6
th
ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
PHONES WEARABLES AUDIO TVS LAPTOPS `130
VOLUME 07 ISSUE 01 AUGUST 2021
The World’s Leading Gadget Magazine!
Tomorrow’s Technology Today www.t3india.com
INDIAN EDITION
NEW LAUNCH
YOUR ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR KIT
SIZZLING OUTDOOR GADGETS From coolers and BBQs to ebikes and drones, enjoy the latest red-hot tech
ISSN 2454–9703
VIEWSONIC PX748-4K
TP-LINK TAPO C200
BOWERS & WILKINS PI5 TWS EARPHONES
ES INCLUD
HSEiC-TIOFNi ASUS TUF GAMING F15
/t3indiamag
REVIEWED
@t3indiamag
SONY BRAVIA XR A80J
/t3indiamag
www.t3india.com
SHOWSTOPPER Gadgets that showcase the very best that design and technology have to offer
SOUND & VISION The GT is also a treat for the senses, with a Sony 64MP triple camera and dual hi-res DolbyAtmos-enabled speakers
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4 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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Welcome
Editor’s letter T3 is a Year Older
It’s a proud moment for us as the Indian edition of T3 completes six years. During this time, a lot has changed, except our desire to bring the latest to you. And as someone who has been associated with the magazine from the second issue, it’s indeed a pleasure to have you at our side, dear readers. The last year has been quite difficult, and you have supported us throughout the pandemic-induced crisis. Hope to have your support for several more years to come. Last month probably hurled one of the toughest volleys at the tech world in the form of Pegasus spyware and snooping issues. The program appears to have left a trail of forensic signatures even on iOS devices, so far perched atop a seemingly invulnerable pedestal. We trust Apple and others to plug the loopholes soon. And for most of us who haven’t made it to the ‘elite’ Pegasus list, it’s certainly not the time to relax. Our increased online presence and online transactions during lockdown have made us more vulnerable to cyber-crimes and frauds; hence it’s time to be extremely vigilant. This month we have compiled a list of gadgets for your outdoor expeditions once the world opens up. To make the review section interesting, we have two ultra-premium gadgets—Sony’s latest smart OLED TV with cognitive intelligence, and BenQ’s latest 4K laser projector that aims to replace the TV in your living room.
Sujith Gopinath, Associate Editor s.gopinath@nextgenpublishing.net
Views and opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd. Views expressed by external contributors are their own and not those of the organisations they work for. Next Gen Publishing does not take the responsibility for returning unsolicited material sent without adequate postal stamps for return postage. No part of the magazine may be reproduced in part or full without the prior express written permission of the publisher. All readers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement appearing in the publication. T3 India does not vouch for any claims made by advertisers for their products and services. The editor, publisher, printer and employees of the publication shall not be held liable for any consequence in the events of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Mumbai only.
OUR AWARDS PLATINUM AWARD
THE DESIGN AWARD
BEST FOR BATTERY LIFE
This award, and others We give this only to 2QO\ D ĆYH VWDU UHYLHZ like it, are given for WHFK WKDWbVWDQGV RXW IRU earn a product our prestigious Platinum stunning aesthetics or a exceptional performance in a key feature clever build Award
6 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
BEST ON TEST
The winners of our group tests earn this accolade, showing them to be top tier
T3 is… Editor Girish Mallya Associate Editor Sujith Gopinath Correspondent Gautam Doshi Contributors Kunal Gangar, Anshuman Ghosh, Jimeet Ved Editor (UK) Matt Bolton Contributors (UK) Becca Caddy, Rich Owen, Duncan Bell Publisher Girish Mallya Associate Publisher & General Manager (North & East) Ellora Das Gupta Mentor & Special advisor Hoshang Billimoria Head Design & Production Ravi Parmar Senior Designer Prakash Gavnang Photography Mahesh Reddy Production Supervisor Dinesh Bhajnik Product Manager Perseus Master General Manager South - Girish Shet Circulation Manager Circulation North and East - Kapil Kaushik BRANCH OFFICES Mumbai 608, Trade World, 6th floor, C wing, Kamala Mills compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013, India. Tel: +91 22 93215 46598 Ahmedabad Devendra Mehta - Mob No.- 09714913234 Bengaluru Unit No. 509, 5th Floor ‘B’ Wing, Mittal Towers, MG Road, Bangalore -560001, India Tel: +91 80 66110116/17 Fax: + 91 80 41472574 Chennai Salma Jabbar Cenetoph Elite,No.5,1st street, Teynampet, Chennai-6000018 Tel: + 91 044 421-08-421, 044 421-75-421 New Delhi Ellora Das Gupta 26-B, First Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, Phase-III, New Delhi - 110020 Tel: +91 11 4234 6600 / 6678 Fax: + 91 11 4234 6679 Pune S.No.261/G.L.R.No.5 East Street,Camp, Pune-411001 Tel : + 91 20 26830465 Hyderabad Srinivas Gangula -Territory Sales Incharge (Circulation) Mobile no. 09000555756 Kolkata Vidyasagar Gupta -Territory Sales Incharge (Circulation). Mobile no. 09804085683 Subscription Enquiries Tel: +91-22-43525220 Apple Newsstand & Magzter Queries: help@magzter.com All rights reserved. Published with the permission of Future plc. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission from Future plc & Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd. with regard to their respective content is prohibited. Printed by Girish Mallya. Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd., 608, Trade World, 6th floor, C wing, Kamala Mills compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013, India. Published by Girish Mallya on behalf of Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd., 608, Trade World, 6th floor, C wing, Kamala Mills compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013, India. Printed at Kalajyothi Process Pvt. Ltd, 1-1-60/5 RTCX Roads, Hyderabad - 20. Published at Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd., 608, Trade World, 6th floor, C wing, Kamala Mills compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013, India. Editor: Girish Mallya
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Contents
Contents 046
SIZZLING SUMMER GADGETS
Glorious gear for enjoying the beach, a staycation or the great outdoors
062 8 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO… ACTION CAMERAS Shoot all of your outdoor adventures with these handy,
060
TRAVEL HACKS: STAY ON A BUDGET
Here are some tips to save on your accommodation while on an overseas trip
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Contents BEST OF THE BEST 083 INTRODUCING THE BEST BUYER’S GUIDE KNOWN TO MAN
HORIZON 012
HORIZON TOP LAUNCHES
TESTED 068
APPLE IMAC M1
This month’s top launches include two cool innovations from Cooler Master, Lenovo’s latest 2-in1 and many more
Slight, bright and blisteringly fast, the multicoloured iMac is a desirable desktop with only a few drawbacks
024
072
TRAVEL
Get east bound and down with a trip to the US’s Atlantic coast
026
FITNESS
A premium OLEDTV that boasts human intelligence and incredible sound
074
ASUS TUF GAMING F15
This rugged enthusiasts level gaming laptop is beautifully designed
028
076
A sleek and stylish design is just the tip of the iceberg for this light notebook
030
077
Squeeze more charge out of your car and fend off trespassing tabbies
038
MARANTZ MODEL 30 AMPLIFIER & SACD 30 N CD PLAYER
DELL XPS 13 9310
Slip on one of these perfect pairs of summer sneaks
GADGET GURU
Retro HI-FI
SONY BRAVIA XR A80J
Why Suunto’s trailrunning-focused smartwatch will pique your interest
STYLE
From phones to tablets, and camera to cars, our selection of the very best tells you what to buy
BENQ CINEPRIME V6000
040 THE MUSIC OF
MERE HUZOOR (1968)
Create a theatre-like experience in your living room with this 4K laser projector
078
SENNHEISER MKE 400
Isolate your vocals in crowded places with this feature-packed compact microphone
079
EPOS | SENNHEISER ADAPT 560
033
RASHI PERIPHERALS Rajesh Goenka of RP Tech India shares his vision and glimpses of the road ahead
Essentials 004 045
SHOWSTOPPER SUBSCRIPTIONS
10 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
SUBSCRIBE
AND SAVE BIG MONEY
A premium feature-rich headset with an innovative microphone design
080
ONEPLUS NORD CE
This device is a strategic placement for OnePlus in the 5G space
081
REALME NARZO 30 5G
A high capacity battery and competent features in a value for money phone
045 W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
THE ALL-NEW
CAPTURE YOUR ICONIC MOMENTS
ENGRAVED LOGO
LEATHER ACCENTS
METALLIC BODY
HERITAGEDESIGN DESIGN HERITAGE
#H ERITAGE M EETS I NNOVATION
STARTING PRICE: ₹ 84 995.00*
Price quoted is for one unit of product. MRP inclusive of all taxes. Accessories shown above are only for reference and are not provided with the product. Corporate/Registered Office & Service Centre: Nikon India Pvt. Ltd., Plot No. 71, Sector 32, Institutional Area Gurgaon - 122001, Haryana, (CIN–U74999HR2007FTC036820). Service ID: nindsupport@nikon.com, Sales and Support ID: nindsales@nikon.com Ph: 0124 4688527, Service Ph: 0124 4688514. TO LOCATE DEALERS IN YOUR AREA SMS NIKON <PINCODE> to 58888
CALL TOLL FREE NO: 1800-102-7346
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.nikon.co.in
SCAN THE CODE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Horizon BOWERS & WILKINS PI5 TRUE WIRELESS EARPHONES `26,000, audiovisionindia.com Offering over 24 hours of battery life, the PI5 TWS earbuds are integrated with Qualcomm aptX audio which delivers high quality audio through wireless transmission. The advanced Active Noise Cancellation helps users in easily adapting to their surroundings. The PI5 flaunts the bold design of Bowers & Wilkins comprising aesthetic accents and stylish colours. Along with two built-in microphones enabling clearer calls, the PI5 can be further configured through the Bowers & Wilkins companion app which has a simple on-button user interface and voice assistant support through Siri or Google Assistant. Additionally, the ‘Quick Charge’ mechanism offers another 2 hours of battery-life just after 15 minutes of charging. The PI5’s state-of-the-art technology promises “True Sound” and acoustic excellence, thereby maintaining the high standards of Bowers & Wilkins. T3 SAYS: It’s difficult to ignore the elegance of new products of industry-leading experts. The PI5 is one of them, that is engineered to offer incredible sound.
TECH-O-METER
BOWERS & WILKINS PI7 TWS EARPHONES `42,000, audiovisionindia.com The PI7 offers unrivalled high-resolution sound quality that is expected from Bowers & Wilkins. This model is armed with 24-bit audio processing in each earbud and is integrated with Dual Hybrid Drive units that function like high-performance speakers. The PI7 is equipped with the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive technology which enable strong transmissions and connections. The sound quality is further enhanced with rich and accurate bass through quad amps and advanced DSP. Each earbud has three separate microphones which enhance the users’ voice clarity on calls. The PI7’s advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation automatically adjusts to the user’s environment to deliver an immersive experience. The wireless charging case provided comes with a ‘Quick Charge’ function that gives the earbuds an additional 2 hours of battery life after just 15 minutes of charging. The PI7 takes it up a notch by offering a unique wireless audio retransmission feature via its Smartcase. T3 SAYS: The PI7 is one of the best TWS earphones in the market with extraordinary features which will stun audiophiles.
TECH-O-METER
12 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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Horizon XGIMI HORIZON PRO `1,87,500, xgimiindia.com The Horizon Pro is a versatile and easy-to-use 4K home projector from XGIMI. The device features 40-degree automatic keystone correction technology which aligns the picture vertically and horizontally to fit users’ walls or screens. The manual keystone allows further customisation up to 45 degrees, laterally. The Horizon Pro is equipped with cutting-edge autofocus which delivers clear image qualities to screen sizes up to 300 inches. It also offers a maximum brightness of 2200 ANSI Lumens which doesn’t compromise picture quality even in bright environments. With a lamp life of 25,000 hours, the Horizon Pro’s image quality is further enhanced through its X-VUE image engine, 60Hz motion compensation technology, and MEMC frame interpolation technology. Two 8W, 45mm full-range Harman Kardon speakers provide cinematic sound quality and the Horizon Pro supports DTS-HD and DTS Studio Sound Dolby as well. The Horizon Pro stands out as it is integrated with the Android TV (10.0), Google Play Store, and Google Assistant. T3 SAYS: The XGIMI Horizon Pro is an intelligent and feature-rich projector apt for modern homes.
TECH-O-METER
XGIMI HORIZON PROJECTOR Price `1,25,000, xgimiindia.com The XGIMI Horizon is a versatile, easy-to-use, adaptable and feature-rich projector when it comes to imaging and performance-consistency. The XGIMI Horizon is equipped with a FHD Optical Engine and cutting-edge auto-focus which delivers a resolution of 1920x1080 even on a screen size of 300 inches. Image clarity is bolstered through XGIMI’s X-VUE image engine system, and low latency and a reduction in image blur is obtained through the integration of the MEMC frame interpolation technology. The Horizon is also equipped with XGIMI’s 60Hz motion compensation technology, ensuring image stability. XGIMI’s automatic keystone correction technology deserves a mention as it can align the picture vertically and horizontally to custom fit the users’ walls. A manual keystone further aids customisation. The projector provides a maximum brightness of 2200 ANSI Lumens, a lamp life of up to 25,000 hours, and is also integrated with HDR10 technology. It runs on Android TV 10.0 and is also armed with Google Assistant. The projector 1 DC port, 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and a single LAN port. T3 SAYS: The Horizon is a compact projector which combines XGIMI’s engineering capabilities to deliver impressive and immersive visuals.
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Horizon COOLER MASTER MASTERFRAME 700 `TBA, coolermaster.com/in/en-in With innovation at the core of its design, Cooler Master’s new MasterFrame 700 (MF700) is a customisable frame that can transform into a flexible test bench from an open-air PC chassis. The MF700 consists of a fully-featured motherboard tray and two side wings. Full range of motion of the side wings is permitted through four specially-designed friction hinges. As a PC chassis, the MF700 stands vertically and boasts of a panoramic tempered glass which allows users to see the components inside. As a test bench, the side wings fold down towards the CPU socket and graphics card area to allow for localised airflow to the components – especially while overclocking. Mounting capabilities are enhanced as a test bench to support 3 x 360mm radiators at the same time. With eight expansion slots, the MF700’s I/O panel supports two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and one 3.5mm headset jack. T3 SAYS: With the ability to transform from a PC case to a test bench through forward-folding modular wings, the MF700 is one of Cooler Master’s best cases on sale.
TECH-O-METER
COOLER MASTER ML360 SUB-ZERO `TBA, coolermaster.com/in/en-in Cooler Master has collaborated with Intel to create the MasterLiquid ML360 Sub-Zero which is a revolutionary sub-ambient cooler featuring Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC). The ML360 Sub-Zero harnesses the power of TEC and Intel’s Cryo Cooling technology to deliver greater cooling through colder silicon tackling higher overclocking frequencies at lower voltages. It boasts three SF120 fans with enlarged surface area, thus comprising the 360mm radiator. The ML360 Sub-Zero consists of an All-in-One (AIO) liquid cooler which features a water block with integrated TEC technology combined with the redesigned second generation pump which works in unison with a 360mm radiator to eliminate the full heat load of the TEC and the CPU. Through the use of advanced algorithms, software, and hardware monitoring, Intel’s Cry Cooling technology strives to solve the problem of condensation that would occur due to sub-ambient cooling. T3 SAYS: The ML360 Sub-Zero is designed for the increasing number of everyday gamers and forms a very integral part of one’s gaming system.
TECH-O-METER
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Horizon LENOVO YOGA DUET 7I `79,999, lenovo.com The Yoga Duet 7i is Lenovo’s first-ever PC in the Yoga series which comes with a detachable and backlit Bluetooth v5.0 keyboard. The Yoga Duet 7i weighs just 1.16kg and it offers an adjustable kickstand for easy viewing. This laptop allows users to choose between a tablet mode (with or without a kickstand) and the traditional laptop mode after attaching the keyboard. The Yoga Duet 7i is powered by the 11th generation Intel Core i5 processors and also consists of the Intel Iris Xe GPU. With a 13-inch HD touchscreen with narrow bezels, the Yoga Duet 7i is armed with 100% sRGB colour gamut at 450 nits brightness. Featuring a 10.8-hour battery life, the Yoga Duet 7i is also equipped with and 8GB DDR4-3200 RAM, Dolby Audio, Dolby Vision, 512GB SSD storage, Lenovo E-color Pen, HD Audio chip, two 1W stereo speakers, Magnesium-aluminium case material (slate gray case colour), and a front and rear 5MP cameras. T3 SAYS: A wide range of users are guaranteed to find comfort in the flexibility in operating the Yoga Duet 7i.
TECH-O-METER
HISENSE 70A71F 70” UHD TV `91,990, hisense-india.com A 4K Smart ‘Mega’ TV, the Hisense 70A71F features a large 70-inch screen which is integrated with Dolby Vision, and ATMOS technology providing a theatre-like immersive viewing experience for users. The 70A71F supports HDR content, while also featuring pictureimproving capabilities through noise reduction and ‘Ultra Dimming’ technology, with the latter providing enhanced contrasts. Normal HD content can be transformed into UHD 4K-like quality through the UHD AI upscaling technology. The sleek and stylishly designed 70A71F runs on Android T 9.0 Pie and provides easy access to popular apps like Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, Prime Video, and more. The 70A71F also has built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant. Providing up to twice as much viewing area than a 50-inch TV, this Hisense 70A71F, coupled with Dolby Atmos, delivers a powerful output of 36 Watts of clear multi-dimension sound. T3 SAYS: The Hisense 70A71F can transform viewing and gaming experiences for those with the space and a deeper-than-average pocket.
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Horizon VIEWSONIC VG1655 PORTABLE MONITOR `17,990, viewsonic.com/in Weighing less than one kilogram, the new ViewSonic VG1655 is a portable non-touch monitor that designed for those who need to overcome their one-screen limitations. The 16-inch Full HD monitor is equipped with a flexible display setup through a built-in aluminium stand, thereby allowing users to adjust it to any angle and work as per their comfort. The design utilises an anti-slipcover, durable screen cover, and a metal case. The monitor is just 6.9mm in thickness, and provides two USB Type-C connectivity options. The VG1655 delivers a refresh rate of 60Hz and an estimated backlight life of 15,000 hours. It is also integrated with a blue-light filter to reduce users’ eye strains caused by a longer screentime. The VG1655 provides a pixel size of 0.179mm x 0.179mm which enhances minute details and delivers a better working, gaming, and viewing experience. T3 SAYS: A lightweight portable monitor is ideal for tech-savvy users who are looking for a one-cable solution. The VG1655 is an extremely reliable device that deserves recognition.
