TECHNOLOGY 72 lime October - December 2008 HOT FOR HIM Samsung i8510 Q Samsung, from US$ 145 on contract Q www. samsung. com This eight megapixel cameraphone is nothing short of amazing. Tiny enough to slip un-noticed into a pocket, it's also one of the most advanced mobiles in the world. As well as packing in a jaw- dropping camera, there's also GPS, Wi- Fi and 3G connections. What makes it really special, however, is its smartphone operating system. It'll let the phone run third- party software, serving up chat, web applications and eye- popping games. It's a master at shooting video too, able to take DVD-quality footage as well as film ultra high- speed movies at 120 frames per second, capturing every bit of action- filled scenes, or creating smooth slow- motion clips. When it comes to storage, there's 8GB or 16GB built in, so there's no need to fiddle with memory cards, and enough space for up to 8,000 pictures! HOT FOR HER LG SCARLET TV Q LG, from US$ 635 Q www. lge. com Big- screen TVs should be on any tech- fancier's wishlist, but until now they've been tricky to slip into the lounge without re- organising the furniture. Not so, with this ultra- stylish model. Dubbed the Scarlet, it's phenomenally thin at just 45mm thick, yet it still manages to squeeze in the latest technology. There's full HD resolution, and a 24p mode to show high definition films at the same frame rate they were filmed in, ensuring silky smooth pictures and distortion- free playback. The Scarlet range also has ambient light sensors, automatically adjusting its backlighting to avoid straining your eyes, and wasting power, while three HDMI sockets and a USB connection make it easy to hook up your home entertainment kit, including digital cameras to show photos on the big screen. HOT FOR THE KIDS NINTENDO Wi MOTIONPLUS Q Nintendo, US$ 45 Q www. nintendo. com The Nintendo Wii was a huge hit during 2008, but it's almost a year old, and now Nintendo's ready for its second wind. That second wind will come in the shape of Wii MotionPlus. It's a neat little add- on that clips into the Wii's controller, packing extra sensors to instantly improve its responsiveness and unlock more accurate movement detection. Nintendo's planning a slew of new games to take advantage of the technology, but the majority will launch in 2009. Major publishers are clamouring to create games to take advantage of the refined motion- sensitivity, which allows true one- to- one actions in sports games, fighting simulations and even musical titles. It's a tiny device, but the difference it makes is monumental. With this in the Wii's accessory arsenal, there'll be no stopping its success next year. Solar technology has advanced to the point where it can generate enough

ll October - December 2008 lime 73 HOT FOR THE HOME PURE EVOKE FLOW Q Pure, from around US$ 475 Q ww. pure. com Famous for creating some of the world's best digital radios, Pure has taken its time building this, its first internet radio. It might look similar to traditional radios, but that's Pure's intention. Inside is a completely new design – from the plug, which reduces radio interference for an ultra- strong signal, to the software, which is blisteringly quick and easy to use. It's been more than two years in the making and with its unthreatening looks, is set to make internet radio a mainstream product in 2009. As well as tuning into thousands of stations, podcasts and on- demand shows through a Wi- Fi network, the Evoke Flow houses a DAB and FM radio for traditional broadcasts. It'll also stream music from a PC on the same network. But its best feature is its companion website, www. thelounge. com, letting owners access favourite stations, podcasts and programmes from anywhere in the world. It's the first truly ' connected' radio, and one to watch in 2009. HOT FOR THE OUTDOORS ROBERTS SOLAR DAB RADIO Q Roberts, US$ 145 Q ww. robertsradio. co. uk Solar technology used to be confined to calculators, dodgy rechargable garden lights and emergency phone chargers. Not any more though. The technology has advanced to the point where it can generate enough juice to power a notoriously hungry digital radio. Roberts' new model will play for as long as it's kept in direct sunlight, and once it's fully charged, it'll play back without the aid of sunlight for a staggering 27 hours. It'll even charge slowly on a cloudy day, thanks to the ultra- sensitive solar cells in its top. It's the first of a new wave of green gadgets that are entirely self- sufficient. Watch out for a steady stream of them throughout 2009, or grab this one and be the envy of all your eco-friendly mates. HOT FOR THE GARDEN SONOS BU150 BUNDLE Q Sonos, US$ 1,260 Q www. sonos. com Sonos creates extremely easy to use multi-room audio systems, sending music from a PC or Mac to any set of speakers or stereo system in the house. This new generation improves dramatically on the last versions, reducing the size of Sonos' wireless receivers by a whopping 43% while doubling their wireless range, so they can comfortably access signals, even outside the house. Perfect for accessing your computer's entire music library from the potting shed, greenhouse, or even while lounging on the lawn, Sonos' bundle includes two wire- free ZonePlayer receivers, as well as a touch- sensitive controller with a full colour screen. 2009 looks likely to become the year of wireless multi- room audio. Yes, there are cheaper models available, but this bundle is the best quality kit available, and comprises everything you need in one box. juice to power a notoriously hungry digital radio