Tech Talk

Gadget editor Susi Weaser reviews the latest techno toys to hit the streets

White hot
Satski
If you’re hitting the slopes this year you won’t want to leave home without Satski. Download the application to your smartphone and you’ll be able to plot your ski route via your favourite restaurants or bars, and avoid the more perilous runs. Plus, if your ski buddies also have it installed you can see exactly where they are on the slopes, thanks to the GPS positioning.
From €39, www.satski.com

Sleek geek
Eee PC S101
It was Asus that started the craze for cheap, low-spec laptops – but they’ve strayed from their roots with this one, as the plastic outer body has been dumped in favour of a gorgeous, brushedbronze chassis. It’s almost enough to make up for the fact that it still doesn’t have the processing power to handle much more than a couple of Word documents.
€545, www.asus.com

Kids’ creature
Kota the Triceratops
The only problem with this dinosaur is that as an adult, if you sit on him you’re likely to break him. Luckily, kids can get away with it and, as well as ride him, they can feed, tickle and pet him. The dinosaur’s reactions, thanks to motion sensors, will plant Kota firmly in the hearts of all who ride him. Hmm… or you could just buy your kids building blocks instead.
€350, www.firebox.com

Time out
Sony Ericsson MBW-200 Bluetooth Wrist Watch
Back in the 1990s, the thought of being able to see who was calling you via your watch was the stuff of James Bond fantasies. Now, in a world of streaming videos from YouTube and free calls over the internet, a couple of previewed text messages and being able to identify – and if you’re busy, reject – incoming calls hardly seems sufficient, particularly given the price tag. Ouch!
€274, www.sonyericsson