T H E U LT I M AT E P R O D U C T G U I D E
OwnerS CARS GADGETS GAMES MUSIC
TOYZ GUIDE
100 MUST HAVE ITEMS
30 Games 40 Gadgets 30 Cars
Sneak Peak Inside Gears of War 3 & Michael Jackson The Experience
The Best 3D TV Deal
WE DRIVE SLS AMG RANGE ROVER AUDI A8 CTS COUPE AND MORE
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
OwnerS Toyz Guide CARS GADGETS GAMES MUSIC
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher Damola Idowu Design DLI Copy Editor Keyla McNeely
for Keywords Communications
Photography Banks Wil David Lanre’ Damola Staff Writers Damola Da Great Deity Dah
E
ver since I was a little boy, I always love to play with my toyz. I’m sure I’m not alone in my desire, as we work and strive to spend those precious moments with our toyz, whether they be a new 3D TV, or an AMG, we love our Toyz. Car, Gadgets, and Gaming are my passion, and if you look at the consumer electronic, automotive, and gaming industries there are plenty to write home about, Call of Duty did over $650 Million in 5 days, the iPad sold over 3 million units in 80 days, Hyundai sales grew over 38% in the past quarter, GM’s IPO was the largest ever. Toyz move the economy because we love them and will find ways to get them even in the “worst recession since the great depression”. Don’t get me wrong times are hard, but we find ways to acquire what we want so this Winter I am compiling a list of 100 must have toyz along with product reviews, and previews of exciting things to come like; all electric super cars, the Michael Jackson video game, and the best 3D TV around (I sold someone on one this holiday weekend in fact) bring your toyz out, whether its your new smart phone on Droid, or your new pad, or your new car or your favorite game, lets come out and play, we all just want to have fun. Oh by the way this issue is just a part of our new launch which will include this guide, our executive edition with CEO’s of some of the most successful Toyz makers, our 7th year anniversary issue in print, our iPhone and iPad launch with multi-media content, mobile editions, social network www.toyznation.com and www.ownersillustrated.com is going social media very soon, giving insight on wealth building so you can afford your toyz. Join toyznation.com today and get updates, post videos, make friends with other toyz lovers and in the meantime send me a note at toyznation@live.com Owners Till Infinity
Marketing & Promotions Damola Quincy Taylor Reginald Matthews Dawoud Shadeidu Brian Williams RW Collection Models MidWest Rep. Quincy Taylor Advertising Damola Quincy Taylor Sales Damola College Representative Kunle Idowu Intern Chris Barnes Newsstand Consultant John Blassingame Legal Counsel Reginald A. Greene, Esq.
THE HUSTLENOMICS ACADEMY “I sponsored the movement.” Damola Idowu Publisher/Editor-in-Chief/Founder
BRING THEM TOYZ OUT!
Owners Magazine © 2010 Owners League LLC Sub. rates: 1 year – $19.99, 2 years – $34.99 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.Visit us online: www.ownersillustrated.com & www.toyznation.com For advertising, sponsorships and sales contact: 202.607.3629
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TOYZ GUIDE CARS TEST DRIVE » SLS AMG Few automobiles possess the ability to snatch your breath while rapidly increasing your heart rate. I you can imagine that sensation you still couldn’t fathom the experience behind the wheel of the 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG. Hearkening to their heritage, the SLS is a study in modernization. The original 300SL of the 1954-1957 era popularized the infamous gull-wing doors that go upward like wings of a bird hence the gullwing. The gullwing lasted only 3 years from 1954 through 1957 and was replaced by the roadster which carried model years 1957 through 1963. With the end of the partnership with McLaren to make the SLK, Mercedes took the opportunity to invigorate the technology under the stewardship of their in-house performance division, AMG. Gorged of lightweight material and loaded with every modern technology like Parktronic, keyless entry, satellite radio, DVD navigation, iPod integration, Bluetooth, a 40 Gig hard drive, backup camera, etc. It is obvious the engineers wanted this machine to be enjoyable as a daily driver but you don’t buy an SLS for amenities, you spend over $200,000 for performance and that is where the experience triumphs. The SLS features a hand-built AMG engine with a 6.3L V8 that yields 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque making a 0-60 time of 3.7 seconds. The AMG Speedshift DCT 7-Speed sport transmission is a true modern marvel with swift responses from the aluminum steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
Photo by Wil David
I only had a day with the beauty but the experience like heaven or at least my assumption which is further from reality as I burned rubber through the DC in the short spurts allowed in the dense traffic, I had to find open land so I journeyed to 270 and hit 70 where the hills and valleys allowed room for the beast to breathe. Time is too short and between getting pictures around DC landmarks, answering questions every 30 seconds, even getting a police detail, I longed for more yet the
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experience, a dream, an aspiration for my next birthday, November 12, 2011. For more information visit www. mbusa.com.
