Need list

Hot tech property to start getting your excuses in for…

The crème de la tèch for the coming month

{1} fresh pickings Raspberry Pi Model B+

It’s been two years since this lo-fi computer sparked a DIY tech project phenomenon and the time has come for a system upgrade. CEO Eben Upton says it’s “the final evolution of the original Raspberry Pi, rather than Pi 2”, including tweaks and improvements suggested by the growing Pi-loving community. These include two extra USB 2.0 ports, lower power consumption, a sleeker design and improved audio, all for the exact same price. That sounds more A* than B+ to us. $38, raspberrypi.org, out now

{2}

temple of zoom

Nikon D810

“Prosumer” snappers rejoice: Nikon’s new premium DSLR is here to wow you with stunning and really very large results from its 36.3-megapixel sensor and Expeed 4 image processor. An ultra-wide ISO range up to a see-in-the-dark 51,200 and full HD video at 60fps also add weight, the latter boasting “significantly reduced moiré”, which is the hideous strobing effect you sometimes get on complex patterns, so it’s good news for lovers of loud shirt-and-tie combos. The D810 is not cheap, but it will unlock your creativity like never before. $3,799 (body only), Nikon.com.au, out now

{3 Dancing on the ceiling

LightFreq

There are plenty of smart bulbs fighting for your pocket change but few as cheap yet brainy as this, which is essentially a plug-in mobile disco. LightFreq has a built-in 5W loudspeaker and is controlled via app and Bluetooth. Snag a few of them and you can enable party mode, co-ordinating lights to flash and change colour – 16 million different hues at your fingertips, G – in time with your music. $60, lightfreq.com, Out February 2015

{4} recharge YOUR runaround

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

This is the first Audi motor to be given an injection of e-power, adding a 75kW electric motor to the hatchback’s classic 1.4-litre engine. You can run up to 50 kilometers and hit 130km/h on leccy alone, or choose a hybrid effort for a brash 150kw and top speed of 222km/h. It recharges in just 2.5 hours and if you download the e-tron app to your phone it will even send you alerts when the battery power’s running low. Approx $60,000, audi.com, out March