Tag Archives: star wars

2025

The Unique Gift Guide 2025

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Discover gifts that break the mould, a curated collection of inspired finds that mix innovation, nostalgia and pure fun. From character-led collectables to next-gen tech and design-driven home essentials, each product brings something special to the table, making it easy to find a thoughtful, memorable gift for every personality on your list.

Arlo Penguin Bestie Water Bottle – £29.99 Available from Suck UK

A penguin shaped bottle with a yellow beak AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Add character to your routine! This adorable, insulated 450ml water bottle features a removable, collectable silicone character head, making hydration fun and playful. With double-wall vacuum insulation to keep drinks cold for 24 hours, it’s the perfect companion for any adventure.

Cable Guys Five Nights At Freddy’s, Freddy Controller Holder & Phone Stand £29.99

Five Nights at Freddy's Freddy Fazbear Cable Guy

Welcome Freddy Fazbear into your world with this chillingly cool Cable Guy. Straight from the dark and thrilling world of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Freddy is here to guard your devices in true villainous style. With incredible detail and a mischievous vibe, this Cable Guy adds a touch of frightful fun to any space. Freddy holds remote controls, smartphones and gaming controllers,

Mindful Bath – £24.99 from Suck UK

A tray with a pen and a notebook on it AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Mello waterproof A5 notebook & incense. Put pencil to paper and let your thoughts and ideas flow in the steamy comfort of your own bathtub. Includes a 100% waterproof A5 notebook (no crinkled pages or slippery fingered accidents here!) and scented incense sticks and holder to get you in the perfect headspace

Plant With Willow Starter Pack – £34.99 Available from PlantWithWillow.co.uk

Willow Starter Pack

The Plant With Willow Starter Pack gives your houseplants a voice, quite literally. A discreet soil sensor tracks moisture, light, temperature and nutrients, sending real-time updates to your phone via a beautifully intuitive app. You’ll know when to water, when to feed, and when your monstera simply needs a moment in the sun.

Photo Creator Video Projector Camera – £69.99 from Smyths

A close-up of a video projector AI-generated content may be incorrect.

With the 3-in-1 Video Projector Camera from Photo Creator, you can snap photos, shoot crisp HD video, project your creations in colour, and connect to cast your favourite content onto any surface! This exciting all-in-one device projects photos and videos from up to 4 metres, creating a big screen projection display up to 200 x 112cm, with adjustable focus to capture the perfect picture. Take 48MP photos and films crisp HD video on the 2.4 screen, with 27 fun effects, including digital frames and filters to personalise your work! With simple projection in bright, bold colour, this video projector camera offers endless creative fun, with a 16GB MicroSD card that lets you capture, save and share with friends and family. Connect devices wirelessly to cast your favourite content onto any surface for an even bigger viewing experience and home-projector fun

 

Care Bears Digital Pet – £20 from ThumbsUp.com

Care Bears Digital Pet Collection - Cyber Pet with Care Features, 1.4” Inch Screen, Handheld Interactive Virtual Pets for Kids, Collectible Electronic ...

The Care Bears Digital Pet brings a nostalgic twist for kidults who grew up loving the bears. Relive the magic of the ‘80s with a pocket-sized digital companion. it’s a retro revival with a modern digital edge.

Krafted Couch Wireless Charger – £39.99 available from Kraftedtech.com

Couch - Matcha – Krafted

Meet the home essential you never knew you needed. Draping elegantly over the arm of your sofa, the Krafted Couch Charger brings effortless power to your favourite spot. Its sleek silicone finish grips gently in place while your phone recharges. A rare piece of tech that feels as good as it looks, and every bit as considered as a well-placed throw.

Warmies Gromit £29.99 from Warmies

A stuffed animal dog with brown ears AI-generated content may be incorrect.

From Wallace & Gromit, Warmies Gromit is a fully heatable soft toy that can be heated in a microwave to provide hours of soothing warmth and comfort. This luxuriously soft plush design is gently scented with relaxing lavender and can be reheated time and time again. Warmies® are weighted, warming, scented and super cuddly, making it an ideal gift for all ages!

