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MAY 2012 ISSUE 25
Double dozen TAB THAT
DELIVERS
THE GALAXY TAB 7.7
ENTICING
MASTERY
SWISS WATCHMAKING AT ITS BEST
EUGENE KASPERSKY CEO CO-FOUNDER KASPERSKY LAB
ISSUE 25
MAY 2012
A sense of pride surrounds TECH team on our second anniversary. Since its launch in May 2010, the magazine has reinvented itself. TECHÕ s evolution brings to mind the famous words of Neil Armstrong Ð it really has been a giant leap. Every new issue served as a new beginning, considering the brainstorming sessions. This helped us deliver interesting stories to keep our readers returning for more, including avid readers from UAE. In your hand is yet another uncompromising development. We have further pushed ourselves to redevelop without losing the essence of who we are. We hope that our 25th issue will serve as a second anniversary gift.
Editor-in-chief
Hatim al Taie Managing Director
Abdullah al Taie General Manager
Rathish Ramachandran Asst. General Manager
Terry Mathukutty Content Head
Sujata Sengupta Dy. Content Head
Poornima Ramani
This issue is a treat to the watch connoisseurs in the country. Featured are some of the most expensive and complicated watches from luxury brands like Christophe Claret, Maitres du Temps and Louis Moinet. They are just the lucky few to have made it to these pages. The model on the cover is sporting one such amazing creation from Maitres du Temps, called the Chapter One Round. Stop drooling all over the watch and the girl, and get to the Time Zone to decide on your favourite. From all of us at TECH, we offer thanks to our readers and advertisers for their continued support over the last two dozen issues. We hope to receive your participation to make TECH even better.
Head - Design
Shyniben Koyakkil Senior Designer
Manu Martin Sales
- Ed
Aaron Davidson Leticia Meneses Angelyn Delos Reyes Produced by
Deenar Press and Publishing LLC
PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of Oman Tel: + 968 24696868, Fax: +968 24693569 E-mail: info@deenarmedia.com
$ Printed at Oman Printers & Stationers
2012 © All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers; while every care has been taken in the preparation of the magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible if factual errors in product and pricing occur. MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time. The publishers regret they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this issue. Please check any quoted hardware specifications and pricing with your supplier before purchase.
MAY 2012 ISSUE 25
16 auDio zoNe Philips audio products deliver amazing acoustics and undistorted sound
18 PhoTograPhy New range of Olympus TOUGH models
20 iNTerview Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and co-founder of Kaspersky Lab
22 aPPs Favourite iPhone, Android and BlackBerry apps
24 comPuTiNg Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 delivers brilliant colours
New power tools from Bosch for manly men
50 gamiNg Xenoblade Chronicles has gorgeous graphics and believable characters
52 Tech arT Make your memories of food real with the ‘steam’ effect
54 movie zoNe Watch out for Dark Shadows, a comedy by Tim Burton
28-46 Time zoNe Featuring Swiss watches known for its craftsmanship and innovation
News 10 NouvoTech 14 Quiz 55 48 DashboarD Spire Boat gives you a taste of fantasy from the depths of the ocean
Tech FavouriTes 56 Tech DirecTory 63
reGuLars
Features
26 Power Tools
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
If you have any queries, mail us on tech@deenarmedia.com, and we will try to answer them in our next issue
Dear editor, I am a student of graphics designing. As part of my curriculum I have had the chance to use professional 3D programs such as 3DMax. But can you tell me something about Maya? Thanks, Sneha
Dear editor, I have uploaded quite a lot of videos on YouTube. However, I want to secure them, so that only my family and friends can see it. How do I do this? Ruby
Dear Sneha, Dear Ruby, Maya is also a 3D Modelling and Rendering program, similar to Lightwave and 3DMax. It is considered one of the top programs in its class. In addition to 3D work, Maya is also used for matte paintings that are typically used in digital work for backgrounds. It is widely used in the gaming industry. However, note that it is not for the beginner or casual user. When you look at film-making history, you’ll learn that many films have received Academy Awards for Visual Effects, thanks to the professional artists using Maya – an example of this is the Oscar-winning film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. - Ed
The truth is, using YouTube or any other video sharing website is the wrong way to go about sharing your videos. If you want to send someone a secure video, a better way would be to use WinRAR. Encrypt your file with a password and then use the many private file transfer services that are available online. However, make sure you use a reputed one. Once you send the file you can send the password to your family for them to access the video. While this may not be 100 per cent foolproof, it is definitely far safer than YouTube. - Ed
Dear editor, I have always had this doubt about the compatibility of USBs. Can my USB device run on a particular OS and if so, will it be compatible with other operating systems? Hilal Dear Hilal,
Dear Sharon,
When talking about USB devices, note that its compatibility depends on the availability of drivers for the particular OS. For portable hard drives and flash drives, however, it is slightly more complicated. Their compatibility depends on the file system that the drive has been formatted to and whether the OS has the necessary drivers to read and write on the same. As an example, FAT-formatted drives work perfectly fine on both Windows and Mac OS X. But NTFS, although a superior system, works fine on all Windows systems that came after Windows NT, but have ‘read only’ capability on new Mac OS X systems. If you are running another OS, a quick search online will give you the information you require on the compatibility of the respective file system on that particular OS.
Each torrent has a unique fingerprint called a ‘hash’ or ‘info hash’. It ensures that the completed download will be uncorrupted. And also ensures that malware cannot be injected into an otherwise clean torrent. The content in a torrent is broken down into pieces, or ‘bits’, for transfer. Each piece has its own hash and its hash is compared to the info hash of the torrent. If the hashes match, then the piece is accepted as part of the download. If the hashes do not match, then the piece is rejected.
- Ed
8 / TECH
Dear editor, What is a bit torrent info hash? Thanks, Sharon
- Ed
A sense of pride surrounds TECH team on our second anniversary. Here is what our supporters had to say.
“...professional magazine that maintains international standards in terms of content and print quality...”
“...congratulations for successfully running the country’s 1st TECH magazine... helps us reach out to a customer base that is tech-savvy...” Devan Thuppali, GM, OHI Electronics
Khalid Kadiri, Operations Manager, Photocentre
"TECH Magazine is the best and well-known IT gadget magazine in Oman.” Keitaro So, GM, Fujifilm Middle East
“...informative and useful destination for the latest in technology…” Sharath Ns Pillai, Country Manager, Better Life – Al Gurg Home Appliances & Furniture’s
Thank you for the support
“...TECH helped fill up knowledge gap regarding new tech products for the discerning customers in Oman.” George Alexander, GM, Oman Marketing & Services Co.
“...your team has been delivering an excellent publication…” Ujjawal Tankha, Country Head, Max Electronics
NEWS
Samsung launches Series 5 ULTRA
Avant-garde innovation The TAG Heuer RACER is engineered without compromise. It sports a highspeed processor and the latest Android software. The collection starts at EUR2,800 (RO1,425) and will be available in July.
New technology Ajay Ganti (left), CEO of Sarco, along with representatives from Samsung Gulf Electronics, at the launch of the Series 5 ULTRA notebooks Recently launched in Oman by Samsung Electronics, the Series 5 ULTRA redefines computing experience. It offers top-ofthe-line performance in a thin, light and stylish body. Powered by a 2nd generation Intel Core i5 processor, it combines ExpressCache system by Diskeeper and a powerful AMD Radeon HD graphics card to deliver an incredible experience. Denzil Dsouza, business head of notebooks, said, “We ended 2011 on a
high note with 66 per cent growth in the Samsung Notebook PC business in the Gulf region. We are confident that the launch of the Series 5 ULTRA will further strengthen our notebook line-up and solidify our growing position within the Notebook PC industry.” The Samsung Series 5 Ultrabook will be available across all major electronics stores in Oman, retailing at RO399.
Impressive keyboard The PSR-A2000 from Yamaha provides an incredibly diverse sonic palette that features an impressive 1,078 voices and 351 styles, including Arabic, Maghreb, Khaligi, Iranian, Turkish and Greek styles. Of particular note is the Oriental Expansion Pack (it comes along with the keyboard), which fills all 64 megabytes of free memory with Arabic styles and voices that can be combined with onboard voices for incredible sounds. The new PSR-A2000 provides an optimised
10 / TECH
user interface and a wealth of new functions and voices. In addition, the PSR-S650, a new western music keyboard, the PSR-S710 and the PSR-S910, western music keyboard workstations, are also available in the retail store of Yamaha musical products located in MQ. Oman Marketing and Services Company (Omasco) is the authorised distributor of Yamaha musical products in Oman.
Seagate has become the first hard drive maker to achieve the milestone storage density of one terabit per square inch. This was achieved with heatassisted magnetic recording (HAMR), the next-generation recording technology.
Fun conferences The Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam is the first communications tool to combine a full HD webcam with a highquality, omni-directional full-duplex speakerphone in one USB device. With a wide 78-degree field of view and 180-degree video pan and support for 1080p, it will be available for GBP200 (RO125).
USD11m laptop sleeve Made of more than 8,800 round cut diamonds, this is the world’s most expensive laptop sleeve designed by the Dutch fashionable laptop sleeve company CoverBee. The opening is protected with rare black sable fur from Siberia. You can make an order via www.CoverBee.com.
Experiencing sound Oman International Electronics, the exclusive distributors of Bose products in Oman, is a leading company in AV solutions. They recently organised a seminar for professional products for commercial, hospitality, educational and entertainment applications. The seminar showcased solutions in background music, foreground music, public addressing and live applications. The seminar was attended by various ministry delegates, engineers from leading consultants and architects in the sultanate. Bose Pro team had presented detailed explanations on the sound technology and invention of Bose Pro products, a very interactive session with the introduction of a new range of ceiling speakers, wall speakers, both for indoor and outdoor applications.
Seminar for professional products for commercial, hospitality, educational and entertainment applications conducted by Oman International Electronics The attendees experienced amazing sound quality from the new range of
FreeSpace products, thanks to a live demo of Bose technology.
Staying cool Haier launches floor-standing and cassette air conditioners this summer. The Commercial Cool portable air conditioner will keep you comfortable. The unit comes complete with an extended window exhaust kit that enables use practically right out of the box. Auto Evaporation feature makes manual draining unnecessary in this ultra-compact model. It is available in the four-tonne (HPU 50CA03) and fivetonne (HPU60CA03) models. It has a colourful control panel. It supplies air to a distance of 15m, and the
160-degree wide-angle airflow reaches every corner of the room. It supports three-directional airflow by adopting two stepping motors to combine vertical and horizontal auto-swing and then circulating cool/warm air to every corner of the room. The cassette air-conditioners feature a compact design and come with a built-in drain pump. It is available in the two-tonne (HBU 24CA03) and 3.5-tonne (HBU 36CA03) models. Haier air-conditioners are available at the retail outlet of Mustafa Sultan Electronics (24636015/24831135).
