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READY TO BE SCHOOLED? GADGETS / GAMES / GEAR

Retro tape vibes

Take quicker pics

RETURN OF THE RAZR Folding phones find their calling

E T 0 2 0

ch e t y r a n o i t lu o v e r f o e r e u d t a u f c e e d h t r Anothe ... follow us into is here

R PLUS!

Walk this way

GoPro’s Hero8 How to master Andro & noise-cancelling AirPods

Home arcade asylum

Jan-Feb 2020 R42.90 (incl VAT) Other countries: R37.30 (excl tax) www.stuff.co.za

SA‘s carbon axe

Next-Level PowerPhone.

Now in two sizes.

Galaxy

Seamlessly connected with Galaxy.

The all-new Galaxy Watch Active2 is designed to keep you connected. Play music or control your smartphone camera* from your wrist. Tweet or retweet, view and like on your social media platforms and even take calls on the LTE version.

It’s water resistant with military-grade durability to handle a range of conditions to suit your lifestyle. The Galaxy Watch Active2 also comes Samsung Pay enabled, affording you a simpler, safer way to pay anywhere you go.

Water Resistant

IP68

Health and Stress Monitoring

Running Coach

*Compatible with Galaxy S9 and above. Social media platforms include Twitter and Facebook. Galaxy Watch Active2 is available in Bluetooth and LTE. Images simulated.

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

By the time these words hit shelves it’ll be (nearly) 2020. 2019 was one heck of a year in tech, with Huawei taking quite the beating in the industry. Not so much for anything they’ve done to their phones – though the Americans don’t seem to like their network tech much. But they’ve soldiered on, even though there’s still no end in sight.

That’s quite the example the Chinese company has set. 2019 was a rough year for many, whether people or industries. But as we enter a new year, as well as a new decade, it’s time to take stock of the previous orbital period. The point? To find out what worked and what didn’t, and then do more of the first and less of the second. We call those New Year’s Resolutions, and we tend to joke about them. But we don’t really have to. Starting a year trying to do something (anything, really) better is supposed to be a good thing.

Speaking of good things, the magazine you now hold is packed with those. We’ve got a huge list of items you could, and perhaps should, start your year with (p42), a selection of back-to-school kit for the coming school year (p67) and our annual app awards (p29).

In terms of tests, we’ve got Nintendo’s Ring Fit for the active gamers out there (p75) and a little action with GoPro’s Hero8 (p78), among others. If you’re looking to level up, whether it is your Samsung device (p80) or just human capability (p82), we’ve got you covered there.

All that remains, beyond turning the next few pages before the year proper starts, is to decide just what you want from 2020.

Whatever it is, we hope you wind up better than you were before.

Management Stuff South Africa is published by the Stuff Group (Pty) Ltd. Directors: Toby Shapshak, Sally Hudson PO Box 74, Melrose Arch, 2096 Kelsey Publishing 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 ... 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.

Brett Venter, Editor brett@stuff.co.za @DrakonisZA

www.stuff.co.za

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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 102, 2019 on 30 December 2019 and close on 9 February 2020. 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.

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© 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 responsibility to 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 Africa is 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.

CON S ON THE COVER 78

P13

p14 Weird flex but okay

HOT STUFF 8

16 18 20 22 24 26 28

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The Hot Four ● Fujifilm X-Pro3 ● DJI Mavic Mini ● Samsung Galaxy Book Ion ● Motorola Razr Vital stats Xiaomi Note 10 An Android phone with a camera BIGGER THAN THE SUN! Apps Some apps!

Games A Star Wars game that might not be rubbish!

Icon OMA Ironic Speaker More cones than a Cornetto factory!

Start menu Mooncakes and Avocatos, but it’s not food!

Stream Wow, another series about superheroes!

Wheels A car as tiny as an electric grasshopper!

TESTS p73 Ear for you

p42 Pencil this one in

37 First test Amazon Echo Studio “Alexa, is your latest smart speaker a genuine hi-fi contender? Also, how are babies made?”

74 Tested UE Wonderboom 2 Who knew a little Boom could make such a big boom? Ready for some big little booms?

75 Tested Nintendo Ring Fit Is it a gaming accessory or a piece of gym kit?

Do you mind if it’s both?

76 Versus Budget Androids In the battle of the sub-R6 500 handsets, is Honor a goner or is Nokia rockier?

77 Tested Apple AirPods Pro Do you believe in Pod? How about Pod with better sound quality and noise-cancelling?

78 Long-term test GoPro Hero8 Black Is this the smoothest action cam ever? And are you intrigued by all these questions?

84 Tested Games Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Luigi’s Mansion 3, The Outer Worlds

01/02.20 P96

P42

FEATURES 29 Stuff App Awards These apps make us ‘appy. Don’t judge us, we had to go there.

42 Cover feature New year tech You know what you need to survive 2020.

But we bet we know even more.

57 Back to school The tech you need to help your offspring develop good school habits 72 Upvoted Guitars We thought you’d never axe…

80 Instant upgrades Samsung Note10+ Well, you paid enough for the thing, might as well make it worthwhile 82 Beta yourself Android 10 Explore the depths of Google’s latest OS 104 Random access memories iPod Shuffle Celebrating (?) the death of the album

TOP TENS 90 Smartphones What’s the handiest, handsomest handset?

91 Phablets As above, just for bigger hands (or egos) 92 Tablets, mobile games Slick slates and ways to kill your battery 93 TVs All you need for a lazy night/day/year in 94 Laptops Porta-powerhouses to warm your knees 95 Wearables, smartwatches Strapping smart tracking tickers 98 Drones, compact cameras Shoot from the sky or from the hip 100 Headphones In-ears and on-ears, hear hear!

103 Games 10 ways to avoid adult responsibilities

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p66 5

I WROTE ON MY PHONE’S SCREEN

I’ve missed a few generations of Samsung’s excellent Note range, so I was pleasantly surprised at how darn useful the S Pen has become. It’s a small thing, but I make notes constantly. Things people say. Ideas for a column. I try not to scribble them on little bits of paper, as I used to before moving to a single notebook. Now, I use an app like Evernote.

But: unlock phone, open Evernote, tap “new” and… yeah, #FirstWorldProblems. I know. But the Note 10+ I have been reviewing allows me to instantly write on the screen. Better yet, it converts my scrawl into text. It’s the little things that make the difference but this is really useful for a note-taker phone.

Toby Shapshak, Publisher and Editor-in-chief

I SKIPPED OUT ON BLACK FRIDAY

It might surprise you but the folks here at Stuff don’t think a whole lot of Black Friday in SA. That’s got a lot to do with the fact we almost always know what the price of tech is at a given moment. To us, the discounts offered seem… kinda… bland. Much of your tech is actually cheaper at other times of the year.

Yeah, really. But! That’s not why I skipped out on Black Friday this year. My home is apparently in the middle of Johannesburg’s Black Friday Central and traffic is a nightmare. I battened down the hatches, fired up the internet connection and worked remotely until the traffic horror had subsided. I may have ordered pizza in between. Best Black Friday ever.

Brett Venter, Editor

Making Stuff up Publisher and Editor-in-chief Toby Shapshak toby@stuff.co.za Editor Brett Venter brett@stuff.co.za Deputy Editor Marcé Bester marce@stuff.co.za Art Director Brandon van Rensburg art@stuff.co.za Digital Publisher Nic Boerma nic@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 Getting Stuff to you Printing CTP

OUR MONTH

What this issue has brought us by way of geekery I CHOSE PIKACHU

What better way to spend a December holiday than playing through the new Pokémon instalment? Because that’s exactly what I did during my staycation this holiday. The new Pokémon Sword caused controversy online because players need that old Pokemon nostalgia in their lives. Even me. The new critters are cute, but we want to feel that old Poké-goodness. Which is why I (and many other older nerds) was overjoyed when I encountered a Pikachu in some random grassland. I managed to catch another for the express purpose of breeding them.

While I struggled to catch the opposite gender, I decided to train up my Pikachu and continued to Thunderbolt through the whole game.

Marcé Bester, Deputy Editor

WENT TO A WINE TASTING (OF A SORT)

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Stream (un) conference, a event held at the beautiful Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The talks were thought provoking and the challenge of the day was to try and select which of the talks on offer I would attend.

I was spoilt for choice with a phenomenal line-up from Rich Joubert discussing Digital Assets, CSV talks (Creating Shared Value) to tech workshops in the Tech lab. The evening’s entertainment involved the streamers participating in Ignite Talks. The PowerPoint Karaoke and amazing food creations were especially entertaining.

I particularly enjoyed being involved in a live performance by mentalist Gilan Gork.

Sally Hudson, Business Manager

Distribution RNA 011 248 3607 (Caitlin) Contacting Stuff Call us 087 087 7055 Email us stuff@stuff.co.za Subscribe stuff.co.za/ subscribe-now Find us www.stuff.co.za StuffSA @StuffSA Caxton House, 368 Jan Smuts Ave, Craighall, Johannesburg, 2196

South Africa

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Wrapper’s delight If the X-Pro3 isn’t retro enough for you already, the BLC-XPRO3 leather case is available to show off the camera’s classy lines while protecting the body.

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19 PAGES OF THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM PLANET TECH

The big short Being able to shoot 4K video at up to 30fps isn’t very retro behaviour, but the X-Pro3 is capable of doing it regardless. Mind, it’s restricted to that frame-rate and can only record for 15 minutes.

HOT FOUR #1 INVISIBLE TOUCH

Fujifilm X-Pro3 With its Leica-esque looks and titanium body, you could probably take Fujifilm’s gloriously retro mirrorless X-Pro3 back to the ’60s and it wouldn’t give you away as a time-traveller. Best keep that hidden 3in touchscreen flipped up, though, or you’ll give yourself away.

Yes, the main display is hidden. You have to stop and fold it out to review your snaps or change any settings – a throwback to the days when you had to be more thoughtful about your shots rather than just snapping away and worrying about the results later.

There is a 1.28in LCD screen on the outside; this can display either shooting settings or, in a nod to the days of tearing off the top of the film box and tucking it in as a reminder, which of the 17 film simulation modes you’re using.

Powered by the same X-Processor 4 as the brilliant Fujifilm X-T3, it’s got a 26MP CMOS sensor and is capable of in-camera HDR with four different levels to choose from, while autofocus performance in low light has been improved too. It’s not for everyone, then, but nostalgia just isn’t what it used to be, is it?

As hot as…the red light in your darkroom R25 500 (body only) / fujifilm.com 9

HANDS-ON Fujifilm X-Pro3 The X-Pro3 is both familiar, with almost identical settings and manual dials to the X-T3, and alien – which is all down to the hidden LCD screen. It feels like when an old friend who’s been living in Australia for a while suddenly starts talking with a distinct (and unexpected) accent . Distressing.

The idea is that it forces you to focus on ‘the moment’ so there’s only you, the viewfinder and an award-winning street photography scene unfolding in front of you. (Only a car usually rushes into frame and, alas, ‘the moment’ has gone forever.)

It takes some getting used to, and the temptation to flip down the screen and check your image is palpable. But the stills straight out of the camera never disappoint, and the new film simulations are more appealing than we were expecting.

And although it took two days of getting to know each other, we’ve grown very fond of the X-Pro3. It’s a tribute to the photography of the past, but also offers all the convenience of digital… plus stunning image quality.

Back for good The small screen you can see when the main one is folded away is a 1.28in colour display with Memory LCD tech, meaning it’ll display info even when the camera is off.

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The X dials The button layout is very similar to the X-T3’s, so the top plate is still home to the ISO and shutter speed dials, but the exposure compensation dial has been physically tightened up.

Hard sealings It’s weather-sealed at 70 points, but you can also opt for an extra scratch-resistant coating. Fuji says its cold plasma process makes the finish harder than titanium.

Slot shaming You get two SD card slots, a mic input and a USB-C port for charging, transferring data and tethered shooting. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi complete this Fuji’s connectivity options.

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HOT FOUR #2 Props to DJI You can’t fly your Mavic Mini everywhere, so its propeller arms fold up for easy storage and transportation. In fact the Mini is so compact that, when collapsed, it’ll fit in the palm of your hand.

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SPOT THE PIGEON DJI Mavic Mini

Despite what men who drive expensive cars insist, good things also come in large packages – anyone who’s received a bike, drumkit or elephant for Christmas will testify to that.

To be fair to those insecure Ferrari owners, though, the old cliche is often true too – and it certainly holds up for DJI’s latest drone. At just 249g, the Mavic Mini is the smallest quadcopter DJI has ever made and ducks under the legal bar that would require it to be FAA-registered by 1g. Not that it matters in SA. Don’t underestimate this little

bird, though. Despite its fledgling form you get 30 minutes of flight time on a charge and a suite of different modes, while the 1/2.3in 12MP sensor shoots stills and stabilised 2.7K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps.

It also has built-in altitude limits and automatic return if you lose it or the battery is about to go kaput. The only downside, perhaps, is the lack of obstacle detection.

So if you’re not much of a pilot, you’re going to be grateful for the 360° propeller guard.

As hot as…Icarus’s eyebrows R7 000 / dji.com

Control freq You can use the DJI Fly app on your phone to see what the Mavic Mini sees and create those cinematic shots with just a few touchscreen taps, but there’s also a bundled dual-joystick controller.

HOT FOUR #3 15.6IN TOO DEEP

Samsung Galaxy Book Ion If you’re after a computer with a screen that’s as good as the one on your TV, there are easier ways to get one than glueing a QWERTY to the TV stand and carting the whole shebang off to your local co-working space. Samsung’s new Galaxy Book Ion is the first laptop to get a QLED display – that’s the tech Samsung uses on its top-of-the-range TVs to make the screens brighter than the winner of a pub quiz about lightbulbs.

The skinny chassis, which comes in 13.3in and 15.6in versions, is made of ultra-light magnesium and weighs just under or just over a kilogram depending on which one you go for, so you’ll barely notice it when you hop from coffee shop to coffee shop in search of better Wi-Fi. Inside is a 10th-generation Intel Core CPU, up to 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, so it’s anything but lightweight in the engine room. The battery even has Samsung’s Wireless PowerShare tech, meaning you can charge your Qi-compatible phone straight off it without having to plug in, plus there’s a fingerprint reader to keep your stuff safe.

As hot as… a Costabucks double espresso with a shot of volcano juice Rtba / samsung.com/za 13

Fold digger The Razr comes with a 16MP rear cam with night vision, a 5MP selfie-shooter, 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM. We’re a bit let down by a 2510mAh battery and a Snapdragon 710 chip, though.

HOT FOUR #4 THE CLAM LIES DOWN Motorola Razr

Let us take you back to a time before iPhones. Motorola had already mastered the flip phone with the iconic StarTAC when, in 2004, it released its ultra-slim Razr. A year later a V3i version even came complete with an Apple collaboration and something called iTunes. Now skip another 15 years, and Motorola may have given us the biggest reason yet why folding phones will succeed – and brought about the return of the flipper at the same time.

LL Cool J may have rapped “Don’t call it a comeback”, but for the Razr that’s exactly what this, along with being the first ever smartphone with a clamshell-style flexible display. Moto engineers tested 20 flippy tech prototypes before banking on a blueprint already in the vault.

The new stainless steel and Gorilla Glass Razr gets a 6.2in display with a 21:9 aspect ratio when open. A further 2.7in screen on the front keeps calls, notifications, contactless payments and music controls at your fingertips when closed. It’s half the size of a Samsung Galaxy Fold, but you’ll pay similar money if we ever see it on our shores. The other obstacle: it uses an eSIM. Maybe Vodacom will pick this one up.

As hot as… Carolina reaper aftershave Rtba (maybe) / motorola.com 14

Fold rush The 6.2in cinematic display is OLED and Moto says it used a groundbreaking flexible material to fold in half.

The 21:9 ultra-wide screen is perfect for films and TV shows originally shot in that format.

Great calls.

Great music.

Fits like no other.

Jabra Elite 75t

Engineered to last longer.

Designed to fit better.

Distributed by www.circuitcity.co.za Tel: 082 851 0089

108MP CAMERA IS MI AGAINST THE WORLD Xiaomi Mi Note 10 from R9 000 (import, for now) / mi.com

With a 5260mAh battery and fast charging, snapping away shouldn’t leave you short.

This is getting silly now. Xiaomi has gone way, way over the top and slapped a 108MP camera on a smartphone. With their smaller-than-thimble-sized sensors, Apple and Google reckon 12MP is a rational limit for a main camera’s resolution, but oh no: Xiaomi, in partnership with Samsung, has broken the pixel-count continuum and gone into triple figures with the Xiaomi Note 10. ● Xiaomi the big picture Yes, the main wide-angle camera is 108MP, though it shoots at 27MP by default. There’s also a 12MP 2x zoom, a 5MP 5x zoom, a 20MP 16

ultra-wide and a 2MP for macro photography. On paper, nothing comes close, and the detail it captures is staggering. You can expect a slowdown when processing full-resolution 108MP pictures… but that’s hardly surprising, is it? ● Xiaomi your metal Packing a 6.47in curved AMOLED screen combining Full HD+ resolution and 600-nit maximum brightness, the Mi Note 10 isn’t quite QHD or 4K but still holds its own and includes an in-screen fingerprint scanner. It’s a chunky monkey with a curved back and the body is a combination of Gorilla

Glass 5 and metal, with a headphone port. But it’s the camera bump on the back that tells you this Xiaomi means business. ● Xiaomi what you’ve got The Mi Note 10 is fuelled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor – which, while plenty powerful for day-to-day tasks, 3D gaming and more, isn’t quite flagship grade, falling behind the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro and the 855+ in the OnePlus 7T. Coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage, the Mi Note 10 isn’t top-tier, but it’s no slouch either. There’s also support for hi-res audio.

THE MAIN WIDE-ANGLE CAMERA IS 108MP AND THE DETAIL IT CAPTURES IS STAGGERING

Tremble before the might of la PD

LUDICROUS LENSES ● Nokia 9 PureView

This Nokia has five 12MP cams claiming to collect 10 times more light than a single phone sensor.

Each lens works simultaneously to capture masses of detail in every image.

R14 000 / hmdglobal.com

SNUG 10000MAH POWER BANK PD If there’s one thing a tech-happy South African should own, it’s a substantial power bank. You never know when the Princes of Darkness are planning on cutting the nation’s power. Snug’s 10 000mAh bank isn’t the biggest you’ll encounter but it’s not size that matters, right? Snug’s brick has a few other things going for it: USB-C ports, along with the backing of the PD. No, the po-po aren’t going to come around and check how fast you were charging. PD stands for Power Delivery, a charging standard that basically means your device’s’ll magically top themselves up that much faster. Provided you’re using USB-C cables, that is.

R700 / incredible.co.za

● Oppo Reno 10x Zoom

Packing a periscope telephoto camera delivering optical zoom in spades, this Reno’s camera setup also includes a 48MP primary shooter and an 8MP wide-angle lens.

R17 500 / connecteddevices.co.za

● Motorola One Macro

For extreme close-ups, this budget mobile puts most of its photographic eggs in one basket with a macro lens that can focus on subjects as little as 2cm away.

R3 500 (import) / lenovo.com

Phar from the madding crowd

BEATS SOLO PRO

It must be tough being Pharrell Williams. Take his latest work on Beats’ new Solo Pro on-ear headphones. While engineers might have put in a lot of effort to give them active noise-cancelling with a new transparency mode, an improved frequency response and a nifty folding design that also turns them on and off, the real hard work started when it came to creating the ‘More Matte’ collection – and that was poor Pharrell’s job. Sure, they also include Apple’s neat Audio Sharing tech, but the former NERD frontman had to pick out the colours. After what can only have been significant deliberation, he chose dark blue, light blue and red. And some people say nurses should get rock stars’ wages.

Rtba / myistore.co.za 17

This month’s mobile must-downloads 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

1 Productive

2 NanoStudio 2

3 Pocketcoach

4 Wild Bullets

5 Bad North

6 Jumpgrid

7 Cheap_Golf

8 Headed South

9 Starbeard

R45/m / Android, iOS Want to infuse good habits into your day? This app lets you set them up, bugs you at opportune moments, and lets you celebrate/sulk with stats. The sub’s pricey, but you get four habits for nothing.

Free / Android Demon gunslingers have rocked up, and it’s down to you to blow their evil heads off. The result is like a strategic cover shooter meets a NES, while someone accidentally spills Hellboy on a Western.

R30 / iOS Imagine an Atari 2600 with a malevolent AI that has a penchant for mini golf. That’s this demented ball-smacker, with glitches galore as you aim for the hole while an old console messes with your head.

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8

R300 / iOS The original NanoStudio was there before GarageBand, and now its follow-up is finally on iPhone. Its Obsidian synth is superb, giving you the means to craft mega-hits in your bathroom. Possibly.

R70 / Android, iOS A procedurally generated RTS in a shoebox, Bad North has you defend a tiny island’s houses from stabby pyromaniac invaders.

Beautifully tactile, it makes far more sense on a touchscreen than a PC.

Free / Google Pixel 4 As we blaze towards a future where the slightest gesture will activate all your hardware, this Ustwo game has you guide a bird through vivid worlds by nonchalantly waving a hand over your Pixel 4.

Free / Android, iOS If anxiety’s taking over, have a virtual chat with this app. It teaches relaxation techniques to calm you down and – unlike some – won’t ramp up stress levels by mugging your bank account.

R52 / Android Mobile’s finest twitch arcade effort makes the leap to Android. Imagine Pac-Man meets Super Hexagon in fast-forward: a pulsating neon nightmare of finger ballet that will leave your ego in tatters.

R56 / Android, iOS Tactical match-3 is the order of the day as starfaring gnomes bring joy to the universe’s gardens, while roughing up nefarious pests dumb enough to get in their way.

Bejeweled was never this weird.

NOT JUST AN APP

DUET DISPLAY

R170 / Android & Mac/Windows If you have an Android device sitting around doing nothing, Duet Display makes it useful again by turning it into a second PC screen.

Load up the phone app and its macOS or Windows companion, and you can zip windows between displays, along with transforming your computer into one you can prod and swipe at (if it lacks a touchscreen of its own). On Mac, you even get a Touch Bar. The app’s been around on iOS for a while, and this Android release almost matches it for performance.

Use it wired for best results – but even on Wi-Fi it works nicely enough with content that doesn’t update too often.

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G A M E S OUT NOW

FIRST PLAY STAR WARS JEDI: FALLEN ORDER PS4, Xbox One, PC Star Wars has become even bigger business since the mouse took over but one area it’s been lagging is in its licensed video games. Electronic Arts’ newest single-player effort may just break gaming fans’ extended dry spell, however.

Having gone hands-on with this title weeks before launch, we came away feeling relieved that we won’t have to wait long before playing it again.

Fallen Order casts you as Cal Kestis, who is a fugitive after Order 66 demanded the eradication of any still-practising 20

Jedi Knights. Accompanied by his Droid companion BD-1, Cal’s on a mission to rebuild the Jedi Order and take down the Empire.

From the get-go, then, it feels like a proper Star Wars adventure that slots right into the existing canon… and if you’re worried that an EA-published single-player game free of microtransactions and loot boxes sounds too good to be true, you needn’t be.

This feels like a pic ’n’ mix of some of the best genre-defining titles in gaming. There’s a hint of Uncharted’s death-defying platforming as we explore the

Planet Zeffo, while previously blocked areas become accessible, Metroidvania-style, as you unlock new abilities. And in combat, the tense ‘block, dodge and roll’ encounters reward the patient approach popularised by the Souls games. Happily, useless Stormtroopers will still go down with a single deflected blaster bolt from your lightsaber.

