Gladget Magazine December 2010 by Gladget Magazine

w w w. g l a d ge t . c o. z a

i s s u e 3 / vo l 1

December 2010

Splash Out! 3D TV is all the rage

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ecca.co.za

Inside 6 From the Editor 8 In Depth 3D TV is on the rise 14 Photography Primer Working magic with shutter speed 20 Reviews Great ideas for Christmas 62 How To Keep your private things private on Facebook 64 Same Difference All about the movement... 68 Inner Workings Couch control explained 72 Dead End The end of Sega’s consoles

THIS MONTH’S COVER Is 3D TV the next big thing, or is it a flash in the pan? See the feature on page 8

cover art by Katia Taliadoros

gladget contents • issue 3 • December 2010

Reviews

MSI N470GTX M2D12 Graphics Card

Aerial7 Phoenix Storm Headphones

Tomtom Go 650 Live GPS GLADGET Volume1Issue 3 December 2010

Sigma Zen PC Case

Asus Xonar Xense Sound Card

Editor: Walt Pretorius walt@gladget.co.za

Garmin Oregon 450 GPS

Sub Editor: Charlie Fripp

LG SolarDOM Oven

HP x23 LED Monitor

Writers: Brian Murdoch Dion Scotten Richard Bingham Alex Scanlon

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB Hard Drive

Letters: letters@gladget.co.za

iHome IP90 Dock

Xbox 360 Kinect 4GB Bundle

Orb Wii Battery + Charging Stand Pack

Logitech Harmony 900 Remote

Logic 3 iStation22 Dock

Epson Perfection V500 Photo Scanner

Logitech G35 Gaming Headphones

Competition Entries: competitions@gladget.co.za Newsletter Subscriptions: www.gladget.co.za Design & Photography: 1337 Media Technical Support: Brian Murdoch Marketing Contact: Katia Taliadoros katia@gladget.co.za

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Adobe CS5

Logic 3 iStation Go Dock

Call of Duty: Black Ops

The Sims 3 (Console Version)

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gladget contents • issue 3 • December 2010

The Mad Dash From the Editor

by Walt Pretorius

ith 2011 approaching with the certainty of a freight train, one cannot help but wonder what the new year will hold in terms of technology. We have come to a point in our history where a single year can hold a great many technological advancements. New technologies are almost constantly announced, and improvements on existing ideas keep rolling on. Everything is getting bigger (or smaller, in some cases), faster and better. We certainly live in very exciting times. The march of technology has moved through the jogging stages and is now approaching an all-out sprint towards some undefined goal. It just gets faster and faster, and it most certainly shows no signs of stopping. And, like a giant snowball bearing down on us, every new technology spawns at least a handful of other ideas that come in support of it. Those new ideas, in turn, create even more, until the flow of technological advancement is a raging torrent threatening to overwhelm us. It’s a good thing, then, that modern ways of thinking are a bit like a life raft. We have become so accepting of new ideas, that the raging torrent has become more of a fun white-water adventure than a frightening deluge. There are still many people out there that are afraid of technology, though. You see them every day, like folks who buy the latest cell phone, with all the bells and whistles, and then use it purely as a phone. Some of them don’t even send text messages. The rest of us, though, have become accustomed to – even expectant of – these radical changes that seem to take place almost daily.

We even rely on them. A few years ago, you did your phone calls via a landline, and research in a library. Now, if the internet is down, or our mobile’s battery is flat, we panic. The reliance we have on it is not the worst that modern technology has to offer, though. There is a much bigger problem, and one that probably isn’t getting the attention it deserves. This doesn’t count for everything, of course, but there are a number of new technologies that it could apply to: the lack of proper testing. I don’t mean the Q&A kind of thing – rather, I mean the effects that it could have on its users. As an example, 3D TV is all the rage right now, but the actual effects that using LCD based 3D glasses could have on a person aren’t really clear yet, because the glasses haven’t been around for long enough. By the time the research is complete, there will probably be a new, better, equally unresearched product on the market. It won’t stop us, of course, just like early findings of negative effects on the environments from petroleumfuelled engines didn’t stop people back then (and, quite frankly, still don’t). We are a society – a species – that thrives on instant gratification, entitlement and, quite often, denial. I don’t mean to sound like I am a doomsayer, or like I am shaking my finger at anyone. I am as much to blame as anyone else. But it is an interesting point to ponder. Enough with the philosophy… let’s get on with the final issue of Gladget for 2010. And, in closing, please allow me to extend our very best wishes for the Festive season and New Year, from myself and the Gladget Crew. g gladget column • issue 3 • December 2010

In Depth! A new way of watching TV?

Feature

by Walt Pretorius

gladget feature • issue 3 • December 2010

he march of technology is one that is fascinating to watch. One could easily believe that all things technological are driven by core human and societal needs, needs that transcend the every-day desires of people and strive towards the greater good. That, though, isn’t always the case. Technological advances often play towards human wants, particularly when those advances have anything to do with entertainment. Sure, entertainment is a very important part of the human condition. Depriving people of entertainment can even have serious psychological and emotional effects of people, but it seems that – when seeing children from an impoverished society amusing themselves with makeshift toys and imagination – we have been spoiled in terms of our desire to be entertained. One such extravagance is the idea of 3 dimensional visual entertainment. Walk past virtually any cinema complex these days, and you’re likely to find at least one movie being shown in 3D – anything from the visually inspiring and breath-taking Avatar through to the lamentably idiotic Jackass. 3D isn’t being restricted to cinemas, though. The trend to bring 3D into the home entertainment arena is gaining steam every day, with major manufacturers all clambering for the top spot when it comes to 3D capable TVs and computer devices (including monitors and graphics cards.) Is it necessary? Many people seem to think so, claiming that 3D viewing enhances the experience. Others, though, would argue the fact that 2 dimensional movies and gaming have served us perfectly well for many years. Even others claim that 3D isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, complaining of headaches and eye strain when watching 3D entertainment. Whatever the case may be, this new trend keeps rolling. But, the truth be told, it isn’t an entirely new idea. In fact, it was almost 200 years ago that 3D viewing piqued the interest of scientists and forward thinkers. In 1833, Sir Charles Dudeman first thought of presenting slightly varied images to the viewer’s eyes, creating the mental illusion of three dimensions from flat images using a device he called the reflecting mirror stereoscope. The trick lay in presenting the two images separately – one to each eye. This caused the brain to interpret the images as one 3D picture.

gladget feature • issue 3 • December 2010

In 1849, Scottish scientist Sir David Brewster invented the Brewster Stereoscope, which was a template for all later devices of this nature and, consequently, 3D movies. This invention lead to the mass production of stereoscopic photography. The history of 3D cinema started not long after. In 1855 a stereo animation camera, called the Kinematoscope, was created, but it took sixty years for the first movie to be produced. Using the anaglyph 3D system (the type that uses the familiar glasses with red and blue lenses) the first film was created in 1915, with the first public screening of a 3D movie taking place seven years later, in 1922, with the first colour 3D film produced in 1935. Stereoscopic cameras were commonly used by the start of the Second World War. The rise of television, and its increasing popularity in the 1950s, lead the the creation of many 3D movies. This was to draw people back into cinemas, of course, but the history of 3D TV had already begun. John Logie Baird had demonstrated the first 3D television, built with a cathode-ray tube, back in 1928, seven years before the first colour 3D film was created. Most 3D systems – at least commercially viable ones – these days make use of specialised glasses to fool the brain into seeing a 3D image. However, the move towards autostereoscopic systems – in other words, systems that don’t require the use of glasses – is already underway, with several manufacturers working at bringing the idea to market. And it looks like we’ll be seeing these soon. The question then arises: is it a good idea to spend a lot of money on current 3D TV systems, when the technology that drives them has an apparently short shelf-life? Also, the use of glasses makes using current generation 3D TVs a bit more difficult than the proposed new technology that we will likely see within a few years. Will early adopters of this technology end up splashing out a large amount of money, on the main device and extra glasses, just to have a new idea thrust on them far sooner than expected? It looks likely. The newer autostereoscopic technology will not render the current generation ineffective, but it may prove to be a much more attractive prospect. As things stand, though, the technology delivers exactly what it promises. Most systems, like the LG Infinia, use glasses that work with an LCD shutter system. This system works in a similar method to the old red and blue glasses, but it is far more complex. Instead of showing two images with colour filters over them (as would be the case gladget feature • issue 3 • December 2010

with the coloured lens glasses) the image that is displayed shows two alternating images that flicker on and off at a very fast rate – most of these TVs have a refresh rate that is at least 120 Hz – which is around double that of most standard TVs. The glasses themselves contain an LCD layer that alternates between being clear and blacking out – obviously one lens, than the other. This corresponds with the TV’s refresh rate, as well as the images being shown. As the glasses alternate between being clear and blacking out, the brain reads the images as two… once again creating the illusion of 3 dimensions. Just as you do not notice the flickering of a normal TV’s refresh rate, so you won’t notice the flickering of the glass lenses. Each person viewing would need a pair, otherwise the on-screen image would have an odd, “double-vision” effect. Once again, the refresh rate of the TV is so fast that the eye would pick up both images at once, rather than seeing them alternate. The LG Infinia range of full LED 3D TVs is a great example of current technology at work. These combine the extreme thin form factor of modern LED TVs with 3D technology, making them versatile and aesthetically pleasing devices. However, thanks to the high refresh rate (and probably the extremely high marketability of this new

technology) they are undeniably expensive… and that’s just for the TV. A family of four would need the inclusion of three extra glasses (you get one set with the TV) which will drive prices even higher. The Infinia 3D TVs are, first and foremost, television sets. They perform all the normal functions that a TV would. As an example, we got to spend some time using the 47” version of the 3D range, and spent most of it marvelling over the excellent picture quality in standard applications. Being an LED TV, the Infinia delivers crisp, bright visuals. It works with all kinds of inputs, too… it has several HDMI ports (four, to be exact), two HD component inputs, AV inputs and even two USB ports. These are handy for charging the 3D glasses, sure, but the Infinia will allow you to plug a USB stick or even a removable hard-drive into one of these ports, and play media directly from the device. Further applications, by way of a PC, can be achieved by using the RGB In port… you can even connect it up to a network by way of a LAN cable, for more direct media playing. The screen itself is borderless, meaning that the most of the front of the TV is taken up by the viewing area. It is mounted on a heavy base plate (a good thing, because the TV itself weighs a lot) which allows it to be easily swivelled gladget feature • issue 3 • December 2010