TECH-O-METER
VIEWSONIC PX748-4K PROJECTOR `2,70,000, viewsonic.com/in ViewSonic’s line-up of new-generation PX projectors brings pixel-perfect visuals with 4K clarity to one’s home. The PX7484K projector is an easy-to-use device in which adjusting the picture is effortless through the comprehensive H/V keystone and 4 corner adjustment capabilities. With a brightness of 4000 ANSI Lumens, the PX748-4K is equipped with a 1.3x optical zoom lens and offers perfect projection on screen sizes up to 300-inches and even on curved surfaces. The PX748-4K is the world’s first high-brightness Digital Light Processing (DLP) projector, and is also HDR-compatible. The projector also provides an immersive gaming experience as it delivers a 4.2ms ultra-fast input and a refresh rate of 240Hz. The PX748-4K is integrated with the latest SuperEco+ mode which is a great addition to one’s smart home. Users can project directly from their phone, laptop, or tablet, while also simultaneously charging it through a USB-C port. The PX748-4K also sports LAN control capability that is compatible with a variety of home automation systems. T3 SAYS: ViewSonic offers the best-ranked DLP projectors globally and the PX748-4K is a state-of-the-art 4K UHD projector that can transform one’s viewing and gaming experiences.
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Horizon TP-LINK TAPO C200 `2,449, tp-link.com/in The Tapo C200 is the latest addition to TP-Link’s venture into creating solutions for smart homes. It is essentially a home security Wi-Fi camera that offers a 1080p resolution and an impressive 30 feet of night vision. The C200 is also equipped to pan and tilt thereby covering 360 degrees of horizontal view and 114 degrees of vertical view. The Tapo C200 is impressively integrated with the ability to alarm the users of arriving packages or suspicious intrusions or movements through detection motion. It also has a two-way audio feature enabling interactions. A ‘Privacy Mode’ physically closes the camera’s lens to ensure privacy to users. The Tapo C200 is also connected to an app in which users can schedule in the recording period, regardless of motion. The intuitive app interface allows users to view footages from up to four cameras at the same time. T3 SAYS: The Tapo C200 offers an affordable solution to your in-home security requirements.
TECH-O-METER
NOKIA XR20 5G `TBA,nokia.com The Nokia XR20 can physically endure much more than an average smartphone. Marketed as a tough smartphone, the Nokia XR20’s 6.67-inch FHD+ display is protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which offers superior protection against drops, scratches and more. Apart from offering a brightness boost to up to 550 nits, the screen is operational with wet hands and gloves. The XR20’s sleek casing is made to the MIL-STD-810H military standard, and can withstand extreme temperatures. The 6GB+128GB XR20 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, features the Adreno 619 GPU, and provides the option to extend its internal storage capacity (by 512 GB) through a microSD slot. A dual camera setup in the rear features a 48MP main camera and an ultra-wide 13MP camera. With extra loud speakers (96dB) featuring OZO playback, the XR20 strives to provide users with an incredible audio experience. The XR20 features a 4630mAh battery which comes with 18W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. T3 SAYS: With the traditional toughness of its phones coupled with some exciting modern features, the XR20 is Nokia’s appealing new addition.
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POWER INSPIRED Empower everything in one incredibly powerful, versatile Mini PC. MAGNUS ONE boasts the ultimate performance in an all-new and compact design. It is the first Mini PC taking advantage of the ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX™ 30 desktop graphics cards for high-fidelity ray-traced graphics and DLSS. MAGNUS ONE has the do-it-all capability to deliver the best experience for daily tasks, gaming, entertainment, content creation and business.
Smaller and faster than a console
Up to 8K video output
Easy access to the hardware
Up to 3 SSDs + Intel Optane support
Supports up to 64GB DDR4
500W 80+ Platinum power supply
MORE SPECIFICATIONS Intel® Core™ i7-10700 8-Core Processor
Up to 64GB DDR4-SODIMM memory support
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX™ 3070 GB
2x M.2 PCIe x4 SSD slot (1x Intel Optane Support) 1x 2.5-inch SATA 6.0 Gbps HDD/SSD bay 1x HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a (graphics card)
ZOTAC.COM
©2018 ZOTAC Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. All company and/or product names may be trade names, trademarks and/or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated. ZOTAC Technology Limited does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or reliability of information, materials and other items contained on this website or server. No liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. *Registration required - check details at ZOTAC.com
Intel® Core™ i5-10400 6-Core Processor
1x HDMI 1.4 (Mainbord)
ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX™ 3060 12GB
4x USB 3.1 GEN2, 4x USB 3.0 (1x Type-C)
Distributed by Supertron Electronics Private Limited Contact info Raman Ganju raman@supertronindia.com
Horizon Travel
TOP TECH FOR THIS SUMMER
COLUMBIA OMNI-FREEZE ZERO RANGE Columbia’s latest tech innovation? Omni-Freeze Zero – a hightech moisture-wicking material that reacts with sweat to lower the fabric’s temperature. `2,100, columbiasportswear.co.uk
HERE’S TO US
EAST COAST COMEBACK This month, we’re celebrating the great US of A, especially the east coast, which is firmly on leisure travellers’ radars once more SAMSONITE MAGNUM ECO LUGGAGE Dusting off your suitcase will be even more exciting if it’s one of Samsonite’s new Magnum Eco cases, which are made with recycled plastic. They feature Samsonite’s trusty three-point lock system. From `15,900, samsonite.co.uk
HAMMERHEAD KAROO 2 This brilliant new cycling computer, which launched in February 2021, will super charge your pedal power. Our favourite features include the ultraresponsive touchscreen, the rugged mount and slick smartphone-like interface. `35,900, uk.hammerhead.io
2021 is an exciting year for Boston’s hotel scene. In June the revamped Langham, Boston hotel (langhamhotels.com) flung open its doors after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Built in 1922 as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, it’s filled with nods to its banking past, including the original terrazzo floor (complete with the Reserve’s seal) in the Grana restaurant. Then there’s the Newbury Boston (thenewburyboston. com), which opened in May in the historic Back Bay area. Highlights include a glassenclosed rooftop restaurant and a library with a book collection curated by the Boston Public Library. For multi-destination adventures, let the train take the strain and hop on one of Amtrak’s most spectacular routes (amtrak.com). President Biden recently announced plans to invest $80bn in Amtrak, which turns 50 this year. We highly recommend Amtrak’s Adirondack service, which connects New York with Montreal in Canada. For something slightly faster, head to Florida, where Universal Orlando Resort’s hi-tech VelociCoaster opened in June. It’s got the steepest drop of any Universal
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Orlando rollercoaster and a high-speed launch that propels passengers to 70mph in 2.4 seconds. However, make sure you venture beyond the parks. This summer will see the opening of downtown Orlando’s high-tech Steinmetz Hall theatre, designed to achieve an N1 sound rating – the lowest level at which humans can detect sound. Finally, consider Washington DC, home to the Smithsonian Institution, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this year. The anniversary event we’re most excited about is Futures at the Arts and Industries Building. Due to be unveiled in late 2021, the exhibition will be packed with robotics and prototypes, including an artificial intelligence-driven rover and a Loon internet balloon. DC is also a brilliant destination for cyclists – a 24-hour pass for the Capital Bikeshare scheme costs just `560. Fancy something tougher? DC is the starting point for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (nps. gov/choh), a 184-mile-long National Historical Park. Allow around four or five days to cycle its entire length, and plan ahead – the most sought-after overnight stopovers are the Canal Quarters lockhouses. W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Horizon Fitness
BEST FITNESS APPS
CENTR
TRAIL-BLAZER
The Centr app offers a wide variety of workout, diet and mindfulness content to strengthen your body and mind, all backed by Chris Hemsworth and his team of fitness experts. The new 10-week Centr Power workout programme can also help you build big guns like Chris, too. From `2,299, centr.com
PEAK-Y BLINDER Suunto 9 is the Finnish brand’s thinnest, smallest and toughest fitness watch to date The Suunto 9 Baro has been an ultra trail running favourite for years now, thanks to its resilience and battery saving options that enabled the watch to function for over 100 hours with reduced sensor activity. As great as the Suunto 9 Baro is, a lot has happened in the multisport watch scene since its release so it was time for Suunto to introduce a successor. And introduce it, it did! Compared to the Suunto 9 Baro, the new Suunto 9 Peak (from `51,900, suunto.com) is way thinner and lighter but it retained the best qualities of
the Baro, including its ruggedness and the long battery life. The Suunto 9 Peak has a new watch face that showcases your weekly training and ‘inspires new routines’, as Suunto puts it, but other Suunto 9 watch faces are also available via the Suunto App and displayed clearly on the 240x240 pixel screen. Other new features include blood oxygen monitoring and it can be used to see how well you acclimatise during altitude changes. There are 80 sport modes on board straight out of the box.
BEACHBODY ON DEMAND Stream over 1,100 virtual workouts including yoga, cardio, dance, strength and more through this app. You can also download workouts for offline use and track progress in your own workout calendar, as well as create customisable meal plans. From `5,984, beachbodyondemand.com
YOU SAYIN’ BOLT?
IN ITS ELEMNT The Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2021 bike computer dazzles with its 64-colour display The new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 2021 features a 64-colour, high-contrast display, protected by scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass lens. The ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the backlight of said display making sure it’s always easy to read, even in suboptimal light conditions. The Quick View LEDs provide help with turn-byturn directions and notifications when you receive messages. Thanks to the robust navigation update, the Elemnt Bolt now automatically reroutes riders who stray from their planned route. 26 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
THE BODY COACH APP The new Body Coach App offers exclusive live workouts with Joe Wicks every week, a good enough reason in itself to sign up today. You can also create personalised meal plans, measure and log changes in your body and attend real-time workouts for every fitness level. From `1,499, thebodycoach.com
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Style
SUMMER SHOES Footwear for the warmer months doesn’t have to skimp on robustness or good looks, as these five pairs of cracking kickers demonstrate VEJA MARLIN V-KNIT SNEAKERS Named after one of the fastest and most athletic fishes in the ocean, the Marlin is the newest vegan sneaker from Veja. They’re light and dynamic for exercising in, yet still comfortable for everyday wear. `14,500, veja-store.com
DR MARTENS PEARSON STRAPPY WEBBING SANDALS Want typical Dr Martens style in the summer? Try the brand’s newest sandal. Made from hard wearing poly, ripstop and webbing and sat on a light-yetrugged Tract outsole. They’re breathable enough for even the hottest months. `8,900, drmartens.com
VANS TREK SLIP-ON Trek Slip-On takes the classic Vans silhouette to a whole new level, combining it with a durable, single piece injected construction and deconstructed checkerboard drainage holes for breathability. They’re lightweight and fully rinseable, perfect for any adventure. `3,700, vans.co.uk
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PALLADIUM + FINISTERRE PALLAFIN LOW This lightweight, fully waterproof shoe is built for roaming. It’s made with recycled and vegan-friendly materials throughout and features sealed seams and rubber pads for comfort and traction wherever your adventure takes you. `11,000, finisterre.com
LACOSTE GAME ADVANCE LUXE An amped-up take on the stylish court sneaker, these new sneakers twin heritage-informed details with a contemporary, streetwear-inspired flair. Leather and suede uppers sit on sculpted outsoles for a dynamic, textural contrast. `10,000, lacoste.com
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Style
WHICH WATCH
THE HOTTEST TIMEPIECES RIGHT NOW
TUDOR, BLACK BAY CERAMIC
SWATCH, SPACE COLLECTION LAUNCH
Not only does this new watch look amazing with a case in matt black ceramic, there’s a lot going on inside too. It features a Manufacture Calibre with a Master &KURQRPHWHU FHUWLĆFDWLRQ IURP 0(7$6 `3,55,000, tudorwatch.com
6ZDWFK KDV WDNHQ WKH RUDQJH 1$6$ $GYDQFHG &UHZ (VFDSH 6XLW GHVLJQ WR WKH QH[W OHYHO )HDWXULQJ 6ZDWFK *ORZ KDQGV a matt grey bioceramic case and ELR VRXUFHG SODVWLF JODVV `14,100, swatch.com
G-SHOCK, GST-B400 )HDWXULQJ D QHZ LPSURYHG PRGXOH EXLOW WR GHOLYHU WKH VOLPPHVW FDVH RI DQ\ * 6WHHO yet, at just 12.9mm. It’s still just as useable, WKRXJK ZLWK D QHZ ORZ SRZHU Bluetooth system. `37,900, g-shock.co.uk W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
BREITLING, SUPER CHRONOMAT B01 44 7KLV VW\OLVK DOO SXUSRVH VSRUWV ZDWFK IHDWXUHV D 87& PRGXOH HPEHGGHG LQ D 5RXOHDX[ EUDFHOHW SURYLGLQJ D ZD\ RI NHHSLQJ WUDFN RI D VHFRQG WLPH ]RQH `7,99,000, breitling.com
MONEY NO OBJECT Orlebar Brown Travis Island Divers Cloud White Print Resort Shirt
Men’s capri (or camp/Cuban) collar shirts bring the style worn by James Bond, Jude Law in The Talented Mr Ripley, and Elvis Presley back for modern-day resort wear. They’re also worn, more recently, by style icons Jeff Goldblum and Harry Styles, and if that’s not a glowing recommendation then we don’t know what is. The classic style should be a staple of any holiday wardrobe, whether you’re cruising around the Mediterranean or having an ice cream on the Isle of Wight. Now, you could opt for a traditional navy blue or striped option, but we think there’s always room in your suitcase for a statement print, just like the Island Divers print featured on this Orlebar Brown Travis shirt. The design shows people diving from palm trees on a faraway island, making it the perfect attire for your next beach getaway. The print is based on a vintage source, cleverly reworked by Orlebar Brown into a more modern design. The Travis comes in breathable linen-blend fabric, which makes it ideal for wearing in hot weather, with branded nylon buttons and hem side vents for an added touch of luxe. ` 19,500, orlebarbrown.com AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 29
Horizon Gadget Guru
T3’s road-worthy tech brainbox steers you in the right direction
RISHABH AGARWAL
Can I extend the range of my EV? Presently, battery upgrades for EVs are either visions of a future in which we can just hop into a charging station to whip out a huge undercarriage (fnar) in order to swap it out for a fully topped up one, or range upgrades that require you to pay thousands of pounds for a manufacturer to temporarily flip a single bit in your car’s computer and release a little sliver of the juice it’s been holding back. The latter, in particular, makes Guru fume so powerfully that he himself could be used to quick-charge a battery. But what if you could get your own back on Big EV, using the
ILLUSTRATIONS: STEPHEN KELLY
A
tools you’ve been given to drag a ridiculous distance out of your car without any upgrades, while getting nerdy about some numbers in the process? Hypermiling is for you. It’s been rather popular with SUV drivers and penny-pinching misers since petrol started chasing printer ink in price, but it’s extra-relevant when it comes to EVs. Remove all unnecessary
ABOVE Let’s see the Duracell bunny outlast you now you’ve nicked his battery
HYPERMILING IS FOR YOU. IT’S POPULAR WITH SUV DRIVERS AND PENNY-PINCHERS, BUT IT’S EXTRARELEVANT WHEN IT COMES TO EVS
30 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
aerodynamic impediments like bike racks. Put on appropriate tyres, like Michelin’s Energy E-V (from around `8,500 each) and pressure them properly. Shut the windows and switch off the air conditioning. Sweat profusely. Accelerate slowly, and use cruise control wherever possible to maintain a constant speed. Don’t throttle down hills, and brake rarely, if ever; EV engine braking will net you power back, and is usually the most efficient. Sweat more. But whatever you do, don’t try slipstreaming – Guru forbids it, because it’s dangerous and he hates lithium explosions. W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Horizon Gadget Guru SUNIL NAIR
How can I get the best from wireless charging? Wireless charging is sorcery that few truly understand, so let Dr Gauss offer you a quick explanation in anapestic tetrameter: In the back of your phone a flat coil of wire lies / Find the same in your Qi-charging power supplies / When the coil in the charger is given some juice / It excites the phone’s coil with a magnetic boost / If you have a new hob which features induction / The tech is a similar type of construction / But be warned – do not try charging phones on your hob / (Unless fire is your aim – to turn phones to a blob). To be honest that probably didn’t help you understand it any better, but it did amuse Guru for a few minutes. Let’s leave it at ‘it just works’ and move on. Step one is improving your aim. The better the coils are aligned, the more efficiently they’ll be able to transfer their power. Apple’s newer devices mostly make this a
A
non-issue with the new generation of MagSafe, which gives the alignment some exacting precision; many charging stands will do the same, force-aligning your phone for ultimate performance; Belkin’s Boost Charge TrueFreedom Pro (`14,900) solves the problem simply by hurling a whole load of individual charging coils into a single mat, meaning wherever you put your phone you’ll always be sort of right. Secondly, power can be an issue, particularly if you’re trying to charge a newer phone. Most Qi-charging devices draw a maximum of 5W, but iPhones and Samsung phones contain tech that can take a little more. Give them a charging pad with 10W output – maybe even something frivolous like Numskull’s flux-capacitorshaped Charging Matz (`2,000) – and they should be a lot happier. And consider a thinner case, because bulky silicon numbers can reduce the proximity between coils.
ABOVE Green Lantern may be no Superman, but he’s got a cracking charger
GADGET GURU’S MAGIC BOX Guru recently reached a milestone birthday, the one at which one’s life supposedly begins – life apparently being a combination of constant crushing malaise and the inability to stand up without going ‘oof’. In a losing effort to retain at least some of his fast eroding youthfulness, GaGu has invested in a number of tinctures. These range from The Body Shop’s `2,800 ‘Drops of Youth’, a premoisturiser gel only slightly less expensive than printer ink, to Origins’ Plantscription Multi-Powered Youth Serum, which passes the printer ink mark at `4200 for 30ml and sounds like a punishment handed out to naughty children by Monty Don. Whether these things are working is a question for Mrs Guru, who refuses to answer on the basis that she does not wish to encourage Guru’s latest mid-life crisis. You might expect that it is now time for Guru to pick up a nice
32 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
sports car to spice up the twilight of his years, but you would be wrong: he’s much more the type to hurtle around the grounds in an electric go-kart. Admittedly he literally tops the 220lb, 6ft 3in upper limit of the Ninebot Gokart Pro (`1,75,000) and is well aware that the increasingly older junior members of Clan Guru will likely not even allow him a go once they set eyes on it, but he can’t help pretending he is still cool enough to do skids. Perhaps leaning into it and somehow clearing the funds for the Zero SR/F EV motorcycle (from `17,49,000) might be a better choice. It’ll do 124mph (of which Guru may use no more than 30) and cover 100 miles on a charge, enabling your favourite uncle to fly far away from his responsibilities before trundling home with his tail between his legs.
