P h o n e s
t a b l e t s
a u d i o
t v s
C A r s
h o m e
Apple wat c h THE U LT I M ATE G A D G ET
The Gadget Magazine
It’s here and you’ll love it. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLE’S NEW ARRIVAL
May 2015 / £4.99
25
Essential tech buys under £250! F I RST LOO K
samsung GALAXY S6 THE HOTTEST PHONE ON THE PLANET reviewed
HTC one m9
Boost Your Tv!
IS IT WORTH UPGRADING FROM THE M8?
GET CINEMA-QUALITY SOUND WITH the arcam solo
ROBO-MOWERS + GRASS-MUNCHERS TO
MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
TECH ‘FORE’ YOU + become a master of the
greens with top golf kit
P R I N T E D I N T HE U K
I SS U E 2 4 2 T 3 . C O M
Contents May 2015 / Issue 242
This issue’s highlights
Samsung Galaxy S6
34
The keenly anticipated smartphone is here. It’s redesigned. With more power. And more beauty. We get our sweaty mitts on it…
Apple Watch
50
The hottest gadget on the planet right now: the specs, the prices, the options, the apps – all is finally revealed…
The top 25
63
Gadgets under £250. Robots, personal drones, streaming speakers… Tech that’s affordable but feels like it shouldn’t be
Golf gadgetry
73
Tech ‘fore’ you. From clubs to lower your scores, to swing-boosting asymmetrical shoes – how to become a master of the greens
HTC One M9
105
The latest One smartphone has arrived. It’s even more stylish and much more powerful. But has HTC produced truly great tech?
The rise of the turfminators
115
Tired of pushing that blade churner around the lawn? Time to put your feet up. We test five robotic grass munchers
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Contents May 2015 / Issue 242
Editor’s letter
9
Opinion
The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball
I’ve seen things...
Insight by Will.i.am
Radar
Valley beats city
Most Wanted
13
How B&O has taken music streaming to new levels of beauty and simplicity
Tired of lumping the mower around? We test five robotic grass munchers
Apple’s Big Race
49
Onkyo TX-NR838
features
Time for a game changer 24
The Apple Watch: all you need to know
Are mobile-based payments about to take off?
Nest Learning Thermostat
Golf tech ‘fore’ you
Why you’ll warm to this smart thermostat
Will this be the year money died?
29
Tech life Gadget of the Month
30
How to...
It’s springtime, so let’s clean!
34
The Samsung Galaxy S6: a redesign, more power… it’s a thing of beauty 36
Pulse
78
84 87 88 89
The guide
TVs Home entertainment Headphones Laptops Tablets Smartphones
130 131 132 134 136 137
Fat bikes, skinny bikes, Lycra clobber Tech lives 37
92
Harmony Korine on the tech “disease” Home
39
Tech happenings we can see on the horizon
93
No wires, lots of style; plus barbecues Drive
96
We check out the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake
41
Rated
360 review: HTC One M9
105
It’s here – it’s more stylish and powerful, but is it truly great?
The Witcher 3, State of Decay and some stuff about goats Apps
subscribe
83
Get that Junior Wiggins kitted out
All the numbers that really count
Play
126
Subscribe to T3 today and get the best deal across print and digital
Test: steamy action Tech Dad
News of the long-awaited comeback for Howard the Duck
Games
100
The exercise bike that’s a work of art
Hands-on
Incoming
73
How to become a master of the greens
Match wine to food and fold a shirt
Stats
124
Which is the strongest?
Affordable tech that feels like it shouldn’t be
From 3D printed automobiles to gyms on wheels – from the Geneva Motor Show
The Buzz
63
Subscribe and save cash!
Reclaiming old objects and making playful but practical sculptures Cars of the future
123
Who’s a pretty boy, then? Showdown: fitness bands
Spend
Get IMAX installed in your home – all yours for the small matter of £1.8m
123
Parrot Zik 2.0 headphones 50
Top 25 gadgets under £250
Icon: Paul Cocksedge
122
Are you in for a shock?
