TECH Issue 30

Page 1




Great cameras, great deals, only at Emax

ELECTRONICS • APPLIANCES • MOBILE PHONES • PHOTOGRAPHY • GAMING • IT • CD/DVD • FITNESS & EQUIPMENTS • ACCESSORIES

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Choose from a wide range of cameras that best suit your needs, only at Emax

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The largest electronics retailer in the Middle East


Zoomed. Not Shaken

Vibration Compensation Mechanism Try the VC simulator at www.tamron.com

Tamron 18-270mm Zoom has incredible 15X wide-to-super-tele coverage plus advanced VC anti-shake! A triumph of advanced optical engineering, the Tamron AF 18-270mm Di II VC is the first 15X (28-419mm-equivalent) zoom lens for consumer digital SLRs with advanced Vibration Compensation (VC).

www.tamron.com

New eyes for industry


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Home Screen

Pinhole view A photograph is like life refined and documented for eternity. A fleeting moment in nature or an expression on a person’s face, an isolation of truth or unfolding reality of time, it is still the only true mode of speaking a thousand words.

ISSUE 30

OCTOBER 2012

Editor-in-chief

Hatim al Taie Managing Director

Abdullah al Taie General Manager

Rathish Ramachandran Asst. General Manager

Terry Mathukutty

Since the humble beginning of photography in 1826, man has been given a new perspective. We overlook the extent to which photography has influenced our lives, for instance what a travelling photographer sees through his lens would impact the rest of the world in the most unlikely way. Hence here photography becomes a subjective art form. You will find almost no one who hasn’t held a camera or been facinated with the process of developing film. However, the latter bit of photography as it once was rests in the minds of true afficianodos of film-cameras. While you may find almost no one who can develop these plastic emulsions. This month, we have featured an array of cameras that would best suit your need. Whether you are an avid photographer or a hobbyist, you will find this issue an interesting read. Apple fans for the longest time have been anticipating the iPhone 5 and are not disheartened. Some estimates predict that Apple will sell ten million of these in the weeks following the announcement. Samsung too is out with the new Galaxy Note II and we give you reasons why you should get your hands on this brilliant device. We highlight the ironic side of expressing opinion on social networking sites. Many fresh must-have gadgets have been covered; we explore the Borderlands 2, a new addition to the gaming world and review our favourite movie director, Tim Burton’s latest creation: Frankenweenie.

Content Head

Deepali Kumar Content

Snigdha Ralli Julina Selwin Head - Design

Shyniben Koyakkil Senior Designer

Manu Martin Sales

Vibha Ashar Leticia Meneses Aaron Davidson

- Ed

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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.


Brilliant lighting for the perfect moment

mecablitz 76 MZ-5 digital

mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital

mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital Showroom

Postal Address: PO Box 3558, PC 112, Ruwi Location: Way No. 4429, Building No. 2155, Azaiba Tel: +968 24497384, Mob: +968 99249852, Fax: +968 24497369 Email: hitec@omantel.net.om Leica users please register at myleica@hitecoman.com for future information and updates on Leica products.


OCTOBER 2012 ISSUE 30

18 INTERVIEW Samar Mushainesh Head of CashU

20 SOFTWARE Get a preview of Windows 8

21 OP-ED Stopping the twitter trolls

38 AUDIO ZONE Enjoy exceptional sound quality with Philips Micro music system

22 PHOTOGRAPHY Cameras that are guaranteed to quench your thirst for photography

40 MOBILE ZONE Samsung’s Galaxy Note II and iPhone 5 reviewed

43 COMPUTING ultra-book

44 TIME ZONE

Hublot takes its passion for football to new heights

52 GAMING Borderlands 2 knows how to get your attention

48 WEARABLE TECH Slam dunk with Nike’s new basketball shoes

News 12

Next issue TABLET TIME

We review tablets that will make for your perfect soulmate

NouvoTech 16 Quiz 55 Tech Favourites 56 Tech Directory 63

REGULARS

Features

Toshiba creates an affordable and lustrous


LETTERS

If you have any queries, mail us on tech@deenarmedia.com, and we will try to answer them in our next issue

TO THE EDITOR Hi Tech, Are there any differences between USB 3 cables and other USB cables? Ishwarya

Dear Ishwarya, Yes, USB 3 cables are in fact different from other USB cables. Firstly, USB 3 cables use more wires than other USB cables. This makes it thicker than the others. Usually, USB 3 cable has a blue insert and an ‘SS’ symbol on the computer connector. Secondly, they use a different connector on the device end than other cables and additionally they can deliver more power to an attached device (900mA). USB 3.0 adds five new lines (the cable is noticeably thicker), but the new contacts sit parallel to the old ones on a different plane, as opposed to being adjacent to them. This means you’ll be able to differentiate between 2.0 and 3.0 cables just by looking at the ends. -Ed Dear editor, I have a SSD in my laptop. Should I enable any of the disk-related parts of laptop-mode tools, or are they irrelevant? Fuad Dear Faud, Enabling the disk-related parts of your laptop-mode tools may in fact be important because of two main reasons. Firstly, your laptop mode will reduce the number of writes which will in turn increase the lifetime of your solid state disk (SSD) and secondly, laptop mode makes writes bursty, which allows power saving mechanisms like ALPM (Aggressive Link Power Management) to kick in. However, this is subjective to the specific hardware involved. For some hardware you will not benefit in anyway and for some, the benefits may be considerable. -Ed

10 / TECH

Hi Tech, Is there anyway Forefront will work on my Apple Macintosh OS X computer? Siddharth Dear Siddharth, Currently, Microsoft does not support the Macintosh Operating System with their Microsoft Forefront Client Security software. Unless you install Windows XP, Vista or 7 via Boot Camp, Parallels or VMWare Fusion, Forefront does not work. -Ed

Dear TECH team, I am new to Oman and had been wondering which bank to open an account with. When I visited the different banks out here to weigh my options they crammed me with unnecessary information. But your E-banking story in the August issue was particularly helpful and made it a lot easier for me to make this decision. It was really impressive that you guys carried out a story like this and I would like to congratulate you for that. Sean Dear Sean, Thanks a lot for your enthusiasm and we are glad our article was helpful to you. -Ed

Dear editor, The bandwidth has exceeded on my Google gadgets hosting server. What should I do? Akshay Dear Akshay, Popular gadgets can prove to be a huge strain on your web hosting service that is if the gadget requests content (such as images, feeds and flash or other data types) directly from your hosting provider. Since this can often cause a problem, Google provides a “caching proxy”. This allows Google to temporarily store resources used by the gadget so that your web hosting only receives a few hundred hits per day, regardless of its popularity. The amount of bandwidth used by your web hosting provider can be reduced drastically this way. -Ed


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NEWS

AL HASSAN ELECTRICALS HOSTS LED LIGHTING SEMINAR A seminar on LED Lighting was organised by Al Hassan Electricals Co. LLC (AHE) for Endo Corporation at the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel on 11th September. Al Hassan is the sole distributor of Endo Corporation of Japan which is a pioneer in the LED Lighting Solution for the residential and professional lighting sector. The seminar discussed Endo’s plans to service Oman’s high-end market with its latest LED lights, which are almost two times brighter than standard modules and consumes less energy. In his introductory remarks, Mr.Ryozo Endo, President of Endo Corporation mentioned that Endo LED products are both eco-friendly as well as people-friendly. He further went on to say, “ENDO is very happy to be in Oman, a country which shows rapid development. We are excited with the Oman’s market prospects and proud of our association with Al Hassan Electricals. The tremendous goodwill they have generated in the market with their existing operations an, an experienced technical team looking after the lighting business augurs well for ENDO and its customers”. A product display emphasising the difference between conventional lighting and LED lighting was also showcased.

Mr. Maqbool Ali Salman, MD, Al Hassan Group, and Mr. Ryozo Endo, President & CEO, Endo Corporation, Japan, signing Agency Distribution Agreement. The event was graced by Al Hassan Group’s top officials led by Hassan bin Ali Salman, Chairman, Maqbool bin Ali Salman, Managing Director, Luc Van Dingenen, CEO-Manufacturing and Trading, Shinchi Yamanaka, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Japanese Embassy in Muscat

and Ryozo Endo, President and CEO along with Kooji Murakami, GM-Overseas and Kosaku Suima, DGM-Overseas of Endo. The seminar also saw the likes of high profile lighting designers, architects, interior designers and other officials.

Photokina 2012 makes a mark Photokina, the world’s leading imaging fair was held from 18 to 23 September, 2012 in Cologne, Germany. The biennial trade show drew all the big names including Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and many more manufacturers who all had their latest wares on display for tens of thousands of photographers, journalists and local attendees. With each company releasing a suite of impressive products, Photokina was a grand success. Canon and Nikon made an impression with their 6D and D600 full-frame DSLRs, while Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Fujifilm each upped the ante with new mirrorless lineups, and Leica demonstrated its new M, which for the first time brings live-view and video capture to the high-end rangefinder series. The 32nd Photokina welcomed over 185,000 visitors from 166 countries. The newly introduced trend segments of mobile imaging, connectivity, and digital camera filming were extremely popular among exhibitors and visitors.

12 / TECH


GITEX SHOPPER 2012 OPENS His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority officially opened Gitex Shopper on 29 September, 2012. Trixee Loh, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and organiser of GITEX Shopper expressed her gratitude saying, “We are honoured to have His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum conduct the official opening of the show today and lend his support to GITEX Shopper. GITEX Shopper offers the ideal platform to keep abreast of the world’s new launches, top trends and innovative advances.” The popular technology fair acts as a platform for global technology brands with a focus on the Middle Eastern market. This year the Shopper is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will run till 6 October. The GITEX week will witness unmatchable exhibits with a wide range of products and special offers. It unveiled almost 30,000 gadgets from over 120 exhibiting brands including Acer, Asus, Ferrari Headphones, HTC, LG, Nestle, Toshiba and Western Digital. In addition, top consumer brands such as Bose, Canon, Dell, Epson, Fujifilm, HCL, HP, Intel, Lexar, Nikon, Nintendo, Samsung, Seagate and Toshiba were also showcased. It also featured 50 million Dirhams worth of prizes

HH Sheikh Majid Chairman of Dubai Culture at GITEX Technology Week and giveaways. The involvement of such big-name players has served to elevate the status of the exhibition which now attracts more than 120 brands and retailers from ten countries. Top regional distributors and power retailers, including Al Falak, Al Sayegh, CompuME, E-City, Emax, Etisalat, Geekay

Eros Group launches Samsung’s new Smart TV Eros Group launched the Samsung 75-inch ES9000 LED Smart TV in the UAE on 1 October. Eros is the leading distributor of world renowned electronic brands in the Middle East. Commenting on the launch of Samsung LED ES9000, Mr. Niranjan Gidwani, Deputy CEO, Eros Group, said, “October is the time when consumers look forward to new technology and products and this year Eros Group is proud to offer the latest technology from Samsung. The new Samsung LED ES9000 excels not just in quality and functionality but also the features and design making it sophisticated and simply beyond comparison”. This new Smart TV includes the complete suite of Samsung’s Smart TV feature including Smart Interaction, Smart Content and Smart Evolution that were introduced with Samsung’s flagship Smart TVs earlier this year. These features enable users to control

Games, iSTYLE, Jacky’s Electronics, Jumbo Electronics, Plug-Ins, Sharaf DG, Tarsam, Touchmate and V.V. & Sons enjoyed overwhelming success on the opening day with crowded stands, excited customers and bumper sales. GITEX Shopper organisers hope to surpass last year’s sales of AED200 million as buyers return to this ever-popular event.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean ROM leaked

and interact with their TVs in a more intuitive way besides choosing from a larger range of premium and signature content that can be shared across multiple devices. The users can also access the latest hardware and software features to constantly receive updates on their Smart TVs. The Samsung ES9000 is available in all major 30 Eros Digital Home stores across the UAE. The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean ROM for Samsung Galaxy S3 has leaked, so it might not be too long of a wait after that for the real deal to arrive. The latest Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean ROM for Sprint’s Samsung Galaxy S3 appeared on the XDA Developer’s forum, where it will include Samsung’s proprietary TouchWiz skin as part of the deal. If you were to install this unofficial ROM on your Galaxy S3, bear in mind that the warranty on your device would be declared to be null and void.

