Gladget Magazine October 2012 by Gladget Magazine

I S S U E 2 4 / Vo l . 3 October 2012

www.gladgetmag.com

Locked Up

The importance of computer security

Keep it Real... SteelSeries gets a new SA home...

Free Online Mag

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Inside 6 From the Editor

8 Real Steel Bringing SteelSeries to South Africa 12 Tshabablabber Smartphone Foibles 14 Security Game On Yes, you do need it... 16 Get Smart LG talks TV 20 Upgrading our Downloads A bright future for SA internet? 22 There’s an App for That Migration might be easier than you think... 24 Looking Back: 1964 Xbox wasn’t the first 360... 26 Strong! A closer look at the SteelSeries range... 30 Reviews A bunch of brilliant products 54 rAge Master Behind the scenes of SA’s video game expo 68 DVD Seen The DVD good, bad and ugly... 74 PC Builder Getting it together... at last!

THIS MONTH’S COVER SteelSeries have new local distribution... See the interview on page 8

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Reviews

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX3 Headset

Samsung DA-E650 Wireless Audio

Olympus OM-D Digital Camera

SanDisk Extreme 240GB Solid State Drive

LG BX27C Projector

Turtle Beach Ear Force X32 Headset

MSI Big Bang Z77 MPower Motherboard

Acer Olympic Monitor

MSI CR61 Notebook Computer

Letters: letters@gladgetmag.com

AudioMotion Wireless Lightbulb Speaker System

Competition Entries: competitions@gladgetmag.com

SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Newsletter Subscriptions: www.gladgetmag.com

Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD Projector

Design & Photography: 1337 Media

Turtle Beach Ear Force Z2 Headset

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

SanDisk Extreme Pro 8GB SDHC Card

Borderlands 2 (X360)

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (X360)

GLADGET Volume 3 Issue 24 October 2012 Editor: Katia Taliadoros katia@1337-media.com Writers: Alex Scanlon Iwan Pienaar Lein Baart Pippa Tshabalala Rob Edwards Suvesh Arumugam Walt Pretorius

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.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (X360)

GAMECCA is published by 1337 MEDIA

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Evolution...

by Katia Taliadoros

From the Editor

ow would life be if we just switched off the lights to all existing technology as we know it? The human condition of taking things for granted would have a collective concussion if this comfort zone smasher ever became a reality. We have come a long way from the prehistoric discovery of making fire and utilising an 8 000 year old wheel… which is now not even child’s play. See, technically speaking, we have all become researchers; living in a global commune where change in technology constantly obliges us to study, review and wing our way with mostly every new advanced techno-gadget that makes its way into our lives. It goes without saying that the basic core of our existence is, in some way or another, linked with technology. True, some of us are more daring and curious than others, but the exciting and harsh reality is, if we don’t learn to embrace this exponential growth that technology brings to our lives, we may very well be left behind. This self-educational journey, as researchers into a technologically infused

reality, can be intimidating. Therefore, at Gladget, our aim is simplicity in information. Ok, so here is the part where I am supposed to add in an incredible sales pitch in order to entice you to continue to read this mag, right? Nope… if you like what you see, keep reading. If not, feel free to gather your information elsewhere. The internet is a vast source of mostly dependable knowledge. We are here to focus on making life easier in a reality where even manufacturers and distributers have to rely on educating the consumer, due to constant and often complicated advancements. Every product reviewed is available on shelf. We like to be straight, keep things simple and educate our readers by speaking to them in laymen’s terms. Every product seen in Gladget is reviewed by a team of credible journalists, who have been in the industry long enough to be respected for their valuable experience and solid professionalism. With the celebration of the magazine’s second birthday, change was imminent. So with this first issue of our third volume, besides the obvious

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evolution on design and layout, I would like to introduce the following new writers to our Gladget team. Gorgeous celebrity supertech mom Pippa Tshabalala, tech-industry veteran Iwan Pienaar, internet guru Suvesh Arumugam, and entertainment specialist and renaissance dude Lein Baart. Allow me, at this point, to salute our previous editor, Walt Pretorius. As his partner, I cannot for the life of me get rid of him. His quick wit and exceptional knowledge of the industry and its products have come from his passion and love for the business. Walt has been, and will continue to be, an endless inspiration to me and all who have the fortune to work with him. Lastly, on to you, the reader… this magazine is a portal of energy exchange, connecting your thoughts and ours. If you wish to take this relationship to the next level, feel free to express your opinions and impressions by writing to letters@gladgetmag.com. I would love to hear from you. As far as your continued reading is concerned, may you be rewarded for your time in sharing your energy with us. g

Real S

Interview

SteelSeries re-enters the South African market with Megaromâ&#x20AC;Ś

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Steel S

teelSeries are a well-known brand of gaming and computer peripherals. Unfortunately, the brand has seen erratic distribution to the South African market in the past. That is set th change, though, with Megarom taking over local distribution. We spoke to Megarom Interactive Product Specialist Chantal Wood and SteelSeries CEE, MEA and Oceania Regional Sales Manager, Flemming Gyldenhammer, about what South Africans can expect from the brand locally. Megarom has distributed video game software for many years, but is relatively new to the hardware arena. Was a new approach to these products necessary? CW: It is the same market space and the same customers we are trying to reach, so from that perspective it has been much the same as our standard sales approach. From a marketing and planning perspective, the main difference between software and hardware is that hardware generally doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t face the same short window period for release with an initial day one spike tapering off later as new titles are released. This allows us to invest more time for a long term growth strategy on a brand offering rather than the forced flurry of action and sudden drop

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by Walt Pretorius

the software gaming market experiences from one release to the next. It also is a natural progression for Megarom to partner with a hardware supplier as the drive towards digital media distribution continues to dilute revenue retails on game releases. Will Megarom be distributing the full SteelSeries range from the start, or will the lines be expanded over time? CW: For the South African SteelSeries relaunch we have selected the biggest hitters from the SteelSeries stable, covering all four pillars of their product offerings, namely Surfaces, Keyboards, Mice and Headsets. As product knowledge and brand awareness grows we will be expanding on the core range, and of course will make licensed products available as they are launched. Megarom is the official distributor for several publishers that work closely with SteelSeries in creating branded hardware (like NC Soft and Activision). Will South African gamers be able to expect special bundles as a result? CW: Megarom will definitely be looking at bundles in the future where time allows; initially though

Interview

our focus will be on making the branded hardware available locally to coincide with the game launches - it has been the case in the past that the branded hardware is only available after launch of the software, and our focus for the publisher partnerships at this stage is to ensure that both software and hardware launch simultaneously. How does SteelSeries compare (in terms of recognition) with some of the other brands out there, like Razer and Logitech? CW: Historically in the South African gaming hardware market SteelSeries supply has been erratic, so we do have to grow brand awareness and retail presence, but it is a strong brand internationally for pro gamers and clans alike. Couple that with the strong publisher relationships we are confident that SteelSeries will be top of mind for South AFrican gamers looking for quality hardware in the near future. FG: We have a different profile in the market space to the other producers of gaming gear, because our original background was to create professional gaming gear for a narrow, professional segment of gamers. We are in reality developing our products with the best teams on the planet. A good comparison is Nike who develop their shoes with the best athletes. Now we have a much larger portfolio for all kinds of gamers, whether you are a beginner or full time professional. Our core values as a company is to provide the absolute best solution for gamers. We take pride in providing solutions that make costumers go “Wow, that is really cool” - Which i think is a vital and big part of our

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succes. We really mean it when we say “Winning is everything”. Will Megarom be looking at sponsorship arrangements, in terms of the SteelSeries brand, with gaming clans and the like? CW: Yes, in keeping with SteelSeries international partnerships and clan support, Megarom will be looking to emulate that support and brand awareness with key local clans and pro gamers too. When can South African gamers expect to get hold of SteelSeries products? CW: Limited stocks will be available at this year’s rAge expo, with the full core range available in stores from October. Will SteelSeries products be widely available? CW: Yes - All major retailers and e-tailers Megarom has an excellent support system for video game software. Will this support be extended to SteelSeries products as well? CW: We will continue to extend support for all products distributed by Megarom, and SteelSeries themselves back their products 100% so the support service we are known for will continue. SteelSeries has variety of products. Which are your personal favourites? CW: The Siberia v2 Cross Platform headset would have to be my personal favourite from an ease of use and value for money perspective – great sound quality and only one headset needed for both of my consoles and PC. g

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Smartphone Foibles

Pippa Tshabalala

Tshabablabber

i I’m Pippa and I’m a tech addict. Ok, maybe addict isn’t quite the right word, and I don’t say this merely to deny my vices! I only occasionally spend stupid sums of money on gadgets, although in my line of work I am often afforded the opportunity to test out stuff before I bankrupt myself to buy it. This doesn’t change the fact that I currently have in my possession three smartphones, as well as the myriad I’ve passed on to other members of my family over the past few months. Interestingly however, I have recently switched over from iOS to Android, something I never really thought I would do, and I’m both intrigued and frustrated at the process of adapting to a new system. There are certain apps that I miss for example, things that seem inconsequential but when you don’t have them any longer you realise how much you used them. I suppose it’s like that with anything really, but it’s been my main frustration in switching between systems. I find the on-going drama between Apple and brands like Samsung amusing, not because I dispute Apple’s claims at all (I really don’t care all that much

Author’s photograph by Adrian Louw

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personally), but because if we’re honest, most smartphones have degrees of similarity that can’t be denied. Android systems in particular are so alike in many ways, and yes I understand that is because of the operating system, but it makes it immediately obvious which phones have better hardware functionality than others. I currently have three Android phones in my possession, for a number of reasons, and I find one incredibly intuitive, another that is good to average and the last of which is absolutely awful, buggy and completely annoying to use. Having moved over to Android only recently from iOS, I really had no comparison, as of course Apple is pretty standardised across the board with the odd exception of incompatibility for older phones. This is a blessing in many ways. It means that no matter if you have the latest iPhone, if you’re running the current version of iOS, you will always be able to use your phone in the same manner. There’s no learning curve, no adjustment period. You can enjoy the new features of your phone immediately. From the Android perspective of course, there is the added

advantage of the fact that everything syncs with Google. If you’re an avid Gmail user like me, then the seamlessness (ok I did have a couple of issues here syncing contacts but nothing major) of switching between Android phones is almost poetic in nature. Enter your email address, click sync – et voila! Now let’s talk Apps. Or rather App Stores. I prefer the layout and purchase methods of the iTunes App Store over the Google Play store. Yes we all know how Apple tries to control and tie you down to their product in a variety of ways, but design wise they got it right. I don’t find Google Play intuitive or easy to navigate, and I’m not sure how much of that is because of my prior experience with Apple, or if the Play Store is just badly designed overall. I have to give Android props though – every aspect of the system is completely customisable. Although it was of course coined by Apple, the phrase “there’s an app for that”, was never truer than when it’s applied to Android. Now if only I could turn a really awful phone into a great one without having to fight with it every step of the way, I would be a happier camper. g

Securit

Feature

rom living behind eight-foot high fences and having burglar proofing on all windows, to home alarms and private security firms on standby, one would be safe to assume that South Africans understand security very well. But while security in the real world is fairly easy to explain, what about security for your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and any other connected gadget of choice? It seems that having security software installed is not really top of mind for many people. Some might even argue that these solutions are just a ploy by software companies to get you to buy their products and that they are the ones propagating malware (see jargon box) to keep themselves in business. Conspiracy theories aside, there is no escaping the necessity of owning at least some sort of security software

for your devices. We live in a connected age where social networks like Facebook and Twitter are increasingly used to stay in touch with families and friends. Online banking and shopping have become commonplace with your personal information being saved across a variety of sites and services. Can you imagine the possibilities if someone were to gain access to your system (and your personal information) and start making merry for their dastardly purposes? Even worse, there are plenty of phishing scams out there that try and fool you in giving your personal information (and money) away. Traditionally, security software that includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, and internet security would be fairly resource intensive on a machine. This often meant that users had to sacrifice some element of performance to have the confidence that their systems are secure.

