Connect January 2012

January 2012

Pocket Gamer?

Angry Birds Cut The Rope Words With Friends and More!

Ready, Set,

Surf!

A Beginner’s Guide to the Web

New Year, New You!

re Getting mo from your Gadgets!

Free features

Digital learning software

R14.95 incl. VAT

h snap!

CHoosing a camera you that’s right for

Top

Reviews Printers LAPTOPS CAMERAS Tablets SOFTWARE cellphones GAMES

S o ny r e c o m me nd s Wi ndows ® 7.

Balanced Mobility Power in Mot ion . VAI O S Series

All models use Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit and come with a 3 year collect-repair-return warranty

VPC-SB37

VPC-SE17

VPC-SB28

VPC-SA36

• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit • Intel® Core™ i5-2520M Processor 2.50 GHz with Turbo Boost • 4GB Ram / 750GB HDD • AMD Radeon™ HD 6470M 512MB Graphics • 13.3" HD Display with LED Backlight

• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit • Intel® Core™ i7-2620M Processor 2.70 GHz with Turbo Boost • 4GB Ram / 640GB HDD • AMD Radeon™ HD 6470M 512MB Graphics• • 13.3" HD Display with LED Backlight

• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit • Intel® Core™ i7-2640M Processor 2.80 GHz with Turbo Boost • 4GB Ram / 640GB HDD • AMD Radeon™ HD 6470M 1GB Graphics • 15.5" Full HD Display (1920 x 1080), LED Backlight

• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit • Intel® Core™ i7-2620M Processor 2.70 GHz with Turbo Boost • 8GB Ram / 256GB SSD • AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M 1GB Graphics • 13.3" HD Display with LED Backlight

SRP: R10 999

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SRP: R19 999

VPC-SA28 • Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit • Intel® Core™ i7-2620M Processor 2.70 GHz with Turbo Boost • 8GB Ram / 256GB SSD • AMD Radeon™ HD 6630M 1GB Graphics • 13.3" HD Display with LED Backlight • EMBEDDED 3G • Blu Ray Reader, DVD Reader & Writer SRP: R25 999

www.sony.co.za/vaio

www.connectmag.co.za

issue #33

FEATURES

10

Oh Snap!

Your essential back-to-basics on everything camera related

January 2012

26

14

Learn More Educational software for business, school and the home

18

History Lesson How TV has changed from a black and white box

20

Freetures Great gadgets you already own get better!

26

10 Top Websites A beginner’s guide to the Internet

28

Pocket Gamer?

Tablets and smartphones - on-the-go entertainment is amazing

10 14

REGULARS 04 06 08 68 70

Editor’s Letter News Trouble-free Technobabble Tamsin the Tech Tannie Competition

REVIEWS 34 38 47 54 56

First Look Top 5 Camera Round-up Accessories Software

GAMING 62

Reviews

®S

The new, stylish and easy-to-use BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 smartphone.

Stylish QWERTY design that’s lightweight and ultra-slim Real-time social messaging with the enhanced BBM™ including BBM-connected apps Advanced BlackBerry ® 7 Operating System with Liquid Graphics™ Increased power to browse quickly and smoothly Upload in a click with plenty storage for all your pictures, music and videos

BlackBerry®7 OS

blackberry.co.za/curve-9360

© 2011 Research In Motion Limited. All rights reserved. BlackBerry®, RIM®, Research In Motion® and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

10397 IDEA ENGINEE

Sleek And Sociable.

ed’s note

r a e y w e N ! u o y w Ne

B

Editor’s photo by Dan Elkabir / www.lightscapespdd.com

Subscribe now and you could win a Nokia 700 smartphone. See Pg70 for details.

ack to school, back to reality. Isn’t that how the old adage goes? In 2012, it’s virtual reality, thanks to programes that have changed how we learn.

In the January issue of Connect, Deon du Plessis rounds up some of the best learning software packages (page 14) that will appeal to all ages.

From getting to grips with a new language to cruising through the curriculum, there’s a lot out there.

Finally got the gadget you’ve been waiting for this festive season? Christo van Gemert is on hand to take that technology to the next level (page 20) by introducing you to some free features and apps you may not know about. Whether it’s your mobile phone or gaming console, there’s more for less when it comes to top tech.

And if you’re thinking this may be the year you’re going to buy a digital camera, be sure to read our beginner’s guide on page 10, which will help you decide on everything from aperture to zoom.

Other great features to look out for in this issue are the 10 top Internet sites every new computer user should visit, and how mobile games like Angry Birds are taking over. It seems tablet and smartphone games are here to stay.

The January issue of Connect is packed with everything you need to get more out of your digital world. Here’s to a great 2012.

Enjoy the issue, Tiana Cline

PUBLISHER Brett Haggard brett@connectmag.co.za EDITOR Tiana Cline tiana@connectmag.co.za

REVIEWS Deon du Plessis EDITOR deon@connectmag.co.za TECHNOLOGY Christo van Gemert EDITOR christo@connectmag.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Tamsin Mackay Adam Oxford ART DIRECTOR Jason Palmer jason@connectmag.co.za

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@connectmag.co.za ADVERTISING Dorothy Haggard dorothy@connectmag.co.za Contact Hypertext Media Communications (011) 023-8001/4 info@hypertext.co.za FAX 08654 83304

Connect is a joint venture between Hypertext Media Communications and Incredible Connection

USB 3.0 heralds the dawn of a n ew stan dard for extern al hard drives, an d Verbatim is on e of the first man ufacturers to in stall it in its n ew desktop drive.

USB 3.0 offers up to 10 times faster data tran sfer speeds compared to existin g USB 2.0 con n ection s - makin g it ideal for both office an d home-based users who wan t to tran sfer large files with the n ewest an d quickest techn ology available.

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in the news...

Matched memory from AMD Power users and gamers who have a computer with an AMD processor and/or graphics card, rejoice! The company has announced a partnership with memory manufacturers Visiontek and Patriot Memory that will see those companies producing AMD-branded memory modules.

This doesn’t necessarily mean better performance, but you have guaranteed compatibility when it comes to upgrading the memory in your computer. The initiative is part of AMD’s push to get high-quality DDR3 memory modules into the market. > AMD-branded memory modules will be available in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB sizes, at different price points and speeds, depending on what your AMD-based computer requires. Watch this space.

A new Xbox experience

Samsung’s Super Android Last year, Google and Samsung partnered up for the launch of Android 4.0, codenamed Ice Cream. The mobile manufacturer took the opportunity to unveil the first smartphone that’ll run the new operating system.

The Galaxy Nexus, a combination of Samsung’s Galaxy series and Google’s Nexus range, boasts the most impressive specs we’ve seen on a phone, to date. Inside sits a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, which powers a 4.65” HD Super AMOLED display.

That’s a resolution of 1 280 x 720, on a smartphone – the same resolution as the first round of HD TVs. The Galaxy Nexus makes the best use of the new Android features, including Face Unlocking (using the front camera), blisteringly fast downloads through the HSPA+ modem, and 1 080P video recording using the 5-megapixel rear camera. > The Nexus will be sold locally in both 16GB and 32GB capacities, with prices set to start at R6 999.

6 | connect | January 2012

Gamers whose platform of choice is Microsoft’s Xbox will be pleased with the company’s latest overhaul of its gaming machine – and it’s completely free.

In line with the user interface used in Windows Phone 7 and the upcoming Windows 8, Microsoft has revamped the experience for Xbox gamers, with the console now boasting the same tile-based interface in its menus.

The motion-sensing and voice-recognising capabilities of the Kinect have also been seamlessly integrated into the new software for the console. Users can simply shout commands at their TV and the Xbox, when equipped with a Kinect, will obey. It’s possible to launch games and search the Xbox Live Marketplace using voice commands.

Another new feature is Beacons. This allows a player to mark themselves as active for another game, even though they may be playing something different or watching a movie. > The new software was made available in December 2011 for all Xbox users.

App Review Flipboard for iPhone Award-winning social media and reading application Flipboard has finally made the move to the small screen. Originally only available for the iPad, the must-have news-reading application is now available for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch.

Flipboard can be set up to deliver your social media and other news feeds in a magazinestyle layout, with fantastic high-res visuals and simple navigation. Flipboard has been working with content partners to provide special layouts for its application, so you never have to open up a Web browser to continue reading a story.

If you’ve been missing out on the Flipboard experience because you don’t have an iPad, now’s the perfect time to see what’s on offer.

It’s one of the best content delivery apps available for Apple’s platform.

Rating: 5 Stars Price: Free

techno jargon // by Deon Du PLessis

Photographic terms abound in this month’s Tech Jargon, as well as some random techspeak we found interesting. We hope you do, too.

8 | connect | January 2012

Image Sensor

Image Noise

Service Pack

This is “film” for digital cameras: a photosensitive microchip that captures images when exposed to light. The image sensor is what gets a megapixel rating, where one megapixel is one million pixels.

Aside from its pixel rating, an image sensor has many other qualities that determine how good it is at its job: ISO rating, size or sensor format, and CMOS or CCD. The sensor format determines its dimensions and aspect ratio – popular formats include 35mm, APS-C and 4:3rds. Most modern cameras use CMOS sensors, but cheaper models will feature CCD chips.

Backlit CMOS is a new technology that helps produce better photos under low light – though this is still pricey and exclusive to premium cameras.

When recording a digital photo at higher ISO settings, the image tends to have noise. This manifests itself as either graininess or off-coloured spots on the photo. A lot of image noise can make a photo lose sharpness in areas that require finer detail, along with making colours appear washed out.

Many camera manufacturers are working on reducing noise across the ISO range. Expensive SLRs can produce near flawless images at up to ISO 800, but pocket cameras, with smaller sensors, are some way off achieving those results.

Microsoft periodically releases patches for its software that correct some of the issues that users have identified. When a Service Pack is released, all it is, is a collection of the patches released to date in a single, easy-to-install package.

ISO This is a setting on a digital camera that determines the sensitivity (to light) of the image sensor. Normal ISO ranges start at 100, used in bright daylight, and can extend to 1 600, which is more suited to taking photos indoors or in low light. Modern cameras can go as high as ISO 3 200, 6 400 or even 12 800. The higher the ISO setting, the easier it is for the camera to operate in conditions with lessthan-ideal lighting.

With a high-enough ISO setting, you can take photos without firing the flash.

White Balance The colour white has different colour temperatures under different kinds of light. For this reason a camera has to adjust its white balance to make sure that white appears as you see it, allowing the colours in the rest of the photo to appear as close as possible to the original scene.

Most cameras have an automatica mode, but manually selecting a white balance, based on the light you are shooting in, will yield more consistent results. When the white balance is incorrect, your photos will appear to have either an orange or blue tint. This can be fixed in many free and commercial photo-editing packages.

Safe Mode Introduced with Windows 95, Safe Mode is a method of loading Windows that only loads into memory what is absolutely necessary to make it to the desktop. By eliminating unnecessary programs, it’s possible to isolate the cause of any software- or driver-related errors that may be preventing the computer from booting normally.

Crash When a computer program is said to crash, that means it has stopped responding to input. This doesn’t happen nearly as often anymore thanks to the amazing way Microsoft has put Windows 7 together, but programs can and do still crash due to poor programming and faulty hardware configurations, so the concept will be around for years yet.

OCR This stands for Optical Character Recognition, and refers to a technology that can scan handwriting and text, and convert it into a format readable by a computer. It’s used by LG’s Mouse Scanner (reviewed on page 54), and as the technology has improved, so has the accuracy of the scanned vs. translated characters.

Ice Cream Sandwich In addition to being a delicious treat on a hot summer’s day, Ice Cream Sandwich is the code name for Google’s version 4.0 release of the Android mobile operating system. Improvements in the new version include better multi-tasking, better animations and support for new and improved voice recognition.

Resizable widgets and a new locking action are a part of the new release, as are cool interface elements that make Android look even more sophisticated than it does already. Expect to see devices sporting Android’s new OS soon.

www.connectmag.co.za | 9

back to basics //by christo van gemert

With digital cameras, the market has become more segmented than ever before: zooms, megapixels, ISOs and more. Here’s where we explain what kinds of cameras there are, so you know which one is for you.

I

n the days of film cameras, there wasn’t much choice between disposable cameras and big, hefty SLRs. Now, though, you have a lot of choice. There are ultraaffordable 8-megapixel cameras, high-end pocket snappers, specialised

fix-lens professional cameras, models with 30 x zoom lenses and 3 different types of interchangeable lens cameras. You can almost count on the fact that there’s one out there that meets your exact needs and, most importantly, budget.

The Megapixel Myth Camera manufacturers are currently in a difficult position where they have to eat the bitter fruit of the seeds they’ve sown. A few years ago, manufacturers were focussed on outdoing one another on the number of megapixels their cameras boast. This was while the technology was still maturing, but modern production and technologies, along with the way people share photos, means it’s not necessary to have a 16- or 18-megapixel pocket camera. Small cameras have small image sensors, and packing more megapixels into that tiny space brings a number of complications with it. It also means image quality suffers. Canon, Nikon and Sony are leading the field in bringing things down to a more manageable level. A pocket camera with a 10- or 12-megapixel sensor will still spit out photos that can be printed on an A4 page, but the important difference is that they are high-quality pixels. This means better colour, prettier depth-of-field, less noise, and sharper edges. If you’re replacing a 4-year-old 12-megapixel camera don’t be worried that your new one still has 12 megapixels. It’s almost guaranteed that the results will be significantly better.

10 | connect | January 2012

www.connectmag.co.za | 11

back to basics

Pics in your pocket Compact cameras are what most buyers are in the market for. The quintessential point-and-shoot is compact, has an automatic mode, a build-in flash and offers a reasonable amount of usable megapixels. The determining factor here is size, and pocket cameras are almost always about the size of a pack of cigarettes or a fat smartphone.

Canon, Nikon and Sony offer models that cost as little as R900 and will endow beginners with the very basics they need to take a digital photo. Don’t be fooled by appearances though, because a camera of similar dimensions can be used to produce professional-level photos that can be printed on A4 photo paper and framed. You’ll pay up to 5 or 6 times more for a high-end pocket camera, but what you get in features and picture quality is well worth the investment. All pocket cameras have a number of scene presets for taking better photos in certain situations, and the automatic modes are getting smarter – some models will even automatically take a photo when the subject is smiling.

These features won’t turn you into a professional, but the printed results look a lot better because the pricier models have fancier image sensors (the chip on which images are captured) that capture better colours and work better in low light.

12 | connect | January 2012

Compact curiosity: pocket cameras Pocket cameras, as their name suggests, are designed to slip into a pocket or your handbag with little fuss. Manufacturers are making them more powerful, though, and you can have some models with large zoom lenses that fold into the body.

They’re perfect for party pics and general photos, and don’t require special knowledge to operate.

