SEPTEMBER 2016

Projectors
for home
and office

Now youve got

our attention

fix your
internet
connection

ITS VERY
IMPORTANT TO
SHOW PEOPLE

WHATS POSSIBLE

Hack and
hide like
a pro

ITS OUR BIRTHDAY!

R35 000 IN PRIZES

INCLUDING SAMSUNG S7
AND VR LITE HEADSET

T HE

GUARDIAN SERIES
C

L EARN

CM

MY

CY

CMY

www.frontosa.co.za
JHB: (011) 840-5700, CPT: (021) 561-7200, DBN: (031) 566-2793, EL: (043) 007-0300

2016 Seagate Technology LLC. All rights reserved.

MORE

AT

S EAGATE. CO M

16

48

FEATURES
12

SUPERGEEK

26

MAKING HEADLINES

28

LIGHT BOX

34

HACK BACK

42

TAKE ACTION

44

UP TO SPEED

50

RETHINKING LEARNING

54

GEEKY GREEKS AND ROMAN SHOWMEN

Dr Happy Sithole on building SAs supercomputers

Apps that bring you the breaking news
Video projectors make your lounge a cinema
Tools and techniques to compute like a spy
Discover cool things WeChat can do for you
Troubleshoot and fix your net connection
Using tech to improve corporate training
Clever tech from ancient civilisations

REGULARS SWAG
7
8
10
19
23
24
47
60
74

34

Eds letter
Benefits
TechKnow quiz
Need to know
Social science
Life hacks
The fix
Game reviews
Backspace

GEAR
66
72

16
40
48

Lengau
supercomuter
Morphy Richards
Redefine Toaster
RYNO electric
motorbike

62
64

Smart buys
Buyers guide

TFG magazine terms and conditions:

You have subscribed to Tech magazine (the magazine), a publication of Foschini Retail Group (Pty) Ltd (TFG). Your TFG account will be billed
monthly for the magazine. Should you not wish to be billed for the magazine when your account has a zero balance, please advise us of this.
You may be charged interest on your subscription amount monthly, if the payment plan that you have selected attracts interest. You may cancel
your magazine subscription at any time by contacting our customer services centre on 0860 576 576. TFG reserves the right to cease publication
of the magazine at any time in our sole and absolute discretion. In such an event, we will cease to bill you for the magazine. TFG reserves the right
to change or cease the benefits offered in the magazine at any time, and to change the level of service offered to subscribers of the magazine.
TFG may change the shape and the size of the magazine at any time. The price of the magazine will be adjusted at any time during a calendar
year, and you will be billed the increased amount on your TFG account from the date of the increase. We will give you notice of any increase before
we increase your subscription. Terms and conditions can change from time to time and you will be bound to any new terms and conditions from
the date of publication in the magazine. We hereby notify you that it may be necessary for certain third party benefit providers to process your
personal information to enable them to provide their services to you. By making use of the benefit, you agree to this.

CONTENTS

PAGE

A PROJECTED IMAGE IS GENTLER AND MORE RELAXING

ON THE EYES, AND CAN BE A SOURCE OF MANY GRAND
AND ROMANTIC EVENINGS AT HOME.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: KENDALL LEIGH-NASH/HSMimages.co.za

28

S&SBR_449130

AT R99 000*

IT WONT MATTER WHAT

THE RANDS DOING.

*IRON 883: R122 000.

*STREET 750: R99 000.

*FORTY-EIGHT: R152 000.

Book your ride at your nearest dealership today. *Deal available in RSA only. MSRP. Screw it. Lets ride.
H-D 2016. Harley, Harley-Davidson and the Bar and Shield logo are among the trademarks of H-D Michigan, Inc.

The only truly ergonomic keyboard

Freestyle2: Separates itself from

the competition.

The keyboard that adjusts to you.

