APRIL 2012 VOL 2 ISSUE 12
BRAIN
VITAMINS
SONY DEFENDS THE PS GAMING LEGACY REVIEWED
NEW CAMERAS
INSIDE
KEITARO SO GM FUJIFILM MIDDLE EAST
BEAT THE HEAT THIS SUMMER WITH FABULOUS PRICES
FINANCING OPTION AVAILABLE
(´.´.Ω.¢T)
π`jƒ`ª`à∏`d Ò`LCÉJ á`cô`°T
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ALL MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BRANDS UNDER ONE ROOF www.emaxme.com The largest electronics retailer in the Middle East ELECTRONICS • APPLIANCES • MOBILE PHONES • PHOTOGRAPHY • GAMING • IT • CD/DVD • FITNESS & EQUIPMENTS • ACCESSORIES
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Home Screen APRIL 2012
OMAN’S ONLY TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE
EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief
Hatim al Taie Content Head
Sujata Sengupta Dy. Content Head
Poornima Ramani Head-Design
Shyniben Koyakkil Senior Designer
Manu Martin
CORPORATE Managing Director
Abdullah al Taie General Manager
Rathish Ramachandran Asst. General Manager
Terry Mathukutty Sales
Leticia Meneses Mary Gonzales Aaron Davidson
Get trendy A pretty slow start to the beginning of the summer month – however, fans waiting for the new iPad can finally relax and go Apple-shopping in Oman. Just a year since the launch of the iPad 2, it seems that both the consumer electronics industry and the consumers are soaking up the leaps and bounds, to use a cliché, in the field of technology. Keeping an eye out for trade fairs will prove how right the statement is. At the recently held CeBIT, a trade fair that showcases digital IT and telecommunications solutions, Tobii Technology announced its eye tracking integration component, a technology that makes it possible to add eye-tracking capabilities to a wide variety of products. ‘Small’ is now the ‘in’ thing, a recent trend in consumer electronics. Giving you a peek at how small things can get, we have featured SlimScan, an on-the-go colour scanner that fits in your wallet. Following the path of this trend, pretty soon every gadget you can think of, including your laptops, mobile phones and TVs, will be integrated into something as small as a wristwatch. Speaking of which, Baselworld 2012, the international watch and jewellery show, had some amazing launches this March. The next (Anniversary) issue will be a treat for the watch connoisseurs of Oman, where some of the most expensive and beautiful watches from Baselworld will be featured. Now, apart from the iPad 3, another launch to enter the local market recently was the Sony PlayStation Vita, an amazing piece of gaming console that carries on the legacy of the PlayStation. Browse these pages before you decide to cast your Nintendo 3DS aside. Happy gaming!
Produced by
Deenar Press and Publishing LLC PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of Oman Tel: + 968 24696868, Fax: +968 24693569 E-mail: info@deenarmedia.com
ue 12 Vol 2, Iss
- Ed
Talk to us! twitter.com/#!/techmagz For queries: tech@deenarmedia.com
$ 2012 © All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers; while every care has been taken in the preparation of the magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible if factual errors in product and pricing occur. MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time. The publishers regret they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this issue. Please check any quoted hardware specifications and pricing with your supplier before purchase.
Printed at Oman Printers & Stationers, Sultanate of Oman
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VOL 2
ISSUE 12
APRIL 2012
CONTENTS Features Photography
16 16
Home Zone
S amsung WB150 is a camera synonymous with performance
Business TECH
Olympus PEN models are smart, simple and stunning
24
Consumer TECH 26
T oshiba Excite 10 LE is designed for durability and style S amsung NP530U4B is an Ultrabook designed for a mobile life
46
30 32
Best of Mobile World Congress 2012 Samsung GALAXY Beam is a stylish projector smartphone
36
47
Regulars
Dashboard
48 Tech News
The F12berlinetta is the fastest Ferrari to date
NouvoTech Quiz 50 Tech Favourites Tech Directory
Mass Effect 3 is one of the finest stories ever told in gaming history
The Vita carries on the PlayStation legacy
F avourite iPhone, Android and BlackBerry apps
Wacom Intuos5 takes digital content creation to the next level
28 Gamer’s Delight
ose VideoWave Entertainment System B is a revolutionary product
Apps
Time Zone Enjoy time with Kisai Stencil and Optical Illusion from TokyoFlash Japan
Philips docking speakers gives you intuitive music management
Mobile Zone
26
The H6500 has the best of Acer projector technologies
Libratone’s flexible sound systems adjust to your lifestyle
Cover Story
44
SlimScan is a colour scanner that fits in your wallet
F ujifilm X-S1 is an ideal ‘all-in-one’ camera
Video Zone
40
et ready for the summer with the airG conditioner special
S ony GW55VE is a camcorder for everyday adventures
Computing
38
eitaro So, general manager of Fujifilm K Middle East
Canon EOS 5D Mark III gives you artistic freedom
Audio Zone
Interview
24
10 14 55 56 63
Letters to the Editor If you have any queries, mail us on tech@deenarmedia.com, and we will try to answer them in our next issue Dear TECH team,
Dear editor,
My query is about the USB support in our entertainment equipment like TVs and music systems. If a flash drive is infected with a virus and then used in the TV/music system/players slot, how can we know if it has infected the device?
Can you please tell me what the difference between a WLAN and Ethernet is? Thanks.
Regards, Priya
Dear Francis,
Dear Priya, Viruses are designed to infect specific operating systems such as Windows and Mac OS. As such it is extremely unlikely, almost impossible, for them to infect these devices because most use proprietary operating systems. While there are some devices that use the Linux OS, they use very small and restricted set of commands when they read USB drives and in almost all cases do not get infected.
Francis
WLAN and Ethernet refer to the network connectivity of a PC or laptop. Ethernet basically refers to your wired local area network connection that you will see used in most homes and small offices. WLAN, putting it simply, refers to a wireless version of the same – basically Wi-Fi connectivity. - Ed
- Ed
Hi TECH, What is the difference between the capacitive and the resistive touchscreen? Which is better? Majida Dear Majida, Resistive touchscreens have two flexible sheets coated with a resistive material and separated by an air gap or microdots. When contact is made, the two sheets are pressed together and the precise location of the touch is registered. Capacitive touchscreen, on the other hand, consists of an insulator such as glass, coated with a transparent conductor such as indium tin oxide (ITO). Touching the surface of the screen results in a distortion of the screen’s electrostatic field, measurable as a change in capacitance. Different technologies may be used to determine the location of the touch. Since capacitive screens only respond to materials which are conductive (human finger used most commonly), they can be cleaned with cloth without accidental command input. Capacitive touchscreens are more responsive, and are therefore the preferable choice when used with most consumer electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops. - Ed
When all TVs start LOOKING THE SAME It's time to
STOP LOOKING, and START LISTENING.
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The Bose® VideoWave™ Entertainment System
Take a demo today! Visit a Bose® Store for an experience we believe you will never forget!
BOSE Showroom, Qurum, Tel: 24470497 www.ohielec.com Online Shopping www.ohielecshopping.com
TECH NEWS
NEW LOOK
Mustafa Sultan Electronics, pioneers in retailing of consumer electronics, major and small appliances, and personal care products, announced the opening of their renovated ‘New Look’ showroom in Al Khuwair. The showroom showcases premium products from some of the world’s leading brands, including Philips, Whirlpool, Haier, Urania, Uni General, Universal and Rhoyxon.
Keep fit The USD138 (RO53) GPS Sports Watch from Pyle comes with a 2.4GHz digitally coded wireless Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) chest strap to help track your workout and provide information on your physical condition. The watch can monitor four target heart rate zones, including Health, Fat Burn, Aerobics and User. It combines personal training and navigation functions.
2012 line-up
Panasonic has announced the 2012 line-up of home audio products including Compact Stereo Systems, Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc home theatres, DVD home theatres and Home Theatre Systems. The 2012 home audio products feature low power consumption and are Energy Star Qualified.
The showroom features consumer electronics, kitchen and home appliances, flat panels with advanced technology, and a full range of small appliances, to make your life simple and easy. Mustafa Sultan Electronics also showcases major appliances like window and spilt airconditioners, premium range of refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and free-standing cookers, to make your life rise beyond the traditional and truly economical.
KING OF DRIFT Following a series of exceptional drift shows that proved the superior skills of Omani drivers, Mohammed al Asmi snatched the local title of Red Bull Car Park Drift amid the cheers of a huge audience coming to witness the crowning of the Omani ‘King of Drift’ and representative of the country in the Beirut finals. This event was organised by the Oman Automobile Association, and sponsored by Chevrolet with the collaboration of ‘Shababiah’ by Nawras. The competition took place on a specially designed track that would bring out the best drifting techniques, which resulted in a wonderful exhibition of outstanding drift shows by the elite drivers selected after the
10 / TECH
preliminary qualifiers. With their specially modified cars, drivers managed to take on the twists and turns of the track with exceptional precision, while drawing the admiration of the 10,000 cheering spectators. The competition reached its peak towards the final rounds before the judging panel selected Mohammed al Asmi as the local champion for the Red Bull Car Park Drift in Oman. Ali al Bulushi and Raif al Yahyai came in second and third respectively.
Apple launches iPad 3 Apple has introduced the new iPad, the third generation of its category-defining mobile device. It features a stunning new Retina display, Apple’s new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5MP iSight camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. The new Retina display delivers four times the number of pixels of iPad 2, making Web pages, text, images and video look incredibly sharp and realistic. The 3.1 million pixels in the display are one million pixels more than an HDTV, and with 44 per cent increased colour saturation the
new iPad displays colours that are unbelievably richer, deeper and more vivid. The iPad has a number of features and enhancements, including a redesigned Camera app with video stabilisation technology, the ability to delete photos from Photo Stream and Personal Hotspot. The Wi-Fi models will be available for a suggested retail price of USD499 (RO192) for the 16GB model, USD599 (RO230) for the 32GB model and USD699 (RO269) for the 64GB model.
POWER-PACKED Nokia 700 smartphone is now available in cool grey, silver/white, coral red, peacock blue and purple, and will retail for RO121. It is feature-rich and powered with the innovative Nokia Belle operating system. It is designed to enhance consumer experience and smartphone performance. Weighing only 96g, the Nokia 700 is not just the company’s most compact smartphone in the Belle range, but is also touted as the most compact
touch smartphone in the world. It features single-tap NFC sharing and pairing capabilities, a 1GHz processor, 3.2-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display, 2GB of internal memory (with the option of using a 32GB microSD card for a total of 34GB), HD video capture and 5MP full focus camera with LED flash. The Nokia 700 is eco-friendly as it is constructed using materials such as bio-plastics, recycled plastics and metals.
Comic Revolution
Happy mommies Withings announced the US availability of its Smart Baby Monitor for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The USD300 (RO115) monitor comes with an application named WithBaby. It detects sound, movement, temperature and humidity levels. Parents can also interact with their baby by speaking through the phone.
Marvel is proud to announce that from June 2012 all Marvel superhero comics priced at USD3.99 (RO1.500) will include codes for free digital copies of those same issues on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices, at no extra cost. Marvel made comic book history in 2011 by announcing that all titles in the Ultimate Comics line would include codes for free digital copies on the Marvel Comics app. Then, in 2012, Marvel announced that the acclaimed Season One graphic novels would also include similar codes making them the first graphic novels to ever include codes for free digital copies.
APRIL 2012 / 11
TECH NEWS
PRO-LEVEL PERFORMANCE A wider palette of creative options is now accessible with the α57 camera, the newest addition to Sony’s line of A-mount cameras employing Translucent Mirror Technology. The innovative Translucent Mirror design directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the AF sensor at the same time, allowing full-time continuous AF during both still and video shooting. It can shoot still images at up to 12 frames per second, capture full HD
video at 60p, 60i or 24p frame rates and has a variety of creative modes including Auto Portrait Framing, a world’s first. Additionally, the α57 camera lets people create powerfully expressive Full HD movies. Even the novice photographers can now easily create pro-style portraits with the α57. The camera will be available with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens for USD800 (RO308); it will also be offered as body-only for USD700 (RO270).
INNOVATIVE PRINTERS Canon Middle East gathered its top dealers in Oman to preview the latest models of printers and copiers it recently launched in the market. The laser printers and copiers feature advanced functionalities and features, including enhanced colour quality and speeds. “Canon has always offered state-of-the-art products that combine cutting technology and value for money along with meeting the expectations of the diverse consumers of the region. The seminar provided an ideal platform for Canon to understand the needs of the corporate segment and further consolidate our presence in this market. The event also helped the end users who got an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the latest innovations within the Canon laser printer range,” said Venkatasubramanian
Hariharan, regional sales director, Canon Middle East. Genetco, Canon Middle East’s authorised distributor in Oman, was responsible for hosting the seminar for corporate clients of Al Dastoor Contracting and Trading, one of Canon’s top performing IT dealers in Oman.
Apple TV launched The new Apple TV features 1080p programming including iTunes movies and TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo, photos and more in HD. With iTunes in the Cloud, customers can purchase and play their favourite movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store and watch them instantly on their HDTV. It will be available for a suggested retail price of USD99 (RO38).
Go DJ The awe-inspiring RMX-1000 remix station from Pioneer is a three-in-one system comprising editing software, innovative performance hardware, and VST and AU plugins. It uses intuitive DJ controls to manipulate several parameters in macro. The unit is simple to operate. DJs can create a totally unique sound with the remixbox editing software which allows you to completely the hardware to your own performance style. 12 / TECH
Experience Sola
Custom-designed The Marc Newson-designed PENTAX K-01 interchangeable lens camera features a contemporary yet classic style. It provides photographers with a full array of advanced functions and user-friendly features. Key features include a durable machined aluminium frame under a stylish black, white, or yellow exterior; large, newly-developed, 16MP APS-C sized CMOS image sensor; and high resolution three-inch LCD. The K-01 body is available for USD750 (RO288).
