The Dandy Lab: a new concept in menswear stores

The Dandy Lab, a new concept store enhanced by technology, is launched in Spitalfields, London this week. Focusing on British craftsmanship and personalised shopping, it creates a one-off retail destination by fusing fashion, lifestyle, data and technology.

Opening on the 14th August, it aims to take the best of both worlds by giving customers the high street's ability to touch and try products with the often wider choice offered by online shopping. This is achieved with smart mannequins, a virtual showroom, an interactive styling wall and a café with wireless charging points. Customers can access the stories behind a selection of British brands including Smyth & Gibson, Alfie Douglas and London Terrariums through a number of display screens across the two floors. 

The concept was conceived and managed by two entrepreneurial post-graduates from UCL and UAL, supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Co-founder, Julija Bainiaksina said, “Technology is a major element of the store, but the main vision is to create a personalised shopping experience for customers that translates into tangible sales for brands.” 

The store will be open on a trial basis for seven months with the view to opening a permanent store early next year. Store location: 73 Brushfield Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London, E1 6AA. Opening Times: 10am – 7pm, Monday – Saturday / 11am – 5pm Sunday.

Acer Iconia A1-830 tablet tried and tested

I hadn't used a tablet seriously before being sent the Acer Iconia A1-830 to try. I was keen to see how useful it would be for blogging tasks such a surfing the web, some image editing and drafting new blog posts. To help with this I acquired it with a keyboard.

Using Android version 4.2.2, this is an attractive tablet, with a slim but solid-feeling aluminium case about 8.5mm thick with cameras forward and back facing and twin speakers. The battery lasts about 7.5 hours on a single charge. The screen isn't the highest resolution, but at 7.9" it's a good size and it's bright enough for all uses. 

I had a few minor problems with the touch screen, which isn't always as responsive as I would like, and keyboard, some of the keys on which don't produce the characters promised by the key you punch, but overall this is good value at a cost of £140 or less. I'm sure someone a little more tech-savvy than me could sort these niggles out very quickly. I didn't test it with any games, but it was more than adequate with document and image manipulation and web-surfing.

If the iPad Mini is out of your reach financially, you will find this more than adequate. Performance, screen quality and build are all excellent for the price. To find out more see Acer's website.