WRAITH And the world stood still
Introducing Wraith – the most dynamic Rolls-Royce in history. Experience the power, style and drama for yourself.
Rybrook, Authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dealer Tel: +44 1564 787170 www.rybrook.co.uk/rolls-royce
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London Tel: +44 2074 917941 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-london.co.uk
P&A Wood, Authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dealer Tel: +44 1371 852000 www.pa-wood.co.uk
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester Tel: +44 1565 756450 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-manchester.co.uk
Murray Motor Company, Authorised Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dealer Tel: +44 1314 421000 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-edinburgh.co.uk
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Sunningdale Tel: +44 1344 871200 www.rolls-roycemotorcars-sunningdale.co.uk
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com Š Copyright Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited 2013. The Rolls-Royce name and logo are registered trademarks.
EDITOR’S LETTER
I
t is that time of year again, where the sparkly lights go up, the temperature drops and everyone goes shopping. It is a great time of year, but the buying part can get a bit hectic. We have done our best to take the stress out of one area in particular – technology. Undoubtedly the most popular gifts that are given over the festive season fall into the technology category; everyone loves a shiny new gadget to play with at Christmas whether this is a new TV, laptop, phone or tablet. Our top tens are distinctly gadget-centric in this issue in order to really help you find out if the gift you are buying is really up to the standard of what is out there. Of course, it would not be the technology issue without a full review of the three major gifts this year: the latest next-gen consoles, namely the PS4, XBOX One and Nintendo Wii U. These will undoubtedly be the top selling gifts of the year, but choosing them apart can be a tricky and daunting challenge. We are here to help you understand what each one does, what they cost and what the benefits are.
Sam Amrani,
Editor-in-Chief
We have of course included a few non-gadget related articles here for you to ‘de-tech’ throughout the course of this guide, which may help inspire you in some of your other shopping or indeed to give yourself a treat after the stressful shop – whether it be online or offline. So from all of us here at The Executive, we hope you will have a great festive season. Eat, drink and be merry . Get ready for an exciting 2014 where we will be showcasing the best of what Scandinavia has to offer in the New Year! See you in January! Sam
EDITORIAL
CREATIVE
BUSINESS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SAM AMRANI
CREATIVE DIRECTOR PEDRO GARCIA PEREIRA
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY ERIC ORLOWSKI
DEPUTY EDITOR IN CHIEF GEORGE COOMBES
HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY NORMAN TAMKIVI
EDITORS AXEL-CHARLES MONIN NYLUND USHAN SAMSON MATT TAAFFE
OPERATIONS MANAGER TILL BARSCH
SPECIAL THANKS MR NATTY DARREN JAMES KOZLOWSKI
CONTRIBUTORS SAM AMRANI GEORGE COOMBES ERIC ORLOWSKI TILL BARSCH THANDI DEMANET MORITZ BARSCH
WWW.EXECTIVELUXURY.CO.UK CONTACT: INFO@EXECUTIVELUXURY.CO.UK
CONTENTS
3
24
EDITOR’S LETTER
8 26 ADVENTURES THROUGH 10 A LOOKING GLASS BREAD AHEAD
12 14 18
WHAT GIVES B&O IT’S BANG?
30
GENERATION TO GENERATION
THE CHANGING ENVOIRNMENT OF GAMES
32 PIPE INTERVIEW
NOKIA LUMIA
SONY XPERIA TABLET Z
NEXUS
36
TRADITIONAL WET SHAVE
46
TOP TENS
A recently converted large area at Borough Market has paved the way for the hottest new London Bakery.
B
SAM AMRANI
read Ahead’s newly opened bakery displays their experienced baker’s culinary talents not only through baking and wholesale but workshops are also offered for any keen bakers looking to refine their skills or learn something new. This way, food lovers who flock to the market each week can indulge in some of Britain’s finest baking on-the-spot and pick up the necessary skills to re-create the perfect loaf at home. At the helm of the ship are Matt Jones and Justin Gellatly, who both have a background in Professional Baking and the restaurant industry. ‘‘Modern British Baking’ is what we are all about. At Bread Ahead we feel it is time for us to champion the delights of our Island’s heritage and culture.What better place to do it than in the capital’s most exciting food market, surrounded by all the wonderful textures, smells and flavours.’ At the market, visitors may enjoy a wide range of traditional baking, including warm Saffron Buns and Farmed Doughnuts fresh from the ovens. But the world-class baking school also offers a unique chance to tap into decades’ worth of experience. ‘Our bakery workshops will cover all aspects of Modern British baking and pastry making, and we also have a dedicated Gluten Free bakery area. We welcome bakers at all levels; the only requirement is a desire to start baking. Our day courses are run on a casual yet informative basis for approximately six hours and include a lunch up in Roast Restaurant‘ Located directly opposite Southwark Cathedral with the London Bridge main line a stone’s throw away, visitors need only follow the sweet aroma of baked goods to find Bread Ahead. ‘I truly believe baking to be an invaluable life skill which brings pleasure at so many levels. We are confident that after spending a day with us you will become as passionate as we are about what we do.’
‘I truly believe baking to be an invaluable life skill which brings pleasure at so many levels. We are confident that after spending a day with us you will become as passionate as we are about what we do.’
TECHOLOGY
Adventures through the looking GLASS A View of the Future from Google’s Latest Project
THANDI DARLING
S
ince the announcement of Google Glass last year, the media attention and public hype surrounding this new product has swiftly increased. With capabilities and functions akin to that of a smartphone, this wearable computer has opened up debates on the integration of the virtual world into our own bodies, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of augmented reality. While the idea behind Google Glass is not exactly new – Sony released the similar albeit vastly more cumbersome Glasstron way back in 1997 – it seems that the technology has finally caught up and slimmed down, making the conversation of our cyborgian-progression more important. But let’s start with the basics. What exactly is augmented reality; should you want it and could you need it? Will peering through this particular looking glass reflect or refract reality as we know it?
While Google Glass seems like groundbreaking technology, augmented reality is already a part of our everyday lives. If you watched the Olympic Games on television last year, you definitely received enhancing information thanks to a form of augmented reality. For sports television as a whole this is already a common feature, with game statistics and tactics constantly popping up on screen throughout the broadcasts. The gaming segment has also benefited from the concept, where it has evolved rapidly over the past few years. But the advent of the smartphone has acted as a catalyst for the development of the concept within recent years. As the market has become more and more competitive and consumers more and more data-hungry, the demand for pioneering technologies such as augmented reality has become more and more real.
Augmented reality is essentially a supplemented view of the world that superimposes computer-generated graphics, sound, and video onto the user’s perception. The idea is to enhance reality with artificial intelligence, allowing the user to interact with the augmented data and manipulate it. The technology analyses the stimuli and synthesizes the data to then place augmentations. At the moment, instruction can be given via voice, gestures or through a minuscule touchpad. Google’s offering utilizes familiar technology (speech recognition à la Apple’s Siri; motion sensors à la Nintendo’s Wii) but condenses the final product in an attempt to free users from devices like laptops, phones, and tablets and put the information right in front of their eyes.
