Gladget Magazine August 2013 by Gladget Magazine

I S S U E 3 4 / Vo l . 3 August 2013

www.gladgetmag.com

Wi-Fi predators and how they work...

Spotting...

Asus’ ET27 All-in-One demands it!

R evie w s inc luding Sam s ung, Sony , Canon, MS I , Raidmax , As us , F uj if ilm and more. ..

Imagine It! Microsoft’s yearly drive towards fresh tech

MSI’s most powerful notebook ever!

Spamtastic!

Is it really a big deal?

Free Online Mag

Inside 6 From the Editor

8 Did You Know?

Facts and figres from the tech world 10 Tshabablabber

Seeking innovation 12 Imagine the Possibilities!

How Microsoft inspires tech creators... 18 Wi-Fi Spotting

Wi-Fi threats are very real! 20 Spam Sham

What’s the beef with unwanted information? 22 Prepare for Battle

Two-layer tablet wars... 24 Lookng Back: 1942

How war inspires technology... 26 Reviews

Lots of awesome tech on review!

This Month’s Cover We review MSI’s most powerful gaming notebook ever. See our review on page 28...

Competition 67 Razer Ferox Portable Speakers

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Reviews

MSI GT70 20D Gaming Notebook

SteelSeries Apex Gaming Keyboard

Razer Sabertooth Elite Gaming Controller (Xbox 360)

Asus GeForce GTX 760 DirectCU II OC Graphics Card

Sony Xperia V Smartphone

Olympus XZ-2 Digital Camera

GLADGET Volume 3 Issue 34 August 2013

Editor: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com Writers: Alex Scanlon Andy Taliadoros Charlie Fripp Iwan Pienaar Lein Baart Pippa Tshabalala Rob Edwards Suvesh Arumugam Walt Pretorius

Mad Catz M.O.U.S. 9 Wireless Mouse

Asus ET27 All-in-One PC

Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone

J5 Create Wormhole Switch

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Digital Camera

Letters: letters@gladgetmag.com

Raidmax Vampire PC Case

Competition Entries: competitions@gladgetmag.com

Raidmax 635W High Efficiency Power Supply

Newsletter Subscriptions: www.gladgetmag.com

Asus Z87-Deluxe Motherboard

Design & Photography: 1337 Media

Ego Sports Camera

Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Digital Camera

Marketing Contact: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com

Pikmin 3 (Wii U)

Deadpool (X360)

Company of Heroes 2 (PC)

MotoGP 13 (X360)

technology. simply. All rights reserved. No content may be reproduced, copied or transmitted without the express permission of the publishers. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editors and publishers. All Trademarks and Registered Trademarks are the sole property of the respective owners.

GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA

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From the Editor

ocaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaafffffffffffffffffffffffffffff ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff ff fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff fffffffffffffffffffffff bbbbbbbbbbb bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn ,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,................................ ....................................... ................................................... .................................................. ...//////////////////////// /////////// Technology and pets… need I say more? It is12:30am; I simply walked away for five minutes to make a cup of tea, only to find our snobby ginger Persian had decided to “fiddle” with my keyboard when I got back. Thanks to this unexpected occurrence, my original Ed’s Note is deleted and my thought process is derailed from its course as I find myself engaged in some very intriguing research

involving our adopted furry kiddies and technology. We all know that technology is infiltrating all areas of our existence and the idea of it becoming increasingly involved with our pets has me somewhat curious. Petnology? Who would have thought? Personally I find this to be pretty remarkable, to say the least. I mean, wouldn’t you love to have a conversation with your hairy best friend? In researching this concept further I found a few interesting articles on the matter. According to Mail Online, leading expert Professor Con Slobodchikoff has been working with new artificial intelligence (AI) software that analyses animal sounds and behaviour. He believes that through this advanced technology, a device the size of a cell phone could be developed that would act as a mediator in communicating with our pets. He adds that this form of hi-pet-tech should be available within the next decade. Well, actually, it has already been invented, launched and promoted, however from what I gathered, it never really reached its potential. In previous attempts to communicate with our pets, a Japanese toy company, ‘Takara’, developed

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by Katia Taliadoros

Petnology...

and launched the ‘Bow-Lingual’ in 2003. This is a device that is a computer-based dog to human translator. Thousands of dog barks were pre-recorded and analysed, and were then used to interpret and evaluated one’s dog’s behaviour. The interpretation displayed six distinct emotions (happy, sad, frustrated, on-guard, assertive and needy). Even though the device later seemed somewhat unreliable, the inventors were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for “promoting peace and harmony between the species”. The Meowlingual got released shortly after but was never launched in the U.S. or any other countries. Imagine using a device that can speak to your pets? This is a great concept, with a definite market ready and willing to support this gadget, but it is obvious that we are still in the early days of research and refinement. Who knows, perhaps one day we will be downloading specific apps for our bearded dragons, golden retrievers, African greys and, yes, even for a snobby ginger kitty who sits quietly looking at me as I type. And what would I say to her if I could… Kitty, next time… use the spell check…

Did You

Know? 1

…that FarmVille creator Zynga lost 45 per cent of its users? FarmVille is probably the best known casual game to most players, and at its height creator Zynga had over 265 million monthly active users across its many games. But the company released their financial results in July, and it showed a shocking trend. Not only did the company loose $15.8 million in three months, the amount of daily active users also fell by 45 per cent – to only 39 million users. The company also saw a decrease in unique monthly players, falling from 4.1 million to 1.9 million.

…that Activision bought out Vivendi’s share for $5.83 billion? Not many gamers knew, but technology company Vivendi had a huge stake in games publisher Activision, and in July the company sought to reclaim its independence. Vivendi owned a majority 52 per cent stake, and Activision bought back the 429 million shares – for a total of $5.83 billion. After the transaction, Vivendi now only hold a 12 per cent share. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and Chairman Brian Kelly also separately bought another 172 million shares for $2.34 billion through their ASAC 2 LP investment group.

Regular

…that author Neil Gaiman will write his first video game? Popular author Neil Gaiman, who wrote Legendary Sandman and American Gods, will be the driving force behind Wayward Manor, a title being developed for PC, Mac and tablets, and is expected to be released later this year. While Gaiman created the game and the story, development of Wayward Manor will be done by The Odd Gentlemen – the same studio behind the popular The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom. When the title releases, it’s also expected to be the first part in a multi-part series. In terms of plot, the story follows a ghost who wants to scare away the new owners of his former home.

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Losing subscribers, gaining infrastructure and other interesting stuff... by Charlie Fripp

…that World of Warcraft subscriptions are down to only 7.7-million? The RPG title World of Warcraft was at the height of its popularity one of the biggest and most played online PC games on the planet. But after announcing its financial results for the quarter ended 30th June, it was revealed that the game has fallen to levels last seen in 2007 – with only 7.7 million monthly subscribers. The title saw its most subscribers in October 2010 rise to 12 million, but started a steady decline ever since.

…that a South African side-scroller is getting world-wide attention? Not many players have ever heard of Free Lives Games, but the Cape Town-based studio developed a title called Broforce, which has just been Greenlit for potential distribution on Steam. The sidescroller features 8-bit machomen on a mission and a path of destruction. But what makes this title so specialuniversity is that South Africa doesn’t feature very high when it comes to games development. Broforce has been covered by Eurogamer, Kotaku, PC Gamer and Rock, Paper, Shotgun, as well as several other international gaming websites, who have all praised the title.

…that Microsoft will launch broadband in South Africa for R20/month? Microsoft launched a project at the end of July in which they say that they will aim to make use of the television white-spaces spectrum to provide South Africa with uncapped broadband Internet access for between R20/month and R50/month. A base station was recently erected at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane, which will serve as the start of the pilot project. For the project, at first only five schools will be connected to the Wi-Fi network, and will be given Windows-based tablets and training. In order to make this happen, Microsoft decided to partner with South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology, The Department of Communications and the CSIR.. . g

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“

Tshabablabber

’ve mentioned on a number of occasions that I obsessively download mobile apps, for a variety of reasons. Whether I’m on a search for apps to fuel my productivity, to entertain my child, to help me in my travels, whatever the task “there’s an app for that”. Even if I’m on Android and not on iOS. The best kinds of apps however are the ones I find totally innovative, and considering the number of apps in my libraries, I’m increasingly difficult to impress. Every so often, I come across an app that I just love for it’s simplicity. It might be simplicity in function, or perhaps design, but it’s more often than not the apps that try not to overcomplicate things that end up being the most useful. Take some of the fitness apps I’ve downloaded for example. There

Author’s photograph by Adrian Louw

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are loads that have a database of exercises customised to your fitness level and workout preference. I either end up using the same routines however, or an app that goes through a specific set of exercise and varies the order and reps, simply because otherwise I would spend more time choosing my workout than actually working out. My son likes to go through every app on my phone to see what new delights await him, and yet he always returns to the same two or three apps every time, because they’re uncomplicated and enjoyable. I’m certainly not saying that there should be a million apps out there that are all clones of one popular one (I know for example there are a million Bejeweled clones available), but there’s something to be said for simplicity, and

B y Pippa Tshabalala

Simplicity is the Best Innovation.

knowing when you’re designing an app that you’re meeting a need. In the animated film Robots, the slogan of Bigweld Industries is “See a need, fill a need”. Is this what innovation is all about? Indeed not just filling a need, but filling it better than anyone else? And if you can make it affordable for the majority of the people who want to download your app then so much the better. I’ve become rather jaded when it comes to tech lately. So much of it is the same. The same games. The same apps. The same design aesthetic. And so when something comes out that truly tries to change the game so to speak, it stands out. In fact it doesn’t just stand out, it jumps up and down and waves its arms and forces you to pay attention. Luckily for me I’ve managed to find one this month... Stay tuned. g

Imagine the P

Interview

Virtual Academy

Creating a better worl

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Possibilities

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by Charlie Fripp

ld through innovation

Interview Feature

he entertainment industry is in the beginning stages of what may become one of the biggest wars it has ever seen. Specifically related to gaming, this war will be waged between Sony and Microsoft for the hearts and minds of the game playing public, and it will truly kick off at the end of this year. Innovation is at the heart of any society and in order for it to grow, new technology and ideas need to be formulated. That is exactly the reason why Microsoft created the Imagine Cup ten years ago – to bring together some of the world’s brightest young technologists with an aim to resolve some of the world’s toughest challenges. “For the past decade, Imagine Cup students

have created technology applications from software to video games to mobile apps designed to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, in the areas of education, healthcare, the environment and more. This year, Imagine Cup expanded to encourage even more students to apply their creativity by building apps that deliver technology innovations that advance user experiences in categories such as social networks, search, classifieds, online shopping or games — or that create entirely new categories the world hasn’t even imagined,” Microsoft explained. Hosted annually, the competition culminates in the Worldwide Finals, held in a different country each year – and this year it was hosted in St.

