TeenTech, founded by Science broadcaster Maggie Philbin and Chris Dodson, Chairman of the Institute of Directors (South), runs one day technology events for young teenagers to showcase the wide range of career possibilities in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Hoping to encourage young people to make the choices that will enable them to pursue fulfilling careers instead of just waiting to become famous, TeenTech sponsors such as BT, Sky and the BBC bring along the very latest technology to get the message across about just how exciting these careers can be.

If your business, school or organisaion would like to take part in this amazing initiative, contact details are available on their site: http://www.teentechevent.com.

Pics of muffin tops, bingo wings and double chins on social networks make Brits more body conscious than ever before. This summer one in five Brits will be spurred on to get into shape after seeing themselves tagged in an unflattering Facebook photo or holiday snap.

The new research by Fitbit, America’s fastest growing fitness and wellbeing brand, revealed 20% of Brits now consider themselves to be more body conscious since the possibility of being tagged in a photo on Facebook or other social networks. And a third have had to de-tag themselves as they were embarrassed to appear fat and unattractive to their Facebook friends!

In fact, when it comes to getting in shape, Facebook shame came above preparing to bare all on holiday (17%) and not being able to squeeze into a favourite summer dress (16%), the traditional triggers to losing weight for summer.

Of course, when we do feel good about ourselves then we are more willing to be posted across social networks, with 40% more likely to share photos of themselves when content with their shape.

In the research of 2,000 Brits by One Poll, other key weight loss triggers include partners (14%) and healthcare professionals (11%) telling us that we need to shape up, seeing a friend or family member lose weight (7%), trimming down for a wedding (6%) and seeking a sex drive boost (4%).

The new Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale, now available in the UK, helps monitor and manage weight, BMI and percentage body fat and syncs to the Fitbit profile, providing an overall picture of weight and fitness goals.

The Fitbit Aria (£99.99) is available to order now at Fitbit.com and fromAmazon, Firebox.co.uk and Apple stores.

For the dad who loves to read, the Kobo Touch eReader is a great father’s day gift.

The Kobo Touch is an of eReader that delivers a straight forward, clutter-free reading experience. Neat and compact, it’s a great travel companion which fits easily in your pocket. You can carry more than one book with you and it won’t weigh you down.

There are over one million free books and great savings on current printed books. Kobo Touch will allow users to read and store up to 1,000 eBooks, expanding to 32,000 with an SD card. It’s  light and stylish with a signature quilted back for comfort, which comes in four great colours: including blue, silver or black – perfect for dads.

Available at WHSmith Retail Stores or online at www.whsmith.co.uk, John Lewis, Asda and Sainsbury’s

The Kobo Touch Edition £89.99 – Ultimate reading experience: lighter, faster, and with touch!

· Simple and intuitive touch screen navigation, that is just like reading a book with Real Touch™ technology

· Weighs just 185g

· Wi Fi connection to shop and browse the Kobo eBook store at home or on the go

· Free Previews – free excerpts of 15 popular books ready to read

· Newest E Ink 6 inch Screen with Pearl Technology and featuring 16 level grey scale for the sharpest reading experience

· A selection of fonts and font sizes, to customise your reading experience

Freedom to shop wherever you like

· Kobo supports ‘open’ books, which means you’re not restricted to buying titles from one site – you can shop around for the latest books from ‘open’ eBook retailers meaning more choice and always a competitive price

Freedom to read wherever you like

· Light and compact the Kobo Touch can go anywhere, but if you want to share your book with any other device you can

· Once you have bought your book, it’s yours to share with free Kobo eReading apps for smartphones, tablets and computers

Freedom to share your thoughts

· For the first time, avid readers can share their thoughts in the world’s biggest international book club, Reading Life

· The Reading Life function allows you to see the books friends have read and ask them for recommendations, see the books you have in common and invite friends to join Kobo via Facebook or email

The busy holiday season is just around the corner and although it should be the highlight of the year, many people find the planning stage of their annual getaway not so fun. Where to go, what are the ‘must sees’, does it fit my budget, all add to the stress of booking a holiday.

