New from Frances Hunt is the innovative Slouch Pod InteractiveChair.

The chair has a supportive high back and is designed for gamers, music lovers and media junkies.

It has two high level speakers with a sub woofer, which provide excellent sound quality and it is compatible with MP3 players, CD players, DAB Radio, Web Radio, MP3 phones, DVD, VCR, Internet, X-Box, Playstation, Gamecube, Nintendo DS, PSP and WII.

The Slouch Pod is available in red, lilac, silver, cream, black, and pink and is supplied with twin cables, 2 M to M connectors, an adaptor for MP3 players, a transformer power supply with plug, instruction manual, and registration card.

The Slouch Pod is priced at £279 from Frances Hunt:

Web http:// www.franceshunt.co.uk
Tel: (020) 7385 5282

Humax one of the world’s largest manufacturers of digital set-top boxes, has launched the FOXSAT-HD digital set-top box, enabling UK TV viewers to watch subscription-free, high definition content, through the new Freesat digital TV service.

Freesat is a joint venture from the BBC and ITV, launched on 6th May 2008, that offers access to over 80 digital TV and radio channels for a one-off payment, which covers the cost of a Freesat digital box, satellite dish and installation.

By choosing the FOXSAT-HD digital box, connected to an HD Ready TV, viewers can enjoy the very best of HD home-entertainment from the BBC and ITV, subscription free.

The HD box comes complete with HDMI and scart cables, remote control with batteries.

The four step set-up wizard ensures installation is quick and easy.

The fully-featured, seven day electronic programme guide (EPG,) has been designed to enable users to organise and plan their TV viewing at the touch of a button.

Viewers can search for programmes or channels by genre, using the intuitive ‘find’ function, set up reminders for favourite shows on the schedule planner, or set up groups of favourite channels.

Other key features of the FOXSAT-HD include:

• • Advanced digital text and interactive .
  • One HDMI slot, for transmission of amazing high definition pictures and surround sound audio to an HD Ready TV.
  • Low power consumption.
  • Improved standard definition pictures on an HD Ready LCD TV.
  • Parental controls
  • Audio description services for the blind or visually impaired and one-touch subtitles
  • Two scart sockets, for connecting other equipment such as a DVD recorder
  • Dolby digital audio output.

The Humax FOXSAT-HD is now available from John Lewis, Comet, Argos, Currys and key independents priced from £149.99.

Web: http://www.humaxdigital.com/freesat

Tel: (0870) 247 8800

Leading kitchen appliance manufacturer Siemens has introduced a freestanding dishwasher in a stunning stainless steel look.

What sets the new model (SN26M890GB) apart from others, is that this 60cm wide dishwasher now boasts 14 place settings - instead of the standard 12, thanks to a larger internal capacity within the same size cavity.

It also incorporates a ‘Vario Drawer’ for the first time, situated at the top of the appliance, which is perfect for small utensils, cups and cutlery.

This machine uses only 12 litres of water and has been awarded a top triple ‘A’ rating for wash, dry and energy performance; it has a very low noise level of just 46 decibels, making it ideal for an open plan kitchen.

Six programme options – including delicate and intensive programmes are offered, together with a choice of five different wash temperatures to cater for all types of crockery.

There is also a special HydroSensor III programme, in which sensors detect the level of soiling and automatically adjust the amount of water and detergent to suit the wash.

By pressing the ‘Eco Option’, you can save even more water and electricity by slowing down the programme, still with an ‘A’ rated energy cycle; the half load button further reduces water consumption by up to 30% per wash.

Other features of this new fingerprint free, stainless steel look dishwasher include, a stainless steel interior, adjustable baskets and foldable plate racks, new easy-load detergent dispenser, child lock and HydroSafe anti-flood protection, for total peace of mind at all times.

Coordinating stainless steel appliances for cooking, cooling and laundry are also available.

Capacious new 14 place setting dishwashers in white and black can now be ordered from Siemens stockists nationwide.

Web: http://www.siemensappliances.co.uk

Tel: (0870) 840 3300

Cytech Europe Limited is the UK distributor of the Comfort Intelligent Home System that incorporates an advanced intruder alarm system, which controls lighting, appliances, heating and air-conditioning and much more.

