TW, Issue 44, Week 20, May

WEEK 20, MAY 16 - 22, 2013

AN AL ROYA PRESENTATION

OMAN’S FAVOURITE MAGAZINE, NOW A TABLOID

TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM

Noticeably unique

LG Optimus G Pro makes a bold statement

Pocket friendly Sony Vaio Fit 14, easy-on-your-pocket

Amazing threesome

Head first

Onkyo ES HF300 enters the headphone arena

iPad mini, Google Nexus 7 and Windows Surface are TECH’s Top three tablets

Zoomed. Not Shaken.

New eyes for industry

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!

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Exhaust systems

Drop-in Supercharger Kits

Full Body Kits Cold Air Induction Rear Bed Covers Tuned headers We will import anything that you have ever wanted but were not able to find or had pay a fortune on shipping. Simply tell us what you are looking for, and we will obtain it for you. And it won’t cost you an arm or a leg

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Issue

44

Home Screen

Smartphone hype Don’t get us wrong; the Apple’s iPhone 5 is an improvement over its predecessor. It is thinner, taller, lighter, has a bigger screen, a faster processor and can use the cellular carrier’s faster LTE networks. But, at the end of the day, it isn’t half as good as we anticipated.

Produced by

Deenar Press and Publishing LLC PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of Oman Tel: + 968 24696868, Fax: +968 24693569 E-mail: info@deenarmedia.com

Printed at Ruwi Modern Printers

2013 © 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.

The question is, why the hype? Just like the iPhone 5, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was the most anticipated phone of the year and is almost here. Its launch hasn’t been a disaster, but there may be issues that will cramp its style, or leave some buyers rather disappointed. We will do a run-down of the most important problems it is likely to have when it is available in Oman, but for now, we will stress on one.

for Galaxy S4, the initial supply may be limited. We expect to fulfil inventory to meet demands in the coming weeks.” It’s a bit early to judge whether the supply issues will be catastrophic, but we doubt they’ll be anywhere near as severe as those that afflicted the Nexus 4, whose stock batches sold out in minutes, for months together.

One of them is supply; supply issues have set the launch of the Galaxy S4 back, as is common with super-hyped tech gadgets these days. Samsung went as far as a release an official statement on the issue pre-launch.

It said, “due to overwhelming global demand

The Samsung Galaxy S4 and Apple iPhone 5 fans may think that we are being too picky.

If you agree or think otherwise, do drop us a line on facebook.com/TECHOMAN. We will be more than happy to get your take on these smartphone goliaths.

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IFC AD + HOME SCREEN 44.indd 3

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4

NEWS WEEK 20, may 16 - 22, 2013

Nawras introduces Facebook recharge and payment portal Nawras is introducing a new way to recharge and settle bills through the popular social networking site, Facebook. Another Nawras first in Oman, prepaid customers can now access MyNawras through their Facebook account to conveniently buy credit while postpaid customers can pay their bill online using a locally issued credit card or Bank Muscat debit card.

Skype rival Viber joins the desktop phone, Video Chat Viber, a proprietary cross-platform instant messaging app for smartphones that runs over the Internet using the Voice over IP (VoIP) protocol, is now available for Windows and Mac OS X desktops, Viber Media announced last Tuesday .The mobile version of Viber runs on Android, iOS, Symbian and some versions of the BlackBerry and Windows Phone OSes. Viber works on both 3G and WiFi networks. The app is currently free to download, although the company reportedly plans to begin monetizing its service later this year. The application has been viewed by some as a competitor to Skype. It claims to have more than 200 million users worldwide.

To take advantage of this new tool, customers simply visit the Nawras Facebook page and click on the MyNawras tab next to Customer Care, Offers and Careers tabs. A quick and simple registration gives immediate access to the payment channel. Nawras customers can also use the service to recharge accounts for friends and family or to pay bills of other Nawras customers.

LG’s new smart TV line-up

LG Electronics along with OTE Group recently unveiled its new range of Smart TV products. The 2013 line-up is expected to have a solid impact on customers in the Sultanate.

The flagship model, the 55-inch LA8600, provides more intuitive controls, enhanced user interface and advanced Smart Share feature that enable one-touch media sharing across multiple devices. A redesigned

Magic Remote allows users to easily control their Smart TV with everyday voice commands or simply point to the TV screen and direct an on-screen cursor, almost like using an ‘air mouse’.

LG’s newest Smart TVs also deliver a smoother user experience and superior picture quality thanks to an upgraded CPU and graphics processor. LG has developed strategic partnerships with local content providers to offer better quality Smart TV content.

‘Gemini’ rumours run rampant around Microsoft Like the rest of the Microsoft Office unit, the Office Web Apps team seems to be on a path to deliver more new updates more frequently. Last week, the Web Apps team blogged about some of the new features coming to Office Web Apps ‘over the next year and beyond.’ These include official support for Chrome on Android tablets and real-time co-authoring, starting with PowerPoint Web App. Previously, Microsoft executives have also said that Yammer integration will be coming to Office Web Apps, too, starting this fall. Specifically, the Softies said to expect integration of the Office Web Apps’ editing/ co-editing of Word, PowerPoint and Excel documents with Yammer.

‘Gemini’ is the code name for the coming wave of Microsoft Office updates, the first of which will roughly coincide with Windows Blue.

