Thursday, 11th March 2010

 

Hot Stuff Gadgets for February 2010

Posted on 25. Feb, 2010 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hot Stuff Gadgets for February 2010

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.

Apple iPad
The one we’ve been waiting for?
from $500 | www.apple.com


iTablet, iSlate, iThing, iPad… Before Apple unveiled its 9.7in (22.8cm)-screened
e-reader-cum-giant-iPod-touch, it had already gone through more names than Prince. The iPad marks a tipping point for touchscreen gadgetry.
With its 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities, silver back and 12.7mm waist it makes current tablet PCs look as alluring as Jeremy Mansfield in stockings. And although the screen doesn’t use eye-friendly E Ink, Apple’s deals with publishers could spark a sea change in the way we read books, papers and perhaps even Stuff. Besides, what’s in a name?


parrot-ar-drone
Parrot AR Drone
iphone-controlled ’copter
Rtba (due mid 2010) / www.parrot.com


In the Stuff office is a cupboard filled with clapped-out radio control helicopters. We’d like to say we destroyed them in epic combat, but we just pushed them to our limits. That’s why we’re so excited about Parrot’s easy-to-fly RC chopper. It’s controlled via Wi-Fi by tilting and twisting your iPhone or iPod Touch, beaming live video back as it flies. It even switches to autopilot if it thinks it’s about to wipe out. You can download games, battle other AR.Drones or just use it to snoop on your neighbours. Which we haven’t done. Honest.



Toshiba Cell TV
supercomputer super-telly
Rtba (due mid 2010) / www.toshiba.co.uk


When we saw the presentation for Toshiba’s new Cell TVs we were so happy we cried a little bit. The specs haven’t been finalised yet, but we could see 65in (168cm) sets with LED backlights, 1TB hard drives, Wi-Fi, video conferencing capabilities, processors 143 times faster than those in current tellies (the same chips used in the PS3, in fact) and the ability to show ropey YouTube video at full-screen in decent quality.
You want more? They might even be able to convert normal 2D pictures to 3D. Now the tears are welling up again…
toshiba-cell-tv


que-reader
Plastic Logic QUE proReader
e-book with brawn as well as brains
from $650 / www.que.com


If trees had eyes, could read and were interested in technology, they would have
been delighted by this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, for among the slew of new e-readers was this: the QUE proReader. It has a massive 10.5in (26.3cm) 150ppi touchscreen, weighs just 482g, has up to 8GB of memory and packs 3G and Wi-Fi for downloading content. Impressive, nê? But what’s really cool is the TruVue format it supports, which lets you view publications in their original format, albeit in greyscale of course. Newspapers: prepare for format transmutation.



Google Nexus One
The day the Androids took over
$530 / www.google.com/phone


The Nexus One isn’t the second coming. It’s not Google’s first phone (it’s made by HTC, like the T-Mobile G1), and it won’t do much that the iPhone
can’t. So why is it such a hot property? Well, what’s underneath the 3.7in (9.3cm) AMOLED touchscreen should stimulate anyone’s gadget gland. A nippy Snapdragon chip propels the latest version of Android, and Wi-Fi, HSDPA and GPS all make an appearance. But it’s really here because it represents a change in The Big G’s attitude. It bears the company’s name. A company that stuck two fingers up at the Chinese government. And if it can do that, we think it’ll take a chunk or two out of Apple, don’t you?
Nexus-one


Hands-on with the Google Nexus One


The Nexus One’s 1Ghz Snapdragon chip makes it extremely well-oiled and responsive in the menus. Despite the lack of a snazzy interface skin there are some nice visual touches, most notably the live, interactive wallpapers. There are also now five home screens rather than three, so that’s more screen real estate to fill with widgets. The 480×800 display is on par with Motorola’s Droid, much sharper than the iPhone’s slightly smaller screen.
If its 5MP snaps improve on those of HTC phones such as the Hero, we could be on to a winner.


 

Hotstuff Gadgets for January

Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hotstuff Gadgets for January

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.