Star Wars Cable Guys Darth Vader Controller Holder & Phone Stand £29.99 from EXGPro.com

Star Wars: Darth Vader A New Hope Cable Guys R.E.S.T Collectable Figur

Welcome the Dark Side into your home with our Darth Vader A New Hope Cable Guy Based on one of the evilest and most beloved characters from the Star Wars franchise, our Darth Vader: A New Hope Cable Guy is armed with his lightsabre and ready to attack anyone from the Rebel Alliance who may want to get their hands on your most treasured items – from your phone to your controller, and even your lightsabre. Just remember not to “underestimate the power of the Force”.

Krafted Connex – £29.99 available from Kraftedtech.com

Connex - Jade – Krafted

If tangled cables and missing adaptors are your personal nemesis, meet your new best friend. The Krafted Connex hub tidily houses multiple connectors for phones, tablets, watches and beyond – offering fast charging, data transfer, and peace of mind in one compact design. Sleek, simple, and ideal for anyone who travels, works remotely, or just hates rummaging in drawers.

Pad Creator Instant Print Tablet – £129.99 Available from SmythsToys.com

A tablet with a stick and a pen AI-generated content may be incorrect.

For the next generation of digital dreamers, the Pad Creator is part tablet, part instant printer, and entirely brilliant. With six creative modes, kids can shoot photos, film mini movies, sketch, add filters and print their masterpieces instantly from the 8-inch touchscreen. There’s even a child-friendly browser for inspiration hunting – making it as safe as it is inspiring. The kind of gift that turns rainy afternoons into studio time.

Majority Pulse 1 Bluetooth Party Speaker – £99.99 Available from Currys

MAJORITY Pulse 1 Bluetooth Party Speaker - Black image number 0

The Majority Pulse 1 is made for parties and spontaneous kitchen discos. The 80W speaker packs a punch with crisp highs and bass that means business, complete with a synchronised light show that pulses to the beat. It even comes with a wireless mic for karaoke mode, because someone’s always going to want to sing. Portable, powerful and fun.

2025, Drones, Electric Vehicles, EV, Flying Vehicles, Gadget Man, Star Wars Day, Technology, The Gadget Man

UPDATED – Volonaut’s Real-Life Speeder Bike Set To Take Flight on Star Wars Day! Video attached!!!

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If you ever dreamed of flying through the trees of Endor like an Imperial Scout Trooper, that dream just took a huge leap toward reality.

On May 1st, 2025, Volonaut officially unveiled their jaw-dropping personal flight machine: the Airbike. Described as a cross between a superbike and a starfighter, the Airbike is a jet-propelled, single-seat hoverbike that looks like it’s been ripped straight out of a sci-fi film—specifically, Star Wars.

Here’s the video below!!

This groundbreaking vehicle is the brainchild of Tomasz Patan, the visionary engineer behind the Jetson ONE. The Airbike, however, ditches propellers in favour of compact jet engines, creating a safer, sleeker, and incredibly futuristic flying experience. It’s built using carbon fibre and 3D-printed parts, making it exceptionally light—seven times lighter than a conventional motorcycle. With speeds topping 200 km/h, it’s no surprise the internet has lit up with excitement.

But Volonaut didn’t stop at just launching a revolutionary vehicle. They’ve timed their big reveal to coincide with the biggest unofficial sci-fi holiday of them all: Star Wars Day.

Over the past few days, Volonaut has been teasing a special video drop scheduled for Sunday, May 4th—Star Wars Day—with a tantalising image of a rider dressed in full Imperial Scout Trooper gear standing next to the Airbike. The promise? A recreation of the unforgettable speeder bike chase from Return of the Jedi, shot through dense woodland, but this time with a real flying machine.

It’s not every day that technology catches up with our childhood imagination, but this might just be one of those times. As a long-time lover of gadgets, sci-fi, and anything that pushes boundaries, I’ll be watching this premiere with popcorn in hand and a big grin on my face.