The Gemini 1 wave will include new Metro-Style/Windows Store versions of Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint, according to sources, in addition to some of the Office Web Apps. At the moment, Microsoft is not commenting on anything having to do with Gemini.

Panasonic announces the Free Gift Carnival OMASCO launches 2013’s range of Panasonic products with the benefit of zero per cent interest.

Customers now have an easy payment facility on Bank Muscat credit cards and Taageer Finance Co. This limited period offer is the best opportunity to buy Panasonic air conditioners, home appliances and the new Smart Viera LED TVs. During the Free Gift Carnival, customers get free gifts on their purchases and can take home Panasonic microwaves, grooming kits, mobile battery chargers and power-saving CFL bulbs as free gifts. This offer is also available on the popular online shopping portal eplus.panasonic.om that provides you the convenience of shopping for your electronics in the comfort of your home or workplace.

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Future iPhone could sport invisible buttons The iPhone could one day come with buttons and controls that blend right into the background, effectively making them invisible. Granted to Apple last Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a patent dubbed ‘Disappearing button or slider’ describes how various controls on the iPhone and other devices would normally stay hidden and fully appear only when needed.

The patent also describes other types of devices that could sport these invisible controls, including a laptop and a game console. On a laptop, a certain touchscreen control could become visible when a DVD is placed into the drive or a camera is inserted into a USB port. Such controls would allow you to operate the DVD or camera and then disappear when no longer needed.

5/11/13 2:05 PM

WEARABLE TECH TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM

Cyberpunk future W

ith Google Glass capturing the imagination, it seems the time is right for a different kind of tech specs. Carl Zeiss brings an expertise in eye tech and lenses that have us very excited Devices like these are few and far between, but the Cinemizer is certainly the lowest profile and lightest headset of the lot. It’s also solid, doesn’t feel fragile and nice looking. Although you’ll still get plenty of funny looks if you want to put it on in public.

The battery is charged via micro-USB and the same module processes the image, so you simply connect it to your PC, monitor or games console via HDMI. Everything has to be charged and plugged in and the multitude of wires has to be neatly arranged so you won’t trip over them after you do away with peripheral vision.

The Cinemizer headset is not complicated to use, but when you’re plugging it all in, you do wonder if this is really worth the hassle. PC users will notice that the screen autoadjusts in resolution. This is because the Cinemizer supports a native resolution of 870 x 500, seemingly very low, however it doesn’t affect the picture too badly, it just seems to limit the detail you can have on screen.

The OLED display is vibrant and the inky blacks contrast with bright and

5

These glasses might be the future or just a bunch of half-baked specs put together

Carl Zeiss Cinemizer OLED USD967 (RO365)

vivid colours without any signs of ghosting. In addition there are two fixed ear buds within the frames of the headset that you connect for sound. The Cinemizer’s trump card is the optional motion sensor unit, known as the Headtracker. The unit itself replaces one of the adjustable earpieces and plugs into a USB-port for power, working as soon as it’s powered. Although the headset looks sleek and nicely designed next to its competitors, wearing these glasses in public might seem a little absurd.

TECH RADAR

Eta Devices power amplifiers

Key Lime Pie The big expectation this week is that Google is revealing the next major iteration of its Android operating system at Google I/O. While there is virtually nothing confirmed about what the new release might contain, there are lots of shortcomings users find in the current version that they would like to see addressed. These include better support for video formats, displaying two apps onscreen at the same time, a less chaotic user interface, advanced integration with Google’s own services, better organised customisation tools and battery life.

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Doubling battery life for smartphones could be just a power-amplifier chip away.

Eta Devices, run by two MIT professors, is expected to commercialise its energy saving technology in 2013, reducing the energy phones eat up with half, when transmitting data. It calls the technology asymmetric multilevel outphasing, which keeps standby power as low as possible and thereby extends battery life.

Bendable phones The technology exists for display screens that bend and 2013 could see the advent of commercial smartphones that highlight this feature. Given their flexibility, these screens could help reduce damage to phones that get dropped, banged or otherwise abused; they’re made to respond to impact by yielding. No phone manufacturers have announced plans to launch such products, but given that the technology exists plus the awesome factor, these devices may debut in 2013.

Tech Watch Count down the time to when you can get your hands on these

Scratch 2 Go - DJ System for iPad This is an ultra-portable DJ control surface that turns your iPad into a mobile mixing experience. Just download the free Scratch 2 Go app and start mixing, scratching and adding effects to your music.

Scratch 2 Go works with iTunes, so you can mix the music you already own. Its two turntables, crossfader and control knobs gently attach to your iPad’s screen via soft suction cups for hours of mixing fun. The gadget is still unavailable for the most part and will hit the market later this year.

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mobilezone

6

WEEK 20, may 16 - 22, 2013

Big, blazing and beautiful The Optimus G Pro is an AT&T exclusive, but this Android truly deserves to be noticed

T

he LG Optimus G Pro is a beast of a phone that you’ll either immediately fall in love with or be overwhelmed by its size. This isn’t surprising, as phablet devices just aren’t for everyone. Still, it is a handsome device that you’ll want to pick up when you first see it. Rocking a 5.5 inch 1080p HD display, the face of the phone is almost all screen. The bezels are very small surrounding the display, making it look almost edgeless. The screen is stunning and offers up a crisp and clear experience with some stellar viewing angles.

