Google TV's launch was beset by bluetooth problems - but with some serious rivals in the UK and many questions about how the hurdles between internet and television are cleared, those connection errors may not be the only troubles it faces.

Curation has been the buzzword in broadcast platform circles for some time – the sheer amount of television channels is causing users enough problems, and when you factor in video on demand that becomes exponentially more difficult.

Add in all of the video on demand and streaming content from the web and you realise that perhaps the only suitable way to deal with the information is with search – the tool that has made the internet accessible.

Obviously Google has a key advantage in this area, so I was intrigued to see exactly what Google TV could provide.

Cool concepts

Let's be frank – there was some wildly cool concepts on show; Google's app market is becoming as convergent as the company's plans and using Android as the base of Google TV may be a masterstroke, bringing apps that the public already understands.

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News agency Reuters is trumpeting about an iPad knock-off that it found in China 'after extensive queries with multiple shopkeepers'.

This 'knock-off' according to Reuters' own reporter runs Windows, is a different size (hefty and thickset) and has three USB ports.

With no picture and no mention, we're not even told if the device has an Apple logo on it.

Is it a knock-off?

My question is: when is a device an iPad knock-off and when is a device simply a tablet PC?

Without speaking to the reporter directly it is difficult to be too critical, but it seems clear that the brief was to find an Apple iPad knock off.

The fact that this took 'extensive queries' suggests a couple of things; 1) that there isn't some massive influx of iPad copies and 2) that the reporter was very keen to find this device.

Now, call me cynical – but how many Chinese market stall owners are going to be willing to tell a few half truths to get some money out of a mainstream journalist?

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Christmas is coming, and talk in TechRadar towers has turned to what gadgets and technologies we'd like to discover under the tree this year. Of course, being on the cutting edge of tech does mean our expectations can be a little high, and we may be a somewhat disappointed by the orange, apple and sugar mouse which is the usual fare at yuletide.

But in an ideal world, here's what each of the TechRadar staff would like to find as they delve into their respective Christmas stockings.

A phone, a camera, an HD box, a wall of sound and free music for life. TechRadar Editor Paul Douglas isn't asking much for Christmas…

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

Until mobile phones get their own pico projectors, I'll take a camera that's got one instead. OK, so the S1000pj isn't cheap at around £350, but you can project stills and movies onto your wall at up to 40". Shame it's not powerful enough to project onto buildings – imagine the fun you could have with that.

Motorola Milestone

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I happened to be using a laptop the other day that I don't normally use, so, as you may expect, on booting it up I had a whole shed-load of updates to install.

I install a LOT of software in the course of any given month, and so I'd like to think that I'm impervious to the annoyances of downloads, but after a little impatient finger drumming and a trip to make a cup of tea I discovered that there is still one aspect of the install that manages to leave me apoplectic EVERY SINGLE TIME.

The pre-ticked 'install other software' box.

So, when Sun prompts me to install an update for Java – I'm fine with that. I use it, I need an update. Fine.

Do I want to install Yahoo's toolbar? No, I really, really don't. And that fact that you pre-tick that box that says I do? That makes me hate your company a little bit. And Yahoo, for that matter.

Apple and Microsoft

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I was recently asked to run a half marathon by Sony Ericsson at its forthcoming Run to the Beat event on the 27 September.

The premise for the event is simple - run for 13.1 miles around lovely Greenwich on a pleasant Sunday morning, and to help out, Sony Ericsson has partnered with Dr Costas Karageorghis from Brunel University to inject an element of science into the proceedings.

And, of course, there's always the added boost of technology - high tech trainers, fitness and heart rate monitors, those special stretchy tops you always see the fitter people wearing - to help pick up the slack when the fitness lacks.

I'll be testing out all the options on offer in the coming weeks to see if it helps out (or makes things easier) so if you're thinking of heading out on a long jog you'll know which fitness kit is best.

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