Xperia sola is the latest addition to Sony Mobile Communications’ portfolio of Android-powered Xperia smartphones. Complete with Sony technology, premium entertainment and innovative ‘floating touch’ navigation, the NFC-enabled Xperia sola comes equipped with Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone settings and applications in an instant. It will be available to consumers globally in black, white and red during the second quarter of 2012. Xperia sola boasts sharp clarity with Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine, xLOUD and 3D surround sound audio technology, and a 1GHz dual-core processor. Consumers can access premium entertainment experiences with Sony Entertainment Network.
Audio solution The iW2 Wireless Speaker System with AirPlay from iHome is set to be released on 1 April 2012. When placed within a Wi-Fi network, the system will seamlessly connect to offer an affordable option for achieving premium whole home audio with simple turn-key set up. An app-enhanced AirPlay wireless speaker system, it has a USB port for charging and music playback from your iPad, iPod and iPhone with any iPod USB sync cable and dock. It will be priced at USD200 (RO77).
SUPERIOR STYLE The LG Optimus L3, a compact smartphone with timeless style, was introduced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2012 in Barcelona. The Optimus L3 is the first model from the L-Style design series starting this year. It offers users an authentic experience. L-Style’s elements, such as modern square style and harmonised design contrast with metallic accents, are revealed on
the Optimus L3, emphasising the premium design heritage born from LG’s design leadership. Its 3.2-inch display provides the ideal viewing experience on a compact smartphone. As an ‘on-the-go’ socialising device, the Optimus L3 allows for longer talk times and ensures that users always stay connected to their favourite social network with its 1,500mAh battery.
APRIL 2012 / 13
RUGGED BOOMBOX
The Eco Terra Boombox is a floating IPX7 waterproof iPhone-MP3 player case which is fully submersible in water. It is built with two large waterproof stereo speakers and powered by four C-Cell batteries or included AC Wall Charger. The two full-range three-inch forward firing speakers provide clean sound and it can be played in virtually any position (open, closed, upright, onside, or upside down). The internal waterproof storage compartment holds and protects your keys, MP3 player, credit cards, driver’s license and cash. When thrown into the water, the Eco Terra case will always rotate position to float with the speakers pointed up so you can enjoy your tunes all the time. The Eco Terra also comes with multiple carabineer clips.
TOAST
SURPRISE Use metal masks to block part of the heat in your toaster and ‘print’ funny text and images onto your daily breakfast toast. This Pop-Art unique all-in-one table-top toaster burns ‘Bite Me’ and ‘Ugh’ in your toast. It features easily removeable templates, adjustable thermostat control and a non-stick baking plate.
Check out the ivee Digit – it’s not just an alarm clock; it’s your personal assistant. She can tell you the time, date and temperature, and all you need to do is ask. The LCD lighting is fully adjustable, while the three sleep sounds were specially designed to evoke a state of relaxation. With ivee’s Voice Control technology and understanding of 35 different voice commands, she will charm her way into becoming your hands-free companion. This alarm clock is also recognised by the World Blind Union. Simply say ‘hello ivee’ to get started.
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FIRE AWAY The iLaunch Rocket Launcher is a missile launcher controlled by your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Licensed by Apple, the launcher works with any device running iOS 5.0.1 or higher. It allows a shooting distance of around 25 feet and it can be used both indoors and outdoors. It offers 270-degree horizontal rotation and vertical flexibility of over 40 degrees. Air-powered pistons fire foam darts in succession on an automatic rotation. It comes with a rechargeable battery and you can simply plug into your computer’s USB port. You can use touchscreen or G-sensor control. The missile launcher can be wirelessly controlled via Bluetooth. Free iLaunch Controller App is available on the App Store.
SLEEK SCANNER The Plustek OpticFilm 120 is a new high-end desktop film scanner that will handle both 35mm and medium-format negatives and transparencies. It will feature an automatic film advance mechanism, high-quality scanner optics and newly designed film holders that should be able to keep the film strips perfectly flat. Other highlights include multi-sampling, multi-exposure and an infrared channel that helps with the identification and automated removal of dust marks. It will come bundled with an IT8 colour calibration target and SilverFast Ai Studio 8 software. With its sleek design and high-quality metal exterior, this scanner digitises all film formats in the highest possible quality. The OpticFilm 120 is also capable of automatically advancing the film carriers.
RIP THEM With CD Direct you can transfer your most cherished vinyl collection onto a CD in a snap. And there is no need to connect it to a computer. Just pop a blank CD into the tray and set your record on top. There’s even a built-in speaker so you can enjoy your LPs as you rip them. If you connect CD Direct to a computer it can also convert your vinyl collection to MP3, and you can save them to any music player you like. It plays 33 1/3, 45 and 78rpm speeds to accommodate your entire record collection. It comes with EZ Vinyl Converter software and USB cable.
SMART PEBBLE A revolutionary device that is designed to take the effort out of saving water, Water Pebble is a world’s first. Paul Priestman, director of design company Priestmangoode, was inspired by a sign in a hotel bathroom – ‘Please Use Water Sparingly’. And he developed this concept. The device monitors water going down the plug hole when you shower. Memorising your first shower and using it as a benchmark, Water Pebble indicates via a series of lights flashing from green through to red, when to finish showering. Green light indicates start; Amber indicates you’re halfway through; and red means it’s time to stop.
TWIDDLE YOUR FINGERS This Japanese Wrist-Mounted Finger Piano is totally fun – simply slip it on your wrist and slip your fingers into the little finger-like ends and you are ready to rock. The way it works is pretty simple – each finger end plays a note when you press it on a hard surface. You can add three more buttons or notes on top of the wrist unit, and the Finger Piano pumps out one full octave. It has three volume levels and three sound banks.
APRIL 2012 / 15
PHOTOGRAPHY
ARTISTIC FREEDOM For professionals in the fields of cinematography and documentary filmmaking
T
he first EOS DSLR to feature a builtin headphone jack for real-time audio monitoring, the Canon EOS 5D Mark III delivers superb image quality. It features a 22.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor, a high-performance DIGIC 5+ imaging processor, a 61-point autofocus system and 6fps continuous shooting speed. It incorporates enhanced video features, including better noise reduction and longer recording times. The camera sports HDR and Multiple Exposure modes. The built-in HDR mode merges three images at various exposure levels into a single image, in-camera. The exposure levels provide a choice of five settings – Natural, Art Standard, Art Vivid, Art Bold and Art Embossed. Multiple Exposure mode has the ability to combine up to nine individual images into a single composite image, without the need for post-processing. Four different compositing
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methods are provided, including Additive, Average, Bright and Dark.
Sensor With the new 22.3MP full-frame Canon CMOS image sensor, the EOS 5D Mark III becomes the highest resolution Canon DSLR to date. It is suitable for a wide variety of assignments. With a gapless microlens design, a new photodiode structure and improved on-chip noise reduction, the new sensor achieves higher sensitivity and lower noise levels for RAW image data as well as in-camera JPEGs and EOS movies. An eight-channel readout doubles the speed of image data throughput.
Processor The DIGIC 5+ imaging processor is 17 times faster than the DIGIC 4. The 5D Mark III uses that extra speed not only for improved
image quality, but also to add nine new features. Another feature enhanced by the processor is the DSLR’s choice of reduced resolution M-RAW (10.5MP) and S-RAW (5.5MP) recording modes. M-RAW and S-RAW also preserve the full field of view rather than cropping the image or resorting to JPEG mode to reduce resolution.
Autofocus System Canon has included its new 61-point High Density Reticular AF System which is quite sophisticated. All 61 points are manually selectable and sensitive to horizontal contrast with maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/5.6. Other innovations of the new 61-point High Density Reticular AF include expanded AF coverage area, superior focusing precision and low-light sensitivity, and greater low-contrast subject detection capability compared to earlier EOS AF systems.
Design
Magnesium alloy body covers and a stainless steel lens mount; dust- and moisture-resistant design equipped with Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System
Playback
Display two images side by side on the 3.2-inch LCD screen; images can be displayed with a histogram to check exposure levels, or magnified to check for focus
Key features
ISO
Incredible ISO range adjustable from 100 to 25,600; offers ISO 50 setting for studio and landscape photography, and two extended ISO settings of 51,200 and 102,400
• 22.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor • 61-point autofocus • Up to 6fps continuous shooting • Full HD video with manual control • 14-bit DIGIC 5+ image processor • Enhanced weather sealing • HDR mode with presets
Details SENSOR 22.3MP full-frame CMOS sensor SCREEN 3.2-inch Clear View II LCD screen with 1,040K dots VIEWFINDER Optical STORAGE Compact Flash Type I (UDMAcompatible), SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards CONNECTIVITY USB 2.0, Mini HDMI
PRICE USD3,499 (RO1,347)
APRIL 2012 / 17
SMART CHOICE A compact camera synonymous with performance
Split Shot lets you merge up to three different images to create an artistic statement
Use Picture-in-Picture Shot to tell a story – it lets you insert an image or movie within another Enhance creativity with Smart Filter 3.0 – options include Cartoon and Cross Filter; Ink Painting and Halftone Dot let you have fun
W
way you want them. With Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority settings you can experiment with shutter speeds and depth of field.
ith advanced optical zoom and image quality, the WB150 from Samsung sports Wi-Fi capabilities. You can now share photos by uploading to Facebook, Picasa and Photobucket or email them directly from the camera. You can also upload videos to YouTube. TV Link feature allows you to wirelessly display your pictures on a large TV screen. And with
the Auto Backup feature you can save the images to your PC with just one click.
Details
Dimensions
Key features
SENSOR 14.2MP CCD sensor IMAGE STABILISATION Optical SCREEN Three-inch TFT LCD, 460K dots MEMORY Internal: 18MB; SDSC, SDHC and SDXC memory cards AVAILABLE AT Sarco, 24593025
WIDTH 106.5mm HEIGHT 59.9mm DEPTH 23.4mm WEIGHT 187.9g (body only)
•1 8x optical zoom, Optical Image Stabilisation • 24mm wide-angle lens • Wi-Fi Connectivity • Three-inch hVGA LCD • 720p HD movie recording
PRICE RO99.500 18 / TECH
The semi-professional compact camera’s 18x optical zoom lets you shoot everything from extensive vistas to detailed closeups. Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) makes sure your photographs are blurfree. Full Manual feature lets you take complete control and capture photos the
The three-inch hVGA LCD provides improved contrast and colour reproduction. It also automatically detects environmental illumination and adjusts the LCD brightness accordingly.
TRAVEL
PARTNER A CAMCORDER FOR EVERYDAY ADVENTURES
W
ith advanced technology, the newest member of the Sony Handycam series, the GW55VE, helps you capture clear, stable Full HD video and stills. The USP – waterproof to depths of 5m, dustproof and shockproof from a height of up to 1.5m. The Exmor R CMOS sensor captures detailed, low-noise video footage and photos, even in low-light conditions. Teamed with a high-quality G Lens by Sony, the camcorder is capable of capturing both wide-angle scenes and close-ups. Extended Zoom boosts the 10x optical zoom range to 17x maximum magnification. ‘By Pixel Super
Resolution’ processing ensures detailed high-zoom shots. Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode corrects hand-shake. Intelligent Sweep Panorama, a Handycam first, lets you capture scenes with a huge field of view. Simply press the shutter button and sweep the camcorder. Also new to Handycam is the Self Portrait Timer. Intelligent AUTO recognises up to 99 scene types, adjusting the camcorder settings accordingly. A special ‘Underwater’ mode makes your videos look better with rich, natural colours. The camcorder also packs an on-board GPS feature that takes note of where the clips and photos were taken.
Details
Dimensions
Key features
SENSOR 20.4MP Exmor R CMOS sensor IMAGE STABILISATION Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode SCREEN Three-inch Xtra Fine LCD, 921K dots ZOOM Optical: 10x, Digital: 120x MEMORY Micro SD and SDHC cards, Memory Stick Micro
WIDTH 32.2mm HEIGHT 105.5mm DEPTH 70.2mm WEIGHT 188g (body only)
•F ull HD 50p video, with Exmor R CMOS sensor • Optical SteadyShot with Active Mode • Still photos up to 20.4MP • Intelligent AUTO • Three-inch Xtra Fine LCD touchscreen
APRIL 2012 / 19
Olympus PEN models are smart, simple and stunning
T
he PEN is a new concept in digital photography. Due to its mirror-less construction it’s as small as a compact camera. Sensor size equivalent to that of Four Thirds cameras and the interchangeable lenses ensure DSLR-like quality as well as flexibility. Here are a few recent models of the PEN range from Olympus.
E-P3 Known commonly as the PEN, the E-P3 has FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor Technology) AF, timeless metal design and state-of-the-art touch-sensitive OLED screen. It also has a new processor – the TruePic VI image engine – that is designed specially for mirror-less cameras. For professionals, the camera comes with two dials on the back for making adjustments to exposure and aperture, plus in-body image stabilisation. PEN offers 35 separate focus points. And in low-light conditions, the built-in AF Illuminator compensates for potential loss of accuracy. The three-inch touch-sensitive OLED screen is unique to this flagship model. It offers fingertip scrolling and enlarging of photos, as well as control of the shutter release, AF points and the pop-up Live Guide.
