When I was at University, I used to wear a coat in almost all seasons. It wasn’t because I was studying in a cold climate or because I didn’t own a sports jacket, it was because I needed the pockets. You see, back then there wasn’t this idea of multifunction devices, so I tended to carry a bundle of them with me. My mobile phone, MP3 player, dictaphone, USB keys, GameBoy, PalmPilot and more all [...]

The world of consumer electronics is in upheaval. Never before have we had so many battery powered gadgets and gizmos competing for our pocket and bag space. Yet with our constant thirst to own more of them and carry them with us wherever we go, this trend seems likely to continue unabated as we climb out of the recent economic downturn. One interesting trend from all of this is how devices tend to pick up [...]

This time, I’m starting an article with a noise. I’d like to have been able to say that the noise was a sonorous fanfare or roaring drum roll. As a result, it’s somewhat disappointing when I inform you that I’ve chosen to start this article with a “pfutt”. And not the pfutt of triumph, like a miniature steam engine being tested or a helicopter rotor starting up. No, the pfutt I want to you to [...]

During the previous week Apple’s been at the forefront of my mind. Some of it’s good, particularly with the iPhone updates (which I’ll come on to later), but a lot of it’s not been so great. It’s a shame really, as Apple are trying to convert people like myself who have been firmly wedded to PCs since the year dot and don’t really want to move to something unfamiliar. But I’m currently in the market [...]

I’m writing this during one of my regular trips up to Leeds. It’s not so much that sitting on a train encourages me to write as much as giving me something to occupy my mind. Besides, it makes a change from plugging in to an iPod, closing your eyes and pretending to sleep for five hours. After the amount of caffeine I’ve consumed this morning, sleep is something that would elude me. So, time to [...]