WEEK 21, MAY 23 - 29, 2013
AN AL ROYA PRESENTATION
OMAN’S FAVOURITE MAGAZINE, NOW A TABLOID
TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
Apps of the week, Tech Selection, Tech Radar and more...
Ideal redefinition
Acer Aspire P3, the new mobile powerhouse
Traditionally attractive
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 is all you need
Innovative contender
The beautifully refined and crafted: Nokia Lumia 925
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Time and travel
Suunto Ambit packs a chunky punch
5/18/13 12:33 PM
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
IFC AD + HOME SCREEN 45.indd 2
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Issue
45
Home Screen
Maps get a facelift Produced by
It is another big day in the history of technology as the new Google Maps for Android and iOS have recently made their debut at Google’s IO conference with a new 5-star ratings system for a dedicated tablet experience and more.
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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.
Google Maps Director Daniel Graf introduced the new mobile Google Map during the IO keynote in San Francisco. “Maps are also about exploring and discovering places,” Graf said. It is said that the new Google Maps for iOS and Android will also feature Google offers from business that will rival similar features from social map apps like Foursquare. Graf also mentioned Apple’s unfortunate maps app by reminding viewers that Google Maps is actually accurate. Smart technology is all about personalisation and Google Map’s new dynamic features will alert drivers to incidents on the road and reroute them in real time. Jones said that the app is made for you and each user will see a
custom map that displays locations that are important to them. Highlighting a landmark will even label every little street around it, so you won’t be left wondering what the 1 inch, unnamed strip of white is. It also boasts a new feature called Cards that summarises everything about the place and the future of Google Maps will focus on the maps and add rich, beautiful textures. It will learn from users and improve over time.The new full Google Maps experience will also let you to search for directions by clicking around on the map and will compare driving routes and public transit directly on the map, making things much more convenient. The demonstration concluded with an impressive look at the Earth from space that showed clouds on the day-side and lights on the night-side of the planet in what appeared to be real time.This is technology that blows your mind, but how many of these features will suit the Middle East? We will have to wait to find out.
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NEWS WEEK 21, may 23 - 29, 2013
Google revamps Maps with 3D, cards and social search
App Store hits 50 billion downloads Google says it has rebuilt Google Maps for the Web with a new version that’s more immersive and social. The new version takes a page from Google’s mobile efforts by putting the search box inside the map and making use of cards, Google’s take on interactive information widgets. “It’s simple and powerful. The map is the user interface,” Google’s Bernhard Seefeld told attendees at the company’s annual developers conference, where the new Web service was unveiled. When users click on locations, information about
those areas appears on cards. Information can include navigation, which offers a comparison between driving times and public transit times in one spot. Maps also offer social results, showing places that friends have reviewed. The Maps interface features a 3D view, which Google says does not require any additional software or browser plug-ins. This is a similar experience to what Google has offered in its Earth app. In fact, users can zoom all the way out to see the entire Earth with a live view of clouds.
Apple’s App Store on Wednesday, April 15th passed another major benchmark, topping 50 billion app downloads. That’s according to the countdown timer on Apple’s Web site and in iTunes. Apple also confirmed the benchmark on Twitter. The person who downloaded the 50 billionth app will get a $10,000 App Store gift card from Apple and the 50 people
who downloaded apps right after that each will receive a $500 gift card. There’s no word yet on who the winners are. Apple says the announcement is coming. Apple launched plans for the contest at the beginning of the month and added a count-up timer first in iTunes and later on the home page of its Web site, which showed various examples of just how big 50 billion is.
Will the Internet become conscious? The internet is a new lifeform that shows the first signs of intelligence. So says brain scientist and serial entrepreneur, Jeff Stibel.
Twitter gets serious about content Twitter is increasingly pressing beyond the confines of the 140 character text messages that defined the social network at its inception. The Twitter timeline of today, replete with tweets that feature pictures, videos, music and short clips of news articles is far from the timeline of truncated status updates that launched the social network seven years ago. Indeed, the company seems intent on challenging nearly every social media competitor, from Instagram to Facebook to YouTube. The latest sign of Twitter’s expanding ambitions comes with a report from The Wall Street Journal that the social network plans to distribute ESPN highlights, signalling that the company is serious about integrating content that will keep users glued to their feeds. “What’s become quite evident is the way that people like to communicate isn’t just through text,” said Mark Shaw, a London-based social media consultant who specializes in advising companies about Twitter. “They like stories, video, pictures and audio.”