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Petersburg, Russia. During the course of the year, students from around the globe participate in regional competitions in their respective countries, and winning the finals there means progressing to the worldwide finals. “Imagine Cup has evolved into a yearlong experience for students with various opportunities to compete and innovate. Students can compete in the World Citizenship, Innovation and Games Competitions or technology Challenges that lead to the Worldwide Finals for Windows Azure, Windows Phone or Windows 8, or in themed Challenges such as the Women’s Athletics App Challenge or the Imagine Cup Kodu Challenge that result in other awards and prizes and do not

include a trip to the Worldwide Finals,” they added. A number of African teams also competed in this year’s finals, and while they failed to achieve wider recognition for their effort, two teams did manage to win individual awards. Team Code 8 from Uganda won the Women’s Empowerment Award by connecting a custom piece of hardware called a matiscope to a portable device, which can diagnose malaria without requiring a blood sample. Egypt’s Team MASKed Ninjas won an AFT Excellence Award for an augmented reality application that provides readers with the most relevant video about a piece of news. South African also entered a team into the

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Interview Feature

Innovation Competition category, with their SentiMeter app. Their creation is a cloudhosted analytics tool, which allows businesses to see what people are saying about their brand across social media platforms through sentiment analysis. The tool offers subscribers detailed reports, trends and insights regarding brand image. But as they say, there can only be one winner. The finalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s award ceremony was held at the historic Alexandrinsky Theatre, where Dr. Who actor Matt Smith played Master of Ceremonies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the past 11 years, Imagine Cup has been a place of inspiration and innovation for students around the world. The students participating

in this competition demonstrate the very best in innovation from their home countries and together are creating new apps, innovations and services that will change the way the world works, interacts and learns. We are incredibly proud of the finalists who competed in Imagine Cup this year and stand in awe of the projects and technology they brought forth during this exciting week,â&#x20AC;? said Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president and chief evangelist at Microsoft during the awards ceremony. All the participants had to go through rigorous judging panels during the four-day event, and some might even have been a little intimidated by

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the stature of the judges. Evaluation the gaming entries, countries had to face Adam Sessler, the Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief of Rev3 Games; Alexey Pajitnov, the creator of Tetris; Larry Hryb, Xbox Live’s Director of Programming; and Laura Parker, a journalist who served as Associate Editor at GameSpot between 2008 and 2013. “Imagine Cup is a forum for exceptional students from around the world to channel their passion and creativity into thoughtful, innovative solutions that have the potential for real-world impact,” said Jon Bassett, DFJ Frontier analyst and a judge at this year’s Imagine Cup. “Their commitment to their teams and projects demonstrates these

students are finding ways to address everyday problems through technology and to make the world a better place.” The Imagine Cup is an excellent opportunity to drive innovation, not only across the globe, but also in the backyard of Africa, where students have found ingenious ways to uplift their communities. And that is the beauty of the Africa. It has the ability to solve its own problems, and for every one team that enters, there are probably five others which the world doesn’t know about – all it takes is an idea, a step in the right direction, a glimmer of hope and the thought of enriching as many lives as possible. That is the spirit of the Imagine Cup..g

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Feature

ven in South Africa, which some feel is the internet backwater of the universe, people have gotten used to the idea of using public Wi-Fi hotspots while having a coffee or grabbing lunch. And while the 100MB of data you get at some of these establishments is hardly ideal in the connected world of today, at least it is a start. But as with anything, there is an inherent security risk. And this also holds true when it comes to Wi-Fi access. Irrespective of whether you use a BlackBerry (er, anyone?), Android or iPhone, you are at risk of security exploits. The big problem comes in with the Preferred Networks List (PNL) that is stored in Wi-Fi enabled smartphones. This list queries networks that are detected by the phone and attempts to join those on the PNL first.

There is a bug (of course) that lets hackers access this list when the device is connected to public Wi-Fi. To add insult to injury, these malicious users can do this by using freely available eavesdropping software that they can download from the internet. Networks on the list could include any Wi-Fi connection that has been set up before. This includes the public Wi-Fi hotspots at your favourite coffee shops, your work network, or your office network. When your Wi-Fi is switched on, it specifically looks for those preferred networks first. Your phone is effectively broadcasting the networks that it is looking for. With this data being broadcast, a would-be hacker can set up a fake Wi-Fi network with the same details as the one

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Wi-Fi Spotting Protect yourself when using public hotspots by Iwan Pienaar

on the phone PNL. As a result, the Wi-Fi of your phone is automatically connected to the hacker’s network. This means you are exposing all the data you subsequently transmit during your session. From passwords to credit card numbers, the “man in the middle” (the hacker who set up the fake WiFi network) will have access to all this information. What makes it really scary is that security experts say that this exploit has been around since 2004. And while Microsoft fixed it in its Windows Phone devices, it still affects several smartphone operating systems in wide use. These include Android 2, 3 and 4 and BlackBerry 7. The bug is also in iOS versions 1 to 6, if users manually add networks to their preferred list. Until the vulnerability is patched, it is advised that mobile

users continue to be vigilant when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks. If you do connect to Wi-Fi in public places, pay attention to which network you connect to. If you find that you have somehow joined a network that appears to be your home or work connection while you are out and about, that is a clear sign that a third-party may have accessed the PNL of your phone and is faking the network address. You should also ensure that your device is protected by security software. A man-in-the-middle attack could be directing users to phishing Web sites, which most of this software will spot and block. So keep applying that bit of common sense so you can enjoy that cup of coffee while safely browsing the internet. g

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Feature

ince the early 1930’s, the word spam was used for an economical (and moderately nutritious) mixture of meat and cereal sold in cans to Americans, and eventually to the rest of the world (known here affectionately as bully beef). Somewhere along the line, mostly due a famous Monty Python sketch, and also partly due to many people having to deal with pervasive daily rations of spam to survive during the second World War, spam became synonymous with unwanted electronic communication, general of a sales or marketing nature. Generally, spam has gained a pretty bad reputation. Like a politically incorrect opinion, spam is something you are supposed to publicly admonish and been seen to be deeply offended by. But a recent Twitter event got me thinking about what this can of worms is really all about, and what we’re all really afraid of. An official Twitter account decided to try a new approach to leaking a new marketing campaign by tweeting some influential journalists with a teaser for their new product launch. The reaction was not what they expected. A few of the journos, about four of the twenty or so they tweeted, lambasted them for spamming them and going about things in an unacceptable way. The social media team for the brand apologised profusely and it was clearly a miscalculation on their part. A few of their own followers kept the flames alive by commenting on the evils of spamming. Two comments caught my attention though. Firstly, one particularly vehement hater posted a link saying “report them for spam here”. I followed the link, and was surprised to find that I couldn’t easily find the report for spam feature. I eventually located in an obscure drop down list (which I only did with the help of Google). Seemed a bit odd. With recent stats estimating that more than 44% of Twitter accounts are fake, with another 30% inactive or hardly used, what does it say about Twitter’s attitude toward spam? What it might suggest is that Twitter don’t really care, and

like the way everyone at a dinner party goes silent when someone says “abortion”, Twitter is making sure they are not on the wrong side of the issue, without really doing much to disrupt the free flow of the social network. After all, it was Jack Dorsey’s expressed intention when he created Twitter to broadcast anything – to everyone. Spam is hardly a priority for them if it boosts engagement on their network. They recently came under fire from none other than the British government for their inaction over rape threats made to a feminist campaigner over Twitter. South Africans will be aware of equally offensive Facebook banter made by two SA journalists regarding “corrective rape”. With that kind of issue burning up the headlines, spam is small potatoes. For now, I hardly see them forming crack units to find who started the “I saw this horrible photo of you” direct message thread. The other comment that stood out was someone who said “Please tell us what rule in the Twitter rulebook has been violated. Oh wait, there is none!” Well, true enough; the internet is a hybrid of technical possibility, social etiquette and perception. Is there really a rule book? Definitely not. I’ve seen people complain about what other people post on their own timeline, to people complaining about being tweeted by someone that follows them. Twitter themselves came under fire recently for hijacking bloggers accounts for a marketing campaign (they said sorry afterwards though). The irony is that many people publish their Twitter and Facebook addresses on their blogs, website and email signatures. So can anyone really complain about what gets sent to them, be it marketing or just random weirdness? The Consumer Protection Act says that a consumer can block or request someone marketing directly or indirectly to them to stop, and encourages responsible marketing. Does it really have any force behind it? Not really, firstly who polices SPAM and what are the penalties? It’s complicated, but through a series of commissions, the idea is that eventually the National Prosecuting Authority brings your complaint to gladget34

the High Court. One would think that with fraud and murderers on the loose, this is not a high priority. And how does one determine what is unsolicited? In many instances, being marketed to is the cost of doing business on the internet, not to mention that most of us willingly publish our details to gain some kind of web following. Just about every free smartphone app has loads of advertising; every web page we load has targeted banner ads, based on your browsing history. So while Google, Facebook and Twitter publicly say SPAM is horrible and we condemn it, what they’re really saying is “Let’s find the most aesthetically pleasing way to market in every way possible without offending any delicate sensibilities”. After all – it’s how they make money. So back to my example, who was right and who was wrong? I think if you’re on the internet, you need to chill out. No matter what you might think is acceptable, the reality is that no-one owns or controls the internet (believe me, that court case has been heard many times and failed). People are going to continue to do whatever they possibly can. Even ISPs are only observing SPAM regulations because ISPA says they have to. But despite being on ISPA’s Hall of Shame, most spammers still find a way to do their thing through international hosting companies, who’ve long dropped the pretence that they have any kind of control (or sentiment) over what people do. Accounts get hacked (more than 250,000 accounts according to Twitter) and people send spam. Like the road rage and rude customers in front of you at the store, getting mad and ranting about it just makes those witnessing the drama slowly inch towards the unfollow button. For the brand, perhaps some more research was needed. After all, their aim was to entice, not annoy. But with major brands like Chipotle, MTV and BET posting fake “hacked” tweets from their accounts in an effort to breathe new like into social media marketing, clearly everyone is looking for a new approach. Whether people are going to like it or not just really depends on how it’s done – not whether it’s by the rules or not. g

Spam Sham The Unwanted Bully Beef

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by Suvesh Arumugam

Prepare for Battle Feature

And grab a worthy opponent... er... friend!