WD gets capacity boost Western Digital recently announced the next generation of its top-selling My Passport line of portable hard drives, offering consumers a fresh new enclosure design and the firstever 2TB capacity in a portable drive. Available in five popular colours – white, black, silver, blue and red, with a range of capacities beginning from 500GB – the sleek My Passport portable drives offer digital consumers an appealing array of storage options that reflect their personal style. They also offer WD SmartWare automatic backup software and WD Security for password protection and hardware encryption. The outer shell is more resistant to scratches and fingerprints. It features ultra-fast USB 3.0 connectivity and USB 2.0 compatibility. The 2TB edition is available online at the WD store for an MSRP of USD250 (RO95).
MAY 2012 / 11
Affordable smartphones
Nokia has announced the launch of the Asha range of devices in Oman which includes four new affordable smartphones that feature a stylish design and a rich social experience for people who want to work, play and connect. ‘Asha’ – derived from the Hindi word for ‘hope’ – will allow consumers to have access to a smartphone experience by being able to download apps, surf the Web, check email, play games and chat at an affordable price point.
the best access to social networks, the Internet and information, and also offer a great overall experience and value proposition for the next billion mobile phone users. These consumers want access to innovations such as easy-touse dual-SIM, a variety of engaging local apps, attractive and colourful designs and the superior user experience for which Nokia phones are known for,” said Vithesh Reddy, general manager, Nokia Lower Gulf.
“Nokia continues its mission to deliver high-quality, stylish devices that provide
The Asha range includes Nokia Asha 200, 300, 302 and 303.
Energy-efficient processor ARM announced the ARM Cortex-M0+ processor, the world’s most energyefficient microprocessor. It has been optimised to deliver ultra low-power, low-cost MCUs for intelligent sensors and smart control systems in a broad range of applications including home appliances, white goods, medical monitoring, metering, lighting and power and motor control devices. The 32-bit Cortex-M0+ processor consumes
12 / TECH
just 9µA/ MHz on a low-cost 90nm LP process, around one-third of the energy of any eightor 16-bit processor available today, while delivering significantly higher performance. Early licensees of the Cortex-M0+ processor include Freescale and NXP Semiconductor.
FEATURE-RICH RECEIVERS Onkyo has introduced two new mid-line audio-video receivers – the TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 – which are 7.2 channel network AV receivers that offer an exciting mix of advanced networking technology, high performance video and THXcertified sound quality. Onkyo is the first AVR brand to offer the new InstaPrevue and MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) technologies, and both are available on these new receivers. InstaPrevue displays video thumbnails representing available content on devices connected via HDMI, which greatly simplifies the process of switching HDMI sources. These receivers are well suited to powering an existing home theatre setup, or as a centrepiece around which a magnificent new system can be built. Onkyo delivers the kind of features and performance that keeps the everyday user at the cutting edge of home theatre technology. The TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 will be available with the suggested retail prices of USD999 (RO385) and USD1,199 (RO460), respectively.
REUNITING ICONIC BRANDS The Commodore AMIGA mini is a trail blazing power-house featuring Intel’s i7-2700k 3.5GHz quad-core processor, 16GB RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 GPU with 1GB DDR3. It is small and features a solid, all-aluminium seamless housing, micro-sandblasted with an anodic oxidation finish.
Get active
Next-gen eye tracker
The Ematic eSport Clip is an MP3/Video Player with a 1.8-inch colour display. Ideal for people with an active lifestyle, it keeps the user’s hands free with a built-in clip. It comes with a 4GB flash memory, high-speed USB 2.0 connection, and a 5MP built-in digital camera.
Bringing versatilities
Tobii Technology, the world leader in eye tracking and gaze interaction, announced the introduction of its next-generation eye tracking integration component, the Tobii IS-2 Eye Tracker. “By introducing the smallest and most reliable eye-tracking system on the market, we are bringing the power of eye tracking and gaze interaction to a wide range of products and applications,” said Henrik
Synology DiskStation DS412+ is the latest 4-bay NAS server addition for small and medium businesses. Powered by a 2.13GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM, the high performance upgrade yields read and write speed at 205.68MB/sec. It reinforces high data availability with the dual LAN failover support and hot-swappable drives to eliminate the potential of drive or network discontinuity.
Eskilsson, CEO of Tobii Technology. With Tobii IS-2 Eye Tracker, eye and gaze tracking functions can easily be added to products such as high-end computer monitors or peripherals, computer-aided design (CAD), medical imaging, air traffic control, baggage scanning, arcade games and slot machines, infotainment systems in public places or hospitals, and eye position for 3D and other segments.
FOR AUDIO ENTHUSIASTS
Kid-friendly tablet
The seven-inch Android tablet for children from Archos, called the Child Pad, features a compact lightweight design, the latest Android version, Ice Cream Sandwich, a 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. It is available at a suggested retail price of USD129 (RO50).
Pioneer Electronics expanded its family of audio-video receivers with four 5.1 and 7.1-channel receivers. They offer the connections and operability options consumers are accustomed to with their iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The new video receivers, the VSX-522, VSX-822, VSX-1022 and the VSX-1122, come with a variety of powerful feature sets that include Apple’s Airplay, DLNA 1.5, 3D HDMI connectivity and Internet radio.
audio and video entertainment. So it’s extremely important that consumers can easily incorporate them with our receivers,” said Chris Walker, director AV marketing and product planning for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics. The new models are designed with a modern brushed finish to match any home theatre.
“Portable devices like smartphones and tablets are now primary sources for
MAY 2012 / 13
NOUVOTECH TECH
DOUBLE THE FUN Wacom’s Bamboo Stylus duo is a new dual-purpose stylus for the iPad and Android tablets. It combines a capacitive pen tip for on-screen input at one end with a premium ball-point ink pen at the other end for use on traditional paper. With an elegant design and quality craftsmanship, Bamboo Stylus duo is the ideal tool for writing, drawing or doodling in both a digital and analogue world. It sports a simple clean shape and satin textured metal body. The pen cap can conveniently be attached to either end of the pen. It gives you an enhanced stylus user experience with an authentic and intuitive note-taking app (Bamboo Paper). It is priced at USD40 (RO15).
PORTABLE ENTERTAINMENT LIL KIKR is a premium iPhone and iPod charging dock made of high quality materials and designed to charge and amplify the sound up to 10db. It features a simple, clean design matching the Apple aesthetic. Made from premium aircraft-grade aluminium and steel, LIL KIKR is a strong and stable dock for the iPod Nano 3G, iPod 6G, iPod Touch, iPhone 3/3G and iPhone 4/4S. Featuring non-slip rubber caps on the back and bottom of the dock, the LIL KIKR features a portable design perfect for at home or on the go.
Fun with
keys
This quirky watch looks like a tiny ten-key number pad on your wrist. The watch, however, might leave some people rather perplexed. But not to worry, reading the time is quite easy. Simply push any of the number keys and the time will light up, one digit at a time. The watch comes in classic keyboard ivory or black.
14 / TECH
ORGANIC CLEANING This is an organic air purifier that eliminates 99.9 per cent of all pollutants while reducing odours. The air purifier creates neutral ambient air that attracts positively and negatively charged airborne impurities, draws them into the unit with a fan, and destroys them with a mixture of water and an organic enzyme. The enzyme breaks down all carbon bonds to destroy any organic matter, including mould, viruses and pet dander. Unlike traditional filtration methods that fail to remove pollutants smaller than 0.3 microns, the organic air purifier destroys VOCs, bacteria and allergens that pass through ordinary filters. The fan produces only 12dB and the filter-less design eliminates the need for costly replacement filters.
Ring that bell Swann’s MP3 DJ Doorbell is a customisable wireless doorbell that stores and plays music when the bell is pressed. Comprised of a speaker unit and a push button doorbell unit, it boasts a modern white, high-gloss design. Simply attach the push button doorbell by the front door with double-sided adhesive and either mount the speaker on the wall with screws or position it on top of a credenza. When the doorbell is pressed it sends a wireless signal to the speaker to begin playing your favourite music. Since both units are also battery powered, there’s no need to run wiring of any kind. It has an MSRP of USD50 (RO19).
EXCEPTIONAL AUDIO Satechi’s Audio Cube Bluetooth Speaker features a unique, portable design. It delivers 2x2 watts of exceptional audio performance compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including iPhone 4S, Android phones, the new iPad and MacBook Pro. It has a built-in rechargeable battery. It boasts a dual-channel speaker system with each channel output providing 2W of power for optimum sound quality. It is available now for USD45 (RO17).
Speak up This the only USB storage drive that secures its contents with a password spoken by its owner. With an 8GB capacity for storing sensitive files, the drive’s sophisticated voice recognition software detects the specific frequencies and nuances of its owner’s voice. Requiring no software installation, operation is as simple as plugging it into a USB port and speaking a password. Once authenticated, you can access stored files from your computer.
Social music The Miselu ‘neiro’ is a portable, netenabled social music device with a musical keyboard and a wide multi-touch display, and a variety of musical apps and cloud services. This Android-based mobile companion invites users to perform, create, learn, discover and share. The open platform environment will also enable developers and users to build their
own custom apps and solutions. Yamaha is providing the upcoming ‘neiro’ with the Yamaha AudioEngine Series Sound Chip NSX-1. This powerful synthesiser engine delivers a quality that almost matches the sound of real musical instruments. The DSP chip offers a larger variety of sound effects such as reverb, chorus and EQs that create a rich sound experience. MAY 2012 / 15
AUDIOZONE
ROCK
YOUR WORLD
Enjoy amazing acoustics with the latest audio products from Philips
SOundHub homE ThEATRE
KEY FEATURES • Exposed titanium tweeters for undistorted sound • Full HD 3D Blu-ray
Acoustic details are amazing thanks to the proprietary Premium Class-D amplifiers. And with the rigid and light titanium tweeters, the 9000 series SoundHub home theatre lets you enjoy undistorted sound. The HTS9241 incorporates Active 3D feature for depth and realism in full 1920x1080 HD resolution. A built-in dock for your Apple device lets you charge and control your iPod or iPhone, and browse through the contents on your TV screen. Smart TV offers an array of enhanced entertainment features, including Net TV, DLNA and MyRemote. With the Philips MyRemote app you can use your smartphone or tablet PC to control your home theatre.
• Built-in dock for playback from iPod/iPhone • Built-in Wi-Fi • Smart TV for online services
GOGEAR ARiAz mP4 PLAyER Innovative FullSound technology restores sonic details to compressed MP3 music, enriching your music experience. It combines Philips’ expertise in music reproduction with the latest generation Digital Signal Processor (DSP). With the angled acoustic design, the sound isolation headphone eliminates unwanted background noise. The GoGEAR player (SA3ARA08K) has a voice recording feature that converts your gadget into a handy dictation machine. The player also features an intuitive and powerful music management system called the Songbird that lets you discover and play all your media, and sync it seamlessly with your Philips GoGEAR.