The origins of the technology itself lie in military training, but there are potential applications in a multitude of industries. In architecture for instance, augmented reality can be used to visualize a building project on the planned site before a single brick is laid. In tourism the technology can add major value as tourists will be able to view a given attraction and obtain all sorts of data (tour guides beware). In medical circles augmented reality is proving to be a promising tool in surgery. The technology can provide the surgeon with vital statistics such as heartbeat and blood pressure which they would not normally see without having to look away from the patient. In June of this year, Dr. Pedro Guillén, head of the Traumatology Department at the Clínica Cemtro in Madrid,
carried out the first surgery using Google Glass. The technology allows several doctors to contribute to an operation without being physically present, therefore allowing them to share opinions and information about the patient instantaneously. The versatility of augmented reality allows for various applications within the professional world – applications which could become staple techniques as the technology develops. However, assuming you are not a spearheading surgeon, what is the use for the everyday user? Google Glass currently boasts the integration of camera, microphone and Bluetooth into the glassesframe design. The lens is replaced by a heads up display that allows users to see projected data.The user can simultaneously take photos and record 720p HD videos through the use of voice commands, while pairing the product with a smartphone allows the user to scroll through and reply to text messages and e-mails. One of the most notable shortfalls is the lack of GPS on the specification list, however Google Glass offers Google Maps in its software so it is accessible at least in a round-about way. Google’s lens-less design has made its product accessible for the bespectacled consumer, whose familiarity with the awkwardness and discomfort of 3D glasses may have led to hesitations over the ergonomics of Google Glass. The plan is to make it possible for prescription or tinted glasses to be incorporated at a later date to make the device truly multifunctional and essential. This would also open up the possibility for partnership deals with retailers such
as Ray-Ban. So if Google has its way, the future will see a whole host of consumers donning high-tech headgear. Augmented reality contact lenses aren’t far off either, with Babak Parviz (the Google Glass Project leader) spearheading the work on such advanced technology. Prototypes currently use a tiny curved LCD and there is potential to incorporate wireless technology to achieve astounding results. While these Mission-Impossible-esque gadgets may not be available in the near future, Google Glass is certainly paving the way for their release. For all the praise and awe Google Glass is generating, it does pose a pertinent question about the integration of biology and technology. The prolific concerns over privacy, as well as the concern that users could be transformed into ultra-targets for advertising campaigns all boil down to the same fundamental issue: that technology is pervading our lives and reshaping our brains. The question is how much closer do we want to draw electronics and the virtual world into our own bodies? Google Glass could potentially increase the number of anxiety-ridden technophiles whose vigilant multitasking causes both stress and depression. Alternatively the product could bolster the number of gormless individuals who waste away hours staring vapidly at their gadgets. If Google Glass manages to create a consumer that falls between these two perturbing poles; if Google Glass can augment and not diminish with their new reality, then the product is set to be an unparalleled success. Google could virtually take over the world.
TECHOLOGY
WHAT GIVES B GEORGE COOMBES When Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created their business back in 1925, I doubt even they with their remarkable creative vision could have ever imagined that their names would become an international design icon.
B
&O manufacture a highly distinctive and exclusive range of televisions, music systems, telephones and multimedia products that combine technological excellence with emotional appeal. Their products effortlessly create a sense of opulence and exclusivity. This has translated to a turnover of approximately £300 million. Over the past few years, in tough economic climates, only a few luxury brands have been able to keep their head above the water. It is testament to them that they have gone from strength when other brands have fallen by the wayside. The one part of that statement I would like to look into further is the mentioning of the emotional appeal to a customer of B&O. Every luxury brand comes with a hefty price because it offers an excellent product, it is a badge that can be worn with pride, it is associating with a certain exclusive class of people. B&O, much like Apple, creates this feeling from the moment you enter their stores. It is near impossible to walk by their shop window and not do a double take or stand and admire a speaker that looks like no speaker you have ever seen before. You can take a walk around any B&O store and you are greeted with the most extravagant designs. It strikes me that many of the customers feel that the space age style of products set them apart from the likes of Sony. Take the latest creation, Beolab 14, for instance. The equipment itself would not look out of place on a high profile photo shoot, with the mirrorcome-microphone stands designed to be positioned around your lounge furniture. B&O understand that their products need to communicate and compliment other quality products (it would be pointless to buy B&O sound system if they only work with B&O TV’s) and have therefore integrated their systems to work with all HD TV’s. Just to show how tapped in they are into what is trending, their sound equipment works perfectly with streaming giant Spotify! Quite good for a company that started life just after the first Great War and had their factory burnt down for not colluding with the Nazi’s.
From the very beginning, B&O held the belief that every product they produce should be capable of ‘honest music reproduction’. They had the idea that the music experienced through their sets and speakers should reach your ears uninfluenced by the limitations of technology. That belief, mixed in with products that look like they were created by top interior designers, is what Bang & Olufsen represent. The name speaks as much as Apple,Vertu, or Nespresso. It is a brand that doesn’t shout, it just whispers “if you own me, you know where you are in life”. What B&O have not done is steered too far away from what they are famously good at. They have kept to the German Mittelstand structure-which is to be very good at one specific thing. This sole focused attention to what they are famous for, is the behaviour that we have come to expect of the oldest producer of audio equipment in the world. Perfecting, adapting and evolving with the times, but keeping true to what makes B&O unique. What gives B&O its bang is the capability of its equipment to produce and cope with a Bang. Whether it is the plasma screens that automatically adapt to the light in the room, always making it the best it can be. Or the Beolab 5 loudspeakers that automatically calibrate to the sound of the room they are in, you know you are in good hands. It is the fact that if you were to flick through a home design magazine, it would be an assumption that at least one B&O product would be in those immaculately styled houses.
B&O ITS BANG? SATELLITE SPEAKER
WEIGHT
SUBWOOFER
0.8KG
10.5KG
CLOSED BOX
PORTED
AMPLIFIERS
140 WATTS EACH
1 X 280 WATT CLASS D
ACCESSORIES
COLOURED FABRIC FRONTS
COLOURED FABRIC TOP
CABINET SPECIFICATION
FEATURES
CONNECTIONS
EXTENDED ADAPTIVE BASS LINEARISATION (ABL) THERMAL PROTECTION
1 X SPEAKER
ROOM ADAPTATION ADAPTIVE BASS LINEARISATION (ABL) THERMAL PROTECTION LINE SENSE – AUTO ON/OFF PHASE ADJUSTMENT LFE ADJUSTMENT INPUT: 3 X POWER LINK INCL. 6 LINE BY POWER LINK 1 X A/V MULTI CONNECTOR OUTPUT: · 5 X SPEAKERS
TECHNOLOGY
NOKIA LUMIA 1020 – THE CAMERA KING W
indows phone has seen a dramatic rise in popularity and adoption over the course of 2013, and mainly thanks to the success of the Nokia Lumia range. The Windows mobile operating system has almost doubled to a 10% market share globally, and what better way to mark this milestone with the appropriate timing of Nokia’s flagship device, the Lumia 1020. This phone is unique in several ways, but needless to say the majority of the review will be focussed on its most obvious USP: the camera. We have to remember that only a few years ago, phone manufacturers were touting the first devices that could cram a full one megapixel camera into their chassis. Well, fast forward to 2013 and Nokia have managed to undoubtedly take the camera phone crown; the Lumia 1020 has a full 41 megapixels. This is not however the first device to sport such a heavy hitter of a camera; Nokia has done it before. 18 months ago, Nokia released the PureView 808 which was a poor selling Symbian Belle device. The 1020 is therefore the first device on a major smartphone operating system that packs such a punch in the camera department. First opinions on the device are positive. Although the accessories that come with the device are limited to the USB charger and earphones, they are good quality. Upon first impressions, the device has a premium feel to it. It has a one-piece polycarbonate shell which gives a unique matt yet smooth feel to it.The Lumia 1020 is available in a range of colours, including some pretty vivid variants.They are however still available in the more traditional black and white colours.
£550 SIM-FREE
FREE
on contract
In terms of comparable aesthetics, it is clear to see that it shares much of the same form factor as the Lumia 920. They both share a similar screen size at 4.5 inches and all ports and switches are in the same sizes. Given the fact that this phone has such a superb camera module, they have managed to make the 1020 both thinner and lighter than the 920; a remarkable achievement.The camera module is comparatively huge compared to that of the 920, making it easy to differentiate between the two. The camera module does protrude from the device by about 4mm so it does not sit flat on surfaces, but is not obtrusive when in your pocket or jacket, so it is not that much of a bother. For a phone with such an astounding camera, it is quite disappointing to see that this is not complimented with a similarly fantastic screen. Although the 4.5 inch screen is still sporting a 1,280 x 768 resolution resulting in a pixel density of 334 pixels per inch, it lacks the density and clarity of the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the HTC One. This on the other hand is not a deal-breaker, as the screen is more than sufficient for everyday tasks, and the Lumia does make up for achieving some serious deep blacks and high contrast, meaning it actually does ‘pop’ on screen and in direct sunlight the visibility is pretty good, too. There are two camera apps to choose between on the 1020, the standard Windows phone interface, and also the Nokia Pro Cam software, which really makes the most of that camera, which in all fairness is what you would be buying this phone for. The Windows phone camera app is the default app that launches when you hold the shutter button. It will give you some good but not great shots.With the ability to adjust basic settings such as white balance and scenes this is definitely the camera app for a quick snap or two. Hit, rather than hold the shutter button however and you will get the Nokia ProCam app, which gives you the more serious arsenal of camera tools, allowing you to adjust everything from shutter speed to ISO settings and focus, but unfortunately the guys at Nokia do not let you tinker with the aperture. This is certainly the king of camera apps befitting for the king of camera phones, however I would not use this to capture those images of the moment as the on screen icons are not as finger friendly as the default windows app.