Watch video and extra footage at toyznation.com
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TOYZ GUIDE CARS
DRIVE » LEXUS CT200h
I
t’s been over 20 years since we were introduced to Lexus and my, how time flies when you are having fun. Born out of the audacity that a Japanese automaker can challenge the European nameplates in performance and luxury, Japan’s luxury king has been steady in its accent with the flagship LS 600h, a study in technology and luxury fuel efficiency. When launched in 2007, the LS 600h was to deliver V12 power with V8 fuel efficiency and the selfparking feature and the recliner in the rear cabin were all class leaders. Now Lexus is forging a path from the opposite end of the the price spectrum but with the same lead engineer from the LS program. As we descended on beautiful Delray Beach Florida with its beautiful views, blue skies, bluer water, and white sand beaches, the CT 200h stood out in the landscape and was well positioned to bridge the journey for many into opulence. Targeted towards a younger, trendy demographic, my drive with Brian, the marketing manager and veteran of the Scion project gave me insight into the strategy. With a goal of just 1000 cars per month the emphasis is more on the branding, awareness, and the invitation to a new generation of luxury buyers to familiarize themselves with the Lexus name plate and move through their products throughout their lifetime. The CT 200h is going to be the lowest priced Lexus yet and is green, 6 • Toyznation.com
with a combined fuel efficiency of 42MPG from a 134combined HP engine. (My co-driver was able to achieve 75MPG. Wow indeed!) It is stylish with 89 LED’s as a 5-door hatch, loaded with a pop-up navigation system, customizable interior, quality fit and finish, push-button ignition, and the same multimedia interface found on the top-selling RX. I enjoyed our conversation about the evolving generation X and Y demo and how vastly different they are from the Baby Boomers that dominate mainstream attention. Lexus has the right guy on the job. Having launched what has become the blueprint to target young buyers, it only makes sense he is involved in reaching people who have now graduated, gotten jobs, moved to new cities, and begun to build a promising future in their late 20’s and early 30’s. I am very familiar with the demographic, as many of you that read this publication fall into that segment. So intriguing was our dialogue, I had to do a drive on my own and was quite impressed with the ability of the CT 200h to move and be comfortable for a commuter and also be functional for a group trip where the 5 door hatch gains in its convenience. The CT 200h is loaded with every tech option you could want yet there is no compromise on the expected Lexus quality. The CT 200h is due out the first quarter of 2011 when you can expect the 134HP, 1.8L dandy with a 112 mph-top-speed beauty to slot below the IS line. The CT 200h will feature its own customization site along with the option to schedule your own test drive and prebuy your own maintenance program directly from the website. You can visit www.darkersideofgreen.com for more info and to watch their innovative darkcasting series of interviews inside the CT 200h while tastemakers and trendsetters navigate through several urban metropolis’s.
TOYZ GUIDE CARS DRIVE » SONATA HYBRID & TURBO
O
n a beautiful California day, on the hallowed grounds of Torrey Pines this fall, I joined the Hyundai team to drive the Sonata Turbo and Sonata Hybrid. When Hyundai made the bold statement that they were not going to have a V6 powertrain for the volume-leading Sonata, many wondered how they were going to be competitive in this highly lucrative market that makes or brakes many a car manufacturer. I had seen the Hybrid and Turbo at the NY Auto Show earlier in the year so I was eager to get behind these two different 4-cylinders and see how they measured up in terms of power and fuel efficiency. Styling on the Turbo and the Hybrid has some cue differences that provide a character to both powertrains which are both more powerful than the base 2.0L 4-cylinder. The turbo was impressive, yielding 274HP and 269 lb-ft of torque yet getting 35MPG on the highway. In a driving efficiency competition, which I won, I was able to get almost 45 MPG in a 2-hour drive. With the compelling argument of power, styling, technological amenities, price, and the innovative Hyundai Assurance, the brisk sales of the Sonata, which are projected to approach 200,000 for the model year, are sure to uptick. It is unusual to have the most powerful model practically match the base model in fuel efficiency yet it is the twin scroll technology in the turbocharged engine that enables that result. The handling is great with stiffer suspension to provide a more sporty experience. With the Turbo you have paddle shifters in addition to a 6-speed Shiftronic transmission allowing for a more intuitive drive. Every option on the Limited is available on the Turbo.
alty program with the Hyundai Assurance. Read our exclusive interview with CEO John Krafcik, a former Ford engineer and Stanford grad who is showing the world how to be efficient and grow. For more information visit www.hyundaiusa.com.
