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D E C E M B E R 2 010 £ 4 . 2 5

S P E C I A L C O L L E C T O R ’ S AWA R D S I S S U E

THE

GREATEST

GADGETS

OF THE REVEALED

P R I N T E D I N T HE U K

2010

I S S U E 1 8 3 W W W.T 3 . C O M

YEAR

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“...BLACK OPS, AS A MULTIPLAYER ENTITY, IS ASTOUNDING” — 360 Magazine

COMPETE–ALL-NEW GAME MODES, PERKS, CHALLENGES AND KILLSTREAKS

CUSTOMISE– CHARACTERS & WEAPONS

CREATE– REPLAY, MAKE AND SHARE MOVIES

© 2010 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision and Call Of Duty are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. KINECT, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.



Enjoy Your Stay October 22 2010

Fallout®: New Vegas™ © 2010 Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company. Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Fallout, Fallout: New Vegas and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bethesda Softworks LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Developed in association with Obsidian Entertainment Inc. Obsidian and related logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Obsidian Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. Windows, the Windows Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and “Games for Windows” and the Windows Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft. “2”, “PlayStation”, “PS3”, “Ã”, and “À” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.



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CONTENTS December 2010 / Issue 183

T H E T GA D G ET AWA R DS ISSU E

63

ON THE COVER

➳ THE GREATEST GADGETS OF THE YEAR REVEALED… T Gadget Awards 2010: the final verdict THE TECH TO CHANGE THE WORLD

104

What will smartphones, tablets and gaming gadgets be like in the year 2020? BECOME A TWITTER MILLIONAIRE

162

Get rich, 140 characters at a time NEW POD COLLECTION

18

iPod Touch and Shuffle: upgraded. iPod Nano: redesigned. Our verdict: here GILES COREN RIDES THE FUTURE

52

T’s reluctant gadgeteer on the Gocycle

RADAR

WEB TV

22

The revamped Apple TV and D-Link Boxee Box gear up for war with Google TV TEN REASONS TO BUY…

24

The HTC Desire HD brings a huge 4.3-inch screen and eight-meg camera to the table BEST IN SHOW: IFA GADGET ARRIVALS

26

The Samsung Galaxy Tab and lots more… THE MONTH IN NUMBERS

28

Stat-based news from the world of tech THIS MONTH’S TOP APPS

29

Order food; find cinemas; make cocktails V8 BENTLEY BEAUTY

30

Introducing the new Bentley Continental GT. It hits 60mph in 4.4 seconds, don’cha know? TAKE THE TABLETS

34

A fresh dose of tablet PCs from Toshiba, Viewsonic, Archos and Wacom CHRISTMAS PREDICTIONS

36

The gadgets that will sell out this yuletide INCOMING…

38

Mapping the events on the gadget horizon

THE BIG TEST

3D TV

94

T’s first ever all-3D group test, with five of the best 3D-ready tellies for under £2,500

FEATURE

PARADISE LOST

136

Tech has destroyed some of life’s real pleasures. Remember the joy of a mix tape?

Continued on page 13

☞

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 1



CONTENTS December 2010 / Issue 183

T H E T GA D G ET AWA R DS ISSU E

PLAY

THE GUIDE

SERIOUS ENTERTAINMENT TIVOLI AUDIO MODEL 10+

MOBILE PHONES 119

Smartphones and the rest

120

MP3 players, PMPs and headphones

PMPS

Wood-finished DAB and iPod dock BLURAYS, GAMES AND MUSIC

From Iron Man 2 to Bob Dylan by way of the latest game from Resident Evil ’s creator MIDPRICED SMARTPHONES Scaled-down smartphones that don’t stint on features or style PLAY 3D

➳

122

124

175

GAMING

177

Consoles, gaming PCs and hot games CAMERAS

178

Compacts, DSLRs and all points in between CAMCORDERS

179

Hi-def and pocket camcorders

T goes on the set of a would-be 3D blockbuster to see how it’s all done

Netbooks, laptops and desktops

PULSE

HD TVs, projectors and set-top boxes

COMPUTERS

HOME CINEMA

185

Home cinema, Blu-ray and video streamers

128

Mini systems, docks and music streamers

HIFI

Taking the new gadget-packed Audi A7 on the ultimate UK weekend road trip COMPACT CAMERAS ➳ Adept in low light, with helpful auto features, these cams are fireworks night essentials SIX OF THE BEST PAINTBALL GUNS

183

127

The treadmill with access to Twitter THE ULTIMATE AUDI ROAD TRIP

181

TELEVISIONS

TECH PUT THROUGH ITS PACES TECHNOGYM VISIOWEB

132

187

MOTORS

188

Cars, motorbikes and satnavs

REGULARS

ED’S LETTER

COLUMN: GILES COREN

WORK

“The Gocycle is the future of transport”

52

COLUMN: DUNCAN BELL

HIGHFLYING GEAR

54

“My mobile died, so I nearly killed myself” 139

Everything you need to know about Microsoft’s storming new mobile OS HOME COMPUTING ➳ Something for everyone, from PC towers to all-in-ones and a desktop replacement CHRISTOPHER WARD

15

“Welcome to the T Gadget Awards 2010”

134

Plus: how to make a clean paintball “kill”

WINDOWS PHONE 7

173

COLUMN: JAMES WALLMAN

142

144

SEND

58

Your emails, tweets and even the odd letter SUBSCRIPTIONS

92

Subscribe to T. Get a Mega Drive console SHUTDOWN

The watch man talks Swiss engineering

56

“The world will soon be like an iPhone”

194

The alternative Gadget Awards…

HOME

BETTER LIVING THROUGH TECH TEFAL ACTIFRY

ON THE COVER

147

Makes chips with 80 per cent less fat FUTURE LIVING

148

Concepts from the Electrolux Design Lab, plus cutting-edge tech available now SURROUND SOUND ➳ 5.1 or 7.1? Budget or high-end? There’s a surround sound solution to suit all needs SIX OF THE BEST SHAVERS

151

MODEL IRENE @ ELITE PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICHARD GRASSIE @ JACKIE GIBBS STYLING BY DAVID HAWKINS @ FRANK AGENCY HAIR AND MAKEUP BY LIBERTY SHAW @ FRANK AGENCY

158

Plus: the perfect shave explained

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 3



EDITOR’S LETTER December 2010 / Issue 183

Contributors

GILES COREN

The tide is turning: T’s resident technophobe is slowly developing a taste for tech. This month Giles has been road-testing the Gocycle. It’s fair to say he’s quite a fan. To hear what he has to say head to p52.

LEE HACKER

This month Lee has been on a top secret mission. His job: to photograph the winners of the T Gadget Awards 2010. To see his portraits of the gadget world’s star turns and find out who won head to p63.

W

ell, what can I say. It’s been an unbelievable month. The T Gadget Awards 2010 has been our best ever, garnering 755,883 votes, making it the biggest gadget honour of its kind in the world. The Awards evening was a landmark event, attracting 500 of the industry’s finest and throwing up some spectacular surprises. Find your way through this packed Awards issue to page 63 and find out what you and I have crowned the greatest gadgets of the year. It’s also my absolute pleasure to announce the arrival of T: iPad Edition. From October 14, the app will be available to download exclusively through the Apple App Store. I’m exceptionally proud of what the T team has achieved and look forward to hearing your views. Tweet, email or scribe your thoughts to me. Your input, as always, is invaluable. With Sky 3D launching imminently, you’ll need something to watch it on, so this month we’ve also included a round up of the best 3D TVs under £2,500. Make your choice on page 94. You can also discover our “best in show” new products from the IFA consumer electronics show on page 26. Never a day goes by that we don’t cogitate what’s next for technology and now we’ve decided to take a pro-active stance and help develop the car cockpit of tomorrow, as part of our FutureTech campaign. Have your say on the cockpit’s design on page 114 and be sure to check out what the gadgets you’re using today will look like ten years from now, on page 104…

LUKE PETERS Editor

Twitter: @lukepeters Email: [email protected]

BECOME A T SUBSCRIBER AND RECEIVE A SPECIAL, COLLECTOR’S EDITION COVER…

T subscribers are a discerning bunch and they now receive their own, exclusive cover. You’ll notice that it lacks a cover model; that’s because these collector’s edition covers are designed to let the tech do all the talking. For full details on how to subscribe to T head to p92. RACHAEL D’CRUZE

Rachael has been wrapped up against the cold with a cup of cocoa in hand, taking photos of fireworks to test the low-light modes on the latest compact cameras. The results can be found on p132.

SEE MORE CONTENT ON T iPAD EDITION

The next T is on sale November 11

☞

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 5

PPA INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2006 BSME SPECIALIST EDITOR OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED 2007 PPA CONSUMER MEDIA BRAND OF THE YEAR HIGHLY COMMENDED 2008 BSME MEN’S MAGAZINE EDITOR OF THE YEAR SHORTLISTED 2008

Editor

Luke Peters [email protected] Senior art editor

Operations editor

[email protected]

[email protected]

Stuart James

Duncan Bell

Sub editor

Deputy art editor

Acting news editor

Features editor

Rob Temple

Hannah Bouckley

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Clare Sartin

Jo Dovey

Nick Renshaw

Designer

Editorial assistant

[email protected]

[email protected]

Matthew Biggs

Reviews editor

Adam Bunker

ONLINE

Editor

Kieran Alger [email protected] Freelance news reporter

Multimedia reporter

Freelance features writer

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Luke Johnson

Rhi Morgan

Michael Sawh

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Giles Coren, David Phelan, Sam Kieldsen, James Wallman, Jonathan Parkyn, Daniel Phillips, Adam Tranter, Chris Haslam, Nick Trott, Gavin Stoker, Jim Hill, Gareth Beavis, Julian Prokaza, Jepp Christensen, Andy Robinson, Ian Taylor, Mark Harris, Spencer Dalziel, Ian Osbourne, Steve May CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS, ILLUSTRATORS, MODELS AND STYLISTS

Andy Barter, Barry Downard, Liberty Shaw @ Frank, Fullstop Photography, Sarah Hanson,David Hawkins @ Frank, Getty Images, Richard Grassie @ Jackie Gibbs, Barry Makariou, David Mercer, Morten Morland, Kevin Nixon, RedDress, Pixeleyes, Rex Features, Irene @ Elite Models, Craig Ward, Steven Wood, James Wootton PUBLISHING Publishing director Nial Ferguson Brand manager Libby Brook Subscriptions product manager Daniel Ridley Trade marketing manager Jonathan Beeson Production manager Ralph Stringer Production co-ordinator Roberta Lealand Creative director Bob Abbott Group senior editor Nick Merritt Editorial director Jim Douglas Chief operating officer Simon Wear Chief executive officer Mark Wood ADVERTISING T3ADSFUTURENET.CO.UK UK sales director Malcolm Stoodley Advertising director James Ranson Advertising manager Stephen McKeon Account manager Graham Deneys Business development manager James Rhodes-Baxter Senior sales executive David Priestman Senior sales executive Yemi Williams Sales executive Sally Johnson FUTURE 360 CREATIVE SOLUTIONS Project manager Claire Pursglove

T3 WORLDWIDE International licensing director Tim Hudson [email protected] International editors AUSTRALIA Nic Healey +61 2 9955 2677 CHINA Jason Wang +86 25 8361 6661 CROATIA Daniel Berkovic +38 5133 5722 1 CZECH REPUBLIC Jaroslav Jarolím +42 0283 8716 40 DENMARK Mette Eklund Andersen +45 2976 1278 FRANCE Frederic Botton +33 1 4127 3885 GREECE Filippopoulos Theocharis +30 21 0615 4200 INDIA Deepak Dhingra +91 22 3024 5000 INDONESIA Gino Febrisa +62 2163 3562 728 LEBANON Antoine Naaman +96 1138 3888 MALAYSIA Kevin Tan +03 5621 1911 PERSIA Avinash Lobo +97 1439 1328 8 POLAND Marcin kubicki +48 22 257 84 32 PORTUGAL Sara Afonso +35 1218 6215 30 RUSSIA Stanislav Kuprianov +7 495 510 1525 SAUDI ARABIA Robert Saykali +96 1138 3888 SINGAPORE Adam Tun-Aung +65 6339 3083 THAILAND Kris Svadibuna +66 2587 7046 UKRAINE Stas Mikhnovsky +38 0444 5844 04 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Anil George +97 1506 5469 83

T3, FUTURE PUBLISHING LTD, 2 BALCOMBE STREET, LONDON, NW1 6NW Editorial: +44 020 7042 4000 Fax: +44 020 7042 4819 SUBSCRIPTIONS & BACK ISSUES UK orders and enquiries: +44 (0)844 848 2852 (or turn to p66), International orders and enquiries: +44 (0) 1604 251045, Email: [email protected] UK Newsstand distributor: Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT. Tel: 020 7429 4000 All submissions to T3 magazine are made on the basis of a licence to publish the submission in T3 magazine and its licensed editions worldwide. Any material submitted is sent at the owner’ s risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future Publishing Limited nor its agents shall be liable for loss or damage. All contents © Future Publishing Ltd 2010. While we make every effort possible to ensure that everything we print in T3 is factually correct, we cannot be held responsible if factual errors occur. Please check any quoted prices and specifi cations with your supplier before purchase.

Future Publishing Ltd is part of Future plc. Future produces carefully targeted magazines, websites and events for people with a passion. Our portfolio includes more than 180 magazines, websites and events and we export or license our publications to 90 countries around the world. Chief Executive: Stevie Spring Non-executive Chairman: Roger Parry Group Finance Director: John Bowman Tel +44 (0)20 7042 4000 (London) Tel +44 (0)1225 442244 (Bath) www.futureplc.com

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from well managed, certifi ed forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. Future Publishing and its paper suppliers have been independently certifi ed in accordance with the rules of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

1 6 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0



the seiko chronograph. a new fusion of high performance and classic style.

dedicated to perfection As the inventor of the quartz watch in 1969 and the analogue quartz chronograph in 1983, SEIKO has decades of experience in fusing high performance with refined design. The new 2010 chronograph measures elapsed time to 1/5th second and features an alarm with dual-time option, a sapphire crystal and 10 bar water resistance. A classic chronograph for the watch connoisseur. seiko.co.uk

AVA I L A B L E AT H . S A M U E L • W W W. H S A M U E L . C O . U K

Radar

this moNth’s hottEst gEaR This month The latest tech from IFA, Europe’s biggest tech show. The new wave of tablets, web TV and this month’s top iPhone apps… EditEd by Nick RENshaw

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Why you need the Desire HD… Ten reasons why HTC’s latest phone is the one for you. P24

360 review: Panasonic HDCSDT750 3D cam The first 3D cam for consumers tested. P44

Review: BlackBerry Torch 9800 Can RIM’s first multi-touch mobile take on Apple and the Androids? P48 SEE MORE CONTENT ON T iPAD EDITION

THEGREATiPOD REGENERATION

FIRSTLOOK

apple alters the Nano, improves the touch, restores buttons to the shuffle and suffers a fail with Ping WORDS LUKE PETERS PHOTOGRAPHY PIXELEYES

A

3

The details

1 iPod Touch Front camera Like the iPhone 4, a front-facing camera lets you FaceTime video chat over a Wi-Fi connection

2 iPod Shuffle VoiceOver Press the middle button and VoiceOver mode will speak the artist name, song, playlists and battery status on the Shuffle

3 iPod Nano Clip Similar to the Shuffle, the Nano now features a built-in clip for attaching to your belt, top or jacket

pple’ s annual autumn product announcement put the iPod range back in the spotlight with the Touch revamped, the Nano changing beyond all recognition and the Shuffle continuing to be the Shuffle. Apple also unveiled its new social networking feature Ping, integrating this music discovery service into iTunes 10, and a free iOS 4.1 update for the Touch and iPhone. The Touch is Apple’s most successful iPod and the fourth-gen model is better than ever. Just 7.2mm deep, it’s also the slimmest ever and with its metal back it’s noticeably sleeker in the hand and pocket than the iPhone 4. Apple has added the same 960x640 resolution screen introduced on that phone, seriously sharpening video playback, web pages, ebooks, photos and games. The Touch also gains a front-facing VGA camera for FaceTime video chats over Wi-Fi and a rear one that takes two-meg stills and shoots very reasonable 720p HD video. Neither are as good as on the iPhone 4 and there’s no flash, but it’s still a handy addition. The cost is from £190 to £330. Pricey enough for you? The sixth generation Nano has received the most radical design overhaul of the new ☞ D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / N E WS 1 9

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LOVE Simple, effective music playback in an incredibly compact, robust and simple device. Cheap for an iPod, too HATE No screen means you can’t find your music quickly. Puny sound WE SAY Not as much fun as the Nano or as classy as the Touch, but this is still the best Shuffle to date. It’s certainly a very stylish accompaniment to your daily run

I

1. The iPhone 4’s camera now shoots High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, taking three photos at once and combining them. Results are mixed, but you get both an HDR image and a normal one when you shoot so you’re not losing anything. 2. The Xbox Live-like Game Center (sic) allows online multiplayer gaming on compatible titles. 3. You can upload HD video over Wi-Fi to YouTube. 4. You can rent TV shows via iTunes, though nothing was available to rent in the UK at the time of going to press. 5. The iPhone 3G and 3GS will now be less slow when running iOS 4 – we’ve seen improvements on our old iPhones. 6. Issues with Bluetooth connections are fixed, Apple says. Some users – not us, we must say – have had problems with the proximity sensor but these, it seems, haven’t been fixed.

New Apple iPods: our verdict?

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2GB £39

31.6mm 8.7mm

iPod Nano

37.5mm

LOVE Solid, industrial design. FM radio with live pause. Fitness app HATE Worse sound than the Touch. Too small a screen to suit touch control or work as a picture viewer. Feels overpriced for what it is WE SAY The Nano is a very impressive exercise in tech design but we’re not sure it’s the right product for a touchscreen 8GB £129, 16GB £159

40.9mm 14.6mm

iPod Touch LOVE Truly stunning look and feel. Great hi-res display and super audio. Very good HD video camera. Web, email and App Store via Wi-Fi HATE It’s a lot of money, especially at the top end of the range. No Flash video support. FaceTime video calling is good but of limited use WE SAY Fine audio, a great screen, access to all the riches of the Apple App Store and a plethora of extras combine to create the best PMP you can buy. Pricey but worth it…

111mm

iOS 4.1: what’s new?

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only time will tell if the smaller format will be a hit. We think it may prove to be one of Apple’s less popular efforts, good though it is. We didn’t think much of the third-gen Shuffle and sure enough, Apple has returned to the design of the second-generation one this time around, putting the buttons back on the case rather than making you use the ones on the headphone cable. The VoiceOver feature is retained, speaking track info at the push of a button. The device is still incredibly small, of course. Although it’s early days, Apple’s musicbased social networking service Ping isn’t looking very strong. It’s designed to help you discover new artists by receiving tailored music recommendations and following what your friends are listening to. One million users signed up in the first three days but Ping is underwhelming to use. We reckon casual listeners are likely to stick with Facebook or even MySpace, while hardcore music fans would be better served by Spotify or Last.FM.

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intake, ditching the rectangular body and click wheel of yore for a touchscreen and squared off, more Shuffle-sized chassis. According to Apple it’s just under half the size and weight of its predecessor, which is great for easy portability. At that size, you’re not going to do a lot of pinching to zoom, but the 1.54 inches are fine for swiping through menus. The addition of a sturdy Shuffle-esque clip will appeal to joggers, who previously relied on armbands. A built-in pedometer helps you monitor your fitness regime, or add a Nike+ transmitter to turn the Nano into a more sophisticated workout tool. The Nano’s makeover is a bold step and

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8GB £189, 32GB £249, 64GB £329

58.9mm

➳ SILICON TIPS SHARE YOUR LOCATION WITH FRIENDS, TAG AND RECOMMEND PLACES YOU VISIT WITH FACEBOOK PLACES. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PLACES 2 0 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


8.78mm MORE NEWST3● COM


T3.COM LATEST

Radar home AV

APPLE IPAD VS SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB REVIEW TINYURL.COM/39TSP5R

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WEBTV:EVOLVED G Two new ways to get even more telly on your telly

oogle TV launches in the US any day now, and is coming here early next year. In the meantime these two devices promise to bring huge swathes of content from the web to your TV, so you can enjoy all it has to offer without moving from your sofa to your computer chair.

Apple TV

The details

D-Link Boxee Box

The details

The beer coaster-sized Apple TV is 80 per cent smaller than the previous model and tailor-made for renting movies and TV to you, not least because there’s no storage, making streaming your only option. Movies start at £4.49 for 30 days rental – once you start watching you have 48 hours. TV show episodes cost 99 cents. There are 7,000 movies available on iTunes, 3,400 of which are in HD. Unlike the Boxee Box, you can’t use it to websurf from your sofa, although you can browse YouTube, Picasa and others via their apps and stream media from your PC or Mac. The remote is a minimal affair, but you can download a free app to turn your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into a controller.

1 720P

Arriving in the UK imminently, the Boxee Box is somewhere between a streamer and a Media Centre PC. It’s powered by Intel’s 1.2GHz Atom CE4100 processor, the first chip designed for use specifically with internet TV applications – it’ll also be in Sony’s Google TV-enabled sets. The Boxee allows streaming from your PC or Mac and full web browsing via the double-sided QWERTY remote. You can check emails, view sites and watch videos streamed from nearly any website. You can easily share or recommend shows because it syncs direct to Facebook. There’s also bespoke content and apps from the BBC, Last.FM, Channel 4, Comedy Central, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and Picasa.

1 1080P

£99, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK, OUT NOW

Maximum video quality isn’t as high as the Boxee, only topping out at 720p HD. That’s likely because 1080p would put too much strain on your broadband 2 WEBSITES

You can also stream from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe. General web browsing is not allowed 3 A4 PROCESSOR

Apple TV is powered by the same processor as the iPhone 4 and iPad

Thanks to an HDMI socket you can run footage at up to 1080p HD to your TV 2 UPGRADES

“Dynamic upgrades” mean it automatically updates the software, so you won’t need to worry about that… 3 REMOTE

One side of the remote has a QWERTY keyboard, the other a laptop-like trackpad for navigation

£199, WWW.DLINK.COM, OUT NOVEMBER

➳ SILICON TIPS SIMON WAI’S EMPTY FOLDER NUKER AUTOMATICALLY HUNTS DOWN AND DELETES EMPTY FOLDERS ON YOUR PC. TINYURL.COM/2SDURQ 2 2 T 3 . C O M / N E W S D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


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SONY READER TOUCH EDITION REVIEW TINYURL.COM/25V2YF6

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A huge 4.3 inches of multi-touch screen, with a 800x400 resolution

The HTC Desire HD

e were wondering how HTC would respond to the release of the iPhone 4 and we’ re pleased to say it didn’ t disappoint. HTC’ s riposte, the Desire HD, comes packing a larger 4.3-inch screen, Android 2.2, an eight-megapixel camera and a new, smarter version of HTC Sense which includes an ebook reader, more accurate mapping and priority email. Take that Apple…

2 NEW SENSE

The upgraded Sense UI shows your friends’ Facebook status when they ring, lets you choose VIP contacts whose emails will be prioritised, and can download maps to use when you’re offline


£499, WWW.HTC.COM/UK, OUT NOW

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3 THE CLOUD

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HTCsense.com is a new cloud service that locates your HTC phone if you’ve mislaid it and lets you lock it remotely. You can also archive your contact book 4 EBOOKS

You can now read, highlight and annotate ebooks on the new Sense interface 5 SOUND

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As well as the big screen you’ve got Dolby Mobile and SRS surround sound 6 FROYO

The HTC Desire HD runs Android 2.2, for optimised memory and speed, with full support for Flash 10.1

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There’s an eight-megapixel camera with dual LED flash, capable of recording 720p HD video

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There’s 1.5GB of storage on board, plus a microSD slot 9 PROCESSOR

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10 HEADPHONES

The 3.5mm jack sits on the bottom of the handset

Tech Talk Tech Talk Tech Talk Tech Talk Tech Talk Tech Talk Tech Talk Apple has just released a refreshed Apple TV, but could it be preparing to add DVR functionality and live TV shows? It has just signed a deal with Rovi, makers of EPG software for set-top boxes… Will the Blackberry Storm 3 look radically different to its predecessor? A leaked picture online suggests RIM has made some major changes… Sony is currently recruiting developers with Android training, possibly for an online game service to rival the Xbox Live integration on Windows Phone 7 mobiles…

➳ SILICON TIPS TURN ALL YOUR FAVOURITE TWITTER STREAMS INTO AN IPAD MAGAZINE WITH THE FREE FLIPBOARD APP. WWW.FLIPBOARD.COM 24 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


MORE NEWST3● COM

PHOTOGRAPHY PIXELEYES

The Desire HD has the same processor as its predecessor the Desire, clocking in at 1GHz


Radar news

ACHTUNG:GADGETS!

Germany’s IFA is Europe’s biggest tech show, showcasing the hottest new gadgets around. T went in force. Here’s our very best in show... SEE MORE CONTENT ON T iPAD EDITION

1 Best tablet Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab

T

he Apple iPad saw the gauntlet thrown down at IFA with the arrival of the long-awaited Androidpowered Galaxy Tab. Manufacturer Samsung is bullish about its slate’ s chances – “Honestly, I don’ t see anything that is weaker than the iPad,” its head of product planning told a press conference. And this despite having a smaller touchscreen – seven inches to iPad’ s 9.7 inches. The reduced size means the Galaxy is more portable and 300g lighter than its rival. It also has a front-facing, 1.3-meg camera for video chat, a rear, three-meg one for photos and 720x480 video recording at up to 30fps. Support for Flash 10.1 is also included, while content is provided by The Reader’ s Hub (books and periodicals), Media and Music Hub (movies and tunes) and Android Market (apps). It seems unlikely that the Galaxy can match the iPad for content in the short term, but the hardware looks like more than a match for Apple’ s tablet. £680 (16GB), WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK, OUT NOW

190mm

Specifications

OS Android 2.2 PROCESSOR Cortex A8 1GHz SCREEN 7-inch, 1024x600 LCD touchscreen CONNECTIVITY 7.2Mbps HSDPA, N Wi-Fi,

A-GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, 3.5mm audio out

120mm

CAMERA 3 megapixels, autofocus, LED flash STORAGE 16GB (32GB coming soon) + microSD BATTERY 7 hours video playback SIZE/WEIGHT 190x120x12mm/380g

12mm

2

3

Best ebook reader Sony Reader Touch PRS-650

Best audio product Sonos and Spotify

Sony has improved the clarity of the screen on its latest touchcontrolled Reader. The reflective surface has been replaced with six inches of high-contrast e-ink ensuring visibility doesn’t suffer in direct

Sonos multi-room systems, beloved of audiophiles and tech hacks the world over, can now wirelessly stream Spotify content around the house. No docking is required, nor PC, just a free software update

sunlight – a curse of previous models. It’s also smaller, lighter and quicker to respond when swiping between pages. The question is, can it trouble the new, £150 Kindle? £200, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

for the Sonos controller or iPhone app, and Spotify Premium (£10 a month). A glorious iPad app is imminent, too. For many, this will negate the need to buy another CD ever again. FREE, WWW.SONOS.COM/SPOTIFY

➳ SILICON TIPS STREAM MUSIC FROM YOUR IPAD OR IPHONE TO A COMPATIBLE IPOD DOCK WITH THE AIRPHONIC WIREFREE HIFI, £80. WWW.WIREFREEHIFI.COM 2 6 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


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ONLINE REVIEW: DEAD RISING 2

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4

More from the IFA show floor

5

Best 3D TV Philips Cinema 21:9 Platinum

Best home cinema kit Sony VPL-VW90ES 3D projector

3D televisions loomed large at IFA but it was Philips’ cinema-screen proportioned LCD that delivered the greatest visual impact. Paired with active 3D specs, its expansive, 58-inch screen and cinema-

Sony’s debut 3D home cinema projector is based around the same active glasses tech as the company’s current stereoscopic TV range. It beams 3D images in full-HD 1080p and can effectively upscale 2D

sized, 21:9 aspect ratio offers an immersive, full-HD 3D experience. Philips Ambilight Spectra light projection and virtual 2.1 built-in speakers only add to the awesome spectacle. £4,000, WWW.PHILIPS.CO.UK

pictures into a 3D simulacrum. Hook up your 3D-enabled PS3 via HDMI and you can play 3D titles such as Gran Turismo 5 and WipEout HD on a 150-inch screen. £TBC, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

1 SLIMMEST TELLY LG 3D OLED TV

LG’s new 31-inch OLED set is just 2.9mm thick –that’s 0.3mm slimmer than the 15-inch model unveiled at the beginning of 2010. It’s 3D-ready and in full HD. £TBC, WWW.LG.CO.UK

2 BEST MOBILE SHARP 3D PHONE

This dual lens prototype 3D handset takes its cue from the Nintendo 3DS with no glasses needed for the 3D. £TBC, WWW.SHARP.CO.JP

3 BEST POCKET CAMCORDER SONY BLOGGIE TOUCH

Slimmer than the previous Bloggie with a three-inch touchscreen and the ability to shoot 360-degree video. £TBC, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

6 Best satnav TomTom Go Live 1005 The largest of the new Go LIVE range, this satnav displays UK and European maps on a very sizeable, five-inch capacitive display. The screen has multi-touch capabilities for zooming in and out of maps and

LIVE services such as HD Traffic and Speed Cameras come free for the first year, then £47.50 per year. Google Local Search is also on board to sniff out local points of interest. £300, WWW.TOMTOM.COM

4 BEST GREEN GADGET PHILIPS 42PFL6805 ECONOVA TV

This 42-inch LED television uses just 40 watts of power in eco-mode –that’s 60 per cent less than an average TV. £1,100, WWW.PHILIPS.CO.UK

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Radar news

The monTh in numbeRs

The value of facebook, the appeal of Ping and Justin bieber’s Twitter domination…

12 $33.7billion

percent Proportion of 500 Facebook users who voted the Apple iPod their most prized possession. BlackBerry came second with 11.5 per cent of the vote in insurance firm Protect Your Bubble’s survey

The currenT markeT value of facebook.com, as esTimaTed by The financial Times in augusT of This year

2.5GHz

3percent

…of Twitter’s servers are dedicated to Justin Bieber according to “a guy who works at Twitter”, via Dustin Curtis

14m

Bada apps have been downloaded from Samsung’s App Store since the first Bada OS-powered smartphone, the Samsung Wave, was released in June this year

The speed of ARM’s new Cortex A15 MPCore processor that will power next-generation smartphones and tablets

Two

The number of days it took Apple’s Ping musical social networking, er, thing to sign up a million users…

2-5 4.5 billion seconds The amount of time Google Instant can potentially save you per internet search

The average number of queries Gracenotes’Global Media Database, used for music and movie recognition and tagging,receives every month

40.24 million copies of the classic Super Mario Bros have reportedly been sold worldwide since it first appeared on Nintendo’s NES console 25 years ago

Quote of the month

“Honestly, I don’t see anytHIng tHat Is weaker tHan tHe IPad” wP wong, Head of samsung mobIle’s Product PlannIng team, burns tHe IPad before talkIng uP tHe androId-Powered galaxy tab’s vIdeo cHat and tablet credentIals

➳ Silicon TipS vIsIt google eartH’s websIte and learn How to use advanced maPPIng tools and features. www.google.com/eartH 2 8 T 3 . C O M / n e ws D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


storemags & fantamag - magazines for all IIIII III

III

III

II

II

IIIIIIIIIIII

II

Aware

Flickr

Cocktails

Align

Locate

Fly&Share

Traffic

SFera

Justin.TV

TesCO GROCeRIes

TOTAL FILM

GOLDFRAPP PInBALL

weeT

Shop on the go, book a delivery slot, then race the Tesco van home. Register at www.tesco.com/groceries. Free

Find cinemas showing your chosen film up to 50 miles away and enjoy a slew of news and reviews. £1.75

A frantic 3D pinball game that lets you remix well-known Goldfrapp tracks as you play. Free

Mobile Twitter client that lets you browse, search and post from multiple Twitter accounts. £0.59

AwAReness! THe HeADPHOne APP

MPG BUDDY

COLORsPLAsH

MOBILeMUVIeZ

Tracks your miles per gallon, cost per mile, and provides tips for better performance. £1.19

Turns photos black and white but keeps some elements in colour, to allegedly dramatic effect. £1.19

Stream thousands of independent films, or download them for viewing later when offline. Free

Alerts you when the external noise around you exceeds a certain volume. £2.99

The lowdown: Orange HD Voice Is this the ultimate noisereducing tech for phone calls? what is it? Orange HD Voice is a service that provides clearer calls by cutting out background noise. It’s being touted as the biggest revolution in phone calls to happen in the past 20 years, potentially relegating the expensive ISDN lines used for phone interviews on the radio to the dustbin of tech history, and providing an invaluable service to those working in noisy environments. How does it work? HD Voice uses technology known as Adaptive Multi Rate Wideband (AMR-WB). At the moment only a small portion of your voice is transmitted during mobile calls, but HD calling promises to utilise a lot more of your speech. Instead of just transmitting the whole waveform of your voice, intelligent algorithms look for consecutive sections of

FLICKR PHOTO MAP

COCKTAILs@HOMe

ALIGn OF sIGHT

LOCATeALARM

Enter the ingredients you have in your booze cabinet at home and this will suggest cocktails. £0.59

Lets you log vectors when you take a picture so that you can shoot from the exact same position again. £8.99

Sounds an alarm when you reach your destination. Never miss your bus stop again. £1.19

FLY&sHARe

TRAFFIC sHAKe

sFeRA

JUsTIn.TV

Posts updates to Facebook and Twitter as you travel so people can track your international progress. Free

Up-to-the-minute traffic updates posted by other road users, the BBC and the Highways Agency. Free

Lets you create panoramic shots on your iPhone. Hit the shutter then turn 360 degrees to make it work. £1.19

Broadcasts live video over 3G or Wi-Fi –upload your own clips or watch ones posted by other people. Free

when is it available? HD Voice has been out in Germany for a while now and following a trial in the south west it’s now available throughout the UK. It’s free on HD Voiceenabled handsets that sport the HD Voice logo (see above). Nokia and Samsung have been the first to sign up to the service, with the Nokia 5230, X6, E5, and Samsung Omnia Pro the first compatible mobiles. That’s a slightly underwhelming line-up, but more should follow soon, we’re promised…

T verdict Quiet success or noisy fail? Calls are clearer than using a regular network, with your voice sounding like it’s been raised above background noise. The fact that it doesn’t take up any extra

View photos taken and geotagged around the world on this interactive map, then upload your own. £1.79

speech that are similar, then, if two sections are alike, the redundant information is stripped out, allowing the signal to be compressed. This process packs in more of your voice but doesn’t use any extra bandwidth, which means it prevents the network from becoming over stretched.

bandwidth or cost anything means that everyone is a winner, except maybe the the manufacturers of noise-reducing headphones. They may not be so pleased.

US mobile share What’s the most used mobile platform in the US?

RIM 41.7% Apple 24.4% Microsoft 13.2% Google 13.0% Palm 4.8%

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D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / n e w s 2 9

DATA BY COMSCORE, FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 2010

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Muviez

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Color

III

MPG

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Weet

IIIII

Pinball

III

Film

II

Tesco

II

The latest ways to customise your iPhone, from shopping at Tescos to photographing epic vistas, by way of an app that helps you make cocktails

HALO: REACH FULL REVIEW

TINYURL.COM/2V59H59

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IPHOne APPs OFTHe mOnTH

T3.coM lATEST

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T3● aPP c coM h www.t3 .com/a arT ppchart

IIIIIIIIIIIII

OVER TESTED 500 APPS AND RA TED

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Radar

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T3.COM LATEST

Radar motors

THE VERY BEST FREE IPAD APPS

TINYURL.COM/35434WR

The details 1 ENGINE

Six litres, 12 cylinders, 576bhp, 516lb of torque. A new V8 engine is due in late 2011. Bentley promises that will offer a 40 per cent reduction in overall emissions 2 CABIN

Quality throughout, with soft-touch leather upholstery, deep pile carpets and wood veneers. There’s also a 30GB infotainment system and a satnav with Google Maps 3 HI-FI

3

You get eight speakers with phone and MP3 connectivity as standard. Want concert hall-quality sound? Go for the optional, 11-speaker Naim system

1

2

Wheel life With Nick Trott, editor of EVO magazine What do you drive if your daily commute involves negotiating small arms fire and grenade attacks? Who do you call when you want a car that can meet NATO’s VR6 and VR7 security criteria, which demands that the vehicle can withstand a five-grenade attack? How about Mercedes, BMW or Audi? All of these manufacturers offer high-protection extras on certain cars. Hand-built to meet customer’s specific needs they can include anything from an emergency fresh air system for surviving gas attacks, to infrared night vision cameras. You can also request self-sealing fuel tanks, 6cm thick composite glazed and bullet-proof windows, fireextinguisher systems, run-flat tyres and steel-reinforced doors that are so heavy they require a hydraulic ram to assist opening and closing. Q branch, eat your heart out. Other more exotic, bespoke features include interior stowage

for machine guns and panoramic camera systems that allow you to see the road ahead even if the windscreen glass is shattered. The daddy of the high-protection vehicles is the Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard. This 5.8-ton limo is 21 feet long, 14 feet wide and costs upwards of £1 million. Criminals beware: Mercedes won’t sell you the car if they question your motives. Inside, the Pullman Guard has adjustable front- or rear-facing seats, tables, a fridge, a 19-inch television and a Wi-Fi-enabled PC. Want to advertise yourself as a terrorist target? The Pullman Guard also comes with flag holders mounted on the front wings.

Three to drive This month’s prime rides 1➳

Citroë n DS4

BENTLEYV8 T

Firing up the new and improved Continental GT he original Bentley Continental GT, released in 2003, rejuvenated the company’s image and fast became Bentley’s most successful model to date, spawning a soft-top sibling and a Supersports derivative that was matched only by black holes and star destroyers for outright power and speed. The upgraded Continental has big boots to fill, then, but Bentley has delivered.

An original hatchback with a panoramic windscreen, customisable alert tones and massaging seats £16,000+, WWW.CITROEN.CO.UK

2➳

Caterham Monaco The latest special edition of this very British sportscar is based on the no-frills/plenty of thrills Roadsport 125

Power output and efficiency improve on the original, while the overall weight of the car has been cut. In late 2011 a powerful V8 version will be unleashed, capable of going 0-60 in 4.4 seconds and reaching a top speed of 198mph. The four-wheel drive chassis remains, but the six-speed automatic gearbox is revised and an active suspension system is fitted as standard.

3➳

£130,000, WWW.BENTLEYMOTORS.COM

£150,000, ARIELMOTOR.CO.UK

£20,995, WWW.CATERHAM.CO.UK

Ariel Atom 500 £150K for a car with no doors, windscreen or roof? When it does 0-60 in around 2.3 seconds, why not?

➳ SILICON TIPS CHALLENGE FACEBOOK FRIENDS TO A GAME OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL ON MADDEN NFL SUPERSTARS. WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/MADDENNFLSUPERSTARS 3 0 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0



The ‘Spirit of Cambridge’ Collection: model PF3923X1



Radar news

PRESCRIPTIONTABLETS The latest shipment of tablet PCs: ready to cure your gadget ills… For Android fans Toshiba Folio 100

T

oshiba’ s tablet comes loaded with Android 2.2, the most recent Android upgrade and, at 10.1 inches, the Folio 100 has slightly more screen real estate than the iPad. It boasts a 16GB solid state hard drive, with another 32GB of storage available via SDHC card. There’ s an HDMI connection for running movies to your TV, Bluetooth and N Wi-Fi for speedy web browsing and app downloads from Android Market. Unlike the iPad the Folio 100 runs Flash 10.1, letting you access all the videos on the net, and sports a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video conferencing. With a 3G version on the way, the Folio 100 is proof that there’ s more to tablets than the iPad. £329, WWW.TOSHIBA.CO.UK, OUT NOW

For Windows and Android Viewsonic ViewPad The world’ s fi rst dual-boot tablet gives you the option of running either Windows Home Premium or Android 1.6 – yes, it is an old version, but it’ s still nice to have the choice. It’ s the best of both worlds. Y ou get Android’ s customisability and apps, plus the benefi ts of a Windows PC powered by a 1.66GHz processor. It’ s all displayed on a ten-inch screen and there’ s a USB port, 16GB of flash memory and microSD for an extra 32GB storage. £549, WWW.VIEWSONIC.CO.UK, OUT NOW

For portability Archos 10.1 At just 12mm thick, the Archos is only three millimetres fatter than the iPhone 4, which is impressive considering it has a 10.1-inch screen, an HDMI port, plays videos at 720p HD and comes with the choice

For digital artists Wacom Bamboo Special Edition of 8 or 16GB flash memory. Inside is an ARM Cortex 1GHz processor that keeps things ticking along nicely. It weighs in at a very pocketable 480g. 8GB £269, 16GB £299, WWW.ARCHOS.COM, OUT NOW

You can flip this drawing tablet 180 degrees, making it ideal for both left- and right-handed artists. It can be operated via the multi-touch screen using gesture controls or with the digital pen,

➳ SILICON TIPS SELL YOUR NEWSWORTHY CAMERA PHONE PICTURES AND VIDEOS TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. WWW.FIZWOZ.COM 3 4 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


and includes Photoshop Elements 8, making it possible to retouch images as soon as you plug it into your PC or Mac. It comes in small (A5) and medium (A4). SMALL £109.99, MEDIUM £189.99, WWW.WACOM.COM, OUT NOW

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REVIEW: ACER LIQUID E FERRARI EDITION

TINYURL.COM/325QAHV

{

FREE ONDEMAND TV P YouView provides subscription-free telly

roject Canvas has been renamed YouView, and with the new name comes more details about how it will change your TV viewing habits. A joint venture between BBC, ITV, BT, Channel 4, TalkTalk, Arqiva and Five, YouView promises to bring you content from all the major channels, essentially giving you all the benefits of on-demand viewing packages like Sky+ or Virgin Media but without the need to pay a monthly subscription. You just pay the one-off cost of the set-top box (expected to be around £200) and that’s it. Think of it as the next generation of Freeview, offering digital TV channels and online apps, like the widgets on Samsung’s internet TVs. You won’t be able to browse the web, just the app content, but it is free after all. £200, WWW.YOUVIEW.COM, OUT AUTUMN 2011

Freeview

}

Got a Freeview box? You can get sub-free TV, but content can’t match YouView

Sony Bravia NX813 This 55-inch, 3D-ready set looks great and gives you on-demand online content from YouView to boot £TBC, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

How to view with YouView…

1

2

3

4

5

6

Record an entire series at the touch of a button

Search by genre, interest, or for names of TV shows

A seven day EPG also shows what’s available on catch-up

Download a selection of apps offering extra online content

Pause live TV so you don’t have to miss the action

Watch YouTube videos from the comfort of your sofa

Record

Search

Plan

Download

Pause

Video

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D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / N E W S 3 5

T3.COM LATEST

Radar gift guide

ONLINE REVIEW: APPLE MAC PRO

TINYURL.COM/2DN93HR

More gadget must-haves… DON’T MISS T U ’s CHRISLTIMATE TMAS WISH LIST,O N S A NOVE MBER LE 11

WISE XMAS BUYS…

Buy: Arcam rCube Sell: B&W Zeppelin The Arcam rCube packs audiophile sound quality into a package small enough to carry around the house. The woofers are side-firing – so don’t place it on a bookshelf – and an eight hour rechargeable battery provides ample playback time. You can stream lossless files from your iPhone, iPod or iPad using the adapter, or hook it up for multi-room sound.