TECHNOLOGY
Nevertheless, it is pretty clear that this device can pull of some pretty impressive shots. You can get some cool effects by tinkering with the manual settings, and gives amateur photographers the ability to pull off some stunning shots. The auto settings do a pretty decent job as well, and create nicely exposed and vivid pictures, but it would be a shame to not play around with some of the advanced settings. One of the main advantages of having such a great sensor on the 1020 is the ability to use the digital zoom without the textbook low quality photos. Use the zoom and there will still be enough quality to still get an impressive photo. This also does major justice when in low light conditions and the 1020 has one of the best low light performances that I have seen on a phone. With the camera summed up as outstanding, the rest of the device is pretty standard when put in line with other Lumia devices. The Windows 8 software is identical to that of the Lumia range, and there is no differentiation. The operating system is primarily made up of two screens; the ‘live tiles’ on the home screen and if you swipe your finger to the left, you will see an alphabetical list of apps on the device. It is simple, yet customisable which places it firmly in the middle between iOS and Android. A very easy to operate system, Windows is great for anyone whether they are new to smartphones or experienced. The big downside here is the lack of applications on the Windows 8 app store. Despite Microsoft trying desperately for developers to create for the platform, the focus is most definitely on Android and iOS. Google has also pulled support for native Youtube and Gmail, so for many this means that it will be unusable for work. This is a pretty heavy blow to such a great device, but given the fact that many people rely on Gmail and its peripheral services means that a high end Android device such as the LG G2 or Samsung Galaxy S4 may be preferred. If this device is not for business it does provide a refreshing alternative to the monotony of the iPhone or the ubiquity of Android.
QUICK FACTS 4G / LTE ENABLED DIMENSIONS 130.4 X 71.4 X 10.4MM WEIGHT 158G SCREEN SIZE 4.5 INCHES ,768 X 1,280 PIXELS (332 PPI) STORAGE 32GB OR 64GB VARIANTS
CAMERA 41 MP (38 MP EFFECTIVE, 7152 X 5368 PIXELS) CARL ZEISS OPTICS OPTICAL IMAGE STABILIZATION AUTO/MANUAL FOCUS XENON & LED FLASH 1080P FULL HD VIDEO CAPTURE
PROCESSOR DUAL CORE 1.5GHZ KRAIT BATTERY 2000MAH BATTERY (APPROX. 13HR 20M 3G TALK TIME)
!
qR Architects
!!
+44(0)2032870055 | info@qrarchitects.co.uk | www.qrarchitects.co.uk
TECHNOLOGY
SONY XPERIA TABLET Z – SLIM AND STRONG (…and waterproof)
S
£379
Whilst the tablet war has been raging for some time and this is not Sony’s first attempt by any means, there has never really been an Android flagship tablet to go head to head with the iPad like there has been in the mobile phone world.
FREE
ony has come out swinging in the war of the Tablets, and it is about time too. With Apple failing to shake things up innovatively with the iPad Air and Mini (with 6 variants of each) and the Samsung Galaxy tablet army with more variants than I can count on my fingers and toes, it is refreshing to finally see Sony come out with a simple, yet impressive tablet offering.
Sony has come a long way since its last attempt with the Xperia Tablet S, a strange form factor that revised its initial ‘wedge’ design to a more slimline offering when the sales of the original failed to impress. Overall, even Sony thought it best to confine this attempt to the clearance aisle and go back to the drawing board. A year later, Sony has come back with an almighty design overhaul to teach the other manufacturers how it should be done. Their Vaio Z and Vaio Pro ranges are historically known for being able to somehow cram the latest and greatest technology into a bafflingly light frame, with their latest the Vaio Pro achieving the same processing power as the top of the range Macbook in a package weighing just 1.1kg. It seems they have taken this trademark and applied this to the Xperia Tablet Z. Out of the box, this is evident. It is perhaps one of the most beautifully crafted tablets that the market has seen to date. Samsung, take note: Sony has outclassed you here. Even the aluminium design of the iPad feels somewhat dated when lined up next to the Xperia Tablet Z. This device for me had the same feeling when I first unboxed the iPad 2 after almost a year of dealing with the bulk of the original iPad. Pricing, though, will not be the deal maker nor deal breaker here.They have priced it right in line with the main competition, the iPad Air and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. This certainly puts the tablet in the ring with the other heavyweights. The design of the device is clearly intentional, as they bring their range of devices in line with each other. The Sony Xperia Z phone is almost identical to the tablet, with the main difference being the back of the phone being glass and the back of the tablet being made of a more durable polycarbonate affair. The design of the new range of Sony devices has one thing at heart: simplicity. Contrary to the designs of
Wi-Fi only
on contract
£599 4G model
2012/13 there are no weird form factors.The Xperia Tablet Z is a simple black rectangle with some understated buttons and ports scattered evenly around the edges. The main selling point on the design of this device is, of course how slim it is. We are really talking millimetres here, but when you compare this to the current ‘thinnest’ tablet – the iPad Air which stands at 7.5mm in thickness, it is frankly mind-blowing to us that the Sony (which came out before) is still top dog with just 6.9mm to make up its profile. When you compare that to the original iPad which stood at 13.4mm, this means you could now have two Xperia Tablet Z devices stacked on top of each other and it would only just be a slither thicker than one of Apple’s original models. At just over 1lb, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z trumps the competition as the lightest full 10.1in tablet on the market. By comparision, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 is a chunky 1.32lbs, and the smaller screened iPad 4 is a whopping 1.46lbs putting the Xperia Tablet Z well and truly in the number one spot for lightness and as a result, on-the-go usability. Just to add more to the roster of simply brain bending specifications, the Xperia Tablet Z is also dust and water proof, meaning it can be used in the rain, in the bath or a building site without the fear of the device breaking. It seems wholly unnatural to put a piece of electronics in a tank of water, but our tests took 4-5 attempts before I was convinced that this was indeed a fully waterproof device. A word of warning though, make sure all the waterproof sockets around the edges are in place, otherwise that guarantee does not apply. Aside from the screen being a slight fingerprint magnet, it is nothing short of outstanding. Sony have really gone all out on this device and despite the competition from the Google Nexus 7’s staggering 323ppi and the clarity of the Retina display on Apple’s iPad Air, the Xperia Tablet Z and the Sony Bravia engine provide vivid, clear images that they can be proud to put up against the rivals. The widescreen ratio of the
DIMENSIONS 266 X 172 X 6.9 MM (10.47 X 6.77 X 0.27 IN) WEIGHT 495 G (1.09 LB) IP57 CERTIFIED DUST PROOF AND WATER RESISTANT DISPLAY TYPE LED-BACKLIT LCD, CAPACITIVE TOUCHSCREEN, 16M COLORS SIZE 1200 X 1920 PIXELS, 10.1 INCHES (~224 PPI PIXEL DENSITY)
TECHNOLOGY
PROTECTION Xperia makes watching movies more pleasant when compared to the Apple offering, and being able to do this while standing up and holding it with one hand means it outclasses the functionality of the Nexus 10 and Note 10.1 quite easily. The major downside to the screen is that Sony does not have the convenient eye-sensor of the Samsung devices meaning that if you are reading a long piece of text or an email, the screen seems to default dim every 5 seconds, which is quite irritating. Of course this can be changed, but 5 seconds seems too short even for a default setting. So we have got a super light device that looks amazing and performs really well - What is the catch? Has it got a fixed memory? No. Sony have gone against the trend here and have included 16gb or 32gb of on board storage as well as implementing a Micro SD card slot capable of supporting up to 64gb, besting the storage capacity of even the best in class iPad or Nexus. In order to support this potential monster storage, Sony has thrown in a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with a quad-core 1.5GHz Krait CPU coupled with 2GB RAM; compared to other tablets this one is truly on fire. Needless to say the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the king of the Android tablets in its class, trumping the likes of the Nexus 10, Note 10.1 and other contenders. It is sleek, light, powerful, connected and has a brilliant screen and camera. Having said that, I would have liked to have seen a slightly bigger battery, but I am not sure where they could have squeezed it in. There are so many tablets in the market these days that it takes a lot for us to decide to feature one. However, in this case I felt the iPad Air has enough coverage and has overshadowed the might of the Xperia Z, which is undoubtedly the best of Android mixed with the best of Sony. If you are buying this as a gift for someone else and they are an Apple fanatic, I would probably stick with what you know they will love. However if they are device or OS agnostic, I would be inclined to give them a device that will stand the test of time and give them the ability to do so much more.
