Gadgets

But the clever people at Apple are intent on staying ahead of Nokia and Blackberry and have updated the iPhone to make it more user friendly.

The real reason why the new version may be more popular than it's predecessor though is because of the price.

The new devices start at £100 and Apple are confident this will lead to increased sales of iPhone handsets.

The iPhone was first launched last year and was widely criticised for it's support for slower 2G networks only.

Now Apple boast that the new 3G phone is "three times faster" downloading content over a mobile network compared to the original device.

But despite the optimism there's growing concern that the iPhone could be an expensive flop outisde the US.

The price of the latest handset smacks of desperation say iPhone critics and while customers are happy with the low cost others wonder why they forked out so much for the original iPhone if it's so inferior to the latest model.

They may not be allowed in the Tour de France this week but Electric bikes are flying out of shops across the UK as more environmentally aware consumers opt for two rather than four wheels.

The bikes are useful for shorter journeys in particular and could be a mode of transport soon to swamp the country.

Designers and retailers of electric bikes say the they have many advantages over a car and that consumers should pick one up now before the rush!

"In the time it takes you to get into your car and then get it out of the drive and onto the road you'd already be hundreds of yards away on your eletric powered bike" said one desginer.

There was a time when modern technology and running were unhappy bedfellows!

Many tired off the stresses of modern living would take to the open road with nothing more than their trainers, shorts and singlets.

Now though Nike and Apple have joined forces to come up with a clever device which could make your running experience more enjoyable and certainly more rewarding.

The Nike iPod sports kit allows runners to track distance, time, pace and calories burned.

The device is especially ideal for those who take running seriously and is especially useful for those who are in training for bigger races.

So how does it work? Well you simply fit the iPod sport kit sensor into your training show during your work out and let the device do the rest while you pound the road.

And heres the sales pitch from the manufacturers " In a country suffering from an obesity epidemic, there is finally an iPod accessory that has lasting benefits to overall health. The fact that the software can help coordinate your work out makes this the hottest iPod peripheral -- bar none."

If we're honest the majority of new gadgets turning heads across the globe are usually luxurious items not necessarily vital for life enjoyment.

We may prefer one type of high-tech mobile phone over another or favour to carry around a kindle than an actual book but in reality none of these items or services border on the vital.

Thats why when we here at Getminted stumble across a gadget which can actually help to improve people's lives we appreciate it's true value.

Millions of people around the world miss out on the joys of radio because they are hearing impaired.

But a new initiative by National Public Radio, technology firm Harris Corporation and Towson University based in Baltimore, Maryland aims to change that.

Once upon a time people were happy to go on holiday and lounge by the side of the swimming pool soaking up the Sun and sipping on a fruity though over-priced cocktail.

The thought of 'activity' was rubbished as 'relaxation' became the order of the day.

The modern tourist is a different animal though with more and more people wishing to enjoy as many different experiences as possible when away from their comfort zone.

Diving and other water activities have become big business and quickly inventors are picking up on the change in vacation desires.

The underwater camera has been around for some time but now designers have come up with a digital version for aqua-fun lovers!

I consider myself conscious of the environment but I like so many others am guilty of leaving the television on standby after I've finished watching it.

For some reason the box in the corner remains glittering away as light switches are being switched off at pace around the house.

Now though Television manufacturers Philips have come up with the Eco Tv which should have a far less detrimental effect on the environment than the normal TV set.

Just when you thought that an in-car GPS device was cutting age technology in the automotive area an upgraded version of the route planning aide has hit the shops.

The Dash Express (pictured left) is set to change the way we drive and take away much of the stress associated with navigation in busy towns and cities.

The device is the latest piece of driving equipment from the Dash Naviagtion company and they predict by the end of 2008 it will be a must have for motorists in the UK.

The unit has the ability to receive real-time traffic data from different sources, including units belonging to other owners. 

In effect, each unit works as a traffic sensor sending a user's speed and location over a permanent internet connection.