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ty GameOn

by Iwan Pienaar

Getting to grips with malicious software

Say What? Malware (malicious software): Software that can disrupt computers, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. Hacker: A person who finds weaknesses in a computer or network. Virus: Coined by Frederick Cohen in 1983, the term computer virus is used to describe self-replicating computer programmes. Trojan Horse: A type of malware that masquerades as a legitimate file to potentially give a hacker unauthorised access to a computer. Worm: A standalone malware programme that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. Worms consume bandwidth and viruses corrupt or modify files. Phishing: The act of attempting to get personal information from a person by masquerading as a trustworthy source such as a bank or other financial institution. Spyware: A type of malware that collects information about users without their knowledge.

Fortunately, the past two years have seen developers making security software that is more forgiving on system resources and does not significantly impact on performance. The costs of these solutions have also become more competitive with the yearly subscription rate (needed to get all the latest anti-virus and other security updates) also not leaving too bitter a taste in the mouth. But with so many freely available solutions online, do you even need to buy anything? The very first thing you need to be mindful of is whether you are getting the software from a reputable source. Some virus protection software available for free could actually be a virus in disguise. Do a bit of online research and see what people are saying about the various solutions. If nobody has heard of it, you best need to move on. Some of the

well-established solutions come from Kaspersky Lab, AVG, AVAST, and Microsoft. Just be sure that when you download the software is not a trial version that expires after 30 days. You might still be able to use the software, but will not be able to receive the latest updates until you upgrade to the full version. Another question you need to ask is whether the solution will provide you with an adequate level of protection? Does it only offer virus protection or does the solution include internet security, data protection, or even online backups? The best thing is to do your homework and play around with the different free security solutions on the market. But while many of them perform well, it might be advisable to think of buying something that offers a bit more long-term flexibility and stability. g

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Getting High tech TV in South Africa

ith Smart TVs being all the rage in the global TV market, one cannot help but wonder whether South Africa’s internet infrastructure and socio-economic conditions are conducive to devices of this nature. Gladget recently caught up with Gavin Spark, LG’s Marketing Supervisor of Home Entertainment, and posed him a few questions related to the idea of Smart TVs in South Africa.

Interview

There is a strong perception that South Africa is behind the times, particularly in terms of internet connectivity. How does this affect the general views towards Smart TVs locally? GS: There is a concern regarding internet and broadband infrastructure in South Africa, however LG believes that South Africa, as an emerging global market, is taking positive steps to improve internet connectivity in the country. Is Smart TV functionality global? In other words, would a South African user with the right kind of internet connectivity be able to make use of all Smart TV functions locally? GS: The LG Smart TV Platform is a LG global standard platform used in all of LG’s TVs, having access to all the

standard features of LG Smart TV. There are however local apps that are region specific. What are the biggest selling points for TVs in South Africa? GS: The biggest selling points of TV’s in SA include brand, price, features, and functionality. LG Electronics is proud to be a Brand of choice in SA, being rated as the Number One Brand in the Electronics Category in the 2012 TGI Icon Brands awards. LG also prides itself on its unique features such as Cinema 3D and the Magic Motion Remote control that differentiate LG TVs from its competitors as a leader in technology. Is the prevalence of Smart TVs on the market at the moment an indication that South Africa is a ‘victim’ of international trends? GS: LG South Africa don’t believe that the introduction of Smart TV in SA victimises the SA consumer, however more so is a positive benefit for the SA consumer as they are exposed to the latest, most innovative technologies that are made available in the global market. Are companies like LG busy working with ISPs and telecom companies to try and promote better

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internet connectivity, with a view of improving South Africa’s Smart TV experience? GS: At present, LG South Africa has not engaged with discussions with ISP or telecoms companies to improve internet connectivity in SA. Can South African Smart TV users expect any localised content and apps in the future? GS: Yes, LG has already developed local applications with local content providers IOL and Zoopy that is currently live on all LG Smart TVs. LG are currently working with other local content providers to develop more local applications. It has been theorised that Smart TVs will change home entertainment, even rivalling video gaming consoles. What are your views on this? GS: Smart TV does have the ability to change home entertainment, making a range of entertainment options more easily and readily available to the consumer, however in SA, the development and improvement of internet infrastructure will determine the impact of the change in SA. Is the market for new, high-tech TVs strong

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in South Africa? Are South Africans generally accepting of new ideas like Smart TV? GS: There is a small, niche market in SA that are very techno savvy consumers who are exposed to the latest international trends, and therefore are very accepting of new innovative ideas such as Smart TV, however majority of the population are still very brand and price conscious, looking for the best value for money when purchasing a TV. What is your personal favourite aspect of a Smart TV system? GS: In terms of the LG Smart TV, the Magic Motion Remote and easy user interface is the most favourite aspect of the LG Smart TV, making the user experiences easy and pleasant. What do you think the next big evolution in TV will be ? GS: Introduction of new display panels such as Ultra Definition and OLED TV’s is set to revolutionise the global TV Market. LG South Africa will be launching the World’s First 84 inch Ultra Definition 3D TV in October or November 2012, making the latest and most innovative technologies available to the SA consumer. g

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Upgrading Improving Internet service delivery in South Africa

Feature

he IT industry in South Africa has been abuzz with the recent roll out of Telkom upgrades, which started on the 24th of August. By Mid-November, all 384kbps (kilobits per second) ADSL users will have been upgraded to 1Mbps (Megabits per second), while previous 1Mbps users will be enjoying 2Mbps. This upgrade will most certainly raise the national average in terms of internet speeds. Earlier this year South Africa ranked a dismal 114th in the world index of broadband speeds. Even amongst African countries, SA placed 6th, behind Ghana and Zimbabwe (yes, that right, Zimbabwe), with average speeds of 2.85Mbps (behind Ghana’s 4.78Mbps). This is well below the world average of 11Mbps, while top index territories like Hong Kong average incredible speeds of around 42Mbps. Google has also joined the fray by launching ISP services in Kansas City, and recently made waves by offering bandwidth directly to consumers via fibre network which offers speeds of up to 1Gbps (Gigabit per second)! Now this is not a doom and gloom story, so now that I’ve set the context, let’s hear the good news – Telkom’s current upgrades are just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, the current upgrades do not involve any significant deployment of new technology. The current upgrades are simply replacing components on existing DSLAM’s (Digital Subscriber Access Multiplexer’s) – but what’s in store for the next phase rollout is much more exciting. Telkom plans to deploy and install MSAN’s (Multi-Service Access Nodes) which will not only increase available infrastructure to make broadband internet more readily available to more users, but will also allow the implementation of new technologies which will allow much faster access to a level not yet experienced by businesses or consumers. The real difference, apart from the exchange installations themselves, is the cabling connecting everything, and the benefits of fibre over copper wiring. Existing DSLAM’s use a combination of fibre and copper leading up to the DSLAM. Thereafter there is copper laid directly from the DSLAM to each residence, which is great for those close to the exchange, but still gives tops speeds of around 10Mbps (and rarely at that). MSAN’s however allow fibre connections from the exchange using VDSL (Very-High-Data-Rate Digital Subscriber Line) technology, as well as still

facilitating ADSL 2+ and ISDN services. But let’s focus on VDSL for the moment. VDSL allows extremely high data throughput over short distances via fibre cable, up to a Gigabit per second. By routing from the exchange to secondary VDSL devices, the network can up the speeds significantly, even if the last leg of the cable is existing copper wire. This means multiple secondary devices deployed throughout the area, reducing congestion and maximising broadband throughput. The next step is to introduce Fibre to the Home (FTTH) or Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), which will allow speeds of around 1 Gigabit per second, as opposed to the 4050Mbps per second using copper to the home. Telkom announced earlier this year that they will have deployed 3,700 new MSAN’s by 2015 to replace existing DSLAM’s and to bring Broadband access to a more areas. This comes despite a few corporate hurdles for the SA telecoms giant, including a failed equity

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our downloads by Suvesh Arumugam

buy-in deal with Korean technology company Korea Telecomm (KT), which was scuppered by government at the last moment, despite almost a year of negotiation and due diligence. A second major challenge came in the form of an interdict brought by ZTE Mzansi, relating to alleged dubious tender awards, which effectively halted all efforts until the High Court allowed work to continue. Another setback has been an on-going case at the Competition Board brought against Telkom by Mobile Networks and ISP’s, resulting in over R400 million in damages being awarded for the period pre2004. A second case is still pending for the period between 2004 and 2007. Many had felt that the loss of the much need KT capital, as well as the hefty penalty would derail Telkom’s upgrade plans, or result in unreasonable price increases. Since Telkom have not officially announced the cost to businesses and consumers, there is no real way to know at this stage.

What we do know is that there are already several live test MSAN’s in operation serving over a thousand users, and all plans are still apparently on track. So it looks good for the near future, and it sounds like we are going to get closer to the global average. Maybe not. A recent experiment launched by Nippon Telegraph, Hokkaido University and University of Denmark successfully demonstrated that they could transmit at one petabit per second (1,000 gigabits) over 50kms of optical fibre cable. To put this into perspective, I’m told that this is the equivalent of transmitting 5,000 HD video files of approximately 2 hours in a single second. At present, ADSL users are warned by Telkom that if they are more than 5km’s from the closest exchange they can expect maximum speeds of 1Mbps. So it’s not just a new world record, but an idea of just how much work must still be put into keeping up to world broadband standards. g

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s An A

Feature

Or perhaps thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an app similar to that.

