Ipad 2 to Blackberry Playbook

DAB Radio

Having left Discovery earlier this month I was touched to receive, as a going away present  a nice new DAB radio and also a year's membership of the RHS.The downside was the loss of my work Ipad2 which I'd used mainly for BBC radio listening on BBC iplayer- the search was therefore on for a competitively priced equivalent. With the launch of Kindle fire and the new smaller mini-ipad (not to mention the Samsungs and the new Microsoft  surface devices)  there was a lot to choose from perhaps surprisingly I opted for the 64GB version of the Blackberry Playbook which so far I'm very happy with. The purchase (from Curry's PC world) was £129 and as advertised worked from the box. My requirements probably not too demanding but e-mail, web, BBC iPlayer and The Economist magazine all seem good in a very compact light unit- need to get the connector which will allow me to show youtube videos etc on HD screen.

New Ealing Eateries

Pillars Restaurant

Last couple of weeks has given us the chance to experience some different dining out opportunities in the West of this great capital that we live in.

First was a chance to see what the local University (University of West London which I took some training at when it was Ealing College) was doing with  it's Hospitality and Tourism students. We actually had lunch which was slightly rushed as the students are fitting it in with their lectures. Overall a good experience where there was enthusiasm as well as a slight side dish of embarrassment (on the students part). Next time we'll go for an evening booking as parking during the day is a challenge. The restaurant is called Pillars for some odd reason and it is licensed and probably 50% cheaper than a normal commercial restaurant of similar standard.

Koobla's

The next review is a place that is new to Ealing (not just us) when I first arrived in Ealing there was a Maples furniture store which havinbg been Old Orleans with offices above is now a 'boutique hotel' called Xanadu (not to be confused with the film starring Olivia Newton John)  and the restaurant is  called Koobla.
Very attentive staff and a somewhat different menu (Mongolian/Malaysian sort of fusiony vibve) - pleasant and relaxing but normal price - as they say you pays your money and make your choice.

Connected TV and the John Lewis 5 year guarantee

Wednesday evening and I went to an RTS London presentation session  on connected TV Chaired by Julian Clover. There were some interesting insights by the panel  particularly Daniel Danker of (Great title General Manager, Programmes & On Demand at BBC)  and also Ian Mecklenburgh, Director, Consumer Platforms at VirginMedia Digital Entertainment (average sort of title).

This was the first time I had product life cycle described as the length of John Lewis guarantee, this goes some way in describing the audience there and I fear is a term that I'll hear more than once in the future.

 The Shop mentioned

Again  the big factors described were the refuseniks who buy a TV and don't connect to the Internet, the (future) death of linear  and the disappointment that Samsung etc. are feeling as a result of people who fail to see them  as content aggregators.

 Are we going to see the average domestic big screen TV full of 'Apps' Ian said no and described is enjoyment at shaking big screens when directed !
So will we continue along the tablet journey? - seems so from the collected industry wisdom.

Active Consumer

Now it might verge on the eccentric but I do like to engage with the producers of the products I consume - this doesn't always cause the consequences I anticipate but think we should all respond if we're not happy or want to even say how good something is.
Here are some of my small campaigns: (there are others but I'd hate to bore you)

1) When I got back to UK after a few years working abroad I was disappointed with Maynards Wine gums - I thought they'd lost something of their flavour - I wrote and got the reply 'we were sorry you failed to enjoy here's a voucher'.
2)  I like Kellogg's Country Store it stopped being produced and after holidaying in Moscow was surprised to find the hotel there had it - on inquiring was told it was only produced for commercial distribution - thankfully it's now reappeared in Tesco's.

and here's my latest

3) Toilet Duck disc refills - the campaigns have indicated that these are available so you don't need to throw away that applicator - SC Johnson have let me know supermarkets who are purchasing from them so far only got response from Sainsbury's who tell me their West Ealing branch will have them in November.