When we say cool accessories, we aren’t really talking about a Smart Cover or a set of headphones. Instead, we are interested in more fascinating accessories which will allow you to do exciting things with your iPad. Here are a few such accessories:

1. Apple Camera Connection Kit - If you were slightly disappointed by the camera quality of your new iPad, this will definitely cheer you up. The Camera Connection Kit contains two 30-pin dongles – one of these can read SD cards while the other works as a USB port. Using these dongles, you can connect your camera to the iPad, transfer photos and view them on a large screen. At the same time, you can also use the USB port to connect your iPad to other devices.

2. Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover - It is a well known fact that  typing long documents with a virtual keyboard can be quite uncomfortable. If you hope to do a lot of typing on your iPad, you must get the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard. Owing to the presence of magnets, it operates as a stand and holds your iPad still while you type. It is thin and sleek and works efficiently.

3. CCM Capacitive Stylus - The touch screen of an iPad is an absolute delight to work with, isn’t it? With a stylus, you can do so many fascinating thing on an iPad – you can draw, paint, play games which involve these activities etc. Some would say that you can do all this with your hand, but it is impossible to achieve the same degree of precision as with a stylus.

4. Jawbone Jambox – The Jawbone Jambox is a small bluetooth speaker that can act as the perfect audio companion to your iPad. Even as the original audio quality of an iPad is quite impressive, you will need an amplifying device if you are playing games or having a party or watching a movie. The Jawbone Jambox is a portable speaker that can provide the much needed boost to your iPad’s audio output.

At alaTest, we are giving you a list of some of the best PS3 and Xbox 360 games for kids. Not only are these games safe for children, they are extremely enjoyable.

1. Little Big Planet 2 – Little Big Planet 2 is one of the most popular games for PS3 and PSP platforms. The game is packed with 30 plot lines wherein Negativitron, the beast is trying to destroy the planet. As Sackboy, the player has to prevent this from happening by fighting all kinds of enemies- cupcakes, fireflies etc. The game allows its users to add or remove certain features and customize their world. In other words, children can let their imagination run wild while saving the world from Negativitron. The graphics are sharp, the plot lines are crisp and the game works like an absolute charm. What’s more, your child might actually learn a thing or two about physics as well!

2. Sports Champion – Using the Move motion controller with on a PS3, kids can play a variety of sports like volleyball, table tennis, disc golf etc. This game will come as a huge relief to all parents who are concerned about the lack of physical activity in their children. With Sports Champion, your children will have to sweat it out as they enjoy a thrilling game. Thanks to the high sensitivity of the Move controller and the PlayStation Eye Camera, there is very little separating a real game from a virtual one.

3. Kinect Disneyland Adventure - One just can’t go wrong with the alluring world of Disneyland. Compatible with an Xbox 360, this game is an absolute delight for children as it lets them navigate through the virtual world of Disneyland. Children can take rides, meet Disneyland characters and visit the most famous places within the amusement park. At the same time, they can take up challenges and games. All in all, it will be a dream come true for your children.

4. Kinectimals – Are your children fond of animals? Would they like a chance to cuddle a tiger cub? If yes, they will instantly fall in love with Kinectimals. Designed for young children, this game can be played with Xbox 360 and Kinect. The game has a variety of animals, right from tigers to polar bears to giant pandas. Children can pet these animals, cuddle them or even train them by teaching them basic movements like jumping, skipping etc.

Besides these games, there are many others like Carnival Island, Toy Story 3, Puss in Boots, Happy Feet 2 etc. which are suitable for your children. Get your children one of these and their faces with instantly light up with happiness.

Today, we will take you through some innovative Easter gift ideas which can do justice to the spirit of the festival. Here we go:

1. Philips Senseo HD7870 Coffee Maker – Easter is all about spending time with your loved ones, attending the mass, setting up an egg hunt for your kids and enjoying a wholesome family dinner afterwards. How about having a cup of hot and soothing coffee to finish off the day? Gift your friends the Philips Senseo HD7870 Coffee Maker which can make a perfect coffee in under 30 seconds. You can select the strength of your coffee, it has a touch panel display and a removable water tank and drip tray. All in all, it’s a wonderful addition to anyone’s house.

