Essential N10

gadgets Blind vision Sensory Overload Save the World The early years

breakdown

by the numbers Yes, all stats were dug up from a range of obscure websites, including those of the Macau Government and Macau Business

137 million: estimated number of

internet users in China. It has been growing by 18 percent per year since 2004 until it picked up even more steam in 2006, going up 23 percent.

300,000: Amount of the fine in NT$, issued

by Taiwan’s National Communications Commission to people who sell or buy “Shanzai” mobile phones in Taiwan. The word refers to Chinese models “inspired” by well-known products or concepts.

The fine is equal to MOP 72,000.

12:

Percentage of the drop in sales of personal computers in 2009 due to the economic crisis.

This is 257 million units less than those sold in 2008, and 9 points more than the previous worst decline recorded in 2001.

700:

Billions of US dollars that consumers will spend on gadgets and other consumer electronics in 2009 according to the Consumer Electronics Association of America and the GfK Group. 15% of the global revenue will come from China’s market.

40,000:

Square metres occupied by exhibitors during the latest SINOCES, the biggest technology fair in China, held in Qingdao last July.

Domestic brands like Haier, Hisense, TCL or Lenovo covered nearly 40% of the space.

720:

millions of mobile devices with integrated GPS to be sold in 2011. This is 4 times more than in 2007. Asia will be the biggest selling market for GPS devices by 2012.

22-10-2009: release date of Windows

7, Microsoft’s latest OS, less than three years after Vista. Windows 7 promises a major usability improvement on Vista, and a simplification of security measures which caused frustration for many users. Beta testers have reported that it is faster than Vista, especially in terms of the start-up and shutdown sequence of the computer.

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Gadgets control our daily lives. Hard to believe, but an unequivocal fact. Can you imagine surviving a day in the urban jungle without them?

Think of just one, the trusty mobile phone. No phone means no calls, no texting, no shared calendars, no e-mails, no camera to capture a candid, no tunes or entertainment on the way to work and before that, no alarm clock to get you out of bed!

Consumer electronics have not had such an impact on peoples’ lives, since the invention of the electric toaster and other hi-tech home appliances such as the blender and the vacuum cleaner.

Economist Shawn DuBravac talks to ESSENTIAL about the bright future of the consumer electronics industry, the levels of innovation expected, and of China’s potential as a market, both as a consumer and producer.

There are arguably three types of gadget lovers: the listeners, the watchers, and the gamers, and we have some treats for all of you. The iPod - if you don’t have one you’re a dinosaur - revolutionised not only the music industry but how people perceive and interact with sound, on the move or at home.

Also, movie buffs have long ditched their laser disc/ video cassettes (and even the now old DVD) collections in favour of some pimp storage units. As for gamers - a breed apart since they go to extraordinary lengths to ensure their A-Game is on-screen all the time.

Imaging wise, digital is the only way to go. Even the connoisseurs most trusted Leica has succumbed to the pixel!

But developing film was always a drag anyway, organising the prints a nightmare, almost as much trouble as the upkeep of the V8 cassettes – which you had to transfer to a video tape to be able to watch your candids in the now defunct and totally obsolete VCR. To tie things down with a big bow, we take you for a stroll down memory lane with the Walkman and Atari Space Invaders, arguably the first addictive cyber crack. Remember those? they never really went away...

Next month we cover... Travel. Quick escapes, seasonal safaris, second homes, destinations or venues, we’ve got your ESSENTIAL guide from the type of sand on the beach down to the vintage of the snow depth on the slopes. Backpacking was fun... in the eighties. Now it’s all about exclusive venues, new concepts, and Michelin style dining. You’ll definitely appreciate our destination catalogue if you’re still making up your mind on where to go next, be it to a world city or a reclusive location. If you fancy a destination enough to consider naming it your ‘escape valve’, be sure to check out the section on away homes to find out about some very nice options in the region. If on the other hand you’re looking for a more turnkey solution, we will also tell you how you can book a chateau for the holidays.

And just because you’re travelling there’s no excuse to wear last season’s rags. Think of it as an opportunity to stock up on some speciality goodies and try out something new. Get your ESSENTIAL, passport, and credit card, and you’re ready to go!

We always crave your feedback. The first issues of ESSENTIAL were met with enthusiasm from many a reader and we thank you for your encouragement and suggestions. If you have something to share please keep it clean and write to us at ESSENTIAL@macaubusiness.com. Go ahead, indulge yourself in the best the city has to offer and enjoy!

You can’t love Manchester United and Chelsea, Coke and Pepsi, McDonalds and Burger King... you must take a side. Are you an “iPhoner” or a “Crackberrier”?

iPhone 3G S

It’s a phone? Oh, right. You often forget that “little” detail while watching videos, surfing the web, navigating with your GPS or listening to your favourite music.

Blackberry Bold Equipped with very similar equipment to the iPhone, many of which you rarely use. A matter of interface. Too messy, admit it.

You love caressing the touch screen, zooming, scrolling... in fact, you even enjoy having to clean your fingerprints from it again and again and again.

