Fad GadGets

Rhodri Marsden on three of the latest must-have gizmos currently putting the prog in progress…

STYLOPHONE BEATBOX

The original Stylophone, launched by Dubreq in the late 1960s, became a much-loved instrument despite its limitations (you could only play one note at a time) and its inadequacies (it sounded like an insect). It’s been used by everyone from Bowie to Little Boots, and a few years back a reconstituted Dubreq relaunched it. This pocket drum machine is its little brother, incorporating a bass synth, electronic drums and human beatbox sounds. You prod the pads with the stylus, creating a lopsided but rather charming noise – just like the original.

SPIRIT PRO

Slowly but surely, headphones with wires are being replaced by their Bluetooth counterparts. These beasts caught my eye because of the big deal the firm make about them being sweat resistant. They’re evidently pitching at fitness fanatics, with blurb promising a “heavy-hitting wave of sound” to help you “break through the wall”, but they shouldn’t ignore the appeal to someone like me, who sweats like a pig when he hangs up the washing.

MODULAR FIDDLE

This isn’t the first 3D-printed violin, but it might be the first that doesn’t sound like a rusty hinge. Created by David Perry, its modular design means that all the pieces are replaceable in about 10 minutes, and you can either buy the bits online or download them and build it yourself. In the words of Stradivarius, “It actually sounds… okay!” – which might sound like faint praise, but those Stradivarius dudes have pretty high standards.