Se racha y

For fur ther information contact Picot & Moss 011 669 0500

THE WORLD’S FIRST • Automatic manufacture caliber • Connected smart functions • Analysis of the mechanical caliber

WATCH frederiqueconstant.com

ALL THE APPS TO MAKE YOU ´APPY GADGETS / GAMES / GEAR

iPAD PRO

Apple’s suited and rebooted supertab Fitbit

A darkroom in your pocket

wrists its case

T E G D A G S D R A W A T HE

Best budge buy

Fave flagship phone

INSTANT CAM CLASH

WINN

Y H C E ING T

I T N A W L L ’ U O

Fuji ming n 4K

E F I L R N YO U

Watch

PLUS!

Jan-Feb 2019 R39.90 (incl VAT) Other countries R34.65 (excl tax) www.stuff.co.za

Coding becomes cool

Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Google Chromecast Apple MacBook Air Leica M10-D

The ultimate

ecosystem for your home.

LG.com/za

LGSouthAfrica

@LGSouthAfrica

+27 84 33 44 555

Nominated for Television of the Year!

Visit: LG.com/za yt Ĺ…si tzy rtwj

Welcome

Subscriptions hotline 0860 070 700 Email subscriptions@ mdafrica.co.za Advertising Business director Sally Hudson sally@stuff.co.za Senior account manager Thalia Pallotta 083 375 2418 thalia@stuff.co.za Account manager (Cape Town) Bernice Blundell 073 618 1882 bernice@stuff.co.za Management Stuff South Africa is published by the Stuff Group (Pty) Ltd. Directors: Toby Shapshak, Sally Hudson PO Box 74, Melrose Arch, 2096 Haymarket UK Stuff UK content is published with the permission of copyright holder Kelsey Publishing Ltd, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG

www.stuff.co.za

2019 from Apple right up front (p8) in the form of the new iPad Pro and the oh-so-long-awaited updated MacBook Air. But as the Bay Area proverb goes, “a year is a long time in tech”, and it’s anyone’s guess what the tablet and laptop categories will look like come year-end.

In the meantime, we’re thrilled to bring you in-depth reviews of the new Fitbit Charge 3 (p72), Garmin Fenix 5 Plus (p78), Apple’s iPhone XR (p80) and Fujifilm’s X-T3 (p84), along with less conventional fare like toasters worth toasting (p68), and a how-to for Amazon’s digital comic service, Comixology (p74).

Whatever the rollercoaster we’re calling 2019 brings you’ll find the best of its tech here, so thanks for strapping in with us (and not vomiting on our shoes).

Craig Wilson, Editor craig@stuff.co.za @craigwilson

Follow us:

StuffSA

Stuff competition terms and conditions: Apple is not a sponsor, nor is it involved in any way with any Stuff Magazine contests or sweepstakes. Stuff Magazine does not offer Apple products as contest or sweepstake prizes.

1 Promotions, giveaways and competitions are entered through Stuff Group’s website www.stuff.co.za and are opened for Issue 92, 2018 on 14 January 2019 and close on 17 February 2019. 2 The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. 3 Employees of Stuff Group and their families are not allowed to enter. Advertising and public relations representatives may not enter competitions in the issue in which their promotions, giveaways or competitions are carried. 4 Prizes are not exchangeable for cash and/or other products. Prizes are available while stocks last. It is at the discretion of Stuff Group and the custodian of the prizes to ensure that, should there be a problem with the stipulated prize won, a reasonable replacement of the same value will be offered. 5 Stuff Group carries promotions, giveaways and competitions in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation on the part of the custodian of the promotions, giveaways and competitions. 6 Winners will be notified telephonically and by mail. It is the responsibility of the winner to ensure that the correct address and contact details are given. It is the responsibility of the custodian of the promotion, giveaway and competition to ensure that prizes are sent out correctly and within the specified time. 7 Prize delivery will take four to six weeks from the time the winner has been notified. 8 Promotions, giveaways and competitions are open to South African residents only. 9 All prize-winners will be published on www.stuff.co.za the following month, once the competition lines have closed. 10 Readers may not claim for more than one prize at a time, and once announced as a winner in any Stuff promotions, giveaways or competitions, will not be eligible for another prize for three (3) months thereafter. 11 By entering any promotions, giveaways or competitions, or by accepting any prize, entrants agree that their personal details may be retained by the promoter and/or Stuff magazine and used for the purpose of sending them information about future promotions, events and news, as well as for internal administration and analysis. 12 Unclaimed prizes will be kept for three months and will not be resent. 13 Participation in any promotion, giveaway or competition and/or acceptance of any prize implies full knowledge and acceptance of all rules.

2

© Stuff South Africa. All due care will be taken with material submitted, but the magazine and publishers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Stuff South Africa assumes no responsibilityto return unsolicited editorial, graphic or other material. All rights in letters and unsolicited editorial and graphic material will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and material will be subject to Stuff South Africa’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Stuff South Africais fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole or part without written permission from the publisher.

While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, publisher and proprietor cannot accept responsibility for any damage or inconvenience that may arise therefrom.

Stuff is published in Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, the Middle East, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

[ Photography Lauren Kate Rawlins | Shot on a Fujifilm X-T3 ]

There was gnashing of teeth. There were raised voices. Neighbouring offices were disturbed by the sounds of positions being very strongly stated.

Yes, some insults were hurled, along with the odd inanimate object. But the bruises have healed, we’ve righted the knocked over furniture, and most of the team are back on speaking terms.

Why the turmoil? Because, dear reader, it’s awards season. Nope, not the Oscars or the Grammys.

We’re talking, of course, about a far more hotly contested showdown: The Stuff Awards.

Samsung squared up to Huawei, BMW leered at Land Rover, and Red Dead challenged God of War to a duel. This time around the contenders were especially strong, and there’ve been a few upsets in the big categories. This year’s selection of apps is also bigger than ever, because there are just so many excellent ones from which to choose. The awards action starts on p36 and includes your votes (thank you!) for phone and gadget of the year.

Now, of course, we get to start the process all over again, and there are some early entrants for

... and a word about prices Generally, we show the manufacturer’s recommended price.

Occasionally we (or suppliers) can make mistakes. Please remember that prices listed in Stuff are intended as a guide only. We make every effort to confirm that all information is correct (and triple checked) when we go to print.

CON S P12

ON THE COVER

P70

p36 Race for the prizes

HOT STUFF 8

16 18 19 22 26 28 30 32 33

The Hot Four O Apple iPad Pro 2018 O Apple MacBook Air 2018 O Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) O Anker Nebula Capsule II Vital stats Sony Master Series AF9 Sounds like a very good TV to us Icon Leica M10-D A digital camera that thinks it’s analogue Future stuff Foldable phones …or foldable tablets. Or unfoldable phones…

Apps Recording, retro and Ralph Stream Murderers, stalkers and... fuzzy bunnies Games Just Cause 4 and the return of Medievil Wheels A 400km/h McLaren? That’s a tall tail…

Start menu It’s about time, fund something mad Drop everything and download…

Euclid takes to the skies

TESTS p55 There’s an app for it

p78 Running on time

p89 Click and print 4

67 3 of the best Gaming phones Razer, Asus and Honor fight for your thumbs 70 Versus Echo Show vs Home Hub Google gives Alexa a stern talking to 72 Tested Fitbit Charge 3 Can this cutey keep fitness bands on track?

78 Tested Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Running up that bill… sorry, hill 79 Tested Google Chromecast (3rd gen) Stream if you want to go faster 80 Tested Apple iPhone XR Slightly less shiny, but no less brilliant 82 Tested Samsung QA55Q6FN Going to the front of the Q(LED) 84 Long-term test Fujifilm X-T3 One mirrorless camera to rule them all?

86 Tested Bose Sleepbuds Fit for purpose, sure, but are these worth getting for a single purpose?

88 Tested Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Totally, utterly, completely not a toy 89 3 of the best Instant Cameras Lomo, Polaroid and Instax go head-tohead-to-head 90 Tested Games Red Dead Redemption 2, Battlefield V, Soulcalibur VI, Hitman 2

01/02.19 P108

P76

FEATURES 36 Cover feature Stuff Gadget Awards 2018 Stuff readers demand only the best and that’s what we’ve collected over the previous year. This is the top tech of 2018, as chosen by us (and you, as well) 55 Extra feature App of the Year Awards 2018 Choosing which app to crown as the best in its field is tough but we’ve gone and done it 66 Mini meme Retro snappers Old-style photo apps for time travellers 68 Upvoted Toasters Have toast, a little piece of toast 74 Beta yourself Comixology Digital comics: how to buy, where to read 76 Instant upgrades Huawei Mate 20 Pro Get more from your new iPhone-beater 112 Next big thing? A phone for your phone Well, who wants to carry an actual phone?

TOP TENS 98 Smartphones What’s the handiest, handsomest handset?

99 Phablets As above, just for bigger hands (or egos) 100 Tablets, mobile games Slick slates and ways to kill your battery 101 TVs All you need for a lazy night/day/year in 102 Laptops Porta-powerhouses to warm your knees 103 Wearables, smartwatches Strapping smart tracking tickers 105 Drones, compact cameras Shoot from the sky or from the hip 106 VR headsets, VR games Escaping from reality, virtually 111 Games Ten ways to avoid adult responsibilities

SUBS 0FFER

GET 30% OFF AND FREE DELIVERY

p34 5

I SAW THE FUTURE OF CARS… MAYBE

I SAID ’ALLO TO OLLO Easily the best iPhone accessory I’ve ever tested is the Olloclip – a clever attachment that gives you a variety of extra lenses for your phone’s camera.

You can get a wide-angle, telephoto or even a macro lens (that has a novel, frosted lens hood that positions the lens at the right distance from the object while also diffusing the light).

But my favourite of the Olloclip range is the original fish-eye with which they launched the brand. It works especially well for scenery snaps, or inside grandiose buildings like the Sagrada Familia. Clever engineering means you can even pop the lens onto the front-facing camera for fish-eye selfies... just be aware of nostril flare. Look out for the Android-friendly peg-like Olloclip coming soon.

Toby Shapshak, Publisher and Editor-in-chief

Late last year I had the pleasure of attending the LA Auto Show in, you guessed it, Los Angeles.

There BMW unveiled a slew of updates to existing lines, alongside one notable curiosity: the Vision iNext. Not quite a concept car, not quite a production one, the iNext embodies BMW’s ideas of what a semi-autonomous (well, Level 3) electric car will look like in 2021. Some ideas, like the sensor-laden front grille, retracting pedals and smart-fabric covered rear seats are glorious.

Others, like the over-the-shoulder projector that could liven up traditional paper books, are a little outlandish. On balance, though, one thing’s for sure: the future of mobility – and sheer driving pleasure – is hellishly exciting.

Craig Wilson, Editor

Making Stuff up Publisher and Editor-in-chief Toby Shapshak toby@stuff.co.za Editor Craig Wilson craig@stuff.co.za Digital Publisher Nic Boerma nic@stuff.co.za Digital Editor Brett Venter brett@stuff.co.za Deputy Digital Editor Marcé Bester marce@stuff.co.za Art Director Brandon van Rensburg art@stuff.co.za Selling Stuff Business Director Sally Hudson, sally@stuff.co.za Senior Account Manager Thalia Pallotta 083 375 2418 thalia@stuff.co.za

OUR MONTH

What this issue has brought us by way of geekery I HAD A FIESTA IN THE LION PARK It was an overcast and unusually cool day (for the season) in Joburg late last year when Ford decided we needed to put their new favourite hatchback – the latest Fiesta – to a fuel-economy test. Now, if you know me, you know that I don’t enjoy the snail’s pace by any means. I’m notoriously heavy-footed… especially when driving a turbo diesel-powered machine. The mission was to make our way through the local Lion Park on gravel, visit Hartebeespoort Dam, and get back to the start with the lowest fuel consumption possible. My team lost with a dismal score of 4.4l /100km.

But then, that’s the same consumption I used to get in my VW Beetle per 4km. So though Ford wasn’t impressed, I still was.

Marcé Bester, Deputy Digital Editor

I TRIED MY BEST TO DROWN A BAND When I’m able to get away from land-locked Johannesburg I occasionally head to the coast and go surfing. Last month I went waterward and did my level best to drown a Huawei Band 2 Pro. The theory being that if you want to kill a piece of tech, you dunk it in ocean water. Very few things come back from that. Huawei claims their bands are properly waterproof… so of course I wanted to test that claim, properly. And I really, really wanted to go surfing. Turns out the Band 2 Pro’s claims of aquatic prowess are all true, though next time I go down I’ll actually set the tracking to swimming rather than cycling. I was a little too stoked to pay attention to which option I was selecting. Weirdest. Bike ride. Ever.

Brett Venter, Digital Editor

Getting Stuff to you Printing CTP Distribution RNA 011 248 3607 (Caitlin) Contacting Stuff Call us 011 889 0610 Email us stuff@stuff.co.za Subscribe stuff.co.za/buy Find us www.stuff.co.za StuffSA @StuffSA Caxton House, 368 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall, Johannesburg, 2196

South Africa

6

H

O C the light

Apple has ditched the Lightning port in favour of USB-C, which means you can hook it up to external displays more easily. With the right cable you can even charge your phone off it.

HOT FOUR #1 LOOK AT IT FROM THIS RECTANGLE Apple iPad Pro 2018

There have been some important rectangles over the years: books, beds and Zoo Biscuits all qualify for our list of the best equiangular quadrilaterals ever made, but none of them are quite as hopelessly desirable as Apple’s latest iPad Pro. It’s got Face ID, which works whichever way you hold it, so there’s no home button and no notch either – so whether you pick the 11in or 12.9in version, you get more Liquid Retina screen to play with than ever before. That’s just as well, because the A12X Bionic chip inside ramps up single-core performance by up to 35% and multi-core by up to a whopping 90%, while GPU clout has doubled, so chances are you won’t want to put the thing down.

With apps such as Photoshop for iPad on the way and games like NBA 2K offering console-quality graphics (and actually meaning it this time), it’s a good job you can choose up to 1TB of storage – because you’re probably going to need it. In fact, you should probably skip the 64GB entry-level version and opt for at least 256GB. Now if only someone would start selling Zoo Biscuits this big, we’d never have to get out of bed again.

As hot as… baked goods straight from the oven from R14 000 / myistore.co.za 8

T

S

T

U

F

F

23 PAGES OF THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM PLANET TECH

Cam do No one should be encouraged to use a tablet to take photos… but with a 12MP sensor, iPhone-style Smart HDR and 4K video recording, this iPad Pro makes it quite tempting.

9

H

HANDS-ON APPLE iPAD PRO It’s still a slab of glass and metal, and ultimately functions like a giant iPhone, but the new iPad Pro nonetheless feels a bit radical. Its looks now suit the moniker, with a stylish and expensive-looking redesign. The metal rim recalls the iPhone 5 (Stuff’s favourite iPhone) and the home button’s gone. The screen therefore fills that freed-up space, and its curves mirror the tab’s edges.

The headphone and Lightning ports have gone as well, the latter making way for USB-C. It’s frustrating to go on another trip to dongle city, but this iPad’s new ability to output to a 5K display presents opportunities for it to further chip away at uses you’d otherwise have turned to a Mac or PC for. So it’s a welcome change.

Elsewhere, there’s a laundry list of greatness: the powerful A12X chip; Face ID; a superb new Pencil; louder speakers; five mics for stereo recording in either orientation; eSIM; a smaller frame for the 12.9in model; and more high-end apps on the way.

The biggest niggle is the higher pricing: the 12.9in Pro starts at R17 900 and extends all the way to R23 300.

Still, if you want the very best tablet around, the iPad Pro is it.

Key skills There’s a new Smart Keyboard Folio that doubles as a case and offers two different viewing angles. It sips from the iPad’s battery, so there’s no need to worry about keeping it charged.

10

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Pixel me up The 11in iPad Pro’s screen is 2388x1668 (up from the 10.5in model’s 2224x1668), while the 12.9in version gets 2732x2048. Both have anti-reflective coatings.

Cam and get it The 7MP TrueDepth camera on the front supports everything the iPhone XS’s does: Apple Pay, Portrait Mode snaps, Memojis and those new 32-person FaceTime calls.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Tappy to see me?

Free sticker This top edge is magnetic – not to attach a second keyboard (that would be weird), but to wirelessly charge the new Pencil. Much better than having it protruding from the port like before.

Apple knows that creative types like having multiple tools at their fingertips, so you just have to tap on the new Pencil to switch functions.

That’ll make it even breezier to use.

11

H

Thun factor As is the case with all of Apple’s slimline notebooks these days, the MacBook Air is hardly generous with its connectivity. You get just two Thunderbolt 3 ports – but at least you can charge with USB-C.

HOT FOUR #2 RETINA WAY WITH IT

MACBOOK AIR 2018 We’re still waiting for flying cars, indestructible socks and hangover cures that actually work. But hey, at least Apple has finally given the people what they want: a Retina-equipped MacBook Air. That’s right. While the Air has always been the Goldilocks Mac for most people – be that for work or play – its screen looks about as prehistoric as a stegosaurus in 2018, and for a time it looked as if Apple might have shelved the device completely.

Happily, this is not the case. The MacBook Air 2018 is still rocking the 13.3in display you’d expect it to, but with four times the resolution of its predecessor, while the bezels are noticeably reduced. At 1.25kg it’s lighter than before too, not to mention 10% thinner. And if Apple can’t tempt you with Touch ID in the power button, a whopping Force Touch trackpad, a backlit butterfly keyboard, an 8th-gen i5 CPU and all-day battery life (maybe), how about a frame made entirely from recycled aluminum? It’s the greenest silver, space grey or gold computer wedge we ever did lay eyes on. Maybe next year Apple will turn its hand to socks. We can but dream.

As hot as… dunking for apples in lava from R21 500 / myistore.co.za 12

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Can I see your ID? The new MacBook Air supports Touch ID. Located at the top-right of the keyboard, the fingerprint sensor makes logging in, accessing locked files and buying stuff much quicker.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

HOT FOUR #3 PAPERBACK RIGHTER

AMAZON KINDLE PAPERWHITE (2018) Louder and prouder The MacBook Air has never been renowned for its audio performance. This time Apple has used bassier and louder stereo speakers. You’ve also got three microphones.

Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite has always been one of our favourite e-readers, but newer premium models like the Oasis have Audible integration for when you’d rather Stephen Fry read you to sleep, and waterproofing for when you want Stephen Fry to run you a bath. We’re delighted to report, then, that the new Paperwhite manages to pinch most of its fancy big brother’s best features without massively hiking the price. For marginally more than the previous model, you get waterproofing and Bluetooth audiobooks. The design has been tweaked too: this e-reader is slimmer and has a flush screen. The entrylevel option’s 8GB is also double that of the Paperwhite’s forerunner. What hasn’t changed is the 300ppi resolution… but as the last one was near-perfect for text anyway, we can’t call that a criticism.

As hot as… Stephen Fry’s Friday night bath from R3 000 / circuitcity.co.za 13

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Watt’s what The Nebula Capsule II is fitted with an 8W speaker that Anker reckons is 60% more powerful than before, and has bigger bass than any fizzy drink impersonator has produced before.

HOT FOUR #4 GASEOUS CLOUD FUNDING ANKER NEBULA CAPSULE II

It’s not often a product that’s still on Kickstarter graces Stuff’s hallowed Hot Four – a precautionary measure just in case the product in question abruptly vanishes off the face of the internet and never actually materialises. This would very much earn it a place in the Freezing Cold Four. Well, we’re pretty confident that no such fate will befall the Nebula Capsule II, such was the brilliance of its predecessor. When Anker said it had made a pico projector and 360° Bluetooth speaker combo that was no larger than a single can of Coke, we were sceptical. But the Nebula capsule delivered, so the sequel is a very welcome surprise. The can-shaped design remains, but Anker has managed to ram even more tech inside. Resolution is now 720p, while brightness has been doubled to 200 ANSI lumens. A USB-C port is another handy addition, and Anker says you’ll get a full charge in 2.5 hours. Rounding off the package is Google Assistant, which comes built in – so protesting against the household movie night choice becomes as easy as shouting wildly at the projector like the giant child you are.

As hot as…breakdancing on a stove $399 / kickstarter.com 14

PRESENTS

The home of digital innovation

The digitally innovative Vodacom World has reopened and showcases advanced tech, connected home appliances, digitally immersive experiences and more.

Visit us, purchase anything from our Vodacom Shop and get a guaranteed prize.

Standard terms and conditions apply. Valid until 6 February 2019.

The future is exciting.

Ready?

JHB 9024V/VODA

VODACOM WORLD

V I

T A L S T A T S

SCREEN LEGEND Sony Master Series AF9

Rtba / sony.com/za

Coming in 55in and 65in models, Sony’s new AF9 flagship TV ticks all the boxes you’d expect – OLED, Ultra HD, HDR – as well as a few more exciting extras O Whoa-LED! The AF9’s 4K OLED screen comes with a truly dizzying array of tech trickery to send your retinas reeling, most of it powered by its electronic brain: the all-new X1 Ultimate processor. This chip detects and analyses every object on screen to boost its detail, and Sony says HDR – which comes in Dolby Vision, HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma flavours here – gets a drastic bump as a result.

O Stream lover The clearest example of Sony’s priorities here is Netflix Calibrated Mode. This special viewing setting, developed in partnership with the streaming service, adjusts the AF9’s image to match Netflix Originals’ studio masters. In short, that means if you’re settling down to the likes of Orange Is The New Black, GLOW or Ugly Delicious on the AF9, you’ll know its colours, contrast and brightness should look exactly as the creators intended.

O Feel the vibration Flat TVs aren’t usually impressive on the sound quality front, but Sony has made the AF9’s wafer-like form into one of its sonic strengths. Acoustic Surface Audio+ tech turns the entire screen into a vibrating speaker, which ensures dialogue emanates from the centre of the picture, while two built-in subwoofers provide plenty of low-end rumble to enhance audio effects.

Sony’s so confident of the AF9’s prowess here that it’s slapped speaker terminals on the back, letting you hook it directly to a home cinema amp and use it as the centre speaker in your surround setup.

O Master’s voice Who needs a remote control? The AF9’s Alexa and Google Assistant integration means you’ll often be able to ditch the clicker and take control through the power of your vocal cords – plus, you can have the TV update you on your schedule or find your favourite ‘sneezing panda’ YouTube clip to repeat over and over and over…

16

The AF9’s rear-mounted subwoofer and socket panel also acts as a table stand, giving it a super-clean front view.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

NETFLIX ORIGINALS SHOULD LOOK EXACTLY AS INTENDED

Tarah for now

JAYBIRD TARAH PRO Designed with fitness freaks (apologies, freaks) in mind, Jaybird’s new wireless in-ear headphones are clearly designed to go the distance: the company claims the Tarah Pros offer a full 14 hours of audio playback per charge, plus an IPX7 weatherproof build that should put up with anything Joburg thundershowers – or your sweaty lugs – can chuck at it. The buds pivot, allowing you to wear them over or under your ears, while a range of tips and fins should help fine-tune the fit to ensure they stay comfy and don’t fly out while you’re pounding the pavement. On the audio front, Jaybird’s companion app allows for EQ adjustment, so your workout playlist should sound the part too.

R2 500 / jaybirdsport.com

BEST-LOOKING NETFLIX SHOWS O Altered Carbon This blockbuster sci-fi noir is a neon-lit fever dream of sex, violence and tech – and a great showcase for HDR. Probably Netflix’s most visually striking series to date.

O Maniac This clever, retro-yet-modern, genre-bending exploration of mental illness is even more engaging thanks to the combo of 4K and HDR.

O Chef’s Table France Watching this culinary documentary series in 4K and HDR can be torture, if only because you can’t actually eat any of the mouthwatering masterpieces on show.

Hands-free timekeeping

OPTIK INSTRUMENTS HORIZON When you ask someone the time, chances are you’re not expecting their reply to go right down to the second. You probably don’t even think twice if they just say “Nearly quarter past”. So why should your watch need to be accurate to a 60th of a minute? That’s the idea behind Optik Instruments’ Horizon. Rather than hands on the face, it has a red line marked on the stainless steel case and a rotating disc that’s divided into 15-minute segments, with one complete turn representing a full day. It’s waterproof to 100m, although you might want to consider something a little more accurate if you were thinking of using it to work out how much oxygen’s left in your scuba tank.

R6 200 / optikinstruments.com 17

I C O N

USE THE FOTOS APP TO CHECK YOUR SHOTS AND ADJUST THE EXPOSURE

LEICA M10-D R120 000 / en.leica-camera.com The 1950s called. They want their camera back.

Simpler time back then, wasn’t it? You could leave your front door unlocked, people still called on landlines, and you didn’t have to worry about charging up your watch, book and cigarette before bed. Leica’s feeling similarly nostalgic for a time before you saw everything through the lens of your smartphone, so it’s created the M10-D rangefinder.

18

This is a deliberate throwback to an era when photography wasn’t so throwaway. When pictures were captured on film and you had to wait days, weeks or even months to actually see the results.

Ugh. So you have to put film in it?

