The new 55ZL2 from Toshiba is designed to allow viewers to experience next-generation home cinema in the most natural and enjoyable way.  And the best bitt; revolutionary glasses-free 3D support removes any need to wear glasses while watching 3D content – for a more natural 3D viewing experience than ever before.

The 55ZL2 displays 3D images for multiple viewing positions simultaneously, allowing larger groups to enjoy 3D playback with no need for glasses. A range of lenticular lenslets work in combination with an integrated camera featuring face-tracking technology, monitoring viewers’ position and intelligently directing different images for the left and right eye in real time. The unique result is one image featuring a small offset (parallax), creating the illusion of an image that appears three dimensional.

The CEVO ENGINE also powers a range of image enhancement technologies that are designed to deliver optimum quality. Toshiba’s acclaimed Resolution+ upscales content such as HD broadcasts and Blu-ray™ movies, to image quality beyond Full HD 1080p resolution.  Additionally, 2D content can even be upscaled into 3D quality in real time – again, without the need for 3D glasses. With depth control, viewers can also tailor their 3D viewing experience to their personal preferences, allowing them to control the extent of the upscaled 3D effect.

Next-generation functionality

The new free LIVESPORT.TV service lets sports fans stay in touch with a range of top sporting events and news from around the world. In addition YouTube™, BBC iPlayer, Acetrax^® Movies, Facebook™ and newly added Twitter support allows viewers to catch up on their favourite TV shows and latest movies, as well as stay in touch with friends, while Music Place allows access to a catalogue of tracks – all from the comfort of the living room. USB recording functionality gives viewers the freedom to record their favourite programmes direct to a flash USB drive or external HDD, while integrated Wi-Fi, DLNA^® and Windows 7 compatibility allows users to wirelessly stream content stored on external devices directly to the 55’’ display.

For complete ease-of-use, Toshiba’s free remote control application also gives users complete control over their TV viewing, directly from their smartphone or tablet.

Available to order from 12^th March 2012.

Consumers also have the opportunity to win their very own ZL2 by visiting the Toshiba UK Facebook page and entering an exclusive competition with John Lewis from Monday 12^th March: www.facebook.com/toshibauk

Toshiba ZL2 – Key features:

• 139.7cm (55”) Glasses-Free 3D TV
• Quad Full HD (3840 x 2160) resolution display
• PRO-LED 32 panel with local backlight dimming
• AMR800 smooth picture processing
• Viewer tracking image optimisation via integrated camera
• 2D to 3D conversion with depth control
• 9,000,000:1 dynamic contrast
• Built in Wi-Fi and DLNA^® compatibility
• Freeview HD ready tuner
• Resolution+ and 3D Resolution+
• Toshiba Places including YouTube™, BBC iPlayer, Acetrax^® Movies, LIVESPORT.TV, Twitter and more
• Remote control operation via smartphone and tablet
• AutoView ambient light sensor
• Built-in subwoofer
• USB HDD Video Recording
• Auto Calibration (tool sold separately)
• 4x HDMI, 2x USB
• HDMI-CEC single operation.

Summer is within sight. Before you know it you’ll be ditching your pea coat and leggings and going bare legged and bare armed with open toed shoes, sunglasses and sun hats. The season’s fashions look delectable and almost good enough to eat. From a pastel rainbow seen at Prada and Chanel to shimmering metallics and sequins at Armani and Alexander McQueen. But we all know that it’s the accessories that make the outfit, right? So cruising right past the jeans, dresses, jackets and blouses we take a closer look at all the new trends in handbags and purses. Here are our top picks.

Tropical clutch

Clutches are the only way to go when you have your glad rags on. Full on handbags are a little too much to deal with and detract from your outfit and generally get in the way of looking fierce. This season the best way to party is Hawaiian style; so look for emerald, turquoise, canary yellow and gold as your colour palette. One of our favourite clutches of the season is available from the wide range of designer handbags at House of Fraser. The Head Over Heels Beauty H Rouched Bag in green – pictured below – is cute and sassy, but ladylike too. Plus at £35 it’s a real bargain.

Duffle Bags

Fashion designers seem to have been inspired by the impending London Olympics and have come over all sporty on us. We just love it. The chance to mix sporty fabrics with fashion styling is a challenge we relish. The perfect bag for this trend needs to have its own sporty style and duffle bags are the way to go. However, you can never let your fashion guard down and that’s why we love the Dune D Luffle Quilted Duffle Bag, another one of House of Fraser’s designer handbags. The cream colour, luxury leather material, gold metal detailing and plaited strap give this a sport-luxe look.

Pastel Purses

Pastel shades of lilac, dusty pink, mint and lemon bring a healthy dose of ladylike charm to summer’s brasher trends. What could be more ladylike than a click-top fastening purse. Straight out of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, although in much softer shades, these feminine purses are delightful. Our favourite pick from the range of designer handbags is Ted Baker’s Kassady Purse in baby pink. The cute bobble fastening top and patent leather is in total harmony with the girly pastel trend.

