Logitech Harmony Touch Universal Remote Control
This is the latest in Logitech's Harmony range of universal remote controls, which are designed to de-clutter our living rooms by providing us with a single remote for all our devices.The software included on the CD is clear and easy to use. A huge range of devices are supported - we even found our old Sanyo VCR in the list.
Once you've added your devices, it's a simple process of creating 'Activites'. These are handy shortcuts that turn on and control the correct devices. When these work it's great but the remote and devices can sometimes get mixed up, either with certain devices not turning on or switching to the wrong input Luckily a quick tap of the help icon sorts most problems out.
The remote itself is sturdily built with a nice weight to it. The touchscreen is large and responsive, though the interface is a bit basic. A docking bay provides a safe place to store the remote, and charges its batteries when it's not in use. It's a feature-packed remote control and the touchscreen makes things straightforward - especially as you can select favourite TV stations, which are displayed along with their icons for quick access to your favourite shows.
PowerStick+
Our smartphones are capable of all sorts of tasks, but unfortunately most of them drain their batteries pretty fast. There are few things more annoying than running out of power when you're away from the mains, which is why the PowerStick+ USB charger is so appealing. You plug it into your computer via USB to charge its internal battery. You can then unplug it and carry it around with you as it holds its charge.
It comes with a standard USB connector for charging your portable devices, as well as Micro USB, Mini USB and Apple 32-pin connectors for iPhones and 'Pads. It also doubles as a USB memory stick, and comes in capacities from 4GB (the version we tested) to 16GB. It's a lot bulkier than previous generations of PowerSticks, but it's still perfectly portable. It doesn't take long to charge, and once done, you can sling it in your bag. To start charging a device, you just plug it in and press the charger's power button. In our tests it stored enough energy for one complete charge of the iPhone 45, which should be more than enough to keep you going when you're on the move.
Logitech K31 Washaole Keyboard
The Logitech K310 is an unusual looking keyboard that's easy to clean and can even be washed in water. The keys have a decent amount of space between them, which makes them easy to keep free of crumbs and other detritus - especially with the brush that's included, and is stored underneath. The wider spaces do mean your fingers have to reach further, which made the keyboard a little uncomfortable to use. Sure enough though, the keyboard did what it claimed and we were able to put it under the tap, let it dry and start typing again without problems. It has plenty of media and shortcut keys, including one bearing the new Windows logo. The flat body and raised keys won t be to everyone's taste though.
D-Link DIR 505
Having your own wireless network when you're travelling can be incredibly useful, especially if you can transform a hotel's complimentary wired broadband into a wireless connection for your tablet or smartphone. The D-Link DIR-505 can do just that, it's a small portable device that you can plug into an Ethernet network connection so you can share your Internet connection. It can also work as a wireless repeater, extending the range of your Wi-Fl network, and act as a wireless hotspot.
One of the DIR-505's coolest features is that it's built as a power adaptor, making it easy to carry around. Unfortunately, the design also means the USB port (used for charging your devices) and the Ethernet port are both on the bottom of the body, which makes them awkward to access if the power socket is too close to the floor. It also means you'll need a USB extension cable if you have a long USB stick. You can access and share files on any attached USB stick, and the router is easy to set up. Connection speeds weren't stellar, but they iwere fast enough and dependable to give you a decent wireless internet connection wherever you are.
Buffalo MiniStation Air HDW-PU3
As an external hard drive, the Buffalo MiniStation Air HDW-PU3 is a solid performer. In our real-world tests we were able to transfer a 1.36GB file in just 20 seconds.
It's also easy to connect via Wi-Fi; you can download the smartphone app, then connect to the drive as you would a standard wireless network. You can then use the app to browse files on the drive, turn it off remotely, and change the Internet settings. This last one lets you connect to your usual wireless Internet connection so you can browse the web and connect to the Internet at the same time.
Browsing the files on the drive is easy and quick, though we were disappointed by how few files were supported: AVI and WMV video files won't play, though MP4 will. The videos that were supported, however, played smoothly and looked great. Photos also looked good, and it's easy to set them up as a slideshow.
