gear

March 4, 2010

New Travelling Companion Needed

My travelling companion for the past four years is slowing down. Sluggish in the mornings and quick to tire in the afternoons, my Sony Vaio is not the machine it was. Not even a new battery has put a spring in its step. So it’s time to find a new laptop. I want a 13.3in […]


January 11, 2010

The Unbreakable Phone, erm

  Rather predictable, I guess. This is what happens when you challenge someone to test your "unbreakable" phone on the telly. But I’m pleased to report that my Sonim is still going strong despite plenty of spills and thrills…  


February 11, 2009

New in My Kitbag

Africa may grow some of the world’s finest coffee beans but getting a decent brew on the road can be problematic. In most places Nescafe is the only thing on offer – just about passable if drunk strong and black. But – and I know this is desperately old hat for readers in places where […]


November 26, 2008

Sonim XP1: Does What It Says on The Tin

“Well, they did tell me it was unbreakable… and asked me to do my best to destroy it… and it has a three-year warranty.” Those were roughly the thoughts that ran through my head as my new Sonim XP1 phone described a graceful arc from the top-floor balcony. Time seemed to stand still as my […]


November 12, 2008

My Kit Bag

My kit bag continues to have a fairly low-tech feel (ridiculed in some quarters) but the last thing you need in this part of the world is to be up all night trying to repair your nuclear-powered wireless nose trimmers. Anyway, there have been a few additions since the last time… Sonim XP1 – testing […]


August 4, 2008

Phone 4 Me

Has anyone tried the Sonim XP1 phone, which Time seems to be claiming as a “tough gadget”? My current Samsung U600 is pretty wrecked after four months. Its screen is scratched to pieces after a couple of trips to Sudan, a week in the DRC and a lot of battering in my pocket. Battery life […]