Video Credit: YouTube / Volonaut

Star Wars Scout Trooper crounching next to the Volonaut Airbike ready for Star Wars Day on May the Forth
Star Wars Scout Trooper crounching next to the Volonaut Airbike ready for Star Wars Day on May the Forth – Image Credit: LinkedIn / Volonaut

May the 4th be with us!

May the 4th

Top 10 Star Wars Gifts for May the 4th

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Celebrate Star Wars Day in galactic style with these top 10 must-have gifts for fans of the franchise. From the striking Original Stormtrooper 3D Helmet Decanter Set to the futuristic Bluetooth Sound Frame, and iconic character stands like Boba Fett, Ahsoka, and Grogu, these picks combine function, fandom, and design. Whether you’re updating your home bar, desk setup, or kitchen essentials, this curated selection is a stellar way to say “May the 4th be with you.”

Original Stormtrooper 3D Helmet Decanter Set £79.99 from ThumbsUp.com

Bring the Star Wars galaxy home with the Original Stormtrooper 3D Helmet Decanter Set. Officially licensed and crafted by Andrew Ainsworth, this collector’s set includes a 750ml helmet-shaped glass decanter, two coordinating glasses, and a cool black tray with soft grips. A eye-catching centrepiece for any home bar, it blends function and fandom, making it the ideal gift for collectors, film fans, or anyone looking to show-off their drinks cabinet with a touch of sci-fi style.

EXG Pro Star Wars: Boba Fett Cable Guys Controller Holder and Phone Stand £29.99 from ExgPro.com

Clad in signature Mandalorian armour and ready for his next mission, Boba Fett joins the Cable Guys range as a striking display and functional accessory. Standing 8.5″ tall, this legendary bounty hunter is equipped to hold your smartphone, gaming controller, or remote with ease. Whether on your desk or shelf, Boba brings attitude and practicality to your setup. Compatible with controllers and mobile phones, this is the ultimate accessory for any fan of the galaxy’s most feared mercenary.

Original Stormtrooper Sound Frame – Bluetooth Picture Frame Speaker £49.99 from ThumbsUp.com

Experience sound and style with the Original Stormtrooper Sound Frame, a Bluetooth speaker and wall-mounted artwork in one. Officially licensed and designed by Andrew Ainsworth, creator of the original 1976 helmet, it features a bold DJ-themed Stormtrooper design. With crisp audio from a 5W speaker, universal Bluetooth connectivity, and a clutter-free setup. Easy to install and ideal for any room, it’s the ultimate gift for Star Wars fans.

Original Stormtrooper 3D Beer Glass – 1 Pint £24.99 from ThumbsUp.com

Bring the galaxy to your bar collection with the Original Stormtrooper Beer Glass., this pint glass blends authentic design with sci-fi heritage. A standout piece for any home bar, it celebrates the iconic style of the Galactic Empire while offering practical use. Ideal for collectors and Star Wars fans. it’s a unique tribute to cinematic history and classic beer enjoyment.

EXG Pro Star Wars: Ahsoka Cable Guys R.E.S.T Collectible Figure Device Holder £29.99 from ExgPro.com

Ahsoka Tano, warrior, survivor, and symbol of resistance, joins the Cable Guys range in striking form. Known as Fulcrum and featured in The Mandalorian, she stands ready to support your tech essentials, whether it’s a gaming controller, smartphone, or remote. With her dual lightsabers and calm determination, Ahsoka brings balance to any setup. Compatible with most devices, she’s a powerful addition to any fan’s collection, blending functionality with the spirit of a true galactic hero.

Original Stormtrooper Terrarium £39.99 from ThumbsUp.com

Add a touch of galactic greenery to your home with the Original Stormtrooper Terrarium. Created by the man who made the Original Stormtrooper Helmet. This stylish planter merges sci-fi design with natural charm. Durable, green and a mini planet all on it’s own, it’s perfect for creating your own little world. Ideal for fans and collectors, it brings the power of the Empire and a hint of nature into any home.

