I know this is going to sound shallow but when I'm testing gadgets one of the tests I use is seeing how long I can play with it before I need to resort to the manual. And if it's never, the device will rank quite highly on my inner gadget scale. It's not that I'm…

I hear the words "Has anyone got a card reader" muttered at least twice a week, so it goes without saying, we could do with a batch of these in Shiny Towers. As the picture so clearly depicts, it's a mouse with an SDHC card reader slot in the front - now how's that for…

Check out how Stylist Brighton got on yesterday in Liverpool, tracking Vodafone LiveGuy round the City of Culture.

Girls Aloud are showing their philanthropic side by teaming up with the Dogs Trust to help teach children that dogs are for life, not just for Christmas. Despite some rather questionable outfit choices (why does Kimberly have red hearts on her you know whats?) this is a great way to make kids aware of what's…

The bandwagon must have been travelling way too fast for Packard Bell to catch a ride, as the 'dot', otherwise known as the "the ideal travelling companion" (by Packard Bell of course) has finally joined in the netbook festivities, almost two months after we initially heard about it. Could Packard Bell have been keeping us…

Subwoofers are great aren't they? They make sure the drums and the base get the high fidelity treatment they so deserve, not to mention drowning out the sound of passers by and more importantly charity muggers brandishing clipboards (I'm sorry but I really don't have time to chat). That's why the Skullcrushers from Skullcandy sound…

First up, there's no MMS and there's no cut and paste. Let's get that out of the way now. What there is, is the ability to download podcasts over the air, Google streetmaps, and the ability to map the easiest public transport and walking routes. Hopefully this isn't just US-based walking - us Brits love…

It's no secret that most iPods seem to die a little after their one year warranty expires. Rather than resign your baby to the back of draw status (I know you won't have thrown it out) why not get creative? Take a screwdriver, some tape and voila, a rather funky cigarette case that will have…

Vodafone LiveGuy is in Leeds today, and he's already been collared once by a netbook winner. He's got another to give away at midday, and another couple this afternoon, so check out the site here for his GPS location and clues. It's definitely worth having a scout around if you're in the area - Shiny…