BlackBerry Bold 9700
the best button phone ever
Rtba / www.blackberry.co.za


When the iPhone arrived, some sections of the gadget world removed their hats and bowed their heads.
For them, the button was dead. But BlackBerry was conspicuous in its absence from the funeral.
It still believes in hardware Qwerty, and all of its considerable keyboard savvy has led it to the creation of the Bold 2. Building on the success of the original Bold, the 9700 combines the best bits of every previous BlackBerry, with the razor-sharp, 2.4in (5cm) HVGA display of its forebear, an updated 624Mhz processor, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, A-GPS and a slimmer, sexier, leatherette-clad shell. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, a new 3.2MP snapper and an optical thumb nub for navigation. The trackball may be dead, but the button is very much alive.


Sony-Ericsson-Xperia_X10_Sensuous_Black_17
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10
are you Xperia-nced?
Rtba / www.sonyericsson.co.za


Jimi Hendrix may have taken ownership of the word ‘experience’ in that immortal song, Are You Experienced for his debut album. But Sony Ericsson are stealing it back with their Xperia line of cellphones. Arguably some of the best devices to hit the shelves in recent years, they have been hamstrung by Windows Mobile. No longer, the X10 will use Android in all its glory – on a device that is pretty impressive hardware. Stuff played with a prototype but there is enough to suggest it will not only be Sony Ericsson’s flagship phone but Android’s. Superslim with HSPA speeds, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, 8MP camera and bright and large 4in (10cm) touchscreen, it has two clever apps that integrate all your on-device and online contacts (Timescape, drawing in Facebook and Twitter) and media (Mediascape).



Acer AS57 38DZG
Dimension extension
from R10 000 / www.acer.co.za


Right now, 3D technology is almost as popular as a cash point giving out free money. Everyone wants a piece. Whether it’s Fujifilm’s multi-dimensional snapper or cinemas showing Up in 3D, if it doesn’t pop out, it doesn’t count. Acer’s latest laptop comes with a specially-coated screen, a pair of decent-looking polarised 3D glasses and some clever TriDef Ignition software that can transform 2D pics, videos and even games into pupil-popping treats for the eyes.
AS5738D_3D_3_rt_002


Kindle_with_The_Times_2_rt_001
Amazon Kindle International
The ebook reader that may kill books forever
R2 700 / www.amazon.com


Amazon’s Kindle has finally hopped off the plane from the US, but it hasn’t got
a working visa. It may stay here, but it’s essentially a US Kindle that’s visiting. Amazon is calling it an International Kindle, and that means you have to buy it from the US, it’ll come with a US power adaptor (although it can charge via USB), and you’ll pay slightly more than the equivalent US price for ebooks and newspapers. The increased price is for good ol’ SA VAT, of course, and also to cover the roaming charges for the built-in SIM. This allows you to buy books and subscribe to newspapers on the device itself – functionality that is currently unrivalled in SA and Europe. Full test, and opinion, next issue…



LG SL90
edge-to-edgy
From R26 000 (42inch/106cm) / za.lge.com


The flagship of LG’s Borderless range of LED TV’s does have The Look. The new SL90 is the only TV – so far – with a façade of a single edge-to-edge sheet of glass (borderless, get it?). It looks distinctive, drawing your eye even when it’s off. Mount it on your wall, tidy up a bit and your lounge will look like Bruce Wayne’s. There’s a choice of 42inch or 47inch screens (106 or 118.5cm), and all the required tech and fashion credentials are included in the package. It’s black on the outside, green on the inside. Yes, beneath the shiny black Batman exterior beats the heart of a Prius: the SL90 uses LED backlighting technology – lots of it. Besides being mercury-free and much more energy-efficient, this enables a contrast ratio of 3 000 000:1 for crystal-clear images. It also eliminates bulky components, leaving the SL90 an ultra-slim 29mm thin. Its 100Hz does fast-motion performance well with TruMotion processing, with excellent sound from the Invisible Speaker design. And you’ll enjoy using Bluetooth to screen pics directly from your phone.
SL90_L45-copy

 

Hot Stuff – November

Posted on 26. Nov, 2009 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hot Stuff – November

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.

LG GD910 watchphone
Rtba / www.expansys.co.za


With the excitingly-named GD910 you can make calls by just talking to your wrist. To avoid looking like a total loony, it might be worth hooking up the Bluetooth headset that comes with it. It’s the lesser of two evils. Choose between eight digital and analogue-style faces, which can be changed by swiping up or down on the main screen. Instead of button presses for navigation, the GD910 has a 3.8cm capacitive, glass-covered touchscreen (that’s the finger-friendly kind). It’s surprisingly accurate, responsive and easy to use when cruising the menus and typing texts.
In true sci-fi style, it also has a built-in camera for video calls. Of course. If you’re going to talk to your wrist in the first place, why not go the whole hog?