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by Pippa Tshabalala

here aren’t a plethora of two player tablet games around and by two player I don’t mean a turn based multiplayer game you’re playing over Wi-Fi or something similar, but rather the kind of two player tablet game that has both players using the tablet screen at the same time. I’m sure there’s a reason for this, although not being a game developer I could only guess that it might have something to do with multitouch and response times. I have no idea how difficult that is to programme, so I’m really just speculating. Whatever the case, you don’t see many really good ones, and when you come across a game, particularly a multiplayer one that makes you sit up and take notice, you have to spread the word. I’m going to start off with a slightly older game here, It was a finalist in the IGF awards in 2012, and it caught my eye because for a puzzle game it is incredibly sensual. I know that statement sounds weird for a number of reasons, but it’s not what you’re thinking. Ok it kind of is, but in the best possible, not dirty at all kind of way. Fingle is described by its developers as “a cooperative two-player iPad game about the thrills of touching each other on a multi-touch device.” Don’t get all excited however, it’s really only your fingers touching the other players fingers, but it’s the kind of puzzle game that you can imagine, particularly after a few drinks, would um... lead to other... things. In a nutshell, Fingle is modern Twister for your fingers. Basically two players drag buttons, anywhere from one to five, with their fingers, matching the buttons to their often-times moving targets, and in the process you are

forced to caress the other players fingers as they do the same. There’s even some 70’s cheesy music to get you in the mood. It’s an awesome little puzzle game incredibly deserving of the IGF nomination, and if you haven’t played it you should be downloading it before you finish reading this. It doesn’t end there however. While Fingle might have set the stage for some 70’s digital love, Gentlemen! By Lucky Frame, developers of one of my favourite music based games Pugs Luv Beats, has taken a different approach to the two player tablet genre by insisting upon honour at all costs. See? I’m all about the weirdness this month, but perhaps I should briefly take a step back and tell you about the kinds of games that Lucky Frame are known for. Pugs Luv Beats is about pugs. Who love beets. And when they collect beets, they make beats. Simple enough really, but they are cute, and fashionably wear different outfits that influence the kind of beat they generate. They also made Wave Trip, an abstract little music game platformer that generates music as you fly through the world avoiding missiles and collecting objects, and Bad Hotel, another insane music game which has been nominated for a 2013 IGF award. And now comes Gentlemen! It seems that there is not enough honour left in this world, and the only way around that is to challenge your enemy to a duel! Gentlemen! Draw! The weapons are hopelessly unfair – knives versus pigeons for examples, and lightning versus bombs – but throw down that gauntlet and then battle to the death. Four deaths to be more precise. Select your field of

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battle, which can be anywhere from The Gardens to The Street, and declare the rules of engagement. Round 1! Fight! Ok, perhaps that’s not quite in the spirit of things, but nevertheless Gentlemen! will have you reaching for your top hat and duelling pistols to get yourself in the mood. There are a number of methods to destroy your opponent, this is not a straight forward quick draw game, oh no. Predictably there is the standard Duel, where you must attack and kill each other in a fairly straightforward manner. But then it gets exciting. In The Chase, only one opponent is given a weapon and the other must escape with their life until time runs out and you must switch roles. The Diamond Duel is won in one of two ways – either through four deaths or alternatively the collection of three diamonds. One of the best features of every Lucky Frame game I have ever played is their ability to add a new feature that changes the game and adds something exciting to the mix. In this case it’s gravity, which switches around as you duel, keeping this exciting, and above all, insanely chaotic! In fact, the chaos is probably my favourite part of Gentlemen! It keeps you on your toes and thinking quickly for every single moment of the game. There’s no time to stop and consider your next move because you might be struck by a bolt of lightning (or a pigeon) at any moment! It’s available on both iPad and Android, the first time Lucky Frame has ventured into the Google space. I bite my thumb at thee sir! Let us take this to the tablet! Pigeons versus bombs! *dons top hat and monocle*...g

By Lein Baart

1942 War Overrides All

Looking Back

ar, for the first time in the greatest conflict in history, truly engulfed the entire world. With the entry of the USA into the fray after Pearl Harbour, the Axis war machine was gradually brought to a crawl until it was well and truly halted. All wars have their moments of greatness, with 1942 marking the first major victory of the Allies with lieutenant-general Montgomery completely routing the forces of Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox, at the Second Battle of El Alamein. Likewise the Soviets continued to push against the Nazi invasion on the eastern front, culminating in the horrific Battle of Stalingrad, which saw the Soviets as victors after a desperate five month conflict. War has always galvanised technological development, and World War 2 was no exception. Almost all technological efforts on both sides were directed to the war effort, with the release of many then nascent developments that would have profound effects on the future. To begin with the Germans, 1942 saw the first test flight Messerschmitt Me 262, the world’s first jet powered airplane. While the final design wouldn’t see service until 1944, with the British just a step

behind with the Gloster Meteor, this marked a huge step forward airplane technology. It was superior to anything in its time, with a maximum speed of 900 km/h and a service ceiling of 11450m, though ultimately its appearance had little impact on the war. 1942 also saw the Germans achieve a tragically momentous milestone, launching the first manmade object into space with the A-4 V-2 rocket, or Vergeltungswaffe 2. The consequences of this development were terrible, with approximately 3172 launches against various Allied controlled cities, most notably London and Antwerp, in “retaliation” for the bombing of German cities. The rocket itself was revolutionary however, combing several theories on rocket design to produce a projectile capable of speeds up 5630 km/h with a maximum altitude of approximately 85 km and a range of nearly 200 km. The Allies weren’t without their own advancements however, most especially in the field of nuclear research. This year marked the formation of the Manhattan Project, originally known as the “Development of Substitute Materials”, which would ultimately conclude with the horrifying bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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Central to this early development though was the construction of CP-1, otherwise known as Chicago Pile1, the world’s first nuclear reactor. Built by legendary physicists Enrico Fermi and Leo Szilárd, CP-1 was, in the words of Fermi, “a crude pile of black bricks and wooden timbers.” Consisting of uranium pellets and graphite blocks, the reactor first achieved critical mass in what hindsight shows to be a risky venture, namely under the squash courts of the University of Chicago, without a cooling system, and with a crowd of observers unprotected by a radiation shield of any kind. The last major war invention came from a somewhat surprising source, being the combined work of composer George Antheil and actress and mathematician Hedy Lamarr, once called the most beautiful woman in Europe. The patent for the invention, filed as the “secret communication system” was an early implementation of what is now known as frequency-hopping spread spectrum, essentially the transmission of radio waves across an apparently random spectrum. Invented as a means to make guided torpedoes difficult to detect and intercept, the idea was initially rejected by the US Navy, though

ironically it was implement nearly twenty years later during a blockade of Cuba. This year wasn’t all war-bent however, as while not technically an invention, 1942 saw the publication of Isaac Asimov’s Runaround, the short story which introduced humanity to the Three Laws of Robotics. Expanded upon by Asimov and other science fiction writers since then, these laws have become extremely influential in the field of robotics, serving as a guiding principal as to how sentient artificial life could develop. Finally, this year saw computing take a critical step forward with the creation of the AtanasoffBerry Computer (ABC), the first electronic digital computer in the world. Designed principally by John Atanasoff, the ABC in fact lacked programmability, a crucial element in computing, being created to only solve systems of linear equations. What makes this invention so important however is that it introduced three fundamental concepts that are still in use in every computer today, name the use of binary to represent all data, complete reliance on electronics rather than mechanical apparatus and the separation of computation and memory. g

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Reviews Highlights 28 MSI GT70 20D Gaming Notebook The most powerful one yet! 36 Razer Sabertooth Elite Gaming Controller Elite controll for your Xbox 360 46 Asus ET27 All-in-One PC Go on... touch it... 58 Raidmax Vampire PC Case A monster of a PC case!

s people begin saving up money for those end-of-year purchases, technology producers prepare some very exciting stuff to tempt consumers with. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s review section is rather camera-heavy, with four photographic devices on test. We also have MSIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful gaming notebook ever, a fantastic PC case from Raidmax, some smartphones and a rather enticing all-in-one PC from Asus. g

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Review

A truly monstrous gaming notebook!

MSI GT70 20D Gaming Notebook

Dragon

gladget34

by Walt Pretorius

T T

here still seems to be something of a stigma attached to notebooks when it comes to gaming, at least there is here in South Africa. But that impression is quickly changing, thanks to the innovative approach taken by a number of manufacturers. These guys are producing notebooks than can rival top notch desktop rigs, if not put them to shame –all in a package that is (although generally larger than your average notebook) fairly easy to carry around. We have seen a number of these notebooks over the years, mainly from Asus and MSI – companies that both have a reputation for being strong contenders in creating gaming oriented hardware. In fact, both companies have dedicated gaming lines – Asus has ROG (Republic of Gamers) and MSI have their fairly new dragon branded G series of components. MSI have produced great gaming notebooks in the past, and their recent increased dedication to gaming has combined with that experience to produce a product that is, quite simply, as monstrous as the dragon emblazoned upon it. The GT70 20D is a mammoth beast in all manner of ways. It packs a powerful collection of components; it looks big and bulky and, with this top of the range model, it weighs in at a very hefty price point. You’ll need a lot of disposable cash to get the top of the line model, but there are other models available that are cheaper. Still, when you see the biggest dragon in action, spending the money is actual;ly very tempting. At the heart of the matter is a Haswell CPU, making this the first gaming notebook we have seen to use Intel’s latest generation chipset. It purrs along at 2.4GHz, which is pretty chunky when considering what the new chips are capable of. This is supported – in the model we tested – by an incredible 32GB of RAM. This is the maximum amount of RAM that the beast can support, but even half the amount would have been plenty. Rounding off the powerhouse trio is the mobile version of Nvidia’s most powerful chipset to date: a GeForce GTX 780M. That’s a pretty powerful chip all on its own, but the GPU is supported by another rather surprising and stunning number in the RAM

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Review

department… 4GB. I need to take a little side-rail here to point out that we have yet to see a graphics card for review that sports 4GB of RAM. I am sure they are out there, but the limit that we have seen thus far is 3GB. In fact, the overall hardware configuration of MSI’s new gaming notebook is very high indeed. This means that if we were to build a desktop PC using the best PC components we have seen to date, this GT70 would, on paper at least, give it a very good run for its money, if not blow it out of the water entirely. Right, back to the main line… storage is provided via two drives; a 1TB HDD for general storage, and a 128GB SSD as a main system drive. If you start doing a bit of calculating, and take all that hardware into account, you’re going to find that the GT70 is fast and powerful. That’s what out testing showed, too. The hardware built into this machine is of a very high performance standard, and even if the HDD seems a little small, it is still a lot chunkier than most notebooks out there. The fast performance is supported by fast network communications, too. Both wired and wireless networks are governed by MSI’s Killer system, which prioritises gaming traffic, ensuring smoother play and less lag. Visuals are delivered to the user by way of a full HD 17.3 inch screen. To be honest, the screen could have been a little brighter, but only the pickiest will shy away from it on those grounds. Above the screen is the now-obligatory camera and mic. Sound is provided by a pair of Dynaudio powered speakers and a subwoofer. The audio quality if pretty decent, for a notebook, but most gamers are going to get their best performance by using headphones. Controls are provided by way of a SteelSeries created keyboard (complete with full colour backlighting, like the SteelSeries Apex – also in this issue) and a generous, off-centre touch pad. While most gamers are probably going to plug a mouse in to the GT70 before turning it on, they should be well pleased with the keyboard. It is full size (including a num pad and directional keys) and very responsive. The keys are well spaced and have a fantastic tactile response when pressed.