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App For That W

ant to get a good nights sleep? There’s an App for that. Want to get the latest game recommendations? There’s an App for that. Want to find out who played that guy in that movie? There’s an App for that. Coined by Apple with the launch of the iPhone 3G, the phrase, “There’s an App for that”, was never truer for the current generation of smartphones than it is now, and with my recent transition from iOS to Android, I was forced to re-evaluate my app habits and find out which apps I wanted to migrate from my Apple iPhone4 to my new Samsung Galaxy S3. I’m not going to go into the differences between the phones and my adjustment period, I’m sure you’ll get enough of that from me in various other forms. No, what I want to talk about is the apps. Which apps are the ones that I found most useful to migrate between platforms, and which ones do I desperately wish I still had? There are certain apps that are a staple of a smartphone users diet, and these are the ones that migrate well between iOS, Android, and even Blackberry! WhatsApp is the first of these essentials and probably the first app I downloaded to my S3. Why? Well, yes, Samsung has it’s own built in chat app, but WhatsApp is quite simply the cheapest and easiest way of sending messages across phone platforms without having

by Pippa Tshabalala to worry about additional charges. With the loss of iMessage in my changeover I’ve found myself using WhatsApp even more than I used to in an effort to reduce my data charges. Next up, yes, yes I know it might be lame, but had to migrate my Instagram account across. I am very grateful that Instagram released an Android app not so long ago, and much as I’m sure I’m going to be reviled as a hipster, I really do love Instagram. It’s like Twitter, but with pictures, and appeals on so many levels to my visual nature. Next is an app that when I downloaded it for my iPhone last year already, I was sceptical about, and really only downloaded it because it was on special (read free) and I was looking for unusual apps to write a feature on. It came as a surprise to me then that I ended up using it quite as much as I did, and I’m rather happy that it’s also available on the Play Store. Ambiscience is a series of apps released by Tesla Software that utilises binaural tones to activate certain parts of your brain. Sound completely and utterly stupid? Yeah I thought so too, until I used the “Focus” tone in order to concentrate on my work and found myself whizzing through scripts and to do lists like my brain was on fire. I also tried the sleep tones and was also impressed with the results. As the mother of a toddler, a good nights sleep is not something that comes easily,

and the Ambiscience app certainly had a great deal to recommend it! The only negative aspect I can think of is the fact that although you can select your own music, it repeats the same song continuously and doesn’t go through your playlist, which is annoying. Anyone who has followed me on various social media platforms at any point will have realised that I am somewhat obsessed with photography apps. Yes, I am always on the lookout for the app that provides me the slickest look with the minimum amount of effort on my part. I was happy then to discover that Dermandar or DMD Pano at it seems to be known now, is also on Android. This is one of the best panoramic photography apps I’ve been able to find, providing a beautiful picture and an easy to use interface. There are of course, a number of apps that are not released across both platforms but luckily of course you can almost always find something similar. One that I miss greatly on the S3 is Hipstamatic, with its extensive selection of film and lenses, and the ability to export instantly to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Although there are other similar apps such as Retrocamera, none of them have the intuitive and well-designed interface of Hipstamatic, or quite the same functionality. I don’t know if I was just using the wrong apps on iOS, but I did find a much

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better photo collage app on Android called Photo Grid that is much more versatile, if slightly less intuitive than one of the ones I was using on my iPhone. It provides a quick and easy method to creating photo grids, simply by selecting the photos you want to include from your gallery, as well as easy editing if you want to change a few things around. Lastly, I must say that on the whole I do not like the Android ringtones. But that’s not a problem – there’s an App for that! In fact probably the only app you should be downloading for your Android phone if you want to change the way it sounds, is Zedge. Yes, this is the ultimate visual (and aural) customisation tool, giving you access to ringtones, message tones, wallpapers, the works – and the offerings are good too! I’m a retro and videogame tone junkie, so I’m currently sporting R2D2 as my ringtone, and a lightsaber as my message tone, all downloaded from within Zedge’s enormous tone library. I’ve only had my S3 about a month, and to be honest, I still have my iPhone in my bag, ready to use just in case – but as I find more apps that provide the same functionality I find myself using it less and less. Will I be making a permanent transition to the world of Android? Well I suppose only time will tell, but I like the fact that my favourite apps can make that transition with me. g

1964 Moog and the System/360

Looking Back

964 was a tumultuous year for the world. Still reeling from the shock of the JFK assassination, tensions between the West and the East were set to explode the following year with troop deployment in Vietnam, while here in South Africa Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life for high treason in the Rivonia Trial. Things were not all bad however, at least from a technology perspective. This year saw the release of the first Moog synthesizer, created by Dr Robert Moog, which pioneered the way for commercial analogue synthesizers. It also saw AZT, an antiretroviral drug used in the treatment of HIV, synthesized by Jerome Horowitz; the pairing of optical fiber technology with a gastrocamera to produce the

By Lein Baart

first fiberscope; and the creation of PL/I computer language, which while never gaining significant popularity, still remained a force in the mainframe market. With the Cold War in full swing, Russia, or USSR back then, struck an early blow by being the first country to launch a spacecraft that carried more than one man into orbit. The Voskhod 1 pioneered more than this though. It was the first spacecraft to not use spacesuits, the first craft to carry an engineer into space, and also set the manned flight altitude record of 336km. 1964 saw a massive leap forward for computer technology. IBM released their range of System/360 mainframe computers, which became one of the most

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successful families of products in computing history, and essentially introduced businesses to computing technology. This was due to the fact that one could upgrade a System/360 without having to have all their software reprogrammed, a concept almost unknown before this time. This meant that even small businesses could make a System/360 purchase and upgrade as their business expanded, and this factor was a huge contributor to the success of the range. The System/360 also introduced several standards, such as the 8-bit byte and 32-bit words, which are still standard in computers, as well the 9 track magnetic tape storage system, which is still in use on mainframes. 1964 also saw the release of BASIC. Standing for Beginnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code,

BASIC was the first high level programming language designed for users without a string of letters at the end of their name, and was so popular and successful that it is still in use today, albeit much evolved, in the form of Microsoft Visual Basic. Obvious reasons aside, BASICâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity also stemmed from the fact that it was free, and it soon became integral to several operating systems, including Micro-Softâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, as the computing giant was known then, first ever operating system, namely Altair BASIC. Indeed, the language proved so widespread, and relatively easy to use, that computing magazines would publish the code for games that a reader could then type in to his computer and play, a feat modern gamers would probably sacrifice several body parts for. g

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STRO

SteelSeries

SteelSeries dependability returns

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ONG! w W

th a careful analysis of market by Walttrends Pretorius and dSteelSeries offers the gamer a series of excellent PC gaming peripherals to enhance their experiences and performance. With a focus on keyboards, headsets, mouse devices and surfaces, SteelSeries delivers dependable, sturdy devices that serve their users very well. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries has its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. The company was initially established by two people who recognised the need for superior gaming gear that would provide a competitive edge. Since those early days, SteelSeries has grown to be a highly recognisable brand that is very involved with the overall gaming community; in fact, the company sponsors several international gaming clans. According to their company website: “Critical to our company’s success is also our reinvestment in the gaming communities and the individuals who support them. As a result, our corporate philosophy is to take a substantial portion of our revenue and put it back into the gaming community to help spur industry growth. We support our community in numerous ways, ranging from co-hosting tournaments like Iron Lady and King of the Hill, and supporting gaming competitions of all sizes, to promoting the top and up-and-coming gaming teams/organizations.” Simplicity is part of SteelSeries’ effectiveness. Their policy is not to try and reinvent the wheel when it comes to gaming gear, but rather to produce simpler, yet effective, products. “While we are proud of our technology and product innovation, we are even more excited about how these products are developed to meet the needs of gamers,” the company website states. “Many companies may claim to develop superior gaming products but few actually do. Instead, they spend countless hours with lab engineers trying to force fit a new technology with bells and whistles and mediocre functionality for the end-user.” The effective functionality of SteelSeries is available in South Africa through Megarom, a longstanding member of the local video game industry. g

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SteelSeries

Siberia V2

T150

Kana

Sensei

Sensei Fnatic

gladget23

Siberia V2 Blue Frost

Kinzu V2

Kana CS Go

World of WarCraft Edition

“Critical to Steelseries’ success is reinvestment in the gaming communities and the individuals who support them.”

Sensei MLG Edition gladget23

Reviews Highlights 32 Turtle Beach Ear Force PX3 Headset A right ear-full! 36 Olympus OM-D Digital Camera Mini-SLR 42 MSI Big Bang Z77 MPower Motherboard Evolution and improvement 50 Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD Projector Get docked!

ur new editor brings us a wide selection of hardware to drool over, ranging from headphones to projectors, motherboards to cameras, notebooks to audio docks. As usual, we bring you a selection of fantastic items to consider. And with Christmas drawing close, these might even be great gift suggestions! g

gladget23

All-Roun

Taking care of every sound requirement… wirelessly

Review

Turtle Beach Ear Force PX3 Headset

he announcement that Apex Interactive would be distributing Turtle Beach headsets in South Africa was met with excitement here at the Gladget offices. The brand’s reputation for great quality precedes it, and these headphones being more easily available to South African gamers is a good thing. The Ear Force PX3 is one example of the range, and it allows PS3 gamers to enjoy excellent wireless sound. It needs to be mentioned that Turtle Beach aren’t the cheapest headsets around, but you certainly get what you pay for; the quality and performance of the PX3 is excellent. And, as an added bonus, it works with Xbox 360 and PC as well, despite the large PS3 punt on the packaging. This light-weight headset makes use of 50mm speakers, which deliver excellent audio across the whole range of tones. The large ear-cups are twistable, and feature cushions covered in a breathable fabric mesh. The left cup also has a long, fully positionable microphone boom attached, while the right cup features all the wireless controls (including separate sound and chat volume and preset cycling. Wait, what? Presets? The PX3 features 18 programmable presets so that desired volume and mic levels can easily be set for individual games. In addition, the headset also features technology that will limit loud, potentially damaging sounds, and a ‘Sonic Lens’, which allows you to define and refine specific audio frequencies. In other words, it is a tweakable headset, which is pretty unique for our market. It even allows microphone monitoring (although hearing your own voice can be a little freaky) and sports Dynamic Chat Boost, which automatically adjusts voice levels when the game gets louder. The system connects to the desired device via a small transmitter box. There is room for multiple inputs too and the auxiliary input can be used in conjunction with one of the main ones, allowing – for example – the user to listen to music from a separate source while gaming. The built in rechargeable battery is charged by plugging a specific cable into the transmitter and headphones, and the player can keep going while the unit is charging. The only real issue that this headset has is that the controls take a little getting used to. However, a smart design approach means that the user can learn to recognise controls by feel alone. Using, for example, a roller control for game volume and a rocker for chat volume, means that the user will quickly get to know what does what, purely by feel. The PX3 is a well-designed and sturdily constructed headset that will take care of all gaming audio needs (and more) beautifully. The headset is comfortable, and the sound quality is great… just what a headset needs to be. g

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nder

by Walt Pretorius

Summary

Tech Specs:

A great option for those that want a versatile, comfortable, excellent quality wireless headset.

