Shiny new toys

30GB plus of multimedia on the move

Microsoft`s new Zune digital media player, aiming to challenge the evergreen iPod, is now available in SA. Starting at 30GB, the Zune stores up to 7 500 songs, 25 000 pictures or 100 hours of video. It features a three-inch, full-colour screen and can wirelessly share tracks or pictures with another Zune. In black, brown or white.
Retail price: from around R2 600

Multimedia to go

MSI`s Mega View 588 portable digital multimedia player features 3.5-inch LCD screen and 20GB hard drive, so you can listen to music or watch movies anywhere. It can store up to 80 hours of MPEG4 videos, and can support all multimedia formats. The unit also features USB 2.0 OTG (On-The-Go) functionality, which allows users to connect any USB devices to the 588, such as digital camera, DV and card reader. Users can directly transfer music, photos, videos or any document files to the 588 without the need for a PC.
From Pinnacle Micro at a recommended retail price of R2 995

Next-gen gaming

The Xbox 360 next-generation gaming and entertainment system is still new to SA, but is selling like hot cakes overseas. The Xbox core system includes everything required to begin gaming on an Xbox 360 and allowing you to choose accessories later on. The Xbox 360 is a complete package for serious gamers, including essential accessories like a wireless controller, a 20-gigabyte hard drive, a headset and an Ethernet cable.
The Xbox 360 is available at an estimated retail price of R3 699 and the Xbox core system is available for R2 699

Top-selling Xbox 360 game

Selling a million copies in two weeks, Gears of War is the fastest-selling Xbox 360 game so far. It puts players in the role of a futuristic soldier battling invading Locust Horde, a race of creatures from the bowels of the planet.
Retail price around R580

Knock your socks off

Pinnacle Micro has announced the availability of the LG P1 Express Dual notebook, a 15.4-inch widescreen dual-powered entertainer set to knock the socks off of multimedia enthusiasts. The P1 incorporates Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technologies based on the Intel Core Duo processor, allowing users to do more at the same time. The inclusion of the Core Duo processor also supports enhanced DDR2 memory capability operating at a faster 667MHz compared to previous generation Centrino. Also features cinematic graphics: ATIs Mobility Radeon X1300, X1400, X1600 and 3D Sound.
Retail price around R11 500

Ready to ride

Garmin has launched a motorcycle navigator, the Zumo 500. The Garmin Zumo is the first fully featured, no-compromises GPS navigator designed exclusively for motorcyclists. The new Zumo also includes Bluetooth wireless technology, allowing users to place hands-free phone calls when paired with a compatible phone. Incoming calls are answered by simply tapping the Zumo`s screen and speaking through the helmet mic or optional external mic.
The Zumo`s recommended retail price is R9 000

In living colour

Sony`s range of Bravia LCD TVs is designed to deliver a definitive viewing experience – full HD resolution pictures and trueto-life colour. Precision colour reproduction and the very highest screen resolution combine to create a picture that seems almost alive. The new 46” LCD panel delivers vivid and accurate colours along with wide viewing angles and a blazing 8ms response time,
Recommended retail price is R36 999.

Squeaky clean

If you`re tired of mopping, the iRobot Scooba is the answer. The robot preps, washes, scrubs, and dries your floor – all by itself. With the press of a button, the robot will leave your floors clean, dry, and ready to walk on. Scooba is simple to use, and safe on all sealed hardwood, tile, and linoleum flooring.
R3 945 from have2have.co.za

Handy photos

Always have your favourite photos on hand with the Zina digital picture key chain. In a sleek, compact design, it makes it easier than ever to share digital pictures, anytime and anywhere. The diamond-shaped viewer is equipped with a 1” diagonal LCD screen that lets you browse or play a slideshow of up to 56 photos in full colour.
R295 from have2have.co.za

More for business

Nokia recently announced the addition of three new models to its portfolio of business-optimised devices. The Nokia E60, Nokia E61 and Nokia E70, the first of the new Nokia Eseries, are distinctively different in design and allow businesses of all sizes to mobilise their workforce. All three support corporate mobile e-mail solutions and include a variety of GSM frequencies and 3G (WCDMA) cellular network support for seamless roaming, as well as a range of local connectivity options such as WLAN, Bluetooth and Infrared and are USB 2.0 compatible.
Nokia E61 suggested retail price: R 3 899

