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APPLE M1 UPGRADES GADGETS / GAMES / GEAR

Head for the hills

All the gear and loads of ideas for your open air adventures Capture the rapture

Plod with a pod

MEGA LEGO KITS Over 45,000 bricks to break the boredom

Glow where you go Fire up your phone

PLUS!

Sonos Roam reviewed Do you need a dual-screen laptop?

Improve your phone photography & James Bond’s camera 21003

9 771994 313049 Issue 112 – June/July 2021 – www.stuff.co.za R49.50 (incl VAT) Other countries: R43.04 (excl tax)

Project from a speaker

Massage those muscles

Raise your gaze

Pac-Man who?

Catch the latest in gaming news, tips and tech each week.

Streaming on YouTube, Facebook Gaming and Twitch, all week, every week.

Let’s play

Welcome This issue of Stuff saw the departure of Brad Lang, our deputy digital editor, as he wanders off to work for an American website that covers video games and comic books. There are no really perfect jobs, but some come close. Brad is an authentic comic book nerd and to be able to work in that environment may just be a dream come true for him.

But it counts as a loss for Stuff Stuff,, especially the Stuff editorial team. Brad is one of the bestnatured people (with a twisted sense of humour) I’ve ever met, and he kept the entire group laughing and upbeat during his time with us.

I,, and the rest of Stuff Stuff,, wish him well. You’re going to go far, Brad.

He stuck around long enough to (almost) finish up this issue, however, so I must mention the gadget he fell in love with (and reviewed on p54). That’s the Evolve GTR Carbon electric skateboard, an all-terrain longboard that can reach speeds of up to 42km/h. It is, admittedly, rather wicked.

But it’s not all we’ve got in the June/July Stuff when it comes to outdoor adventures. No, there’s a huge outdoor tech feature just waiting for you all on p33. If you want to head outside – yes, even in SA’s winter months – this is the gear you need to take with you. We also check out some more affordable Samsung kit (p64, p74), a couple of very expensive cameras (p20, p58), a drone that you fly with your face (p78), kinda, and some of the largest Lego sets on the market today (p66). In case you’re staying inside where it’s warm, these’ll each keep you – and the family, maybe – busy for at least a long weekend.

There is, as always, loads more to see in this issue, but I’ll leave it to you to discover that. First, though, head to p6. Brad Lang has a message of his own to share.

P17

Brett Venter, Editor brett@stuff.co.za @DrakonisZA

www.stuff.co.za

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Stuff competition terms and conditions: Apple is not a sponsor, nor is it involved in any way with any Stuff Magazine contests or sweepstakes. Stuff Magazine does not offer Apple products as contest or sweepstake prizes.

1 Promotions, giveaways and competitions are entered through Stuff Group’s website www.stuff.co.za and are opened for Issue 112, 2021 on 31 May 2021 and close on 1 August 2021. 2 The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into. 3 Employees of Stuff Group and their families are not allowed to enter. Advertising and public relations representatives may not enter competitions in the issue in which their promotions, giveaways or competitions are carried. 4 Prizes are not exchangeable for cash and/or other products. Prizes are available while stocks last. It is at the discretion of Stuff Group and the custodian of the prizes to ensure that, should there be a problem with the stipulated prize won, a reasonable replacement of the same value will be offered. 5 Stuff Group carries promotions, giveaways and competitions in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation on the part of the custodian of the promotions, giveaways and competitions. 6 Winners will be notified telephonically and by mail. It is the responsibility of the winner to ensure that the correct address and contact details are given. It is the responsibility of the custodian of the promotion, giveaway and competition to ensure that prizes are sent out correctly and within the specified time. 7 Prize delivery will take four to six weeks from the time the winner has been notified. 8 Promotions, giveaways and competitions are open to South African residents only. 9 All prize-winners will be published on www.stuff.co.za the following month, once the competition lines have closed. 10 Readers may not claim for more than one prize at a time, and once announced as a winner in any Stuff promotions, giveaways or competitions, will not be eligible for another prize for three (3) months thereafter. 11 By entering any promotions, giveaways or competitions, or by accepting any prize, entrants agree that their personal details may be retained by the promoter and/or Stuff magazine and used for the purpose of sending them information about future promotions, events and news, as well as for internal administration and analysis. 12 Unclaimed prizes will be kept for three months and will not be resent. 13 Participation in any promotion, giveaway or competition and/or acceptance of any prize implies full knowledge and acceptance of all rules.

Subscriptions hotline Call Centre: 0873531291 WhatsApp: 0873531292 Advertising Business director Sally Hudson sally@stuff.co.za Senior account manager Thalia Pallotta 083 375 2418 thalia@stuff.co.za Management Stuff South Africa is published by the Stuff Group (Pty) Ltd. Directors: Toby Shapshak, Sally Hudson PO Box 74, Melrose Arch, 2096 Kelsey Publishing UK Stuff UK content is published with the permission of copyright holder Kelsey Publishing Ltd, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG ... and a word about prices Generally, we show the manufacturer’s recommended price.

Occasionally we (or suppliers) can make mistakes. Please remember that prices listed in Stuff are intended as a guide only. We make every effort to confirm that all information is correct (and triple checked) when we go to print.

© Stuff South Africa. All due care will be taken with material submitted, but the magazine and publishers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Stuff South Africa assumes no responsibility to return unsolicited editorial, graphic or other material. All rights in letters and unsolicited editorial and graphic material will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and material will be subject to Stuff South Africa’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Stuff South Africa is fully protected by copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole or part without written permission from the publisher.

While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, publisher and proprietor cannot accept responsibility for any damage or inconvenience that may arise therefrom.

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CON S ON THE COVER P56

p37 Vision thing

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p41 The bench mark

HOT STUFF 6

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The Hot Five ● Apple iMac (M1) Superpowered computer ● Apple iPad Pro (M1) Superpowered tablet ● Urbanista Los Angeles Sun-powered headphones ● Polaroid Go Shrink-powered instant camera ● Transformers Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Programmable Robot (Collector’s Edition) An Optimus Prime Transformer that converts automatically and is programmable and is a robot and is an edition for the collector Vital stats Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster Funky fancy plunky-plank Icon Leica Q2 Daniel Craig James Bond photo special!

Games Village of the damned impressive Wheels Extreme E Odyssey 21 ‘E’ is for eco, electric and “Eeeeh!

Stream Save lives, stay warm, watch more TV

TESTS p43 What you packing?

p44 Go be a hero

29 First test Sonos Roam A space-Toblerone sized wireless speaker 48 Tested LG OLED65G1 An LG OLED TV, but even better 50 Tested Insta360 Go 2 52 Tested Asus ZenBook Duo 14 54 Tested Evolve GTR Carbon Electric Skateboard 55 Tested Oppo Reno 5 56 Tested Asus Zenbeam Latte L1 A latte to love 57 3 of the best Micro guitar amps Rock’n’roll, but in virtual silence 58 Long term test Fuji GFX100S Medium-format, medium-pricey 60 Tested OnePlus 9 & 9 Pro 62 Versus Rock’n’roll headphones 64 Tested Samsung Galaxy A32 65 Tested Amazfit GTR2e Suspiciously cheap smartwatch 72 Tested Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Has Google got snooze for you?

74 Tested Samsung Galaxy S21 A Galaxy with an un-galactic price 78 Long term test DJI FPV A drone, but you’re in the cockpit 84 Games Returnal, Monster Hunter Rise

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FEATURES 32 Mini meme Keyboard apps Can’t access your phone’s poo emoji fast enough?

34 Cover feature Outdoor fitness Here’s the kit you need to turn your next walk in the park into a wild workout 46 Upvoted Bluetooth keyboards Cut the cable to your screen (not literally, please) 66 Feature New Lego sets Builds so complex you may need a Phd 80 Instant upgrades Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ It’s the tablet that’s famous for not being an iPad... but are you getting the best from it?

82 Beta yourself Phone photos Sure, your smartphone’s got an amazing camera... but has it got an amazing photographer?

104 Random access memories Siri (2011) he original voice assistant has been around for a decade. Still not great, is it?

TOP TENS 90 Smartphones What’s the handiest, handsomest handset?

91 Budget smartphones Everyone deserves to hold an excellent phone 92 Tablets, streamers Slick slates and ways to stream everything 93 TVs All you need for a lazy night/day/year in 94 Laptops Porta-powerhouses to warm your knees 95 Wearables, smartwatches Strapping smart tracking tickers 97 VR headsets and VR games This reality sucks. Try these new ones 100 Headphones In-ears and on-ears, hear hear!

103 Games 10 ways to avoid adult responsibilities

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p28 5

I SAID GOODBYE TO STUFF

It’s been a wild ride, folks, but that’s the thing about roller coasters: You have to get off at the end. This will be my last issue of Stuff Magazine and while I’m excited about what my future holds, I’m also tremendously sad. The team at Stuff is second to none and over the course of just a year, I’ve made some of the best friends I’ve ever had while writing for this quirky little tech magazine. So thank you, Stuff, for everything you’ve done for me – not least of which was making me update the Top 10s every month.

Some things feel really good to leave behind, even if you’re sad about the rest.

Brad Lang, Deputy Digital Editor

I FOUND MY BALANCE

If you’re here to read about how I found peace and tranquility within, you’ll be disappointed by the next line. This month I finally learned how to not fall on my face while speeding about on a skateboard. And it’s all thanks to the lovely addition of motorised power. While I’ve always been interested in skating, I’ve never found the willpower to face falling on my face, or the confidence to head to a skatepark and risk looking like a complete fool. But skating on the Evolve Carbon GTX electric skateboard down winding gravel paths in the Johannesburg Botanical Garden proved far easier than I anticipated.

Marcé Bester, Deputy Editor

Making Stuff up Publisher and Editor-in-chief Toby Shapshak toby@stuff.co.za Editor Brett Venter brett@stuff.co.za Online Editor Marcé Bester marce@stuff.co.za Deputy Digital Editor Brad Lang brad@stuff.co.za Art Director Brandon van Rensburg art@stuff.co.za Digital Publisher Nic Boerma nic@stuff.co.za Associate Editor Nick Cowen nmc@stuff.co.za Intern Max Milella max@stuff.co.za Selling Stuff Business Director Sally Hudson, sally@stuff.co.za

OUR MONTH

What this issue has brought us by way of geekery I GOT OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE

Full disclosure: I am not good with most horror media. Books I can do. Movies, I manage. I’ve never played a horror game (except Resident Evil 4, but that barely counts). But, because I am a brave lad (and because my co-worker Nick Cowen told me to) I’ve been playing Dead Space, a sci-fi horror game made by Visceral Games (apt name). Put briefly, you play as an engineer trying to survive aboard a spaceship overrun by freaky monsters just human-looking enough to make it a million times more eerie. It’s tense, it’s haunting, it’s incredibly claustrophobic, and as much as it gives me nightmares: I love it.

Max Milella, Stuff Intern

I TOLD MARK TO ZUCK OFF

This month I deleted Facebook and Instagram off my phone.

You could point to myriad stories about Zuck’s company this year for a reason, but the final straw came with the iOS 14.5 update. After half a billion users’ data landed up in the dark web, to be met with a shrug from Facebook, the app was still asking for my data. At that point I decided both apps could now and forever be consigned to the desktop.

WhatsApp may be due for the same fate; I’m just waiting to see whether SA’s Information Regulator finds that the chat app and Facebook’s data scraping activities run up against POPIA, which comes into effect at the end of this month.

Nick Cowen, Associate Editor

Senior Account Manager Thalia Pallotta 083 375 2418 thalia@stuff.co.za Getting Stuff to you Printing CTP Distribution On the Dot 087 353 1291 Contacting Stuff Call us 087 353 1291 Email us stuff@stuff.co.za Subscribe stuff.co.za/ subscribe-now Find us www.stuff.co.za StuffSA @StuffSA

South Africa

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STU FF PRO MOTIO N

How the Samsung Neo QLED ushers in a new era in TV viewing

There is no doubt that we are now using our TV’s in many new ways, from a central entertainment hub, a fitness partner, a connection to classrooms, a co-worker and as well as a source for news. The launch of the 2021 Neo QLED TV is therefore perfectly timed to deliver innovative display, audio and connectivity technology designed for a new world. You can now do amazing things right in your living room with the Neo QLED TV line-up, which has introduced revolutionary technology in every facet of its design.

Complementing their vivid picture quality, it features a premium Infinity One Design you’ll love to feature in your home. It includes Object Tracking Sound Pro that ensure that the TVs sound incredible in every scene, from every angle. This creates a home cinema experience. The sound

even adjusts to other noises in the room, like a vacuum cleaner. This smart technology also carries Samsung’s awardwinning Tizen operating system, which ensure that the experience is seamless and intuitive.

Additionally, through the Samsung ecosystem this experience has been amplified even more. Samsung Neo QLED automatically recognises your office PC1, letting you conveniently access and work on office files from your home TV. You can connect your smartphone with Samsung DeX2 to enjoy a more expansive, more comfortable view of your workspace. You can even work together with colleagues on Microsoft 365 documents3 — right from your TV. With Google Duo built-in, you don’t have to rely only on emails, texts or other documents to communicate.

Instead, with a simple press of a remote, you can instantly video chat4 with the whole team at the same time. Whether you need to connect with an office or a classroom, you’re there, even from the comfort of your living room. And when you need a break, gamers will appreciate a TV made to give them an upper hand in everything from screen resolution to reduced lag. In fact, it received an Industry-First ‘Gaming TV Performance’ certification from VDE in Germany5.

The Neo QLED TV released in South Africa with an incredible launch offer.

You will receive a myriad of comforts including an in-home installation service by a fully accredited technical team through Samsung Signature Service. The offer is available through participating Samsung stockist and Samsung e-Store.

Find out more about Neo QLED 8K at www.samsung.com/za/tvs/qled-tv/highlights 1 Remote connection to PC is only supported for Windows 10 Professional or later and Mac OS 10.5 or later.

2 Connecting smartphone with Samsung Dex requires a compatible mobile device.

3 Auto-recognition of office PC requires valid Samsung account and Easy Connection to Screen app installation on PC (Mac OS not supported). This feature is available for product models with “Advanced” PC on TV feature. Please refer to the product specifications of each model for availability.

4 Compatible Logitech webcam required and sold separately. Availability of services is subject to change without prior notice.

5 Certification received for Gaming TV Performance from Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE). Four models from the 2021 Neo QLED lineup (QN900, QN800, QN90, QN85) received the certification, a distinction given for ‘Low Input Lag’ and ‘HDR with brightness of higher than 1,000 nits.’ Each of the TVs went through a rigorous testing process, ultimately earning the certification for less than 10ms of input lag during every scene of gameplay.

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Squad of thunder Two Thunderbolt ports enable superfast data transfer and allow you to connect to external devices like Apple’s 6K Pro Display XDR. Wi-Fi 6 is also supported.

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ALL THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM PLANET TECH

Apped around your finger Thousands of programs, including Photoshop, Office, Twitter and Slack, are now ‘Universal apps’ that harness the increased power and efficiency of M1 and macOS Big Sur.

HOT FIVE #1 GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE RAD HUES Apple iMac (M1)

Pass the touchie Touch ID makes its iMac debut this year. Located on the wireless Magic Keyboard, it talks to the M1 chip via an encrypted channel to protect your fingerprint data.

Apple gave the computing world the shake it arguably needed last year when it said goodbye to Intel and introduced a couple of scarily accomplished MacBooks equipped with its very own M1 chipset. And to nobody’s surprise, the stationary Mac has now followed suit.

Apple says its new M1 iMac will deliver up to 85% faster CPU performance and up to 2x faster GPU performance, while allowing users to edit up to five streams of 4K footage simultaneously. And as well as switching to powerful Apple silicon, the completely redesigned iMac – just 11.5mm thin – sports a 24in 4.5K display with 500 nits of brightness, True Tone and over a billion colours.

You also get what Apple calls the best ever speakers in a Mac and an improved 1080p webcam. Perhaps tastiest of all, though, are the colour options. No doubt inspired by the early iMacs of the ’90s, the 2021 iMac comes in green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, blue or silver – with matching peripherals.

Filling out spreadsheets and mass-deleting emails has never looked so hip.

As hot as… a mouse the colour of fire from R26 000 / istore.co.za 9

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Do they know its crispness?

The 2021 iPad Pro gains Smart HDR 3 support for the first time, using a new processor to quickly focus images and videos and nab loads of detail even in low light.

HOT FIVE #2 GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE PAD VIEWS Apple iPad Pro (M1)

Still reckon an iPad Pro’s not for proper work? Apple begs to differ. Last year’s model was impressive, but the 2021 Pro packs an M1 chip that ups the flagship tab’s CPU clout by 50% and the GPU by up to 40%, rivalling the fastest Macs.

And that’s not all. Fully embracing the ‘Pro’ part of the device’s name, Apple’s added Thunderbolt for external displays, optional 5G, up to 2TB of storage and – on the 12.9in model that starts at R19 700 – an XDR display. This uses over 10,000 Mini LEDs, versus the 72 LEDs in the previous model, to ramp up brightness (1600 nits at peak) and contrast when you’re doing creative things… or bunking work and watching TV. Well, you wouldn’t want to waste that four-speaker audio system on mere work now, would you?

The TrueDepth camera has been revamped too, with a 12MP ultrawide lens that has a 122° field of view. With Apple’s machine-learning smarts, it can keep you in shot during video calls – even when you’re dancing about the place, giddy with glee about your shiny new pride and joy.

As hot as... 10,000 miniature suns from R14 000 / istore.co.za

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Knockin’ on eleven’s door Some people still prefer the portability of the 11in iPad Pro, but bear in mind you don’t get the new Mini LED display on that slab. We’re still talking about one hell of a screen, though.

ALSO NEW FROM APPLE

Apple TV 4K Hoping for an Apple TV revolution? Too bad. The revamped Apple TV (from R2 700) looksidentical to its predecessor. Fortunately, it has added grunt over the 2017 unit, using the A12 Bionic chip to beef up graphics, video, audio and gaming performance.

The little black box now supports high-framerate HDR and Dolby Vision video; throw in a rethought Siri Remote and this looks a decent upgrade.

AirTag

Keys me please me The Magic Keyboard remains an arguably essential add-on for using an iPad Pro for work, its backlit keys and great trackpad turning the tablet into a real laptop alternative.

Apple finally announced its long-rumoured AirTags, teeny trackers that make use of the vast ‘Find My’ network Apple has built up using its enormous iPhone user base. The stainless steel tags have IP67 water/dust-resistance and a built-in speaker, and can be attached to bags, keys and other non-phone stuff you definitely don’t want to lose. They’re R500 each, or R1 900 for four.

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Too little noise?

As with most modern noise-cancellers, the ANC can be toggled on and off with a button. Press it once to kill all ambient sound, and again to let the important bits through.

HOT FIVE #3 WRING ME SUNSHINE

Urbanista Los Angeles When you think of LA, you probably think of gated mansions, hilariously expensive shops and a massive sign on a hillside. But also year-round sunshine. It’s fitting, then, that Urbanista has named what it dubs ‘the world’s first self-charging solar-powered headphones’ after the city.

These wireless cans are powered by Powerfoyle solar cell material, which converts light into electricity to deliver, in theory, neverending battery life. An hour outside in the sun returns three hours of playtime… and if you’re worried about the weather not holding up its end of the bargain, you’ll be pleased to know that ambient light also does the job. As long as you’re in a well-lit room, the Los Angeles will keep charging away – and leaving them by a window for an hour when you’re not using them should add another hour of charge. It’s the plugless life we’ve been dreaming about for yonks, all thanks to that big ball of fire in the sky.

Beyond that, they offer pretty much everything you’d expect from wireless headphones at this price, like Bluetooth 5, ANC, on-ear detection and voice support via Siri and Google Assistant.

As hot as... a solar-powered braai Rtba (R3 000 est.) / urbanista.com

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Welcome to the bundle An analogue cam’s not much use without paper to print on… so the Go is available as part of a starter set, which bundles in a double pack of the teeny colour film.

HOT FIVE #4 TINY HAPPY PEEP-PEARL Polaroid Go

Cell’s like teen spirit Not quite ready to embrace a totally solar-powered future? There’s a 50-hour battery that will quell any remaining juice-based fears. You can charge it via USB-C.

Commutes, credit card bills, jockeys: all things that are much better when they’re really small. And so are instant cameras, if you want Polaroid’s opinion on the matter.

At just 10.5cm long, 8.4cm wide and 6.2cm tall, the Polaroid Go is a seriously tiny travel-friendly snapper. Yeah, you remember travel…

The world’s smallest analogue instant camera features a newly developed selfie mirror, a self-timer, a flash, and easy-to-do double exposures. And while its diminutive form might spark fears of equally tiny battery life, Polaroid reckons it’s got better stamina than its larger predecessors. “How’s the film going to squash into that tiny box?” we hear you cry. Well, there’s also a new film and each photo is only 2in across, barely half the size of a regular instant snap.

Polaroid is calling the Go a wearable camera, which presumably means you can attach it to some kind of lanyard around your neck for quick on-the-go access. Then again, in the promotional material we were sent, one person appeared to be balancing theirs on their head, so feel free to get creative.

As hot as... a selfie inside Mount Vesuvius Rtba / polaroid.com

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Weapon of voice Optimus Prime features over 25 voice-activated commands, including “Roll out!”, “Convert!”, “Attack!” and presumably “Escape from that overly inquisitive dog!”

HOT FIVE #5 AMAZIN’ PRIME

Transformers Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Programmable Robot When Transformers toys first arrived, you could convert them from vehicle to robot by flipping them over and positioning their limbs. Today’s versions are a little trickier, quickly transforming owners from placid bot-lovers into frustrated rage monsters.

But the new Transformers Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Programmable Robot (Collector’s Edition) gets around this in cunning fashion.

Drawing on Robosen Robotics’ experience in crafting high-end transforming robots, this collaboration with Hasbro converts itself, making good use of 27 servo motors to rearrange its 50cm form.

For ten grand, that would be a cool but expensive gimmick. Fortunately, this bot goes further, coming to life as you reel off voice commands and watch Optimus respond by shooting imaginary Decepticons with his signature blaster and uttering worthy phrases in Peter Cullen’s familiar tones.

Naturally there’s an app as well, for programming and customising Optimus, controlling him via the on-screen joystick… or having him transform, roll out and check Megatron’s not lurking by your home.

As hot as… Megatron’s morning breath R10,500 ($700) / shop.hasbro.com 14

Gorillapod 3K PRO

Machined aluminum sockets

Calling all content creators: the GorillaPod 3K PRO is here.

Designed for Vloggers and Content Creators who shoot with the latest Premium Mirrorless Cameras, the GorillaPod 3K PRO is the next evolutionary step in content creation.

Grip it. Wrap it. Stand it.

joby.com

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STRUM AS YOU ARE

Fender American Acoustasonic Jazzmaster

Rtba / fender.com

Fender has invented the acoustic/electric hybrid guitar again… but this one might actually have some street cred ● Tweak scene When Fender launched its latest generation of hybrid guitars in 2019, it adopted a radical new approach: making them good. The use of advanced digital modelling meant the American Acoustasonic Tele and Strat really could sound like a whole range of different acoustic guitar types at the flick of a pickup switch. But of course, the cool kids wouldn’t touch them because Teles and Strats are for dentists… and so here, with some sonic refinements, comes a version based on that icon of scuzzy alt-rock, the Jazzmaster. ● Marquee boon As before, there are three pickups (a piezo, a percussive ‘body sensor’ and a normal magnetic type, this time a humbucker) and digital models of 10 guitars, accessed via a five-way switch and a knob for blending between pairs. But the Jazzmaster’s slightly bigger body makes it better for unplugged strumming, and there are some new voices – including one that sounds like a standard electric plugged into a cranked-up Marshall. In a world with live gigs (just imagine!), you’ll be able to plug this thing straight into the PA and sound like everyone from Joni Mitchell to Idles. ● Screen age riot This instrument was always going to be divisive: it’s not a real acoustic, it’s not a real Jazzmaster, etc. But Fender really upped the stakes by sending pre-launch guitars out to loads of influencers and apparently not asking for them back. Cue a flood of over-excited YouTube ‘reviews’ at precisely 2pm on press embargo day… followed by a flood of forum rants bemoaning the death of objectivity. But we’ve tried this guitar and it’s great… and you know you can still trust Stuff, right?

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There are five colour options for the top, from a natural wood finish to a vibrant blue print.

HYBRID DEARIES ● Taylor T5z Classic

From the company that first made acoustic guitars feel like electrics, an electric that thinks it’s an acoustic. Fully analogue, it has three pickups and plenty of tone-tweaking options.

R38 000 / taylorguitars.com

Smells like tee spirit

TAG HEUER CONNECTED GOLF EDITION To fit in down the golf club, you only need three things: a fancy set of clubs, an expensive car, and nothing better to do with your weekends.

But if you’d rather stand out, there are worse ways to do it than by strapping on Tag’s upgraded Connected Golf Edition smartwatch.

Powered by Wear OS, its 1.39in OLED touchscreen can be used to keep score and track your shots, and with detailed maps of over 40,000 courses it’ll even make club suggestions. With GPS and a heart-rate monitor on board it can track other, more energetic sports too, while it’ll also handle all the usual notifications you need when you’re not mid-swing. Well, isn’t your talent already enough of a handicap?

Rtba / tagheuer.com

● Godin LGXT

This Canadian curiosity has three outputs: one for its twin electric humbuckers, one for the acoustic piezo in the bridge, and one for MIDI so you can use it to make wacky synth noises.

R36 000 / godinguitars.com

● Relish Mary One

With unique ‘floating sandwich’ construction (nothing to do with a kayaker’s packed lunch), this Swiss beast has hot-swappable electric pickups and a piezo for acoustic tones.

R67 000 / relish.swiss

Nice shoes, bub

ADIDAS MARVEL PREDATOR FREAK.1

YOU CAN SOUND LIKE EVERYONE FROM JONI MITCHELL TO IDLES

Wolverine, if you think about it, is the ultimate football player. He doesn’t roll around clutching ‘injuries’, he’s compact, powerful, quick off the mark and utterly terrifying when he’s charging at the goalie. Be more like the ultimate X-Men antihero with Adidas’ madly lightweight new Marvel-branded Predator Freak.1, which feature Demonskin uppers, an adaptive fit that barely needs laces to hold onto your foot and a comic-centric design in Logan’s iconic yellow-black-and-blues.