KEY FEATURES • FullSound technology • Sound isolation headphones • Built-in speaker • 2.4-inch full colour display • Songbird feature – a simple program to discover, play and sync
* Products available at Mustafa Sultan Electronics, 24636015
16 / TECH
us on www.facebook.com/techoman to get the high-quality sticker shown below and get enrolled into a draw for a chance to win a Samsung camera
MAY 2012 / 17
PHOTOGRAPHY
‘1’ TOUGH
cookie W
ith an excellent, extra-wide aperture f2.0 high-speed lens, the TG-1 TOUGH camera can capture highquality images even in the permanent twilight found 12m underwater. This flagship model is waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and crushproof*. For the serious photographer, waterproof fisheye and tele-converter lenses are available. The camera also features Olympus’ iHS (Intelligence, High Sensitivity and High
KEY FEATURES • Built-in manometer • LED illuminator for lighting up underwater scenes or macro subjects • Multi-motion Movie IS • HDR Backlight Adjustment for ideal exposure • 3D photo shooting mode
18 / TECH
Speed) technologies, a colour-rich, highcontrast, anti-reflective OLED display, GPS and e.compass. It also comes with three new shooting modes – low light, super sports and super macro. Combined with the powerful TruePic VI image processor and 12MP low-noise, highsensitivity CMOS sensor, the TG-1’s lens makes it possible to shoot pictures in low light conditions. The camera also features the same FAST AF system technology found in Olympus’ PEN cameras.
The new line-up of Olympus TOUGH cameras are engineered to excel underwater Tough The TG-1 is crushproof up to 100kg, waterproof up to 12m, shockproof up to 2m and freezeproof up to -10 degrees Celsius. It has a sliding doublelock mechanism and metal body for optimum protection of battery, card slots and ports. It features a hard glass lens barrier for extra-tough lens protection. It incorporates water-repellent and scratchresistant double seal technology.
DETAILS SENSOR 12MP backlit CMOS sensor SCREEN Three-inch OLED, 610K dots STORAGE SDHC and SDXC memory cards CONNECTIONS USB 2.0, HDMI
*Waterproof according to IEC standard publication
AVAILABLE AT Photocentre, 24565305
Standard (Olympus test conditions). Freezeproof
529 IPX8. Shockproof figures equivalent to MIL according to Olympus test conditions.
TG-320
TG-620
TG-820
QUICK LOOK With Olympus’ sophisticated system of double seals, the camera’s inner casing is protected. The double lock mechanism prevents users from unintentionally exposing the card slots, ports and battery compartment underwater. Other new TOUGH cameras include the TG-320, TG-620 and TG-820.
TG-320
TG-620 and TG-820
• Waterproof up to 3m, shockproof up to 1.5m, freezeproof up to -10 degrees Celsius • Lightweight, rugged chassis; hard glass lens barrier for extra-tough lens protection • 3.6x zoom lens with ED lens elements (Extra-low Dispersion lenses) • 17 scene modes and eight Magic Filter effects • HD video recording in 720p
The digital cameras feature ‘iHS’ cuttingedge technology. The term stands for intelligence, high-sensitivity and highspeed. The TOUGH cameras feature a powerful image processor with TruePic VI engine for high image quality and high-speed processing. The backlit CMOS sensor ensures high sensitivity and less noise. • 12MP backlit CMOS sensor • 1080p Full HD Movie and HDMI Control • Multi-motion Movie IS • iHS technology • Dual Image Stabilisation • Advanced iAuto and AF Tracking • 3D Photo Shooting Mode • HDR Backlight Adjustment • LED Illuminator
MAY 2012 / 19
INTERVIEW
E M I R C HTER G I F es in v e i l e b sky
Kasper
20 / TECH
ile se
inv
ob m n i g n esti
uture
he f t n i y t i cur
P
reconceived impressions are shattered when you meet Eugene Kaspersky in person. Hoping to catch him with a Samsung Galaxy Note, or at the very least, an Apple iPhone, imagine the shock of finding him with a five-year-old Sony Ericsson mobile. His response to my reaction – “It works”. He admits that his one-year-old Lenovo notebook is currently his favourite gadget. The CEO and co-founder of Kaspersky Lab is a very amiable and practical human being. And he modestly admits to his failed attempts at using a Mac. He jokes that he processes hundreds of emails while travelling by air, where he is not troubled with interviews, and his attempts on Mac have been a failure. He explains, “It’s not Apple’s fault. The device is fantastic and the software is quite smooth. But their email systems are not my style. On my Mac, every time I reply to an email, a message that I am offline pops up. The moment I click OK the focus is gone. I have to move the mouse around and then continue. And then another message pops up. Also, software that work fine on Microsoft Windows have a Mac version with reduced functionality. With a Mac you need to use four fingers, or sometimes even more, for hot keys.” In Muscat for the cyber defence summit, the Russian maths-lover is happy with the increase in awareness of cyber security. In fact, the biggest deal for Kaspersky in Oman is with the Ministry of Health, with its 42,000 licenses. “The increase in number of conferences and events attended by the governments, top officials, and sometimes even presidents and prime ministers, shows that there is a high level of awareness of the cyber security issues. It’s not my job to talk about cyber crime anymore as other people have started discussing it. I am now trying to push people’s thoughts into other areas like cyber weapons, cyber war and mobile security.” In fact, investing in mobile security is one of Kaspersky’s future plans. He adds, “The consumer world is switching to the post-PC era. In a few years from now ordinary people who don’t need Microsoft Office and business software will switch to mobile systems. And the world will split into the PC or the business world and the mobile or consumer world. And cyber criminals will also divide themselves in these two directions.” He goes on to explain that the first smartphone virus was found in 2004. And until 2011 there were just over a 1,000 Trojans, worms and viruses found for smartphones – a statistic that lasted for almost eight years. “But just in November, more than 1,000 new
Statistic shows that cyber criminals recognise mobile systems are good targets. So there is an exponential growth in mobile attacks malwares were found. December was the same and in March more than 3,000 new malware were found. This statistic shows that cyber criminals recognise that smartphones and mobile systems are good targets. And so there is an exponential growth in mobile attacks. However, although the number of attacks is growing exponentially, the level of awareness is still on a slow increase. So, one of my tasks is to explain mobile cyber threat issues and to help people not become easy victims,” he says. We got Kaspersky’s take on quite a lot of things at this tête-a-tête and one thing that stuck was his response to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) controversy – “Listen to Don’t download this song by ‘Weird al’ Yankovic”. Kaspersky does not support the SOPA initiative. Moreover,
he believes that it might actually be counter-productive to the public interest. As a result, his company decided to discontinue its membership in the BSA (Business Software Alliance) as of January 2012. On a concluding note, Kaspersky spews out a statistic that is quite frightening and discouraging to the cyber crime fighters. “Our experts’ research shows that cyber criminals earn anywhere around USD2,000 every day, including weekends. It’s like traditional crime. It’s not possible to stop it, but it’s possible to control it. However, at the moment cyber crime is not under control, and the criminals are free to do what they want. And there are so many criminals that we end up collecting millions of new malware a month.” He jokingly adds that the criminals are giving the crime fighters a lot of work to do, even during weekends. Whoever said crime doesn’t pay has not been a cyber criminal.
ABOUT EUGENE KASPERSKY After graduating from the Institute of Cryptography, Telecommunications and Computer Science in 1987, Kaspersky worked at a multi-disciplinary research institute. It was there that he first began studying computer viruses after detecting the Cascade virus on his computer in October 1989. He analysed the virus and developed a disinfection utility for it – the first such utility he developed. He then started collecting malicious programs and disinfection modules. This exotic collection later formed the foundation of the famous anti-virus database in Kaspersky AntiVirus. Today, this database includes more than 1.3 million records and is one of the most complete anti-virus databases in the world. In 1991, Kaspersky joined the KAMI Information Technologies Center, where he and a group of colleagues
developed the AVP anti-virus project, which became the prototype for Kaspersky Anti-Virus. International recognition of the project arrived in 1994, when the virtually unknown AVP won a contest conducted by Hamburg University’s test lab, demonstrating a higher virus detection rate than the most popular anti-virus programs at the time. In 1997, Kaspersky and his colleagues decided to establish an independent company, becoming the founders of Kaspersky Lab. From that moment, he has headed the company’s anti-virus research. In 2007, he was named the CEO. In 2009, Eugene Kaspersky was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology and is currently a member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
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APPS
Burn calories with these healthy applications
APPS FOR iPHONE FOODUCATE FREE
SPORTS TRACKER FREE Scan a product barcode, see the product’s highlights, compare and select healthier alternatives
INSTANT HEART RATE FREE Measure your heart rate instantly; the app uses your iPhone’s camera to detect the pulse in your fingertip
mICOACH FREE
Track and analyse your performance, share workout data and photos with your friends
NOOm WEIGHT LOSS COACH FREE Digital coach in your pocket that tells you what to do to lose weight; tracks and grades you on the progress
CALORIE COUNTER BY FATSECRET FREE With GPS and real-time voice coaching, pace your workout; share your achievements at miCoach. com
THE EATERY FREE
Find nutritional info for the food you eat and keep track of your meals, exercise and weight
ULTITRACK 90 FITNESS TRACKER USD1.29 (500Bz) Snap photos of your food; recording your meals helps you lose weight as it makes you aware of your habits
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APPS FOR ANDROID NDROID
Simple and elegant; tracks weight, reps, band, time, and date for each exercise
APPS FOR BLACKBERRY GYm TECHNIK FREE Get workout guidance, track workouts, body stats, and schedule monthly workout routines
POINTSPLUS CALCULATOR FREE Easily and quickly work out the PointsPlus values of any food or activity when on the go
mYCALmBEAT FREE Pace your breathing and strengthen calm reflexes that allow you to effectively manage stress
XERCISE USD3.99 (RO1.500) Complete workout log/ tools; track personal records on lifts and exercises
MAY 2012 / 23
COMPUTING
TABBING
MAGIC A display that delivers brilliant colours
S
amsung has always been known for its brilliant displays. And the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is no exception. In fact, it is the first tablet to feature the Super AMOLED Plus display that helps deliver brilliant colours. The display technology has the best colour gamut, contrast ratio, sharpness and response time. No matter at what angle the tab is held, the picture is always crisp, especially in combination with the 7.7-inch WXGA display that offers the highest pixel density. Thinner and lighter than ever
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before, this gadget, with its innovative metal design, covers two things that people look for in a tablet – portability and performance. Paired with Samsung’s superior hardware and software innovations, this is one device you don’t want to miss. The Android (Honeycomb) platform has been refined to offer consumers the ultimate experience. The new compatibility zoom mode optimises applications that are not designed to run on larger screen sizes, so they fit on the entire screen without distortion.