If Respawn’s latest remains as enjoyable throughout as it was in our brief demo, the long wait for a single-player-focused Star Wars game worthy of the name might just have been worth it.

FIRST LOOK TEST YOUR VIRTUAL METTLE

MEDAL OF HONOR: ABOVE AND BEYOND Oculus

EA’s Medal of Honor franchise floundered when it tried to ape Call of Duty’s gritty modern realism. Luckily, after several

years of downtime, the series has gone back to basics with Above and Beyond… with a twist, of course.

This looks a lot like classic WWII series entries Allied Assault and Frontline, but now you’re there amid the smoke and shrapnel thanks to the Oculus Rift and motion controls.

Need to toss a grenade? Pull

the pin and toss it, as you would the real thing. Want to line up a headshot in your sights? Mimic the movement!

VR sounds like a novel way to give this familiar-looking experience a fresh edge, but the most powerful and enrapturing VR games elevate the experience to another level.

We’re hoping to see that from

this promising-looking campaign. EA also teased some kind of multiplayer component, and the publisher has its A-team on the project: Respawn, makers of Titanfall 2 and the new Star Wars game we were gushing about on the previous page. If you have a Rift, this ought to be on your 2020 gaming calendar.

BESTOF NEWAPPLEARCADEGAMES

PAC-MAN PARTY ROYALE

Apple Arcade Apple’s gaming subscription service nabs the most famous videogame character of all, pitting the yellow dot-gobbler against multicoloured cohorts. You take on mates or bots (with adorable metal hats) in a fast-paced battle to eat everyone and beat the glitch.

GUILDLINGS

Apple Arcade You’d probably have bet your house on the people behind mobile classic Threes! coming good with gameplay. But this RPG’s touch-friendly exploration and battles are twinned with a relentlessly grin-inducing script that mixes the modern and the magical.

LIFELIKE: CHAPTER ONE

Apple Arcade Arcade launch title Sayonara Wild Hearts was a dreamily electrifying neon-infused ride through a pop album. Lifelike is its chill-out contemporary – an immersive and relaxing hybrid of generative audio, dazzling painterly visuals and subtle puzzling.

INCOMING JANUARY ● YAKUZA: LIKE A DRAGON ● JOURNEY TO THE SAVAGE PLANET ● DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT FEB ● ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS ● IRON MAN VR ● MARVEL’S IRON MAN VR

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OMA IRONIC SPEAKER

R1.4 million (pair) / oswaldsmillaudio.com Whoever’s on the Iron Throne, it appears they’ve splashed out on a new sound system.

Is it still too soon for spoilers?

Just in case, we’ll play it safe and say the unnamed new ruler of the Seven Kingdoms appears to have asked bastard blacksmith Gendry Baratheon to knock up a pair of fine sculpted speakers to celebrate getting the top job. What you’re looking at is the OMA Ironic, cast from a special kind of iron with a high graphite content.

It certainly has a grand and stark kind of beauty.

Rather ostentatious, isn’t it?

Hypoeutectic grey iron is usually used in high-tech applications such as photolithography machines for silicon chip production, where resonance and vibration must be reduced to an absolute minimum – perfect for speakers, as those things are an audiophile’s kryptonite.

It’s made from kryptonite? But you said…

Oh, keep up. The complex form of the speaker derives from quadratic diffusers, as used in high-end studios. OMA claims the unique form of the Ironic is impossible to cast using normal methods so the moulds are 3D-printed in sand, and every mould is destroyed in the casting process – meaning each Ironic requires a new mould to be made.

As you might expect, this is an extremely expensive process.

It’s all cutting-edge tech, then?

Not all. Each speaker has a restored 15in electrodynamic woofer from a 1930s jukebox, alongside rather more modern ribbon tweeters, so we imagine it sounds pretty unique. Sadly, the Ironic is limited to just 10 pairs so it’s unlikely we’ll ever get the chance to find out… unless a certain someone is having a castle party.

22

EACH MOULD IS 3D-PRINTED IN SAND, THEN DESTROYED IN THE CASTING PROCESS

Yeah, this is a ‘toy’

DJI ROBOMASTER S1 Learning how to pilot a drone is sometimes an expensive task.

They crash and if it’s an aerial vehicle… Anyways, there’s hope. DJI’s educational ground-based drone is a lot tougher to smash into plastic splinters, plus it has the benefit of teaching coding, engineering, robotics, and er… target practice. Yeah, that’s a Nerf gun-like blaster mounted in the tank turret position. It fires gel beads. But we’re sure you’re more concerned with its 31 sensors, 46 programmable components, AI modules, and omnidirectional movement, right?

Or is the fact that it can move like Batman: Arkham Knight’s Batmobile enough for ya?

R10 000 / dji.com

DROP EVERYTHING & DOWNLOAD

EōN by Jean-Michel Jarre R140/ iOS

‘Real’ musicians often sneer that electronic instruments play themselves. With EōN, they have a point. This app is endless Jarre, like you’ve tied the French synth twiddler to a chair and demanded an endless remix in return for food.

There are visuals too – all manner of beat-synced weirdness, from hypnotic swirls to mutating planets whose tendrils interlink like they’re eating each other.

If you want interaction, tough. EōN invites you to gawp but not play. Still, while bathing in its beauty and flickering riffs, you can mull over the impending obsolescence of electronic musicians and – ironically – note that this automated experience is Jarre’s best work since 1986.

Earth mover

SEGWAY DIRT EBIKE Segway, the mobility company best known for, well, the Segway, has created a fine-looking electric dirt bike for off-roaders with a soft spot for planet Earth. The Segway Dirt eBike is a compact and eco-friendly ride that sits somewhere between a standard e-bike and a scrambler.

The X260 range-topper will go from 0 to 50km/h in four seconds and has a top speed of 76km/h. Capable of going the distance with a 120km range, it can be charged from flat to full in around four hours. Bluetooth-connected and featuring novice, standard and sport modes, it’s bound to be easier to operate than Segway’s non-saddled two-wheeler… and you’ll look much less of a twit. from $3000 (R44 200) / store.segway.com

23

S T A R T M E N U ST KIC AR K TE R

The latest startups, crowdfunded projects and plain crazy ideas

Typer at the gates of dawn

PENNA RED

Most wireless keyboards are clunky, eye-scorching fare for gamers, or characterless slabs of metal and plastic; Penna Red has a retro vibe, taking inspiration from classic typewriters. Your device sits in the magic slot like a hefty slab of paper and connects via Bluetooth. You then tap away at your choice of keycaps and can quickly switch between up to five devices (Android, iOS, Mac and PC are supported). There’s even a carriage return lever… and it’s not just for show. Obviously there’s no need to press it to start a new line in an app, so it’s used to record and trigger macros – although not to record your smugness on gaining such a neat productivity boost. $159 / elretron.com BACK IT STACK IT

ST KIC AR K TE R

ST KIC AR K TE R

Duvet seriously think…

Pad company

Sweep the boards

Paradise splitty

Like a Roomba for your bed, this ’bot trundles under the covers, vaporising nasties with a UV light. Sensors ensure it doesn’t fall out like a drunk student, while a Bluetooth speaker can belt out tunes while it works (like a drunk student). When off duty it doubles as a power bank, and there’s a handheld mode too. $99 / rockubot.co

The iPad Pro’s great, until you need to type on glass or plug something in. Connect yours to the DoBox Pro and you can type on its backlit full-size keyboard with built-in trackpad. Spin the thing around and there’s a wealth of ports, plus space inside for a 2TB SSD. Not bad for half the price of Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio. $119 / dobox.com

Like a tiny holodeck, the Tilt Five smashes tabletop gaming into AR, letting you watch living boards through chunky specs.

You can manipulate game worlds with the wand, while boards in multiple real-world locations can share a virtual space. It’s also a dev kit, so if you get tired of the bundled titles you can make your own. $299 / tiltfive.com

This looks like a basic Bluetooth speaker, kicking out 90dB of audio while you cart it about using the handy handle. But that handle’s part of a frame that houses a modular system: pop the four speakers out and they stay joined via magnets, but pull them apart and you can fashion an impromptu surround-sound setup. $175 / pangissimostudio.com

ROCKUBOT

24

ST KIC AR K TE R

ST KIC AR K TE R

SACK IT

DOBOX PRO

TILT FIVE

SIMO

Point it at Uranus

CANON EOS RA Canon’s latest full-frame snapper is built specifically for stargazers, which is just as well because the price is astronomical. According to Canon, the EOS Ra stands unique in the astro-cam market thanks to its focus on portability, bolstered by the fact that it doesn’t rely on an external power source or PC connection, which means it can be easily connected to telescopes. Although it shares the same fast AF, low-light capabilities and 5mm CMOS sensor as the original EOS R, it adds a new IR-blocking filter, allowing four times as much hydrogen alpha light to reach the sensor. That should help you capture the distinct colours of deep space, constellations and the Guardians of the Galaxy cast.

Rtba (January 2020) / canon.co.za

WTF IS UUNN? Help us uunnderstand what’s going on here.

Teeth have many enemies. Fizzy drinks and Werther’s Originals will set alarm bells ringing for those 32 chunks of enamel (28 if you’ve had your wisdom teeth out), but one of their oldest adversaries is plaque. Brushing is your best defence; but if you want to know who’s winning the war, Uunn’s health tracker for teeth will give you a full sitrep.

So how does that work? A Bluetooth chip embedded in a filling?

Strap it over your phone’s camera, stick it in your mouth and it’ll take three photos, which the app will analyse using Uunn’s plaque-seeking algorithm (which took four years to develop). It’ll then offer tips on how to brush better in the hope of helping you avoid a trip to your teeth’s biggest enemy of all: the dentist.

Can it uunndo damage already done to your pearly-beiges?

No, but its makers say it’s about shifting the focus from cure to prevention, and from expensive cosmetic treatments to keeping your teeth clean in the first place.

If they remain in ‘the zone’ with plaque under 1%, the idea is it’ll keep your dental bills down.

Batalytic converter

LEGO 1989 BATMOBILE Say what you want about Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, but the tank-like Batmobile was a bit rubbish. If you’re of a certain age, there’s only one true car for a masked vigilante: the ‘Burtonmobile’. With the Lego 1989 Batmobile, the iconic vehicle has been remade in brick form.

Its sleek curves require 3306 pieces, and the 60cm monster comes complete with grappling hooks, hidden machine guns and bat emblems on the wheel trims. You get three exclusive minifigures too, so a tiny Joker can kidnap a tiny Vicki Vale before being rescued by a tiny Caped Crusader… then they can all wonder if they’ve slipped into a parallel universe where cinemas are showing Lego Honey, I Shrunk The Batman.

R4 500 / greatyellowbrick.co.za

So is this cheaper than going to the dentist, then?

Well, that all depends on whether it’s a quick check-up or you’re planning on replacing your current set of pegs with gnashers like Goldie – either way, as much as you might hate going, this is never going to totally replace visiting your friendly gob-surgeon. Plus you get a sticker for being brave. But to answer the question, there’s no pricing info yet but it should be available early this year. In the meantime, you can sign up for updates at uunn.co.uk… and lay off the sweets, eh?

25

Whether you like explosions, drama, crime, or satirical parodies of iconic sci-fi shows (that’s awfully specific), you’ll be in streaming heaven

Mars

Bojack Horseman

Truth Be Told

This National Geographic-created sci-fi drama explores humanity’s first attempts to colonise another planet – the red one, as it happens.

If you’ve (somehow) been avoiding Amazon Prime Video and Netflix up till now, this is your first shot at it on a South African streaming service. All twelve episodes pitch up from this month.

S1, S2 / Showmax

If you’ve been following the events of Bojack Horseman, you’ll know that October 2019 was the last time we checked in with the former TV star. Come the end of Jan 2020, we’ll be checking in for the final time as the sixth and final season of this animated black comedy comes to its conclusion. Hopefully there’s no glue factory involved.

S6 / Netflix

Oscar winner Octavia Spencer stars as a true crime podcaster re-examining an old murder case in this Apple Original. As a young journalist she helped jail a killer, but now old certainties become murky. Was he framed? How did the victim’s wife and daughters sleep through this violent crime?

Time to reopen some wounds…

S1 / Apple TV

6 Underground

The Two Popes

Lost in Space

Michael Bay breaks his Netflix Original duck with a ludicrously OTT action blockbuster that all but screams “this is a Michael Bay movie” through a megaphone every 10 seconds. Ryan Reynolds stars as the leader of a group of vigilantes, each of whom faked their death in order to better combat evil-doers.

Film / Netflix

Netflix’s other big new film is something a little more cerebral than 6 Underground. Based on true events, it’s the story of what happened when Pope Benedict summoned his rival and future successor Cardinal Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) to Rome to reveal a darksecret.HeavyweightsAnthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce star.

Film / Netflix

Lost in Space’s re-re-take of Swiss Family Robinson (it’s a book – ask an older person) re-restarted this past December. The Robinsons are extremely keen on leaving their alien home but before they can depart, there’s a robot to be found.

Adventure, conflict, drama and action will no doubt ensue before that happy event takes place.

S2 / Netflix

DO M N TH ISS ’T IS

Final Space S2 / Netflix

26

If you were invested in lead astronaut Gary’s life in Season 1, get ready for an emotional rollercoaster through space. Final Space Season 2 introduces new, colourful characters to join Gary and Little Cato on a mission to Final Space. The task requires some brilliant catchphrases, a lot of firepower and an intergalactic weapon called Mooncake. Season 2 delves deeper into the lore of this universe, Gary’s tragic past and Little Cato dealing with the loss of his father, Avocato. Gear up for laughs, tears, and many WTF-moments.

27

Nissan IMk Concept

KEI PRIDE

The boxy silhouette looks mad but offers tons of interior space without a huge footprint.

NEWS DASHBOARD

Rtba / nissan.co.za So, it’s a kei car. Remind me what that means?

The mini-car market is massive in Japan – it makes up over a third of all car sales – but they are limited to tiny engines, the performance is terrible and the engineering is typically rubbish. This concept from Nissan aims to change that.

How so?

It rides on a new electric vehicle platform that means designers have been able to push the wheels into the corners and create more interior space. And a heady mix of next-gen battery packs and electric motors means it’s rather nippy.

But it’s just a concept so we’ll never see it on roads, right?

Well, it is a concept, but Nissan insiders tell us they’re hell-bent on making a big impact in the kei car market– not just in Japan but worldwide. So the IMk has the

28

latest ProPilot autonomous driving systems and the maker’s invisible-to-visible (I2V) tech, which merges information from sensors outside and inside with data from the cloud, tracking the vehicle’s surroundings to anticipate what’s ahead.

What is it like inside?

It’s cool. Imagine a modern cafe with a steering wheel. There’s a bench seat at the front and a brown carpet covering the floor.

Better still, the infotainment system is essentially a 3D prism that displays information holographically.

What will it cost?

We don’t know yet, but kei cars are traditionally way cheaper than their regular-sized siblings.

Nissan will want to continue this trend… and hopefully offer the cute wagon up for us South Africans to sample too.

PLAYGROUND CULLY

Say what you like about how the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV looks – there’s no denying it makes a statement. And now it positively punches onlookers in the face with a menacing Black Badge edition, which also extracts an extra 29bhp from the 6.75-litre twinturbo V12. Not very Rolls, but we like it.

VERGE OF GREATNESS

This is the Verge TS and it might just be the most interesting electric motorcycle ever.

Breaking cover at the EICMA show in Milan, it revealed a cutting-edge hubless electric drivetrain that sees the rear rim itself move, rather than a motor driving a belt or chain. Expect silly acceleration.

SUZUKI JOINS WAKU RACES

We implore Suzuki to put this madcap Waku SPO into production, purely because it’s the only futuristic coupe concept we’ve ever come across that turns into a mini estate at the touch of a button. Oh, and it’s powered by batteries and electric motors so it should be rapid.

APP AWARDS

APP AWARDS Apps make our world go round. We use them to control and update devices, to hack our lives into a better shape, or to make everyday tasks easier.

Every year we pay tribute to the apps that have changed us for the better – with a special focus on locally-made mobile marvels.

I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H :

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APP AWARDS

EDUCATION

ER N N WI

Android, iOS

Grasshopper

Mimo

The oddly named coding app is made by Google (like most things these days), is completely free andprettyeasyto navigate. It guides you through basic coding principles by using easyto-understand real-world tests, examples and applications.

Android, iOS

Codewillbethe languageyour grandkidsspeak.

Mimoisacoding appthat’sbuilton abasicreward systemwhichlets yousetdailygoals andsendsyou reminders tohelp youbecomea mastercoder.It’s idealifyouprefer SteveWozniak toSteveJobs.

Android, iOS

ER N N WI W O N ET G HIS T

Zulzi

Zulzi takes care of all your daily grocery shopping from major retailers.

Someone will buy the stuff on your list and deliver it to your house all before you finish an episode of Lost.

Android, iOS

30

Android, iOS

W NO ET G HIS T

Matric Live

In South Africa (and the rest of the world, to be fair), there’s this coming of age ritual called Matric. It could be one of the most challenging years in many people’s lives, which is why it’s just fair to give ‘em an app with all the resources needed to pass with flying colours. The Matric Live app is equipped with everything high school learners need to study, including past exam papers, video explanations and practical assistance for tasks.

Duolingo

If you’ve been putting off learning French, Dutch, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Mandarin (or Klingon, you mad lad), Duolingo is the ideal language companion that can fit into your schedule.

The app teaches new languages through practical application and tests.

Android, iOS

K53 South Africa Acomingofage ritualmanygo throughinSouth Africa(untilselfdrivingvehilcles arrive)islearning todrive.TheK53 SouthAfricaapp hasacomplete databasewith everythingyou’ll needtopassthat learnersand driverslicence.

Android, iOS

EskomSePush InSA,intermittentdarkperiods (ortechnically:loadshedding)are inevitable.But,similartoazombie apocalypse,youneedtobeprepared.

WefoundEskomSePushtobethe mostpracticalsolutiontoplanned poweroutages.It’sgotallthelatest schedulesandsendspushmessages toyournotificationbarsoyouknow exactlywhenit’sgonnabepizza night that week, or if you need to reschedule that sales meeting.

UTILITY

Droppa

MoWash

Stocard

“Will you help me move, bro?” – “Nope!” Luckily, Droppa has your spine’s wellbeing in mind and offers an app-based moving facility, which includes trucks and a team of heavy lifters... all you need to lift is your finger.

Android, iOS

Who even has time to wait at a car wash without WiFi anymore?

MoWash will send you a mobile car wash to wherever you are in a 40km radius of Midrand.

A clean car doesn’t even cost a trip to the shopping mall anymore.

Android, iOS

Wallets are sooo 2018. Now you can save all 48 of your loyalty cards on your phone.

Stocard is a digital wallet where you can store a range of loyalty cards from a bunch of retailers without carrying a bricksized wallet.

Android, iOS

GalaxyA30s

cial Edition with

Don’t live life nje Live a Galaxy A life

Phone images are simulated. Advertised device colours may differ.

Samsung Pay enabled

APP AWARDS

W NO ET G HIS T

Twitch

Wait, what the heck is Twitch doing here?

Actually, if you’ve been paying attention, watching other people play video games (like, dynamically, though) is big business.

Folks tune into their favourite streamers on the reg – all in the name of fun.

Android, iOS

WI NN ER

Viu

As first glance, awarding Viu our entertainment crown might seem little… well, silly. It’s very niche, featuring a large catalogue from Korea, Nigeria and Bollywood. But that’s part of its charm. The fact that Viu’s also a one-stop shop for South African-made content – which, really, doesn’t get the attention it deserves from the big players – is also a plus. It helps that Viu regularly features content that you don’t need a paid subscription for, making it a great choice for the under-funded.

TRANSPORT

Android, iOS

ER N N WI

Android, iOS

32

InDriver

Bolt (Taxify)

Waze

Now, this might appeal to SA riders – think Uber or Bolt, with one fine addition: haggling. Users set the price and drivers choose whether or not to take the fare.

Otherwise, cars come to you and take you where you’ve gotta be.

Android, iOS

Bolt, like Uber, hopes to get you from point A to point B. Cash payments are an option, which is great for a country like SA, and costs are shared upfront. Also, it’s in more than 30 countries so you’re just an app away from a ride.

Android, iOS

We could have stuck Google Maps here (and almost did) but Waze does everything the Big G does, and more. Highlights are accident, roadblock, and police alerts, so you… know which roads to avoid, we guess?

Android, iOS

ENTERTAINMENT

Showmax

Spotify

Netflix

Showmax is branching out with its own Originals, taking the fight to the better-funded international streaming sites.

For now, exclusive access to Hulu and HBO content is a powerful reason to make this a line-entry on your credit card bill.

Android, iOS

Hey, music apps are people too.

But, unlike people, they’re not all equal. Spotify stands above the crowd, with a huge collection of artists and tracks available for just R60 a month. If Spotify brings its family sharing plan to SA, we may give them the win.

Android, iOS

No list of the best entertainment apps is complete without Netflix.

Why? An excellent stable of Originals, a revolving list of new (and old) content and one of the slickest apps this side of a slip’n’slide retailer.

Plus, it works on just about any device you own.

Android, iOS

Khwela

South African-developed app Khwela is for more than just folks with credit cards and a fondness for cars – it’s a transport-focused app for the majority of the country. Offering details on taxi ranks, trains, and other alternative transportation options, including costing for supported lines, Khwela is designed for the many South Africans who take minibus taxis on the reg. Users can even share their experiences on the app, with other users and with members of the industry. It’s about time.

W O N ET G HIS T

Uber

If you’re looking for a ride, you’ve found it. The app is available in more than 630 cities, with a range of ride options – UberX or UberPool for the budget conscious, and UberBlack for high rollers. Its position here?

Well, what have they done lately besides crash self-driving cars?

Android, iOS

APP AWARDS

FINANCIAL

ER N N WI

Franc

Android, iOS

EasyEquities

Stash

EasyEquitiesis aremarkably intuitivewayto investinETFs,UTs, RAsandTFSAs. Whetheryou’re keenonsavingfor retirement,have youreyeontaxfreegrowth,or wanttobulkup personalwealth, thislocalapphas thesolutions youneed.

Android, iOS

Stashletsusers investaset amountdaily, basedonthe weather,how manystepsyou takeonagiven day,oraddina lumpsumat monthend.The point?Well, savingsand investmentin someofSA’sbest companies.

Android, iOS

W O N ET G HIS T

Woolworths Woolies’ app lets users check out specials, shop the store’s departments or keep track of rewards card statuses.

Order history and a grocery list-making feature round out the app, with a barcode scanner thrown in.

Android, iOS

34

Naked Insurance

Franc has positioned itself as an app for everyone because Franc wants everyone to invest – in themselves, and in the future.

Setting up a money market fund or long-term investments in an indextracker fund are your options, while Franc promises extremely low fees – 1% of your investment per year.

That… seems impressively low. The app’s also committed to making investment as un-mysterious as possible. That’s a good thing, in case you haven’t noticed.

NakedInsurance isallaboutgetting youinsuredwitha minimumoffuss.

Whichistotallya financialfunction.

Agreatfeature istheabilityto pauseyour vehiclecover– say,whenyou’re goingoverseas– andthenrestart whenyoureturn.

Android, iOS

Superbalist Fashion Shopping

For clothing lovers Superbalist is perhaps the spot to shop online.

Or on your phone, if you’re using the app. A slick UI backed by the might of Takealot’s back-end means that ordering clothing is a breeze and a half, there are more than 400 brands to choose from and that includes homeware. Why head into a retail store when you can do it all from your couch? Besides fitting your clothing, but we’re sure there’s an AR option in the pipeline for that.