Above the display, you’ll find the standard assortment of sensors (proximity and ambient light), along with the ear piece, LG’s logo and 2.1 megapixel front-facing camera. Below the gorgeous display are two capacitive keys for back and menu, with a physical home

button in between them.

The design of the Optimus G Pro is certainly an interesting one, as it basically looks exactly like Samsung’s Galaxy Note II. While we have our doubts that LG is lacking in the design department, it’s a bit odd just how similar these competing devices are designed.

Operating system: Android 4.1.2 Processor: Quad core, 1.7GHz Display: 5.5-inch, 1080x1920p resolution

Running on Android 4.1.2, the mobile comes with one of the latest versions of the operating system. The handset also runs an updated version of the Optumus UI found on the original Optimus G. LG’s software continues to impress with some incredibly interesting features we first saw debut on the Optimus G. QSlide and QMemo really stand out and if you’re a power user, you’ll likely find yourself using these features a lot. With a gorgeous display and powerful innards, this phablet is definitely one of, if not the best on the market today.

Apps this week 1

We bring you a dose of the best apps available this week

2

Toshl Finance

3

Xbox SmartGlass

Rowi

Use your secondary device as a slick, intuitive remote view and queue Xbox Music, TV and film content and interact with games

An easy to use Twitter app with a clean and simple interface with a streamlined Metro interface that feels like it’s part of Windows Phone

FREE

FREE

Find out where your money is going, keep on top of bills and spending, set up budgets and live easy with a financial peace of mind Platforms: Windows Phone, Android, Blackberry, iOS

4

LG Optimus G Pro

Lomogram

Platforms: Windows Phone, Android, iOS

5

FREE

HERE City Lens

Platforms: Windows Phone

6

FREE

A photo editing app with more than 40 filters, lots of borders and light effects that can be combined in numerous ways to achieve a unique look

Photosynth FREE

Simply hold up your phone as though taking a photo and HERE City Lens overlays the best shops, restaurants and points of interest right on your display

Platforms: Windows Phone

7

USD3

A photography app that makes it easy and fun to capture and share interactive panoramas of the places, people and events that are important to you

Platforms: Windows Phone

8

Platforms: iOS, Windows Phone

9

PhotoBeamer

HERE Transit

Stop the Music

A new, innovative and easy way to show your pictures on any screen; just point your phone and you can enjoy your photos anywhere with family and friends

Making public transportation easier and faster than ever; quickly compare routes, departure and arrival times and compare the walking distances

If you ever wanted to remove an active song from the volume bar quickly and easily, you’d be pleased to know that now you can

FREE

Platforms: Windows Phone

MOBILEZONE 44 + COVER STORY.indd 6

FREE

Platforms: Windows Phone

USD1

Platforms: Windows Phone, Android

5/11/13 2:08 PM

cover story TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM

7

Get the best

This week, we round up the top three tablet PCs available and it isn’t surprising who our winner is

Although Thorstein Heins, CEO of Blackberry thinks they won’t last too long, tablets are taking the world by storm. Just a few years ago they were unknown to many people, but nowadays you’ve got more choice than ever. With choice come decisions, quite difficult ones. Luckily we’ve made it easy for you and pulled together the top three tablets of the moment available in Oman.

Apple iPad Mini Apple’s former CEO Steve Jobs famously slammed small tablets a few years back, leading many to believe that they would never dabble in the budget end of the market, but here we are. In terms of consistency in the tablet market Apple cannot be matched. The iPad mini the jewel in a glistening crown.

The slight downsides to the iPad mini are that it misses out on a Retina display and it pushes the upper end of the budget price bracket.

“The iPad mini is the best iPad Apple has ever created,” enough said. If you have the extra cash to spend on the iPad mini over the likes of the Nexus 7 and Microsoft Surface, you won’t be disappointed.

Screen: 7.9-inch, multitouch, LED-backlit IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 768x1024p Operating system: iOS 6, upgradable to iOS 6.1.3 Cameras: 5MP, 2592x1944p and 1.2MP, 720p at 30fps Processor: Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9 Dimensions: 200x134.7x7.2mm Weight: 312g Price (WiFi+4G): RO325 (32GB) at Gadgets, Muscat Grand Mall

Asus Google Nexus 7 With a quad-core processor, beefy 12-core GPU and the first device to run Android Jelly Bean, the Google Nexus 7 certainly packs a punch. The 7-inch HD IPS display means you can easily hold the Nexus 7 in one hand, making it a perfect reading device, as well as a great portable entertainment machine. t If you’re looking for a tablet that doesn’t cost much, but provides enough power to act as an extra limb, then look no further, the Google Nexus 7 is the tablet for you.

Microsoft Windows Surface

OS: Android Jelly Bean v4.1, upgradable to v4.2.1 Cameras: 1.2MP Processor: Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 Dimensions: 198.5x120x10.5mm Weight: 347g Price: TBA, GENETCO

OS: Windows RT

We’ve been waiting for Microsoft Surface for a while but it’s finally upon us, although it will set you back a fair few Rials. With a higher resolution screen than the Surface RT and running the full blown version of Windows 8 the Surface is kinder on the eyes and more powerful under hand, making for a potent, portable offering.

Cameras: Two 720p HD LifeCams

It’s a bulky device with significant weight, but at the end of the day you’re pretty much getting a portable PC and all that power means there’s a wealth of options available on the Surface.