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Review

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As far as ports and peripherals go, the GT70 allows for a fair amount. It offers three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a full complement of stereo audio ports, a multi-card reader, LAN port, eSATA port and display outputs in the form of VGA, HDMI and DisplayPort. Optical disks are handled by a Blu-Ray drive. Put it all together, and the GT70 is very impressive, both on paper and in actual operation. It’s quick and responsive, and any game currently available (and we suspect more than a few still to come) can be run at full detail without any problems. Additionally, the battery life is very good too. It all adds up to making the GT70 sound a little too good to be true. But it isn’t without problems. The first is the hefty price point for the top of the line unit, as mentioned before. However, there are options for that, which include slightly respecced hardware or even a smaller model from the same range. The other is the size of the device. It weighs in at almost 4kg, and is dimensionally large. But, then again, if you’re going to buy one of these, that’s part of what you expect. And besides, it’s still much more portable than your average desktop PC. On the whole, the GT70 20D is a really awesome PC. It brings together the latest hardware, very clever design ideas and a pleasing aesthetic to create a gaming notebook that eats the competition for breakfast. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

The latest technology, top notch hardware and very clever design combine to create this gaming masterpiece.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Extremely powerful Very stable Excellent performance

2.4GHz Haswell CPU 32GB RAM 1TB HDD 128GB SSD 17.3 inch screen GTX 780M GPU SteelSeries keyboard

M SI Corex www.c orex.c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Heavy Bank-breaker

Score

96 33

SteelSeries Apex Gaming Keyboard

Rainbow Wa Can a keyboard make a difference?

C Review

an a peripheral make the difference between winning and losing a game? You could probably utter an emphatic “yes” for a mouse, but how much difference can a keyboard really make to your gaming performance? The answer is not quite a simple one. If, for example, you’re just plain rubbish at games, no keyboard is suddenly going to have to head-shotting like a pro. On the other hand, if all you need for domination is a bit of an edge, the choice of keyboard is pretty much essential. A little too much lag, buttons that are not quite right in spacing or feel… all of these things enter into the picture. So, when SteelSeries say “press any key to win” on the box of their Apex Gaming Keyboard, they shouldn’t be taken too literally. However, the Apex should still be considered very strongly as a solid game enhancing option.

We looked at the Apex RAW a while ago – this is essentially the same keyboard, but with added features. As one would expect from SteelSeries, it is a rather large, chunky keyboard, with well positioned keys and an enlarged space bar. It offers the player an almost ridiculously generous 22 macro keys, with four layers. That means a total of 88 macros can be recorded. Ten of these keys are arrayed at the right side of the keyboard, and twelve of them run along the top, above the function keys. These latter buttons are raised for easy access. It also includes extra directional keys, in the form of forward-right and forward-left. The WADS configuration can quickly be found thanks to raised bumps on the W key. It has dedicated multimedia keys, and an integrated USB hub. It even has a dedicated key to adjust brightness and disable the Windows key. Most, if not all of these features, formed part of the

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arrior

by Alex Scanlon

RAW version. So where are the real differences? Well, for all intents are purposes, the major difference (aside from tweaks that may exist beneath the hood) is the appearance of the Apex. It looks almost identical to the RAW model, expect for the backlighting. Now whether this will provide the edge you need or not is up to you (and needs to be considered with all the other perks, too). The keys are divided into five zones: right side macro keys, top function and macro keys, main keyboard, and left side keys (including the direction keys, numpad and multimedia controls). Wait, that’s four… oh, yes, the logo. That’s the fifth zone. Each zone can be colour coded according to the user’s requirements, for a total of more than a trillion combinations. To some, it’s practical. To others, garish… it’s up to you to decide for yourself. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

It’s a well built, very good gaming keyboard...boot.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Responsive Highly customisable Well built

22 macro keys Independent media keys USB hub Independent backlight zones Braided cable

SteelSeries M eg a rom www.meg a rom.c o.za A pprox R900

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Some may find it a bit garish

Score

88 35

Razer Sabertooth Elite Gaming Controller (Xbox 360)

The Next Le A controller for gamers who take things seriously

R Review

azer are best known for their PC gaming peripherals. They produce some really great keyboards, headphones and mouse devices. But that’s not all that this focussed peripheral manufacturer creates; they have a range of other products, including console controllers. And like their other products, these are often brimming with good ideas. The Sabertooth is one such a controller. Designed specifically to be used with the Xbox 360, the Sabertooth offers the user a lot more than the original Xbox 360 controllers do, in terms of input options. It has the usual controls, of course: the D-pad, twin analogue sticks, four face buttons, shoulder buttons and triggers are all present. Additionally, there are two secondary shoulder buttons, positioned towards the inside of the controller, and at a level between the original shoulder buttons and the triggers. And, at the base of the controller – in other words, underneath – are two rocker-

triggers that can be accessed with fingers traditionally only used for holding the controller. Each of these offers a front and back control option, meaning that the Sabertooth has a total of six more control inputs than the original Xbox 360 controller. The rocker triggers can even be removed, should the user wish, with caps to cover their positions included in the package (along with the screwdriver needed to perform the removal procedure). These new multifunction controller buttons can be configured to work with the Sabertooth’s two, on-board profiles. Switching between the profiles is pretty quick, too, and a handy small LCD screen (just above the microphone jack) indicated which profile is in use. In addition to extra controls and features, the Sabertooth improves on the basic functions of the original controller somewhat. The analogue sticks have adjustable sensitivity, which is quite a handy feature to have. Additionally, the four coloured face buttons are backlit, which makes

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by Walt Pretorius

evel spotting them in the dark much easier. There are also alternate caps for the analogue sticks included in the package. The whole thing is finished in a durable, non-slip black plastic, and features a 3m braided cable to connect the controller to the console. This cable can be detached for transporting purposes (made even easier by the included carry case) but the controller is not wireless. The cable, which screws securely in to place, needs to be attached for the Sabertooth to be used. The only real problem that one can find with this comfortable and responsive controller is that it is loud. The face buttons all make an audible click when depressed, which may not suit some. Still, it provides a degree of tactile response, too, allowing the player to be certain of their button presses. Overall, the Sabertooth is an excellent alternative to original Xbox 360 controllers. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

The Sabertooth is an excellent, reliable and agile alternative to other Xbox 360 controllers.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Customisable Backlit buttons Very responsive

3m detachable cable 2 on-board profiles Sensitivity adjustment 2 extra shoulder buttons 2 extra multifunction triggers

Ra zer Corex www.c orex.c o.za A pprox R950

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

A little noisy

Score

92 37

Stronger,

Review

Asus GeForce GTX 760 DirectCU II OC Graphics Card

eeing a new graphics card is almost becoming ordinary for us – one of the hazards of doing what we do. But taking a moment to step back and really consider how fast the technology behind these devices is progressing once again engenders a sense of wonder in them. It wasn’t that long ago, in realistic terms, that 512MB of RAM on a graphics card was considered really great. It wasn’t all that long ago that graphics cards were still being manufactured at that standard, and that consumers were happy to have them. These days that isn’t the case anymore… our world constantly demands bigger, better, faster. So sometimes one needs to take a step back and really look at how marvellous technology really is. When you get a graphics card that combines the amazing performance of a GeForce GTX 760 chipset with 2GB of GDDR5 RAM, the results are excellent. If a card like this had been on display not even a decade ago, minds would have been blown. But these days graphics cards like this, while still up there, are hardly greeted with that kind of enthusiasm. So the manufacturers who use the chipsets made by Nvidia need to offer a bit more. And that’s where companies like Asus do really well, because they manage to really squeeze all kinds of performance out of their products. Their GeForce GTX 760 DirectCU II OC is no different. These technologies are not really new to those who follow Asus’ products. But they are tried and tested, and deliver a great level of performance across the board. This is one of the reasons that Asus tends to enjoy a lot of loyalty from end users. In addition, they have been tweaked in such a way that Asus have been able to deliver a powerful card that won’t hog as much space inside the PC case. The DirectCU II system makes use of a new custom vapour chamber technology and dual rotor-style fans to keep the system running surprisingly cool under load, as well as a lot quieter than one might expect. In addition, specialised technology has gone into the way that power is delivered to the graphics processor, with the end result is a very smooth and stable performance, without getting all that nasty heat buildup… even when the card is overclocked. Being an OC edition, this card comes with GPU Tweak, a set of software that makes overclocking performance very easy to do. Those brave enough to squeeze extra performance out of their cards will be able to do so very simply, and within parameters that won’t result in serious damage to any of the card’s components. Once again, Asus have delivered a winner with this surprisingly small, yet very capable graphics solution.g

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g n i ck a P

he t all

w o p

sli a to n i r e

by Rob Edwards

e m m i

… gn i s r de

Summary

Tech Specs:

A top notch GPU, with tons of memory, in a package that’s smaller than you’d expect...

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

gladget34

Very quiet Smaller size Excellent performance

GTX 760 chipset 2GB GDDR5 RAM 2 DVI ports HDMI port DisplayPort

A sus A sus www.a sus.c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

New tech is always a bit costly...

Score

88 39

Brother

Sony Xperia V Smartphone

Coming in just below the Z

by Alex Scanlon

S Review

ony are taking a good run at the smartphone market with their Xperia range. Last month we looked at the flag ship Xperia Z, but if you’re after something a little less expensive, the Xperia V is a solution. Its specs are not too different from the Z, although it is a bit smaller. It’s screen does not support full HD resolution, and it has less RAM than the Z. Other than that, you may be hard pressed to spot the difference between the Xperia V and its bigger brother. In terms of performance, it gets the job done, and offers the same tough construction as the Xperia Z. On the down side, its battery life is considerably poorer, which may alter your purchasing decision somewhat. But it is a reliable and effective handset none the less. g

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Summary

Tech Specs:

If you’re willing to make a few compromises, it proves to be a viable alternative to the more costly Xperia Z.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

Better price Slightly smaller Durable

1.5GHz CPU 1GB RAM 4.3 inch screen 13 megapixel camera LTE

Sony Sony www.sony .c o.za A pprox R4 000

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Battery life RAM

Score

Olympus XZ-2 Digital Camera

Hipsta

D Review

igital cameras are plentiful these days, in terms of brands and models. Because there is such a strong level of competition for the money aspirant photographers are going to shell out on cameras, the market has arrived at a level where one can argue that there is no such thing as a bad camera. There are better cameras and worse cameras, sure, and there are cameras that appeal to some tastes in terms of looks and systems while not appealing to others. But there really isn’t such a thing as a bad camera. Which means that manufacturers need to compete in a relatively narrow field when it comes to capturing the hearts and minds of their intended consumers. And that field comes down to features and capabilities, which are of course tempered by overall product focus. And it is here that Olympus’ Stylus

XZ-2 manages to carve a bit of a niche for itself, because it manages to stand apart in a field which seems to be rife with repetition and copy-cat tendencies; aesthetics. When you look at the specifications, the XZ-2 is a decent, yet mediocre camera. It offers a 12 megapixel image size, and a rather shy 4x zoom. It sports a built-in 28mm F1.8 lens, which is quite nice, but doesn’t really stand out. So why would anyone decide to go for this camera? Well, the first instinct would be on the camera’s looks. It’s very retro in appearance, meaning that the hipster market would probably be all over it like white on rice. And that is where the real strength of the XZ-2 lies – it appeals, on a visual level, to a very fashion-conscious and large segment of the market. Not that it doesn’t offer a few bells and whistles beyond its somewhat lacklustre basic spec. It allows for

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by Walt Pretorius

otographic

eq u

e ec

h of p

dy n A tr e

full manual photography, including manual focus. When the focus ring is adjusted, the camera zooms in to the focal point, to facilitate easier and crisper focus. The generous LCD panel on the back can also be angled in one of several ways, allowing for a variety of shooting positions. And the camera comes with a whole bunch of art filters that can be used on either still images or on the HD video it captures. But there is still that feeling that the Olympus, despite producing rather decent images, is still all about style over substance. It doesn’t do enough to elevate itself above the status of middle-of-the-range, and those who are looking for photographic punch (over retro styling) may well want to consider other options. Those that do decide on the XZ-2 will find it to be dependable and well-constructed, but they may need to work around some of its weaker aspects. g

ipment...

