Simon Crisp

LeapFrog has revealed its latest product aimed at improving the literacy of youngsters, the LeapReader. The pen-like device follows on from the Tag Reading System and works with a library of more than 150 reading, activity and audio-books, to teach children not only how to recognize and say letters or words, but also how to write them.  Read More

Olympus has decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its classic PEN F camera by launching its latest digital successor, the PEN E-P5. But, while the new Micro Four Thirds shooter bears more than a passing resemblance to the original PEN F, its retro good looks house modern features including a 16 megapixel Live MOS sensor, 5-axis image stabilization and built-in WiFi capabilities.  Read More

The Conran design firm was recently asked to re-imagine an everyday item by BBC Future. Its designers picked the digital camera, and the resulting concept certainly is different. The Conran camera does away with the typical protruding lens and instead features a large hole through the middle, surrounded by an array of small camera sensors. It also lacks an LCD monitor and is instead designed to wirelessly connect to a smartphone.  Read More

If you've got both an iPad and a toddler in your home, you'll know that your chances of keeping them apart are slim to non existent … no matter how much you liked the idea of minimizing screen-time before they were born. But, rather than let them send random emails to your entire contact list and Like inappropriate posts on Facebook, it's probably best to load your iPad with a few apps to keep them busy. Here's our selection of some of the best iPad apps for toddlers.  Read More

Panasonic has added two new cameras to its 2013 line-up, the Lumix DMC-G6 and the Lumix DMC-LF1. The G6 is a DSLR-like mid-range mirrorless shooter with a 16 megapixel sensor, while the LF1 is a high-end compact with a built-in electronic viewfinder. Both cameras also boast the Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity which featured in the recent GF6.  Read More

Third-party lenses are sometimes looked down upon by the sort of photographers who insist you can only take a good photo if your lens says Canon or Nikon on it. But, not only do some outperform their branded counterparts, others do something which mean they don't even have first-party rivals. The new Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art, for example, is the world's only zoom lens to achieve a maximum aperture F1.8 throughout the entire range.  Read More

The Ricoh GR series of cameras has been a cult classic with street photographers since the release of the GR1 in 1996, thanks in part to their understated styling, quality glass and durable build. However, in recent years digital versions of the GR have suffered the curse of relatively small format sensors and their image quality has been surpassed by rival shooters. Now Ricoh is fighting back by re-launching the GR with a large DSLR-like APS-C sensor.  Read More

Sony has added to the functionality of its NEX-5R and NEX-6 mirrorless cameras with the launch of two new PlayMemories Camera Apps. Light Shaft is a tool which lets users add a dramatic ray of light to their photos, while the altogether more useful-sounding Motion Shot app identifies the moving subject in a high-speed burst of frames and merges them into a single image.  Read More