WEEK 19, MAY 8 - 14, 2013
AN AL ROYA PRESENTATION
OMAN’S FAVOURITE MAGAZINE, NOW A TABLOID
TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
Film-making aspirations
Be an expert with Sony HDR-PJ790E camcorder
Smart rivalry
Galaxy S4 or HTC One: Take your pick
New generation
Impression made
Samsung smart TVs: Fit to change our world
Ingenieur, Tudor and Bell & Ross take Baselworld 2013 by storm
Zoomed. Not Shaken. New eyes for industry
Vibration Compensation Mechanism Try the VC simulator at www.tamron.com Tamron 18-270mm Zoom has incredible 15X wide-to-super-tele coverage plus advanced VC anti-shake!
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years
Enjoy peace, quietness and comfort
Since 1982
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Issue
43
Home Screen
Facebook dilemma Produced by
Deenar Press and Publishing LLC PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm, Sultanate of Oman Tel: + 968 24696868, Fax: +968 24693569 E-mail: info@deenarmedia.com
Printed at Ruwi Modern Printers
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.
TW43 WEEK 19.indb 3
The launch of the Facebook Home app has reignited the privacy debate over whether the social networking site is becoming too integrated in our lives. Unveiled a few weeks ago, Home integrates all of the social network’s services into the operating system of Android phones. Instead of having to download apps to use Instagram, Facebook Messenger and Facebook Camera, access to these features is consolidated into Facebook Home, which appears on the user’s home screen. Typically for a Facebook launch, it has attracted fierce criticism. Facebook has responded to the criticism following the launch in a blog post to say that the data Home would collect is no different from what the social networking site already tracks and that it is used internally to improve the user experience. For techsavvy digital natives, who share personal information frequently and tend to see value in such personal disclosures, the polemic around Home could be seen as
a non-issue. It also could be argued that privacy is a long-dead illusion that is fast becoming an out dated concept. Technology seems to be moving ever closer to a world where every aspect of our existence is recorded both at our will and not. We think that humans are not ready for this, this ability to press the rewind button on your life. But, in today’s world, the documentation of our every move and every desire is becoming increasingly inescapable. Any person using any kind of electronic device is giving up their ability to be untraceable. The United States government have launched an official ‘National Data Privacy Day’ to raise awareness among teenagers and young adults about the importance of maintaining what little privacy they may have left. There are similarities between the negative impacts of industrial revolution and the digital world order; the invasion of our privacy is the pollution of the data age.
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news WEEK 19, may 8 - 14, 2013
iOS7’s road could include more auto integration Apple is reportedly working with automobile makers to push more integration of its operating system into vehicles. iOS 7 is expected to debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June and the refreshed version might launch with a total user interface overhaul led by company design guru Jony Ive. That update will include embedding Apple apps, including Maps and Siri, into new cars, according to a report. Several auto manufacturers already allow the use of third-party accessories to hook up their iPhones or iPods to their vehicles. Apple’s iOS 7 integration,
though, would involve a direct link between the car and the driver’s device. Users would be able to connect an Apple device to a console and then possibly see an iPhone screen on a vehicle display, allowing for a more complete view of an Apple Maps app optimized for driving or hands-free interaction via Siri.
The social network had previously refused to ban the clips. It had said people had a right to depict the
An advertising system which is able to track your eye movements while you shop has been created by researchers based at Lancaster University. The Sideways project uses software to locate faces and eye movements of shoppers captured on camera. It could allow for video screens which change adverts depending on what you look at in a shop.
The move could be devastating for the makers of the accessories that are currently used for connecting devices inside vehicles, but seamless in-car integration would be an enormous opportunity for any tech ecosystem, said Ross Rubin, principal analyst at Reticle Research.
Facebook U-turn after charities criticise decapitation videos
Facebook has said it will delete videos of people being decapitated which had been spread on its site. “We will remove instances of these videos that are reported to us while we evaluate our policy and approach to this type of content,” it said. The news came less than two hours after the BBC revealed a member of Facebook’s own safety advisory board had criticised its stance.
New adverts ‘could track your eyes’ in supermarkets
‘world in which we live’. But the US’s Family Online Safety Institute (Fosi) said the violent nature of the material had ‘crossed a line’. “Personally and professionally I feel that Facebook has got this call wrong,” said Stephen Balkam, the organisation’s chief executive, ahead of the U-turn. Charities in the UK had also called on the social network to reconsider its stance, saying the material could cause long-term psychological damage.
The team said that they hoped the technology would be in use in shops within five years. The technology can also be used to allow people to use their eyes to control content on screens, such as scrolling through items on a list.
Associated Press news agency’s Twitter feed is hacked
A fake tweet claiming President Barack Obama had been injured in an explosion at the White House has been sent from the Twitter account of the Associated Press news agency. It spread ripples of alarm through US markets and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 150 points as it was re-tweeted.
The White house was quick to clarify that the US president was fine and no explosions had occurred. The hacked account has since been suspended. Dr Herb Lin, a cyber security expert, explains how media agencies are likely to make security changes to their Twitter accounts.
