1. Ultimate Swiss Army Knife

The ultimate of all camping Gadgets. Heaviest than most of its contenders weighing in at almost 3lbs it requires BIG pockets, but with over 100 features all can be forgiven. The Ultimate Swiss Army Knife has 85 Gadgets in one. Wenger have pulled all the shots when manufacturing this giant, with more gizmo’s than James Bond’s secret lab.

Largely different from its tiny predecessor its tools include:

• An all-purpose wrench.
• Swivelling compass.
• Laser pointer.
• Spot light.
• Magnifying glass.
• Chain rivet setter.
• Combination tool.
• Vast range of knifes and screw-drivers.

The Wenger Giant Swiss Army Knife has a price tag of £550.00, so not the cheapest of gadgets, but with almost everything in one – maybe two – hand then its the must have mulit-functional gadget for every camping occasion.

Available from: Amazon.com

2. ”Foldaway-loo”

No camping trip can be complete without the “Foldaway-loo” (politely put!) This camping accessory is a must! After all the Swiss Knife does not include a shovel!

 Retailing at £16.99 its affordable, foldable (and will double up as a coffee table)

Unlike most gadgets, this needs no explanation, you simply pop-up, bag and poop! Job Done.

 Get yours now from: Packyourbags.com

3. Sea to Summit

The space saver! Sea to Summit is revolutionary in the great outdoors, specialising for the avid camper and outdoorsman.   

This perfect concept is the ideal camping gadget. The Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink can hold up to 20 litres of hot water, and can then be folded away into its small carry case.

Smaller size are available and the biggest – 20 litres – retails for £16.99.

Pocket one now from: Amazon.com

 4. Mini-Kin

The Mini-Kin is the ultimate rechargable power accessory to take on your outdoor adventure. The tiny wind power charger is perfect for attaching to your bike, boat, arm band for running or to your tent. The Mini-Kin comes with attachments for most phones, MP3 players, phones and more. So whilst trekking the summit of a mountain or amidst a crowd of a festival, you need not to worry if your camera immediately falls ill of battery life, your Mini-Kin will be your saviour!  Mini-Kin facts:

• Built in 1500mAh rechargeable lithium polymer battery.
• Supplied with a selection of phone connectors and a power adaptor.
• Accessories include: Stand, arm strap, bicycle clamp and window sucker.

Retailing at £27.99 the Mini-Kin is a snip given its uses, a definite must have. Get blown away at: Lazyboneuk.com

5. Sea to Summit Pocket Shower

The Sea to Summit Pocket Shower. Perfect for the camping season with its 10l capacity and heat absorbing bag, giving you a warm shower lasting roughly 7 minutes. Simply twist mechanism, 20ft cord, controlled head shower and flow adjustment, ideal for around £16.99.

Get it now: Foxter.com

6. TentLED

Invented by dutch designer Van Burlo, this ingenious concept is what every responsible camper needs to stop people tripped over their ropes – we’re all guilty.

However since the invention of the TentLED they are stocked by most good camping stores ranging in price from £3 – £7.

Running off batteries the LED’s adjust themselves to the right ambient light, and shutting themselves off when in storage. TentLED’s are a given must have for all campers!

7. Lightcap

The light emitting drink cup is innovative in design. The Lightcap as its known is a bestseller at most big camping stores. Running off solar power the Lightcap illuminates the water with its LED’s.  The Lightcap 300 retails for £25 making an ideal drink cup and light, perfect!

Get yours:  Solight.com

8. Igloo Cool Fusion Icy Tunes

Igloo Cool Fusion Icy Tunes – even the name is cool! Basically just a glorified cool bag, the Igloo Cool Fusion is fully insulated for a 38 litre capacity which can fit up to 58 cans of coke. It weighs almost 6kg but given that its on wheels and has a telescopic handle, its no strenuous task. it benefits from exterior pockets, two built-in drinks holder and - the main attraction – built-in speakers and stereo.

Powered by 4xAA batteries the stereo and speakers are compatible with Ipod and has FM/AM functions.

This is the mother of all cool bags and averaging at £120 between models, its price tag is just a snip for the “cool” factor, be the talk of the party with this camping gem.

Available from: Igloo-store.com

9. JetBoil

JetBoil the only way to cook! JetBoil makes cooking clean, easy, quick and safe. Boasting many designs with this tipping the bar at £50 JetBoil is affordable given the market for camping stoves.

Rubberised handles, safe locking lids and rapid heating pans, JetBoil is a must have for the camper on the go.