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He argues that the physical wiring of the internet is much like a rudimentary brain and some of the actions and interactions that take place on it are similar to the
processes that we see in the brain. At the same time, he says, it is forcing us as humans to interact and think in new and different ways. But, he told BBC Future thay this is just the beginning. The internet is only going to become more and more intelligent, changing humans and society in ways which we are not yet able to understand.
Blackberry expands BBM to Android and iOS
Speak to Google Now and it speaks back Google introduced a new search feature at the company’s annual I/O developers conference on Wednesday, April 15th and it’s about to put Siri to shame. Google Now, the mobile application for searching by voice command, is coming to desktop and is getting a big makeover. With the new update, you’ll be able to speak directly to your smartphone or computer using a huge variety of commands and Google will understand and respond.
The Blackberry Messenger (BBM) app is to be offered as a download to run on rival platforms. Blackberry said it would initially offer texts, photo messages and group sharing functions on devices running Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS operating systems from ‘the summer’. It added it planned to roll out screen sharing, voice and video calls - all
without charge - later in the year. The move could prove disruptive to Skype, Whatsapp and other rivals. Blackberry chief executive Thorsten Heins revealed the surprise news at the end of his presentation at the firm’s annual developer’s conference in Orlando, Florida.
The new search function will not only understand your basic commands, ‘Show me pictures of Times Square,’ for example but it will also respond to more complex queries and can speak the answer back to you. In last Wednesday’s demonstration, it was asked to show photos of the Santa Cruz boardwalk and then asked, “How far is it from here?” Google understood that ‘’here’ meant the user’s current location and that ‘it’ meant the Santa Cruz boardwalk the user had just asked about.
5/18/13 12:33 PM
audiozone TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
Audio contender
the natural may split opinion it’s impossible to deny that the Black version is one of the bestlooking headphones around. The design is faultless, thanks to simple touches like the circular metal accents on the cans and even the inline remote, which makes sure it treads the line perfectly between being neither crass nor boring.
With the launch of the Philips Fidelio L1 showing that the Dr. Dre Beats Studios were no longer the premium commuter headphones of choice B&O enters a market that already offers as much style as it does performance.
Our only setback is the use of plastic around the edges of the cans themselves, considering these headphones are well into the premium price range it seems odd to skimp on something so noticeable. The H6s straining, despite their appearance these are some seriously powerful headphones that can happily chew through anything. The B&O BeoPlay H6 is one of the best-looking pairs of headphones we’ve seen, and sound as good as they look.
One of the first things you notice when you take the cans out of the box is just how light they are. At 230g the H6 almost feels like it could take very little wear and tear, on closer inspection, however, you realise that the materials used are more than up to the task. Using a machined aluminium frame with a premium leather headband, the H6 comes in two colours: Black or ‘Natural’. While
tech radar
iHip Marvel Retro earphones Officially licensed by Marvel Comics, the iHip Marvel Retro Earphones are ideal for those who want high-quality audio and eye-catching design with their favourite superhero sculpted on each earbud. Listen to your favourite music through the distortionfree speaker drivers for an immersive audio experience. Noise isolation earbuds keep the earphones comfortably in your ear while you enjoy listening to your music and reading your favourite comics. The earphones are packaged in a specially designed box with a comic book artwork, featuring the superhero of your earbud.
Ou t N ow
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The B&O H6 headphones sport a slick look as well as the brand’s famous audio tech heritage
B&O BeoPlay H6 Sound principle: Dynamic, close back Frequency range: 20-22Hz Colours: Black and natural leather Dimensions: 187x194x40mm Weight: 230g Price: USD503 (RO194) on beoplay.com
The count down for these beauties has begun
LG Pocket Photo Smart Printer Samsung Game Pad Running on AA batteries, it connects via Bluetooth and offers gaming controls, visibly ‘influenced by’ the Xbox, for 80 games at launch. Dual analogue sticks, shoulder triggers, a D-pad and four action buttons give you much improved control over all the increasingly sophisticated games Android has to offer, although it is maybe a bit overengineered for Temple Run. A clip holds the phone in place and will fit previous and future Galaxy devices running on Android 4.2 or higher.
