A S U P E R I O R X P E R I A F A M I LY L I K E N O O T H E R

VOLUME 15 ISSUE 8

Contest
Epson Printer Giveaway
Epson is no stranger to the printer scene as everyone knows they are one of the best when
it comes to printers. For home or small office users, the advent of the Epsons ink tank
system printers is a Godsend. Meet the Epson L455 - an ink tank system printer that can
print up to 4000 mono- and 6500 colour pages. what this basically means is that you dont
have to get ink refills very often. The L455 supports wi-Fi and wi-Fi Direct for
wireless printing so you could even print files from your mobile devices. This is
what makes it such a good small office, home office printer - convenience.
This new printer could be yours this month! Just answer the questions below:

1. Name the feature that makes the Epson L455 good at reducing cost.
2. Name why the Epson L455 is good for home or small office use.
3. Complete the following in less than 20 words:
I love the new Ink Tank System from Epson because

Name:

IC Number:

Address:
Email:

Contact Number:

MAIL youR ANSwERS 31 JANuARy 2015 To:

Rules and Regulations:

Participants may only send in one entry per name* Reach Publishing
Sdn Bhd and Epson Malaysia employees and their immediate families
are not eligible for this contest* Any decision about the winners is
final* All prizes must be collected in person or by representatives*
Participants must be 18 and above*

oR EMAIL uS AT: [email protected]

Entries must be submitted by 31 January 2015

Epson/PC.com Contest:
Reach Publishing, 15-3, Block F1, Dataran Prima,
Jalan PJu 1/42, 47301, Petaling Jaya

DECEMBER 2014

CONTENTS

34

Tough As Nails

WiRE
12 Ed Note
14

Ed Review

20 Inbox

Wire
26 Mechanical Titan
28 Full On 4K
42 Huaweis Best Mate
51 ZTE talks LTE

Tested
96 Totally Secured

Sharp Cloud Smarthome

99 The Red Riot

MSI GS70 2QE Stealth

Pro Red Edition

102 Double Duty

Cooler Master
CM Storm Octane

94
TESTED

104 An Eagle Soars

ASUS STRIX GeForce

GTX 970

106 Retro Scanning

Fujitsu ScanSnap SV600

PC.COM ChRiSTMaS WiShliST

52

90
PC.COM ChRiSTMaS WiShliST - EDiTORS TOP 15
6
DEC 2014

CONTENTS
CElEbTalk
King of the Ring

154

Spotlight
146 Still Very Much in the Game
150 Diversified Growths
152 Critical News at Your Fingertips
104 Mobile is Key

Tech101
160 Superhero Cuffs

Gametime
SupEr ShOwdOwN

111

164 Marvel Infinity!

166 A Heartfelt Tale Revisited
168 Overcoming Evil
170 Grand Hunting Season
174

Beat IT Finals Fires Up

164
gamE TimE
8
DEC 2014

THE
M
TEA

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EDITORS NOTE

Big Wishlist

ts the year-end season and, as

expected, the world has gone full throttle
with the holiday sale, family trips, and
momentous occasions of sharing. To
help things along, the team at PC.com
has put together its biggest Christmas
wishlist yet, featuring an extensive set of
must-haves for the season.
Besides the large list of goodies, the
content within the pages also sport
appropriate articles for the Christmas season,
such as a Selfie Smartphone Guide and
extended GameTime pages. Even the goodies
within the box follow the theme as there are
multiple calendars to choose from and even a
super-cool gaming booklet.
Weve put together all this to provide a
rocking good time of reading and fun finds
for all of you, as we expect the month of
December to be a period of shopping for gifts.
This is exactly why we have made an extralong and equally fun Christmas Wishlist.
For those who want to get into the usual
reads, we have brought back the Super
Showdown once again, this time as a blownout, super punch-out between direct rivals.

Yes, the One-on-One extravaganza is

back! Beyond that, we also have an
assortment of product reviews, news
coverage, and Spotlights as well.
Even the more business-oriented
sections have been spruced up as
the team worked on an extensive ICT
industry Round-Up, featuring views from
industry experts, vendors, and opinion
leaders. On the opposite extreme, weve
also spoken to a Street Fighter World
Champion for Celebtalk, who - by the way
- is from Singapore and fully powered by
Razer. Yes indeed, weve spoken to Xian,
the man who has beaten all comers in
multiple world class tournaments.
Truly, this is one of the best Christmas
Editions of PC.com that the team has
managed to assemble and we certainly
hope you will love all the works we have
prepared for your reading pleasure.
Blessed Christmas to all and heres to a
festive year-end ahead.
Cheers

Victor Y a p

Deputy Editor, PC.com

12
DEC 2014

This Editors Note is powered with Microsoft Surface Pro 3, courtesy of Microsoft Malaysia.

EDITORS REVIEW

Empowered Gaming
Platform
Razer Blade 2014

When the first Razer Blade came out, I

totally fell in love with the device. Here is
a gaming notebook that is ultra-thin yet
so superbly refined that at one glance, one
would gaze it with admiration. Some even
likened it to a MacBook but with gaming
enhancements that Apple is known
to dismiss.
For me, this is the ultimate expression
in styling for a gaming system as, often
times, such platforms are made overly
bulky and have extreme lines that tell
the world who is the boss. Razer followed
the trend but it took it a step further
by doing the unthinkable as it decided
there is a need for a new look that refines
gaming notoriety.
Such notions led to the creation of
the Razer Blade, a notebook made by
gamers for gamers. It paved the way for
other vendors to consider the Ultrabook

14
DEC 2014

by victor yap

paradigm that Intel has introduced into the

gaming scene. This proved, beyond any
doubt, that a market upstart is needed to
shake things up among the incumbents.
In this case, Razer proves itself worthy of
being a trendsetter.
Design: RazoR shaRp
Its pretty obvious who set the ultra-thin
trend for gaming systems and its clear
as to why Razer is the associated brand
to such concepts. From the get-go, the
Razer Blade, even in the 2014 iteration,
is always out to set the bar higher for its
design as it goes hand-in-hand with super
performance. For this unit, it has reduced
the overall thickness to a starthing
17mm. To complement the ultra-sleek
chassis look and feel, which comes in
the trademark gunmetal hues that Razer
loves, is how featherlight the entire system

is made out to be. Even when a fullmetal

body is used, the new Blade only weighs
in at 2kgs.
Display: BeyonD BRilliant
The original Razer Blade gave new
meaning to Full HD with its ultra-bright
and super-sharp 14in display. One
wonders what else could be done to ramp
it up. Many would say not much beyond
throwing in a new Quad HD or 4K screen.
Not so, says Razer and it provides very
valid reasons: an eye-raising 3200 x 1800
screen resolution thanks to the wide-angle
Quad HD+ panel it uses; doubling the pixel
pitch to 5.76 million, which translates to
262 pixels per inch (PPI); and incorporating
Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) TFT
tech to boost the screen brightness to an
unparalleled 400-nit. All these new add-ons
transforms the already awesome display

to near God-like levels. What else could be

thrown in really?
TOUCH: BOUnDaRIES BROkEn
I asked what else didnt I? I really
shouldnt as Razer threw in the one thing
gaming notebooks lack - touchscreen
capabilities. Gamers will certainly ask:
why?! I ask back: why not?! The very idea
of interacting with super-heavy graphic
rendered games with finger-taps make it
ultra-convenient as there is no need for any
macro-key re-configurations or the need
to put any add-ons to get extra macros.
Just load the game up, assign shortcuts to
the available macros, and make sure you
can tap the screen for the rest and youre
all set. Playing Hearthstone, Company
of Heroes 2, and Mechwarrior Online
takes on a new meaning with the ultrasensitive touchscreen that the new Razer
Blade sports.
kEyBOaRD: SOFT TOUCH
One thing that is still missing from
gaming notebooks is the presence of
a mechanical keyboard. Even the new
Razer Blade doesnt have them yet.
Thankfully, the backlit keyboard it uses
tries to emulate what I would expect to
find on mechanicals. While the key-presses
are slightly mushy, it still produces a

nice click, has anti-ghosting, and offers

some level of tactile feedback. Perfect for
gaming, writing, and casual browsing.
SPECS: DaTED yET OvERPOWERED
In the year when Intel makes big
announcements for Broadwell and Baytrail,
many slowed down their design processes
to wait for the release of these new Intelpowered hardware. Razer did the opposite
as it released the new Razer Blade some
months before the Intel Haswell-E had
been set to reach the masses and NVIDIA
put out the new Maxwell chipset. Seems
like a waste to most, even for yours truly.
However, the backdated hardware show
no sign of slowing down as Razer customtweaked the specs to keep up with the
rest of the market. This is also due to the
fact that it now runs on SSD, ensuring
instantaneous processing of any workloads
it encounters. Now thats what I call
playing it hard.
COnnECTIvITy: aLWayS REaDy
The Razer Blade 2014, as expected,
came loaded with the latest in wireless
connectivity as well. In this case, it
sports an Intel Wireless-AC 7260HMW
system, offering 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
and Bluetooth 4.0 - the very latest and
most advanced in communications. This

Price RM8,799
Dimensions (W x H x D)
345 x 17.8 x 235mm
Weight 2.03kg
Proccessor 4th Generation Intel
Core i7-4702MQ 2.2GHz
Memory 8GB DDR3L 1600MHz
Storage 256GB SSD SATA M.2
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX
870M 3GB GDDR5 / Intel HD4600
Integrated Graphics
Display
14in QHD+ 16:9 3200 x 1800 pixels
IGZO Display Panel
OS Windows 8.1 64-bit
I/O 3x USB 3.0, 1x HDMI, 1x
3.5mm Microphone/Headphone
Combo Jack
Connectivity
Intel Wireless-AC 7260HMW
(802.11a/b/g/n/ac, BlueTooth 4.0)
PC Mark 8 Home Conventional
3302
PC Mark 8 Work 3556
PC Mark 8 Home Conventional
Battery Life 2hrs 32mins
PC Mark 8 Work Battery Life
3hrs 26mins
3D Mark Fire Strike 4210
3D Mark Fire Strike Extreme
2101
3D Mark Sky Diver 13429
3D Mark Cloud Gate 15457
3D Mark Ice Storm 57320

15
DEC 2014

EDITORS REVIEW
makes it perfect for wireless casting
of HD content, seamless file transfers
over a reliable Wi-Fi network, and
uncompromised streaming on YouTube at
Full HD or 4K.
HD: 4K anD BeyonD
Having a 4K-like screen would usually
mean the gaming notebook is UltraHD
ready. Even with the dated hardware, the
new Razer Blade delivers in spades when
it comes to dealing with 4K content. From
raw 4K recordings, to 2160p videos on
YouTube, and upscaled 4K game visuals,
nothing stood in the way of this highperforming gaming system. No lag, no
jitters, and, most importantly, no visual
render/pixel tearing. Now that is truly
awesome! Just so it can prove its prowess
in producing beyond HD visuals, it comes
equipped with a full-sized HDMI 1.4a
port, giving it the prepared readiness for
any over-the-top HD performance on the
big screen.
TemperaTure: Cool CuCumBer
For a high performance system, naturally
it would have heating issues around the
CPU, GPU, or SSD areas. Even the display
panel may heat-up. Not so with the new
Razer Blade as it ran cool throughout my
time with it. The only time it ever ran hot
had been when I made it go full-tilt during
the benchmarks. Now that had been a
real jolt as the heat roaring through the
vents felt like a warm, refreshing breeze
and its nothing like the raging tempest
that gaming notebooks and hardware are
known for.

16
DEC 2014

power: FasT Burn

The only complaint Ill ever have of the
new Razer Blade is a carryover from its
predecessor - the quick power burn. Its
a gaming notebook after all so I shouldnt
expect much from battery life since the
powerful innards wouldve drained the
power dry in an instant. The most I got out
from a full charge is three hours. This is
when I set to power saving mode mind
you and only did word processing with
Wi-Fi on. If only this is fixed then Id say
the world would have the best gaming
notebook ever!
peripHerals: CompaCT For all
If it is one thing Razer does right, it is
being consistent in whatever it does
in terms of design. To complement the
ultra-thin chassis and lightweight feel,
the gaming brand made sure that
the power brick used to charge up
the new Razer Blade is equally
as spiffy in how it is built. Just
like the system it is assigned to
power-up, it is superbly thin and
light as well. Even in its small
packaging, it still provides
uncompromised power
performance as it is able
to charge-up the

gaming platform in quick order. In fact, it

took only over two hours to recharge from
flat to 100%.
overall: perFeCT in every way
If anything, the 2014 Edition Razer Blade
proved to be beyond my expectations.
From its ultra-chic look to the sleek form
factor and overpowered performance, Im
totally convinced that this could very well
replace the need for Microsoft Surface Pro
3. Not only can I game on this slim beast,
I can also multitask my work, manage my
social life, comsume my 4K content, and
then some on it as well. All I need now is
for the price of this particular Razer Blade
to drop to a more reasonable range so I
can properly save up for it. If that ever
happens, Id properly complete my Razer
collection of devices!

What Will The Datacenter

Of Tomorrow Look Like?
Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen,
Senior Vice President and
General Manager, Red
Hat Asia Pacific

n the data-driven nature of the

business world today, having the
right infrastructure to cope with
the overwhelming amount of data
is critical. Datacentres have long played
an integral role in the data management
practices of companies of all sizes,
ensuring the mass reams of information
required to run a successful enterprise are
efficiently processed and stored.
As the Big Data trend continues to
make a push, datacentres will likely grow
even more significant. However, given
that data sets continue to grow at an
exponential rate, how exactly will these
systems change in the future?
These factors, in addition to other
organisational concerns, such as limited
physical space and the need to cut costs,
will all play a part in determining how the
datacentres of tomorrow will look. As it
is industry analysts have already started
to weigh in with their insight on the
likely directions.
The DaTacenTre is
sofTware-Driven
Its a growing dilemma among
businesses today - the computing power
of some of the worlds largest and fastest
datacentres is remarkable. However,
for most organisations, harnessing this
power and replicating it onsite is simply
outside the realms of possibility. So what
can be done to take advantage of the data
processing levels available today with
limited resources?
The answer could be in software
application driven datacentres.
Such an idea was explored recently,
resulting in a prediction that businesses
will be operating with a software-defined
datacentre in the future. This research
determined that these software-driven

18
DEC 2014

centres will feature unprecedented levels

of flexibility, security, and scalability boosting data processing performance
for enterprises and ensuring their
infrastructure can continue to grow with
the organisation.
The DaTacenTre is
clouD-Driven
Cloud Computing is making its
presence felt in just about any facet of
business IT - according to the 2013 Future
of Cloud Computing survey from North
Bridge Venture Partners and GigaOM,
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is now in
use within nearly two-thirds (63%) of
organisations, representing a growth of
15% from the previous year. Doubtless,
the Cloud will be an integral feature of the
datacentres of tomorrow.
The DaTacenTre DeployeD
More Than one locaTion
In light of the growing importance
of software and Cloud Computing to
datacentres, Gartner predicts that the
physical location of datacentres will

become increasingly irrelevant. Also,

there will be numerous types of data
location to be considered in the future.
Along with physical location,
datacentres will also include legal
location (determined by the legal entities,
including the organisation itself, that
control the data) and logical location
(determined by where the majority of the
data should be located taking logistics into
account). However, Gartner Research Vice
President Carsten Casper warns that these
seemingly disparate locations should not
be taken in isolation.
None of these types of data location
solutions will be able to solve the
data residency problem alone, he
adds. Organisations will be using
multiple locations with multiple service
delivery models.
With that in mind, it will now be more
important, moving forward, to consider
physical, legal, and logical datacentre
locations together instead of in isolation.
The rise of Cloud and software-driven
datacentres, aided by the open source
movement, will likely assist with this.

Write
& Win!

inbox

Write In And Win!

Stand a chance to win an

Audio-Technica ATH-C100G!
Send your mail to [email protected] and please be
sure to include your full name and address for our record

Mailbox
Vinodhani Nair K
Putting it all in
05/12/2014

12:32

56KB

Victor Yap
Ramped up
08/12/2014

14:43

5KB

Matthew Yap
Back in action
08/12/2014

03:00

13:57

17KB

Daniel Chong
Chrome Bookmarks
15/12/2014

23:11

17KB

Mazen
Game Time!
20/12/2014

17:42

17KB

Letter
OF tHe
MOntH

Reply

5KB

Nisya Aziz
Work in, work out
14/12/2014

From
Daniel Chong
I synced my Google Chrome bookmarks to another PC
and decided to personalise things since its for work.
Thats when I accidentally deleted the whole folder
and now when I launch Chrome on my home PC the
bookmarks are gone! How can I retrieve them? Im
using Windows 8, by the way.

To

Daniel Chong

From

PC.com

What you want to do is locate the backup thats saved every time you close
Chrome and temporarily sign out from your Google account. It should be in C:\
Users\NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default,
and replace NAME with your PC username. The file you want is Bookmarks.
bak, which is the last backup for your Chrome browsers bookmarks. If you
dont see it, then you need to enable File Name Extensions. Just delete the
current Bookmarks file and delete the .bak extension on the other file to restore
your bookmarks.

Grace Lim
Went south
21/12/2014

06:00

6KB

Pelly Toh
Never-ending
22/12/2014

04:15

16KB

Sia Zhen Ning

Second month
26/12/2014

03:00

1KB

Hi, my PC loads programs really slowly

so I have considered to upgrade the hard
disk. Should I just get a SSD or are there
any other options?
Jin Fo

Azn Tina

Well, it really depends on what

you will be using your PC for.
If you want everything to run
super-fast and money isnt
an issue, then - by all
means - get a SSD. If
you want something
faster than traditional
HDDs, but at a more
affordable cost then consider a
SSHD (Solid State Hybrid Drive).

20
DEC 2014

I want to get a gaming handheld console

for my kid this Christmas, which one
should I buy - the PlayStation Vita or
Nintendo 3DS?

Stalk uS on

Since its for your kid, then the Nintendo 3DS is probably the
better choice. It has a more robust game library that contains
tonnes of games geared as suitable for children or younger teens.
Go for a PlayStation Vita only if your kid is an older teenager who
wants to play AAA game titles on the go.

http://facebook.com/pcdotcomd

http://www.twitter.com/pcdotcom

WIRE

New YOGA Moves

Lenovo shows advancements with new YOGA entries

by victor yap

(Third from left) Khoo showing off the new YOGA devices.

enovo Malaysia, in its bid to

keep the market and innovation
lead it has garnered in the last
year, has moved to introduced
new members of the YOGA family - the
Lenovo YOGA 3 Pro and Lenovo YOGA
Tablet 2 (along with the Pro and Windows
8 variants).
Beyond the new inclusions, Lenovo
also created a couple of new concepts for
the new YOGA. Besides the transformable
aspects, Lenovo has added the following
for the YOGA 3 Pro: new hinge design,
QHD+ 3200 x 1800 display, enhanced
sound system, and the Harmony software
suite, which is made to enhance the
usability of the new YOGA devices. The
former, which comprises 800 pieces

22
DEC 2014

of steel and aluminium, utilises a new

construction that takes its inspiration from
a watchband.
Many have shared how they loved
the YOGA design and its unique features
that we have included into that flagship
range. As such, it has become critical
for us to continue our efforts in evolving
the YOGA range as a truly adaptable,
intelligent device. Through our efforts, we
have, once again, broken barriers with the
new YOGA line-up. This can be seen in
the re-designed hinge for the YOGA 3 Pro
as well as the highly advanced functions
it now sports and the enhanced user
handling of the YOGA Tablet,Khoo Hung
Chuan, Country General Manager, Lenovo
Malaysia shares.

As for the YOGA Tablet 2, which

comes in 8in, 10in, 13in sizes, has a Pro
and Windows variants. Enhancing that
is the built-in Pico Projector, QHD 2560 x
1440 screen, front facing speakers with
subwoofer, and a new user mode: Hang.
The former is great for sharing content
with your friends when youre out and
about. All you need is a convenient wall.
As for the latter well, now the YOGA is
literally hands-free.
The YOGA products takes the
Ultrabook concept to a whole new level,
which is what we expect of our partner
vendors when it comes to improving and
enhancing the platform we originally
developed. Indeed, the progressive designs
of these newest YOGA entries fully
complement the latest Intel CPUs, which
are functioning on the Broadwell and
Baytrail platforms now, and the stunning
graphics processing along with the
advanced power saving processes we have
developed, adds Sumner Lemon, Country
Manager, Intel Malaysia and Singapore.
These new YOGA devices, which are
now available at all leading IT stores, are
priced as follows:
Lenovo YOGA 3 Pro: RM4,999
Lenovo YOGA Tablet 2 Pro
13.3in: RM1,999
Lenovo YOGA Tablet 2 Pro 8in: RM1,099
Lenovo YOGA Tablet 2 Pro
10in: RM1,599

WIRE

Nishioka: We hope to encourage the concept of going beyond work, inculcating a fun and memorable printing experience that complements our
customers varied lifestyles.

Shifted Imagery
Canon puts out new visual tech

nstalling a brand new projector is

about to get easier as Canon Malaysia
launched two new Liquid Crystal
on Silicon (LCOS) projectors. Say
hello to the Canon XEED WUX400ST and
WX450ST multimedia projectors and the
new short-throw shift-able lens it uses for
really effortless installation process.
Weighing around 6.3 kg, both
projectors sport a compact design which
reinforces its feather-like heft. The heart
of these two new one-gun solutions is
Canons new AISYS 5.0 optical system - a
projection platform that offers improved
panel reflectivity, enhanced brightness
performance, and reduced respective
power consumption of 0.091 Watts and
0.079 Watts per lumens rating.

24
DEC 2014

by sia zhen ning

Complementing the visual equipment is

the proprietary short-throw shift-able lens
that both WUX400ST and WX450ST use to
easily and quickly project on a wide and
varied vertical range of approximately 75%
and 77% respectively.
While both have a few dissimilar
features, it must be said that both are
made for specific reasons. In the case of
the Canon WUX400ST, it supports WUXGA
(1920 x 1200 pixels) with a brightness
of 4,000 lumens, promising near Full
HD performance. As for the WX450ST,
it supports WXGA+ (1440 x 900 pixels),
featuring a brightness of 4,500 lumens.
The LCOS technology used ensure these
projectors can do their jobs without any
lattice effects - a phenomenon where
a faint grid pattern appears over the
projected image.
There is also the 4-Point Keystone
Correction function - a feature that ensures
high-quality projection from almost
any angle. It is able to achieve this by
allowing users to adjust the four corners
of the projected images individually.
Genius move!
Beyond new projectors, Canon also
released a whole new range of printers in
late October. The new line-up, comprising

its latest ink- and laserjets, comes

equipped with advanced wireless features
and fancy pop colours. The three are the
PIXMA MG7570 All-in-One (AiO), PIXMA
E460 Ink Efficient, and imageCLASS
LBP6030w laser printer. While the first two
are specifically built to provide an efficient
and intuitive printing experience, the latter
is more for small businesses as it offers
functions and service processes that such
organisations have called out for.
From projectors to printers, Canon has
always incorporated the latest technology
in them. Over the past 18 years, that has
been our goal. Through these efforts,
we hope to encourage the concept of
going beyond work, inculcating a fun
and memorable printing experience
that complements our customers varied
lifestyles, says Wataru Nishioka, President
& CEO, Canon Marketing Malaysia.

WIRE

Mechanical Titan
MSI steps up the game with GT80

ardware manufacturer MSIs

series of gaming notebook
has pretty much done it all.
Theyve made units that are
cheap enough for the penny pinchers
to own and explored new platforms that
would make enthusiasts give nothing but
thumbs-ups. So what is the next step that
MSI could take to improve its arsenal of
mobile gaming machines? The answer
is, apparently, to jam a new mechanical
keyboard into it.
Jointly engineered and developed
by MSI and SteelSeries, the GT80
Titan features the worlds first backlit
mechanical SteelSeries keyboard that
comes equipped with Cherry Brown MX.
Reinforcing the idea of only having the
best is the use of an NVIDIA GeForce

26
DEC 2014

by sia zhen ning

GTX 980M graphics card as well. To

complement the new mechanical
keyboard, an enhanced SteelSeries
Engine is included. Its a fast and
efficient software suite that comes with
CloudSync - a SteelSeries Cloud storage
system that allows configurations to
be saved and synchronised across all
SteelSeries peripherals.
While the implementation of the
mechanical keyboard requires even more
space to function when compared to a
membrane keyboard, the GT80 manages
to remain thinner than its rival. Overall,
it is 17% thinner and 22% lighter than its
membrane keyboard-using rivals.
As the first of its kind, the MSI GT80
Titan takes a step into the future by
integrating a proper mechanical keyboard

with Cherry switches into an 18in mobile

gaming beast. Apart from this, the GT80
also features the latest and greatest from
NVIDIA, Intel, and relevant peripherals
players. Of course, this includes the
best and latest mobile CPUs as well as
our usual selection of carefully developed
MSI gaming technologies, says Eric
Kuo, VP of Global Sales & Marketing at
MSI Notebook.
The GT80 Titan easily beats any
mobile system with top level CPU and
GPU graphics you can think of - and still
can operate as a mobile system. At the
same time, we are very excited about our
cooperation with SteelSeries on the GT80,
which has resulted in the best keyboard
ever seen on a notebook, adds Sam Chern,
Marketing Director at MSI Notebook.

Sky High Surveillance

Sharp moves security to the Cloud

by sia zhen ning

t began with Cloud storage and

then Cloud Computing came
about. Now, Sharp has decided to
move security to the Cloud also by
launching the Cloud SmartHome System.
Billed as the next generation Cloudbased security system, the new Sharp
security solution offers an easy to set-up,
fully expandable and integrated Alarm,
Monitoring and Surveillance capability at
an affordable price.
Professional installation isnt required
for the Cloud SmartHome System as
the devices utilises the plug and play
method of installation. As the devices are
Cloud-based, users have full access to the
system anywhere they are so long as they
are connected to the internet. Currently,
the system is compatible with iOS and
Android devices.
The Sharp Cloud SmartHome System
Starter Kit consists of a single Overcloud
Processing Unit (OPU) system, two High
Definition IP cameras, a pair of door/
window sensors, a remote control, and a
16GB USB flash drive. The starter kit retails
for RM2,499.
As for add-on kits, there is the Alarm
kit, which consists of a siren, a motion

Nuizato: With the Cloud SmartHome System, Sharp is now moving to expand its product line-up to
tap into this growing trend.

sensor, two door/window sensors, a remote

control, and a panic button. Then there is
the HD IP Camera kits - comprising of two
HD IP cameras - available at RM999.

Sharps venture into the security

system market is due to its plans in
wanting to ride on the growing Internet
of Things trend and wanting to be first
in wireless security.
With the Cloud SmartHome System,
Sharp is now moving to expand its
product line-up to tap into this growing
trend. It makes sense as the Internet
infrastructure in Malaysia is readily
available with the broadband penetration
rate expected at 75% this year while
smart device users account for 70%
of the total mobile phone users, says
Hiroyuki Nuizato, Managing Director,
Sharp-Roxy Sales & Service Company
(M) Sdn Bhd.

27
DEC 2014

WIRE

Full On 4K

hile it may not be obvious,

there is a war going on
for a space in your living
room. The 4K TV market is
expanding quickly and one
of its stalwarts, Sony Corp, is throwing
more than just its hat into the fray.
In order to grab a slice of this still
booming market, Sony has unveiled its
new 4K TV range. Is there a difference
this time? Why, surely as the new entries
comprises the W9000B, W8500B, X9000B,
and the local debut of its first 4K Curve TV
- the S9000B.
Being at the forefront of technical
innovation, Sony is the only brand that
provides the complete 4K brand story for
our customers. Through Sonys heavy

28
DEC 2014

New TV entries with a curve-y twist

involvement in 4K content production

of shooting, pre- and post-production,
the innovations we used in our 4K TVs
ensure that the best 4K experience is
always delivered. It is, after all, our field of
expertise, says Hideyuki Wada, Marketing
Director, Sony Malaysia.
These new 4K TVs have already
incorporated the 4K X-Reality PRO
picture processing engine to deliver great
visual renders of all content in stunning
4K resolution.
One major add-on is the One-Flick
Entertainment - a full re-design of the TV
remote. With it, anyone can quickly select
and enjoy content seamlessly on the new
4K TVs.
Specs-wise, the X9500B series,
which retails at RM69,999, features the
TRILUMINOS Display and X-tended
Dynamic Range PRO (XDR Pro) system .
Both work in tandem to produce av much

by sia zhen ning

higher dynamic range of brightness. The

X9000B series, now priced at RM21,999,
incorporates the Wedge structure to
house our electronics, magnetic fluid
speakers, and subwoofer units.
As for the S9000B series, which retails
at RM19,999, it uses a subtly contoured
screen to create natural looking 4K
pictures that most certainly outperforms
other market entries. Complementing
that are the XDR Pro and TRILUMIOUS
features, ensuring perfectly balanced
visuals at all times.
Enhancing the user experience further
is the 4.2 Channel Multi-Angle Live
Speaker system the curved 4K TV uses.
For this, Sony accurately calculated the
sound system at carefully-controlled
angles to allow the Clear Phase Speakers,
which pairs with the ClearAudio+ Discrete
Processor, to produce exceptional clarity
and enhanced sound definition.

WIRE

Wireless Portability
WD adds wireless capabilities to storage

by victor yap

Top: (Second from left) Kid Chan, WD Ambassador; Margaret Koh, Sales Director, Asia South, WD; Whitford;
and Susan Chong, Senior Sales Manager, Branded Products, WD Malaysia showing off the new WD My
Passport Wireless.
Left (circle):Whitford: WD understands the need for high-speed wireless transfers among users as we are
moving into an enriched content era.

ver wanting to stay ahead in the

storage industry, Western Digital
(WD) has pushed for advancing
an avenue it has once explored
in its portable storage offerings: wireless
connectivity. This resulted in the release of
the new WD My Passport Wireless, an easy
to use Wi-Fi enabled storage device.
The new wireless system allows users
to save, access, and share stored content
wirelessly with any smartphone, tablet,
computer or other mobile/smart devices.
For the frequent business traveller to the
family on a road trip or creative professional
working who is out on the field, it is a
simple way to connect all computing and
mobile devices to your content without any
wires or Internet connection. Of course, the
much needed USB 3.0 port is also present
for heavier file transfers.

30
DEC 2014

WD understands the need for highspeed wireless transfers among users

as we are moving into an enriched
content era. Besides providing a reliable
wireless transfer system, we also added
advanced security protocols to ensure the
connection is secure. Weve also added a
SD card reader on the wireless Passport for
quick and easy back-ups of the pictures
you took while youre still out and about,
says Simon Whitford, Senior Regional
Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific, WD.
The My Passport Wireless drive,
which comes in 1TB and 2TB flavours,
broadcasts its own wireless network,
allowing up to eight devices to connect
at the same time and access any content
stored on the drive. Being a portable drive,
it definitely needs its own power source.
In this case, WD has equipped this new
portable drive with a built-in rechargeable
battery to provide six hours of continuous
streaming of content and up to 20 hours of
standby power.

With the My Passport Wireless - priced

at RM599 (1TB) and RM699 (2TB), users
have anywhere, anytime access to their
favourite digital content by using the
WD My Cloud mobile app for iOS or
AndroidTM mobile devices. With the app,
users can easily connect to a My Passport
Wireless drive for simple product setup,
and once setup, the mobile app provides
intuitive navigation, sharing and playback
of the drives content.

WIRE

Recognised Return
Unexpected comeback for Pentium

household name never dies

is a saying that has been
proven time and again. In
this instance, its the one
name that Intel had been
synonymous for nearly two decades
- Pentium. This series of CPUs is
the one platform that Intel lived and
breathe by before the Core series had
been developed.
That range has left a large legacy
and heritage that the name we created
- Pentium - is purely associated to Intel.
With the commemoration of the 20th
Anniversary for Intel Pentium, it makes
perfect sense to re-introduce the brand for
a new generation, shares Karen Chow,
Head of MNC and Telco, Intel Malaysia.
With the new range of Intel Pentium
chips, which are now powered with
the current Haswell-based chipsets,
versatility is key. Hence why the first
set of Intel Pentium 20th Anniversary
Edition CPUs operate on the 22nm
design. According to Chow, the new
14nm versions will roll-out in 2015 and be
optimised for Broadwell-ready systems.

32
DEC 2014

by victor yap

By being made ready for the 5th

Generation Core, it is pretty clear that Intel
is looking to place more emphasis on 2-in1 systems as well as clamshell platforms
and desktop PCs. The offerings of the latter
will go beyond the norm as that specific
range also includes a range that offers
overclocking and tweaking features for the
enthusiast space to explore.
We hope to drive up further interest for
the upcoming return of the Intel Pentium
range by providing for the enthusiast
segment. In fact, the very idea of being
able to overclock the Pentium platform
openly would push many modders to look
up the new Pentium chip! adds Chow.
From legacy title-holders to mainstream
once again and then some, Intel is all
out to re-introduce Intel Pentium as it
has designated the new CPUs to operate
in between Core M and Celeron/Atom
offerings. In essence, Intel wants its
Comeback Kid to play in the mid-range
segment. This ensures that there will be
no clashing roles with this new segment
and the ones current being used 2-in-1
convertibles and mobile platforms.

