Gladget Magazine February 2014 by Gladget Magazine

I S S U E 4 0 / Vo l . 4 February 2014

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R e vie w s inc luding Sam s ung, Genius , As us , AS Rock, L ogit ech and more. . .

Incoming!

Security predictions for 2014

A Good Cause

Unwanted iPads can benefit children with autism

Looking Within Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical imaging gets a boost

Future Now New technology at CES 2014

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I S S U E 5 6 / Vo l . 5 Fe b r u a r y 2 0 1 4

w w w. g a m e c c a m ag . c o m

Don’t Starve Resogun Contrast and more...

Get Them! 40 games to get in 2014

Emancipation Fight the good fight in AC4 Freedom Cry

For the Taking... Thief ’s long awaited return...

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Taking fun seriously!

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Inside 6 From the Editor

8 Future Now

CES 2014 had lots of new tech to unveil...

14 Congestion Misconception

Are ISPs to blame?

18 Security Resolutions

Things to watch out for in 2014

20 The Power Within

Ghana becomes Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical imaging leader

22 Lookng Back: 1943

Progress at what cost?

24 A Helping Touch

iPads and autism

30 Reviews

Some tech products to get hold of...

This Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cover Lots of new tech is on the way... See our feature on page 8.

52 Did You Know?

Some fun facts from the tech world

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Reviews

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset

Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet

Asus DSL-N66U Dual-band Wireless-N900 ADSL/VDSL Gigabit Modem Router

Editor: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com

Genius GX Gaming Cavimanus Virtual 7.1 Gaming Headset

Genius GX Gaming SP-i250G Portable Stereo Gaming Speakers

GameStick

Writers: Alex Scanlon Andy Taliadoros Charlie Fripp Iwan Pienaar Lein Baart Rob Edwards Suvesh Arumugam Walt Pretorius

Asus Radeon R9290 Graphics Card

GLADGET Volume 4 Issue 40 February 2014

Letters: letters@gladgetmag.com Competition Entries: competitions@gladgetmag.com

Logitech G240 Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad

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ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac Motherboard

Don’t Starve (PS4)

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag - Freedom Cry (PS4)

Resogun (PS4)

Contrast (PS4)

Warframe (PS4)

Design & Photography: 1337 Media Marketing Contact: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com

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

GLADGET is published by 1337 MEDIA

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TechBending by Katia Taliadoros

From the Editor

here and when would you go if you had a time machine? This is certainly not a new concept; in fact, it is one that has fascinated humanity for ages. The term ‘time travel’ evokes fantasy visions and images of so many wonderful, thrilling possibilities. When we think about our relationship with time and space, the fourth dimension, gravitational time dilation, the theory of relativity and the law of causality, one cannot help but think that we are already wrapped in the most basic of time travelling. I am sure you have noticed that nothing stays the same. In a hundred years from now, mostly everything you see around you will either cease to exist or be drastically transformed… or deteriorated. Our perception in this illusion is certainly slow, but it is definitely constant. In our reality, as we know it, especially through technology, there is a variable that may affect our perspective. Consider this: what if our perceptions are being manipulated through exponential growth? Technology, as we know it,

is growing so exponentially that our perception of this acceleration changes our reality and perspective of our day to day lives. We have been forced to speed up, and catch up, to the point that we have woken up to realise that the future is here, the future is now. The growth of technology is so fast that science fiction is fast becoming science fact, almost on a daily basis. And we are not talking about the science fiction of two three decades ago, but of a couple of years ago. My great grandmother had trouble wrapping her head around the concept of wireless radio and now our smart phones have the ability to play a symphony orchestra, attached to devices that could make a live orchestra seem dull. Yes, indeed, the future is here and the future is now. In our cover feature, Charlie Fripp introduces exciting future products and forward thinking technology as they made their way in this year’s CES (Consumer Electronic Show) in Las Vegas, USA. This is an event that draws more than 150, 000 attendees each year, with thousands of new products

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on displayed. Also, check out the latest predictions in security from Iwan; the future has consequences! In our internet regular, Suvesh addresses the voice of the consumer regarding the complaints about a congested broadband infrastructure in South Africa. And from the future to the past, Lein takes us back to technology in 1943, exploring the relationship between the evolution of tech and conflict during a war. Nthato explores the growing technology of medical science in Africa. Exceeding all expectations, Ghana is on top as West Africa’s new leader in Medical Imaging Technology. And your old iPad can take on an honourable and noble function. Find out more in an interview with tech journalist Stacey Vee, mother and founder of #iPadsforLionhearts. On that note, I leave you with this: “Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.” -Noam Chomsky. g

Futur

Feature

CES 2014 s

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re Now

showed even more innovation

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‘‘

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pace: The final frontier…” “Space: The final frontier…” These words were famously said at the beginning of most Star Trek episodes, but space and sci-fi are no longer such a farfetched concept. Technology has made many in-roads towards bettering the lives of the average consumer, and while we are still a good while away from having personal space shuttles, there are other technologies that were inconceivable only a couple of years ago. As another year wrapped up at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA,

a huge focus of the show was on wearable technology, or wearables – such as smart watches, fitness trackers and clothing that can detect your heart rate. And these seem to be straight out of a Star Trek episode… To put things in perspective, CES is one of the world’s premier technology conferences, and draws more than 150,000 attendees each year, and also attracts more than 35,000 international visitors. It goes without saying that there are thousands of exhibitors promoting their products. Gone are the days of talking into a wristwatch and looking

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like an actor from a bad ‘80s film – well, it’s still possible, but it has become a lot more socially acceptable. Technology giant Samsung launched their Galaxy Gear late last year, but a number of other manufacturers have taken the idea a bit further – or adapted it to different situations. One thing that manufacturers are realising is that children today are growing up with all these new inventions, so they need to cater to them as well - and FiLIP is one such company. Honoured with a CES Innovations Award, FiLIP might sound like a long-lost uncle, but it’s actually a smartphone and tracker for children.

“FiLIP is a world first device which has re-imagined smartphone voice and location technology for children. The colourful wristwatch is a patentpending marriage of GPS, cell tower location and Wi-Fi triangulation, safely combined into one small device,” a representative explains. It allows children to dial their parents; location-based functionality makes use of a blend of assisted GPS, GSM cell tower location, and Wi- Fi hotspot triangulation so that parents can track their children; and when activated, Intelligent Emergency triggers an automatic location

beacon, ambient sound recording, and calls each of five pre-set contacts until one is reached. For listening pleasure, vast number of headphones and earphones were announced, but one that stood out for us was Intel’s Smart Earbuds. The little devices are over-ear earphones that have heart rate monitors built into the earpieces. As the user works up a sweat, data is sent to a smartphone companion app to be analysed by the user. While pumping music through the little device, the earbuds can also predict if the user is slacking off or exercising too hard and adjusts the music

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accordingly. According to Indira Negi, who invented the earbuds, “the built-in music coach won’t change songs too abruptly, even if your heart rate does fluctuate a bit. Rather, you’d get a warning and then, if you still weren’t reaching your target heart rate, the app would switch to slowertempo songs,” he said. The biggest announcements at CES weren’t about wearables or the latest smartphones, but about televisions – and big ones. Samsung was first out the gate with their annual keynote address, and besides for showing off some incredible fridges, washing machines and other

Feature

appliances, the company wowed the audience with their Ultra High Definition (UHD) televisions. Samsung unveiled their 105” UHD, together with the world’s first bendable 85-inch UHD screen, and both products are expected to go on sale later this year. Going by the model number U9500, the 105” set is the world’s first Curved UHD TV and features a stunning aspect ratio of 21:9 to recreate the feeling of being in a cinema. “People who are passionate about entertainment will have a whole new way to experience the content they love with

these exciting new models that showcase exceptional design and UHD picture quality,” said HS Kim, executive vice president of the visual display business at Samsung Electronics. LG also launched a 105” UHD television, but unveiled 98-inch, 79-inch, and 65-inch curved panel models as well. LG’s version is expected to be slightly cheaper than Samsung’s unit, as it makes use of LCD instead of the more expensive OLED, which incorporates the latest TFT technology. The model also has a 21:9 CinemaScope aspect ratio providing a 5 120 x 2 160 UHD

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resolution. “LG Display has kept its dominant position in the display market with innovative and differentiated technologies. With a resolution of 11 million pixels, the 105-inch curved LCD panel is proof of our continued leadership in the next generation display market, offering exceptional world-class value to our customers,” said Yong-kee Hwang, Senior Vice President and head of LG Display’s TV Business Unit. And with being an electronics exhibition, no year would be complete without a couple of

mobile phones thrown in. While Samsung is due to unveil their next Galaxy device at Mobile World Congress later this month, and Apple traditionally launches in October, Sony took the opportunity to launch their Xperia Z1 Compact. Just like Samsung Galaxy S4 mini and the iPad mini, Sony decided to launch a featuredpacked device based on their successful Xperia Z1 smartphone. “Xperia Z1 Compact is a welcome addition to our expanding range of premium Z series smartphones,” said Kunimasa Suzuki, President and CEO, Sony

Mobile Communications. The Xperia Z1 Compact features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2.2 GHz quad-core CPU, 4G LTE connectivity, a 2300 mAh battery and a 20.7 megapixel camera that makes use of 1/2.3-type CMOS image sensor Exmor RS for Mobile. The annual Consumer Electronics Show is a tangled mess of organized chaos into the world of crazy inventions, forward-thinking electronics and maybe a view of the future. But one thing is very clear: technology is moving at an

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incredibly pace, and between bendable televisions, the Parrot MiniDrone and Michael Bay’s spectacular meltdown on stage, there is no better time to strap in tight and hold on. If what was on show this year is any indication, the future of electronics will be moving towards personalised devices that integrate with the human body, vehicles that are constantly connected to the internet and devices that aim to make our world a better place. And many of those ideas come right out of the sci-fi we watched not so long ago... g

Congestion Misconception

Security

Are ISPs strangling the end user?

