There is a saying that something is the greatest idea since sliced bread. I actually prefer unsliced bread most of the time, but there are many other things that have made my life much more satisfying than it would have been without them. High on my list is the wireless remote control with mute button. In my childhood such a thing would have been unknown, but commercials in those days were also a lot less irritating. These days commercials are not the only things on TV that annoy me, though the shouty NZ ones that treat people like morons are certainly aggravating. There are also some people that I simply can't stand, like CNN's Richard Quest. The ability to silence these at the press of a button from my permanent place on the couch is a godsend. It gives me a real thrill of power.

So what are some other gadget inventions that have added value to your life? Could you live without your robot vaccum cleaner?