T
he Hybrid is Hyundai’s first and the effort seems to have succeeded in achieving a benchmark 36 mpg for incity driving in a midsize sedan. Highway efficiency is 40 mpg so there is no record there, but most people drive and commute to work for hours at a time so the city driving figure has more relevance and the feat is quite stunning. The battery pack is actually made up of lithium polymer batteries, co-developed with fellow South Korean-based company LG. The battery pack is a fraction of the size of others on the market with more density to capture more energy. There tends to be a lot of noise among my political and business colleagues in the media regarding economics and policy matters, with many asking, should we invest in a green economy? Will green cars thrive? Yet, the fact remains, Hyundai has increased sales 38% in a recession with stylish, technologically advanced and fuel-efficient vehicles, while providing customers the best loy-
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DRIVE » NISSAN JUKE
I
t was my first trip North to Canada and I couldn’t hide my excitement at the opportunity to drive the all-new Nissan Juke and cross the border. As I arrived in Canada, I saw no noticeable differences architecture-wise and felt right at home with the natives. We were to ride through the hills in Vancouver and enjoy the beautiful countryside as we pushed the 188HP, 1.6L engine. Born out of a series of upgrades and product launches for Nissan, the Juke is a Compact Crossover with a punch of Turbo. Armed with 177lb-ft of torque the AWD Juke was pretty feisty as we journeyed by ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. The Juke features an Xtronic CVT or a manual 6-speed and both powertrains were fun to maneuver. There are 3 driving modes from economy to sport to normal and you can see the power or turbo boost during sport mode or your fuel efficiency during the economy mode. Standard in the Juke is an array of options including 17” alloys, Bluetooth technology, iPod integration with available options like an Intelligent key, navigation, XM NavTraffic, speaker upgrades, and USB connectivity, all with a base price below $19,000 and a top range of $24,550. There are 8 model configurations and quite frankly there are few competitors in this niche of the compact crossover segment. The styling, I was told, was inspired by the 370Z with the tail light treatment and the aggressive front end. The Juke is available in an assortment of colors and we drew quite the conversation as we drove the cars to the ferry and spoke with Canadian residents. Targeted towards males 18-34, the Juke is a fun way to get from A to B and spark a conversation along the way. For more information on the Juke visit www.nissanusa.com.
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Courtesy of NIssan
TOYZ GUIDE CARS
Courtesy of Hyundai
TOYZ GUIDE CARS
DRIVE » SCION TC DRIVE » Hyundai Genesis
O
On a warm and beautiful day in NY I joined fellow journalists at the IBM center at the Palisades. I had driven up from the DC area in the fun XD which had been recently refreshed itself, with great results in the segment it invented. My longing desire was to get behind the wheel of the TC and after a delightful dinner at a fine local establishment we were to rest and prepare for a day of driving in New York and New Jersey. The Tc is the last of the Scion products to be updated but it is not the sorer for the delay. There is a wide array of options including; a touch screen navigation, premium sound system with 300 watts of sound, a new 2.5 L engine that develops 180HP, 2 new 6 speed transmissions, new exterior styling, new interior styling, HD Radio, iPod integration, panoramic roof, and many more customizable options starting at just north of $18,000. I had fun whipping the TC around a beautiful course that provided great views of NY and the Hudson river. Both the manual and the automatic 6 speed transmissions were great and very responsive. For diehard fans of the TC, there are not any disappointments, and for new converts there is plenty to like. At the price point, with the options, and the ability to customize the TC, I am confident this next iteration will continue to forge Toyota’s dominance over this segment of the sports car market. I also had a chance to speak exclusively with VP Jack Hollis which will be featured in the bosses section of this publication. For more information visit www.scion.com