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by Suvesh Arumugam

e’ve spoken a bit about Telkom exchange congestion in some of my previous articles, but this is now a heated topic of debate that I feel now needs it’s own focus. I was initially going to lead this article with the opening line “ISPs are a rattling their sabres in response to growing complaints of congested broadband infrastructure” but I realised this was not really the case. It would probably be more like the old comedy routine when the main character is thrown into jail and runs their enamel cup across the prison bars singing

Complaints of a congested broadband infrustructure “Nobody Knows the Trouble I Seen”. ISPs are pleading to their disgruntled clients to understand that they are powerless to resolve the mounting complaints which appear to be hounding them. A recent article quotes major ISPs as saying the while Telkom upgraded DSLAM circuits for potentially higher speeds for consumers, broadband backhaul from the exchanges was not significantly upgraded, resulting in oversubscription of existing infrastructure. ISPs also used the opportunity to voice their dissatisfaction with IP Connect prices and the process of managing capacity within Telkom’s framework. Ordering IPC can take several weeks, if not months, and Telkom charges for network capacity whether used or not. This puts ISPs in the

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tricky position of risking oversubscribing and fielding complaints while they order additional capacity, in lieu of over-ordering and not being competitive in the market to cover the massive costs of IPC. Telkom have come out strongly to counter both arguments. They released a strong statement to the press a few days ago, dismissing the congestion allegations. They claimed that DSLAMs are proactively managed and upgraded, and that they monitor constantly and inform ISPs of potentially congested exchanges and provide feedback on upgrades to be performed. This hadn’t been confirmed by ISPs by the time of writing this, but it seems unlikely. If ISPs had this kind of information it would probably go a long way to empower their clients suffering from poor broadband services. Telkom then surprised the market by announcing an additional 15% reduction to IPC costs to ISPs or their upstream network providers. This follows after their previous reduction of 8% in October 2013, which many felt was merely a token offering at the time. A cumulative 23% overall reduction comes a lot closer to the 50% reduction some called for at the last MyBroadband conference. Many consumers will hope that this translates to massive reductions in broadband costs, but it’s not yet clear to what extent this may be the case. It will depend largely on how much of the reduction will be passed onto consumer ISPs from first tier networks, so providers like Mweb and Internet Solutions, that purchase IPC directly from Telkom, are most likely to get the biggest benefit (and

Security

hopefully their clients too). 90Mbps. This is still nowhere While the intention is close to Google’s fibre surely to grow the fixed projects in the US reported to line broadband consumer deliver actual speeds close to base, this is more likely to 1Gbps. benefit existing consumers, To really put this in and is not likely to bolster perspective, British what’s starting to look like Telecom (BT) and Alcaltel a fairly stagnant market Lucent recently announced in relation to the massive working trials of a new fibre growth of mobile data. technology. Using combined After the much applauded 200Gbps existing fibre departure of disgraced infrastructure, the project former Communications is claimed to have achieved Minister Dina Pule, the job speeds of up to 1.4Tbps of rolling out broadband to (that’s terabits per second) more South Africans now falls on incumbent Minister Yunus Carrim. So far, Carrim Fibre technology announced was won over many of the using 200Gbps, achieving speeds of department’s detractors by acknowledging the 1.4Tbps per second shortcomings of the ministry and also implementing some much need changes internally. and over the long distance However we’re still yet to between London and Suffolk. see any real programmes or This leaves our ambitions of action that will significantly 40Mbps VDSL speeds seem put SA closer to international like paying off your bicycle broadband standards. Carrim in instalments while your recently spoke of a similar neighbour pays for his new programme to Cape Town’s Porsche in cash. mayor, to bring free Wi-Fi We clearly have a very long services to underprivileged way to go, and some very areas. Mayor Patricia De Lille tough battles to win, before initiated a 3 year broadband the real world speeds that initiative over 3 years we think we should have are worth R222 million, which an actual reality. For now, started providing residents most would just settle for of Mitchell’s Plain and the speeds they’re paying Khayelitsha with free Wi-Fi for. Holding out for fibre may for at least six months from be a pipe dream though, it December last year. doesn’t look like even major Aside from international suburbs will see fibre rollouts coverage standards, South until at least the end of the Africa is still far behind world year, if that. Meanwhile, averages in terms of speeds. mobile data continues to Telkom’s CEO, while attending grow at an alarming rate, Davos this month, recently with LTE coverage continually commented on South Africa’s improving and the likes of Fibre-To-The-Home projects Telkom set to introduce bringing SA closer to the 200Mbps speeds. At this rate, speeds seen in Switzerland. mobile technologies could He mentioned that Telkom improve much faster than already have working trials the rollout of fibre cable, and in Rosbeank, Bryanston 1Gbps speeds may actually and Waterkloof, and were end up being possible after reporting real speeds of 70all.

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The nice thing about February is that it’s far enough from the beginning of the year to have predictions mean something and still early enough to make a difference in your life. Here are five mobile security issues that the guys (and gals) at several anti-virus and security companies think will be big in the coming months.

What are you wearing?

So you’ve seen all the news and views from last month’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas. Chances are you are as tired of us reading about wearable technology and what it will mean for you. From the Pebble Smart Watch giving Android devices an additional screen on your wrist to the well-known (or should that be infamous?) Google Glass moved closer to launch too. So serious are some people about what this could mean that they are paying $1 500 dollars a time to try the Google technology. Part and parcel of this is paired security technologies. There are already several prototype devices embedded as rings or bracelets like the wristband that unlock apps on mobile phones and tablets. These devices provide two-step verification that activates only for the wearer. This year, the expectations are that these devices will go mainstream.

Inside the house

We have all gotten used to the idea of having location technology built into our mobile devices. After all, that is what GPS is all about. Last year, several companies announced indoor location technologies with many using sensors already built into our existing mobile devices. Apple’s iBeacons was announced and the tracking technology shipped with iOS 7. Don’t be afraid quite yet, as it is still being tested in Apple stores. Nokia has built indoor maps for thousands of buildings and Google has also patented locationbased security behaviours for Android devices. Location-based security is set to be a smarter, better way for your device to detect its own threat level depending on its location. And the roll-out of better indoor location technology will push this forward.

You are the security

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With the iPhone 5S and Android Face Recognition, biometric security is moving away from a high-end add-on feature to something that you must have. This is set to grow throughout 2014, with HTC and Samsung both looking at shipping devices with fingerprint recognition technology built in. Fingerprint and other biometric systems aren’t foolproof. So expect to see a lot of articles around fingerprint and facial recognition

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technologies. After all, these are only strong as part of a sequence of security measures.

Safe browsing

As we move towards a world where the majority of software is delivered as a service over the internet, the Web browser will become the focus for security. It’s already the main target for a lot of malware. Irrespective of the browser you are using, there will always be security holes to plug. And as the desktop and the browser continue to converge, more holes will be opened throughout the year so best to remain vigilant.

Being private

People of all ages (yes, including teenagers) are starting to become more guarded regarding what they share on social networks. With users pulling back from widespread, indiscriminate sharing and turning toward more private, temporal, one-toone interactions, they are looking for new ways to share information with family and friends. Applications that are capitalising on this include SnapChat, which lets users send photos and messages that disappear, and Instagram that recently added private one-to-one messaging.

Big Brother is watching

There is an old saying that goes ‘just because I’m paranoid doesn’t mean that they aren’t watching me.’ This is especially true in the internet age. With the Web becoming an integral way we communicate with one another and share information, there are an increasing number of governments, companies, and malicious users that monitor (and censor) our online behaviour. Millions of internet users encounter blocked, censored, or filtered content on social networks, video and music sites, streaming services, and email providers in the workplace, at school, while travelling or by simply living in highly regulated countries. There are always ways to circumvent this. As such, gaining anonymous access to information will become more prevalent this year. Nasty software Unfortunately, malware won’t ever disappear. Growth has been charted every year since smartphones and tablets debuted. One point of interest is Windows 8, which brings the once desktop exclusive operating system to tablet computers. The same malware that can infect Windows desktops can now infect Windows tablets. It is therefore vital to make a third-party anti-virus solution an essential addon to any new purchases. Fortunately, all the big brand names are very good and provide offerings for mobile devices. Stay safe. Until next month.g

Security

Keeping safe for the rest of 2014

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by Iwan Pienaar

Resolutions 19

The Power Within Medical Imaging Technology in Africa

by Nthato Morakabi

frica: a continent on the rise, ever growing technologically and socioeconomically, enduring through many trials and challenges that stand in the way of its growth. It is a continent lacking much of what it requires to better the standard of living of its populace. Poverty, war, politics and many other factors have deeply affected and influenced the people and their countries and due to those devastating effects, the people are unable to either receive or afford the help they need. One of the major areas that have been heavily influenced by these factors is the medical field. Poverty stricken countries unable to provide proper medical care and equipment for their people is always a major concern and even more so, for the people themselves unable to afford the services even if they were available. This was the case in West Africa, on the 238,535 km2 area of land known as the Republic of Ghana. This warm country, lined by an Atlantic coastline, has been on the rise in many aspects including its economic stability, showing up as second below South Africa as one of the Middle Income Countries (Countries that have a developing economy) according to the International Monetary Fund: World Economic and Financial Survey 2013. Most recently however, it has been through the acquisition of first world medical equipment thanks to ToshibaShumadzu-Fuji of Japan and native medical company Agvad that the two

