That's not the sound of a malfunctioning hard disk spindle, but the collision of two adult-themed business cards held by swarms of illegal immigrants labourers loitering on pavements. This was one of the few irritants of a fantastic tech-packed trip to CES in Las Vegas.

I'm sure you've all read about the majority of big-hitting headline announcements from CES such as Pioneer's proof of concept Kuro displays, Panasonic's 150" plasma television and Microvision's Show, a minuscule pocket-size projector prototype. But I'd like to give you an insight into some of the smaller, less-publicised products I stumbled across whilst walking the vast halls of the LVCC and Sands Expo Centre.

At the Near Field Communications Zone it was possible to view a number of stands showcasing uses for NFC-enabled devices. Nokia brandished their 6131 handset - touted by the company as being a potential wallet replacement. Instead of carrying a credit card, simply swipe your phone at a shop's cash register. In addition, photos could be printed instantly from the device without the need for Bluetooth's complex pairing configuration.

Samsung's UbiCell, winner of Best Of Innovations at CES 2008 Wireless Accessories Category Award, is the world's first ultra-small CMDA base station. Impressively, it allows you to use your mobile phone in areas without a signal by utilising an Internet connection to communicate with a cellular network.

Wireless N is the talk of the town even though its final ratification won't be until mid-2009. Taking advantage of everything IEEE 802.11n has to offer were Ruckus Networks. Occupying a suite high up in the Platinum hotel, Ruckus had constructed a mock flat decked with various entertainment gear. Harnessing an N-spec router, HD video content was wirelessly streamed simultaneously from a single server to multiple television screens. Even a VoIP call to the hotel room's landline failed to disrupt the movies being played. Ideal for anybody looking for complete coverage in a thick stone-walled Victorian townhouse.

Many companies pushed their Universal Remotes as the next big thing. But Hillcrest Labs offered a glimpse of what could potentially be the next generation of input device. A more advanced version of the Wii Remote, Freespace is a RF-based pointing technology is highly accurate and even recognises acceleration/deceleration through the air. The technology can already be found in the Logitech MX Air and additional products will be announced later this year.

Just a few interesting technologies and products that I’m sure will find their way into the mainstream imminently.

Make sure you keep a watchful eye out for issue 266 of PC Plus that contains more CES coverage including more of the show's highlights and abominations.

For me, the most important piece of technology in the office is our coffee machine. It sits less than 5 meters behind my desk. When I feel my head slumping on the keyboard, worn out from the excitement of last night's freelance, PR launches or playing Eve until 3am, I can be holding a "cappuccino" in my hand in less than 30 seconds.

Here is a rare shot, obtained by our paparazzi contact, of the internals of this divine machine. Note the tubing, and large stack of cups on the right. I will be responsible for using up at least five of those cups every day.

The tubes, and the proximity of the machine to my desk has given me an idea. Why cannot the coffee be fed to me through an intravenous drip? There isn't much chance of anyone tripping over the tube. And it would keep me awake and alert for hours. Crappuccino!

The latest issue of PC Plus is on sale now and if you’re passionate about technology it is the magazine to buy. Our main feature investigates the many benefits of leaving your computer on and linked up to the Internet – twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. From scheduled to maintenance to faster downloads, the benefits are dramatic and exciting.

Travel beyond the silicon age in our second feature, as we uncover the power of alternative computing - not holistic operating systems and homeopathic defragging, but the optical and biological systems that could soon be ushering in a whole new age of technology. We also head to the battlefield to see how computers are helping fight wars, and seperate truth from fiction in our quest to be the ultimate James Bond style gadget-user in Spies Like Us, our declassified look at the world of lies, deception, and sneaky buggers.

In this month's Make It, find out how to create a Linux home media server, profit from your blog, use the Hubble to create your own great space photos, build online shops, create Firefox extensions, and much much more. We also have a bursting SuperDisc, with free software including the Advanced VoIP user toolkit, HandyBackup, and Registry Mechanic 6.

It's the future, today. Pick up February’s issue of PC Plus to find out where you fit in.

Awarded the PC Plus Performance Award, the OQO model e2 is the world’s smallest fully-functional Windows Vista PC.
This model now comes with embedded 3G mobile broadband capability for worldwide anytime/anywhere computing with uncompromised access to networked PC applications and the Internet in a sleek, pocketable and ergonomic form factor.

The model e2 supports UMTS/HSDPA at up to 3.6Mbps, and also works with GPRS/EDGE networks. Add to that Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth to give the ultimate mobile productivity device. Plus we’re including the superb desktop docking station with built-in Dual Layer DVD rewriter.

The unit incorporates the VIA C7M processor running at 1.6GHz, and includes 1GB RAM and the very latest 32GB Solid State Drive for ultra-high speed data access.
The OQO model e2 is revolutionising the way people work, so now you can join in and discover the benefits of true anytime/anywhere productivity.

This competition is now closed

The latest version of TomTom’s award winning navigation system, the GO 520 has unique TomTom MapShare. This great new map improvement technology allows TomTom users to improve their maps as soon as they spot changes in the roads with a few touches on the screen of their device. Via TomTom HOME, TomTom Map-Share users also receive all map improvements made by others.

TomTom users can respond in real time to changes in the road network and correct the maps on their TomTom devices. Thanks to the smart user interface, it is easy to make changes, such as blocked or unblocked streets, reversed one way traffic or new street names, which will instantly take effect.

Roads are continually changing. This feature gives TomTom users the option to capture these changes on their device in-between map releases and keep their data as current as they wish. These changes allow the community of TomTom MapShare users to always have the most up-to-date maps and local knowledge at their fingertips.
The TomTom GO 520 also features speech recognition for city and street names, a built-in FM transmitter, plus a 4.3in touchscreen, 3D graphics and calling capability.

This competition is now closed