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

gladget24

Works with everything Very Comfortable Incredible sound

50mm speakers Fully adjustable Rechargeable Ear Guard technology Sonic Lens technology Dynamic chat boost

Turtle B ea c h A pex Intera c tiv e www.a pexint.c o.za R1699.95

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Controls take a little getting used to

Score

96 33

Everyone is Samsung DA-E650 Wireless Audio

Putting all arguments aside with style…

W Review

ith so many products around these days, it is important to stand out from the crowd. This is a principle that governs many aspects of design and production these days – not least of which the aesthetic appeal of a given item. Products that combine form and function effectively are likely to be well received by the public. Throw in a great idea, and you have a real winner. That’s what Samsung did when they created the DAE650 Wireless Audio system. They combined excellent sound with striking, unusual looks… and then added an idea that is extremely awesome. But we’ll get to that. This sound system is, quite simply, a pair of large speakers and a subwoofer built into a system that allows you to amplify music stored on another device, either via the docks, or via a Bluetooth 3.0 connection. Yes, I said docks. That’s the great idea I mentioned

before… see, this is pretty much a world first, because it is a docking station that is compatible with both Apple and Samsung Android devices. Not a typo, no – despite whatever arguments the two companies might be having with each other, Samsung saw fit to make this device compatible not only with their own devices, but also with those of their most direct phone and tablet competitors. It’s pretty ingenious, and adds a versatility to the DAE650 that is awesome. Sharing music becomes even easier thanks to this. The unit itself is striking in appearance; a long, curved cylinder that widens at the ends, where the glass fibre speaker units are housed. The speakers are finished with a ‘naked’ that is a little worrying (you’ll need to be careful around those) with the subwoofer tucked neatly in the back behind a port. The grey, textured finish of the speakers, along with the curved, shiny black plastic body,

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Welcome! by Alex Scanlon

gives the entire unit a rather retro feel. This, though, is ended when you notice the discrete touch sensitive controls on the top right hand side. The docks themselves are hidden – press a panel, and they smoothly slide out the front of the device on a curved platform… very stylish indeed. In fact, that’s the number one thing that you can say about the DA-E650… it’s extremely stylish. It looks really great, and would make a funky addition – not to mention a conversation piece – to any room. And the sound? Well, this device sounds even better than it looks, with rich and crisp audio delivered by the large speakers. It is extremely easy to use and is very versatile, thanks to its two docking systems and wide range of file support. The Bluetooth and addition connectivity options are a great bonus, too. This, most certainly, is not just another dock… g

Summary

Tech Specs:

It looks good, it sounds great and offers a truce between the two mobile giants’ formats...

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

gladget24

Looks great Excellent sound Twin docks!

Apple compatible dock Samsung compatible dock Bluetooth 3.0 Internal subwoofer Glass fibre speakers

Sa msung Sa msung www.sa msung .c om R6 999

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Expensive

Score

90 35

Dynam Small package and allâ&#x20AC;Ś

Review

Olympus OM-D Digital Camera

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mite!

O O

by Walt Pretorius

ne of the reasons that pocket cameras are so popular is that they are small. While the versatility of a DSLR is undeniable, they are often large, bulky devices that many people find to be relatively unwieldy. Olympus have a solution, though, in the form of the OM-D, a smaller DSLR that not only allows the versatility and functionality of a high end camera, but does so without getting overly big. Add to that the fact that the camera brings a certain retro chic with it, and you have a device that many will find appealing. The OM-D looks like it comes from a bygone era, with straighter lines and an almost straight lens barrel. It is also smaller, thanks to a mirrorless system (which, technically, takes the R out of DSLR, but anyway) that means the image seen through the viewfinder is digital, rather than a reflection of the light passing through the lens. This allows for handy functions, like a visual exposure indication when shooting in modes other than automatic. Despite its small size, the OM-D is a full function camera (then again, so are pocket cameras) with a wide range of interchangeable lenses to make use of. It ships in kit form with a 12-55mm lens, as well as a removable flash that clips onto the camera’s hotshoe when you need it. Strange as it may seem, there would be a lot of photographers who prefer this kind of simple control over the flash, particularly when wanting to take advantage of low-light effects. Speaking of low-light, the OM-D handles an ISO of up to 25600, which is huge. With a shutter-speed of up to 1/4000th of a second, that means it’s pretty quick, too, and it shoots up to nine frames a second. On the kit lens, the aperture ranges from F6 to F22, meaning that it allows for a lot of versatility. In fact, the camera’s size belies its capabilities. Shooting in 16 megapixels, it allows for RAW images, features 35 selectable autofocus points, has image stabilisation, has tilt indicators, shoots 1080 video and has a tiltable, 3 inch LCD screen. It has many other features and capabilities, and produces excellent images, too. For such a small camera, it does carry a fairly hefty price point. But, when considering everything you can do with it- from full manual through to automatic, complete with more effects and settings than you can shake a stick at – it is well worth the investment. The OM-D goes a long way to show off Olympus’ experience at making cameras. This is a company that has been around for a long time, and have produced some top notch cameras in the past. The OM-D is no different. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

Here’s a small camera that’s big on power... and it’s a DSLR to boot!

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

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Small Powerful Great images Great Design

16 megapixel 3 inch LCD Full HD video 9 frames per second Interchangeable lenses

O ly mpus Tudortec h www.tudortec h.c o.za R15 999

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Relatively Expensive

Score

94 37

Bigger is Better

Soon, all drives will be made this way…

SanDisk Extreme 240GB Solid State Drive

by Rob Edwards

S Review

olid state drives are all the rage these days, thanks in part to the Ultrabook binge that the market is going through. This is a technology that will become standard, as soon as the SSDs start getting a bit bigger (and come down in price). In a world where everything needs to be faster and more reliable, that fact that SSDs will become the standard for PC data storage before long is not even debatable. The SanDisk Extreme 240GB SSD is one of the larger capacity units we have seen, and it delivers exactly what one would expect from a device of this nature; fast, quite, reliable and secure performance. It consumes less power, too, and is smaller than the standard PC HDD. To call its performance impressive is an understatement. It has everything going for it, except for price – SSDs are still expensive. But the benefits outweigh that drawback. g

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Summary

Tech Specs:

A larger SSD, which is great. A bit expensive, but the performance is tops.

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

Fast Super reliable Spacious

240GB 2.5 inch SATA 6 GB/s

Sa nDisk Tudortec h www.tudortec h.c o.za A pprox R2 500

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Long term savings No fax capabilities

Score

Plain & Simple Complication-free presentations!

by Rob Edwards

LG BX27C Projector

T T

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Summary

Tech Specs: • • • •

Practical for small business’ that want to focus on getting the job done without any complications.

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

HP HP www.hp.c om R1 499

Pros • • • • •

Affordable Reliable Simple to use Practical

2 700lm 7W speaker 1024 x 768 3.2kg weight

Cons • • • • •

No major special features

Score

75 39

Review

here are lots of projectors to choose from these days that cover everyone’s needs, so if you are looking for a simple work-place projector that effortlessly does an excellent job and focuses on functionality rather that complexity, the LG BX27C is without doubt for you. Weighing 3.2kg and consuming 280W this easy to use charming device has component cable inputs but no HDMI port. It has all kinds of PC (read as work) related inputs, and does the job of projecting rather well, thanks to its 2700lm performance (meaning that it is fairly good even in well let areas). With a resolution of 1024 x 768 one can still achieve good picture quality which is best for a mid-size conference room, where everyone and anyone will be able to comfortably operate this device without any hesitation. Affordable, practical, reliable and simple, it does what it is supposed to, and does it well. g

Review

Turtle Beach Ear Force X32 Headset

urtle Beach is making quite an assault on South Africa, thanks to the efforts of Apex Interactive. A wide range of options are available for gamers of all types, ranging from multi-system wireless devices through to single application wired set-ups. Unlike the Ear Force PX3, which works with just about anything that uses audio, the X32 is a far more focussed headset. And, as the name hints, that focus falls on Xbox 360 gamers. This removes some versatility from the headset, but it does have an auxiliary input that will allow audio from other sources, so it’s not a completely Xbox-only device. Like all the Turtle Beach headsets we have seen thus far (all three of them in this issue) the Ear Force X32 is well beuilt and beautifully designed. The generous ear-cups are comfortable, surrounded by cushions covered in a breathable fabric mesh and sporting 50mm speakers for great sound quality. The system uses amplified audio to enhance the gaming experience, too, and has a host of other features that set them apart from the pack. These include things like multiple audio presets and dynamic chat boost, which automatically adjusts the chat volume levels to compensate for louder games. When you consider that these feature rich headphones are middle of the range for Turtle Beach Xbox sound, it makes you all excited about the whole product line. The X32 system doesn’t make use of radio for transmission to the wireless headset. Rather, it employs dual band Wi-Fi, which creates a great wireless connection while cutting down on the possibility of interference. The stylish headset is also rather light-weight, and has a generously padded headband to help ensure comfort. A long, fully positionable mic boom complements the device, and all controls (including independent controls for game and chat volume) are built into the shell of one of the ear cups. There really is only one downside to this rather nice headset – the fact that it is not rechargeable. Rather, it makes use of a pair of AAA batteries. They do last long, to be honest, but the convenience of plugging in a charging cable when the headset loses power is not there. Rather, you’ll need to have spare batteries on hand, which (aside from being a bit of a pain) adds to the overall cost of operating this headset. But it really is a small problem, when compared to the high quality that this headset offers. This quality goes beyond just excellent audio (and it really is excellent). It extends into the looks and construction of the headset as well. If you’re an Xbox gamer looking for great chat and game sound quality, as well as comfort during protracted gaming periods, look right here. g

Xbox A

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Great gaming audio for the

Alternative

e Microsoft console…

by Walt Pretorius

Summary

Tech Specs:

Although it is largely focussed on the Xbox 360, the X32 offers excellent audio and comfort..