Features:
The only keyboard that adjusts to the specific body
type and physiological needs of each user
Low-force key switches
Low profile design with a 0 slope
Driverless hot keys for commonly used editing
functions to reduce mouse clicking
The Freestyle2 can assist with boosting productivity

Email: sales@medsport.co.za | Phone: 021 426 2378 or 021 531 0841

Online store: www.ergonomicsdirect.co.za
*Ergonomicsdirect is the official distributor or the Kinesis range of products in South Africa

eds letter

page

its our

Its war on the home front.

And I must meet my family on the
battlefield every day, and show
no fear. Some days I must engage
with friends or nameless teenage
strangers just hanging around my
house. But, each and every day I
must renew my fight for control
of the internet connection.
It wasnt always this way; children
would bicycle past my driveway
casually logging in to my network
to update their apps, after my kids
distributed our WiFi password to
their entire class. It was a happier
time, an innocent time when a
mere 100 GB per month could
satisfy half the neighbourhood.
Now, those days have gone. In
these dark times, 300 GB doesnt
get me through the month, and I
remain locked in the struggle to
keep even more devices connected
and working properly.
My family have moved from two
devices each to three and some

of them four. YouTube became

ShowMax became Netflix and now,
sometimes, its all of them at once.
An elaborate gaming network
springs up in my lounge on the
weekend: about half a dozen new
strangers with PCs, phones and
Instagram accounts to be updated.
One of their screens was running
six downloads at once!
I trust, dear reader, that your
internet problems will be a little
simpler. Find out how to assess
and possibly fix your broadband
connection by using our handy
guide on page 44.
Speed might be his middle
name, and Dr happy sithole is
regarded as the godfather of
high-performance computing
in South Africa. He explains how
his teenage science experiments
led him to build africas fastest
supercomputers (page 12).
Hackers are surrounded by a
techie mystique that intimidates

birthday!
Stand a chance to
win this fantastic
Samsung combo!
Worth R17 000.
See page 8.

ordinary PC users. Now you can

get to grips with the tools of the
trade on page 34, and learn to
conceal both your data and your
online activities.
Its our birthday, but you get the
presents! Enjoy this bumper issue
and enter all our competitions to
win fabulous prizes.

Tech chief
ed@tfgtech.co.za

SHARE

&

Tell us what you like at Tech Magazine ZA

and @TechMagZA and you could win a
Cooler Master Sentinel III gaming mouse.

All material in Tech is strictly copyrighted and all rights are reserved. Reproduction without permission from TFG (The Foschini Group) is forbidden. Tech does not accept unsolicited manuscripts
for publication. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of this magazine, but we assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. The views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the publisher or TFG (The Foschini Group). Prices and specifications correct at time of print and subject to any inadvertent or obvious errors. Availability and pricing subject
to change without prior notice.
TFG (the Foschini Group) is made up of the following stores:

Highbury Safika Media: Publishing Director Jill Kayton Editor Gavin Dudley Managing Editor Richard Brown Chief Copy Editor Jonathan Meyer Copy Editor Elana Bailey Creative Director
Wayne Jordaan Art Director Warren Uytenbogaardt Designers Ryan Adams, Mish-al van Rijmenant, Devon Fourie Group Sales Director Clive Kotze Sales Director TFG Jason Hill
Project Manager Kenneth Wiid Advertising Sales Darryn Cuff, Tanay van Niekerk, Lamis Abrahams, Sinethemba Quphe, Josie Hauptfleisch, Johann Hauptfleisch HR Director Rizqah Jakoet
Financial Director Lindsey Makrygiannis Production Director Bilqees Allie Commercial Director Shane Keohane MD Tony Walker CEO Kevin Ferguson
TFG (The Foschini Group): Head of Publishing Sarah Kuttel Brand Manager Carol Roux Marketing Assistant Melanie Snyders
Enquiries Tech magazine, PO Box 6020, Parow East, 7501, Tel: 0860 282 896, Email: tech@tfg.co.za
Published by Highbury Safika Media for The Foschini Group Highbury Safika Media
(Pty) Ltd 2004/031056/07, Highbury Safika Media, 21st floor, Metropolitan Centre,
7 Walter Sisulu Avenue, Foreshore, 8001, Cape Town, South Africa. www.hsm.co.za
Editorial enquiries Tel: 021 416 0141, Fax: 021 421 1250, Email: mail@tfgtech.co.za
Advertising enquiries Tel: 021 416 0141, Fax: 021 418 0132, Email: kenneth@hsm.co.za