OCTOBER 2012 / 13


NEWS

HP’S NEW PAVILLION SLEEBOOKS

HTC REVEALS NEW WINDOWS PHONES

HP has recently introduced the Sleekbook 14 and Sleekbook 15. The names are synonymous for their screen diagonals, with the 14-inch model being powered by an AMD processor, while an Intel chip is used in the 15.6-inch laptop. The slim Windows 7 laptops are available in various configurations; the maximum hard disk capacity of the system being 1 TB. A minimum drive capacity has not been specified. The larger model has a numeric keypad, which is absent on the 14-inch system. Specifications shared across both systems are an HP TrueVision HD webcam, Dolby Advanced Audio, an optional Nvidia video chip, HDMI, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 connectors, Bluetooth and WiFi. The Sleekbooks will be launched in the United States on 26 October.

MANFROTTO’S IPHONE ACCESSORIES

Manfrotto, worldwide leading brand in the manufacturing of camera and lighting supports has introduced a tripod and 24 LED light fixture that can be bolted on to an iPhone. Manfrotto is currently offering this setup with its KLYP case which is designed to protect iPhones while offering a solid foundation for attaching it to a fullsized or mini tripod for trickier shots. This is currently only compatible with the iPhone 4 and 4S.

14 / TECH

HTC Corp announced two new smartphone models running Microsoft Corp’s Windows Phone 8 software and stated that the devices would be available in November through multiple wireless service providers around the world. The new devices will be marketed as the ‘signature’ Windows Phone 8 smartphones, Jason Mackenzie, HTC’s global head of sales, told attendees at the company’s New York launch event. The

two brightly coloured phones, the Windows Phone 8X and the Windows Phone 8S will pit HTC directly against key Microsoft partner Nokia, which earlier this month also launched two colorful Windows phone models. With Apple boasting 2 million preorders of its latest iPhone before it hit store shelves on 21 September, Rerticle Research analyst Ross Rubin said it was going to be challenging for HTC to catch up.

IRAN BLOCKS YOUTUBE AND GOOGLE Iran has blocked YouTube and its owner Google over the provocative movie trailer of the movie “Innocence of Muslims” that has infuriated Muslims in many countries around the world. Iran’s news agency Mehr claimed that the sites were blocked on public demand. “Google and YouTube continued to carry the film clip that insulted our people’s sacred beliefs,” the agency pointed out. Demonstrations against the movie and the United States, where the move was privately produced, spread across many countries in the past few weeks. Most of the demonstrations have been peaceful, but a lot of them have been marked by violence that has left more than two dozen people dead, among the U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans killed in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Last week, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the United States remove the controversial movie from YouTube. President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have refuted the video. An official had announced on 23 September that Gmail would be blocked throughout Iran “until further notice”, without giving further details. However, Iranian authorities have reopened access to Google Inc’s, Gmail.


SAMSUNG RETREATS WITH EIGHT PATENT LAWSUITS Samsung has hit iPhone 5 in eight patent lawsuits and has targeted the iPhone 5 in its latest anti-Apple lawsuit, adding the newest iOS smartphone to the list of devices it alleges infringe several of its patents. In spite of previous speculations that Samsung would target the iPhone 5 for its use of LTE and Apple shoring up its 4G portfolio with 434 related patents, the new litigation doesn’t in fact relate to the high-speed wireless technology at all. Six of the patents point to utility and a further two are UMTS 3G standardessential. Samsung says it notified Apple of the intention to include the iPhone 5 into

the ongoing suit back on 18 September, roughly a week after the smartphone was revealed though before it hit stores. “The iPhone 5 has the same accused functionality as the previously accused versions of the iPhone,” Samsung wrote in its new filing, “so the proof of infringement of the patents-in-suit by the iPhone 5 is the same as for other Apple devices already accused of infringement in this litigation.” “We have little choice but to take the steps necessary to protect our innovations and intellectual property rights” Samsung said in a statement about the amended lawsuit. Apple is yet to comment.

MULTI-FACETED MP4 PLAYER

Light In The Box has added yet another HD MP4 player to its product page. The player is packed with a 4.3-inch TFT LCD touchscreen, a Rockchip 2728 chipset, an 8GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (up to 16GB), an FM radio, an e-book reader, a voice recorder, a USB 2.0 port, a built-in 1300mAh rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and supports up to 720p HD video playback.

MASERATI AND BOWERS & WILKINS ANNOUNCE LONG-TERM COLLABORATION

HCL Infosystems launches mobility in UAE HCL Infosystems has announced the launch of its mobility product range in the UAE. The 3G-enabled G1 tablet will be their newest contribution in its ME series. The ME G1 runs on the Android 4.0.4 OS and 1.2 GHz Dual Core Cortex A9 CPU. It comes pre-loaded with Thinkfree Office. “The ME series of tablets from HCL have proved to be an instant hit since its launch and are great value for money devices. We are confident that the advanced

connectivity, innovative features and preinstalled applications will make it very appealing to consumers in this region too” said Shivkumar Gopal, CEO, HCL Infosystems MEA. All tablets in the ME series including Y2, U1 and the ME G1 tablets are available at GITEX Shopper 2012 and at all leading consumer electronics outlets in the UAE. The products are also available across Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Egypt.

Maserati CEO Harald Wester and Bowers & Wilkins Executive VP Evert Huizing announced a partnership at the Paris Motorshow that will see the collaboration in next year’s car models. The Italian sports car maker and British audio company will produce a new high-end car sound system that will be exclusive to Maserati cars coming in 2013. “If you look at the values the companies have in common, the partnership makes perfect sense,” Wester said. He went on to say, “Both Maserati and Bowers & Wilkins have a proud heritage of traditional craftsmanship and engineering excellence. Both have a real commitment to innovation. And both continue to set benchmarks for performance and design in our industries.” The partnership will be beneficial to Bowes & Wilkins as well, as they will also be able to produce a range of co-branded audio products such as loudspeakers and headphones. No details about the future in-car system have been exposed yet, but according to Mr. Huizing, Bowers & Wilkins has “designed a system perfectly adapted to the unique challenges of the car environment, and one which will deliver great sound and transform the driving experience.”

OCTOBER 2012 / 15


NOUVOTECH

QUIRKY GIZMOS Interesting gadgets that intrigue you and make your life simpler

Aqua charger A charger for your phone that uses water; It sure sounds surprising, but it’s real. Open up the charger, fill it up with a tablespoon of water and plug in your phone. The water powers a fuel cell which provides charge to your phone. Unlike solar-powered devices it provides instant power and doesn’t rely on good weather. It can also charge anything that uses a USB, be it a tablet, laptop or camera.

Price: USD40 (RO15)

Mobee magic Fed up of shelling out for new batteries every five minutes to power your iMac keyboard and mouse? Well, here is a great solution. The Magic mobee feet charges up to three devices at once, so your keyboard, Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad can all get juiced at the same time. It takes six hours for your devices to get fully charged, leaving in overnight can do the trick.

Price: USD150 (RO56)

Unlimited streaming With Roku LT, a streaming player, you can enjoy movies, TV show, live sports and games on your TV. Roku connects to your TV and wireless (Wi-Fi) network at home. With the simple remote you can choose what you wish to watch in a matter of minutes.

Price: USD50 (RO19) 16 / TECH


360-imager This little egg shaped gadget takes 360-degree panorama shots with just a click. It’s a palm-size device, with a 14-megapixel sensor, and a 2-inch LCD touchscreen at the bottom. The Tamaggo 360-imager has a button on the side you can press with your thumb, and that’s it, you have a panorama shot.

Price: USD200 (RO77)

Video mask The Swim mask is an integrated waterproof digital camera, connected to goggles that eliminates the need to carry an underwater camera. Leaving your hands free to swim, it has a five megapixel camera that operates at a depth of five metres. The LED inside the mask signals you the mode you have selected. You can download pictures by connecting the goggles to a computer and edit your content with the included software. The mask has built-in 16 MB memory can store up to 27 high resolution photos.

Price: USD100 (RO40)

Bird-eye view The parrot AR is a iphone or android controlled quadrocoptor. It is easy to control and flies just as well as its predecessor with touch screen controls. It is set up with a 720p HD camcorder that lets you record your files and upload them on YouTube via the AR FreeFlight 2.0 application. All you have to keep in mind in violating your neighbour’s privacy.

Price: USD356 (RO137)

Fish-eye view Whether it is hanging out at you favourite coffee house or having fun at a carnival, the Olloclip iPhone camera lens makes all your pictures look cooler through a fish eye lens. Compatible with both iPhone 4 and 4S you can also take wide-angle and macro shots. Slide it on your iPhone and capture 180-degree field-of-view pictures

Price: USD70 (RO27) OCTOBER 2012 / 17


INTERVIEW

FILLING THE

CREDIT CARD GAP

Samar Mushainesh talks to TECH on the role of CashU Prepaid

C

ashU is the ultimate response for prepaid online payments and was established in 2002 by Maktoob (now Yahoo). Headquartered in Dubai, cashU concentrates primarily on Internet payments across the Middle East and North Africa. Samar Mushainesh, head of cashU Prepaid feels that with online commerce set to skyrocket in the Middle East, the e-commerce landscape is leading to an exciting online era for consumers. This phenomenon is driving new online opportunities for payment solution providers. CashU is one such payment service provider that offers alternative solutions, especially for shoppers who prefer using prepaid cards over credit cards online. Even though the company provides global and regional online merchants with a complete set of payment solutions, it is specifically custom-made to cater to the Arabic online shopping trends and habits. With an increasing global market of online shoppers we asked Samar what sets CashU a class apart in the Middle East. Samar explained that with cashU, customers can fill their balance and make local and international calls at lower rates, meet new friends, connect with

18 / TECH


We provide customers in Oman with a secure prepayment system that cancels the risks consumers face when spending online

old friends across many social networking sites and also use it in many online shopping sites. CashU enables its customers to purchase anything from Al-Jazeera Sports Channel subscription renewal to making travel bookings to gaming (Farmville and Playstation Network cards). Not just international games, cashU gives users the privilege to even purchase many online games developed locally such as Rappelz which is localised to Arabic by GamePower7, Tahadi.com games such as Ragnarok, Runes of Might and Heroes of Gaia, Wizards Production games such as Arabic Mafia and 7oroob. Using cashU prepaid cards, customers can also purchase iTunes gift cards enabling safe and efficient music downloads. CashU customers use their prepaid services to pay for online gaming services. It serves more than 950,000 online users making payments to more than 7,000 merchant sites. With the maturity in the Middle East’s Internet culture, online shoppers have realised that there are more hassle-free solutions for them to choose from. For instance, the launch of cashU Direct, gives customers the option of making their booking order online and then easily paying at a local store, payment kiosks, post offices and exchange houses. This service was launched as an alternative payment option, offering buyers a unique way to purchase their products. Mushainesh believes that online security is the main reason that induces skepticism in people regarding credit cards. Customers in the Middle East have a tendency to look for the safest and most efficient way to pay, therefore they look for simple payment gateways. This is where cashU comes in. This platform captures the latest, most sophisticated and up-to-date fraud prevention and anti-money laundering systems. This in turn reduces the risks associated with online payments for both buyers and sellers which allows for wider, safer and faster consumer participation in e-commerce. The solution enables customers to manage, control and in most cases eliminate the exposure to fraud in a card-not-present situation.

When we enquired about the relevance of cashU cards in the Oman market and whether they are even accessible in Oman, Samar commented, “Of course since we provide customers in Oman with a secure pre-payment system that cancels the risks consumers face when spending online. It also protects young gamers who don’t have access to bank accounts or credit cards”. Since there are no restrictions on age, income or nationality, cashU Direct gives everyone the opportunity to buy online. In fact, most of its customers include males between the age group of 15-35 who use cashU as an online payment solution for online games, web hosting services, TV subscriptions in channels like Abu Dhabi Sports channel and Al Jazeera sports channel. Conclusively, we asked Mushainesh about the challenges faced by e-commerce in the Middle East market. She expressed the hurdles faced by cashU saying, “Reaching out for customers in the region isn’t as easy as it should be, and this is directly related to the low internet penetration rates around the region (excluding UAE). In addition to providing the customers with payment options that meet their needs, they must also meet the company’s business requirements; accessible bank transfers, reasonable fees, etc.”