Weight: 680g

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Processor: Quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Dimensions: 274.5x171.9x9.3mm Price: RO285 (32GB) at Emax, Muscat City Centre

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SELECTION

This section showcases our selection of electronics in the market today. Let us know if you have any favourites on tech@deenarmedia.com

Smartphones RO248

RO68

RO211

RO180

30

RO156

20

Blackberry Z10

Nokia Lumia 520

Nokia Lumia 920

Samsung S III

Blackberry 10 OS, Dual Core 1.5GHz, 2G/3G/4G, 8MP primary and 2MP secondary camera, 16GB storage, available in black and white

MS Windows 8, Dual Core 1GHz, Display WVGA 800x480, 8GB storage up-to 64GB, 3G, WiFi, 5MP camera

Microsoft OS Windows 8, Dualcore 1.5 GHz Krait, 8MP, dual LED flash, 32GB storage, 3G, WiFi, A-GPS, NFC

Android OS v4.0.4, Quad Core 1.4GHz, 8MP camera, 16GB storage, 3G, WiFi

Samsung Galaxy GRAND Android OS v4.1, Dual Core 1GHz, Dual SIM, 8MP camera, 8GB storage up-to 32GB, 1GB RAM, 3G, WiFi, A-GPS

Tablets RO100 RO285

RO250

Microsoft Windows Surface

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000)

10.6-inch screen, Quad Core, 1.3GHz, 2GB RAM, 32GB HDD, Nvidia Tegra 3, WiFi, Bluetooth, 8MP camera

10.1-inch 1280x800 screen.

Android 4.0.4, Samsung Exynos 4 Quad Core 1.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 5MP camera, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, A-GPS

RO140

RO200 Asus TF-101 10.1-inches 1280x800, Android honeycomb OS, Nvidia Tegra 2, Dual Core, 1GB RAM, 16GB Storage, Bluetooth, 5MP camera

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7-inch display1280x800, 16GB built in memory, Wifi, Dual Speaker Dolby, 1.2Ghz Dual Core processor, HD camera

Toshiba Excite AT200 7.6-inch screen, Android, 1G (LPDDR2), 1066MHz, Nvidia Tegra T305L, WiFi, Bluetooth, 32GB. 2MP front and 5MP back camera

Computers

RO470 Sony Vaio SVT13117FAS 13.3-inch, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Intel Core i7-3517U 1.9GHz with turbo boost up 3GHz, Windows 7, HDD 256GB + SSD 32GB, 4GB RAM

RO330 HP 11-g0003 11.6-inch display, 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z2760, 2GB SDRAM, 64GB SSD Hard drive, WiFi, 8MP Camera, 1080p HD Webcam, Windows 8

RO300

RO315

RO200

Samsung XE500T1C-A01

Dell Inspiron 5523 0395

Toshiba SAT C850-B887

11.6-inch LED HD, Intel Atom Z2760, shared graphics, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 8

15.6-inch TN LED glossy, Intel Core i5-3317u 1.8GHz, 6144MB DDR3SDRAM, 128GB Hard disk, 1.3MP webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 8 Pro

15.6-inch HD LED screen 1,366 x 768 , Intel Core 13-3210M, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 8, 5 in 1 Multi Card Reader

Compact cameras

N

RO80

RO290

Sony WX80

Sony RX-100

16.2MP, 8x optical zoom, 34272mm lens, 2.7-inch LCD, HD movie, CMOS Sensor, Wifi

20.9MP, 10FPS, 29-105mm, 3-inch ‘White Magic’ LCD touch screen, 1080 60p video, 3.6x Optical zoom

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RO200

RO120

Samsung Galaxy camera GC100

Canon PowerShot SX240

16MP, 21x optical zoom, 4.8-inch LCD touch screen. Full HD movie, Android, WiFi

12.1MP, 20x optical zoom, 3-inch HD movie, Full HD movie, image stabilizer

30

RO150

Olympus TG 810 14MP, 5x Optical Zoom, 5-25mm lens, 3-inch LCD touch screen, Full HD movie, GPS, 10m Water Proof

5/11/13 2:05 PM

N New

Disclaimer: Prices quoted in this tabloid may be subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for the current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.

Prices as of May 8, 2013.

Updated

Pro cameras

RO822 Canon 7D 18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors.

19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors in center at f/2.8 and f/5.6 and AF area selection modes

RO240 Fujifilm Finepix HS50EXR 16MP EXR CMOS II, 42x zoom, 24mm wide, 3-inch LCD screen, iso12800, full HD movie *Photocentre

RO500

RO260

RO550

N

Canon 650D

Nikon D3200

Sony Alpha NEX7

18MP APS-C ‘Hybrid CMOS’ sensor, Phase detection AF, continuous autofocus, 14-bit DIGIC 5 processor, ISO 100-12800 standard, 25600 expanded, 5 fps continuous shooting, 9 point AF system, 1080p30 video

24.2MP, 4FPS/11 AF point, 3-inch LCD screen, full HD movie, 18-33mm lens; ISO 100 to 6400; Shutter: 1/4000 to 30s; TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor; Hi-Speed USB

24.3MP, 10FPS, WiFi, 3-inch LCD screen, Full HD movie, 18-55mm Lens, electronic first-curtain shutter