Summary

Tech Specs:

When considering the lacklustre specifications and the camera’s look, you cannot help but think ‘‘style over substance’’...

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Trendy Positionable LCD

12 megapixel 4x zoom 28mm F1.8 lens Adjustable LCD Hotshoe mount

O ly mpus Tudortec h www.tudortec h.c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Lacklustre specs

Score

75 43

Mad Catz M.O.U.S. 9 Wireless Mouse

The wireless alternative

L Review

ast month we got to look at a rather unique mouse device – one of Mad Catz’s R.A.T range. It proved to be quite the contender, with unique looks and performance, not to mention an overt feeling of attitude that matches its tongue-in-cheek name. This month we have another Mad Catz pointing device on test, and even though its name may sound a bit gentler, there really is nothing laid back about the M.O.U.S. 9. So what’s the difference between the R.A.T range and the M.O.U.S. range? Well, at the risk of sounding trite, rats have tails. The M.O.U.S. devices are the wireless range that Mad Catz has on offer and, as such, they bring a few ideas to the table that are really rather clever. Just like the R.A.T., the M.O.U.S. is a highly

adjustable device. The however, the M.O.U.S 9 is not quite as changeable as the R.A.T. 9. It features a moveable palm rest, which can make quite a difference to comfort levels, but width adjustments are absent, as are weight adjustments. The latter is due to the fact that the weight compartment had to make way for the battery. The M.O.U.S 9 uses a single AA battery for juice. Other than that, it really is very similar in configuration to the R.A.T we looked at last month. Naturally, though, it has no cord. It connects to the PC or Mac using Bluetooth, which means a pretty fast and easy setup, no mess or fuss. It also saves on a USB port, provided the device you’re using is Bluetooth enabled. If it’s not, don’t worry… Mad Catz are the kind of people that take all kinds of eventualities into account.

gladget34

by Rob Edwards

Fitted into the base of the M.O.U.S. 9 is a USB dongle that provides connection when Bluetooth isn’t an option. It fits snugly into the mouse with a “press to eject” system, so while it is easy to get to, it isn’t going to get lost without a little special negligence. Performance wise, the M.O.U.S 9 is a very decent wireless mouse, although its 990dpi sensitivity is really quite low considering competitor performance. Then again, high dpi is a thing that gamers are after and, while you can game well with this particular devices, serious gamers (who are after that truck-load of dpi) probably wouldn’t get a wireless mouse to begin with. Being wireless, the M.O.U.S 9 is naturally very portable. However, it is a little bulky to be a truly practical mobile mouse. Rather, it is great as a wireless desktop mouse, with solid performance and great comfort options. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

The M.O.U.S. 9 is basically a R.A.T. without a ‘‘tail’’.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

gladget34

Multiple wireless systems Adjustable Great looks

Wireless Bluetooth 990 dpi 10 programmable buttons Adjustable length

M a d Ca tz Comet Computing www.c ometc omputing .c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Low dpi

Score

82 45

Asus ET27 All-in-One PC

Awesome

Review

You know you wanna touch itâ&#x20AC;Ś

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by Walt Pretorius

One gladget34

omputers have become an integral part of our world and our lives. What started out as being relatively simple computation machines linked to monochrome monitors have grown into powerhouses that can handle any task from complex computing right through to delivering entertainment. And it doesn’t stop there or, more correctly, it won’t stop there. Computer technology is constantly evolving, constantly reaching new heights and providing us with new things to coo over. It is a time of technological wonder, sometimes taken for granted (particularly by those who don’t remember a life before cell phones) but always able to grow and provide us, the end user, with greater power, greater ease and greater enjoyment. Realistically speaking, it wasn’t that long ago that the idea of a touch screen was – perhaps not unheard of, because touch screen technology goes back far further than you may think – but uncommon. And yet, now the world’s leading operating system programmer, Microsoft, have released their newest version of Windows specifically to allow people to enjoy the prevalence of touch screen technology. It really is everywhere, and it makes computing simpler, faster and, in some instances, more effective and enjoyable. While touch screens have been something that smartphone and tablet users have been enjoying for a while longer, the technology is becoming more and more pervasive. Gone are the days when we thought the great big (often grubby) touch sensitive directory screen in the mall was cool; these things are in our homes, our pockets and our minds almost constantly. Touch screen technology has evolved from cool to essential. And when that touch screen technology comes in the form of a crisp, clear 27 inch wide display, it quite simply becomes cool again. We have seen numerous smaller touch screen systems, whether in mobile phones, tablets or notebooks… even those funky notebooks that can be used as tablets. But there is something about the touch screen of Asus’ ET27 All-in-One PC that is alluring and sensual. You want to touch it. It’s so big and shiny… OK, that seems to be going in all the wrong directions, but the sentiment is there. The big wide screen display is fantastic to work with, either with

Review

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the touch screen or using the included wireless mouse and keyboard that comes with the system. All-in-One computers seem to be becoming more common as well. That’s not a bad thing; as new technologies about improved miniaturisation and better heat efficiency, it makes sense to come up with systems that are practical, powerful and economical in terms of space. The ET27 is all three. OK, you’re probably not going to be gaming on it (which is often the bench mark for just how powerful a computer is) but that doesn’t mean that this sleek and very attractively designed PC isn’t worth the effort. Sorry to burst a few bubbles, but gaming isn’t the be-all and end-all of computing. The entire inner-working of the ET27 (like any other All-in-One) is housed in a section behind the screen. Here, the system’s i7 3.1GHz processor runs the show, supported by 8GB of RAM. Those aren’t terrible specs by any standards, really. While we say that you won’t be doing a lot of gaming with it, the GeForce GT 640M graphics chip and 1GB of dedicated VRAM mean that gaming is possible. You just won’t be able to squeeze the very best detail out of the visuals, which is a shame when considering that wonderfully massive screen. Still, it can hold its own with that specification… But this isn’t a gaming machine… that is just an added bonus. And neither does it need to be a gaming machine. Rather, the ET27 is more about multiple functions. And rather high up on that list is the function of entertainment PC. So much so, in fact, that the unit features two rather unusual inputs (for a PC); HDMI in, and TV in. Like a TV antenna plug. Right, we’re on the same page. In addition, the entertainment performance is supported by a BluRay optical drive. And those that are worried about sound need not fear – the unit comes with an auxiliary subwoofer. Under testing, the sound was really rather good, which (combined with that awesome screen) once again reinforces the idea of entertainment being high on the ET27’s priority list. But it is still a PC, and therefore requires other functionality as well. With storage in the form of a 2TB HDD, as well as specifications listed above, the ET27 is a capable computer for many tasks. In fact, thanks to that large

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Review

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screen, it is the most fun we’ve had with Windows 8 thus far. And for those that need even more visual real estate, it features an HDMI output as well, for that often all-important second monitor. Other ports include two USB 2.0 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, a multi-card reader, LAN port and audio jack ports. It also allows connectivity via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 In short, the ET27 is – on paper at least – a great machine for a multitude of purposes. A user with limited space, for example, could easily rely on this PC to take care of numerous work and entertainment needs. It would also form the perfect hub for a PC based entertainment system While the numbers might suggest otherwise, the ET27 isn’t a speed demon by any degree. It simply is not intended to be an ultra-fast performer, rather tending towards reliability and efficiency. These are its true strengths. When combined with Windows 8, the experience is enhanced, turning the ET27 into a wonderfully tactile, friendly piece of equipment that would be equally comfortable in the office or at home. It might not be the powerhouse that a handful of users might need, but as a general PC – moving towards the high end – it certainly is a very good option. It will run the majority of commonly required applications without breaking too much of a sweat, and adds a level of elegant design to its environment… even if you’re going to have to keep cleaning that awesome, huge touch screen. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

It’s not a speed demon or a true power-house, but the ET27 is a very capable – and very beautiful – all-in-one PC none the less. M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

gladget34

Awesome screen Entertainment capabilities Looks great

3.1GHz CPU 8GB RAM 2TB HDD 27 inch screen Touch screen GT 640M GPU

A sus A sus www.a sus.c om TB C

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Not a speeddemon..

Score

85 51

S S

Review

Samsung Galaxy S4 Smartphone

amsung seem to be releasing a new smartphone roughly every second week these days. OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but they certainly are prolific when it comes to bringing new Galaxy products to market. Are they being too quick to release? The question is whether each iteration actually warrants a release, or if these releases are possibly a little premature. There is very little to differentiate the Galaxy S4 from its predecessor, the S3. In fact, aside from a few placements of elements, the devices are very similar, although the S4 is slightly smaller and lighter. Under the hood, though, is where the differences come in. The CPU has seen an upgrade from the S3’s quad-core 1.4GHz to an octa-core system; a quad-core 1.6GHz working in tandem with a quad-core 1.2GHz, for a total of eight CPU cores. An inproved GPU delivers visuals via a screen that is now fully HD, with a resolution of 1920x1080, as opposed to the S3’s 1280x720. The S4’s screen is also marginally larger. All of this is supported by 2GB of RAM, effectively doubling that of the S3. Power is supplied by an improved, 2600mAh battery (once again trumping the S3’s 2100mAh). There are other additional features that are new too, including an improved camera and additional sensors (including temperature and humidity sensors). With all of these numbers behind it, the S4 is certainly a better smartphone on paper. And, quite honestly, it is in terms of performance, too. While some of the performance improvements may not be immediately apparent, they certainly are there. Sometimes the little things can make all of the difference. In addition to the hardware specifications, the S4 brings a number of functionalities with it that range from possibly gimmicky right through to “how did we survive without this before?”. Scrolling pages with eye movements might fall into the former, but things like language translation systems are definitely among the latter. It also has a host of other features, including health and fitness monitors, automatic visual and audio adjustments and a host of others. Whether Samsung is releasing new iterations too quickly or not really comes down to a matter of opinion. With the way that most cellular service provision contracts are generally structured here in SA, many Samsung fans may never get their hands on an S4, because by the time they’re due for a new phone, we might be one or two iterations down the line already. But, judging by this superb smart phone and life tool, the future from Samsung is pretty bright in this arena. And those that do have the S4 can rest assured that they have an effective and reliable device in their pockets.g

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The

eneration

Samsung’s smartphone for this year (?)

by Walt Pretorius

by Alex Scanlon

Summary

Tech Specs:

The S4 is a fantastic smartphone all round, and a worthy (if quick) successor to the S3.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Awesome features Tough Reliable

1.6GHz + 1.2GHz CPU 2GB RAM Full HD screen Full HD recording 13mp camera 2600mAh battery

Sa msung Sa msung www.sma sung .c om A pprox R6 000

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Released a bit close to the S3?