for better viewing from any angle. The 3D component of the TV needs to be activated via the extensive menus and control systems. Used in conjunction with the glasses, the Infinia delivers excellent 3D viewing, with little to no ghosting (something which often plagues flat screen TVs based on LCD technology.) It is great for all 3D applications, from movies to playing games. As a TV, the Infinia is fantastic. As a 3D TV, it is also excellent. But it’s price point is very high indeed, and one needs to wonder whether buying a device like this, at this time, is a wise investment. With autostereoscopic devices rumoured to be hitting shelves as early as 2015, the longevity of the investment is in question. Sure, it will still function after the release of the new techoogy, but people who would buy a TV like this now are early adopters (who don’t want to wait for prices to drop in order to enjoy new technology.) When autostereoscopic sets become available, what’s to say they won’t take to their early adopter habits again? And even if the current technology wasn’t threatened by newer tech just around the corner, the current delivery of media that is compatible with home 3D devices is slower than one would like. Yes, there are movies and games that gladget feature • issue 3 • December 2010

use it, but they are still few. Does the current low level of 3D entertainment warrant the expenditure? It’s hard to say – that would be a matter of personal taste. Yes, there will be more coming, but who wants to wait to play with a new toy? The only thing that is really certain at the moment is that 3D entertainment isn’t going anywhere soon. Many have accused it of descending to gimmickery in order to sell more units, but the human desire for bigger, better entertainment solutions demands that something as complex as this stays on the market. It may become a niche, specialist field… or it might become mainstream. It’s not up to the device manufacturers, who would naturally want to see it become a massive force in the market. It’s not even up to the entertainment companies – after all, they will produce movies and games to support whatever hardware is available. Rather, this is a question that will ultimately be answered by consumers, whose willingness to adopt the technology (whichever it may be) and buy the products that use the technology will determine whether 3D will be the success the industries involved hope it will be. We hate making predictions, but we think that – once prices have dropped a little – it is certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with..g

Photography Primer

Variable Speed Working magic with the shutter

by Walt Pretorius

gladget regular â&#x20AC;˘ issue 3 â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

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nce upon a time, being a photographer was something of an exclusive pastime. It required a specific knowledge base, the right kind of equipment and lots of money to be one. Even when not behind the camera, a specific, dark-room oriented skillset was needed to be effective at creating great pictures. A camera can create magic. We’re not talking about the old superstition that some cultures apparently had, in which they believed that a photograph stole a portion of someone’s soul. Rather, we’re talking about the effects that a photographer can squeeze out of a camera with a little know how and a healthy dose of imagination. In the last issue we looked at one of those tricks – the manipulation of depth of field. While this can be very complimentary to photographs and their subjects, the trickery that can be performed with shutter speed settings can go far beyond what aperture settings have on offer. The shutter is a shield that stops light from striking the photographic medium. While the aperture determines how much light enters the camera, the shutter setting determines how long the photographic medium is exposed to that light. It’s important to note, at this time, that light is fast… really, really fast. One sixtieth of a second is an extremely short period of a time, but light is fast enough that it can cause problems in that fraction of time. Keep in mind though, that it is not just light that can cause the problems. In fact, light isn’t the main culprit here; movement is. The faster the shutter speed is set to, the more crisply it will capture motion. If your subject matter isn’t moving – like a tranquil landscape on a clam day, for example – a fast shutter speed isn’t a prerequisite. Taking a photograph of fast motion, like a sporting event, is a whole different story, though. The shutter speed setting is expressed, like aperture, in fractions. The smaller the fraction, the longer the shutter stays open for. As an example, the shutter will be open for longer on a 1/60 shutter setting than it will on a 1/1000. However, a standard fractional notation isn’t generally used for setting the shutter speed. In the above example, 1/60th of a second would be expressed as 60, while 1/1000th of a second would be displayed as 1000. So, the bigger the number, the faster the shutter speed.

gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

Photography Primer

gladget regular â&#x20AC;˘ issue 3 â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

This isn’t always the case, though – at the far end of the scale, we have extremely long exposures. They tend to be a second or longer, and are generally indicated by inverted commas (“). For example, a setting of 2” will keep the shutter open for two seconds. Two seconds may not seem like a lot of time, but in terms of photography, it’s very long. Try and experiment: waggle your fingers, and count to two seconds. All the movement you see would be captured by a camera using a two second exposure. It probably wouldn’t make for a very good picture. Movements can happen in the shortest of times. Even a slight shake when depressing the shutter button on a camera might end up as a blurred photograph – despite the fact that the motion is almost imperceptible. A good rule of thumb is to use a tripod or other means of stabilisation for any speed slower than 1\60th of a second, to avoid that kind of mishap. The basic concept is that faster actions would require faster shutter speeds. Naturally, bright sunlight would allow for faster speeds, while low light conditions would necessitate slower ones. Additionally, the light allowed through the lens by the aperture also affects shutter speed. A wide open aperture would allow for faster speeds, while a smaller aperture (higher F stop number) would need a slower one. It’s part of the balancing act that many people do not realise is going on when they use their camera in “automatic” mode. But taking control of that balance allows for some outstanding results. The trickery that shutter speed has on offer is generally related to motion. Capturing a crisp fast-action shot is always impressive, but making something look like it is moving faster than it actually is can yield even better results. This is a trick that motoring photographers use a lot. Making a car look like it is speeding along at a massive pace is relatively easy, if you know how. Have a car drive past you at forty to sixty kilometres per hour. Set your shutter speed to a slower speed (like 1/60th of a second) and follow the car by panning the camera. You’ll want to use a tripod for the best results. While you are panning, shoot the picture – but keep panning along with the car. If you get the motion right, the movement of the camera will cause the background to blur, while keeping the car in crisp focus. It’s an illusion – and a great one at that. In fact, fast motion with slow shutter speeds can result in all kinds of incredible pictures. We’ve all seen photographs of waterfalls, for example, where the water looks like a silky veil. It’s the result of a slow shutter speed. Even taking photographs of lightning requires a slow exposure (and a bit of luck.) No one is quick enough to snap a pic of a bolt gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

Photography Primer

of lightning. Rather, aim your camera at the sky, find the right aperture setting (a little experimentation is best) and leave the shutter open for a long time – thirty seconds or so. The result may just astound you. Another effect of a slow shutter speed is that points of light will bleed, forming stars in the picture. The overall effect depends on the brightness of the light, and the slowness of the shutter speed. As always, the above ideas need a bit of experimentation to get the hang of. There is no reason not to – let’s keep in mind that digital photographers are not hampered by film and developing costs. A little imagination in the application of shutter speeds goes a long way. Using a slow speed with a fast moving object will result in blurring, while a fast shutter speed will result in a crisp image. But what about a moderate speed. The example of a horse bucking in a dusty arena is a great one. The horse’s different body parts are moving at different speeds, and the dust is also kicked up at a different pace. The end result would produce a picture of a horse bucking, its tail and the dust blurred, while the rest of the creature is in perfect focus. (I took that picture once, which is why I am using it as an example… it was unfortunately lost in a rather sad hard-drive melt-down, though.) The shutter is more than just something to keep light away from the photographic medium. It is a very powerful and versatile tool that the photographer can use to create truly impressive images. When used correctly in conjunction with the aperture setting, absolutely awesome photographs are the result. Remember, though, that every photograph is different, and conditions change constantly. There is no hard and fast rule to these ideas – rather, experience and experimentation will allow the photographer to get a feel for what will deliver the desired results.g

gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

Reviews Highlights 26 Tomtom Go 650 Live Talk to me... 30 Asus Xonar Xense A powreful partnership 32 Garmin Oregon 450 Never get lost... ever! 46 Logitech Harmony 900 Remote The one remote you need 52 Logitech G35 Gaming Headphones Sound excellence for gamers

here seem to be trends when it comes to the release of new hardware and gadgets. At times it seems like everyone is releasing graphics cards, and at others it appears as though all the companies are getting new headphones onto the market. This isn’t really the case, but it does seem that way... this is our headphone and sound-dock edition, by all appearances. But, as always, there are numerous other cool deives for you to take a look at in our review section. g

gladget review • issue 3 • December 2010

MSI N470GTX M2D12

A Good Spec And a really good price

by Walt Pretorius

t’s no secret that we like MSI’s product range. Their generally solid performance and agreeable pricing makes them a very good option PC enthusiasts to consider. Additionally, their products – in terms of graphics cards – are supported by simple-yet-effective bundled software that make them easy to use and tweak. And, to add even more goodness, their performance under tweaking-pressure is great. We previously looked at the MSI N480GTX card, and were well impressed by it. This time around, we’re looking at that particular device’s slightly smaller brother, the N470GTX. The differences are there, but for the average gamer (who might not be looking at overclocking every aspect of their PC’s performance) these differences might be a little academic. The 480 has 1536MB of graphics RAM, while the 470 has 1280MB. Yes, it’s theoretically a lot more, but in normal gaming conditions, the difference is not all that noticeable. The 480’s performance is obviously a

bit faster, too, but once again, unless you’re seriously tweaking your machine and running all kinds of diagnostics (which are, at times, academic in themselves) you’re not going to pick up a big difference. Where you will notice a difference is in the price point, which is a big advantage for many folks looking to buy upgraded components. We might not be in a full blown recession, but cash is still something that people want to hang on to. If performance needs to be balance with saving money, the 470 is a very good option. It comes with all the bells and whistles of the 480, as well. It comes, for example, with the same MSI Afterburner software, which is a powerful overclocking and monitoring utility, for those that wish to use it. Additionally, Live Update 4 is a piece of software that will automatically check BIOS, driver and utility updates (particularly handy for those of us that sometimes forget to update our drivers…) The unit is also constructed with military grade components. These include Hi-C Caps, which deliver g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

more precise GPU voltage and stability; Solid State Chokes, which do not vibrate (and therefore do not cause buzzing) and longer lasting All Solid CAPs. The Afterburner software can also be used to squeeze around 15% more performance out of the card, thanks to the high grade components. The 470 also incorporates NVidia’s PhysX technology, and 3D Surround technology. This means that it can be used with a 3D monitor, with the required 3D glasses and other kit. Two cards running in an SLi configuration will allows for up to 3 monitors to be employed in 3D Surround, which is pretty awesome. If price is something that you’re going to be concerned about, the 470 is a good option, when compared to the more powerful, certainly more expensive 480 from the same manufacturer. With so many graphics card brands and models on the market, it becomes tricky to pick the right one. MSI, though, are a rather safe bet. Their products generally perform exceptionally well, and sticking one of these into your PC would never be a bad idea. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: Although not as powerful as the 480, the 470 is a great, cheaper option

Score

Manufacturer: MSI Distributor: Pinnacle Africa Online: www.pinnacle.co.za RRP: TBC Tech Specs: • 470GTX CPU • 1280 MD GRAM • GDDR 5 • 320 bits Memory Interface • 2 x DVI • HDMI

Pros: • A bit cheaper • 3D ready • Good performer • Good software Cons: • Not the most powerful card on the market

Aerial7 Phoenix Storm

Going Loud Big sound, small package

by Charlie Fripp

eside the natural need to eat, sleep and communicate there is another aspect of life that humans simply can’t live without. It has been proven throughout the ages, and comes in many shapes, forms and colours. The aspect in question is music, and without it, many of us will simply go off our rocker. The soothing sounds of classical musical have been used as therapeutic devices, the driving guitars of rock and metal used to stir up the masses and club tunes to create a sense of euphoria. As technology has grown throughout the modern times, music has become a portable commodity, and it’s now easier than ever to carry your favourite songs with you wherever you go, be it jogging, sitting on the train or bus, or just enjoying some relaxing strings in your lounge. But as the devices become more personal and portable, there is also a need to have a decent pair of headphones to go with it. There is no point in wanting to enjoy your songs if you have inferior head gear.