Africa

collaborating companies have put Ghana on top as West Africa’s leader in Medical Imaging Technology. Medical imaging is the process used to create images of the human body in order to reveal, diagnose and examine the body or its anatomy for clinical purposes. This rather useful instrument is sure to benefit many people regardless of social standing, economic stability or any other factor, which is why it would be beneficial for

the key drivers behind the growth of the medical industry in Ghana. This increase means healthcare goods and services will now become more affordable to Ghanaians. A Frost & Sullivan research analyst has put this statement towards the investments: “The biggest drive towards the uptake of medical imaging devices and laboratory analysers in Ghana is that government is investing in this area in order to improve the diagnostic capability of the country.” Through acquisition of medical imaging equipment, Ghana would be able to boost the country’s ability to provide proper diagnosis and therefore medical treatment for its people. With this very premise in mind, Ghana has taken a step toward the top with a machine that is more all to utilize it. This is true especially than just a piece of expensive medical considering how much we all rely on imaging equipment and providing this particular type of technology for with it more than just another procedures such as X-Rays, MRIs and medical service. Due to the efforts Ultrasounds. These few examples of Agvad, the sole representative of show how amazing the power of Toshiba-Shumadzu-Fuji of Japan and imaging technology is, and should be supplier of medical imaging systems an indication as to how imperative this in Ghana, the world’s most powerful kind of technology is in the medical and advanced scanner, known as the field and in helping doctors diagnose Aquilion One 640 Slice CT, has found and predict any particular issues in its way into West Africa. various patients. One of the main issues that faces A study back in 2008 by Frost & medical imaging technology is the Sullivan found that Ghana’s healthcare fact that it remains the largest sector revenues reached $59 million source of man-made exposure to in the African nation and it was ionising radiation and it continues projected that by 2015 the number to grow substantially. One of the would almost triple, reaching $135.8 radiation procedures with the highest million. Government investments in contribution rate is Diagnostic public hospitals and in the National Radiology and this generally refers Health Insurance Scheme are two of to the analysis of images obtained

An ailment identification tool that diagnoses and predicts

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using X-rays. Exposure, even with a low dosage, is not completely safe as the National Academy of Sciences Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation Committee has concluded that “… there is no compelling evidence to indicate a dose threshold below which the risk of tumour induction is zero.“ (Up to 10% of invasive cancers are related to radiation exposure). As one can expect, continued exposure to this radiation increases the chances of radiation induced cancer. The Aquilion One 640 Slice CT machine counters the effects that regular machines cause by boasting a dramatically reduced radiation dosage, due to its fast scanning abilities. Most x-rays require a rotating X-ray tube and detector with an X-ray beam to create the visual representation of the scanned area, with the quality of the scans relying on the amount of radiation dosage used; the higher the dosage the better the quality of the images but the higher the risk of radiation induced cancer. The power of the Aquilion One instead lies in its

320-row detector that is able to scan in entire organs with a single volume scan. It is able to scan various organs of the human body in greater detail with better accuracy and at a much faster rate, producing the necessary images in high quality and in less time with a very low radiation dosage – it is even possible with this type of scanning, to create 4D images of the scans. The machine does not only diagnose patients, working as an ailment identification tool but it also predicts, becoming a preventive and proactive tool. Through the machine, it will be possible to follow a patient’s progress and assist in assessing whether the patient’s treatment is working or not. The machine has an extensive list of uses: cardiac examinations capture the entire heart for coronary analysis regardless of the patient’s heart condition, scanning of the pancreas or liver for any tumours on the organs, stroke patients, orthopaedic patients (disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and gladget40

ligaments) and paediatrics can all make use of this advanced medical imaging. This type of technology means that Ghanaians and their neighbours no longer have to fly to America or Europe for high quality technological services or specifically, advanced medical diagnosis, but can experience that very same quality at home at an affordable price and with a very low radiation health risk. The service is also not exclusive to Ghana, as countries such as South Africa and Egypt make use of the machine however to West Africa it is also available to Ghana’s neighbouring countries within the West African sub region such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and many others through the services of Agvad and Toshiba. As companies like these continue to provide first class medical equipment at affordable costs and not limited to the rich and powerful, we can look at Africa and its continents with great optimism for future medical advancements. g

By Lein Baart

1943 The Beginning of the End

Looking Back

n a year that would ultimately decide the course of World War 2, 1943 saw the Allied forces gain their first glimmers of victory over the Axis alliance. With the resounding defeat of Rommel by Montgomery in the African theatre, coupled with the final blow to the Naziâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offensive in Russia at the Battle of Kursk, Germany was at last forced onto the back foot, and as the saying goes, the tides of war began to turn. It was a year of heroics and legends mixed with great tragedies (as were all the years of the war), and at its end, after four long years of horrific combat, 1943 would prove to be a year of hope for the world. War has always seemed to accelerate the development of technology (for obvious reasons), but the in the case of the dialysis machine, otherwise known as the artificial kidney, World War 2 proved a major hindrance to the ground-breaking work of Dr Willem Kolff, one of the most celebrated physicians of the 20th century. Despite

the invasion of the Netherlands by Germany early in the war, Dr Kolffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research into kidney failure resulted in the development of the first dialysis machine, a device designed to filter the blood of a patient. With little more than sausage skins, orange juice cans and a washing machine, the wizardry of Kolff culminated in the first successful treatment of renal disease in 1945, with the patient going on to live for another 7 years before she died on an unrelated illness. World War is littered with legendary accomplishments and actions, and of them the tale of Dambusters is one of the most enduring. The technology behind the raids was some of the most innovative of the war, with the key to its successes lying in the design of the now famous bouncing bombs. First conceptualised by Sir Barnes Wallis, the designer of the Tallboy and Grand Slam earthquake bombs (amongst others), the purpose of the weapon was to ultimately cripple German industry by

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targeting dams in the Ruhr valley. Devised to skip along the water surface until reaching the dam walls, the concept called for a drum shaped casing that when fully loaded with explosives weighed in around 3 tonnes, equipped with a hydrostatic detonator and dropped at a height of 18 m above the water level. The secret of the design though lay in the backspin of the bomb, which not only enabled the bomb to skip effectively but also ensured that the device stayed closed to the dam wall. While ultimately the Dambuster raids were of not of great strategic value to the war effort, the propaganda resulting for the destroyed dams caused an enormous upwelling of morale in Britain, and to this day remains one of the most popular legends of the war. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair to say that World War 2 saw the birth of modern computing, and in this 1943 proved no exception, as it was the year that saw creation of the Colossus, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first electronic programmable computer.

While neither the first electronic computer nor the first programmable machine, Tommy Flowersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Colossus fused the two concepts and proved an invaluable tool to the cryptanalysts (code-breakers) of Bletchley Park. As was typical of the era the Colossus was immense in its dimensions, weighing in at approximately one tonne, with the first model consisting of 1600 vacuum tubes. It could read tape inputs at up 9700 characters per second (before the tape disintegrated) and was the first machine to incorporate shift registers. It is important to note though that while the Colossus was programmable, it was not a general-purpose machine and thus would not have met modern definitions for a computer. The impact that it had in later developments though is incalculable (despite a gag order that almost erased it from history), as many of the founders of modern computing worked in Bletchley Park, and it is likely present day computers would be nowhere near as advanced without its creation. g

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A Helping There is a better solution for disposing of old, unwanted iPadsâ&#x20AC;Ś The iPad very quickly became one of the hottest must-have items when it was first released by Apple. Several years down the line, iPads are still proving popular, with regular new versions hitting shelves for consumers eager to upgrade. But what happens with those old iPads? Where do they go? Where should they go? Tech journalist, mother and founder of #iPadsforLionhearts, Stacey Vee, believes that instead of ending up on a landfill and forming part of the e-waste problems, unwanted iPads can be put to much better use â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they can be used in the therapies for autism. With a simple donation of an old, unwanted iPad, consumers can help better the lives of autistic children across the country, thanks to the iPads for Lionhearts initiative. We spoke to Stacey to find out more

Interview

about the initiative, the thinking behind it, and where it is going. 24

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g Touch

For more information:

www.ipadsforlionhearts.co.za. gladget40

Interview

For more information:

www.ipadsforlionhearts.co.za. 26

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GM. Tell us a bit more about the main drive of iPads for Lionhearts? SV. It is a simple idea: the next time you upgrade your iPad, donate your old one to a child with autism whose family can’t afford to buy them one. GM. What lead you to this idea of providing iPads to autistic children? SV. Our eldest son, ‘Travis the Lionheart’, was born with a rare brain malformation and attends a special needs school. I am a technology journalist. These two areas of my life intersected when I saw that so many families with autism and special needs were desperate to get their hands on an iPad to use as part of their child’s therapies – but couldn’t afford one. With a new model iPad coming out every year, I wondered: where

do the secondhand iPads go? GM. What has the response been like? SV. It’s still a fairly small initiative. We have been operating for less than two years and have placed around 40 iPads with families on our waiting list. The response has been encouraging enough for us to formally register as a non-profit and begin to actively fundraise to gearup our initiative. GM. Do you believe that technologies like tablet computers can be beneficial in the treatment of things like autism? SV. Very much so. A staggering amount of autism-specific apps have been created. They cover exercises from learning to recognise facial expressions, storyboarding to help understand social interaction,

flash cards to communicate, and teaching sentence structure and maths basics in an autism-friendly manner. For parents who follow sets therapy approaches like ABA, there are apps that track exercises, routines, medication, behaviour and sleep patterns.

has been grappling with what it calls ‘inclusive education’ since 2005, with little progress. From a medical perspective, incorporating an iPad into a therapy routine is still in the very early stages and experimental. No one is driving this in South Africa yet.

GM. Is this something that the medical community is taking up? SV. Not locally, not yet. In more socially integrated societies like the States and the UK, special needs education is robust and well-supported. Therapies and what we call ‘early intervention’ is a public service, and programmes have been developed, followed and improved on as teachers and specialists become more experienced. In South Africa, the Department of Basic Education

GM. What would your ideal outcome be with this project? SV. I’d like to reach the point where the moment a ‘lionheart’ goes onto our waiting list, an iPad is available for them. Then, as they experiment with various apps and approaches, I’d like them to be able to plug into an online community where they can engage with other lionheart families, with regular guest slots for speech and language therapists, and other specialists.

gladget40

Interview

GM. Will every autistic child benefit from access to an iPad? SV. We can’t stress enough: an iPad is not a miracle ‘cure’ for autism. iPads are being incorporated into most mainstream schools as a learning tool, and it’s important that families of special needs children see an iPad as just that: a tool. One that should be part of your intervention strategy for your child. Some children with autism and other special needs don’t have the ability to interact with an iPad. Sometimes physically, sometimes cognitively. We don’t discriminate, however. Any family that puts their name on our list is eligible to receive an iPad (all we ask is a doctor’s note confirming the child’s diagnosis).