OCTOBER 2012 / 19


SOFTWARE

PEEPING THROUGH

THE WINDOW Find out what the much-awaited Windows 8 has in store for you

W

ith Windows 8 scheduled for a release later this month, excitement levels are soaring. There’s no doubt that it’s going to be worth the wait. For those of you who thought Windows 7 was a breakthrough, here’s a sneak peak of what to expect from Microsoft’s latest innovation.

Windows 7 reinvented

Windows 8, at its core is a new and revised version of Windows 7. Apart from a fresh appearance of the Start screen, it integrates the desktop that you’ve been well-acquainted with. The desktop is like one of the many apps you can run in the new Windows. While browsing through the desktop, you’ll come across all the settings, devices, and features (including apps) you used in Windows 7 and you can even run these apps with the new Windows. Security and reliability are two features Windows

20 / TECH

8 has kept an accurate account of much like Windows 7. You can sign in with a text password or you can create a picture password using gestures (touch screen).

Touch the difference

The new start screen gives you a personalised feeling as it organises all of the information you care about, in one place. So with Microsoft’s latest software, websites, playlists, photo albums, contacts and your favorite apps are crucial. You can view and interact with content instantly because everything you need is on the start screen; you can launch apps, switch between tasks and check notifications without digging for information. It is deliberated to avoid the need to select and is designed to use on touch-enabled computers with touch keyboards. The touch keyboard enables you to navigate,

type, and interact on the go. This software can be used with a mouse and a keyboard as well, which we imagine will be like trying to grab M&Ms with an oven mitz but then again, there’s always the touch keyboard.

App-solutely amazing

Windows 8 is cloud connected; it connects you to your people and your files with just a couple of clicks. It features some built-in apps for the things you do the most, the icing on the cake being that these apps work in harmony. With all these features incorporated, it’s no wonder that it is better than any other operating system Microsoft has produced. Now we’re not saying that Windows 8 is bound to be the best there is, but it sure seems like it could be. As of now we can only speculate how efficient


OP-ED

Twitter, why so bitter?

#TwitterTrashing #CyberBullying #StopTheTrolls

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n the wake of the recent Olympic Games, Twitter’s dark side was brought to light and became a hot topic for discussion. A week of cyber spite that began with a series of abusive trolls, trashing Olympians, invoked mixed reactions from social networkers and has subliminally revealed a lot more about Twitter users. On some level, we are all familiar with the scavenger trolls that have a massive appetite for bullying. Only, we pay no heed to the situation, as long as we don’t personally face the wrath of these trolls. Some of us do try to step up and make a difference, but again it’s only a matter of time that the whole situation is forgotten. Exhibit one- the Egyptian revolution fuelled by Facebook. This is such a pity, considering that Twitter is seen as an arena for communication and discussion, yet it fails to generate either. So much for freedom of expression. In the aforementioned incident, however, things have shaped up quite differently; or have they? While some see this instance as an opportunity to play moral police and ‘stop the trolls’, others simply see this as an infringement of self-expression and chose to ignore it. So, to be honest, it’s the same story all over again. In the end, it all comes down to the blame game. No matter which side you incline, it’s really about who or what is responsible for such episodes in the

first place. Someone or something needs to be liable. Now, is Twitter to be blamed or are the few rotten one spoiling it for the rest? Of course we can’t blame Twitter; it’s just a platform for people to express their views. So naturally, it’s just a handful of us who have diluted these qualities by over abusing our freedom to express, with reprehensible cyber bullying. Nevertheless, the devoted Twitter users take it upon themselves to play Superman and fight these evil trolls by tweeting and re-tweeting their shenanigans. And guess what? Twitter users have taken it a notch higher by enforcing another gimmick to ‘make internet trolls and bullies accountable for their Tweets’, #StopTheTrolls. Many have condemned this ‘twitition’ claiming that it goes against the campaign for increased freedom of speech and disapprove of a petition that would escalate government bylaws of media. This, of course makes a lot of sense as it defeats the entire purpose of social networking and expressing opinions. But for all the trolls out there, it doesn’t qualify as a socially relevant opinion if you’re heckling the world through your computer screens. So don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re entertaining an audience on some glorious stage; it’s more you standing in one corner of the street, dissing the whole world as it passes you by.

October 2012 / 21


COVERSTORY

SEIZING THE

MOMENT

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n the present day if cameras have taught us anything, it would be the art of photography. The last few years have seen cameras evolve drastically. From bulky Polaroids to light-weight compacts, the world has seen it all. Renowned photographer, Ansel Adams had once said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” This camera walk of fame, takes you from serious photography machines to compact digital cameras. It has all the cameras you may choose from to become a pro.

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MIRROR-LIKE QUALITY Make stunning pictures with the Alpha SLT-A37

16.1MP Shutter: 7fps ISO: 100 to 16,000 (expandable to 25,600) 2.7-inch, 230k-dot tilting screen, electronic viewfinder 1080p full-HD video recording Stereo microphone

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he Alpha SLT-A37 is light and easy to use. It broadens artistic options for anyone who is stepping up from a point-and-shoot compact camera. Translucent Mirror Technology delivers a potent combination of speedy shooting, non-stop phase detection autofocus and continuous live image preview, in all modes including full HD video (50i/25p). The precision 3-cross 15-point AF system with tracking autofocus keeps faces and fast-moving subjects in sharp focus. Translucent Mirror Technology also lets the SLT-A37 grab split-second action with a burst of sharply-focused images. Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode

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Price: RO350 available at Jumbo electronics, 24565845

magnifies the central portion of the sensor’s image, delivering a crisply-detailed burst of still images at up to seven frames per second*. The 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor inside the SLT-A37 captures finely-detailed stills and Full HD video that are low noise. It is teamed with the latest BIONZ image processor that extends sensitivity to a generous ISO 100-16000 range, broadening options for atmospheric low-light shooting without flash. Adjustments to exposure and other creative picture settings can be previewed in real time, either via the Tru-Finder

electronic viewfinder or the tilt-angle 6.7cm (2.7-inch) Clear Photo LCD screen. The A37 helps budding photographers craft top-quality portraits without effort. Auto Portrait Framing mode identifies the sitter’s position, trimming the scene to create beautifully composed, high resolution portraits using the compositional ‘rule of thirds’. The 2x zoom doubles effective magnification of the lens, delivering high-quality close-ups without the need for additional hardware. Sony’s unique resolution technology maintains superb image detail, tones and textures making it ideal for travel and everyday shooting.


INTUITIVE POINT-AND-SHOOT Experience Sony’s cyber-shot quality images in a pocket-sized camera

Instant Sharing via Wi-Fi 8.0fps - continuous Shot High Sensitivity 12,800 ISO Smart Auto and Filter 2.0 Price: RO300 (approx.)

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ony, the leading consumer electronics brand, released the Cyber-shot RX100, featuring a host of powerful features packaged into sleek, compact aluminium body. Sleekly crafted for strength, lightness and luxurious looks, the RX100 inherits many advanced imaging features from Sony’s Alpha ‘α’ range of A-mount and E-mount camera families. An accomplished partner for travel and with intuitive and comfortable control options, the RX100 is ideal as a step-up from point-and-shoot cameras. This camera features the a 1.0-type EXMOR CMOS sensor with a resolution of 20.2 effective megapixels and a bright F1.8 lens making it the perfect fit for a compact,

2D/3D Panorama

pocket-sized second camera for enthusiasts who want to capture pristine stills with refined defocus effect and Full HD video while they are on the move. Developed by Sony, the sensor has an area that is around four times larger than the 1/2.3-type imager in regular point-and-shoot cameras. Capturing far more light than small-sensor cameras, it is the key to beautiful, detailed images and Full HD movie clips with very low noise. The BIONZ image processor maximises shooting responses while assuring clean, natural images. It also extends image sensitivity, allowing clear handheld images in dim light. Experienced photo enthusiasts will appreciate the unique Control Ring that

surrounds the lens body and allows smooth, fingertip adjustment of exposure, zoom, Picture Effect and other functions. It is also easy to fine-tune images with a wide range of manual adjustments, whether shooting stills or Full HD videos. Just like a D-SLR camera, there is a choice of auto and manual focus modes for even greater control over the image. The Cyber-shot RX100 does all the hard work, automatically detecting faces and cropping the scene to create tighter, pro-style compositions without sacrificing pixel count. The RX100 lets you travel light without compromising on picture quality.

OCTOBER 2012 / 25


FULL FRAME FANTASY The D600 promises to deliver quality and upkeep Nikon’s reputation

24.3MP FX (35.9x24mm) full-frame CMOS sensor ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 50 and 25,600) 39 (9 cross-type) autofocus Price: RO770 (approx.)

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ikon has always been on top of the game, as far as photography is concerned. With D600’s tagline “I am a game changer”, one would assume that the D600 would live up to Nikon’s reputation. Being the lightest, smallest and cheapest camera, D600 does make an impression but is it really Nikon’s best? With its reasonable price, a 24.3-megapixel, full-frame sensor and incredible picture quality it seems believable. Since there have always been involuntary comparisons between all of Nikon’s models, it is inevitable to not compare the D600 with its older sibling. D600’S 24.3 megapixel image sensor may not be as sharp as the 36.6 megapixel sensor on the much steeper D800, but 24.3 megapixels is more than

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3.2-inch, 921k-dot 141x113x82mm, 760gm

enough for getting the perfect picture. The D600 does share one of the most important characteristics of the D800; it has sensationally low noise levels. But the again, that runs in the family. Obviously a good sensor is no good without a fast processor and luckily the Nikon D600 shares the same Expeed 3 engine as the Nikon D4 and Nikon D800. The Nikon D600 is capable of a 5.5fps constant shooting rate, making it slightly faster than the Nikon D800’s 4fps. Sensitivity settings range from standard settings of 100-6400 but can be extended down to ISO 50 or as high as ISO 25,600 for shooting in minimal light, albeit with a

substantial increase in image noise. Autofocus is taken care of by a somewhat revamped version of the Multi-CAM 4800 system in the Nikon D7000. As before, this has 39 AF points, of which nine are the more accurate cross-type. What’s more, the central seven focus points will function at apertures as small as f/8, meaning users of teleconverters can still retain autofocus capability. The Nikon D600 is compact, light and a good addition to the Nikon clan, given the reasonable price range it falls under. No doubt the void is felt as the D600 is not exactly Nikon’s best efforts at work. But if you are a Nikon fanatic with a small pocket, the D600 might just surprise you.


TENACIOUS TWINS Olympus latest E-PL 5 and E-PM2 are effortlessly impressive Olympus E-PL5 The E-PL5 is a remarkable camera thas is exclusively designed for avid photographers. It comes with 16.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor, top ISO of 25,600, 3-inch 460k-dot touch-enabled LCDs, 1080i video and an 8fps continuous shooting mode. Improved resolution is one feature that makes this compact camera stand out. This model entails FAST AF for prompt autofocussing and Touch AF Shutter on the Live View screen. It entails High speed continuous shooting of 8 fps with High Speed Sequential Shoot and 3.5 fps with 3D Tracking AF. The camera features TruePic VI image processing engine for high image quality in a compact, lightweight body. With 12 Art Filters including a new ‘water colour’ filter supported by Variations and Art effects, the PL5 is an expression of creative capabilities. Additionally, Art Fade feature allows Art Filters to be gradually changed while shooting movies. Movie tele-converter enables 4 x magnifications in full HD quality. This camera is bound to be your favourite if you appreciate aesthetics.

Mirrorless interchangeable lens LENS MOUNT Micro Four Thirds 16.1MP MOS Sensor Rechargeable Li-ion battery

Price: RO399 available at Photocentre, 24571708

Olympus E-PM2

16.10MP 3-inch LCD viewfinder 200-25600 ISO range 60-1/4000 shutter speed BLS-5 lithium ion battery

Price: RO349 available at Photocentre, 24571708

Modest and attractive from the front, the E-PM 2 is packed with features that make it a photographer’s pet. Like its predecessor, the Olympus E-PM2 has no physical mode dial either; instead it offers a touchscreen to make selections much faster. The touchscreen autofocus makes autofocus quick and quite specific. An AF-assist/selftimer lamp shines out from the upper right corner, and a round lens release button sit just right of the mount. It is adorned by a standard hot shoe and AP2 port, that is combined with the camera’s lack of a mode dial makes the touchscreen a very important control. Although output from the imager is handled by a TruePic VI image processor, the PM2’s burst performance isn’t quite as swift as say the E-M5. The camera’s image sensor is a 4:3-aspect, 16.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor supplied by Sony and s capable of providing images at a maximum resolution of 4,608x3,456 pixels. Sensitivity from the chip ranges as high as ISO 25,600. On the whole it looks like a winner. It includes the same 8fps capability of the E-PL5, making it the fastest interchangeable lens camera of its price range.