One Experience
for all

The One Experience allows

for smooth integration by matthew yap

icrosofts One Experience

is clearly something that
can be of great use for
users of their products and
services. In a recent media
showcase, Microsoft Devices Group
of Microsoft Malaysia showed how
users can enjoy a seamless integration
experience across multiple screens of
Microsoft-powered devices.
This includes engaging services
like OneNote and Skydrive, and other
Windows-based mobile apps. With One
Experience, users get to interact with

Microsoft products in a fun way, be it work

or play.
Of course, to get the One Experience
fully operational there is a need to own
a Microsoft device, whether its a Lumia
smartphone, a Surface Pro tablet, Xbox
One console, or a PC.
The One Experience connects us to
the expanding base of consumer apps
and services. Examples are such as Bing,
Skype, the Internet Explorer browser,
OneDrive, Xbox One and so on. All of these
have been integrated across the Microsoft
devices platform and the way they perform

seamlessly creates that One Experience.

Now, obviously, this means you can carry
out different tasks and activities on the
platform, regardless of what device you
started it on.
An example is creating a to-do list in
OneNote on your PC, then accessing and
editing it later on your Surface Pro tablet.
You could also do things like play a game on
your smartphone, then continuing it later
on another device - all this while not having
to worry about your game progression.
Additionally, you can also use OneDrive to
share your content across different devices,
allowing you to edit or work on your
documents whenever you want.
Use Skype often? Well, now with just a
click you can access Sype on either your
tablet or Xbox One console. Just make sure
to pause your game if you arent supposed
to be gaming at the time of call!

33
DEC 2014

WIRE

Tough As Nails

by noraisyah aziz

Panasonic shares why Toughbook is a great industrial companion

ou might think your polished

looking notebook could survive
a knock or two, but to use it on
a building site is not something
you would dream of doing. It
is obvious that you will need a proper
ruggedised machine that can survive
anything that is thrown its way, no matter
what the situation is.
As is, professional rugged notebooks or
tablets have been around for a long time
and have always been in high demand.
This is especially true for the military and
security sectors, field engineers, medical
personnel, and pretty much any high-risk
scenarios where the reliability of your
technology is crucial in a potentially
hostile environment.
When it comes to industrial world
solutions, Panasonic is primarily known
for its well-built and toughened rugged
Toughbook devices. After experiencing
the behind-the-scene construction of

34
DEC 2014

Toughbook during a recent media visit

to Panasonics Kobe Factor, it can be
ascertained that there are no competitors
that offer the same combination of
robust chassis and hardened features
as Panasonic.
Our Toughbook is not only rugged
on the outside, it is also protected from
the inside. Of course, it is not a one
day journey for us to figure everything
out, says Hide Harada, Director of IT
Products Business Division (ITPBD) of
Panasonic Corporation.
Made for the Job
Since the introduction of Panasonics first
Toughbook 18 years ago, the product range
has continued to improve and develop
each year. According to this Japanese
company, it is so rigorous with testing
Toughbook products that almost 1,000
units had been damaged to the point of
near destruction every year.

Harada: Our Toughbook is not only rugged on

the outside; it is also protected from the inside. Of
course, it is not a one day journey for us to figure
everything out.

Pressurised vibration, hinge endurance,

free fall drop, and water resistance
are some of the numerous verification
test Panasonic carried out to further
enhance the products quality and
protective capabilities.
Further to that, every Toughbook is
designed, developed, and manufactured
in-house to deliver eight keys technologies
- enhanced screen visibility, advanced
security, seamless connectivity, robust
ruggedness, long battery life, consistently
lightweight, improved thermal
management, and enriched hygiene. All
these objectives are necessary to fulfill the
challenging requirements a single unit
faces in every test.
Currently, Panasonic has invested
in millions to build a state-of-the-art
anechoic chamber for wireless testing in
its Kobe Factory. Based on the test results,
Panasonic develops customised antennas
and modules that offer maximum wireless
performance. These are then embedded
into Tough range devices to ensure robust
and consistent connection for users across

a wide range of industries, in a variety of

settings and geographies.
To complement such innovations, the
internals used within all Tough range
devices, like the motherboard and hard
disks, are also protected with highly
pervasive shock absorbent materials.
Although perfection is not attainable,
Panasonic has created its own standard of
durability and performance for all its Tough
products. Apart from controlling the entire
manufacturing and assembly process of
Toughbooks, it also produces almost all
critical components that are used in its
products. This is what sets Panasonic
Toughbook apart from its rivals.
Customer Driven
As many would know, the Panasonic
Toughbook family is not your average
notebook and tablet range. It is one that
you can drop in the mud, drive a car over,
clobber whoever is trying to steal it from
you over the head, and generally be used
in circumstances where most computers
would give up.

When asked what inspired Panasonic

to create the Toughbook, Harada reveals:
It all started when our sales person
visited a customer site in early 1990 due
to a complaint received about how our
notebook had been too fragile. We found
that our notebook had been clapped-out
because it was used as field equipment.
From then on, we did some research and
started developing rugged computing
devices to accommodate the needs of
all sorts of industries, where traditional
computing isnt an option.
The late Konosuke Matsushita,
Founder of Panasonic believed that
you are taught best by your customers.
The company he has built reflects one
of his more prevalent thoughts: The
more difficult the customer, the more
valued they are. Staying true to this,
Panasonic continues to take all its
customers feedback into consideration.
This goes without saying as one of
Panasonics seven main principles
is to strive for the Untiring Effort
for Improvement.

35
DEC 2014

WIRE

Lens Swap
Sony Introduces New Concept to Cameras

ancy a new mobile lens for

your smart device? Well, Sony
introduced somenew concepts
for you to consider. As in, if you
ever need a bunch of camera lenses but
you dont want to get separate cameras to
show them off, then you should consider
the two new additions to Sonys lens-style
camera line-up that includes the everpopular interchangeable-lens concept.
Sonys new offering, the ILCE-QX1
and DSC-QX30, are priced at RM1,699
and RM1,399 respectively and play up a
more innovative element to the overall
design. Specifically, these cameras unite

36
DEC 2014

by sia zhen ning

the spontaneity and easy sharing of the

smartphone with the imaging power and
creative options of a premium camera.
THE ILCE-QX1 lets serious
photographers make use of their precious
E-mount/A-mount lens collection as well,
fully complementing the cameras APS-C
size Exmor CMOS sensor that now rates
at 20.1MP. Paired with the advance BIONZ
X processor, photographers are now able
to take images with flawless detail while
recording as little image noise as possible.
Other features of the QX1 includes
Superior Auto - a mode that adjusts the
camera settings for top-quality results via a

dozen of different scene modes; the ability

to shoot RAW images; and the debut of a
pop-up flash in a lens-style camera. The
latter is added to brighten up portraits,
gloomy interiors, and night scenes.
On the other hand, the compact DSCQX30, which rocks a powerful 30x optical
zoom, now sports an advanced Optical
SteadyShot image stabilisation system.
This allows users to keep images crisp
and clear while eliminating any form of
blurring. It even has Clear Image Zoom,
a feature that allows the camera to reach
60x magnification without sacrificing pixel
count. When partnered with Lock-on AF,
the lens camera is able to capture fastmoving actions thanks to its continuous
shooting capabilities of up to 10fps.
Both cameras are compatible with
Sonys wearable RM-LVR1 and RM-LVR2V
Live View Remote controls and can be
connected to your smartphone via Wi-Fi
and PlayMemories Mobile app.

WIRE

Big Device
Surprise
Sweet offerings set to show
from U Mobile-OPPO deal

(From left) Jasmine Lee, Chief Marketing Officer,

U Mobile Sdn Bhd; Fang; Dafi, U Mobile Brand
Ambassador; and Lisy Lee, Head of Corporate
Communication of U Mobile Sdn Bhd checking out
the new OPPO devices.

Mobile is set to come out even

stronger now after its recent
collaboration efforts. Its latest
happens to be focused on being
an exclusive device partner as it has
partnered with OPPO Mobile Malaysia to
offer consumers new postpaid and prepaid
bundles that feature the new OPPO Joy
and OPPO Neo 5 smartphones.
From 27 October 2014, U Mobile will
throw in RM20 top-up vouchers and a U
Mobile Prepaid Starter Pack worth RM8
for every purchase of the OPPO Joy - now
retailing at RM348. Additionally, from the
third month onwards, users who signed on
for this bundle will receive 250MB mobile
Internet data for free for every RM30 topup for the next four months within the
promotion period.
Users can also opt for the OPPO Neo
5 (LTE) at RM598 together with a free
subscription of the U58 plan for the first
six months. The plan includes 2GB of high
speed mobile internet and 300 minutes of
voice calls.
This marks the first occasion for OPPO
to collaborate with a telco in Malaysia.
Thusly, we are very happy to choose U
Mobile as our first partner because we

38
DEC 2014

(From left) Jasmine Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of U Mobile Sdn Bhd and Fang are all smiles as they
signed on the strategic partnership between their companies.

believe U Mobile has great potential and

is somewhat similar in working style
as OPPO. The collaboration specifically
targets the youth segment and will work
to create further awareness of the OPPO
brand in Malaysia. We look forward to
working together with U Mobile as a

long-term strategic partner so as to build

up even more benefits for our users in the
future, says William Fang, CEO, OPPO
Mobile Malaysia.
For more information about this offer,
please visit www.u.com.my or visit your
nearest U Mobile store outlet.

Professional Hero

GoPro sharpens its image GoPro sharpens its image

by sia zhen ning

(Third from left) Cohen Summers, Summers Global Trainer, GoPro North America; Khoo Boon Hian, Director, Funsportz, and Kar Yee Fransham, Senior Sales
Manager, GoPro Asia Pacific, showing off the new GoPro HERO4 range.

re you an outdoorsman who

likes to records yourself when
you brave Mother Nature? Well,
youre in luck as FunSportz,
the exclusive importer and distributor
of GoPro equipment, is bringing in the
latest in GoPro line-up of video-cumphotography equipment - the HERO4
Black and the HERO4 Silver.
Featuring GoPros Emmy Awardwinning imaging technology, the HERO4
Black and the HERO4 Silver are perfect
for videographers and photographers

who are looking for that extra edge but

want such equipment to be at equally
competitive prices.
The HERO4 Silver has a built-in
touch display that allow for easy camera
control, shot framing, and visual playback.
It is able to perform professional quality
video capture at 2.7K resolution with 30
frames per second (fps), 1080p at 60fps,
and 720p at 120fps. It is also capable of
12MP magazine cover-quality photos at
burst-speeds of 30 photos per second.
As for the HERO4 Black, it is a step

above the silver marked counterpart

as it can record incredible ultra-high
definition 4K videos at 30fps, allowing
for life-like video capture and enabling
users to extract 8.3MP video stills to use
as photos. It also sports an updated userinterface with improved discoverability
and easy access to key camera controls.
The GoPro HERO4 series is in line
with the companys aim to transform the
way consumers capture, manage, share,
and enjoy meaningful life experiences via
the photos and video they have captured
during the event. As always, it goes
beyond the norm.

39
DEC 2014

WIRE

A Seoul-ful Venture
Celcom steps into e-commerce

by sia zhen ning

(Second from left) Hoseok Kim, Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Planet; Karan Henrik Ponnudurai,
Chief Digital Services Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad; Jinwoo So, Chief Executive Officer of SK
Planet; Shazalli; and JH Kah, Head of SK Planet International all smiles during the signing ceremony.

s online business opportunities

in Malaysia increase, many
companies are currently in the
midst of vying for a slice of the
ever growing pie. As telcos are intricately
linked to e-commerce, it seemed
appropriate for local players to jump in.

Claiming first mover advantage is Celcom

as it formed a joint venture with Korean
web retail platform, SK Planet, to quickly
tap onto this thriving market.
This two-party collaboration, dubbed
Celcom Planet, is formed for the purpose
of exploring, seeking, and pursuing

e-commerce business opportunities in

Malaysia. The new entity is expected to
launch an optimized Web-based mall in
2H 2015.
Currently, SK Planet, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of SK Telecom, has served close
to over 30 million consumers and has a
Gross Merchandise Value of US$5 billion
in 2013. This is achievable in part due to
11st.co.kr, one of the leading e-commerce
brands for the open markets in Korea.
We strongly believe that this initiative
can spearhead Celcoms advancement in
the digital space as SK Planet, which is
part of Koreas big telco, SK Telecom, has
successfully ventured into the e-commerce
domain and now possess a strong
background in this field. By leveraging
on SK Planets platform and operations
know-how, which will be coupled with
Celcoms experience and knowledge of
the local market, we are confident that this
collaboration will be very successful, says
Dato Sri Shazalli, Chief Executive Officer
of Celcom Axiata Berhad.

Savage Stick
Razer enters the fighting arena

azer has had a busy Q4 2014 with

the release of its Razer Blade 2014
for Malaysia and the rainbowthemed Naga Epic Chroma
after that. It seemingly isnt stopping
anytime soon too. Next up for the gaming
peripheral maker is the Razer Atrox Ultra
Street Fighter IV (SFIV) Collectors Edition
Arcade Stick as it is set to shower love
onto the fighting game crowd.

40
DEC 2014

by sia zhen ning

This XBox 360 arcade stick is built

with pro-gamers in mind and, as such,
features genuine Sanwa innards and an
ergonomically authentic arcade layout. The
latter is to boost precision and reliability
for tournament-grade gaming. The arcade
stick is also crafted to allow advanced
modifications, with internals and storage
easily accessible at the touch of a button.
To drive this notion home further, the
direction stick and all 10 buttons are fully
interchangeable for full customisability.
Being an Ultra SFIV Collectors Edition
arcade stick, it comes fully adorned with a
specially made faceplate that depicts Ryu
all ready for battle.

For a limited time, a promotional

bundle is available for the Razer Atrox
Arcade Stick as the Ultra SFIV Collectors
Edition will come bundled with the Razer
Chimaera Wireless Gaming Headset for
Xbox 360. All that for just RM629. The
bundle is available in all participating retail
outlets and authorised Razer Stores.

Advertorial

Bold Picture-Taking

our backpacking trip isnt complete without recording it. In fact, all your
crazy stunts should be immortalised in video so you can brag to your
grandkids someday. In comes the GoPro HERO4 Silver, now with a touch
display for easier navigation plus a bevy of new features that ensures this
GoPro entry is a truly exciting shooting device.

Touchscreen FirsT-Timer
As the first GoPro camera to feature a LCD touchscreen, the HERO4 Silver now allows
you to frame your shots or check how your videos turned out with a tap of the screen.
Obviously, this also means that you can navigate the menu easily just by tapping
and swiping on it as well. Speaking of which, the good ol manual controls have been
further improved, ensuring usability is still there since the touchscreen cant be
accessed when the camera is in the waterproof casing.
Big on a goPro
The HERO4 Silver has seen some significant improvements from its predecessors
added to it alongside the new features it comes with. Better image quality? You bet.
Low light shooting modes? Check out the Auto Low Light mode, Night Photo, and
Night Lapse offerings. Its out of this world! Complementing all that is a brand new
audio system, made specifically to produce greater audio recordings!
Tag Those momenTs
Social media isnt the only place you get to tag as the new GoPro HERO4 Silver has
that too! The HERO4 Silver comes with a sweet new feature called the HiLight Tag.
It is specifically designed to let you tag vital stages during recording for easier
playback and content editing later. You do this by either pressing the side button
on the camera, use the Smart Remote, or GoPro app on your smartphone to engage
this function.

WIRE

Huaweis Best Mate

Huawei launches the perfect companion

by sia zhen ning

Xu: The arrival of the Mate 7 a little after a

month of its international launch is yet another
indication of our commitment to Malaysia.

ith Christmas around the

corner, many companies
are launching their own
smartphones in order to rake
in the Christmas gift-giving profit. Huawei
plans to ride on this as well since it
launched the Huawei Mate 7 recently. The
standard version of the Huawei Mate 7,
which has 2GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM,
will retail at RM1,799. There is a premium
version as well that rocks 3GB RAM and
32GB storage going for RM1,999.
Huaweis Perfect Companion features
a 6in Full HD display for enhanced
entertainment viewing, a slimmer 7.9mm
body, which provides increased comfort,
and a longer-lasting 4100mAh battery.
Under the hood, it sports an octa-core
architecture that the Huawei Kirin 925

42
DEC 2014

processor empowers. This processor is

made up of four large A15 1.8 GHz and
four small A7 1.3 GHz chipsets that are
activated in different configurations,
depending on the power needs of an app
or function.
Aside from the improved screen size
and microchips, the Huawei Mate 7 also
features a single-touch fingerprint scanner.
This enables users to unlock the phone
faster than most devices that use slower
sweeping recognition option. The reader,
located at the back of the phone, is able
to support up to five sets of different
fingerprint records that can be allocated
to normal and guest modes. This is so a
user can make full use of the advanced
protection system this device offers.
The arrival of the Mate 7 a little after
a month of its international launch is yet
another indication of our commitment to
Malaysia. As work and play both converge
onto handheld devices, Mate 7 is welltimed as an excellent companion on many
fronts, be it a large screen size, fingerprint
security, a powerful processor with eight
core and excellent battery life to keep the
experience going from work to play and
beyond, says Gary Xu, Country Director of
the Consumer Business Group for Huawei
Technologies Malaysia.

WIRE

MyTeksi Raises
New Financing
US$90 million funding collected

s part of its expansion plans

for the region, MyTeksi - the
Malaysian made, Southeast
Asia based taxi-booking
mobilephone app - has recently
registered and now completed its Series
C round of funding, totalling in US$90
million. To date, this is the largest round of
funding for the region.
This Series C fund, generated over the
past 12 months, had US-based Tiger Global
Management leading the effort. Part of this
includes Hillhouse Capital Management,
GGV Capital, Vertex Venture Holdings,
and Qunar.
With this funds, MyTeksi will create
new funding programmes that are aimed
at improving the lives of its taxi drivers

44
DEC 2014

and their families. These programmes

include courses on language and soft
skills, sponsorship packages, and donation
events. The recently held Rides to Books
campaign, where 500 children of MyTeksi
drivers received RM25,000 worth of book
vouchers from MyTeksi, had been one of
the major initiatives of this funding.
Other efforts include extending
recreational and social activity efforts for
MyTeksi drivers and families and Vehicle
Refurbishment programs.
We will use the funds to continue
our growth and expansion within
Malaysia, particularly in attracting talent
to handle the new territories we enter.
A significant portion of the investment
will also be used to develop community

by victor yap

programmes to reward our drivers and

passengers and better our service across
the region, says Adelene Foo, General
Manager, MyTeksi.
The funds generated through the
Series C will be distributed via outreach
programmes and direct tie-ups with
individual operators and taxi management
agencies. This goes hand-in-hand with
finding the right investment partners.
MyTeksi has always been selective
in choosing our investment partners and
operators. This is how reiterate our role
in valuing the experience and advice of
our collaborators as we work towards
improving the taxi industry in Malaysia.
This first step is how we move forward and
tackle the region after, Foo adds.

Blue Cloud Rising

IBMs challenge pits undergrads

Hong: The competition we established is

made to unleash creative thinking and spur
innovation among the countrys brightest and
most talented developers who are keen to
experiment on an agile platform.

s the future beckons,

technological innovations will
eventually be handed over to the
youths of today. However, with
the IBM Bluemix Appnovator Challenge
2014, that future seems to be in really
good hands.

by sia zhen ning

The competition is an application

development contest that IBM Malaysia
organised to encourage student
programmers to develop and deploy
applications on next-gen IBM Cloud
platforms, AKA IBM Bluemix. The focus:
to address pressing societal issues and
business challenges.
Of the many entries that came in, The
A-Team, from KBU International College
(KBU), took home the prize as it presented
the MyCity app. A city-wide deployable
platform, it is designed for citizens to
report any infrastructure issues, such as
pipe leakages, malfunctioned traffic lights,
broken street lights, potholes and flash
floods easily, via their mobile phones.
Runner-ups of the competition had
been the team from Tunku Abdul Rahman
University College and another entry from
KBU. For the former, there is the Park 4
You app - a system that is designed to
help drivers locate empty parking bays and
payment kiosks at parking lots. The latter

Winners of the IBM Bluemix Appnovator

Challenge 2014.

created the Lost and Report program, a

platform that allows users to report and
upload recent incidents regarding stolen
car numbers, wanted criminals, and lost
items, all of which are categorised based
on users nearby location.
The competition we established is
made to unleash creative thinking and
spur innovation among the countrys
brightest and most talented developers
who are keen to experiment on an agile
platform. IBM Bluemix provides the
instant resources and runtimes that these
students need to develop their apps, says
Hong Kok Cheong, General Manager of the
Software Group for IBM Malaysia.

The Shooting Star

ZTE smartphones come to Malaysia

enerally speaking, smartphones

are expensive devices that are
out of reach for most people
in Malaysia. ZTE is trying to
change the trend as it launches its ZTE

by sia zhen ning

STAR 1. This is part of its hopes to be

able to provide all Malaysians with quality
affordable smartphones.
The ZTE STAR 1, which is priced
at RM1088, contains a Qualcomm

Snapdragon 400 processor, an 8MP rear

camera with dual LED flash, a 5MP frontfacing camera, 2GB RAM, 16GB of internal
memory, and a 2,300mAh battery.
Beyond that, the STAR 1 also contains
excellent imaging capabilities with
its 4cm macro shooting capability, a
feature that allow users to capture super
macro photographs. Also included are
the Clarity+ imaging technology, which
creates HD photos at the tip of the users
fingers, and the dual-colour temperature
flash that improves the white balance and
effects of the pictures.
The STAR 1 model is a highquality smartphone designed with
an understanding of todays lifestyle
requirements at an affordable price
of RM1,088. It will be available to all
Malaysians throughout Peninsular
Malaysia and Sabah, says Alex Yee, Head
of ZTE Malaysias Terminal Division.

45
DEC 2014

WIRE

Keep Your Data Close

New Kaspersky survey result are alarming

n the world of business, data loss

is a highly concerning occurrence.
One corrupt file can cause the
company millions in profit. Besides
viral issues, data loss through accidental
means or corporate espionage are just as
dangerous if not more so for a business.
Software security developer Kaspersky
Labs annual global survey of ICT
professionals has shownthat this is the
case, with accidental data sharing by staff

46
DEC 2014

by sia zhen ning

being a bigger cause of data loss than

software vulnerabilities.
One of the most alarming trends that
Kaspersky Labs investigation internal
threats uncovered how the frequency
of data leakage occurring in businesses
within infrastructure sectors such as the
Utilities & Energy and telecoms sectors.
It is reported that thelatter has the
highest rate of accidental leaks and data
sharing by staff - rated at 42%. The former

is second-highest, with a rate of threat

recorded at 33%.
From 2011 to 2014, Kaspersky Labs
surveys have revealed that threats to
business by way of software vulnerabilities
have dropped by 9% amongst medium,
large, and enterprise-level businesses.
However, accidental data leaks by staff
have remained steady during that time
period while the amount of lost data
attributed to accidental data leaks have
increased by 2%. This makes accidental
data leaks the top internal threat
responsible for lost data.
While software vulnerabilities are
still the most commonly reported
Internet threat with 36%, accidental
data leaks by staff are the second most
commonly reported internal threat at
29%. The survey data showed that 20%
of all businesses that participated have
reported information leaks occurring from
a software vulnerability incident, while
22% have revealed losses stemming from
accidents by staff incompetence. The
findings suggest that while businesses
are slowly winning their struggle with
software vulnerabilities, data compromise
is still growing through other means like
loss of mobile devices, intentional or
accidental data leaks from employees, and
security failures by third-party suppliers.

WIRE

Jaw Dropping Cinematics

Transform homes into cinemas with Bang & Olufsen

ang & Olufsen (B&O), known

for its prowess in audio/visual
products, has reinforced itself
as an industry expert with the
launch of its BeoVision Avant
85 TV. With it, the brand has redefined
the experience of what a TV can do
for you. The BeoVision Avant 85 is a
massive, but oh so glorious, 85in version
of the BeoVision Avant 55 that had been
introduced earlier this year. Its the TV
that many believe will bring the cinematic
experience right to your living room.
The BeoVision Avant 85 displays 4K
content alongside B&Os ever famous
sound system in one elegantly designed
and beautifully crafted TV. Consumers
will have the choice to mount the TV
on a motorised stand, which allows the
TV to swivel 180-degrees, or a fixed wall
bracket. With a touch of a button, the
Avant 85 comes alive and the speakers
elegantly fold-out, signalling it is
ready to provide users with an endless
cinematic experience.
The BeoRemote One that comes with
the Avant 85 is specifically made to be
a multipurpose remote that can handle

48
DEC 2014

nearly every audio and visual equipment

in your setup. This includes the Apple TV,
Astro, DVD players, and anything that is
audio/video related. Made from a single
aluminium piece, this metallic unibody
remote is, indeed, not your average Joe in
the market.
Tue Mantoni, CEO of B&O explains,
BeoVision Avant 85 is a true stateof-the-art product that comes at a
competitive price for a TV of this size
and level of innovation. At B&O we
are proud to introduce this grand TV
to a market that is demanding product
offerings that offer extraordinary home
entertainment experiences.
Alongside the launch of the TV, B&O
had also introduced its latest floor speaker,
the BeoLab 20. Two iconic towers that
come equipped with B&O Acoustic
Lens tweeters, it is set to deliver high
frequencies evenly around the room in a
full 180-degrees manner.
Interested consumers can head over
to B&O The Gardens Mall Showroom. For
this yummy premium, youll have to fork
out a handsome amount of RM125,000.
This is not inclusive of the BeoRemote

by codenamed: tulips

One. Wall bracket or floor stand comes

with a starting price of RM8,250. The
BeoLab 20, meanwhile, is priced at
RM52,250 for a pair. Tempted to sell your
kidneys for these luxuries yet?

Connection Boost
Cellular signal amps
supercharging mobile data
by sia zhen ning

s reliance on mobile devices

grow, weak cellular signals are
quickly proving to be more
than a minor annoyance.
Cellular signal booster specialists Wilson
Electronics realised this early on as it
moved to introduce into Malaysia its
Connect 3G and the Drive 3G-S cellular
signal boosters. To ensure maximum
distribution is achieved, Digital Paper had
been appointed as the primary distributor
and both have decided to market these
products under the companys new global
brand name, weBoost.
The weBoost Connect 3G and the
Drive 3G-S, retailing at RM1,145.00 and
RM389.00 respectively, features patented,
FCC-certified cellular network protection
technologies that prevent interference with
cellular networks.
Based on our research, Malaysians
desire reliable cellular signals and seamless
connectivity for their work and personal
lives. As such, were excited to bring our
products and innovations here as we enter
this new chapter in our global expansion
into Asia. Of course, were making
loud and clear that Malaysia is our first
destination outside of North America for
weBoost, says Bob Van Buskirk, President
and CEO, weBoost.

(From left) Liew, Managing Director of Digital Paper; LeGrand Lewis, Chairman of the Board,
weBoost; Van Buskirk; and Young Ryu, Country Manager of weBoost Malaysia showing off the new
weBoost Connect 3G and weBoost Drive 3G-S devices.

The relationship with Wilson Electronics

will not only increases our product offerings
as we move to extend the commitment we
made to our channel partners as we work
to provide them with world-class, leadingedge products. Indeed, we are excited to
be weBoosts distributor in Malaysia and
look forward to a successful partnership,
says Rickie Liew, Managing Director,
Digital Paper.
The weBoost Connect 3G cellular
signal booster is designed to provide

significant coverage enhancements to

voice and 2G/3G data for all carriers and
cellular devices. It works by capturing
outside, usable signals, amplifying it,
and redistributing it throughout an
entire home or office. For vehicle use,
the weBoost Drive 3G-S acts as an allin-one phone cradle and signal booster.
Similar to the Connect 3G, it boosts voice
and data signals by working with all
cellular carriers to provide consistent and
reliable connectivity.

49
DEC 2014

WIRE

Open Sourced Clouds

New Cloud infrastructure via Red Hat

hanks to the digitisation

of business processes, IT
organisations are now in
the midst of shifting from
traditional virtualisation to Cloud-enabled
architectures. Thus, these establishments
now require a way to move app workloads
from one system to another while still
maintaining manageability and policies
across all discrete platforms. Such
requirements are massive and require indepth know-how to get things done.

Stepping up to the plate is Red Hat

as it introduces the latest in its Red Hat
Cloud Infrastructure - Version 5.
Comprising a comprehensive solution
that supports organisations with their
transition to OpenStack-powered Clouds,
they enable businesses to build and
manage a private Cloud Infrastructureas-a-Service (IaaS) data centre as well as
develop virtualisation and management
technologies that automate traditional
workloads. Highly scalable public

The Touch of Life

ZALORA thrives with Samsung GALAXY

ust in February of this year,

Samsung launched its GALAXY
Life app for its mobile ecosystem.
With it, the Korean brand has
created new revenues and opportunities
for merchants as the platform allows them
to reach more than 986,000 GALAXY Life
members. One of the latest to join this
system via a collaborative partnership
is ZALORA.
This joint-venture between ZALORA
and GALAXY Life began with the latter
putting up special deals for all GALAXY
Life users and soon evolved into large
scale campaigns that include exclusive
makeovers at Rizalman, a renowned local
fashion designer.

50
DEC 2014

ZALORA has crossed the

threshold of 5,000 orders on a daily
and now with GALAXY Life, we
expect to ramp up our main source
of revenue as the key focus of our
strategy is to profit from external
marketing channels. As such, the
Samsung app we have worked to
gain presence on is currently one of
our key revenue drivers, says Giulio
Xiloyannis, Managing Director of
ZALORA Malaysia.
The vouchers and other bonuses
that are being featured on the
GALAXY Life app is available in all
Southeast Asian countries as well as
Hong Kong.

Cloud-like services, which are based mostly

on Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack
Platform, are also provided.
Included in a subscription of Red Hat
Cloud Infrastructure 5 are open hybrid
Cloud management tools -Red Hat
CloudForms; highly scalable IaaS-based
Red Hat Enterprise Linux OpenStack
Platform; smart virtualisation products;
Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization; and
lifecycle management solutions provider,
Red Hat Satellite.
Hybrid environments are simply the
reality of todays IT organisations as they
want to get onto the Cloud within their
own terms and timelines. Thusly, were all
about wanting to help them as we move
to establish the fact that what we offer
now is one of the most comprehensive and
premier Cloud infrastructure solutions in
the marketplace, says Joe Fitzgerald, Vice
President and General Manager, Cloud
Management, Red Hat.

ZTE talks LTE

A glimpse of an LTE future

TE is one of the big buzz words

of the ICT industry for this year
as, at every opportunity, a vendor
wanted a say in that space. ZTE,
a known telco hardware manufacturer,
shares its take during a recent media tour
of its Shenzhen facilities in China.
Part of the visit included seeing, first
hand, how it conceptualises, creates,
develops, and ships the technology that
creates and sustains the 4G ecosystem
that the world now depends on for high
speed broadband connectivity. Having
taken Best LTE Core Network Product
award at the LTE World Summit this year,
it is clear ZTE is in the thick of things. In
fact, it is currently the manufacturer of
choice for 4G technology in Malaysia with
service providers Telekom, DiGi, and U
Mobile as partners.

by matthew yap

Zhang feels current LTE penetration rates

are still considered as currently slow because
of the lack of devices that run on LTE.

During the tour, ZTE revealed its role

in the development of 4G and what it has
in mind for the fast growing ecosystem.
Zhang Jianguo, Vice President of ZTE
Corporation, and General Manager of GSM/
UMTS/LTE products for ZTE, shares on
the development of LTE-Advance and how
incorporating LTE-CA (Carrier Aggregation)
is important for the market. Globally, ZTE
has already established 70 commercial LTE
networks and has implemented as well
as tested LTE-Advance in Belgium and
Hong Kong.
For Zhang, current LTE penetration
rates are still considered as currently slow
because of the lack of devices that run
on LTE. Of course, there must be a start
somewhere and in the case of 4G LTE,
this slow and steady pacing is crucial for
the pursuit of a high speed connected

future. This directly ties in to how

ZTE sees Malaysia as an important
marketspace as it now boasts more than
10 million 3G subscribers and 140%
mobile penetration.
This is a truly remarkable number!
It will grow and be even higher than
what International Data Corporation
(IDC) predicted based on its studies and
observations. This goes hand-in-hand
with our expectations that the number of
LTE subscribers in Malaysia will shoot to
7.6 million by 2018, Zhang adds.
As part of its efforts to expand in its
own Android smartphone offerings, ZTE
has also introduced and showcased the
ZTE Star and ZTE Blade devices. Both
entries are specifically developed to
target those who want good quality smart
devices that are affordably priced.

51
DEC 2014

christmas Gift Guide

Sharp LE960X
AQUOS QUATTRON
Pro Full HD 3D
LED TV
Want a TV that can generate exquisite detail?
Why not aim for the LE960X series as it packs in Sharps signature Quattro Pro technology,
delivering picture quality that goes beyond the Full HD experience. Since its 4K ready and
contains a built-in upscaler that increases lower resolution content to be 4K compatible, it is
able to play UHD content easily. Being THX Display certified, the TV ensures a true cinema
experience is created for all to enjoy.