EXG Pro Star Wars: Darth Vader Cable Guys Controller Holder and Phone Stand £29.99 from ExgPro.com

Serve the Dark Side in style with the Darth Vader Cable Guy. Officially licensed by Lucasfilm, this striking 8.5″ figure captures the iconic villain in full black armour, ready to hold your smartphone, gaming controller, or remote. Compatible with most devices, including PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series S/X, and all iPhones, it’s both functional and collectible. A must-have for Star Wars fans, this powerful display piece brings order, and convenience, to any gaming setup or desk.

Original Stormtrooper Pizza Cutting Board £11.99 from ThumbsUp.com

Add a real topping and galactic twist to your kitchen with the Original Stormtrooper Pizza Cutting Board. Featuring an engraved Stormtrooper helmet design, this wooden board is as practical as it is iconic. Grooved for precision slicing, it ensures perfectly cut pizza slices every time. Durable, easy to clean, and versatile enough for all kinds of food prep, it’s a standout piece for any home. A fun and functional gift for fans and foodies alike.

EXG Pro Star Wars: Grogu ‘Seeing Stone Pose’ Cable Guys R.E.S.T Collectable Figure Device Holder £29.99 from ExgPro.com

Everyone loves Grogu, now you can add him to your setup with this officially licensed Cable Guy stand. Styled from The Mandalorian series, Grogu stands 8.5″ tall atop a Jedi-script plinth in a peaceful seeing-stone pose. Compatible with most smartphones and gaming controllers. including PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series S/X, and all iPhones. It features the patented rotating R.E.S.T. shelf system for versatile use.

EXG Pro Star Wars: Imperial Stormtrooper Cable Guys R.E.S.T Collectable Figure Device Holder £29.99 from ExgPro.com

This loyal soldier of the Empire is ready to secure your smartphone, gaming controller, or remote with unwavering precision. Compatible with a wide range of devices, including PS5 DualSense, Xbox Series S/X, and all iPhones, it’s both a display-worthy collectible and a practical desktop companion for any Star Wars fan.

 

Live Stream, Matt Porter, Star Wars Chess Project

3D Printing Live Stream – Star Wars Chessboard Project – Episode 5 – Four Corners (FAILED)

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I’m currently in the process of a big 3D Printing project for a special gift. It’s a bit of a mammoth undertaking, but when complete, should be really lovely. More about the project later!

I’m cleaning my 3d printer bed with Prosan Alcohol Spray which is a 100% Isopropanol / Isopropyl Spray which is working out brilliantly!

In the meantime, experience the joy of 10 hours of  Failure of 4.5 hours 3D Printing!

 

Preview of Chessboard in Tinkercad
Preview of Chessboard in Tinkercad
Episode 5 - Layout on 3d Printer
Episode 5 – Layout on 3d Printer
Episode 5 - Layout on 3d Printer (Sliced ready)
Episode 5 – Layout on 3d Printer (Sliced ready)
Calculator, Casio, G-880, retro, Retro Gadgets

Gadget Man – Episode 131 – Retro Gadgets – Part One – Casio MG-880 Music and Game Calculator

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This week begins a 10 week series of Retro Gadgets. Technology which has featured in my life and evokes childhood memories.

Listen in on the audio recording above. I have included a surprise at the end which wasn’t recorded at the time. 

If you grew up in the  ’70s or ’80s, you may have experienced some of these gadgets. You might be still using them or maybe they are gathering dust in a drawer.

The first of these is an absolutely awesome gadget. A gadget which opened up the national curriculum to the use of calculators. It also introduced us to mobile gaming.  Leading thousands of young people to huddle around each other in the schoolyards of the early 1980s.

Casio MG-880

Released in the summer of 1980, the Casio MG-880 was ostensibly a calculator aimed at young people. The 1980s saw a revolution in the teaching techniques applied to mathematics in schools. Initially seen as a way of ‘cheating’. Soon, however, it was accepted as a legitimate means to ‘check’ calculations, whilst continuing to show workings-out’ in answers.