Christmas is a time to upgrade your gadget arsenal. Here’s what you’ll need in 2011…

£500, WWW.ARCAM.CO.UK

Buy: HTC Desire Z Sell: HTC Desire

T

he HTC Desire Z gives you the option of either using the 3.7-inch touchscreen or the slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The 800MHz processor isn’ t as fast as the Desire’ s 1GHz, but it has the same easy to use HTC Sense interface, plus all the benefi ts of www.htcsense.com, which you can use to track your lost phone and back up all your data in the cloud – see p24 for more on that. It’ s one of this season’ s hottest phones.

Buy: Xbox 360 with Kinect Sell: Nintendo Wii The Wii’s been near the top of the Christmas bestsellers list for years, but now Kinect is making a bid for its motion gaming crown. Able to track two players and 20 individual joint movements, it makes you the game controller. The games may not be up to scratch yet, but the Wii should be worried. This is a glimpse of the future.

£430, WWW.HTC.COM/UK, OUT NOW

£130, WWW.XBOX.COM/KINECT

The best websites for gift buying According to Patricia Davidson, author of The Shopaholic’s Top 1000 Websites

VENTE-PRIVEE.COM

A free to join members’site with up to 70 per cent off designer labels. Sales last four days, so act quickly

NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET. COM

Hosts lots of small, off-beat retailers that don’t have brick and mortar shops

HQHAIR.COM

FIGLEAVES.COM

KJBECKETT.COM

WINEWARE.CO.UK

Full of American brands that aren’t available on the high street. The male equivalent is www.hqman.com

The best selection of lingerie the internet has to offer, with collections from many different designers

Men’s accessories site, ideal for cashmere scarves and wallets, with brands like Ted Baker and Aston Brown

The best place to buy wine-related gifts, from corkscrews to decanters, at reasonable prices

➳ SILICON TIPS TRIM YOUR MP3S TO SIZE, GETTING RID OF THOSE “MYSTERY TRACKS” AFTER FOUR MINUTES OF SILENCE. TINYURL.COM/23KXM5A 3 6 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


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THERE’S 3D. THEN THERE’S VIERA 3D.

Panasonic Viera 3D televisions are taking the viewing experience to another dimension. Stunning picture clarity takes you right to the heart of the action, immersing you in an amazing 3D world. Winner of a coveted EISA Best Product Award, Viera has been hailed by critics as the ultimate in 3D performance.

ES

TA

UDIO VISUAL BRA

N

D

B

Because immersing yourself in the moment matters.

which.co.uk

AW A R

DS 2010

Find where to experience Viera 3D for yourself at: panasonic.co.uk /3D 0844 844 3852

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Radar incoming

3 6 9

HANDS-ON REVIEW SONY BLOGGIE TOUCH TINYURL.COM/2BBWBZP

MONTHS AWAY MONTHS AWAY MONTHS AWAY TECH

TECH

TECH

Amazon Kindle MP3

PSP Android Phone

Sharp 3D smartphone

The New York Times recently toured Amazon’s brilliantly secretive-sounding Lab126. There a drone revealed Amazon was toying with new devices to take advantage of all Amazon’s digital stores. So that’ll be an MP3 player, then.

Recent web rumblings suggest all systems are go for a Sony Ericsson PSP/ phone crossover running on Android 3.0. Both the PSP and Sony Ericsson phones in general are in dire need of a refresh. Could this one be unveiled at E3 2011?

Sharp’s technology powers the glasses-less 3D element of the Nintendo 3DS. It’s now announced a 3D mobile for the tail-end of 2011 –Sharp is still big in the handsets world in the Far East, you see. Could it makes its way over here? No, probably not.

FILM

FILM

FILM

The Adjustment Bureau

Rise Of The Apes

Straw Dogs

Matt Damon stars in this adaptation of a typically mind-bending Philip K Dick tale. In this one, mysterious men acting as fate try to keep Damon from bedding Emily Blunt, but they can’t prevent its March 4 release.

Proving there’s no business like monkey business, this is yet another stab at a Planet of the Apes reboot. This prequel, out June 24 will utilise Andy Serkis’ infallible eagerness to don a motion capture suit and scurry about grunting.

Hollywood plans to transplant Sam Peckinpah’s, brutal, misogynistic domestic siege drama from its original West Country setting to the American deep south. James Marsden and Kate Bosworth will star and it’s out September 2011.

GAME

GAME

GAME

CRYSIS 2

Team Ico Collection

BioShock: Infinite

March 22 will see the second in the award-winning, graphically jaw-flooring series land on consoles and PC –better start shopping for a new graphics card. This time it’s 2023 and you’ve got to sort out an alien-infested New York.

Hailed as some of the most original and stunningly designed games on PS2, Team Ico’s greatest hits are due for an HD sprucing. The multi-layered, subtle, and now visually more striking games get a June release on PlayStation Network.

The recent trailer showed the previous two games’ steampunk, underwater city of Rapture left behind for the airborne setting of Columbia. Once again, something has gone terribly awry in a would-be paradise. Pencil it in for early 2012.

EVENT

EVENT

EVENT

Ideal Home Show

E3 2011

2011 Rugby World Cup

Saunter down to Earls Court between March 11 and 27 and a vision of homesteads future will swim before your eyes. All the latest household tech will be on show as well as solar panels, plastic lawns and domed cities on the Moon. Possibly.

June’s annual three-day assault on the senses should see the second wave of Move and Kinect games announced, and show which really has the winning edge. Could it also welcome the Wii 2 and/or the PSP Android Phone?

September will be the Kiwis’ turn to host the quadrennial bloodbath, as England try to repeat 2003’s success and wrestle the William Webb Ellis Cup from current champs South Africa.“Fat chance” is the expression that springs to mind…

PHOTOGRAPHY REX FEATURES

...AND BEYOND THIS MONTH’S HOTTEST FUTURE CONCEPTS VELVET TABLET UI BY TAT TAT’s ethos around tablets is that they work best when they’re not just a scaled down PC or scaled up smartphone experience. To that end, they’ve developed a unique demo user interface with widgets and apps that slide out to reveal maps, browsers et al as floating, rippling curtains. Go to mobileuserinterfaces.blogspot.com to see the video

➳ SILICON TIPS CONNECT NEW POWERPORT USB POWERED LIGHT OR FAN ACCESSORIES TO SELECTED PURE RADIOS. WWW.PURE.COM 3 8 T 3 . C O M / N E WS D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


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Radar

1

➳ Silicon TipS rotate your ipad to view the vertical or horizontal edition of each t page. sometimes you’ll discover hidden content... 4 0 T 3 . C O M / n e ws D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


storemags & fantamag - magazines for all T3: ipad laTeST

download the t3 app from october 2010 store.apple.com/uk

ipad S edition apple ipad

t becomes the first UK magazine to launch on iPad 2

3

o here it is. The fi rst ever iPad edition of t. It represents not only six months of hard graft, but also a revolutionary shift in how you can view and experience t content. Don’ t think of it as just another digital magazine on the iPad. It’ s not. It’ s a chance for us to do something special. A platform to blend the quality prose and imagery you’ re used to every month, with the interactive opportunities that the iPad offers. Use your fi ngers to get closer to gorgeous gadgets. Jump straight to your favourite sections. Marvel at the bespoke iPad photography. Or kick back and enjoy the exclusive videos we’ ll be creating every month. t is the fi rst UK magazine to appear on iPad and you can download it every month* from the Apple App Store for £3.99. To get a taster, download the preview issue for free. Then upgrade to the full-version to see what you’ re really missing. Just like this month’ s cover feature, this is a journey of discovery and we can’ t wait for those of you with iPads to get stuck in. Y ou don’ t own one? Well, here’ s your fi rst real excuse. Do let us know exactly what you think. We’ re always striving to improve what we do. For you.

Great reasons to try and buy

1 exClusive videO

Get closer to your favourite gadgets with stylish, yet informative, video content

2 sTunning phOTOgraphy

Just like you’d expect in the magazine, but with additional slideshows made specifically for iPad

luke peTerS Editor

*First issue out October 2010

4

3 inTeraCTive reviews

Click on hotspots to reveal product ratings and more

Head to Apple's App Store to download straight to your iPad 1 Clickable cover

3 Hotspots

Fully clickable cover lines take you straight to the issue’s biggest news, features and reviews.

Most pages have clickable hotspots that reveal much more about the on-screen content.

2 Multimedia

4 Help guide

4 brOwse and fliCk

Throughout the iPad issue you’ll find stunning videos, top quality photo slideshows and other bespoke t content not found anywhere else.

Here, you’ll find all you need to know about navigating the iPad edition. Helping you rotate, jump, scroll, slide and tap your way through each issue.

You can navigate through the iPad edition like a normal magazine or jump right to your desired article more news@T3● com

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / n e w s 41

JOIN THE 1&1 MOBILE REVOLUTION AND TA

More and more people are browsing the web on the go with their BlackBerry, iPhone or smartphone devices. We give you the software to create an additional website that is optimised for mobile viewing so anyone can view your site wherever they are.

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radar 360° first review

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First and foremost the panasonic hdCsdt750 is an excellent 2d camera. At its heart is a 3Mos system that provides 1080i visuals and does a decent job of ridding footage of any image noise. 2d footage is stunning and the optical image stabiliser makes sure that even the shakiest of hands produce smooth results, with crisp, clear colours. As good as the full-hd 2d visuals are though, it’s the hdC-sdt750’s 3d credentials that set it apart. Before you start shooting 3d home movies you must first attach the 3d conversion lens. It almost doubles the overall size of the camcorder and is a real struggle to attach, adding 215g to the overall weight. Calibration is another fiddly process, and one you need to do every time you remove the lens. panasonic has tried to make it as easy as possible, using the lens hood as a marker for the 3d calibration you turn three dials built into the lens to line up the 3d image horizontally and vertically. however, once you attach the lens hood the dials are difficult to access. some deft manoeuvring and ☞

specifications 3 The details

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MICROPHONE

138mm

The microphone supports 5.1 surround sound

66mm

69mm

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When filming in 3D the image on the three-inch LCD is the left eye’s view

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Use this to swap between features like focus and EV

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Two lenses function like the left and right eye, despite the bulky lens it doesn’t feel too poorly balanced

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Open here to access HDMI, USB and memory card slot

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seNsOr 1/4.1-type CMos x 3 leNs 12x optical zoom, 3.45-41.4mm screeN 3-inch, 230,400 pixels sTaBilisaTiON optical VideO 1920x1080i, 25fps (2d), 1920x1080i, 25fps (3d) sTOraGe sd/sdhC/sdXC memory card cONNecTiONs UsB 2.0, AV, 3.5mm audio, mini hdMI WeiGhT/siZe 66x69x138mm/375g (without battery)

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It’s here: the first consumer 3D camcorder…

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t has been less than six months since the fi rst 3D TVs entered our homes and just a year since we fi rst marvelled at what 3D effects James Cameron could create with two video cameras attached to a pole, therefore it’ s impressive that Panasonic has already released the world’ s fi rst 3D camcorder for consumers. Now it’ s time for you to make your own 3D blockbuster.

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radar 360° first review 3d FiLm-maKers’…

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accessories

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Everything you’ll need to make your own 3D masterpiece, except the Director’s chair

Top 3d filming tips from experts at panasonic

manfrotto 190xb tripod and 701 hdV head This compact, aluminium tripod, when paired with the 701 HDV Pro Fluid Video Mini Head HDV, can hold up to 5kg. £180, WWW.MANFROTTO.CO.UK

crumpler easy Weasy Crumpler’s ultra-tough Chicken Tex fabric and waterproof Ripstop lining provide ample protection for all your gadgets. £80, WWW.BAGS4GEAR.CO.UK

hama rmZ-10 Zoom universal directional microphone Connecting via the Panasonic HDC-SDT750’s 3.5mm jack and powered by an AA battery, this mic has a sensitivity of 56+ /-3 dB.

The 3D lens almost doubles the size of the HDC-SDT750

£90, WWW.HAMA.CO.UK

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roxio creator 2011

you’ll eventually get the hang of it. shooting 3d footage is easy, except the controls are limited. You can’t use the 12x optical zoom and manual controls are kept to an absolute minimum. the results, however, are fantastic, with the dual lenses capturing two 950x540i images which are combined to create an hd image. Apart from some minor cross-talk around the edges the effect is

The latest version of Roxio’s software now comes with 3D support, so you can edit and burn your 3D footage to disc. £50, WWW.ROXIO.CO.UK

panasonic VW-lcd103 video light For night shooting you need a video light which can be attached via the hot shoe. £80, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

sandisk Ultra sdxc 64GB

THE HDC-SDT750 IS A GREAT 2D CAMCORDER THAT ALSO SHOOTS TOP-NOTCH 3D FOOTAGE top-quality. Couple this with the 5.1 channel surround sound and you’ll have a home movie that everyone will want to watch. transferring your 3d footage to a tV – it needs to be a 3d tV, obviously –is simple and easy, using a regular hdMI cable. the hdC-sdt750 has managed to make 3d filming accessible to everyone. It isn’t cheap, but it’s comparable to rival 2d models and its 2d performance is outstanding. the lens is bulky and set-up fiddly, but the results are first class. You have to buy a 3d tV, but you wanted one anyway, didn’t you? £1,300, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

details lOVe rich full-hd visuals in 2d and 3d. Easy playback on a 3d television. relatively reasonably priced haTe Laborious 3d calibration. Bulky 3d lens. You can’t take 3d photographs We say the panasonic hdC-sdt750 is a high-end camcorder that offers 3d filming to everyone. It has some teething problems but still manages to impress

A high-capacity memory card is essential when shooting in 3D. SDXC cards have the potential to go up to 2TB, although 64GB is currently the largest available. £170, WWW.SANDISK.CO.UK

panasonic VBG130 For a long day’s filming, or a trip abroad, make sure you invest in a spare battery. £60, SHOP.PANASONIC.CO.UK

mini-hdmi to hdmi If your TV doesn’t include a card reader you’ll need an HDMI cable to transfer your footage from the HDC-SDT750 to your TV. £15, WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK

However adept you are behind a camcorder, shooting in 3D is totally different. Luckily, in 3D mode the HDC-SDT750 functions virtually on auto, so you can concentrate on getting the best possible shot. Follow these tips… 1. Ensure your subject has a foreground, a middleground and a background. Think about the depth of your image: a person standing against a flat background will not create a strong 3D effect. Try and include something in the foreground at the bottom of the screen and a landscape behind the subject. 2. Anything closer to the camcorder than 1-3 metres will appear to leap out. Anything further away will give an impression of depth. 3. In 2D home movies you usually follow your subject around, but for a 3D effect you need to let the subject get close or move away. 4. 3D is more effective with slow, steady camera movements. Move too fast and it can be disorientating. 5. For a really impressive 3D effect, frame the closest object –for instance, someone reaching out their hand –in the centre of the screen. This will make the image really seem to leap out of your TV screen. For more 3D tips go to p124

Opinion… panasonic has made 3d movies mainstream luke peters, editor In the wake of the recent glut of 3D TVs, 3D movies and 3D games, the option to create 3D content at home was the next logical step. The innovative Fujifilm Real 3D camera arrived first, shooting 3D photos, but when not shooting 3D it was just a disappointingly bulky, point and shoot. In contrast, the Panasonic HDC-SDT750 is a fantastic 2D camcorder which just happens to be capable of capturing great

3D movies as well. Retailing at £1,300 the HDC-SDT750 is expensive, but not ridiculously so. It’s only a couple of hundred pounds more than rival flagship camcorders. Let’s not forget, however, that you also need to factor in the cost of a 3D TV, and then there’s the question of who will watch it? YouTube hasn’t fully embraced 3D yet. 3D is a fledgling format, but we applaud Panasonic for bringing it to the masses.

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Radar review

BLACKBERRY TORCH9800

BlackBerry gains multi-touch but loses the war III

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The speaker sounds a bit tinny, but is still loud enough to make people tut in a quiet carriage

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Pre-loaded apps include Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. BlackBerry App World is still under stocked compared to major rivals such as Apple and Android

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Album art is displayed on the screen and the 4GB of storage can be expanded by up to 32GB via microSD

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This scaled down Flash lets you view online video including YouTube, albeit in less than pristine quality

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he Torch is a phone of firsts. First RIM handset to feature a multi-touch screen. First to include the new BlackBerry 6 OS, bringing with it a wealth of welcome and long overdue features. Could it be the first to directly challenge the iPhone 4 and Android smartphones too? In a word: no. The BB6 interface is split into four sections: Favourites, Media, Videos and Pictures. Flicking between them is easy with the multitouch screen, but it lacks the overall slickness of HTC Sense or Apple iOS 4. At 3.2 inches the screen is a decent size and it’s fine for viewing online videos, using Flash Lite. However the 480x360-pixel resolution seems woefully foggy next to the pin-sharp, vivid screens on the iPhone 4 or Samsung Galaxy S. Similarly, the 624MHz processor seems tortoise-like compared to 1GHz rivals. The five-megapixel camera takes respectable images, you can record video at up to 25fps in 640x480 resolution and the music player is improved. So it’s the most advanced BlackBerry yet, but Google and Apple have little to lose sleep over, except for one thing: browse the web, play tunes and films and keep the N Wi-Fi turned on, and the battery on this still lasts nearly two days. Try doing that on an iPhone or HTC Desire… £480, WWW.BLACKBERRY.COM/UK

4 KEYBOARD

LOVE Improved interface with multi-touch. Good battery HATE Poor screen resolution. Slow processor.

A slide-out QWERTY is a handy feature, but it’s too cramped and awkward to access without accidentally opening menu screens

No HD video capture. Limited choice of apps

Sync multiple social networking accounts including Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger –an Instant Messenger-style service. It lacks the integration and ease of use of HTC Sense but it’s a step forward…

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OS BlackBerry 6 PROCESSOR 624MHz SCREEN 3.2-inch, 480x320-pixel, multi-touch CONNECTIVITY 7.2Mbps HSDPA, N Wi-Fi, A-GPS,

Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, 3.5mm audio, USB CAMERA 5-megapixel, autofocus, LED flash VIDEO CAPTURE 640x480 pixels at 25fps STORAGE 4GB + up to 32GB microSD BATTERY 5 hours 40 mins talk time SIZE/WEIGHT 111x62x14.6mm/161g

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WORDS HANNAH BOUCKLEY

Social feeds BlackBerry 6 tries social networking

111mm

148mm

Specifications


Reading this whole page aloud would probably take you about 20 seconds. Re-typing it would probably take you a minute. Efficiency-wise, that’s a 66%-drop. Just imagine what you could do with all that extra-time on your hands. Pronounced simplicity. With Philips SpeechExecSR Pro and SpeechMike Air. SpeechExecSR Pro Software combines dictation, speech recognition and document workflow in one single application. www.philips.com/dictation philips_t3_ speechExecProSRv6_2010



Radar opinion

GILES COREN

T

o move effortlessly around the world, independent of Newton’s laws, more efficiently, more dextrously and faster than other men, that is what we crave. That is the alpha and omega of all technological endeavour. And we are not quite there yet. But the Gocycle (which I am pronouncing with the stress on the first syllable and a short middle “i” like “Ricicle”) is definitely a step in the right direction. It’s an electric hybrid bicycle. You charge it up at the mains at a cost of something like 0.04p and then you have 12 to 15 miles of powered cycling, assuming that you do not pedal. Except that you do pedal. That is the whole point. If you want to sit on your fat arse and do nothing then buy a moped and spend your life being mistaken for a pizza delivery boy. The electrical facility here is designed as a booster. It works in conjunction with your pedalling so that the more you cycle the less it has to do and the longer the charge will

last – they explained the science of it to me but, you know, whatever. It also folds up like a Brompton, which is astonishing. From the moment I first took it out on the road, I was in love. It’s amazing. You’re cycling up a massive hill, huffing and puffing, and then you push the little red button on the handlebars and, I swear, it’s like God has reached down to give you a push. It’s mental. It’s honestly like a superpower. It’s like carrying a favourable slope around in your pocket to use at will. Say you’re cycling along a straight road but there’s a massive headwind in your face and you’re getting nowhere, and you think “this would be so much easier if it were downhill,”Just hit the button and, pow! You’re basically going downhill. Science is the art of overcoming nature, and the Gocycle does it beautifully. Hills, wind, tired thighs…all forgotten! There are no longer any physical boundaries to your cycling. Cycling is most popular in flat cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, but with the

Gocycle, ALL cities are flat. You get a bit of exercise, but you don’t knacker yourself, or get your pants and pits all sweaty. This really is the future of road transport. The best thing of all is pissing off couriers and other lycra-clad, over-muscled mongs, hunkered down over their razor thin, threegrand racing-bikes thinking they are Lance effing Armstrong. My favourite trick at the moment is to dress up in a three piece suit, no helmet of course, and lurk behind a white van on Highgate Hill (a steep slope near my home) and then, when some bicycle boy comes chaining up the hill, all helmeted and blowing like a blue whale, to peddle up behind him, sitting bolt upright, steering with my left hand (holding down the all-important red button) and reading a paperback held in my right. Drawing silently alongside, I like to offer a blithe “Good-morning” before leaving him for dead with a cheery,“Pip! Pip!” to disappear effortlessly up the hill, as he asks himself,“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? ” No, it’s Giles on a bicycle.

5 2 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


ILLUSTRATION ALEX WILLIAMSON @ DEBUTART

Gilescannot defy gravity, alas, but he can fly up Highgate Hill onehanded on his new Gocycle…


Concert for one P5 Mobile Hi-Fi Headphones What’s it to be? The rush-hour commute, the stuffy office, the queue at the local supermarket? Or the control room at Abbey Road Studios, a box at the Met, the front

row at CBGB in 1976? The noise-isolating P5. It’s not a set of headphones. It’s a transportation device. Listen and you’ll see. www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/p5

Radar opinion

H

ow’s this for living the tech dream? This month I’m actually writing this column on a smartphone, in a New York hotel room with an impressively minimalist and very loud stereo in it – so loud in fact that I can barely hear the elderly couple next door banging on the wall – while in town on important headphone-related business. You can read all about that next month, if you like. And yet the tech dream was so nearly a gadge nightmare. I’m cack-handedly banging this out on a smartphone due to some unfortunate-type foulness that went down with my laptop. It involved BIOS reflashing. It could have been worse. This time last week I had not only a free smartphone from a well-known manufacturer, but also a SIM that was being paid for by an apparatchik buried somewhere in the well-known manufacturer’s labyrinthine corporate structure. Then it all went wrong. SIM cancelled. Not

necessarily a problem as I had still been paying for my old SIM during this epoch of freebiedom, but you will not believe how hard it is to get Carphone Warehouse to turn your boring old SIM into a micro SIM for the iPhone 4. In fact, so comprehensively did they cock it up that they actually had to cancel my account. Have you ever heard of that? Usually if you get bad service it’s you who cancels, unless you’re English, in which case you tut a lot and then put up with it. But that’s what happened – I had to go and open an account with O2 rather than keeping my O2 account with Carphone Warehouse.

SMARTPHONES AREN’T FOR COMMUNICATION. IF ANYTHING, THEY’RE MADE FOR AVOIDING IT

Anyway, the upshot of this was that I had no phone for four days. My world fell apart. Suddenly I had to actually speak to people. I couldn’t absent-mindedly text, email, tweet, Grindr, surf or watch YouTube while conversing. I had to actually pay full attention to people, be it at lunch, at the pub, during sex or at family get-togethers. This made me realise something so profound I am shocked nobody else has realised it. Smartphones of the modern, touchscreen kind are not for communication. If anything, they’re for avoiding communication. They’re for playing with; fiddling with; compulsively looking at; avoiding awkward questions with. Now some people say that being without these devices is liberating, in an earthy, back to basics, Earth Mother type way.“I just want a phone that makes phone calls,” they bray. I say bollocks to that. What do you think? Hmm? Oh, sorry, I was distracted by Twitter… Duncan podcasts for T each week, via iTunes

5 4 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


ILLUSTRATION PATRICK MORGAN @ DEBUTART

The modern smartphone is a tool for combatting boredom and distracting yourself from boring people. Without it, life becomes more testing…

DUNCAN BELL


Radar futurology

JAMES WALLMAN

I

t was David Anderson, founder of the CADA Design Group, who prompted me to believe that the world will soon be like an iPhone.“In the future,” he told me over a coffee,“no two people will interact with the built environment in the same way.” Hold on Dave, I thought, what about objective reality? And can I get a large one of whatever coffee you’re having? Spend a bit of time with the idea though, and it makes sense. Think of the smartphone in your pocket. Its hardware is the same as the millions of other smartphones out there, but thanks to the background snap of your dog wearing sunglasses, a wah-wah ringtone and a bucketload of very handy apps you never use, yours is unique. So is everyone else’s. That means that no two people interact with their phones in the same way. That’s how we’ll experience the external world in the future. “The next few years will be about taking personalisation off of our devices and

empowering the space around us with our settings,” Miles Kemp, founder of responsive architecture company Variate Labs in Los Angeles, told me. There are two major breakthroughs that need to happen to make this possible. The first is our environments have to recognise us and we have to be willing to share our information. Then those environments have to be able to respond to us. Both are on their way. Foursquare is already making people more receptive to sharing their location and consumer preferences with fellow networkers and apps like Stumble.to, Checkmate and

IMAGINE WALKING INTO A STORE AND ACCESSING A REVIEW OF A PRODUCT JUST BY LOOKING AT IT

Future Checkin are further promoting this. “These apps provide an infrastructure around which we can build a more personalised experience,” says interaction designer Paul Miller. A retailer could enhance that personalised experience by making their store respond to a customer’s individual likes, mimicking how Amazon.com currently works. “Imagine walking into Muji and seeing which of your friends bought what products, or reading reviews about a product just by looking at it,” muses Kemp. In the future, apps set to each individual’s settings will mean that no two people have the same experience of a store.“It’ll be like having your own personal interpreter or shopper with you at all times,” says Kemp. A personalised digital experience layered over the top of the physical world: standard hardware and personalised software. The world will be just like your iPhone… James is editor of The Future Laboratory’s innovation and insight news network

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ILLUSTRATION BARRY DOWNARD@DEBUTART

James believes that the world revolves around his personal likes and dislikes – or it will in a few years time…


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mail WE’VE GOT

3D COMPATIBILITY

I hadn’t been excited at the prospect of 3D TV – I saw Avatar, it didn’t blow my mind. However, after reading about 3D TVs in T I thought I had better check it out. I watched Panasonic’s 20 minute 3D demo. It knocked my socks off! I also enjoyed a great Samsung demo which was similarly impressive. I was informed that rival firms have developed their own 3D technologies which aren’t always compatible with each other. How will these compatibility issues affect Blu-ray players, PS3s and the Sky 3D channel? NICK WHITEHEAD VIA EMAIL

3D compatibility issues affect the glasses rather than content devices like the PS3; 3D specs tend to work only with the set they are sold with. For a rundown of the best 3D sets head to p94. Oh, and have a Pure Sensia radio.

IT’S TOUGH AT THE TOP

It was great to see the faces of the Tech 100 (T issue 182). After reading the preview on the Motorola Milestone 2 in the same issue it was obvious that Motorola had to be in the Tech 100. But, wait, Greg Brown gets the credit for the Android phone roll-out and not Sanjay Jha – the co-CEO of Motorola who’s bringing us beauties like the Milestone 2! MALACHY DEVLIN VIA EMAIL

Fair point, Malachy. We should indeed have included Jha as the head of mobile devices, as well as Brown, who’s President of the Motorola parent company. ’APPY BIRTHDAY

In the App Feature (T issue 181) you start mapping the development of apps from March 2008. I can guarantee you that there were apps before that. WinMo and Symbian

had their own apps before that, even though they didn’t have stores – the apps were sold by third-party developers. I can’t say what day I would call the birthday of apps, but it’s certainly before March 2008. JARO O, VIA EMAIL

Jaro, we did begin that piece with the phrase,“Little games and bits of software [ had] been available on phones for years.”We thus bypassed the dull, early days of apps and skipped straight to the dawn of the modern app stores. ANOTHER ’APPY CUSTOMER

Thanks to your 50 Essential Apps feature (T issue 181) my wife, with a little prompting, started downloading. Now she is setting the TV via the Sky Mobile app and tracking her fitness program on Cyclemeter. I’m looking forward to Christmas and gifts purchased via Redlaser, and who knows, maybe

T3.com poll What was the best thing announced at IFA 2010? SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB

SONOS AND SPOTIFY

69%

4%

PHILIPS CINEMA 21:9 3D

PANASONIC HDC-SDT750 3D CAMCORDER

8% SONY BLOGGIE TOUCH

1% LG 31-INCH OLED TV

10%


4% SONY QRIOSITY

5%


Email your thoughts to us at [email protected], speak out in a message board manner at T3.com, tweet us @t3dotcom, or send letters to our palatial offices at 2 Balcombe Street, London NW1 6NW

Your emails, tweets and letters in green ink

3D TV: capable of knocking your socks off

AutoTrader. Thank you for opening her mind and her App Store.

cigars! Mind you, it might explain the “Cherie Blair” grin you refer to.

STEPHEN MCCARTY VIA EMAIL

CHARLIE VIA EMAIL

STEPFORD HUSBAND

BEST BEFORE 08/09/2010

Thanks to James Wallman’s article about biosocial technology (T issue 181) I’m looking forward to a cloud service allowing me to get ALL contextual data about my wife (health, mood) and a suggested response (buy flowers, re-fill bank account) sent to my phone. Hopefully in the distant future there will be an online avatar able to complete all these actions for me.

It was my son’s birthday a few weeks ago and I bought him an iPod Touch, only for a newer, shinier one to be released two weeks later. I think gadgets should have an expiry date on them like football shirts.

EDUARDO FERNANDEZ, VIA EMAIL

Very enlightened Eduardo. YOU MUST BE JOKING?

In the “Mad props” article (T issue 180) did you REALLY mean to refer to The Joker’s gadgetry collection as an “arse arsenal”? I’d hate to think where he’d store those exploding

GAVIN RISBRIDGER, VIA EMAIL

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

When I upgraded to the HTC Desire I thought “it’s not going to change my life”. How wrong was I? It’s revolutionised how I communicate, surf the web and interact with friends. It truly is like having a palmsized laptop on you at all times. MIKE AGAR VIA EMAIL

Mike’s letter was printed last month under an incorrect name. Apologies to all concerned… SEND MAIL; WIN THIS

The author of this month’s winning letter is Nick, who scores a PURE Sensia digital, FM and internet radio, with a 5.7-inch colour screen for checking Facebook and Picasa, or viewing album art. The Sensia’s 30W speakers provide quality audio. Want one? Pen a pithy missive or head to touchmyradio.com



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This year’s best kit

The greatest gadgets of 2010 revealed Words by Duncan Bell Photography by Pixeleyes

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T 3 PRO M OTI O N

ORANGE REVOLUTION FIVE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE MOBILES, AVAILABLE ON ORANGE This year has seen the unleashing of some truly exceptional smartphones. With operating systems like Google’s Android proving extremely popular, your once-humble mobile is now a true do-it-all device. You get large, high-res screens, cracking stills cameras, exceptional hi-def video cams and always-on connectivity that means you’re never out of the loop. The following are perhaps the greatest of the lot, and they’re all on Orange.

Tom Alexander, CEO

WWW.ORANGE.CO.UK

ORANGIEVE! EXCLUS

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“These are just a few of the latest future phones available on Orange. Chosen specifically for their unique digital lifestyle benefits, these devices highlight our focus to showcase innovative, original, and high-end multimedia handsets. In addition to the handsets featured here, we are also very excited to be bringing the Nokia N8, as well as a selection of Windows Phone 7 handsets to Orange later this year. Rest assured, you can expect plenty more from Orange over the next 18 months.”

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Tom Alexander is CEO of Everything Everywhere, the company which runs Orange UK.

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HTC Desire Black Edition

Apple iPhone 4

Samsung Galaxy S1

This jet black Android super-phone whizzes along on a 1GHz processor. The screen is a brilliant, 3.7-inch AMOLED job and the browser, with Flash, is the best of any mobile T has tried. HTC’s Sense interface gives awesome customisability and there are apps galore to try.

The world’s most talked-about phone has a lightning fast processor, much improved, five-meg camera and pin-sharp 720p HD video. It’s still got a great interface, app store and media player and it now looks hotter than ever. The web browser is a real winner too.

The Android phone that’s taking the universe by storm, the Galaxy S1 is state of the art. Its crisp five-meg stills and 720p HD video can be viewed over the HDMI output or on the lush four-inch, Super AMOLED touchscreen. A superb media player and web browser are the icing on top.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 in white

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini in lime

Sony Ericsson’s best phone for years boasts Timescape to keep your friends closer than ever by stacking up all their social network updates, emails and SMS. A massive four-inch screen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor make it all so smooth.

The X10 Mini has won awards for the genius of its design. Fitting a full-featured Android smartphone into a space barely taller and wider than a credit card, the Mini is incredibly fast and boasts better battery life than many of its bigger brothers.



Editor’s message “The T Gadget Awards 2010 have been the best ever. It’s now the biggest awards of its kind in the world. The winners displayed over the next 22 pages have been decided by three quarters of a million reader votes, the valued opinions of six industry judges and the verdict of the T team. There are surprise success stories and glaringly obvious victors, but all winners are worthy of their newfound titles. For me, 2010 has been an exciting, relentless and ground-breaking year. We’ve seen new product categories emerge and a fundamental change in the way people interact with technology. Ultimately, though, the winners of 2010 represent the very best of what we do and what you love. Incredible gadgets, life-changing technology and a glimpse of tomorrow.” TWITTER: @LUKEPETERS, EMAIL: [email protected]


A word from our partners…

A warm T thank you to... OUR OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNERS AND JUDGES

MSN Tech, Sky News, TechRadar Claudine Beaumont (Telegraph), Martin Stanford (Sky), Nik Taylor (MSN) and Patrick Goss (TechRadar.com)

Qualcomm

Orange

Samsung

Qualcomm shares T’s passion for innovation that enhances and improves the way we live, work and play. Always connected and ready to go, Qualcomm is providing the framework for the next generation of smart technology.

Orange is proud to partner the T Awards. Focussed on the most innovative multimedia handsets, and with the UK’s largest 3G mobile network, Orange is the destination of choice for high-end mobile users.

Samsung is proud to partner the T Gadget Awards. Delivering tomorrow’s technology today Samsung is one of the world’s fastest growing brands and a leading producer of TVs, mobiles, home appliances and digital imaging products.

WWW.QUALCOMM.COM

WWW.ORANGE.CO.UK

WWW.SAMSUNG.COM/UK


GADGETS OF THE YEAR 2010

Innovation of the year A product that demonstrated true technological invention and which had the power to improve, change or create a product category? Apple’s reinvention of the tablet was a clear winner Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 3G

Always switched on, sophisticated enough to please real gadget heads and simple enough for your dad to use, this scaled-up iPod Touch sells itself more effectively than any gadget we’ve seen. When we took two iPads to the Gadget Show Live in April, they were the talk of the show. Everyone who picked one up, even those who were initially sceptical, was soon flicking, tilting and pinching their way through the built-in apps, hypnotised by the 9.7-inch, hi-res screen and the innate simplicity of the OS. The iPad was by no means the unanimous choice of our judges and it was the online vote by you, the readers, that swung it. Sky and Light Blue Optics scored well and everyone had good things to say about Kinect, but ultimately the buying public called it. FROM £529, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

What the judges said… “What I love about it is that it puts the power of computing right into your hands in an instant-on way.” NIK TAYLOR, TECH & GADGETS EDITOR, MSN.CO.UK

FINALVOTEBY

READERS

The runners up… Four more great innovations in 2010

Microsoft Xbox Kinect

Sky+HD 1TB

Light Blue Optics Light Touch

Toshiba Cell

Sony Move looks to have more appeal but Kinect is where the real innovation is, making you the controller and allowing unparalleled voice and gesture control. You’ll see it in non-gaming applications for years to come.

The new 1TB unit can fit 240 hours of HD programming and, like earlier versions of Sky’s box, is 3D-ready. The Sky 3D channel will be bringing you sport, movies and arts programming in 3D right about now…

Allows the projection of a fully interactive touchscreen with high-quality video onto any surface. It’s all courtesy of Holographic Laser Projection tech and integrated infrared sensors that detect motion…

So dangerously over-packed with tech is this 3D-ready TV and PVR that the word is it’ll never reach Western shores. Features multi-channel recording to a 1TB hard drive and more processing power than a PS3.

£125, WWW.MICROSOFT.COM/EN-GB/KINECT

£VARIABLE, WWW.SKY.COM

£TBC, LIGHTBLUEOPTICS.COM

FROM £3,000, WWW.TOSHIBA.COM

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What the judges said… “Quite simply, it hasn’t left my manbag all year. Essential for the modern gadgeteer.” LUKE PETERS, T EDITOR

UNANIMOUS

WINNER

Three Mobile MiFi

This was the first gadget to go down on the Work longlist and it proceeded to be the unanimous choice of all our judges and won the reader vote, too. It’s easy to see why. The MiFi lets any device onto the internet, anywhere there’s a 3G signal. It turns an iPad Wi-Fi into an iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, for instance. Brought to the UK by Three – a typically savvy move from this increasingly influential mobile telecoms and internet provider – the MiFi has proved a sensation. Infamously, MiFi-like mobile hotspots even caused a Wi-Fi failure at the iPhone 4 launch – or was that because Steve Jobs was holding it the wrong way? Three’s MiFi modems are actually rebranded Huawei devices – expect to see more from this giant of Chinese telecoms in the coming years.

Work Gadget of the year The Work Gadget of the year needed to make work life easier or aid productivity. The MiFi is a work essential. It’s what your laptop, iPad and other Wi-Fi devices have been crying out for…

£50 ON PAYG, WWW.THREE.CO.UK

The runners up… Four more working-day heroes

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700

Apple iPhone 4

Apple MacBook Pro

Livescribe Smartpen

The state of the art device for those old-fashioned types whose main use for a smartphone is communication. Bold version 2.0 is a supreme mix of tactile, responsive keypad and ultra-reliable email.

With plenty of work-related apps and an uncannily accurate virtual keyboard, the iPhone 4 is the phone you wish your IT guys would shell out for. However, the MiFi proved a contender too strong for our judges.

Apple’s power-user’s laptop remains the best-looking notebook you can buy. With i5 and i7 processors in models of 15 inches and above, the Pro now has oomph under the hood to match its aesthetic allure.

Transcribes your notes and uploads them to your PC or Mac; records meetings and links notes to specific moments in the meeting. Livescribe’s Smartpen range is a must-have for well organised corporate climbers.

£360, UK.BLACKBERRY.COM

FROM £499, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK


FROM £120, WWW.LIVESCRIBE.COM/EN-GB



Camera of the year In the year of Micro Four Thirds it was Panasonic who won out, thanks to a great mix of everything the judges were looking for: picture quality, features, innovative tech and value for money. Panasonic Lumix GF1

Micro Four Thirds and other similar scaled-down, interchangeable-lens camera systems have been the “trend” that never quite happened, this year. The goal – DSLR quality in a compact unit – is mouthwatering, but the high prices and failure to agree on a standard are not. The exception is this, our camera of the year. The unanimous choice of our judges and the reader vote winner, the GF1’s 12.1-meg sensor, superb photos, comparatively wide range of lenses and built-in flash make it a consummate camera for those who want to get serious about photography. As you’ll see on p80, this wasn’t the end of Panasonic’s success this year. The Japanese giant’s mix of innovation and the core values of quality and affordability have paid off handsomely… £500, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

What the judges said… “I was blown away by the quality, especially from such a compact digital camera.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

UNANIMOUS

WINNER

The runners up… Four cameras that captured the moment

Canon EOS 7D

Leica X1

Sony NEX-5

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Made with input from snappers the world over, the 7D is a true prosumer cam. Its 18-meg stills, dual Digic IV image processors and 1080p video, all shot through Canon’s immaculate lenses, are to die for.

It’ll easily fit in your pocket, especially once you’ve given all your cash to Leica, but the X1 takes astonishingly vivid pics through its fixed-focus Elmarit lens. The build and look are, as you’d expect, pure quality.

