Activ8 Computeractive

What was the best technology on show at CES 2013? We cast our eye over offerings from Samsung, LG, Sony, Huawei and many more in our whistle-stop tour

The special Christmas edition of Activ8 sees Alan and Tim compete to find out if technology can make Christmas shopping easier.

We send Tim to Europe's longest street market, in London's Walthamstow, while Alan uses a tablet app to do his Christmas food shop. Who will win on quality, convenience and price?

We also try and work out if technology has made Christmas better. Does it bring people closer together or cause us all to gawk at our new shiny technological wonders?

Finally, we pick out what technology from films we wish was real. Tim reveals a need for easier communication while Alan explains the benefits of using 3D printing to create an army of minions.

Which tablet should you go out and buy right now? There are three great pint-sized tablets available - but which one is our favourite? We argue about the comparative merits of the Apple iPad Mini, the Nexus 7 and the Kindle Fire HD.
We also test out how well 4G - and Alan - cope under g-force. We meandered the streets of London testing EE's new superfast broadband network before heading to the suburbs for one final test. How well did it fare under the whirly madness of a suburban fairground ride?
Finally we wanted to get Alan really angry, so we got him to think about technology he really hates. We each pick out one piece of technology that really annoys us and explain why.
All this - and a discussion about the tightness of Tim's trousers - in the second episode of Activ8.

With Windows 8 about to launch, we ask 'just how bad is it? Reviews editor Alan finds it hard to express in words but we manage to pin down some of the worst parts of the new operating system.
We do find one redeeming feature of Windows 8, however: the price.
We also take to the streets of London to find out just how dependant people are on their mobile phones, covering the big issues like whether you look at your phone to avoid talking to people and whether you use the phone while on the loo.