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

gladget24

Great audio Comfortable Well built

Xbox 360 compatible Dual-band Wi-Fi 50mm speakers Presets Amplified audio Dynamic chat boost

Turtle B ea c h A pex Intera c tiv e www.a pexint.c o.za R1299.95

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Not rechargeable

Score

90 41

Review

MSI Big Bang Z77 MPower Motherboard

by Alex Scanlon

hen you encounter similar products over and over, they tend to become a bit of a blur. One motherboard looks much like another, realistically, particularly when the various brands have similar capabilities. But, every now and then, a device comes along that stands out; MSI have achieved that with their Big Bang Z77 MPower board. Right off the bat, it looks different, thanks to a matt black finish and mostly black component set. In fact, only three of the on-board components have a bit of colour, in the form of yellow trim. This lends the board an appearance that hints towards its rather serious nature. The Big Bang boards are all about overclocking and extreme performance, and the Z77 is no different. In fact, it provides overclockers with a host of tools, beyond the expected software: Multi-bios II technology, on-board power, reset and OC buttons, a debug LED, a BIOS clear button and voltage check points. This combines with the expected military class III components that MSI are using with their latest devices, including Hi-C CAPs, solid CAPS and SFCs. Enhanced thermal designs also mean lower operating temperatures. These include thick heat pipes, a large, clear space around the CPU and optimised air-flow. The board also comes with built in fan control, which is a bonus. In addition to all the overclocking assistance, the Z77 MPower also comes with a number of other bells and whistles to make users happy. Built-in Bluetooth, for example, allows for a greater range of connectivity, as does the on-board Wi-Fi system. High speed gaming device ports complement the generous total of eight USB 3.0 ports, and HDMI output allows for direct connection of audio and video if there is no graphics card present. Naturally there are options for digital audio outputs, as well as on-board surround sound – but these are pretty standard, so no real surprises there. The end result is an extremely capable motherboard, which allows the user a large number of options. Its performance really is top-notch, thanks to well-balanced ideas relating to component choices and performance-enhancing design. Another upside is that this new Big Bang board is considerably smaller than the older version, which could be a nightmare to fit into a case. On the whole, there is very little about this new Big Bang board from MSI that isn’t exciting. And the claims that MSI makes about stringent testing seem to hold water, because this board certainly shines under increased strain. It isn’t necessarily a board that mid-range users are going to flock to, but those who want to squeeze every kind of performance boost out of their PC will be more than pleased with what the Z77 MPower has to offer. g

Bigg On a smaller board…

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ger Bang

Summary

Tech Specs:

A fantastic motherboard option for overclockers, delivering the expected MSI performance.

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

gladget24

Very overclockable Stable Great extras

8 x USB 3.0 ports Military grade III components Twin Frozr tech Bluetooth Wifi Overclocking tools

M SI Pinna c le A fric a www.pinna c le.c o.za A pprox R2 600

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Relatively Pricey

Score

95 43

Branding..

Acer Olympic Monitor

Taking advantage of major events…

M Review

ajor global events often afford manufacturers a chance to take advantage of the hype and produce products that are themed or branded around them. Naturally we aren’t talking about calamities or disasters, but rather things like global sporting events. Case in point: as a partner for the London Olympics, Acer has produced a number of items that carry the familiar five ring logo of that massive sporting celebration. While the Olympics are a thing of the past, for this year at least, Acer’s ability to make use of the branding still delivers the goods – the branding implies freshness of design and, while the fervour may have diminished a bit – might still prove to be a good selling point for these devices. One such product is the Acer Olympic Monitor.

On the surface, it really is little more than a viewing device; a 23 inch screen with LED technology is what this is, if you want to get down to complete basics. But the Olympic Monitor is not just a screen that has a price slapped on it because of a tenuous association with a sporting event… it is actually a pretty decent device. Being a 23 inch LED monitor, it delivers a picture that is large, clear and bright. This is almost immediately a win. The controls for the monitor are also easily accessible and simple to use, which is another plus point for the unit. The inputs are fairly good too, with two HDMI inputs and a VGA input, as well as audio outputs. What isn’t there is a DVI port, which seems a little strange. One would call it an oversight, but that doesn’t really cut it – this is an extremely common form of input these days, after all.

gladget24

by Rob Edwards

The Olympic Monitor employs a rather unique stand. Instead of having a stand that needs to be bolted onto the device by the user, this one has a simple hinged support that swings out at the back of it. It’s very stable, and makes transporting the monitor very much easier. But it also means that the monitor sits lower on the surface it is placed on, and only really has one angle. In an age of tiltable viewing devices, this is a rather big negative point for the Olympic Monitor. The overall look and feel of the unit implies that it is a device intended for work, although the HDMI inputs do hint at the possibility of multimedia inputs as well – particularly when combined with audio outputs. However, the fixed angle really does work against it in other applications, removing a lot of positional versatility from it. If the user can deal with the ‘preset’ angle of the monitor, it’s a decent device. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

A decent monitor, yet limited because of some strange design ideas...

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

gladget24

Easy to transport Good image quality

23 inch screen LED 2x HMDI inputs VGA input Audio output

A c er A c er www.a c er.c om R3 000

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Single position

Score

79 45

Middlew W

A good option for those who want an optical drive…

Review

MSI CR61 Notebook Computer

hile virtually every laptop manufacturer seems ultra-focussed on Ultrabooks these days, it’s good to see new options for those who want something a little different from a portable computer. Thanks to the rather stringent guidelines set out by Intel for Ultrabooks, steering away from them gives manufacturers a little wiggleroom. And that’s why, amid the Ultrabook frenzy, we still get units like MSI’s CR61. This is a rather sleek looking notebook, although it looks a bit big when compared to current trends. Still, it is not overly large and doesn’t weigh a ton, like some notebooks we have seen. Within the gunmetal and black body, the CR61 packs a fair amount of power. This is underpinned by an Intel i5-3210m CPU. It’s not the fastest kid on the block, but it is no slouch, either. The CPU is supported by 4GB of DDRIII RAM, and storage comes by way of a 500GB hard drive. Control comes by way of a full chicklet keyboard and textured touch pad. It takes a little getting used to; while many notebooks feature a textured pad, this one seems to be a little more textured than others. Beneath the pad is a rocker button, rather than individual left and right click buttons. Visuals are provided by a crisp and cleat 15.6 inch screen, set behind a very shiny surface. The shine can get a bit much, and it shows finger marks very quickly, but if you keep it clean it most certainly adds a lot to the device’s sleek appearance. Not being an Ultrabook means that there are a few bells and whistles that can be included. Mainly, this refers to the DVD Super-Multi optical drive, which we still consider something of an essential in the South African market. In addition, the CR61 offers a single USB 2.0 port and two USB 3.0 ports, as well as HDMI output and all the other expected ports and interfaces. The system is rounded off with a fairly decent set of speakers and an integrated web-cam, which is pretty much standard these days. While Ultrabooks certainly are all the rage, they are restricted (for the time being) in terms of capabilities. Those that want potentially more power and a little more versatility (as provided by an optical drive, for example) may well want to consider a bulkier portable computer. If that is the case, the CR61 makes a great option as a high-mid range choice. It performs very well, when all is said and done, and the good looks and performance compensate for the slightly heavier weight and bigger size. MSI’s track record as manufacturers of dependable computing devices shows in this notebook. g

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weight!

…

by Alex Scanlon

Summary

Tech Specs:

Bucking the Ultrabook trend, MSI have produced a good looking and dependable notebook in the form of the CR61.

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

gladget24

Dependable Looks good

i5-3210m CPU 4GB DDRIII RAM 500GB HDD Optical drive 2 x USB 3.0 ports HDMI output

M SI Pinna c le A fric a www.pinna c le.c o.za A pprox R7 500

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Slightly bigger and heavier than current trends

Score

80 47

BrightTones Now here’s a clever idea…

AudioMotion Wireless Lightbulb Speaker System

by Walt Pretorius

C Review

onvergence is everywhere, but every now and then an idea comes around that is so unusual, it is ingenious. The AudioMotion Wireless Lightbulb Speakers are such an idea. Instead of having your speakers standing around the house, why not kill two birds with one stone and have them provide light as well as sound? The idea sounds a bit strange, sure, but it makes great sense in a number of situations. The spotlight style bulbs are perfect for recessed lighting and, with correct placement, provide a great sound spread. Those that want a normal set-up can get stereo audio with a docking station and remote, while other options include more speakers and a sub-woofer. Light is provided by 5W LED bulbs, while the speakers provide 10W of clear audio per channel. The discrete nature of this product, as well as the ingenuity behind it, makes it more than just another gadget. And it’s wireless. g

gladget24

Summary

Tech Specs:

Wireless audio and light all at the same time... what a bright idea!

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

Cons •

No wires Funky idea Works really well

i-device compatible AUX input 10W speakers 5W LED light bulbs

A udioM otion Rec tron www.rec tron.c o.za TB C

Pros • • •

• • • •

Potentially the most expensive light bulb you will ever replace...

Score

Matching Speed A USB 3.0 flash drive? Yes please!

by Alex Scanlon

SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 Flash Drive

N N

gladget24

Summary

Tech Specs: • • • • • •

Lots of space, and USB 3.0 compatibility. Sounds good to us!

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

Sa nDisk Tudortec h www.tudortec h.c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

Fast & Reliable Great size

16GB USB 3.0 190MB/s Encryption Password protection

Cons • • • • •

None

Score

86 49

Review

ew standards always take a while to filter through the market. Thanks to SanDisk, though, we have a flash drive that can handle the speeds of USB 3.0 perfectly. It comes in the form of the rather stylish Extreme USB 3.0 Flash Drive, and it allows users to quickly and effectively transfer data of up to 16GB. This generously sized and quick (up to a blistering 190MB/s) flash drive comes complete with on-board encryption and password protection, too, for the data you don’t want everyone to have access to. Constructed out of strong black plastic, the actual USB interface slides in and out of the unit’s housing with a confident click, for even added protection. Flash Drives really are a dime a dozen these days, but an effective and well-constructed device like this still manages to stand out in the crowd. If you’re looking for a good 16GB flash drive option, SanDisk has the answer right here. g

Now with Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD Projector

Why didn’t anyone do this before?

W Review

e have seen a few projectors during our two years of putting Gladget together and, like some other components and devices we look at, they become something of a blur before long. Sure, there are bigger ones and smaller ones, some that are 3D and some that are not – but in the end, thy do all start looking rather similar. That’s what makes the MegaPlex MG-850HD from Epson rather exciting… it features something that we haven’t seen before on a projector. And that something is an item that we thought, quite frankly, would be added to projectors ages ago: a dock. This is a projector that screams ‘home use’ more than any of the others we have seen, simply because it has the added versatility of being iPad, iPod and iPhone compatible. Sure, there aren’t a great many people who keep movie files on their iPhone, but the

ease of transporting this projector while carrying media on your chosen i-device is really rather neat. And the user-friendliness of this projector is very high. It makes for a very versatile and interesting alternative to a TV. Naturally, one of the problems people have with projectors is using them in daylight, but this one manages to be rather clear, thanks to its 2 800lm highcolour output. It complements this with a pair of 10W integrated speakers with four different sound modes. The sound isn’t great, but it is better than what we hear from most projectors. And it’s not just for i-devices, either. Connection to a host of different devices, via component, PC and HDMI inputs, means that it can fulfil every required visual entertainment role in the home or office. Part of that user-friendliness is a plug-and-play system that makes this particular projector very easy to live with.

gladget24

Dock! by Rob Edwards

There is a downside here, though… the resolution is not full HD. Rather, instead of being 1080, it is the ‘HD ready’ 720p, which does mean that the pictures are not quite as crisp as those delivered by a full HD device. Still, being a projector means that the potential for a huge viewing area is still there – always a bonus in our book! The projector market is one that seems to move more slowly than in the case of other devices. It is refreshing, therefore, to see Epson come up with a device that is, in projector terms, something of a leap into modern times. And that was achieved by the simple inclusion of a dock. True, you will need a compatible i-device to use it, but the proliferation of portable Apple products means that there are a great many people who will find this projector a valuable and reliable addition to their home entertainment set-up. g

Summary

Tech Specs:

Adding a dock to a projector is such a smart idea that we’re amazed it only happened now...

