JULY 2010
OMAN’S FIRST TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE
Home Screen Three times the fun This time we have some more interesting stories lined up for you, including an overview of one of the most stylish 3D LED TVs on the market, with a remote that is nearly as impressive as the TV itself, from none other than Samsung. For all you motorcycle aficionados out there, our cover story looks at the latest and darkest edition of the Harley Davidson Fatboy – the Fatboy Lo. We have even featured the latest iPhone and the upcoming Nokia N8, both of which are next generation of portable media powerhouses. Also inside, are previews of the lightest Lamborghini ever – the LP570-4 Superleggera. Meanwhile, the ‘Home Zone’ section features Sharp’s latest air purifier and an impressive Makita drill. Gamers will be delighted to know that we have carried reviews on two long awaited games Alan Wake and Red Dead Redemption, and have updated the ‘Gaming Calendar’ to keep you up to date on this month’s releases. If there is any section that you would like added to the magazine or any kind of story that you would like us to cover, do let us know. We are always on a quest to improve our magazine and satisfy our readers. So, please feel free to write in to us with your feedback.
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-chief
Assistant Editor Senior Designer Designer
Hatim al Taie Malcolm X Crasta
Shyniben Koyakkil Muneeb Khan
Shakeel al Balushi
Managing Director
Abdullah al Taie
Photographer
CORPORATE General Manager
Rathish Ramachandran
Asst. General Manager
-Ed
Sales Manager
Terry Mathukutty Emily Matthews
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Deenar Press and Publishing LLC PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of Oman Tel: + 968 24 696868, Fax: +968 24 693569 E-mail: info@deenarmedia.com
Published by
Al Roya Press and Publishing LLC 2010 © All rights reserved this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permision of the publishers; while every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information here in, or any consequences arising from it.
Cover model: Claire Y Hodgson Provided by:Cynthia Benoit Modelling Agency www.cbmodelsoman.com
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Special Offer: 149 OMR Contact - Tel: +968 24497384 Fax: +968 2447369
JULY 2010
OMAN’S FIRST TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE
CONTEN TS Q&A
08
Tech News
10
Nuovo Tech
12
Photography
14
A/V Zone
18
Bargain Hunter
22
Time Zone
24
Mobile Zone
26
Business Tech
32
Dashboard
34
DVD Reveiw
42
Gamers’ Delight
44
Quiz
51
Home Zone
52
Tech Favourites
56
Tech Classifieds
62
Tech Directory
63
If you have any queries, mail us on tech@deenarmedia. com, and we will try to answer them in our next issue. You may even be the lucky winner of a HP wireless optical mouse!
I recently tried out one of the new 3D TV’s in the malls and noticed that the glasses they used were different to those we find in the cinema. Is there really a difference between the two systems? Suraj Actually both systems are significantly different from one another but the basic concept is the same. Cinemas generally use Polarization systems to present a stereoscopic motion picture. The two images are projected superimposed onto the same screen through different polarizing filters. The viewer wears low-cost eyeglasses which also contain a pair of polarizing filters oriented differently to pass only that light which is similarly polarized and blocks the light polarized differently, as such each eye sees a different image. This is used to produce a three-dimensional effect by projecting the same scene into both eyes, but depicted from slightly different perspectives. On the other hand, the 3D TVs sold today use something called the ‘Eclipse method’ where a shutter blocks light from each appropriate eye when the converse eye’s image is projected on the screen. The TV alternates between left and right images, and opens and closes the shutters in the glasses or viewer in synchronization with the images on the screen. This gives a similar 3D effect as you would find in the cinema
Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on launching your new magazine. We really needed a local magazine like this. I had a quick query – I was shopping for a new TV and I was just wondering what the difference was between a LED TV and a regular LCD and if it was really worth the extra cash? Ahmed Al-Harthy
The answer is a definite yes. This is because unlike regular LCDs, which use CFC tubes, LED TVs use LED backlights. These allow for better control over the lighting at individual sections of the screen which does wonders for contrast and brightness. Just be aware that LED TVs can come in two forms, Dynamic RGB LEDs which are positioned behind the panel or white Edge-LEDs positioned around the rim of the screen which use a special diffusion panel to spread the light evenly behind the screen. Some companies believe that Edge-LEDs are better while others disagree. It is best to check the TV out yourself and then decide but either way LED backlit panels are definitely better than regular LCD panels.
If you have any queries mail us on tech@deenarmedia.com
IN
Breathe Pure, Drive Happy!
UCING OD R T
The ccar air purifier, which fits neatly into a car cup holder and is designed to release high-density of plasmacluster ions that follows the car’s interior airflow. These positive and negative ions are the same ions found in abundance in nature such as forest, mountains, and fields, and which recreates the natural process that purifies the air earth’s atmosphere. in the ear Plasmacluster ions remove influenza virus, cigarette and pet Plasmaclu inside the car. odor insid
Ruwi H.O. Showroom 24706004, Ruwi High Street - Sharp 24832891, Muttrah - Oman House 24781655, Sohar 26840763, Sur 25544613, Salalah 23291405.
tech NEWS
The new Cayenne arrives Porsche Centre Oman has unveiled the long awaited second generation Porsche Cayenne. As a premiere for the Porsche brand, the model is offered as a hybrid
version, the Cayenne S Hybrid. A highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive ensures fuel consumption of just 8.2 litres/100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of just 193 g/km. The Cayenne S Hybrid combines the performance of an eightcylinder with the economy of a six-cylinder running on much less fuel. Based on the manufacturer’s principle of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”, all Cayenne vehicles offer more power on less fuel, greater efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Compared with the former generation, fuel consumption is down by up to 23 per cent making the new models trendsetters in their respective segments. These objectives result from
the introduction of the new Tiptronic S eight-speed automatic transmission with Auto-Start-Stop and a wide spread of gear ratios, thermal management on the engine and transmission cooling circuit, on-board network recuperation, variable engine cutoff and intelligent lightweight construction. Benefiting from these features and new technologies, the new Cayenne offers even more driving pleasure both on-road and offroad, combined with even greater everyday driving qualities as well as enhanced comfort. The completely new, sporty yet elegant design of the new model integrates the 2010 Cayenne even more closely into the overall range of Porsche cars.
The X factor BMW is setting a new benchmark in the compact Sports Activity Vehicle segment with the launch of the newest member of its X model range, the all-new BMW X1. The youngest model to join the hugely successful X Sports Activity Vehicle portfolio comes with all of the features typical of the BMW X range. Available in three engine variants and measuring 4.45 metres in length, this five-door stands out from every angle as a BMW X model. The X1 xDrive28i top-ofthe-range, six-cylinder petrol engine has a maximum output of 258hp, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 230 km/h. The BMW X1 xDrive25i has 218hp, reaching 100Km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 223 Km/h. Also available is the sporting
and economic sDrive 18i, a 2.0 litre four cylinder engine with 150hp. Accelerating this agile performer from 0-100 km/h takes just 10.4 seconds and provides a top speed of 200 km/h.
navigation systems. The iDrive system has even been updated to provide easy access to all telecommunication, audio and entertainment functions.
Modern drive-train technology gives the BMW X1 superior performance and efficiency all in one. The driver benefits from a powerful, economical and low-emission engine, BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology, as well as a range of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. The X1 also comes with the latest generation of BMW iDrive functions, including the 6.5inch Business or 8.8inch Professional
VW on the iPad Volkswagen has established itself as the first automaker to develop a digital customer magazine ‘app’ for the iPad. An internet version of the innovative app, called ‘DAS.’ - Digital Automotive Space – will be available from the end of June. With each issue containing five chapters detailing the Volkswagen world, the specially developed iPad app allows users to enjoy the magazine’s themes in an innovative virtual reality, using the familiar functions of the iPhone. Volkswagen makes comprehensive use 10 / TECH
of the iPad’s digital potential. The 360° images, for example, give the user a realistic impression of technical features on the Volkswagen Touareg such as “Area View”. Later, it will also be possible to integrate content in social networks such as Facebook. DAS. may be Volkswagen’s first iPad innovation, but it certainly isn’t its first app, and if its recent successes are any indication of how the new app will be received, then DAS. is sure to be an overwhelming hit.
The new Audemars Piguet icon successively overcome life’s various trials to reach the peak of his sport.
Lionel Messi, the man the football world calls the “magical one”, has joined the world of Audemars Piguet and its 135 years of history. Understandably proud to be welcoming him, Audemars Piguet CEO Philippe Merk saluted the arrival of this exceptional personality who has
As Messi explains, “I am trying to use my fame to raise public awareness of the distress of women and children around the world! You have to believe in yourself and never lose sight of your dreams, but sometimes our dreams need a little helping hand.” Discreet, humble and committed, as of 2010 he is serving as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. In its undisputed leadership role within the field of Haute Horlogerie, Audemars Piguet naturally surrounds itself with strong and powerful personalities embodying excellence and daring in their own field – be it sport, art, or technology. These partnerships owe nothing to chance; they serve to reaffirm the authentic values conveyed by the Manufacture and centred
on the passion for exceptional watches and the expertise they enshrine. Messi too said, “it’s a real joy and a great honour for me to join a prestigious family such as that of Audemars Piguet, which I have long admired. This is the start of a beautiful human adventure based on strong shared values and visions”. Friends of the brands will thus enjoy the tremendous privilege of rubbing shoulders with him at various exclusive events. In joining the Audemars Piguet “family”, Leo Messi thus becomes the first footballer to associate his name with that of a prestigious Swiss watch brand. In Oman, Audemars Piguet range of exclusive watches can be seen at Mistal, the designer watch boutique that showcases the timeless aura of this brand in the setting of an opulent gallery.
