Stream Live TV To Your Mobile Phone

These days, mobile broadband is more than capable of streaming live TV to your phone. But while there are some really good web-based services like TVCatchup.com, there may be times when you want access to a channel that's only available through your home TV signal (cable, satellite or Freeview). Or it may be that you'd like to access UK television when holidaying or working abroad.

If you have a digital TV tuner plugged into your Windows PC then it's possible to stream that signal direct to your mobile device, wherever you are. In this article we'll show you how to do it for free. Remember that streaming TV over the Internet can quickly eat up your mobile data allowance, so bear this in mind when using it.

Remotely Lock and Wipe A Stolen Android Phone

There's no need to panic if you've lost an Android phone. That is, so long as you've already installed security software. With the right app, you can back up your contacts, lock the handset and even wipe your phone's contents should it go walkies.

Mobiles are more vulnerable to real-world threats such as theft and loss than they are to rogue software stealing your private information from within. The ability to remotely lock it if stolen is just as important as running anti-virus software. There are dozens of security apps to choose from, and the best will both lock your handset when lost and scan for malware threats during everyday use.

I'm using Lookout, which is a free-to-use phone locker that has one of the best interfaces and will check that the apps installed on my phone aren't dodgy. Security on Android phones isn't all it could be, and rogue apps on Google Play are being downloaded by unsuspecting users, even though Google has recently added an app checker to the Play Store. So follow these steps and close the door to ne-er-do-wells, whether they've nicked your mobile or are up to no good on the Internet. 

1. Install Lookout

Click on the Google Play store (previously called Android Market) on your smart phone and type 'lookout' into the search bar or click here. Click to install it and check you're comfortable with the list of items the app will be able to access. Tick the box on the next screen to enable automatic updates. This will ensure Lookout can check for rogue apps and malware without you needing to perform a manual scan.

Guide to Developing Windows 8 Apps

We're fast approaching the autumn release date of Windows 8 (at least the weather makes it feel that way), which means the entire world will soon be subject to Microsoft's advertising campaigns and a whole host of new tablets.

Love it or hate it, Windows is very much at the top of the operating system hierarchy, with 90 per cent of the world using it in some form or another today. That's a whole lot of users just waiting to buy apps from the Windows Store, meaning there has never been a better time to start developing for Windows.

If you're interested in getting into app development, but just don't know where to start, this guide's for you.

Learn to Use the S Beam on Your Samasung Galaxy S3

One of the most exciting features to be announced with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 is S Beam, which uses near field communication(NFC) and Wi-Fi Direct to send files between two phones.

Android 4.0 already has a feature called Android Beam, which works over NFC to transmit information such as contact details and browser pages from one mobile to another. But it doesn't use Wi-Fi Direct so it's impractical for larger files.

By combining NFC and Wi-Fi Direct, S Beam is capable of sending larger files between phones, such as images, videos and music tracks. The transfer is initiated by NFC and the actual file transfer is handled using Wi-Fi Direct. This means you can expect transfer speeds of up to 300MBps.

DJ on Your iPad

Often surrounded by a mass of cables, inputs and high-end equipment, one could be forgiven for thinking that DJs indulge in an expensive, complicated craft. But all you need is a DJ app on an iPad to blend your favourite tunes and cast your sorcery on the dance floor.

Apple's versatile tablet has made the art of mixing more accessible than ever, with apps such as djay for iPad and iDJ making it a great stepping stone into the world of turntabling. Have you always fancied trying your hand on the decks? If so, here's how to set yourself on the path to becoming the next Tiesto.

Secure Your Data on Social Networks

Signing into apps and websites is faster than ever with the one-click login wonders of Twitter and Facebook. But do you really want all your private information to be accessible by third-party apps, like your messages or friends' contact details?

Fortunately, there's a way to pull back some of those permissions you gave away on a whim. Social networks usually have a settings page that lists all the apps with access to your data, where you can choose to block those you no longer use.

