Art of Zen

Good as it is, the iPod isn't for everybody. The signature of Creative's range of MP3 players lately has been the incorporation of a ton of features and the new Zen V Plus is no exception. Read the full Zen V Plus review in today's paper.

In games, Test Drive Unlimited exploits the power of Xbox Live to enhance a great 360 driving game based on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Ace Combat: Belkan Wars (PS2) reheats the arcade flight sim but its cliched dialogue and repetitive missions are no different from the past four installments. For PSP, Passport to... sounds like a great idea: travel guides from Lonely Planet to several European cities, one per disc. But the reality is there's not enough info on each city and who'd pull out their PSP on a busy foreign street?

One remote to rule them all

How many remote controls you have got in your house? How often have you been unable to put your hand on the right one when you wanted it? Yeah, me too. All the time. So when Logitech's Harmony 785 supercharged universal remote came along with a promise of replacing them all, well, who'd pass up that chance?

Turns out it's largely true. My setup spans brand-new equipment and ancient gear. The Harmony handled them all, sort of. Read the full review of the Logitech Harmony 785 in today's paper.

In games, Saints Row (Xbox 360) brings a touch of next-gen sheen to the GTA formula without ever advancing the template. Still good crack though. Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (every format known to man) capitalises on the crazy-but-inspired re-enactment of the SW universe with plastic-brick figures. This sequel is more of the same but better: a laugh a minute even for adults.

Don't go deaf

The crappy headphones you get with every iPod and most other MP3 players do the music and you no favours. There's a lot of detail you're missing in the music thanks to shoddy components and external noise leaking in. And when you turn up the sound to hear more, you end up going slowly deaf. Take it from someone who's been there, done that.

But you don't have to spend hundreds on high-end 'phones thanks to Sennheiser's release of its new CX300. Read the full review of the Sennheiser CX300 in today's paper.

In games, The Ship (PC) loosely mixes Cluedo, The Sims and even Half-Life 2 to hilarious effect. It'll be in the shops shortly but it's also downloadable online through Steam. Tekken: Dark Resurrection brings a perfectly pint-sized version of the legendary beat-em-up to the PSP. Finally, Ninety-Nine Nights is a glossy clone of Dynasty Warriors but we expect far more from the Xbox 360.

Choco-loco

LG is known for many things - fridges, TVs, even air-con - but attractive mobile design is not one of them. The usual LG moby is, yes, good value and usable but look as if they've been roughly hacked from a large lump of grey plastic.

The Chocolate phone is a completely fresh start and while it has its own problems, it's one damn fine-looking piece of kit. Read the full review of the the LG KG800 Chocolate phone in today's paper.

In games, Dead Rising leads the second wave of Xbox 360 titles and it's a riot. Thousands of zombies are besieging a shopping mall and you're given hundreds of ways to kills them. Smashing. Ultimate Ghosts'n'Goblins reincarnates the classic coin-op, breathing fresh life into an already fantastic platformer.