Ou t T h is M onth
This pocket-sized printer connects to Android or iOS devices via Bluetooth or NFC and uses “inkless” ZINC technology. This works by heating special paper containing colour-forming molecules packed into layers that, once melted, form the everlasting image that you can pin to your wall and admire or throw darts at, as you see fit.
O u t T h is M onth
H
eadphones are now as much a statement about yourself as they are a device for listening to audio. The B&O BeoPlay H6 is not the first time Bang & Olufsen has made headphones; in fact it’s been making them since the late 1970s with the U70, which looked not unlike a prop from UFO.
5
Bowers & Wilkins Z2 This coffee table-friendly slice of audio techno-lush is compatible with the iPhone 5, via its lightning dock, with other iDevices rocking it via AirPlay. The curving speaker’s beauty is besmirched solely by two capacitive volume pads, an ethernet port and a 3.5mm headphone jack and comes in black or white. Inside are two 3.5-inch drivers and a class D amp, which come together to create sound in B&W’s usual, impressive manner.
Ou t Ju ne
5/18/13 12:33 PM
COMPUTING
6
WEEK 21, may 23 - 29, 2013
Sleek convertible Acer Redefines the Computer with the Aspire P3
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oday, many users are faced with choices between notebook, hybrid, convertible or tablet designs when selecting a mobile computing device. The Aspire P3 takes care of that, with no compromises required. The Aspire P3 is the ideal mobile computing device for users who create and consume content. Weighing only 1.39kg and measuring 19.75mm thin, the newly defined mobile PC delivers on the promise of Ultrabooks with excellent performance and long battery life in a highly portable form factor. It adds the many benefits of tablet with a design that allows the touch-screen display to be used in pad mode or detached from the keyboardcase. This gives Acer customers enhanced mobility as well as more ways to enjoy their device using touch for the latest apps, viewing photos, keeping in touch and having fun. Acer Aspire P3 provides the true Ultrabook performance, so customers can use it as their main PC for handling everything from everyday computing tasks to more demanding ones such as creating presentations and sharing multimedia content. The new mobile powerhouse can also run multiple
Acer Aspire P3
USD780 (RO300)
apps, such as video conferencing while reviewing spreadsheets and documents, further boosting productivity. Its responsive and fast Intel Core i3 and Core i5 processors deliver the performance needed to take on these tasks while providing more efficient power consumption for longer battery life of up to six hours. Optimised for entertainment, the Acer Aspire P3’s 11.6-inch HD display with
USD2.5
In the bag
Platforms: Windows Phone, Android, iOS
5
FREE
Joggah
Platforms: Windows Phone
6
ICE stores all your medical info and allocates an emergency contact which is accessible straight from your phone’s home screen
Targeted GPS tracking tool that lets you keep a close eye on your marathon training, cycling and other sports.
Platforms: Android, iOS
ICE: In case of emergency FREE
FREE
In the Bag works by letting you set up a list of shops that you frequent and the departments they have, so you can build a shopping list for each
7
Find out where you without electronic maps using your phone’s GPS and snaps of maps
A complete IM app for Mobile handsets, Fring enables you to make free calls as well as send instant messages
Platforms: Android, iOS
4
Sensors: Ambient Light, Accelerometer
Mapsnap GPS
FREE
Text-to-speech app that allows you to type in phrases and voice-translate them into a number of different languages
Internal size: 60GB, 120GB
3
Fring
USD2
Display: 11.6-inch
We feature this weeks must-have apps for your smartphone
2
Talk to me
Processor: Dual-Core, Intel i3 and i5
The Acer Crystal Eye HD front webcam captures video in 720p HD, bringing life to video while the 5MP back camera captures photos in high resolution.
Apps this week 1
Operating system: Windows 8
IPS (1) technology highlights video, photos with brilliant colour and clarity. The wide-screen design beautifully highlights movies and multiple people can enjoy entertainment on the go Thanks to the display’s wide 170-degree viewing angles.
Platforms: Windows Phone
8
Platforms: Android, iOS, Blackberry
9
Simon Says
Fishing Kings
Go Eat – Global Dining Guide
A simple version of the popular childhood handheld game where you mimic the flashing buttons
There’s plenty of fishing fun to be had in this great little virtual angler
Helping you to search out the best places to eat no matter where you are with restaurant listings, reviews and user ratings.
