TechSmart 121, October 2013 Oct. 2013 | Page 30

ADVERTORIALS XPmobile Vivid dual-sim smartphone With its dual-SIM capabilities the Vivid smartphone adds even more value to solid specs. XPmobile’s Vivid boasts two SIM slots, allowing you to employ a single device for calls coming to your business and personal numbers, or empowering users to utilise one SIM from an operator offering the best data rates and another for the cheapest voice costs. Beyond its dual-SIM functionality the Vivid also offers a very decent media consumption experience on-the-go, thanks to packing a 5.5" 720p touchscreen. Demanding 3D games, such as Blitz Brigade and Dead Trigger, play fluently due to the phone’s 1.5 GHz quad-core MediaTek MTK6589T chipset and 1 GB of RAM. Also onboard the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean device is Wi-Fi 802.11 n, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G HSDPA connectivity, plus an 8 MP autofocus main camera and 2 megapixel front-facing one. As far as battery life is concerned it manages a working day, despite a relatively small 1700 mAh battery. You can get the Vivid smartphone for a very good R2 999 from XPmobile (www.xpmobile.co.za) on 011-462-8806. Mini-F500 Dash-cam Traversing the road, at least in South Africa, can be fraught with dangers, some of which include reckless drivers, hijackers, smash and grab thieves, and police with a penchant for extortion. It is with all of these in mind that The Mini-F500 dash-cam (dashboard camera) comes into its own, as the camera can record in high-quality video, all the travails that a company’s driver faces. The Mini-F500 dash-cam in particular has a host of useful features. Most importantly, the camera, which has a 120 degree viewing angle, can begin recording automatically when the vehicle starts. Along with being durable and easy to install, the dash-cam further boasts automatic file management. This means that there is no need to tinker with clearing the device’s memory card. Thanks to the inclusion of a gravity sensor, the dash-cam detects when there has been a significant accident and prevents these video files from being erased, preserving them for later use. Visit www.dash-cam.co.za or call 011-469-5165. Goodies for Geeks NOKIA LUMIA 925 The Lumia 925 is the best Windows Phone smartphone on the market (at least until the Lumia 1020 arrives early next month). It reduces the bulky 920’s all-polycarbonate frame (10.7 mm; 185 g) to a much more manageable (8.5 mm; 139 g). The mobile’s 8.7 MP PureView camera with six Carl Zeiss lenses captures better photos than a lot of its 13 MP camera boasting rivals. RRP: R9 000 28 E-STYLE REAL LEATHER CASE Cases for phones are a dime a dozen, but what about something more stylish? E-style’s shell for the iPhone 5/5s is made of real leather which looks a lot better than the regular plastic. R300 from 021-552-3488. FIFA 14 (PS 3) The difference between PES and FIFA can be described with the following metaphor: PES is like a behind-close-doors game between Real Madrid and Manchester United (impressive gameplay, underwhelming presentation), with FIFA being like a UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and AFC Ajax (not the best gameplay but a palpable sense of realism). FIFA 14 manages to alter this perception via gameplay changes like Pure Shot and Protect The Ball. RRP: R700 GEAR IN THE OFFICE LOGITECH G500s GAMING MOUSE Logitech have been impressing us impressi no end with their gaming keyboards gam of late, now it is their mice’ turn. The i G500s is certainly no pipsqueak, G50 sporting up to 8200 dpi, the capacity to process up to 12 megapixels/ second, and more buttons than you could shake a stick at. Its build is also top notch and clearly aimed at the hardcore, while still being ergonomic. RRP: R900. October 2013 | TechSmart