Televisions

RO400

RO370

RO300

RO600

RO1,400

LG 47LM5800

Samsung UA40F6400

Sony KDL40EX650

Sharp LC-60LE630

Samsung UA55ES8000

47-inch LED 3D, 2MP Full HD, 3HDMI PC in/AV in, USB port, DIVX HD, 200Hz True Motion, Intelligent sensor, Energy Saving

40-inch LED 3D, 1920 x 1080 Resolution, 2MP Full HD, 4 HDMI, 400Hz clear motion rate, 3 USB Ports, Voice Controle, 3D Sound Dolby Digital sound

40-inch Edge LED TV, Motion Flow XR 100, X-reality Picture Engine, Wifi, Dolby Digital Plus, 3D combo filter

60-inch LED TV, 2MP, full HD, USB movie playback, 3 HDMI, XGEN Pannel with UC2A Technology, Low power consumption

55-inch 3D LED Smart TV, 2MP, Full HD, Smart interaction (face, voice, motion), Smart evolution and content, micro dimming ultimate, built-in camera, 800Hz, Dual Core processor

apple

Courtesy: Gadgets, Muscat Grand Mall

RO128

RO265

RO119

RO65

RO449 iPad Mini WiFi

iPhone 5

MacBook Pro MD 101

iPod Touch

iPod Nano

16GB, 7.9-inch LED-backlit, multi-touch with IPS technology, 1,024x768p, Dual-core A5, Bluetooth, built-in 16.3-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery

16GB, 4-inch, 1,136x640p, Retina display, 8MP iSight, 1.2MP Facetime, Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Bluetooth, WiFi

13.3-inch, LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 2.5GHz dualcore, Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory, 500GB storage, 720p FaceTime HD camera, WiFi, Bluetooth

4-inch widescreen Retina display, Multi touch IPS, 32GB, 5MP iSight camera, LED flash, HD video recording (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio, with Apple EarPods

2.5-inch display, 16GB, VoiceOver gesture-based screen reader, accelerometer, Nike+ support, Bluetooth 4.0

TECH RECOMMENDS Transcend HDD 1TB Hard Disk

Braun Wireless Hand blender MR740CC

This StoreJet 25H3 USB 3.0 portable hard drive combines the superior performance of a USB 3.0, vast storage space up to 1TB and a three-stage shock protection system that meets the US military drop-test standards. The advanced internal hard drive suspension system in this drive ensures the safety of the internal disk drive from damage from hard drops, excessive jolts and vibrations.

The powerful, cordless Braun Multiquick 7 MR740CC is the most effortless way to prepare food and can be used anywhere. It is the perfect tool to easily create foods, drinks and desserts. With its handle ergonomics and choice of chopper accessories, creating your favorite recipes will become much easier. The blender runs on a lithium-ion battery, which can be recharged on the base. The 1-litre chopping bowl on the Multiquick 7 MR740CC is the perfect size for all sorts of ingredients. It comes with a detachable base and all the accessories are dishwasher safe.

RO32

RO59 Seen at Emax, Muscat City Centre

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5/11/13 2:05 PM

10

NUOVOTECH WEEK 20, may 16 - 22, 2013

Technically savvy

These cool gadgets are great for your office desk and fun parties

USB Rocket Launcher Command the deadliest artillery in the entire cubicle block when you equip your workstation with the USB rocket launcher.

It connects to your Windows or Mac via USB. Install the included software, plug in the Rocket Launcher and with 360 degree horizontal rotation and 45 degree vertical rotation, the USB Rocket Launcher can fire over six meters, giving you coverage for over 113 square meters of your workspace.

Lying Down Laptop Stand Make technology cater to your lazy lifestyle by using the lying down laptop stand. This unique stand features an adjustable frame that lets the user regulate the angle of the stand in order to provide an optimum viewing experience while remaining in total comfort. This product applies button springlocking technique and is mainly made from aluminium alloy.

Price: USD30 (RO11.5) Available on thinkgeek.com

Price: USD59 (RO23) Available on amazon.com

Transparent Speaker

LED Drink Coasters The LED drink coasters will transform any home bar into the chic and trendy hangout you have always envisioned.

These high-tech coasters employ colour changing LEDs encased in weather-proof exteriors to keep furniture dry while providing stimulating visual effects.

If you want a potent speaker that brilliantly blends in with any modern home’s decor, the transparent speaker is an easy choice. Featuring powerful and high quality audio components, the transparent speaker is the perfect gift idea for a music lover. Forget the age-old conflict over cables and ‘large wooden boxes’ in your living and work space, this Speaker’s simple design makes nice no matter where you put it.

Price: USD490 (RO189) Available on kickstarter.com

Price: USD55 (RO21) Available on amazon.com Moviezone

Fast & Furious 6 Your favourite franchise is back with faster cars and slicker action

F

ast & Furious 6 is one of the most anticipated 2013 releases, building on the success of the previous installment in Paul Walker and Vin Diesel’s peddle-to-the-metal franchise, Fast Five (which incorporates Dwayne Johnson into the high-octane proceedings). Justin Lin’s back directing for the fourth time in the series, with new onscreen additions including Luke Evans (Immortals) and Gina Carano (Haywire); not to mention, the return of Michelle Rodriguez as Dom’s presumed dead sweetheart Letty.