SHARP 90in
LC90LE760X AQUOS
FULL HD 3D LED TV
Big TVs arei in as Sharp puts out its 90in monster for all to consider.
Called the SHARP 90in LC90 LE760X FULL HD 3D TV, it sports a
3D-type Full HD Ultra Brilliant Panel, which is paired with Sharp
AQUOS Motion 200 and automatic 3D depth control. With its 1080/24P
signal input, videos are re-processed and reproduced to look like
youre watching in the theaters.

Sharp HT-SB32D
Soundbar
Looking for a speaker system but dont want to get a
boring, huge, blocky thing? Why not get a soundbar? The
Sharp HT-SB32D is designed specifically for 40in TV sets.
Featuring a built-in 2.0 amplifier, it can be connected to
your TV wirelessly via Bluetooth.

56
DEC 2014

Sharp HT-SB602
Soundbar
What if your TV is bigger than 40in? Then the Sharp HTSB602 is the one for you. Much like the HT-SB32D, it can
be connected to your TV wirelessly via Bluetooth. Whats
the difference then? Well, its a 2.1 channel soundbar that
is made for 60in TV sets. It also comes with an additional
wireless subwoofer to create a great home theater system.

Sharp LE660X AQUOS Full

HD LED TV
Beyond offering a Full HD LCD panel with LED backlight, Sharp AQUOSMotion Lite
technology, and even built-in Wi-Fi, what separates the Sharp LE660X AQUOS TV
from others is the presence of the Cocoro Eye AI technology. What it does is to work
in tandem with TV functions to improve the users viewing experience. This includes
making use of the RGB sensor with Cocoro Eye to manage overall picture quality
performance or pair-up its built-in motion sensor to control the power system.

Sharp LE265M/WH
Full HD LED TV
Looking for a new LED TV? Well the Sharp LE265M/WH
Full HD LED TV has you covered as it uses a Full HD
LCD panel that comes with LED-backlight, allowing for a
superb viewing experience. It also contains Eagle View
Technology, specifically made to improve image clarity.
Other innovations include the Photo Frame Mode, Super
Eco Mode, and an Easy Colour Adjustment Mode.

Sharp LE360D2
Full HD LED TV
If you want a beefier viewing experience, the Sharp
LE360D2 HD LED TV might be just what you want.
Available in either 32- or 40in variants, the LE360D2
contains a WXGA LCD panel on the former, and a Full
HD LCD display for the 40in type. Both come with LED
backlight and sport five HDMI terminals, allowing you to
connect various AV devices to the TV. It also has a Super
Eco Mode and AQUOS MOTION LITE.

57
DEC 2014

christmas Gift Guide

Dell S Series
S2415H 24-Inch
Screen LED-Lit Monitor

Looking for a semi-large HD monitor? The Dell S2415H LED display may be what
youre looking for. This monitor offers FHD performance, allowing you to go on a
vivid adventure with your games, movies, and photos. Besides that, the panel also
comes equipped with multiple HDMI ports, allowing you to stream movies and music
from your notebook, game console, tablet or smartphone at the same time.

Dell Inspiron 20
3000 Series
All-in-One

Want a new computer that doesnt take up prime real

estate on your desk? Perhaps an All-in-One (AiO)
computer might be up to the task. The Dell Inspiron 20
3000 Series is the AiO for you then. Sporting an Intel
Pentium Quad-Core processor, 4GB RAM, and an intuitive
20in touchscreen, it is designed specifically to deliver a
high quality user experience. Interactivity like no other.

Dell Inspiron 13
7000 Series 2-in-1

If 11in and below are too small and underpowered for you, why
not get the Dell Inspiron 13 7000 Series 2-in-1 instead. This
2-in-1 hybrid convertible packs a 4th Generation Intel Core i5
CPU, 8GB of memory, and long battery life. This ensures you
can edit your photos, take notes, or even watch your favorite
shows without being near a convenient power source.

58
DEC 2014

Alienware Area-51

Want a gaming rig but hate going through the hassle

of building one from the ground up? Alienware has got
you covered with its newly launched Area-51. This beast
rocks an iconic new design - dubbed Triad - that is
specifically engineered to create the best desktop gaming
experiences. It is also built with next-gen gaming in mind,
featuring triple- and quad-graphics options.

Dell Inspiron 14
7000 Series
If youre looking for a decent multimedia notebook for
everyday use, there is the Dell Inspiron 14 7000 series. It
is built for all things you - the busy worker, the hardcore
gamer, and the entertainment junkie. Featuring the latest
4th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7 processor as well as a
turbocharged NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M GPU, nothing
wouldnt hinder this notebook one bit.

59
DEC 2014

Decked the Halls with Intel

With Intel, you can now celebrate the coming Christmas season with
more joy and cheer as it introduces new, affordable, and versatile
Intel-powered devices. Priced from RM1,099 onwards, not only are
there many devices to choose from as upon purchasing, you also stand
a chance to win AirAsia BIG points worth RM5,000.

HP Pavilion 11 X360
2-in-1

The Pavilion 11 X360 is slightly different from other 2-in-1s on

the list as it rocks a different operating system to work with
its Intel Pentium N3530 processor and 4GB RAM. It comes
bundled with Windows 8.1 SST as a pre-install. While known as a
direct variant, youre able to start work as soon as you turn it on.

Price: RM1,649

Lenovo G40-30

If you would like nothing more than a straightforward

notebook, you can opt for the Lenovo G40-30. Beyond
being equipped with the Intel Pentium N3540
processor and 4GB of RAM, its the
14in screen that makes this
notebook a great buy
for those looking to
own an inexpensive and
portable machine.

Price: RM1,099
60
DEC 2014

Dell Inspiron 11
3147 2-in-1

Would you like a 2-in-1 that is both highperformance and mobile? Here, try on the Dell
Inspiron 11 3147 as it features an 11.6in HD LED
Touch Display and is powered with the new Intel
Pentium Quad Core N3530 processor and 4GB
RAM. All that for the extra kick you want from a
compact 2-in-1 Ultrabook.

Price: RM1,599

ASUS X Series
X451MA Notebook
If you are a believer of ASUS quality then the ASUS X Series
Notebook is the one to go for. Like the others, it comes with
an Intel Pentium N3520 processor, 4GB RAM, and 14in LED
backlit HD screen. The key difference here is the proprietary
ASUS functions that has been included like the ASUS
multimedia system.

Price: RM1,199

Acer ES1-411

In the event that you want an even more

affordable device, then the Acer ES1-411 may
be up your alley. Rocking the Intel Pentium
N3540 processor, 4GB of DDR3L RAM, and a
14in HD screen, which is paired with Acers
own CineCrystal LED, this device promises
definite packed performance.

Price: RM1,099

61
DEC 2014

ASUS Transformer
Book Flip
Looking for a relatively inexpensive 2-in-1 device? Try the
ASUS Transformer Book Flip as it rocks an Intel CoreTM i3
processor, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and Windows 8.1. Definitely
one to consider for advanced performance and the usual
daily tasks.

Price: RM1,699

Acer Switch 10 2-in-1

Do you prefer your 2-in-1s to be highly mobile? Well then, the

Acer Switch 10 is for you. Powered with an Intel AtomTM
Z3735 and 2GB DDR3L RAM, this tiny device sports a 10 inch
LCD display with integrated 5-point touch. This makes it one
of the more highly compact 2-in-1s in the market.

Price: RM1,399

Microsoft
Surface Pro 3
Microsofts very own 2-in-1 has been made more powerful with
the latest iteration, offering capabilities to support Intel CoreTM
i7 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and having up to 512GB of storage.
It is indeed a true mobile juggernaut.

Price: From RM2,729

christmas Gift Guide

MSI GS60 2PC Ghost

3K Edition
Dubbed the thinnest and lightest 15.6in gaming
notebook ever, the MSI GS60 Ghost 3K Edition
packs a powerful punch for its small frame.
Featuring a 4th Generation Intel Core
i7 Processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M
GPU, and squeezing in 16GB of DDR3L RAM, the
Ghost 3K Edition is more than ready to produce stellar
performance with its highly portable form factor.

MSI GT80
Titan
On the extreme side of gaming comes
the MSI GT80 Titan - a behemoth of
a machine. This gaming monstrosity
features the horrifically powerful
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M that allows
the machine to handle most games with
impunity. It also holds the honour of
being the first notebook that comes with
a backlit mechanical keyboard, courtesy
of SteelSeries.

MSI GT72 2PE

Dominator Pro
Striking that perfect balance between size and performance,
the GT72 Dominator Pro is an extremely powerful machine
in its own right. Packing a 4th Generation Intel Core i7
Processor and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M, this gaming
beast is able to run almost every game in existence without
issue on its 17.3in Full HD screen.

64
DEC 2014

Bose SoundLink
Air Digital Music
System
Ever hosted outdoor parties or gone on camping trips
and wished you had speakers for your music? Well,
now you can! With the Bose SoundLink Air digital
music system, you can stream music from any Apple
device or a computer running iTunes. If you dont
have those, you could still use the auxiliary input to
jack in your noisemaker. Just the thing youd need for
those BBQ parties!

Bose Computer
MusicMonitor
For the ones fussy about audio quality but are not able
to use headphones, it sounds like they need a need a
good pair of speakers. For them, the Bose Computer
MusicMonitor, a pair of low-profile speakers, is all set to
deliver what you need. Its elegant aluminium finish fully
complements the audio system within, making it ideal for
those who use their PCs as an entertainment hub.

Bose
Bose SoundTrue
QuietComfort 25
On-Ear Headphones Need punchy sounding headset that blocks outside noise?

A dash of hip for those who like fun and a compact

form factors - that is what the Bose SoundTrue On-Ear
Headphones offer. Lightweight yet durable, you can pack
them easily in its carrying case and pop them out for a
quick, yet thorough, listening session.

Then the Bose QuietComfort 25 is what youd go for. While

it uses a large pair of cans, it is still light enough for easy
travel. The QuietComfort 25 also comes with an inline mic
so you can use it for your phones and tablets too, making
it the perfect companion for the busy mobile worker.

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Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay

S8 Speaker System
Its all about the sound - or so
B&O wants to make you believe
with its B&O BeoPlay S8. Highly
flexible and ultra convenient,
this compact stereo system is
set to bring a whole new level
of aural performance that is like
life invigorating. Not only does
it revitalise any song/music it
plays, you can also plug in any
device in any manner possible to
stream your favourite tunes!

Bang & Olufsen

BeoVision Avant
85 UltraHD TV
State-of-the-art, truly refined, and outstanding
performance encapsulates Bang & Olufsen (B&O) goal
when it developed the BeoVision Avant 85 UltraHD
TV. The fully motorised 85in panel comprises a
custom 85in panel, enclosed in a majestic chasiss,
and automated 3-channel speaker system. High class
design and experience like no other.

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Fuji Xerox
DocuPrint CM215fw
Multifunction printers (MFPs) come in all shapes and sizes
with a variety of functions to boot. Most important is the
cost-savings. To cater to this one demand, Fuji Xeroxs
newest DocuPrint CM215fw sports an enhanced S-LED
printing system, advanced emulsion-based eco-toner, and
intuitive wireless connectivity. Efficiency at its finest.

Huawei
TalkBand B1
In the market for a smartwear this Christmas?
Heres an option you might like: the Huawei
TalkBand B1. The durable thermoplastic
vulcanised silicone strap is not only comfortable
but also has a degree of water resistance. This is
great for jogging or marathons sessions, as you
can track the number of steps taken, the calories
you burnt, and the distance of your run.

Huawei Ascend P7
Want a new smartphone for Christmas but dont have a
mega budget? Check out the pretty affordable 5in Huawei
Ascend P7 as it boasts a Quad-Core CPU, 2GB RAM,
Full HD resolution, and 4G LTE connectivity, ensuring
consistent a lag-free high-resolution user experience.
Also, if you like to snap impromptu selfies, youd love the
8MP front facing camera that the Ascend P7 uses.

Huawei Ascend Mate 7

The Huawei Ascend Mate 7 is a sexy 6in phablet with slim, elegant
curves and a sleek metal finish. Powering the impressive innards
(Quad-Core, 2GB RAM) is a huge 4,100 mAh battery, which promises
non-stop operation for two days before it burns out. The Mate 7 even
sports dual 4G Cat6 LTE-ready slots. If youre on the lookout for a
flagship large form factor phone this Christmas, do consider this one.

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Imation Nano Pro II

How about a good old thumb drive? These trusty devices remain
the preferred medium of storage for different purposes. They
come in 16GB, 32GB, and even 64GB capacities. Most definitely
a lot of room for all those HD files. Well, that is unless youre
transferring 4K videos or something.

Sony 5000mAh
Power Bank
Nothing says loyalty like branded accessories. Unleash the
Sony fanboy in you and get a Sony 5,000mAh Power Bank
to juice your devices, or give one to someone who you think
needs to stop complaining about their smartphone dying
halfway through the day. It charges at 1.5A so your devices
will revive faster, allowing you to be anti-social at the
dinner table again in no time.

OKI C301dn
Just the printer youd need for small offices or at home.
OKIs C301dn is a flexible fellow with all the bells and
whistles youd want in a small networked printer. It
has a pretty fast first page out time too - 9 seconds, and
prints 20 pages per minute. It even helps keep the office
electricity bill down with its Eco, Deep Sleep, and AutoOff Modes as all three help reduce power consumption.

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Imation 2-in-1 Mini

Express 16GB
Flash Drive
Got a device that doesnt support microSD? Dont worry,
Imation is comes to the fore with its innovative mobile
storage. Grab one of these 2-in-1 flashrives and increase
your smartphone or tablets storage capacity by 16GB.
Indeed, now you can keep your entire music library or a
movie series (or two!) with you and watch it on the go!

Sony BRAVIA S9000B

Curved 4K TV
Your TV experience is just about to go gold this Christmas as
Sony introduces its Sony BRAVIA S9000B Curved 4K TV, a new
curved 4K panel. With the improved 4K X-Reality PRO engine,
everything is put into sharp perspective and rendered perfectly
in 4K. To ensure a truly immersive surround sound experience,
the new TV packs a Multi-Angle Live Speakers System and
5.1-channel Discrete Processing.

Sony BRAVIA X9500B

4K TV
What if you are upgrading to 4K but dont mind not being ahead
of the curve? Then consider a regular 4K 3D TV instead. Well,
the Sony BRAVIA X9500B 85in 4K TV is a no brainer as it comes
with a myriad of Sony proprietary technologies like the Sony
X-tended Dynamic Range and Sony ClearAudio+. Looks like TV
time and movie nights just got better!

Sony VPL-VW1100ES
4K Projector
Aha! Sonys not leaving out the home theatre crowd
after all. Got a lot of wall space? Great, now you can
create a truly immersive viewing experience with the
Sony VPL-VW1100ES 4K Home Cinema Projector. This
unassuming device re-uses many Sony technologies
to produce a 4K experience that will wow you. 4K
viewing and movie intensity is now beyond big.

Sony BRAVIA
X9000B 4K TV
Need something smaller? Then the 65in Sony BRAVIA
X9000B may be just the thing. Packed with a set of
four Magnetic Fluid Speakers that are shielded with
reinforced glass fibre to ensure minimum distortion.
This is to create the perfect soundstage to go with the
awesome 4K visuals. Great movie times to be had!

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Sony Xperia Z3
Most of you wont dare to bring your phone to the pool but
heres one that wouldnt mind going on a dip with you. As
is, the Sony Xperia Z3 boasts the highest waterproof and
dust resistance for a smartphone. Complementing that is the
awesome casual snapper, featuring a large camera sensor, ISO
rating of 12800, and 4K recording. Topping that is the ability to
remotely play with your PlayStation 4 (PS4) games!

Sony Xperia C3
On the hunt for a phone to fulfil your selfie needs? Meet
the Sony Xperia C3, the PROselfie smartphone many
would for Christmas. This phone boasts a 5MP front facing
camera with a wide-angle lens for the perfect selfie or
even a group shot. If you want, you can even take selfies
in the dark since the Xperia C3 comes with a front-facing
soft LED flash and Superior Auto mode.

Sony Xperia Z3
Tablet Compact
Slim and lightweight, the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact rocks the
same features as the Xperia Z3 smartphone, only it has a bigger
screen for easy viewing. PS4 remote play is even better now
as the 8in IPS panel puts out beautiful renders for the game.
Definitely the perfect one for mobile gaming.

Sony SmartWatch 3
In the future, someone might write a blog that reads How to look
smart?, and Smartwear would be a part of it (maybe!). Still, Sonys
SmartWatch 3 is definitely one to watch out for as this Android Wear
powered device offers the usual smartwear staples like notifications,
Google voice search, weather information, and other advanced
improvements that developers are now working to create.

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Ricoh Soleil
PJ WX4141 Ultra
Short Throw
Projector
The best way to share video clips with the family isnt
through social media. On the contrary, its easier to
achieve with projectors. With the Ricoh Soleil PJ WX4141,
an ultra short throw projector, you can now share all
those beautiful moments with loved ones without
needing for everyone to huddle over a small panel.

MakerBot
Replicator
Been wanting to fabricate your own materials
and products? Now you can with the latest
MakerBot Replicator as it enables you to unleash
your latent creativity to conceptualise, design,
and make your ideas come to life. If you can
imagine it, you can definitely make it.

Ricoh SG 3120B SFNw

GELJET Printer
Have an event and need to print massive materials on the fly?
Look no further than the Ricoh SG 3120B SFNw GELJET Printer as
it comes with a long lasting battery pack that promises day-long
printing performance and decent quality print outputs. All that for
a cost efficient user experience.

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TDK EB260 Stereo

In-Ear Headphones

If you prefer a more stylish pair of in-ears, the EB260

is the pair for you. Featuring a durable aluminium
housing, it is able to withstand every day wear and
tear. Complementing that are the silicone tips that are
designed to ensure a comfortable fit. The entire concept
pairs nicely with the 8mm micro drivers,w promising
powerful sound delivery.

TDK CLEF- Fit

TH-EC100 In-Ear
Headphones
Are you looking for a new pair of earphones after your
old one died on you? Well there is the TDK CLEF-EC100
to consider. This earphone may look pretty generic but
it packs a mean punch as it features a 100 - 18000Hz
headphone frequency response performance and 16ohm
impedance. For its basic design, it will most certainly
outperform most offerings out there.

TDK CLEF-BEAM BEC200

In-Ear Headphones
Just in case you want to step up your style game, the TDK CLEFBEAM BEC200 In-Ear Headphones is one to consider as it uses
luminous cables that absorb light in bright environments. When
placed in dark environments it starts glowing. The brightness of
these earphones, which can last up to five hours, come in fun colour
combinations to help identify the L and R sides. Finally, earphones
that you can bring to a rave.

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TDK ST100 Ultralight

Stereo Headphones
Looking to take your first step into the audiophile world? The TDK ST100
Ultralight Stereo Headphones is a good place to start. While it contains
a folding design that allows it to be moved around easily, it is still able
to perform really well, especially with tracks that treble-heavy. It is
definitely a great introduction into the world of headphones and should
be considered as the first pair to get.

TDK ST460 Over-Ear

Headphones
The TDK ST460 Over-Ear Headphones is billed as being made for
smartphones. What this means is that it comes with a built-in mic
and integrated remote control that lets you to take calls, adjust
volume level, and control audio playback without ever taking
the device out of your pocket. It even comes with a pair of 40mm
drivers that is fine-tuned to produce a solid soundstage.

TDK IP100 In-Ear

Headphones
Find headphones a tad too big to be paired with your
smart device? Then try the TDK IP100 In-Ears as it comes
equipped with a simplified mobilephone call and playback
control. With it, you can manipulate your smartphone
or tablet without touching it. Seamless control with that
extra comfort of convenience.

TDK A12 Trek

Mikcro Speaker
If youre an outdoorsman and want to listen to your music
while on the go but dont want to get tangled in wires,
the A12 Speaker is the best fit for you. It is a wireless
speaker built with portability and ruggedness as its core
focuses. It is water resistant and comes with a carabineer
that allows you to clip it onto your backpack for easy
access and sharing. Now this will really liven up your
outdoor experience.

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D-Link DIR-880L
Dual-Band
Gigabit Router
When it comes to online gaming, the connection
must be fast and stable at all times. In comes the
D-Link Gigabit Cloud Router to pick up the slack.
This high-performance router is furnished with the
latest Wireless AC SmartBeam technology, allowing it to run on high connection speeds of
up to 1.9Gbps. It also doubles up as a secure and personal cloud storage for the home.

D-Link DCS-825L
Cloud Wireless
Baby Camera
For parents with newborns, the prospect of leaving
their infants home alone is a terrifying thought. With
this advanced D-Link camera, those fears can now be
alleviated. This camera allows parents to watch over
their children while they are at work through their
linked mobile devices. Featuring a multitude of sensors
as well as a two-way audio exchange function, parents can
easily monitor and communicate with their infants.

D-Link DNS-320L mydlink

Cloud ShareCenter
Storage Enclosure
If your family is tech savvy, then the D-Link Network Storage Enclosure
is a must have. With this device, youre able to link up the entire houses
entertainment system to it. The DNS-320L features a smart library function
that provide access to storage anywhere and anytime of the day. Apart
from backing up files for safekeeping, it can also be hooked up to game
consoles and smart TVs for seamless gaming connectivity and easy movie
viewing for the whole family.

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You can find these products and more in RadioShack outlets at:
Mid Valley Megamall
Berjaya Times Square
Bangsar Shopping Centre
Hartamas Shopping Centre
Pavilion KL
Sunway Pyramid
Gardens (shop-in-shop inside Borders)
The Curve (shop-in-shop inside Borders)
Tropicana City Mall (shop-in-shop inside Borders)
IOI City Mall (shop-in-shop inside Borders)
Queens Bay Mall Penang (shop-in-shop inside Borders)
Gurney Plaza Penang

Blue Yeti USB

Microphone
Do you need a microphone for recording
purposes without the hassle of searching for
drivers? The Blue Yeti USB Microphone is just
the microphone youd need then. Combining
three capsules and four different pattern
settings, the Yeti is the ultimate tool for
creating amazing recordings with exceptional
sound and performance. Just plug the Yeti into
your computer and start recording.

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DEC 2014

RadioShack Drone
4Q Pro HeliQuad
Would you like a nimble little drone to play around with
during your free time? Why not get the RadioShack Drone
4Q Pro HeliQuad. Designed for both indoor and outdoor
flights, the Drone 4Q Pro HeliQuad features gyro stabilizing
technology for an ultrasmooth flight, 6-axis control and a
stunt button for 360 flips.

RadioShack WalletStyle Multi-Tool with

Flashlight
A multi-tool is a Godsend whenever an emergency pops up. To prepare
for the worse, why not get the RadioShack Wallet-Style Multi-Tool? It
comes with a 10 feet measuring tape, a screwdriver handle with four
magnetic bits, and spirit level. It also features a white LED flashlight
for extremely low light situations.

WOWWEE MIP ROBOT

If youre looking for a robot that doesnt involve domestic
chores, there is the WOWWEE MIP ROBOT to consider. It
comes equipped with GestureSense technology, allowing
it to be controlled by hand motions. With the free app,
you can drive it, play games with it and engage it like an
assistant. Finally a robot built solely for having fun.

AUVIO Outbound Series Rugged

Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Are you an outdoorsman who likes listening to music while hiking, biking, and the like?
Well, its time to get the AUVIO Outbound Series Rugged Portable Bluetooth Speaker then.
It sports a durable silicone cover over its metal grille to reinforce its already durable design.
Complementing that is the powerful bass and mids it packs. This means you can really crank
up the tunes while in the mountain, at the beach, or around the pool.

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Audio-Technica
M-50x

Question: how do you improve a great pair of

soundcans? The answer: You dont! This audio beast
is the successor of the much touted ATH-50. Its design
philosophy adheres to if isnt broken, dont fix it and
as such, the performance is similar to its predecessor.
Of course, the new entrant sports more comfortable earcans and improved interchangeable connector cables.
US$239, audio-technica.com

PRYNT Case
Weve all wanted an Instax-like system for our
smartphones but there are just those few magnesiumtype portable printers thus far. What if you had a superb
protective case that offers the same printing mechanism
as well? That is the primary offering of the PRYNT
case. Just plug in your smartphone in, snap a shot, and
instantly print that photo.
On KickStarter soon, pryntcases.com

Samsung GALAXY
Note 4
There are many things people look for in smartphones - a
big screen, decent camera, or advanced user interface,
and the list goes on. Sometimes, few even ask for a stylus.
Enter the Samsung GALAXY Note 4, featuring a Quad HD
Super AMOLED screen, 16MP camera, and its signature
GALAXY Note S-Pen. The latter writes, scribbles, and
offers intuitive operation like no other.
RM2,499, www.samsung.com

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DEC 2014

ASUS Republic of Gamers

G551 Gaming Notebook
Want a mobile gaming platform but cant afford burning your entire wallet for
it? The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) G551 has you covered. This bad boy
rocks an Intel Core i7-4710HQ, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 860M, 1TB storage,
and 4GB RAM (expandable to 16GB). Now you can get your game on
and still buy instant noodles for the rest of the month!
From RM3,499, rog.asus.com

Steam Wallet Codes

If you have gamer friends and youre too lazy to find a game that
theyd like, why not just give them one of these codes so they
could buy whatever they want on Steam. These codes come in
denominations of RM5, RM20, RM50, RM100 and RM200, allowing
you to literally put a price on your friendship. Price does matter.
From RM5 - RM200, eclubstore.com

Nokia Lumia 930

Probably the best Windows Phone to date, the Nokia
Lumia 930 is the flagship that all Microsoft fans should
own. Besides its extremely solid build and great camera
optics, Qi wireless charging is also included alongside
32GB storage space and a Quad-Core Snapdragon
CPU. All of that makes this smart device a more legit
contender in its class.
RM1,999, microsoft.com

Numark Mixtrack
Pro 2
DJ-ing isnt exactly a cheap hobby. Of course, a digital
DJ controller is more affordable, but its still pricey.
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 2 begs to differ. Featuring 16
drum-style pads that can be programmed to loop, cue, and
sample functions, it is perfect for amateurs. In fact, for
some pros, it is the device theyd need to mix.
US$399, numark.com

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Alienware 13
Even the mighty Alienware is not immune to the long
march of technology as it unveils the Alienware 13
and its accompanying Graphics Amplifier. The latter
is basically Alienwares own take of the GPU box dock
where a discrete graphics is added into a docking case
to boost the notebooks performance when jacked in.
Future-proofing at its finest!
US$999, www.alienware.com

Sony PlayStation TV
While technically released in 2013, the Playstation TV would only
arrive on our shores during November of 2014. The PlayStation
TV is a tiny box that attaches to your TV and lets you play games
and stream video via the PlayStation Now platform, regardless of
whether or not you own a PlayStation console.
US$99.99, playstation.com

Village
Instruments
ViDock Nano
The age old gaming notebook dilemma: what happens
when it cannot play anything? Usually its selling your
organs to get another gaming system. No more of that
with the ViDock Nano as this box can load up a desktop
GPU and expand your systems performance. Once jacked
in, link the whole setup to a monitor and youre all set!
From US$199 - US$279, villagetronic.com

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DEC 2014

Codlo
This Kickstarter funded initiative is the brainchild
of two Malaysians - Grace Lee and Tan Xi Yen, who
wish to introduce the Sous-Vide cooking method to
all. Codlo works by regulating the temperature of the
water in order to cook food perfectly. Just plug your
appliance into Codlo and power it up. Just like that,
youre now able to cook food that Gordon Ramsay
would find acceptable.
US$150, www.codlo.com

Pebble Steel
While the name might give you an obvious
impression, the Pebble Steel isnt a small
piece of rock with a steel shell. This steel
iteration of the original Pebble is designed
to sync with your iOS and Android devices
with little fuss, allowing you to check
messages, read e-mails, and even help
keep up with social media alerts. It can
tell the time too.
US$199, getpebble.com

DJI Phantom 2 Vision+

If you have enough cash lying around, you could choose to
buy your very own drone. The Phantom 2 Vision+ is a remote
controlled quad-copter that comes with a mounted camera below
its chassis. Its perfect for snapping aerial pictures or doing
reconnaissance missions for, uh, various reasons.
US$779, ww.dji.com

Victorinox@Work
Swiss Army Knives are wonder tools that everyone
should own. This particular version of the Swiss
Army Knife by Victorinox adds an 8GB USB stick
so that youre able to save your data while doing
whatever it is that requires a Swiss Army Knife
(read : almost anything).
US$51.23, www.victorinox.com

Apple iPad Air 2

Surely the iPad Air 2 needs no introduction. A thinner version of its fat cousin,
the iPad Air 2 comes with a bigger screen, an A8X chip, and iOS 8 right out of
the box. Basically, if youre thinking of getting a new iPad, the iPad Air 2 is the
best choice available now.
US$489.99, www.apple.com

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NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980

Probably the fastest graphics card on the market today, the NVIDIA
GTX 980 incorporates the new NVIDIA Maxwell architecture to
deliver incredible performance and extreme power efficiency.
With this card in your PC, you can play almost any game
at max settings with impunity while laughing at
those with inferior graphics.
US$549, nvidia.com

Microsoft Band
If youre the kind of person who likes to lift, this is
the smartwatch for you. The Microsoft Band is geared
towards the fitness crowd as it comes powered with
Microsoft Health. Basically, this timepiece can track
your heart rate, calorie burn, sleep quality, and
everything about your well-being. Best of all, it works
with Apple iOS and Google Android.
US$199, microsoft.com

Microsoft Surface Pro 3

The third iteration of Microsofts 2-in-1 slate-like PC shows marked improvements.
This includes having a larger design as well as packing enough horsepower to
give Ultrabooks a good run for their money. The Surface Pro 3 is a must
have for anyone looking for a multipurpose and versatile machine.
Now if only the Type Cover isnt sold separately.
From RM2,729 (Intel Core i3, 64GB) to RM6,799 (Intel Core i7,
512GB), microsoft.com

Amazon Fire TV Stick

Amazons attempt to compete with Google Chromecast for best
wireless streaming device has resulted with the Fire TV Stick. Like
its rival, the Fire TV stick allows users to wirelessly stream videos
to the TV. Powered with a dual-core processor, 8GB storage, and
1GB RAM. Bundled with a remote control, it currently supports
Youtube and Spotify services.
US$39, www.amazon.com

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Nikon D3300
DSLRs are intimidating and look out of place
for neophyte photographers, partly due to its
hefty price tag and advance functions. The
Nikon D3300 is trying to change that perception
as it comes bundled with a new Guide Mode
- a system that explains how all its important
functions and features work. This, above its
great photo-taking capabilities, makes it a good
choice for first-time DSLR users.
RM2,048, nikon.com

New Nintendo 3DS /

New Nintendo 3DS LL
The latest Nintendo 3DS, the New 3DS, features improvements
such as a larger screen, faster CPU, better C-stick, two
additional shoulder triggers, 3D-viewing enhancements,
microSD support, and built-in NFC. Wow! Even the face buttons
have change as it now resembles the ones Super Nintendo
sports. However, Nintendo fails to listen to its fans once again
as the region lock is still there. Sigh.
JPY16,000 (New 3DS)/ JPY18,900 (New 3DS LL), nintendo.com

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

From the makers of notebooks with small red nudges in the middle of its keyboards,
comes a versatile convertible mobile workstation - the Lenovo ThinkPad X1
Carbon. An Ultrabook for the business-minded, this sleek 2-in-1 features excellent
connectivity via its wide array of ports. Paired with adaptive keys, which activates
when it switches modes, robust design, and powerful innards makes it the perfect
business companion.
RM6,189, lenovo.com

Samsung
UE65HU8500 4K
UltraHD TV
UHD TVs are the next big thing for TVs, so why not
get a curved one. The Samsung UE65HU8500 UHD
TV is a 65in curved UHD TV that offers spectacular
picture quality. Paired with impressive audio
performance, an online system that is stocked with
very useful apps, an upgradable core system, and
well, curves, makes this a must have for any house.
GBP3,999, samsung.com

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Dyson
Bladeless Fan
Dyson probably makes one of the coolest fans ever. Why?
Well, ever seen a bladeless fan? While technically called
an air multiplier, these cylindrical wonders are physically
and literally bladeless. They come in various sizes too - be it
desktop or tower. Best part - you can put your hand through
it with no risk of getting hurt. Awesome!
Anywhere from US$109.99 upwards, dyson.com

Force FX Lightsaber
The second coolest thing about Star Wars after the Imperial Star
Destroyer is, obviously the lightsaber. While you cant get one that
can truly cut of limbs, you can still get a non-lethal replica. The Force
FX Lightsaber comes in a variety of colours, hilts, and packs a flurry
of actual sounds a real lightsaber makes. May the Force be with you!
US$129.99, ultraforcesabers.com

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Cards Against Humanity

Ever thought about playing a game that could land you in court for sedition?
Try Cards Against Humanity if youre game as it gets players to fill up blanks
for cards in play with very offensive undertones, comprising vulgar sentences/
phrases/words. The goal - to score the highest accumulated points in a session by
being as offensive as possible with the cards in hand. Go all out!
US$25, cardsagainsthumanity.com

The HypnoCube
Want to have something psychedelic in your room? The HypnoCube
might be what youre looking for. Stuffed with LED lights in a grid
pattern, it will light up and begin changing colours in a variety of styles
and patterns when switched on. All you need to do is to programme it to
perform as per your liking. Comes in 4 x 4 x 4 and 8 x 8 x 8 variants.
US$100, hypnocube.com

