Leadertone is not a name you’d see often in the Western world. But their products may be familiar even though they can be unbranded.

Such is the case with the Personal Navigation Device that is suction-cupped to my windshield at the moment.  It’s a smart-looking compact PND simply labelled GPS.

Only the box gives it the honorific: Pocket Chauffeur. This is not to be confused with the Pocket Chauffeur you’ll find on Acer’s N35.

Techrific Australia supplied the unit which is priced at AUD399.

We are quite impressed with this handy all-in-one device and here are the reasons why.

SECOND SKIN

The EXO Pro 2 Apple Keyboard protector is essentially a rubber skin that sits atop your wafer thin Apple keyboard protecting it from those daily accidents that make you cringe.

KEYBOARDING CONUNDRUM

In my experience, keyboards are probably the most overlooked piece of essential computing equipment.  For years I have been putting together computers and for years I have purchased keyboards on the cheap.  After all, a good video card is more important than a decent set of keys to bash, isn't it?

Wireless Computing's RF-220 Wireless Keyboard begs to differ.

Here’s a product that finally seems to combine all you’d ever need in a universal charging solution. The Sunny Universal Solar Charger from Brando incorporates a high-capacity battery to charge your various mobile devices many times before the juice runs out and then you have the option of opening the compact device and exposing the solar panels for unlimited power away from wall sockets.

On a sunny day of course...

I don’t like to rain on Brando’s Sunny but there were a few issues that made this device less than optimal.

Let’s have a closer look.

"Will someone somewhere one day erect a tombstone for our civilisation?  If so, how will it read?  It cannot say we did not understand.  We do understand.  It cannot say we did not have the resources.  We do have the resources.  It can only say we were too slow to respond to the forces undermining our civilisation.  Time ran out."  Page 259, Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilisation in Trouble.

One of the greatest needs for any human being is access to good drinking water. Without clean water a host of waterborne diseases can quickly ruin one’s day if not one’s life.

Here’s an Australian solution which addresses the problem of contaminated water, particularly for travellers. This Water Filter Drinking Straw is like taking some 1300 bottles of clean drinking water with you on your journeys.

Without the weight and the cost of them.

And there’s another, huge, side benefit to the iStraw as well.

Here’s how it works.

For those who have not read the preview of the IronKey, in summary it is a USB flash drive with a dedicated hardware encryption chip and a self-destruct ability, bundled with secure means of accessing internet and storing your passwords.

Is the tamperproof and waterproof IronKey the toughest and most secure USB flash drive in the world?

We tested the 4GB version for you below.

Portable Power to the People

Our ever increasing reliance on gadgets, while arguably improving our lives, does have the rather unfortunate drawback of chaining us to our electrical outlets. 

The USB Universal Portable Charger from USB Fever attempts to break the shackles by allowing us to extend the battery life of our gadgets, increasing their range and usefulness. 

There's a pleasure that may be had from the simple act of placing a gadget on a table and watching someone's brain kick into gear as they realise what its purpose is.  The Joby “Original” Gorillapod garners the lion share of attention as I parade it past a few photography aficionados.  There are plenty of bragging rights to this gadget.

The Gorillapod is a camera tripod with a “twist”  - literally!  Lots of twists in fact.  Instead of straight barrel legs, each leg is composed of 9 articulated ball joints, each capable of bending ~45° and rotating 360° to provide unprecedented flexibility and support for taking the perfect photo.

Despite the "pod" suffix, the Gorillapod bears no relation to products from that "fruit company" based in Cupertino.  Even before I attach it to my camera, I am already thinking back to the numerous trips I have made and wishing I had had this in my gear pack.

Be honest: have you ever wanted to control a blaring TV in a waiting room or other public space?
Well, these days you can even though it’s not something I recommend. However, there’s something immensely practical about the TVgo Tiny Remote from QVPUSA.
Yes, it’s about the tiniest fully functional remote control and even incorporates an LED flashlight!
It’s eminently suitable to be carried on my key ring. And there it takes pride of place but is the TVgo really all it’s hyped up to be?