Not-so-amateur hour High-end bridge cameras sport lenses with manual zoom rings and manual focus rings, along with modes that allow for manual control of shutter speed, aperture and ISO settings. These are aimed at technically proficient amateur photographers or even professionals who don’t want the burden of a large, bulky camera when travelling.

Cheaper models sometimes forego ultimate image quality (a high-end pocket camera could take better photos, but will also be pricier) but offer compact camera features in a bigger camera body that might be more comfortable to use.

Bridge cameras are joined by the new wave of mirrorless cameras – so named for their SLR-like operating principles, but lacking a pentaprism mirror.

These are cameras like the Nikon J1 and Olympus PEN, which have compact bodies and interchangeable lens mounts. Lenses can be compact if need be, but with a regular lens, a mirrorless camera will be about the same size as a normal bridge camera. Mirrorless cameras are aimed at technical users, and offer extremely good image quality and creative possibilities, but are nearly double the price of a good bridge camera.

Pro-photo partners

Bridge over compact waters: Bridge Cameras These not-so-compact zoom cameras are more versatile than their pocket camera counterparts. Bigger lens elements mean more zoom and, most of the time, better image quality. There are advanced features that make them great for up-andcoming photographers, but they’re still more affordable than a full-blown SLR.

If you take photography seriously and want the ultimate in creative control, along with the best technology to capture the image as you see it, an SLR is for you. These are the big cameras like the Canon EOS range, Nikon’s D series and Sony’s Alpha lineup, each with a specific mount for the lens system on offer. This gives you the ultimate in versatility, because you can choose a lens for a specific scene or type of photography, but it requires a lot of money – lenses start at R1 000 and can cost as much as R160 000 – and the powerful features are often more than the average user needs.

Entry-level SLRs still offer excellent scene modes to assist users in taking better photos, while highend models are void of any assists.

Sony’s newer Alpha cameras (the Alpha 33, 55, 65, and 77) are SLT cameras. They operate similarly to regular SLR cameras but lack a mirror mechanism, thus use digital viewfinders instead of optical viewfinders to frame the shot.

Lens envy: SLR Cameras SLR cameras are all about the lenses: an entrylevel camera body with an expensive lens can produce excellent results.

This is why your real investment is in the glass, which can be used for many decades, on future camera bodies. More expensive SLRs are aimed at professional users who take thousands of photos a week, while affordable models are perfect for home users who take hundreds of photos a month.

www.connectmag.co.za | 13

educational software //by deon du plessis

Learn Learn more, and learn faster, by using software designed to maximise both fun and knowledge gain! We take a look at some of the titles available to South African consumers aimed at helping students learn.

South African School Curriculum Grades 1 – 7

Schooligans Students between the ages of 5 and 13 will enjoy the Schooligans series of educational packages as it uses fun and highly interactive lessons to teach kids the local curriculum. There are 4 Schooligans programs that cover Grade 1 to Grade 7, and each teaches the lessons key to those years. Kids’ progress is monitored, and there is constant feedback and positive reinforcement to help learners get the hang of things.

Ages: 5 – 13

Kids take to computers like ducks to water, so it’s only natural that computer-aided learning is an excellent way to help them with school. Here are a few locallyproduced titles that cover the South African school curriculum.

Big Boet Series All titles in the Big Boet series teach reading and language skills in English and Afrikaans, they encourage thinking skills with various mini-games, teach correct spelling and grammar, and encourage better memory and concentration with a variety of engaging kid-friendly activities. The series covers the local syllabus from Grade 1 through to Grade 7, and there is a separate product available that teaches high schoollevel maths.

Ages: 3 – 13

14 | connect | January 2012

Life Skills Learning is about more than just numbers, facts and figures; it’s also about developing the skills necessary to make your way through life successfully. Here are 2 packages that help with this.

Fuzz & Ditto Friendly aliens Fuzz & Ditto are the stars of these two educational programs that teach young kids essential skills that will make the transition to school life just that much easier. Kids have the chance to learn about the sea and safaris in a friendly, engaging way reminiscent of TV shows but featuring a lot more interactivity. Introductory reading, maths and life skills are taught gently and with a lot of care.

Ages: 5 – 7

Future Island High school learners are taken on an adventure that challenges them to use their thinking skills to overcome obstacles, while also learning vital life lessons that are not covered in significant detail by the regular curriculum. The value of entrepreneurialism, coping with relationships and change, peer pressure and financial planning are just some of the subjects covered. Future Island provides high-school students with the kind of skills needed to not only improve their marks, but also their thinking and coping skills, which will stand them in good stead as they enter the wider world.

Urban Quest In Urban Quest, primary school learners embark on a big-city adventure that has them trying to get home. There are various tasks set for them by the characters they come across in their journey through a busy urban environment that need to be successfully completed. Each task is structured like a mini-game, and challenges learners to think outside the box. Learning is fun, and the local flavour of the software’s content is relevant and engaging.

Ages: 10 – 13

www.connectmag.co.za | 15

educational software

International Learning Jump Start Series The Jump Start range of educational titles is nothing short of spectacular when it comes to the slickness of their overall presentation and the sheer amount of learning potential they contain. Plus, they’ve been designed for maximum fun, so much so that kids probably won’t even notice they’re learning while they play. The range covers preschool to early high school, and teaches kids everything from the basics (pattern recognition, reading, spelling, numbers and more) all the way up to middle school history and geography using a variety of fun characters, 2D and 3D graphics, and all the positive reinforcement kids need to thrive at school. Even though it’s an American series and doesn’t follow the local curriculum exactly, it presents many universal lessons from which every kid can benefit.

Ages: 4 – 11

High School Score More, Mathematics – Grades 10 through 12 The Score More Maths range covers everything high school students need to know about maths as it covers the maths curriculum of Grade 10 to Matric. It uses individual lessons and interactive simulations to help students retain as much information as possible.

Each package includes helpful revision techniques, including a Test Centre and worksheets that will help learners successfully write their year-end exams.

Ages: 16 – 18

Score More, Physical Sciences – Grades 10 through 12 Score More’s Science programs use interactive simulations that illustrate complex scientific concepts and principles, solved exam papers and various animated lessons to help foster understanding of what can be a very complex subject. Through these techniques, along with printable worksheets that can be used to test students and track their progress, Score More’s Science series has the potential to help students understand the curriculum and ace their exams.

Ages: 16 – 18

16 | connect | January 2012

Language Learning Euro Talk Language Software It’s fun to learn a new language, especially when the process is helped along by a very competent language-learning program like those available in the Euro Talk series. These programs use a combination of animations, spoken dialogue and fun games to teach the key elements of a large number of foreign languages, and even a few local ones. Mzansi favourites Sesotho (Southern), Xhosa and Zulu are also covered, and learning each is a fun, interactive process.

There are over 120 languages to choose from, and within each language category there are individual packages that teach varying levels of expertise. Users can choose whether they want to learn the basics, improve their vocabulary or learn words and phrases essential to running a business.

Ages: Everyone

Samsung recommends Windows® 7.

Introducing the new Samsung Series 9 Notebook. Cast from aviation alloy and powered by a 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processor, it’s the latest innovation in fast computing performance. At only 16mm, its ultra thin, lightweight streamlined arc design make it more than just a notebook. It’s a true reflection of strength and sophistication. What defines you?

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 2537M (1.4GHz, 3MB) • Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium (64bit) Operating System 4GB (DDR3) System Memory • 13.3” SuperBrightPlus© Anti-Reflective HD LED Display • 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD) Up to 7 Hours Battery Life** • Weighs only 1.31kg

www.samsung.com/notebook Copyright© 2011 SAMSUNG Electronics Co, Ltd. Screen images are simulated. Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Core and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. ** Battery life based on Battery Mark test scores that will vary based on configuration.

SAM_SERIES9_7374_CT_F

FIND OUT MORE

flashback //by christo van gemert

The history of...

television It’s difficult to imagine a world without television.

Radio tantalises our ears, and photography gives us a visual thrill, but watching and listening to something at the same time completely captivates us. The TV gets a lot of attention, and it’s grown up to change with the times...

1934 German company Telefunken starts selling the first-ever electronic television using a cathode ray tube (CRT). It has a low resolution and only displays black and white pictures. But it’s the first.

1962

1920s

The first-ever satellite TV transmission takes place, using the Telstar satellite: a live feed of a flag flying outside Andover Earth Station, the AT&T facility used for satellite communications.

Paul Gottlieb Nipkow patents a device cleverly called the Nipkow disk. It’s used by many people, most notably Scotsman John Logie Baird, to display basic shapes and silhouettes, transmitted remotely.

Baird even installed the first television set at the prime minister’s house in the UK.

1946 1932 The BBC becomes the first broadcaster in the world offering regular public television broadcasts.

18 | connect | January 2012

American company RCA demonstrates the first colour, all-electric CRT TV. Differences in broadcast standards mean this takes nearly 20 years to be standardised, and by the 1970s, most networks were broadcasting in colour. TV sets remain expensive.

2000s Decades of refinement to existing technology finally give way to modern high-definition (HD) devices, ready to accept HD signals from a rapidly-adopting broadcast industry. Manufacturers finally master the processes necessary to build large LCD and plasma TVs at an affordable cost. More standards are introduced, making it easier to view content from anywhere, on any TV.

2010s 1970s CRT televisions get a bit of competition in the form of rear-projection televisions.

These are the mammoth TV sets that are available in sizes up to 100� – but they still only show standard definition signals.

The LCD and plasma war has stabilised, with the former having a significant advantage over the latter – especially since the introduction of LED backlighting. HD broadcasts are commonplace, Blu-ray high-def content is readily available on disc, and even videogames are in HD. Modern TVs can use Internet connections to play back digital content from the Web, and even act as smart devices that offer us tons of other content.

Three-dimensional TV is being adopted in line with 3D movies hitting the cinemas. The next step: 4K HD, which has twice the resolution of current HD TV.

1996 The first public HD TV broadcast in the United States takes place in Raleigh, North Carolina, for a local news station.

Even though the technology has been in development for some time, it only now starts seeing commercial use.

www.connectmag.co.za | 19

buying advice //by christo van gemert

More features at no extra cost!

Whether you got a gadget for Christmas or bought one to spoil yourself, you’ll probably be looking for ways it can give you more fun or use, without spending more moolah. Well, you’ve found the right place to get more for less...

W

hen it comes to tech, some of the free things are fairly obvious to those in the know, but newcomers might not be familiar with a lot of the commonly known uses and secret shortcuts. For instance, most people consider “installing apps” as the must-do thing when getting a smartphone. While that’s true, it’s the other powerful uses need you to dig a bit deeper. That iPhone or shiny new Galaxy S II doesn’t need to be used just for Angry Birds.

Below, we’ve chosen 5 of the most popular things that have some additional uses to be squeezed out of them. Your gaming console can be used for more than unlocking achievements and fragging friends, and a broadband connection isn’t just limited to delivering your morning news or e-mail a little faster than usual.

20 | connect | January 2012

iPod Touch and iPod Nano Apple’s 2 music players are singled out here for specific reasons. The Nano, since receiving its touchscreen facelift last year, has a clever trick up its sleeve. Or rather, up its user’s sleeve. See, this diminutive player has a clock function and when used in conjunction with an old wrist strap, transforms into the smartest digital watch you’ll ever wear. The new Nano even has different watch face designs for customisation.

The iPod Touch is a bit smarter. A watch it isn’t, but it’ll do almost everything the iPhone can, since it uses the same iOS operating system, which means you can install the same apps. Most people might not be aware of this, but the Touch is more than just a musicplaying iPod. If you have a headset with a built-in microphone, it’ll even be usable as a voice over IP phone using the Skype application or other similar VoIP apps. Just because you don’t have an iPhone doesn’t mean you have to miss out on any of the awesome mobile apps available for the platform, whether they’re games, informational and communications apps, or even fun time killers.

PS3 and Xbox 360 The primary use for any games console is, no surprises here, to play games. We all know that the PS3 can do double duty as a Blu-ray player (it’s actually one of the best out there) and the Xbox 360 can play DVDs. It’s also known that both consoles offer excellent facilities for online play – if you’ve not yet tried gaming online, definitely give it a go. It’ll extend the life of your favourite games by quite a number of hours.

American and European console gamers have one extra feature they can take advantage of. Those countries, with their faster Internet connections, have online movie and television streaming services on offer. Gamers there can simply log online and rent movies that are then digitally streamed to their Xbox or PS3.

It’s not offered officially in South Africa, and workarounds are tricky, but there’s still a way to watch your digital content (any movies or music you have stored on your computer) on your console. Simply download a free media server application, such as PS3 Media Server (www.ps3mediaserver.org) or TVersity (www.tversity.com), and configure them to share the digital content with your consoles.

The Xbox or PS3 will now see the shared resources on your home network and effortlessly play it on your big-screen TV.

www.connectmag.co.za | 21

buying advice //by christo van gemert

Smartphones As mentioned in the introductory paragraph, smartphones are well known for the apps you can install on them. It does largely depend on what is offered on the marketplace for your phone, but for the most part, you’ll find similar applications across all platforms.

While using the phone to play games is fun, and using it as a navigational aid is useful, how about sharing your Internet connection?

Smartphones like the iPhone (3GS and newer) and most Android-based phones have a function that allows the phone to turn into a wireless hotspot. This means the phone connects to the Internet via the 3G mobile network, and then shares that Internet connection with any devices (like tablets, laptops, game consoles) that connect to its mobile network. This does take a lot of battery power, but it’s incredibly useful in a pinch.

Tablets

Broadband Internet connections Sites load faster and e-mail is sent a little quicker, but a broadband connection isn’t just more of the same. Thanks to the way computers work, a fatter pipe (or broader band, in this case) means you can get more information at once. Those news pages and e-mails still remain the same size, but movie and music content is larger. Combine this with the always-on benefits of a broadband connection and you can turn a computer into a digital media hub. Streaming music services are a dime a dozen on the Internet, and streaming video services are not just limited to YouTube. Vimeo (www.vimeo.com), another video-hosting site, has a lot of high-definition independent films, along with documentaries. There are also services such as Joost.com, which offer more video content. If you have an ADSL connection with a sizeable monthly cap, you can host your own websites to friends and family. Technical users can also explore the possibility of remotely accessing their home networks from the office or a coffee shop. Fast broadband means you can have access to all the content at home from anywhere in the world.

22 | connect | January 2012

As with some of the other tips here, this also involves a mobile device that runs a smart operating system. Tablets, like smartphones, have access to the same mobile application marketplaces. You can download games, watch movies, browse the Net and check e-mail.

One of the best uses for these notepad-sized marvels, though, is as books. If you already have a tablet, there’s no need to invest in an Amazon Kindle to read your digital books. In fact, both the Android and Apple app stores have a Kindle app for tablets. Not only that, but there are other applications offering digital reads.

