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Another two years and another Photokina. Leica announces a big presence at this September's magnet for photographers throughout Europe. 

Last Friday I completed my first freelance journalistic assignment of recent years, reporting for the Australian website, The Rolling Road. The occasion was the public viewing of the supersonic Bloodhound, the 1,000-mph vehicle set to attempt the land-speed record.

Every so often a book comes along that you must have. So it was for John with Q.T.Luong's Treasured Lands — A photographic odyssey through America's National Parks

A new 12in iPad, an Apple keyboard and even a pencil: My first reaction is why would I want one of these combinations. Since I got the 12in MacBook the iPad Air 2 has been gathering dust. For me, the advantages of OS X, with its multi-tasking capabilities, in such a compact and light package far outweigh any attractions of the iPad. 

I have always been fascinated by language and, in particular, by the evolution of the English language. I am old enough to remember when the merest mention of geeky "hardware" or "software" would prompt gales of laughter from the technically challenged. Yet these two words are now respectable and fully understood concepts. No longer is there the slightest titter when they are used.

Ever since computers were first told what to do, we have had the (American) word Program. I've always had the view that Program is a computer programme, while the English spelling is reserved for radio and television output. Now, though, thanks again to Apple, it looks like program as a term for a computer application is on the wane--if it has not already fully waned. 

Now it is "app" or "application", with app becoming more acceptable even in the broadsheet press. No self-respecting mobile platform is now complete without its own app store. Now, also, we talk routinely about PC or Mac apps instead of programs. 

I also find it fascinating the way English (or should I say American?) computer terms are dragged into foreign languages and, probably, carry a frisson of sophistication that is missing in the local equivalent. Germans now talk about downloading as just one instance; they even use the charming past tense version downgeloadet. 

Something fishy when you can get yourself a comfy set of Leica 0.95 edition Master & Dynamic headphones at no premium over the bog-standard version. Is this the Leica we know and love?