Starcrafts
Zergling Plush
Zerglings are cute. Nuff said! Carbot Animations, creator
of the ever-popular Starcrafts video series agrees and
has depicted Zerglings as cute dog-like creatures that
are innocently vicious. Since the cute render gained
notoriety, Blizzard jumped in and suggested a team-up
with Carbot to create a plush version of the Zerglings.
Look at them! Dont you just wanna hug them?
US$19.99, gear.blizzard.com

lego technic
The LEGOs for adults, the LEGO TECHNIC challenges the
mind and aptitude with gears, axles, pins, and beams.
There are even pneumatics and electric motors to contend
with. From pre-built sets to customized ideas, they will
bring out the aspiring engineer in you. Robotics are
highly recommended.
From US$12.99, shop.lego.com

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JBL Pulse
Speakers are usually known for being uninteresting
boxes that sit on the desk. The JBL Pulse changes
that notion with the cylindrical shape it uses and
use of complementary lights that pepper its chassis.
The lighting array changes and pulses based on the
intensity of the sound coming out of the speaker to
create an interesting light and sound show.
US$199.95, jbl.com

Southord
Lock-Picking Set

While lock-picking is frequently reported as bad since

its used for break-ins, the skill itself is very useful for
emergencies. If youve been locked out of your own
house, knowing how to pick locks can save a lot of time.
This is why Southord released a proper lock-pick utility
set - just for emergencies and critical situations. Just get
classes before you purchase.
US$16.50, southord.com

LED Binary Clock

If telling the time from a standard analogue clock is too
easy, why not try guessing what the LED Binary Clock
shows. Its sophisticated faces tell time through dots that
light up with each dot representing a different number.
To read what is being shown, just count and add up the
sum of the lighted dots on the clock.
US$19.99, thinkgeek.com

AK Ice Cube Tray

Having an ice tray that forms ice in the shape of
bullets means youre now able to chill your drinks with
munitions without facing the dangers of ingesting
gunpowder or bullet casings. Justdont try to load the
ice into an actual gun.
US$7.99, thinkgeek.com

86
DEC 2014

Mana Energy
Potion
Mana is a common staple in fantasy RPGs for mage
classes. While its unfortunate that we cant use magic,
that doesnt mean we have no reason to consume mana
potions. The Mana Energy Potion, like its namesake,
is an energy drink that provides a significant mental
boost as it contains more caffeine than two cans of Red
Bull. Potent and cute - indeed a great combination!
US$4.99, manapotions.com

Nixie Tube
Clock
A nixie tube, or cold cathode display, is an
electronic device that displays numerals or other
information via a glow discharge. Using this tech
and multiple tubes, TubeClock has built a one-ofa-kind clock that looks like it came straight out
of the space-race era. Get it and bring out all the
nostalgia, retro, and hipster feels.
US$149.00, store.tubeclock.com

Nerf Vulcan EBF-25

Very intimidating yet amazing still are the priority

characteristics of the EBF-25 Nerf Gun. Well it should be called a
super blaster as it uses an electronic belt-fed system. The chain
mechanism is able to hold 25 darts and can be set to full-auto
fire. Granted, youre going to need batteries for this thing but
that is a non-issue to its awesomeness.
From US$70, hasbro.com

87
DEC 2014

christmas Gift Guide

Hori real arcade pro

series arcade sticks
When it comes to fighting games, the best way to throw a beat-down is
always with an arcade stick. Hori is known for producing high quality
and superbly responsive arcade sticks. The newly released Real Arcade
Pro series reinforces this fact as it sports a durable build and Sanwa
switches for the stick and buttons. Perfect for anyone who is serious
about their fighting games.
US$139.99, stores.horiusa.com

Marvel Civil War

Comics
With Marvel recently announcing the third Captain America
film to be an updated adaptation of the Civil War storyline,
now would be a good time to read the original in its digital
form. Beyond getting a refresher on the storyline, a 2015
re-make is on the cards as well - so better catch up before it
becomes truly confusing.
From US1$10.69 (varies, Kindle Edition), marvel.com

88
DEC 2014

Airzooka Air Gun

Remember those times you had Doraemon whip out
the Air Gun or Air Blaster for you to use when youre
facing big bullies? Well, now you can try this air
cannon from Think Geek. Basically a plastic bazooka,
it is able to fire a powerful blast of air that can ruffle
targets that are several meters away. Time to get
some boom time on.
US$12.99, thinkgeek.com

3D Puzzles
If standard jigsaw puzzles are too boring, then why
not go for those that have an additional dimension.
3D Puzzles add a third dimension into the original
and upon completion, it would look more like a
diorama then a flat piece of art. Commonly themed
around buildings, these puzzles also come in
vehicles and animal varieties.
US$9.99, puzzlewarehouse.com

Useless Box
A box with a switch on it. Thats it. Once you flip
it, the object inside pops up to flip the switch off.
Every time you turn it on, itll turn itself off again.
A metaphor for how sometimes persistence doesnt
pay off? Or just a fun novelty item? Regardless, its
silly enough to get for your friends.
US$39.99, thinkgeek.com

89
DEC 2014

Editors wishlist

Sony PlayStation 4
Limited Edition
This is a dream of mine, truly! To own a limited edition type
PlayStation is any Sony fanboys dream come true. Doesnt
matter if it is the Dragon Quest Metal Slime Edition, or the
heavily rumoured 20th Anniversary Edition. I want one!

ASUS X99-DELUXE

Personally, ASUS is king when it comes to hardware - be it

motherboard or GPU. While the ASUS X99-DELUXE isnt from the
Republic of Gamers (ROG) range, it still holds court for all the
ports, slots, and features that has been thrown onto it. Power and
beauty, its all there with this beast.

Samsung GALAXY
Note 4 (Black)

Its big, its sleek, and it has a stylus. The Samsung GALAXY
Note 4 outshines its predecessor by more than a mile and it
still has lots to offer. Right at the top is the super-bright and
ultra-vivid Quad HD Super AMOLED screen.

Sharp Cloud
Smarthome System
When it comes to the perfect security system for the home or
office that would give me a peace of mind, only one stands out:
the Sharp Cloud Smarthome System. Advanced wireless remote
monitoring on smart devices paired with intuitive sensors and
trip alarms, all of which comes at an affordable price tag, gives it
every reason to be on my list.

90
DEC 2014

ASUS STRIX GTX 980

DCII OC
The most powerful graphics processor to date combined
with ASUS powerful cooling - its a match made in heaven.
All heavy graphic renders in videogames and UltraHD
content will be crushed into fine pulp with ease.

Sony Bravia S90

Curved 4K LED TV
Its a Sony. Its a Curved 4K TV. It carries the Bravia
marque. What else is there to say?

Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro

While there are a bunch of Lenovo Yoga devices out in the
market, only the ones with the Pro standard appeal to me.
Sleek, powerful, and ultra-refined, there is no denying that
the crme of the crop for that range is the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro.

Marvel Unlimited App

An all access pass to every comic book - past, present, and
soon-to-come - in the Marvel archives? Sign me up now!

91
DEC 2014

Editors wishlist

Alienware 14
The new Alienware gaming notebook refines the
heritage that the brand is renowned for. From
overpowered innards to a super-grade IPS FHD display,
it is totally made - from the ground up - for hardcore
gaming and then some.

Ford Shelby GT
Cobra 2014
All American - from muscle engine to the car design and
raw horsepower, that is the basis of the Ford Shelby range
of cars. The crowning glory is none other than the Ford
Shelby GT Cobra. Thats my personal take, of course,
as there are others whod say the just as awesome Ford
Shelby GT Mustang is the black stallion of the stable.

Motorola Moto 360

I have a love/hate relationship with wearables. Its such a handy
device to have on hand (heh, get it!?) but, at the same time, a pain to
use since it requires near daily recharging sessions. Plus the square
or band shape gets dull after a while. Truly, nothing beats a good
automatic. However, the Moto 360 proves otherwise due to its round
chassis, multi-app watch face, and new Android Wear.

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

Another Lenovo device?! And a Pro entry too? Definitely!
This Android-powered 8in tablet is exceptional due to the
various handling modes it has to offer - four in total! Im
totally in love with the Hang and Stand modes.

92
DEC 2014

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

My all-time favourite DSLR has a Mark II variant and isnt afraid
to step up onto the plate to take on new camera innovations that
can be considered as world-beaters and pioneering. New tech
aside, the new weather-sealed body and ultra-fast picture taking
is a real sight to behold.

Sony Alpha A7
A second camera body, AKA the Back-Up, is a
necessity. Better yet is having a camera that
rocks a compact form factor with advanced
interchangeable lenses on hand at all times.
Throw in NFC and wireless capabilities, and
you have a winner right there. Say hello to the
Sony Alpha A7.

G-Shock GPW1000

A G-Shock design with a solid movement and a digital

GPS tracker? It is able to adjust to different timezones
automatically? It doesnt need to recharge as frequently as
other wearables and yet offer the same functions? Im in!

93
DEC 2014

TesTed

99
MSI GS70 2QE Stealth
Pro Red Edition

94
DEC 2014

REVIEWS BY

matthew yap,
fazri nuha,
sia zhen ning,
victor yap,
din,
daryl tan,
boris, lord of the
acorns,
magnus
edward mass

WORKBENCH
The PC.com
workbench is
where all the
gadgets, gear,
and gizmos go to
for our extensive
testing. It is the
play area where
we abuse...
erm...put the
devices through
the wringer.
At the end of
it all, the best
of the best will
receive the ever
coveted PC.com
Excellence,
Choice, and
Recommended
awards. Read up
to gear up!

PLaTInUM

GoLd

sILVeR

eXCeLLenCe
awaRd

ChoICe
awaRd

ReCoMMended
awaRd

eXCeLLenCe:
Minimum score

9.5

Each month,
only one device
shall receive this
award. Its the
best of the best,
the one and only,
and the chosen
one all wrapped
into a neat
package.

Sharp Cloud
Smarthome

VaLUe
Expensive does
not always
mean good.

ChoICe awaRd:
Minimum score

ReCoMMended:
Minimum score

This is only for

devices that are
outstanding in
performance,
features, and
design.

Given to gear that

rise above the
average but yet still
deserve recognition.

8.5

7.5

Dozens of the latest (and quite possibly

greatest) gadgets, devices and stolen alien
technology arrive at our front door every
month. We make it our mission to give
you the most balanced opinion on just
about every last one of them. Its only fair
to both you - our dear esteemed readers,
as well as the manufacturers who send us
these awesome wonders. To ensure we
mean business, we established a strict
methodology to determine the final scores
for each product category. Benchmarking
software, from both FutureMark and
PassMark, are our weapon of choice
for putting computers to the test, while
Quadrant Standard Edition is used to
provide an objective score for mobile
devices. For everything else, we hand it to
our writers to determine the best qualities
of whatever it is that fall into our hands.

100

96
V

The hows and whys:

MeThod To The Madness

P
PeRFoRManCe
A measure of how
well the product
stands up to our
testing.

ASUS X99DELUXE

106

Fujitsu ScanSnap
SV600

F
FeaTURes
The best
gimmicks and
flashy parts get
the top score

D
desIGn
Aesthetics are
important. The
nicer it looks,
the more points
it gets.

U
UsaBILITy
In the end, we just want
our gadgets to work.
So those that are best
for day-to-day tasks are
valued higher.

95
DEC 2014

SCORE

TESTED

goLd

Totally
Secured
Sharp Cloud Smarthome

When it comes to securing your home,

there is this inherent need to put in a
number of devices that all adds up to be
a varied mix of sensors, cameras, alarms,
and all the necessary equipment needed
to manage them. Sharp breaks the mould
with the introduction of the Sharp Cloud
Smarthome system - a comprehensive
security system that is designed to keep
things simple to use and operate. It helps
that this new offering has a fully stocked
starter kit. Big plus indeed!
Easy startEr
Unlike most home-type security offerings,
the Sharp Cloud Smarthome has a
starter pack set that features the basic
yet complete array of alarms, cameras,
and sensors. Controlling all that is the

96
DEC 2014

by victor yap

brain of the system, called the Overcloud

Processing Unit (OPU). To secure its
monitoring system, a large 16GB SD Card
is bundled together with this pack as well.
straightforward sEtup
Right out of the box, this security system
has a pretty simple assembly process.
First, jack in and power up all your devices
within 1.5m of each other. This is to ensure
they are all linked to the OPU. Only move
them apart (30m max) once the connection
has been established. After that, download
and install the Sharp Security app, create a
verified account that can be activated via
your mobilephone number, and pair it up
with the OPU. Start securing your sensors
by the door- and window frames after wait
up for the System is ready! notification.

ChoiCE
award

9.4

could access the cameras that are linked

to the OPU and watch any activity taking
place in the monitored zones in real-time.
VideoGram is where I can check emailed
videos that are recorded when the alarm or
sensors are triggered. The last one, Armed,
locks the system into ready mode.

Once the alert comes in, test with the carkey like remote by arming/disarming and
testing the panic button. All that is done in
30 minutes.
seamless conTRols
Once everything has been put into place,
only then I start fiddling with the app.
Upon activation, the app opens up to
four, very big icon-like buttons - namely
Video, VideoGram, Automation, and
Armed. Tapping the top left will call
up the Sidebar Menu. The buttons are
easy enough to derive while Sidebar
provides the nitty-gritty when it comes to
managing the entire system. Of the three,
only Automation didnt work as Sharp is
putting together some new systems for
that and will only release it next year.
JusT PRess
So how does it truly work? Well, the four
big buttons are pretty obvious. Video
would open up a viewing panel where I

easy TRiggeR
The cameras and sensors are the best bits
of the Sharp Cloud Smarthome system
as both operate as motion detectors. The
formers function has to be activated via
the app while the latter is set to operate
in this manner by default. I must say that,
through the various and rigorous tests I
carried out, the motion detection on these
units are super sensitive. A slight jarring of
the door or suspicious movement in front
of the camera optics would trip the alert.
So, so perfect!
all in Hd
Before going into the trigger experience,
I have to share about the camera
performance. It is only appropriate since
this casual recording system packs a
high-definition lens and ready-to-roll at all
times system. I like how everything came
into crisp perspective in an instant. Even
the sound came through nicely as the
mic on camera is omni-directional. When
paired with the advance viewing of the
app, I managed to check multiple camera
views - four at a time - in quick fashion.

Best part: it can be accessed for quick

remote monitoring via the app with no
lag whatsoever.
acTiVaTion!
When the system alert trips, the OPU does
a few things. Besides firing up the alarms,
it also starts saving a VideoGram that is
to be sent to the app, activates the siren
on the app, and sends out both Wi-Fi and
non-Wi-Fi type alerts to all devices that are
saved on the emergency notification list.
All this is done in an instant and nothing,
besides the Force of Nature, can stop the
message from going out. If, by some odd
chance, home owners didnt react to the
alerts, the OPU will then send out the same
messages to Emergency Contacts.
ouT To geT you
The alarms used on the Sharp Cloud
Smarthome are designed to not only scare
but hurt as well. When activated, it will
buzz intermittently at a level that is loud
enough to alert the intruder. This is to
scare them and make them aware they are
being monitored. The buzz will increase in
volume and frequency at every iteration.
By the third time the alarm chimes, it
will change to ear-piercing shrieks that
is specifically designed to alert everyone
nearby and disable the intruder via sonic
attacks. Nothing can block the high-level
beeps as it can even punch through noisecancelling headsets.

Box includes:
Overcloud Processing Unit OPU x1
Remote Control x1
16GB Flash Drive x1
Door/Window Sensor x2
HD IP Camera x2

VeRdicT

The perfect home security

system that is seamless and
comprehensive for total protection.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

97
DEC 2014

SCORE

TESTED

GoLD
choice
awarD

68

RM

Budget
Droid
Motorola Moto G 2014

on this phone is pretty much factory stock.

Apart from some Motorola software and
benchmarking apps, this new Moto G
has nothing else apart from the standard
Android apps. This is a good thing as it
allows the smartphone to conserve its
resources.
In 2013, Motorola released its first-gen
Moto G smartphone. While designed to be
a budget device, it performed really well
considering its price range. Now in 2014,
the second-gen Moto G has arrived and
has a legacy to live up to. How does it fare?
Grown over the Year
The first thing I noticed about the Moto
G 2014 is that it is slightly bigger than
its predecessor. Its slightly thinner too.
Personally, I find this size to be just right
for my hands, although people who are
looking for a smaller Moto G iteration
would be disappointed. In addition, the
Moto G also adopted the stereo speakers
design from the Moto E to provide an
improved sound system.
Bare necessities
Do you hate unnecessary software in your
phone? Then youre going to love the Moto
G. The version of Android KitKat running

98
DEC 2014

Know Your Limits

Even though the Moto G is budget based,
it does not mean that it performs like
a sloth. With a Qualcomm Snapdragon
Quad-Core processor and 1GB of LPDDR3
RAM, it can perform most tasks with
relative ease. Also, the 8MP camera at
the rear can take really good pictures.
However, there is no 4G support and while
it is speedy, you do not want too many
heavy multitasking on this thing. On the
flip-side, it has dual-SIM.
where are mY chupa-chups?
As I am writing this review, Android
Lollipop has not been released for the Moto
G yet. However, rest assured that the new
Moto G will receive the update to Lollipop
when it rolls out sometime before 2015.
Overall, the Moto G is a great sub-RM700
phone that performs well for its price point
and should be considered by anyone whos
looking for a good budget smartphone.

8.6

by sia zhen ning

specs
Dimensions (hxwxD)
141.5 x 70.7 x11 mm
weight 149g
processor 1.2-GHz quad-core
Qualcomm Snapdragon 400
memory 1GB LPDDR3 RAM
storage 8 or 16GB storage,
expandable up to 32GB
operating system
Android 4.4.4 KitKat
Display 5 inch, 1280x720
Graphics Adreno 305
camera 8MP rear, 2MP front
Battery 2070 mAh Li-ion
Benchmarks
3Dmark ice storm 5649
3Dmark ice storm unlimited
- 4688
3Dmark ice storm extreme
2864
anomaly 2 Benchmark normal
Quality 222481
anomaly 2 Benchmark high
Quality 97362
antutu 18013
Basemark X medium Quality
4412

verDict

A great budget phone if you dont

mind the lack of 4G.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

SCORE
GOLD

The Red Riot

MSI GS70 2QE Stealth Pro Red Edition

Gaming notebook. These words mean two

things to me. One - a price tag so hefty,
Id be fasting for months trying to get it
only to have it be outclassed within a year.
Two - it could also function as a grill. So
when I first received the GS70 Stealth Pro
Red Edition, I was considering getting
some steaks to cook on the back of the
thing once Im done with it. Onwards to
the meat!
VeLVeT SeNTIMeNT
Upon taking the notebook out of the bag,
the very first thing I noticed is that it
comes in a vivid red colour. Well, thats to
be expected of a gaming system that bears
the name Pro Red Edition. What I had not
been expecting is its ultra-thin chassis.
Usually, gaming notebooks are bulky
pieces of hardware that are as heavy as
two bricks. This is not the case with this
red beast, which is surprisingly light.
THe TRI-cOLOUR GATeWAy
Opening up the lid reveals a SteelSeries
keyboard and a huge 17in Full HD screen.
Wow! When I hit the power switch,
the keyboard burst into a three-colour
illumination sequence. Double wow! These
colours can be personalised within the
SteelSeries ENGINE app and you can even
make it pulse or strobe according to the
sound. Can I say triple wow?
(Ed: You just did!)

cHOIce
AWARD

9.4

by sia zhen ning

FeeL THe pOWeR

Cool bells and whistles aside, a gaming
notebook needs to be packing some
serious hardware to live up to its billing.
In that regard, the GS70 Stealth Pro Red
Edition is impressive. Sporting an Intel
Core i7-4710HQ chip, 16GB of DDR3L
1600MHz RAM, and the Maxwell-based
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M (a huge,
HUGE upgrade from the original GS70
Stealth Pro), this thing can run all games
at Ultra settings. Notably, and as expected,
the fan plays up the word stealth as it
runs on the quiet side at all times. The
only time youll ever hear it whirl is during
intensive use, but even then it isnt
annoyingly loud either. The best bit: it
manages to keep the GS70 Red from being
uncomfortably hot, making this gaming
wonder lap-safe - a plus for me.
NO BBQS HeRe TONIGHT
The GS70 Stealth Red is pretty much
what I want in a gaming notebook. It
performs incredibly well, doesnt require
a bodybuilders physique to carry it, and
wont encourage me to fry eggs on it as
well. Overall, it is a really fine powerhouse
that I would have no qualms owning.

SpecS
Dimensions (HxWxD)
418.5 x 287 x 21.8 mm
Weight 2.66 kg
processor 4th Generation Intel
Core i7 Processor
Memory DDR3L (Up to 1600 MHz,
max 16GB)
Storage Up to 768GB Super RAID
2 + 1TB HDD 7200rpm
Operating System Windows 8.1
Display 17in HD (1920x1080),
Anti-glare
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX
970M GDDR5 6GB/3GB
Webcam FHD type (30fps@1080p)
card Reader SD4.0 (XC/HC)
Network Killer DoubleShot Pro
Gigabit LAN, Killer DoubleShot Pro
11ac, Bluetooth 4.0
I/O 1x HDMI 1.4b, 4x USB 3.0,
1x Mic-In, 1x Headphone-Out, 1x
Line-In
Keyboard Steelseries
Benchmarks
pcMark 8 Home 3130
pcMark 8 creative 3212
pcMark 8 Office 3383
3DMark Fire Strike 6491
3DMark Fire Strike extreme
3307
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra 1629
3DMark Sky Diver 17810
3DMark cloud Gate 20339

VeRDIcT

An impressive piece of technology

that would please any gamer.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

99
DEC 2014

SCORE

TESTED

gold
choice
aWard

Double the
Awesome
ASUS X99-DELUXE

9.2

by din

With the introduction of the X99

chipset to support the newest line of
Intel Haswell-E CPUs, a plethora of
motherboards featuring this chipset
has been released to the delight
of PC enthusiasts everywhere.
The latest platform is set to
feature a lot of goodies that, when
combined with the new LGA2011v3
processor, proves to be a formidable
combination, especially for people
that strive to find that extra bit
of performance.
Big Brother
A while back ASUS sent us the X99-A, one
of its first X99 based motherboards that
had been released to the market recently.
Personally, I love that motherboard due to
its extensive features offered as well as the
performance it brings to the table. Thus, I
got all giddy with glee when ASUS sent to
PC.com Tested Labs the bigger brother of
the X99-A - the X99- DELUXE. Lets find
out how it fares.
great Package
The X99-Deluxe is ASUS most
featured laden, non-gaming based X99
motherboard. This means you get all of the
best that ASUS can fit onto the mainboard,
ensuring it is suitable for PC enthusiasts
that like to get maximum performance
from the latest Intel Haswell processor.
Black and White
Similar to the X99-A, ASUS went with the
black and creamy white accent design.
This gives it a cool look. Pictures certainly
doesnt do it any justice as the cream
white heatsinks are a nice contrast to
the black hues used for the X99-DELUXE

100
DEC 2014

uses. This, indeed, will look awesome in

a casing with side windows. Tying in to
the theme, the box it came in is made to
be simple with a below the motherboard
compartment containing the usual extras
like the I/O backplate, user guide, driver
DVD, SATA and SLI cables, as well as
a Wi-Fi antenna dongle for the built in
Wi-Fi unit.
enhanced controls
ASUS usually goes with flashy designs
to emphasise on looks. With the X99DELUXE, it focuses on being minimalistic
on all counts. Considering the flood of
motherboards trying to one up each
other, this is a nice change. ASUS has
also thrown in a lot of awesome stuffs on
this entry. The CPU socket now sports an
extra pin called the OC socket. It is used to
provide extra control during overclocking
for greater stability and faster tweaking
processing. You now can also better

track voltage usage within the VCore,

VCCSA, and CPU cache. A new UEFI
interface, combined with ASUS 5-Way
Optimisation, is also included to ensure
the overclocking experience is made
better for users. Even if you are new to
overclocking, the UEFI has a wizard control
that will boost the system according to the
cooling and usage. The CPU cache has
been raised to a phenomenal 30% as
well. Awesome!
PoWered MeMory
You know what else that the X99 chipset
supports other than the new Intel Haswell
processor? You guessed it - new DDR4
RAM modules! This motherboard can
support up to 128GB of these babies,
allowing you to scale all the way up to
3200MHz and beyond! With built in
XMP profiles, overclocking your RAM is
also much easier than before. In terms
of storage, this ASUS offering not only

SpecS
processor Intel Socket 2011 V3,
Supports Intel 22 nm CPU
Supports Intel Turbo Boost
Technology 2.0
chipset Intel X99
Memory 8 x DIMM, Max. 64GB,
DDR4 3200(O.C.)/3000(O.C.)/2800
(O.C.)/2666(O.C.)/2400(O.C.)/2133
MHz Non-ECC, Un-buffered
Memory
Quad Channel Memory
Architecture
Supports Intel Extreme Memory
Profile (XMP)
connectivity
2 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
10 x USB 3.0 (blue)
2 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
5 x Audio jack(s)
1 x ASUS Wi-Fi GO! module (Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth
v4.0
expansion 40-Lane CPU5 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x16,
x16/x16/x8, x8/x8/x16/x8, x8/x8/x8/
x8/x8 mode) *1
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 (max at x4 mode)
28-Lane CPU3 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16, x16/x8,
x8/x8/x8)
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x1 mode)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x4 (max at x4 mode)
Multi-VGA output support
Supports NVIDIA Quad-GPU
SLI Technology
Supports NVIDIA 3-Way SLI
Technology
Supports AMD Quad-GPU
CrossFireX Technology
Supports AMD 3-Way CrossFireX
Technology
supports ten (10!) SATA 3 6GB/s storage
systems, it also rocks the new SATA
express port, punching out a top speed of
up to 10GB/s, and an M.2 SSD connector.
This promises a truly snappy experience
with this motherboard.
BleSSeD expeRIenceS
Audio enthusiasts will surely be ecstatic
due to the inclusion of ASUS Crystal
Sound 2. This technology isolates the
audio chip, meaning you wont have any
electrical disturbance in the soundstage.
Also at the rear, you will find up to 10
high-speed USB 3.0 ports, one of the most
ever I have seen on a motherboard. Dual
GIGABIT LAN, as well as a high speed
Wi-Fi built-in, means you will never have

any problems with networking. As usual,

there is the CPU lane system - 28- and 40lane types - that ensures you get additional
GPU functionality like three-way SLI/
Crossfire, be able to use five full-sized x16
PCIe slots, and even engage the openended PCIe x4 slot.
GeT Up AnD Go!
The X99-Deluxe certainly fits the ASUS
flagship X99 based motherboard.
Cool looks, awesome features, and
massive performance gains, this is THE
motherboard to get if youre looking for the
most badass system out there. I paired the
system with the Intel Core i7-5960X (40
lanes) and can certainly say, I would really
want this for Christmas.

pc Mark 8 Results
Home 4733 (5132 OC)
creative 4213 (4763 OC)
Work 4314 (4398 OC)

VeRDIcT

Worthy of the crown it inherits

from its predecessor.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

101
DEC 2014

SCORE

TESTED

SIlVeR
RecOMMeNDeD
AWARD

Double Duty
Cooler Master CM Storm Octane

Cooler Master has been releasing a good

number of gaming gear in recent years
but the Octane is the one of only two of
keyboard and mice combos released so
far. The Devastator had been a pretty
good buy when it came out. At a higher
starting point, does the Octane justify the
higher barrier of entry or is it just another
wannabe in a sea of choices?
DeceNT BuIlD
The Octane keyboard may not be as hefty
as a mechanical keyboard but dont be
fooled; this keyboard is as sturdy as they
come. Despite being a gaming keyboard,
the Octane commits no cardinal sin keys are where you expect them to be,
with good spacing and a nice, satisfying
click to them. Needless to say, it took
but a few minutes to get up to my usual
typing speed. One downside is the lack of
macro keys.

102
DEC 2014

8.2

by daryl tan

cOlOuR pRISM
At least youll never find yourself fumbling
for the right key; the Octane keyboard
comes with no less than seven colour
configurations. All in all, the keyboard half
of the CM Storm Octane should satisfy
most gamers. Unless youre a macro nut,
you will find little to dislike about the
keyboard. In fact, I typed the entirety of this
review on the Octane keyboard and I must
say, its a pretty good experience to boot.
The pOINTeR
The mouse portion is where the Octane
falters. Equipped with four DPI levels, side
buttons, and the obligatory LED lights, the
Octane mouse feels typical of most entry
level gaming mice found on the market.
However, the build quality of the mouse is
a little subpar. The rather flat profile of the
mouse also favours claw grip users. Its an
unfortunate case of form over function.

SpecS
Mouse 129 x 73 x 38 mm
Keyboard 5.1 x 2.9 x 1.5 inch
Shortcut keys Media and volume,
backlight on/off
N-key rollover No
Key type Membrane
Backlight Yes, 7 colors, LEDs, full
backlit/pulsating
Interface USB cable
DpI 500-3500 (4 level adjustment)

VeRDIcT

The keyboard is decent enough,

but the mouse may not be for
everyone.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

TESTED

An Eagle Soars
ASUS STRIX GeForce GTX 970

While the fanfare is on the new NVIDIA

GTX 980, the real jewel of NVIDIAs
latest chipset technology is, if you ask
me, found on the lower rated GTX 970.
Though slower, it has the best price-toperformance ratio of any graphics card in
the market to date. So its not a surprise
to see that ASUS has released a STRIX
version of this highly sought after graphics
card. How does it perform? Lets find out.
Silent Killer
STRIX is the latest in a long line of ASUS
latest efforts to bring the very best to
gamers. With this new platform, the GPU
will detect if its under-utilised and will
automatically turn off its cooling fan. This
means there will be none of that annoying
buzz or whine. Behold, your PC is now a
silent beast!

104
DEC 2014

by din

Similar looKS
The new STRIX packaging doesnt differ
much from ASUS other gaming line, the
Republic of Gamers, though it must but
that there is less red on the box. Not much
can be found within, other than the card
itself, drivers, as well as some other extras.
An owl/eagle like bird, the STRIX logo,
proudly emblazoned on the box and GPU.
Direct-2-U
ASUS Direct CU II cooler is well known
among gamers due to its efficient cooling
design, and looks rather cool. Gamers
would be happy to learn that the STRIXs
cooler still retains the Direct CU II
signature design - large and heavy but a
very durable heatsink; twin fans that look
like a pair of eyes; and the large, black
aluminium backplate that not only helps

with heat dissipation but also prevents the

card from bending under its own weight.
Indeed, the black and red colour is always
a welcomed sight.
leSS meanS more
What surprised me the most when I
installed the card is that it only needed one
single 8-Pin power connector. Many GTX
970 cards out there are using a combo of
6+8 Pins, but ASUS managed to cut down
the power usage to 225W. Keep in mind
that this card is overclocked by default.
Thus, I am certainly convinced that ASUS
is using some form of magic to make
this possible.
colD Stare
The STRIX and Direct CU II cooler combo
makes this a really silent and cold

SCORE
PLATINUM
EXCELLENCE
AWARD

9.8

card. With the former, the fans only start

spinning when the card hits the 67-degree
Celsius range. Even then, it had been
hard to push performance heat to that
temperature. Once the fans switched
on, it produced a mere whisper rather
than a large buzz. In fact, it purrs like a
kitten, bellying the fact that it has the
performance and prowess of a lion.
MULTI-PoRT GALoRE
ASUS has retained NVIDIAs default
output of dual DVI, one of which supports
VGA via a converter, as well as one HDMI,
and a DisplayPort. With 4GB of GDDR5
memory, you have more than enough
grunt to play on not only 4K resolution
but triple screens at 1440p as well. SLI
users would also love the rather long SLI
connection port that makes sure it does
not get in the way of the cooler. Plenty of
room for proper cable management and
easy hardware integration.
ovERPoWERED vIsUALs
When really put to the test, it made Swiss
cheese of the most high-end games
that are now available in the market. Of
course, this is provided the CPU and RAM
used are equally as high-performance.
All games tested, from Dragon Age:

Inquisition, Company of Heroes 2,

Assassins Creed: Unity, and Batman:
Arkham Asylum, had been set to Ultra
with Anti-Aliasing off and the rig the
ASUS STRIX GTX 970 had been plugged
into crunch these games with relative ease
and with almost no performance strain in
sight. This is why I daresay the price to
performance ratio for the new ASUS STRIX
entry is potentially the most popular and
worthwhile GPU to get in its class.
RED ALERT
The GTX 970 STRIX by ASUS is one
awesome and powerful GPU. Its so
powerful that when yours truly sought to
purchase it for himself the first day it had
been released, it is sold out throughout
Low Yat Plaza. At an incredible price to
performance ratio, this card surely will
be a strong player for years to come. Now
if I can keep this for a longer period of
time and hopereally, hope, ASUS does
not come calling for it after my review
is done.

sPECs
Dimensions (W x H x D)
140 x 280 x40 mm
Chipset Nvidia GTX970
Memory size 8GB GDDR5
Core Clock 1114 (Boost 1290)
MHz
Memory Clock 1753 (Boost 1990)
MHz GDDR5
Expansion 2 x DVI, 1 x HDMI,
1 x DisplayPort
3Dmark Firestrike ULTRA 3390

vERDICT

Astonishing value for money GPU!