FREE
Platforms: Android, iOS
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FREE
Platforms: Android, iOS
USD1
Platforms: iOS
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cover story
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TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
Game changer Nokia introduces its new flagship phone that is predicted to be the new smartphone contender
N
okia recently introduced the Nokia Lumia 925, a new interpretation of its award-winning flagship, the Nokia Lumia 920. The 925 introduces a metal design and showcases the latest PureView camera innovation, new features and third party applications coming to the Nokia Lumia range.
Nokia Lumia 925 Operating system: Windows Phone 8 Display: 4.5-inch AMOLED WXGA, 1280x768p, sculpted Gorilla 2 Glass, clear black, high brightness mode, sunlight readability, super sensitive touch for glove and nail usage
The Lumia 925 includes an advanced lens technology and next-generation imaging software to capture clearer, sharper pictures and video, including the best low light images. The 925 also introduces the Nokia Smart Camera mode, coming as an update to all Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Nokia Smart Camera offers an easy way to capture ten images at once and edit the pictures with options like Best Shot, Action Shot, and Motion Focus for creating the perfect high quality image.
Battery: 2000 mAh battery, Wireless Charging supported via an accessory cover
Nokia has also announced Hipstamatic’s new app, Oggl, will arrive on Nokia Lumia smartphones, allowing people to take and share high quality pictures with like-minded creative techniques and photography enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to sharing photos on Oggl, users can simultaneously share photos on social networks including Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Instagram, Tumblr and Flickr.
Processor: 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon Camera: PureView 8.7 MP with Optical Image Stabilisation (Main), 1.2MP wide-angle (Front)
The Lumia 925 introduces metal for the first time to the Nokia Lumia range, bringing appeal and unique benefits like increased robustness. The polycarbonate back comes in white, grey or black. A wireless charging cover can be clipped onto the back of the phone to take advantage of Nokia’s extensive wireless charging accessories and ecosystem. Covers, sold separately, come in white, black, yellow, and red.
Memory: 1GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory; 7 GB free SkyDrive cloud storage Price: Approx. USD604 (RO232)
Leading Nokia services, such as the HERE suite of integrated location and navigation services and Nokia Music for unlimited streaming of free music playlists, add to the proposition offered by Nokia’s latest smartphone. The Nokia Lumia 925 will be priced around USD604 (RO232) before taxes and subsidies. Country-specific pricing and availability will be announced soon.
Wrap up With its new metal parts, the Nokia Lumia 925 is a sleek and attractive addition to the Windows Phone 8 range. It shares most of its key specs with the older Lumia 920 that doesn’t really stack up well against the elite competition such as the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4. We’ll have to wait and see if the slight tweaks to the camera and the more sturdy build will make the 925 a serious smart phone contender.
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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
RO272 N
Blackberry Z10
Nokia Lumia 520
Nokia Lumia 920
Samsung Galaxy SIII
Samsung Galaxy S4
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
Android V4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS, Quad Core 1.6GHz Cortex-A15 & Quad Core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7, 13MP camera, 16GB storage up to 64GB, 2GB 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
N
RO210
Samsung XE500T1C-A01
Dell Inspiron 5523 0395
Acer Aspire V3 571G 5324G
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, Intel Core i5-3210M, 2.3GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 7, Nvidia GeForce GT 640M Graphics
Compact cameras
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
RO150 Olympus TG 810 14MP, 5x Optical Zoom, 5-25mm lens, 3-inch LCD touch screen, Full HD movie, GPS, 10m Water Proof
5/18/13 12:34 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 15, 2013.
Updated
Pro cameras
RO822
N
RO240
RO500
RO260
RO550
Canon 7D
Sony Alpha 57
Canon 650D
Nikon D3200
Sony Alpha NEX7
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
16.1MP, 18-55mm lens, 3-inch LCD screen, 1080/30p MP4 movies, 12FPS
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
RO259
N
6
RO119 N
RO65
RO499
iPad Mini WiFi
iPhone 5
iMac MD093
iPod Touch
iPod Nano
32GB, 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
21.5-inch screen, Intel Core i5 2.7GHz Quad Core, 8GB DDR3 RAM. 1TB HDD 7200RPM, GeForce GT 640M 512MB GDDR5 Graphics, one Thunderbolt, one Fire wire 800 port, SDXC Card Slot, OS X Lion
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 Sony MDR EX10LP Earphones
Beurer EM41 Electronic Stimulation Unit
The Sony EX Monitor MDR-EX10LP sports an attractive design that is equally impressive with its performance. The in-the-ear design offers you enhanced level of comfort and efficiently pours in clear and crisp sound in your ears. It features ergonomically designed ear buds that conveniently fit in your ear canal to efficiently isolate the ambient noise thus creating an immersive listening experience. This earphone also offers you wired connectivity with the audio source.