Spoilt for choice Panasonic recently launched its new range of Lumix digital cameras and Full-HD camcorders for the Oman market. Featuring unique technology – including Intelligent Resolution Technology, power optical image stabiliser, high definition video recording and GPS technology, backed by high quality Leica lens, the new Lumix range is suitable for every level of photographer. Panasonic also launched the latest range of semi-professional and full-HD camcorders in the market, featuring 1080p
recording and an easy-to-use LCD touch screen interface. The new image processing technology Intelligent Resolution is incorporated into the cameras, with the Venus Engine, makes taking pictures hassle-free, while producing excellent results. The technology activates many features at the same time to automatically focus, balance and highlight the best images. Also, the Lumix range now includes the top-
of-the-range, 12.1MP TZ10, with GPS and HD video recording capability in AVCHD 720p. New additions also include the FP3 and FP1.
Another world’s first LG recently launched the LX9500, the world’s first Full LED 3D TV. Delivering a picture of outstanding clarity and brightness on LG’s innovative INFINIA design, the LX9500, invites viewers into an entirely new world of 3D TV viewing. The LX9500’s award-winning INFINIA design is geared toward creating the ultimate 3D experience. Slim and sleek, the LX9500 boasts a depth of just 22.3mm, and a 16mm
super-narrow bezel that allows for a more expansive picture. As the world’s first Full LED 3D TV, the LX9500 uses an innovative backlight structure to deliver its remarkable picture. Illuminated by panels of LEDs directly behind the screen, the Full LED display provides images of exceptional brightness and clarity. With TruMotion 400Hz reducing image cross-talk and a picture further enriched by a 10,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.
TECH / 11
NUOVO TECH
Also incorporating a 4-inch AMOLED, the new Androidpowered Samsung Galaxy S is powered by a 1GHz application processor, allowing the phone to run vibrant HD videos and rich augmented reality content through the Layar Reality Browser. The phone even features mDNIe – a technology more commonly found in Samsung’s LCDs – allowing an even sharper and crisper viewing experience. Furthermore, a variety of Google applications from the Android Market allows users to further extend the benefits and excitement of the already impressive experience.
The Samsung wave’s Super AMOLED display offers much brighter, cleaner and less reflective experience. For those who love music, the device homepage can be turned into an intuitive media player; while for those who like to share photos, the page can be customised to feature your favourite images. Also, users can benefit from the Quick Panel, which allows users to prioritise and aggregate apps into one screen for easy access. This is all thanks to Samsung’s very own new Bada platform, offering a genuine smartphone experience on the Wave.
Fingertip entertainment An elegant addition to any living space, new VAIO J Series delivers an uncompromised HD entertainment experience in a beautiful, integrated design that cuts unsightly cables. The slim all-in-one design is dominated by a 21.5” VAIO Display Plus that offers a Full HD 1080p resolution and multiple lamp technology to ensure a brilliantly detailed view of HD movies, photos and games. The touchscreen also offers a beautifully intuitive way to view and interact with the web, documents and your digital media collection. The J Series also offers more
than enough power for a responsive digital media experience at work or play. The latest-generation Intel Core i3-350M processor is complemented buy NVIDIA’s GeForce 310M GPU, with 512MB dedicated memory, and 4GB DDR3 SDRAM for smooth video playback, gaming and 3D entertainment. There’s also an impressive 500GB of hard disc space – plenty enough to store your home multimedia collection. The VAIO J is expected to hit Omani store shelves soon.
Watertight photography Just last month SANYO announced the release of the world’s first waterproof Full HD Dual Camera that can be used underwater, the DMX-CA100, which is expected to go on sale soon. It enables people with active lifestyles to capture high resolution photos just like a regular digital camera and Full HD videos in all kinds of outdoor 12 / TECH
situations, not just in the city, but also at the beach or at the mountains. The DMXCA100, which can be used to a depth of three metres underwater for up to 60 minutes, offers a Dual Camera model that is both handy and reliable for active outdoor living, daily activities and leisure pursuits.
Laser weapons are real! And they are even commercially available now! This is because, for the first time in history, direct blue laser diodes have become available in the consumer market. The laser powered home theater projector is the first of a large family of audio and video media technology to feature direct blue diodes. Wicked Lasers took the direct blue laser diode components and made the world’s first 445nm direct blue diode laser, the Arctic, which emits a 445nm cool blue, ultra high power 1W beam. But
don’t let the cool blue laser fool you into thinking it’s harmless, it can and will blind permanently and instantly and can quickly set fire to skin and other body parts and should be used with extreme caution. We don’t know about you but that classifies as a weapon in our books.
One handy recorder While it may be one of Samson’s smallest recorders ever, don’t let its size fool you. The H1 Recorder has all the renowned recording technology and studio-quality microphones that the company is known for albeit in a much more portable device. Like all Zoom recorders, the H1’s onboard microphones are configured in an X/Y pattern, for stunning stereo imaging. Since both mics are arranged on the same axis, they are equidistant from the sound source for perfect localization and no phase shifting. The result is great stereo recordings with natural depth and accurate imaging. And with its newly designed user interface, the H1 is also extremely easy to use, with all necessary functions at your fingertips.
TECH / 13
PHOTOGRAPHY
Explore your creativity The newly launched EOS 550D redefines the boundaries of Canon’s consumer DSLR range, incorporating technologies and features more commonly found in semi-professional DSLRs into the compact, lightweight body favoured by consumers. With a newly-developed 18 Megapixel (MP) APS-C CMOS sensor, coupled with Canon’s advanced DIGIC 4 image processor and the ability to shoot Full HD movies, photography enthusiasts are empowered to explore new levels of creativity.
Large prints are provided by an 18 Megapixel resolution and a 9-point Auto Focus (AF) system, offering extraordinary detail in every shot. Powerful DIGIC 4 processing complements the optics with both speed and intelligence, delivering vivid images with little noise.
The 550D is currently retailing in Emax at OMR 519.900
The 550D also supports high-speed, continuous shooting at 3.7 frames per second
Shooting in low light is made easy thanks to the advanced ISO range of up to 6400. ISO can even be extended to 12800 in the darkest conditions, allowing users to shoot evening events or dimly-lit scenes with ease.
14 / TECH
The camera is fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX series Speedlite flash units, including the compact Speedlite 270EX.
A 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 Clear View LCD screen with 1,040k dot resolution makes it possible to see 100 per cent of the captured images with no borders. The anti-reflective, water-repellent coating also makes it easier to see the screen in bright conditions and from a variety of angles.
The EOS 550D includes the iFCL metering system, a system that uses focus, colour and luminance information to determine consistently exposed shots, first launched in the EOS 7D
Share the moment For EOS 550D photographers, shooting great pictures and video is just a first step. Thanks to an integrated HDMI port compatible with High-Definition Multimedia Interface – Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), video and images stored on the EOS 550D can be viewed on an HD-ready TV and controlled via the TV remote. For users who want to transfer content wirelessly, the EOS 550D includes Eye-Fi connected functions. The EOS 550D features a dedicated Eye-Fi section in the
User Interface and it disables the automatic power-down function when an Eye-Fi card is transmitting - allowing users to transfer content easily and without interruption.
Explore and experiment with EOS Movie The EOS 550D records video in full 1920x1080p HD resolution, allowing photographers to select the frame rate preferred from 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as offering 720p video at 60 and 50fps. The EOS 550D also includes a 3.5mm stereo microphone socket, enabling the use of an external microphone when capturing video. Photographers can
also take manual control over exposure settings, changing the depth of field and degree of motion blur to shoot more creatively. To provide the best possible video quality, highlight tone priority (HTP) can be set independently for movie capture, without changing any still image capture settings. In situations where the subject is further away, the EOS 550D
Movie Crop function records with the central 640x480 pixel area of the sensor, creating an effective magnification of approximately seven times. The EOS 550D is the first in the EOS range to feature Movie Crop and gives consumers more flexibility to capture important moments which would otherwise be too far away.
EOS Integrated Cleaning System The cleaning system combats sensor dust in three important ways – firstly, internal mechanisms are designed to minimise dust generation and the redesigned body cap prevents dust generation through wear on the cap itself. Then there are the anti-static technologies, including a special fluorine coating, which is applied to the low-pass filter covering the front of the sensor. Finally, a Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit uses hi-frequency vibrations to shake dust from the infrared filter for a period
of approximately one second after each start up. This feature is disabled immediately as the shutter release is depressed. And if that isn’t enough, Canon has also developed an internal Dust Delete Data system, which can map the position of visible dust on the sensor to be deleted automatically after the shoot with the latest Digital Photo Professional software. TECH / 15
Slice of Life The Slice is the latest camera to be included into Kodak’s portfolio. With intuitive searching and sharing features and the ability to store up to 5,000 of your favourite photographs on the internal memory, the slice was designed to make it easier than ever for people to share pictures with family and friends anytime and anywhere.
The camera automatically stores an HD resolution copy of up to 5,000 images on 2 GB of internal memory while your original high resolution pictures are maintained on the MicroSD/MicroSDHC card.
