Hi-tech: Mutewatch

One backpacker's essential is an alarm, particularly if getting from one town to another rests on making that specific train or bus. Likewise, night buses and long rides are a familiar feat for travellers and the ideal opportunity to catch up on sleep, as long as you don't miss your stop! The mutewatch is a travel-friendly contraption that doubles up as a watch and an alarm so that every voyager can keep track of time and not miss a connection.

What makes this product unique is that, paradoxically, the alarm is silent; it wakes you with either a short or long vibration, depending on the 'mode' you have selected, and the intensity of the vibration increases with high levels of movement so that you don't risk sleeping through it. The ingenuity behind a silent alarm is that you will not wake other passengers on public transport or fellow sleepy travellers in you hostel dorm.

The watch is a catchy sleek design available in white, red or grey making it unisex and suitable for all dress styles. Moreover, it comes as a one-size fits all adjustable wristband, and so is remarkably versatile and can be shared if necessary. The elegant flat touchscreen has a glowing LED digital display; a truly futuristic and interactive gadget!

Indeed you will need to read the instructions to get to grips with how it works, but ultimately the device is easy to use; set the time or the alarm by tapping the display, swiping through the menu and tapping the top or bottom of each digit until you have scrolled to the time you require. Some great extra features: you can set up to five alarms and the repeat mode ensures the alarm goes off every day until cancelled. The 'snooze' function also allows you to catch another 40 winks once the alarm has vibrated.

Travellers can benefit from the fact the mutewatch operates for three to four days before needing to be recharged, and a mere two hours will boost the battery back to full. If you can't reach a power source in time, the gadget automatically switches to hibernation mode when the battery is low. To charge, you simply need a USB port, meaning the battery can be refilled via a laptop.

Price : £169.00