No touch screen. Instead, the little trackball drives you smoothly around the screen. Not a bad solution after years of those horrible track wheels that made BBs look like gigantic lighters!

Forget about long nails or fat fingers if you want to SMS someone and want him or her to actually understand your gibberish. Tricky virtual keyboard, my naughty Apple Engineer friends.

Ah, a full QWERTY keyboard! A big winner for communication and something that the brains from Cupertino avoided from its first iPhone. Strange bet.

Business?... Well, not the best tool if you live hooked to your email. Not really adapted for a hard use.

Battery life: it depends a lot on the kind of use, but if you use your iPhone as an iPod on steroids, stamina will run out fast!

Dressed to kill: From the shape to the icons, everything is designed to seduce. ‘Design’, what a word... Apple got it and it’s making good profit from it!

A world of accessories: Covers, docks, speakers... You could spend the whole day shopping just for your iPhone. Not only for the outside, also for the “inside”, with a huge range of games and all kinds of applications.

B for business. B for Blackberry. Emails, Microsoft Office documents, pdf sheets. A real office wherever you are.

No big difference. Battery life is still a problem for most smartphones. More equipment, more battery life, please!! Having to recharge your BB every day is soooooo 90’s!

A good effort has been made to transform Blackberry devices from bricks to trendy smartphones. The road taken is the good one although the iPhone is still a winner on this.

Apart from in its own store, software and accessories for BB are rare and not too creative. A ‘B’ for boring here...

Sins

Lust - Unwrapping the latest ultra light laptop, shipped directly from Japan, in front of your colleagues who’ve been stuck with their old pc’s for years.

Gluttony - Collecting gadgets, and spending a fortune on them despite not having the time to enjoy them.

Greed - Knowing that your best friend has been dying to get the gadget of his dreams, you snap up the last one in the shop.

Sloth - Not answering a phone call on your voice-command-enabled phone, even when you just have to say “OK” out loud.

Wrath - What you feel when, after months of saving money to buy your PS3, Xbox or Wii, you finally buy it... a day before it goes “On Sale’’.

Envy - Seeing an old lady using a state-of-the-art, million-dollar mobile phone – even if she hardly knows how to make a call – while you try to make that old piece of crap of yours work.

Pride - Complaining to your friend because you can’t decide which Bang & Olufsen TV model you’re going to buy next. Hard life!

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eye candy

Blind vision

Giving sight to the blind? It sounds like a miracle, especially given this is a non-surgical solution.

But it demonstrates that gadgets can also be ground breaking tools in science

A

imee Arnoldussen is a young neuroscientist with a passion: investigating neural pathways involved in reading acquisition, skill and dysfunction. In other words, showing that since we don’t see with the eyes but with the brain, the visually impaired can “learn’’ to view by other means.

Dr Arnoldussen’s device - BrainPort vision - is an investigational assistive device for orientation, mobility, object identification and “spot reading’’.

It enables perception of visual information using the ‘tongue and camera system’ as a paired substitute for the eyes. Visual information is collected from a video camera and translated into gentle electrical stimulation patterns projected onto the surface of the tongue.

Users describe it as pictures drawn on their tongue with champagne bubbles. With training, users may perceive shape, size, location and motion of objects in their environment.

The BrainPort vision device is intended to augment rather than replace other assistive technology such as the white cane or guide dog.

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How does it work?

The BrainPort vision system consists of a postage-stampsize electrode array for the top surface of the tongue (the tongue array), a base unit, a digital video camera, and a hand-held controller for zoom and contrast inversion.

Visual information is collected from the user-adjustable head-mounted camera (FOV range 3–90 degrees) and sent to the BrainPort base unit.

The base unit translates the visual information into a stimulation pattern that is displayed on the tongue.

The tactile image is created by presenting white pixels from the camera as strong stimulation, black pixels as no stimulation, and gray levels as medium levels of stimulation, with the ability to invert contrast when appropriate.

Gadget: A small technological object that has a particular function, but is often thought of as a novelty. Gadgets are invariably considered to be more unusually or cleverly designed than normal technological objects at the time of their invention. Gadgets are sometimes also referred to as gizmos.

Geek: Slang term, denoting an individual as “a peculiar or otherwise odd person�, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with things related to computers, electronics, etc Byte: Basic unit of measurement of information storage in computer science. In many computer architectures it is a unit of memory addressing. A byte is an ordered collection of bits, with each bit denoting a single binary value of 1 or 0. The byte most often consists of 8 bits in modern systems, however the size of a byte can vary and is generally determined by the underlying computer operating system or hardware....

SMS: Short Message Service is a communication service standardised in the GSM mobile communication system, using standardised communications protocols allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices. SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application on the planet, with 2.4 billion active users, or 74 percent of all mobile phone subscribers, sending and receiving text messages on their phone.

RAM: Random-Access Memory is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order (i.e. at random). The word random thus refers to the fact that any piece of data can be returned in a constant time, regardless of its physical location and whether or not it is related to the previous piece of data.

SSD: Solid-State Drive is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data.