SHATTER PROOF AND SCRATCH-RESISTANT GLASS SONY MOBILE BRAVIA ENGINE 2 LOUDSPEAKER YES, WITH STEREO SPEAKERS 3.5MM JACK YES 3D SURROUND SOUND ENHANCEMENT MEMORY CARD SLOT MICROSD, UP TO 64 GB
INTERNAL
SECONDARY
16 GB, 2 GB RAM
YES, 2.2 MP, 1080P@30FPS
SPEED
FEATURES OS
HSDPA, 42 MBPS; HSUPA, 5.8 MBPS; LTE, CAT3, 50 MBPS UL, 100 MBPS DL WLAN WI-FI 802.11 A/B/G/N, DUAL-BAND, DLNA, WI-FI HOTSPOT BLUETOOTH YES, V4.0 WITH A2DP NFC YES INFRARED PORT YES USB YES, MICROUSB V2.0 (MHL) CAMERA PRIMARY 8.1 MP, 3264X2448 PIXELS, AUTOFOCUS, CHECK QUALITY FEATURES GEO-TAGGING, TOUCH FOCUS, FACE AND SMILE DETECTION, HDR VIDEO YES, 1080P@30FPS, HDR, CHECK QUALITY
ANDROID OS, V4.1.2 (JELLY BEAN), PLANNED UPGRADE TO V4.4 (KITKAT) CHIPSET QUALCOMM SNAPDRAGON APQ8064 CPU QUAD-CORE 1.5 GHZ KRAIT
EXTRAORDINARY LUXURY
JAGUAR.COM/GB/EN/NEW_XJ
DIPLOMATIC SALES To ďŹ nd out more, simply contact the Diplomatic Sales Team on 02075 140 425 or at sales@mayfair.stratstone-jaguar.co.uk Alternatively, visit us at 14 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8DX
TECHNOLOGY
The Nexus 5 is the latest in Google’s Nexus line. Google has, once again teamed up with LG for this phone. It is based on the very successful LG G2 with some considerable upgrades. MORITZ BARSCH
HARDWARE
Battery
The overall build quality is very good especially considering the price. It might not have the premium feel of an HTC One but it is sturdy and well put together. The screen is made of Gorilla Glass 3, which makes the screen resilient to breaking if dropped. The back is polycarbonate plastic with grip hold. Both the power and volume buttons are made of ceramic rather than the usual plastic, which gives it a high quality feel. The phone is marginally taller and wider than the Nexus 4. It measures 137.9 by 69.2 by 8.6 mm. It is also slightly lighter at 130g compared to 139g. Although LTE is not as ubiquitous in the UK as it is in the US, the Nexus 5 has this feature ready for when the UK is ready to embrace it. The Nexus 5 also includes the Qi wireless charging, which is really appreciated because you no longer have to plug in an extra wire and keep stock of where it is at any given time. .
Battery life has always been the Achilles heel of Nexus series. Both the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 4 were renowned for their impressively short battery life. This time Google and LG have included a 2300mAh battery, which may not be the biggest battery around but it is still large enough to easily make it through a day at medium usage. This means that while the battery life could be better it is still above average for Android phones.
Feel The phone is comfortable to hold in one hand with all buttons at finger reach without getting in the way of the phone experience. The phone feels light but sturdy. My biggest gripe with the aesthetics of the phone is the placement of the speaker. When holding the handset in landscape, the palm blocks the speaker resulting in muffled sound. The phone also has soft keys as standard. I personally like the soft keys but I also know many people who prefer having a physical key to press. Haptic feedback can be turned on to solve this issue.
Screen The nexus 5 has a 1080p 4.95in IPS screen which means it has a PPI of 445. In short, the screen is gorgeous. Viewing angles are fantastic and colours, while not as vibrant and rich as on the AMOLED screen of the Galaxy S4, are still very good. Since the Nexus 5 uses soft keys, one does lose some of the screen real-estate.
Processor This phone uses a 2.26GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 with an Adreno 330 GPU. This is the processor used in many high end phones, most of which costs significantly more than the Nexus 5. All you need to know is that this absolutely flies. Having used it for a few weeks, I have yet to see it stutter. Navigating the web is a pleasure on the beautiful screen and even loading flash heavy websites will not slow it down.
Camera Traditionally this has been the other downfall of the Nexus phones. The Nexus 4’s camera could be described, at best, as mediocre. The Nexus 5 has the same resolution at 8 megapixels but that is only one aspect of the camera. In its default settings the camera is still a big improvement over the nexus 4. The new software now includes a HDR+ feature which results in even better pictures. However, there is a fair amount of shutter lag, meaning that photographing moving objects may be difficult. Google are planning to release an update for the camera which should improve some of these issues. The rear-facing camera is also capable of 1080p video. The sound and video quality are both pretty good. In conclusion, the camera is much better than before but there is still room for improvement. The phone also has a 1.3 megapixel front facing camera which is sufficient for video chats.
Software On release, this phone was the first to run Android 4.4 kitkat. All nexuses run vanilla Android, which means that the interface is exactly as Google imagines it. It also means that updates are received far quicker than phones that have an added skin. While some of the OEM added skins do add nice features, they do slow down performance. Overall the differences between 4.3 and 4.4 are not too significant.
One of the first things someone who upgrades from 4.3 will notice is the notifications bar where the many icons that used to be blue, are now white. The camera app is mostly the same excluding the introduction of the HDR+ feature. The messaging app is now hangouts by default. Hangouts is an improvement to the older messaging app but there are many that disagree. Finally, the biggest change is probably the dialler app. The new version looks far more like the card based Google Now and it is a massive improvement to the old one.
Price The nexus 5 comes in two configurations. There is a 16GB and a 32GB version costing ÂŁ299 and ÂŁ339 respectively.
Conclusion The nexus 5 is by far the best phone for money. At the cost of most mid-range phones it comes with the fastest processors on the market. The screen is gorgeous and the battery life is above average. The camera is lacklustre and the speaker placement is annoying if using in landscape mode. This phone gets my recommendation for anyone looking for a top spec handset at mid-range price. The perfect Christmas gift for someone special or for yourself, because hey, you deserve a new gadget.
GENERATIONTOGENERATION
WHAT HAS CHANGED BETWEEN THE 7TH AND 8TH GENERATION OF CONSOLES?
