed by photons first thing in the morning.

The Chronos iDock Series II is in shops now, and it'll cost you ?100.

Tags: Audio Radios Pure Digital Pure Chronos iDock Series II DAB Radios Siesta Flow Speakers Alarm clocks iPod docks

Pure's Chronos iDock Series II now on sale originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:35:35 +0100

NEWS: The top five deliciously retro kitchen gadgets

Dan Sung — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:06:48 +0100

The best 3 weeks of amusement you ever got cooking

There is a war going on in our kitchens. While the likes of the kettle, the toaster and, latterly, the microwave dominate our work surfaces, more specialised gadgets fight for space on our shelves else suffer the ignominy of the cupboard until they're finally tossed away as a regretted novelty purchase.

In these times, it's the turn of the coffee machine and bread maker, but what about the gadgets of days gone by? What about those long forgotten items just ripe for a little retro return? Here's our top five we'd love to see back in action again, if only for a giggle.

5) The Toasted Sandwich Maker

Birthday: 1920
Heyday: late 70s to early 80s
Popularised by: Breville
Today's availability: Alive, kicking, & around ?20

It was invented by Charles Champion in the 20s - the same chap who came up with the first mass production pop corn machines - but it wasn't until Australian company Breville brought out the "Snack 'n' Sandwich toaster" in 1975 that this little beauty really kicked off. It sold 400,000 units in its first year with the key to the success the snip and seal hot plates which mean you can pretty much put anything you like inside them, so long as you can force the lid closed. All the best companies still use the same design today, which gives them all that natural retro 70s look we can all enjoy moments before the searing pain of 3rd degree burns from super-heated cheese. Not as many around as there used to be since the diversification into panini presses, waffle irons and such, but not quite an endangered species as yet.

4) The Teasmade

Birthday: 1891
Heyday: 1960s & 70s
Popularised by: Goblin
Today's availability: Swann STM100 - ?59.95

Noted as a classic example of English eccentricity, the Teasmade has just made a comeback after years in the wilderness. The idea was patented as an automatic tea-making machine in the Victorian days, but it was the advent of electricity that really got the nation hooked on the idea - if only for a brief time. It's a pretty simple device, attach a kettle to a bedside clock to get the water to boil and then add to the teapot at the specified time such that when your alarm goes off, there's a perfectly blended steaming hot cup of tea waiting next to you. All well and good, so long as you don't knock it over in the night. The model that struck gold was the Goblin ?Teasmade', Model D25B in 1966 but the few you'll find in the UK today are made by Swan.

3) Mister Frosty

Birthday: the 80s
Heyday: as above
Popularised by: Hasbro
Today's availability: In e-stores but out of stock

A classic case of something that looks far better in the adverts than it ever did at home, Mr Frosty and his pal, Percy Penguin, was the novelty kids kitchen ice crusher that your parents were far too sensible to ever get you. While Slush Puppy machines were the preserve of certain hallowed petrol stations, these temperamental units were pretty much as close as you could get to the real thing. They were terribly prone to jamming and breaking and although claimed to be an excellent idea for a hangover cure, it's unlikely to spawn mass production a second time around.

2) The Electric Meat Carver

Birthday: Early 70s
Heyday: Early 70s
Popularised by: Kenwood
Today's availability: A few models for around ?15

The electric meat carver is a fantastic example of creating a gadget where there isn't a problem. It's essentially taking a small chain saw to a perfectly good roast and hacking it to bits, and, in fact, the only time you might need one, is if you've cooked the food in such a way that it really shouldn't be eaten. It was brought out on the wave created by the toasted sandwich maker as much more of a technological statement rather than a good culinary idea. A few families had them to look gadgety and posh but there weren't many to be seen by the late 80s. Excellent kitsch value in this day and age but the novelty would wear off in a flash.

1) The Soda Stream

Birthday: 1979
Heyday: 80s
Popularised by: SodaStream
Today's availability: Reinvented plastic bottle version

The idea of a machine to compress CO2 into still liquid to make it fizzy was invented by W & A Gilbey Ltd in 1903 for the upper classes and affluent to drink sarsaparilla, but it was the same company who perfected it in 1970s as the SodaStream before it was eventually bought by Cadbury's Schweppes in 1985. Massively nostalgic for all those who were children at the time, there were hundreds of different syrups - ranging from brand names like Tizer to electric looking concoctions with names like Witch's Brew - and a certain taste that they all had in common. Nevertheless, every child wanted one, or to go round to the house of someone who did, and press the magic button over and over until it made that slightly disturbing groan. Once the novelty wore off at the end of the 80s, it became clear that the drinks didn't quite taste the same as the one's they imitated off the shelves in cans, and that the larger bubbles that SodaStream made meant that the liquid lost its fizz all the quicker. Production finally ceased in 1996 and has relaunched since under different ownership and with a plastic bottle system that simply just isn't the same.

NEWS: John Lewis launches new Swan STM100 Teasmade

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:07:48 +0100

A modern twist on a British classic

John Lewis has introduced the new Swan STM100 Teasmade, offering a modern twist on what it says is a "much-loved British classic".

"The nation's love affair with the electric automatic Teasmade can be traced back all the way to 1891 when its inventor, Samuel Rowbottom, developed the first 'teawaker', which was then known as the Teasmade from 1932", says John Lewis.

The Swan Teasmade features a new sleeker and more contemporary design, a 600ml water capacity, rapid boil function, an integral reading light and an illuminated LCD alarm clock.

It goes on sale now in John Lewis stores across the country for ?59.95.

Tags: Home And Kitchen Gadgets Swan Teasmades John Lewis Alarm clocks

John Lewis launches new Swan STM100 Teasmade originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:07:48 +0100

NEWS: Memorex Sound System for iPhone and iPod launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:31:13 +0100

With CD, radio and clock functions

Memorex has announced the launch of its new Sound System for iPhone and iPod.

Offering 30 Watts of power output, the system also boasts an FM tuner as well as the ability to play audio CDs and CD-R/-RW discs.

Boasting compatibility with all iPhones including the new 3GS, the system charges an iPhone or iPod whilst the user is listening to music.

Specs include an adjustable equalizer with bass, mid, and treble controls, a backit LCD and clock and sleep functions.

The line-in jack also means that it can be used with non-docking iPods and other MP3 players.

Complete with remote control, the Memorex Sound System (Mi9490P) is on sale now for ?149.95, or 169.95 euros.

Tags: Audio Speakers Memorex iPod speakers iPhone accessories CD Radios Alarm clocks

Memorex Sound System for iPhone and iPod launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:31:13 +0100