Wrap these around your lugs – premium cans rammed full of tech Are Fords electric? 26 The American automobile stalwart turns its attention to electric bikes 28
115
Dolby Atmos compatible – height or hype? Casio G-Shock GBA-400
22
An Apple Watch stand, hi-fi prints, trackers, that kind of thing… Trend
Supertest: rise of the turfminators
Finally… by Gareth Beavis
The best tech your credit card will allow: Macs, Mech-ano and we love lamp!
112
Superior TV audio with bluetooth
49
Truth by Duncan Bell 16
111
The first filterless, bagless vacuum cleaner Round-up: soundbars
48
Stateside by Chris Smith The Watch Phony War
Need List
Stuff
47
44
Alto’s Adventure, Nike+ Running, a meerkat and much more. So much more…
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
110
A clever 16MP compact-system camera that can produce 64MP images
On the cover
apple watch: the ultimate gadget. it’s here and you’ll love it. everything you need to know about apple’s new arrival. page 50
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Editor’s letter May 2015 / Issue 242
So, it’s finally here. The most anticipated gadget of the year has landed on our wrists. Of course, I’m talking about the Apple Watch – the first all-new product from the Cupertino giant since the iPad. As you read this, you may have already pre-ordered one, or you may even have one strapped to your wrist. Whatever you think of the Apple/iOS ecosystem, you have to admire the Watch. The design details, the raft of sensors, the unique interface, the huge choice of options – it’s a device that will boost wearable tech in a big way. If you haven’t yet pre-ordered, either because you’re deciding whether you want one or you’re choosing which of the 38 you want to get (maybe the £13,500 Edition?) we’re on hand to help you make up your mind. Flick to page 50 to check out our hands-on with the device. To further aid your buying decision, we’ve presented each and every Apple Watch – every combination of strap and face sold – in two easy-to-digest pages. We also look at some of the best apps for the device, and some rather cool accessories. But we’re not all about the Apple Watch this issue – the magazine is postively packed with the best gadgets and gear that you should be looking at right now.
For instance, paw your way to page 63 and you’ll find our hot list of 25 essential gadgets for under £250. And then, when you’ve spent this month’s tech allocation of your budget, consider breaking the bank by checking out our big robotic-lawnmower test, starting on page 115. I’m one of those guys who hates cutting the lawn. There are just better things I can be doing (perhaps firing up one of the BBQs featured on page 94). So, over a period of a few weeks – calling in favours from my father-in-law, neighbours and anyone else with a biggish lawn – I set up five robomowers. I’m a total convert. It’s strangely satisfying opening the curtains on a sunny morning and seeing the mower detach from its dock and start doing its (my!) work. From a pet hate to a passion: golf. With the US Masters having just taken place (as I write this, it’s actually about to take place – my money’s on Rory), we thought it only appropriate to feature some of the hottest golf tech out there. Flick to page 73 now. Finally, I couldn’t sign off without telling you about something very special coming next month. Issue 243 sees a completely revamped T3 hit the newsstands (or your letterbox, if you subscribe). We have four all-new sections: Hype, Agenda, Select and Elite. We’ll also be bringing you more in-depth reviews, more inspiration, more buying and set-up advice, and more to read. And, if that wasn’t enough, we’re introducing T3 Squared – a series of special, collectible bonus magazines dedicated to a particular aspect or category of technology. The first one, looking at cutting-edge smartphones, is free with the next issue. I’m incredibly excited by the new T3, and I know you’ll love it – so make sure you don’t miss out by subscribing today on page 78. Until next month! Rob Carney, editor Twitter: @robcarney / Email: rob.carney@futurenet.com
{Contributors}
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The Black Eyed Peas frontman and judge of BBC talent show The Voice waxes lyrical about recycling for the future, 3D printers and the beauty of eating watermelons in winter, on page 47.
Whether your musical vice is Waylon Jennings or One Direction, you’ll want an audio set-up that maximises your enjoyment. The director of acoustic design at IAG offers his tips on page 85.
Who said you can’t get much for £250 these days? Mr Winchester runs down our choice of the best gizmos and gadgets you can buy for that price or under, starting on page 63. You may be surprised!
WILL.I.AM
Peter J Comeau
HENRY WINCHESTER
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