Gadgets Blog: Unusual Gift Ideas

Gadgets, gifts and novelties for all ages

Friday’s Here And The Sun Is Shining!

May 29, 2009 on 12:35 pm by Clare | In What we are liking | 1 Comment

Afternoon everyone!

Well it another fun Friday and the Gadgets Towers folks are nearly ready to pack up and enjoy the weekend, which is even meant to be sunny!

This week Mandy has been away on holiday so the office is a little quiet. As Monday was a bank holiday we started our short week on Tuesday. What with the free delivery at the weekend the day was busy. Dirk was updating me with his success in the 10k race he ran on Monday!

The highlight of the week was Wednesday. Having started off the day with a double chocolate cookie (yum) it also was the champions league final. For the girls this meant a night of peace and for the boys a night down the pub doing some male bonding! As Dirk and I debated on who should win…I said Barcelona, and he said Man U. Never the less our predicted scores were made and I set off to the pub to watch the game.

Come Thursday and I was happy to see that Barcelona won. Dirks predicted score of 2-0 was correct (if not the 2-0 victory for Man Utd that he wanted…) so smiles all round the office. Also on Thursday I also was chuckling to see the latest Katie and Peter fiasco! Yes Dane Bowers is sneaking back on the scene which had me and Dirk fully convinced we think this is all just media set up!

Well its Friday today and the week has flown by. Today me and Dirk are having a differ of opinion! After watching the last episode of extreme male makeovers last night it got us talking about the subject of male vanity. For those of you who have not seen it, basically the presenter Tim Shaw examines all the different things men have done in the name of vanity to get him looking tip top. may I add to the extreme of drinking his own urine!

Long story short at the end, in my opinion, this guy looked amazing (see before and after pics below)! Fresh faced with fake tan sporting a nice healthy body with no facial hair. Were his wife and friends happy? No! I’m more than sure she protested through her insecurities of him now looking better and more attractive to other women. Dirks point was that fake tan will always induce ridicule from his friends?

Personally, I see it a must that men take as much pride and attention women do.. whereas Dirk says any man spending that amount of effort will be joked and laugh at by mates. You can’t win ha ha!

Anyway whether its fake tanning or slumming it on the couch, enjoy your weekend and the weather!
xx

10k Run = Success. Nokia Ovi Store = Fail (At least So Far)

May 28, 2009 on 1:38 pm by Dirk | In News, What are we doing? | Comment on this post

Well, I had two Blog posts planned for this week.

First up I was going to regale you with tales of my fantastic feat of stamina on Monday when I ran the Bupa London 10,000 on Monday. As part of this I was hoping to find at least one photo of myself during the run taken by the official photographers, but alas despite being assured each time I click on the link that “Official race photos will be available on Thursday 28th May. Please check back then.” they are still to be made available, so the best I can currently do is provide you with a picture of my well deserved medal, below, and promise that if any photos do materialise I shall post them.

My official time was 55 minutes and 7 seconds, although this is nearly a good half an hour longer than the winner (who finished in an English race record of just over 27 minutes) it is still around 10 minutes faster than my last 10k race back in August of last year, so there is certainly improvement to be seen and I am pleased with that. The route was very nice, and took in plenty of sights as we ran, although everyone that I’ve spoken to would have been more than happy had we not had to traverse the cobbled streets of Leadenhall at approximately the 5.5k mark!

The other item I was going to post about this week was regarding the launch of the new Nokia Ovi Store, Nokia’s effort to match the Apple Appstore. Unfortunately whether it be due to lack of servers to cope with demand, or my network not wanting me to have access (I’d go with the former judging by various blogs I’ve visited) I have only been able to access the Ovi store online, which kind of defeats the point really doesn’t it?

I shall continue my attempts to use the Ovi store, and let you know what I think if/when I can finally access it. My first impressions, somewhat tainted by my inability to access it through my phone, are understandably not too good…

Another Long, But Not So Lazy Weekend

May 26, 2009 on 3:04 pm by Clare | In What are we doing? | Comment on this post

Welcome back to work everyone!…

After the long weekend Gadgets Towers is buzzing with gossip, catching up, and gloating of accomplishments. What with Dirk and his successful 10k run and me and my weekend events, the day is cheery and running along smoothly!

With the nice weather this weekend I had my very first attempt at a BBQ. After about 40mins…..I eventually got the thing working and hey presto Clare was able to have her healthy BBQ dinner! Well when i say healthy I obviously mean lots of Potato salad, mayo and burgers he he

Also this weekend I was glue to my seat over this seasons Britain’s Got Talent. I am so glad Flawless are through. I know I sound old and moan but how many young boy singers do we want to watch! I’m sure the show is called “Britain’s got Talent” not “Pop Idol” “X-Factor” or even “Britain Has Yet Another One Hit Wonder”!

