Give the gift of ‘appiness’ this Christmas with CoPilot Live

This Christmas, the ideal gift for those who love their iPhone, iPad or Android device is the award-winning CoPilot Live sat nav app.

A truly useful app which is always to hand, it is perfect for drivers and those who need pointing in the right direction. Being an app, it is a great last-minute purchase and is the perfect accompaniment for any smart devices being given this Christmas.

With CoPilot Live, your loved one can:

• Avoid traffic jams on the way to visit relatives over the festive period, using 12 months free ActiveTrafficTM
• Save on their precious data allowance, as the app downloads the maps onto the device to avoid data charges. No need to worry if there is no network signal, as the app works offline
• Fine-tune routes to avoid or go via certain locations through dragging and dropping on screen
• Never miss a turning again with ClearTurnTM to guide them through complex junctions
• Stay safe on unfamiliar routes as distracting data is hidden from view
• Find their way around on foot or bicycle as easily as by car

So of course, it was only natural to test this app out.

The first positive to note is that once the app has downloaded you get a large choice of 'maps' to download. The wider the geographical region, the larger the download size, so bearing this in mind (and the fact that I have driven abroad once in my lifetime) I selected the GB & I.

It is entirely user-friendly, from the options not to sign in with a specific ID to how specific you want to be with your address. If you only know a postcode, just put that in, and skip the 'street' and 'house number'.

This I like.

There are also options to store your 'favourite' places as home or work, to search for various points of interest, browse map, and also a clever little option called 'PhotoNav'. This is a cracking addition. Basically, such is the capability of the iPhone, when a picture is taken, provided there is some level of internet coverage, it is geotagged. CoPilot can then read this geotagging information and tell you exactly where the picture was taken, and more importantly how to get there. Clever!

On to the journey, which if you're bothered was from High Street Kensington, London, to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. I chose to use the 3D map, which while isn't street view, it is certainly clear enough.

As with many sat nav programs, the voice  is rather robotic, but this is obviously less to do with the product and more to do with taste. While it may be robotic, the pronunciation of various roads and streets was spot-on.

A major plus for this product was the advance notice it gives you of directions. A lot of other SatNav programs on Apple devices have a habit of telling you which exit to take on a roundabout when you have already arrived - not good enough when you have Mr angry lorry driver up your backside! I put this down to the satellite co-ordinates received by the app being spot on,. so top marks.

There are plenty of other features you might like to switch to for your journey, such as switching to the speed you're going at or the time remaining, although you will have to choose only two parameters, which is a shame.

Safe and sound at my destination, it was a case of job done, and job done very well. Clear and well-timed directions, warnings for speed cameras (hey, we all do it, don't judge me) and I was a happy traveller!  

Pricing & Availability:

The CoPilot Live apps are available from £24.99 for the UK & Ireland version and from £34.99 for the European version. It is available on all iPhone and Android devices.

What technology reviewers have said:

MSN, Adam Hartley – “CoPilot GPS… beats Google Maps on your phone hands down.”

The Guardian, Stuart Dredge – “CoPilot Live is one of the more established navigation apps.”

More information is available at www.copilotlive.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

Your chance to win the CoPilot app

We’ve teamed up with CoPilot Live to give away two iPhone CoPilot Live Premium UK & Ireland apps. CoPilot Live is the best-selling app that turns your iPhone, iPad or Android into a full voice-guided sat nav.

Features include:

✔ Turn-by-turn voice directions to addresses, hotels and points of interest throughout Europe 

✔ Maps stored on your phone, not downloaded via 3G

✔Powerful route calculation and automatic re-calculation if you miss a turn

✔ Lane indicator arrows and ClearTurn™ display for clear directions at complex junctions ✔ Driver-friendly 3D and 2D driving views with speed-variable zoom and street names

✔ 12 months free Active Traffic service

✔ Navigate to a full UK post code or address book contact ✔ Speed camera warnings included as standard ✔ Speed limit warnings, and much more!

The CoPilot Live apps are available via iTunes and Google Play from £24.99 for the UK & Ireland version and from £34.99 for the European version.

To be in with your chance of winning the app just follow me @reviews_live as well as @copilotlive on Twitter and re-tweet: RT to win a CoPilot Live Premium UK&Ireland App from @reviews_live + @copilotlive http://tinyurl.com/czqq4yc 

Scrumptious food - Made in Mayfair

Mayfair.  Now, I can hardly claim to frequent the area.  It is by no means my stomping ground, and I can't pretend that I would ever be at home in The Ritz.  In fact, if I'm honest, I don't think they'd let me in.  But if you feel the same about this rather upmarket area of our dear capital city, but find yourself lost and in need of a beer and some bloody good pub grub, then fear not!  Take a left down Dover Street and step inside The Clarence.