VISHESH R. PATEL
Can I combine Star Wars and booze? loves nerdy trinkets, A Guru a well-appointed home, and an oddly specific question. Allow him to direct you to thumbsup.com, which has worked with Stormtrooper designer Andrew Ainsworth to knock out a number of appropriate products based on his original helmet design. Start your posh Cantina get-together by filling the Stormtrooper decanter (`2,500) with something strong, pour your guests a good slug of blue milk into the Stormtrooper-shaped glass (`1,200) and switch on your Stormtrooper-shaped wireframe lamp (`1,950) for the ultimate in alien atmosphere. If you’re looking to wow friends with your drinks-mixing skills, Sharon Powell’s unofficial cocktail book (Drink Me, You Must!, `899) contains such recipes as Qui-Gon Jinn and Tonic, the Fuzzy Tauntaun and, er, ‘Yoda drink’, though Guru supposes you could probably get away with mixing anything up if you give it a Star-Wars-y name. Here, have a good sip of his Sarlacc Pit. W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
People We are amid a pandemic, which has wiped off a chunk of profit from many businesses. How has it been for RP Tech during the lockdown period? Every crisis brings an opportunity and we believe in translating every challenge into success. We were quick to adapt to the new normal and launched various innovative programs that were path-breaking and first of their kind in the industry. Due to several restrictions on physical movement, we focused on innovative marketing activities. In 2020, we launched Green Zone and Orange zone offers for our B2B customers to help them liquidate their stocks and get their business rolling. We also launched WFH and LFH offers in the same year to boost the computer hardware business. The schemes were a huge success and helped us not only maintain business continuity but sustain our double-digit CAGR. At RP tech we endeavour to have inclusive growth through value-added programs for our B2B customers. We announced the All India Vaccination Drives for our partners and their family members. Secured vaccination of our entire workforce and their loved ones. Organized several virtual entertainment/ fun events for our B2B customers and their family members to encourage them and motivate them during these challenging times. We are more than ready for the next wave of growth and will continue to run such value-added programs for our stakeholders.
Rajesh Goenka Director, Sales & Marketing, RP tech India Could you give us a brief about RP Tech and the philosophy that drives the company? Incepted in 1989, RP tech India (a division of Rashi Peripherals Pvt Ltd) is the fastest-growing B2B IT solutions company having a robust fulfilment network of 50 branches and 50 service centers across India. We offer products and solutions from 25+ renowned global technology brands to over 9000 immensely satisfied B2B customers in 750+ towns/cities. With our fundamentally robust business model and 360-degree marketing approach, we are poised to become a ‘One Stop Shop’ for all technology needs of Indian consumers. What are the major brands that you distribute in India? RP tech India has the most comprehensive product portfolio that is tailor-made for the new age technology needs of end-customers. We have various verticals namely: Components: AMD, Western Digital, ASUS, Crucial by Micron, ECS, Intel, Toshiba, Colorful & NVIDIA Peripherals & Accessories: AOC, APC, Belkin, Fitbit, Chromecast, Logitech, SanDisk, Samsung, Toshiba, Optoma Personal Computing: ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, ECS-LIVA, Samsung Networking & Power Backup: ASUS, ATEN, TP-Link, Cambium Networks, Ubiquiti, Intel, EATON W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Your portfolio includes a wide range of products from different segments of technology. Going by the change in consumption pattern, which sectors have seen the maximum movement during these trying times? The overall IT hardware industry has grown multi-fold during the last 2 years due to a surge in demand for computers and related hardware. PCs, Laptops, Tablets, Storage and Networking solutions, Computer Accessories have witnessed tremendous growth because of the rising popularity of remote working and distance learning. Offline stores have taken a hit due to restricted movement of people. Do you see a long-term change in customer behaviour due to the changing consumption landscape? How have you prepared yourself for such a change? The demand for IT products and solutions continues to expand due to WFH and LFH requirements. This has helped in the growth of not only online channel but offline channel also Even during the pandemic, offline channel has efficiently served their customers with minimal disruptions. Given the growth in audio, gaming, storage and networking sectors, how and what do you look forward to in 2021-22? The year 2021 will be the year where consumers will buy mid-level and premium products. During the first pandemic phase, consumer bought the cheapest available products. But since working from home has become the norm of the day, consumers are now upgrading their gadgets to improve efficiency and comfort. For instance, initially the demand for wired mouse was extremely high, but now we see all those consumers upgrading to a Logitech ergonomic wireless mouse. Similar trend is seen in the audio, notebooks and PC category. AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 33
Advertorial
Sound With a Personal Touch With a wide range of musical instruments and audio solutions under their belt, there might QRW EH DQRWKHU EUDQG WKDW XQGHUVWDQGV WKH ĆQHU TXDOLWLHV RI VRXQG EHWWHU WKDQ <DPDKD Their latest soundbars attempt to cater to all your varying tastes and create personalised VROXWLRQV WR WKH XQLPSUHVVLYH VRXQG RXWSXW IURP \RXU WHOHYLVLRQ VHW
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SR-B20A All in one sound bar Now that you have taken care of your personal space, it is time to move to the living room or a larger space where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ey Features Built-in dual subwoofers for deep bass Clear Voice for enhanced dialogue clarity DTS Virtual:X virtual 3D surround sound Price: `20,490
34 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2020
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
YAS-109 $OO LQ RQH ZLWK $OH[D $UH \RX WKH JHHN RI WKH IDPLO\ ZKR ORYHV WR FRQWURO GHYLFHV ZLWK \RXU YRLFH" )RU WKH FRPPDQGHU ZKR VHHNV DEVROXWH REHGLHQFH IURP VPDUW GHYLFHV WKH <$6 ZRXOG EH D JUHDW VWDUWLQJ SRLQW :LWK $OH[D YRLFH control built-in, this sound bar not only enthrals you with immersive surround sound, but also listens to \RXU YRLFH FRPPDQGV 7KH <$6 FDQ EH VHDPOHVVO\ LQWHJUDWHG ZLWK \RXU VPDUW KRPH GHYLFHV WR FUHDWH \RXU EDVLF FRQQHFWHG KRPH HFRV\VWHP $OH[D VNLOOV LQFOXGH WXUQLQJ SRZHU RQ RU RII YROXPH FRQWURO DQG UHTXHVWLQJ D VSHFLĆF DUWLVW VRQJ RU JHQUH WR EH SOD\HG IURP $PD]RQ 0XVLF <RX FDQ DOVR PXWH $OH[D RQ WKH VRXQG EDU LI \RX QHHG VRPH SULYDF\ 6HWWLQJ XS LV VLPSOH ZLWK D FRQQHFWLRQ WR \RXU 79 ZKLOH %OXHWRRWK OHWV \RX ZLUHOHVVO\ VWUHDP PXVLF DQG RWKHU FRQWHQW IURP \RXU SHUVRQDO GHYLFHV Key Features Built-in Alexa voice control for easy control of your sound bar and smart home devices Dual subwoofers built in for deep bass from an all-in-one sound bar DTS Virtual:X virtual 3D surround sound Price: `25,490
Sound bar with wireless YAS-209 VXEZRRIHU DQG $OH[D 'R \RX ZDQW WR FUHDWH WKH XOWLPDWH VRXQG H[SHULHQFH IRU D UHDO KRPH WKHDWUH H[SHULHQFH LQ D ODUJHU VSDFH" 7KH <$6 GHOLYHUV DOO WKH IHDWXUHV RI WKH RWKHU WKUHH FRPELQHG LQ D QHDW SDFNDJH $ VHSDUDWH ZLUHOHVV VXEZRRIHU WKDW FRPHV DORQJ ZLWK WKH VRXQG EDU SURYLGHV WKH ćH[LELOLW\ WR PRGHO WKH VRXQG ZLWK GLIIHUHQW OD\RXW RSWLRQV '76 9LUWXDO ; YLUWXDO VXUURXQG VRXQG JHWV D ERRVW ZLWK WKH ZLUHOHVV VXEZRRIHU :LWK WKLV \RX JHW WR GHFLGH KRZ VRXQG PRYHV LQ VSDFH DURXQG \RX %XLOW LQ $OH[D YRLFH FRQWURO OHWV \RX VHW XS \RXU smart home ecosystem around this device, while four built-in surround modes allow you to immerse \RXUVHOI LQ PXVLF 79 SURJUDP PRYLH VSRUWV RU JDPH ZLWK VHSDUDWH SURĆOHV IRU HDFK W\SH RI HQYLURQPHQW Key Features Built-in Alexa voice control for easy control of your sound bar and smart home devices :LUHOHVV VXEZRRIHU IRU GHHS EDVV ZLWK ćH[LEOH SODFHPHQW DTS Virtual:X and Bluetooth streaming Price: `37,490.
For more information, please visit www.yamahamusicstore.in W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
AUGUST 2020 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 35
Now read your favourite magazine wherever you go... Available on PC... Mac... Tablet... or any other handheld device!
Available on
Digital Platform Partners
Hi-Fi
ISSUE 73/ AUGUST 2021
Hi-Fi
Here at T3 India we appreciate the high-fidelity reproduction of the sound and keeping that in mind, the Hi-Fi section aims to bring everything related to Hi-Fi audio, including tips & tricks, interesting Hi-Fi products and a lot more.
Inside 40
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
0DUDQW] 0RGHO $PSOLĆHU & Sacd 30 N CD Player Classic Artistes
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 37
Hi-Fi
MARANTZ MODEL 30 AMPLIFIER & SACD 30 N CD PLAYER WORDS H. S. BILLIMORIA 68 years after its launch, the Marantz brand is still going strong. To strengthen its premium range, the company launched a matched amplifier and CD player. This is the Model 30 Amp and the SACD 30 N CD player. T3 had this pair on its test bench and the results are set out below. The Model 30 sports a new look and is available in black and silver finishes. Visually, opinion was divided on whether the new design was aesthetically more appealing or not. The amp is a beast weighing nearly 15 kgs and measuring 443mm x 431 mm x130 mm. The CD
38 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
player sports the same look and weighs 13.5 kgs. It measures 443 mm x 424 mm x 130 mm. Both come with a metal remote control which feels reassuring in its operation. Build quality is excellent. Marantz claim that the Model 30 is ‘ Master’ tuned and is equipped with a custom designed Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module ( HDAM ). The amp is powerful and belts out 100 Watts per channel into 8 ohms. The frequency response ranges from 5 Hz to 50 KHz and total harmonic distortion is a low .005%. The amp is a Class D design and
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
MARANTZ MODEL 30 AMPLIFIER & SACD 30 N CD PLAYER
is Made in Japan. Likewise the SACD player comes with HEOS built-in for streaming from various sources. High Res Audio is also available and the machine will play a wide range of CDs from CDRs and CDRWs to WMA and MP3. There are separate sockets for connecting a turntable and the Marantz accepts sound from both a Moving Magnet or Moving Coil cartridge. Input impedance selector can also be switched from low to mid or high. How did this pair from Marantz sound? We auditioned the amp and CD player with the following: Transfusion by Alborada Grainger- Piano Music by Marc- Andre Hamelin The Rhythm Of The Saints by Paul Simon Jab Jab Phool Khile by Kalyanji Anandji
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
The Model 30 sounded divine. Being a powerful amp, it can drive speakers that are not so sensitive like the ATC 11s without any problem. Detailing is exceptional and the sound produced is forward and foot tapping. Both treble and bass are reproduced with aplomb. A very good performance indeed. The Model 30 should ideally be purchased as a pair. We were quoted an MRP of Rs 374900 for the amp and Rs 424900 for the CD player. Remember this is high end equipment. Discounts should be available. If you have the budget for a system costing around Rs. 10 lakhs, the Model 30 should be on your shortlist.
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 39
RETRO
THE MUSIC OF MERE HUZOOR (1968) Words: H. S. Billimoria
7KH V ZHUH WKH \HDUV RI WKH 0XVOLP VRFLDO ĆOPV )LOPV like ‘Mere Mehboob’ (1963) and Jahan Ara (1964) set WKH WUHQG ç0HUH +X]RRUè IROORZHG LQ 7KH ĆOP ZDV launched with great fanfare. M C Kochar and Vinod Kumar were the producers of this social set in Lucknow. The cast included Raaj Kumar, Mala Sinha and Jeetendra. Vinod Kumar was the director. Shankar Jaikishan were at the crest of their popularity and were brought in as music directors. Sadly, SJ had just lost their lyricist partner Shailendra in 1966. Hence, all the songs were done by Hasrat Jaipuri. On release, ‘Mere Huzoor’proved a resounding success. Its PXVLF VRDUHG DQG WKH VRORV E\ 0RKDPHG 5DĆ DQG
40 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
Manna Dey are very popular even today. With ‘Mere Huzoor’, Shankar Jaikishan proved that they could handle any type of music score. 7KUHH VRQJV LQ WKH ĆOP ZHQW RQ WR EHFRPH LFRQLF QXPEHUV 7ZR RI WKHP DUH VRORV IURP 0RKDPHG 5DĆ DQG WKH WKLUG LV D VROR IURP 0DQQD 'H\ 7KH ĆUVW 5DĆ VROR LV ç <HK NKXVKL mili jo mujhko, woh khushi se mar na jaoon’. What lyrics! Picturised on Raaj Kumar, the song is an intense romantic number. SJ have used the sitar brilliantly to interweave the PXNKGD DQG WKH DQWUD <RX FRXOG SOD\ WKLV QXPEHU RQ repeat mode and not tire of it.
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THE MUSIC OF MERE HUZOOR
ç*XP XWKDQH NH OL\H PDLQ WR ML\H MDRRQJDè LV WKH VHFRQG 5DĆ number. Picturised on a repentant Jeetendra, the song conveys the agony of a lover who has loved and lost. One of Jeetendra’s best songs! Manna Dey’s ‘Jhanak jhanak tore baaje payaliya’ is also one of his most famous numbers. This classical number has been beautifully rendered by Manna Dey and picturised on Raaj Kumar, Madhumati and Laxmi Chhaya. Here again, the sitar has been used to create sub rhythms to telling effect. $QRWKHU 5DĆ VROR WKDW KDG EHFRPH SRSXODU ZDV WKH WLWOH VRQJ ‘ Rukh se zara naqab utha do, mere huzoor’. The song has been picturised on a train with Jeetendra trying to woo Mala Sinha.