MyPermissions makes this process even easier, with direct links to the app settings on sites including Facebook, Twitter and Google. Read on for tips on deciding which apps need chucking into your digital bin.

Using Dictation on Mac OS X Mountain Lion

Since introducing the voice-activated assistant Siri to the world with the release of iOS 5 last year, Apple has gained quite a lot of experience in the world of speech to text. So it's unsurprising these features are now making their way over to Mac OS X.

In Mountain Lion, the next version of Mac OS X, a new feature called Dictation is built into the operating system. With this, you can dictate to the computer anywhere you see a text field and it will do its best to translate your jabbering into words on the screen.

How to Unlock a Samsung Galaxy S3

If you've bought a Samsung Galaxy S3 from a network and want to use a couple of different SIM cards in it -- maybe you're on Vodafone but want to use Orange Wednesdays -- here's an easy way to unlock it.

The simplest way is to get something called a network unlock code from the phone's original operator, which will open the barriers and let you use any SIM you want. Annoyingly, some networks aren't always keen to provide this number, leaving you to search for other alternatives.

Digitising Your Vinyl

You've just saved your dad's cache of prog rock from the skip and your mate's slipped you a rare 12" vinyl of that uber-obscure nu-gaze band you've been hunting down. Great. But if you want to carry that new-found self-congratulatory glow away from your armchair and onto the bus, you'll need to convert these crackly gems into MP3s for listening to on your phone.

There's an easy way to recover your records and import them to a media player of choice. Turntables such as the Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB offer an inexpensive, simple means of converting your cherished vinyl to MP3 or even WAV. Here's how to breathe new life into your old classics by digitising your vinyl.

How To Save a Wet Mobile Phone

Washing machines, toilets, cups of tea, the British weather... these are a few of our favourite things. That is, until they fill the lungs of our cherished mobile phone, leaving us weeping over a soggy, lifeless metal carcass.

Dropped your handset in the bath? Fumbled your phone and plopped it in the loo? Don't panic -- just follow these steps and you'll have a good chance of breathing life back into your drowned smart phone. And check out the 'What not to do' section for some useful mythbusting.

HTC Desire X

If you own an HTC Desire or Wildfire, which is much loved but getting towards the end of its useful life, HTC has lined up an affordable mid-range replacement for your beloved 'droid with a bit more oomph.

The Desire X has a dual-core 1GHz chip, a 4-inch screen and it runs the Ice Cream Sandwich-flavoured version of Google's Android OS, skinned with the latest iteration of HTC's Sense user interface.

Pricing hasn't yet been announced, but HTC describes the Desire X as sitting lower down its pecking order than its One series range of devices but above the budget Desire C -- so expect it to cost somewhere in the region of £180 SIM-free.

Nokia Asha 306 Review

Nokia reserves the razzle-dazzle for its Windows Phone-powered Lumia handsets, but the once Mighty Finn is still plugging away selling a cheaper range of Asha phones, based on its old-as-the-hills Series 40 software.

Asha phones are mostly aimed at buyers in developing countries such as India, but Nokia's also selling select models here in the UK in the hope of wooing you away from budget Google Android handsets.

They can be described as smart phones with usability strings attached. Yes, you can download apps but don't expect this software to be as slick and easy to use as an Android or iOS device. 

The Asha 306 has a low price -- currently it's up for grabs SIM-free for £80 via Expansys -- but is it worth even that modest amount of cash?

Nokia Asha 302 Review

The Asha 302 is a handset powered by Nokia's ye olde Series 40 operating system, but it could also be mistaken for a Symbian pocket rocket from days of yore. If not quite as premium-looking as the classic Nokia E71, it shares its distinctive domed keys.

At between £70 and £90 on pay as you go, the 302 is cheap, but not as thrifty as the budget-tastic Asha 201. It does pack more junk into its trunk though -- with a 1GHz chip plus HSPA and Wi-Fi connectivity. 