Nah! There is a lever that would normally advance the film but it’s only there to act as a thumbrest.

Leica realises that some aspects of the old days weren’t necessarily

better – standard-definition TV, smoking in clubs, Hitler – so the M10-D is still digital, with a 24MP full-frame sensor and an SD slot.

But there’s no screen to review them on, and things like shutter speed and ISO are controlled with mechanical dials; there’s no LCD. Does it come with a pipe and a penny farthing as well?

Sadly not. In actual fact, if you really want to you can drag the

M10-D into 2018 with a little help from Leica’s Fotos app for iOS and Android. Despite its retro aesthetic the camera does have Wi-Fi, so you can use your phone’s screen to check your shots, transfer the ones you like across for easy uploading, or even use it for live view, setting the exposure and activating the shutter release if you can’t reach the camera to do it manually. Perhaps the modern age isn’t so bad after all.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

FUTURE STUFF FOLDABLE PHONES Has a tiny California start-up beaten Samsung at its own game?

Stuff investigates…

Mi too

XIAOMI MI 8 PRO Xiaomi launched the Mi 8 Pro in China earlier this year, and we’re holding thumbs the company’s flagship handset will eventually make its way to SA. But is that something you should be hoping for? A quick look at some specs suggests the answer might well be a resounding ‘yep.’ The Mi 8 Pro packs a super-crisp 6.2in AMOLED display, 12MP + 12MP rear cameras, a Snapdragon 845 and the new Qualcomm Adreno 630 GPU, all combining to create a handset that’s a rather distinguished allrounder. Meanwhile, a pressure-sensitive in-display fingerprint sensor and IR face-unlocking bring some extra gloss. Plus it should cost less than R10 000 if it does turn up on our shores.

Rtba / mia.africa.com

Remember when Samsung first showed off a phone with a folding screen? It was the year Bin Laden was killed and Apple launched the iPhone 4S. Yep, we’ve been waiting since 2011 for Samsung’s long-teased foldable mobile to be ready for our various-sized pockets, with numerous concepts and mock-ups dangled tantalisingly at trade shows across the world. But it looks as though a company called Royole has beaten them to it.

The Royole FlexPai (from R21 500, royole.com) is a tablet with a 7.8in AMOLED screen, or a phone with a 4in(ish) one, depending on whether you choose to fold it or not. Underneath its bendy 1920x1440 display is a 2.8GHz Snapdragon 8-series processor, 6GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, plus it also comes with a 20MP + 16MP

IT’S A 7.8in TABLET OR A 4in PHONE, DEPENDING ON WHETHER YOU FOLD IT OR NOT

Blink outside the box

dual-camera setup and a fingerprint sensor. This is no low-powered test model; it’s a flagship in experimental clothing. And when doubled over it actually has three screens: one on each side and a thin one down the fold for notifications.

So has Samsung missed the bendy bus? Almost certainly not. While it hadn’t revealed the name or final form of its own effort at the time of going to press, a prototype was teased at its Developer Conference in November 2018, with the finished product due some time this year. Let the bendy battle commence.

OPTOMA UHL55 “Projectors are too big and clumpy,” we hear you complain. Not so Optoma’s UHL55, designed to be portable and easy to carry from room to room. “OK, well surely image quality is going to take a knock if you’re trying to cram all that tech into something so small?” you continue to protest. Actually, this one is 4K and HDR-compatible, while its use of the latest LED tech apparently gives you twice as much brightness as you’d get from an equivalent lamp-based projector. It has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and two HDMI ports, and can play UHD content from a USB stick. To top it all off, the UHL55 can also be controlled using Alexa if you have a compatible device. Happy now?

Rtba / mustek.co.za 19

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

We wooden say no

DENON AH-D9200 When you think of handmade stuff you probably imagine something crafted by artisans from upcycled materials or locally sourced ingredients. Not headphones that cost R25k.

But each pair of Denon’s over-ear AH-D9200 cans are carefully assembled at the company’s Shirakawa Audio Works facility near Tokyo, using Japanese bamboo and leather to construct each earcup. Inside you’ll find 50mm FreeEdge drivers powered by high-energy magnets designed not to flex or distort the mechanism, cutting out any unwanted resonance. For maximum enjoyment, wear them while sitting in an absurdly expensive chair, drinking coffee made from unpronounceable beans.

R25 000 / denon.co.za

Bot’s the time?

CASIO G-SHOCK DW6900TF-SET Ever fancied slapping a sentient robot from another planet on your wrist? We’ve got a feeling the new collaboration between G-Shock and Transformers is going to be right up your street.

The DW-6900TF-SET (catchy, we know) serves as a shockresistant, waterproof digital wristwatch by day, and the leader of the Autobots by night. The watch itself sits at the centre of a collector-tempting Optimus Prime figurine, which can convert back and forth between two modes – neat pedestal or fullblown Transformer – and sports a slick Prime-inspired finish that should make your inner 10-year-old more excitable than Michael Bay filming an action sequence with extra explosions.

Rtba / thecasioshop.co.za

Charge of the night brigade

PURE SIESTA CHARGE Humans mastered wireless charging long ago: find somewhere vaguely flat to lie down and a few hours later you’re ready for action, no plugs or cables required. Even so, we still like to add a mattress and bedding to make the process as comfortable as possible. Phones are the same.

Basic wireless chargers have been around for yonks, but where your handset really wants to refill its battery is reclining on top of Pure’s Siesta Charge. As well as the Qi pad, it has built-in DAB and FM radio, Bluetooth and a nice, sharp, auto-dimming display. There’s even an extra USB port on the back, just in case someone else’s old-school phone fancies getting in on the action.

R2 300 / pure.com

20

NEW RELEASE

MAKE A SPLASH With the all-new Kindle Paperwhite GEN10 Now Waterproof with 2x the Storage and Wifi

2nd Floor, Waverley Office Park 125 Corlett Drive, Bramley, Jhb Steve: 082 851 0089 Allan: 083 273 7876 Email: sales@circuitcity.co.z a

www.circuitcity.co.za

A P P S This month’s mobile must-downloads 1

2

3

3 OF THE BEST APPLE WATCH UPDATES OVERCAST

4

5

6

Free This podcast app has shifted from remote control to standalone playback (with handy autosync options) and added new complications for the Infograph face. Handy.

WORKOUT DOORS

7

8

9

R80 Still the only Watch app with vector mapping, WorkOutDoors has alternative layouts, analytics, interval alerts and pace targets.

Sweaty.

PCALC

1 Ferrite Free / iOS Chalk another item off the ‘what can’t be done on a phone’ list.

Ferrite twins voice recording with a sleek multi-track editor. Go pro (R480) and you can record and mix entire podcasts on your phone.

3 Bouncer

R150 / Android O R110 / iOS “We want proper games!” yell smartphone users. OK then, how about this DS classic, complete with snazzy new HD visuals and tons of puzzles, all in your palm?

R14 / Android Not keen on handing out app permissions? Have Bouncer keep track, and only give dodgier apps temporary access before slamming the door in their faces when you return to your home screen.

4 Nception

5 247 Retro

6 Civilization VI

R30 / iOS Aiming to ‘bend your reality’, Nception’s reflections prove that almost everything looks interesting when you mess around with mirrors. Works on videos too, with fancy slow-mo and filters.

Free / Apple TV If you’re sick of modern TV’s wide choice, high production values and on-demand flexibility, try 247 Retro.

It hurls you back to the halcyon days of Dragnet and Flash Gordon, all broadcast to a schedule.

Free (IAPs) / iOS In the latest episode of ‘surely this is some kind of hoax’, the full turn-based strategy PC game is now on your iPhone. Bye bye, productivity/eating/sleeping.

Hello, (virtual) world domination.

7 Inware

8 Pac-Man: Ralph Breaks the Maze

9 Super Cat Tales 2

Free / Android Fancy delving into your device’s finer details? This app serves up all manner of geeky information, such as number of cores, supported update types and what’s going on with your device’s RAM. 22

2 Layton: Curious Village in HD

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS Ralph does indeed break the maze, while Fix-It Felix Jr repairs walls in this fun spin on Pac-Man. But you might break your phone on having to pay for each level beyond the demo.

Free / Android, iOS This platformer finds moggies saving the world from mechanical despots. You get two-thumb controls, varied levels and the odd moment of letting rip with massive yellow tanks, like a furry Metal Slug.

R150 Already the best traditional calculator on iPhone and Apple Watch alike, PCalc now adds the means to lob virtual bananas at its logo – in 3D. Tasty.

STU FF PRO MOTIO N

BMW ConnectedDrive: So connected, you’re free What can your BMW do for you? Get you to your destination on time? Provide answers to all your questions? Or keep you entertained at all times? How about all of the above, and more.

YOUR ASSISTANT

YOUR JOURNEY

YOUR CAR

The exceptional services of BMW ConnectedDrive give you the best possible support before and during every journey. Looking for the best Italian restaurant in town or an on-duty pharmacist over the weekend? Facilities like the Concierge Service are available at the touch of a button to help you with all your needs and requests.

Every trip is different and yet you can always be confident in reaching your destination comfortably and on time.

With the Connected Navigation services such as Real Time Traffic Information, you will always be informed of the current traffic situation, enabling you to reach your destination faster. Or plan your trip even before leaving your home.

Inside your BMW you can concentrate fully on your journey because everything else is taken care of. The Digital Key on your smartphone gives you easy access to your vehicle while the remote software upgrade ensures that the software in your BMW is always up to date so that you can save yourself a trip to the dealer.

The digital services from BMW ConnectedDrive offers you a wide range of useful features. With intelligence and innovation they make your life easier and turn every journey into an experience.

BMWSA

BMW_SA

BMWSouthAfrica

BMWSouthAfrica

www.bmw.co.za

23

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Film my life

HOVER 2 So you’ve reached that point where selfies just aren’t enough. Now you want cinematic video selfies that look like they’ve been ejected from Hollywood’s movie mincer. Enter the Hover 2. Tap a button and this drone whizzes into the air, cunningly avoiding obstacles with its spatial awareness, keeping track of you with autoframe technology and performing amazing camera sweeps by way of AI algorithmic smarts. It’ll output 4K video and 12MP photos, and in the controller-based BlastOff mode will stay aloft for up to 23 minutes, over a 5km range. That’s more than enough for standing at the top of a hill, staring at the sky, because you’ve decided you’re the new Brian Cox. R5 800 (import) / hover.ai

Cast of thousands

RODE RODECASTER PRO Want to create a properly professional podcast without splashing out on a bucketload of equipment? Rode knows you do, and that’s why it’s introducing the RodeCaster Pro. Pitched as ‘the world’s first fully integrated podcast production studio’, it somehow crams all the features you need to create a pro-level recording into a single device.

The unit has four microphone channels with XLR inputs, separate Bluetooth and USB inputs, programmable FX pads, four headphone outputs, direct microSD recording, and livestreaming capability. All you need is a few fancy synth-based jingles and an ad deal with a mass email company, and you’re on your way to the big time.

R10 000 / rode.com

Top of the (mid)range

NOKIA 8.1 They say you get what you pay for in life, but we can think of at least three snack brands that aren’t generous enough for their pricing. Nokia, meanwhile, would argue that you’re getting more than what you’re paying for with its new 8.1.

The latest addition to the company’s ‘value flagship’ line, this phone is expected to cost less than R8k, but there’s a 6.18in FHD+ edge-to-edge display with a hideable notch and HDR10 support. The dual-camera setup consists of a 12MP main snapper with a 13MP depth sensor beneath, while you get 20MP worth of selfie on the front. There’s a Snapdragon 710 doing the heavy lifting and the phone runs on the fat-free Android One programme.

Rtba / hmdglobal.com

24

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

NEWSFEED Together we can(s)

ASTELL&KERN T5P (2018) Whether it’s all that time they spend hanging around strong magnets, some sort of static charge generated by the constant chin-stroking, or something else that only they can hear, audiophiles gravitate towards each other. That must be how headphone experts Beyerdynamic teamed up with hi-res audio kings Astell&Kern for these new cans, tuned for the latter’s portable music players. The second-gen AK T5p headphones also have a specially made eight-conductor braided cable – no Bluetooth here. Only 1000 pairs are being made, with a hefty asking price of R17 000, but you can guarantee that wearing a pair will be like a siren call to other frowning finger-tappers.

R17 000 (import) / astellnkern.com

APPLE GETS ECHO-FRIENDLY If you’ve been paying any attention to the war of the cylindrical smart speakers, you’ll know that operating Apple Music with your voice has been a feature exclusive to Apple’s own HomePod. But no longer will greedy DJ Siri get to hog all your tunes, as the service is now available as a skill on Amazon Echo devices.

BOSE REVEALS TECH SPECS When you think of AR, you think of Pikachu, constellations and spaceships, right? Well, Bose sees (or hears) it a little differently. Its R2 800 Frames, available for pre-order in the USA, use motion sensors and your phone’s GPS to provide audio feedback, via tiny speakers, on what your peepers are peeping at.

ALEXA HOOKS A BASS Alexa gets everywhere these days, doesn’t she? Phones, cars, toilets… and now novelty toys we all thought had been left in the ’90s. Yep, Big Mouth Billy Bass is back with a new talent: he now works with Amazon’s voice assistant. Just use Bluetooth to pair him to your preferred Echo device and the fish will answer your queries.

Automatic for the people

ROADIE 2 Looking a lot like an electric razor, the Roadie 2 isn’t a tool for barbers, it’s a tool for shredders. Charge it via USB, press the button on the side to turn it on, and then use the rotating dial and centre button to choose from a range of stringed instruments – including electric and acoustic guitars, ukuleles and mandolins – and tunings. Slot the toothy bit over the appropriate string’s tuning peg and thanks to a combination of audio algorithms, machine precision, and presumably voodoo, it’ll be in tune in seconds. A built-in light means you can use it in the dark, move to drop D on the fly, or simply blow your drummer’s rudimentary mind.

Want to tune a bass? You’ll need the heftier Roadie Bass. Want someone to hand you your axe too? For that you’ll need an actual roadie (you lazy sod, you).

R2 200 / takealot.com

MANA FROM SYNTH HEAVEN After a new staring-out-of-windows soundtrack? How about the latest from Will Patterson, aka Switched On SNES? After recreating the iconic A Link to the Past soundtrack with analogue synths, he’s now given 1993 RPG Secret of Mana the same treatment. You’ll find both on his Bandcamp page.

25

H

26

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

S T R E A M

These men have some questions to ask you.

Like, “Which new films and TV series are you going to be streaming in the new year?”

Nightflyers

You

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Based on a book by George R. R. Martin, this sci-fi series goes down a similar psychological horror route to the likes of The Cloverfield Paradox and Event Horizon. A group of scientists depart Earth in an advanced spaceship. Their goal is to contact aliens who may be able to save our planet and species… but then things start to get weird.

Season 1 / Netflix

It doesn’t take much to be annoying on social media, but whatever you do, don’t take any tips from Joe Goldberg in this new 10-part series.

After meeting an aspiring writer, he looks her up online and begins a pursuit that’s obsessive at best and potentially murderous at worst. Might be time to check your Facebook privacy settings…

Season 1 / Netflix

The Grand Tour

Watership Down

The Girl from St Agnes

TV’s most Marmite trio return for a third series of globetrotting auto antics that are definitely not in any way scripted. Expect more foul-mouthed japes and scrapes from Banter Claus, Bantony Hopkins and the Archbishop of Banterbury as they drive through locations including Mongolia, Colombia, China, Detroit and, er, Scotland.

Season 3 / Amazon Prime Video

The original animated movie’s depictions of gory rabbit murder were responsible for many a child’s nightmares – and now Netflix is bringing Richard Adams’ novel back to the screen as a four-hour CGI mini-series. With the likes of Ben Kingsley, James McAvoy, John Boyega and Rosamund Pike, it’s a promising Sunday afternoon treat.

Season 1 / Netflix

Premiering on 31 January, this eight-part nail-biting whodunnit is set in a prestigious all-girls boarding school in the KZN Midlands. Heavy on the suspense and fiercely contemporary in its handling of youthful sexuality and the #metoo movement, Showmax’s first original drama series looks unmissable.

Season 1 (complete) / Showmax

Amazon doesn’t always do a great job of promoting its original series, so you may not yet have heard of this comic drama about the nascent stand-up comedy scene of late-1950s New York – despite it bagging an armful of awards. As rich in period detail as Mad Men, it’s snappily written and nicely acted.

Season 2 / Amazon Prime Video

DO M N’ TH ISS T IS

True Detective Season 3 / Showmax After a damp squib of a second series, early signs suggest the third run of True Detective could be a real return to form. Switching back to the era-hopping style of storytelling that made its debut series so compelling, it centres on the case of two children who went missing in Arkansas in the early ’80s. Leading the investigation are Mahershala Ali, the Oscar-winning star of Moonlight, and ’90s survivor Stephen Dorff, with the excellently named Scoot McNairy also featuring. There should be more Scoots.

27

G A M E S

OUT NOW

FIRST PLAY JUST CAUSE 4 PS4, Xbox One, PC Heatwave? More rain than usual? Impromptu South Easter?

We love moaning about the weather. But after spending time trying to stop Just Cause 4’s Rico Rodriguez getting bashed up by a raging tornado, we realise we have no idea what being inconvenienced by weather is.

If you’ve played a Just Cause game before you’ll (mostly) know what to expect from the latest instalment. That is, ridiculous physics-driven grappling-hook stunts, wingsuiting from clifftops and making everything 28

explode. The story (if it matters) has Rico and an ever-swelling group of rebels attempting to liberate the island of Solis from a military organisation called The Black Hand. By recruiting new fighters to your Army of Chaos, you gradually take control of the huge map.

Solis is split into distinct biomes, each of which is characterised by its own form of extreme weather. In our playthrough the only elemental tantrum we encountered was a tornado, and, as students of Twister, we naturally bolted

straight towards it. Let’s just say the game’s new Apex engine didn’t let us down, and it’s a good thing Rico has a parachute.

Just Cause 4 also enhances your grappling hook. It’s still primarily used for traversal, but new endlessly customisable power-ups let you attach objects and enemies to balloons to send them soaring. Or why not attach your inflatable toys to a tank and pepper the back with jet boosters? You can spawn vehicles and items at the touch of a button, so the only limit to the mayhem is your imagination.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

FIRST LOOK BACK FROM THE DEAD, AGAIN

MEDIEVIL PS4 New things are great, this we can all agree on. But if you’ve glanced at the video game charts in the last 18 months or so, the ever-presence of a certain bandicoot tells you that people really like old things too. Spyro the Dragon is also back in disc drives, so

no one was surprised when Sony announced it was (aptly) resurrecting the PS1 cult classic MediEvil.

Need your memory jogged? You are Sir Daniel Fortesque, a dead knight brought back to life by evil nemesis Lord Zarok, who intends to rule Gallowmere.

As you might expect, it’s up to Sir Dan, as a skeleton, to stop

him. This was a fairly simple 3D hack’n’slash platformer, made memorable by a visual style reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and the fact that Dan could rip off his own bony arm to use as a weapon.

Like the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, this a ground-up remake (or as Sony is calling it, grave-up), featuring proper

4K graphics with much improved textures. Our hope is that the new game addresses the original’s wonky camera and control scheme. You were listening, weren’t you Sony?

At this rate, we’re going to be spending so much time revisiting the ’90s that we might find ourselves asking for an undercut at the barbers.

STILLTOCOMEBESTOFTHEEARLY2019GAMES

NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. U DELUXE Switch Ninty’s habit of taking every half-decent Wii U game that hardly anyone played and sticking it on the Switch continues with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. One of the best 2D Marios in recent memory, this will be great on the go.

RESIDENT EVIL 2

CRACKDOWN 3

Xbox One, PS4, PC Resi 2 but not as you know it, this remake of Capcom’s 1998 classic has been reimagined for today’s standards. Gone are the iconic but divisive tank controls, replaced by an over-the-shoulder control scheme, while the game uses the same engine as the recent Resident Evil 7.

Xbox One It’s had more delays than we’ve had 3am slap chips, but Crackdown 3 is finally out on 15 February. By utilising Microsoft’s cloud-based Azure platform, the third game in the futuristic open-world series will allow more destruction than ever in the new multiplayer deathmatch mode.

INCOMING OUT NOW O SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE O JUST CAUSE 4 JANUARY O YAKUZA 4 O KINGDOM HEARTS III FEBRUARY O ANTHEM MARCH O DEVIL MAY CRY 5

29

W H E E L S

McLaren Speedtail

SUPERIOR POSTERIOR No door mirrors here – they’d just impede airflow and slow the car down. Pop-out cameras do the

R37 300 000 / cars.mclaren.com Fire that art editor – he’s clearly stretched this photo!

Nope, McLaren’s super-exclusive hyper-GT really is so extended in the rear end it’ll give Sir Mix-a-Lot hot flushes. The Speedtail takes its name literally, with a colossal carbon-fibre rear clamshell sculpted to maximise airflow… for a higher top speed than anything to leave McLaren’s factory, including the F1.

How’s it going to top one of the most iconic cars ever?

With some serious hybrid power.

McLaren is being cagey on the details, but the Speedtail will use a combination of a turbocharged petrol engine and electric motors to send more than 1000hp to the rear wheels. That’ll rocket you to 300km/h in 12.8 seconds, and on to 400km/h (the F1 topped out at 391km/h). Fixed wheel covers ensure things like physics don’t get in the way of a max speed run.

30

Well, the outside certainly looks like a spaceship; what’s it like on the inside?

Just as futuristic, with a racinginspired central driving position and a seat either side for two passengers to travel in style.

Digital screens replace old-hat instrument clusters and rear-view mirrors, while sun visors are out in favour of electrochromic glass that can dim itself on cue. With no centre console, the controls have been moved to the roof – so it’s basically the road-going equivalent of a fighter jet.

What are the chances of seeing one of these when I pop to the supermarket, then?

Unless you live somewhere particularly affluent, not high.

McLaren is making only 106 Speedtails (matching the number of F1s it built back in the 1990s) and the price is an eye-watering R37 million and change.

NEWS DASHBOARD

A PIZZA THE ACTION

DRAGGED INTO 2018

HERE COMES THE SUN

Toyota brought out the big guns at this year’s SEMA show, stealing the spotlight from the usual selection of customised creations with a hydrogen-powered pickup. The Pie Pro Tundra stood out for more than its powertrain, mind: it’s got a pizza kitchen in the flatbed.

American hotrods have been guzzling gallons of gas on the quarter-mile for 70 years, but that may be about to change. The Chevrolet eCOPO concept is an electric Camero dragster that’ll do a nine-second quarter-mile thanks to a 700bhp motor and 800-volt charging system.

Kia and Hyundai are doubling down on renewables by fitting their hybrid and electric cars with solar panels. Toyota did something similar with the Prius, but instead of a panel stuck on the spoiler, Kia’s version covers the whole roof – and will top up a hybrid’s battery by 30-60%.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Jeep Gladiator

FIGHTING TORQUE The front grille is pure Wrangler. Stand nose-on and you might not even notice the frikken huge truck bed at the back.

NEWS DASHBOARD

Rtba / jeep.co.za Woah, has Jeep been feeding its cars performance-enhancing drugs instead of petrol?

The monstrous hunk of metal before you certainly seems to have been sipping something special. The Gladiator, Jeep’s first pickup truck in nearly 25 years, is so chest-thumpingly masculine it could probably grow a beard if it wanted to.

Let’s off-road!

With pleasure. It might dwarf the average family hatchback, but the Gladiator should be able to go pretty much anywhere, and it’ll hold more than 700kg of your gear in the truck bed while it does it. The doors can be unbolted and swapped for rally-raid swaybars, the windscreen can be flipped down, and you can detach the roof for open-to-the-elements exploring. It’s a true off-roader, just like every other Jeep, with a body-on-frame chassis,

front and rear axle locks, a limited slip differential and low-range four-wheel-drive gearbox.

Must have a pretty epic engine to manage that, surely?

Naturally. The Gladiator has the same 3.6-litre V6 as the Wrangler hiding under its bonnet, with 285bhp and 260lb-ft of torque on tap. Now that doesn’t translate to crazy-quick speeds on the road, but means steady progress on just about any surface. Plus, all that pulling power means it’ll happily tow four metric tonnes.

So when can I take one for a test drive?

Not any time soon if you live in South Africa – Jeep isn’t planning to bring it here. American off-road fans get a taste late next year.

If you’re really keen you could try importing one, but good luck getting it past customs without paying enormous duties.

TOO PORSCHE TO PUSH

THIRD TIME PLUCKY

TAKE IT FOR AN ELEC-TREK

OK, the all-new eighth-generation 911 looks a lot like all the others, but slick styling upgrades make it look every bit the modern marvel. It’ll go like stink, thanks to a revised six-cylinder turbo motor, and rear-wheel steering means it’s even more agile than a Cirque du Soleil acrobat.

It’s not often a car maker shows off a crazy concept car and then the real thing looks just as good. But that’s just what you get with the Mazda 3.

It might be a family hatchback, but the sculpted curves mean you’ll likely have Gigi Hadid tapping on the window asking for style advice.