Manna De
/DWD 0DQJHVKNDU MRLQV 0RKDPHG 5DĆ LQ WKH GXHW ç.\D N\D na sahe humne sanam aapke khatir’. This is a semi classical romantic duet. Again, Hasrat’s lyrics are outstanding. Lata Mangeshkar’s ‘Allah, allah, allah, woh le gaya chandi challa’ is a dance song picturised in green surroundings on Mala Sinha and her friends. This is a typical SJ number with catchy rhythms and a racy pace. The last number, ‘ meri jaan apne ashiq ko’ is a duet sung by $VKD %KRVOH DQG 5DĆ 7KH IDFW WKDW LW LV SLFWXULVHG RQ -RKQ\ Walker and Indira should convey that the song is a comedy number. This is perhaps the weakest song in the context of WKH ĆOP )LOPV OLNH ç 0HUH +X]RRUè DUH XQOLNHO\ WR EH PDGH DJDLQ 6R revel in Shankar Jaikishan’s fabulous music and admire their sheer versatility. 0RKDPHG 5DĆ
Shankar Jaikishan
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Lata Mangeshkar
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 41
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Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
SIZZLING OUTDOOR GADGETS Never mind sun cream, shorts and ice-cold lager – dive into all this top tech! Words: Becca Caddy Photography: Neil Godwin
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AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 45
Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
GARDEN The heck with plants and shrubs! This is what you really need in your garden
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SWAN AL FRESCO SH16310N COLUMN PATIO HEATER Keep warm outdoors during cool summer evenings with this patio heater from Swan. Its sleek and understated column design means it easily slots behind outdoor furniture and looks the part on patios. It has two temperature settings and a reassuring 360-degree tipover safety switch. With an IP24 rating, it can also handle rain showers. `17,999, amazon.co.uk
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JOSPER METAL FIRE PIT $ ĆUH SLW LV D JUHDW ZD\ to add heat and drama to outdoor spaces. 7KHb-RVSHU 0HWDO )LUH 3LWbIURP 0DGH DOVR EULQJVbEDJV RI VW\OH Crafted from metal, this design would look DW KRPHbLQ D PRGHUQ art gallery as well as your garden. The bowl is separate from the base, which means you can easily dispose of ZDVWHbDIWHUZDUGV `15,900, made.com
46 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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PHILIPS HUE LILY XL OUTDOOR SPOT LIGHT (1050 LUMENS) One of the easiest ways to enhance an outdoor space is with light. The Lily XL Outdoor Spot Light from the Philips Hue range can be controlled with the Hue app, allowing you to pick any colour you can imagine and control the brightness from your phone. It integrates with smart assistants, too, so you can also use voice commands. `12,999, philips-hue.com
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LAY-Z-SPA HELSINKI 7 PERSON AIRJET HOT TUB The ultimate in garden luxury, the Helsinki hot tub from Lay-Z-Spa can hold up to seven people, helping you to unwind with its massaging air jets. Thanks to the rapid heating system DQG TXLFN LQćDWLRQ å UHDG\ LQ XQGHU ĆYH PLQXWHV å there’s no waiting around. And it’s made from a durable material that’ll withstand the elements DOOb\HDU URXQG `82,000, argos.co.uk
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ORIEN GARDEN LOUNGE SET, CREAM & BLACK Give your garden a makeover with this Scandinavian-inspired chairs and side table combo from Orien. The circular seat of the chairs has a distinctive cream and black weaved rope design wrapped around a sturdy metal frame. That means it’s not only comfy and stylish, but it’s also robust enough to withstand any garden parties or BBQs. `29,900, cultfurniture.com W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Garden
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SONOS ROAM A great-sounding portable speaker is an absolute must-have for summer. The Sonos 5RDP FRQQHFWV WR \RXU :L )L DQG RQ WKH PRYH LW SDLUV ZLWK \RXU SKRQH )LWWHG ZLWK tuning tech, it adapts to your surroundings for a clear, powerful sound whether you’re in your garden or at the beach. It’s also waterproof and drop-resistant, with an impressive 10 hours of playback time. `15,900, sonos.com W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
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OONI FYRA 12 WOOD PELLET PIZZA OVEN
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EERO MESH NETWORK
If you have a large house and want to entertain guests outside or even work from Create an authentic stone-baked pizza from your garden if you’re so inclined, you might your back garden in under a minute with the QHHG WR ERRVW \RXU :L )L 7KH (HUR 0HVK )\UD :RRG 3HOOHW 3L]]D 2YHQ IURP 2RQL H[WHQGV \RXU :L )L IXUWKHU DQG PDNHV LW It automatically feeds hardwood pellets into the oven, meaning it’ll be up and running in faster and more reliable, too. Connecting it to 15 minutes, reaching temperatures of 500°C \RXU H[LVWLQJ PRGHP LV VLPSOH ZLWK WKH (HUR r) IRU HIIRUWOHVV FRRNLQJ ,WèV OLJKWZHLJKW app, which walks you through the process step-by-step. enough to be easily moved around, too. `7,900, amazon.co.uk `24,900, ooni.com AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 47
Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
OUTSIDE SPACES Chill out in parks and on beaches with the help of this awesome gear
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LAMZAC L AIR LOUNGER 2.0 7KLV LQćDWDEOH ORXQJHU brings you ultimate comfort in a matter of VHFRQGV å QR IRRW SXPS needed. All you have to do is sweep it in a horizontal motion, and it ĆOOV XS ZLWK DLU ,WèV VXSHU durable, as well as water and UV-resistant, making it perfect for the beach, park or anywhere else you’d like to relax with zero fuss. `9,900, fatboy.com
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FRESCOBOL CARIOCA TRANCOSO WOODEN BEACH BAT AND BALL SET
AFTERSHOKZ XTRAINERZ BONE CONDUCTION WIRELESS HEADPHONES
Play beach tennis in style with this high-end bat DQG EDOO IURP )UHVFRERO Carioca. The bats have been handcrafted from different layers of wood for durability. A resin ĆQLVK JLYHV WKHP H[WUD strength, and neoprene grips give you additional control and comfort. `16,000, mrporter.com
This pair of headphones from AfterShokz has an eight-hour battery life, IP68 ZDWHUSURRĆQJ DQG XVHV bone conduction tech to DOORZ \RX WR OLVWHQ WR 03 V underwater. Perfect for training in the pool or taking the plunge with some wild swimming in rivers and the ocean. `14,000, aftershokz.co.uk
48 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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CGEAR ORIGINAL SAND-FREE MAT Avoid stamping sand into your car or tent with the &*HDU 6DQG )UHH 0DW 0DGH IURP GLIIHUHQW layers of material, it stops dust and sand from sitting on the top, which is always the pitfall of a regular beach mat. Rings around the edge let you secure it in place, then you can sit on it, get it wet or even put picnic chairs and tables on top of it. `4,999, out-right.co.uk
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LIFEWIT 15L 24 CANS INSULATED PICNIC LUNCH BAG Keep food cool on your way to the beach or the park with this waterresistant and durable cooler bag from Lifewit. With a capacity of 15 litres, you can use it to store up to 24 cans. There’s a padded handle and shoulder strap to make it easy to carry, and \RX FDQ IROG LW ćDW ZKHQ it’s time to head home. `1,499, amazon.co.uk W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Outside spaces
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THE PARTNER IN WINE BOTTLE Warm wine is now a thing of the past, thanks to this insulated bottle from Partner in Wine. It holds an entire bottle of wine, which it keeps cold for up to 24 hours because it’s made from insulated and vacuum-sealed stainless steel. It comes in a range of colours and would suit all kinds of parties and picnics. You could even sip a glass of white on the beach. `3,500, partnerinwine.co.uk W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
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ULTIMATE EARS WONDERBOOM 2 <RX GRQèW KDYH WR VDFULĆFH VRXQG TXDOLW\ IRU D SRUWDEOH VSHDNHU WKHVH GD\V (VSHFLDOO\ ZLWK WKH :RQGHUERRP IURP 8OWLPDWH (DUV ZKLFK boasts 13 hours of play on one charge and is ERWK ZDWHUSURRI DQG GXVWSURRI å LWèOO HYHQ ćRDW in water. It also has a feature called Outdoor Boost, which pumps up the power and the performance for listening to music outside. `8,999, ultimateears.com
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LOTUS GRILL BBQ You don’t need a traditional barbecue to make great food this summer. The Lotus Grill BBQ is an outdoor cooking miracle, using 90% less charcoal and grilling food in three to four minutes. This is thanks to a fan that blows air onto the charcoal and heats it up super fast. There’s no smoke either because it uses natural hardwood charcoal. `14,900, lotusgrill.co.uk AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 49
Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
STAYCATION For holidaying not too far from home, you need comforts you can take on the road
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BIOLITE FIREPIT+ One of the best things DERXW FDPSLQJ LV WKH ĆUH :LWK WKH %LR/LWH )LUH3LW you get the warmth, smell and crackle of a regular FDPSĆUH ZLWKRXW WKH smoke. You can also control WKH VL]H RI WKH ćDPHV PDQXDOO\ RU YLD DQbDSS ,W comes with a grill grate, too, transforming it from ĆUHSLW WR %%4 LQ VHFRQGV å just add charcoal. `21,600, bioliteenergy.com
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Whether you’re staying late at the beach or need a reliable camping lantern, this minimal lamp has you covered. It’s a wireless DQG UHFKDUJHDEOH /(' light with three different brightness levels: soft, EULJKW DQG ćLFNHU <RX should get seven to 12 hours of use on one charge, and its handle makes it easy to carry. `7900, worm.co.uk
50 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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GARMIN FENIX 6 PRO SOLAR EDITION
NETGEAR NIGHTHAWK M5 MOBILE ROUTER
With workout tracking, live navigation, music, heart rate and sleep monitoring, this advanced sports watch has everything you need. It’s been tested to US military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance, making it the perfect companion for hiking and camping. `67,999, garmin.com
Connect to 5G over :L )L ZKHUHYHU \RX DUH with Netgear’s device. Up to 32 devices can join the router at once, so you’re sorted for family holidays. It’s helpful to stay connected while you travel, especially if you need to work, but you can also use it to bring 5G WRb\RXU KRPH `73,999, netgear.co.uk
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DECATHLON QUECHUA 2 SECONDS EASY TENT Camping has never been so easy, thanks to the 6HFRQGV (DV\ 7HQW ,W doesn’t take two seconds to put up, but it isn’t far behind: its innovative design means you can pitch it in one minute. All you need to do then is secure it in place. And it’s painless to take down too. `9,999, decathlon.co.uk W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Staycation
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iPAD AIR
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DJI MINI 2
.HHS HYHU\RQH HQWHUWDLQHG RQ \RXU WUDYHOV 7KLV VPDOO EXW PLJKW\ GURQH IURP '-, ZLWK DQ L3DG $LU ,WèV OLJKW KDV D JUHDW ORRNLQJ UHFRUGVb . YLGHR ZLWK . ]RRP DQG KDV LQFK GLVSOD\ DQG LI \RX EX\ D GXUDEOH PLQXWHV RI ćLJKW WLPH ,WèV OLJKW DQG IROGDEOH FDVH LWèOO ZLWKVWDQG NQRFNV DQG GURSV ,W ZHLJKLQJ XQGHU J DQG FDQ ĆW LQ WKH SDOP KDV $SSOHèV $ %LRQLF FKLS ZKLFK PDNHV LW RIb\RXU KDQG ZKLFK PDNHV LW WKH SHUIHFW UHPDUNDEO\ IDVW ZLWK WRS SHUIRUPDQFH 3DFN GURQHbIRU WUDYHO ,W FDQ DOVR UHVLVW NSK D FRPSDWLEOH NH\ERDUG WRR LI \RX QHHG WR JHW ZLQGV ZKLFK LV JRRG WR NQRZ LI \RXèUH SODQQLQJ VRPH ZRUN GRQH ZKLOH \RXèUH DZD\ WR KROLGD\ LQ WKH 8. `54,900, apple.com `41,900, dji.com W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
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CANON EOS 250D DSLR 7KLV LV RQH RI WKH OLJKWHVW '6/5V \RXèOO ĆQG ZLWK D PRYDEOH VFUHHQ PDNLQJ LW LGHDO IRU WUDYHO ,W FDQ WDNH PHJDSL[HO SKRWRV DQG UHFRUG . PRYLHV 7KDQNV WR DQ $36 & VL]HG VHQVRU DQG ',*,& SURFHVVRU LW SHUIRUPV ZHOO HVSHFLDOO\ LQ ORZ OLJKWV %XLOW LQ :L )L PDNHV LW HDV\ WR FRQQHFW WR GHYLFHV VKDUH SLFWXUHV DQG XVH LW IRU OLYH VWUHDPLQJ `62,999, canon.co.uk AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 51
Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
HOLIDAY We sure all need one – so grab that case and pack with panache
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KNOMO FULHAM KNOMAD X-BODY ORGANISER .QRPR LV NQRZQ IRU LWV KLJK TXDOLW\ EDJV ZKLFK DUH GHVLJQHG WR NHHS \RXU WHFK SURWHFWHG 7KH )XOKDP FDVH LV LGHDO IRU WUDYHO DQG HQVXUHV \RXU GHYLFHV DQG GRFXPHQWV DUH VDIH DQG RUJDQLVHG ,WèV PDGH IURP ZDWHU UHVLVWDQW Q\ORQ ZLWK DQ 5),' SURRI SRFNHW DQG \RX FDQ SXW LW LQ D EDFNSDFN `6,900, knomo.com
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APPLE AIRTAGS
NINTENDO SWITCH LITE
,WèV HDV\ WR ORVH WKLQJV ZKHQ \RXèUHbDZD\ RQ \RXU KROLGD\V %XW \RX FDQ NHHS WUDFN RI DOO \RXU YDOXDEOHV ZLWK WKHVH EULOOLDQW $SSOH $LU7DJV 7KH\ DUH VPDOO WUDFNLQJ GLVFV \RX FDQ DWWDFK WR \RXU NH\V VOLS LQWR \RXU ZDOOHW RU KLGH LQ D EDFNSDFN 2SHQ WKH )LQG 0\ DSS RQ \RXU L3KRQH DQG \RX FDQ VHH ZKHUH HYHU\WKLQJ LV ZKHQHYHU \RXbQHHG WR From `3,190, apple.com
7KH EHVW ZD\ WR SOD\ JDPHV ZKLOH \RXèUH RQ WKH PRYH LV ZLWK WKH 1LQWHQGR 6ZLWFK /LWH 7KLV KDQGKHOG JDPLQJ GHYLFH LV FRPSDFW OLJKWZHLJKW DW J DQGbKDV D FULVS LQFK WRXFK GLVSOD\ <RXèOO JHW WKUHH WR VHYHQ hours of battery life from one FKDUJH PDNLQJ LW SHUIHFW IRU ćLJKWV %X\ D GXUDEOH FDVH IRU H[WUD SHDFH RI PLQG From `20,999, nintendo.co.uk
52 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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WACACO NANOPRESSO PORTABLE ESPRESSO MAKER .HHS WRSSHG XS ZLWK \RXU IDYRXULWH FRIIHH RQ KROLGD\ ZLWK WKLV OLJKWZHLJKW FRIIHH PDNHU IURP :DFDFR <RX GRQèW QHHG D EDWWHU\ RU HOHFWULFLW\ ,QVWHDG DGG JURXQG FRIIHH DQG KRW ZDWHU WR WKH GHYLFH DQG SXPS LW PDQXDOO\ WR FUHDWH D ULFK HVSUHVVR ZLWK D FUHDP\ OD\HU RQ WRS ,W GRXEOHV DV D PXJ WRR 6,499, amazon.co.uk W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Holiday
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CANON EOS M50 MARK II
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SONY WH-1000XM4
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7KLV FDPHUD KDV D PHJDSL[HO 2QH RI WKH EHVW SDLUV RI QRLVH 2DNOH\ PDNHV KLJK HQG VXQJODVVHV 1R KROLGD\ LV FRPSOHWH ZLWKRXW $36 & VHQVRU ZKLFK PHDQV LW FDQFHOOLQJ KHDGSKRQHV \RX FDQ EXLOW IRU VSRUW EXW LWV FODVVLF SDLUV UHDGLQJ PDWHULDO 7KH .LQGOH GHOLYHUV H[FHOOHQW LPDJH TXDOLW\ EX\ 7KH\èUH SHUIHFW IRU WUDYHO DUH MXVW DV LPSUHVVLYH EHFDXVH 3DSHUZKLWH LV D JUHDW HUHDGHU EXW LW DOVR VKLQHV ZKHQ LW FRPHV EHFDXVH \RX ZRQèW KHDU WKH VRXQG WKH\èUH IXQFWLRQDO DQG VW\OLVK WKDW ERDVWV *% RI VWRUDJH DQG D WR YLGHR <RX FDQ UHFRUG IXOO RI WUDIĆF SODQHV DQG RWKHU SHRSOH 7KLV SDLU KDV EHHQ WHVWHG DJDLQVW EXLOW LQ OLJKW ,WèV DOVR ZDWHUSURRI +' PRYLHV DW S DQG \RX FDQ DOORZLQJ \RX WR IRFXV RQ PXVLF LPSDFWV DQG ZLWKVWDQGV HYHU\GD\ ZKLFK PHDQV \RX FDQ UHDG LQ VWUHDPbOLYH WR <RX7XEH ZLWK D SRGFDVWV DQG PRYLHV 7KH ZLUHOHVV NQRFNV DQG IDOOV EXW VWLOO ORRNV the bath, at the beach or by the :L )L FRQQHFWLRQ ,WèV SRUWDEOH RYHU HDU GHVLJQ PDNHV WKHP WKH SDUW DW WKH EHDFK RU D IDQF\ VZLPPLQJ SRRO ,W KDV $XGLEOH DQG DW J LWèV OLJKW IRU D KLJK FRPIRUWDEOH WR ZHDU IRU D ORQJ KRWHO 2DNOH\ OHQV WHFKQRORJ\ DOVR EXLOWbLQ WR VZLWFK EHWZHHQ UHDGLQJ HQG FDPHUD PDNLQJ LW D SHUIHFW WLPH ZKLFK LV JRRG QHZV DV \RXèOO HQKDQFHV FRORXU DQG FRQWUDVW DQG OLVWHQLQJ DQG VKRXOG ODVW ZHHNV WUDYHO FRPSDQLRQ JHW KRXUV IURP RQH FKDUJH ZKLOH RIIHULQJ JRRG SURWHFWLRQ RQ RQH FKDUJH `58,995, canon.co.in `29,990, sony.co.in `10,200 `12,999, amazon.co.in W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 53
Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
GET ACTIVE Embrace the lovely weather by keeping fit and setting out on adventures
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ADIDAS FIVE TEN MEN’S NIAD VCS CLIMBING SHOE 5HJXODU VKRHV ZRQèW cut it if you’re serious DERXW FOLPELQJ 7KLV SDLU IURP $GLGDV KDV D VXSHU ćH[LEOH GHVLJQ DQG D YHOFUR IDVWHQLQJ ZKLFK NHHSV WKH VKRHV ĆUPO\ LQ SODFH RQ \RXU IHHW 7KHUHèV D VROLG JULS RQ WKH VROH DQG DURXQG WKH WRHV thanks to Stealth rubber, ZKLFK LV JUHDW IRU RXWGRRU VSRUWV DQG FOLPELQJ `9,700, adidas.co.uk
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SAUCONY PEREGRINE 11 6DXFRQ\èV 3HUHJULQH VKRHV ZHUH FUHDWHG HVSHFLDOO\ IRU WUDLO UXQQLQJ RYHU UXJJHG WHUUDLQ 7KH\èUH ĆUP ZLWK JRRG traction, making them a VROLG FKRLFH IRU NHHSLQJ \RXU IHHW VDIH DQG VWDEOH RQ XQHYHQ DQG VOLSSHU\ VXUIDFHV 7KH\èUH DOVR FXVKLRQHG IRU DGGHG FRPIRUW DQG VRDNLQJ XS WKH LPSDFW ZKHQ \RXU IHHW VWULNH KDUG VXUIDFHV `11,500, saucony.com
54 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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FITBEAST RESISTANCE BANDS
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JAYBIRD VISTA TRUE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES
$ VHW RI UHVLVWDQFH EDQGV LV D PXVW KDYH LQ \RXU ZRUNRXW NLW IRU ćH[LELOLW\ training, rehabilitation, 7UXH ZLUHOHVV LV WKH EHVW VWUHWFKLQJ RU SUDFWLVLQJ ZD\ WR OLVWHQ WR PXVLF PRYHPHQWV EHIRUH DGGLQJ ZKHQ \RX ZRUN RXW 7KHVH ZHLJKWV 7KLV VHW LV PDGH -D\ELUG KHDGSKRQHV DUH IURP GXUDEOH ODWH[ DQG FRPIRUWDEOH ZLWK D FKRLFH WKHUH DUH ĆYH GLIIHUHQW RI HDU JHOV DQG WKH\èUH W\SHV 7KH\ FRPH ZLWK D ZDWHUSURRI DQG VZHDWSURRI EDJ LI \RX ZDQW WR WDNH ZLWK DQ ,3; UDWLQJ <RX JHW them to the gym or the VL[ KRXUV RI OLVWHQLQJ ZLWK SDUN DQG D JULS SDG WR one charge, but the charging SURWHFW \RXU KDQGV FDVH JLYHV \RX PRUH `2,974, amazon.co.uk `13,900, jaybirdsport.com
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DECATHLON ITIWIT BEGINNER’S INFLATABLE TOURING STANDUP PADDLEBOARD 7U\ SDGGOHERDUGLQJ ZLWK WKLV HDV\ WR XVH LQćDWDEOH ERDUG IURP 'HFDWKORQ WKDWèV SHUIHFW IRU EHJLQQHUV ,WèV VLPSOH WR LQćDWH DQG KDV D ZLGH GHVLJQ ZLWK D IRDP GHFN ZKLFK SURYLGHV VWDELOLW\ DQG FRPIRUW ZKHQ \RXèUH RQ WKH ZDWHU $QG DW RQO\ NJ LWèV HDV\ WR FDUU\ `34,999, decathlon.co.uk W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Get active
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NIKE ZOOMX INVINCIBLE RUN FLYKNIT
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Sizzling Outdoor Gadgets
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T3 AUGUST 2021
OR
Special Feature
TRAVEL HACKS: STAY ON A BUDGET WORDS JIMEET VED
60 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
f air tickets account for the major chunk of your expenses during trips, accommodation is probably the second most expensive part of a trip. Stay is where you come back to after a wonderful day of sightseeing. So make sure that you give it more attention while planning your travel.