This is where Aerial7’s Phoenix Storm headphones come in. Although they might seem a bit small at first, do not be fooled by their size, for these babies pack one incredible punch. With a reinforced frame and some really funky designs, they look identical to real DJ headphones, and even deliver the sound quality that can only be found in highend headphones. The cups fit snugly on the ear, as opposed to over the ear like others, which provides just the right amount of bass and clarity. The headband is also fully adjustable, and can stretch out rather far, making it useful for any head shape or size. Height adjustments can also be made to individual cups, just in case one might have lopsided ears. Not only are the ear cups covered in a plush material, they also mimic big DJ headphones in the sense that the cups can swivel 180 degrees, which is useful when you just want to find a specific part of the song while clamping the cup between your ear and shoulder. But DJs g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

actually use the swivel cup for single-sided monitoring and beat-matching. Included in the earphone box are some really nifty cables and adapters, like a Skype adapter for VoiP calls on your PC and a gold-plated 6.3mm adapter for use with professional audio devices. These are all neatly packed away in a cool draw-string bag, which is also big enough to store the headphones in. The headphones are some of the best we have seen so far considering their power-to-size ratio, delivering some really big beats and producing a crisp, clear sound. The Storm’s sound quality is really good, and the slim in-line microphone allows the device to be used with the iPhone and Blackberry, but the standard connection will of course work with any audio device that supports the small 3.5mm plug. For those more technology-inclined, the driver diameter is about 44mm. The frequency response is 5-20 KHz, while the sensitivity (S.P.L) sits at 108±3dB at 1KHz. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: For it’s size-to-sound ratio, these little headphones pack one massive punch.

Score

Manufacturer: Aerial7 Distributor: KNR Flatrock Online: www.aerial7.com RRP: R549 Tech Specs: • 44mm driver diameter • Impedance: 32Ω • 5-20KHz Frequency • Sensitivity: 108±3dB (at 1KHz) • 3.5mm jack

Pros: • Big sound • Swivel ear cups • Adapters included Cons: • Small cups • Limited designs

Tomtom Go 650 Live

Talk to Me! Real hands free convenience

by Walt Pretorius

etting from A to B has become a lot easier, thanks to the invention and eventual commercialisation of GPS systems. OK, you might still get a bit lost if you haven’t updated your maps, or if there are odd detours and lots of road-works going on (like trying to get anywhere in Rosebank, Johannesburg.) Apart from those issues, though, the modern driving-guide GPS has made our lives much easier. Or has it? Most GPS units require the user to do the work beforehand. Ideally they put all the information they need into the GPS before they even start the engine, and then wend their way to wherever they are going. But sometimes that kind of luxury isn’t available – on-the-fly changes or other unforeseen circumstances require the driver to either pull over and make adjustments or, even worse, take their eyes off of the road and fiddle with the GPS unit while driving. Not really ideal and, in many circumstances, downright dangerous. And there are even worse times, the kind of critical emergencies where you

don’t want to take the time to plan a route… the times when you’d rather shout “get me to a damned hospital!” With Tomtom’s Go GPS device, you can pretty much do just that. Ok, the wording wouldn’t be the same, but the system has a set of voice activated commands that range from changing the view mode and colour scheme through to navigating to hospitals, points of interest, home and a bunch of other places. On the downside, sometimes the unit has a ‘huh?’ moment, but for the most part it understands clearly spoken voice commands just fine. It also has a handy glossary of available terms built in, so that you can learn exactly what to say when you need to. This functionality allows the user to easily replan routes, find detours and a host of other things, all while keeping their eyes on the road. In addition, certain cellphone functions can also be used, provided you have paired a Bluetooth mobile handset with this device. For those that want to avoid traffic fines, cameras can also be ‘reported’ to the device. Additionally, traffic data g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

and other useful information can also be updated on the unit. The latter is part of the device’s LIVE services bouquet, which includes local searches (powered by Google), fuel prices, safety alerts and weather reports. These are all subject to regional availability, of course. The Go even has a built in document reader and photoviewer. As far as GPS units go, the Tomtom Go is a great option. It has a decent battery life, and a car charger is included in case you need a little more juice. The screen is large and clear, and the voice commands are equally clear and eloquent. It even has a set of ‘Help Me’ instructions that vary from basic first aid through to quick navigation to police stations, hospitals, dentists and so forth. While Tomtom still lives in Garmin’s shadow to a degree, it is devices like the accurate, easy to use and versatile Go that will help them rise to more prominence in the market.g

g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: A handy and effective GPS system, complete with voice command.

Score

Manufacturer: Tomtom Distributor: Tomtom Online: www.tomtom.com RRP: R2499 Tech Specs: • 2GB Flash memory • 4.3” Screen • 224 grams • MicroSD card slot • 3 hour battery life

Pros: • Voice commands • Versatile device Cons: • Voice commands not programmable

Sigma Zen

Calming Style Without the hassle

by Walt Pretorius

uilding a PC is great fun. OK, it’s not for everyone. It takes someone who is passionate enough to want to do it, and careful enough to properly seat all the components (and not fry them with static electricity.) But, for those that enjoy it, there’s nothing better than the process of putting a machine together. That is provided, of course, that you have a decent case to build them into. A PC case is more than just a box to hold your components… it is an important part of your desktop PC. Not only can it look really good, but an effective case can mean the difference between a machine that is stable or not, at least in terms of heat. Another aspect that is important – if you are going to putting the machine together yourself – is a case that is easy to work with. And Sigma seems to have that idea right. The Zen is the second Sigma case we have worked with. The first was the Unicorn and, while we didn’t get to build the PC into the case, it’s easy to see that working

with the box would be a dream. The same can be said for the Zen, although it is a little smaller, and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that the Unicorn offers. Still, it’s a great case to work with, and is very stylish to boot. On the inside, the Zen offers users three sideways mounted 3.5” drive bays, which makes adding harddrives to the unit very simple indeed. It’s also a screwless case, which means that installing (and swapping out) components is simple, and quick, without the annoyance of screws falling in behind the motherboard or the danger of dropped tools. This counts for drives and components. Everything just slides and slots into place, and is held there by a series of clamps or clips. The rather generous 5 5.25” bays (for your optical drives and so on) clamp in place with a rotating locking mechanism and, although getting the plates that protect these bays out of the way presents the usual headache, fitting components here is simple and quick. The case provides space for seven ATX / PCi / PCI g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

Express cards each of which are held in place by a simpleyet-effective clamp system. The case is finished in a shiny black (if you get the black one – they come in a variety of colours) which is a bit of a nightmare to keep clean. The door panel (which covers the whole front of the case, is made from aluminium. Unfortunately it opens from right to left, which feels a little uncomfortable, but it does a good job of concealing all the buttons and extra slots. Speaking of which, front side audio and a pair of USB 2.0 slots are built into the front of the case. These, as well as the power and reset switches, are hidden by the door. Effective cooling is provided by a front and rear mounted 120mm fan, with an additional 80mm fan providing air-flow from the left side, Perspex side panel. All the fans are blue, and the large side panel window makes for an impressive feature (provided you a) have nice components and b) keep the inside of your case clean. The Zen certainly is a great case. It’s price is not too high, and the stylish design and ease-of-use it affords is well worth it.. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: A stylish and easy-to-use PC case option

Score

Manufacturer: Sigma Distributor: Pinnacle Africa Online: www.pinnacle.co.za RRP: R799 Tech Specs: • 2 x 120mm fans • 1 x 80mm fan • 3 x 3.5” bays • 5 x 5.25” bays • 2 front USB • Front audio

Pros: • Screwless • Stylish • Effective cooling Cons: • Door swing direction • Only 2 front USB ports

Asus Xonar Xense

A Strong Alliance They just work so well together

by Alex Scanlon

sound card is not something that many people consider these days. Let’s face it – almost every motherboard on the market has sound on-board, and decent sound at that. Most come with support for 7.1 surround sound. It would be easy to believe that the days of the sound card are numbered, if not already over. But putting a sound card into a PC set-up is not a bad idea. In fact, it is a really good one. The only real reasons for not having an additional sound card are saving money, or lack of PCI slots on the motherboard itself. There are no other arguments that completely negate the benefits of adding a good sound card to your PC system. Theoretically, the two main advantages in having such a device are better sound (due to sound having a dedicated processor) and slightly improved overall performance (due to the sound processing being shifted away from the motherboard). The Xonar Xense Premium Gaming Audio Set is a great option for those who want to follow that route, and don’t mind spending a little extra to get truly excellent PC audio. The set is a collaboration between Asus and

audio masters Sennheiser. The combination of the Asus Xonar sound card and the absolutely excellent Sennheiser headphones makes for a brilliant audio experience. There is a bit of a downside to this kit, though – it is designed specifically for the two components to work together. For example, the headphone and mic jacks on the headset are 6.3mm connectors. Great if you’re using the two together, but if you want to plug in a set of speakers, you’re probably going to have to use an adapter. It’s a good thing that Asus included one in the package. But you’ll need two for a different headset. Not that you would want to use a different headset. The Sennheisers that come with this kit are excellent. They’re comfortable, with a flexible mic boom. Additionally, their sound reproduction is fantastic. While the Xonar card only offers two 6.3mm ports (headphones and mic) an adapter for surround sound speakers is included (with traditional 7.1 surround sound 3.5mm jacks made possible by way of a splitter.) While Asus have taken all kinds of eventualities into account, for various implementations and so forth, g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

the truth is that this kit should not be used with other components – if only for the fact that the card and headset work so well together. A dedicated headphone amplifier means that the headphones deliver accurate positional audio, which is a must for gaming. Dolby Headphone technology allows for virtual 5.1 surround sound via the headset. And the 118dB signal-to-noise ratio means that the audio clarity is very, very good. The headphones have found a good balance between tough construction, performance and comfort. The large earphones are well padded and cover the whole ear, excluding outside noise and allowing for hours of comfortable use. Additionally, they can be tilted to suit any user’s head perfectly. If you want to follow the sound card route, and would like to get a great set of headphones in the process, this kit is definitely one you want to look at. It will set you back a bit more than other sound cards, but the quality of the performance from both components will mitigate any extra expense. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: An excellent pairing of sound card and headphones from Asus and Sennheiser