Score

90 53

The

Spanning the OS divide…

J5 Create Wormhole Switch

by Rob Edwards

T Review

here are items out there that are securely fitted into a niche. Not everyone will need them, but those that do require them find them indispensable. The J5 Create Wormhole Switch is exactly that kind of item. Essentially what it does is allow connection between two PCs or two Macs. More impressively, it allows connection between a PC and a Mac, which is where it’s true value lies. This allows for simple drag and drop file sharing, copying and pasting between the two connected systems and keyboard and mouse sharing, no matter which devices are connected. Not something everyone would require, true, but an extremely useful thing to have should you need it. The Wormhole Switch is extremely easy to use, requiring a USB port on each connected device. It’s that simple, and it is very effective. g

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Summary

Tech Specs:

It might be a niche product, but this bridge over the PC and Mac divide is very handy if you need it.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

Easy to use Handy

PC to PC Mac to Mac PC to Mac

J5 Crea te Sy ntec h www.sy ntec h.c o.za A pprox R400

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Not a must have item

Score

Review

Fujifilm X-Pro1 Digital Camera

t’s an odd thing about people, really… the more things change, the more they want them to stay the same. Take fashions, for example. The return we see every so often to a “retro” look displays that idea quite accurately. And with the strength of the hipster trend, vintage is here to stay – at least until the next trend. And because large swathes of technology rely on aesthetics as well as performance, it’s hardly surprising that we see a retro trend appearing in the design of numerous products. This month, for example, we have two very retro cameras on review: the XZ-2 from Olympus, and this one… the Fujifilm X-Pro1. Aside from retro styling, though, the two cameras couldn’t be more different. While the Olympus offering is more of a pocket camera, despite its size, the X-Pro1 follows ideas that are becoming more and more prominent in cameras with interchangeable lenses. And that idea is to leave a mirror out of the equation, rather providing the viewfinder with an image right off of the sensor. It’s similar to the way most pocket cameras work, and it cuts down on working parts while also (potentially) adding speed increases. The X-Pro1 makes use of the XF lens range, allowing the user to have access to a wide variety of glass, and making the need for things like builtin zoom unnecessary. In fact, thanks in part to the variable lenses, this 16.3 megapixel camera offers a rather wide range of capability. It also comes with Fujifilm’s film simulation mode, which is basically a number of presets that mimic the performance of Fuji’s films, back in the day when 35mm was all the rage and these things were affected by chemical compositions (rather than digital filters). Still, it’s a nice, nostalgic touch, and goes well with the camera’s old-fashioned feel. Also in keeping with the retro feel is the camera’s hybrid viewfinder. It is, on the surface, very old fashioned; an off centre through viewer that resulted in so many vintage photographe being composed so poorly. But the press of a button brings a “heads-up display” into the viewer, complete with compositional guides, horizon lines and pertinent information. It’s a bit like sci-fi meets old-school, if you will. Another vintage feel enters into the controls. Most are the old-fashioned click dials that one would find on older cameras, with a complement of digital buttons and other analogue style controls (like scroll wheels). These are sensibly arrayed around a 3 inch LCD screen. The X-Pro1 is an unusual and capable camera. It may battle to compete with the Canon and Nikon models of similar spec, but its quirky approach and retro feel will certainly appeal to more serious, fashion conscious photographers. g

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-Tech!

by Walt Pretorius

New ideas in an old body… Summary

Tech Specs:

This capable, variable lens camera will certainly appeal to those who are after the retro look.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Good performer Versatile Well built

16 megapixel XF lens mount 3 inch screen SC card compatible

Fujifilm Fujifilm www.fujifilm.c om A pprox R17 800 (kit)

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

No integrated flash

Score

88 57

Raidmax Vampire PC Case

into... u can sink your teeth case yo

Review

A PC

gladget34

by Walt Pretorius

Cool

I I

f you’re the type of person who likes to build PCs and squeeze all kinds of performance out of them, you will be well aware of the fact that the right PC case is essential. And you can’t get much more right that Raidmax’s Vampire. Other than the fact that this box is really rather big, it suits PC builders beautifully. In fact, the size could well be included in the list of benefits. It will dominate your desk, yes, and isn’t as portable as other cases, but its wider build and generous interior spacing means that working with wires and ensuring optimum airflow – even using oversized CPU cooling units- is all possible. On the outside, the Vampire looks impressive. Finished in matt black metal and sporting areas coated in non-slip material, the box is quite visually pleasing, striking a good balance between clean lines and the overstated “gamer chic” look that sometimes ruins an otherwise good case. Every exterior port or access point is either vented or capped; this includes the audio jacks, and the front side USB ports (two in 2.0 and two in 3.0 flavours). In addition to these ports and the expected, wonderfully discreet power and reset switches, the Vampire also features a fan controller (for up to three fans) and a 2.5 inch HDD hot swap port. Inside, it provides space for five optical drives and seven hard drives (with screwless fittings that can hold 2.5 inch drives as well… hello SSDs!). A vented bottom mounted PSU bracket possesses generous dampers to keep vibration to a minimum. The space behind the motherboard is also generous, allowing easy cable management for better airflow. Speaking of airflow, the Vampire is clearly designed to allow a maximum of air movement once it is built. In addition to the cable management system and generous venting, the system comes with a 140mm fan in the back, and a massive 200mm fan in the front. In addition, it has for two 120mm fans in the side, two various sized fans in the top (two 120mm or 140mm, or one 200mm) and a 140mm in the bottom, just in front of the PSU. That’s a lot of airflow in anyone’s book. And if that isn’t enough cooling, it has full water cooling support as well. The system isn’t entirely screwless; the PCI slot covers are all held in place with thumb screws, as will any cards need to be. But that’s a small concession. The Vampire is really roomy and easy to work with, making it a great case for those that are always tinkering around under the hood. Add to that impressive looks, nice features and great materials, and you end up with a truly impressive PC box. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

An extremely impressive PC case, perfect for those who take system building seriously.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Really roomy Looks fantastic Lots of fan spaces and vents

Cable management Water-cooling support 5 optical bays 7 HDD bays 2.5 inch hot swap bay 2 USB 2.0 ports 2 USB 3.0 ports

Ra idma x Sy ntec h www.sy ntec h.c o.za A pprox R1 600

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Not entirely screwless

Score

96 59

P P

Review

Raidmax 635W High Efficiency Power Supply

ower supply units hardly seem exciting – that is, unless you’re the kind of person that likes to put a computer together, and has a good knowledge of exactly why they can be exciting. It’s almost selffulfilling, true, but those that know why they should get excited about power supplies… well, they know why. What a power supply represents, if you want to get all prosaic about it, is potential. The more power that your PSU (that’s power supply unit, for those that don’t know) pumps out into the interior of your PC, the more bits and bobs you can have running inside your PC. And that counts for everything from high end graphics cards to hard drives and the motherboard. A PC that doesn’t have enough power simply won’t work correctly. Why, then, have anything but the most powerful PSUs available. Well, that’s the other end of the scale; powerful PSUs consume a lot of energy, and even if you’re not one of the environmentally conscious, trying to reduce your carbon footprint by any means necessary, frugality is never a bad thing (considering how often our electricity prices increase in South Africa these days). So striking a balance is a good thing – a balance between the big guns and the power-conscious. And unless you’re running everything but the kitchen sink in your PC case, this Raidmax 635W option is not too shabby at all. It provides a fair amount of power, and does so rather elegantly. That’s because – mainly – it is a modular system. That means you only use the internal power cables that you need, meaning more air-flow in the case, which equates to cooler temperatures and, yes, even less power consumption. The removable cables are all covered with a blue and black fishnet mesh as well, keeping them neater and air-flowfriendly. The supply itself has a rather nice amount of connection points as well – two PCIe and four peripheral SATA. Keeping the whole thing cool is a generous 135mm fan, which is LED lit as well. In addition, the fan is remarkably quiet, which helps keep that p[particular kind of pollution at bay as well. And the whole system has an 80 Plus Bronze certification for energy efficiency. The question is not whether to get this product (we have seen a number of Raidmax PSUs over the years, and they never disappoint.) The real thing you need to ask yourself is whether it will provide enough power to the PC you are using or planning to build. It may take a bit of calculating, but you’ll want to be sure, in order to avoid disappointment. Running a lower wattage for a PSU makes financial sense, though, so it may be worth the effort. g

ng i d n Fi

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ce n a l a ba

the n e e w t e b

s and n u the gg i b e po we r-co ns c iou

by Walt Pretorius

Power Up s.

Summary

Tech Specs:

If a 635W PSU is what you’re after, you can do much, much worse than this Raidmax.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Quiet Runs very cool

635W 135mm LED fan 2 PCIe outputs 4 peripheral SATA outputs Modular

Ra idma x Sy ntec h www.sy ntec h.c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Will 635W be enough?

Score

84 61

Asus Z87-Deluxe Motherboard

W Review

Aristo

e have seen a number of motherboards using Intel’s new Haswell chipset already. What has tied those products together has been the fact that they have all had a rather overt gaming focus. It goes without saying, though, that these new processors are not solely intended for gaming (despite what gamers might claim) and so it’s good to see a more general motherboard, in the form of the Asus Z87-Deluxe. And the board looks good – not just in terms of specs, but also in terms of, well… looks. Where many go for bright colours, this one tends towards shades that could be called more elegant, with browns, blacks and brushed coppers making up the majority of the board. It certainly does look a lot different from other motherboards. But that isn’t really the big thing one worries about when making a motherboard choice… what really counts is performance and capability.

The Z87-Deluxe has both in spades. Being a Haswell compatible board means that it is immediately in the upper end of performance, almost by default, thanks to the Z87 chipset. But Asus never really just make a good board without adding a number of great features, and it is in some of these that this particular model does stand out. The most obvious one, thanks to the fact that it has a fairly large external component, is the on-board Wi-Fi, which has an associated large antenna. Not only does it enable working on a Wi-Fi network, but it also allows the PC to become a Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be extremely useful. Internally, there are other impressive features, too, like Asus’ Dual Intelligent Processor 4 system. This allows real time performance optimisation, based on the user’s current needs, and ranges in settings from high-end power through to power-saving. Another handy added feature is the true UASP support, which boost USB 3.0 performance

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by Rob Edwards

A classy Haswell all rounder…

ocrat

considerably. A number of these systems are for Windows 8 only. This does make the board a little less appealing for those who are upgrading rather than building a new system, but only a little. And most people have likely made (or are considering) a shift to Windows 8, so that shouldn’t make you shy away from an otherwise excellent product. With four USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports on the back panel, as well as the same number for both supported for the front panel, it offers a lot of external connectivity options. Additionally, direct graphics connections can be made by way of DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort and HDMI ports. Although it might not be as focussed as some of the other products we have seen for use with the Haswell chipset, this board is a fantastic all-rounder; great for those who use their PCs for lots of different things. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

This is a great all-rounder, and will serve those who use their computers for more than one purpose beautifully.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

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Striking appearance Reliable Wi-Fi

Z87 chipset 8 USB 3.0 ports Up to 32GB RAM supported Integrated Wi-Fi Wi-Fi hotspot Dual Intelligent Processors 4 system