The share button allows you to tag content directly on the camera to effortlessly upload them to popular sharing sites such as Facebook, Flickr and YouTube
The Slice is equipped with a5X Schneider-Kreuznach Optical Zoom Lens and a 14 megapixel CCD sensor
16 / TECH
The camera is capable of capturing HDquality video at 720p at 30 fps with sound and on-camera editing The camera automatically recognizes up to 20 pre-tagged faces so you can easily locate and share them later and also Recognizes up to five faces in a single image
The Slice is currently available for purchase at Shah Nagardas Manji at the price of OMR 179.000
The Camera has a 3.5-inch 16:9 touchscreen featuring KODAK’s Colour Science Technology for brighter, more vibrant details and is also equipped with an Anti-reflective coating to keep the screen free from glare
Kodak’s innovative Smart Capture feature automatically identifies the scene and adjusts camera settings for a great picture in just about any environment
An intuitive search feature and face recognition allows you to sort through thousands of pictures by person, place, date, or occasion in order to locate and share your collection of pictures TECH / 17
A/V zone
Slimming down in 3D
With quite a few 3D TVs already in the market, all sporting nearly the same technology, it was about time someone released a TV that is unique. Samsung seems to be the first to offer such a product with their Series 9 9000. It is the cream of Samsung’s 3D technologies and is easily one of the slimmest TV’s on the market today. It even has one of the craziest remotes you will ever lay your eyes on.
The 9000 features an “Ultimate Slim Design” of only 23.9mm depth and the elegant brushed metal exterior looks stunning regardless of what angle you gaze at it from
The Series 9 9000 uses similar 3D technology to what is found in most other 3D TVs – the 3D Active Glasses sync up with the TV to produce 3D images and it even has a built in system to convert regular sources into 3D in real time
Completely Internet TV ready, the 9000 effortlessly connects to the Internet and lets you enjoy all the brilliant content the Web has to offer
The challenge of any TV screen is to recreate reality through colour and light. Samsung’s attempt to meet this challenge comes in the form of the Wide Colour Enhancer Pro feature. After analyzing each pixel, the TV stretches them to their 3-dimensional limit. What you end up with is much more lifelike colours and significantly improved picture quality
18 / TECH
With Samsung Real 240Hz, advanced panels and unique backlight technology are combined with proprietary algorithms to reduce the response time and yield some of the clearest moving images
The 55” Series 9 9000 is available at SARCO’s Samsung showrooms for OMR 2799.000
The groundbreaking touch screen remote does what no other remote can do. It has the ability to enter text, as well as stream video from the TV screen to the 3� colour screen on the remote. To put simply, with this feature you can practically take your TV anywhere with you in the house.
TECH / 19
Stylised Home Entertainment As a follow-up to their monolithic design based TVs, Sony has now introduced four new models to its Home Theatre System range - DAV-DZ910W, DAV-DZ810, DAV-DZ610 and DAV-DZ310 that feature the new unique design concept. They are currently available at Jumbo showrooms.
The DAV-DZ910W and DAV-DZ810 are priced at OMR 194.900 and OMR 159.900 respectively and come with four floor-standing main speakers for front and rear, left and right channels, a high-power subwoofer and a centre speaker while the DAV-DZ610 (OMR 117.900) comes with 2 floor-standing and 2 satellite speakers (all three have a total power output of 1000W)
The DAV-DZ910W comes with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) to detect where the speakers have been placed and to calculate the ideal volume, delay, and frequency settings for optimum surround sound settings
The DAV-DZ910W incorporates Sony’s advanced S-AIR (Sony Audio Interactive Radio Frequency) digital wireless transmission technology to create a close-to-original digital sound without compression or interference
All the new systems feature 12 bit/108MHz video DAC and are also capable of up-scaling existing DVDs to near HD 1080p resolution through a HDMI cable, furthermore they also support Dolby PRO LOGIC, Dolby Digital and DTS to create an all-around cinematic experience The USB video playback function is included to allow users to enjoy DivX and MPEG4 video clips
The four systems are equipped with Sony’s S-Master digital amplifier to deliver powerful audio performance with close-to-original sound quality
The DAV-DZ310 (OMR 99.900) comprises five compact satellite speakers and a powerful subwoofer and offers 850W of performance
20 / TECH
Irresistible offers
DELL 5020-INS-0088 Black/Red/Blue/Pink
i3-350M, Wi-Fi, 2.26 GHz, 4GB RAM, BT, DVD-RW, 1GB Ded. Graphics, 320GB HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium
OMR: 310.900
Hisense LCD26V88 26” LCD, USB, HDMI, PC Input
OMR: 99.900
Samsung S3370 1.3 MP, LCD 2.6”, Bluetooth, MicroSD 16 GB, Full touch, 3g, Internal Memory 49MB
OMR: 49.900
Samsung 18000 Omnia II 5 MP, LCD 3,7”, MicroSD card slot, OS: Windows Mobile 6.1, Touch with 3D, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, FM radio
OMR: 199.900
Bargain Hunter
The Video Guru The DVDO EDGE is an award-winning video processor and A/V hub. It upscales all video formats, up to 1080p output, and improves image quality through its full complement of Anchor Bay’s Video Reference Series (VRS) technologies. EDGE is also the ultimate A/V hub, with six HDMI 1.3 “Deep Colour” inputs, two HDMI 1.3 outputs and a complete array of analogue and digital A/V connections. Its new user interface makes setup and
operation simple, and there are a number of new customization features allowing users to personalise their own setups. What makes this such a bargain is the fact that the EDGE (available from Hi-Tech Center, priced at OMR 199.000)
The company’s VRS technology allows Anchor Bay to offer a wide range of advanced video processing solutions that greatly improve image quality on large screen HDTV home theatre systems and other video displays. The company’s technologies include Precision Video Scaling, Precision Deinterlacing, Progressive Reprocessing (PReP), colour correction, detail enhancement and noise reduction solutions
packs many of the same features and performance specs of its big brother, the DVDO iScan VP50Pro HD video processor, at a fraction of the cost.
The back-lit universal remote control simplifies the use of multiple systems and clears the coffee table of clutter
Five separate audio inputs that can be assigned to any of the video inputs, including three Optical Digital, one Coaxial Digital, and one Stereo Analog input
Four Analog Video Inputs, including two Component Inputs, one S-Video and one Composite Video
The Edge has a High quality multi-format 10-bit video decoder featuring a 3D comb filter for excellent composite video performance 22 / TECH
Six HDMI 1.3 Audio/Video Inputs, including one on the front panel for Game Consoles, Digital Cameras, Camcorders or any other device with HDMI
Two HDMI 1.3 Outputs one that supports audio and video that can be connected directly to an HDTV and one that supports audio only that can be connected directly to A/V Receiver. An Optical Digital audio output is also available for legacy A/V receivers that do not support HDMI
The user interface is made as easy to use as possible thanks to an intuitive user interface with Set-Up Wizards that make installation a breeze. Furthermore on screen hints help you while navigating the menus and pushing one device button automatically makes all necessary setting changes using the Auto Priority feature
TECH / 23
TIme zone
Jaw droppers
Roger Dubuis Easydiver Skeleton Tourbillon Pursuing his innovative strategy, manufacture Roger Dubuis has chosen, simultaneously with the radical transformation of the architectural structure, to blacken the “skeleton” tourbillon movements.
24 / TECH
The two sapphire crystals surrounding the beating hearts highlight the rigorous and technical lines of this model. Radiating an understated and decidedly urban aura of elegance, technique meets aesthetics in a sophisticated stage setting.
This model in titanium, water-resistant to 30 bars is equipped with a mechanical self-winding movement stamped with Poinçon de Genève
Strom Memento Mori, Carpe Diem The latest watch to be included into the Daniel Strom Agonium collection is an amazing model and is appropriately named Memento Mori, Carpe Diem. The watch is available with a breathtaking
case, crafted from silver 925, gold, palladium or platinum. The container of the watch, meanwhile, is manufactured from stainless steel. On its front side the case is armed with an anti-glare double curved sapphire crystal.
The Daniel Strom watch relies on a mechanical self-winding movement - caliber 2824. The hours, minutes and seconds are immediately displayed on the dial, clothed in black or bone-white. It is completed with Roman numerals and polished steel-hands.
TECH / 25
Mobile zone
Two is Company To go along with its launch of Windows Phone 7, Microsoft also announced KIN, a new Windows Phone designed specifically for people who are actively navigating their social lives. KIN is designed to be the ultimate social experience that blends the phone, online services and the PC with breakthrough new experiences called Loop, Spot and Studio. With the KIN, social networking is built into the fabric of the phone. It has a fun, simple interface, which is designed to help people publish the magazine of their life by making the people and stuff they love the focus rather than menus and icons. The unique hardware design was developed in partnership with Sharp to
create a new kind of social phone. There are two models called KIN ONE and KIN TWO. Both phones feature a touch screen and slide-out keyboard. ONE is small and compact, making it a perfect fit for a pocket and to operate with one hand. TWO has a larger screen and keyboard, in addition to more memory, a higher resolution camera, and the ability to record high-definition
video. The 5 and 8 megapixel cameras in ONE and TWO, respectively, are designed for use in low light with image stabilisation and a bright LumiLED flash.
Stay in the loop
On the Web
With the KIN Loop, all of your favourite people and things you love are right on your home screen in real time. You tell KIN who and what is important, and it delivers the latest updates from your favourite websites and social networks such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. You can discover and share, all from one place.
With the KIN Studio, almost everything on your phone – messages, contacts, photos and videos – is backed up to a private, password-protected website where you can visit all of your memories anywhere there is a computer. And with virtually unlimited storage, there’s almost no limit to what you can keep.