An SSD emulates a hard disk drive interface, thus easily replacing it in most applications. An SSD using SRAM or DRAM (instead of flash memory) is often called a RAM-drive, not to be confused with a RAM disk.

GSM: Global System for Mobile communications is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. It is used by over 3 billion people across more than 212 countries and territories. GSM differs from its predecessors in that both signalling and speech channels are digital, and thus is considered a second generation (2G) mobile phone system. This has also meant that data communication has been easy to build into the system.

GPS: Global Positioning System,is a global navigation satellite system. It can be used freely by anyone, unless the system is technically restricted. An unobstructed line of sight to four satellites is required for non-degraded performance. GPS uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 medium earth orbit satellites that transmit precise radio wave signals, which allow GPS receivers to determine their current location, the time, and their velocity.

3G: Family of standards for wireless communications which includes GSM EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA as well as DECT and WiMAX. Services include wide-area wireless voice telephone, video calls, and wireless data, all in a mobile environment. 3G allows simultaneous use of speech and data services and higher data rates (up to 14.4 Mbit/s on the downlink and 5.8 Mbit/s on the uplink with HSPA+).

MIMO: Is the use of multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to improve communication performance.

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interview

H

Chinese CE market to reach US$100 billion

ow is the area of consumer electronics (CE) faring in the current global economic crisis?

The industry continues to hold up compared with others. Most recessions are marked by steep declines in durable goods purchases, as individuals defer discretionary purchases that can be pushed into the future. Despite the worst recession since the Great Depression, consumer electronics spending, as a percentage of all durable goods, is as high as it has been in 50 years.

This indicates that while consumers are cutting back on all discretionary purchases, they are cutting back on consumer electronics significantly less than other categories, like major appliances and vehicles.

Shawn DuBravac Economist, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA*), USA

How can companies seduce consumers to keep buying in these circumstances?

Consumers are constantly looking for technology devices and services that will make their lives more convenient and provide them with information and entertainment. The biggest struggle for the consumer technology industry in this economic downturn is attracting consumers to stores. Consumers across the world, own more technology products than ever before. In fact, in the U.S. alone, the average household owns 23 CE products. This consumer trend will only continue to gain momentum.

With China and India as the next big markets, what should companies take into consideration to succeed there?

Domestic consumer markets in India and China are important markets to watch. These consumers have a growing appetite for technology in their life. Like other markets, India and China will also be marked by strong competition. Companies must continue to provide consumers with value, but at an attractive price.

How important is piracy and 110

counterfeiting in the CE industry?

Piracy and counterfeiting continues to be an important area. Companies spend significant resources to ensure a quality product. These issues are most damaging to consumers who realise, only after the fact, that

they have purchased a product with significantly less value.

In the “gadget world� that we live in, what is there still to be invented?

The consumer electronics industry

has only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to innovation. Over the next decade, we will see advances in internet enabled devices, home health, battery technology and numerous other innovations. The future of the consumer electronics industry is bright. In fact, each year at the International CEA*, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow and CEA’s flagship event, more than 20,000 new products and services are introduced to the marketplace, that change of the shape of technology.

“Chinese consumers are rapidly adopting new technologies and there is no doubt that China will play a major role in the future growth of the global consumer technology industry”

Are we going too far with CE? People can hardly remember how life was without the internet, and that was less than 20 years ago...

The most successful technologies are those that add convenience and efficiency to consumers’ lives, and this is a major factor in consumers’ growing appetites for the latest technology. Consumer technology has become an integrated component of our daily lives, bringing access to information and entertainment to consumers around the world, and will continue to do so.

Will ecology be a key factor in the next generation’s consumer electronics?

Numerous factors will play a role in the future development of consumer technology innovations, ranging from renewable resources

to environmentally-friendly and sustainable components.

Why don’t we see more “green” gadgets, working with solar cells or clean batteries?

These innovations are certainly on the horizon and many are entering the market now. These technological innovations are fuelled not only by the companies creating them, but consumer demand. Environmentally-friendly and sustainable technologies will be a major market trend over the next decade and will be an important component at the 2010 International CES in January. In fact, the 2010 CES will feature the Sustainable Planet – an exhibition area dedicated to products and services making it possible for every consumer to stay informed, connected, and live a sustainable lifestyle.

With the CES in Las Vegas, can we expect Macau to become Asia’s consumer electronics “Mecca” in a near future?

The Chinese consumer electronics market is booming. In fact, according to CEA and Gfk research, the Chinese CE market is expected to reach US$100 billion this year.

In addition, China is currently estimated at 15 percent of all global consumer electronic sales.

Chinese consumers are rapidly adopting new technologies and there is no doubt that China will play a major role in the future growth of the global consumer technology industry. The market is so important that CEA sponsors a tradeshow, SINOCES, in Qingdao, China. Each year, SINOCES attracts more than 70,000 global attendees to experience the latest technology innovations from thousands of international companies.

*CEA produces the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow.

It unites more than 100,000 retail buyers, distributors, manufacturers, market analysts, importers, exporters, and press from 140 countries. CEA members receive discounted floor space and other benefits when they exhibit.

big spender

Dream of diving into the muddy waters of the Pearl Delta River?

