Powermat Review - in the style of GQ

Powermat
The 'attractive' looking charger

Fed up of over-plugged and obstructive power sockets? The creators of Powermat were too, and took the best action possible by creating what could only be described as a stylish electronics charger.

From your blackberry, to your iPod and even your satellite navigation system, the Powermat can efficiently charge almost any type of electrical gadget through magnetic alignment, providing completely wireless charging. This then gives you more desk space and just a hassle free way of powering your products without tangled wires and bulky plugs.

With its intricate technology, the Powermat can calculate which electrical good needs charging, and then switches off to save energy once all your electronics are charged.
It also includes a USB port for legacy devices, providing another source of power rather than going through difficulty of you trying to find an additional power outlet.

The design of the mat is sleek and extremely portable. The home Powermat is slim and about 30cm long and fits perfectly on a desk or sideboard. It could be described as the same shape as a surf board, smooth and sleek. It’s simple and comes in dark colours such as black and grey to ensure it blends in suitably within your home without looking like a mess of wires or an ugly electronic device. There is also a more portable Powermat that folds up into a case small enough to fit into hand luggage and is easy for compact stowage for travelling.

With gadgets getting smaller and smaller, the Powermat could possibly, in future, fit even more gadgets on at once to charge.

Powermat has had countless reviews and all so far seem to be of praise.

Gear Diary – “Huge ‘WOW factor’ actually works, blows minds regularly, truly allows you to cut the various jumble of cords, VERY well designed and built.”

Engadget – “Well, it turns out these bad boys are now available. It’s refreshing!”

Associated Press – “More important to me than the process was the speed, and Powermat charged my gadgets pretty quickly. The iPod Nano needed even more time in a wall outlet, at a little more than two hours.”

The Powermat has already sold 750,000 units worldwide in just four months. It was designed by 25-year-old, Rob Cameron - an industrial designer from Michigan, and is set to be the future of charging in homes and offices around the world.


The future of this ultimate gadget is unknown, but it could go to new heights in the gadget world. Maybe with the possibility of charging larger appliances such as laptops, furthermore enhancing the simplicity of the businessman’s life. Wireless is set to be big with all the latest electronics, and Powermat has taken the first step after broadband to practical wireless usage.


It is currently retailing at £69.95 for the home Powermat and £79.95 for the portable Powermat in John Lewis, excluding the receivers and docks which retail from around £29-39 depending on your electrical appliance.

Noel Gallagher Review - The Teenage Cancer Trust

(image by Kartogram)

With a crowd of around 5,200 music lovers, a trendy 42-year-old Noel strode on to the stage wearing just a modest shirt and jeans, clutching a guitar and quickly thanked fans for their support. He placed himself comfortably on a stool, quite unbewildered of the huge number of happy faces staring at him.
Opening with the very fitting Oasis song – '(it’s good) to be free', he instantly engaged the crowd in singing along together, arms cuddled round each other, swaying to the music, much like old friends.

Backed up with a choir of 50 people, guitarist - Gem Archer - formally of Oasis, percussion by Terry Kirkbridge and an orchestra with a soft symphony of violins and cello, the acoustics of the Royal Albert Hall couldn’t have complemented his efforts any better.

This performance seemed different to any other done by the older, more mature Gallagher brother before. It was tainted with emotion as he sung ‘Fade away’ and ‘Wonderwall’ to an audience of adoring men and women. “It’s not rock and roll” he says and smiles to the crowd.
It seemed far more of a ‘grown up’ gig, than those previously performed alongside brother Liam.
However, keeping in touch with his original, humorous self, Noel bantered with his audience, (especially the Northerners among them) in his usual cheeky manner.

The orchestra echoed through the hall alongside his strong recognizable voice, and made a perfect addition to his last song of the night, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’.

Looking around the Albert Hall was something else. The beauty of the building was bought alive with subtle lighting.
Thousands of faces and bodies swaying gently, smiles and sometimes tears at the real emotion portrayed through the songs. And possibly the realization that such a great band had come to an end.
Noel had also learned a few days back that he is going to be a Father for the third time, keeping emotion levels high and keeping him on his best behavior.

No new material was played, and the set was focused heavily on B-sides, with Noel joking “ No, were not playing any new songs. As brilliant as they are, now’s not the time or the place”, to which most fans agreed and cheered. Most of the fans appreciated songs from early on in the Oasis career, such as the brilliant ‘Slide Away’, and so had no complaints. Besides, isn’t that what makes a real Oasis fan?

Noel Gallagher had performed a similar solo set in 2007 for charity in the Royal Albert Hall, but attention was focused on the appearance without his brother, as Oasis was still alive and well.
But a change of events saw the crowd unfazed and chanting only his name.
Towards the end of the final song, he puts down his guitar and strolls off the stage, saying humbly “It’s been an absolute pleasure to play for you tonight”, as the orchestra and choir continue to sing and play to the end of the song.
A wave of applause thunders through the venue as people stand to cheer and celebrate the night together, possibly hoping for more signs of a solo career from Noel, to continue their passion of his music they have had within them for so many years.