If the child can’t use it, the parents still can, taking advantage of the apps available that support their therapy programmes. GM. Have you managed to bring any corporate sponsors onboard for the initiative? SV. We have sponsors who supply us with iTunes vouchers, and accessories like iPad covers and screen wipes. This is the year we hope to attract the attention of large corporates looking for a taxdeductible way to write-off their old iPads when they upgrade their executives to newer models. GM. How do you see the initiative developing in the future? SV. We would like to move beyond supplying the iPads and a list of suggested apps, into

formulating an approach for different categories of children with special needs. For instance, nonverbal children will benefit most from communication apps. We’d like to formulate a programme specifically for these kids. Of course, we would need to collaborate with special education facilitators to achieve this. GM. What message would you like to bring across to the world about this initiative, and autism in general? SV. Autism South Africa recently said that research in 2012 indicated that 1 in 88 babies born will develop an Autism Spectrum Disorder, but recent studies conducted in 2013 revealed that 1 in every 50 babies born will be affected by ASD. The

For more information:

www.ipadsforlionhearts.co.za. 28

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chances are rising that someone close to you is struggling with the challenges of being on the spectrum. Your dusty old iPad may seem like outdated tech to you, but it has the potential to help make a breakthrough in an autistic child’s life. GM. How can those interested in helping out make contributions? Where can they contact you? SV. If you have a second-hand iPad to donate to our cause, send an email to livinglionheart@ gmail.com. We will arrange to collect it from you no matter where you are in South Africa – even your old iPad, or an iPad with a shattered screen. Our sponsor iFix repairs those on our behalf. To read more about our organisation visit www. ipadsforlionhearts. co.za. g

Stacey Vee and her son ‘Travis the Lionheart’ gladget40

Reviews Highlights 32 Genius GX Gaming Cavimanus Virtual 7.1 Gaming Headset Sound from all sides... 44 GameStick Easy does it! 46 Asus Radeon R9290 Graphics Card Super powered performer 50 ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac Motherboard For every occasion

ES 2014 is now officially done and dusted, and there was truly awesome new tech on display there for the world to see. However, it will take that technology a while to reach

us. Still, there are many awesome devices available right now, and in this issue we look at a number of them, ranging from headsets to motherboards. g

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The Right Tra

T L

Review

Logitech G230 Stereo Gaming Headset

ogitech spent many years as prominent manufacturers of speakers and headsets. But, over time, the competition for this lucrative market – particularly the headset arena – has become more and more intense, with companies focussed on production of personal audio devices making massive inroads into it. Logitech, with their broader focus, became less prominent (indeed, this counts for many of their gaming peripherals) as the newcomers gained strength. But Logitech are still capable of doing battle in the lucrative gaming-oriented peripheral market, and they seem more than willing to do so with their renewed “G” range of products. While some have been a little disappointing, they have also managed to produce devices that are really rather good – including the G230 Stereo Gaming Headset. Comparing this headset to some of the surround sound units that are available on the market is pointless – it is almost an entirely different kind of product. But when put up against other stereo offerings, the G230 performs admirably, both in terms of comfort and sound quality. The almost rectangular over-ear cups are well padded, with a breathable mesh helping ensure that the user will not get hot and bothered after using the G230 for extended periods of time. The headband is also well padded, and the ear-cups are fitted with 90 degree swivels, which allows the ear cups a wide range of movement; enough to lay flat if the user rests the headset around their neck. Connected to the left ear-cup is a generous cable, ending in two 3.5mm jacks. One is for audio, and the other works with the positionable, noise-cancelling boom mic, also attached to the left ear-cup. The whole unit feels extremely well built, with a vibrant red trim adding to the overall aesthetic. The looks imply great sound, and they don’t lie. The G230 produces great stereo audio, thanks to the 40mm drivers housed in each ear-cup. Volume is handled by a somewhat simplistic in-line controller, which also has a mic mute function. Being a stereo headset armed with 3.5mm jacks, the G230 is a bit more versatile than just being a gaming headset. It can be used with a variety of devices (anything that uses a 3.5mm jack) which adds more value to an already decent device. The main question, of course, comes down to whether stereo will serve the user’s purposes for the headset’s intended main function – gaming. The answer is a matter of taste, but if stereo is a preference (as it is with many gamers) then the G230 will do the job perfectly well. Its sound quality is good across the whole audio spectrum, and it is a comfortable device to use for extended periods. With devices like this, Logitech should have little problem regaining past glories. g

gladget40

by Alex Scanlon

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Summary

The G230 are a very good option for those wanting a stereo gaming headset armed with 3.5mm versatility.

Tech Specs:

M a n u fa c t u r e r D is t r ibu te r O n li n e RRP

• • • • • • • •

Comfortable Good sound quality Solid build

Lo git e c h Lo git e c h ww w .lo git e c h .c om

Stereo In-line controls Foldable mic boom ‘‘Lay flat’’ ear cups 40mm drivers

Simplistic in-line controls

• • • • • •

Cons

ei r

Pros

ech continue t i g th Lo

by Alex Scanlon

ack

Score

80 gladget40

S S

Review

Logitech G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse

taying competitive in the PC peripheral market can be a tough job. This is especially true when it comes to peripherals and controllers aimed at video games, and is particularly true in the case of the not-sohumble mouse. The market is packed to bursting with great brands and fantastic devices, and with the combination of innovative design and aggressive marketing, making a dent is difficult. Reputation helps, of course, and Logitech is relying heavily on past glories to ensure that they remain relevant in an increasingly-competitive arena. But with products like the G602 Wireless Gaming Mouse – which forms part of their “newlook” gaming peripheral stable – that shouldn’t be too difficult. It does bear mentioning that gaming mouse devices fall into sub-categories, even if they pretty much all do the same thing in principle. The G602, for example, falls into a category that appeals to players of MMORPG titles. In other words, it features more than the usual amount of buttons, taking as much control away from the keyboard as space allows, and giving it to the mouse. With 11 control inputs, it isn’t the most we have seen crammed on to a Logitech mouse, but the button placement on the G602 is far more sensible than some of their previous efforts. While it is still friendlier to those with bigger hands, the eight extra buttons are well-positioned for easy access. Six are arranged in two rows on the left hand side of the mouse – effectively turning it into a right-handed only device – and two are arranged at the upper, outer side of the main left mouse button. The G602 offers a distinctive look, too. It possesses a stylish asymmetrical design that sees the right button jut out further than the left, and a generous thumb rest is positioned below the left side buttons. This gives the mouse an overall scifi and certainly serious appearance. And it performs remarkably well, considering that it is a wireless mouse. While most gamers will generally opt for a cabled device, Logitech have been making almost-lag-free wireless gaming mice for ages, and that technology continues in to this product. It features two modes (performance and endurance) which either ups the DPI to 2500 (performance) or maximises battery life by dropping the DPI to 250. There isn’t much in-between, which won’t sit well with those who tweak multiple DPI settings for optimal performance. At 2500 DPI, it also isn’t the most sensitive mouse around. But for its intended purpose – playing MMORPGs or strategy titles – the sensitivity is perfectly fine. It is also finished with materials that lead to greater levels of comfort. The G602 may not be the most sensitive mouse around, but it does the job well enough to be a good option. g

gladget40

Wirel

less by Rob Edwards

es well…

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do h c ite g Lo

Summary

Tech Specs:

While not the most sensitive mouse around, the G602 is great for things like real-time strategy and MMORPG gaming. M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

gladget40

Great battery life Awesome looks Excellent materials

2500 dpi resolution Up to 1440 hours battery life Performance / Endurance modes 11 programmable controls Wireless USB reciever

Log itec h Log itec h www.log itec h.c om

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Not very sensitive

Score

80 35

The

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet

It’s

nk chu

I Review

t’s getting a bit difficult to keep up with Samsung’s smart devices. It seems that the Korean corporation is producing a new device every few days. In fact, this particular device – the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 – will be seeing an overhaul a little later this year. But that doesn’t mean that the current Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is obsolete… far from it, in fact. To tell the truth, it really is a powerhouse of a tablet and hopefully the new and improved version won’t see this one disappearing from the market too soon. With each new iteration, Samsung have provided more and more powerful devices. This time around the Note 10.1 features – aside from the obvious 10.1 inch screen, which is beautifully crisp and clear – a powerful 1.4 GHz CPU, backed up by a generous (in terms of tablets) 2GB of RAM. What that comes down to is

a device that is responsive and capable of effortlessly running multiple tasks at a time; exactly what one needs in the form of a tablet. But this isn’t just a tablet – it’s a Note. That means that it comes equipped with an S-Pen, the stylus peripheral that is used with the smaller Note “phablet” and any other note device. The S-Pen is a matter of taste, really; while the Note 10.1 doesn’t eschew direct finger contact to make its touch-screen function, the S-Pen is a good option for those that want to avoid cleaning finger marks off of their tablet every fifteen seconds. But is a less tactile experience, and one that seems a bit more serious. Still, it’s only an option here – the user isn’t forced into either option, which adds a nice element of choice. On either side of the screen is a speaker, which delivers surprisingly good sound, all things considered, and a front facing camera is situated above it. The main camera is on

gladget40

by Walt Pretorius

the back, of course, and weighs in at a slightly lightweight 5 megapixels. It can record full HD video, though, which is always a bonus. The model we looked at came equipped with a rather roomy 32GB of on-board storage, which can be expanded thanks to the inclusion of a MicroSD card slot. This can handle up to 64GB of extra storage data, via the removable card. In terms of performance, the Galaxy Note 10.1 delivers exactly what one would expect from it. It’s quick and stable, making use of the very popular Android OS. The question that arises, though, is whether it’s the right device for you. That is something that every individual needs to answer. With a broader bezel than older models, the Note 10.1 is a fairly large and heavy device. If you don’t mind the larger dimensions, it’s a great option. g

