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OMAN’S FAVOURITE MAGAZINE, NOW A TABLOID TECH@DEENARMEDIA .COM
WEEK 36, SEPTEMBER 1 - 7, 2013
AN AL ROYA PRESENTATION
RazeR Blade PRo: a high-end gaming laPtoP that’s thinneR and lighteR than most
lethal Beauty
Demon Dance
mini snapper
perfect partner
TMG LS650: See how LexuS buiLdS a MonSTer
Canon PowerShoT n: CoMPaCT iS The new biG
ToShiba SaTeLLiTe P50T: hiGh-Powered MaChine
aPPS, eSSenTiaL, TeCh SeLeCTion, GaMeS and More...
FRONT COVER 57 v2.indd 1 8/27/13 1:37 PM
IFC AD + HOME SCREEN 57.indd 2 8/27/13 3:26 PM
2013 © 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.
Produced by
Deenar Press and Publishing LLCPO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of OmanTel: + 968 24696868, Fax: +968 24693569E-mail: [email protected]
Printed at Ruwi Modern Printers
Without risk-takers, we wouldn’t have the technologies we love today: the history of technology is littered with great leaps forward that could all too easily have been massive disasters.
There’s a flipside to that, of course: the history of technology is also littered with massive disasters that could all too easily have been great leaps forward. Let’s look at three tech firms that bet everything; not just the big winners, but the ones that lost more than their shirts.
Apple iPad: When Apple unveiled the iPad nobody was entirely sure what it was for. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said, “It was just a bigger iPod touch.” FoxNews.com blatantly said, “Apple may have lost its mojo.” However, somehow the iPad managed to overcome such major flaws and define a new category of computing, destroying netbooks and seriously denting the PC market too.
Nokia embracing Windows 8: In 2011, Nokia bet the farm on Windows Phone. Get it right and Nokia would be a player again; get it wrong and it would be goodbye Nokia. Did it work? Nokia accounts for four-fifths of Windows Phone sales, and Blackberry’s ongoing decline means that Windows Mobile is indeed the third mobile ecosystem Nokia promised it would be - so the gamble to save the company seems to have paid off.
Blackberry Playbook: Given the choice between betting on black or red, the firm formerly known as RIM bet on something they never should have. It resulted in a well-fuelled nightmare. RIM decided that the best way to battle Apple was to make an awful tablet. The USD500 PlayBook was so rushed to market that it didn’t have native email or calendar apps: RIM bet that customers wouldn’t mind. RIM bet wrong.
Tech gambles
57Issue
Home Screen
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TW57 WEEK 36.indb 3 8/26/13 4:46 PM
Saturn wave
If you stepped outside and snapped a photo of yourself waving to space on July 19, you might be famous. NASA on Wednesday released a collage of photos of people around the world who greeted the Cassini spacecraft.
NASA encouraged people to submit photos of themselves waving at the spacecraft from Earth on the same day Cassini took dramatic photos of Earth through Saturn’s rings. The space agency has compiled those photos in a collage the depicts the planet from space.
“While Earth is too small in the images Cassini obtained to distinguish any individual human beings, the mission has put together this collage so that we can celebrate all your waving hands, uplifted paws, smiling faces and artwork,” Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a statement. Over 1,400 photos were shared through social media sites, like Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr. The collage features pictures from 40 countries.
Apple buys EmbarkApple has picked up another mapping company, its third this year.The tech giant recently snapped up Embark, a company with myriad localized transit apps for cities like New York, San Francisco, and London, reports Jessica Lessin. Apple confirmed the deal, saying it “buys smaller technology companies from time to time,” but would not go into detail about the future of the service. Embark CEO David Hodge declined to comment. Embark was one of several location app makers who got a big boost following Apple’s rollout of its own mapping software in iOS 6.
According to Lessin, Apple plans to build Embark’s technology into its own software, presumably to replace the public transit features in Apple Maps. The purchase is Apple’s latest in a series. In just the past month, it’s been revealed that Apple has purchased location-based-data company Locationary, as well as local-navigation company Hopstop, which provides a service similar to Embark’s. In addition, Apple has picked up Oakland-based Passif Semiconductor (a deal that was also reported by Lessin), along with video
guide and recommendation service Matcha.TV. Earlier this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that Apple has been buying a company every month or two.
Linkedin drops minimum age
Truesmart watch secures Kickstarter funds
Kodak to come out of bankruptcy
Desktop 3D scanner goes on sale
Linkedin is dropping its minimum age for membership from 18 to 13. Children’s profiles will have default settings making less of their personal information publicly visible, with more prominent links to safety information.
Support requests from child members will also be dealt with separately. The decision comes the day after the social-networking site for professionals launched University Pages, allowing higher education institutions to set up profiles.
Dr Bernie Hogan, of the Oxford Internet Institute, said the development, which takes effect on 12 September, would help children “differentiate between the public profile they want for employment [and] the personal profile they share on Facebook with their friends and family”.
Omate Truesmart - a smartwatch with a built-in five megapixel camera - is set to go into production after hitting its crowdfunding target. The device raised more than USD100,000 of pledges on fundraising site Kickstarter, guaranteeing it will get the cash.
Another watch, Pebble, secured a record $10.2m via the funding site last year. Omate’s achievement comes ahead of the much-anticipated launch of a smartwatch from Samsung.
Eastman Kodak has gained court approval to come out of bankruptcy as a much smaller digital imaging company. The company, once the biggest name in photography, had planned to come out of bankruptcy in July.
