Duncan Bell is on lockdown

The great hot tub frenzy of 2020 and why you should always stockpile dishwasher tablets

So it’s been a bit of a weird few months. I know that because at the last count, I have had 12,037 emails that begin “Dear [insert name] I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during this crazy time.” Then, pleasantries having been dispensed with, they add: “We have a new phone charger that would be great for you to write about on techradar.com, [name]!”

In some ways, the Great Lockdown of 2020 was a gift, to those of us who remained healthy. I’d also get emails from work contacts I actually do know, asking if I was going to write something about those headphones they sent me three weeks ago. I would say, “Sorry, it’s been a crazy time,” and they would just say, “Yes, it is terrible, I hope you and yours are well and safe, at this crazy time.” Suckers.

Of course, this crisis will have a terrible and long-lasting impact on most parts of the tech world. Product development has been stalled, this year’s big launches will be way less successful than they would have been and certain sectors – hi-fi, for instance – have been put under awful pressure.