Which is what your opponents will be after a match with you, right? If you’re feeling a little more Boy Scout, there’s also the Cyclops-themed Adidas X Ghosted boots to look out for.

R4 000 / shop.adidas.co.za 17

Blow it up

ACER PD1320WI PROJECTOR At some point, every person feels the need to buy a projector. It’s just that, until recently, great quality has been wildly unaffordable for the general enthusiast – which is where the Acer PD1320Wi comes in. It caps out at a reasonable 3,000 nits, with bulb technology that won’t decay as fast as other bulbs, apparently. You get HD resolution here, some superb colour reproduction and contrast and a fairly portable size. We tested it the only way we know how – screening a Marvel movie for our peers, and it produced punchy, vivid colours after a speedy setup and connection to our notebook.

R15 000 / shopacer.co.za

Dip to Black

WD_BLACK D10 12TB We know solid-state drives are all the rage right now thanks to their speedy nature, but if you prefer quantity over quality, Western Digital’s WD_Black 12TB game drive is especially useful. Developed specifically for the Xbox One console, it’ll quickly bulk up your storage to capacities previously unthought of. Throw in speeds of up to 250MB/s, two USB 3.2 charging ports and three months of Xbox Game Pass for free, and your gaming setup will be the coolest in the clan. These also come in smaller sizes, but you know what they say about someone with a huge game drive…

R5 700 / incredible.co.za

“15% off weight loss tea”

DELL XPS 13

Similar to most influencers on Instagram, notebooks are getting slimmer by the day. It’s especially evident in the refreshed Dell XPS 13, which is essentially borderless following the removal of its last Infinity Edge bezel. It features a larger display with a bigger, more comfortable keyboard and touchpad, all in a chassis that’s somehow smaller than its predecessors.

Looks aside, the XPS 13 doesn’t disappoint either, rocking a 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, about 12 hours of battery life off the cable and either 1TB or 2TB of SSD storage. Honestly, just the 13.4in, 1920 x 1200 touch display was enough to pull us in.

R37 000 / everyshop.co.za

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Don’t think 2S, it’s all right

DJI AIR 2S

Aerial photographers and videographers have a new tool to stick in their bag – and it won’t have to be a very big bag. The DJI Air 2S is the smallest camera drone yet to come with a 1in sensor on board, and it’s able to capture 4K video at 60fps or 5.4K at 30fps as well as 20MP stills.

A three-axis gimbal keeps things steady, while video shooters have the option to shoot in Hybrid Log Gamma or D-Log profiles for maximum colour-grading scope, as well as H265 to conserve storage capacity (there’s 8GB built in, plus a microSD slot). Battery life runs to 31 minutes of airtime per charge, while an updated version of DJI’s OcuSync transmission tech gives the Air 2S a range of up to 12km.

R21 400 / dji.com

DROP EVERYTHING & DOWNLOAD

Clap Hanz Golf Apple Arcade (R85/m)

The Apple Arcade subscription service has slowly but surely built itself an impressively eclectic library of games… bolstered by a huge update that Apple recently dropped out of nowhere, which featured a number of games from some industry big-hitters.

And the pick of the bunch, if you ask us, is Clap Hanz Golf.

In all but name this is an Everybody’s Golf title for Apple Arcade, marking the end of developer Clap Hanz’s long exclusivity deal with PlayStation. But don’t expect an inferior knockoff. Like its predecessors, the infectiously cheerful Clap Hanz Golf hits that sweet spot between arcade and simulation golf, with this iteration letting you switch to a different character for each hole. The new touch controls, meanwhile, arguably make hitting a great shot even more satisfying.

In need of a B&W (audio) filter

BOWERS & WILKINS PI7 B&W doesn’t mess about when it comes to sound. So while its audio adversaries have been churning out true wireless earbuds for a while, the British audio maker has bided its time – but the PI7s look to have been very much worth the wait. The important stuff? Dual hybrid drive units that work just like B&W’s top-notch speakers, plus quad amps with advanced DSP that should ensure performance worth every cent of its not inconsiderable pricetag. A six-mic array – three in each bud – brings active noise-cancelling and calls, while the case they charge in can be connected to a wired music source and transmit wirelessly to the earphones – handy if you ever get on a plane again.

Rtba / bowerswilkins.com

19

I C O N

LEICA Q2 DANIEL CRAIG X GREG WILLIAMS R128 000 / leica.com

So this is what Bond’s been up to during the Hollywood shutdown?

Looks like it. Everyone’s favourite sea-exiter is apparently just as handy behind a camera as he is in front of them, and he’s teamed up with official Bond photographer Greg Williams to bring us an extremely limited-edition redesign of Leica’s Q2 camera. And when we say extremely limited, we’re talking just 750 of the things.

What’s so special about it?

As you’d expect, it’s all about looks.

The Leica Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams (the entirety of which you must say aloud each time you mention the camera) is still largely black, but all the engravings on the body and lens have been inlaid with Bond-worthy gold paint. Even the iconic red Leica logo has been replaced – apparently for the first time ever – by a black and gold version. And the premium stylings don’t end there. The covering and strap are Napa leather, while the name and serial number have been laser-etched beneath the display.

And there’s a Bond-style poison dart hidden in there somewhere?

Not that we’re aware of, sadly. But it should be great at taking pictures.

At its heart is a 47.3MP full-frame sensor, just about twice the resolution of the one in the original Q (no, not that Q), giving you a load of extra detail to work with. While the Q2 has a fixed 28mm f/1.7 lens, that enlarged resolution means you get more digital crop options than before. Autofocus takes less than 0.15 seconds, and you can inspect your shots on a high-res OLED viewfinder.

How many moneypennies are we talking here?

Just the R128 000, and that’s if they haven’t all gone by the time you read this. Good luck, 007.

20

EVEN THE ICONIC RED LOGO HAS BEEN REPLACED, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER

Gimme thumb lovin’

8BITDO PRO 2

As well as having one of the best brand names going, 8BitDo makes some of the best third-party controllers out there – and its latest is the most feature-packed yet. The Pro 2 builds on the Pro+ before it, with an enhanced grip and two mappable back buttons beneath the triggers.

The placement of these buttons, to which you can assign any function or macro, means you don’t need to take your thumbs off the sticks at all while playing (except to go to the toilet). You can switch between three custom profiles, while a four-way Mode Switch allows you to hop between different connected Bluetooth devices. Switch, PC, macOS and Android are all supported and playtime is rated at 20 hours.

Rtba / 8bitdo.com

WTF IS AN NFT? No flipping tuna?

Errr, no. NFT stands for ‘non-fungible token’ – which, despite what it sounds like, has nothing to do with mushrooms.

An NFT’s non-fungibility means it’s unique, like a digital equivalent of that one-off album that the Wu-Tang Clan recorded and then sold for $2million. That money can be swapped with two bags full of $1m each and it’ll still be worth the same, but the album is one of a kind and cannot be replaced.

If it’s digital, can’t someone just make a copy of it?

Yes, but that’s exactly the point of the NFT. The copy-and-paste nature of digital stuff is what affects its value, but if you tokenise something with an NFT then you have a certificate of ownership and originality that gives it undisputable value. NFTs are part of the blockchain, similar to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, which means every single one can be accounted for with a ledger that includes the details of who owns what. That ledger is maintained by computers all over the world, meaning it can’t be forged. There’s nothing to stop someone copying the original, but the NFT and ledger will prove who bought it.

So I can tokenise my selfies?

Roller coster

LG SIGNATURE OLED R LG’s rollable TV reveal left us stunned in 2019, but we never thought they’d actually make it. As of now, the LG Signature OLED R is, amazingly, due to land in South Africa. The main attraction is, of course, the 65in flexible OLED display created from one sheet of glass that rolls up so it’s out of sight when not in use, or halfway should you want to keep some smart features available. Each TV is ‘produced to order, painstakingly assembled and finished with a craftsman-like attention to detail’. It’s certainly innovative... but it’s also due to cost you around a couple of millions when it makes landfall here. Literally. We’re not expecting it to cost less than two bar when it lands here at the end of the year.

Rtba (Q4 2021) / lg.com/za

You can tokenise anything digital, but that doesn’t mean somebody’s suddenly going to want to buy it off you. A lot of the NFTs sold so far have been digital artworks, but a gif of the meme icon Nyan Cat fetched nearly $550,000 in February, and the chap who filmed himself skateboarding down the street to Fleetwood Mac has put the video up for sale with a starting price of $500,000. Kings of Leon’s latest album When You See Yourself has also been released as an NFT, with six versions of it granting the owners lifetime access to the band’s live shows… though having to sit through a load of Kings of Leon gigs is not our idea of added value.

21

G A M E S

FIRST PLAY RESIDENT EVIL VILLAGE PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1, PC Creepy mansions, claustrophobic corridors, a cramped train carriage – quite often it’s the oppressive setting that really gives Resident Evil its fear factor.

But while the new instalment switches things up by giving you a village to explore in daylight, it still knows it’s at its best when you’re kept in the dark.

Exploration in Resident Evil Village still requires finding the right keys or tools to access different areas. The returning first-person perspective from Resident Evil 7 (as well as its protagonist Ethan Winters, 22

this time on the search for his newborn daughter) immerses you in fear, not knowing what’s around the corner as you’re lured into dark spaces while the eerie audio design has you nervously on guard.

New threats include Lycans, a zombie/werewolf hybrid capable of clambering around environments at a dangerous pace. Fortunately, Ethan feels well equipped to fight – and if you defeat them they’ll even drop money, which can be spent in random pop-up shops set up by an oddball merchant calling

himself The Duke, one of many callbacks to Resident Evil 4.

But the horror elements have not been diluted, especially as you find yourself pursued by some frighteningly invincible foes – including vampire giantess Lady Dimitrescu. Most terrifying are her three daughters, who can’t wait to feast on Ethan’s fresh man-blood.

Oh, and they can transform into a swarm of insects, flitting in and out of form and making a mockery of your bullets. If that whets your appetite, look out for the full review next issue.

FIRST LOOK EMOTION-CAPTURE ANIMATION

LIFE IS STRANGE: TRUE COLORS PC, PS5, PS4, XSX, XB1

Life is Strange is a series that’s married high concept with big issues and managed to hit fans right in the feels. So its apt that in its latest game your superpower is empathy.

For Alex, the protagonist in True Colors, the power to

experience, absorb and manipulate the emotions of others – whether that’s anger, sadness or something from a whole unpredictable range, expressed as strange coloured auras – has been a curse she’s tried to suppress her whole life. But when her brother dies in a suspicious ‘accident’, she finally has to confront and use her powers

to uncover the secrets behind the life of a seemingly idyllic small town.

While the series has plenty of heart, it’s also been held back by varying quality in writing, tone and animations.

Fortunately, with Deck Nine (the studio behind the fine prequel Before the Storm) back on development duties, bringing improved visuals

and fully motion-captured performances, True Colors looks set to give the series the glow-up it needs.

And the best part is that, instead of the long waits of an episodic release that risk losing momentum, the whole game will be out in September.

So feel free to binge – but you might want to make sure you have a hankie nearby first.

BESTOFVRFORESCAPINGREALITY

PAVLOV VR

PC, PSVR2 With a new and improved VR headset officially coming to PS5 (dubbed PSVR2 for now), one of the first confirmed titles is co-op shooter Pavlov VR. While it’s already available on other VR platforms, Sony’s headset promises the fidelity and controls to do it justice.

SONG IN THE SMOKE

PC, Oculus, PSVR Indie developer 17-Bit swaps classic 2D strategy and shooters for a bold new frontier in this atmospheric survival VR game. Battle the elements and the wild by crafting medicine, arrowheads and more, and see if you can survive this world’s mysteries.

RESIDENT EVIL 4 VR

Oculus Quest 2 For anyone who’s disappointed that Resident Evil Village won’t have a VR mode, here’s something even better: the all-time masterpiece RE4 is going VR exclusively for Oculus Quest 2! As the game’s iconic merchant would say, “Ahh, I’ll buy that at a high price!”

INCOMING JUNE ● RATCHET & CLANK: RIFT APART ● MARIO GOLF SUPER RUSH ● FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE ● SCARLET NEXUS JULY ● MONSTER HUNTER STORIES 2: WINGS OF RUIN ● THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SKYWARD SWORD HD

23

W H E E L S Built by Spark Racing Technology, the Odyssey 21 is powered by a 400kW (536bhp) electric motor from Williams Advanced Engineering.

This e-SUV can race up 52° gradients.

Top speed is 200km/h, 0 – 100km/h takes 4.5s, and range? Well… in the first race it was just 20km.

Extreme E Odyssey 21

APOCALYPSE NEEEEOW N/A / extreme-e.com This snarling beast is a particularly fearless electric SUV called the Odyssey 21 – and a bunch of them are competing across challenging terrains in the world’s most endangered places. Welcome to Extreme E, the latest venture from the people behind F1’s greener cousin, Formula E. But XE takes the whale-saving to another level. This is motorsport meets National Geographic.

There’s no questioning the calibre of the racers: rally legends Carlos Sainz and Sebastien Loeb are going up against Jenson Button, 24

while Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg own teams and, uniquely, the sport mandates an even gender split across its nine teams – so women compete alongside men, including Britain’s Jamie Chadwick and Catie Munnings.

But the green part of this deal is every bit as serious. First of all, the championship pledges to leave each racing venue better than it was found by creating ‘legacy programmes’ tailored to help the natural world.

To keep the carbon footprint to a minimum, there are no spectators

and teams are restricted to five on-site technicians. ‘X Prix’ are among the most remote sporting events ever to be broadcast live, but many of those involved are back in London or Amsterdam.

There’s a medivac helicopter on site in case something awful happens, but overhead shots are recorded by drones. The cars are carried to the races aboard a ship that runs on low-sulphur diesel and provides scientific residencies for ecological research.

Stuff attended the first race in the Saudi Arabian desert, which

proved to be a tough affair with the track flipping cars and tearing off tyres. The new tech took a beating, with suspension woes, overheating batteries, power-steering failures and one wrecked chassis. And the following race, held in Senegal, presents a completely different set of challenges.

XE has set out to transcend sport. It’s easy to be cynical about EVs ripping through tortured landscapes, but so far it’s a thrilling spectacle – and actually has diehard motorsport fans talking about the climate crisis.

H

O

T

S

T

U

F

F

Designed for impact, the tubular frame is steel alloy reinforced with niobium. The bodywork is made from plant-based flax, not carbon-fibre.

RACING TO SAVE THE PLANET: THE CALENDAR

DESERT X PRIX ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA

Stuff witnessed the first race, designed to heighten awareness of the effects of desertification (which could displace 700 million people).

The series has also set up a conservation fund for the Red Sea’s endangered hawksbill turtles.

3-4 April

OCEAN X PRIX LAC ROSE, SENEGAL

The next one took place on Africa’s Atlantic coast near Dakar. Drivers contended with sandbars, saltbeds, gravel and rocks, while drawing attention to fragile marine ecosystems. XE has committed funds to plant a million mangroves.

29-30 May

ARCTIC X PRIX KANGERLUSSUAQ, GREENLAND

Round 3 focuses on the melting ice caps and rising sea levels: scientists predict there will be no summer sea ice in the Arctic inside a generation. XE’s cars will race across land that was until recently a glacier.

28-29 August

AMAZON X PRIX PARA, BRAZIL

Round 4 races around the rainforest on the banks of the Amazon – ground zero for deforestation and wildfires. Rainforests are of course essential to life, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere.

23-24 October

GLACIER X PRIX TIERRA DEL FUEGO, ARGENTINA

The finale takes place near Ushuaia, the Patagonian town known as ‘the end of the world’ and the gateway to Antarctica. Some of the biggest consequences of climate change are being seen in the glaciers here.

11-12 December

25

It’s about to get cold out there, so stay inside and stay warm while hanging out with some robots, zombies, bats and cultists this winter

The Underground Railroad

The Woman in the Window

Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness

This 10-part series from Moonlight director Barry Jenkins follows the fraught journey of an escaped slave attempting to reach freedom via a network of abolitionists and safe havens running from the South to Canada. Nothing to do with expanding Johannesburg’s Gautrain service, then.

S1 / Amazon Prime Video

Joe Wright’s psychological thriller was supposed to come out in 2019, and a delay is rarely a good sign; but with a cast this talented (including Amy Adams and Gary Oldman) we maintain high hopes. Adams plays a woman who thinks she witnesses a murder, but is she just imagining things? Let’s face it: probably not.

Film / Netflix

Capcom’s new animated Resident Evil series drops on 8 July and you want to watch it. Why? Because the voice talent from the amazing Resi 2 remake are reprising their roles as Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. There will, of course, be zombies, guns and, not so strangely, a trip to the White House.

S1 / Netflix

Love, Death & Robots

The Vow

The Dark Knight

Do you like androids, ultra-violence and philosophising about free will, intelligence and the very meaning of life itself? A second batch of adult animated sci-fi tales has arrived on Netflix and, just like the first season, it’s heavy on all of the above. It also displays the same broad swathe of animation types as the original series.

S2 / Netflix

How exactly do seemingly ordinary people like get involved in cults?

That is the poignant question The Vow asks as it explores the notorious NXIVM cult, which entrapped two famous Smallville actresses and a bunch of other ‘recruits’ in a situation involving sex slavery, forced labour and other criminal behaviour.

S1 / Showmax

Showmax is dropping a whole host of action packed DC movies on its service over the winter period so, when you’re done with the best of the Nolan trilogy (c’mon, it’s not even close), you can check out the others, plus all of the other films you may have neglected while distracted by the shiny MCU. Film / Showmax

DO M N TH ISS ’T IS

Army of the Dead Film / Netflix

26

Zack Snyder is a director who doesn’t always hit the mark: for every 300 or Dawn of the Dead, there’s a Sucker Punch or Dawn of Justice. But his flair for OTT action sequences looks to have found a suitable home in this, a blockbuster heist movie in which a Dirty Dozen-style mob of mercenaries venture into a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas to relieve a casino vault of a few million dollars. The major snag? Sin City is now swarming with zombies – and not the slow, shambling kind. Cue bullets, blood and undead tigers.

27

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Smart Tech

Stuff Mag examines the very best in the world of tech on 10 times a year. Whether it’s freshly launched (love that newprocessor smell), of historic importance, or just a twinkle in Jony Ives’ eye, you can bet that we’ve left our fingerprints on it in our quest to catch and catalogue the best in tech. We do it all for you. ● Visit Stuff: stuff.co.za

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We test phones, laptops, tablets, headphones, cars, and anything else that recently appeared in a tech keynote so you don’t have to. No tech is too big or too small (except when it is – it happens) for us to poke, pick at, prod, or play with. And we pass the results on to you, for betterinformed gadget purchase choices. ● Image Stuff: instagram.com/stuffsa

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If you’re rocking an Android or iOS device and want to save those trees, there’s always the option of an app-based digital subscription.

It doesn’t get much easier than a single or annual payment which sends a fresh (tree hugging) copy of Stuff to your mobile. Get it on our Android or iOS app via Zinio. ● Get Stuff: zinio.com

to fill in a subscription form. Hit the QR code (via SnapScan) to pay for it.

Once normal service resumes, your copy will automagically be on its way to your home.

FIRST TEST SONOS ROAM

Boom, shake the Roam Sonos has made a truly portable speaker fit for chucking just about anywhere – but can it make a full-size noise?

R4 000 / takealot.com

T

he Sonos Roam is this esteemed audio company’s first proper portable speaker.

Forget the Move, because while it would love to claim that title (and is a fantastic bit of kit in its own right), the truth is its sheer heft puts it pretty low down our list of boomers to sling in a satchel.

The Move is an able beast but simply too unwieldy for weekends away and jaunts in the park… but the Roam is an altogether more sensible proposition for outdoor parties – and that’s not only due to its physical dimensions.

Being clued up for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it’ll get on nicely with an existing Sonos setup but has the nifty addition of appealing to punters from outside of the Sonos sphere – those looking for a no-nonsense wireless speaker without the need to use a dedicated app.

This, then, might just be the brand’s most accessible speaker yet – and it continues Sonos’ focus on quality. But the sub-R4 000 porta-speaker market is awash with strong rivals from Marshall, JBL, Ultimate Ears and more, so Sonos needs to cut through the noise.

Designed to stand either vertically or horizontally, the robust Roam isn’t exactly shouty in the design department, with a metal mesh and rubberised matt plastic finish; so it’s what’s inside that matters.

Does it stick to the same sweet audio recipe as the rest of the Sonos range?

29

4 2

1

Go hard or go Roam

The Roam has a refined aesthetic, in keeping with the rest of the Sonos family. It feels sturdy and the rubberised ends are there to absorb shock. The buttons are physical to avoid accidental prods, and there’s USB-C charging or you can fuel it wirelessly.

2 Roam computer

3 Make yourself at Roam

Above the Sonos logo is a tiny LED displaying connection status and muting; a second LED on the top indicates when microphones are active. The final LED is found at the bottom and shows power and charge status. If it glows orange, it’s thirsty.

Pairing is a breeze: control the Roam from a streaming platform, a podcast app or AirPlay 2. You’ve got Alexa or Google Assistant on voice duty, and automatic Trueplay means it’ll tune its sound to suit the environment, whether you’re inside or outside.

4 She’s leaving Roam

5 Roam on the range

Another choice feature is Sound Swap, which switches audio to the nearest Sonos speaker in the vicinity. Press play/pause and the Roam pings sound around accordingly – useful if you wish to express your right to Roam without taking it with you.

Connectivity remained rock solid throughout our testing, as did the seamless switch between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, although the claimed 10-hour battery life is a stretch and it takes around two hours to get it juiced up with a full charge.

Good Meh Evil

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24 hourswith the Sonos Roam

2mins 30

11mins 15mins 45mins

1hr

4hrs

7hrs

8hrs

10hrs

FIRST TEST SONOS ROAM

Techspecs Audio 1x tweeter, 1x mid-woofer, 2x Class H amps Connectivity Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 Battery life Up to 10 hours Water-resistance IP67 Dimensions 168x62x60mm, 430g

1

Green green grass of Roam In, out, take it all about. How did the Sonos Roam fare on our mini world tour to the park and back?

■ Roam comforts

■ Roam front

■ Roam truths

■ Roam and dry

For a Sonos, the sound quality is really just OK. But for a speaker of this size and form factor, it’s impressive. It might not quite outweigh some of the competition, but it certainly matches them.

A w t le ire as le t w ss e ch ’ve ar g gi ot ng t W . H he Bl e’r ue e an op to ha dy tio ot pp . no h t ily fQ o sw W i i i-F tch Is i a in bu Tru nd g f t i ep t s la ba rom ou y ck t nd w ag s g ea ain k r i . ea ng Ju t ro st ind thi om ca oo ngs is rryi rs ? C a n ng an an ice th d o ’t fe e R ut tel el oa . l, ing m W no e l w f he rom t s ike n W ro ur th e i is FH om t e cle . to dg ve es r s its pe fiv ak e- er; st we ar ’r riv e j als ust .

Things are well balanced in the mid-range, although it does suffer in the higher echelons, lacking a bit of clarity. That bass really is the boss here, especially when you take the Roam into the shower.

12hrs

19hrs 21hrs

22hrs

24hrs

One thing this little box doesn’t lack is bass: it has a surprising amount of low-end oomph for a speaker so small. In fact it’s a bit overzealous in certain cases, requiring some tweaks to the EQ.

In reality, your mates in the park are not likely to hush the crowd to note that vocals sound ever so slightly dampened, and on that basis the Roam is a perfectly well-rounded portable speaker.

Sonos should have made the Roam years ago.

Its portability alone should be enough to see it shift plenty of units, but it’s the bonus features like automatic Trueplay and Sound Swap that set it apart. Yes, there are bettersounding sub-R4 000 speakers, but none with the Roam’s skills – it’s up to you to decide whether you need them.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★★ An attractive portable speaker with solid sound that works well across Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 31

APPS

Mini meme

● Gboard

The basics are solid in Google’s keyboard: swipe typing, voice input, a number row, custom shortcuts. On iOS, though, it’s all about deep hooks into Google services like maps, YouTube and search. On both platforms the big prize is multiple language support, whether using built-in translation or setting the keyboard up to work smartly and seamlessly with up to three languages at once.

Free / Android, iOS

● ai.type Plus

Feel like other keyboards don’t let you express your true self?

With ai.type you get a dizzying array of themes and can adjust the appearance of almost every keyboard component. It’s more than just a pretty face, though: you get snippets collections, a conversion utility and even a calculator. Want to try before you buy? The free version generously has many of these features unlocked.

R50 / Android 32

KEYS RELEASE ME

If you don’t think your device’s default keyboard has what it takes to satisfy your full range of typing needs, replace it with a feature-packed alternative

● Grammarly

A serious keyboard for serious types, Grammarly is very grey, bar a green button that acts like a teacher looking over your shoulder and pointing out when you mix up ‘effect’ and ‘affect’.

With longer messages it’ll attempt to detect tone, and there’s a premium tier with wallet-smacking pricing that’ll check your words for clarity, engagement, delivery and even plagiarism. from Free / Android, iOS

● Type Nine

Remember the days when you tapped out messages using the nine number keys? Type Nine steals that concept from an old Nokia and squirts it into your iPhone. But this isn’t mere nostalgia: you get swipe-typing, gestures and resizable keys.

And although there is an optional retro theme, the modern ones look far more attractive. This is a curious and surprisingly effective mash-up of old and new.

R80 / iOS

● Fleksy

A one-time Guinness World Record holder (‘fastest texting’), Fleksy prioritises usability and efficiency. The default theme offers clarity, you can tap-hold to access extra characters, and the size of the keyboard can be squished – or enlarged to ‘visible from across the street’ scale.

Mini-apps let you quickly grab info to paste, and it’s private: whatever you type stays on your phone until you share it.

Free / Android, iOS

● Giphy

Some of the other apps on this page integrate gif searches. But if you want to stick with your stock keyboard and still get your gif on, try Giphy. On Android it’s restrained – a thin strip above a nondescript set of keys – but on iOS it takes over the entire keyboard, thereby providing a terrifying glimpse of a future where the human race only communicates using short animated video loops.