T
ERIC ORLOWSKI
he change of a generation. The seventh generation consoles have now lasted for almost ten years – and now they have finally been retired. With Sony and Microsoft recently releasing their new consoles, the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, how have the flagship features changed from one generation to the other? It can be taken for granted that the hardware has been upgraded, but what type of innovation can be seen, and how will this affect the way gaming is experienced during this generation of consoles? It might only look OK, but it has a great personality. Looking past the specs, and all else that make up the actual unit, what have been the flagship features about the consoles? And how do they compare to the features of today’s generation? Beginning with the Xbox 360, here are the main marketed ‘flagship’ features:
Kinect Built as a wireless tracker, to allow the player’s movements to be tracked and affect the game, Kinect was first launched as a flagship feature for the Xbox 360. Incorporating revolutionary technology, effectively mixing the concept of the Nintendo Wii with the traditional console controller. However, Kinect was not as impressive, or indeed, useful as made out to be. It lacked efficient execution, and many games rarely incorporated it beyond very basic manoeuvres – and the few games that fundamentally relied on it were considered a flop, and bordering on impossible to play.
Xbox Live Updates and improvements Attempting to effectively incorporate a wider network for features beyond gaming, including music, film, pictures and videos, Microsoft launched a new and improved version of Xbox Live. The new system would allow the user to track their game progress, rent and stream films and music, amongst other things. Very much the predecessor to Sony’s PlayStation Network, Xbox Live tried to redefine the usefulness of consoles, and make it a wider spectrum entertainment machine. The second console’s features to look at is the PlayStation 3; being released almost a year after the Xbox 360, Sony had time to add and refine features, and also the time to put in as many revolutionising features as possible, while knowing the exact competition they were up against.
Backward Compatibility But only for a limited time. When Sony promised backward compatibility on the PlayStation 3 for both PS1 and PS2 games, they were not exactly lying. Admittedly, you cannot say it was not the truth either – or at least not the full truth. Only the original PS3 had this feature, and a price tag of $600. In order to gain a competitive edge, mainly by cutting production cost (thus cutting RRP), Sony decided to move a number of advertised features, including the backward compatibility. This was of course probably one of the larger scandals to affect the PS3 during its lifetime.
Controller Improvement This is, and will always be a critical (and sore) point with each generation of consoles. The controller is, effectively, the tool the end-user is most affected by: it was what you use, what you feel, it is your control-rod to that separate universe. Much like with the PS4 (which will be covered in more detail later), the PS3 did see improvements on its controller; albeit nothing ground-breaking in terms of design. Sticking with a winning concept, Sony improved on the more software related features of the controller, and produced the Sixaxis Tilt feature; something designed to incorporate the movement of the WiiMote and the traditional controller. Whilst the idea was sound in theory, no-one really used it very much. Being ignored in most AAA games, the feature only saw limited use with incorporate QTE’s in a very limited line-up of games; most notably Heavy Rain (A game which broke the mould in many ways, alone – Perhaps not surprising). In terms of the generation upon us; what has Sony advertised as the flagship features of their new baby?
Social Media Sharing This is one of the big flagship features that seems to be prominent amongst the recently released hardware. Having improved the PlayStation Network, Sony has fleshed out the concepts of profiles, friend lists, and even allows you to link your social networks to the PSN. They have even gone to the extent of incorporating a dedicated ‘share’ button on the controller, allowing you to share your latest adventures with your friends.
Controller Overhaul As with any new generation, the controller has, yet again, become a focal point. As understandable as it is, Sony have kept the general shape and winning concept of their previous consoles; only improving the trigger buttons and the joysticks slightly, to allow for better grip. However, it is the new technology in the controller that makes it exciting. The touchpad that replaces the start and select buttons as a dynamic button is something innovative and fresh, without damaging the integrity of the controller.
Voice Commands It appears that convenience is the new buzzword when it comes to consoles. Promising a new voice-command system to make it easier to turn the console on, off, change games, eject disk, change profile and much more, Sony intends to make gaming more convenient by allowing the player to pop in and out of gaming at a moment’s notice, letting you start off at the exact point where you left off.
More loyal than a dog
Lean, mean entertainment machine Building on the notion of convenience (and incorporating social networking and the like), the system also promises to give you an overall entertainment experience, far beyond the realm of just gaming – the ability to run games is now just another entertainment avenue in a city buzzing with music, films and TV. And what has Microsoft been saying about their consoles and its development? So much multimedia it becomes multimedia2! Incorporating new features to Xbox Live to make it a fullblown multimedia centre, Microsoft has been introducing features such as cloud storage for game progress, multitasking between apps, view live sporting events, use the console for Skype calls, amongst a plethora of other things. Furthermore, it has also been designed to allow for a stronger incorporation of other features, particularly cloud gaming, game streaming and being able to jump in and out of games as and when you please.
Kinect v2.0 The new, widely talked about, Kinect began its life in the public’s eye with controversy. Initially featuring an ‘always on’ and ‘always connected’ requirement for the Xbox One to function, the Kinect has been revamped to do much more than simply registering the user’s movements while gaming. The new Kinect, being shipped with each Xbox One, has been improved, not only in hardware, but also through its software. Monitoring things such as the stance of the player, facial expression, heart rate and also the surroundings of the player, the Kinect is meant to redefine how gaming and immersion affects keep the player hooked in front of that screen.
Always-on, listening to your voice commands – there to entertain you. Always. The new, almost robotic features, are there to make your transaction from off-on, from game to video, from video to Skype as seamless and easy as possible. But, Microsoft takes it a step further; a step beyond mere voice commands and incorporates physical gestures, registered by the Kinect, to make the console bow to (almost) your every whim. Where does this leave us today, and what might the future hold? Something that, perhaps, goes without saying is that the 8th generation of consoles has changed, and evolved. Our, now old, yet beloved PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 can almost be considered to be products of an entirely different time. Being a gaming machine, focused on gaming, and meant to complement one’s collection of other systems (with an exception of perhaps DVD / Blu-Ray player – although the lack of a blu-ray player on the Xbox 360 says a lot). In short, these machine were gaming machine first, and any other feature was just that, a feature. While they could play music, and they could be used to view your photos, that was never the main focus of the machine – and perhaps rightfully so. Nevertheless, the 8th generation is a brave new world. While these consoles are, naturally, more powerful and with that they are able to change the face of console gaming alone, they are also trying to be more than that. With the focus being shifted to cloud gaming, voice command, dynamic buttons – and even dynamic gesticulation (!) – these machines are no longer a video games console. The PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One are machines made for home entertainment in any, if all, forms imaginable – they are these to complement your television and change the way you use it fundamentally. While only time may tell their flaws, there is no doubt that this is what ‘video game’ consoles are developing into – ‘Dynamic’ is the word.
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TECHNOLOGY
T
he release of the new generation of consoles seems to have opened seemingly infinite avenues for development and creativity within the video game industry. In the wake of the much-awaited release of both the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4, a report was released detailing the expected trends and developments within the sector, specifically with regards to the development of video games. The general conclusion, or perhaps revelation to some, was that in order for a game to enjoy any long-lived success over the coming generation of video games, it must feature some sort of open-world / sandbox element, much like people now expect voice acting to be present in any new title. This is not to say that every game is required to give the player the ridiculous amount of freedom expected from an Elder Scrolls title – there must still be a differential between the genres: Ultimately, some people prefer the Call of Duty set up above that of Far Cry 3. Indeed, the key-thing to take away is that the game requires some manner of open-world element. Fundamentally, it boils down to the (relatively) newfound focus of dynamic games – games where the player is not merely observing a narrative, but a player who is indeed a part of a narrative and has the inborn ability to affect the outcome of the narrative. With the dynamic experience being the new focus of the new generation of consoles, going beyond just the realm of video games, it is perhaps not unsurprising to see the same development take place on the platform of video game creation. However, I would also argue that the need for dynamic effects, i.e. different outcomes and giving the player choices that matter, run much deeper than just the way in which the 8th
ERIC ORLOWSKI generation of consoles have been marketed. Fundamentally, one of the main points that separate games from other media, such as literature or music, is that it naturally lacks a certain degree of finality – it is one of the few art forms and types of media which you can naturally affect the outcome or story with great ease. However, as with any industry, there is still less philosophical and more business-esque parameters affecting the situation. The video game industry is now one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. And much like any other industry, it operates at the mercy of market forces; supply and demand – in this case, demand being more critical. Compared to a film, for which you pay £70 for a DVD player and another £20 for the DVD itself, a game will require you to fork out £400 on a console and then a further £50 for the game itself. With costs of entertainment being that high in relation to other media, consumers expect more entertainment; they expect replay value of a game – to be able to play it once, twice, thrice, or even four times before they feel that it becomes repetitive; customers will (almost) always expect a justification for a hefty price tag; especially when they have to pay £50 for each individual game they buy. Looking at the most critically acclaimed games of the last console era, we find titles such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Far Cry 3, Dishonored and Crysis 2 close to the top of the list. The mean feature these have in common is their potential for replay value through open-world aspects; though most of them differ significantly in terms of actual gameplay. This should not be mistakenly considered to be an over-night switch that has occurred recently. Like most shifts in an industry, it has been gradual, and can indeed be tracked over the past decade or so. The key change in the market now, however, is the change from one generation of consoles to another. This opens new choice through increased processing power. As the end users tools change, so do the video game designers. Different tools mean a different outcome. In the coming years we will come to consider sandbox styled games to be a new norm, a new requirement. It is an introduction that I would wholeheartedly welcome.