Interface The TouchWiz UX user interface offers Live Panel feature, a customisable home screen experience. This allows the content to be instantly accessed from the home screen, including your emails, image galleries, favourite websites and social network feeds. The Mini Apps feature has also been upgraded so you can choose and edit your own Mini Apps tray. With this you can easily access features such as Calendar or PenMemo as a pop up over the full screen applications.
Front camera
QUICK LOOK The Galaxy Tab 7.7 features
Back camera
196.7mm
• Full HD player • Adobe Flash Player support for rich browsing • Suite of Google services, including Android Market, Google Talk, Gmail, Google Calendar, YouTube, Google Maps, Google Latitude, Google Places, and Google Maps Navigation • Voice call capability
3.5mm jack
On/Off Sleep/Wake
Volume
SIM
MICRO SD slot
133mm
DETAILS OPERATING SYSTEM Android 3.2, Honeycomb PROCESSOR 1.4GHz dual-core processor DISPLAY 7.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus, 1,280x800 WXGA screen MEMORY RAM: 1GB, ROM: 16/32/64GB, microSD up to 32GB CAMERA Back: 3MP, Front: 2MP 7.89mm
CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth v3.0, USB 2.0 Host AVAILABLE AT Sarco, 24593025
SAmSUNG HUBS READERS HUB gives you access to over 2.3 million e-books, 2,000 newspapers and 3,000 magazines in up to 49 languages SOCIAL HUB integrates all social networking, email, SNS and Instant Messaging accounts into a single interface MUSIC HUB gives you access to preview, download and play over 15 million songs GAME HUB offers social network and premium games delivered with lightning-fast graphics
MAY 2012 / 25
POWERTOOLS
FoR mEN Get ready to strap on your tool belt with these power tools from Bosch
MX30E mULTi-X oSciLLATiNg TooL PRICE OF KIT USD200 (RO75) TO USD300 (RO115)
DESIGN Reinforced gear housing, small grip circumference and multiple soft-grip areas
RHS181 comPAcT RoTARy hAmmER PRICE USD285 (RO110) This is a lightweight tool that features a high-performance motor with increased power, extended tool lifetime and amplified stall torque. It comes with a variable speed trigger and a two-mode drive that allows users to switch between drilling and drilling with hammer action. Electronic Cell Protection and the new lithium-ion HC 3.0Ah Fat Pack Battery deliver unmatched runtime.
SDS-plus chuck delivers optimal performance when drilling the most common diameters, including 3/16inch, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch holes
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Ideal for a wide array of cutting, grinding, scraping, and sanding applications, the MX30E features a tool-less accessory change lever. This makes it easier to attach or reposition the OIS (Oscillating Interface System) accessories. With an amp rating of 3.0A, it efficiently delivers power for heavier applications. Speed can be adjusted from 8,000 to 20,000 oscillations per minute (OPM), depending on the requirements of the task.
RH228VC RoTARy hAmmER PRICE USD260 (RO100) The Bulldog Xtreme Max rotary hammer delivers 40 per cent more speed, 20 per cent more power and up to 30 per cent less vibration than most hammers in the class. It boasts enhancements – a longer piston and impact bolt, and a precisionmachined striker. It features an internal counter-balance technology to offset vibration. The new piston design and the counter-balance mechanism are both firsts in the RH228VC’s size category.
FEATURES • HammerHook system for innovative tool storage
Vario-Lock SDS-plus chuck allows chisels to rotate to the optimum working angle
• Patented rotating brush plate • 45-degree pivoting cord turret • Integral clutch to minimise torque reaction
TOP 10 BRANDS
• DEWALT • DREMEL • HITACHI • HUSQVARNA
• Variable speed (0 to 1,230rpm under load), three operating modes (hammer, drill and hammer/drill)
• MAKITA • MILWAUKEE • PANASONIC • PORTER-CABLE
• BOSCH • SKIL
MAY 2012 / 27
TIMEZONE
For more than four centuries the Swiss watchmaking industry has been leading the world watch market with its craftsmanship, technologies and innovation
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W
hen it comes to the European paradise of Switzerland, our first thoughts are about the chocolates. But let’s put those thoughts aside for a few moments and appreciate the country’s watchmaking industry instead. The watch and clock industry appeared in Geneva in the middle of the 16th century. And by the end of it, Genevan watches were highly regarded for their quality. The centuries following were rich in inventions and developments, and the Swiss have had plenty of firsts, including the introduction of the first wristwatch, the first quartz watch, the first water-resistant wristwatch, the thinnest wristwatch in the world, the smallest, and even the most expensive. The next 15 pages will give you a peek into this world of haute horlogerie, or what is commonly known as high-end watchmaking.
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CHRISTOPHE CLARET Concepts that open up a world of expression
21 BLAckjAck This is an interactive luxury toy with a miniature casino. A pair of miniature dice, 1.5mm on each side, is located in a cage at the 4 o’clock position, visible through a sapphire crystal. When shaken in their capsule, the dice can be used by one or more players. The winding rotor visible through a glare-proofed sapphire crystal on the back acts as the roulette wheel. Blackjack is also integrated. On the lower part of the dial, between 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, the player’s four cards appear in windows. Two are visible, the other two hidden by shutters. On the upper part of the dial are three windows for the dealer’s cards, one of which is visible, the other two hidden by shutters.
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HOW TO PLAY A push piece at 9 o’clock arms a spring that triggers the seven discs on which the cards are printed. After a few seconds, they are randomly stopped by a jumper-spring. At this point three cards are face up – two of the player’s and one of the dealer’s. If the player is going to hit, he presses the push piece at 8 o’clock, engraved with the word ‘player’. The shutter then opens, revealing a card, and at the same time a bell rings to indicate ‘hit’. When the player’s turn is over, the dealer can take a turn, operating the push piece marked ‘dealer’ at 10 o’clock, to open one of the two shutters.
FACT The dealer has 216 different card combinations, the player has 4,096 and there are 884,736 ways to win or lose.
DUALTow Housing several inventions including one patented innovation, this single-pusher planetary-gear chronograph with striking mechanism and tourbillon expresses a combination of technical excellence and sophisticated aesthetics. With its original ‘belt’ display of the hours and minutes, the model features an ultra-technical and classically elegant appearance. The major innovation introduced in the DualTow is its single-pusher chronograph function operating by means of three identically structured planetary gears.
DESIGN Each part of Calibre CC20A is bevelled, hand-drawn, mirror-polished and coloured. Depending on the colours, the parts are blued, anodised or treated by electroplating. The main-plate is available in a choice of rhodium-plated, 4N gold-plated or black gold-plated versions in the DualTow. The hands, the tourbillon bridge, the screws holding the sapphire dial, and the display forks are available in a variety of colours.
DETAILS NUMBER OF PARTS 568 JEWELS 65 POWER RESERVE 60 hours WATER RESISTANCE 30m
MAY 2012 / 31
SAINT HONORE A timepiece to wear and admire
N
amed the Black Eclair, the Opéra watch from Saint Honore is stunning in its contrasting colours; the black case sets off the ‘Eclair’ finish to perfection. An exclusive innovation from Saint Honore, ‘Eclair’ is a special technique that creates the unique, infinitely dazzling effect of pavé diamonds. The black dial features an Eclair circle at its centre, and is illuminated by six diamonds. Four Arabic numerals and a half-moon date aperture complete the ensemble. The straps of the Opéra watch can be changed easily and replaced.
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KEY FEATURES • Stainless-steel case, PVD finish titan – 33mm or 37mm • ‘Eclair’ bezel • Sapphire crystal • Black dial set with six diamonds • Black satin strap, on special buckle • Quartz movement • Water resistant to 30m
URWERK The UR-110 collection exudes engineering ingenuity and style
T
he latest collection from Urwerk can be described as a mechanical masterpiece. It sports a large panoramic sapphire crystal through which you can appreciate the technology. The time is shown on the right. Three hour satellites follow a vertically arced line, graded from 0 to 60 minutes, in a downward motion. The UR-110 features a Control Board on the dial side with indicators for ‘Day/Night’ and ‘Oil Change’, Urwerk’s service interval display. The titanium back encloses the innovative automatic winding system regulated by dual turbines.
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DETAILS
ARCHITECTURE • Central carousel provides stability and equilibrium • Planetary gearing assures parallel rotation of the three hour satellites as they orbit the dial • Three counter-rotating hour modules, with an hour satellite, minute hand and counter balance each, are mounted on a planetary gear
CALIBRE UR 9.01 mechanical, automatic winding BALANCE Monometallic JEWELS 46 FREQUENCY 28,800vph, 4Hz BALANCE SPRING Flat POWER Single barrel POWER RESERVE 39 hours WINDING SYSTEM Uni-directional rotor regulated by double turbines WATER RESISTANCE 30m
ROGER DUBUIS Designed in a spirit of total transparency
F
or the first time in a ‘full black’ titanium case, the Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying watch is exceptional. Roger Dubuis has developed a Double Tourbillon to provide greater reliability. The lightness of the material emphasises the RD01SQ skeleton movement which is treated in grey anthracite. The timepiece comes with a hand-sewn black alligator-skin strap with an adjustable folding buckle in titanium.
POINçON DE GENèVE’ The Excalibur Skeleton Double Flying Tourbillon complies with the requirements for the ‘Poinçon de Genève’. This is a mark of quality issued by the Canton of Geneva to manufacturers, representing an official guarantee that the watch and its functions operate correctly. It also certifies that the mechanical watch movement is made by hand, assembled and regulated in Geneva.
DETAILS NUMBER OF PARTS 319 FREQUENCY 21,600vph, 2 x 3Hz JEWELS 28 POWER RESERVE 48 hours WATER RESISTANCE 50m
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GIRARD PERREGAUX Over 220 years of combining tradition and craftsmanship
G
irard-Perregaux presented its tourbillon with three gold bridges at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889 and was crowned with a gold medal. The new contemporary creation, the Laureato Tourbillon with three bridges, pays homage to the predecessor. Three translucent blue parallel bridges unveil the iconic architecture of the piece. The balance spring is equipped with a Philips terminal curve; the rhodiumplated main plate has a circular guilloche top, a circular-grained, circular guilloche underside, and hand-polished angles; the gear-train bridge has hand-polished reentrant angles, circular guilloche, handpolished recesses and an eagle crest, the Girard-Perregaux signature.