Free / Android, iOS

OUTDOOR FITNESS

LET’S GO OUTSIDE Even though we’re allowed to see other people, the situation is still a little dicey. But we’ve all been cooped up for far too long and there’s a limit to how close a random stranger can get while you’re sprinting down a mountain trail with a weight in each hand. Get back your body from the before-times with this set of outdoor gear that will set you working out in the way that works best for you.

Whether that’s on foot, on wheels, in the water or climbing something cold, we’ve got all the gear you need

Regular runners Marathon-metric smartwatches, motivational sunglasses, and training shoes to help you achieve your PB dreams. p34-35

Multisport masters Wild wearables, strange sensors, triathlon-tracking sports bibs, and open-water wetsuitsforposing as a proper athlete. p36-37

Roving ramblers Wind-repellers, touchscreen gloves, grills that chargeyourphone, and multicoloured mountain boots for happy hikers. p38-39

Bootcamp blitzers Dumbbell benches, optical trackers, robotic tennis returners, and weird weighted vests for summer body-sculpting. p40-41

Easy escapers Wilderness-ready camping tackle, off-road e-bikes and blow-up boats for Bear Grylls types planning micro adventures. p42-43

Scenic snappers Dinky 4K drones, mini steadicams, epic VR video creators, and essential camera gear for backing up your boasts. p44-45 33

OUTDOOR FITNESS

RUN FOR THE THRILLS The weather’s turned chilly but you know how to warm up – get off the home-gym hamster wheel and go for a proper run with this clever kit Endure bird can sing During Stuff’s 8hr ultra run test, the Enduro used just 10% battery. After 18 days, and 20hrs of sweating, it was still at 50%.

GARMIN ENDURO n the running watch arms race, battery life is a fierce battleground. Even budget trackers now last weeks between charges. However, with an 80-hour GPS battery life, extendable up to 300 hours in endurance mode – all boosted by juice-saving solar charging – the Garmin Enduro has just blown away all of its rivals.

The Enduro is basically a Fenix 6 that won’t die. It’ll survive even the most extreme multi-day ultra running adventures, while hour-a-day run streakers can expect at least a month from a single charge.

This run buddy also comes loaded with Garmin’s best adventure-tracking smarts, including new trail-adjusted VO2 fitness estimates and an ultra running mode that clocks how long you dawdle at aid-station buffets. Plus you get adaptive workout suggestions, remote live tracking and all the usual heart/blood stats.

The only things missing are maps and offline music. But with automatic Wi-Fi syncing, a crisp screen and 100m waterproofing, the Enduro is the closest you’ll get right now to the ultimate running watch… if you can afford it and you’ve got big enough wrists. from R15 000 / garmin.com/za

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NOW ADD THIS

BOSE FRAMES TEMPO

We often turn a blind eye to shades-based mash-ups but these run-friendly sunnies kick out decent sound from two speakers, while leaving your ears clear to hear swearing cyclists.

R6 600 / istore.co.za

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Rays your hands The 1.4in 280x280 Power Glass solar display converts sunlight into extra run time. There’s also a handy power manager.

OUTDOOR FITNESS WARM UPPERS

CHOOSE YOUR SHOES

INSIDE TRACKS

Pavement-pounders for sole brothers and sole sisters UA Impasse Run 2.0 This waterproof and windproof jacket from Under Armour keeps you dry and holds off the chill, while being compact enough to pack down into itself if find a patch of sunshine.

R2 500 / underarmour.co.za

Saucony Endorphin Speed From fast interval sessions to steady Sunday runs, if you want just one shoe that can do it all, the Endorphin Speed is it. The winning combination of a lighter-levered nylon plate that’s more subtle than most carbon rivals, plus a springy PeBax-based midsole foam and an efficiency-aiding rocker design, is a versatile formula that runs well whatever you throw at it.

R3 800 / sportsa.co.za

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 The original Vaporfly set the mark for carbon-plated efficiency-boosting supershoes. This upgrade sticks to a familiar format with a big wedge of ZoomX midsole and a full-length carbon plate, but improves the upper with a softer mesh, more padding in the tongue and some reinforcements to extend its lifetime mileage.

R4 600 / nike.com/za

Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G300 Max

Under Armour Flow Velociti Wind

Built for efficiency, comfort and durability on high-mileage trail runs, these runners use graphene in the soles to improve grip and traction on tricky terrain, and in the midsole foam so they retain their snappy energy return for longer. A deep groove in the sole also helps swallow up whatever the trail puts under your feet.

R3 400 (import) / inov-8.com

This lightweight all-rounder happily shifts gears between nippy 10k runs and longer ventures. It also packs sensors in the soles that track your run stats: the shoes beam cadence, stride length and foot strike position to the MapMyRun app, for real-time coaching and post-run tips to help you improve your form.

R3 500 / underarmour.co.za

THE WAY OF THE RUNNER

Want to make your lunchtime 5k feel like a park stroll? Author Adharanand Finn quizzes an eclectic mix of runners in this inspiring podcast. thewayoftherunner.com

Soar Running Ultra Jacket 3.0 High-necked, breathable and light, this thin shell offers just enough wind and rain protection to be the ideal Goldilocks layer for a brisk SA winter morning.

R3 100 / soarrunning.com

Salomon Agile Wind Weighing 165g, with strategically placed stretch fabric, this water-repellent shell lets you move fast without restriction… perfect to pack on runs. from R700 / salomonsports.co.za

READ THE LOST ART OF RUNNING

From Kenyan record holders to mountain trail runners, coach Shane Benzie circled the planet in search of the perfect form… and reveals it in this book.

R490 / amazon.com

THE RUN TESTERS

A YouTube Top Gear for run geeks, this channel specialises in field tests of the latest gear to help runners of all levels sort the best gear from the also-rans. youtube.com/c/ TheRunTesters

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OUTDOOR FITNESS SALVAGE SQUAD

HARD YARDS

EXPERT TIPS

Specialist tools for extracting extra performance Beurer MG 180

TRIATHLETE AND COACH CHANTAL CUMMINGS (@CHANTALC13) OFFERS 3 TRICKS TO HIT YOUR TRI GOALS

Weighing in at about 1kg and not much bigger than a school lunch box, this fourspeed massage gun features six different heads and over three hours of percussive muscle-mashing.

R6 000 / takealot.com

TURN UP

The golden rule in making progress is consistency. Three short sessions a week trumps one long session in terms of helping the body to adapt and develop from week to week. If you are time-crunched, shorter sessions will also be much more manageable.

TOUGHEN UP

There will be days when you don’t feel like training. Use days like these to train your mind to be stronger by getting through the sessions. Come race day, when the going gets tough, your strengthened mindset will now be your secret weapon.

Oura Ring This minimalistic ring uses tiny sensors to track heart rate and skin temperature, serving up overnight recovery and sleep insights to reveal just how ready you are for today’s tortures.

R4 400 / ouraring.com

LOOSEN UP

Had a long day at work, or a stressful week?

Turn your data off and do your session on feel.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in data that we actually let it hold us back. See what you can do without it – you might be surprised.

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MiHigh Infrared Sauna Blanket A lie down inside this deep-heating ‘body bag’ blanket unlocks the same kind of bloodflow-boosting muscle recovery benefits you get from a spell in an IR sauna.

R8 000 / mihigh.com

Saris MP1 Nfinity Trainer

Incus Nova Swim

This steel, aluminium and wood balance board brings that missing element – movement – to your virtual rides and pain-cave pursuits.

As you chase the Watts, the board allows minor forward, backward and side-to-side movements for added realism. It works with most home training setups, and the built-in front wheel block fits MTB and road bikes.

R21 500 / bicyclepower.co.za

Worn on the spine in a bra-like bib, this triathlon tracker uses a powerful 10-axis motion sensor to capture form-affecting micro movements that reveal your efficiency in the pool.

Metrics monitored include body roll, pitch angles, stroke rate, drag, kick and independent stroke analysis. And there’s real-time haptic feedback so you can fix your flaws in mid-dip.

R4 000 / incusperformance.com

Supersapiens

Orca RS1 Openwater

These skin-worn biosensors use interstitial cellular fluid – like the stuff you find in blisters – to send real-time glucose levels to an app. This reveals when you need to fuel up, what your body responds to best and which lifestyle factors – like sleep and stress – affect your blood sugar levels outside of training. It’s all important for staying lean.

Rtba / supersapiens.com

If you plan to take your swim training to the open seas, this neoprene two-piece offers the perfect package of boosted chest buoyancy for a natural swim, plus warmth and flexibility. You can mix and match sizes to find your ideal fit for top and bottom, and the Velcro seal saves you from frustrating fiddly zips.

R3 750 (top), R3 000 (bottom) / proswimwear.co.za

OUTDOOR FITNESS

MUST TRI HARDER If you’ve recklessly agreed to have a bash at tackling multiple sports, at least you can rock up looking the part with these tough-guy togs Tints I’ve been loving you Oakley’s Prizm lenses enhance your vision for different environments.

Prizm Road is the best option for spotting potholes.

Balls come tumbling down To earn their ANSI Z80.3 impact-resistance rating, the lenses had to survive a 16g steel ball being dropped from 120cm.

NOW ADD THIS

OAKLEY ENCODER o serious cyclist chases mountain summits and Strava segments without whacking on a decent set of sunnies.

Whether you’re pushing big Watts round your local routes or pitting your quads against an Alp, flies, wind, debris and the sun’s glare can bring your dreams literally crashing down.

Enter these face-wrapping Oakley Encoder shades, on a mission to change the shape of ocular protection.

A wide-vision single-piece lens with a high-wrap frame

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COROS PACE 2

The benchmark for budget sports watches packs a 30hr GPS run time (extendable up to 60hrs), a dedicated triathlon mode and a full suite of tracking, recovery and coaching features.

R3 600 / amazon.com

doesn’t just keep the insects and rays off your eyeballs – it also extends your field of vision so you can see more of the twisty road ahead. Meanwhile, patented High Definition Optics technology in the lenses focuses light into one spot so your brain and eyes compute a single image. That sounds mental but in theory it means less mental fatigue on long rides.

If you were in any doubt as to Oakley’s superior vision claims, the Encoders were debuted by Major League

Baseball star Francisco ‘Paquito’ Lindor – who might not know much about cycling but, as a shortstop, has to deal with more hit balls than any other fielder.

When it comes to protection from the sun, meanwhile, the 30g high-grade polycarbonate lenses filter out 100% of the eyesight-damaging UVA and UVB rays up to 400nm, while a repellent coating sees off water, fingerprints and sweat.

Though we’re not sure about blood and tears.

R4 400 / amazon.com

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OUTDOOR FITNESS

ONE STEP BEYOND If your next expedition involves venturing further than the corner shop, gear up with these gadgets for off-grid adventures

HAGLOFS NORDIC EXPEDITION DOWN JACKET s the name suggests, this innovative jacket is designed to protect the most intrepid explorers against the kind of conditions you might face on a Nordic expedition.

And while that’s clearly overkill for South African conditions, if you’re heading anywhere that includes a mountain peak and you absolutely refuse to get cold then this is what you want to be wearing. It might be a bit much for chilling on the couch, mind.

It’s the world’s first breathable down jacket, with a combination of hydrophobic 800-fill-power goose down and graphene-infused synthetic polyester insulation… plus a three-layer waterproof and a gas-permeable outer that delivers incredibly high breathability rates.

At 850g this mountain cocoon offers incredible warmth per weight, and it has a helmet-compatible hood plus a versatile two-way main zip. The final killer trick: two ventilation straps that fasten across the middle so you can open that zip to let air in without sacrificing water-repelling skills.

R13 100 / haglofs.com

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NOW ADD THIS

SEALSKINZ ALL-WEATHER GLOVE WITH FUSION CONTROL

These touchscreen-friendly gloves have a merino wool inner, waterproof mid-layer membrane and grippy soft shell outer.

R1 000 / bikeinn.com

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Under my bum A waterproof and insulated ‘drop seat’ extends from the back so you can park your backside on cold wet logs.

Dry young stay pretty The Expedition jacket has the power to resist up to 10,000 minutes – or seven days – of wetness without letting any in.

OUTDOOR FITNESS POCKET FUEL

HIKING MUST-HAVES

GO BY THE BOOKS

Boots, biofuel and backpack essentials GSI Wine Carafe Just because you’re going for a walk doesn’t mean you can’t bring a little fermented grape juice to enjoy along the way. Leave the bottle behind with this nifty bag’o’wine accessory.

R200 / outdoor warehouse.co.za

Hoka TenNine Gore-Tex

Coros Vertix Desert Sol

This doesn’t look like your regular hiking boot. Because it’s not. Hoka’s trademark high-stacked EVA midsole has a wider base to boost stability plus a Vibram Megagrip outsole for good traction on any terrain. The freaking huge rear bumper softens the impact of heel landings, helping you roll through your steps to save feet, legs and lungs from trail fatigue.

R4 500 / hokaoneone.eu

The Vertix takes your sports watch essentials – GPS, heart rate, blood oxygen – and wraps them in a rugged design that’s built to withstand the toughest tests. That means a titanium frame, a DLC-coated sapphire glass screen and 150m water-resistance.

Under the hood lurk a compass, a barometric altimeter and 150hr battery life in expedition mode.

R10 600 / coros.com

Nitecore T4K

Biolite CampStove 2+

Having a backup light source is smart.

This tiny keyring torch illuminates more than its size suggests: at 77g and roughly the size of half a Snickers bar, it kicks out 200 lumens – that’s as much as some head torches – for close to 3hrs. It also has an incredible maximum burst-mode output of 4000 lumens and can shoot beams up to 209 metres.

R1 700 / amazon.com

For just 935g added weight on your back, this biofuel-burning stove and kettlepot combo turns natural fire-fodder around you into hot water, heat and battery power to rejuice your drained adventure essentials.

A litre of water takes just 4.5 minutes to boil and the 3200mAh battery charges your gear whether the fire’s burning bright or not.

R2 600 / blackleaf.com

TO HAVE BEFORE YOU GROW UP

From flip-a-coin adventures to crossing a whole country by hiking and packrafting, adventurer Anna McNuff serves up a tempting list of ideas to push your limits.

Back Country meals Starting at just 160g and enough to fill the bellies of two hungry people, these varied just-add-water meals deserve some space in your pack. from R100 / outdoor warehouse.co.za

Healthy Coffee Guy Whether you want to chill out or get your stomp on, Healthy Coffee Guy’s brews, and other more exotic variants, are suited for your needs.

R190 / designer healthproducts.co.za

WILDERNESS CHEF

Outdoorsy legend Ray Mears cooks up a tasty selection of meals you can prepare in the wild, whether you’re heading out camping, on a fastpacking adventure or just hitting the beach for the day.

H F SOUTH AFRICA

If, like most, you’re seeing only staycations in your future, then Willie Olivier’s updated tome will send you on more than 500 outdoor adventures around this beautiful country of ours.

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OUTDOOR FITNESS BAND PRACTICE

PARTNERS IN PRIME

EXPERT TIPS Hyfit Gear 1

TOBIAS LYNES (@TOBIASLIFESTYLE_) TELLS US HOW TO GET THE MOST MUSCLE-BUILDING BANG FROM YOUR BODYWEIGHT DRILLS

Hyfit’s Gear 1 makes portable resistance training smart. The bands pack sensors in the cuffs that track reps, resistance, force and calories; and the partner app features easy-to-follow video drills and training plans.

R4 800 / hygearfit.com

MEASURE UP

With deliberate control, and the right tempo, bodyweight work can build muscle and strength. The ‘3-0-1-0’ tempo is great. That’s the time in seconds to lower yourself down, pause at the bottom, lift yourself up and then pause at the top.

STEP UP

To get stronger and build muscle, you must continually work your muscles harder than they’re used to.

Recording the number of reps you hit for each set helps you see what you need to beat next time, so you’re always pushing your limits.

Torroband Promising a full body workout anywhere, the Torroband resistance training rig comes with four different bands – 18kg, 27kg, 31kg and 36kg, each holding just short of 160kg – plus a door anchor and anti-slip handles.

R2 850 / torroband.com

FIX UP

The best resistance training results come from placing as much sustained tension on the muscles as possible… and that requires good technique. It’s worth watching exercise tutorials from respected trainers to hone your form.

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Don’t train in vain if you’re on your own

TRX Home 2 These adjustable nylon suspension straps can be strung up almost anywhere to give you a full body sweatfest from just seven moves.

The price includes a year’s access to drill tutorials in the TRX app.

R3 700 / amazon.com

Blazepod Trainer Kit

Slinger

Like workout Whac-A-Mole, this flash reflex training system tests your brains and brawn. The portable, programmable, stackable light-up pods connect in a series and can be assigned different colours. The app serves up a wide selection of drills, where you chase the lights, pushing your lung capacity to the max while improving agility, speed and strength.

R6 100 / blazepod.com

Your very own Robo Nadal or Robag Djokovic, this 15kg ball-launcher bag looks like something your gran might wheel to the store, but it rains down remote-triggered bombs at speeds anywhere between 15-70km/h with guaranteed precision. The bag holds 144 balls and will happily trouble your dodgy backhand for up to five hours at a time.

R15 500 (import) / slingerbag.com

Austerfit Power Vest

Sparbar Pro 4.0

The Power Vest mashes up two popular pieces of home fitness kit: a high-strength resistance band training system and a weighted vest.

It comes with three steel weight plates up to 6kg, two 1.8m bands that offer 15kg of resistance each, plus wrist and ankle straps and strong carabiners.

It’s ideal for making your bodyweight workouts much more unpleasant.

R4 700 (import) / austerfit.com

No sparring partner, no problem: the Sparbar Pro steps into the ring as your stand-in training buddy. This fighty free-standing swingball has a rotating arm that spins with each hit, for frantic bob-and-weave sessions that build speed, precision and alertness. The 50-litre base can be filled with sand or water to keep it standing firm and it’s height-adjustable.

R15 200 / sparbar.com

OUTDOOR FITNESS

DO FIT YOURSELF Whether you’re commandeering the back garden or rocking Lycra in the local park, frazzle the flab with this collection of connected fitness kit

D’you know what I lean?

The adjustable backrest has six locked positions up to 80°, so you’ll be able to find the right inclines for all your drills.

Weigh ting for the rapture Choose the heaviest of every item to go with the bench and the total hits 121kg – about the same as Mako Vunipola.

JORDAN FUSION HIIT BENCH NOW ADD THIS

POLAR VERITY SENSE

A comfortable alternative to chest straps, this reliable optical heart-rate tracker can be worn on your forearm, biceps or even swim-goggle straps. It packs a 20-hour battery.

R1 800 / totalsports.co.za

f your backyard bootcamp kit is limited by storage, this compact 3-in-1 training setup is a well-stacked space-saver that opens up a world of DIY workouts for the cost of a fancy annual gym membership.

The HIIT Bench crams a weight bench, plyo box and storage unit into one fitness station with a garage-friendly 1.4x0.5x0.4m footprint. Its un-racked weight is close to 73kg, so it’s a bit of a lump, but it’s easily dragged out

I

when it’s time to sweat and slots neatly against a wall when you’re done. And while it’s not specifically designed for outdoor use, the casters are ideal for rolling on and off your drive or patio.

Equipment bundles can be customised with your own personal branding, like ‘Tough guy Steve’ or something equally butch, and the bench offers plenty of stowage for your muscle-building heavy metal: there’s room for five pairs of dumbbells plus two kettlebells, a slam/medicine

ball, a resistance band and a skipping rope inside. Plus it packs a resistance band anchor and a battle rope attachment, while there’s a core attachment available for use with landmine squats and Olympic bar work.

The backrest is adjustable so you can add incline drills – though there’s a cheaper flat-bench option too – and the frame has a five-year guarantee, so it’ll take as much punishment as you can.

R30 000 (import) / jordanfitness.com

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OUTDOOR FITNESS

WILD WILD BEST Load the boot, stick the bike on the roof-rack and head somewhere bleak, fully prepared for camping under those wintery SA skies Mile like you mean it A full battery gives you up to a 80km range.

That’s enough lap the Giba Blue trail six times in succession.

Ranger in paradise The removable battery is hidden in the downtube for protection and you can get back-packable spares to extend your range.

JEEP E-BIKE dventures on foot are brilliant, but running and hiking stamina will inevitably limit the scope of your smash-and-grab mini adventures. Hopping on two power-assisted wheels is a great way to get around that and extend your off-road incursions into those remote parts of the SA’s wilderness that other modes of transport can’t reach.

This nine-speed e-bike, a collaboration between Jeep and Canadian off-road adventure bike specialists

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QuietKat, is built to tackle any terrain – from soft sand and snow to hard-packed trails.

It rocks a 750W motor that’s upgradable to 1000W, one of the most powerful mid-drive motors you’ll find strapped to an e-bike.

That motor puts 160NM of incredible climb-flattening torque at your pedals, with 10 levels of power-assistance plus a removable thumb throttle and sensors for torque and speed. It’s listed as a Class 2 e-bike Stateside, which gives it an on-paper

top speed of 32km/h. It will go faster, though.

The 26x4.8in fat tyres and 150mm-depth front and rear suspension help to smooth whatever you’re riding over, while four-piston hydraulic brakes give you the stopping power to attack your rides with intent. The bike weighs 35kg and there’s a choice of 17 and 19in frames. And yes, it is the price of a small second-hand car… but you can’t drive a bashed up VW Polo on a bike path.

R91 000 (import) / quietkat.com

NOW ADD THIS

ACEBEAM H30

You’ll get two hundred hours of light from this headband at its lowest setting but, in case you need to land a plane in a forest, it’ll also give you two hours at a mighty 4 000 lumens.

R3 000 / makro.co.za

OUTDOOR FITNESS PACKS POWER

CAMPSITE COOL

GO BY THE BOOKS

A raft of ideas (and just a raft) Lowepro Photo Sport BP 300 AW II For sharp-shooting adventurers, this pack fits a DSLR with one lens attached and more safely stowed. There’s a waterproof cover and cinch feature to keep all your kit intact.

R5 400 / ormsdirect.co.za

MSR CARBON REFLEX 1

Jetboil MightyMo

Designed for fast solo expeditions, this one-person, non-freestanding, three-season shelter weighs less than a kilo and packs down to the size of a Pringles tube. You get 1.63m2 of sleep space, plus protection from the damp both top and bottom. The Reflex 1’s Micromesh canopy helps prevent moisture buildup caused by snoring inside the tent.

R8 150 / animalgear.co.za

Adventurers shouldn’t have to wait for sustenance, or sacrifice hot food for lighter packs. The MightyMo weighs less than a deck of cards, folds down to 7.5x5cm (without the fuel canister) and boils in minutes. Jetboil’s FluxRing cookpots work without extra support to save weight, and the MightyMo will heat your treats with half the fuel burn of a regular stove.

R1 700 / trailshed.co.za

RuckRaft

Alpkit Cloud Base

Don’t let little obstacles like rivers and lakes put a dampener on your adventure. This fully inflatable raft comes with a giant drybag that happily swallows up and waterproofs a full 70-litre expedition pack. The raft inflates in 30 seconds, supports up to 320kg of your worldlies… and when you step ashore it all packs down adding just 1kg to your carry weight.

R2 800 / abovebelow.sc

For anything beyond quick overnight adventures, floor-crashing is an explorer’s fast ticket to rubbish sleep, followed by creaks and aches. For 420g extra pack weight, this inflatable mattress provides a lump-busting 6ft of sleep space, with a 5cm cushion between you and the floor. A wide valve makes it easy to inflate and quick to squeeze back down to 28x8cm.

R1 200 / alpkit.com

CA

AN

Battling to decide where to travel? This book has a quick list of more than 600 destinations in South Africa, covering distances, tolls and the amenities you can expect when you arrive.

Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20 Built for moving far and fast, this 20-litre pack includes front storage and bottle holders. It also has two sternum straps and a waist strap to help out your back.

R3 200 / capeunion mart.co.za

There’s tanning meat, which almost every South African loves, and then there’s cooking in the outdoors. If you’re getting tired of the same old braai, then this book will give you some edible inspiration.

R

First Ascent Atlas First Ascent’s trusty waterproof 35-litre Atlas is tailored with breathable backpads and loads of easy access compartments for all the gear you can carry, including your helmet if you’re hardcore.

R2 500 / firstascent.co.za

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If you’d prefer to remain in your car but are keen on the scenic route, then this book will get you to your destination along the road less travelled. Best of all, you don’t need a 4x4 to tackle these journeys.

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OUTDOOR FITNESS STICKS SENSE

FIELDS OF VIEW

EXPERT TIPS

Pocketable action cams for making memories Joby Mobile Vlogging Kit

ADVENTURE FILMMAKER AND DIRECTOR AT SUMMIT FEVER MEDIA (SUMMIT FEVERMEDIA.COM), SHARES HER TOP STORYTELLING TIPS

This complete 3-in-1 vlogging rig ups your production values in one hit with a GorillaPod grip tripod, an LED light and a phone-compatible wind-protected mic.

R1 600 / istore.co.za

OPEN UP

It pays to have a rough storyboard but the unplanned stories are often the best. Be flexible and ready to adapt if stronger, unexpected twists emerge. You might just need to jump down a different rabbit-hole.

WELL UP

Emotion brings stories to life – it draws the viewer in and humanises your story.

Capturing emotion is harder than it sounds, but be on the lookout for those split-second moments of humour, sadness, disappointment or achievement.

Insta360 One R Invisible Selfie Stick Nothing breaks the cinematic spell like an intruding selfie-stick.

This extender magically disappears for unspoilt on-the-move shots of your wonderful self.

R500 / 180by2.co.za

SO, TO SUM UP…

Camera quality, video settings and investing in the latest tech are important, but the best camera is the one that’s in your hand.

We’ve used our phones to grab feature doc footage – because capturing the story trumps everything!

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Zhiyun Smooth 4 Zhiyun’s smartphone gimbal clamps your phone firmly in place and adds full joystick controls, easy flippage between landscape and portrait, and a smooth edge to all your footage.

R1 800 / takealot.com

Insta360 Go 2

DJI Pocket 2

Insta360’s 27g steadicam can be mounted anywhere, including caps and headbands, to shoot first-person clips of your full-throttle adventures.

It works hands-free, shooting regular 1080p video at 30fps and slow-mo at 120fps, with hyperlapse and barrel-roll options. Once you’re done, its AI wizard picks and stitches your stabilised shots into social media treasure.