Eastman Kodak was founded in New York more than 100 years ago and pioneered the use of film in cameras. US bankruptcy judge Allan Gropper agreed to the company’s plans, meaning it should be back trading in about two weeks.
A desktop device that can quickly scan objects so they can be replicated using a 3D printer has gone on sale. The Makerbot Digitizer, which costs USD1,400, will be shipped to the first buyers in October. Demand for the machine appeared to overload the company’s store when it went on sale on Thursday evening. The Digitizer is the latest product looking to bring 3D printing to mainstream technology users, but experts are sceptical.
The machine is designed to allow the replication of objects without any need for the user to learn any 3D modelling software or have any other special expertise. It works by pointing several lasers at the object and detecting contours in the surface.
An award-winning legal news website has stopped work, saying it cannot operate under current US surveillance policies. Pamela Jones, Groklaw’s founder, cited the alleged US practice of screening emails from abroad and storing messages “enciphered or otherwise thought to contain secret meaning” for five years.
Groklaw had promised its sources anonymity, but said it could not now ensure contributors would stay secret. Experts said they were worried that a site like Groklaw was closing.
The US National Security Agency’s operations came under the spotlight following a series of leaks to the Guardian newspaper by former intelligence analyst Edward Snowden. The NSA has since confirmed that it collected and analysed emails and other “select communications” from non-US persons, and that messages from US citizens were “sometimes incidentally acquired” as part of its operations.
Groklaw news website abandoned
4NEWS
WEEK 36, SEptEmbEr 1 - 7, 2013
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 4 8/26/13 4:46 PM
tECH rADAr
Archos 80b PlatinumIt has been revealed that Archos is preparing to launch a new addition to their range of tablets in the near future that will be powered by a Rockchip RK3188 ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core processor with Mali-400 graphics. It will be fitted with an 8-inch IPS display offering wide viewing angles and a resolution of 1024x768p. Other features include a 0.3 megapixel front facing camera for video calling, together with a 2 megapixel rear facing for video and photographs. With 8GB of internal storage and 1GB RAM, it is now available to pre-order for USD200.
Asus VivoBook X102BAThe laptop is expected to feature a 10.1-inch display, 2GB RAM and a 320GB hard drive, with a 500GB option available as well. The 320GB model is bundled with 2GB of RAM while the 500GB model is expected to come with 4GB RAM. It will also boat a 1.0GHz, dual-core AMD A4-1200 CPU with Radeon HD 8180 for graphics. Rumours have it that the laptop will be available in September with a price tag of USD440, something not too expensive considering it is targeting the student class.
Samsung HennessyThanks to Samsung, flip phones enthusiasts are in for a treat. Hennessy will feature dual-displays of 3.3-inch with a resolution of 320x480p and three capacitive touch buttons on the front. Other specifications include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM, microSD card slot, 5MP rear camera, 1,500 mAh battery and the Android 4.1. On the connectivity end, the device will also include WiFi, bluetooth, GPS and USB 2.0.
Technology that will make your month in more ways than one
Gadget jackpot
One Google search produces about 0.2g of CO2 but since we hardly get an answer from one search, a
typical search session produces about the same amount of CO2 as does boiling a tea kettle.
An Easter egg is a term that refers to an un-documented feature or novelty in a program that the makers secretly place
for additional fun and credits. Google ‘tilt’ and ‘do a barrel roll’ to see for yourself.
Today webcams are used mainly for user-to-user interaction and often inappropriate endeavours,
but the first webcam ever was used to monitor a coffee pot at Cambridge University.
It would take over one billion DVD’s to copy the entire internet to discs and 200 million of them if you
wanted to save it on the more powerful Blu-Ray discs.
Women have a stronger emotional connection to their computer
than men, as 51.6 per cent of women and merely 37.7 per cent of men agreed to the statement “I love my computer”.
Thomas Watson, who was the chairman of IBM in 1943 predicted that there would probably only be a world market for five computers.
According to legend, Amazon became the number one shopping site because in the
days before the invention of the search giant Google, Yahoo would list the sites in their directory alphabetically.
Technology morsels
Mozilla Firefox MetroWindows 8 users will be pleased to learn of an alternate browser to Windows Explorer, that supports touch gestures too. Releasing in December, the final version will also contain a Firefox app bar. This allows users to have the tab bar at the top but moves the address field and the rest to the bottom. You can already test a special version called Firefox Nightly; a Metro-style version of Firefox browser specifically designed from the ground up to work with touch and gestures within Microsoft’s latest Windows 8 operating system.
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 5 8/26/13 4:46 PM
Dangerouslysharp
The Razer Blade Pro is a powerful gaming laptop, with high-end components, a lovely 1080p screen, and a fancy touch-screen trackpad
The Razer Blade Pro is a high-end gaming laptop that’s thinner and lighter than most of its 17-inch competitors. Take the new Alienware
17, for instance; the Razer Blade Pro is half as thin and over a kilogram lighter. And while its noticeable slimmer than its competition, it hasn’t skimped where it matters to games in terms of specs.
It sports an Intel Core i7 quad-core processor, the latest Nvidia GTX 765M graphics, and 8GB RAM, which make it a great performer for games as well as video and photo editing. Combined with a classy screen, a generally understated style and a trackpad that doubles as a second display, the Razer Blade Pro is an attractive, if expensive pro-level gaming laptop.
Size and buildBigger than its sibling - the Razer Blade - the Razer Blade Pro is a 17.3-inch laptop that’s 427mm wide, 277mm deep and 22.4mm tall. It’s certainly big and bulky, but in comparison to the similarly specced Alienware 17 laptop, it’s half as thin and over a kilogram lighter.
