Thursday 27 January 2011
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Toy Fair 2011
For the last few years Jason has gone to the Toy Fair at Olympia, Kensington, but this year the wise people at the Gadget show have decided to send me. Oh yeah!!
I'm really looking forward to it for 3 reasons: HANDS. ON. TOYS!
I'm going into the fair with an open mind, but will likely make a beeline to try out some of the toy guns. Nerf are normally amazing in this department. I got to play with one last Christmas and had great fun shooting the other presenters. Unfortunately I had to give it back. I’m hoping all the toys live up to the Gadget Show's high expectations, and secretly hoping I can keep one of the toy guys after this fair.
I'm really looking forward to it for 3 reasons: HANDS. ON. TOYS!
I'm going into the fair with an open mind, but will likely make a beeline to try out some of the toy guns. Nerf are normally amazing in this department. I got to play with one last Christmas and had great fun shooting the other presenters. Unfortunately I had to give it back. I’m hoping all the toys live up to the Gadget Show's high expectations, and secretly hoping I can keep one of the toy guys after this fair.
Friday 21 January 2011
Nintendo 3DS and Be Part of this Blog
Nintendo 3DS
Before you get too excited, there are no pics of the tech. I wasn't allowed to take any. But surely by now you've seen photos of the hottest bit of kit to hit 2011 so far. It was a very long day for me. I woke up at 3:30am to catch a 6:20am flight to Amsterdam. I eventually got back home and into bed at just before midnight, same day.
So, what was it like? Well, take a look at some of the photos I was allowed to take. Jonathan Ross was host of the presentation and I did a little backstage stuff for Nintendo (view highlights here: live.nintendo3ds.nintendo-europe.com - 72mins and 15secs is a key point, might I add XD).
It's my opinion that Nintendo have got nearly everything right. The tech works very well, including the AR capability. Its portable, the 3D screen - which works for taking photos, playing games and viewing movies - is amazing and there'll be a raft of titles and clever software (the Street Pass is genius!) available on launch.
What they've not got right is the price. At a rumoured £220-250, it'll initially be the reserve of those with a bit of cash to spare and as a result, sales may be sluggish to start. However, don't make up your mind until you've had a go. It has to be seen to be believed. Anything that brings the likes of @wossy and myself together in a mighty Streetfighter IV 3D Edition smackdown has to be worth a look.
By the way, fancy being part of this blog?
As I mentioned in the last blog I'm really up for reading your reviews so I am inviting you to submit any gadget reviews and the best one’s will feature right here. I’ll make sure I link back to your site as well.
Reviews on any gadgets (within the realm of good taste) accepted – drop me an e-mail at ortisgadget@gmail.com Look forward to reading them.
Friday 14 January 2011
A Half Day in the Life of...
Last week, snow had made filming some driving sequences impossible. We decided that we'd shoot what we could and reschedule filming what was missing for yesterday. I had plans at 7pm, so the suggestion of a half day's work was ideal. Even with a round trip of just over 7hrs, I calculated that I'd still be able to make it back down to London for a reunion with some friends I'd not seen for over a year. My bad.
My train from London entered Birmingham late, so I missed my connection to Shrewsbury in Shropshire. I jumped in a cab. An hour and 20 minutes later and over a ton worse off, I arrived at Loton Park. I was 20 minutes late.
I would be learning to drive last year's Lotus Eater gravity racer for a challenge that will take place in Saarsburg, Germany next month. I've never been a huge fan of F1, driving games or anything like that, so I had no real ideas about racing lines, when to brake and such like. I was nervous and due to crappy weather, the downhill course was very wet. Still, it was a better alternative to snow. I needn't have worried too much as I was working with some of Fifth Gear's finest behind-the-camera crews and a team led by Mr. David Ackroyd, one of The Gadget Show's favourite constructors. Now, last year, Jason did most of the driving, but as this was my challenge, I would have to make sure my skills were up to scratch. I had four runs down the buttock-clenchingly twisty track, reaching speeds of around 60kph. By the end of my session, I felt good about my progress and much better about my racing driving. Now, we get on with making improvements to the existing Lotus Eater. It sucks that I can't give more deets or even pics (just this post could get me into hot water), but you'll love what we're doing. I can pretty much guarantee that. I'm better prepared for next month's challenge than I could hope, but it IS a biggie.
My train from London entered Birmingham late, so I missed my connection to Shrewsbury in Shropshire. I jumped in a cab. An hour and 20 minutes later and over a ton worse off, I arrived at Loton Park. I was 20 minutes late.
I would be learning to drive last year's Lotus Eater gravity racer for a challenge that will take place in Saarsburg, Germany next month. I've never been a huge fan of F1, driving games or anything like that, so I had no real ideas about racing lines, when to brake and such like. I was nervous and due to crappy weather, the downhill course was very wet. Still, it was a better alternative to snow. I needn't have worried too much as I was working with some of Fifth Gear's finest behind-the-camera crews and a team led by Mr. David Ackroyd, one of The Gadget Show's favourite constructors. Now, last year, Jason did most of the driving, but as this was my challenge, I would have to make sure my skills were up to scratch. I had four runs down the buttock-clenchingly twisty track, reaching speeds of around 60kph. By the end of my session, I felt good about my progress and much better about my racing driving. Now, we get on with making improvements to the existing Lotus Eater. It sucks that I can't give more deets or even pics (just this post could get me into hot water), but you'll love what we're doing. I can pretty much guarantee that. I'm better prepared for next month's challenge than I could hope, but it IS a biggie.
Thursday 6 January 2011
First Day Back!
Happy New Year, gadget people! Today marked the first studio shoot of the new series (starts 14th February). I thought I'd give you a behind the scenes peak at our team busy at work...
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