It's not easy describing something as weird and wonderful as iZ. The boffins behind this impossibly cute creature call it an "interactive animatronic DJ/speaker" - which it is, but you're probably still baffled, aren't you?

Allow us to explain. iZ (pronounced "is") is a bizarre, battery-operated being that functions as a quality audio speaker, compatible with almost any music source. Simply plug in your MP3/CD player using the supplied cable and you're away.

But - and this is a big, fat, hugely entertaining but - you can also use iZ to compose your own wacky tunes. How? By pressing and twisting his various body parts, of course! Confused? You should be, because iZ is one of the strangest musical thingamabobs we've ever had the pleasure to play with.

Standing 9" tall, with three posable legs, two goggly eyes, trombone-shaped ears and a light-up nosecone, iZ looks like it has just stepped out of a cartoon drawn by an escaped lunatic from the Planet Tharg. Playing your music collection through iZ is entertaining enough, as his nose changes colour and his eyes bounce to the beat. But press iZ's belly and the fun really starts.

• 4 modes-
  • Play - Here you have full control over the music iZ makes! You can also save your own mix.
  • DJ - iZ mixes his own tunes in this mode.
  • Wziz FM - You can tune iZ into different 'stations' playing different mixes.
  • Speaker - Link your MP3 player or other audio device to iZ and he'll act as a speaker, you can also add sound effects by banging his flicker or pushing his belly.
• 6 tempos.
• 6 volumes.