I
I assume that you have already shortlisted the cities you want to visit in advance while you are booking your trip. There are a multitude of options to stay. Picking them wisely would help you have a wonderful trip. Hotels: Undoubtedly the best way to stay in any city, given the amenities they offer Hostels: The cheap way to stay. In some costly countries, hostels come handy to save money. You can check the availability of private rooms if needed in hostels too. You also have the option of a kitchen if you are keen on saving some money in food too. AirBnB: A very nice option if traveling solo or in large groups. This turns out to be a really nice deal if there are many people in the group. You have the added advantage of a kitchen, which W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Special Feature Once you drill down a hostel or hotel, make sure to check the same on their websites too. Sometimes you may find it cheaper or you may get breakfast or dinner included. Every rupee saved makes a difference. Also check the laundry options. For domestic travel, check with multiple aggregator sites and then directly with the property. With the pandemic, many hotels have come up with some nice deals. Check if any hotel chains have pay now, stay later deal. It is nice to pre-book hotels at a good rate. Always check for refundable fares. It helps a lot in case you have to change your plans in between. ‘Pay at property’ option, if available, ensures that you can save the money in case you are not getting what was promised. Google Street View is a good option to explore nearby locality as pictures only show you the inside of a place.
could save a considerable amount on food. Before starting to book the stay, do some research and make a list of the places of interest or what places you would be visiting in that town. It makes much sense to plan this beforehand as you can then choose the place of stay nearby. You would not want to spend one hour on a bus or train journey back home even at night. Once your list is ready, check for the places of stay in those areas. Shortlist a few hotels/hostels within your budget. Next step is to check how far the hotel is from the nearest public transport facility. This is quite important since you would need it at least two times a day. Also check if there are restaurants and supermarkets nearby, such as 7-eleven stores and other such convenience stores.
Whether you are planning a domestic or an international trip, it is important to save money for your sightseeing and experiences. Sometimes your accommodation itself is part of the experience and worth spending some money. Unless you are on such a tour, following these tips would certainly leave you with some significant amount to spend on other important experiences. About the Author Jimeet loves globetrotting with a backpack and sharing his experiences with other enthusiasts through his YouTube channel and social media handles amidst his full-time job. Follow his account outofofficedaku on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to get updates on free flight deals and other travel content.
HERE ARE A FEW WEBSITES I USE TO CHECK HOTELS AND HOSTELS. booking.com - Always login using incognito mode and check fares hostelworld.com - For international hostels zostel.com - They have some really good hostels across India tripadvisor.in – Allows you to check real photos uploaded by people who have stayed there. This would give a real picture of what the accommodation looks like, with respect to PR images.
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 61
The complete guide to…
62 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
Action cameras
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO…
Action cameras
Now that we’re able to get out and about, you should make up for lost time by getting some thrills back into your life – and here’s our advice for how to properly capture those moments Words: Rich Owen
ne crumb of comfort from the unprecedented nature of the past year or so is that spending so much time at home has created a national longing to swap the couch and boxset for clean air and the great outdoors. Now that restrictions have been relaxed, we can at last leave the urban areas we’ve spent so much time in to explore wilder places. This recently reclaimed freedom to travel combined with a desire to get fitter and healthier has seen huge numbers of us getting out and about to enjoy clean air, the pleasures of nature and a life outdoors on foot, by bike, or on the water – which has now become even more appealing with warmer summer temperatures and sunny skies. Of course, documenting such outdoor adventures is all part of the fun and the ability to take video and stills of activities and experiences in a natural setting can provide an extra incentive to get out and explore new places. While smartphones and conventional cameras can undoubtedly do a great job of
O
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
capturing our outdoor activities, most of them are far too fragile to withstand being splattered with mud or being dunked in water. Even relatively benign settings such as the beach can be enough to destroy a conventional device. This makes a dedicated action camera a much better option for capturing video and stills – they shrug off smartphone and conventional camera destroying environments with ease and even the fanciest models cost far less than the vast majority of smartphones – should you lose or actually break one.
ACTION CAM ADVANTAGES As well as being able to withstand the worst of the elements, modern action cams laugh in the face of mere splashes and some models can be operated underwater without a waterproof housing. They are also packed with handy features, in-built tech such as video stabilisation software is now common and can turn otherwise unwatchable footage into ultra-smooth sequences, while digital lenses allow you to switch
from a wide-angle to a zoom lens at the touch of a button. Nearly all action cameras are extremely straightforward to use with auto exposure settings that give great results in the vast majority of light conditions. More advanced models can also combine multiple exposures of the same shot to add depth and detail to otherwise under- and over-exposed parts of an image. While action cameras are small enough to slip into a pocket, for most situations you’ll want to attach them to a dedicated mount, housing, or other accessory. Their compact size makes them ideal for placing somewhere that will give you an interesting point of view, such as beneath the peak of a mountain bike helmet, on the nose of a surfboard, or even the underside of a skateboard deck. Being mounted in a relatively vulnerable position is not usually a problem for the action cam as they are designed to withstand some fairly hefty knocks. In a GoPro test that went awry, your writer ended putting the camera through the rear AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 63
The complete guide to… The top three…
ACTION CAM ESSENTIALS Must-have accessories that will enable you to get the most from your camera 01
GOPRO SHORTY A camera grip is extremely useful; however, the Shorty is more than just a regular grip. Telescopic sections extend DOORZLQJ \RX WR XVH LW IRU VHOĆHV ZKLOH three fold out legs also enable it to be used as a tripod. `3,999, gopro.com
02
GOPRO CHESTY While helmet-mounted cams are popular for shooting your exploits on bike or board, you get a much more interesting POV with a chest-mounted camera. GoPro’s Chesty is one of the best models around. `4,499, gopro.com
03
EXPOSURE CAPTURE CAMERA LIGHT Whether you’re attaching Exposure’s tough but light, er, lights to a vlogging rig, or to your bike for capturing night rides, this is one of the best of its kind around. `11,000, exposurelights.com
wheel of his mountain bike at speed. The writer crashed and the wheel was trashed, but the GoPro emerged relatively unscathed and kept recording throughout its ordeal. There are many action cameras to choose from, with prices ranging from around `5,000 to `30,000. The good news is that even the most basic models give pretty decent results, though paying more will get you a better lens, light sensor and processor, a higher quality and more rugged camera body, plus additional and more advanced features. Most recently released cameras have a maximum video resolution of 4K, which is usually 3840 x 2160 pixels or higher. However, the latest GoPro camera, the HERO 9 Black, is a 5K model and there are plenty of older cameras around with lower maximum video resolutions. The main reason to shoot in 4K is to future-proof your video content and a give a higher level of detail on compatible TVs and monitors. However, shooting in 4K then downscaling to HD during post-production will also give better looking footage than directly shooting in HD. For sharing online or directly with friends, it’s far better to shoot video in HD to keep the file size smaller. More expensive cameras will allow you to record video at 60fps (frames per second) at their maximum resolution, while cheaper models usually go up to 30fps. A framerate of 24fps (or 30fps in the US) will record video that runs at a real-time speed, anything over that and you’re getting into slow mo territory. Whatever camera you go for, you can choose between a range of video resolutions and framerates to suit your needs. As a general rule, the lower resolution you go for, the wider range of framerates you’ll be able to select – up to a maximum of 240fps. The vast majority of action cams come
64 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
with an accompanying smartphone app. The most basic ones usually allow you to control the camera, view your content and transfer it to your phone. Fancier apps come with more sophisticated functions, such as the ability to edit and splice together video, add music, upload it directly to the web or livestream from your mobile device. As a general rule, the more you spend on your action cam, the more advanced the accompanying app support will be too.
GET THE RIGHT MODEL FOR YOU When choosing an action cam, the key thing to consider is what you’ll be mostly using it most for. If it’s for capturing family days out with the kids, a more basic camera should do the trick. That said, we’d recommend going for a model with a 4K resolution, a wide selection of video resolutions and framerates, a range of digital lenses and in-built stabilisation software as this will give you the widest range of shooting options and future-proof it for longer. Most cameras with these facilities will also allow you to capture high resolution stills with plenty of different exposure settings. Action sports enthusiasts, such as mountain bikers, snowboarders and surfers, should make getting as robust a camera as possible a priority feature. It’s also important to ensure it’s simple to operate in adverse conditions, with cold fingers, or while
The key thing to consider is what you’ll be mostly using it for W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Action cameras
T3 recommends...
THE BEST ACTION CAMS FOR SUMMER CAPERS Whether you’re clambering up cliffs or catching some surf, these have you covered
Camera tech has come a long way. Today’s best action cameras are incredibly feature-rich, waterproof, ridiculously rugged and can be securely mounted to anything from your bicycle helmet to your pet dog. Capture top-quality footage and stills in places where you just couldn’t take a regular camera. Although GoPro dominates in the action camera market, over recent years we’ve seen increasingly strong competition – mainly from drone royalty DJI, and its excellent DJI Osmo Action. Beyond GoPro and DJI, there are several other genuinely ace action cams worth checking out, so take a peek at our selection below.
DRONE HONED
OUR HERO
DJI OSMO ACTION
GOPRO HERO 9 BLACK
Drone royalty DJI has poured its considerable know-how into the Osmo Action. It shoots 4K at 60fps and 1080 and 720 at up to 240fps, as well as packing in both a colour front-facing screen and a 2.25-inch rear touchscreen.
However, if you want the widest ĆHOG RI YLHZ SRVVLEOH FKRRVH WKH Hero 9 Black. Ultimately though this cam is simple to use, produces H[FHOOHQW LPDJHV DQG EHQHĆWV from RockSteady electronic image stabilisation. `29,900, dji.com
Under the hood of T3-Awardwinning Hero 9 Black, there’s a 23.6MP sensor, which means this cam can now shoot 5K/30 video and 20MP stills. Incredibly impressive horizon levelling is now baked in, and new Hindsight
and Scheduled Capture tools add new opportunities to get creative. 'HVLJQ ZLVH WKH PRVWbREYLRXV addition is that it at last has a vlogger-friendly front-facing screen included.
`32,998, gopro.com
SWEET & LOW
ROUND SHOT
OCLU ACTION CAMERA
INSTA360 ONE R
The OCLU bucks tradition with a top-mounted screen and a lowSURĆOH ERG\ PDNLQJ LW SHUIHFW for mounting under a skateboard. It has four shooting modes and there’s an outstanding feature called LiveCut that’ll let you delete W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
unwanted footage as you record. With a great ultrawide lens and the ability to record at up to 4K 30fps it’s an impressive camera; however its video stabilisation is only available at 1080p.
Around `14,100, oclu.com
7KH 2QH 5 LV ,QVWD èV ĆUVW IRUD\ into action cams. Its key feature is a totally modular system, including separate ones for processor and touchscreen, battery base, wide angle lens and 360-degree twin-lens. The quality of the
360-degree video is excellent and the Insta360 One R can record conventional video in 4K, albeit at a 4:3 ratio at 30fps. If you’re looking for the most versatile action cam available, this for you.
`23,995, dronesdirect.co.uk
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 65
The complete guide to… HERO 9 Black. The GoPro camera also has the advantage of a number of dedicated accessories (known as Mods). They are handy for vloggers as they enhance the camera’s lighting, sound recording and video capturing facilities. Vloggers may well also want to choose a camera that can livestream content straight to their social media channel. There are also a number of action cameras that can produce mind-blowing footage and stills that capture everything within a 360-degree radius of their lenses. With super wide-angle lenses at the front and rear of the camera body, models such the GoPro Max and the Insta360 One R Twin Edition stitch together the two different viewpoints to create 360-degree footage and stills. While you can
wearing gloves, and it can shrug off the absolute worst of the elements. Voice control can be a very handy facility to have too – as you won’t always have a hand free to start or stop shooting and you may have positioned your camera out of reach. GoPro’s range of cameras are extremely sturdy and easy to use, as are the OCLU and DJI Osmo Action. Helpfully, most action cams use the same mounting system, but nevertheless it’s usually a good idea to go with mounts from more established brands, as they are far less likely to come loose when you’re hurtling down a mountain. With a few exceptions, most cameras will need to be
fitted inside a housing in order to withstand a drenching. Waterproof housings usually come as standard if required, but if you’re looking to spend time underwater at any depth, you’ll need to also invest in a dive housing. If you’re looking for something to record vlogs with, you’ll almost certainly want an action cam with a forward-facing screen, as well as the standard rear touchscreen. This additional screen will allow you to accurately frame your shots while talking to camera and keep an eye on what’s happening behind you. Worthy action cam choices with in-built screens front and rear are the DJI Osmo Action and the GoPro
Several action cameras can produce mind-blowing footage and stills only view the 360-degree content within the camera’s accompanying smartphone app or a VR headset, you can edit your stills and video to create stunning 360-degree photographs and conventional video with shifting POVs. These models can also capture conventional content by just using a single lens, but this is usually at a lower resolution than regular action cams.
HOW TO MAKE EXCITING VIDEOS
Four expert tips that will help you create fantastic action cam videos CHECK YOUR FRAMING
With a tiny viewscreen, you’re never going WRbJHW D JUHDW YLHZ RI \RXU VXEMHFW XVLQJ \RXUbDFWLRQ FDP DORQH 7KLV SUREOHP LV compounded when mounting your camera LQbD SRVLWLRQ ZKHUH \RX FDQèW VHH WKH viewscreen at all. Fortunately, you can get DbOLYH DQG IDU EHWWHU YLHZ RI ZKDWèV LQ VKRW E\bXVLQJ \RXU FDPHUDèV VPDUWSKRQH DSS which will allow you to set up exactly the framing you need.
instead. Similarly, it’s easy to have accidentally switched from shooting the 4K video you were after to a much lower resolution. This makes it vital to double-check you’re actually in the correct shooting mode before you hit the shutter. This is particularly important when shooting action sequences, as its gutting to pull off something special, only to ĆQG \RX KDYHQèW UHFRUGHG LW DV LQWHQGHG
\RXU FDPHUD ZLOO GHĆQLWHO\ JHW ZHW VXFK DV VXUĆQJ JLYLQJ WKH OHQV D JRRG OLFN ZLOO KHOS prevent water droplets from forming on it.
VARY YOUR ANGLES
When it comes to producing engaging action cam sequences in post-production, unless you’re capturing something truly spectacular, a single shot of the action is rarely going to cut it. If possible, try to cut your sequence together using footage shot from multiple KEEP IT CLEAN If your camera is getting rained on, splashed, angles, or mount the camera in unusual positions to get interesting perspectives. RU WKHUHèV PXG ć\LQJ DURXQG LW RQO\ WDNHV D CHECK YOUR SETTINGS $QRWKHU RSWLRQ LV WR JHW D IULHQG WR ĆOP \RX With buttons that can switch shooting modes single water droplet or the tiniest bit of dirt on their phone while you wear your camera on its tiny lens to completely ruin your shot. and a small screen with even smaller icons, This makes keeping a lens cloth on you a very RQ D FKHVW KDUQHVV RU VLPLODU WR JHW D ĆUVW when checking your footage it’s not unusual person POV. With a huge range of mounts WR ĆQG WKDW LQVWHDG RI WKH YLGHR \RX ZDQWHG good idea; failing that, you can use your sleeve or whatever’s handy to clean the lens. available, action cameras give you a wealth to shoot, you’ve got something completely If you’re in an environment where you know RIbGLIIHUHQW VKRRWLQJ RSWLRQV different, such as a time-lapse sequence 66 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
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AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 67
Tested
Display 23.5-inch 4480x2520 Retina CPU Apple M1 RAM *% *% XQLĆHG memory Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB SSD Connectivity [ 7KXQGHUEROW [ 86% 7\SH & RSWLRQDO PP MDFN :L )L %OXHWRRWK (WKHUQHW RSWLRQDO Dimensions [ [ PP LQF VWDQG Weight NJ NJ
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Apple iMac M1
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his is the first time we’ve been able to judge what it’s like when a Mac has been, in Apple’s words, “built from the ground up around M1”. With the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) and MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1, 2020), we got the new chip in old designs. But this iMac is all-new, internally and externally. The characteristics of Apple’s M1 chip means that the computer can be just 11.5mm thick, not including stand, but still pack in eight cores of potent processing power, and run silently in general use.
The 4.5K resolution screen is larger than the 21.5-inch model it replaces, but the whole unit is only 2cm wider and 1cm taller – and much less voluminous. It is, simply, much more computer in a smaller space… mostly. There are a few changes that won’t be as welcome as the upgrades we’ve mentioned, and there’s one notable thing that hasn’t changed but really should have. But overall it’s a very exciting Mac, and with its seven jaunty colours, it feels less like a new electronic appliance and more like a computer from the days when getting a new PC was cool and thrilling. W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Apple iMac M1
SUPREME SCREEN This gorgeous 23.5-inch display drops 4.5K on your retinas. Coupled with a typical brightness of 500 nits and P3 wide gamut support, this will allow you to enjoy wonderfully crisp, bright images.
SPEED DEMON With Apple’s M1 chip, the new iMac is implausibly fast. It will obliterate every task you’re likely to throw at it. There are two main models. A low-end one that gets you an eight-core processor, seven-core GPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, two USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, and is available in green, pink, blue and silver. Note that this model doesn’t include a couple of clever features: the Touch ID fingerprint security on its keyboard, or the Ethernet port on its power brick. If you want those, you’ll need to step up to the more expensive model, which is the same but adds one core to the GPU, and two more USB 3 Type-C ports on the back. There’s not a lot between the models, and of course you can customise them both by adding more RAM (max 16GB, a drop from the 32GB max that the older model offered) or internal storage (max 2TB).
So what else is new? What’s new in the 24-inch M1 iMac compared to the 21.5-inch Intel model it replaces? Literally everything. Not a single aspect remains unchanged in some way. Let’s start with the screen, which is a W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
23.5-inch, 4480x2520 display – Apple is calling this ‘4.5K’, which makes sense if you know that 4K just means ‘any screen around 4,000 pixels wide’. This one has slightly more pixels. Easy! The screen offers 500 nits of typical brightness, and P3 wide colour gamut support, both of which are big improvements on your average monitor. You also get Apple’s True Tone system, which adjusts the colours based on the lighting in your room, and makes a big, big difference for eye comfort, in our experience. For power, you’ve got the ARM-based Apple M1, an eight-core processor – with four high-power performance cores and four lowerspeed ‘efficiency’ cores – that also provides graphics, with seven or eight cores of GPU power depending on the model you choose. It also includes a ‘Neural Engine’, which can be used by apps that include machine learning tools to massively speed up tasks – this is niche, but some Mac apps are starting to make good use of it.