PhotograPhy: sarah woods/hsmimages.co.za, courtesy images

If we teach today as we taught

yesterday, we rob our chIldren
of tomorrow.
- John dewey, educatIon reformer
and phIlosopher (1916)

BENEFITS!
Special offers, discounts and fab
prizes exclusive to Tech subscribers

WINNERS

JUNE 2016 WINNERS

TO WIN ANY OF THESE EXCITING
PRIZES, SMS the keyword and
your ID number to 43183.
Standard SMS rates apply.

ASUS X553 NOTEBOOK

Khoza J, Fochville
ROCKA SELFIE STICK
Tlhapi EC, Bekkersdal
TOSHIBA 500 GB HARDDRIVE
Windvogel AA, The Hague
SAMSUNG GALAXY GRAND
PRIME+SELFIE STICK
Mlangeni JI, Mabopane
AUDIOVOX SOUND BOARD
Kathrada Y,
Schweizer-Reneke

PLEASE CALL ME
Dial *130*3272*18# from your
cellphone, select the benefit
youd like to access and we
will call you back! (Standard
USSD rates apply)

HOW TO
CALL 0861 177 725
to redeem your Tech benefit
LINES ARE OPEN
Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm
Saturdays 8 am to 12 noon
Not available on Sundays
and public holidays

ITS OUR

BIRTStaHndDa AY!
chance to win
this fantastic
Samsung
combo!

SAMSUNG GALAXY
S7 + SAMSUNG
GEAR VR LITE

worth R17 000

Keyword:
SEP SAMSUNG

SUBSCRIBE
AND

WIN!

YOULL STAND THE

CHANCE OF WINNING
GREAT GEEKY GEAR
EACH MONTH

TO WIN
ANY OF THESE
EXCITING PRIZES
SMS the keyword along
with your ID number to
43183. Standard SMS
rates apply.

SMS

&

Terms and conditions for Tech magazine: 1 All Tech magazine subscribers will be automatically entered into selected competitions in the magazine.
2 Standard SMS rates apply for all SMS competitions. 3 Automatic entry winners and SMS winners will be required to provide a valid TFG (The Foschini
Group) account card number. 4 Winners will be randomly selected by means of an automated system for all automatic and SMS competitions. 5 This
competition will commence on 13 August 2016 and end on 30 September 2016. 6 The winner will be notified via email/telephone within one month
of the closing date. 7 The prize will be sent to the winner via RAM courier service to the winners home address or to the nearest TFG (The Foschini
Group) store if the winner does not have a physical address. 8 The winners name will be published in the December 2016 issue of Tech magazine.
9 All participants must reside in South Africa. 10 By entering the competition, you agree and understand that you may win a prize and that there is no
guarantee that you will win a prize. 11 Unclaimed prizes are only valid for six months. For any queries regarding competition prizes, email tech@tfg.co.za.
12 Valid Tech magazine subscribers will only be allowed to win a maximum of two prizes per issue. 13 Terms and conditions apply. In order to view or
receive the full terms and conditions, send an email to tech@tfg.co.za or call 0860 282 896.

BENEFITS

3 WAYS TO

SUBSCRIBE

PAGE

TFG MOBILE APP

Free, BlackBerry, Android and

Apple iOS Manage your store
accounts, rewards and vouchers
on your smartphone.