The Queen's Bentley

The Bentley State Limousine is an official state car created by Bentley for Queen Elizabeth II on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

The vehicle's twin-turbocharged, 6.75-litre V8 engine has been modified from Bentley's Arnage R version to produce 400 hp (300 kW) and 616 lb·ft (835 N·m) of torque. Its maximum speed is 130 mph (210 km/h).

Self Driving Cars

Even without a debate over we really want our cars to drive themselves, autonomous vehicles keep gaining ground. There aren’t any on the market yet, but the momentum is clearly building. Why? Because the technology is moving fast, and both researchers and automakers see a path to a lucrative new market. Plus, kids don’t seem to be all that keen on driving anyway.

Wii U Console Starts Pre-Orders

Online retailers have put the Wii U console up for pre-order, with prices starting from £250 for the Basic White console pack, to £350 for the Premium Black console pack with an additional game and a Pro controller.

Angry Birds Sequel Bad Piggies Shows Off Sequel

If you've ever thought those Angry Birds are just a tad too smug and need taking down a peg or two, you'll be chuffed to hear about Rovio's latest release, Bad Piggies.

Rather than hurl varying sized avians into poorly constructed castles, a new gameplay video shows you instead taking the role of the much-maligned pigs, constructing a host of madcap vehicles in order to get round a course and steal some tasty eggs.

New Sony PlayStation 3

There's a new Sony PlayStation 3 in town! Sony has put the popular games console on a diet, revealing a slimmer model with more memory -- and a flash model with a lot less memory.

Unveiled in Tokyo, the new PlayStation 3 is smaller and lighter, with a new ridged top and sliding disc panel on the top instead of a slot-loading mechanism.

50 Helpful iOS 6 Tips

After a year-long gestation, iOS 6 is upon us. The latest version of Apple's operating system for iPad, iPhone and the iPod touch is smarter than ever, with slicker graphics, better iCloud integration and easier sharing. It ships on the iPhone 5, and is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, 4 and 4S, fourth and fifth-generation iPod touch, and the second and third-generation iPad.

Here's the 50 best tips, changes and must-have features for iDevice users everywhere.

Apple iPhone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Nokia Lumia 920

After months of wild speculation, Apple has finally taken the covers off the iPhone 5. The early response from our readers is that Apple hasn't done enough to impress, but let's take a look at how it squares up to its competitors.

I've pitted it against Samsung's Galaxy S3 and Nokia's recently unveiled Lumia 920, both of which are arguably the flag bearers for their respective operating systems -- Google Android and Windows Phone 8.

We haven't given the iPhone or Lumia the full review treatment yet so there are still a lot of unknowns to consider. I'll be making my comparisons based on our hands-on preview time and known specifications. Keep this page bookmarked and come back later for a more comprehensive comparison when we have all the models in our grasp.

LG Optimus G

LG let the cat out of the bag about its latest flagship blower, the Optimus G, on YouTube 2 weeks ago but the Korean giant has now made it official.

The Optimus G is a 4.7-inch smart phone that packs a high-definition screen, a 13-megapixel camera and a nippy quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM.

There's no word yet on pricing or availability, but stay tuned for more information.

HTC 8S Review

If Windows Phone 8 is to be a rip-roaring success, it'll need phones that appeal to those of you shopping on a budget, as well as swanky high-end mobiles. HTC's 8X may be packed full of more powerful components, but the 8S -- also known as the Windows Phone 8S by HTC -- is a more wallet-friendly option that will compete with Nokia's Lumia 820.

Design

The 4-inch 8S feels light and slim -- it's by no means a bulky phone, unlike many of HTC's slightly older efforts. It sports a blocky design with touch-sensitive buttons arranged beneath the screen.

The navigation controls sit at the base of the fascia.

HTC 8X Review

HTC is diving into Windows Phone 8, and the HTC 8X -- also known as the Windows Phone 8X by HTC -- is the Taiwanese company's first major effort. It's not a bad showing on paper, with this pumped-up smart phone offering a 4.3-inch display, NFC and a dual-core processor. But with the mobile competition proving more fierce than ever, is there any reason to choose the 8X over its rivals?