Cytech has announced the launch of new door stations and keypads for their Intelligent Home System, which links voice prompted home security, with all aspects of smart home technology in one system:

The new DS01 door station featured, comes with microphone or microphone and camera versions and can be wall or flush mounted; there is a choice of mono or colour camera.
This door station performs well as an Intercom; the acoustics have also been improved to handle echo cancellation.

The Door Station intercom rings the home phones when a visitor presses the doorbell, allowing you to talk to the visitor from any phone and to open the door or gate for the visitor.

When no one is at home and the security is armed to Away Mode, the system can dial to your mobile phone to let you talk to the visitor as if you were at home, and allows you to open the door for friends; this function also deters prowlers checking for unoccupied homes.

The new Comfort keypads in aluminium or white finish, have been re-styled visually, with improved speaker area and updated icons on the rubber buttons.

Web: http://www.cytech.biz

Further to our article on 20th April 2008, on the subject of E.ON’s launch of their new product – Energy Saver, which helps its customers to see the energy they use and enables them to save both energy and money, with their FREE Home Energy Monitor.

E.ON kindly supplied UK Home Ideas  with a home energy monitor for a review, which follows:

The monitor kit contains, an attractive white display unit, plus its adapter plug and a sensor jaw with a transmitter.

Also included is an excellent booklet, which clearly instructs the user on the installation procedure, the input of your personal tariff and understanding the monitor display.

Following the instructions given, we found setting up the system very easy and the resulting display, (in bold figures and graphs), revealed
wide-ranging data about our current usage.

The monitor shows you how much electricity you’re using right now, plus importantly, how much it’s going to cost you every day and every month.

Spending time, experimenting with the monitor and checking it regularly, informed us of the energy used by individual appliances, as we switched them on and off.

Checking the display before leaving the house, showed exactly how much electricity we are using, even when not at home.

Another check before going to bed, revealed how much we spent while asleep and how much we saved by switching an appliance off.

We were surprised at how much energy is wasted in a day, by appliances normally left on standby.

It was easy for us to track our electricity use, with the Energy Saving Monitor; it will not cut your electricity bills on its own, but it does show you just how much energy and money you are wasting and helps you change your habits, plus raising awareness of everyday ways, we can be more energy efficient.

Web: http:// www.eonenergy.com/see

Tel: (0800) 015 9853.

Have you ever been desperate for a cup of tea but can’t be bothered to boil up the kettle? Tefal have provided the solution with Quick Cup - an extraordinary invention that serves hot or cool water in 3 seconds.

It only heats the water you need and uses only a third of the energy of an ordinary electric kettle - so a great time, energy and money saver.

The stylish Tefal Quick Cup incorporates a patented Opti-Quick heating system ensuring a quality cuppa at any time of the day and includes a Claris Filter Cartridge that provides fresh filtered water on tap.

Other features include:

• Versatile, perfect for any hot or cold drink or instant snacks.
  Stainless Steel control panel.
  Flowstop system, manual or automatic flow.
  1.5L removable water tank Easy filling.
  Cool touch body.
  Anti-dust tank lid.

The Tefal Quick Cup is available from UK major retailers priced at £59.99 (RRP).

Web: http://www.tefal.co.uk/tefal

Opus Technologies recognise no limits in the pursuit of pure sound and offer home entertainment systems of superb quality; the company has released two Exterior Speaker models – the OE150 and OE165 premium, to open up their Opus 500 system to wider uses.

These corrosion resistant high performance speakers are designed for most outdoor conditions and afford hi-fi quality sound in the garden, barbecues and by the pool; most importantly they are able to cope with varying alfresco dynamics to perform consistently every time.

• Key features:
  OE165 premium exterior speaker – 1 x 6.5” injection-moulded cone woofer provides an even more commanding bass performance.
  OE150 – 1 x 5.25” injection-moulded cone woofer for a clean and powerful sound.
• Specifically designed for outdoor use and guaranteed weatherproof.
• Supplied in white and can be over-painted to match any décor.
• Both models feature a 1” treated anodised aluminium dome tweeter, which is adept at directing treble energy across a wide area.
• The OE150 is compact and ideal for small spaces such as the underside of eaves on smaller terraces, while the OE165 revels in larger environments and is perfect for bigger parties.