Forget V8 motors: Rivian is trying something different for its first pickup.

The R1T is batterypowered and good for a Tesla-baiting 640kms of range.

An electric motor at each wheel means no complex 4WD kit is required, leaving room for hidden storage. No-one’s stealing your golf clubs from this.

31

S T A R T M E N U I GONDI GOE-

The latest startups, crowdfunded projects and plain crazy ideas

Boks of delights

GAMEBOKS The last time you took your console and monitor for a gaming session at a friend’s, your hardware might well have ended up having a one-way trip to the tarmac. GameBoks wants to banish such memories by giving you a wooden box to cart your kit about in. But this is no ordinary box: it’s a hand-crafted wooden briefcase with fans, a built-in 24.5in 1080p screen and straps to secure your Xbox One or PS4. So now you can be confident of carrying that precious kit safely when you want to get your game on – along with a couple of sandwiches for the long ride home after a humiliating FIFA whitewash. from £311 / gameboks.com

BACK IT STACK IT

ST KIC AR K TE R

I GONDI GOE-

Block party

Squarish circle of life

Round the twist

Keggers plays pop

It looks like a record balanced on a brick, but the Duo is a good bet if you can’t decide between getting back into vinyl or a new Bluetooth speaker. Combined, the unit is compact and has beefy sound. Heading out?

Detach the brick and stream to it. Attacked in the street?

Brain the aggressor with said brick. Three for the price of one! $229 / kickstarter.com

This plant/fish mash-up is a self-cleaning ecosystem.

Fish poo becomes food for the plants; they filter the water.

There’s even an app to feed the fish when you’re away, to save you bugging the neighbours.

They do need feeding, though, so if you’re taking three months’ sabbatical best you get to know the folk next door. from £195 / ecobloom.se

Traditional rulers aren’t much use when you want to measure around a corner.

Rollova is a tiny trundle wheel that you roll along whatever you want to measure, while a bright OLED has the stats. With a precision-machined stainless steel frame and leather case, even Jony Ive wouldn’t turf this out of his studio. from £44 / hozodesign.com

Crafting beer seems fun until your efforts result in fizzy pond water. Fortunately, Beermkr makes brewing only marginally more tricky than ordering a draught. It automates pretty much the entire process over the course of a week – but you can still feel like you’re actually doing something by prodding the app to check on progress. $329 / kickstarter.com

DUO

32

I GONDI GOE-

ST KIC AR K TE R

SACK IT

ECOGARDEN

ROLLOVA

BEERMKR

H

Snappy strappy

FOSSIL SPORT When there are more Wear OS smartwatches on the market than Fast & Furious films, knowing which one to go for is tricky. What, then, does the Fossil Sport bring to the table? Most notably Qualcomm’s brand spanking new(ish) Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform, which is supposed to bring better battery life and overall performance from your ticker. A larger 350mAh cell and battery-saving mode should also help keep this wearable charged for longer. Heart-rate tracking, NFC and GPS are all on board, and the watch sports (sports!) Google’s recently refreshed OS. Not bad at all for such a slim package. It launches with 41mm and 43mm variants in six different colours, and with 28 silicone straps.

Rtba / watchrepublic.co.za

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

DROP EVERYTHING & DOWNLOAD Euclidean Skies R80 / iOS

Euclidean Lands answered the question of what happens when you combine Hitman GO’s clockwork turn-based puzzles, Monument Valley’s aesthetics and a Rubik’s Cube suspended in space.

Its sequel, Euclidean Skies, asks what happens if you take that framework and let the player tear each puzzle to bits, gleefully/confusedly deconstructing the blocky landscape.

In each level your aim is to reach an exit, which is only unlocked once you’ve dispatched every enemy. Getting to them requires manipulating the landscape. It’s perplexing, disorientating and hard as nails, but it’s also another sterling example of the quality that mobile gaming can aspire to.

Space pace

APPLE MAC MINI (2018) Remember Flappy Bird? It was removed from app stores in 2014, which was also the last time Apple released a new Mac Mini. Until now. Still the cheapest way to get an Apple computer, the 2018 version kicks off at R4 000. The headline change is physical — a new space grey finish, darker than the last-gen’s silver, which is 100% recycled aluminium.

Inside, the default option comes with a new quad-core Intel i3 3.6GHz processor, with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. But the Mac Mini can be configured into a beast of a rig, going up to 10Gb Ethernet, 64GB of RAM, 2TB storage and a six-core CPU option, if you’ve got the cash.

Don’t forget to have some left over for a screen! from R14 000 / myistore.co.za 33

N E W Y E A R 'S S P E C I A L

L I E O N SPMEO Y SO ODA T

SAV NO E W

10

ISSUES PER YEAR

T S U J Y PA

3 0 .

6 9 R2

SS AN I M R E V AND NE THE WORLD’S F ISSUE OST-SELLING BE MAG T E G D A G

FREE DELIVERY TO MAJOR METROS

S UB S C RIB E & S AV E 3 0 %

GIVE (OR GET) A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO STUFF MAGAZINE FOR JUST R296.03 – A SAVING OF R126.87 PLUS: Free delivery direct to your door (major metropolitan areas only)

S UB S C RIBE T OD AY !

ONL INE stuff.co.za/subs EM A IL subscriptions@mdafrica.co.za 34

Offer expires 17 February 2019

DIGITAL

Pay only R210 per year for 10 issues

Step into the

future

VUMA/180105/01/E

It’s a new world.

Be part of it with Vuma Fibre.

vumatel.co.za

STUFF AWARDS 2018

ST U FF AWA R DS 2018 Call us traditional, but we thought we’d wait until the end of the year to pick our favourite gadgets of 2018. It’s this sort of sensible, pragmatic thinking that helped us agree on the cream of the tech crop from the past 12 months with only one group counselling session…

36

STUFF AWARDS 2018

in association with:

37

STUFF AWARDS 2018

PHONE OF THE YEAR

H UAW E I M AT E 2 0 PRO from R19 000 / huawei.com/za We’ve raved about the Huawei P20 Pro for what seems like an eternity, so it was about time something knocked it off its perch. And from the moment we grasped this featurepacked mobile in our mitts, the Stuff team were smitten by the obscene amount of tech squeezed into its slender frame.

That spec is stunning in its own right: a 6.39in curved OLED display; in-screen fingerprint scanner; IR-based face recognition; and a brilliantt Kirin 980 processor. But the star is the three-lens camera array. With the 40MP main RGB lens, a 8MP telephoto and a 20MP Leica ultra-wide-angle, the Mate 20 Pro becomes a playground for photographers.

BUDGET PHONE OF THE YEAR

NOMINEES O Apple iPhone XS O Samsung Galaxy S9 O Samsung Galaxy Note 9 O Apple iPhone XS Max

H ONO R 8X R5 500 / hihonor.com Woop-woop! That’s the sound of da police!

The cops are after us because the Honor 8X is an absolute steal of a smartphone. You might be tempted to run a mile when you see the word ‘budget,’ but don’t be fooled by the Honor 8X’s tiny price tag, because this bad boy packs a helluva punch.

Compared to rivals like the LG Q7 and Nokia 7.1, the Honor 8X is streets ahead, sporting a bigger screen (6.5in) than both, a Kirin 710 processor with noticeably more power, a beefier battery and more megapixels for detailed pictures.

We love getting more for less, and that’s precisely why we adore the Honor 8X.

Chip and win The Pro packs arguably the most advanced processor in an Android phone: the Kirin 980 does better in benchmarks than its Snapdragon 845 rival.

NOMINEES O Nokia 7.1 O LG Q7 O Xiaomi Redmi S2 O Honor 9 Lite

in association with:

38

STUFF AWARDS 2018

Mobby friction Swooped glass makes the Mate 20 Pro feel slimmer and more dynamic.

Choose the micro-etched finish and the friction stops it slipping off surfaces.

NOW ADD THIS HUAWEI MATE 20 PRO WIRELESS SUPER CHARGER 15W This Qi pad boosts juice at a rapid rate of 15W. Most phones with Qi charging can muster only a paltry 9-10W. Rtba / huawei.com/za

READERS’ PHONE OF THE YEAR APPLE iPHONE XS Here’s a bit of a spoiler: Apple’s missed out on the nod for your overall gadget of the year (see p53). But that doesn’t stop the ace iPhone XS being a worthy winner here. from R22 000 / myistore.co.za 39

STUFF AWARDS 2018

Go Pro, bro Sure, you could save a good few bob opting for the non-Pro PS4, but like a fridge or TV, a console isn’t something you buy often, so we’d suggest going Pro.

in association with:

GAMING GADGET OF TH E YEAR

SONY PS4 PRO from R7 000 / playstation.com/en-za

40

Substantial hardware under the hood – including a rapid CPU, a powerful graphics chip and bags of memory for game developers to play with – always made the PS4 Pro an enticing proposition, but now Sony’s supercharged console has really got into its stride thanks to the delicious range of games available. Sure, the Xbox One X might be more powerful, but beyond the likes of Forza, Gears of War and Halo, Microsoft can’t compete with the exclusives offered by its arch-rival right now. Marvel’s Spider-Man, Tetris Effect, Detroit: Become Human, Ni No Kuni II, Shadow of the Colossus… the list goes on.

Our only wish is that Sony could magic up more play time.

NOMINEES O Nintendo Switch O Xbox One X O Oculus Go O Razer Phone 2

STUFF AWARDS 2017

TV OF THE YEAR

GAME OF THE YEAR

LG C8

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2

from R32 000 / lg.com/za

R1 100 / rockstargames.com In the early days of OLED, the only TVs that would grace our awards pages were ones that cost in excess of six figures… and might take as many humans to carry. But time heals all (well, most) wounds, and growing demand for 4K displays hasn’t hurt either. Which is why you can pick up LG’s class-leading C8 for under R35k, assuming you’re happy with 55in of course (go for the 77in and you’re back in the six-figure leagues).

Combine stellar image quality, support for every major (and minor) flavour of HDR, a custom on-board processor and the tidy slickness of webOS with Dolby Atmos sound and you – and we – have a winner.

After some seriously heated debates, Red Dead Redemption 2 beats God of War to this title – because it’s one of the best games we’ve played this console generation.

Rockstar’s sprawling Western captivated us from start to finish, with its sweeping scale, preposterous attention to detail and gripping narrative raising the bar for open-world gaming at every available opportunity. Striking realism, combined with meaningful side quests and countless random encounters, make it impossible to spend a minute in this wild west without getting engrossed in a real spectacle.

NOMINEES O Samsung 65Q8C O LG E8 O Hisense 65M7000 O Samsung The Frame

NOMINEES O Forza Horizon 4 O God of War O Marvel’s Spider-Man O Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

41

STUFF AWARDS 2018 Breezy listening Five far-field mics do a decent job of attracting Alexa’s attention even above the noise of rowdy music or TV shows, but you may have to shout a bit.

ARC de triomphe This is HDMI’s first appearance on a Sonos product – it supports ARC so your Beam can talk to your TV (and vice versa) to turn it on and off and adjust volume.

NOW ADD THIS SONOS PLAY:5 The largest home speaker in the Sonos range is predictably the most powerful, and a special Beastie Boys edition gives you extra cause to fight for your right to party in case you needed it.

R11 000 / takealot.com 42

Beam there, done that The Beam is 60% smaller than its sibling, the Playbar, but still shoehorns in four fullrange woofers and a tweeter with five digital amplifiers for terrific sound.

in association with:

STUFF AWARDS 2018

HI-FI GADGET OF THE YEAR

S O N OS BEAM R12 500 / audicoonline.co.za There’s no harm in admitting Sonos’s hi-fi and home cinema gear has always been a bit on the expensive side, but the Beam is a top-notch wireless soundbar that doesn’t break the bank and has the added bonus of Alexa built in.

It sounds great, looks slick, comes with a bucketload of smarts and is compact enough to fit into the average living-room AV setup without taking over. Better still, it can form part of a larger multiroom system with other speakers, striking just the right balance between audio quality and style. That makes it easy to recommend the Beam to anyone looking to give the sound of their television, or their home music setup, an adrenaline injection.

NOMINEES Marshall Acton Fender Newport O DreamWave Tremor O Sony SRS-SB41 O

O

HEADPHONES OF THE YEAR

SONY W H - 10 0 0 X M 3 R6 500 / takealot.com Sony already had form for making some of the best active noise-cancelling headphones for relieving tortured ears, but somehow it’s created an even more compelling package with the WH-1000XM3s. They’re couch-comfortable, sound fantastic and zap an even wider array of frequencies than Bose’s QC35 IIs. Sound purists may want to tweak the settings, and there are admittedly some sonic advantages to leaving noise-cancellation off, but we promise you the WH-1000XM3s will transport you to audio heaven, with or without backing vocals from screaming babies.

NOMINEES O SoundMagic E11C O Jabra Elite Active 65t O Sennheiser PXC 550 O AKG Y50BT

43

STUFF AWARDS 2018

Big-time baller The accompanying Sphero Edu app lets you programme a set of manoeuvres, sounds and light patterns, then hit Start and watch it go.

CAR OF THE YEAR

BMW i8 ROADSTER

SPH E RO B O LT

from R2 309 000 / bmw.co.za

R3 000 / macnificent.co.za

You could argue there are prettier hybrids than the BMW i8, that its scissor doors are ‘silly’, taking the top off the coupe is ‘gimmicky’, and that something else should be our Car of the Year. But you’d be wrong, of course. How do we know this? Because we’ve driven the i8 Roadster. We’ve felt the wind in our hair, enjoyed the admiring stares from other road users, tried – and failed – to look elegant climbing out of it, but most importantly as previously mentioned, we’ve driven it. Hard.

Dust off that suit you keep for weddings and funerals, book a test drive and then, if it’s not one of the most enjoyable drives of your life you can argue with us. But you won’t.

News flash: children know straight away if a trip to the toy department has been compromised by ‘educational toys’. So rather than introducing extra-curricular studies by stealth, Sphero’s Bolt fronts up about its seriously adept coding abilities – which is just one of the reasons we’ve given it an A+.

Designed by the folks responsible for the awesome BB-8 and Spider-Man toys, this robotic ball features an LED matrix and advanced sensors that can be programmed to do everything from showing characters and vector graphics to running games on the display.

It’s an ingenious piece of kit with the capability to open minds and inspire the next generation.

NOMINEES Volvo XC60 O Mazda CX-5 O Maserati Ghibli O Range Rover Velar

NOMINEES O Anki Vector O Nintendo Labo O Ryze Tello O Lego Aston Martin DB5

O

44

TECH TOY OF THE YEAR

STUFF AWARDS 2018 Bar humbug?

The Touch Bar isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the contextsensitive strip comes into its own with Apple apps, providing shortcuts for the likes of Logic Pro X.

COMPUTER OF THE YEAR

A P PL E M AC B O O K PRO from R29 500 / myistore.co.za Windows advocates will be quick to point out that the Apple MacBook Pro won’t win any value-for-money awards, but as an everyday laptop that’s portable, capable and desirable, it has no peers. The 2018 model might look familiar, but it’s packed with the latest Apple tech, such as Touch ID and the T2 Security Chip.

There’s plenty of power, an improved display, a quieter keyboard and a battery good for a full day of use. For professionals, it gets the job done in the most unassuming way and with the cleanest profile of any high-performance laptop out there.

O

NOMINEES Microsoft Surface 2 O Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 O iPad (2018) O Huawei MateBook X Pro

Port authority

in association with:

Even the 13-inch Pro packs four Thunderbolt 3 ports, the endangered species of a headphone jack, 8th-generation Intel processors and blazing-fast SSD storage.

45

STUFF AWARDS 2018

Thin end of the edge The Series 4 is slimmer than its predecessor but its screen has grown by at least 30%, with rounded corners going right to the edge.

S M A R T WAT C H OF THE YEAR

APPLE WATCH SERIES 4 from R8 000 / myistore.co.za It’s taken Apple four attempts to really find its wearable feet, but what you’re looking at is the best smartwatch in the world.

Whether you want to use it for fitness or daily tasks as simple as unlocking your MacBook, the Apple Watch is now more feature-strong than ever – and everything has a purpose. Its health credentials have passed with flying colours too, thanks to ECG smarts and fall-detection gyroscopes.

But all that cutting-edge tech aside, it’s the larger display for accommodating more data, making apps increasingly user-friendly and helping watch faces pop, that really sold the Series 4 for us.

NOMINEES O Samsung Galaxy Watch O Suunto 9 O Garmin Forerunner 645 Music O Fitbit Versa 46

in association with:

STUFF AWARDS 2018

Sync plunger A touchscreen OLED display remains easy to read in different environments, even when you’re in the pool – just as well it’s waterproof to 50m, then.

F I T N E S S T R AC K E R OF THE YEAR

F IT B IT C HA RG E 3 R3 000 / fitbit.co.za

NOW ADD THIS ANDEN VALET FOR APPLE WATCH The Valet is made to order in London and gives your connected timepiece a classy place to lay its head while charging. from R1 600 (import) / madebyanden. co.uk

With smartwatches becoming commonplace, you may have been wondering whether dedicated fitness trackers are still worth your time. The Fitbit Charge 3 answers that with a resounding ‘yes’. An easy-to-use workout companion that’s subtle and comfortable, the Charge 3 hits the sweet spot in that zone between super-slim trackers and bigger devices with wrist-dominating displays.

It’s packed with a smorgasbord of fitness tech, such as SpO2 and optical heart-rate sensors keeping tabs on calories, steps, sleep patterns and more.

NOMINEES O Garmin Vivosmart 4 O Huawei Band 2 Pro O Withings Sport HR Steel O Xiaomi Fitness Band

47

STUFF AWARDS 2018 in association with:

This isn’t half ’blad The Mavic 2 Pro features a 20MP 4K camera developed by camera legends Hasselblad – no surprise given DJI owns a major stake in the firm.

DRONE/ ACTION CAM OF THE YEAR

DJI MAVIC 2 PRO R31 000 / myistore.co.za

48

When we reviewed DJI’s Mavic Air at the start of the year, we hailed it as a breakthrough in drone tech. We certainly weren’t expecting it to be bumped out of the sky by another DJI model before 2018 was out – but that’s exactly what happened when the Mavic 2 Pro appeared.

We described this as a drone with no real weaknesses. Its image quality, flight time, speed, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, intelligent flight modes and unique Hyperlapse mode for timelapses on the move are all nothing short of glorious.

NOMINEES O GoPro Hero7 Black O Garmin Dash Cam 65W O Parrot Anafi O GoPro Fusion

Snap it like a Bauss with the world’s 1st quad camera*

*Available on Galaxy A9

STUFF AWARDS 2018

SYSTEM CAMERA OF THE YEAR

FUJIFILM X-T3 R24 500 (body only) / fujifilm.co.za It really didn’t take us long to pick a winner for this category. Well, why would it when one of the contenders is the best APS-C camera on the planet? We were already big fans of the X-T2; and rather than reinventing the wheel, Fuji took every feature on that outstanding device and subtly upgraded it. The result is an all-round cracker of a snapper that astounds in just about every way.

From the huggable body and superb manual controls to the pristine 4K video, the high-res EVF and the zippy autofocus and burst shooting, there’s nothing here that hasn’t been refined to something like perfection. Prepare to take some wonderful photos.

NOMINEES O Nikon Z7 O Canon EOS R O Sony Alpha A7 III O Panasonic Lumix G9

Range rover discovery Inside is a 26MP X-Trans BSI sensor that allows for cleaner images across the ISO range; in our tests the X-T3 knocked it out of the park at high settings.

50

The fast and the Fujious This Fuji shoots 4K at 60fps and super-slow-mo in Full HD at 120fps, with simultaneous outputs via HDMI and to an SD card for fancy multitaskers.

STUFF AWARDS 2018

NOW ADD THIS THE HAHNEL PROCUBE DSLR CHARGER Charge two Fuji (or Panasonic) batteries at once, or four AA batteries, or a mobile device via USB. Check progress on the LCD. Easy.

R1 600 / ormsdirect.co.za

COMPACT CAMERA O F T HE Y EA R

PA N AS O N I C L UM IX T Z 22 0 R16 700 / panasonic.com/za The perfect travel compact should capture memories at a moment’s notice. It’s designed to be yanked out of your pocket and take the perfect holiday snap, be flexible enough to get close to the action and – crucially – all while delivering better results than your phone.

Panasonic’s TZ220 does all these things and more with 15x optical zoom, an uprated viewfinder and Bluetooth photo sharing. More capable than the old TZ100, it offers extra reach with that zoom lens, improved colour reproduction and a better experience when using the electronic viewfinder.

NOMINEES O Sony RX100 VI O Canon SX740 O Leica CL O Fujifilm X100F

in association with:

51

STUFF AWARDS 2018 Beam me up

in association with:

While the Beam can’t quite match the Playbar when it comes to sound quality, it blows its older brother out of the water when it comes to features.

Tangle teaser For absolute stability, or for households with patchy Wi-Fi, using wired over wireless is recommended; but we never had any trouble with the Beam’s connectivity.

52

STUFF AWARDS 2018

GADGET OF THE YEAR

READERS’ GADGET OF THE YEAR

S O N OS BEAM

HUAW E I M AT E 20 P RO R19 000 / huawei.com/za

R12 500 / audicoonline.co.za Fresh out of food-based projectiles and suffering from a collective loss of voice, we wondered if the Gadget of the Year Award would have to be decided by some sort of mute Royal Rumble… before one Stuffling used the Notes app to remind us we should settle this like adults. Sadly, with the N64 Mini not yet confirmed, a GoldenEye 007 contest was out, so we came to a decision on Slack instead.

Despite being pushed close by the Apple Watch Series 4, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, Sony WH-1000XM3 and LG C8 TV, the Sonos Beam emerged victorious. The Beam won us over by squeezing Sonos’s celebrated sound into a device 60% smaller and also significantly cheaper than the Playbar, all with Amazon Alexa and AirPlay 2 smarts. It’s a formidable sound upgrade to any flat-screen TV, and a worthy hi-fi speaker for any home.

As those in the US and UK have so acutely learned, letting people vote doesn’t always end in the result one wants. But that’s not the case here. The people (that’s you) have spoken, and you’ve (collectively) decided to crown the Huawei Mate 20 Pro your gadget of 2018.

After opting for the Sonos Beam ourselves, we should be bitter, right? Nah, because to be brutally honest we were always seriously torn between these two – and any number of other innovative devices that made the various Stuff Awards shortlists. In many respects, the Mate 20 Pro is the ultimate mobile phone, combining cutting-edge security tech, the fastest phone processor on the planet, and a thrilling OLED display for consuming content… and for showing off the pictures taken by the best smartphone snapper in the business.

53

DIGITAL EDITION DIGIT SUBS CRIPAL TION

ONLY PER Y R210 FOR 10 ISEAR SUES

AVAILABLE FROM THE APP STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY – Search for stuffsa –

APP AWARDS

TH E

AP P

AWAR D S

“There’s an app for that,” smug millennials offer in reply to the queries of their elders. The problem is, more of t en th an n ot , they ’re r ight. So unlock that smar t cellular phone, old timer, an d g et downloa ding.

55

APP AWARDS

TES T WIN NE

R

Warm fuzzy feelings don’t just come from trying on fur coats – they’re far more likely to arrive thanks to an act of altruism. In 2018, of course there’s an app for that.

uKHESHE Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS uKheshe (which translates to ‘cash’, natch) lets users make small payments from a phonebased digital wallet to uKheshe cards. The cards, emblazoned with a unique QR code, store the cash balance and other info. That cash can be accessed or transferred via USSD codes – users don’t need a smartphone to use this system. If real cash is needed, it can be drawn from Pick n’ Pay stores and missing QR code cards can easily be replaced based on the phone number the card is linked to.

56

HIKING SPOT APP

BOOSTME360

CRASHDETECH

Can you believe some folks still hitch-hike in order to get where they’re going? Hiking Spot App aims to give users a Zaphod-esque electronic thumb by turning hitching a free ride into an apppowered affair. Still, use the same caution as you would standing on the side of a highway.

Free / Android

Unemployment is one of South Africa’s chief issues, with some 26.6% South Africans out of work as of 2016.

BoostMe360 hopes to help, by connecting employers with their prospective employees, covering all the bases from CV to interview and getting the job.

Free / Web

Former MTN App of the Year finalist CrashDetech is a useful little critter.

Being able to detect a vehicle crash and notify emergency services – who can be dispatched to your smartphone-tracked location if you’re lying unresponsive – sounds pretty useful to us. It should to you too.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS

APP AWARDS

LIFESTYLE We’re normally all about precision, but sometimes being a little vague isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary. Such is the case with the best lifestyle apps… or as we like to think of them, the apps that just didn’t fit anywhere else, but are still worth a download.

SXUIRREL PRIVATE PROPERTY Set up an account, allow notifications (especially if you’re in Cape Town, where things vanish fast), choose ‘sales’ or ‘rentals’ pick your suburbs – and other specifics regarding amenities, and let Private Property help you find a suitable roof to position over your head before the rains come.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

TES T WIN NER

Need somewhere to store your nut collection? Or somewhere to show it off?