Beurer EM41 is the modern and affordable way to combat pain and speed up muscle recovery and muscle rehabilitation in the comfort of your own home. It has versatile functions that help to increase feelings of general well being, relieve pain, improve fitness, revitalise muscles, combat fatigue and relax. You can select these functions from preset programmes or determine them yourself according to your needs. The four electrodes can be attached to different parts of the body as required.
RO5
RO39 Seen at Emax, Muscat City Centre
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timezone WEEK 21, may 23 - 29, 2013
Activate GPS
Suunto Ambit USD453 (RO175)
A sports watch that’s packed with features including built-in GPS
T
he Suunto Ambit design has two sides, you’re either happy with a chunky sports watch, or you’re not. It’s fairly large, but the smart bezel and GPS unit integrated into the strap keep bulk to a minimum. The strap itself is perforated to allow air movement, and also looks pretty slick. It has a robust setup, however, the only disadvantage is its bulk, which can impede movement at times. The Ambit’s real party trick is GPS. A full-featured GPS unit with up to 100 way points and navigational aids make this the pro’s choice and due to Suunto’s focus on this, the watch gets a GPS lock surprisingly fast once on the move and logs lateral movement extremely accurately. It also logs ascent particularly well, using 1m increments rather than the 10-tfoot blocks used by much of the competition. This accuracy is aided by a sensitive barometer.
A very fine dot-matrix screen provides a lesser experience than the full-colour, HD screens we might be used to on bigger devices, but actually it’s more than enough information on the wrist. It also allows you to flip resolution between black-on white, or white on black, very handy in varying light conditions. The Suunto Ambit is an incredibly powerful piece of outdoor tech and in some ways is a victim of this fact. Without personalisation it can seem overwhelming and even the process of configuring it can seem overly complex. It’s also very expensive, and the battery life can be on the short side. However, once you’ve grappled with it, you’re left with a massively impressive package only the Garmin Fenix comes close to the same functionality which is certainly worth a look if you’re in this market.
accessories
Paper-thin keyboard The Archos Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad is tantalizingly close to awesome, but it has its flaws
T
he Archos is super lightweight and almost paper thin. At a mere 5mm thick and weighing only 240g, it’s considerably thinner and lighter than what we would like to consider the best iPad keyboard currently available, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. Despite its svelte profile, the Archos feels sturdy and thanks to the aluminium backing, it doesn’t flex and bend the way plastic backings might. Like most of its brethren, the Archos has a magnetic groove that neatly anchors the iPad in both horizontal and vertical orientations. But since the iPad only has magnets on its long edge, the vertical orientation is obviously less secure and makes the iPad prone to tumbling off your knees should you jostle it. Despite a few nagging problems, the Archos is still
a wonderfully thin and light keyboard that fits the iPad like a glove. We would have no problem recommending it over the Logitech if it weren’t for the three major problems with the most important part of the device the actual keyboard. The Archos offers a full QWERTY keyboard, but unfortunately it offers it at about a 75 per cent scale. The Archos is definitely not for the fat-fingered crowd. Archos has made some exceedingly strange decisions about keyboard layout. The return key is only one key width and requires considerably more finger stretching than other keyboards. The right shift key is similarly tiny and tucked away at the edge of the keyboard.
