A wifi-enabled beanbag? What on earth? This touch-screen gadget may appear strange at first but you'll soon get chummy with your Chumby.

This little gizmo, encased in a stuffed leather pillow, is cute and full of cuddly charm. After removing it from the draw-string sack it is clear it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Imagine a slightly rotund digital photo frame that can connect to the net. Not much bigger than your hand - at a basic level it combines an alarm clock, an internet radio player and video device - but that's only scratching the surface.

Once out of its bag it is fairly quick and easy to setup. Plug it in and it searches for your wifi network, connects to the Chumby network and starts pulling in news, weather, travel updates, music, photos and trivia from the Web.

The device is rammed with features. Want to wake up to the latest news podcast and read email? Not a problem. Listen to a Reggae radio station broadcasting from New York? Easy. Stream photos from your Flickr account? Effortless. Check Facebook and watch YouTube? Just a tap away.

The ability to customise means you can make the gadget your own to suit lifestyle needs. You could for example have it wake you in the morning with some music, followed with an audio weather report topped off with a video news bulletin and a quick check of the train times.

This is all made possible by the widgets that unlike iPhone apps are completely open, meaning it can be supported by the developer community, and sent via the network for free. No subscription, fees or charges here.

Widget examples include: photo viewing, video streaming, music, news, weather, sports, travel and popular shopping sites such as eBay. New widgets are released frequently via the network.

The device comes with built-in speakers but the headphone jack means it can also be connected to an external sound system. You can hookup your MP3 player via one of the two USB ports or stream music from internet radio stations around the globe. You could of course just use the USB ports to charge your other devices.

Chumby Industries has also managed to squeeze in an accelerometer for playing games. Chumball for example would be familiar to anyone who has played Wii-fit. You guide a ball around the screen by moving the Chumby in an attempt to drop it through a hole. Simple but addictive.

The only drawback with the Chumby is that it must remain plugged in to operate. A rechargeable battery and charging dock would have been great. However this can be forgiven simply because it is so easily customised and fun to use.

With a vast range of widgets available you could find a use for the Chumby in almost any room. The only difficulty might be in deciding where to put the little fella. One thing is certain - if you love all things Web-related you'll want to give him a good home.

Tech Specs

• 350 MHz ARM9-based processor
• 3.5 inch touchscreen LCD
• Stereo speakers and audio output (3.5mm jack)
• Two USB 2.0 ports
• Integrated WiFi
• Motion sensor (accelerometer)

Chumby on YouTube