Rtba / 180by2.co.za

With ‘follow’ and ‘active tra DJI’s 117g teeny handheld i logging solo missions. Its m 3-axis gimbal cuts the sha your moving shots while k at the centre of the scene up to 140 minutes of 4K/6 and has directional audio fo pieces to cam while you’re down the mountainside.

R7 600 / takealot.com

Vuze XR

GoPro Hero9 Black

If you prefer to experience your recaps in epic VR, this 212g hybrid cam – which, yes, looks like Wall-E’s face – can be flipped from 180° to 360° capture with a single press. It shoots 5.7K at 30fps or 4K at up to 60fps and you can use it with a magic selfie-stick for those impressive floating shots. The only downside: just 1hr of recording time.

R5 600 / vuze.camera

The latest incarnation of the original adventure cam, this 5K shooter packs a front display for selfie-lovers, a rear colour touchscreen and improved battery life. It also records in 4K, 2.7K, 1440p and 1080p, as well as snaring 20MP stills and killer slow-mos. It can even capture 30 seconds of action before you start recording, so you never miss the big moment.

R10 500 / takealot.com

OUTDOOR FITNESS

LINE OF SHOOTY If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to film it in 4K from multiple angles, did you even go on a micro adventure? Don’t forget to take a camera….

Drone turn around The Mini 2 has a 31-minute flight time before the automatic return kicks in and sends it safely home to you.

Fly, boy The Mini is small enough to fly anywhere but that doesn’t mean you can fly it anywhere.

Airports are a no-no, obvs.

DJI MINI 2 NOW ADD THIS

TULA MIC

OK, you’re not going to attach a mic to a 249g drone, but this rugged recorder ups your outdoor audio with impressive noise reduction, 8GB of storage and 14hr battery life.

R3 550 / amazon.com

othing raises the bar on your adventure storytelling like a perspective-shifting aerial money shot caught by an airborne drone cam.

And they don’t come more backpack-friendly than the Mini 2. This second-gen Mini comes with sharper shooting skills, better wind handling and an extended range of transmission.

At under 250g it’s still the lightest drone DJI makes and small enough to squeeze into even a modest running, hiking

N

or biking pack – even with the controller. Yet despite the weight savings, the Mini 2 can resist winds up to 38kph and take off at a maximum altitude of 4000m, making coastal vistas and mountain assaults easier to capture.

Of course this pocket flyer sacrifices some features for what you gain in portability, notably obstacle-detection tech and auto-follow; but it shoots super-smooth 4K video at 30fps with 2x zoom, plus 2.7K and 1080p at 60fps.

The 12MP camera also shoots

tasty stills with the help of a very capable three-axis motorised gimbal.

For newbie drone pilots, the accompanying app offers a full flight tutorial that walks you through the basic controls and safety essentials. You also get a range of presets for capturing killer hero shots, including the classic Rocket, Boomerang and Helix; plus you can use your smartphone as a monitor to see what you’re shooting with a range of up to 10km.

R12 000 / takealot.com

45

FOR THE PLAYERS

FOR KEY WORKERS

FOR HIPSTER TYPES

UPVOTED

The fashionable fingerer

The noisy nostalgist

Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard Microsoft’s answer to Apple weighs in at just 288g and is small enough to slip into any bag. But who cares? The best part is that you can instantly summon any emoji you desire thanks to a dedicated key (yes, really). It also has the ability to easily snap between three different devices.

R800 / bhphotovideo.com

The snowy smoothie

BLUETOOTH KEYBOARDS

Razer Pro Type The Pro Type is a pure-white productivity powerhouse, with plenty of tricks crammed beneath its Omo-dipped backlit keys. Its mechanical switches promise a tactile experience without the ear-splitting clacks typically blasted out by mechanical rivals, and it’ll play nice with up to four devices.

R3 500 / evetech.co.za

WFH’s got us plugging laptops into TVs, but now we can’t reach the keys – so Stuff picks out some nifty button-bashers

Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard Your achy wrists deserve a break, and Microsoft’s wavy board is the expert masseuse they’re looking for. Its split design lets your hands rest in a much more natural position, reducing strain. And despite its sensible purpose it’s attractive too, with a luxurious Alcantara palm-rest.

R3 900 / pclinkshop.com

The kaleidoscopic clicker

The couch crasher

The turbo tapper

Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro This Razer board has a super-speedy RF wireless mode in addition to Bluetooth, further proving that your losing streak is down to human error alone. Media controls are useful during de-frazzling breaks, while the colourful RGB backlit keys help offset the guilt of all those virtual murders.

R5 000 / everyshop.co.za

HOW TO DECIDE 46

The emoji enabler

Apple Magic Keyboard Like comfort food for Apple fans, the clean and minimalistic Magic Keyboard brings everything you’d expect to the table: a sleek design, a solid mechanism and hassle-free pairing with your Mac. It might lack bonus features like backlighting, but at least it’ll last a month or more between charges.

R2 300 / istore.co.za

Corsair K63 Gaming in the full glory of a living-room TV setup is becoming more popular, especially with the advent of low-refresh-rate TVs. The K63 is part keyboard, part lap-tray, with a built-in mousepad and soft-touch wrist-rest. Can it also be used as a handy snack tray? Sure. We won’t judge.

R1 300 / evetech.co.za

1 Dump the digits You don’t necessarily need a desk-dominator. If you’re not a number-cruncher or gaming macro enthusiast, save yourself some cash and ditch the numberpad for a ‘tenkeyless’ model.

Azio Retro Classic Want to ignore the aesthetic advances of keyboards from the past several decades?

Get the loud and proud Azio Retro Classic.

Inspired by the typewriters of old, its round mechanical keys bring an unapologetic thwack to typing, while a durable aluminium frame makes it feel luxurious and sturdy.

R5 000 / aziocorp.com

The angled appeaser

Logitech G915 Logitech’s Lightspeed tech aims to boost you to the head of the esports pile thanks to a 1ms response time (faster than many wired keyboards). Aimed at gamers who accept no compromises, it’s slim and light too, with a set of programmable macro buttons for an even bigger edge.

R3 300 / bhphotovideo.com

2 Love the lights Backlit keys are great for low-light work and play. Gaming keyboards tend to go overkill with full-on unicorn-vomit RGB lights, which will of course make you play at least 20% better.

UPVOTED

3 Deploy the dongle Bluetooth is convenient, but it’s nice to have other options. Some fancy boards also offer wired and RF wireless dongle options, which can be handy for gamers looking for lower latency.

4 Consider the colours Mechanical keyboards come with different kinds of key switch. Red switches are super-sensitive, blue ones have more resistance so are better for typing, while brown is a happy medium.

47

T E S T E D LG O L E D 6 5 G 1

Can’t stand me wow LG has overhauled its TV tech and made up for a few of its previous missteps, only now it’s forgotten something else: legs from R55 000 / lg.com/za Yes, there’s a lot about LG’s new G1 OLED range that’s new and exciting and intriguing. Yes, LG has made changes to the OLED panel itself, to the operating system you use to interact with it, to the processing protocols that govern picture quality, and even to the remote control.

Yet one question still needs answering: Where does LG get the nerve to charge 55 grand for a television that doesn’t have any feet?

As part of LG’s Gallery series, the OLED65G1 is designed to be hung on the wall. To make this enticing, there’s none of the bulk where the electronics normally go and a consistent depth of just 19.9mm. The wall-bracket doesn’t add any depth either, so it’s completely flush (which is, incidentally, what you’ll need to be to afford it).

The only thing all that doesn’t explain is why LG charges extra for feet should you want them.

Anyway, let’s watch some TV…

My art will go on The OLED65G1 is minimal and discreetly decorative. The bezel is vanishingly thin (1), there’s no room even for LG branding, and to reinforce its ‘Gallery’ credentials it can display framed artwork while in standby. No arguing with the way it’s built – even the panels covering the cables feel robust.

GOOD MEH EVIL

48

A slim and handsome TV set

1

Hang on to your Evo LG’s new OLED Evo panel (2) promises brighter, sharper images, and greater power efficiency. It uses an additional green layer, a new ‘luminous’ element and narrower blue and red wavelengths. There’s a new processor too: the Alpha 9 Gen4.

Outstanding picture quality…

…but sound is less impressive

The day before you game The new chip includes a big AI element to upscale sub-4K content, and AI Picture Pro, which enhances specific areas of an image for greater impact. If you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X you can rest easy here with four HDMI 2.1 inputs and a lag time of, at worst, 12ms.

Picky about motion settings

Great OS with a stack of apps Expensive… even without any feet

T E S T E D LG O L E D 6 5 G 1

Playing with the noise The LG can summon 60W of audio power, divided between a 20W subwoofer and four full-range 10W drivers.

2

Tech specs Screen 65in 3840x2160 OLED OS webOS 6.0 Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, 4x HDMI 2.1, 3x USB, optical HDR formats HDR10 Pro, HLG, Dolby Vision Dimensions 1446x830x19.9mm, 29kg

Catch up, look sharp LG usually does its TV interfaces a very specific way but there are some large changes incoming for 2021

3

GOAT of many colours Evo makes good on its promises, making this LG’s best OLED TV yet, and watching Thunder Force with Dolby Vision on Netflix only strengthens that case. Every aspect of picture-making is impressive here – colours are vibrant, details sharp, contrasts wide but not unnatural (3).

Creep on movin’ The only area where it doesn’t prove masterful is motion control, where every kind of content requires a different ‘clarity’ setting. It’s an accomplished upscaler, although inevitably there are limits. If you’re watching Knight Rider on this, you need to have a look at yourself instead.

■ Appy together

■ Tune enough

■ A find of magic

■ Scroll survivor

LG’s 2021 TV sets pack webOS 6.0 and it’s a big change. The interface covers the entire screen, and as well as its internal functions there’s a big selection of apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

The OS puts the emphasis on recommendations, but you’ll need to put in the hours before it starts to understand your viewing habits.Navigationhappens using the latest version of LG’s almost entirely admirable Magic Remote.

R55k is a lot of money to pay for a television, even one as slim and well-specified as this, especially when you take the humdrum audio quality into account. But the OLED specialists have made good on the ‘Evo’ promise by serving up pictures that exceed expectations… so maybe LG is entitled to charge what it thinks it can get away with.

Less headline-worthy are other apps: Google Play Movies plus audio options from Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and so on. It manages a decent Dolby Atmos soundtrack where compatible, but it sounds fundamentally boring.

The point-and-click aspect remains, as does the up/down scroll-wheel.

There’s a mic for voice control, plus some ‘direct access’ buttons, and it’s more palm-friendly than it used to be. There’s also an app should you lose it.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★★ Probably LG’s best ever OLED… which means it’s about as good an OLED as we can remember seeing 49

T E S T E D I N S TA 3 6 0 G O 2

Chest the 2 of us The world’s smallest hands-free action cam is kind of a big deal – because it can magnetically float on the front of your shirt while you get gnarly Rtba / 180by2.co.za One key to a killer action cam is portability. If you’re barrelling down the side of a mountain faster than you can think, you don’t want the camera recording your ‘extreme’ sporting exploits to be a distraction. Ideally, you don’t want to feel like you’re carrying one at all.

You also want it to record sharp, detailed footage stable enough to watch back later without feeling like you’re going to lose your lunch. So Insta360 has created a teeny tiny cam that can cling to your chest, boosted

by FlowState stabilisation.

In fact, the Go 2 is so small you could probably swallow it. Obviously don’t do that, it’ll taste disgusting; but being puny in stature and with stacks of bundled accessories to exploit your adventures, this cute pod could be a perfect partner for capturing the events of the rest of 2021 without hauling a larger camera around – and by that we even mean a GoPro.

Indie pendant’s day The Go 2 is primarily designed to be attached to a magnetic pendant under your top, allowing you to walk, run, ride, surf or whatever while everything gets captured.

No messing with harnesses or awkward body mounts; simply pluck it off and pop it back in its charging case when you’re done.

Pivot up or turn it loose The charging case is similarly clever. It protects the Go 2, allows you to tweak settings, and works as a mini tripod. Also bundled is a magnetic rotating clip-mount that we found great for bike rides, and a magnetic pivot stand that fixes it to flat surfaces and doubles as a handle for underwater shooting.

Pressed to kill With a front face that’s almost entirely a clickable button (1), the Go 2 is definitely pared back, but it’s far too easy to press this by mistake and halt recording when you don’t want to. Imagine if you’d just nailed a big kitesurfing jump only to discover a stray finger had torched your recording.

Lapse and legends With a 1/2.3in sensor (2) capable of 1440p resolution at 50fps and 120fps slo-mo at 1080p, the Go 2 can record in HDR and includes super-smooth timelapse options. It also offers the ability to adjust the field of view plus tweak the white balance, colour profile and other picture settings.

All within my handset Options are accessible via the charging case, but its two-button controls make that a slow process.

It’s easier to fire up the app, pair your phone and adjust everything that way… though an iPhone must have an A11 chip or later, while an Android needs at least a Kirin 980, Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810.

GOOD MEH EVIL

50

Excellent image stabilisation

1

Tiny lightweight build

Loads of accessories included Very low stills resolution

Easy to hit button by mistake

Bit too reliant on the app

T E S T E D I N S TA 3 6 0 G O 2

2

Tech specs Sensor 1/2.3in Video 1440p @ 50fps, 1080p @ 120fps HDR Stills 2560x1440 ISO range 100-3200 Connectivity Bluetooth 5, USB-C Storage 32GB Battery life Up to 30 mins video (150 mins with case) Dimensions 53x24x21mm, 26.5g (63.5g with case)

Stabilise on the prize The micro-sized Go 2 forfeits mindblowing 4K footage to concentrate on keeping things on an even keel

■ Love resolution

■ People get steady

■ Ticket to wide

■ Running to stand stills

While some might feel disappointed at the lack of 4K video, the Go 2’s tiny sensor would doubtless struggle to produce truly detailed clips at such high resolution; 1440p is plenty with the superb FlowState stabilisation.

At the dive-in No worries with going underwater: the Go 2 is fully waterproof to a depth of 4m without the need for a sealed external housing.

The wide-angle lens captures a huge arc in front so it’s unlikely to miss anything important, while the exposure metering fares quite well even in tricky conditions.

Insta360 has achieved a nice overall balance here.

No matter what it costs at launch, the Go 2 is a good deal. You get a teeny waterproof action cam with some of the slickest image stabilisation around, a pocket-sized charging case and a mountain of mounts. That’s not to say it’s perfect, though: the low-res stills and too-sensitive button mean some might still find a GoPro a better bet.

You’ll see instantly what a massive difference that stabilisation makes to your videos, especially with TimeShift Hyperlapse recordings. You can also capture HDR content without FlowState; that’s limited to 25fps.

While the footage certainly isn’t class-leading, and we spotted shimmering in the skies of some of our test clips, the results are pretty impressive for a camera of this size. It’s a shame the stills are limited to 2560x1440, though.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩ The Go 2 becomes our go-to micro action cam, but it’s not without its drawbacks – especially if 4K is important to you 51

TESTED ASUS ZENBOOK DUO 14

Livin’ on a pair Are two laptop screens really better than one?

Asus certainly thinks so, judging by its unique laptop that doubles up on the full-width displays…

R31 500 / asus.com/za The Asus ZenBook Duo 14 (sexy codename UX482EG) is a groundbreaking machine cramming two high-resolution displays into its 14in frame. The dual-screen design takes aim at creatives who find one screen restrictive, and the ZenBook bolsters those displays with Intel 11th-gen internals and claims of brilliant battery life.

In its stylish suit of dark blue magnesium alloy it looks really quite fantastic, and lifting the lid engages two clever mechanisms that kick it into life. The first is the ErgoLift hinge, which lifts the laptop’s rear upwards and angles the keyboard towards you for easier typing. The other tilts that secondary display forwards to improve viewing angles and let air in to cool the components below it.

It’s a smooth operator and the build quality is excellent… but is that uniquely expansive second screen a genuine gamechanger or a gimmick?

3

2

4 1 Slick thick This Asus is slick, but adding a second screen does introduce compromises. It weighs 1.58kg and is 17mm thick (1). Neither figure is ruinous, but both compare badly to the most popular small creative notebook, the Apple MacBook Pro 13in (see panel), at 1.4kg and 15.6mm respectively.

GOOD MEH EVIL

52

Quality dual-screen design

Mean screen That second display (2) is called the ScreenPad Plus; it offers great potential for creative applications.

It’s a 12.6in IPS touchscreen that can hold timelines and controls in creative apps, media and chat tools, browser windows, or anything else you don’t want clogging up the main display.

Angle wrangle The main 14in screen (3) is a 1080p IPS touchscreen. Colour accuracy is excellent, but both panels are flawed. The ScreenPad’s low angle makes it ideal for secondary apps but it can be a bit washed out; the main display nails sRGB imagery but can’t handle Adobe RGB or HDR colour gamuts.

Decent features and connectivity Some of its rivals are faster…

…and slimmer and lighter

Keyboard can feel cramped

Really impressive battery life

TESTED ASUS ZENBOOK DUO 14 Pen zen Apps can snap between the two panels, and this laptop also comes with a 4096-point stylus for digital scribbles.

Tech specs Screens 14in 1920x1080 touchscreen IPS, 12.6in 1920x515 touchscreen IPS Processor 11th-gen Core i7, GeForce MX450 GPU RAM 16GB OS Windows 10 Storage 512GB Connectivity Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, 3.5mm headphone, 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x microSD Battery life Up to 17hrs Dimensions 324x222x17mm, 1.58kg

ZenBook vs MacBook With the ZenBook Duo in Apple MacBook Pro territory, the pair have some scores to settle

■ Tab thumping

■ Core slumping

■ Cell trumping

■ Port plumping

The ZenBook will handle mainstream photo-editing and video work, other creative tasks, all of your Office apps and as many browser tabs as you throw at it – and the speedy SSD means it boots and loads apps quickly.

Overall, though, it isn’t a speed freak. Geekbench tests illustrate the gulf here: in single-core and multi-core tests it’s beaten by Apple’s M1 chip – and the 13in MacBook Pro is actually the slightly cheaper option of the two.

5

Dissed wrist Because of the ScreenPad, Asus has had to push the keyboard and trackpad forward (4). That means little room to rest your wrists, a single-height return key and tiny cursor buttons. The buttons are decent, with pleasing snap and speed, but the cramped keyboard takes some getting used to.

Mouse nous The trackpad is so narrow that one swipe over the pad doesn’t allow the cursor to travel across the whole display, and the two buttons (5) are a little soft. It’s another area where Apple wins… although you can always solve the ZenBook’s trackpad issues by using a USB mouse.

Asus fights back with solid battery life. Web browsing, Office applications and ScreenPad use gave us over 11hrs, and disabling the ScreenPad pushed that up to a monster 16hrs. So it’s got more juice than the MacBook.

There’s a lot to like about this ZenBook: the second screen offers huge possibilities and both displays have quality. It serves up great battery life, solid internals and better connectivity than its Apple rival. Just be aware that the ScreenPad makes it heavier and thicker than the competition, and hinders the keyboard and trackpad.

It’s got two USB-C ports, USB-A, HDMI, 3.5mm audio and a microSD card slot. The interior serves up Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 and a Windows Hello webcam.

There’s no full-size SD card reader, but this still compares well to the Mac.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩ A useful and innovative addition for creative workers, marred by compromised ergonomics and dimensions 53

T E S T E D E V O LV E G T R C A R B O N E L E C T R I C LO N G B O A R D

Ridin’ Dirty The Evolve GTR Carbon is some of the most fun we’ve had in months.

We can’t get enough of it

Level Select The controller allows users to change between a variety of speed settings: Safe, Eco, Pro, GTR and Custom. We mainly used Pro, because we’re cool.

from R33 000 / evolveskateboardssa.com ■ The Evolve GTR Carbon Electric Longboard is up there as one of the coolest things we’ve ever played with. If you’ve ever been on a longboard (or any skateboard for that matter) you’ll know the worst part of the hobby is going uphill.

The Evolve solves that with dual 1 500-watt electric motors that will have you cruising along at speeds of up to 42km/h. That sounds fast even when you’re not standing on the thing but when you actually get going… it’s exhilarating.

■ Even more impressive? The distance we got from the Evolve.

On a single charge the GTR Carbon has a range of 50km, which is way more than our legs can manage on a non-motorised longboard. Even better, it’s capable of tackling hills with up to a 30% gradient but we’re fairly confident we managed even steeper hills than that (starting at speed, of course).

Waiting Time The deck does take a rather long time to charge, so plug it in overnight so as to not miss that early morning shred.

■ While it may seem like it’ll take ages to master, it’s remarkably simple. The handheld controller, which connects to the deck via Bluetooth, features a control scheme that relies on the frontside trigger to accelerate and the top-mounted trigger to brake.

■ The controls are responsive, more so than you’d expect on your first outing, but you’ll get to grips with everything quickly. The width of the deck makes balancing easy, and the leeway given to the trucks makes turning by shifting your weight comfortable.

Tech specs Motor Dual 1 500-watt highperformance custom motor Battery 14AH Samsung lithium ion battery Recharge 4-5 hours Range 50km Speed ~ 42km/h Weight 9.8kg

■ Cruisin’ in style

The Evolve GTR Carbon is beautiful. Like something out of a Batman film, you’ll catch the attention of every passerby. The handmade carbon-fibre deck is slick and easy to clean after a day of offroading. Speaking of which…

■ Offroad tendency

The GTR Carbon we were sent came outfitted with off-road wheels, so of course we took it down some gravelly, dirty paths.

It handles itself very well, gripping the path and providing just enough wobble to feel exciting.

STUFF SAYS Excellent fun for both skaters and non-skaters alike ★★★★✩

Lightning in a board 54

The Evolve GTR Carbon Electric Longboard is rad. To summarise, you remember that scene in Treasure Planet where Jim Hawkins surfs through the air on his makeshift rocket board… thing? That’s what riding on the GTR Carbon feels like, even if there are fewer explosions going off around you. It’s quick, durable and just so cool. If you have the cash and a taste for adventure, there’s no reason you should not invest in hours of fun.

TESTED OPPO RENO 5

Reno 511

Oppo’s making more inroads into the SA market with its Reno 5 handset, bringing 65W fast-charging to the masses R15 000 / oppo.com/za ■ Oppo’s out to capture hearts and minds and its first major foray into the market, the Reno 5, is an admirable effort. It combines some very high-end features with a reasonable price to tempt you to try out what the new guy has to offer. We think it’s working.

■ The Reno 5’s build is solid, even if that rear plate is lighter than it looks. Oppo’s visual presentation is top-notch and the phone oozes quality from its substantial rear camera bump to the in-screen fingerprint reader.

■ Best of all, you get everything in the box. The 65W charge block is something special (and will cost R1 000 to replace so don’t lose it) but there’s also headphones and a clear cover, so you don’t conceal that delightful backside, to look forward to.

■ The Snapdragon 765G and 8GB of RAM in our review model made the phone’s interface – which was mercifully lacking in massive amounts of bloat – nippy and responsive. It’s not quite flagship speeds but it’s not far off either.

■ The battery will last you, but the Reno 5’s charging tech means it doesn’t actually have to, and it arrives packing 5G support as well.

Technically this company is a bit of an upstart but they’re worth checking out. First budget phones, now this? Fine, they can stay.

Tech specs ■ Charging ahead

The Reno 5’s Super-Vooc 65W fast-charging system tops the 5 000mAh battery up to full in less than an hour. If you’re really in a hurry, you’ll get about 4% a minute or four hours usage from five minutes charging.

■ Quad Damage

Oppo isn’t known for its camera tech but the 64/8/2/2MP quad camera array has a few software tricks up its sleeve. Upscale pics to 108MP using software or take advantage of on-device AI. The prize? Software stabilised video.

Screen 6.43in FHD+ AMOLED (90Hz) Processor Snapdragon 765G RAM 8GB/12GB Cameras Rear 64MP/8MP/2MP (depth) /2MP (macro) Front 32MP Battery 5000mAh OS Android 11 Storage 128GB/256GB Dimensions 159.1x73.4x7.9mm

STUFF SAYS This Oppo is knocking, you’d be a fool not to answer ★★★★✩

Making their mark on the South African market

Oppo has plans for South Africa. We sat down with them to get a few hints as to what they are and they include the launch of 5G routers and a few more smartphones in the budget category before we see any of the company’s really high-end smartphones. What we’re really keen on is seeing Oppo’s Find X-series headliners but that will apparently take some time to happen. In the interim, we’re not upset with the Reno 5’s launch in SA. 55

T E S T E D A S U S Z E N B E A M L AT T E L 1

Movie to go?

The Asus Zenbeam Latte L1 has all the features of a great projector packed into a latte cup sized frame

Easy on the eyes Because video isn’t being beamed directly into your face, there’s less exposure to that nasty blue light that’s so bad for your eyes.

from R5 800 / asus.com ■ The Asus Zenbeam Latte L1 is an impressive little moviebeaming gadget, perfect for turning your wall into a cinema screen, and it’s about as large as a takeaway coffee cup.

■ The Latte L1 is an LED projector capable of beaming off 720p images with 300 lumens worth of light output, which is fairly bright compared to similar gizmos. The maximum display size is 120in projected over a 2m distance, and while it’s certainly a shade dim, picture quality remains good. You’re obviously not going to get 4K TV quality from a cup-sized projector, but that pixel-to-lumen ration still provides some mighty crisp viewing.

■ Pack that into a sleek, subtle, curved shell with a fabric exterior that fits perfectly into any backpack or bag and you’ve got the perfect traveling companion. You can connect a laptop or console via the HDMI port, or use the USB-A port to charge your phone.

■ You can also stream off your mobile device via wireless mirroring or connect with Bluetooth and use the Latte as a portable speaker, with its pair of 9-Watt speakers made by Harman Kardon. The 6000mAh battery will get you three hours of video, or twelve of audio.

Tech specs Video Output 300 LED lumens, 720p, 40in@1m to 120in@3m Connectivity Wireless Mirroring for Android and iOS, HDMI, USB-A, Bluetooth Battery 6 000mAh (3hr video/12hr audio) Audio 9-Watts stereo (Harmon Kardon) Dimensions 131 x 90 x 90 mm

■ Beam me up, Scottie

There’s a tripod on the base to tilt the image up, and, through some mirror manipulation and possibly black magic, the image will auto-tilt to make itself appear as flat as possible, even on an angled surface.

■ Small frame

Because of its unobtrusive design, you’ll find space for the Latte in your laptop bag, so you’ll always have a mini-cinema, Bluetooth speaker, or even just a charger on hand. Plus, if you really can’t fit it in, it comes with a case.