Heins: Tabets will survive five years
Robot cars look to beat congestion Research into robot cars in Singapore is being driven by a desire to get more people on to public transport. The idea is for self-drive autos to take commuters to public transport hubs, as well as for short trips in their neighbourhood. It’s one of several innovative schemes being looked at by researchers in Singapore.
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BlackBerry CEO Thorstein Heins made some bold claims in an interview at the Milken Institute conference in Los Angeles on Monday, April 29th. For one, he predicted a big turnaround for the company, suggesting that BlackBerry could once again become the absolute leader in mobile computing. What raised more eyebrows, though, was Heins’ prediction that in five years, tablets might be out. “Tablets are not a good business model,” he maintained. That comment drew a lot of scepticism and some scorn but given that the market is constantly evolving, could Heins be onto something? Of course, Heins has previously suggested that the company wouldn’t re-enter the
market unless there was the potential for success. Whether the tablet form factor is a fixture or a passing trend
has little bearing on BlackBerry’s own tablet fortunes, the PlayBook being a flop.
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VIDEOZONE TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
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Evolutionary TV Your television viewing experience is about to change with the third generation line-up of Samsung Smart TVs
S
amsung has launched its 2013 Samsung Smart TV lineup with larger screen sizes and superior picture quality. The new F7500 and F8000 LED TVs are set to simplify how consumers search for and discover their preferred content, while raising the bar in picture quality, allowing them to enjoy a seamless, integrated and immersive entertainment experience.
Samsung’s third generation of Smart TVs highlight features like a redesigned Samsung Smart Hub that offers three dynamic menu panels so you can manage and navigate different types of content. With outstanding picture quality, the TVs offer brighter, more vibrant colour. The most striking feature is the Smart Evolution Kit that gives owners of 2012 Samsung TVs the opportunity to update their models with some of the latest features from 2013 without having to buy a new set. The next-generation TVs sport a quad-core CPU that enables quick app launching, web browsing and multi-tasking. The Smart View feature lets you move content from the TV to connected devices and back in real-time, so you never miss a moment of your shows using AllShare. Also, the Advanced Smart Interaction allows you to use everyday language and casual gestures to control the TV.
Personalised viewing content Samsung has redesigned Smart Hub and made it easier for consumers to discover content. The easy-to-navigate interface enables content to be managed from one central location and organises it into three dynamic panels that include photos, videos & music that allows you to organise personal content and files on the Smart TVs and other linked devices. It highlights user-created content from friends and family, popular videos from Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and video call services. The Apps panel organises downloaded Samsung Apps and recommendations for easy access The F8000 series comes in size classes ranging from 46-inch to 55-inch models and the F7500 series is available in 40inch, 46-inch and 55-inch models. The F series offers the newest technologies that deliver more vibrant and richer colours, higher contrasts and a brighter picture quality than ever before. In addition to the Micro Dimming Ultimate technology, a slim bezel and a quad-core processor lets users toggle between apps, online services and on-air TV quickly and easily. There is no chance of you missing your favourite show. The third generation Smart TVs are now available in major electronics stores and prices start from RO550 up to RO1,400.
NEWS + VIDEOZONE.indd 5
Smart Evolution kit keeps your Smart TV up-to-date
Available at SARCO, 24593025
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mobilezone WEEK 19, may 8 - 14, 2013
The battle between Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One is a close and fierce fight
H
TC is back on form; where for the last couple of years it had lagged behind Samsung, the HTC One is a pretty serious rival for the Samsung Galaxy S4. We find out if it’s better. The S4 is slimmer and lighter than the One. However, it doesn’t feel heavy and the curvy ergonomics of the phone’s rear stop it from feeling chunky. But it’s a shallow victory for the HTC as the aluminium used in the phone is just as prone to scratches as the plastic of the Samsung. The S4 is a lot easier to repair than the HTC, whose metal unibody design makes the phone almost impossible to take apart without damage.
Samsung Galaxy S4
The HTC One has a slightly smaller display than the Samsung Galaxy S4, with 4.7 inches instead of five. So, the S4 is a bit wider than the HTC. The difference is so small because Samsung aggressively slimmed down the phone’s screen bezel. Both phones use a 1080p-resolution screen panel, offering supremely sharp text
and images. The HTC pixel density is slightly higher, but both phones still offer 400-plus pixels per inch. The HTC sacrifices the memory card slot for a unibody design, giving no access to the phone’s internals. Whereas the S4 includes a microSD memory card slot, making it easy and cheap to upgrade storage. The S4 has a 13MP sensor camera, while the HTC has a 4MP one; so the S4 can produce much better photos in the right conditions, but thanks to its low-light performance the HTC is a little more versatile. Both the HTC and S4 use Snapdragon 600 series chips, although the S4’s is clocked a little faster, at 1.9GHz instead of 1.7GHz and each phone has a 2GB of RAM. The S4’s Android 4.2 packs in as many cool-sounding features as possible while the HTC is happy to keep things simple, with the Android 4.1.2. The strong ‘tilt factor’ of the HTC One sees it take the lead, but it’s a marginal one in the end.