Casio had something up their sleeve though. Their customers not only received a calculator, but they also received a musical instrument and game. This was genius marketing, Casio tapped into the school market and rewarded the kids at the same time.

The Calculator

The calculator functionality allowed for addition, subtraction, multiplication and addition. In addition to this, results could be written to memory, recalled and directly subtracted or added to further calculations. Percentage calculations were also included.

It was a beautifully designed device which hasn’t aged at all.

The Casio MG-880 Pocket Calculator
The Casio MG-880 – a creation of a timeless design that hasn’t aged over its 40 years!

Music

MG-880 provided musical entertainment by either a preprogrammed ‘Oh When the Saints’ or by users composing their own music. Musical keys illustrated by the relevant Solfège above the enabled buttons allowed for simple compositions.

Musical keys on the MG-880 were illustrated by the relevant Solfège above each key
Musical keys on the MG-880 were illustrated by the relevant Solfège above each key

The sound came from a piezoelectric speaker. The result was a fine 80s sound that comfortably sits alongside games to follow. I was fond of playing the Star Wars’ theme. For for those interested is 1-5-4-3-2-8-5-4-3-2-8-5-4-3-4-2.

IYou can hear this being played at the end of the attached podcast. 

It was no secret that switching the calculator to ‘music’ mode in a lesson would result in its swift confiscation.

The Game (Digi-Invaders / Space Invaders / Invaders)

The ace in the pack was in the inclusion of the Game. This took the form of a button mashing invaders themed game utilising the simplest of graphics, the number display itself.

The invaders game required the using decimal-point to cycle through 0-9 and n which denoted the mothership. Digits slowly advance across the screen from right to left. The player matches the number and presses ‘fire’ to remove it. Each level became faster and more difficult. Lives are lost when invaders reach the base.

[videopress IB3JRLz0]

The game was an instant hit across the planet, from my school in Hitchin, England to schools in New Zealand, every child wanted to own one and more-so, they wanted to excel at the game. Millions of the devices must have been sold with a substantial amount of them confiscated by over-enthusiastic teaching staff!

As with all fads, the MG-880 fell out of favour to be replaced by more advanced handheld games and creating a new boom in entertainment. Perhaps thousands of them still exist in boxes on the shelves of staff-rooms around the world.

This was the beginning of Casio’s boom. Relentlessly creative, they produced some the most ingenious of technology of the 80s. From calculators to watches with built-in calculators and melodies, they were the kings within their marketplace.

Don’t forget to listen to the audio using the link above. It was recorded at BBC Radio Suffolk & broadcast on the 11 May 2019. Listen to the VERY END! I have included something geeky and special.

Thanks to Matt Marvel at BBC Radio Suffolk for inviting onto his show. Keep tuning in for the next 10 weeks for more gems!

 

App of the Week, Apps, BBC Radio Suffolk, Bluetooth, Coding, Education, Gadget Man, Gift Guides, Matt Porter, Review, Sphero, Star Wars, Technology

Gadget Man – Episode 107 – Sphero Mini – Educational Robot

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This morning I joined Wayne Bavin at BBC Radio Suffolk to both discuss and demonstrate modular coding with the help of the Sphero Mini Robot.

It was a great opportunity to show how coding can be fun with the aid of a trio of programmable robots.

You can click on the link above to listen to the stream, thanks to Wayne for making me so welcome.

If you would like to purchase any of these products, the links are below.

[amazon_link asins=’B072KYC19V,B0107H5FJ6,B00N2XS4AK’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’uk=1′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’2745eaa9-2258-11e8-a538-c5548d952a14′]

 

App of the Week, Bluetooth, Branding, CES, Gadget Man, Star Wars, Technology

Star Wars The Force Awakens BB8 from Sphero – This is the Droid you are looking for!

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It’s been 10 years since the last Star Wars movie was released and it looked like we wouldn’t been seeing anymore of the George Lucas universe. That was until 2012  when Lucasfilm was snapped up by Disney for $4 billion!