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After the events of Fast Five, professional criminal Dominic Toretto and his crew of international thieves and drivers are wealthy, but their criminal records prevent them from returning to their home countries. Following his attempts to apprehend them, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agent Luke Hobbs is forced to offer the crew a deal; he will give them all full pardons for their crimes if they will help him take down a lethally skilled mercenary organization led by a former British special forces officer turned criminal mastermind Owen Shaw and his ruthless second-in-command, Dominic’s thought-dead lover, Letty Orti.

Fast 6 promises to be a mega block buster, having garnered millions of views on its trailers already; the franchise seems to keep getting better and bigger. With a stellar cast that is famous for getting involved with fans like no other, tickets have been selling out at record speed. With the previous movie ending with one of the most jaw dropping cliff hangers in history and fans witnessing the unbelievable ‘reincarnation’ of the beloved Letty, the movie promises to be epic. The cherry on top though, is the fact that Fast & Furious 7 is already set to release in summer 2014.

Director: Justin Lin Genre: Act ion, Adventure Cast: Vin Diesel Paul Walk er Dwayne J ohnson Luke Evan s

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VIDEOGRAPHY TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM

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Share instantly Canon’s range of entry-level cameras will change the way you document your timeless moments

D

esigned to be fun, affordable and easy-touse, Legria HF R48, HF R46 and HF R406are the first to feature Canon’s Digic DV4 imaging platform, delivering Full HD video alongside audio clarity. Ideal for those looking to step up from shooting with mobile phones or compact cameras, the compact and lightweight models come with built in optical image stabilisation and WiFi connectivity, enabling anyone to shoot, edit and share Full HD footage with ease.

Perfect for families who want to record and share special moments, the HF R-series’ allow users to view, control and share videos over WiFi using any iOS, Android or Windows-based device. The new models also offer simultaneous recording of high bit-rate AVCHD and low bit-rate MP4 formats, advanced optical IS and Intelligent IS, as well as a host of new shooting modes to make capturing and sharing beautiful HD video easy.

Video lens

All models are equipped with a high quality Canon HD video lens. With 32x optical zoom and support for a 53x advanced zoom, each offers good quality throughout the zoom range. A Full HD CMOS sensor ensures videos are sharp in detail and rich in tonal range.

• WiFi with MP4 support • Optical Intelligent IS

Audio

The Legria HF R series features Canon’s Audio Scene Select technology.

Enhancing the quality of the internal microphone, Audio Scene Select features five different modes with sound settings optimised for the scene being shot, including Noise Reduction, Music and Speech. Users can select the most suitable mode for their scene and let the camera do the work, allowing them to focus solely on capturing the moment in front of them.

• 53x Advanced zoom, Full HD CMOS • Baby Mode • Audio Scene Select • Simultaneous recording of AVCHD and MP4 • DIGIC DV4 image processor • High-res 7.5cm capacitive touch screen LCD • 32GB internal storage

Baby Mode

Share

Two of the models, HF R48 and HF R46, launch with enhanced WiFi functionality. A new Live Streaming feature allows users to monitor and record video remotely using smartphone or tablet devices via Canon’s CameraAccess app. Ideal for monitoring a child’s movements, parents can use a tablet or smartphone in another room to activate recording and even remotely zoom in and out, ensuring that you never miss a moment.

Legria HF R48

Legria HF R46 • WiFi with MP4 support • Optical Intelligent IS • 53x Advanced zoom, Full HD CMOS • Baby Mode • Audio Scene Select

• Simultaneous recording of AVCHD and MP4 • DIGIC DV4 image processor • High-res 7.5cm capacitive touch screen LCD • 8GB internal storage

A new Baby Mode is perfect for parents, making it easy to capture a baby’s first steps, and words, thanks to a pre-record function that captures footage just before recording starts, so no important moment is ever missed. Baby Mode footage is also stored in a dedicated baby album, making videos easily accessible to share with friends and family.

Legria HF R406

Full HD

The new HF R-series features a first-class HD Camera System, comprising a 3.2MP Full HD CMOS sensor and DIGIC DV4 imaging platform, which offers higher image quality in low light.

DIGIC DV4 combines an improved image stabilisation function with an optical Image Stabilizer to deliver shake-free video.

The processing power of DIGIC DV4 also provides the ability to record AVCHD and MP4 formats simultaneously, so users can record a high bit-rate version to keep, as well as a high quality low bit-rate version to share online.

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• Optical Intelligent IS

• DIGIC DV4 image processor

• 53x Advanced zoom, Full HD CMOS

• High-res 7.5cm capacitive touch screen LCD

• Baby Mode

• Cinema-Look filters and touch decoration

• Audio Scene Select • Superb quality AVCHD and MP4 recording

• SDXC card slot

All HF R-series models feature a large, vivid 7.5cm capacitive touchscreen display, offering the perfect way to compose, playback and navigate settings.

The touch interface makes it easy for users to navigate intuitive menus, adjust settings and switch between different shooting modes and sharing features.

Although these cameras have been released in other parts of the Middle East, the Legria HF range is expected to arrive in Oman soon.

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AUDIOZONE WEEK 20, may 16 - 22, 2013

Headphone debut Most audio companies are getting into the headphone market and Onkyo debuts a good-looking one

T

he Onkyo ES HF300 are the brand’s first headphones, but without an inline remote or control gimmicks, are they worth a listen?