E-PL3 (Lite) The Lite is packed with some of the very best imaging innovations, including FAST AF, in-body image stabilisation, and one-touch Art Filters. It sports a new tiltable LCD. It is a small and chic camera with a premium, brushed aluminium finish. With Live Guide, it is quite easy to fix the camera settings. Live Guide lets you master settings such as motion and background blur, colour intensity, lighting mood and brightness. Adjusting certain permanent settings in the menu is simpler, as each menu option has a pop-up window with a description. For other menu settings, there are buttons on the top of the camera, next to the shutter release. The Lite comes with the following six Art Filters – Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pinhole, Diorama and Dramatic Tone – that can be applied on-camera to both HD movies and stills. With the new Art Filter Bracketing, you can experiment by simultaneously applying different filters to a shot.
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E-PM1 (Mini) Advertised as the world’s smallest and lightest system camera with interchangeable lenses, the Mini is an SLR-quality camera in a compact-camera chassis. With its slender contours and premium finish, it’s a camera for everyone. The PEN Mini comes with pop-up descriptions in the main menu. And with the quick-access Live Guide assistant, you can see what settings need to be adjusted to get the best shot available. The Mini can record moving footage in 1080i Full High Definition AVCHD format. Alternatively, you can select 720p HD Motion JPEG video format. Similar to the Lite, the six Art Filters can be applied on-camera to both Full HD movies and stills, at the touch of a button.
Key features • Powerful TruePic VI image engine • Ultra-effective in-body image stabilisation • 12.3MP High-Speed Live MOS sensor • FAST AF, always on, 35 AF points, low-light AF Illuminator and out-of-picture AF Tracking • ISO 12800 sensitivity • 1080i 60fps Full HD stereo movie recording • Live Guide in HD movie, still and P/S/M/A mode • Live View in HD movie and still mode • Easy-to-use Live Wheel feature menu
Specification
E-P3
E-PL3 (Lite)
Lens Mount
E-PM1 (Mini)
Micro Four Thirds
Image Sensor
12.3MP 4/3-inch Live MOS Sensor
Engine Type
TruePic VI
Monitor
Three-inch OLED touchscreen; 610K dots
Three-inch tiltable LCD; 460K dots
Three-inch LCD; 460K dots
Colours
Black, silver, white
Black, silver, white, red
Black, silver, white, brown, purple, silver-rose
Dimensions (WxHxD)
122x69.1x34.3mm
109.5x63.7x37.3mm
109.5x63.7x34.0mm
Weight (body only)
321g
265g
217g
Available at
Photocentre, 24565305
APRIL 2012 / 21
eXceeds eXpectations An ideal ‘all-in-one’ camera with the benefits of a DSLR
T
he X-S1 from Fujifilm is a highperformance camera built for the sophisticated consumer and enthusiast photographer. It offers true picture quality and a versatile long-zoom lens in a durable, lightweight body. The latest addition to the X-series,
Lenses It features a newly-developed, all glass, high-definition FUJINON F2.8 wide-angle and F5.6 telephoto lens with an ultrasmooth 26x manual zoom (24-624mm). The lens consists of 17 glass lens elements in 12 groups. It offers amazing clarity. The lens has a metal cam design that delivers smooth, precise zoom control. It also features an O-ring that is injected with specially blended grease similar to that found in high-definition broadcast television lenses.
it features a large 2/3-inch 12MP EXR CMOS sensor. It is well-suited for nature photography. The EXR processor delivers fast auto focus while minimising shutter lag. It supports high-speed continuous shooting of approximately 7fps at full resolution. It has a wide, 1.4-million-dot
electronic viewfinder (EVF) that includes a heads-up sensor that automatically switches between the viewfinder and the LCD screen when you try to compose an image. The viewfinder uses two glass lenses and one non-spherical lens to capture realistic lighting.
LENS The FUJINON lens delivers images with amazing edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity
Technology The unique EXR CMOS technology, pioneered by Fujifilm, allows the user to switch between three modes depending on the lighting conditions. Switching between the modes changes the performance of the sensor. The High Resolution option is perfect when picture quality is the focus. Wide Dynamic Range mode can be used in scenes of high contrast, while the High Sensitivity and Low Noise option should be selected for optimum results in low-light conditions.
DISPLAY The three-inch LCD offers a Sunlight mode that allows for easy viewing in bright locations
Details
Key features
SENSOR 12-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor SCREEN Three-inch TFT colour LCD, 460K-dot resolution STORAGE Internal: 26MB; SD, SDHC and SDXC memory cards CONNECTIONS USB 2.0, HDMI AVAILABLE AT Photocentre, 24565305
• Large 2/3-inch 12MP EXR-CMOS sensor • Up to 10fps continuous shooting • T ilting three-inch LCD screen with Sunlight mode •E VF with 1.4 million pixel resolution and 26-degree viewing angle • Full 1080p HD movie with stereo sound • Film simulation modes • 360-degree Motion Panorama mode
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audio zone
LIBERATED ACOUSTICS
Flexible sound systems that adjust to your lifestyle
Libratone Live
L
ibratone’s new Airplay sound systems – the Live and Lounge – are two high-end speakers driven by Apple’s Airplay technology. They allow audio to flow freely, without the hassle of wires or a loss in sound quality. Versatile and powerful AirPlay sound systems for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and computers with iTunes, the speakers combine advanced technology and Scandinavian design. They enhance movie and music experiences. The inclusion of Apple’s AirPlay technology allows users to stream music wirelessly from iOS devices, Mac or PC. With an output of up to 150W, five dedicated amplifiers, advanced digital signal processing capabilities and highend audio components, the speakers can soundtrack your life, delivering precise bass and clear treble.
Libratone Lounge
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Design Libratone Live and Lounge offer a contemporary design with a Scandinavian heritage. Available in a range of colours, they are finished in luxury cashmere wool. The Live also features a satin chrome handle for portability. Live comes in slate grey (standard), blood orange, vanilla beige, blueberry black and lime green.
Technology – FullRoom technology that allows the tweeters and midrange drivers to disperse sound in all directions, reflecting it off the room’s walls, providing high-quality 360-degree sound; the soundscape expands at a distance
Details INPUTS AirPlay (wireless), 3.5mm audio mini-jack for analogue or optical digital sound AMPLIFIER Total: 150W; Bass: 1 x 50W; Tweeter: 2 x 25W; Midrange: 2 x 25W AVAILABLE AT http://www.libratone.com/ buy/online-stores/
PRICE Live: USD699 (RO270); Lounge: USD1,299 (RO500)
‘Libratone’ app – Allows you to enhance and customise the FullRoom experience; feed the app with information on the placement of the sound system, and it automatically adjusts the sound to fit the room perfectly
TRUE SOUND
Intuitive and powerful music management
T
Model AS141
he Philips docking speakers for Android phones feature FlexiDock – a unique design that cleverly docks the devices, irrespective of whether the phone’s connection socket is at the bottom, on the side or on the top. This flexibility is the first of its kind. The dock is also adjustable to hold the phone in both portrait and landscape positions, letting you position your Android phone at the centre of the speaker. The free Philips DockStudio app brings unique features
to your docking speakers – you can listen to thousands of Internet radio stations worldwide, browse through your music collection and share what you are listening to with friends. The app comes with Songbird music function, so you can discover, play and sync media seamlessly between PC and Android devices. In Clock mode, the app lets you set multiple customised music alarms and gives updated weather reports. Completely free, the app can be downloaded from the Android Market.
Model AS111
Details COMPATIBILITY Android v2.1 and above, Bluetooth v2.1 and above, Micro USB OUTPUT POWER AS141: 2 x 10W, RMS; AS111: 4W, RMS SPEAKERS AS141: Two built-in speakers; AS111: Neodymium magnet system AVAILABLE AT Mustafa Sultan Electronics, 24636015
Auto Clock Synchronisation feature – connect your phone, and the speaker will synchronise the clock’s time with that of your phone
Dimensions WIDTH AS141: 290mm; AS111: 171mm HEIGHT AS141: 160mm; AS111: 171mm DEPTH AS141: 113mm; AS111: 67mm
Songbird – a PC program and Android app that lets you discover, play your media, and sync it seamlessly with your PC
Play music via Bluetooth – download the free Philips Fidelio app and Bluetooth will automatically be turned on
APRIL 2012 / 25
COMPUTING
GET EXCITED A tablet that is designed for durability and style
A
dvertised as the world’s thinnest and lightest ten-inch tablet, Toshiba Excite 10 LE measures just 7.7mm thick and weighs about 535g. Powered by Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) later this year, the tablet includes a full suite of familiar Google Mobile Service applications, including Android Market, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Music and Videos. The Excite also comes pre-loaded with a mix of Toshiba software and third-party applications including TOSHIBA App Place,
Details DISPLAY 10.1-inch diagonal LED backlit widescreen PROCESSOR Texas Instruments 1.2GHz OMAP 4430 multi-core processor PLATFORM Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), upgradeable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) MEMORY 1GB LPDDR2 RAM, 16GB and 32GB configurations CAMERA 2MP front-facing, 5MP rearfacing with LED flash CONNECTIVITY Micro USB, Micro HDMI ports, Bluetooth v2.1
PRICE 16GB: USD530 (RO204), 32GB: USD600 (RO230)
Dimensions WIDTH 256.5mm HEIGHT 7.7mm DEPTH 173.3mm WEIGHT 535g
Key features •1 0.1-inch diagonal LED backlit widescreen Corning Gorilla Glass display with IPS technology and tenfinger multi-touch support •G yroscope, Accelerometer, GPS, eCompass and Ambient Light Sensor •S tereo speakers with sound enhancements by Toshiba and SRS Labs 26 / TECH
TOSHIBA Book Place, TOSHIBA Media Player and TOSHIBA File Manager. Featuring a vivid high-resolution 10.1inch diagonal AutoBrite display, the tablet delivers optimum browsing, reading and entertainment. The tablet comes with an array of connectivity interfaces and ports on board, including micro-USB and HDMI ports, a micro-SD slot to share content and files with other devices, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It also sports stereo speakers with exclusive sound enhancements by Toshiba and SRS Labs. Front and back HD cameras provide convenient
photo capture, plus 1080p video recording and video chatting. Powered by the 1.2GHz Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 multi-core mobile processor and dual-channel memory, the Excite offers smooth Web browsing and multitasking. It is also power-efficient, delivering up to eight hours of battery life.
Design The device features a high-quality magnesium alloy surface and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass display with an antismudge coating.
SIMPLY PORTABLE
An Ultrabook that is designed for a mobile life Ultra-light, ultra-thin and ultrasleek – the Ultrabook combines speed and storage in a compact package
With Fast Boot the computer boots up in just 20 seconds; Fast Start wakes your laptop from the sleep mode in two seconds; Fast Browsing makes frequently viewed Web pages run two times faster
Key features •S leek and chic design • ExpressCache technology • Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) • Connectivity
T
he NP530U4B is a full-feature Ultrabook from Samsung that offers the fast performance of a solid state drive. It also gives the user a massive storage space. Samsung’s ExpressCache technology combines both speed and storage in a compact package. With this Series 5 Ultrabook, you have all the connectivity and ports that you need – from fast USB, to a full-sized memory card reader. Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) is a feature of this Ultrabook. It brings all your photos, videos and online content onto your big screen. Just connect an adapter to your TV, follow a few simple steps to sync with your Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook, sit back and enjoy. One of the unique features of this Ultrabook is the integrated Optical Disk Drive that Samsung offers.
Details OPERATING SYSTEM Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) PROCESSOR Intel Core i5-2467M, 1.6GHz MEMORY 3GB RAM, 1GB VRAM WEB CAMERA 1.3MP HD CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth v3.0 High Speed COLOUR Silver AVAILABLE AT Sarco, 24593025
PRICE RO389.900
Dimensions WIDTH 332.7mm HEIGHT 20.8mm DEPTH 228.6mm WEIGHT 1.8kg
APRIL 2012 / 27
VIDEO ZONE
ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE A breakthrough in sound from Bose
T
he VideoWave entertainment system from Bose is a revolutionary product that combines a home theatre sound system, a 46-inch 1080p LCD screen and a music system. Available from the Bose showroom in Oman, it does not have separate speakers, bass modules or speaker wires. It delivers high-definition picture and the audio experience of a highquality home theatre system. And with a one-click-pad remote and screen interface, all the connected devices can be controlled. The result of ten years of research, the VideoWave entertainment system is the company’s most advanced consumer product. Advancements in multiple Bose engineering disciplines enabled the successful integration of audio and video, making the entire system no larger than
the screen itself. It includes new software and electronics, multiple channels of amplification and a custom speaker package – all invisible. The system delivers cinematic sound, reproducing music with clarity and no audible distortion. A cluster of six highperformance woofers are carefully matched to a new, powerful acoustic Bose waveguide. The new Bose PhaseGuide sound radiator technology, together with a seven-element speaker array and advanced Bose digital signal processing, deliver an immersive experience. The system can be positioned almost anywhere. The ADAPTiQ audio calibration technology ensures the best sound possible for any room; it recognises room size, shape and even furnishings, and adjusts the sound automatically.
Control The new Bose click pad remote features a built-in sensor and only includes buttons for the most-used functions: powering on and off, changing channels, adjusting volume and selecting sources. Users simply touch the click pad, and only the controls for what’s being watched appear on the screen, without any interference to the picture. As the thumb glides around the click pad, a highlight scrolls through the commands. Choosing a command takes a simple thumb press and the VideoWave system responds instantly. Thanks to the RF technology used in the click pad remote, there is no need to aim the remote at the device.
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cover story
HANDY ENTERTAINER The Vita carries on the PlayStation legacy
T
he latest gaming console from Sony, the PlayStation Vita, packs not one but two quad-core processors, a stunning five-inch OLED touchscreen and dual analogue stick controls. What the Vita has on offer puts it in a class of its own. Read on to see if it is worth the money.