STUFF SAYS The best way to put in a home cinema on a budget ★★★★✩

Upgrade your movie dates 56

At 300 lumens the Zenbeam Latte L1 is brighter than most competitors. It also doubles as a portable speaker, and its design makes it both impressively alluring and un-rivalled in its portability. Which is, you know, the point of a portable projector. Pair that with a surprisingly good 720p projected display and more ways to connect than you need, and you’ve got the perfect gadget for turning your bedroom into a quasi-home cinema.

G R O U P T E S T M I C R O G U I TA R A M P S

3 OF THE BEST

Just add wired headphones (plus a guitar) and these tiny but talented rock monsters will turn bedtime into shred-time BEST FOR EFFECTS GALORE

TES T WIN NER

BEST FOR RAW ROCK

BEST FOR LIFELIKE TONES

Fender Mustang Micro

Boss Pocket GT

Blackstar AmPlug2 Fly

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Price R2300 / amazon.com

Price R5600 / takealot.com

Price R1150 / amazon.com

Stuff says ★★★★★

Stuff says ★★★★✩

Stuff says ★★★★✩

Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution? It is the way we play it. So Fender’s dinky dongle lets you cut out the whole loudness part and send the sound of your clumsy noodling straight to your ears. Loaded with 12 amps and 12 FX combinations, it also has Bluetooth for jamming along to your phone, while the USB-C charging port doubles as a direct recording output.

Considering it’s a sub-R2500 practice tool, the audio quality coming out of this thing is really quite spectacular. Navigating via buttons and coloured LEDs is hardly ideal – and neither is 4hrs of battery life – but there’s a 3D realism to both clean and overdriven tones that’ll make you forget all that, especially with a dash of tasteful tape delay or harmonic tremolo.

Proper amp tones and quality effects in a device the size of a biscuit – it’s a winner

Looking like an extra-chunky smartphone, or the remote control for that nuclear missile silo you’ve been building in the loft, Boss’s silent amp doesn’t have a jack plug so you’ll need to use a guitar lead. But it does have a screen for scrolling through presets and playback buttons for following YouTube lessons on a paired device. Best of all, you can load up unlimited sounds from the Tone Studio app.

First up, forget the YouTube controls – you might as well use the ones on your phone or tablet screen. But you can bank on Boss for solid tones, and this gadget gives you easy access to 99 factory presets that cover a huge amount of stylistic ground. Battery life is again just 4hrs, but there is a built-in tuner so even your off notes should sound tolerable.

YouTube gimmickry aside, this is a fine practice amp with loads of great effects

Everything about Blackstar’s dongle is basic… but at this price, frankly we’re happy it’s not made of cardboard. You’re getting three amp models (clean, crunch and lead) and three effects (chorus, delay and reverb), and somehow all of this is controlled via three knobs and two tiny buttons. It runs on a pair of AAA batteries, and there’s a mini-jack aux input for playing along to your… iPod? If rock music is supposed to be rough and ragged, the AmPlug2 Fly is true to the spirit of punk: it’s a noisy operator and the clean tones are nothing more than OK… but actually, you can get some pretty smooth overdrive on the two hotter channels. For no-nonsense strummers on the go, this is a simple utility device at a can’t-go-wrong price.

It’s the cheap option, but it might be the only headphone amp you really need 57

TWO WEEKS WITH THE FUJIFILM GFX100S

Stilly, don’t be a kilo Medium-format cameras take incredible stills but weigh heavy on the nerd – so Stuff swapped in Fuji’s new sub-1kg upstart for a physio-free fortnight R114 000 (body only) / fujifilm.com/za

This camera’s image stabilisation has a full six stops of compensation compared to the GFX100’s 5.5.

DAY 01 Medium-format cameras aren’t known for their user-friendliness.

Bulky, eye-wateringly expensive and rarely possessed of the planed-down niceties of a mirrorless, they’re traditionally tough to live with… but their giant sensors are capable of producing glorious photos.

Fujifilm’s latest GFX camera bucks the trend – well, mostly.

It’s compact and lightweight by medium-format standards and

packed with features like in-body image stabilisation and fast, accurate phase-detection autofocus that make it operate like the company’s X-series mirrorless models.

Weighing 900g without a lens, the GFX100S is 500g lighter than the R200 000 flagship GFX100.

It’s also much more compact thanks to a significantly lower height and a slimmer frame. The only real trade-off is the loss of

It’s a camera you can take out to shoot 102MP images and not feel like you need a neck replacement afterwards 58

the vertical battery grip – something we’d wager most people don’t really want anyway.

The grip would allow you to fit more batteries and hold it more steadily in a vertical orientation, so there are some advantages, but taking it outside to shoot 102MP images without feeling like you need a neck replacement afterwards is a huge deal. It’s still chunky, particularly with a GFX lens on, and weatherproof.

Like the GFX100, this new model has a 3.2in three-way tilting touchscreen on the back.

It won’t flip fully forward, but will tilt slightly to the right as well as

up and down. That flexibility is likely to be useful when the camera is set on a tripod, as it means you won’t have to stoop to compose shots. Vloggers will want a forward-flip screen, of course, but how many of them are considering a camera this big or expensive for documenting their ramble-chats?

There’s an electronic viewfinder too, and very nice it is, if not quite as sharp as the interchangeable viewfinder on the GFX100. Both cameras have a useful top-plate LCD panel, giving at-a-glance info on current settings even when the camera is powered down.

LO N G -T E R M T E S T

01

Donut of Truth™

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05

02

03

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01 Superbly detailed medium-format images 02 Compact and lightweight for handheld shooting 03 Fuji’s user-friendly features come to the fore

04 We love the film modes as much as ever 05 Some will curse the lack of a battery grip option 06 Even half the price of the GFX100 is still a lot

Tech specs Sensor 102MP medium-format CMOS AF points 425 ISO range 50-102,400 (extended) Burst speed 5fps Video 4K @ 30fps, 1080p @ 60fps Displays 3.2in 2.36m-dot TFT touchscreen, 0.5in 3.69m-dot OLED EVF, 1.8in top LCD Dimensions 150x104x87mm, 900g

DAY 02 Having in-body image stabilisation in a compact medium-format body is impressive in itself – and it’s been improved over the GFX100.

It’s great for handheld shooting, and when you’re capturing images with this much detail that extra sharpness is appreciated.

The hybrid AF system combines phase and contrast-detection, and it’s fast. You can switch on face and eye-detection to aid portraits, and they work well with video too.

DAY 05 This sensor is quite something.

Paired with the new 80mm f1.7 prime lens and 32-64mm f4 zoom it creates highly detailed images with beautiful colour tone, strong dynamic range and an incredibly narrow depth of field.

Taking full-length portraits with bokeh isn’t easy on an APS-C or even full-frame camera; it is with the GFX100S. We’re almost ready to sit that bank manager down and beg for the loan we’d need to buy this.

DAY 07 Today we’re going out after dusk.

The huge sensor size and wide sensitivity range make it an adept low-light performer: even shooting

handheld we’re able to snag detailed and dynamic snapshots in the early-spring twilight.

We’ve been shooting in RAW and adjusting images in Lightroom, but jpeg photographers have access to 19 film-simulation modes including the new Nostalgic Neg, inspired by the amber-toned look of 1970s photography. We love Fuji’s approach: achieve great, characterful images straight from the camera.

DAY 10 That’s enough stills – time to shoot some video. It proves very capable here, recording 4K at up to 30fps and 1080p at 60fps, and many of those film modes can be applied. Battery life is excellent, with a full charge fuelling an hour of 4K recording (or 450 shots).

DAY 14 To have features such as fast, accurate autofocus and in-body image stabilisation in an easily portable 102MP medium-format camera would’ve been unthinkable just a few years ago. The GFX100S is arguably the most accessible 100MP+ medium-format digital camera yet… but that bump in quality is something only the most perfection-seeking pro shooters will require.

STUFF SAYS Fujifilm’s latest has made medium-format photography just a little bit less exclusive ★★★★★ 59

TESTED ONEPLUS 9

Sweet child of 9

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OnePlus gives its standard flagship an improved camera and the fastest Snapdragon CPU around.

Enough to spook the Samsung on p74?

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R18 000 / powerbite.co.za OnePlus has a big launch every six months, and on the eve of each announcement, huddles of acolytes gather in corners of the internet lit by LCD monitor glow, with one question fizzing on their lips: “Is it still a bargain?”

On this occasion they can breathe easy, because the 9 costs just a smidge more than the OnePlus 8T and gets the brand’s most important camera upgrade since 2019. It swaps aluminium sides for plastic, but the jump up to a 48MP camera and 50MP ultrawide sets the standard at this price (and there’s a silicone case in the box).

Only battery life holds it back, as it claws its way to 16-18hrs in its best screen mode. OnePlus seems to think ultra-fast 65W charging is a replacement for a phone leaving you short at the end of the day. Sure, it helps, but when cheaper phones from Xiaomi and Oppo seem to last approximately forever, it’s a pity.

So what else is new? Plenty…

GOOD MEH EVIL

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A major camera upgrade…

9 of the times A flat screen and ‘fibreglass infused polymer’ mean budget cuts, but the classic OnePlus character remains and the back looks classier than most (1).

The speakers are great and the in-screen fingerprint scanner is reliably fast, aided by technical improvements to match Samsung.

Lilac 9 The OnePlus 9 comes in Winter Mist (white with purple highlights) or this Arctic Sky: blue that turns purple at an oblique angle.

9 on you crazy diamond The 6.5in Full HD OLED (2) has a 120Hz variable refresh rate and makes scrolling incredibly smooth.

The white balance takes on a red hue at an angle, but you’ll soon forget that. It’s not ultra-high-res like the 9 Pro (see panel) but you are getting 90% of the good stuff, including 1100-nit brightness.

Got it down to a 9 art Sony’s IMX689 sensor is the same one that’s in the 8 Pro, but overall the camera is a substantial upgrade (3), netting you better dynamic range. You notice this in the shadowy parts of HDR pics, where detail is much more likely to be rendered properly rather than ending up as mush.

The trail of the lonesome 9 This is also the first Hasselblad camera from OnePlus. The result of this collaboration seems to be an orange on-screen shutter button, but the wide and ultrawide lenses (4) are so good we don’t really care, and you can shoot 8K at 30fps. The only thing this camera can’t do well is zoom.

End of the 9 The OnePlus 9 offers the best Fortnite performance we’ve seen yet from an Android phone – and runs faster than the Samsung Galaxy S21. That’s a reminder that performance per pound is excellent. What a shame, then, that battery life (5) is a letdown, with two-day stamina a fantasy.

…but no optical zoom

Supremely powerful CPU

Plastic sides don’t feel very fancy

5

…but it has ultra-fast charging Battery life isn’t great…

TESTED ONEPLUS 9

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Tech specs Screen 6.5in 2400x1080 120Hz OLED Processor Snapdragon 888 RAM 8/12GB Storage 128/256GB OS Android 11 Cameras 48+50+2MP rear, 16MP front Battery 4500mAh Dimensions 160x74x8.7mm, 192g

Or, for a few cents more…

OnePlus 9 Pro

R25 000 / powerbite.co.za

2 A curved glass back, metal sides and an upgraded main camera with 3x zoom and ultrawide sensors prove the OnePlus 9 Pro means business. And that’s before setting eyes upon a pin-sharp 6.7in 120Hz display with terrific colour and contrast.

OnePlus has entered the big leagues of phone photography. Sony’s 48MP IMX789 is a generation on from the basic OnePlus 9’s IMX689 – and it’s vastly better at rendering warm tones, high contrast and night scenes.

Its best photos have that magical character you only see in the world’s top phone cameras. Is this down to Hasselblad?

We don’t know, but if you’re a keen snapper

The OnePlus 9 nets you a better camera than the old 8T, but a downgrade to a fancy kind of plastic. Is the sacrifice worth it? We think so, especially as the wide lens can shoot 8K video in two fields of view. But so-so battery life stops it scoring full marks… and if zoom is important to you, consider saving for a Samsung Galaxy S21 or OnePlus 9 Pro.

you will want to spend that extra R7 000.

A Snapdragon 888 with fast internal storage and RAM is a recipe for perfect real-world results, but once again things fall down on battery life: it’s only fit for a day, with little ‘insurance’ juice for a night out.

Overall, though, the 9 Pro is OnePlus doing what it does best: top-end hardware for less money than Apple or Samsung.

Key specs ● 6.7in 3216x1440 OLED ● Snapdragon 888 ● 48+50+8+2MP rear, 16MP front ● 4500mAh ● 163x74x8.7mm, 197g Stuff says ★★★★★ OnePlus’s best camera yet and a top display

STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩ A camera upgrade balances out a design downgrade to ensure OnePlus is still easy to recommend for most folk 61

VE

1 Bohemian wrap steady Orange’s cans fold away into a carry-case, which is not something you get with the Marshalls. It’s hard plastic and feels pretty robust.

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2 Two visions

The headband features images of Britannia and Pan, borrowed from the heraldic-style crest that’s adorned Orange amps for over 50 years.

3 Qi want to break free

USB-C instead of creaky old microUSB means the Marshalls are already a step ahead on tech, and they also support wireless charging.

4 A twined of magic

The 3.5mm jack input can also work as an output for sharing your music with a friend. Just make sure it’s someone you don’t mind being shackled to.

TES WI T NN ER 3

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VERSUS ROCK’N’ROLL HEADPHONES

We are the ampy ’uns If you want some affordable headphones to go with your Metallica T-shirt and skull tattoos, it’s got to be Marshall or Orange. Let Stuff help you pick a side…

LONDON SQUALLING: LEGENDS OF BRIT ROCK In 1963, a London music shop owner called Jim Marshall tried to make a copy of an American guitar amplifier, but he didn’t have the right parts so it came out a bit wrong. And thus, rock was born.

OK, it may not have been a total accident that the first Marshall amps sounded so fierce, but that raspy roar turned out to be the foundation of heavy rock and metal everywhere.

Another London company, Orange, came along in 1968 with its own brand of high-powered noise – and those two names remain the twin pillars of British rock tone to this day.

Marshall began branching out into consumer audio in 2010, Orange joining in with its first cans in 2016. The battle of loud rages on.

Orange Crest Edition

Marshall Major IV

What’s the story?

What’s the story?

Are they any good?

Are they any good?

Price R2250 / orangeamps.com Key specs Bluetooth 4, 3.5mm, microUSB charging ● 27hr battery life ● 256g

Price R2 750 / amazon.com Key specs Bluetooth 5, 3.5mm, USB-C and Qi charging ● 80hr battery life ● 165g

Stuff says ★★★★★

Stuff says ★★★★★

As you may have noticed, there are already enough headphones. Seriously, headphone designers, take a year off. But in the meantime, for those who find all those tasteful Sony and Bose designs just a bit too mainstream, Orange is here with an alternative that builds on the company’s heritage in hard-rocking guitar amps. The Crest Edition over-ears are striking in looks and promise ‘a highly dynamic and full listening experience’, with a mic for calls and support for Siri and Google Assistant… all for under R2 500.

You’re supposed to test audio kit with a wide range of musical styles, but we’re not going to waste much time listening to bebop with these. There’s plenty of thumpy bass but very little air in the top end, so softer music can sound rather stifled. But crank up a bit of Mastodon and you can really feel the kick drum pounding, while vocals and guitars are restrained enough to save you from instant ear-fatigue.

The flappy bits on the outside of your ears won’t be getting fatigued either: these are pretty light for over-ears and the pads are supremely squishy, so you should get all the way from Remission to Emperor of Sand without feeling the need to fling them off for a breather.

Comfortable cans that really don’t want you to listen to anything quiet

Marshall’s headphones and Bluetooth speakers are actually made by a Swedish company, Zound, leaving the British brand’s engineers free to concentrate on helping guitar players upset their parents. Its recent form in ’phones is strong, most notably with the Monitor II noise-cancellers, but the Major IVs are coming in at a much lower price point. These are on-ears, so they won’t cocoon your ears like the bigger Orange cans, but they do have one very potent secret weapon: a claimed battery life of at least 80 – yes, eighty – hours.

Marshall’s advertising always goes on about the brand’s ‘signature sound’, but is it really that distinctive? The voicing of the Major IVs is meaty and well balanced, much more open and fresh than the Oranges, with treble that’s hyped only a teeny bit more than we’d like.

This does translate into harshness with heavier music, but the strange thing is that those rough edges vanish when listening via the included cable. If you don’t mind keeping it wired, that makes these superb all-rounders… the only pity being that you’re not making the most of their epic battery life. Sorry, we didn’t have a free 80 bloody hours to fully test that, but they certainly blazed through the first few days.

Decent on-ears elevated to bargain status by preposterously good battery life

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TESTED SAMSUNG GALAXY A32

Gateway drug Hoping to sit at Samsung’s table but lack the bank to play with the big boys? The Galaxy A32 is a good place to start

Hertz a little The Galaxy A32’s 6.4in display defaults to 60Hz but you can enable a smooth 90Hz in the settings. It’ll dent your battery, though.

from R5 500 / samsung.com/za ■ Budget smartphones are hugely competitive (see p91), with everyone and his cousin fighting it out for that profitable bottom end of the market. By comparison, flagships get along rather well.

Samsung’s Galaxy A32 is out to steal someone’s lunch, with an excellent display, better-thanaverage camera and attractive good looks packed into an affordable frame.

■ The 6.4in Super AMOLED display runs at up to 90Hz, MediaTek’s Helio G80 and 4GB of RAM speak more to a mid-range demographic and the camera arrangement (see inset) is better than expected. It helps that Samsung makes most of the bits it’s using here, as that keeps the price down.

■ Samsung’s One UI 3.1 is present and just as nippy – though there’s a slight lag if you’re used to the company’s best handsets. But there’s a surprising inclusion here, of an under-display fingerprint reader. The placement could be better, as it’s a little low down, but it’s perfectly willing to speedily unlock at the touch of a digit.

Sensor-ble choice Samsung’s budget device somehow manages to include a nippy in-screen fingerprint sensor at the base of its AMOLED display.

■ There’s a lot of phone here for very little money (comparatively) but there’s one feature missing: 5G. There is a 5G version of the handset, actually, but you’ll find that the screen and some other specs take a knock in favour of speedier internet access.

Tech specs Screen 6.4in Super AMOLED (90Hz) Processor MediaTek Helio G80 RAM 4GB Cameras Rear 64MP/ 8MP/5MP(depth) 5MP(macro) Front 20MP Battery 5000mAh OS Android 11 (One UI 3.1) Storage 128GB Dimensions 164.2x76.1x9.1mm

■ Watch your back

The Galaxy A32’s rear panel talks a good game but get up close and personal and that premium glasslooking section proves to be mere plastic. Attractive plastic, to be sure, but it’s still plastic. Still, look at the price.

■ Electric eyes

Looking vaguely like a sinister traffic light, the A32’s rear camera arrangement comprises four sensors, plus an LED flash. The 64MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide and dual 5MP lenses (macro, depth) spit out decent snaps.

STUFF SAYS Budget doesn’t have to be boring, as Samsung’s proved here ★★★★★

Samsung’s entry into the battle of the brands 64

The Galaxy A32 is the youngest of a family of A-series devices for 2021 but it’s by no means the least attractive. Available in several shades and aimed at the younger market segment (seriously, check out the mental advertising campaigns), they’re visually pleasing slices of tech that won’t look out of place next to Samsung’s R20k+ devices. As an entry point into the world of higher end pocket computing, you could do a whole lot worse.

TESTED AMAZFIT GTR 2E

Wear’s the catch?

Amazfit’s cut-price wearable offers features the Apple Watch SE doesn’t have, and for half the price. But it’s never that simple…

R3 000 / takealot.com ■ Our natural reaction to a R3 000 smartwatch is to look for the cut corners. But what we find here is a feature list borrowed from a much more expensive wearable: an always-on screen, SpO2 and temperature sensors, and promises of whopping battery life. Well, the ‘e’ does stand for ‘essential’.

■ With its aluminium alloy case and 1.39in AMOLED display, the GTR 2e does a fine impression of a serious timepiece. The giveaway is the very plain 22mm silicone strap – which, while comfortable to wear, looks like something you’d get on a R150 effort from Mr Price.

■ The 454x454 screen is bright, sharp and easy to read, and while there is a bezel it’s used for the hour markers so the display still feels nice and big. If you’d prefer a square face, the Amazfit GTS 2e is just about functionally identical but in Apple Watch wannabe form.

Zeppin’ out You need Amazfit’s Zepp app to customise the GTR 2e. It’s probably worth getting just to change how long the display stays lit up for.

■ Pressed for success

On the right-hand side of the case you’ll find two buttons, which spin around but can’t be used to scroll through menus.

Push the top one and you’re shown a list of functions; the bottom one is customisable.

■ Amazfit’s OS will pair with an iPhone or Android phone. There’s an app store for watch faces but you can’t install third-party apps, only pick the ones to receive notifications from. It doesn’t fully integrate with your phone’s OS either, so the two are not always exactly on the same wavelength.

■ Swipes of peace

Swiping from the sides of the screen will take you to various menus, which are easy to get the hang of. Using your finger to scroll through the options is generally quick, though there’s a bit of lag when diving into stats.

■ There are functions here that Apple left off the Watch SE. It’ll track a whopping 90 activities, but accuracy is a little off and the GPS is generous on distance. Amazfit claims 24 days of ‘typical’ use on a charge, but we only got nine.

Tech specs Display 1.39in 454x454 AMOLED Connectivity Bluetooth 5, GPS, GLONASS Water-resistance 5ATM Battery life Up to 24 days Weight 32g

STUFF SAYS A good introduction to smartwatches but performance is patchy ★★★✩✩

If this is your first wearable you’ll soon be hunting for your second

With smart looks, a packed feature list, very practical battery life and an impressive breakdown of your stats, the GTR 2e feels like an ideal introductory smartwatch – but there are significant caveats. Its GPS accuracy isn’t the best and general usability could be more polished. At just R3 000, though, it’s enough to give you an idea of whether smartwatch life is for you or not.

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LEGO

RUST A MOVE Since this set features a long-abandoned version of the ECTO-1, it’s all rusty. But the corrosion is applied as stickers, which you can easily leave off.

STEERS IN HEAVEN Getting adult hands inside the ECTO-1 isn’t easy, but you can steer using a roof-mounted piece. And when the car drives along, kit on the roof-rack spins. Wheeee!

HOOD YOU BE LOVED Like any gigantic Lego car worth its salt, this one lets you pop the bonnet and explore a detailed engine… which, oddly, includes a translucent minifig head.

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LEGO

HUBBLE FUNK This Hubble would be a great set in its own right, with its movable solar panels and aperture door. Now if Lego could only make one that snaps distant galaxies…

MORE SPACEY SETS

NASA Space Shuttle Discovery R3 500 / 2354 pieces

The Hubble Space Telescope had wonky vision when first deployed, but has since shot some jaw-dropping images of the cosmos – not least the Pillars of Creation, columns of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula. No Lego set can wow to the same degree, but this one has a good go.

Developed with NASA, it reimagines in brick form the mission that saw Discovery and its crew deploy Hubble.

At 54cm long, it’s a universe away from the Benny’s Space Squad set (from The Lego Movie 2) as it

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strives for authenticity: peek inside the command module and you’ll see control panels and five accurately placed seats (although no crew members – perhaps they were spirited away by tiny Lego aliens).

New curved pieces form the payload bay doors, leaving enough space to house the folded Hubble.

This can be positioned as though being manoeuvred by a robot arm, or have its solar array opened and be seated on its own display stand.

NASA Apollo Saturn V

Spare a thought for the designer who had to keep fiddling with this set until it had precisely 1969 pieces. Well, you won’t care when putting together your 1m rocket and cracking ‘one small step’ lines until everyone begs you to stop.

R2 500 (1969 pieces)

AT-AT

Prefer your Lego space fare to be from a galaxy far, far away? But also not keen to spend R16 000 on a Millennium Falcon? Then get this 34cm-high AT-AT and give the rebels a nasty surprise. Just watch out for any Snowspeeders on the horizon.

R3 000 (1267 pieces)

LEGO MAKER STREET This set affords you many display options.

Place Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes on a corner, or put shops back to back to align them with Lego’s Modular Buildings range.

MORE MINIFIG MAYHEM

Diagon Alley R8 000 / 5544 pieces

In the realm of Lego, Harry Potter and chums spend an awful lot of time traipsing around beige castle sets.

Diagon Alley feels much more magical and alive with its row of vibrant shops.

This is the longest official Lego set ever made. Once you’ve yelped ‘Episkey’ to stop your fingers howling from having pushed down over 5000 pieces, you’ll be staring at a street scene that’s over 1m wide.

So when it’s time for a bout of Harry Shopper, where can the boy wizard

spend his shiny inheritance?

There are miniaturised takes on wand shop Ollivanders, Scribbulus Writing Implements, Quality Quidditch Supplies, the Daily Prophet, Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, Flourish & Blotts the bookseller and of course Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes – all packed with movie references.

And because the buildings are modular, they can be rearranged and stored with ease – so you won’t need a Lego Room of Requirement to stash them in.

Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set Bowser has quite an ego, modelling a castle after his own form. And this Super Mario set looks great on display, with its brick-built big baddy. If only there were a brick Mario to go with it, eh Nintendo?

R2 000 (1010 pieces)

Ninjago City Gardens

Even if you’re blissfully unaware of Lego’s ninja line, this massive set will impress.

Packed with rooms, from a noodle house to a tiny museum, its five tiers lift off so you can poke around and wish this existed when you were a kid.

R6 000 (5685 pieces)

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LEGO RUIN IT RIGHT The real-world Colosseum’s southern wall is shorter due to damage it’s taken over the years. The Lego model echoes this, so it looks nice and old.

MORE ‘BIG KID’ BEAUTIES

Colosseum R10 000 / 9036 pieces

Rome wasn’t built in a day, say smug people. The same is true for Lego’s Colosseum, unless you’re a real brick wizard, what with it having the largest Lego piece count to date.

Still, you’ll have reason to feel smug after working through its 60+ bags of parts, most of which are the same colour. Don’t tip them all into a massive bowl, then, unless you’re the type who enjoys doing huge Star Wars sets while lost in a sea of grey.