Online magazine store Zinio has Apple and Android apps for its subscribers. Subscribing to your digital magazines is cheaper than buying them at your news agent, and downloading them for offline reading is even easier than popping to the shops.

top 10 internet sites //by deon du plessis

Surf...

sm rt You’ve heard about the awesome usefulness of the Internet, but don’t know where to start looking?

We show you 10 Websites that’ll provide a launching point for your online adventures.

24 | connect | January 2012

General information: Wikipedia Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia containing information on just about anything you can think of. It’s written and maintained by a community of experts, and all articles can be submitted and edited by anyone with a Google account. If that sounds a bit dodgy, the community involvement is so high and so many experts are actively contributing to the site that any incorrect information the pages contain is quickly corrected. Wikipedia is basically an open, online book that anyone can read, comment on and contribute to, and the sheer volume of information it contains is staggering. There are currently over 3.8 million articles available for your reading pleasure.

Useful for: Finding out general information on just about anything, self-education Website: http://www.wikipedia.org

Shopping for the best price: Pricecheck Online shopping has 3 primary benefits: convenience, variety, and great prices. However, there are so many online e-tailers that it can be hard to be sure you’ve found the absolute best price for whatever product you’re buying. This is where Pricecheck comes in. It’s a service that searches local online stores and presents its findings to you in an easy-to-read format that shows you what your product costs, and where it’s available. It also rates the e-tailers according to how trustworthy they are, a system that is based on customer feedback.

So basically, Pricecheck finds you the lowest online price for the product you’re seeking, and tells you whether the online merchant it is available from can be trusted with your money.

Useful for: Finding the best local online prices, quickly Website: http://www.pricecheck.co.za

Importing what’s not locally available: Wantitall Not every product you hear about is available from local stores, either online or from the brick-and-mortar variety. They’re not entirely unreachable, however, but importing them yourself can be a bit of a bother. That is why a site like Wantitall.co.za exists, to undertake the import process on your behalf.

All you have to do is pay a bit of a premium for the privilege. Even if you can’t find an international e-commerce Website that sells what you’re looking for, you can place a request with Wantitall.co.za and their friendly staff will try their best to source the product for you and provide a quote, to which you then say yay or nay. It’s a great way to get products from Amazon.com in the US, for example, without leaving the delivery to chance.

Useful for: Sourcing products that are not available in SA Website: http://www.wantitall.co.za

www.connectmag.co.za | 25

top 10 internet sites

Movie information: IMDB

Search provider: Google We left the most useful, most amazing Web service for last. Google is the world’s best search provider, partly because it’s so easy to use, but mostly because Google’s search results are, on average, far more relevant to the actual search query (translation: you’ll find what you’re looking for easier with Google than with competing search services). Google covers absolutely everything you can think of, and is intelligent enough to understand everyday language, so typing in your query exactly as it is in your head will yield relevant results. It’s probably the best way to start any exploration of the Internet, and it’s been such a great resource that it’s been our browser’s’ Home page since 2001.

Useful for: Finding information on almost any topic imaginable Website: http://www.google.com

The Internet Movie Database is exactly what its name implies – it’s an online resource that lists a massive amount of information about all movies ever made. If you’re lover of entertainment, it’s a fantastic place to learn more about your favourite films, TV shows, directors, actors and actresses, the goings-on of the international movie industry and a whole lot more. Our personal favourite feature of IMDB is the trivia it lists about movies that contain fascinating glimpses into their making that would otherwise not be known. For instance, did you know that it took roughly 16 puppeteers to bring the iconic alien queen at the end of James Cameron’s Aliens (1986) to life?

Useful for: In-depth movie and TV series information Website: http://www.imdb.com

Incredibly intelligent local news: The Daily Maverick Some local news sites provide basic reports on what’s been happening, but the people over at The Daily Maverick go above and beyond just the events of the day to bring readers intelligent analysis of political happenings. The site also features some more irreverent themes (coverage of social media, some entertainment, etc.), but its meat-and-potatoes is its coverage of the political scene, both local and international. It features prominent writers who are able to provide keen insight into the implications of our politicians’ words and actions (or lack thereof), and enjoys a very active and vociferous reader community that enjoys engaging with each other and the writers in the site’s comments sections.

Useful for: Insight into the local and international political scene, entertainment and social media news Website: http://www.dailymaverick.co.za

Online productivity-killing games: Popcap Everyone needs a break now and then and a great way to kill 10 minutes or so is to visit Popcap.com, a site that is home to games that can be played in your Internet browser.

Enjoy titles like Bookworm, a brain-bending word game, or jewel-matching game Bejeweled,. Then there’s Peggle, our personal favourite, which has you launching small balls at pegs to try to clear them. Successful players are rewarded with an energetic clip from Schiller’s Ode to Joy. Many of the games on the site are free, with options to purchase enhanced downloadable versions of the games for a small fee.

Useful for: Enjoying a quick game when you’re on a break, or at home Website: http://www.popcap.com

26 | connect | January 2012

Funny site: Icanhascheezburger.com Finding things to laugh at is one of the best things about the Internet, and Icanhascheezburger.com has to be one of the funniest Websites out there.

It’s chock-full of hilarious pictures, and continues the craze started a few years ago of captioning cats doing what cats do with funny, poorly-spelled text.

It’s fun for the whole family, and so funny that you might even hurt yourself laughing (we know this because we have done exactly that!). It’s pretty cute, too, and will undoubtedly elicit more than a few “awwwwwws” from you. Icanhascheezburger.com will also change the way you spell “kitty”, and make you want to get a cat and camera so you can make your own “kitteh pictchas”. Highly recommended.

Useful for: A really good belly-laugh, inspiring kitten adoption and intentionally poor spelling Website: http://www.icanhascheezburger.com

Dictionary/Thesaurus: Merriam-Webster

Staying in touch with friends and family: Facebook Keeping in touch with friends and family is as easy as signing up to this Website.

Once you’ve signed up to Facebook (it’s free), you can update your Status with what you’re doing, thinking, eating, etc., and share your photographs and look at those of others; you can write on the “walls” of the people you know (once you’ve added them as friends, of course), play various games, follow interesting links shared by friends, share your own and a lot more. Once you’ve added friends and family and their updates start appearing on your “Facebook feed”, prepare to lose hours of time just following the goings-on in their lives.

Useful for: Being sociable without actually leaving the house Website: http://www.facebook.com

Looking up the meanings, origins and alternative versions of words can be done on this site, making it a very useful reference tool for budding writers, students and anyone else involved in wordsmithery.

The site also contains fun word games, tests of mental skill, lists of the most popular words as searched for by Internet users in the previous 24 hours, new words, slang both new and old, and much more. It’s a rather brainy site, which we very much like, and if its use was compulsory in schools, perhaps the murdering of the English language that takes place on Facebook would no longer happen. We can dream, right?

Useful for: General language reference, fun word games, education Website: http://www.merriam-webster.com

www.connectmag.co.za | 27

pocket gamer //by tiana Cline

Step aside Xbox and PlayStation – tablets and smartphones are taking over the mobile gaming space.

28 | connect | January 2012

. . . a u o y e r A

mobile T

he first game that came pre-installed on a mobile phone was Tetris. It appeared on the Hagenuk MT-2000 in Germany in the early 1990s. But the game that most South Africans will remember is Snake.

According to Nokia, Snake, which is now over 13 years old, was originally programmed for the Nokia 6100 series of handsets. Adapted for mobile phones by Taneli Armanto (who still works for Nokia), it’s embedded in over 350 million devices worldwide, making it the most popular mobile game ever.

Thanks to app stores, today’s smartphones and tablets make gaming on-the-go an easy option. Why buy a portable gaming console when you already have a fully-featured device capable of great graphics and gameplay? According to a recent report, 84% of tablet owners play games, with 70% to 80% of all mobile downloads being games.

Smartphone-savvy Nokia’s N-Gage game deck was an innovative mobile device that created an entirely new market for the games industry. Built for active gamers, the N-Gage platform was the original mobile phone and connected game device to feature online, high-quality 3D multiplayer gameplay using Bluetooth wireless technology and GPRS. Ten years later, Sony Ericsson’s Xperia PLAY is the first device to be officially PlayStation-branded, which

means that it is fully backwards-compatible with PlayStation Portable games digitally released on the PlayStation Network via the PlayStation Store. With an impressive back catalogue of PlayStation games to download, you simply slide out the controls of your Xperia PLAY and get gaming – the phone even features the official PlayStation buttons. The Xperia PLAY is the perfect stepping stone towards the PlayStation Vita, which launches internationally in February.

Are you an Xbox fanatic? The Windows Phone is much more than a smartphone; it’s a great portable gaming device too. With Windows Phone and Xbox LIVE, the gaming experience extends across your phone, computer and Xbox console. Thousands of games are available in Marketplace to download and play. And if they’re Xbox LIVE games, you can sign in to keep track of your scores and rack up new Achievements.

Smartphones running Windows Phone 7 are the only ones on the market with Xbox LIVE built in.

Another smartphone that’s not specifically designed for mobile gaming but performs well on that front is the iPhone 4S. With a dual core processor, excellent GPU and unrivalled benchmarking, it’s a game changer in the mobile segment.

And despite the fact that games only account for 20% of the 130 000 iPhone apps listed on iTunes, research shows that Apple users download more games when compared to Android and BlackBerry users.

www.connectmag.co.za | 29

pocket gamer //by tiana Cline Did you know?

The mobile gaming industry is predicted to reach $54 billion by 2015.

The majority (61%) of those playing games on their mobile phones own a smartphone.

Android is soon to overtake Apple in number of total available apps.

In-game purchases should overtake pay-per-downloads by 2013.

Angry Birds has been downloaded 140 million times.

Developers made $87 million in ad revenue in 2010 and will grow tenfold by 2015.

The average age of a mobile phone gamer is 39.3 years.

Smartphones offer a more accessible, on-demand and often compelling mobile gaming experience.

The technological advancements in the phone industry, such as hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, is driving the increasing quality of games.

And when compared to traditional retail games that can sell for between R349.95 and R699.95 (depending on the platform), many mobile games are free, with a few costing R20 or less.

TOP 5 MOBILE GAMES Angry Birds

DoodleJump

Fruit Ninja

This is the mobile game based on physics that’s now a board game and toy series! Dish out revenge on the greedy pigs that stole the birds’ eggs by using the unique powers of each different Angry Bird to destroy the pigs’ fortresses. Each of the 285 levels requires logic, skill and force to solve.

The app is so popular, you can now buy plush toys, a board game and there’s an upcoming console adaption.

In DoodleJump, you guide Doodle the Doodler, using some of the most subtle and accurate tilt controls in existence, on a springy journey up, up, up a sheet of graph paper, picking up jet packs, avoiding black holes, and blasting baddies with nose balls along the way.

Playing in 8 unique worlds, you’ll finding yourself laughing with delight as Doodle blows past other players’ actual score markers scribbled in the margins. But be warned: this game is insanely addictive.

Fruit Ninja is a juicy action game with squishy, splatty and satisfying fruit carnage!

Become the ultimate bringer of sweet, tasty destruction with every slash. Swipe up across the screen to gleefully slash fruit like a true ninja warrior.

Fruit Ninja features 3 packed gameplay modes – Classic, Zen and the new Arcade, featuring power-ups including Freeze, Frenzy and Double Score. The bonus Dojo section includes unlockable blades and backgrounds. You can also unlock achievements and post scores to the online leaderboards with Openfeint.

30 | connect | January 2012

Cut the Rope You’ll have to Cut the Rope, catch a star, and feed Om Nom candy in this award-winning game! Om Nom is an adorably hungry monster and the only thing standing between him and a full belly is you – that is, your help cutting the ropes that hold the candy he wants.

Swipe your finger across the ropes to release the delicious bundles into his mouth. But don’t forget to collect the stars and break the bubbles along the way – easier said than done when enemies and obstacles await!

Words with Friends From the creators of Farmville, the increasingly popular Facebook game, is a Scrabblelike phenomena that millions across the world are playing.

In Words with Friends, players take turns building words crossword puzzle style with one or more friends, or by being matched with random opponents. Up to 20 games can be played simultaneously using push notifications that will alert you when it is you turn. There’s also an in-game chat system so you can chat to whomever you’re playing with.

product reviews // by Deon Du PLessis & Christo van Gemert

NEW BEGINNINGS

Contents

W

elcome to 2012! I trust you had a wonderful Christmas break with friends and family, and you feel fresh and ready to tackle 2012!

We’ve got a fantastic issue in store for you, and the reviews section contains enough exciting up-andcoming products and already-available ones to satisfy today’s gadget hunger and tomorrow’s desires.

We take a look at Apple’s latest iPhone, the iPhone 4S and HP’s tastylooking Folio Ultrabook in our First Look section, and I spent some quality time with a fantastic new iPod/iPad/ iPhone docking station from JBL. I really liked it, not just because of its excellent performance but because it has a few unexpected features that made it better than docks with equivalent sound.

Christo put together another roundup, this time of cameras, which I’m sure camera shoppers will find useful in their quest for a new compact.

And that’s all from me. Rock on, 2012!

Cheers Deon

While we make every effort to ensure pricing is accurate before we go to print, sometimes through circumstances we have no control over, the prices in Connect may differ from those you’ll see on store shelves. In all cases, shelf pricing takes precedence.

32 | connect | January 2012

34 36 38 39 42 44 45 46 54 56 58 59 60

First Look – Apple iPhone S First Look – HP Folio Ultrabook Top 5 – Asus Zenbook Top 5 – Belkin Play Max HD Modem Router Top 5 – JBL OnBeat Xtreme iPod/iPad/iPhone Dock Top 5 – Microsoft Speed Wheel for Xbox 360 Top 5 – HP Envy Inkjet Printer Camera Roundup LG Mouse Scanner Corel PaintShop Pro X4 EuroTalk Rainbow Child Vocab Builder Cyberlink PowerDirector 10 Ultra Adobe Lightroom

advertorial

TomTom LIVE Services Traffic got you down? Fret not, there is help!

W

ithout doubt, traffic is a daily nuisance.

Worse than the traffic itself is not knowing when or where it will suddenly get worse, which alternate routes to take or even just which roads are the most congested.

A GPS device cAn helP TomTom’s LIVE GPS devices grant you access to services that can help you plan your route to take you around congested roads. Using a complicated system that gathers and analyses traffic data, your TomTom can tell you what is happening on the roads in your area, with amazing accuracy. By using that information to avoid clogged routes, you can potentially make it to your destination quicker. If re-routing is not possible, your TomTom will also tell you what sort of delay you’re facing so that you can notify anyone expecting you of how long you will still be.

live ServiceS LIVE services don’t just keep track of traffic, either – for your annual subscription you’ll also get access to the locations of speed cameras. Your TomTom device will then notify you of their presence, and you can drive accordingly. For a relatively modest investment, you can possibly save yourself thousands in traffic fines.

LIVE-enabled devices can also tell you what’s around you with TomTom’s POI (Points of Interest) feature. You can search for restaurants, petrol stations, shopping centres and much more from the device itself, and results are listed according to how far they are away from your current position.