OCTOBER 2012 / 27


SHOW STOPPERS Olympus’s SP-820UZ and SP-720UZ are super zoom wonders Olympus SP-820UZ

14.00MP 40.00x zoom lens (22896mm equivalent) 3-inch LCD viewfinder ISO range 80-6400 Shutter speed 4-1/2000

Price: RO195 available at Photocentre, 24571708

The Olympus SP-820 UZ is a new flagship Ultra Zoom compact camera that boasts of its longest optical zoom ever. With a 14.0 megapixel, high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, and an image processing engine established with the OLYMPUS PEN, the SP-820UZ achieves high-sensitivity, low noise and a fast AF (iHS Technology, the ).The 820UZ features a 40x, 22.4-896mm super-telephoto equivalent lens, high-magnification zoom lens, enabling an extremely wide range of shooting possibilities and takes AA batteries. The 820UZ supports Full High-definition movie (MOV/H.264) shooting and magic filter is also available for use when shooting movies. With Super Resolution zoom and iAUTO which detects subjects and scenes from a maximum of 29 patterns, users can easily capture images just as they appear to the eye. The power of a large and heavy, sized super-telephoto lens is available on the compact body of the STYLUS SP-820UZ, making it the perfect travel companion. This is an “all-in-one” camera for conveniently taking high-grade pictures on the go.

Olympus SP-720UZ

14MP CMOS sensor 26x optical zoom lens (35mm equivalent 26-676mm) Dual Image Stabilisation 3.0 inch 460,000 dot LCD screen

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Price: RO130 available at Photocentre, 24571708

Olympus’s SP-720UZ is a camera that redefines photography with intense image quality and a great zoom feature. The SP-720UZ has a 14 megapixel CMOS sensor and 26x optical zoom lens, a 35mm equivalent of 26-676mm, with Dual Image Stabilisation to help keep images as sharp and blur free as possible. To photography an easy process, there is also iAuto mode which automatically adjusts the camera settings dependent on the scene. Anoher very intriguing feature that the 720UZ comes with is the Pet Detection Mode for automatically capturing dog or cat faces when they look at the camera. Other shooting modes available include scene modes, HDR backlight adjustment, pet detection, in-camera panorama, beauty make-up, 3D photo shooting, high-speed continuous shooting, face detection and advanced SAT (Shadow Adjustment Technology). There are also a range of magic filters which can be used on images and videos. Videos are recorded at full 1080p HD, the SP-720UZ also has HDMI Control. This camera is a proof of Olympus’s technical wizardry.


TOUGH COOKIE With a rugged body, the Lumix-GH3 is built for serious outdoor photography

Sensor: 16.1MP Sensitivity: ISO 160-12800 Continuous shooting: 5fps Dimensions: 127x89x76.2mm

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anasonic’s new DSLR GH3 is an attractive, top-of the-line mirrorless camera that is not only tough to withstand the extreme conditions of heavily field use. It is also lightweight and compact. The Live MOS sensor achieves high-resolution images with minimum noise. Its rugged body is specially made for professional use. The Lumix uses OLED displays in both its viewfinder and the rearangle monitor. A detachable battery grip DMW-BGGH3 for vertical viewing angle, integrates control featuring splash/dustproof design. The external TTL flash DMW-FL360L comes with wireless function and even integrates LED for video recording. A Stereo Shotgun microphone DMW-MS2 is also available. The newly developed 16.05 effective

Price: RO500 (approx.)

megapixel Live MOS sensor boasts wide dynamic range and high sensitivity image recording even at ISO 12,800 or ISO 25,600 in extended mode. The image processor Venus Engine is also refined to achieve superior noise reduction. The built-in flash is enhanced to feature more power and flexibility. The Lumix G also integrates HDR (High Dynamic Range) to cope with the extreme bright and dark contrast. Effective thermal diffusion is an essential design challenge. The GH3 features ultrahigh-speed AF which makes it possible to capture fast-moving subjects clearly. Both accuracy and speed are improved over high-end DSLRs with Phase difference AF with the GH3’s advanced Contrast AF system. The camera and the lens exchange

the digital signal at 240 fps to minimize the time to focus. With quick start-up and short release time lag, the DMC-GH3 never lets photographers miss shooting opportunities. The main structural features of the LUMIX GH3 are its magnesium alloy full diecast frame and dustproof construction. The GH3 integrates a built-in Wi-Fi module for wireless connectivity to expand shooting possibilities. A smartphone or a tablet can be used to remote control and a remote monitor. What the camera sees is displayed smoothly on the smartphone or tablet, and it is possible to set various controls including focus, exposure compensation, ISO, WB and Photo Style in addition to shutter release via live view using Wi-Fi.

OCTOBER 2012 / 29


GERMAN OPTICS While Leica’s M radiates high performance, the X2 exudes flamboyance Leica M The Leica M is the first camera of its kind to implement a newly designed and constructed CMOS sensor and to feature additional focusing methods and functions like Live View and Full HD video capability. Of all the Leica rangefinder cameras, it features a completely new development in sensor technology; the Leica Max CMOS image sensor. In combination with the highperformance, Leica Maestro processor, also employed in Leica S cameras, guarantees maximum imaging quality and speed. With Live View and Live View Focus, image composition can take place in real time. The sharpness, exposure and colour content of images can be precisely assessed on the camera’s 3-inch, high-resolution monitor screen with 920,000 pixels. The glass covering plate of the monitor screen is manufactured from scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. The new ‘Live View Zoom’ option enables up to 10x magnification for precise assessment of the sharpness of subject details or the close focusing limit.

Image Sensor: Leica Max, 24 MP CMOS Sensor ISO 200 – 6400, Pull 100 available, Auto ISO Screen: 3-inch TFT Display with 920.000 Pixels, scratch resistant cover glass

Price: N/A coming soon at HiTec centre, 24497384

Leica X2

Resolution: 16.2MP Size: 316g, 7x12.7x5.1cm Lens: Leica Elmarit, 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH lens

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Price: N/A coming soon at HiTec centre, 24497384

The Leica X2 is an extraordinary camera model that brings together German digital technology and extravagant styling from the world of fashion. Paul Smith, the international fashion designer and entrepreneur, is the creative mind behind the X2’s looks. This special edition is strictly limited to 1500 examples, and is likely to be considered a collectible by both Leica connoisseurs and lovers of exclusive lifestyle products. The camera features an APS-Cformat, professional CMOS image sensor with 16.5 megapixels. In combination with a high-performance Leica Elmarit, 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH lens, it has a classic focal length for photojournalistic photography. The X2 guarantees maximum image quality and superbly brilliant exposures. The camera’s profile is complemented by numerous setting options from full manual control to automatic functions and intuitive handling. All this, with its elegant and stylish design, makes Leica X2 the ideal premiumclass compact camera for discerning photographers who wish to concentrate completely on their subjects and who appreciate creative and true-to-life pictures.


POISE AND PERFECTION The new Samsung Smart NX1000 is a photographer’s fantasy

20.3MP Image Capture 20-50mm (2.5x) Zoom Lens Bright 3-inch TFT-LCD Large (23.5x15.7mm) APS-C Image Sensor Full HD 1080p Stereo Video Capture

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f you’re a photography junkie who wants all the benefits of a DSLR but find it too cumbersome to carry, the new Samsung Smart NX1000 is the perfect choice for you. It’s a far more compact and affordable alternative to a bulky DSLR camera, yet it offers a lot of quality features you would expect to find in cameras thrice its size. Customised for the NX System, the brandnew, professional-grade 20.3 megapixel Samsung Smart Camera NX1000 comes with 1/4000 fast shutter and a built-in Wi-Fi. This mirror-less Wi-Fi camera offers an APS-C CMOS Sensor that produces images which are capable of competing with any premium DSLR. Each individual pixel has a

Price: RO280 available at SARCO, 24593025

large sensor area and receives more light, guaranteeing low noise levels, high dynamic range and accurate color differentiation. The higher sensitivity allows you to shoot during low-light situations without the grainy effect or other noise. The new sensor also provides full HD video output capabilities which are capable of recording full HD 1920x1080 video at 30p. Set at a 1280x720 resolution, this camera can even capture true slowmotion video. Shutter speed can make all the difference in capturing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or may be even an iconic image. The NX1000’s 1/4000 shutter speed gives you the flexibility

to shoot at varying speeds and light exposures. Even the shutter automatically adjusts itself as it senses environmental factors such as temperature and camera direction. The electronically controlled focalplane shutter reduces exposure errors. It can also create 3D images (regular or panoramic) without a special lens. The Samsung Smart NX1000 is really as good as gets so don’t be deceived by the size of it because this easy-to-handle camera is in fact packed with the best features.

OCTOBER 2012 / 31


ROOM FOR ZOOM With the new Canon Powershot SX40 HS, zoom is no more a distant dream

12.1MP image capture Optical 35x zoom, Digital 4x, Combined 140x 24 – 840 mm Price: RO195 available at GENETCO, 24561948

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he new Canon Powershot SX40 HS has made one thing crystal clear; when placed on a tripod and zoomed out completely, it can beat all other cameras in this shootout. And with a 35x zoom range and an 840mm telephoto reach, it’s highly plausible. In addition to the optical 35x zoom, it has an extra digital zoom that takes it to 140x magnification. This is a convenience feature, as you can accomplish the same thing by shooting at 35x optical zoom, then cropping and using the relevant portion of the image. The Canon system lifts low-light performances with the new Canon DIGIC 5

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1/2.3 type back-illuminated CMOS sensor DIGIC 5 processor with iSAPS technology

Image Processor and a high-sensitivity 12.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor. The detail and sharpness offered by the SX40 spell immaculate in big bold letters. Although the lens has some vignette and edge softness, it is overall superior in sharpness. Having a width of 24mm helps this Canon creation to have excellent wide angle coverage. The LCD screen is smaller and lower in resolution than the other cameras of this league but it is rather flexible and can be flipped out to the side and twisted around. Even the viewfinder clears quickly for next shot

and is surprising prompt, though it’s quite small. This model also comes with a built-in hot shoe for external flash which gives it that edge over its competitors. The Canon SX40 shoots 1080p/24 HD movies and low resolution (320x240) movies at 240 fps, or VGA (640x480) movies at 120 fps. Whether it’s the detailing or the zoom feature, the SX40 surpasses expectations. If you are into shooting stationary objects from a long distance, prefer using a tripod and can overlook the smaller viewfinder, you have just found yourself the perfect point-and-shoot camera.


‘PRO’FICIENCY DELIVERED Fujifilm’s new X-pro 1 is an ‘unfiltered’ surprise

16.3MP 23.6x15.6mm (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS with primary color filter FUJIFILM X lens mount

3.0-inch RGBW (White) LCD monitor Li-ion battery NP-W126

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he Fujifilm X-pro 1 is our favourite of the X-series and there are a lot of reasons for this. Firstly, it is a bulkier, interchangeable version of the X100 but it is the start of an all-new camera system, with a brand new mount and lenses. It’s flagrantly targeted towards a niche customer base with analogue control dials and a small set of compact, large-aperture primes. The shutter speed dial has a central lock button for its Auto position, and the exposure compensation dial is recessed, which reduces the risk of accidental settings changes. It comes with an APS-C 16M ‘X-Trans CMOS’ sensor that is developed to reap the benefits of the exceptional

Price: RO889 available at Photocentre, 24571708

resolution of the XF lens, a revolutionary new sensor stimulated by film. To add on to this, the FUJINON XF Lens series is specifically designed for the x-pro1 and guarantees improved resolution and light volume in image edge areas as well as reduced chromatic deviation for exceptional image quality. The X-pro 1 offers users the freedom to switch between an optical and electronic viewfinder. This Hybrid Viewfinder has advanced to meet the requirements of interchangeable lenses. When an XF series lens is mounted, lens data are communicated to X-Pro1 then viewfinder

magnification (2 types) and frame size (multiple steps) are automatically switched. The XF lenses are all polished with Super EBC coating and feature an all-glass aspherical lens, among other features. This camera boasts of a special antireflective coating (surface reflectivity of under 0.2%), superior LCD features such as high water repellency, a stainresistant acrylic film and superb anti-glare performance for comfortable composition and confirmation of shots even under bright light. The X pro 1 is a fine camera that displays not just high standards but a deep passion for photography.

