Tuesday 8 November 2011

Get the Hexbug this Christmas!


Currently taking the UK by storm HEXBUG is the perfect present to delight children everywhere this Christmas

Original, innovative and highly entertaining, these micro sized robotic critters will keep your kids entertained for hours. These colourful, collectible creatures behave just like real insects. Powered by tiny motors they scuttle over the surface and each type of HEXBUG behaves in a different way with its own traits unique to them.

Winners of a multitude of awards including ‘Mums Choice’ and ‘ToyTalk’, and with a cult following of celebrity fans including Lily Allen and Ben Shephard, HEXBUGs are almost as popular with adults as they are with kids!

Small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the HEXBUG’s robotic intelligence makes them fascinating for all ages, meaning parents everywhere will love playing with them alongside their own children - making them a great gift to deliver this Christmas. 

The HEXBUG family of critters is available in a variety of designs and colours including the Nano, Inchworm, Crab, Original, Ant and Spider.

HEXBUG Nano is the smallest HEXBUG in the collection, but amongst the most mighty. It uses the physics of vibration to propel forward and explore its environment. Powered by a tiny motor and 12 fixed, angular legs, they can quickly navigate through the most complex mazes. Possessing an uncanny sense of balance, it can even flip to its feet and zoom forward when turned on its back! When coming into contact with an object in its path, the energetic insect will switch directions and scurry away on a new path due to its persistent random behaviour. Check out the HEXBUG range of Habitat Sets – the natural home of the HEXBUG Nano at www.hexbug.com/nano
 
The newest addition to the range is the brand new HEXBUG Spider - an electro mechanical marvel to watch and operate. HEXBUG Spider features 360 degree steering, an LED forward eye, and two-channel, user selectable infrared remote control. The two-channel remote control enables the user to operate multiple bugs independently or at the same time. The largest member of the HEXBUG family, the complexity of its internal mechanisms and six-legged crawling motion is simply fascinating to operate and watch.

HEXBUG Inchworm is a tiny electro mechanical wonder that is directed by the user via a miniature infrared remote control unit. Each HEXBUG Inchworm and controller is outfitted with two channels, allowing two bugs to be operated independently or at the same time. The HEXBUG Inchworm offers seven-way steering and its crawling motion is fascinating to operate and watch.

HEXBUG Crab uses its autonomous light and sound sensors to hide in the dark and run from loud noises. You can control where each HEXBUG Crab scurries and can make it change direction with the clap of your hands.

The HEXBUG Original feels its way around by sensing objects in its path and avoiding them, using its bump sensor feelers. Users can control where it scurries and make it change direction with the clap of a hand or making a loud noise. 

The high-speed HEXBUG Ant has probing, tactile antennas and hooked claws. The industrious critter features front and rear touch sensors that allow it to manoeuvre around objects in its path, whilst its wheel-legs that propel it forwards, backwards and over small obstacles with furious speed.

FACTFILE:
Each HEXBUG is available in assorted colours
Replaceable cell batteries are included with each product
Products are sold separately. Current RRP for each product are as follows:
  • Nano £8.99
  • Ant £10.99
  • Original £10.99
  • Crab £14.99
  • Inchworm £18:99
  • Spider £24.99
Available now at Hamleys, Next, Selfridges, Toys R Us, Red5 stores and Red5 in House of Fraser, Waterstones and HMV, other specialty retailers or at www.hexbug.com (a full list of suppliers is also available on the website).

It's a Wonderful Life, released in time for Christmas


Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd presents... It’s A Wonderful Life The 65th Anniversary Release

“An inspiring Christmas cracker” Film4
“A genuine classic” The Guardian
“An unrivalled classic” Total Film

Don’t miss your opportunity to reclaim the true spirit of Christmas with the 65th anniversary release of It’s a Wonderful Life, a timeless and moving story of one man and his journey of discovery. Nominated for five Academy Awards® and voted the most inspirational film of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life  limited edition anniversary release will make the perfect Christmas gift for young and old when it releases on DVD and Blu-ray™ from 7th November 2011.

To celebrate a wonderful 65 years of the heart-warming masterpiece from the immortal director Frank Capra, a special limited edition poster produced from the original cinema artwork and 4 beautiful art cards will be included in 2-disc DVD and 1-disc Blu-ray™ box-set. The classic black and white film has been digitally restored with enriched sound and the package also includes the digitally re-mastered colour version.

Starring one of the founding legends of film, James Stewart, and featuring a superb ensemble cast including Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, audiences follow one man’s journey from the depths of despair to the realisation that through the existence of love and family, it really is a Wonderful Life.

Eternally preserved in the United States Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 1990, this film is essential Christmas viewing, provoking unity among viewers of all ages across the globe. Undoubtedly uplifting, the story of George Bailey will not fail to touch the hearts of both young and old. Make sure your Christmas is wonderful and join in the 65th anniversary celebration of It’s a Wonderful Life when it releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD from 7th November 2011.