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

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i-dock! Versatile Easy to transport

2 800lm 720p resolution i-device dock HDMI input 2x 10W speakers

Epson Epson www.epson.c o.za A pprox R8 600

Pros • • • • •

• • • • • •

Cons • • • • •

Slightly low in resolution

Score

80 51

Great Sound At a great price!

Turtle Beach Ear Force Z2 Headset

by Walt Pretorius

H Review

ere’s the thing about Turtle Beach headsets… even when you’re looking at the lower ends of the range, they’re still full of awesome. The ear Force Z2 headset is an example – this headphone and microphone combination is aimed squarely at the PC market (and anything else that uses 3.5mm jacks). It comes in as a lower-end entrant, but still manages to offer excellent comfort and, above all, superb sound quality. Turtle Beach know good sound. With 50mm speakers built into the large, comfortable ear-cups, a positionable mic boom and in-line volume controls, the Z2 may not have all the bells and whistles, but it does provide the user with exactly what they need. High levels of comfort and great sound (for both chat and audio) are the order of the day. You’ll have to cope with a wire, but it is good and generous. On the whole, a great option for PC users on a budget who want great sound. g

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Summary

Tech Specs: • • • • • •

Even though they are at the lower end of the range, these are still great headphones.

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

Turtle B ea c h A pex Intera c tiv e www.a pexint.c o.za R899.95

Pros • • • • •

Comfortable Excellent sound Good price

50mm speakers In-line volume control Rotating ear cups 3.5mm jacks for audio and chat

Cons • • • • •

Wired

Score

Memory Leader SanDisk,a well-deserved reputation

by Rob Edwards

SanDisk Extreme Pro 8GB SDHC Card

M M

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Summary

Tech Specs: • • • • • •

Fast, reliable, roomy and tough... exactly what an SD card should be.

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

Sa nDisk Tudortec h www.tudortec h.c o.za TB C

Pros • • • • •

Fast Roomy Tough

8GB 95MB/s Shock proof Waterproof X-ray proof Temperature proof

Cons • • • • •

None

Score

90 53

Review

ith the regular inclusion of card readers is all manner of devices these days, the need for a good SD card increases. And the ease with which data can be transferred between a multitude of devices thanks to these cards is fantastic, making them even more essential. When it comes to SD cards, there are few brands as prominent – and reliable- as SanDisk. With their Extreme Pro SDHC card, the user gets an extremely reliable 8GB device on which to store and record all kinds of stuff, from images and video through to documents and other data. And they get to do so quickly, too, thanks to the card’s 95MB/s data transfer speed. As a bonus, the card is water proof, shock proof, temperature proof and x-ray proof. These protective measures don’t appear in every card, making this particular card even more attractive. With high capacity, high speed and added security, it’s a no-brainer. g

Mas Ma

Interview

A behind the scenes look at SA

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ster! aster!

A’s gaming expo.

With the rAge exhibition literally days away, the South African video gaming industr y is once again gearing up for a weekend of games, games, games… We managed to catch up with Michael James, the Senior Project Manager of rAge (and editor of NAG magazine , but that’s a whole different stor y) and picked his over-tired and mega-stressed brain about the expo. gladget24

Interview

When did rAge start, and what lead you to the idea? MJ: rAge started in 2002. It was sometime early in October, timed to coincide with the last weekend of the school holidays. The idea is stolen and really came from visiting international trade shows (E3 in Los Angeles and Gamescom in Germany) and wanting to bring some of that magic to South Africa. Naturally because we’re much smaller in terms of the gaming industry I had to add things like the NAG LAN, retailers, hardware and other gaming lifestyle exhibitors (comics, anime and so on). The other key motivator was growing up during the computer boom in South Africa but never seeing any gaming content at the then ComputerFaire despite going every day and hoping to find something. It was all just business software and printer plotters (two things I’ve banned from rAge). It got so bad that a friend and I took demo scene software that came from Sweden and covertly loaded it onto any Commodore Amiga we could find on the show floor (rare too) – just to show people what these amazing machines were capable of.

What would you define as rAge’s greatest achievements in the past? MJ: This is a list in no particular order and I’ll probably miss a few important ones. We’ve had entire console launches at the show. We’ve had professional celebrity gamers at the show. We continue to have international developers at the show. We always have some major game release at the show and of course all that lovely early release code on all the stands. This year we actually got the guys at Gearbox Software to record a special message for everyone in South Africa from Claptrap – so a huge thanks to them and of course Devon at Megarom for making it all happen. Above all, the greatest achievement for the show is the fact that people like what we’ve been doing and keep coming back each year. This just tells me we’re doing something right somehow – probably by accident. Phew.

What do you believe are the most important functions of rAge? MJ: Growing the gaming industry in South Africa and showing the world we’re a serious player in the market. Breaking down misconceptions in the media and general public by properly showing them this hobby we love so much, and of course bringing the industry players closer together by forcing them into the same venue for the whole weekend. For

What are the greatest challenges involved in putting rAge together? MJ: Having to answer interview questions… just kidding… Time is the real killer for the event and of course getting everyone on the same page each year. There are scheduling conflicts, space conflicts, timing conflicts and a million other little details that need pampering. I’m eternally grateful that I have an awesome team of people who do all the real work

NAG it’s always been about selling more magazine by growing awareness – this was the original goal, but rAge has somehow grown wildly out of control.

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on rAge – they really do make it all happen so my greatest challenge is keeping them all happy. How does rAge compare to other trade shows around the globe? What makes this event unique? MJ: rAge is pretty much a carbon copy of the bigger trade shows overseas but just on a much smaller scale and this is thanks to the smaller scale of the industry in SA – it’s directly proportional. rAge is unique because we cobble together the biggest LAN in Africa, retail and other gaming lifestyle elements in one show – a requirement due to the smaller size of the industry which really happened out of necessity and then worked out perfectly. The NAG LAN is a major draw-card for the event. How is this indicative of South African gaming and gamers? MJ: I feel it highlights how much of a PC orientated community South Africa is. Consoles are gaining a strong foothold more and more each year but it’s still pretty PC heavy. I also think the NAG LAN represents a weekend away from everything doing something you love with like-minded people. The fact that you can also see the latest games, buy discounted hardware or take advantage of all the show specials and events and stuff is a massive bonus – it’s certainly something I wouldn’t miss. How has rAge evolved over the years?

MJ: Surprising and continued growth is the thing that stands out the most for me. Each year I’m surprised how it all pulls together and ends up being bigger and better than the previous year. We saw growth of 29% in attendance last year which is unprecedented and unexpected. Besides the growth, the show has definitely become more refined and of course takes much longer to plan these days and is well supported by the whole industry. What do you hope to achieve with rAge 2012? MJ: Survival and growth in a tough economic climate was the real challenge this year, so making it happen and to the same standard of last year was something I wanted to achieve. So far so good – all that remains is to just get through the rAge weekend in one piece. Any predictions for the future of rAge? MJ: Besides the usual marketing stuff people love to hear I have no predictions. The show always manages to surprise me each year. Some of the people working on the show say that’s because I never read my mails. In all seriousness this industry is so hard to predict, if you look at how far we’ve come in the last ten years from a technology point of view who can say what the show will look like in another 10 or 20 years. Will it be completely online only then, will visitors arrive while they’re plugged into their own personal virtual reality machines or will it be a nostalgic party at the shell of the Dome after the zombie apocalypse. Nobody can say for sure. g

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I S S U E 4 0 / Vo l . 4 October 2012

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

Borderlands 2 Transformers: Fall of Cybertron Rocksmith Madden NFL 13 and more...

Back to Pandora Borderlands 2 is here!

New World Assassinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creed 3

Free Online Mag

www.gameccamag.com Taking fun seriously!

Borderlands 2

Back to Pandora Bigger, better, badder…

by Walt Pretorius

particular (and perhaps peculiar) love affair with the game and its awesome setting. Borderlands takes us back to Pandora, but this time around we get to see more of the planet than the dusty desert vistas the played home to the first game. After the first vault was opened, a mysterious element called Eridium s was released in vast quantities, and knowledge of a new, bigger vault comes to light. Hyperion Corporation, under the leadership of a chap called Handsome Jack, comes to Pandora in full force, making the lives of its inhabitants a living hell. But even the high tech Hyperion forces cannot keep the mercenary Vault Hunters at bay. As you might have guessed while reading the previous paragraph, Borderlands 2 puts much more emphasis on story, and has a much stronger narrative driving the player’s actions. It’s still screamingly funny – in fact, I

Review

t was with much anticipation that South Africans waited for the release of Borderlands 2. That wait got extended though, when unforeseen circumstances resulted in the game’s local release being delayed by around five days. But arrive it did, and already online gaming servers are buzzing with Borderlands 2 activity. Was it worth the wait, though, extended or otherwise? The answer to that question really hinges on whether you enjoyed the first game or not. The original Borderlands was a unique experience, for a number of reasons. From the off-beat graphic style and sometimes hair-raising humour through to the random weapon generation system, Borderlands offered players one of the freshest first-person shooter experiences to be had in a long time. The game didn’t appeal to everyone, of course, but millions of fans around the globe developed a

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would hazard that it is even funnier than the original – but the story feels a touch more serious than before, dealing with ideas like exploitation in only the way that a Borderlands script can. Excellent voice acting and beautifully written dialogue compliment the story, which sees numerous familiar faces return as the plot progresses. These include Marcus the gun merchant, and Scooter the mechanic. And, of course, CL4P-TP… it just wouldn’t be Borderlands without Claptrap. The originality that Borderlands 2 has on offer comes from these elements; the stronger plot lines and myriad new locations are where the freshness is at. In terms of game dynamics, we’re looking at pretty much the same kind of game as before. That is, for those who don’t know free-roaming first person shooter action with a smattering of role playing elements. The player will get to take on

main plot quests, and will have a huge number of side quests to complete as well. Play-through estimates are at around 50 hours if you get to most of the side quests. And then there are increased difficulty levels, of course, and the fact that you can experience the story four times over with each of the very different characters. Naturally, there will be DLC too, with a “season pass” to purchase four pieces of DLC (for the price of three) already available. And then there’s the fact that you can play the whole game in either single player, or as part of a co-op team of up to four members. Initially, Borderlands seems like more of the same and, for the most part, it is. But the developers have put tweaks and new ideas into play that make it a better game than the original. The skill tree, for example, has been refined, with the player now able to better build their

