Articles

Originally published on Monday, 26th November 2012

Hi-TECH JUNKIES

We love a good gadget at UJHQ. We couldn’t live without wireless audio system Air Foil, we’ve been using Elfster to sort out the Xmas party Secret Santa, and we’re really happy that Furbys have made a comeback (with app et al). From hi-tech – a new e-mag, gadgets and app classes – to low(er)-tech – cases, games and fun USBs – we’ve got tech-heads and novices covered. Now all we need is EE…

E-MAG: The Magazine: For Geeks Like Us

Like it says: a magazine for geeks like us.. Made by the former-Chief Tech Officer of Tumblr and creator of Instapaper (also a must), the bi-monthly magazine offers chic design and insightful editorial on anything and everything tech – computers, mobiles, internet and photography.

The Magazine, £1.49 subscription per month

TRAVEL: Lowdi Speaker

The guys behind WeTransfer have just released a portable speaker to rival all portable speakers. Lowdi, which is only 16cm by 6cm, is wireless (it uses Bluetooth) and connects with your phone, tablet or computer. It comes with a nifty case for when you’re on the go and is charged via USB. The battery lasts for up to 8 hours (perfect for beach-hotel-pool…). Check out their cool campaign too.

Lowdi Bluetooth Speaker, £79

APPS: Card Munch | Uniqlo Wake Up | Ghostly Discovery

Card Munch Uniqlo Wake Up Ghostly Discovery Business cards are good in theory, but not in practice. LinkedIn’s app Card Munch digitally saves your business cards in one place where you can access them (i.e. not stuffed in your wallet). Simply take a picture of any business card and the info will be transferred to your phonebook and synced to their LinkedIn account, should they have one. If you’re fed up of the same old beep-beeping alarm clock when it’s time to rise and shine, you need Uniqlo Wake Up in your life. Start the day to soothing music (it changes according to weather, time and day) and an anime-like voice singing you the time and weather. The music was written by Grammy nominee Cornelius and composer Yoko Kanno. NY-based cultural curator Ghostly has channelled its roots as a boutique music label and launched the Ghostly Discovery app. Choose your mood on the colour wheel, pick a scale (digital/organic, fast/slow), and the app will pick a suitable song from Ghostly’s entire catalogue (which includes “avant-pop”, electronic, techno and house artists). From there you can buy, share, or go again. Download Download Download

APP SCHOOL: Arivibes

If you’re into programming and fancy boosting your creds, app school is the way to go. App teacher Ariel Elkin, who has a background in computer programming and several successful apps under his belt, offers tailor-made workshops for individuals and organisations alike. Drop him a line to join a foundation course to learn the ABCs of Objective-C and Cocoa Touch, the framework used to make apps.

For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IPHONE: His and Her Cases

And the winner for best iPhone case goes to Marc Jacobs (bunny, dog or camo). With Moschino, Jack Spade, and a lonesome puppy thrown in too.

TECH HELP: Bunker 48

If you don’t have in-office computer whizzes to sort out your daily technical hitches, call our guys. Bunker 48 offers small and medium businesses technical and digital support (everything from wiring up a central server to pointing out disconnected leads…). Ask for Aston (our tech-saviour).

Bunker 48, 020 7078 4848, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IPAD: Accessories

If you've got an iPad, you've got to dress it up good. Christian Louboutin's heavy duty studded case doubles up as a bag, and for skin-tight magnetic covers go for this agate-print Weston number. For everything else use this cool Plexiglas stand.

Christian Louboutin iPad Case, £425 

Marc Delmatto Support Stand, €150
Weston Magnetic Cover, £65 

GADGETS: Projector | Rechargeable | Touch Screen Gloves

Projector Rechargeable Case Touch Screen Gloves If you’re going to invest in a gadget, a Pico Genie A100 projector is a good place to start: simply slot in your phone and project photos/videos/ iplayers to your heart’s content. The 3M wifi pocket projector and Vivitek palm projector are also good options. Otherwise, you could always go for the new Samsung Galaxy Beam, which has an in-built projector. Don't let low battery ruin your plans. Mophie's slick Juice Pack Air looks like a simple black case at a first glance, but inside it's secretly charging your phone. If you don't want a full-on case, XtremeMac has also got a good compact rechargeable juicer. One for the festivals. The eternal question: why can you never use a touch screen with gloves on? Muji has cracked it. Its Touchscreen Gloves use a conductive material in the thumb, forefinger and third finger, so you can text away come rain or shine. Magic fingers. Pico Genie A100 Projector, £149.99 Mophie Juice Pack Air, £59.95 Muji Touchscreen Gloves, £12.95

GAME: Wii U

For all you big kids out there – the highly-anticipated successor of the Wii, the Wii U, is out this Thursday. The Nunchuk has been replaced with a portable Gamepad (part-screen, part-controller). And it’s all in HD – a big deal for Nintendo, apparently.

Wii U, available from November 30, £299.99

EXTRAS: Earphone Jacks and USBs

And a few Japanese add-ons, just for the fun of it. Plasticart’s kooky Popin Touch characters act doubly as earphone jacks and touch screen pens, while Medicom Toy’s USBs can be sexy keyrings too.

Plasticarts Popin Touch, €13
Medicom Toy USB, €40

by JC & KS