2. Koldfront 12-bottle Wine Cooler - If you know a friend who is something of a wine connoisseur, this would make for a perfect gift. It is made of stainless steel, the temperature is perfect for the wine and it can fit snuggly on a kitchen countertop or in a mini bar. Additionally, a wine cooler is immensely helpful as well. After all, a rich meal is incomplete without a glass of good old wine at the perfect temperature.

3. Xbox 360 or PS3 Games – If you want to make your kids happy this Easter, look no further. Give them some of their favorite Xbox 360 or PS3 games this year around. Luckily for you, there is a huge variety that you can choose from, right from Dishonored to Borderlands to Dance Central  etc. Just buy one of these and wait for the look on your child’s face. It will be totally worth it.

4. Lenovo ThinkPad USB 3.0 Hard Drive – Now, we are talking computers again. A hard drive is essential especially for people who have crucial data on their laptops. The Lenovo USB 3.0 offers 750 GB memory and it is extremely simple to operate. You just have to connect it to your computer, press the unlock key, enter your password and there you go. The device will work just like a normal USB drive.

When it comes to New Year’s eve, some people get a little anxious about hosting parties. On one level, it is totally legitimate, one has to organize so many little things- the food, the alcohol, the entertainment, not to mention the post party clean-up drill. However, you would be surprised to know that all you need is a few gadgets to get your party started. Here is a list of some of them:

1. Bang and Olufsen BeoSound 8 - The first thing that comes to mind when someone says party is music. Not all of us have a high end home theater system, but these dock speakers make for a decent replacement. For starters, the BeoSound is compatible with all gadgets operating on iOS i.e. iPod,. iPhone and iPad. This means that you won’t have to deal with a bunch of wires. Instead, simply connect your iOS device or alternatively, you could also stream music from iTunes directly. The sound is loud and sharp and the futuristic design of the speakers is perfect for a party.

2. Wunderbar Beer Chill Dispenser – Serving alcohol can get pretty messy at parties. You can always keep pints in the refrigerator, but there is never enough room. This beer dispenser comes with a 5-litre keg and it keeps the beer chilled. Most importantly, everything is clean as there is little spillage and there are no bottles to discard later on.

3. Xbox 360 Games – Now, lets talk about entertainment. More often than not, you end up sacrificing your own New Year’s just to make sure that your guests are amply entertained. Not any more. If you don’t have an Xbox 360, borrow one from a friend for the party. Truth be told, some Xbox games like Dance Central and Rock Band  were made for parties. They have options for a multiplayer set-up, which means that your guests can participate all at once. This will keep the party going and for once, you can join in the celebrations as well.

4. iRobot Roomba 790 Vacuum Cleaning Robot – Don’t be surprised to see a vacuum cleaner on this list. The iRobot Roomba is meant not so much for the party but for the day after the party. No one wants to kickstart a new year with a round of tiresome cleaning. Allow this robotic vacuum cleaner to surprise you as it cleans the entire house all by itself. It comes with sensors which detect the dirtiest areas and cleans them according to the kind of surface in question. In a few hours, your house will be as good as new.

Before we sign off, a very Merry Christmas to all our readers!

One doesn’t need to be a professional to understand that the face of sports and fitness has undergone a rapid shift. Technology now has a central role to play in the world of sports, as the Brad Pitt starer, Moneyball demonstrated quite beautifully. While there are professional, state-of-the-art gadgets and devices which enhance the performance of teams and individuals, there are also some cool gadgets which make fitness more accessible and less cumbersome to the common man out there. We are talking about exciting products like fitness inspired games which have added some much needed spice to the world of fitness.

Here is a list of some cool and exciting fitness video games which every fitness freak would love to have:

1. Wii Fit Plus- Wii Fit, which was the original version of this game pioneered the category of fitness video games. The Wii Fit Plus comes with a balance board which measures your weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) at regular intervals. This game incorporates close to 40 kinds of workout routines including different levels of cardio exercises, strength training, yoga sessions etc. You can also customize workout routines according to your requirements. To liven your otherwise tiresome workout session, Wii Fit plus also has some balance games which help out in weight loss as well.

2. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved- Your Shape is Xbox Kinect’s answer to Wii Fit Plus. Unlike its competitor, it follows the instructor-student model as trained instructors guide you through the details involved in yoga, muscle training and cardio workouts. It also tracks your performance regularly as instructors rate your performance after every session. The game works well for starters and hardcore fitness freaks simultaneously.

