Tech

Reduced to Clear

For the first time ever, I set my eyes on Microsoft's "iPad-killer" today: the Surface RT. That's not quite right; I didn't see the actual device. I saw its box, in John Lewis, with a "reduced to clear" sticker on the front.

Surface has only just arrived on these shores, and already shops don't want it.

On another shelf a little further along was a stack of Humax YouView boxes, all sporting the same "reduced to clear" decal.

YouView was launched with significant hype this autumn too, after a well-publicised many-year delay. (The original proposal aimed for delivery in late 2009.)

Personally I'd like both Surface and YouView to succeed, but right now it's not clear whether they'll still be around even half-way into 2013.

Personal

Forty today

His ear never quite healed after that incident with the open fire. He lost his tail early in life, and his voice went missing for a few years. Born naked save for his blue bow tie, the purple felt t-shirt came later to hide the numerous skin grafts. But now those grafts are failing, and his innards are bursting though all over.

Happy Birthday, Piggy Albert Snowy-Windows. You were dearly loved.

Album , Solas

Jo Mango: Murmuration

Jo Mango is a little bit in awe of creation. The starling, crow, stork, moth, goose, rabbit, duck, albatross, seamonster, hare and bee all receive mentions on her new album Murmuration.

I'm just a little bit in awe of Jo Mango. Murmuration is without a doubt my favourite album of the year.

In whispered midnight tones, the melodies and gentle arrangements tell stories of life and death, freedom and space. The record is achingly beautiful, rich in tone and steeped in poetry. Stuffed full with interesting instrumentation (including kalimba, bowed glockenspiel, squeezebox and Hebridean chorus), it got under my skin almost immediately.

Now, one month after release, I still don't think I've found the words to do it justice. I just hope the album finds the wide audience it deserves.

(Wait until the wee small hours, turn the lights down low and have a listen.)