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X-PERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY Fujifilm’s champion cameras revealed X-E1

16MP X-Trans CMOS sensor

ISO 200-6400, 100 - 25600 expanded (JPEG only) 2.36M dot OLED electronic viewfinder 2.8inch 460k dot LCD

Price: RO600 (approx.) coming soon at Photocentre, 24571708

The X-E1 is much like a X-Pro1 except it is slimmed-down with the large, complex and expensive hybrid finder replaced by a purely-electronic viewfinder. It uses a 2.36M dot OLED unit. Its rear screen is slightly downgraded in terms of both size and resolution to a still-respectable 2.8-inch 460k dot LCD and the result is a compact body that is broad and handsome. There’s a little built-in pop-up flash, a 2.5mm stereo microphone socket for movie recording and the ability to use an electronic shutter release cable in addition to the signature threaded shutter release button. The X-E1 uses a new autofocus algorithm and different sensor drive mode which promises improved speed, especially with the XF 60mm F2.4 R Macro lens or when shooting in low light. There’s also a new 3x magnification mode to assist manual focus, which should be less prone to problems with shake when using long lenses. While this makes the X-E1 a very strong competitor to other high-end EVF-equipped mirror less models, its movie capabilities still lag behind the rivals.

X-F1

12 megapixel 2/3” EXR-CMOS sensor with EXR-Auto Manual 4x FUJINON optical zoom (25-100mm equiv.) and up to 8x Intelligent Digital Zoom Manually twisting zoom mechanism for power-on and zooming

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Price: RO250 (approx.) coming soon at Photocentre, 24571708

The XF1 is the newest model of Fujifilm’s premium X-series. The XF1 shares much of its innards with the last two models, including the considerable 2/3-inch EXRCMOS sensor and EXR processor. The XF1 uses Fujifilm’s EXR technology to offer improved noise or dynamic range modes at 6-megapixel output. To these it adds an optically-stabilised 25-100mm equivalent lens with an impressively fast F1.8 maximum aperture at wideangle, but a somewhat more ordinary F4.9 at telephoto. Where the XF1 really makes an impact from its main competitors is in its looks. With its two-tone body - silver-coloured top and base plates and lens barrel, and contrasting leatherette coating - it’s a very attractive camera. The second stand-out feature of the XF1 is its lens mechanism - the zoom ring is mechanical. This gives the XF1 the distinction of being the smallest camera to offer a mechanical zoom ring around the lens. The XF1 features classic styling, a 25-100mm equivalent, F1.8-4.9 image-stabilized lens. XF1’s fast f/1.8 lens allows poorly-lit subjects to be photographed without raising sensitivity levels, keeping noise to a minimum.


THE X FACTOR X-S1 unveils distinctive qualities

12MP, 2/3in CMOS sensor

26x optical zoom (24624mm equiv.)

Manual zoom and focus rings Lens-based image stabilization 3in, 460k-dot, tilt-angle LCD screen Full manual control

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he concept of superzoom is based on an all-in-one package. It encompasses a camera system that would fall somewhere between a compact and DSLR that also has a significant zoom range. This is where the Fujifilm X-S1 enters. Although it may look similar to many other superzoom cameras and by the looks of it, it is just like any other DSLR. But veiled beneath the hood is a large 2/3in sensor size similar to the one found in the high-end X10 compact camera. With a surface area more than twice that of a standard compact cameras’ 1/2.3in sensor, the promise is for better image quality, all wrapped up in a high-spec body with a smidgeon of other great features.

Price: RO349 available at Photocentre, 24571708

The XS-1 is attached to a Fujinon lens that opens up to f/2.8 and stretches all the way from 24mm to 624mm (in 35mm parlance) in an effort to take care of every photographic need. It keeps you from ever longing for the flexibility of a DSLR. The lens also features mechanical image stabilisation, twist-barrel manual zoom and focussing controls but for some reason it tends to creep and droop. In addition to this, it also has a minimum focussing distance of 1cm in super macro mode. Other highlights of the X-S1 include a large 2/3-inch 12-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, a 3-inch tilting LCD monitor, electronic viewfinder with 1.44 million pixels and eye-sensor for automatic

switching, full 1080p HD movie recording with stereo sound, ISO range of 100-12800, high speed movie capture at up to 200fps, continuous shooting at 7fps at full resolution or 10fps at six megapixels, 0.01 sec shutter lag, full PASM manual controls and support for the RAW file format. The X-S1 does arise a few concerns here and there, for instance not every photographer fancies a bridge camera and then there is the poor lens quality but this ultra-zoom camera triumphs in all the areas that really matter.

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CAMERAGEAR

Fancier Hologon 30 Backpack Canon SX40

Metz 24 AF-1 digital flash for Olympus and Panasonic

Designed for the SX40, it is constructed high quality nylon, is 100 per cent waterproof and provides perfect protection for your equipment in the any weather conditions. With padded shoulder straps and backside, the Hologon is compact and comfortable.

Metz 24 AF-1 digital flash for Olympus and Panasonic has a compact, slim-line and light design. It is easy to carry around in a pocket or gadget bag. Metz’s smallest system flash unit has a guide number of 24 at ISO 100/21 degree (35mm), providing users with better illumination.

Price: USD137 (RO53)

Price: USD112 (RO43)

GEAR UP

A range of accessories that will complement your camera

Nikon MONARCH 7 Binoculars

Nikon SK-6 Power Bracket

Having a 10x magnification, Monarch 7 has an advanced optical system. It is durable and built for all terrain with latest innovation in multilayer coating. The Monarch 7 includes essential features such as a wide field of view and generous eye relief. It is protected by rubber armouring, is waterproof and fog proof.

With an external power unit and mounting bracket combination, it offers convenient, adjustable sidemounted handle for an entire camera or speedlight system or for creative lighting effects when unit is detached from camera. The power bracket functions with four AA batteries.

Price: USD500 (RO193)

Price: USD418 (RO160)

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AUDIOZONE

SOUND OF

EXCELLENCE Let the Philips Micro music system set your music free

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here’s no need to use your phone to listen to music when you can use multiple sources to enjoy it. With the new Philips Micro music system DCM3020/05 you can listen to your favourite music from your iPod, iPhone or iPad as it automatically charges your portable device while it is docked. It also enables you to play music with the USB Direct mode where you can simply select the music on a USB device and play back all your content. The micro music system is engineered with the ‘wOOx’ technology, a revolutionary loudspeaker concept that allows you to hear and sense intense bass that is richer than any other audio system. ‘wOOx’ produces exceptionally deep and dynamic bass by using the speaker box full volume

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to magnify the impact of the music. The system comes with dome tweeters which deliver a harmonious blend of undistorted and uncoloured wide-ranging sound, offering detailed vocal clarity and instrument tone purity. It is also augmented with Digital Sound control mode that has a selection of pre-set jazz, rock, pop and classical controls which can be used to optimise the frequency ranges for different musical styles. This audio experience is enriched by Dynamic Bass Boost which maximises your music enjoyment by emphasising the bass content of the music throughout the range of volume settings - from low to high - at the touch of a button. So if you’re obsessed with sound quality and are looking for an audio system that is easy to use, look no further.

KEY FEATURES •P lay and charge your iPod/ iPhone/iPad simultaneously • wOOx™ loudspeaker technology for powerful bass • Dome tweeter for detailed and natural sound • Dynamic Bass Boost for deep and dramatic sound • 120 W RMS total output power • Motorised CD loader for convenient access • Radio Data System for station information and data services


Wherever your

music lives

this is

where it

comes alive. Introducing

NEW Bose速 Wave1" Music System III

Hear the system that redefines expectations from a music system this small. The proprietary waveguide technology delivers life like; room filling sound that will surprise you

Now with new features On/off/snooze with just a simple tap

Set two different wake-up times with independent alarms

Enjoy all your music in one place!

The system is right in tune with your music today - a built-in CD player, integrated digital AM/FM tuner and optional accessories that allow you to connectyour iPod', iPhone and other Bluetooth* enabled devices.

Visit us for a listen today! And bring home the most acclaimed system in its class!

Bose Showroom, Qurum City Centre, Qurum. Tel: 24470497


THINNER, LIGHTER, FASTER There are no guesses on this one, it’s the iPhone 5 indeed

The new iPhone 5 may be the lightest iPhone yet but its entry in the market has certainly created a seismic shift. It may be a pre-conceived notion about the phone’s features or the reputation of Apple itself but the release of iPhone 5 was and is a big deal. A lot of us were placing bets on how good or bad the iPhone would be without Steve Jobs. Moreover, the speculation pertained to whether or not Tim Cook had it in him to come out with the perfect iPhone and be half the innovator that Steve Jobs was. The small time frame within which Cook came out with the iPhone 5 was astounding indeed. Yes, the man is on a mission but does he have the required vision?

40 / TECH


T

he iPhone 5 has been the most anticipated gadget of this year. Initially, people might have been underwhelmed with its release as not many believed it could be futuristic or as exciting as the iPhone 4. But assumptions aside, it is an overall exquisitely engineered smartphone and even though it may not have lived up to expectations, it’s still one step forward for the iPhone family. Just 7.6mm thin, Apple has sub-sized each and every component inside the phone. The phone has been packed with a larger display, a faster chip, the newest wireless technology and a sophisticated 8-megapixel iSight camera. The 8-megapixel camera has a new sapphire-crystal lens and has improved features like low-lighting adjustment, image stabilisation on 1080p video camera. Even the front-facing camera shoots HD videos and self-portraits apart from making FaceTime video calls. This phone’s weight is what really takes us by surprise. You are ought to be shocked at how light this phone actually is; it is the lightest of all iPhones. Once you get used to the retina display, it’s going to be hard to go back to the old one. The stunning display gives you 18 per cent more pixels and an amazing 1136x640 resolution. The enlarged screen helps you view your

documents more easily and the landscapeoriented video playback is easy on the eyes. Your home-page has a lot more icons and folders making it look neat and uncluttered. The new iPhone 5 has 4G LTE that is built for speed with a great battery life so you don’t have to worry about draining your battery. This phone has enough power to last you through the day, up to eight hours of browsing, talk time and up to ten hours of video playback. The A6 chip is designed to be fast and is extremely power efficient with iOS 6. Wi-Fi is given a boost with dual band 802.11n support over both 2.5GHz and 5GHz. The new lightening connector is smaller, durable and is reversible. Apple’s iOS is the core operating system of every Apple product and the new and improved iOS 6 is much more intuitive in terms of technology. So that not only makes your iPhone advanced but spontaneously good. The iCloud has also been

enhanced to respond more promptly and work in harmony with other Apple products like the iPad, iPhone, Macbook. You have instant access to all your photos, videos, documents and music from any device in your home or at your workplace. You can make a change in your schedule on your iPad and receive a reminder on you iPhone. The iPhone 5 is a delightful new gadget with some radical makeover (most would agree that an addition of an extra row of icons is extreme), nevertheless it isn’t what one would expect out of such a hyped phone but has it taken us way into the future? It has sensationalised the world of technology and is estimated to be Apple’s bestselling product. Apple sells on its unique design, premier quality, user friendliness and moreover creating a relationship with a gadget. With some great upgrades, Apple has once again put all its competitors on defense mode.

SPECIFICATION Size 123.8x58.6x7.6mm Weight 112g Display 4-inch retina display, widescreen multi-touch display, 1136x640 pixel resolution at 326ppi, fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on screen Camera 8MP iSight camera, LED flash FaceTime HD camera 1.2MP Video recording HD (1080p) up to 30fps Power Talk time of up to eight hours on 3G, up to 225hours standby time Battery Built-in rechargeable Li-ion battery

October 2012 / 41


MOBILEZONE

THE ANDROID DREAM Super sized screen The 5.5inch HD Super AMOLED screen presents better clarity. You get an overall perfect viewing experience with its wider 16:9 screen ratio. Processor and Battery

With a powerful SoC (System on Chip), the Exynos chipset has been boosted up to 1.6GHz with a 2GB RAM making it faster than the S III. The Note’s 100mAh battery makes sure the Note lasts at least a day.