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

105
DEC 2014

SCORE

TESTED

SIlVer
recommeNDeD
awarD

Retro
Scanning
Fujitsu ScanSnap SV600

A contactless scanner that concept

sounds like something good in theory, but
would turn out to be less than satisfactory
in practice. So when Fujitsu sent over the
ScanSnap SV600, I had been coloured
surprised that such a thing exists. So how
does it perform over traditional scanners?
Not For IllumINatIoN
The first impression I got from the
ScanSnap SV600 is that it looks like a table
lamp. It employs a vertical design and at
its base are two buttons labelled Scan
and Stop. Apart from that, the scanner
itself is very heavy for its size. The scanner
also comes with a rubber mat featuring
markings for common paper sizes.
a lIght Show
Using the scanner is pretty much just
pushing the Scan button, which activates
a narrow beam of light that sweeps down
the document to carry out its magic.
Personally, its the coolest thing Ive ever
seen. Also, being a top-down scanner
means it is able to scan 3D objects as
well as multiple objects at the same time.
Sounds crazy, but it works to a degree!

106
DEC 2014

8.0

by sia zhen ning

holDINg It together
The image correction software that comes
with the scanner is essential and works
impressively. It can flatten book scans
if the paper is crumpled, remove fingers
that appear on the edge of your scans with
ease, and allows you to fine-tune scanned
images if the default corrections arent
enough for your tastes.
perFectIoN NeeDeD
There are drawbacks with the scanner
though. For starters, the scanner doesnt
handle curvature well and it shows on
scanned images. While the software can
even out curves somewhat, it still isnt
adequate. Another thing that affects the
results of a scan is the lighting in the room.
Due to the lack of a cover on this scanner,
ambient lighting will affect your scans.
Still, the ScanSnap SV600 is impressive by
itself and is proof that scanners like these
may have a future.

SpecS
Dimensions (hxwxD)
156 x 210 x 383 mm
weight 3 kg
Scanning modes
Colour, Grayscale, Monochrome,
Automatic
Scanning Speed
3 seconds / page
optical resolution Horizontal
scanning 285 to 218 dpi, Vertical
scanning 283 to 152 dpi
Scan Document Size
Automatically recognizes
document size,
A3 (landscape), A4 (landscape),
A5 (landscape)
A6 (landscape), B4 (landscape),
B5 (landscape), B6 (landscape),
Post Card,Business Card, Double
Letter (landscape), Letter, Legal
(landscape) and Customized
size (Max: 432 x 300 mm
(17.0 x 11.8 in.),
min 25.4 x 25.4mm (1 x 1 in.)
connectivity USB 1.1 / 2.0
(connector Type B)

VerDIct

A great stepping stone for better

things to come.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

SCORE
GOLD
cHOIce
AWARD

Packs a Large
Punch
ASUS VivoPC VM42

The ASUS VivoPC Mini line has been

ASUS take on the Intels own NUC (Next
Unit of Computing) concept, a system
that many prefer over bulky PCs. I have
encountered various iterations of the
VivoPC mini from ASUS and, right now,
I have one of the latest ones - the VM42,
for review. Its so new that its not even
listed on ASUS site yet (at the time of
this article).
SMARTLy VeRSATILe
The beauty of the VivoPC mini is that its
customisable based on your choosing.
While users can install either Windows
or Linux, the unit sent in for review, AKA
ASUS VivoPC VM42, came pre-installed
with Windows 8.1. The black square box
is small enough to look at home beside
your TV or, if you want, have it mounted
to a monitor using the VESA mount for an
instant all in one! The ASUS VivoPC VM42
is perfect for those who need a small,
silent, and stylish PC. You can use it as a
living room HTPC, a POS machine for your
company, to provide for virtual PCs or just
about anything you can think of with this

9.2

by din

compact and light but powerful box. Talk

about multi-purpose!
IMpORTAnT InnARDS
The specs used are decent as the mini
system rocks an Intel Celeron 2957U
Processor, 2GB DDR3 RAM, which is
upgradeable, an M.2 SATA slot - the
review unit has a 16GB SSD, a couple of
USB slots, high-speed Wi-Fi, Gigabit LAN,
HDMI and DisplayPort, a Kensington lock
slot, and 4 USB 3.0 ports. Note that it has
no fan, so its pretty silent.
TIny yeT GOOD
Due to the rather small hard disk space, I
didnt manage to run any benchmarks on
it but you can be rest assured that it runs
surprisingly fast. There are no stuttering
or sluggishness, eventhough its just using
a Celeron processor. The Intel HD 4000 is
good enough for media playback and the
high-speed Wi-Fi means you can plug this
baby to your large TV, hook up a wireless
controller (or two), and stream STEAM
games from your main gaming PC to your
living room. Instant gaming PC!

SpecS
Dimensions (W x H x D)
190 x 190 x 56.2 mm
Weight 0.97kg
processor Intel Celeron 2957U
Processor
Memory 2 GB Up to 16 GB
Storage M.2 SATA 16GB SSD,
2.5" 500GB
Graphics Intel HD 4000
OS Windows 8.1
connectivity 10/100/1000/
Gigabits Mbps
Sound SonicMaster
I/O
4 x USB 3.0
2 x USB 2.0
1 x HDMI
1 x RJ45 LAN
1 x Kensington Lock
1 x DC-in
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
1 x Display
2 x Audio Jack(s) (Mic in/
Headphone out)

VeRDIcT

An undeniable tiny powerhouse.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

107
DEC 2014

SCORE

TESTED

Two In One
ASUS DSL AC68U

by din

For SOHO offices that prefer

less clutter, then this is your
prayer answered. The ASUS
DSL AC68U brings ALL
the features of the previous
ASUS RT AC68U, but with a
twist. The unit has now an
ADSL/VDSL modem function
built-in directly into it.
ALL SpEEDy LIkE
This means you dont need to have a
seperate router and modem unit and
hence you can save up on your space. The
modem/router looks at home both on your
desk or hung up high on the wall. The
large, black tapering design with three
antennas gives it an illusion of speed.
Obviously, it is speedy with the dual band
rated speed of 1900Mbps! Thats faster
than you get with a Gigabit LAN port!

8.8
STRONG SIGNALS
The wireless on this ASUS unit
is powerful enough to penetrate
even two rooms seperated
by slabs of concrete. If you prefer wired
connection, there are four ports behind
the modem/router - each rated for Gigabit
LAN. Indeed, 4K video streaming wont
be a problem with this baby. The menu
is easy and straightforward as well with
support to up to three seperate network
modes with their own security and policy.
If youre looking for an all-in-one, powerful,
and fast networking solution, then the
ASUS DSL AC68U is for you.

Warp Speed
Experience
Logitech G402
Hyperion Fury
by sia zhen ning

4
RM1

I remember my first Logitech mouse - the

famous MX518. It had been the one that
made me swore to stand by Logitech
mice ever since. So when I received the
G402 Hyperion Fury for review, the first
question that came into my mind is: Will
it be as good as the MX518? The second
question: Can I keep it?
COmfORTABLE STRETCH
First things first, the G402 is a comfortable
mouse. When compared to the G300,
the G402 is long enough that I could
grip it with my palm easily. The rubber
pads on both sides of the mouse are also
comfortable. Fully complementing the feel
is the DPI of the mouse - a feature that

108
DEC 2014

GOLD
CHOICE
AWARD

SCORE
GOLD
SILVER
CHOICE
RECOmmENDED
AWARD
AWARD

9.2
can easily be changed by using the DPI
Shift button located on the side of the left
mouse button. Holding it down allows you
to temporarily drop the DPI of the mouse,
allowing for precise movements.
HAIR TRIGGER
Performance wise, the G402 is almost
perfect. It responds with the slightest
touch and when moved, it glides smoothly
across the table. The easily changeable DPI
means I can make the mouse as sensitive
as I want it to be with minimal fuss.

SpECS
Dimensions (W x H x D)
220 x 83.3 x 160 mm
Weight 640g
Network Standard IEEE 802.11a,
IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE
802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IPv6
Antenna External dBi antenna x 3
I/O 4 x RJ45 10/100/1000/Gigabits
BaseT for LAN, 1 x RJ11 for xDSL

VERDICT:

Clutter-free networking is always a

welcomed deal!
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

SpECS
Dimension (HxWxD)
136mm x 72mm x 41mm
Weight 144 grams
Sensitivity 240 4000 DPI
Buttons 8 programmable buttons
Response 1000 Hz (1 ms)
Connection USB

VERDICT:

A great mouse that does whatever

you want it to do. Note: some
maintenance required.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

However, I have one small worry about

the G402 - the rubber grip. Based on my
experience, this material tends to degrade
over time, making it uncomfortable to
touch. Its something alcohol can fix, so
best to always have some on-hand.

SCORE

Metallic
Rodent

SIlVeR

by sia zhen ning

8.0

A4TECH Bloody TL5A

Terminator Laser
Gaming Mouse

Before receiving the TL5A Terminator,

I have never heard of the Bloody series
of gaming mice by A4TECH. With no
knowledge of its reputation, I took it for a
gaming run, hoping it would convince me
that it is worth buying.
SHell of MeTal
First thing that grabbed my eye during
unboxing were the metal brackets on the
side of the mouse. This much touted Metal
XGlide is supposed to make the mouse
much more durable. Im inclined to believe
them but I believe a mouse pad is a must.
Another concern is that the mouse seems a
bit unbalanced, tilting slightly to the left with
every left click. It could be an isolated issue.

loRD of GIMMIckS
The selling point of the TL5A seems to
be a gear-style weapon switch. Made
to emulate firing a gun in 2 to 4 short
bursts, it is able to portray any gun that
has a delay before firing again. The more
intriguing aspect of the TL5A is Ultra
Core 3 system, which features auto-recoil
suppression, a DLC that is hidden behind
a paywall.
packeD up
This mouse fares just as good as any
gaming mouse in the market. It responds
well to input and its just as sensitive,

A4TECH Bloody TL6A Terminator

Laser Gaming Mouse
by sia zhen ning

RuBBeR SHell MoTIon

The biggest difference I noticed about the
TL6A is the surface of the mouse. It has a
smooth rubber surface without the weird
gap in the middle that was present on the
TL5A. This makes it much easier to hold
and more comfortable than I expected.
However, rubber surfaces degrade - so yet
again, this mouse requires the occasional
rub down or so.
Deja Vu
Other than the change on the surface of
the mouse, the TL6A is nearly identical to
its TL5A. The metal bracket attached to

SpecS
Dimensions (HxWxD) 119 x 79 x
39 mm
Weight 145 grams
Sensitivity up to 8,200 CPI
Buttons 9 Programmable Buttons
Response 1000Hz (1ms)
connection USB

VeRDIcT:

Comfy Edition
Honestly, I wasnt all that impressed with
the TL5A. Dont get me wrong - its a
decent mouse, but in the end, I felt that
there are better mice out there. So when it
comes to the TL6A, I had been hoping that
itll be better than the TL5A.

RecoMMenDeD
aWaRD

A decent mouse that contains a

gimmick may vary in its mileage
from person to person.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

nay, more sensitive than most gaming

mice. The mouse tops out at 8200 CPI,
fully complementing the gimmicks of this
metal-based rodent.

SCORE
GolD
SIlVeR
cHoIce
RecoMMenDeD
aWaRD
aWaRD

8.6

SpecS
Dimensions (HxWxD)
119 x 79 x 39 mm
Weight 145 grams
Sensitivity up to 8,200 CPI
Buttons 9 Programmable Buttons
Response 1000Hz (1ms)
connection USB (2.0/3.0)

VeRDIcT:

The TL6 is a slightly more

comfortable carbon copy of the TL5.

the mouse is still there and the placement

of the buttons and gear shift lever is
exactly the same as the TL5A. This means
that anyone who has ever used the TL5A
can easily swap over to the TL6.
IDenTIcal TWIn
Performance-wise, the TL6A feels exactly
like its smaller brethren. Its response
and sensitivity is the same even. The
mouses driver with its gimmick of variable
usefulness is the same with pay wall in

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

place for game breaking features. At the

very least, it feels more comfortable in my
hands.

109
DEC 2014

Contest
Samsung Level
Give-away
Contest
The newly introduced Samsung Level audio
devices are set to rock the audio world! The first
two entries - The Level Over headshet and Level
Box portable speaker - have set tongues wagging
among many audiophiles.
Now here is your chance to win one of these
devices for yourself (or your friend *ahem*).
Just answer the following questions below and
fill in the creative slogan after that.

1. The Samsung Level Over is an advanced wireless noise-cancelling headset, powered by Bluetooth
technology - True of False?
2. What type of drivers does the Samsung Level Over use? How big are the drivers?
3. With its one-touch controls, its easy to pair and manage the Level Box effortlessly, such as playing
music, adjusting volume levels, and accepting/rejecting calls. True or False?
4. In less than 30 words, complete the following sentence below:
I want the Samsung Level device because

Name:

IC Number:

Address:
Email:

Contact Number:

MAIL yOuR ANSWERS 31 DECEMBER 2014 TO:

Rules and Regulations:

Participants may only send in one entry per name* Reach Publishing
Sdn Bhd and Samsung Malaysia Electronics employees and their
immediate families are not eligible for this contest* Any decision
about the winners is final* All prizes must be collected in person or by
representatives* Participants must be 18 and above*

OR EMAIL uS AT: [email protected]

Entries must be submitted by 31 December 2014

Samsung/PC.com Contest:
Reach Publishing, 15-3, Block F1, Dataran Prima,
Jalan PJu 1/42, 47301, Petaling Jaya

super
showdown
one - 2 - one
showdowns are regular for pC.com
and even special arrangements
within are equally as common. The
only time a unique shootout ever
occurs is during the Christmas
Bumper Issue and this time round, its
no different.
For this month, the team has put
together another super showdown
for all to see and read. Yes indeed,
the Versus series has returned
after a two-year hiatus. renamed as
super showdown one-2-one, it pits
the very best gadgets and gizmos
against each other.
From smartphones to notebooks
and gaming consoles, it is the faceoff you dont want to miss. without
further ado, let the battle between
kings begin!

111
DEC 2014

super one2one sHoWDoWn

Battle of the Phablets

iPhone 6 plus vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4
By: Tagalog-Tech

Samsung and Apple recently launched their top contenders for this year,
the GALAXY Note 4 and the iPhone 6 Plus. Samsung fanatics claim that
the giant Korean tech firm started the big-screen craze thus it has the
upper hand in terms of experience and technology; Apple fan-boys, on the
other hand, argue that it is not about being first, but about perfecting the
available technology.
Below is my take about these two devices, if you are undecided what to
get maybe this article could help you pick whats the best for you.

Design
The Note 4 features a 5.in Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, which has a
2560 x 1440 resolution, with a 515 pixel-density count for its screen. The
iPhone 6 Plus, meanwhile, has a 5.5in 1080p Retina HD display with 401
pixel-density.
Complementing the display is the metal-like frame both devices use.
Where the iPhone 6 Plus is built with an aluminum frame, the Note 4 pairs
its renowned faux back cover with a sturdier metal frame to support the
entire device.

Performance
Both devices have a solid specs sheet with great performance, and its hard
to determine which one is the better device.
Samsungs new GALAXY Note entry rocks a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805
processor, with 3GB RAM, 16GB, and 64GB internal memory options. It
even supports MicroSD storage up to 128GB.
As for The iPhone 6 Plus, it operates on an A8 with an M8 co-processor
and a non-expandable memory, ranging from 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB. If
extra space is needed, cloud storage is encouraged, and Apple provides
their own service, the iCloud.

Price
RM2,749 to RM3,549
Display
5.5in IPS LCD
1920x1080
Dimensions
158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm
weight
172 g

112
DEC 2014

Processor
Apple A8 Dual-Core
1.7GHz
RAM
1GB
vGPU
PowerVR GX6450
Storage
16GB, 64GB,
128 GB

Price
RM2,499
Display
5.7in Super AMOLED
QHD 2560x1440
Dimensions
153.5 by 78.6 by 8.5 mm
weight
176 g

Processor
Snapdragon 805
Quad-Core 2.7GHz
RAM
3GB
vGPU
Adreno 420
Storage
32GB, expandable via
microSD

Experience
Personally, users wont
be able to feel the
difference as both have
fluid responsiveness when
it comes to engaging all
sorts of user commands.It
is with the other key
features that make these
two stand out.
The camera of
the iPhone 6 Plus
features Optical Image
Stabilisation. Working with its gyroscope, the A8 chipset, and the M8
motion co-processor, it literally moves the lens in order to compensate for
a users hand-shake when using the camera. It makes photos blur-free
even in low light conditions. Also, the 8MP iSight camera uses Focus
Pixels to help enhance image details.
Camera-wise, the Note 4 has a 16MP camera that is able to record
4K video and sports a wide angle lens for the front camera, providing
panoramic shooting capabilites - perfect for large selfie images. Of
course, tbe Photo Note, paired with the hyper-intuitive Samsung S Pen
for Note 4, is the star of the show as it can scan text and convert it to
images that contain elements that can be edited or altered. Great for
quick note-taking.
Powering all that are equally as capable batteries. While both
companies make claims of day-long lasting battery-life, real world tests
have proven that the new Apple iPhone still drains more power than it
necessarily should while Samsung manages to last for a day and a half.
Wonders upon wonders!

Winner: Samsung GALAXy Note 4

Truthfully, Id say its a draw but Samsung manages to play out Apple with its
other advanced features like its intuitive note-taking apps, the multi-screen
capabilities, and brighter display. It is as if Samsung knew where it could lead
and, thus, stepped up its game in these areas to out-perform the one brand it
has a long-standing rivalry with. For all its worth, the Samsung GALAXY Note
4 is the one to beat this round!

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The War of Black Boxes

Sony PlayStation 4 vs Microsoft Xbox One
By: Sia Zhen Ning

Welcome to our own console war section of the PC.com Super One-2-One Showdown where Sony and
Microsofts current gaming offerings, the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and the Xbox One (XB One) respectively, are
going head-to-head with each other. Why do this in the here and now? Because the holiday season is upon the
general masses and many can be rest assured that the gaming console is one of the more popular gifts during
this particular season - portable or otherwise.
Obviously, the real reason this is being done is, well, its the PS4 VS XB One - the greatest match-up of the
year by far! Now that all attention is thrown this way, please sit back, relax, and read on as the arduous task
of testing both machines is taken care off. PS - if this shoot-out ends up being nonsensical, please send brick
bats and death threats to the Editors mailbox.
Design
Kicking off this Gun Battle at the OK Corral is the entrant from Microsoft - the XB One. As its name goes,
this next-gen gaming system is one big black box. Honestly, there really isnt much to say about it beyond
that phrase so lets take a look at the controller instead. Between the main system and the joystick, the latter
is certainly tonnes familiar to anyone who has ever used the previous iterations of Xbox controllers (barring
the Xboxs Duke, that one is justhuge). This time around, it comes with a really decent D-Pad and other
improvements like better thumbsticks and a seemingly bottomless battery.
The PS4, meanwhile, is yet another big black box. The difference - this iteration of a box is shaped like a
Rhombus. Personally, this take is slightly more appealing and the variants, like Glacier White, makes for fancier
outlooks. Beyond thatwell, lets just skip onto the controller. The PS4 DualShock 4 is definitely superior to its
predecessor, sporting better trigger buttons, a more intuitive touchpad, and improved push buttons that have
easy access to the PS4s social elements.
Performance
Thrumming inside both consoles are some serious overpowered innards. For
the XB One, it comes packed with a custom 1.75GHz AMD Octa-Core
CPU and AMD Radeon GPU that is tweaked to operate on a pipeline
that punches out 1.31 Teraflops. Complementing these two is the

Price
USD 449.99 (estimated at around RM 1,507)
Dimension
333 x 274 x 79 mm
CPU
1.75 GHz AMD Jaguar, 8 cores
GPU
1.31 TFLOPS, AMD next-generation Radeon
based graphics engine
Memory DDR3 8GB
Storage Size 500GB
Connectivity
Ethernet IR-Out - Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11n
I/O HDMI 1.4 in/out S/PDIF out
Accessories
Xbox Wired/Wireless Controller - Microsoft Kinect
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8GB of DDR3 RAM that has been packed onto the system. Out of that 8GB, 5GBs is allocated for developer access while
the remaining 3GB is meant for Microsofts multi-layered operating system.
In the case of the PS4, Sony has completely dropped the infamous Cell architecture for a more developer-friendly
machine. Like its rival, it rocks an AMD Octa-Core 1.6GHz CPU. Based on an x86 architecture, it is paired with an AMD
custom GPU that had been tweaked to specifically outshine the one found in the XB One. The design specifically boasts
a 1.84 Teraflop output that seamless pairs well with 8GB of GDDR5 memory. Similarly, the PS4 reserves up to 3.5GB out of
the 8GB for its operating system, leaving developers with 4.5GB to work with.
Experience
Of course, the most important thing about any game console is the user experience. In the case of the XB One, those
who have grown accustomed to the Windows 8 UI would immediately understand how to navigate it. For those who
dont though, the UI could get real messy at times. If you have the just-recently made as an option Kinect, you can even
utilise the voice command to switch from playing video games to watching TV shows. While not perfect, its definitely an
improvement over the XB 360.
As for the PS4, its UI is less cluttered than the XB One. Since it no longer uses the XMB interface found on the
PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, the next-gen console instead opts for a whole new UI that incorporates some of the
XMBs features. Among other functions, the PlayStation Remote Play is perhaps the most unique feature of the PS4 as it
allows you to play your games on a PS Vita, and most recently the Sony Xperia Z3 range of devices as well. For people who
like streaming their games on TwitchTV or on social media, the Share Button is handy and easy enough for all to use. Our
biggest, and only, gripe is probably the fact that a PS Plus subscription is now mandatory for online multiplayer gaming.

Winner: Sony PlayStation 4

Deciding a winner for this showdown isnt easy but we have to give it to the PS4. A slightly more powerful pe rformance
means, from a gamers perspective, the Sony entry is set to do better on all fronts. In fact, it even has a better list of games
than the XB One. However, the most important distinction between Sony and its rival is being officially made available
for the Malaysian market. Sony already launched the PS4 locally while Microsoft has no similar plans for the XB One.
This complicates things for those who plan to own the latter and, as is, it may be too much of a hassle for most even. In
conclusion, if one has the cash to get either consoles, just get the PS4.

Price
RM 1,799 (without camera)
Dimension
75 x 305 x 53 mm
CPU
x86-64 1.6 GHz AMD Jaguar, 8 cores
GPU
1.84 TFLOPS, AMD next-generation
Radeon based graphics engine
Memory GDDR5 8GB
Storage Size 500GB
Connectivity Ethernet
IEEE 802.11 b/g/n - Bluetooth 2.1 (EDR)
I/O HDMI out port x 1Digital Out port x 1
Accessories
Dualshock 4 controller - Playstation Eye
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The Pocket Fighter

Sony PlayStation Vita vs Nintendo 3DS
By: Sia Zhen Ning

Do you like gaming on the go? Would you prefer something more than games found on either the App Store or on Google
Play? Then why not opt for a handheld gaming console. Of course, in this aspect, only two names come to mind. The first
is Nintendo, with its market dominating 3DS, and a close second is none other than Sony with its highly sophisticated
PlayStation Vita (PS Vita). If you only have the cash to buy one, which is the better choice? Lets find out.
Design
Lets begin with how the devices look. The 3DS chassis should be familiar to anyone who has owned any of the previous
DS iterations. It has a clamshell chassis that, when opened, features two screens, with the bottom panel being a
touchscreen. New to the 3DS is the analogue stick found just above the D-Pad. In terms of size, the 3DS comes in either
the normal, compact variant or the XL type, featuring a larger screen.
Unlike the 3DS, the PS Vita keeps to a single screen platform. As Sony is moving to phase out the original Vita, this
shootout will be using the PS Vita Slim as its reference point. Design wise, it is a slimmer version of the original PS Vita.
While it sports two analogue sticks, it also uses touch-sensitive panels, for both the main display and backplate, for added
user interactivity. The Start and Select buttons are also easier to press on the Slim version. On the whole, the Sony entrant
is a lot sleeker than even the compressed 3DS variant.
Performance
On the hardware side of things, the 3DS comes equipped with a dual-core ARM11 MPCore as well as a single core ARM9
CPU. Paired with the processor is 128MB FCRAM as well as 6MB VRAM. For the graphics department, the DMP PICA200
GPU packed within keeps the visuals churning seamlessly. File storage comes in the form of the 1GB internal flash
memory and expandable option ala SD Card.
The PS Vita Slim is no slouch either as it boasts a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore that has a processing rating of
2GHz plus a whopping 512MB of RAM and 128MB of VRAM. A Quad-Core PowerVR SGXMP GPU is responsible for the
graphics side of things and the machine comes with 1GB of flash memory. Like the 3DS, this can be expanded with a
Sony PS Vita proprietary memory card. One interesting thing to note about the PS Vita Slim is how the screen has been
downgraded from the original devices OLED screen to an LCD panel.

Price
RM 859
Dimension
183.6 x 85.1 x 15.0 mm
CPU
Up to 2 GHz Quad-core ARM
Cortex-A9 MPCore
GPU
Quad Core PowerVR SGX543MP4+
Ram 512 MB RAM, 128 MB VRAM
HDD 1 GB Flash Memory
Connectivity
802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
I/O
Touchscreen, touchpad, Sixaxis motion sensing, D-pad,
16 buttons, 2 analog sticks
Accessories
PS Vita Memory Card (4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 GB)
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Price
RM 729
Dimension
156 x 93 x 22 mm
CPU
Dual-Core ARM11
MPCore, single-core
ARM9
GPU
DMP PICA200 GPU
Ram
512 MB RAM, 128 MB VRAM
HDD
1 GB Flash Memory

Experience
All these technical things are very cool but what really matters is how
they feel when youre using it. When it comes to the 3DS, it will be very
familiar to those who have previously owned a DS as the changes arent
all that drastic. The 3D effect is pretty sweet and if you dont like it, you
can always turn it off. The one thing that many fans dont like about the
3DS is the region lock that is included in the device. As is, it can be rather
annoying as gamers have purchase games from that particular region only
to access any of their favourite titles.
On the Sony front, the PS Vita Slim is pretty easy to pick-up and play
with as well since they have done away with the XMB interface for a much
more intuitive UI. Playing games on the Vita is smooth and without fuss
and the inclusion of remote play makes it even more interesting since you
can now play your Playstation console games without the need of a TV. The
one major gripe about it is possibly the downgrade of the screen. Because
it now utilises an LED instead of an OLED screen, the images are no longer
as vivid or crisp as it used to be. Thats a real bummer.

Connectivity
802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Infrared
I/O
A/B/X/Y Button, Circle Pad,
L/R Bumpers, D-Pad, 3D Depth
Slider, volume slider, power
button, wireless switch.
Accessories
4 GB SDHC card

Winner: Nintendo 3DS

If forced to pick between these two handheld consoles, the Nintendo 3DS would be first choice. Eventhough the regionlock can get annoying at times, the 3DS has the better selection of games and would appeal to people of all ages. Just be
aware that importing games is going to be a very inconvenient affair.z

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Master Race Rumble

ASUS ROG G56JR VS MSI GT70 2PE Dominator Pro
By: Sia Zhen Ning

Up till now, much emphasis has been placed on consoles and handhelds. In fact, the PC side of gaming has been left
unattended. Not so for this PC.com Super One-2-One Showdown as it has set up two very big gaming notebook brands,
featuring two very large gamer-type gaming systems, against each other. On one corner, there is the ASUS Republic of
Gamer (ROG) G56JR. Its contender is none other than the MSI GT70 2PE Dominator Pro. Only one will prevail!
Design
Lets begin with the ROG G56. The entire notebook comes in the trademark jet black that ASUS is known for and
customary ASUS logo on the lid that is stenciled in red. Opened up, a large 15.6in screen as well as the keyboard red
illuminated backlit keyboard show themselves to impress all. Along the sides of this ROG entry are a couple of USB ports,
a HDMI port for external monitors, a Blu-ray drive, as well as huge, red accentuated vents for cooling purposes.
Next up, the GT70 Dominator Pro. Much like its rival, this MSI entry comes in black as well but has the MSI logo
emblazoned on the lid. Within, the first thing users will come across is the huge 17.3in screen and multi-hued backlit
SteelSeries keyboard. As for the sides, the usual assorted helpings of USBs and ports, expansion drives, and vents are
obvious for all to see. The only key difference between the two are the black hues used for the chassis, the silver grills of
the speakers found on the MSI GT70 2PE, and the subtle accents that both brands use on their units.
Performance
The hardware that is located underneath the hood of both gaming notebooks is where things start to deviate. The ASUS
ROG G56JR comes with a 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 4700 HQ Processor and 12GB of DDR3 RAM (expandable to

Price
RM 8999
Dimension
428 x 288 x 55 mm
CPU
Intel Core i7 4810MQ Processor
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M 8GB GDDR5
VRAM
Ram
16GB DDR3L RAM, upgradable to 32GB
HDD 256GB Super RAID SSD mSATA*3 + 1TB HDD
7200 RPM
Connectivity
Killer E2200 Game Networking LAN, Killer Doubleshot
LAN/WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
I/O
1 x Microphone-in jack, 1 x Headphone-out jack, 1 x
VGA port/D-Sub, 2 x USB 2.0 port(s), 3 x USB 3.0 port(s),
1 x Mini-DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI port
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Price
RM 4199
Dimension
428 x 288 x 55 mm
CPU
Intel Core i7 4810MQ
Processor
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M
8GB GDDR5 VRAM
Ram
16GB DDR3L RAM, upgradable
to 32GB

16GB). For graphics and storage, it packs an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760M
and a 1TB 5400 RPM HDD - both sufficient for all power users.
In comparison, the MSI GT70 2PE sports improved specs as this monster
puts together a 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 4810 MQ CPU, which can be
overclocked to 3.8GHz, with 16GB RAM (upgradable to 32GB) and an
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 880M. File management has a 128GB SSD and 1TB
Hard Drive combo powering it all.
Experience
When it comes to usability, there are some similarities between the MSI
GT70 2PE and the ASUS ROG G56JR. First of all, these things are huge.
Secondly, theyre heavy. This is a desktop replacement, so one should not be
expected to carry these things around like its Ultrabook counterparts.
Weight and size aside, both are able to perform extremely well when
it comes to gaming as they ae capable of delivering extreme graphics
performance - perfect for high intensity gaming sessions. However, with its
superior hardware, the MSI GT70 2PE obviously edges out the ASUS ROG
G56 by a mile. It helps that MSI went the extra mile for gamers as well by
pairing with renowned e-Sports hardware and app vendors to improve the
overall user experience for gaming.

HDD
256GB Super RAID SSD
mSATA*3 + 1TB HDD 7200 RPM
Connectivity
Killer E2200 Game Networking
LAN, Killer Doubleshot LAN/
WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
I/O
1 x Microphone-in jack, 1 x
Headphone-out jack, 1 x VGA
port/D-Sub, 2 x USB 2.0 port(s),
3 x USB 3.0 port(s), 1 x MiniDisplayPort, 1 x HDMI port

Winner: MSI GT70 2PE Dominator Pro

While both are great choices if as a gaming notebook, only one can be chosen as the best of the best. Hands down, the
title has to go to MSI due to its superior hardware. It helps that MSI has thrown in its lot for gaming, giving its entry that
upswing needed to outperform ASUS ROG. This goes to show that, even in gaming, its all about the entire package.