Pulse-smartpen
Livescribe Pulse Smartpen
From R2 500 / sales@circuitcity.co.za


It’s mightier than the sword, and smarter, too. The Pulse Smartpen from Livescribe is actually a computer housed inside the pen, and includes a high-speed infrared camera, dual microphones for clear recording and noise cancellation, and an embedded speaker. Using special pages printed with nearly-invisible microdots, which tell the pen exactly where it’s writing or tapping, it can record what’s being said and play it back when you tap on a specific spot. The desktop software stores these complex files and hand-written notes on your computer. This is one seriously smart pen.



Sony Ericsson Xperia X2
Rtba / www.sonyericsson.co.za


While Nokia, HTC and company swim happily in a sea of smart handsets, Sony Eric have been splashing around knee-deep in the shallows. With the X2, however, that should change. Arriving packed to the gills with the brand new Windows Mobile 6.5, it keeps the slide-out Qwerty and uses the same panel-based interface on its 8.1cm touchscreen as seen on the X1, but ups the camera to 8MP. Come on in, Sony Ericsson, the water’s lovely.
Elegant-Black


Nokia-Booklet
Nokia Booklet 3G
Rtba / www.nokia.co.za


Those crazy Finns at Nokia have insisted on calling their high-end smartphones “mobile computers” for years. We humoured them for a while, but come on, this is just ridiculous. Sure, the Booklet 3G packs the same kind of features as an N97 (Wi-Fi, GPS, HSDPA), but with a 25cm screen and at 1.25kg, there’s no way it’ll fit into even the deepest of pockets. Which means… Oh. It really is a mobile computer this time.



DJ Hero
from R812 / www.edreams.co.za


Are DJ’s real musicians? Of course not, but we pity the drone who isn’t excited by DJ Hero, the latest music game for PS2, PS3, Xbox and Wii. With a fully-rotating turntable controller, complete with a cross-fader and sample-triggering buttons, you’ll be able to scratch along to over 80 tunes spliced together by turntablists including DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip and DJ AM. On some tracks you’ll even be able to chuck in a mic or Guitar Hero axe in order to rap or riff, respectively. Proper musicianship or not, it sounds like a hoot.
Turntable

 
For more information on Stuff, including upcoming features and advertising rates, click here.


 

Hot Stuff Gadgets – October

Posted on 28. Oct, 2009 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hot Stuff Gadgets – October

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.


Apple iPod Nano 5G
Camcorder-cum-ipod
from R2 000 / www.apple.co.za


“Who wants a camera on a mobile phone?” everybody cried the first time they caught sight of a snapper-sporting blower back in the early noughties. Less than a decade later and a camera-less mobile is about as welcome as a Blu-ray player at an HD DVD fan club meeting. How times change. So who needs a Flip-style video camera on their MP3 player? Who needs a bigger 5.5cm screen, built-in speaker and a voice recorder? Who needs an FM radio (with live pausing) and a pedometer? Nobody. But in six months you might wonder how you ever managed without them.
The iPod Nano 5G doesn’t feel much different from its predecessor, but there are a lot more goodies packed inside. The tiny video camera is no match for the likes of a Vado HD, as it only grabs VGA footage, but the joy of the convergence is convenience. The lens itself is slightly awkwardly placed for portrait shots, but landscape shooting makes the most of the new bigger screen anyway. Plug the Nano 5G into your Mac or PC and you can sling your videos on to YouTube with one click. Nice.


samsung
Samsung Pixon12
12 of the best
R7 500 / www.zastore.co.za


The quest to cram more megapixels into mobiles has the whiff of an old-fashioned arms race. However, this is one cold war that’s rapidly hotting up. Since Sony Ericsson announced the 12MP Satio, Samsung has fired back with the Pixon12. It also packs a dozen megapixels, coupling them with a 3.1in (7.6cm) AMOLED touchscreen, a 28mm lens and a xenon flash. Video comes in a threatening 720×480, 30fps format. But, there’s no use having an evil payload of images and videos if you can’t deliver them: Samsung’s Share Pix along with Wi-Fi and HSDPA see to that, firing them straight to the likes of Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, and Photobucket.