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At the top is a 1080p Full HD webcam, which uses the M1 chip for image processing, though it disappointingly doesn’t include the useful ‘Center Stage’ feature that the iPad Pro (2021) has, which keeps you in the middle of frame even if you move around. The image was also softer than the Logitech webcam we compared it to, and so doesn’t feel like it’s fully taking advantage of the Full HD resolution it promises. For delivering your visage to other people in a meeting, this is all just fine – but streamers should stick with the dedicated hardware. The microphones deliver nicely too, picking up voices really clearly. The speakers are one of the most interesting upgrades. There are six drivers in total, with three in each of the bottom corners. The really clever part is the use of two woofers on each side, exactly positioned to oppose each other and cancel out residual vibrations… yet you put in double the drivers! Big sound, small negative effect. These are then paired with a dedicated high-end driver. In
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 69
Tested
BRAND NEW HUES The new iMac comes in a rainbow of different colours for the first time since original iMac G3. Is it a key feature? No. Will you drool over the options? You bet.
combination, it means a lot of speaker power, and Apple says it can create a ‘Spatial Audio’ effect, which is Apple speak for 3D audio. Finally, let’s talk connections. Whichever version of the new iMac you get, you only get USB Type-C/ Thunderbolt 4 ports, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. No regular USB, no SD card reader, no regular HDMI port. The reason appears to be simple: the body is too thin for them. So if you’re replacing an existing iMac with this lovely new one, and you have USB hard drives or other accessories, you’ll also need to buy
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OFF CAMERA The 1080p webcam is decent, although it’s a shame it’s missing the Centre Stage feature from the iPad Pro, which uses AI to keep you centre frame, even when moving about.
an adapter, and you’ll definitely need one to connect a second screen (up to 6K is supported). In principle, we don’t mind Apple moving ahead with its all-USB-C future, it’s just frustrating that there’s no solution to this problem that’s as good-looking as the iMac itself. You get a sleek computer, and then you un-sleek it. The iMac supports Wi-Fi 6 for wireless connectivity, and includes Bluetooth 5.0 too. In the box, you get the keyboard and mouse or trackpad (your choice) in a colour that matches your iMac colour choice. Pleasingly, the included USB-C to
Lightning cable (for charging the mouse and keyboard) is colourcoded too, with the same lovely braided finish as the power cable.
Looking glass The front chin of the iMac is actually made of glass, and is seamlessly integrated with the white bezels and actual screen above it. This means that there are effectively three different tones of the same colour on the machine – the dark aluminium colour on the sides and back, the lighter aluminium on the stand, and then the lightest version of the colour
PRO ADD-ONS
APPLE AIRPODS MAX ,I \RX GRQèW ZDQW WR JLYH XS WKH L0DFèV ' DXGLR IHDWXUH WKH VHFRQG D JODULQJ ORYHG RQH PDNHV \RX GRQ VRPH KHDGSKRQHV \RXèOO ZDQW WR SLFN XS VRPH $LU3RGV 0D[ 1RW RQO\ GR WKH\ DOVR RIIHU VSDWLDO DXGLR WKH\ VRXQG DQG ORRN VWXQQLQJ `59,900, apple.com 70 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
LOGITECH MX VERTICAL MOUSE 7KLV JRRG ORRNLQJ PRXVH VLWV DW D GHJUHH DQJOH WR UHGXFH ZULVW SUHVVXUH LV HUJRQRPLVW DSSURYHG DQG LV VHULRXVO\ FRPIRUWDEOH 6SHHG LV DOVR RQ LWV VLGH LW KDV DGYDQFHG RSWLFDO WUDFNLQJ ZLWK D GSL KLJK SUHFLVLRQ VHQVRU `8,839, amazon.co.uk
BELKIN USB 3.0 4-PORT HUB $V ZHèYH DOUHDG\ SRLQWHG RXW FRQWLQXLQJ WR XVH D ORW RI \RXU ROGHU SUH 86% & GHYLFHV LV JRLQJ WR UHTXLUH \RX WR SLFN XS D KXE 7KLV VLPSOH RSWLRQ RIIHUV IRXU 86% SRUWV LQ D FRPSDFW SRUWDEOH SDFNDJH ZLWKRXW FRVWLQJ WKH HDUWK `5,995, belkin.com W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Apple iMac M1
LIGHT TOUCH While it’s only included in the more expensive models, the packaged Magic Keyboard with Touch ID makes unlocking your iMac as easy as on a MacBook.
Pro, and that’s more than enough for the vast majority of people. You just don’t need to worry about it. In Geekbench 5, the iMac scores 1745 in the single-core benchmark, and 7660 in the multi-core benchmark – compare that with the eight-core Intel Core i9 16-inch MacBook Pro, which earns around 1100 and 6900 in those tests, respectively, and we have a winner. It’s a similar story to the processor specs when it comes to RAM. The 8GB it comes with as standard is miserly in cost terms, but will be enough for a home user. Being able to upgrade to 16GB gives solid headroom for people with more advanced ambitions, but 32GB would be really nice for pros. Graphics is the area in which the iMac could maybe do with some improvement out of the box. The M1’s graphical chops are very impressive Performance art The story with Apple’s M1 processor is inside the MacBook Air, but in a desktop they look relatively weak. If that it’s more than powerful enough you don’t care about games and for most people. There’s no choice of won’t do any graphical editing speed or number of cores because beyond some standard photo/video there doesn’t need to be: it’s more powerful than the highest-end chip in tweaking, then again there’s no question that it offers plenty of the Intel-powered 16-inch MacBook on the glass. The keyboard, mouse and trackpad come in the same aluminium colour as the stand of the iMac, plus white to match the bezel. The keyboard is great – the short travel won’t satisfy those who can only love mechanical keyboards, but for everyone else it’s a great mix of requiring only a little pressure, offering clear feedback when pressed, and having a comfortable amount of travel. The size is good, too. Also, having the Touch ID button in the top-right of the keyboard is something we’ve wanted for a long time, and it works perfectly. Users of pre-Intel Macs will be right at home. It’s also a really satisfying thing to unpack, and feels like an event as you reveal its secrets – it’s nice to have a little playfulness in the Apple unboxing experience.
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power, but the GPU is definitely the potential weak point. Overall, though, it’s a really great package, with its only potential irritations being the lack of port variation, its limited GPU power, and Apple’s cheap approach to RAM. Again, though, none of these will actually affect people just using it for standard home computing tasks, with the exception of the ports. It’s not cheap, but the iMac has always offered surprisingly good value when you consider the screen – a display this good would cost well over half the price on its own. And it wouldn’t come in such a fetching range of colours.
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AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 71
Tested
BRAINY DISPLAY
Sony Bravia XR A80J )ODZOHVV SHUIRUPDQFH DQG LPPHUVLYH VRXQG PDNH LW KDUG WR ĆQG IDXOW ZLWK WKLV 79 From `249,900 (55 inches), sony.co.in WORDS 68-,7+ *23,1$7+ echnology cannot remain stagnant for a long time. And just when we were wondering what could come after TVs have reached the pinnacle of smartness, Sony has unleashed the next level in television technology with the latest Bravia XR OLED TVs. Featuring an innovative XR cognitive processor, the new XR
7
A80J series of TVs are claimed to think like a human brain and deliver what we perceive as the perfect image. The XR A80J’s cognitive processor analyses a scene by dividing it into various zones and detecting the main focal point. It then intelligently adjusts various elements such as colour, contrast,
72 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
detail and brightness to achieve a lifelike and optimal output. The contrast and brightness are adjusted to provide deeper blacks in shadows and better highlights in glare, with the rest of the image rendered with more details. With XR Triluminos Pro and 3D colour technology, the processor can make use of the extended colour gamut to W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Sony Bravia XR A80J reproduce vivid shades and realistic texture. The A80J features ambient optimisation, which adjusts the brightness according to ambient lighting, using the onboard light sensors. Though we have no way to verify what is happening within the system, the output certainly impressed us. 4K UHD and down sampled 8K videos exhibited excellent details and great colour reproduction, while Full HD videos were up sampled without losing too much of detail. The TV delivers immersive sound with the XR Sound Positioning technology along with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It features Acoustic Surface Sound+, which is effected by placing the main speakers such that the sound comes
from the centre of the screen. The system makes use of two tweeters at the back, two front-facing woofers and two bottom firing speakers to provide true 5.1-channel surround sound experience. The device features acoustic auto calibration technology, which configures the surround effect based on your position, and the result is a truly immersive experience. The A80J features a Gaming mode in addition to normal picture modes and it offers 120 Hz refresh rate at 4K resolution along with support for variable refresh rate to aid in fast motion during gaming. It also offers auto low latency mode. The input options include two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing you to connect your gaming console and controller. The A80J is claimed to be India’s first television that integrates
Google TV, which offers seamless OTT experience with a clean and optimised UI in addition to downloading games from Google Play Store. It also works with Apple AirPlay and Apple HomeKit, supporting screen mirroring from iOS devices and controlling your connected devices in the Apple ecosystem. The TV also features hands-free voice control, which allows you to execute a voice search even without the remote control. A microphone switch allows you to control the built-in microphone for remote-free voice search. Another interesting feature is the screen off mode, which lets you enjoy music even with the screen switched off. The A80J is currently available in 55 and 65 inch sizes, while a 77-inch model is expected soon. The TV offers tool-free installation if you decide to keep it on a table. The device offers extensive customisation options for picture, sound and smart features. The minimalist bezelless design and stunning wallpapers make it a great addition to your living room. A two-inch projection at the back may not be too impressive, but it is a small compromise to make, considering that it houses a few incredible speakers.
VERDICT
THE ALTERNATIVES SAMSUNG QN90A NEO QLED 4K SMART TV
LG G1 4K SMART OLED TV
7KH 41 $ RIIHU QHDUO\ identical specs at lower SULFHV $ VOLPPHU GHVLJQ comes as a plus. What you ZRXOG EH PLVVLQJ LV WKH *RRJOH 79 H[SHULHQFH From `99,990, samsung.com/in
:LWK VLJQLĆFDQW UHĆQHPHQWV FRPSDUHG WR LWV PRGHOV WKH * RIIHUV D VWXQQLQJ GLVSOD\ with a slimmer and neat JDOOHU\ GHVLJQ From `2,69,990, lg.com/in
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
WE’RE IMPRESSED ([FHOOHQW colour rendition, improved G\QDPLF UDQJH LPSUHVVLYH VRXQG *RRJOH 79 WE’D IMPROVE 2YHUO\ EULJKW WH[W HVSHFLDOO\ VXEWLWOHV THE LAST WORD 7KH 6RQ\ $ - SURYLGHV DQ LPPHUVLYH VPDUW 79 H[SHULHQFH ZLWK VWXQQLQJ GLVSOD\ TXDOLW\ DPELHQW OLJKW DGMXVWPHQW DQG EULOOLDQW surround sound.
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 73
Tested
TUF INDEED
Asus TUF Gaming F15 This rugged and beautifully designed laptop offers a high capacity battery and extensive customisations `175,990, asus.com/in WORDS SUJITH GOPINATH
74 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
G
aming community in in India might not be as extensive as in some other countries like China, yet the past few years have seen a steady rise in gaming in the country. Apart from the ROG line-up of gaming products, which have much fan following, thanks to the community it fosters, the TUF series of laptops also have garnered considerable interest as an affordable and rugged series. The TUF Gaming F15 (2021) is a 15-inch enthusiast-level gaming laptop that is available in two configurations. The F15 has a beautiful design with an aluminium lid and polycarbonate body, which screams out the ‘tough’ designation. The laptop is available in two finishes, Eclipse Grey and Graphite Black. We received the former, and it features a matte finish on the lid with subtle TUF logo and wording. The base features a honeycomb grid design with cooling vents cut into specific cells, which matches with similar design of the air vents at the back. Brushed metal finish and the design around the recessed keypad provide a fresh and classy appearance. The transparent WASD keys make it easy for navigation during gaming, while a hexagonal power button placed at the corner enhances functionality. Four status LED indicators are placed on top of the chassis, which is visible through a notch on the lid even when the lid is closed. The ASUS Armoury Crate allows you to customise the profile for individual games, adjust power profiles, audio W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Asus TUF Gaming F15 profile and lighting of the Aura RGB keyboard. The keyboard is nice and clicky with optimal travel and good feedback. The arrow keys are too small and we wish these were slightly larger. The laptop, like all TUF Gaming models, features US military-grade toughness, undergoing MIL-STD810H tests for equipment survivability in extreme cold, humidity, heat, vibrations and drop. At 2.3 kg, the device is light, by gaming laptop standards. The laptop offers a full size ethernet port (RJ45), an HDMI 2.0b port, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a 3.5mm combo audio jack and three USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports. The F15 comes with two display options. Both are 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare displays. The first one is claimed to reproduce 100 percent sRGB and over 75 percent Adobe RGB gamut and provide 240 Hz refresh rate for a smooth rendering of extreme fast action videos. The second screen offers a 62.5 percent sRGB and 47.34 percent Adobe RGB along with 144Hz refresh rate. We received the FX566HM model with the second display. This model housed an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU with 6GB of VRAM, Intel Core i9 (11900H) processor, 1TB PCIe Gen 3 SSD and 16GB DDR4 RAM. The F15 is also available with Intel Core i7 processors. The device offers two DDR4 SO-DIMM slots supporting a total of up to 32GB of RAM. It also offers an additional NVMe M.2 SSD interface for memory expansion. Although not an extreme gaming machine, the F15 provides enough potential for most games and scenarios. We did find some lag in extremely highspeed scenarios. The device features Adaptive-Sync, which synchronises the display’s refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate to reduce lag and provide a smooth gameplay. The main concern for every gaming machine is heat dissipation, and the F15 features intuitive systems to maintain an optimal thermal profile. The device houses four heat pipes and three heatsinks for efficient heat transfer away from key components, while two 83-blade fans help to dissipate heat from the heatsinks. The fans feature a self-cleaning mechanism that catches dust particles sucked in by the fan and expels these from the chassis via two anti-dust tunnels. The air inlets are at the bottom, while exhausts are at the sides. The device features a silent mode, which shuts off the fans completely once the CPU and GPU temperatures
THE ALTERNATIVES MSI GE66 RAIDER Featuring the latest Intel Core processors and Nvidia’s RTX 30 series GPUs and a redesigned cooling system, this laptop offers comparable specs. Price: TBA
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
ALIENWARE X15 Nearly identical hardware, more powerful speakers, 165 Hz display, thin profile and a beautiful design makes this a device to look forward to. Price: TBA
are below 60 degrees Celsius. We found the fans comparatively quiet and heat dissipation quite efficient during our tests. The laptop is powered by 90Wh battery, which provided enough power for about two hours of intense gaming with RGB lighting in our experience. Asus has included a 200W charger, which tops up the battery quickly for those marathon gaming sessions. The TUF Gaming F15 offers loud and clear audio, thanks to two bottom-firing speakers. It is DTS:X Ultra certified and provides virtual 7.1-channel surround sound. The audio profiles include eight presets for music, movies, and gaming genres. It also offers two-way AI noise cancellation for video calls. The device includes a 720p HD camera and features a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) receiver.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Affordable gaming device, good sound quality, WE’D IMPROVE The small arrow keys, better colour reproduction THE LAST WORD Consider it a powerful production laptop or an enthusiast gaming machine. The device won’t disappoint in either case.
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Tested
BEAUTY WITH BRAINS
Dell XPS 13 9310 Let the looks not fool you, for some devices are crafted to be part of your home décor, yet provide substantial performance `2,13,989.95, dell.com
L
ightweight and extremely portable, the Dell XPS 13 series has been quite popular in the non-gaming and office productivity segment. The smallest and lightest in the latest generation of XPS 13 models, the 9310, offers a credible processing power with a nice and attractive design. The XPS 13 9310 model has a clean design and is available in black and white colours. The white colour device we review here has a silver-finished (Frost, in official Dell literature) machinemilled aluminium chassis along with an Arctic White interior. A glossy anodised metal band along the sides give a touch of elegance. The touchpad area has a nice laminated finish with 3D rectangular textures showing up through the top layer. The chiclet keyboard offers good feedback. The keypad is illuminated and provides two levels of lighting, but I personally found it more legible after switching off the lighting, probably because predictably, the keys are not evenly lit and also because of the contrast offered by the dark unlit letters against the white keys. The charging adaptor offers a built-in indicator that shows when it is powered on and a bright LED strip at the front edge of the laptop indicates when the battery is charging. The device is powered by a 4-cell, 52 Whr battery. The compact 45W USB Type-C charging adapter is also white in colour. The device features a 13.4-inch UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch anti-reflective display protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 6 cover glass. The display can reproduce 100 percent sRGB and 90 percent DCI P3 colour gamut and offers 1500:1 contrast ratio. The screen has 500-nits of brightness. The display is Dolby Vision certified. The notebook measures 14.8 x 295.7 x 198.7 mm and is quite light at 1.27 kg. The device houses two Thunderbolt 4 ports for display and power delivery, a 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo jack and a MicroSD card reader. The Thunderbolt ports provide enough power and speed for external GPUs and peripherals. The XPS 13 9310 features a 11th Generation Intel Core 17-1185G7 quad-core processor clocked at 3 GHz. The machine is built on the new Intel Evo platform, which is a complete solution integrating onboard Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt 4 ports. This notebook includes 16GB of 4.27 GHz LPDDR4x RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD storage and 8GB of vRAM. As an everyday office-cum-production laptop, the device offers enough juice for your photo editing, video rendering and 76 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
similar applications, though the latter might be somewhat taxing for this device. We tried rendering a 10-minute 4k video clip and the machine proved fairly good at it, though it heated the underside of the device considerably. However, this did not get transferred to the top, thanks to the efficient cooling system. The device features dual fans and a single heat pipe designed with a single evaporator and dual condenser, along with GORE thermal insulation, which provides thermal conductivity levels lower than air for efficient heat management. The XPS 13 incorporates a small webcam that is designed to deliver sharp videos and features temporal noise reduction. The webcam is compatible with Windows Hello and worked flawlessly during our test. Intel’s Killer AX1650 Wi-Fi module offers Wi-Fi 6 technology and delivers up to 2.4 Gbps throughput. Two side-facing, bottom-firing speakers provide excellent sound output with loud and clear audio. The XPS 13 is one of the slimmest and most portable notebooks available currently. The laptop offers the latest features and comes with Windows 10 Home edition. You could pick on the unavailability of a USB Type-A port as a negative (Dell provides a single Type-C to Type-A adapter in the box), but dual Thunderbolt ports expand the possibility of adding various adapters including USB hubs and ethernet adapters without affecting data transfer speeds, and that should be enough for most of us.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Slim and extremely lightweight, great performance, good battery life, excellent sound, extensive customisation options WE’D IMPROVE USB-C to multi-USB-A hub in the box THE LAST WORD The Dell XPS 13 9310 could be expensive, but for a device that is aesthetically designed with convenience in mind, it is a small premium to pay. And of course this beauty comes with some serious potential.