The most compact of the new breed of interchangeable lens cameras, the NEX-5 is truly superb. A late, wildcard entry, we feel it might have been a real contender had users had longer to sample its charms.

Perhaps to show it means business this time, the third PEN cam is the least sexy to date. It’s also the most usable, with an integrated flash, 720p HD video and a price tag that was soon discounted from its original £700.

£1,160, WWW.CANON.CO.UK

FROM £1,400, UK.LEICA-CAMERA.COM

FROM £480, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

FROM £410, WWW.OLYMPUS.CO.UK




What the judges said… “Its pick up and shoot nature is great. Camera phones may offer versatility but they can’t compete with the Sanyo’s HD quality.” LUKE PETERS, T EDITOR

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CS1

There were dissenting voices on our judging panel, with the simplicity of the Flip Mino HD also scoring highly, but the judges and the reader voters finally came down on the side of the latest in a long and illustrious line of pistol-grip cams from Sanyo. The world’s smallest 1080i camcorder – for reasons known only to the industry, 1080i is deemed to be “full HD” when talking about camcorders – the CS1 also takes very good stills. A flip-out, 2.7-inch screen, 10x optical zoom, multiple face detection and an HDMI output make framing, taking and sharing video and photos a breeze and the incredibly compact frame will fit into the slimmest of pockets. With phone video capture getting better and better, a camcorder needs to be this good to be a success…

Camcorder of the year Neither a budget pocket cam nor a fullfeatured prosumer job, Sanyo’s scaled-down full-HD camcorder was the best of a very strong bunch from the last 12 months, offering great features, design and VFM.

£210, UK.SANYO.COM

The runners up… Serious shooting power, plus the original pocket cam

Flip Mino HD

Panasonic HDC-TM700

Sony HDR-CX520VE

Canon Legria HF M31

Flip helped kickstart the pocket cam market a few Christmases back with the original Mino. The latest version adds 720p video capture and keeps the total ease of shooting and sharing that made the brand a success.

Panasonic knows its optics and this Leica-lensed prosumer wonder shoots pristine full-HD video. The 3MOS sensor array means incredibly vivid, accurate colours and a 32GB hard drive allows hours of filming.

The flip side to the Flip trend is prosumer cams like this Sony and the Panasonic and Canon that flank it. A 240GB hard drive and superb image stabilisation make this chunky camcorder a great higher-end option.

A slightly cheaper rival to the Panasonic and Sony, this super-solid camcorder offers full HD recording to a 32GB hard drive. The usual gamut of multiple face-detection and easy auto modes are all present and correct.

£106, WWW.THEFLIP.COM/EN-GB

£820, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

£1,000, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

£650, WWW.CANON.CO.UK



Gaming Gadget of the year




Exciting and innovative breakthroughs in the gaming sector was what we were after and the raw processing power of the Alienware M11x can take out a mothership at 20 paces. In short, it has redefined laptop PC gaming.

Alienware M11x

The received wisdom in gaming circles for the last few years has been that PC gaming is all but deceased, muscled out by consoles that provide a consistent standard for gamers and coders alike, rather than needing endless upgrades to your graphics card and processor. Well, it seems that wisdom has been blown out of the water this year. This 11.6-inch, super-chunky laptop has all the power you need to play titles such as StarCraft 2, Crysis and Mass Effect 2, bolstered by i5 or i7 processors, Nvidia GeForce GT 335M graphics and a 720p hi-def screen. Weighing in at under 2Kg, with decent battery life and at a price that’s light years away from the wallet-busting prices of many gaming machines, the M11x is a worthy winner. FROM £879, WWW.DELL.CO.UK/ALIENWARE

What the judges said… “This is the first laptop I’ve seen that can realistically cope with the rigors of modern gaming.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

The runners up… The game’s not over for these four

PS3 Slim

DJ Hero

Nintendo DSi XL

Xbox 360

It lost weight and dropped its price: little wonder the rebooted PS3 flew off the shelves this year. A slew of high-grade gaming titles including exclusives like God of War 3 didn’t exactly hurt, either.

A real “Marmite” device in that our judges all either loved or hated it. DJ Hero brilliantly mimics the art of the turntablologist, and it well and truly rocked the T stand at Gadget Show Live. It’s just a toy, sure…but what a toy.

Nintendo’s super-sized handheld made sense as an ebook reader, although it made some games look over-stretched and pixelly. Still, it’s a decent holding device while we wait for the awe-inspiring 3DS…

Following the PS3’s lead, the 360 got a new look, better spec –with N Wi-Fi finally coming built in –and a new lease of life in sales terms. It remains the hardcore gamer’s choice, mainly thanks to Xbox Live.

FROM £250, UK.PLAYSTATION.COM

£43, WWW.DJHERO.COM

£140, WWW.NINTENDO.CO.UK

FROM £200, WWW.XBOX.CO.UK



Phone of the year The most hotly-contested category of all eventually saw HTC triumph for the second year running, but not before impassioned debate over the iPhone 4’s merits and demerits. HTC Desire

With the iPhone 4 replacing its forerunner the 3GS at the shortlist stage, it seemed Apple would be back on top this year, but then Antennagate happened. Our judges were split on how major an issue this was – most seemed more concerned with Apple’s handling of it than the actual “design flaw”, which has actually been hugely overstated. Readers were in no doubt however, plumping for the Desire in droves and ultimately, that’s what swung it. However, that is not to suggest that the Desire won by default. It nearly matches the iPhone in a number of key areas, looks clean lined and functional, and it does it cheaper and on an open platform. Android Market is starting to rival the App Store for quality wares, as well… £410, WWW.HTC.COM/UK

What the judges said… “This is the year Android really began to challenge Apple’s supremacy. The Desire is fantastic.” MARTIN STANFORD, SKYNEWS.COM

FINALVOTEBY

READERS

The runners up… The phones that also shaped the year

Apple iPhone 4

HTC Legend

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700

Samsung Wave

For our money it’s the best smartphone you can buy. You disagreed, with the reader vote online making the Desire the narrowest of winners. The antenna “issue” is overstated and iPhone 4 is a design classic…

The direct successor to the Hero, last year’s T Phone of the year, impressed with its Mac-like unibody and slick Android OS with HTC Sense overlay. However, it was generally seen as the Desire’s poor relation.

The professional’s choice, the Bold was another phone that reached the shortlist but then got no significant amount of support from either our judges or the public vote. It really was a two-horse race this year…

Had it received enough reader votes to join the shortlist as a wildcard entry, the Galaxy S could have been a real contender. Instead the Wave was left to carry the torch for Samsung. Its bespoke Bada OS is a bold move.


£360, WWW.HTC.COM/UK

£360, UK.BLACKBERRY.COM

£270, WWW.SAMSUNGMOBILE.CO.UK




What the judges said… “To offer handheld navigation of this quality, for free, is exemplary.” PATRICK GOSS, EDITOR, TECHRADAR.COM

VOTEDBY

READERS

Google Maps Navigation

Mobile phones have already caused a massive boom in photography and video filming, eating into sales of compact cameras along the way. The next big boom – and sales downturn for dedicated devices – looks set to be in the satnav arena. Nokia’s Ovi Maps was the first free, turn-by-turn navigation app in the UK, but the one that really nails it is Google’s typically prosaically-named Maps Navigation, which won the reader vote and a majority of the judges’. Expanding the already massively helpful Maps app into a full-on satnav, the Android-only Maps Navigation is a genuine killer app for the massively popular smartphone platform. With superb integration with Google Search, Street View and voice control, it’s the app you’ve been searching for.

App of the year A new Awards category for 2010, there’s been no bigger story in tech this year than the rise of the app. They know where you are and they’re ready to help, none more so than Google’s free-to-Android-users satnav.

FREE, WWW.GOOGLE.COM

The runners up… Four must-have apps for your smartphone

TomTom for iPhone

Spotify

Layar

Foursquare

Proving that users will still pay for satnav apps –at least for now –TomTom’s app turns your iPhone into a very decent, mid-range satnav device with text-tospeech, lane guidance and more.

Working across multiple smartphone platforms, Spotify is the ultimate app for music lovers. Listen to just about any tune, anywhere. Store your favourites and you can even access them where there’s no signal.

The best of the first wave of augmented reality (AR) apps, Layar overlays information on what it “sees” through your smartphone’s camera, from phone numbers to Wiki entries to user-generated reviews.

Is it a social networking tool? Is it guide book? Is it a very cunning way to sell targeted advertising? Yes to all of the above: it’s Foursquare. Have you become the “Mayor” of your local pub or Halfords yet?

£43 FOR UK AND IRELAND, WWW.TOMTOM.COM

£10 PER MONTH, WWW.SPOTIFY.CO.UK

FREE, WWW.LAYAR.COM

FREE, WWW.FOURSQUARE.COM



Commuter Gadget of the year By definition, our favourite commuter gadget is one that makes the daily journey to work more enjoyable. The judges and you agreed: the iPhone 4 is the commuter’s best friend. In fact, its only real competition came from the iPad… Apple iPhone 4

Call it a consolation prize if you like; Apple’s much-maligned smartphone scooped this Award, both for the wealth of free and paid-for satnav apps for car commuters, the even greater buffet of time-killing games and apps laid out for those condemned to Britain’s antiquated train and bus systems, and the iPhone’s usual quality performance as a web browser and music/video player. The iPad was mentioned in dispatches but all of our judges and you, the reader, ultimately plumped for its smaller sibling. It was actually felt there was a slight stigma attached to pulling out an iPad in a crowded space, in terms of thievability, worries of showing off, and – on really crowded trains and buses – insufficient room to use it. FROM £499, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

What the judges said… “Give me a BlackBerry and an iPhone 4 and, even with its ‘issues’, I’ll pick the iPhone 4 every time.” LUKE PETERS, T EDITOR

UNANIMOUS

WINNER

The runners up… Four more gadgets for the road

Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 3G

HTC Desire

Amazon Kindle DX

TomTom Go 750 LIVE

It’s essentially the iPhone but bigger. This makes it more versatile, but also less portable. Apple’s said it sees the iPad as more of a home device and the T Awards judges and voters agreed.

As it didn’t win, we can surmise that HTC’s handset is seen as more of a classic telecoms device than a way to kill time on a commute. However, the Android Market is full of delights, including Maps Navigation…

Arguably the best e-reader to date, the DX has a 9.7-inch screen and built-in, free 3G to let you easily download Amazon’s hundreds of thousands of ebooks. Its high cost and lack of portability told against it in the end, though.

TomTom’s innovative LIVE subscription services caused a stir in the normally staid satnav world with greatly improved identifying of traffic bottlenecks.



£297, WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK

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£190 WITH ONE-YEAR LIVE SUBSCRIPTION, WWW.TOMTOM.COM


What the judges said… “Despite any iPhone 4 problems, there are still queues round the block and people pouring into Apple’s new Covent Garden store.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

Apple

There’s general agreement that Amazon is a great online retailer and that somewhere like Selfridges provides a superb in-store experience. Only Apple manages to do both to such an incredibly high level of quality, with the honourable if slightly fusty exception of John Lewis. Apple was considered an exemplary tech haven by most of our judges and also won the reader vote. Little wonder – its big city stores provide a shopping experience that’s relaxed yet incredibly slick, as well as unparalelled after-sales support from its “Genius bars”. Meanwhile, the App Store and iTunes Store demolish the competition for ease and choice on both mobile and computer platforms and the online Apple Store is exemplary in its layout and ease of use.

Retailer of the year Ever perused the Apple Store, iTunes Store or App Store on your iPhone, while on your way to an actual Apple Store? You’ll know why Apple won this prize, then…

WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

The runners up… Four more retail hot spots

Amazon

Play.com

John Lewis

Tesco

The world’s number one online retailer remains the standard by which others must be judged. Its mammoth choice of goods is now supplemented by extremely strong online music and book stores.

A British alternative to Amazon, Jerseybased Play.com consistently offers high-street-thrashing prices backed up by reliable delivery and customer services. A great source of MP3s and Blu-rays, too.

Like Apple, John Lewis offers both superb stores and a very smart online shopping service. Of course, the range of goods on offer is less focussed than Apple, with everything from PlayStations to sherry decanters.

No-one likes them; they don’t care. Britain’s biggest retailer is also a massive e-tailer, bringing the same brand of cut-price quality to the internet. Its mobile arm even sells the iPhone these days…

WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK

WWW.PLAY.COM

WWW.JOHNLEWIS.COM

WWW.TESCO.COM



Music Gadget of the year Against the odds, plucky Brits Cambridge Audio beat out Apple, Sonos, Pure and, er, Brothers to be our gadget of the year. How? By exploiting a very handy new niche… Cambridge Audio DacMagic

Old-school hi-fi totters on in all its quartz-locked, TOSlinked glory but most of the listening world now has all its music locked on a computer hard disk. Now, how to get that music off the Mac or PC and through your trusty amp without loss of signal? What if, even worse, said music is in a compressed format such as AAC or MP3? That’s where the DacMagic comes in. With a choice of three filters, Cambridge’s device takes any digital source – including via the all-important USB connector – and converts it to analogue in a most pleasing manner. It can’t work miracles, but MP3s of about 192Kbps and upwards are “upscaled” very effectively. A clear winner with our judges and the public. £230, WWW.CAMBRIDGEAUDIO.COM

What the judges said… “I was initially sceptical, but after plugging it in I was amazed at the difference it made.” LUKE PETERS, T EDITOR

The runners up… Four more gadgets that hit a high note

Apple iPod Touch

Brothers Wall of Sound

Pure Sensia

Sonos S5 Zone Player

Nominated every year since the T Awards began in 2003, the Touch has many admirers despite all other PMPs now seeming a bit, well, 2003. It’s an icon, and we fully expect to see the camera-toting new one shortlisted in 2011.

The fact that this made the shortlist proves T readers have a taste for the bizarre. A monstrously huge and loud iPod dock, the Wall of Sound is pure extravagance and sure to have “proper” hi-fi buffs tut-tutting.

Another real curate’s egg, this touchscreen DAB, Wi-Fi radio, music streamer, alarm clock and app-enabled smart-thing comes in a variety of bright colours. More importantly, it also sounds the business.

The only product other than the DacMagic to win the votes of you or any of our judges, the S5 is the Sonos for the rest of us. Pristine audio, iPhone controls and reliable streaming, now with Spotify on board too.


FROM $4,495, THEWOSEXPERIENCE.COM

£190, WWW.TOUCHMYRADIO.COM

£350, WWW.SONOS.COM

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storemags & fantamag - magazines for all T 3 PRO M OTI O N

AR applications

1 GAMING

Augmented Reality will allow games developers to build gaming environments that interact with the physical world around you

2 HOW-TO GUIDES

Interactive extensions to printed media and product packaging, and “how-to” guides that superimpose instructions on top of real-world objects help you problem solve with ease

VISION ON! AUGMENTED REALITY MERGES YOUR

PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL WORLDS. AND IT’ S DRIVEN BY QUALCOMM… Augmented Reality (AR) enables a user to view his/her environment with a camera and superimpose virtual content, such as 3D graphics, over the top. There will be many new applications which arise from developments in AR technology and Qualcomm is uniquely positioned with the advanced processing power, mobile broadband air interface technologies, GPS, advanced camera graphics, video and audio codecs in the Snapdragon chipset to help drive the growth of the AR ecosystem and bring Augmented Reality to consumers. Imagine being able to hold your phone up to the dashboard in your new car and have a step-by-step how-to teach you to use all the controls (via a visual overlay). Imagine a billboard, poster or magazine ad that comes to life, providing information in a much more easily accessed and understood way than ever before. Imagine playing a 3D game with your friends, all brought to life on your dining room table through your phone’s viewfinder. In the future, consumers could use this technology for apps, such as gaming and

how-to guides, as well as entirely new aspects of social media sharing, including painting virtual graffiti. Qualcomm’s Augmented Reality platform is vision-based – meaning that your phone learns to recognise what it’s looking at through the camera lens. Computer vision algorithms are used to tightly align graphics with the real world. This is an evolution of the approach taken by others thus far, which uses a digital compass and GPS. Vision-based AR promises a stunning user experience, a much broader array of practical applications and, consequently, much greater opportunity for developers. Qualcomm’s Augmented Reality platform is multi-pronged, but all elements are focused on a single goal: to drive the development of commercially available AR apps on Snapdragon-based devices. Qualcomm believes that Augmented Reality is a prevailing trend in the industry that will enhance users’experience of many existing applications, in addition to new

3 VISION MARKETING

Billboards, posters and magazine adverts come to life to provide information in a more easily accessible way than ever before

innovative apps and services. Qualcomm has long invested in GPS, advanced graphics, video and audio codecs, advanced processing power and mobile broadband capabilities that has placed it in a unique position for implementing Augmented Reality at the chipset level. Qualcomm is always seeking to drive new and compelling capabilities into mobile devices. As part of their efforts to bring an Augmented Reality platform to consumers, Qualcomm has been enhancing high-speed connectivity and adding new, powerful applications, graphics processors, GPS, cameras and other sensors to mobile devices. Now, with Qualcomm’s new Augmented Reality platform, including the new software development kit which will be freely available in Autumn 2010, developers will be able to innovate a new wave of applications that will drive demand for a future generation of products and services, thereby cementing the future of Augmented Reality. Prepare to merge your physical and digital worlds…


Computer of the year With its inner power increased and its outer beauty maintained, Apple’s power laptop walked it in this coveted category. Apple MacBook Pro

Last year, the MacBook Pro scooped Computer of the year by updating its look. The casing seamlessly hewn from a single sheet of aluminium, LED-lit screen and a subtly back-lit keyboard added up to a superb-looking laptop. This year, the Pro retains its crown by upping the spec, adding i5 and i7 processors for more power and greater energy-efficiency and Nvidia 330M graphics chips for better visuals than ever. As a result its route from longlist to shortlist to champion computer, with the public and judges’ vote easily secured, was more procession than struggle. There’s still no Blu-ray drive, which says pretty loud and clear to us that people don’t really want BD with their laptops after all… FROM £999, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

What the judges said… “Other laptops may be better specced for the price but the MacBook is still an utter joy to use.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

The runners up… Four black slabs of computing muscle

Sony Vaio Z Series

Alienware M11x

HP Touchsmart 600

Samsung N210

Madly expensive, totally over-engineered and very, very black indeed, the Z Series is a truly executive laptop. With i5 processing power, a solid state drive, HDMI output and Nvidia graphics, it wants for nothing but a price cut.

Our Gaming Award winner is also an excellent all-round notebook thanks to its potent blend of processing power, easy portability and long battery life. As it’s just 11.6 inches across, think of it as the ultimate netbook.

HP’s all-in-one is the best touchscreen PC you can get. The only computer to get a judge’s vote –okay, just one –other than the MacBook Pro, it also wowed the Gadget Show Live crowds on T’s stand. A true home hub.

A textbook netbook, the N210’s only slight misfortune was to be born as interest in that type of device died. The 10.1-inch display is excellent and there’s 250GB of storage and three USB ports, for very little dosh.

FROM £1,900, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

FROM £879, WWW.DELL.CO.UK/ALIENWARE

FROM £1,130, WWW.HP.CO.UK

£290, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK




What the judges said… “The tie-up with Sonos swung it for me. It will change the way we consume music at home.” LUKE PETERS, T EDITOR

Spotify

FINALVOTEBY

READERS

The little streaming service that can scooped this Award after a judges’ vote that was equally split between it, iPlayer and Twitter, making this the closest-run category of 2010. You, the readers, plumped for Spotify over iPlayer, so it was victorious. Spotify has a range of charms. The main one is it lets you listen to just about any piece of music for free, or £10 per month if you don’t want adverts. It’s got an easy, smart interface, well-established mobile versions for iPhone, Android, Symbian – hopefully BlackBerry will follow soon – a useful new social networking element, and now it’s cropping up on other devices, such as Sonos’ multi-room systems. Can it see off the challenge of a streaming iTunes service? Watch this space… WWW.SPOTIFY.COM

New Media Service of the year Spotify, Twitter and BBC iPlayer go head to head to head, with the revolutionary music streaming service just edging it on a recount. For us, Spotify typifies the consumption and distribution of online media content. The runners up… Four more examples of five-star service

BBC iPlayer 3.0

SeeSaw

Twitter

Facebook

The model by which all similar services must be judged, iPlayer started online, then went mobile, then started cropping up on all sorts of devices. Now with plenty of HD and user recommendations it’s better than ever.

An advertising-funded catch-up service, SeeSaw offers programmes from the BBC, Channel 4 and others. With plenty of vintage shows as well as more recent catch-ups it’s like a mix of UK Gold and iPlayer.

Twitter allows a glimpse into lives both celebrated and mundane and a constant stream of news on your favourite topics. It’s always been well entrenched on mobile too, with a variety of apps giving access.

With the launch of Open Graph, the world’s favourite waste of time goes from strength to strength. The concept of “social plugins” for partner sites and everyone else has added a new definition of “like” to the dictionary.

WWW.BBC.CO.UK/IPLAYER

WWW.SEESAW.COM

WWW.TWITTER.COM

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM



TV of the year There were slimmer tellies and more glamorous ones, but nothing served up better visuals or a more complete range of features than Panasonic’s 3D-ready plasma. Panasonic Viera TX-P50VT20B

An example of substance – and aggressive pricing – triumphing over style, Panasonic’s plasma was the unanimous choice of all our judges and the reader vote. Everyone loved the Samsung’s looks and sheer innovation but it seemed to be seen as almost a “fantasy gadget” rather than something most people would actually consider owning. The win for Panasonic’s full-HD set was also a triumph for plasma technology, long seen as a bit old hat in certain quarters with the rise of LED-lit LCD screens. Its superb contrast – a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio is claimed for this one – and smoothness helped it win out, aided by the best 3D performance of any current TV set. £2,000, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

What the judges said… “There are better looking TVs but the image this Panasonic set produces is outstanding.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

UNANIMOUS

WINNER

The runners up… Four more killer tellies

Philips 47PFL9664

Sharp Aquos LC-46LE821E

Samsung UE55C9000

LG Infinia 47LE8900

Maturing gently, this comparatively old set still has many fans, thanks to its Ambilight Spectra light show, the revved-up Perfect Pixel HD Engine video processor and no fewer than five HDMI sockets.

Sharp has done nothing less than “discovered” a new colour for this set, with QuadPixel tech adding a yellow pixel to the usual red, green and blue. The result is some of the best images you’ll see this year.

This set was greeted by a hail of superlatives and dropped jaws when it debuted at CES in January. The thinnest, best-looking set of its size ever, it can “upscale” 2D video to 3D and has a remote with a screen on it. Proper luxe.

LG’s 35mm slim, LED-lit workhorse boasts superb picture quality, Freeview HD and NetCast internet TV services including Skype and You Tube. Also has a very narrow bezel, which LG seems to think is important.

£1,200, WWW.PHILIPS.CO.UK

£1,200, WWW.SHARP.CO.UK

£4,500, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK

£1,900, WWW.LG.CO.UK




UNANIMOUS

WINNER

What the judges said… “It fulfills the judging criteria to a tee and has a genuine impact on the power you consume and the money you save.” PATRICK GOSS, EDITOR, TECHRADAR.COM

OneClick Intelliplug

We all know that leaving devices on standby is tantamount to running outside with a chainsaw and hacking down a 500-year-old oak tree, then burning the resulting logs on a fire in the garden piled up with tyres and fridges. Intelliplug puts an end to such Earth-harming shenanigans by automatically shutting off equipment when it’s no longer in use, detecting the reduction in power output when you turn it to standby with your remote. Not only that, but when plugged into your TV or computer, Intelliplug will also shut down all associated peripherals, from Blu-ray players to printers. Intelliplug duly scooped the reader vote and won the support of all our judges for its ease of use and immediacy of eco impact.

Green Gadget of the year Exhibiting the clear green credentials we were looking for; reducing waste and increasing awareness of energy usage, the Intelliplug was a unanimous victor.

FROM £13, WWW.ONECLICKPOWER.COM

The runners up… Four green shoots of recovery

Sony Ericsson Elm

Vexia Econav

Roberts SolarDAB 2

Sagem Puma Phone

The Elm is partly made from recycled plastics, and less hazardous chemicals have been used during its manufacture. It also has a digital manual instead of a paper one and a power-friendly charger.

The Econav reduces your fuel use by choosing the best route, then telling you the optimum gear to drive in, when to brake etc. As a result you also save cash –Vexia reckons it’ll pay for itself within six months.

There’s a solar panel set into this DAB radio so you’ll never need batteries as long as there’s sun. Low power consumption means you’ll get up to 27 hours playback from one charge and there’s a line in for your MP3 player too.

Again, a solar panel provides a more eco-friendly charging option on this sports-oriented mobile. A good if imperfect example of green technology making its way into slightly more mainstream products.

£140, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK

FROM £115, WWW.VEXIA.CO.UK

£75, WWW.ROBERTSRADIO.CO.UK

FROM £300, WWW.SAGEMWIRELESS.COM



Home Gadget of the year Up against an impressive line-up of labour-saving devices for today’s modern housewife/husband, this robot vacuum cleaned up, but only just – again, it was the reader vote that swung it… Samsung Navibot SR8845E

There have been robo-vacs on the market for years, but something about this one has captured your imagination. Perhaps it’s the big-name brand behind it, the sleek look and the cleverness of its tech. The Navibot’s integrated camera takes a picture of your room, selects an optimum cleaning path and then sets to work vacuuming; sensors detect obstructions so that it avoids collisions. When its battery runs low, Navibot automatically returns to its charging station and as a result you never have to so much as think about vacuuming again. Isn’t that what the future was meant to be like? That’s why the Navibot beat the Kenwood Cooking Chef in this tightly-contested category. FROM £400, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK

What the judges said… “The concept of just switching it on and letting it do its thing is enough for me. I want one.” MARTIN STANFORD, SKY NEWS

FINALVOTEBY

READERS

The runners up… Four more household favourites

Kenwood Cooking Chef

Dulux PaintPod Compact

Tefal Actifry

Dyson City DC26

It mixes your meal, then cooks it. Sure to be popular with confirmed bachelors and the time-poor, the Cooking Chef is a miracle of modern culinary technology and very nearly the winner in this category.

Another decidedly Jetsons-esque device, this scaled-down PaintPod allows easy repainting of your tired old walls, with paint pumped in a smooth, continuous flow to your roller. An outdoor version also exists.

Take the guilt out of frying with this healthy beast, which can fry a kilo of chips with just one spoonful of oil. A timer lets you know when it’s done, while a filter reduces cooking smells. A triumph of human ingenuity.

With a footprint smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, the City is perfect for urban living in bijou spaces. Its performance is nothing short of mind blowing for its size and it fits under most beds or in the smallest of cupboards.

£1,000, WWW.KENWOODWORLD.COM/UK

£30, WWW.DULUX.CO.UK

£150, WWW.TEFAL.CO.UK

£185, WWW.DYSON.CO.UK





Design Award Celebrating not only the aesthetic appeal, but how a product has most improved in function, Samsung’s ultra-luxe TV 9000 Series impressed enough judges to take the first T Design Award. Samsung UE55C9000

You voted for it and so did most of our judges, though there were dissenting voices raised in favour of the MacBook-like aluminium unibody of the HTC Legend and the heft, sheen and large-iPod-Touchalikeness of Apple’s iPad. Ultimately though, it’s hard to argue with the 9000 Series’ sheer quality of materials, its next-level tech and its innovation. As thin as a pencil, its austerely beautiful titanium frame catches the light, with its seamless form disguising touch controls. The remote control’s got a bloody screen in it! That barely serves a purpose we can discern, but it’s just one more luxury flourish in a TV set that takes your breath away. The picture quality isn’t too shoddy either. How does full LED backlighting and 2D to 3D upscaling grab you? £4,500, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK

What the judges said… “The first time I saw it I was incredibly impressed. It quite literally stopped me in my tracks.” LUKE PETERS, T EDITOR

The runners up… Design classics for every occasion

Olympus PEN E-P2

HTC Legend

Dyson City DC26

Apple iPad

How hard can it be to design a great camera? Just take a timeless outer casing and stuff it with the most modern tech you can lay hands on. Odd then that only Olympus seems to be able to pull it off…

Taking a few cheeky design cues from Apple, the Legend has an aluminium body, interrupted around the front edge only by an optical trackpad. It looks great, feels great in the hand and is a pretty great phone to boot.

It’s got a footprint smaller than an A4 sheet of paper, Dyson’s instantly recognisable mix of coloured, metallic and transparent plastics and its performance is nothing short of mind blowing for its size. Form and function…

A pretty much perfect shape and size for everything except video, the iPad wows everyone who picks it up. Simple enough for anyone to use yet sophisticated enough to do great things on, it’s Apple to the power of 10.

£690, WWW.OLYMPUS.CO.UK


£185, WWW.DYSON.CO.UK





What the judges said… “She’s the main reason thousands of people tune in to watch a TV programme about gadgets.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

FINALVOTEBY

READERS

Suzi Perry

Personality of the year Awarded to the person who has done the most to bring technology to the masses and to raise the profile of gadgets and consumer technology. One lady stole your hearts...

Arguably the most glamorous of all the Gadget Show hosts, Suzi grabbed this Award from the despairing fingers of Jason Chen. Our judges were split, with some feeling she’d had a better all-round year while others argued she’d done nothing quite so attention-grabbing as Chen’s iPhone 4 scoop of the century (closely followed by his door-kicking-downby-the-fuzz of the century). The reader vote put Suzi P ahead, however. That’s democracy in action. Perry has helped turn gadget-love, once deemed to be a dirty activity done solely in dark places by men ostracised by decent society, into a mainstream obsession. Her chipper, pin-sharp personality adds an improbable air of cool to the otherwise ever so slightly naff milieu of Five’s The Gadget Show. @SUZIPERRY, WWW.SUZIPERRY.COM

The runners up… Five more tip-top techy slebs

Jonathan Ross

Charlie Brooker

Stephen Fry

Jason Chen

Martha Lane-Fox

He may have packed his bags and left the BBC but Jonathan Ross’ interest in, and influence on, the tech industry is sure to remain strong. Maybe next year, Wossy.

Better known for his loudmouth ranting, Brooker’s connections to the tech industry have seen him push gadgets to the forefront of public consciousness.

Last year’s winner remains easily the UK’s best-known tech lover.Just as Apple faced a backlash this year, so did Fry, its most visible fan.We’re sure he enjoys the irony of that.

Gizmodo’s editor enraged Apple, stirred the online gadget thinkerati to a fever pitch and continues to run one of the best gadget blogs in the world. Nice work, fella…

Labour’s“Broadband champion”did better than Labour itself by hanging onto her job after the election. She’s a staunch advocate for those excluded by the digital revolution.

@WOSSY

@CHARLTONBROOKER

@STEPHENFRY

@DISKOPO

@MARTHALANEFOX



What the judges said… “HTC continues to impress. I don’t think it’s ever made a bad phone. HTC is one of the key reasons for Android’s success.” CLAUDINE BEAUMONT, TECHNOLOGY EDITOR, THE TELEGRAPH

UNANIMOUS

WINNER

HTC

What’s perhaps most surprising about the Gadget Awards this year is the very clear consensus that emerged in many categories. In this one, for instance, all our judges and you agreed that it was HTC’s year. Certainly it had some superb products, most notably the Desire and its close cousin, the under-rated Google Nexus One. The HD Mini will also go down as the last ever great WinMo 6 handset. However, a “brand” is not just about what it produces but its whole aura and the way it conducts itself. Nobody could reasonably argue that HTC’s product slate beat Apple’s this year, but where the American firm found itself mired in controversy and facing a backlash for its perceived smugness and control freakery, HTC sailed benignly on…

Tech Brand of the year Last year it went from zero to hero. This year HTC’s contribution to the tech industry has cemented its place as the most exciting name in mobiles and a brand familiar to all.

WWW.HTC.COM/UK

The runners up… The brands that shaped the last year

Apple

Samsung

Google

Sky

The iPhone 4, iPad, iPod Touch and new MacBook Pro and MacBook ranges would have been enough to secure a less polarising company than Apple the Brand crown. All it needs to refresh now is its public image…

The Korean megacorp continued to turn out great devices in just about every area of consumer tech. It’s replaced Sony as the far Eastern brand that’s synonymous with high-quality electric goods at a decent price.

It tried its hand at selling mobiles –that didn’t work out so well, but the Nexus One was a great device. It continued to refine its mapping, mail and search facilities. The good will towards Google seems inexhaustable.

Sky cemented its grip on the UK’s paid-for TV market with 46 HD channels, a 3D one as well and a very tasty new 1TB PVR. It’s long since left behind its brainless “nothing but footie and blockbusters” image.

WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK

WWW.GOOGLE.COM

WWW.SKY.COM





Gadget of the year And the winner is… heavier than we thought it was going to be. The iPad’s perfectly judged heft isn’t the only thing that captured attention. It’s a whole new gadget category.



Apple iPad Wi-Fi + 3G

UNANIMOUS

There was no argument on this one. In fact, from the moment it was shortlisted, the iPad’s victory in the Gadget of the year category seemed as certain as the result of the next North Korean election. Tablets have been around for years, but the iPad really has next to nothing in common with old-style Windows touchscreen devices. It’s not a refining of the category but a redefinition. The iPad is a computer with an interface of such tactility and simplicity that anyone can use one within seconds of picking it up. That simplicity is not without its drawbacks – the iPad badly needs the multitasking that will finally come next month with iOS 4.2 for a start – but it means the iPad has the potential to become almost omnipresent in our lives. Magazines look great on it, as T’s new app will amply demonstrate. The web works brilliantly, regardless of the absence of Flash. As an informal, portable presentational tool for work it’s second to none. With both 3G and Wi-Fi it’s always connected, as are we all today. The iPad could herald the dawn of a new era; the flood of me-too products has already begun. It could simply be a fantastically good gadget that’ll never find a real niche. Either way, it’s the best thing that’s happened this year in the tech world, hands down.

WINNER


What the judges said… “Immense coverage, thousands of people queueing on the day of the launch: the reaction alone justifies its title as T’s Gadget of the year.” KIERAN ALGER, EDITOR, T3.COM

The runners up… Four more near perfect gadgets

Samsung UE55C9000

HTC Desire

Sky+HD

Apple iPhone 4

Nominated in two other categories; won the Design Award. Samsung’s no-holds-barred, no-expense-spared approach to telly design turned heads and won attention for its more affordable lines. A triumph of design will.

Nominated in two other categories; won Phone of the year. The Desire was the first handset to eclipse the 3GS, Apple’s phone at the time Awards voting started, and the first truly great Android phone. Pure genius.

Nominated in one other category. Sky’s box gives access to far more HD material than any other source and is ready for its new 3D channel. The hardware is highly impressive as well, with 1TB of storage.

Nominated in three other categories; won Commuter Gadget of the year. Pound for pound the best smartphone you can buy, the iPhone 4’s killer mix of high-res screen and great apps is hard to resist.



£VARIABLE, WWW.SKY.COM



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storemags & fantamag - magazines for all READER OFFER

To celebrate this year’s T Award winning gadgets, we’ve teamed up with one of the UK’s finest department stores to offer all T readers the chance to save pounds on a wide range of tech. From TVs to audio visual kit, games consoles to laptops, you can claim up to a whopping 10 per cent off in the technology halls at Selfridges until November 25. Simply visit your nearest Selfridges store and present your T Reward Card to claim your discount. This card expires on November 25 2010

You’ re invited T viP reader event On October 21, T3 and Selfridges will be hosting a VIP readers’ event at Selfridges, Technology Hall, Lower Ground Floor, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB. You’re invited to join T3 as we take in everything that the comprehensive technology floor has to offer as well as some exclusive product demonstrations and talks from some of the technology world’s leading brands. Join us from 6pm-9pm to... n Meet the T3 team n Find out how we test, review and cover the biggest tech stories n Experience exclusive product demonstrations n Enjoy a relaxed shopping experience in the technology hall n Drinks available throughout the evening n Use your Selfridges Reward Card with the help of some expert shopping advice n The first five readers will receive a fantastic tech prize If you’d like to be at this event simply email: [email protected] with “Selfridges VIP” as the subject line telling us what you’d spend your 10 per cent Selfridges discount on. The first 300 responses will be allocated entry to this one off in-store event.

Terms and condiTions: This card is redeemable against merchandise as stated below at all selfridges stores across the UK and excludes www.selfridges.com. The card must be handed in to redeem the relevant discount. The reward card is open to UK residents, except for employees and contractors (and their families) of selfridges retail Ltd and operators of its brands and concessions. selfridges retail Limited reserves the right to provide a substitute prize/s of similar value should the prize/s chosen become unavailable for reasons beyond their control. once awarded the discount is non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered. The Promoter is selfridges retail Ltd., 400 oxford street, London W1a 1aB. registration no. 97117. Participants are entitled to 10% off all sound & vision and photography lines at all selfridges stores, including iPod docks. 10% off all Pc peripherals and accessories. card holders are also entitled to a 5% saving across all laptops. exclusions: offer does not apply to products within the following concessions: Bang & olufsen, carphone Warehouse, Game and selected lines at HmV.

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panasonic p50vt20£2,000

lg47ld950 £2,200

The only plasma TV on test delivers super-smooth 2D and stellar 3D

Using passive 3D tech means cheaper specs, but is the quality up to scratch?

3d tvs: Best of theneWbreed Get 3D-ready with full-HD sets that also happen to be great with two-dimensional images… Words steve may Photography Will ireland, getty images, image.net

9 4 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


samsung ue46c8790 £2,500

With spectacular 2D and 3D images this set is an all-round hit

storemags & fantamag - magazines for all sonykdl46hx903£2,500

3 d t vs

T

A super HD TV, with 3D available as an add-on kit.That’ ll be £ 200 more, please…

E S T

lg47lx9900 £2,300

A solid, slimline 3D telly with the added “excitement”of a Wii-like remote

t

he hottest ticket in home entertainment today is 3D, and the latest TVs have finally made the gimmick something you’d welcome into your lounge. How? By making 3D the icing on the cake rather than the sole selling point, with tellies that also have immensely impressive 2D visuals and a welter of additional features. We tested sets by most of the big names. Which was the most eyepopping? Read on, sir… + D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 9 5

LG 47LX9900

T

E

S

T

+

details £2,300, WWW.LG.CO.UK SCREEN 47 inch LED-backlit LCD RESOLUTION 1920x1080 TUNER Freeview HD CONNECTIONS 4x HDMI, 2x Scart, component, AV phonos, PC input, 2x USB 2.0, headphone out, LAN, digital audio output AUDIO 30W Nicam stereo

A Wii-like remote and narrow bezel add a bit of pizzaz to a solid set dimensions

HEIGHT 711mm WIDTH 1086mm DEPTH 255mm WEIGHT 22.1Kg

without stand

1

THE STAND

Looks straightforward, but in fact a right pain to assemble and attach 2

THE FRAME

LG’s Infinia design takes the TV image to the very edge of the frame 3

3D GLASSES

LG’s 3D specs exude a nerdish cool. You get two pairs with the LX9900

O

ne of LG’s new Infinia range, this 47-inch LED screen uses activeshutter 3D tech. It also has a Wii-esque remote control and the smallest bezel in the group – at just 255mm, pictures extend nearly to the very edge of the frame. The set is slim at just 255mm but you still get plenty of connections, as well as not one but two remotes. One is a standard plastic zapper; comfortable but unremarkable. The other is LG’s so-called Magic Remote, which you waggle and point like a Wii controller. It takes some getting used to, but works well enough. While SD sources can look coarse and unrefined, hi-def material looks brilliant. Normally we’d urge caution when using any high-frame-rate picture processing, but LG’s 400Hz TruMotion is essential, as images look mushy as hell with it turned off. For 3D, this has the most comfortable active-shutter specs and 3D image depth is impressive. However there is some double

imaging where images for the left eye leak into the right eye and vice versa – “crosstalk”, as it’s known. Audio performance is poor, with the rear-facing speaker system serving up a thin, insubstantial noise with no appreciable stereo spread. It’s comparable to a portable DAB radio – no joke. Also irksome is the LX9900’s half-baked networking. There’s only YouTube, Picasa and a weather app to see on the brand’s NetCast content portal and DLNA file compatibility is hit and miss, with most H.264 and AVI working, but some MKVs refusing to play. Troublesome files did work via the USB drive, though. Solid rather than inspired, in short. LOVE Intuitive user interface. Hi-def picture quality. Stylish Infinia design. Comfortable 3D glasses HATE Poor online content portal. Thin sound. Mediocre standard-def picture performance. 3D Crosstalk effects WE SAY This smart looking activeshutter set is solid rather than inspired, with only its Wii-like “Magic Remote” standing it out from the pack

9 6 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


KILLER FEATURE: MAGIC WAND

Much like a Wii controller, the Magic Remote enables you to control an onscreen cursor to navigate and click. It’ s intuitive and quick, even if it’ s not exactly life changing

Accessorise LG MEDIA BOX

Lets you go wireless and fancy-free, transmitting your sources to the screen in up to 1080p HD, without need for cabling £240, WWW.LG.CO.UK

storemags & fantamag - magazines for all 3 d t vs

T

PANASONIC P50vt20

E S

details

T

£2,000, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK SCREEN 50-inch Neo PDP

plasma panel RESOLUTION 1920x1080 TUNERS Freeview HD

and Freesat HD CONNECTIONS 4x HDMIs,

2x Scart, audio in (for video), component, composite, AV phono, LAN, optical out, 2x USB, mini jack AUDIO 20W Nicam stereo

stormingly good plasma offers great 2d and best-on-test 3d dimensions


without stand

1 SD SLOT

Allows fast and easy viewing of hi-res jpegs and AVCHD video 2 PANEL

The set is THX certified, with a one-button preset that optimises the picture for movie playback and gives 1:1 pixel matching 3 3D GLASSES

You get two pairs of active-shutter 3D specs

T

he first 3D plasma TV, Panasonic’s bronze giant has stood alone but revered since its early summer launch. Good news for plasma fans, as this flagship model has much to commend it. The 600Hz Intelligent Frame Creation actually contributes artefacts rather than eliminating them, but with it turned off the VT20 – as you’d expect from a plasma – offers the best moving picture resolution on test. In fact, the 2D image quality is generally superb from both regular TV and full-HD sources. The VT20 is also the top dog when it comes to 3D visuals. Crosstalk – the double-image effect created when picture info meant for one eye bleeds into the other – is eliminated. Even though a lot of light is absorbed by the supplied 3D glasses, impairing colour fidelity, with the TV in dynamic mode the 3D experience still wows you, as long as you can live with the uncomfortable specs.