3. EA Sports Active 2- If you are looking for really intense workout sessions, the EA Sports Active 2 is ideal for you. Make no mistake, the workout are definitely hardcore. It works with Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii, and it comes with an arm sensor which monitors your heart rate regularly. Workout sessions involve a personal trainer and focus independently on different body parts. The entire fitness program is 9 weeks long and it incorporates a variety of physical exercises.

4. Zumba Fitness- This is one of the best fitness video games which use dance forms as exercises. The appeal is quite obvious- it combines the enjoyable activity of dancing with physical fitness. The best part is that none of the two aspects are compromised. The workout sessions are combinations of Salsa, Hip-Hop, Rumba, Calypso, Flamenco etc. The game comes with detailed tutorials to familiarize you with these dance forms. As a word of caution, if you thought this game is just about casual dancing, you are in for quite a shock. The schedules are just as intensive as a regular cardio work out session. As an added advantage, you get to learn some very exciting dance forms even as you lose weight simultaneously.

Apart from these, there are several other fitness games that you can choose from- Fit in Six, The Biggest Loser, Kinect Sports, NewU Mind Body Yoga and Pilates and many more. A fitness video game is a godsend for people who can’t go to the gym regularly or who are just too bored of them. Get yourself one of these games and for once, you will actually enjoy working out.

Razer Tiamat 7.1

While it’s a bit on the pricey side, the Tiamat is unrivaled when it comes to 7.1 channel surround sound quality. Unlike most 7.1 channel headsets on the market, the Tiamat is a true 7.1 channel system, with  front, rear, center, side, and subwoofer drivers in each ear cup. This gives a much more realistic surround sound experience than the virtual 7.1 channel systems most headsets use, processing a 7.1 channel signal into a stereo output. The Tiamat is intended for PCs, but can be used with any system that has 7.1 channel 3.5mm outputs and a USB port for power.

Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930

If you’re in the market for a wireless headset, the Logitech G930 ought to be one of your first choices. Its virtual surround sound processing technology is developed directly by Dolby Digital and is essentially unparalleled. Its wireless range is also quite impressive, reaching up to 40 feet without distortion. Like most wireless headsets, battery life can be problematic, offering about 10 hours of continuous playback. Fortunately, it’s possible to charge the G930 while it’s in use. Even with its impressive specs, the G930 is fairly reasonably priced for a wireless headset of its caliber. Unfortunately, because if its USB interface, the G930 will only work on a PC.

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5

Even though it’s depressingly expensive, the Ear Force PX5 offers some amazingly customizable sound quality, perfect for any serious gamer. Designed to work for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the PX5 will also work with any system with an optical output. The headset even has a Bluetooth channel to pair up with PS3 chat or even your cell phone. Turtle Beach also offers downloadable software to create sound profile presets so that you can tune the PX5 for specific situations, such as playing First Person Shooters, watching HD movies, and listening to music. The wireless range is about average (up to 30 feet), but its 15 hour battery life is pretty impressive. The price is steep, but it’s easy to argue why it’s worth it.

Creative Tactic 3D Omega

Creative’s extensive experience with audio technologies definitely shows through with its Tactic 3D Omega headset. Its THX TruStudio Pro surround sound virtualization easily goes toe-to-toe with Logitech’s G930 in terms of sound quality. While the G930 does best it in wireless range, and even price, the Tactic 3D Omega has the major benefit of being compatible with the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and technically any system with composite stereo output. If you’re a multiplatform gamer, the Tactic 3D Omega should definitely be on your list of headsets to check out – although the Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 certainly poses a tempting (albeit slightly more expensive) alternative.

Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo 3DS)

What better way to spend a long car ride than playing one of the best racing titles on the 3DS? Mario Kart 7 sticks with the traditional Mario Kart gameplay, featuring good natured go-kart racing between some of the Mario legacy’s favorite characters. Expanding on previous Mario Kart titles, it brings new features to the Mario Kart series, in particular, allowing players to customize their vehicles with things like chassis, tires, and even hang gliders.  Not only is Mario Kart 7 one of the best rated racing titles on the 3DS, but it’s one of the best rated 3DS titles, period.

ModNation Racers: Road Trip (PlayStation Vita)

ModNation Racers: Road Trip is the PlayStation Vita edition of the well reviewed but only mildly popular PlayStation 3 version. While the game isn’t without its flaws, the gameplay is well polished and very enjoyable. On top of that, ModNation offers a very compelling feature: User Generated Content. You can create your own vehicles and courses to share with the online community. It’s easy to lose track of time and spend hours in the editor.