I've been hands-on with HTC's new toy ahead of its official release, so read on for my first impressions and be sure to check out the hands-on pictures above. We've got a gorgeous first-take video too, so point your peepers at the play button above these words. If you're interested in this phone then bookmark this page, as we'll be updating it soon with a full review and a star rating.

Design

The 8X deserves a slap on its smooth back for straying from HTC's regular design ethos. While I was expecting HTC's high-end Windows Phone 8 device to look similar to the Android-powered One X, this phone has a squarish, solid build that -- apparently -- is inspired by the Windows Phone live tiles that occupy its home screen.

The blocky Windows Phone 8 interface is reflected in the handset's design.

Sony Xperia J

The Sony Xperia J is the latest affordable smart phone from Sony. It's far from the most powerful handset going but it promises to put a snazzy version of Android in your pocket without lifting too much cash out -- we hope.

The price hasn't been confirmed yet but judging by the phone's features and specs, it won't be too expensive. At least, it had better not be. The Xperia J comes with Google's Ice Cream Sandwich Android software on board, with promises of an update to the latest version,Jelly Bean.

Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE

Everything Everywhere has created EE, a new network for its 4G LTE service, and one of the first phones to take advantage of that faster technology will be an LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy S3.

There's no word yet on when this LTE-capable smart phone will be released, or how much it will cost, but with EE's 4G network launching within weeks, I'd cautiously expect this mobile to be out before Christmas.

Read on for a hands on information that will make you plan ahead

IPhone 5 after the iPhone 4

The iPhone 5 is everything we wanted after the iPhone 4S, with a larger display, a faster processor and 4G capability. The redesigned look is snazzy, slim and incredibly light. There are no jaw-dropping new features, but this is a refined mobile that would make an excellent upgrade for people who own a two-year-old iPhone 4.

Nokia Lumia 920

Windows Phone fans can finally exhale -- the Mighty Finn has unboxed its shiny new Windows Phone 8 flagship: the Nokia Lumia 920.

Packing a 1.5GHz dual-core chip, a 4.5-inch curved glass display, a version of Nokia's PureView camera technology and some very colourful case colours, Nokia is hoping it's done enough to tempt mobile lovers away from Android and iOS to Microsoft's Windows Phone.

Read on for our first impressions.

Lunar Mirrorless Camera

Embracing traditional Hasselblad state-of-the-art image capture combined with artistically stunning Italian design features, here’s the small mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera, the ‘Lunar’ from the house of Hasselblad, the noted manufacturer of world’s most advanced medium format camera system. Described to be a celebration of the passion that company’s founder Victor Hasselblad had for photography, Lunar has been developed in the traditional way, using handcrafted wooden prototypes ensuring superior ergonomics and high-end functionality. Notably, Lunar can be used in fully manual and fully automatic mode, and has been designed to be versatile and easy to use, but with all the advanced technology employed in finest DSLRs. Also, we have earlier seen some of the finest Hasselblad's cameras including the H3D II digital SLR, the Hasselblad H4D Ferrari Limited Edition camera, and the 200-megapixel H4D-200MS camera, which is one of the world's most expensive cameras.

Sony Not Going For 4G or Android 4.0

Pierre Perron, UK managing director of Sony Mobile was feeling bullish about Sony's future prospects at the IFA after the launch of Sony's new flagship Xperia T phone.

The mobile maker used to be run separately from the rest of Sony as a joint venture with Ericsson, but last year was bought out and re-integrated into the rest of the Japanese company.

"So what?" you may think. Having so far been thoroughly trounced by Apple and Samsung, Sony hopes this will mark the transformation of its mobile fortunes.

It's betting the ability to sell the movies and TV shows it owns through its Entertainment division on the TVs, computers, tablets and phones it makes will mean its products are different enough from the competition to stand out. As proof of the strategy, Pierre offered the stat that 80 per cent of Sony's products from across the company will be networked.