Get it from: Amazon.com

10. Battery Controlled Marshmallow Roaster

Last but no means least, the ultimate in companion camping has to be handed to the Battery Controlled Marshmallow Roaster! For £6 this rotatable roaster will gain you at least two new friends abolishing their sticks for an even marshmallow roast. Must have for party campers.

Buy from: Amazon.com

Top 10 Must Have Camping Gadgets is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Within 39 years, so much could change, these changes could happen in ten or even five years time, but Social Networking sites would have changed dramatically by this time. Whether we like it or not, we at some point are connected to a mainframe of arbitrary networks. Whether it is a phone call, email, browsing the web or even chatting to a friend  - We are connected. So with the need to stay in contact abolishing the “Recluse Era” and onto the age of technology there is an occasionally flicker of static electricity in the air as we heat up our social processors to remain internationally networking and Internet savvy!

• Friendship Paradox – the need to have friends or be with someone who has a large friendship circle. This theory is what drives social networking sites, with people feeling the need to broaden their friendship circle. Without the Friendship Paradox we as a population would remain recluse, uninterested by Twitter updates and Facebook gossip.

• Social network sites may fall to be similar to a high street brand rather than being the Internet monopoly. More and more social network sites have arisen and are becoming popular, rather than being just one that links us “Facebook” there are niche sites that relate to us like Flixster which is movie based, LinkedIn for the business solution or even Ravelry.com for the knitting and crochet community. There is literary something for everybody nowadays so within 39 years there will be more right?

• Advertising is largely the revenue driver for the success of Social Networking and with Google predicting good things for 2015, could physical ad boards drop? Google predicted that 75% of advertisement on the web would be commented on by users (popular with Twitter and shared like Facebook). Display ads would be worth a staggering $50 billion so has this just put the price up on Facebook. However mobile phones our the worlds best kept devices with their ads being the most driven campaigns in terms of revenue. If Social networks are the way forward then mobile phones is its lifeline.

*Social network Prediction* Maps are a big part of our lives, just as phones, combined with Friendship Paradox, we could be following people around on Google maps on their phone signal.

• There is a slight concept prediction that links us between Avatar and World of Warcraft. Whilst most of us study and/or work the physical world is only a breathing apparatus whilst we stretch our computerised arms and stare into the wide abyss, which is our online world seen through our self-replicated eyes. It is the world’s biggest online forum in which we run, live, create and build.

• With the population exceeding 6 billion, and with 4 billion of us equipped with a device to access Twitter, will Twitter surpass the Facebook barrier? Myspace had practically admitted defeat and decided to embrace rather than compete. And with the world being dynamic and trends varying daily, Twitter keeps on top of the trends just as quick and simple as Facebook, would Facebook Twitterise embracing a partnership like Myspace or will it fail to compete in the future, slowly diminishing like the Bebo days? Social network has to change vastly from what we know, so it could even be just as important to learn about Twitter and Facebook in our history class than in computer club.

So with that all said is there a life in 2050 for social network sites to dominate the Internet?

2050: Social Networking in the Future! is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

John Lewis (£214.00)

Overview:

Bose SoundDock is a “battery” powered digital music system which enables your iPod to reach acme music levels through the fullness and clarity of the speakers.

Review:

Similar to previous designs the Bose SoundDock speaker mimics a “miniature” TV screen. Its design would not convince any newbie iPod enthusiast to go out and buy. But any Poddy who knows their sound docks and heavily rely on the systems capabilities to bring out the full potential of their carefully selected playlist might not be so convinced. As I found out, finding the right specifications for the digital sound system is not a walk in the park (not even Bose themselves like to give too much away) nevertheless I did.

Specifications:

• Power: 100 – 240 v 50 – 60 Hz
• Dimensions: 6.65″ H x 11.91” W x 6.48” D • (169 x 303 x 165 mm)
• Weight: 4.56 lb (2.07 kg)
• Speaker: 50 – 55 watts

However, the SoundDock, can reach volumes, of up to 74 watts, based on various readings.

Although its main concept is the iPod Dock the digital sound system lets you listen to other audio sources such as DVD, CD and MP3 players. Also, benefit from a remote control as you relax and shuffle through music.

Hardly a selling point but the SoundDock is portable and you can buy the matching carry case to go with it. It’s now starting to sound like a laptop and when you think it is six inches high and almost a foot wide…Yep, it might as well be laptop, or merely a Notepad.

However you cannot fault Bose for their attribute to the world of audio as the SoundDock lives up to the reputation its predecessor made way for!

Prices can sway either side of the £200 mark but expect to pay around £220 for one. Below that figure is a bonus as the SoundDock is hardly value for money but still a leading brand as an iPod Dock station.