It’s also much sleeker than most gaming laptops, with a clean black aluminium unibody design, a low-profile keyboard, and a generally solid build quality. It’s more Apple than Alienware, although Razer lost its nerve with the gaudy bright green keyboard, a feature that no gaming laptop maker seems to be able to resist.
FeaturesThe Blade Pro has everything you’d reasonably expect from a high-end, pro-level laptop, including three USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, HDMI out, a headphone socket and a Kensington lock port. Razer’s wireless technology is also lagging behind, quite literally, at 802.11n speed rather than the 802.11ac standard that’s becoming common in late-2013.
The Blade Pro’s webcam is 2.0 megapixel, which produces clear images on Skype. However, one strange feature is that it produced a lot of interference through the headphones whenever the unit was plugged into the mains.
ScreenThe Razer Blade Pro’s 1,920x1,080 pixel screen is lovely, with great detail, a wide viewing angle and ample brightness. Games look gorgeous running at 1080p native resolution, and most titles ran well at mid-to-high graphical settings.
The screen offers loads of real estate for working, which makes it’s especially suited to video and photo editing. There aren’t really any laptops in the PC market that will better this screen, although the Macbook Pro with Retina Display offers a much higher 2,880 x 1,800 resolution, albeit it at a smaller screen size of 15-inches.
ControlsRazer’s keyboard is nicely designed, with keys that are durable and satisfying to type on. One small concern is that Razer chose style over function with the bespoke Razer-style font, which isnít as clear as most keyboard fonts at first-glance. The Switchblade also doubles as a second screen, with ten keys that can quickly pull up websites like Twitter, Facebook or Gmail so you can do things like Tweet without interrupting your game.
However, the Switchblade trackpad is located to the right of the keyboard, rather than the standard positioning underneath the keyboard, which takes some getting used to. And while the Switchblade is cool, you’ll definitely want to connect a mouse or gamepad when playing games.
PerformanceThe Blade Pro is designed primarily to play games, so it packs high-end hardware including an Intel Core i7-4700HQ quad-core processor, 8GB of RAM and a GTX 765M graphics chip.
If portability isn’t a major concern for you, it’s worth noting that you can get quite a bit more bang for your buck away from the Razer Edge Pro. The Alienware 17 laptop at the same USD2,299 price point as the basic Blade Pro offers double the RAM at 16GB, a much larger 750GB HDD/64GB SSD combo drive and a more advanced Intel Core i7-4800HQ processor.
6 WEEK 36, sEptEmbEr 1 - 7, 2013
CovEr story
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 6 8/26/13 4:46 PM
Razer Blade ProPrice: 128GB, USD2,299 (RO885),
256GB, USD2,499 (RO926)
Processor: Intel Core i7-4700HQ Quad Core. 2.4GHz / 3.4GHz (Base/Turbo)
Chipset: Mobile Intel PCHM 8 series chipset, HM87
Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3
Graphics and Video: Intel HD4600, NVIDI GeForce GTX 765M
Display: 17.3-inch Full HD 16:9 Ratio,1920x1080 LED Backlit
Webcam: Built-in HD webcam (2.0MP)
Power: Compact 150W Power Adapter
Communications: RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Port, Killer Wireless-N 1202 (802.11a/b/g/n + Bluetooth® 4.0)
Dimensions: 427x277x22.4mm
Weight: 2.98kg
Operating System: Windows 8
Protect your Razer Blade on-the-go with the 17-inch Nylon Messenger Bag. Whether you carry it as a tote or satchel, you’re bringing style to your portable gaming.
The Razer Megalodon is a 7.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset designed specifically to incorporate the Razer Maelstrom Audio Engine, making it the definitive headset for gamers today.
This mat is engineered with new construction methods to provide an unprecedented level of finish, and treated with all-new performance-boosting sensor-reactive surface coatings.
Razer Mamba features gaming grade wireless technology with a hybrid system that enables instant wired/wireless functionality. Coupled with an industry leading 1ms polling rate, it is the fastest performing mouse both on and off the cord.
Additions to your Razer family
Sharp accessories
Razer Blade 17-inch nylon messenger bag USD80 (RO31)
Razer Megalodon USD150 (RO58)
Razer Invicta USD60 (RO23)
Razer Mamba USD130
VerdictThe Razer Blade Pro is a great gaming laptop, offering a mix of performance, style and quality at a premium price. It’ll handle every game you throw at it right now with aplomb, producing gorgeous visuals on its big 1080p 17-inch screen.
Our few complaints are minor, such as the placement of the trackpad, the lack of 802.11ac networking and the omission of a card reader. There are more powerful gaming laptops available at this price, but none that are as thin, light or beautifully designed as the Razer Edge Pro.