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Manufacturer: Asus Distributor: Asus Online: www.asus.com RRP: TBC Tech Specs: • 7.1 surround • 6.3mm output • 6.3mm input • PCI Express • 3m headphone cable • Less than 0.1% distortion

Pros: • Great performance • Good software bundle Cons: • Costly • Jack size limits other components

Garmin Oregon 450 GPS

Get Lost…

Well, you would without one of these by Alex Scanlon

hen someone says GPS, most people immediately think of the GPS navigation units we see more and more often in cars and other vehicles. But, as readers of our first issue would know, GPS wasn’t invented for cars. In fact, this extremely functional navigation system was thought up by the US Military, and the applications for it were – initially, at least – not to find the way to the nearest shops. The GPS was basically intended to replace advanced map-reading and compasses for military purposes, but the retasking of several GPS systems for civilian use means that people who like the great outdoors can now safely find their way without having to figure out a fancy compass or getting their bearing from the stars. Garmin is a well-known name in GPS systems, and they have incorporated GPS into several devices, from vehicle navigation systems through to exercise monitoring equipment. Somewhere in the middle of those two categories lies the Garmin Oregon 450, a rugged handheld GPS unit that has more uses than just hiking trails.

The Oregon 450 is designed to be used virtually anywhere. From out in the bundus to the concrete jungle, this device will help users find their way – or at very least know where they are. It even includes maritime functions, provided the user has the right data installed. Functions like topographical maps, navigation, waypoint marking, trip calculation, elevation plotting, area calculation and more are available. Additional utilities include a calendar, stop-watch, photo-viewer, sunrise and sunset notification and an alarm clock. It even has an emergency ‘man overboard’ functionality to instantly mark a location. It will even tell you the best times to go fishing, if that’s what you’re after. It’s the perfect tool for people who like the great wide open, and has so many useful functions that it eliminates the need for many other devices that could lead to a heavier backpack. Whether for hiking, orienteering or exploring, the Oregon 450 is a fantastic tool. It’s built to last, too, with a waterproof housing and solid construction that implies it can take a knock or g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

two. It has several power-saving functions as well, which is a good thing. The one weakness that the Oregon 450 has is that it is not a rechargeable unit, but rather makes use of two AA batteries. The battery life is not bad, to be fair, and it’s easier to replace a couple of batteries than find a recharging point in the bush, but there are some rechargeable batteries that offer extremely long life these days. Not carrying spare batteries would have been a better option, but maybe not a very practical one. Still, with a good supply of rechargeable NiMH batteries (charged up, of course), some sturdy boots and a Garmin Oregon 450, an out-doors type will have the time of their life, without having to worry about building massive “HELP ME” signs out of rocks if they get lost. The readings the device delivers are wonderfully accurate, and it’s uses in finding urban locations as well should not be overlooked. It might not be an essential must-have tool for everyone, but if you’re reading this and nodding, go get one. Right away. You won’t be sorry. g

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AT A GLANCE: It’s not cheap, but seriously outdoorsy types should really consider this handy device.

Score

Manufacturer: Garmin Distributor: Garmin Online: www.garmin.com RRP: R4800 Tech Specs: • Touch Screen • Pressure based altimeter • Compass • 200 Routes • 1000 Waypoints • MicroSD Card slot

Pros: • Tough • Accurate • Versatile Cons: • No recharge option

LG SolarDOM

Cookin’!

Good for more than just popcorn by Alex Scanlon

good microwave is essential these days, even though many people are still wary of the technology. Ask any bachelor – a microwave in the kitchen is a must. But versatility is something that doesn’t always enter into the picture. Microwaves are good for quick meals and can lead to some inventive ideas in the kitchen, but they just don’t work for certain dishes. Getting a good crust on a pie is pretty much impossible, for example, because of the way microwaves work. That’s where LG’s SolarDOM makes a difference. This generously sized counter-top microwave is also a conventional oven and grill. Using new technology, the device ensures that food is cooked evenly and, above all, quickly. The stylish SolarDOM would look good in any kitchen, with a silver finish and a high tech (yet retro) look for its control panel. And it’s easy to use, with obvious controls in the form of buttons flanking a large adjustment dial. The technology makes the oven much more energy efficient, saving up to 50% over other ovens and microwaves. But it also allows the SolarDOM to be rather speedy, cooking food up to four times faster than other ovens.

All in all, it’s a great tech innovation, particularly for those who are on a tight schedule (or enjoy ‘auto-cook’ functions). g

AT A GLANCE: A versatile counter top oven that does far more than the average microwave…

Score

Manufacturer: LG Distributor: LG Online: www.lg.com RRP: R4999 Tech Specs: • TACTDIAL Control • 34 Litre Cavity • 900 W • Timer • Quick settings • Child Lock

Pros: • Easy to use • More versatile • Looks great Cons: • Price

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PRINT FROM ANYWHERE FROM ANY MOBILE DEVICE.1

HP Photosmart e-All-in-One TOUCH THE WEB. PRINT THE WEB.2

Get more information: hp.com/go/ePrintCenter 1 May require an Internet connection to the printer. Feature works with any Internet- and e-mail-capable device. For details hp.com/go/eP hp.com/go/ePrintCenter 2 Requires a wireless access point and Internet connection to the printer. Apps availability varies by country. Services may require registration. registra For details hp.com/go/ePrintCenter 4AA3-0982EEE, August 2010

HP x23 LED monitor

Going big

Come over to the bright side by Charlie Fripp

aving a powerful desktop PC is one of the most important things in the business world, and you are only as powerful as your system. But one thing that consumers sometimes forget to power-up is their monitors. Monitors have come a long way since their monochrome designs, and there are many varieties on the market today, but HP has launched the massive HP x23 LED 58.4 cm (23 inch) Diagonal WLED LCD Monitor, which is sure to lift the eyebrows of any computer user. Not only is it larger than your average monitor, but the screen also packs a massive punch when it comes to performance and clarity. Being that large is certainly a bonus, as everything will be displayed in crystal clear clarity, while not being overpowering in its size. And since it’s a widescreen, the views that it was intended for will certainly jump out at you, but the Mercury-free design will ensure that it starts up just a little bit faster than a regular screen. The difference is very hard to notice, but being Mercury-free can only be a

good thing for the environment. At 23 inches, it hard not to be amazed by its size but the white LED backlights just give it that little added oomph when needed. They do help to also reduce power consumption, so it’s not all about displaying the best graphics in the best way possible. And at this size, you can image what high-definition content looks like across the 58.4 cm, with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It also features a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 1,000,000:1, so one will notice that the darker colours are a lot deeper, while lighter colours will be brighter. In a screen this size, motion blur is sometimes a problem, but HP counters that in the x23 by providing it with only a 5ms response time. In terms of connections, the monitor doesn’t offer a lot, but it does have the necessary ports to work on a desktop PC or serve as a second screen for a laptop. It only provides VGA and DVI-D (with HDCP) ports, so if the monitor was going to be used for gaming, separate g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

converter cables will need to be purchased. It’s rather a pity that it doesn’t have a HDMI port, but then again, it has no speakers or headphone jack built into the frame, so it would almost be pointless. None the less, the option would have been great. Speaking of the frame, the monitor is really one of the thinnest we have seen in a long time in terms of desktop monitors, and this is thanks to the LEDs inside, which also make it very light-weight. The screen fits neatly into the sturdy base, and it will need to take a rather big knock before it will tumble over. It’s also really easy to set up, as the base simply hooks into the screen and is fastened by a screw. So in summary, it is really a great screen to play around with, and although it has no HDMI or headphone jack, it is still a great buy. The clarity is of the standard that we have come to expect and it will treat one well. We did see a bit of a ghosting issue in some Xbox360 games, but that could have been the games’ design as well. g

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AT A GLANCE: Although it doesn’t have a headphone jack, the monitor’s clarity makes up for it.

Score

Manufacturer: HP Distributor: HP Online: www.hp.com RRP: R2380 Tech Specs: • Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 1,000,000:1 • 58,4 cm (23”) • 1920 x 1080 • 5 ms response time • 0.265 mm pixel pitch

Pros: • 1920 x 1080 resolution • Clear display • Very thin frame Cons: • No headphone jack • No HDMI port

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB Hard Drive

Rock Solid A tough, generous HDD

by Walt Pretorius

he importance of a hard drive can never be understated. A reliable drive is essential, not only for keeping your data safe, but for your PC to work quickly and effectively. The balance between speed and size is also something that needs to be considered – even if you are going to put multiple partitions on the drive, you need enough space to make each one generous enough, and enough speed to access all the data you require. A one terabyte hard drive is fast becoming the smallest drive you want in your machine. Sure, you can get away with a few hundred gigabytes, but a thousand gigabytes is just better (particularly if you are going to be installing a lot of games, or storing a lot of large files on your PC). Western Digital’s Caviar Black drives are available in sizes up to 2TB, actually, but it’s the 1TB we are testing here. They are great for power users, for a number of reasons. A very large cache and two on-board processors (instead of the usual one) mean that the drive is very fast. And to make sure that data is securely stored, a motor shaft secured at both ends (to cut down on vibration) and a recording head that never touches the disc media both do the trick. The drive is also secured against shocks resulting from bumps and vibration. This is a great drive for gamers and other power users… particularly those that want to travel with their PC. It’s performance is rock solid and reliable. g

AT A GLANCE: Great performance and solid reliability, combined with lots of space.