The Clarence, Dover Street, London

On entering the pub, I was instantly hit by the warm atmosphere, the aroma of mulled wine in the air, and the bustle of people enjoying a few post-work beverages in the run-up to the festive season.  It seemed to be the perfect place for a cosy winter drink, and while you can dine in the bar area, I highly recommend taking the steps upstairs to the restaurant where you can choose from the same menu, but enjoy the benefits and comfort of quieter surroundings alongside impeccable table service.

After catching the sweet and spicy fragrance of the mulled wine in the bar area I'd already decided what my drink for the evening would be; sweetly flavoured and perfectly warm it was a fantastic start to the evening.  My partner took the excellent advice of our server for the evening, Anna, and tried a couple of ales throughout the meal, and all were thoroughly enjoyed.  There is a great selection and, if you are an ale drinker, you should definitely take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of the staff as they will be more than happy to find the right one for you.

We chose a pint of the Nicholson's home ale, and a festive mulled wine

For my starter I went for the smoked Scottish salmon, and what an absolutely great start to the meal.  The salmon was delicately flavoured, and was complemented perfectly by the yummy, salty cornichons (which might not be your bag but have a go, don't be pathetic).  I didn't finish all of the soda bread this was served with this as I found it a little heavy for a starter, but if you have a bigger appetite than me, get stuck in.  My partner went for the crispy squid with garlic mayonnaise; a generous portion and steaming hot with perfectly crispy batter.

The Scottish smoked salmon starter

Crispy squid starter

 My partner didn't hold back on the main and went for the ribeye steak, served with chips and a peppercorn sauce, plus two enormous king prawns to 'surf' it.  This was a proper man-feast and was beautifully cooked, and definitely enjoyed, but it's not a particularly cheap choice, and there are plenty of other delicious options on the menu if you find this one a little pricey. 

The fish basket main course was positively loaded!

I went for the basket of fish, which included cod goujons, scampi, king prawns and calamari, served with chips and tartare sauce.  The fish was really delicious, and beautifully presented in a basket with a stack of crispy chips on the side.  The portion was very generous, but I personally would have preferred a smaller amount, but served with some salad on the side - this came with no garnish at all which, for me, was the only thing I missed.  There is, however, a good selection of sides on the menu, including the house salad or vegetables, but whether you add these in or not, you won't be going hungry!

Dessert was out of the question, much as it pains me to say it, as we were way too full, so I chose to have a pot of tea whilst my partner went for an Amaretto latte (I nicked a bit when he was looking the other way and it was delicious, take it from me). 

Anna gave fantastic service, and was extremely attentive and helpful, and very keen to give assistance and advice.  She is a real credit to the company.

If you are ever in the area I thoroughly recommend a trip to The Clarence.  You will receive a warm welcome and friendly service, as well as some really good quality British pub food.  Then you can round off your evening with a stroll to see the Christmas lights, or perhaps down to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.  Or you can pop next door to Mahiki and pull a celebrity.

This wasn't your usual surf 'n' turf as you can see!

Guest blogger - AB

Click here to make a booking or for more information on The Clarence, Mayfair.

Sweet treats for a more traditional Christmas

It's that time of the year that causes so many of us undue stress, intense deliberations, and sleepless nights.

Ok, well perhaps the sleepless nights might be a bit of an extreme description, but buying friends and family CHRISTMAS PRESENTS is often less fun and more stressful.

With there being so many gadgets and gizmos out there, it's easy to forget about the more 'traditional' gifts that used to be the norm at this time of year.

So here, I am going to take a look at a selection of gifts, for both sexes, that could be a wise choice for loved ones at Christmas.

Can you prove yourself to be a 'Smart Ass'

Smart Ass - University Games

This is a board game, with a difference. It encourages competitiveness while keeping that element of fun.
The basic description is that all players, barring the reader (which changes at each dice roll) has to answer either a 'Who am I?' 'What am I?' or Where am I?' question. There are 10 clues, and the beauty is that any player can shout out their 'guess' at any point. Beware though, if you guess incorrectly though, you have to sit out.

Get your question correct, and you roll the dice to move around a fairly small game-board, with the ultimate aim to reach the end, which is the 'donkey's ass'!

The more players the better, so I would say at least three. The beauty of it is even if you get the question right, land on a bad square on the board, and you could be going back three spaces. But it remains key to get the questions correct, and importantly, first!

The lovely volunteers had a fun time trying to reach the Ass!

