Spy Pen. Nuff said.

This is what gadgets are all about, something ordinary that does something extra-ordinary, and all without anyone knowing. The spy pen—of course—records voice, but it also records colour video. As you can see from the picture on the right, it has a miniature camera that will record in a 352x288 CIF quality. Now I have good reason for a gadget like this with all the *cough* top secret *cough* meetings I have with Dr.Evil. But as for your minions, I suppose you can just have some fun at the office with it.

The pen can last up to an hour, fully charged, and can record up to an amazing 15 hours worth of footage. All of the recorded footage can then be transfered onto your top secret bunkers' computer via the USB hidden within the pen. It has another function, I can't quite remember what it is... maybe you can write with it? Who cares!

The Spy Pen can be bought for a very modest 25 pounds.

More USB gadgets than you can shake a lamp at.

May I introduce to you the voice activated USB lamp. The miniature gadget stands at a humongous 30cm tall, has one of those flexible necks that is no doubt made out of some voodoo magic (how do they not break), and also has 12 surprisingly bright LED lights which will drain your PC's power like a wife drains your wallet.

Most importantly, it can be activated by any sort of definitive noise, be it a clap, a shout or you singing your favorite Spice Girls song. Don't want to clap at your lamp? It also has an optional switch incase you want to turn it into one of those more sophisticated, boring lamps.

All in all, a very neat gadget and given the wide use of USB ports, it can be be used nearly everywhere. You can pick one up for around 15 pounds.

Headset heaven.

TAG Heuer are more famously known for their luxurious watches and eye wear, but now... Now they've spread some of that magic into the mobile phone market with this stylish and compact bluetooth headset.

This neat gadget not only features all the normal qualities that comes with other headsets (Voice dialling, call answer/end/reject, volume up/down/mute etc.) but it's also used as a USB storage device with a 4GB capacity! This headset is rechargeable and can be charged back to full health through a USB port, a car adapter and even through the good old fashion mains.

The case that comfortably holds both earphones also acts as a power source, so even if your headset runs out of juice whilst you're out on the go, you have the safety knowing you can charge this little beauty back to full health. The TAG Heuer bluetooth headset is set to come out later this year - Hold on in there, taxi drivers.

New hip hop, hows your mother robot. With voice commands!

Introducing the new robot from Wowwee, the Joebot. By the name Joebot, you'd think he's just an average joe, right? That guzzles beer, likes football and other sorts of manly things. Well you'd be wrong cause this joe has a few tricks up his metal sleeve.

The Joebot has quite a personality for a robot, he's a bit of a cheeky chappy but entertaining nonetheless. So what can the Joebot do? Firstly he can beatbox dance! All you need to do is just tap a beat on a surface close to him (you can even tap it onto his head) and he'll replicate the beat into a dance (Warning: May make dads dancing skills jealous). Secondly, he can be commanded by your voice (that's what we wanted to hear). Unfortunately there isn't much detail on this matter yet, they've only said he'll respond to key commands but still... Very cool. You can also control him by sensors that are on him, like squeezing his robot hand will change his mode or if you're feeling a bit lazy, use the remote control that comes with him.

The Joebot has 6 different operational modes, there's his Autonomous Wandering, Patrol, Talk, Guard, Dance Demo and his Battle mode which is great fun. He'll pretend to fire at you with his LED hands and you can respond to this action with a common household infrared remote control and if you're lucky enough to beat him in battle, he'll respond in his wise-cracking way by saying "I'mmmmm dead!" and then "Ok, you win". That's another great thing about the Joebot, he has a big vocabulary so you really will get to love his vibrant and fun personality with every new phrase. There's an example of him here, if you want to see him in action.

The Joebot isn't out on the market yet (watch this space), he's expected to hit stores around summer time and the estimated price will be about 65-75 pounds.

Good morning Mr.Tom... Tom.

You can't beat a good old fashion map can you, at least with a map you know where you are. Well technically you don't, if you're lost. This is why we have GPS systems like TomTom. He's a map lovers nightmare but a taxi drivers dream. As for the rest of us, he's definitely convenient.