Whether you want to relax on a sunny beach, roam the Scottish Highlands or visit the Pyramids in Egypt, help is on hand with a number of easy to use travel apps. They will not only ensure you plan and execute the perfect trip, but will help you get the most from your holiday whilst there too.

Gogobot (FREE) for iPhone

Gogobot helps you plan the perfect trip with the help of friends. By allowing you to tap into your personal networks, be it on Facebook, Foursquare or Twitter, you can receive personal advice and reviews from people like you – not strangers.

Browse more than 60,000 travel destinations and arrange them according to recommendations made by your friends. With the touch of the screen you can search for hotels, restaurants, and attractions, plus turn photos into postcards (love that!), which can be shared via Facebook, Twitter, SMS or email – letting everyone know that you’re having a great time!

TripLingo (from £6.99) for iPhone, Android

Learning a few phrases and travel-related questions will go a long way to making your trip more enjoyable and the locals will appreciate your effort. TripLingo makes picking up the local lingo and culture easy and fun.

With over 1,000 phrases, a built-in dictionary, and flashcards nothing will be lost in translation! Nifty features include articles on local etiquette, information on the country, plus multiple audio examples for phrases helping you with the pronunciation – so you sound just like a local.

Packing Pro (from £1.79) for iPhone

Have you ever reached the airport and had that sinking feeling you’ve forgotten to pack something? Well this excellent app is perfect for those of us who are perhaps a little forgetful, or those who tend to leave packing until the last minute.

Packing Pro will assist you with what to bring based the number of adults (males & females), children & days, as well as temperature, destination & clothes washing preferences. With Packing Pro, you’ll never forget something as crucial as your bikini or sun screen again.

Camera+ (from 69p) for iPhone

Capturing magic moments with friends and family and of your holiday surroundings are important to creating lifelong memories of your trip. The easy to use Camera+ iPhone app not only allows you to get snap happy, but encourages your creative side too.

A number of features will ensure top quality pictures such as special effects, cropping, easy editing, plus a choice of image boarders. Once you’ve got the perfect pic, proudly share your holiday snaps with friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or simply via email.

Airbnb (FREE) for iPhone, Android

To avoid disappointing holiday diggs, sign-up to Airbnb, a trusted community for holidaymakers looking to discover and book unique accommodation around the world, either online or from your mobile phone.

From apartments to villas and castles to B&B’s, Airbnb offers accommodation across 19,000 cities and 192 countries. And if you’ve found something you like the look of, but still have a few questions, Airbnb allows you to message the host directly, as well as access host details and get directions to your destination. For the last-minute holiday organisers amongst us, with one simple tap you can search for available places nearby for that night.

London TV region switches to digital in April which will be here before we know it. If you’re still not entirely sure what it all entails check out my quick guide to switchover.

What is the digital switchover?

TV across the UK is going digital. The existing analogue TV signal will be switched off and replaced with an improved digital signal.

Why is it happening?

The analogue system only allows people to receive the five standard TV channels: BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five. You will get a lot more channels after switchover as free view services will be extended to people who can’t get them at present.

What you need to do?

If you have Freeview, BT vision or Top Up TV just retune your TV at each stage to avoid losing channels.

If you have Sky, Freesat or Virgin Media you won’t need to do anything to your TV

If you have an analogue TV you will need to convert your TV to a digital TV.

For people who are 75 or over or eligible disabled contact the switchover help scheme who can provide you with all the information you need to keep watching your TV.

When is it happening?

Stage 1 on the 4th April 2012.

Stage 2 18th April 2012.

If you have free view you will need to retune on both these dates. Most homes if you have a free view service will get more than 40 channels after switchover.

Do I need a new TV?

No, you can convert almost any TV with a digital box connected to your TV using a SCART lead. If you don’t have a SCART socket you will need to connect with a built in RF modulator. You DO NOT need an HD TV for switchover. If you want new equipment look for the digital tick logo.

Do I need a new aerial?

If you have good analogue reception now you shouldn’t need to replace your aerial.

Tips

Analogue TVs will not work after switchover they will need to be converted.

If your VCR or DVD recorder is not digital it will not be able to record one channel while you watch another.

Check your aerial, if you have satellite or cable you don’t need an aerial.

Need Help

Visit www.digitaluk.co.uk for more details.