Specs movies as you travel

It is the latest way to cope with boring journeys on public transport - spectacles that contain a mini-cinema screen.

The Eyetop, which resembles a pair of oversized sunglasses, has a small monitor attached to the side of the frames. When connected to a DVD player, laptop or other portable video device, the monitor projects full-size images onto the user's field of vision.

A pair of earphones and a batterypowered control unit with a belt-clip complete the equipment. Films, music videos, slide shows and recorded TV programmes can be projected onto the screen. And because of its 16-degree diagonal field of view, users can still see enough of their environment to be aware of it.

Tom Dunmore, editor of gadget magazine Stuff, claims that while the glasses are unlikely to become commonplace on the Tube, they will be useful. "These glasses have a certain Terminator chic, but you do have to put up with looking a bit of an idiot," he said. "However, I think in the near future we will see useful applications - such as maps or email - that could be overlaid onto your vision."

Made by Ingenio, the Eyetop, which costs about £300, allows the viewer to position the screen to the left or the right and is ideal for short journeys.

However, a new model out next month will boast a central screen with better quality images and sound, designed for longer-term use. Another product, the Eyetop camera, incorporates a digital camera and monitoring display.