Well, there’s a hat for every head, so if that’s the case, this is the very gadget for you The Triton 1000, a light weight two-person submarine for your enjoyment!

Engineered specifically for deployment from mega yachts and with an overall height and width of 1.8 and 3 metres respectively, the Triton will fit on many mid-level boat deck, and at 3.3 tons it can often be launched with existing davit systems.

In addition to its mega yachtfriendly features, the Triton design provides for excellent visibility and high levels of comfort with luxury leather seating and full air conditioning for your rich and cultured tastes.

Although the Triton has been designed for easy piloting, with intuitive joystick controls and a computer-based monitoring system, US Submarine still provides piloting and maintenance training at no additional cost, making this multi-million dollar purchase truly worth-it!

Price: around MOP13.5 million

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SENSORY OVERLOAD... for gamers

PLAYSTATION 3 ‘SLIM’ New model, slimmer and cheaper. The PS3 Slim has the same features as the older versions, but takes up 33 percent less space and consumes 34 percent less power, according to Sony.

The PS3 Slim, has a 120 GB hard drive, weighs 320 grams and dimensions of 29 x 6.5 x 29cm.

On sale from September at US$299 in the US (MOP2,400)

For watchers

WD TV MINI The WD TV Mini serves as a conduit between your TV set and USB-connected storage - whether it be a camcorder, an external HDD or a humble flash drive - and plays back a vast array of digital media formats.

The Mini part to its name refers to its diminutive 91 x 91 x 22 mm footprint, but being the younger sibling also means it loses a couple of the premium features, namely HDMI and full 1080p, though that drop-off isn’t too steep with 1080i and composite plus component outputs serving as alternatives.

It’s available for MOP800 112

SONY MEGA BLU-RAY CHANGER This monster disc changer lets you load up to 400 Blu-ray discs (or DVDs and CDs). In addition to playing a ton of discs without ever leaving the comfort of your sofa, the player can automatically download Gracenote MusicID and VideoID data over an Ethernet connection, saving all of the information (including cover art) that you need to easily navigate disc titles onscreen. Plus, navigation is easy, thanks to the familiar Sony “Xross” media bar interface that’s made its way onto the PS3, PSP and recent Bravia TVs. The badboy of a player features all of the high-end features you’d expect to find on a top-of-the-line Blu-ray player, including full HD 1080p video and 24p support for optimal playback of movies shot on film. Audio support includes Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 channel sound.

Price around MOP15,000

SAITEK PGCU Pro Gamer Command Unit – PGCU for short – is an extremely customisable gaming interface, specially designed for FPS and RTS (First Person Shooter and Real Time Strategy) games. With a total of 21 silver coloured backlit keys, you’ll have the control in just one hand.

The keys are actually made from clear plastic and have been given a coating of silver paint. This means that the numbers on the keys are backlit, which makes them easier to see in the dark.

For listeners

iHome iP1 The new iP1 Speaker System for iPod/iPhone outputs 100 watts of premium sound through custom designed 4” woofers and 1” silk dome tweeters that are powered by Bongiovi Acoustics’ proprietary DPS, and comes with a full-function remote control and component video outputs for connecting to a variety of video equipment.

Suggested retail price of MOP2,500

LOGITECH S315i This product has been developed to solve a problem we have all faced – forgetting to recharge! Because you don’t always have time to recharge your iPod or iPhone at home, and it is inconvenient to carry your charger with you, the Rechargeable Speaker S315i gives you a full day’s worth of music on a single charge and can recharge your iPod or iPhone when docked in the speakers. With its slim design and durable metal grills, the S315i is ready for the rigors of your suitcase, backpack or car.

Available from around MOP1,200 113

eco friendly gadgets

Save the World (or at least help not to destroy it!)

Gadgets are often associated with pollution. Batteries, high consumption of energy... But there is hope.

Ecological correctness is also possible in this world of circuits, chips and flashing lights

Voltaic solar messenger bag The solar messenger bag packs 4 watts of power so that your mobile devices like mp3 players, cell phones, cameras, PDAs and two way radios, all charge in a fraction of the time of most solar messenger bags. Durable and waterproof solar panels are mounted to the outside of a zipper pocket on this large solar messenger bag that includes room for documents, folders, or a laptop. Though not intended for laptop charging, this solar messenger bag comes with a car lighter adaptor and a LiIon battery pack for storing extra power for charging, even when the sun isn’t shining.

Solar sound Bluetooth speakers Attention, gadget lovers. These solar Bluetooth speakers will save you money and hassle while outdoors. Just pair them with your Bluetooth-enabled media player (iPhone 3.0 included), and enjoy your music. No battery, no wires, just music. If your phone doesn’t have Bluetooth, don’t worry. The speakers also come with a 3.5mm headphone retractable cable to allow you to plug any standard headphone jack into the speakers (good for people with iPods or other mp3 players).