Summary

Tech Specs: • • • • • • •

Although it’s big, those that don’t mind a bit of extra bulk will find lots to love about the Note 10.1.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

Sa msung Sa msung www.sa msung .c o.za

Pros • • • • •

gladget40

S-Pen Great screen Powerful

S-Pen Technology 1.4GHz CPU 2GB RAM 32GB storage 10.1 inch screen 5mp camera Android OS

Cons • • • • •

Bulky

Score

82 37

Path The

Asus DSL-N66U Dual-band Wireless-N900 ADSL/VDSL Gigabit Modem Router Review

ost of us take a lot of time to swear at our routers, and then just carry on using the one we got through whatever deal we struck with whoever is providing our internet service. Routers are one of those things that we simply accept, and try to deal with. But we shouldn’t have to, not when there are some really great options out there on the market. And some of them come from sources that aren’t always expected… Asus, for example, produce a great router, in the form of the (rather lengthily named) DSLN66U Dual-band Wireless-N900 ADSL/VDSL Gigabit Modem Router. Yes, that’s a mouthful, but it only seems right that a router this good needs a long name. At the router’s core are two CPUs, allowing it to effortlessly use wired (ADSL/VDSL) and wireless (Wi-Fi) connections simultaneously. It acts, thanks to this Wi-Fi compatibility, ADSL/ VDSL connectivity and four Gigabit LAN ports, as a simultaneous wired and wireless modem and standalone router. That means it’s going to provide all kinds of connectivity to multiple device types. Add to that idea the fact that this is an N900 device. That means it’s pretty much as fast as you’re going to get, featuring 450+450Mbps transfer rates that won’t leave you lagging. In layman’s terms, this adds up to the DSL-N66U being perfect for any application that requires data transfer; web browsing, simultaneous downloading, gaming, HD video streaming and anything else you can think of. It’s interference-resistant 5GHz signal is smooth and clean, meaning less interruptions from often mysterious sources. On top of that, it makes use of the Asus AiCloud system. This means that the router, with an attached external hard drive, can be used to synch all manner of files and media with your Asus WebStorage account. In addition, additional AICloud accounts can be allowed access to this data, making it an invaluable filesharing system for private and business users. It effectively takes your private cloud public, should you choose to do so, and synching data to any connected device is a breeze. The aforementioned external hard drive would connect to one of the DSL-N66U’s USB ports. These are also useful for printer sharing, turning the DSL-N66U into the perfect information and service hub for homes and small offices. And it’s sleek looking, too, designed to stand upright and take up less space as a result. It’s beautifully finished, and will certainly complement any set up. In short, as far as routers go, the DSL-N66U is fast, efficient and extremely versatile. It also allows for effortless file sharing, which is a definite bonus, and its dual CPUs ensure stable, quick and effective networking. Isn’t that all we ask for from a router? g gladget40

Why settle for any old router when you can have an excellent one?

by Rob Edwards

Summary

When it comes to routers, picking the right one can make a lot of difference... and this one falls into that category. Tech Specs:

Very quick Extremely stable AiCloud • • • •

Pros

Asus Asus ww w .a su s .c o m M a n u fa c t u r e r D is t r i bu t e r O n lin e

Slightly pricey

ADSL/VDSL Simultaneous Wi-Fi & Gigabit LAN 450 plus 450Mbps Dual CPU AiCloud support

• • • •

Cons

• • • • • •

Score

92 gladget40

rfo n rma an industry ce from

Genius GX Gaming Cavimanus Virtual 7.1 Gaming Headset

Review

Real Genius Gre at

gladget40

by Walt Pretorius

G G

enius is a brand that has been around for a long time. Pretty much everyone has used a Genius product (probably a mouse) at some time or another. The brand is a stalwart of computing… so it is little surprise that Genius has a dedicated gaming range, in the form of the GX Gaming stable. Part of this range is the Cavimanus headset, and it is a device that shows that – in the face of names like SteelSeries, Razer, Thermaltake and Logitech – Genius can certainly stand its ground. The Cavimanus is a virtual 7.1 surround sound headset. This means that it employs one driver per ear-cup, rather than some other brands, which make use of numerous drivers. Yet the effect is really quite good, and the overall audio quality delivered by the 40mm neodymium drivers is top notch. The whole sound spectrum is beautifully brought across – particularly when the headset’s vibration function is turned on, resulting in a bass boost as well. Sound can also be tweaked in numerous ways via a comprehensive software suite associated with the Cavimanus. But that means that its best performance is on PC. The gold-plated USB plug it is fitted with would imply PC only, but it can be used with devices like a PS4 as well – although without the benefit of the software and voice chat. What it lacks in versatility, though, it makes up for in great sound quality. Speaking of voice, the Cavimanuc has a foldable boom mic built into the left ear cup. It seems very short at first glance, but the mic’s performance is solid, none the less. The Cavimanus is solidly constructed out of durable plastic, all black with a red trim. The padding on the ear cups and headband is generous, resulting in a comfortable experience, even after a protracted period of use. Unfortunately the ear-cups don’t swivel at all, but that shouldn’t be a problem for too many users. All the Cavimanus’ controls are worked into the left ear-cup. The vibration function can be turned on or off with the press of a button, and volume is controlled with a radial dial. The mic is muted by folding it back, which is pretty simple. In fact, the controls being housed on the ear-cup makes controlling the volume and other functions extremely simple, and always easy to get to. The Cavimanus Virtual 7.1 Channel Gaming Headset only suffers from one true set-back, then: it doesn’t offer the versatility of a headset armed with a 3.5mm jack. But, in all honesty, if it did, it would be a run-of-the-mill stereo headset, which it most certainly isn’t. It’s a great option for PC users wanting rich sound, and a good offering from Genius. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

While it Is tied to USBcapable devices (read as PCs) the Cavimanus offers great sound and good levels of comfort.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

gladget40

Comfortable Great sound Sensible control placement

40mm drivers Foldable mic boom On-cup controls Gold plated USB Audio software Vibration function

Genius TVR Computers www.tv r.c o.za

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

USB only

Score

84 41

t lo

re o m

tile than that… a s r ve

Speakers ten d to

W W

Review

for a

Genius GX Gaming SP-i250G Portable Stereo Gaming Speakers

Not

hen it comes to sound, one really has to consider what it is required for. Most people who listen to music or play games will use headphones in an environment where others may be bothered. But every now and then, a good set of speakers comes in extremely handy. And a good set of portable speakers even more so. The SP-i250G stereo speaker set makes up part of Genius’s GX Gaming range. As such, they are identified as speakers for gaming but, unlike a mouse or even a headset (which generally incorporates a mic for gaming, but even then isn’t all that exclusive to the pass-time) speakers really don’t fall into a category for gaming or non-gaming. Let’s be brutally honest. They’re speakers. They produce sound, whether for gaming, music, movies or whatever else you may need audio for. Identifying these as portable gaming speakers is a bit of a stretch.

But let’s set the marketing stuff aside and take a look at the speakers themselves. The SP-i250G set is comprised of a pair of satellite speakers that are powered by 40mm neodymium drivers. They’re omnidirectional and rechargeable, with a USB plug supplying power and connection to the chosen device they will be used with. In addition, the cable handily incorporates a 3.5mm jack as well, for added versatility. You can use these babies with virtually anything. Each is individually turned on and off, and volume is adjusted individually too, via a large ring that runs along the whole outside of the speakers. It takes a little extra work to get your volume balanced, but it is not too difficult to master. What’ trickier is determining which speaker is going to produce which channel – left or right. Because they individually plug onto the cable, one would have hoped that the cable would indicate channel, but no such

gladget40

by Alex Scanlon

luck. OK, so switching the two around is easy enough, but it would have been nice to have an indication right off the bat. Each speaker outputs 3 watts of sound, which means that they’re not exceptionally loud. The audio is crisp, though, and the omnidirectional design of the speakers means that they can deliver decent performance. The bass notes, unfortunately, are a little light… we have seen Genius make better use of 40mm neodymium drivers in their Cavimanus headset, also reviewed in this issue. These speakers deliver a decent amount of battery life, but lack some of the bells and whistles of other, similar products. They have no wireless connection options, for a start, and come down to being very simple. If you need to make use of speakers while gaming, listening to music or anything else, they will certainly get the job done… but they don’t necessarily trump a good set of headphones. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

They’re not a bad set of speakers, but their simplicity might not appeal to some. They’re very versatile, though...