CovEr story
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 7 8/26/13 4:46 PM
SELECTION
RO315 RO220RO230
TableTs
COmpaCT CameRas
RO280RO203
RO210 RO140
RO150 RO200 RO170
blackberry Z10Blackberry 10 OS, Dual Core 1.5GHz, 8MP primary and 2MP secondary camera, 16GB storage, 2GB RAM, Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon chipset
iphone 5iOS 6 upgradeable to iOS 6.1.4, Dual Core 1.3GHz, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, 3G, WiFi, 8MP camera, GPS, Apple A6 chipset
Nokia lumia 920MS Windows 8 OS, Dual Core 1.5GHz Krait, 8MP camera, Dual LED flash, 32GB storage, 3G, WiFi, A-GPS, NFC
sony Xperia ZlAndroid V4.2.2 OS, 1.3GHz Quad core, 512MB RAM, 13MP camera, 16GB storage up to 64GB, 3G, WiFi
samsung s4 miniAndroid V4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS, Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait, 8MP primary and 1.9MP secondary camera, 8GB storage up to 64GB, 1.5GB RAM, 3G, WiFi, A-GPS
smaRTphONes
This section showcases our selection of electronics in the market today. Let us know if you have any favourites on [email protected]
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RO180 RO280 RO150 RO48 RO140
sony hX50V21.1MP, 30x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, 1920x1080 Full HD movie, 10FPS, WiFi, Exmor R CMOS sensor
Canon G1512.1MP, 5x Optical zoom, 3-inch LCD screen, Full HD movie, RAW format option
samsung GC10016MP, 21x optical zoom, 4.8-inch LCD touch screen, Full HD movie, Android, WiFi
Casio eX Zs3020.1MP, 6x optical zoom, 2.7-inch screen, Full HD movie, 26-mm wide angle-lens, ISO 64-1600
Nikon aW11016MP, 5x optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, 28-140mm focal length, Full HD movie, ISO 125-1600/3200, 8 FPS, CMOS sensor
amazon Kindle Fire hD 8.98.9-inch screen, Android 4.0 OS, Dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9, 1GB RAM, 32GB HDD, TI OMAP 4470 chipset, WiFi, Bluetooth, 1.3MP camera
samsung Galaxy Note 88-inch 1280x800 screen, Android 4.1.2 OS, Samsung Exynos 4 Quad Core 1.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 5MP camera, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, A-GPS
asus padFone 24.7-inch 1280x800 screen, Android 4.0 OS, 1.5Ghz Quad core, 32GB Storage, Bluetooth, 13MP primary and 1.2MP secondary camera, WiFi
sony Tab Z10.1-inch 1200x1920 screen, Android 4.1.2 OS, 1.5GHz Quad Core, 16GB storage, WiFi, 2GB RAM, 8.1MP primary and 2.2MP camera
ipad mini7.9-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD, iOS 6 OS, 16GB, Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9, 512MB RAM, 5MP primary and 1.2MP secondary camera, Apple A5 chipset, WiFi
COmpuTeRs
RO320 RO420 RO620 RO230 RO576
Toshiba C850 b63715.6-inch, Windows 8, AMD Radeon HD 7610M Graphics, Intel Core i7-3630QM with turbo boost technology 2.0, 500GB HDD, 4GB RAM, 1MP HD Camera, WiFi
apple macbook air mD71111.6-inch LED backlit, 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, Intel HD graphics 5000, OS X Mountain Lion, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi
samsung Np900X4C a04ae15-inch LED HD, Windows 8, Intel Core i7 Processor 3517U 1.9GHz, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Ambient Light Sensor, WiFi, Bluetooth
acer aspire V5 471G 53314G50mn14.0-inch LED CrystalBrite, Windows 8, Intel Core i5-3317U 1.70 GHz up to 2.60 GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce GT 620M, Bluetooth 4.0, HD webcam
hp envy 23 D120 ee23-inch touch-enabled diagonal full HD widescreen WLED, Windows 8, Intel Core i7-3770S 3.1 GHz, 8MB cache, 8GB RAM, 1TB storage, Intel H61 chipset, NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M Graphics
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 8 8/26/13 4:47 PM
aCCessORies
pRO CameRas
TeleVisiONs
Disclaimer: Prices quoted in this tabloid may be subject to change. Please check with your local dealer for the current costs. Lists are not in any particular order. Prices as of August 21 , 2013.
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New updated
RO191 RO15
RO822
RO300
RO330
RO300
RO400
RO850
RO620
RO215
RO245
RO600
lG 42lm620042-inch LED 3D, 2MP Full HD, 4HDMI PC in/AV in, 2 USB port, DIVX HD, 400Hz True Motion, Intelligent sensor, Energy Saving, 2D to 3D converter
samsung ua40eh600040-inch LED, 1920x1080 Resolution, 2MP Full HD, All share, Eco mode, 2 HDMI, 200Hz clear motion rate, USB Ports
sony KDl60R55060-inch Dynamic Smart LED 3DTV, 1920x1080 Resolution, 2MP Full HD, Edge LED backlight, WiFi, 2 USB port, 4 HDMI input, Motionflow XR 240
sony KlV40R45240-inch Clear resolution enhancer backlight LED TV, Full HD, Motionflow XR 100, USB movie playback, 2 HDMI, Bravia syncing, Dolby digital sound master, FM radio, XrossMediaBar menu system
samsung ua40F750040-inch 3D LED ultra-clear panel, 1920x1080 Resolution, 800 Clear motion rate, Auto motion plus 120/240Hz, Built-in camera, Face recognition, Voice and motion control, 20W 10x2 Sound output
Canon 7D18MP, 8FPS, APS-C CMOS sensor, 3-inch LCD screen, Full HD movie, 19-point AF system, Eye-level Pentaprism viewfinder, 63-zone SPC TTL metering exposure, 30 seconds to 1/8000 shutter speed, 18-135mm lens
sony alpha 5820.1MP, 5FPS, 2.7-inch LCD screen, 1080/30p MP4 video, up to 16000 ISO, Translucent Mirror Technology, Lock-on AF, SVGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF, 1.44-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, 18-55mm lens + telephoto lens
samsung NX2020MP, 8FPS, WiFi, 3-inch LCD screen. Full HD movie, 18-55mm lens, Micro Four-Thirds/Mirrorless, SD, SDHC, SDXC, 614,000 dots resolution