For those who like the design of Sony's mobile hardware, but not the extra software it pre-loads, you're out of luck. Pierre ruled out making a vanilla Android phone with no customisations, saying it would be "incompatible" with its strategy.

He also defended the company's record on Android updates, saying that they are much better at it than a couple of years ago, and are one of the few to upgrade its 2011 line of Xperia phones to Ice Cream Sandwich.

The news that Everything Everywhere is launching the UK's first 4G network in the next few weeks should cheer them up, as their frustration on this matter was palpable. And Pierre seemed confident that, not only has Sony learnt from its past mistakes, but that it would be able to stay out of the ongoing Apple-Samsung litigation. 

Here's an edited transcript of the interview with CNET marketing director -- Pierre Perron is speaking unless otherwise indicated.  

Samsung Galaxy S4 May Launch Feb 2013

Supermarkets have already started putting out their Christmas chocolates. If that annoys you, just wait until you hear the first rumours of the follow-up to the Samsung Galaxy S3 -- the Samsung Galaxy S4.

The first reports have emerged from Korea that Samsung is planning to unveil the S4 in February 2013.

Sources say the S4 will make its debut at Mobile World Congress, the annual phone-focused trade show in Barcelona.

And the early word on the street is that the S4 will pack a mammoth 5-inch screen, a quad-core Exynos processor and 4G LTE data. Samsung is also reportedly considering whether the S4 will sport a flexible display. Maybe it will have a selection of new colours too.

All very interesting, but I'm sceptical. For a start, the S3 didn't appear at this year's MWC for the same reason Apple's iPhone has never appeared there: the S3 and iPhone on their own are bigger than any trade show. So I'd be surprised if Samsung waded back into the scrum with the S4.

Plus a 5-inch screen is heading into Galaxy Note territory, which is a stretch when the S3 is already plenty big enough.

No doubt the rumours will continue, but if the S4 is as closely guarded as the S3, we won't know for certain for a good while yet.

Previous rumours have suggested we could be treated to a Windows Phone version of the S3. Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 software launches with a range of new phones in November, so by next year's MWC will be in several phones.

A new version of the S3 is expected this year with 4G. The Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE is one of the batch of LTE phones that will work on EE's 4G network, the next-generation data infrastructure from Orange and T-Mobile's parent company Everything Everywhere. 

Can Samsung improve on the S3? Are you annoyed another new version is coming out so soon? What would you like to see in the S4? Tell me your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Apple iPhone 5 Pre-Orders Hit 2 Millon in 24Hrs

Apple announced Monday that pre-orders for the iPhone 5 reached 2 million in its first 24 hours.

So, it is a record-breaker?

You bet. In a press release, Apple senior vice president Phil Shiller said, "iPhone 5 pre-orders have shattered the previous record held by iPhone 4S." In its first 24 hours of launch last year, the iPhone 4S pre-orders hit 1 million.

There seems to be an incredible demand for the iPhone 5. The Apple Store in New York City had a line form for the phone a week early and AT&T reported that pre-orders during the first weekend of launch were record-breaking.

Apple announced the iPhone 5 last Wednesday at a press event in San Francisco. The new smartphone features a 4-inch display, 4G LTE, 1080p HD video quality, 720p HD front-facing video, Panoramic photos, a new Lightening connector and EarPods.

The iPhone 5 will be available in white or black and will retail for $199 for a 16GB model, $299 for a 32GB model and $399 for a 64GB model. Pre-orders started Sept. 14 and the phone will be available in stores on Sept. 21 at 8 am. in the U.S, Canada, U.K. France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. More countries will see the iPhone 5 on Sept. 28.

iPhone 5: Larger, Faster and 4G LTE

Apple announced the iPhone 5 Wednesday (12/09/12) at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco. Rumors leading up to the highly anticipated smartphone were at fever pitch.

Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook started off the event saying, "We've got some really cool stuff to show you." Cook continued by giving updates on Apple Stores, MacBooks, OS X Mountain Lion and iPads.

Apple senior vice president Phil Shiller took the stage to introduce the iPhone 5.