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

gladget40

Very portable Easy to connect Good battery life

Stereo Rechargeable USB / 3.5mm jack compatible 40mm drivers

Genius TVR Computers www.tv r.c o.za

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

No wireless options No channel indication

Score

76 43

GameStick

Eve

A Review

lmost everyone loves to play a video game from time to time. But not everyone wants to get all hard-core… consoles are expensive, as are games, and the complexity of modern video games doesn’t appeal to everyone. And then there are people on the go, who want a gaming solution that can accompany them. Once again, hand-held video game consoles are also pricey, and also feature games that are sometimes very complex. The other problem with portable gaming, of course, is screen size. A smartphone or tablet can allow for a lot of games to be played, but sometimes you want a screen that is bigger. If you’re looking for something quick and easy, with a wide variety of inexpensive games available, then the GameStick may be the solution you are looking for… and it doesn’t compromise on screen size. The

system is comprised of a controller and a receiver that plugs directly in to a TV or monitor’s HDMI port. That means a whole collection of games (which are stored on the receiver) can be available with minimal set-up, in an extremely portable package. Comparing the GameStick to one of the modern consoles would be an exercise in futility. It obviously cannot pack the punch of those machines. However, it does allow for a wide variety of Android games to be played, which can be purchased and downloaded from the GameStick library online. Extra storage can be added by way of a microSD card (up to 32GB), which slots into the receiver (which the makers refer to, correctly, as the “console”). The console itself offers 8GB of storage, which is a fair whack, considering the size of most of the games available is rather small. Using a Bluetooth connection, the controller wirelessly

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…a sl

by Walt Pretorius

erywhere g

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interfaces with the console, making playing pretty simple. The controller has a very old-school look to it, but featured dual analogue sticks and is fully functional. For transportation purposes, the console fits into a slot at the top of the controller, making the whole package pretty compact. Sure, you have chargers and some cables to take along too, but these can be buried a little more, as the unit doesn’t require recharging all that often. It isn’t a next generation console, and the games available for it tend to be simpler and lighter than one would expect from one of those. Because of this, the GameStick is great for quick fixes – while it may not be as convenient as a hand-held (with an integrated screen) it is pretty handy if there is a TV about. And with inexpensive titles that appeal to a wide variety of tastes, it is something that the whole family can enjoy, at home or on a trip. g

I cap

able display

Summary

Tech Specs:

It might not be the most powerful game console around, but ease of use and a huge library adds lots of appeal.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

gladget40

Very portable Massive game library Easy to use

Android based ARM CPU 8GB storage HDMI compatible Bluetooth 4.0 Built-in Wi-Fi 1080p resolution

Ga meStic k Comet Computing www.c ometc omputing .c o.za

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Games may be too simple for some

Score

80 45

T Asus Radeon R9290 Graphics Card Review

he quest to build the perfect graphics card is, essentially, a never-ending one. There will always be new chipsets and new advancements, thanks to the unstoppable march of technology that sweeps us (and out wallets) along in a maelstrom of upgrades and expenditures. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible to keep up, unless you print your own money. So the next best thing is to get hold of a graphics card that is going to remain a viable option for some time. And that means going big… both in terms of price and specification. There isn’t too much bigger than Asus’ rather remarkable Radeon R9290. Powered by an AMD Radeon R9290 chipset, this card has a blisteringfast graphics processor. But that’s not all. It also features a whopping 4GB of RAM, putting it right at the top end of cards we have seen in the past. And reminding us how fast technology is progressing… it wasn’t that long ago (in real world terms) that a 500MB card was considered somewhat extravagant, and maybe even unnecessary. The same cannot be said for the large amount of RAM featured on this card; all that space makes for even smoother performance. And the proof really is in the pudding. This card is one that pretty much flies through even the heaviest loads with ease, while not generating lots of noise or eggfrying temperatures. And it’s pretty big in terms of actual physical dimensions, too; this card is a bit bigger than “normal”, but isn’t the largest we have seen. The Radeon R9290 comes with all the features one would expect from an Asus graphics card. These include things like their extremely efficient Direct CU II cooling system, which gets rid of heat extremely fast thanks to 10mm copper heat pipes and a larger dissipation area (not to mention direct contact with the GPU). And then there’s the rather sweet DIGI+ VRM system, which uses 10-phase power and digital voltage regulators to ensure less noise and a longer life-span. And, of course, there is the GPU Tweak software, which helps overclockers and other squeeze a little more power out of the card through easily-modified clock speeds. Being a really powerful card, with a fantastic chipset and more than a little RAM, this component won’t be found in the cheap seats. However, saving up the cash and getting a device like this is going to serve you better than a quick (cheaper) fix that will not go the distance that the R9290 can – both in terms of ability and longevity. Its performance will quickly set aside any woes generated by an empty wallet – the capabilities of this card are worth every cent. g

gladget40

ew n f o h c r ma

ans e ym g o l o hn c te

Upwards er, t t be , r ge g i b

er t s fa

by Alex Scanlon

rds a c ics h p gra

Summary

Tech Specs:

The Radeon R9290 costs a pretty penny, but it is packed with excellent performance and expected Asus reliability.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

gladget40

Very quick Lots of RAM Efficient

Radeon R9290 chipset 4GB VRAM Direct CU II technology DIGI + VRM GPU Tweak software

A sus A sus www.a sus.c om

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Quite Bulky

Score

90 47

Logitech G240 Cloth Gaming Mouse Pad

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f e c a rf

eri s G

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es s u o

W W

Review

by Rob Edwards

Surface Tension

hile many people will place their mouse on any old surface, having a high quality mouse pad is never a bad idea. It can keep the mouse cleaner, and can also provide a better detection surface for the mouse’s sensors. That means – potentially – more precision and better performance. The G240 offers a great mouse surface, with materials specifically selected for optimal performance with the G series of mice. Its 1mm rubber base pad makes for a great non-slip mouse surface. The real question is whether a G logo on the pad equates to extra costs. While it is a great mouse surface, modern mice don’t necessarily need a specialised surface to perform well. In the end, if the ends justify the costs for individuals, it is a decent mouse pad to consider. But there are many decent mouse surfaces out there... g

gladget40

Summary

Tech Specs:

If you feel the need to get a specialised mouse surface, the G240 is a decent option.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

East to transport Good quality

High grade cloth surface 1mm non-slip rubber base mat Moderate surface friction Consistent texture

Log itec h Log itec h www.log itec h.c om

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Do you need it?

Score

FEATURED

PRODUCT

R9 280X

R9 270X R9 260X

ASUS Radeon R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X DirectCU II series graphics cards

TIME TO LEVEL UP

It’s always exciting when new graphics cards launch — and all the more so when those cards herald from a renowned innovator like ASUS. With the new R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X models, the ASUS technical wizards have truly excelled themselves. Overclock and Tweak with Ease Enjoy Faster, Quieter and Cooler Play R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X are How do ASUS engineers push Radeon R9 and R7 GPUs so much further? By fitting the R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X graphics cards with DirectCU II cooling technology — something no other manufacturer can do because DirectCU II is an ASUS exclusive.

Highly-conductive copper cooling pipes are put in direct contact with the GPU so heat is dissipated with extreme efficiency. Compared with reference designs, ASUS R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X with DirectCU II allow the new Radeon GPUs to run up to 20% cooler and three times quieter. For you as a gamer, this means ultra-stable play with very low noise. R9 280X goes one step further, with an exclusive 10mm heat-pipe that transports 40% more heat away from its R9 GPU. What’s more, the surface area of ASUS engineers also put lots of work into ensuring R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X will serve you long into the future, dust-proofing the cooling fans to significantly reduced the build-up of debris — so your ASUS graphics card performs at its best for much longer. As well, R9 280X is fitted with an exclusive ASUS CoolTech technology — a cool name for an exceedingly cool fan. This innovative cooler’s hybrid blade and bearing design, with inner radial blower and outer flower-shaped blades, delivers multi-directional airflow to accelerate heat

www.asus.com/za

Capacitors, chokes and MOSFETS

Finally, fans of ASUS graphics cards will be well aware of GPU Tweak — our fantastic tool that lets you control GPU and video-memory clock speeds and voltages, cooling-fan speeds and power consumption. It’s all controlled with a easy-to-use interface, so you no longer need to be an expert to overclock. You can even use the GPU Tweak Streaming feature to share on-screen action and messages live over the internet to let others can watch as you play! It’s time for graphics cards that deliver more. It’s time for ASUS R9 280X, R9 270X and R7 260X. Accessible and intuitive graphics tuning for everyone 3DMark 11 (Performance) ASUS Radeon

Reference Radeon

P8439 P8091 P3483

P3308

ASUS R9 280X DC2 Memory: 3GB GDDR5 GPU boost clock: 1070MHz

www.facebook.com/ASUSza www.facebook.com/ASUSza

equipped with exclusive with ASUS DIGI+ voltage regulation and Super Alloy Power technology. Solid-state capacitors, concrete-core chokes and hardened MOSFETs and DIGI+ VRM’s multi-phase power and digital voltage regulation ensure graphics card stability and clean power, even during the most intense gaming sessions. This great technology even reduces power noise by as much as 30%

P6821 P6370

ASUS R9 270X DC2 Memory: 2GB GDDR5 GPU boost clock: 1120MHz

ASUS R7 260X DC2 Memory: 2GB GDDR5 GPU boost clock: 1188MHz

ASRock Z87 Extreme9/ac Motherboard

, too! fun

Review

Busi

But great for

gladget40

by Walt Pretorius

iness

B B

uilding a computer around a solid backbone is an extremely important concept. You can have the best graphics card, hard drives, SSDs and other components, but if your motherboard isn’t up to the task, you’re going to run into all kinds of problems, ranging from small annoyances right through to major issues. Sometimes cutting through the hype can be tough, and companies are not above obfuscating things by throwing around appealing catch phrases to sell a few more units. ASRock didn’t do that with the Z87 Extreme9/ac, though… all they did was produce a fantastic multipurpose motherboard, and put it out there for us to find. The Z87 Extreme9/ac truly is a magnificent motherboard. It leaves behind all the decorative pretensions of other motherboards and delivers the user a black board with brushed sliver trim. But don’t let these plainer looks fool you; like a sleek and understated high performance car, this board has punch in every area that counts. It starts with very clever technology. From premium gold capacitors through to dual-stacked MOSFETs, the Extreme9/ac manages to not only deliver a lot of power, but to deliver voltage to the CPU extremely smoothly. It is also good for overclocking, and comes complete with a suite of software that allows for easy tweaking of voltages and other overclocking necessities. Even without extra components, it offers quite a lot. With support for up to three monitors directly from the board’s numerous graphic outputs, through to excellent on-board sound by way of a Purity Sound system, this board is great for media use as well as power computing. In addition, it featured support for four-way SLI and CrossFireX, depending on your flavour of graphics card. It even features on-board Thunderbolt ports (2 of them) for truly speedy data transfer. The Extreme9/ac is a very feature-rich motherboard, but all those features don’t mean much if the performance isn’t up to scratch. The good news is that it really does deliver – smooth, powerful and reliable operation are the order of the day here. In addition, ASRock have taken numerous steps towards making this board as user-friendly as it is robust and reliable. It’s not the cheapest motherboard around, but the real joy of it is that you get a lot of bang for your buck. This board doesn’t rely on over-inflated brand reputations or specialised branding to rake in a bit of extra cash. Rather, you get what you pay for with the Extreme9/ac. It is extremely versatile, too, and is a great option for a wide number of applications. It is a solid and dependable backbone for any computer system and, like it’s serious looks imply, it really means business. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

This is a serious motherboard, crammed with excellent features and lots of versatility.