Capture your memories Share your story The KIN Camera captures all the moments that matter most, and makes it easy to share them. The KIN ONE has a 5 MP lens while the KIN TWO has an 8 MP lens and shoots video in HD. With anti-shake, autofocus and an LED flash, KIN lets you take amazing pictures, even in low light, and post or share them with just one touch. And all your memories are backed up with tons of storage in the KIN Studio. 26 / TECH
The KIN Spot is the new way to share. Share almost anything – photos, texts, Web pages – with almost anyone. Since the Spot is always on your screen, it’s unbelievably easy to drop stuff into the Spot and send by text, e-mail, or social network update.
Zune KIN is the first Windows Phone to feature a Zune experience – including music, video, FM radio and podcast playback. With a Zune Pass subscription and Zune software on your PC, you can listen to millions of songs from Zune Marketplace on your KIN while on the go, or load from your personal collection.
E-mail The KIN supports all popular Webbased mail, POP/IMAP services, as well as Exchange for business e-mail and contact sync. Each e-mail account has its own screen so it’s easy to navigate.
Browser With KIN, you get a full, rich PC-like browsing experience. You can pan, scan and zoom in and out using touch gestures. And browsing is social; it’s easy to share a snapshot of the website you’re viewing by dragging it to the Spot.
One
Two
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Black-glass beauty The iPhone has enjoyed remarkable success since its launch in 2007, having sold over 50 million units worldwide. Apple has now finally, and officially, unveiled the new iPhone 4 which features FaceTime, making the dream of video calling on an iPhone a reality, and Apple’s stunning new Retina display. It also features quite a decent camera, with a LED flash, HD video recording and better power management, allowing for up to 40 per cent longer talk time - all in a beautiful new design of glass and stainless steel. The iPhone 4 is quite easily the biggest leap in the phone’s history since the original.
The front and back are made of aluminosilcate glass, chemically strengthened to be 30 times harder than plastic, making it more scratch resistant and durable than the previous model, and has an oil-resistant coating that helps keep it clean
Apple’s 3.5 inch Retina display has 960 x 640 pixels, four times as many pixels as the iPhone 3GS and 78 percent of the pixels on an iPad, resulting in a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch. To put it simply – it is the highest resolution display ever in a phone
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iPhone 4 is one of the thinnest smartphones ever at just 9.3 millimeters thick
iPhone 4 comes with iOS 4 which has 1500 new APIs for developers and over 100 new features, including Multitasking, Folders, enhanced Mail, deeper Enterprise support and Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform
Encircling iPhone 4 is a highly finished stainless steel band made of a custom alloy that is forged to be five times stronger than standard steel
iPhone 4 will feature a new 5 megapixel autofocus camera with a 5x digital zoom, a backside illuminated sensor and built-in LED flash that allows you to take good pictures even in low light and dark environments, a feature the previous model was sorely lacking
The phone will also features a second microphone and advanced software to suppress unwanted background noise for improved call quality when in loud places
Every iPhone 4 will have a built-in 3-axis gyro that when combined with the accelerometer provides 6-axis motion sensing such as up and down, side to side, forward and backward and pitch and roll, making it perfect for gaming
The iPhone 4 will be available in 16GB and 32GB model variants and should reach our stores by the end of September, not including some early imports of course The new iBooks app will be available for iPhone 4 as a free download from the App Store and includes Apple’s new iBookstore. Although a welcome extra, we doubt many users will actually use this feature much considering the size of the screen
Another welcome new feature with the camera – the phone lets you record and edit HD video and the popular tap to focus feature now works while recording video. You can even use the iPhone 4‘s LED flash for both still photography and video recording
The new iPhone is powered by Apple’s new A4 processor that provides exceptional processor and graphic performance along with longer battery life
The iPhone 4 has had a decent battery upgrade from the 3GS and now delivers seven hours of talk time on 3G networks, up to 10 hours of web browsing on Wi-Fi and up to six hours on 3G, up to 10 hours of video playback and up to 40 hours of audio playback TECH / 29
Colours of convergence We all know that convergence is the way of the future and nowhere is this more apparent than in Mobile phones,
Nokia N8 introduces a 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, Xenon flash and a large sensor that rivals those found in compact digital cameras
The front face of the phone is dominated by a 3.5� OLED Capacitive touch screen featuring a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels and 16.7 million colours
The N8 is filled to the brim with connectivity options. These include Bluetooth 3.0, HDMI, High-Speed USB 2.0, a 3.5mm AV connector and WiFi
N8 offers the ability to make HD-quality videos and edit them with an intuitive built-in editing suite
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especially so when cameras and music players were first introduced to these simple devices. Over the years the bar has consistently been raised as more and more devices started to be integrated into mobile phones. Now it seems that Nokia has taken things a step further by actually integrating a HD media player into its latest smart phone – the N8. Not only that, but it even allows people to create compelling content, connect to their favourite social networks and enjoy ondemand Web TV programs!
The new phone is to be made available in select markets (Oman included) during the third quarter of 2010 at an estimated retail price of around EUR 370 (approx. OMR 171.000 but expect it to be higher)
The N8 comes with free global Ovi Maps walk and drive navigation, guiding people to places and points of interest in more than 70 countries worldwide
To solve your memory needs the N8 comes with 16GB internal memory and a MicroSD memory card slot for further expansion
Nokia N8 also offers multiple, personalised home screens which can be loaded with apps and widgets
The power of Symbian
Keep yourself entertained
Social Networking made easy
Powering the Nokia N8 is Symbian ^3, which introduces several major advances including support for gestures such as multi touch, flick scrolling and pinchzoom. The new 2D and 3D graphics architecture in the platform takes full advantage of the N8’s hardware acceleration to deliver a faster and more responsive user interface. Symbian^3 also raises the bar in performance by delivering greater memory management allowing more applications to run in parallel for a faster multi-tasking experience.
Doubling as a portable entertainment centre, people can enjoy HD-quality video with Dolby Digital Plus surround sound by plugging into their home theatre system. The Nokia N8 enables access to Web TV services that deliver programs, news and entertainment from channels like CNN, E! Entertainment, Paramount and National Geographic. Additional local Web TV content is also available from the Ovi Store.
People can update their status, share location and photos, and view live feeds from Facebook and Twitter in a single app directly on the home screen. Calendar events from social networks can also be transferred to the device calendar.
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BUSINESS TECH
As we mentioned in the previous article, in todays telecom industry “convergence” is the key word and Panasonic PBX platform offers complete Telecom solution for all segments ranging from smart-home to hi-tech offices,
from corporate environment to industrial set-up and lot more. The Panasonic IP-PBX can easily integrate with majority of interfaces offered by the local service providers like Omantel, Oman mobile, Nawras etc.
Panasonic’s newly launched system KX-NCP500 series is a compact 19inch rack model supporting Analog, Digital, IP and SIP phones over digital or analog trunk interfaces
Panasonic family of PBX models which include KX-TES824, KX-TEA308 and KX TDA30 has a complete range for the villa segment, with caller-id support and Panasonic Colour VideoIntercom integration, by which one can easily view the person at door over a fixed monitor or a cordless monitor and release the door-latch with any of phone extension
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Panasonic has also recently launched new Toughbooks for the industrial segment which can be used as IP-soft phone extensions for remote offices when connected with Panasonic USB phones
Panasonic systems are VoIP compatible and can integrate with ISDN PRI, IDSN BRI, Analog Trunk lines, MPLS or Leased Lines. Here are a few of their latest systems to meet all your communication needs.
The KX-TDE100/200/600 series can easily support 1000 ports plus with Caller id facility on Analog caller-id phones
Panasonic latest IP phones KX-NT series, equipped with a touch panel and self labelling keys, can even integrate with IP network cameras for viewing visitors outside your office on your computer
PBX models can also be integrated with cordless DECT phones for mobility solutions
With such a wide array of solutions from Panasonic Telecommunications, these systems have simply become one of the most preferred brands across the Globe. If you are looking for a setup to suit your own needs, OMASCO’s System Solutions Division will be glad to help
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dashboard
Welcome to the
Dark Side T
he 2010 Fat Boy Lo is a new riff on one of the greatest hits to ever roll out of the Harley-Davidson design studio. Darker and lower than that original icon of fat-custom style, the Fat Boy Lo retains the bold presence of the Fat Boy while offering a fresh interpretation of the motorcycle that still defines the segment. Dressed in satin chrome and denim black, the Fat Boy Lo features a reshaped seat and handlebar that places its rider “in” the motorcycle, with the lowest seat height of any Harley-Davidson model. The half-moon footboards, black wheels and leather tank panel help the Lo rock to a singular, fat-custom beat. The Fat Boy Lo is a Harley-Davidson Softail model with a rear-suspension design that mimics the lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but offers the comfort of modern suspension that is hidden under the chassis. A horseshoe oil tank located below the seat, forward foot controls or foot boards, and the classic fivegallon Fat Bob fuel tank are notable styling details of each Softail model. A counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B V-Twin powertrain, rigid-mounted in the frame, powers the Fat Boy. The rigid powertrain allows tight packaging of the engine within the frame. Rated at 93.67 ft. lbs. of peak torque at 3000 rpm, the engine features Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection and is finished in black powdercoat with bright machined highlights on the cylinder fins and satin-chrome engine and primary drive covers. The 6-Speed Cruise Drive transmission features a new helical-cut fifth gear for smooth operation. Whatever the changes may be, one thing is guaranteed – this bike means business and will turn heads wherever it goes.