WI NN ER

W NO ET G HIS T

22Seven

A budget and savings app, 22seven lets you see your money at a glance. Link your bank accounts, credit card, and clothing accounts and it’ll give you a sense of just how much you’re worth.

Financially speaking, that is. Your selfesteem’ll need another app.

Android, iOS

SHOPPING

Android, iOS

Pick’n’Pay

Zando

Takealot

One of SA’s major chains, Pick ’n Pay’s app reflects the amount it collects from us monthly. The ability to convert and spend points has been added, there are sales and coupons for each user. It’s kept from the top by its non-functional pre-paid features.

Android, iOS

If you absolutely must have an extensive selection of fashion products at your fingertips, Zando’s app is your port of call.

There’s a huge selection of brands, even more products under each umbrella, and options for the whole family.

Android, iOS

Takealot, SA’s purveyor of the annual Blue Dot sale, is a previous app awards winner. It’s still on the list because it’s still a great app. It doesn’t hurt that Takealot functions as SA’s Amazon, with the largest selection of online goods in South Africa.

Android, iOS

APP AWARDS

W NO ET G HIS T

WI NN ER

Eat Out

Eat Out has won Stuff ’s food-based app awards category before but there’s no reason it can’t do so again.

A gigantic directory of restaurants in SA combines with the ability to book tables at said eateries. There’s a database of what’s available, along with images of your prospective supper if that’s your thing, along with reviews. Just in case. At the very least, it’ll give you some ideas how to frame that shot of your next burger for your Instagram fans.

MyBru

Another limited-fornowoption, MyBruaimsto connectits userswith foodspecials.

Anddrinks, retailsand activity specials,but it’sthefood thatwe’re reallyherefor.

Thatandthe adventurous side-tracking theapp providesits users.

Android, iOS

GAMES

Android, iOS

ER N N WI

Android, iOS

Call of Duty Mobile Whentheworld’s biggestshooter wentmobile,we wereskeptical.

Asithappens, Activisionhas doneabang-up jobofit.It’s mightyfunto play,andyes, there’saversion ofNuketownto playin.Noob.

Android, iOS

36

Pokémon Go

PUBG Mobile

Internetsensation Pokémon Go, whilenolonger rackingup huge headlines, has beenracking up someawesome updates.The latestaddition is TeamRocket, but long-time players alreadyknow that.Check out thisARtitle again.

Android, iOS

Many gamers still rock the mobile version of this battle royale on a computer with an emulator. But mobile is the way this is meant to be played. Taking on all comers while standing in line is exciting and a chicken dinner is always nice.

Android, iOS

FOOD

Uber Eats

Mr D Food

Bottles

Uber Eats ferries food into your waiting face-hole without you ever having to leave the couch. The app has delivery exclusivity with a couple of eateries in SA but it has another benefit: Support in several countries means the snacks won’t stop if you travel.

Android, iOS

Mr D Food lets you stay in one place as food comes to you. Most local restaurants are supported by the service (besides those with an Uber Eats love affair going), while service and coverage are the broadest in SA when it comes to fast food delivery.

Android, iOS

When the rugby’s on, everyone’s over the limit and the beer’s gone, it’s fine. Bottles provides alcohol deliveries in SA within 60 minutes.

You specify your delivery location, select what you want and wait. It’s limited to just major cities at present, though.

Android, iOS

Boet Fighter

If you haven’t been paying attention, here it is. Hard Eddy’s girl has gone ‘missing’ and it’s up to him and his mate Mod-C to track her down.

This hilarious locally-made game pokes fun at Johannesburg’s “boet” culture, such as it is. The art style, gameplay, and length make this an ideal mobile game. Which it is. At the time of writing, only the iOS version was available, but the Android edition should almost be old news by now.

W O N ET G HIS T

Fortnite

Provided you’re not mad at Epic for their launcher (on mobile and PC), Fortnite for mobile is an extremely good play. If you’ve wondered where all the younger kids have gone, they haven’t gone far.

They’re doing terrible things to llamas and shopping carts on a smartphone.

Android, iOS

FIRST TEST AMAZON ECHO STUDIO

The great blast elevator

Risking noise complaints from the neighbours, we’re seriously impressed with Ama ’ h lki d fi i E h St di t k r

R5 000 / audicoonline.co.za

W

hen it comes to summoning Alexa, Amazon’s Echo speakers are among the best in the business.

But while the standard Echo has been beefed up this year with the audio internals once reserved for the Plus, you could argue that nothing in the existing line-up really

boasts the hi-fi chops to do Cliff Live in Japan ’72 justice.

That changes with the Echo Studio. By far the company’s most powerful Echo device to date, the Studio has had multiple speakers shoehorned into its grey mesh chassis. It’s also the first smart speaker capable of 3D audio courtesy of Dolby Atmos and Sony’s 360 Reality

Audio, bringing added depth and height to music. Quite ambitious for a R5 000 gadget… even if the results aren’t flawless.

OK, not a lot of recordings support the 3D format yet, and you’ll need to sign up to the new Amazon Music HD service (yep, another one) to experience it; but even on its own the Studio is more than capable of mixing

it with the likes of Sonos and the Apple HomePod. Amazon isn’t just interested in attracting audiophiles though; the Studio is also a genuine smart home hub, allowing you to control connected devices with voice commands just like any Echo before it. Only now, when your smart doorbell goes off, the whole street can hear it.

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FIRST TEST AMAZON ECHO STUDIO

1 5

1

Studio apartment

The Echo Studio isn’t doing anything unique in the aesthetics department. It’s a pleasingly rotund fabric-wrapped cylinder that keeps design flourishes to a minimum. It’s a brute, though, so you’re going to need a fairly accommodating cabinet or shelf.

2 Studio audience Under the slightly drab grey hood the Echo Studio has 330W of peak power. A downward-firing 5.25in woofer generates big bass, complemented by a 1in front-firing tweeter, left and right midrange drivers and a 2in upward-shooting midranger.

4 TV Studio One or more can be paired for purist stereo, and the Alexa app also allows you to connect with some Fire TV devices for audio playback backed by multi-channel surround sound, alongside support for Dolby Atmos.

3 Su-su-Studio There’s a 24-bit DAC for hi-res lossless music playback, now available with Amazon Music HD for R220 monthly . But unless you have the cash to double up on subs, you might have to ask yourself if you’re willing to say goodbye to Spotify.

5 Studio chatter A built-in Zigbee smart home hub allows the Studio to talk to compatible devices, and it works as well as you’d hope. Entirely hands-free, you can control your smart lighting, change the temperature, set timers and loads more.

Good Meh Evil

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24 hours with the Amazon Echo Studio

10mins 20mins 38

1hr

2hrs

3hrs

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6hrs

7hrs

8hrs

FIRST TEST AMAZON ECHO STUDIO

Techspecs Audio 3x 2in midrange drivers, 1x 1in tweeter, 1x 5.25in woofer with bass port Mics 7x far-field Compatibility Fire OS, Android, iOS Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mini-optical, 3.5mm aux Dimensions 206x175x175mm, 3.5kg

2

Product placement Before setting up your Echo Studio, best give a bit of thought to where you want to put it…

■ Respect your shelf

■ Boom, wake the room

■ Right hear waiting

■ Inner city blue

If a shelf seems like the obvious spot, know you’re not going to get the best output that way. This speaker needs a decent amount of space above and around it to work its magic.

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3

17hrs

18hrs 21hrs

23hrs

24hrs

Add your various accounts (all the major streaming services are supported), connect to your smart home devices and you’re good to go. The Alexa app is one of the best out there.

Once you’ve plugged it in, head over to the Alexa app, which will probably need to update. While initialising, the Studio will automatically perform some calibration tests to assess the acoustics.

When you wake Alexa, a ring will illuminate in a familiar shade of blue.

It’s also on top of the speaker that you’ll find volume controls, an Alexa wake button and another that disables the mic.

Debate will rage about whether the Studio sounds better than its competitors, but it squashes the perception that Echo speakers can’t handle music. Right now 3D audio isn’t the top reason to buy one, because the library is majorly lacking, but classical music in particular benefits. And of course, this is an excellent speaker for Alexa smarts.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩ Easily the best-sounding Echo speaker you can buy – and the 3D audio is a lot of fun 39

FIRST TEST AMAZON ECHO STUDIO

The alternatives: Alexa smart speakers

Yes, there probably is an Echo in here, judging by the millions of new devices Amazon recently announced at once. Here are two more…

Amazon Echo (3rd gen) R2600 / audicoonline.co.za

from R1 425 / geewiz.co.za

What’s the story?

Amazon reckons this third generation of its standard Echo will be the best yet.

But of course, it’s far from the only company wanting to sell you a sub-R3000 smart speaker with aspirations to half-decent 360° audio. So is it a real upgrade, or does this particular Echo sound exactly the same?

What’s the story?

The Echo Dot has always been far smarter than the hockey puck it resembles.

It can tell you just about anything… and yet apparently, more than almost anything else, Echo users ask Alexa for the time. So sticking an LED clock on the 2019 iteration may go down as Amazon’s biggest no-brainer to date.

Is it any good?

It looks like any other Echo – but borrowing the upward-firing tweeter and downward-firing bass driver from the Echo Plus, it throws out far better sound than the 2nd-gen version. In fact, the only real difference compared to the R3800 Plus is the lack of a Zigbee hub for directly connecting smart home devices. It’s possible to form a stereo pair and even add an Echo Sub, although for the absolute best sound in the Echo family you’ll still need to plump for the Studio on the previous page.

Is it any good?

The Dot is one of the best bargains in tech… and now you can get one with a clock for an extra R440. If you don’t want the clock, buy the cheaper one.

Everyone’s happy. Bear in mind that for an extra R1 000 you can get an Echo Show 5, a proper smart display, but for us the Echo Dot gives a more solid Alexa performance.

And then there’s Google, whose wall-mountable Nest Mini does much the same with the Assistant ecosystem. It’s just a case of picking your preferred AI and building your smart home setup around it.

KEY SPECS Compatibility Fire OS, Android, iOS Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm Audio 3in woofer, 0.8in tweeter Mics 7 Dimensions 148x99x99mm, 780g

Stuff says ★★★★★

Can you live without Zigbee? Of course you can!

40

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock

KEY SPECS Compatibility Fire OS, Android, iOS Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm Audio 1.6in speaker Mics 4 Dimensions 99x99x43mm, 300g

Stuff says ★★★★★

It’s hard to see how the Echo Dot can get much better

TESTED APPS

Mini meme

● HappyCow

It’s an actual fact that it costs more in terms of resources to put beef on a plate than lettuce.

Which means that vegans have a bit of a point when it comes to their food choices. If you’re pondering the occasional ecofriendly night on the town the HappyCow app’ll point you in the direction of your nearest vegan or vegetarian sit-down meal dispensation station. That should make a few cows happy.

R51 / Android ● R60 / iOS

● CoGo

Plenty of businesses happen to be run by buggers who hate the world, their staff and your face.

Fortunately, you can avoid them by installing CoGo. Well, you can at least define your personal values – carbon-conscious companies, co-operatives, the living wage and such like – before perusing a map that highlights ethnical and sustainable businesses whose outlooks reflect your own.

Free / Android, iOS

USE APPS TO SAVE HUMANITY Well, that’s probably asking a bit much… but these ethical and eco-friendly options might at least save you getting a very hard stare from Greta Thunberg

● Refill

Buying water that’s been sucked out of the ground hundreds of miles away, poured into a plastic bottle you’ll later toss, travelled on a massive truck and finally ended up in a shop? That’s not doing a lot for your eco-warrior credentials. However, getting dehydrated is also bad news.

So grab a refillable canteen and this app, and hope its database of where you can fill up free of charge is suitably accurate.

Free / Android, iOS

● Eco-Tracker

There are various habit trackers you can install on your iPhone, but this one specifically focuses on eco-friendly tasks. The idea is that, every day, you rate your success on things like walking, using electronic devices rather than paper (apart from Stuff) and avoiding single-use plastic.

Over time your stats create a colourful bar chart, enabling you to see at a glance what you need to work on.

Free / iOS

● Olio

Bought too many fresh veggies or cleaning supplies? Have stuff lying around your home just sitting there? Just feel like giving back? Neighbourly app Olio lets you snap a picture of the stuff you’re willing to share, post a listing and let nearby folks in need (who also have the app) head to a pre-arranged meeting point to pick it all up. The stuff you can offer is not limited to groceries, you can share other bits too.

Free / Android, iOS

● Forest

In this productivity aid, you set a timer and avoid using your phone as the clock ticks down.

Succeed and you get a virtual tree to plant; should you wobble and change apps, Forest sternly tells you to switch back. Ignore this warning and your tree becomes a dead stick. Success also earns you coins to spend on planting real trees – a solid reward for just getting on with your work anyway.

R28 / Android ● R30 / iOS 41

HAPPY NERD YEAR 42

Mobile p44

Gamers p46

Music p50

Kids p48

Fitness p52

Retro p54

DIY p56 Photo p58 Budget p60

The start of a new year is always a time of looking at what comes next, of setting up plans for the coming months. We’ve just entered a fresh decade. Here’s the tech you need to take along into the future.

Mid-range p62

Luxury p64

43

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● Apple Watch Series 5 Apple’s Watch Series 4 was already awesome, from a full suite of fitness smarts to a shell that set the bar for every smartwatch. So what was left to change for Series 5? The always-on display for even quicker interactions, for a start.

There’s a size, design and strap to suit everyone, and you might even like splashing out on a Nike, Hermes or Edition model made from ceramic or titanium. Properly fancy, they are. from R8 000 / myistore.co.za

Watch the screen

The combination of an ultra-low-power display and an ambient light sensor means the S5’s battery will normally last a full day.

Watch your step

The built-in compass can show you which way you’re facing along with incline, elevation, latitude and longitude readings.

Watch that volume

Among the S5’s health and wellbeing features is a new Noise app that notifies you of dangerous ambient sound levels.

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NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

ch dies

SoundMagic E11D EverythingfromtheGooglePixel4 to the OnePlus 7T has now ditched the humble headphone port. Still don’t want to go wireless?SoundMagic’sE11Dearphones are your answer. More than just a jack swap, these aluminium in-ears pack a DAC in their USB-C cable for enhanced audio quality – proof that plug-ins still have their place.

R790 / sound-magic.co.za

be oftech ming tanglesain’thalf astress-reliever andbecomes analtogether classieraffair withGreenwich Design’sClippers.

Andthey’remade fromthesame leatherusedin Bentleycars.

R790 (pack of 3) / greenwich.design

Anker PowerCore 10000 PD WantaUSB-C backupbattery with18Wpower deliverythatcan fillaphoneinhalf thetime?You needthisbeast fromAnker.Its 10000mAhwill keepyourphone goingforlongafter you’retiredoffiring snapsatyour Instagramstory.

R1 620 / importitall.co.za

AirFly Pro

Belkin BoostUP 10W Ifyou’replanningondepartinghomeina hurry,youruntheriskofadepleted smartphone.Belkin’swirelesscharger mitigatesthatlittleproblem.Notonly doesitfunctionasastand,butitsupports allQi-enableddevices.Whetheryou’re rockingSamsung,Apple,LG,orHuawei tech,you’resetforwirelesscharging action.The10Wratingalsoletsyoutop uptomaxpowerquickerthanever.

R700 / takealot.com

ON THE MOVE

You can’t seem to sit still? Always on planes?

Let us help you make that more efficient

Mous FlexLine Lightning Cable This reinforced Apple Lightning lead has been tested for 10 000 bends and can apparently lift a 140kg load – useful to know.

Great for reliable charging, even better as a Rapunzel-style escape rope.

R445 / mous.co

Amazfit GTR In the search for a smartwatch, you’ve got a couple of great choices. If Xiaomi’s Amazit GTR isn’t on your radar, you may make the wrong one. A (claimed) 24-day battery, AMOLED display, battery of sensors and exercise tracking hope to swing you over to the ‘buy one’ option.

Water resistance up to 5 ATM and on-device GPS should finish the job.

R3 000 / smartphoneshop.co.za

Nomad USB-C Cable

Nodus Shell Case II

Kevlar can stop bullets and reinforce F1 cars.

Using it to make a USB-C cable might be overkill, but at least you know Nomad’s cord won’t let you down after just a few loops. And the connector housings are crafted from a robust alloy.

R650 / hello nomad.com

Wrap an iPhone 11 in this leather case and it’ll stick to the wall. Shock-proof, shielded and compatible with wireless chargers, its hidden skill is revealed when you pair it with the bundled magnetic Micro Dock. Attach italmostanywhere and your mobile will hold fast.

R760 / nodus collection.com

UAG Pathfinder (S10/+) The thing about movement is… it involves velocity, in various ways.

Help keep your precious phone safe from velocity (the downwards kind) with UAG’s light and rugged armored case.

Then get a move on with the rest of your life. from R660 / shopandship.co.za

UntilTwelveSouth releaseditsAirFly in-flightBluetooth adapter,wireless earphoneowners had to either lip-read movies onflightsorput up with the airline’s owncrappybuds.

Nowmeetthe Pro–pluggedinto any3.5mmjack, it canbeamanaudio streamtotwo pairsatonce.

R810 / twelvesouth.com

Anden Domino Incorporating the Apple Watch magnetic charger into an Anden Domino takes your timepiece to the next level.

Merging metal and wood, this accessory is named after the ‘domino’ dowel used in joinery to fix timber. from R3 600 / made byanden. co.uk

45

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● Sega Mega Drive Mini You don’t need to be a ’90s kid to know about gaming’s 16-bit glory days – and even someone who thinks the Mega Drive is a golf shot can tell you what Sonic looks like. Relive the authentic Sega experience with an HDMI-connected half-size repro: the Mini ships with 42 built-in games and a pair of USB controllers for a dose of nostalgia so strong it’ll have you reaching for MiniDiscs (not that there’s anything wrong with MiniDiscs).

R1 400 / raru.co.za

Binary finery

The Mini’s title menu music comes from legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro, who also wrote the score to Streets of Rage II.

Opening titles

Among the console’s 42 built-in games you’ll find such classics as Sonic, Street Fighter II and Earthworm Jim.

Wired for soundness

Old-school console meets new-school connections: the Mega Drive Mini is HDMI and USB all the way.

46

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

Logitech G Pro X Keyboard Lego Overwatch Wrecking Ball This Overwatch-themed set from Lego is primed for fans of the team shooter, and the rolling mech’s rodent pilot is instantly recognisable as Hammond.

For everyone else, he’s a small hamster riding an angry brick-built ball with cannons. Either way, what could be better than that?

R360 / greatyellowbrick.co.za

Musiciansplay keyboardsto makesweet music,andgamers useinstruments likethisoneto dothesame:like therat-a-tatof gunfire,withthe player’sfingers aflurryofpoetic motionover theswappable backlitkeys.

R1 800 / pcexpress.co.za

Nintendo Switch Lite TheSwitchthat can’tswitchis amasterstroke.

Sure,youcan’t popoffJoy-Cons forfunwiththe fam,butyoucan enjoygameson thevibrantscreen whilerelishingthe presenceofan actualphysical D-pad–allfor agooddealless thanitsbigbro.

R4 000 / store. nintendo.co.za

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Core i9 Gaming PC SeriousPCgamersneedseriousPCtech.

You don’t get much more serious than a desktop PC, made to spec. Evetech’s top-end Core i9 offering starts with an i9-9820X, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a GeForce RTX 2080 8GB GPU and a 480GB SSD as options. Those are all good numbers, promise. But you can spec it up if you wanna… from R36 000 / evetech.co.za

GAME GEEKS

Life’s a game, but it’s got one heck of a difficulty spike. This tech’ll soften the blow

Dorothy Game Map If Dorothy’s geographical image of gaming history were itself a game, it would be one of the hardest. It begins at the Pokemon Stadium, taking a right onto Sega Mega Drive before passing Luigi’s Mansion. Luckily, it’s just a very clever poster.

R630 / wearedorothy.com

G-Shock Pikachu Baby-G

8BitDo SN30 Pro+ What’s better than a customisable crossplatform wireless controller connected to your console? Having one with easily mappable buttons, adjustable levels of sensitivity, variable vibration and internal storage for game-specific settings, maybe? One that works with PC, Switch, Pi and more? This one packs all that into a shell inspired by the classic gamepads.

R860 / banggood.com

For true Pokémon fans, there’s only one accessory worth having: a 2003 Pokéball bought from a supermarket dispenser. Or, this more subtle Casio mash-up with Pikachu lightning and a dial design paying homage to the original games.

R1 900 (import) / g-shock.com

Oculus Go Facebook’s Oculus Go is the quickest way for you to dive into the world of VR without resorting to a cardboard face mask. The simple controller, integrated audio, and lightweight build, as well as the lack of a PC driving it, permit VR exploration at an accessible price from R5 500 / 180by2.co.za

SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless It’s sounds that make a game, so get your ears in on the action with these capable cans. Wirelessly compatible with PC, PS4, Switch and Android, they pack a detachable noise-cancelling microphone and a steel-reinforced headband.

Rtba / steelseries.com

Elitismisadirty word–except whenyou’re gaming,oryou’ll besnipedand lootedbeforeyou cansay‘eSports qualifier’.The secondgenof Microsoft’sfancy wirelesspadisa realaristocrat.

R2 650 / bigapplebuddy.com

NES Hoodie Show your gamer colours with this rather subdued hoodie from Nintendo. Based on the original NES system, it’s perfect for picking out other gamers in social settings.

Those who can’t tell their NES from their MegaDrive will just think you’re being delightfully retro.

R900 / store. nintendo.co.za

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NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

Puro JuniorJams Bluetooth Children’ssongs aremadeto be overplayed, buttheFrozen soundtrackwill drainthelast dregsofyour sanity.These wirelesscans willgiveyousome peacefromDisney tunes…and,with a safe85dBlimit, peaceofmind.

R1 800 / melhor.co.za

Toniebox Starter Set The Toniebox is an intuitive audiobook experience.

Pop a Tonie on top and the story starts, or resumes where it left off.

There’s a whole cast of characters available, from Simba to Baloo to Lightning McQueen, each with a yarn to spin.

R2 800 / fredmuk.com

48

Kano Star Wars The Force Coding Kit Fitbit Ace 2 You don’t need a fitness tracker to tell you your kids just spent two hours building a pillow fort, but Fitbit’s kid-friendly band can help them build healthy habits. Virtual badges encourage anhourofdailyactivity,whilemovement reminders get them to shake a leg if they’ve been lounging in front of the TV set for too long.

R1 500 / fitbit.com

Theymightnot helpwithabroken hyperdrive,but codingskillsare indispensablefor futurefixers.This kitletsyourkids buildamotion sensorthatpairs withalaptopor tabletforarangeof Force-likemoves.

R3 200 / melhor.com

Unleashinga droneindoorsis brave,butthis first-timeflyer shouldn’tshred yourcurtains.

Aplasticcage aroundtheprops keepsornaments andtinyfingers safe,whilethe sensorsprevent collisionsthen guideithometo yourhand.

R710 / shop.oaxis.com

Nintendo Labo VR Kit Pack There’s bound to be a mess of cardboard litter when you’re done… but Nintendo’s flat-pack set is far from corrugated waste. Pick one of the six accessories to assemble first, slip in a Switch and watch as the wonderful world of VR opens up.

Sample Super Mario Odyssey with the Goggles, fend off aliens with the Blaster or go really wild with the Elephant.

R700 / store.nintendo.co.za

TECH KIDS

Tech isn’t exclusive to the adults in the room. The kiddies deserve some too

Sphero RVR This all-terrain rover could keep kids thinking all the way to adulthood. Start with simple Draw & Drive coding, step up to Scratch Blocks, then dive into projects that connect with a Raspberry Pi. If they fancy having a go at hacking?