Design is conservative but smart, with a bronze-tinged bezel and silver trim. System connectivity is good, and you can hook a hard drive to one of the two USB inputs for basic programme recording. Go online via ethernet or optional Wi-Fi dongle and you’ll find Panasonic’s VieraCast content portal isn’t exactly overstocked, though it does offer YouTube, Picasa and other sundries. The set is also DLNA compliant, allowing you to stream MP3s, AVIs, HD MKVs and DivX files from your network. The VT20 is a class-leading panel. At £2,000 it’s not cheap, but then none of these tellies are. LOVE Excellent standard def and HD image quality in 2D with THX-certified image quality. Crosstalk-free 3D visuals. DLNA streaming. Choice of Freesat and Freeview HD tuners HATE Uncomfortable 3D glasses. Tired user interface. Over-eager picture processing modes WE SAY This superb 2D plasma also happens to be the best 3D performer currently available

KILLER FEATURE: DUAL TUNERS

Unlike the other screens in this test the VT20 has both Freeview HD and Freesat tuners, giving the widest selection of free TV channels

Accessorise DMP-BDT300

Panasonic’ s bleedingedge 3D Blu-ray player is an ideal partner for the VT20 plasma £399, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

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D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 97

LG 47Ld950

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details £2,200, WWW.LG.CO.UK SCREEN 47-inch

CCFL LCD TV RESOLUTION 1920x1080 TUNER Freeview CONNECTIONS 4x HDMI,

Scart, Half Scart, component, AV phonos, PC input, USB, digital audio output AUDIO 20W Nicam stereo

Uses passive rather than active 3d tech but feels a bit passé dimensions

HEIGHT 723.4mm WIDTH 1173.4mm DEPTH 100.8mm WEIGHT 20.8Kg

without stand

1

TUNER

There’s no Freeview HD tuner so you’ll need another source to get HD 2 INTERFACE

LG’s menu system is easy to navigate and there’s no shortage of image parameter controls 3

3D GLASSES

Four pairs of Passive 3D specs are supplied

A

s well as the activeshutter LX9900 reviewed on p96, LG is also punting around the UK’s only passive polarisation 3D TV. The LD950 is the least sophisticated TV here, but not without charm. Using the same tech as your local cinema or Sky 3D-enabled pub, passive 3D specs are cheaper as they have no electronic components. However, the way the passive system works means the resolution of any 3D source is effectively halved. The compromise is apparent on 3D Blu-rays when compared to the active-shutter sets but Sky 3D – which is a half resolution system to begin with – looks pretty darn good. Colour fidelity is strong and image brightness is much higher than on rival active-shutter models. The LD950 also uses cheaper backlighting, with a standard CCFL rather than LED. As a result its 2D images are pretty average. They’re likeable enough, but they lack the black bite of an LED-lit set.

What’s more, there’s no Freeview HD tuner and no online portal or networking, though you can play a limited selection of video files, plus MP3 and jpegs via the screen’s USB input. Given all this, the set’s asking price seems ridiculously steep. Still, at least there’s plenty to tweak. Using the simple menu system you can dig deep to massage colour, gamma and the rest. It’s a bit superfluous though: LG’s handy Picture Wizard makes fine tuning a breeze. To keep LCD blur at bay it offers 200Hz picture processing – in reality a 100Hz refresh rate with flickering backlight. Overall, there’s no sensible reason to choose the LD950, even given the cheaper glasses. LOVE Cheap, lightweight passive 3D glasses. Fine 3D performance with Sky 3D. Lots of picture processing options HATE 3D Blu-ray suffers compared to active models and 2D picture quality is average. No Freeview HD tuner or internet connectivity WE SAY Too expensive to recommend

9 8 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


KILLER FEATURE: THE 3D SYSTEM

The LG 47LD950 has a micro-polarizer lens bonded onto the front of its screen, so no electronics are needed in the 3D glasses, so they’ re cheaper. Good news if you’ ve got a large family and/or lots of friends…

Accessorise SKY+ HD

The best 3D source for the 47LD950. The UK’ s first 3D TV channel will offer a mixture of sports, movies and general entertainment FROM FREE WITH SUB, SKY.COM


T

SONY KdL-46HX903

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details

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£2,500 PLUS £200 FOR 3D KIT, WWW.SONY.CO.UK SCREEN 46-inch full

LED-backlit LCD RESOLUTION 1920x1080 TUNER Freeview HD CONNECTIONS 4x HDMI,

2x Scart, component, composite, AV phonos, PC input, digital audio output, USB, LAN, mini jack AUDIO 20W Nicam stereo

sony’s typically plush tv offers stellar Hd but less successful 3d dimensions


without stand

1 SIDE INPUTS

With only two HDMIs on the rear, most people will be forced to use the side inputs – a tad unsightly 2 THE FRAME

The screen has a high-gloss finish but the frame is rather chunky 3 3D GLASSES

Sony’s 3D specs are large and easily accommodate prescription glasses

S

ony’s is the only TV here that requires the purchase of a separate 3D emitter – the cylindrical TMRBR100 – and 3D glasses. That’ll be another £200, then. Sony argues that this approach enables cautious punters to choose when they want to upgrade, but it seems both inelegant and stingy on a £2,500 TV. That said, this is undoubtedly an impressive TV. Image quality from Blu-rays and Freeview HD channels shines, with details that prick the eye. Full-LED backlighting with local dimming delivers strong blacks and bright peak whites and there are extensive picture controls, although you should exercise some care when fiddling with them. The screen is also great with fast moving content thanks to the Motionflow Pro 400 picture processing. Full HD clarity is retained even with fast tracking shots making it the best LCD choice for armchair sports enthusiasts, though the Panasonic plasma is even better. The 3D performance is a mixed

bag, as there are issues with 3D crosstalk and the clunky glasses are subject to serious colour shift and picture distortion if your viewing angle deviates from the horizontal – slouchers be warned. The set can convert 2D material to faux 3D, though results are less convincing than the Samsung on p100. Where this Sony scores big is online content with plenty to view, both free and paid-for including YouTube, Lovefilm, Eurosport and DailyMotion, though no iPlayer. Network streaming is more limited, though extensive media support is offered via USB. Topping off an excellent set, the build quality is a tad superior to the brand’s HX840 range and the look is very smart indeed. LOVE Dynamic HD picture quality. Bravia Internet portal. Great look HATE 3D is an optional extra only and suffers crosstalk effects. Limited network file support. Pricey WE SAY A very impressive 2D LED TV, though the 3D doesn’t pass muster

KILLER FEATURE: THE STAND

As part of Sony’ s Monolith range, the TV stand is unconventional, allowing you to angle the screen at a less than sober six degree tilt

Accessorise BDP-S570

Sony’ s 3D-ready Blu-ray player is great value. Gamers might choose to hold out for the PS3’ s 3D movie upgrade however £250, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

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D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 9 9

SAMSUNG Ue46C8790

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details £2,500, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK SCREEN 46-inch LED-backlit LCD RESOLUTION 1920x1080 TUNER Freeview HD CONNECTIONS 4x HDMI, composite, optical out, 2x USB, DVI, mini jack. Via dongle: 2x Scart, component, AV phonos, PC input AUDIO 20W Nicam stereo

test Winner

Jaw-dropping Hd visual quality and impressive 3d make this a winner dimensions

HEIGHT 653mm WIDTH 1092mm DEPTH 26.5mm WEIGHT 16.8Kg

without stand

1 TRANSPARENT FRAME

This isn’t just for show. There are touch-sensitive controls that just cry out to be prodded 2 PANEL

The set is backlit by edge LEDs, delivering deep blacks and bold colours. There’s a velvety richness to the set’s colour 3 3D GLASSES

Samsung’s eyewear is light and relatively comfortable but also quite fragile so try not to sit on them

Y

ou can’t help but be dazzled by Samsung’s 8000 series LED range. From design to performance, these are classleading screens. This 46-incher is just 26.5mm deep, with a metallic bezel framed by a clear plastic edge for a very stylish, neat look. As the panel is so thin, you’ll need to use a variety of supplied adaptors to connect anything other than HDMIs. This is fiddly, but you’ll soon have everything from component to Scart hooked up, and the set connected via ethernet to your network. Picture clarity is extraordinary. The set is the best for overall picture sharpness. Motion resolution is good for LCD once Natural Motion processing is turned off. Also change the picture-size setting to Screen Fill mode with HD sources. The set’s 3D performance is also very good, if not quite as good as the Panasonic. Samsung’s 3D glasses filter less light than Panasonic’s so pictures look brighter but it is prone

to crosstalk double-imaging. The UE46C8790 also makes a decent stab at converting high quality 2D sources into pseudo 3D. It’s well worth experimenting with on Xbox 360 and PS3 games. Samsung’s Internet@TV is the best for online content, with Lovefilm, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, BBC iPlayer and a smattering of simple games. The set is also an adept media streamer, able to play jpegs, MP3s and AVI, MKV and H.264 video files from both NAS devices and USB drives. The hi-res user interface is deliciously easy to navigate and the icing on the cake is the best remote control in the Samsung range. LOVE Stunningly sharp images. Beautiful design and user interface. Internet@TV online content portal. DLNA multimedia streaming HATE Some superfluous viewing modes. Fiddly input adaptors WE SAY The best of Samsung’s current extensive TV range, the S series is a truly great all-round HDTV

1 0 0 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


KILLER FEATURE: 3D CONVERSION

Regular 2D content can be made to work surprisingly well in 3D, particularly games. You haven’ t lived until you’ ve died playing COD 3D

Accessorise BD-C6900

Samsung’ s 3D Blu-ray player has a stylish translucent lid, so you can enjoy watching the disc spin even if the movie sucks £350, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK


T

test Winner

E

stats of truth 3D TVs

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●

T

PRODUCT

lg 47LX9900

panasonic P50VT20

lg 47LD950

sony KDL46HX903

samsung UE46C8790

PRICE

£2,300

£2,000

£2,200

£2,500, PLUS £200 FOR 3D KIT

£2,500

WEBSITE

WWW.LG.CO.UK

WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

WWW.LG.CO.UK

WWW.SONY.CO.UK

WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK

SCREEN

47-inch, 1920x1080

50-inch, 1920x1080

47-inch, 1920x1080

46-inch, 1920x1080

46-inch, 1920x1080

TECHNOLOGY

LED-backlit LCD

Neo PDP panel (plasma)

CCFL LCD TV

LED-backlit LCD

LED-backlit LCD

TV TUNER

Freeview HD

Freeview HD/ Freesat HD

Freeview

Freeview HD

Freeview HD

CONNECTIONS

4x HDMI, 2x Scart, component, AV phonos, PC input, 2x USB 2.0, headphone out, LAN, digital audio output

4x HDMIs, 2x Scart, audio in, component, composite, audio out, LAN, digital audio out, 2x USB, mini jack

4x HDMI, Scart, Half Scart, component, composite, PC input, USB, digital audio output

4x HDMI, 2x Scart, component, composite, AV phonos, PC input, digital audio out, USB, ethernet, 3.5mm out

4x HDMI, composite, optical out, 2x USB, DVI, 3.5mm audio. Via dongle: 2x Scart, component, composite, PC

SOUND AUDIO

20W (2x10W) Nicam stereo

30W (2x10W + 10W woofer) Nicam stereo




SIZE

1086x711x255mm

1224x771x90mm

1173x723x101mm

1124x695x67mm

1092x653x27mm

WEIGHT

22.1Kg without stand





LOVE

Intuitive user interface. Hi-def picture quality. Stylish Infinia design with narrow bezel. Comfortable 3D glasses

Excellent standard-def and hi-def, THX-certified images in 2D. Crosstalk-free 3D visuals. Freesat and Freeview HD tuners

Cheap, light, passive 3D specs. Fine 3D performance with Sky 3D. A wealth of picture options are available

Dynamic hi-def picture quality. Bravia Internet portal is packed with tasty extras. It’ s a great looking television

Stunningly sharp images. Beautiful design and interface. Internet@TV online content. DLNA multimedia streaming

HATE

Poor online content portal. Thin sound. Mediocre standard-def picture performance. Crosstalk interference on 3D video

Uncomfortable 3D glasses. Wearisome user interface. Over-eager picture processing modes need to be turned off

3D Blu-ray suffers compared to active models and 2D pictures are average. No Freeview HD or internet connectivity

3D is an optional, £ 200 extra only and suffers from crosstalk interference. Limited network file support. Pricey

Some superfluous viewing modes. Fiddly input adaptors are an adverse effect of the slimmed down design

WE SAY

This smart looking active-shutter set is solid rather than inspired, with only its Wii-like “Magic Remote” standing it out from the pack

This superb 2D plasma also happens to be the best 3D performer currently available. Plasma fans should look no further for their next set

Lacks the image quality, 3D prowess and many of the features we’ ve come to expect from HD TVs. Ultimately, too expensive to recommend

An undeniably impressive 2D LED TV, though the 3D is an afterthought and doesn’ t quite pass muster. Somewhat “premium” pricing, too

The best of Samsung’ s current extensive TV range, the S series is a truly great all-round HD TV that’ s more than capable of delivering great 3D images

RATING

Opinion HANNAH BOUCKLEY T REVIEWS AND HOME EDITOR

For this, T’s first TV group test with nothing but 3D sets, we went for the solid, mid-range £2,000 to £2,500 price bracket. That might sound a little high, but you all know that nobody in their right mind pays RRP on a TV set, right? The LG 47LD950 is the only one to use passive technology, meaning cheaper specs but 3D performance that lags behind other sets. LG’s second offering, the 47LX9900, uses active 3D but standard-def quality is a let-down –it’s easy to forget amidst all the hoopla around 3D and hi-def that all too much telly is still only broadcast in SD. Sony’s good-looking set offers great picture quality and online content but 3D is available as a £200 add-on, making the set feel over-priced. The only plasma on test, the Panasonic also produces the best 3D pictures here. The Samsung UE46C8790, however, has it all: looks, ease of use, very good online extras and stunning 3D…

10reasonstobuy samsungue46c8790 What is the secret of its power? Hi-def

of bonus content, including Lovefilm, Facebook, Twitter, BBC iPlayer and YouTube

This Samsung produces a razor-sharp, 1920x1080 image. 3D is also in full HD

5

1

2 Colour The set’s vividly coloured pictures look bright and punchy even when viewed through 3D specs

3

3d upscaling Samsung offers the best 2D-to-3D conversion technology, so when you run out of genuine 3D content – there’s only so many times you can watch Monsters Vs Aliens, after all – you can upscale HD games and films

LEd backlighting

6

Edge-lit LED backlighting gives you huge dynamic contrast and deep blacks

design

4 Online content Samsung’s Internet@TV portal offers a rich selection

Samsung’s £7,000 9000 Series TV has grabbed more attention, but the 8000 Series is hardly an ugly sister. It’s just 26.5mm thick and the touch-sensitive controls work a treat

7 Interface High-resolution menus make navigation a breeze

8 Networking The screen’s DLNA networking support is the best in its class – great news for video file hoarders

9 Remote The stylish remote control is simple and easy to use

10 Mount it

How we tested 1 All the 3D TVs on test were auditioned using Sony’ s BDP-S570 3D player. They then displayed the same 3D film – what else but Monsters vs Aliens – to compare the depth and smoothness of the picture. 2 A selection of video and music files were used to challenge each TV’ s ability to cope with differing file formats. These included AVCHD formats, as well as DivX, standard-def AVIs and MKV files. 3 To assess the quality of each TV’ s audio, a variety of loud, explosion-filled film sequences – like the truck chase from The Dark Knight – were played at top volume. They also played a selection of CDs and MP3s.

The UE46C8790 is so slim, and so light at 16.8kg that hanging it on the wall is practically mandatory

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 0 1

2

SOUND INVESTMENT AFTER GREAT SOUND FOR MOVIES, GAMES AND MUSIC?

ONKYO TAKES THE EXPENSE AND FAFF OUT OF IT ALL... If you’re a cinema lover with a great TV but no dedicated sound system, you’re only seeing half the picture. Audio is a huge part of the cinematic experience…

WOINSU!RROUNDOS

KY SON AN ON PACKAGE, TV D SOUN YSTEM AND S GO TO M/S/ .T3.COO W W W ONKY

1

GAME ON!

Super-adaptable Onkyo HTX-22HDX gets the best out of game soundtracks and can be expanded to a full 5.1 system

£500, WWW.ONKYO.CO.UK

Pop into one of Richer Sounds 51 stores nationwide. Visit www.richersounds.com for full store details…

£300, WWW.ONKYO.CO.UK

Pop into one of Richer Sounds 51 stores nationwide. Visit www.richersounds.com for full store details…

Spec POWER 5x 100W + 130W sub CONNECTIONS 3x HDMI 1.4, 2x optical, coaxial,

A great bedroom or games room 2.1 system, Onkyo’s HTX-22HDX can be set up in minutes. Better sound on games means a more immersive experience. You’ll feel every blast in shooters, every lunging tackle in footie sims and every note in music games. With many games offering soundtracks to rival Hollywood, it’d be a crime to stick to just your TV’s speakers.

Spec CHANNELS 2.1 (can be made 5.1 with

4x AV,

SKS22X upgrade package, £100) POWER 2x 25W + 50W sub

audio in, headphones, ethernet AUDIO FORMATS Dolby True HD; DTS HD Master Audio; Dolby Digital Plus; DTS-HD High Res

CONNECTIONS 3x HDMI 1.4, 2x optical, coaxial, 2x phono audio in


WORDS DAN GEORGE PHOTOGRAPHY ADRIAN LYON

You’re just not going to get great sound from the speakers built into your telly. Yes, your new LED set looks tasty, but a thin telly means thin sound. Too many people have got it into their heads that having a proper home cinema sound system is going to break the bank and require professional installation. Onkyo begs to differ. Its latest system combines the HT-S3305 5.1 receiver and speakers with the BD-SP308 Blu-ray player for just 500 quid. Available at Richer Sounds, where helpful assistants and relaxed listening rooms take the pain out of purchasing, Onkyo’s system is a one-box solution that’s a doddle to set up. Each speaker is labelled so you know where to place it and the speaker cables are colour coded. Just plug your Blu-ray player, satellite or cable box, console and any audio source into the Onkyo receiver. One cable then plugs it all into your TV. It’s that simple, and with three HDMIs, digital audio and ethernet for BD Live on the Blu-ray deck, there’s no shortage of connectivity options –just add some good quality cables from a top manufacturer such as The Chord Company. Use Onkyo’s UP-A1 and you can play videos stored on your iPod or iPhone too. Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio are supported, getting the best from your Blu-rays and DVDs. Onkyo’s system also makes a beautiful noise when fed music or next-gen games. Sound is rich and punchy, far better than what you’d expect for the price. Great sound isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Your TV’s speakers aren’t up to the job…but Onkyo’s system is.


3 The details 1 BD-SP308

The Blu-ray deck is also great for upscaling DVDs and has ethernet for BD Live 2 HT-S3305

The 5.1 receiver is the heart of the system and incredible value. It’ s easy to set up and pumps out cinema-quality sound to the bundled speakers 3 ONKYO SPEAKERS

With 100W centre and surround speakers and a 130W sub, these discreet units pack a hi-fi punch

ULTIMATE SONIC SETUP Onkyo + Sonos = multi-room musical nirvana

Live the multi-room dream with Sonos’ hugely desirable Zone Players and Onkyo’s superb sound systems. Stream CD-quality sound throughout your place, from Spotify or your own collection, controlling it all with the wonderfully tactile, touchscreen Sonos Controller 200 or your iPhone via a free app. You also get access to thousands of online radio stations. It’s the ultimate audio lifestyle choice. Start with the Sonos Bundle 250, partnered with your Onkyo HT-S3305 to get sound in two rooms, then add Zone Players and Onkyo hi-fis to more rooms as required. Turn audio on and off in rooms remotely as you wish, blast the same tune throughout your house with all rooms perfectly in sync, or have something different in each room: the choice is yours.


storemags & fantamag - magazines for all wo r l d - c h a n g i n g t e c h

j urneyof discovery Words by chris smith

what the GadGets you own today will look like in ten years time Photography by richard Grassie Styling by david hawkins

☞

You may not realise it, but you’re a guinea pig. Some of the gadgets you own and use today are providing the backbone for what will follow tomorrow and how we’ll work, rest and play in ten years. Sounds unlikely? Think about the tech landscape a decade ago. Satnavs were few and far between, email was a novelty and you were lucky if you could fit ten songs onto an MP3 player. But the technology existed, primitive as it was. We were road-testing the gadgets we use today. With smartphones set to outsell PCs by 2012, gesture-controlled gaming entering homes this month and augmented reality going mainstream, the tech landscape is changing again. Your actions and purchases are a key part of the evolution. The question is, what will the tech you use today be like in 2020? We’ve got some pointers…

ta bl ets

touc h proj ec t ion Light Touch Optics is pioneering pico projectors that double as touchscreen environments. Its eventual goal is to put the mouse and keyboard out of business for good, and it was nominated for a T Award in the Innovation category – see p66. Chief Technology Officer, Adrian Cable says: “Holographic Light Projection does things that no other display technology can do. We think that as we develop, module size and cost will be driven down to the point where projectors can be integrated seamlessly and cost-effectively everywhere in the built environment. Because it’s virtual it can deliver a

wireless multimedia experience to places where a conventional touchscreen simply doesn’t work.” This kind of go-anywhere touchscreen has numerous applications, from interactive ordering and payment systems beamed on restaurant tables to interactive advertising at street level – just enter your email address on the projected “billboard” to be sent special offers and product updates. By 2020 we could even see full 3D holographic projection, Cable suggests.

The iPad, Galaxy Tab et al represent the dawn of a new gadget era. By 2020 tablets will be paper-thin and entirely flexible, curving to the shape of, say, your jeans pocket.Whether tablets will kill off laptops as a result depends on how voice recognition tech develops and whether it ever becomes mainstream. If not, typing on a expert view keyboard will remain by far the fastest way of inputting Simon Stanford, head of data. Complex photo and video editing apps will also mobile, Samsung UK require more precision than is possible on a tablet. “the next step for tablets may include flexible lcd screens that can be folded up and put into your pocket. i don’t think tablets will kill laptops, though. we’ve had rockets for 50 years, but we still have bikes, cars and planes. what the tablet brings is an exciting and very efficient way of doing certain things we would have otherwise been doing on a laptop, desktop, tV or camera.” Futurologist ian Pearson adds, “there’ll be waterproof, paper-thin, flexible tablets in every room of your house,” while ray hammond, author of the world in 2030, says: “eventually they’ll morph into the centre of ‘holotheatres’, in which we’ll play, work and socialise.”

T HE SCI ENCE

More storage, more power Samsung has shown off prototype flexible screens, while LG and Nokia have also filed related patents. The US military is keen, and is funding Arizona State University’s research. Rugged, roll-away screens linked directly to a command centre would be far better than a heavy and fragile laptop on the battlefield. Making the rest of the components flexible is the big challenge… Hard drives will seem archaic by 2020, and flash storage could be a bit passé too. HP is seeking to replace the storage medium we see in many of today’s gadgets and is investing heavily in memristor tech. Drives made using this new tech will be ten times faster, more resilient to re-writing and will draw only one tenth of the power, meaning far less of a drain on battery life. The cloud, accessed via super-fast 4G wireless broadband – see smartphones, p110 – will also reduce the need for storage. Within the next year Qualcomm aims to go from its current flagship 1GHz processor, as seen on phones such as the HTC Desire, to a 1.7GHz dual core. Moore’s Law insists that in ten years time, the processors powering our tablets and other devices will make the iPad look like it’s running off a Pentium 486.

T’s 2020 prediction Tablets will be foldable, pocket-sized devices for content consumption. The cloud will be hugely important, holding all our media and documents. We can’t see there being more than two major OSes…

The future of driving is next on the grid…

1 0 6 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


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“bytheyear2020you’llhavewaterproof,paper-thin, fleXibletabletcomputersineveryroomofyourhouse”

☞

cars

Car design will become much more aerodynamic thanks to lighter, advanced hydraform steel and engines will become more fuel efficient, but petrol and diesel – albeit ever-greener variants of them – are unlikely to be history by 2020.

expert view Bill Reinert, Toyota’s US advanced vehicles manager “Until luxury manufacturers get involved the hybrid/ electric sector won’t be aspirational enough to go mainstream. Society craves the ubiquity of mobility, and i can’t see attitudes changing enough to give fully electric cars a big market share. when it comes to driverless cars, there’s already a lot of functionality there. the Prius has cameras that can correct your position if you’re drifting out of your lane, while proximity sensors will slow you down if the car in front reduces speed when in cruise control. the tech’s already there, but you’d have to pass so many regulations and then get society on board so it’s a three pronged stool.”

Peugeot’s EX1 concept. A two-seater electric roadster that delivers 340bhp and four-wheel drive

T HE SCI ENCE

Floor it! As cities become ever more snarled up and polluted, driverless technology could become advisable or even compulsory in built-up areas. Manufacturers and the public may not be keen on eco-vehicles and driverless tech – see Bill Reinert’s view, left – but governments could become very keen as they try to hit emissions targets. In-car connectivity is also sure to improve, and the incar apps industry will be worth $4 billion in the USA by 2017, according to recent research by IMS. GM’s GPS and broadband-based OnStar system leads the way, sending an alert if you’re involved in a crash and remotely shutting down your car if it’s stolen. This and systems such as Audi’s (see p128) will eventually lead to fully web-enabled cars. That’s great for entertainment, but also means cars can share location and speed details, preventing traffic jams or, in the case of driverless cars, ensuring that vehicles don’t pile into each other.

sat nav

With the likes of Google Maps Navigation bringing free turn-by-turn, voice-controlled satnav to newer smartphones, can the likes of TomTom survive into the next decade? If Google continues to increase the slickness of its app, by 2020 we could all be navigating for free, dodging traffic thanks to web-enabled cars communicating with each other, and then finding our exact destination with Google Street View. That doesn’t mean the traditional GPS companies are dead ducks, though. Their next move could be into location-aware gadgets with millimetre precision. Futurologist Ian Pearson sees a way forward for them if Google takes the lion’s share of the in-car satnav market. “They could develop city positioning systems that give millimetre accuracy in buildings and streets,” he says. “Greater precision has implications for marketing. For instance stores could

lay goods out on shelves according to the latest psychology-based directives from marketing head office. “The tech could mean workmen are able to dig or drill holes in precisely the right place for the job, making maintenance more like keyhole surgery than simply slicing the patient in two.” Fellow future gazer Ray Hammond agrees that rather than going quietly, the traditional satnav will just do more. “Satnav is by no means dead in the water, it will be assimilated into a much larger set of services which will include real-time traffic information, vehicle management services, and location-based services such as vouchers and offers for shops…”

T’s 2020 prediction Smartphones will be much better integrated into your car, providing satnav and entertainment, while 4G mobile broadband could see us all connected to the web even on motorways and country roads. But driverless, emission-free cars will still be some way off.

Mobile phones are up next...


☞


“fullyweb-enabledcarsthatknowwhereyou’re GoinGandcanGetyoutherewithoutcrashinG”

☞

sm a rt phon es

image here

In no other tech sector has development been as rapid as with the smartphone – the mobile device that does it all. Five years ago calling, texting, taking tiny photos or browsing ropey WAP sites was the height of its ambitions. Now you surf, shop, navigate, shoot HD movies, even run the bath. Where can they go next? expert view We’ve seen concepts for phones with built-in Richard Watson, projectors – they’ve already turned up in purchasable author of Future Minds cameras, after all – fragrance cartridges and even “the intelligence of smartphones that hook up to our brains, but we don’t the phone will move to think these will be commonplace by 2020 – or 2050, come a whole new level. it will to that. What we will see is the smartphone app model know you, know what you like, understand continuing to crop up in other types of tech. There’ll what you are supposed also be even greater connectivity and better longevity to be doing and will – both the world’s eco-conscience and consumers control parts of your office and home. frustated by having to eke out a charge demand it.

it will also be a personal security device, opening doors but also detecting threats. it will be your wallet, your watch, your house keys and an entertainment centre. it will plug in and control parts of your car, it will feature voice recognition and have biometric security features. it will, as someone else once said, be a remote control for your entire life.” Scott ahn, former head of mobile at lg predicted that within two to three years, only android, windows Mobile and apple would still be in the mobile oS business: “For a while, we will concentrate on android and windows Phone 7 Series by Microsoft. our strategy is not to make a mobile platform of our own.”

The Fuse phone is a concept, designed by The Alloy. It reacts to touch – squeeze the sides or stroke the case, back and screen

IMAGE COURTESY OF TAT MOBILE

Layar screenshot?

auGm e n t e d r e a l i t y

T HE SCI ENCE

Feel the surge The next ten years will see an end to the two huge issues plaguing mobiles today: battery life and slow broadband. WiMax 4G networks are good to go in the USA, with the Sprint Network launching the first 4G device, the HTC Evo, earlier this year. The UK is going with competing 4G tech Long Term Evolution (LTE). Though we’re currently struggling to roll out the tech, by 2020 LTE Advanced will be providing download speeds of one Gigabit per second. That’ll allow HD movie downloads in seconds and make cloud computing a day-to-day reality. The tech will run alongside current 3G networks, freeing up bandwidth and increasing speeds there too. The fact that connection times to download web pages and emails will be measured in millseconds rather than seconds will increase battery life, as will the introduction of super-efficient components such as memristors. A more total solution awaits in the form of fuel cells, which should be providing greatly increased battery life by 2020, and through-the-air, wireless recharging. Fujitsu and others are working on devices that charge from a distance of several metres, using magnetic fields. By 2020 we could see public electricity hotspots as well as Wi-Fi ones. Also, Powermat-like induction chargers will become commonplace in coffee shops, cafes and even household furniture as the decade rolls on.

So far, apps such as Layar have displayed information – restaurant phone numbers, star ratings and closest pubs – over surroundings viewed through a smartphone camera. The info is based on GPS information, ie: knowing where you are. Next-gen AR apps will go beyond that and actually recognise what you’re looking at. Google Goggles is an early example of this. If you see one of your friends on the street, you’ll see their Facebook status, latest tweets and photos. Or if you’ve just bought a new car, this kind of app could provide information on each part in the engine or each control on the dash as you pass your smartphone cam over it. The next step is to get rid of the smartphone. AR contact lenses are already in production and could literally change the way you see the world by 2020. You’ll see special deals, tailored to your tastes, coming into your line of sight. Movie times at the cinema will be available in the blink of an eye. Futurologist Ian Pearson says “Certainly we should

expect glasses-based augmented reality to be commonplace, indeed active contact lenses using direct retinal projection, using a micro-mirror to raster scan focused beams onto the retina, are just starting to come in. This could make walking down the street a positively psychedelic experience, with tailored 3D advertising literally leaping out at you as you move around. Fellow futurologist Ray Hammond adds, “In ten years time we’ll be using all sorts of interfaces including glasses, earpieces and displays on clothing. Some augmented reality will be based on location, some on your own needs, some on your social network’s profile and some tailored by the user. Everything around you will appear to be smart.”

T’s 2020 prediction Your smartphone will know what your favourite things are, where you are and where you’ve been. It’ll allow you to communicate with anyone and anything from friends to advertising hoardings, your car to ATMs. RFID tech will allow it to act as your credit card and the advent of super-fast 4G networks will make the cloud work as it should, letting you store all your digital life remotely, tapping into it at will.

What will the TV of 2020 be like?

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“yoursmartphonewillbecomearemote controlforyourentirelife…”

“Retina-, bRain- oR emotion-contRolled gaming will have aRRived in mainstReam foRm by 2020” True PDF release: storemags & fantamag


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2010 saw 3D TVs finally leave the tech show booths and enter (a few of) our homes. There’s also 3D Blu-ray players, projectors and a 3D channel from Sky but so far the uptake has been slow, with potential viewers put off by cost, lack of content and, it must be expert view said, the glasses. Will 3D TV even make it to 2020? Brian Lenz, The other huge area of growth is IPTV – on-demand director of TV product telly via your computer. Pioneered by pirates on development, Sky YouTube, MegaVideo and others and then by the “within ten years, legitimate likes of BBC iPlayer, online services are fast you’re going to have to becoming our preferred way to consume content. consciously not buy 3d-ready tVs. it’s going to be like hd where it’s going to become standard on all sets. we still won’t see everything in 3d, but all of the most popular shows and events will be. the content has to be good enough to compel people to sit down and watch. rovio’s chief evangelist richard Bullwinkle is similarly bullish about iPtV. “television is developing at the most rapid rate in its history. it won’t be long before all tV is on demand. the convenience of click-and-enjoy online tV will surpass even that of PVrs, with the vast majority of television consumption happening on the user’s schedule. Far more important than the notion of what’s on or what’s available will be the question of ‘what am i in the mood for right now? ’ in this light, recommendation of entertainment will surpass traditional electronic Programme guides (ePgs). as these devices gain time share for entertainment, some content will be repackaged just for personal devices. For example, if you log in to watch the game on the big tV you’ll get hi-def video, surround sound and the full game with multiple angles to see all the plays. if you log in to watch the same content on a small screen device, you’ll see the key moments of the game in snippet form.”

T HE SCI ENCE

the joy of no specs 3D presently is just a gimmick; two images combined to offer an illusion of depth, using glasses that really aren’t that cool. The big question for the next decade is whether glasses-free 3D can become commercially viable. At the recent IFA tech-fest in Berlin, Philips unveiled its latest prototype glasses-less 3D TV. Could it be 56-inch reality by the turn of the next decade? The TV used similar parallax barrier tech to the Nintendo 3DS console; previous Philips 3D prototypes have used lenticular technology. With parallax barrier, an LCD with very precisely-placed slits cut into it is placed in front of a regular LCD. This allows each eye to see a different set of pixels, producing the 3D effect. The major problem with this is viewing angle, as sitting anywhere but directly in front of the display ruins the effect. That seems insurmountable, so by 2020 we’ll either all be used to wearing glasses, or 3D will have come and gone yet again. Holographic 3D also looks unlikely. “Full 3D would destroy the brain of every set designer out there,” says Sky’s Brian Lenz. “We’re going to see more of that with CGI, shooting in a way that gives you the data to create a perfect digital image in a CGI space.” Then they just have to figure out how to watch it without lining your ceiling with projectors…

Ga m i nG

Microsoft’s Kinect is the future according to Jon Hicks, editor of Official Xbox Magazine. Well he would say that, wouldn’t he? “The change with Kinect is so dramatic it’s hard to even visualise; we’ve simply never had the option to control software in this way before. The really interesting stuff will come when people start creating games that are perfectly tailored to the lack of a controller.” Microsoft’s creation won’t be limited to gaming. “The sky’s the limit,” says Hicks. “Voice-controlled climate control for your house and biometric security programs are things it could do easily.” You can already control Sky Player on your Xbox 360 using gestures deciphered by Kinect. “Beyond that it’s a case of seeing what works or lifting from recent sci-fi; a home entertainment console with a Minority Report interface, or some representation of the Star Trek holodeck doesn’t seem

out of the question.” Tim Ingham, CVG online editor says: “leading developers such as Crysis studio Crytek have predicted that we’ll have cinema-quality graphics within five years, and I’d tend to agree with them. One thing’s for sure, the look of games will advance far quicker than cinema. “Motion control is perhaps the most exciting area to watch. Retinacontrolled and even brain- or emotioncontrolled gaming will be here in mainstream form by 2020 thanks to the evolution of neuro-headset technology. Less sci-fi, but no less interesting, will be the growth of voice control. “There will be no discs and a very limited retail environment. By 2020 all games will be digital. The old hat amongst us will still download, whilst the cool kids will keep all their games stored in the cloud.”

T’s 2020 prediction

Sony recently announced its partnership with Google TV. Fully web-enabled sets are expected to arrive in the next year

Streaming TV on demand from the web will be the norm. Sets will be a bit bigger and resolution a bit higher but seriously, how much bigger can they get as average room size goes down? We reckon 3D will remain a popular niche for fans of cartoons and gimmicky action movies rather than the universal standard for all film and TV directors. One thing is for sure: the amount of choice will be overwhelming… T

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P R O J E C T: IN-CAR THREE MONTHS AGO T3 ACTIVATED THE 2 0 1 0 F U T U R E T E C H C A M P A I G N. W E ASKED YOU WHAT AREA OF T E C H N O L O G Y N E E D E D A N O V E R H A U L. W H A T C O U L D T E C H D O B E T T E R? A F T E R A N I N F L U X O F T W E E T S, E M A I L S A N D O T H E R D I G I T A L-B A S E D C O M M U N I C A T I O N, Y O U’V E M A D E Y O U R P O I N T. Y O U W A N T T O T R A N S F O R M T H E I N-C A R T E C H E X P E R I E N C E. T H E G O O D N E W S I S T H A T T 3 C A N H E L P. W E’V E TEAMED UP WITH THE ALLOY DESIGN TEAM TO PRESENT THREE CONCEPTS F O R Y O U R P E R U S A L. T E L L U S W H A T Y O U T H I N K. T E L L U S W H A T Y O U W A N T. T H E F U T U R E I S I N Y O U R H A N D S… @ T 3 D O T C O M, T 3 @ F U T U R E N E T.C O M 1 1 4 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0


DATE 14 OCT 2010 DESIGNED BY T3 DRAWN BY THE ALLOY R E V I S I O N S 1 B.0 0 1

storemags & fantamag - magazines for all FUTURETECH 2010

CODE B00185739

CONCEPT ONE:

FAM I LY SALOON: COMMUN I T Y DR I VEN MULT I -TOUCH EN TERTAI NMEN T

1 A multi-touch interface that runs around the length of the cabin and allows for group contact and interaction between back-seat and front-seat drivers

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From a series of touch points, media can be shared and viewed by all passengers. Content can also be approved from here –for example, if you need to veto your six-year-old’s request to view Saw IV

The content on this side panel is decided by the front-seat passengers. Again ideal for controlling the kid’s activities

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1 The passengers information tablet. This acts as a personal controller for each passengers’ environment. Car windows double as large LCD displays and can form an interaction point for basic games, like noughts and crosses or hang man. It can also be used to inform –focus on an object or animal outside the vehicle and then research it online

2 The smart environments, when not in use, act like a desktop background, creating a customised visual environment. You can even change the colour of the floor

3 The rear passenger seats swivel to allow passengers to adjust to a more comfortable viewing angle for their individual display

4 Noise-cancelling pressure waves are used to create zonal audio spots for each passenger. No headphones required

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Live updates –daily news, weather or traffic –are projected onto this helpful wraparound display

CONCEPT TWO

WORK-FOC USSED VAN: I N TER IOR WI T H REMOVABLE SMARTPAD 2 By removing the unnecessary dashboard clutter you get an area for additional storage or stretching of long legs

3 This is a portable SmartPad – remember last year’s FutureTech design – that operates as the vehicle’s brain. Containing all the vehicle’s pertinent data, it can be removed and taken with you

4 4 Heated cup holders keep your morning beverage at the optimum temperature for longer

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5 Individual controls on every seat control the main wraparound display

1 Built in security cameras provide a live feed to the SmartPad and hidden UV ink spray nodules will mark any intruders. This car is safe on any street

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1 2 Practical under-seat storage drawers for removable tool and cooler boxes

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3 The passenger seat doubles as a removable storage unit with a built-in power generator, using energy captured from regenerative braking

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storemags & fantamag - magazines for all FUTURETECH 2010

CODE D00963830

CONCEPT THREE

SMALL FAM I LY HATCHBACK: DI SPLAY SURFACE AND GESTURE CON TROL

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1 Information can be displayed on any surface including the windscreen. Or, if you’re not the driver, you can convert surfaces to individual multimedia hubs

2 Insert a device, such as a smartphone and all the data stored on it, from calendars to music playlists, will be loaded into the car’s memory. It will then make decisions based on your data. Nine o’clock meeting in Soho? It’ll view your calendar and load directions

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Memory foam allows your smartphone, tablet PC or gadget of choice to sink into the dash, preventing slippage and damage

Using advanced augmented reality GPS, the driver can project a 3D map onto any surface with just a sweep of the hand. The map can then source geo-tagged images and build a realistic landscape –like Street View but better

C O N C E P T: 4 G D O C K F O B

A HOME -HUB UN I T T HAT SUCK S I NFORMAT ION WI RELESSLE Y FROM E VERY T H I NG YOU OWN . DOCK I T I N YOUR C AR AND YOUR PER SONAL , EN TERTAI NMEN T AND HOME DATA WI LL I N TELLIGEN TLY SYNC WI T H T HE C AR’ S ON -BOARD TECH . T HE 4G CONNEC T I VI T Y ALLOWS FA ST ACCE SS TO YOUR CLOUD -BA SED SERVICES .