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Game Name

gun accuracy, faster reloading, and so on. These no longer apply to individual weapons, though â&#x20AC;&#x201C; rather, they apply to the character, regardless of what kind of gun they are using. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a much better way of handling things, and the fact that the player can choose between a few options for each token they spend means that there is yet more customisation available. Another big plus is something that was introduced to the original Borderlands as part of the General Knox DLC: storage. Because of the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s random gun generation system (which is even broader this time around) players will often find items that they would like to hang on to, without them taking up valuable inventory space. This takes care of it. Players can even transfer items between their characters if needs be (when they reach the right point in the game it becomes available) which is another

Review

character into the type of fighter they want. Once again, the four characters are very different (and players will doubtlessly develop their favourites) but with the added flexibility from this idea, even two characters of the same class can feel very different. There are a variety of unlockable heads and skins for the characters as well, for added customisation options. Another great change are the passive skills that the characters develop. Previously, te game would give the character advantages based on how much they used a particular kind of weapons; if you specialised in the sniper rifle, you got better with it. This time around, the player earns a different kind of experience (based on in-game achievements) called Bad-Ass ranks. Getting enough of them will earn the player a point that can be spent on a selection of overall ability upgrades. Better

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small but really nice addition. So, to sum it up: It is longer than the original. It is funnier than the original. There are more gun options. The character development is improved. Features like storage have been added. Graphics and engine ideas have been tweaked. All of that adds up to one thing – Borderlands 2 is the perfect game for those who enjoyed the original, because it is an improvement. Fans will certainly want to play this game, which has arrived as something of a starter pistol bang for the mad Q4 rush. It provides something that is very area these days – a good long single player experience. But the drop-in, dropout multiplayer is just as awesome, following the same story line as the single player (although with better loot and more enemies). The game works well on both fronts, therefore, which is also pretty rare… rather than having

tacked on multiplayer, or a single player game that feels like lip-service rather than a quality product, Borderlands 2 takes the whole experience and makes all aspects of playing great fun. A word of warning – the game can feel a little repetitive after protracted periods of play. Single player games can also get a little tough at times, particularly if you haven’t done enough side missions. But both of these are things that are easily dealt with (take a break, do some side quests). All in all, Borderlands 2 is great fun, and provides the player with an experience that really is well worth the money it costs to buy the game. And with DLC already in the works, it will have a great amount of longevity… hopefully right up until the next Borderlands game is released. g

AT A GLANCE: First Person Shooter

Reviewed on:

The irreverent FPS (with RPG bits) is back for another tour of duty on Pandora, and it is full of improvements. Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Borderlands Local

Network

Online

Gearbox 2K Games Megarom

Parental Advisory

18+ gladget24

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

96 63

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

Time to Transform The battle for Cybertron continues

by Charlie Fripp

their own special ability, and the game relies rather heavily on the application of this ability â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which naturally makes things a little bit easier. Players will get a quick introduction to the game and plot by playing with the small but nimble Bumblebee, where everything is neatly explained in terms of controls, camera movement and a bit of a back-story. As the game kicks into high-gear, the levels do tend to become a bit more challenging, and if players arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t careful, they will die often. Making use of the Havok and Unreal engines, gamers should be familiar with the graphic style as it is similar to the previous title, but also bear resemblance to Gears of War, Mass Effect and even Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Small details have been added to the Transformers to bring home a more immersive feeling, but most gamers

Review

t has been a long-standing thing in video game history â&#x20AC;&#x201C; game adaptations from films are never of the quality that they should be. However, when developers are given almost free-reign over a title that has nothing to do with a film, they tend to get it right. Which is exactly what makes Transformers: Fall of Cybertron so good. Fall of Cybertron follows in the footsteps of the previous title War for Cybertron, but is completely different to its predecessor and much better. Fall of Cybertron takes off exactly after the event of War for Cybertron, where the Autobots have to fight for their city and stop the Decepticons from destroying everything in their path. The entire game spans about 13 stages and gamers will get the opportunity to play as a different Transformer on every level, even the Decepticons. Each Transformer has

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will probably not even notice the notches in armour or the subtle movements as the title’s pace don’t leave a lot of time to stand around and admire the scenery. Fall of Cybertron is a marked improvement over the previous title, as the game’s mechanics have been updated, the controls and the camera angles have been improved and it in general just runs a lot smoother. Gamers will want to continue the game, as the changes are instantly visible. The only drawback about the new designs and the game’s layout is that player don’t have a choice at the beginning of a level if they want to play as an Autobot or a Decepticon. That part is completely written into the story, and only at the end of the title will they be given a choice of character (which affects the ending). Not content with only single player, the game does feature a rather elaborate multiplayer offering as well, with

the usual modes like Death Match, Team Death Match and a Conquest mode (which is similar in principle to Battlefield 3’s mode of the same name.) Player will also be able to customise a created Transformer in the form of a Scientist, Infiltrator, Destroyer or Titan with interchangeable heads, torsos, legs and arms, as well as give them a new paint job for use in multiplayer mode. Created characters have default weapon sets, but those can be upgraded by levelling up and destroying as many enemies as possible. Any Transformers fan should get a copy of Fall of Cybertron, as it is probably the best Transformers game released to date. It is not incredibly long, but will provide for a highly-entertaining play, and coupled with the multiplayer, many hours of Decepticon hunting await. g

AT A GLANCE: Third-person shooter

Reviewed on:

It’s by far one of the best Transformers games, with a lot of action. Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Transformers: War for Cybertron Local

Network

Online

High Moon Studios Activision Megarom

Parental Advisory

12+ gladget24

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

X360 Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

85 65

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

Tag, You’re K.O Don’t pick the panda

by Sarah Joan Snyman

The game has all of the same elements as before, arcade, versus, team battle, time attack and survival; the only new element of Tournament 2 is the Fight Lab, which helps you train your character in various combat situations. I spent most of my game time in versus. These games are, in my opinion, designed for group play; I’ve always preached that the arcade fighter is the perfect accompaniment to at least four people and a case of beer. After a couple of matches using the various characters and combinations, I did find myself growing tired of the pace. Although the ability to play with four players is an added bonus, being so stationary until you’re tagged in can become annoying. The combat in Tekken has always been very close range and sudden, requiring very fast reaction times and a lot of movement towards your

Review

ekken has been a stable arcade fighter for over a decade, and despite it being 13 years since the original Tag Tournament hit arcades, the appeal still seems to be alive and well. I have always enjoyed arcade fighters; anything from Mortal Kombat to SoulCalibur will keep me entertained for hours at a time. I had high hopes for Tekken Tag Tournament 2. I wrote a short preview a while back and the talk and trailers made my mouth water! I slid this game in after first having prepared dinner and dessert, sure that I wouldn’t be interrupted. But after half an hour, I ended up begging for distraction. The graphics in Tekken have always been a bit cheesy, very within the genre but still cheesy. Although this game is leaps and bound ahead of what we’ve seen before, I found it hard to watch, garish and a bit cheap.

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opponent. The tag element is similar to Marvel vs. Capcom, in that your tagged out character will slowly regenerate some of their lost health while you use their partner. There is also a flashing element on their life bar which indicates that it would give you a boost if they are immediately tagged in. All 44 of the the characters are nostalgic, no one can deny that fighting with the same bearded old man that you did so many years ago isn’t heart-warming, even though he has changed so drastically in appearance, gaining more bling and a more visible vascular system as the years pass. And unlike previous editions, the Fight Lab can allow a bit more insight into the gameplay and moves of each character. Tekken, although accessible to almost anyone as a button basher, is an extremely complex and involved game

that can be mastered. But even as a master, there is still a chance that you will be obliterated by a teenage girl holding a controller for the first time. After sitting in front of this game for hours, uninspired and confused about how I felt, I realised that this is a wellproduced game from an experienced development house. It has new features which a lot of devotees will enjoy and the characters have developed in their gameplay to a degree which is expected between releases. But, at the end of the day, it’s still Tekken and Tekken is Tekken. It is an arcade fighter with bad tech music playing in the background and multiple odd stages, including one with Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion) seated and playing in the background. I would rather indulge in Mortal Kombat or SoulCalibur, but this is an all-round decent release. g

AT A GLANCE: Arcade Fighter

Reviewed on:

X360

More of the same with some new elements thrown in, it looks like Tekken, it feels like Tekken, it’s still Tekken Similar to: MaxPlayers Developer: Publisher: Distributer:

Marvel vs Capcom, SoulCalibur, Mortal Kombat Local

Network

Online

Namco Namco Bandai Megarom

Parental Advisory

16+ gladget24

Violence Language Sex Drug Use Prejudice

Accessibility Hard-Core Medium Casual

Platforms

Genre:

PC X360 Kinect

PS3 Move

Wii PSV DS 3DS

Score

79 67

DVD Seen

DVD S

Movie of the month 68

g l a d g e t r eg u l a r • i s s u e 2 • N ove m b e r 2 0 1 0

SEEN Men in Black 3 It’s been some time since we saw the adventures of Agents J and K, dressed in their black suits and saving the world (and the universe) from nefarious alien scum. Just like the previous films, MIB 3 manages to combine Tommy Lee Jones’ dry wit with Will Smith’s more upbeat comedy style, and director Barry Sonnenfeld does a great job in delivering a film that might not be important, but certainly is entertaining. When a brutal alien killer escapes from prison, he goes back in time to kill Agent K (Jones) on the day that he was first captured. It is up to J (Smith) to also head back in time and stop the event before it takes place. One of the real surprises of this film is Josh Brolin, who plays the younger version of Jones’ character with great accuracy. Believing that this is the younger K is not a stretch at all. It isn’t a better film than the first MIB movie, but it certainly tops the second film in terms of plot and laughs. It’s a worthwhile revisiting of the franchise, and fans will certainly enjoy this latest movie. If you haven’t seen the other two, though, you may miss out on some of the references and jokes that this particular film makes.. g

g l a d g e t r eg u l a r • i s s u e 2 • N ove m b e r 2 0 1 0

DIRECTOR: Barry Sonnenfeld DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 13PGV Score

STARRING: Will Smith Tommy Lee Jones Josh Brolin

DV D SEEN D V D S EEN DVD SE E N DVD SE E N DVD S EEN D V

Citizen Gangster

Let’s just get it over with – Coriolanus will certainly not appeal to everyone. But those who like this kind of near-experimental film will find that it is thoughtprovoking, moving and powerful. Based on a lesser-known play by William Shakespeare, Coriolanus is the story of a powerful general who is at odds with the common man. When he is elected to a position of power in Rome, the people rebel and banish him. But Coriolanus’ pride is massive, and he decides to exact his revenge on the city that spurned him. This film takes the original Shakespearean dialogue and brings it into a modern setting. Instead of togas and swords, it’s camouflage and assault rifles. That makes Coriolanus something of a chore to watch, but the excellent performances by Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave and others make this powerful British drama well worth watching. It also affords us the ability to see Fiennes’ directorial abilities, too, as he was at the helm of this project. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Coriolanus manages to bring all those deep ideas and principles that Shakespeare loved including in his plays to a modern era and audience. g