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Tested
REAL HOME THEATRE
BenQ CinePrime V6000 The V6000 laser TV projector offers a credible alternative to a large screen TV with added portability `499,990, benq.com
H
ome projectors have been around for quite some time, including 4K compatible ones. However, consumer level projectors have largely remained confined to conference rooms and classrooms, thanks to the large distance required to project the image on to a screen large enough to make the investment worth counting. Now here is a 4K laser projector that aims to replace your TV in the living room. BenQ promotes the V6000 as a Laser TV projector, and rightfully so. This device offers an ultra-short throw and delivers impressive sound along with display quality comparable to TVs. But first, let us appreciate the design. The BenQ V6000 has a premium design with a sleek exterior. The side facing you is finished with a top quality fabric, while the ports face the projection surface. The lens is on top, protected by an automatic sunroof slider, which slides off to expose the lens when the projector is powered on. The device features an eye protection motion sensor, which detects if someone is leaning over the projector and instantly switches off the laser light source. However, we found it a little erratic. The device offers two HDMI 2.0 ports with HDCP 2.2, two USB 2.0 Type A ports, one USB 3.0 Type A port, Audio Out and even the nearly obsolete RS232 (DB-9pin) serial port in case you want to connect an old computer. At 10 kg, it can be moved around easily. All the functions can be controlled via the remote control and there is no control on the device apart from the power button. The laser lamp offers 3000 ANSI Lumens of brightness, which provides a bright and crisp image reproduction during both day and night. You can use a plain wall or an Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen up to 120 inches. The laser light source has up to 20,000 hours life. The projector reproduces videos is 4K UHD (3840x2160) resolution. The CinematicColor technology produces optimal colours and with this, the projector is capable of reproducing up to 98 percent DCI-P3 and 96 percent Rec.709 colour space. It also features HDR-PRO technology to reproduce dynamic range true to HDR10 and HLG standards. The V6000 uses MEMC technology to make videos smooth and compensate for motion blur and slow motion effects. A premium home projector cannot lag behind in sound. While most projectors have in-built speakers that force us to scout for W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
the right pair of Bluetooth or wired speakers for optimal sound output, the V6000 excels in this department, thanks to two front facing 10W Trevolo speakers. Trevolo is BenQ’s professional audio arm. The speakers produce truly immersive sound. We used a 100-inch BenQ ALR screen with the device and could place it approximately 60 cm from the screen for a full screen projection. This distance allows the V6000 to be placed on a cabinet in front of the wall for a true TV-like experience. It is much more portable than a 55-inch TV. The built-in grid and height-adjustable feet allow you to set up the device easily. BenQ currently ships the V6000 laser TV projector along with a 120-inch ALR screen. The device is available in black colour but is designated as V6050.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Video quality, immersive sound, portability WE’D IMPROVE Sensitivity of eye protection sensor THE LAST WORD The BenQ V6000 laser TV projector offers a portable alternative to your big screen TVs, sans the native smart TV interface. We would recommend this device if you want a high-resolution large screen experience with a matching sound output.
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 77
Tested
FOR A CLEAN BITE
Sennheiser MKE 400 A compact super-cardioid camera -mounted microphone for your home and journalistic sound bites ` 6HQQKHLVHU FRP
S
uccess of video production depends much on the accompanying audio. We cannot ignore the importance of a well-reproduced reproduced audio track in conveying the various moods in a video. Casual and home video creators, along with freelance and citizen journalists often have difficultly in finding the perfect solution for their audio problems. The Sennheiser MKE 400 is a directional compact shotgun microphone specially designed for camera mounted and smartphone-aided operation. If you are aware of Sennheiser’s MKE series of shotgun microphones, the MKE 400 is the big brother of the simple entry-level MKE 200. It has a compact mini-shotgun design and offers a built-in shock mount and wind protection mesh that effectively prevent handling and ambient noise spoiling your dialogue. Powered by two AAA batteries, the MKE 400 offers a cold-shoe mount with a threaded tripod receptacle. The device has a sturdy and lightweight design with a black polycarbonate outer shell in matte finish. The microphone offers a power button, a microphone gain switch and a low-cut filter switch on one side and a volume up/down rocker switch and 3.5 mm headphone output jack on the other. The bundle includes a three-pole (TRS) connection cable for D-SLR and mirrorless cameras and a four-pole (TRRS) connection cable for smartphones. It also includes a furry windshield, pouch and guides. The MKE 400 is a highly directional microphone, providing a super-cardioid pick-up pattern. This allows the device to be highly sensitive to the sound directly in front of it, while cutting off the peripheral disturbances. This also provides good pick up for sounds directly at the back, but for a very short distance, making it ideal for recording conversations and interviews with a handheld camera or smartphone rig. We found this quite efficient in isolating and picking up main conversations. The gain switch allows you to switch the microphone gain to -20 dB, 0 dB and 20 dB, making it even more efficient in isolating the main voice when the ambient speech is too disturbing. The low-cut filter can be used to cut out the low frequencies such as the low hum from air conditioners and fans. The headphone jack with integrated volume controller allows you to monitor sound pick-up quality in real time. This is a great help especially when you are pressed for time and do not have the luxury of multiple takes, like in capturing an impromptu sound bite. The device powers on automatically when connected to a camera or 78 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
smartphone and shuts off when disconnected. The Sennheiser MKE 400 offers a compact and highly efficient solution for recording sound bites and dialogues both indoors and outdoors. The microphone is versatile and easy to use with an added advantage of a 3.5 mm headphone jack to monitor sound in real time. It can be mounted on a cold-shoe or a tripod and is light enough to use with a smartphone rig. Sennheiser also sells the MKE 400 Mobile Kit, which includes the MKE 400 microphone, smartphone clamp and Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Design and build, sound quality, headphone jack WE’D IMPROVE Nothing THE LAST WORD This simple and lightweight directional microphone is highly recommended for taking sound bites RQ WKH ĆHOG RU DW KRPH
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Tested
VOCAL SPECIALIST
EPOS | Sennheiser Adapt 560 $ QLFH DGGLWLRQ WR \RXU RQOLQH PHHWLQJ DQG HQWHUSULVH JDGJHWV ZLWK FOHDU DXGLR DQG HIIHFWLYH $1& `29,990, eposaudio.com
E
POS | Sennheiser line of headphones is the result of a joint venture between the Danish company Demant and the popular German brand Sennheiser. The Adapt 560 is a versatile over-the-ear headset that is originally marketed as an enterprise solution, but offers the flexibility to adapt as a premium headset for work from home environments. The Adapt 560 is a Bluetooth and UC optimised headset that can connect to mobile and PC simultaneously. It comes with a USB Type-A dongle, which helps you pair the device with a desktop or laptop with plug-and-play simplicity. There is no software to download nor complicated setup customisations to do for pairing. This allows you to switch between two PCs just by unplugging the dongle from the first and plugging in to the second. The EPOS Connect software allows you to configure and update the headset. The headset can be folded and stored in the supplied premium carry case. The headset has a premium looking adjustable plastic head band with thin cushioning. The soft ear pads make it comfortable to wear and the rotating earpieces allow a snug fit. All controls are on the right side along with a smart microphone boom which can be folder onto the headband. The microphone gets muted once the band is folded and unmuted when it is extended. Other controls include a Multifunction button, a Hook button, an LED indicator, a Power/Mute button, USB-C socket, and a Settings button. The Multifuction button can be used to start/pause audio playback, skip to the previous/next track, rewind /fast forward the track, and control the volume. The Hook button can initiate, accept or end a call, let you manage incoming calls, invoke Microsoft Teams, or activate voice assistant. The Power button can be used to mute/ unmute microphone, pair with a Bluetooth device and clear pairing list. This is quite useful since it eliminates the annoying situation where you need to search for the device that you previously paired the headset with so that you can pair it with a new Bluetooth device. The Settings button lets you control ANC/ Talk Through mode, request remaining battery power and enable/ disable voice prompt. The USB dongle offers a Link Button for easy pairing along with an LED indicator. The Adapt 560 can save up to eight paired devices and can be connected with two of the paired devices simultaneously. It offers 32 Ohms impedance and features a 4-microphone Hybrid ANC W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
technology. The speakers offer clear vocals with good separation between frequencies, without overpowering bass. Combine this with efficient ANC and clear microphone pickup and you have an ideal solution for enterprise applications in a noisy environment. However, on pairing with the PC and smartphone simultaneously, the headset pauses the playback from the PC on every event happening on the phone such as a WhatsApp notification or a message pop-up. This is quite annoying. The headset is powered by a 600 mAh Lithium polymer battery, which is stated to offer up to 46 hours of listening time without ANC. With ANC and at 70 percent volume, we could estimate up to 10 hours of listening time in a single charge, which is quite good. The EPOS | Sennheiser Adapt 560 is a headset that offers everything that you would expect from a premium audio product in this category that is designed with convenience in mind.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Excellent sound quality, seamless connectivity, multi-device pairing, good battery life WE’D IMPROVE Frequent disconnection from phone, PC PXVLF SDXVHV ZLWK SKRQH QRWLĆFDWLRQV THE LAST WORD This headset is made for clear vocals ZLWK VRIW \HW HIIHFWLYH EDVV KLJKO\ HIĆFLHQW $1& DQG D QLFH microphone design.
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 79
Tested
HOLDING THE GATE
OnePlus Nord CE A few compromises here and a few upgrades WKHUH DQG 2QH3OXV KDV PDQDJHG WR ĆW WKH Nord into a comfortable slot From `22,999, oneplus.in
O
nePlus is back with another Nord device, but this time, the company has stripped off a few nonessential features from the more expensive variant to give shape to the Nord CE, or Core Edition. The device now sits comfortably in a range that is expected to see a lot more of action in the coming months. The Nord CE has a minimalist design with a polycarbonate back instead of glass in the original Nord. The phone features the usual three buttons for power, volume up and volume down. A 3.5mm headphone jack is provided. The device is available in Silver Ray, Blue Void and Charcoal Ink colours. The CE offers a negligibly smaller version of the 2400 x 1080-pixel Fluid AMOLED display used in the original Nord. The display offers the same 90 Hz refresh rate and supports sRGB and Display P3. It provides extensive customisation options including Dark Mode, Reading Mode and Ambient Display. The Nord CE 5G runs on OxygenOS based on Android 11. The device offers the familiar in-display fingerprint sensor along with face unlock. The interface felt smooth and the UI appeared clean without any bloatware to bug you. The phone is powered by an 8 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC, against the 7 nm Snapdragon 765G in the Nord. Apart from the lower price point, the processors offer negligible difference in practical applications according to available data. The processor could use slightly more power and OnePlus has compensated by including a higher capacity (4500 mAh) battery. OnePlus ships the device with the 30W Warp Charge 30T Plus fast charger. The phone offers good gaming power, but we noticed some lag in high-speed action during some games. The battery easily lasts about a day even with some intense gaming sessions. The included charger tops up the battery in just over an hour. The OnePlus Nord CE is available in three variants -- 6GB/128GB, 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB. Please note that this review is based on the 12GB/256GB variant we received. The phone accepts dual Nano SIM and does not support memory expansion. The main camera now has a higher resolution of 64 megapixels, 16 megapixels more than the original Nord. The ultra-wide camera is retained. However, the device loses the macro lens while a monochrome camera replaces the depth sensor. Another casualty is Optical Image Stabilisation. However, EIS is available in the wide-angle lens. On the videos front, the device renders 4K at 30 fps along with Super Slow motion and 80 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
Timelapse. The cameras performed well with images showing good details with true-to-life colours. 4K videos, however, exhibited some lag especially while panning. Night mode surely brings out some details in near-zero lighting, but we have seen much better performances from a couple of similarly priced devices. The phone has a single selfie camera and it is a 16 MP unit. Selfies were of good quality. Predictably, portrait mode had some inconsistencies with background blur. Multimedia playback was not something to write home about, except for the loud sound. With the Nord Core Edition, OnePlus has positioned a device at one of the strategic ranges in the market, where a few others have already reserved their seats with capable variants. The price is certainly going to please the growing community of OnePlus fans.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED Clean interface, fast charging WE’D IMPROVE A bit more tuning in the camera and performance to make it stand out THE LAST WORD Not a game changer, nor a sitting duck, this device offers everything that you normally expect from similarly priced devices.
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Tested
TWIN TROUBLE
Realme Narzo 30 5G
Another affordable 5G smartphone with competent features and high capacity battery `15,999, realme.com/in
T
he Narzo series has been Realme’s entry-level gaming phones, offering a credible gaming performance at the price of a budget phone. Though this disguises as the 5G version of the Narzo 30, the device is almost identical to the Realme 8 5G, barring a few cosmetic differences. The Narzo 30 5G offers a clean back with a thick reflective band that Realme calls the racing design. The phone is available in Racing Silver and Racing Blue colours. With an 8.5 mm thickness and weighing 185 g, the Narzo 30 5G is claimed to be the slimmest 5G smartphone in this segment. The body is made of plastic. The device features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the power button. The top and bottom surfaces have concave shape, which prevents the speaker perforations getting blocked during gaming. The phone houses a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Realme claims that the phone undergoes 320+ stringent tests for durability. The cover glass does not extend to the corners, which enhances protection. The device uses a 6.5-inch FHD+ (2400 x 1080) display offering up to 90 Hz refresh rate and up to 180 Hz touch sampling rate. The display appeared sharp and bright. The phone runs on Android 11 under a Realme UI 2.0 skin, and provides a clean interface, however, with many unnecessary preinstalled apps. The interface, fingerprint and face unlock proved quite responsive. The Narzo 30 5G is powered by a 7nm, MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor, which houses two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores clocked at 2 GHz, which allows the device to conserve much power. The Narzo 30 5G is available in a single configuration of 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal memory. The device offers a three-card slot accepting two 5G SIM cards and a MicroSD card up to 1TB. With dynamic RAM expansion technology, the device receives a temporary ondemand Virtual RAM expansion, which can boost the RAM up to 11GB. The Narzo 30 5G is not a great gaming device. Though you can play most high-end games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty at medium graphics settings, higher settings cause major lag. The phone’s triple camera system includes a 48 MP primary camera, a 2 MP portrait lens and a 2 MP macro lens. The camera reproduces true colours. However, the screen makes the images appear over-saturated as usual. While landscapes and other distant subjects appeared sharp, owing to the larger depth-offield, close-ups were largely a hit or miss with the autofocus system missing the mark every time. Many a times, we had to rely W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
on manual focus in Pro mode to get precise focus. The camera can, at the best, be described as average. The Narzo 30 5G uses a 5000 mAh battery, which provides more than a day’s charge even with some heavy use, thanks to the high efficiency cores and better power management. The bundled 18W charger is slower than Realme’s fast chargers, taking over two hours to top up the battery. Overall, the device is a good buy at the price it retails, considering that it offers 5G along with enough processing power and a large capacity battery.
VERDICT WE’RE IMPRESSED 90 Hz display, 5G, battery life WE’D IMPROVE Camera performance, charging speed THE LAST WORD We are not sure what Realme has in mind, releasing devices without a clear target. Sorry to say this but dumping a lot of similar devices in an already crowded market feels like burning your house to smoke out a rat.
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 81
HS70 PRO
Available on
WIRELESS Gaming Headset
DETACHABLE UNIDIRECTIONAL MICROPHONE Noise-cancelling to ensure exceptional vocal clatity.
DISCORD CERTIFIED Thoroughly tested microphone and audio drivers for clear communication and outstanding sound.
ON-EAR VOLUME CONTROLS Adjust volume and mute audio on the fly.
Service : indiaserver@corsair.com | Sales enquiry : salesindia@corsair.com | Toll Free no. 1800 425 5464
Best of the best
BEST OF THE BEST The world’s best tech, all in one place
INSIDE
,I \RXèUH ORRNLQJ IRU WKH YHU\ EHVW WHFK DYDLODEOH WRGD\ \RXèYH GHĆQLWHO\ FRPH WR WKH right place. %HVW RI WKH %HVW LV WKH PRVW XVHIXO JDGJHW EX\LQJ JXLGH \RX ZLOO HYHU HQFRXQWHU To create it, we’ve extensively tested the best tech the world has to offer, to bring \RX URFN VROLG UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV IRU \RXU KRPH OLIH GDLO\ FRPPXWH DQG WKH WHFK \RX XVH DOO WKH WLPH In 21 different categories, we’ve chosen the top three products, so you can choose RQH WKDWèV MXVW WKH ULJKW PL[ RI IHDWXUHV DQG EXGJHW IRU ZKDW \RX QHHG 7KHVH UDQNLQJV FRPH IURP UHDO WHVWLQJ E\ RXU WHDP RI H[SHUWV å WKH\èUH WKH SURGXFWV ZHèG FKRRVH IRU RXUVHOYHV DQG ZH FDQèW UHFRPPHQG DQ\ KLJKHU WKDQ WKDW
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Smartphones Mid-range Smartphones Value Smartphones Smartwatches Premium TVs Value TVs Streamers Game Consoles Truly Wireless Headphones Laptops Gaming Laptops Tablets DSLR Cameras Mirrorless Cameras Compact Cameras Action Cameras Drones Fitness Tracker Running Watch Smart Speakers Smart Bulbs
84 84 84 85 85 85 86 86 86 87 87 87 88 88 88 89 89 89 90 90 90
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 83
Best of the best
SMARTPHONES APPLE IPHONE 12 PRO
XIAOMI MI 10
From `1,19,900, apple.com
From `49,999, mi.com/in
When the most powerful processor aided by AI and machine learning brilliance meets the toughest body around, we have a superior device that is hard to match. Add the excellence in photography and we KDYH D UHĆQHG SDFNDJH
ONEPLUS 8 PRO From `54,999, oneplus.in A simply jawdropping handset that delivers across the board. It is, simply put, WKHbEHVWbSKRQH on the market for those shopping IRUbDbSUHPLXP Android handset.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 ULTRA
VALUE SMARTPHONES
MID RANGE SMARTPHONES
POCO X2 From `16,999, poco.in Poco X2 features The Mi 10 boasts speed 64MP main camera and power thanks to which is all-the-more the Snapdragon 865 powerful with Sony’s chip and a 108MP main large IMX686 sensor. camera, capable of But besides that, the X2 shooting 8K videos. It is is a powerhouse with DQ DIIRUGDEOH ćDJVKLS 120Hz FHD+ display, that packs in high-end Snapdragon 730G features like a superior chipset and 8GB RAM cooling system, LPDDR5 HQVXULQJ HIĆFLHQF\ RAM and much more.
GOOGLE PIXEL 4A From `31,999, store.google.com
XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 10 PRO `15,999, mi.com The Note 10 Pro brings home a 64MP quad camera system, 4K video, Night mode, Portrait and Slow motion. Powered by a Snapdragon 732G chipset, a Super AMOLED display comes as icing on the cake.
The Pixel 4a is Google’s latest mid-range phone and while the design may not win any awards but it’s the overall performance, excellent camera and all-day battery life in a small body makes the phone one of the best in the segment.
APPLE IPHONE SE 2020
REALME NARZO 30 PRO
From `1,05,999, samsung.com Samsung’s S-series now gets S-Pen, 8K video capability and a quad camera system that goes beyond all optical limits. With a 5000 mAh battery and a brilliant design, this is certainly an Ultra experience.
