Chumby - widgets, wi-fi and web

The Chumby has been out in the US for two whole years, so quite why it took the manufacturers so long to dispatch it across the pond is anyone's guess. A brilliantly bizarre device, the Chumby is a touchscreen display for a series of 1,000+ bespoke internet widgets for anything from your Gmail inbox to the latest BBC News video bulletin. The bright 3.5in screen is wrapped in a cushioned leather casing so, at first, you're not sure whether to watch, cuddle or throw it, and the touchscreen does lack responsiveness, but the Chumby makes up for all this with its versatility. USB ports on the rear allow you to plug in iPods or other MP3 players and use it as an audio dock, internet radio, podcast player and media streamer. Just check there are enough widgets that pique your interest from the Chumby website before ordering. ·