The 4GB TomTom Go 920 Traffic is the most advanced in satellite navigation systems. It includes preloaded maps of Western Europe, Central Europe, USA and Canada (North America). It has an FM RDS-TMC (I have no idea what it means either) Traffic Receiver which allows the TomTom to update traffic reports regularly. And also uses new Voice recognition technology which enables the user to be able to talk to the TomTom and tell it where you want to go. Don't feel like talking to Tom? There's also a Bluetooth remote control. This means the user can safely operate their TomTom without having to reach over and increase the risk of you straining yourself, did I say straining yourself? I meant having a fatal accident.

It has an 4.3" high quality touch screen. Has extra applications such as 'Help me' in case of an emergency - Not a wife related emergency, a fire engine will not stop her excessive nagging. Also this TomTom has a built in transmitter which means it can be used as a stereo or if you want to use at as an MP3 player, go ahead and cram as many of your favorites onto it as possible.

In addition to all this new technology, the TomTom 920 GO T possesses all of the great features of its little brothers the TomTom GO 720 and TomTom GO 520. Which includes TomTom Map Share technology. This is when a user corrects a map that is out of date and then shares the data with other TomTom users. Therefore you'll always have up-to-date maps!

Extra info! The TomTom 920 GO T comes with an enhanced hands-free kit, desk dock to easily charge your TomTom and a ton of accessories to keep your device safe and unscratched. You can adopt the TomTom 920 GO T for around 220 pounds.

Up, up and awaaaaay!

It's always nice to see something different in a category that you thought couldn't change. Finally some lunatic came up with the idea to build a voice activated RC. The 18 CM long helicopter can operate from up to 10 meters away from the user. Don't worry, you won't have to chase it around, you order it through a microphone that fits nicely onto your head.

The battery powered copter recognizes both Japanese and English and has 5 Voice commands in total, including: “Start engine”, “Up”, “Hold”, “Down” and “Stop”. Don't feel like talking into the microphone? Don't worry amigo, it comes with a remote control. Duh! it's an RC, right?

Taiyo, the makers of the Voice Command helicopter said that it will hit Japanese stores in March and hit Asia, North America and Europe at a later date.

But don't worry your little pants, I'll keep you posted.

Oooo You're my best friend!

Robots are forever evolving, it's either doing a back flip, doing a front flip or just doing no flip. It's all confusing! So many flips! They just all seem to be the same thing. Where's the fun gone in robots, it's all about how human-like they are and what they can transform into. At least that isn't Meccano's motive anyway, they went away in a shed (unlikely) and created the Spykee Vox.

Now the Spykee is an interesting robot indeed. Firstly he comes in bits, so you have to build him but don't be disheartened. The instructions will guide you through it. Oh and I forgot to tell you when assembling him you can choose between 3 different designs, how stupendously cool is that?! Just goes to show that Mecanno has put real thought into this. I mean what could be more fun than building a robot? Building it 3 times! Differently.

And if you thought that separated Spykee Vox from the rest you haven't heard the half of it. He is also a voice command robot. This means that whenever you tell him a command that he recognizes, he'll respond and execute it and don't worry about shouting at him from across the room, you get a little wireless control that you can talk to him through.

If you thought that was enough excuse to buy it, there's more, lots more! The Spykee Vox also has a little slot on front of him where you can plug in your iPod or Mp3 player. What's more entertaining than seeing a robot zooming around in circles with its laser gun flashing whilst Ace of Spades is playing. Pure genius!

Additionally the Spykee Vox has 2 main personalities - The Villain and the Hero. Depending in which mood he is in, he'll either have an angry face - GrRrRrR! or a happy cheesy grin - Sparkle, sparkle. Stick that it in your pipe and smoke it I, robot. This little guy is also fully programmable. You can go onto your laptop and tell him to do a certain routine hell, if you've got enough money why not buy an army of them and have yourself a robotic dance-off. That's not all you can do to him, you can also edit his LED face and change it to whatever you feel like, heck he doesn't even have to have a face.

All round this really is a great gadget, it has everything from playing music to raw robotic fun. If you're interested in buying this great little gismo you can pick it up for around 100 pounds.

Microsoft commands you! to voice chat into the phone

If I were to name the most useful piece of software to hit PocketPC's it would most definitely be Microsoft Voice command. It certainly does become increasingly helpful in every day life.

For instance I can Start any application by saying the command 'start' then saying the applications name. Or even if I wanted to dial a phone number, I just shout in the correct numbers and there you have it, I'm talking to a sex line without even touching the phone.