Archos Design Bluetooth keyboard Boxed: Keyboard, USB charging cable, documentation Compatibility: iPad 2, iPad (3rd and 4th generation) Power: Internal, Lithium Polymer battery. External, USB adapter Wireless technology: Bluetooth Dimensions: 241x186x5mm Weight: 240g
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dashboard
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TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
Your Fun Type
T
he new Jaguar F-TYPE represents a return to the company’s heartland: a twoseater, convertible sports car focused on performance, agility and driver involvement. The F-TYPE is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years and encompasses some of the most beautiful, thrilling and desirable cars ever built. The engineering ethos underpinning the F-TYPE is centred on Jaguar’s industry-leading expertise in the use of aluminium. Featuring the most advanced iteration of Jaguar’s acclaimed rigid and lightweight aluminium architecture to date, the F-TYPE has ideally balanced weight distribution that allows its involving rear-wheel drive dynamics to be explored to the full. Utilising extensive Computer Aided Engineering programmes, the attention to detail involved in the F-TYPE’s creation even extended to the development of a new, lighter, aluminium front subframe. In order to maximise the benefits of its advanced structure, the F-TYPE
Jaguar’s answer to affordable and an especially fun convertible since the E-Type
The focus on driver involvement and sporting performance in the F-TYPE is emphasised by the ‘one plus one’ layout of the asymmetric cabin as evidenced by the grab handle on the centre console on the passenger side features all-aluminium double wishbone front and rear suspension and a quick-ratio steering rack for ultimate responsiveness. The
aluminium architecture has been optimised to provide the stiffest possible underpinnings for the suspension with rigidity gains of
more than 30 per cent in key areas compared to any other Jaguar application. An active exhaust system, which is standard on the S and V8 S models, adds another dimension of driverengagement. Valves in the exhaust system open under load from 3000rpm which allows the exhaust note to build to a thrilling crescendo at the redline. The F-TYPE has a set of eight closely-spaced, sporting ratios in its Quickshift transmission, giving greater driver control. The V6-powered S model also includes a Dynamic Launch feature, which optimises acceleration from rest. The company’s eye to the future is encapsulated in the assertive design language that deliberately challenges preconceptions. Jaguars have always defined sinuous, muscular simplicity and the F-TYPE is no exception, its shape being defined by two ‘heartlines’ forming the front and rear wings.
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NUOVOTECH WEEK 21, may 23 - 29, 2013
Technical wonders
We showcase a range of quirky essentials for your fun gadget collection The Cosmologists Watch
Rubber Band Shooter Supreme It’s often said that the pen is mightier than the sword, so when it comes loaded with a rubber band and a clip full of ammo then you have yourself a formidable weapon! As it is a pen you can keep score of the number of targets you’ve hit and if you have shot your victims into submission, you can write out the terms of their surrender.
Price: USD7 (RO3) Available on red5.co.uk
This watch contains all the major constellations that can be seen in the northern hemisphere. The watch part is quartz which allows it to keep relatively accurate time. Every 24 hours, the constellation disc revolves to indicate the altitude and azimuth of 1,056 fixed stars and 169 major nebulae and star clusters at that date and time. The watch also tracks the sun’s path along the ecliptic on the 1st, 11th and 21st of the month.
Price: USD190 (RO73) Available on gadgetvenue.com
Magical Floating Lamp
Hexbug Nano
The Floating Lamp from designer Angela Jansen and developed by Ger Jansen creates a highly unusual visual effect and should be guaranteed to generate more conversation than any other lamp in your house. So it’s a useful lamp that looks like an optical illusion, with a traditional look and feel and a decidedly high tech spin. The folks that make these lamps point out that even after you know how it works, it is still fascinating to behold.
The Hexbug Nano is the smallest, most tactile micro robotic bug range there is. As soon as you switch on the micro insects, they immediately spring into life, scurrying across the floor or table top. Don’t worry about them getting stuck either as they have a self righting mechanism that lets them move in any direction and will flip them back onto their 12 legs if they happen to roll over.
Price: USD9 (RO4) Available on hexbug.com
Price: USD1300 (RO500) Available on floating-lamps.com Moviezone
The Great Gatsby
Baz Luhrmann gives Fitzgerald’s tale the expected dazzle, but while DiCaprio captures the hero’s soul, other roles seem to be miscast or underdeveloped
B
az Luhrmann’s much anticipated adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ has roared into theatres worldwide and much like a traveling circus descending upon a town, not everyone’s going to be happy about it. Our distressed narrator, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), recollects the story from a sanitarium. As he looks back, we swoop down onto 1922 Long Island, where Nick’s cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), lives with her brutish husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton). Nick himself lives across the bay, next door to the mysterious Jay Gatsby. Though Gatsby has long been in love with Daisy, his humble rural roots were
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no match for Tom’s patrician lineage. But after years apart he has transformed himself into a millionaire, one finally suitable - he assumes - for an ethereal debutante like Daisy. Longing, jealousy and despair are played out against a lavish setting in The Great Gatsby. For those willing to go with the champagne flow, this version seems to have undeniable allure. The party scenes are dazzling spectacles. The contemporary soundtrack, which combines jazz with Jay-Z, suggests some timeless connections. The Prada costumes and extravagant set design are gorgeous. Luhrmann has created an experience, in other words, not unlike the events Gatsby throws himself.