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Snapper Shootout
Canon EOS 70D VS Sony Alpha A77 Mk II
By: Victor Yap

When it comes to cameras, Digital SLRs have always been the epitome of the best go-to examples for finely crafted
devices that, when in the right hands, can produce exceptionally photographs. This particular One-2-One Super
Showdown pits the cropped factor single lens systems against each other, though not in the usual way that many would
play up.
Before going into specifics, this must be addressed immediately: why isnt the common abbreviation for Single Lens
Reflex (SLR) being used? Obviously, the Canon entry is a fine example of an SLR. The Sony system, meanwhile, uses the
proprietary Single Lens Translucent (SLT) platform. Its a head on fight between the SLR and SLT. Bring it!
Design
In terms of size and weight, both are equal in standing as heh utilise semi-professional bodies that are noticeably tough
and hefty, surely ensuring a solid arm workout is to be had. The two are pretty hardy, all things considered, and since the
two come in black, with Canons entry being a tad smaller in size, the fight is set to heat up in three key areas: the top
control system, rear panel where the LCD display resides, and at the outset.
For the Sony Alpha A77 Mk II, the buttons, single dial wheel, and direction knob may seem busy but the entire layout
is pretty straightforward thanks to the helpful indicators placed next to each easy referencing. This is also applied to the
top as well. The Canon EOS 70D offers similar visual assistance though the visuals seem smaller. It is as if it expects users
who to pick up on the functions immediately like a pro should.
Performance
In terms of usability, it is pretty obvious that comparing the Sony A77 Mk II and
Canon 70D is not an apple to apple reflection of each other. How could it be? Well,

Price
RM3,499 (body only)
Megapixel
20.2 Megapixel
Sensor Type
APS-C 22.5 x 15 mm
Weight
755 g (body only)
Image Stabiliser
None
ISO
100 to 25600
Low-Pass Filter
Yes
Battery Life
920 shots
Viewfinder
Optical (pentaprism) 98%

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Price
RM3,999 (body only)
Megapixel
24.3 Megapixel
Sensor Type
APS-C 23.5 x 15.6 mm
Weight
647 g (body only)
Image Stabiliser
Sensor-Shift

ISO
100 to 51200
Low-Pass Filter
Yes
Battery Life
480 shots
Viewfinder
EVF 100%

for starters, the sensor size is not equal, nor is the Megapixel
count. Even the ISO level, number of hardpoints, frames-persecond (fps) rating, and presence of image stabilisation are all
in favour of Sony. Except for one, Canon lost on all counts by a
slight margin. In the case of focus points (AKA hardpoints), Sony
led by a mile - 79 to Canons 19!
Comparably, the Canon 70D does sport some unique
innovations that more than make up for its lacking features,
such as the highly sensitive touchscreen, AF Touch capabilities,
time-lapse recording, and the presence of Canons proprietary
Dual Pixel CMOS AF system.
When all these functions are put to use, Sony does have a leg
up in terms of photo-taking capabilities as it is able to snap pictures
faster, operate in darker environments, and produce smoother video
recordings. Even so, Canon managed to pull up some wins as it has better
noise control and more details in the higher ISO range, longer battery, and
near seamless use of t controls.
Experience
This will be a quick one as its very obvious which camera system has the
more intuitive functions. When it comes to quick user configurations and
easy controls, nothing can beat the seamless experience of a touchscreen.
Tap anywhere on the 3in screen of the Canon 70D and itll lock onto the
selected zone for quick focusing. The Sony A77 Mk II doesnt have this
very convenient offering.

Winner: Canon EOS 70D

When long lasting battery life, intuitive touchscreen controls, and speedy AF controls are combined with the picturetaking performance, Canon has the superior entry between the two.

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Contest
Bose Giveaway
With the Christmas season in full swing, some of you
are shopping for audio products. Hold on to your wallet
because you might not have to spend at all! Feast your
eyes on the MusicMonitor, Soundlink Air Wireless
Speaker and Soundtrue on-Ear Headphones, quality
audio products made by well-known American audio
corporation - Bose. All three products deliver great
audio quality, despite their compact size. Whats more,
the Soundlink speaker and Soundtrue headphone are
both portable!
Interested now? then take part in this months Bose
Giveaway and you could win one of the below:

1x Bose Soundlink Air

Wireless Speaker

2x Bose Soundtrue
on-Ear Headphones

1x Bose MusicMonitor

1. Name the founder of Bose.

2. Whats the one common feature that the three prizes share?
3. Complete the following in less than 20 words:
Im a fan of Bose audio products because

Name:

IC Number:

Address:
Email:

Contact Number:

MAIl youR ANSWERS 31 JANuARy 2015 to:

Rules and Regulations:

Participants may only send in one entry per name* Reach Publishing
Sdn Bhd and Atlas Hi-Fi employees and their immediate families are not
eligible for this contest* Any decision about the winners is final* All
prizes must be collected in person or by representatives* Participants
must be 18 and above*

oR EMAIl uS At: [email protected]

Entries must be submitted by 31 January 2015

Bose/PC.com Contest:
Reach Publishing, 15-3, Block F1, Dataran Prima,
Jalan PJu 1/42, 47301, Petaling Jaya

Selfie

Smartphone Guide

BEST AMONG ALL

The guide for the right device

elfies have become extremely

prevalent these days. What used
to be a niche practice of taking
self-portraits with the camera
has now become a must-do trend for all
thanks to how pervasive smart devices
have become.
But wait - how does one define a selfie?
Well, the old ways required just three
things: a camera, some experience with
snapping self-portraits, and luck. The latter
will determine if the shot turned out great
or be a mixed-up mess. If the alternative
happens, then its a matter of trying again
until the shot is just right. Thats all there
is to it.
Of course, that is not the case anymore
thanks to the proliferation of these
camera-equipped smart devices. From

mobilephones to tablets and those that sit

in between, they all now come with fancy
front-facing cameras that immediately
enable everyone to snap a selfie - a pretty
decent one at that.
Even cameras got in on the act as they
now come with swivel displays that, when
moved to specific positions, gives these
larger snappers the ability to take selfies.
Strange in execution but it works well
enough and is mostly on par with selfies
that are taken on a large tablet.
As it is, there are so many ways to take
a selfie. However, for this special focus
guide, we look at the one device we all
cannot live without - the smartphone. In
this case, were fiddling with the mostly
self-declared selfie smartphone and its
ability to snap excellent self-portraits.

by lydia ho

So, what would be considered a selfieenabled smartphone? Certainly not the

innards and even physical size is not
counted. As a selfie smartphone guide,
it is imperative that the focus lay on this
one fact: the device must be able to take
great selfies. And thus, there is only one
factor that has to be kept in consideration
- the front-snapper must have a large
enough sensor.
At the very least, the Megapixel count
should be 5MP. Here are five smartphones
that rock such a feature. Paired with
unique designs and innovative concepts,
each can be regarded as suitably
impressive in the selfie department. This
is mostly due to the features, which are
considered as the very best for a great
selfie experience, they are packed with.

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selfie
smartphone guide

The Fully Loaded - HTC One (M8)

What more can be said of this flagship
smartphone? Beyond awesome specs,
an exceptional user experience, and
the bundle of innovations thrown onto
the HTC One (M8), there is still, indeed,
even more to share about. This being the
selfie smartphone guide means the main
emphasis will be on the 5MP front camera
that this executive platform offers. Keep
in mind, this article is done before HTC
announced the HTC Eye Experience so it
will not cover the latest ideas HTC came up
for self-portraits.
OverpOwered ShOOter
The build quality of the HTC One (M8)
speaks volumes of its premium design.
Hence why the cameras used on this device
are specifically made as equals. Thus, it
does makes perfect sense for the 5MP frontfacing camera to be packing in some real
heat. From a BSI sensor - a system more
associated to proper camera systems, to a
wide-angle lens, then HDR functionality,
and even 1080p Full HD recording, the front
snapper has fielded the very features many
have come to expect from a flagship.

IntuItIve COntrOlS
Fully complementing the superb camera
capabilities are enhanced functions the
HTC camera app comes bundled with.
While it may seem complicated, it isnt as
HTC made sure its primary camera app
is easy to use and smart enough to help
users do what they need to get that great
selfie. This includes the handy countdown
timer, quick access to image tweaking
controls, and easily engaged pre-/postshoot camera functions. If anything, the
HTC One (M8) is the easiest to use among
the recommended.
BIg eaSy
Packed to the brim with sophistication
yet made to be easy for users to get into,
the HTC One (M8) is, by far, the most
intuitive and user-friendly selfie powered
smartphone on the list. With the upcoming
update for the camera app, many are
expecting the selfie features to be ramped
up by leaps and bounds. By the looks of
it, a grand photo-taking experience is
definitely on the cards for this Taiwanese
device maker.
Selfie with normal mode

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Selfie with beauty mode

The All Rounder - Huawei Ascend P7

Selfie with normal mode

Selfie with beauty mode

So what does this 5in wunderkind have

to offer besides enough raw power to
scare some of its direct market rivals? Well
for starters, the 5in screen and 6.5mm
(measured depth) chassis makes for a really
sleek profile. Its slimness, along with the
5in-like profile, ensures that there would be
a firm grip. In fact, many wouldnt have any
trouble reaching and engaging the indented
power button and volume rocker.
Big innovations
How big is the front-face camera? Well,
its definitely the largest in its class as
the Huawei Ascend P7 rocks an 8MP BSI
shooter that comes packed with a 5-piece
aspherical lens camera, Blue Glass infrared
sensor, and updated overall usability. The
Blue Glass concept improves low-light
performance and enhances image clarity
while the latter includes functions like
beauty mode, panoramic selfie, watermark
inclusion, audio tagging, and creative
camera filters. The former is great for
selfies as it naturally smoothens out most
blemishes. All of them come together to
offer a well-made and decently performing

front-located camera - definitely worth

every cent spent.
Clear snap
The 8MP BSI-type camera that the
Huawei Ascend P7 uses for its frontfacing photo-taker has no known rival in
this space. On its own, the 8MP shooter
is exceptional - colours, visual clarity,
and white/black/primary hues look great!
This perfect mix of colours is suitable for
filters that are made specifically to tweak
the colours, mood, and composition of
the selfie. Even in dark environments,
pictures turned out great and usable for
editing/filter application.
DeCent overall
If one phrase is used to describe the
Huawei Ascend P7 as a selfie device, it can
only be - well balanced with some getting
used to thrown in. Its empowered innards,
high calibre functions, and ultra-sleek
design fully complement the exceptional
camera systems and deviimage-taking
capabilities. Shooting in the dark is a nonissue with this fellow.

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smartphone guide

The Easy-Goer - Lenovo S850

This 5in entry from Lenovo S850 is one of
the more stylish entries from the S Series
as its 8.2mm chassis comes with an all-glass
exterior and near-flushed design. The size is
just about right and most would find it fitting
in their palms easily and not falling out of
the same hands so quickly. There are also
the non-issue with the button placements as
they are parked at ideal locations.
Straight Shot
Complementing the clean and minimalistic
look of the S850 is the 13MP rear-facing
and 5MP front-facing cameras. Of course,
this is a selfie smartphone guide, thus the
focus will solely be on the 5MP shooter.
Unlike the other recommendations, this
forward-located camera doesnt sport any
fancy features or innovative functions.
Instead, like the chassis, its as clean as it
can be as the optics are tuned to capture
great looking selfies.

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Powered aPPS
Its in the camera app where Lenovo has
placed all of its bets. The user interface
is the easiest and most intuitive to use
as there are no confusing toggles and
controls to fiddle with. Just turn it on,
tweak the beauty settings and its good
to go. The app even comes with a smart
preview mode that shows the selfie it had
snapped, something that many would
appreciate. Sweet!
JuSt right
While there isnt much in terms of bells
and whistles, the front-facing camera of
the Lenovo S850 performs well enough
as it snaps decent selfies. Of course, this
easy-to-use user experience, which will be
the winning factor for many, and the smart
user controls found within the app are the
ones that make this device stand out as a
good selfie smartphone.

Selfie with normal mode

Selfie with beauty mode

The Ultra-Compact - Nokia Lumia 735

Seeing is believing and with the Nokia
Lumia 735, being the most colourful on the
list, really lives up to market expectations
as the stand-out entry. Being priced
affordably is one but the main point of
attraction is its slick and compact build,
equally as gleaming specs, and powered
usability. It is the smallest on the list in
terms of size though it does not fall short in
any aspect.

Selfie with normal mode

Selfie with beauty mode

Quick Fire
Dont let its compact form factor deceive
you as this mid-range entry is anything but
slow, especially in the graphic rendering
and multi-tasking department. Of course,
the same can be said of the 5MP front
camera it uses, as the autofocus and preshot tweaks on the Lumia 735 are pretty
quick. One tap and everything on the f/2.4
lens sharpens immediately, tapping again
releases the shutter, and boom - the selfie
is ready.

Variable apps
Where the other entries into this selfie
smartphone list bundle with one specific
app that seem to be packing loads of
features, the Lumia 735 comes with a
varied list of camera apps to pair with the
front-facing snapper. From Nokia Camera
to the straight up Camera app, and being
able to load up third party photo-taking
apps to make use of the camera system,
this compact selfie platform seems to be
the most versatile.
Truly personal
Being the smallest in the list - a mere
4.7in - can be a good thing as slipping
out the device in speedy succession to
grab a selfie is easier to do than with a
bulkier smartphone. The better handling,
more varied app control, and intuitive
camera functions ensure the user
experience is kept simple, fun, and, most
importantly, personal.

127
DEC 2014

selfie
smartphone guide

The Big and Flashy - Sony Xperia C3

Being the largest entry in this guide means
expectations are also running high for this
device. Indeed, the Sony Xperia C3 lives
up to its reputation for doing everything
in a larger-than-life fashion. In playing up
the big concept, and to accompany its
5.5in chassis design, the 5MP front-located
camera comes with a big 25mm wideangle lens and, get this, a soft-type LED
flash. Definitely huge in every way possible.
Light Up
Of all the entries into the list, only the
Xperia C3 packs a LED flash with the
forward camera. That shows how much
emphasis Sony Mobile has placed on
the selfie phenomenon. With the
accompanying flash, there will no longer
be any badly lit selfies. That means users
need to only focus on their photo-taking
skills and always keep in mind to not overexpose the shot.

128
DEC 2014

trULy packed
Beyond the wide-angle lens and LED flash,
the Xperia C3 also comes loaded with
advanced photo-taking features for the
front camera. This includes the SLR-like
Superior Auto Mode, which provides some
level of automated control for different
styles of photography via the 36 scene
types it works with; the Exmor RS for
Mobile image processing system; and
SteadyShot optical stabilisation platform.
Its like using a proper camera system that
is crammed into a smartphone body.
aim Wide
With the front-face shooter of the Xperia
C3 having, more or less, SLR capabilities,
it is definitely one of the entries fully
driven by the selfie trend. The Sony Mobile
proprietary creative and sharing apps that
are installed on the device further lends
credence to it as it serves to expand and
enhance the concept of selfies. This is the
closest any smartphone will ever get to
being a camera.

Selfie with flash and

normal mode

Selfie with flash and

beauty mode

Selfie without flash and

normal mode

Selfie without flash and

beauty mode

Best among
Selfies

Screen Size

Front Camera

Features

Apps

HTC One M8

5in

5MP with BSI Sensor

and Wide Angle Lens

FHD 1080p
Recording, HDR

Gallery with UFocus,

Dimension Plus, Seasons,
Foregrounder, Image
Match

Huawei Ascend P7

5in

8MP with Aspherical

Lens and Blue Lens

FHD 1080p
Recording,
Panoramic Selfie,
Ultra Snapshot

Creative Photo Editing

(Watermarking, Audio
Tagging, and Camera
Filters)

Lenovo S850

5in

5MP Fixed-Focus with

Wide-Angle

FHD 1080p
Recording, HDR

Lenovo Smart Apps

(SHAREit, SNAPit,
and SYNCit), Multiple
Shooting Modes for
SNAPit Function

Nokia Lumia 735

4.7in

5MP Fixed-Focus with

f/2.4 and Wide-Angle

FHD 1080p
Recording, HDR

Bing Vision, Lumia

Camera, Lumia
Cinemagraph, Lumia
Panorama, Lumia
Refocus, Lumia Selfie

Sony Mobile Xperia C3

5.5in

5 MP Front-Facing
Camera (720p) with
Front Flash LED

FHD 1080p
Recording, HDR

Superior Auto,
Geotagging, Object
Tracking, Red-Eye
Reduction

129
DEC 2014

selfie
smartphone guide

What to choose?

130
DEC 2014

Well, this is not exactly a PC.com Showdown per se; it didnt

seem appropriate to pit them all in a fist-fight since they are
designed to be exceptional and unique in their own way. Of
course, each shines in different situations as well so its best
for the user to decide what they want to get for themselves, or
what suits them.

- Convenient handling is important too as it means lesser chance

of dropping the device and having a better time to tap
the shutter.

Keep in mind of the following when you make the choice:

- The Megapixel count has to be 5MP minimum to produce
great selfies - the bigger it is, the better.
- Wide-angles are best as that means you wont be getting any
messy picture cropping.
- Smart, seamless, and fast connectivity to social media is a
must, so that quick uploads of selfies can be arranged.

Of course the performance of the smartphone, which includes

battery life, screen output, and storage space, all play a part as
well. All five entries in this list can be considered decent in terms
of hardware as they are classified as flagships in their categories.
Plus, each are designed to specifically suit the users needs and
enhance their experience in taking selfies.

Most importantly, its always good to have a light source (natural

is best) when taking selfies.

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it round-up
2014

2014: A Look
Back at Trends
T

he last 12 months have been a mishmash of innovations, growth, missed opportunities,

and everything else that goes in between. For the ICT industry, it goes well beyond
that though it can be said the highly anticipated market transformation, that multiple
trends are supposed to spur, really didnt perform as expected. There are many factors
involved and it has been summarised in the pages within along with views and expectations for
the coming year.
Its not all doom and gloom, as per what has been painted in the general marketplace, since
innovation is still thriving and is expected to lead the charge for change soon enough.

133
DEC 2014

it round-up 2014

Disruption
at its Best
So many ICT trends occurring, but what
has changed? by victor yap

134
DEC 2014

hen it comes to observing the

ICT industry and making fair
comment, analysts are the
best ones to turn to. After all,
they are the ones doing all the summary
work and making comments about the
ever-changing trends that seem to affect
the marketspace at all levels.
Jim Sailor, General Manager of ASEAN,
IDC Asia/Pacific, had seen enough in 2014
to know that things are not what many
have expected it to be. PC.com managed
to catch him during the IDC Big Data
Conference 2014 to find out what he had
to say about the progressive disruption the
ICT industry is now experiencing.

: Looking back on 2014,

what are your thoughts on the
continuous disruptive nature of the
ICT industry?
Jim Sailor: On the overall, we dont see
any huge examples of disruption taking
place as yet. However, we feel the ICT
industry and CIOs in general are still
cautious about transformation, and if they
should really be taking the full leap onto 3rd
Platform technologies. Even with proven
innovations like the Cloud, theres still a lot
of concern in regards to full adoptions. We
had expected the Cloud to become universal
among most businesses by now, but many
are still reluctant to move into that direction.
I believe this wariness stems mostly
from security fears where many have yet
to accept that their personal data is kept
safe. CIOs, of course, have larger concerns
as they have to contend with governance,
policy controls, and determining who is
responsible when something goes wrong.
Personally, this level of caution has slowed

down that highly expected transformation.

There is change no doubt and it is
speeding up, but the industry hasnt really
transformed yet.
When I say this, I do not deny how far
things have come like the optimisation
of platforms and services, the improved
efficiencies that had been derived from
all those cost-cutting measures, and
implementing automation. Those are
great achievements! However, thats all
were seeing as no one is keen on jumping
into the new areas of growth like Big
Data Analytics, Cloud Management, and
Enterprise Mobility.
That will change in 2015 as were
now in the midst of putting together our
predictions for 2015 and from what weve
seen, CIOs are set to kickstart the change
next year.
: Many were expecting for
change to happen this year. So why
the delay?

Sailor: I believe 2014 carries on the wait

and see sentiment that many CIOs are
feeling from 2013. Of course, there are
other issues CIOs had to deal, one of which
is to prepare for GST implementation.
While it doesnt sound like a really big
deal, much has been spent in preparing for
the rollout, more so than spending more in
more important fast growing areas.
: When you mention
spending, you are referring to
industries that are inter-related to
ICT correct?
Sailor: More or less. Lets step away from
Malaysia for a bit and look at another, more
interesting market - the Philippines. While
it operates differently from Malaysia, it is
now moving really quickly, particularly in
the outsourcing industry. In fact, Id say
it is leapfrogging many of its compatriots
now and is acting differently from before
since the Philippines is once known for

Sailor: While IoT may seem pervasive as it is making its rounds in the media, the real impact and transformation is happening right now on a very
niche level.

135
DEC 2014

it round-up 2014
being a little bit behind the curve when
it comes to spending and adopting new
innovations. Obviously, companies there
didnt want to spend a lot of money and
are very, very cost conscious.
However, based on our recent surveys
there, where we interview thousands
of CIOs, CEOs, and CMOs, we found
out that many of these guys are now
the ones who want to drive the change.
The trend now is to buy into the idea of
technological transformation. To achieve
that, they are now working very closely
with their CIOs to really make the leap. For
Malaysia, its the opposite as we still see
many companies, especially traditional,
family-owned businesses that prefer to
remain conservative when it comes to
changing and making investments. They
are the ones who still see the job of the
CIO as one that must work to keep the
cost down. They are the ones being told
to get the best, while keeping the cost
down or to optimise what is in place and
not break the budget. The idea here is
to play up the if it aint broken, dont fix
it mentality.
It has been the same for the banking
industry and manufacturing but it,
obviously, has changed as it is now one of
the leaders in adopting and implementing
Big Data analytics. Why so? Put it this
way: if they dont, they wont be able to
keep up with not just the domestic market,
but also fall behind to whatever progress
foreign competitors may have gained
as well.
: Can the same things
be said of telcos since they are also
moving to make full use of Big Data?
Sailor: Telcos, I think, are a really
interesting and exciting bunch right now

136
DEC 2014

from a research perspective, because they

are very much at a crossroads in terms of
what are they going to be in the future.
I had a meeting a few months back with
a CEO of a big telco, non-Malaysian, and
he told me that, right now, he is making
billions in profit. Thats definitely a huge
number, but he adds that if the telco
is not able to transform over the next
five years, then those high performance
numbers will drop drastically year-on-year
and that he wont have a job anymore.
That scenario alone is forcing telcos to
transform themselves.
What the telcos have done so far, and
I think the more forward looking telcos
have done even more, is to break away
from being traditional, which is where
they are able to generate profits from voice
- both mobile and fixed, and data, and
force themselves to become ICT service
providers as they work towards becoming
potential hubs for Big Data analytics and
Cloud operators. This, I feel, will be a
difficult time for them as they originally
had success for many, many years with
doing what they do best - to provide
infrastructure, make money from calls and
roaming charges, and generate from the
billions of SMS messages that traverse
through their networks.
It will, indeed, be very interesting to
see how, over the next few years, these
telcos change with the times. Currently,
TM is a big part of this trending wave
while Maxis has progressed a lot as well.
While known as the actual pioneer in the
region in cooperating with over-the-top
players, DiGi has some catching up to do.
In essence, the model is changing and
those that are able to adjust will be the
ones getting ahead in the marketspace.
Those that dont will be the hardest hit as
the entire landscape is set to evolve into
something that is out of this world.

: Its interesting that you

managed to link mobility and Big Data
via telcos. Then there is the Internet of
Things (IoT). Would you say that these
are the big changes within the ICT
industry for this year or are there more
beyond that?
Sailor: I think the IoT right now, is the
trend that happens to have a lot of buzz
right now and where everybody is now
very interested in. Is it really a big deal?
I think everyone, IDC included, believes
that if in terms of timelines, like five to
ten years, IoT is going to be pervasive
enough and be embedded in every part
of our lives. However, right now it will
be facing many challenges. Right now
many define IoT as a way for machines
to communicate with one another
intelligently. Cisco calls it the Internet
of Everything (IoE) instead. But really,
how will do we get to that ideal world
that IoT/IoE represents? While everybody
seems to be really interested with its
development, different communication
standards have been put into place and
there are disparities of how devices/
systems are being used in different
countries.
While IoT may seem pervasive as it is
making its rounds in the media, the real
impact and transformation is happening
right now on a very niche level. Take for
instance, manufacturing - a space that
Intel is playing in, as there has been
a lot of talk about how its Malaysian
plants are now being automated with
IoT technologies and being considered
as part of its bid to take them forward.
IoT is also prevalent in the government
as well with things like traffic control,
household tracking, and taxation. All of
these activities are happening in specific
industry-based pockets.

: Would you say that this

disruption that we are experiencing
now, via IoT, mobility and Big Data, is
just the beginning?
Sailor: Yes, were only at the tip of the
iceberg. If we look at other trends like
social networks and broadband take-up,
the disruption towards linked industries,
like the telcos, is obvious to all. Things like
Skype and WhatsApp have really affected
how they operate. It doesnt stop there
as 2014 have seen further disruptions
occurring in this space. Consider the
sudden yet immediate switch between
landlines to mobilephones, and then
bring it up a notch to how SMS is being
neglected for instant messaging.
However, with Big Data analytics, the
real disruption hasnt happened yet. It
will take place soon enough as many CIOs
are already formulating their strategies.
The real driving factor is mostly based on
market competition as organisations push
themselves to out-do each other. This is
why I feel 2015 will be the year where
things will start coming through a little
more clearly.
: Would convergence, a
long-standing trend, play a role in all
of this?
Sailor: Its fair to say so. After all, a lot of
these ideas are not exactly new. Even with
Big Data and analytics, it used to be called
data mining and ideas like machine-tomachine and automated switches have
been toyed for years. All this is happening
right now thanks to the convergence of
technologies. In many ways, the whole
process is making more sense of what is
happening now. It could be the readiness
of enterprises that want to move in quickly
or are trying to find out how to profit from
all this change.
Beyond convergence, I believe this
new wave of transformation has made
so much progress thanks to the pure
recognition of what technology is able
to do. That, to me, is one of the biggest
changes in the last 20 years. The natural
state of mind that technology is important
in a business, not so long ago, is unheard
of. All this is occurring now because the
consumerisation of the ICT industry has
made a huge impact on businesses. Of
course, at the end of the day, customers
are the ones driving up business demand.
: Since youve mentioned
consumerisation of all these
technologies, in your opinion, how will
it affect businesses?

Sailor: The very easy answer is those that

embrace it and treat it as a priority, as a
strategy, will do well. Of course, as is, most
businesses have not even considered the
potential this new wave offers and, thus,
are most likely the ones to be left behind.
While were still in this period of change,
many will need to move up the technology
ladder. While most may not need to
innovate as quickly, those playing in the
large enterprise space have to embrace
this change or risk not surviving over the
next decade.
: In that case, would Big
Data be considered a big problem
for businesses?
Sailor: In some ways, very likely. I mean,
its a problem because organisations
need to put some time and investment
in planning, building, and deploying the
required infrastructure. They would also
need to put more focus into understanding
what their business would need from
employing such technologies. Lets say if
you do decide that this is what is required,
then you must be ready to spend more as
you tap onto different expertise, services
and equipment.
Lets say your business isnt ready
for such hefty expenditures. That could
potentially be a big problem. Its worse
if your competitors are moving forward
and have done some innovative things
that are really helping their business,
and youre not. This is when a business
can potentially be broken as it continues
to fall behind. All these innovations
especially analytics, an areas that I feel is
very critical for all businesses are now
important lifelines.
In this day and age, such notions gain
new meaning as new strategies, which
many have to wrap their heads around
to understand, come into play. Doing
otherwise would result in a disastrous
future. While the concept of IoT will
vary slightly when applied to different
industries, I think that, to some extent,
many industries dependent on automation
will be the ones to benefit the most.

Content is everything; that is the reality

of it. Since we have all of these tools for
accessing media and education, it only
makes sense that there be some cars on
it. Content development is the heart of
the constantly evolving ICT industry and
rightly so, as it is what drives innovation
as well. Its unfortunate that many
creatives have a hard time monetising
their work since everybody wants to
consume content for free. So, where is
the money for these talented minds going
to come from? That I think is the big
challenge right now and I believe it will
remain a challenge for years to come. This
is why, its a very, very good thing that the
Malaysian government is doing all it can to
support the local talents and work towards
creating centers of excellence.
Of course, I also believe very strongly
in market forces. With how prevalent
YouTube, streaming videos online, and
free-to-access content has become,
producers and platform providers will
eventually have to start charging a
fee. If they dont, then the quality will
deteriorate. Service providers in the US
now are charging for content now so
they have something to give back to the
artists, producers, and everyone else
who are involved in creating the content
everyone wants.
: So what will it take to
get creative content up there on the
priority list for people to spend and
invest on? Currently, Big Data and
Analytics, convergence, and mobility
are top of mind but none of them
actually deal with content.
Sailor: Now thats a good question.
Honestly, Im not sure if I have the answer to
that. I think what happens, what will create
priority around content is when there is a
shortage of content. That wont be the case
now as it is unlikely thered be a shortage.
So what do we do then? Beyond waiting for
a shortage, my best guess would be to cater
to the growing demand as the number of
people accessing all these content will want
a variety to choose from. Thats one way
creatives can drive up their importance and
upscale their market value.

: Beyond automation
and IoT being a critical lifeline for
businesses, what are your thoughts on
content development? Does it play a
role in the bigger scheme of things?
Sailor: It definitely does. Why? Well, what
is the point in doing all these if there is
no content to populate the pipes? It is
definitely a huge piece of the puzzle - a
very important piece and I cannot stress
that enough.

137
DEC 2014

it round-up 2014

The Top Six

Device Trends
for 2015

By Khoo Hung Chuan, Country General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia

Mobiles continue to shine with phablets on the rise

s 2014 comes to a close, we

now look ahead at the digital
device trends that will be more
prominent in 2015, based on
innovations seen this year.
ITS A MOBILE-FIRST
DIGITAL WORLD
Even manufacturers that have
traditionally specialized in producing
processors and graphics units to power
desktops are now designing hardware

138
DEC 2014

architectures that emphasize dramatic

reductions in power and cooling needs.
These architectures can then be scaled
down for mobile environments.
This means that mobile performance
is rapidly catching up to that of desktops,
making ones choice of device(s) a matter
of preference in form factor rather than
computing capability. This is allowing
manufacturers to experiment with innovative
form factors and features rather than focus on
performance, or to compromise on mobility.

CABLE-FREE, CLUTTER-FREE
Hardware advancements are trying
to help users remain as clutter-free as
possible. USB 3.1 promises to combine
the functionalities of multiple cable
types into a single cable in 2015, such as
integrating DisplayPort functionality while
improving power delivery. Intels Skylake,
set to be released in 2015, goes one step
further by focusing on wireless charging
and increased wireless connectivity
between devices.

There is a certain degree of device

fatigue as consumers no longer want to
have to carry around an assortment of
devices, leading to a rise in the popularity
of multimode machines that can be used
in a variety of situations. Gartner predicts
the hybrid or two-in-one devices will rise
in prominence, claiming 22 percent of the
ultramobile premium market in 2014, and
32 percent in 2018.
TABLETS AS PROPER
PRODUCTIVITY COMPANIONS
OR REPLACEMENTS
Due to the leaps in mobile performance,
tablets are now true performance
workhorses, especially for those on the
go. There are now tablets with proper
desktop operating systems and with
computing performance on par with
ultramobile laptops.
This will shine the spotlight on
manufacturers with a reputation for
designing reliable and innovative devices
for business users, as their innovation
capabilities are put to good use.
CONSUMERS EXPERIMENT WITH
SIZES AND FORM FACTORS
In the past, manufacturers only offered one
flagship smartphone each. These days,
manufacturers offer multiple flagships
in a variety of sizes and form factors,
recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all
form factor. The same thing is happening
with other devices as well, with a wide
range of desktops, laptops, hybrid devices,

tablets and wearables being touted.

Ultimately, consumers will tend to turn to
manufacturers that can satisfy both their
need for reliability and innovation.
The International Data Corporation
(IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Smart
Connected Device Tracker predicts
that there will be a large increase in
phablet shipments in 2015, but also
notes consumers are still figuring out
the exact form factors and screen sizes
as their preferences continue shifting
and evolving.

THE RETURN OF THE PC

Some have thought that the rise of tablets
would bring about the decline of PCs, but
for consumers that are not constantly on
the move, it remains difficult to beat them
in terms of absolute productivity. Gartner,
Inc. notes that the PC industry was revived
in 2014, and we believe that this trend will
continue into the future.
ENTERPRISES RENEW THEIR
EMPHASIS ON SECURITY AND
RELIABILITY
There have been many security scares
in 2014, including the discovery of
the Heartbleed and Shellshock bugs.
Compounding these security headaches
for businesses IT departments is the
Bring-Your-Own-Device trend. A recent
Gartner survey showed that a quarter of
business users in United States admitted
to having had a security issue with their
personal devices in 2013, but that only
27 percent of those had reported it to
their employer .
The nascent Choose-Your-Own-Device
trend, which satisfies both the need for
security as well as end-users need for
choice, will continue to accelerate in
2015 as businesses turn to manufacturers
with proven track records in enterprise
environments for increased security and
reliability, as well as easy of deployment.

139
DEC 2014

it round-up 2014

The Real Deal

with Wearables, Millennials & Consumers
Caught In The Act
Jeremy Burton, President - Products and Marketing, EMC

any years ago, when being

quizzed as to whether Web
Services were the next
big thing, Larry Ellison
commented: Ive spent too much time
in Italy to know that you shouldnt
ignore fashion.
In tech, we like nothing better than a
new trend and we all know that fashion
matters, so we get on board with it. As an
industry weve proven to be masters at
hyping new trends, setting unrealistically
high expectations for them and then, when
dust settles, sometimes making money.
So what are the big tech trends for
2015? Heres my take

140
DEC 2014

1. WEARABLE-SCHMEARABLE.
Apple fanatics worldwide expect
wearables to go mainstream following
the emergence of iWatch, but Im not so
sure. Lets face it, nobody under 35 wears
a watch anymore as they rely on their
smartphones for everything.
A lot of wearables will fail with the
guys wearing their Bluetooth ear piece
all day propping up the market. With that
been said, not all wearable technology
will end in abject failure. Standalone,
niche wearables that shake up industries
for the better, such as FitBits or
Jawbones that monitor vitals or health
activity, will continue to flourish and be

incorporated into sports clothing, shoes

and equipment.
2. CONSUMERS CAUGHT IN
THE ACT
Mobile devices are a driving force of
disruption in almost every industry.
Businesses that adapt and take their
services onto the mobile device can create
a direct relationship with the consumer.
This creates a nirvana moment for
marketers, as they have the potential to
intercept consumers in the act and direct
their attention to relevant products and
services. Think about the retailer who is
savvy about the consumer location in the

store, or the sports clothing company, who

understand exercise routines and state of
health of their customers. Its a gold mine!
However, consumers are fickle and
impatient. Many companies have been
working on this for years, but I expect it
will become more widely adopted. That
means, vast streams of data will need to be
processed in real time to drive a massive
increase in the adoption of technologies,
such as in-memory databases and
flash storage.
3. LECTURE THIS
2015 will be the dawn of a new era in
education. Well see the beginning of the
end of lectures. Yes, as a form of learning,
the professorial lecture is dead. Trials at
leading universities have shown that the
average student pays attention for about
7 minutes in a 40 minute lecture. If the
lecture is 60 minutes, the attention span
actually drops!
At colleges where lectures have moved
online, exam re-take rates have tumbled
from almost 50% to single digits. Thats not
the only good news. Moving content online
gives educational content global reach.
Imagine a world, where everyone has
access to the same materials Ivy League
schools teach!
4. ITS ABOUT THE
SOFTWARE, STUPID
In the last decade or so, most companies
have quit the business of writing software.