FASHION
Pipe Interview with Chris Askwith, of Askwith Pipes Pipe smoking has been around for centuries, and has recently started a resurgence thanks to popular culture. This has led to a rise in artisan makers and we had the privilege to talk to one of the best out there, Chris Askwith. TILL BARSCH & DARREN JAMES KOZLOWSKI Hi Chris, what made you delve into the world of pipes?
What differentiates an artisanal pipe from a mass produced one?
I used to smoke the odd cigar and then became enamoured by it, eventually building a nice little collection. After exploring cigars for a couple of years the pipe just seemed to be the obvious progression. While I still do enjoy a good cigar from time to time, the pipe is my favoured choice.
Everything that goes into an artisan pipe is done by one or just a few people. Speaking for myself, I choose the wood, I choose the shape-I drill, sand, file, stain and polish-all in my workshop with my own hands. I know every detail of the pipe intimately and have performed every step to the best of my ability. Because I am there at every step I can work to get the best from every piece of wood and end up with a totally unique product.
So then what caused the change from pipe smoker to pipe maker? When I first decided to get a pipe I was on a limited budget and had few local establishments. From internet forums I learned the best value for money would be in an estate pipe so I bought one from ebay. The pipe however required some cleaning and restoration. Luckily I had suitable tools to do this and immediately the hobby of pipe smoking and pipe refurbishment were combined for me. I continued in this fashion and shared my work online, this brought me commission work to do cleaning and alterations for others. At a local pipe club I met pipe maker - Paul Hubartt - he was impressed with my work and offered to teach me how to make pipes in his workshop.
You have rapidly made quite a name for yourself, what would you say is key to your success? I have always tried to offer the best made pipe I can create at a fair and affordable price and something just a little different to what most see as the classic English pipe. Nearly every pipe I make is based on the classic shape chart-where I try to differ is that I bring in new materials, fresher colours and unusual combinations. Combine that with careful shaping and precise engineering and you create something that is desirable to any pipe smoker looking for something modern and of the highest quality.
Can you tell us more about what goes into designing a pipe like the one you sent us? I usually start with a shape I would like to produce, say a billiard. I will research various versions of this shape made in the past and start to look at the bits I like from each. I will then combine those parts with some ideas of my own and sketch out a rough plan. This shape will then be refined into a paper template with which I can then search for a suitable block of wood-the process can also be reversed, starting with the wood and designing a shape to fit best.
And what about the actual process of making the pipe? Once I have my block and my shape I will cut it out on the bandsaw, make any necessary measurements and notes then take it to the lathe for drilling and some shaping. After the initial steps I will inspect the block for engineering flaws then take it to the sanding disc for shaping. After shaping I choose a stem material which is also drilled on the lathe before shaping with many different specially adapted or created tools. After all the shaping is done the pipe is either sanded and polished or sandblasted in a custom setup. Obviously this is a highly cut down version of the process but explaining it in full takes almost as long as doing it as there are probably hundreds of individual steps on every pipe each requiring great care.
FABIO VASSALLO
You use a variety of materials, such as English Bog Morta, Briar, Strawberry, and Olive wood, for your pipes. Can you tell us more about their respective qualities? Briar is the classic wood for pipes, delivering a clean taste with great heat resistance and of course stunning grain. Olivewood also has beautiful grain and imparts a spicy background flavour, it is also quite resilient. Strawberry wood is slightly softer than briar, it is not used for smooths but it produces a stunning wild and craggy sandblast, it has great smoking qualities imparting a sweetness to the smoke. Bog Oak (Morta) is probably my favourite - difficult to use and full of flaws when working it makes a hard black pipe with an interesting blast pattern. The smoking qualities are superb, neutral or slightly earthy it works wonderfully to bring out the natural flavour of the tobacco and smokes very cool and dry.
What kind of pipe would you recommend to someone just starting out? A good starting point is to pick a shape that appeals aesthetically. A straight pipe is better for the beginner and choosing a pipe from a well known and respected manufacturer, or even better an artisan will ensure good engineering. My final piece of advice would be to never be afraid to ask questions from your supplier, a good retailer or maker will be able to help you greatly with your choice.
What is the best way to care for one of your pipes? Simple really, after each smoke run a pipe cleaner through to mop up any excess moisture and set it aside to dry. Every now and again run through a few alcohol soaked cleaners and then dry again. Keep any cake thin and even. That is it, nothing special to keeping a pipe in good order.
What is your personal favourite pipe shape and finish? Personally I love a fairly small, lightweight straight billiard in a sandblast finish. A truly classic shape with excellent smoking qualities and a timeless elegance are hard to beat in my book.
And lastly, what do you think the future holds for Askwith Pipes? Hopefully many years of doing what I love, making pipes and selling them to happy customers across the world. I cannot think of a better job!
CHRIS ASKWITH’S PIPES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.ASKWITHPIPES.COM LEATHER POUCH PICTURED BY SORRINGOWL & SONS AND CAN BE FOUND AT HIS WEBSITE WWW.SORRINGOWLANDSONS.COM OR ON ETSY AT WWW.SORRINGOWLANDSONS.ETSY.COM A SPECIAL THANKS TO GLYNN QUELCH, OF GQ TOBACCOS FOR HIS HELP
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THE TOOLS
&
TIPS TILL BARSCH NORMAN TAMKIVI
THE TOOLS the brush A quintessential part of the preparation, and key to achieving a perfect shave.The shave brush helps lift the whiskers, while gently exfoliating the skin. On a budget a good boar brush will do well, however, for a truly luxurious shave a silvertip badger is the way to go. The super-soft tips of the hair feel like a gentle massage. There are also fantastic synthetic brushes out there for those who prefer nonanimal products. Good brands include Morris & Forndran, Semogue and Simpson, among others.
the razor The main tool, presents several good options. The easiest is a non-disposable cartridge razor, however, the cost of cartridges makes this the most expensive option too and that, combined with the lack of tradition, makes this one of the less attractive options despite the closeness of the shave. The Safety Razor or DE can provide just as close a shave and there are no pricy cartridges to take into account. A lot of people actually find they have less irritation and razor burn when using a DE razor. I’d recommend a vintage Gillette, or one of the more modern brands like Edwin Jagger, Weber, or Tradere. A sampler pack is the best to start off with as it provides a variety of blades with different edges that are easily found online. Lastly, for a truly traditional shave, go for a straight razor. Although more time consuming, a straight razor shave is a truly unique experience. A properly honed (sharpened) razor provides one of the closest and smoothest shaves possible. All you need is a razor and a good strop. Solingenand Sheffield-made razors are the best, while the leading strops are by Scrupleworks, Tony Miller, and Kanayama. You’ll easily find companies offering honing services online.
MR NATTY
the soap/cream
the lather
Helps cushion your face and allows the blade to glide. The difference between a traditional shave soap/cream and a canned stuff is immeasurable.Top end shaving products use only the highest quality natural ingredients that not only facilitate the shave but also nurture the skin. Standard essential oils also provide a fantastic olfactory experience. Canned shaving products on the other hand are packed with chemicals and aren’t nearly as good for your skin or shave. Castle Forbes, Fitjar, DR Harris, and various others have great products.