The first thing that strikes you is the plastic look and feel, but the design works well and, in reality, plastic means a lightweight, rugged feel when using these headphones on the go.

They’re the first ever pair of headphones from the Japanese company. 2013 sees hi-fi rivals such as the Onkyo ES-HF300 and KEF M500 stepping up to the challenge of fighting established products like the Beats Solo, Beats Executive and models from Sennheiser and Bose.

Similarly, the intriguing transparent cable is detachable and can be replaced if you’re rough with it, though the end of the cable is a solid right angled connector that beats many rivals for tank-style build.

Onkyo ES HF300 USD150 (RO58) on amazon.com Weight: 241g Colours: Black, violet, white Type: Binaural Headphones form factor: Full size Technology: Dynamic Sound output: Mode stereo Frequency response: 10-27000Hz

The lightweight build means these aren’t heavy when worn around your neck and the cable is the perfect pocket to ear length. Sadly there’s no inline control for iPhone 5 or Android users, or a mic.

Impedance: 32Ohm Diaphragm: 1.6-inches Magnet material: Titanium Additional features: Detachable cable, flat cable, adjustable headband, Gold-plated connectors, L-shaped plug, rotating ear cups, foldable

Make no mistake, these are sonically superior to similarly priced wireless rivals. If you’re all about the sound and can’t stretch to the higher price bracket, these are great cans.

webzone

www.theonion.com

News you need

If current affairs bore you, this is the way to stay in the know

T

he Onion’s slogan, ‘America’s Finest News Source,’ says it all. The Onion, is indeed, one of America’s finest news sources and has been a beloved daily read on the Web for millions of Americans since 1996. It just so happens, though, that the news here is of the fake, comedic variety. The Onion was started

by Tim Keck and Christopher Johnson, two University of Wisconsin-Madison students.

There’s no other website in existence that can deliver biting

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satirical takes on the news quite like The Onion. In addition to full-fledged fake news items, the site is filled with other comedy bits, such as satirical horoscopes, the Onion Sports Network, Stock watch and American Voices, the fan-favourite fake man-on-thestreet segment.

The Onion is, without a doubt, one of the funniest websites in existence. The New Yorker called The Onion ‘The funniest publication in the United States’ and Entertainment Weekly called the site ‘Indispensable.’

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dashboard TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM

13

T

he Twizy Renault Sport F1 concept car is a fun take on the brand’s electric urban compact features muscular styling and impressive performance credentials to serve as a bridge between the world of F1 technology and that of production cars.

Twizy F1 sits on the wheels of a single-seater race car and is equipped with a front splitter, side-pods, rear wing and a diffuser complete with an F1-style rain light which forcefully express the concept’s ties with motor racing’s premier category.

Twist and Speed A fun take on the brand’s small electric car features muscular styling and impressive performance

The Sport F1 is much more than just a concept. In addition to its spectacular looks, it delivers genuine high performance thanks to its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) which is identical to the solution used by Renault-powered Formula 1 cars. The system instantly boosts power output six-fold to reach almost 100 horsepower and is capable of catapulting the car from standstill to 62 mph. This technological gem is the fruit of close collaboration between the engineers at Renaultsport and their colleagues at Renault Sport F1.

This car’s steering wheel is derived directly from that of the Formula Renault 3.5 race car. Its functions have been adapted for use on an electric vehicle equipped with KERS, while the rim is of a wider diameter.

The amount of energy recovered while the Recovery mode is activated can be adjusted using the fourposition rotary knob. Another rotary knob enables the power boost to be set at one of six pre-set levels, ranging from 10 to 60kW. The driver releases the energy stored by the KERS by activating the two steering wheel-mounted paddles at the same time. To show spectators that the system has been activated, the rain light incorporated in Twizy Renault Sport F1’s diffuser is switched on.

The concept comes with its own data logging system, with information displayed on a multi-page screen situated on the steering wheel. This display can be personalised to show information concerning both Twizy’s and the KERS F1 electronic systems.

A wide range of parameters can be displayed in real time, including the main battery’s level of charge, the KERS battery’s level of charge, oil pressure, and water temperature.

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GAMING WEEK 20, may 16 - 22, 2013

A bizarre, delirious, sarcastic, oversaturated and utterly parodistic nod to everything eighties

B

lood Dragon is a standalone title that’s relevant to last year’s Far Cry 3 only in name and gameplay, but nothing else. What started out as Ubisoft’s April fool’s joke has somehow made its way into an actual game, for which we applaud them wholeheartedly. There are no words to describe Blood Dragon, nor is there anything to compare it to. Gamers who grew up with classics like Terminator and Robocop will appreciate its nostalgic humour the most.

This downloadable spin-off of 2012’s Far Cry 3 is a fantastically entertaining firstperson shooter with more clever dialogue and action packed hours than most full priced games. Low resolution cut scenes

introduce you to Rex Colt, cybercommando.

Rex is voiced by ‘80s mainstay Michael Biehn, better known for appearing in films like The Terminator (as Kyle Reese) and Aliens (as Dwayne Hicks). Blood Dragon isn’t just a homage to great memories however, but a terrific game in its own right.

their standard Far Cry 3 counterparts. You earn access to weapon upgrades by finding collectibles and performing side missions and you earn other enhancements, such as the ability to perform silent takedowns on heavies wielding flamethrowers, by levelling up.