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TOYZ GUIDE CARS TEST DRIVES
« JAGUAR XF PREMIUM
For the 2010 Model year Jaguar has improved an already great product, the XF. As we had the opportunity to do, we were quite delighted with our exclusive feature we did with Ian Callum on the development of the XF. The video is available on Youtube for your consumption, but the greater pleasure was getting behind the wheel and giving the 2010 edition with the new powertrain a spin. Adding 85HP with a new naturally-aspirated 5.0 L V8 you could certainly feel the differences as I drove the beast for a week around DC. A polite confession we at Owners Illustrated have been long fans of the S Type, and XF with both finding their way into the driveways of our staff. The design was a much needed improvement over the S Type which at it debut made a profound design statement in the egalitarian Midsize Luxury segment. The new touches which debuted in the past model year are only enhanced now with quicker responses, proven by a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds in the naturally-aspirated 5.0L engine. The performance did not come at the expense of fuel economy which remains 16 Mpg in the city and a combined 19 mpg with a slightly lower 23mpg to 25mpg on the highway. With the XF you get superior interior finishes with a favorite touch of a turn knob transmission with a paddle shift option. I love the motorization of the air vents, and the lighting cues, which while cosmetic set a trendy ambiance in the cockpit. The XF is available with every option you could think of when ordered with the Portfolio edition however the Premium model I drove was quite equipped and with a base price north of $56,000 and a great lease available currently for $599 per month the XF should be in your driveway too. For more information visit www.jaguar.com
« MERCEDES BENZ S 400
The Mercedes Benz S Class has long been the benchmark for luxury sedans. More fuel efficient than any offering in the market, the S 400 has a combined output of 220 kW (299 hp) with a 3.5L gasoline engine supplemented by an electric powertrain. Fuel economy in the S 400 Fuel efficiency was a meager 26mpg on highway and 19mpg in city driving, compared to 14mpg in city, and 21mpg highway in the S550. The S 400 is an exercise in how green can be practical and in my drive with the 2010 edition I was delighted to find every option available in the S550 in the S400 including night vision, DVD video, an 8 way rear adjustable seats, the premium package and an AMG sport package. The S400 was quick enough in my drive around DC with a total power output that is more than the output of the past generation S430. The s400 is the entry level S class so you don’t pay a premium for the technology yet you get every other available amenity with a base price slightly north of $88,000. Visit www.MBUSA.com for more information
« 2011 Audi A8
In the past decade Audi has made a fevered pitch to set the benchmark in the luxury flagship sedan market. With a combination of the Quattro all wheel drive system, multiple power trains, and the industry benchmark in interiors, the A8 had proven itself a worthy contender for the title. As the VW group has expanded so has the sales of Audi, and the goal to sell a combined 1 million units in the US by 2018 is no small feat. The 2011 A8 is an exercise, in; design, performance, efficiency, technology, and the expected premium audio system provided by Bang & Olufsen. I had a very exciting week with the A8 where I was able to fully enjoy the 8 speed tiptronic transmission and the 4.2 L FSI V8 that makes 372HP and 328lb-ft of torque. The A8 was very smooth yet the paddle shifters were responsive and gave a sporty performance in sport mode. With a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds the A8 is extremely agile and slippery thru the dense traffic of the Washington Metropolitan Area. The cockpit is a elegantly designed marvel with the new MMI system easy to use especially with the ability to use the new touch pad feature. The sound system produces a rich and robust sound, the seats have a massage function that was great for the idle time in traffic. Getting a chance to open up the engine is where the thrill begins. The A8 moves like a Gazelle, with the Quattro system keeping things in control, and providing superior handling. Forged out of a lightweight aluminum body the cabin was exceptionally quiet and sturdy. The LED lighting technology that Audi has been famous for also make a nice touch, and great function during night time driving. Overall I have to concur that the A8 is par and second to none in the segment. With a base price in the mid $70K you can find more information at www.audiusa.com