Sweet OS

The Android Jelly Bean 4.1 has incorporated a number of features, for instance when the phone is in lock mode, Facebook updates scroll across the bottom of the screen.

Improved Stylus

The S pen has cluster of new tricks with regard to functionality, such as the S Memo application that automatically opens when you pull out the stylus while on the phone. With the Air View functionality you can hoover the S pen over the screen and scroll through pictures and messages without actually touching the screen.

Shutter Bug

The impressive eight megapixel camera makes great pictures too. It has quick shutter response and still images are sharp. It has a 1.9 megapixel camera that can shoot full HD 1080p videos.

Embodiment

Considering Samsung’s disposition, the note II is seamlessly built. The button space at the bottom has been slenderised. The lock and power button is on the right hand side, is well placed and easy to use. Just 9.4mm thick, the ‘phablet’ is easy to hold and work around.

42 / TECH

One of the most powerful around, the Note II also famed as a ‘phablet’ has taken the market by a storm. This second generation note is preloaded with significant additional features. There have been concerns about the phablet being a little oversized considering it comes within the smartphone range. But we believe that with all the great features, its size really doesn’t matter. We tell you why you should get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note II.


COMPUTING

GOOD LOOKING BARGAIN

T

he U845 may be slightly chunky for an ultra book but its widescreen display compensates for that. The Core i5-3317U has the ability to handle stressful tasks with ease. It comes with an Intel Ivy Bridge dual-core processor that has a stock speed of 1.7GHz but can rev up to 2.6GHz with Intel’s maximum Turbo Frequency. The S406 packs 6GB memory and has various connectors. The smooth multi-touch touch pad is flat, does not have any texture plus it is quick and responsive. The U845 like most ultra books isn’t designed for gaming. The Toshiba Satellite U840-S406 does not aim at merely pushing the envelope but also succeeds in delivering

Toshiba has put together a sleek ultra book that is easy on your pocket too

a well-designed ultra book with features that sport a reasonable price tag. Regular users looking for a slim, portable system to perform basic tasks are sure to be pleased with it. Starting at approximately USD750(RO290) this ultra-book is worth every penny.

VERDICT If you are looking for a thin, light and nottoo-expensive laptop, you probably won’t be blown away but it is an ultra book worth considering. Though the battery cannot be removed and has an average battery life, the Toshiba U845 has a full sized HDMI port and a sleek body.

SPECIFICATION Weight 1.6Kg Screen Size 36cm Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics 4000 Native Resolution 1366x768 Processor: 1.7GHz, Intel Core i5-3317U Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 RAM: 6GB Storage: 500GB

October 2012 / 43


TIMEZONE

KING POWER When time and football go hand in hand

H

ublot, the official timekeeper of the record champions FC Bayern Munich, have created a timepiece that shouts team spirit. The two worked together to accentuate their strong partnership and created a masterpiece called ‘King Power FC Bayern Munich’ that is on display in the legendary FC Bayern Munich club. Known for their art of fusion, Hublot has crafted a timepiece that reflects passion for football and a

special bond. They were the first Swiss company to acknowledge and celebrate the sport of football. The titanium chronograph with a 45-minute display is eminently developed for football and is limited to just 200 pieces. The bezel is over moulded with black rubber and titanium screws that are shaped in an ‘H’. It is treated on both sides with non-reflective

coating. The chronograph’s push-pieces are in black PVD titanium molded with black and red rubber. The well-known blue and red colour scheme is prevalent on the crystal dial and the clubs logo is placed at 3 O’clock. The watch is attached to a black rubber strap with a red strip and the clasp is made with micro blasted PVD titanium. The King Power FC Bayern Munich retails at USD22,900(RO8,820).

Self-winding mechanical skeleton chronograph

Case: Diameter of 48mm, vertical satin finished titanium

Push-pieces: Black PVD titanium

Water-resistance: 100m

44 / TECH


55 years of Manufacturing Excellence

This new Tokina lens is the first in a new generation of full frame (FX) lenses designed for professional digital SLR cameras like the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Nikon D700 and D3x. The 16-28 zoom range gives the professional photographer a super-wide angle of view to get close to subject for dramatic effect or to take in entire scenes

www.tokinalens.com


DASHBOARD

The Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid redefines fun, efficiency and performance

W

ith Porsche’s new concept car you can now have your cake and eat it too. Porsche has designed a plug-in hybrid vehicle combining a high-performance combustion engine with pioneering electric motors to create an automotive masterpiece which means you can enjoy your drive and be eco-friendly too. Indeed, the revolution has begun. The 918 Spyder concept has been the talk of the tinsel town since the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This car was labelled as the one car of the Porsche family that would be an heir to the Carrera GT. Only, this green supercar is much more than a run-of-the-mill 46 / TECH

successor. With only 918 units of this two-seater lined up for production, the level of futuristic technology and realistic solutions are evident. The order books were officially opened in March 2011 for an asking price of USD845,000 (RO325,300). Production of 918 Spyder will hit assembly line in September 2013.

Competition Swinging in a cradle of innovation doesn’t place Porsche at top of the competition. The 918 Spyder gets cues of rivalry from the Audi R8 E-tron and the Mercedes SLS AMG electric. The Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell battles the

Porsche with its 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque. However, the rivalry ended there, as production is scheduled for 2015, a three year head start for the Porsche to roll out and establish its 918 Spyder in the market.

Performance The Porsche 918 Spyder concept is powered by a 770hp V8. The combination of two electric motors with 109hp each - one on the front axle and one in the drive line, acting on the rear wheels-pose completely new demands on the development of the functionality strategies. It runs on a lithium-ion battery back-up that could


Engine Configuration: 90-degree V8 Combined Power 716bhp

Valve train DOHC 32 value

Top Speed 320kmph

Fuel feed Direct Fuel Injection

Displacement 4.6l

give drivers 25.7kms of emission-free driving. However, the production version will deliver more power and displacement of the petrol engine than the concept car. Like all the other Porsche models, the 918 Spyder will also offer PDK (Porsche Doppel Kupplung) – seven speed transmission.

Cost At USD845,000 (RO325,300) Porsche makes a rather expensive promise to sustain the future with this Green machine. But this is a standard price for a car of this calibre. All 918s will be prebooked before production commences.

OCTOBER 2012 / 47


WEARABLETECH

DUNK THE WINNING SHOT Track your performance on the court with shoes built with rich design and interactive digital technology

I

t’s no secret that Nike has an obsession with innovation. Ideas in terms of sports and performance are best delivered by them. Nike+ has introduced a range of Hyperdunk basketball shoes that are an intersection of the physical world of sports and the social element of digital. Athletes not only have a need to perform well but they aim at enhancing their performance with every passing day. With the new Hyperdunk+ Sport Pack, athletes can now measure their vertical leap every time they leave the floor. It also tracks jump, average jump and total jumps per game, along with the

48 / TECH

quickest moments and the fastest steps which in turn is converted into NikeFuel points. The Nike+ app lets you instantly see your scores and share statistics on social networks. The statistics, however, are limited. For instance, you cannot track or compare your daily and monthly performance. The latest addition offers much better traction as compared to the previous models. The sole pattern that faces multiple directions provides added friction in any direction you play or move. However, the translucent rubber outsole gets soiled quickly and experts

recommend that outdoor players should go for the XDR (extra durable rubber). The Sport Pack comes with a pair of shoes, two Sport Sensors, one Sport Charger and a Sport Adapter for around USD250 (OR96). Even though these shoes are a little heavy on the pocket, they do influence you to perform better and well they literally give you a run for your money. If you have friends with the same shoes, games can be more interactive and fun too. The highlight of these shoes is that they can be customised to your requirements. The Hyperdunk+ is reviewed as one of the best Hyperdunks yet.


APPS

PHOTOGRAPPS FOR LENS LOVERS Apps that will enhance your photography experience APPS FOR ANDROID

Apps for iPhone

Camera Zoom FX

Snapseed

(USD4.99)

Little Photo (USD3.87)

Camera+

(USD0.99)

INSTAGRAM (Free)

PopBooth Photo Booth (USD0.99)

(USD2.91)

A feature-filled app that handles both shooting and editing duties from one interface. FX allows you to use higher resolutions. It also has a bunch of free expansion packs

Touch up a vacation’s worth of photographs with this award winning app that pairs highlevel edits with an incredibly intuitive interface

Add film and retouch effects to your photos. You can also stack various effects together to create your own unique theme

With Camera+ you can use your iPhone to shoot the best photos. This app is will help you bring out your creativity

It’s a fast and fun way to snap a picture, choose a filter to transform its look and you have the perfect picture

Paper Camera

This app brings back the classic photo booth experience in the palm of your hand

Socialcam

(USD1.93)

Paper Camera is an incredible app that gives you a live view of a variety of drawn and painted effects. It turns your subject into a cartoon or line drawing

(Free)

Create videos of any length with custom filters. Your videos can be stored in the cloud and viewed from any device. You can also instantly share these

Apps for Blackberry Picmix (Free)

Picmix is popular social photo sharing application. Join millions of users around the world, rate pictures and share them across social networking sites

Photofunia

(Free)

Have fun putting you pictures on billboards, stamps or add a warhol-like effect to your photos. You will have over 150 scenes to play around with

Photo studio

(Free)

Photo Studio is for amateur and professional photographers who love editing on the go. It helps you share your photos directly from Photo Studio

PicStory

(Free)

PicStory allows you to compose great photos with various layouts and backgrounds. You can apply labels, photo filters plus share and rate photos too

October 2012 / 49


TECHART

RAYS OF HOPE

Learn how to Break Sunlight Through the Clouds

In this tutorial we will teach you how to turn an overcast day into a stunningly dramatic scene with sunlight breaking through the clouds. This technique can be used for similar applications as well. The best part about this technique is that the beams are created from the actual image so they look very realistic.

STEP 1 Duplicate the Background photo layer (Ctrl+J) by dragging it to the New Layer icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Name it ‘Light Beam Base’.

STEP 2 With the ‘Light Beam Base’ layer selected press CMD + M (or Ctrl+M on PC) to apply a curve to it. Apply a harsh curve to it so that you get maximum contrast in the clouds with small areas that turn completely white.

STEP 3 Select a rectangular marquee and drag a wide rectangle on ‘Light Beam Base’ layer. Now press CMD+J (Ctrl+J on PC) which will give you a new layer. With this piece you can create your Ray beams as shown in the image. This layer can be named ‘Rays’.

50 / TECH


STEP 4 With the “Rays” layer selected we will use the Transform tool. Press CMD + T (Ctrl+T on PC) to transform and shrink it, as shown in the image. This will be further transformed to create a beam of rays. See below.

STEP 4 Now convert the layer to “Screen” mode. Again increase the curves and press Cmd+M (or Ctrl+M on PC) to apply a curve.

STEP 5 With ‘Polygon lasso tool’ or the ‘Pen tool’, you can make a selection to delete the unwanted rays. While deleting you can set the feather selection to 15-20. You can repeat the steps until you are satisfied with the rays. Reduced the layer opacity to 80% will give you a perfect ray beam.

FINAL IMAGE Repeat the steps to increase your Ray effects and erase the bottom of the rays as shown in the image. You can add a glow with a white brush tool. Once done, you can also add lens flare to make it more realistic.