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accessmore Monitor Audio’s AirStream 10 streams music from anywhere in the world in any room in your home. It’s an award-winning network player that combines the power of the Internet with easy operation and elegant design, giving you access to over 15,000 Internet radio stations, global music services and all the music files on your PC. Just choose the colour - now in ultracool gloss white – and where to listen next…

Wake up to the digital world ‘Futuristic looks, exceptional sound and impressive ease of use make the AirStream 10 a real delight.’ LIVE - The mail on Sunday - March 2010



This month Affordable smartphone group test. This month’s games, Blu-rays and music Plus T goes on location on a 3D blockbuster… EDITED BY NICK RENSHAW

PLAY SERIOUS ENTERTAINMENT>>>

WORDS LUKE JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY FULLSTOP PHOTOGRAPHY

TIVOLI AUDIO MODEL 10+

Radio fab LAUNCHED TEN YEARS AGO THIS YEAR, TIVOLI AUDIO’S Model One AM/FM radio raised the bar for design and audio performance from a table-top radio. It transformed the functional wireless into a luxury design classic and its retro-modernist stylings and genuine wood cabinet continues to find modern-day echoes in classics from Pure, Sony, Tangent, Vita Audio and others. Not to let this milestone pass unremarked, the US outfit is celebrating with a plush new DAB/FM radio, the Model 10+. It adds a modern twist to the Model One story. So the mono main unit, which is expertly carved from furniture-grade wood and arrives in a choice of finishes to blend into any contemporary interior, also comes with the option of an iPhone/iPod dock and a second, matching speaker for stereo sound. ☞ D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / P L AY 1 1 9

Controls are kept to a bare minimum, leaving more of the wood finish to admire

☞ Tivoli Audio has kept the design lines clean, with just the rotary dial controls discreetly sitting on top of its 203x114x114mm form and a LCD display and speaker adorning the front. It’s available in a choice of walnut, polar white and a special commemorative aluminium dark veneer finishes. Previous Tivoli Audio radios have always delivered a full-bodied sound over both DAB and FM and we’re expecting more of the same from the three-inch driver. Built-in EQ settings for bass, treble, loudness and balance let you tinker with the fidelity. DAB+ is also supported, which’ll come in handy in the event of that format ever making it to these shores.

And the prize for “Biggest and stupidest-looking gun of 2011” goes to…

Shadows of the Damned BORED OF 2010? SO ARE WE, WHICH IS WHY WE’RE TURNING our gaze to the beautiful, videogame Nirvana that will be next year, and most specifically, the latest survival horror from EA. GAMES Co-developed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and cult gaming hero Goichi Suda – he of No More Heroes infamy – Shadows of the Damned is a bit like Mikami’s series, but on a motorbike. The game sees biker anti-hero Garcia set off on a trip to Hell to rescue his girlfriend – well it’s better than arranging to meet her at Hatfield services, at least. This flimsy excuse for a plotline is just a means to have you shoot demons with skull-encrusted shotguns – and you’ll be doing lots of that. £40, WWW.EA.COM, OUT 2011 ON XBOX 360 AND PS3

Adding the second stereo speaker (£80) allows you to use the Model 10+ as a music system. Around the back is an auxiliary input, headphone socket and a subwoofer output for more low-end thump and completing the system is the matching Connector iPod and iPhone dock (£95). This takes most iPods and iPhones, recharges them as they play and, in the case of the iPhone, receives calls without noise interference. S-video, composite video and audio line outputs let you connect the dock to a TV or hi-fi system for quality video or music playback. Also an alarm clock – you can be woken by the radio or an alarm tone – the Model 10+ is a great way to commemorate past glories while looking to the future. It’s not cheap at £240, but then Tivoli Audio’s Model series were always luxury class. £240, WWW.ARMOURHOME.CO.UK, OUT NOW

DMC: Devil May Cry

Key moment

Ninja Gaiden 3

XBOX 360, PS3

XBOX 360, PS3

Here’s a recipe for fan upset; a new developer, a brash art style and a redesigned hero. Can the series possibly survive the inevitable backlash?

The third in this gory series promises a story that “focuses on the character’s humanity” and “will reveal a dark secret from his past”. And dismemberment.

£40, WWW.CAPCOM.COM, OUT 2011

£40, WWW.TECMOKOEI.COM, OUT 2011

Asura’s Wrath

Dead Space 2

No more first-person

Shadows of the Damned uses Resident Evil 4’s over-the-shoulder view, letting you see more of the action but still allowing precision kills

XBOX 360, PS3

XBOX 360, PS3, PC

This “serialised drama” is built on Unreal Engine 3 technology that will make people question “whether they’re playing a game”. In a good way, presumably.

The anticipated horror sequel’s multiplayer mode is to be a Left 4 Dead -like affair with four humans going up against four alien necromorphs. Bring it.

£40, WWW.CAPCOM.COM, OUT 2011

£40, WWW.EA.COM, OUT JANUARY 2011

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WORDS: GAMES ANDY ROBINSON FILMS DUNCAN BELL MUSIC NICK RENSHAW IMAGE REX FEATURES

THE MODEL 10+ COMMEMORATES PAST GLORIES WHILE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE…


STAYING IN>>>PLAY

Iron Man 2: Even Ironer

MORE BRAND NEW BLURAYS

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1 Ba ck to the Future Trilogy Looked at

objectively, time has not been very kind to these films. Still, viewers of a certain age won’t care about that. Time travel ain’t what it used to be…

Don’t you hate it when you go to a party and someone else has worn the exact same outfit as you?

THE FIRST IRON MAN FILM WAS PRETTY damn good as adaptations of comics go. The relative obscurity of the title character meant seeing his BLURAY creation wasn’t as wearying as the umpteenth Batman or Superman reboot, and Robert Downey Jr’s turn as Tony Stark was a well judged exercise in keeping things just the right side of camp, while hinting at genuine emotional depth. So you know where this review is going, right? That’s correct: the sequel is a load of old cack that piles on more explosions and more Iron Persons and squanders all the good work done in the first film. Downey Jr acts like he can barely be bothered, the plot flings so many insults at your intelligence you’ll want to slap it, and all that is left is spectacle, a headache and the tattered remains of a once-promising “franchise”.

3 Evil Dea d One of the most influential horrors of all time is now on Bluray. Stand by for 1080p wobbly-cam, sexually aggressive trees and the first ever appearance of the man, the legend, Mr Bruce Campbell.

£28 (£45 FOR COLLECTOR’S TIN EDITION), OUT OCTOBER 25

£14, OUT SEPTEMBER 20

2 Memento Still Christopher Nolan’s best film, this twisting, vicious, unique thriller made a star of Mike from Neighbours. His portrayal of a man with no memory trying to find the killer of his wife is nothing short of superb.

4 RoboCop A rather more adult trilogy to finish on. The first RoboCop is a classic, with Kurtwood Smith brilliant as the baddest ever baddie to be called “Clarence”. The second is very under-rated, the third utter twaddle.

£16, OUT NOW

£18, OUT OCTOBER 18

THE STAR HD moment Mickey Rourke

Both for Rourke’s ravaged Guy Fawkes-mask of a face and the FX for his alter-ego, Whiplash

Sigourney Weaver Ellen Ripley rides one more time with the Blu-ray release of the Aliens “quadrilogy”. The third and fourth films are a bit of a wet fart over the strong meat of the first two, but even at the series’worst, Weaver is awesome, at once incredibly strong yet nurturing. ALIEN ANTHOLOGY BOX SET, £38, OUT OCTOBER 25

£15, OUT OCTOBER 25

MUSIC

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SMALL CRAFT ON A MILKSEA

THE AGE OF ADZ

THE WITMARK DEMOS

Ambient pioneer’s “soundonly movies” for Warp

World’s most talented man drops new CD. Electronics and orchestra involved

Volume nine of Bob’s bootleg series charts early recordings from ’62 to ’64

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ROCK DUST LIGHTSTAR

THE FOOL

Jay Kay takes time out from pranging Ferraris to deliver more jazz-funk toss

Sprawling and magical psychedelic debut from all-girl LA quartet

COME AROUND SUNDOWN

Brian Eno

Jamiroquai

Sufjan Stevens

Warpaint

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Bob Dylan

Kings of Leon

Good ol’ southern boys continue to rock stadia

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BEST… OVERALL VALUE

Smarter prices The latest and best mid-priced smartphones WORDS HANNAH BOUCKLEY PHOTO EUGENIO FRANCHI

TEST WINNER

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THE APPLE IPHONE 4 AND HTC DESIRE ARE the smartphone top dogs, but at up to £600 SIM free they aren’t cheap. If you’re willing to compromise on screen resolution, processor speed and build quality, there are handsets with ample storage and connectivity that can be yours for under £250, or on a £25-per-month contract.

BEST… SOCIAL NETWORKING

1 BEST… OVERALL VALUE

HTC WILDFIRE £230, WWW.HTC.COM/UK

It looks exactly like a Desire, but this cheap Android 2.1 look-alike still runs HTC’s class-leading Sense interface and FriendStream, which aggregates your social networking feeds. Running a 528MHz processor, the Wildfire takes a laboured 30 seconds to load T3.com over G Wi-Fi, but with multi-touch and Flash support, navigating

pages is simple. The 3.2-inch, 320x240-pixel screen is under whelming, but with an effective virtual keyboard, five-megapixel camera and up to 32GB storage via microSD, the Wildfire gives VFM. LOVE Sense interface. Flash support HATE Slow processor. No N Wi-Fi. Low-res screen

2 BEST… SOCIAL NETWORKING

MOTOROLA FLIPOUT £230, WWW.MOTOROLA.CO.UK

Squat and square, the Flipout sports a veteran Android 1.6 OS and a full QWERTY that flips out –hence the name. The keys are tiny, but surprisingly usable. Social networking is the Flipout’s main interest and Motoblur 1.5 syncs Google, Facebook, Exchange et al very well. Multi-touch controls allow you to flick through the seven home screens,

although at 2.8 inches and a low-res 240x320 pixels the screen isn’t ideal for web browsing, despite the surprise inclusion of N Wi-Fi. The 600MHz processor is no slouch and a three-meg camera and 2GB internal storage are included. LOVE Motoblur. N Wi-Fi HATE Ancient OS. Small screen. It’s so square

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SMARTPHONES>>>PLAY T

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SONY ERICSSON XPERIA X10 MINI experience. The 600MHz processor is adequate, and T3.com loads in 27 seconds over G Wi-Fi. Elsewhere you get a five-megapixel camera with an LED flash and up to 16GB storage via microSD, all in a very small package. LOVE Timescape interface HATE Tiny screen and keyboard. No multi-touch

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PALM PIXI PLUS

BEST… FORWORK

FREE ON CONTRACT, WWW.PALM.COM/UK

The Pixi Plus runs the same webOS as the pricier Palm Pre Plus. Intuitive, with the option to flick apps across the screen like playing cards, the operating system is top drawer and the scaled-down QWERTY keyboard is a class act. While small, the 2.6-inch 320x400-pixel screen is sharp, with multi-touch aiding web browsing. There’s a

600MHz processor and Wi-Fi (b/g). Storage is limited to 8GB with no microSD slot, the two-meg camera is poor and the Palm App Catalog is under stocked, but the excellent webOS still manages to entice. LOVE Excellent operating system. Decent keyboard HATE No card slot. Meagre app choice. Poor camera

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BLACKBERRY CURVE 3G £250, UK.BLACKBERRY.COM

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BEST… BATTERY

With a 624MHz processor, N Wi-Fi and BlackBerry’s legendary email prowess, the Curve 3G is built for the office and the two-day battery life will outlive most smartphones. It arrives running the less-thancurrent BlackBerry OS 5, although you can upgrade to OS 6. The 2.4-inch screen is low-res at 320x240 pixels and the four-way

controller –as opposed to the trackpad found on higher-end BlackBerrys –makes browsing web pages unnecessarily awkward. The QWERTY is cramped and the flashfree, two-meg camera is a half-hearted effort too. LOVE Easy email set-up. N Wi-Fi. Decent processor HATE Low-res screen. Awkward controls

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NOKIA E5

£200, WWW.NOKIA.CO.UK

The E5 isn’t particularly stylish or compact, but with an excellent full QWERTY keyboard, support for Exchange and access to ten email accounts via a single button, it’s a sturdy, workmanlike tool. There’s no touchcontrol, just a 2.4-inch, 320x240-pixel screen and a dated Symbian S60 interface with limited customisation,

but connectivity includes B and G Wi-Fi and 3G, with the 600MHz processor helping T3.com to load in 20 seconds. A five-meg camera, microSD slot and three-day battery life also impress. LOVE Great battery. Five-meg cam. Keyboard. HATE Symbian OS. Dull looks. No touchscreen

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£200, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK

The Xperia X10 Mini also runs the aging Android 1.6 OS, but with the Timescape interface collating social networking feeds from Facebook to Twitter. The capacitive, 2.2-inch, 320x240-pixel screen responds well, although the numeric keyboard is too small for prolonged typing sessions and with no multi-touch browsing isn’t a pleasant

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PLAY>>>how to

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The Quasar rig from Element Technica, costing $67,000, is the standard 3D filming rig. Add two Thompson Viper FilmStream cameras – $2,000 per day to rent – and you have a pro setup.

3D shoots require specialist crew members such as the stereographer – a 3D expert. Further extra crew members are required to work the special 3D rig due to its excessive size and weight.

When working with 3D, careful lighting can accentuate chosen areas of the shot making them pop from the screen or shrink to the background to give the desired depth.

the rig

the crew

the lighting

Make a 3D fi lm Six steps to extra dimensional box office success…

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Fast-paced, sweeping shots don’t work well in 3D, but even slow shots have to be wellchoreographed to take into account the size of a 3D rig. It can be a time-consuming process.

A 3D sensory overload can be damaging to both the eyes and the film’s narrative content. The subtle 3D effects often have a more emotive, if slightly less striking effect on the viewer.

3D films should create an increased level of viewer immersion. Narrative highs should become more uplifting and lows more poignant with the correct use of inspiring 3D effects.

the logistics

the fine balance

the narrative

The benefits of 3D film-making

The exPerT

Barney Cokeliss, DireCtor of the sixth parallel lines short 3D film

1 3D enables you to do things that you couldn’t normally do. the fundamental thing is that you can create real depth and there are exciting ways that can impact on your story telling. 2 You still have to get all the elements of a 2D film right, but in addition you also have to make a whole series of decisions about what you want to do with certain elements of the shots. It’s not always obvious what shots will work in 3D. Be selective and inventive. watch all of the parallel lines films at www.philips.com/cinema

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£100 OFF RETAIL PRICE*

INTERNET RADIO

IPOD/IPHONE

GAMING

HOME CINEMA

HOUSE PARTY

POWERED BY PIONEER Get the most out of your games, music and movie collection with Pioneer. With up to 4 x HDMI inputs and 1080p up scaling for all other sources, 3D Ready, built-in web radio, plug-and-play iPhone/ iPod connectivity and Bluetooth capability for music streaming, you are guaranteed the best viewing definition and superb surround sound from the VSX-920. Even What Hi-Fi gave it 5 Stars!

GAME BLU-RAY BROADCAST

INTERNET RADIO October 2010

Free iControlAV remote app

Downloadable £100 voucher available at www.pioneer.co.uk/powered for in-store purchase of VSX-920 *terms and conditions apply. whilst stocks last. participating retailers only. start date 1st october 2010. closing date 31st december 2010. “Made for iPod” and “Made for iPhone” mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards.



This month Audi A7 and an exec road-trip bag. Six of the best paintball guns Plus a red-hot camera group test for Nov 5 EDITED BY ROB TEMPLE

PULSE TECH PUT THROUGH ITS PACES >>>

TECHNOGYM VISIOWEB

Fitter Twitter HERE’S A DILEMMA. YOU DON’T want to be cut off from your social networking, profile updating and – at a pinch – work emails, but you also need to keep fit. What to do? One solution is VISIOweb from Technogym. Fitted to the Run Personal treadmill, VISIOweb gives you access to your Twitter account, Facebook, Hotmail, YouTube and whatever else you choose to browse, as well as the option to watch TV or connect your iPod, all via a 19-inch touchscreen framed by tempered glass. ☞

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Access an online personal trainer or watch internet TV – your choice

☞ The interface is so user-friendly it actually looks a bit like it’s aimed at toddlers, while the online advertising invites you to “Experience the Interactive Wellness Experience”. However, everything else about VISIOweb is high-end and adult. As well as keeping you connected to the world wide internet pipes via ethernet and G Wi-Fi, VISIOweb gives easy access to an online personal trainer that can offer advice and encouragement while you train.

Connected car Web ready and oozing style, it’s Audi’s A7 Sportback

WORDS LUKE PETERS, ADAM BUNKER

VISIOWEB LETS YOU WATCH WEB TV OR EVEN UPDATE YOUR FACEBOOK STATUS AS YOU RUN… There’s also a variety of games for keeping your mind from atrophying as your body builds. The Plug&Train software lets you activate and save tailored training exercises to a USB key, so there’s no delay in setting up your programme next time you haul yourself onto the treadmill. If all that sounds like too much hard work, you’ve got the option of watching YouTube or the usual gamut of internet TV channels. The web and USB connectivity means you can also listen to power tunes or browse immediatelypost-Christmas photos of yourself with more chins than the Hong Kong phone directory, should further motivation be required. The VISIOweb is fitted to Technogym’s Run Personal treadmill. This stylish glass and aluminium affair, designed by Antonio Citterio assistant Toan Nguyen, boasts soft-grip side handlebars, a heart rate monitor, a joystick to adjust incline and speed and, last but not least, a built-in water bottle holder.

A Google Earth satnav, thermal imaging cam and Spotify streaming. Class.

£9,065 FOR RUN PERSONAL AND VISIOWEB INCLUDING DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION, WWW.TECHNOGYM.COM

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ULTIMATE DRIVING WEEKEND>>>PULSE The roof-top 3G aerial boosts the A7’s web signal strength for passengers

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A429 M5

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Bristol A4174 M5

Burnham on Sea

A38

Cotswold House Hotel

Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6AN King rooms from £188, www.cotswoldhouse.com Ease into your weekend by bedding down on Friday night in this cosy regency townhouse set in the heart of the Cotswolds. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before you begin your trip…

The Ga rden Spa a t Ba rnsley House

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THE SIGN OF A TOP EXECUTIVE CAR IS IF you’re eager to climb back into it on your days off. The A7 Sportback, Audi’s luxurious new gadget-packing four-door coupe more than fits that bill. Built to steal the thunder of the Mercedes CLS, Jaguar XJ and Maserati Quattro Porte, it’s a £44,000 slice of driving pleasure from engine to boot. T takes it on a tech test drive and reveals the perfect driving weekend destinations and what you need to pack.

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Bath

Chippenham Malborough

AUDI’S NEW THREE LITRE SPORTBACK bangs out 297bhp, takes 5.6 seconds to reach 60mph, emits 190g of CO2 per km and averages around 34mpg. However, the gadgetry is king here and if it weren’t for the four interlinked rings, we’d think we were driving Bond’s latest Aston Martin. Inside the leather-clad A7 is the Multimedia Interface (MMI), a huge eight-inch screen with a slot for a 3G SIM card. Insert one and the A7 becomes an internet-ready Wi-Fi hotspot, permitting you to connect around a dozen wireless gadgets – we had a MacBook, HTC Desire and iPad all running at once. You can even stream Spotify and play it back via Bluetooth through the A7’s 15-speaker strong B&O sound system. Sound quality is incredible and, being web-ready, the satnav is able to display live Google Earth images and weather updates. Control the MMI via a touchpad positioned next to the eight-speed gearbox and view satnav directions via a HUD (heads-up display) projected onto the windscreen. Switch on the thermal imaging camera to detect oncoming humans and animals – a great addition for driving down country lanes at night. This is just a snippet of what the A7 is capable of. Head to T3.com for the full review. FROM £43,475, WWW.AUDI.CO.UK

SPECIFICATIONS THE ENTERTAINMENT

The wrap-around dashboard conceals a fold-away, seven-inch LCD screen that’s both satnav and multimedia hub with DAB radio. Bluetooth connectivity is standard THE ENGINE

Four different varieties of V6 engine are on offer. Petrol models come in 2.8-litre and super-charged 3.0-litre variations, peaking at 295bhp, while

the high-end diesel version will travel from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph

Barnsley, Cirencester, GL7 5EE Treatments from £30, www.barnsleyhouse.com In need of some proper weekend R&R? This stunning spa offers holistic and beauty treatments. There’s a heated outdoor hydropherapy pool too. MILES TRAVELLED: 26 JOURNEY TIME: 43 MINUTES

Bybrook Resta ura nt a t Ma nor House Hotel

Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7HR From £23 for two courses, www.manorhouse.co.uk This Michelin Starred restaurant’s menu is always first-class, as are the views of the river winding through the grounds. MILES TRAVELLED: 27 JOURNEY TIME: 50 MINUTES

Luck na m Pa rk Hotel &Spa

Colerne, Wiltshire, SN14 8AZ Grand Master suites from £650, www.lucknampark.co.uk The Grand Master suites look out over the extensive grounds and include an open fire and large dining area for receiving room service in style. MILES TRAVELLED: 4 JOURNEY TIME: 8 MINUTES

Burnha m a nd Berrow Golf Club

Burnham on Sea, Somerset, TA8 2PE Annual membership from £390, www.burnhamand berrowgolfclub.co.uk Consistently voted among the best golf courses in the UK, Burnham and Berrow boasts very fine stunning seaside views. MILES TRAVELLED: 46 JOURNEY TIME: 1 HOUR 24 MINS

THE TECH

The Ha rrow a t Little Bedwyn

The optional heads-up display projects details such as speed cam info, navigation and lane assistance onto the windscreen. The navigation assistance system alters the car’s settings – gears, headlights, suspension height etc – as you drive

MILES TRAVELLED: 77 JOURNEY TIME: 2 HOURS 35 MINS TOTAL MILES TRAVELLED: 180

Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 3JP Set Sunday lunch menu £30, www.harrowinn.co.uk Another Michelin Starred restaurant, and one that’s also garnered awards for its Champagne selection.

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PULSE>>>ULTIMATE DRIVING WEEKEND DRIVING CAN BE ONE OF LIFE’S GREAT pleasures, especially when you’re behind the wheel of a brand new car, heading for a cheeky luxe weekend away. All you need to add is a selection of journey-enhancing technology. From a classy travel bag to portable iPhone speakers to an app that turns your iPhone into a TomTom satnav, T has all you need to make the miles fly by…

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app is giving directions.

umm st m in u

£100, WWW.TOMTOM.COM

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5 iPhone 4 The iPhone 4’s Retina Display is ideal for viewing maps on the TomTom Europe app (£52.99), checking for delays using your 3G connection. It’s also a gaming device, ebook reader, HD video camera and PMP. Oh, and a phone.

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Mulberry Sma ll Clipper

Perfect for weekend breaks, this luxury holdall is made from chocolate coloured leather with a suede-lined interior. A hidden padlock gives a little added protection to your belongings. £895, WWW.MULBERRY.COM

2 Flip Sync Attach this USB 2.0/micro USB to your set of keys and you’ll never be caught without a syncing cable for your mobile phone, MP3 player, or digital camera again.

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Griffi n Tra vel Spea k er

No batteries required; this speaker is powered by your iPhone or iPod – so ensure you pack a charger, such as the Pebble – and produces surprisingly impressive sound for such a cheap, portable device. £30, GRIFFINTECHNOLOGY.COM 7 Pebble porta ble ga dget cha rger Charge the Pebble

3 Pa ul Smith Chocola te La modi shoes Built for

comfort as much as style, these brown leather and suede plimsolls make the perfect driving shoe.

via USB and it’ll have enough power to fully charge your iPhone 4 four times over. With a variety of adaptors it also gives a welcome boost to iPads, digital cameras, games consoles and almost any other electrical gadget you care to mention.

£100, WWW.PAULSMITH.CO.UK

£50, IWOOT.CO.UK

4 TomTom Ca r Kit for iPhone 4 Sit your iPhone

8 Appleton’ s Esta te 21 Yea r Old Destination

£18, WWW.FIREBOX.CO.UK

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16GB £499, 32GB £599, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

4 in the cradle, which acts as a Bluetooth handsfree kit with an onboard speaker, and you can listen to your iTunes playlists while driving. Music is interrupted if you have a call incoming and faded down when the TomTom

reached? Time for a well deserved tipple. Appleton’s Estate 21 Year Old is a complex and rare blend of aged rums. Don’t mix with Coca-Cola; this needs to be savoured. Also, please don’t drink it en route.

£147, WWW.HARRODS.CO.UK

DON’T FORGET THE GOLF CLUBS… PING K15 CLUBS

Boot booty All you need for a weekend behind the wheel… WORDS ROB TEMPLE PHOTOGRAPHY PIXELEYES

This set of hybrid clubs includes a driver that employs Straight Flight technology. The majority of the weight is placed at the bottom of the club-face, which should mean a straighter, more powerful shot and a better chance of hitting the green on your first swing. The lightweight irons are faced with titanium. DRIVER £249, IRONS £105 EACH, WWW.PING.COM




purely purelygadgets www.purelygadgets.co.uk

X Shooting stars

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Feature-packed compacts create visual fireworks WORDS RACHAEL D’CRUZE PHOTO EUGENIO FRANCHI

WITH COMPACT CAMERAS NOW OFFERING ever better lenses, faster processors, very good anti-shake, sky-high ISO settings and noise reduction, it’s now possible to create explosive shots without investing in an SLR. They’ll even make a decent fist of capturing literal fireworks this Guy Fawkes night. 1 Best for… eXtra Features

sOny CyBER-shOT Wx5 £299, www.sony.co.uk

A superior Auto mode that combines exposures for dynamic range and minimal noise makes the WX5 a Bonfire Night essential. The antimotion blur and handheld twilight features also both aid photography in low light, as does the maximum 3200 ISO setting. Oh, and there’s a Fireworks mode, if all else fails. The WX5 also creates

2 3D panoramic shots, although this isn’t advised in low light, has a 2.8-inch, 460,800 dot LCD display, a 5x optical zoom and takes 12.2megapixel snaps. It’s a very good all-rounder. Love Superior Auto mode. Anti-blur features. Nifty panoramas Hate So many features you may get confused

Bestfor… Value

test winner

2 Best for… Value

niKOn COOlpix s3000 £110, www.nikon.co.uk

The 12-megapixel S3000 features a 4x optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD and is just 19mm thick. It includes few manual controls, but you will find lots of features that make life easier for amateur photographers, including four anti-blur functions and Scene Auto Selector, which optimises settings for your surroundings. ISO goes all the way

up to 3200 –good news for snapping fireworks in low light–although noise creeps in at ISO 800. Picture quality isn’t amazing and it’s not one for action fans, but it is pretty cheap. Love Slim and stylish design. Price tag Hate Lack of creative possibilities due to its point-and-shoot nature

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compact cameras>>>pulse T E

panasOniC lumix DmC-Fx700

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Small, chic and touchcontrolled, the 14-meg FX700 is a feature-heavy compact with a bright Leica F2.2 24mm ultra-wide angle lens and burst shooting up to 10fps at full resolution. Despite its high-end features the FX700 is especially easy to control using the three-inch LCD. Autofocus tracking, Intelligent ISO control and Intelligent Exposure

Bestfor… high-speed shooting

mode make taking duff photos hard and low light performance is very good, with a maximum ISO of 6400. There’s also an effective fireworks mode created especially for November 5. Love Plenty of good auto modes. Fast shooting. Good in low light. Excellent Leica lens Hate Complex menus

4 Best for… damage control

Olympus m TOugh-6020 £170, www.olympus.co.uk

Waterproof to 10m, shock-proof to 2m and freeze-proof, this tough compact is built for action. Its 14-meg sensor, 5x optical zoom and dual-image stabilisation work to create images that look great on the 2.7-inch screen. However, as is often the case with ruggedised cameras, the Olympus can’t match up to softer rivals for overall

performance. Maximum ISO is lower than the rest at 1600 but photos still show traces of noise. The autofocus system is irritatingly slow too, particularly in low light conditions. Love Tough, waterproof and smart looking. Photo Surf allows easy browsing by date, name etc Hate Slow autofocus

5 Best for… picture quality

CanOn ixus 300 hs 5

Bestfor… picture quality

£379, www.canon.co.uk

Debuting Canon’s new HS system, which includes a new high-sensitivity sensor and Digic 4 processor, the 300HS gives better performance in low light and has a high-speed shooting mode –up to 8.4fps. Also on board is a bright f/2.0 wide-angle lens, sharp three-inch LCD screen, 3.8x optical zoom and the best image stabilisation on test.

Ideal for shooting at night, the low light mode can reach ISO 6400, although image quality then drops to 2.5-megs. Stick with ten-meg shots at ISO 3200 and you won’t be disappointed. Love New HS system delivers excellent images even in low light. Speedy shooting. Quality build Hate No internal storage

6 Best for… high-speed shooting

CasiO Exilm Ex-Fh100 £279, www.casio.uk

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Bestfor… damage control

The bulbous, ten-meg Casio FH100 isn’t a looker, but its speedy focusing and high-speed continuous shooting, at up to 40fps, will ensure you don’t miss the climax of the fireworks display. Dual-image stabilisation keeps things sharp and the wide-angle lens with 10x optical zoom is good for both panoramic shots and close-ups composed on

the crisp three-inch LCD. If you’re shooting in low light, the ISO mode – which tops out at ISO 3200 – will fill your shots with noise. Not ideal if you’re trying to snap a catherine wheel, but it’s a solid cam for less autumnal pursuits. Love High-speed shooting and 10x zoom Hate Poor low-light shots

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£274, www.panasonic.co.uk

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3 Best for… shooting in low light

PULSE>>>SIX OF THE BEST

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BEST FOR… ROOKIES

BEST FOR… STEALTH

BEST… SIDEARM

An ideal piece if you’re venturing into paintball for the first time, this has a 50-ball loader and is powered by disposable Co2 “sparklets”.

Front and rear sights, strong, lightweight, electropneumatic firing with reduced sound for stealthing it up in the numerous shooting modes.

The Overlord’s ten-round magazine is the fastest loading system available at present. Has to be imported from the States… but worth it.

BRASS EAGLE SABRE TWIN TURBO

£25, WWW.JUSTPAINTBALL.CO.UK

BT TM-15


ARIAKON OVERLORD RX

$140, WWW.DIRECTPAINTBALL.COM

Paintball markers

For when you absolutely have to shoot every last chap in the wilds

EDITOR’S CHOICE

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BEST FOR… PROS

BEST FOR… EVERYDAY BATTLES

BEST FOR… CUSTOMISABILITY

You can actually connect this to a PC to adjust firing parameters. Its efficiency, balance and state of the art electronics will raise your kill rate.

Easy to strip and clean, the Lancer comes with a ten-inch, upgradable, aluminium barrel and a double blade trigger for higher rates of fire.

This extremely customisable marker features Cyclone Feed System paddles which gun up to 15 balls per second through the 9.5-inch barrel.

ECLIPSE GEO2

VIEWLOADER LANCER


£948, WWW.BZPAINTBALL.CO.UK

TIPPMANN X7

£270, WWW.CLAYMOREPAINTBALL.COM

How to mark someone JUSTIN TOOHIG, COMPANY DIRECTOR, WWW.UKPAINTBALL.CO.UK

1 Hold the gun with the air tank firmly against your shoulder so that you can see straight down the top of the barrel. 2 Always keep the gun upright and stable. Tilting your gun too much or side shooting, gangsta-style, will lead to misfires. 3 Steady the gun using your free hand to hold the foregrip. 4 Keep both eyes open. Closing one eye when sighting will hamper your ability to judge distances. 5 In summary then: looking straight down the barrel with both eyes open, keep the gun free of any movement and take your shot.




THE EXPERT


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storemags & fantamag - magazines for all Wh e n tech go e s ba d

paradiselost The simple pleasures that have been destroyed by tech Words by chrissmithandrobtemple Illustration by mortenmorland@debutart

On almost every page of T we show you ways that tech can make your life easier and more pleasurable. But not this one. There’s a flip side to a life of greater ease and it’s that some of life’s simple pleasures die with the “inconvenience” of yore – think of how supermarkets have killed local shops. Here’s our list of the soul-enriching moments that tech ended forever. 1. GettinG a phone number

Ten treasured digits scrawled on a napkin, or in lippy on the back of your hand. Or not even written down, just remembered, Rain Man style. Or even, in the days before mobile phones, being confident enough to give her your house phone number and then anxiously guarding the phone all day in case she called. Those days are gone. “What’s your name? I’ll add you on Facebook.” Romance is dead. 2. punctuality

Remember the days when you arranged to meet someone, safe in the knowledge that they were going to turn up on time? Those distant times before your friends and colleagues could excuse themselves with a text saying “Mate, I’m running half an hour late. Soz,” just as you arrive. Were people perpetually late before the introduction of the short messaging service? No they weren’t. It’s not even like people have the excuse of “I got lost,” these days, with Google Maps built into everything short of your kitchen toaster. 3. instant Win

Was there a greater pleasure than peeling back the label on your McDonald’s fries to find you’d won an instantly redeemable Big Mac token, or finding a little blue bag containing a fiver in your salt & vinegar? Thanks to technology we get a 13-digit serial number you can text to a non-specific switchboard and if you’re lucky, only “regular network charges apply”. Where’s the fun in that? On the plus side, visiting

certain websites today does seem to guarantee a “You are visitor 1,000,000!!!! You totally win a iPad Touch!!!!! Click here!” message, so all is not quite lost…

the cassette using Microsoft Paint. Yes, a stick man should be just the ticket… Nowadays, you just choose a tune and hit the Genius button. 7. thinkinG

4. musical appreciation

We remember when everyone got to listen to a new album on the same day: the release day. Now we live in an era of leaked MP3 torrents, shorn of cover art and communal joy. There’s not even any illicit thrill to hearing something early when everyone else in the world is doing the same. Plus all this modern music, it’s rubbish really isn’t it? It’s just noise. 5. lettinG Go

Facebook means bygones are never bygones. You’re subjected to tagged pictures of your girlfriend and her ex looking loved up, constant misspelled status updates from the remedial school bullies who added YOU despite years of torment and the ghosts of those university haircuts, preserved forever. 6. makinG a mix tape

Start with a belter, then take it up a notch, then slow it down for a number or two, then back in with a classic, followed by a couple of rarities, two more slow ones, then end on something short and instrumental so as to not risk running over to Side B. Ten songs down and it’s only taken an hour of planning and 50 minutes of sitting by your stereo. All that’s left is to create cover art for

You had to plaY all night to finish games in the 16-bit era. no longer…

Technology is meant to make our lives easier, but it’s now gone so far that we barely need to work anything out for ourselves anymore. Calculators do arithmetic for us, till our brains shrink to the size of peas and we can no longer work out the price of a bottle of Evian and a sandwich. Shazam steals the pleasure of humming a song in our heads for days before finally finding out the name, while IMDb has ruined movie trivia forever. When was the last time you ever put up with having something on the tip of your tongue before succumbing to a quick Google search? When was the last time you turned off your satnav when you knew the route? 8. pickinG the photos up

Was everyone looking the right way? Did the flash wash everything out? Before digital cameras, photography was a crap shoot. Now, three-inch LCD screens and limitless memory for photos have robbed us of the excitement of trundling to Boots to pick-up holiday snaps, then re-living the moments for the first time. Granted only about four of the 36 shots in those days weren’t a picture of your thumb, but still… 9. epic GaminG sessions

Pulling an all-nighter was essential if you wanted to complete games in the 16-bit generation. The alternative was to leave the console on all night – potentially burning down your house, as you should NEVER leave appliances on overnight – or completely lose your hard-earned progress in Streets of Rage 2. Where’s the sense of achievement when you can constantly save your progress and go back to the same spot until you fluke your way past the end boss? 10. FindinG taped treasure

How it was: nothing to watch on your four channels of telly? Time to hunt through the mountain of video tapes. This one has “Diana Wedding” scrawled on it in pencil; let’s stick it in the machine anyway. Just wind it through a bit… Oh wait, what’s this? The first third of Full Metal Jacket and half the first series of The Young Ones – result. Wait, it’s gone all staticky and… Oh, it transpires someone has recorded over that with an Antiques Roadshow omnibus. Denied. T D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 3 7

A listening revolution At last real high-fidelity sound from a portable iPod speaker system. Free your music: www.arcam.co.uk



Windows Phone 7 New features, phones and party tricks

Windows Phone 7’s tiles are constantly updated with the latest web content

☞ Windows Phone 7 – which will hence forth be referred to as WP7 for brevity’s sake – is elegance personified. Every component has been stripped down, leaving a stark, minimalist and customisable home page of coloured tiles, each of which leads to a specific hub that spans panoramically across the equivalent of several screens – see right. Pin the MS Office tile to the homescreen for example and it’ll launch the hub from where all of your documents, the Office software suite, OneNote and SharePoint can all be

WINDOWS PHONE 7 IS AT ITS BEST WHEN DISPLAYING SELF-UPDATING APP CONTENT accessed. In most cases these tiles self-update, pulling information from the phone’s memory and the web on the fly. The OS is at its best when displaying app content, such as network rail announcements. Microsoft’s Oded Ran argues, “Why should I need to go into an app when all I really want to see when I turn the phone on is whether the Victoria line is having problems?” It’s now up to app developers to make the most of the small square plot of tile real estate that WP7 provides for them, but the groundwork is laid for apps that are functional and useful without you needing to launch a thing. Integration of information is a big theme in WP7. The People tile reveals a hub populated with your contact list, recently-called numbers, and “What’s New”, which includes updates from Facebook. You can then call, email, text or write on any contact’s wall from one place. The Pictures hub is similarly connected, allowing you to view Facebook albums as if they’re stored on your phone. All in all, it’s a very smart reboot.

MS OFFICE FOR WINDOWS PHONE 7: NEW FEATURES

FOR WORK

As with previous WinMo iterations, WP7 has Microsoft Office at its heart. This time it works more efficiently, putting full Office functionality in your pocket. Here’s what’s new…

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The comments function allows you to highlight specific sections of text and attach notes. The annotated document can then be sent in an email.

Full documents, spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations

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These aren’t watered-down mobile docs, these are the real deal. Your PowerPoint presentations even play with animations. Connect a projector and you can present without the need for a laptop.

SharePoint and OneNote SharePoint is a collaborative organisation tool that syncs your docs with your entire team. OneNote is a smart note-taking app incorporating text, pictures and audio.

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Edit presentations on the go

Smart back button

If you’ve spotted a flaw in your presentation or an error on your spreadsheet, you can edit it on the phone. You can even adjust complex effects on PowerPoint documents.

Checked a pertinent fact online and want to get back to your original document to make adjustments? The back button remembers your entire journey through the OS and retraces your steps.

WWW.WINDOWSPHONE7.COM

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ON DATES ES FOR UPT WP7 PHON TES THE LA HEAD TO

PHONE TALK

No official handsets have been announced for WP7 yet, but there are plenty of internet rumours and leaks to investigate… HTC

Mozart? Schubert? Mondrian? The name of HTC’s first WP7 phone is still unconfirmed but it’s rumoured to look very similar to the HTC Desire. The HTC Gold, also packing WP7, is rumoured to be landing in November. LG

Microsoft’s stock WP7 phone, pictured, is an LG prototype that will never see a release date. LG does have other devices on their way, most of which will have slide-out QWERTYs. Model names to watch out for are the 1.3GHz E900, C900, GW910 and Panther.

MULTIMEDIA EXTRAS… Zune Music, podcasts and videos are handled by Zune software, which up until now has been a US-only experience. The iTunes faithful need not fear: Zune will easily port your library to the phone.

SAMSUNG

The Cetus i917 is purportedly the first WP7 handset to get the green light from Samsung. It will sport a four-inch display and five-meg camera. Another unnamed handset has also leaked online – it resembles the device in Microsoft’s press images. DELL

The Dell Lightning looks like it could make the most of WP7’s talents. This handset is rumoured to have a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, five-meg camera, 4.1-inch OLED display and a 1GHz processor.

Much like your well-rounded self, there’s more to WP7 than just business credentials…

Xbox Live Even if you

don’t own an Xbox 360, WP7 includes Xbox Live integration, bringing gamer points and online avatars to your mobile phone. With strong developer support and franchises such as Halo coming soon, this could be something special.

Apps The WP7 development kit has been downloaded by more than 300,000 developers, meaning there’s plenty of support for MS’s relaunch of the Market Place for Mobile. Sea rch The WP7 search function is operated by a dedicated button on the front of all compatible handsets and uses GPS to tailor results. Searching for “cinema” will provide a local listings map, alongside user reviews and the usual Bing results, all on one screen.

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / W O R K 1 41

Explosive home PCs All-in-ones, towers and a desktop replacement laptop WORDS MATT POWELL PHOTOGRAPHY EUGENIO FRANCHI

LAPTOPS AND TABLETS MAY GET ALL THE attention but desktops still have their uses, thanks to larger screens, greater power and connectivity. From PC towers to high-end all-in-ones these machines differ in cost, but all have plenty of storage and their fair share of processing power. They’re the backbone of any home office.