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Customise your dream Half of the joy that comes from owning a Harley is personalising it. Nearly everything, from custom paintjobs and accessories to performance upgrades, can be added or changed to make the bike as individual as you are. And, it will be a rare coincidence for you to ever come across two Harleys that are perfectly alike. The company even has a very useful guide to get you started. It revolves around fit, function and style, in that respective order. There is even a handy bike customizer available on the company’s website, just in case you want to try your hand at building your perfect dream bike.
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The Fat Bob fuel tank is topped with a satin-chrome console with a speedometer and ignition switch, a leather tank panel with the Harley-Davidson medallion and satin-chrome tank side badges
The 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission has an helical-cut fifth gear for smoother shifting and improved transmission sound
Stainless steel 1.25-inch-diameter handlebar features internal wiring for an uncluttered control area
The front and rear suspension are each lowered by 1.15 inches to give the Fat Boy Lo a road-hugging stance
The Fat Boy Lo is equipped with an over/ under shotgun exhaust with satin-chrome mufflers and muffler shields and flatblack header shields
The air cooled 1,584cc Twin Cam 96B engine produces 93.67 ft. lbs of torque at 3000rpm and is blacked out with machined cooling fins and satin chrome accents
A new seat is narrower and has a seat height of just 24.25 inches, the lowest of any Harley-Davidson model, making it possible for almost any rider to place both feet flat on the ground when the motorcycle is at rest
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Float like a Feather... E
ven more dynamic, lighter, more powerful and stunning – the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is the new top model in the Gallardo line-up. Its evocative “superlight” badge refers to a driving machine of true sporting character and describes a high-performance and lean automotive athlete. The Superleggera makes its entrance to continue the success of its predecessor, launched in 2007, of which Lamborghini produced and sold no less than 618 in just one year. Compared with the already lean Gallardo LP 560-4, the weight of the Gallardo Superleggera has been trimmed by 70 kilograms. The super sportscar from Sant’Agata Bolognese boasts a dry
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weight of no more than 1340 kilograms – the lightest road-going model in Lamborghini’s range. One key factor is the exterior and interior components made from carbon-fiber. Carbon-fiber is ideal for the manufacture of sportscars as its use allows for weight reduction and improved mechanical features. The car’s performance is thus enhanced thanks to a better weight-to-power ratio and reduced total mass, which means that CO2 emissions are also lower. The V10 power unit with 5.2 litres of displacement generates 570hp in the Gallardo Superleggera. This puts the weight-to-power ratio of the new top model at only 2.35 kilograms per hp and guarantees breathtaking performance. The Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera handles
the dash to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and flies past the 200 km/h mark only 10.2 seconds later, ultimately reaching 325 km/h. The engine with “Iniezione Diretta Stratificata” gasoline direct injection also boasts an impressive degree of efficiency. Its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by 20.5 percent compared to the previous model. The Gallardo Superleggera is an uncompromising driving machine. Its running gear, with its mighty braking system, has a dedicated and exceptionally precise set-up, while its 19-inch wheels, Pirelli P Zero Corsa, clad in Pirelli sports rubber, are extremely light. The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera brings a whole new meaning to the term “super sportscar”.
Altogether, carbon-fiber components make up 40 of the 70 kilograms saved on the Gallardo Superleggera. In the interior, too, engineers aimed to reduce weight as much as possible. The center tunnel cover, the door panels and the surround of the e-gear automated manual
transmission lever are made from carbonfiber. The high-end material is also used for the sports seats’ shells. They make a significant contribution to the overall weight reduction. Just like the rest of the cockpit, the sports
seats are clad in lightweight Alcantara instead of leather. At Lamborghini, weight reduction is in no way synonymous with sacrifice – the Gallardo LP 5704 Superleggera is still equipped with air conditioning and electric powered windows as standard. TECH / 39
In the Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera, LP stands for “longitudinale posteriore” and refers to the orientation of the V10 engine – which is mounted longitudinally behind the driver, just like every Lamborghini engine. The number 570 refers to the maximum horsepower output, which equates to 419 kW and is available at 8,000 rpm. Equally impressive is the pulling power – the torque curve peaks at 540 Nm (398,3 ft lbs) at 6,500 rpm. The increase of 7 kW (10hp) is the result of
The number 4 in the model name is in reference to the permanent all-wheel drive, which integrates a central viscous coupling and a 45 per cent limited slip differential on the rear axle. In normal circumstances, the power delivered by the V10 is channelled with a ratio of 30:70 to the front and rear axles.
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the new dedicated engine management strategy. The powerful V10, combined with the model’s weight reduction, gives the Gallardo Superleggera LP 570-4 breathtaking performance. The car accelerates zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 10.2 seconds – then continues relentlessly to its top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).
The running gear layout is derived directly from Lamborghini’s motorsport experience. The suspension is aluminum double wishbones. The precise rack and pinion steering keeps the driver very closely connected with the road. No other model in the Gallardo range is as close to a race car as this one. The development of the Superleggera was heavily influenced by experiences gained from the world’s fastest single-brand race series, the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo.
Another special feature of the Gallardo Superleggera is the wheels. The 19inch units are aluminum forged and are therefore extremely lightweight – saving 13 kilograms. The wheel bolts are made from titanium and are also incredibly light and rigid. The tyres are 235/35 ZR19 at the front and 295/30 ZR19 at the rear and come from the Pirelli P Zero Corsa series. Developed specifically for the new top model in the Gallardo range, they are closely related to pure race rubber.
Exterior modifications are all directed at increasing aerodynamic effects. The three-dimensional, deeply recessed elements form trapezoidal frames for the large air intakes. Together with the V-shaped, sharply defined nose and the LED daytime running lights, the black elements give the front end a razor-sharp look. The new design increases the supply of cooling air and improves the downforce on the front axle.
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DVD REVEIW
S
hutter Island is an American psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and is based on Dennis Lehane’s 2003 novel of the same name. The story takes place in 1954, as U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), arrive at Ashecliff Hospital on Shutter Island, a rocky fortress off the coast of New England that houses a prison hospital for the criminally insane. The place is even more forbidding and isolated than Alcatraz, and with good reason – nearly all of its 66 patients are violent psychopaths. The two officers arrive to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando, a patient said to have vanished from a windowless locked room. Having murdered her three small children, the cops are told, she has never accepted their deaths, or the fact that she’s imprisoned in Ashecliffe. She still thinks she’s living at her home in the Berkshires. Not long after their
arrival it is quite clear that there is more to the island and its inhabitants than meets the eye. Going by Scorsese’s usual work, you expect to delve into a deep, sophisticated and involving thriller but the movie falls short, instead delivering a heavy themed story of the hospitals ethics and surreal images of Teddy’s family and his past as a WWII veteran. The story even has some vague plot twists that, if not followed correctly, can
leave you genuinely puzzled. To be honest it is not as bad as it sounds and genuinely has its moments, but cannot be classified amongst Scorsese’s best works. What he does do though is create a steady visual representation of the novel on which it is based. On the same note this is also not be one of DiCaprio’s best performances but he does a reasonably impressive job with the character he is potraying. It’s the same
case with both Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley, playing the role of Dr. John Cawley, both of whom deliver somewhat impressive performances. But despite its faults, the movie and the said performances do enough to make the movie a worthwhile watch but we can’t help but think that it had the potential to be much better given the cast and director backing it.
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GAMER’S DELIGHT
All set to be the Biggest Blockbuster Game of 2011
I
t has finally been announced, the finale to the landmark “Gears of War” trilogy, which has sold over 12 million copies to date, will hit store shelves in 2011. At this point in time not much is known about the game but what we do is quite enticing. The last human city saved at the end of the second game has been obliterated. Some sort of major cataclysm has turned the people to ash and left them frozen in time as some sort of grim reminder of their final moments. Marcus Fenix, along with the rest of his fellow COGs, are trying desperately to protect the remaining humans from the Locust horde and a new enemy that, as far as we can tell attacks both sides indiscriminately. As far as characters are concerned, we can expect the regular ensemble from the previous two games, namely Marcus, Dom, Baird and Cole. In addition, Cliff Bleszinski, 44 / TECH
the Design Director at Epic Games, confirmed one additional character named Anya Stroud. Those of you that played the second game will remember her as the noncombatant communications officer who is also series hero Marcus Fenix’s love interest. Whether she will be a playable character or not has not been confirmed but you can take it for granted that she will be. It is obvious that the awesome multiplayer madness from the previous instalments will continue their saga in this one as well. What is more interesting though, is the confirmed addition of four-player co-op in the campaign and the addition of new weapons including an all-new double barrelled shotgun. This spectacular conclusion to one of the games industry’s most memorable sagas, “Gears of War 3,” is poised to take the world by storm next spring, with an expected release date of April 8, 2011. Personally, we just can
wait but Halo: Reach, to be released later in the year, should be enough to keep our multiplayer appetite sated till Gears 3 arrives.