Also, the games don't take too long to complete, which means you can go again, and read through more of the substantial question cards again.

A couple of criticisms - it is perhaps not so visually appealing, but that is far from the most important thing. Also, there should be card holders, as they have a tendency to slide off each other, and are easy to be knocked around, etc.

All in all though, this should certainly be considered as a Christmas gift, and one that can be played straight after you've finished your turkey!

Smart Ass travel would make a fun stocking filler (RRP £9.99), stockist include Argos, Toys R Us, Amazon and Tesco.
 

Give the gift of good furtune this Christmas with
Jura Superstition

 

Jura Superstition - Jura Whisky

Jura distillery has Christmas all wrapped up this year with its award-winning Superstition whisky, which comes with a generous measure of good fortune for all lucky recipients.

Superstition, with its mysterious spirit, unique style and character, has a subtle taste of spice, honey, pine, peat and a whisper of smoke - ideal flavours to complement the festive season.

The community of Jura, known as Diurachs, regard the island as a place of myth, legend and intrigue and for thousands of years good fortune and mystery has enhanced island life.

In recognition of these mythical qualities, the Egyptian symbol of good fortune and immortality, the Ankh cross, is displayed on the front of every bottle of Superstition. Islanders believe everyone can enjoy some good fortune by holding the Ankh cross firmly in the centre of your palm while pouring the malt.

Jura distillery manager, Willie Cochrane, said: “Superstition encapsulates the island’s mystical properties and the superstitious nature of the islanders. One particular Diurach is believed to have lived to see over a hundred Christmases on the island, so I for one like to believe Jura Superstition does bring good fortune.”

“Superstition’s lightly peated taste with hints of smoke and spice is perfect to warm up even the coldest winter’s night.  Its honey and spice flavours also perfectly complement a range of Christmas dishes, working especially well with cheeses. Or for those having an alternative to turkey, it works well with meats with added tang such as gammon steak, salted pork or game.”

Jura Superstition is available to purchase online at www.isleofjura.com/shop for £36.

Barratt Sweets - Tangerine Confectionary 



Go old school with this delightful sherbert-filled mug

 

Tired of giving socks and umbrellas as stocking fillers? Fear not - Barratt is here to rescue Christmas, with some of its best-loved sweets in festive gift format. Christmas is the perfect time to rekindle childhood memories, which is why Barratt has introduced three nostalgic gifts for you to impress your retro-sweet loving friends and family.

For the Sherbet Fountain enthusiasts, a limited edition Sherbet Fountain mug (RRP £4.99) containing four tubes of Sherbet Fountain, is enough to make fans cheer with Christmas joy!  For the liquorice purists out there, the Catherine Wheels tin (RRP £3.99), is a great pencil case sized gift, filled to the brim with Catherine Wheel treats.

Barratt’s time capsule (RRP £4.99) contains all your childhood favourite sweets, sealed into a sweetie cylinder capsule that can be used as a money box once empty – the perfect gift for big and small kids alike! The capsule contains the bestselling Barratt sweets - Black Jacks, Fruit Salads, Sherbet Fountains, Dip Dabs, Flumps, Refreshers and Nougat. 

Barratt’s Christmas gifts are available from B&M, BHS, Matalan, Selfridges and a selection of independent specialist stores. To keep up to date with all the news from Barratt sweets, visit www.facebook.com/barrattsweets

The Shape Of Shit To Come (book)

 

A great present for the man who loves his gadgets and can’t wait for the next big thing... Once, we were promised hover boards, jet packs, robot servants and flying cars but so far this has been a sci-fi future that has never turned up. But what if it really is on its way now?

The Shape of Shit To Come comes from the rather bitter minds of Steve Lowe and Alan McArthur, authors of the mega-selling, Is It Just Me Or Is Everything Shit?

They take readers on a funny and unsurprisingly sarcastic tour of a near future that is taking shape before our very own (jaded) eyes. This is a future apparently full of sex robots, hotels floating in space and children making their own pets with gene-splicing kits.

You Can Stick It (book)

 

Perfect for rebellious brothers and bored boyfriends, You Can Stick It is the activity book for adults. Forget spray cans, Banksy and toilet cubicle graffiti, stickering is the true form of artistic expression.

This book is the ideal antidote to the age of calorie-counting, Health and Safety and parental control. Mysterious designer PK Munroe, the originator of the current stickering craze, has created hundreds of hilarious, subversive and just plain silly stickers to help you hit back at the bossy, finger-wagging experts who think they are in charge.



Juvenile, irresponsible, and completely pointless, You Can Stick It is the sticky, stress-busting self-help book for our times.