Apps this week 1
2
Pitfall
A twist on the line-drawing formula, by turning navigation into a spotlight-based affair; controlling it by holding your finger over the ship’s bow Platform: iOS
Revised for a new ilk of gamer, Pitfall brings a relentless amount of game play which comes with just the right amount of addictiveness Platform: Android, iOS
4
Bump Crash (Free)
An ice hockey-style knockout game, the objective of the game is to push the opponents ‘pucks’ off the screen without being bumped off yourself. Platform: iOS
Non Flying Soldiers
Search, stream, download and discover music; a music streaming service that surpasses Spotify in just about every way Platform: Android, iOS, Windows Phone
6
LaunchPad
You’re tasked with a convoy of feathered fools to guide to safety and you have a selection of tools at your disposal with which to do so; if you’ve got a perfectionist streak, you’ll relish this Platform:iOS
Give your old phone a bit of a face lift with a replacement Start Menu and task manager Platform: Windows Phone, iOS
(USD2.5)
9
Whale Trail
It may not replace your dedicated RSS reader, but it’s a lovely way of browsing news and social network updates Platform: Android, iOS, Windows Phone
Loop the loop, collect Blubbles, smash enemies, discover new lands and make friends along the way Platform: Android, iOS
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(Free)
(USD1)
8 (Free)
Deezer
(Free)
5
7
We bring them, you’ll want them 3
The Lighthouse HD (USD2)
HTC One
(USD1)
Counters (Free)
Helping the smartphone newbie stay in control with the extremely easy to use interface and the customisable limits; it’s a great app for your peace of mind Platform: Windows Phone
5/4/13 9:58 PM
COVER STORY TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
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Chronometer gallery We give you the best of Baselworld 2013 IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Silberpfeil IWC upgraded its Ingenieur collection of sports watches this year, incorporating design touches inspired by the brand’s new partnership with the Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas Formula One racing team. Among the new models in the line is the Ingenieur Chronograph Silberpfeil, which pays tribute to a classic race car.
Case Material: Stainless steel Bracelet/Strap: Black rubber strap with brown alligator leather inlay
The Chronograph Silberpfeil is named for the Mercedes-Benz W25 Silver Arrow, which famously got its name from a race at the Nürburgring in 1934 in which the Mercedes pit crew stripped the white paint off of the car to enable it to achieve its weight limit and revealed its silvery aluminium bodywork.
Dial Colour: Silver-plated Jewels: 38 Calibre: 89361
The watch’s dial, available in either silver or brown, sports a cloud-like perlage pattern of overlapping circles, in watchmaking, usually found only on movement plates and bridges, that evokes the dashboard of the legendary Mercedes race car. The red elements on the dial, including the centre-mounted chronograph seconds hand, echo the look of the Silver Arrow’s tachymeter and revolutions counter. The date display is integrated into the seconds sub dial at 6.
Price: USD13,100 (RO5,040)
Case: 42mm matt black ceramic Bezel: Fixed matt black ceramic bezel with engraved tachymetric scale Power reserve: 46 hours Rapid date corrector: PVD shield motif Glass: Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal Water resistance: 150m Strap: Leather or rubber strap with black PVDcoat Price: TBA
Tudor Fastrider Black Shield Tudor, Rolex’s line of more affordable watches, is making a comeback this summer and had several new pieces on display at Baselworld. Among the brand’s new watches was the Fastrider Black Shield. Inspired by Ducati motorcycles, the Black Shield features a monobloc case in black matte ceramic with red accents. The scratch-resistant ‘monobloc’ case is produced as a single piece of high-tech injected ceramic, instead of ceramic applied as a coating
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to another material. The 42mm case houses an automatic chronograph movement with a power reserve of approximately 46 hours and is waterresistant to 150 metres. The dial and bezel are accentuated by red details, including the red Tudor seal at the 12 o’clock position. The watch is available with either a rubber strap or a leather strap with red stitching. An alternate version of the watch features bronze details instead of red.
Case: 46mm Movement: ETA 2892 mechanical automatic Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds Markers: Alane and yellow index marks are engraved under the glass Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-glare coating Water resistance: 100m Strap: Rubber and heavy-duty synthetic fabric Price: TBA
Bell & Ross BR 01 Heading Indicator Continuing its line of aviationinspired watches the Heading Indicator is modelled on an aircraft cockpit instrument. It displays the west, east and south indicators with airplane and yellow markers as found on the original engraving under the sapphire glass. Three independent discs display hours and minutes on the 46mm diameter case and with an antiglare finish it should be easy to view out in the sunshine.
The BR01-92 Heading Indicator, which borrowed the same outline graphics of an airframe and features three concentric discs that move independently to tell seconds, minutes and hours. With the replacement of knots and mph indices with hours and minutes, Bell & Ross recreated the airspeed indicator. This is a one-of a kind timepiece and we think any aviator and watch devotee would love to add the BR 01 to their collection.