TECH » 40 MUST HAVE GADGETS
MOTOROLA DROID 2 WE WWW.MOTOROLA.COM
MOTOROLA PRO WWW.MOTOROLA.COM
PALM PRE 2 SMART PHONE WWW.PALM.COM
HP ENVY 14 BEATS EDITION WWW.HP.COM
I OMEGA SUPERSPEED USB 3.0 WWW.IOMEGA.COM
LGLE5400 LED HDTV WWW.LGE.COM
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ROKU XDS W?REMOTE WWW.ROKU.COM
BLUEANT Q2 BLUETOOTH WWW.BLUEANTWIRELESS.COM
CLEARWIRE PUCK WWW.CLEAR.COM
SENNHEISER PMX 680i WWW.SENNHEISERUSA.COM
GOD OF WAR GHOST OF SPARTA BUNDLE WWW.US.PLAYSTATION.COM/PSP
LG BD590 NETWRK BLUERAY PLAYER W/250 G HARDRIVE WWW.LGE.COM
TECH » 40 MUST HAVE GADGETS
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB WWW.SAMSUNGWIRELESS.COM
MONSTER DIDDYBEATS WITH CONTROLTALK WWW.DIDDYBEATS.COM
DURACELL MY GRID CHARGER WWW.DURACELL.COM
HITACHI LIFESTUDIO MOBILE PLUS EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE WWW.HITACHI.COM
LG E60 SERIES LED MONITOR WWW.LGE.COM
MAINGEAR ALT-15 NOTEBOOK WWW.MAINGER.COM
IMATION APOLLO M200 HARDRIVE WWW.IMATION COM
CISCO UMI HD CAMERA & REMOTE WWW.CISCO.COM
INTEL SSD 120G WWW.INTEL.COM
SAMSUNG HMX T-10 HD CAMCORDER WWW.SAMSUNG.COM
THRUSTMASTER FERRARI COCKPIT WWW.THRUSTMASTER.COM toyznation.com • 12
TECH » 30 MUST HAVE GAMES
DEADRISING 2
GRANTURISMO 5
FIGHTERS UNCAGED
HALO REACH
SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION
MADDEN NFL 11
NBA 2K11 GLOBAL AGENDA
BLACK OPS 13 • toyznation.com
NBA ELITE 11
GOD OF WAR GHOST OF SPARTA
DJ HERO 2
TOYZ GUIDE VIDEOGAMES Michael Jackson The Experience
Publisher: Ubisioft Developer: Ubisoft Platform: Xbox 360, PS3. Wii, PSP, DS PSP Genre: Music
Rating: RP Release Date: Early 2011 www.ubisoft.com
Image courtesy of SCEA
He said he “never can say goodbye” while he wanted to “be where you are” knowing “it don’t matter if you’re black or white.” Instead, it is all “human nature.” Well, this winter you will be be able to get the Michael Jackson experience with an all new interactive video game developed by Ubisoft. With a total immersive experience, fans can even get a special edition glove to accesorize while emulating Michael’s moves. Buyers of the Wii edition will get the glove for free when they pre-order the $49.99 Wii edition. The game will be available on all platforms including the Microsoft Kinect for XBox 360 and PlayStation Move motion controller for the PS3. Portable devices such as the DS line and the PSP will also have the game availible at launch. Fans can sing and learn to dance to Bad, Smooth Criminal, Thriller, and a bevy of others from his catalog with more songs added through launch in early 2011. Fans can join the official Michael Jackson The Experience facebook page at http://www.facebook. com/MichaelJacksonTheExperience to get updates and more information.
Image courtesy of Microsoft
Gears of War 3
Publisher: Epic Games Developer: Microsoft Platform: XBox360
Genre: Multi Player Rating: M Release Date: 2011
Marcus is back in what we hope is not really the finale of our favorite epic multi-player first-person shooter, Gears of War 3. Facing the Lambent, Marcus is armed with new comrades, a new female member of the team, Anya and new character, Jace Stratton, who will be voiced by superstar, Drake. Ice-T also joins the team as the voice of the Stranded leader, Griffin. The new Gears will also introduce the world to the next iteration of the Unreal Engine, the industry standard in gaming performance and the most licensed platform in the business. There are new weapons, new vehichles, new enemies, and a new and improved Unreal Engine. Who can ask for more? Maybe for the saga not to end, like with Halo where we have Reach and ODST and more versions planned, but in the meanwhile, if this is it, what a way to go out. Gear of War 3 will only be released on XBox 360 and while delayed till later 2011, there will be a public beta verison available in early 2011. For more information visit www.gearsofwar.xbox.com.
