Sony Bravia HX855
Gorilla Glass, hitherto seen on tablets and smartphones, comes to television sets with the new Sony HX855 series. The TV carries forward the Japanese manufacturer’s monolithic design, only this time the screen is thinner, lighter and reportedly stronger.
The HX855 is a fully internet-connected television, with built-in 3D, the dual-chip X-Reality PRO optical engine promises stunning detail and astonishingly vibrant colours.
As a web-enabled TV, the HX855 also has loads of interesting applications including Skype. The TV also lets you share content from mobile devices and computers. A cool feature is the ability to ‘throw’ a browsed website from a smartphone to the TV for easier viewing.
The application allows control of the web cursor with one thumb, tapping to select links, and pinching in and out to enlarge or shrink the viewable areas. Considering the paucity of good programming on TV, this could be a handy tool. This is easily the nicest looking TV set we’ve seen this summer. _TG
Dh13,899, (55” screen) at Sony World
IdeaCentre A720
Every time PC makers resort to marketing spiel about all-in-one desktops, Macintosh aficionados can only sit back and laugh. Years after iMac introduced the all-in-one-desktop concept, Lenovo follows with the stylish new IdeaCentre A720.
All aluminium and high-gloss glass, the A70 features a 27-inch, 10-point multi-touch screen, Dolby-enabled speakers, a Core-i7 Sandy Bridge CPU, 8GB of RAM, up to 1.8TB of storage space, a 2GB graphics card, and a slotloading BluRay player.
The keyboard and mouse have wireless connections to the unit. When they said one day PCs would actually look good, they were certainly talking about this one.
Dh6,999, at leading stores
Polar RCX3
Unless you have enlisted the services of a personal trainer, it can be hard to keep tabs on your training regime, no matter how diligent you are at the gym. Those of us who train alone know the importance of motivational feedback all too well. Enter the Polar RCX3 – a training computer that gives users instant feedback after every session.
The GPS-ready RCX3 comes with smart coaching, which helps you plan, train and analyse each session. Use compatible sensors to suit different sports – be it running or cycling – and at the end of the session, the RCX3 delivers instant feedback, or you can log on to polarpersonaltrainer.com for a more in-depth analysis of the training session.
The attention to detail is scary. The RCX3 comes in four different sets. The GPS set lets you record your route, the run set helps improve your running technique (by measuring running cadence and average stride length), and the bike set measures cycling speed and finally, there’s the heart rate sensor. Alright, it’s a bit geeky, but at least you don’t need a personal trainer now.
From Dh766, www.polar.fi
The shortlist
Service your gadgets
Now here’s a gadget repair shop that could come in handy. Technocare is a one-stop manufacturer-authorised service provider for a range of digital devices. You can get your mobile phone or laptop repaired quickly, whether it’s covered under warranty or not. Technocare also provide web and SMS-based value appraisals, and repair status checks to customers.
For more details log on to www.technocare.me.
Packing a punch
Nexus 7 is the first tablet in Google’s Nexus line of devices and the lead device for Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Jointly developed between ASUS and Google, the Nexus 7 claims to be “the world’s first 7-inch quad-core tablet.” With a 1280 x 800 HD display, the Nexus 7 runs on a NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor. Google and ASUS hope to retail this under $200 when it finally launches.
Price TBA
Pop goes the USB
SanDisk has just launched a new range of stylish new USB flash drives. The Cruzer Pop range USB Flash Drive is the storage giant’s thinnest drive yet and features cool graphic designs. This drive opens with a “pop” to reveal the hidden USB connector. Available in 4GB to 32GB capacity models.
From $32.99, www.sandisk.com