Or somewhere to store the van you use to lug it around, for that matter?

Sxuirrel connects people with storage space, parking bays or events venues with those in need of them. Nuts? Nope, nothing less than nifty.

Free / Android, iOS

DROPPA Moving sucks. Almost as sucky is having to call movers, get quotes, or try and explain how big your homemade TV cabinet is over the phone. Instead, you can download Droppa, plug in exactly what you need, when you need it, and where you need it, and get an instant quote.

Leaving more time for DIY. Free / Android, iOS

DINEPLAN Whether you’re looking to get in at your city’s oldest, most exclusive eatery, the newest, hippest celebrity cheffed spot, or simply looking for a greasy table and wonky stool in your local dive, Dineplan can help you check availability with a few taps of a (hopefully clean) digit... and the listings grow daily.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

Eat Out Free / Android, iOS, Web If you’ve ever trawled the internet for local restaurant recommendations you’ve probably wound up on Eat Out’s website. The Eat Out app takes the best bits of the web experience – critic’s reviews alongside users’, comprehensive contact info and operating hours – and adds some new ones, like the ability to book in realtime, track your favourite establishments, and easily share content with your brunch posse. It’s supported via ads (but they’re relatively discreet) and through the bookings feature, for which restaurants pay. If you like dining out, the Eat Out app’s comprehensive feature set makes it downright delectable.

TASTY Packed with recipes, loaded with instructional videos – plus a brilliant step-by-step mode – and updated frequently, Buzzfeed’s Tasty is the easiest way to stop yourself eating toasted cheese sandwiches for every meal… and might save you from scurvy.

Prepare to drool.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

57

APP AWARDS

ENTERTAINMENT Once, entertainment was relegated to the lounge or a specific venue. Now we’re able to carry around most of the music, movies, and series in the known world in our pockets. The trick now?

Choosing what to put on.

TES T WIN NE

SPOTIFY

R

Video killed the radio star but streaming is doing awful things to the CD store – until it resurges as a ‘retro’ experience.

For those who don’t want or need physical media, Spotify is the best way to keep current with many thousands of tunes you know… and don’t.

Free (or R60/month) / Android, iOS, Web

NETFLIX Netflix stands astride the world, dominating streaming services left and right. We’re understandably rather impressed but we’ll be even more so when Netflix starts optioning African content for broadcast from 2019.

Yeah, that’s happening. from R99/month / Android, iOS, Web

58

JOOX It’s tough to compete with Spotify but that’s just what Joox is doing. In its corner is a wider swathe of South African content than you’re going to find on most other services.

You’re going to have to really love local music but the slick interface makes up for a lot.

Free (or R60/month) / Android, iOS, Web

Showmax R99/month / Android, iOS, Web It’d be quite easy for Showmax, South Africa’s best local streaming service to count as an also-ran against the likes of Netflix and Amazon. That it doesn’t, staying competitive with its international foes, is a testament to how good the app is. Navigation is slick, presentation is world-class and the collection of exclusives from HBO and Hulu mean that really avid watchers will find themselves subscribing to Showmax and another service (or two, or three). Also, more platforms are supported than ever before.

AMAZON PRIME VIDEO Amazon Prime Video is a must-have for fans of Clarkson and co. but we’re also blown away by all of the forthcoming Prime exclusives like Good Omens and American Gods. This one isn’t in front of as many South Africans as it should be. from R85/month / Android, iOS, Web

APPLE MUSIC

VOOV

Required reading for iOS fans, Apple has decided that its Music offering should be shared with the Android world as well. There might be a little financial component involved in that decision but Apple executes their streaming vision with their customary precision. from R30/month / Android, iOS

Perhaps the most unique member of this party, Voov’s content is almost exclusively created by its users. If you want to see things you won’t spot elsewhere, this is the place to look. Finding something worth watching will take some sifting but some folks love the hunt more than the kill.

Free / Android, iOS

APP AWARDS

TES T WIN NER FEDGROUP ( IMPACT FARMING ) We’re always being told to ‘diversify our portfolio’, and not just in terms of our cover band’s repertoire of Phil Collins’ numbers.

Fedgroup makes investing in solar panels, beehives or blueberry bushes as easy as tapping your phone screen a few times and transferring some cash.

Free / Android, iOS

STASH Liberty Life’s Stash app makes it possible to easily open a tax-free savings account in minutes, and then rounds up your spending and stashes the difference. Choose to add cash on sunny days, at the end of the month, or even based on your exercise habits. Then sit back and watch the pile grow.

Free / Android, iOS

LUNO Cryptocurrencies needn’t be cryptic, and buying or transferring them needn’t be difficult. Luno only sells Bitcoin and Ethereum for now. Both’ve been bashed of late, but for some, that means it’s time to buy.

Free / Android, iOS

VIRGIN MONEY SPOT

Easy Equities

A mobile wallet and payment platform in one, Virgin Money Spot lets users send cash to any one in their contact list or make payments by scanning a Spot QR code.

Free / Android, iOS

Free / Android, iOS

MULTIPLY ( MOMENTUM ) Insurer Momentum’s Multiply is designed to reward members with real cash in exchange for shopping at preferred retailers or making good lifestyle choices. More impressive, cash back stored in the Multiply Money savings wallet earns 5.25% interest.

Free / Android, iOS

STOKFELLA Managing a stokvel doesn’t have to be a schlep... or involve calls to family. At least, that’s the idea behind StokFella, a service that aims to make managing investment groups easy while also providing transparency to all members and letting them participate in key investment decisions.

Free / Android, iOS

FINANCIAL

If Hollywood’s to be believed, buying stocks is the exclusive purview of men in natty suits with propensities for addiction and expensive taste in cars. EasyEquities puts paid to that idea.

Opening an account takes minutes, and you can choose from investing in single stocks, baskets of them based on sector, exchange traded funds (ETFs) or other bundles, or even tax-free savings. No monthly fees, low transaction costs and an incredibly intuitive mobile interface make this our favourite app for squirrelling away unexpected windfalls.

FRANC Franc takes the traditional stokvel model for saving and investing as a group and wraps it in a simple app. Pick money market or exchange-traded funds and pay only R5 a month after the six-month trial.

Free / Android, iOS

Managing money no longer means picking a spot in the house to hide the coffee tin you’ve stuffed it in. Invest, save or even buy bees with these.

59

APP AWARDS

TES T WIN NE

R

CTRL

NAKED

When getting insurance, the sensible thing to do is to get quotes from a range of insurers… but that’s time-consuming. And involves talking to real people on the phone. Ctrl does the heavy lifting, keeps track of everything you’ve got insured, and even lets you claim directly from the app.

Free / Web (Android & iOS coming soon)

Any millennial will tell you, talking to real humans is, like, totally uncool. And talking to them about car insurance is officially the worst. Naked recognises this, which is why you can get an AI-powered quote for your chariot via their website or app instead.

Yes, even if you’re only wearing your birthday suit. The AI doesn’t mind.

Free / iOS, Web

INSURANCE It may be a grudge purchase, but along with paying tax and regularly visiting the dentist, ensuring you have the right insurance is a cornerstone of adulting. These apps make it easier to tick that box and rest a little easier.

Plus, your mom will be very impressed.

Pineapple Free / Android, iOS

GRANADILLA Looking to cover your phone, camera, laptop or other kit against life’s inevitable unforseens?

Download Grandilla and you can do it in minutes.

Use the app to claim when you need to, and your replacement device will be in your hands in two days, plus get rewarded if you don’t claim.

Free / Android, iOS 60

Month-to-month insurance for your tech, appliances, furniture, bicycles (we know people seldom have just one), and other bits and bobs that’s as simple as taking a picture with your smartphone? It sounds too good to be true, we know, but it’s the key proposition offered by insurer Pineapple. Motor insurance is coming soon, too, and if you don’t claim on something you can get all of your premiums back at the end of the year. Phone stolen and you need to claim for it? No problem, just use the online interface. This is how all insurance should work.

APP AWARDS

SERVICES Thanks to companies like Uber, you can get all sorts of things on-demand now. Whether you need a hand rectifying some post-party chaos, a lift to the airport, or a means of directing a pizza delivery man to the end of your hike, these apps have you covered.

UBER

DOMESTLY

Its SA operations may be a mere five years old, but Uber is nonetheless the granddaddy (or grandma) of car-on-demand services. An ever-growing feature list – like setting multiple destinations, fare-splitting, accepting cash, and a recently launched 24/7 call centre – make it the best, too.

Free / Android, iOS

Available in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Joburg and Pretoria, Domestly is our category winner Sweepsouth’s chief competitor. The book-a-cleaner service is better looking than its rival, but loses points for insisting on weekly bookings, rather than allowing for one-offs.

Free / Android, iOS

TAXIFY

WHAT3WORDS

Uber’s Estonia-based rival continues to improve with each update to its apps, and while it’s still not quite as feature-laden as the opposition, if you haven’t tried it for a while (or at all) it’s well worth a relook, particularly during those peak periods when the prices elsewhere tend to - ahem - ‘surge’.

Free / Android, iOS

The world is a big place, and though Google and Apple do an excellent job when it comes to mapping big cities and other densely populated regions, they really suck at outlying spots. W3W’s wrapped the world in a grid and assigned three words to each. Brilliant. Or, rather, “exacted.venue.donates”.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

TES T WIN NER

Sweepsouth Free / Android, iOS, Web The eagle-eyed among you might notice that Sweepsouth has graced our awards pages before. That’s because, since its launch a few years back, it’s continued to get better and better. Connecting cleaners with those needing things cleaned, the app lets you specify how much work is involved, whether you’ve got cleaning supplies (or need your ‘SweepStar’ to bring their own) and makes it easy to create recurring appointments – so once you find someone you like you can keep using them. It’s a simple idea well executed, and that’s exactly what we’re looking for in winning apps.

61

APP AWARDS

TES T WIN NE

OLX

R

Digital classifieds service OLX lets you search heaps of categories (or by location), create your own ads, chat to potential buyers or sellers from the app itself, and register with only a phone number.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

WOOLWORTHS

TAKEALOT

Much more than merely a catalogue for Woolies’ wondrous wares, the app lets you manage your loyalty card and vouchers and keep tabs on your account (if you have one).

There’s also a barcode scanner, and a scannable digital card in case you leave your physical one at home... you numpty.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

Retail juggernaut Takealot continues to refine its app interface and grow an already enormous roster of kit. Recent feature additions include options to search by barcode (great for comparing prices in brick-andmortar stores) or even by voice (supported by Google Assistant).

Free / Android, iOS, Web

SUPERBALIST

LOOT

Now part of Takealot, Superbalist nonetheless maintains its own app, and it’s one of the bestlooking on this list. Like, seriously, seriously goodlooking. The focus here is on clothing and décor, and tracking orders or setting up returns is simple. All complemented by an uncluttered layout.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

Loot’s mobile app used to be a hot mess, but updates seem to have ironed out the kinks and now it’s decidedly worth a revisit thanks to the online retailer’s fiercely competitive pricing, especially on electronics and other gadgetry (our bag), and on toys and hobby gear (also our bag).

Free / Android, iOS, Web

BIDORBUY SA’s own eBay, BidorBuy lets you auction items, or bid on them. For those averse to auctions, there’s also often the option to pay a predetermined fee.

Good for imported things, specialist kit, or curiosities.

Free /Android, iOS, Web

Pick n Pay Free / Android, iOS, Web

GUMTREE Snap a few pics of the item you want to sell and create a free ad, or browser other posters’ wares. Categories for events, charities, jobs, services and even ‘boats & watercraft’ make this one pretty unique.

Free / Android, iOS, Web

There’s a whole lot to love about the Pick n Pay app. First up, if you forget your Smart Shopper loyalty card, you can use the app instead, so you don’t miss out on points. Then there are the custom discount vouchers based on a mixture of your purchase history and things the retailer wants you to try. Next up there’s the recipes section, the ability to shop online, a store locator, and the option to buy prepaid electricity or airtime. Finally, it all comes wrapped in a tidy, easy to navigate app that works just as well on Android as it does on iOS. Winner? Winner!

Chicken dinner.

SHOPPING 62

Between stealthy parking-lot pillars, mid-corridor snake oil peddlers, and ankle-ramming trolleys, real-world shopping is dangerous. Tap instead.

APP AWARDS

DELIVERY Technology means not having to interact with humans unless you really, really have to. And we’re all for avoiding people when it comes to ordering out for a lazy evening. Or lunch.

Or breakfast.

T TES NER N I W

UberEats Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS

ORDERIN

MRD

BOTTLES

You probably get the concept. Enter your location (or let the phone detect it), find nearby eateries and then make your selection. Opt for either pickup or delivery and then grab (or wait for) your chow to appear.

Without having to talk to any humans.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS, Web

MrD is a familiar face, both at the Stuff offices and in the app awards. Need food in a hurry but don’t want to leave the house?

(Hey, maybe it’s laundry day or you’re willing to pay someone else to sit in traffic for you.) Just input your desired sustenance, pay, and it’ll turn up at your doorstep.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS

Disinclined to drive to the local liquor purveyor?

Bottles promises to deliver alcohol to your door (or bae’s) in under an hour. Choose from the usual suspects, pay through the app and get the ice bucket and glasses ready (they’ll bring the ice and snacks, too, if you want).

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS

UberEats is yet another way for you to avoid human interaction until you actually have to collect your food from the glorious hero bringing it directly to your Netflix-covered nest on a quiet weekend.

We all do it, it’s called Me Time. Smart integration with an existing Uber account and an improving coverage area for South Africa makes UberEats the app to beat for 2018. And, if you need extra cash, delivering for UberEats is always an option.

63

APP AWARDS

GAMES Mobile games were once reviled as pointless timeand money-sinks that distorted the true essence of video games. Many still are, but they’re not on this list of titles that provide players entertainment and value for money.

TES T WIN NE

R

EUCLIDEAN LANDS

PLANECRAZY

Sometimes you just want to bend your brain. As a form of entertainment, we mean. Euclidiean Lands allows this but its Rubic’s Cube-style presentation does its best to bend your eyes at the same time. Of course we love it for that.

R70 / iOS

PlaneCrazy is a locallydeveloped iOS time-filler where you’re tapping away at your screen trying to get a paper airplane as far down a school corridor as you can. A mite Flappy Bird-ish but that one was addictive as all hell.

Free / iOS

ODDMAR A gorgeous Viking platformer in the vein of the newer Rayman games, Oddmar combines slick animation, detailed visuals and immersive sound to give you a mobile game that feels like it would do well on Nintendo’s Switch.

You listening, Mobge?

R80 / iOS

Alto’s Odyssey Free / Android • R80 / iOS Less a game than it is a Zen state in digital form, Alto’s Odyssey is the sequel to the tremendously popular Alto’s Adventure. The high points remained unchanged – you’re still sliding stylishly down the side of a mountain, though this time on a sandboard rather than a snowboard, elegantly flipping through groups of coins and pulling off speed-boosting tricks to get your score ever higher. Only now you’re marvelling at the procedurally generated mountain in a desert setting. You’ll still feel like you’re meditating while doing it.

64

FORTNITE If you haven’t heard of Fortnite before, congratulations on waking up from your coma. If you have, you’re either proficient in the floss or you haven’t yet worked out how to stay alive until that always nail-biting finale.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS, Everywhere else

APP AWARDS

HEALTH & FITNESS TES T WIN NE

There’s a good crop of health and fitness apps here, which is a good thing, because this is traditionally the time when most of us reboot our exercise regimes. Get ready to sweat.

R

GARMIN CONNECT If you’re the more advanced sort of user, you’re probably using the measures-everything Garmin range of wearables.

The Garmin Connect app is similarly advanced, with more useful (and incomprehensible) stats than you can shake a rapidly accelerating accountant at.

Free / Android, iOS

MY PROGRAMME GENERATOR If even the high-end apps aren’t enough to restrain your rapidlystrengthening body, My Programme Generator will give you that extra edge. Signup is free, but you’re really going to need a subscription (and a personal trainer) to get the most out of it. from R200/month / Web

DISCOVERY

Fitbit Free / Android, iOS, Web

TRAININGPEAKS When you’re entering the Ninja Warrior phase of your run, swim or cycle training, TrainingPeaks is there to keep all your measurements in check.

Includes space for coach comments and every metric you need. Yes, we mean every metric. We’re pretty sure you don’t need them all, buddy.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS

How good is the Fitbit app? Well, the whole Stuff team uses it, if that’s any indication.

Comprehensive tracking data, easy access to movement and sleep metrics, interaction with a collection of other related apps and the ability to challenge the slower people on your friends list are just a few of the examples why Fitbit’s app is good enough for first place. It’s not for the super-serious athletes but it’s got just the right amount of info for the fitness-curious.

FITBIT CHARGE 3 You can use some of the Fitbit app’s functionality without owning one, but you get much more if you do. The Charge 3 offers the usual stellar HR and sleep tracking with a svelte band From R3 000 / fitbit.co.za

Not really an app designed to make you physically well in the sense of the others here, Discovery’s app is more about changing your lifestyle as a whole into something more closely resembling that of a healthy person’s. Which does the same thing for your body, oddly enough.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS, Web

STRAVA Strava is the first app that you use when your default fitness gear’s app starts looking threadbare. Billed as part run- and cycletracker and part social network, Strava is a gateway drug into the world of VO2 max and the other arcane metrics of modern athleticism.

Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS, Web

65

TESTED APPS

Mini meme

O Instant You don’t get an entirely authentic Polaroid experience here, but it’s not far off. There’s a tiny viewfinder and you can shake or, weirdly, blow to speed up your pic’s development. But there’s a modicum of modern smarts too – you can adjust the filter, add a vignette or a load of grain, and scrawl across your picture using a range of virtual marker pens.

Stuff says ++++, R27 / Android

66

RETRO PHOTO A-GO-GO If you reckon documenting festive fun was better in the old days, hurl yourself back in time – and delight your elderly relatives – with these old-style snappers

O Hipstamatic This one’s for the fully fledged faux-analogue experience. In Classic mode, your iPhone looks like a proper old-school camera from decades ago, with a level of skeuomorphism that’d have Jony Ive slowly rocking and sobbing in a corner. You can swap out lenses, films and even flashes; and post-snappage, there’s a Pro mode for speedy editing larks.

Stuff says +++++ R50 / iOS

O Retrica

O VHS Camcorder

O 8mm Vintage

O Snapseed

Ignore the social network awkwardly welded to this app and stick to the camera bit. You get a slew of filters, which you can select randomly if you’re feeling lazy. There are plenty of stickers, freehand scribbling and stamps as well… but, possibly of more interest, you can shoot to collages – a bit like a photo booth, but with a really wide range of grid layouts.

Stuff says +++++ Free (IAPs) / Android, iOS

So your phone shoots in 4K. Great for Hollywood; not great when you want something with character – or something that won’t capture every Boxing Day wrinkle. This app heads to the 1980s with flicker, cheesy titles and (optionally) authentic 480p 4:3 shots. It’ll even mess up the picture if you tilt your phone, just like a real camcorder would have done back in the day.

Stuff says ++++, R38 / Android R60 / iOS

If you’re thinking the ’80s isn’t quite retro enough when it comes to video recording, 8mm Vintage Camera heads all the way back to the 1920s. With seven lenses and 12 film types, you’re spoiled for quirky choice.

The resulting effects are superb and there’s even a ‘jitter’ button to imitate frame shakes while recording your masterpiece.

Stuff says +++++ R30 / iOS

If you think retro should be all in the edit, grab Snapseed.

Load a pic, slather it in relevant, adjustable effects (Grainy Film, Noir, Vintage, Drama) and save your edit as a custom filter. Now you can still shoot high-quality pics as normal with your handset, but later quickly convert them to something warm and charming, or dark and disturbing with a single tap.

Stuff says +++++ Free / Android, iOS

Camera

GROUP TEST GAMING PHONES

3 OF THE BEST

Gaming phones Addicted to mobile mayhem on your mobile? Prepare to a miss a few more night’s out in pursuit of that high score with one of these major players…

BEST FOR SCREEN

BEST FOR VALUE

ST ER N N I

W

BEST FOR QUIRKS

Razer Phone 2

Asus ROG Phone

Honor Play

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

Razer’s smartphone sequel for Android gaming addicts ignores the trend for skinny screens, barely-there bezels and notches, opting instead for an unashamedly industrial-look phone catering specifically to gamers. But some welcome quality-of-life upgrades aim to help it compete with last year’s more mainstream phones.

Based on Asus’s aggressive-looking gaming laptops, the ROG Phone has a 90Hz screen and even a fan accessory to stop it getting too warm. It’s rocking the “I came for the LAN party” look, and proud of it. There’s a 6in OLED display, a slightly overclocked Snapdragon 845 chip, a big old 4000mAh battery, and up to 512GB of storage. Oh, and a headphone port.

This phone’s aimed at the sort of gamer who plays mobile apps religiously through every Uber ride, at every bedtime and on every toilet break. It’s built from the ground up to play mobile games smoothly, but with a design that doesn’t look out of place alongside last year’s flagships.

Is it any good?

Oh lordy lord, the 120Hz display is unbeatable for smoothness. Wireless charging and waterproofing are welcome updates, and the logo glowfest on the back will keep Razer geeks happy. The brighter screen gives HDR video some extra punch too, while the speakers deliver exceptionally loud audio.

More of a Razer 1.5 than a true sequel, it’s still the best dedicated gaming phone around.

Is it any good?

Unusual features set this one apart. Take the AirTriggers: ultrasonic pressure-sensitive panels mirroring gamepad shoulder buttons.

The ability to customise virtual controls is cool, and the fan has its own USB-C and headphone sockets to keep cables tidy.

Take away the extras, though, and it’s just another Android phone.

Is it any good?

While the 1080p screen and camera aren’t nearly as good, in many other respects the Play is on a par with Huawei’s P20 Pro. Given the latter is still over R15 000, the Honor being expected to cost under R6k represents a bargain. Not every game will play in enhanced GPU Turbo mode, but if the Play sits at the very top of your budget and you’re desperate to have mobile games looking their best, it’ll get the job done.

Price R18 000 / zeekonline.co.za

Price R20 000 / zeekonline.co.za

Price Rtba / hihonor.com/za

Stuff says ++++,

Stuff says ++++,

Stuff says ++++,

Impeccable performance and a smooth screen, but at a premium price

Weird bits make the ROG a notable, albeit pricey, option for hardcore gamers

A bargain handset for gamers, but struggles with performance in other areas 67

BREADY BARGAINS

CLEVER COOKERS

DELICIOUS DESIGNS

UPVOTED

The browning beauty

The curvaceous crisper

The regal rose

Smeg Dolce & Gabbana 2-Slice Want to pretend you live inside a gypsy caravan? Dolce & Gabbana teamed up with Smeg to create this extravagant toaster along with a range of other matching kitchen appliances, including a juicer, a kettle and even a fridge. You get luxury price tags to match the upper-crust looks, though.

R8 500 / hirschs.co.za

Kitchenaid Artisan 2-Slot You can make a bold statement about how much you enjoy making toast with Kitchenaid’s curvy number. Looking a bit like the predator’s motorbike helmet, it’ll certainly stand out in any kitchen, and with bagel and toastie functions you’ll soon be the toast of the town.

R7 000 / yuppiechef.co.za

Morphy Richards Evoke Rose Gold And Brushed 4-Slice Looks aren’t everything, but the rose gold accents on this four-slice Morphy Richards add a touch of elegance to the laborious, crumb-strewn affair of throwing together breakfast on a humdrum Monday morning.

Also available in non-Apple colours.

R2 200 / morphyrichards.co.za

TOASTERS The double dealer Dualit Combi 2x2 Fancy a nice toasted sandwich oozing with cheesy goodness? Or maybe a couple of slices of simple buttered toast would be better? Dilemma fixed: Dualit’s Combi is equipped with sandwich cages and two regular toasting slots, so you can do both simultaneously. You greedy scamp.

R3800 (import) / dualit.com

The windowed wonder Magimix 2-Slice Vision When it comes to toast, getting it to just the right shade of brown is of paramount importance. No one likes it pale and floppy, and your smoke alarms definitely don’t like it burnt black. So this Magimix has a transparent window that lets you see your bread toasting in real time.

R1 750 (import) / magimix.com

The magic mirror

The vintage vamp

The checkable cheapy

Bosch Styline TAT8613GB Black Sting might like his toast done on one side, but he’s a lute-bothering buffoon – and he wrote that back when most people made their toast under a grill. Gone are those days with machines like Bosch’s Styline, which has a nifty mirror heating system for perfectly even browning of both sides.

R1 300 / hirschs.co.za

De’Longhi Vintage Icona 4-Slice Throwing it back to a simpler time with a modern twist, De’Longhi’s Vintage Icona toaster’s aesthetic would fit right into a ’50s homeware ad. The neon light fixtures on the front, though, bring it right back into the modern age. It has a ‘browning control’ indicator to get your toast just right.

R2 420 / yuppiechef.co.za

Breville Impressions 4-Slice One for those who want their daily fix of marmalade without getting their finances in a jam, this four-slice model is compact, stylish, functional and distinctly affordable.