Features The PS Vita screams refinement, and is a mix of style and performance. It has a sleek, black chassis and although it looks a lot like the original Sony PSP, it is bigger. It has a durable shell that protects it from knocks. But durable doesn’t always mean heavy as it weighs just 260g. The Vita features the classic six axis gyroscope or accelerometer, and with this motion sensor technology, you can manipulate your environment and utilise the in-game tools. The action buttons are micro-switched. The Vita has a 32-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPU. Graphical power is supplied by the quad-core PowerVR Series5XT SGXMP+ chip. It comes with 512MB RAM and 128MB VRAM for the GPU. The lack of internal storage is one
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of the drawbacks of this gaming console. Games come in their own cartridge-style cards with storage space for saves and updates. The device has two ports – one for the generic memory card and one for game cartridges. So if you want to take music, pictures or videos with you, or if you want to download digital-only games from the Sony Entertainment Network, you’ll have to pay extra for the Vita storage cards.
VGA cameras are great for capturing content for in-game use and manipulation. The rear touchpad is one of the things that make the Vita unique. However, it takes time to get used to. Basically you can control games by touching the back of the screen with your fingertips. Near GPS location service is another addition – it is a multi-layered tool for finding like-minded gamers to compete with.
The Vita also offers a remote play feature that allows you to use the console to take control of your PS3. This means you can play PS3 games on the PS Vita over a network.
Buttons
Enhancements The biggest Sony handheld ever, the Vita measures 7.2 inches from end to end, has a height of 3.3 inches and a thickness of 0.73. Continuing on the legacy of the PSP, it has quite a few enhancements. The stunning visuals attract you to this entertainer. The five-inch OLED capacitive multi-touch front screen is a winner. It packs a qHD resolution of 640x960. Gestures on the screen are sometimes used to navigate the new interface, instead of the D-Pad. The front and rear
To the left you have the classic Sony D-Pad, an analogue stick, a speaker and the PS Home button. The right sports the classic PlayStation triangle, circle, square and X buttons, as well as an analogue stick, speaker, a 0.3MP front-facing camera and the Start and Select buttons. The top of the Vita features left and right shoulder buttons, between which you have the on/off button, volume controls, the PlayStation card slot and a terminal to plug in peripherals. The base of the console has the proprietary USB connector for charging and connecting, as well as the headphone/microphone adapter and the Memory Card slot. Finally, the rear has the brand-new reverse tactile touch pad, a 0.3MP camera and a microphone.
A portable entertainment system with two analogue sticks that enhances firstperson shooter experience
A beautiful capacitive multi-touch five-inch OLED
The rear multi-touch pad, together with the front touch display, offers a new game play experience by allowing users to interact directly with games in three dimension-like motion, through ‘touch, grab, trace, push and pull’ moves of the fingers.
Design The PS Vita’s new touchscreen interface is well laid out and easy to use. The layout includes a number of home screens stacked one on top of the other. The options are represented by circular icons, each denoting an app. The device also offers a satisfying way of closing games. You can quit from any game or app using the PS button. This will pause the app you were in, and to close it simply peel the app off the screen from the top right corner.
Conclusion A spectacular one-of-a-kind mobile game console that improves on its PSP
predecessors, the PS Vita has quite an impressive hardware. The screen is a joy, with the colours more vivid and the brightness stunning. The dual analogue sticks might be a tad smaller, but are easy to master and offer precise inputs that hardcore gamers demand.
Details
Dimensions
PROCESSOR CPU: ARM Cortex A9 quad-core; GPU: SGX543MP4+ SCREEN Five-inch multi-touch capacitive OLED screen, 960x544 resolution
WIDTH 182mm HEIGHT 18.6mm DEPTH 83.5mm
PRICE RO185.900
APRIL 2012 / 31
MOBILE ZONE
Transforming
the world
A glimpse at the future of mobile technology
T
he Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2012, held in Barcelona between Feb 27 and Mar 1, is the GSMA’s industry-defining event of the year. With hundreds of new gadgets on display, there were some that were unique and desirable, and quite a few stunners from HTC, Nokia, LG, Samsung, Huawei and Asus. Mobile devices have gone beyond being just a communication device. They have become our books, health monitors, payment transfer devices, social connectors and tour guides. Mobile technology is also quite common in cars, homes and appliances. Here are a few of our favourite handsets from the MWC this year.
HTC One X and S
The One X is a slim handset with an understated yet elegant design. It packs a Tegra 3 SoC with a quad-core 1.5GHz CPU, a beautiful 4.7-inch 720p Super LCD display, 32GB of internal storage and an f/2.0, 8MP camera. It features Ice Cream Sandwich with a Sense 4.0 overlay. The HTC One S shares many of the same design elements as its larger sibling, the One X. The touch sensitivity is excellent. It features a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, a 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display, 16GB of storage and the same 8MP camera found in the One X.
Nokia PureView 808
The PureView 808 from Nokia won the official Best of Show award at the Mobile World Congress. It has moved the camera phone to a new level. It has an amazing 41-megapixel camera. It features a 1.3GHz CPU, a four-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display at 640x360 pixel resolution, and packs quad-band GSM and pentaband 3G connectivity. It runs the Symbian Belle.
Huawei Ascend D Quad
This smartphone boasts some of the finest aesthetics. It features a 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, a 4.5-inch IPS (In-Plane Switching) display with 720p resolution, an 8MP camera, quad-band GSM, pentaband WCDMA. And above all, it operates on the Ice Cream Sandwich platform.
LG Optimus Vu
A short and broad handset with an excellent five-inch IPS display and a unique 4:3 aspect ratio. Its width is ideal for text input on the virtual keyboard. It also comes with stylus input. Internally, there’s a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, an 8MP camera and a 2,080mAh battery. At just 8.5mm, it’s incredibly thin.
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ASUS Padfone
One of the more unique handsets at the MWC, it has a ‘cool’ factor. The phone is designed to be slipped into an accompanying ten-inch tablet, any work done on the slate remains available once the handset is on its own. The tablet accessory is capable of charging the Padfone. It also holds a battery that’ll charge both the tablet and the phone. The Padfone itself features a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD display and its internal storage will vary between 16GB and 64GB.
LG Optimus 4X HD
Sequel to the Optimus 2X, the Optimus 4X HD from LG packs a Tegra 3 SoC with a quad-core 1.5GHz CPU and a large 4.7inch IPS display with 720p resolution, along with an eightmegapixel primary camera.
Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G
This smartphone takes many of the design elements of the original Galaxy S line-up and has fit in Galaxy S II’s innards into the handset. It features a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor, a four-inch Super AMOLED display, a five-megapixel camera and will support T-Mobile’s 42Mbps HSPA+ network.
Nokia Lumia 610
This is a low-end device with which Nokia has proven that it’s ready to take Windows Phone down to a level that’s accessible to a larger audience. It features an 800MHz CPU, 3.7-inch WVGA TFT display, a 5MP camera and quadband GSM/EDGE/WCDMA.
Xolo X900
The Xolo X900, based on the 1.6GHz Z2560, is a device that is currently destined for India. Performance is quite responsive thanks to the Gingerbread platform. The phone’s 1,460mAh cell is said to last up to 14 days on standby and offer up to eight hours of talk time, with the chip’s advanced power management features. The Xolo X900 features a four-inch, 1,024x600 LCD screen and an eight-megapixel camera.
APRIL 2012 / 33
SHARE A BEAM Stylish, portable projector smartphone
S
games available via Game Hub, Samsung’s dedicated virtual gaming store. Gamers can then project games to other players.
The Beam features a 5MP camera. It is ideal for action-packed interactive gaming – users can upload their own games or choose from over 1,000
Measuring just 12.5mm thick, the Beam sports an elegant, ergonomic design. It runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) which is powered by an impressive 1GHz dual-core processor, ensuring versatility and a responsive user interface. Ample multimedia storage is possible thanks to the 8GB of internal memory available. A 2,000mAh battery provides greater display power and content freedom.
amsung GALAXY Beam is a projector smartphone that lets you display and share multimedia content. Just ‘beam’ the content stored on the phone directly onto any flat surface up to 50 inches wide. The 15 lumens projector is bright even in outdoor environments. A projectordedicated application makes it easy to select content and activate projection in a few simple steps.
Details PROCESSOR 1GHz dual-core processor DISPLAY Four-inch WVGA TFT (480x800 pixels) PLATFORM Android v2.3 (Gingerbread) STORAGE RAM: 6GB, Internal Memory: 8GB, MicroSD card slot (up to 32GB) CAMERA 5MP autofocus + 1.3MP CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth v3.0, MicroUSB, USB 2.0, 3.5mm stereo audio jack PC APPLICATIONS Samsung Kies 2.0
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Dimensions WIDTH 64.2mm HEIGHT 124mm DEPTH 12.5mm WEIGHT 145.3kg
Get Direct Access to Oman’s Vibrant Housing Market
After its highly successful inaugural edition in 2011, The Home Show 2012 is getting bigger and better, with the expected participation of a much greater number of exhibitors and with an even wider range of products on display.
Exhibition Profile: Bedroom and Bathroom Fit-outs | Doors and Windows | Furniture and Furnishings | Garden and Landscaping Home Appliances and Electronics | Home Building Materials | Home Loans | Interior Design Products and Services Kitchen Equipments and Modules | Lighting Fixtures and Accessories | Residential Properties Smart Home Solutions | Wall and Floor Coverings
Meet your target audience: Architects | Building Contracts | Decision Makers | Homebuilders | Homeowners Interior Decorators | Industry Professionals | Property Investors Be sure to get your prominent location in The Home Show 2012 before it is sold out. Reserve your stand today! For stand bookings, sponsorship opportunities or for more information, contact Clemento Fernandes on +968 95250277 or e-mail clemento@globalexhibitionsoman.com.
Supporting Organisations
Gold Sponsor
Official International Magazine
Organiser:
Siver Sponsors
Media Partners
Floor Plan Sponsor
APPS
be hAPPy Fun applications for these boringly long summer days
Apps for iPhone
Apps for Android
Apps for BlackBerry
EYE ILLUSIONS AND MIND TRICKS
CARTOON CAMERA
BOMBERMAN VS ZOMBIES
FREE
Features hundreds of the best eye, optical, and mind illusion images; comes with Home and Lock screen previews
FREE Cloud-based photo editing tool; you get over 150 scenes to play with; the app finds the face in your photo and integrates it with the scene of your choice
HBO GO FREE
A new streaming service from HBO; you can watch over 1,400 of your favourite HBO shows, including HBO original programming, hit movies, sports and comedy
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Play online with thousands of other players; train an army of swordsmen, archers and catapults; plan strategy in real-time with live chat; participate in tournaments
USD0.99
An easy-to-use, amazing face ageing machine for your Android device – funny and scary way to instantly age your face
Action, explosions, zombies and a real Hero Bomberman; the world can turn into Zombieland, but Bomberman is prepared to save the planet
USD0.99
Load a photo and start distorting it; make the ears, the mouth or even the whole face bigger
DEEZER FREE Analyses nearby energies; interpretations of the sensor readings are displayed using numeric, textual and graphical readouts
Share and listen to 13 million tracks anytime, anywhere; you can listen to thousands of artist-based and themed radio channels and a SmartRadio
EASY SMILEY PACK
CUT THE ROPE USD0.98
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FAT FACE
GHOST RADAR
KINGDOMS OF CAMELOT: BATTLE FOR THE NORTH FREE
One of the coolest free camera apps ever – you can create cartoon and sketch-like photography with your camera
AGINGBOOTH
PHOTOFUNIA FREE
FREE
FREE The little monster Om Nom is hungry; cut the ropes that hold the candy he wants by swiping your finger across the ropes
Provides access to hidden smileys and emoticons; you can now add smileys and flags, and digits to your BBM status and profile name
APRIL 2012 / 37
INTERVIEW
PHOTOGRAPHY
FEVER
Since 2010, Fujifilm Middle East has satisfied its customers in the Middle East and African countries with its range of digital cameras
T
hirty-six-year-old Keitaro So, general manager of Fujifilm Middle East, has been with the corporation since 1999. His seven-year stint as a salesperson in the Japanese market was followed by his transfer to the international marketing team of the digital camera division. In the four years there he served in regions and countries such as North America, Europe, Asia and BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Fujifilm Middle East FZE started stock operation of digital cameras for Middle East and African countries in October 2010. With commitment to the market, the company saw an increase in sales. Keitaro proudly explains, “Thanks to the stock availability and our strong commitment to the MEA (Middle East and Africa) market, we could increase our sales by more than double. And since October 2010, I have not only enjoyed my job, but also my life in Dubai.” A proud father of a four-month-old baby boy and a man who loves to spend time with his family every weekend, Keitaro has a passion for watching movies, “especially on an airplane during business trips”. When talk turns to his professional world and the position of Fujifilm in the Middle East market, he states that sales has grown more than 80 per cent in the last year. “Our market share jumped from 11 to 13 per cent, which puts us in the third position among our competitors,” he adds. Keitaro explains that one of Fujifilm’s USPs, especially in the Gulf market, is the competitive pricing. “The price of our FinePix range is always more competitive, when you compare it to other brands with the same specifications. Our specifications are 38 / TECH
also better. The S-series (bridge camera), in particular, is wellaccepted by all retailers and endusers, thanks to its powerful zoom and competitive price,” he adds. Apart from the competitive pricing, the other factor that sets Fujifilm apart is its traditional bodywork. One of the recent award-winning products, the X100, is a classic example. “The X100 sets a new standard of classy style and excellent image quality, which gives a strong impression not just to the owners, but also photographers everywhere. Simply put, the X100 is designed by photographers for photographers. There are a lot of elements incorporated in the camera that makes it special, such as the customised APS-C size CMOS sensor, the bright Fujinon 23mm (35mm equivalent) F2 lens, hybrid viewfinder, in-camera processing of JPEG and RAW images, 100 to 12,800 ISO capabilities, and a classic magnesium alloy body design.” Keitaro continues, “However, unlike markets such as Japan and Europe, the sale of the X100 was not good enough when it was launched in the Middle East last April. But now our sales have been steadily increasing. We strongly Keitaro So, general manager, believe that Fujifilm Middle East customers who are
explains, “One is for new technologies that will be beyond your expectations. Unfortunately, we cannot reveal any After the X100, Fujifilm once again information at this moment. The other plan is to reinforce the essential features wowed the audience at the International of a digital camera, which includes Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in January this year with the X-Pro 1. the sensor, lens and processor. For example, we are always working on how “We developed a new image sensor with a different colour filter array called the to increase the zoom power ratio without ‘X-Trans CMOS’. compromising the quality and size. Thanks to this We strongly believe that new technology, Luckily enough, Fujifilm has the we could remove customers who are seeking technologies inthe Optical Low both excellent quality and Pass Filter from house to develop style have found their all three key the sensor, devices such as which enhances answers with our X100. sensors, lenses the resolution, and processors.” surpassing that of a full-sized sensor. X-Pro 1 also has the Hybrid Viewfinder with magnification. As to future plans, Fujifilm does not sit on its laurels. “We are aiming to enrich And at the time of launch we had three three categories – the S-series, premium single focal length lenses that have been compact, and lens accessories for the designed with the purpose of delivering X-Pro1,” Keitaro explains. And the company exceptional quality and the highest is also finalising the development of new resolution at any focal length.” models, to be launched in the second half The company also has plans for the of this year. development of digital cameras. Keitaro seeking both excellent quality and style have found their answers with our X100.”
