Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How do you define a book? Well, according to techno-geeks it is ‘An on-line, real-time, random-access storage device’ (!!) In this brilliant IKEA ad (where they spoof Apple mercilessly) a guy points out all the amazing features of their latest release: the IKEA catalogue! Not only is this excellent listening material, but it is also a great springboard for all kinds of technology-related discussions/debates: Are new technologies always an improvement? Can old and new technologies coexist? Is innovation driven by a vision for a better future or the need for profit? (etc. etc. ad infinitum) Level: B2 – C1 Topics: Technology / Shopping / Change
[NB: I do not own the copyright to this video clip. I have uploaded it here for educational purposes].
SCRIPT
You know, once in a while something comes along that changes the way we live. A device so simple and intuitive, using it feels almost familiar. Introducing the 2015 IKEA catalogue. It’s not a digital book – or an e-book; it’s a Bookbook!
The first thing to note is – no cables. Not even a power cable. The 2015 IKEA catalogue comes fully-charged and the battery life is eternal. The interface is 7.5 by 8 inches, but can expand to 15 by 8 inches. Navigation is based on tactile – touch technology which you can actually feel.
Content comes pre-installed. There are 328 high-definition pages with inspiring and ..?... ideas. To start browsing, simply touch and turn. Right to left to move forwards, left to right to move backwards. Notice something else? That’s right – no lag! Each crystal-clear page loads instantaneously no matter how fast you scroll.
If you want to get a quick overview, just hold it in the palm of your hand and using just your thumb, speed-browse the content. To find something you want to save for later, you can simply book-mark it and even if you close down the application you can easily find the bookmark again. Amazing!
What about multiple users? For that we’ve introduced a simple, colour-coded system to avoid confusion. If you want to share a particularly inspiring item, you literally share it.
Another special feature is password protection which is voice activated: ‘Excuse me, that’s mine!’
At IKEA we feel that technology this life-enhancing should be in the hands of everyone, so the 2015 IKEA catalogue is free. You can download one from your mailbox (the one you open with a key) and if it’s not there, try a refresh the next day. Or you can upload yourself to the IKEA store and find one there.
Experience the power of a Bookbook.
How do you define a book? Well, according to techno-geeks it is ‘An on-line, real-time, random-access storage device’ (!!) In this brilliant IKEA ad (where they spoof Apple mercilessly) a guy points out all the amazing features of their latest release: the IKEA catalogue! Not only is this excellent listening material, but it is also a great springboard for all kinds of technology-related discussions/debates: Are new technologies always an improvement? Can old and new technologies coexist? Is innovation driven by a vision for a better future or the need for profit? (etc. etc. ad infinitum) Level: B2 – C1 Topics: Technology / Shopping / Change
[NB: I do not own the copyright to this video clip. I have uploaded it here for educational purposes].
SCRIPT
You know, once in a while something comes along that changes the way we live. A device so simple and intuitive, using it feels almost familiar. Introducing the 2015 IKEA catalogue. It’s not a digital book – or an e-book; it’s a Bookbook!
The first thing to note is – no cables. Not even a power cable. The 2015 IKEA catalogue comes fully-charged and the battery life is eternal. The interface is 7.5 by 8 inches, but can expand to 15 by 8 inches. Navigation is based on tactile – touch technology which you can actually feel.
Content comes pre-installed. There are 328 high-definition pages with inspiring and ..?... ideas. To start browsing, simply touch and turn. Right to left to move forwards, left to right to move backwards. Notice something else? That’s right – no lag! Each crystal-clear page loads instantaneously no matter how fast you scroll.
If you want to get a quick overview, just hold it in the palm of your hand and using just your thumb, speed-browse the content. To find something you want to save for later, you can simply book-mark it and even if you close down the application you can easily find the bookmark again. Amazing!
What about multiple users? For that we’ve introduced a simple, colour-coded system to avoid confusion. If you want to share a particularly inspiring item, you literally share it.
Another special feature is password protection which is voice activated: ‘Excuse me, that’s mine!’
At IKEA we feel that technology this life-enhancing should be in the hands of everyone, so the 2015 IKEA catalogue is free. You can download one from your mailbox (the one you open with a key) and if it’s not there, try a refresh the next day. Or you can upload yourself to the IKEA store and find one there.
Experience the power of a Bookbook.
![Comedy for ELT - Homo Devis 3 [Tottenham]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ybkqUWw3i5o/mqdefault.jpg "Comedy for ELT - Homo Devis 3 [Tottenham]
[To download a worksheet (+ KEY, + Script) just click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByC3QwWZuGXdQkwxY3RheVJDVHM/view?usp=sharing ]
Scientists have recently discovered a new human (sub-)species. It’s called ‘Homo Devis’. Most of us plebs refer to them as ‘the super posh’ and ‘the filthy rich’, though people have been known to use other names as well… These people live differently, they think differently, they speak differently.
A brilliant comment on class stratification by the very talented Catherine Tate. Taken from the BBC TV Series ‘The Catherine Tate Show’. Level: C1 – C2 Topics: Rich – Poor / Class / Discrimination / Values.
[NB: I do not own the copyright to this audio clip. I have uploaded it here for educational purposes].
SCRIPT
A: And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon Englands mountains green?
S: Oh mummy, I do enjoy our visits to Gillaume.
D: He really is the greatest ….charcutier (sic).... in London – if not the home counties!
M: (suddenly concerned) Good God in heaven above!
D: What is it?
M: I must have taken a wrong turning… We seem to have driven into a place called ‘Tottenham’! *
S: Mummy, look! What’s that?!? * Can we feed him?
M: No, if you do that he may follow us, so… *
S: Mummy, this is scary… I’m looking but everyone is wearing brogues! *
M: Calm down, we must remember the time when we were on safari in the Serengeti. * We keep the windows and doors locked, and don’t let the locals see the windscreen wipers moving, in case they try to rip them off… *
S: Mummy, look at this! (sign says ‘Iceland.co.uk’) *
M: Yes, I’ve heard of that; * I think they sell…
D: Sell what, mummy?
M: …frozen food… * Now try not to panic, but the traffic lights are red, and there’s a man standing next to them with a bucket of dirty water and a sponge… * Just smile and look out front. .... * (the man knocks on the windscreen) * Don’t look him in the eyes! He wants you to look him in the eyes, but you mustn’t! *
S: He’s going away – we did it!
D: I can’t wait to tell them at school – ‘My Day in Tottenham’… *
A: (the man splashes soapy water on the windscreen and they all scream) We’re all going to die!! **")