Gradually, you will begin to see the formation of a faithful

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take on an iconic Roman landmark designed to house 80,000 spectators. At times it’ll feel like you’re adding a piece for each of them as you diligently work through the 80 ‘ribs’, the intricate details and the many Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns whose names you learned at school but had forgotten until just now.

And when you’re finally done building, you’ll have a masterpiece worthy of being hailed as one of the new seven wonders of your bedroom.

Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe

Drive yourself dotty plugging 2000 round pieces into a 48x48 grid… then squint a bit and the finished article resembles a piece of art. Buy four sets to display all the variants and it’ll cost almost as much as one.

R2 500 (3341 pieces)

The White House

Now that the orange one has departed, you might feel more keen to build a mini take on one of the world’s most famous buildings. It splits in three for closer inspection, so you can easily check for discarded MAGA hats.

R2 100 (1483 pieces)

LEGO

MOTOR CACHE While building this monster you’ll put a lot of effort into the engine, which is then hidden away. Happily, you can prop up the cover to admire your handiwork.

MORE TECHNIC TITANS

6x6 Volvo Articulated Hauler R5 000 / 2193 pieces

Volvo’s A60H articulated hauler is a beast… so its Technic incarnation follows suit, with a large piece count that demands you’re in it for the long haul. The completed design is a truly formidable vehicle – and one with more smarts than most.

This is apparent right from the start, as you work on a complex fully automated gearbox – a first for a Technic vehicle. There are motors and a Bluetooth hub integrated neatly into the build.

Yes, this is no Technic truck to manually ‘BRRRRMMM’

across the room and dump loads of bricks on the carpet where they’ll later be trodden on by unsuspecting feet.

Instead, a light atop the cab can be used to connect the vehicle to your phone. You then use the Lego app to drive your A60H around and tip its load just where you want it.

And all the while, sound effects play, saving you the trouble of going “BEEP BEEP!” while your hauler backs up and everyone nearby looks at you as if you’ve gone a bit strange.

Lamborghini Sian FKP 37

If you’re less keen on tearing down buildings and prefer tearing up roads, this Lambo is the business.

From the unique luxury packaging to the working eight-speed transmission, it’s sure to make your friends (lime) green with envy.

R7 500 (3696 pieces)

Mobile Crane

Another serious piece of black and yellow plant, this one lets you steer to the right spot, secure the crane with outriggers, extend the telescopic arm and then smack yourself in the face with the pillar it’s holding.

So try not to do that.

R2 100 (1292 pieces)

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TESTED GOOGLE NEST HUB (2ND GEN)

Every snoozer wins Google’s latest smart display features sleep-tracking radar and comes in a range of calming colours for a better forty winks

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R2 650 / bigapplebuddy.com Google’s second Nest Hub smart display lands two years after the company pulled the previous Google Home Hub under its Nest branding, and it seems it’s learnt a few tricks in that time.

The 7in display still offers the Google Assistant, Chromecast and smart home integration of its predecessor, only now there’s better sound quality, improved voice detection and the addition of sleep-tracking capabilities, which it manages without a single camera. All of this for a shade less than the launch price of the original Home Hub represents quite the warning shot across Amazon’s bows.

There’s not much difference from a design perspective, but the second-generation Hub does see some refinements.

The 7in screen is now ‘edgeless’, with glass stretching across the bezels where previously there was just plastic. So it’s pretty… but is it also pretty good, and should Amazon be worried?

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Calmy dreamers The floating display sits at a slight upward angle on a base holding the audio components (1). Fabric choices of chalk, charcoal, sand and mist have been chosen for their ‘calming presence’ in the bedroom. It’s a smart design, doing its bit for the environment by using 54% recycled plastic.

GOOD MEH EVIL

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Excellent for smart home control

I’d rather Goo blind A switch on the back turns the three near-field microphones on and off, with a light sensor on top (2) adjusting display brightness and running the sleep-tracking tech (see panel). But no camera means it can’t do video calls like an Amazon Echo Show can.

Google says it put privacy first…

A slicker design than before

Crosstown graphic The key here is adding a visual dimension to voice commands (3): ask Google what tomorrow’s weather will be like and you’ll get a detailed graphic for the day.

Voice recognition is on board too, so when you ask it how your day is looking it’ll tell you about your diary and not someone else’s.

Improved audio chops… …but no video calls allowed

Sleep Sensing of limited use

Highly attractive price

2

Listen to the flour people Quick Gestures using Motion Sense let you ‘tap’ the air to pause and play tunes – perfect for messy hands in the kitchen.

TESTED GOOGLE NEST HUB (2ND GEN)

Tech specs Display 7in 1024x600 touchscreen Audio 1x full-range 1.7in speaker Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, Chromecast built-in Dimensions 120x177x70mm, 558g

4

Houses of the Soli Sleep Sensing uses Google’s purpose-built Soli chip, a low-energy radar that detects motion rather than faces

■ Every breath you take

■ Every move you make

■ Every bond you break

■ We’ll be charging you

On a bedside table, the Hub analyses movement and breathing to track sleep quality. It picks up snoring and coughing episodes, as well as temperature and light changes that might identify why you’re waking up groggy.

5 Home is where the smart is Home automation is the other biggie (4). It connects to existing smart home systems with very few issues, you’ll have voice control working in no time.

Setting up routines is easy in the Google Home app, while the addition of the Thread protocol only increases your options.

A bass fan came travelling Google has added 50% more bass to the speakers (5); there is more oomph but it’s still not going to be a party starter. The 7in screen isn’t suited to movie marathons either, but for the odd streaming episode it’s fine, with Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube controllable by voice.

Sleep Sensing is an opt-in feature and Google says audio recordings, such as snoring, are not uploaded anywhere. It also says data isn’t used to personalise ads, so you shouldn’t be seeing Somnil pop up after a particularly rough one.

The new Nest Hub is a fantastic, feature-packed smart display available at a great price. It won’t replace your dedicated speakers, and the Sleep Sensing feature is only useful if you put it in the bedroom, but for core smart home controls and voice-assistant functionality it’s a slick performer… sorely missing a camera for video calling.

It takes 24 hours to start building up a picture, then offers suggestions on how to improve your sleep. You can also access your data through the Google Fit app, and there’s a suggestion it could work with Fitbit devices in the future.

None of this is much use if you like to have your smart home controls in the living room, of course. Google has also suggested that this feature is on preview until 2022, which means it may well cost extra once out of beta.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩ A small but mighty smart home display offering up some useful improvements on its predecessor 73

TESTED SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 5G

Pretty good in pink Just when we thought we’d have to remortgage Stuff HQ to buy any sort of high-end Samsung phone, up pops the not-many-frills Galaxy S21

Pink it over The S21 comes in pink or violet with a contrasting gold camera bump, but there are also monochrome grey and white/silver options.

R19 000 / samsung.com/za The whole point of the Samsung Galaxy S21 is to get you most of the important stuff from the wallet-draining Galaxy S21 Ultra for a lot less cash. No need to modify your jeans to make the pockets bigger either.

While the starting price isn’t loose change, it seems like a solid deal when you try out the S21’s fantastic camera and also realise this is one of the best-looking phones ever made.

There are bad bits, though. For a start the back is plastic – and while it’s one of the nicest plastic backs ever slapped on a phone, there’s no escaping the fact that the matt finish scuffs much more easily than Gorilla Glass.

Battery life is the one to dwell on, however, because the S21 is pretty easy to drain in a day… and not only does it not support the ridiculously fast charging of some cheaper phones, but you don’t even get a charger in the box. Ah well, saving the planet one accessory at a time…

GOOD MEH EVIL

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As stylish as phones come…

3

Do ya pink I’m sexy?

Part of Samsung’s campaign to ‘make plastic phones expensive again’, the Galaxy S21 looks like a prop made for a perfume ad with a colossal production budget. That sounds like an insult, but it isn’t.

This is one of the few truly stylish phones, partly down to the bold but elegant camera housing (1).

1

Try not to pink about it The 6.2in SuperAMOLED screen (2) with 1300-nit max brightness offers 2400x1080 resolution with a 120Hz variable refresh rate (the S21 Ultra stacks more pixels and nits). It uses 120Hz when you’re interacting, and 60Hz for static images and basic games. Colour and contrast are on point as ever.

How do you pink it feels?

With three rear cameras (3) and one on the front (see panel), this is one of the best stills-shooters you can get for R19 000. Highlights include a fast, responsive feel as you take photos, great image quality and almost ridiculous levels of HDR tweaking. You can shoot 8K video too.

Don’t pink twice, it’s alright The S21 and S21 Ultra share the same Exynos 2100 processor, with a Geekbench 5 score that’s 10% down on a Snapdragon 888.

It’s still fast and runs Android 11 perfectly. Gaming is great, though Fortnite has the odd drop to 20fps, and Samsung’s spin on Android (4) is jammed with extra apps.

They pink it’s all over This battery is distressingly easy to drain in a day (5). The Exynos chip is probably partly to blame; and while some progress has been made with this version, it’s not the best fit for people who hammer their phone. Samsung doesn’t offer particularly fast charging either: 25W max.

…and a nice pocketable size

Back is plastic, not glass

Crowdpleasing cameras Relatively short battery life

5

Bloatware splits opinion

TESTED SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 5G

2

Tech specs Screen 6.2in 2400x1080 120Hz AMOLED Processor Exynos 2100 RAM 8GB Storage 128/256GB OS Android 11 Cameras 12+12+64MP rear, 10MP front Battery 4000mAh Dimensions 152x71x7.9mm, 169g

Pink outside the box The S21’s triple-lens rear camera setup is desperate to please, but it’s all on you to pick out the best bits

■ Main

■ Ultrawide

■ Zoom

■ Video and selfies

The main 12MP sensor has terrific dynamic range and image integrity. HDR is what lets you shoot directly into the sun and keep visible detail in the foreground, and the result is photos that never look dull or bland.

4

Instead of squeezing in a legit 3x zoom lens, the S21 has a 64MP sensor with an optical zoom of only around 1.1x. This means the 3x is mostly digital, but it still takes impressive long-range shots. It also does 8K video at 24fps.

The Galaxy S21 is more of a style icon than a tech one. It’s a downgrade from the Galaxy S20 in some respects, but we love its rear camera array with every last bit of utility squeezed from each sensor. Battery life may be a sticking point for some, but for the best of Android this Samsung will serve you well.

Samsung has put a very good ultrawide camera in the S21. This 12MP sensor captures plenty of detail, and while the colour tone can lean a little cooler than the main camera there’s no sense of a sudden downgrade in quality.

You can actually zoom to 30x, but don’t bother because it looks terrible.

And despite 8K tricks the main event is 4K video, which is superb. Even the front camera is excellent, picking out facial hair and craggy bits in limited light.

STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩ The Galaxy S21 is one of the most striking phones you can buy – and this is a true Samsung flagship at a price that isn’t scary 75

SMART CITIES FEATURE

CHANGING THE SHAPE OF CITIES Leveraging big data will change how cities are designed, what forms of transport are available, and give us smarter spaces to work with

ities are badly designed. By which we mean they’re archaic. Little consideration has been given to the increasing number of people travelling to ever-sprawling urban areas, even though we all know what that looks like.

It looks like congestion. It looks like stationary traffic, and raised blood pressures, and increasingly fragile mental health, because there’s only so long you can endure that situation before it begins to get to you. But proponents of big data have plans for cities that involve leveraging information to alter how traffic affects… well, everything.

C

Roads are veins

‘Sitting in traffic’ affects far more than you might expect. It affects the people who constantly navigate it, it affects the productivity of companies (for myriad reasons), it affects the environment, and it affects governments, financially and in other ways. You need to cope with being in traffic, 76

companies have to deal with late workers who are already stressed when they arrive at the office (plus, goods and services need to be delivered), burning fossil fuels have obvious affects, and governments need to manage and maintain those roads, deploying law enforcement as needed.

It’s no exaggeration to liken roads to a city’s veins. If they become congested, the life that needs to flow to parts of a city cannot get there, having massive knock-on effects everywhere.

Rerouting that traffic via other places stresses systems that would otherwise work with fewer issues, potentially causing even more problems. It’s not just an unpleasant experience, it’s a

potential disaster always waiting to happen. And that’s why governments and companies like Microsoft, Google and others have begun to leverage the data they have at their disposal to try and alter cities.

Improving circulation

WWhether you realise it or not, you already make use of ‘big data’ – Google Maps runs on traffic information gathered from Android phones that are stuck in traffic, letting you know which areas to avoid on your way home.

But proper implementation, at a city-planning level, calls for more information than just the stuff stored on various servers.

Efficiency information from

SMART CITIES FEATURE

In order to clear up traffic in wide-ranging ways, there are three required items

public transport (which is still a daydream for South Africa), open data from sources of traffic information, and time-and-date details from the cameras you may have noticed at intersections can be combined to do something remarkable.

Data proponents are able to collect and collate this info – and the more of it the better (which brings with it various privacy challenges) – to make cities function more efficiently. It might make sense to permanently close down some streets to traffic, if it clears up more congestion than it causes. New public transportation routes can be planned and implemented, with modifications to its route (in the case of buses or taxis) possible at greater speeds than was previously possible.

And lesser-known influences, like the situation three suburbs over every third Tuesday of the month, can be accounted for all around the city. You’d be surprised at how many factors influence traffic density.

Which sounds a little like magic to us South Africans, but it is something that’s taking place in cities in Italy, Canada, Spain, China, the US and the UK. South Africa has designs on being part of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), but we’ve got a way to go yet. We face several challenges before we can start modifying cities without ripping up streets.

In order to clear up traffic in wide-ranging ways, there are three required items.

Access to data (which is already being collected from all sorts of sources), extensive funding, and the ability to implement changes suggested by data analysis are all must-haves. They’re also not readily available here.

Yes, open data exists but SA isn’t generating much of its own info. We’d have to track buses and minibus taxis, combine that dataset with traffic heatmaps of a given city, and identify what to do about our traffic from there.

After that, somehow funding and then executing the proposed changes without causing even larger problems becomes the next hurdle.

But it could well be worth taking the chance to do so.

Because those datasets, collected for alleviating traffic, will eventually connect to other compilations of information (say, for more effective 5G cellular coverage) to eventually integrate into a smarter city – one that responds to humans rather than forces humans to respond to it. That’s the dream, anyway.

[ Graphics GarryKillian/freepik.com]

Here at home

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TWO WEEKS WITH THE DJI FPV

Fright of the navigator FPV drone flying is the quadcopter equivalent of piloting a stunt plane, so we snagged DJI’s debut effort and tried extremely hard not to destroy it from R16 000 / dji.com

A rubber cover below the camera pulls up to reveal a microSD card slot and USB-C port.

Even within the drone nerddom, FPV racing sits apart, jealously protected by sniffy gatekeepers.

Designed for competitive racing and aerobatics, these are fast and twitchy drones – paired with goggles for a pilot’s-eye view of where you’re flying – that you usually build yourself. And a lack of anti-collision tech can end in costly crashes.

Enter the DJI FPV. Available fully built and big on safety features,

this seems to be the drone to bring first-person-view antics to the masses… but can it turn a noob into a seasoned racing pilot?

We’re confronted with the copter, an FPV Goggles V2 headset, a twin-stick controller plus spare parts and charging kit.

The drone is smaller than expected, but exudes a menacing air thanks to a forward-hunched poise and vaguely military finish.

A camera sits beneath a plastic

This seems to be the drone to bring firstperson-view antics to the masses, but can it turn a noob into a racing pilot?

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gimbal guard, while the large battery slides into the back. The propeller arms are fixed rather than folding, and the props themselves attach via a twist of your hand. A lurid green body cover is supplied to make it easier to spot in the wild.

Build quality is superbly solid, although scratches indicate a previous reviewer pitched it into the ground on at least one occasion – so it’s certainly crashable, but sturdy enough to survive some impacts with cosmetic damage only.

The headset is lightweight and comfortable, while the soft strap

makes wearing it for extended periods a breeze. There’s a microSD slot, although recording footage to the drone itself offers higher quality, plus a few controls, including a ‘5D button’ offering one-finger navigation of the on-screen menus.

The controller is lightweight and sturdy too, and removable thumbsticks make it easy to transport. There are buttons to start and stop video recording, adjust the camera pitch, return to home, toggle flight modes, and engage the emergency brake. Preflight assembly is a simple, painless process.

LO N G -T E R M T E S T

01

Donut of Truth™

06

05

02

03

04

01 Relatively safe to fly after some training 02 For an FPV drone it has terrific battery life 03 Everything an FPV pilot needs in one box

04 Image quality lags behind other DJI drones 05 Gimbal doesn’t tilt enough to level the horizon 06 You can definitely crash it if you’re not concentrating

Tech specs Camera 12MP 1/2.3in CMOS Video 4K @ 60fps, 1080 @ 120fps Max speed 140km/h Range 10km Max flight time 20mins Dimensions 255x312x127 mm (with props), 178x232x127mm (without props), 795g

DAY 02 DJI recommends spending time with a simulator before flying for real, so we’ve fired up its Virtual Flight app for a bit of training. This Unreal Engine-powered game links your phone with the controller and headset to take you through the controls and modes, then you get to pilot a virtual drone around a few locations. We’ve been flying DJI drones for years, but this is different so the app is vital prep.

DAY 03 Maiden flight time. Flipping the controller to N (Normal) mode, speed is limited, it hovers in place when the controls are released, and obstacle sensors are engaged.

We switch up to S (Sport) mode, which increases speed, turns off obstacle detection and makes things much livelier. The FPV feels responsive and easy to fly, even if we’re too chicken to take it through tight gaps. There’s a switch for cruise control and the emergency brake brings things to a very noisy but almost immediate stop.

DAY 08 Today we’ve finally summoned up the courage to test M (Manual) mode, opening up a world of loops

and flips, turning off speed limitations, and allowing the FPV to zip through the air at up to 140km/h.

DJI claims a maximum range of 10km, although taking it out of visual range is technically illegal.

Here’s another law: you have to bring one other person with you when piloting the FPV, as you can’t see it while wearing the headset.

Video transmission is rock solid, with an almost constant 1080p feed beamed near-instantly from the drone’s camera to the headset’s crisp display. The battery life of FPV drones has hovered around the five-minute mark, but DJI’s is good for around 20 minutes of flight time.

DAY 14 We’ve flown DJI’s new Air 2S and the FPV doesn’t compare to its cheaper cousin when it comes to dynamic range, detail and smooth footage. The FPV’s camera sensor is smaller and it lacks three-way stabilisation so major tilting results in off-balance footage.

But this is a groundbreaking drone, bringing the notoriously difficult world of FPV flight to a wider audience. Buy the box and you’re basically good to go, but be warned you’ll need hours of practice before pulling off any spectacular stuff.

STUFF SAYS DJI has taken thrilling FPV drone flights to new, more accessible heights ★★★★✩ 79

FI R TH ST ES AD E… D

SAMSUNG TAB S7+

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ONE LOGITECH K780 KEYBOARD

TWO ANKER POWEREXPAND

THREE SAMSUNG TRAVEL ADAPTOR

you like a full-size keyboard when working at home, the Logitech K780 and Tab S7+ are a perfect match. Pairing with up to three devices, the K780 can switch between a tablet and computer, nd it props up and angles S7+ too. With Android, macOS and Windows layouts, it’s one keyboard to rule them all.

R1 250 / raru.co.za

SD cards, full-size USB ports, HDMI cables… with an Anker dongle, you can hook them all up to your Tab S7+. Fire up the DeX interface and you’ll feel like you’re using a desktop after connecting a monitor, USB mouse and keyboard, while pulling files from a camera’s card is infinitely faster than faffing with wireless transfer.

R1 000 / takealot.com

With its 45W charging capabilities, you can fuel up the Tab S7+ in as little as 90 minutes, but there’s a catch: it ships with a puny 15W power brick. Really, Samsung? Taking over 4hrs to go from flat to full, that’s useless for anyone who’s short on time, making the 45W adaptor an annoyingly attractive add-on.

R1 000 / samsung.com/za

NO TH W T IS RY …

DO T H TH WN EN ES LO E… AD

INSTANT UPGRADES INS

DUET DISPLAY

1 GIMME A SECOND

2 PUT IT ON YOUR TAB

3 SMOOTH THINGS OVER

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ has a Second Screen feature for Windows computers. To find it, swipe your notifications menu from the top of the screen and swipe down again for quick toggles. Look for the option titled ‘Second screen’; tap it, and your device will become discoverable. On your computer, tap the speech bubble in the bottom right of the taskbar and select ‘Connect’. You’re in!

If you’ve got a Samsung phone, this tablet can make and receive calls, even when that phone is somewhere else. To fire up the feature, dive into your settings, scroll down to ‘Advanced features’ and tap it. Now select ‘Call & text on other devices’, switch it on, repeat the process on your Samsung phone… and you need never miss a call again so long as you’ve got your Tab S7+ to hand.

The Galaxy Tab S7+ has a 12.4in SuperAMOLED screen with sky-high resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate that makes everything look hyper-smooth.

However, that comes at the cost of power-hungriness.

If you’re low on juice, minimise drain until you get to a charger by jumping into your display settings, selecting ‘Motion smoothness’ and tapping on ‘Standard’.

4 TURN OFF THE NEWS

5 LET’S TALK ABOUT DEX

6 BANISH THE BLUES

Samsung phones and tabs have had a few different views to the left of the home screen. There’s been a Bixby screen, Samsung Daily and now Samsung Free, a breaking news stream powered

by Upday. If a deluge of grim updates isn’t your thing, relieve yourself of Samsung Free by pinching the home screen, swiping to the left and tapping the toggle on the top right of your screen to turn it off.

DeX gives the Tab S7+ a desktop computer feel, and we love how the massive display helps with multiple apps and productivity.

Hook up your tablet to a big screen with the HDMI dock and DeX will project to it. Then pair the tab up with a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, or use a dongle to hook up some wired accessories for a full-blown word-processing, graph-editing workstation.

If you’re a tablet power-user, make all that screen time a bit kinder on your peepers. Pull down from the top twice to bring your quick toggles menu in frame, long-press the ‘Eye comfort shield’ option, and here you can switch it on to instantly warm up your screen, set a schedule so it activates at fixed times, and control its colour temperature. Less blue means less late-night brain-buzzing.

Mac user? Duet Display works just like Samsung’s Second Screen for Windows, but supports multiple OSs – and wired connection for lower latency.

R150

ONENOTE

If you’re a scribbler and you’ve never used OneNote with a stylus, brace yourself for an infinite canvas of possibility. It lets you scrawl, doodle and type all within one sheet.

Free

KRITA

This drawing app has more features than most, as you work across multiple layers, enjoy pressuresensitive pen input, and use a host of tools to free those visions from your head.

Free

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BETA YOURSELF

PHONE PHOTOS Got a shiny new smartphone but struggling to shoot pictures that make people’s eyes pop with cartoon-style awe? Stuff reveals how to get the best from your little snapper…

THE BASICS

■ Go off grid

■ Master your hardware

Every camera is unique, and the same is true of what’s inside your phone. So take time to master its hardware and software – and how the two interact. Note minimum focusing distances so you know when to back up, and memorise shortcuts for your camera app so you never miss a one-off moment.

■ Avoid digital zoom

You might be overly pleased to have a phone that offers 100x zoom… but that grin will vanish when you see the results. Digital zoom crops and resizes images, adding grain and reducing detail. Where possible,sticktothelimitations of your phone’s telephoto lens. Want more? Invest in high-quality add-on lenses.

■ Line it up

If you too often find that your snaps lack compositional coherence, activate your camera’s on-screen grid (ideally a 3x3 one) and use the rule of thirds. Align subjects with grid lines and intersections; set the horizon directly atop one of the grid’s horizontal lines; and aim for two thirds negative space, to focus your pic on the subject.

Once you know and can successfully apply the rules of photography, break them.

And since you’re shooting with a pocket-dwelling device, take advantage of being able to go anywhere with it. Get your phone right on the floor to shoot animals close up, or get high up in rooms or on top of buildings looking down.

Capture reflections on water and windows, and look for patterns and symmetry.

■ Back it up

If you consider your photos precious, be aware of digital’s ephemeral nature. Never store snaps solely on a device you can lose. Sync them to the cloud and back up favourites to a second cloud service or a Mac/PC. And remember to print favourites – retail services are very affordable these days.

GET SET ■ Define your defaults

Do it clean

Seeing as your phone is in and out of bags and pockets, give that lens a clean before snapping shots – and with a microfibre cloth, not a mucky sleeve.

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Camera apps vary, so ensure yours – whether stock or third-party – has everything the way you want it the second it’s opened. You don’t want to be fiddling about with settings while a snapshot of Insta gold slips away.

■ Figure out formats

Your camera app will default to certain formats, resolutions and video frame-rates.

Hardware, storage limitations and response times may force you to dial down maximums, but aim for the best and only lower those quality settings when you have to.

NOW ADD THESE

JOBY GORILLAPOD Traditional tripods are great on a smooth, flat surface. The GorillaPod is designed for more challenging conditions, with flexible legs that’ll cope with the most uneven terrain or even wrap around branches.

Get a GripTight model for more versatility. from R300 / joby.com

MOMENT TELE 58MM LENS GET OFF OF MY CLOUDS ■ Expose yourself

GET FOCUSED ■ Blur the background

If your phone’s camera has a portrait mode, use it to focus in on a subject. This mode is obviously intended for shots of people, but try using it for a shallow depth of field that gets sharp on any chosen object and blurs everything else.

■ Hold it steady

Smartphones are sensitive to movement – even a slight shake can result in blur. So rest your arm or your phone on a solid surface when shooting, or work with a tripod and remote – which also unlocks creative potential for long-exposure shots.

Smartphone cameras adjust automatically to the light… but they don’t always get it right. Override auto exposure settings by tapping on a bright area to darken things down, or on a dimmer area to bring out details lost in shadows.

■ Crack the sky

Clear blue skies can make for great shots, but sunshine can wreck photos due to lens flare.

So don’t shoot directly into the sun, and block it (a hand will do) if the fiery ball is threatening to ruin your photo from the sidelines.

■ Embrace the night

Your flash might fire in dark conditions, but it won’t always reach its target. Newer phones have a night mode, but just be mindful that this requires a steady hand while the shot is taken over several seconds.

GET APPY

From a 2013 Kickstarter, Moment has rapidly expanded and now offers a dizzying array of kit.

