-Tech Review-

Can gadgets really make your life easier?

We asked a couple of busy mums to test two of this year's most popular products and give us their verdict.

APPLE IPAD2

Mum 1

'I never thought I'd want a tablet, but within seconds of using this, I was smitten. It was much quicker to fire up than the laptop and so easy to use. You need an Itunes account in order to download online software (apps), but it's really easy - you just click on the "App Store" icon and it shows you what to do. I was also pleased to discover that many apps are free.'

'My dad lives in Cyprus and he hasn't seen my daughter since she was born. He'd been nagging us to get Skype for ages, so I downloaded the free app and minutes later he was chatting to the kids, face to face, and it didn't cost us a thing.'

'I also needed to buy train tickets for the kids, so I chose the Trainline app which was also free. It helped me save money because it was so easy to compare prices. And it was much quicker than using the normal website.'

'Going online for recipe inspiration instead of searching through all my cookery books was a real time saver.'

'There isn't much I don't like about the IPAD2 - it's quick, convenient and great for car journeys with kids as they can use it to watch movies. It is expensive, but I do think it saves time and money. It's already at the top of my Christmas wish list.'

AMAZON KINDLE

Mum 2

'Since becoming a mum, reading is limited to Sunday mornings, train journeys and beach holidays. With a room full of books to clear I'd been thinking of downsizing to a Kindle but was concerned about reading on a screen.'

'The first thing that struck me was that the screen on the Kindle looks just like paper. There's no glare and my eyes didn't get tired. I tried it on the train and the changes of light didn't affect the quality at all. What's more, I could even adjust the font size.'

'It's light, easy to hold, fits in your handbag and is very simple to set up. I was downloading my first book from the online bookstore in no time (books cost as little as 99p and some are even free). However, I did keep poking the screen, expecting it to be touch screen.'

'Friends had told me there weren't many titles for the Kindle, but I was impressed with the selection on offer, and really enjoyed browsing the library on my sofa. I tend to judge a book by it's cover, but with the Kindle I can read the reviews instead and look at books I wouldn't have even considered before.'

'I also thought the Kindle was just for novels, but was pleased to find I could also download magazines and newspapers.'

'I started out looking for something to help trim my book collection, but it has turned out to be so much more. I only wish I could put my daughters' toys on the Kindle, it would certainly save a lot of room in my house.'