And if you’re ever itching to know the state of your bread mid-toast, it has a ‘lift and look’ checking feature.

R700 (import) / breville.com

HOW TO DECIDE 68

With jam for breakfast, with scrambled eggs for dinner, or with crushed avocado for people with butlers…

Stuff takes you on a tour of toast tech

1 Play the slots Four-slot toasters are much more common than they used to be – and if you’ve got a toast-loving family, it’s the only way to avoid starting the day with a row about who gets the first two slices.

2 Stay frosty Waste not want not, as the saying goes. Keep an eye out for defrosting functionality if you’re one to freeze your bread. Most modern toasters include this feature, but it’s worth making sure.

UPVOTED

The digital delight Cuisinart 4-Slice Digital Toaster Cuisinart has brought toast-making into the digital age – and it could well be the best thing since (toasted) sliced bread. An LCD screen acts as your timer, and there are seven different settings so you can always have your morning chomp just the way you want it. Feeling sophisticated and fond of cream cheese? The bagel setting could be your new best friend.

R6 875 / wantitall.co.za

3 Capture the crumbs Bready bits can find their way into every little nook and cranny. That’s why it’s good to get yourself a toaster with a built-in crumb tray to make cleaning less, well, crumby.

4 Raise a toast Having a toaster with high lift makes life so much easier when it comes to actually getting your breakfast out of the thing – especially if you’re a fan of teeny crumpets and the like.

69

V E R S U S H O M E A S S I S TA N T S

Screen genies Stick a display on a smart home hub and it’ll be able to show as well as tell… but which touchscreen-equipped AI assistant is the best?

Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) What’s the story?

70

Google Home Hub

OR THERE’S THIS…

What’s the story?

Despite the sci-fi appeal of Amazon’s screen-less Echo speakers, sometimes a good old LCD is still quite handy. Amazon combined the two with the original Echo Show, but it ended up being a boxy lump of unfulfilled potential – so it’s back in a new guise with a bigger screen and more lounge-friendly design.

Google hasn’t been too ambitious with its first display-based device. With a 7in screen, the Home Hub is more compact than the Echo Show, and much more affordable at under R4 000. There are issues with the limited amount of things it can actually do, and it lacks the videoconferencing ability of the Echo Show, but this is a neat little device.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

With the speakers now hidden behind the screen, from the front the new Show looks a lot like a Kindle Fire tablet. The enlarged display is surrounded by chunky bezels, the biggest of which runs across the top and houses the camera, mics and ambient light sensor. This also detects movement and puts the screen into low-power mode when no one’s around.

It’s definitely a much nicer thing to look at than the old Show… but despite the better design, improved sound quality and nicer screen, this still doesn’t feel like the finished article. It’s just not cut out for watching longer videos, and video calling only works with other camera-equipped Echo devices or phones that have the Alexa app installed.

A step in the right direction, but you’re still better off with the R2 800 Echo Plus.

What you’re going to get out of the Home Hub depends on how much you’re invested in the Google ecosystem. Don’t use the likes of Google Calendar and Photos? You might have some data-transferring to do. But the interface is snappy and the LCD display is excellent for recipes, news briefings and YouTube.

There are caveats, though. Google still doesn’t support all the smart home devices that Alexa does, the audio quality isn’t the best and there’s a lack of video apps for now. The ability to Chromecast covers some of these issues, but we had problems casting from Netflix and even Google’s own apps.

Still, given that slightly less daunting price, we can easily recommend the Home Hub as the best screen-based assistant on the market right now.

Price R4 700 / geewiz.co.za Tech 10.1in touchscreen O Alexa O Wi-Fi, Bluetooth O 5MP camera O 246x174x107mm, 1.76kg

Price R3 900 / geewiz.co.za Tech 7in touchscreen O Google Assistant O Wi-Fi, Bluetooth O 179x118x67mm, 480g

Stuff says +++,,

Stuff says ++++,

Better than the original, but the Echo Show still doesn’t make the most of its screen

Google’s screen-based smart helper works well and offers real value for money

art Display from R2 800 / geewiz.co.za Lenovo’s effort comes hot on the heels of the Home Hub, and also runs a visual version of Google Assistant.

It’s available in two sizes – 8in and 10in – and comes equipped with a camera for video calls. Cleverly, Lenovo has allowed the Smart Display to be orientated in portrait mode for video-chatting with someone on their phone.

It’s a bit of a funny looker, and the display isn’t as bright as Google’s, but this is still a fantastic smart home gadget.

Stuff says ++++,

1 2

TE W ST IN NE R

1 Chow bella The Home Hub’s cooking feature is excellent for seeing the ingredients and following step-by-step instructions as you go.

2 Hear goes Google’s device only has two front-facing microphones, but we found voice pickup to be excellent even from afar.

Sound is not so good, though.

3

4

3 Play a blinder If you’d like to own an Echo Show but want the peace of mind to walk around in your undies, you can turn the camera off from the settings menu.

4 Shine on It’s only a 1280x800 screen, but the picture quality is decent enough – although it’s absurdly reflective when displaying dark colours.

71

TESTED FITBIT CHARGE 3

The band plays on Activity trackers are being edged out by smartwatches, but Fitbit reckons its latest Charge is still a worthy buy R3 000 / fitbit.co.za Smartwatches have become such hot news recently that you’d be forgiven for thinking fitness trackers were a thing of the past. After all, watches can offer most of the best bits of activity trackers, and give you more apps and features for little extra cash.

But there are still plenty of advantages to choosing a tracker instead. Most smartwatches are bigger, run out of battery quicker and tend to be packed with more functions than you’ll ever actually need. And if fitness really is your focus, it doesn’t always make sense to splash out on a wearable that does so much other stuff.

That’s why we were excited to get our hands on (and wrists into) the new Fitbit Charge 3.

It’s a fitness tracker that’s had a decent upgrade from the Charge 2, with waterproofing, better and smarter notifications, an improved user interface and more battery life. But is all that enough to keep people on the fitness-band wagon?

1 Medium pacer When it comes to design, the Charge 3 sits between slim trackers such as the Alta and bigger devices with screens that take up most of your wrist, such as the Ionic. You get just enough screen to use menus and read notifications and stats with ease.

GOOD MEH EVIL

72

It’s a bit pricey for a tracker…

4

2 Easy runs The touchscreen OLED display is clear, bright and easy to read, and this tracker is a big winner in the comfort stakes. It’s light and the silicone wristband is soft but sturdy – and, thanks to its buckle, it’ll stay secure while you’re sleeping or swimming.

…and very similar to the Fitbit Versa

Excellent, easy-to-read touchscreen

3 Sight screens You can choose from a number of clock faces. There’s one with the digital time and your heart rate, another that focuses on your steps and a few analogue types.

Swipe down from the main screen to view notifications, most of which you can read in full.

Great for tracking sleep

There’s no GPS – don’t forget your phone

Impressive battery stamina

TESTED FITBIT CHARGE 3

Tech specs Display 1.57in greyscale OLED touchscreen Sensors Accelerometer, optical heart-rate monitor, altimeter Water resistance 50m Battery life Up to 7 days Dimensions 38x18x12mm, 29g

2

Trackin’ field Trackers gonna track… so what’s the newest Fitbit like at keeping up with all your sweaty moves?

5 Q All-rounder

Q Opener

Q Non-striker

Q Scorer

The Charge 3’s main focus is on fitness. It tracks the basics, including steps, calories and sleep, as well as a broad range of activities including running, swimming, cycling, circuit training and yoga.

1

4 Flat-track bully As well as its sporty talents (see right), the heart-rate sensor is also used for tracking your beats through the day and for guided breathing exercises. Fitbit has offered great sleep-tracking for some time now, and that hasn’t changed on the Charge 3.

5 Decent innings Fitbit says you can expect up to seven days of battery life from the Charge 3. During our testing it lasted six. That was with about five workouts, lots of swimming and using it at least every hour for timers, notifications or breathing exercises.

There’s no on-board GPS, which may disappoint outdoorsy exercisers, but given there isn’t any music storage that’s not a surprise. This isn’t a device you’d expect to take outside without your phone.

The Fitbit Charge 3 is an easy-to-use tracker that does its job well. The main problem? It feels very similar to the Fitbit Versa, which offers a lot more features for R700 more. This is still one of the best trackers out there, but Fitbit will have to start delivering on promised features like SpO2 stats if it’s going to keep pace with the Apple Watch.

It’s really easy to start an activity manually, but there’s automatic workout detection for running, swimming and elliptical training. We found that swim and run tracking kicked in effectively, but elliptical exercises didn’t.

You do get on-board 24/7 heart-rate tracking thanks to an optical sensor.

On the whole our heart readings seemed pretty accurate, although there was some lag in real time when tracking heart rate during exercise.

STUFF SAYS ++++, A capable fitness tracker that’s neat, comfy to wear and proves itself a trusty companion for most exercises 73

BETA YOURSELF

COMIXOLOGY Team Stuff dons its Spandex super-suit and shows you how to get into digital comics – whatever your device, and whether you prefer Marvel, DC or first-rate indie fare GET STARTED

means they come with a backup free of DRM (digital rights management) protection. Go to My Books and click Backups. You can now peruse purchases that are downloadable as CBZ or PDF files. You’ll be able to read these in a range of comic readers, so you don’t have to stick to the website and apps.

Q Sign up Assuming you want to do more than gawp at cover art on the Comixology website (or do anything at all in the mobile apps), get signed up. If you have an Amazon account, use that. If not, get one, and then sign into comixology.com and the mobile app on your devices of choice. On Android, you can get away with just the app; on iOS, you can’t. Anyway, using both app and website is best.

Q Browse and buy Once you’re signed in, you can buy comics from the website and they’ll then be accessible within the app. Android users can also buy directly in-app; iOS users cannot, although you can browse and make use of the wish list to stash

Q Get reading interesting items for later. Keep an eye on the sales tab on the website too – Marvel and DC in particular have semi-regular firesales, where you can pick up collections for a pittance.

Q Go copyright-free Some individual issue/book pages on the website will have a download icon next to the language/age/HD ones. This

The best way to read your comics is on a tablet – or a suitably massive phone. By default, you’ll see your entire collection in My Books (‘All’ on Android or ‘Cloud’ on iOS).

Tap an item to download it to your device. However, if you’re in front of a PC or Mac and desperate for some comic action, you can read online as well – the web-based reader works in a standard browser, and doesn’t need any plug-ins to function.

GO BROWSING Q View your books

Too limited

You’ll see frequent references to Comixology Unlimited. That’s Netflix for comics – and US-only for now. You won’t be able to subscribe with an SA card.

74

In My Books, you can browse your buys by title (‘Books’ on iOS) or series. The latter is a good bet if you’ve a large collection. Use the search field to quickly filter your comics as you type. In Series view, you can download an entire series at once from the ‘…’ menu.

Q Use smart lists Rather than trying to keep track of what you’ve bought and read, have the app do that for you. In Smart Lists, you’ll see comics you’ve started (In Progress), recent downloads and purchases, unread items and Kindle purchases.

OR TRY ONE OF THESE

2000 AD Absent from Comixology, this British stalwart has its own digital offerings.

It’s very reader-friendly – anything you buy in an app can be downloaded DRM-free from the 2000 AD shop. Ideal for Judge Dredd and forgotten classics like Charley’s War and Misty.

Free / Android, iOS

MADEFIRE PERUSE PANELS Q Try guided view

TRY DIFFERENT VIEWS Q Access thumbnails There’s no way to quickly scrub through a comic to access a section, but you can get a visual overview of a book instead. Tap the middle of the page and then tap the pages button. You’ll then see page thumbnails; tap one to load it into the main view.

When you’re on a smaller device, you can trigger Guided View by double-tapping any panel on the page. This opens the panel in isolation – and when you tap the left or right of the screen, you’ll switch between panels.

Q Adjust letterboxing In the settings, you can determine the letterboxing that Guided View uses. With letterboxing off, you’ll see bits of adjacent panels; you might prefer to have everything bar the current panel hidden.

Q Go widescreen

Q Kill the animations

On some devices, Comixology is resolutely portrait – but not always. To check, tap the settings (cog/sliders) button to view any landscape options.

You may be able to have the page fit your device’s width when in landscape.

Comixology by default animates between panels in Guided View, which may make you dizzy. This can be disabled by turning off Animate Transitions in the app settings.

On iOS, this also removes the standard page-slide transition.

TUNE NOTIFICATIONS

You might narrow your eyes on hearing the phrase ‘motion comics’, and yes there’s a bit of ‘cheapo cartoon’ about Madefire’s attempts with animation, interactivity and sound. But when it works, it’s an interesting effort in rethinking what comics can be.

Free / Android, iOS

Q Go HD From the app’s main menu at the top-left, choose Settings.

You’ll see an option regarding HD comics. This is turned on by default, and worth keeping on for higher-quality books; but if you’re tight for data, turn it off.

Q Limit storage On iOS, the same settings screen provides options to manage storage in an automated fashion. You can define a specific storage limit and decide what the app should do when it’s exceeded. It can notify you, or start deleting books (by least read or oldest).

CHUNKY If you’re unwaveringly DRM-free, grabbing comics from the likes of Image, 2000 AD and Humble Bundle, you need a solid third-party reader – and Chunky is the best. Its rendering is first-rate, and it’s packed full of features.

Free (IAP) / iPad

75

FI R TH ST ES AD E… D

HUAWEI MATE 20 PRO

76

ONE HUAWEI MATE 20 PRO WIRELESS SUPER CHARGER 15W The Mate 20 Pro is the ultimate smartphone show-off. But you’ll need a special Qi pad to make the most of its wireless charging skills. Most phones that claim to have ‘fast’ Qi charging can hack 9-10W of power; the Mate 20 Pro goes all the way up to 15W. Not many pads can keep up.

Rtba / huawei.com/za

TWO KRUSELL SUNNE LEATHER CASE This isn’t a phone you’ll want to cover up with a case, but glass and aluminium aren’t forgiving of your clumsy fingers. That’s why we’d try a Krusell Sunne case.

This little Swedish number doesn’t add too much to the Mate 20 Pro’s thickness and is finished with real leather, so it feels suitably premium for your R19 000 phone.

R550 (import) / krusell.se

THREE HUAWEI MATEDOCK 2 The Easy Projection feature lets the Mate 20 Pro work like a desktop PC, with a full Windows-style interface.

It can do this wirelessly but the Matedock 2 makes the experience lag-free.

This box sits between your Mate 20 Pro and a monitor or TV. Just plug one end into your phone, another into an HDMI cable and a keyboard into the USB port.

Rtba / huawei.com/za

NO TH W T IS RY …

AN I N

BY S D G TH PIR ET ES ED E…

INS STANT UPGRADES

ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED 1 MASTER THE DARK ARTS Huawei has the best night camera mode out there.

Give the Mate 20 Pro just four seconds and you’ll get night-time photos that look more like those of a DSLR than a mobile. You don’t need a tripod either, because AI compensates for any hand movements, and it works with the zoom and wide views. Just be careful in those dark alleys.

2 MAKE iFANS JEALOUS The Mate 20 Pro offers the best way to show up your iPhone XS-owning friends.

Not only does the Mate last longer between charges, but it can wirelessly charge an iPhone when it runs out at 7:30pm. Just head to the Battery menu in settings, switch on Wireless Reverse Charging and put the two phones back to back. Huawei’s not such a second-league brand now, eh?

3 EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS This phone has just about the best wide-angle camera seen in a phone so far. And it can capture the most dramatic images of all three of the lenses on the back. To use it, just tap the ‘1x’ button on the camera app until it reads ‘0.6x’. The wide-angle camera lets you get closer to your subject than the other two and is great for dramatic city shots.

Few games challenge the Mate’s processor, but this one can.

It can look almost as good on this screen as it does on PS4.

Free / Google Play

POCKET CITY This is the closest you’ll get to the classic Sim City experience in a phone. The paid version is also free from ads and microtransactions.

R50 / Google Play

4 GET PERSONAL WITH EMUI Huawei’s beast has a highly tweakable interface. Dig around in settings and you can reinstate the apps drawer, use a dark look for the menu system and turn on an always-on display mode.

It turns the Mate into a handy desk clock. Long-press on a home screen and you’ll also see Home Screen Settings options, to change how many app icons are crammed into each page.

5 ZAP EVERYTHING Many people will ignore one of the Mate 20 Pro’s quirkiest features; don’t be one of them by ignoring the IR transmitter on the top edge. This mimics the signals sent by your TV remote, and those of most of your other lounge gear. Use the Smart Remote app and you can programme all your existing remotes, and even teach it the commands of obscure gadgets you found at Hi-Fi Corp.

6 GET YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE The Mate 20 Pro has its own version of the lifestyle controls Google plugged into Android 9.0. Huawei calls them Digital Balance. You can set daily limits for time spent on Instagram or Twitter, or make the screen turn monochrome when it’s time for bed. Before you start screaming about the nanny state, you set your own limits, and can bypass them with a PIN.

ADOBE LIGHTROOM This app lets you use many of the staple controls of the desktop version of Lightroom, the industry standard photo-editing application.

Free (IAP) / Google Play

77

TESTED GARMIN FENIX 5 PLUS

Data rich

MODE RUNNER Over 30 activity tracking modes are packed in – from golf to kayaking – and you can snag a few more from the Connect IQ app store.

It’s the running watch that wants you to run up an overdraft… but does this Garmin’s feature set justify its price? from R13 500 / garmin.com/en-za Q The price may scream “I can run a marathon in under three hours”, but the Garmin Fenix 5 Plus’s design is radically more accessible than that of the old Fenix 3. It almost looks like a normal watch, with a toughened glass screen, stainless steel bezel and backplate, and tough ABS plastic between.

There’s no touchscreen, just reassuringly meaty buttons.

Q The screen eats up sunny days, making everything perfectly clear on blazing afternoons. And you have to press a button to light it up at night, just like a classic Casio.

Q The software collates pretty much everything a Garmin watch has ever been able to do and bungs it in a single device. There’s room for 500 audio tracks, you can also stream from Spotify and Deezer, and it’ll hook up with wireless headphones. There’s also that other biggie: baked-in maps. This lets you navigate right off the screen, and maps across Africa are available.

Q This is a great running watch.

It locks onto GPS quickly, and you get useful metrics while running.

The GPS isn’t flawless – we ran through the occasional wall – but heart-rate readings are reliable.

Q You’re promised 12 days of watch-style use, and 18 hours of GPS tracking. We found these figures to be on the mark.

Tech specs Display 1.2in 240x240 Sensors GPS, heart-rate, altimeter, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, thermometer Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ Water-resistance 10ATM Battery life Up to 12 days Dimensions 47x47x15.8mm, 86g

Q You’re having a graph

Q Widget phone’s diary

Garmin’s Connect platform is still the best for tracking workouts over weeks and months. You can look back at graphs of heart rate and mapped routes, and the watch tells you how you’re doing relative to your normal standard.

There are some low-key smarts too. It gets notifications from your phone, and not just for texts and calls. Scroll up and down and you’ll see widgets; most are sporty, but there are also weather reports, calendars and even Flappy Bird.

STUFF SAYS We wish it cost less but the Fenix 5 Plus is undeniably excellent +++++

Perfect for real fitness freaks, way too pricey for us normals 78

This is a classic heart-versus-head product. Heart says: “It’s clearly brilliant. I can use it for just about every kind of exercise, bar moonwalks, and it has all the smarts I need.”

Head says: “Wowser, are you mad? R13 000 even without the sapphire screen you need to avoid scratches!?” That sapphire option’s an extra R1 500, by the way… but the combo of accessible design, Spotify support and mapping skills is really tempting.

TESTED GOOGLE CHROMECAST (3RD GEN)

Do ya feel pucky?

Google quietly released an updated version of its mini-streamer last month – and there are a few neat updates worth knowing about R1 000 / geewiz.co.za Q In case you’re a Chromecast newbie, this is a tiny streaming device that plugs into your TV’s HDMI port and gives you access to services such as Netflix, YouTube and Spotify over Wi-Fi. It allows you to ‘cast’ content from your phone just by tapping the icon in supported apps, and works with iOS and Android.

Together in electric streams You’ll need to plug the adapter into the mains, or connect the power cable to a spare USB port on your TV.

Q The design is very similar to the last version: a little puck-shaped streamer attached to a short, flexible HDMI cable. The only real difference is the silky matt finish, which feels a bit more premium than before. It comes in ‘charcoal’ or ‘chalk’ – in case you don’t work in marketing, that’s black or white.

Q Google reckons the new Chromecast is 15% faster than its predecessor and we certainly found it to be reasonably speedy… but there is a tiny lag that results from your phone acting as a middleman between the dongle and the streaming source. Other minor changes include the addition of 60fps support for YouTube videos and the ability to use voice commands via Google Home devices. This works well enough but is very limited for now.

Q The third-gen Chromecast supports pictures up to 1080p HD – if you want 4K support you’ll have to pay R400 more for the Chromecast Ultra. Overall, this tiny gadget does a good job on HD pictures. They’re a little lacking in detail at times, especially on dark scenes, but no more so than with any other budget streamer.

Tech specs Connectivity Wi-Fi, HDMI, microUSB power Max resolution 1080p @ 60fps Dimensions 52x52x13.8mm, 40g

Q Are you being served?

Q Ama ’fraid not

The app covers almost all the big names plus some of the smaller ones. There’s also a selection of Google’s own apps (including YouTube), and for audio you get access to the likes of Spotify, Soundcloud and Plex.

Predictably, there’s no Amazon Prime app, largely because Amazon wants you buy its own Fire TV Stick instead. This is no surprise, but it’s still slightly annoying if you’re looking for one dongle that covers everything.

STUFF SAYS Google’s awesome little budget streamer gets very slightly better +++++

Still the easiest and cheapest way to smarten up your TV

The latest Chromecast is an incredibly neat little gadget that will let you watch almost all of your favourite video streaming and music services on a TV that doesn’t have the apps built in. It’s simple to use, clutter-free, and comes at a bargain price. The lack of a physical remote control will be offputting to some, though, and if you already have the second-gen Chromecast there’s little point in upgrading.

79

TESTED APPLE iPHONE XR

R friend’s electric Can’t stomach handing over upwards of twenty grand for an iPhone XS, but don’t want to worship at the Church of Android? Apple has made a phone for you too… from R16 000 / myistore.co.za Launched a little later than the iPhone XS and XS Max, this colourful powerhouse is the youngest and most fun member of Apple’s 2018 family. Think Jack-Jack in Incredibles 2, but far more reliable.

While it might not have specs to match the XS duo, it certainly has many of the same perks.

Apple has dropped the price, switched out OLED for LCD and scrapped the second camera sensor on the rear to bring us this more affordable iPhone in an array of glorious colours – blue, coral, yellow, white, black, gold and red – and with a battery that’ll withstand a whole day of heavy tapping.

This phone is actually a touch wider, taller and bulkier than the more expensive XS, and for those used to an iPhone 8 or 7 it might feel a bit wide in the hand at first. But the iconic rounded edges feel great to touch, and the aluminium and glass back still looks classy.

Did we say affordable? Well, these things are all relative…

GOOD MEH EVIL

80

Reasonable price… for an iPhone

1 Pressure drop The glass on the front is said to be among the strongest on any phone, and from our drop-testing (oops a daisy) that seems to stand true. We also subjected it to a downpour on a bike ride, and the IP67 waterproofing meant it was up to the challenge.

3

1

2 Ret me love you Why is the XR cheaper than its siblings? In short, because it’s not got that lovely OLED screen.

What it does have is a 6.1in ‘Liquid Retina’ LCD. Well, of course Apple had to come up with a sexy name for its lesser screen – and in fact it’s surprisingly great.

2

Multiple colour options

LCD screen not as good as OLED

Bionic chip is nice and speedy

Excellent battery life

Portrait mode only works with humans

TESTED APPLE iPHONE XR

Tech specs Screen 6.1in 1792x828 LCD Processor A12 Bionic RAM 3GB OS iOS 12 Cameras 12MP rear, 7MP front Battery 2942mAh Storage 64/128/256GB Dimensions 151x76x8.3mm, 194g

Snap to it You win some, you lose some, but overall the XR’s cameras perform as well as the best Android rivals

5

Q Truer colours

Q Soft(ware) focus

Q Gloom service

Q Face lift

The rear camera has the same main sensor as the XS: a 12MP wide-angle lens with an f1.8 aperture and optical stabilisation.

In daylight, colours are supremely realistic with great contrast range, helped by Smart HDR. 4 Take it to the limits iOS 12 is so much more than talking unicorns. As default on the XR, you’ll be able to set app limits – arguably the best update from Apple in a long time. There are also Siri shortcuts, and you can now add a second face to the excellent Face ID. 3 All along the notch tower In 2018, bezels are the enemy of the smartphone, so we’re not pleased to see that thick black border around the screen. And the notch? Yes, it’s annoying having a chunk taken out of the screen, but there’s important stuff in there, including Face ID.