Nikon D7100 24.1MP, 6FPS, 23.5mmx15.6mm CMOS sensor, 3.2-inch LCD screen, Full HD movie, 51 auto AF-S/AF-C selection, ISO 100-6400, Eye-level Pentaprism viewfinder, 1/8000 to 30 seconds shutter speed, 18-105mm lens
Nikon D310014.2MP DX-format 23.1x15.4 mm CMOS sensor, IS0 100-3200 range, 1.5x lens focal length, HD movies 1080p, 720p or WVGA, 11 AF points with 3D tracking, 18-55 and 55-200 lenses, 1/4000 to 30s speed
bioshock infinitePS3, Xbox360, PC, First person shooter, Irrational Games developer, 2K Games publisher, Mature content
my book essential 2TB, USB 2.0 and 3.0 connectivity, 3x faster transfer, automatic and continuous backup software, drive utilities, password protection, shock tolerance
The last of usPS3, Xbox360, PS, Action-adventure, Survival horror, Naughty Dog developer, Sony Computer Entertainment publisher, Best video game launch 2013
beats portableiPod dock, portable, wireless, 2 channels, 20 watts RMS per channel
lava Glow Wireless Controller2.4 GHz RF wireless technology, 5 internal glowing LEDs, Dual motor rumble, Custom analogue sticks and triggers
auDiO sysTems
RO90 RO59 RO250RO150RO80
lG hT806pm5.1 Channel DVD home theatre system, 850Watts, DVD, CD, MP3, DivX playback, 1080P Full HD up-scaling, Bass blast, USB port play
Samsung HT F5550 (N)3D Blu-ray, 5.1 channel home theatre, DVD, CD, MP3, DivX playback, 1000watts, USB port, FM tuner, Dual Core processor, Crystal Amplifier Plus
philips hTs 3551Blu-ray home theatre, DVD, VCD, MP3. CD-R, DIVX playback, surround sound, 300watts RMS, HDMI input, USB port
polk audio psW11032Hz-250Hz, High performance subwoofer, 100W Continuous Power, 200W Dynamic Power
paradigm Cinema 100CT5 cinema 100 satellite speakers and 1 cinema sub, Satin-anodised pure aluminium bass/midrange cones, Wire mesh guard and waveguide technology
RO55RO30 RO27
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 9 8/26/13 4:47 PM
Japanese Scud While BMW showed off their M-Sport badges and Mercedes their AMG logo, Toyota had nothing – until now. Autoblog reveals the TMG LS650
If you’re going to make a super sedan, you’d better do it in Germany. That’s where Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz do it, along with third parties
like Alpina, Brabus and G-Power, among others. Deutschland is the epicenter of the movement, regularly churning out the most powerful four-door rockets in the world. It’s also where one of the racing divisions for Toyota has been hard at work on the TMG Sports 650.
Toyota Motorsport GmbH started with a Lexus LS and turned it into a 641-horsepower, twin-turbocharged super sedan it revealed late last year at the Essen Motor Show. But though we haven’t heard much about it since then, the team behind Toyota’s F1 and Le Mans efforts are apparently still hard at work on the project. TMG chief Alastair Moffitt revealed that the project started way back in 2010,
shortly after Toyota shut down its F1 program and left the racing team with nothing to do. The 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 was initially producing as much as 800hp, but has since been refined to 650hp so that it could theoretically be put into production and onto the road.
That’s something TMG hasn’t done before, but is keen to start, positioning itself alongside Toyota Racing Development in the US and Gazoo Racing in Japan as an in-house tuning division which Toyota and Lexus could rely on for this kind of project. To that end, TMG has been testing its prototype at the Nürburgring – less than an hour’s drive from its headquarters in Cologne – and has already found it’ll run to 60 in the same 3.9 seconds as the new Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG and top out at 320kmph.
10 WEEK 36, sEptEmbEr 1 - 7, 2013
dashboard
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 10 8/26/13 4:47 PM
camEras
To order these products, email [email protected]
Pink is in the airFor those who wear, live and breathe this universally pretty colour
ASUS MeMO Pad ME172V A1With a 7-inch screen that easily fits in your hands and is great for life on the go, this is the perfect tablet for reading, browsing internet and connecting with others. Its 16GB storage capacity and the upgradeable 32GB, allows you to store many things on this tablet including a multitude of songs, videos, e-books and games. It is equipped with a 1GB RAM, Android 4.1 OS, VIA WM8950 processor, HD webcam and various useful soft wares from Asus. The bubble-gum pink colour makes it perfect for those with a love of fuchsia and flamingos.
Nintendo DSi This game system carries a folding design and is loaded with potent features such as touch screen control, 11 interactive lenses and dual cameras. Although a handheld video gaming device, it also lets you capture photos with the built-in camera, edit and send them to friends, browse the internet with the Nintendo DSi browser or play back your music with Nintendo DSi sound. The hot pink colour is bound to make playing games and just passing time infinitely more enjoyable.
Sony VAIO Fit 15A1S2EWith a 15.5-inch display in a sweet baby pink, the laptop’s slim aluminium frame and black glossy bezel come with a very smart touch screen. It is packed with a 2GHz Intel Core i7-3537U processor, Windows 8 OS, 8GB of RAM, 1TB storage, 2GB Nvidia GeForce GT 735M graphics chip, 1,920x1,080 resolution, one USB2 and two USB3 ports, an HDMI video output for connecting it to an external display, an SD card reader and a gigabit ethernet port.