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DETAILS
DESIGN The Laureato Tourbillon with three bridges draws its aesthetic origins from the style of the 1970s. The octagonal platinum bezel alternates satin-brushed and polished finishes. Its case-back, closed with six screws with a sapphire crystal, offers an extraordinary view of the movement. On the front, the guilloche circular main plate is topped with sporty luminescent baton-shaped hands.
NUMBER OF PARTS 241 JEWELS 31 FREQUENCY 21,600vph POWER RESERVE 48 hours WATER RESISTANCE 30m
TAG HEUER Master of matching luxury chronographs with unsurpassed precision
mikRogiRDER Going beyond three centuries of hairspring/balance wheel mechanical regulation conventions, TAG Heuer has created a new mechanical regulator. This first concept version is a 2,000th of a second chronograph beating at 1,000Hz or delivering 7,200,000 beats per hour. Simpler, faster and more efficient, the watch is impervious to gravity and dramatically reduces isochronous error. It is able to precisely measure time to a phenomenal 1/2,000th of a second.
cARRERA
An elegant descendent of the original 41mm design, in lustrous 18K rose gold with a silver or anthracite grey dial, the Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph has a tachymeter on the flange, minute, hour and running second counters on the dial. It comes with an alligator strap in black or anthracite. The Carrera Calibre 1887 Chronograph is TAG Heuer’s first highvolume fully integrated column-wheel chronograph movement produced inhouse. It features 50-hour power reserve, vibrating 28,800 times per hour and is made of 320 components.
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HUBLOT The first luxury brand to invest in football
USD5million The most expensive watch at Baselworld 2012, this USD5million watch has been sold to The Hour Glass Singapore. The diamond cutters started with a design and then found the diamonds which best matched the complex construction of the case, dial and bracelet. Cutters and setters then employed their expertise to resize them to ensure a perfect fit. A total of 1,282 diamonds, more than 100 carats of baguette diamonds, were used.
kiNg PowER
As Official Watch of the UEFA EURO 2012, the King Power comes in two variations – one made from King Gold and ceramic featuring the blue of the Ukrainian flag, and the other in titanium and ceramic featuring the red of the Polish flag. It includes a 45-minute counter at 9 o’clock. The UEFA logo is featured on the watch’s sapphire crystal case-back, surrounded by a graphic representation of a football.
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LOUIS MOINET Exotic, innovative, limited-edition mechanical art
Treasures of the world A new concept in which Les Ateliers Louis Moinet have partnered with Daniel Haas, the world specialist and craftsman in the realm of semi-precious stones, the pieces combine the vibration of each stone with the mechanical beauty of the tourbillon. This is the Australian Opal, one of the three pieces in this collection. The others are the Red Stromatolite and the Biggs Jasper.
RED STRomAToLiTE
This watch uses the stromatolite stone that is believed to date back more than three billion years. Known to be the oldest fossil on the planet, it is made up of a collection of layers formed by the growth of blue-green algae. It is very rare, and is only found in certain places on earth.
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jurassic Tourbillon The world of horology and palaeontology come together to produce this stunning timepiece. It has a uniquely radiant dial made of authentic fossilised dinosaur bone. Found in western North America, the bone is believed to be 150 million years old, derived from a sauropod during the late Jurassic Period. The bone has been cut and meticulously crafted by hand to preserve the exceptional russet colour.
ASTRALiS
A marriage between technical sophistication and legendary mechanism, it features an exclusive alliance of complications – an astral tourbillon, a split-second column-wheel chronograph, as well as a 24-hour planetarium displaying four meteorites. It is a limited edition of 12 watches, with the case crafted in shades of 18-carat rose gold 5N. The entire escapement is mounted on a mobile carriage, thereby cancelling out the effects of gravity and enhancing rating precision. The plate is made from aventurine and it perfectly evokes a starstudded sky.
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PATEK PHILIPPE
Featuring traditional assets that impress true connoisseurs
T
riad of debuts at Baselworld 2012 from Patek Philippe – the classic Ref. 5204 split-seconds chronograph with perpetual calendar, the ultra-thin Ref. 7140 Ladies First Perpetual Calendar, and the Ref. 5940 perpetual calendar. These are three complicated timepieces that reaffirm the virtuosity of the Genevabased, family-owned manufacturer.
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Ref. 5204
Ref. 5940
Patek Philippe’s proprietary chronograph calibre is being launched with a perpetual calendar and a split-seconds function. The split-seconds chronograph was extensively redesigned, where the splitseconds isolator reduces the height of the movement and assures that the balance amplitude remains constant while lap-time readings are being taken. This micromechanical marvel is housed in a classic round platinum case beneath a white opaline dial made of solid gold. The movement can be admired through the sapphire-crystal display back.
A highly useful complication in an elegant cushion-shaped case, it has a 2.53mm slim calibre 240 movement with its 22K gold mini rotor integrated in the plate. The watch has an amazing rate accuracy of -3/+2 seconds per day. Time and the calendar indications are displayed on a grained, creamy white dial.
Get Direct Access to Oman’s Vibrant Housing Market
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Supporting Organisations
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Official International Magazine
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Organiser:
MAY 2012 / 43
MAITRES DU TEMPS The result of the perfect combination of masters sharing a vision
chapter one Round The bold architectural form, innovative indications and ergonomic functions belie the incredible complexity of the movement and structural sophistication of the case. Alternating finishes play with light around the case. It is quite easy to both read and adjust Chapter One’s many indications. This is a world-first combination of complications crafted from 558 components.
When you look at the dial, it reveals central coaxial hours, minutes, and chronograph 60-second counter; tourbillon and day of the week roller at 6 o’clock; retrograde GMT at 9 o’clock; 60-minute chronograph counter and precision moon phase roller at 12 o’clock; and retrograde date at 3 o’clock.
This is the first wristwatch to feature a tourbillon movement incorporating a mono-pusher column wheel chronograph, retrograde date, retrograde GMT, and phase of the moon and day of the week indications displayed on their own distinctive rolling bars.
DETAILS
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NUMBER OF PARTS 558 JEWELS 58 FREQUENCY 21,600vph POWER RESERVE 60 hours
DESIGN It has a small window between the day roller and the tourbillon, which allows a unique view of the superbly finished gyrating tourbillon cage. The contrast of the hands against the brushed-satin finish of the multi-strata dial is quite striking. Even the locking corrector pushers are formed from curves running concentrically to perfectly follow the graceful flow of the circular case.
chapter Three Reveal A perfect watch for the globetrotter might feature time, date, moon phase, and a second time zone and day/ night indicator. However, while all these indications are useful, they are not necessary all the time. Indicationrich timepieces have always been a compromise between functionality and refinement, until Chapter Three Reveal. Independent master watchmakers Kari Voutilainen and Andreas Strehler have created this stunningly elegant timepiece that displays hours, minutes, seconds, date, and phase of the moon, set on a blue guilloche dial. There are also a couple of secrets in reserve – a pusher set into the crown
lowers two invisible panels in the dial to reveal two more hidden indications: a second time zone indicator (also known as a GMT) and a day/night indicator, both displayed on Maîtres du Temps’ signature rollers. The day/night roller rotates in 24 hours and features engraved, polished, printed, and handpainted icons.
DETAILS NUMBER OF PARTS 319 JEWELS 39
COmPLICATION The panel open/close mechanism is a movement complication. With the dial closed, pushing the button in the crown lowers the panels below the dial, and releasing the button causes them to rotate out of view so that the second time zone and day/ night rollers are revealed. Pushing the button again rotates the panels into position and, releasing the button causes them to elevate and sit flush with the dial.
FREQUENCY 21,600vph POWER RESERVE 36 hours
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ETERNA Reflecting the trends of the late Art Deco period
T
he Chronograph limitededition 1938 is a part of the Eterna Heritage collection. It distinguishes itself from the right angles of its stainless-steel case, enhanced by the complex geometry and colour scheme of its dial face. Equipped with the ETA 2894-2 self-winding calibre, it provides 42 hours of reserve power and is fitted with 37 jewels. Along with its chronograph seconds hand at the centre and a 30-minute totaliser at 9 o’clock, it displays the hour, minute, running seconds at 3 o’clock and the date. The matte black dial face features an intricate pattern of gold-toned minute and seconds circles enhanced with nine similarly coloured Roman numerals. Made of brush-finished and polished stainless steel, the Chronograph case is water-resistant to 50m.
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THE BRAND Since 1856 Eterna has manufactured high-quality mechanical timepieces born of traditional craftsmanship. Revolutionary innovations such as the Eterna-Matic ball-bearing-mounted rotor and the first alarm-equipped wristwatch originated at Eterna. The company values new ideas and sophisticated materials for its traditional craft.
MAY 2012 / 47
DASHBOARD
Indulge your senses
The Spire Boat gives you a taste of fantasy from the depths of the ocean
W
anting the challenge of working on a pleasure boat, the Mugler Studio has taken up the redesigning of the Spire Boat. The boat’s designers wanted a product that would combine competitiveness, safety and aesthetics. Both the interior and the exterior of this nautical giant needed re-creating, and the Mugler Studio focused on that. The result, as you can see, is a glossy retro-futuristic Spire Boat. Inspired by the muscle cars of the 1950s, it combines the aesthetics of its brand and iconic designer, Thierry Mugler. This extraordinary boat, morphed into shape, conveys speed and power. It has a balance of hydrodynamic, ergonomic and aerodynamic aspects. The Spire Boat has a metallic trim that creates aft fins, and a windshield wraparound that continues down the foredeck. There are a few other elaborate additions, such as the extensions over the twin hulls. The cockpit is quite lavish with a retractable bimini top that shades the entire surface of the aft sunpad.
DETAILS PASSENGERS 4 RESERVOIR 2 x 200L RECOMMENDED ENGINES V-6 Outboards PLEASURE Twin 200hp to 350hp SPEED 170kmph CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL Vacuum-bagged epoxy resins
DIMENSIONS LENGTH 9.5m BEAM 2.85m HEIGHT FROM KEEL 1.6m WEIGHT 2.5 tonnes DRAFT 0.38m
THE STUDIO The Mugler Studio, directed by Christophe de Lataillade, is powered by an incredible team of designers. Thierry Mugler imbues every design with a style that is classic, futuristic and unique. The studio has its own research and design laboratory. From 3D concept cars to luxurious interiors of private jets, the studio has created breathtaking projects.