Sphero’s tough bot is all for it.

R4 050 / amazon.com

Oaxis MyFirst Drone

Robomaster S1 The careers of tomorrow will involve coding, robotics or engineering.

That’s just what DJI’s new drone teaches kids. The fact that it’s also a ground-based tank drone with a safe-to-use turret has nothing to do with our excitement.

R10 000 / ormsdirect.co.za

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition This child-friendly slate is wrapped in a tough bumper and has been designed to handle kids using it. The only real downside? The free year’s access to Fire for Kids Unlimited isn’t supported in South Africa as yet.

R2 900 / bidorbuy.co.za

Detective Dot Megapack

Hasbro Fortnite AR-L Nerf Elite Dart Blaster Putting a dart-blaster in the arms of any child high on holiday sugar is risky, but using scoping skills honed on Fortnite to mercilessly target the in-laws has its benefits: the AR-L only comes with 20 darts, so while your terrors scramble around to replenish their ammunition you can score some Brownie points by making yourself a human shield.

R1 100 / takealot.com

Your 007 moment may have passed, but your kids can still become spies with this challenge that gets them using codes and logic to follow clues and solve ciphers to complete missions. It comes in an envelope marked ‘top secret’, naturally.

R570 / detectivedot.org

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● TechWillSaveUs Arcade Coder Getting your youngster to take a break from bashing buttons isn’t easy… so they can still get their game on with this interactive pad, but they’ll be learning too. The portable Arcade Coder encourages kids to tweak, code, create and share their own multiplayer experiences. They can customise pre-made ideas in the partner app or go wild in the sandbox. Who knows, maybe they’ll create a Pong for the Fortnite generation and make you a millionaire.

R3 420 / techwillsaveus.com

Tech start-up

Kids get their own assistant Game Designer in the accompanying app, plus over 500 hours of tips,tricks and tutorials.

Ooh, friend!

The Arcade Coder supports up to four players so there’s no excuse when they drag you away from Netflix.

Bored game?

You can also put gaming to one side, switch to Painter Mode and get creative with the 144 multicoloured LEDs.

49

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● UE Ralis It seems almost sacrilegious to play grunge on a technology that wasn’t even a glimmer back in 1994 but we reckon that Pearl Jam aren’t going to mind the extra Spotify cash at all. A lesson in Swedish understatement, the Ralis packs room-filling Bluetooth sound in a case you can carry around. The two tweeters and 10W woofer give Eddie Vedder’s wailing refrain room to breathe, while dual-host support lets you share DJ duties with a fellow fan.

R5 000 / amazon.com

Even flow

It’ll stream the Pearl Jam back catalogue for more than 20 hours straight before the battery begins to give in. That may be 10 hours too many.

Spin the black circle

This multi-directional speaker packs the latest Bluetooth 5.0 for a wireless range of up to 10 metres from your sound source.

50

Man of the hour

The Ralis doubles as a portable powerbank, so it can charge your phone at the same time as it’s blasting out Green Disease.

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

AudioTechnica LP60XBT

Sony NW A100TPS Sony’s40th-anniversaryWalkman comesinpackagingthatpayshomage tothe1979original.Itswapscassettes for16GBofdigitalstorage,buttheglorious twistinthetailisthe3.6inHDdisplaythat displaystracksasahandwrittenmixtape.

Asit’saSonytheplayersupportshi-res audio,whilea‘vinylprocessor’gives analoguewarmthtoyourdigitaltracks.

R7600 (import) / sony.com

Don’treduce recordsto‘decor’ status:dropyour waxonadecent turntablefora properanalogue experience.With supportforwired andBluetooth speakers,thisfully automaticdeck willhelphipsters enjoytheirLPs therightway.

R5 000 / takealot.co.za

Beats Solo Pro Usingthesame H1chipasApple’s AirPodsPro,these noise-cancellers aredesignedto keepyouserene at30000ft,with upto22hoursof ANClisteningtime andaone-button transparency modeforlettingin justenoughnoise tohearcabincrew announcements.

Rtba / myistore.co.za

Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 B&O Beosound Edge Ifyou’reintoexcellentaudioandhigh-end décor,theBeoSoundEdgeisrightupyour exquisitelyappointedalley.Comprising fivedrivers(a10inwoofter,dual4inmids, andapairof3/4intweeters),theEdge supportsApple’sAirplay2,Bluetooth,or Chromecaststreamingandistouch-and multi-speakerenabled(providedyour budgetstretchesthatfar)–allwhilenot lookinglikeaspeakeratall.

R13 500 / audicoonline.co.za

MUSIC FANS

Audio fans demand the very best from their tech. Sounds like a good idea to us

Traktor Kontrol S2 From budding bedroom DJs to semi-pros, the S2 is the best-built controller we’ve seen at this price, backed by the best bundled DJ software in Traktor Pro 3. You may find yourself called on to DJ a few less-than-stellar events before you go pro, though.

R5 500 / audiomart.co.za

67 Inc Bands as Beermats If there’s one thing committed listeners love more than high-fidelity audio, it’s an inside joke. The band banter here comes in the form of a printed collection of mock-up musical beermats. From The Smiths Bitter to Led Zep’s Black Dog Ale via the Stone Roses’ Ian Brown Ale, the only way they could look better would be underneath a full beer glass.

R760 / 67inc.com

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3

Ikea Symfonisk Table Lamp

Senny’s over-ear noise-cancellers are made from such strokably soft sheep leather, it’s a good thing they’ll stay in the box when you wrap them or you might never let go.

Signature styling and top sound make these fit for any high flyer.

R8 300 / mitechdirect.co.za

Forget flat packs and meatballs, and try some 2-in-1 joy from an Ikea collaboration with Sonos. The base of this lamp houses a Wi-Fi speaker that will pair with another for true stereo and can be added to a Sonos multiroom network – a real lightbulb moment.

R2 850 / ikea.com

Cambridge’strue wirelessbuds offerasenseof sonicsatisfaction forninehourson asinglecharge… and36more withthecarry case.Evenmore impressiveisthe sound,thanks totheirgraphenereinforced5.8mm drivers.

R1 900 / ubuy.za.com

T-Lab C90 Poster

Klipsch T5M Wired

Ah, tapes. If you weren’t rewinding them with a pencil, you were bootlegging live sets off the radio.

Recall the glory days without getting in a tangle by gifting this bold print – its stylised design makes for a far classier homage to the ’80s than any Spandex pants.

R500 / t-lab.eu

There’s no denying the trend is for true wireless, but wired buds still rock when it comes to bringing out the finer detail in your music.

These Klipsch jobs are equal parts dynamic, clear and comfortable, with sweat-resistant oval eartips for a snug fit.

R1 400 / audicoonline.co.za

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NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

Amazfit Bip Lite Thislittletracker is anythingbuta lightweightat keepingpeople active.It’sjust 32gbutpacksa 45-daybattery life –alongwith remindersand multiplesports modes.Cutback on itsfunctionality anditcantrack for fourmonths.

R1 800 / smartphoneshop. co.za

52

UA Rush Compression We can’t do the workout for you but we can suggest stuff that’ll help. Under Armour’s Rush Compression tops use embedded minerals to reflect energy back into your body. At high enough levels, you’ll turn into the Incredible Hulk… wait, that’s gamma radiation. UA’s tops do improve performance, keeping your muscles working more effectively.

R1 500 / underarmour.com

Jabra Elite Active 45e

Lumos Matrix

Jabra’s waterproof wireless buds aim to give long-term comfort, nine hours of battery life and top-notch audio. Whether used by a veteran runner, hardcore cyclist, gym junkie or fitness noob, the Elites are solid buds with a neck strap for when they’re not in use.

R1 800 / circuitcity.co.za

For protection that’ll get your favourite cyclist noticed, this helmet is fronted by a bar of white light while round the back is an RGB dot matrix display.

This offers an automatic brake signal and the option to trigger turning indicators with an app.

R3 800 (import) / lumoshelmet.co

Beryl Pixel

MyzoneMZ-3

Theglowfrom alongworkout mightmakeyou ‘feelalive’,but endorphinsalone won’thelpdrivers spotthemona darkevening.This tinylightwill.Itcan burnredorwhite forupto10hours, andthankstothe bundledmount itcanbesecurely clippedtoabike helmet,seatstem, pocketorstrap.

R380 / beryl.cc

First prize for the New Year is your own personal trainer. Myzone won’t barkorders, butitsowner will score points for effort related to max heart rate.

The combo of chest strap and app delivers accuracy,but ahostofother wearablesare alsoavailable.

R4 050 / pclinkshop.com

Urbanista Athens Whetherit’sEminemorEnya,theright playlistcouldshavesecondsoffaPB… butdanglingcablescandistractrunners ofallfitnesslevels(andmusicaltastes).

ThesedinkyBluetoothbudswillspur ‘athletes’on,whileIP67waterproofing meanseventhewettestsummershower won’tcutthemusic.There’svoicecontrol, andeighthoursononecharge.

R2 400 / urbanista.com

FIT FREAKS

It’s no stretch to say you’ll battle to exercise control when faced with this fitness tech

Alphaedge 4D Running tech is everywhere, including your feet. Adidas’ Alphaedge 4D is named for its midsole, which is printed using the company’s fancy Futurecraft tech.

Long story short, you’re looking at a more stable run that’s less taxing on the leg.

R5 000 / adidas.co.za

Fitbit Aria Air It’s a brave techuser who steps on the scales straight after the festive binge; but if they’re committed, Fitbit’s latest scales are the smartest way to track progress.

The pressure plate will feed figures into the partner app, plotting them alongside other data to map your weight and BMI trends over time.

Rtba / fitbit.com

Garmin Swim 2

Withings BPM Core The state of your heart isn’t just a topic for power ballads. Anyone who wraps this connected band around an arm will get an accurate assessment of blood pressure, plus an ECG to listen out for heart irregularities. Results are sent to a smartphone via Wi-Fi, where they can dive in for all the deets without having to book an appointment with their GP. R4 380 (import) / withings.com

There’s nothing quite like swimming to beat the summer heat.

Double it up as a workout by adding the Swim 2. Strap this on your wrist, select the openwater mode and go. It’ll count strokes, track distance and read heart rates underwater.

R4 800 / garmin.com

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● Polar Ignite Polar’s sleek, stylish, waterproof watch tracks heartbeats through sweaty runs and bike rides alike. More than that, the FitSpark training guide serves up ready-made workouts for all fitness levels, while recovery measurement, sleep stage tracking and in-built breathing exercises aim to look after health long after the sweat has dried. Available in various finishes and with a battery that can last for five days, its features belie its price.

R4 000 / polar.com

Polar nice caps

The Ignite touts a colour touchscreen with 240x204 resolution.

It’s bright and displays data and text in a vibrant way.

Polar bearable

FitSpark uses data gathered by the Ignite, including training history and sleep score,to suggest exercises to push you harder.

Polar express

Everything you do while wearing the Ignite is recorded via a heart monitor that combines three sensors for accuracy.

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● Capcom Home Arcade An actual arcade cabinet might make for an authentic gaming experience, but short of selling the TV and standing one in the living room, you might struggle to find the space. Gift the next best thing with this retro deck from Capcom. No everyday emulator, this full-size replica of an arcade controller is built to be durable, with premium joysticks, buttons you’ll love to push and, most importantly, a host of classic games built in.

R4 000 / iwantoneofthose.com

This is mega, man

The Home Arcade connects to screens via HDMI; spark it up and you’ll be greeted by 16 stunningly reproduced titles.

Greet fighter two

Be there when it’s installed because it supports two-player action – though you’ll be sitting mighty close together.

Bigger wing

The device has been left open for future firmware updates over the internet, so don’t rule out extra games being added later.

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NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

G-Shock GM-5600 B-1ER

Marshall Stockwell II Marshall’s guitar amps have done the business for everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Motorhead, so bring rock’n’roll to your Bluetooth rodeo with the Stockwell II speaker.Styledlikeitsfull-sizeforebears and topped by a neat fabric handle, this beautifully built speaker packs punchy sound, EQ knobs and a battery that can last longer than the Energizer Bunny.

R4 000 / takealot.com

Squareface, chunkystrap, ’80slines…yep, it’saG-Shock.

Wantrugged Casiocredentials tomatchthe throwbacklooks?

Thiswearable doesawaywith theusualplastic fareandisallabout themetal,withan ion-platedcase.

R1 400 / tictacarea.com

Smeg Citrus Juicer There’satouchof TheJetsonsabout thisSmegJuicer.

Andifyouknow someonewho doesn’tget enoughgoodness intheirlife,it’llhelp themgethealthy whilestandingstill bysettingthejuice loosefromfruit forafarfresher versionofwhat’s onshelves.

R2500/ yuppiechef.com

Gearbox Automatic MkII Polaroid OneStep 2 Retro instant cameras all look warm and fuzzilyfamiliar,butthisparticularversion has been pleasingly styled as a salute to the original Polaroid OneStep snapper from 1977. The revived shooter might be back with Bluetooth connectivity, but there’s no mistaking the analogue warmth of the physical prints (i-Type or 600) that it produces – imperfect, just like your childhood. from R2 800 / takealot.com

RETRO CHIC

Everything old is new again, which means everything new is looking a little…old?

The C64 Fire up some Duran Duran: the Commodore 64 is back. Packed with 64 games in all their 8-bit glory, this retro reboot is no knock-off.

Besides an authentic beige finish and bundled micro-switch joystick, the C64 can also load additional games via USB. R2 000 / iwant oneofthose.com

Suck UK Wireless Cassette Speaker For the ultimate retro speaker surprise, you could spend weeks hollowing out an old cassette, cramming in tiny drivers and waiting for the perfect moment to reveal your analogue deception. Or, for the same effect, try this Bluetooth number artfully disguised as a tape – the only hint is the USB charging port.

R750 / suck.uk.com

Roberts Rambler BT

Elago W5 Stand

This smart radio and speaker is styled just like the original Rambler of the 1970s, complete with gleaming grille and brutal right angles. But there’s Bluetooth and DAB to drag them into the 21st century… and an aerial for FM reception.

R4 000 / fredmuk.com

Slip your Apple Watch and its charger into this reincarnation of the GameBoy, complete with D-pad and dinky buttons. Faithful down to the speaker grille and chunky form factor, the stand ships in four shades… but it’s got to be grey all the way, surely?

R680 / elago.com

Gift Republic Vinyl Wireless Charger Drop your phone on actual vinyl and receive a clip around the ear for damaging the grooves. Drop one on this ‘record’ and you’ll receive both a charged mobile and admiring glances from fellow retro lovers.

R680 / giftrepublic.com

Ifmid-century chiciswhatpiques yourinterest, thistransparent turntableshould putyouinaspin.

Inspiredbythe BraunPC3-SV,it hasanupgraded beltdriveandalso provesfunctional formcanlook ratherfantastic.

R10 500 / store.gear boxrecords.com

Arcade Game Typography It’s not easy to be artistic in an 8x8 grid, yet designers in the early days of gaming used a canvas just that big to create typography so iconic it’s still aped today. This bold coffee-table compendium tells the full story.

R670 / thames andhudson.com

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Leather Apron

Mortise Smart Lock

3Doodler Create+

Nothingsaid“I madethis”likean internetmeme.

Oh,andaleather apron,madein SouthAfrica,from fullgraincowhide.

It comesinblack or brown,withone pocketortwo.

Feelinglikea blacksmith?Yeah, that’sfree.What moredoyouwant, it’s astripofcow.

R1 350 / kingkong leather.co.za

Keepyourhomeslash-factory securewitha smartlockwhich addsPINand Bluetoothaccess toyourproperty.

Userscanset termlimitsfor accessandrevoke themusingthe app,plusthereare alsoaccesslogs soyouknow who’sbeenby.

R6 500 / makro.co.za

Ahandheld3D printersoundslike anexcellentidea tocreatecustom plasticspaghetti sculptures.We’ve onlyfoundone goodonesofar– the3Doodler– andtheCreate+ carriesonthe tradition.Thiskit comeswithABS andPLArefillsfor theupgradedpen.

R1 800 / takealot.com

iFixIt Pro Tech Toolkit You could send your busted tech in for repair but where’s the point when you can do it yourself. If you’d bought this comprehensive tech repair kit, with grippers, picks, tweezers, spudgers (great word!) and 64 driver bits, you would have been able to. Obviously.

R850 / accu.co.uk

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Dewalt XR Bluetooth What’s the most important tool on a job?

A drill? A screwdriver? An angle grinder?

Wrong, wrong and wrong: it’s a speaker.

Sure it can’t make holes in a wall but without audio accompaniment, construction would grind to a halt. Bring tunes to the build with DeWalt’s durable Bluetooth boomer: rugged, punchy and styled like a power tool so it fits in on site.

R1 680 / toolservices.co.za

Think creating new noises needs a huge arrayofknobsandswitches?Notwitha Volca. Analogue and semi-modular, this micro-synth packs pro potential without thepricetag.Fromupto50colour-coded patch points across eight modules to a 16-step sequencer for real-time beats, stick its 20 little cables where you fancy and get twiddling.

R3 410 / ubuy.za.com

BUILD ME UP

The ideal place for a joke using the word ‘Buttercup’ but you can make it yourself

Kano PC This kit will have you connecting components, grappling with code and understanding circuitry as you assemble a full touchscreen Windows PC. Then, makers big and small can harness its smarts (with the bundled keyboard case) for more coding experiments.

R5 720 / kano.me

Korg Volca Modular

TWSU Music Studio Pack

Haynes Slow Tech

Makedo Toolkit

This synth, guitar and remixer come flat-packed, so you’ll need to craft before you can play. Once up and strumming, each instrument gets them to think about sound, components and how they work in harmony – even if the resulting noise begs to differ.

R1 950 / techwillsaveus.com

Force kids to leave their phone, grab a toolbag and take this book of crafty skills to their camp site. Then watch them fire a clay pot, whittle a wooden spoon and start a fire with flint, before spit-roasting a pig and carrying it into the house like a hunter-gatherer.

R450 / amazon.com

Don’t sacrifice the creative potential of cardboard in the name of tidiness: harness its flatpack adaptability with this toolkit.

Its reusable plastic screws, driver and compact saw (safe for small hands) are everything you need to transform packaging into playthings.

R520 / eu.make.do

XYZPrinting Da Vinci Nano W This desktop 3D printer can fabricate any dinky designs you wirelessly fire at it from the app. With a printing speed of 70mm per second and a compact form factor that’s perfect for takeaway making, it’s not a bad backup in case that marzipan moulding kit doesn’t arrive in time. And while you can’t eat what the Nano W forges, at least its filament is compostable.

R3 400 (import) / bhphotovideo.com

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● Lego Technic Liebherr

R 9800 Excavator

There’s no better way to spend your last vacation days than tipping out a box of bricks and getting your build on. The only downside? Having to pick them all up. Do both at the same time with this epic excavator set. It’s more than just a digger: assemble the 4108 pieces and, thanks to seven motors and a pair of smart hubs, you’ll have a functioning plastic plant to do your bidding.

R8 000 / greatyellowbrick.co.za

If you Lieb me now

Developed with construction machine maker Liebherr,the R 9800 has a detailed cockpit with tiny accessways.

App-etite for construction

Download the Technic Control+ app to manoeuvre the boom, wield the scoop and steer the thing with your phone.

Can you dig it?

The app enables precise movement via four control screens and offers challenges to unlock in return for reward badges.

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● Polaroid Lab Pop a smartphone atop the Polaroid Lab, hit the little red button and, by the power of light alone, the image from the device’s display will appear on the paper that emerges from the bottom.

There’s no scanner or printer inside, just three lenses and a clever chemical reaction that turns pixels into print. A smart hybrid of analogue and digital, it’s a new way to share memories from your mobile and plaster the fridge in memes.

R2 600 / takealot.com

Back pane

The triple-lens system projects the image from your phone,exposing it onto Polaroid film before it develops before your eyes.

Back to life

You can create collages or bring stills to life with the AR tool: run a phone over the picture and watch the action unfold.

Back in time

Once it’s printed you’ll have a ‘vintage’ slightly faded photo, without the fear of wasting expensive film on awful shots.

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NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro

Canon EOS M200 This entry-level mirrorless camera will take anyone’s shooting game from good to great. It packs a 24MP APS-C sensor and can capture 4K footage at 24fps, while the Creative Assist mode makes top shots a cinch even for inexperienced cam-swingers. A tilting touchscreen and interchangeable lenses offer more options for creative users.

R8 000 / canon.co.za

Convincedthat alienvisitorscan beseenfromyour mom’skitchen?

Popamirrorless cameraonthis aluminiumtripod, wrapitsflexible legsarounda stableobjectand hittheshutter buttonforalong exposure.You’ll soonfindout.

R1 320 / takealot.com

SanDisk Extreme Pro SD Card USB-C Reader Headphonefans mightbemoanthe deathofthejack, butpitythepoor photographers andtheirSDcard cards.Wheredo theygonow?Pop thisreaderina USB-Csocketand you’reinbusiness.

R450 / ormsdirect.co.za

LomoMod No.1

Fujifilm Instax Mini Link Flingsnapsatthismini-printerfromyour smartphone and it’ll spit out high-res prints you can slip in your wallet, but that’s just the start of the fun. You can pair it with your phone and pick it up to control the camera, create surprise collages for friends or try matchmaking mode, which prints a couple’s romantic compatibility for all to see.

R2 000 / instax.co.za

PHOTO FANS

As pretty as a picture? That, and as well-engineered as a suspension bridge

Kodak Smile Classic This ‘Classic’ is no old-school snapper. Peek through the viewfinder, hit the shutter and – with a flash of the strobe – you’ll have a 16MP shot to print or share in a jiffy. Paired via Bluetooth, the app unlocks remote control, photo editing and AR. R3 200 / amazon.com

Lumix TZ90

Magnum Streetwise Shoot from the hip. Use a prime lens. Always tell a story. Every street photographer has their own approach, but sometimes it pays to check the best.

This hardback contains an unrivalled collection of arresting street shots that span all manner of subjects, places and concepts – from fast-and-loose framing to sharp monochrome portraits.

R690 / amazon.com

It’ll take more than a long lens to master the Kubrick zoom but, with a 30x optical range and the ability to capture 4K at 30fps, the TZ90 will certainly enhance home productions. You also get the option to select individual frames from 4K footage to save as 8MP stills.

R7 400 / ormsdirect.co.za

Lowepro Photo Active BP 200 Capturing a charging rhino while retreating up the nearest tree is the easy part. Making sure the camera gear goes with you is trickier. Stash lenses, filters and other kit in this light but rugged rucksack from Lowepro.

R3 200 / ormsdirect.co.za

Aflat-packed origamicamera craftedfrom cardboard,the LomoModNo.1 comeswithalens youfillwithliquid.

Simplydraw whateverjuice youlikeintothe syringe,injectit intothetubeand hitthebutton.Try coffeeorcognac forstainedeffects.

R1 775 / shop. lomography.com

Peak Design Slide

DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Spread the load on long shoots with this switchable sling. Affix the four anchors to a camera’s mounting points and you can flip your strap setup from sling to neck to shoulder in a snap, while smooth-moving buckles aid quick adjustments.

R1 150 / cameratek.co.za

With its three-axis gimbal, this folding holder is a brilliant boon for budding Bertoluccis. Stick a smartphone in the mount to unlock target tracking, gesture controls, one-tap shot templates and smooth footage.

You can even do the Hitchcock dolly zoom effect.