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SELECTION
This section showcases our selection of electronics in the market today. Let us know if you have any favourites on tech@deenarmedia.com
Smartphones RO248
RO68
RO241
RO200
RO156
N
Blackberry Z10
Nokia Lumia 520
Nokia Lumia 920
Samsung S III
Blackberry 10 OS, Dual Core 1.5GHz, 2G/3G/4G, 8MP primary and 2MP secondary camera, 16GB storage, available in black and white
MS Windows 8, Dual Core 1GHz, Display WVGA 800x480, 8GB storage up-to 64GB, 3G, WiFi, 5MP camera
Microsoft OS Windows 8, Dualcore 1.5 GHz Krait, 8MP, dual LED flash, 32GB storage, 3G, WiFi, A-GPS, NFC
Android OS v4.0.4, Quad Core 1.4GHz, 8MP camera, 16GB storage, 3G, WiFi
Samsung Galaxy GRAND Android OS v4.1, Dual Core 1GHz, Dual SIM, 8MP camera, 8GB storage up-to 32GB, 1GB RAM, 3G, WiFi, A-GPS
Tablets RO100 RO285
RO250
Microsoft Windows Surface
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (N8000)
10.6-inch screen, Quad Core, 1.3GHz, 2GB RAM, 32GB HDD, Nvidia Tegra 3, WiFi, Bluetooth, 8MP camera
10.1-inch 1280x800 screen. Android 4.0.4, Samsung Exynos 4 Quad Core 1.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 5MP camera, Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, A-GPS
RO140
RO200 Asus TF-101 10.1-inches 1280x800, Android honeycomb OS, Nvidia Tegra 2, Dual Core, 1GB RAM, 16GB Storage, Bluetooth, 5MP camera
Amazon Kindle Fire HD 7-inch display1280x800, 16GB built in memory, Wifi, Dual Speaker Dolby, 1.2Ghz Dual Core processor, HD camera
Toshiba Excite AT200 7.6-inch screen, Android, 1G (LPDDR2), 1066MHz, Nvidia Tegra T305L, WiFi, Bluetooth, 32GB. 2MP front and 5MP back camera
Computers
RO470 Sony Vaio SVT13117FAS 13.3-inch, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Intel Core i7-3517U 1.9GHz with turbo boost up 3GHz, Windows 7, HDD 256GB + SSD 32GB, 4GB RAM
RO330 HP 11-g0003 11.6-inch display, 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Z2760, 2GB SDRAM, 64GB SSD Hard drive, WiFi, 8MP Camera, 1080p HD Webcam, Windows 8
RO300
RO315
RO200
Samsung XE500T1C-A01
Dell Inspiron 5523 0395
Toshiba SAT C850-B887
11.6-inch LED HD, Intel Atom Z2760, shared graphics, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 8
15.6-inch TN LED glossy, Intel Core i5-3317u 1.8GHz, 6144MB DDR3SDRAM, 128GB Hard disk, 1.3MP webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 8 Pro
15.6-inch HD LED screen 1,366 x 768 , Intel Core 13-3210M, 2.5GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Webcam, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows 8, 5 in 1 Multi Card Reader
Compact cameras
RO70
N
RO290
Casio Z3000
Sony RX-100
16.1MP, 8x optical zoom, 25mm wide angle lens, 3-inch LCD, HD movie, CCD Shift Stabilization
20.9MP, 10FPS, 29-105mm, 3-inch ‘White Magic’ LCD touch screen, 1080 60p video, 3.6x Optical zoom
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RO200
RO120
Samsung Galaxy camera GC100
Canon PowerShot SX240
16MP, 21x optical zoom, 4.8-inch LCD touch screen. Full HD movie, Android, WiFi
12.1MP, 20x optical zoom, 3-inch HD movie, Full HD movie, image stabilizer
RO180 Olympus TG 810 14MP, 5x Optical Zoom, 5-25mm lens, 3-inch LCD touch screen, Full HD movie, GPS, 10m Water Proof
5/3/13 12:40 PM
N New
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 May 1, 2013.
Updated
Pro cameras
RO822 Canon 7D 18.0 Megapixel CMOS Sensor and Dual DIGIC 4 Image Processors. 19-point, all cross-type AF system equipped with dual diagonal cross-type sensors in center at f/2.8 and f/5.6 and AF area selection modes
RO240 Fujifilm Finepix HS50EXR 16MP EXR CMOS II, 42x zoom, 24mm wide, 3-inch LCD screen, iso12800, full HD movie *Photocentre
RO500
RO260
RO400
Canon 650D
Nikon D3200
Samsung NX20
18MP APS-C ‘Hybrid CMOS’ sensor, Phase detection AF, continuous autofocus, 14-bit DIGIC 5 processor, ISO 100-12800 standard, 25600 expanded, 5 fps continuous shooting, 9 point AF system, 1080p30 video
24.2MP, 4FPS/11 AF point, 3-inch LCD screen, full HD movie, 18-33mm lens; ISO 100 to 6400; Shutter: 1/4000 to 30s; TTL exposure metering using 420-pixel RGB sensor; Hi-Speed USB
20.3 MP, 8 FPS, Wifi, 3-inch LCD screen, full HD movie, 18-55mm Lens, 1/8000 fast shutter, 8 frames/shutter, smart compact camera system, CMOS sensor, dust reduction, optical image stabilisation, WiFi, USB 2.0
Televisions
50
RO400
N
RO370
RO300
RO600
RO1,400
LG 47LM5800
Samsung UA40F6400
Sony KDL40EX650
Sharp LC-60LE630
Samsung UA55ES8000
47-inch LED 3D, 2MP Full HD, 3HDMI PC in/AV in, USB port, DIVX HD, 200Hz True Motion, Intelligent sensor, Energy Saving
40-inch LED 3D, 1920 x 1080 Resolution, 2MP Full HD, 4 HDMI, 400Hz clear motion rate, 3 USB Ports, Voice Controle, 3D Sound Dolby Digital sound