Ferrari 458 Italia
The successor to a legend
Rtba (due mid 2010) / www.ferrari.co.za


True legends know when to call it a day. They have a built-in doomsday clock that ticks down until it’s time to jack it in and let the new breed step up to the plate. It’s a talent the wheezing dad-rock peddlers of the Rolling Stones lack, but Ferrari has in spades. This is the 458 Italia, the successor to its legendary F430. Those curves, those massive brakes – and that engine… It’s a 4.5-litre V8 that produces 562bhp, will scream its way up to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and not stop pushing until way over 320km/h.
Ferrari


Niko
Nikon S1000pj
World’s first Pico-packing cam
R5 700 / www.nikon.co.za


Is there anything more torturous than other people’s holiday snaps? Who wants to sit through endless shots of Uncle Gerry with his top off eating a Cornetto in Knysna? You will, if they’re being shown to you on a 12MP Nikon S1000pj – the first compact camera to come with a built-in pico projector. Hit the button and it’ll beam the snaps and hi-def videos held within onto a wall at a size of up to 40in. Great, unless all you’ve got to look at is Gerry.



The Beatles: Rock Band
Rock on
R590 / www.thebeatlesrockband.com


We have been waiting for The Beatles to move into the 21st century for a while now and The Beatles: Rock Band brings them there with a vengeance. Expect a massive revival in interest in the greatest band ever from children whose parents weren’t alive when the Fab Four were together. Downloadable content means that you can add to the selection of tunes that ship with the game. If you don’t have a guitar and drums already the Limited Edition ships with some cool Beatles-themed kit. You also need to invest in some extra microphones to harmonise properly.
Beatles


Nokia
Batman’s other phone
Nokia X6
Rtba / www.nokia.co.za


Nokia’s first touchscreen phone appeared in the last Batman flick as a crime-busting accessory, but failed to live up to expectations. The X6 is a damn decent second attempt at a top-end multimedia phone to rival, dare we say it, the iPhone. If you’re going to lay claim to the multimedia crown, you’ve got to have the brawn to back it up. The X6 has boosted its built-in storage capacity to a generous 32GB, and has the all-important 3.5mm jack for your own headphones. It Comes With Music, so you can download music directly via HSDPA or Wi-Fi, has a 5MP camera and a 16:9, widescreen format 7.6 cm screen.

 
For more information on Stuff, including upcoming features and advertising rates, click here.


 

Hot Stuff Gadgets – September

Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hot Stuff Gadgets – September

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.


Samsung Jet S8000
R6 000
www.samsung.co.za


This is an iPhone-contender with several smartphone features. It’s a fast mover, with a powerful 80MHz processor and Samsung’s own browser and interface. Use your finger to flick between three customisable home screens; hold down the home button to split the screen into four to see different applications; and call contacts by drawing a letter on the screen.
The Jet knows how to party, too. You can design your invites on it, use its GPS to direct your friends, stream music from its excellent player via stereo Bluetooth, and shoot the pics with its 5MP camera and LED flash. And hallelujah, there’s a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.

 
Apple
Apple MacBook Pro
From R14 000
www.zastore.co.za


The newly-upgraded MacBook Pro range packs plenty of portable voema.
The 13-, 15- and 17-inch screen models offer extended battery life of (claimed) seven hours, backlit keyboard, SD card slot and excellent build quality.
The new 13inch models start at 2.26 GHz, with 2GB RAM. The 15inch and the huge-but-light 17inch models offer up to 2.8GHz and 8GB of RAM, with hard drives up to 500GB or solid-state drives up to 256GB.
And there’s that nifty Multi-Touch pad, which allows the two-finger zooming and stretching that makes iPhone users so damned pleased with themselves.

 
Canon
Canon Powershot G11
R6 700
www.canon.co.za


‘Prosumer’ cameras are for enthusiasts, midway between compacts and DSLR’s in size and near-professional in ability. Canon’s G10 has led the class – until the G11’s arrival. The key changes: a drop from 14 to 10 Megapixels and a larger sensor, a combination which means better images; and a tilt-and-swivel LCD. What’s unchanged? The rugged build and 28-140mm wide-angle zoom lens. The G11 offers total creative control and 22 scene modes, but if you’d rather the camera made the decisions, simply shoot on auto.
This is the most camera you can fit into a jacket pocket. It’s a beauty.

 
nixon
Nixon Wire earphones
From R800
www.nixonnow.com


It’s long past time to upgrade those tinny standard-issue earphones. These little buds punch above their weight, and you’ll hear the difference instantly. Custom-fit silicon earpieces (with two spare pairs) will show you how much sound you’ve been missing. All with a distinctive design, and a no-tangle cord which will save you a few minutes of cursing and fumbling every day.
A Wire Mic version with in-cord microphone and controls is compatible with most mobile phones, and there’s a dedicated model for iPhone users.

