Category: Gadgets and Tech

A year ago, we featured a concept TV from Brionvega – the Brionvega Alpha – loving the style, but slightly aggrieved that the TV was just a concept. Well, guess what? You can now order the TV directly from the company.

Described as ‘the new generation of Brionvega’, it has a design based on the modernist classics of Le Corbusier and Breuer, featuring a 19-inch LCD screen sat within a chrome screen, a built-in DVD player (with audio playback option) and a chunky die-cast aluminium remote control every bit as stylish as the TV.

But there are downsides. Firstly, the TV has dated since its first showing – it isn’t HD-ready, but there is an option to get a digital tuner built in for extra cash. Take your pick from silver, black or the orange, with prices starting at 1,950 Euros, which is around £1,540.

Find out more at the Brionvega website

We featured the Mickey Mouse MP3 player a short while back – and now we have the Mickey Mouse-shaped USB drive.

Claimed to be part fashion item and part useful gadget, the A-Data Theme Series T703 Disney Flash Drive (it’s official name) is available as a 2GB or 4GB drive with a choice of colour for each. The drive is actually one of the ears of the classic Mickey head, with the rest just presentation – including the chain which allows you to wear it round your neck – though why you would want to do that is beyond me.

Cheap though, with prices from $33 (around £16.50).

Find out more at the Brando website

Not sure what to do with that old cassette player? Or indeed the cassette player in your car? Easy – stick an MP3 player in it.

Or specifically, the Cassette MP3 player. It uses an SD card (up to 2GB) for storage and can be used either with the earphones provided or by sticking it into an existing cassette slot for external playback of your digital tunes.

And this throwback MP3 player doesn’t cost a lot either –  $39.99 (around £20).

Find out more at the ThinkGeek website

On what’s becoming something of a gadget day (unintentionally, I assure you), we have yet another of those retro camcorders from Sanyo – the DMX-CA8 Waterproof.

Yes, before the last one made it to the UK, the DMX-CA8 Waterproof launches in Japan – with the promise of hitting the UK in mid-May. In truth it’s very different to the recent CG9 – this one is built for elements, working underwater for an hour at a time.

It also has an 8MP sensor for movies and stills, 5x optical zoom and a ‘Face Chaser’ function for better shots of your fellow swimmers. No news of a price as yet.

Sanyo website