Pictures from the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 launch event held in Dubai
Awards Fujifilm X100
• iF Product Design Award 2012 •E uropean Advanced Compact Camera 20112012, presented by EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) •B est Premium Camera 2011, presented by TIPA (Technical Image Press Association)
FinePix REAL 3D System
Best Imaging Innovation 2010, presented by TIPA (Technical Image Press Association)
Fujifilm X-Pro 1
• Best of CES 2012 – Best Camera, by CNET.com • CES 2012 Product of the Future, by Popular Science
APRIL 2012 / 39
HOME ZONE
JUST
CHILL
Get ready for the blistering heat by going green
T
he dreaded long summer days are finally here. If you are having sleepless nights thinking about keeping cool while trying to keep your utility (electricity) bills down, then don’t worry. Most air-conditioners these days are ‘greener’ and more energy-efficient. So, when the temperature outside begins to soar, seek the cool comfort of indoor air conditioning. Here are a few basic things you need to keep in mind if you are planning on upgrading your air-conditioner units.
high the ceiling is. The number of appliances in the room also makes a difference.
Capacity
Most air-conditioners come with an EnergyStar qualification. To find out the efficiency of your unit, you need the combination of a high EER (Energy Efficiency Rate) and the EnergyStar qualification. An EnergyStarqualified air conditioner will save you about 30 per cent in energy costs. Air-conditioners that have been certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) carry the EER. The higher the number, the less you have to dole out in terms of operating costs.
Tonnage is one of the important things to consider when you go shopping for an air-conditioner. You need to give the dealer certain information, for him to advice you on the type, tonnage and number of ACs you will require for a particular room. For this, you need to measure the area of your room. Note down the number and size of the windows, how much shade the room gets, the thickness of the walls and how
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Keep in mind that bigger is not always better. An over-sized unit will lower the temperature too quickly and will shut off before it has an opportunity to properly dehumidify the air being conditioned. And the excessive humidity can facilitate the growth of mould.
Efficiency
Maintenance An important after-shopping work, maintenance does not always mean ordering dealer service. A little care on your part goes a long way in improving the working life of your air conditioner. Split air conditioners are a good way to go as they are affordable, quiet and energy-efficient. They are also more hygienic and prevent birds from making their nests in air gaps, rodents creeping in and air from leaking. Try to clean the filter at least once a fortnight. Dirty air filters force your system to work harder to push cool air through your home. This uses more energy and places extra strain on the system. Also, keep the doors of your rooms open for a few minutes every day to allow some fresh air to enter. Do not spray any type of deodorant or perfume into your split ACs. Doing so will result in foul smell, necessitating a cleaning of the indoor unit.
10 things to keep in mind • BTU (British Thermal Units) Output denotes the cooling capacity of your air conditioner, so choose one appropriate for your space • Adjustable Vents help distribute air evenly throughout the room, sweeping the cool air from one side to the other • Sleep Mode feature automatically raises the temperature of the night, letting you sleep undisturbed and feeling bearably cool • Quiet Mode helps the units operate at a relative whisper and provide comfort
•R emote Control is a great addition for units placed in larger rooms •F ilters need to be cleaned quite regularly, so look for washable filters instead of replaceable ones; some ACs also act as air purifiers and come with ionic cleaning mechanisms which will help boost the performance of your filter and help in air purification
• Programmable Thermostat and Automatic Timer is another feature that helps the air conditioner run automatically at its peak efficiency; setting a timer is also a big money saver in the long run • Electronic Controls and Digital Display give you greater precision in finding your comfort zone within a range of one degree • Energy Star Rating is something you should look for; qualified air conditioners are at least ten per cent more energy efficient than the minimum industry standards
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SAMSUNG AS18ES An air-conditioner that offers comfort and efficiency
Comfort Care technology measures the humidity and temperature of the room and adjusts both automatically until the comfort index is reached
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he Crystal-series air-conditioner seems to be engineered for oppressively hot climates. Samsung’s Ultra Tropical Rotary (UTR) Plus compressor packs enough power to offer you cool comfort even in the severest of temperatures. With its high torque motor, the UTR Plus performs in environments of up to 60 degrees Celsius. Another feature of the air-conditioner is the S-Inverter. With S-Inverter, you don’t have to shut the power off to conserve energy. The AC automatically changes its operation mode to economic, saving up to 50 per cent, while delivering comfort at your desired temperature.
Looks An exclusive slim design, the air-conditioners are lightweight. The ergonomic, innovative remote control sports big numbers, soft-touch buttons, an easy-view display and a comfortable grip. It also features a 42 / TECH
Good Sleep feature supports precise temperature control and automatic moisture adjustment
When MPI (Micro Plasma Ion) function is turned on, the AC begins air purification, and the blue LED indicator lets you know that it’s pumping out clean air
circular navigation keypad. The unit has an easy-to-read LED screen that puts the temperature on display. Oversized numbers beam out. And thanks to the eye-catching icons, it is easy to change settings.
Stay healthy Samsung air-conditioners sport filters and evaporators coated in silver. The silvercoated filter eradicates microscopic dust particles, fungi and unpleasant odours. The air-conditioner also features a Filter Clean indicator that shines blue to let you know that it’s time to get your filter cleaned. Auto Cleaning feature automatically runs the fan even after you turn the AC off, keeping things dry and odour-free while preventing germs from spreading. Samsung’s Virus Doctor System improves indoor air quality by eliminating contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and allergy-causing agents.
Details CAPACITY 1.5-tonne POWER CONSUMPTION 2,000W COMPRESSOR TYPE Ultra Tropical Rotary (UTR) AVAILABLE AT Sarco, 24593025
PRICE RO219.500
Dimensions WIDTH 1,065mm HEIGHT 218mm DEPTH 298mm WEIGHT Indoor: 12.2kg, Outdoor: 34kg
PANASONIC ECONAVI SERIES A new dimension in air-conditioning
Auto-Cooling System prevents the temperature inside the electrical component box from rising due to heat generated by the inverter circuit board
ECONAVI, an innovative technology that scans the area for human presence and activity rate, has been upgraded with the addition of the Sunlight Detection system
Intelligent Inverter technology lets you enjoy powerful cooling, a stable room temperature, and outstanding energysaving performance
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his is the first tropical inverter air-conditioner to be launched by Panasonic, and is designed to meet the climatic challenges of the Middle East. The new range comes with the Smart Inverter Compressor that is powerful, fast and extremely energy-efficient. This new technology has made it possible for an 18,000btu air-conditioner to reach up to 22,000btu, and a 24,000btu model to reach up to 27,000btu. The existing ECONAVI feature has also been upgraded with the addition of the Sunlight Detection system, which will help the AC control its cooling based on ambient light conditions. Both the inverter and the deluxe non-inverter models also come with the new nanoe-G air purifying system that utilise ions and radicals to purify the air in the room. It works effectively on airborne impurities and fabric, ensuring a cleaner living environment.
Intelligent Inverter Technology Running on minimal power with precise temperature control, the Inverter series achieves up to 50 per cent less energy usage compared to the non-inverter units. The technology also delivers comfort with wide power output range and quick cooling. Inverter control offers a new dimension in air-conditioning that lets users enjoy powerful cooling, a stable room temperature, and outstanding energy-saving performance. The new models feature a durable compressor and fan motor. The tightly sealed electrical component box protects the highprecision inverter circuit from fine sand particles. Auto-Cooling System prevents the temperature inside the box from rising due to heat generated by the circuit board.
ECONAVI New ECONAVI with Sunlight Detection detects changes in the intensity of sunlight. When ECONAVI detects that the intensity of sunlight is less, it automatically lowers the cooling power, thus saving energy. It also utilises high-precision ‘human sensor and control program’ technologies to optimise air-conditioner operation according to room conditions. It self-adjusts the cooling capacity while maintaining uninterrupted cooling, comfort and convenience.
Details CAPACITY CS/CU-K18NKF: 1.5-tonne, CS/CU-K24NKF: Two-tonne COMPRESSOR TYPE Smart Inverter AVAILABLE AT OMASCO, 24564310
PRICE 1.5-tonne: RO249, Two-tonne: RO315
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BUSINESS TECH
SMALL IS IN
On-the-go colour scanner that fits in your wallet
P
lanOn System Solutions has unveiled its first credit card-sized portable full colour scanner. Named the SlimScan, it features a preview screen that lets you view, zoom-in and pan the scanned images. Crafted in classy, durable stainless steel, the elegant, compact design puts instant, one-touch scanning in the palm of your hand. It connects directly to Windows PCs through USB to upload and edit the scanned items. It is ideal for creating and managing digital copies of receipts and business cards on-the-go. And unlike paper originals that can be easily lost, SlimScan’s copies can be digitally stored. On board is the Receipt Management System (RMS) software that lets you scan, edit and organise the items, and import them to a computer for viewing. RMS’ business card capture module lets you organise scanned business card contacts by meeting, trade show, conference, or business event.
Details
Dimensions
RESOLUTION 300dpi, 24-bit colour MEMORY 64MB, stores 600 colour scans CONNECTIVITY USB 2.0 AVAILABLE AT http://planon.com/ slimscan.php
WIDTH 50mm HEIGHT 86mm DEPTH 3mm WEIGHT 40g
PRICE USD140 (RO54)
GET SMART The best of Acer projector technologies
A
cer’s latest DLP projector, the H6500, offers 1080p Full HD projection with exceptional colour fidelity. It provides visuals with brightness up to 2,100 ANSI lumens, which can be dimmed to 1,680 to save power. It features Acer’s eColor Boost II+ technology and wall-colour compensation. Images are displayed in the native 16:9 aspect ratio, which can be adjusted to 4:3. With a control pad located on top and whiteand-grey matte finish and rounded contours, the projector is quite elegant. The IR remote control features the Acer Empowering Technology key, which provides access to all Acer projector technologies, including ePower, eTimer, eView and eOpening Management. This model also comes with Acer SmartFormat Technology, which supports comprehensive wide-format PC signals. 44 / TECH
Dimensions WIDTH 205.7mm HEIGHT 83.8mm LENGTH 269.2mm WEIGHT 2.5kg
Fried Chicken 3 pcs.- RO 1.900 5 pcs.- RO 3.000
In Spicy and Regular 96400600 96400800 96400100 MARCH APRIL 2012 / 45
TIME ZONE
CONCEPT TO
REALITY V
Kisai Stencil is cryptic, yet easy to read isually artistic, Kisai Stencil displays time in negative space. At first glance, the display appears to be a pictograph of lines and dots. However, if you look at the background, you can clearly see the digital time: hours in the upper half of the screen and minutes in the lower half shown in negative space. With time and date functions, alarm and EL backlight for night time, Kisai Stencil comes in a choice of five LCD display colours – mirror, blue, red, green and pink. Each part of the watch has been custom designed and manufactured, including the case, strap and uniquely programmed LCD display. Made of high-quality polished stainless steel, the watch has a genuine leather strap in white or black.
