Apple iPod Shuffle music player
0800 039 1010, www.apple.com/uk
£55

The radically redesigned anodised-aluminium iPod Shuffle, on sale from next month, is in many ways a silver bullet in the hearts of Apple’s rivals. A mere 1.6in in length, this 1GB player has a clip-on design that makes it an ideal exercise companion. However, there’s still no screen, and as it requires the (supplied) proprietary dock to transfer songs from a computer, the Shuffle is no longer such a versatile USB memory stick. The controls are a touch fiddly and the stated battery life of “up to 12 hours” is modest; nevertheless, it is a very appealing product. In fact the entire iPod range has just been revamped. The Nano now boasts a scratch-resistant metallic finish — akin to the defunct Mini — and a far longer battery life, as does the full-sized iPod Video, which is given an enhanced screen. Apple has also announced a movie-download service, in partnership with Disney, that is due to launch in the UK during 2007.

Head monitor

BlackEye head and helmet camera
020 8122 9585
www.actioncameras.co.uk
£169.99

Relive the thrill of leaping off boulders on a mountain bike by recording the experience with this cunning widget slipped over your head or safety helmet. The BlackEye is easy to set up — a cable connects to a lightweight battery pack that takes eight AA batteries, and another attaches the unit to any digital camcorder with an AV-in connector. Now you can prove your courage — but don’t let the built-in microphone hear you scream.

Call critters

Verballs Skype speakerphone
01275 332 794
www.verballs.com
£34.95

Consider brightening your desktop with these cute-looking speaker/microphone gadgets that work with the popular internet-telephony service Skype. You simply plug the Verball into a USB port on your computer and it becomes an animated speakerphone. The arms wave and horns flash when a call comes in, and as you converse the Verball moves its mouth in time with your caller’s speech — and in a surprisingly convincing manner. Verball options include Baby (covered in fur), Britney (with big blonde hairdo) and Striker, which wears football boots and sports a Mohican.

Twist and shout

Nikon Coolpix S10 digital camera
0800 230 220, www.nikon.co.uk
£299.99

The S10 is chunkier than many compacts but its swivel design is useful for awkward shots — such as those taken overhead at a concert. The generous 10x optical zoom will take you considerably closer to the action, but while this 6 megapixel Nikon feels sturdy, it does seem vulnerable to damage if dropped; also its zoom button is a little too near the shutter release. In brief tests the S10’s image quality was spot-on though; it has vibration-reduction technology, and D-Lighting, normally only on high-end Nikons, will brighten underexposed shots.

Broadcast beauty

Virgin Mobile Lobster 700 Mobile TV phone
0845 6000 600
www.virginmobile.com
Free with contract or £199

Forget the ungainly size, strange shape and odd name, because the Lobster 700 phone receives digital television using the DAB network, and offers more than 50 crystal-clear radio stations. Virgin claims the service is available to 85% of the UK population, and it works surprisingly well. Simply choose your TV channel (at launch there are limited services from BBC1, ITV1, Channel 4 and E4) then enjoy on the modest 2.2in screen. In brief, London-based tests, a news programme gave a decent picture, though it was impossible to read the ticker, and fast-moving sport would be far more challenging.