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GAMING
Gorgeous graphics, well-designed environments and believable characters – the game has everything you could possibly want
O
ne of the freshest and most innovative Japanese RPGs in a long time, Xenoblade Chronicles feels completely modern. With equal parts exploration and combat, it offers a fast-paced, engaging gameplay. The first thing that strikes you is the rich, expansive world. The sprawling landscapes and vistas are beautiful, and imagination is quite evident not just in the design of the environment, but also the design of the monsters. The game world feels
alive, with the towns filled with citizens, animals and various shiny collectibles. The characters in the game have names and relationships which are an integral part of the game. And you always feel connected to them. The characters are definitely better-written and believable. Xenoblade has a lot of action, with some interspersed moments that pack quite an emotional punch. This is a game that places emphasis on teamwork. It’s all about working in
MORTAL KOMBAT PLAYSTATION VITA
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harmony. Your task in Xenoblade is very simple – control one character in the party. But while doing so you get a chance to choose from a large selection of Talents, including special moves. Apart from the plot line, the core of this game lies in the Monado, a weapon that gives an edge to the battle. This ancient weapon gives you the ability to see the future. It is quite a useful tool in battle as the power of the Monado lets you see a devastating attack before it happens.
SNIPER ELITE V2 XBOX 360
MAY 03
Story The game exudes a sense of eternity – a world with an endless battle between two gods. However, the gods end up killing each other and human societies grow on their corpses. The plot follows a group of human heroes who live on the first god, the Bionis. Their quest is to battle the robotic denizens of the other god, the Mechonis. A varied tale that spans some 60 hours, it has a brilliant combat system with no random battles that crop up. The game world is filled not just with shiny collectibles and wandering animals, but also a range of plains and caves that remind us of Skyrim. Divided into zones, each location is packed with
different types of creatures, and each major zone offers a core set of missions, and some side quests. So, during the entire game, you’ll be doing two things – fighting and exploring. Xenoblade has a lot of efficiently streamlined side quests that you can experience, with varied rewards. The side quests are totally optional, but don’t pass them by. They are fun and let you reach the furthest corners of the map. You get a chance to fully experience an adventure.
Conclusion A must-buy for anyone who loved Japanese RPGs in the past, it has a brilliant combat system and mindblowing graphics.
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Monolith Software (JP) Platform(s): Wii Genre: RPG ESRB Rating: Teen PEGI Rating: 12+
SCORE Gameplay Graphics Story Replayability OVERALL
9 9 9 9 9
ABOUT THE WII
Gaming with motion controls is an intuitive experience. And at the heart of the motion gaming experience on your Wii console is the Wii Remote Plus controller. It responds to motion and rotation for enhanced control as you swing, swipe, thrust, or turn the controller.
STARHAWK
GAME OF THRONES
PS3
PC, PS3, XBOX 360
MAY 08
MAY 15
MAX PAYNE 3
PC, PS3, XBOX 360
MAY 15 MAY 2012 / 51
TECHART
GET STEAMY Learn how to create a subtle ‘smoke’ effect with this simple tutorial
In this simple tutorial, we are going to learn how to add a subtle smoke-like effect to a picture. Whether you want to add steam, mist or vapour to your photos, just follow these steps. First, open the image and create a new layer (Smoke Layer).
Now, to create the wavy smoke effect, go to Filter > Distort > Wave and set values as shown above.
52 / TECH
Select the Polygonal Lasso Tool (L) and create an abstract shape that looks similar to the example shown. Fill it with white (or a colour you wish your smoke to be).
After you have used the Wave filter, you can go to Edit > Fade > Wave and set the opacity to 50% when the dialog box pops up. Repeat this ‘distort and fade’ method for a few times to achieve the best possible results.
Next, use the Smudge Tool (R) to reshape the smoke so that it looks more diffused and as if it is billowing out from the coffee beans, as shown above.
Duplicate the Smoke Copy layer. Ctrl+Click on the layer to select it and go to Select > Modify > Contract: 7 pixels. Invert the selection (Ctrl+Shift+I) and press delete. It will create a softer smoke effect now as compared to the other layer.
Adjust the opacity of Smoke Layer to 70% and Smoke Copy Layer to 50% before merging them. This will help soften the shape further. Then merge both the smoke layers by pressing Ctrl+E.
Duplicate the layer and resize it. Click Ctrl+T to transform. Use the Warp tool to reshape the smoke. Next, go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Set radius at 3 pixels to achieve a fade effect.
FINAL IMAGE
Fine tune by adding Feather (Select > Modify > Feather > 15). Fill it in white and use the Eraser Tool (E) to reshape the smoke as shown above.
Set the Smoke Copy Layer opacity to 80% and flatten the layers together. This is the final image. Have fun trying it over a cup of steaming hot coffee.
MAY 2012 / 53
MOVIEZONE
Genre: Comedy | Fantasy Director: Tim Burton Cast: Johnny Depp, Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer
Johnny Depp plays a rich and powerful playboy, Barnabas Collins, the master of Collinwood Manor. He, however, makes the mistake of breaking the heart of a witch, Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), who then turns him into a vampire. She buries him alive and two centuries later, Barnabas is freed from his tomb. When he returns to his great estate he finds not just the manor, but also the Collins family, in ruins. Each family member harbours a dark secret and Michelle Pfeiffer (Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard) calls in psychiatrist Dr Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter) to help with her family troubles.
LUCKY 7 The Tim Burton-Johnny Depp equation has worked in seven other movies. • Alice in Wonderland (2010) • Sweeney Todd (2007) • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) • Corpse Bride (2005) • Sleepy Hollow (1999) • Ed Wood (1994) • Edward Scissorhands (1990)
DVD Releases 7 May
7 May
7 May
21 May
mission ission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Sacrifice
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The Big Year
Action | Adventure | Thriller
Action | Adventure | Thriller
Action | Adventure | Crime
Comedy
c
TECH GENIUS TEST YOUR SKILLS
choose the correct answer and send in your entries for a chance to win
1 What kind of display did the original BlackBerry have? (a) Monochromatic (c) Tri-chromatic
(b) Di-chromatic (d) Multi-chromatic
3 Who was the inventor of the digital camera? (a) Steve Sasson (b) Steve Jobs (c) Bill Gates (d) Martin Cooper
Please send us your entries by May 25 for a chance to win a Panasonic DVD player Previous quiz answers: 1 – (d) 2 – (b) 3 – (c) 4 – (b)
Last month’s winner:
Anusha S R
Step into our world
Fax to 24693569
2 Which Pentium version is also known as Willamette? (a) Pentium 4 (c) Pentium 2
(b) Pentium 3 (d) Pentium
4 What is the default font on MS Word 2010? (a) Calibri (b) Times New Roman (c) Arial (d) Verdana
Name ______________________________________ Age ______ Mobile ___________________________ Email _______________________________________ Occupation __________________________________ Company ____________________________________
Employees and family members of Deenar Press and Publishing cannot participate in the quiz. Judge’s decision is final. Please email the answers to tech@deenarmedia.com or fax this page to 24693569 by the deadline. Correspondence after the deadline will not be entertained. PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Winner must provide valid ID to claim the prize. Allow up to two weeks to process.
Welcome to our ‘TECH Favourites’ section. With these lists we aim to keep you updated with our favourite products in a concise format. Please give us your feedback on the basis of which we can further improve it.
FAVoURiTES
PHIlIPS 52PFl5605H This is a 2MP, full-HD 52-inch TV with three HDMI inputs, USB port and PIP. It features Pixel Plus HD and HD natural motion.
RO900
3D TVs
lG 50PT490 This is a 50-inch PenTouch Plasma HD Ready TV with 600Hz Tru Motion flow. It sports three HDMI inputs and USB ports. It has a contrast ratio of 3,000,000:1.
lG 42lW4500 3D LED 42-inch screen, full HD, four HDMI/ PC input, USB port, two megapixels, 100Hz Tru Motion U
RO380
SUlY lE46M1HSC
3D full HD LED 46-inch screen, two USB ports, four HDMI/PC input, 2D to 3D converter, Internet video U
3D Intelligent Peak LED 65-inch screen, full HD, Wi-Fi, Internet Video, PIP system, ten 3D glasses N
This is a 46-inch LED, full HD TV. It sports four HDMI inputs, two AV inputs, two USB ports and a PC input. This is the first made-in-Oman series of TVs.
RO550
SONY KDl65HX925
RO3,000
RO299
SAMSUNG PS51D550 3D Plasma 51-inch screen, full HD, 2MP, 600Hz subfield motion, USB port, PIP system, Internet TV
RO500
SHARP lC-46lE830M
55-inch Cinema 3D LED TV, Smart TV, 2MP full HD, Smart TV, 200Hz Tru motion flow, four HDMI/ PC input, two USB ports
3D Plasma 50-inch screen, 600Hz sub-field motion drive, 1MP, HD Ready, 2D to 3D converter, USB port, PIP system
RO1,100
This is a 46-inch full HD TV with an ultra-slim design. It sports four HDMI/PC input, and USB port. It has a wide colour enhancer and comes with AllShare feature.
This is a 2MP, full-HD 46-inch LED TV with three HDMI/PC inputs. It features Ambilight and Pixel Plus HD.
RO1,206
SAMSUNG UA55D7000 3D LED 55-inch ultra-slim screen, full HD, four HDMI/ PC input, USB port, 600Hz Motion Rate, Smart Hub
RO390
SUlY lE47MISWC This is a 47-inch LED, full HD, 2MP TV. It sports four HDMI/PC inputs, and 120Hz motion flow. This is the first made-in-Oman series of TVs.