OCTOBER 2012 / 51


GAMEZONE

The Vault Hunters are back in this exciting new sequel

B

orderlands 2 is finally here and what was expected to be a slightly better version of the first Borderlands with a different plot has turned out to be a revelation. The sequel could have been released with just a few minor touch-ups and it would have still had many people anticipating it. However, just about every aspect of the game has been refined to such an extent that you can almost gauge how much time and effort the developers put into it. Borderlands 2 is undeniably a direct sequel to the first, taking place five years later. The game’s setting-the world of Pandora is just as uninhabitable as any other game with a post-apocalyptic background, but by stringing along humor

Resident Evil 6 Xbox 360, PS3

October 02

through just about every facet, this game is a distinctive experience. The slimy and overly confident Handsome Jack has taken over the Hyperion Corporation and established a dictatorial rule over the people of Pandora. It may be clichĂŠd, but having just one villain to direct all your hatred towards, really helps emphasise the storyline. The callous and cruel world, contrasted with a lighthearted and ludicrous cast of characters is a good enough reason to see this story through to the end. One major aspect the first game lacked was a substantial plot and a context as to who these characters were and where they came from. Borderlands 2 has not just added upon that, but literally makes up for it. Fans of the prequel will also be happy to see the four previously

Dishonored Xbox 360, PS3

October 09


playable characters (Lilith, Mordecai, Roland, and Brick), return in this game. In this sequel, you play as single characters familiarizing yourself with their story, personality and how it all intertwines while knit around a tightly wound, concrete narrative. Borderlands 2 offers much more customisation; be it the look of your character, the ability to change your head or skin or changing the weapon types on vehicles, it only gets better. You may notice much more detail to weapons as well as your character which can be seen at any time by pulling up the menu. There are definitely a variety of different looking weapons as well as new skills that the game includes. Most of these are unlocked through challenges or upon completion of missions and can even be purchased. You can also randomly find some in a pile of debris. Each gun manufacturer has trademark abilities,

such as certain Tediore manufactured weapons are tossed like a grenade when reloading them and a new one materialises in your hand. Even though these changes only seem like the tip of the iceberg, they all end up making a huge difference in the overall gameplay. Its graphics are enhanced although the unique style of the prequel stays. The end of the game even unlocks a Vault Hunting Mode, but then again it’s rather insignificant, given the countless improvements in Borderlands 2. With such a vast world in addition to the new yet familiar storyline, Borderlands 2 brings a lot to the table. There’s no doubt you will have an intense gaming experience while playing the game in co-op, you will still have a good time playing alone. But with all the new features it entails, Borderlands 2 deserves a genre of its own.

Publisher: 2K Games Developer: Gearbox Software Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360 Genre: RPG ESRB Rating: Mature

SCORE Gameplay Graphics Story Replayability OVERALL

Rocksmith Xbox 360, PC

October 16

Medal of Honor: Warfighter Xbox 360, PC

October 23

10 7 9 9 9

Assassin’s creed 3 Xbox 360, PS3, PC

October 30


MOVIEZONE

T

im Burton has always been famous for his eccentric, dark-themed but original concepts. However, with his upcoming remake of the 1984 version of Frankenweenie, he might have gambled just a little. The remake is a stop-motion animation movie that has been filmed in black and white; however, the rendition will be in 3D. Sounds quirky? Well, Burton was vindicated for this film when he first made it in 1984 so there’s no questioning it. The film follows the story of young Victor who is shattered when he loses his dog Sparky to a car accident. He decides to use scientific ingenuity to bring his dog back to life- albeit, with

some minor changes. Initially, Victor tries to hide his ‘experiment’ but when Sparky, the bolt-necked ‘monster’ gets out, he inflicts terror in the entire town. Amidst unxpected situations that follow, Victor faces a challenge to convince his parents, neighbours and friends that even with his monstrous appearance, Sparky is still the reliable friend and playful dog he has always been. The remake is definitely something to look forward to for Burton’s portrayal of dark silhouettes and shadows in such a light theme. Moreover, how he manages to keep everything crisp while integrating 3D with black and white. But again he has always done the impossible.

Director: Tim Burton Genre: Animated Cast: Christopher Lee, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’ Hara, Martin Short

DVD Releases 2 October

9 October

11 October

16 October

Dark Shadows

Rock of Ages

Prometheus

Madagascar 3:

Comedy, Fantasy

Musical

Sci-fi, Horror

Europe’s most wanted Animation, Comedy

54 / TECH


Tick the correct answer and send in your entries for a chance to win

FAX TO 24693569

1 Which of the following is a logo of an operating system?

A

B

C

3 Which of these is the oldest social networking site?

A

B

C

Please send us your entries by September 25 for a chance to win a Panasonic DVD player Previous quiz answers: 1 – (a) 2 – (b) 3 – (d) 4 – (a)

Last month’s winner:

T Dominic

Step into our world

2 Which of the following products was introduced by Sony in the year 1960?

A

B

C

4 Which one of these is a VOIP?

A

B

C

Name ______________________________________ Age ______ Mobile ___________________________ Email _______________________________________ Occupation __________________________________ Company ____________________________________

Employees and family members of Deenar Press and Publishing cannot participate in the quiz. Judge’s decision is final. Please email the answers to tech@deenarmedia.com or fax this page to 24693569 by the deadline. Correspondence after the deadline will not be entertained. PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Winner must provide valid ID to claim the prize. Allow up to two weeks to process.


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.

FAVOURITES

N New

LG 60PA6500 This is a 60-inch,2Megapixels,full HD,USB port movie play(DIVX HD),600Hz subfield,razor frame,3 HDMI AND PC input PenTouch Plasma HD Ready TV with 600Hz Tru Motion flow

RO600

U Updated

3d TVs

Philips 52PFL5605H This is a 2MP, full-HD 52-inch TV with three HDMI inputs, USB port and PIP. It features Pixel Plus HD and HD natural motion

LG 72LM9500 3D LED 72-inch Smart TV, full HD, four HDMI/ PC input, USB port, energy saving mode, Ethernet, magic remote, smart share. N

RO4,199

RO699

Sony KDL46HX750

Sharp LC32M400M

46-inch 3D dynamic LED tv,2megapixels,full HD,2 USB port,2D-3D Converter,4HDMI N

RO550

Sony KDL65HX920 65-inch full LED 3D TV,2 megapixel,full HD,800HZ motion flow,2 USB port,4HDMI

RO2,500

This is a 1MP, HD Ready, 32-inch LCD TV with three HDMI/PC inputs. It features Surround Sound and an OPC sensor. It sports a USB port

RO100

Samsung UA40ES6200

Samsung UA46EH5000R

3D LED smart TV 40inch screen, full HD, two megapixels, 400Hz, 2 USB port, Internet TV, 3 HDMI

N

Sharp LC-46LE830M

This is a 46-inch LED, full HD TV. Two HDMI inputs, Eco mode,200Hz,USB port play movie

RO410

N

3D LED 46-inch screen, full HD, 2MP, 2D to 3D Converter, Wi-Fi, four HDMI/PC inputs, three USB ports

LG 60PM6900

Samsung UA32ES6200

60-inch 3D pentouch plasama TV,2 megapixels, full HD,2D-3D converter, smart hub, ,600HZ,3 HDMI,PC input

3D Plasma 32-inch screen, 400Hz, 2MP, 3 HDMI system, 3 USB port, web browser

RO730

N

This is a 32-inch 3D Plasma, full HD,2 megapixel,SD card slot,3 HDMI INPUT, and 600Hz sub-field drive,pc input N

RO250

Samsung UA55ES8000 55-inch 3D LED TV, 2MP full HD 3D, smart interaction, dual core processor, built in camera N

This is a 51-inch, 1megapixel, HD ready, It sports two HDMI/PC input, and USB port,clear image panel,real black,600Hz motion

RO280 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

Sony BDV-E880

LG DM-5620

Samsung HT-E6750K

Blu-ray 3D home theatre, 1000W, wireless LAN, Iternet, DVD, CD, MP3, WMA

4200W PMPO/DVD,CD,MP3 PLAYBACK,usb play playback,cassete play back, FM radio.

3D Blu-ray home theatre system,7.1 channel,2D-3D CONVERTER, 1339W RMS, All share play, built-in wireless, Blu-ray, DVD, VCD, CD, MP3 and CD-R, USB port play movie

N

RO232

RO160

Samsung PS51E450A1R

RO1,400

Players

56 / TECH

RO339

Panasonic TH-L32E3R

RO649

N

Flat-Panel Displays

RO90

N

RO230

Panasonic SCHX50GSK 5.1 channel home theatre system, HDMI upscaling, DVD, CD MP3, Dolby Digital

N

RO59


Netbooks, Portables

laptops HP Pavilion G6-2080

Amazon Fire

Intel Core i5 2450M processor, 2.5GHz, 6GB RAM, 1GB VRAM, 750GB HDD, 15.6-inch HD LED

Seven-inch multi-touch display with In-Plane Switching (IPS); 8GB internal memory; free cloud storage; Wi-Fi; 7.5 hours of battery life

RO320

N

RO100

Toshiba Portégé Z830-A167

Acer Aspire S5 Intel Core i5-3317U,4GB DDR3,128 GB SSD,Intel HD Graphics4000,wireless bluetooth

RO525

Samsung GT- N8000

Intel ULV Core i5 2467M processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 13.3-inch HD screen, 1.3MP web camera

Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, Google Android 4.0, 16GB memory upto 32 GB, 1GHz processor with 3G, 10.1-inch WXGA touchscreen, Wi-Fi, 5 MP camera

RO459

N

Asus UX31E

Apple iPad 3

Intel Core i5 ,630QM processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 640GB HDD, 2GB DDR3 SDRAM, 15.6-inch LED HD screen

32GB, 9.7-inch LED backlit screen, 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor, Wi-Fi and 3G, two cameras

RO600

HP ENVY 4-1080 Intel Core i5-2557M,1.7GHz CPU speed,4GB DDR3 RAM,256GB SSD,13.3-inch HD N

RO340

RO290

Samsung 550P5CS02

Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G

Intel Core i7-3610QM, 2.3GHz CPU speed, 8GB RAM,1TB HDD, 2GB NVIDIA GT650M VRAM

32GB, 9.7-inch LED backlit multi-touch display with IPS technology, dual-core Apple A5X processor, Wi-Fi and 4G, fivemegapixel iSight camera

RO470

Lenovo Z570

U

Intel Core i3 2,630M processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 750GB HDD, 1GB VRAM, 15.6-inch LED HD screen U

Sony SEV15115B

Intel Core i7 3317U processor, 1.9 GHz CPU speed, 8GBDDR3 RAM, 500GB HDD, 14-inch HD WLED screen

Intel core 13-23750M, 2.40GHz CPU speed,4GB DDR3 RAM,500 GB HDD,INTEL HD Graphics 3000(1GB), 3 in 1 card reader

N

RO425

BlackBerry PlayBook

RO100

Samsung XE700T1A

Asus Transformer TF101G

Intel Core i5 2467M processor, 1.6GHz CPU speed, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Intel HD graphics

RO280

1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 16GB internal memory, 10.1inch LCD screen, 5MP front camera, 1.2MP rear camera

RO300

RO525

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.

computer accessories HP TopShot

Linksys X2000

Philips SHM1900

Laser Jet printer, Print, scan and copy features, resolution of 2,400, 17ppm (pages per minute) black, 4ppm colour, air print, Wireless network

Directly connects to the Internet, provides wireless coverage without the need for a separate DSL modem

Stereo PC headset with in-line volume control, adjustable microphone, lightweight, great acoustics

RO165

RO305

64GB, 1GHz dual-core processor, seveninch LCD screen, 1GB RAM, dual cameras – 5MP rear and 3MP front

RO260

Dell S423INS-0347

RO260

RO37

RO9

WD My Book Essential 1TB, USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible interface, WD SmartWare visual backup software, automatic, continuous backup

U

RO42

October 2012 / 57


camcorders

digital still cameras Panasonic DMC-TZ30

Sony HDR-CX760E

35mm ultra wide-angle 20x optical zoom ,LEICA DC lens,full HD movie,3D, three-inch LCD,stabilizer

RO174 Sony TX200V

18.2MP; 10x optical zoom camera; 2.7-inch LCD; HD video recording; CMOS sensor, Optical SteadyShot

8.9MP CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom, three-inch wide touchscreen, built-in GPS, optical graphic stabilisation

Samsung WB850F 16.2MP; 21x optical zoom;23mm wide angle, three-inch LCD screen;GPS U

N

Sony HDR-XR260 8.9MP, Pixel Super Resolution technology, three-inch Clear Photo LCD, BIONZ processor, Optical SteadyShot stabilisation

RO150

RO215

RO265

Olympus E-PMI Three-inch LCD screen; 12MP; 36x optical zoom; 25 AF point, full HD movie, 12-50mm lens N

RO370

RO530

JVC Camera GZ-EX255 SD/SDHC/SDXC Card Slot/Built-in Memory 16GB/1920 x 1080/50P Output/ Wi-Fi Wireless Functions Built-in LED