Score

Manufacturer: Western Digital Distributor: Pinnacle Africa Online: www.pinnacle.co.za RRP: R949 Tech Specs: • 1TB • 32MB buffer • SATA • Dual Processor • 64MB cache • Dual Actuator • NoTouch Technology

Pros: • Quick • Quiet • Generous • Reliable Cons: • Not the cheapest

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Broken remote? Confusing remote? Too many remotes? Introducing the Logitech Harmony® 300i® The replacement remote that’s simple yet powerful. Quick and easy set up. Works with over 5,000 brands. And press just one button to start watching TV. Start simplifying at Logitech.com

iHome iP90

Good Night! Waking up in style

by Charlie Fripp

aking up is probably one of the most difficult things to do in the morning, and getting a good start to the day is vital to success. Just as important as a good night’s sleep, the power of how one wakes up has the ability to transform any day from good to great. That is why iHome’s iP90 has been so successful. The dual alarm clock radio for your iPhone and iPod has especially been redesigned for 2010, and now boasts a bigger display and sound compared to the previous versions, just to wake up in the morning with your favourite tunes. But the unit doesn’t only function as an alarm clock, as it will charge your iPhone and iPod as well, making sure that your entertainment is always ready to go where ever you do. And since it’s essentially an alarm, it will play all your media files, as well as custom playlists and even tune into the radio if you so desire. In terms of functionality, the medium-sized unit features a programmable snooze function which lets you choose

exactly for how long you still want to lie in, ranging for 1 to 29 minutes. And if a sudden wake-up call isn’t your thing, it can also be programmed to gradually increase the volume of your desired wake-up tone. With the alarm being the main function, it’s to no surprise that the bulk of the functionality is based around the art of waking up, so for that reason you can set two independent alarms which will let you choose to which connected device you would like to rise. The settings also allow for a full week’s alarms to be programmed, with different times for each day. Another nice feature, which will ensure you never over-sleep, is that the clock will always synch with the connected iPhone. Adding to the clock sync, iHome built in a Sure Alarm system, which acts as a backup battery in case of power interruptions. And since you’ll be waking up in style, a decent pair of speakers is also necessary. Although they might seem a bit small, they sure do pack a punch and are adequate for the job. It might not be as clear as the high-end devices, g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

but the Reson8 speaker chambers sure know how to deliver high power and clarity. When it comes to design, the iP90 will sit neatly on any bedroom nightstand without looking out of place. The matte black finish lends it a bit of sophistication, but the overall plastic casing might seem a bit cheap, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing at all. The large backlit LCD display and backlit buttons are impossible to miss, as they are situated on the front, displaying the currently time as well as the time of the alarm. The only problem with the buttons is that they don’t always respond as well as they should when pressed. This could be a combination of the design and the materials used. If you are looking for a stylish way to wake up in the mornings, with some of your favourite tunes to brighten your day, you can’t go wrong with iHome’s iP90 alarm clock. It works perfect for what it was designed for, but it might be a bit pricey. g

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AT A GLANCE: It’s a great way to wake up in the morning, and it also look good.

Score

Manufacturer: iHome Distributor: KNR Flatrock Online: www.ihomeaudiointl.com RRP: R1499 Tech Specs: • Auxiliary input • Reson8 sound chamber • Dual Alarm • LCD display • DST switch • Alarm Backup

Pros: • Looks good • Works well • Works with iPhone and iPod Cons: • Pricey

Xbox 360 Kinect 4GB Bundle

Motion in a Box The Kinect has finally arrived

by Walt Pretorius

he long awaited Kinect system from Microsoft has been available for some time now, and it is making an impression on the gaming market. The idea behind the Kinect is not necessarily revolutionary – we saw controller-less gaming when the EyeToy hit the market for PS2 many years ago – but the implementation of the concept is excellent. Not only does the device read motion far more accurately, and with more reference points than anything we’ve seen before, but it does it in three dimensions. It’s like combining the best in motion control with controller-less concepts, resulting in a revolutionary way to play games. The word on the wire is that the Kinect is driving Xbox 360 sales forward. It’s hardly surprising – a strong marketing campaign is showing people around the globe just how much fun the Kinect can be. In anticipation of this phenomenon, Microsoft have bundled with Kinect with two of the new Xbox 360 models. One of these is a more “serious option”, with a chunkier internal hard-drive and a few more options. At the other end of the scale, we have this particular set-up:

A Kinect unit, bundles with a 4GD Xbox 360 and a single wireless controller. Kinect Adventures is included in the bundle. At the price, it is a very attractive prospect for those who do not have an Xbox 360, but people who are going to take their gaming seriously will likely want to consider the bigger bundle. This one really is something of a starter pack. If you don’t have an Xbox 360, and are particularly looking at getting one for mainly Kinect use, this is a great option. However, to get the Xbox itself up to speed will probably take a little more investment. Not that you can do much, though – the new Xbox units do not come with removable hard drives like the older units did. You’ll be stuck with the 4GB hard drive which, if you’re going to be doing a lot of gaming, isn’t very big. The Xbox will connect to your TV via either AV, component or HDMI cables. HDMI will deliver the best results, naturally, which AV connectors will deliver the worst. Another downside is that this kit only ships with the AV cables. Any other kind of connection will require g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

extra expenditure. In this case an HDMI cable will be the best idea: a third party cable can be used, which will likely be much cheaper than any first-party, Xbox 360 branded products. The Kinect itself is a standard unit. There is only one model of Kinect, after all. As a motion gaming device, it’s a great start. There will doubtlessly be massive advances made in the field but, in all honesty, the performance that these initial Kinect units deliver is really very good. There may be some sluggishness in some games, but that has nothing to do with the rather advanced hardware the Kinect employs. More likely it’s a problem with the game design, rather than a hardware issue. As a starter kit, this is a good option. However, more serious gamers will probably want to go with the chunkier 250GB bundle. Those that already have Xbox units may just want to buy the Kinect on its own. But the relatively low price of the bundles (you’ll pick up the bigger bundle for around R4500) mean that a hardware upgrade (because the new Xbox 360 is a much better unit than older Xboxes) is a great idea. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: Of the two Kinect and Xbox 360 bundles, the 4GB version really is for those starting out…

Score

Manufacturer: Microsoft Distributor: Microsoft Online: www.xbox.com RRP: R2399 Tech Specs: • 4GB Xbox 360 • Kinect Unit • 1 Wireless Controller • Kinect Adventures

Pros: • Good price • Kinect is great! Cons: • Small HDD • No HD cables

Orb Wii Remote Battery + Charging Stand Pack

Charge Up

A great dock for your Wii remotes by Walt Pretorius

f you play with Nintendo’s Wii a lot, you’ll need a solution that is better than batteries. Sure, batteries are not that expensive, but if your batteries die in the middle of a game… well, that’s just not on. There are numerous charging stations and docks around these days, though – enough for Wii players to be spoiled for choice. However, some are more effective than others. The most effective we have seen in a long time comes from Orb. The unit will charge two Wii remotes simultaneously, and plugs into one of the Wii’s USB ports for power. A replacement back (with batteries built in) makes sure that the Wii remote can interface with the charger. A well-placed hole even allows the user to access the synch button on the remote while the new back is in place. Best of all is that the remotes fit snugly into the dock… we have seen some other chargers which didn’t maintain good contact with the charge points, meaning that sometimes the remotes wouldn’t charge up. That’s not the case here. The stylish white unit is complemented by a clear plastic section at the base of each remote. This section lights up, fading from red to blue as the remote gets

charged. This is an essential for Wii owners, although you’ll have to get two if you have four remotes. But at the reasonable price these are going for, that shouldn’t be a problem. g

AT A GLANCE: A great quality charging dock and battery pack set for two Wii remotes.

Score

Manufacturer: Orb Distributor: Sensation Lab Online: TBC RRP: TBC Tech Specs: • 1M USB cable • Charge LED • Up to 20 hour battery life • Battery packs & dock included

Pros: • Sturdy • Fast charge • Looks good Cons: • Only holds two remotes

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Logitech Harmony 900 Remote

Total Control But it won’t make coffee…

by Walt Pretorius

t’s a curse that any home entertainment fan is familiar with. Let’s say you have a good home entertainment set-up – a TV, Blu-ray player and amplifier for sound. It’s not a totally exhaustive rig, but it’s a decent one. You stick a bag of popcorn in the microwave, pour a nice drink and settle down in your favourite arm-chair to watch a movie. Now, if only you could find all three remotes that you will need… And even if you have all three, who’s to say the batteries are all up to scratch. Or, even worse (something which happened to me recently) one of your remotes just stops working. Logitech may just have the perfect solution for you, in the form of the Harmony 900 Remote. Sure, we’ve seen universal remotes before, but the Harmony is something more than the average multifunctional distance control system. Its usefulness is apparent as soon as you open the box… it has a charging cradle. A rechargeable remote is also not necessarily a new thing, but it is an option that not many companies use. You almost certainly won’t find

this extremely useful functionality in the remotes that accompany appliances. Yet the idea is brilliant – provided you keep the Harmony in its cradle when you’re not using it, it will always be charged. In fact, the RF technology used by Logitech means that you will be able to use the remote while it is in the cradle – none of that contortionist twisting to get a good angle for the remote to work from. This is thanks to an “RF Blaster” and mini-blaster extensions that this system employs. The remote speaks to them, and they speak to your devices. As with all universal remotes, the Harmony will function with pretty much any kind of device that uses distance control. More than 5 000 brands and 225 000 devices are supported by this remote, with more being added online daily. Oh, did I forget to mention that? The remote is programmed by plugging it into a computer, which ensures that it will always have the necessary firmware to operate with the devices you use. And, to make things even more convenient, the Harmony works with a “one button” principle. It’s not really a button, though – it is a function of the Harmony g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

remote’s touch screen. As an example, if you are watching the aforementioned DVD, the one “button” press will turn on your TV, set it to the right input channel, set your volume and sound channels on your amp correctly, and start the DVD playing. All of these functions are programmed into the remote via a computer, and the user will have to specify volume settings and channels (and so forth) while programming it. Hardly a lot of work in return for a truck-load of convenience. It can even interface with a PlayStation 3, if that’s what you’re using to watch your Blu-ray discs. The Harmony 900 remote actually only has one problem, and that is that it is intended for enthusiasts. If you need everything set just right when you’re watching a movie or listening to music, it’s perfect. If you’re not that pedantic, it may be a bit of overkill. Also, it works best when it replaces a whole bunch of remotes, rather than one or two. That said, though, it is a great device, and one that every entertainment fan should seriously consider – if even just to clear up the clutter.. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: An awesome remote to deal with all your entertainment needs.

