DAB hand for freebies
There are perks to this job.
This morning, a courier turned up at the door while we sat eating our cereal. He handed over five large cardboard boxes, each containing one or more Digital Radio sets. I've got the chance to review and play with them for a few weeks.
As I said to the PR company that got in touch to offer the goodies: "I'm a complete radio nut. The thought of having a houseful of DABs turns me into a gibbering, salivating wreak. When will they arrive?"
A frequently asked question: "Do you get to keep them all, Giles?"
Answer: No. In my experience of reviewing gadgets, games, computers and software, it's rare for a journalist to be given something like this to keep. Generally, if the item is cheap (less than 100 quid or so), you might be in with a chance, and the likelihood increases if it's software.
One memorable exception: when Psion launched the Psion 5MX pocket computer back in 1999, I attended the press conference. Celebrity geek Stephen Fry gave a very entertaining speech, various Psion dudes gave little presentations, then at the end as we filed through the door, every single person present was handed a brand-new Psion in a box. I was astonished.
Of course by then I was already a loyal Palm user and owner, so couldn't really justify keeping a second PDA in my rucksack; so on my return to the office, I handed the Psion over to my surprised colleague Lawrence. I think it died on him, losing a pile of data, a year or so later.
Labels: tech