WhAt doeS it coSt? You get a year’s worth of access to TomTom’s Live services and map updates with your GPS purchase. Once the year is up maps cost R400 and Live services R499, and both must be renewed every year.

You can choose not to purchase new maps every year, but then – surprise – your GPS device won’t display the absolute latest map data, and you might end up turning down a closed road that was open a year ago.

Added extrAS Throw in voice commands, weather information and handsfree cellphone controls via Bluetooth and you have fullyfeatured devices that make for excellent travel companions whether you’re going on holiday, or just driving around town.

live-enAbled deviceS: The following TomTom GPS devices are all LIVE-enabled... > Via LIVE 120 > Via LIVE 125 > GO LIVE 1000

product FIRST LOOK

34 | connect | JANUARY 2012

Also

Consider

Apple iPhone 4S NEED TO KNOW • Faster, dual-core processor • New 8-megapixel camera • Personal Assistant voice commands Availability: Now

Late last year, Tim Cook, Apple’s new CEO, took to the stage to unveil the company’s latest iteration of its h ugely popular iPhone. The iPhone had sold more than 100 million units to date, and this was the most anticipated release yet.

While many people were expecting an iPhone 5 – now rumoured to be a completely redesigned variant for the next model year – the iPhone 4S is no slouch. It features Apple’s A5 dual-core processor, the same one used in the iPad 2, which makes it a whole lot faster in a number of tasks. This includes gaming, where Apple claims the 4S has 7 times faster graphics capabilities than the iPhone 4. Not only will your games look better, they’ll load faster.

The new phone still uses the same amazing, high-resolution Retina display first seen on the iPhone 4 – something the new camera can take advantage of. Replacing the 5-megapixel autofocus camera of the previous model is an all-new 8-megapixel snapper, with video recording upgraded to 1 080P. It boasts a new lens, with a larger aperture, and the sensor has even better colour and light reproduction. The Camera app also has a few new features, including on-phone editing of photos, and face detection for up to 10 faces. It’s now also possible to activate the camera from the phone’s lock screen, saving precious seconds when you need to get the perfect shot.

iOS 5 is the standard operating system for the iPhone 4S, and standard features include Photo Stream, which automatically shares your photos online, Twitter integration, and iCloud. One of the features unique to the 4S, though, is Personal Assistant.

Voice commands have been part of the iPhone since the 3GS, but Personal Assistant (based on a technology called Siri) takes things to a whole new level. The technology allows users to use plain speech for dictating commands, with remarkable accuracy. Scheduling appointments is as simple as saying: “Create a meeting between 2 and 4pm on Tuesday.”

If there’s a conflicting schedule, Siri replies and asks you what to do.

The commands extend to most features in the phone, allowing you to set reminders, dictate text messages or even ask regular questions.

“Where can I get some Chinese food?” will yield search results for nearby restaurants, and asking whether you’ll need a raincoat brings up a weather report. Now that’s smart.

Samsung Galaxy S II

Samsung’s venerable Galaxy S II is a monster machine, with a large 4.3” display, dualcore processor and capable of running the latest versions of Android.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Processor: Apple A5 dual core • Camera: 8 megapixels, autofocus • Display: 3.5”, 960 x 640 resolution • Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n wireless • Storage: 16GB, 32GB or 64GB

Excitement potential

Nokia Lumia 800

The latest Nokia runs Windows Phone 7 as its operating system, and offers as much functionality as all the other smartphones currently on sale.

www.connectmag.co.za | 35

product FIRST LOOK

Product HP Folio Ultrabook

Specs

NEED TO KNOW • Business notebook with consumer features • Up to 9 hours of battery life • 13.3” LED HD-ready BrightView display • Weighs less than 1.5kg Expected: Q1 2012

HP Folio Ultrabook • Processor: Intel Core i5 • Memory: Up to 8GB DDR3 RAM • Operating System: Windows 7 Professional or Home Premium 64-bit • Display: 13.3” BrightView @ 1 366 x 768 • Storage: 128GB Solid State Drive • Webcam: HP TrueVision HD 720p • Network: Gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v3.0 • Connectivity: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, HDMI out, 4-in-one builtin card reader • Keyboard: LED-backlit fullsized Chiclet keyboard

36 | connect | January 2012

It would seem big-name notebook-makers are getting the message that what consumers really want in a notebook is a minimum of bulk, a maximum of battery life and hardware that’s powerful enough for the product to be fast and responsive. We had a look at an Acer Ultrabook a few months back, and now it’s HP’s turn to show us what they can do with the concept.

Dubbed the “Folio”, HP’s new Ultrabook brings all of the most recent trends in notebook design into a single product. It has been designed to be both consumer- and business-friendly, as it offers a wide range of features that will appeal to both groups.

For business folks, it boasts a battery life of up to 9 hours, far beyond the needs of the average work day and thus a boon to anyone who regularly spends long periods away from power outlets. It is powered by Intel’s 2nd-generation Core i5 processors, can accommodate up to 8GB of RAM, and even comes with a 128GB super-fast, ultra-power-efficient Solid State Drive. For a business machine, these specifications are above and beyond the call of duty and are sure to provide a speedy and smooth Windows 7 Professional 64-bit experience.

Perhaps even more important than these, the Folio has a full range of ports, something a lot of Ultrabook designs overlook in favour of keeping the chassis as thin as possible. Impressively, the Folio has a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port, an HDMI output and even a USB 3.0 port for ultra-fast transfers using supported USB 3.0 devices. If that’s not enough, the Folio even has a built-in card reader. What’s most impressive here is that despite all of these, the Folio’s chassis is still only 18mm thick.

Two additional business-friendly features include the option to include a TPM chip, required for trusted computing in bigger organisations, and the possibility of extending the usual 1-year warranty to 3 years. Lastly, the Folio has an HD webcam that takes hi-res video footage and copes well with low-light situations, a feature those who conduct video conferences in rooms with less-than-ideal lighting will like.

For consumers, sleek looks, an HD-ready screen and Dolby Advanced Audio will be sure to warrant a closer look. With its brushed aluminium finish and incredibly thin chassis, the Folio is a very classy-looking machine. Adding to this appeal is its weight, or lack thereof: at 1.49kg with the battery installed, the Folio is easily classifiable as a featherweight in the notebook world. Travellers will probably appreciate this more than most.

Other consumer-centric features include a really good sound system (Dolby’s excellent Advanced Audio v.20), competent graphics capabilities (Intel’s HD Graphics 3000 chip) and a very bright 13.3” screen that runs at a resolution of 1 366 x 768. There is even a full-sized Chiclet-style keyboard (but no keypad) that’s backlit for easy use in the dark.

Just looking at the Folio, it’s clear that HP really believes in the Ultrabook concept. From our perspective, if it delivers on all the promise contained in its diminutive shell, it will prove to be a win for consumers and business-users alike, and we can’t wait to deliver the verdict.

Pros

Cons

• Ultrabook build – light and compact • Hardware should provide a good Windows experience • Business- and consumer-centric features

• No optical drive

Excitement potential

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5

product reviews

Asus ZenBook Ux21 Series Ultra Slim NEED TO KNOW • Ultra-slim, sleek design • Intel Core i5 processor • Bang & Olufsen audio • Extended battery life R11 999.95

Asus has long been a front-runner in the computer hardware industry, and with the release of the Zenbook, the company is affirming itself as a major contender when it comes to design, too. The Zenbook is Asus’ latest entry into the competitive Ultrabook market. It’s sleek, sexy and powerful enough to contend with the likes of Apple’s phenomenal MacBook Air. The Air found fame back in 2008 for its minimal size, maximum price and having only 3 ports. Ever since then, PC producers have been scrambling to create Windows-based notebooks that compete in terms of looks, power, functionality and size, and they’re only now starting to catch up.

Last year proved to be the year of the tablet, with iPads, Galaxy Tabs, Iconias and Playbooks enjoying so much popularity that notebook sales took a bit of a dive. Comparatively, 2012 is looking like it will be the year of the Ultrabook, as technology has matured to the point that Ultrabooks can offer tablet-like convenience while providing enough processing power to seriously challenge the performance of conventional notebooks.

The Asus Zenbook is easily one of the best-looking Ultrabooks currently 38 | connect | January 2012

on the South African market, with a super-slim brushed-metal body that tapers to a point, like a razorblade. It looks so sharp, in fact, that it’s tempting to lift it to one’s face and attempt to carve off some stubble. Its aluminium chassis has a polished base and a lined lid, like a vinyl record, providing an overall impression of cutting-edge style and good taste.

The smallest model available measures a mere 11.6” wide and is less than a centimetre at its thickest point. Even though it is almost as small as a netbook, it has powerful hardware that leaves those smaller computers in the dust when it comes to performance while offering even longer battery life. The 35Whr battery offers over 5 hours of up-time, and the optional 50Whr battery extends that to just over 7 hours.

Good sound is something not many notebooks get right, but the Zenbook certainly does, thanks to the help of its excellent Bang & Olufsen speakers. Bass, in particular, is superb – low and punchy with no distortion – making the Zenbook good for watching movies and listening to music without headphones. It’s loud, too.

It has built-in N-class wireless networking, Bluetooth, a micro HDMI port, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports and comes with a USB-to-Ethernet dongle that provides a wired networking port (the chassis is too thin to accommodate an internal one); the only missing components are a card reader and optical drive, but these are not expected on Ultrabooks so we can’t dock points for their absence. The device also claims a 2-second resume time from sleep mode, which we found to be quite accurate. It’s a feature those with little patience are sure to appreciate.

related

products

HP Folio Ultrabook

Business users and consumers alike will be pleased by the Folio’s dual personality that has it catering for both markets, without compromising on performance or looks.

The trackpad is quite large, considering the Zenbook’s size, and has a lovely smooth feel to it, with right and left mouse buttons hidden beneath its surface. You can feel them, but not see them, and the clicking feedback is “just right”. The keyboard above it has beautiful metal keys that are cold to the touch, which adds a further touch of class in our books, but of course your mileage may vary. As the Zenbook is a fairly small device, it’s not unlikely that typing on it might feel a bit cramped for more generously proportioned folks; in that case, the 13.3” model should provide a better experience.

If we absolutely had to complain about the Zenbook, it would be about storage capacity: 128GB of hard drive space is just a bit too small. Carrying around an external drive is an option but a built-in 500GB hard drive is simply more convenient. We’re aware that a 128GB Solid State hard drive offers performance and battery life benefits, but after years of notebooks with hundreds of GB of storage, 128GB feels a little restrictive.

Another issue we have is with the supplied cover. While we’re pretty sure a massive range of sexy covers will soon be available, the brown canvas sack that comes with the Zenbook leaves a lot to be desired. We’d have preferred a sleek leather case as classy as the machine itself. Take note, Asus.

Despite these minor flaws, we would happily recommend the Zenbook as a complete notebook replacement. It’s gorgeous enough to make a statement in any boardroom, fast enough for everyday use and light enough that carrying it around is no burden. Great battery life seals the

deal, and while some areas could be improved, overall we’re really pleased with what the Zenbook has to offer.

Samsung Series 9

NOTEWORTHY SPECS

Cast from aviation alloy, the series 9 Ultrabook is only 16mm thick and extremely stylish.

• Processor: Intel Core i5-2467m @ 1.6ghz • Operating system: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit • Display: 11.3” @ 1 366 x 768, 450 nits • Memory: 4GB DDR3-1333 • Storage: 128GB SATA-II hard drive • Optical: None • Communications: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 • Ports: USB 3.0, USB 2.0, Audio jack, DC jack, MicroHDMI • Battery: 35Whr (5+hrs) • Audio: Bang & Olufsen ICEpower

perfect companions

Pros

Cons

• Great processing power • High-quality Bang & Olufsen sound • Ridiculously good-looking • 5+ hours of battery life

• Supplied case is not sexy • Relatively low storage space • Keyboard might be a bit cramped for some

Overall rating

Golla Notebook Bag Chuck out that awful brown canvas bag and replace it with something that shows off your superb taste instead.

www.connectmag.co.za | 39

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product reviews

related

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Netgear DGN2000 Wireless N Modem Router

Belkin Play Max HD Dual-Band Modem Router

Netgear’s networking products have a great reputation for speed and reliability. This N-class wireless modem router is great for small offices and homes looking for wireless connectivity.

• Wireless ADSL router • 4 x Gigabit Ethernet ports • Fast enough to stream HD content • Various apps R1 699.95

perfect companions

Dell XPS L702x Notebook Play games smoothly, work hard and look good with Dell’s superb XPS L702x performance notebook.

Verbatim External 500GB USB 2.0 Drive Want to share your data?

Simply connect this USB drive to the Play Max router and everyone on the network will be able to see and use it.

NEED TO KNOW

The Play Max is Belkin’s fastest router in its current line-up. Its headline features are faster-than-N dual-band wireless speeds that we were told are quick enough to stream HD movie content wirelessly between devices, and a selection of “apps” that provide extra functionality intended to sweeten the deal. We did indeed find the Play Max to be a competent product with a very user-friendly setup procedure; however, Belkin’s questionable choice of “apps” and a pretty useless control panel spoiled things a bit.

Hooking the router up to power and the telephone line is a doddle because both cables are already plugged in when you open the box, presumably to avoid confusion. All that’s left is to plug in your Ethernet cables if you have devices that use them, and run the setup file on the included CD, which helps you set up your network and put in your ISP username and password for ADSL access.

Oddly, the setup procedure forces you to enter the wireless network ID and password (located on a card stuck to the router) before it installs the control panel application, even if you’re connecting using a cable. It’s a minor nuisance, but one nonetheless.

The control panel app resides in your System Tray and is meant to be used to access the router’s settings and launch the various apps Belkin has included. But, accessing “Settings” merely opens a Web browser and connects to the router’s configuration page, and the “Belkin Setup” link is merely a shell program that also links to the relevant configuration pages.

It’s all a bit daft for experienced users, but we see the point – it’s intended to make accessing the router as simple as possible, which it does.

Accessing the config page reveals everything the Play Max has to offer. If you’re not a network engineer, you might not know what’s expected of you, but the beauty of the Play Max is that even if all you do is follow the basic setup process, you’ll have basic protection from Internet nasties. Seasoned vets will be able to configure Dynamic DNS, set up a Demilitarised Zone, choose their own DHCP scope, specify their own DNS servers, change the

40 | connect | JANUARY 2012

security type and more. The Play Max is definitely a fully-featured router that can form the core of a good home or small office network.

The apps Belkin makes so much noise about are next-to-useless, however. If you really need a program to suggest music files to listen to, or a program to help you label your MP3 collection or set backups, then you’ll be over the moon. The rest of us, not so much. These apps are pure frippery, and no reason to choose this router over others. Sorry, Belkin.