We've all been there. After the initial buzz of being away with work or on holiday wears off  we yearn for just an hour of our home country's TV.

While BBC World can be viewed in hotel rooms across the globe it delivers news and programmes on a loop and often can be tedious and not terribly enjoyable.

But now thanks to the Slingbox SOLO you can watch your favorite British programmes wherever you are in the world.

This latest gizmo is expected to be huge in 2008 and means sportsfans for example can watch their football teams play live at the push of a button.

One of a number of Slingbox products in this field it means you can watch television either through your laptop or your mobile phone as the age of telecommunications develops at a rapid pace.

A streaming device that doesn't require any monthly fees, the SOLO connects to equipment such as your DVR, satellite system or cable box to deliver HD-quality TV signals to anywhere in the world.

So If you're stranded in Sri Lanka or bathing in Bangladesh and can't stop wondering if Vera Duckworth has kicked the bucket yet the Slingbox SOLO may be just what you need!

As gadgets go the Radio controlled Moped (pictured left) won't win any awards at the top shows but still it deserves a mention on this site.

Like many of our readers it's understated but brimming with style and it's sure to be seen zooming across sitting room floors on Christmas morning.

Whether you wanted a Vespa/Lambretta 'back in the day', or are just a fan of The Who Quadrophenia and the like, relive the heady days of the sixties with this great little gadget!

This Remote Controlled Mod Scooter is sure to appeal to kids (both big and small)!

If your allegiances lay with the Motorcycle loving Rockers you can always have endless hours of amusement putting the poor helpless Mod on board through some dare-devil Evil Knievel style stunts!

If you're a fan of the hit BBC series 'Spooks' then these gadgets will no doubt tickle your fancy.

Indeed our fascination with spy gadgets goes back much further to the days of James Bond.

If theres a watch with an inbuilt video camera or a car which doubles as a submarine we are hooked!

It's no wonder then that 'Spy' items are attracting massive attention in the run up to Christmas from the British public.

In recent years private detectives have started to use more and more spy gadgets to assist them in their work.

At one time getting your hands on such high tech and downright clever equipment was almost impossible but nowadays the top spy gadgets of the past are easy to buy.

Here I've named my top three spy gadgets. Its important to prioritise what you want from such an item, it can be high tech and state of the art, but if it will be detected by others then it's useless.

Ever fancied yourself as a pilot but couldn't be bothered booking flying lessons?

Well now the Sky Challenger Remote Control Helicopter set 85725 allows you to control not one but two aircraft!

Ideally though this exciting set is to be used by two people battling to outwit each other in the sky.

Pilots use their flying skills and inbuilt laser beams to temporarily disable the other Sky Challenger. If that wasn't tempting enough the flying game is accompanied by an audible sound effect for added excitement!

When you hit your opponent's helicopter with a laser beam it should send it spinning to the ground.

 Built by Wonderland Models their sales pitch includes the following statement - "Only 17cms long and weighing just 11 grams, these two tiny Silverlit Sky Challenger Choppers are remarkably robust, and incorporate an auto stability system to make them easy to operate both indoors and outside in calm conditions."

However it reality these items are far less robust than advertised.

While they certainly 'do what they say on the tin' they can only really be played with in 'non windy' conditions. Therefore using them outside in a British winter may not be the wisest idea.

Retailing at between £40 and £50 this set would be a unique gift at Christmas but may be better suited to adults rather than children.

If you're thinking of picking up a Nintendo Wii game console for Christmas then you may well have to think again.

The wireless controlled consule has been selling off shelves in record time with major stores such as Argos sold out.

The 'Wii' was conceived in 2001as Nintendo worked on to concept of adapting player interaction.

"The consensus was that power isn't everything for a console. Too many powerful consoles can't coexist. It's like having only ferocious dinosaurs. They might fight and hasten their own extinction" said Nintendo game's designer Shigeru Miyamoto when asked about how and why he and others came up with the idea of the wii.