Score

Manufacturer: Logitech Distributor: Logitech Online: www.logitech.com RRP: R3799 Tech Specs: •5000 Brand support • Touch Screen • Lithium-Ion Battery

Pros: • Rechargeable • One touch operation • Stylish Cons: • Requires Internet connection for setup • Expensive

Logic 3 i-Station22

Mid-Range

Not one to be pushed to its limits… by Walt Pretorius

here are a wide variety of docks available for Apple’s iPod and similar devices (including the iPhone.) The excellent ideas that Apple put in place - like a unified docking plug – across all their music capable devices have allowed a plethora of third party products to hit the shelves. That, of course leads to one good thing – competitive pricing – but also means that the consumer is going to be at the mercy of sales people and research when it comes to buying the right one. Particularly sales people… sure, there are a lot of nice ones out there, but there are probably just as many who are more worried about their commission than the customer’s satisfaction. Thankfully there are some brands that consider consistently good devices. Logic 3 is one of those brands. That said, even the best brands sometimes don’t get things quite right, and the Logic 3 i-Station22 is an example of where things went just a little wrong with the unit’s design. This is what one could call a ‘mid-range’ dock, meaning

that it’s not a small, portable unit, but it’s not a large, table top dock either. Sure, all docks are technically portable, but you get what we mean, right? This one sits between the two. It can easily be transported, but it packs a little more power than the usual smaller portable dock. With 12 Watts of sound performance, it gets fairly loud. The problem is (uncharacteristically for Logic 3 products) that the i-Station22 is prone to distortion on bass notes at higher volumes. If the volume is not pushed to the limit, it really isn’t a problem, but we’ve seen other Logic 3 units that didn’t have this hassle. The central speaker housing folds down to reveal the iPod dock. It can be folded back for transporting, which keeps the dock protected, and locks firmly in place when unfolded to ensure stability. An included remote control also helps in making the user’s life a little easier, although the control functions of the remote are a little limited. Other music devices can be used thanks to a stereo line-in cable (also included), adding versatility to the dock. g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

The unit is powered either with 4 AA batteries, or with an included AC adapter. At lower volumes, the sound delivery from the i-Station22 is crisp and clear. The unit also has a built in 3D surround sound processor, which can be turned on or off. We didn’t notice too much of a difference in music when we used the system and, while it may work relatively well for movies, the fixed position of the docked device is not ideal for film-watching. Even the best companies can have weaker moments. While the i-Station22 is not a bad device, per se, it certainly isn’t the best dock that Logic 3 have created. It’s pretty plain, actually, with no real frills (unlike the i-Station Rotate we looked at last month, which was phenomenal.) The i-Station22 will do what it is supposed to – play music stored on a docked device – but it will have to be treated correctly. Very high volumes are not its forte. If you’re looking for something to use that isn’t going to induce ear damage, it’s a good choice… just be aware of the possibility of distortion. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: A decent mid-range performer, unfortunately plagued by distortion at high volume levels.

Score

Manufacturer: Logic 3 Distributor: Apex Interactive Online: www.apexint.co.za RRP: R1250 Tech Specs: • 12 Watts • 3D processor • Fits all iPods • 4 AA Batteries • AC Adapter • Remote Control

Pros: • Folds up neatly • Portable • Works with all sound devices Cons: • Distortion at higher volumes

Epson Perfection V500 Photo Flatbed Scanner

Capturing Images The old-fashioned way

by Alex Scanlon

he digital camera has had a massive effect not only on photography, but on working with images on computer as a whole. The days of needing a scanner to transfer images from photographic prints to a digital format are long gone, in general. But there are still photographers out there who swear by film, and there are still millions of photographs around the globe that need to be digitised. So the flatbed scanner still has a place, albeit a less prominent one. This has driven prices lower, naturally, meaning that a premium scanner like the Epson Perfection V500 Photo can be acquired for something close to a song. And if you are one of those that needs a flatbed scanner – particularly if you’re working with old photographs, slides and negatives – it lives up to its name. This isn’t the kind of scanner you’re going to buy if you just want to scan in documents. Its 6400dpi performance is overkill in that case. Sure, it can do those jobs, but the real power of this scanner is working with photographic material.

The V500 makes use of LED technology. This has numerous benefits, including no warm-up required and less energy consumed. The result is a faster, more efficient scanner. Included software and built in systems will even assist the user in restoring quality of old photographs, including dust and scratch removal. The scanner even has buttons for easy use… the user can create normal scans, copies, email scans and PDF documents with a single press of a button. What really makes this scanner valuable to old school photographers, though, is the lid. Using the same LED technology and 12-line sensor system, the lid also has a light unit built in. That means that it can be used to scan negatives and slides – which, a few years ago, was a really big thing, particularly in publishing companies and design studios. Included adapters allow the user to scan in four 35mm slides simultaneously, or 12 images from 35mm negatives. The adapter even allows for medium format film – 6 x 12 cm negatives, in other words. g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

This is a fantastic function for those who are still using film cameras, or are recapturing old memories by digitising photographs from yesteryear. Best of all is that it weighs in at a price that is reasonably friendly on the pocket, without compromising the quality normally associated with Epson scanning products. The V500 is sturdily built and well designed. The lid is activated (or deactivated) by way of a cable that connects the lid to the body of the flatbed. Simply plugging it in (or unplugging it) will allow the user to easily make use of its transparency functions. It’s also extremely easy to set up, taking only a few minutes thanks to well-designed installation software and general USB 2.0 technology. If you’re in the market for a flatbed scanner that is fast, efficient and extremely good for printed materials, like photographs, we cannot think of one we would rather recommend. The V500 delivers excellent performance at a really good price. It may be a little more expensive than the run of the mill scanner, but it’s specialised functions and excellent performance are almost priceless. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: A superb scanner for those who work with printed images and transparencies.

Score

Manufacturer: Epson Distributor: Epson Online: www.epson.com RRP: R2195 Tech Specs: • 6400dpi Optical • 6400 x 9600dpi hardware • 12-line sensor • LD technology • Low power consumption

Pros: • Works with negatives and slides • Fast, efficient Cons: • Overkill for common scanner tasks

Logitech G35 Surround Sound Headset

Performance But a little heavy on the pocket…

by Walt Pretorius

ound is often overlooked in video-gaming as all the hype generally gets pushed towards the graphic side of things. Sure, it’s important for a game to look good, but good sound is vital, too… at least, if the player is after top performance from their side. Sound not only supports graphics, but also adds important in-game clues to the whole affair. Decent sound will let the player know which direction a threat is coming from, for example, or can provide other audio clues as to what needs to be done. Often, though, people will treat sound as a secondary consideration. They’ll spend a huge amount to make sure that their game looks great, but they will look at saving money on a set of speakers or headphones. The latter, particularly, suffer from this approach, when the fact is that they can provide the player with the best sound for gaming. Logitech are aware of the importance of great sound delivery. You can tell when you try out their G35 Surround Sound Headset. This headset delivers fantastic sound,

with a real sense of 7.1 surround sound, thanks to Dolby technology. The sound range is very good, too, ranging from crisp highs through to rumbling, clear lows. Logitech also understand that people using headphones for gaming likely spend a long time doing so, and comfort and functionality need to be well thought through to set their devices above others. To this end, the G35 features large, very comfortable ear pieces that encompass the whole ear, and are lined with comfortable cushions. While his already makes the G35 a comfortable headset, Logitech have also included three interchangeable headband cushions, which the user can swap out for maximum comfort. Instead of inline controls, the G35 features buttons and adjustors on the left earphone shell. This means that they’re easy to find, but the player will have to get used to finding controls by feel, rather than visually. Volume controls, as well as a mic mute switch and surround sound on or off button are situated at the bottom of the shell, while three programmable buttons are located at g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e •

issue 3 • December 2010

the top. These buttons can be programmed with multiple functions – volume, mic status, surround sound and so on – and allow the user to switch quickly between different preferred set-ups. The left headphone also houses a flexible mic boom, which can be swung up out of the way when the mic is not in use. The mic also uses noise cancellation technology, and delivers clean and clear audio. The G35 is plug and play, with a USB interface that makes installing the headphones really easy. On the down-side, the headset is very bulky. This isn’t too much of a problem, unless you’re going to be travelling with it. Also, its functionality is restricted to PC use, thanks to the USB plug – but it’s made for PC use, so not too much of a train smash there. The price is also fairly high, which may cause prospective buyers to opt for cheaper – lesser – headsets. But if you take the plunge and fork out the cash that this headset costs, you will be guaranteed of high quality personal audio over a range of PC uses. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e •

issue 3 • December 2010

AT A GLANCE: A great headset, if you don’t mind spending a bit more than the average.

Score

Manufacturer: Logitech Distributor: Logitech Online: www.logitech.com RRP: TBC Tech Specs: • 7.1 Surround sound • Cutomisable keys • On ear volume • USB • Noise cancelling mic • Swappable headbands

Pros: • Comfortable • Excellent sound • Solidly built Cons: • A bit expensive • Buttons take getting used to

Logic 3 i-Station Go

Portable Sound Hear your music anywhere

by Walt Pretorius

he idea of mobile music is a great one, Having an MP3 player is a fantastic way to travel with your favourite tunes, but it isn’t exactly the most sociable of activities. In fact, that’s probably the biggest downfall of the MP3 player as a device – it provides “personal” music. It’s all good and well if you’re jogging or doing something else that is generally a solitary activity. But if you want to share your music, headphones just won’t do. The iPod range is well supported by a series of docks and external speakers to mitigate the problem, and a good number of the better ones are made by Logic 3. This third party company makes iPod (and by that we mean all versions of the iPod, as well as the iPhone) docks that are reasonably priced and generally rather good at making private music public. Not everyone has an iPod though – there are a great many MP3 player brands and, although Apple seems to have the market pretty much cornered, the other brands are still out there. But they don’t work with iPod docks, for the most part. Then again, even though the name might imply it, Logic

3’s i-Station Go is not an iPod dock. A dock requires an interface between the iPod and the dock by means of a rather large, flat plug that slots into the bottom of the device. The i-Station Go doesn’t do that, which allows for its increased versatility. Instead of being a standard dock, this device interfaces with the iPod through the headphone jack. This means, of course, that it can be used with any portable music device… indeed, any headphone device that has a 3.5mm output port, which includes numerous cell phones. This versatility adds a lot of appeal to the i-Station Go. It is purely powered by the device it plugs into. Volume, too, comes from the device, rather than the unit itself. Actually, that’s not entirely true – actual power (in the form of electricity) is provided by four AAA batteries that are inserted into the i-Station Go. Other than that, everything is up to the MP3 player. The Go is a foldable device. When it’s stowed away, it’s a little bigger than pocket-sized. When opened up, the two speaker units swing forward, and a rubberised stand for the MP3 player can be lowered between them. The g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

speakers stand very sturdily, and feel rather solid. Some care needs to be taken when stowing them, though, so as not to damage the delicate folding mechanism. In terms of sound delivery… well, you’re not going to run a party with these speakers. Nor should you expect to – they’re small, and are therefore not going to deliver massive amounts of volume. They do deliver a surprising amount of clarity, though, with a bass response that, for their size, is quite remarkable. Being lightweight and foldable makes the i-Station Go extremely portable. It will fit easily into most bags or rucksacks, car cubby holes and a variety of other places. Provided you have the batteries to power the unit, it will be at home anywhere – from the beach and a camp site through to an office or home environment. If the batteries are a bit of a hassle and a power point is available, they can be powered with a AC adapter, but you’ll have to buy that separately. On the whole, this device is a good option for those who want a very portable solution in terms of MP3 player speakers. g g l a d g e t h a r d wa r e • i s s u e 3 • D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

AT A GLANCE: Foldable and portable – they may not be loud, but they’re very convenient.