SYNOPSIS
It’s a Wonderful Life is the story of one man’s journey into happiness, from the grips of a dark and desperate time.  James Stewart is George Bailey, a man who at a low point in his life considers his suicide on Christmas Eve. Seeing his despair, an unconventional guardian angel, Clarence, comes to visit George and takes him on a journey through his home town of Bedford Falls. Throughout their journey, George comes to see just how destitute and unhappy his family, friends and community would have been had he never been a part of their lives. 

The American Film Institute has recognised It’s a Wonderful Life as one of the 100 best American films ever made and is number one on their list of the most inspirational films of all time.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY™:
Release Date: 7th November 2011
Copyright:  It’s a Wonderful Life © 1947 Republic Entertainment Inc ® ‘Republic Pictures’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ are registered trademarks. All Rights Reserved.
Aspect Ratio: 1.37: 1
Rating: U
Sound: Dolby Digital
Run Time: 130m
RRP: £19.99

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD
Street Date: 7th November 2011
Copyright:  It’s a Wonderful Life © 1947 Republic Entertainment Inc ® ‘Republic Pictures’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ are registered trademarks. All Rights Reserved.
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Rating: U
Sound: Dolby Digital
Run Time: 130m
RRP: £17.99

It’s a Wonderful Life
Directed By: Frank Capra
Produced By: Miranda de Pencier, Fran Giblin, Lars Knudsen, Geoff Linville, Joan Scheckel, Leslie Urdang, Jay Van Hoy, Dean Vanech
Written By: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
Production Designer: Shane Valentino
Film Edited By: Olivier Bugge Coutté
Original Music By: Roger Neill, Dave Palmer, Brian Reitzell, Jo Swerling and Michael Wilson
Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen

This year’s essential Christmas viewing releases on Blu-ray™ and DVD on 7th November 2011


Monday 7 November 2011

A crafty gift from Dremel


The Dremel 7700 White Edition is for the creative crafter or hobbyist on your Christmas shopping list. 

This kit comprises the versatile Dremel 7700 cordless multi-tool, five engraving accessories, 15 multipurpose accessories and two ready-made engraving templates - presented in a stylish, translucent white storage case. 

It's a great kit for decorative hobbies, general crafts and seasonal adornments in glass, wood, ceramic, paper and other materials.

Priced at £49.99 - saving nearly £35 on the usual price - from B&Q, www.amazon.co.uk or www.tool-shop.co.uk.

For more info, visit:  http://www.dremel.co.uk

Now, that IS smart! new from One For All

Now you can operate your TV, DVD and set top box with a flick of the wrist, thanks to the new SmartControl Motion universal remote control from One For All. 

Simply move it up then down to play, or down then up to pause.  And turn everything off by just flipping it onto its front.  

It works with all your digital equipment and will control up to six different devices.  Set up takes less than three minutes, with just three key presses to programme all the most popular brands.  You can then operate multiple devices by pressing one button.

Available at Dixons, Currys and PC World, as well as online at www.amazon.co.uk, priced £34.99.

For more info visit:  www.oneforall.co.uk

From Dremel, with Christmas good wishes!

The Dremel 300 Black Edition offers everything you need to get started in DIY - the iconic Dremel 300 Series multi-tool plus five outstanding attachments:  a line & circle cutter, a flexshaft, a detailer's grip, a multipurpose cutting kit and a shaping platform. 

This special Christmas gift set also contains 45 handy accessories and comes packed in a luxury black toolbox.  Perfect for all manner of DIY and other projects, such as grinding, carving, routing, sanding and cutting.

Priced £89.99 from B&Q, or online at www.amazon.co.uk and www.tool-shop.co.uk - saving a huge £85 on the usual selling price.

For more info visit:  www.dremel.co.uk

Christmas gift for the petrolhead in your life!


It's a match made in petrolhead heaven. The limited-edition TomTom Top Gear sat nav brings fans of the show a combination of a Stig mode (silent!), Jeremy Clarkson's directions and unique Top Gear points of interest, including race track and raceway locations.  

Featuring TomTom's congestion-busting HD Traffic technology, it will steer drivers through traffic jams and is packed with features including Top Gear start-up and shut-down screens and car icons.  The bundle also includes mobile and fixed speed camera alerts, plus TomTom Places to help find local shops and businesses.

Available priced £179.99 from Halfords stores or www.halfords.com and www.tomtom.com.

For more info visit:  www.tomtom.com

Sunday 6 November 2011

That's Books: Surfing, the Essential Guide

That's Books: Surfing, the Essential Guide: Surfing, the Essential Guide is a new book out in paperback from Need 2 Know Books. It is written by an expert surfer, Kathryn Dawes. It'...