IT departments have become experts at

managing data centre infrastructure and
implementing ERP systems.
Moving forward, almost every industry
will be re-defined by software and much
of that software being surfaced on mobile
devices on smartphones and tablets for
sure, but also in cars, aircraft engines,
running shoes and human beings! Think
about Tesla. Its an electric car, right?
Yes, but more than that, its a softwaredefined car. Tesla has changed the
driving experience like what Apple did to
the cellular phone experience. Your car is
now a software platform to innovate on
top of.
Companies that dont innovate in this
way wont last long. This trend also hits
close to home Im not excusing the data
centre infrastructure (that EMC plays
in) from this. Storage arrays, servers,
networks and entire data centres will be
run and managed by smart software in
the future.

was expensive. So we had to lock in

requirements early, up front and fight
change. Change was bad. So many of us
have spent our careers working on projects
that lasted years and ultimately delivered
the wrong thing the magic of waterfall
development.
If business transformation is to
happen it will be driven by the business,
often with IT (the guys writing the
software) embedded in the business.
Development will be iterative, employing
agile techniques prioritising work and
then re-prioritising every couple of weeks
based on a tight feedback loop with the
business. Were talking here about a
new model for IT, and one that provides
almost instant gratification a perfect fit
for the millennial generation coming into
the workplace.
2015 could represent the beginning of
the decentralisation of IT IT operations
staying centralised, but software
development heading off into the
respective business units.

5. AGILE SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT + MILLENNIALS =
NEW IT
Ten years from now, business
transformation will be driven by new,
differentiated, software running on mobile
devices. Nevertheless, it wont be written
the way it was 20 years ago.
At school most of us forty-somethings
learned that making changes late in
the software development life-cycle

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DEC 2014

it round-up 2014

Critical Data
Skills Needed
Demand for future Data Scientists skyrockets
By Ng Tian Beng, vice president and managing director for South Asia, Dell

ith the continued explosion

of data, the proliferation of
complexity throughout the
information management
lifecycle, and the pressing need for
organisations to derive revenue-generating
insights from their data and information,
the role of the Data Scientist has been
thrust into the spotlight. As it is, their role

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DEC 2014

is fast becoming one of the most talked

about and sought after roles in the entire
ICT industry.
At the same time, the industry wide
shortage of data scientists, combined with
reported six-figure salaries, is creating
a ripple through existing IT ranks as
programmers, application developers and
engineers look to climb the corporate

ladder by becoming data scientists.

Theyre part technologist, scientist,
investigative researcher, business analyst,
mathematician, statistician, economist,
and engineer.
Yet, despite the increasing awareness
around the need for more data scientists
and desire among existing IT personnel to
develop into data scientists, there remains

a shortage of individuals truly capable of

filling this critical role.
So, what critical skills do IT
professionals need to develop if they are
going to grow into future data scientists?
What type of mindset, educational
background and career experience makes
someone ideally suited for this burgeoning
career path?
ABOUT CURIOSITY
Data scientists must combine technical
know-how with an innate curiosity to
analyse huge volumes of data, and then
deliver insights and answers that help
solve real-world business problems. That
sounds like a heavy emphasis on technical
skills, and, right now, thats true.
The data scientist of today needs more
of a technical bent because this is all so
new, and the software is not yet at the
point where those technical skills can be
fully automated. But, the role will evolve
as software and technology eventually
catch up, and sophisticated algorithms
can be automated. The intuitive and
curious side of the data scientist will never
be able to be automated this is where
the data scientist can add value now and
increasingly in years to come.
BUSINESS SENSITIVE ACUMEN
A good data scientist needs business
acumen to analyse patterns in data, and
draw conclusions that answer business
questions. This is why the mindset is just
as important as ones skill set.
Todays data scientists cant just be
statistics heads. They need to be as
familiar with the business engine as they
are with the datacentre. From profit and
loss to sales force dynamics, the data

scientist must have his or her finger on

the pulse of any and all business metrics,
and must be skilled at pulling actionable
insights out of the patterns found
within them.
APPLYING SCIENCE
The science community has birthed
some great data scientists, as they are
trained to theorise and then test in
contrast to the linear testing methods of
IT and engineering problem solving. Data
scientists should know how to search,
experiment and test an approach
that is very different from one typically
taken by someone who engineers or
maintains systems.
BEING MULTI-LINGUAL
The languages of data and application
development are many; being able to
speak and collaborate in many of them will

help data scientists as they explore new

fields and frontiers in data mining.
Indeed, Java, R, Scala, Pig Latin, Python
and SQL can be very applicable to the
data scientist role. Learning SQL and other
application development languages opens
doors to more opportunities for crossfunctional collaboration and growth.
ACCESSIBLE AUTONOMY
Ironically, the most important things a
data scientist needs can only be provided
by others. Data scientists need access to
the required data and the autonomy to
derive insights from that data. They need
freedom to think, study, and think some
more, before making recommendations
based on observations and research.
The data scientist has to be empowered
to openly communicate with business
leaders and provide the tough answers
they may not always want to hear. In other
words, for data scientists to truly thrive,
organisational leaders must first cultivate
a data-driven culture where information is
shared and insights are valued.
Its also important to remember that
the role of the data scientist represents
a right now need. As software and
technology catch up, the role will
continue to evolve. The bottom line lesson
for todays data scientist is to make sure
you have a broad, well-rounded set of
skills so that your career can evolve too.
Putting in the work to become a data
scientist today will only serve you well in
the future.

143
DEC 2014

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spotlight

Still Very Much in the

Game
Canon is not about to lie down and roll over.
by victor yap
In fact, it is doing the opposite

hotography is one of the few areas of interest that have

been totally transformed from a professional trade and
hobbyist trend into something that the everyday person on
the street can get into. Even mobile devices have affected
it as many turn to these smaller and convenient platforms to snap
quick images of events.
For Canon, this is not a world-shaking trend. In fact, Donny
Ling, Director of Imaging Communication Products Division,
Canon Marketing Malaysia, feels that Canon is right in the middle
of it all now and thriving in all the development and change.
PC.com managed to catch him for a quick interview to find out
what his thoughts are in regards to the progress the camera and
photography industry is undergoing. We also find out how he is
doing since his transition from the printer group to his current role
in managing the camera division.

Ling: At every level, it is about inculcating a photo culture among the general public. To do that, you have to go down to the street and engage with consumers.

146
DEC 2014

: Youve been leading the

printer division for the longest of times.
How had the switch been like when you
moved to the camera arm?
Donny Ling: I started heading the printer
division in Canon (Consumer System
Products, CSP) in 2009 and then switched
over to the camera division (Imaging
Communication Products, ICP) in March
2013. The experience so far has been
challenging and yet rewarding at the
same time.
As you know, Canonis a world leader
in providing end-to-end imaging solutions
for our customers, from capturing images
(input) to reproducing them (output).
Personally, the printer and camera division,
in essence, are two sides of the same
coin. Both divisions have their own set
of challenges but it is basically about
providing the best imaging solutions for
our customers.
In many ways, it has also been good to
immerse myself with another product line

and to leverage on past experiences to drive

the division further. But I must say I have
been fortunate to have an excellent support
personnel, from technical to marketing, that
I can tap onto to get things done.
: Did you have any changes in

with the cameras. This is so that they can

learn the joys of taking a beautifully crafted
photograph that tells a story or captures a
precious moment in time.
: What sort of expectations did
you have going into the camera division?

mind? If yes, what are they?

Ling: When I moved to the camera
Ling: My predecessor had already done

an excellent job in creating a solid

infrastructure through our dealer channels
in the market place. With that already
in place, my main focus had a more
back to basics direction as I had to
highlight the importance of taking great
quality photographs.
At every level, it is about inculcating a
photo culture among the general public.
To do that, you have to go down to the
street and engage with consumers. That
means organising various initiatives and
getting cameras into the hands of the
consumer and letting them play around

division, I knew I had my work cut out for

me. Both the Malaysian and global digital
camera market had been shrinking and I
looked forward to meeting the challenges
that had been laid out before me. Often
with tough situations, one has to draw on
our creativity, innovative thinking, and
teamwork to get things moving. As they
say, with challenges come opportunities.
Obviously, I knew it isnt going to be
easy and, frankly, it still isnt. However,
with the capable team proving their
excellent support, it has helped me
tremendously in meeting the challenges
head on.

147
DEC 2014

spotlight
: How has Canon performed
for 2014 thus far? Will we be seeing
newer camera tech for 2015 or something
else altogether?
Ling: We are currently pleased with the

markets acceptance of our product roll

out this year. The awards presented to us
at the Putra Brand Awards, as well as the
Readers Digest Trusted Brands Awards
this year, are a testament of the markets
confidence in the quality, features, and
value in our cameras.These awards are
not chosen by a panel of judges but by the
consumers themselves.
In terms of actual market share,
according to GfK, Canoncommands
almost half the market share for DLSRs.
As for 2015, watch for our
announcements to learn more about the
new features and technology our cameras
will incorporate. Of course, I cant let the
cat out of the bag just yet. All I can say is
that in todays fast moving technological
advancements, we can never stay
stagnant and rest on our laurels.

2015 trends for photography?

: Would print be experiencing

the same trends? How will mobile devices
and digital data affect its development?

Ling: I see a growing trend of people

Ling: There will always be a market for

: What would be the coming

taking up photography as a hobby as more

and more people are beginning to realise
that photography is more than just taking
a snapshot. On many levels, it is about
telling a story through the lens of a camera.
It is also about preserving precious
memories and ensuring the pictures taken
will do justice to that memory. In short, I
see a photo culture growing among the
general public.
I also see Wi-Fi becoming more integral
to photography. In fact, most cameras
in the future will be Wi-Fi enabled.
An example of a Wi-Fi application for
photographers - besides printing photos
directly from their cameras, is storing and
sharing their pictures through the Cloud.
TheCanon iMage Gateway service is a
very good example of a Cloud service that
is available especially for Canon users.
: Do you see the DSLR and

compact markets thriving against mobile

device photography? Either ways, how will
it do so?
Ling: Definitely! There will always be a

demand for DSLRs and compact cameras

in the market. We do recognise that the

148
DEC 2014

trend of taking pictures with mobile

devices is very popular now because of
its convenience. However, those pictures
cannot compare to the quality of a
proper camera when it comes to taking
good shots.
And as such, more and more people
are realising the importance of capturing
quality pictures of their precious moments,
which are once in a lifetime deals (that
family moment with your loved ones,
babys first steps, and so on).
As convenient as a built-in mobile
smart device camera is, would we want
our memories be taken and stored as a low
quality picture? Surely those cherished
memories deserve to be captured as a
good quality picture.
To help prove this point,Canon will
put more emphasis on our premium and
high-zoom models, where smartphones
will have difficulty in competing against.
These cameras have additional features
as Creative Shot and Story Highlight to
provide more added value to the cameras.

hard-copy printing. I dont believe these

technologies are in competition with one
another. On the contrary, they are more
complementary of each other.
One can draw an example from the
media industry, where traditional media
is now going head-to-head with online
equivalents. I believe they complement
one another, with traditional media still
doing very well in the market place despite
the number of online media websites we
have today.
With the advent of new technologies
in mobile and digital data, the printing
industry is constantly evolving for the
convenience of users. For example,
printers these days are equipped with
Wi-Fi, enabling users to print directly from
their mobile devices.
: What areCanon Malaysias
plans for 4K and beyond?
Ling: 4K is the next step in imaging

resolution technology. Currently, we

have two models that offer 4K recording
- the EOS C500 and EOS-1D C. Both are
specifically designed to meet the current
needs of 4K content creators.

Thus, Canon will continue to look

into incorporating this technology when
the time is opportune in keeping with
market demands.
: Will there be any other
events beyond theCanonPhotoMarathon?
Maybe other workshops?
Ling: PhotoMarathon had been our biggest

public engagement for the year. To date,

we had more than 1,500 photographers
participating both in KL and Penang.
Last year, we had 1,200 photographers
taking part. This shows that more and
more people are taking a serious interest
in photography. And so we can safely
conclude that there is an increase of a
photo culture among Malaysians. Indeed,
we want to encourage that!
As such, we are constantly organising
courses, workshops, and outings
forCanon users throughout the country.
Our goal is to get more people to know
and understand their cameras better and
produce the best shots with their gear. In
November alone, there are five different
activities you can choose to attend.
Those who are interested in the events
we have organised, can log onto eosworld.
canon.com.my for the complete list
of activities and even register for our
events there.
: How isCanon Malaysia
tackling the growing selfie trend?
Ling: The selfie trend is something thatwe

at Canon have moved to embrace. Already,

we have a few models that are catered to
the selfie users such as, the PowerShot G1
X Mark III as well as the new PowerShot
G7 X and PowerShot N2.
Lets take the PowerShot N2 as an
example. It is designed especially for users
to take perfectly framed selfie shots. Its
compact form and rounded edges make it
comfortable to hold when talking selfies.
It is even made specifically in a unique
way so that with one hand, users can
comfortably adjust the zoom or trigger the
shutter in one motion.
I could go on and on about the other
features and how it enhances selfportraits by brightening and smoothing
the skin digitally or how it creates a soft
background blur to create a sharp focus on
the face, and so many others. The photo
outcome is so much superior compared to
a selfie on a smartphone.

: Canonis known for breaking

boundaries. What is its next target?
Ling: We take our tagline Delighting You

Always seriously. In fact, to reinforce this

notion, we work our hardest to provide
customers with great and reliable products
that are always on the cutting edge
of innovation.
While I am not at liberty to let you
know our future roll out plan, I can tell
you that wireless technology will play
a big role in photography and will help
enhance the way we share and store our
precious photographs.
Of course, for all the technological
advances that we have, it still boils
down to one basic thing. Photography is
about telling a story through the lens of a
camera. It is about capturing and sharing
a precious moment, a memory. The
technology that we have helps us to do
that better.
: What isCanons next move

in 2015?

Ling: For 2015, you will see more activities

fromCanonin promoting the growth of the

photo culture in Malaysia. Let me share
some of the initiatives that are specifically
aimed at various consumer groups.
First, we recognise the trend of more
and more people taking up photography
as a hobby. Thus, we will continue to
encourage that growth via our outlets or
through planned on-ground initiatives.
We will also be embarking on localised
campaigns to reach out to customers
in various regions. The first of such
campaigns will be targeted to audiences
in the Northern Region. By bringing more
localised campaigns, we are positive that
we will be able to actively engage and
interest a variety of users with our wide
range of offerings.
Also, we plan to expand theCanon
PhotoMarathon by bringing it to the
different states in Malaysia in addition to
KL and Penang ones. We are, however,
still in the planning stages and cannot
confirm the states yet.
There are also efforts being put
into place to build on the highly
successful Junior Category inthe Canon
PhotoMarathon as this section has

attracted a sizable number (1,500 pax) of

young and budding photographers. The
talent of our youths is indeed impressive
and even as we applaud their creativity,
we want to continue to nurture their
growth as photographers in the years
to come.
As for fun campaigns the ones
that target existing and new fans of
photography via student projects, online
marketing and even our very own EOS
Academy more will be held to encourage
active participation from them.
On the professional photography
side,Canonwill also continue to engage
with professional photographers through
our CPS (Canon Professional Services)
membership platform. Expect to hear of
more exclusive events for them in 2015
to enable them to get their hands on the
latest new high-end models, through
special preview sessions to be held around
the country. In fact, the new Canon EOS
7D Mark II tour is currently on-going in a
couple of cities as part of our new rich and
engaging initiatives.
As a result of these plans for 2015, we
believe the next year will be an exciting
one forCanonand our customers.

149
DEC 2014

spotlight

Diversified
Growths

by Andrew Yew

Motorola Solutions plays the long game

to tackle oncoming new telco trends

he Motorola brand has always been synonymous with

telecommunications though it would be better to say
that most of us are more familiar with its mobile phone
division, Motorola Mobility, which spawned the current
Moto smartphone family.
Did you know that there is another division that deals with
surveillance? Were delving into the policing and protection
stuff here, the very same entity that banks and law enforcement
engages. Specifically for this Spotlight, we take a look into
Motorola Solutions, the lesser known division that provides
telecommunications solutions for mission-critical applications.
PC.com managed to catch Dr Hari Narayanan, Director of
Engineering and Head of R&D for Motorola Solutions, to probe
his thoughts on upcoming trends for the telecommunications
landscape and how Motorola Solutions is adapting with the times.
: 2013 had been a year
of change for many in the telecoms
space, as various vendors and service
providers moved to deploy next-gen
communications tech. How has it affected
Motorola Solutions?
Dr Hari Narayanam: Motorola Solutions
has been, and still is, the leading provider
of mission-critical communication
solutions and services for enterprise
and government customers. In fact, our
communication solutions are now in use
among public safety agencies as well as
micro, medium, and large enterprises.

150
DEC 2014

Dr Hari.

Whilst technologies have progressed

exponentially, the challenge now is to
provide a seamlessly integrated set
of solutions that will offer the right
user experience as well as ensure that
users are at their best during moments
that matter.
This is why, approximately two years
ago, we established the Global Services
and Solutions Center and the Network
Operations Center. This platform provides
our global customers with 24-hours,
seven-days-a-week technical and
engineering support for enterprise and
radio solutions.

: Is it the same for 2014 or

have things improved?
Dr Hari: We see the adoption of more
sophisticated communication technologies
as the way forward for all businesses and
organisations, as they compete and adapt
in an environment where society now
expects immediate answers or responses
to their needs. For example, several years
ago, we can afford to leave voicemails/
messages and then wait patiently for
the recipient to respond. Today, with the
availability of text and instant messaging,
online chats, and other real-time
communications technologies, we expect
responses immediately as we send them.
In addition, the integration of multiple
communication tools, such as social media
platforms and text messaging systems,
have demonstrated how convergence
can provide users with information that
is more clear and effective. Learning from
these developments, we have designed
our new two-way radios to incorporate
voice, data, and video features as well. The
integration of these applications, coupled
with our complete system solutions,
will provide first responders with access
to quality information in real-time and
thus, enable them to react and respond
more effectively.

: What challenges has

Motorola Solutions faced with the telecoms
industry now heading towards critical
mass as new players emerge from China?
Dr Hari: Our main challenge is typically
focused on the cost of our products due
to the low labour wages used in countries
like China. Moreover, there is also a steady
increase in new brands of two-way radios
in the market.
Even if this is the case, we are confident
of being able to stay competitive and
continue our lead in this market due to the
significant investments we made towards
innovation for our products and services.
Were also riding on our current reputation
for providing high-quality, robust and safe
products for users.
It is important to note that we have over
85 years of experience and possess in-depth
understanding of this industry. We are
market leaders in our core businesses, such
as the ASTRO P25, TETRA and Professional
Commercial / Business Light radios.
Additionally, we have a robust
ecosystem that weve built up over many
years. It consists of partners, suppliers, and
resellers around the globe, all dedicated
to serving our customers with the best
possible solutions, the highest quality
products, and the best services.

: Are there any plans to

ramp up operations for Malaysia since
it is one of the main regional hubs for
manufacturing, servicing, and design for
Motorola Solutions?
Dr Hari: Motorola Solutions Malaysia
is currently operating at its optimum
level. Our facility in Penang is the
companys only dedicated facility of its
kind in the Asia Pacific region that has
both the supply chain and research and
development (R&D) disciplines. This
is why it operates as a one-stop radio
communication solutions centre.
We now complement those operations
with the opening of our Global Solutions
Support Centre in Malaysia. Above
and beyond what it offers in terms of
its described functions, it also works
to provide our clients with advanced
Managed Services.
Moreover, we have plans to gradually
relocate and establish our shared
services platforms here to support global
operations. This reinforces our strong
commitment towards this region and
confidence with the local leadership team.

Incidentally, this year we celebrate

our 40th year of being in operations
in Malaysia. This is another historical
milestone for us and one that we are really
proud of.
: What has Motorola Solutions
achieved for 2014?
Dr Hari: The biggest achievement for us
has to be reaching the 40 year mark for
operations here. Part of this huge progress
is having officially opened our new
dedicated R&D building, known as the
Innoplex, in Penang in September this year.
: What is your immediate
task as the new Managing Director of
Motorola Solutions?
Dr Hari: It is important for me to highlight
the fact that our previous Managing
Director, Dato Yew Tian Teik, has done a
great job leading the site for the last eight
years. It is through his efforts that we
are moving in this positive direction. My
immediate task is to ensure we continue to
maintain or better our performance!
In the medium to long term, my
objectives are to enhance the synergy
among the various organisations as well
as simplify the processes and decision
making to create an agile environment,
and strengthen the leadership at the
Penang site so it would be able to take
on larger and more global roles. While
focusing on the development and
enhancement of processes and people,
I will be placing emphasis in creating
the right environment, capabilities, and
leaders so it can continue in its delivery of
innovative solutions for our customers.

well. Even our offerings, like the recently

introduced MOTOTRBO series, now offer a
robust mix of features to increase workforce
efficiency, productivity, and safety for
the commercial market. Advanced
functions include integrated voice and data
communication solutions that improve
work efficiency and effectiveness.
We did not stop here. At the Critical
Communications World 2014, we launched
a new product called the LEX755 - a new
fully-digital two-way radio that features the
convergence of multiple communications,
including voice, data, images, and video.
This unified communications platform
enables first responders to respond to a
situation with the intelligence of the users
entire team, helping them to be more
organised by being more secure, better
informed, and extra efficient.
: What are your thoughts on
the high proliferation of smart devices? Is
it the end of two-way radio technology?
Dr Hari: Smartphones do not compete
with two-way radios as they both serve the
different needs. Two-way radios like ours
are required in situations where there is a
critical need to ensure uninterrupted and
clear communication between users. For
example, when a police officer responds
to an emergency, the officer cant afford to
be delayed when contacting his support
team. In this case, the officer needs to
relay critical information, such as whats
happening on the ground to enable the
team to plan and coordinate their next
action. Here, our mission-critical devices,
known to be nearly indestructible and
offer seamless connectivity, enable the
police officer to instantly contact his
support team when and where he needs it,
leveraging real-time data and analytics.

: With converged
communications, instant messaging, and
the like, what, in your opinion, are the
growth prospects of two-way radios?

: Will the Lenovo acquisition

of Googles own buyout of Motorola
Devices affect Motorola Solutions?

Dr Hari: Like other forms of

communications, two-way radio
communications continues to evolve as

Dr Hari: It would not affect us as Lenovo

acquired Motorola Mobility which serves a
different market altogether.

151
DEC 2014

spotlight

Lourdes: I think it is a step forward for not just how Yahoo! will deal with news content as, I think, its how media consumption progresses.

Critical News at N
Your Fingertips
Yahoo! set to take
news leadership
with new
News Digest
by victor yap and sia zhen ning

152
DEC 2014

ews-aggregation isnt what

it used to be thanks to the
proliferation of smart devices
and the innovative surge of
social media. Now everybody wants
to be the one making, sharing, and
updating about hot news items or
materials that are forever trending
all over the Web. This disruptive
situation poses a messy yet exciting
time for all in the media space.
Yahoo!, known for its content
aggregation and search engine
services, is one of the rare few that
has jumped into the deep-end as it
plans to lead this new wave of change
with its take on news-aggregation. We
met up with Marc Lourdes, Managing
Editor (SEA), Yahoo! News Digest, to
find out how things are now with the
new Yahoo! service.

: Lets start with an

introduction about Yahoo! Digest.
Marc Lourdes: Essentially, the Digest is

: How has it been since youve

moved from the Yahoo! Malaysia to join
this team?

the next iteration of Summly - a company

that Yahoo! acquired for US$30 million a
couple of years back. What Summly does
is take long form content and summarise
them into bite-sized formats for easy
reading. We bought the company, took
the technology, and used it to develop the
platform Yahoo! News Digest operates on.
The last decade has been very interesting
for the content and media industries
because you now have endless streams of
content and unlimited customisation for
all. In fact, everything you now see feels
limitless, meaning it can get very tiring
or youd feel fatigue very quickly because
theres just so much to consume. The
Digest is the opposite end of the spectrum
as we give you only what you should be
knowing. Essentially, were answering the
question - What are you going to read if
you have only five minutes to check the
news today?.
Hence, we are not looking at
personalisation or endless streams of
content; instead we prefer working on
a very finite amount of content that
is important to everyone across the
board. Whether or not it is up your alley,
its important.

Lourdes: Incredibly fun! Being mobile,

: When did News Digest

launched exactly?

Lourdes: I think it is a step forward

Lourdes: It launched in the US in the early

part of the year, then went international

sometime in Q2 2014. We began Southeast
Asia operations in May this year. As for
how we work - were a lot like a wire
service though we have this follow the
sun concept where our teams around the
world only work wherever it is day time.
Thus, the three teams that are in place
now - US, the UK, and Southeast Asia,
operate on a GMT, GMT +8, and GMT -8
system. That translates to eight hour shifts
per team, across 24-hours.
For the team that works in Singapore,
it means handling the Digest from 8am to
4pm local time. At 4pm, we hand it over
to the UK. The UK manages the Digest
until midnight local time before passing
it over to the US for their eight hour shift.
This is how we managed our around-theclock coverage.

which is very much the current trend right

now, shows how Yahoo!, as a company,
is out to go beyond its comfort zone. In
fact, weve already successfully crossover
from our traditional platforms to mobile
and are engaging with a lot more mobile
users now than we had in the past. As is,
we have 450 million monthly users logging
in via mobile. That is roughly half of the
tracked total we have for our entire Yahoo!
Services (800 million). This goes to show
just how important and serious we are
about the mobile platform and thats why
we are really putting in a lot of effort into
things like the Yahoo! News Digest.
Of course, the investments also include
putting into place teams that comprises
a very diverse line-up of experienced
reporters and editors. The Southeast
Asian team reflects this very well as it is
built up of one Malaysian, a Singaporean,
an Australian, and an Indonesian. You
could say we are a very cosmopolitan yet
internationally robust team.
: Would you say that the News
Digest would be the step forward for how
Yahoo would deal with news content?

for not just how Yahoo! will deal with

news content as, I think, its how media
consumption progresses. Itll be a true
app-based mobile experience, where
people are going to get what they need at
very specific times of the day. How about
breaking news? Thats where other things
like Twitter, which now primarily acts as a
breaking news service, and Breaking News
app come into play. However, we see many
beginning to reach consumption fatigue.
This is why apps like Circa, NYT Now,
the Yahoo! News Digest, and Inside are
making massive strides in growth as they
pretty much cater to a need (for media
narratives) that has slowly been rising but
hasnt been really noticed. Personally, the
marketplace will be seeing more of such
apps as time goes by.
: Would this advanced model
be moved onto larger platforms?

Lourdes: There are lots of plans for the

Digest, most of which I cant go into right

now. However, I can tell you that one of the
things that we are working on now is an
Apple Watch version of the Digest.
This is how we could create and
quickly improve the Digest to its current
iteration. The beauty of this app is not

Lourdes.

how it is being driven with comprehensive

algorithms but more of how we
managed to pack it with so much of our
technologies, making it, arguably, one of
the most cutting edge apps around.
: Do you repackage stories?
Lourdes: We have to try to be all things to

all people as much as possible, because

the Digest is a global product. The content
you see here in Malaysia will also be the
same in India and the UK. This is why we
have to makes sure the stories are broadly
appealing across regions, cultures, and
different mindsets.
On some level, you could consider how
we are creating a whole new presentation
of an important news-story based on very
disparate elements. Internally, we call
these different elements atoms and the
best way to picture our work process is to
imagine someone pulling different atoms
and combining them into a cluster. Thats
what every News Digest story is - a cluster
built up of different atoms.
Lets say we have a business story
on Apples Q3 earnings. That means
having a stock chart in the package
showing Apples current quarter market
performance. If its about a typhoon in
Japan, we would throw in a weather map
showing you the weather patterns around
Japan. How we mould these stories mostly
depends on the kind of content that
particular story deserves.
: What is the hottest news
now on the digest?

Lourdes: Right now, it would be Ebola and

the Islamic State.

: Would you say that the News

Digest is the perfect example a newspaper
can follow?
Lourdes: I think the Digest is a shining

example of what we can all do to manage

the flow of news as well as give relevance
to journalists. Its interesting that the
media is complaining about how the
algorithm is dominating the industry but
the Digest is an example of how man and
machine can come together as one to keep
users well-informed. In essence, this is
important news that is given to you in a
satisfying and simple manner.

153
DEC 2014

celebtalk

King of
the Ring
The Undisputed Xian
by edward mass

hen it comes to Street

Fighter matches, one
would think that all champs
and hardcore entrants would hail
from Japan. One young man, a
gamer himself, proved that notion
wrong. His name is Xian and he has
bested multiple world-level champs
in different tournaments all over
the world.
How did he do it? What did he feel
when he took down Japanese Kings
of Street Fighter?
Thanks to Razer, PC.com managed
to sit down with him for a one-on-one
matchermI mean interview to
find out how he has done all this and
what he thinks of his achievements in
the ring.

154
DEC 2014

: Lets start with a personal

introduction, what youve achieved,
and what youre doing now.
Kun Xian Ho: Wow an introduction
(laughs)! Hi! My name is Ho Kun Xian
and I am a fighting game pro-gamer that
Razer has kindly picked up to sponsor. My
biggest achievement was winning EVO
2013, the worlds largest fighting game
tournament in Las Vegas. What am I doing
now? Im still playing games and trying to
be a world-beater!
: How did you first started
getting into this?
Xian: I got into fighting games when I was
six. That means Im really familiar with
fighting games and, yes, I have played all
kinds. Now that Im a pro gamer, I mainly
focus on the more popular titles and try
to grow the community of gamers for this
genre as well.
: What kind of games did
you start with?
Xian: It was mainly the King of Fighters
series and some Marvel games like Marvel
VS Capcom.
: Can you name some of
your favorite games then?
Xian: Obviously I would say King of
Fighters was my preferred game at the
time. For me, this had been the game of
choice, because many in Singapore like
to play this game competitively at the
arcade. Being the gutsy sort, I jumped into
it because playing against a lot of people,
is really fun!
: After King of Fighters,
did you move into Street Fighter
immediately or did you play with other
games like Guilty Gear?
Xian: I played a few other titles randomly
before I stuck with Guilty Gear. Of course,
if there are any new fighting games, I
would definitely pick them up as well. That
is how my time was like until I turned 16,
when I decided to stop getting involved
with fighting games. Why? Well, for a
while it got a little low key in Singapore.
However, that all changed when Street
Fighter 4 appeared and the whole scene
picked itself up. That had been when I
hopped onto Street Fighter and never
looked back since.

: Did you started

immediately on Street Fighter 4 or
were you into its predecessor first?
Xian: Its mainly Street Fighter 4. I did
play a little bit of the previous title and
even EX 2 Plus, but the main Street
Fighter that I really got onto is the latest
entry - Street Fighter 4.
: When you got into Street
Fighter 4, which character did you
picked up first?
Xian: I started my career in Street Fighter
with El Fuerte before hopping over to Ryu,
then Dhalsim and Akuma before finally
settling down on my current character
choice - Gen. Why the old man? Just
because. Really, I havent found a character
that I liked so I moved around a lot. Only
when I started going for competitions did
I decided to pick one particular character
that would represent me.

Gens potential, since I felt that people

wont be able to figure out what hes going
to do due to many seeing the old man as
weak and frail.
: Before becoming the
legend you are now with Gen, you had
a previous title in Japan: Shangri-La
God due to your mastery of Dhalsims
Yoga Shangri-La. How did that
come about?
Xian: At the time, Dhalsim is very similar
to how Gen is now, people were using
Dhalsim, but they were not familiar with
his Ultra 2 move, aka Yoga Shangri-La.
So when I started playing against the
top players in tournaments, I managed to
execute the move three times in a row as
an anti-air counter against my opponents.
Many had been surprised that I pulled off
that Ultra skill in such a manner and so
thats how they gave me the name.

