Orange Shop: Notting Hill

For many of us buying a new mobile phone is a task, even a quest, which is not satisfying until it's over and the device is in hand. In the U.K. the mobile operator Orange is experimenting with shop concepts that create a better customer experience. We stumbled on this one in Notting Hill last week, apparently the only one of its kind in London. …

Leica C-LUX 1

Combining superior Leica optics and design with the latest in digital camera technology, the new Leica C-LUX 1 is a compact, attractive device loaded with features. Including 6 megapixels, an ultra short shutter delay, a 28mm lens, a 2.5-inch display, optical image stabilization, a high sensitivity setting up to 1600 ISO, and measuring a mere 5 x 10 cm, critics point out it's nearly identical …

Honda Monkey Bike

My scooter-loving friends swear by the traditional Italian brands like Vespa, Aprilia and Lambretta, so they've been slightly disgusted that my head has been turned by the Japanese. First it was Honda's Zoomer (or Ruckus as it's also known) that impressed me with its pared-down Mad Max minimalism. Their classic Monkey Bike, updated from top to bottom in shiny chrome, has won me over. A …