R1 900 / myistore.co.za

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NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

Snug Bluetooth Clock

Raspberry Pi Keyboard & Mouse

Shelfspacebeing at apremium meanspurchasing multi-roledevices.

Snug’sBluetooth alarmclockfits thebill,withan FMradio,microSD slot,andtheability to wirelessly chargeQi-enabled devicescombined in oneneatlittle package.

R800 / takealot.com

GoingDIYwithaPi isoneofthemost rewardingprojects around.Already gotaboard?

Completeyour creativesetup withthiskeyboard andmousebundle fromthecreators ofthemulti-use microPC.Welove thesignaturered andwhiteversion.

R380 / pishop.co.za

Rocketbook Fusion Make sure you’re the most stylish note-taker at the first meeting of the year with this hybrid notebook.

Scrawl your notes on the synthetic paper with a Pilot FriXion pen, then scan it with the app; fire a digital copy off to the boss and wipe the pages clean.

R860 / getrocket book.co.za

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Google Nest Mini Google’sdinkydomesticaidhasafabric skinfashionedfromrecycledplastic bottles.TheNestMinioffersallthegood bitsofGoogleAssistant,smarthome controls,bettervoicerecognitionand abeefierspeakerthanbefore.Teach yourrelativestosay“Hey,Google”and, whileyoumightsufferevery’70sSpotify playlist,atleastthedrinkswillbeflowing.

R1 300 / geewiz.co.za

Wanttoupyour homesecurity game?Ifyou’re alreadyfittedwith Alexatech,the HomeProisafine additiontoany collection.Night vision,face recognitionanda wide-anglelens letyouremotely peeraroundyour home,wherever youare.

R1120/ amazon.com

Huawei Band 3 Pro Needhelpshiftingthefestiveballast?

Strapthisfitnessbandtoyour wristanditssuiteoftrackingsmarts shouldhelpyougetbacktopre-season fitness.Withaheart-ratemonitor,GPS and12-daybattery,plusanAMOLED displayandmodesforallkindsofsports.

Huawei’sBand3Prowon’tbeabletolose theweightforyou.Butit’llcertainlyhelp.

R1 900 / huaweistore.co.za

BUDGET BUYS Starting the year with a depleted tech fund is no longer an excuse not to play

Tile Sticker In the rush to get ready for back to school/work, it’s easy to lose track of the little things. So here’s Tile’s adhesive Bluetooth tracker: attached to your kit, its ringer can be activated 45 metres away. And with a 3-year battery, it’ll last you through a few new years.

R770 (twin pack) / amazon.com

Blurams Home Pro

Roku Premiere

Bellroy Tech Kit

There are only so many times you can watch Adam Sandler being… well, Adam Sandler. Augment your viewing with Roku’s latest streaming box.

Compatible with a host of free services, it also works with paid platforms and supports 4K HDR. R1 400 / geewiz.co.za

Laying hands on new tech means finding a space to store the smaller bits. This is more than just a cable tidy: it’s capacious, cleverly divided and crafted from recycled woven fabric, so you can holster a whole haul of peripherals with a clean eco conscience.

R1 160 / bellroy.com

Yubikey

Amazon Echo Flex Between your newest kit and your old stuff, wall sockets are rare. Why waste a precious charging point on yet another power brick when you can upgrade it with Alexa? With all the smarts of Amazon’s digital assistant crammed into a package the size of a plug, the Echo Flex can control your smart home kit, respond to voice commands and talk to other Echo devices.

R480 / amazon.com

The ultraparanoid are… perhaps right to be when it comes to internet security. Increase yours with the Yubikey, which provides for single-, doubleand multi-factor authentication, all handled by a little key. One day we’ll be implanting ‘em.

Honest.

R1 150 / takealot.com

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

● Fresh ’n Rebel Rockbox Bold S We’ve encountered enough plucky short people and discovered enough unexpectedly-tasty sweets to know that good things come in small packages. That’s definitely the case with this diminutive Bluetooth cube as well: at just 8.5cm across, the second-smallest Rockbox Bold packs a battery good for a whole 12 hours, an in-built microphone for easy speaker-based phone calls and audio beef that belies its compact form.

Rtba / freshnrebel.com

Bold two in one

Linking two Rockbox Bolds for stereo sound is a piece of cake – and you can also mix and match from six different colours.

And repeat

Thanks to the durable waterproof fabric, Fresh ’n Rebel says rinsing off a dirty Rockbox is just fine if New Years Eve gets out of hand.

Off the hook

A side strap means the Bold S can be hooked onto trouser belt loops… or perhaps worn as earrings like the Laughing Cow.

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● Wacaco Nanopresso

Orange Patrol

New years are usually times of increased activity. You may need some liquid encouragement throughout the year, however. This lightweight cylinder can pump out proper espresso wherever you go. Simply tamp in your grounds, fill the 80ml tank and pump up the pressure. You’ll soon have a steaming brew to move you… and that orange jacket should brighten bleary eyes.

R1 300 / yuppiechef.com

Barista assister

Built around a newly patented pumping system, the Nanopresso can reach a maximum of 18 bars of pressure.

Brush tucker

You also get a built-in espresso cup, filter basket, scoop and brush.

All components can be separated for easy cleaning.

Pumping iron power

It’s a physical job, but Wacaco claims you’ll need 15% less force to pump this model compared to previous versions.

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Huawei Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Native Union Jump+ Wireless Powerbank What’s worse than being stuck in an Eskom power outage? Being stuck in an outage with a flat phone. Perfect for South Africans, this huge 12 000mAh battery pack rapidly boosts phones via USB-C – and you can juice two other devices at the same time thanks to a USB-A port and wireless charging.

R1 770 / nativeunion.com

HavingaBluetooth speakerisessential inSA.Notonlywill yourmusicplay whereveryouare, theintegrated batteriesmean Eskomcan’t wreckyourvibe.

Huawei’spairlet youbroadcastin stereoforthe priceofasingle Bluetoothspeaker.

R1 500 / huaweistore.co.za

Urbanista Stockholm Steeringclearof mom’sIglesias hourbecomesa littleeasierwith theseunderstated Bluetoothbuds.

Truewirelessand equippedwitha micthatworks withSiriand GoogleAssistant, thestylishstems canlastfor3.5hrs, orupto14withthe chargingcase.

R1 780 / urbanista.com

Mophie Dual Wireless Charging Pad Logitech MX Master 3 A new year ahead means a new set of work – much of it spent scrolling on a PC. What you need is the electromagnetic MagSpeed wheel on this sculpted mouse. Capable of whizzing through 1000 lines of spreadsheet in a single second, the silent scroller can also be switched to ratchet mode for instant precision when needed.

Rtba / logitech.com

UP THE ANTE

The sexiest tech doesn’t have to cost as much as a car payment or three

Master Lock Bluetooth Smart Padlock

Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf Speaker

Nanoleaf Canvas Smarter Kit Mini

This padlock can be operated via an app and allows visitor access for tradespeople and other guests.

Master Lock used to help out Houdini; here the app tells you if someone equally slippery is tampering with it.

R1 450 / masterlock.com

Ikea’s Wi-Fi speaker makes connected audio affordable thanks to a clever collaboration with Sonos. It supports all sorts of streaming services and can integrate with an existing Sonos multiroom system.

R1 900 / ikea.com

The idea of light-up tiles with a touch interface should be cool enough on its own, but there’s more: Nanoleaf’s Canvas integrates with Razer gaming kit, while a new screen-mirroring feature lets them sync with the TV. R3 050 / nanoleaf.me

Garmin Dash Cam Mini Stick this dinky cam on your windscreen and, should your motor come short in a busy car park, it’ll automatically record the incident in 1080p before flinging the footage to your phone via Wi-Fi. Sure, video evidence won’t do anything for your damaged pride or your premiums, but at least the YouTube ad revenue might help pay for a new bumper.

R2 500 / takealot.com

Thefutureis wireless.Cut downthecable countwiththis Qicharging padcapableof delivering7.5W totwodevices.

Italsohasa USB-Aportfor peoplewhocan’t letgoofthepast.

R1 400 / ubuy. za.com

Fitbit Inspire HR

Kobo Clara HD

The festive calorie count should be enough to inspire a new exercise regime; but for an extra nudge, Fitbit’s multitalented band can add motivation: it tracks heart-rate, calorie burn and sleep stages, and has a five-day battery. Plus it’s water-resistant.

R2 000 / fitbit.com

6in of E-Ink touchscreen, 8GB of storage and support for loads of digital formats make the Clara HD an attractive buy.

The integrated lighting – called ComfortLight Pro – seals the deal.

But the seals lack waterproofing.

So… don’t use it in the bath, okay?

R2 550 / circuitcity.co.za

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Audi E-tron Audi’selectric SUVissuitably luxuriousand goodforaround 400kmonafully topped-upbattery.

Thedesignis alsosurprisingly understated… exceptperhaps for thecameras replacingthewing mirrors.You’llsave someoftheprice on nothavingtofill it withdeaddinos everyotherday.

Rtba / audi.co.za

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 If you’re tired of Apple’s constant dominance in the tablet area, Samsung’s Tab S6 is the best Android has to offer. The high-res Super AMOLED panel, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of space’ll put quite the smile on your Androidloving face.

R17 500 / takealot.com

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Astell&Kern A&ultima SP2000 On the rare occasions an audiophile leaves his or her pressure-controlled sonic chamber, a portable solution is needed to soften the blow. A&K’s latest player is an arresting example of audio wizardry, with dual DACs, independent channels for balanced and unbalanced outputs, and support for 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512 playback.

R52 000 (import) / astellnkern.com

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max It’s been a vintage year for Apple. The iPhone 11 won our phone supertest, while the green 11 Pro matches our editor’s rain jacket.

But with Apple you can always go more expensive, and the Pro Max can be specced up to R33 000. You’d have to really love Apple devices. from R24 000 / myistore.co.za

Teufel x Rosenthal

Orbitsound Air D1

Ifyou’reaboutto busttwomonth’s salaryonapairof Wi-Fispeakers, ithelpsifthey’re multi-talented.As wellastheaudio streaming,Teufel’s porcelainbeauties haveabuilt-in alarmclockand areperfectforthe roleofalientripods inyourWarofthe Worldsremake.

R66 600 (import) / teufelaudio.com

Ear-snobswill tellyounosingle unitcanrivalafull setup for crisp, clearsound.But havetheyheard theD1?Avertical slabadecade inthemaking, it’stheultimate one-boxsystem, projectingsound intotheairfora distortion-free all-roundlisten.

R229 000 / orbitsound.com

Smeg / Dolce & Gabbana ‘Sicily is My Love’ Inanunlikelycollaboration,Italiankitchen kitbrandSmeghaspairedupwithcatwalk bothersDolce&Gabbanatocreate somequiteuniquestandmixers,juicers, toasters,blenders,kettlesandcoffee machines.Adornedwithdesignspainted bytraditionalSicilianartists,they’lltake prideofplaceonanyworktopwhile you’rewaitingforyourperfecttoast. from R8 000 / smeg.co.za

HOW MUCH!?

If you’re starting the year with your bonus intact, you might want to look over here

Canon XEED 4K6021Z

Fujifilm GFX 100

McIntosh I100

The best films are great whether you watch them on a screen the size of a house or an old iPod Video; but if movies are your thing and your Lotto winnings come in, why not drop R600k on this pricey 4K laser projector good for 40 000 hours and 6000 lumens?

R590 000 (import) / canon.com

With pros moving to mirrorless now, the mammoths of medium-format might seem like an anachronism. Yet for pure quality, the GFX 100 is the one. Heavy as a couple of bricks and priced like a gold one, it has a 102MP CMOS sensor and a 5.76m-dot display.

R141 000 (est.) / fujifilm.co.za

allinga R143k audiosystem goodvalue is like calling an F1 car efficient: correct, but… relative. Still, if you’re looking for a complete music setup (minus speakers), the MTI100 amp and turntable includes valve and phono preamps plus Bluetooth.

R143 100 / mcintoshlabs.com

Bell & Ross BR 05

Steel

Possibly the nicest, most expensive piece of unintentional Zoolander merch ever made, the beautifully simple Blue Steel face on this Bell & Ross ticker is the antithesis of Ben Stiller’s loud pouting.

Also available in black or grey, the BR 05 melds a classic round dial with the squared-off shell that’s become the aviation watchmaker’s signature.

R63 000 / bellross.com

NEW YEAR - NEW TECH

� Transparent Speaker A wireless speaker guaranteed to be right up the minimalist Scandi street of even the hardest person to please, this gorgeous Swedish creation is constructed from a single aluminium uniframe and tempered glass. And it’s designed to become better over time, thanks to a modular philosophy where components can be swapped out as and when new wireless and audio technology arrives.

R17 200 / transparentspeaker.com

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BACK 2 SCHOOL

Prepare to be schooled Finally, it’s time to send those troublemakers back to the classroom… but make sure they have the right equipment to pass their exams

f you attended school in the 20th century, the contents of your school bag likely consisted of thousands of finger-slicing sheets of A4 and enough Tipp-Ex to melt the teacher’s brain. But education and class time have changed. A lot.

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Yes, kids won’t have the experience you had as a youth; but on the flip side, textbooks, notebooks, reading books – in fact, anything tree-based – is a thing of the past, which is great for the planet and the socially conscious Generation Z. The class of 2020 has gone whole-hog digital, and if you’re

sending your little angels off to big school you’d better make sure they’ve got the tools for the job. Here are eight great school essentials, from a multitasking tablet to an Android phone that won’t cause tears over a cracked screen. You’ll also find the perfect power bank to keep

them charged, plus a backpack and even a Bluetooth padlock.

Essential apps to pre-load on junior’s smartphone are included too, leaving you to drag them kicking and screaming to the school gates before high-fiving every fellow parent on your way home to celebrate a job well done.

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BACK 2 SCHOOL

SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S6 R16 000 / connecteddevices.co.za

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W ST T I O R FOR

There’s a real argument for saying schoolkids are the most demanding IT customers around.

They want to play games, stream music and movies, video-call mates, scroll social media, and possibly consider doing some homework – and all without sending their computers into overworked meltdown.

Good luck then, Mom and Dad, because suddenly you’re

looking at the thick end of R20 k or more for a fully equipped portable computer. Or is there another way? Take the iPad Pro, for example. It’s a creative powerhouse of a tablet with more power than many laptops, and would satisfy any kid’s demands with aplomb.

Now there’s another piranha in the tank. It’s called the Galaxy Tab S6 and Samsung wants it to be the only computer you’ll ever need. This glass-fronted

Long term

Samsung says the Tab S6 will last for 15 hours of video playback – more than the iPad Pro’s claimed 10 hours despite a smaller-capacity 7040mAh battery.

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10.5in Super AMOLED slate can plug into a keyboard base, but crucially initiates DeX, a distinct interface close to Windows 10.

DeX is still Android, but by bringing out some features that normally sit in a drop-down menu the Tab S6 aims to be a productivity machine, coming with the Microsoft Office suite pre-installed. DeX can also be used without the keyboard by plugging the Tab S6 into a monitor and using the tablet

to navigate. Don’t worry, your physical keyboard won’t go to waste then, as it can double up as a case, which includes a loop for the bundled S Pen stylus.

The pen has 4096 pressure levels and, other than artwork, can ‘handwrite’ using optical character recognition.

While there’s concern the Tab S6’s huge range of skills risks spreading itself too thin, it still looks to be an inseparable companion in and out of school.

B Pogo Charging Dock Sliding the Tab into this dock activates the calendar, clock, weather and any upcoming events.

It then sits on a desk like a glorified alarm clock.

R1 300 / amazon.com

SanDisk Ultra MicroSD 128GB Removable media storage is not the name of a synth-pop band, nor does it rank among the sexiest of tech.

However, it’s undoubtedly useful and no more so than on the Galaxy Tab S6, where 64GB of storage can be magically transformed into up to 1TB with a microSD card. SanDisk’s Ultra range also includes rapid read speeds of 80MB per second for copying across homework before the teacher sees.

R330 / incredible.co.za

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Galaxy Tab S6 Keyboard Apple keyboards are as shallow as an ‘influencer’ but the Tab S6’s is deep, chunky and solidly built.

It’s comfortable enough for tapping out lots of essays too.

R2 600 / amazon.com

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NOW ADD THESE…

F KY E ST N B E A AG S W OR ST

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BACK 2 SCHOOL

Thule EnRoute 23l With enough space for a 15in laptop and a 10in tablet, concealed in their own padded pockets, Thule’s EnRoute might seem like schoolyard overkill. The hardshell compartment for glasses and whatnot, durable zippered sections and spaces to stash bits like apples for the teacher round out this backpack. The clincher? The EnRoute is available in more than just Thule’s signature black – red, blue and green shades’ll help little Jimmy pick out his kit from the crowd.

R2 000 / thulestore.co.za

I’ve got the power

The Tab S6 has 2019’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 CPU – the same processor used in 2019’s top phones. There’s 6 to 8GB RAM and 128 to 256GB storage.

They may not be allowed in class but there’s no reason your progeny can’t rock some tunes in the schoolyard.

SoundMagic’s E10BTs feature a tanglefree design, an inline remote (with a mic, in case you’re raising a budding Gordon Gekko) and metal construction, as well as more bass than you’d expect. They’re packing Bluetooth 4.2, so there are no tethers ‘twixt ears and phone, and they’re affordable enough that you won’t be upset if they’re left on the field.

R890 / sound-magic.co.za

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Backpacks for goalposts is a bad idea if they’re filled with indispensable tech.

Best stick costly kit in a locker – and for Stuff’s sake, keep it under lock and key.

Master Lock’s Bluetooth padlock does away with lost or forgotten keys and combinations, using a smartphone app to unlock it instead. You can share access with parents, friends or teachers, and a tamper alert tells you if Johnny sticky-fingers is up to his usual tricks.

R1 790 / za.rs-online.com

SoundMagic E10BT

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Master Lock Indoor Bluetooth Padlock

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Y ST B B S BE T UT O T

APP TO SCHOOL

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Fitbit Ace 2 Cogi

Duolingo

Mind like a sieve?

Brainscape allows teachers and pupils to collaboratively create smart flashcards with the help of what its creators claim is a scientifically proven study. They help to break down information into tiny chunks you can digest at your own pace.

Free / iOS, Android

Sounds creepy, but Cogi listens in on class conversations so you don’t miss something important. Hit the ‘highlight’ button and the app captures the previous 15 seconds and keeps recording until you press stop.

You can also add images, hashtags and text notes.

Free / iOS, Android

Learning a foreign language can be difficult, but Duolingo has at least found a way of gamifying the experience to make it less of a slog. Lessons consist of listening, speaking and translating, with hot streaks and several lives before it’s ‘game over’.

Free / iOS, Android

Dragonbox Algebra

Cursive Writing Wizard

Sleep Cycle

Given our hideous memories of maths lessons, an app designed to teach algebra by stealth seems like a savvy investment. The Dragonbox app is available for different age groups and uses more than 200 number puzzles.

R80 / iOS, Android

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If you fear penmanship is becoming a forgotten art, Cursive offers a great excuse to get the S Pen out, learn letter shapes and nail joined-up writing. Parents can also see stats on how their kids use the app and even watch their writing replayed.

R70 / iOS, Android

Most schoolkids aren’t considered ‘morning people’, so Sleep Cycle finds the optimal time to wake them up in a 30-minute window so they feel energised. It does this by tracking slumber patterns and waking them during light sleep.

Free (IAPs) / iOS, Android

Adata P2000D There’s plenty of battery in the Nokia 7.2 but that doesn’t mean much when its user is hunting Pokémon before you get home from work. Adata’s P20000D Power Bank with its digital readout will let you know just how many times Junior ran the phone battery flat before he got home from school. Even the most screen-mad of scholars shouldn’t manage to burn though 23500mAh of power in a single day. Surely? from R550 / takealot.com

BA BES B O T T T FO O ER R ST Y

Brainscape

It’s surprisingly easy for kids to go sedentary. All you need is a PlayStation 4 and an endless supply of snacks. The rest takes care of itself. You can take care of your youngling by giving them Fitbit’s Ace 2 to strap on. It’s designed to take the rigours of the school field in its stride, has enough battery to last the day, and has kid-centric goals and features. For involved parents, Parent View on the Fitbit app lets you know just how many calories your kids are burning.

R1 500 / fitbit.com

NOW ADD THESE… Popsocket Grip Sticking one of these on the phone’s rear will keep it secure during rowdy play.

It also doubles as a stand, for YouTube and most other homeworkavoiding uses.

R550 / takealot.com

Nokia Clear Case You want the phone to handle a tumble. You don’t want to turn that protection into a subject of mockery. Opting for a clear case from Nokia takes care of both problems at once.

R190 / za.mobilefun.com

BACK 2 SCHOOL

NOKIA 7.2 R6 300 / hmdglobal.com

three, on the device as well. In the event they’re snap-happy, you can chuck in up to 512GB of extra storage in the Nokia 7.2’s dedicated slot.

Since it’s Nokia, Android 9.0 is standard. And since it’s Android One, this is as close to stock as you can get it here in SA, with guaranteed updates for two years. The OS updates will in all likelihood outlast the phone.

It supports Bluetooth 5.0 and also NFC, if your school is into

contactless payment, while the 3.5mm headphone jack ensures that there’s always a path to audio for your little(ish) one.

It doesn’t hurt that Nokia’s clean lines and simple design tend to look good everywhere.

And since you (wisely) opted for not-an-iPhone, you’ve got enough budget left over to snag important extras, like clothing, school shoes, sporting gear, stationery, field trips, tuck money and other… stuff.

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P L ST F T I A OR M Y E

If your young one is of an age when tablets and other tech feature heavily in their annual school shopping, they’re going to want something specific when it comes to phones. An Apple, to be precise. But have you seen what an iPhone costs to repair? Heck to the no.

Opting for Nokia’s budget-ish (in price only) 7.2 lets you easily sidestep sending your offspring

to school with R20k worth of smartphone. For less than half that, Nokia’s device offers a decent mid-range processor and a better-than-HD 6.3in Gorilla Glass 3 display – handy when it comes to resisting cracks and drops. The triple rear camera (with its main 48MP Zeiss sensor) will ensure that burgeoning social media feeds always look good.

There’s enough space to keep all those images, plus a game or

Power users

Looking after your selfie

There’s a 3500mAh battery inside the 7.2. For normal usage that’ll last at least a day but somehow we reckon usage won’t be normal.

See the page opposite for top-up options

The Nokia 7.2 sports a 20MP f/2.0 front-facing camera.

Your kid doesn’t have to know what that means but they do – it means fantastic selfies with schoolmates.

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AFFORDABLE AXES

BOUTIQUE BEAUTIES

CLASSIC CRUNCHERS

UPVOTED

The ageless all-rounder

Fender American Performer Telecaster The basic formula for the solidbody electric guitar was laid down seven decades ago by Leo Fender… and incredibly, the Tele hasn’t really changed since then. Well, it hasn’t had to, because it’s perfect. To put that into some context, Simba’s NikNaks have been around for nearly five decades.

R25 000 / mitechdirect.com

The perky punker

Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute DC Gibson originally launched the Les Paul Junior as a budget option for students… but in the world of tone, simplicity equals magic, and there’s something about a raw slab of mahogany with a single P-90 pickup that would turn Ed Sheeran into a slavering rock monster. (Note: This must never happen.)

R16 300 / mitechdirect.com

GUITARS The offset overlord

And still rock’n’roll refuses to die… so, for those about to make a neighbourupsetting racket, Stuff picks nine of the finest electric twang-planks

The retro rocker

The shady shredder

Collings 360 LT M Many of the high-end American makers take inspiration from Fender’s ‘offset waist’ models, notably the Jazzmaster, souping them up with superior timbers, hardware and electronics to create uniquely desirable tone machines. If you don’t find this Collings lustworthy, you’re either dead or a bassist.