The Gaj-It Verdict:

Design 7/10
Usability: 9/10
Features: 9/10
Value: 7/10

We Say:

If you want better it won’t be hard but be willing to pay more…a lot more. However, if you had £200 lying around it won’t hurt to purchase this as it still does what you want it to do!

Review: Bose SoundDock is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

1. Fifa 09
2. Call Of Duty – World At War
3. Need For Speed – Undercover
4. Wii Fit (re-enty)
5. Wii Play
6. Guitar Hero – World Tour
7. Mario and Sonic – Olympics
8. Quantum Of Solace
9. Lego Indiana Jones
10. Mario Kart Wii

Games coming soon:

Street Fighter 4,
50 Cent – Blood On The Sand,
Tom Clancy’s Hawx,
My Fitness Coach (Wii)

Gaj-It charts: Top Ten Games is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Overview:

Following on from Sonic and the secret rings, this epic tale of king Arthur, and the blue hedgehog is released in Europe in the spring, subject only to the Nintendo Wii.

Review:

This latest game in the Sonic series, tells the story of medieval Sonic, who is summoned by the mystical Merlina. Sonic has kept his quick feet, but adapted dexterous hands, in the ability to battle it out with a sword.

The object is to rid the corrupted mind of King Arthur of “The Black Knight.” Whilst doing so Sonic will meet civilians throughout the stages and you can choose whether to help or smite them. Whatever your decision, it is based on what you gain in return. If you help out civilians, you can buy items from them in return, such as gauntlets, magical swords and so on. Throughout, you have various opportunities to gain over 200 items, like treasure chests that are literally dotted all over the game.

Sometimes the camera angle changes to scroll sliding, “good old 2D.” It’s almost like a thing of the past, as the developers try to rekindle that nostalgic image we first saw, when we first played Sonic. But it doesn’t last that long, thankfully, (because, lets face it, this is next generation gaming after all) as the camera switches to 3D again.

After each round your knight ranking is assessed, until ultimately becoming omnipotent.

Sonic never fails to deliver his trade mark “speed,” as you collect sources of magic throughout the game which help to run, heal and help against the evil King Arthur.

The other characters that you’re used to, like Knuckles and Shadow – and the rest of the clan – are knights of the round table. These are playable characters, but are optional. Also, be sure to see your old pal Tails.

The best bit about the game is the use of a nunchuk. Throw your arms out effortlessly, trying to defeat your enemy. It’s a great way to delve into the game.

The Gaj-It Verdict:

Design 7/10
Usability: 7/10
Features: 8/10
Value: 8/10

We Say:

A great game, but nothing that is too strenuous for you. Be sure to pick it up if you have had enough of those brain staking puzzles.

Review: Sonic and the Black Knight is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

1. Fifa 09
2. Call Of Duty – World At War
3. Need For Speed – Undercover
4. Guitar Hero – World Tour
5. Mario and Sonic – Olympics
6. Wii Play
7. Far Cry 2
8. Mario Kart Wii
9. Quantum Of Solace
10. Sonic Unleashed

Gaj-it charts: Top Ten Games is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

You might all be thinking that you need to run off those “Christmas pounds,” by now…Don’t worry, your not on your own. A breakthrough in science technology has revealed two of the best ways you can save money and exercise, all at once.

Dubbed the “Human Dynamo,” this smart looking contraption can generate 100 watts of power for a single person, but obviously depends on their fitness state. However, this can power a television unit and stereo at the same time. The electricity is generated through a friction type, flywheel for resistance.

The good thing about this is, if you want to save those needed pennies for the future (excluding the cost of the human dynamo) and reluctant to join the gym, than the bike costs around £1200. This might seem expensive, but I have done the math:

• The average gym membership costs around £35.
• Average monthly electric bill is around £40 (for a three-bed house).

With those figures in mind you will have to go to the gym for thirty-four months, or had paid your electric bill for over forty months to gain. Which when combined i.e 16 months electric bill and 16 months gym membership. The bike would have paid for itself and then puts you in the position to generate extra energy – and lose those extra pounds because lets face it, we’re working out everyday, and we’re going to find a way to cheat!

However, the Human Dynamo, has much bigger fish to fry and a visionary concept, to test its machine against already sufficient power companies, such as solar. I cannot see this concept becoming remotely successful as the developers intend to mass produce electricity, in a way which seems like “Human-Paid slavery.” Let’s all face it, if we worked for this company we would quit days later, due to exhaustion, or shrivel to nothing, but saggy skin and a skeleton looking frame.

I have a concept that will work, and it’ll save on gym memberships too. If such Human Dynamo power companies existed in the form of a gym, then the membership should be “free,” yep, that’s right, free! Think about it, go to the power gym and do an hour, burn 500 calories and generate the power company energy, and in return they let you do this for free, as you come and go if you please. Problem solved.