Score

Manufacturer: Logic 3 Distributor: Apex Interactive Online: www.apexint.co.za RRP: R380 Tech Specs: • Foldable • 3.5mm connector • Battery Powered • 4 Watts

Pros: • Portable • Works with any audio player Cons: • Not very powerful

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Just say Blops

Treyarch gets a shot to finally prove itself.

oor Treyarch. Most gamers aren’t huge fans of this development studio, owned by Activision – or Dollarvision as I sometimes jokingly refer to the publisher, for its money-grabbing ways. Treyarch is just a pawn in Acti’s plans for taking over the world, evidenced when it was brought in to develop Call of Duty 3. Activision went above Infinitiy Ward – the founders of the Call of Duty franchise – and ordered a sequel for the next-generation consoles: PS3 and Xbox 360 (although the game also released on PS2, Xbox and Wii). Since then, gamers have been acutely aware of the politics between the studios and Activision, and also Infinity Ward’s superiority when it came to making kickass games. Need proof? Look at the game it released after Call of Duty 3. It had a “4”, and “Modern Warfare” in its name. Gamers loved it, and looked down on Call of Duty: World at War, which came out a year later. And then came

by Richard Bingham

Modern Warfare 2, further reinforcing the stereotype that Treyarch couldn’t really hold a candle to Infinity Ward. After a fall out with Activision, the Infinity Ward all but disbanded and formed a new entity, Respawn Entertainment. This left Treyarch with no real competition. It also left Activision with a bitter taste in its mouth: the bosses wanted to prove a point; that they didn’t need Infinity Ward’s talent to make a great game. So they asked Treyarch to make Call of Duty: Black Ops. The whole intro explaining game industry politics is important. You see, nobody (in the know) was really expecting this to be a good game. Not with Treyarch as the underdog. But Activision threw millions of dollars at this project. It’s the equivalent of a Hollywood blockbuster movie, and the gamble has paid off: at the time of writing Black Ops is the game with the biggest opening day in entertainment history, selling 7-million units in the US and UK. Call of Duty: Tables Turned.

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While the plot and storytelling in the recent Call of Duty series has not been a strong point, Black Ops – or Blops, if you will - has a unique way of letting the events unfold. The main character, undercover operative Alex Mason, is strapped to a chair in an interrogation room. Surrounding him are various instruments of persuasion and a wall of video monitors. Straight ahead is window for the room from which his captors are asking their questions. The probing begins and, being a hardened badass, Mason doesn’t easily give up the information they need. A bit of an electric shock is all that’s needed to convince him they mean business – which leads directly into a flashback. Various images are flashed on screen, eventually settling on a bar in Cuba, where parts of Mason’s past are made known. This is the first mission, and your objective is to… take care of a certain Cuban leader. Everything is tightly scripted – to the point of being predictable – but if you play on a harder difficulty, and you

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should, the enemies will have a bit more cunning than you think. Their bullets also do more damage and go around more corners than you’d think. Drat. After the Cuban mission, you’re back in the interrogation room, with the strange voice in the room asking more questions. So the story unfolds. Missions are set between 1961 and 1968, from Cuba to Vietnam. Your past is shown to be more colourful than a rainbow pinwheel, and there are more skeletons in your closet than in the haunted house at a fun fair. Assassinations, backstabbing, rocket launches into space and helicopter gunner missions – there’s never a dull moment in Blops. In fact, if you’ve played Modern Warfare 2 you’ll be familiar with its over-the-top action plot. Black Ops takes all of the most memorable missions in MW2 and turns the awesome dial to eleven. If Michael Bay made a video game, this would be it. Yet, as gripping and smile inducing as the story is, the

real reason you want to play this is for the multiplayer. Here is where Treyarch has really learned from Infinity Ward’s successes and mistakes, and given us a really deep and extensive online experience. Everybody is familiar with levelling up and gaining experience. With that comes weapon unlocks and classes – all the usual stuff. Blops has an even more refined and granular version of the levelling system. You start off your multiplayer career with three pre-set classes. After your first few levels, you have access to two more. Further levelling unlocks weapons, custom classes, perks and add-ons. But each of these unlocks has to be purchased. Credits are earned by doing well in the games and completing certain challenges, and need to be spent wisely. Getting weapons might be cheap, but modifying them adds to the cost, while upgrading your perks to the pro versions is a very costly exercise.

Blops also has a few other things that bring it up to scratch with the fantastic multiplayer options offered in Halo: Reach. Players can “build” their own logos or icons – those banners that appear next to your name. There are twelve layers for placing decals (primitive shapes and letters), and each little thing costs you a small amount of CoD credits. So you just know, the guy who recreated the Mona Lisa as his player icon probably spent a lot of time killing folks to get the money for that masterpiece. Game modes are the usual lot: team deathmatch, search and destroy, domination, and so on, but there are now wager matches, too. These are where you can earn a lot of credits by playing game modes with strict rule sets. The variants are too many to go into detail, here, but one of the best ones is Gun Game. Here you are given a weak starting weapon with which to start your killing. After getting a kill, you level up and get given a more powerful

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Insert Coin When you’re at the main menu, you can look around and see the rest of the stuff in the interrogation room. When you look down, you’ll see your character’s hands strapped to the chair. You can break free from these restraints. On 360 and PS3, just mash the triggers repeatedly. On PC just tap the spacebar, and on Wii waggle your controllers like wild. Once you’ve broken free from the chair, walk around to the back of the interrogation room and access the computer. Use the keyboard to enter the text “DOA”, and press enter. Enjoy the mini game, craftily hidden in the main menus!

AT A GLANCE: Probably the best Call of Duty game, ever, from the developer nobody was expecting to produce it. Developer: Treyarch Publisher: Activision Distributor: Megarom

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

18+ gladget video game • issue 3 • December 2010

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

gun, working your way up to assault rifles. Other modes include “One in the Chamber”, where you start off with a single bullet; Sticks and Stones, where you play using knives, crossbows and a tomahawk; and Sharpshooter, requiring proficiency in ranged weapons. These new modes are joined by the return of a co-op zombie mode. Four players can team together to fend off endless waves of zombies. It’s really freakin’ difficult. This stuff makes Left 4 Dead look like Barbie’s Fun House. There’s also a secret zombie mode map called Dead Ops Arcade – see the boxout. For the money, and sheer number of people playing it, Blops is the game to have, this year. It isn’t as polished as Halo: Reach, from a purely technical standpoint, but it’s cross-platform and with the money Activision is chucking at this, Treyarch will be supporting it for some time to come. g

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSP DS PS2

Score

88 59

The Sims 3

They’re Everywhere! The Sims 3 invades consoles

hen the Sims first appeared around ten years ago, they brought with them a fresh take on the idea of simulations. Before, these games were much more macrocosmic, with the player dealing with bigger, broader concepts. The Sims brought a level of micromanagement that was unique, entertaining and quirky. It all stemmed from SimCity, of course, but now the player didn’t have to worry about roads and zoning – rather, meals and going to the toilet were among the tasks that needed to be performed. The series has done well through three major iterations, with the Sims 3 now enjoying a steady flow of expansions, just like the previous two. But the franchise has never made a huge impact on consoles. Sure, there were versions of the Sims 2 released for PlayStation 2 and the like, but the traditional home of the Sims remained the PC platform. EA are looking to turn that around a bit with the release of The Sims 3 on consoles. The abilities of the HD consoles

by Walt Pretorius allow for a far wider scope in a console-based Sims game. That’s not keeping the title off of the less punchy machines, though… now, the Sims 3 is everywhere. The transition from PC to HD consoles was a smooth one. The two different versions of the game look and feel very similar, but there are a few notable differences between the games. The most obvious is the control scheme. Without a mouse and keyboard to rely on, the console version of the Sims 3 had to take a very complete, yet simple, approach to controls. The setup of sticks and buttons is sensible and very versatile, considering, and the player will get the hang of controlling their sims in no time at all. But players who have experienced the Sims 3 on PC may well find that the controls are achingly sluggish, particularly in terms of camera movement and object selection. Another thing that PC players may notice is that the game seems… smaller. The player’s neighbourhood is broken into bite-sized, manageable chunks. This means

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experienced the Sims 3 on PC, and this is the market that EA is obviously trying to capitalise on with this release. And they should be able to do so – while the game most certainly plays second fiddle to the PC version, it is not a bad game at all. It’s a bit different in certain areas, but graphics, sounds and overall concepts are comparable to the PC version. It’s fairly obvious that EA will be releasing all kinds of DLC for this game, much like they release expansions for the PC version. And, with the ability to be creative with the Sims and their surroundings, a healthy online community will be sure to develop before long. If you are a console gamer and enjoy the idea of controlling (and messing with) little computer people, the Sims 3 for consoles is a safe bet. PC fans may want to stick to what they know – for the time being, at least. But this is a strong start, and more and more impressive Sims titles on consoles are almost certain to appear in the future. g

AT A GLANCE: Although not quite as polished as the PC version, this is a great console start for the franchise. Developer: EA Games Publisher: Electronic Arts Distributor: EA South Africa

Parental Advisory Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

12+ gladget video game • issue 3 • December 2010

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

that there will be a lot of loading when the player moves their sim from one place to another, which is not ideal. The loading doesn’t take anywhere near as long as the PC version, but there is a lot more of it. And the neighbourhoods seem to be less populous than in the PC version. That’s probably got something to do with processing power and stuff – whatever the case may be, there are fewer “other” sims to interact with. One of the new additions to the game, which does not appear in the PC version, is a set of “Karma” powers. By helping sims fulfil their desires, the player gathers Karma points. These can be spent to make a variety of things happen to the sims, both good and bad. They could be used to improve all the sims basic needs instantly, or set their house on fire. There are numerous options for using Karma points that get unlocked as the game progresses. If you played the Sims 3 on PC, you may find the console version a bit frustrating – even disappointing. But there are a whole lot of people – console gamers – who have not

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSP DS PS2

Score

79 61

Teach Yourself! Set up privacy settings on Facebook

How To

by Richard Bingham

verybody has a Facebook account, right? It’s that great place where you can go and keep up with folks you don’t see often, and pretend to remember those guys from high school when they add you as friends.

