Podcasts presented by Simon Rose

Steve Caplin looks at some of the weirdest ideas at the CES, including Segway's 24 mph armchair, augmented reality windscreens, a robotic chef that can't open the fridge and a loo-roll-fetching bear. He also covers a lung kit for snorkelers powered by the swimmer's legs; the Fingerbot for pressing buttons on dumb devices; the headphones that turn into loudspeakers; and how to get a VR theatre experience without leaving home.

Political commentator and author of the Groucho Tendency blog Mike Indian talks to Simon Rose about the political ramifications across Europe of the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani. He looks at the various candidates vying for leadership of the Labour Party, how the process works and how the party might recover from its election defeat. And he discusses the different nature of Parliament with a new Speaker and a Conservative majority.

Steve Caplin looks at a lavatory intended to discourage employees from sitting there for long. He also covers Facebook banning deep fakes for the US election (but not shallow ones); Microsoft's new Xbox; breathalyser strips to test the skin rather than breath; robots painting white lines on motorways; how to stop your drink freezing while ice fishing; and reducing water use in showers.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the latest UK box office figures, finding grounds for optimism in the state of Britain's cinemas. In the charts, the new Star Wars film still rules the roost. Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen enters at #3 while Hitler satire Jojo Rabbit debuts at #5. For home viewing, James recommends Norwegian drama Phoenix.

Ian Forrest of The Share Centre looks at the impact on the stock market of the tensions between Iran and the United States. He looks at recent company news from Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Gregg's. Looking ahead, he tells us what we might expect from Boohoo, Taylor Wimpey, Whitbread and Associated British Foods.

In his first appearance in 2020, Professor Tim Evans of Middlesex University looks at the effect Brexit may have on Britain's status in the world economy. He looks at what might happen in Labour's leadership contest, wondering whether – like the Conservatives in the Blair years – they may go through several leaders. And he considers what economic policies the Conservatives might choose to adopt after their decisive election victory.

James Cameron-Wilson looks at the box office for the last weekend in 2019, a good year for movie attendance. The new Star Wars film is still #1, despite a significant drop in revenue, keeping Jumanji in the #2 spot. Little Women arrives at #3 while Cats in its second week is at #5. James's home release of the week is Animals, a drama starring Holliday Grainger.

With little company news of note, Ian Forrest, investment research analyst at The Share Centre, looks at what 2020 might hold in store for investors. He looks at the United States, wondering if multiples are too high there, at Europe, where investors might find useful income, and at the UK where the period of uncertainty that has bedevilled the market is finally over.

Share Radio's Technology Editor Steve Caplin gazes into his crystal ball to see what 2020 might bring. He forecasts an end to sim cards, the arrival of 5G, the roll-out of augmented reality in the workplace, the internet of bodies, an iPhone AR headset, more efficient perovskite solar cells and playing computer games without actually having the game. He also explains what we definitely WON'T see in 2020, despite various predictions to the contrary.

James Cameron-Wilson casts his eye back over 2019, discussing the top ten films at the UK box office and reminding us of the films that won Oscars early in the year. He also lists his own top ten favourite films of the year, with one or two surprising names on the list.