us the previo ears 3 from G urn in love interest es a ret talking d, mak Fenix’s u st s u u j tro S Marc than , Anya more does instalment she time but this
In the midst all new of a ll the enem hum cha y, the ans and Lambentos comes locu arises , tha st t thre an atens both
People have turned to ash and are left frozen in time as some sort of grim reminder of their final moments
an we -op c er co y a -pl tell… and 4 will y time confirmed nl s O G ? 5 CO to die With another pect x e
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Alan Wake has been a long time coming but was this action-oriented horror game worth the wait or does it fall into the pool of generic, predictable horror titles…
T
he story starts off simply enough with Alan Wake, an acclaimed author of a number of well known thrillers, who is on a visit to the scenic town of Bright falls with his wife to get away from his hectic day-to-day life and to hopefully combat the ‘writers block’ that he is suffering from. Not long after he takes up residence in a run-down lodge at the middle of a lake, a sinister entity turns his world inside out and turns his long-sought holiday into a bonafide nightmare. The game is split into a number of episodes and tells an impressive tale that is heavy with intrigue, mystery, twists and dread, just as you would expect from the makers of Max Payne. It is well written and the game is paced perfectly to complement the tale. Infact the story is presented and paced so well that, were it not for a few nagging issues with the characters, it would have been nothing short of perfect. The problem lies in the fact that the characters feel a bit surreal in their readiness to take up arms against the darkness that is consuming the town. Their behaviour and occasional odd dialogue makes it seem as if they take the danger they are in a bit too lightly and tends to draw you out of the brilliant atmosphere. Thankfully, this is as far as the problem goes and the problem isn’t damaging enough to ruin the story. If there is one thing the game does right, it is to paint a believable picture of the town. The picturesque town of Bright Falls is the perfect setting for a horror game and the graphics certainly contribute heavily to the atmosphere. There is not a single area in the game that actually looks like it belongs in a game, instead feeling like an actual countryside town. And although the 46 / TECH
environments are very linear, leaving little room for exploration, they are designed so well that that they perfectly complement the pace of the story and never feels repetitive. Even more impressive is the fact that, as you progress through the game, you visit locals that are so varied and stunning that you could just stop and stare for hours on end.
The game make brilliant use of lighting and nowhere is it more apparent than when the sun sets. Everything from the moon lit shadows to the beam of light from your torch and even the occasional lights of a distant house just add to the atmosphere. The way the game uses light as a game mechanic is also quite impressive. The enemies in Bright Falls are more susceptible to light sources that conventional weapons. This breaks all the norms that we have come to take for granted in action games, where your most trusted sidekick is your torch rather than the double barrelled shotgun. While you have the latter as well, which you will need to deal the final blow, it is your torch, and any other
Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Remedy Entertainment Platform(s): Xbox 360 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: Teen
SCORE
8.6
The Good Stunning atmosphere, great storytelling and gameplay elements, extremely immersive The Bad
Inconsistent voice acting, some characters lack believability, limited replay value
source of light that you find, that you will rely on even more. Without these you will not be able to weaken your foes enough to deal any damage to them. Another twist to the mechanics is that weapons that are normally supplementary in other games, such as flash bangs and flare guns, are some of the most powerful weapons at your disposal in Alan Wake, most of which are capable of taking out foes outright. Furthermore it even forces you to conserve two very different kinds of ammunition and even batteries.
As if that wasn’t enough, the enemies in Alan Wake are no pushovers and definitely feel as though they could tear you limb-for-limb should you give them any room. Combine this with the game’s grim atmosphere and some tense set-piece moments and you are in for one amazing fear-inducing, actionpacked thrill ride. Suffice to say the game has definitely lived up to its hype and we can’t wait for the sequel.
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T
here have been quite a lot of games in the past that have received a lot of pre-release hype only to fall flat of expectations come release day. Quite a few of these would have fared a lot better had the expectations been lower. A prime example of just such a case was Fable, a great game that would have fared a lot better had the expectations not been hyped up by the developer. Red Dead Redemption is one of the more recent games to have received just as much, if not more, pre-release hype. But in this case the game delivers on all counts and easily is one of the best games to be released this year.
Developed by Rockstar San Diego, as a follow up to the 2004 game, Red Dead Revolver, Red Dead Redemption is a Western epic, set at the turn of the 20th century when the lawless and chaotic badlands began to give way to the expanding reach of government and the spread of the Industrial Age. In the story, you fill the shoes of the former outlaw John Marston, who is blackmailed by the government and is forced to traverse the vast and unforgiving expanse of the Western frontier in search of members of his former gang. John is just one of a number of memorable characters in the game. While there are a few inconsistencies in the story telling, especially John’s willingness to serve nearly everyone’s whims and fancies, for the most part it is well written and the dialogue is brilliantly delivered making the experience, on a whole, quite believable. The game takes place from a third person perspective and like most Rockstar games features tight controls and a near perfect button layout right out of the box. The developers even made use of some very smart gameplay choices that make Red Dead Redemption stand head and shoulders above the rest in the genre. For starters, there is no health bar. The game instead makes use of the more traditional health system of shooters where your health regenerates when not taking damage and the screen turns red
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when you are in grave danger of dying. The game also features a game mechanic called the dead eye ability, a slightly different take on the bullet time ability of most modern day shooters. What makes it different is that you don’t actually fire your weapons when its activated, instead you use the ability to mark targets and take them out all at once at the end. It is an ingenious system that levels up as the game progresses allowing you to dish out some serious damage when needed making you feel like a true western hero. Rationing out the damage is also a major strategic consideration since the duration of the ability is limited and takes a while to recharge. While guns are your main form of offence the game also makes smart use of a lasso, which leads to some great morality and financial choices in the game. About the only thing that we could fault
Publisher: Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar San Diego Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: R/P
SCORE
9.5
The Good Great story, stunning presentation and gameplay, decent length, enjoyable side missions and mini games The Bad
Few minor glitches
about the game were the few odd glitches that we came across. But we have to admit, just as with the GTA series, these were more of an amusement than a hindrance. This may also be a testament to just how good and well resolved Red Dead Redemption really is where it is actually funny to watch the game mess up! As we mentioned before, the game takes place in the badlands at the turn of the 20th century. It is a dangerous world full of opportunistic criminals, corrupt officials and settlers battling the elements in a struggle to survive. The journey takes you from the dusty and lawless frontier to the civilized towns of the North and down into Mexico, which is on the brink of a full-scale civil war. Despite its western setting the game shares a lot in common with the Grand Theft Auto series. In fact we would go so far as to say
that the developers actually used the former as a base for new game. For starters the game takes place in a vast open world and the freedom to do whatever you please right from the get go. As you progress through the story, by completing missions given to you by various NPCs throughout the game, more areas of the game world are made available to you. The story itself is rather linear and will take about 20 or so hours to complete and much more should you decide to partake in the large number of side missions and minigames. As an added bonus, the games graphics are stunning, both artistically and technically, and the music score suits the games atmosphere just right. Add to this, just the right sound effects and a world
full of unpredictable inhabitants and you end up with one of the most authentic wild west experiences in any game to date.
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Game Release Calendar July 2010 July 6th Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable Publisher: Atlus Developer: Atlus Platform(s): PSP Genre: RPG ESRB Rating: Mature
July 9th Crackdown 2 Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Ruffian Games Platform(s): Xbox 360 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: R/P
July 20th Quantum Theory Publisher: Tecmo Developer: Tecmo Platform(s): Xbox 360, PS3 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: Mature
July 27th StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty Publisher: Blizzard Developer: Blizzard Platform(s): PC Genre: Strategy ESRB Rating: R/P
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Quiz
Fill in the make or model of the six products in each of their respective boxes. Hint: Each of these products are featured in this issue.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Please send us your entries by 24th of july for a chance to win a SONIC GEAR SPECTRA 300 courtesy of E-max
Name ___________________________________ Email ____________________________________ Mobile ___________________________________ Employees and family members of Deenar Press and Publishing and Emax cannot participate in the quiz. Judge’s decision is final. Please email the answers to tech@deenarmedia.com or fax this page to 24696868 by the deadline. Correspondence after the deadline will not be entertained. PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Winner must provide valid ID to claim the prize. Allow up to two weeks to process. TECH / 51
HOME ZONE
Clean breathing Clean air is vital to good health, untroubled sleep and concentrated work. The Sharp’s KC-850E Plasmacluster Air Purifier was built to provide these very same beneficial properties. It effectively filters out pollen, dust and other undesirable particulates from the ambient air while the plasmacluster ion technology brings a noticeable improvement to the quality of
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air inside the room all the while keeping the relative humidity to a pleasant level. Joint research by Sharp and Retroscreen Virology Ltd., established by Professor John S. Oxford of the University of London, a world authority on virology, has shown that the Plasmacluster ions inhibit 99.9 per cent of the new-type H1N1 influenza virus in stationary form
and 95 per cent of the virus in airborne form. The efficacy of Plasmacluster ions for inhibiting the infectivity of airborne viruses has been proven against not only the seasonal H1N1 human influenza virus, but also the H5N1 avian influenza, Corona, SARS, Polio and Coxsackie viruses. The KC-850E is currently available at Oman Modern Electronics showrooms and retails at a price of OMR 160.000.
With its attractive design and compact dimensions the new air purifier is intended for room sizes of up to 38 square metres and is therefore ideal for use in living rooms, bedrooms, children’s rooms or home offices
The models also have an extraconvenient “Auto” mode. In this automatic operating mode, the quality of the room air is constantly tracked and adjusted or humidified if necessary by means of sensors that measure dust, odour, temperature and relative humidity
To keep the room air as clean as possible at all times, the air purifiers should be kept in operation permanently 24/7. Due to its built-in inverter technology, the KC-850E is extremely energy-efficient in its lowest setting
How it works The air purifier works in three stages: • The first stage of the integrated filter system’s operation is to eradicate house dust, pollen and suspended particles dependably from the room air. All the larger dust particles are trapped on the surface of the micron prefilter and deodorant filter, thereby neutralising unpleasant odours. • In the second stage, smaller dust particles are bound by the high performance HEPA filter. This name
refers to a high-efficiency particulate air filter which was originally developed for aerospace and research applications. It can filter 99.97 per cent of all dust particles and other suspended particulate material down to 0.3 micrometres in size from the air passing through. • Finally, the heart of the KC-850E is the plasmacluster ion generator, which splits the water molecules contained in the indoor air into their natural components of hydrogen and oxygen. Thousands of these positive and negative ions are
thereby released into the ambient air and immediately set to work as invisible power packs everywhere in the room. For example, they rapidly and reliably remove the smell of nicotine and other unpleasant odours from the air, curtains or fabrics and also eradicate various mould spores. The built-in air humidifying function with atomised spray effect assists this process and also cures the problem of static electricity in very dry rooms.