5 App to no good Apple claims the XR has the best battery life of any iPhone, and we’re inclined to say it’s true.

Plus you can delve into the battery health and see which apps are munching all your energy. Yes, we’re looking at you, WhatsApp and Google Maps.

You might actually prefer these pictures to the more saturated, harder-edged results you get from the likes of the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and Pixel 3 XL. Pictures from the XR are stunning – and it fares very well in low light.

The XR is the perfect antidote to the ludicrously expensive XS duo, and it’s refreshing to see Apple isn’t scrimping on the important stuff to push down that price. If you’re nestled in the Apple ecosystem and haven’t upgraded for a year or so, the XR is a no-brainer; if you have an iPhone X you probably won’t be so impressed.

There’s no dual-lens setup like you’ll see on the rear of the X, XS or XS Max. This is bad news for portraits.

Without the hardware, the XR must rely on software algorithms to discern subjects, and it can be hit-and-miss.

The 7MP front shooter is also the same as the XS’s, using the familiar TrueDepth system with support for Portrait Mode, Depth Control, Memoji and Animoji. That’s almost enough to make up for the single-rear-lens upset.

STUFF SAYS +++++ While it misses out on a few luxuries, the XR is the toughest, cheapest and sweetest 2018 iPhone you can buy 81

TESTED SAMSUNG QA55Q6FN

Front of the Q Samsung’s in a world of its own with QLED TVs – but who cares when they’re as good as this?

R20 500 / samsung.com/za It doesn’t really matter what a company’s motivations are, as long as the result benefits the consumer. Most of the time, of course, those motivations don’t amount to much more than profit margin. Sometimes, though, a brand is motivated by more than just the bottom line.

Sometimes, even for a global company, it’s personal.

Samsung can give you plenty of reasons why it prefers to deploy QLED (quantum dot LED) technology in its high-end TVs rather than the OLED tech every single one of its rivals prefers.

And there are upsides to QLED over OLED, without a doubt. But no one wants to be all alone in evangelising a technology – so it’s hard to shake the feeling that Samsung simply cannot bring itself to buy OLED panels from its arch rival LG (as every other TV brand does).

Ultimately, though, the reasons Samsung is ploughing this lonely QLED furrow don’t need to worry us. Not when the results are as impressive as this QA55Q6FN…

1 Bring on the wall!

The Q6F is a cleanly designed, impeccably built television, but QLED’s need for a direct backlighting matrix means it’s nothing like as slim as the OLED alternatives. At 6cm deep the Samsung will stick out more from the wall than most rivals.

GOOD MEH EVIL

82

Easy to set up and tweak to taste

1

2 Check for nits It’s a 4K screen, naturally enough, with most HDR boxes ticked: HDR10, the broadcast-standard HLG and HDR10+ are all included.

Its peak brightness of around 1 400 nits might be down on the Q9, but it’s plenty brighter than any OLED currently available.

Not as slinky as a modern OLED

Superb contrast range

3 Take back control Key to navigating the Q6F’s intuitive menus is the rather swish Smart Remote. It feels great in the hand thanks to its mostly metal construction, and features far fewer buttons than a conventional remote control.

It’s also less unsightly than one.

Smart Remote is great to use

Amazing image detail

Audio is especially weak

TESTED SAMSUNG QA55Q6FN

Tech specs Screen 55in 3840x2160 HDR QLED OS Samsung Smart TV Connectivity HDMI (x4), USB (x2), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bixby voice control Dimensions 1231x707x59mm, 17.7kg

Agiantleapfor QLED? QLED beats OLED in a number of areas, but lags behind in others – it all depends on what you prioritise:

Q Qor blimey

Q Quite bright

Give the Q6F the best source material – Netflix 4K HDR content is good, 4K HDR Blu-ray discs even better – and the case for QLED quickly becomes clear. It gets very close to OLED-like levels of blackness.

This TV can hit higher levels of brightness than any current OLED rival is capable of, and has a most un-OLED ability to maintain its brightness and accuracy even when viewed quite a long way off-axis.

Q Qrow’s feet

Q Quick enough?

2

4 Shout at the telly The Smart Remote is also the conduit for voice interaction: hold down the mic button, issue a simple command (“Volume up”, “HDMI one”) and then release. It’s hardly Alexa, but it’s a neat little party piece nevertheless.

5 Go app in the world There is an absolute stack of apps ready to go – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies and Rakuten are all present in their 4K HDR incarnations – and it’s very easy to add, delete and rearrange apps for a bespoke experience.

The Q6F serves up a simply staggering amount of detail, whether it’s in the fine creases around the eyes of a veteran actor or the pattern of an ill-advised jacket.

Edges are drawn smoothly and confidently.

OLED is not the only game in town when it comes to premium televisions. Samsung’s insistence on backlit LCD may seem more than a little dogmatic, but the results it delivers are hard to argue with. If you can live with the Q6F’s (relative) bulk and (unarguable) weediness of sound, it’s a brilliantly accomplished TV.

It’s only with motion that the Q6F is anything less than utterly assured. With the most testing content, it has to work hard to keep movement smooth and controlled. It’s a very accomplished upscaler of Full HD content, though.

STUFF SAYS +++++ A cheap option in 4K terms, the Q6F is a solid choice if you’re looking for a 55in TV and don’t mind committing to team QLED 83

TWO WEEKS WITH THE FUJIFILM X-T3

The X-T3 of gold Fuji’s latest premium mirrorless camera claims to be top-class at pretty much everything… Stuff spends a couple of weeks probing for weaknesses R24 700 (body only) / fujifilm.co.za

A recent firmware update brings with it the ability to shoot in 4K Hybrid Log Gamma.

DAY 01 The Fujifilm X-T3 may look familiar, but rarely have appearances been so deceptive. While the third generation of Fuji’s premium mirrorless cameras has a largely unchanged body, its brains have been upgraded with Terminator levels of smarts.

Anyone who’s ever used an X-T1 or X-T2 will feel instantly at home with the new camera.

Physically, it’s only slightly different from its predecessors – a bit

taller and wider with a slightly smaller grip, but essentially the same form.

That’s a good thing, because it’s probably the best-designed camera on the market. Its retro style hasn’t yet outstayed its welcome; the prominent dials on top add to its visual appeal and make it a supremely nice camera to shoot with.

The three main dials – ISO, shutter speed and exposure

The autofocus has had a serious upgrade; it darts around the screen and hits the spot with a high level of accuracy

84

compensation – have been made bigger and easier to turn, while there are oodles of buttons and wheels, virtually all of them customisable. Aperture, meanwhile, is almost always set on the lens itself. The net effect is to ensure you hardly ever need to delve into the menus.

The other noticeable physical change is that the viewfinder prism is a little bigger and more prominent. This theoretically gives you a little more room to shoot without your nose jabbing the touchscreen, but we’ve already found ourselves inadvertently changing settings and focus point

via our noses. Our advice is to leave the touchscreen option switched off if you’re shooting via the EVF. Or get a nose job.

The EVF is a joy to use: the best on any mirrorless camera.

Make no mistake, looking at this 0.5in screen is in many ways better than using an old-school optical viewfinder.

Oh, and using the touchscreen for shooting also works well: it’s fast and accurate, and the screen can also twist out in several dimensions, although it won’t flip all the way up for selfies… not that we’d encourage such behaviour with an APS-C camera.

LO N G -T E R M T E S T

01

Donut of Truth™

05

04

02 03

01 Autofocus is brilliantly speedy and tweakable 02 Excellent 4K video with bags of added features 03 Beautiful design, with clever manual controls

04 Battery life is only average – really no better than on the X-T2 05 The LCD touchscreen is good but could be a little more flexible

Tech specs Sensor 26.1MP APS-C Displays 0.5in EVF, tilting 3in touchscreen ISO range 160-12,800 (up to 51,200 extended) Video Cinema or UHD 4K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 120fps Storage Dual SD card slots Dimensions 133x93x59mm, 539g

DAY 07 Right, let’s have a closer look at some of the first week’s shots. The X-T cameras have always been great stills snappers – and it turns out the X-T3 is the best yet.

Whether it’s down to the new processor or the sensor itself – the first back-illuminated (BSI) sensor in the range, allowing for cleaner images across the ISO range – we had superb results even at 3200 and 6400.

The film simulation modes offer a simple and very effective way to tweak the tones, and the new Colour Chrome mode – which boosts tones in high-saturation subjects – works really well, particularly for natural subjects.

DAY 09 Static subjects are well handled, then – now we’re going to try some moving ones. Well, there’s more good news here, because the X-T3’s autofocus has had a serious upgrade. The focus darts around the screen and hits the spot with a high level of accuracy.

Tracking is great, and can be tweaked to your heart’s content for speed and sensitivity.

Everywhere you look there are new features designed to help you out – and the best of them all is

Pre-shot ES. Using the electronic shutter, this starts taking photos and writing to its buffer as soon as you half-press the button.

Dynamic range isn’t the camera’s strong point, though: it struggles a little to expose both very dark and very bright areas of the same scene compared to a full-framer such as the Sony A7III.

DAY 11 Fuji’s crammed a shedload of video tech into the X-T3. You get 4K at 60fps, in 10-bit form – a first for a mirrorless camera – plus enhanced low-light performance, simultaneous output via HDMI and to an SD card, and more.

The 4K 60fps footage is superb with the Eterna film simulation doing its thing. We’re having fun with 120fps slow-mo too.

DAY 14 It’s hard to find bad things to say about the Fujifilm X-T3 – it’s just consistently great in nearly every way. It’ll be instantly familiar to anyone who’s used an X-Series camera before, but what Fuji has done is to upgrade pretty much every feature of the X-T2.

The result is an all-round beast of a camera. As APS-C shooters go, it’s the best there is.

STUFF SAYS A superb stills shooter with video smarts to match: the best APS-C camera on the planet +++++ 85

TEN NIGHTS WITH THE BOSE SLEEPBUDS

Heard the snooze?

Bose’s regular cans do a fine job of blocking out a noisy commute, but these mites claim to give you a better night’s sleep… Stuff dons jimjams and Sleepbuds for 10 nights R4 000 (import) / bose.com

There are three silicone tip sizes to choose from in the box: small, medium and large.

NIGHT 01 Born out of an immediately successful crowdfunding campaign, the Bose Sleepbuds are like no earplugs you’ve seen before.

Rather than employing the noise-cancelling tech used in its headphones, Bose’s totally wireless buds mask the sounds that routinely interrupt your all-important shut-eye (laughing neighbours, car hooters, your better half’s incessant snoring) with soothing loops engineered to keep you in the land of nod. And

pretty decent. Campfire, Rustle and Shower (all self-explanatory) were the ones we found most relaxing, but there should be something in there for everyone.

All of them are preferable to traffic and badly soundtracked house parties, although we found Tranquility – the only slightly musical loop – more creepy than relaxing. Maybe that’s because they’ve used a lake in the middle of nowhere as the picture, and we’re massive wimps.

You can determine whether the loop plays continuously throughout the night or for

You can’t use the Sleepbuds to play music or track the quality of your sleep, and you can’t design your own sounds that’s pretty much all they do.

Given the decidedly eye-opening price tag, the question is: are the Sleepbuds so good at it that sufferers of troubled sleep should buy a pair?

To use the Sleepbuds you first need to download the Bose Sleep app, available on iOS and Android – it’s here you can select from 10 sounds to play through the buds while you dream away.

It’s a strange idea at first, but one you get used to.

While we’d like to see Bose add to the range available in future updates, the selection is

86

a certain amount of time, and you have to set the volume in-app because these buds don’t feature buttons of any sort.

There’s an option to set an alarm too, which you hear through the buds rather than your phone’s mic. Handy if you need to leave home at the crack of dawn and prefer to sneak out all stealthy. It’s a shame you can’t ask the alarm to wake you up gradually; we found the Sleepbuds to be even more offensive on a Monday morning than our regular alarm clock.

At least we can punch that.

LO N G -T E R M T E S T

01

Donut of Truth™

06 05 04

02 03

01 Featherlight and comfortable to wear 02 App interface is clean and uncluttered 03 Noise-masking works…

04 …but you can’t play music

05 Some people will still find them uncomfortable when worn all night 06 The alarm is of the ‘on or off’ variety, and there’s no sleep-tracking function

Tech specs Battery life 16hrs Charging time Sleepbuds 8hrs, charging case 3hrs Dimensions 27x24x14mm, 2.3g

NIGHT 02 As we learnt last night, if you’re going to be wearing something in your sleep, you don’t really want to be aware of its presence. For this very reason, Bose has designed the Sleepbuds to be soft, snug and absolutely tiny, with each weighing only 2.3 grams and measuring just over a couple of centimetres wide and high. But it’s imperative that you work out which size best fits your lugs before you start using the buds.

Once you’ve inserted them, you twist slightly until each wing is comfortably tucked in.

NIGHT 04 The Sleepbuds are noise-isolating rather than noise-cancelling. So where a pair of Bose QC35s will listen to the ambient noise trying to interfere with your Kurt Darren power hour and flip it out of phase to create near-silence, the Sleepbuds mask it with loops matching the frequencies of the sounds that typically keep you awake – and they succeed pretty well at this. If you live near a busy road or with a chronic snorer, and you don’t mind feeling like you have peas in your ears all night, these things could work for you.

NIGHT 05 The minimalist Sleepbuds are undeniably well designed, but if you toss and turn in your sleep, you’ll feel them – and we’re pretty sure we woke up a couple of times in the middle of last night because of nagging discomfort.

NIGHT 07 The puck-shaped magnetic carry case is absolutely great. The lid slides up to reveal two magnetic docks in a way that rivals Apple’s AirPods case in the ‘strangely satisfying’ department.

NIGHT 09 Bose says you get 16 hours of use on a single charge, which seems accurate. Of course, if you choose to have them turn off after a couple of hours (as we now prefer to do), you’ll get closer to that than if sound plays throughout the night.

NIGHT 10 It’s a shame about the price point.

They’ve worked OK for us, but you’ll need to be someone who really struggles with sleep to fork out over R4k on a pair of wireless earbuds that do nothing except replace sounds with other sounds.

STUFF SAYS Undoubtedly clever, but they’re very expensive considering the limited features +++,, 87

TESTED AMAZON FIRE HD 10 KIDS EDITION

Pain relief tablet Avoid being irritated by small, noisy people living in your house by giving them this powerful kid-friendly tab R2 900 (import) / amazon.com Q A R3 000 tablet for kids may seem like an extravagance, but the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition actually ends up being something of a bargain. How? Well, it’s so packed with content – including a year’s free subscription to the superb Fire for Kids Unlimited package – that your children will be too busy to keep asking for new bikes and ice creams.

Q This is Amazon’s biggest and most powerful child-friendly tablet yet. In hardware terms it’s essentially the same device as the standard Fire HD 10 but with a chunky bumper around it.

Q The 10.1in display isn’t all that high-res but it’s fine for kids. Video and images are sharp, viewing angles are good, and it goes pretty bright – handy if you’re taking it on holiday with you.

Q The home screen is nicely thought out so kids can easily switch between apps, videos or books, and serves up suggestions based on previous use. Adults also get a fair amount of control: it’s easy to set an age range, for instance, and this will govern which apps your nippers have access to.

Q Fire for Kids Unlimited can’t match the gaming content of iOS or Android. But there’s still plenty to keep them occupied, including the fantastic Toca apps, scores of books and comics, and loads of family-friendly videos.

Tech specs Screen 10.1in 1920x1200 IPS touchscreen Processor 1.8GHz quad-core RAM 2GB OS Fire OS Storage 32GB Battery life Up to 10hrs Dimensions 294x188x26mm, 660g

Q Speedy Gonzales

Q Plugs Bunny

The processor is fast enough to cope with the fare on offer here, and 32GB of built-in storage should keep you going for a while. Otherwise, there’s an SD card slot for adding up to 256GB more.

At the top there are power and volume buttons, plus a mic, headphone port and microUSB for charging. There are cameras at front and back, which are both best forgotten quality-wise but are useful for some games.

STUFF SAYS Gives the young ’uns plenty to do, and gives parents peace of mind +++++

The free content makes this tab a better buy than the adult version 88

That extra over the price of the standard Fire HD 10 buys you a lot: the chunky bumper helps protect it and hides some of the design’s shortcomings, and there’s even a two-year replacement guarantee. But mostly you’re paying for Amazon’s Fire for Kids Unlimited software, and this is excellent. With plenty of content, plus impressive control for parents, it makes this a tablet you can truly trust.

G R O U P T E S T I N S TA N T C A M E R A S

3 OF THE BEST

Instant cameras

Even the most impatient snappers will be appeased by these three fast-acting picture-producers. But which one will you be taking to the ’70s fancy dress party?

Lomo’instant Automat

Polaroid OneStep+

R2 050 / outdoorphoto.co.za

R3 000 / takealot.com

What’s the story?

Fuelled by a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, it’s no surprise the Lomo is a popular choice. It takes Instax Mini film and the images are a handy, wallet-friendly size. The lens also acts as the ‘on’ switch and has three focusing positions. There’s the option to buy it with a bunch of lenses - wide angle, fisheye and some macro add-ons – plus a remote shutter and colour gels.

What’s the story?

The new Polaroid looks much like the OneStep 2, only in black, and is built in the same Dutch factory where the very first Polaroid cameras came into being.

Its connected app is where things start to get exciting: light painting, double exposures, long exposures – it’s got them all. The best part, though, is the new secondary portrait lens, allowing you to shoot from as close as 30cm away.

Is it any good?

The viewfinder at the top-left of the Automat is really tiny and not the most accurate when it comes to framing your compositions. Still, in good conditions, images are vibrant and clear (with the very occasional light-leak), and the multiple lens options add a lot of versatility. The flash renders refreshingly great results at night, making this very much a party-ready camera.

Is it any good?

This one hits the nostalgia spot better than any of its rivals, and knowing that the processes to actually manufacture the film have barely changed since the ’70s adds a lot of appeal. But there’s no denying that the resulting snaps can be unpredictable. Now, some will find that charming, but for others it’s going to be hyper-frustrating. The portrait mode isn’t just a fad, though: it works really well.

Stuff says +++++

Stuff says ++++,

Creating well balanced credit-card-sized snaps, this is a superb companion for the lens-curious

With capable portrait skills, this is a joyous extension of the Polaroid legacy… but it’s got rascal tendencies

Instax SQ6 R2 200 / fujifilm.co.za What’s the story?

The SQ6 is Fuji’s attempt to create a proper analogue camera with genuinely useful features. So you get automatic exposure control, a double exposure mode, and three colour filters included.

There are three different focus zones: standard (0.5-2m), macro (0.3-0.5m) and landscape (2m and beyond). It’s also selfie-ready, with a 10-second timer and a mirror on the front.

Is it any good?

Being a massive square isn’t always a bad thing: this is actually the most reliable instant camera we’ve wrapped our hands around. Colours are bright and images crisp – which is not always the case with the other two cams – and the handling is totally intuitive. There aren’t many options for tweaking settings, but it’d be harsh to dock a star for that as it’s an instant camera. The clue’s in the name.

Stuff says +++++ It really is hip to be square: this is the best bang-for-your-buck instant camera you can buy today

BEST FOR LENSES BEST FOR RETRO

BEST FOR DETAIL

89

TESTED GAMES

Red Dead Redemption 2

Load that rifle and saddle up: you’re about to make the old American wilderness your home for the foreseeable future in this long-awaited action-adventure sequel

hat would you want from a game eight years in the making? Red Dead Redemption 2 has a lot to live up to, not least because it includes people and places from the much loved original game.

It’s a strange beast, this one: enormous, glorious-looking, and with some of the best voice acting ever committed to the medium.

But it also goes all-in on simulation in a way few others do.

You play as Arthur Morgan, a key player in the Van der Linde

W

gang: a posse full of people out of time in a world that’s moving towards civilisation. A huge bank job has gone wrong and you’re running from the law, just trying to exist in a society that no longer wants you.

Health, Stamina, Dead Eye, Horse Stamina, Horse Health: these are the five cores to Arthur Morgan’s world. Surrounding your cores are meters that will drain on use, while your cores will drain over time and, actually, with use too. Confused yet? Certain

consumables recover cores, some do meters, others do both. Yet more will recover certain cores while damaging others. Yes, it is bamboozling, but none of it feels like a game-breaker – and Dead Eye is indisputably fantastic.

Slowing time and painting targets to then swiftly pull off headshots galore and leave your enemies in the dust is at least as brilliant as it was last time around. Mind you, not all missions require guns, and sneaking around can be just as satisfying as shooting.

Elsewhere, hunting is a major mechanic. There’s an ability called Eagle Eye that lets you track animals, and if you want the best skins you’ll have to use the right weapons, even specific ammo, to bag them.

It all adds up to a living, breathing world that feels every inch the ‘next-gen Red Dead’ we all hoped for. Little things will wind you up, but they’re forgotten quickly.

Ultimately, this game was entirely worth the wait and the upcoming multiplayer will only add to that.

STUFF SAYS Ultra-addictive gameplay in one of the greatest open worlds ever created +++++ 90

TESTED GAMES

PS4, Xbox One / rockstargames.com

Into the great wide open

Play poker or blackjack, go fishing or hunt wildlife (you heartless fiend).

The five cores take a little time to master but it’ll all eventually make sense.

This truly is one of the most incredible game worlds ever created, and a magical place just to exist in. But it isn’t just pretty: it reacts to you, and so do the people in it.

The natural way in which each story mission is started never ceases to impress, and it helps that the voice acting is next-level good. The delivery is convincing to the point that you forget it’s a game: these people are real.

Being able to hold L2 (on PS4) to greet or antagonise anyone lends believability to the world. Arthur’s voice will change if you decide to make him greet a lawbringer – a nervous timbre will make him sound less of a badass, and more like someone who knows damned well he’s on the wrong side of the law.

And you don’t skip a thing.

Before hitting the sack you can use your campfire to craft or cook, and every single item will be shown to you in a painstaking manner. Arthur will pull out the meat, cook it slowly on the fire, and then (your choice) eat or stow it.

Medicine will be heated in a jug, then you’ll see the animation of Arthur pouring it into a bottle to store for later.

Rockstar really wants you to see every detail of the world it has created.

91

TESTED GAMES

PS4, Xbox One, PC / ea.com

Battlefield V

Developer Dice welcomes us back to World War II in one of the year’s finest shooters. But how does it stack up against Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in the current FPS shootout?

fter an invigorating romp through the Great War in 2016’s Battlefield 1, the teamwork-focused series returns to WWII with a game that promises more gigantic maps and insanely addictive gameplay.

First up, the single-player War Stories campaign returns, with four vignettes to play through (one of which is available as free DLC right now). From going behind enemy lines with a salty squad of Cockneys to sneaking through the snowy mountains as part of the

A

Norwegian resistance, chapters are nicely varied, and give you different perspectives on a war that’s well-trodden in gaming.

They effectively introduce you to different gameplay styles, and are acted well enough that it doesn’t feel like a glorified tutorial.

But multiplayer is the main course here, and the primary reason you’re likely to be sticking around late into this year. This isn’t a revolution in online FPS gameplay; instead, Dice has taken the list of issues with Battlefield 1

and worked to resolve almost all of them. So you get customisable classes that are finely tuned to complement one another, and bonus points for capturing bases together. The Team Deathmatch, Conquest and Domination games are back, complete with Grand Operations mode: a long conflict across multiple maps. Oh, and Battlefield’s take on Battle Royale is coming in March.

Tying it all together is Tides Of War, the ‘journey’ mode. Here you can see how the game has

progressed around your play style, as well as customising your class loadouts, vehicle decals and weapon visuals.

Making small refinements when your competition is going for broke with big changes is brave. But by sticking to what makes Battlefield great, Dice has created another winner. If you like your FPS action fast and focused on the individual, CoD is the way to go; but if you’re looking for a more tactical game, look no further than Battlefield V’s many marvelous modes.

STUFF SAYS A blockbuster shooter bursting with stuff that will keep every gamer happy ++++, 92

TESTED GAMES

Bands of brothers

The Frostbite engine creates a handsome game that runs silkily at 60fps.

In Grand Operations mode, you can start your mission with a parachute jump.

Teamwork is not just a nice thing to have in this game; it’s essential to gain any tactical advantage. Look forward to plenty of selfish players’ temper tantrums as they learn this the hard way.

You’ll be teaming up to fight across a variety of expertly created maps that guarantee many hours of playability.

Gone are the flat plains of the previous title, where you’d spawn for about 12 seconds before being sniped from across the map. Instead, each location has been intricately designed to bring out the best in every class.

Take the Arras map, for example. Small villages make for incredible moments of close-quarters combat, open fields let you crouch amid the crops, and snipers can hide in bell towers… only to be blasted by a tank shell fired as soon as the shine of the scope lens is spotted by its driver.

Every location brings its own unique set of complexities, such as the giant suspension bridge in Twisted Steel, the claustrophobic corridors between mountains in Narvik and the sheer size of the DLC map Panzerstorm.

Every place is more than just a pleasant locale for slaughter; it tells an organic story that you’ll remember for a long time.