DIRECTOR: Ralph Fiennes

DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 13V Score

STARRING: Ralph Fiennes Gerard Butler Vanessa Redgrave

Inspired by actual events, Citizen Gangster tells the tale of Canadian bank-robber and gangster Eddie Boyd. A veteran of World War 2, Boyd finds his like on a downward slide as he battles to find fulfilment in work. But he has a young wife and two kids to look after, and his dreams of being an actor just aren’t going anywhere. So he does the next best thing… he becomes a bank robber. As his infamy grows, he pulls off more and more daring jobs, and becomes the celebrity he always wanted to be. But a life of crime has its own rewards… We don’t see many movies coming out of Canada, but the ones we do see are proving to be entertaining, to say the least. Citizen Gangster is a great example of this – it is a dark drama about a man losing control and tempted by crime, and makes for good entertainment. The level of acting within this film is great, with convincing roles by a cast including Kevin Durand and Brian Cox. The film is wonderfully put together and extremely believable, and gives the viewer an interesting glimpse into the life of one of Canada’s more notorious criminals. g

STARRING: Scott Speedman Kevin Durand Brian Cox

DIRECTOR:

Nathan Morlando

DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 16LV Score

Coriolanus

g l a d g e t r eg u l a r • i s s u e 2 • N ove m b e r 2 0 1 0

VD SEEN D VD S EEN D V D SE E N DVD SE E N DVD SE E N D V D

The Entitled

Edgar Allan Poe, the master of the macabre (in terms of fiction, at least) was found in a disoriented state shortly before his death. He was incoherent and babbling and, to this day, no-one is sure why he died, or what the events were that lead up to his death. The Raven proposes an interesting look at what might have happened. A series of murders around Baltimore are committed in exactly the way Poe described the deeds in his work. He teams up with a police inspector to try and solve the crime… and then the killer kidnaps the woman he loves and issues him with a challenge. So starts a race against the clock as Poe and the cop hunt down the brutal killer. John Cusack feels out of place I this film, almost as though he’s not sure whether to take the role seriously, or be more flippant as Poe. Still, it makes for an entertaining film, full of the kind of savagery and gore one would expect from something inspired by the legendary author’s work. Luke Evans and Brendan Gleeson deliver convincing roles under the directorship of James McTeigue. The Raven is worth watching as a period horror, and is an interesting take on what might have been. g

DIRECTOR: James McTeigue DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 16V Score

STARRING: John Cusack Luke Evans Brendan Gleeson

g l a d g e t r eg u l a r • i s s u e 2 • N ove m b e r 2 0 1 0

When three rich friends get together for a weekend of fun and celebration, their lives are shattered by the news that their children have been kidnapped. The ransom: a million dollars from each of them. But the wealthy men aren’t all that they seem – some don’t have money at all – and the kidnappers are growing increasingly impatient. The Entitled is a very smart movie, with plot twists and turns that make it thrilling to watch. You may well have more than a few “damn” moments in this movie. The pacing is excellent as well, with the tale moving along at a rate that fits perfectly into the film’s nature. This is complemented by good cinematography, competent editing and good production values. Excellent performances from Ray Liotta and Victor Garber help the film along, as well as a well-crafted plot and good direction by Aaron Woodley. The Entitled is a great example of how well movies can be made in Canada, and proves to be an interesting, sometimes intense and often thought-provoking thriller. It isn’t the best thriller ever made, but you can do far worse than The Entitled if you are looking for some decent entertainment. g

STARRING: Ray Liotta Victor Garber Kevin Zegers

DIRECTOR: Aaron Woodley DISTRIBUTOR: Ster Kinekor

FPB Rating: 13LV Score

The Raven

79 71

DVD Seen

DVD SEEN DVD S

Collectables 72

g l a d g e t r eg u l a r • i s s u e 2 • N ove m b e r 2 0 1 0

SEEN DVD SEEN The Deer Hunter When you think about highlights of Robert De Niro’s career, certain names spring to mind immediately: Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and, of course, The Deer Hunter. Winner of the 1978 Oscar for Best Picture, The Deer Hunter is a pedantic drama that tells of a group of friends trying to fit back into society after the atrocities they suffered as prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The three Pennsylvania steelworkers strive to rediscover themselves through the psychological wounds they have suffered, but not all of them manage to let go of the horrors they witnessed. The Deer Hunter is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful films ever released. It deals with some very deep issues pertaining to friendship, loyalty and the horrors of war, and makes for some rather heavy – even disturbing – viewing. It is a slow movie that sometimes drags a little during its almost three hour running time, but builds expertly towards a shocking and incredible finale. The cast, including the likes of John Savage, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep (all looking extremely young) is expertly directed by Michael Cimino. The Deer Hunter reminds one of a golden age of film, before special effects and computer graphics became more important than sterling acting and deep narrative. It is a must-have for any serious film lover. g

g l a d g e t r eg u l a r • i s s u e 2 • N ove m b e r 2 0 1 0

DIRECTOR: Michael Cimino DISTRIBUTOR: Nu Metro

FPB Rating: 16LV Score

STARRING: Robert De Niro Christopher Walken Meryl Streep

The Build Putting it all together…

PC Builder

ow that you have all your components ready, it is time to put the PC together. If you have chosen all the right items – components that suit your needs – the end result will be a machine that serves your purposes perfectly. Before you get started, make sure that you have the right kind of screw-driver handy. A cutting implement is also a good idea, just in case. Also, it’s a good idea to work on a solid surface at a comfortable height, because building the machine can take some time. Cover the surface with a cloth… this will help protect both the surface and your case, which you may need to reposition to work comfortably. It is important to be aware of static electricity, as

a small spark from your finger can destroy a chip. Grounding yourself often – by touching a metal surface, for example – is a very good idea. Also, keep your work space as clear as possible; there may be small parts involved in your building process, and you don’t want to lose them. PC components are designed in such a way that you cannot plug the wrong thing into a particular port or slot. In fact, many of them are designed so that they can only go in in one specific way. This makes building the PC a logical process, devoid of guess work, that is fairly simple. With some care and attention, you won’t run into any problems. If you have purchased additional case fans, now is

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by Alex Scalon

the best time to fit them. This will make your life much easier. Step 1. Remove the case from its packaging, and ensure that there are no packing materials left inside. Most cases will have a box of components included – make sure that you can access these easily. Determine whether you will need to fit your motherboard before the power supply, or if you can put the power supply into the case first. This is preferable, as the power supply is heavy – if it is accidentally dropped onto another component, it can cause major damage, even after the other component is securely fitted. Whichever order you need to do it in, always

exercise care, working firmly but gently. Fitting the PSU is simple. It screws into position from the outside rear of the case, and the screw holes will only correspond in one position. Try and keep the interior cables of the power supply ‘stashed away’, so that they don’t interfere with the building of your case. The motherboard gets screwed onto the side panel of the case. A space needs to be made between the case and the motherboard, to prevent short circuits. To this end, spaces are provided (they look like screws that have a screw hole rather than a head, and are generally hexagonal in shape). Refer to the holes on your motherboard and insert spacers into the case’s panel. Only place them in the necessary holes, as a

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PC Builder

spacer in the wrong place could cause a short circuit. That said, make sure you place one for every hole in the motherboard – it needs to be secure. You will also need to fit the motherboard’s back-panel cover into the case. It is a plate that allows the various external ports on the motherboard to be accessed from the rear, while preventing dust to enter the machine. Fitting this can be a little tricky – make sure it has properly clicked into place before proceeding. Once the spacers and back panel are in place, line the motherboard up with them and secure it using the provided screws. Step 2. Now that the motherboard and PSU are

secured, it is time to provide the PC with its brain. Remove the CPU from its packaging, taking care not to touch the thermal-conductive paste on the base of the cooler unit. This paste is essential in helping to keep your PC cool – messing with it can cause major problems. Remove any protective covers from the CPU slot, and place the CPU into the port. Make sure that you have placed it the right way – while most CPUs can only go in one way, it is best to be sure. Once it is in position, lock it down securely with the CPU bracket fixed to the motherboard. You may hear an alarming sound at this time – but that’s just part of the process. When the CPU is locked down, it is time to secure

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the cooling unit. Place it over the CPU and lock in in position with the special locks built into it. Try and make sure that the wires will be able to reach a fan power point easily, and that they will not interfere with the operation of the fan. This is the most important cooling unit in your PC… Once it is in place, make sure that you plug it into the power point. At this point it is important to state the obvious – read all the component manuals and have them ready for easy reference. That way you will know what – for example – a fan power point looks like, and how the cooling unit’s locks work. Step 3. Slot the RAM units into the correct ports.

The ports have locks at the side… when the RAM is fitted, they will automatically spring back into position, but you will need to make sure they are open before setting it. Press down firmly on the RAM for this to happen. Also, it is a good idea to refer to your motherboard manual to see if any of the RAM ports are linked. Often, linked ports will be colour-coded on the motherboard itself. Use these first. Step 4. Fit the hard drives and optical drives. This is a relatively simple step, for the most part, with more modern cases using side mounted hard drive brackets, screwless systems and easy access optical

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PC Builder

drive bays. If you do need to remove any parts of the case to accommodate optical drives, do so as gently as possible. Keep in mind that you will need to be able to reach the cable ports of the drives when you fit them. If you have fewer hard drives than bays, try to give each drive some breathing room – while it might be tempting to cluster everything together for the sake of neatness, this isn’t always the best for heat dissipation. Step 5. Fitting the graphics card is very easy. It slots firmly into one of the motherboard’s PCI slots, and allows for back access. Make sure you have opened the slots required for this back access before trying

to fit the card. Additionally, make sure that it is firmly screwed in place where the back plate connects to the case – this will provide added support for what is often a very heavy component. Step 6. Keeping the inside of the case neat is a good idea for air-flow, but the cables can often make it tricky. It is not that all cables need to be routed and connected. Many cases have cable management systems built in, and it is a great idea to use these. However you choose to route your cables, make sure that they are as neat as possible, and do not interfere with any fans. Power cables need to be plugged into the

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motherboard (sometimes in two locations, so refer to the manual), the drives and the graphics card. Data cables need to lead from the drives to the motherboard. And the case will have numerous cables that lead to jumpers on the motherboard for power, USB ports, audio ports and so forth. Once again, refer to the motherboard manual for connecting these cables. Lastly, make sure that all the fans have power as well. Step 7. Ensure that there are no screws or loose items inside the case before closing it up, and give each component a quick once-over. Then it is time to close up the box, connect the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and power up the machine. If there are any problems

with the machine starting up, check all of the cabling. If the problem persists, make sure that components like the RAM and CPU are properly fitted. If these common problems are not the problem, you may have a damaged component, and will need to get professional advice. Once the machine boots up properly, you will be able to install your operating system, programmes, games and multimedia filesâ&#x20AC;Ś Make sure that you install your OS first, followed by any driver disks that accompanied your components. And there you have it - your new PC is finally ready to enhance your life. g

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