LED Desk Lamp These two LED panel desk lamps use an electronic ballast to stop power drain when you turn off the lamp. Most LED desk lamps are made with cheap conventional adapters, which use almost as much energy when the lamp is turned off as when it is turned on. A typical LED desk lamp uses 8 watts even when it’s off while these only use 0.40 watts! Electronic ballast consumes less power than when turned off, unlike other LED adapterpowered lamps.

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TV Trickle saver Save electricity, save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and its effortless to use. The TrickleStar TV TrickleSaver reduces the standby energy consumed by TV accessories. The product has inbuilt current sensing circuitry to sense when a TV is on or off.

When the TV is on, the product will switch on all peripheral devices. Conversely when the TV is off, the product will switch off all accessories. The product is easy to install and provides simple automation to reduce wasteful standby energy consumption. The product is suitable for residential and workplace applications.

GPRS: General Packet Radio Service is a packet oriented mobile data service available to users of the 2G cellular communication systems global system for mobile communications (GSM), as well as in the 3G systems.

In the 2G systems, GPRS provides data rates of 56-114kbit/s.

Kernel panic: Is an action taken by an operating system upon detecting an internal fatal error from which it cannot safely recover. The term is largely specific to Unix and Unix-like systems.

For Microsoft Windows operating systems the equivalent term is ‘Stop Error’ (or, colloquially, ‘Blue Screen of Death’).

SATA: Is a storage-interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. The SATA host adapter is integrated into almost all modern consumer laptop computers and desktop motherboards.

SIM card: A subscriber identity module which securely stores the service-subscriber key (IMSI) used to identify a subscriber on mobile telephony devices (such as computers and mobile phones). The SIM card allows users to change phones by simply removing the SIM card from one mobile phone and inserting it into another mobile phone or broadband telephony device.

IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a number unique to every GSM mobile phone.

It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. The IMEI number is used by the GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network.

IP address: Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numerical identification and logical address that is assigned to devices participating in a computer network utilising the Internet Protocol for communication between its nodes.

Megapixel: A megapixel is one million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras, or the number of display elements of digital displays. For example, a camera with an array of 2048 - 1536 sensor elements is commonly said to have “3.1 megapixels” (2048 x1536 = 3,145,728).

LED: A light-emitting diode is an electronic light source. The LED was first invented in Russia in the 1920s, and introduced in America as a practical electronic component in 1962. LEDs are based on the semiconductor diode. When the diode is forward biased (switched on), electrons are able to recombine with holes and energy is released in the form of light.

This effect is called electroluminescence and the colour of the light is determined by the energy gap of the semiconductor.

LCD: A liquid crystal display is a thin, flat panel used for electronically displaying information such as text, images, and moving pictures. Its uses include monitors for computers, televisions, instrument panels, and other devices ranging from aircraft cockpit displays, to every-day consumer devices such as video players, gaming devices, clocks, watches, calculators, and telephones.

Malware: Short for malicious software, it is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program codes. The term “computer virus” is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

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for your eyes only

NEW COOLPIX S70 Built on the success of Nikon’s previous touch-screen models, the COOLPIX S70 features a newly developed 3.5-inch Clear Colour Display and a new generation of touch-screen controls that offer an enhanced shooting and playback experience. In addition to its photographic technology and stylish dual-texture design, the S70 captures stunning HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels (720p). The COOLPIX S70 features 12.1 megapixels; a 5x wide-angle Zoom-NIKKOR lens; ISO 6400; 5-way VR Image Stabilization.

The S70 is available from September 2009 for around MOP 4,000.

Choice of colours and textures include red & red, champagne & beige, black & black, or champagne & light brown.

CANON VIXIA HF S11 For video enthusiasts looking to capture the moment in breathtaking HD quality, the VIXIA HF S11 provides advanced HD features and professional-level manual controls. The VIXIA HF S11 offers the ability to record up to 24 hours of crisp high-definition video to a 64GB internal flash drive and the option of recording video directly to removable SDHC memory cards for fast and easy sharing of memories.

Available from mid-September at around MOP12,000

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MIRO EX-SERIES Taking the original Phantom Miro to the next level, the new Phantom Miro eX puts even more power and versatility in the palm of users’ hands thanks to an exciting new range of advanced features and functionalities. Available in three models, the Miro eX1, Miro eX2 and Miro eX4, offer users a custom-designed CMOS sensor available in resolutions of 640x480 (Miro eX1, Miro eX2) and 800x600 (Miro eX4). With the Phantom Miro eX, users can take advantage of maximum, full-resolution frame rates of 500 frames-per-second (fps) to over 1,200 fps. By reducing resolution, the Miro eX can record even faster, reaching speeds of over 100,000 fps. The Phantom Miro eX also offers super-fast exposure times as low as two microseconds (1/500,000 second), allowing users to freeze fastmoving objects and eliminate blur from their video.

Prices start at around MOP 80,000

CANON POWERSHOT G11 Designed for those looking for a pocketsized camera with SLR functionality, this new powerful camera is ideal for the consumer who is looking to capture beautiful landscapes and professional portraits, offering a 10.0-Megapixel High Sensitivity System to capture images with a powerful 5x Optical Zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilization. Additionally, a 28mm (equivalent to 28-140 mm) wide-angle lens helps to get large groups into one shot at events such as family reunions...