BESTFOR… FAMILIES

BESTFOR… VALUE

1 BEST FOR… FAMILIES

HP PAVILION P6525 £550, WWW.HP.COM/UK

Arriving with Windows 7 Home Premium installed, the P6525 has solid specifications including a 3.06GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM and an entry-level ATi HD5450 graphics card capable of movie editing and some basic gaming. There are welcome extras too in the form of a wireless mouse and keyboard, eight USB slots, Firewire, HDMI and

N Wi-Fi. You will have to invest in a monitor, but at £600 HP keeps the Pavilion the right side of affordable. The only slight let-down is the 750GB hard drive – adding extra storage manually is a hassle. LOVE Good specification for the price. Powerful enough for most tasks HATE No monitor included

TEST WINNER

2 BEST FOR… VALUE

ADVENT SE1101 £300, WWW.PCWORLD.CO.UK

The Advent’s AMD Sempron 2.7GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 320GB hard drive and basic graphics card is unlikely to quicken your pulse, but with Windows Home 7 Premium, a DVD burner and memory card reader, plus a certain amount of room inside for future upgrades it’s a simple, inexpensive option. Connections include six USB slots, but

no HDMI or, shamefully, Wi-Fi of any variety. This is just the base unit –no monitor, mouse or keyboard –but shop around online and you could net the complete set-up for under £380. LOVE Cheap, quiet and simple. Some upgrade potential. Decent OS HATE Underpowered processor. Weak graphics



BESTFOR… PERFORMANCE


HOME COMPUTING>>>WORK T E

MSI WIND TOP AE2400 23.6-inch, 1920x1080 display, although not ideal as a controller, is perfect for movies played through the integrated Blu-ray drive. Elsewhere a 1TB hard drive, N Wi-Fi, six USB slots, HDMI and eSATA complete a lengthy spec list. LOVE Blu-ray drive. Big screen. Well connected HATE Poor touchscreen

4 BEST FOR… PORTABILITY

DELL STUDIO 15R 1558 £963, WWW.DELL.CO.UK

BESTFOR… ENTERTAINMENT

BESTFOR… PORTABILITY

The 15.6-inch display on this slick laptop is vibrant and sharp, with a full-HD resolution of 1920x1080 that displays work presentations and HD movies equally well. Powered by a 2.4GHz Intel i5 Core processor, the 15R has 4GB RAM, a 320GB hard drive and a ATi HD5470 graphics card capable of handling games, albeit with limited details and a fair amount

of noise from the cooling fans. Connections are limited, with three USB slots, HDMI and eSATA. The battery life is a modest 3 hours and 30 mins, and at 2.6kg it’s no ultra-portable. It is a textbook desktop replacement, though. LOVE Solid laptop specs HATE Heavy, with a stunted battery life

5 BEST FOR… PERFORMANCE

APPLE IMAC 21.5-INCH £1,000, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

Running Apple’s Snow Leopard operating system, this smartly designed, powerful and versatile system is like cat-nip for creative types. The cheapest model in the range, it comes with an Intel i3 3.06GHz processor, 4GB RAM, a 500GB hard drive and a Radeon HD4670 video card. The main sell of the Apple iMac is the outstanding 21.5-inch,

1920x1080 display. There’s a DisplayPort, four USB slots and N Wi-Fi, but no HDMI or Blu-ray drive. It’s pricey, but it’s also the best all-in-one you can buy. LOVE OSX operating system. Big, beautiful display. High-end specs HATE No Blu-ray. No HDMI. No anti-glare screen option

ACCESSORIES DELL IN2010N

Many PC towers are still sold without a monitor, but purchasing a screen needn’t increase the overall cost too much. Branded displays like the 20-inch Dell IN2010N can be yours for £100. This affordable Dell monitor has a 1600x900pixel resolution and a contrast ratio of 1,000:1. Hunt online to find the best prices… £100, WWW.DELL.CO.UK

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / W O R K 1 4 3

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£950, UK.MSI.COM

The Wind AE2400 is a touchscreen all-in-one, but its multi-touch screen is actually its worst feature. Sluggish touch controls will soon have you running back to your mouse and keyboard. Running a Pentium E5400 2.7GHz processor with 4GB RAM and a Radeon HD5730 3D graphics chip with 1GB RAM, it’s a powerful enough machine and the

S

3 BEST FOR… ENTERTAINMENT

WORK>>>PROFILE WATCH TERMS CHRONOGRAPH

Christopher Ward The boss and namesake of the UK’s top watch firm talks Swiss precision and consumer-led design WORDS ADAM BUNKER

something’s worth. For a lot of men a watch is a way of emphasising who you are. A Tag Heuer may be an Audi on your wrist, an Omega might be a Bentley. It’s a badge that says a lot about you.” Why do you use Swiss movements? “Consumers view Swiss-made watches as a stamp of quality. In order to qualify for that the watch needs to pass certain criteria – ie the movement has to be Swiss, the final checking has to be done in Switzerland, and more than 50 per cent of the components must be Swiss-made.”

What’s your design process? “The first stage of watch design starts with a blank canvas. It’s a bit chicken and egg really: we look at what watches we sell and what the rest of the market is doing, then plug any gaps. “I’ll sit down with somebody who can work a CAD computer and we’ll start developing the watch case through computerised illustrations. We’ll keep adding layer upon layer – the dial, the hands – until we’ve got something that we think is 90 per cent there. When we get the prototypes we’ll involve the forum – www. christopherwardforum.com – posting ideas and photographs to get feedback.”

Is there still a big market for luxury watches? “The watch market has actually grown in recent years. There’s no sign that the public’s appetite for quality watches will fade, but it eventually will. Everything goes in cycles. The good thing about watch cycles is that they’re abnormally long. We can develop a watch this year and it’ll still have legs in four or five years. “What sets Christopher Ward apart is the business model. We are a quintessentially British brand and we’re able to sell our watches at a fraction of the price of other luxury watch brands because we don’t have any middle men and we don’t sponsor celebrities.”

What makes a good watch? “It’s subjective; you pay whatever you think

Any watch boasting this utility will have a stopwatch function built in separately from the clock. It’s not to be confused with a chronometer, which simply means a clock movement that’s accurate enough to be used as a watch. As seen in... TAG HEUER GRAND CARRERA CALIBRE 36 RS2 CALIPER T12, £5,500, WWW.TAGHEUER.COM

GMT

A GMT, as made famous by Rolex, is a dual-time watch which can be used to tell the time in two separate time zones simultaneously with the aid of two hour hands. Ideal for those regularly travelling between time zones. As seen in... BELL & ROSS BR 01 93 GMT, £2,990, WWW.BELLROSS.COM

AUTOMATIC

Whereas quartz watches are battery powered, automatic watches are powered by the movement of your arm. The most notable result is that the second hand moves smoothly as opposed to with a “tick-tock” motion. As seen in... BREITLING SUPEROCEAN, £1,700, WWW.BREITLING.COM

TOURBILLON

The solution to gravity’s accuracy tainting effect, Tourbillon movements are made up of over 100 separate pieces that keep the mechanism floating within the watch’s chassis. These watches are the most accurate and the most expensive you can buy. As seen in… IWC GRANDE COMPLICATION PLATINUM, £145,000, WWW.IWC.COM

How to design a watch

THE EXPERT

CHRISTOPHER WARD

1 A well designed watch should be a good investment, an heirloom. Think about whether your design will stand the test of time. 2 Less is more. Emptiness adds clarity and sophistication. Concentrate on the watch’s essential aspects. 3 A watch has to satisfy certain functional, but also psychological and aesthetic needs. Think about the usefulness of any features. 4 A well designed watch is beautiful and balanced. Just harmony and beauty through balance. C7 RAPIDE CHRONO, £250, WWW.CHRISTOPHERWARD.CO.UK



storemags & fantamag - magazines for all T 3 C O M PE TITI O N

WIN A LENOVO THINKPAD EDGE 15-INCH LAPTOP INTELLIGENT COMPUTING FOR THE WORKPLACE… O FOR MORE INF O ON THE LENOV E THINKPAD EDG . HEAD TO WWW LENOVO.CO.UK

Portable and powerful, the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge is built for business. Now, T has five to give away to enterprising readers. The ThinkPad Edge comes with varying specifications dependent upon your business needs and the depth of your pockets, from Intel Core i3 to i5 processors and with connectivity in the form of N Wi-Fi and 3G. The screen is a bountiful 15.6 inches, with a 1388x768-pixel resolution, while the 250GB hard drive and 2GB RAM provide ample storage. There’s also Intel HD

graphics on hand and Windows 7 Pro pre-installed, plus Lenovo’s ThinkVantage Technologies, such as Rescue and Recovery that helps you salvage lost or corrupted files and Access Connections, that manages your internet connections and favoured Wi-Fi hotspots. Prices for the Lenovo ThinkPad Edge start at £474. To stand a chance of winning a Lenovo ThinkPad Edge – T’s models feature a 2.26GHz Intel Core i3 processor – send us your answer to the following question…

Send a text to 87474 with JUST the coloured message beside your choice eg EDGE153 A In which year was the first ThinkPad laptop released? A 1986 EDGE153 A B 1990 EDGE153 B C 1992 EDGE153 C

TEXT 87474 OR GO TO WWW.FUTURECOMPS.CO.UK/THINKPADEDGE

RULES To enter you can either: (a) text your answer to 87474 at any time between October 11 2010 and November 30 2010; or (b) enter the competition online at the URL above between October 11 2010 and November 30 2010. By sending your text entry you agree to these competition rules. Answers must be received between October 11 2010 and November 30 2010. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received between the relevant dates and will be sent a set the prize free of charge. The winner will be notifi ed within 28 days of the closing date and will be required to give details of a delivery address in the UK to which the prize should be sent. There is no cash alternative available. Normal certifi cation restrictions apply. We reserve the right to substitute the prize for equal value depending on the nature of the prize. Only UK residents aged 16 years and over may enter this competition. No employees of Future plc or any of its group companies or the employees of any entity that has been involved with the administration of this competition or any member of their households may enter this competition. Texts will be charged at £1 plus your normal network tariff. By entering this competition, you consent to us using your personal details to send you information about products and services of Future which may be of interest to you. If you do not want to receive this information, please include the word STOP at the end of your text message.

T Series

slim speakers, serious sound If you’re used to flat screen TV speakers that sound as thin as they look, KEF’s new ultra-low profile T Series will be music to your ears. And gripping drama. Not to mention totally realistic movie effects. And sublimely natural-sounding vocals. The secret lies in uniquely advanced acoustic technologies that deliver audiophile quality three-dimensional sound without the need for big boxy cabinets. If you take your home entertainment as seriously as your interior design, nothing else even comes close.

GP Acoustics (UK) Limited Eccleston Road,Tovil, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6QP, U.K. Telephone: +44 (0)1622 672261 Fax: +44 (0)1622 750653

T205 System.

www.kef.com True PDF release: storemags & fantamag


This month Futuristic gadgets for your abode. Surround sound for all budgets The best shavers and the perfect shave explained EDITED BY HANNAH BOUCKLEY

HOME

BETTER LIVING THROUGH TECH >>>


PHILIPS AIRFRYER

Low-fat fryer PARTIAL TO CHIPS AND OTHER FRIED FOODS? IT’S NOW possible to remove 80 per cent of the guilt from your favourite snacks. The Philips Airfryer uses Rapid Air technology to fry with only a tiny amount of fat – either the oil that’s already present in prepared foods such as oven chips, or a tiny dab added to fresh foods. Hot air circulates around a grill component, cooking crispy, delicious food in around 12 minutes – a timer alerts you when it’s ready – with around 80 per cent less fat content than standard fryers. The temperature is adjustable up to 200 degrees and a filter prevents greasy spoon-style odours. £200, WWW.PHILIPS.CO.UK, OUT NOVEMBER

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / H O M E 1 47

Future living

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Cutting-edge tech and concepts for the home

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THE ELECTROLUX DESIGN LAB IS THE PLACE to discover the home furnishings and laboursaving gadgets of the future. Here, we’ve paired a few of the futuristic concepts from the Electrolux Design Lab’s 2010 Awards with the finest gadgets the 21st century currently has to offer, from bladeless fans to ion generators. espresso-based beverages at the touch of a button. FROM £1,600, WWW.MIELE.CO.UK 4

1 Philips Arcitone Turn this floor lamp on by passing your hand in front of the sensor. Lighted by an anti-glare LED disc, it’s slim and energy-saving.

£150, LIGHTING.PHILIPS.CO.UK 2 Dyson AM03 pedesta l fa n Pulling in 33 litres

of air per second, the air multiplier fan then amplifies it 18 times, using technology similar to that found in jet engines. You also get a magnetised remote for your outlay.

£300, WWW.DYSON.CO.UK 3 Miele CVA5060 coffee ma chine This coffee

maker with integrated grinder can hold 500g of coffee beans and create

Bio Robot Refrigera tor

Designed by Yuriy Dmitriev this fridge has no shelves, instead storing food in an odourless, non-sticky biopolymer gel. It also uses no energy as luminescence cools the gel. Handy in a power cut. ELECTROLUXDESIGNLAB.COM 5 Eco Clea ner Portable cleaner and composter that uses ultrasonic waves to ionise household waste, turning it into reusable matter. Ahi Andy Mohsen came up with this concept.

ELECTROLUXDESIGNLAB.COM 6

Miele CT 400 Tepa n

600mm stainless steel hotplate based on a type common in Asian cooking. FROM £1,200, WWW.MIELE.CO.UK 7 Sha rp IGA10EKW Ion Genera tor Air filter

with Plasmacluster tech that “emits positive and negative ions which reduce airborne viruses”. Uh-huh. £300, WWW.SHARP.CO.UK

1➳ Wear

EXTRAS

2➳

Reflect

CLEAN CLOSET

ROCA INNOVA

A finalist in the 2010 Electrolux Design Lab Awards this closet, designed by Michael Edenius, scans your clothes for dirt and then cleans them using molecular technology instead of water. It’s an all-in-one laundry concept that’ll save time and space in your utility room.

Not your average bathroom mirror, the Roca Innova incorporates an embedded touch panel that displays the room temperature and the time. There’s also a built-in FM radio, a line in for connecting your MP3 player and an automatic demister to keep the surface clear.

WWW.ELECTROLUXDESIGNLAB.COM

FROM £1,234, WWW.ROCA.COM

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HOME CONCEPTS>>>HOME

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KITCHEN RATIONAL LOGIC RANGE, FROM £ 10,000, WWW.RATIONAL.DE

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3➳ Drink

4➳ View

PHILIPS LUMIWARE WINE COOLER

DELL INSPIRON ONE ALLINONE

Philips has built LED technology into its Lumiware accessories, which include a vase, platter, drinks coasters and this fetching wine cooler that pulses between a red, green, pink, blue and yellow glow. It charges via enduction and could be a life-saver at unusually dull dinner parties.

This all-in-one entertainment hub is the perfect multimedia device for futuristic abodes. Watch TV, browse the web, check your emails, or display your favourite holiday photos, all on the same 23-inch screen. The AMD Athlon II processor keeps everything running smoothly.

£150, WWW.PHILIPS.CO.UK

£TBC, WWW.DELL.CO.UK

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It sautés, cooks, simmers, blends, and then you serve.

If you love soup, you’ll love the new Cuisinart Soup Maker. It makes fresh, homemade soup in under 20 minutes. Because the whole process takes place within the Soup Maker, there’s no mess, no pans and very little washing up. It cooks, blends, and then you serve – simple. Available at John Lewis, Lakeland, House of Fraser, Ideal World TV and a cookshop near you. For more information visit cuisinart.co.uk



surround sound>>>Home

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M / H O M E 1 5 1

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o you’ve got the quality Blu-ray player and your HD TV tipple of choice. Now you need to unlock the audio potential of your HD content with a surround sound system. From an Onkyo one-box solution to a few ad hoc setups of our own devising, we’ve got four sound setups to really make movie soundtracks pop. Blu-ray, after all, doesn’t just give you HD visuals, it gives you access to all manner of high-resolution audio delights. Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio offer intricate surround effects that use up to seven speakers and a subwoofer. For the real home cinema deal at a price to suit you, you can rely on T. No no, don’t thank us… +

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Words JimHill Photography AndyBarter

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From 5.1 to 7.1, £500 to £5,000: seriously kick-ass home cinema audio setups

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You’re surrounded

Home>>>surround sound T

BuDGeT 5.1

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TOTAL PRICE £500, EU.ONKYO.COM

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Onkyo’s 5.1 system is convenient and cheap but offers the superior performance of separates. The star of the show is the three HDMIswitching, 3D-ready, 5.1 receiver. With 100W per channel, it has no problem powering the five bundled Onkyo speakers. Decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio soundtracks is provided and both sound suitably detailed and dynamic. It’s a little less refined in the treble and looser in the bass than the other systems, but very

1 ONKYO BD-SP308 BLU-RAY PLAYER

2 ONKYO HT-R380 5.1 RECEIVER

impressive for the price. The Blu-ray player has comparatively few features –just BD Live and DVD upscaling. With full HD output at 24fps there’s little to complain about, though 3D-readiness would have been nice, given that the receiver is 3D compatible. The only weak link is the speakers. The compact MDF cabinets are easy to fit and don’t sound bad by any means, but they do lack the scale and warmth of the Wharfedales below, and the passive sub isn’t particularly punchy. LOVE Great value, with everything you need in the box. High powered, well featured receiver HATE The speakers could be a touch warmer WE SAY Serious bang for your buck and perfect for small to mid-size rooms

3 ONKYO 5.1 SPEAKERS

MID-rANGe 5.1

TOTAL PRICE £1,280, WWW.PIONEER.CO.UK, WWW.WHARFEDALE.CO.UK

TeST WINNer

The next step up adds a multitude of features and gives performance an appreciable bump. Pairing Pioneer’s Blu-ray deck and receiver with an agile and punchy speaker package from Wharfedale gives a potent system that’ll fill a medium-sized room. With the Pioneer boxes linked via HDMI the picture is optimised for you with Deep Colour giving a realistic palette, and Pioneer’s PQLS tech killing audio jitter. Just one remote control is required, and a free app also gives you the option

1 PIONEER BDP-333 BLU-RAY

2 VSX-920 7.1 RECEIVER, £ 700 WITH BDP-333

3

of using your iPhone or Touch as the remote. The glossy black amp actually has seven 140W outputs and all of the latest Dolby and DTS sound formats are catered for, with 13 more if you want to experiment – Advance Game mode for instance. The Diamond 10.SX speakers are the perfect aesthetic and acoustic match for the Pioneer electronics. Action movies and rock music are this system’s bread and butter, with rhythmic and agile bass and plenty of high-end detail. LOVE Bold colours and jitter-free audio. Slick styling. Excellent iPod dock and app HATE The Blu-ray’s not 3D-ready (the amp is) WE SAY A stylish system that’s greater than the sum of its very fine parts

WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 5.1 10.SX HCP SPEAKERS, £ 580

Accessorise QED PROFILE HDMI

Ultra-compact HDMI cable with flexible, 99.99 per cent oxygen free copper conductors, it also supports Deep Colour and HDMI 1.4 £25 FOR 1M, WWW.QED.CO.UK



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MID-rANGe 7.1

TOTAL PRICE £1,800, WWW.CAMBRIDGEAUDIO.COM,

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UK.YAMAHA.COM, WWW.MONITORAUDIO.CO.UK

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For the demanding enthusiast this system delivers with both movies and music. At the front end is a refined, metal-swathed Blu-ray player from Cambridge Audio. It’s virtually immune to vibration interference and Blu-ray visuals are rewardingly clear and precise. Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio discs are also supported –switch both the player and Yamaha receiver into Pure Audio mode for the best jitter-free results. Yamaha’s latest 7.1 channel receiver is

1 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AZUR 650BD BLU-RAY, £ 400

2 YAMAHA RX-V767 7.1 RECEIVER, £ 600

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heaving with features including all of the latest audio formats from Dolby and DTS, with 17 interesting modes of its own. Cinema DSP 3D makes full use of all the speakers and adds real depth to otherwise flat stereo recordings. Monitor Audio’s attractive and tactile, satin-finished speakers provide a scintillatingly detailed and seamless surround sound field with a potent sub providing plenty of bass. LOVE Excellent Blu-ray player. Lots of great sound modes HATE Needs two remotes or a multi-remote –the Logitech below for instance. No 3D Blu-ray WE SAY As compelling with music as it is with movies, this all-rounder suits most room sizes

MONITOR AUDIO VECTOR 7.1 SPEAKERS, £ 800

HIGH-eND 7.1

TOTAL PRICE £5,200, WWW.MARANTZ.EU, WWW.DENON.CO.UK, KEF.COM

Want to get really serious? This system combines high-end components worthy of a dedicated cinema room. The extra investment brings few extra features, but considerably improved pictures and vastly better sound. The Marantz Blu-ray player’s hefty chassis eliminates vibration interference. Deep Colour ensures faithful colour transitions, while a VRS processor makes it the best upscaler of DVDs here. Denon’s hefty AVR receiver drives seven

1 MARANTZ BD7004 BLU-RAY, £ 700

2 DENON AVR3311 7.1 RECEIVER, £ 1,300

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speakers at 165W apiece, giving DTS HD Master Audio tracks all the power and poise you need, no matter what the room size. The Audyssey DSX processing, which makes thrilling use of an additional pair of front speakers mounted above the stereo pair to give a wide open forward soundstage. Finally, Kef’s elliptical, anodized aluminium speakers keep cabinet resonance to a bare minimum. The results could reasonably be described as heavenly. LOVE Knock-out audio punch. Really excellent Blu-ray and upscaled DVD video HATE Very expensive. No 3D, SACD or DVD-Audio support from Blu-ray WE SAY For serious cinephiles this system is the bee’s knees

KEF KHT6000 7.1 SPEAKERS WITH HTB2SEW SUB, £ 3,200

Accessorise LOGITECH HARMONY 525

Once you’ ve programmed all your kit into this, the backlit buttons and LCD screen of this universal remote make the rest easy… £50, WWW.LOGITECH.CO.UK



+


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TeST WINNer

Stats of truth Blu-ray/surround sound setups

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Home>>>surround sound

PRODUCT

BuDGeT 5.1

MID-rANGe 5.1

MID-rANGe 7.1

TOTAL PRICE

£500

£1,280

£1,800

HIGH-eND 7.1 £5,200

WEBSITE

EU.ONKYO.COM

WWW.PIONEER.CO.UK WWW.WHARFEDALE.CO.UK

WWW.CAMBRIDGEAUDIO.COM, UK.YAMAHA. COM, WWW.MONITORAUDIO.CO.UK

WWW.MARANTZ.EU, WWW.DENON.CO.UK WWW.KEF.COM

PRODUCT PRICES

ONKYO HT-BD 3315 PACKAGE, INCLUDING ONKYO HT-S3305 5.1 RECEIVER ONKYO BD-SP308 BLU-RAY PLAYER ONKYO 5.1 SPEAKERS

PIONEER HTB-920 (VSX-920 7.1 RECEIVER AND BDP-333 BLU-RAY PLAYER), £699 WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 5.1 10.SX HCP SPEAKERS, £580

YAMAHA RX-V767 7.1 RECEIVER, £600 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AZUR 650BD BLU-RAY PLAYER, £400 MONITOR AUDIO VECTOR 7.1 SPEAKERS, £1,100

DENON AVR3311 7.1 RECEIVER, £1,300 MARANTZ BD7004 BLU-RAY PLAYER, £700 KEF KHT6000 7.1 SPEAKERS WITH HTB2SEW SUB, £3,200

CHANNELS

5.1

5.1 (Can also be used for 7.1)

7.1

7.1

POWER OUTPUT

5x 100W + 130W sub

5x 140W + 100W sub

7x 145W + 100W sub

7x 165W + 250W sub

CONNECTIONS

3x HDMI 1.4, 2x optical, coaxial, 4x AV, audio in, headphones, ethernet

4x HDMI 1.4, 5x composite, 2x component, 2x optical, coaxial, USB, iPod dock, ethernet

6x HDMI 1.4, 2x optical, 2x coaxial, 2x component, S-video

6x HDMI 1.4, 2x component, 3x AV in, 2x S-video, composite, stereo audio, USB, ethernet

AUDIO FORMATS

Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Res, 4x DSP modes

Dolby Pro Logic Surround, Dolby Digital +/EX/Plus, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS-Express, DTS-ES, DTS Neo: 6, DTS HD High Res Audio, 14x DSP modes

Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, 17x DSP modes

Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital-Decoder, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Pro Logic II/IIx/11z, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS-HD, DTS-Decoder, DTS-ES, DTS Neo 6, Audyssey DSX, 7x DSP modes

435x152x329mm 435x53x209mm 101x161x111mm 230x102x113mm 211x425x381mm




LOVE

High powered and well featured receiver. Remarkable value for money

Bold colours and jitter-free audio. Slick Excellent with music and movies alike. Visceral audio power. Superb Blu-ray styling. Excellent iPod dock and app Some great additional audio modes and upscaled DVD visuals

HATE

Deserves a more substantial speaker system. No 3D Blu-ray

No 3D Blu-ray

Requires two remotes system or a multi-remote. No 3D Blu-ray

Very expensive. No 3D, SACD or DVD-Audio support from Blu-ray

WE SAY

Onkyo’ s home cinema in a box offers serious bang for your buck. Ideal for small to mid-size rooms

This stylish system is greater than the sum of its already impressive parts. Very good audio and visuals

Just as good with music as it is with movies, this superb all-rounder also suits most room sizes

Provides the wholly cohesive sound and sublime picture quality that true cinephiles crave

DIMENSIONS RECEIVER BLU-RAY SATELLITE SPEAKERS CENTRE SPEAKER SUB

RATING

Opinion HANNAH BOUCKLEY T REVIEWS EDITOR

These are four very different surround sound setups, residing in different price brackets, which makes a direct comparison troublesome. Each system has its own merits. For smaller rooms and budgets the Onkyo is top value for money, with a great Blu-ray player and receiver let down just a tad by relatively weedy speakers. At the other end of the scale there’s Marantz, Denon and Kef. This triumvirate serves up the best picture quality on test and outstanding sonics. It is expensive, which is why it doesn’t win the test, but it’s the setup you’ll want if you’re truly discerning about sound, and have cash to burn. That leaves our two mid-range options, both scoring five stars. The Monitor Audio Vector 7.1 speakers are the perfect pairing for Cambridge Audio’s Azur Blu-ray player while the Pioneer setup offers the ideal blend of features and performance at a price that most can afford.

SHoPSMArT Seven points to consider before spending… 1

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Room size

Decor

Positioning

Small satellite speakers driven by an amplifier rated below 100W per channel are acceptable in a bedroom or small living space, but rooms larger than around four meters long will require a more substantial system with a higher wattage per speaker.

Is your room not carpeted? Do you favour minimal, hard surfaces and clean lines in your home? This can make a difference to the tone of your speakers and a live, or reflective room will sound harsh with a very bright system. Warmer sounding speakers are what you need here.

Your front speakers should be positioned first and pointed at your ideal listening spot. The centre speaker should be in line with them and close to the screen. The rear speakers can be placed on the back wall. As for the sub, it’s not so fussy. Read on…

2 Screen A 90-inch+ projection screen deserves a 7.1 set-up of full-range speakers to match the scale of the picture. That kind of system might be overkill with all but the biggest TVs – plump for slim, wall-mountable satellites if your telly is more modestly proportioned.

4 Stands A stable platform will coax the best performance from your speakers and create a pleasing resonance, so use quality speaker stands where possible. The tweeters should be positioned at the same level as your ears for the best sonic performance.

6 Bass Your ear can’t really place where low frequencies are coming from, so you can plonk it anywhere in the room, at least in theory. However, small satellite speakers often rely on the sub to supply higher frequencies, so you may want to position it nearer the front of the room.



How we tested 1 We used a dedicated home cinema room fitted with a 90-inch screen and projector to test each system in turn 2 Sherlock Holmes on both Blu-ray and DVD provided the video test material 3 Lovebox by Groove Armada on hybrid Super Audio CD was used to assess musicality 4 Each system was carefully assembled from components that would work well together and offer the best value and performance at each price


HOME>>>SIX OF THE BEST

EDITOR’S CHOICE

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BEST FOR… DESIGNER STUBBLE

BEST FOR… TECH LOVERS

BEST FOR… COMFORT

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The 790CC’s blades employ OptiFoil tech, with holes of varying sizes, and vibrate 10,000 times per stroke for a closer shave. It also cleans itself.

The oddly-shaped UltraTrack shave head gives an irritation-free shave and uses three tracks to catch normal, long and stubble-length hair.

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Shavers

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Wet and dry shaver with a four-blade cutting system for a fast, smooth and gentle shave. Its multi-directional head adjusts to your face.

This trimmer can cut from eight positions ranging from 1-8mm and charges via USB.

The compact P-60 is ideal for business trips, with the Twist Cap turning it into a full-sized shaver. Fully washable, it’s got a trimmer and travel lock.

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REMINGTON MB450 CONNECTOR MOUSTACHE AND BEARD TRIMMER

BEST FOR… PORTABILITY

BRAUN POCKETGO M90

Tips for the perfect wet shave DRSAMANTHA BUNTING, COSMETIC DERMATOLOGIST FOR WILKINSONSWORD

1 Always make sure you shave after taking a shower or bath so that the hairs are softer. 2 Avoid in-growing hairs by exfoliating around two to three times a week. Especially important if you have curly hair. 3 Always shave in the direction the hair grows to avoid irritation. 4 If you have sensitive skin avoid using aftershaves that contain alcohol. 5 To maintain your youthful looks it’s advisable to moisturise after shaving. Choose a balm that contains aloe vera or vitamin E. WWW.WILKINSONSWORD.CO.UK




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Have you ever thought of upgrading your home cinema set up but been put off by the cost and the dazzling array of kit required? There are many things to bear in mind: choosing kit to suit your room size, installing it and making sure you’re getting the absolute best performance. It’s a minefield if you’re not an expert. What you need is somebody to do the hard work for you... That’s where the Top 20 UK Dealers come in: they’re a selection of independent, specialist dealers who have been chosen because they’re the best the industry has to

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TEXT 87474 OR GO TO WWW.FUTURECOMPS.CO.UK/TOP20DEALERS TERMS &CONDITIONS To enter you can either: (a) text your answer to 87474 at any time between 29 September 2010 and 18 November 2010; or (b) enter the competition online at the URL above between 29 September 2010 and 18 November 2010. By sending your text entry you agree to these competition rules. Answers must be received between 29 September 2010 and 18 November 2010. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received between the relevant dates and will be delivered the prize free of charge. The winner will be notifi ed within 28 days of the closing date and will be required to give details of a delivery address in the UK to which the prize should be delivered. There is no cash alternative available. Normal certifi cation restrictions apply. We reserve the right to substitute the prize for equal value depending on the nature of the prize. Only UK residents aged 16 years and over may enter this competition. No employees of Future plc or any of its group companies or the employees of any entity that has been involved with the administration of this competition or any member of their households may enter this competition. Texts cost 50p plus standard network tariff. By entering this competition, you consent to us using your personal details to send you information about products and services of Future which may be of interest to you. If you do not want to receive this information, please include the word STOP at the end of your text message.

DEMAND BETTER MOBILE INTERNET TODAY THREE IS THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR CONNECTIVITY… Today’s smartphone is your best friend. You probably spend more time with it than your partner. It keeps you in touch, connected to the web and up to date, but only if you’re on a fast, reliable mobile internet connection. In the modern tech landscape, not having an always-on connection, well, it just isn’t on. Bad mobile internet is a modern disease. Thankfully, there’s a cure. Three has the UK’s biggest 3G network. In the good old days, it was designed for mobile net. As a result of this foresight, emailing, web browsing, uploading photos, downloading apps and all the other internet features that we expect of our smartphones function quicker and easier when using Three. So it’s no surprise Three was recently rated the number one network for both download and upload speeds by an independent YouGov survey of smartphone customers using the mobile internet*. To really show off its pace, Three has a huge range of 3G devices on its roster, including the HTC Desire, Samsung Galaxy S, Apple iPhone 4 and HTC Desire HD. In the same YouGov survey, Three came out on top for value*. Its One Plan was created with smartphone users in mind, providing all the minutes, texts and internet you need under one great value price plan. Go to www.three.co.uk/one for more info.

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Apps are great, but the explosion in their popularity has seen app stores bulging at the seams with choices ranging from essential to tat. Nobody has the time to spend hours browsing for the pick of the app bunch, and although they’re often very cheap, nobody wants to waste cash on a bad app. That’s where we come in. The T Apps Chart in association with Three makes choosing the best app easier for you. We’ve got all of the smartphone platforms covered, and both free and paid apps, all arranged into useful categories and reviewed and rated by our in-house experts and you, the app users. Whether you’ve just got your latest smartphone and need to find THE must-have apps for it, or you’re looking to refresh the ones you’ve got, the T App Chart should be the first place you look.

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To celebrate Three’s association with the T App Chart we have two HTC Desire HDs to give away. As you can read on page 24, this brand new smartphone has a large 4.3-inch screen, Android 2.2, a whopping eightmegapixel camera and a slicker version of HTC Sense that includes improved mapping, email, an ebook reader and plenty of space for the latest apps. For your chance to win one of two HTC Desire HD handsets, simply answer the following question…

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Get rich, 140 characters at a time Twitter accounts and blog ramblings are now being turned into bestselling books, lines of merchandise and even sitcoms. YouTube videos can make you a tidy sum. We’ll show you how, but don’t expect easy riches…

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“I’m 29. I live with my 74-year-old father. He is awesome. I just write down shit that he says.” That’s Justin Halpern’s Twitter bio. Shit My Dad Says is now nothing short of a phenomenon. By sharing his father’s irascible take on life, Halpern has become the poster boy for web 2.0 success. He’s got 1.6 million followers refreshing their Twitter feeds in anticipation of his old man’s latest hilarious pearl of wisdom or filthy euphemism. That’s more than Ben Stiller or Russell Brand and just shy of Stephen Fry, making Halpern easily the most followed non-celebrity on Twitter. Shit My Dad Says came about when, after years of toiling as a journalist and writer, Halpern

spanning Justin’s life has already sold around 450,000 copies at the time of writing. The Twitter star is now a bestselling author. Many of his new fans aren’t the least bit interested in Twitter, but they’re still repeating quotes such as, “Jesus Christ, one f*cking Snickers bar and you’re running around like your asshole is on fire,” to their literary-minded friends. The initial book pitch soon made its way into the hands of the same Hollywood agents who’d turned their noses up at Justin’s TV pitches just months earlier – “Hollywood is full of perceptions,” he says. “If you have something that has been a success, suddenly that screenplay they didn’t buy is the funniest thing they’ve ever read.” A sitcom got the green light, albeit with a subtly altered title. The William $#*!ner-starring $#*! My Dad Says, which Justin is now co-writing, combined with continuing sales of the book, will make Halpern rich. What’s his secret? “I think that if you can find something genuine that’s also something you find funny then hopefully it has a chance of catching on. “The first thing I tried to remember was not to jump on crazy offers which would have really ruined the feed and made it a novelty thing, which I was already fighting against. “People wanted me to make up a tweet about their business and give me $5,000. Sure, at the time, I’d have loved $5,000 but it would have ruined the thing that people enjoyed.

Shatner in the pilot of $#*! my dad says

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photogRaphy cbs/everett/rex features

meet Justin Halpern. you probably know him better as the “shit my Dad says” guy. in august of 2009 he started a twitter feed chronicling the eccentric utterances of his 74-year-old father. One year later he is on track to become a social networking millionaire with a bestselling book and a sitcom based on the twitter feed. say hello to Howard Davis-carr. a couple of years ago he was idly filming his young children playing when charlie bit Harry’s finger. three years and millions of youtube views later, the family are still making money from it. Or how about esmee Denters, the pancake waitress from Holland who dreamed of pop stardom, so uploaded cover songs shot on her webcam? she’s now signed to Justin timblerlake’s record label and playing to packed arenas. forget the x-factor circus, forget hanging your hopes of a big break on big brother, the internet is making a star a day and serving up fame and fortune to ordinary folks. a new generation of celebrity is cashing in and guess what? you can do it too.

decided it was time for a change. He moved from LA to San Diego to work for Maxim.com and move in with his long distance sweetheart. “I got there and we broke up almost immediately,” he recalls. “This left me with a dilemma. I had nowhere to live and the best option was to go to my parents.” Justin rolled up at his father Sam Halpern’s house, preparing the arguments he was dreading making. After he finished his spiel, Halpern Snr said, “Of course you can stay. All I ask is that you pick up your shit so you don’t leave your bedroom looking like it was used for a gang bang. Also, sorry that your girlfriend dumped you.” Little did Halpern know this all-time low and the first of dozens of similarly hilarious paternal utterances would change his life. “I found the things he was saying hilarious and I put them on Twitter so I could share it with my friends. After a few weeks there were hardly any followers. One of my friends used the feed as a follow Friday [the practice of suggesting feeds to your followers every Friday] and it was re-tweeted by the comedian Rob Corddry [Hot Tub Time Machine] and that’s what sent it viral.” The exponential growth synonymous with internet sensations meant the feed soon had hundreds of thousands of followers. Before he knew it Halpern’s phone was red hot with literary agents wanting a piece of Shit My Dad Says. The book, which is more of a warm tale of family adventures interspersed with quotations

storemags & fantamag - magazines for all $O cia L n e t WO rkin £

“As soon as you lie and make up something, you’ve ruined what you’ve done. I wanted to keep it purely stuff that my father had said, not sell T-shirts, or do any of that ancillary stuff and just concentrate on creating content for this Twitter page.” So forget all of this retweeting, @replying and following all and sundry to grease the palms of the Twittersphere. Justin’s recipe for success is simple. Come up with a good idea that you find funny, never fake it and whatever you do, don’t sell out too soon. “When I first got the book deal, I told my dad, ‘as much of this as you want to take, you can have.’ He was pissed off that I even asked him that. He said, ‘I have my own f*cking money, I don’t need yours.’ He’s just psyched that the pizza place in our neighbourhood gives him half off.” Although Justin still tweets occasionally, the Twitter feed is coming to a standstill as Halpern only sees his dad once every three weeks. He now has his own place and is back with the girl who kick-started the whole thing by chucking him out on his ear. Effectively, the success of his Twitter page has killed it, but a second book and TV land await. he internet is full of attention-seeking babies, crying out to the world for attention in their quest for stardom. YouTube is the main offender. The site which gives the world not just a voice, but a

t

face to go with it, can at times be like the audition queue for Britain’s Got Talent. Eccentric desperation is there in abundance; talent less so. However, sometimes talent is not required so much as a knack for capturing a moment that strikes a chord with people. Call it a skill, blind luck, fate or what you will, but Briton Howard Davies-Carr has it. Heard of him? No? How about the phrase “Charlie bit my finger”? Ah, there you go. Howard is Charlie’s dad and was behind the camera at the moment the baby clamped his fledgling gnashers around his three-year-old brother Harry’s index finger. That moment of innocent, playful violence and the one minute YouTube upload which followed has had over 200 million views. Apart from Lady Gaga, that makes Charlie and Harry the most viewed people in YouTube’s history. As with Shit My Dad Says, becoming a global sensation was never the plan. “I only put it on YouTube to show the boys’ godfather, who’s American,” Howard tells us. “Then my family and colleagues wanted to see it and it became too much of a hassle to keep it private. Just as I was about to take it down, I noticed that someone had uploaded a remake and that views had grown from hundreds to thousands. After that, the views doubled daily, and by Christmas 2007 it had reached one million views. It had gone viral.” What does it take for something to go viral?

Shit My Dad Says: T’s top ten 1.“see, you think i give a shit. Wrong. in fact, while you talk, i’m thinking; How can i give less of shit? that’s why i look interested.” 2.“i like the dog. if he can’t eat it or f*ck it, he pisses on it. i can get behind that.”

3.“Waking up when you got a baby, you feel like you drank a bottle of whiskey the night before, except the shit’s in someone else’s pants.” 4. “Do these announcers ever shut the f*ck up? Don’t ever say stuff just because you think you should. that’s the definition of an asshole.” 5. “Does anyone your age know how to comb their f*cking hair? it looks like two squirrels

crawled on their head and started f*cking.”

6.“Why the f*ck would I want to live to 100? I’m 73 and shit’s starting to get boring. By the way, there’s no money left when I go, just FYI.” 7. “that woman was sexy? Out of your league? son. Let women figure out why they won’t screw you, don’t do it for them.”

8.“I found some shit in your room... No, I found actual shit. Faeces... Well I should hope it’s from your shoes, otherwise what the f*ck? ”

9. “Don’t focus on the one guy who hates you. you don’t go to the park and set your picnic down next to the only pile of dog shit.”

10. “I didn’t say you were ugly. I said your girlfriend is better looking than you, and standing next to her, you look ugly.”