1 Call 0860 282 896

2 Email your name and TFG (The Foschini Group)
account number to tech@tfg.co.za
3 SMS* Tech magazine with your TFG account/
card number or ID number to 43183 and we
will automatically subscribe you at the cost of
R25.50 per month, billed directly to your TFG
account. For Ts&Cs, visit tfgclub.co.za/tech.
*Standard SMS rates apply

REWARD YOURSELF

Earn instant rewards on every item

you buy at any TFG (The Foschini
Group) store. Sign up in-store today.

TFG GIFT CARDS

1 OF 4 R1 000
TFG GIFT CARDS
and 1 OF 10 R150
TFG GIFT CARDS
Automatic entry
for all subscribers

XIAOMI
REDMI 2
PRO

worth R2 249
Keyword:
SEP PHONE

AIRTIME VOUCHERS

BODY GLOVE
AUDIO
B-SPORT PLUS
HEADPHONES

1 of 10 R150 airtime
vouchers: automatic
entry for all subscribers

SAMSUNG
TAB A 9.7 INCH
WITH S PEN

worth R1 000
Keyword:
SEP BSPORT

worth R7 299
Keyword:
SEP TAB

PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY IMAGES

GREAT DEALS FOR SUBSCRIBERS

110

SAVE
%

SAVE with iFix

repairs! Get 10% off
iPhone repairs, and
5% off any Samsung
mobile and Apple
Mac repairs.

220

SAVE

20% off all BlackBerry repairs

Handset returned in 24 hours
Only certified parts used
Three-month warranty on repairs
Johannesburg, Cape Town and
Durban only

SHARE &

310

SAVE
%

Get 10% off* labour

when your PC is fixed
or upgraded by Dial a
Nerd tech experts.
*First hour only

GOT A COMMENT? SHARE IT WITH US ON

FACEBOOK TECH MAGAZINE ZA OR TWITTER
@TECHMAGZA AND YOU COULD WIN A
COOLER MASTER SENTINEL III GAMING MOUSE.

TECHKNOW QUIZ

PAGE 10

QUIZ
Challenge yourself to dig up some techie facts
1 What is the Setswana name
of SAs latest supercomputer
(Clue on page 12)

2 Silicon Valley is in the San

Francisco Bay Area. But
where is Silicon Alley?

3 The latest Xbox is called

A. Xbox Two B. Xbox Super
C. Xbox One S

4 Which of these Chinese smartphones is NOT available in SA?

A. Xiaomi B. Hisense C. Lenovo
5 Which SA multimedia company is now worth R1 trillion?
(Clue on page 43)
6 Which company makes Pokmon games?
7 Where is the metal neodymium most commonly found?
A. flash drives B. TVs C. headphones
8 Which company no longer makes PCs? A. Sony B. Acer C. Lenovo
9 Whats the full name of soccer game PES?
10 What kind of tech is Skullcandy best known for?

A Samsung Galaxy A3 smartphone, worth R5 999.

From the global smartphone leader comes this pocket-friendly model
in a tough all-metal body shell sporting an HD screen, high speed 4G
LTE connectivity and a 13 MP camera. Theres chemically toughened
Gorilla Glass on the front that shrugs off all but the harshest scrapes
and bumps, and the much improved camera is optimised for low-light
photography, so you can capture special moments without the
harshness of your flash. Specs: 4G LTE, 4.7 screen, 13 MP rear/5 MP
front camera, 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB storage, microSD slot, Android
Answers will be printed in next months issue.
AUGUST 2016 QUIZ ANSWERS 1. Sony PlayStation 2. Apple 3. Faith Muthambi 4. Global
Positioning System 5. B. 7 6. Yes 7. C. P9 8. B. Nano-SIM 9. Anonymous 10. A. Microsoft

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES, COURTESY IMAGES

SEND US YOUR ANSWERS AND YOU COULD WIN BIG!