Nautical Totes

Hello Sailor, nautical fashion is back. Think boat shoes, Breton stripes, chinos and white jeans. We are loving Blake Lively’s look here, and you too need to get a nautical-esque tote to work this trend. Of course navy will work best, but red or white and striped versions can also look great. Nine West has gone all out with its One Stop Large Shopper Bag, with sailboat design and blue and white stripe. We love it and think it’s the perfect addition to any nautical outfit. A red and white striped version with anchor design is also available.

Today’s tech-connected kids live in a high-definition world. They are bombarded by sound from music players, game consoles, tablets and in-vehicle entertainment systems. Studies show that overexposure to loud sounds leads to hearing damage seen later in life. Parents can take steps to help their kids hear for a lifetime with Etymotic’s ETY·Kids™ Safe-Listening Earphones for Apple products. The ETY·Kids3 headset features three-button control and a mic designed for use with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Sound heard through ETY·Kids earphones will not exceed safe levels, so parents can rest easy. Even at the maximum volume setting on portable players, kids can listen safely for up to four hours per day. ETY·Kids earphones also block out background noise, and provide high-definition sound quality so kids will be able to hear every detail, and won’t complain that the volume is too low.

ETY∙Kids are available in two versions – the ETY·Kids3, a three-button control headset with mic designed to work with Apple products, and the ETY·Kids5 universal earphone that works with any portable device.

The ETY·Kids3 headset will feature AWARENESS! for Etymotic, an app that “listens” to users’ surroundings and mixes any noise louder than normal background sounds directly into the earphones, so kids can hear traffic, announcements or any other important sounds while they are listening. Both products provide clear, high-definition speech and music reproduction and come with kid-friendly eartips to ensure a seal that blocks outside sound.

Pricing and availability – ETY Kids 5 –  £59,  ETY Kids 3  - UK pricing and availability is to be confirmed.

Ford USB Music Box is an aftermarket accessory enabling drivers of vehicles not factory-fitted with a USB port to connect any USB mass storage device to their vehicle’s stereo. Songs and albums can be selected via the steering wheel-mounted controls. Devices such as phones and MP3 players recharge when connected.

Anyone who has spent a long journey endlessly flicking through radio stations knows that sometimes only your own music collection will do. However, if your vehicle doesn’t have a factory-fitted USB port, connecting your MP3 player can often result in a maze of wires, inferior sound quality, and no remote control function. Thankfully, Ford is now offering an aftermarket accessorythat provides the solution – the USB Music Box.

Offered through Ford dealers across Europe, the USB Music Box enables drivers and their passengers to plug their MP3 player, or any USB mass storage device, into the car and listen to their choice of music in razor sharp quality.

The USB Music Box consists of a USB socket, which can be placed out of sight in the glovecompartment, centre console or armrest. Any USB mass storage device, such as a mobile phone, MP3 player or USB stick, can be connected. Stored music can then be played through the AUX channel on the car’s stereo. Songs, albums and folders can be selected through the steering wheel-mounted controls, while devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players and cameras will automatically recharge whenever they are connected. Simple Plug and Play wiring means the device can be fitted and ready to play your favourite tunes in less than an hour.

Price £82.99 Available New Years Day

Specifications:

The USB Music Box is compatible with all Ford audio and navigation systems with AUX button in these models:

· Fiesta 2006 – 2008

· Fusion from 2006

· Focus 2004 – 2011

· C-MAX 2003 – 2010

· Kuga

· Mondeo from 2004

· S-MAX

· Galaxy from 2006

· Transit Connect from 2006

· Transit from 2006

If you are thinking of buying your grandchild a scooter for Christmas then this is definitely the one to go for. It comes either as a mini for 3-5 year olds or a maxi for 6-12 year olds. As all children vary in height the handlebars (which can be either T bar or straight) are easily adjustable to suit. These scooters are well made from Swiss design, with a firm plastic platform. They have three wheels for good balance and come with a brake on the rear wheel to stop your grandchild wearing their shoes out when trying to stop.

There are six colours to choose from and also many accessories such as helmets, T shirts and bags. They are sturdy but still light enough to carry around but can corner very easily with a little foot pressure on either side of the platform. It couldn’t be easier to put together, the handlebars just slot into the base and all that is needed then is to tighten everything with the allen key provided and away you go. In the words of my 8 year old granddaughter who has loved using her pink maxi Micro Scooter – “It is such fun to use and I like the way it goes round corners“. “ I just love the pink colour and it is great to use around the house“. “ I always wear my helmet outside and I am very careful near the road”

The Micro Scooter is so easy to pack in the boot of the car if you are going out for the day with the family, a great way to keep the children occupied.

Just so the little ones aren’t left out there is also a scooter for toddlers 1 year plus that comes with a seat to keep them well balanced. If you are feeling adventurous there is also an adult scooter should you wish to join in the fun.

1+ starts from £29.95

3-5 from …….£49.95 – max user weight 20kg

6-12 from ……£99.95- max user weight 50kg

Adult model from £48.00

Available from www.micro-scooters.co.uk