* Want more in paper form? Shit My Dad Says is available for £4.99 from www.amazon.co.uk

Amidst everything that YouTube has to offer, how does a video so innocuous, unlaced with search-friendly tags, without a marketing strategy and featuring no known personalities, spiral to the point where it has been viewed 200 million times, spawning countless reenactments and tributes? Howard’s break came when someone posted the clip video on CollegeHumor.com, a small but hugely influential web video channel Stateside. From there links spread across the world. Subsequent videos on Howard’s channel have generated tens of millions of views, although of course none has come near the original. While Twitter fame won’t make you any cash directly, YouTube fame is a different story. The YouTube Partner Program is the reason today’s viral stars are getting more than star ratings and “LOL” comments for their endeavours. The scheme pays uploaders a small sum per video view for the privilege of selling ads on the channels and in-video. Partners are contractually forbidden to reveal the sums involved, but informed estimates vary from $0.30 (20p) all the way up to $2.50 (£1.60) per 1,000 views. Hence Howard’s YouTube channel, which has had just shy of 290 million views, could have earned somewhere between £58,000 and £460,000. Not a bad little earner at all. Howard’s giving nothing away: “I’ve always tried not to talk about the money we’ve earned, because there’s always a negative connotation. The reality is that if we wanted to, we could potentially give up what we’re doing, but it’s not in our nature to do that. “My wife and I are very much of the view that the money earned by the boys is their money. It’s not for everyday living.” The family keeps their earnings up by posting new content to the channel every couple of months. As well as that, the boys have an agent and are shooting some promotional videos. Surely the next logical step for Britain’s most famous toddlers would be a reality show? “There have been offers,” Howard sighs, “but I’ve cut everything off very quickly. I set myself some guidelines quite early on and I didn’t want to have anything that was intrusive to the children. You watch those fly-on-the-wall programmes like Big Brother and you think, ‘we just don’t want to do that’. “With every family, there are good days and bad days. Now, everyone sees the good moments because I control the content. I don’t want people to see Charlie waking up, feeling a bit grumpy and having a go at someone.” Despite being a very reluctant YouTube star, Howard has still faced accusations of exploiting his children and had to put up with the welldocumented dark side of YouTube. “If I could turn the clock back three years, I probably wouldn’t have done it,” he admits. “I am exposed to parts of society that are not very nice. The comments of trolls and haters and requests for photos are generally something I have to ignore.” Capturing a special, finger-biting + D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 6 5

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+ moment on camera and relying on the content to speak for itself is one way to make a living from YouTube, but for the smart, web-savvy businessman there are more sophisticated ways to work the system. Harry and Charlie have 100,000 subscribers. Ryan Higa, who goes under the nom de YouTube NigaHiga, has 2.6 million, making his the most popular channel on YouTube. Ryan is a video blogger; not a particularly funny or interesting one, the unkind might say, but undeniably one who’s mastered the art of social networking. He pushes his content on Twitter and Facebook, spends a lot of time encouraging subscribers and linking back to influential channels. The result? Around 15 million views per video and a dumper truck full of cash. Oh, and apparently an ego big enough to ignore an interview request from T. Imagine that. espite the financial rewards, the life of a YouTube megastar isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Just ask Tay Zonday. He tells us: “People who make YouTube videos as their job can’t talk to other family or friends about what they do because nobody understands it.” Tay’s moment came back in 2007 when, as a 26-year-old, he uploaded an original song called Chocolate Rain. The tune was linked on Digg.com and 4Chan. From that came endless YouTube parodies and TV appearances in the US. For a few months his distinctive bass tones and “move away from the mic to breathe” style made him one of the most famous people on the planet. He subsequently starred in a Dr Pepper commercial, a Weezer music video and Intel took him along to CES as a representative. All well-paying gigs. He lives off the proceeds of his 55-millionviews YouTube hit – “I can’t retire at 14 like Macauley Culkin, but I have no immediate complaints” – and describes himself as a “full-time entertainer.” “I became an ambassador of new media… an icon of where entertainment is headed,” he says. “The major labels were very interested in me as Chocolate Rain was blowing up, but I wasn’t ready for them. I’ve also always struggled with shyness and I don’t think public attention was good for me in that regard. Since moving to Los Angeles I haven’t found a safe living space where I can let go as a musician. My voice is very different and when

D

“i would consider it a greater career crisis to be totally on top of my art but floundering as an icon than vice versa” –youtube celebrity tay Zonday, aka “that chocolate rain guy” I sing, it is loud. I can’t do that in an apartment. “But my dealing with private anxieties is not a topic of interest to my fans. They just want music. My music, like all music, helps them process and engage their own issues and experiences. I would consider it a much greater career crisis to be totally on top of my art but floundering as an icon than vice-versa.” Tay copes with his angst by talking to the only people who really understand: his fellow YouTube stars: “A lot of us see each other pretty regularly now since many of us are in LA and that’s the geographical centre for top YouTube talent.” While Tay struggles to overcome his anxieties, another YouTube-spawned musical talent is hitting the high notes and the headlines and loving every second of it. Esmee Denters is a pop star from the new school. She’s no child prodigy, though she is young, and she’s never been near Simon Cowell. The Dutch singer is 100 per cent organic and home grown and she did it through YouTube. Back in 2006, Esmee was 17, working in a pancake house and studying social work because she thought it might help her song-writing sensitivities. She had entered talent shows, but they didn’t want to know. Her sister had a cheap webcam and Esmee had nothing to lose, so she sat down and recorded a version of TLC’s Waterfalls and uploaded it to YouTube. She tells T: “I just thought people could let me know what they thought and might be able to give me some tips so I could get better at it. “I think people only found me because they were looking for the song Waterfalls, then they started telling their friends about me. Soon I was getting emails requesting that I sing other songs and so I started uploading two videos a week. “After about six months I had millions of views and all of a sudden I was getting phonecalls in the middle of the night from record labels.” She signed with Justin Timberlake’s Tennman Hits to date: 229,000,000 run time: 56 seconds uploaded: may 2007 created by: Howard Davies-carr starring: Harry (then three eyars old) and charlie (then one) Davies-carr blogsite: harryandcharlie.blogspot.com revenue: unknown, but likely to be at least in the tens of thousands

Charlie Bit My Finger – the facts

Records after a personal meeting at one of his Chicago gigs. He immediately took her on tour and she began writing and recording the album Outta Here, which reached number five in the Netherlands and 48 in the UK. Aside from a great singing voice and a pretty face, why did YouTube viewers in the millions – her total views now top 159 million – pick Esmee out of the thousands of cover artists uploading to YouTube every day? She thinks it was the personal touch. “It’s almost like the viewers and I became friends,” she says. “I would go back and forth with them about the songs they wanted to hear next and it was a very fun relationship. “I think people liked the fact that the videos were so poor quality and my voice still shone through. I could be your next door neighbour and I think people were into that. “You see the numbers and it’s difficult to imagine two million people watching, so I just had fun with it.” But even without YouTube exposure, the cream always rises to the top. Esmee would have made it anyway, wouldn’t she? “I don’t think I would have,” she says. “The internet is such a great way for an artist to create their own fanbase and put what it is they want to do out there. With no label behind it, it’s very natural and I think that’s what people like about it. “Eventually the people who are watching and following you are the people who have to go out and support you and buy your album. I think that it’s a great way and it gives the artist a lot more power. I didn’t have a reality show with millions of viewers watching me every week. I built that all up myself.” And the rewards justify the hard work? “Let’s just say I’m making a lot more now than I would be as a pancake waitress,” says Esme. eorge “Maddox” Ouzouzian hit upon a different route to fame and riches. He decided to become the most obnoxious man on the internet. That’s not easy by any means, let’s face it. On his blog, The Best Page in the Universe (maddox.xmission.com), Maddox depicts himself as a bearded and eyepatched, pirate-cum-CheGuevara figure and spouts provocative opinions, using the persona of an intelligent yet vengeful and permanently irate geek. Running since 1997, it made him one of the first internet blogstars, but Maddox received barely a penny for his efforts until 2006 when his book The Alphabet of Manliness reached the New York Times bestsellers list, +

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$O cia L n e t WO rkin £

+

and topped the Amazon.com chart. Today, his website still brings in two million readers a month despite updates slowing to a crawl. As you may have gathered, Maddox is a little different from our other success stories. His HTML page design might politely be described as “primitive”, for a start. “Web design is overrated,” he told us. “There are literally millions of websites that look better than mine. Pretty much all of them, actually, yet my site gets more traffic than most. “A great example is Google versus Yahoo. Yahoo inundates you with design and content. Google says ‘here’s a search bar, have fun!’ Same thing can be said of Craigslist, and Drudgereport and countless other ‘simple’ sites.” He also refuses to sell ads on his site or market it in any way. Merchandise sales barely cover his costs of hosting it. “Ads cause self-censorship and they’re annoying and abusive,” says Maddox. “There are countless examples of advertisers bullying content creators to change their opinions to be more favourable towards the advertiser and they’re continually using more invasive methods to advertise, such as audio and video clips that disrupt your viewing experience and slow down your computer. No thanks.” Money has come though from his book, which consists of 26 mini essays, one for each letter. For example N is for (Chuck) Norris. “The Alphabet of Manliness changed the publishing industry. Before it there was only one known book on manliness and it was in 1998. My book hit #1 on Amazon.com sales through presales alone, and #2 on the New York Times bestseller list. That kind of success is virtually

forget the x-factor circus, forget hanging your hopes of a big break on britain’s got talent. the internet is making a star a day and serving up fame and fortune to ordinary folks… unheard of for a first-time author. That said, I’m not a millionaire by a long shot.” Maddox was in talks with US network Spike TV about turning his unique brand of comedy into a TV show, but as talks stalled he took his idea to YouTube. “Why subject yourself to the heavy-handed editing and censorship on television when you can kick everyone’s face with your dick on the internet,” asks Maddox. “Publishing online lets you produce something once and have it be read or watched by millions of people forever.” A new book, entitled I Am Better Than Your Kids is coming to a bookstore near you, meaning Maddox’s moneymaking days are far from over. onducting these issues got the team here at T thinking. If Maddox can do this; if Charlie and Harry, Esmee, Chocolate Rain man and Justin Halpern can do this, why can’t we? @StartlingFacts is the creation of two of T’s writers. On a regular basis, they’re delivering pearls of whimsy such as “Fact: Despite a fine covering of hair and the ability to produce milk, coconuts are not actually mammals.” Could this

c

Five genuine web stars… and one for the future? cosmetics line and her own Ds game, supermodel makeover

Justin Bieber first appeared: 2007 the teenage musical sensation was discovered on youtube. the usher protege has now sold millions of records and popularised a sort of androgynous bouffant emo helmet hairdo amongst teenage boys

Soulja Boy first appeared: 2005 this us rapper, real name Deandre cortez Way, posted his videos on youtube. two years later he topped the charts with the allegedly saucy, actually incomprehensible crank that

Bo Burnham first appeared: 2006 american comedian burnham started posting his comedy songs in 2006, aged just 16. millions of hits later, he was a huge, award-winning hit at this year’s edinburgh festival

Lauren Luke first appeared: 2007 this english make-up artist made her name giving tutorials on youtube. she now has a book,

Susan Boyle first appeared: 2009 the non-conventionally attractive songstress appeared on britain’s got talent in 2009. Once posted on youtube she became an instant, worldwide sensation, garnering 2.5 million views in 72 hours to became the most watched video of 2009

TheGrandSpectacular first appeared: 2010 We viewed this person or group’s London-hipster-hating satirical tune on a friday when it had 300 views. by the following monday it had 1.5 million. by the time you read this it’ll be either huge or forgotten – that’s youtube biz…

feed lead to a book deal and a fortune from the lucrative stocking-filler market this Christmas? We asked Phyllis Zimbler Miller of Miller Mosaic Social Media Marketing to take a look and help us build on our following of 79. We have to admit, she wasn’t totally positive. “First of all,” she said. “You don’t have a Twitter bio. It’s nada. Why should anyone be interested in following you? Secondly you have a fish as your profile picture. I don’t really like that. I’d get rid of it and replace it with a photo of you. It’s more personal. Also it’s better to have your name in the name field and then StartlingFacts as the username. Also you must switch from the plain Twitter background.” “Also, start having conversations with people on Twitter. A list of FACTS is boring. I can look up startling facts online anywhere. It’s the human interaction that’s actually very important on Twitter. Start looking for conversations that you can join. The search field is very good for this because you can search by topic.” Sensible suggestions, all. Phyllis also recommended that we mention others, post links and encourage re-tweets and followers of our contents through engaging with other more popular Twitter users. But didn’t Justin tell us to keep things natural? Keep the content genuine and focus on creating funny content for the page? It worked for him and he’s the one staring a million bucks in the face. Most of the major Twitter, YouTube and blogging stars became phenomena not through endless networking but through the content itself. Justin Halpern had very funny and original content that he was savvy enough to turn into a book and sitcom. Charlie and Harry’s dad captured a timeless moment. Esmee had girl-next-door appeal and a decent singing voice, while Maddox had great content and refused to sell out – it’s only in the last five years that he’s seen reward for his efforts. Tay Zonday had… Well, he had something people liked. The days of seeing £250 from You’ve Been Framed as a reward for a funny video clip are gone. Talented singers such as Esmee and Tay don’t have to languish undiscovered in their bedrooms, or face inquisition by the Simon Cowells of this world. And the rest of us don’t have to live in a world unenlightened by Mr Halpern Snr’s unique view of it. There are riches out there for the right content. If you’re lucky enough to capture a random moment on video that captures the hearts of millions, or have the right talent and the willingness to work at it, they could be yours. T

1 6 8 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0



Add 8,025,000 songs to your playlist. Give or take a few thousand.

The all-in-one wireless music system.

Also available in White

Room-filling sound. 5 integrated speakers and 5 dedicated digital amps provide crystal-clear, high-performance audio.

Control with your iPhone or iPod touch. Download the free Sonos Controller for iPhone app and search for songs, choose the music and control the volume from anywhere in the house.

Unlimited music from iTunes and the internet. Play way more than just what fits on your iPod, including all your iTunes®, free Internet radio and millions of songs & stations from the Internet.

Visit: www.simplysonos.co.uk Call: 0800 731 7301 Email: [email protected]

For more information please visit www.sonos.com/S5demo

Don’t forget to mention ‘T3’ when you call us for a quote



s

THEGUIDE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

EDITED BY CLARE SARTIN. WORDS: NICK RENSHAW, HANNAH BOUCKLEY, LUKE PETERS

T’s Top Five in every gadget category. The best of the best, with news, reviews, long-term tests and competitions. This month: MOBILES Sagem Puma Phone review p173 PMPs Philips GoGear Connect first look p175 GAMING Free games round-up p177 CAMERAS Pentax RS1000 first look p178 CAMCORDERS JVC Picsio GX-FM2 review p179 COMPUTING Asus U53JC Bamboo review p181 TV & PROJECTORS Win a 3M MPro150 pocket projector p183 HOME CINEMA Sharp BD-HP90S Blu-ray player p185 HI-FI We7 music streaming takes on Spotify p187 MOTORS TomTom for iPhone 4 p188

SCORES IN THE GUIDE. The products featured in The Guide are regularly reassessed against what’s new. As a result, we may re-rate older products periodically to reflect the current state of the market. PRICES IN THE GUIDE. We’ve scoured the web and elsewhere for the best we can find at trusted retailers. Be sure to check for the most up-to-date deals before whipping out your credit card, though…

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 7 1

T 3 PRO M OTI O N

CURVE 3G BROWSE, CHAT AND EMAIL ON THE LATEST DO-IT-ALL BLACKBERRY Features THE TARIFF

BlackBerry Curve 3G is available on Pay Monthly or Pay & Go, ask in-store for latest prices THE EXTRAS

Transfer your iTunes or WMP music collections to the Curve 3G using BlackBerry Media Sync THE DIMENSIONS

The BlackBerry Curve 3G’s vital statistics: 109x60x13.9mm Weight: 104g

The BlackBerry Curve 3G makes light work of everyday tasks with 3G connectivity and 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi for speedy web browsing. Smooth multitasking means you can run several apps simultaneously, so you can listen to Spotify while you chat to friends using BlackBerry Messenger, the instant messaging function. Expressing yourself is easy using the BlackBerry Curve 3G’s full QWERTY keyboard and SureType technology™ that corrects typos. The BlackBerry® Curve 3G also includes a two-megapixel camera, with pictures displayed in 320x240 resolution on screen. There’s 256MB of storage and a microSD slot for up to an extra 32GB plus built-in GPS and access to BlackBerry Maps. Head to your nearest O2 shop to pick up the BlackBerry Curve 3G today or buy online at www.o2.co.uk/shoponline…

Subject to availability. Terms apply, see o2.co.uk for more details. Connection subject to status, credit check, payment by direct debit and 18-month minimum term contract (Pay Monthly only).

F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 1 7


storemags & fantamag - magazines for all THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

THEGUIDE

● 1 SONY ERICSSON C905+

SMARTPHONES

Apps, internet, email, music, video…these do it all

£240, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK LOVE Accurate, 8.1-meg camera with

xenon flash and face recognition HATE Some lag. Dull, chunky build

MOBILE PHONES

CA MERA PHONES

APPLE IPHONE 4

16GB: £499 (32GB: £599), WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

I8910HD

£342, WWW.SAMSUNGMOBILE.CO.UK LOVE Superb stills and video for a

1

phone. It’s an excellent PMP too HATE It’s a rather bulky animal

PERFORMANCE The iPhone 4 is the king of the smartphone hill. Fast, slick, durable and with a five-meg camera that also offers extremely good 720p video capture LOVE Slick iOS 4.1. Great media player and browser. Fast operation. Handy app folders. Very sexy design. Greatly improved camera HATE Premium price. Not all apps are updated to allow multitasking yet

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3.5-inch, 960x640 pixels CAMERA 5 megapixels STORAGE 16GB or 32GB SIZE 115x59x9.3mm GAMING

● 3 NOKIA N86

PMP

● 2 SAMSUNG

£283, WWW.NOKIA.CO.UK LOVE Crisp, detailed photos. Speedy

start-up. Acres of storage HATE Double-LED rather than the preferred xenon flash

HTC DESIRE


VIVAZ

2

£252, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK LOVE Eight-meg camera and 720p

video at 24fps plus 8GB storage HATE Sluggish Symbian interface

SATIO

£339, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK LOVE Stylish, with 12.1 megapixels

and the all-important xenon flash HATE Rather a horrid interface

SAMSUNG GALAXY S

£430, WWW.SAMSUNGMOBILE.CO.UK

3

5

● NOKIA 5800 1

£188, WWW.NOKIA.CO.UK LOVE An excellent touchscreen and

HTC LEGEND 4

with a 21:9 aspect ratio HATE Slow and confusing interface with an over-abundance of icons

ERICSSON AINO

£257, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK LOVE Excellent audio and video

quality. Semi-reasonable camera HATE Lousy, pointless touchscreen

● 4 SONY ERICSSON £250, WWW.SONYERICSSON.CO.UK LOVE Sony Walkman has music cred

and the handset is solid yet sassy HATE MediaGo software is a pain

● 5 NOKIA X6 16GB camera combo. Bright screen HATE Poor touchscreen. Lots of lag. Decrepit Symbian OS

5

PERFORMANCE Runs smoothly using Android 2.1 and includes a powerful eightmegapixel camera with 720p video LOVE Knock-out camera and user-friendly Android interface in a slim handset HATE Underpowered processor. No slide-out QWERTY on this version

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3.7-inch, 854x480 pixels CAMERA 8 megapixels STORAGE 150MB, microSD SIZE 116x61x11mm

➳ FULL PRODUCT REVIEWS AVAILABLE ONLINE T3● Mini review Sagem Puma Phone

COM THE ULTIMATE BUYER’S GUIDE

ANOTHER SPORT/TECH TIE UP?

Yes, and a rather quirky one at that. The Puma Phone’s interface features cartoon-style icons, a puma called Dylan and a “sarcastic calculator”. It’s also packed with sports tech including a bike speedometer, 3D compass and GPS tracking. The back of the handset incorporates a solar panel. It’s not designed to recharge the phone from zero, but does give a boost in emergencies. THE VERDICT

The Puma Phone is a gimmicky and deeply uninspiring handset. The resistive 2.8-inch touchscreen is inaccurate and web browsing is ridiculously sluggish. £300, WWW.PUMAPHONE.COM

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 7 3

MOTORS

£250, WWW.NOKIA.CO.UK LOVE Excellent media player ’n’

MOTOROLA MILESTONE XT720

£350, WWW.MOTOROLA.CO.UK

HI-FI

W995

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3.2-inch, 480x320 pixels CAMERA 5 megapixels STORAGE 512MB, microSD SIZE 112x56x12mm

HOME CINEMA

● 3 SONY

PERFORMANCE With a sexy aluminium unibody and HTC’s Sense interface, the Legend isn’t as powerful as the iPhone 4 or Desire but it’s still pretty damn desirable LOVE Bright screen. Fast browser and multi-touch. Sleek MacBook-like design HATE “Dead-by-dusk” battery

TV

£400, WWW.LG.COM/UK LOVE Attractive, four-inch touchscreen

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4-inch, 800x480 pixels CAMERA 5 megapixels STORAGE 8GB or 16GB SIZE 122x64x10mm


Comes With Music means nearinfinite tunes at no extra cost HATE Bundled with an 8GB card only

● 2 LG CHOCOLATE BL40

PERFORMANCE The latest Android phone wears Samsung’s TouchWiz 3.0 overlay, which is intuitive and user-friendly LOVE Brilliantly clear AMOLED screen. Speedy 1GHz processor. Full-HD video HATE More plasticky and less slick than the Desire and iPhone

COMPUTERS

MUSIC PHONES

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3.7-inch, 800x480 pixels CAMERA 5 megapixels STORAGE 512MB, microSD SIZE 119x60x11.9mm

CAMCORDERS

● 5 SONY ERICSSON

PERFORMANCE Power and style combine to make a worthy adversary to the iPhone LOVE Android 2.2 and a 1GHz processor make for silky smooth operation.Very good screen. Quickest web browser of any phone HATE The music player’s no iPod. Android Market is no Apple App Store

CAMERAS

● 4 SONY ERICSSON

The entire world of music delivery. In a nutshell.

An incredible array of features in an amazingly small unit, UnitiQute enables you to connect with your music like never before. Digital Stream Player, Multi-Format Tuner (DAB/FM/Internet Radio), Digital iPod/MP3 Player, USB Memory Stick Player, Digital to Analogue Converter, Integrated Amplifier.

For a demo, please connect with your nearest retailer at naimaudio.com/unitiqute



THEGUIDE

● 1 IPOD NANO 16GB

£159 (8GB: £129), WWW.APPLE.COM/UK LOVE A complete image overhaul

PMPS

MOBILE PHONES

MP3PLA YERS

Your do-it-all portable entertainment devices…

adds a 1.54-inch multi-touch screen and FM radio to the Nano HATE The video cam has vanished

IPOD TOUCH 64GB

£329, (32GB: £249, 8GB: £189), WWW.APPLE.COM/UK £193, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK LOVE Enough storage for months of

music, plus pics and video to boot HATE Less than cutting-edge design makes this the Touch’s dowdy dad

1 UP

GRADE

headphones allegedly “worth £ 80” HATE Awkward interface is no match for Apple’s slick user experience

PERFORMANCE The best PMP money can buy has been further improved with Apple adding the same Retina Display found on the iPhone 4, 720p video recording at up to 30fps and the ability to video call using FaceTime –everyone’s doing it LOVE Still the best combination of web browser, emailer, music and app store HATE Quality costs money

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3.5-inch, 960x640 EXTRAS Wi-Fi, HD recording, App Store BATTERY 40hrs audio/7hrs video SIZE 111x58.9x7.2mm/101g GAMING

● 3 SONY WALKMAN A845

£140, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Great sound quality, with bundled

PMP

● 2 IPOD CLASSIC 160GB

SONY XSERIES WALKMAN 32GB

£299 (16GB: £250), WWW.SONY.CO.UK £39, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK LOVE Clickable controls return and

2

Genius playlists are added to the wearable mini MP3 player HATE Limited storage

£240 (16GB: £95, 8GB: £89), UK.EUROPE.CREATIVE.COM LOVE Fine audio. Wi-Fi streaming.

SD slot. Cheap 8GB/16GB models HATE Fiddly controls. Nasty feel

● SENNHEISER IE 8 1

£171, WWW.SENNHEISER.CO.UK LOVE Superb all-round sound

COWON S9 32GB

£239 (16GB: £191, 8GB: £161), WWW.AMP3.CO.UK

3

ARCHOS 5 120GB 4

sound quality and great comfort, now at a rock bottom cost HATE Nothing at this price

HD 650

£220, WWW.SENNHEISER.CO.UK LOVE Cracking sound quality

and unbeatable comfort HATE Pricey and for indoor use only

CREATIVE ZEN XFI2 32GB

£155 (16GB: £101, 8GB: £83), UK.EUROPE.CREATIVE.COM

5

PERFORMANCE Creative’s added a generous three-inch touchscreen to the X-Fi, and excellent earphones LOVE Good quality audio with tasty bundled headphones. Sexy looks HATE Ropey touchscreen. Unlike the original X-Fi there’s no Wi-Fi streaming

reproduction and reliable build quality HATE At £ 17 it’d be rude to quibble

MORE FEATURES, SIR?

It also features a two-meg camera and shoots 640x480-pixel video at up to 30fps. Our worry about this whole exercise? The media players on Android phones are generally piss-poor… 8GB: £200, 16GB: £230, WWW.PHILIPS.COM/GOGEAR

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 7 5

MOTORS

First look Philips GoGear Connect

HI-FI

Philips’new PMP is a real iPod Touch killer. Ha ha, no just kidding. But it is a nice thing. The Connect runs Android 2.1, has a 3.2-inch touchscreen and comes with built in Wi-Fi to let you have at the Android Market, the web and your email. GPS is also onboard, which is one element the Touch lacks.

£17, WWW.SENNHEISER.CO.UK LOVE Comfort, excellent sound

Beautifully designed with soft leather earpads for unrivalled comfort HATE A touch expensive


THE PMP POWERED BY ANDROID

CX300II

£250, WWW.BOWERSANDWILKINS.CO.UK LOVE Outstanding noise isolation.

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3-inch, 400x240 EXTRAS FM radio BATTERY 25hrs audio/5hrs video SIZE 102x57x11.6mm

➳ FULL PRODUCT REVIEWS AVAILABLE ONLINE T3●

● 4 SENNHEISER

● 5 B&W P5

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.8-inch, 800x480 EXTRAS Wi-Fi, PDF viewer BATTERY 72hrs audio/7hrs video SIZE 127x78x13mm/250g

HOME CINEMA

● 3 SENNHEISER

PERFORMANCE Add-ons such as the DVR station, which allows you to record TV, make the Archos 5 the best PMP for video. Audio is good too, but it is bulky LOVE Fantastic, 4.8-inch touchscreen. A host of paid-for add-ons available HATE Neither cheap nor small

TV

● 2 GOLDRING GX200

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3.3-inch, 480x272 EXTRAS Bluetooth BATTERY 55hrs audio/11hrs video SIZE 13x105x57mm/77g

£289 (60GB: £200, 250GB: £250, 500GB: £309) WWW.ARCHOS.COM

quality. Easily adjustable bass HATE Could be comfier. Could also be somewhat cheaper

£17, WWW.GOLDRING.CO.UK LOVE Accomplished, well-rounded

PERFORMANCE Really great audio makes Cowon’s Touch-alike tempting. The low energy-consuming AMOLED screen and expanded 32GB storage also work a treat LOVE Great sound. Tasty AMOLED screen HATE Lacks extras such as Wi-Fi. Decidedly irksome interface

COMPUTERS

HEA DPHONES

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 3-inch, 432x240 EXTRAS Noise cancelling, Wi-Fi BATTERY 33hrs audio/9hrs video SIZE 97x53x10.5mm/98g

CAMCORDERS

● 5 CREATIVE ZEN XFI 32GB

PERFORMANCE Beats the iPod on audio quality with plenty of bass and noise cancelling built in. Video performance via the OLED screen is also impressive LOVE Crisp OLED screen and excellent audio even via the bundled earphones HATE Non-musical features less good

CAMERAS

● 4 APPLE IPOD SHUFFLE 2GB

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Benefits of the Janus 802: • Up to 1000 meter operational range. • Up to 300 mbps download speed. • 2 x 2.5Dbi adjustable antennas. • 3D coverage. • b / g / n compatible. • PC, Macintosh and Linux compatible

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THEGUIDE

CONSOLES

Core i5 processor and top graphics card, but still under 2kg HATE Still no optical drive

£285 (120GB: £239), UK.PLAYSTATION.COM

£1,464, WWW.ALIENWARE.CO.UK LOVE Upgraded with a 2.2GHz

SONY PS3 SLIM 250GB 1

FUSION FORTRESS

£1,616, WWW.CHILLBLAST.COM LOVE It’s a Blu-ray-packing bargain

compared to other gaming rigs HATE Noisy fan and brutish design

XDNA 760

XBOX 360 250GB

£1,500, WWW.YOYOTECH.CO.UK LOVE Custom-built with an

£200, WWW.XBOX.CO.UK

overclocked 4GHz processor

2

HATE Its design isn’t subtle

GTX460

£799, WWW.MESHCOMPUTERS.COM LOVE A powerful processor and

1TB storage at a bargain price HATE Bland looks

writing drive and surround sound HATE Rather pricey

● HALO: REACH 1

£38, XBOX 360 LOVE Multiplayer co-op mode on

NINTENDO WII


3

SONY PSP 3000 4

more accurate passing HATE You can now play as the goalie. But who’d want to?

ODYSSEYTO THEWEST

£40, XBOX 360/PS3 LOVE A cinematic adventure HATE An unimaginative plot

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.3-inch, 472x480 pixels CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi BATTERY LIFE 5 hours SIZE 169x71x18mm/189g

NINTENDO DSI


5

PERFORMANCE Dual-touchscreen, portable gaming legend with a massive games catalogue and easy pocketability LOVE Plenty of games. Improved screens and online store, plus a built-in camera HATE Doesn’t play GBA games. Short-lived battery. Less versatile than PSP 3000

SPECIFICATIONS SCREENS 2x 3.25-inch, 256x192 pixels CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi, Bluetooth BATTERY LIFE 6 hours SIZE 230x230x70mm/218g



ALIEN SWARM

● 4 METROID: £35, WII LOVE Old-school action with

STORE.STEAMPOWERED.COM

gaming’s original sci-fi heroine HATE Terrible cut scenes

THE COMPANY OF MYSELF

£40, XBOX 360/PS3/WII/DS LOVE Control four Spider-Men HATE Can become repetitive

Update… The best free games for your PC

An addictive, Lemmings-style game with easy to grasp controls and a refreshingly depressing storyline involving a philosophical loner. WWW.ARMORGAMES.COM

VICTORIAN BMX

Death rides a BMX, pulls tricks and collects skulls from men on penny-farthings. Yes, that old chestnut of a plot. GAMES.ADULTSWIM.COM

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 7 7

MOTORS

SHATTERED DIMENSIONS

HI-FI

In this Unreal Tournament-style game you protect your base from alien attack, single-handedly or multiplayer.

OTHER M

● 5 SPIDERMAN:

HOME CINEMA

● 3 ENSLAVED:

PERFORMANCE With a bright, 4.3-inch screen and a built-in mic for Skype calls the PSP 3000 is preferable to the PSP Go, with a fair few quality games available LOVE Bright screen. Impressive range of multimedia bits. Decent games catalogue HATE Battery life could be better

TV

£38, XBOX 360/PS3 LOVE Online league tables and

SPECIFICATIONS STORAGE 512MB flash DVD/BLU-RAY No/no CONNECTIVITY 2x USB, Wi-Fi

£135, UK.PLAYSTATION.COM

Xbox Live. New online ranking system and extra weapons HATE It’s the last ever Halo

● 2 FIFA 11

PERFORMANCE Destroying the Xbox and PS3 in sales terms, the lovable Wii nonetheless lacks the raw grunt to please a more hardcore, adult audience LOVE Cheap. Great BBC iPlayer add-on HATE Too many novelty games, not enough classics. Graphics aren’t hi-def

COMPUTERS

GA MES

SPECIFICATIONS STORAGE 250GB HDD DVD/BLU-RAY Yes/no CONNECTIVITY HDMI, 5x USB, ethernet, N Wi-Fi, AV out

CAMCORDERS

ETHOS 8943G

£2,000, WWW.SAVEONLAPTOPS.CO.UK LOVE 1.6GHz processor, Blu-ray

PERFORMANCE The upgraded Xbox 360 is 15 per cent slimmer than the previous model and adds N Wi-Fi, a 250GB hard drive and a dedicated port for Kinect. No more Red Ring of Death as, er, the lights can no longer turn red LOVE Slimmer and quieter, with built-in N Wi-Fi. Still top dog for online gaming HATE No Blu-ray drive

CAMERAS

● MESH ELITE 4

● 5 ACER ASPIRE

SPECIFICATIONS STORAGE 250GB HDD DVD/BLU-RAY Yes/yes CONNECTIVITY HDMI, 2x USB, ethernet, G Wi-Fi, AV out

GAMING

● 3 YOYO TECH

PERFORMANCE The PS3 now has the AAA titles it lacked in its early years. The built-in Blu-ray drive makes it a better all-round package than the 360. A 320GB version and the Move controller are coming soon LOVE Blu-ray player. BBC iPlayer HATE Online gaming could be improved

PMP

● 2 CHILLBLAST

Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo? Or how about all three?

MOBILE PHONES

● 1 ALIENWARE M11X

GA MING PCS

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

THEGUIDE COMPA CT CA MERA S ● 1 PANASONIC LUMIX TZ8

DIGITAL SLRS

High-specced cameras for serious photographers

£197, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE Sharp, bright screen and a versatile lens HATE Chunky. No HDMI

● CANON POWERSHOT S90

CANON EOS 550D


2


LOVE Excellent pictures.

Manual features aplenty HATE Relatively expensive. No HD movie mode

1

● 3 SONY CYBER SHOT TX1

PERFORMANCE The 550D serves up superb results even in low light thanks to an ISO setting that goes up to 12,800. With full-HD video, 18 megapixels and pro-level specs, it’s at the top of its game LOVE Full-HD video and HDMI output. Speedy, accurate autofocus HATE No built-in image stabilisation –it’s via the lens only. No video record button

SPECIFICATIONS MEGAPIXELS 18 SCREEN 3 inches SENSOR 22.3x14.9mm CMOS WEIGHT 530g

£188, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Slick touchscreen.

Sharp pictures HATE No HDMI output

PENTAX K7

£739, WWW.PENTAX.CO.UK

● 4 PANASONIC

LUMIX DMCFX700

£274, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE Takes quality 14-meg shots

2

at up to 10fps. Top auto modes HATE Awkward menus

● 5 NIKON S8000 £179, WWW.NIKON.CO.UK LOVE Quick start-up, fast

shutter, intuitive controls HATE Smeary screen and some purple fringing

BIG ZOOMS ● PANASONIC 1

LUMIX DMCFZ38

£247, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE High quality images,

£310, WWW.FUJIFILM.CO.UK

LOVE 10.3-meg images, HD video, a wide range of manual controls and a 30x zoom HATE A little on the bulky side

● 3 CANON

POWERSHOT SX1


LOVE Big LCD screen, punchy colours and very quick shutter HATE Heavy. Eats AA batteries

● NIKON 4

COOLPIX P100

£272, WWW.NIKON.CO.UK LOVE 10.3-meg sensor and

a 26x zoom, plus 1080p video HATE Soft images

● 5 SONY HX1

£281, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Beefy 20x zoom. High

quality lens. Great panoramas HATE Colours appear muted. Slow to process images

SPECIFICATIONS MEGAPIXELS 14.6 SCREEN 3 inches SENSOR 23.4x15.6mm CMOS WEIGHT 670g

CANON EOS 450D


3

PERFORMANCE Compact and lightweight compared to other DSLRs, the 450D also happens to deliver excellent results LOVE Impressive 12.2-meg sensor and IS kit lens. Big, brash LCD screen HATE Lens, though good, does feel slightly plasticky. Now ageing a bit


NIKON D5000

£429, WWW.NIKON.CO.UK

4

18x zoom and a movie mode HATE Dull styling. Small screen

● 2 FUJIFILM HS10

PERFORMANCE Built to last, the K-7 is dust and moisture resistant, and it features pro-quality extras such as automatic horizon correction LOVE Rugged, weather resistant build and a high resolution LCD screen HATE Expensive. Bulky. Video isn’t full HD

PERFORMANCE Excellent point-andshoot capability from an SLR, with Scene Recognition and Active D-Lighting LOVE Adjustable LCD screen lets you shoot around corners. Anti-shake lens HATE Low-res LCD screen. Colours can appear subdued at times

SPECIFICATIONS MEGAPIXELS 12.3 SCREEN 2.7 inches SENSOR 23.6x15.8mm CMOS WEIGHT 560g

NIKON D300

£1,114, WWW.NIKON.CO.UK

5

PERFORMANCE A serious camera. Controls are complicated, but the results make it all very worthwhile LOVE Quick shooting and responsive autofocus mean top quality snaps HATE Complex manual controls; this is not a camera for neophytes



First look Pentax RS1000


THE CUSTOMISABLE COMPACT

Known as the Chameleon, the RS1000 can be customised with skins to fit every occasion. You can create your own designs, or slide your favourite photos between the camera’s body and the transparent front panel. Not feeling inspired? Go to www.pentax.co.uk/ chameleon to browse the ready-made templates. SPECIFICATIONS

The RS1000 sports a 14-meg sensor, 4x zoom, HD video capture, face detection, auto-tracking and digital blur removal. Affordable and colourful, if a tad gimmicky, it’s available now. Review soon. £120, WWW.PENTAX.CO.UK/CHAMELEON

1 7 8 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0



THEGUIDE Mini review JVC Picsio GX-FM2

● 1 PANASONIC LUMIX G2

£530, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE Small and powerful, with

TOUCH-CONTROLLED RECORDING

JVC has dumped buttons in favour of a three-inch touchscreen which takes care of all the GX-FM2’s controls. It can be used to compose 1920x1080-pixel MPEG-4 movies at 25fps or five-megapixel still shots. THE VERDICT

12.1 megapixels and 720p video HATE Not a cheap option

● 2 PANASONIC LUMIX GF1

£510, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE Big spec, low price HATE No viewfinder or built-in

PMP

At maximum resolution, video is passably good, although the microphone is too sensitive so sound distorts. Photographs are a bit grainy, too. On the plus side, you get a flip-out USB arm and mini HDMI for easy file viewing. Bottom line: this is no Flip killer. The Flip Mino HD costs just £1 more and is far superior.

MOBILE PHONES

MICRO FOUR THIRDS

£130, WWW.JVC.CO.UK

image stabilisation

£800, WWW.OLYMPUS.CO.UK LOVE More satisfactory than the

E-P1 with the same retro look HATE No built-in flash. The price tag is decidedly premium

£370, WWW.OLYMPUS.CO.UK LOVE A 12.3 megapixel sensor

and 720p HD video shooting HATE Less satisfactory overall than the new, improved E-P2

Get serious: record life in dazzling HD

SONY HDRCX350

£778, WWW.SONY.CO.UK

1

£532, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Excellent photo quality

and HD footage. The most compact camera of its kind HATE Pricey. Fiddly scroll wheel

JVC EVERIO GZHM550

£480, WWW.JVC.CO.UK

2

VPCHD2000

£293, UK.SANYO.COM LOVE Quick-shooting. Unusually

PANASONIC HDCSD600

3

£383, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Sleek design. 16GB built-in

flash drive and a slick touchscreen HATE Not cheap. GPS and Highlight Playback more cool than useful

look. Shoots 720p HD, has 8GB of storage and a flip-out USB arm HATE Memory not expandable

CANON LEGRIA HF M31


4

● 4 FLIP VIDEO with exceptional HD results HATE Not as sexy as the Mino HD

● 5 KODAK PLAYSPORT full HD. Good price. SD card slot HATE White balance issues.