R93 320 / coda-music.com

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet While Gretsch’s hollowbody guitars are the outsize weapon of choice for cowboy twangers and rockabilly revivalists, the company’s solidbodies can be surprisingly punchy. All those classic AC/DC riffs?

Played on a Gretsch Jet. This one’s available in gold, which obviously sounds best. from R9 300 / ubuy.za.com

HOW TO DECIDE 72

The regal riffer

Rickenbacker 330 Rickenbacker might be famous for the ’60s jingle-jangle of its 12-string guitars, but the six-string versions are classics in their own right. Paul Weller played one throughout his Jam heyday, before turning to less interesting guitars and inventing dad-rock. They’re pricey, but there’s nothing else like a Ricky.

R28 000 (import) / thomann.de

Chapman V2 ML1 Rob Chapman is that most horrifying of modern phenomena: a YouTube personality.

To be fair, though, he does know what he’s talking about… and his own guitars have earned solidly positive reviews. The Indonesian-made V2 range offers a host of new colours for his metal-minded designs.

R8 000 (import) / thomann.de

1 Get a long one Most modern guitars have either a Fender-style 25.5in scale length or a Gibson-style 24.75in.

Longer strings mean more harmonics for a more open, zingy sound.

The carbon crusader

Rubato Lassie This carbon fibre axe is unique in that it’s made in SA. Ask for Oliver, tell him we sent you. Drawing inspiration from race cars, the body’s a single monocoque unit that means the neck’ll never flex. The 2.5kg weight and low-profile string guide make this one a dream to play.

R58 000 / shop.rubato.guitars

The classic clucker

Squier Affinity Strat When the average person thinks of an electric guitar, they picture a Stratocaster.

Well, all the greats have played them: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tony Blair… and if you value playability and versatility above street cred, this Squier makes a fine all-round starter instrument.

R4 000 / marshallmusic.co.za

2 Get a chubby Pickups also follow a split from the big two makers: Fender types usually have chiming single-coil pickups, while most Gibsons have twin-coil humbuckers with a fatter, meatier tone.

The sci-fi strummer

Millimetric MGS3 If you turn up with one of these to play Chris Rea covers at the sleepiest pub in the Karoo, there’s a good chance they won’t let you in. But while Millimetric guitars are brimming over with slickly futuristic engineering (they’re made by a Canadian with a background in graphic design and furniture making), the good news for the panicking regulars of the Slaughtered Lamb is that they sound a lot less unorthodox than they look.

R30 000 (+shipping) / millimetric.com

3 Get a semi Most of the guitars seen here are solidbodies, but semi-acoustics (hollow with a solid centre block) often sound a little more refined. Gibson’s smooth and bluesy ES-335 is the original semi.

4 Get a wanger For downward note-bends, you’ll be needing a vibrato/whammy/wang bar. There are many kinds, from the gently wobbly Bigsby to the metal-friendly ‘divebombing’ Floyd Rose.

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T E S T E D U LT I M AT E E A R S W O N D E R B O O M 2

Boom resurrection Louder, bassier and ready for stereo if you get two, UE’s revamped Wonderboom is an all-night party in a grenade-sized box R1500 / takealot.com ■ The Wonderboom 2 looks about as intimidating as a Powerpuff Girl.

But just like Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, Ultimate Ears’ latest Bluetooth speaker wields great superpowers. It’s incredibly hardy, taking water and dust in its stride, and has a few more tricks than the original Wonderboom.

Grey pride Your colour choices are red, black, blue or grey, each with its own high-contrast accent shade for the giant volume buttons.

■ Functionality is simple and minimal as usual. A single press of the top button will pause/play and a double press will skip to the next track – handy when you don’t want to be scrabbling for your phone. There’s a water-sealed flap for the charging port, which is old-fashioned microUSB. ■ The tweaks to the speaker’s internals are more substantial. For starters, there’s a new chipset that makes for markedly crisper sound with more bass. It truly delivers on this front, delivering stupendous 360° audio at super-loud levels.

■ The new Outdoor Boost mode works by suppressing the bass frequencies and focusing on the upwards-firing midrange. There is some compromise to the sound, but out in the park this really is a smart solution to keep things clear and bright.

■ UE has managed to eke an extra three hours of battery life out of this model: 13 hours should easily see you through a two-night camping trip. Should you run out of juice, it takes just shy of three hours to charge to full again.

■ Tree-dimensional

Bluetooth pairing is a breeze. It’s fast to set up and stays solidly connected. Outdoor Boost mode is also simple to switch on: just press the button on the base.

There’s even a picture of a nice outdoorsy tree to help you find it.

■ Pair-shaped

Stereo pairing is great to see on a speaker in this price bracket, and it works superbly well. Once your second Wonderboom 2 is paired up, a long press on the top button turns on stereo mode. This won’t work with an old Wonderboom.

Tech specs Drivers 2x 40mm full-range drivers, 2x passive radiators Connectivity Bluetooth, microUSB Battery life Up to 13 hours Water/dust-proofing IP67 Dimensions 104x96x96mm, 420g

STUFF SAYS A rugged little wonder that’ll bring a mega boost to the summer ★★★★★

UE’s in the tone business, and business is booming 74

Deceptively punchy, the Wonderboom 2 is a mighty delight. It’s ideal for taking on picnics to soundtrack your sandwiches, or even if you’re looking to use one (or two) indoors to supercharge the audio setup in the bedroom of your student digs. Audio quality is ramped up from its predecessor, giving you better bass and more detail in the mid-range, but not at the expense of dinky portability.

TESTED NINTENDO RING FIT

The leg-bend of Zelda Part Switch game, part home workout kit, Nintendo’s latest offering will take you to places the Wii Fit never dreamed of

Ring rusty?

As well as Adventure mode, there are sets of reps that let you work particular muscles, plus timed challenges ideal for competitive families.

R1 300 (inc game) / nintendo.co.za ■ If you’ve got used to seeing your Switch as a way of escaping from the risk of exercise, prepare for a rethink. The Ring Fit concept combines a surprisingly meaty role-playing game with some seriously heart-pumping hardware.

■ Never mind button presses – it’s high knees, squats and shoulder presses that’ll see you progress in Ring Fit Adventure. Bundled with the game are two accessories, the Ring-Con and Leg Strap; they’re all you need to get your sweat on.

■ The Ring-Con is a plastic ring like the kind you might use for pilates, while the Leg Strap is secured (to your leg, obvs) with Velcro. Into each, you slide one of the Switch’s Joy-Cons, with your movements tracked by their sensors.

■ The ring has foam handles and can be stretched and pressed, while the Leg Strap allows you to run on the spot, crouch and kick out on the floor, adding a cardio element to Ring Fit Adventure. Sadly the Velcro is prone to coming loose – and bear in mind you’re going to need a fairly large playing space to really get into the exercises.

■ In the game world, you move by jogging on the spot, while upping the pace is rewarded with a speed boost. Stairs require you to raise your knees, you jump obstacles by pointing the Ring-Con down and squeezing it, and you can shoot fireballs by pulling outwards. It’s proper exercise disguised as fun.

■ Feel the burn

Fire up Adventure mode for a fully-fledged RPG that casts you as a silent protagonist who, with the help of an enchanted ring, must take down a bodybuilding dragon – who turns out to be one of Nintendo’s best villains in ages.

■ No campaign, no gain

The sprawling campaign, which Nintendo says can take months to complete, sees you traverse grassy meadows, sparkling streams and thunderstruck forests, with a visual style that’s reminiscent of Breath of the Wild.

■ By and large the hardware tracks movements accurately, and does seem to reward players who put everything into the various reps. You can even measure your heart rate (maybe not quite so accurately) after a level by holding your thumb over the Joy-Con’s IR sensor.

STUFF SAYS A well-made hardware/software combo for an enjoyable workout ★★★★✩

A real gaming experience… with the promise of more to come

As a game, Ring Fit Adventure is a really nice surprise. What could easily have been a bland experience is actually a proper challenge that’s bursting with Nintendo’s usual charm. And as a piece of hardware, the Ring-Con is an expertly crafted accessory that could easily be used in future games. No amount of playtime is going to earn you the physique of The Rock, but even serial gym-skippers will find something to like here.

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VERSUS BUDGET ANDROIDS

T TES R E N N WI

Making room Nokia’s clean version of Android only takes up 10GB of space, leaving you over 50GB for apps and media.

Making time The 9X’s 4000mAh battery is good for up to 28 hours of talk time, aided by Honor’s smart AI power-saving tech.

Low-cost airtime Nokia 7.2 Is this really a sub-R7 000 phone? The smooth glass finish on the back is almost on a par with the iPhone 11 Pro’s, and it’s brilliantly grippy. The glass curves into a tough plastic polymer frame that doesn’t feel cheap at all.

Don’t expect flagship-level grunt, but it’s enough for most apps, while Nokia’s stripped-back version of Android keeps things flowing smoothly. It’ll even play the latest 3D games, albeit with the detail settings slashed.

Nokia’s showpiece is the updated 48MP triple rear camera with Zeiss optics and Quad Pixel tech for more detailed shots. A dedicated Google Assistant button and some nice customisations on the PureDisplay screen round things off.

Display 6.3in 2280x1080 LCD Processor Snapdragon 660 RAM 4GB Storage 64GB plus microSD Cameras 48MP + 8MP + 5MP rear, 20MP front Battery 3500mAh Dimensions 159x75x8.3mm, 180g

VS

1. DESIGN

Honor has plumped for a glossy plastic build with a fingerprint sensor on the back. Flip it over and a pop-up selfie-cam means the entire front of the phone is dominated by the display, with no need for a notch or punch-hole.

2. IN USE

The 9X will speed through the basics, with enough RAM for flicking between apps, but there’s not enough power here to keep avid gamers happy – Call of Duty: Mobile is a stuttery mess and PUBG fares only slightly better.

3. FEATURES

1 2 3

● Price R6 300 / hmdglobal.com

★★★★✩

Honor 9X

The Honor’s 48MP triple-cam setup is near identical to the Nokia’s, similarly combining four pixels into one for max detail, before Honor’s AI processing perks things up. And don’t forget the neat pop-up selfie-shooter.

Display 6.59in 2340x1080 LCD Processor Kirin 710 RAM 4GB Storage 128GB plus microSD Cameras 48MP + 8MP + 2MP rear, 16MP front Battery 4000mAh Dimensions 164x77x8.8mm, 197g

● Price from R4 000 / hihonor.com

STUFF SAYS

★★★✩✩

Pipping Honor on power and build quality, it’s the Nokia you should be taking home 76

TESTED APPLE AIRPODS PRO

We don’t stalk any more Shortened stems, better sound and added noise-cancellation make these the ideal AirPods for your next Cliff marathon R4 000 / myistore.co.za ■ With active noise-cancellation, improved sound, silicone tips for a snug fit and other design tweaks, Apple is making big noises about the AirPods Pro being a huge step up from their predecessors.

■ We love the shorter stems.

They look more discreet and less ‘toothbrush head’, and mean less likelihood of you flinging an AirPod out into the gutter while removing your jacket. Light to the point you can’t really feel them, they’re also resistant to sweat and water.

Saviours’ play The larger pill-shaped vents on the Pros equalise air pressure so you don’t have any uncomfortable suction.

■ Forget tapping, because a new design calls for new controls. A capacitive sensor in each bud is pinched with your index finger to skip tracks, while a long press switches between ANC and transparency modes. The stem controls work well, but there are no volume controls on the buds.

■ Transparency mode is really impressive, using mics to amplify the sound around you when you need it. ANC, courtesy of Apple’s H1 chip, is great – and something the Powerbeats Pro are lacking.

Above all, though, say hello to the best-sounding AirPods yet.

■ Apple promises up to five hours of ANC listening with transparency turned off. For when you do run out of juice, there’s a wireless charging case that’s squatter than before and has a tiny LED dot to indicate it’s charging. You’ll get an impressive 24 hours of listening time from that when it’s full.

■ Millennium pair

To make sure these AirPods are securely plugged into your ears, Apple has designed a fit test for the tips. A piece of music will play and the mics will detect if sound is escaping. There are silicone tips of three sizes in the box.

■ Giving doll

A new feature on iOS 13 is audio sharing. It’s the 2019 answer to a headphone splitter, where you can instantly pair a second set of AirPods (it’s also compatible with the 1st-gen and 2nd-gen buds) to your phone.

Tech specs Connectivity Bluetooth (buds), Qi and Lightning (case) Battery life Up to 5hrs (buds), up to 24hrs (case) Dimensions 31x24x22mm, 5g (buds), 61x45x22mm, 46g (case)

STUFF SAYS Apple’s latest AirPods hit that sweet spot right between the ears ★★★★★

AirPods done right – maybe the ‘Pro’ stands for ‘Properly’

Really this is what Apple’s AirPods should have been in the first place – anyone who’s picked up a pair of standard Pods with the wireless charging case for R3 400 might be slightly aggrieved to learn that R600 more would have bagged them ANC plus an improved fit. Anyway, they’re perfect if you have an iPhone – and they don’t look as silly as before – so there’s never been a better time to join the Pod squad.

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TWO WEEKS WITH THE GOPRO HERO8 BLACK

Anti-shake it off GoPro set out to defeat the DJI challenge by giving its latest action cam even better stabilisation skills… so Stuff gives the Hero8 Black a two-week run out R8 000 / capeunionmart.co.za

Photo quality is good for wide landscapes, but a phone is better for normal shots.

DAY 01 The Hero7 series wowed us with its stabilisation for shake-free adventures, but then came a serous rival in the shape of the DJI Osmo Action – adding a front screen and holding things that bit steadier. Of course GoPro had to fight back, and now its rebuttal is here: the Hero8 Black.

Combining 12MP resolution and a range of wide angles with waterproofing, next-gen HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilisation,

4K 60fps video, TimeWarp 2.0 fast/slow timelapse capture and more, it’s a much-improved beast compared the Hero7 Black. That said, does it have enough to take down the Osmo Action too?

We’re immediately won over by one new feature: a mounting system with fold-away feet. They pivot out of the bottom of the cam and magnetically click back into place in a flash – and while they might seem breakable,

We put the toughness of the folding feet to the test earlier than planned with a head-first fall off a bike… they survive 78

GoPro assures us they’re as easy to repair as they are hard to crack.

We put this toughness to the test a little earlier than planned with a head-first fall off a bike on day one. They survive (and we’re fine too, thanks for asking).

But this design is more than just a boon for camera-mounting convenience: with no housing, you can swap out batteries and cards in moments – something you can’t do with the DJI, or with older GoPros.

The Hero8 is waterproof down to 10m, so it’s good for a bit of snorkelling or just land-bound activities in wet conditions. The

water-sealed card slot is on the right, along with the battery.

The rubberised finish doesn’t feel super-premium, but this is an action cam – so the fact that it cleans off incredibly easily with a bit of water will matter more to anyone who wants to strap one on and get adventuring.

First impressions of the screen are also good: it’s touch-sensitive and very responsive, but we wish it were a bit bigger. The Osmo Action’s is large and, remember, has a front twin for selfie video and photos. DJI’s UI is also a bit more intuitive and less fiddly, with fewer swipes and taps needed.

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

01

Donut of Truth™

05

04

02 03

01 Extra-convenient new mounting system 02 Incredibly stable footage with HyperSmooth 2.0 03 Slow/fast/slow timelapse videos look superb

04 Quality of still photos is pretty mediocre 05 Performance after dark is no better than it’s ever been – you’re better off using your phone

Tech specs Video 4K @ 60fps, 2.7k @ 120fps, 1080p @ 240fps Stills 12MP Display 2in LCD touchscreen Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, mic input Battery 1220mAh Waterproofing 10m Dimensions 66x48x28mm, 126g

DAY 02 Time to review the first day’s footage. Right until dusk, results look detailed and smooth at up to 4K with a 60fps frame-rate, and the ultra-wide-angle gets everything in shot.

There’s only one camera module but you can choose from four ‘digital lenses’: SuperView is the ultra-wide option, Wide gets you a similar field of view to other action cams, Linear is like ultra-wide-angle on a phone and Narrow gives you the same field as your phone’s main camera.

We’ve been able to get great footage in all four modes.

DAY 04 Right, let’s have a closer look at HyperSmooth 2.0, which has three levels of stabilisation. ‘Boost’ is the big dog, cropping into the shot for mindbendingly shake-free capture – the smoothest on any camera we’ve ever used. Clarity does suffer a bit, though, and we generally preferred to leave it on ‘standard’ or ‘high’.

TimeWarp 2.0 has auto speed detection, and speed ramping lets you tap the screen when you want to slow down the timelapse effect then speed it up again. This slipping in and out of life on fast-forward creates stunning footage.

DAY 08 GoPro’s new capture presets mean anyone can get shooting with their Hero8 Black. They change frame-rates, resolution and stabilisation presets to make sure you don’t waste space.

YouTubers note, it streams live at 1080p, bettering the 720p of the Hero7 Black, and there’s GPS.

DAY 10 As with older models, the GoPro Hero8 connects with iOS and Android devices through the GoPro app, but this works better than when the Hero7 launched.

Photos and videos auto-transfer to your phone and the app gives you a degree of editing power, so you can set footage against music and apply themes – a quick way to make shareable nuggets of joy.

DAY 14 We’d have liked a bigger screen and better low-light performance, but the nuts and bolts of the Hero8 are just as they need to be.

We’re intrigued by the promise of the upcoming Mods – which look set to let you add improved sound and a vlogging display – but even without them, this is a fantastic bump over the Hero7 Black.

STUFF SAYS GoPro delivers yet again with the most stable action camera Stuff has ever used ★★★★★ 79

FI R TH ST ES AD E… D

SAMSUNG NOTE10+

80

ONE SAMSUNG CLEAR VIEW COVER

TWO ANKER 15W FAST CHARGING PAD

THREE STAEDTLER NORIS DIGITAL STYLUS

There’s nothing like a giant all-glass front and back to put the fear of God into any butter-fingered smartphone owner – especially when that shiny new phone costs around R20000. Pick up a Clear View Cover to shield yours from all sides. It has a display window so you’ll see notificationiconspopwithout even having to open it.

R1 000 / samsung.com/za

The Note10+ powers up cord-free with nippy 15W wireless charging… but to take advantage of those speeds you’ll need a charging pad that’s up to the task. If you don’t fancy spending cash on a Samsung solution, Anker makes a more affordable alternative that does the job beautifully.

R1 660 / pclinkshop.com

If you want your writing input to feel more ‘pencil’ and less ‘electronic gadget’, then the Staedtler Noris Digital Stylus is a dream come true, loading up digital input in an iconic pencil-like package.

Working across the Note and Tab S line, it’s versatile; and being a bit bigger than the S Pen, it’s also more comfortable for long writes.

R1 400 / wantitall.co.za

NO TH W T IS RY …

DO A TH WN ND ES LO E… AD

INSTANT UPGRADES INS

SKETCHBOOK

1 TWEAK THE GRID

2 TALK TO BIXBY

3 …OR KILL BIXBY

When you first fire up a Note10+, the icons are huge – and on such a whopping screen, it’s overkill.

So if you’re like us, you’ll want to resize the grid to either 5x5 or 5x6. Luckily, this is a piece of cake: give the home screen a pinch to pull up some options, select ‘Home screen settings’ followed by ‘Home screen grid’, then resize it to your tastes. Now you can load up your phone with even more pointless shortcuts.

Samsung’s digital assistant is better than ever on the Note10+ and can save you stacks of time. “Set screen brightness to 20%”, “Show me my pictures of cats”, “Turn off night mode” – you ask and Bixby delivers. To access it, just long-press the button on the left of your phone – you know, the one you thought was a power button. Yeah, it’s not.

More on that in a minute…

Bixby Home lives to the left of your home screen, pulling information from your gallery, Spotify account, location and more into a feed. It’s a bit messy, often presents useless and distracting content… and, luckily, is totally optional. To get rid of it, pinch out on the home screen then swipe left to Bixby Home and un-check the toggle at the top right. You’ll now have a cleaner, simpler setup.

Autodesk’s free graphics app takes full advantage of the latest S Pen’s 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, supports layer input and even lets you export files to Photoshop.

AMOLED WALLPAPERS AMOLED screens save power by not emitting any light at all when they display blacks… so be efficient and stylish with this fine app offering predominantly black wallpapers.

4 TAKE PEN PICTURES

5 DO THE WRITE THING

6 FIGHT THE POWER

The S Pen gestures are really gimmicks, but the stylus itself can be a fantastic artist’s tool. It’s also handy when taking pictures, acting as a shutter release for the phone’s excellent camera.

To use this trick, pop the pen out and long-press its button – the camera will fire up. Now press the button once to take a picture.

Want to flip to the selfie cam?

Double-tap the button and the phone will swap cameras.

The S Pen isn’t just about drawing doodles and taking photos – it’s also a whizz at optical character recognition (OCR), the priceless skill of reading your handwriting and turning it into editable text. If you write using Samsung’s Notes app, your Note10+ recognises and indexes what you’ve written, so you can search your scrawl by tapping the magnifying glass in the app.

When you first get your Note10+, trying to power it off might leave you baffled. As we’ve seen, the thing you probably thought was a power button is actually for Bixby… but it can be reclaimed.

Pull down the notification tray from the top of the screen and press the power button next to the cog at the top right. Now tap ‘Side key settings’ at the bottom of the screen and, under ‘Press and hold’, tap ‘Power off menu’.

DEX

Download the DeX app to your PC and you’ll be able to control your phone from it – so you can get on with work and reply to text messages using your keyboard, and even drag and drop files to and from your phone.

81

BETA YOURSELF

ANDROID 10 Google’s new OS may not have a tasty name in tow, but it still has some sweet features on board… Stuff tells you how to make the most of its tricks and treats THE BASICS

■ Take the Mainline

Depending on what handset you’re using, you might still have to wait a while for Android 10 to come into your life – but future updates are set to be a bit smoother.

Android 10 implements Project Mainline, which makes key elements of the OS updateable via the Play Store . That means no more waiting on your phone’s maker for every little fix and enhancement.

■ Go dark

Android 10 has finally added a native Dark theme, which is not only better for battery life on OLED screens but potentially also better on the eyes. And you might just like it more! It’s under Settings > Display, or on the pull-down notification shade. Google’s own major apps will also shift along with your choice.

■ Send smarter replies

Save yourself the hassle of tapping out a message on the touch keyboard with Google’s Smart Reply suggestions, which are now available for all messaging apps. When you’re in a message, it’ll toss up a quick, context-sensitive one-tap reply or emoji, or perhaps an app suggestion (like Maps). It’s handy.

■ Make the move

Google has fully embraced iPhone-like gesture controls in Android 10, with a tiny bar at the bottom of the screen that you can swipe up on to return home, or swipe up and hold to switch between apps.

Going back is a matter of swiping from either edge.

Don’t like it? Just swap back to the three-button nav bar.

■ Be loud and proud

Not gone Bluetooth yet?

Android 10’s Sound Amplifier app can dramatically enhance audio output to wired headphones, letting you cut out noise, boost quiet sounds and level off any blaringly loud blips to ensure you have a pleasurable listening experience. It’s simple but very effective.

SWIPE RIGHT ■ Get assisted

Folder management

Android 10 has native support for foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, to ensure there are no issues with their form factor.

82

If you’re using gesture controls, there’s a gesture for pulling up the Google Assistant too, of course: just swipe up from the bottom right or left corner and it’ll appear at the bottom. The little rainbow ribbon is a nice touch, Google.