Canon PowerShot SX260This ultra-slim camera is equipped with a 20x optical zoom, 25mm wide-angle lens, 12.1 MP high-sensitivity CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 image processor and 1080p full HD video. Extras such as smart auto that optimises settings for 58 predefined shooting situations, face ID that prioritises pre-registered faces and GPS for tracking and recording your shooting locations makes this a very sweet package indeed; while the reddish pink colour adds a facet of sophistication.
RO54 (+S&H)
RO395 (+S&H)
RO59 (+S&H)
RO148 (+S&H)
Inspire and share The Canon Powershot N lets you upload your life with a click
Product type: Compact digital camera
Video resolution: 1080p
Available colours: Black and white
Resolution: 12.1 megapixels
Optical zoom: 8x
Screen size: 2.8-inch LCD
Weight: 174g
Dimensions: 79x60.2x29.3mm
Canon PowerShot NPrice: USD300
A Canon direct exclusive, the PowerShot N Facebook ready camera features a convenient Facebook Connect Button that supports instant sharing of crisp, clear images and videos to users’ Facebook accounts.
The camera’s creative shot mode automatically creates a series of five artistic photos along with the original for an array of options, letting you share your creativity literally on the go.
PowerShot N offers an 8x optical zoom and a 28mm wide-angle lens, packaged with a 12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 image processor.
Hybrid Auto automatically creates a composite video of brief clips that are recorded while taking photos to give a creative overview of a day’s activities.
It features a 2.8-inch capacitive, tilt-touch panel LCD, letting you capture photos from different angles. With a shutter and zoom ring, the images can be snapped easily from the top or bottom.
WIshlIst
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eBOOKS box office
A decade of summer jams – Part II
Orange Is the New Black
My Year in a Women’s PrisonPiper Kerman
USD16
The Grand Design
Science and cosmology
Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow
USD18
Zealot
The Life and Times of Jesus of NazarethReza Aslan
USD17
The summer trinity
DVDs
Once upon a time – Season 2
Fantasy, drama
The Big wedding
Romantic comedy
Olympus has fallen
Action, thriller
GAMES
Saints Row IV
PC, PS3, X360
Action adventure
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified
PC, X360, PS3
First person shooter
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist
PS3, X360, PC, Wii
Action adventure
Without a doubt, this summer has brought with it an unrelenting stream of huge movie releases for the theatre-going masses to enjoy. In fact, with half a month still left in the season, audiences have poured a record 3.74USD billion of their summer spending money into the big screen, easily exceeding last summer’s old high mark by nearly 400USD million so far.
Disney’s Iron Man 3 predictably still holds the top spot, while Comcast’s Fast & Furious 6 remains in second place thanks to its incredible showing with audiences abroad. Despicable Me 2, despite having the lowest production budget of any film on the list by a wide margin, blew by Time Warner’s Man of Steel to snag the third-place spot both on the summer and overall 2013 lists to date.
Katy Perry, I Kissed A Girl (2008)For seven consecutive weeks this song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the 1,000th number-one song of the rock era. Selling over 4,155,000 digital copies in the US alone, it reached the summit of charts in nearly twenty countries as one of the bestselling singles worldwide. It sold over 8 million copies and became the 21st song with the most paid downloads in history.
The Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling (2009)The second single from The Black Eyed Peas’ fifth album The E.N.D., the track debuted at number two on the Canadian and Billboard Hot 100, later reaching number one on the US charts and 20 worldwide charts. Nominated for two Grammys and winning one, the song was ranked 5th on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs of the Decade. It spent fourteen consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, is the most downloaded song on iTunes of all time.
Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg, California Gurls (2010)A worldwide success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks, this song gave Perry her second US number-one single and Snoop Dogg his third. It reached number one in over 10 countries, received a Grammy nomination and was ranked number one on a special The 30 Summer Songs of All Time listing, by Billboard.
Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe (2012)The song reached number one in 24 countries, including Canada and Jepsen became the fifth Canadian artist to do so in her home country since 2007. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Pop Songs chart. Named Song of the Year 2012 by MTV, it was also nominated for two Grammys and sold over 13 million copies.
LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, Party Rock Anthem (2011)The first single from their second album, Sorry for Party Rocking went up to number one in over 15 countries. Worldwide, it was the third best-selling digital single of 2011 with sales of 9.7 million copies and the third best-selling digital song in US history.
With summer at its last quarter, this is the time when the season’s biggest songs settle in. The summer songs ranking list is pretty impressive considering the diversity across the board. With six straight weeks at No. 1, Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines takes the top spot. Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Justin Timberlake’s Mirrors and Miley Cyrus’ We Can’t Stop are also serious contenders for the title. The summer’s still not gone but it’s clear these songs aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. So keep those fingers crossed for your favourites!
12ESSENTIAL
WEEK 36, SEpTEMBEr 1 - 7, 2013
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 12 8/26/13 4:47 PM
LApTOpS
TurboA garden snail dreams of becoming the fastest snail in the world
Turbo is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated sports comedy film produced by DreamWorks
Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox. David Soren, who also directed the film, bases it on an original idea. The film features an ordinary garden snail whose dream to become the fastest snail in the world comes true. The film was released on July 17, 2013.
In Venice, California, Theo, also known as Turbo, is a garden snail who dreams of being the greatest racer in the world, just like his hero, 5-time Indianapolis 500 champ, Guy Gagné. His obsession
with speed and all things fast has made him an oddity and an outsider in the slow and cautious snail community, and a constant embarrassment to his cautious older brother, Chet. Turbo desperately wishes he could escape the slow-paced life he’s living, but his one chance to live proves a near fatal disaster when he tries to recover a prize tomato and needs to be rescued by Chet, his brother.