Dimensions WRIST SIZE Minimum: 100mm, Maximum: 210mm CASE 33x47x10mm WEIGHT 50g
The idea for Kisai Stencil was submitted by Heather Sable, a maths teacher from the USA; voted one of the most popular designs by fans, it is the fifth concept submitted by a fan to become reality
FEAT OF
ENGINEERING Animate your life with Kisai Optical Illusion
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he direction of the lines in the display allow your eyes and brain to process only the lines that make up the digits showing the time in hours and minutes. Even if you do find it a challenge, there’s a button on the touchscreen display to reveal the time. A stainless-steel watch design with a mineral crystal lens, it is available in black or silver with a natural or green display. The display has four hot zones that you can simply touch with your finger to navigate between the four main functions – time, date, alarm and EL backlight, a feature that illuminates the display, making it easier to read at night. Kisai Optical Illusion has an animation mode. When activated, the watch will automatically transition from puzzle mode to digital time mode every 20 seconds. The LCD panel, with more than 1,500 segments, is the most complex watch display created to date – a feat that took more than 12 months to research and develop
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Dimensions WRIST SIZE Minimum: 100mm, Maximum: 210mm CASE 33x42x11mm WEIGHT 160g
CONSUMER TECH
Inspired Creativity Take digital content creation to the next level
T
he Intuos5 from Wacom is the next generation line-up of tablets for professional photographers, designers and artists. The line-up includes three Intuos5 touch models, featuring both pen and multi-touch in small, medium and large sizes. A pen-only medium-sized Intuos5 tablet is also part of the line-up. One of the new features in these tablets is the multi-touch gesture support. It recognises standard Windows and Mac gestures to zoom, scroll, pan and rotate digital content. It also lets you create customisable gestures. Wacom has expanded its offering for wireless connectivity. Just install the Wireless Accessory kit, which includes a rechargeable battery that charges through USB, a RF module that plugs into the tablet and a receiver that plugs into a USB port on the computer. The tablets include customisable ExpressKeys and one Touch Ring with four-function toggle. Express View is a new Heads-Up Display (HUD) feature that displays the current settings on the computer screen. This helps users remember their application-specific ExpressKey settings.
Design It sports an ergonomic, ambidextrous design, with a new look and slim profile. It also has a professional matte-black, soft-touch finish and illuminated accents that reflect a modern and durable design.
Grip Pen The tablets feature Wacom’s proprietary Tip Sensor technology. The pen registers 2,048 levels of pen pressure and up to 60 degrees of pen tilt. It also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two side switches that can be customised for commands such as double-click and right-click.
APRIL 2012 / 47
DASHBOARD
They built the still-revered F40, the jaw-dropping F50 and the ultimate Enzo. And now, they built the F12 to take them all
T
he F12berlinetta ushers in a new generation of Ferrari 12-cylinders. It delivers unprecedented performance from an exceptional new engine, combined with innovative design that redefines classic themes along with extreme aerodynamics. Finished in an attractive new Rosso Berlinetta three-layer colour, the F12berlinetta represents the cutting-edge of mid-front-engined sports cars.
Performance The F12berlinetta features Ferrari’s latestgeneration carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3) and the evolution of the magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM-E). Its control systems (E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, and high-performance ABS) are all fully integrated. Result – this 12-cylinder accelerates from 0 to 100kmph in 3.1
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seconds and from 0 to 200kmph in 8.5 seconds. Benchmark performance and maximum driving involvement are guaranteed by immediate turn-in, with smaller steering wheel angles, and increased cornering speed. Stopping distances have also been drastically reduced. There are two new solutions in this latest Ferrari – the Aero Bridge and Active Brake Cooling. Aero Bridge uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channelling air away from the upper part of the car to its flanks where it interacts with the wake from the wheel wells to decrease drag. Active Brake Cooling is a system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures, reducing drag. Thanks to these two solutions, downforce has been boosted by 76 per cent (123kg at 200kmph), while drag has been significantly reduced (the Cd is just 0.299).
Design A collaboration between the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina, this is a coupé with sleek, aggressive lines. The compact exterior dimensions conceal exceptional in-car space and comfort. It features Frau leather interior, with the middle of the dashboard sporting new carbon fibre and aluminium air vents. The cabin has additional luggage capacity.
Conclusion The wheelbase is shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats are lowered in the chassis. The new layout of the rear suspension and gearbox makes the rear volume of the car smaller. Overall result – a compact car with a lower centre of gravity that is further back in the chassis, and a level of aerodynamic efficiency that sets new standards.
Details ENGINE 6,262cc 65-degree V12 ACCELERATION 0 to 100kmph in 3.1 seconds POWER 740CV at 8,500rpm TORQUE 690Nm at 6,000rpm SPEED Over 340kmph
Dimensions WIDTH 1,942mm HEIGHT 1,273mm LENGTH 4,618mm WEIGHT 1,525kg
APRIL 2012 / 49
gamer’s delight
One of the finest stories ever told in gaming history
T
his third installment in BioWare’s epic sci-fi RPG trilogy comes with a lot of hype, thanks to its predecessors – Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 – which have been rated among the best games ever made.
to galactic order. We have followed this character through the franchise. And what started as an RPG with gunplay elements now has taken a few twists and turns over the years to reach this stage in the trilogy’s amazing conclusion.
Mass Effect 3 has set the bar even higher and doesn’t disappoint. BioWare introduced us to Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre who has proved his commitment
At the heart of Mass Effect 3 are feats of diplomacy – Shepard has to make a number of choices in conversation. And the way he treats those around him affects the
HEROES OF RUIN Nintendo 3DS
game’s outcome. By helping out, Shepard collects War Assets and forms a higher level of Galactic Readiness which becomes important to the success or failure of the endgame. Consider playing this game only if you have played the predecessors. Reason – characters can be imported from Mass Effect 2 and the original Mass Effect on Xbox 360 and PC. Also, choices you made in the original two games come to bear upon the trilogy’s finale.
SPIRIT CAMERA: THE CURSED MEMOIR Nintendo 3DS
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APRIL 13
Story
Enhancements
Conclusion
The main quest in the game is quite heavy on story and action. However, the side quests are arduous and wanting. The story revolves around the Reapers, who have returned to the galaxy after a 50,000-year hiatus. And they conduct an all-out assault on the galaxy’s organic life. Your task: fight back, not only for Earth and humanity, but for all galactic races that find themselves under siege.
BioWare has made Mass Effect 3 deeper in some ways with features like enhanced weapon customisation. Minor changes have been made in combat. Various maps have more staircases and ladders than ever, giving you several levels from which to fight, forcing you to employ different strategies.
Mass Effect 3 is an amazing game that brings about a successful end to the epic sci-fi RPG trilogy. The true strength of the game is in its ability to tell a deeply woven story, which has never been BioWare’s problem in the Mass Effect franchise. And we are quite thankful for that. Aesthetically quite pleasing, voice acting and the soundtrack are perfect accompaniments.
Shepard and his allies aren’t nearly strong enough to combat the Reapers’ planet-sacking death squads on their own. The earlier games focused on exploring the galaxy as you complete quests, building up your reputation and ultimately careering headlong into the endgame. Mass Effect 3 has all of that conducted through the lens of consequential, wide-ranging decision-making.
More action-packed than its predecessors, Mass Effect 3 has quite enough dialogues, core missions and side quests to keep you busy for a long time. The bulk of the gameplay comes in the form of a coverbased shooter. But the mechanics are tiring halfway through the game.
The Reapers pose a threat to life in the galaxy, forcing Shepard to navigate through tricky territory wrought with age-old grudges, conflicts and old-fashioned hatred.
For the first time in a Mass Effect game, an optional multiplayer component has been added, giving the game more replay value. The multiplayer component has a few levels of engagement, with only one mode consisting of six stages and three enemy groups. With this you can level your character, purchase upgrades, and amass weapons and tech.
THE WITCHER 2: ASSASSINS OF KINGS
RISEN 2: DARK WATERS
Xbox 360
APRIL 17
Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: BioWare Platform(s): Xbox 360, PC, PS3 Genre: RPG ESRB Rating: Mature PEGI Rating: 18+
SCORE Gameplay Graphics Story Replayability OVERALL
9 9 9 9 9
XENOBLADE CHRONICLES Nintendo Wii
Xbox 360, PS3, PC
APRIL 24
APRIL 30 APRIL 2012 / 51
TECH ART
STAYING YOUNG Use the healing brush to remove those annoying wrinkles and blemishes from your skin
The picture on the left is the original image. The wrinkles on the man’s face, especially around the eyes, are intense and quite distracting. So let’s see what we can do to remove them and make this an amazing photograph. Add a new Blank Layer Open the ‘New Layer’ dialog box. Click inside the ‘Name’ input box at the top and name the new layer ‘Wrinkles’, before adding it. The layer is highlighted in blue, which means it’s selected, so anything we do next will be done on the ‘Wrinkles’ layer, not the ‘Background’ layer below it.
We will be working with a tool called the ‘Healing Brush’ which is located next to the ‘Brush’ tool in your tools pallette. If it’s not visible, then click on the small arrow to select the brush.
By default though, the ‘Healing Brush’ will only sample texture from the currently selected layer, and since our currently selected layer is blank, we’re not going to accomplish much. By default, it’s set to ‘Current Layer’. Click on the words ‘Current Layer’ and select ‘All Layers’ from the list.
Now move your brush over to the image, to a ‘good’ area of the skin, not the wrinkled area. Then hold down ALT, where the cursor will turn into a crosshair – this indicates the sample area. Now click on the mouse to select that area as a sample.
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We’ll continue making our way around the image with the ‘Healing Brush’ to remove the remaining wrinkles, including the large one under the other eye. Here’s how the image looks after you work on it for ten to 15 minutes with the ‘Healing Brush’. By repeating the above technique, you can remove all the wrinkles from this photograph. Check out the ‘Final Image’ below.
Be warned though, do not go overboard and remove all the wrinkles as it will remove the characteristics of the person and probably make it look fake. You can achieve similar results with the ‘Patch’ and the ‘Stamp tool.
Final Image
Patch Tool
Stamp Tool
MOVIE ZONE
Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi Director: Joss Whedon Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson
T
his American superhero film, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name (The Avengers). In The Avengers war starts, with global security threatened by Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his
S
tarring British talent Henry Cavill alongside Hollywood action legends Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver, The Cold Light of Day is an adrenaline-fuelled action thriller from director Mabrouk El Mechri. Will Shaw’s (Cavill’s) family is kidnapped while on vacation in Spain.
When he tries to find his missing family, the young American gets unwittingly involved in a government conspiracy, with agents hot on his trail. With no clues and only a gun to protect him, Shaw is chased across the streets of Madrid, where he is not sure that he can trust anyone.
cohorts. Hopelessly outgunned, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping organisation S.H.I.E.L.D., brings together a team of reluctant superheroes, including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Captain America (Chris Evans), to save the world.
Genre: Action | Thriller Director: Mabrouk El Mechri Cast: Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis, Sigourney Weaver
DVD Releases APRIL 2 April
2 April
9 April
9 April
Anonymous
Contagion
Mercenaries
Straw Dogs
Drama | Thriller
Drama | Thriller
Action
Thriller
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Fax to 24693569 Choose the correct answer and send in your entries for a chance to win 1 In which year was Acrobat Reader 1.0 released? (a) 1990 (c) 1992
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(b) Lavasoft (d) Norton
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Welcome to our ‘TECH Favourites’ section. With these lists we aim to keep you updated with our favourite products in a concise format. Please give us your feedback on the basis of which we can further improve it.
3D TVs LG 42LW4500 RO549.900
3D LED 42-inch screen, full HD, four HDMI/PC input, USB port, two megapixels, 100Hz Tru Motion
Flat-Panel Displays Philips 46PFL9704 RO1,205.900
This is a 2MP, full-HD 46-inch LED TV with three HDMI/PC inputs. It features Ambilight and Pixel Plus HD.
LG 50PT490 RO449.900 LG 72LW9900 RO3,599.900
3D LED 72-inch screen, Smart TV, 2MP full HD, Smart TV, 400Hz Tru motion flow, four HDMI/PC input, two USB ports, Magic Remote
Sony KDL55EX720 RO899.900
3D LED 55-inch screen, full HD, two megapixels, two USB ports, four HDMI/PC input, 200Hz motion flow, 2D to 3D converter, wireless LAN, plus RO100 gift voucher
Sony KDL65HX925 RO2,999.900
3D Intelligent Peak LED 65-inch screen, full HD, Motionflow XR 800, Wi-Fi built-in, Internet Video, PIP system, X-PRO Reality image processor, 200Hz motion flow, ten 3D glasses
Sharp LC-46LE830M RO649.000
3D LED 46-inch screen, full HD, two megapixels, 2D to 3D Converter, Ethernet, Wi-Fi Ready, four HDMI/PC inputs, three USB ports
This is a 50-inch PenTouch Plasma HD Ready TV with 600Hz Tru Motion flow. It sports three HDMI inputs and USB ports. It has a contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1.
Suly LE46M1HSC RO299.000
This is a 46-inch LED, full HD TV. It sports four HDMI inputs, two AV inputs, two USB ports and a PC input. This is the first made-in-Oman series of TVs.
Samsung UA46D5000 RO439.000
This is a 46-inch full HD TV with an ultra-slim design. It sports four HDMI/PC input, and USB port. It has a wide colour enhancer and comes with AllShare feature.