Ionise on the go You can now take Sharp’s plasmacluster ion generator with you while travelling in the form of a nifty little device built for use in vehicles. The small lightweight car air purifier, which retails at OMR 80.000, can be kept in most regular drink holders and can be powered by a lighter socket. It works by releasing high-density
Plasmaclusters ions that follow the car’s interior airflow. The technology has been proven effective against 28 harmful airborne viruses and bacteria including the H1N1 influenza virus. It is also effective at getting rid of pet and cigarette odor inside the car.
TECH / 53
Making an impact If you are looking to do some home fixing then Makita’s cordless drills should definitely be somewhere at the top of your shopping list. The decades of experience that go into the design and production of all Makita drills and other Makita tools ensures that when it comes to cordless drills and other cordless tools, they are one of the best in the business. Here is one such example of their cordless drills – the BTP140Z Cordless 4 mode Impact driver.
• The screwdriver is available with the use of 16 torque settings that can be adjusted by a fingertip control ring at the front of the motor body • In percussion mode, 0-28,800bpm can be achieved which enables effortless labour on masonry and masonry derived products • The BTP140Z is available through Gulf Services and Industrial Supplies at the price of OMR 170.000 • The impact mode can produce 0-3,200bpm to firmly insert a bolt, nut or screw
54 / TECH
• The cordless drill is quick to charge, comes with two 3.0Ah Lithiumion Battery Cartridges and is extremely portable, making it extremely useful if you are on the move between sites or are working on a site with a limited electricity supply • The belt clip makes it easy to carry the drill when you need your hand free to do another job or when moving
The drill offers four different operating modes - Percussion Drill, Impact Driver, regular 2-speed drill and Screwdriver, all of which can be operated with the use of just one lever
The drill also features a built-in LED Job light that turns on when the switch trigger is pulled, even before the motor runs, and remains illuminated for 12-13 seconds after the trigger is released
Makita’s years of experience in making cordless drills and other tools shown in the design of the BTP140Z, whose handle is angled and contoured for perfect tool control and to reduce operator fatigue
GRUNDIG GBH-9041 OMR 699.900
2 Megapixel, full hdsound, 1.000,000: 1 Contrast, USB recording, 100 HZ motion, dynamic contrast plus
PANASONIC TH-P42 C10M OMR 215.000
1 Megapixel, hd ready, 2,000,000: 1 contrast, SD card slot, 100-600 HZ, 3HDMI input
PHILIPS 46” LED 46PFL9704 OMR 1205.000
2 Megapixel, full HD, net TV, 5.000,000: 1 contrast, WIFIfunction, 200 HZ motion, AMBI-light function, 5 HDMI input
LG 47” LED 42SL90QR OMR 999.900
2 Megapixel, full HD, 3,000,000: 1 contrast, Bluetooth, 100 HZ motion, USB port, dual XD engine
SAMSUNG 46” 3D LED UA46C7000 OMR 1099.000 2 Megapixel, full HD 3D TV, Internet TV, 4 HDMI input, USB port
PANASONIC 32” LCD TH32C10M OMR 149.000
1 Megapixel, HD ready, 30,000: 1 contrast, SD card slot, 3 HDMI input
LG 32” LCD 32LH70 OMR 240.900
2 Megapixel, full HD, 1,00,000: 1 contrast, USB port - DIVX playback, 100 HZ motion flow, Bluetooth, 3 HDMI input
SONY 40” LCD KLV40BX400 OMR 299.000
2 Megapixel, full HD, 70,000: 1 contrast, FM radio, 2 HDMI input, USB port
SAMSUNG 55” LED UA55B8000 OMR 1599.9 SHARP 40” LED 40LE700M OMR 499.900
2 Megapixel, full HD, 3,000,000: 1 contrast, Motion Drive 100-120 HZ, 4 HDMI input
2 Megapixel, full HD 5,000,000: 1 contrast, 200 HZ motion flow finger slim model, DLNA wireless 4 HDMI input
TiPS: What to look for in Televisions With the advancements in LCD technology in the past couple of years, they are slowly but surely increasing their lead in comparison to plasmas. Currently though, either is fine but keep in mind that LCD’s are generally brighter while plasmas have better motion tracking. Recently prices of both plasmas and LCDs have been plummeting so shop around and do your research before purchasing one. Prioritise the higher resolution of a Full HD screen over the screen size of a larger model. The quality lost isn’t worth the extra screen space. 56 / TECH
SAMSUNG HT-Z425 OMR 155.900
PHILIPS FED-197 OMR 61.700
Audio cassette deck, 1800 W PMPO, USB video Play, FM radio
1000 Watts, HDMI 1080P up scaling, bluetooth function, USB play & record, wireless rear speakers, USB port
1000 Watts, HDMI 1080P up scaling, USB play & record, wireless rear speakers, USB port
LG HT934WA OMR 189.900
1000 Watts, HDMI 1080P up scaling, ipod dock, USB play & record, wireless rear speakers, USB port
PHILIPS HTS3578W/98 OMR 165.900
PANASONIC SC-VK880 OMR 144.500
1100 Watts, HDMI 1080P up scaling, wireless rear speakers, USB port
Karaoke function, 11000 w PMPO, USB record & play, 5 disc changer, FM radio, Dolby digital
SONY MHC-GZR99D OMR 157.900
7� LCD screen, USB video play, 7700 W PMPO, 3 disc changer, FM radio, Dolby digital
PANASONIC SC-PT875 OMR 166.900
1250 Watts, HDMI 1080P up scaling, wireless rear speakers, Zipod dock, USB port
JVC NX-D7 OMR 169.900
Karaoke / FM radio, 5000 W PMPO, USB record & play, HDMI out, JPEG / DIVX
SAMSUNG HT-Z425 OMR 155.900
1000 Watts, USB play & record, HDMI 1080P up scaling, bluetooth function, wireless rear speakers, USB port
SONY DAVF-Z900 OMR 214.900
SAMSUNG GT-S5620 OMR 91.000
BLACKBERRY 9700 BOLD OMR 249.900
Also called the Samsung Monte, it boasts a host of multimedia features and a sleek design
The 9700 it’s loaded with built-in features and applications to help make your life easier
Nokia N97 mini OMR 167.900
Sony Ericsson SATIO OMR 209.900
A touch screen phone with a high resolution camera, and a powerful processor packed in. Resulting in quality media and seamless performance.
NOKIA N900 OMR 219.900
With Handwriting Recognition The Nokia N900 broadens the and Nokia Maps powered with choice for technology enthusiasts its Built-in GPS system, this who appreciate the ability to is mobile phone you multitask and browse the don’t want to leave Sony ericsson internet like they would home without. Xperia x10 on their desktop computer OMR 269.900 The X10 introduces a new UX platform which operates on top of the open OS and when combined with its media capabilities it creates a truly unique user experience
Griffin Evolve OMR 166.000
Now here’s something interesting! Set up the dock and then remove the speakers and place them anywhere in the room.
Samsung Media Player YP-P3CB OMR 62.900 (8GB)
JVC XS-SR3 OMR 49.900
Supporting iPods as well as portable game consoles, this JVC packs great sound performance. Plus you can rotate your iPod whilst docked!
The ability to upscale your compressed songs and a customisable widget desk. The P3 is a fresh new Altec Lansing take in a crowded T612 world of portable OMR 88.900 media player. With powerful deep bass, full audio spectrum and a smart music pause for incoming calls. This handy sound dock keeps the songs kicking from your iPhone and gives you quiet time for calls!
PANASONIC ZR1 OMR 136.800
12.1 Megapixel, 8x optical zoom, HD movie, 25mm wide angle, power OIS, plus 2GB card
CANON IXUS 210 OMR 164.900
CASIO EX-Z400 OMR 109.900
12.1 Megapixel, 4x optical zoom, 3.0”LCD screen, face detection, 28mm wide angle, plus 2GB card & camera case
14.1 Megapixel, 3.0”LCD touch screen, 5x optical zoom, HD movie, 25mm wide angle, plus camera case & 2GB card
OLYMPUS MJU 9010 OMR 149.900
14.1 Megapixel, 10x optical zoom, 2.7” LCD screen, 28mm wide angle, HD movie, plus camera pouch & 2GB card
CANON EOS 50D OMR 799.900
CANON HF200 OMR 379.900
15.1 Megapixel, live view mode, 3.0” LCD screen, 6.3 Fps + 2GB SD card, 18-200 mm lens
SONY HDR-XR550 OMR 509.900
3.1 Mega pixel, 15x optical zoom, 2.7”LCD screen, HD video lens, CMOS sensor, 32GB built in, optical image stabilizer.
10x optical zoom, 3.2”Lcd screen, exmore R CMOS, 12.0 Megapixel, 240 GB hdd, plus camera case & 2GB card
SONY A330 OMR 319.900
10.2 Megapixel, 2.7” LCD screen, 9 point af, quick af live view, 18-55 + 55-200 lens kit, plus 2GB card & camera case
SONY TX7 OMR 184.900
10.2 Megapixel, 3.0”LCDscreen, 4x optical zoom, full HD movie, 25mm wide angle, plus camera case & 2GB card 10x optical zoom, AF 2.7” LCD screen, full HD video, 1080 50p, x.V color/1920x1080, 9.1 Megapixel, plus 2GB card & camera case
JVC GZ-HM400 OMR 32.900
TiPS: What to look for in cameras As a general rule with camera’s – more is better, aim for a higher resolution optical sensor and better optical zoom. Image stabilisation is a must so as long as your budget allows, always get a camera with this feature. Always get a camera with the highest possible ISO rating, especially so with point and shoot cameras, it makes for easier photography in dark conditions.