Along with Ryan Reynolds, who stars as the eponymous character, the film also features Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Michelle Rodriguez and Samuel L. Jackson.
MOVIES
Multimedia experienceThe Satellite P50t, is the perfect companion for users who take power and performance seriously
Director: David Soren
Producer: Lisa Stewart
Writers: David Soren, Robert Siegel, Darren Lemke
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Michelle Rodriguez, Samuel L. Jackson
This high-powered machine is equipped with the latest technologies, allowing it to satisfy multiple applications used by the most demanding digital users. The new Satellite P50t is now available in the market.
SpeedFourth generation Intel Core processors for ultimate performance power the Satellite P50t that runs on the latest Windows 8 platform. It also comes with dedicated graphics for maximum speed and vibrancy. Users may choose between NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M and GT 745M, both with up to 4GB of VRAM and with NVIDIA Optimus technology.
The Satellite P50t has up to 1.5TB of HDD allowing for maximum file storage and has up to 16GB of memory support with two slots, ensuring speed and efficient performance.
Ultra HD SupportTargeting laptop users who demand top-end technology, advanced computing and entertainment applications, the Satellite P50t offers future-oriented features such as an Ultra HD (UHD) supporting HDMI-out
port. This technology converts and outputs UHD content from the laptop to an external UHD-capable TV. This allows users to fully enjoy a brand new generation of computer games that were originally created in UHD at a resolution four times higher than the conventional Full HD. Further, images and videos originally shot in UHD can now be enjoyed in their full brilliance.
The 15.6-inch (39.6cm) Full HD screen with LED backlight comes with
a ten-finger capacitive touchscreen display. The Satellite P50t also features WiDi functionality for convenient connectivity.
SoundSporting up to two Harman Kardon speakers, the Satellite P50t is guaranteed to give users the finest sound experience. For added functionality, the Toshiba Sleep-and-Music feature allows users to
listen to music, with great quality sound, even when the laptop is switched off. It also comes installed with valuable and relevant media software including DTS Studio Sound that offers users a precise, rich and immersive audio experience.
DesignThe sophisticated Satellite P50t comes with smooth, rounded edges and distinctive power button. It also comes with an enlarged click touchpad ideal for intuitively navigating through the Windows 8 interface with finger movements even without using its capacitive touchscreen. The premium quality of the Satellite P50t is further emphasised by its attractive brushed aluminium finish with chrome accents on the top and lid, and a brown woven texture on the bottom case. The tiled, frameless LED backlit keyboard aids convenient text input even in low light conditions. It is available in Smart Silver.
Toshiba Satellite P50t
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 13 8/26/13 4:47 PM
Let us begin by saying that The Brigmore Witches shouldn’t be touched if you haven’t embarked on Knife of Dunwall yet; fast
forwarding straight into the most climactic chapters of Daud’s adventure would do the tale injustice. In this conclusion to his story, Daud sets out to stop the notorious witch Delilah after discovering the many mysteries behind her, from concocting a powerful ritual that would spell his doom. This could be Daud’s last chance at redemption from his treacherous actions against the empress; while whether he’ll face mercy or punishment when crossing blades with Corvo will be revealed as well.
The game builds on its strong foundation rather than breaking new ground, by making minor changes that ultimately provide quite a change during gameplay. Daud’s new Assassin’s
Pull ability becomes an invaluable component when stuck in difficult situations, letting you pull enemies into swarms of rats, in for a quick kill or out of the way when nearby patrols are alarmed. There are also new bone charms and corrupted charms, granting both positive and negative effects.
Another perk, your abilities and upgrades carry over if you continue a save from Knife of Dunwall. As with its predecessor, the most notable difference is in the breath taking environments. The concept artists and level designers have once again crafted some of the most gorgeous and engrossing scenery around. The macabre tone carries an unequalled beauty in its contrasting display of death and aristocratic glamour. The diversity of each setting is fascinating, especially considering that all areas are part of the same city.
The Brigmore Witches is an enthralling multifaceted journey through Daud’s final chapters. The diverging routes and many side quests provide a commendable amount of value for money. But what really makes the last DLC so special is that it perfectly concludes Dishonoured’s lore.
A haunting end to the twisted narrative of the legendary Daud
ScorePlot...................9/10Gameplay .........9/10Visuals ............ 8/10overall .................. 9
SnippetSSet between the stories of Halo 3 and 4, Halo: Spartan Assault app is now available for all Windows 8 users for USD7.
GTA 5 achievements were recently unveiled, which include beyond the stars (collect and return spaceship parts) and out of your depth (gonna need a bigger boat) amongst others.
With new locations, modes, weather and multiplayer, Asphlat8: Airborne was officially released last week for all Android and iOS devices for USD1.
Microsoft has announced that they will be closing their games for the Windows Live marketplace and shutting down the Microsoft points system as well.
Your weekly gaming update of news, information and happenings
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Genre: Action adventure
Developer: Arkane Studios Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Pc
eSrB rating: Mature
Microsoft revealed the list of games that will be available for Xbox One, 38 per cent of which are completely exclusive to the platform. Visit ign.com to view the complete list.
A slip up by GameStop in Spain indicates that Call of Duty: Ghosts might be coming to PS Vita as well.