The Tele 58mm Lens is its most popular, for close-up shots without compromise, but see also the $150 Anamorphic Lens for stylish video.

R2 200 / amazon.com

■ Go pro

Your device’s stock camera is fine, but pro camera apps can offer better manual controls, useful features and superior RAW file capabilities. Avoid social apps that compress shots and don’t save originals.

You can add filters later.

■ Edit on the move

Digital darkrooms for powerful PCs are geeky fun, but modern mobile apps provide plenty of photo-editing clout. Freebie Snapseed is solid and we like the machine-learning smarts of Pixelmator Photo. Ensure your editor is non-destructive so original files remain intact.

ZHIYUN SMOOTH XS

There are better gimbals for video – notably the DJI OM 4 and Zhiyun’s own Smooth 4 – and the Smooth XS only has two-axis movement. But it shines for stills due to its small size, tripod mount and built-in selfie-stick.

R1 500 / takealot.com

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TESTED GAMES

PS5 / playstation.com/za

Returnal

Many previews of Returnal hailed it as being the first ‘true’ PS5 title. Why’s that?

It’s an ultra-addictive sci-fi/horror, 3D bullet-hell third-person shooter-roguelike

eturnal combines all the technical considerations expected from a polished, challenging strategic game and integrates with a delightfully heart-wrenching story.

Anyone with a slight interest in sci-fi, Ridley Scott’s Aliens, celestial or eldritch horror themes or rogue-likes and bullet-hell gameplay should keep reading.

Returnal stars an astronaut named Selene who fights her way across a hostile, alien planet called Atropos. The landscape is a

R

perfectly chill place at first, until you encounter ‘hostile fauna’ that is clearly trying to put an end to the organic biped intruder.

Once you die, you respawn with nothing. Certain items are permanent, but you’ll lose all your consumables and weapons.

This horrendous deathloop (sorry) is encouraged to progress the narrative in Returnal. Some deaths trigger small segments of memories from Selene’s past (or future), adding small pieces to a seemingly convoluted puzzle. It’ll all

make sense once you complete this head-bashingly challenging game a total of two times. Promise.

Imagine a game of Settlers of Catan. A set number of resource hexagons are placed, but in every game, they’re placed differently.

That’s how biomes function in Returnal — here the landscape changes with every death cycle, bringing heightened challenges and obstacles.

Each is filled with increasingly powerful enemies, each with its own crazy attack methods and

projectiles (let’s not forget this is also a bullet-hell title). You’ll quickly learn the patterns and time your attacks accordingly.

Instead of telling a story from start to finish, Returnal works to feed you bits of narrative while keeping you engaged in its various technical aspects. As you explore each biome, you’ll find better weapons, health upgrades, weapon mods and “parasites”.

These are little critters that can attach to you that give you both buffs and debuffs.

STUFF SAYS In between head bashes, Returnal pulls at heart-strings ★★★★★ 84

TESTED GAMES

Sensing a Return to trepidation

You’ll find Xenotype bits for your character, giving her more alienlike abilities.

Your new home is littered with deadly inhabitants.

Learn to dodge them.

Housemarque integrates most of the DualSense’s next-gen features into Returnal in a natural way.

Firing a weapon requires you to pull the trigger halfway for primary fire. If you pull it through the tension mid-way, you’ll find alt-fire, which makes gameplay dynamic, with no need to switch to an alternate trigger or button to switch between primary/alt-fire.

The PS5 DualSense’s subtle but effective way of communicating the ‘feeling’ of the environment is sublime.

The small haptic sensations felt when you emerge into the rain include ‘feeling’ the tiny water droplets through your fingertips.

The PS5’s impressive 3D audio engine also provides an immersive soundscape that captures both the cramped rainy ruins of the first biome and the windy, sandy desert of the second and beyond.

The eerie soundtrack elevates this already engaging game into a more immersive horror environment.

No detail goes unremarked here. Enter the in-game menu in the first biome and you’re met with a slight pitter-patter of raindrops on Selene’s helmet. The attention to detail is frankly rather scary, which is rather the point.

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TESTED GAMES

Switch / monsterhunter.com

Monster Hunter Rise

The striking Japanese art draped over Rise heralds the franchise’s return to the handheld format where it first made its name… so is this Switch title destined to be a monster hit?

f an exclusive entry on the little Switch feels like a step back for a game series that has embraced big-boy consoles in the past, think again.

Even though Rise’s graphics run below the handheld’s standard resolutions, Capcom’s RE Engine makes it one of the best-looking games on the machine.

Where Rise really shines is in its distinctive artistic flavour, with evergreen cherry blossoms and monsters inspired by yokai from Japanese mythology. This adds to

I

the wildly varied roster, compared to how the previous Monster Hunter World played it safe with dragons and dinosaurs. Old staples like Rathalos and Diablos are still roaming, but you’ve also got the bear-like Arzuros, the fire-spewing Rakna-Kadaki… and Khezu, who’s just disgusting on all counts.

There’s a huge array of weapon and armour designs necessary to improve your stats, and the alluring loop of hunting powerful monsters in order to craft better gear so you can take on even tougher ones

remains as strong as ever. You can even use Wirebugs to ride weakened monsters, a ludicrous but inspired amalgamation of mounting and turf wars from previous instalments.

At first, it appears Rise has adopted an archaic approach of splitting its single-player and multiplayer modes with village quests and hub quests respectively.

But the village section is really more for onboarding newcomers, while seasoned hunters can dive straight into hub quests, the only

way to progress to the ‘high rank’ quests. Far from scaling down, this game builds on the accessible streamlining from Monster Hunter World for a wilder hunting fest with even cooler abilities.

Noobs will feel at ease, while veterans will find ways to play with the new mechanics and tackle the toughest monsters. Whichever you might be, sharpen your weapon of choice, as you won’t want to miss out on one of the best games of 2021 so far. Rise, monster hunter.

STUFF SAYS So many monsters and mechanics to feast on – this is unmissable ★★★★★ 86

TESTED GAMES

Rise of the zoom raider

This is Arzuros, a bear-like beast with big claws who secretly loves Supertramp.

And this is a cat offering you kebabs, which is surely even more terrifying.

Following on from the major gameplay changes introduced in Monster Hunter World, this title doubles down for an even faster-paced experience. The biomes might feel smaller in comparison, but that’s only because traversing them is a lot more zippy.

That’s partly down to the Wirebugs, insects producing thick silk that you can use to grapple across environments, which allows for aerial attacks previously limited to just a couple of weapon types.

They can also unleash special attacks for each of the 14 weapon types, while short cooldowns mean you can use them regularly in hunts.

Perhaps the best thing is that, when a monster knocks you down, you can grapple your way out of danger – for a quick recovery or to get straight back into the fight.

The need for speed extends to riding creatures too, of course; and while the series has always been about talking cat warriors, here you get dog companions called Palamutes.

Call on one to ride and they make pursuing monsters even snappier. That you can also ride them while sharpening your weapon, or gathering other resources, is a sign of how much more streamlined the action has become.

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GADGET DOCTOR

ALWAYS ON CALL

facebook.com/stuffsa ● @StuffSA stuff@stuff.co.za

MAIL OF THE MONTH Q

KAWAII

My name is Liam. I am nine years old, and I live in Claremont, Cape Town. I really like your magazine because I am a gadget type of kid! I just wanted to tell you guys that you are doing a good job on your gadget reviews.

My favourite article in Stuff is ‘Hot Stuff’, because I get to see all the really cool gadgets that are out there on the market. I’m saving up for the Apple MacBook Air 512 GB. In your next issue could you please do a review on the Apple MacBook Pro 16in? I look forward to each issue of Stuff and count down the weeks until the next one is out in the shops. Keep up the good work!

Liam

A

The last time a new MacBook Pro 16in was announced was in 2019, sadly, so we’ve already done a review in an older issue. But we don’t mind putting a mini-review together right here. It’s an excellent bit of Mac hardware, even though we’re expecting an Apple M1 version of it to be announced at some point and then it’ll be outclassed. It’s still a monster of a laptop, able to do anything you want it to. Speaker, battery and screen are all top notch but if you’re just looking for something to play with, it’s hugely overpowered. Also, thanks for the picture, Liam. We never ever get stuff like this.

Speak your brains to Stuff and you could win!

This letter wins a Volkano audio hamper.

Q

BEST ON A BUDGET

I've been a reader for a few years now, and you guys are my favourite tech magazine. I’m currently using the Galaxy S9 and I have been considering buying a new phone due to shorter battery life, lack of new accessories and the S9’s updates no longer being available but I don't exactly know what phone to buy. It’s difficult to choose

between the Ultras, Pros, Plusses and Maxes. I know I want one of the new Samsung S series’ with a decent battery and camera.

The budget I had in mind is about R15 000 but it could exceed a bit.

Yahya

A

The phone that you want is Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE (which stands for Fan Edition). At present it’s got a recommended

TO IN E RITND W WA US

Next month’s mail of the month wins THESE TWO oversized Funko Pop exclusives!

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price of R15k but you’ll likely get it a bit cheaper because the S21 FE is due to be announced any day now. An Exynos 990 CPU, a large 4 500mAh battery and a very decent triple camera setup await. If you can stretch your budget by another R4k you could grab the also-excellent S21 5G, but the S20 FE is a substantial upgrade over what you currently have.

Q

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

Good day. I’m looking for an Alienware laptop. I’ve been checking on the South Africa Dell store, but I can’t get through to anyone there. Calls just go straight to voice mail. I want to buy the Alienware m15 R4 with either an RTX 3070 or RTX 3080 with 32GB RAM in South Africa.

None of the online store’s seems to have stock. Do you know anywhere I can order it online?

Roger

A

We’ve got some bad news for you. You can buy the Alienware m15 R4 online in South Africa but you’re either getting it from BidorBuy or you’re heading to one of the importer sites like BigAppleBuddy. Alienware hardware is very difficult to lay hands on in SA and this model in particular is a mission to find.

You’re going to pay until your wallet is bleeding for it if you bring it in from overseas. It might be a better plan to wait for

Razer’s new Stealth machines to land in SA later this year, unless you’ve got a serious yearning for aliens and more than R65 000 burning a hole in your pocket.

Q

FEELING BLUE(TOOTH)

I am a Stuff subscriber (I think!) and need some help. I want to buy a mid-level Bluetooth speaker (R3500 to R5000) which I need for two functions: as a portable Bluetooth device and also for TV audio. Although we have a good sound system (a Yamaha amp with six B&W speakers), the system operates in a large double volume space and we battle to hear movie audio. It lacks crispness and generally sounds muddy.

Can you recommend a speaker that has an RCA input that meet the above needs? I have researched the Internet but cannot seem to get an definitive answer. Or maybe I should just get a good quality Bluetooth transmitter?

Martin

A

We'd suggest the Bluetooth transmitter, like the Logitech Bluetooth Audio Receiver adaptor (R600, takealot.com) we used for a Tivoli sound system we encountered which still has the CD player component.

We’ve been very happy with the dongle’s performance, plus it has RCA inputs.

Worth R1 400

OP EN

This gadget leapt straig outta testin and into ou rankings.

OF EVERYTHING

NEW

Time changes everything, including Stuff Top Ten placings.

HOT BUY BARGAIN BUY UPDATE Searing with techy genius, a product that’s set our hearts aflame.

A solid gold bargain.

Worth owning, regardless of cashflow.

Smartphones Budget Smartphones Tablets & streamers TVs Laptops Smartwatches & fitness trackers Budget buys

90 9 1 92 93 94 95 96

VR headsets & games 97 Drones, action cams & 98 compact cameras System cameras 99 Headphones 100 Wireless/smart speakers 101 Consoles 102 Games 103

WHERE TO GET THEM

TOP TENS SMARTPHONES

90 HOT BUY

UPDATE

iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 is a monumental smartphone.

While it may not look like much of an upgrade from last year’s iPhone 11, the new A14 Bionic chipset means the iPhone 12 is one of the fastest devices on the market. It now also comes with 5G support, an OLED display, a super safe ceramic shield and an even better camera. It’s also a small thing, but those hardangled corners are just so much nicer to use.

We’re diehard fans of the iPhone 5, can you tell?

TIPS & TRICKS The iPhone 12 reportedly has 4x better drop performance.

Still, better to be safe than sorry.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Apple’s best smartphone to date, it’s difficult to see how they could top this

Snap a MagSafe wallet to the bac of your iPhone 1 and free up som pocket space.

● NOW ADD THIS MagSafe Charger Why bother plugging your phone in to charge when you could just have it stick to a magnet? So much easier.

R800 / istore.co.za

Hope you have a power adapter somewhere as the iPhone 12 w ship with one.

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The Galaxy S21 is an improvement over last year’s snazzy Galaxy S20.

While the actual features might not be substantially different, the S21 is faster, snappier and features one of the best cameras we’ve seen. Oh, and Samsung is still the undisputed ruler of phone displays.

Are you a hardcore gamer? Do you work hard? What if you’re into pro photography? Or do you just want a pretty phone? The Galaxy Note 20 is a powerhouse with enough cool gimmicks and features to just keep on impressing us. If you can afford it, it’s well worth the price.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A slight improvement on an already amazing blueprint

Stuff says ★★★★★ Large and in charge, the Note 20 is one of our favourite devices of 2021

from 19 000 / samsung.com/za

R24 000 / samsung.com/za

Samsung Galaxy S21+

★★★★★ R22 500 / samsung.com/za The Galaxy S21+ is a great phone but for the higher price, it’s not a significant improvement over the S21.

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Huawei P40 Pro

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Apple iPhone 12 Mini

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Samsung Galaxy Note 20

★★★★★ from R25 000 / istore.co.za The best iPhone but even bigger, shinier and unfortunately much more expensive.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

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Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

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★★★★★ R30 000 / samsung.com/za An excellent upgrade overall but that price tag makes our eyes water.

★★★★★ R17 000 / huawei.com/za Look past the lack of Google apps, and this is a premium device with brilliant power under the hood.

★★★★★ from R14 000 / istore.co.za It’s the iPhone 12 but much cuter. It’s no less powerful but it’s still adorable!

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

★★★★★ from R22 500 / istore.co.za Once again, an amazing phone that’s only this low because of that outrageous price.

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UPDATE

LG Velvet 5G

★★★★★ R13 000 / hicell.co.za While it looks cool, the LG Velvet battles to compete with similarly priced devices.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

● Prices quoted are for handset only unless otherwise stated

from R16 500 / istore.co.za

BUDGET PHONES TOP TENS

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HOT NEW BUY

TIPS & TRICKS

Samsung Galaxy A32

You’ll need to manually activate the 90Hz refresh rate… just watch that battery life afterwards.

R5 500 / samsung.com/za

Given how much you’re paying, the Samsung Galaxy A32 is a snazzy little handheld. While it obviously cuts back on some of the more luxurious features belonging to its beefier siblings, we can’t help but appreciate its 90Hz display, long-lived 5 000mAh battery and solid performance even when under duress. The camera even takes decent pictures above and beyond what is expected at this price point, making the A32 our top budget smartphone.

The Galaxy A32 should handle most games well but you’ll notice the device becoming rather warm.

That’s normal.

This budget phone comes with passable Night Mode photography thanks to Samsung’s software smarts.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Excellent value for money, Samsung leads the budget smartphone race, for now ● NOW ADD THIS SoundMagic ES18 Wired Earphones The Galaxy A32 features an audio jack. Make good use of it with these excellent budget ‘buds.

R150 / sound-magic.co.za

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 9

Samsung crafted a very impressive mid-range mobile in the Galaxy A52. It works well and best of all, it doesn’t cost R20K. You get a similar software experience to pricey flagships, plus impressive media creds. It would sit higher if it were a touch cheaper.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is well priced for what it offers. It runs decently, features a competent camera and has excellent battery life. The massive display is also an impressive inclusion at such a low price point. Bloatware holds it back from placing higher on this list.

Stuff says ★★★★★ If you’re looking to emulate that flagship experience, look no further

Stuff says ★★★★★ The value proposition of the Redmi Note 9 outweighs the bloatware

R7 000 / samsung.com/za

R4 000 / takealot.com

★★★★★ R4 000 / takealot.com The Oppo A15 packs in everything you need from a smartphone at an excellent price.

Apple iPhone SE (2020)

★★★★★ R9 000 / istore.co.za One of the most expensive phones here.

Well, it’s still an iPhone.

Vivo Y30

★★★★✩ R3 500 / hificorp.co.za An all-round decent phone let down by the clunky Funtouch operating system.

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Xiaomi Redmi 9T

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Samsung Galaxy A72

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Oppo A15

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★★★★✩ R4 500 / takealot.com The Redmi 9T gets you to your destination despite cutting corners along the way.

★★★★✩ R10 500 / samsung.com/za A powerful phone that’s less value-orientated than it should be at this price.

Nokia 5.4

★★★★✩ R3 800 / cellucity.co.za Despite the less than stellar display and downgrades from the 5.3, it’s not bad.

Hisense H40 Lite

★★★★✩ R4 000 / takealot.com Local is often lekker, even when it comes to budget smartphones that pack a punch.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS TABLETS & STREAMERS HOT BUY

HOT BUY

UPDATE

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Apple iPad Pro (2020)

Xiaomi Mi Box

The old iPad Pro was already our favourite tablet by miles, and the latest update only makes it more desirable. As before, it isn’t cheap; but with its huge and super-slick 120Hz Liquid Retina screen, ludicrously speedy internals and double-lens camera (like the one in the iPhone 11), this is one working device to rule them all. Since Apple added cursor support to iPadOS, it’s also the best tablet to replace your laptop – and a glimpse into the near future of computing.

Buying a TV box in SA is a hit or miss, as most of them are massproduced and run on iffy software. Your best bet is opting for a certified Android box, like the Xiaomi Mi Box S. It’s the second of its kind, and can stream content in 4K from a variety of services on the market. Already have a smart TV? Just add the Mi Box S to up its streaming game. It’s also got Chromecast built-in, with some Assistant chops to improve its desirability. The Play Store offers a variety of apps that should impress any content snob.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Apple’s mega-tablet evolves into an outstanding piece of kit and pulls even further ahead of the pack

Stuff says ★★★★★ Ready to join the Mi too movement? This is by far the best Android box on the market in SA right now

from R12 000 / istore.co.za

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Apple iPad Air (2020)

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

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Apple iPad (2020)

5

Huawei MatePad T8

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from R1 300 / incredible.co.za

UPDATE

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

R22 000 / samsung.com/za The Galaxy Tab S7+ is an excellent device for folks who want a fast, powerful tablet without being locked into Apple’s environment. It also features one of the best displays we’ve ever seen on a tablet.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A worthy contender in the high-end tablet wars

from R1 700 / takealot.com Amazon’s latest streaming stick offers 4K plus a faster processor than its predecessor and comes with an Alexa Voice Remote. It doesn’t have Showmax, but the selection of third-party apps is excellent.

Stuff says ★★★★★ This is the best stick you can buy

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★★★★★ from R6 000 / istore.co.za You can’t go wrong with the standard iPad and the 2020 model only proves that.

★★★★✩ from R2 500 / huawei.com/za A slightly chunkier device for games, series and books. Kid friendly features are a bonus.

oogle Chromecast 3.0

m R900 / hificorp.co.za e Chromecast is a cheaper option to smart your TV, and it works seamlessly. Plug-in, y and cast from your mobile device thout hassle. Pair it to a Google Nest and n more control using Google Assistant. ff says ★★★★★ st your dreams to the TV

from R11 500 / istore.co.za The iPad Air is still one of the best high-end tablets you can find. The addition of the excellent A14 chip makes this one of the fastest, most powerful tablets currently on the market.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Still the go-to all-purpose iPad for most folks

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Apple TV 4K

★★★★✩ from R3 200 / istore.co.za f you’re in the Apple ecosystem, might as well cough up for this one. It works. Well.

Mediabox Maverick

★★★★✩ R1 500 / hificorp.co.za This box packs a punch, winning points for being so easy to install.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

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TVs TOP TENS

HOT BUY

LG OLED 65C9PUA from R52 000 / lg.com/za

Replacing its memorable predecessor, last year’s C-class OLED gives you LG’s most advanced picture and processing tech. It’s got LG’s snappy as heck Alpha9 processor. Along with being faster than we can handle, the set looks beautiful in any setting. Even at its thickest point, the 65in C9 measures just 4.7cm. Joining four HDMI 2.1 sockets, the C9 has three USB ports, ethernet, optical and headphone outputs, and aerial and satellite connections. Oh, and it’s got 4K output.

Stuff says ★★★★★ As expected, the updated C9 is the closest you’ll get to a tiny home cinema TIPS & TRICKS

The C9 offers assistant-smarts — choose between LG’s own ThinQ, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

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● NOW ADD THIS Sony PlayStation 5 If you have a 4K screen you really should be pairing it with the best new-gen console on the market. Your games have never looked better. from R10 000 / koodoo.co.za

It’ll recommend content based on what you’ve previously watched at certain times throughout the day.

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4

Samsung QA65Q60T

5

Panasonic 55FX435Q

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LG 55NANO86 NanoCell UHD

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Samsung 75Q950TS

UPDATE

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Sony 65A8H

from R60 000 / incredible.co.za

★★★★★ from R25 000 / takealot.com Purely on a bang for buck basis, the Q60T is everything you could possibly ask for.

★★★★★ from R7 800 / brandssa.co.za While rare in South Africa, it’s well worth the effort of tracking this bad boy down.

★★★★★ from R18 000 / takealot.com We never wanted to tear our eyes away from this gorgeous screen and neither will you.

★★★★★ from R140 000 / samsung.com/za An amazing 8K TV but that price is… well, let’s be honest, if you’re not Jeff Bezos, it’s too high.

Sony 75X90H

from R40 000 / incredible.co.za

The Sony 65A8H might look a bit pricey (because it is) and short of a feature or two (because it is), but that doesn’t mean it’s not a brilliant TV. Because it is. What it lacks in HDR10+ and HDMI 2.1 support it makes up for with amazing image quality, impressive full range sound and an intuitive Android interface.

The Sony 55X90H is no longer available in South Africa but the 75X90H is as good. Our pick from Sony’s 2020 LED range packs in proprietary TV tech to select what it considers the optimal settings for whatever you’re watching. The 75X90H produces some beautiful colours upscaling nearly everything to 4K-esque quality.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Doesn’t do absolutely everything, but what it does it does brilliantly

Stuff says ★★★★★ This smart Sony might be your secret weapon

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Samsung The Frame 55in 4K

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★★★★✩ R26 000 / samsung.com/za A 4K TV that looks like it belongs in a gallery, even when it’s turned off. Who says television isn’t art?

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★★★★✩ from R9 000 / makro.co.za This budget TV delivers everything you need, including a 4K and some stunning colours.

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Skyworth 55SUC9300

LG UHD 60UN7100

★★★★✩ R11 000 / takealot.com A 60in 4K TV with HDR support, and you don’t have to sell a limb to afford it? Sign us up.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS LAPTOPS TIPS & TRICKS

Who needs a Touch Bar? You can log into your Mac with your iPhone’s Touch ID using the MacID app.

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The universal clipboard lets you copy text on your iPhone and paste it directly to your Mac.

HOT BUY

Apple MacBook Pro 2020

from R24 500 (13in) / istore.co.za

If you thought the spec bump of the 2019 MacBook Pro was worth your time, then the 2020 version will astonish you. There’s nothing as powerful as Apple’s new M1 processor which runs 2.8x faster than the last model, while the GPU pushes speeds 5x faster. A battery life of 20 hours, Wi-Fi 6 support and a gorgeous 13.3in retina display, this is Apple’s next generation. It’s difficult to see how they’ll improve on this design but we won’t have to worry about that for a while. Let’s just enjoy the MacBook’s efficiency at speeds we’ll soon get used to.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The M1 chip is reason enough to upgrade your Macbook Pro ASAP ● NOW ADD THIS Satechi Type-C USB 3 Combo Hub Two ports not enough? This hub adds loads more and sits snugly against the MacBook Pro’s side.

R800 / amazon.com

UPDATE

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Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

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Microsoft Surface Pro 7

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MSI GT76 Titan

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Asus ProArt StudioBook Pro 17

UPDATE

from R19 000 / istore.co.za

★★★★★ R31 000 / takealot.com It’s always business time when you’re working on this overpowered monster of a laptop.

Dell XPS 13 (2020)

NEW

Apple MacBook Air 2020

Asus ExpertBook B9

★★★★★ R37 000 / incredible.co.za An update to the processor and battery continues the XPS 13’s high standard.

★★★★★ from R37 000 / evetech.co.za Gaming has never felt as good (or as metal) as this iron-clad warrior makes the experience.

★★★★★ from R16 000 / incredible.co.za Microsoft’s hybrid is a versatile, portable productivity machine that justifies its price.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 from R19 000 / incredible.co.za

Have we mentioned how much we adore that M1 chip? Cramming all that power into a smaller shell makes for a convenient package.

Improved battery, 3.5x faster CPU and much speedier GPU means that it might not boast the power of the Pro but given how much you’re getting for the price, that’s a fair trade-off.

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 3 isn’t going to dethrone the Apple MacBook Pro as the king of the 13in castle but it’s bound to make the brand (at least, in SA) keep a hand to its neck. Slick design, excellent battery life and that excellent Matte Black hue make this one Microsoft royalty. Apple’s design team should be a tad worried.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Most benefits of the Pro at a smaller price. What’s not to love?

Stuff says ★★★★★ We couldn’t be more pleased with our first Surface laptop

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★★★★★ from R60 000 / evetech.co.za It packs a punch with at least an RTX 2070 GPU and up to an Intel Core i9 in a weighty chassis.

★★★★★ from R46 000 / evetech.co.za The best desktop replacement for any creative or designer looking to go portable.

MSI PS63 Modern

★★★★★ from R27 000 / evetech.co.za Does MSI’s multimedia editing-slayer still play games? Yes. Yes, it bloody well does.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

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SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERS TOP TENS

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TIPS & TRICKS Current times demand frequent hand washing.

Press the wheel, hit Settings and select Handwashing to turn on your timer.

The Apple Watch Series 6 is the next step forward for all you fashionable fitness junkies. It improves on the Series 5 in every way, enhancing what was already the best smartwatch on the market. With a capacity of 32GB, a battery life of around 18 hours on a full charge and every sensor you could possibly need, there’s just something about the efficiency of the Apple Watch that pulls us back in. It gives you everything you need and looks slick while it does it.