As for performance, we were very happy. We streamed a 720p video between 2 wirelessly-connected notebooks, and it played without skipping once. One of the nice things about the Play Max is it allows you to prioritise certain types of network traffic, so if you stream videos between devices or play online games, you can specify that it ensures those are processed first, before any other network data.

We were pleased with the Play Max router’s setup and performance, and if that’s what you need from your router, by all means, choose this one.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Network technology: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Dual-Band • Range: Up to 365m • Interfaces: 4 x Gigabit, 1 x WAN, 2 x USB 2.0 • Radio frequency channels: Dual Band, Dual Concurrent Radio 2.4GHz and 5GHz ISM • Supporting software: Easy Start, Preset Security, Video Max HD, Self-Healing, Print Genie, Memory Safe, Daily DJ, Music Mover, Music Labeler, Bit Boost, Torrent Genie • WPS push-button security: Yes • Supported encryption: 256-bit WPA/WPA2, 64/128-bit WEP encryption

Pros

Cons

• Prioritise the traffic that’s important to you • Excellent wireless performance, wide range • USB ports for easy network sharing • Setup is quick and easy

• Questionable selection of add-on “apps” • Some odd nuances to Belkin’s setup procedure • Silly control panel application

Overall rating

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product reviews

JBL OnBeat Xtreme i-gadget Dock with Bluetooth NEED TO KNOW • Dock for iPods, iPads and iPhones • Incredibly loud and clear sound • Built-in Bluetooth, video output R4 999.95

If the number of JBL products available through Apple’s iStore is anything to go by, the iPod company really loves the brand and believes in its quality. We learned why that is first-hand this month when we received JBL’s new OnBeat Xtreme docking station to review.

Just looking at it, it’s clear this dock is something special. JBL’s designers quaffed some sort of inspiration potion when they thought it up, because it looks like we’ve always wanted our gadgets to look: sleek, sexy and with more than a touch of futuristic awesomeness. The multilayered, speakers-folding-into-each-other look is pure genius, and will complement any modern living room.

What really sets the OnBeat Xtreme apart is its accommodation of not only iPods, iPhones and other music sources that use 3.5mm outputs, but iPads too. The standard dock is small and easily supports iPods and iPhones, and the OnBeat Xtreme ships with a secondary adapter that holds an iPad firmly in place. Even better, the dock is able to rotate 90 degrees, so you can use your iPad in portrait or landscape mode, depending on what you’re doing with it. The rotation mechanism is smooth, with just the right amount of resistance. As a further bonus, all connected Apple devices charge when docked.

42 | connect | January 2012

And the sound… Wow! For such a small dock, the sound it puts out is incredible. At its highest volume, it will not only fill up your living room with sound, but your neighbour’s as well if you live in a complex. Audio is crisp and clear, and the sound stage is so detailed that stereo and crossfading effects are brilliantly portrayed. You have to be facing the dock for that, though, as its speakers don’t face every direction, but if you position it appropriately in your home, you’ll definitely hear what we did. JBL has even included an equaliser function that lets music lovers enjoy all kinds of music.

Where some manufacturers stop, JBL is just getting started. In addition to supporting Apple’s i-devices, it has a built-in microphone and Bluetooth connectivity. This enables the OnBeat Xtreme to play audio wirelessly from any Bluetooth-capable device, including smartphones, and act as a speakerphone when calls come in. We connected up a phone to test this, and it worked a treat – the music quality was very good, and when it rang, the music paused automatically and we were able to use the dock as both microphone and speaker during the call. When the call ended, the music didn’t automatically resume, which was a mild disappointment, but that was rectified with the press of a button on the dock’s remote control.

Moving into another room with the phone produced some interference with the wireless connection and the audio stuttered as a result, but that’s Bluetooth for you. As long as the wirelessly-connected device stayed in the same room as the OnBeat Xtreme, that problem didn’t crop up.

The remote not only controls the dock’s volume, it also controls your docked iPod/iPad/iPhone. Changing tracks and navigating menus can be

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BeatBox – Beats

By Dr. Dre By Monster

Even though it doesn’t offer a movable iPod dock, can’t support iPads and doesn’t have a video output, the BeatBox is still one of the best iPod docking stations out there.

perfect companions done from your couch using the remote, and it feels really good to hold, thanks to its rubberised finish and curved design.

We’ve noticed some docks are being configured with video-out ports as well, which is a bit strange as they’re audio devices, but it’s a nice touch even if it won’t be used very often. The OnBeat Xtreme has one, a composite connection, and it enables videos and photo slideshows playing on an iPad/iPhone/iPod to appear on a TV when connected (cable not included). It’s a fun way to share media with a wider audience and certainly a nice feature to have. We’re just not sure it’s something most buyers will get a lot of use out of.

Something plenty of people will use, however, is the USB connection on the back of the dock. If the OnBeat Xtreme is placed close to your computer, you can connect it up using a USB cable, and manage your Apple device with iTunes as if it were directly connected. You also have the option to connect it to your PC using a 3.5mm cable if you want JBLquality audio on your PC or Mac. You’ll need to buy the cable separately, of course.

Another pleasant surprise awaited us when we undocked our iPad. We had previously connected it up to the OnBeat Xtreme via Bluetooth, and when it was undocked, the music continued playing through the speakers without missing a beat. This means if you’re in the middle of a Facetime chat or movie and need to move into another room for a moment but don’t want to pause the action, you can simply un-dock the iPad/iPhone and take it with you without there being any audio interruption at all.

This is why the OnBeat Xtreme is such a great dock – it allows you to

use your iPad without restricting you, all the while providing excellent audio. The sound quality is really good, the build quality is exceptional, and the little extras JBL’s people have included give it the edge over other docks in a similar price range. If you’re in the market for a new dock, or even if you’re a first-time buyer, you really can’t go wrong with the JBL OnBeat Xtreme.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • High-quality Bluetooth wireless music streaming • Landscape- and portrait-mode docking • High power output (30W per transducer, x 4) • Hands-free calling with Bluetooth phones • Video output using composite cable (not included) • Remote control that works from up to 10m away • Charges devices when they are docked • Useful carry handle Pros

Cons

• Superb sound • Stylish and futuristic build • Bluetooth/speakerphone connectivity • Rotating dock

• Video output is not an essential feature • Music doesn’t resume automatically after a phone call

Overall rating

Apple iPad 2 Apple’s tablet computer is one of the best and slickest way to consume digital media, from games to movies to music. It’s by far the best companion device to JBL’s OnBeat Xtreme dock.

Sony B-Series Walkman You can connect any audio device with a 3.5mm jack to the OnBeat Xtreme using a 3.5mm cable (sold separately). Sony’s affordable B-series Walkman fits that bill nicely.

www.connectmag.co.za | 43

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product reviews

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Logitech G27

If you take your racing very seriously, you’ll want a Logitech G27. Sadly, it’s only compatible with a computer and the PS3, not the Xbox 360.

perfect companions

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Speed Wheel NEED TO KNOW • Wireless racing wheel • Greater range of motion on accelerator and brake • No need for table stand R499.95

Forza Motorsport 4 The first game designed to work perfectly with the Wireless Speed Wheel, and the best Xbox racing game you can buy right now.

AAA Rechargeable Batteries Keep the racing action going with a set of rechargeable batteries – they’ll last very long in this wireless wheel.

One of the Xbox 360’s biggest downfalls, to date, is Microsoft’s insistence that all peripherals (controllers, guitars, racing wheels, etc.) are licensed. This involves the device also being fitted with a specific chip so that the Xbox knows it is a “legitimate” accessory.

As a result, many of the accessories available for Microsoft’s console are made by Microsoft itself. And this is a sad state of affairs in a world where there are third-party companies that make very specialised equipment.

Fans of racing games will be familiar with Logitech’s excellent lineup of racing wheels, which are compatible with the PC, PS2 and PS3. These same wheels, despite using a USB connector, aren’t usable with an Xbox 360. Thus, we’ve been at the mercy of Microsoft, and the number of officially-compatible racing wheels for the Xbox 360 can be counted on one hand.

The original Xbox 360 racing wheel, a large wheel-and-pedals bit of kit, has now been discontinued by Microsoft. Faithful fans of the console’s handful of racing sim games have had to resort to importing expensive, Xbox-compatible racing wheels from a German company called Fanatec.

Fortunately, the Wireless Speed Wheel is here to win over the casual racer. Like the Wii remote and the PlayStation Move, this wheel accessory is motion-activated. It has a semi-wheel type design, with some of the Xbox controller buttons present and accounted for. Sadly, the shoulder buttons are missing, so if you intend on playing a game that uses these buttons, you’re out of luck. Similarly, any games that aren’t specifically compatible with the WSW might have other compatibility problems. At the time of writing, Forza Motorsport 4 was the only compatible game.

44 | connect | JANUARY 2012

Since it’s aimed at casual gamers, it doesn’t need the accurate control of a brake and accelerator pedal. In their place, the wheel boasts two analogue triggers, similar to those found on the regular Xbox controller, but these have longer travel to afford gamers finer control. Most importantly, the motion-sensing technology has to be up to scratch. Driving games – Forza especially – are reliant on lighting reflexes and accurate input, and the WSW doesn’t disappoint. Even compared to dedicated racing wheels, this gave excellent control in Forza 4.

It does lack one crucial component, though: force feedback. It’s all good being able to control your car using the controller to mimic steering input, but there’s no feedback on what you’re doing. This makes it a bit difficult to correct your course when you start spinning out of control.

Overall, it’s a great way to enhance the racing experience, as long as you’re not expecting to set any world-record-beating lap times. It’ll make games more fun, and doesn’t need a whole lot of space to be set up – we like it.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Buttons: Face buttons, Guide button, D-pad • Analogue controls: Accelerator and brake, analogue motion sensor for steering • Batteries: 2 x AAA batteries Pros

Cons

• Very responsive • Compact and lightweight • Affordable way to enhance your racing

• No feedback is disconcerting • Lacks bumper buttons and headset connector • Not compatible with all racing games

Overall rating

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product reviews

5

HP Envy 110 e-All-in-One Printer NEED TO KNOW • The nicest-looking HP printer ever • Prints, scans, copies, Webs, apps • Wireless and USB connectivity R2 999.95

We seldom receive products that completely blow us away, especially not printers. It was with some surprise, then, that we unpacked HP’s new Envy printer to discover a printer like no other we’d ever seen before. It’s heavy, for starters (not a quality we normally associate with printers), really attractive to look at (ditto), and made with great-quality materials, not just plastic.

Good looks aren’t all that stands out, either – the Envy has to be one of the most feature-packed printers we’ve ever seen. It combines all of the recent HP printing innovations into a single device, so it’s ePrint-capable (printing anything e-mailed to its address), it supports Apple’s Air Print (wireless printing with Apple devices), and has the ability to use applications right on the printer itself to print fun projects, photos hosted online and more. It even has Facebook integration, which lets you print your Facebook pics directly from the printer.

We were amazed at the printer’s build quality, and completely agree that it will inspire the emotion of its namesake. Instead of a cheap and lightweight lid covering the scanner, there’s a delightfully heavy metal-and-glass panel that even has a metal hinge. The front panel that holds the printer’s touchscreen is also very classy – when the printer is switched on, the panel slides out and sets itself at a convenient angle, ready for your touch. The screen is the best-looking we’ve seen on a printer, too, although it’s not as responsive to touch as we’d have liked.

The paper tray is so beautifully integrated that it was completely invisible on initial inspection, and it was minutes before we managed to find it.

The tray itself only holds 80 sheets of paper, though, but as this isn’t a high-volume printer, that’s hardly a problem. The appeal of this design is the amazing level of integration HP has achieved, and the incredibly compact build it has allowed.

Setting the Envy up is a snap thanks to the CD that comes in the box and the clear instructions given on the printer’s screen when connecting to the office’s wireless network. We were very grateful that we could choose how much of HP’s software we could install. In the past, HP has been guilty of

giving consumers too much unnecessary software, but not so this time. A quick install later, and the printer was ready to go.

It’s not all roses, unfortunately. Printing quickly is not the Envy’s strong point, whether it’s documents or photos. While not what anyone would call “slow”, it definitely doesn’t shoot out the prints like a maniac. It’s not silent while it prints either, but a certain level of noise while in use is acceptable and the Envy doesn’t exceed this threshold.

At the end of the day, it’s the print quality that means the most when buying a printer, and HP’s Envy doesn’t disappoint. All the photos we printed came out looking very good, with excellent colour reproduction and sharp, well-defined details. Document text and graphics were likewise sharp, good enough to please bosses and clients alike.

Reviewing this printer was a rare pleasure, and we would not hesitate to encourage you to buy one the next time you’re in the market for a home or small office printer.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Functions: Copy, print, scan, eFax, ePrint, Air Print, Web apps • ISO print speeds: 7ppm black, up to 4ppm colour • Colour photo speed (best quality, photo paper): As fast as 70 sec • Connectivity: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, USB 2.0 • Direct print supported: Yes, memory cards, USB storage • Duplex options: Yes, automatic • Print cartridges: 2 (1 black, 1 tri-colour) • Scanning: Colour, up to 1 200 x 1 200 dpi (hardware), up to 1 200dpi (optical) • Supported media: Paper (plain, inkjet, photo) envelopes, transparencies, labels, cards, HP Premium Media, iron-on transfers, borderless media Pros

Cons

• Exceptional looks and build quality • Tons of cutting-edge functionality • Produces good-looking photos and documents • Apps expand the printer’s usefulness

• Touchscreen isn’t always responsive • Not the fastest print speeds • Low-volume paper tray

Overall rating

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HP Photosmart Premium e-All-in-One

Printing great-looking photos from anywhere is a breeze with HP’s excellent Photosmart range of ePrintenabled printers.

HP Officejet Pro 8500A

The Officejet Pro 8500A is a more traditional office printer, specialising in speedy, high-quality document printing and multi-function goodness.

www.connectmag.co.za | 45

e t a m t i l U e Th n i o n a p m o C l Trave

product roundup

Pictacular!

Just 10 years ago, the most advanced digital cameras were large monstrosities with barely more megapixels than a modern smartphone. Despite things getting smaller and cheaper, picture quality has only improved. Let’s take a look at 4 of the latest compact cameras you can buy...

We remember when phone manufacturers were touting 2- and 3-megapixel cameras in their devices, shouting from the rooftops that they’ll soon be taking over the compact camera market.

Unfortunately for them, camera companies had a few tricks up their sleeves, and compact cameras could retain their diminutive dimensions while expanding the scope of features. Now we have 12- or 16-megapixel models, with versatile zoom lenses that can be used for anything from

By Christo van Gemert

party pics to wildlife and bird-spotting.

Not all megapixels are equal, however, and just because you have the best specs doesn’t make you a great photographer. That’s why these snappers also boast some clever technology to help along even the least knowledgeable beginners. From smile shutter technology to super-automated modes that recognise the scene you’re trying to capture – all are available in a camera that’s no bigger than a wallet and thinner than a pack of cigarettes.

www.connectmag.co.za | 47

product roundup

Canon Ixus 1100 HS The features

Canon’s compact marvel is the sleekest on test here, with its brushed metal body ensconcing a 3.2” touchscreen, allowing only the barest minimum of buttons to protrude.