: Why Gen?
Xian: Well, before I chose Gen, I had
Yun as my primary choice as he is really
unpopular thanks to his overpowered
nature. I eventually wanted to play
something different seeing as he isnt
too hot with the crowd either. I quickly
realised Gen had a lot of potential after I
played a few rounds to try him out. This
was the moment when I decided to exploit

155
DEC 2014

: Ever since your victory

in EVO 2013, have more Gen players
begin to appear?
Xian: (Laughs!) Yeah, thats exactly how
it happened. If a new character wins at the
world level, they will always hop over and
start using the champ.
: Aside from Street Fighter
4, what other fighting games are you
playing right now?
Xian: Wow I play a lot of other titles. Off
my head, right now its Ultimate Marvel
VS Capcom 3, King of Fighters 13, Guilty
Gear, and Under Night In-Birth.

156
DEC 2014

convenient and fun. The games available

at arcades now make you use your brain to
play and insist on strategy development.
Personally, its a step forward.

: Given that you dedicate

yourself so much to fighting games,
can you tell us about your regime?
How many hours do you practice?
Xian: Well, since I do run a gaming caf, I
just practice whenever I have time during
opening hours. At any time of the day, I
would just play against customers or top
players who decided to drop by and say hi.

: You shared about how

you started playing these games at six
in the arcades. How is the experience
like now compared to back then?

: Besides winning EVO,

you are also known as one of the kings
for Street Fighter in Southeast Asia,
and probably around the world after
youve beaten Daigo and moved up.
What is next?

Xian: I think the arcade scene in the past

was different. Usually it was the gangsters
or people who skipped school and stuff
who went to the arcades to play. These
days, arcades are places where youngsters
and adults would go to because it has now
become a place where access to games are

Xian: Lets be clear on this - Ive beaten

Daigo and he has done the same to me as
well. The last time we met at GameStart
Asia, he bested me. Of course, Im not
satisfied with the results so Im looking
forward to improving and am prepared to

face him once again. That is the next step

for me.

: If Capcom ever removes

Gen or kills him off, who will be your
next character?
Xian: I certainly hope not (laughs)!
Honestly, it is a really hard decision and
Ive not thought of it yet. Ill probably
choose some other character since Ive
been playing many of them for years.
Perhaps Poison, as Ive been practicing
with her a lot.
: Any words of advice for
people who want to be like you?
Xian: Right now, the market for fighting
games is not as big as before. However,
as long as you work hard, stay true to
your playstyle and meet other gamers,
then youre on the right track. That is
how I started and Ive never given up
since. That, for me, is the key as I feel
it really took me a lot of effort to get to
where I am now. It is only when you push
yourself to the max that the opportunities
start appearing.

TECH 101

T
Put Your
Poison On
(Finale!)

he build-up of this super-powered PC is coming to

an end as its parts are all locked in and ready to be
powered up in all its glory. Now, lets not keep the
spotlight from the man himself - take it away KC!

The end of a long journey

By KC Ace Ong

1
Finally!!! The wait is over!!! I can properly put the
finishing touches on this bad boy!

When powered on the green light emitted through the

system can be blinding, hence why I specifically made the
black frame of the Sickleflow be restrictive of the green LED
brightness. Can you see my cables now?

4
158
DEC 2014

When its all said and done,

I removed all the protective
plastic sheets from the side
panel and prepped it for some
real hardcore testing. Some
spit polish is required!

From afar, you can probably tell the Black Sleeves I

used look like really cool in its jet black hues. The stealthy
element is there too as they are almost invisible at a glance
when the PC is not running.

The front AKA money shot! Isnt

it pretty?! Yes, indeed, yes!

7
Who wants to see some glow in the
dark takes? You? Here you go! This
happened to be the moment I pushed
the system on my overclocked plan.
What I achieved is a cool running
system of [email protected] for the Vcore.
Solid stuff!

6
And heres the side shot with a
glance at the rear!

Once more but with the

close-up of the projects name:
Poison Ivy!

9
Credit must be given to all where it is due and so
here are a few shout-outs:
New Fountain Engineering
Re: Very appreciative for providing me all the
cutting and drilling machines.
Elite Tuition Centre
Re: Thanks for provided me a store room for all the
gear and parts that came in.
Kent Tek a.k.a ktek
Re: For guiding me through this project and
being my go-to computer guru. He is the one who
taught me everything about computer hardware
installation, overclocking, installing programmes
and even hardware/software tweaking. Without
him, I wouldnt be the PC freak I am now and this
project would not have come to be.

Thank you for taking the time for

reading this work-log. I hope my
methods and ideas will be of some
use and help for your rig building
efforts. Especially if it is with a
Phantom 410.
Below is a shot of the beast
when placed in my room.

Kevin Owi a.k.a owikh84

Re: For all the help you had given to me for this project. I apologise for all
those times I disturbed/disrupted your worflow. I am especially appreciative
of the ideas you gave to me when it came to using the Swiftech H220, Liquid
Ultra, and teaching me about bleeding the radiator.
Kelvin Chen a.k.a kelvinchen
Re: For recommending what I need to do when it came to my queries on the
RAM. Id also like to thank you again for working on the BIOS of my GTX 680.
Mohd Fadli a.k.a Shepard
Re: Obviously for crafting out that gorgeous side panel.
And to address the burning question: this whole thing, which took exactly
a year to put together for PC.com, took only 2 weeks to be conceptualised and
built in real time. Thus, I must say I am very appreciative of you for sticking
with this project over the last 12 months. Also, many thanks to PC.com for
considering my suggestion and allowing me to run this project in the Tech101
pages of the magazine.

159
DEC 2014

TECH 101
brought to you by

Superhero
Cuffs
Fancy costume add-ons

his is a simple guide to make

fancy-looking cuffs for your
superhero costume. Its neat,
straightforward, and very
premium looking. All you need is a few
art materials, RadioShack electronics, and
some DIY tools.

160
DEC 2014

parts
- 4x RadioShack Button Cell Battery
- 4x RadioShack 10mm LED
- Felt (two different colours)

tools
- Hook-and-Loop Fastener
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue stick
- Sewing needle

step #3 attach the hookand-loop fastener

step #5 add leds

Cut the fastener by another 1/2in to make

it shorter than the width of the cuff.
On the right side of the felt, adhere or
sew the hook (rough) side of the fastener -
do it by 1/4in from the edge.
Fold the left side of the felt into the
middle and adhere/sew the loop (soft)
side of the fastener at 1/4in away from
the edge.

Cut a slit in your shape, just large

enough for the leads of an LED.
Push the leads of the LED through the
hole, with the longer leg facing the front
of the cuff.
Using a hot glue gun, glue the LED bulb
to the felt.
Bend the negative lead at a 90 angle
onto the underside of the cuff.
Place a 3V button cell battery between
the leads, with the negative side of the
battery touching the short
lead (cathode).
Bend the long lead (anode) down so it
touches the positive side of the battery.
Wrap the battery and leads with
electrical tape.
Repeat Steps 1 to 8 for each LED you
want to add to your cuffs.

InstructIons
step #1 create your
cuff desIgn

Measure and sketch out the draft for

the cuffs on paper to determine how
long to make your cuff.

step #2 cut the cuff

Select the colour of felt you want to use

for the wristbands.
For the cuffs, mark and then cut two felt
strips (one for each arm)

step #4 draw and cut shapes

Place the shapes on the colour felt as

a template and cut out the shape from
the cloth.
Lay the cuffs on your work surface so
that the loop side of the fastener is on
the right.
Place the shapes in the middle of the
cuff and adhere/sew them into place.
Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for the other cuff.

step #6 tape the led

leads and batterIes to the
undersIde of the cuff.

161
DEC 2014

CONTEST
brought to you by

ike what you read in the RadioShack powered Do-ItTogether segment in our Tech101 pages? If you want
in on the fun but dont know how to start, dont fret!
RadioShack and PC.com has got your back as we came
up with a contest to give you the opportunity to win
some a RM200 hamper from RadioShack, which may contain some
fun DIY RadioShack goodies. All you have to do is fulfil the following
instructions:
Take a picture of what you think is a great DIY electrical
kit and send it to us at [email protected]. It can
be anything you come across. There is only one condition:
T-Shirt worth RM400 (exclusively imported)
explain in less than 50 words why RadioShack Malaysia
must bring this in and feature it in their stores. That way,
USB Drive worth RM400
youd get a chance to put forward the most compelling
Textured Notebook worth RM250
proposition you can offer to guys running the local
Bottle Opener worth RM300 each
operations of RadioShack. Who knows, it may be just the
Lanyard + Access Card Case worth RM200
thingeach
to get them to consider featuring that kit within their
stores in the future.
T-Shirt worth RM300 each

Prizes

1 x limited edition RoboCop

1 x limited edition RoboCop
1 x limited edition RoboCop
5 x limited edition RoboCop
5 x limited edition RoboCop
5 x limited edition RoboCop

PRIZES:
RM200 RadioShack hamper or its equivalent
(could be vouchers or other goodies)
MAIL YOUR ANSWERS BY 10 MARCH 2014 TO:

RadioShack-DoItTogether/PC.com Contest:
Reach Publishing, 15-3, Block F1, Dataran Prima, Jalan
PJU 1/42, 47301, Petaling Jaya
Or Email us at: [email protected]

Win exclusive RoboCop merchandise by answering the following questions:

1. Name three products that OmniCorp develops
2. Who is RoboCop?

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Participants may only send in one entry per name* Reach Publishing Sdn
Bhd and RadioShack Malaysia employees and their immediate families are
not eligible for this contest* Any decision about the winners is final* All prizes
must be collected in person or by representatives
* Participants must be 18 and above*

3. A survey by OmniCorp - Would you like RoboCop to patrol your streets and keep it safe? Why?

Name:

IC Number:

Address:
Email:

Contact Number:

MAIL YOUR ANSWERS BY 10 MARCH 2014 TO:

Rules and Regulations:

Participants may only send in one entry per name* Reach Publishing
Sdn Bhd and Sony Pictures International (Malaysia) employees
and their immediate families are not eligible for this contest* Any
decision about the winners is final* All prizes must be collected in
person or by representatives* Participants must be 18 and above*

OR EMAIL US AT: [email protected]

Entries must be submitted by 15th MARCH 2014

RoboCop/PC.com Contest:
Reach Publishing, 15-3, Block F1, Dataran Prima,
Jalan PJU 1/42, 47301, Petaling Jaya

Console | PC | Social

pg

166
Tales of hearts R
pg

168
Evil Within
pg

164

Disney
Infinity

pg

170
MH4G

pg

174
MSI Beat IT

163
DEC
DEC2014
2014

gametime

Marvel Infinity!
Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes

ack in 2013, Disney released an

action-adventure entitled Disney
Infinity, a new gaming platform
that many gamers and fans
accepted with open arms. For those who
are not familiar with the game series, it is
basically a sandbox platform for players to
create their own games by using various
Disney and Pixar characters. What makes
it unique is the Infinity Base - an external
peripheral that you can place character
figures, which you are given as part of
the Starter Pack or bought separately, to
make them appear in the game or PlaySet
discs, allowing you to play selected premade campaigns.
Following the games success, Disney
upped the ante by releasing a follow-up
title called Disney Infinity: Marvel Super
Heroes. Also known as Disney Infinity
2.0, this release features characters and
campaigns that are directly taken from the
Marvel Comics Universe. Does that mean
we get to make our own Disney-like worlds
using Marvel heroes and villains? Yes, yes,
absolutely yes!

164
DEC 2014

by edward mass

In The BegInnIng
The Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes
Starter Pack comes with the Disney
Infinity 2.0 game disc, three figures (Iron
Man, Black Widow, and Thor), two Toy
Box game discs, one Marvel Avengers
Playset piece, a web code card, and a
poster. Besides the Starter Pack, Disney
Interactive Studios also released two
Playsets during the games release:
Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man.
The expansion playsets are, of course, sold
separately either in combo packs or as
individual figures.
For those who bought the first game,
we recommend that you purchase Disney
Infinity 2.0 as a digital download because
the Infinity Base, figures, and Power Discs
from Disney Infinity 1.0 can still be used.
However, the Playsets for the first game
will not be compatible.

Large STory CampaIgn

Placing the PlaySet piece onto the Infinity
Base will initiate PlaySet mode. Essentially,
the story campaign mode for this game,

each PlaySet story is uniquely made with

a specially designed campaign. For the
Avengers PlaySet, it is a scenario that
focuses on Loki and MODOK planning to
freeze New York City with the Casket of
Ancient Winters artefact. The Spider-Man
PlaySet, meanwhile, features the WebHead going against the Green Goblin and
also Mysterio.
Aside from completing story missions,
players can venture around the virtual
world to complete side quests as well to
obtain rewards for the Toy Box. A notable
feature of this mode is the search for
Crossover Tokens - a form of credit that
can be used to unlock certain playable
characters for that PlaySet world. For
example, Rocket Raccoon from the
Guardians of the Galaxy PlaySet becomes
playable in the Avengers PlaySet once
you have found all 10 Crossover Tokens for
that character. As of this writing, only Iron
Man, Nova, Rocket Raccoon and the Hulk
figures can be played in other PlaySets.

expanded Toy Box

The real meat of the game is Toy Box
Mode, the place where players are free
to build their own games within Disney
Infinity 2.0. When engaged, players
are given a Magic Wand used to place
or customise toys on to the provided
sandbox area, as well as to gain access
to the Toy Shop. Due to the high level of
customisation, the game provides editing
tools and templates to help the player
easily create new game worlds. There are
also no character restrictions, meaning all
characters from both Disney and Marvel
lines can be played in this mode.
Beyond the default game modes, Toy
Box game discs are also provided. Placing
these hexagonal discs on the Infinity Base
allows players to create game modes
based on specific genres, such as dungeon
crawlers or tower defence. Players can also
unlock more toys by finding them in the
Toy Box discs.

USaBILITy BooST
The gameplay in Disney Infinity 2.0
has been greatly enhanced, especially
the combat system. With the updated
gameplay, characters are now separated
into two categories: Range - excels in long
distance attacks, and Melee - specialises

in close combat and crowd control. Beyond

that, some characters have unique skills
like Iron Mans ability to fly or SpiderMans wall crawling.
Another new feature in this game is
the character skill tree that players now
use to track upgrades and unlocked
capabilities for a specific character as they
level up. The skill tree growths are not
permanent as there is an option to reset
the characters level back to zero. Similar
to the first game, all improvements and
change in experience levels are stored
within the figure itself.

ShAReD MOMeNTS
Disney Infinity: Marvel
Super Heroes is a great
game that is made
specifically for fans
of both Disney and
Marvel franchises.
The sandbox
mode in this
game is massive,
encouraging you to
either spend hours
building your own
game, or download
other Toy Box
games and have fun

exploring them with friends or family. The

Marvel characters figures are also well
crafted and being a fan of Marvel, I would
not mind getting a few myself. Personal
collection and all that.
If you are a fan of Disney or Marvel and
would like to create your own story in a
videogame environment, then this is the
right game for you. Just so the momentum
keeps on going, Disney Interactive Studios
has announced plans for new figures and
Toy Box disc releases for the early months
of 2015. Great news indeed, but somewhat
hair-raising as collecting them all would
burn a big hole in your wallet.

Publisher: Disney Interactive

Studios
Developer: Avalanche Software,
Ninja Theory
Platform: Sony PlayStation 3,
PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox
360, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U,
Microsoft Windows
Release Date: 23 September 2014
Genre: Action, Adventure
Player(s): 1-4 players
Chosen Platform: PlayStation 4
This game had been provided
courtesy of Disney Interactive
Studios.

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A Heartfelt Tale
Revisited
Tales of Hearts R

By Edward Mass

Of late, the PlayStation Vita

(PS Vita) is becoming the goto-platform for RPG remakes
and ports such as Gusts
Atelier series and Compile Hearts titular
Neptunia games, just to name a few.
Bandai Namco Games has its fair share
of remakes on Sonys handheld, such as
Tales of Innocence R and Tales of Hearts
R as well, titles originally released on the
Nintendo DS. Although both are only
available in Japan, Bandai Namco greenlit
the localisation of Tales of Hearts R due to
the rising popularity of the Tales Series in
the western gaming community.
To be honest, I never expected Tales of
Hearts R to get an international release;
yet, here we are with another Tales RPG to
play for 2014! Unlike previous localisations,
Bandai Namco Games retained the
Japanese voices and translated all the
texts, narratives, and dialogues. This had
been because of the PS Vitas cartridge
having higher storage capacity and,
interestingly enough, having fan demands
being an influencing factor.

spIrIa Fragments
Tales of Hearts R tells a story of a world
threatened by Xerom, monsters that can
enter a persons heart to consume Spiria,
a crystallised form of human emotions. To
combat these spiritual monsters, special
weapons called Soma were created to
perform two tasks: destroy the Xerom
and cleanse the infected persons Spiria
by performing a Spiria Link. To master
these weapons, the wielder must have
a powerful Spiria capable of controlling
their emotions.
Kor Meteor, the main protagonist,
encounters the Hearts siblings Kohaku
and Hisui who had been fleeing from
a witch named Incarose. During their
escape, the witch struck Kohaku with a
Spiria spell, causing the Xerom to invade
her heart. Impulsively, Kor performs a

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Spiria Link using his grandfathers

Soma to save her, but in doing so he
inadvertently shatters Kohakus Spiria
Core, the source of her emotions. Feeling
responsible for his actions, Kor goes
on a journey to help
restore the girls heart by
collecting her Spiria Core
fragments scattered across
the world.

Improved Battles
Since Tales of Hearts had been originally a
2D RPG, Bandai Namco Games developed
a new battle system titled Aerial Chase
Linear Motion Battle System (ARCLMBS) for the remake version. The new
battle system is similar to Tales of Xillia,
specifically the Technical Counter (TC),
which denotes the number of Arte attacks
a character can use. Upon consuming
all TC points, the counter will refill
automatically while standing still or
by guarding enemy attacks.
The Aerial Chase in the battle
system refers to a new feature
where players can enter a Chase
Link mode to perform high
damage combos. To activate
this mode, the player must
attack their targeted enemy
until a blue circle called the
Chase Marker appears. Once it appears,
using a Break Attack will trigger the Chase
Link, thus rendering the target defenceless
for a period of time.
Attacks during Chase Link mode
extends the enemys stun time by a small
margin. If the enemy is too far, the player
can instantly dash towards the target by
holding down the Guard button. When
another character portrait starts to glow,
the player can trigger a Cross Chase
Charge attack by touching the characters
icon. This link attack is two-pronged: it
packs a lot of power and also prolongs the
enemys stun time.

proper strategIes
Due to the lack of a multiplayer mode,
Tales of Hearts R introduces an advance
strategy system for AI characters. Aside
from setting the AIs basic strategies and
formations, players can pre-set 10 priorities
commands, such as attacking specific
targets or setting their fighting distances.
Both work to further improve the AIs
actions on the battlefield. These settings
are essential as it is the only way for the
AI to automatically use items or remove
status ailments.

In addition, an AI characters Arte or

spell can be assigned as shortcuts on
the characters icon during battles. By
touching or flicking the character icon, the
character will override all AI commands
to use the attack that the player initiates.
Using this battle mechanic may take some
practice for those who are not used to it.

Soma UpgradeS
Rather than following the standard RPG
level up system, character stats are
increased by upgrading their Soma. For
every level up, characters obtain a set
amount of Soma Build Points that can be
distributed to the characters five Spiria

attributes. Increasing a Spiria attribute

level unlocks more Artes, Skills and new
weapon forms. This is the only method
available to obtain stronger weapons in
the game as the equipment shops only sell
armour and accessories.

great portable rpg

For a remake, Tales of Hearts R surpasses
the original version by many miles. As
a huge fan of the Tales series, I daresay
this game now stands head to head with
the other popular Mothership Tales titles.
The games random encounters and
world map travelling has that classic RPG
feeling and the localised dialogues are well

publisher: bandai Namco games

developer: bandai Namco
games, 7th Chord
platform: Sony playStation Vita
release date: 11 November 2014
genre: rpg
player(s): 1

written. For those who know Japanese,

the localised text may not reflect the audio
and at times could be hammier than the
original voice track.
In short, I had a really good time playing
Tales of Hearts R on the PS Vita and
any true-blue RPG fan should give this
remake a try. The game is also playable
on the PlayStation TV, but in exchange
you might not be able to use the touch
screen features.

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Overcoming
evil
The Evil Within

or those who have played the

very first Resident Evil game, they
would recognise this persons
name in any gaming news article:
Shinji Mikami, the father of Capcoms
survivor horror series. After a four-year
absence, Mikami makes a big return in the
video game industry with his latest title:
The Evil Within (PSYCHOBREAK for the
Japanese version).
Personally, I have been waiting for this
game ever since it was announced last
year, because when it comes to creating
survivor horror games, Mikami is the
best in the industry. This is also the same
person who lamented how current horror
games are now overly reliant on action
sequences and fancy gameplay. Keeping
this in mind, lets see if his new game is
any different.

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DEC 2014

By Edward Mass

Mysterious encounter
The Evil Within begins with Sebastian
Castellanos, a Krimson City detective who
responded to an emergency call regarding
a case of multiple homicides at Beacon
Medical Hospital. Arriving at the scene
with his colleagues, Joseph Oda and Julie
Kidman, the three officers entered the
hospital filled with dead bodies. As they
split up to investigate, Sebastian and
Joseph make their way to the security
room, discovering a doctor who is
traumatised by the massacre.
Joseph volunteered to take care of the
doctor, while Sebastian went over to the
security cameras to witness a hooded
figure slaughtering police officers. Surprised
by the murderers quick movements, the
detective had ambushed from behind and
knocked unconscious. Upon waking up, he

finds himself in a ruined version of Krimson

City, now populated with vicious creatures
called the Haunted. Alone and with his two
colleagues missing, Sebastian has to find
out who the identity of the hooded figure
he saw earlier while venturing into the
ruined city.

surviving the haunted

The gameplay in The Evil Within focuses
more on survival when dealing against the
Haunted. Unlike the games in this genre,
melee attacks are used as a defensive tool
as it does little damage and only stuns
enemies for a few seconds, giving some
time to move away from them. Given the
opportunity, it is better to perform stealth
kills by holding the stealth button and
approaching the target from behind as
ammo and items are difficult to obtain.

Some of the enemies in this game

can revive even if they were blasted by a
shotgun. To prevent them from coming
back up, players must completely destroy
the head or use a match to burn the body.
Another way to confirm their deaths are
permanent is when it drop items or is

defeated by a stealth kill, removing the

need to use matches. There are also booby
traps, trip wires, and proximity mines that
players can dismantle as long as they are
not triggered. An explosive trap, even
after being dismantled, are still functional
and can be used to dispatch enemies by
shooting at it.
One notable gameplay feature that
players should look out for when using the
Sprint action is the stamina gauge. This
limits players to three seconds of sprinting.
In some events where running away is the
better option to survive, it is important to
check the stamina gauge while sprinting.
If the stamina bar is depleted, Sebastian
will stop to catch his breath, making him
vulnerable to attacks.

THE SAfE ROOM

In certain areas of the game, players can
inspect cracked mirrors to enter the safe
room and save their game progress or
access the upgrade menu. There are four
categories when doing upgrades: Abilities,
Weapons, Stock, and Agony Bolts. The
Abilities section relates to Sebastians
health bar, stamina gauge, melee damage,
and healing item effectiveness while the
other three categories are for increasing
weapon attributes and item stock capacity.
All upgrades require a substance called
Green Gel, which can be found throughout
the game in small or large quantities. As
the upgrade level increases, so does the
amount of Gels required. There would
not be enough of this substance to max
out everything in the first game so its
important to choose upgrades suitable
to your play style. This is to ensure you
increase your survivability rate.

ublisher: Bethsada Softworks

Developer: Tango Gameworks
Platform: Sony PlayStation 3,
PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox
360, Xbox One, PC
Release Date: 14 October 2014
Genre: Survival Horror
Player(s): 1
This game had been provided
courtesy of SCE Japan Asia.

EXCEllEnT HORROR GAME

The Evil Within is a great example of how
horror games should be: more horror, less
action. Not only is the game filled with
gore, it keeps creating a sense of fear and
anxiety as you try to survive the whole
ordeal. There are some parts that made
me lose some of that tension, such as
Sebastians clothes being clean despite
getting drenched in a pool of blood. Autoclean function perhaps? Its really hard to

tell if this is a graphical mistake that Tango

Gameworks made.
In many ways, Shinji Mikamis new
survival horror title is amazing and proves
his mettle once again. I really enjoyed the
scary ride from start to finish. Fans of this
genre should not miss out on this game
and I would recommend those who are
jaded with the recent Resident Evil or
Silent Hill games to play this.

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gametime

Grand Hunting Season

Monster Hunter 4G

By Edward Mass

here was one game cartridge

that will always remain inside
my 3DS at all times. As is,
it has already stolen a great
amount of my gaming time over the last
half year of 2014. That game is none
other than Monster Hunter 4 (MH4), the
latest title in Capcoms long-running
bestselling hunting action RPG in Japan.
Two months ago, the cartridge was finally
replaced with, obviously, Monster Hunter
4G (MH4G), the expansion of MH4. Is it
eating more of my time? Well, to be fair,
lets just say I am having trouble putting
my 3DS down.
To explain the meaning of the letter G
in the title, MH4G is basically MH4 with
additional content, improved gameplay
mechanics, and sporting the proper
mechanics to allow the transference of
save files for MH4 owners. Since
MH4G is considered the
definitive version and is
getting an international
release (retitled as

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DEC 2014

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate) in early 2015,

this review will cover all the new features
the 4th generation iteration has to offer.

Revamped village Quests

This feature, a staple for all MH games, is
given a complete overhaul and is now a
full-on single player campaign, essentially
made for newcomers and veterans to
enjoy. The story follows the players
character as a new hunter who is
recruited by a caravan leader.
After a series of tutorial
quests, the caravan
embarks on a

journey to discover the origins of a monster

shard that the caravan leader picked
up during his earlier travels. Assisting
the hunter are the caravan members,
consisting of a quest receptionist,
two blacksmiths, a Felyne chef, and a
wholesaler merchant.
Unlike previous games, there are
five villages (four in MH4) for players
to traverse towards, all of which are
unlocked by progressing through the story
campaign. Almost all the villages have a
special area or shop, such as the Guild
Hall for multiplayer mode in Barubar
Village or encountering the Felynes main
headquarters in Chico Village, making
each zone distinctively unique.

Additionally, hunters now can attack in

mid-air by jumping off a short ledge or
from a high place like cliff-faces. If the
monster is brought down by a jumping
attack, the player will climb on top
of the monster, initiating a
mini-game. The purpose
of this twist to the
gameplay is to fill
a small gauge by
tapping the A button while holding onto
the monster as it tries to throw you off.
Once the gauge is filled, the monster
will topple over, giving you ample time
to attack it as it struggles to shake-off
the stun.

Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Platform: Nintendo 3DS,
Nintendo New 3DS
Release Date: 11 October 2014
Genre: Action RPGz
Player(s): 1

fReNzy MONSTeRS
A total of 26 monsters have been
introduced in MH4G, along with the 70odd count from previous games. Among
the new monsters, the Gore Magala
- the flagship monster of MH4 - bears
mentioning and observation. Indeed, it
is made unique as it naturally releases
an unknown disease called the Frenzy
virus. Once infected, the virus will slowly
consume the

TOOlS Of The
TRADe
MH4G introduces two new weapons - the
Insect Glaive and Charge Blade. This
adds to a total of 14 choices of damagedealing equipment for the player to
choose from. The former comprises
a double-ended rod that is able
to summon insects to provide
battle support, while the Charge
Blade, also a double weapon system, is
capable of switching between Sword- and
Axe Mode. Capcom has also added new
moves for older weapons so they are able
to keep up with the new weapons.

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gametime
Rank (HR) limit is removed, allowing
players to fight hard and achieve that
legendary 999 HR.
The G Rank quest section also makes a
return - this time in the form of a separate
Guild Hall in Dondruma Town, the
quintessential village from Monster Hunter
2. All the monsters in the G Rank runs
are given new attack patterns, hit harder
than normal, and are given faster recovery
times, giving players less time to plan and
attack. In fact, some could outright kill you
in one hit if you are not careful. Ah yes,
ever the trademark of an MH game!

DOnt Miss Out

player and will negate passive health

recovery upon reaching full incubation.
The only way to overcome this status
ailment is to constantly attack Gore
Magala until the virus is cleansed. As a
reward for removing the virus, the player
is given a boost in attack power and
immunity for a brief period.
Gore Magalas corrosive attributes
also affect monsters, turning them into
a Frenzy Monster. These monsters are
more aggressive and could also infect
hunters with the Frenzy virus with
their regular attacks. In some of the
harder quests, players will witness their
target suddenly drop down as if it
died, only to see it turn into a Frenzy
Monster as it rises up again. Scary stuff!

Hunting Online
The main selling point of Monster Hunter,
ever since it moved to handheld consoles,
is the Guild Hall quests that enables true
co-op gaming with random gamers or
friends. This is the only mode where
you can play with friends or other
players via the Web to hunt bigger

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DEC 2014

and tougher monsters. This allows for

opportunities to carve them up to
gain rarer parts - that are in high
demand - for crafting stronger
equipment. Once completing all key
quests in the Guild Hall, the Hunter

Looking at MH4G as a whole, the game

keeps the same formula found in all MH
games: hunt big, hulking monsters to craft
equipment out of their parts. However,
the new content and updated gameplay
brings to the table a greater experience for
all. Whether it is taking on the monsters
alone or with friends, the game is certainly
bigger and better than its predecessor.
Its like as if the real game had finally been
released with the initial version being a
teaser on some form.
Indeed, MH4G is hands down - the best
Monster Hunter title
I have played yet. For
newcomers, I would
recommend going for the
single player campaign
as it teaches all the basics
youd need to know in order
for you to become a certified
Monster Hunter. Once you
got all the hunting skills
down to pat with the
right weapons to boot,
then the real fun starts.
Hint: give multiplayer
mode a go once youre
confident enough to
go into team-play. You
wont regret it.

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DEC 2014

gametime

Beat IT Finals Fires Up

MSI GAMING sets stage for major e-Sports battles

he third and fourth quarter of the

year are hyped-up months for the
gaming community as e-Sports
championships wrap up. It is
around this time that many fan favourites
will go head-to-head with each other
as they stake their claim on the annual
crowns of their respective genres.
Reiterating this fact is MSIs megagaming event. Taking place at the end of
October 2014 and early November 2014,
it is certainly an exciting week for all
e-Sports fans as 16 StarCraft II players and
8 Defence of the Ancients 2 (DotA 2) teams
from five continents vie for the crown of
the MSI Beat IT 2014 Global Grand Finals.
Held in Taipei, Taiwan, it kicks off with
much fanfare and flair when MSI C-Level

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DEC 2014

Nur Atifi

executives and Event Ambassador, Lan

Chang, pushed the button to start-up the
finale of the championship. Part of the
festivities on stage had the participants
appear front and centre to be part of the
commemorative opening gambit and
launch of the mega event. Beyond Worlds,
this is the event that most have been
eagerly waiting for since its positively
explosive conclusion last year.
This extravagant global e-Sports global
tournament is MSIs fifth endeavour. Last
years efforts - featuring Counter Strike:
Global Offensive (CS:GO) - saw Team
VeryGames emerging as champions for
Counter Strike. This time round, things
are set to be different. After more than
four months of intensive play-offs between

175
DEC 2014

gametime
individual players and e-Sports teams
across 120 countries, with more than
750 games played, all winning finalists
converged at the ATT Show Box in Taipei
to have a go at each other to determine the
ones to walk home with the grand prize
of the event, totalling over US$113,500
in value.

Heavily Geared
Part of the tournament had MSI showing
off its latest cutting edge in gaming
solutions - the GS60-2QE Ghost Pro
3 Gaming Notebook. With it, MSI is
determined to push forward the ideal
of using a powerful gaming experience
that doesnt need the bulk. This is a
characteristic that many have come
to associate with the gaming brand.
Boasting low-noise and low-temperature
performance, the new GS60 comes
equipped with the latest NVIDIA GTX

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DEC 2014

970M to ensure seamless, high-speed

gaming experience is created for
all competitors.
Wanting to shake things further for the
gaming notebook scene, MSI also arranged
for a sneak preview of the companys latest
gaming notebook innovation - the MSI
GT80 Titan. An 18.4in gaming monster, it
is an enthusiasts wet dream, featuring a
mechanical keyboard by SteelSeries that
uses a platform that is based off Cherry MX
Brown switches, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX
980M GPU, and equally as potent mobile,
still very new, CPU from Intel. The whole
idea here is to enhance a players gaming
experience with solid feedback and ultrafast responsiveness come January 2015
when MSI will make the GT80
Titan available.
Beyond gaming notebooks, desktop PCs
have also been set up for all to see and use,
featuring MSI GTX 970 GAMING 4G GPU

along with the powerful X99S GAMING

9 AC motherboard. Both are specifically
designed to directly tap onto the latent
power of the Intel Haswell-E CPU.
Wonder of wonders, the devices shown
only grasped and held the attention of all
present for a good hour before everyone
returned their attention to the situation
at hand - the MSI Beat IT Grand Finals.
After four gruelling days of battles, revised
strategies, put-upon deadly rivalries, and
tough face-offs, Virtus.Pro took home
the crown for DoTA 2 while Solar fought
off all contenders to win the StarCraft
II championship title. It had been fun,
exciting, heart-pumping, and insane;
but the skirmishes and tense moments
during each blow-out in the championship
brawls had been so worth it! More for
next year please! And may there be
even more recognition given to all in the
e-Sports arena!