Available from October, the PowerShot G11 Digital Camera will retail for an estimated price of MOP4,000.

VERBATIM INSIGHT HDD Verbatim has announced its new line of InSight portable USB hard drives. The storage devices weigh less than 170 grams and are only 28 cm in length. They are also “sleek” and “durable” sporting a “piano black” finish. The drives are available in 320GB or 500GB sizes. The most interesting feature is the Always On display, which lives up to its name by being always on, and displaying the drive name and available free space, even when it isn’t connected to the computer.

Available now for MOP950 for the 320GB and MOP1,200 for the 500GB.

DIGIDUDE CAMERA TRIPOD Simply screw off your dude’s head and pull out his retractable legs for the perfect on-the-go camera mount. DigiDudes are easily attached to your keychain or camera bag...so say goodbye to shaky hands, blurry pictures, cumbersome tripods, and unnecessary camera gear. The DigiDude will mount most point and shoot cameras, flipcams, and more. If it fits in your pocket it will fit on your DigiDude.

A pinch at MOP160

MICROSOFT LIFECAM CINEMA The humble webcam hasn’t changed much over the past couple of years with most models topping out at about 2 Megapixels, but it now seems Microsoft is about to change all that with the LifeCam Cinema.

This is the first consumer webcam to support 720p video at 30fps. That’s the full 1,280x720, unlike some other attempts at so called HD video for some 2 Megapixel webcam’s that only managed 960x720, which isn’t really HD. Other features include a glass lens, auto focus, 4x digital zoom and a digital, noise-cancelling microphone that is mounted on the top of the camera.

Available from September at a price of around MOP700 117

the early years

Atari

Simon Simon was a great game to be played when your house was packed with your friends, so your mother would not only be driven crazy by your mates, but also by those robot noises that came from the battery powered toy.

According to the box: My name is Simon. I am a computer. My remarkable memory is designed to give you hours of fun and excitement. I know I look very simple with my innocent-looking colour lenses and accompanying tones.

But don’t be fooled! I have thousands of random sequences stored away, just waiting to challenge your powers of concentration.

Play me on your own or with any number of others. I play three different games and I have four skill levels you can try to master - sequences of eight, fourteen, twenty and hardest of all, thirty-one. Anytime you like, I’ll play back the last sequence or the longest sequence you’ve matched.

There were three games: - One player mode (you against Simon): you had to repeat the exact sequence that Simon played.

- Two player mode (you against your friend): the players had to repeat the sequence that their adversary made and add one more tone.

-Two to four player mode: everybody would choose a colour and have to press their colour correctly to complete the sequence quickly enough.

Simon championships were held all over the world. TV shows would have their guests play the Simon live for prizes! It was Simon fever.

A “pocket” version called Pocket Simon was released later but I never got to see it.

Millions of Simons were sold in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

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Back in the early 80’s there were no Wii, Nintendo 64 or PlayStation 3 consoles, but the coolest home entertainment system was the innovative Atari. You could play hundreds of games by simply plugging in a cartridge! The Atari is the great-great-grandfather of today’s gaming consoles. It included two joysticks and needed to be plugged in to the (if-you-werelucky-colour) TV. The Atari was released at US$249.95 for 1977’s Christmas. Some years later the 2600 model was released and sold over 25,000,000 units! You could spend a whole afternoon (and night) playing the games. It was like living the future! Over 200 games were developed for the Atari through the years, including Mario Bros, and 120,000,000 cartridges were sold. Atari’s first great game was Space Invaders, a game where you had to kill extra-terrestrial figures which “danced” above your head before they reached and killed you.

The Walkman (iPod eat your heart out) The first walkman was introduced by Sony and it was very expensive (US$200 at the time). As time went on, their price dropped and people everywhere could be seen using their walkmans: jogging, on the bus, shopping, studying, etc. Many people even used it for therapy and listened to them while asleep. You could take your music wherever you wanted to without disturbing anyone. It worked with batteries and played cassettes. Its front door had to be opened to put the tape in and also to change the side of the tape when it was through. Also, if your walkman didn’t have both “rewind” and “forward” buttons you had to rewind the tape by fast forwarding the other side!

LCD calculator watch LCD calculator watches were very popular through the 80’s. They were not very useful but oh so trendy. They weren’t exactly pert, requiring16 big-enough-but-not-too-small keys on the front - the 10 numbers, the 4 operations, the = and the “dot” functions - and a display big enough to properly show the results.

Despite all this, they were a big hit. Millions of watches were sold and very decent electronics companies had their own model of watch.

Even HP released its model, without any success. Apparently, 50,000 watches were made, 25,000 were sold to an Arabian sheik and most of the remaining 25,000 had to be cleared among HP workers. There were so many models that you could choose from various colours and shapes, a plastic or metal face, and rubber or metal wristband. Later, more functions were added to the basics of time and calculator: alarm(s), schedule, stopwatch, telephone directory and even a scientific calculator.