But, back to the bigger picture. Human Dynamo inventor Mike Taggett, has announced that the bikes will go on sale on March of this year and has admitted, it has taken him a long time to get the parts he needed before the concept became a reality. Which is why, perhaps they have only manufactured, fifty! But I can see more, headlining a gym near you.

Source: Human Dynamo

Human Dynamo: Two ways to save money and exercise! is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Overview:

HiDef Drum are a must buy, for all music lovers and iPhone owners. The sound quality is exceptional, the looks provocative and the fact you can hear, note for note, is essential. Dubbed “Mini-works of art,” you’ll see why we love them.

Review:

Upon receiving the Atomic Floyd HiDef Drum earphones, I admired its packaging for a short while, before I teared it to shreds in anticipation. I flung the top lid to the side, and cast an eye, to the slogan, printed on the side of the box:

Escape. Take off. Tune out. Leave the world as you know it. Explore what you have never heard before. Experience the pinnacle of World Class acoustic. You will hear the difference – just listen.

Strong words! With that, I uncoiled the head phones, but admired the weight, perhaps a draw back, and hardly light and durable enough to take down the gym - their use is pleasure and not leisure.

I pinched, pulled, and yanked the HiDef drum earplugs, to instantly find fault for the robust ear phones, the result…Nil!

Its message “built to last,” is obvious, and whilst they state, they are World Class, I cannot help but agree with what they are saying, as I was instantly bowled over, before I attempted to even put the ear phones in.

The Next process was hard, I didn’t want to “break in,” the head phones with a dull sound that I can say “Yes, fine, they’re good. I can hear, Blah, Blah, Blah.” I wanted to really show these headphones that I mean business, so I Plugged them in and scanned through my eclectic mix of songs. But whilst doing so, I actually hear my own pulse, and could hear myself breathing like Darth Vader, then when my girlfriend entered the room, holding this months utility bill - frantically moaning - I couldn’t hear a thing, it was great.
However I managed to pick out…’In the Air Tonight’ by Genesis/Phil Collins (I recommend this process).

Before I knew it, I had envisioned a drum kit in front of me and I was hitting out the tune on my computer desk – I have the marks to prove it.

If your a “Poddy,” than you’ll appreciate, plugging this to your iPhone and rummaging through your own power ballads – which will have you singing (if not dancing) away.

Do not worry about missing a call, because  you can answer, speak and hear through your head phones, as it benefits from the added mic.

It’s hard to say anything bad about a product that works extremely well. You get a leather and suede carry case, gold tipped “connectors,” and a 2GB USB flash disk – Your probably thinking, “flash disk?” I know, I did the same, however, this is perhaps the coolest, and smallest thing you’ll ever see, and should be on Gaj-it’s top gadgets.

Included within your HiDef Drum pack:

• SpeakEasy - Dual-filter technology for continuous talk without interruptions.
• AcousticSteel™ - Produces our World Class sound.
• Bass port – For distortion free deep bass.
• MaxJax – 24k gold high performance – low distortion 3.5mm audio jack.
• SoundProof™ – S/M/L silicone ear buds block out ambient noise.
• Cable slider – Anti-tangle cable splitter to manage your cable.
• Fabric cable – Anti tangle, high performance fabric audio cord.
• Travel case – Triple-layered, double-stitched protective leather pouch.
• Connectors – 2 Airplane adapters for when you fly.

The Gaj-It Verdict:

Design 10/10
Usability: 7.5/10
Features: 10/10
Value: 10/10

We Say:

Get out, go buy! Enough said.

Review: Atomic Floyd HiDef Drum earphones is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

The Sony LBT-DJ2i is your complete mix station, to hold your very own DJ shows and parties, or just for your own amusement. The Sony LBT-DJ2i, will have you thirsty for more.

Review

Hey, anyone remember records? In the olden times people used to get together, have a drink and put on a record. Modern era, people have “Decks,” mix in their nostalgic hits with the latest R’n'B Tune! Down side, the records are just too darn BIG! That’s why Sony have unleashed their genius plan, to get people mixing again – without feeling embarrassed by pulling out a 12 inch.

The concept based on everyone’s best-loved toy…iPod. You basically plug in, select a track, and mix (Note: two iPods needed for the ultimate mix marathon!) It’s really that simple, with any basic knowledge of iPods or decks, than you’ve got a head start ahead of the rest, if not, then it just adds to the fun of it all!

Be prepared to be blow away your eardrums, with a whopping 450W of glass shattering sound! 150 watts contributes itself to the subwoofer, which means a lot of bass = A lot of pleasure!