Is created by wetting your brush, gently squeezing some of the water out, then swirling it over your product until it is nicely loaded (anywhere between 30-60 swirls). If you are using a cream, an almond-sized drop should suffice. You can either create your lather in a bowl, or directly on your face. In a bowl, simply swirl your brush, slowly adding water until you reach the desired consistency. If you prefer face lathering, gently rub the brush in circular motions over the face, remembering to also add water. It may take a few attempts to get it just right, but when you do it’ll be worth it.
The Aftershave: rounds-off your shave. A quality aftershave does wonders for your skin. Balms are usually the best choice, although it does essentially depend on skin type. A good aftershave will moisturize, calm and repair the skin. Vitamin E is nourishing, while certain botanicals help soothe, and don’t be afraid of a little alcohol either. There are loads of good products for different skin types and by different brands, so just choose accordingly.
Now that you have the tools it is time for…
the shave What you’ve been building up to.Take your chosen razor and, holding it at approximately a 30 degree angle, gently, with minimal pressure, shave along the grain (usually north to south). Remember to stretch your skin, especially if you are using a straight razor. After reapplying lather you’ll want to shave against the grain. Initially you will want to start out only shaving with the grain in order to minimize irritation. It’s really important not to apply pressure at any time when using these types of razors.
THE SHAVE the prep
the post-shave
to prepare your beard either place a warm towel over your face for 2-3minutes, or take a nice hot shower.You’ll also want to soak your brush.
Vital to rounding off a good shave. Start by splashing cold water over your face to reduce irritation. After drying off apply your aftershave to help heal and nourish your skin.
And there you have it, the ABC of a traditional wet shave.
IN-DEPTH The tradition of wet-shaving is still thriving in Scandinavia. Fitjar, and Scrupleworks, both located in Norway, create some of the best shaving products on the market.
Fitjar Fitjar has been producing skin care products using mostly organic ingredients, essential oils, and no colour additives since 2002. Everything is created in the small Norwegian municipality of Fitjar, and the products capture the spirit of the coastal landscape. We received their Bregneskog (Norwegian Wood) shave cream and aftershave balm to test and we absolutely loved them! The cream has a beautiful foresty scent, and leaves your skin feeling super luxurious.
Scrupleworks Torolf Myklebust’s passion for leather crafting and love of wet-shaving, led him to become a master strop maker in 2008. It took several years of research, searching for leather tanning recipes in 100-year-old texts. But soon enough it all paid off and his strops were being sent all over the world, each one a unique work of art he has taken pride in creating. Torolf kindly sent us one of his strops, and it has to be said that the craftsmanship is impeccable. The attention to detail is astounding. If shaving with a straight razor appeals to you, one of Torolf ’s strops is definitely the way to go.
Additional Information Fitjar products can be found at www.fitjarsoap.no Scrupleworks products can be found at http://www.scrupleworks.com/ For more information or help check out a forum like Badger & Blade
SINCE 1854, TAYLOR OF OLD BOND STREET HAVE PRODUCED AND SOLD THE FINEST IN LUXURY MEN’S GROOMING PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES, CREATING A BRAND WHICH IS SYNONYMOUS WITH BRITISH STYLE AND QUALITY. VISIT THEIR STORE AT TAYLOR OF OLD BOND STREET, 74 JERMYN STREET, ST JAMES’S, LONDON, SW1Y 6NP OR VISIT THEM AT WWW.TAYLOROLDBONDST. CO.UK AND 4TH FLOOR, SELFRIDGES, LONDON (WWW.SELFRIDGES.COM).
A collection of Art Deco ‘Champagne bottle’ decanters and shakers
Art Deco cigarette box with clock by Cartier (Ref 4989)
Long established in King Street, St.James’s next to Christie’s, the Pullman Gallery specializes in 20th century objets de luxe and collectables, including:
•
Art Deco silver ice bucket and tray, Tetard Paris (Ref 5229)
Original, vintage posters • Art Déco bronze sculpture • Automotive Art and collectables • Antique Louis Vuitton trunks • Cocktail shakers and barware • René Lalique car mascots and vases •Dunhill lighters and cigar accessories • WWII naval binoculars and instruments • Rare tinplate toys, cars and aeroplanes • Vintage pieces by Hermès, Cartier, Asprey and Tiffany • Sculptural, original models by John Elwell.
Very large, multi-blade knife, Czech, circa 1930 (Ref 5204)
‘1931 Supermarine S.6B’, a unique, large-scale model by John Elwell (Ref 5167)
Rare, complete set of Asprey ‘Ship’s Lantern’ cocktail shakers, 1935 (Ref 5194)
Important, Modernist cocktail set by Desny, 1928 (Ref 5068)
Illustrated here is a small selection of our newest items of inventory. For full details of the pieces featured, and our extensive collection of similar pieces, please visit our website www.pullmangallery.com The latest issue of PULLMAN, our house magazine, is available from the gallery or online.
14 King Street St. James’s London SW1Y 6QU Tel: +44 (0) 20 7930 9595
www.pullmangallery.com A pair of large, silvered-bronze photo frames by Heintz Art Metal Co, USA, 1910 (Ref 5232)
A pair of shoe trunks by Louis Vuitton, circa 1920s (Refs 4680, 4859)
Monday – Friday: 10.00 – 18.00 And by appointment
TECHNOLOGY
Top 10 innovative games of the past generation Below is a list of some of the most interesting, ground breaking, innovative and / or critically acclaimed games from the now last generation of video games. While it is difficult to fit every title that I wanted on to a list that only has space for 10, these are the games that I would consider to be a must-play; and many of the mechanics, ideas and innovation present in these titles will, and have already, been seen in new games. In a way, the games below have already developed a legacy to their names.
9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare I know what many people would say to having a Call of Duty game on a list focusing on innovative games. However, one must not forget the weight that the first instalment in the Modern Warfare series had on the industry. Call of Duty 4 finally forced the genre of war-focused shooter game out of Normandy, North Africa or Stalingrad and into new, modern settings. It acted as a catalyst to change the generic second world war backdrop into a modern, more flexible, and interesting backdrop; often allowing more creativity from the designers. 10. Journey You’re a robed character, in the middle of the desert. You do not know where you came from, or what has happened; all you know is that you need to make your way to summit of a mountain miles ahead of you. Journey, being an independent game, is innovative in its use of simple, yet gripping game play. There is no real combat system, there are no real enemies, yet you are in an open-world setting. It is, in essence, an open-world puzzle game. It also sports a neat feature that allows you to interact with other players; without text or microphones, but instead through the use of controls in the game.
8. Mass Effect (Series) Mass Effect, 1 through to 3, is a creation better looked upon as a whole, rather than independent games. Being a third person shooter, set in a science fiction setting, but with strong RPG elements makes it
memorable in its own right. However, the truly interesting thing about the series was how it popularised dynamic changes in games. Whilst choices that influenced the ending of games was nothing new, the innovation BioWare brought to the table with Mass Effect popularised the concept, and redefined it. It is also worth mentioning that the series probably take the prize for being the best series with the worst ending. In history.
certain games without this mechanic; which is also exactly why this simple, yet genius, mechanic has become as standard in third person games as a crouch button is standard in first person shooters.
5. Dishonored 7. Portal Now you are thinking with Portals! Imagine: a first person shooter. Replace standard enemies with puzzles; and replace your rifle with a wormhole-creating piece of equipment. Not to mention the genius of the concept itself; the execution of the game surpassed any expectation anyone could have had. Mixing together an incredible physics engine, with engaging and mind-boggling puzzles that are set within a complex, well-written and immersive story, Portal is one of the most original games ever made.