 
Sony
Sony Ericsson Aino
R7 000
www.sonyericsson.co.za


You’ll like the look of this phone.
The 3in (7.6cm) screen isn’t OLED but it’s bright enough, and there’s a functional slide-out numeric keypad to back it up The 8MP camera lets you pick the focus point by touching the screen. There’s also A-GPS, wireless stereo Bluetooth which you can enjoy through the bundled wireless earphones, and – there’s no irritating Memory Stick slot. Instead you’ll find what we’ve wanted all along, a MicroSD slot with an 8GB card already in it (thanks for listening, SonyEricsson).
The Aino has a few wireless tricks up its sleeve. Sit it on the charging dock and it will wirelessly sync media with your PC (not your Mac, though). And there’s the PS3 link-up: using Wi-Fi it can tap into a Sony PlayStation3 to swop movies, music or pics. You can even turn your PS3 remotely and instruct it to record. Even if you’re not a PS3 owner, this is a step in the right direction for convergence.

 
For more information on Stuff, including upcoming features and advertising rates, click here.


 

Hot Stuff Gadgets – August

Posted on 27. Aug, 2009 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hot Stuff Gadgets – August

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.


Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1
Rtba
www.fujifilm.co.za


Devices capable of capturing 3D are about the most exciting consumer technology development of the last ten years. We know what you’re thinking: it’s amazing that the W1 creates 10MP 3D images that can be viewed on its screen without special glasses. It’s even more amazing that it will work across its 3x zoom range, even in macro mode. It’s hard to believe it’ll capture 3D movies, too, or that the forthcoming 8in (20cm) Real 3D V1 digital photo frame will bring glasses-free 3D into the home, and that it’ll be possible to print 3D stills. But that’s not why we’re excited. Since 3D requires stereoscopic vision from two “eyes”, all 3D gadgets will have faces. Look, Fujifilm even gave it a smile, and a blue buck-tooth. Awww.

 
SonyPSPgo

Sony PSPgo
Rtba
www.playstation.com


Welcome to the worst-kept secret in gaming – the PSPgo. Pictures of Sony’s next PSP were leaked days before its announcement at the E3 show in Los Angeles. It’s also no secret that 2009 is crunch time for portable gamers. With Nintendo’s DSi the clear king of the handhelds and Apple pushing gaming harder than ever, Sony had to come up with something special. By squirreling the buttons away a slide-down panel behind a smaller 3.8in (9.7cm) screen, it’s made the PSPgo 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the original. It’s also ditched the UMD drive in favour of a 16GB solid-state drive. It’s make or break for Sony, so let the games begin.

 
 
Jaguar

Jaguar XJ
From R970 400
www.jaguar.co.za


A frown crept across Q’s face. “Bad news I’m afraid, Bond. The product placement deal with Aston Martin has fallen through. Something to do with leaving their car at the bottom of Lake Garda during Quantum of Solace. Still, never mind, we’ve replaced it with this new Jag, which won’t sting the MI6 coffers for nearly so much. There are three different engine options, but naturally we’ve gone for the supercharged five-litre V8, which means it’ll hit 96km/h in 4.7 seconds. But it’s the cabin that’ll really steal your heart. It’s got more gadgets than all of your films put together. Just try not to wreck this one, 007.”

 
 
nokia-n86-031
Nokia N86 8MP
R6 500
www.nokia.co.za


Ugly Betty and the N86 have a lot in common. Both are late bloomers, exceptionally smart, and no one expects you to fall for them based on their looks. The most obvious similarity is the strong lenses they both wear. Nokia has finally launched its first 8MP camera phone – after all its major competitors had been there, done that and shot pictures to prove it – with a wide-angle Carl Zeiss lens and a mechanical shutter (like the Samsung i8510’s) to reduce motion blur.
Rumours that the handset itself has existed since 2007 might explain ye olde keypad, but the N86 should hold some appeal if you’re looking for a no-frills smartphone. The 8GB internal memory, Wi-Fi , stereo Bluetooth, A-GPS and up to 16GB microSD should keep you hooked until you get to know and fall for the rest of its features.