Chiquito - Mexican or Mexi-can't?

My latest restaurant review took myself and dining partner to Chiquito  - a restaurant that I have always had a fondness for following fine food and outstanding customer service on previous visits.

However, as every review is based on the merits of there and then, no bias was taken into this, and as we entered, on a Wednesday, the first thing that struck us was how quiet the restaurant was.

Chiquito have a superb two courses for £9.99 midweek menu, Mon-Thurs, from 5pm, and my previous visits have always been to take advantage of this!

A Wednesday night was a good choice - quiet meant our service was prompt

This time was different and we decided to take on the new 'Sizzling menu'.

We had the option of where we wanted to sit, and on entering the establishment, the most appealing are the booth seats - relaxing high-backed seats nicely cushioned.

The first thing to note here, is that if you are eating at the Hatfield restaurant, the chances are at least one of the doors will be permanently open. Now while we could see the point of having an entrance door open to show the restaurant is open, it doesn't make the winter chill any easier to deal with. It is unsure whether this is replicated throughout the chain, so worth checking when booking or sitting!

The meatballs were simple in design, yet scrumptious on the palate

We decided rather than a criticism, this was a point to remember for next time, as we did choose where we wanted to sit.

For starter I ordered the South Western Meatballs and my partner ordered the Prawn Skewer. This was after a chat with our server, who we believe (from the bill at the end) to be called EITHER Honey or Amanda. Whoever you are well done as your enthusiasm for advising us of your recommendations, as well as attentive nature throughout, was a credit to your restaurant.

The meatballs arrived looking fairly minimal for the appetite I had worked up through the day. However the heavy cheese, with the 'signature tomato sauce' and tortilla chips made it an appropriate first course. As with any starter, you don't want the sauce or accompaniments to out-flavour the actual central food. Safe to say on this occasion this wasn't the case as the beef and pork was juicy and steaming hot, just how I like it.

My partner's Prawn Skewer was in her words, 'enough for a starter'. Whether this meant she knew it would be a lighter choice, or that she was mindful of the 12 burgers she had ordered for her main is beside the point. The skewer was served with a tangy and moist salad - which perfectly complemented the juicy and wholesome prawns that were subtly flavoured.

The prawn skewer was a juicy choice for the starter

We were on to our mains, in good time about 10 minutes after our starters, after some nice (pint of) San Miguel refreshment. I had gone for Chicken & Chorizo Skewer, one of the 'Sizzling Specials', while my partner didn't in fact plump for 12 burgers, but in fact the BBQ Pulled Pork 'Hot Baked Wrap'.

I love chorizo. So despite the fact that it came with chicken, of which I find too 'standard' to choose as a meat dish in a restaurant, I was prepared to be proved wrong. Unfortunately, while the chicken was succulent and there was plenty of it, the flavour on the outside was not replicated throughout the meat. I could only presume from this, that the chicken had been cooked separate from the chorizo, as this had a strong, powerful taste. The meat, mixed with peppers on a skewer, was laid on a bed of cooked onion, and served with chips. I also love onion, and chips. So this was pleasing.

The Chicken & Chorizo Skewer - looks good, but did the taste match up?

The BBQ Pulled Pork Wrap was most definitely wholesome

My partner, on deciding on the wrap, was met with derision by me. She had changed her mind from having a Pulled Pork Fajita, to a Pulled Pork wrap. What the difference is I'm not sure (probably just a swap of guacamole and salsa for salad), but I presumed as the wrap was some £4 cheaper, it wouldn't be as good. Whether I am correct or incorrect on that is up for discussion, but after a couple of bites of the 'wrap' I can say it was money well spent. And the size of the dish was impressive. The pork was beautifully tender, and although there was not masses of meat in the split wrap, the richness of it was just right. This was served by a generous portion of mixed salad with dressing and interestingly-coloured onion, coleslaw and skin-on fries.

Following an intense discussion of our rapidly-expanding waistlines, we decided that dessert, although sounding fantastic from the menu, would be ignored this time. We asked for the bill and were soon on our way from what I would say is my 'favourite chain restaurant'. I can imagine the service might be slower on a Friday night or Saturday, but as long as the food is piping hot, generous in portion, and varied in choice, I am of the opinion others might agree with me on that one. However, the £9.99 menu apart, the main menu might not be as cheap as other chain restaurants, but for amount of food you get, this can easily be forgotten. All in all good work Chiquito, and well done on looking after your customers!

Scores on the doors (out of 10)

Setting - 7
Service -9
Quality of food - 8
Cleanliness and decor -9

Total score  - 33/40

To make a booking for a Chiquito restaurant near you, click here