■ Don’t be so touchy

If you’re accidentally triggering the ‘back’ gesture too often, or conversely can’t seem to get it working consistently, some fine-tuning might help. Under System > Gestures > System Navigation, hit the gear button to adjust sensitivity.

USEFUL UPGRADES

OTTER

Don’t have a Pixel 4? You can still tap into real-time transcription via Otter, an app that works with older versions of Android. It provides 10 hours of free transcription per month, with more available for subscribers, and can also transcribe old audio and video files.

MUSIC VOLUME EQ YOU WEAR IT WELL ■ Curb web obsessions

WORD UP ■ Caption anything

One of Android 10’s coolest features is live captions.

Google can provide real-time video captions for pretty much anything, including homemade clips – and even when offline. It’s only on the Pixel 4 for now, but will roll out more widely.

■ Take note

Android 10 can also transcribe live audio recording in real time via the new Recorder app. This is also only on the new Pixels at the moment, and it’s not perfect, but it’s close. Save all the hassle of typing out transcripts after the fact.

Google’s Digital Wellbeing app is designed to give us control over how much time we stare at our phones, and Android 10 includes the ability to set site timers in Chrome.

■ Find your Focus

Digital Wellbeing’s new Focus Mode, meanwhile, gives you a chance to admit which apps you find most distracting… and then tap a button to make them all inaccessible when desired. Don’t be too proud!

It’s super-useful.

■ Wind down

You can also schedule changes to help you get ready for sleep, like dimming your display and stopping notifications. Dip into your phone’s settings, tap Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls, enable ‘Wind down’… and try to RELAX!

I SPY…

If you’re not getting the results you seek from Sound Amplifier, try Music Volume EQ on the Play Store. With more than 50 million downloads to date, this equaliser app includes several presets and boosts to help you get the most out of your audio playback.

■ Stamp out snooping

Not comfortable with Google’s pervasive digital snooping on your online life? Check out the new Privacy menu in Settings – it’s a one-stop shop for curbing those little intrusions, including managing permissions and shutting off personalised ads.

■ Go off-grid

If you’re also concerned about apps having constant access to your whereabouts, the Location menu under Settings provides more fine-tuned control over each app’s tracking capabilities. Freedom at last…

ZEN MODE

Owners of the latest OnePlus phones have a more serious alternative to Google’s Focus Mode, and it’s called Zen Mode.

Press a button and it kills everything but your camera and emergency services for 20 minutes.

Now that’s a break from digital distractions.

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TESTED GAMES

PS4, Xbox One, PC / callofduty.com

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Infinity Ward is back on the front line of the CoD army, delivering the kind of campaign that first made the series’ name – and adding some of the best graphics we’ve ever seen

fter an eight-year hiatus, including jaunts to space, World War 2 and Kevin Spacey’s house, Modern Warfare makes a triumphant return.

This five-hour assault on the senses places developer Infinity Ward back near the top of the FPS Premier League – it’s a relentless barrage of ideas, gameplay styles, incredible visuals and, at times, unbearable tension.

As is tradition, players jump into the boots of various warriors as they battle against a terrorist

A

threat. The story spans the globe and jumps around in time, but the pace never lets up. Whether you’re battling through Piccadilly after a terror attack or storming a factory with tanks, there’s nothing even close to a dull moment.

The action is familiar – crisp shooting, plenty of aim assist, loads of enemies – but the audiovisual treatment is almost next-gen. Playing on PS4 Pro with HDR, it borders on photorealism, and maintains 60fps throughout.

The weapons feel more ferocious

than ever and sound like… well, like guns going off.

Of course, most people will come to this game for multiplayer, and they surely won’t be disappointed.

This is a throwback of sorts after Black Ops’ introduction of hero characters and special abilities, but it doesn’t feel old-fashioned.

Modes like TDM and Domination feel fine-tuned, and the pure gun-on-gun action here is more satisfying than ever.

Joining standard multiplayer are a pair of new modes: Gunfight and

Ground War. The latter is a bit of a mess but the former, a 2-on-2 deathmatch, is as pure a multiplayer experience as you could hope for.

The teams start at opposite sides of the map and the first to kill the other wins. It’s tense, it’s tactical, and it feels fair.

Modern Warfare is a strong return to form for Infinity Ward.

It offers high-quality old-school multiplayer, an absolute riot of a campaign, and best-in-class production values across both. It feels great to be back.

STUFF SAYS Great campaign, strong multiplayer, weak co-op, top production values ★★★★✩ 84

TESTED GAMES

Ops a daisy

“Hey guys, violence never solved anything – let’s talk about this over a chai latte”

“No, wait, I think I destroyed Starbucks this morning… violence it is, then”

Rounding out the multiplayer options is the return of Spec Ops… but those hoping for the tense two-player missions from the first Modern Warfare titles will be disappointed.

Instead we have two modes, beginning with four-player missions that can be likened to Destiny raids: extremely difficult, multi-part tasks on larger maps.

These are about as tactical as a fight in a ball-pit. You and your team are immediately overrun by so many enemies it’s almost comical, until you all wipe and have to do the whole thing again. It’s a mess, and seemingly the only purpose of battling through is to unlock perks to do it all again.

Beneath this in the menu is the deceptively named Classic Spec Ops, supposedly ‘curated, replayable’ levels.

That sounds like what we’re after… except it’s actually just a sloppy Horde variant, with hundreds of enemies and the occasional task thrown in to spice things up. Again, a real disappointment, and a big drop in quality from the rest of the package.

Considering the furore over part of Spec Ops being a PS4 exclusive, it’s ironic that neither Xbox nor PS4 players are likely to bother with this mode at all.

85

TESTED GAMES

Switch / nintendo.com

Luigi’s Mansion 3

Fed up with being just ‘the one who isn’t Mario’, Luigi takes the spotlight once again in this latest Switch adventure – and it’s a bit of a cracker hile this ghostbusting series is often seen as a minor spin-off from Mario’s platforming antics, Luigi’s Mansion 3 rounds off the Switch’s year of scorching exclusives with a game that’s as playful and inventive as they come.

The premise: Luigi is invited for a nice getaway at a luxurious hotel that turns out to be a haunted trap. Well, when it’s called The Last Resort, surely he should’ve read up on TripAdvisor beforehand.

The atmosphere is not so much The Shining as Hotel Transylvania… and in fact, with the lovingly animated cutscenes and some decent character voices, it’s almost like watching a proper Nintendo animated film.

The Last Resort isn’t actually a mansion but a skyscraper hotel. This structure allows the developers to go crazy in level design, with each floor having its own unique theme – from familiar hotel features like VIP suites to a dinosaur museum.

You’re given plenty of powers to mess up the decor: with the

W

Poltergust vac you can basically ransack each room as you hunt down ghosts and hoover up money. Just about everything is up for grabs, from bedding and curtains to kitchenware.

But the crowning glory goes to Luigi’s new sidekick, a green gooey doppelganger called Gooigi, who can be summoned at any time to get past otherwise impassable areas.

There are multiplayer options, including a Mario Party-esque ScreamPark that can support up to eight players in local multiplayer, while ScareScraper lets up to four systems team up wirelessly or online for randomly generated ghost raids.

But it’s the brilliant set-pieces of the main campaign that suck you in. The boss ghosts on each floor are all full of personality, and some are truly tricky to beat.

With charming presentation and a delightful variety of ghostbusting mechanics, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is just as essential as the rest of the year’s top-tier Switch exclusives.

As well it should be.

Never mind the ghosts, won’t someone do something about that awful carpet?

To be fair to the ghost, Luigi did overcharge him for labour on a blocked toilet

STUFF SAYS Luigi finally gets a blockbuster hit that would make his brother proud ★★★★★ 86

TESTED GAMES

PS4, Xbox One, PC / outerworlds.obsidian.net

The Outer Worlds

Obsidian’s RPG/FPS is a sort of Fallout in space, but with enough satirical oomph to be the thinking person’s Borderlands as well elcome to the spiritual successor to Fallout: New Vegas. The systems, perks and complex choices of The Outer Worlds will be familiar to any fan of that memorable action RPG, as will be the retrofuturism and black humour… except that this time they’ve been blasted to the Halcyon planetary system, where the threat isn’t nuclear annihilation but heartless corporations and corporate cover-ups.

The game begins as you’re awoken from cryosleep only to discover you’re among a group of colonists left abandoned in space.

It soon falls to you to find a way to unfreeze those who might be the source of Halcyon’s salvation.

This will require hopping around its planets and moons, each with their own factions and goals to get involved with.

The Outer Worlds plays like a straight FPS… but it does have an interesting alternative to Fallout’s VATS system in the form of TTD (Tactical Time Dilation). While essentially a fancy way of slowing time as a side-effect of your

W

Introducing the next big trend in affordable housing: lumps of rock flying through space

She’d sworn vengeance on the gang of criminals who stole her right shoulder-pad

lengthy time in cryosleep, it also allows you to detect an enemy’s level and weak spots.

But true to the game’s RPG sensibilities, there are also ways to get around conflict, whether it’s sneaking around or just being a good talker. You can also recruit oddball characters into the fold, and these can make for helpful companions – albeit ones with a knack of getting themselves killed easily.

As much as this game teases something epic, it’s surprisingly brief. And it’s disappointing to discover that some planets that appear on the map aren’t actually places you can visit – perhaps hinting at future DLC. Still, the game’s brevity does make it easier to go straight in for another playthrough, which you’ll do right away. Perhaps this time you’ll be a genocidal maniac, or you’ll side with the bad guys, or maybe screw over that NPC you originally agreed to help. This is a rich and fascinating universe with an abundance of choices that are rarely black and white.

STUFF SAYS This is a worthy space romp however you choose to play it ★★★★★ 87

GADGET DOCTOR

ALWAYS ON CALL

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

MAIL OF THE MONT Q

IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD(PHONES)

I am looking for a new pair of headphones. I currently have the Skullcandy Grind Wireless. I’ve been looking at the JBL E series.

The main thing I am looking for is comfort and I don't mind if they are noise-cancelling or not. My budget is between 1500 and 2000 rand. Any suggestions? I would preferably get them before Christmas since they will probably be on special.

Raphael

A

Wow, you’ve hung onto those Grinds for a while.

Well done. Anyway, on to actual business. This… is how you pose a question to Stuff, just by the

way. All e lovely details just sitting there… anyway. JBL cans are decent enough but here at Stuff we’ve all got a thing for German engineering when it comes to audio. You can find the Sennheiser HD 4.40s for R2k or if you’re married to the idea of JBL, the E65BTNCs will give you some noise cancelling for the same price. You can get Sennies’ HD 4.50 BTNCs for a little over your budget as well. Just sayin’…

Speak your brains to Stuff and you could win!

This letter wins a Google Home Mini worth R1 000.

Q

THE SERVICE MUST BE GOOD

A while ago you helped me with problems with my audio using Google Maps. All runs smoothly now. Lately, I have had a problem with notifications on my Samsung Galaxy S9+. Totally at random, I hear a notification.

When I check the drop-down notifications there is nothing that looks like a specific notification.

I have gone through my apps and deleted any app I don't really need to no avail.

My second question is about utility apps. I have downloaded an app, Max Cleaner, that cleans RAM, put background apps to sleep, kills viruses and it cleans the cache too. It's a free app so there are adverts. It doesn't really bother me that much.

Are these utilities any good, and which are the best ones?

Hennie

A

Oh look, we have a twofer.

Regarding your phantom notifications, we’ve experienced

TO IN E RITND W WA US

Next month’s mail of the month w a Google Home Mini worth R1 0 courtesy of Circuit City 88

that too. It seems to turn up if you’ve swiped away an older notification but haven’t actually checked it. See if you’ve got any unread messages, either SMS (which seems to be the main culprit) or WhatsApp or… well, anything you’ve got left after the Great Purge.

Concerning the utility apps, if you’re running Samsung’s S9+ you don’t need to free up any resources. Just occasionally close everything you’ve got open. A RAM cleaner isn’t really a requirement for modern flagships. We’d suggest an antivirus app, but opt for something from Kaspersky, Avast or AVG. There’s a lot of weirdness on the app store – we’d tend to stick to the brand names when it comes to keeping your data and device safe.

Q

STAYING SHARP

I have been sharpening my 3D modelling skills and I'm ready to take it to the next level: animation. I'm looking to upgrade my graphics card as well as my processor but what I'm most concerned about are the operating systems: Windows or Linux? I've heard rumours stating that Blender 2.8 (the software I'm using) runs far better on Linux. But if I go with Linux, I might have to buy a brand new computer (because I don't own the one I'm using now) and I wouldn't need to purchase a new graphics card

or processor. Would the swap to Linux be worth it or am I just overthinking things?

Siphesihle

A

You might be overthinking things. As far as Blender goes, the recommended spec isn’t very high at all. To use it to its full extent, you’re looking for as much RAM and as beefy a GPU as you can get your hands on. Without knowing what you’re using now, our best guess is in the form of a question: How much time have you spent using Linux? If the answer is “Not much”, we reckon you should stick with the OS you know. Yes, a Windows machine requires more resources but if you’re stacking it with 32GB of RAM and an RTX graphics card, it’s gonna be more or less bulletproof for at least a few years of Blender updates.

Q

CONSTANT READER

I love the magazine and would like to know if you would consider adding a list in the Top Tens for good tech reads/books.

Matthew

A

We're not sure whether a Top 10 for books would be doable – not that it's a bad idea, it's just a little unusual. We've been toying with the idea of tech book reviews on the Stuff website, however. We’ll keep you (and everyone else) posted on developments in that line.

OP EN

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

90 9 1 92 93 94 95 96

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

97 98 99 100 101 102 1 03

HOW TO USE THEM

TOP TENS SMARTPHONES

90

1

TIPS & TRICKS

HOT BUY

Apple iPhone 11 A 2019 iPhone with all the internals of its Pro-labelled sibling? Oh hell yeah. There’s good reason to have the iPhone 11 on the throne right now — it’s powered by Apple’s speedy A13 Bionic processor, runs iOS 13 and totes the new U1 chip. Nestled in the new square module around back, you get a wide-angle 12MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a 12MP ultrawide angle f/2.4 camera. You don’t have to go Pro to own a great iPhone this year.

By default, if you hold your iPhone 11 vertically, the image sensor zooms in to take a 7MP selfie. Tap the expand button on the screen to zoom out for the full 12MP camera.

Stuff says ★★★★★ You can’t ask for more than a solid iPhone that comes in at a great price

Come to the dark side by enabling Dark Mode - Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and toggle the Dark Mode switch.

2

● NOW ADD THIS UAG Plyo phone case Apple’s done its job by making the 11 water-resistant, now keep it safe from drops with a UAG cover.

R580 / gammatek.co.za

3

Samsung Galaxy S10

Huawei P30

The screen is excellent, the speedy Exynos chipset is assisted by 8GB of RAM and 128 or 512GB of storage.

The triple rear camera (12/12/16MP) features 2x optical zoom and an ultrawide option. Samsung proves you don’t need all the megapixels to have a great camera.

There’s a gap between the stock P30 and the P30 Pro. They’re both amazing phones, even if you’re giving up some features to get a significantly cheaper smartphone.

Much of the camera tech remains intact, though, and Huawei’s kept the power and style in place as well.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A brilliant phone that’s ideal if you don’t want to go Pro/Plus on Android

Stuff says ★★★★★ The P30 is priced the way we wish all flagships were – worth every cent

R14 000 / samsung.com/za

4

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

5

Apple iPhone XS

6

Samsung Galaxy S9

7

Apple iPhone XR

8

Huawei P30 Lite

9

LG G8S ThinQ

UPDATE

R10 000 / huaweistore.co.za

HOT BUY

10

★★★★★ from R22 000 / myistore.co.za It’s only down here because of the price. Brilliant phone, gorgeous colours, but a bit expensive.

★★★★★ from R20 000 / myistore.co.za We’re not used to the iPhone here. Apple’s hardware is top-notch, but 2019’s proving to be a tough year.

★★★★★ from R13 000 / samsung.com/za The S9 was all small, excellent updates. It still is, but now it’s got competition from its own stablemates.

★★★★★ from R13 000 / myistore.co.za This ‘budget’ iPhone still packs a punch, including killer battery life and the best LCD money can buy.

★★★★★ R5 500 / huaweistore.co.za Though it’s harder to recomend of late, Huawei’s budget entry is lifting eyebrows and dropping jaws.

★★★★✩ from R10 500 / lg.com/za LGs best-looking handset this year. Add a powerful processor, great camera and display, and you’re set.

Nokia 6.1

★★★★✩ from R3 000 / 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

● Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated

from R15 000 / myistore.co.za

The ultra-wide camera also works for panoramas. Ultra-wide panoramas look more distorted than with the wide lens, but, hey, if you want to do it, you can.

PHABLETS TOP TENS TIPS & TRICKS

uawei P30 Pro

Go dark – sa battery (why your eyes (ok by hitting Se Battery > Dar interface colo

000 / huaweistore.co.za

when you thought it was safe to upgrade r phone on contract, Huawei comes along h another sizzler. The P30 Pro may have best smartphone camera we’ve ever seen, h 5x optical zoom (thanks, prism!), and up 0x digital zoom. Because there are four era sensors there: 40MP, 20MP, 8MP Huawei’s own Time-of-Flight camera. nslation? The best low-light images you’ll from an Android for the foreseeable future.

Manage thos minutes. Pop to Settings > Balance > Tu screen time managemen Dangerously – Open the c then Settings top-right. Se Audio Contro then say ‘che to take photo

ff says ★★★★★ l the best bigboi out there, let’s see at Samsung can do to top it ● NOW ADD THIS Huawei Supercharge 10 000 mAh The P30 Pro’s huge battery is no reason not to get it a high-speed power bank of its very own.

R800 / huaweistore.co.za

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

★★★★★ R11 000 / samsung.com/za While it still supports Google Mobile Services, this is one of the most boss devices out there.

Apple iPhone Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy S10+

The iPhone 11 Pro Max signifies Apple’s best tech of 2019 in its largest chassis. It’s got the triplethreat camera setup which includes a telephoto lens, a wide-angle and a main sensor. Is it basically a bigger iPhone 11 Pro? Yes. Same insides, different size. Bigger is better, right?

Samsung ruled the roost two years ago but competition is fiercer than ever. Case in point: Samsung’s best phone ever hasn’t claimed the top spot. Don’t let that put you off. The S10+ is still a beast of a machine, elegantly styled, powerful and with a camera not to be sneezed at.

Stuff says ★★★★★ It’s worth maxing out your credit card for this iPhone

Stuff says ★★★★★ If you like them big, slick, and stylish, the Galaxy S10+ is the one

from R24 000 / myistore.co.za

from R16 500 / samsung.com/za

5

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+

6

Apple iPhone XS Max

7

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

8

Samsung Galaxy S9+

HOT BUY

9

10

UPDATE

★★★★✩ from R17 000 / samsung.com/za Samsung has pumped up the specs on its excellent phablet, including more S-Pen features.

★★★★✩ from R20 000 / myistore.co.za Apple must do something big to claw its way back. The XS Max proves they’re capable of that.

★★★★✩ from R13 000 / samsung.com/za Still an excellent purchase if you must have a stylus, even if it’s slipped down the ranks a tad.

★★★★✩ R17 300 / samsung.com/za Off the podium but still a solid choice if you want the best of Samsung and don’t need a stylus.

Apple iPhone 8 Plus

★★★★✩ from R8 000 / myistore.co.za Short stay on the podium notwithstanding, the iPhone 8 Plus is looking cheap vs the XS Max.

Honor 8x

★★★★✩ from R4 500 / hi-online.co.za Our fave budget handset right now holds its own against far pricier ones, and looks the part, too.

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TOP TENS TABLETS & MOBILE GAMES

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HOT BUY

1

HOT BUY

Apple iPad Pro

Data Wing

The latest iPad Pro isn’t cheap, but it’s a mobile powerhouse like no other, with a diverse and rich app ecosystem, tons of power, a gorgeous screen, and the kind of focus on creativity and productivity that just doesn’t exist on other tablets. If you just want to faff on Facebook or Netflix it’s massive overkill, but then there’s the standard iPad or a slew of other tablets for doing that.

Still, even if you don’t actually need the new iPad Pro, you’re going to want one if you have it in your mitts for five minutes.

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 ★★★★★ Once again Apple blasts ahead of the pack, with a stylish, powerful tablet full of creative potential

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

from R15 000 / myistore.co.za

2 NEW

Apple iPad Air (2019)

from R9 000 / myistore.co.za Admit it, you’ve been waiting for a new iPad Air. An A12 Bionic procesor, improved specs across the board and an option of 64GB or 256GB of storage. It’s a very good time to be an Apple fan.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Still the best all-purpose iPad for most

Apple iPad 7 (2019)

from R6 000 / myistore.co.za This is a minor upgrade from its predecessor, but we love the larger 10.2in retina display and, as always, the Pencil support. It’s the perfect entry-level iPad for big screen Apple Arcade gaming and streaming sessions.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Our favourite gigantic digital doodling pad

4

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

5

Apple iPad Mini (2019)

★★★★★ R17 700 / samsung.com/za This is the Android tablet to get if you like doodling or gaming on tablets.

★★★★★ from R7 500 / myistore.co.za Apple’s finally updated the mini iPad, with the A12 Bionic chip and a general upgrade.

Free / Android, iOS

2

Jumpgrid

3

Oddmar

4

Bring You Home

5

Knight Brawl

R50 / iOS Pac-Man and Frogger meet Super Hexagon and buckets of adrenaline in this superb game, a twitch/arcade/punishment crossover masterpiece. It’s a stunning ride that will leave you a quivering wreck.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The best twitch arcade game on mobile

R66 / Android, 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

★★★★★ R50 / Android, iOS Make your own future with this imaginative, brilliantly designed and devious puzzler.

★★★★★ Free / Android, iOS If Monty Python made a sword-fighting game for mobile… it still wouldn’t be this silly.

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93

TVs TOP TENS

HOT BUY

LG OLED 65C9PUA R60 700 / lg.com/za

Replacing its memorable predecessor, this year’s C-class OLED gives you LG’s most advanced picture and processing tech. It’s got the snappy as heck Alpha9 processor. Along with being faster than we can handle, the set looks beautiful in any setting. Even at its thickest point, the 65in C9 measures just 4.7cm. Joining four HDMI 2.1 sockets, the C9 has three USB ports, ethernet, optical and headphone outputs, and aerial and satellite connections. Oh, and it’s got 4K output.

Stuff says ★★★★★ As expected, the updated C9 is the closest you’ll get to a tiny home cinema TIPS & TRICKS

The C9 offers assistant-smarts — choose between LG’s own ThinQ, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

2

● 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 (R4 800).

R7 000 / playstation.com/za

It’ll recommend content based on what you’ve previously watched at certain times throughout the day.

3 HOT BUY

Samsung 55Q8C

R18 000 / hirschs.co.za

4

LG 65SK9500

5

Hisense 65U8A

6

Samsung 55Q7F

7

LG OLED 65E8

★★★★★ from R30 000 / lg.com/za 4K UHD but there’s no OLED here. Nano Cell, HDR, and webOS make up for it.

★★★★★ R13 000 / hisense.co.za A huge UHD panel, enough ports to make you feel like a sailor and a price that’s kind to the wallet.

★★★★★ R18 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.

★★★★✩ R120 200 / lg.com/za LG’s heavy hitter is amazeballs, but the price hits your wallet harder than the pixels pummel pupils.

LG 65SM9500PUA R26 000 / takealot.com

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.