 
Tag
Tag Heuer Monaco Twenty Four Concept Chronograph
Rtba (concept)
www.picotandmoss.co.za


Back before stunt doubles and computer graphics, Steve McQueen actually took part in Le Mans for the iconic film of the same name. He wore the same driving suit and accessories as famed Le Mans driver Jo Siffert, including the watch, for ‘those’ Porsche 917 scenes. The king of cool’s watch, the Monaco, has been synonymous with fast cars and dashing heroes ever since. This 40th anniversary Concept Chronograph is inspired by those classic race cars, hence the roll-cage-like design. Made from tungsten, it mirrors the blue and orange Gulf Oil livery used in the film. The squared design is water resistant to 100m, and this timeless masculine timepiece is fit for another 40 years.

 
 
For more information on Stuff, including upcoming features and advertising rates, click here.


 

Hot Stuff Gadgets – July

Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by admin in Hot Stuff Gadget Review

Hot Stuff Gadgets – July

Every month the editors of Stuff magazine choose the latest pretty, shiny gadgets for you.


Sony HX1
R7 800
www.sony.co.za

Panoramic photos are tricky. The end result may be an arresting, breathtaking picture, but the clumsy process required to snap a widescreen wonder can be fiddly. That’s why Sony has developed a new Sweep Panorama mode, which automatically stitches together a series of high-speed images as you pan the camera lens across a super-wide subject. And should you want to focus in on a specific detail, the 9MP HX1 has 20x optical zoom, as well as 1080p hi-def video to capture any moving subjects.

 

Acer Aspire One 751h
R6 000
www.acer.co.za

The netbook market is now as congested as the trunk of a flu-stricken elephant. They can’t get smaller without seriously compromising usability, so one way to stand out is to go bigger. Acer’s 751h comes with an Intel Atom processor, 1GB RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a multi-card reader, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HSDPA. There’s also an 11.6in (29.5cm), 1366×768-pixel display and claimed 8-hour battery life, but the clincher could be that combo of net connectivity and a jumbo hard drive.

 

eGo Portable drive
320GB (R1 300) and 500GB (R1 800)
www.iomega.co.za

The first generation of eGo drives reminded Stuff of sophisticated hip flasks, which may say more about our drinking habits than about the eGo. Sadly, the new incarnation – though more rugged and manly – has corners too rounded to serve that purpose. But Iomega has more than made up for that with a plethora of software and services that make the actual drive just the tip of the iceberg you’re buying. The eGo ships with a six-month licence for McAfee VirusScan Plus, 2GB of free storage on the MozyHome Online Backup service, and two backup packages. Maybe the next model will ship with a shot glass.

 

TomTom Go 630
R3 200

A great little package from TomTom. With its 4.3inch (10.1cm) widescreen and handy new twist-off mount, the 630’s natural competitor is Garmin’s excellent Nuvi 205W. Both offer extra features at entry-level prices, but we think the 630 wins its class, just because it offers decent hands-free Bluetooth, the killer app. And the twist-off mount is handy for slipping the 630 into your briefcase on business trips.

 

Nokia E75
R6 000

The best Nokia Communicator yet, and a compact, powerful messaging phone that is slim enough to get lost in a pocket. It’s still all about business, but with a 3.2MP camera, VGA video now at 30fps and N-Gage gaming support, there’s just a tad of crossover appeal to the E75.
The Communicator range has always enjoyed special status as the first smartphone. This incarnation cleverly advances the combination of keypads with a conventional alphanumeric outside and a slide-out Qwerty keypad for thumbing. Arguably the best combination of both must-have interfaces. Once the keyboard slides out, the interface swings sideways. This gives you more real estate on the 2.4in (6cm) QVGA display, and the soft keys remain in place with the relevant menu shortcuts. It’s a clever use of the screen – but are we justified in asking why it couldn’t be a touchscreen? The E75 does multimedia very well, and the standard 3.5mm headphone jack is a relief. You listening, Sony Ericsson?

 
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