14GAMES
WEEK 36, SEptEMbEr 1 - 7, 2013
Games+ Apps+Quiz 58.indd 14 8/27/13 4:18 PM
Enter to win two Panasonic portable chargers.Please send in your entries by September 15
Fax: 24693569 / Email: [email protected]
NOTE: Employees and family members of Deenar Press and Publishing cannot participate in the quiz. Judge’s decision is final. Please email the answers to [email protected] 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.
Full Name _________________________________________ Age ______ Mobile ______________________
Email ______________________________________Occupation _____________________________________
Company __________________________________________________________________________________
Last week’s quiz answers:1 – A, 2 – A, 3 – B, 4 – C
TW55 Winners:
1. Sharon D’cunah
2. Ramesh Roy
3
1 2
4
Which of the following is an iPhone? Which of the following is the Amazon Kindle Fire HD?
Which of the following is an Android phone?Which of the following is a Ferrari?
TW57
This is not just another calendar app because its ability to integrate with other apps effortlessly combined with its smart and intuitive interface makes it top-notch. By trying to break away from the usual mould, this app offers users a smart calendar that not only records thing but helps you implement them.
Instead of a traditional calendar view, the day’s information is elegantly displayed on large colourful panels. The app can keep track of everything by integrating itself with your locations, contacts, Evernote and social media. You can see appointment times, calculate travel time based on traffic conditions, dial conference calls, show current and future weather and even pull up Evernote notes.
Mynd Calendar has done the unthinkable and broken through the app store clutter. Your work days therefore are less stressful
and more manageable as this smart calendar virtually thinks for you and takes away the hassle of menial tasks. A must have for
people that live their life on the run and need something that keeps up with them; this free app literally begs to be downloaded and used.
AppS thiS WEEK The five apps that will entertain and help
With more features, a better look and no extra clutter, this is a brilliant add-on for your phone and an even better replacement for your ordinary calendar
Defend your client by playing a dirty manoeuvre from your stash of manipulative legal tricks, in this neat and inviting court room battle
A basic puzzle game with stealth overtones, where you play as a brave space marine who escapes from the alien mine where he was captured and forced to work
Find out what other people are saying about the cafes, restaurants and galleries around you, in this location-based social media tool
Agenda Calendar(USD2)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Devil’s Attorney(USD3)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Blackberry
Dynamite jack(USD3)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Echoer(Free)
Platforms: iOS, Android
Eufloria HD(USD5)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Blackberry
With armies made of Seedlings that grow on Dyson Trees, you control plants growing on space asteroids and fight to defeat opposing plant armies
Mynd Calendar
Creative Studio
Free
Free
Platforms: iOS
Platforms: Windows phone
A
A A
AB
B B
BC
C C
C
Creative studio stands out from the throngs of picture editing apps simply because it is so customisable. There are a lot of effects to choose from, but unlike other editing apps you can hold a line across them to see a before
and after version. Key functions like the shape, colour and exposure are all easily adjustable. This gives you the control you need over your photos as well as the ability to do funny things like face warping.
AppS
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Real life superheroesWe bring you the greatest superhero technologies, gadgets and powers that actually exist
Iron Man ExoskeletonThis amazing exoskeleton, dubbed Iron Man, serves the purpose of increasing mobility and strength by using basic robotics to enhance movement. So if you throw a punch that would lightly bruise someone; the suit would amplify it so the same punch goes through thick wood planks. Designed for the military, the XOS 2 gives soldiers better mobility and the
ability to carry 200 pounds on their back with no effort. Mark our words, in 2030, Exoskeleton Baseball
will be a sport.
Hulk-like Super StrengthSix-year-old Liam Hoekstra, Michigan, has a rare genetic condition that allows him to eat like a horse without gaining weight, lift large and heavy furniture and a shocking increase in muscle strength. This remarkable defect in his genetic code allows for excessive muscle growth, with no medical downsides to it except for that fact that he eats six meals a day. First suspected when he was able to walk at an astonishingly early age of two days, his condition is called Myostatin-Related Muscle Hypertrophy and has only 100 recorded cases in the world.
Batman Armour and HelmetAir Force’s tribute to the Batman mythology, we give you BATMAN, or Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided knowledge. The project is an attempt to modernise the gear commandos take on combat missions. The overall aim being that the gear must be ‘lighter, smarter, deadlier’ and more covert just like Batman’s. A small computer near the chest tells soldiers their logistical position and possible tactical manoeuvres. It’ll include awesome communications gear, helmet displays, a headset and a computer. If Dark Knight runs out of juice, the suit creates the option of refuelling with the Bat Hook, which when thrown onto a power line keeps BATMAN alert at all times.
Spider-Man Gloves/BootsA palm-sized device that uses the surface tension in water to make a reverse-adhesive bond stick to glass, wood and brick has apparently been invented by engineers at Cornell University, New York. Also able to reverse the suction by using the electrical field, you can become unstuck on demand. They’re getting close in transferring this to gloves and shoes that will allow the bearer to climb up, Spider-Man style, the flattest of surfaces. Start stitching your suits, guys, you can be the next superhero.
The Human TorchMaster Zhou, a Qigong master uses his Chi energy to create heat using minimal friction and is actually able to steam water using his hand. He uses heat healing to help people with back problems. Using an infrared camera, Ripley’s Believe It or Not shows the man’s hands directly applying heat to objects using nothing but his bare hands. He can increase and decrease the heat of water, or any moist object, at will. He was able to, using only his hand; generate heat of up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
16special
WeeK 36, september 1 - 7, 2013
TW57 WEEK 36.indb 16 8/26/13 4:47 PM