A stealth assassination game set in a steam-punk take on London. Following the assassination of your empress and your wrongful incarceration for her murder, you set out to take revenge on the people who have wronged you, your empress and the empire she controlled. The question remains: how will you do it? Kick the door down with your guns blazing, killing everyone standing in your way? No? Perhaps a pacifist’s approach; hide in the shadow and find an alternative way to find revenge, without murder. The choice is yours in Dishonored. And most interesting of all: Your actions have real effects on the world around you. Incorporating a tracking of a player’s chaos level, gained through murder and mayhem, the world will gradually turn darker and more violent. This dynamic change, and its incorporation in such a detailed setting is what makes Dishonored a true masterpiece.
6. Gears of War While the game was said to lack a certain finish, and a lot of things about the game could have (and arguably should have) been improved prior to release, Gears of War was still a masterpiece, especially in terms of its innovation and how it changed the very fundamentals of third person shooter games. Gears of War introduced the now standard concept of cover in a third-person shooting game; i.e. where you can with the click of a button stick your character behind cover and pop up and shoot. This is now a fundamental part of any third person shooter game (for example Mass Effect) and it would be difficult to imagine
4. Heavy Rain Have you ever wanted to play a movie? Try Heavy Rain. While it is not everybody’s winning concept, the idea is innovative, and highly intriguing. Taking immersive storytelling and dynamic choice to the
TECHNOLOGY limit of (then) the latest technology, Heavy Rain is like shunting you into a Silence of the Lambs –setting, where you follow the story of a serial killer from several characters’ perspective. Mixing cinematography and gaming, this all-story title breaks the wall that separates creative arts in a way never quite seen before.
3. BioShock A first-person shooter set in a utopia-turned-dystopian city at the bottom of the North Atlantic called Rapture. BioShock is a first-person shooter game with elements of horror. It is also, interestingly, very much a thinking man’s game, incorporating social critique as broad as how the morals of capitalism, the morality of survival, and how science and development often come at a price. Incorporating strong elements of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, this stunning horror shooter truly is one for the history books.
2. Red Dead Redemption Spaghetti westerns still have their charm. Red Dead Redemption, set in the dying American frontier of 1911, is an open-world game that follows your travels as a bandit-come-family-man who trys to save his family from the authorities by killing his old gang members. Offering a highly engaging story with memorable characters, Red Dead Redemption is just one of those stories you need to hear; from the moment you step off that train to its heart-breaking ending. Red Dead Redemption is a perfect example on how you can tell a meaningful story through a video game.
1. Dark Souls You know you are in for a treat when something uses the catchphrase ‘prepare to die’. Those words sum up Dark Souls better than anything I could ever produce. You will die. A lot. But it is not frustrating, bizarrely. Dark Souls, the spiritual successor to Demon Souls, is set in a massive open-world kingdom that allows you to climb the highest peaks, and wade through the deepest bogs in search for your own soul. But you are all alone. Its difficulty, minimalistic approach to information and absolute freedom for the player, coupled with its portrayal of absolute loneliness is what makes this game truly unique.
TOP TEN – LAPTOPS 1. SONY VAIO PRO
2. ACER ASPIRE S7
999
999
£
£
4. SAMSUNG SERIES 9
900
£
3. APPLE MACBOOK AIR
900
£
5. APPLE MACBOOK PRO
999
£
TOP TEN – LAPTOPS 6. HP CHROMEBOOK 11
230
£
9. ASUS VIVOBOOK S200E
500
£
7. ASUS TAICHI
1200
£
10. ACER ASPIRE S3
1000
£
8. SAMSUNG SERIES 7 ULTRA
1000
£
TOP TEN – TV’S 1. SAMSUNG KE55S9C OLED TV
7000
£
2. PANASONIC TX-P55VT65B
2050
£
3. SAMSUNG ES9000
8000
£
4. SONY KDL-46HX853
1450
£
5. BANG AND OLFUSEN BEOVISION 11
5000
£
TOP TEN – TV’S 6. SONY KD-55X9005A 4K
3300
£
7. SAMSUNG UE55F8000
2500
£
8. PHILIPS 55PFL8008
1900
£
9. TOSHIBA 58L9363
3000
£
10. LOEWE REFERENCE ID
4500
£
TOP TEN – COMPANIES 1. PENHALIGONS
2. DORCHESTER COLLECTION
3. SUSHI SAMBA
4. BRIETLING
5. JAGUAR LANDROVER
9. MORTONS
TOP TEN – COMPANIES 6. HANDELSBANKEN
10. THE HOSPITAL CLUB
7. BRIONI
8. QATAR AIRLINES
SPECIAL MENTION: UBER
TOP TEN – MOBILES 1. SAMSUNG GALAXY S4
500
£
2. LG G2
350
£
3. APPLE IPHONE 5S
549
£
4. HTC ONE
380
£
5. SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 3
600
£
TOP TEN – MOBILES 6. NOKIA LUMIA 1020
400
£
7. SONY XPERIA Z1
580
£
8. BLACKBERRY Q10
500
£
9. NOKIA LUMIA 925
300
£
10. SAMSUNG GALAXY S3
290
£
TOP TEN – TABLETS 1. SONY XPERIA Z
2. IPAD AIR
379
399
£
£
4. SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 10.1
199
£
3. GOOGLE NEXUS 7
199
£
5. SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 3
199
£
TOP TEN – TABLETS 6. IPAD MINI
399
£
9. HP ELITEPAD
600
£
7. MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 2
799
£
10. ASUS MeMO Pad HD
129
£
8. KINDLE FIRE HD
120
£
TOP TEN – START-UPS 1. THALMIC LABS
2. SWIFTKEY
3. WATSI
Founded in 2012 by three engineers in Waterloo, Canada, Thalmic Labs announced its flagship product ‘Myo’ in February, 2013. Myo is a wearable armband, that lets users control devices with their fingers and hands by sensing electrical activity in the muscles. Over 30,000 units have been pre-ordered and Thalmic Labs has secured $14.5million in funding.
It started in 2005 as an idea, and has since evolved into a successful business headquartered in London, UK. SwiftKey replaces Android smartphone’s on-screen keyboard, and using its prediction software makes typing (or swiping) a breeze. In September 2013, the company gained $17.5million in funding to expand its product portfolio, and expand globally.
The idea of Watsi came to founder Chase Adam while on a bus in Costa Rica. A woman passed around her sons medical record, in order to fund the treatment he needed. Utilising crowdfunding, Watsi enables anyone to donate money for medical treatment to those in need.
4. NARRATIVE
5. TICTAIL
NARRATIVE
Narrative’s flagship product is a lifelogging camera that takes a picture twice a minute, saving the time and GPS position. At the end of the day Narrative’s Android App sorts through the photos, and creates 30 key moments based on a number of factors. In 2012 they launched their camera on Kickstarter, securing over $550,000, when their original goal was only $50,000.
Utilising Swedish minimalist styling, TicTail enables anyone to set up an online store quickly, and easily. Within ten months of going public TicTail had over 10,000 web stores, and has recently secured $1.6million in funding.
TOP TEN – START-UPS 6. CRUSHPATH USA
7. TRANSFERWISE
8. HOLVI
Crushpath is a pitch site, which helps companies, entrepreneurs, anyone, pitch their ideas, products, or services. Search Engine Optimisation, easy sharing, plus a great interface make Crushpath very popular when it comes to marketing.
Using a peer-to-peer system to transfer money between countries, Transferwise is able to undercut its competition. Charging only 1pound for most transactions, Transferwise is changing the way we look at exchanging currencies.
Holvi was founded in Finland, in 2011 with the idea of internet banking through a simple user interface. With a multitude of features such as book-keeping, store fronts, accounts feeds, and more, Holvi redefines online banking. Currently only available in Finland, Holvi’s next target is the UK.
9. VENMO
10. FUNDED BY ME
Friends paying friends, that is the concept behind Venmo. Utilising a social feed similar to Twitter, and Facebook integration, Venmo hopes to differentiate itself from Paypal by creating memories; the fee structure is also vastly different, with zero charges for most transactions using a bank account.
Founded in February 2011 in Stockholm, Funded By Me connects entrepreneurs with investors and business angles. The entrepreneurs then offer equity in their start-up company in exchange for funds. Alternatively, if only looking for a small amount of financial support entrepreneurs can offer up rewards.
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