Enemy bases are strewn about the island you explore and by annihilating all of the enemies that patrol them, either silently or forcefully, you convert them to your cybernetic cause. Meanwhile, you move from mission to mission, infiltrating dams and rescuing endangered trash talking scientists, using semi-futuristic variants of familiar weapons - a sniper rifle, an assault rifle, a bow and so forth - that handle like

Blood Dragon is the most delightful franchise oddity of this generation. It’s a fantastic homage to eighties’ science fiction flicks and preserves the superb gameplay that made last year’s Far Cry 3 such a masterful experience. Even if you don’t get a single joke, Blood Dragon offers a solid six hours of gameplay on a brand new island that feels like a nonstop disco party. It’s crazy, it’s demented…it’s brilliant.

Score: Plot.............................................. 9/10 Gameplay ............................. 9/10 Visuals...................................... 9/10 Overall............................................... 9 Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal & Shanghai Genre: Third Person Shooter Developer: Ubisoft Platforms: PS3, PC, Xbox 360 ESRB Rating: Mature

GAMING UPDATE

Keeping it low Sony makes sure the PS4 console is more profitable than its predecessor The Sony PS4 has been specifically designed to keep console costs low in an attempt to steer clear of the huge losses suffered at the launch of the PS3.

“Unlike PS3, we are not planning a major loss to be incurred with the launch of PS4,” said Sony CFO Masaru Kato, during the company’s earning call where it announced Sony ‘s first annual net profit in five years.

Instead, Sony is working to make the PS4 a more profitable piece of hardware, and keeping costs down for

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consumers too. Kato’s comments suggest that the PS4 price will fall somewhere at or near the console’s cost price.

Unveiled at a dedicated Sony event in February, the PS4 will play host to an eight-core x86-64 AMD Jaguar CPU with 8GB of GDDR5 RAM, making the console more akin to a high-powered gaming PC. Launching with the new DualShock 4 controller, the PS4 now faces strong competition from Microsoft’s new Xbox console that will be revealed on May 21, potentially packing very similar specs.

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computing TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM

Budget fit T

he Sony Vaio Fit 14 is proof that a budgetfriendly laptop doesn’t need to look like one, nor sacrifice performance to get a better-looking design. It is true that these days, there are more laptops with nicer designs down below RO350, but the Fit is one of the nicest we’ve seen at approximately USD850 (RO327).

There’s no cheap-feeling plastic on this thin and light notebook.

Instead you get a brushedaluminium lid with a diamond-cut Vaio logo and a solid body feel.

A responsive capacitive touch screen lies on the other side of the lid, as do a spacious, backlit keyboard and large touch pad.

Inside, you’ll find a good mix of components to keep everyday tasks humming along without slowdowns. It doesn’t have all-day battery life, and the model we tested uses a hybrid hard drive instead of a solid-state drive (SSD), making it a little slow when it comes to accessing files and its screen resolution isn’t 1080p. You’ll need to spend more to get those things.

It is said to collect fingerprints like a crime scene investigator,

15

Sony has introduced a new line of Vaio laptops that are the company’s new entry-level models

but the aluminiumclad lid gives the Fit the appearance of a higher-end laptop and adds some strength. The bottom of the system is almost as nice, with a smooth, matte black finish and no fan vents, they are somewhat hidden at the back. There’s also no removable battery, but the bottom of the case is removable, with just a handful of screws to attend to.

Sony includes four of its own software titles for movie and music creation: Movie Studio Platinum, ACID Music Studio, Sound Forge Audio Studio and DVD Architect Studio. Also, if you want to take advantage of the touch screen for drawing and painting, ArtRage Studio is preinstalled as well.

Sony Vaio Fit 14

Approx. USD850 (RO327) Processor: Intel Core i5-3337U

Screen: 14-inch, widescreen

Storage Capacity: 750+8GB

Processor speed: 1.8GHz

Native Resolution: 1600x900p

Rotation Speed: 5400rpm+SSD

OS: Microsoft Windows 8

Touchscreen: Yes

Weight: 1.9kg

RAM: 8GB

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000

Enter to win a Panasonic portable charger each.

Please send in your entries by MAY 20

TW44

Fax: 24693569 / Email: tech@deenarmedia.com

1 Which company developed the first version of DOS?

to have the fastest read time?

A

Microsoft

A

HDD

B

IBM

B

DVD

C

Lotus

C

SSD

3 What error is produced when a webpage is TW42 Winners:

2 Which of the following devices is most likely

not found on a Web server?

4 A person who gains unauthorised access to a computer system is called a...

1. Sandhaya Vora

A

404

A

Coder

2. Mohamed Hisham Mansoor

B

301

B

Newbie

Last week’s quiz answers: 1 – A, 2 – A, 3 – C, 4 – B

C

403

C

Hacker

NOTE: 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.

TW44 WEEK 20.indb 15

Full Name _________________________________________ Age ______ Mobile __________________ Email ______________________________________Occupation _________________________________ Company ______________________________________________________________________________

5/11/13 2:05 PM

Pointing

Voice

Gesture

Wheel

The 2013 LG Smart TV

is NOW available at a store near you.

Unlimited Entertainment

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*Applications & features may vary for each model & country of purchase.

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