Director: Baz Luhrmann Genre: Drama Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton
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tablets TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
Ideal choice This new edition to the Samsung Galaxy tablet is well designed and packed with great features
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Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Processor: Quad Core application, 1.6GHz CPU speed Memory: 16/32GB Screen: 8-inch, TFT Technology, 16M Colours Depth, 1280x800p resolution, 1024 level S-Pen Dimensions: 7.95x135.9x210.8mm Weight: 345g Camera: 1.3MP front, 5MP rear Price: Approx. RO210
Features
T
he Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 inspires creativity and we see if it has got what it takes to beat the iPad Mini or Google Nexus 7. In a world where it takes something special to stand out, Samsung has the S-Pen to wave at its competitors and under the noses of prospective 7-inch tablet owners weighing up whether they should go for the iPad Mini, Google Nexus 7, Microsoft Windows Surface and now the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0. We thought the S-Pen-toting Galaxy Note 10.1 was a good tablet but it didn’t blow us away by any stretch of the imagination so now bridging the gap between the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, the Note 8.0 has been ushered out with similar multitasking expertise and the capability to make phone calls. But we guarantee you that you will look funny making those calls.
Size and build
Line this up against the Samsung Galaxy S3 or Samsung Galaxy S4 and you can see where the design inspiration is taken from with the curved plastic body and white bezel set against a grey bezel which is not as thick as it was on the Note 10.1. It’s a welcome change aesthetically, but ultimately doesn’t change the fact that it still looks cheap when compared to the iPad Mini or Nexus 7. Weighing in at 345g with a 7.95mm thickness it’s both heavier and more portly than the smaller Apple tablet. It’s actually slimmer than the S3 at 8.6mm and the Note 2 at 9.4mm and is comfortable and nicely weighted to use in one hand.
If you’re after that pen on paper feel on a tablet, then the S-Pen is still by far the closest to delivering that experience and it’s improved since its implementation on the Note 10.1. Of all of the Note features, it’s the MultiWindow that we really love for the ease with which running two apps simultaneously in landscape or portrait mode can be achieved without performance issues. Accessed by holding down the Back button that launches a customisable side loading app tray, you can simply drag apps onto the screen. Using S Note and browsing the web the most useful but it’s also great for watching video and works well within the confines of the 8-inch display. Screen With a resolution of 1280x800 the screen display is exactly the same as the Samsung Galaxy 2 10.1, a device that’s two years old which is both surprising and disappointing as we hoped there might be a display comparable to the Nexus 10.
Verdict
If you love the idea of a traditional writing and drawing experience and prefer the more portable appeal over the Note 10.1 then this is for you. If you’re not really sold on the idea of brainstorming ideas with an S-Pen, but want a smaller sized tablet, the Nexus 7 or iPad Mini are better options to go for instead.
Coming soon to SARCO, 24593025
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GAMING WEEK 21, may 23 - 29, 2013
A bold fighting game featuring a large cast of your favourite DC Comics icons Injustice: Gods Among Us is the first in a new fighting game franchise that introduces an original story featuring a large cast of DC Comics icons such as Batman, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and a variety of others. Set in a world where the lines between good and evil can often be blurred, players experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a vast scale. Injustice has three attack buttons and a special trait button. Whether its flight, healing or a simple strength boost, these traits are unique to each fighter and play into their particular abilities and histories. The distinctions are clearly apparent and don’t just boil down to slightly altered punches and kicks.