It's almost as if there is a hairy little elf inside your phone and it's just waiting for your command (there isn't really a hairy little elf inside your PocketPC). Voice command covers pretty much any application on your PocketPC, as long as it's on their you can activate it. It also has a talk back feature were, for example if you wanted to find out the time, just say the magic words and hey presto. Just make sure that if you're on public transport to not have it read your junk mail, the last thing you want is a penis enlargement email read out to you on the bus.

The good thing about this product is that it has been out for over 4 years now and has had time to mature, and become a great and useful product. Microsoft Voice Command is compatible with This list of Phones and will set you back 27 pounds.

Exterminate! Exterminate! HELLO?!? I said Exterminate!

Remote control toys now a days are the same thing. They either have wheels and you drive them around aimlessly or they just hop about doing nothing destructive. Well, things are about to change.

Finally the incredibly angry Dalek has been broken, tortured and tamed. The days of 'size matters' are surely over because this rage infested Kaled packs more than a punch. It's packing a fricking laser beam.

The all so expressive Dalek is controlled by radio control and your command. He responds to over 30 voice commands in total and is coated in flashing lights, sensors, sound effects and tons of your favorite Dalek phrases.

He also has 5 operational modes which include: 'Seek Locate' , 'Follow Me', 'Voice Programming', 'Guard Room' and 'Static'. 'Guard room' a favorite of mine Which, if the Italian job equivalent tried to break in, they would more than certainly be leaving with a brown stain in their pants.

Unfortunately Dalek's consistent anger issues and power un-efficient lasers have to be powered in some form and he demands 4 x D Cell Batteries, 4 x AA Batteries and 1 x 9V Battery.

If you wish to aid Dalek's to world domination then you can pick one up for around 80-100 pounds.

Talk to the iPod. Cause the face, it aint listening!

Sometimes reaching down into your pocket for that iPod and flickering through the menu is just one big tedious task. My brain is frazzled just thinking about it. Well good news iPodians you don't have to! Well not anymore, thanks to Accenda.

It has 7 commands in total, including the basic 'Stop', 'Play' and 'Rewind', additionally it has 'Volume up', 'Volume down', 'Next' and 'Previous track'. And no, you don't have to talk into a vintage microphone it is all neatly packed into a bite sized plastic box which can be clipped onto your lapel or hung around your neck depending on your mood or clothing but if you don't like wearing clothes don't worry nudists, it comes with a neck strap too.

It also requires no batteries as it plugs into the iPods dock connector so you need not worry about powering this nifty little device.

Compatibility wise, Accenda has it covered. Here is a list;

• iPod Classic: 1st and 2nd generation iPod
• iPod Touch: 1st and 2nd generation
• iPod Nano: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation
• Additionally it is compatible with: iPod Nano, iPod Mini, 4G and 5G iPods, iPod Photo, and iPod with color display.

It's available right now and can be picked up for around 62 pounds.

Good morning Moshi

The Moshi IVR (Interactive Voice Responsive) was the first in Voice recognition alarm clocks. The voice activation mechanism
on the Moshi is surprisingly versatile, and responds well to natural communication which is unusual for most voice recognition products that have you talking like a robot.

This electrical beaut models a great futuristic design and has some 12 voice activated commands, some of which include 'Night light' and 'Play sleep sounds' which adds real appeal to this product.

The Moshi digital alarm clock has been out for over a year now, its innovative design and capability has inspired others to try and take its place but it's still the leader in voice command alarm clocks. It’s made such a difference that it has even been endorsed by the World Blind Union because of its usefulness to the blind community.

Fortunately this great piece of equipment can be picked up for just under 35 pounds.

Is it me or did that remote control just talk?

For your laziness, Invoca has invented the mother of all remotes. No more unnecessary thumb movements and looking down the back of the sofa. This bad boy sits proud in its hub and waits for your command.

Worried about how to set this up? That's not an issue as Invoca thought they'd have the remote talk you through it. Yes. I said talk. Just remember, it might hold down a better conversation than your wife but it can’t do the dishes (just yet).

The AA battery powered remote comes with the ability to be programmed to 4 different audio and video devices, want to watch a DVD? Give it the command and you'll be watching Scarface quicker than you can say Tony Montana.

It also has 3 separate voice profiles, so you, your wife and your dog can be recognized on this joyous gadget. If you're wondering when this toy comes out, you're lucky it's been out for over 2 years and will only set you back 31 pounds.