"It's an absolute jewel," Shiller said. For the most part, the iPhone 5 looks like previous models, but taller and thinner.

The phone has a 4-inch 1,136 x 640 pixel display, 4G LTE connectivity, A6 chip and weighs 112 grams - 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than iPhone 4S.

The larger display allows for widescreen display. Apps designed for the previous operating system will not be stretched, but will have black borders.

One of the biggest updates is to the camera and iSight. The camera now has an 8-megapixel sensor, 3,264 x 2,448 pixel resolution with backside illumination, hybrid IR filter, a five-element lens with f2.4 aperture and is 25 percent smaller and can take panoramic photos.

The video camera captures 1080p HD quality. A front-facing camera features 720p support, a backside illuminated sensor, and FaceTime works over 3G with iOS 6.

The iPhone 5 will also get a new dock connector called Lightning, which is 80 percent smaller. The new dock will have an adaptive interface, improved durability and is reversible. Apple will also release an adaptor to make the transition.

The iPhone 5 will be available in white or black and will retail for $199 for a 16GB model, $299 for a 32GB model and $399 for a 64GB model. Pre-orders start Sept. 14 and the phone will be in stores on Sept. 21 in the U.S, Canada, U.K. France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. More countries will see the iPhone 5 on Sept. 28.

Kindle Fire HD vs Google Nexus 7!!

Amazon has finally pulled its finger out, bringing its Kindle Fire tablets to the world. While we won't be seeing the 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD distributed in all parts of the world yet, we'll get a natty 7-inch version that squares up against Google's Nexus 7 tablet.

Which one deserves your cash? Read on for a comparison of both gadgets to help you make up your mind.

Option To Opt Out of Kindle Fire HD Ads

Good news (of sorts) if you're thinking about buying the new Kindle Fire HD. Amazon has announced you'll be able to get rid of the annoying adverts that pop up on it, Engadget reports. But it'll cost you.

Fujifilm's XE-1 camera, a more affordable version of X-Pro1

The little brother to Fujifilm's X-Pro1 has been revealed in the form of the XE-1, which boasts similar specs but could be yours for a chunk less dosh.

The XE-1 features the same 16.3-megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensor and X-Mount for Fujinon XF lenses as the previous model. Our friends across the pond will see it with a $1,000 (£625) price tag -- the official UK price will be announced later this month.

The retro-styled body is also around 30 per cent smaller than the X-Pro1, which sells for around £1,200. This leaves it at around the same dimensions as last year's Fujifilm FinePix X100.

Size certainly isn't everything here as the XE-1 still packs loads of high-end features, including a 2.36 million dot Organic LED (OLED) electronic viewfinder and built-in pop-up flash. We'll also see Full HD video shooting and a battery life of 350 shots from this more lightweight device.

With the XE-1 mostly targeted at advanced amateurs and as a back-up camera for pros, it squares up to the likes of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and the Samsung NX20 -- two cameras we loved, so it faces stiff competition when it's released mid-to-late October.

Back in May, we had concerns over the lack of lense choices for the old X-Pro1, but Fujifilm has expanded its XF lens line-up to make five available by the end of the year. It's added the new XF14mm (21mm) F2.8 single focal length lens and XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-4 lens, to increase your options and decrease your bank balance.

The new camera will be shipped in two colours -- a solid black and a classic two-tone black and silver.

I'm really excited about the XE-1 and can't wait to get my hands on one, but in the meantime, what do you think? Will you be buying one or is this still likely to be too expensive? Let me know in the comments or on our Facebook wall and you can follow us on Twitter for updates

Samsung Releases a Windows 8 Device

Samsung announced a bevy of new devices Wednesday at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA 2012) trade show in Berlin.

Along with the Galaxy Note II, the company unveiled the ATIV S smartphone, ATIV Tab, Series 7 Slate PC and Series 5 Ultra touch.