The problem is that the touchscreen isn’t smartphone-fast, and the interface needs some work, so navigating the menus is an exercise in frustration.

Thankfully, there’s a full auto mode, selectable using one of the few switches on the camera, and you’re all set. Inside the camera sits a 12-megapixel sensor designed using Canon’s HS system (which stands for High Sensitivity or High Speed). Light is focussed onto it through a compact 12 x optical zoom lens. When switched off, it folds into the camera completely, the only one in the roundup to do this. The lens also has an excellent macro mode, should you like taking super close-up photos of flowers, insects and other tiny things.

The pictures

Canon has image quality at the top of the checklist, and the Ixus 1100 manages to snatch the “best image quality” title from the Nikon, for this test. Colours are bright and vivid, edges are clear and defined, and even when you crank up the ISO – when that HS system starts doing its work – very little noise creeps in until after ISO 800. It still takes crisp photos when the other cameras have started dropping detail and lost overall brightness 48 | connect | January 2012

– a boon for those who take lots of party photos in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.

Video quality is good, but the lens motors produce audible noise in the video when you zoom – fail!

The value

Excellent image quality comes at a price – in this case it’s the camera’s usability. We couldn’t get comfortable with the touchscreen interface, and as good as the photos are, many people might opt for a more conventional control system if it means less frustration trying to get the right photo.

R3 799.95 Pros

Cons

• Excellent image quality • Most compact body on test • Lots of scene modes

• Touchscreen interface • Display isn’t as crisp as could be

Overall rating

Nikon Coolpix S9100 The features

Like Canon, Nikon’s mid-range pocket camera has a 12-megapixel sensor – again proving that it’s not the number of pixels you have, but rather how you use them. The image sensor is coupled to a marvellous, mechanically stabilised 18 x zoom lens, and it’s all encased in an understated, but functional, graphite-and-black aluminium body. Around the back sits one of the sharpest and most responsive 3” displays we’ve seen on a pocket camera, flanked by a neat set of controls for navigating the menus. At the top there’s a power button, shutter, zoom slider and scene selector dial. It’s flush and comfortable to hold, until you activate the popup flash – now your left index finger has to find an awkward angle to keep things steady.

The pictures

First thing’s first: the S9100 has the best movie mode on offer. It’s near-as-can-be silent when you’re using the optical zoom during recording, and that alone makes it the best for movies, here. Pictures, in good light, are about on par with the Canon. Both use similar backlit CMOS image sensors (which means better performance in low light), but the Coolpix gives way to the Ixus in more trying conditions. Don’t let that put you off, though –

there’s always the flash. The Nikon has an even better macro mode than the Canon, and its scene presets, even though hidden in a menu, are easily selectable using the controls.

The value

Not as sleek as the Canon or Fuji, and the user interface hides things away, but this is our favourite camera in the roundup. It lets you take pictures without fiddling around, and the results are really, really good. A great balance of usability and performance.

R3 699.95 Pros

Cons

• Fantastic image quality • Great video recording • Simple interface

• Suffers a teensy bit in low light • Design foibles

Overall rating

www.connectmag.co.za | 49

product roundup

Fujifilm Finepix F600 EXR The features

Back in the day, the 16-megapixel sensor in the Fuji would’ve had buyers salivating, but there’s more to image quality than just numbers. The 15 x optical zoom is great, though – not too little, and not too much.

It’s the only camera on test to offer a manual mode, allowing you to adjust the aperture (though limited), shutter speed and ISO, as you see fit. Another unique feature is hidden beneath the hump along the top: a GPS receiver. This will take your photos with the location of where they were taken. Sounds gimmicky now, but many services allow you to share this location data, and seeing your memories mapped out is really, really cool. Like the Nikon, the F600 has a popup flash but this still leaves room for you to place your left index finger, when deployed. The user interface is brilliant, not only making settings easily accessible, but also giving tips about what each function does. Perfect for beginners.

The pictures

Sadly, those 16 megapixels don’t manage to hold a candle to the Nikon’s or Canon’s 12-megapixel efforts. Images are great in decent light, but there’s a marked drop-off in quality as you raise the ISO. Colours become dim and the amount of noise at ISO 1 600 or higher turns smaller details into a blur. Put it this way: if you’re taking high-detail shots of small objects like watches, toys or similar, the Fuji will need lots of good light to ensure the captured photo remains something that looks decent when printed. If you’re taking general landscape and 50 | connect | January 2012

people photos, the ISO/detail issue won’t be a big one, but it’s important to note. The movie mode is good, supporting the now-standard 1 080P, but there’s a bit of motor noise when you’re zooming around – not ideal.

The value

The F600 is a unique contender. It has a lot of compelling features: advanced manual modes, excellent menus, a GPS, and the metal body is curved in all the right places, making it comfortable to hold. Image quality is not superb, but it’s definitely usable, making this a great compromise if you’re looking for a camera with a few extra shooting modes and toys.

R3 799.95 Pros

Cons

• GPS • Outstanding menu layout • Lots of creative options

• Suffers a lot under higher ISO • Noisy zooming when recording video

Overall rating

Olympus SZ-30 MR The features

Traditionally, we’re not huge fans of mega-zoom lenses – anything beyond 18 x feels like a waste because of the stabilisation needed to get off a blur-free photo, but the Olympus SZ-30 somehow manages to allay our concerns. Zoomed all the way to its 24 x maximum, and holding down the shutter so that it can focus, the camera’s stabilisation system works overtime, but makes sure you get the shot you want. It tingles and buzzes, which might be disconcerting, but it gets the job done. Images are captured on a 16-megapixel sensor, and the whole shebang is enclosed in a shiny, metal-finished plastic housing. Buttons are laid out ergonomically, and like all the cameras on test, this has a dedicated video button. There’s a scene selector dial that’ll take you through the various creative modes, but don’t expect much help from the rather glum menu interface – a little pizzazz would’ve gone a long way, and this is drearier than a field of dead grass.

The pictures

The SZ-30 has slightly better image quality than the Finepix F600, which also uses a 16-megapixel sensor. But neither camera’s low light snaps will be very flattering when printed out. Thankfully, with a stabilisation system as good as this, you don’t need to crank up the ISO too high to get that indoors photo. Outdoors it is magnificent, and the super-macro mode will make you experiment with up-close photos of flowers, creepy-crawlies, small animals and more. More creativity is waiting to be unlocked if you use the Magic modes. These are

predetermined filters that add a special look to photos, but using them does slow the camera to a crawl. Panorama and 3D photo modes bring up the rear, ensuring you’ll be able to use the SZ-30 for all kinds of still photos.

The value

The Olympus is the priciest camera on test and, sadly, the premium it commands cannot be justified by that zoom lens alone. It’s great, but image quality is the most important thing and it fails to really impress here. The other features are icing, but the other cameras also have creative modes, and it’s nothing a bit of Photoshop can’t conjure up R3 999.95 (Available on Request) Pros

Cons

• Magic mode effects are really cool • Responsive shooting interface • Great lens

• Flash won’t auto-activate • Suffers at high ISO

Overall rating

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product roundup

’s or t i E d oice Ch

For around R4 000, these cameras pack a lot of dynamite in very compact packages. An entry-level SLR camera can be had for a mere R1 000 more, but then you’re looking at something that’s many, many times larger and more unwieldy to use. You’ll also not get the same versatility as these compacts offer with their 12 x to 24 x zoom lenses.

Image quality is king, and the Canon Ixus 1100 HS is our pick in this department. It’s frustrating to use, though. Keep it in full auto and it’s fine, but as soon as you have to use that touchscreen, you might lose your mind. More importantly, you’ll definitely lose the moment. For that alone, the Nikon nets the editor’s choice badge. It puts out excellent images, has solid build quality, fast responses and a very usable movie mode.

The Fuji takes 3rd place, being an excellent all-round package with a lot of cool features. We’d encourage people to consider how they’d use the GPS feature, especially those who travel a lot. It’ll be really useful.

Olympus’ offering comes in at last, but only for its steep price. The other cameras can be had for less – and the savings are significant enough to buy a tripod, memory card, or camera bag.

We’ve come a long way from the compacts of yesteryear and there are enough features to differentiate this competitive bunch, but sensor technology and low light performance are areas that need focus. We can’t wait for these models to get the technology that goes into SLR cameras – it might just be the best camera you’ll ever buy.

Quick look...

Canon Ixus 1100 HS

Olympus SZ-30 MR

Fujifilm Finepix F600 EXR

Nikon Coolpix S9100

• Photos: 12.1 megapixels • Movies: Up to 1 080P • Lens: 12 x optical zoom • Display: 3.2” • ISO: 100 – 6 400 • Storage: SD card • Other: Touchscreen

• Photos: 16 megapixels • Movies: Up to 1 080P • Lens: 24 x optical zoom • Display: 3” • ISO: 80 – 3 200 • Storage: SD card, 59MB internal • Other: Popup flash

• Photos: 16 megapixels • Movies: Up to 1 080P • Lens: 15 x optical zoom • Display: 3” • ISO: 100 – 12 800 • Storage: SD card • Other: GPS

• Photos: 12.1 megapixels • Movies: Up to 1 080P • Lens: 18 x optical zoom • Display: 3” • ISO: 160 – 3 200 • Storage: SD card • Other: Popup flash

52 | connect | January 2012

product reviews

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This basic optical mouse is comfortable to hold and accurate enough for everyday work.

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Straightforward A4 (and smaller) scanning is made possible by Canon’s excellent 5600F flatbed scanner.

perfect companions

Adobe Elements 10 For that extra level of polish, Elements 10 is a great choice, plus it’s not as expensive as PhotoShop.

54 | connect | January 2012

LG Mouse Scanner LSM-100 NEED TO KNOW • Corded laser mouse • Doubles as a handheld scanner • Uses LG Smart Scan technology R999.95 (Special Order Only – Available on Request)

In the mid-1990s, there was such a thing as a handheld scanner. Instead of using a full-sized A4 document scanner to capture printed materials to computer, these small devices were dragged over the surface of whatever needed to be scanned. Today’s handheld scanners are generally used to scan barcodes, and finding one that scans documents can be quite a challenge.

Clearly, someone at LG noticed this tragic turn of events and decided to remedy the situation. The result is the LG Mouse Scanner LSM-100, a product that combines 2 very useful devices – a mouse and a handheld scanner – into a single one. It’s actually a pretty clever idea, as the inner workings of the modern mouse have shrunk to such a tiny size that it’s easy to cram in something more, like a scanner, to augment the mouse’s abilities.

Before the Mouse Scanner can be used, you must install the software.

Running the Smart Scan software after installation puts an icon in your System Tray, and pressing the Scan button on the mouse launches the application. Scanning documents is a simple matter of sliding the mouse over them, and the software stitches what the scanner sees together into a final image. Pressing the Scan button again stops the capture process, as does lifting the mouse off the document’s surface.

From there, you can rotate the captured image according to your needs, and crop the section you’d like to save. Images can be saved in several common image formats, and if your document contains text, it can also be saved in .PDF and .DOC formats. That means the Mouse Scanner can scan documents and convert the text they contain into data editable by textediting software like Microsoft Word and Windows 7’s own Wordpad.

The mouse itself is rather sturdy, and feels comfortable to use. It’s not completely rounded, however, which leaves it feeling like a mouse from

the ‘90s, but this didn’t detract much from its comfort. The scroll wheel is nice and rubbery and is surrounded by LED lights that shine when the scanner is in use.

It’s not perfect, though. Scanning has to be completed in a single motion, so lifting the mouse off to reposition it isn’t possible. You need quite a lot of space to complete the scanning of A4 documents, for example, which isn’t always available. The scanner itself is only 50mm wide, so you have to move it around a lot in order to capture your document or image. That’s to be expected as a mouse isn’t a large device, but it’s something to keep in mind. Its cord is also quite short, at slightly less than 1m, so consider a USB extension cord if your USB ports are quite far from the intended mousing surface.

Overall, we must say this is a pretty good effort from LG. The LSM-100 works extremely well as a mouse for everyday use and the scanner component makes it unique, interesting and surprisingly useful.

NOTEWORTHY FEATURES • Can paste images and text into applications • Scanned images can be shared to Facebook, Twitter and Flickr • Print scanned images directly from the Smart Scan application • Save as PNG, JPEG. TIFF, BMP, PDF, XLS and DOC • Smart Scan app lets you do basic image editing before saving • Specify scan resolution, save options and general settings • Package includes a mouse pad, carry bag and dust cloth Pros

Cons

• Very easy to use • Text capture works well • Body is solid and rather comfortable

• Short cable • Can’t be repositioned without interrupting the scan • Scanning documents needs plenty of desk space

Overall rating

product reviews

Corel PaintShop Pro X4 NEED TO KNOW • Easily tweak and edit photos • New tabbed interface • Create drawings or add to photos R799.95

PaintShop Pro X4 is a huge improvement over its predecessor, starting with the name – Corel has reverted to the PaintShop Pro name over the rather confusing “Paint Shop Photo Pro X3” used in the previous version. By taking user feedback to heart, Corel’s developers have corrected many of X3’s perceived ills, and PaintShop Pro X4 is now faster, has a better interface layout and boasts more features than ever. Over 75, in fact.

X4 is a brilliant starting point for budding photo enthusiasts, as it’s pretty affordable when compared to the likes of PhotoShop Elements 10 (costing around R1 499) while still offering tools effective enough to 56 | connect | January 2012

clean up the kind of issues that creep into amateur photographs. As you’d expect, the ability to remove red eyes, adjust white balance, reduce noise levels and sharpen up images are all present, but these play second fiddle to X4’s more interesting – and advanced – features.

An example of these is the new Photo Blend function, a feature that can take multiple photos of the same scene and use only the best parts of each to create a final image. Say you’ve taken several family portrait shots, but each one has somebody different playing silly buggers, but overall you have individual shots of each person present behaving themselves. Photo Blend lets you choose the elements of each image you’d like to preserve in the final image, and the software intelligently blends everything together so that everyone is smiling and not blinking or pulling faces in the final product.

Then there is the new HDR Exposure Merge mode. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and the best way to explain it is to describe a scene where it’s present. Imagine, if you will, the sun shining through a gap between

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Adobe PhotoShop Elements 10

Elements 10 is a cut-down version of the much more expensive PhotoShop program, tailored to the image-editing needs of consumers.

perfect companions two tall buildings. The buildings cast deep shadows, but the sun is bright, and the difference in the intensity of the sun’s light and the darkness of the shadows is the ‘dynamic range’ of the scene’s brightness. Cameras have difficulty capturing this effectively, and it’s up to image-editing software to make it ‘pop’ in a still image. What X4’s HDR Exposure Merge Mode does is it uses several shots of the same scene, captured at various exposure settings, and merges them together to create an image that looks more naturally-lit than the originals.