DIY security

For the security-conscious handyman, LG has announced Do-It-Yourself CCTV security kits available in black and white or colour. The plug and play kit just needs its cameras positioned and cables installed, and can be linked and integrated to most existing and already installed alarm systems. Kits include cameras, an observation monitor, dual quad processor and two-way audio through monitor and cameras.
Available from Pinnacle Micro at a recommended retail price of R3 999 for black and white and R8 999 for colour

HD media in a sleek package

Pinnacle Micro has announced the availability of D-Link`s DSM-520, a wireless, high-definition (HD) media player that allows users to stream music, photos, and HD videos to home entertainment systems. It connects to existing home networks using either 802.11g wireless technologies or via Ethernet cables, and supports favoured media formats, including HD video in either Windows Media Video 9 or MPEG-4 formats.
Retail price around R3 600

Lightweight champ

Fujitsu Siemens` new Lifebook P1610 is a fully featured powerful notebook and an ultra-light convertible Tablet PC, weighing in at only one kilogram. With a 360° rotating display and option to convert to a slate Tablet PC, the P1610 features Intel Core Solo processor Mobile technology, and connectivity through integrated WLAN, Bluetooth modem and optional embedded UMTS
Retail price around R22 200

Just for fun

Cube World is an interactive place where little pixellated stick people live in boxes, interacting with each other and with you. There are four characters to collect, each one with a different hobby. Buttons on the front of each Cube allow you to play games with your virtual stick man, and motion sensors allow you to get rough and give his world a shake to see what happens.
Retail price around R380 at have2have.co.za

Hollywood at home

Edutain Distribution and Magix AG have launched Movie Magix Edit Pro 11 PLUS, which allows home users to edit digital video and produce high resolution WMVHD discs with a conventional CD/DVD burner and inexpensive blanks. It allows for 3D design for text and image and high-quality audio mastering, among many other features. Video material can be recorded directly from HDV camcorders or HD videos, and legal back-ups of protected videos or DVDs can be produced too.
Retail price: R1 550

High-end digital

Canon`s popular EOS 400D is a high-end digital camera aimed at the photographic professional. It offers 10.1 megapixels of CMOS resolution, a 2.5-inch 230k-pixel display, 160-degree viewing angle and shooting at three frames per second for continuous bursts of up to 27 large Jpeg images and switching between Picture Style presets.
Priced around R9 000

High speed CompactFlash cards for pro photographers

Pinnacle Micro announced the immediate availability of Apacer`s Photo Steno Pro III 150X and Photo Steno III 88X Compact- Flash cards, created for professional photographers who use fast, high-end DSLR cameras. With super-fast read/write speeds that support high megapixel images and continuous high-speed shooting, the 150X card comes in 1GB to 8GB sizes and the 88X in 512MB.
Prices:
512Mb - R189 (Photo Steno III 88x)
1Gb - R249 (Photo Steno Pro III 150x)
2Gb - R489 (Photo Steno Pro III 150x)
4Gb - R899 (Photo Steno Pro III 150x)
8Gb - R1799 (Photo Steno Pro III 150x)

MOTOKRZR – top of Motorola`s new portfolio

The ultra-slim MOTOKRZR features a unique solid glass front and full suite of multimedia services. It is one of a range of new Motorola offerings, which also include the MOTORIZR slider form factor phone, the MOTOFONE, a game-changing handset, the W220, a value-priced clamshell, MOTORAZR V3xx and MOTORAZR maxx V6 which blend high-speed HSDPA connectivity and dynamic multimedia, and two new MobileME Bluetooth headsets.

Challenging the digital camera

Nokia`s new N73 includes a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus and support for Internet communities like flickr.com. It also boasts video calling and an integrated digital music player with playlists and equaliser, FM radio and stereo speakers. Available on 3G or quadband EDGE/ GSM networks.
Suggested retail price: R 4 799

Compact 10MP camera

Canon`s PowerShot G7 is a compact yet feature-rich tenmegapixel camera with 6x optical zoom, optical image stabiliser, a wide viewing angle and night display mode.
Available through Pinnacle at a recommended retail price of R5 499