Players Sony DAV-SZ1000W RO194.900
Samsung PS50D490 RO390.000
3D Plasma 50-inch screen, 600Hz sub-field motion drive, one megapixel, HD Ready, 2D to 3D converter, USB port, PIP system, three HDMI/PC input
Samsung PS51D550 RO500.000 3D Plasma
3D Plasma 51-inch screen, full HD, two megapixels, 600Hz sub-field motion, USB port, PIP system, four HDMI/PC input, Internet TV
Samsung UA55D7000 RO1,599.000
3D LED 55-inch ultra-slim screen, full HD, four HDMI/PC input, USB port, 600Hz Motion Rate, Smart Hub feature, two megapixels, 2D to 3D converter, PIP system
DVD, CD, MP3 and DivX playback, 1,000W home theatre, rear wireless speakers, Dolby Digital, USB port, play and record, optical audio input, HDMI up-scaling
LG HB-966TRW RO449.900
3D Blu-ray 5.1 channel home theatre system, full-channel wireless speaker, 1,000W, USB port, full HD, DVD, CD, MP3 and DivX HD playback, Wi-Fi Direct, iPhone and iPod docking, FM radio
Samsung HT-D5550K RO245.000
3D Blu-ray home theatre system, 1,000W, Smart Hub features, built-in wireless LAN, Blu-ray, DVD, VCD, CD, MP3 and WMA playback, USB port Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
57 Laptops Samsung 300V5A-S0D RO299.900
Intel Core i5 2430M processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 1GB VRAM, 15.6inch HD LED screen, DVD super multi-drive, Wireless, 1.3MP web camera
Acer 5750-G50M RO294.900
Intel Core i7 processor, 2.2GHz CPU speed with boost up to 3.1GHz, 15.6-inch LCD screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DVD super multi-drive, 1GB VRAM
Netbooks & Ultra Portables Acer Iconia Tab A500 RO179.900
Android v2.3, Nvidia Tegra 250 dual-core Cortex processor, 1GHz ultra-low power GeForce, 10.1inch WXGA LCD, 1GB RAM, 5MP rear camera, 2MP front camera, Bluetooth, GPS, 32GB
Samsung Galaxy GT-P7500 RO259.900
HP ENVY 14-1111ee RO575.000
Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, Google Android 3.1, 16GB memory, 1GHz processor with 3G, 10.1-inch WXGA touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3MP camera, 2MP secondary camera
Asus G51J RO699.900
32GB, 9.7-inch LED backlit screen, 1GHz dualcore Apple A5 processor, Wi-Fi and 3G, two cameras
Intel Core i7 720QM processor, 1.6GHz with Turbo Boost, 6GB RAM, 1,024MB VRAM, 500GB HDD, 14.5-inch HD LCD, DVD super multi-drive, Wireless, Bluetooth, 5-in-1 digital media reader, HD 1.3MP web camera
Intel Core i7 720QM, 1.6GHz Turbo Boost, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 640GB HDD, 1GB VRAM, 15.6-inch HD Glare LED, DVD multi-drive, Wireless, Bluetooth, 1.3MP web camera
Asus K53S RO452.000
Intel Core i7 2630QM processor, 2GHz, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 640GB HDD, 1GB Nvidia VRAM, 15.6-inch LED HD screen, DVD super multi-drive, Wireless, Bluetooth, 2MP web camera
Dell M14-ALNW-0251 RO719.900
Intel Core i7 2670QM processor, 2.2GHz CPU speed, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, 14.1-inch HD WLED screen, DVD super multi-drive, 3GB dedicated graphics, Wireless, Bluetooth, card reader, web camera
HP Pavilion DV6-6180 RO399.900
Intel Core i7 2670QM second generation processor, 2.2GHz CPU speed, 6GB DDR3 RAM, 2GB VRAM, 750GB HDD, 15.6-inch HD LED, DVD super multi-drive, Wireless, Bluetooth, 1.3MP web camera
Toshiba Satellite L755-M1DW RO240.000
Intel Core i3 2330M processor, 2.2GHz CPU speed, 4GB RAM, 1GB VRAM, 640GB HDD, 15.6-inch TruBrite HD LED screen, DVD super multi-drive, Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, 1.3MP web camera
Toshiba Portégé Z830-M110 RO459.000
ULV Core i5 2467M processor, 1.6GHz CPU speed with boost up to 2.3GHz, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 13.3-inch HD screen, 1.3MP web camera, Wireless, Bluetooth, 5-in-1 multi card reader
Sony Vaio VPCYB4AJG RO219.900
AMD dual-core E-450 APU processor, 1.65GHz CPU speed, 2GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320GB HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6320 graphics, 11.6-inch wide TFT colour display, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR
Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G RO298.900
BlackBerry PlayBook RO219.900
32GB, 1GHz dual-core processor, seven-inch LCD screen, 1GB RAM, dual cameras – 5MP rear and 3MP front
Asus Transformer TF101G RO299.900
Android, 1GHz processor, 1GB LPDDR2 RAM, 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 16GB internal memory, 10.1-inch LCD screen, 5MP front camera, 1.2MP rear camera, two USB ports, SD and Micro SD card reader
Computer Accessories HP Printer 2050A RO18.900
Inkjet printer, Print, scan and copy features, 19ppm (pages per minute) black, 15ppm colour, 1,200x600 resolution
Microsoft Keyboard 4000 RO18.800 Advanced ergonomic split keyboard design, zoom slider, curved key layout, reverse slope for natural wrist posture
WD Elements RO66.000
2.5TB, USB 2.0 interface, utilises a WD drive with power-saving WD GreenPower technology
Linksys X2000 RO39.900
Directly connects to the Internet, provides wireless coverage without the need for a separate DSL modem
58 Digital Still Cameras Panasonic DMC-FH25 RO89.900
A 16.1-megapixel camera with a 2.7-inch TFT screen LCD, it has 4x digital and 8x optical zoom. It features high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine VI and allows you to record high quality 720p HD movie.
Camcorders
Panasonic DMC-TZ20 RO169.900
8.9MP CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom, three-inch wide touchscreen, built-in GPS, optical graphic stabilisation
The camera features a 24mm ultra wide-angle 16x optical zoom LEICA DC lens, including Nano Surface Coating technology. It features a three-inch touchscreen LCD and a built-in GPS unit.
Sony DSC-W620 RO56.900
This is a 14.1-megapixel, 5x optical zoom camera. It comes with a 2.7inch Clear Photo TFT LCD screen. It features Intelligent Auto mode with 33 scene recognition patterns and SteadyShot image stabilisation.
Sony DSC-W650 RO74.900
This is a 16.1-megapixel, 5x optical zoom camera. It comes with a three-inch Clear Photo TFT LCD screen. It features Intelligent Auto mode with 33 scene recognition patterns and 360-degree Sweep Panorama mode.
Canon IXUS 230HS RO123.200
This is a 12.1-megapixel camera with a 28mm wide-angle lens and 8x optical zoom. It features creative modes and Smart Auto function. Canon’s latest DIGIC 4 image processing provides excellent quality shots.
Canon SX150 IS RO89.400
It sports a 14.1-megapixel sensor and Canon DIGIC 4 image processor. It features 12x wide-angle optical zoom, a three-inch LCD, and Smart Auto features. It also captures 720p HD video in stereo sound.
Olympus SZ20 RO149.000
It sports a backlit CMOS sensor for low-noise shots, an impressive 12.5x super wide optical zoom. With 1080p full HD movie recording and 16MP, it features Smart Panorama and 3D still photo shooting.
Sony HDR-CX260 RO219.900
Sony HDR-XR260 RO264.900
8.9MP, Pixel Super Resolution technology, threeinch Clear Photo LCD, BIONZ processor, Optical SteadyShot stabilisation, Full HD 1,920x1,080 50p recording, 160GB HDD screen, Exmor R CMOS sensor
JVC HM970 RO449.000
10x optical zoom, 3D converter, 3.5-inch touch LCD screen, Super LoLux with F1.2 Super Bright Lens and back-illuminated CMOS sensor
Samsung HMX-Q10UP RO89.500
10x optical zoom, 20x digital zoom, 5MP, 2.7-inch touchscreen, BSI CMOS sensor, OIS Duo stabiliser
Panasonic SDR-H101 RO149.900
70x optical zoom, 80GB HDD, 2.7-inch wide LCD screen, backlight compensation, advanced Optical Image Stabiliser
DSLRs Canon EOS 1D Mark 4 RO2,329.900 16.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10fps shooting, three-inch Clear View LCD, HD video recording
Olympus E-PL2 RO339.000 Samsung WB150F RO99.500
It features 24mm ultra-wide lens and 18x optical zoom. It also sports a 14.2MP sensor and lets you record 720p HD video. The threeinch hVGA LCD provides improved contrast and colour reproduction.
Fujifilm X100 RO579.900
The X100 features a custom 12.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS high-performance sensor. It sports a 2.8-inch TFT colour LCD. The main technology employed is the Hybrid Viewfinder.
Olympus XZ-1 RO269.000
The XZ-1 features a sharp three-inch OLED monitor. It combines a high sensitivity ten-megapixel CCD sensor with the TruePic V Image Processor to produce clear and colourful photos.
12-megapixel sensor, 11-point autofocus, threeinch LCD screen, LiveView feature, HD movie
Sony SLT-A77K RO779.900
24MP Interchangeable lens digital camera, BIONZ image processor, three-inch wide TFT XtraFine LCD with TruBlack technology, 2D and 3D Sweep Panorama mode, APS-C CMOS sensor, 12fps
Nikon V1 RO379.900
Ten megapixel, three-inch LCD screen, full HD movie, 5fps, Hi Speed USB interface, Hybrid autofocus Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
MASTERPIECE
GREAT PRICE
MAX ELECTRONICS LLC - OMAN SEEB - MUSCAT CITY CENTRE (LEVEL 1) TEL: +968 24558062 FAX: +968 24558063 EMAIL: memcs@cplmg.com SOHAR - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 97666631 FAX: +968 26844610, SALALAH - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 94122251, FAX: +968 23289261 BAHRAIN OMAN SAUDI ARABIA QATAR UAE
59 Phones BlackBerry Curve 9300 RO90.900
It sports a 2.46-inch TFT screen, 2MP camera, BlackBerry OS v5.0 upgradable to v6.0, and supports A-GPS and BlackBerry Maps.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus RO269.900
It sports a four-inch super AMOLED touchscreen, 8MP front camera, and 2GB RAM. It runs on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and features a 16GB internal memory and 1GB RAM. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v3.0.
Samsung Galaxy Note RO309.900
The Galaxy Note features a large 5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED display and 1.4GHz dual-core processor for seamless usability. It also sports an advanced pen-input technology called the S Pen.
iPod Docks Philips DS3500 RO49.900
Dynamic Bass Boost, neodymium speakers, AUX-in for easy connection, PC synchronisation via USB, DockStudio app on App Store
Logic 3 MIP-119 RO49.900
Dock and Play, recharge for iPod, FM radio, AUX-in for easy connection
Gear4 StreetParty Revolve RO29.900
Rotating dock for watching movies in landscape, powered by four AAA batteries, Line-in port for use with other music players, charges iPod or iPhone
Bose Sound Dock-10 RO279.000 Samsung Galaxy SII RO259.000
The Samsung Galaxy SII has a 4.3-inch super AMOLED Plus display with a dual-core application processor. It operates on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and features an 8MP camera with LED flash, Wi-Fi and A-GPS support.
Apple iPhone 4S RO409.900
It sports a 3.5-inch LED-backlit IPS TFT capacitive touchscreen. With an internal memory of 64GB and a 512MB RAM, it supports Wi-Fi, A-GPS, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP. It has a 1GHz Cortex A9 dual-core processor.
Nokia N9 RO255.000
The Nokia N9 comes with AMOLED capacitive touchscreen. Its features include an 8MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics, and 16GB storage. It operates on MeeGo v1.2 and is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor.
LG Optimus P920 RO199.900
It sports a 4.3-inch 3D LCD capacitive touchscreen. It features touch-sensitive controls and operates on a dual-core 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor. It runs Android v2.2 (Froyo) OS, upgradable to v2.3.
HTC Sensation XL RO315.000
HTC Sensation XL with Beats Audio comes with custom-made Beats headsets. It is powered by a fast 1.5GHz dual-core processor. It has a 4.7-inch screen with SRS surround sound for an amazing multimedia experience.
iPod and iPhone dock, recharge and play, remote control, audio input
Bose SoundLink RO155.000
Works wirelessly with iPhone, Android, Blackberry, tablet or laptop, 30-foot wireless range, Proprietary speaker technology, ultra mobility
MP3 Players Apple iPod Touch 5G RO97.500
8GB, dual camera, video, photo view, MP3 music, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, clock, calendar, YouTube, newsstand, mail
Sony NWZ-E463 RO39.900
4GB, 50 hours of music playback, SensMe, Lyric Sync, Karaoke Mode and Clear Audio technologies
Sony NWZ-W262 RO36.900
2GB capacity, wireless, wearable design, waterresistant, washable feature, Zappin feature, quick USB-based charging
Philips SA3RGA04R RO19.900 Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo RO149.900
This Android smartphone sports an 8MP camera and a 3.7-inch TFT screen with a resolution of 854x480 pixels. In addition, it has Wi-Fi, A-GPS and Bluetooth.
Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray RO149.900
A fast, powerful Android phone, it sports a 3.3-inch Reality display with Mobile Bravia engine. Sony’s Exmor R for mobile CMOS sensor lets you capture high-quality, bright pictures and videos even in poor light conditions.
4GB, without case, FM radio and FM recording, one-inch screen, FullSound technology, 22 hours battery support
Samsung YP-U6A RO24.000
4GB memory, Voice recording, MP3 and WMA playback, FM radio Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
60 Air Conditioners & Air Purifiers Sharp AHAP18HME RO200.000
This 1.5-tonne split air conditioner is a low-noise design with Plasmacluster technology. By releasing the cluster ions, it enables the creation of an environment that is very close to that found in nature.
Samsung AS18TSL RO199.500
Samsung’s new air conditioner sports full high density filter that ensures your room is kept fresh and clean. It has a powerful cooling system and an effective anti-bacteria coating. It also supports turbo cooling technology.
Panasonic CS-C18MKF RO199.000
The CS-C18MKF incorporates the ECONAVI technology. Advance+ e-ion is designed to monitor changes in the degree of air cleanliness. AUTOCOMFORT is another important feature.
GREE GSFS24SR RO289.900
With an automatic slip design, this is a floor-standing type two-tonne air conditioner. It has an independent dehumidifying function, with electrostatic de-dusting effect. It supports four-angle air supply.
