R EVIEWS REVIEWS
THE GIZMOS AND WORTH GET TING ABOUT THIS
GADGETS E XCI T E D MONTH
LOMOK INO RRP £65
Fancy yourself as the next Charlie Chaplin? Think you’re a bit late. Still, you can always get in on the silent home video act even if you won’t win any Oscars. Introducing the Lomokino definitely one for the purists as there’s no USB lead in sight. Yep, that’s right, it’s (as it says on the camera itself ) “gloriously analogue”. It uses 36-exposure 35mm film to produce a 144 frame short film, has a tripod mount for those moments when a steady hand won’t quite cut it, and it oozes retro charm. Obviously, the end result is pretty lofi, but you don’t come to Lomo for perfect images. So if old school, gravelly images are what you’re after, Lomokino is king.
BERG LITTLE PRINTER
PLAY: VIDEO MEMO PAD BY NATIVE UNION RR P £ 49.99
Pen and paper have been around for aeons, and while we all love a doodle, when it comes to leaving notes, this old school means of communicating is getting a little, well, passé. Cue the worryingly addictive, yet cool little offering from Native Union – the Play video memo pad. With a built-in video camera, mic and a 2.4” LCD colour screen, this palm-size gadget lets you record whatever’s on your mind: to-do lists, soppy “I miss you”s or the last word in an argument you never quite settled last night. It’s available in seven different colours, has a magnetised back so you can stick it to the fridge door, and with only three buttons to master, it’s seriously userfriendly. Pen and paper your time is up.
76 thisisfakediy.co.uk
RRP £TBC
SNOWFLAKE USB MIC BY BLUE RRP £42.99
Children of the 80s will remember the revolutionary high-tech communication tool of two empty yoghurt pots and a long bit of string. This top-end gadget allowed the participants the flexibility of standing at opposite ends of the garden while still being able to hold an indepth conversation (probably about Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles). However, the sound quality wasn’t the best and hand gestures were often needed in order to get the point across. Here in 2012 however, thanks to the Snowflake USB Mic by Blue, sound quality is beautifully crystal clear. Attach it to virtually any laptop or desktop monitor, connect by a USB lead, and record whatever you want - podcasts, lectures, or Alan Partridge-style dictation. It’s also great for recording music via Garageband and will even work with iPads.
Hot off the press (quite literally) as this genius mini gizmo is yet to be launched, is the Berg Little Printer. Connect it to the internet, then use your iPhone or Android smartphone to choose what you want to keep up to date with (news, vouchers, friends’ activities, for instance). When you’ve picked all your favourites, the Berg Little Printer will supply you with your own personal newsfeed printout. If you choose to print out twice a day, it’ll be like having your own (very small) morning and evening newspaper to hand. What’s more, you don’t need to fret about using up the ink as there’s no ink involved – it uses a thermal inkless printer. Tell that to Epson...