Force into the future

Go haywire- stop working normally (syn. “be on the blink”)

Break the mould- be new and different

Become rapidly obsolete

Work like a well-oiled machine- work really well

Encroach on/upon- take control of time, life gradually

Set the wheels in motion- to do sth to begin a process

Push someone’s buttons- irritate

Push the red button- panic

Be on the leading edge – having the most advanced technology

Scientists are pushing back the frontiers

Harness technology – make use of technology

Run smoothly- work well

Suffer from “wear and tear” - damage caused by ordinary use

Nouns (about devices)

Quaint anachronism (sth that is not relevant to modern times)

Bells and whistles (special additional features of the gadget)

State of the art equipment

All-singing, all- dancing equipment

Gizmo (any small device)

Wireless hotspots- location where the Internet is available

A self-sustaining device

A gas guzzler- car that uses a lot of fuel

All mod cons – all the things fitted in a modern house (e.g. a washing machine, a fridge)

Labour-saving device