40-inch Edge LED TV, Motion Flow XR 100, X-reality Picture Engine, Wifi, Dolby Digital Plus, 3D combo filter
60-inch LED TV, 2MP, full HD, USB movie playback, 3 HDMI, XGEN Pannel with UC2A Technology, Low power consumption
55-inch 3D LED Smart TV, 2MP, Full HD, Smart interaction (face, voice, motion), Smart evolution and content, micro dimming ultimate, built-in camera, 800Hz, Dual Core processor
apple
Courtesy: Gadgets, Muscat Grand Mall
RO128
RO265
RO119
RO65
RO449 iPad Mini WiFi
iPhone 5
MacBook Pro MD 101
iPod Touch
iPod Nano
16GB, 7.9-inch LED-backlit, multi-touch with IPS technology, 1,024x768p, Dual-core A5, Bluetooth, built-in 16.3-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
16GB, 4-inch, 1,136x640p, Retina display, 8MP iSight, 1.2MP Facetime, Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Bluetooth, WiFi
13.3-inch, LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 2.5GHz dualcore, Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3 memory, 500GB storage, 720p FaceTime HD camera, WiFi, Bluetooth
4-inch widescreen Retina display, Multi touch IPS, 32GB, 5MP iSight camera, LED flash, HD video recording (1080p) up to 30 frames per second with audio, with Apple EarPods
2.5-inch display, 16GB, VoiceOver gesture-based screen reader, accelerometer, Nike+ support, Bluetooth 4.0
TECH RECOMMENDS KRUPS XP5220 Espresso Machine
Hitachi RW-660FUK Refrigerator
The best brew begins with the perfect tamp. This Krups espresso machine features an innovative Precise Tamping System that compresses coffee grounds perfectly - a skill mastered by only the most practiced baristas to provide the same bold and flavorful results every time. Featuring a 15 bar pump, 1400-watt thermoblock heating system, removable filter tank and a 2 year worldwide limited warranty, this is the perfect machine for coffee lovers.
This sleek black beauty comes with a 660 liter capacity and 23.5 CFT. It has an innovative no-frost system and the body is divided into four doors. It stands out from all its peers, with its high-tech nano titanium cooling system. Loyal customers would be pleased to see the return of an auto-ice maker and a quick freezer. If all that wasn’t enough to rush out and adorn your kitchen with this masterpiece, the fridge has a 1-year worldwide warranty on the electrical parts and a 5-year worldwide warranty on the compressor.
RO85
RO365 Seen at Emax, Muscat City Centre
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Videography WEEK 19, may 8 - 14, 2013
Project life Make your filmmaking debut with Sony to showcase your masterpiece
T
his 24.1 megapixel camcorder delivers Full HD 24p/60p recording, ideal for rich storytelling. You also get manual control and minimal shake when shooting on the move with Balanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation, plus a top-mounted mic for crystal-clear surround sound recording. Precious moments become better the second time around when captured in rich 1920x1080/60p/24p Full HD video. You can shoot crystal-clear 24.1 megapixel still images and video at the
same time, so you won’t miss an ounce of the action. Gather up the gang and share your fantastic footage on the big screen simply by connecting the camcorder to your compatible HDTV with an HDMI cable. Featuring a high-contrast 35 lumen projector built into the LCD panel, you can transform your camcorder into a mobile movie theatre by projecting onto a wall or virtually any flat surface. It’s great for sharing footage on the fly and since it works with HDMI-compatible smartphones, laptops and tablets, you
Sony HDR-PJ790E USD1,600 (RO616)
Built-in projector with input function Balanced optical SteadyShot 26mm wide-angle lens can also project YouTube videos, photos, full-length films and more. It’s tons of fun for family movie night and super convenient for professionals who want to share presentations on the spot. You can attach lights, monitors and other accessories to help you get the best shots in any situation. You may also plug-in the optional wireless module and tap into WiFi to turn your smartphone or tablet into a remote control, instantly
Exmor R CMOS sensor 96GB internal memory 24.1MP still picture
upload footage to the web or wirelessly backup data to your PC. With advanced capture and control features often considered the domain of professional cameras you can get the best of your camcorder. A convenient assignable dial gives you manual control of focus, exposure, white balance, iris and shutter speed, plus the ability to experiment with more advanced features like zebra and peaking.