Grainy shots in low light

SPECIFICATIONS ZOOM 15x STORAGE 32GB, SD/SDHC SCREEN 2.7-inch touchscreen SIZE 68x60x123mm/320g

PANASONIC HDCSD200


5

PERFORMANCE A great touchscreen interface and a full gamut of shooting features, including 12x zoom LOVE 3MOS technology produces incredibly vibrant images HATE Low-light shooting isn’t bad as such but noise does still occur at times

SPECIFICATIONS ZOOM 12x STORAGE SD/SDHC card SCREEN 2.7-inch touchscreen SIZE 132x68x68mm/335g


MOTORS

£115, WWW.KODAK.CO.UK LOVE Waterproof, rugged and

PERFORMANCE Offers stereo audio and records in full-HD, storing footage on the internal 32GB drive or SD/SDHC cards LOVE Great auto controls and a decent lens with 15x zoom HATE Some exposure issues when shooting in automatic mode

HI-FI

ULTRAHD

£125, WWW.THEFLIP.COM LOVE Simple to use pocket-cam

SPECIFICATIONS ZOOM 12x STORAGE SD/SDHC SCREEN 2.7-inch touchscreen SIZE 62x66x126mm/325g

HOME CINEMA

£131, WWW.THEFLIP.COM LOVE The slick, new, brushed steel

PERFORMANCE Records 1080p video at up to 50fps and also takes top-quality 14.2-meg stills using modes pilfered from Panasonic’s stills cameras, including intelligent auto and face recognition LOVE Natural colours, sharp images and helpful auto features HATE Rather bulky. No mic or headphone sockets. Awkward menus

TV

● 2 SONY HDRTG7

● 3 FLIP MINO HD

SPECIFICATIONS ZOOM 10x STORAGE 32GB, SDHC SCREEN 2.7-inch LCD SIZE 55x62x110mm/320g


good stills. Full-HD video HATE Too big for most pockets

PERFORMANCE The Everio GZ-HM550 shoots excellent quality 1080p video aided by JVC’s Advanced Image Stabiliser LOVE Great 1080p video. Bluetooth enabled for wireless transfer. HDMI too HATE Low-resolution LCD screen compared to most rivals

COMPUTERS

POCKET CA MCORDERS ● 1 SANYO XACTI

SPECIFICATIONS ZOOM 12x STORAGE 32GB, SD card SCREEN 2.7-inch touchscreen SIZE 112x64x52mm/320g

CAMCORDERS

● 5 SONY ALPHA NEX5

PERFORMANCE This robust Handycam combines a wide-angle 27.4mm lens with 12x zoom, 1080i video at 24fps and more-than-decent seven-meg stills LOVE Very impressive hi-def images and crisp audio from a compact unit HATE Touchscreen icons can be fiddly

CAMERAS

● 4 OLYMPUS EP1

PROSUMER CAMCORDERS

GAMING

● 3 OLYMPUS EP2


D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 7 9



THEGUIDE

● 1 APPLE MACBOOK £849, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK LOVE Apple über-stylishness

DESK TOPS

Computing power for business and pleasure

and Mac OS X for less dosh HATE Polycarbonate finish rather than the Pro’s aluminium

APPLE IMAC 27INCH QUADCORE

FROM £1,649 (21.5-INCH MODELS FROM £999), WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

STUDIO 16

PERFORMANCE With fast Core i3, i5 and i7 processors and beefed up graphics chips, the new iMac range is Apple’s fastest yet. You can add multi-touch and pinch-tozoom with the Magic Trackpad LOVE Great, hi-res screen. Fantastic looks. Plenty of power under the hood. Mac OS X HATE Prices are pretty unforgiving, especially on the 27-inch models

1

FROM £999, WWW.DELL.CO.UK LOVE Large, full-HD screen and

built-in Blu-ray drive HATE Heavy. Weak battery

£598, UK.ASUS.COM LOVE Amazing, 12-hour battery

HP PAVILION P6525

£600, WWW.HP.COM/UK

ADVENT SE1101

EW

£438, WWW.LENOVO.CO.UK LOVE Dual core AMD

Turion NeoX2 processor and 320GB hard drive HATE Poor battery life

ENTR

Y

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 23.6-inch, 1920x1080 PROCESSOR Pentium E5400 2.7GHz MEMORY/STORAGE 4GB/1TB OS Windows 7

HP TOUCHSMART 600

£1,113, WWW.HP.COM/UK

5

PERFORMANCE This all-in-one PC comes with a Blu-ray drive, HDMI, a TV tuner and six USBs thrown in, plus a stunning HD screen and handy touch-controlled apps. Not fantastic value for money LOVE Big, very vivid HD screen HATE Some touchscreen lag at times

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 23-inch, 1920x1200 PROCESSOR Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz MEMORY/STORAGE 4GB/1TB OS Windows 7



HOME CINEMA

● 3 LENOV0 THINKPAD X100E

EW

USB slots, N Wi-Fi and a massive HD screen, the Wind is a multimedia PC at a good price. Shame about the touchscreen LOVE Blu-ray drive. Huge HD screen. Cheaper than the Touchsmart HATE Touchscreen controls are sluggish

TV

160GB hard drive and a six-cell battery that lasts six hours HATE Low resolution screen

PERFORMANCE With a Blu-ray drive, six

4

COMPUTERS

£339, WWW.MSI.COM LOVE A 1.66GHz Atom processor,

Y

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN None PROCESSOR AMD Sempron 2.7GHz MEMORY/STORAGE 2GB/320GB OS Windows 7

MSI WIND TOP AE2400

N

● 2 MSI WIND U160

ENTR

package with a DVD burner and memory card reader, plus space for future upgrades. This is a wise investment LOVE Cheap, quiet and upgradeable HATE Underpowered processor, weak graphics and pedestrian design

£950, UK.MSI.COM

£452, UK.ASUS.COM LOVE Powerful Intel Atom dual-

core processor. Well connected with HDMI and three USB slots HATE Struggles to stream HD

PERFORMANCE An affordable desktop

3 N

● 1 ASUS EEE PC 1201N

Y

£300, WWW.PCWORLD.CO.UK

processor and longer battery life HATE Not in any sense a bargain

NETBOOKS

ENTR

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN None PROCESSOR Core i3 3.06GHz MEMORY/STORAGE 4GB/750GB OS Windows 7

CAMCORDERS

PRO 15INCH

FROM £1,499, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK LOVE Now has a Core i5 or i7

N

● 5 APPLE MACBOOK

EW

PERFORMANCE A PC tower with solid specifications, including a 3.06GHz Core i3 processor and 750GB hard drive. With eight USB slots, HDMI and N Wi-Fi the Pavilion gives real value for money LOVE Well connected. Good price HATE Monitor costs extra

CAMERAS

2

£702, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK LOVE Decent battery life. Stylish,

portable design. Powerful enough to multitask with ease HATE Lacks storage. Poor graphics

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 27-inch, 2560x1440 PROCESSOR Core i5 2.8GHz MEMORY/STORAGE 4GB/1TB OS Mac OS X GAMING

● 3 ASUS UL30A

● 4 SAMSUNG X420

PMP

● 2 DELL XPS

life. Lightweight, portable design HATE Underpowered due to batterysaving, low-voltage processor

MOBILE PHONES

LA PTOPS

GREEN CREDENTIALS

● TOSHIBA

SATELLITE T11012U

£300, WWW.TOSHIBA.CO.UK LOVE Powerful 1.3GHz Intel Celeron

processor and hi-res screen HATE Slightly bulky

● 5 TOSHIBA NB305

Atom processor and 250GB hard drive –for not much cash HATE Design lacks finesse

PERFORMANCE

Mini review Asus U53JC Bamboo

The 15.6-inch, 1366x768-pixel screen is bright and crisp, while the 2.27GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB RAM run resource-intensive multimedia programmes with ease. The GeForce 310M graphics chip will struggle with the latest games and the battery lasts just under three hours, but this is still a unique and powerful laptop. £899, UK.ASUS.COM

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 8 1

MOTORS

£348, WWW.TOSHIBA.CO.UK LOVE Solid specs –six-cell battery,

HI-FI

The Asus U53JC is constructed from bamboo, a natural resource that’s quick to re-grow. Thus, Asus claims, using it causes zero damage to the environment. It also makes a nice change from traditional laptop grey.

4



THEGUIDE

● 1 MITSUBISHI HC6800 £2,120, WWW.MITSUBISHIELECTRIC.CO.UK LOVE Quiet fan. Wide throw

FULL-HD TELEVISIONS The best HD TVs in both 2D and 3D

ratio. Motorised zoom HATE Brightness and colours could be turned up

SAMSUNG UE46C8790


£900, WWW.OPTOMA.CO.UK LOVE Reasonably-priced.

1 N

EW

ENTR

PTAE3000

PERFORMANCE Very thin yet bulging with features, this 46-inch 8000 Series set looks good and produces razor sharp results in both 2D and 3D. The burgeoning collection of online channels is a bonus LOVE Stunning visuals. Impressive internet features and DLNA networking HATE Settings require fiddling for best results. Connections via dongle also fiddly

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 46-inch, 1920x1080 INPUTS 4x HDMI. Via dongle: 2x Scart, component, composite, PC, ethernet DIMENSIONS 1,092x653x26mm GAMING

● 3 PANASONIC

Y

PMP

● 2 OPTOMA HD20 Full-HD picture. Compact HATE Occasional rainbow effect and some fan noise

£2,043, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE Exemplary connectivity

with three HDMI inputs HATE Overly vocal fan

VPLHW15

£2,195, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Stylish design. Great

PANASONIC P50VT20

£2,180, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

2

contrast and black levels HATE Some fan noise

£1,500, WWW.SANYO.CO.UK LOVE Excellent images, an

exceedingly hushed fan and a useful sliding lens cover HATE Slight chicken wire effect

● SKY+ HD 1

FROM FREE WITH SUB, HD.SKY.COM LOVE Excellent range of

SAMSUNG UE46C7000


3

4

tuners. BBC iPlayer and 4oD HATE More expensive than Sky, with less HD stuff

FREE WITH SUB, WWW.BTVISION.BT.COM LOVE Free with a BT landline

and now packing HD movies HATE Can’t measure up to Virgin and Sky for choice

X-Gen, LED-lit panel, this TV has the brightest, most defined colours available. There’s also built-in Freeview HD and an integrated hard drive for pausing live TV LOVE Great colour reproduction HATE No online features. Pricey

PANASONIC TXP46G20B

£1,100, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK

5

PERFORMANCE Impressive spec includes

both Freesat HD and Freeview HD tuners. It’s a plasma screen, so you get great contrast and super smooth motion LOVE Two HD tuners. Excellent contrast and smooth motion. Getting cheaper HATE Dull looks. Slight softness to images


BBC iPlayer and SkyPlayer as well as Freeview HD HATE No on/off button

● 5 TALKTALK+

HOW TO ENTER

T has four 3M MPro150 pocket projectors to give away, each worth £279. For a chance to win direct your internet browser to WWW.T3.COM/S/MPRO. To learn more about the 3M MPro 150 head to www.mobile-u.co.uk.

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 8 3

MOTORS

Win… A 3M MPro150 pocket projector

HI-FI

The wireless, ultra-portable 3M MPro150 measures just 125x60x24mm, but can project a 50-inch VGA image at 15 lumens onto any flat surface. Perfect for displaying video, Powerpoint presentations and photographs, it has 1GB of onboard storage plus a further 2GB available via a bundled microSD card. Two half-watt speakers provide the audio, or you can attach headphones via the 3.5mm jack. The Lithium-ion battery life is two hours.

£300, WWW.3VIEW.COM LOVE Smooth interface. Has

on-demand choice. Various cheap TV/broadband deals HATE Very little HD on offer

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 46-inch, 1920x1080 INPUTS 4x HDMI, 2x scart, S-video composite, component, 2x USB, SD card, ethernet DIMENSIONS 1,130x720x820mm


● 4 3VIEW

£50 PLUS SUB, TALKTALK.CO.UK LOVE Slick interface. Decent

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 46-inch, 1920x1080 INPUTS 4x HDMI, 2x Scart, S-video, composite, component, PC, USB, ethernet DIMENSIONS 1,127x39x340mm

HOME CINEMA

● 3 BT VISION+ BOX

PERFORMANCE Featuring Sharp’s new

TV

£75 PLUS SUB, WWW.VIRGINMEDIA.COM LOVE Increasing HD choice. Three

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 46-inch, 1920x1080 INPUTS 4x HDMI, SD slot. Via dongle: Scart, PC, composite, ethernet DIMENSIONS 1,092x27x653mm

SHARP LC46LE821E

£1,389, WWW.SHARP.CO.UK

HD and now 3D as well HATE Poor on-demand. Subs can mount up

● 2 VIRGIN MEDIA V+

PERFORMANCE This TV crams in all the “Hot in 2010” features: LED lighting, 3D, built-in Freeview HD and online extras such as BBC iPlayer. It is also just 27mm thick LOVE Slimline, sexy looks. Freeview HD, very good picture quality and 3D-ready HATE 8000 Series is even better/slimmer

COMPUTERS

SETTOP BOXES

3D and 2D sources, this is Panasonic’s best plasma TV to date LOVE Super-smooth 3D and 2D. DLNA networking. Freeview HD and Freesat tuners HATE Average audio and a clunky interface disgracefully littered with adverts

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 50-inch, 1920x1080 INPUTS 4x HDMI, 2x Scart, component, SD card, ethernet DIMENSIONS 1,224x771x90mm

CAMCORDERS

● 5 SANYO PLVZ3000

PERFORMANCE Pretty brilliant with both

CAMERAS

● 4 SONY BRAVIA

MOBILE PHONES

FULLHD PROJECTORS

The Ultimate TV Experience Samsung LED 9000 55”LED TV | UE55C9000 The Samsung LED 9000 represents a new dimension in television. With a daring and futuristic approach to design and functionality, Samsung has created a breathtaking visual experience on one of the world’s slimmest TVs. At less than 8mm, it delivers unbelievable image depth and clarity, and with its elegant design, it stands at the avant-garde of modern decor. Discover a new world of colour, connectivity and entertainment.

For more information visit www.ssav.com/samsung9000

PURCHASE

A SAMSUNG UE55C9000 FROM ANY SEVENOAKS OR AUDIO T STORE AND

GET A FREE FIVE YEAR WARRANTY

AVAILABLE FROM SEVENOAKS SOUND & VISION AND AUDIO T STORES NATIONWIDE SEVENOAKS SOUND & VISION Aberdeen 01224 252797 Bedford 01234 272779 Brighton Hove 01273 733338 Bristol 0117 974 3727 Bromley 020 8290 1988 Cambridge 01223 304770 Chelsea 020 7352 9466 Cheltenham 01242 241171 Epsom 01372 720720 Exeter 01392 218895 Glasgow 0141 332 9655 Guildford 01483 536666

Holborn 020 7837 7540 Kingston 020 8547 0717 Leeds Wetherby 01937 586886 Lincoln 01522 527397 Loughton 020 8532 0770 Maidstone 01622 686366 Norwich 01603 767605 Nottingham 0115 911 2121 Oxford 01865 241773 Plymouth 01752 226011 Poole 01202 671677 Reading 0118 959 7768 Sevenoaks 01732 459555

Sheffield 0114 255 5861 Southampton 023 8033 7770 Tunbridge Wells 01892 531543 Watford 01923 213533 NEW Weybridge 01932 840859 Witham Essex 01376 501733 Yeovil 01935 700078 Ireland Dublin 01 275 1100 AUDIO T Basingstoke 01256 324311 Blackpool 01253 300599

Bolton 01204 395789 Brentwood 01277 264730 Camberley 01276 685597 Cardiff 029 2022 8565 Enfield 020 8367 3132 Lancaster 01524 39657 Manchester 0161 839 8869 Portsmouth 023 9266 3604 Preston 01772 883958 Swansea 01792 474608 Swindon 01793 538222 Warrington 01925 632179 Worcester 01905 619059

SAMSUNG PRODUCTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL STORES. PLEASE CALL BEFORE TRAVELLING OR VISIT WWW.SSAV.COM TO CHECK. ADVERT VAILD UNTIL 11/11/2010. E&OE

WWW.SSAV.COM True PDF release: storemags & fantamag


THEGUIDE

● 1 WESTERN

DIGITAL WDTV

BLU-RAY PLAY ERS

MOBILE PHONES

MEDIA STREA MERS

The best HD movie players, some in 3D

£78, WWW.WDC.COM/EN LOVE Very cheap, able and

exceedingly easy to use HATE No internal storage

£140, WWW.DIGITALERA.CO.UK LOVE Lots of connections

1

and room for an internal hard drive of whatever size HATE Hard drive not included

£250, WWW.PLAYONHD.COM LOVE Includes HDMI, USB

and, for an extra £ 24, N Wi-Fi and a 1.5TB hard drive HATE Fiddly remote control

SONY DMPBD760


2

of playing just about any file type you care to name HATE Prone to lag

£223, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK LOVE Slick Apple interface.

160GB hard disk. Boxee hack HATE Fiddly PC connection. No official web telly mode

● 1 ONKYO HTS3305

£500, WWW.ONKYO.COM LOVE Top performance for the

PANASONIC DBPBD80EB


3

4

side down slightly

PANASONIC DMPBDT300

£700, WWW.LG.CO.UK LOVE Plenty of HDMI inputs

and impressive sound HATE “Champagne flute” design

won’t be to everyone’s taste

5

PERFORMANCE High quality 2D and 3D playback and speedy disc loading, but media streaming and online options seem sparse considering the price tag LOVE Excellent picture quality and audio performance. Two HDMI inputs HATE Limited extras for the price

SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS 2x HDMI, ethernet, USB, component, digital audio, analogue audio, SD card SIZE 430x66x245mm



HOME CINEMA

● 3 LG HB954PB

SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS HDMI, ethernet, USB, component, composite, analogue, optical and coaxial digital audio SIZE 430x43x205mm

TV

A little on the costly side

PERFORMANCE A great 2D deck with the added bonus of 3D playback –you’ll need a 3D TV to take advantage of that, of course LOVE Excellent 2D and 3D Blu-ray performance. Network media streaming and plenty of file support HATE No 3D glasses included


User-friendly. Great sound HATE No media streaming.

SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS HDMI, ethernet, USB, component, composite, optical, phono, SD card slot SIZE 430x55x249mm

SAMSUNG BDC6900

price. Particularly great receiver

£1,400, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Wireless rear speakers.

PERFORMANCE A slim, cheap and well-connected Blu-ray player with ethernet, an SD card slot and a USB port LOVE Great video quality, YouTube access and 7.1 analogue audio HATE Slow disc loading. Interface looks a bit archaic in the XrossMediaBar age

£238, WWW.SAMSUNG.CO.UK

HATE Cheap speakers let the

● 2 SONY BDVIT1000

SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS HDMI,Wi-Fi, USB, component, composite, optical audio SIZE 430x70x246mm

COMPUTERS

BLURA Y HOME CINEMA

PERFORMANCE This Wi-Fi enabled Blu-ray deck blends Sony’s acclaimed XrossMediaBar interface, crisp visuals and a 7.1 analogue audio output to great effect LOVE Built-in Wi-Fi. Excellent DVD upscaling. Great interface HATE Slow disc loading. Not 3D-ready

CAMCORDERS

● 5 APPLE TV

SPECIFICATIONS CONNECTIONS HDMI, ethernet, USB, component, composite, optical, phono SIZE 430x36x206mm

CAMERAS

● 4 ASUS O! PLAY HDPR3

£123, UK.ASUS.COM LOVE Built-in Wi-Fi. Capable

PERFORMANCE A modestly-priced 3D-ready Blu-ray deck that includes BBC iPlayer and the option to stream movies from Lovefilm. It’s quick to load discs and 3D footage is vivid with real depth LOVE Superb interface, with SACD playback, BBC iPlayer and Lovefilm HATE Workmanlike design. 3D footage is slightly prone to flicker

GAMING

● 3 AC RYAN PLAYON HD

PMP

● 2 MEDE8ER MED500X

SONY BDPS470


DESIGN

● PANASONIC 4

a bit of an oversight…

● 5 JVC NXBD3 pseudo-surround sound and handy DLNA connectivity HATE No BD Live content

£TBC, WWW.SHARP.EU

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 8 5

MOTORS

£644, WWW.JVC.CO.UK LOVE Very believable

With DLNA built in, the BD-HP90S can stream music and movies from your PC over your home network and directly access YouTube clips. The internet connectivity allows constant software updates, keeping the BDHP90S at the top of its game. Connect it to Sharp’s 3D-capable AQUOS LCD TV (£3,500) and it will automatically optimise the picture. A pricey solution.

HI-FI

SCBT205

£856, WWW.PANASONIC.CO.UK LOVE Superb video and audio HATE No HDMI inputs? That’s

First look Stand at attention for Sharp’s BD-HP90S, the slimline Sharp BD3D Blu-ray player that can be stored horizontally or HP90S vertically – just like the PlayStation 3. Blu-ray player SPECIFICATIONS

HDMI over single co-axial cable! A really simple way to send HDMI over long distances, the PCE122 can send ultra high quality HDMI v1.3 over a single coaxial cable! (RG6 or RG59). It can send full HD 1080P at up to 120M or 720P up to 230M, both with full 7.1 channel audio. The conversion is fully digital (HDMI to SDI and back again) with no additional compression and gives you crystal clear HD at long distances. The PCE122 also contains a built-in 1 to 2 Coaxial Splitter to drive two separate receivers and each receivers has a loop-through to daisy chain additional receivers as required. Cables are connected via BNC for a secure, vibration resistant connection

Code PCE122 Code PCE122R

Features: •120M HDMI 1080p video and 7.1channel audio One Cable transmission with Ultra High Quality Video •Features World Leading Single Coaxial Transmission, designed to simplify Installation •1080p 120M / 720p 230M long distance Ultra High Quality Video with 7.1 channels surround sounds transmission •Built-in 1 to 2 Coaxial Splitter in Sender and One Coaxial Cascade output in Receiver for great extension flexibility •Up to 5 layers Cascadable for up to 600M 1080p video transmission and up to 10 TVs/Displays/Projectors connected •BNC connector designed for solid dependable connection •HDMI v1.3b, HDCP Compliant •Hassle free plug-n-play, install in seconds

£515.78 £277.73

Transmitter & receiver pair Additional receive

Sender

Receiver

PCE122

PCE122

HDMI in

Receiver Receiver

Sender Sender

£515.78

PCE122

HDMI in

PCE122

PCE122-S

5VDC -

-

Coax 1

Coax 2

Coax 1

Coax 2

+

PCE122-S

PCE122-R

+

MADE IN TAIWAN MADE IN TAIWAN

-

5VDC

HDMI out

5VDC

+

MADE IN TAIWAN MADE IN TAIWAN

-

HDMI out

Coax in cascade Coax in cascade

+

5VDC

PCE122-R

Official distributors for UK & ROI

Full Product Range Available on www.keene.co.uk HDMI cables –HDMI plug to HDMI plug

GIGAVIDEO 800 Wireless HDMI Sender HDMI 4 Way Distribution Amplifier One input to four simultaneous outputs Features: Connects one HDMI source to 4 HDMI displays supports up top 1080p at the same time Distance: Source to Device-1.8m, Device to Device15m,Device to Display-20m Cascadable to 3 levels - provides up to 64 HDMI signals

£89.00

Code VS184

HDMI over IP Network!

Send HDMI signals via your computer network with th is amazing device, true plug and play with no in-depth networking capability required. A flexible, scalabl e, low cost solution to distributing 1080P HDMI to multiple dis plays. Amazing! IR feedback from receiver to transmitter Ultra-High speed compression for high video quality with low bandwidth Use any LAN technology e.g. Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, WLAN and HomePlug adaptors Plug and Play, no configuration required

Code PB900 1 sender and 1 receiver pair Code PB900R Additional receiver

£375.00 £210.00

Felston Digital Audio Delay If you own an A/V amplifier the DD740 is the definitive answer to lip sync error for up to four sources •680ms delay (340ms for 9 6kHz signals) •On-the-fly adjustment with no image overlay •36 user preset delays •Remote control •Automatic optical/coax conversion •4 digital audio inputs, 2 digital audio outputs

Code DD740

£189.99

making AV happen

1080p rated 3m lengthHDHDV3

£14.99

At last, a cable free solution for HDMI. Any of the four HD inputs (2 x component and 2 x HDMI) can be sent wirelessly up to 20m to the receiver. The signal is uncompressed and remains up to and including 1080p. IR feedback gives you source contr ol from the viewing area. •Locate your HDTV or projector wherever you want. •Mount the receiver (out of sight) •Switch between 4 HD sources •Operates even through walls •Supports all 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p •Sends the HD signal uncompressed

1080p rated 10m lengthHDHDV10

£32.99

Premium range 1080p rated 3m lengthHDHD3

£29.99


£49.99


£59.99

professional range 2160p rated 1mHDHDC1

£29.99

Code GV800

Video Conversion

£347.46

professional range 2160p rated 3mHDHDC3

£39.99

plug professional range 2160p rated 7.5mHDHDC75

£69.99

HDMI cables –Adaptors Mini Display Port to HDMI adaptorMDPHDMI Scart to HDMI (1080PHDUSPRO

£14.99 £85.00

SCART to HDMI Upscaler

Component to HDMICP280H

Converts analogue Scart or s-video into digital HDMI at a choice or resolutions up to 1080P. Great for connecting legacy equipment to an HDMI switchbox for simplifying your connections. Control is by front panel or supplied IR remote Input signals: •Scart (RGB or composite) •s-video •NTSC or PAL Outputs: •HDMI output 720p, 1080p, 1680x1050, 1360x768 and a choice of screen modes (16:9, 16:10, expand & sub title).

RGB to s-videoRGB2S

£69.99

HD Component to RGBC2RGB

£99.99

Composite/s-video to VGAAVT3300

£44.28

Code HDUSPRO

£85.00

Keene IR Distribution Amplifier •External receiver routes IR signals to internal wands •Control all your equipment even when inside a cabinet •Works with all popular remotes •Complete system, easy to install and ready to use

Code IRBKITS

Composite/-video to componentCPVSRGB Composite/s-video to HDMICM392

£119.69

£44.28 £214.07

Video over CAT5 Composite/s-video over CAT5 (no IR)C5QC Composite/s-video over CAT5 (with IR)C5QCA

£89.99 £99.99

Composite/s-video with four remote receiverC5KDA4

£269.00

Component over CAT5C5B

£259.99

Component over CAT5 (wallplate)C5QCCP

£149.99

AV wall outlet plates – single gang with rear HDMI socket whiteHCP26

£29.99

satin chromeHCP26S

£39.99

double gang HDMI steelHCP26SD

£54.99

We accept the following methods of payments: All prices include VATE & OE. All prices correct at time of print. Please check www.keene.co.uk for the latest information!

£48.00

2010 catalogue out now – ask for your FREE copy

Order through our website www.keene.co.uk Order through our catalogue by Phone 01332 830550 Monday to Friday 9.00am and 5.30pm by Fax 01332 830551



THEGUIDE

● 1 PHILIPS FIDELIO DS9000

MUSIC STREAMERS Fill your home with freshly squeezed audio

£400, WWW.PHILIPS.CO.UK LOVE Fine audio, classy design

and its very own iPhone app HATE Limited connectivity

CARBON EDITION 2

SONOS BU150

£700, WWW.SONOS.COM

1

£250, WWW.FAT-MAN.CO.UK LOVE Excellent audio quality

with that warm, valve sound HATE Speakers cost extra

£269, WWW.VITAAUDIO.COM LOVE 3D processing produces

stunning sound. Good looking. Relatively affordable HATE iPhone not fully supported

PERFORMANCE Great audio and a smart interface controlled via either iPhone or the bundled, iPhone-esque CR200 controller make this a big favourite.There’s also support for Last.FM, Spotify and web radio LOVE Superb sound quality. Wide format support. Spotify streaming HATE No WMA lossless. Dowdy looks. It’s some considerable way from cheapness

SPECIFICATIONS FORMATS MP3,WMA,AAC, WAV, FLAC,AIFF, Ogg,Apple Lossless CONNECTIONS Phono in, digital out, ethernet, SonosNet 2.0 wireless GAMING

● 3 VITA AUDIO R2I

PMP

● 2 FATMAN ITUBE

MOBILE PHONES

IPOD DOCKS

LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX DUET

£220, WWW.LOGITECH.CO.UK £498, WWW.BOWERS-WILKINS.CO.UK LOVE Audiophile sound and iconic

2

design, as you’d expect from B& W HATE How about a bit more bass for our dosh next time?

battery for music on the go. Loud and clear playback HATE No USB port

● 1 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO SONATA

£759, WWW.CAMBRIDGEAUDIO.COM LOVE Massive audio from a

PHILIPS STREAMIUM NP2900


3

4

sound at a reasonable price HATE iPod dock costs extra

AUDIO ONE

£349, WWW.CAMBRIDGEAUDIO.COM LOVE Decent connectivity and

considerably more-than-decent sound HATE Limited LCD screen

SPECIFICATIONS FORMATS MP3,AAC including DRMprotected,AIFF, WAV,Apple Lossless CONNECTIONS USB, 3.5mm out, ethernet, N Wi-Fi

LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX BOOM

£170, WWW.LOGITECH.CO.UK

5

PERFORMANCE The Boom provides 30

watts of big, vibrant sound, siphoning music from your hard drive, internet radio, or custom stations such as Last.FM LOVE Easy set-up. Ace sonics HATE Small screen. Baffling menu system. Loses Wi-Fi connection now and then

SPECIFICATIONS FORMATS MP3,AAC, WMA, Ogg, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV,AIFF CONNECTIONS 3.5mm in, 3.5mm out, ethernet, G Wi-Fi



HOME CINEMA

● 3 CAMBRIDGE

PERFORMANCE The Mac fan’s budget streamer/Wi-Fi extender of choice has come in to its own now you can control what’s playing via the iPhone/Touch Remote app LOVE Small, compact and cheap, yet musters up very reasonable audio HATE “Issues” occur with Windows

TV

M37DAB

SPECIFICATIONS FORMATS MP3,WMA,AAC, Ogg, FLAC CONNECTIONS 3.5mm headphone, RJ-45 network, digital out, ethernet, G Wi-Fi

APPLE AIRPORT EXPRESS

compact hi-fi. iPod integration

£235, WWW.DENON.CO.UK LOVE Classic design and dynamic

out slick, bass-laden sound and also has an endless selection of web radio stations to keep you amused LOVE Immersive sound, totally painless set-up and a big LCD screen HATE Pricier than the Logitech Boom

£81, WWW.APPLE.COM/UK

HATE A touch pricey, perhaps

● 2 DENON RCD

PERFORMANCE The Streamium pumps

COMPUTERS

HIFI SYSTEMS

SPECIFICATIONS FORMATS MP3, WMA, AAC, Ogg, FLAC, Apple Lossless CONNECTIONS Phono out, optical and coaxial digital out, ethernet, G Wi-Fi

of streaming for multi-room music junkies, the Squeezebox Duet produces excellent, full-bodied sound and is an absolute cinch to set up LOVE Compact and NAS compatible HATE Requires both a hi-fi and a PC

CAMCORDERS

● 5 SONY RDPX80IP

£220, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE Long-lasting, rechargeable

PERFORMANCE Another favoured mode

CAMERAS

● 4 B&W ZEPPELIN

THE DEAL

● 4 VITA AUDIO R4 sound and a handy iPod dock. Looks the part as well HATE Neither cheap nor lightweight

● 5 SONY MX550I

and a DAB+tuner combine to make a cutting-edge hi-fi HATE More effective playing CDs

THE SERVICE

We7 boasts an online library of six million songs as well as unlimited storage for offline playlists. Spotify limits its users to downloading around 3,000 songs when offline. We’ve heard rumours of We7 making its way on to home streamers in 2011. A worthy adversary, then. WWW.WE7.COM

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 8 7

MOTORS

£220, WWW.SONY.CO.UK LOVE iPhone 4 compatibility

News… We7 takes on Spotify for the music streaming crown

Music streaming service We7 is hoping to poach would-be Spotify customers with a free two-week trial of its new Android application. The app, which is available to download from the Android Market, will cost users a Spotify-matching £9.99 a month thereafter.

HI-FI

£550, WWW.VITAAUDIO.COM LOVE Lush walnut finish, warm

THEGUIDE MOTORBIKES ● 1 APRILIA

RSV4 FACTORY

SATNAVS

Getting you from A to B with minimal hardship

£14,999, WWW.APRILLA.COM LOVE Massive V4 power. A single-minded track bike HATE Madly expensive

● YAMAHA YZFR1 2

NAVIGON 7310

EUROPE £142, WWW.NAVIGON.CO.UK

1

£9,999, WWW.YAMAHA-MOTORS.CO.UK LOVE Instant injection of

power and a Barry White-style engine growl HATE Poor fuel economy

● 3 BMW K1300R

PERFORMANCE A very slick GPS device with voice control and 3D maps LOVE Punchy and bright screen. Voice commands. The 3D view is cool and it’s pretty sexy, at least by satnav standards HATE Fiddly mount. No multimedia features. Map updates cost extra

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.3 inches CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, SD SIZE 115x74x18mm

TOMTOM GO 950 LIVE

£9,500, WWW.BMW-MOTORRAD.CO.UK LOVE 175bhp and the option

EUROPE £230 + £47.50 PER YEAR AFTER FIRST YEAR, UK.TOMTOM.COM

of a quick-shift gearbox HATE Still not the bestlooking thing on two wheels

2

● 4 TRIUMPH

THUNDERBIRD

£9,499, WWW.TRIUMPH.CO.UK LOVE More power than a Harley

Davidson and better handling HATE A tad over-sanitised

● 5 BUELL 1125CR £8,080, WWW.BUELL.CO.UK

LOVE The motor has an

indiscreet amount of grunt HATE Build quality isn’t up there with the big brands

CA RS ● FERRARI 458 ITALIA 1

£169,545, WWW.FERRARI.COM LOVE Contains a powerful

£164,100, WWW.PORSCHE.COM LOVE The most powerful Porsche

yet, the GT2 RS boasts 611bhp and a top speed of 205mph HATE Odd fabric door handles

● 3 LAMBORGHINIGALLARDO LP570SUPPERLEGGARA

£175,000, WWW.LAMBORGHINI.CO.UK LOVE The V10, naturally-aspirated

engine gives a pure ride HATE Loud and garish

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.3 inches CONNECTIVITY

Bluetooth, microSD, wireless GPRS receiver SIZE 127x23x85mm

GARMIN NÜVI 1690

EUROPE £189 + £70 PER YEAR AFTER FIRST YEAR, WWW.GARMIN.CO.UK

3

PERFORMANCE Garmin’s nüLink services are 3G-based, so you can receive traffic updates in 17 EU countries. Its speedy mapping makes it a wise investment LOVE Plenty of features including one year’s free nüLink location-based info HATE Complex interface

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.7 inches CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth, microSD SIZE 125x79x19mm

GARMIN NÜVI 1310

UK £107, WWW.GARMIN.CO.UK

4

mid-mounted V8 engine, but is a surprisingly forgiving drive HATE Recent recall issues

● 2 PORSCHE911GT2RS

PERFORMANCE User-friendly and with generally excellent operation this also boasts real-time traffic updates, safety cam alerts, fuel prices and IQ Routes, giving the most efficient route for the time of day. First month’s LIVE subscription is free LOVE User-friendly interface. Very good traffic updates with LIVE sub HATE LIVE sub adds to the cost

PERFORMANCE Quickly locks on to satellite signal and features real-time speed camera updates without a subscription. Has Bluetooth, too LOVE Simple interface. Sleek design HATE Lacks features and multimedia extras. USB charger costs extra

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 4.3 inches CONNECTIVITY Bluetooth SIZE 122x74x15mm

NAVIGON 70 PLUS

EUROPE £188, WWW.NAVIGON.COM

5

PERFORMANCE Well stocked with motion sensor controls, lane assistance, Clever Parking and traffic jam updates. There’s the option of 3D mapping too LOVE Massive five-inch screen. Attractive mapping with accurate road markings HATE Bulky. Poorly designed mount

SPECIFICATIONS SCREEN 5 inches CONNECTIVITY microSD SIZE 137x83x15mm



THE APP UPDATE

● AUDI R8 SPYDER

The latest version of TomTom’s iPhone app, version 1.5, has been optimised for the iPhone 4. Built to multitask, with maps that look stunning on the iPhone 4’s Retina Display, a new feature that navigates to your geotagged photos and the same accurate mapping, the new app is worthy of its £43 price tag.

4

£112,500, WWW.AUDI.CO.UK LOVE The latest incarnation of the

R8 with a 5.2-litre engine and top speed of 194mph. Stylish too HATE Lengthy waiting list

● 5 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS

£180,000, WWW.BENTLEY.CO.UK LOVE Bentley’s fastest convertible

with a six-litre V12 engine HATE Massive car; two seats

Update… TomTom for iPhone 4

THE FREE CAR KIT ADAPTER

If you, like T’s Luke Peters, have been using a carefully positioned beer mat to make your iPhone 4 fit into your old TomTom car kit (£100), help is at hand. TomTom is providing free car kit adapters for the iPhone 4. Hoorah. WWW.TOMTOM.COM

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The sleakest, the lightest, the thinnest iPhone 4 battery case

Industry best 3 year limited warranty

ExoSync™ technology for quick, easy and precise synching with your iTunes

1500mAh Lithium-ion polymer battery virtually doubles the life of the iPhone 4 ExoSave™ intelligent battery technology that automatically turns off the ExoLife™ when it is not in use

ExoClear™ technology eliminates interference with your iPhone 4’s antenna

The exolife™ iPhone battery case is a sleek, protective exoskeleton for the iPhone 4. The exolife™ is outfitted with a rechargeable external battery to give your iPhone the extra power that you need. The exolife™ serves two functions: Power and Protection.

The lithium-ion polymer battery inside the exolife™, virtually doubles the battery life of your iPhone so you can talk, surf, watch and play longer.

And there is no need to sacrifice the beauty of your iPhone with some clumsy looking case - the hardshell casing of the exolife™ wraps snugly around your iPhone to give it maximum protection while enhancing the look and feel of the iPhone itself.

Available exclusively from www.caseaddict.com www.caseaddict.com

0845 619 0845

iPhone 4 Power & Accessories • iPhone 3 Power & Accessories • iPod Accessories • iPad Accessories • Cables & Adaptors • MacBook Accessories Reseller enquires call 01132 473796

Design by www.design-intellect.co.uk

THEDIRECTORY contact us to advertise here. call sally Johnson 0207 042 4257

1 9 0 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0



Advanced Portable Freeview TVs and Digital Gadgets 3” to 11” Portable Freeview TVs and Digital Photo Frames

DTV350C

DA701C

MF700 LIVE

Mobile Freeview Media Player

Portable Freeview TV Recorder

Freeview TV Photo Frame

DG400

HMD900

DA110BD

GPS & Freeview Recorder

Freeview DVD Boombox

Freeview DVD Player

Also play music and video from integrated card reader and USB jack

USB TV Receivers

pedometers

MP3 Clock Radio

Car MP3 Transmitters

Visit our online store or telephone us to find out your next digital gadget

Same day dispatch 14 day money back 12 month warranty

www.digitaldaffodil.co.uk Telephone: 0845 293 9358

www.watches.co.uk where time meets passion

SWISS

WATCH

C O M PA N Y

We specialise in the acquisition and sale of high quality Swiss watches both modern and vintage, un-worn and pre-owned. by appointment only:

+44 (0)20 8994 4567

474a Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London, W4 5TT

D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0 T 3 . C O M 1 9 1

Peavey AmpKit LiNK

£29

TM

.99

Limited offer free UK delivery

Order now:

01892 515007 www.jbsmusic.co.uk Talk to JB’s for guitars, drums, dj+pa, music software and more - if it sounds good, JB’s are on it.

JB’s music store 59 St. Johns Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9TT Open 10-6 Mon-Sat.



Sh u td own

10 alternative T gadget awards Words by Rob Temple Illustration by DavidMercer

4.woRSTpRoDuCTnaMe

Xbox Kinect Project Natal sounded like some kind of high-tech birthing pool, so we expected a name change. We didn’t expect it would come from what we can only imagine was five suits locked in a wardrobe with a thesaurus and a few bottles of Teachers. 5.foRgoTTenCaTegoRYawaRD

Cameras They’ve tried adding 3D, built-in projectors, dual screens and ever more compact lens systems. However, with the press and public fixated on tablets, smartphones, laptops and gaming, the humble camera will have to learn to sing before it garners any real attention. 6.SuRvIvalawaRD

Non-Apple MP3 players When we give advice on how to buy an MP3 player, we ask people to consider what storage they want, how much they want to spend, whether they’ll use it for sport… and then we tell them what sort of iPod to buy. 7.gooDRIDDanCeawaRD

Bling gadgets In 2010 we’ve seen hardly any diamond encrusted phones, laptops made by supercar companies or iPods covered in gold. Ah well. 8.opTIMISTofTheYeaR

this month we’ve revealed the best that the

tech world has to offer at the T Gadget Awards. But what about the lesser lights and unsung heroes? In the tradition of modern educational establishments, we aim to ensure that everyone has prizes. That way, nobody feels left out. while handing back the specs and then going to have another play with the iPad.

1.IMpoRTofTheYeaR

The Vuvuzela Who’d have thought the drone created by blowing into a 65cm plastic tube would be the sound of summer 2010? It even became an app. 2.hYpe of The YeaR

3.CoMMonSenSeawaRD

3D TV We’ll wager the closest most punters have got to a 3D set is looking at the one in John Lewis and saying “Yeah, great” to the eager sales assistant

Steve Jobs, “Don’t hold it like that” A bit like going to your GP to tell him it hurts when you bend your fingers back, only to be told, “don’t do that then”. We admire Jobs’ chutzpah, but it’s an irony of Shakesperean deliciousness that Apple, the kings of hype, fell victim to the furore over such an over-hyped “design flaw”.

David James on the World Cup When we interviewed the England goalie just before he boarded the plane to South Africa, he proudly said: “I’m confident England will do well this World Cup.” Three games and four goals conceded later, James was home to his beloved Sky+ HD box in time to see Spain triumph. 9.vanIShIngaCTawaRD

Notion Ink Adam Tablet We placed this “iPad killer” at number 16 in our Hot 100, saying the Indian work in progress could be “THE big story of the next decade”. It’s since failed to appear in any form but hey – there’s still a lot of decade left… 10.T’SMoSTuSeDToY

Sound boxes (£9 from Firebox.com) Making a slew of seriously annoying sounds, from “wah-wah-wah-waaaaaah” to “BOOM!” by way of “Er-ERR!” they’re a fun way to make people on the other side of the office warm to you.

1 9 4 T 3 . C O M D EC E M B E R 2 0 1 0



How many CDs do you own but never play?

Comes with credit card size remote control

Store, browse and listen to your complete CD collection on the revolutionary Brennan

The Brennan also records from vinyl and cassette so you can enjoy your entire music collection but keep the originals in another room or retire them to the attic. Small enough to pick up with one hand yet big enough for a lifetime of music, the Brennan JB7 is one man’s brilliant idea for everyone’s forgotten music. Starting at just £359* it’s only available direct from Brennan at www.brennan.co.uk.

▼ ▼ ▼

Delete tracks you don’t like

▼

Seven rainbow colour coded playlists

▼

Segue function blends one track into the next

▼

One touch record from vinyl, cassette or radio

▼

One button plays the entire music collection at random

▼

Plays MP3 downloads - future proof

▼

It saves space and clutter and delivers near immediate access to an entire music collection. JB7 owners rediscover then fall in love with their music again simply because the Brennan makes it so accessible.

Display track names as they play

Clock with alarm

▼

The Brennan JB7 is a CD player with a hard disk that stores up to 5,000 CDs - and that’s not all

Browse albums by spinning the volume knob - push to play

60 Watt, 4.8 x 16 x 22 cm steel and aluminium construction

▼

CDs are a great way to listen to music but they are also inconvenient, inaccessible and a bit of a chore.

Key features

Backup music to external USB hard disk for safe keeping

▼

What’s the point in owning hundreds of CDs worth thousands of pounds if you never listen to them? The problem with CDs is that it’s quicker to make a cup of coffee than dip into a CD. Try timing how long it takes to pick a CD, load it in the CD player, play a snippet from a track or two, eject it and put it back where it came from. Then there is the problem of finding music. The print on a CD spine is tiny. What if the track is on a compilation CD? What if the CD is in the car? Then there is the clutter. You need to keep your CDs near the player or you won’t play them. So you are forced to share your living space with literally hundreds of cheap plastic boxes.

You can use it with your existing hi-fi or on its own

“I’ve suddenly re-discovered my love of music – it’s amazing” “I feel like a teenager all over again – thank you Brennan” The Brennan JB7 is available in Cobalt Blue or Titanium Metallic

Money back guarantee

If you’re not suitably impressed with your Brennan JB7 we’ll collect it free of charge and refund you in full. * Plus P&P

The face behind Brennan Martin is a physicist, computer engineer and silicon chip designer. He co-designed the world’s first 64-bit games computer. "I always liked the promise of CDs. It wasn't so much the quality but the quick access to a given

track. After vinyl and cassette that was a real plus. My first CD player was a five CD multichanger. I liked the idea of quick access to more than one CD and music that didn't repeat after 40 minutes. A few years ago I had a go at loading

my music onto a computer - but I never listened to it – I needed something simpler, more immediate. In the end the computer got a virus and the music files were lost - I still had the originals thankfully. The JB7 is really my personal ideal music player"

To get the whole story on the Brennan JB7 and order visit www.brennan.co.uk

Martin Brennan

brennan


T3_2010-12

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