Open the Watch app, select My Watch and then Notifications.

You now control which apps send missives through to your wrist.

Stuff says ★★★★★ It’s only logical to upgrade when the Apple Watch continues being the best in the biz ● NOW ADD THIS Nike Sport Band Level up your fitness cred by slipping your Watch into one of Nike’s fitness bands. It won’t make you fitter but it can’t hurt.

R1 100 / istore.co.za

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Garmin Fenix 6S

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

Everything the 5S did the 6S does better, with improvements across the board, if you overlook the battery being a little weaker. The range of sports tracking is still off the charts, it’s more compact than ever and still looks better than nearly any other fitness tracker.

A robust piece of tech that’ll probably last longer than you’d expect, with a sturdy build, great design and decent specs.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 doesn’t lack much, and there’s a helluva lot to love about it. And it has that stylish thing going.

Stuff says ★★★★★ You owe it to yourself to upgrade to this model; it’s better in every way

Stuff says ★★★★★ A powerhouse wearable filled with cool features

R8 500 / samsung.com/za

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro

★★★★★ R7 000 / huawei.com/za Fast, stylish and suitable for any occasion, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro is built to fit any lifestyle.

Garmin Forerunner 945

★★★★★ from R12 000 / garmin.co.za Check temperature and altitude acclimation, make NFC payments, play music and more.

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Garmin Fenix 6

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Huawei Band 4e

UPDATE

R9 200 / takealot.co.za

Apple Watch Series 6 from R9 000 / istore.co.za

The new Sleep mode has a setting that reminds you to charge your Watch an hour before your bedtime.

Set it up. Now.

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★★★★★ from R9 000 / makro.co.za The best fitness-orientated smartwatch, offering incredible levels of detail.

★★★★★ R700 / huawei.com/za It’s the simplicity and value for money that’s ranked the Huawei Band 4e so highly.

Fitbit Charge 4

★★★★★ R2 900 / sportsmanswarehouse.co.za The Charge 4 is a fab fitness tracker that doesn’t look like much but does everything.

Fitbit Inspire 2

★★★★✩ R1 800 / incredibleconnection.co.za This budget Fitbit will save your wallet without sacrificing fitness features.

Polar Vantage V2

★★★★✩ R10 000 / sportsmanswarehouse.co.za This little number is packed with features, but that price tag is daunting.

FOR UP-TO-DATE NEWS VISIT STUFF.CO.ZA OR STUFFSA ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

TOP TENS BUDGET BUYS

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HOT BUY

UPDATE

Razer Seiren Mini Microphone R1 200 / evetech.co.za

TIPS & TRICKS

It’s rare that one encounters a microphone this small that works so well. The new Razer Seiren is the microphone for anyone who spends plenty of hours talking at the computer and doesn’t want a clunky mic hanging over their mouth. It’s also adorable, sitting comfortably out of the way while still putting out some impressively clear audio at a reasonable price.

Make sure you’re sitting a comfortable distance away from the mic to avoid distortion.

Stuff says ★★★★★ One of the best sounding mics we’ve ever heard in this price range

Wanna try recording yourself? Download Audacity and give it a whirl!

● NOW ADD THIS Hybrid FM02 - Pop Filter Make sure those plosives aren’t punching your listeners in the face with a proper pop filter.

R225 / takealot.com

The Seiren Mini Microphone comes in three colours: Black, Mercury and Quartz.

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Raspberry Pi Zero W

5

Fujifilm Instax Mini 11

6

Ring Solar Panel V4

UPDATE

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Game and Watch

UE Wonderboom 2

While it may be simple, this stylish collectible needs to be on every fan’s shelf. Just holding is enough to whisk you back to the classic Nintendo Game and Watch of the 80s. Plus, it includes the original two Super Mario Bros games and Ball.

The only games you’ll ever need.

A rugged little wonder that’ll bring a sonic boost to any occasion without breaking the bank. The UE Wonderboom 2 sports full 360° sound, a 13-hour battery life and an “Outdoor Boost” that does what it says on the tin. It’s also waterproof, dustproof and it floats too.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Simple and snazzy, that’s really all you could ask for in a collectible

Stuff says ★★★★★ The perfect speaker for any occasion, out or indoors

R1 300 / store.nintendo.co.za

R1 500 / takealot.com

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★★★★★ R260 / pishop.co.za No need for dongles or hubs. With the wireless Pi, your projects can be squeezed into smaller places.

★★★★★ R1 290 / takealot.co.za The latest Instax Mini is fun, compact, quirky and perfect for a day out with some friends.

★★★★★ R1 025 /builders.co.za Make sure your security camera never runs out of juice with this adorable solar panel.

Xiaomi Mi TV Stick

★★★★★ R800 / takealot.com Turn any TV, monitor or projector into a smart TV and stream anywhere with this little TV stick.

8

Logitech G403 Hero

9

Kindle Fire 7in Version

UPDATE

10

UPDATE

★★★★★ R1 200 /evetech.com A fantastic mouse that looks and feels fantastic even if you’re on a budget.

★★★★★ from R1 400 / incredible.co.za With 16GB of storage and an 8-hour battery, the Kindle Fire is perfect for reading, checking emails.

Wahl Aqua Groom

★★★✩✩ R1 400 / takealot.com Looking for a decent, affordable, compact beard trimmer? Look no further.

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97

VR HEADSETS & VR GAMES TOP TENS

Oculus Quest 2

Half-Life: Alyx

The Oculus Quest has finally been dethroned by it’s bigger and better sibling, the Quest 2. It’s still the most efficient way to experience VR with the lack of cables and physically tethering to a PC making for an experience that’s like no other. The increased resolution, sitting at 1832x1920, means 50% more pixels than the original Quest, 6GB of RAM and the 90hz refresh rate should hopefully alleviate any nausea. These upgrades mean the system runs faster and smoother than ever.

It’s Half-Life, right? Developers Valve said they’d only go back to the legendary franchise when there was some new kind of technology they wanted to show off and boy howdy, did they succeed with Alyx. One of the most detailed, comprehensive games in VR, Half-Life: Alyx tells a compelling story with riveting combat that shifts from explosive fire-fights to quietly disposing of zombies. Interacting with the environment in virtual space is amazingly done. There’s nothing else like it.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The Oculus Quest 2 is the best even if you have to jump through some Facebook hoops to use it

Stuff says ★★★★★ Valve proves VR could very well be the future because nothing comes close to playing this game

from R11 400 / takealot.com

UPDATE

Oculus Quest

from R19 000 / 180by2.co.za The original Oculus Quest is nothing to turn your nose up at. It’s still just as portable and easy to use, making for an entry into Virtual Reality that’s more streamlined than most headsets (bar one obvious one).

Stuff says ★★★★✩ It’s the older model but it's still impressive UPDATE

1

HOT BUY

Oculus Rift S

R14 800 / 180by2.co.za An amazing swan song for VR’s first gen, the Rift S is excellence made more appealing by its accessible price tag. Just because it's cheaper doesn't mean you shouldn't look out for dangling cables…

Stuff says ★★★★✩ A fantastic headset despite those unruly cables

HTC Vive Pro

★★★★✩ R33 000 (full kit) / evetech.co.za This high-end headset offers the best VR experience by a long way. But at a price.

Oculus Go

★★★★✩ from R6 500 / 180by2.co.za/ Go-godance withthe Goonthe go. It’scheaper than the Quest, and a standalone headset.

from R330 / Oculus Quest/Rift, Vive, Valve Index

2 3

Hitman 3

R1 200 / PSVR Don the bald head and red tie of the world’s greatest assassin and take out your targets with clean efficiency or sheer chaos. There’s no better way to play the modern Hitman game than in VR. Stuff says ★★★★★ Why be you when you can be Agent 47?

Star Wars: Squadrons

from R650 / Valve Index, Vive, Oculus The closest you’ll come to sitting in a real X-Wing cockpit and blowing up those dastardly enemy TIE fighters, Star Wars: Squadrons campaign and multiplayer is some of the most fun we’ve had in VR. Stuff says ★★★★★ Nothing like the smell of photon torpedoes

4

The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners

5

Beat Saber

★★★★★ R220 / PSVR, Oculus, Vive, Valve Index Tense, violent and immersive, this is the best game adaption of The Walking Dead.

★★★★★ from R175 / Oculus Rift, Vive, PSVR Dual laser swords are meant for slicing and dicing blocks to the thumping beat of a song.

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TOP TENS DRONES, ACTION CAMS & COMPACTS

98

HOT BUY

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sony ZV-1

With the Air 2, DJI has built on the basic platform of a simple entry-level drone and thrown in a heap of pro-grade features, so those dipping a tentative toe into the waters of aerial photography or videography no longer have to put up with mediocre content.

The sensor and 48MP resolution produce very sharp imagery, while the ability to shoot in RAW format gives plenty of postproduction options and the DJI Fly app allows for fast image filters, movie edits and social media uploads.

Offering excellent image quality, a great range of video options and features designed specifically for vloggers on the go, Sony outdoes their previous compact camera, the RX-100. Our only issue is the lack of a touchscreen, which still blows our minds, and the battery being inaccessible if the camera is mounted. Yet those are small gripes with a piece of hardware that is one of the best available on the market and an easy recommend for anyone looking at investing in quality, portable cameras.

Stuff says ★★★★★ An easy to use drone for noobs and experts alike – this features some great advancements over the last model

Stuff says ★★★★★ A tremendous compact camera that demonstrates how Sony is still at the top of the photography game

R16 800 / istore.co.za

2

DJI Mini 2

UPDATE

GoPro Hero 9 Black

UPDATE

R9 500 / istore.co.za The follow-up to one of our faves is the Mini, but so much better. It brings 4K to a drone that still impresses with its size. For under 10K, this is an absolute win. Budding drone enthusiasts owe it to themselves to own one.

Stuff says ★★★★★ At this price, what you get is staggering

R10 400 / takealot.com Taking the already excellent GoPro Hero 8 and making it even better, the Hero 9 is GoPro’s best camera to date with a beefed up battery, dual screen functionality and some impressive software improvements.

Stuff says ★★★★★ You won’t find a better action camera anywhere

4

DJI Osmo Action

5

DJI Mavic 2 Pro

UPDATE

UPDATE

R16 800 / outdoorphoto.co.za

★★★★★ R7 100 / takealot.com Face-optimised metering makes DJI’s action cam an ideal choice for vloggers.

★★★★★ R33 900 / ormsdirect.co.za Superbly responsive in the air, this is the gold standard in portable flyers.

2

Sony DSC-RX100 VI

3

Panasonic Lumix TZ220

4

Sony DSC-RX100 VII

5

Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III

R23 000 / kameraz.com Sony is currently dominating the compact camera space. The RX100 VI is a tremendous device that would be even higher on this list if it weren’t for that bulky price tag.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Premium point-and-shoot perfection

R18 000 / outdoorphoto.co.za This Panasonic compact is a significant upgrade from the TZ110, offering extra reach with the zoom lens, better colour reproduction, and an improved experience when using the electronic viewfinder.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Small, neat and not dramatically overpriced

★★★★★ R28 400 / takealot.com A true all-rounder that shoots 24fps at full resolution with a whopping 8x zoom lens.

★★★★★ R13 900 / takealot.com For the asking price, this compact does everything you want and does it well.

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SYSTEM CAMERAS TOP TENS HOT BUY

TIPS & TRICKS

UPDATE

Fujifilm X-T4

It’s easy to set up the X-T4’s customisable Q button: just hold it down for a couple of seconds for options.

R36 300 / ormsdirect.co.za

The Fuji X-T4 might be the high-end mirrorless camera of your dreams. Relatively affordable for a flagship, it excels at stills and video thanks to in-body image stabilisation, high-speed shooting and 4K recording at up to 60fps. Rapid shooting is backed up by fancy AF tricks that feel equally fast and reliable, and even the battery life goes above and beyond the usual standards. There’s no doubting this is a worthy successor to the already fabulous X-T3.

Avoid those wonky horizons by turning on the built-in on-screen level in screen settings.

Fujifilm X Acquire is a clever bit of PC/Mac software that backs up all your X-T4’s custom settings.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A superbly capable mirrorless camera for shooting pretty much anything in style ● NOW ADD THIS Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 This versatile lens covers a bigger zoom range than most and adapts to pretty much any requirements.

R14 000 / ormsdirect.co.za

2

3

4

Sony A7C

5

Panasonic Lumix G9

6

Fujifilm X-T30

7

Fujifilm X-T200

8

Canon EOS 90D

9

Nikon Z6

UPDATE

UPDATE

UPDATE

UPDATE

Fujifilm X-T3

Sony A7 II

It may have been surpassed by the X-T4, but we still can’t find anything bad to say about the X-T3 – it’s just consistently great in so many ways. With pro-level video options, a high-res EVF, and super-fast autofocus and burst shooting, what you’re getting here is an all-round beast of a camera in a small, beautiful form. And now that it’s a last-gen model, it’s also a lot cheaper than it used to be.

The A7 III manages to pack in a lot of technology and desirability for less than R50k. It’s a fantastic all-rounder that’s well suited to a bunch of shooting scenarios, coping well with landscapes, portraits, and even a little bit of high-speed sport shooting.

As a camera design it’s admitedly not the prettiest thing we’ve ever seen, but it handles well for its compact size.

Stuff says ★★★★★ An incredible stills shooter with video smarts to match

Stuff says ★★★★★ A fantastic all-rounder that excels in low-light conditions

R28 200 / ormsdirect.co.za

R48 500 / ormsdirect.co.za UPDATE

10

UPDATE

★★★★★ R34 500 (body) / ormsdirect.co.za The Sony A7C unites portability and precision into a very appealing package.

★★★★★ R22 100 (body) / takealot.com The G9 is still the best Lumix to date, with staggering shooting speeds.

★★★★★ R14 800 (body) / ormsdirect.co.za You get the X-T3’s sensor in a cheaper, smaller body with more spare change for buying lenses.

★★★★★ R15 400 (15-45mm) / kameraz.com A compact, lightweight and easy-to-master camera that won’t break the bank.

★★★★ R23 000 (body) / takealot.com An updated all-rounder, the 90D builds on the 80D with increased power and more megapixels.

★★★★★ R37 000 (body) / ormsdirect.co.za A top-notch and reasonably sized mirrorless camera from the optical experts.

Nikon D850

★★★★★ R58 800 (body) / outdoorphoto.co.za This super-cam has enough fantastic features to excel in pretty much any situation.

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TOP TENS HEADPHONES OT

100

1

UPDATE

Sony WH-

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

With their perfect balance of wearability, e noise-cancelling prowess and audio performance, there just hasn’t been a better package than the Sony XM3s… until now. The XM4s look and sound almost identical, but a range of new features – including Speak-to-Chat, which stops the music when you start talking – aims to lure you away from your current ’phones. If those are the XM3s, it’s tough to justify the upgrade; but it’s going to take something extraordinary to knock Sony off its perch now.

They’re bulkier than the average in-ears and come with a ridiculously large case, but otherwise the QC Earbuds are difficult to fault. The noise-cancelling doesn’t do a disservice to the esteemed QC name, it’s hugely customisable, and the buds themselves sound great: bassier than you might expect, but in a nicely rounded way that retains lots of detail. They’re at the upper end where price is concerned – but if silence is what you seek, you currently won’t find better.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Not surprisingly given their heritage, these are the best all-round noise-cancelling headphones you can buy

Stuff says ★★★★★ A fun listen with excellent noise-cancelling skills, these are the best buds to stick in your ears

from R5 700 / takealot.com

NEW

NEW

NEW

HOT BUY

from R7 500 / takealot.com

2

B&W PX7 Carbon Edition

R9 000 / e-piphany.co.za Bowers and Wilken make some fine headphones, but these are up there with some of its best. Stellar sound quality and a comfortable build make these an easy recommendation… if you can afford them.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A little pricey but worth every cent

R3 500 / incredible.co.za Despite the age of Sony’s XM3’s it’s miraculous what these buds are capable of.

They still feature some of the best noise cancelling in the business and continue to output some of the best audio in its field.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Amazing build and mind-blowing sound

3

Marshall Monitor II ANC

3

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

4

Bose NCH 700

4

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

5

Apple AirPods Max

5

Samsung Galaxy Buds+

R6 300 / takealot.com Marshall’s amp-inspired design shines through with these headphones. They look fab, fold conveniently away and pump out great sound. Whether you’re a musician or an avid music lover these will see you right.

Stuff says ★★★★★ So good, you’ll want to turn them up to eleven

★★★★★ from R10 900 / takealot.com Bose are still the masters of the medium, if comparatively a little overpriced.

★★★★✩ R11 500 / istore.co.za Sounds great but that price and their Applecentric nature keeps them from greatness.

UPDATE

UPDATE

Sony WF-1000XM3

R3 000 / samsung.com/za Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Live are the best from the company yet. If anything, they’ve gotten better over time. Call quality is good but music playback is fantastic.

It’s hard to imagine life without them.

Stuff says ★★★★★ The best sounding beans we’ve ever heard

★★★★★ from R4 000 / samsung.com/za While they sound great, the Buds Pro lack the smart design of the Buds Live.

★★★★★ from R2 700 / samsung.com/za Less ergonomic than the Buds Live, these still pack a punch where they need to.

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WIRELESS AND SMART SPEAKERS TOP TENS HOT

HOT BUY

UPDATE

Sonos Move

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

The Sonos range of wireless speakers had been crying out for a battery-powered portable model for ages – and finally our favourite multiroom audio specialist caved in. Luckily, the Move was worth the wait. Its adaptability and sound quality mean it’s fine value for money, and a no-brainer for anyone who’s already a fan of the brand. Not only is this the speaker Sonos should have launched years ago – it’s one of the best products of its type and price that we’ve heard.

While this magic orb of a smart speaker looks like something you might see in an older Star Trek episode, the latest Echo from Amazon wins because it’s just so efficient. Setting up connections between devices has never been simpler, thanks to an integrated Zigbee hub, and it’s helped along by Amazon’s excellent Routines app. It may not have omnidirectional speakers but that doesn’t matter – you were just going to stick it in a corner anyway. Isn’t that right?

Stuff says ★★★★★ Sonos finally gets up to speed with the portable speaker craze, and in style

Stuff says ★★★★★ While smart speakers are growing in popularity, Amazon is still way ahead of the pack

from R9 500 / takealot.com

UE WonderBoom 2

R2 000 / superbalist.com

UPDATE

DreamWave Tremor

Apple HomePod Mini

from R3 500 / takealot.com 50W of thumping audio output, a 20800mAh rechargeable battery that provides up to 18 hours at medium volume (or eight at full tilt), and the most rugged body we’ve ever seen in a speaker.

Stuff says ★★★★★ It’ll last all day: come rain, snow or sand

UPDATE

5

from R4 000 / takealot.com While Siri is growing more competent with more and more updates, it’s still not as advanced as Alexa or Google. Still, this smart speaker will do what you need and look good while it’s at it.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Apple still has a way to go before it’s competitive

UE Megaboom 3

UPDATE

JBL Xtreme 2

UPDATE

★★★★★ R4 000 / takealot.com You’ll struggle to find a better, longer-lasting or more feature-laden portable speaker.

★★★★★ R5 000 / takealot.com The updated Xtreme offers all the bass for 15-odd hours.

Google Nest Audio

R4 600 / superbalist.com Google has refined its smart speaker with a sound that may be fuller but is still better suited to casual listening. It’s fast and efficient but you should be aware that compatibility can be a problem.

Stuff says ★★★★★ While a little finicky, it’s still an impressive device

from R1 500 / takealot.com These speakers are so good that they consistently sell out in South Africa; if you see one available, you should jump on it! Excellent sound, fantastic battery and super portable, this is one of the best value options out there.

Stuff says ★★★★★ A rugged little wonder with a sonic boost

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5

Sonos One

★★★★✩ R5 000 / takealot.com Easily the best speaker quality available, we’re just not fans of the chunky design.

JBL Link Portable

★★★★✩ R3 350 / takealot.com While this portable smart speaker is cool, it’s not as fully featured as its competitors.

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TOP TENS CONSOLES

1

102

GOT EARS? THEN CHECK OUT…

PlayStation 5 from R10 000 / koodoo.co.za

Next-gen is finally here and it’s looking better than ever. The PlayStation 5 is a behemoth of a console and that size isn’t just for show. Games load faster and look better than ever before thanks to the new solid state drive and the actual machine is quieter than ever. Then there’s the DualSense 5 controller which is just… monumentally cool. Alongside a stellar lineup of launch games, Sony has really outdone itself with its latest console, justifying that price tag. The PS5 is an amazing console all round.

Stuff says ★★★★★ An amazing controller and some solid launch titles make for a great kick off to next-gen gaming Xbox Series X

R12 000 / incredible.co.za Microsoft’s next-gen offering isn’t too shabby either. It’s a beast of a console with some impressive hardware to boot. The reason it’s not in first place is a disappointing controller and lack of launch games.

Stuff says ★★★★★ It’s good but could be better

Nintendo Switch

● BITING COMMENTARY ● BRILLIANT INSIGHTS ● (BAD) JOKES! ● GADGET HANDS-ONS

PlayStation 4 Pro

FIND IT ON iTUNES, SOUNDCLOUD OR YOUR PODCAST PLAYER OF CHOICE SIMPLY SEARCH FOR “STUFFED”

R8 000 / store.nintendo.co.za Nintendo’s console earned a promotion in our list after it impressed us with a growing list of fantastic games. Plus, no other device here offers the joy of portable gaming. Long journeys will never be boring again.

Stuff says ★★★★★ This 2-in-1 console is the real deal UPDATE

★★★★★ from R6 800 / koodoo.co.za A great all round console with one of the best libraries of games in recent memory.

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YOUR ESSENTIAL AUDIO GUIDE TO WHAT’S HOT IN GADGETS

Nintendo Switch Lite

★★★★★ from R5 000 / store.nintendo.co.za Yeah, it’s a tiny bit smaller. But it’s also cheaper and just as powerful as its big bro.

www.stuff.co.za/hubs/podcasts-videos/

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1 TIPS & TRICKS

103

GAMES TOP TENS

HOT NEW BUY

Returnal R1 300 / PS5

Remember to use your dash! Not only will it speed up your runs, it lets you pass through certain attacks.

It’s rare to see a AAA rogue-like and even rarer to see one made so confidently. While Returnal may have you shouting in frustration you’ll keep coming back for more thanks to its tight controls, excellent art design, stunning visuals and compelling narrative. We’ve finished this game multiple times at this point and every time has felt like a similar yet different accomplishment. The first true PS5 exclusive and it shows.

Runs can often take a couple hours so make sure you clear your afternoons.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Returnal is a game that should be on every PS5 owner’s console ● OR PLAY THIS Hades The game that made it cool to have a story in your rogue-like.

R150 / PC, Switch

2

3

4

Monster Hunter: Rise

5

Demon’s Souls

6

The Last of Us Part II

NEW

UPDATE

7 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales R1 200 / PS5

Hitman 3

from R420 / PC, PS, Xbox

Take one of the best PS4 games, Marvel’s Spider-Man, ramp up the graphics, throw in some haptic feedback, a banging soundtrack and a rad new protagonist in this gem of an open-world title. The story hits as hard as combat does.

A fantastic send-off for the World of Assassination, Hitman has never been better. The finale to the excellent trilogy will take you around the world to some of the best levels we’ve seen in years.

Always compelling, satisfying and darkly hilarious, Hitman 3 is great.

Stuff says ★★★★★ Easily the most fun we had in 2021, a must-buy for any PS5 owner

Stuff says ★★★★★ Hitman 3 proves to be an instant classic right out the gate

★★★★★ R1 100 / Switch Monster Hunter is back to its handheld roots with excellent combat and polished loot grind.

★★★★★ R1 200 / PS5 As difficult as it is beautiful, Demon’s Souls is a joy to play and eventually defeat.

★★★★★ R850 / PS4 An emotional story punctuated by savage gameplay; this is still the best recent PS4 title.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

★★★★★ R1 200 / Switch An excellent port and expansion on one of the most underrated Super Mario games.

8

Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War

9

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

UPDATE

UPDATE

UPDATE

10

★★★★★ R700 / PC, PS, Xbox Black Ops is back to dealing with Soviets and we couldn’t be more pleased.

★★★★★ from R700 / PS4, PS5, XSX/S, XBO, PC You wouldn’t think crafty assassins and vikings would mix but they do. Oh boy, they do.

Doom Eternal

★★★★★ from R310 / PS4, XBO, PC, Switch Slaying thousands of demons with a shotgun and a laser greatsword… Need we say more?

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Link’s a-weakening The original voice behind the British Siri was Jon Briggs, famous for his work on The Weakest Link.

There’s a joke in there somewhere about Siri’s position among voice assistants…

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES 2011

Siri ey, Siri! Why are you so bad at answering my questions when Alexa does it so well?

There is a perception Apple’s lost its way regarding voice assistants. Ask Alexa almost anything and you’ll mainly get useful answers. With Siri, there’s a good chance you’ll be told it doesn’t know or “I’ve found this on the web” – with ‘this’ being only vaguely related to what you asked. Apple execs counter by saying Siri is supposed to be a ‘get stuff done machine’ and wasn’t engineered to be Trivial Pursuit. Also, Apple is hamstrung here by its philosophy of prioritising privacy.

H

Hey, Siri! Do you feel bad about that, given that Apple invented voice assistants?

Er, we’re not Siri. And Apple didn’t invent voice assistants. Siri evolved from a US government project to create a cognitive assistant that could learn and organise. On iPhone, it actually started out as a third-party app primarily for guiding you to entertainment and making reservations. Apple took a shine to it, bought it, and then fused Siri to iOS for the launch of the iPhone 4s. Siri then stunned the world, leading to the competition frantically making their own equivalents… which later blazed past Siri, because data.

Hey, Siri! You didn’t answer me. Should I ask Alexa? How about Google? Or Cortana?

Sigh. We’re still not Siri – and we doubt Siri feels anything, given that it hasn’t (yet) attained sentience. As for Apple, it’s expanded Siri with new capabilities, on-device learning and contextual awareness regarding what you do, in order to anticipate apps you’d like to launch or information you’d find useful. So while it might not accurately tell you what the smallest dinosaur was or the name of Napalm Death’s third album, it will help you get things done. We’ll take that — even if our Trivial Pursuit scores are way down.

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