Motorola DynaTAX 8000X Back in 1983 Motorola launched the first commercial cell phone: Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. It was a portable way to be in touch wherever you were. Because of its huge dimensions (33 x 4.4 x 8.9 cm without the antenna!) and weight (1 kg), it was called “The brick”. The leading inventor of this marvel was Dr Martin Cooper.

To be honest, it was not a practical tool for everyone.

It was big, heavy and its battery was good enough to support 8 hours in standby mode and needed 10 hours to recharge. Its antenna could be considered as a lethal weapon since it was long and not too flexible. At US$3,000 a pop, they were not cheap, and this didn’t include the phone service! That is why you were really cool if you had one of these beauties. Rich people, businessmen, the authorities and celebrities were the first to get them.

adgets have long been a source of mixed feelings, mostly because of their association with the ‘geek’ culture, and have often been trashed as useless pieces of technology. But things change.

It’s almost impossible to find a stylish citizen today without an iPhone or an iPod (or at the very least a MP3 about their person). More to the point, syndicated social pressures have perverted much of the technology designed for intimate usage, which dates as far back as the Stone Age and was already wide spread with the Egyptians, later relayed to the Ancient Greeks, and then forward to Christian civilisations thus rendering it taboo.

In 1902 when the patent was filed, believe it or not, the electric vibrator was the fifth domestic appliance to be electrified, after the sewing machine, fan, tea kettle, and toaster - about a decade before the vacuum cleaner and electric iron.

The sex industry has worked hand in hand with technology to develop a long array of enhancers and substitutes, some pretty simple, others extremely high tech. More recently big home appliance manufacturers, such as Hitachi and Philips, succeeded in thrusting the intimate apparatus into a mildly accepted level of decency with their magic wand and relationship care series (See ESSENTIAL #4, this column).

There’s almost no end to the variety of erotic gadgetry available in the market, covering virtually any

gadgets sex

preference and lifestyle – almost as many as the and prejudices in employing them – and aids to pursue any decent fetish.

In a typical healthy relationship, it’s actually men, in general, who tend to be more resistant to bringing any kind of intimate gadget into the bedroom (Freud will explain). But once they cross that threshold and get over their self induced stigma, there’s no going back for them.

On the other hand, women, the beneficiary of the technology, might be the ones to bring up the topic, but that’s by no means to be taken as a ‘cart blanche’ to bring them into play every time.

If you’re still not yet ready to start stacking your bedside table with more than condoms and massage oils, other everyday gadgets can go a long way. Adding a simple camcorder to the mix can spice things up, considerably. But be sure it’s your camcorder you’re using, or that you trust your partner enough not to find yourself somewhere you don’t want to be.

If you’re more the virtual type, the only limit to the imagination is... human contact. In this networking generation flirting goes by the ruffling of the keys on a smart phone over a text or video message.

The hard core user is sure to find a home in the host of virtual sexual communities out there.

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Gizmos Grand Canal Shoppes, The Venetian Macao 5cm Abiste agnès b.

Aigle Aimer Alqvimia Anteprima Apothecary Armani Exchange Arté Madrid Artini Ashworth Autore b+ab Bauhaus Belle Blancpain Blush Boucheron Boutique di Gondola Breil Brooks Brothers Butani BVLGARI Canudilo Caran d’Ache Carat Carl F. Bucherer Century Chai CHARRIOL Chevignon Choi Wai Jewellery Chopard Cirque du Soleil Boutique City Chain CK Calvin Klein Clarins Club Monaco Coach Corona Crocodile Damiani Davidoff Deicae Demandor Derain DG Lifestyle Store Diesel Dilys’ Don Gilato Dooney & Bourke Ecco Edelweiss Jewellery Elle Jewellery Elov Emphasis Jewellery Emporio Armani Emporio di Gondola Enzo EQ:IQ Expressions Fabio Caviglia Fables Fancl Fila Fiorucci Florsheim Folli Follie Fossil Francesco Biasia Franck Muller French Connection Furla Geox; Joy & Peace girls talk Giviea Glashütte Original Godiva Göessele Grossé Guess Accessory Guess Jeans H&B Medicine Shop Hatta Fine Jewelry Hearts On Fire Herborist Hogan Home of Swallows Hugo Boss Orange Label i.t innée

Next month look for

technology at its best

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Izod Izzue Jaquet Droz JC Versace Jean Scott Jipi Japa Just Gold Kaltendin Kego Kilara & Ceu Killah Lacoste Lancel Laneige Le Saunda Levi’s Links of London LLadró L’Occitane Luisa Cerano Luk Fook Jewellery Lush M Missoni Malo Clinic & Spa Manchester United Mango Marisfrolg Marjorie Bertagne Marlboro Classics Massimo Dutti Maud Frizon Paris Max&Co. Mercato Michel René Michele Mikimoto Millie’s Mirabell Miss Sixty Mocca Moiselle Montagut Montblanc Moreline Murano Murphy & Nye NaRaYa Natural Beauty Mix Nautica Next Nike Nine West Normana O’Che 1867 Omega Optica Boutique Optica Fashion Optical 88 Osim Oto Outdoor Fashion Passion Play Patchi Paul & Shark Piaget Piquadro Promod Q’ggle Rado Raffles Rayure Replay Rich Jade Richard Mille Rimowa Rockport S. Culture S.T. Dupont Samsonite Shiseido Sisley Sisley Paris Soft & Intimate Sparkling Color ST GE Staccato Stefanel Stella Luna Stone Market Sulwhasoo Swarovski Swatch Tasaki Thomas Sabo Tie Rack / Bric’s