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TOYZ GUIDE GAME CONSOLES & ACCESSORIES
Image courtesy of Sony
Sony Playstation 3 Move Bundle (320 GB) www.playstation.com Communication: • Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) IEEE 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi* • Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR) • Wireless Controller Bluetooth (up to 7) A/V Output: • Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i,1080p • HDMI out - (x1 / HDMI) • 1 Analog: AV multi out, 1optical digital out • Blu-ray/DVD/CD DRIVE “read only” • USB 2.0 X 2 Move controler Sports Champion video game $399
XBox 360 Kinect 4G Bundle www.xbox.com
Image courtesy of Microsoft
• New XBox experience with Kinect • XBox Live • Stream NetFlix movies and TV shows • 1 AV cable port , 1 HDMI output • 4GB hard drive • Xbox Live headset • Wireless controller $299
Nintendo Wii Red Bundle www.nintendo.com
Red Wii Console • New Super Mario Bros 25th Anniversary Edition game Wii Sports Game Red Wii Remote Plus Controler Red Nunchuck controler $199
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TOYZ GUIDE GADGET REVIEWS Product Review: Livio Carmen
From transistor radios to satellite the way we listen to music and talk has evolved, now be prepared for the next step, internet radio on the go in your car. Developed by a young emerging from out of Ferndale, Michigan (Their CEO is also featured in this publication), the Carmen functions with your computer by searching for internet radio stations worldwide with the ability to record programming and replay it in your car. You can also store MP3’s on the Carmen adaptor and play it in your car. Recordings can be fast forwarded like Tivo but for y our radio. The Carmen comes with 2 gig of storage and there is over 42,000 stations and can record from and works with the 12 volt adapter in you car. Livio also makes an assortment of internet radio products. For more information visit www.livioradio.com.
Energizer Energi To Go A650 www.energizerlightingproducts.com
•Have you had your phone die in the middle of a conversation? Well Energizer has a great solution for that. It’s called the Energi To Go A650 and it is a rechargeable pocket charger. The charger provides a temporary boost to your phone good for up to 90 more minutes of power, more than enough to finish a conversation, close a deal, email a file, but not recall a wild night in Vegas. The Energi To Go fits on a keychain and costs $24.99 For more information visit www. energizerpowerpacks.com
RCA Travel Charging Station PCHSTAT1R www.rcaaccessories.com
RCA’s travel charging station, the PCHSTAT1R, is a convenient accessory that includes a surge protector, two USB ports, and three power outlets for a total of five charging ports. It’s compact for travel or handy for use in the home. One can charge a laptop, an iPhone, a Blackberry, or a PSP and even share with other devices. The portable charging station retails for under $30. For more information visit www. rcaaccessories.com.
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TOYZ GUIDE GADGETS REVIEW Mitsubishi 65” 3D Home Cinema TV Model 65638 www.Mitsubishi-TV.com/3D-DLP
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With 3D films now being the craze, the only barrier to mass adoption is price, especially with the current economic and credit environment. Well, fret not, Mitsubishi, partnered with DLP technology, has a 65” full 1080p, 3D-ready cinema TV that is also ENERGY STAR qualified. Currently available online, you can get the WD-65638 model for $799 at sites such as BestBuy.com and Target.com. Mitsubishi also has a 3D starter pack available for $399, though I saw amazon.com list it at $301.99. At the combined price of less than $1200 for 2 3D lenses, a 3D signal adaptor, and a 65” full 1080p TV, this has to be the steal of the holidays. For more information visit www.Mitsubishi-TV.com/3D-DLP
»»»»»»» Netflix www.netflix.com
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Fast becoming the premiere way people watch movies, Netflix can claim to single-handedly put the retail movie renting business to bed. While both Blockbuster and Hollywood Video lay in wake, Netflix is taking yet another audacious journey, the elimination of physical DVD’s entirely. For as low as $7.99 a month you can stream movies and TV shows via Netflix on a wide range of devices from Roku to gaming systems to your PC or laptop. In fact, there are now premiums added if you want to have physical DVD’s mailed with the lowest subscription starting at $9.99 and the unlimited package going to $19.99, which becomes almost as pricey as some cable and satellite deals. But if you are a person who travels or is on the go a lot a streaming package is the best way to watch new movies or catch up on your favorite series. To sign up for Netflix visit www. netflix.com. 18• Toyznation.com
Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D 1250X Electric Razor www.usa.philips.com
Featuring an assortment of new technologies, the Philips Norelco SensoTouch 3D series provides a refreshing way to get a close shave. The GyroFlex 3D system features 3 blades that glide over the skin and provide a smooth grooming experience. The blades are easy to clean and you can use a shaving gel for an even better experience. A Jet Clean system is also available. The SensoTouch series begins at $99. For more information visit www.usa.philips.com or www.misc.philips. com/norelco/.