Like all Opus designs the OE150 and OE165 are easy to install and come with an adjustable mounting bracket, which can be installed either horizontally or vertically.

Available now - suggested retail prices: OE150 - £130; OE165 - £175 per pair.

Web: http://www.opus.eu/default.php

Amina Technologies Ltd is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of specialist flat panel loudspeaker systems.

Amina SoundUnseen® is a loudspeaker, which is plastered in-wall where you would have ordinary loudspeakers; not only do all visual signs of the sound source completely disappear, but the resulting audio quality is astonishing and facilitates the creation of a striking interior design.

Amina has recently announced that its customers would now receive seven years standard warranty cover from date of purchase, increasing the existing period by two years.

In tandem with this they are introducing a unique compensation scheme viz. Should an Amina loudspeaker fail due to defective parts or workmanship at any time during the warranty period, a sum £125 will be paid toward the redecoration costs.

“In the six years since we invented the true plaster in-wall invisible loudspeaker, we have been delighted with the reliability of the product in the field” said Richard Newlove, Managing Director.

“Provided the product is installed correctly, which is very straight forward and is matched correctly with the driver amplifier and electronics, it literally does not fail.”

Web: http://www.amina.co.uk

Tel: (1480) 354390

Sonos the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the digital home, has introduced an addition to the suite of products for the Sonos® Digital Music System – the Sonos ZoneBridge™ (BR100).

The new ZoneBridge is the easiest way to set up and extend an all-wireless Sonos Digital Music System.

The product provides a cost-effective, flexible solution to connect Sonos to the Internet to wirelessly control and play all the music you love, all over the house.

ZoneBridge delivers four key home entertainment benefits:

First, by connecting it to a router and pressing a single button, the ZoneBridge instantly activates SonosNet™, wireless mesh network, enabling wireless music distribution throughout the home.

Now, customers can access music wirelessly in any room by placing Sonos® ZonePlayers around the home.

For homes where the speakers have been run to a central location, placing ZoneBridges around the house will provide optimal wireless coverage for the Sonos® Controller.

The system’s two Ethernet jacks can also bring Internet connectivity to your set-top box, PVR, PC, and more.
ZoneBridge is priced at £69.

The Sonos multi-room digital music system lets you play digital music all over your house — controlled from the palm of your hand with a Sonos Controller, giving you access to millions of songs via your personal digital music collection, online music and radio services.

With Sonos ZonePlayers in your chosen rooms, you can play the same song in different rooms, or different songs in different rooms.

Web: http://www.sonos.com

Tel: (0808) 234 6596

The Residential Sola-boost home ventilation system is designed to address the current trend towards tightly sealed, highly insulated homes, which suffer from overheating during summer months.

This ventilation systen combines highly efficient natural ventilation and a solar driven fan to provide true energy free operation, which reduces household energy bills and improves the carbon footprint.

Since warm air naturally rises to accumulate at ceiling level, this system should ideally be positioned above the stairs or landing, to allow warm air to be vented naturally out to atmosphere.

Solar power is converted to electricity to drive an ultra-quiet, high efficiency fan, which carries an air stream down into the room below through a central duct.
Conversely, the fan can be designed to act as a solar powered extractor to expel air from the space.

Another feature of the system’s unique design is that free night-time cooling can be achieved in summer months, simply by leaving the dampers open overnight; this allows cool night air to flow down from the rooftop, while any excess heat build up, is naturally vented by the Residential Sola-boost unit.

 In winter, the dampers can remain closed or left 5% open to give trickle ventilation.

Simplicity of design enables the Sola-boost system to be fitted to any roof design and the top solar panel section is adjustable to suit any one of four angles.
The system is guaranteed for 10 years.

Web: http://www.monodraught.co.uk/windcatcher/index.php

Tel: (01494) 897700