Clashes are another interesting mechanic. When activated, they instantly interrupt a combo, and then both players secretly spend an amount of their super meter. While clashes are only a two-time threat, Injustice’s interactive backgrounds are a constant hazard. Peppered throughout each stage are items - a missile here, a motorcycle there for characters to use. If you’re new to fighting games, you’ll find Injustice’s educational options disappointingly sparse. An extremely basic tutorial runs first-time fighters through the fundamentals and that’s it. To further compound the confusion, other, lesser features are left completely unexplained. The story in Injustice - while grand in scope - is also full of shortcomings. This lengthy tale presents a world where
Superman has reached his limit after being tricked into murdering his pregnant wife and unborn child, thereby triggering a nuclear bomb, which was linked to Lois’ heartbeat in the centre of Metropolis. It is a premise so ridiculous it borders on parody, but it’s presented in all seriousness. The cracks quickly begin to show as this narrative labours under the weight of finding new reasons for characters to stand around punching each other. By the end, you’re left wondering how the game could treat this cornball story with such unblinking reverence.
Score: Plot............................................................ 7/10 Gameplay .......................................... 8/10 Visuals.................................................... 7/10 Overall............................................................. 7
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Genre: Fighter Developer: NetherRealm Studios Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, iOS, Wii U ESRB Rating: Teen
WEBZONE www.thechive.com
Web throttle
F
irst of all, you must know that this website is safe when you are at work. The Chive is all about random-but-interesting news. It is also a photo and video blog of the wacky, the inane, the curious, the thought-inspiring and the preposterous. While the content caters to post-adolescents and college-aged youths there is definite content appeal for anyone who likes curious news. You go and take a look at why many people claim that The Chive is one of the most addictive websites on the www. They have over 15 million visits per month.
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This website is home to the best funny, viral and interesting photos from around the world
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GAMING TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
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Gaming point We recommend the best gaming mouse to buy in 2013 Corsair’s range of peripherals just gets bigger and bigger and it’s now adding a new raft of updates to its Vengeance line of gaming goodies. We’re big fans of the Vengeance range, from its excellent headsets and mech-switch keyboards to its rock solid gaming mice and now the boards and rodents are getting a five added to their names.
At the moment that’s about as good as it gets for gaming sensors and the Corsair software allows you to set the three DPI profile settings to any value between 50 and that top-end 8,200 mark. Like the M60, you also have access to different polling rates, from 125Hz to 1,000Hz, in the simple desktop app.
Primed for FPS gamers, the M65 has its own dedicated ‘Sniper button’ which lowers the sensor resolution and should increase your accuracy success rate from long range. An Avago LaserStream ADNS-9800 sensor provides the high performance tracking while the solid aluminium chassis should be able to withstand a furious bang on the table or two. Profiles for multiple games can be stored on the device and can be quickly toggled between while Corsair has claims switches have been rated for 20 million clips which means even the most hardcore gamers can get some serious game time in before even contemplating having to replace it.
With the M60 running up to 5,700 DPI with its older sensor then, why would you want to go for this upgraded version instead? Well, this upgrade is hitting the streets for the same price and testing the two mice side-by-side you can see what the upgraded sensor is actually getting you. The new laser module is noticeably smoother than the one in the M60, translating your movements smoothly from the desktop to whatever gaming world you’re in.
Price: USD70 (RO27) Available on Corsair.com
Enter to win two Panasonic portable chargers. Please send in your entries by MAY 27
TW45
Fax: 24693569 / Email: tech@deenarmedia.com
1 What is the purpose of the Num Lock key? A
It makes the numeric keypad enter numbers
A
eBook
B
It prevents the number keys from being used
B
Kindle
C
It unlocks the arrow keys next to the numeric keypad
C
iPad
3 Posting offensive messages online is also called what?
TW43 Winners:
2 What is the name of Amazon’s e-reader?
4 A username and password combination is also called...
1. Ramakrishnan Anand
A
Phishing
A
Access ID
2. Shridevi Sathyan
B
Spamming
B
Login
Last week’s quiz answers: 1 – B, 2 – C, 3 – A, 4 – C
C
Flaming
C
Passcode
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.
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Full Name _________________________________________ Age ______ Mobile __________________ Email ______________________________________Occupation _________________________________ Company ______________________________________________________________________________
5/18/13 1:20 PM
84’’ y Powered b
Be the first to own the first. This is the picture quality innovation the world has been waiting for. 8.3 million pixels of ULTRA definition bring you 4 times the resolution of Full HD, expressing the finest detail with ultimate vividness, even at a wider angle. Experience the most realistic viewing ever on the worlds’s first 84 inch LG ULTRA HD TV.
*Applications & features may vary for each model & country of purchase.
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www.lg.com/ae
/LGGulfFanClub
/LGGulf
/LGGulf
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