Wipeout 2048 (PlayStation Vita)

The Wipeout series has always been popular ever since its original release in 1995, but following the release of Wipeout Pure on the PSP, the franchise became one of the go to games for portable racing. Wipeout 2048 continues with that tradition, offering interesting new level designs and the sophisticated polish that fans of the series have come to expect.

StarFox 64 3D (Nintendo 3DS)

While it’s not exactly a racing game – nor is it even a new game – StarFox 64 3D is one of the 3DS’ most popular titles, and its flight simulator environment does work well with the ambience of a car (or plane) ride. Even though it’s a remake of the Nintendo 64 original, the game was one of the greatest games of its time, and little has changed that.

Rayman Origins (PS3, 3DS, PS Vita, Xbox 360, Wii, PC)

Moving away from racing titles, Rayman Origins is a surpringly simple game that takes the popular Rayman series and returns it to its 2D side-scrolling roots. Available for all of the major platforms, Rayman Origins is one of the hottest games on the market right now.  Fans of the Rayman series have already given the game high praise, but you don’t have to be familiar with the franchise to enjoy it. A healthy appetite for the 2D platformer is all it takes to fall for the quirky hero.

A Few Other Great 3DS Titles

Racing games may not be for everyone, and if Rayman doesn’t tickle your fancy, the 3DS has plenty of other great titles that can eat away the hours of a long trip. The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D, a remake of what is arguably the best Zelda game of all time. Super Mario 3D Land is another popular 3DS title, full of original content.

A Couple Great Vita Titles, Too

For the Vita gamers out there, one of the more popular games on the market today is Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. While it has no new content, it contains remastered versions of some of the most favorite Metal Gear Solid games. Uncharted: Golden Abyss is another Vita must-have.

The “Big 3”

The Big 3 refers to the three largest players in the gaming industry right now: Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. Each had their own press conference (or two) at E3 this year, much like every year, and they all had some big news to share.

Nintendo

Nintendo was the only major player to have some new hardware to show off this year – the Wii U. Nintendo has officially stated that the Wii U will launch during this year’s holiday season, perhaps as early as October. Apart from an official launch window, we also got a look at the final version of the new GamePad tablet controller.

The GamePad has a large touch screen that can interact with games in a number of different ways as well as all of the standard motion controller capabilities of the original Wii controller. It also features a web cam, IR blaster (TV remote), microphone, speakers, and dual analog sticks.

The Wii U console, while not necessarily in its final form, is looking small and powerful. It’s roughly the same size as the original Wii, but capable of full 1080p video output with graphics performance 1.5 to 2 times better than the PS3 and Xbox 360. Some of the demoed titles, such as the upcoming Zelda Wii U game, look absolutely stunning.

Microsoft

Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft didn’t have any fancy new hardware to show off. Instead, it focused on new and improved services and software coming to the Xbox 360.

Xbox SmartGlass was Microsoft’s biggest announcement. It is a new software layer that integrates your Xbox 360 with all of your Windows 8 devices, such as tablets and smartphones. SmartGlass can sync shows and movies across all of your devices as well as turn them into viewing companions for more immersive video experiences. Your tablet or smartphone can also be used as a remote, ideal for controlling Internet Explorer, now coming to Xbox.

Sony

Sony’s announcements primarily revolved around the PlayStation Vita. It was all about cross-platform play, such as using the Vita to play multiplayer games with players on PS3. Sadly, other than that, Sony had very little else to announce other than new games.

The Games

Everyone knows E3 is all about the games, so what were some of the most anticipated titles we saw at E3 this year?

Halo 4

The Halo series has always been a favorite among Xbox gamers, and everyone is looking forward to the newest installment, Halo 4. Game play is expected to remain largely similar to the original titles; what everyone is after is the compelling new story line it brings. Release date is scheduled for November 6^th of this year (just in time for the winter holidays).

PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale

We’re surprised it took Sony so long to come up with a PlayStation variant on the widely successful Smash Bros. series, but it looks like we finally have something with PlayStation All-Stars. Whether or not the title can actually compete with Smash Bros. is yet to be seen, but what’s most interesting about it is the fact that it’s available for both PS3 and PS Vita and capable of cross-platform play.