A sus A sus www.a sus.c om A pprox R4 000

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

May not be focussed enough for some users

Score

86 63

Ego Sports Camera

TOUGH Guys Small size, big attitude

T Review

few years ago the idea of an extreme sports camera wasn’t quite an odd one, but these devices made up part of that area of consumer technology that could (and often is) described as “specialised equipment”. Sure, we saw people who had cameras mounted on their sky-diving helmets and stuff like that in the past, but it was never really a mainstream thing. And, to be honest, it still isn’t, but is becoming more commonplace by the day. Largely thanks to the GoPro system (and the aching need that people have to go “look at me, look at me”), extreme sports cameras are becoming far more popular. Not just with consumers, but with manufacturers, too, with even big names like Sony getting in on the idea. And we’re not talking the rugged pocket cameras that can be found on store shelves. No, rather we mean multifunctional cameras

that strap, bolt, glue or otherwise securely attach onto the equipment that people use to do crazy things with. One such camera is Liquid Image’s aptly named Ego Sports Camera. The advantage that this particular product offers is that it is small – certainly smaller than the GoPro, which seems to be setting the industry standard. Yet despite being a smaller option, the Ego is surprisingly capable, not to mention robust. The camera delivers full HD video (1080p) at 30 frames a second, which is quite acceptable for good footage. In addition, the easy-to-use Ego can take still images at 12 megapixels, albeit without any zooms or adjustments available. Considering the size, that’s pretty impressive. And the quality is good, too. The compact size means that the controls and associated screen are a little fiddly, and the Ego offers no previews or playback. That’s not a train smash, but

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by Walt Pretorius

the fact that it needs external memory for recording might be. Then again, if you’re the sort who would shell out for the extreme sports equipment as well as this camera, paying for the required MicroSD card probably won’t really phase you. Most importantly, the Ego (which ships with a mounting bracket and has a whole range of separately sold accessories) is rugged. It can really stand up to all kinds of punishment, which is the essential function of a camera like this. Heat, cold, water, dust – you name it, and the Ego handles it in stride. Compact, tough, effective and easy-to-use… those are the key words here, making the Ego a very viable option. It might not have all the functionalities that competitors offer, but if you’re after a simple solution that gets the job done under all conditions, the Ego Sports Camera is a good bet. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

A small, tough competitor in the crazy-antics-camera market.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

gladget34

Small Easy-to-use Very capable

12mp camera Full HD video Rechargeable battery Mono audio MicroSD compatible Weatherproof

Liquid Ima g e Tudortec h www.tudortec h.c o.za A pprox R2 300

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

No internal memory Shortish battery life

Score

80 65

by Rob Edwards

Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Digital Camera

And very capable…

C Review

ameras just get smaller and smaller. The Canon PowerShot A3500 IS is quite tiny, yet it packs a lot of power. This 16 megapixel pocket camera offers (for its size) a decent 5x zoom, as well as HD video recording. The three inch screen dominates the back of the camera, with a sensible set of controls to the right of it. The A3500 is possessed of a number of special features that come standard with Canon pocket cameras these days, including things like 32 Smart Auto Scenes, Advanced Subject Detection, Face Detection and Low Light technology. Best of all is that this and more is crammed into a small, easy to use package. It’s not the most powerful camera around, but it really is very handy. It’s a perfect carry camera, although enthusiasts may find it a little lacking. g

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Summary

Tech Specs:

It’s a perfect pocket camera for those that prefer ease of use over high end performance.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline: RRP:

Very small Easy to use Good image quality

16 megapixel 5x zoom 32 Smart Auto scenes Face detection 3 inch screen HD video

Ca non Ca non www.c a non.c o.za A pprox R1 600

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Too simple for some?

Score

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Pikmin 3

Little Helpers The Pikmin return after almost a decade…

by Walt Pretorius

a decade to arrive, and those that remember the previous games are justifiably excited about it. Three explorers (Captain Charlie, Brittany and Alph) are sent out from their home planet of Koppai to find the natural resources and food sources their home world has used up. But things go wrong, and they crash land on a mysterious planet. The good news is that the planet has a massive amount of resources… the bad is that it is full of dangers and challenges. The three hapless explorers, resplendent I their bubble-helmet space suits, can’t do much on their own, particularly not initially when they are separated. But they are assisted (for reasons unknown) by a local race of creatures called the Pikmin.

Review

ou’re marooned on a strange planet. The two other members of your crew are missing, and you’re not entirely sure where your space ship crash-landed. All around you are strange sights and sounds; giant foliage and odd constructions, enormous creatures that obviously mean you harm. It’s a situation that even the most hardened warrior could use some help in… and you’re no warrior. But salvation is at hand in the form of a race of strange creatures that seem to be part animal, part plant. With their help, you might just survive this alien world… It sounds like a plot for a movie starring Will and Jayden Smith. But it is actually part of the idea behind the long awaited Pikmin 3, the latest instalment of the franchise. It has taken almost

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The Pikmin will do whatever is required of them; fighting, breaking, building, fetching and carrying according to the explorers’ needs. So when one of the planet’s giant fruits are found, it’s the Pikmin that carry it back for analysis and juicing (it seems the explorers live off of fruity liquids). When an indigenous creature needs beating, it’s the Pikmin that fight it. The player, who is in control of the explorers, directs the Pikmin where they need to go. The idea is simple – Pikmin are sent where they need to go by throwing them. They are called back with a whistle built into the explorer’s helmet. It’s simple, but it does work, once you get used to the way that they game wants you to aim. Sometimes getting Pikmin in the right spot can get a bit tricky,

particularly if you’re dealing with a hostile, moving target. But the Pikmin are not just about fighting. Puzzle solving is a major – perhaps the biggest part – of the game. The player is given four fairly large areas to explore, but not all areas are immediately accessible. Certain types of Pikmin are needed to access some areas, thanks to their inherent powers. Yellow Pikmin are electricity resistant and can create power conducting bridges; blue Pikmin can traverse water, rock Pikmin can smash glass and crystal, and so on. The player is limited to having 100 Pikmin on hand at a time, so choosing the right kind of creatures (out of the different varieties) can be tricky. In addition, once the three explorers are united,

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and even those who have ‘grown up’ (they have a flower on top of their heads instead of a leaf) can die quite easily. But it’s easy to generate more Pikmin, and the biggest problem the player faces when losing them is feeling guilty at their mournful death noises. Watching them scurry up, only to miss the space ship as it launches to safety at dusk (with hungry creatures close on their heels) is a little heart-wrenching. The other time limit imposed on the player comes in the form of rations. This is a limit that the player has some control over, though; each day, a bottle of juice is consumed. Always being on the lookout for fruit means that the player will constantly replenish, and even grow, their juice supply. A good supply of juice means that the rations limit is basically a non-

Review

they can act in concert, or be split into groups so that the player can perform up to three tasks at once. There’s still only a total of 100 Pikmin allowed in the field, tough, so that adds another level of strategy to the game. That said, Pikmin 3 isn’t a particularly challenging game. The toughest thing to get right is doing everything within the time limits the game imposes. There is a daily limit, first of all. Being out at night is dangerous for the Pikmin, because there are several predators that want to eat them. So the player needs to get all the Pikmin they can back to a safe zone by the end of the ‘work’ day. Those left behind are eaten. That’s not the only way Pikmin die… the world is harsh for the useful but not very tough creatures,

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event. In truth, Pikmin 3 is not really extremely challenging. But that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment that the title offers. Pikmin 3 manages to present the player with a charming, engrossing world that is captivating and complex, despite the overall simplicity of the game. There will be moments when you need to scratch your head, or face-palm at an easy solution you just couldn’t see before. There will be times when you need to run for cover during boss fights, or need to carefully strategise getting at that all-important, juicy piece of fruit that appears to be just out of reach. There will be times when you rush to beat the sunset, or need to plan to recover lost Pikmin forces. But there will never be times when you are bored.

The only real problems are the need to get aiming right, and the fact that the single player campaign is lamentably short, weighing in at around ten hours (depending on how much pottering around you’re going to do). There are multiplayer modes, in the form of missions and Bingo Bash, but that means one player may need the disadvantage of using the Wii remote and nunchuk. Still, these can be played single player, too, and add even more enjoyment to an otherwise already addictive title. Pikmin 3 goes a long way to show that games don’t need to be all sex, violence and bad language to be great, and it stands as an excellent addition to a beloved franchise. g

AT A GLANCE: Puzzle adventure

Reviewed on:

Utpatum vel et, vent ad ming ent nulla faccumm olessisl et, cortion sequamcoreet volore tismodolenit wis nosto dolorer aut nulputpat, Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Pikmin 2 Local

Network

Online

Nintendo Nintendo Core Group

Parental Advisory

7+ gladget34

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

Wii U Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii U Wii PSV 3DS DS

Score

87 73

Deadpool

No Promises… … just narcissism and violence.

by Alex Scanlon

because this review has already become derailed… What I was trying to get at is wondering whether games are more enjoyable because of a drought. Because I suspect that some of them might well be. Case in point: Deadpool. But let’s not start in the middle… Deadpool is based on the Marvel comic character of the same name. For those that don’t know, Deadpool was given an accelerated healing factor by Weapon X – the same nice folks that infused Wolverine’s skeleton with adamantium. The process drove Deadpool incurably insane… and the result is that he is fully aware of the fact that he is a comic book character. This makes him one of the most interesting and entertaining characters in the X-Men universe. By extension, Deadpool starts the game off

Review

hen there aren’t many new game releases, virtually any game can look much better than it really is. This is something that needs to be kept in mind when reviewing titles during the dead times of the year – the desperation in dying of thirst can make even brackish water taste like sweet nectar, right? Perhaps game developers and publishers have realised this, and aim their weaker releases for times when games aren’t thick on the ground. Actually, that argument is moderately invalid. We have seen some excellent titles released during slow periods. Things like Diablo 3, or a few years back, Doom 3. There are actually a number of examples of great games released during the doldrums. I am not going to start listing them,

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knowing that he is in a game. In fact, the plot starts off with how he has conned High Moon studios into making a game for him… which the player is playing. It’s quirky and quite funny to be honest, and it makes way for a number of gags and jokes that High Moon take advantage of. Having Nolan North as Deadpool swear at Nolan North on the phone is perhaps silly, but it is funny. In fact, High Moon take advantage of every gag they can in the game. There are levels, for example, where Deadpool’s exuberant and wantonly destructive nature drains the budget, and the designers have to resort to 8-bit graphics. There are side scroller levels. There are quips about repetition and various other gaming ideas. Deadpool makes fun of itself, and of gaming in general, and that is

something that adds a lot of charm to it. Which it needs. Because without the gags and the character of Deadpool (who also adds a lot to the experience, although one could hardly call it charm) this game would be a rather mediocre third person button masher. It relies heavily on the humour inherent in the character of Deadpool to pull things off. There are other characters, too, of course, particularly a number of X-men babes in scanty super heroine cladding. The humour within the game often delves way below the belt, but anyone who knows the lecherous Deadpool would expect nothing less. In fact, people that are familiar with the comic character will appreciate the way that High Moon have portrayed him here. It’s all sex, narcissism and

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and parry mechanic, Deadpool is armed with a short range teleporter, which can be added into combos for even more variety. And variety is a good thing, because the combat can get pretty repetitive before long. The control scheme is simple enough to master, using the basic kinds of ideas that most third person action games do. There is nothing really original in this aspect of the game either. The levels, too, aren’t the most imaginative. They look good – as do the character models and animations – but they aren’t p[particularly interesting. There aren’t many hidden areas to explore, for example, and even when they are there, they don’t contain collectables. The only thing the player can pick up in this game is ammo and upgrade points.