93

TESTED GAMES

PS4, Xbox One, PC / bandainamcoent.com

Soulcalibur VI Namco’s weapons-based fighter is back and ready to throw down. Is it time to sharpen your swords? he Soulcalibur series started out as Tekken with swords and gradually evolved into its own beast, far from the super meters and flashy special moves of genre heroes such as Street Fighter – one where learning timing, range and how to predict your opponent’s moves made every victory feel earned.

That’s fine for hardcore players looking to dedicate their lives to the way of the blade, but casual gamers were beginning to get left behind. And that’s why the series has now borrowed a few ideas from more mainstream fighters, making this version the most accessible Soulcalibur yet.

Newcomers can get started with the four controller face buttons, which are assigned to light and heavy weapon attacks, kick and block. Combining two buttons adds throws, taunts and a new Reversal Edge attack.

There’s a training mode to help you practise, and a series of written explainers detailing each character’s strengths and weaknesses, but no mission mode to test your combo

T

execution – a big drawback for anyone looking to nail the basics before taking on human opponents. Fortunately, there are two entirely separate story modes on top of your standard multi-fight arcade mode. That means there’s plenty of content for anyone not yet ready to stride out into the online modes.

Making a fighting game that pleases all audiences was always going to be tricky. The hardcore fans want more characters and stable online modes without dramatic gameplay changes; casual players need to be shown the ropes; and single-player gamers need offline content to keep them coming back.

Soulcalibur VI does a respectable job of all of those things, but it could certainly do more to hold the hands of new players. For that reason it’s only a must-buy for series fans eager to see the story universe expanded. For everyone else, it’s a decent arcade fighter, but one that demands a little too much time to get past the basics. So business as usual then.

Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher puts in a guest turn… and has a big impact.

The cast comprises 21 fighters, including Voldo, Cervantes and dominatrix Ivy.

STUFF SAYS Not perfect, but the layered combat will please many fight fans ++++, 94

TESTED GAMES

PS4, Xbox One, PC / hitman.com

Hitman 2

The bald assassin is back and better than ever, but does this sequel to one of 2016’s best games add enough new stuff to make it worth your cash? o matter how familiar you are with the Hitman series, watching an almost entirely humourless contract killer stroll away from the scene of his crime while dressed as a flamingo will never not be funny.

There’s every chance, though, that the first time you complete Hitman 2’s six missions – all of which are available to you from the off, unlike the episodic original Hitman – you won’t even come across the murderous bird.

Maybe you’ll recall creatively working through your hitlist as a food vendor, a shaman, a hippy drug dealer or a painter. Or perhaps you blew it all by slapping an armed guard with a fish.

So yes, Hitman 2 is still brilliantly weird, and uncovering everything it has to offer requires multiple playthroughs, eavesdropping, lots of fancy dress and careful studying of the intricate layout of each level. It’s a good thing, then, that these levels (save for the comparatively bland beachside tutorial) are all brilliant. As sneaky chiskop Agent 47 you’ll visit

N

The briefcase is back, allowing you to smuggle in rifles. It can even be used as a weapon.

There’s nothing like exiting a Hitman mission without anyone knowing you were there.

several locations: a buzzing Miami racetrack and futuristic tech expo; a village in the Colombian jungle that sits above a labyrinth of caves and secret tunnels to a nearby mansion; the bustling slums of Mumbai; and a gossiping American suburb that harks back to a fan favourite mission in Hitman: Blood Money. Dense and multi-layered, each demands exploration.

As per, you can approach your objectives however you see fit, but the game definitely encourages the stealthy approach, with minimal civilian casualties. It’s still hilariously easy for your masterplan to fall apart, though.

Additional modes like Sniper Assassin and a franchise-first one-on-one multiplayer help round off the package, but this feels like a welcome extension to the game we played two years ago rather than a brand new experience.

Still, Hitman 2 is as good as this series has ever been, and it’ll have you dumping bodies in cupboards for months to come. In the game world of course.

STUFF SAYS Low on fresh ideas, but the absurd comedy makes this hard to resist ++++, 95

GADGET DOCTOR

ALWAYS ON CALL

facebook.com/stuffsa ● @StuffSA stuff@stuff.co.za

MAIL OF THE MONTH Q

A BETTER ONE. THAT ONE.

I am not a hardcore gamer though I love playing The Sims 4 and a few other MMOs on my Asus FX550V. It is a notebook with an Intel Core i5 processor and a GTX950M intergrated grapics card, 8GB RAM and 512GB of storage.

However, I do more than just playing games. I download and edit a lot of videos and I also create mini games using the Unity engine. It is for this reason I need a much more powerful PC. My Asus has been growing tired for the past three years. It crashes more often than it should and it runs slower by the minute, as if I had

4GB of RAM.The worst part is that I'm running out of storage space for my files.

I decided it was time to upgrade to a more powerful PC that would allow me to continue with my projects. Early September, I looked around for a newer PC, specifically the Acer Swift 3 that was in the September issue of Stuff. It was better than my current PC, with an Intel Core i7 processor and 1TB of storage space along with an additional 128GB of storage all for the price of R10 000, which was within my budget.

Later in October the Lenovo Legion Y530 caught my eye.

Naturally, it also had the 8th-gen

Intel Core i7 processor and 1TB storage space. However, it also had a GTX 1050 graphics card - better than my GTX950M graphics card.

The Lenovo was an additional R5000 but I wondered if it was worth the extra pay. Should I stick to Plan A or go for Plan B? Siphesihle The short answer here is to go for the Lenovo Legion Y530. It's designed to be a gaming machine, albeit a budget version of one. The low price (for a gaming rig) doesn't matter too much, it's designed to push pixels around a whole lot better than the Acer Swift 3 will. And since you're looking

A

at game development in addition to some light gaming and video editing, Lenovo's machine is a better all-round bet. We'd recommend a RAM upgrade for the Y530 as soon as possible though. 8GB is probably standard in this machine (you don't mention it) but 16GB will probably suit your needs better. You might be able to squeeze some extra life out of your Asus machine as well.

The slowdown and the crashing sound like the result of some Windows Update bloat – a spot of file cleaning might improve performance a little. Not as much as you want, but enough to hang onto it for another few months at least.

Speak your brains to Stuff and you could win! This letter wins an Amazon Fire 7 tablet worth R1 400.

Q

WE NEVER TALK ANY MORE

I have a problem with communication between my Samsung Galaxy S9+ and my 2014 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2014.

The voice instructions do not work when using Google Maps.

I have tried other map apps with the same problem. They show the visual directions on my phone but there is no audio coming through the Bluetooth connection. I've had the same problem with my Samsung Galaxy Note 5.

The funny thing is that once when I entered the Takelot address in Google Maps on my Note 5 the voice directions came through and it led me to my

destination. Since then I have had no luck with either the Note 5 or the S9+ .

Hennie Sorry to hear about your navigation woes. The obvious suggestion is to check that the speaker icon (top right) is not set to mute. Assuming you've done that, we’re afraid it's very hard to diagnose from afar.

It may be a device/software problem with compatibility between the phone and the car.

We’ve seen that once before with an LG and a Mazda. If that's the case we’re afraid your best bet is to hope it's rectified in a future OS or firmware update to your handset.

A

Alternatively, we suggest checking Golf owners' forums and the like online to see if anyone else has experienced the same problem... and hopefully found a solution. Sorry we can't be of more help.

Q

BLESSED SILENCE

I've been looking for some noise-cancelling headphones for travelling. I was looking at the Sennheiser HD 4.50 headphones but the noise cancelling doesn't work while wired. I need the headphones to be able to use noise cancelling while wired so it will function in the plane. I'm hoping that you'll be able to point me in the right

direction. I have a budget of under R4 000.

Tameez The Sennheiser HD4.50BTs do actually offer active noise cancellation (ANC) while wired (we checked in the office), but not while charging. Our only gripe about them is that you can't turn the NC off (unless you're charging them).

Also worth a look are the AKG N60NC Wireless. They'll give you 30 hours of ANC wired, or 15 over Bluetooth. Worth noting on these, though, is they're on-ear and not over-ear. We've used the non-BT version and they're extremely comfortable, compact and offer great sound quality.

A

Next month’s mail of the month wins an Amazon Fire 7 tablet and cover worth R1 400 courtesy of Circuit City 96

This gadget leapt straig outta testin and into ou rankings.

OF EVERYTHING

NEW

Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten placings.

HOT BUY BARGAIN BUY UPDATE Searing with techy genius, a product that’s set our hearts aflame.

A solid gold bargain.

Worth owning, regardless of cashflow.

Smartphones Phablets Tablets, mobile games TVs Laptops Wearables Budget buys

98 99 100 101 102 103 104

Drones, compact cameras VR headsets & games System cameras Headphones Wireless speakers Consoles Games

105 106 107 108 109 110 111

HOW TO USE THEM

TOP TENS SMARTPHONES

98 HOT BUY

UPDATE

Huawei P20 Pro While Samsung and Apple’s war for smartphone supremacy rages on, Huawei has sauntered up and knocked both companies off their feet with the P20 Pro. Serious snappers will love this flagship phone thanks to the triple-lens camera, with 5x zoom and a 40MP main sensor. Add to that a quite awesome AMOLED display, lightning-fast internals and a top-notch design, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for one of the best new smartphones of last year.

TIPS & TRICKS Activating ‘Natural Tone’ in settings will adjust the screen’s brightness according to your environment.

Stuff says +++++ That triple-lens cam gives the P20 Pro the edge in the smartphone wars

To capture a screenshot, simply double-tap the front of the P20 Pro with your knuckle.

O NOW ADD THIS Tuff-Luv P20 Pro Back Case With its fragile back, you’ll want a case for your P20 Pro – one that accommodates the three sensors.

R200 / takealot.com

Turn on ‘Face unlock’ in ‘Security & privacy’ and you can wake up the P20 Pro with just a glance.

2

3

NEW

UPDATE

4

UPDATE

5 UPDATE

6 HOT BUY

UPDATE

7

UPDATE

Apple iPhone XS

Samsung Galaxy S9

from R22 000 / myistore.co.za

R13 000 / samsung.com/za

This is the iPhone X with some new bits crammed in. But there’s enough going on here to make the XS a significantly better phone.

Namely, it can take better pictures and there’s more power on tap. It’s fast, smart and full of fun features… and a better deal than the XS Max.

Small tweaks such as better placement of the fingerprint sensor, more power and a new dual-aperture camera combine to make the latest Samsung flagship a smart upgrade on the S8. And of course, you’ve still got that luscious near-bezelless screen.

Stuff says +++++ Familiar on the outside, hiding treats on the inside: this is the X but better

Stuff says +++++ Not a huge upgrade on the Galaxy S8, but it’s still a very welcome one

8 UPDATE

9 HOT BUY

UPDATE

10

Apple iPhone XR +++++ from R16 000 / myistore.co.za This ‘budget’ iPhone still packs a punch, including killer battery life and the best LCD money can buy.

Samsung Galaxy S8 +++++ R11 000 / samsung.com/za Still a great phone, with a much better price now that the S9 is getting all the love and attention.

LG G7 ThinQ +++++ R10 200 / lg.com/za We’re still waiting for another V to drop but LG’s latest has some competition on the camera front.

Huawei P20 Lite ++++, from R5 000 / huawei.com/za Huawei’s Lite range balances pricing and features to a fine degree and the P20 Lite is no different.

Apple iPhone 8 ++++, from R13 000 / myistore.co.za The iPhone 8’s days on this list are numbered, but for now it’s still the truly ‘budget’ iPhone option.

Sony Xperia XZ2 ++++, R10 000 / sonymobile.com/za Sony’s flagship is hanging in there and we’ve got high hopes for the incoming Xperia XZ3

Nokia 6.1 ++++, R5 500 / hmdglobal.com All-new innards, Android One pedigree, and nary a price bump? Is it our birthday, Nokia?

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

O Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated

R15 700 / huawei.com/za

99

1

PHABLETS TOP TENS HOT BUY

UPDATE

Huawei Mate 20 Pro R19 000 / huawei.com/za

Huawei’s finally done it, managing to top both our phone and phablet lists with a pair of potent handsets that have rivals Apple and Samsung scrabbling to catch up. The Mate 20 Pro brings back the triple-lens camera of the P20 Pro, only now it’s got a 20MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a new version of its predecessor’s superb AI-assisted night mode. It’s the most techpacked phone in the world, yet battery life is a match for any of its rivals. No contest.

TIPS & TRICKS The phone itself doubles as a wireless charger, so you can share juice with any Qi-enabled device.

Stuff says +++++ A stunning smartphone that makes the competition look lazy in comparison

An AI-assisted video trick lets you create colour portraits with black and white backgrounds.

O NOW ADD THIS Huawei Smart View Flip Cover This case has a transparent window that will display your Mate 20 Pro’s notifications, time and weather.

R550 / za.mobilefun.com

The 3D Face Unlock security feature lets you wake up the Mate 20 Pro with just a glance.

UPDATE

UPDATE

NEW

4 UPDATE

5 UPDATE

6 UPDATE

7 UPDATE

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Apple iPhone XS Max

from R16 000 / samsung.com/za

from R24 000 / myistore.co.za

Big, powered by an Exynos 9810 processor, and toting either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the Note 9 is a beast.

It’s also the best choice if you want some stylus action. The mighty fine dual camera doesn’t hurt either. Its only flaw? It’s standing in the Mate 20 Pro’s shadow.

Go for the max storage, and you can push the price of the Max up to an eye-watering R32 000. That’s a lot of dosh for a phone... but then, it’s a lot of phone. All the best of the XS, with extra screen real estate, extra pixels and - perhaps most importantly - extra bragging rights.

Stuff says +++++ Need to get things done and like to doodle? This is your phone.

Stuff says +++++ The biggest, baddest, most beautiful iPhone your bucks can buy.

8 HOT BUY

9

BARGAI UPDATE BUY

10

Samsung Galaxy S9+ +++++ R15 400 / samsung.com/za Off the podium but still a solid choice if you want the best of Samsung and don’t need a stylus.

Huawei Mate 10 Pro +++++ R11 300 / huawei.com/za The Mate 20 Pro’s predecessor still packs in AI smarts, a huge battery and heaps of power.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus +++++ from R15 500 / myistore.co.za Short stay on the podium notwithstanding, the Phone 8 Plus is looking cheap vs the XS Max.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus +++++ from R12 500 / myistore.co.za The 7 Plus is an even better deal than the 8 Plus, and still a capable pocket movie machine.

LG V30+ +++++ from R15 500 / lg.com/za The LG V30+ takes everything good about the G6 and improves on it – a little late, but still.

Huawei Mate 20 Lite ++++, R9 000 / huawei.com/za Four camera sensors, a notch, slim bezels, and a sub-R10k price? Must be Huawei’s new Mate Lite.

Xiaomi Redmi S2 ++++, R2 800 / mia.africa.com A 6in screen and a 12+5MP dual rear cam are joined by a 16MP selfie shooter at a bargain price.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS TABLETS & MOBILE GAMES

1

HOT BUY

100

1

UPDATE

Apple iPad Pro 10.5in

HOT BUY

Data Wing

from R13 300 / myistore.co.za

Free / Android, iOS

The 9.7in iPad Pro was already sitting comfortably as our favourite tablet, but that wasn’t good enough for Apple. Rather than giving its flagship tablet a few minor tweaks, Apple has introduced a bigger screen and an immensely potent processor.

In fact, this device is so powerful and flashy that it’s even blurring the lines between tablet and laptop. If you only want to browse social media and watch Netflix, the 10.5in iPad Pro is overkill; this is for those more interested in creation than consumption.

This game starts off as if Asteroids had a baby with a top-down racer: your triangular craft blasts around circuits, gaining speed when its bum scrapes neon track edges. Soon you discover you’re part of an OS ruled by a deranged AI. Story and game quickly expand, as you glimpse the world beyond the screen and battle gravity in cavern-based sections that recall 8-bit classic Thrust. Rarely do mobile titles pack in so many hours of clever, thoughtful narrative. Pretty much never are such games free.

Stuff says +++++ The iPad Pro puts all other tablets to shame – it’s unbeatable as a multimedia machine or creative tool

Stuff says +++++ A mobile game we’d happily recommend if it cost R100 – for free, it’s an absurdly generous bargain

UPDATE

2

3

4 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

2

from R10 400 / samsung.com/za The Tab S3 is powerful and has a gorgeous screen, while the bundled stylus is a welcome extra that you don’t have to be an artist to appreciate. It doesn’t do half-measures, which is rare in an Android tablet.

Stuff says +++++ The first genuine rival to Apple’s iPad Pro

Apple iPad (2018)

3

from R6 000 / myistore.co.za There might not be a lot different here compared to the previous iteration of the standard iPad, but subtle improvements, Apple Pencil support and a decent price make this the best tablet for most people.

Stuff says +++++ A versatile tablet for both work and play

Microsoft Surface Go +++++ from R15 300 / pclinkshop.com Like carrying a mini-PC everywhere, with the added benefit of actually being available in SA.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9in +++++ from R13 500 / myistore.co.za The other Pro, this one is fuller featured and larger. But... still not quite a laptop surrogate.

HOT BUY

4 5

Euclidean Lands R70 / iOS This one smashes Monument Valley’s minimal isometric views into Hitman Go’s turn-based puzzling, and wraps the lot around a Rubik’s Cube. Your aim: figure out how to stab everyone to death.

Stuff says +++++ A tactile joy with dazzling visuals

Oddmar R80 / iOS Oddmar looks like it could have breezed in from a PS4. It’s packed full of superb level design, arresting set-pieces and lush animated visuals, as a beardy Viking oaf sets out to save his tribe.

Stuff says +++++ Touchscreen platformers can be great after all

The Room: Old Sins +++++ R70 / Android, R80 / iOS Get sucked into an impossible doll’s house for Myst-like exploration and tactile puzzling.

Super Cat Tales 2 +++++ Free / Android, iOS A pawsome slice of touchscreen-optimised platforming magic, with multiple moggies.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

101

1

HOT BUY

TVs TOP TENS

UPDATE

LG OLED 65C8 R60 000 / lg.com/za

LG’s new 65C8 is all screen from the front. From the side, though, it’s barely there. LG’s intuitive webOS er… OS guides you through a very simple setup. After that you just have to bask in the reverse-glow of inky OLED blacks, crisp picture reproduction and upscaling (for when you don’t have anything 4K on hand), and a refresh rate that’ll make your PS4 Pro or Xbox One X transform into a Disney princess and start singing. Cue harmonious woodland critters.

Stuff says +++++ It’s a choice between this one and LG’s wallet-busting E8. We picked this one TIPS & TRICKS

2

LG’s TV is smarter than ever so if it offers you a settings change, take it.

The interface is simple enough that you can revert whenever you like but… you won’t.

UPDATE

O NOW ADD THIS Sony PlayStation 4 Pro You’re going to want to use your 4K screen to display 4K bits and the PS4 Pro is going to help you to do that. Best when paired with Sony’s PlayStation VR headset (R 00).

R7 000 / playstation.com/za

Difficult neighbours?

Swap between eight different audio output options in the Settings menu, including alwaysconnected headphones or a Bluetooth device.

3

UPDATE

4 UPDATE

5 UPDATE

6 UPDATE

7 Samsung 65Q8C

Samsung Frame TV

R40 000 / samsung.com/za

R30 400 / hirschs.co.za

Okay, it’s still curved and we’re kind of past that but Samsung’s big screen hits your eyes with a 4K panel toting their neato Quantum Dot tech. It also looks the part, with no bezels and minimalist styling, making sure that this one fades into the background… until you turn it on, that is. Samsung’s Q HDR 1500 also helps in that regard.

Say you want a TV but don’t want people to know you have one.

Samsung’s designer Frame TV mounts on your wall and pretends to be artwork when not in use, disguising the fact that you’ve got a 55in UHD 4K TV on the wall. Pity that folks can see the Xbox One X is plugged into the side of that abstract painting.

Stuff says +++++ The price-is-no-object screen of your dreams

Stuff says +++++ If your house looks like a magazine ad, this TV will fit right in

8 9 10

LG 65UH950 +++++ from R35 000 / lg.com/za It’s not OLED, but it’s still 4K, and that omission keeps the price down, but webOS 3.0 intact.

Hisense 65M7000UWG +++++ R18 500 / hisense.co.za Hisense doesn’t have LG or Samsung’s tech but they do have a 65in 4K smart TV for R20000.

Samsung 55Q7F +++++ R20 000 / samsung.com/za Samsung’s 4K TV supports HDR and has a price that means you’ll still able to eat at month end.

LG OLED 65E8 ++++, R120 200 / lg.com/za LG’s heavy hitter is amazeballs, but the price hits your wallet harder than the pixels pummel pupils.

Hisense 75N9700UWG ++++, R56 000 / hisense.co.za Hisense lobs Quantum Dot colour tech and a humongous 75in 4K ULED screen at you.

Skyworth 55G7200 ++++, R13 700 / iskyworth.com A 55in 4K display for under R15k? For that combo, we’ll forgive the user interface missteps.

LG 43UJ620V ++++, R6 600 / lg.com/za Want 4K for less than R10k? LG’s budget 43-incher offers 4K and HDR10 for a song.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS LAPTOPS TIPS & TRICKS

It may be small and tough but a sleeve will assure you that there’s thing scuffing your new ur backpack.

102

1

Uninstall. Not all of it, just the selection of pre-installed apps that you’re never going to use.

Your eyes (and your data connection) will thank you.

HOT BUY

Dell XPS 13 from R26 300 / dell.co.za

The original XPS was already a great, lightweight laptop, then Dell gave it a welcome Windows 10 refresh. With improved battery life and performance, it’s the thinking person’s Ultrabook and a whole lot more. We’ve tried the 2-in-1 hybrid version, and while it’s good, this Apple MacBook destroyer will more than suffice for most users. The price is awfully close to a Mac equivalent, meaning that you’re going to be tempted to join the Apple army.

Stuff says +++++ An excellent Windows 10 Ultrabook, small in size and great in stature O NOW ADD THIS Dell Power Companion If the terrific battery life isn’t enough, grab this 12 000mAh external battery.

R1 700 / dell.laptopdirect.co.za

UPDATE

3

MSI GT75 Titan 8RG +++++ from R59 000 / evetech.co.za MSI’s desktop replacement is a beast off the bat. Throw in Intel’s new Core i9 chip and it roars.

UPDATE

Apple MacBook +++++ from R23 000 / myistore.co.za The new Kaby Lake processor keeps the standard MacBook competitively brilliant.

Huawei MateBook X Pro +++++ from R19 000 / huawei.com/za A stylish Windows laptop with some clever ideas to get the maximum display for your rand.

HP Spectre 13 +++++ R30 000 / hp.com/za Still super-thin, still elegant, now with i7-8550U chips, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD.

Apple MacBook Pro (2018)

Asus Zenbook UX331UA

from R32 500 / myistore.co.za

from R17 000 / asus.com/za

Updated processors, more RAM and a quieter (and less prone to crumb-damage) keyboard mean the MBP feels like it deserves the P again, but the asking price for the entry-level model is dear, and you’re probably going to want one of the fancier ones.

Asus’ new 1.12kg Zenbook 13 might look less like a MacBook than its predecessors did but that’s okay. It’s not like a Mac inside either, with a Core i7-8550U, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD and other metrics that make Apple’s machines look slow.

Stuff says +++++ Beautiful, reliable and potent, this is the best MacTop right now

Stuff says +++++ Something this fast shouldn’t be this light

Lenovo Legion Y530 +++++ fom R15 500 / evetech.co.za Starting at Core i5 and climbing to Core i7, this budget portable gamer suits most pockets.

UPDATE

HP Omen 17 ++++, from R30 000 / hpshop.co.za HP’s gaming lineup looks better than ever, with the beefy Omen 17 being the crown jewel.

Apple MacBook Air 13in ++++, from R15 000 / myistore.co.za If a portable road warrior is what you’re after, this slinky MacBook remains a great choice.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

103

SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS TOP TENS HOT BUY

O

Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS)

Garmin Fenix 5

from R8 000 / myistore.co.za

from R9 500 / garmin.co.za

The Apple Watch Series 4 has everything going for it – the larger screen, improved processor and louder speaker mean it’s easier to actually do stuff on it than any previous Watch, and it has a load of health features that just aren’t on other wearables. Whether you’re navigating somewhere using Maps, going for a run without your phone, or just wanting to keep track of your activity during the day, this Apple Watch does a great job of handling all these things and more.

The king is dead! But that’s okay, because we’ve got a newer, better one to replace him, and he’s kin. This is the smartest of the smartfitness watches you can buy right now. Track everything from swimming to sprinting to… wait, does that say skydiving?

Yes, yes it does. Which is an awfully specific function. The Fenix 5 is the ultimate sportswatch, so much so that you’ll feel you need a degree in sports fitness to understand all the stats, but that’s why we love this one. Anything we can do it can help us do better.

Stuff says +++++ Best wearable ever: a sleek, sophisticated redesign of the previous generation with some hearty upgrades

Stuff says +++++ If you’re going to be the sportiest of your pentathlonbeating mates, you’re going to want the Fenix 5

UPDATE

4 5

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Garmin Fenix 3

from R5 500 / samsung.com/za A sturdy and stylish smartwatch with plenty of power and a truly lovely user interface.