Refrigerators LG GR-P307PGN RO948.900
790L capacity, frost-free, side-by-side refrigerator, tempered glass shelves, digital display, nano deodoriser, water purifier
Toshiba GRRG-51UT RO202.000
480L capacity, double-door refrigerator, frost-free, insulated wire shelves, platinum deodoriser
Samsung RT62X RO249.500
630L capacity, frost-free, double-door refrigerator, LED light, stainless steel body, adjustable glass shelves
Sharp SJ-PT73RHS RO289.900
662L capacity, frost-free, doubledoor refrigerator, tempered glass shelves, Plasmacluster Ion
Haier HSU18 RO139.900
This 1.5-tonne split air conditioner sports a double condenser. It has auto restart function. It features an LED display. It offers powerful cooling with Intelligent Air Flow. It sports an easy clean design.
LG PS-S200WC RO99.900
This air purifier works within 20sqm. It sports a modern, elegant design. It comes with a washable carbon filter, an easy filter-change and a sterilisation system. It features a touch control panel and six stages of purification.
Washing Machines Hoover DYN10144DP RO319.900
10kg capacity, 1,400rpm, ten wash programmes, child lock, super-silent, direct drive motor, energy savings, wash time control
Sharp ES-N80GSA RO99.900 Hitachi RAS-18CPX RO192.900
This split-type air conditioner has a Green Fin condenser that is durable, thanks to the green rust-resistant coating. It also employs Nano Titanium technology in its stainless steel filters.
Toshiba RAS-18SKP RO204.900
This is a 1.5-tonne capacity split-type wall-mounted air conditioner. It has a seven-layer air filter and a self-cleaning function that eliminates mould. It also has a new compact chassis.
Sanyo SAPKC-18AM RO183.900
With a compact design and precise operation, this 1.5-tonne split air conditioner has cutting-edge technology with an energy-saving design, a wide array of airflow control options, and heating-cooling operation.
LG T186RC RO288.900
This is a 1.5-tonne capacity split air conditioner with virus and allergy-safe filter. It has a four-way swing and jet cool feature. It also employs a multi-stage tropical compressor.
8kg capacity, six washing programmes, water level selection, revolutionary cylindrical design, hole-less stainless steel tub
Ignis FL1207S RO127.500
7kg capacity, 900rpm, six wash programmes, child lock, delay start feature, electronic control, stainless steel drum
LG WD1443KDS RO399.900
11kg capacity, 15 wash programmes, 1,400rpm, steam wash, quick wash, language selection, six motion washer, and allergy care
Samsung WF0804 RO229.500
8kg capacity, 1,400rpm, 14 wash programmes, delay end, Eco Bubble wash function, quick wash, child lock, diamond drum, time delay, durable ceramic heater Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
Think CAMERAS Think EMAX MAX ELECTRONICS LLC - OMAN SEEB - MUSCAT CITY CENTRE (LEVEL 1) TEL: +968 24558062 FAX: +968 24558063 EMAIL: memcs@cplmg.com SOHAR - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 97666631 FAX: +968 26844610, SALALAH - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 94122251, FAX: +968 23289261 BAHRAIN OMAN SAUDI ARABIA QATAR UAE
61 Microwaves & Ovens Samsung CS1660ST RO109.900
This is a 45L convection microwave oven that is designed for large families. It has a sensor cook function, where the humidity sensor allows for automated cooking. It sports a trendy easy-to-read LED display.
Elekta EBRO-443 RO21.900
This is a 43L capacity, 2,000W electric oven with a zero to 250 degrees Celsius temperature selector. It has a four-stage heating selector and comes with rotisserie function. It has a 60-minute timer with a bell signal.
Midea EM820LMP RO23.900
This is a 20L capacity, 800W microwave oven with 11 power levels. It features child safety lock. This microwave oven from Midea comes with defrost settings and six auto menus. It also sports a fashionable design.
Samsung GE109MST RO69.500
This is a 28L grill microwave oven. Designed for performance, it has a wide tempered glass door. This microwave features the Triple Distribution System and Steam Clean function.
GE GMOH30UCPSS RO56.900
A 30L convection microwave/grill with electronic touch control, GE’s latest in this series has time and weight defrost feature and express cook. It has a 1,000W grill power and 900W microwave power.
LG MC8088FRR RO89.900
This is a 30L convection microwave oven that features over 100 Auto Cook menus. It sports a motorised rotisserie. This microwave oven from LG also comes with Steam Clean and Defrost functions.
LG MH6589UR RO49.900
This is a 25L convection microwave with grill function. It includes four auto defrost and four grill/bake programmes. Additional features include quick defrost, child lock and quick start functions.
Samsung MW6194ST RO54.500
A 55L microwave oven with 1,000W output power, Samsung’s one-touch sensor cook provides easy cooking at the touch of a button. It sports an LED display that shows microwave settings and other information.
Panasonic NN-CD997S RO187.400
With a 42L oven capacity, three-stage memory, delay start, and two-level shelf cooking, Panasonic’s exclusive Inverter technology offers real power level control.
Panasonic NN-CF770CM RO125.700
Panasonic’s NN-CF770M features flatbed and inverter technologies. This allows for greater space inside the microwave. It includes turbo defrost, a child lock, variable power levels and an easy-toread LCD display.
Vacuum Cleaners Philips FC-8146 RO48.900
1,800W vacuum cleaner, bagless, HEPA washable filter, 300W suction power, dust container-full indicator
Panasonic MC-CJ905 RO76.800
2,000W bagless vacuum cleaner, 6.2L dust capacity, washable cloth dust bag, anti-bacteria filter, durable body and hose, four-speed control, durable two-step nozzle
Samsung SC56B0 RO22.500
2,000W vacuum cleaner, 3.5L dust capacity, Foam pre-motor filter, micro exhaust filter, silver nano system, power slider on handle
Karcher VC 5200 RO77.000
Dry vacuum cleaner, 3.3L dust bag capacity, 1,800W input power, indicator for full bag, HEPA 12 filter
Domestic Appliances Krups EA8255K1 RO284.600
Espresso, Cappuccino and Coffee maker, compact Thermoblock system, metal drip tray, steam function, automatic cleaning
N Espresso C120 RO180.000
Single-serve automatic espresso machine and milk frother, 19 bars of pump pressure, maximum power of 1,710W
Philips HR7620 RO19.900
500W food processor, 1,200ml capacity, two speeds plus pulse, dishwasher-safe accessories, more than 15 functions, microstore, and vertical design
Kenwood KM400 RO171.900
750W power kitchen machine, 4.6L bowl capacity, three coated bowl tools – a beater, whisk and dough hook, six speeds
Tefal TFRK40070 RO19.900
1,000W rice cooker, 2.5L capacity, hinged locking, LED, automatic warm function
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
62 Gaming Consoles & Accessories PSP 3000+4 Games RO76.000
This current version of the PlayStation Portable has a built-in microphone and a better screen that is able to resist glare and so works better outdoors.
PS3 320GB + Move Bundle RO160.000
The Move is broken into three parts: the ‘Motion Controller’, the ‘Navigation Controller’ and the ‘PlayStation Eye Camera’. The Motion Controller contains built-in motion sensors.
Nintendo 3DS RO105.900
A built-in 3D Depth Slider allows you to adjust the intensity of the 3D settings on the new Nintendo 3DS system. Other features include the built-in motion and gyro sensor.
Logitech G13 RO37.000
The GamePanel LCD in this gaming keyboard keeps you informed of the game stats and other vital information to help you claim victory. It includes programmable G-keys that let you create macros on the fly.
Logitech G27 RO139.900
Logitech racing wheels and flight controllers simulate remarkable realism. Force feedback lets you feel every slip of the tyre, every shudder of the wing and the controls feel like the real thing.
XBOX 360 Kinect 250GB RO177.000
With a stylish design, the integrated internal memory of 250GB allows you to save games and content. It has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) and 5.1 channel surround sound.
Logitech Z906 RO160.000
Successor to the highly acclaimed Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Speaker System, the new THX-Certified Z906 delivers 500W of pure power to recreate that perfect theatre-quality audio experience in your living room.
SteelSeries Spectrum 5XB RO53.600
This is a premium quality, wired headset designed for Xbox 360. With the custom-built soundscape via 40mm SunDancer (SCS) units, you can pinpoint the direction of noises and movement throughout the game.
Thrustmaster T500RS RO241.000
The T500RS employs new H.E.A.R.T (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) on the wheel’s steering and so offers precision, force feedback and a realistic angle of rotation. The controls feel like the real thing.
Nintendo Wii Sports Resort Pack RO90.000
Wii Sports Resort has lots of fun activities with more than 18 sports to try, ranging from water sports like canoeing, power cruising and wakeboarding, to ball games like basketball and golf.
400+
BRANDS
10,000+ PRODUCTS
3
STORES
Our Current Top 5 Recommended Games Assassin’s Creed: Revelations RO29.300
Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Ubisoft Platform (s): Xbox 360, PC, PS3 Genre: Action, Adventure ESRB Rating: Mature
Batman: Arkham City RO29.300
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Developer: Rocksteady Studios Platform (s): Xbox 360, PC, PS3 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: Teen
Gears of War 3 RO27.000
Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Epic Games Platform(s): Xbox 360 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: Mature
Resistance 3 RO28.500
Publisher: Sony Developer: Insomniac Games Platform(s): PS3 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: Mature
WWE12 RO32.000
Publisher: THQ Developer: Yuke’s Platform(s): Wii, PS3, Xbox 360 Genre: Action ESRB Rating: Teen Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
OMAN’S BIGGEST
MULTIBRAND ELECTRONIC RETAILER SINCE 2007
10,000+
MAX ELECTRONICS LLC - OMAN SEEB - MUSCAT CITY CENTRE (LEVEL 1) TEL: +968 24558062 FAX: +968 24558063 EMAIL: memcs@cplmg.com SOHAR - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 97666631 FAX: +968 26844610SALALAH - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 94122251, FAX: +968 23289261 BAHRAIN OMAN SAUDI ARABIA QATAR UAE
PRODUCTS
Company
Brands
Showroom
Service Dept.
Bahwan Electronics
Asset, Carrier, Ignis, Napro, Toshiba, Seiko, Casio, Titan, Sony Ericsson, Tempstar, Cooline, Corning, Print electronics, Dolphin, Benq, Ausonia, Daewoo, VIP, Dometic, Corby
Ruwi 24796629
24501965
Emax
Multibrand
MCC 24558062
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, DitoElectrolux, Metro, Taylor, Costan
Qurum 24568806, Muttrah 24713138, Ruwi 24830919, Seeb 24422797, Shatti al Qurum 24693292
24503653
Al Gurg Home Appliances Better Life
Terim, Fisher & Paykel, SMEG, Vestfrost, Wolf Power, Grundig
24811608
24810404
HiTec Centre
Boston Accoustics, Denon, Leica, Polk Audio
Azaiba 24497384
24497384
Jumbo Electronics
Sony, VAIO, Sony professional Products, Blackberry, Supra, Midea Air-conditioners, Casio, Brother Sewing Machines, Acer, HP, Dyson, Gorenje
MBD 24818358, Al Araimi 24565845, QCC 24470529, Salalah 23291984
24814815
Al Khalili Technology
Fujitsu, Siemon, Coral Telecom, Honeywell, Epson, Camtron, Pyronix, SD3, Tripp-lite, Cummins, Schnider Electric, Sanyo, Sakar, Sterline, Sonicwall
24616900
24816303
Moayyed Integrated Ente
Daewoo Electronics
24488795
24488795
Muscat Electronics
Daikin, Wansa, Ricoh, Chigo, Media, G-Hanz, Sony Professional products
Ruwi 24702985, Sohar 26845647, Salalah 23291617
24813408
Mustafa Sultan Electronics (MSE)
Samsung, Haier, Philips, Nevica, Whirlpool
Al Khuwair 24636015
24818018
Oman International Electronics & Trading
Bose, Nec, JVC
Qurum 24565490
24830606
Oman Modern Electronics
Sharp, OMEC
HO 24706004, Ruwi 24832891, Sohar 26840763, Sur 25544613, Salalah 23291405
24704494
OMASCO
Raymond Weil, Kolber, Westar, Alba, Maxima, HMT, Panasonic, Xper, Aftron, Black & Decker, GE
Qurum 24564310, Ruwi 24833630
24560232
OMASCO - System Solutions
Panasonic
24565696
24565696
Oman Trading Establishment
LG, Bosch, White Westinghouse
Wadi Kabir 24811572, Al Khuwair 24479448, Ruwi 24831544, Ruwi MBC 24834162, Al Araimi 24561480, Seeb 24420570, Nizwa 25412216, Sur 25545107, Bani Bu Ali 25553387, Salalah 23295237, Sohar 26842397
24810522 / 24810156, 80075545
Photocentre
Fujifilm, Olympus, Hasselblad, Sigma, Manfrotto, Lowepro, EPSON, Mitsubishi Electric, STEINER, Broncolor, Hama, Amano
Qurum 24565305, Al Khuwair 24479296
24571708
SARCO
Samsung, Technoflame
Ruwi 24593025
24593025
Shah Nagardas Manji
Kodak, Yashica, Cokin, Case Logic, Lexar, Noritsu, Durst, Bushnell, Eiki, Iriver, Steiner, Tasco, White Westinghouse, Igloo, Venus, Russel Hobbs, Addis, Noritake, Ocean, Wenger
Ruwi 24562656, Lulu Bausher 24593806, Nizwa 25410184
Technical Trading
Westinghouse
Ruwi 24703515, Fax 24700010
If you would like to be listed, e-mail: tech@deenarmedia.com