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Tiffany & Co. TISSOT Tommy Hilfiger Tonino Lamborghini Tourneau Toywatch Triple Five Soul Triumph and Hom TSL Tumi U-Boat United Colors of Benetton Valente Venilla Suite Verri Vertu Vilebrequin What For Wolford Y Nan Yes Zara Zydo

2003 2411 2710 2646a 1003 2417 2436 2220 2022 2707 2426 2308 1021 2600 2703a 2006b 2623a 2205 2626 2625 2023 2313 2013b

Escapes

DFS Galleria, The Four Seasons

Armani Bally Burberry Cartier Celine Chanel Chaumet Chloe Chopard Clinique Debeers Dior Dior (Beauty Zone) Dunhill Estee Lauder Fendi Folli Follie Gucci Hermes IWC Jurlique Kiehl’s The City of Dreams Lancome L’Occitane Alfred Dunhill Loewe Level 1, The Boulevard Bally Level 1, The Boulevard Louis Vuitton Level 1, The Boulevard Burberry Omega Level 2, The Boulevard Cartier Prada Chopard Level 2, The Boulevard Ralph Lauren Level 2, The Boulevard Chow Tai Fook Salvatore Ferragamo Coach Level 1, The Boulevard Shiseido Level 2, The Boulevard Hublot Swarovski Level 1, The Boulevard Hugo Boss Tag Heuer i TO i Level 1 and 2, The Boulevard Tod’s Insider Level 1, The Boulevard Tumi Level 2, The Boulevard IWC Vacheron Constatin Level 1, The Boulevard LeSportsac Van Cleef & Arpels Level 2, The Boulevard Longines PENACHE Level 2, The Boulevard Shoppes at Four Seasons Ralph Lauren Level 1, The Boulevard Level 1, Hard Rock Hotel Rock Shop Abiste Level 1, The Boulevard Salvatore Ferragamo Alain Mikli Level 1, The Boulevard Swarovski Altea Milano Tag Heuer Level 2, The Boulevard Aquascutum Level 1, The Boulevard The Bubble Shop Armani Collezioni Level 2, The Boulevard Timeless Audemars Piguet Tumi Level 1, The Boulevard Autore Level 1, The Boulevard Valentino Bottega Veneta Vivienne Westwood Level 1, The Boulevard Brioni Butani The Esplanade, Wynn Macau Canali Cerruti 1881 16 Alfred Dunhill Chic Elegance Bvlgari 3 Coach 5 Chanel Cole Haan 12 Christian Dior David Yurman Ermenegildo Zegna 17 Diamond SA 10 Fendi Diane Von Furstenberg Ferrari 21 Dilys’ 8 Giorgio Armani Ed Hardy / Christian Audigier 25 Gucci Gieves & Hawkes 18 Hermes Giuseppe Zanotti Hugo Boss 23 Givenchy Louis Vuitton 6 GoldVish S.A. Miu Miu 11 Guess by Marciano 4 Cigar Imporium H&B Medicine Shop 9 Piaget Hugo Boss Prada 27 Jimmy Choo Sundries 13 Juicy Couture The Signature Shop 4 Kate Spade Tiffany & Co. 7 Kent & Curwen Van Cleef & Arpels 24 Kenzo 26 Versace Kwanpen Vertu 22 La Perla Lancel Grand Lapa Hotel Mango Tree Marc by Marc Jacobs 13 Bally Marni Burberry 1 Max Mara Cartier 12 On Pedder Christian Dior 11 Optica Privé Cigar Imporium 17 Renaissance Arts Gallery 10 Alfred Dunhill Roberto Cavalli Class and Cesare Emporio Armani 9 Paciotti Ermenegildo Zegna 2 Samsonite Black Label 16 Florinda Jewelry Shamwari South African Diamonds Hermes 8 Shanghai Tang Hugo Boss Orange Label 5 Shiatzy Chen Louis Vuitton 4&5 Shimansky Omega 6 St. John 7 Salvatore Ferragamo Stefano Ricci Valentino 15 Stuart Weitzman tsesay Valentino Versace

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1208 1212 2835b 2836 2805 & 2806 1130 & 1131 1129 2845 2802 1223 2850 2801a 1207 2856 2812 2801 2816 2846 1211 2820 2835a 2847 2851 1226 2858 1215 2807 2838 2859 2829 2837 2840 2817 2849 2857 2813 2831 2841 2808 2848 2823 1213 2800 2825 2818 2839 2833 2821 & 2822 2809 1128 2850a 2832 2842 2853 & 2855