RO1,599
RO415 Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order
PLAyERS SONY DAV-SZ1000W
lG HB-966TRW
SAMSUNG HT-D5550K
DVD, CD, MP3 and DivX playback, 1,000W home theatre, rear wireless speakers, Dolby Digital, USB port, play and record, optical audio input, HDMI up-scaling
3D Blu-ray 5.1 channel home theatre system, full-channel wireless speaker, 1,000W, USB port, full HD, DVD, CD, MP3 and DivX HD playback, Wi-Fi Direct, iPhone and iPod docking, FM radio
3D Blu-ray home theatre system, 1,000W, Smart Hub features, built-in wireless LAN, Blu-ray, DVD, VCD, CD, MP3 and WMA playback, USB port, HDMI up-scaling
RO195 56 / TECH
RO380
PHIlIPS 46PFl9704
RO649 SAMSUNG PS50D490
SAMSUNG UA46D5000
U
3D LED 46-inch screen, full HD, 2MP, 2D to 3D Converter, Wi-Fi, four HDMI/PC inputs, three USB ports
lG 55lW6510
RO300
U
SONY KDl46EX720
N
FLAT-PANEL DiSPLAyS
RO450
RO245
PANASONIC SC-HX165GS-K 5.1 channel home theatre system, 1,000W RMS, DVD, CD and MP3 playback, USB music and movie playback, downfiring subwoofer
N
RO147
NETBookS, PoRTABLES
LAPToPS DEll 15Z-XPS-0250 (AlM) D
ACER ICONIA TAB A500
Intel Core i7 2,640M processor, 8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, 15.6-inch HD WLED screen, web camera
Android v2.3, Nvidia Tegra 250 dual-core Cortex processor, 1GHz, 10.1-inch WXGA LCD, 1GB RAM, 32GB
N
RO530
RO180
HP PAVIlION DV6-6160
ACER 5750-G50M A Intel Core i7 processor, 15.6-inch LCD screen, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 1GB VRAM
RO295
SAMSUNG GAlAXY GT-P7500
Intel Core i5 2,410M processor, 2.3GHz, 4GB RAM, 2GB VRAM, 500GB HDD, 15.6-inch HD LED N
Nvidia Tegra 2 dual-core processor, Google Android 3.1, 16GB memory, 1GHz processor with 3G, 10.1-inch WXGA touchscreen, Wi-Fi
RO330
U
HP ENVY 14-1111 14-1111EE
APPlE iPAD 2 Wi-Fi + 3G
Intel Core i7 720QM processor, 1.6GHz, 6GB RAM, 1,024MB VRAM, 500GB HDD, 14.5-inch HD LCD
32GB, 9.7-inch LED backlit screen, 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 processor, Wi-Fi and 3G, two cameras
RO575 ASUS G51J
RO299
TOSHIBA SATEllITE P755-10C
Intel Core i7 720QM, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 640GB HDD, 1GB VRAM, 15.6-inch HD Glare LED
RO700
APPlE iPAD 3 Wi-Fi + 4G
Intel Core i7 2,630QM, 2GHz, 6GB RAM, 500GB SATA HDD, 2GB VRAM, 15.6-inch HD LED N
ASUS K53S A
32GB, 9.7-inch LED backlit multi-touch display with IPS technology, dual-core Apple A5X processor, Wi-Fi and 4G, fivemegapixel iSight camera
RO649
N
Intel Core i3 2,350M processor, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 320GB HDD, 2GB VRAM, 15.6-inch LED HD screen U
Intel Core i3 2,330M processor, 4GB RAM, 1GB VRAM, 640GB HDD, 15.6inch TruBrite HD LED screen
AMD dual-core E-450 APU processor, 2GB SDRAM, 320GB HDD, AMD Radeon HD 6320 Graphics, 11.6inch wide TFT display
RO240
U
BlACKBERRY PlAYBOOK
U
SONY VAIO VPCYB4AJG
RO220
SAMSUNG XE700T1A
N
Laser Jet printer, Print, scan and copy features, resolution of 2,400, 17ppm (pages per minute) black, 4ppm colour, air print, Wireless network
N
RO165
Android, 1GHz processor, 1GB LPDDR2 RAM, 3G, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 16GB internal memory, 10.1-inch LCD screen, 5MP front camera, 1.2MP rear camera
RO300
RO525
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
WD MY BOOK ESSENTIAl 3TB, USB 3.0 and 2.0 compatible interface, WD SmartWare visual backup software, automatic, continuous backup
N
RO145
ASUS TRANSFORMER TF101G
Intel Core i5 2467M processor, 1.6GHz CPU speed, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Intel HD graphics
comPUTER AccESSoRiES HP TOPSHOT
RO350
32GB, 1GHz dual-core processor, seveninch LCD screen, 1GB RAM, dual cameras – 5MP rear and 3MP front
RO280
TOSHIBA SATEllITE l755-M1EC
RO230
RO90
PHIlIPS SHM1900
lINKSYS X2000
Stereo PC headset with in-line volume control, adjustable microphone, lightweight, great acoustics
Directly connects to the Internet, provides wireless coverage without the need for a separate DSL modem
N
RO9
U
RO37 MAY 2012 / 57
cAmcoRDERS
DigiTAL STiLL cAmERAS PANASONIC DMC-TZ20
SONY HDR-CX260
24mm ultra wide-angle 16x optical zoom LEICA DC lens; three-inch touchscreen LCD U
RO160
SONY DSC-W620
14.1MP; 5x optical zoom camera; 2.7-inch Clear Photo TFT LCD; Intelligent Auto mode
8.9MP CMOS sensor, 30x optical zoom, three-inch wide touchscreen, built-in GPS, optical graphic stabilisation
RO220
OLYMPuS VG160 5x wide-angle zoom lens; three-inch LCD screen
N
SONY HDR-XR260 8.9MP, Pixel Super Resolution technology, three-inch Clear Photo LCD, BIONZ processor, Optical SteadyShot stabilisation
RO50
RO57
RO265
SAMSuNG DV300F Wi-Fi-compatible; twin LCD ‘DualView’ feature; 1.5-inch LCD; 16MP CCD sensor N
RO100
JVC HM970 10x optical zoom, 3D converter, 3.5-inch touch LCD, Super LoLux with F1.2 Super Bright Lens, back-illuminated CMOS sensor
FuJIFILM X100 12.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor; 2.8-inch TFT colour LCD
RO449
RO580
CANON IXuS 230HS 12.1MP with a 28mm wide-angle lens, 8x optical zoom, creative modes, DIGIC 4 image processing
SAMSuNG HMX-H300 30x optical zoom, 300x digital zoom, 5MP image sensor, three-inch LCD touchscreen, BSI CMOS sensor, OIS Duo stabiliser
RO123
N
RO150
CANON SX150 IS
OLYMPuS XZ-1
14.1MP sensor, Canon DIGIC 4 image processor, 12x wide-angle optical zoom, three-inch LCD
PANASONIC SDR-H101
Three-inch OLED monitor; 10MP CCD sensor; TruePic V Image Processor
70x optical zoom, 80GB HDD, 2.7-inch wide LCD screen, backlight compensation, advanced Optical Image Stabiliser
RO89
RO269
U
RO140
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
DSLRs CANON 1D MARK 4
OlYMPUS E-PM1
SONY SLT-A77K
NIKON V1
16.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 10fps shooting, three-inch Clear View LCD, HD video recording
12-megapixel sensor, 5fps, 35-point autofocus, three-inch LCD screen, Full HD movie, 3D mode
24-megapixel Interchangeable lens digital camera, BIONZ image processor, three-inch wide TFT XtraFine LCD with TruBlack technology, 2D and 3D Sweep Panorama mode
Ten megapixel, three-inch LCD screen, full HD movie, 5fps, Hi Speed USB interface, Hybrid autofocus
RO2,330
58 / TECH
N
RO310
RO780
RO380
iPAD DockS
PhoNES BlACKBERRY CURVE 9300
SAMSUNG GAlAXY NOTE
2.46-inch TFT screen, 2MP camera, BlackBerry OS v5.0 upgradable to v6.0
5.3-inch HD Super AMOLED display; 1.4GHz dual-core processor
RO86
U
U
RO270
Dynamic Bass Boost, neodymium speakers, AUX-in for easy connection, PC synchronisation via USB
4.3-inch super AMOLED Plus display; Android 2.3 (Gingerbread); 8MP camera with LED flash
AMOLED capacitive touchscreen; 8MP camera with Carl Zeiss optics; 16GB storage U
RO252
APPlE IPHONE 4S
HTC SENSATION Xl
3.5-inch LED-backlit IPS TFT capacitive touchscreen; internal memory of 64GB
Beats Audio; powered by 1.5GHz dual-core processor; 4.7-inch screen
U
RO400
RO315
lG OPTIMUS P920
SONY ERICSSON XPERIA S
4.3-inch 3D LCD capacitive touchscreen; touch-sensitive controls; Android v2.2 (Froyo) OS
Android Gingerbread smartphone; 12MP camera; 4.3-inch HD screen; 32GB memory
RO200
N
8GB, dual camera, video, photo view, MP3 music, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, clock, calendar, YouTube, newsstand, mail
RO98
RO50 GEAR4 STREETPARTY REVOlVE Rotating dock for watching movies in landscape, powered by four AAA batteries, Line-in port, charges iPod or iPhone
RO30 BOSE SOUND DOCK-10 iPod and iPhone dock, recharge and play, remote control, audio input
RO279 BOSE SOUNDlINK Works wirelessly with iPhone, Android, Blackberry, tablet or laptop, 30-foot wireless range
RO155
RO260
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
mP3 PLAyERS APPlE IPOD TOUCH 5G
RO33
PHIlIPS DS3500
NOKIA N9
RO209
Dock and Play, recharge for iPod, FM radio, AUX-in for easy connection, CD and MP3 playback N
SAMSUNG GAlAXY SII
U
PHIlIPS AZD208
SONY NWZ-E453
PHIlIPS SA3VBE08K
SAMSUNG YP-U6A
4GB, 50 hours of music playback, SensMe, Lyric Sync, Karaoke Mode and Clear Audio technologies
8GB MP4 player, supports MP3, WAV, and WMA playback, FM radio and FM recording, 1.8inch screen, five hours battery support
4GB memory, Voice recording, MP3 and WMA playback, FM radio
RO40
N
RO30
RO24
MAY 2012 / 59
REFRigERAToRS
AiR coNDiTioNERS & AiR PURiFiERS PANASONIC CS-C18MKF
lG T186RC
lG GR-B662YBS
Incorporates ECONAVI technology; Advance+ e-ion monitors changes in the degree of air cleanliness; features AUTOCOMFORT
1.5-tonne split air-conditioner with virus and allergy-safe filter; four-way swing and jet cool feature; employs multistage tropical compressor
660L capacity, frost-free, double-door refrigerator, tempered glass shelves, digital display, deodoriser, water dispenser N
RO249
TOSHIBA GRRG-51UT
RO199 SHARP FU-P60S
RO289
RO90
Full high density filter that ensures room is kept fresh and clean; powerful cooling system; effective anti-bacteria coating; supports turbo cooling technology
Air purifier that works within 20sqm; sports a modern, elegant design; comes with washable carbon filter; easy filterchange system; touch control panel
N
HITACHI RAS-18CPX
RO285
SHARP SJ-PT73RHS 662L capacity, frost-free, double-door refrigerator, tempered glass shelves, Plasmacluster Ion
RO193
RO290
TOSHIBA RAS-18SKP
WHIRlPOOl WTM620S
1.5-tonne split-type wall-mounted air conditioner; has a seven-layer air filter; self-cleaning function that eliminates mould; new compact chassis
720L capacity, frost-free, multi air flow, tempered glass shelves
RO205
N
RO245
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
wAShiNg mAchiNES