It’s not all about the amazing sound quality, though, because as you mix your tunes, you can record onto disc too, so that you can play back that live session to your mates. But its not all about the iPod, as each dock comes equip with FM and AM radio allowing you to become that radio DJ that you have perhaps dreamt about. Just try mixing your songs over the ads and put on your “DJ” voice.

The Sony LBT-DJ2i is perhaps the easiest and straight forward mix station that any novice and aspiring DJ will be able to use coherently.

However, the downturn to the mix station is it looks bland, black, and boring. And do get the desired effect, you need “two!” iPods in order mix efficiently. In addition, if you have seen the price tags you might be put off too. Retailing from Sony themselves at £389, hardly makes you think, “Okay I’ll have one of those now, actually make that two! And Jeeves I asked for a Tequila sunrise, this is a cosmopolitan!” Get my drift!

Specifications:

150W x2 + 150W (RMS).
Cross fader and beat creation.
USB Direct mp3 recording and playback function.
CD-R / CD-RW / mp3 playback.
3-way speaker system with super woofer.
D-Light sync.
VACS anti distortion system.
Groove / Z-Groove bass boost function.
Analogue inputs x 2.
Headphone jack (6.3 mm).
FM/AM tuner with 30 presets (FM20/AM10).

The Gaj-It Verdict:

Design: 5.5/10
Usability: 10/10
Features: 8/10
Value: 7/10

We Say:

If you want to get into the world of DJ-ing, then the Sony LBT-DJ2i is perhaps the key to your door. But if you have been on the scene sometime, then you might think it’s too bland for your qualities and stick with something a lot complex. After all, this is only an iPod mixing deck.

Review: Sony LBT-DJ2i – Become your own DJ is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Overview:

Sonos music system lets you benefit the music you love from anywhere in the house. Its set up is simple and easy to use even for the novice user. All you need is music!

Review:

Upon purchasing Sonos you are greeted from alien looking space hubs, mistake these not, for they are the “Zoneplayers,” which astonishingly plays your music through integrated speakers, through the power of WiFi (Wireless Fidelity)

The task of setting up your own home music system sounds daunting, but, Sonos make it look easy, in three easy steps:

(1) Attach your ZoneBridge to your router.

(2) Place your Zoneplayers around your home.

(3) Insert your Sonos music system disc to your PC and enjoy all of your music already ripped onto your computer.

It’s neither a problem if you have music installed on your computer because your own Sonos controller (also wireless) can connect straight to Napster. Search through the abundant tracks of the music library and listen to the latest craze, or those classical hits.

One much loved feature on the Sonos system is Last.fm. You can listen to the radio, again through the internet, and the clever thing about it is, Last.fm introduces you to musicians you might like, based on previous music you have played, This is called “scrobbling,” basically meaning “taking note of.”

Now Sonos systems are not the cheapest on the market, but if you buy direct from the site, you can see the figure rising from £100. Sounds cheap, but that’s not even the bare essentials, that will perhaps get you an interface or ZoneBridge, and if you included a couple of players (excluding speakers) and a controller, that’ll be £1000 please! But it does not stop there and it keeps going, until you have kitted your house out and still kept it to bare minimal, you’ll be expected to spend £2,500 (if you have a small house)

Don’t be put off by that rising figure, because if you’re lucky enough to have your hands on an iPhone, then you’ll receive a free Sonos application, to turn your iPhone into a wireless controller.

Perhaps, if you just bought a couple of speakers, that were a little expensive and you didn’t want to part, then your speakers can universally connect to the Zoneplayer too.

The Gaj-It Verdict:
Design: 10/10
Usability: 9/10
Features: 7/10
Value: 7/10

We Say:

If you got a few bob lying around then this is definitely worth your while, and make sure you get the best deal first!

Specifications:

• Rated output – 55W per channel RMS continuous average power into 8 ohms.
• Audio formats supported – Support for compressed MP3, WMA (including purchased Windows Media downloads), AAC (MPEG4), Ogg Vorbis, Audible (format 4), Apple Lossless, Flac (lossless) music files, as well as uncompressed WAV and AIFF files.
• Operating systems (for stored files) – Windows® XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista™; Mac OS X v10.4 or v10.5; NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices supporting CIFS.
• Internet radio supported – Streaming MP3, WMA
• Playlists supported – Rhapsody, iTunes®, WinAmp®, Windows Media Player®, and MusicMatch™ (.m3u, .pls, .wpl)
• Power Supply – AC 120/240V, 50-60Hz, user-switchable.

Source: Sonos

Review: Sonos Music System is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com