JBL On-Air Speaker Dock
Looking like a cross between the latest architectural addition to Shaikh Zayed Road and a Star Trek space station is JBL's On-Air Speaker Dock, a device that gives the region a first look at Apple's revolutionary technology for streaming audio between iOS devices. With access to iTunes and a Wi-Fi network you can use the provided remote control to access your music anywhere in the home. It's relatively simple to set up, looks great next to your bed (the large snooze button at the top of the arched speaker is a great touch) and the menu is easy to navigate. It also features a unique 360-degree Halo (horizontal acoustic level optimisation) acoustic design that provides a wide spectrum of sound and packs a punch that is excellent for a product that is barely bigger than a salad bowl, making it highly portable too. The speaker will also stream internet radio stations through a computer's iTunes application and feature an RDS-equipped FM tuner with ten station presets. At this size and price you won't find a better iPod dock that also looks the part.
Available from Harman House, Dh1,499
Samsung Galaxy S II
Armed to the teeth with such up-to-date artillery as the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system, Galaxy's S II delivers super-fast web browsing, great graphics and a 3D user interface. The Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect to wireless-enabled PCs and printers without the need for wireless access points, while its screen, which the manufacturer boldly claims is "the most advanced visual display ever created", offers excellent contrast ratio and edge sharpness. Good picture quality is also assured with its 8MP camera and camcorder with 1080p full HD playback. We've heard the boffins at Samsung refer to it as "immersive", and with its glut of cool features that means you will never get bored - we can see why.
Available from Samsung stores, Dh2,599
Casio G-Shock Mudman G-9300
OK, so it's called the Mudman but it can take pretty much anything the merciless terrain of the desert can throw at it too. Casio's latest G-Shock watch may sound like a swamp-dwelling superhero, but it is actually the latest model in a long line of durable, rugged and stylish timepieces that date back to 1983 when the original G-Shock was made. Solar-powered, shock-resistant and featuring among other things a compass, thermometer and altitude display, it's a useful bit of a kit for the more adventurous traveller and lover of outdoor life. There are few timepieces tougher than this.
Available from most watch retailers, Dh745
AKG Q460 headphones
This is the best looking set of headphones I've seen in a while. But it's not just the good looks, the Q460 from AKG's Quincy Jones range is also among the best headphones that we've tested this year. The 40mm high-excursion driver ensures that the sound is distortion-free, the ambient noise levels are low and the ear pad cushions mean you can wear these for long periods without any discomfort. A three-button remote is handy and the Q460's in-line microphone is compatible with most smartphones. They also fold flat easily and come with their own case.
Available at Harman House, Dh579