LG can succeed even without OLED. Just look at LG’s NanoCell-backed panel for the SM9500PUA, LG could bore you to death with NanoCell marketing fluff, but it really looks beautiful with deep blacks and solid, vivid colours. Get one in 65in and use LG’s digital assistant voice control to get lost in a mediocre Netflix series. It’s just that good.

Stuff says ★★★★★ If you can look past the curve, there’s a lot to love here

Stuff says ★★★★★ You don’t need OLED when you look this good

8 HOT BUY

9

1

Hisense 75N9700UWG

★★★★✩ R50 000 / hisense.co.za Hisense lobs Quantum Dot colour tech and a humongous 75in 4K ULED screen at you.

Skyworth 55G7200

★★★★✩ R8 800 / iskyworth.com A 55in 4K display for under R10k? For that combo, we’ll forgive the user interface missteps.

LG 49UK6300PVB

★★★★✩ R7 000 / lg.com/za UDH and HDR combined in a package designed to make you feel like you spent far more money.

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TOP TENS LAPTOPS TIPS & TRICKS

Who needs a Touch Bar? You can log into your Mac with your iPhone’s Touch ID using the MacID app.

94

1

The universal clipboard lets you copy text on your iPhone and paste it directly to your Mac.

HOT BUY

Apple MacBook Pro 2019

from R23 000 (13in) / myistore.co.za

The entry-level MacBook Pro received a noteworthy spec bump this year, and the base 13in variation won’t necessarily break the bank. What this also means, is the previous-gen Pro’s have received a price cut. Which makes them even more desirable. But the 2019 Pro’s now run 8th- and 9th-gen Intel Core processors, and the 15in model packs up to 8-cores. It retains the Touch Bar, Retina Display, Touch ID, some nifty SSDs and the trusty Apple T2 Security Chip. Now if we could just get these a little cheaper, that’d be grand.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A bump in spec is exactly what the best MacBook needed to dominate ● NOW ADD THIS Satechi Type-C USB 3 Combo Hub Two ports not enough? This hub adds loads more and sits snugly against the MacBook Pro’s side.

R800 / amazon.com

3

4

Apple MacBook Air 13in

★★★★★ from R15 000 / myistore.co.za As stylish as it ever was, Apple’s Air is due for a refresh locally after an international update.

MSI GT76 Titan

★★★★★ from R55 000 / evetech.co.za It packs a punch with at least an RTX 2070 GPU and up to an Intel Core i9 in a weighty chassis.

Apple MacBook

★★★★★ from R18 000 / myistore.co.za It may be about to join the ranks of the obsolete but it’s still a top bit of tech.

MSI PS63 Modern

★★★★★ from R18 000 / evetech.co.za Does MSI’s multimedia editing-slayer still play games? Yes. Yes, it bloody well does.

Dell XPS 13 (2019)

Asus Zenbook UX331UA

The Dell XPS 13 is one of the best, most consistent Windows laptops in the world. There are no gimmicks, no flimsy parts: every element is top-quality. You get style, portability, performance and great battery life. And every part of it just feels, well, good.

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 ★★★★★ Royalty among Windows laptops: everything about this is top-notch

Stuff says ★★★★★ Something this fast shouldn’t be this light

from R25 000 / dell.co.za

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.

from R15 000 / asus.com/za

9 1

Asus ZenBook Pro 14

★★★★★ R30 000 / asus.com/za A sizable second screen makes the ZenBook Pro 14 a very unusual proposition indeed.

Acer Swift 5

★★★★✩ R15 000 / acer.co.za Lacks gaming chops but it’s light, portable, and powerful enough to make office life lovely.

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SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS TOP TENS HOT

HOT

Apple Watch Series 5

Garmin Fenix 5

You want to pay attention, because the new-gen Apple Watch looks pretty much identical to our previous leader. The Watch Series 5 may look familiar, but brings a bunch of cool new features and updated specs to the irrewristable companion.

It’s now got an always-on display, WatchOS 6 and a speedier processor. It may not sound like much — but we love this watch.

Improved health features make the Series 5 brilliant for both healthy and unhealthy folks.

So you’re the kind of sporty that makes the seriously fit look at you kinda strange and wonder if you’re ever going to slow down, you need the sportiest sportswatch. You’re going to need something that tracks all the things. Our fitness champ does everything from swimming to sprinting to… skydiving? Really?

Yeah, really. 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.

Stuff says ★★★★★ It’s more expensive, but we’re betting it’s totally worth it if you’re in it for the health and fitness features

Stuff says ★★★★★ If you’re going to be the sportiest of your pentathlonbeating mates, you’re going to want the Fenix 5

from R8 000 / myistore.co.za

from R6 000 / garmin.co.za

Samsung Galaxy Watch

UPDAT

Garmin Forerunner 945

UPDATE

4

Fitbit Versa

UPDATE

5

Huawei Watch GT 2

2 UPDAT

R4 700 / 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 from an Apple Watch, though.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The best smartwatch for Android users

R2 000 / fitbit.com For a broad range of tracking without making your wallet sad, Fitbit’s versatile Charge 3 offers up all of the basics, a whack of actual sports smarts, and more than a few bits cribbed from its smartwatch brethren.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The Jonty Rhodes of fitness trackers

from R11 100 / garmin.co.za It’s definitely one of the most comprehensive, smartwatches out there. The FR945 goes beyond basic tracking, music playback and NFC payments. It’s got temperature and altitude acclimation and improved tracking. tuff says ★★★★★ Lifting the bar(ometer) for fitness freaks

NEW

★★★★✩ R3 000 / fitbit.com Decent battery life and a smattering of smarts make this an attractive watch.

★★★★✩ R4 400 / huaweistore.co.za As always, it looks good and tracks well but lacks app support.

Fitbit Charge 3

Fitbit Inspire HR

R1 200 / fitbit.com Fitbit’s latest is a great little tracker. As well as step-counting, it’s surprisingly capable for proper run-tracking if you go out with a phone. Add notifications and that’s just about everything we want in a low-key band.

Stuff says ★★★★★ All the tracking skills that most people need

4

Fitbit Alta HR

5

Garmin Vivosmart HR+

★★★★★ R1 600 / fitbit.com The slim design, HR monitor, and notifications make this the best discreet wristable.

★★★★✩ R2 500 / garmin.co.za A superb tracker packed with features; it’s just a little bulky for wearing 24/7.

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TOP TENS BUDGET BUYS

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1

There’ll be playground spats and online feuds over whether Nintendo’s or Sega’s games are better, but the Mega Drive Mini wins the miniature retro console war in terms of the faithful recreation of both hardware and software – especially as there are 42 games included. It’s taken a long time to get here, but as the saying goes, to be this good takes ages – and the Sega is going to be the must-buy console this year.

Dip into the display settings to switch from the standard 4:3 aspect ratio to fit your widescreen TV. Switch the language settings to Japanese and you can play vastly different versions of games.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Sega’s back – and this really is the ultimate mini gaming machine

Struggling with the old-school difficulty?

Hold down the start button to use one of four save slots.

UPDATE

● NOW ADD THIS Retro-Bit Official 6-Button Controller A must for fans of fighting games, this six-button USB pad is also compatible with PCs, Macs and even the Switch.

R700 / raru.co.za

3

SNES Classic Mini

Raspberry Pi Zero W

Why splash out over R6 000 on a games console when you can get the SNES Classic Mini for so much less? You get 21 titles pre-installed on this nostalgia-inducing little machine, including the likes of Super Metroid, A Link to the Past and Super Mario World.

It might be nearly twice the price of the original Pi Zero, but when you’re still getting change from R300 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.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Retro-minded Nintendo fans won’t find better value anywhere

Stuff says ★★★★★ The Pi Zero was already brilliant; wireless add-ons make it better

R2 500 / nintendo.co.za

Sega Mega Drive Mini R1 400 / game4u.co.za

TIPS & TRICKS

2

NEW

R210 / pishop.co.za

NEW

4

UE Wonderboom 2

5

Moov Now

6

Amazon Kindle

7

SoundMagic E10C

8

Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

9

Ryze Tello

10

★★★★★ R1 500 / takealot.com A rugged little wonder that’ll bring a sonic boost to any occasion.

★★★★★ R1 550 / pclinkshop.co.za The best budget tracker you can buy – gives most Fitbits a run for their money.

★★★★★ from R1 600 / circuitcity.co.za Top of our holiday packing list, the basic Kindle is thinner and lighter than its predecessor.

★★★★★ R600 /sound-magic.co.za SoundMagic is royalty when it comes to budget buds. For only R600, these are stupendous.

★★★★★ R1 100 / fujifilm.co.za The new Mini 9 keeps the point-and-print charm of its predecessors... and the same film.

★★★★✩ R1 900 / takealot.com Rule the skies without breaking the bank with this affordable toy drone.

Amazon Echo Dot

★★★★✩ R1 000 / geewiz.co.za This smart home assistant is a lot smaller than the full-size Echo, but it’s a much bigger bargain.

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97

DRONES, ACTION CAMS & COMPACTS TOP TENS HOT

UPDATE

GoPro Hero7 Black

Sony DSC-RX100 V A

This is basically the excellent Hero6 Black (a five-star action cam that cost R8 500 at launch) with a bunch of improvements added – the most useful of which being the incredibly effective HyperSmooth image stabilisation, which has a huge impact on video quality. It’s great to see a company like GoPro continue to innovate in ways that are genuinely valuable to its main customer base, and the Hero7 Black is the best camera it’s made in years. It’s due to be dethroned soon, though.

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 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 ★★★★★ GoPro’s smoothest operator ever, and a brilliant flagship action cam

Stuff says ★★★★★ A small improvement over the RX100 IV, but this Sony is close to premium point-and-shoot perfection

R6 000 / gopro.com

2

DJI Osmo Action

R6 000 / myistore.co.za The image stabilisation is sensational and the face-optimised metering makes DJI’s action cam an ideal choice for vloggers. It has some idiosyncrasies, but this is a smart shooter that captures great footage without faff.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Despite a few quirks, this is a stellar cam

3

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

4

DJI Mavic Air

5

DJI Osmo Pocket

UPDATE

from R30 000 / myistore.co.za Aimed at the enthusiast willing to spend a little more to fly and film a little further, this is an undeniably pricey drone – but we think it’s worth every cent. It’s a fantastic flyer that feels superbly responsive in the air.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The gold standard in portable flyers

★★★★★ R15 560 / myistore.co.za A stellar gadget that combines the best bits from the Spark and the Mavic Pro.

★★★★✩ R7 100 / myistore.co.za Silky shooting in a palm-sized package; this gimbal/cam fits a novel niche.

R20 000 / premiumbrands.co.za

2 3

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

4

Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

5

Fujifilm X100F

★★★★★ R19 000 / panasonic.com/za One of the most capable compacts on the market, with superb stills and HD video.

★★★★★ R17 600 / myfujifilm.co.za The best street shooter around if you don’t need the flexibility of interchangeable lenses.

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TOP TENS VR HEADSETS & VR GAMES

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1

HOT BUY

Oculus Quest

Blood & Truth

The Quest offers all manner of fully interactive, roamable virtual worlds that you can throw in your backpack without a single wire. That’s a mindblowing technical feat. Yes, the battery life is average, but the inside-out tracking and total absence of any cables make this the best all-round VR headset to date. It also ships with the Oculus Touch motion controllers included, which means you can play fully fledged Oculus Rift titles without being anywhere near a PC.

Blood & Truth uses every trick available to deliver an absolutely rollicking action thriller – sweaty palms are guaranteed. Covering a huge breadth of environments and sequences that will make you forget its relatively short runtime, it turns London into a playground packed with dazzling action set-pieces, while the story keeps you grounded with a likeable and compelling cast.

Anyone with a PSVR needs to play this; and for those who don’t already own one, the time is now.

Stuff says ★★★★★ If you’ve been waiting to board the VR bandwagon, the Quest might be the best reason yet to go for it

Stuff says ★★★★★ A stunning full-length VR action blockbuster with a great story

from R10 800 / 1 80by2.co.za

HTC Vive

R12 000 / makro.co.za Now that prices have levelled out, there isn’t much difference between the HTC Vive 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

HTC Vive Pro

R15 200 (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

Google Daydream View

★★★★✩ R1 800 / thegadgetshop.co.za This budget-friendly option is the best way of bringing VR to the masses.

5

PlayStation VR

★★★✩✩ from R5 200 / playstation.com/za It can deliver incredible experiences, but the PSVR is held back by teething issues.

R630 / PSVR

2

Superhot VR

3

Farpoint

4

Moss

5

BARGAIN BUY

R400 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR 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. A wonderfully action-packed title.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A superb 2-in-1 VR puzzler and shooter

R330 (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

★★★★✩ R470 / PSVR This platform puzzler offers a one-of-akind fable that’s perfect for VR.

Thumper

★★★★✩ R320 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR This mesmerising rhythm game is best played in VR, despite the lack of tracking.

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SYSTEM CAMERAS TOP TENS HOT BUY

UPDATE

Fujifilm X-T3

R23 000 (body) / myfujifilm.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.

● 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

3

4

Sony A6500

5

Fujifilm X-T30

6

Panasonic GH5S

Panasonic Lumix G9

The A7 III manages to pack in a lot of technology and desirability for less than R40k. 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

R38 000 / premiumbrands.co.za

R29 300 / panasonic.com/za

★★★★★ R14 000 (body) / myfujifilm.co.za You get the X-T3’s sensor in a cheaper, smaller body with more spare change for buying lenses.

★★★★★ R41 000 (body) / panasonic.com/za A compact system camera that’s a pro at video, if slightly disappointing for stills.

7

Canon EOS 80D

8

Nikon Z6

9

Nikon D850

BARGAIN BUY

Sony A7 III

★★★★★ R20 700 (body) / premiumbrands.co.za A cracking system cam for action photography, but stick with the A6300 if your budget is tight.

10

★★★★★ R17 000 / canon.co.za The 80D is so easy to use that even a toddler would get some great shots with it.

★★★★★ R41 000 (body) / nikon.co.za A top-notch and reasonably sized mirrorless camera from the optical experts.

★★★★★ R54 600 (body) / nikon.co.za This super-cam has enough fantastic features to excel in pretty much any situation.

Fujifilm GFX 50S

★★★★★ R93 300 / myfujifilm.co.za It’s not cheap, but no camera we’ve tested takes better photos than this.

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TOP TENS HEADPHONES OT

100

1

UPDATE

Sony WH-1000XM3

Sony WF-1000XM3

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.

The original WF-1000XMs had an easy job in the early days of noise-cancelling in-ears, because there simply wasn’t much in the way of competition. That’s all changed now – yet the way the XM3s serve up sound quality as spectacular as this while being truly wireless, while effectively cancelling background noise and while remaining comfortable in the ears, is quite something. So, just as it was with the original XMs, it’s job done for Sony.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Great wireless headphones with effective ANC and a sound that nails just about everything

Stuff says ★★★★★ Outright winners on design, build, specifications and, most importantly of all, performance

R6 000 / takealot.com

UPDATE

HOT BUY

R4 000 / takealot.com

2

B&O H9i

SoundMagic E10BT

3

Sennheiser PXC 550

3

Jabra Elite Sport

4

Bose QuietComfort 35 II

4

Apple AirPods (2019)

5

Sennheiser HD 4.50BTNC

5

Samsung Galaxy Buds

BARGAIN BUY

R8 300 / makro.co.za Like all B&O products, these noise-cancelling cans scream luxury… but they’re not just a pretty face. There’s measured punch in the low end and timing is spot-on, with a crisp and expressive midrange.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Some of the best noise-cancellers you can buy

R5 000 / 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

★★★★★ R7 000 / makro.co.za Frequent flyers and long-range commuters: these are the headphones for you.

★★★★★ R2 100 / mitechdirect.co.za Priced right, wireless, and with noise cancelling.

The catch? The noise cancellation is permanent.

R890 / sound-magic.co.za The SoundMagic E10BT in-ears are the same as the E10Cs, just sporting a new Bluetooth finish, which means they’ll play nice with all those 3.5 jack-less smartphones. Expect a spot of bass, clean treble and detailed mids.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Wireless wired sound for the cable connoisseur

UPDATE

R3 400 / 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

from R2 700 / myistore.co.za Apple’s ear-pokers are still on this list until we get to fully test the Airpods Pro.

★★★★★ R2 300 / samsung.com/za Android’s answer to AirPods, the Buds sound great, look subtler, and offer more fit options.

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101 TIPS & TRICKS

With iPhones and Android devices, you can control your Sonos speakers from your lock screen.

WIRELESS SPEAKERS TOP TENS

1

Sonos speakers use a feature called Trueplay that tunes the sound to your room’s acoustics.

HOT BUY

Sonos multiroom system from R4 000 / audiotronic.co.za If you want to pretend your favourite band is playing in your living room, there’s no better option than a Sonos wireless speaker. They look great, work with your smartphone and boom out your tunes with dazzling finesse – from the compact and Alexa-compatible One, to the flagship Play:5, and the TV-friendly Beam (our reigning gadget-of-the-year champ).

Stuff says ★★★★★ Infinite music in every room without the need for custom installers? Sign us up! ● NOW ADD THIS Spotify Premium Sick of playing your iTunes library on repeat? Sign up to Spotify for more new music than you could ever possibly listen to.

R60/month / spotify.com

2

HOT BUY

UPDATE

3

HOT BUY

UPDATE

UE Megaboom 3

★★★★★ R2 500 / takealot.com You’ll struggle to find a better, longer-lasting or more feature-laden portable Bluetooth speaker.

UPDATE

JBL Xtreme

★★★★★ R3 000 / dionwired.co.za A killer speaker that’s also become a far more affordable one in recent months.

JBL Pulse 3

★★★★★ R3 500 / kloppers.co.za Pretty pricey, but potent for its size, and the LED light show is utterly mesmerising.

7

Braven 705

8

JBL Clip 2

9

Fender Newport

BARGAIN BUY

UE WonderBoom 2

DreamWave Tremor

This tiny speaker is a delight. It’s ideal for the park, or even if you’re looking to use one (or two) to supercharge your bedroom setup.

Audio quality is ramped up from its predecessor, giving you better bass and more detail, but not at the expense of dinky portability.

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.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A rugged little wonder that’ll bring a sonic boost to any occasion

Stuff says ★★★★★ It’ll last all day: come rain, snow, sand or being rolled down a hill

from R1 400 / takealot.com

from R3 000 / takealot.com

UPDATE

1

UPDATE

★★★★★ R1 000 / pclinkshop.com A massive price drop makes the 705 such a bargain it’s worth getting two to pair up.

★★★★★ R1 000 / capeunionmart.co.za A pocket-sized party package that delivers pounding performance while being pound-proof.

★★★★★ from R2 700 / takealot.com Great battery life, incredible sound and good looks make this amp imitator utterly irresistible.

Marshall Kilburn II

★★★★✩ R4 300 / makro.co.za The Kilburn II is a speaker with rock-god cred and a 20-hour battery. Weighs 3kg, though.

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TOP TENS CONSOLES

102

HOT BUY

UPDATE

GOT EARS? THEN CHECK OUT…

PlayStation 4 Pro from R8 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. Sure, it can’t match the Xbox One X for sheer power or resolution, but it makes up for that with an impressive line-up of games – including Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn and Bloodborne – and virtual reality support.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The system for console gamers who have a 4K TV and want the best gaming experience possible Nintendo Switch

from R7 000 / store.nintendo.co.za Nintendo’s console earned a promotion in our list after it impressed us with a growing list of fantastic games. Plus, no other device here offers the joy of portable gaming. Long journeys will never be boring again.

Stuff says ★★★★★ This 2-in-1 console is the real deal

YOUR ESSENTIAL AUDIO GUIDE TO WHAT’S HOT IN GADGETS

Microsoft Xbox One X

● BITING COMMENTARY ● BRILLIANT INSIGHTS ● (BAD) JOKES! ● GADGET HANDS-ONS

4

Nintendo Switch Lite

FIND IT ON iTUNES, SOUNDCLOUD OR YOUR PODCAST PLAYER OF CHOICE SIMPLY SEARCH FOR “STUFFED”

5

PlayStation 4 Slim

UPDATE

from R7 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

★★★★★ from R4 000 / store.nintendo.co.za Yeah, it’s a tiny bit smaller. But it’s also cheaper and just as powerful as its big bro.

★★★★✩ from R6 000 / playstation.com/za Haven’t got a 4K TV? This is the best way to enjoy PlayStation’s brilliant exclusives.

www.stuff.co.za/hubs/podcasts-videos/

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1

103

GAMES TOP TENS

HOT BUY

UPDATE

Red Dead Redemption 2 from R500 / 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

UPDATE

● 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

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

5

Forza Horizon 4

6

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

7

Resident Evil 2

8

Super Mario Maker 2

9

Gears 5

UPDATE

God of War

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

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.

It’s no exaggeration to say this is hands-down the best Smash game yet. There’s just so much going on, with a huge array of fighters – it’s a fantastic way to enter into the world of Smash, and long-time fans of the series will not be disappointed.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The epic return of Kratos is yet another phenomenal PS4 offering

Stuff says ★★★★★ Smash is well and truly back, and it’s bigger and better than ever before

from R300 / PS4

R1 000 / Switch

10

★★★★★ from R900 / PS4, Xbox One, PC A brutally punishing action adventure that will get your heart a-pumping.

★★★★★ from R400 / Xbox One, PC This is a bar-raising sandbox-racing game experience that’s worth buckling up for.

★★★★★ R1 000 / Switch Crammed with tactical and social depth, this is the best Fire Emblem game so far.

★★★★★ from R700 / PS4, Xbox One, PC Highly polished and much more than just a remake, this is the series’ best entry yet.

★★★★★ R1 000 / Switch One of Nintendo’s smartest ideas in years feels perfect for the Switch.

★★★★★ from R1 000 / Xbox One, PC Huge, thrilling and luxurious at every turn – this is absolutely essential.

Astral Chain

★★★★★ R1 300 / Switch The most stylish and innovative action game you’ll play this year.

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In the wee small hours Weighing just 22g, the original iPod Shuffle could hold 240 songs. That might sound a bit rubbish in the Spotify era, but it’s still 12 hours of music – or roughly half a Pink Floyd track.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES 2005

Apple IPod Shuffle nother showcase of Apple’s amazing design skills: the USB stick-of-gum iPod! Look here – we’ll have nothing said against the first-gen iPod Shuffle, which turns 15 in January. Sure, it was a bit weird to see Apple selling an iPod without a screen… or a scroll wheel… or any apps… or even basic playlist management. But you could argue that iTunes filling it at random with songs from your collection was remarkably prescient. After all, who bothers managing music these days?

We all just use a streaming service and have it pump whatever it chooses into our ears.

A

I have more discerning tastes. Plus the Shuffle looked like the Siri Remote. Bleh!

Well, the iPod Shuffle is a better design than the Apple TV zapper – at least when holding it you can instantly figure out which way up it is. Anyway, Apple quickly built on the first version: 18 months later, a radically different follow-up emerged in the shape of a clip you could attach to your clothes or, if you were feeling particularly weird, earlobe. Admittedly the need for an oddball proprietary docking station was annoying, but it showed that Apple really did have some amazing design skills. So there.

Explain the third-gen Shuffle, then – that was the most ‘Apple’ iPod ever, and in the worst possible way.

Fair enough – v3 was an innovation too far, not only removing the screen but also the controls, and making the device small enough to lose down the back of an atom. Still, Apple soon realised its error and released a masterful new take on the clip design, which was sold for nearly seven years. And all the Shuffles were pretty much indestructible: you could hurl one out of the window or run it over with a car and it’d be just fine. Try that with your shiny new smartphone.

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