So therefore my vote goes to Flawless and I encourage everyone else to join me…..! At this point though I would like to say a very heartfelt farewell to DJ Talent! Legend and a true British example of our comical society out there, I’m sure we will be viewing him soon on Jeremy Kyle. I’ve included the video from his performance on Saturday below so you can enjoy it just as much as I did.

Anyway, enough of what I think…what about you. Let me know who you’d like to win this year.

Until Friday everyone!

Fun Friday Before The Long (Sunny?) Weekend!

May 22, 2009 on 2:08 pm by Clare | In What are we doing? | Comment on this post

Hello!

Its that time again. The long weekend is back and I have it on good sources that the weather is going to be sunny! Or at least that’s what they are telling us at the moment…

This week we here at Gadgets Towers have been very busy. Monday was catching up with all those free deliveries on offer at the weekend and Tuesday was even busier with all the new products arriving.

Calming down, mid week Wednesday I am afraid to say the biscuits have made a return to the office. Although we all should be staying healthy as I have Gym, Mandy has her cycling trip coming up and Dirk has his race on Monday! But what the hell we deserve a naughty treat now and again! Speaking of the staff we all wish Dirk the best of luck as he is running bright and early Monday morning for charity in a 10K race.

Thursday was caring on with the biscuit theme as gadgets tried to win on Heart 106.2. All we had to do was choose a song (from the same old selection may I add) and we go into a draw to have a huge box of Fox’s biscuits (as advertised by Vinnie below) sent to us. Looks like Dirks run would turn in to a roll? Ha, well we didn’t win so I suppose it was written in the stars.

Now Friday has arrived and the weekend is in my grasp. Tonight I am having a girls night in. So face packs, chick flicks and “Ben and Jerry’s” ice cream is at the ready! Come to think of it I may even bring along our new Foot Spa pack! Even though I have no special plans for the bank holiday I do know what ever I do will be something out-doors.

Anyway have to go as this week is nearly at a close, and there’s work to be done!

Enjoy the bank holiday every one xx

Rubberduckzilla!

May 20, 2009 on 1:34 pm by Dirk | In What we are liking | Comment on this post

There I was sat in front of my telly the other night, passing the time watching some tripe or other when the new Oasis advert (below) appeared in front of me grabbing my attention. This is without a doubt my favourite advert on TV at the moment!

You may remember the last series of adverts Oasis used featuring ‘Cactus Kid‘ which was eventually banned by the ASA who cited that the adverts condoned teenage sex, and suggested the drink was a substitute for water. Now personally I didn’t see the problems with these adverts, although I didn’t particularly like them though I think this was largely down to finding the Cactus Kid a bit creepy myself. The Rubberduckzilla advert however I find much funnier and more entertaining, particularly as it sends up a Godzilla (or similar) movie so well.

It is apparently the first advert to be shown on British television that is entirely in Japanese, and features a giant rubber duck destroying Tokyo with massive ‘Sonic Squeaks’. I really hope that this is just the first instalment in a series of adverts featuring the giant water hating duck! There is even a Rubberduckzilla website here, where you can play games featuring the yellow anti-hero. The two games available at the moment do require the use of a webcam and printer.

Nice Relaxing Start To The Week….

May 19, 2009 on 3:30 pm by Clare | In What are we doing? | 1 Comment

Hello everyone,

Well its been a great start to the week and we seem to have started with a ‘relaxed’ theme as, unusually for the start of the week the mood around Gadgets Towers is nice and chilled. The decision has been made to say “See you later” to stiff office wear and “Hello” to casual clothes! No more ironed shirts and pencil skirts (although Dirk is still free to wear them if he likes) . Jeans and trainers are now the way of the future.

Relaxed Froggie

I was well excited this morning when our new products arrived from the warehouse. Some of the items go with the relaxing theme this week, the Gelicity Bath Spa and Foot Spa packs. Time to test out and pamper ourselves! Not having a foot bowl around (or a bath funnily enough) I can’t test out the spa today unfortunately, but watch this space as Gadgets will be having a pamper day very shortly.

Still keeping us busy is our new promotion, some of you may already know or have seen that we are currently offering all Gadgets shoppers free delivery at weekends with all orders over £10. This is our way of letting you relax and save some of those pennies, hurry though as this fantastic offer is only until Fathers Day!

Until Friday everyone, whatever you’re doing at work this week I encourage you to join me and relax…take a well deserved break and sail your way through the week.

See ya xx

Custom Camper Parks Up At Gadgets Towers

May 19, 2009 on 12:29 pm by Dirk | In Reviews | 2 Comments

Recently we received one of our new items, The Custom Camper Desk Tidy here at Gadgets Towers. Neither Mandy or Clare were too interested in this one, so I was tasked with putting it together, and customising it.