Gears of War: Judgment

Another Xbox favorite, Gears of War: Judgment offers a prequel to the original title for those curious about the back story of COG and its soldiers. Game play will surely be as action-packed as ever.

If reports are to be believed, Microsoft is all set to release the Smart Glass at the E3 2012. There hasn’t been any official announcement, but reports have said that Microsoft has been in a frenzy to buy all domain names with the words “smart glass” in it. And after all, it is no secret that Microsoft has been trying to establish Windows as a streaming- friendly OS and the functions of Smart Glass (explained below) seem to fall in line with that aim.

While we don’t have a lot of official information about this technology from Microsoft itself, it is being touted as Microsoft’s reply to Apple’s AirPlay feature. So, what exactly is the Smart Glass? Honestly, nobody seems to be absolutely sure on that count. Earlier reports indicated that Smart Glass is a tablet which could be used to connect to an Xbox 360 and stream music or videos to a television set, using Xbox 360 as an intermediary.

However, later reports indicate that Smart Glass, is, in fact an app which can be used on tablets and phones running on Windows, Android and iOS. Using this app (or a physical tablet?), Xbox 360 users will be able to stream content directly from Netflix, Hulu and other similar applications. At the same time, users will be able to stream content from their smartphones to the television through the Smart Glass. Essentially then, the Smart Glass will act as a means through which the gaming console could be accessed remotely, making way for streaming content effortlessly.

We will have more information to provide about the Smart Glass once it is officially released by Microsoft. But besides that, what can we expect from the E3 this year? Well, unfortunately for gaming enthusiasts, Microsoft has announced that it won’t be releasing the Xbox 720 gaming console this year. Having said that, we can still expect some information about its features or other such details. Besides that, Microsoft might unveil the Xbox Music Service or Woodstock, which will allow users to share music across different platforms. The Woodstock might well be Microsoft’s desperate attempt to make up for the absence of the next Xbox gaming console.

BenQ XL2420T

While it’s a bit on the pricier side for a 24-inch monitor, the XL2420T is feature packed and offers all-around great performance, especially for those looking to do a bit of PC gaming. Its 120Hz refresh rate and Nvidia 3D Vision certification, the XL2420T is an excellent choice for a gamer. Image quality is excellent and even includes several gaming presets optimized for specific games. The only caveat to consider is the fact that people are sometimes dissatisfied with BenQ’s company policies (such as limited warranty support), but still love their products.

Asus PA Series PA238Q

When it comes to design and ergonomics, the PA238Q is quite nearly unmatched, making it an excellent display for general productivity. Color reproduction is also exceptional, and as an IPS panel, viewing angles are very good; however, refresh rates do suffer slightly, so gamers may want to pass on this one. Blacklight bleed has also been a reported issue with the PA238Q, so those looking for an immersive video experience should tread carefully.

Asus VG278H

The VG278H is another display well suited for gaming, though like the BenQ, it’s a bit pricey for a monitor of its size (27 inches in this case). It features a 120Hz refresh rate and is Nvidia 3D Vision certified as well. Color reproduction is excellent, though it too suffers from poor viewing angles. In terms of price per performance, it represents a great value, though it lacks a few popular features, such as USB ports.

Wacom Cintiq 24HD

As far as drawing tablets have been concerned, Wacom has always been the brand of choice. Wacom’s foray into the display market has been a welcomed one by those in the computer graphics profession. The Cintiq 24HD is really less about the display and more about the tablet capabilities, featuring the Cintiq Pen with 2048 levels of sensitivity. At upwards of $2000, it’s certainly expensive, but if you’re in the computer graphics business, you won’t regret it.

Dell U2412M

The Dell U2412M is about as close as you can get to professional grade color reproduction and performance without spending an awful lot of money for something like Apple’s new Thunderbolt Display. It makes an excellent display for an aspiring video or photo editor and is an all-around great choice for any multimedia work. With an astonishing 5 USB ports, it can also help clear up some of the clutter around your desk.

This, of course, is just a tiny portion of our extensive list of monitors reviewed on alaTest. While the top 5 are currently of a slightly more expensive nature, our Monitors Section has a long list of well reviewed displays of all price ranges, such as the more affordable AOC I2352VH (a very good value) and the Samsung Syncmaster S27A850D (a high-performance professional grade display).