TOYZ GUIDE Gadget Reviews
Samsung SyncMaster P2350 Monitor www.samsung.com
Established in 2002 Gamefly has been leading in the online media rental space before it became popular and put some standalone movie rental businesses out of commission. What is cool about Gamefly is that they rent video games and have an extensive library of games, actually over 7000 thousand games for all existing platforms, such as PS3, Wii, 360, DS, PSP, Gamecube, Gameboy, and more. They also provide you with game reviews, the latest gaming news and you can also keep up with their free mobile apps. The base rental package provides you with 1 game out at a time a comes with a $15.99 fee per month but according to Gamefly their most popular package is the 2 game out $22.95 package. Their max package is $36.95 for 4 games which is still cheaper than the average new title at $59.99. For hardcore gamers this is a great deal as a month is more than enough time to beat a game. Games are also available for purchase at discounted prices if you want to keep them. For more information visit www.gamefly.com
•The Samsung P2350 monitor is a full 1080p 23” LCD monitor that is ENERGY STAR qualified and provides a vivid display that is great for watching movies and active events. It is also great for working on editing media. It is Windows 7 compatible, however, I tried it out on my Mac and had great results. I was able to try it out with Netflix and content on sports-oriented websites. Buy.com has deals on this monitor for $159, so for less than $200 you can get a full HD 23” monitor and also go green. For more information visit http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/ monitors/.
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Gamefly www.gamefly.com
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»»»»»»»»»» Violight UV Cell Phone Sanitizer www.violight.com It is commonplace to have hand sanitizing liquid in our pockets, office spaces, purses, etc. but how about sanitizing cell phones? Huh, you may ask, but think about it. We have touchscreen phones which trap dirt and film which we hold to our face and defeat the purpose of sanitizing our hands in the first place. Fret not, a solution is here called the Violight, a portable UV cell phone sanitizer that disinfects 99% of germs in 5 minutes. It works for earpieces, headsets, mp3 players and smartphones and its sleek design looks cool on your desk. For more information visit http://cellphone.violight.com.
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TOYZ GUIDE MOBILE Product Review Antivirus: Titanium I had Trend Micro on my prior laptop and needless to say it wasn’t my favorite experience. A lot has changed with Trend Micro, though, especially with the Titanium Maximum Security 2011. It comes loaded with their entire security suite which includes antivirus data theft protection, a remote lock of your files in case of theft, and my favorite, a backup and sync which stores up to 10GB of your files in the cloud so files can be accessed remotely. For more information visit www.trendmicro.com.
Product Review: Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 A fast rising company, I have been a fan of Kapersky’s security solutions for a while. However, I had a trojan virus that wiped out my system making it unable to boot Windows, not cool. Their 2011 solution, the Internet Security 2011 allows you to download a clean-up tool for challenges such as these. I was able to clone my drive to copy my files, re-format my old drive, run HP recovery and re-install 2011 with no problems. I was able to clean my files and copy them and now my notebook works fine. Their Internet Security 2011 also has parental controls, the ability to lock your computer, and also has a cleaner interface than 2010. For more information visit www.kapersky.com.
Product Review: NOD32 Antivirus 4
Simply put, ESET has become the industry benchmark when it comes to security. It has garnered critical acclaim from practically all credible journalists and publications in the industry and is also a heavy word of mouth favorite at my favorite computer store, Micro Center. My test with the NOD32 Antivirus 4 has been nothing short of spectacular. It had the fastest complete scan and detected viruses others didn’t. It is very efficient and non-obtrusive. For more information visit www.eset.com.
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TOYZ GUIDE Product REVIEW KODAK M590
With social media fast becoming the primary means of communication for so many, Kodak has created the ultimate camera to complement the lifestyle and is utilizing an ad campaign that features trendsetters and influentials like Drake, Rihanna, Trey Songz, and Pitbull. The EasyShare M590 makes it easy to capture your favorite moments. You can take pictures or record HD video up to 720p from a 14 MP camera with 5X zoom. Once you sync your camera with your computer, simply click the share button and have your pictures posted on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Kodak Gallery or Orkut. The EasyShare M590 also comes in several cool colors and is almost as small as some smart phones so it's compact. The EasyShare M590 retails for $149. For more information visit www.kodak.com.
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