M a nufa c turer Distributer: O nline:

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Smooth operation Very stable Versatile

Z87 chipset Triple monitor support Dehumidifier function Dual-stack MOSFETs Gold CAPs Intel 4th Gen CPU

A SRoc k TVR Computers www.tv r.c o.za

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Quality costs...

Score

93 51

Did You

Know? 1…that one billion smartphones were shipped in 2013?

There is no doubt that technology is reaching more people as prices are being driven down by cheaper manufacturing costs and wider availability. The global smartphone market reached another milestone last year, as it was revealed by the IDC that 2013 saw one billion smartphone units being shipped in a single year for the first time. According to the IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, vendors shipped a total of 1,004.2 million smartphones worldwide, up 38.4% from the 725.3 million units in 2012.

…that Samsung and Google share patents?

In business, companies will often do whatever it takes to stay ahead, and if it means sharing knowledge with larger entities, it can only be beneficial. The Korean technology giant recently announced that they have signed a patent crosslicense agreement with Google. With this means, is that the two companies will share patents for the next 10 years – and any patents filed within that time. “This agreement with Google is highly significant for the technology industry. Samsung and Google are showing the rest of the industry that there is more to gain from cooperating than engaging in unnecessary patent disputes,” said Dr. Seungho Ahn, the Head of Samsung’s Intellectual Property Center.

3…that John Cleese will star in

Elder Scrolls Online?

Regular

Being famous for the Monty Python franchise, and the more recent Spud films which were filmed in South Africa, actor John Cleese will be lending his voice to a character in The Elder Scrolls Online videogame. But Cleese isn’t the only big name to make an appearance, as Bill Nighy, Kate Beckinsale, Alfred Molina, Michael Gambon, and Malcolm McDowell will all be present. Cleese plays Cadwell, the cheerful and endearingly mad lost soul who is not afraid of anyone, even a Daedric Prince.

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Tons of smart phones, fast printers and English comedians... by Charlie Fripp

4…that HP holds a Guinness World

Record?

The Guinness World Records are a fantastical collection of records – some of them odd, other entertaining, while a few are just incredibly absurd. And thinking about technology companies, one won’t often associate them with having a world record. Well, consumer technology company Hewlett-Packard does. The company’s Officejet Pro X Series is Guinness World Records-certified for the fastest time to print 500 sheets by an office colour desktop printer in April 2012. The feat was achieved in 7 minute 19 seconds, and was set on a HP X551dw and X576dw models.

5…that Google has plotted the

course of music?

Who doesn’t love a good piece of music? But how many listeners have actually wondered where their favourite band or artist’s genre comes from? Sure, users can look it up on the net, but Google has endeavoured to plot the course of music genres over the decades by scanning users’ local music libraries. In a very nifty webpage (https://research.google.com/bigpicture/ music/#) the digital visualization gives an overview of what was the most popular artists since 1950 until today, and visitor are able to click on each genre to dig a little bit deeper. Users will also be able to search for a particular artist to see the trajectory of their career. It’s a must-visit for any music fan.

6…that planning for PlayStation

5 will start soon?

While Sony’s PlayStation 4 hasn’t even been on the market for six month already, Sony won’t be resting on their laurels when it comes to the next big games console. In a recently interview, PlayStation Software Product Development Head for Sony Worldwide Studios America Scott Rohde said it was company nature to start in new products after launch. “We tend to start thinking about the development of the next system, surprisingly only a few years into the life cycle of the current gen. …and of course very soon, we’ll start thinking about what we’ll do next. We always have to do something that’s bigger and better than what’s already been done.” Lead System Architect on the PlayStation 4 Mark Cerny said that they started working on it in 2008 already. g gladget40

Don’t Starve

In the Wilderness …everything can hear you scream.

by Walt Pretorius

even seemingly innocent turkey-like creatures that gobble (ahem) up the player’s carefully cultivated berry fields, the world is out to get the Scientist, or any of the other characters the player unlocks during the course of the game. Cheap and nasty deaths abound, leaving the player to restart from the beginning in a randomly generated world where nothing is certain. The main game dynamic comprises finding food and supplies during the daylight hours, using them to craft items and keep the character healthy (mentally and physically) and then spending night time huddled close to a fire and hoping that nothing springs out of the shadows to ferociously devour the hapless adventurer. There is a wide variety of things to be made, from tools through to weapons and cultivated vegetable patches. There is also a wide variety of natural resources to be gathered –

Review

ometimes gaming can be a massively masochistic pursuit. This is particularly the case for those games that have come to be classified as “roguelike”. Death, in these titles, is inevitable, permanent and frustrating. And if this definition is applied to Klei Entertainment’s Don’t Starve, it is a perfect fit. Don’t Starve puts the player in control of a Scientist (initially) who is transported to a mysterious and dark world. Why this happens only becomes clear as the player progresses through the game but, with that said, this clarity may never be found. That’s because Don’t Starve is brutally uncompromising. The player simply has one mission – to survive – but the game does everything in its power to prevent that survival. Whether it be nasty creatures that spring upon the player, or

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literally running the gamut from gold to manure. To this end, the player will spend a lot of time looking for stuff, or transplanting useful items if they decide to establish a base of operations. There really isn’t much of a goal to this game, other than survival. Sure, there are other worlds to explore, which will reveal the game’s dark and twisted story line, but this is not mandatory. In fact, you may play through several sessions without ever discovering a portal to another world. That’s just the nature of Klei’s sadistic creation. The cartoon-like graphic style of the game holds its own charm… if fact, the entire game does. Whether playing as the Scientist, the pyromaniac Firestarter, the insomniac Librarian or any of the other characters, the world and concept behind Don’t Starve will appeal to a certain type of gamer, while it will drive others insane with frustration

and grinding tasks. Personally, I loved it – the constant restarting meant that each time I had a better grip on how to survive the harsh environment. Speaking of which, the game is extremely adjustable. Don’t like the odd wolf creatures that come storming into your camp? Leave them out. Want to play only in daylight, or in summer? Feel free. Don’t Starve allows the player to determine a lot of their own challenge level, thanks to myriad adjustments that can be made to the difficulty level. But it remains challenging none the less, and is a game that some will love, and others will love to hate. It is definitely a breath of fresh air in the video game market and, as a bonus, is available for free for PSN Plus members. That’s awesome value, because Don’t Starve (if the bug bites) is a game that you could play for years without mastering all of the environment’s intricacies. g

AT A GLANCE: Adventure

Reviewed on:

Equally frustrating and rewarding, Don’t Starve is a game that will allow the player to explore (and survive) in a massive, randomly generated world. Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Klei Entertainment PSN PSN

Parental Advisory

0+ gladget40

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS4 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 X0 PS3 PS4 Wii U PSV 3DS AND iOS

Score

80 55

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag - Freedom Cry

For Freedom Emancipation and machetes…

by Walt Pretorius

forces the player to concentrate on the three odd hours of main story line, with maybe another two hours thrown in for side quests. It’s short, but it is also quite rewarding. The player will constantly be presented with opportunities to free slaves. As the number of freed slaves increases, the player will be granted new equipment and bonuses. However, the overall impact of freeing slaves on the title is less than it could have been – in the end, it becomes a moral choice for the player whether they want to do it or not. These opportunities arise all over Port-au-Prince, ranging from helping runaways to escape through to crashing auctions and even liberating entire plantations. Some of the story missions are locked until the player has freed a certain number of slaves or completed certain side missions, which is good and well, but once again reinforces

Review

o what happened to the Jackdaw’s first mate – the brooding ex-slave Adewale – when he left the ship for a life among the Assassins? Well, that’s something that Freedom Cry, the recently released DLC expansion for Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, sheds a little light on. Set some fifteen years after the conclusion of the story presented in the main title, Freedom Cry takes us to an all-new location: Port-au-Prince, in the West Indies. It is in this French town that Adewale encounters a resistance movement of slaves fighting for their freedom, and helps them undertake steps towards achieving this lofty goal. The setting is great, and very different from that of Black Flag. However, it is also much smaller in size, and the joy of exploration that Black Flag presented the player with is all but absent from Freedom Cry. This

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the idea that there isn’t much freedom in a game with the word in its title. Freedom Cry features a story that is arguably much stronger (and more important) than the sometimes lacklustre tale told by Black Flag. It’s not much of a tradeoff for the freedom that gets taken away from the player, but the plot is intriguing, and Adewale makes for a very different type of character to play. Where Edward Kenway was about finesse in combat, Adewale is about brute force. He is armed with a massive machete, as well as a blunderbuss – a slow firing old-world version of a shotgun that can take down multiple targets at a time. Freedom Cry adds another enjoyable look at the Caribbean, and brings up some rather important plot devices… but ultimately, it feels like Black Flag Lite. The joy of ship battles is certainly lessened, although these

are often more challenging in Freedom Cry, and the vast exploration opportunities of the former are sadly lacking here. Still, Adewale’s tale is tightly constructed and beautifully told, even if the main villain is a little flat, and the player will be able to find numerous challenges in their approach to freeing slaves and bolstering the numbers of the rebellious Maroons. On top of that, Port-au-Prince is a lively, vibrant setting to explore, and the action is brutal and heavy handed. Adewale feels more like an assassin than Kenway ever did, despite his less-finessed combat, and the overall plot simply feels like a better story than that of Black Flag – even if it is a much shorter experience. But you cannot get away from the fact that the player simply doesn’t have enough freedom here, which does shackle Freedom Cry’s experience a little. g

