Star Wars - or 'the franchise' as it's known among the aficionado - is one heck of a machine, even for those of us who think we know a thing or two about tie-ins, merchandising and gadgetry. It's a full thirty years since the childhood-defining movie went into hyperspace (you may count the years if you wish, but I wouldn't recommend it) and, let me tell you, we're still amazed by the ingenuity and quality of the industry that's grown up alongside it.

Take for example this delightful R2-D2 projection alarm clock. Now you can prolong your Star Wars dreams by waking up to the tuneful voice of R2-D2. The head of the R2-D2 unit houses a projection device. Place it by your bed and the droid will project the time onto the nearest wall, with a smaller LCD display on the front of the can-shaped astromech droids.