Star Wars - The Force Awakens - BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid
Star Wars – The Force Awakens – BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid DIGITAL CAMERA

With this announcement came the news that the Star Wars movie franchise was to start again with the release of Episode VII The Force Awakens, followed by Episode VIII and IV plus other Star Wars movies not part of the main series. It’s certainly all go! As with the previous movies the mega marketing machine around Star Wars kicked swiftly into gear and earlier in the year Star Wars Day heralded the official reveal of a slew of toys, games, apps, games and much more.

Star Wars - The Force Awakens - BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid
Star Wars – The Force Awakens – BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid

The most enduring characters of the Star Wars series have most certainly been the droids R2D2 and C3PO, both featuring in all the films in the current series and set to continue to appear in the future too. Along with these fan favourites a new droid is set to take a starring role in The Force Awakens, his (we think it is a he) name is BB8.

BB8 shares certain similarities with R2D2 in the style the dome that carries the eye, however rather than the dustbin style body with legs, BB8’s body is made up of a large ball with the head magically floating onto as the ball rotates to move the droid around.

Disney have licenced the job of producing a ‘toy’ version of BB8 to the tech wizards at Sphero, who have in the past produced a number of robots based on balls that can be controlled by phone apps. BB8 retains this style of control, requiring the user to control the droid using a iPhone or Android device connected via a special app and Bluetooth. BB8 is charged by sitting the ball in a little cradle and whilst charging the dome head will move around is if taking in the surroundings.

Star Wars - The Force Awakens - BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid
Star Wars – The Force Awakens – BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid

Once charged, you place BB8 on the floor and run up the special app, the droid jumps into life with all the sound playing through the smart phone. You can choose to pilot the droid using controls on the app, control it via ‘set piece’ moves, set it on patrol around your space where it with detect obstacles and attempt to avoid them whilst chirping away in the same style as R2D2. You can also control BB8 via voice by training the app to recognise different commands.

Finally you there is a entertaining ‘Hologram’ mode. This allows you to record a short video message on your phone and then have BB8 project it like a hologram. In reality this is done  by pointing your phone camera at BB8 and having the hologram overlaid onto the image on the screen. It is quite cool though,

The Sphero BB8 is  not really a toy aimed at young children and at around £120, it’s fairly pricey to and might have limited interest after the hysteria of the movie dies down.  Expect more from BB8 in the upcoming movies and a revised ‘battle damaged BB8’ in 2016

App of the Week, Beer Making, Drones, Gadget Man, Podcast, Review, Star Wars, Technology, Video Review

The Gadget Man – Episode 69 – Star Wars BB8 Sphero App Enabled Droid, plus we live taste Brew Barrel

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The gadgets are coming in thick and fast at the moment, but one gadget I was really looking forward to reviewing is none other than the Star Wars BB8 Droid from Sphero, not only was it featured on the show but I also spent some time in the green room demonstrating it to none other than magician Paul Daniels and singer Andy Abrahams. I also had the duty of cracking open our fully brewed keg of Brew Barrel which featured last week, it was very tasty!!!

Listen in to the stream above and watch out for a full review on BB8 in the next few days

Gadget Man, Review, Technology

Star Wars Episode VII Teaser Trailers, Spoofs and Lens Flare

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Like many, we are really looking forward to the next trilogy of Star Wars movies coming our way, starting in December 2015 with Episode VII The Force Awakens.

Apple iPhone 6 64GB GoldThe new trilogy is being directed by J.J. Abrams, who is famous for adding plentiful lens flare into his movies. There’s been much  discussion on Twitter and Facebook about whether the new Star Wars movies will inherit this trait along with maintaining the visible style of the previous ‘Hexalogy’.

Right up to the release of the teaser last week YouTube became  awash with fan made versions, some good and some bad, we’ve added a selection of the above, including the official version with added lens flare and George Lucas’ ‘Special Edition’.

If you have found some Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens teasers that you think should be added to the list, include them in a comment below!!

Enjoy

The Official ‘Teaser’

The ‘Lens Flare’ Edition

The George Lucas ‘Special Edition’

The ‘Lego’ Edition

Finally, a fake version….