Review

ultra-violence with Deadpool, and the developers bring that across pitch perfect (unlike the guys who wrote him for the Wolverine movie… they made a complete mess of the character). The game dynamic suits the character well, too – although, as said before, it’s hardly revolutionary. Deadpool takes on his foes with a combination of melee weapons and firearms in the game, which can be used to string together rather satisfying combos. That said, senseless button mashing will get you through just as well, because the foes (with a few exceptions) are not particularly challenging. The player can unlock a variety of upgradeable weapons, as well as being able to upgrade Deadpool himself. The action can get pretty frantic. As a dodge

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That limits replayability rather savagely; you probably won’t want to go through the single player campaign more than once. There are challenge levels, which have leader boards and stuff, but they aren’t all that exciting either. That means that Deadpool may end up left on the shelf once you’re done with it. And that’s a bit sad, for a number of reasons -not least of which the price of games. But there is a chance that fans may want to revisit Deadpool. The reason for that is a little unclear… but the truth is that Deadpool provides an experience that adds up to far more than the sum of its parts. And that’s what I was trying to get at in the beginning. See, despite the fact that there are no factors (except maybe for the character of Deadpool) that really make this game stand out, it is really

rather enjoyable. Perhaps it is because the game doesn’t pretend to be something that it is not. It never claims to be anything more than a mindless, often funny action romp – in fact, it revels in it. And that unpretentious nature of the game makes it so much more enjoyable. Deadpool doesn’t make promises that it cannot keep, and never tries to reach beyond its own scope. With so many games out there trying to be so much more, pretending to be more important and relevant than they really are, it’s quite refreshing to see a game that doesn’t try to be something it is not, and doesn’t apologise for it either. So if you’re after some pretty mindless fun, Deadpool is a good way to go. If it doesn’t live up to your expectations, that isn’t because the game promised too much. g

AT A GLANCE: Third-person action

Reviewed on:

It’s not the greatest game ever made, but it is a lot of addictive fun. Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Wolverine, Darksiders 1 Local

Network

Online

High Moon Activision Megarom

Parental Advisory

18+ gladget34

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii U Wii PSV 3DS DS

Score

79 77

Company of Heroes 2

Not A Step Back! Tactics and brutality on the Eastern Front

by Lein Baart

subtlety. There is very little in Company of Heroes 2 that drastically alters the conventions established in the original. Those that played the first title will find themselves instantly at ease in the second, as CoH2 can sometimes feel more like an expansion than a true sequel. On the other hand though, those that are new to the series or the genre as a whole are likely to find themselves bewildered initially. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a dazzling array of options available, with nearly every unit equipped with a unique ability of some sort, and in the midst of the chaos of battle it can be challenging in the extreme to come to grips with the system. This isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t helped by a lack of an in-game tutorial, with only a short series of videos to teach you the basics before you are let loose upon the foes of the Motherland. The game, which starts with the launch of Operation

Review

n the dark covens where RTS gamers gather, the name Company of Heroes is spoken in the most reverential of whispers. Released in 2006, Company of Heroes may not be quite the behemoth that StarCraft is, but even seven years later the game still has a huge following. Relic Entertainment, developers of Homeworld and Dawn of War (among others), have proudly touted the game as the highest rated RTS in history, and with its stunning blend of tactical and traditional strategy, beautiful looks and close attention to detail, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little wonder it is still considered a benchmark in the genre. All this considered, the pressure on Relic to deliver a first class follow up must have been astronomical, as after all how does one improve upon perfection (or at least as close as gaming is going to get)? The answer according to Relic, it seems, is with

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Barbarossa and runs through to the Battle of Berlin, will see players take control of Red Army in one of historyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most tragic and devastating, yet heroic, conflicts. The majority of the campaign will seem more than familiar to returning players, with the same basic design that propelled the original to glorious heights still firmly in place. Players are still required to capture points on the map to provide one of three resources, namely fuel, munitions and manpower, in order to build structures and train units. Likewise, the focus of combat remains squarely on the tactical, with careful manoeuvring and planning required to see the Soviets to success. In short, everything that made Company of Heroes great has made the transition, and Company of Heroes 2 is a challenging and cerebral experience, if not entirely unique. Those changes that have been made to the basic

mechanics are not exactly revolutionary. The much vaunted ColdTech system, used to simulate the effects of the dreaded Russian winter, does little to actually alter the gameplay of the series. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not to say the effect is negligible however, as those missions that do take place during the winter are subject to blizzards that can freeze armies in their tracks. Units will have to take shelter or huddle around a fire in order to stave off frostbite, and during these blizzards any movement of your forces is a risky gamble. TruSight, the other game mechanic introduced, aims to replicate the actual line-of-sight of your troops, and placing the right unit in the right location can yield valuable intelligence on your opponent. Both of these systems are handled by the new Essence Engine 3.0, which also brings the battlefields of the Eastern Front to life in a magnificent display of visual prowess. Coupled with the

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die in battle, the quicker the quality of conscripts becomes until you can eventually field penal battalions. Added to this is the game’s implementation of the infamous Order 227 (“Not a step back!”), which sees a commissar emerge during deployment to shoot any retreating units. The outcry against the depiction of the brutality of the Soviet Arm is understandable, however as far as gameplay goes the tactical considerations of these mechanics are fairly straightforward, allowing you swarm over enemy positions with little worry over the losses incurred. In stark contrast to the campaign, Theatre of War provides 18 single player and co-op missions (with more to be released) that truly showcase the inventiveness of Relic and the possibilities inherent in the game. From scorching the earth to deny the Nazi invaders supplies to assassinating a general with a sniper, the missions

Review

fantastic audio that comes with the game, CoH2 is a technical masterpiece. While the overall campaign may offer very little in the way of new content, with generally the same objectives as CoH, the Soviet army plays vastly differently compared to any other faction seen thus far. Central to the army are the conscripts, the rank and file drawn into the conflict in order to repel the German invasion. Company of Heroes 2 has provoked outrage in Eastern nations for its portrayal of the Soviet Army tactics during this period, as a core strategy of the army is to throw away as many lives as necessary in order to achieve victory. In game terms, this translates to a squad of conscripts that can be deployed every 30 seconds in order to replace men lost in combat. What has stirred the hornet’s nest though is that the more conscripts that

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contained within are brilliantly designed and can add genuine longevity to an already lengthy title. A review of Company of Heroes 2 would not be complete without a look at the multiplayer. It is here that things really come to life, with human opponents providing a vastly increased challenge over the somewhat idiocy-prone A.I. of the game. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a frenetic and desperate experience, and tactics that worked in the campaign can quickly be nullified. This is enhanced by the Commander Abilities system, which allows you to select a particular set of abilities for use in battle. Added to this though is the fact that each campaign and Theatre mission you complete feeds into your avatar, allowing you to grant bonuses to specific units. For those worried about the potential balance issues this might present, the bonuses are relatively weak, meaning that no one should be drastically overpowered and you

should always be facing someone who is of comparable strength. Company of Heroes 2 then is more about refinement than revolution. Criticism can be levelled against the game for numerous small issues, most noticeably its rather obvious lack of originality, and what changes have been made might not please everyone. What this also means, however, is that it still features the same spellbinding gameplay of its predecessor, and thus the same potential to completely immerse you in the tribulations and sufferings of the men who fought World War 2. For an RTS enthusiast, CoH2 is still a riveting experience, and even for newcomers to the genre there is plenty on offer. Make no mistake, if you have ever even slightly enjoyed a strategy game of any type, Company of Heroes 2 is not a game you should pass up. g

AT A GLANCE: Genre:

Tactical RTS

Reviewed on:

Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Company of Heroes, Men of War Local

Network

Online

Relic Entertainment SEGA Ster Kinekor

Parental Advisory

18+ gladget34

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

Platforms

This may not be a game for everyone, but there is more than enough here to keep you glued to your seat for hours

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii U Wii PSV 3DS DS

Score

79 81

MotoGP 13

Back on Track! Great physics, pity about the looks…

by Walt Pretorius

balanced breaking, for example, is important: too much at the back, and the rear wheel starts misbehaving. Too much in the front, and the hurt is immense. Similarly, cornering speed and angle are also extremely tricky at higher difficulty levels. And that’s exactly what true enthusiasts will be after. At lower levels, anyone can have fun with a bike that needs a hell of a lot of mishandling to fall over. It’s not very real, but it does allow for a more arcade-style experience. Effectively, this means that MotoGP 13 manages to deliver nuts-and-bolts realism and an arcade experience, depending on where you pitch the difficulty settings. Not too many games get that right. While the controls and simulation side of things are actually pretty good, the presentation of MotoGP 13 leaves a bit to be desired. The bikes themselves are well modelled, although the MotoGP class bikes have

Review

otorcycle simulators are often a mixed bag. There are those off-road ones that sometimes feel like the real thing, but often get far too over the top to actually realistically recreate the feeling of riding a bike. And then there are the track ones, most notably in the MotoGP and SBK franchises, that score a series of hits and misses in recreating the fast paced world of motorcycle racing. This year, Milestone’s MotoGP 13 manages to get a lot of things right. The game remains accessible, while still offering the high challenge and complexity inherent in riding a two-wheeled vehicle at high speed – thanks to a rather robust and variable difficulty setting system, complete with numerous assists that can be turned on or off individually. At higher difficulty levels, the physics of bike handling become very similar to the real thing. Well

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benefitted from the most attention. Playing through the Moto 3 and Moto 2 classes in the very long career mode (because you can keep playing as long as you like, basically) will show a few chinks in the game’s visuals. These extend into the replays, too… more than once I saw my bike – without a rider – steering itself to a nail-biting victory. These visual aspects can be forgiven, biut a little more polish would have gone a long way to improving the overall experience, particularly in the lacklustre menus. And as for the tracks – sadly, they are lifeless and lacking in detail, making the bikes feel like they don’t really belong. The impression of speed is not too bad, although it has a much better effect when using first person views. And, thankfully, the developers managed to get the head movement of the rider more or less right this time around. It can get quite nauseating, but it’s more realistic, at the

very least. The sound, too could have used a bit of work, although it’s not quite as desperately in need of tweaks as the graphics. The bikes of the lower classes once again suffer, with more attention to audio detail having been poured into the bigger machines. Players will get the opportunity to take part in races across a generous number of tracks around the world, either in multiplayer games, or against the rather challenging AI. On the whole, Milestone have produced one of the best MotoGP titles to date with this one… in terms of physics and handling. But they let the presentation ball drop, which keeps this title from reaching truly new heights. Still, motorcycle racing enthusiasts will find a lot to be impressed about here. g

AT A GLANCE: Racing

Reviewed on:

With a great set of physics, enthusiasts should be able to look past MotoGP 13’s weaker visuals to the game behind them. Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

SBK, MotoGP Local

Network

Online 12

Milestone Milestone Apex Interactive

Parental Advisory

3+ gladget34

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii U Wii PSV 3DS DS

Score

80 83

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