I tested 9 Gadgets that Think Different.

An airbag collar worn round the neck that inflates around the head in a fall, shown as the opening teaser.

A steam toaster that gives noticeably crustier, better toast than a normal one, though it is very pricey.

Clever finger-tap keyboard and mouse with real potential, but he is not keen on learning around 200 gestures.

A tough, clear mug with a suction base that stayed stuck down and survived everything he threw at it.

A cool piece of kit with a clear display, but a phone does the same things faster.

A fascinating player that lets you remix tracks live, but needing to upload music to their site and no Spotify support is a major catch.

A low-tech upside-down planter that saves floor space and only needs watering every couple of weeks.

A remote-controlled party cooler with a surprisingly full-sounding speaker, not cutting edge but cleverly put together.

A plasma speaker that plays music through lightning, and one of the coolest things he has ever seen.