TECH / 59
HISENSE AS18CT OMR 159.900
1.5 Ton capacity , negative iron filter, digital temperature display
ELECTROLUX EXE18CK4W1 OMR 184.500
1.5 Ton capacity, 6 technology air filtration, biohepa filter plasma filters
ASSET AAS 18 OMR 135.900 1.5 Ton capacity
PANASONIC CS/CU C18JKF OMR 187.900
1.5 Ton capacity, power cooling at 55 degrees celsius
TOSHIBA GRY70TS OMR 229.900
SHARP SJKC53RSL OMR 165.000
680 Ltrs capacity, hybrid plasma technology, insulated wired shelves, deodorizer, double twist ice tray
492 Ltrs capacity, miulti air flow cooling system, tempered glass shelves
PANASONIC NRB651 OMR 256.900 521 Ltrs capacity, bottom freezer, insulated wired shelves, twist ice tray
TOSHIBA GRRMG46UT OMR 175.900
460 Ltrs capacity, platinum deodorizing, insulated wired shelves, double twist ice tray, black glass finish
SHARP SJPT73RHS OMR 254.900
SAMSUNG RT 30 OMR 110.500
300 Ltrs capacity , Three dimensional cooling system, insulated wired shelves
662 Ltrs capacity, plasmacluster ion, hybrid cooling system, led display, tempered glass shelves, double twist ice tray
TOSHIBA Qosmio X500-11G OMR 880.000
Samsung N510-JA01A OMR 206.800
This monster of a laptop packs the same raw power, but with an additional Blu-Ray Writer. Entertainment just got wilder.
This netbook is quite a tough one, with an nVIDIA ION graphic card and LED display. Perfect portable with outstanding features!
HP PAVILION DV6-2170ee OMR 549.900
If you’re looking for something just a little lower, this is it. The hard disk and RAM are quite big for a netbook, great price tag as well.
The PC that does everything, all done by touching the screen! Widescreen display and touch gestures, allows for exploring media with greater control.
Exotic style meets portable technology, the Acer Ferrari is a signature ultra portable notebook for fans of the Italian beauty. Elegant design and sleek edges are the key points here.
HP Pavilion DV8-1090ev OMR 838.900
This mid-range laptop is perfect The beast of laptops, which is for a balance between literally a walking desktop. business and pleasure, SONY VAIO Large amount of memory, with its high definition VGN-FW55MF/B video memory and hard LED screen for OMR 599.000 disk. With a Full HD picture perfect Bringing the quality of Sony to LCD screen. quality. portable computers, the Sony VAIO is the one to choose should you not need as much power.
HP MINI 2101013ee OMR 196.800
HP Touchsmart IQ300 OMR 459.900
ACER Ferrari FO200-313G32n OMR 299.800
ACER Aspire 1810TZ-413G OMR 259.600
Aspire series in the netbook family, the performance in this one is wondrous. 64BIT processor at this size is just pure power in a pocket!
SONY VAIO VPCW-216AA/W OMR 219.900
Sony VAIO in the form of a netbook, also features high quality hardware that fits perfectly for frequent travellers.
TiPS: What to look for in Laptops Analyse what you will be using the laptop for very carefully and choose the most appropriate combination of CPU speed, RAM, HD space and video card. Don’t buy the smallest laptop possible just because it looks cooler. Choose the right form factor to suit your use and lifestyle. You can never go wrong with more connectivity options, always choose the laptop that offers better connectivity and more ports, especially so if you travel a lot. TECH / 61
Makita Power Tools manufactures the best in class engineered industrial power tools for the professional user with leading performance, precision and durability. Products include Cordless Tools, Drills & Fastening, Impact Drilling Demolition, Cutting Metal, Grinding & Sanding, Sawing, Planning, Routing, Pneumatic & Accessories .
Tel : + 968 24811238 Fax : + 968 24816146 website : www.arabigsis.com email : gsiscom@omantel.net.om
Advertisehere for as low as RO50
contact 97304448
62 / TECH
Company
Product
Showroom
Service Dept.
Al Khalili Group
Acer
Wadi Kabir 24816303
24816303
Bahwan Electornics
Asset, Carrier, Ignis, Napro, Toshiba, Seiko, Casio, Titan, Sony Ericsson, Tempstar, Cooline, Corning, Print electronics, Dolphin, Benq, Ausonia, Daewoo, VIP, Dometic, Corby
Ruwi 24796629/32
24501965 / 66
Jawahir Oman
Bang & Olufsen
Qurm 24563213
24563213
Belltel
Nokia
Ruwi 24798222
24798222
Genetco
Sanyo, Videocon , Fujitsu, Thomson, York, Yamaha, Canon , HAAS, AEG, Sure, Caravell, Gulf Star, Safari, Admiral, Francia, Mitsubishi, Marc Climatic, Vortice, Guntner, Zanussi , Ziegra Imesa, Bitzer , Manitowoc, Bremer, Dito- Electrolux, Metro , Taylor, Costan
Al Qurum 24568806 Al Qurum 24561948 Muttrah 24713138 Ruwi 24830919 Seeb 24422797 Shatti al Qurum 24693292
24503653
Hi Tech Centre
Boston Accoustics, Denon, Leica, Polk Audio
Azaiba 24497384
24497384
Jumbo Electronics
Sony, Blackberry, Supra
MBD 24818358, Al Araimi 24565845 QCC 24470529, Salalah 23291984
Wadi Kabir 24814815, 24814751, Fax 24815267
Khimji Luxury
Krups, Moulinex
Ruwi 24796161
99881627
K R Household
O General, Siemens
Wadi Kabir 24813333
24814793
MHD
Fagor, Pioneer
Ruwi 24732440
24732440
Meta Galaxy
Hitachi
Ruwi 24503653
24503653
Muscat Electronics
Daikin, Ricoh, Sony, Chigo,
Ruwi 24702982
24813408
Sansui, JBL Mustafa Sultan
Samsung, Haier, Philips, Nevica, Whirlpool
Al Khuwair 24636015
Wadi Kabir 24799450
Oman International Electronics & Trading Co.
Bose, Nec, JVC
Qurm 24565490
24830606
Oman Trading Est.
Bosch, LG, Palson, TCL, Prolux, Promate, Pearl, Souq Technia, GHanz, White Westinghouse, Hostess, Kenstar,
Ruwi 24834162 Al Araimi 2456148, 24810522
24810522, 24810156, 80075545
Omasco
Raymond Weil, Kolber, Westar, Alba, Maxima, HMT, Panasonic, Xper, Aftron, Black&Decker, GE
Qurm, 24564310 Ruwi 24833630
24560232
OMASCO - System Solutions
Panasonic
24565696
24565696
Sarco
Samsung, Frigidaire, Technoflame
Ruwi 24795503
Ghala 24593025
Sayed Bin Nasser Al Hashar
Ariston, Rinnai, Voltas, JBL, Kirloskar, Kardex, Lexmark
Ruwi 24700571 Ruwi 24706004, 24796007 Ruwi High Street 24834460 Salalah 23291405, Sohar 26840763 Sur 25544613
24704494
Oman Modern Electronics Co.
Sharp, JBL, Mastergas, Harman/Kardon, Onida, Nikai,
24702555
24702555
Shah Nagardas Manji Co.
Kodak, Olympus, Yashica, Cokin, Case Logic, Lexar, Noritsu, Durst, Bushnell, Eiki, Iriver, Steiner, Tasco, White Westinghouse, Igloo, Venus, Russel Hobbs, Addis, Noritake, Ocean, Wenger,
Ruwi 24703803, Qurm 24562656 Lulu Baushe 24593806, Nizwa 25410184
Emax
Multibrand
MCC 24558062, Fax 24558063
Technical Trading Co.
Westinghouse
Ruwi 24703515, Fax 24700010
Photocentre
Amano, Archivtechnik Kunze, Unomat Intl., Broncolor, Delkin Devices, Fuji Film, Epson, Green Clean, Hama, Hasselbald, Marumi, Mitsubishu Electric, Peli, Sigma, Sinar
Qurm 24565305 Al Khuwair 24479296
P&G
Brawn, Oral-B
24815474
Salman Store
Seb, Janome, Coolex
24799332
Abu Hani
La Germania, Starway, Westar, Starline, Tatung
24495141
Jashanmal
Mytag, Hoover
24702312
Loay
Macintosh, Benq, Epson, Sokkia, Acer
24708795
24700883
24491327
24708845
If you would like to be listed or make corrections, e-mail: tech@deenarmedia.com TECH / 63
64 / TECH