From `39,900, apple.com/in `16,999 Having the power of the latest A13 Bionic chipset that powers heavyweights like the iPhone 11 Pro, the iPhone SE is one of the most affordable iPhones out there. With a 12MP f/1.8 camera, 4K video at 60fps, the iPhone SE is worth every penny.
SAMSUNG GALAXY S21
SAMSUNG GALAXY A52 `26,499, samsung.com
From `69,999, samsung.com A capable 64MP triple camera system, 8K video and an allday battery make this device truly desirable. Super Steady video stabilisation and Super Smooth 60fps video joins the long list of goodies that come with this device.
84 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
The A52 brings IP67 water and dust resistance to a midprices smartphone. With a stunning optically stabilised camera system and low-light capabilities, the phone attempts WR UHGHĆQH WKLV segment.
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G uses a Dimensity 800U chipset and offers 5G + 5G dual SIM in dual standby mode. It offers a 120Hz display and 180Hz touch sampling for a great gaming experience at a great price.
SAMSUNG GALAXY M31 From `16,999, samsung.com/in The M31 features an excellent quad at the back, with a 64MP main camera offering ultrahigh-res images with stunning details. There are other things going for the phone with a large 6000mAh battery, octacore processor and more.
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Best of the best
SMARTWATCHES APPLE WATCH SERIES 6 `40,900, apple.com With a new blood oxygen sensor and a completely redesigned back crystal, the Series 6 takes health monitoring a few notches higher than its successful predecessors, not to mention the style quotient.
SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH3 `29,990, samsung.com A thinner, and lighter upgrade to the this watch also sports a larger display. With advanced health monitoring and over 120 home workout programs, this device VKRXOG EH RQ HYHU\ ĆWQHVV enthusiast’s wishlist. APPLE WATCH SE
`29,900, apple.com Taking design cues from its more expensive sibling, this watch offers a large retina display and advanced health monitoring along with cellular network and SOS features in a more affordable package.
OPPO WATCH From `14,990, oppo.com/in The Oppo Watch may give Apple Watch vibes but it is one of the premium looking Android Wear smartwatches you can buy right now and is packed with features.
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
PREMIUM TVS SAMSUNG 75Q950TS `10,49,990, samsung.com Samsung’s 2020 ćDJVKLS 79 LV RXU new pick for the best TV you can buy even though 8K content is rare, thanks to the way it takes 4K video and boosts it to make use of its .bUHVROXWLRQ
LG OLED65CX `2,98,990, lg.com The blockbuster of LG’s 2020 range: it’s got the same image quality as TVs double its price, but delivers them at a price more people can afford, especially now that there’s a new 48-inch that costs even less.
SAMSUNG QE65Q95T `2,59,990, samsung.com With a brightness of over 2,000 nits and localised dimming, the HDR picture from this pair of sets is incredible. It’s vibrant and lush, but still maintains realism for skin and grittier scenes.
VALUE TVS XIAOMI MI LED TV 4X PRO `39,999, mi.com/in The TV has gone pro with the all-new Android OS giving users the goodness of Android interface and PatchWall. The 4.9mm thin TV comes with a 55inch 4K HDR display and Dolby Audio.
SAMSUNG NU6100 UHD TV From `41,990, samsung.com/in Samsung’s answer to the intense competition. It comes in three different size options and brings UHD playback, Live Cast support, screen mirroring and support for video streaming apps.
VU PIXELIGHT ULTRA HD LED SMART TV From `30,999, vutvs.com Vu’s Pixelight range brings 4K playback at an affordable price. It comes with its own version of Smart OS but supports access to widely watched video services like 1HWćL[ <RX7XEH DQG even Prime Video.
SONY BRAVIA X9000H
SANYO XT-43S7300F
`104,490, sony.co.in A full-array LED TV that boasts a lot of features for an improved picture and gaming experience. It’s got Dolby Vision, 4K support and has a ‘Ready for PS5’ tag with its HDMI 2.1 support.
`19,999, www.sanyoappliance.in/ The IPS LED panel outputs a crisp Full HD picture and comes equipped with 16W box speakers that are decently loud. Additionally, the TV comes with a 3.5mm output jack.
AUGUST 2021 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today 85
Best of the best
STREAMERS
GAMING
TRUE WIRELESS HEADPHONES
CHROMECAST
SONY PS5
JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 75T
`3,499, store.google.com/in
`49.990, sony.co.in
`12,999, jabra.in
The Chromecast is a receiver for phones and laptops and depends on them for control and content – but it’s simple, versatile and compatible with iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.
AMAZON FIRE TV STICK 4K `5,999, amazon.in
The latest edition of Playstation offers ultra fast SSD along with adaptive triggers and 3D Audio. The all-new DualSense controller and the stylishly curvy design are other reasons to fall in love with this device.
MICROSOFT XBOX SERIES X
APPLE TV 4K
This is the most powerful XBOX ever ZLWK WHUDćRSV RI processing power and realistic imagery. It also offers frame rates of up to 120fps and 4K rendition.
MICROSOFT XBOX SERIES S
`15,900, apple.com/in iTunes has the biggest source of 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos movies, and lots of other services have DSSV KHUH WRR <RX can also easily stream to it from Macs and L26bGHYLFHV
`34,990, xbox.com
ASUS TUF VG279QM
From `3,499, mi.com/in
`37,999, asus.com/in
86 T3 Tomorrow’s Technology Today AUGUST 2021
Even more comfy, though perhaps slightly less secure, than the Jabras, these also offer best-in-class audio. Aside from a slightly odd carry case, these are textbook true wireless buds.
APPLE AIRPODS
`12,900, apple.com/in The smallest Xbox ever. Apple’s wireless This all-digital console ’phones may not sound lets you build your game as good as some of the library and keep newer rivals, but they it backed up safely still beat them all for inthe cloud. Xbox battery life, ease of Velocity architecture use and often comfort. and 120fps refresh rate They work best with enhance the experience. iOS, of course.
XIAOMI MI BOX 4K The Mi Box supports 4K and operates on Android TV OS 9.0. It also has a built-in Google Assistant and Chromecast, making life easier for users, in addition to Chromecastenabled apps and USB 2.0 and a Cortex-A53 Quad-core CPU.
RHA TRUECONNECT `14,999, headphonezone.in
`49,990, xbox.com 4K HDR for under `6,000 isn’t to be sniffed at. It’s best suited to Prime subscribers and Google apps are absent, but it’s a very capable and affordable streamer IRUb79 DQG PRYLHV
If the Beats are just too bulbous for your tastes, you can’t ĆQG ĆQHU WKDQ WKHVH Jabra buds. Sound quality could be described as a little DUWLĆFLDO EXW LWèV DOVR pleasingly pumping.
A full HD monitor that’s comes with an ultra-fast 280Hz refresh rate. Designed for professional gamers, it has a 1ms of response time, motion EOXU V\QF * 6<1& IRU tear-free gaming, HDR and more.
SAMSUNG GALAXY BUDS+ `8,990, samsung.com These buds boast AKGtuned sound with an adaptive 3-mic system along with up to 11 hours of non-stop music on a single charge. The system offers wireless charging with a compatible Qi standard charger.
W W W.T 3 I N D I A . CO M
Best of the best
LAPTOPS ASUS VIVOBOOK S15 `66,990, asus.com This slim and super light laptop hits a wonderful sweet spot. With an Intel Core i5, 4GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and a touchscreen ScreenPad, it represents wonderful mid-range value.
DELL XPS 13 `1,44,790, dell.co.in The Dell XPS 13 is thinner and more powerful than ever. Up to 1TB of SSD storage, 16GB of RAM, and powerful Intel Core i7 processors help make it a high quality all-rounder.
ACER SWIFT 5 `92,990, acer.com
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 From `92,990, asus.com A game-changer that delivers buckets of performance despite being compact and light. It does this thanks to its use of AMD’s hot new Ryzen CPUs and Nvidia’s RTX b*38
APPLE MACBOOK PRO 13 From `122,900, apple.com With the latest Apple M1 chip, the 13-inch MacBook Pro offers 2.8x CPU performance and up to 11x faster machine learning over the previous version. The new MacBook Pro bosts the longest battery life ever in a Mac.
TABLETS APPLE IPAD AIR `54,900, apple.com It comes with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and is compatible with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, making it versatile. The powerful A14 Bionic chip and 4K video recording make it more desirable.
MSI GS65 STEALTH THIN 8RF
APPLE IPAD PRO 12.9 (2018)
From `3,25,999, msi.com This gaming laptop manages to pack an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU, Intel Core i7 CPU and 16GB of RAM into a very portable package. Its Full HD, wide-view 144Hz panel is top rate, too.
From `89,900, apple.com The biggest iPad Pro is unbelievably powerful and slick, with an excellent screen, thin and compact design, great battery life and support for the Apple Pencil. Pricey, but worth it.
ACER NITRO 5 `89,990, acer.com
Made for professionals looking for higher HIĆFLHQF\ 6ZLIW is powered by the latest Intel Core i7 processor, Intel’s Iris Plus GPU, and with 16GB RAM. The Swift 5 comes with a 14” IPS display and offers a storage of 512GB.
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GAMING LAPTOPS
With a powerful 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and a GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, along with DTS X: Ultra Audio and a FHD IPS display panel, the laptop produces an immersive and high-performing gaming environment.
ALIENWARE AREA-51M From `2,99,590, dell.co.in The Area-51m is not only one of the most powerful gaming laptops till date but also supports upgradeability with a removable processor and GPU. Although the Core i7/i9 and Geforce RTX GPU will not get outdated.
APPLE IPAD 10.2 (2019) From `38,900, apple.com A whole lot of Apple tablet for not much money, it offers Apple Pencil support and the latest iPadOS software. Perfect if you want top tablet performance on DbEXGJHW
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7 From `63,999, samsung.com This 11-inch tablet offers a 120Hz display, DCI-P3 colour reproduction and the power of Snapdragon 865 chipset along with S Pen compatibility and a 10,000-plus mAh battery.
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Best of the best
DSLR CAMERAS
MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
COMPACT CAMERAS
NIKON D780
NIKON Z6II
SONY RX100 VII
`1,95,995 , nikon.co.in
`1,64,995, nikon.co.in
`1,02,990, sony.co.in
The successor to the D750, this 24.5 megapixel DSLR boasts a backilluminated full frame sensor and EXPEED 6 image-processing engine. It offers 4K video recording and 12 fps silent shooting.
NIKON D6
The second generation of the popular Z6 cameras feature dual EXPEED 6 processing engines. Combine tyhis with the optical precision of Z-mount lenses and you have an incredibly powerful imaging device in your hand.
CANON EOS R6
`5,19,995, nikon.co.in
`2,15,995, canon.co.in
This 20.8-megapixel full IUDPH ćDJVKLS IHDWXUHV a 105-point crosstype AF system and 14 fps burst with AF/ AE tracking. Powered by EXPEED 6 imageprocessing engine, it offers sensitivities up to ISO 102,400.
NIKON D5600
This is Canon’s true Still and Video camera with a 20.1-megapixel fullframe CMOS sensor. It features In-Body Image Stabilisation with up to 8 stops advantage along with up to 20 fps burst .
SONY ALPHA 7C
From `66,750, nikon.co.in
`1,67,990, sony.co.in The most compact Alpha-series full frame camera, the Alpha 7C offers superior image quality in both stills and videos. A fast AF, vari-angle LCD and a high-capacity battery enhance the experience.
Designed for beginners and midlevel photographers, Nikon’s light-weight (465 g body with battery) APS-C sensor 24.78 megapixel D-SLR is a good choice to carry along the whole day.
For the best image quality in a pocketfriendly body, look here. The RX100 VII continues to build on Sony’s reputation for high-quality premium compacts, and does so without breaking the bank.
SONY VLOG CAMERA ZV-1 `67,990, sony.co.in This camera is designed for Vloggers, and provides excellent still and video capabilities. With a 1.0-inch Type CMOS sensor, the camera produces excellent bokeh and offers a Product Showcase setting.
FUJIFILM X100V ` IXMLĆOP FRP For those who like retro looks, this camera offers a range ĆQGHU W\SH ERG\ An APS-C sensor, a weather-sealed body and superior optics make this cam,era stand out in the crowd.
CANON 5D MARK IV
FUJIFILM X-T4
CANON POWERSHOT G7X MARK III
From `2,90,995, canon.co.in
` IXMLĆOP FRP
`52,995, canon.co.in
The 30.4 megapixel D-SLR from Canon is one of its most sought-after models. Using a full frame sensor and Dual-Pixel CMOS AF for video, the 5D IV is the bread-andbutter camera for most photographers today.
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The X-T4 uses a 26.1 megapixel APS-C sensor and offers up to 15 fps burst shooting capability. The in-body image stabilisation provides 6.5-stop advantage in shutter speed and the body is weather-sealed.
Successor to the popular PowerShot G7 X Mark II, this camera features a DIGIC 8 processor and f/1.82.8 lens. The camera is capable of 4K video recording without crop and allows live streaming of videos.
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Best of the best
ACTION CAMERAS GOPRO HERO8 BLACK `30,150 gopro.com
DRONES DJI MAVIC MINI approx. `36,000, dji.com
GoPro’s latest sees updates everywhere. Four virtual lenses get \RX WKH LGHDO ĆHOG of view for what you’re shooting, and next-gen video VWDELOLVDWLRQ NHHSVbLW stable and crisp.
INSTA 360 ONE X2 `49,990, insta360.com This 360-degree camera offers dual lens 5.7K capture with Flow State Stabilisation and Steady Cam mode for stable footages. It offers 360-degree audio and is waterproof up to 10 metres.
DJI OSMO ACTION `22,850, amazon.in With a cool front display but missing SuperView mode and live streaming, DJI’s cam is ideal for extreme sports types and vloggers. Image stabilisation is excellent, and it’s easy to use.
GOPRO MAX Addresses the issues that marred GoPro’s original 360-camera – the Fusion – and boasts some of the Hero8 Black’s excellent video capture facilities and intuitive user interface.
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FITBIT CHARGE 4 ` ĆWELW FRP A big step forward for Fitbit, adding features such as GPS and a new exercise tracker alongside the stepcounting. There are plentiful sleeptracking features too.
$UJXDEO\ WKH ĆUVW high-quality cameracarrying drone for the masses, the Mini is surprisingly fast, nimble and stable LQ ćLJKW DQG ZHLJKV 1g shy of the CAA’s 250g registration regulation.
DJI MAVIC AIR 2 approx. `75,000, dji.com Everything about this GURQH VKRXWV %8< ME. The camera is a cracker capable of shooting 4K footage at 60fps, while a completely redesigned controller is another major improvement.
RYZE TELLO
FITBIT VERSA 2 ` ĆWELW FRP 7KH EHVW ĆWQHVV tracker-cumsmartwatch you can buy. It has Alexa built in, its heartbeat and step counting are reasonably accurate, and it’s been well designed in terms of looks and usability.
GARMIN VIVOSPORT
`12,990, amazon.in This is a bargain – it uses DJI tech inside IRU ćLJKW VWDELOLW\ KDV a camera that takes HD video or 5MP snaps, and hovers VWLOO IRU VHOĆHV ,W FDQ ć\ LQGRRUV RU RXW though is too light for windy days.
DJI MAVIC 2 PRO
`42,999, gopro.com
FITNESS TRACKER
`1,10,000, dji.com This pro-spec drone is almost impossible to crash, and has a stunning three-axis gimbal-mounted Hasselblad camera. As rock solid and FRQĆGHQFH LQVSLULQJ as we’ve come to expect.
`16,990, garmin.com Garmin’s rival to the Charge 2 boasts GPS for a similar price, but it also has a dodgy interface and some pointless extra features. The core functionality is good, and it’s waterproof.
POLAR IGNITE approx. `18,000, polar.com Though mainly aimed at runners, the Ignite can track other activities, and monitor your sleep and heart rate too. <RX JHW LQVWDQW VWDWV after exercise, with deeper analysis in the app.
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Best of the best
RUNNING WATCH GARMIN FORERUNNER 245 MUSIC `32,490, garmin.com
SMART SPEAKERS APPLE HOMEPOD MINI
PHILIPS HUE
`9,900
From `2,900, meethue.com
The ultimate phone-free GPS running watch for the price-conscious runner. The battery can last up to seven days in smartwatch PRGH DQG VL[bKRXUV in GPS mode with music.
GARMIN FORERUNNER 945 `59,925, garmin.com
SMART BULBS
Hue dominates the smart lighting sector for good reason: it’s a superb system with the widest range of bulbs and a simple, useful app. Rivals may be cheaper but they can’t compete with Hue’s variety.
7KH +RPH3RGbPLQL offers the magic of computational audio in a compact device. Two units can be paired for stereo playback and seamless integration with Siri means your library is always, awaiting your verbal cue.
AMAZON ECHO PLUS `6,499, amazon.in
The Forerunner 945 has retained the look and feel of the 935, but inside it has been completely revamped. There are new GPS chips and heart-rate sensors, plus onboard maps.
`1,999, tp-link.in Thanks to its integrated Zigbeecompliant smart home hub, the Plus is a great smart home starter. Never pay the RRP, though: Amazon discounts Echos every WLPH LWbKDV D VDOH
POLAR VANTAGE V
BOSE HOME SPEAKER 500
approx. `45,000, polar.com
`39,000, bose.co.in This Bose speakers offer the widest soundstage available in a smart speaker with a wall-towall stereo sound. It supports Amazon Alexa, which means you can ask questions to Alexa or control the device via voice.
$ SHFXOLDU ćDJVKLS smartwatch, this has some unique features that might arouse the runners out there, especially the running power metric, measured on the wrist.
TP-LINK LB130 Known for its routers but TP-Link offers decent smart bulb solutions and LB130 is their latest solution that does not require a hub to operate, It can be controlled over Wi-Fi and supports multi-colour, circadian voice control. MI LED SMART mode, BULB `1,299, mi.com/in The Mi LED Smart Bulb is the newest entrant in the smart bulb segment that works with both Alexa and Google Assistant without the need of a bridge and offers a colour space of up to 16 million colours.
GARMIN FORERUNNER 45
AMAZON ECHO DOT
SYSKA SMART LIGHT
`17,490, garmin.com This lower midrange watch from Garmin gets the basics right: it has an optical heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, supports smart QRWLĆFDWLRQV DQG the Garmin Coach feature too.
`2,249, amazon.in
From `1,799, syska.com Syska’s main USP is that it uses a normal B22 cap and doesn’t require a hub to operate. After connecting, the bulb can be connected DQG PRGLĆHG IURP anywhere with the help of the app.
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The latest refresh of the Dot ups the audio quality and adds options like a clock-packing bedroom version DQGbD VQD]]\ NLGVè edition too. An excellent entry point to smart speakers.
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