Those with an iPhone are still likely to get a better experience and more functionality om an Apple Watch, though. uff says +++++ The best smartwatch for Android users

R7 000 / garmin.co.za Just because the number 5 has taken over doesn’t mean that you have to kick the Fenix 3 out of bed. It’s going to beat most of the competition for a long time to come – just like you do, right?

Stuff says +++++ One case where second place still wins

Fitbit Ionic

Garmin Vivoactive HR

R5 000 / fitbit.co.za Once more fitness tracker than smartwatch, the Ionic now includes Fitbit Pay with support from FNB and Deezer offline playlists while still delivering heart-rate tracking, multisport modes and up to four-day battery life.

Stuff says +++++ The best go at a Fitbit smartwatch so far

R3 500 / garmin.co.za Garmin has a frankly bewildering array of fitness trackers and outdoorsy GPS watches, but the Vivoactive HR is the one you really want. It’s packed with long-lasting, easy-to-use, rewarding, fitness cleverness.

Stuff says +++++ An all-round tracker with sensors and stamina

Fitbit Versa

Fitbit Alta HR

++++, R3 700 / fitbit.co.za Decent battery life and a smattering of smarts make this an attractive watch.

Huawei Watch 2 ++++, from R4 600 / huawei.com/za A SIM slot and slick interface make this a surprisingly capable Android wristable.

4 5

+++++ R2 000 / fitbit.co.za The slim design, HR monitor, and notifications make this the best discreet wristable.

Garmin Vivosmart HR+ ++++, R3 000 / garmin.co.za A superb tracker packed with features; it’s just a little bulky for wearing 24/7.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS BUDGET BUYS

104

1

HOT BUY

SNES Classic Mini R1 250 / nintendo.co.za

TIPS & TRICKS

Why bother splashing out over R7 000 on a games console when you can get the SNES Classic Mini for a fraction of that? Especially when you get 21 classic titles pre-installed on this nostalgia-inducing machine, including the likes of Super Metroid, A Link to the Past, Super Mario World and the never-before-released Star Fox 2. And with two controllers bundled in the box, you’ll be able to start the Super Mario Kart action right away.

Chickens killed you in Zelda again? You can rewind up to five minutes and pretend it never happened.

For full-fat nostalgia you can read the instruction manual for each of the SNES games online.

Stuff says +++++ Better games than the NES Classic Mini send this to the top of our wish list

Stop trying to raid Bowser’s castle in one sitting, and use one of the four save slots to take a break.

2

O NOW ADD THIS 8Bitdo Bluetooth Retro Receiver Fed up of those short cables? Use this clever device to connect most modern controllers wirelessly.

R500 / 8bitdo.com

3

4 5 6 7

Raspberry Pi Zero W

UE Wonderboom

R185 / pishop.co.za

from R949 / takealot.com

It might be nearly twice the price of the original Pi Zero, but when you’re still getting change from a R200 the wireless Pi is fantastic value.

Simplicity is key, with no need to mess about with dongles or hubs.

This also means your Pi projects can be squeezed into smaller places.

If you want a cheap portable Bluetooth speaker, you can’t go wrong with either the UE Roll 2 or the UE Wonderboom. But the latter makes this list for offering bigger sound, its nifty design and waterproofing. Quite simply, it’s the best compact speaker you can buy.

Stuff says +++++ The Pi Zero was already brilliant; wireless add-ons make it better

Stuff says +++++ This budget Bluetooth banger is a steal at under R1 000

HOT BUY

HOT BUY

8 9

10

Moov Now +++++ R1 050 / mantality.co.za The best budget tracker you can buy – gives most Fitbits a run for their money.

Amazon Kindle +++++ from R1 600 / circuitcity.co.za Top of our holiday packing list, the basic Kindle is thinner and lighter than its predecessor.

SoundMagic E10C +++++ R690 /sound-magic.co.za SoundMagic is royalty when it comes to budget buds. For under R700, these are stupendous.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 +++++ R1 100 / fujifilm.co.za The new Mini 9 keeps the point-and-print charm of its predecessors... and the same film.

Ryze Tello ++++, R2 000 / myistore.co.za Rule the skies without breaking the bank with this affordable toy drone.

Amazon Echo Dot ++++, R1 000 / geewhiz.co.za This smart home assistant is a lot smaller than the full-size Echo, but it’s a much bigger bargain.

Xiaomi Mi Power Bank 10400 ++++, R300 / mia.africa.com Everyone could use extra power but having to fork out for it sucks. Thankfully, you don’t.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

105

DRONES & COMPACT CAMERAS TOP TENS HOT

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Sony DSC-RX100 V

R31 000 / myistore.co.za

R20 000 / premiumbrands.co.za

The Mavic 2 Pro keeps all the good bits of the old Mavic Pro while making genuine improvements in almost every area.

Aimed at the enthusiast willing to spend a little more to fly and film a little further, it’s undeniably pricey – but we think said enthusiasts will find it’s worth every cent. It’s a fantastic flier that feels superbly responsive in the air. It’s not as small or affordable as the Mavic Air, but the battery life, safety features and Hasselblad image quality more than make up for it.

We wouldn’t recommend buying this camera if you already own the old IV model, but a few improvements have ensured Sony remains the top dog in our compacts list – and we’re keeping this model above the new RX100 VI simply because of the huge price difference. It remains one of the finest point-and-shoots we’ve ever seen, with a flexibility that few pocket cameras can muster.

While it’s still not exactly cheap, we reckon this is the cam to buy if you want fantastic-looking snaps from your holidays.

Stuff says +++++ A drone with no real weaknessess, this is the new gold standard in portable drones

Stuff says +++++ A small improvement over the RX100 IV, but this Sony is close to premium point-and-shoot perfection

2

3

4 5

DJI Mavic Air from R14 000 / myistore.co.za By combining the best bits from the Spark and Mavic Pro, DJI has made a cracking gadget for both beginners who want stunning aerial travel videos and those who just want to fly a nimble drone at full pelt around the park.

Stuff says +++++ The best non-professional drone you can buy

DJI Spark R12 000 (Fly more combo) / myistore.co.za The Spark is the most user-friendly drone on this list. You control it via hand gestures or a smartphone, while it’s so small it will easily fit in your bag for a day out in the park. The 15-minute fly time is short, though.

Stuff says +++++ The perfect drone for beginners

Parrot Anafi +++++ R13 000 / takealot.com The Anafi is a compact, (relatively) affordable and 4K-capable high-flyer.

Ryze Tello ++++, R2 000 / myistore.co.za Not without its technical shortcomings, but there’s no better R2 000 toy drone.

2

3

4 5

Panasonic Lumix TZ220 R16 700 / panasonic.com/za This Panasonic compact is a significant upgrade from the TZ110, offering extra reach with the zoom lens, better colour reproduction, and an improved experience when using the electronic viewfinder.

Stuff says +++++ Small, neat and not dramatically overpriced

Sony DSC-RX100 VI R23 700 / premiumbrands.co.za A true all-rounder that shoots 24fps at full resolution and has stunningly fast autofocus, topped off with a whopping 8x zoom lens that’s quite spectacular for such a tiny camera.

Stuff says +++++ A dinky yet luxurious point-and-shoot

Panasonic Lumix LX1010 +++++ R12 500 / panasonic.com/za One of the most capable compacts on the market, with superb stills and HD video.

Fujifilm X100F +++++ R17 800 / fujifilm.co.za The best street shooter around if you don’t need the flexibility of interchangeable lenses.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS VR HEADSETS & VR GAMES

106

1

HOT BUY

Oculus Rift

Superhot VR

from R12 000 / takealot.com

R400 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR

The Oculus Rift has been playing catch-up for a while; but now that it’s got the fantastic Touch Controllers, has boosted its room-tracking capabilities to match the Vive and has had a price drop to undercut HTC’s standard headset by R3000, it deserves to top our VR headset rankings. Its library of exclusive games has grown considerably since launch too, with the likes of Robo Recall, Lucky’s Tale and Lone Echo all added. This is now the best VR headset available that doesn’t cost the world.

Superhot has found its home in VR – just watch those slow-mo bullets skim the tip of your nose. The enemy will only move when you do, so time your attacks to perfection and dodge, duck and dive to survive. There’s something really cool about hiding behind a desk before blitzing your opponents with streams of bullets as if you were starring in your very own Matrix movie. And with Superhot soon arriving on PSVR, more players will be able to experience this wonderfully action-packed title.

Stuff says ++++, Thanks to the price cut and much-needed updates, the Rift is now the best reasonably-priced VR headset

Stuff says +++++ If you have a VR headset, this 2-in-1 puzzler and shooter should be right at the top of your shopping list

HTC Vive

Farpoint

R15 000 / evetech.co.za Barring a R3 000 price difference, there isn’t much difference between the HTC Vice and Oculus Rift in all honesty. But if you’re thinking of upgrading to the Vive Pro in the future, this is a great gateway headset.

Stuff says ++++, A solid choice for immersive virtual reality

R470 (R1 000 with Aim Controller) / PSVR If it weren’t in VR, Farpoint would be a distinctly average space-based FPS. But the PSVR headset and Aim Controller lift it above the pack and make it a must-play, not just for VR fans but also for FPS addicts.

Stuff says +++++ Simply a thrilling VR experience

HTC Vive Pro

Moss

R18 000 (headset only) / evetech.co.za This high-end headset offers the best virtual reality experience by a long way, but its sky-high price means you should only really buy it if you’re a VR obsessive with a super-powerful gaming PC. Stuff says ++++, This hardcore headset is overkill for most

R470 / PSVR This platform puzzler has a storybook charm to it, as you guide an adorable little mouse through all sorts of obstacles. It’s one of the best titles to really utilise VR’s unique controls.

Stuff says ++++, A one-of-a-kind fable that’s perfect for VR

Google Daydream View ++++, R1 500 / thegadgetshop.co.za This budget-friendly option is the best way of bringing VR to the masses.

5

BARGAIN BUY

4

Thumper ++++, R320 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR This mesmerising rhythm game is best played in VR, despite the lack of tracking.

PlayStation VR

Doom VFR

+++,, from R4 800 / playstation.com/za It can deliver incredible experiences, but the PSVR is held back by teething issues.

++++, R400 / Vive, PSVR Movement can be awkward at times, but this shooter is still bloody good fun.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

107

SYSTEM CAMERAS TOP TENS HOT NEW BUY

Fujifilm X-T3 R24 500 (body) / fujifilm.co.za

It’s really hard to find anything bad to say about the X-T3 – it’s just consistently great in so many ways. Fuji has looked at virtually every feature on the X-T2 and upgraded it. With substantial tweaks made to the pro-level video options, the high-res EVF, the super-fast autofocus and the burst shooting, what you’re left with is an all-round beast of a camera in a small, beautiful form. As APS-C shooters go, it’s the best there is.

TIPS & TRICKS Pre-shot ES mode starts taking photos and adding them to the buffer as soon as you half-press.

Stuff says +++++ An incredible stills shooter with video smarts to match

Sports Finder mode’s display enables you to see what’s about to come into frame for moving shots.

O NOW ADD THIS Manfrotto 190 Go! Carbon Fibre Tripod You no longer have an excuse for wobbly photos with this carbon-fibre tripod. It weighs just 1.65kg.

R4 350 / ormsdirect.co.za

Tapping an area on the 3in touchscreen will let you set the focus point or take an instant shot.

2

HOT BUY

3

4 5 6 BARGAIN BUY

Sony A7 III

Panasonic Lumix G9

R56 400 / premiumbrands.co.za

R43 000 / panasonic.com/za

The A7 III manages to pack in a lot of technology and desirability for less than R60k. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that’s well suited to a bunch of shooting scenarios, coping well with landscapes, portraits, and even a little bit of high-speed sport shooting.

As a camera design it’s admitedly not the prettiest thing we’ve ever seen, but it handles well for its compact size.

The G9 is the best Lumix camera to date and a cracking choice for wildlife or action photography.

This diminutive cam’s images aren’t up with the best, particularly in low light, but the plus sides are lightning shooting speeds and a great system of small, light lenses.

With 4K video and handy shooting modes also on board, it’s one of most versatile high-end mirrorless cameras you can buy.

Stuff says +++++ A fantastic all-rounder that excels in low-light conditions

Stuff says +++++ The perfect companion for the travelling wildlife photographer

7

8 9 10

Sony A6500 +++++ R20 700 (body) / premiumbrands.co.za A cracking system cam for action photography, but stick with the A6300 if your budget is tight.

Fujifilm X-T20 +++++ R18 400 (body) / fujifilm.co.za You get the X-T2’s sensor in a cheaper body and there’s a touchscreen and auto modes to boot.

Panasonic GH5S +++++ R46 000 (body) / panasonic.com/za A compact system camera that’s a pro at video, if slightly disappointing for stills.

Canon EOS 80D +++++ R18 000 / canon.co.za The 80D is so easy to use that even a toddler would get some great shots with it.

Nikon D500 +++++ R34 300 (body) / nikon.co.za The second-best APS-C camera you can buy, and well worth its slightly painful price tag.

Nikon D850 +++++ R56 900 (body) / nikon.co.za This super-cam has enough fantastic features to excel in pretty much any situation.

Fujifilm GFX 50S +++++ R94 000 / fujifilm.co.za It’s not cheap, but no camera we’ve tested takes better photos than this.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS HEADPHONES OT

108 HOT BUY

Sony WH-1000XM3

SoundMagic E10BT

Sony’s WH-1000 series was already a top performer, and the WH-1000XM3s make for an even more compelling package.

With Bluetooth wireless and great noise-cancellation, they’re the ultimate public transport stress killer… well, aside from a chauffeur or a lottery win that lets you retire. The leather pads make them incredibly easy to wear, not unlike sitting in one of those ultra-comfy leather chairs, and most importantly of all the sound quality is fantastic.

How do you kick our long-standing earbuds champ off the top of the list? By taking the same headphones and making them wireless, obvs. The SoundMagic E10BT in-ears are the same as the E10Cs, just sporting a lovely new Bluetooth finish which means they’ll play nice with those smartphones that have ditched the 3.5mm. Expect a spot of bass, as well as some very clean treble and detailed mids in a package that keeps the most important thing of all intact: The sub-R1 000 price tag.

Stuff says +++++ Great wireless headphones with effective ANC and a sound that nails just about everything

Stuff says +++++ We didn’t think that SoundMagic could provide more value than they did with the E10Cs but they’ve done it

R6 500 / takealot.com

2

3 HOT BUY

1

UPDATE

4

5

Sennheiser PXC 550 R5 800 / mitechdirect.co.za To choose between these and the Bose below, you could flip a coin – both are wireless headphones with active noise cancelling, though Sennheiser’s touch controls, 30 hour up-time and cool factor are the decider here.

Stuff says +++++ Superb build, comfortable and stonking audio

Bose QuietComfort 35 II R8 500 / makro.co.za They’re the same QC35s you’ve come to know and love, so expect active noise cancellation and blissful silence, whether you’re on a plane or in a crowded office. The big change? Just the addition of Google Assistant, really.

Stuff says +++++ So effective, you won’t know you’ve landed

Sennheiser HD 4.50BTNC +++++ R3 200 / mitechdirect.co.za Priced right, wireless, and with noise cancelling.

The catch? The noise cancellation is permanent.

AKG Y50BT +++++ R2 500 / audicoonline.co.za Proof that good wireless sound needn’t bankrupt you. 20 Hours of life and rock-solid.

R890 / sound-magic.co.za

2

3

4 5

Jabra Elite Sport R3 300 / circuitcity.co.za For serious in-ear fitness tech, you have to get Jabra’s Elite Sport wireless buds.

In-ear heart monitoring, up to nine hours of battery life, and a gnarly (and detailed) fitness-focussed app are the highlights here.

Stuff says +++++ The smartest fitness partner you’ll ever have

Apple AirPods R2 500 / myistore.co.za Yes, you’ll look silly, but their range is astounding, as is call quality and ease of use.

Worth looking like you’ve rammed a white pipe in one ear and out the other before bending down the protruding bits.

Stuff says +++++ We hope the others are taking notes

Sennheister CX 3.00 ++++, R690 / mitechdirect.co.za Sennies are always a win. These have their faults but they’re worth the price on the box.

SoundMagic E10C ++++, R690 / sound-magic.co.za Dethroned, but we’re not upset. These are still greatvalue,if your devicehasspace for a 3.5mm.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

109

WIRELESS SPEAKERS TOP TENS

1

HOT BUY

BARGAIN BUY

UE Wonderboom from R949 / takealot.com

It might resemble a can of baked beans wearing a colourful jersey with a cross on the front, but don’t let that put you off: the UE Wonderboom is the best compact Bluetooth speaker you can buy. It’s waterproof, the rechargeable battery beneath its mesh exterior is good for eight plus hours, and the sound it produces is staggering given how compact it is. If that wasn’t enough – and it ought to be – it’s also one of the most affordable portable speakers out there. Boom.

Stuff says +++++ The Wonderboom shouldn’t be as good as it is for the price, but it is O NOW ADD THIS Joox Want to get the proverbial party started? But where to start? Joox’s numerous curated playlists can help. from R29/week / joox.co.za

2

HOT BUY

3

HOT BUY

4 5 BARGAIN BUY

JBL Xtreme +++++ R4 300 / dionwired.co.za A killer speaker that’s also become a far more affordable one in recent months.

JBL Pulse 3 +++++ R4 000 / myistore.co.za Pretty pricey, but potent for its size, and the LED light show is utterly mesmerising.

Braven 705 +++++ R1 300 / itoys.co.za A massive price drop makes the 705 such a bargain it’s worth getting two to pair up.

JBL Flip 4 +++++ R1 700 / incredible.co.za Like a Pulse without the lights, the new Flip adds Siri and Google Voice to its skillset.

DreamWave Tremor

UE Boom 2

R4 000 / takealot.com

R1 700 / ultimateears.com

With 50W of thumping audio output, a humongous 20800mAh rechargeable battery that provides up to 18 hours at medium volume (or eight at full tilt), and the most rugged body we’ve ever seen in a speaker, the Tremor is a real beast of a portable noise maker.

Years making in-ear monitors for musos means UItimate Ears knows its bass from its mids. Water-, dust- and drop-proofing along with 360º sound, 15-hour battery life and a slick app so friends can play DJ makes the Boom 2 our pick of the mid-sized pack.

Stuff says +++++ It’ll last all day: come rain, snow, sand or being rolled down a hill

Stuff says +++++ If you were going to take one of these surfing, this is the one

8 9 1

JBL Clip 2 +++++ R800 / incredible.co.za A pocket-sized party package that delivers pounding performance while being pound-proof.

Fender Newport +++++ R4 000 / musica.co.za Great battery life, incredible sound and good looks make this amp imitator utterly irresistible.

Marshall Kilburn II ++++, R4 500 / macnificent.co.za The Kilburn II is a speaker with rock-god cred and a 20-hour battery. Weighs 3kg, though.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS CONSOLES

110

HOT BUY

GOT EARS? THEN CHECK OUT…

PlayStation 4 Pro from R7 000 / playstation.com/za

As a gaming platform, PlayStation 4 is the best around – which makes the PS4 Pro the best of the best. Games optimised for the new console look stunning on a 4K HDR TV, and are substantially improved by the extra grunt inside this slightly bigger machine. If you’ve already splashed out for a 4K HDR screen and you enjoy video games at all, it’s well worth the upgrade. The missing 4K Blu-ray drive means it isn’t a perfect entertainment system, but streaming converts won’t care.

Stuff says +++++ The system for console gamers who have a 4K TV and want the best gaming experience possible

Microsoft Xbox One X from R9 000 / xbox.com/za There’s no doubt the Xbox One X is the most powerful console here, capable of producing stunning 4K visuals… but it simply doesn’t have the line-up of games to usurp the PS4 Pro from top spot.

Stuff says +++++ A 4K monster held back by its game catalogue UPDATE

Nintendo Switch from R6 500 / nintendo.co.za Nintendo is on the block with this one and we’re pleased to say that the Switch delivers, hard. The platform will still rise and fall on its library of games but as it stands now, the Switch is a bloody marvel.

Stuff says ++++, Whether stationary or mobile, it’s excellent

4

PlayStation 4 Slim ++++, from R5 200 / playstation.com/za Haven’t got a 4K TV? This is the best way to enjoy PlayStation’s brilliant exclusives.

YOUR ESSENTIAL AUDIO GUIDE TO WHAT’S HOT IN GADGETS O BITING COMMENTARY O BRILLIANT INSIGHTS O (BAD) JOKES! O GADGET HANDS-ONS

FIND IT ON iTUNES, SOUNDCLOUD OR YOUR PODCAST PLAYER OF CHOICE SIMPLY SEARCH FOR “STUFFED”

Microsoft Xbox One S ++++, from R5 000 / xbox.com/za No longer our Xbox of choice, but the One S remains a seriously affordable option.

www.stuff.co.za/hubs/podcasts-videos/

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

111

1

GAMES TOP TENS

HOT NEW BUY

Red Dead Redemption 2 R1 100 / PS4, Xbox One

Believable characters, a world to lose yourself in, top-class voice acting and a story that intrigues all the way through. Warts and all, with improvements from other games ignored, this is Rockstar at its most arrogant but also its most powerful. Red Dead Redemption 2 trusts you to explore, to grow, and to let its world seep into your consciousness. This is a special game and one that was entirely worth the wait.

TIPS & TRICKS Make sure you talk to strangers more than once – you never know what they’ll reveal.

Stuff says +++++ Ultra-addictive gameplay in one of the greatest open worlds ever created

Regularly brushing and feeding Arthur’s horse will increase their bond. It’s what all good cowboys should do anyway.

2

O OR PLAY THIS Zelda: Breath of the Wild If you’re after a different kind of open-world experience that’s just as expansive and has a lot of heart, this is the one for you.

R1 050 / Switch

3

4 5 6 7

God of War

Forza Horizon 4

R1 000 / PS4

R1 000 / Xbox One, PC

A lot has changed for PlayStation’s god-slaying champion, Kratos.

He’s acquired a beard and a new magic axe… but while the action is as breathtaking as ever, it’s the surprisingly mature storyline that’s the draw here, with Kratos learning the ropes of parenting.

Whether you’re a thrill-seeking fan of fast cars, or just someone who’s wondered what it’s like to tear a pimped-out supercar through the Lake District, this is one bar-raising sandbox-racing game experience that’s worth buckling up for.

There’s nothing it doesn’t nail.

Stuff says +++++ The epic return of Kratos is yet another phenomenal PS4 offering

Stuff says +++++ Simply the best racing game ever created

8 NEW

9

10

Monster Hunter: World +++++ from R975 / PS4, Xbox One, PC Fun for veterans and newcomers alike, World is one monster of a game.

Dragon Ball FighterZ +++++ from R975 / PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC Now available on the Switch, this Super Saiyan fighter is a blast to play and looks great too.

Marvel’s Spider-Man ++++, R1 000 / PS4 One of the Marvel icon’s absolute best interactive adventures to date.

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey ++++, R1 000 / PS4, Xbox One, PC Get ready to dive into one of the series’ biggest, best and most ambitious entries yet.

FIFA 19 ++++, from R1 100 / PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC Defensively suspect but full of moments that’ll get you out of your seat. Just like real football.

Hitman 2 ++++, from R1 000 / PS4, Xbox One, PC Low on fresh ideas, but the absurd comedy makes this sequel hard to resist.

Super Mario Party ++++, R1 000 / Switch With a whopping 80 new mini-games, it’s a refreshingly back-to-basics return for the series.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

NEXT BIG THING?

A phone for your phone r, my phone already has a phone.

Not like this it hasn’t. You see, your phone shouldn’t really be called a phone at all, should it? How much time do you actually spend making calls on the thing? And how long do you spend reading the (incorrect) opinions of people you’ve never met, farming likes from pictures of dogs you don’t own, or watching videos of drunk people almost killing themselves? Chances are the former is a fraction of the latter, so shouldn’t you call it something else? Your personal validation device or handheld anger portal, perhaps?

E

So this isn’t really a phone at all?

Well, it’s not called one, but the Palm can make calls and send texts if you need it to, thanks to NumberShare, which means people can still reach you on your normal digits if they really need to. The key feature is what’s called Life Mode, which only shows notifications when the screen is on, the idea being that you can leave the distraction of your usual phone behind and take the tiny Palm out with you instead. It can even track your exercise, so you don’t have to strap that 6in slab of a screen to your arm any more for a run around the park.

So it’s not as useless as it looks...

Not at all. It might only have a 3.3in 445ppi screen but it’s waterproof, runs Android Oreo and has a 12MP camera on the back, plus an 8MP one with face recognition on the front. There’s even 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage on board. Because the screen’s so small it relies a lot on voice and gestures for navigation, while the Fleksy keyboard offers voice-to-text dictation. It’s only available overseas at the moment, but you never know – next time you upgrade your phone it might just come with a Mini Me.

DON’T MISS THE NEXT ISSUE! ON SALE 18 FEB