Fujifilm HS25 16MP, 30x optical zoom, three-inch LCD, CMOS sensor, panoramic view

RO170

RO200

Canon IXUS 500 10.1MP CMOS and DIGIC 5, 12x optical zoom, three-inch LCD, Intelligent IS, High-speed shooting

Samsung HMX-Q20 20x optical zoom, 5.3Megapixel, 3-inch LCD screen, HD movie,2hours 30minutes Battery ,smart auto

RO140

RO100

Canon SX 260

Samsung WB150F

12 Megapixels,20x optical zoom, three-inch LCD, smart auto,full HD movies, 25mm wide angle

Panasonic SDR-HC-V10

24mm ultra-wide lens; 18x optical zoom; 14.2MP; 720p HD video; three-inch LCD

70x enhanced optical zoom, , 2.7-inch LCD screen, Hdmovie,31.6mm wide lens,smart auto

RO150

RO100

RO127 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.

dsLRs Canon EOS-600D

Olympus E-PM1

18-megapixel sensor, 3.7fps shooting, three-inch LCD, nine Auto-Focus points, full HD movie, Live View feature

12-megapixel sensor, 5fps, 35-point autofocus, three-inch LCD screen, Full HD movie, 3D mode

RO475

58 / TECH

U

RO370

Sony Mirrorless cam NEX-7 24.3-megapixel/FPS,3-inch lcd screen,steady shoot,full HD movie,exmor sensor,18-55 lens

RO550

Nikon D3200 24.2 megapixels,4fps,3-inch LCD screen,11 AF point ,Full HD Movie,Live View,18-55mm Lens

RO380


ipod docks

PHONES BlackBerry Curve 9360

Samsung Galaxy Note

2.44-inch TFT screen, 5MP camera with LED flash, BlackBerry OS v7.0

5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED display; 1.4GHz dual-core processor

U

RO107

RO220

Handy speakerphone with built-in mic; backlit, touch panel controls; specially designed acoustic chamber

4.3-inch super AMOLED Plus display; Android 2.3 (Gingerbread); 8MP camera with LED flash

AMOLED capacitive touchscreen; 8MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics; 16GB storage

RO200

U

Apple iPhone 4S

Motorola ATRIX-2

3.5-inch LED-backlit IPS TFT capacitive touchscreen; internal memory of 32GB

4.3-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen; 8MP camera; Android OS (Gingerbread)

RO325

N

RO170

LG Optimus L7 P705

Sony Ericsson Xperia S

4.3-inch LCD touchscreen, 5 MP camera, 4GB Storage upto 32GB, 1GHz processor

Android Gingerbread smartphone; 12MP camera; 4.3-inch HD screen; 32GB memory

RO135 Apple iPod Touch 5G 8GB, dual camera, video, photo view, MP3 music, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, clock, calendar, YouTube, newsstand, mail

RO90

RO35 Bose Sound Dock-10 iPod and iPhone dock, recharge and play, remote control, audio input

RO279 Bose SoundLink Works wirelessly with iPhone, Android, Blackberry, tablet or laptop, 30-foot wireless range

RO155 Panasonic SC HC35 iPod/ iPhone dock station, USB, AUX in

RO230

N

RO50

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.

mp3 players

U

Logitech Mini Boombox

Nokia N9

RO240

Bluetooth, FM radio, AUX in, 20w RMS

RO50

Samsung Galaxy SIII

U

Philips Android Version

Sony NWZ-W262

Philips S44BE16KF

iPOD Nano touch

2GB, 8 hours of battery life, water resistant, 3 minutes charge for 60 minutes playback, light weight and comfortable

8GB MP4 player, supports MP3, WAV, and WMA playback, FM radio and FM recording, five hours battery support

8GB memory, Voice recording, MP3 and WMA playback, FM radio, touch screen, light weight

RO37

N

RO40

N

RO63

GETS YOU A SPOT HERE October 2012 / 59


REFRIGERATORS

air conditioners & air purifiers Panasonic CSK-18NKF

LG T186RC

Toshiba GRKE-69

Two-tonne unit; incorporates ECONAVI technology; Advance+ e-ion monitors changes in the degree of air cleanliness; features AUTOCOMFORT

1.5-tonne split air-conditioner with virus and allergy-safe filter; four-way swing and jet cool feature; employs multistage tropical compressor

690L capacity, double-door refrigerator, frost-free, insulated wire shelves, platinum deodoriser

RO205 LG RB7122YVS

RO225 Sharp FU-P60S

710L capacity, frost-free, double-door refrigerator, tempered glass shelves, digital display, deodoriser, water dispenser

RO289

RO309

Samsung AS18ES

Air purifier; washable HEPA filter; activated carbon filter; Plasmacluster technology that creates environment very close to that found in nature

RO90

Window AC 1.5 Ton capacity, slim design, powerful output

Air purifier that works within 20sqm; sports a modern, elegant design; comes with washable carbon filter; easy filterchange system; touch control panel

RO220

RO220

Hitachi RAS-18CPX

Sharp SJSC-53VSL3 492L capacity, frost-free, double-door refrigerator, adjustable wired shelves, Plasmacluster Ion

RO193

N

Toshiba RAS-18

RO263

Whirlpool WTM720S

1.5-tonne split-type wall-mounted air conditioner,Self cleaning function,automatic 3mins safety control

RO179

720L capacity, frost-free, multi air flow, tempered glass shelves

RO222

N

RO265

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.

WASHING MACHINES

9kg capacity, 1,400rpm, air bubble wash, child lock, delay start, direct drive motor

350L capacity, LCD touchscreen, bottommounted freezer, blue LED display, silver plus anti-bacterial coating

Split air-conditioner with Green Fin condenser; durable thanks to green rustresistant coating; employs Nano Titanium technology in its stainless steel filters

LG PS- N55 OWPS

Daewoo DWC - 141KC

Samsung RL-52VEBTB

Hoover DYN10144DP

LG WD1443KDS

Samsung WF0804

10kg capacity, 1,400rpm, ten wash programmes, child lock, super-silent, direct drive motor, energy savings, wash time control

11kg capacity, 15 wash programmes, 1,400rpm, steam wash, quick wash, language selection, six motion washer, allergy care

8kg capacity, 1,400rpm, 14 wash programmes, delay end, Eco Bubble wash function, quick wash, child lock, diamond drum, time delay, durable ceramic heater

RO210

RO320

RO400

RO215

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

60 / TECH


VACUUM CLEANERS

microwaves & ovens

Philips FC-8146

Daewoo KOC-9N8T

Samsung CE-107V 28L multi-function microwave oven with interiors finished with Ceramic Inside coating; easy to clean; Triple Distribution System heats food deeply and equally

RO65

29L microwave oven with stainless-steel housing; 900W output power; convection/grill function; delivers 850W grill power; ten power levels; five auto cook menus

RO63

1,800W vacuum cleaner, bagless, HEPA washable filter, 300W suction power, dust container-full indicator

RO49

Panasonic NN-C784MF

Panasonic MC-CG713

28L oven capacity; microwave with oven and grill; feather touch control; auto defrosts by weight; recipe store

2,000W standard vacuum cleaner, 6L dust bag capacity, HEPA and anti-bacteria filter, metal wand, slide power control, 5m cable

RO46

Midea EM820LMP 20L capacity; 800W microwave oven with 11 power levels; child safety lock; with defrost settings; six auto menus; sports a fashionable design

Samsung SC56B0

RO105

2,000W vacuum cleaner, 3.5L dust capacity, Foam pre-motor filter, micro exhaust filter, silver nano system, power slider on handle

RO23

RO24 LG MC8088FRR 30L convection microwave oven; features over 100 Auto Cook menus; sports a motorised rotisserie; comes with Steam Clean and Defrost functions

RO90

Karcher VC 5200 Dry vacuum cleaner, 3.3L dust bag capacity, 1,800W input power, indicator for full bag, HEPA 12 filter

Sharp AX1100SLM

Sharp R200 22L microwave oven with 800W microwave power; five one-touch instant action menus; three easy defrost menus; four-digit LCD; five power levels

27L microwave oven with stainless-steel housing; 900W output power; steam oven with microwave and grill; 26 automatic programmes; LCD display

RO29

RO77 LG VCA241HT 1,400W bagless vacuum cleaner, 0.8L dust capacity, washable HEPA filter, innovative Cyclone System technology

RO160

RO33 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.

DOMESTIC APPLIANCES Krups EA8255K1

Philips HD9220

Kenwood KM400

Tefal TFAH9000

Espresso, Cappuccino and Coffee maker, compact Thermoblock system, metal drip tray, steam function, automatic cleaning

2.2L capacity, oil-free frying using Rapid Air technology, food separators, integrated timer, 1,425W power

750W power kitchen machine, 4.6L bowl capacity, three coated bowl tools – a beater, whisk and dough hook, six speeds

1,400W power, ceramic coating, digital display, one spoon of oil for 1kg of crispy chips

RO285

RO100

RO171

RO105

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

October 2012 / 61


top 5 games

gaming consoles & accessories

FIFA Street

PS VITA Has front and rear camera; cross control play; motion sensor

U

PUBLISHER: ELECTRONIC ARTS DEVELOPER: EA CANADA PLATFORM(S): XBOX, PS3 GENRE: SPORTS ESRB RATING: EVERYONE

RO158

Nintendo 3DS Built-in 3D Depth Slider to adjust intensity of 3D; built-in motion and gyro sensor

RO94

Delivers 500W of pure power to recreate perfect theatre-quality audio experience

RO38

Logitech G13 GamePanel LCD keeps you informed of game stats; programmable G-keys

Racing wheels and flight controllers simulate realism; Force feedback feature

RO140 Xbox 360 Kinect 250GB

Call of Duty: MW3 PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: SLEDGEHAMMER GAMES PLATFORM(S): Wii, PS3, XBOX 360, PC, DS GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: MATURE

Turtle Beach Gaming headset, Inline amplifier, separate connecter for mic and pc lines

RO54

Integrated internal memory of 250GB; built-in WiFi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n); 5.1 channel surround sound

PUBLISHER: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT DEVELOPER: POLYPHONY DIGITAL PLATFORM(S): PS3 GENRE: RACING ESRB RATING: EVERYONE

RO14

Gears of War 3 PUBLISHER: MICROSOFT DEVELOPER: EPIC GAMES PLATFORM(S): XBOX 360 GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: MATURE

RO27

RO190 PS3 320GB + Move Bundle

Nintendo Wii Sports Pack

Broken into three parts: the ‘Motion Controller’, the ‘Navigation Controller’ and the ‘PlayStation Eye Camera’

Fun activities with more than 18 sports to try, ranging from water sports like canoeing to ball games like basketball

U

RO140

U

RO76

RO29

Gran Turismo 5

RO37 Logitech G27

RO29

Logitech Z506

Resistance TRILOGY Logitech Steering Wheel Playstation 3 and PC compatibility

RO70

PUBLISHER: SONY DEVELOPER: INSOMNIAC GAMES PLATFORM(S): PS3 GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: MATURE

RO27 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.


TECH DIRECTORY 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

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 Acoustics, 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, Siemen, Coral Telecom, Honeywell, Epson, Camtron, Pyronix, SD3, Tripp-lite, Cummins, Schneider Electric, Sanyo, Sakar, Sterline, Sonicwall

24616900

24816303

Moayyed Integrated Enterprises

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)

Haier, Philips, Nevica, Whirlpool, Haas, Universal, Westpoint, Urania, ROYXON

Al Khuwair 24636015

24818018

Oman International Electronics & Trading

Bose, NEC, JVC, Nakamichi, SONOS

Qurum 24565490 Connexions 24558529

24830606

Oman Modern Electronics

Sharp, OMEC

HO 24706004, Ruwi 24832891, Sohar 26840763, Sur 25544613, Salalah 23291405

24704494

OMASCO

Panasonic, Yamaha, Stanley, Black and Decker, GE, Aftron, Xper, Raymond Weil, Kolber, Westend, Westar, Alba, Maxima, HMT

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, Qurum 24565305, Al Lowepro, EPSON, Mitsubishi Electric, STEINER, Khuwair 24479296 Broncolor, Hama, Amano

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, email: tech@deenarmedia.com

24501965





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