Firstly I can’t stress just how easy it really is to put together, and the fact that there is no messy glue needed only makes it easier. You can see the various stages of completion in the photo’s below, though I must say that after assembling the camper I realised that the customising part and attaching the various stickers is best done before assembly. Of course since there is no glue, and no permanent attaching the camper is easy enough to take apart again to put on the stickers before re-assembly.


Click images to enlarge in new window

The custom Camper Desk Tidy does the job it is intended to, but I have found that you need to make sure any items tidied lean in different directions in order to balance the weight and avoid any tip over catastrophes. Alternatively you could weight the bottom of the camper with a blob of Blu-Tack or make sure it is right next to something else to make sure it has nowhere to ‘tip’ to.

Friday Round-up

May 15, 2009 on 12:25 pm by Clare | In What are we doing? | Comment on this post

Happy Friday everyone!

You know what that means? It’s time for another catch up on the Gadgets Towers week!

Monday was a catch up on what we did at the weekend, not to mention the gossip of Katie and Peter breaking up. I am aware it has already been mentioned but hey its the biggest gossip since the Beckham scandal in my eyes!

Tuesday Gadgets found out it is British National Sandwich Week. The search was on for Gadgets favourite sandwich. Everyone knows that sandwiches are the best form of snack, however there is one odd soul around here that is not a member of the club! Dirk, and I quote, doesn’t like sandwiches because “bread is only there to stop your hands getting messy when there’s no plate”. To add insult his favourite is Roast Beef and Horse Radish! Tut, we do worry about him!

As for myself it was touch and go but against egg and salad cream, the mighty winner that is the good old Chip Butty! (On brown bread to be healthy of course)

Mandy was a strange choice of a fish finger sandwich….. Rather a bacon roll myself, but what ever floats your fishing boat excusing the pun!

Wednesday was mid week and everyone was discussing the new healthy regimes they have going on now that it’s near Summer. Mandy is working out on her bike, and Dirk is running 5K nearly everyday for a run he is doing soon. I am still going to the gym, although this week I have slipped in to laziness.

Adding to my naughty week as well as national sandwich week it is also British National Doughnut Week. What’s a girl to do but celebrate with a nice doughnut. Top faves for this are the Classic Jam Doughnuts, Iced Ring Doughnuts, and not forgetting Krispy Kreme’s. Yummmm!

And so this brings me to Friday. What with Mandy away, the team are all looking forward to the weekend off. Having just seen Angels and Demons last night (I’ve included the trailer below) I’m going make sure I spend this weekend looking for a short break to Rome. Looks amazing and cultured so a definite visit needs to be arranged.

Anyway till next week everyone.

Enjoy the time off!

Google Trying To Out Fox Wolfram?

May 14, 2009 on 4:10 pm by Dirk | In News | 1 Comment

Earlier this week Google unveiled some changes to its search engine, allowing users to “dig deeper” into results. When I first read this I was obviously reminded of the post I made back at the end of April about Wolfram.

In the main the new tools Google seem to be introducing are meant mainly to help filter out search results more effectively, and thus keep Google ahead of its rivals such as Yahoo and Microsoft’s Live Search. The one application that Google did introduce, which currently is only in its test phase, was Google Squared as mentioned in this post on the Google blog.

From what I can gather it is set to work in a similar way to Wolfram in that it will attempt to provide answers to specific questions, rather than a list of applicable websites/images for a general search term. The main area they differ as advised here is that Wolfram searches for an appropriate answer to a question using its own databases, whilst the new Google tool will attempt to simplify all the information available on the internet, which is an awful lot, into an easy to understand table.

The video below (courtesy of Tech Crunch) shows the current early version of Google Squared in action.

From the description I understand that whilst Wolfram will be trying to provide specific answers to specific questions from its (admittedly limited) database, Google Squared will still be providing a list of applicable results and organising them by various criteria. Providing the answers in a table format it then enables the user to further clarify what exactly they are looking for by filtering the search results by clicking on a column. To me it still seems that although the two engines have their rivalry they are, currently and from what I have read, trying to accomplish two different goals.

We Need 20 GB Of Anti Virus. Stat!

May 13, 2009 on 2:07 pm by Dirk | In News, Reviews | 1 Comment

What with all the media hysteria regarding Swine Flu out there at the moment, I thought it was important I reminded people of the importance of keeping their computers free from viruses and other nasties! If you think your computer has come down with something particularly nasty that is impairing its ability to perform your daily tasks, why not give it some time off in a sterile office with a great Dr. Hard Drive Bag?

Designed to look like an IV drip, the idea is that when hooked up to your computer by a USB port it will heal any infections using pre-installed anti virus software, lighting up internally when in use. It’s only a concept design at the moment, but one that I like the look of. Whether or not you’d want the drip stand on your desk the whole time is a personal choice, but I can see it being an attractive novelty item for the medical profession.

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