9kg capacity, 1,400rpm, air bubble wash, child lock, delay start, direct drive motor
770L capacity, frost-free, double-door refrigerator, full HD filter, LED internal lamp, adjustable glass shelves
RO200
RO100 DAEWOO DWC - 141KC
SAMSUNG RT77SW1
Split air-conditioner with Green Fin condenser; durable thanks to green rustresistant coating; employs Nano Titanium technology in its stainless steel filters
lG PS-S200WC
HOOVER DYN10144DP
lG WD1443KDS
SAMSUNG WF0804
10kg capacity, 1,400rpm, ten wash programmes, child lock, super-silent, direct drive motor, energy savings, wash time control
11kg capacity, 15 wash programmes, 1,400rpm, steam wash, quick wash, language selection, six motion washer, and allergy care
8kg capacity, 1,400rpm, 14 wash programmes, delay end, Eco Bubble wash function, quick wash, child lock, diamond drum, time delay, durable ceramic heater
RO210
N
RO202
SAMSUNG AS18TSl
Air purifier; washable HEPA filter; activated carbon filter; Plasmacluster technology that creates environment very close to that found in nature N
480L capacity, double-door refrigerator, frost-free, insulated wire shelves, platinum deodoriser
RO320
RO400
U
RO215
MASTERPIECE
GREAT PRICE
MAX ELECTRONICS LLC - OMAN SEEB - MUSCAT CITY CENTRE (LEVEL 1) TEL: +968 24558062 FAX: +968 24558063 EMAIL: memcs@cplmg.com SOHAR - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 97666631 FAX: +968 26844610 SALALAH - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 94122251, FAX: +968 23289261 BAHRAIN OMAN SAUDI ARABIA QATAR UAE
60 / TECH
VAcUUm cLEANERS
micRowAVES & oVENS
PHIlIPS FC-8146
DAEWOO KOC-9N8T
SAMSUNG CE-107V 28L multi-function microwave oven with interiors finished with Ceramic Inside coating; easy to clean; Triple Distribution System heats food deeply and equally N
RO65
29L microwave oven with stainless-steel housing; 900W output power; convection/grill function; delivers 850W grill power; ten power levels; five auto cook menus N
RO63
MIDEA EM820lMP
1,800W vacuum cleaner, bagless, HEPA washable filter, 300W suction power, dust container-full indicator
RO49
PANASONIC NN-CD997S
PANASONIC MC-5510
42L oven capacity; three-stage memory; delay start; two-level shelf cooking; exclusive Inverter technology that offers real power level control
20L capacity; 800W microwave oven with 11 power levels; child safety lock; with defrost settings; six auto menus; sports a fashionable design
1,600W canister vacuum cleaner, antibacteria filter, metal telescopic wand, deluxe two-step nozzle N
SAMSUNG SC56B0
RO187
2,000W vacuum cleaner, 3.5L dust capacity, Foam pre-motor filter, micro exhaust filter, silver nano system, power slider on handle
RO23
RO24 lG MC8088FRR 30L convection microwave oven; features over 100 Auto Cook menus; sports a motorised rotisserie; comes with Steam Clean and Defrost functions
RO90
22L microwave oven with 800W microwave power; five one-touch instant action menus; three easy defrost menus; four-digit LCD; five power levels
N
KARCHER VC 5200 Dry vacuum cleaner, 3.3L dust bag capacity, 1,800W input power, indicator for full bag, HEPA 12 filter
SAMSUNG GE109MST
SHARP R200
RO30
28L grill microwave oven; designed for performance; wide tempered glass door; Triple Distribution System and Steam Clean function
RO29
RO77 lG VCA241HT 1,400W bagless vacuum cleaner, 0.8L dust capacity, washable HEPA filter, innovative Cyclone System technology
RO70
RO33 Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
DomESTic APPLiANcES N ESPRESSO C120
KRUPS EA8255K1
PHIlIPS HR7620
KENWOOD KM400
Single-serve automatic espresso machine and milk frother, 19 bars of pump pressure, maximum power of 1,710W
Espresso, Cappuccino and Coffee maker, compact Thermoblock system, metal drip tray, steam function, automatic cleaning
500W food processor, 1,200ml capacity, twos speeds plus pulse, dishwasher-safe accessories, more than 15 functions, microstore, and vertical design
750W power kitchen machine, 4.6L bowl capacity, three coated bowl tools – a beater, whisk and dough hook, six speeds
RO180
RO285
RO20
RO171
Think CAMERAS Think EMAX MAX ELECTRONICS LLC - OMAN SEEB - MUSCAT CITY CENTRE (LEVEL 1) TEL: +968 24558062 FAX: +968 24558063 EMAIL: memcs@cplmg.com SOHAR - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 97666631 FAX: +968 26844610 SALALAH - CENTREPOINT MALL TEL: +968 94122251, FAX: +968 23289261 BAHRAIN OMAN SAUDI ARABIA QATAR UAE
MAY 2012 / 61
ToP 5 gAmES
gAmiNg coNSoLES & AccESSoRiES
BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY
PSP 3000 Built-in microphone; better screen that is able to resist glare; comes with four games
PUBLISHER: WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENT. DEVELOPER: ROCKSTEADY STUDIOS PLATFORM(S): XBOX 360, PC, PS3 GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: TEEN
RO76 NINTENDO 3DS Built-in 3D Depth Slider to adjust intensity of 3D; built-in motion and gyro sensor
RO106
Delivers 500W of pure power to recreate perfect theatre-quality audio experience
RO160
lOGITECH G13
RO140 XBOX 360 KINECT 250GB
STEElSERIES SPECTRUM 5XB Wired headset with the custom-built soundscape via 40mm SunDancer (SCS) units
RO54
Integrated internal memory of 250GB; built-in WiFi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n); 5.1 channel surround sound U
PUBLISHER: ACTIVISION DEVELOPER: SlEDGEHAMMER GAMES PLATFORM(S): Wii, PS3, XBOX 360, PC, DS GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: MATURE
RO29
FINAl FANTASY XIII-2
RO37 Racing wheels and flight controllers simulate realism; Force feedback feature
CAll OF DUTY: MW3
N
GamePanel LCD keeps you informed of game stats; programmable G-keys
lOGITECH G27
RO29
lOGITECH Z906
PUBLISHER: SQUARE ENIX DEVELOPER: SQUARE ENIX PLATFORM(S): PS3, XBOX 360 GENRE: RPG ESRB RATING: TEEN
N
RO29
GEARS OF WAR 3 PUBLISHER: MICROSOFT DEVELOPER: EPIC GAMES PLATFORM(S): XBOX 360 GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: MATURE
RO27
RO129 RESISTANCE 3
PS3 320GB + MOVE BUNDlE
NINTENDO WII SPORTS PACK
Broken into three parts: the ‘Motion Controller’, the ‘Navigation Controller’ and the ‘PlayStation Eye Camera’
Fun activities with more than 18 sports to try, ranging from water sports like canoeing to ball games like basketball
RO160
62 / TECH
U
RO84
THRUSTMASTER T500RS Employs new H.E.A.R.T (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) on the wheel’s steering
RO241
PUBLISHER: SONY DEVELOPER: INSOMNIAC GAMES PLATFORM(S): PS3 GENRE: ACTION ESRB RATING: MATURE
U
RO17
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in the magazine maybe subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for current costs. Lists are not in any particular order.
TECH DIRECTORY COMPANY
PRODuCTS
SHOWROOM
SERVICE DEPT.
Bahwan Electronics
Asset, Carrier, Ignis, Napro, Toshiba, Seiko, Casio, Titan, Sony Ericsson, Tempstar, Cooline, Corning, Print electronics, Dolphin, Benq, Ausonia, Daewoo, VIP, Dometic, Corby
Ruwi 24796629
Emax
Multibrand
MCC 24558062
Genetco
Sanyo, Videocon, Fujitsu, Thomson, York, Yamaha, Canon, HAAS, AEG, Sure, Caravell, Gulf Star, Safari, Admiral, Francia, Mitsubishi, Marc Climatic, Vortice, Guntner, Zanussi , Ziegra Imesa, Bitzer , Manitowoc, Bremer, DitoElectrolux, Metro, Taylor, Costan
Qurum 24568806, Muttrah 24713138, Ruwi 24830919, Seeb 24422797, Shatti al Qurum 24693292
24503653
Al Gurg Home Appliances - Better Life
Terim, Fisher & Paykel, SMEG, Vestfrost, Wolf Power, Grundig
24811608
24810404
HiTec Centre
Boston Accoustics, Denon, Leica, Polk Audio
Azaiba 24497384
24497384
Jumbo Electronics
Sony, VAIO, Sony professional Products, Blackberry, Supra, Midea Air-conditioners, Casio, Brother Sewing Machines, Acer, HP, Dyson, Gorenje
MBD 24818358, Al Araimi 24565845, QCC 24470529, Salalah 23291984
24814815
Al Khalili Technology
Fujitsu, Siemon, Coral Telecom, Honeywell, Epson, Camtron, Pyronix, SD3, Tripp-lite, Cummins, Schnider Electric, Sanyo, Sakar, Sterline, Sonicwall
24616900
24816303
Moayyed Integrated Ente
Daewoo Electronics
24488795
24488795
Muscat Electronics
Daikin, Wansa, Ricoh, Chigo, Media, G-Hanz, Sony Professional products
Ruwi 24702985, Sohar 26845647, Salalah 23291617
24813408
Mustafa Sultan Electronics (MSE)
Samsung, Haier, Philips, Nevica, Whirlpool
Al Khuwair 24636015
24818018
Oman International Electronics & Trading
Bose, Nec, JVC
Qurum 24565490
24830606
Oman Modern Electronics
Sharp, OMEC
HO 24706004, Ruwi 24832891, Sohar 26840763, Sur 25544613, Salalah 23291405
24704494
OMASCO
Raymond Weil, Kolber, Westar, Alba, Maxima, HMT, Panasonic, Xper, Aftron, Black & Decker, GE
Qurum 24564310, Ruwi 24833630
24560232
OMASCO - System Solutions
Panasonic
24565696
24565696
Oman Trading Establishment
LG, Bosch, White Westinghouse
Wadi Kabir 24811572, Al Khuwair 24479448, Ruwi 24831544, Ruwi MBC 24834162, Al Araimi 24561480, Seeb 24420570, Nizwa 25412216, Sur 25545107, Bani Bu Ali 25553387, Salalah 23295237, Sohar 26842397
24810522 / 24810156, 80075545
Photocentre
Fujifilm, Olympus, Hasselblad, Sigma, Manfrotto, Lowepro, EPSON, Mitsubishi Electric, STEINER, Broncolor, Hama, Amano
Qurum 24565305, Al Khuwair 24479296
24571708
SARCO
Samsung, Technoflame
Ruwi 24593025
24593025
Shah Nagardas Manji
Kodak, Yashica, Cokin, Case Logic, Lexar, Noritsu, Durst, Bushnell, Eiki, Iriver, Steiner, Tasco, White Westinghouse, Igloo, Venus, Russel Hobbs, Addis, Noritake, Ocean, Wenger
Ruwi 24562656, Lulu Bausher 24593806, Nizwa 25410184
Technical Trading
Westinghouse
Ruwi 24703515, Fax 24700010
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24501965