ELECTRONIC GADGETS

As I'm the sort of person who carries two mobile phones (1 work, 1 business) a camera, an iPod and a calculator, maybe I'm not best placed to write this article as I'm sure all these features are available on my Blackberry … if only I knew how! On the other hand, my desk is also populated with natty chargers of various sorts, a pink fluffy mobile holder (which actually has my earrings dangling from it), 2 alarm clocks (I get so carried away with work I have to set them to remind me to go home or to meetings!) and a sat nav, so I obviously use all this gear, even though maybe in not the most logical way. The fact that these items are used is one of the reasons why Graham Howarth, Director of P&MM Source-e, a leading sourcing company, tells us that electrical gadgets are here to stay.

Graham explains, "Electrical and electronic products continue to be extremely popular as incentive rewards, giveaways and corporate gifts and with the continuous launch of new products into the market, there is always something to grab the attention of virtually any target audience. The majority of electrical items will also be used time and time again for many years to come, so the recipient is left with an ongoing subtle reminder of how they received the product."

Here are a few examples of some current products from Source-e. You can chat worldwide with the Neon Internet Phone telephone. It complies with all Internet telephone software provider (ITSP) and features a neon light, foldable back stand and hands-free mode.

Now that the sun has finally decided to shine, this USB fan could be useful. It can be adjusted to any position and oscillates automatically.

Moving from the office to the home, this Kenwood Smoothie Maker (SB256) makes dairy smoothies, fruity smoothies, milk shakes, frappes and 'mocktails'. It also features ice-crushing blades, a 1.5L fully calibrated goblet, goblet spout for accurate pouring and a dispenser tap with rubber grip. www.source-e.co.uk

But back to the office environment where we are never far away from the Worldwide Web. Our next product allows you to access your website at the push of a button.

Your Website at the Push of a Button
The Web Button from USB Company is a round button, 6CM in diameter. When connected to a USB Port and pressed, it launches a pre-defined website. Link it directly to your home page, or better yet, why not have it link to an exclusive promotion only available to those with the web buttons? Better still, why not have that link show new, updated offers once a month, encouraging people to bookmark the link or keep the button lying around?
www.usbcompany.co.uk

The ECO Element
Just as the web is part of our everyday life, so is the need to recycle. It's a case of 'recycling meets technology' as Eco Incentives unveils its latest 'green' range of hi-tech gadgets. Eco Incentives is a promotional company dedicated to supplying all things eco-friendly, and here are a few items from its latest 'hi-tech recycled technology' range.

Make your point with one of these colourful USB memory pens which feature recycled casing, complete with an internal flash memory and an optional laser pointer for presentations.

This wireless optical mouse benefits from a casing made from recycled plastic and comes with an integrated USB receiver. Insert the transmitter into the USB port and the mouse becomes completely wireless.

Matt Franks, Director of Eco Incentives told Promo e-News, "The demand for hi-tech promotions remains extremely high. With the launch of the latest range of hi-tech promotional items we are able to balance the high tech need with a strong recycled message, bringing both elements much closer together."
www.ecoincentives.com.

Wake up to Electronic Gadgets
Electronic gadgets are also very much part of our leisure life and with this Sony radio/alarm/iPod docking station (Sony ICF-C1Ip) you can wake up to your favourite sounds. This versatile accessory from Procurement International is bursting with features comprising an FM/AM tuner, dual alarm and wireless remote for iPod. It also charges the iPod whilst docked.

Other features include an 'audio in' function to connect any music player and a Mega Xpand sound enhancer. It's compatible with all available iPods (excluding iPhone and 1st generation shuffle) and has 2 x 3watt speakers. www.procurement.ltd.uk

Speaking of the iPod age, regular Promo e-News contributor, Melanie Osborne, sales director of Special EFX, says, "In this iPod age, people have become much more sophisticated and demanding, expecting all their electrical accessories to combine high-tech multi-function capabilities with sleek 'up-to-the minute' good looks.

"Keeping ahead of the market is difficult, but if the right choice is made then there is no doubt that the electrical accessory can prove a most effective promotional device, putting the promotional message at the forefront of office or home life for an extended period.

"People demand electrical accessories that not only reflect their sophisticated modern lifestyle but that also contribute notably to making their life either easier or more enjoyable and that they can show-off to friends and colleagues. The versatility of the technology now available means that electrical accessories can be easily used both inside and outside the office increasing their appeal and perceived value whilst broadening significantly the scope of the promotional campaign, maximising the success of the initiative."

Sleek, Functional and Very Versatile
These gadgets from established electronic supplier, Oldeani, certainly fill the 'high-tech multi-function product, with sleek 'up-to-the minute' good looks' that Melanie referred to.

Oldeani has two sleek but functional new calculators: the World Time Calculator and the Razor, which is super thin.

The World Time Calculator comes with a clock, alarm function and snooze button, countdown and world time clock.

And for the man or woman on the move, there's Oldeani's best selling USB travel adaptor so that you can charge and protect all your gadgets while on the move, the built in serge protector will protect your hard drive in countries where the electricity is not stable. www.oldeani.com

More Serious Matters
We've established that electronic gadgets are functional and fun, but there is a more serious side to supplying these items, as Malcolm Fritschy, MD of Oldeani points out. Malcolm has been in the promotions industry for 21 years and has seen many changes in that time, one of which, he tells us, is that if you are supplying electronic products, for either promotional or retail purposes, you must enrol with a compliance scheme, to be inline with the EU's WEEE Directive (The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations) which came into force in January 2007.

He says, "These regulations require you to provide data on the amount you are importing by weight so that the government can calculate how much you need to pay to offset the cost of recycling these products when they cease to be used."

The Environment Agency website advises, "If you are an importer, rebrander or manufacturer of new electrical or electronic equipment then it's likely that you will need to comply with the UK's WEEE Regulations, which in part implement the WEEE Directive. If you do need to comply, then you must register on a producer compliance scheme.

"You may also have obligations under the WEEE Regulations if you are a business with electrical/electronic equipment to dispose of, or if you sell electrical or electronic equipment.

You can check on the EA website whether you need to comply. www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Malcolm continues, "Obviously there is a cost involved in compliance and this has an impact on the final price of the product. So if you are being offered product at knock-down prices, beware, your supplier may not be conforming to EU regulations and this could impact on your brand. Check with your supplier; those who are complying are more than happy to show you the evidence … and if they are not, then buyer beware."

Looking and Listening
From EIC come two gadgets that are designed to bring your looking and listening experiences into the electronic age. This 1.5" LCD display, desk top photoframe features easy operation, auto and manual slide show, time setting and alarm clock. Minimum order is 100 and cost is £9.90 ex VAT, to include single colour print.

This inner ear headphone with a crystal wind back case is ideal for iPods, etc. Minimum order is 250 units and cost is £1.60 ex VAT, per unit plain stock. www.the-eic.co.uk

So, that's our whistle-stop tour of electronic gadgets.

Don't forget, you can send me news, advice or comment on any industry related subject.

Carole Bull
Editor

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