Available at Jumbo Electronics, 24818358
Measuring 1.25kg and just 135mm tall the Jongo S3 is a compact treat. Available in a choice of red, yellow, green, black and white speaker grilles with a choice of white or black plastic casing, it is well built and solid. With battery power quoted ten hours, this is the ideal size speaker to carry between rooms and out into the garden. Boasting 360-degrees sound from five speakers and four different audio configurations, Stereo Forward Facing and
PHOTOGRAPHY + AUDIOZONE.indd 10
Outdoor Boost, you can tweak the sound to suit the situation. There’s a 1-inch LCD display showing battery life, stereo configuration and source input a welcome upgrade to the ‘press twice, hold for three seconds’ approach usually added to wireless speakers. With both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, the Jongo S3 has the flexibility to play content from just about anywhere. Streaming over WiFi requires the Pure Connect App (iOS) and opens up the ability to control multiple devices and create a multi-room set-up, while Android users can stream from any music app using Bluetooth. On its own the Pure Jongo S3 is an impressive bundle of wireless fun. The combination of WiFi, Bluetooth and all-day battery life plus good looks, great sound and competitive price should see it fly off the shelves. The added bonus of multi-device support and the excellent Connect app make it a mouth-watering proposition and with more Jongo speakers soon to be released Pure’s multi-room adventure is only just beginning.
((
((
T
he Bluetooth and WiFi supporting Jongo S3 costs less than the travelsized Jawbone Jambox, but offers Sonos-style multiroom functionality with battery powered freedom.
Pure Jongo S3 USD264 (RO101)
Wireless: 802.11b/g (WEP and WPA/WPA2 security, WPS support) Connectivity: A2DP Bluetooth support via supplied USB dongle Controls: Power, volume, mute, audio mode, WiFi setup, reset Display: 1-inch LCD Dimensions: 131x139x135mm Weight: 1.25kg
((
Portable Jongo
Don’t go by its dinky size, this little speaker has great sound and all-day battery life
((
AUDIOZONE
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NUOVOTECH WEEK 19, may 8 - 14, 2013
Ingenious gadgets
We’ll have you wondering, how you lived so far without these gadgets Bluetooth Handset Gloves Behold the telephone of the future, built right into your winter gloves! Warm knit gloves woven with conductive fibres let you operate your touch-screen phones but with extra added Bluetooth capabilities! In the left glove’s thumb is a tiny speaker and in the pinky is a wee microphone. By extending them both in the call me gesture, you can chat with your friends for up to 20 hours on a charge.
Price: USD60 (RO23) Available on thinkgeek.com
BUG-A-SALT A specialised weapon, BUG-A-SALT uses ordinary table salt to help you mount your fly attack. With no cords or batteries, the salt gun has deadly accuracy up to 3 feet and it leaves the insects intact allowing for easy clean up. Lift the loader cap and pour in the salt, cock the weapon by simply releasing the safety and launch your attack. Effective against roaches, wasps and even mosquitoes.
Price: USD30 (RO11.5) Available on bugasalt.com
Credit Card Lightbulb This unusual card looks like a flat incandescent bulb, but push the bulb vertical and it unexpectedly lights up. The rest of the card serves as a stand. Store one in your wallet or purse and ward off those deadly grue attacks; spawns of old text adventures that wreak havoc by de-magnetising your credit card strips and making that RO10 bill you’re sure was in there... disappear with out a trace. Now you can impress your friends with the Credit Card Lightbulb.
Price: USD5 (RO2) Available on thinkgeek.com
Universal Gadget Wrist Charger The Wrist Charger, straps comfortably to your wrist and plugs in to just about any electronic device you like. It’ll power cell phones, mp3 players, gaming systems or any device compatible with mini USB. Now you’ll have plenty of power to get through long days travelling. When you reach your destination, simply plug your bracer in and charge its battery back up so you’re ready with plenty of entertainment for the long trip home.
Price: USD40 (RO15) Available on thinkgeek.com
Moviezone
Iron Man 3
Does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?
Director: Shane Bla ck Genre: Act ion Cast: Robert D owney Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow Ben King sley
TW43 WEEK 19.indb 12
M
arvel’s hugely anticipated ‘Iron Man 3’ pits brash but brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. Stark (Downey) is feeling badly shaken by his experience working with the Avengers to fight off an alien invasion. So he dives into his work and neglects his relationship with Pepper (Paltrow), who also runs his company. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has
secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? Changing the writer and director for this third Iron Man movie turns out to be the best thing that could have happened, because Shane Black is a much more focused filmmaker and he gives this franchise a badly needed kick. Nevertheless, the film was already labeled as one of 2013’s biggest movies and is already topping international charts, opening Wednesday, April 24th to USD13.2 million from a dozen territories and its way to a USD110 millionplus foreign debut. Black’s blockbuster satisfies thanks in no small part to a rug-pulling narrative that’ll floor you at least once. Although complex and deep it’s not; but as a two-hour adrenaline shot, Iron Man 3 delivers.
5/3/13 12:40 PM
COMPUTING TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
13
Show your fangs One box, two systems and lots of speed
E
ven high end gaming rigs, believe it or not, can get pretty monotonous. It’s a bit like being bored because you want to drive something other than your Ferrari or Lamborghini. The solution to this problem in PC terms is CyberPower’s Fang III Black Mamba box, which is anything but ordinary. The machine is literally a high end gaming box with a second PC grafted on top of it. This is done using an Azza Fusion 4000 case that’s big enough to take an XL-ATX board down below and a Mini-ITX board up top. Down below, CyberPower installs an Intel Core
i7-3960X, 16GB of DDR3, an Asus Rampage IV Extreme board and two overclocked EVGA GTX 590 Classified Hydro Copper cards. All this is cooled with a custom cooling solution, to boot. Storage is handled with a 2GB HDD and a pair of 120GB OCZ Agility 3 drives in RAID 0. Raided SSDs aren’t new, but the case’s support for four SSDs in quickrelease trays is pretty impressive. It takes advantage of the cooling to overclock both the CPU and the GPUs. The CPU goes from its stock speed of 3.3GHz to a nice 4.5GHz and the Hydro Copper cards are also clocked up enough to give the dual 590s a healthy speed advantage.