The software’s interface, while improved over that of X3, could still use a bit of work as it’s very dark, with no option to change the default colour scheme that heavily favours grey. The tabs that Corel is so excited about are front and centre, which is great, but using them to switch modes causes the screen to flicker briefly, like the software is loading a separate executable for each category. These are Manage, Adjust and Edit, and they separate all the tools needed to manage, adjust and edit your pictures into their own screens, so you aren’t faced with a confusing mass of tools located on a single interface.

If all you need is a quick adjustment to some of your photos, X4 has a range of fast and easy options that will do most of the hard work for you. The Smart Photo Fix options under the Adjust tab will examine your chosen image and make a few automatic adjustments that you can tweak or accept as is. It wasn’t smart enough to detect the red eyes in one of our photos and remove it automatically, though, which was a slight disappointment, but it did adjust the photo’s brightness and the skin tone of the subject to a much better level. It’s handy; it’s just not as “smart” as we’d hoped it would be.

What we did like is the sheer volume of support and “How to” articles that are available. Clicking Help opens up Corel’s Website and displays links to a huge number of articles that will help beginners grasp everything to do with the program, with lots of easy-to-follow step-by-step guides. The program itself tries very hard to make sure new users become comfortable with the interface and the program’s capabilities through its helpful

presentation that features a lot of introductory “this is what this section does” information boxes.

When we first opened the program, the interface appeared rather intimidating, but after only a few hours of use, we were able to find what we were looking for quite quickly. The dull grey theme grew on us too, although we’d still like to see it changed in a future update (or at least the option to adjust it ourselves provided).

We like PaintShop Pro X4, and would recommend it to amateur photographers and anyone with an artistic streak. It has all the tools needed to edit and adjust photos, as well as a full range of drawing tools to create new images, or add to existing ones.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP with latest service packs installed (32-bit or 64-bit editions) • 1.5GHz processor (2GHz or faster processor recommended) • 1GB RAM (2GB or higher recommended) • 1GB of free hard drive space required (2GB or greater recommended) • 1 024- x 768 16-bit display • Windows-compatible CD-ROM drive for installation • Internet connection required to post photos online Pros

Cons

• Affordable alternative to more expensive packages • Really good range of effective, useful photo tools • Excellent help and support from Corel available

• Interface colour scheme is very dark • Some “Smart” features aren’t very • Switching between tabs feels clumsy

Overall rating

Samsung SA950 27” 3D Monitor Photo-editing is always much better on a big screen, and this 27” behemoth from Samsung is just the ticket.

As a bonus, it also supports 3D gaming and 3D movie playback if you have the hardware to support it.

Nikon D3100 Taking better pictures starts with a dSLR camera, and this entry-level one from Nikon has all the right tricks with which to do it, plus a range of user-friendly options to make the learning process easy.

www.connectmag.co.za | 57

product reviews

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Eurotalk Talk Now! Zulu

Older learners will get more from Eurotalk’s beginner-tointermediate Zulu program, as it comes on 2 discs, and teaches everyday Zulu vocabulary and phrases.

Rainbow Child Vocabulary Builder NEED TO KNOW • Vocabulary learning aid for kids • Learn words in 4 Mzansi languages • Flashcard-like presentation R325.95

Eurotalk Learn to Speak Series

Another range of Eurotalk language-learning software, the Learn to Speak series covers many languages, both local and international.

perfect companions

Logitech Clearchat Stereo Headset Recording and playing back words requires a microphone and speakers, and this comfortable headset will satisfy both needs.

58 | connect | January 2012

Eurotalk is a company deeply involved in teaching computer users to understand and speak over 120 languages with its languagelearning software. Rainbow Child Vocabulary Builder is another of Eurotalk’s packages, and it contains 4 CDs covering 4 different local languages – English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa.

This isn’t your typical Eurotalk package, however – it’s designed purely to help kids learn individual words in other languages using a “multimedia flashcard” format. It’s also designed for small children, as there is very little required, and all progress is tracked so parents can see how far their children have gone with the software.

How it works is pretty simple: kids create their own profiles, and then choose the activity they’d like to start from the graphical menu that appears. The options are to learn new vocabulary, play games that help to reinforce the lessons learned in the vocab section, and the last category offers kids the opportunity to listen to words and then record themselves saying them. The idea is that they hear how they’re saying the words and compare it to how a native speaker says them, so that their pronunciation can improve over time.

Words for the vocabulary lessons are drawn from several categories, including actions, professions, colours, places and more, which covers the absolute basics. Each word is presented as an image, and spoken aloud. The printed word is also shown, but is not vital to the lessons being taught. Once the vocabulary has been explored, kids can move on to various games that use the words they’ve just learned to complete tasks, scoring points for correct answers.

The software is an effective teaching aid, as it isn’t very demanding of the PC it runs on and is simple enough that kids will easily grasp – and retain – its core lessons. As such, it’s a very useful language-

learning tool and fantastic for South African kids looking to learn more English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa.

That being said, its presentation could be a lot better. It runs in a very small window that has a resolution of only 640 x 480 with no option to increase it, and so the program looks tiny on a modern screen that runs at much higher resolutions. A consequence of that small size is some text appears cramped and buttons are miniscule, and it’s only on older CRT screens that this might not have much impact on the end-user. This may be a good thing for schools running on older computer equipment, but for modern schools and households, it’s a noticeable drawback.

It’s only the presentation keeping this software from being a 5-star product, as it’s an effective teaching tool that kids are sure to get a lot out of. It might not have the “whizz-bang” factor of more advanced software, but it makes up for it by being compatible with a wider range of older computer hardware, and is thus more accessible to a greater number of South Africans.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Windows 2000/ME/XP/Vista/7 • Macintosh OS X 10.3.9 or higher • 640 x 480 colour screen • CDROM/DVD drive • Quicktime 7 or higher • Microphone (recommended)

Pros

Cons

• 4 languages in a single pack • Works well even on older computers • Effective teaching tool

• Looks like it’s from 10 years ago • Cannot adjust window resolution

Overall rating

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Cyberlink PowerDirector 10 Ultra NEED TO KNOW • Consumer-level 64-bit video-creation software • Supports 3D movie creation and editing • Enhanced TrueVelocity 2 rendering engine R1 199.95

PowerDirector 10 is Cyberlink’s newest video-creation software package, and it comes with a new and improved TrueVelocity 2 rendering engine that’s even faster than the one introduced in version 9.

Completely new are 3D video support and tools that help with editing, video conversion, burning to disc (including Blu-rays) and others. In short, it’s a really good update to a software package that already offered so much.

PowerDirector 10 has been improved over its predecessor with the aforementioned faster-than-ever TrueVelocity 2 64-bit rendering engine and something called OpenCL support. OpenCL is a technology that harnesses the power of your graphics card to do some of the work, which further boosts performance. The software is noticeably faster this year than before (especially if you have a powerful graphics card), and it’s a welcome change.

3D is taking the world by storm (although we wish movie-makers would focus on “engrossing storytelling” instead) so it’s no real surprise it’s PowerDirector 10’s most attractive new feature. It lets you create 3D menus and subtitles, convert 2D videos to 3D, edit 3D videos, and will even output the resulting files in a wide variety of industry-standard formats.

Other cool features that deserve as much attention include time-lapse simulation, drawing tools that let you superimpose your hand-drawn creations over video, and our personal favourite, beat recognition for audio tracks. This last feature is supremely useful when putting together a video that has things happen on-screen in time to music, as it analyses the soundtrack you want to use and marks the points where beats occur, so you can line them up with your footage. That’s hours of effort saved right there.

Cyberlink was smart in that it didn’t throw out the features that worked in previous versions, as PowerDirector retains favourites like a separate audio editor, lighting and particle effects and the ever-useful timeline, but with various tweaks and enhancements to make them even more useful. Codec support is as brilliant as always, and Cyberlink’s incredible community of supportive users and how-to articles is only a few clicks away in case you get stuck. Not to mention the large number of how-to videos hosted on YouTube.

FL Studio Fruity Edition

Of course, we can always find something to grumble about. Having to add our files to the program’s library before we can use them is as annoying as ever – it would be so much simpler to drag and drop them directly from Windows Explorer onto the timeline, but alas, we can’t. As with all editing software, using PowerDirector will eat up system resources; if you plan on editing HD video in particular, prepare to place considerable strain on your system if you have less than 6GB of RAM. Having a powerful processor is particularly advisable when applying advanced effects; 4 cores are recommended, more if your budget will allow.

PowerDirector 10 is an impressive and worthwhile upgrade to 9, thanks to these new features, and it really doesn’t feel like a re-branding of last year’s product with this year’s pricing slapped on. Those interested in making movies for uploading online or for the family, complete with slick titles, transitions and effects will, with a bit of practice and patient learning be very happy with what PowerDirector 10 will help them create.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7, Vista or XP • Display: 16-bit colour screen @ 1 024 x 768 • CPU: 2GHz Intel/AMD or above recommended • Memory: 3GB recommended for 32-bit OS, 6GB for 64-bit • Storage: 5GB hard drive space minimum, 60GB+ for Blu-ray production • Optical Drive: CD, DVD or Blu-ray burner • Connectivity: Internet connection required for some features

Pros

Cons

• Current set of video-editing and creation tools • Rendering engine is even faster than last year’s • Extensive 3D creation and editing options • Beat recognition saves hours of effort

• Very demanding on computer systems • No dragging and dropping directly from Windows

Overall rating

It’s tricky, but with enough patient study and time spent with online lessons, it’s possible to make your own professional-quality music with this powerful software.

perfect companions

Logitech Performance Mouse MX If you’re going to spend a long time creating masterpieces with your PC, you should do it with one of the best mice available. This one definitely qualifies.

Sony HDR-PJ10 Camcorder Expose your artistic filmmaking skills to the Internet by recording whatever you like with this full HD 1080p camcorder, and upload it to YouTube after some PowerDirector-fuelled edits.

www.connectmag.co.za | 59

product reviews

perfect companions

Adobe Lightroom 3 Canon EOS 600D The 600D is everything an up-and-coming photographer needs, and can shoot in RAW and JPG modes, for exporting to Lightroom.

Nikon D3100 If you don’t feel like spending a bundle on a big camera, Nikon’s equally capable D3100 can be had for a bit less.

Seagate 2TB External Hard Drive If you take your photography seriously, you’ll need lots of storage for your pics. A large external hard drive will do the job perfectly.

NEED TO KNOW • Powerful photo-editing and management software • Tools to remove noise, enhance colours and fine-tune settings • Export photos in slideshows or as a book R2 999.95

Whether you’ve been taking digital photos for the last decade, or only just started, you’ll be acutely aware of one thing: managing those photos is an important task.

Until just a few years ago, there weren’t many all-encompassing packages when it came to photo retouching and library management.

Even then, the tools available were very specialised and tailored more to the workflows of professionals, such as studio photographers.

Adobe, developers of the hugely famous Photoshop photo-editing package, saw a gap in the market and quickly took advantage of it. While film photographers were used to developing their photos in the darkroom, Adobe cleverly seized the opportunity to call its digital darkroom package “Lightroom”. Now in its 3rd, and best, incarnation, the package is a musthave tool for anybody who takes photos at more than just parties.

In fact, if you at all wish to publish photos online or in magazines, or print them, Lightroom is a must-have. It creates an entire workflow that takes you from importing photos off the memory card, selecting photos from your library, developing them, and then publishing them – whether it’s exporting photos to a slideshow, printing them or sending them to the Web. Importing is fairly straightforward and users of previous versions will be happy to learn that Lightroom 3 will leave your existing photos intact, simply adding them to its library. This means you can keep photos in the folder structure of your choosing while still reaping the benefits of Lightroom’s tagging system. Also new is the ability to import video files. With modern SLR cameras capable of recording full HD video, this is a natural progression for managing your files. One of the biggest new

60 | connect | January 2012

features is support for tethered shooting: with supported cameras, you can now shoot directly to your PC, and then immediately preview the results.

Photo-editing additions are numerous, and the new noise reduction algorithms are absolutely worth their virtual weight in gold. Taking photos in low light conditions doesn’t need to be as big a concern as before, with Lightroom being able to remove a significant amount of noise. Lens correction profiles are also present, so you can fine-tune the images for barrel distortion, vignetting and other lens phenomena, with a few clicks. Then there’s creative editing, where you can lend all your photos a signature style, even going as far as saving the workflow in a preset. It does take some time to wrap your head around all of this, though. Adobe has online tutorials and extensive manuals, but we’d recommend sitting in on a workshop to get the best out of this.

If you’re at all serious about your photography, this is a must-have tool. It’ll save you some headaches and even teach you a few tricks and shortcuts.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Non-destructive editing: Your original photos remain intact • Photoshop CS5 integration: Perform more advanced editing in Photoshop, with a few clicks • Presets: Create and name preset workflows for your photos • Online integration: Export photos to popular online services Pros

Cons

• Immensely powerful editing tools • Non-destructive editing • Plugs into existing online services

• Pricey • Not for beginners • Steep learning curve

Overall rating

R

18V

game reviews

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations R599.95 Consider the Hagia Sophia, one of the great landmarks of Istanbul.

The current structure was built in the 6th century on the orders of Emperor Justinian 1. Its walls have stood while empires fell and countries were founded. And in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, you drag a bloody great hook over its priceless architecture as you climb it to admire the view over the Turkish capital.

Times have changed for Ezio Auditore, the lead of the last two Assassin’s Creed games. He’s far older and his charmingly boisterous ways have mellowed. This Ezio is wiser, and more thoughtful, and it is, as always, a pleasure to spend time in his company. He’s not the only lead this time around, however. Altaïr, the Arabic assassin of the first game, gets some screen time, as does Desmond, the modern day assassin-intraining who anchors the series. Revelations provides a fitting, and slightly melancholy, end for the characters we’ve grown to know so well over the last few years and it is to developer Ubisoft’s credit than it can juggle three main characters without the game seeming disjointed.

Ezio’s out to discover secrets left behind by Altaïr and along the way he’ll stop a conspiracy in the house of the sultan, fall in love, and bring down the Templar order. All in a game’s work for this Italian noble.

The action proceeds in much the same way as previous entries. Ezio uses his parkour-like skills to scale buildings and explore the city. As always it is a joy to traverse the environment. Ezio’s got some new tricks up his sleeve to help him get around – the hookblade helps him jump higher than before, and go sailing through the air on ziplines. He can also gather ingredients to craft various types of bombs to aid in his getaways.

Amongst the more divisive changes, however, is a frustratingly underdeveloped tower defence minigame in which Ezio places archers to thwart attacking Templars. Elsewhere, Desmond’s sections are a more startling departure for the series, switching the focus to a first-person view and slowing down the action in favour of a more dreamlike experience as he finally meets the enigmatic Subject 16. It doesn’t always work and these sections are thankfully optional.

