Ten... tech treats for mum

Very Intelligent Pocket

Not a technological treat in its own right, the VIP will nonetheless prove a godsend to any gadget packing mum. Ladies of a our acquaintance swear by the VIP's ability to provide a secure space for all their stuff, be it phones, cards, cables, Kindles, adaptors, etc, etc.

There's a large, drawstring-sealed central section and nine pockets of varying sizes tacked on around it. She can load it up and just drop it straight into her handbag.

And since the VIP comes in a number of gender-neutral hues, you won't feel bad nabbing one for yourself to slip into your backpack as storage for multi-tools, screwdrivers, specs, Sata cables and so forth.

Withings Wi-Fi Scales

Yes, you've got to be tactful with this one, but for the weight-conscious mum this wireless-connected set of bathroom scales will allow her to diet with confidence safe in the knowledge that she can see it having an effect. Or not.

The scales beam weights to an app that runs on her choice of Windows, Mac OS X and iOS. It does clever stuff like calculate Body Mass Index, and displays colourful charts showing her progress. Yours too if you're concerned about the effect of years of beery over-indulgence on your waistline.

Of course, mums can be a tad touchy about such matters, so Withings' Wi-Fi scales would make an ideal companion for Wii Fit or Your Shape Evolved with the Kinect.