CyberPower equips the top rig with a liquid-cooled Core i3-2120, 8GB of RAM, a 2TB HDD and Windows Home Server. There’s no GPU, but the 300-watt brick should be able to run a decent midrange card if you really wanted to. The top rig isn’t just bolted on top, either; both sections actually share space. The real question however is whether consumers are looking for such a beast. Call us crazy, but we can now see the massive appeal this fierce monster attracts from everywhere.
CyberPower Fang III - Black Mamba USD4,425 (RO1,700)
Operating system: Microsoft Windows 8 Videocard: Two EVGA GeForce GTX 590 Hydro Copper in SLI, Integrated Memory: 16GB DDR3, 8GB DDR3 Storage: 2x120GB OCZ Agility 3 Processor: Intel 3.3GHz Core i7-3960X OC’d to 4.5GHz, 3.3GHz Core i3-2120 Optical: LG Blu-ray combo drive Mobo: Asus Rampage IV Extreme, Zotac Z68ITX-A-E
ACCESSORIES
Mophie’s law Even if the entire day seems to be getting out of control, your phone won’t die on you
U
nless you spend your life a metre away from a power socket or never actually use your iPhone, it’s likely that at some point you’ll get frustrated with your iPhone dying at an inconvenient moment. We’ve come to love Mophie’s battery cases and often depend on them when away from power for a day. Now there’s a version for the iPhone 5. Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5’s capacity is
TW43 WEEK 19.indb 13
even a little higher than the iPhone 5’s own battery at 1500mAh so you’re almost doubling the life of your iPhone if you slip one of these cases on it. Mophie gear has always been well made, but this is a real step-up, even from its usual high build-quality. It really feels like a premium accessory and the iPhone 5 is so slim and light that even adding the Juice Pack Helium’s bulk, it still doesn’t feel too voluminous.
Verdict There’s one frustrating design compromise; the headphone jack gets recessed inside a hole on the bottom edge of the unit. Although some headphones will still fit, Mophie supplies a short extender for those that don’t. The Juice Pack Helium is expensive, but if you regularly find your iPhone 5 running out of power, we have to recommend it. It’s well-built, robust, light and looks great on your new iPhone 5.
Mophie Juice Pack Helium for iPhone 5 USD80 (RO31) available on store.apple.com
5/3/13 12:40 PM
dashboard
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WEEK 19, may 8 - 14, 2013
Wraithful
The epitome of luxury car status is now at a whole new level webzone www.instructables.com
Need instructions?
A place that lets you explore, document and share your creations
I
nstructables became a documentation system in 2005, as an in-house project of Squid Labs; to share their projects, connect with others and make an impact on the world. When they weren’t solving interesting problems like solar panels for driveways, efficiently harnessing human power or strain sensing ropes, you could find them sharing Instructables from the workshop. From cooking to 3D printing, to making just about anything fly, Instructables became the recipient of countless hours of tinkering, soldering, stitching, frying and fun, making just about anything. Instructables was officially spun out of Squid Labs in the summer of 2006 and has gone on to grow from a modest hundreds of projects to over one hundred thousand. The community that now calls the site home, is an amazing mix of wonder from around the world. You will be amazed by the imagination, curiosity and simple awesomeness of everyone who shares their creations on Instructables.
DASHBOARD + QUIZ.indd 14
5/4/13 9:36 PM
TECH@DEENARMEDIA.COM
I
n profile, Wraith’s sweeping fastback design gives the car its unique character. Bold lines, tension in the panels and a raked rear screen evoke the image of a world class athlete poised in the starting blocks. Further expression of dynamic intent can be seen in Wraith’s deeply recessed grille, wide rear track and dramatic two-tone presentation. Coach doors open to reveal a sumptuous interior complete with softest Phantom-grade leathers and expanses of wood called Canadel Panelling. Named after the famous cove in the South of France where
Sir Henry Royce and his design and engineering teams spent their winters, this contemporary and tactile finish sweeps through the interior, cosseting four occupants in a space bathed in light and warmth. The interior ambiance is complemented by Starlight Headliner, a Bespoke feature available beyond Phantom family cars for the first time. 1,340 fibre optic lamps are hand-woven into the roof lining to give the impression of a glittering, starry night sky. Performance delivers on the promise of Wraith’s styling.