Apple Could Sell 10 Million iPhone 5 Units In a Week

It's been only a day since Apple announced its Sept. 12 event, but one analyst is already estimating how many devices the company will sell.

According to a report by AllThingsD, Gene Munster, analyst at Piper Jaffray, says that Apple could possibly sell between 6 million to 10 million iPhone 5s in the first week of launch.

While that is massive number, it's not unheard of. The iPhone 4S saw 1 million pre-orders within 24 hours of launch, with sales hitting 4 million in its first three days.

The boost in sales could give Apple a nice bump. Sales for the iPhone 4S slowed down in the summer months. For the first time since the iPhone 4S was released, the Samsung's Galaxy S III surpassed the Apple smartphone in the month of August.

Apple chief financial officer Peter Oppenheimer speculated in a July earnings call that the slump in sales could be from rumors of the next iPhone.

Apple is widely expected to announce the iPhone 5 on Sept. 12 at an event in San Francisco.

Amazon Announces Kindle Fire HD

Amazon announced Thursday the launch of the Kindle Fire HD, new Kindle Fire and Kindle Paperwhite e-reader.

Amazon chief executive officer Jeff Bezos took the stage to introduce the Kinde Fire HD, Paperwhite and a stream of updated products. Bezos spoke about how the company has taken risks and emphasizing that the Kindle Fire is a service, not a gadget. The hardware, however, is a critical part of the service.

iType Writer for iPad

If you're slouched in a coffee house in Shoreditch, wearing a flat cap and braces and wondering how you can stand out from the identically quirky youth around you, the iTypewriter concept should fit the bill.

It's a ludicrous blast from technology's past, letting retro-hungry iPad-toting hipsters like you take a kooky step backwards to simpler days of mechanical word processing. Zooey Deschanel will love it.

This updated artefact is the brainchild of Austin Yang, a product design and mechanical engineering student at Edinburgh College of Art.

The iTypewriter is a landscape iPad dock with mechanical hammers capped with a material similar to that used in the nibs of capacitive styluses. These align with the touch keys on your iPad and deliver a tiny electronic discharge to mimic your sticky little finger prods -- sounds scary, but hopefully it's not going to hammer holes into your precious iPad screen. Check out this video:

"For some specific group of users, this product provides an easier way to type on the iPad," says Yang, somewhat optimistically. "People can recollect old experiences and memory by the familiar appearance and haptic feedback."  

The iTypewriter is by no means a complete concept. The mechanical keys don't always manage to hit the desired letter due to slight alignment issues, so in its current state it's not going to be the fastest way of writing that avant-garde script you're working on. Having said that, the iTypewriter isn't set for production anytime soon, so there's plenty of time to hammer out any creases.

But if you're dead set on turning your state-of-the-art tablet into a rustic relic, there are other typewriter accessories available for tablets, such as the USB Typewriter, which sits in front of your computer or tablet like an extremely cumbersome keyboard.

Alternatively, you can buy a DIY kit for £49, providing you already have a typewriter, which is more cost-effective than paying the staggering £519 for the complete unit. With one of these you can click and clack until your office sounds like a 1930s newsroom -- it's just a shame it weighs the same as your desk.

Yang has also developed the iTurntable dock for your iPhone or iPod, featuring an imitation rotating LP, complete with functional reading arm to switch between play and pause. Sadly this is also just a prototype, so don't go trawling unbearably hip second-hand stores and dilapidated record shops looking for one.

So all you retro ravers and ol'time cravers, show your support for the iTypewriter here. Punch some typewriter shaped holes in our comments box, or make your feelings known on our newfangled Facebook page (You can also follow us in twitter)

More News ABout iPhone 5

The iPhone 4S left Apple fans divided when it emerged last autumn. It might have been a new iPhone on the inside, but after 15 months of rumours and longing, many expected a genre-smashing design too.

The next iPhone will almost certainly enjoy a fresh look. Our slim hopes of seeing the new phone on display at WWDC this year were dashed, but rumours are buzzing about a September launch. So what should we expect from the upcoming handset? Read on to find out.