Ubisoft continues its work on developing a surprisingly addictive and deep multiplayer component for a single-player series. It’s very much the same fare as in the previous outing – try and hunt down your target while trying to remain inconspicuous and avoid those on your tail – but the experience has been streamlined and tremendously strengthened by the addition of narrative as players attempt to learn more about the Templars and Abstergo.

Players new to the series will enjoy their time spent with Ezio, Altaïr and the rest, but the game is really designed to provide an ending for fans of the series and set up Assassin’s Creed 3. It’s a fitting final journey for some of the most memorable videogame characters of recent years and one you won’t want to miss.

62 | connect | January 2012

NEED TO KNOW • Ezio’s final journey • Explore Istanbul • Robust and addictive multiplayer

>>Get this<< Assassinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Creed: Brotherhood Train in the art of assassination! Play online with a wide range of unique characters, each with their own signature weapons and assassination techniques.

>>Coming soon<< Hitman Absolution Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Agent 47, a cold blooded assassin, who takes on his most dangerous contract to date. Betrayed by those he trusted and hunted by the police, he finds himself at the centre of a dark conspiracy.

www.connectmag.co.za | 63

game reviews

Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Saints Row: The Third

NEED TO KNOW

NEED TO KNOW

• Open-world action with story-based missions • Download or customise a character • There’s a high age restriction for a reason!

Welcome to Steelpoint, the location for THQ’s over-the-top sandbox game where character customisation plays a big part in the action. From the way you look, to the equipment you use, the game certainly keeps things interesting.

Hover jet? Tank with a rocket launcher? It’s all part of the single-player campaign, which can also be tackled in co-op mode. Everything you do earns respect points that can later

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

NEED TO KNOW

• 12 new characters – a total roster of 50 • A simple mode for new players • Arcade fighting

64 | connect | January 2012

be used for necessary upgrades. Saints Row is not for the faint-hearted – gratuitous violence and sexual themes make it unsuitable for certain audiences. But for those who would enjoy running down the street naked brandishing a chainsaw, this game is for you. R599.95

Marvel vs. Capcom 2 wowed gamers with its huge character roster and 2D fighting finesse. Over a decade later, MvC 3 lives up to the hype with beautiful cel-shaded graphics and online multiplayer gaming that lets you spectate matches from the lobby while waiting for your turn.

Most of the characters are available from the start, with only 4 being unlockable. Fighters include Frank West, from Capcom’s popular zombie-slaying game, as well as DS attorney Phoenix Wright. For those new to the series, there is a simple mode; hardcore fans will enjoy stat-boosts and mid-air combat. Get ready to fight! R599.95

• A Middle-earth action RPG • Online and co-op play • Create your own Fellowship • Upgradeable weapons, skills and special abilities Using Lord of the Rings (LotR) lore, War in the North is an original story set in the same time period as the books. With God of War gameplay similarities, you’ll get to take control of 3 different warriors – human, elf and dwarf – as you meet up with familiar LotR faces and places.

Like any other RPG in the genre, there are side quests, shops and blacksmiths along the journey, as well as NPCs that unlock new quests.

War in the North may not be innovative, but it is a hack-and-slash game with atmospheric locations that works especially well in an online, multiplayer environment. This one is strictly for Tolkien fans. R599.95

>>Get this<<

>>Coming soon<< Tekken X Street Fighter Another Capcom fighting combo, for gamers who would love to see Ryu take on Jin Kazama...

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim If you’re looking for adventure, Skyrim’s open-ended world of dragons is enchanting.

You are what you play in this masterpiece from Bethesda.

Mario Kart 7

NEED TO KNOW

• 17 favourite Mushroom Kingdom characters • 16 new courses and 16 classic courses in 3D • SpotPass and StreetPass features For some, racing is about the most realistic virtual experience.

For others, being on the track means in-depth customisation, destruction and speed. And then there are those who just want to have fun.

Appearing on the 3DS for the first time, Mario Kart (now in its 7th iteration) is everything players have come to know and love from the kart-racing phenomenon.

Favourites like Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Donkey Kong and Yoshi are all available from the start, with new characters like Wiggler, Queen Bee, Lakitu and Metal Mario becoming unlockable later in the game. With only 17 characters in total to unlock, the list is somewhat smaller than previous Mario Kart titles.

The single-player game lends itself to 4 fun modes: Grand Prix (a classic), Time Trials, Balloon Battle and Coin Battle. Within each mode, you’ll be able to choose a character and customise a kart. With different bodies, wheels and parachutes or gliders, you’ll have to pick carefully to find your perfect combo of speed, handling and off-road capability.

The game levels are very creative and have been beautifully designed. While you’ll see some familiar Nintendo environments like Bowser’s dungeon and the ghost house, racing at the bottom of the ocean is something completely new to the series.

But what really makes Mario Kart fun are the power-ups – items collected along the way that booby-trap other players. Old classics like the coloured shells, squid ink, banana peels (and more) will knock a player off his kart. It’s always a surprise and there are plenty of weapons of comic destruction to deploy.

Karting with friends is simpler than ever before! From the download play option (for someone who doesn’t own a copy of the game), to setting up a community, or racing with fans from across the globe, Mario Kart 7 makes online multiplayer gaming quick, accessible and – most importantly – fun.

Mario Kart 7 is easy to pick up but hard to put down and a must-buy for any 3DS owner, young or old. R499.95

>>Get This<< Super Mario 3D Land Another great title for the portable console, this old-school platformer adds some excellent 3D graphics to the Mario name.

www.connectmag.co.za | 65

game reviews

Kinect Sports: Season Two

NEED TO KNOW

• 6 new sports • Use Kinect voice commands • Download photos and videos captured in-game

Rayman Origins

NEED TO KNOW

• 4-player, jump-in/jump-out, co-op gameplay • Beautiful 2D art style • 60 levels

Happy Feet 2 A musical adventure game for the entire family inspired by the whimsical Antarctic world of the animated movie.

66 | connect | January 2011

mode to be seen, the co-op gameplay with up to 3 friends is side-scrolling fun at its best.

Hidden levels, bonus content and puzzles make Rayman Origins a game that will keep you coming back for more. And with so many blood-and-guts shooters on shelves right now, it’s a pleasure to see a bright and friendly game that will appeal to all age groups. R499.95

>>Get this<<

Coming >> Soon <<

Consider >> This <<

When Rayman awakens an evil old lady with his snoring, she summons an army of baddies to take over the land and get revenge. This is the storyline that precedes a colourful platformer with well-designed 2D levels and a quirky soundtrack to match.

Rayman Origins looks as good as it plays – environments include lush jungles, underwater worlds and fiery caverns that you’ll be running, hopping and swinging around. There are also unlockable stages and epic boss fights with giant monsters and carnivorous plants to work towards. While there is no online

Darts, tennis, skiing, American football, golf and spaceball are the 6 new sports that showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Kinect camera. No matter if you’re a virtual athlete in the making, or someone who just wants play around using the Kinect when some friends come over, Kinect Sports: Season Two will keep you in the action. With only 3 difficulty levels ranging from rookie to champion, it’s certainly not the most in-depth game. But you will find yourself using in-game voice commands during football, and crouching down to see something on the green – the Kinect makes it all possible. So if you’re a fan of Microsoft’s amazing controller-free device, or just want some new ways to play with it, this game is a bundle of fun. R349.95

Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle For the ardent puzzle-seeker, this upcoming 3DS game takes Luke and Professor Layton to Montdol in search of a mask that grants wishes

Kinect: Disneyland Adventures Why even get on a plane when you can explore the Disneyland park, step into adventures based on attractions, engage in challenging quests and interact with beloved Disney characters using Kinect?

tech tannie

Changing the face of technology armed with nothing more than a gin and tonic and a penchant for Doctor Who.

issue of the month: Q: A:

If you have questions, gripes or just seek some solace, e-mail Tamsin, our friendly tech tannie at techtannie@connectmag.co.za 68 | connect | January 2012

What on Earth is a Windows Gadget? Someone was telling me about them the other day and I had no clue. Gadgety Greg, in George

This is a lekker question, and I chose it because you’re asking me something fun. Windows Gadgets were introduced with Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system, and they roam free on your desktop, providing you with clever and helpful features. You see, you can download these goggas from the Windows Gadgets site and then customise them to suit your needs. Let me explain how. First off, go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-S/windows/downloads/personalize/gadgets; then go to the top right-hand corner. Can you see the words United States there? If you don’t mind browsing US sites or US currency, then leave that as it is. If you want to change it, go to Change and choose South Africa English.

Now you can spend a little bit of time browsing the gadgets. Some of them are super-useful, like the calendar widgets or the shopping ones. Others – not so much.

Originally there were tons of these things, but Microsoft has kind of retired Windows Live and so only a few remaining gadgets lurk on this page. There’s not a lot to choose from, really, but they’re still kind of fun and helpful. There are other ways to personalise your PC or get things to help you out, but they are now moving into the cloud. No clue what the cloud is? Check out the next question.

Q:

What is this cloud dingus that everyone keeps yabbering on about?

Cloud this, cloud that. I am not stupid, I know it has nothing to do with the weather, but there doesn’t seem to be a clear definition as to what this is.

Cloudy Karel, in Cape Town

A:

Q:

I have an Android phone and I recently downloaded and installed Google Shopper, but I’m not seeing how this is helpful. Why isn’t it working?

Shopping Sandile, in Sandton

Ag, Cloudy, you’re definitely not stupid, doll. While the cloud is a very simple concept overall, it has been overcomplicated and somewhat dramatised by marketing managers and acronym lovers everywhere. Simply put, the cloud is the internet. Ya, I can hear all the purists gasping in horror, but honestly, that’s it in a nutshell. Cloud computing is basically using the internet to store information and data, to share information and data, and to manage your computing and software externally from the shell of your machine. Remember back in the ‘90s, when you had to load up your PC with so many different discs – virus, operating system, games and so on. With the cloud, you can use software without having to install it on your PC. Or you only have to install a part of it while the bulk remains on the internet. This means anyone can access information from anywhere and at any time, and that’s what makes it so exciting. Imagine you are writing your best-selling novel and are using Google Docs – a fine example of cloud computing

right there. Google Docs automatically saves your work as you type and keeps it in your Google Docs folder, which you can access by logging in with your account details. Now, say you go on holiday to Durbs and the lodge has a computer and you suddenly get an urge to finish that novel. Thanks to cloud computing, you can. Just log in to Google Docs and carry on as if you’re not over 1 000km away from your home PC. See? And that is the genius of it all. In fact, I heartily recommend apps like Evernote for anyone starting out with cloud computing at home. It’s one very helpful application.

A:

Okay, so, ya, thanks for really giving me a lot of information to go on here. What specifically isn’t working? Is the app freezing? Is it ignoring you? Some kind of direction would be nice. However, even though you had me muttering into my G&T, I did some digging into potential problems with the new Google Shopper app and I think I have hit upon your issue first-time. You are using the app to scan products and book covers, etc., but you aren’t getting any information in our lovely South African rand, are you? You see, my digging and scraping in the blog that belongs to ye olde Google has revealed that Google Shopper is so new that it has only just ambled out of the United States and into the United Kingdom. This app doesn’t even work in most parts of Europe, much less our dear dark continent. I think you should abandon this app immediately and look into other apps that are specific to Africa and that have, hopefully, been created by African programmers so you support our local communities.

www.connectmag.co.za | 69

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disconnect //By adam oxford

Be careful what you wish for The problem is that what I won’t readily admit is that I secretly like being asked to do this stuff. It’s not a chore, it’s a challenge...

M

any, many years ago, I sat down with my father one Easter weekend to help him set up the new PC he’d just bought to help run his business. We were a fairly computer-literate family – we already had a ZX Spectrum and I was slowly learning how to program in basic BASIC. Dad had a background in mechanical engineering, which meant a lot of exposure to early CAD tools and the like.

The PC in question ran MS-DOS – Windows wouldn’t be invented for a good few years yet – and came with a simple word processor, database program and a copy of Sage’s accounting program. Between those 3 applications, the plan was to digitise Dad’s customer records, his accounts and his quoting and invoicing processes.

A couple of hours’ help turned into a marathon 3-day session of getting to grips with the 700-page manual and strange new concepts like boot disks and RAM. Just turning on the monitor took us 30 minutes.

For the next 2 decades, I relived that experience countless times.

Ever since then, I’ve been the “techie friend” in my social circle, the one who ends up providing unpaid support for every badlyassembled PC with dodgy drivers or malware infection. I’ve spent a lot of time ruing the hundreds of hours I must have lost fixing computer problems not of my own making. A lot of the time it’s a similar process to that weekend – someone will ask for help with something I know absolutely nothing about, but will spend 3 days researching it because I don’t want to let them down.

It’s not that I don’t like helping people, it’s just that occasionally I’ve longed for the kind of IT ignorance that apparently makes it okay to phone me up, make me drive over and eat into my precious free time before even bothering to Google for a possible answer. A little peace in my life, in other words.

The problem is that, like most geeks, what I won’t readily admit is that I secretly like being asked to do this stuff. It’s not a chore, it’s a challenge. It’s more flattering than inconvenient, and I love a good problem that takes a lot of time to solve.

72 | connect | January 2012

And as computers get cleverer, easier to use and better at automatically fixing problems – doing things like downloading updates, purging viruses and maintaining themselves without human input – there’s a danger that those services I provided free of charge to an elite clientèle are no longer in demand. And that’s more upsetting than losing another evening trying to purge the latest browser malware that’s infected a sibling’s system.

It’s true: I’ve gone from resenting being asked to help all the time to resenting the fact that no one wants my help. I know that makes me hard to please, but all the same... It’s because of tools like Facebook, Flickr, Evernote and Google+, which make it really easy to communicate and get things done without any instruction required. It’s forcing an entire generation of IT pundits into poverty, their services no longer in demand.

Don’t get me started on Windows 8, with its large, friendly icons and not a registry entry in sight. Google’s even doing away with buttons on its latest Android phones – where’s the complexity in that?

Won’t someone please think of us, the so-called experts. It’s not like we’re any good at doing anything else. All you’re doing with your super-simple, modern and fancy PCs and operating systems is adding to global unemployment figures. You do realise that, right?

So, next time you get a shiny new PC, Mac or phone that’s so intuitive, you understand instinctively how to use it before you’ve even turned it on, spare a thought for those of us who are baffled by this brave new world of simple applications and humane computing that is the hallmark of the 2010s so far. At least feign ignorance about your new devices; otherwise we’ll be forced to go and do something useful instead.

sign e d n e scre l l a all s s s s a a s l l g g w ie rpvleevd u Curved C m i s hree t , , thr e e m m o o h h ree One Oon m d n a an s s p p p p a a , , aps Maps M y awa aw e e p p i i w w s s All a All a

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