Power delivery is effortless, but dramatic, thanks to a V12 engine married to 8-speed automatic ZF transmission. 624 bhp / 465kW is available to the driver while the 0-60 mph sprint is achieved in 4.4 seconds, compared with 563 bhp / 420kW and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for Ghost. From 1,500 rpm 800 Nm of torque is available (780 Nm for Ghost), while a wide rear track, shorter wheelbase and lower roof height further contribute to the most powerful, involving driving experience of any Rolls-Royce in history. The car’s suspension has
15
also been tuned to minimise body roll and discreetly amplify feedback when cornering; while steering weight is heavier at high speeds and lighter at low speeds adding to the spirited drive. However, Wraith is no GT bruiser. Agility improvements have been achieved with absolutely no compromise to the sensation of riding on a bed of air. Furthermore, the debut of Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT) technology takes the powertrain to a new level of effortless delivery, one that perfectly suits the Rolls-Royce brand.
Enter to win a Panasonic portable charger each. Please send in your entries by MAY 13
TW43
Fax: 24693569 / Email: tech@deenarmedia.com
1 One byte is equal to how many bits?
1. Bhaiya Gautam 2. Tanusha Sharma Last week’s quiz answers: 1 – A, 2 – B, 3 – B, 4 – C 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 tech@deenarmedia.com or fax this page to 24693569 by the deadline. Correspondence after the deadline will not be entertained. PLEASE WRITE CLEARLY. Incomplete or illegible entries will be disqualified. Winner must provide valid ID to claim the prize. Allow up to two weeks to process.
DASHBOARD + QUIZ.indd 15
database?
A
8
A
Excel
B
64
B
MySQL
C
1024
C
FileMaker
3 Which of the following statements about the TW41 Winners:
2 Which of the following is not a type of
GIF image format is not true?
4 Most digital cameras save photos in what image format?
A
It was one of the first image formats used on the Web
A
PNG
B
It is a lossless format
B
JPEG
C
It can contain more colors than a JPEG image
C
BMP
Full Name _________________________________________ Age ______ Mobile __________________ Email ______________________________________Occupation _________________________________ Company ______________________________________________________________________________
5/4/13 9:36 PM
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GAMING WEEK 19, may 8 - 14, 2013
The Knife of Dunwall changes protagonists with panache, delivering a compelling new chapter in the Dishonoured saga
Score:
D
ishonoured made its mark being original, but with downloadable content, originality is harder to pull off: developers often don’t have the resources to build the number of new features you’d see in a full-fledged release. This story based add-on proves Arkane’s mastery, continuing Dishonoured’s stellar narrative while subtly improving combat. Knife’s three-chapter story centres around Daud, one of Corvo’s targets in the full game. Looking to atone for his role in the empress’ murder, the assassin — with the help of his student, Billie Lurk — seeks a mysterious woman named Delilah. The search takes Daud to a whale-oil refinery and his old stomping grounds, providing some cool new scenery that’s almost (but not quite)
on par with Dishonoured’s costume party and cathouse. You have a few targets and potential allies, but the plot is leaner overall. That’s not a bad thing: the cast on-hand still allows for a story with interesting parallels to Corvo’s quest. Better yet, this adventure gives the new protagonist a suitable denouement while building towards a bigger conclusion in a second add-on, The Brigmore Witches, due later this year. Knife’s battles also exhibit better balance than Dishonoured’s did. Daud’s repertoire is slightly superior to Corvo’s, with new nonlethal options like Choke Gas and stun mines making ranged fighting a bit more palatable. Stone cold killers have new weapons too, but nothing as mystical as Dishonoured’s Wind Blast or Devouring Swarm.
Like Corvo, Daud is imbued with supernatural powers by the Outsider. Some of them are new, like Summon Assassin, which lets the player call in acolytes for assistance in combat. Others are variations on Corvo’s abilities, such as Void Gaze — which highlights runes and bone charms — and Blink, which, when used while standing still, also stops time. It’s been a long seven months since Corvo’s tale ended, but we’re glad Arkane didn’t rush out the next chapter. Knife of Dunwall sharpens Dishonoured’s storytelling and combat in one slice. Bethesda has confirmed that The Knife of Dunwall will serve as the first of two DLC add-ons focusing on Daud.
Plot.............................................. 8/10 Gameplay ............................. 8/10 Visuals...................................... 8/10 Overall............................................... 8
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Genre: Action Adventure Developer: Arkane Studios Platforms: Xbox 360, PC, PS3 ESRB Rating: Mature
spacetech
Lift off
Spaceplane being developed by Sir Richard Branson has made its first powered flight
T
he vehicle was dropped from a carrier aircraft high above California’s Mojave Desert and ignited its rocket engine to go supersonic for a few seconds. Sir Richard’s intention is to use the spaceship to carry fare-paying passengers on short pleasure rides above the Earth’s atmosphere. His company Virgin Galactic has already taken hundreds of deposits for the rocket vehicle is known as SpaceShipTwo (SS2). Although it has been in the air on more than 20 occasions, this was the first time its hybrid
TW43 WEEK 19.indb 16
motor had been ignited. It was only a short burn lasting about 16 seconds, but it propelled SS2 beyond the sound barrier to a speed of Mach 1.2. Future outings should see progressively longer burn durations, enabling the plane eventually to reach sufficient velocity to climb more than 100km into the sky. More than 500 people, including celebrities such as physicist Stephen Hawking and former Dallas actress Victoria Principal, have put down a deposit for a ticket that will cost them about USD200,000.
5/3/13 12:40 PM