Some people are anti-social, and don’t see the need for Facebook – that’s all right. Personal preference, and all. But others are concerned about the privacy issues. Not everybody wants their whole life shared with the anonymous masses, or accessible through Google. This is something that can be fixed, though. Check it out.. g

Step 1 Assuming you’ve signed up for a Facebook account, but want to secure your stuff and make it a bit more private, you’ll need to click on Account and then Privacy Settings. This brings up the page where you’ll be setting up your security.

Step 2 Click on “View Settings” for “Connecting on Facebook”. Here you’ll be able to define who can search for you (anybody, or just those who know you), who can send friend requests or messages, and what information others can see about you. Once you’re done, click “Back to Privacy”.

Step 3 Now let’s set up sharing on Facebook. This is where you have granular control over the information in your profile and how it’s displayed. For instance, you can have your relationship status displayed to the whole world, or you can limit only friends to seeing who you’re dating. The same goes for other information you put on Facebook: wall posts, status updates, phone numbers and addresses. You can even prevent people from posting on your wall. When you’re done, click “Back to Privacy”.

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Step 4 Click on “Applications and Websites”. Many sites and devices require specific permissions – this can all be controlled. iPhone apps might want access to post to your wall, and other websites will want to access your information for whatever purpose. Sometimes they ask for more than they need, so you can disable the permissions they don’t specifically require to function. It’s also here where you can turn off the public search option – this way Google searches won’t show up with your profile or information. When you’re done, click “Back to Privacy”.

Step 5 Block lists are handy if there are folks you’d rather not even have know about your existence on Facebook. Enter their name here, and they’ll be blocked from accessing your profile at all. Other block lists are to prevent certain users from sending you application invites – this way they’re sure to get the hint that you don’t want to join Farmville. When you’re all done, click “Back to Privacy”.

gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

In Motion The new movers...

Same Difference

by Brian Murdoch

et this Nintendo fan boy tell you the difference between the Microsoft Kinect and the Playstation Move. We will start with the Move, only because it came out first. The Playstation Move controller has an orb head which can glow any colour in the RGB range because of the LEDs inside. The light that is selected is actually set to be the most different from your surroundings, for the best possible playing experience. The orb is pliable and squeezed but this should not be an active practise and it can break or become deformed. The orb, being spherical in shape and having a predetermined size, allows the system to simply determine how far the controller is away from the camera, which it works in conjunction with. So the technology does not have to calculate position based on distance changes; it knows from the size of the orb in view on the camera. You don’t have to be four meters away from the camera to play the game, because only the controller needs to be in view.

There are three internal sensors inside the controller; a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis rate sensor to track rotation and overall motion, and lastly a magnetometer, which calculates the controller’s orientation against the Earth’s magnetic field. The magnetometer sounds impressive but it just stops drift in the controller’s calculations that might happen, like when a cheap mouse’s cursor moves across a screen. The Kinect is a little simpler, in some ways. The Kinect is a big horizontal sensor bar mounted on a motorized pivot. The loud clicking sounds that are made when you manually try move the pivot is a warning to indicate that you should not be doing that. The bar moves by itself to find and keep you in focus. On this bar we have what looks like three cameras. They are two infrared laser projectors and a 3D depth sensor in the middle. These, together with the multi-array mic under the unit, will provide the Xbox with the following features: full-body 3D motion capture, facial and voice recognition and hence gesture recognition gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

and motion analysis. Simple, but very powerful. The facial recognition is what I am most impressed with because, after the long setup, there cannot be any cheating on your profile. During games it will log you in and set you up as the player and log you out if someone else takes over. The Move entry product came out with a camera, one controller and a few demo games. On top of that there was a promise that all titles launched with the product would only require one controller to play, with enhanced features added by having a second. This helped because, in South Africa, there was a great shortage of standalone controllers, which was only rectified in the first few days of December. The Kinect entry product standalone only has the Kinect camera and a full version of Kinect Adventures to play. If you don’t buy the new Xbox console you will just need to put an adapter on the connection, to fit it into the USB port, and update your Xbox with the latest software via DVD or online. The Kinect that comes with the new Xbox gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

will not have this connection adapter and provides a proprietary jack for connection and power... so don’t plan on taking just the unit to a friend’s house if he has the old Xbox without this connection. These are some of the facts about the hardware, but it is how the games actually use the hardware which makes it great. There have been some really depressing implementations and some really good ones on both sides. With both products being just an improvement from the previous versions, namely Xbox Vision and Playstation EyeToy, it’s up to the third party developers to use the toys and extend the life of the products. This said, the Kinect is the next level of controller and not a copy of the Wii, and will probably take gaming to the next level. I can’t wait to see the great implementations and hope that people embrace this next step, which gaming deserves. g

Kinect Price: R2000 (No more cost required) Cheating: No Cheating at all because of Identification Distance from Camera: Picked up by the lasers and depth sensor. No Controllers, you are the controller. Max Players: 2 Distance away from controller: 4 – 8 meters is best.

Move Price: R900 (Extras could push this up R450 every controller) Cheating: Just give the remote to a friend! Distance from Camera: Accurate positioning is done because of the spherical orb on the controller. At least one Move controller per player. Max Players: 2 Distance away from camera: Around 2.5 meters

gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

Control me Understanding infrared

Inner Workings

by Charlie Fripp

gladget regular â&#x20AC;˘ issue 3 â&#x20AC;˘ December 2010

ave you ever wondered how a television remote works? It might seem straight-forward, but what goes on in the little black box when you press a button? It’s all just too easy as the only thing you have to do is literally point and click, and we know it uses signals to communicate, but how does it know which button is pressed and what signal to send? Just so that we are clear, the remote control’s job is to translate your television needs into commands like volume up, change channel and to change the source mode. It has made life a little bit easier over the last couple of decades, and caused many people to grow lazy. As a bit of a side note, before we can look at the inner workings of a remote, we need to explore the origins of remote controls. The first remotes were radio-frequency (RF) devices that directed German naval vessels to crash into Allied boats during WWII, and it was in the same war were remote controls were used to detonate bombs for the first time. For the sake of not making it too complicated, we’ll take a look at infrared (IR) remotes, which is used in most home theatre systems these days, although other devices also use RF signals. It might seem like a foreign concept, but IR actually uses light to carry signals between a remote control and the unit which needs to be used. In case you were wondering why you don’t physically see anything happening when you press a button, that’s because infrared sits neatly in the invisible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

When a specific button is pressed, the remote control sends out pulses of infrared light that represent a specific binary code, like 001 0010 for volume up or 010 1111 for power off. When these codes get sent out, the unit (like a television or DVD player) decodes the pulses so that the microprocessor inside can understand what it needs to do. But the signal that is emitted from the remote carries a lot more than just the desired function. Included in the “volume up” commands, are several other important bits of information. The remote signal includes a “start” command, the command code for “volume up”, the device address (so the TV knows the data is intended for it), and a “stop” command (triggered when you release the “volume up” button). As one might guess, that is only half way of the signal’s journey. When the TV picks up the signal from the remote

and verifies from the address code that it’s supposed to carry out this command, it converts the light pulses back into the electrical signal for 001 0010. It then passes this signal to the microprocessor, which goes about increasing the volume. The “stop” command tells the microprocessor it can stop increasing the volume. Ever wondered why some remotes work when you point it into the general vicinity of the television, while others only seem to work correctly when pointed directly at the unit? Well, that has to do with the strength of the transmitting LED. If a remote has more than one LED or a stronger one, it will produce a broader and more powerful signal. Out of interest, infrared remote controls have a limited range of about 10 meters and will need a line-of-sight in order to work. g gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

Sega’s Last Stand Innovation can be bad...

Dead End

by Alex Scanlon

nnovation does not always mean success. Sometimes, it merely paves the path for others to succeed. And, if the company making the new strides is faced with a bad reputation from previous products or ideas, as well as stiff competition, innovation may mean little. As a console producer, Sega had a spotty history. Formed in 1965 after a merger between Rosen Enterprises and Service Games, the company brought many new ideas to the table. In arcades, Sega experienced many firsts. Zaxxon was the first game to use axonometric projection, while Hang-On was the world’s first full-body-experience game. SubRoc-3D was the first 3D arcade title, and Astron Belt was the first video game to use laser discs. The company was also involved in the home video game front, with the original Sega-Vision being released in 1976, and the Sega Master System in 1986. But it was arguably the Sega Megadrive / Genesis, released in 1989, that put Sega on the map as a home console producer. In direct

competition with Nintendo, Sega used strong marketing strategies, as well as a “hip” new mascot in the form of Sonic the Hedgehog, to eventually capture 65% of the US market, albeit for a brief time. In its usual spirit of innovation, Sega released the Sega Saturn in 1995, preceding both the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. The Saturn was the first 64-bit machine commercially available, using two 32-bit processors. But sales were poor in the West, including a number of key European markets, and the Saturn was abandoned. The poor performance of the Saturn prompted Sega to pull something special out of their hats. They launched the sixth home console generation with the release of the Sega Dreamcast, which hit shelves in Japan in 1998 and the rest of the world in 1999. It preceded other sixth generation consoles by around a year – the PlayStation 2 hit the market in 2000, with the Nintendo Gamecube and Microsoft’s first ever console, the Xbox, arriving in 2001. gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

The Dreamcast revolutionised console based gaming in a number of ways. It was the first console to make use of 3D graphics, and offered a 56k modem that allowed players to access online gaming through Dreamarena, GameSpy and SegaNet. Alien Front Online, a game for the Dreamcast system, was the first game to ever allow live in-game voice chat. Early Downloadable content for games like Phantasy Star Online and Skies of Arcadia. Cell shaded graphics were also introduced by the Dreamcast. Despite a reasonable price and technology that far outstripped the PlayStation and Nintendo 64, the Dreamcast’s Japanese launch as considered a failure. With a small library of launch titles and the threat posed by the upcoming release of the highly anticipated PlayStation 2, Dreamcast’s Japanese hopes were dashed. A year later, though, the console’s Western launch was a different story altogether. An aggressive marketing campaign, as well as a now much larger library of games gladget regular • issue 3 • December 2010

saw the Dreamcast shift half a million units within a week, a number that was unheard of at the time. Despite the success of the Dreamcast in the West, Sega could do little to compete with the three giants of the industry – Sony, Nintendo and the newly joined Microsoft. Added pressure came from mounting debts. The Sega Dreamcast hardware production was discontinued in 2001, with the last game for the console being released in 2004. On the 31st of January, 2001, Sega officially bowed out of the console wars, stating that they would now concentrate on producing third party software for other consoles. Despite innovative ideas, Sega could not hold onto their position as a console manufacturer. The Dreamcast may have been a revolutionary console in its time, but Sega could not compete with the giants that were establishing themselves in the market. In the end, the Dreamcast fell prey to the hype and marketing generated around its competitors. g