AT A GLANCE: Adventure

Reviewed on:

Though short and less free than Black Flag, Freedom Cry tells a better story and is well worth the effort

Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Ubisoft Ubisoft Online

Parental Advisory

18+ gladget40

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS4 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 X0 PS3 PS4 Wii U PSV 3DS AND iOS

Score

80 57

Resogun

Save the Last Humans The action here is just crazy!

by Alex Scanlon

buildings and other décor. The levels all look very similar, although each one does feature its own flavours. But that’s OK, because Resogun is a game that isn’t about exceptional level design. It’s about game dynamics and compelling action. To this end, the player is given three ships that they can choose between from the get-go. One is fast but has weaker weapons, one is slow but powerful and one is balanced. Taking your favourite ship through the whole game from start to finish shouldn’ T take much more than an hour, but the compelling nature of the game will have you coming back time and again; Resogun is a score-junkie’s dream, and leader boards will have you constantly trying to better your previous performances. Score isn’t just gained from shooting bad guys – saving

Review

ide-scrolling shooters are a mainstay in video gaming that started almost at the same time as gaming did. They have waned, though, in recent years; finding a decent side-scrolling shooter is difficult at best. But not anymore, thanks to XDEV’s excellentlyconstructed Resogun. But before I launch into explaining why you want to play Resogun, it is important to note that this title is available for free to PSN Plus members. That’s a double-whammy… not only is it a free game, but it’s a great one on top of it. Calling Resogun a side scroller is a little inaccurate, though. Each of the levels is actually cylindrical. That means that the player will be able to use the wraparound nature of the levels to plan their strategies and attacks. Pretty much all of the level is visible all of the time, although the back of the cylinder may be hidden by

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humans held captive by the alien invaders is also a way to earn points, extra lives and bombs. Speaking of which, the player’s upgradeable main gun isn’t the only thing in their arsenal. They also have the aforementioned bombs, a powerful overdrive beam and a boost ability that destroys enemies the player’s ship zooms through, ending in a massive concussion that all but clears the screen. While using them can generate extra score, not using bombs gives the player a bonus at the end of each level. That makes the decision whether to use them or not a tactical one – at least in terms of score. Similarly, overdrive recharges only as the player collects the debris of defeated enemies, while the boost recharges slowly over time. With special abilities being limited, the player has to make use of them carefully. This is doubly true when considering how crazy the

action in Resogun can get. The screen is often crammed with enemies and bullets, and the player will need to keep moving and keep their wits sharp to make it through the whole game in one session. While Resogun may not feature the best graphics around, the presentation – in terms of looks and audio – is perfect for the experience the game provides. The controls, too, are carefully put together; the left analogue stick controls movement, while the right controls which direction the guns are firing in. That’s left or right, no angles. This fire direction adds further to the need for quick thinking and a tactical approach. Resogun is a very fine game, and certainly an excellent title considering the price. Not only is it engaging and addictive, but it pays homage to a very popular, older kind of game on one of the latest gaming platforms. g

AT A GLANCE: Shooter

Reviewed on:

It’s fast paced, addictive and truly sublime – Resogun is an excellent homage to those awesome side scrollers of yesteryear.

Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

XDEV SCEE PSN

Parental Advisory

7+ gladget40

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS4 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 X0 PS3 PS4 Wii U PSV 3DS AND iOS

Score

88 59

Contrast

Shadow Dancing A unique puzzler for the PS4

by Walt Pretorius

willowy circus performer with the amazing ability to enter the world of shadows. It is as this imaginary friend that the player enters Didi’s world, and it is the ability to become a 2D shadow character that gives Contrast its unique charm. See, by arranging light sources and objects, the player can create 2D movement puzzle areas which can be traversed while the circus performer is in the shadow world. It’s a great idea and makes for some challenging puzzles that require a degree of precision to solve. But the puzzles also become Contrast’s weakest point. It seems at times that the developers ran out of ideas and turn to old hats like shifting boxes around to keep the player entertained. These sections stand in stark contrast (sorry) to the ingenious shadow puzzles, and lead one to believe that the better part of the game is simply

Review

920’s Paris: in the City of Lights there lives a young girl with an imaginary who relies on shadows. That is the basic premise behind Contrast, one of PSN Plus’ free-to-download titles that accompanied the launch of the PS4. The fact that the game is free is great, but not everyone is going to jump for joy when they experience the mix of 3D motion and 2D puzzling that makes up Contrast’s roughly five hour play time. The young girl is Didi, and she comes from a lessthan-ideal family situation. Her mother works nights as a showgirl, and her father runs ridiculous attempts to make a fortune and win back the mother’s hardened heart. While Didi’s mother works nights, Didi often escapes the drudgery of their small flat and her sad life by going on adventures with an imaginary friend – a

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underutilised. That said, the game can be a lot of fun and deliver the kinds of rewards that puzzle gamers look for from their games. In addition, the whole world is beautifully portrayed, with an ambiance and mood that is both celebratory and dark. A interesting twist to the way that the world is presented is that, as Didi’s imaginary friend, Didi is the only human being that the player can see. Everyone else is represented as – you guessed it – shadows. The performances of these characters is necessarily hammed up, as they only have voice performance and silhouettes to rely on. Sometimes, though, it feels a little too overdone, which breaks the player away from the overall effect somewhat. Contrast is a game that will thrill some with its simpleyet-complex puzzles, and others with a unique visual style.

Sadly, though, it is not a game that impresses constantly, but rather leads the player through numerous pitfalls interspersed with almost-realised brilliance. There are levels that can be extremely unforgiving, although the game isn’t overly punishing should the player’s avatar meet an untimely end. Additionally, there is the occasional bug that may bring the player to their knees. On the whole, though, it remains a fairly enjoyable experience, provided the player is willing to forgive its occasional quirks. The world that is presented to the player – as well as the ideas behind it – really are the saving graces of the game, and go a long way to securing engagement (while some other factors do their best to scupper it). Ultimately, Contrast will be a matter of taste… but seeing as how it’s available at the very best of prices, there really is no harm in trying it out. g

AT A GLANCE: Puzzle

Reviewed on:

Contrast delivers some unique ideas and a wonderful setting, but fails to capitalise fully on either.

Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Compulsion Games TBC PSN

Parental Advisory

12+ gladget40

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS4 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 X0 PS3 PS4 Wii U PSV 3DS AND iOS

Score

74 61

Warframe

You Again! Didn’t I do this before?

by Rob Edwards

game, and features a great core dynamic. The action is fast paced and intense, and really allows a player to take on the foe in a variety of ways, thanks to numerous weapons and combat suits (the titular Warframes). The controls are well structured, even making decent use of the PS4 controller’s touch-pad very effectively. So, in short, playing Warframe can be lots of fun… at least at first. The game’s unique look and overall presentation is fairly impressive, and its transition on to the PS4 platform was well handled. The Warframes and weapons all have a great approach to their aesthetics, making the game quite appealing visually. In addition, varied character types mean that there is something for everyone’s preferred play style in Warframe, from all out action to sneaking and stealth. But initial impressions can soon wane as Warframe fairly quickly devolves into action-packed drudgery.

Review

o-called freemium games are becoming more and more common. The business model is more than likely a direct result of two elements: piracy and second-hand sales. Freemium games work in a rather insidious way; give people the basic game for free, and then charge then for optional extras that enhance the game. That’s fair enough – many freemium titles have managed to gather good followings, thanks to a decent balance between what you get given and what you have to buy. But Warframe doesn’t hit that balance well at all. Players are initially given just enough to start getting interested, but low in-game earnings make it almost impossible to advance their character without spending large amounts of cash. At its core, Warframe is not a bad game. It’s a third person co-op sci-fi kill-everything-that-moves kind of

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The missions get very repetitive after a short time. While they may have varying final objectives, they all come down to running through corridors and killing lots of nasty alien invaders. This can be fun, particularly if you’re willing to try out different suit, weapon and tactic configurations – and most especially if you’re playing with a good group of allies. But it doesn’t take long for things to start looking like killrinse-repeat. Even though there are various types of aliens to take on, each requiring a slightly different approach, the game never manages to break away from that nasty “redo” idea, despite having a massive amount of missions to complete. It takes MMO grinding to new heights. And why are you fighting these nasty aliens? Well, the game never really gets into that. So if you’re after a plot, you’ll probably get more thrilling entertainment reading the back of a cereal box than following Warframe’s almost-non-

existent narrative. And there comes another massive problem with this title. It doesn’t do much to help the player along. It has a brief tutorial, which explains the controls well enough, but upgrading characters or selecting missions – even buying equipment – is massively unintuitive. And when you’re spending money on those upgrades, that’s a rather poor show from the developers. Warframe has a lot of potential, and can be enjoyable for various reasons. However, as it stands, it is far too unbalanced and unhelpful to appeal to much more than a small cult following. It feels just a little rushed out, which really is a pity, because it could have been so much more than what it currently is. Still, if hacking and shooting your way through lots of enemies sounds like fun, it’s worth a try. Your wallet may come to hate you, though.. g

AT A GLANCE: Action MMO

Reviewed on:

Warframe has lots of good ideas, but unbalanced freemium policies, stubborn unhelpfulness and repetition can ruin the experience. Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Digital Extremes TBC PSN

Parental Advisory

18+ gladget40

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

PS4 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 X0 PS3 PS4 Wii U PSV 3DS AND iOS

Score

60 63

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