8 Gifts for him, her & the kids 1 2 3 5 The tech list


From home entertainment to kitchen gadgets, this varied selection of home technology will make Christmas shopping simple. Words: Mattie Lacey-Davidson


1 Projector


Te LG CineBeam PF50KS is a lightweight projector for use anywhere, with a maximum size of 100 inches in full HD and built-in speakers. It automatically detects and corrects any distortion and can connect to devices via Bluetooth, HDMI and USB ports. It can even turn into a Smart TV with LG’s webOS. £499 from ao.com


5 Popcorn maker


Give yourself or your loved ones the cinema experience when watching Christmas movies with a popcorn maker. Simple to use, you can experiment with your own flavour ideas or have them plain as the hot air circulation means no butter or oil is needed. £14.99 from homebargains.co.uk


2 Milk frother


Tis is a great choice for any coffee- lover, or anyone working from home missing their trips to coffeeshops. Te milk frother from Smeg helps you craft a professional cappuccino, latte macchiato, flat white, hot chocolate — or even milkshakes with cold milk. Learn how to make unusual drinks with the free online guide. £149.95 from smeguk.com


6 Karaoke machine Te AKAI CDG Karaoke Machine has LED lights that synchronise with the music, making it a perfect addition to any party. It comes with a CD player, Bluetooth and USB connection, so you’ve got plenty of options what to sing along to, and you can record via the USB as well. On offer for £79.99 from studio.co.uk


3 Portable speakers


Weighing in at under 700g, this compact and lightweight speaker boasts more than 20 hours of portable playtime and a water-resistant design. Te Marshall Emberton speaker has multidirectional sound, connects via Bluetooth and is available in black with a white or brass finish. £129.99 from marshallheadphones.com


7 Clothes steamer


Make life next year a little easier with a handheld clothes steamer. Whether it’s silks, suede, linen or sequins, the Philips Steam&Go Plus allows you to keep your garments wrinkle-free and refreshed for a second wear. Te steam also kills off bacteria. £65 from philips.co.uk, John Lewis & Argos.


4 Gaming headphones


Featuring 7.1 surround sound technology, the PuroGamer headphones with microphone allow gamers to fully immerse themselves into the world of their games. However, the volume is limited to 85dB to protect hearing health when there are explosions or other unexpected loud noises during the game. £69.99 from amazon.co.uk


8 360 Camera Tis little gadget from IQUI is like something out of a film. A 360-angle lens camera sits at the tip of a 14cm pen, weighing just 60g. Photos and videos go directly onto your phone, with a free video editing app available called IQUISPIN, which has lots of effects and filters. £299 from amazon.co.uk


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30 NOVEMBER 2020 CHRISTMAS IN THE CAPITAL — AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE IN 4 6


8


BackBaller — an Irish invention used by global sports stars


A small Irish company from Shannon, County Clare is offering relief to those unable to access their physiotherapist with a range of ingenious self-massage devices


It all started five years ago when Irish former


international runner Noel


Marshall was told he’d require back surgery to deal with a rupture between his L5 and S1 vertebrae. At the time, Noel noticed


modern-day athletes were very engaged with the process of foam-rolling. Noel bought one and started a programme from Gerard Hartmann with the aim of releasing the


tight muscles causing lower


back pain. “It was working but every day I


used it, I was rolling all over the floor and saying to myself ‘Wouldn’t it be so much better if the roller was mounted on a frame to stabilise it’,” explains Noel. So, he made a prototype and began


using it. Just four weeks later, he was pain-free and began to regain his full range of motion. “I was able to run again,” Noel


says. “Tis thing changed my life and I knew it was a product that people would want.” Since its launch in September


2016, BackBaller has become the go-to foam roller for many of


world’s leading sports stars and teams, including Manchester City. Based in Shannon, Muscle Ballers


the


T: +353 (0) 61 364085 M: +353 (0) 86 9127534 UK T: 01245 79 0320 E: noel@backballer.com backballer.com


Since its launch in 2016, BackBaller has become the go-to foam roller for many of the world’s leading sports stars and teams, including Manchester City


is continuing to develop other self-myo- fascial release products as its sales rise. Last year’s sales topped €1m (£870,000) and the company is on course to double that in 2020. “We’re exporting worldwide,”


says Noel. “We’ll continue to grow as people are realising the impor- tance of good health and looking after themselves.”


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