POST YOUR ANSWERS
1. on our Facebook page: TechMagazineZA
OR
2. in an email to mail@tfgtech.co.za
and you could

FLIP 3
PORTABLE SPEAKER
JBL Connect
Build your own ecosystem by
connecting multiple JBL Connect
enabled speakers together to amplify
the listening experience.

R1699

each

10 Hours playtime
Rechargeable battery
Bass radiators
Bluetooth Streaming
(10060112/3/4/5/6)

Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth technology provides

high-quality music streaming from
mobile audio devices.

Up to 10 hours battery life

The battery is easily recharged,
which saves you battery
hassles and money

Charge 2+
Portable Speaker

Clip 2
Portable Speaker

R1999each

R999

12 Hours Bluetooth playtime

Speakerphone
Splashproof
1 Year Warranty (10060106/7)

Bluetooth 4.2
1X 3 Watts power
8 Hours battery life
1 Year Warranty (10065679/10065716)

For more information please contact our call centre: 0860 011 700 or visit www.incredible.co.za
All standard terms and conditions of Incredible Connection & suppliers herein apply. We reserve the right
to limit quantities on all promotional items per customer.

Over 70 stores nationwide

Expert service and advice

Widest range of leading technology brands in South Africa

Inc DTP 6340

Built-in Microphone
The built-in microphone
allows you to answer calls
without skipping a beat

sup r
geek
Dr Happy Sithole has masterminded the
building of the fastest computer in Africa
Words Mandy J Watson @mandyjwatson

AfricAs fAstest sUPercOMPUter fiLLs UP A

large room at the council for scientific and industrial
research (csir) in cape town, where it crunches
data for universities and industry researchers. In
charge of the project is Dr Happy Sithole, Director of
the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC).
Dr Sithole spoke to Tech on the unveiling of Lengau
(cheetah in Setswana), the most powerful computer
on the continent.

HOW DID YOU END UP WOrkINg IN tHE fIElD

Of CUttINg-EDgE tECH?
My first degree was a bachelor of science, majoring in
maths and physics, and then I did an honours degree
in physics, mainly in electronics, where my interest in
semiconductors developed. My PhD was on mineral
processing, so for that, I had to do numerous simulations
on supercomputers, which is what first got me into
high-performance computing.
I spent two years in Australia at a mineral research
institute, where I introduced computing into the process
of mineral extraction. Back in South Africa, I worked
at mining company De Beers, and then in the nuclear
industry conducting simulations and modelling using
high-performance computers. In 2007, I moved to the
CSIR when it started the CHPC.

HOW DO YOU MAkE A SUPErCOMPUtEr

lIkE tHIS POSSIBlE?
The supercomputer is funded by the Department of
Science and Technology, so to get funding, you first
have to determine the aspirations of the department
and the country, and then deliver to that.
On the industry side, because we get revenue from
industry partners, it takes a lot of time to convince
people that they actually need supercomputers. Its
very important to show them whats possible and
what the return on their investment will be.
Whats most important is people. Most of the costs
are the technical skills, so by using the right people
on this, you save significantly in the implementation.

HOW DID YOU CHOOSE tHE tECH?

We ran a procurement process, where companies
could pitch their technologies, but we also looked at
which tech multinationals would open up their research
and development labs to South Africans. For example,
Dell started a trial with us and it offered funding for a
student-cluster competition. The students did very
well and, as such, Dell offered a long-term investment.
These students then participated in constructing and
configuring the final supercomputer. It was important
for us to be involved in building the final installation.

fully charged

Computer maker
Dell was the main
technology provider
for the Lengau
installation. Read
more about it
on page 16

Subscribers, SMS
SEP TAB
+ your ID no
to 43183

SAMSUNg
tAB A 9.7 INCH
WItH S PEN

page 13

fully charged

page 14

We worked with our scientists to see

what applications they used and which
bottlenecks they experienced, and then
used our supercomputer to address their
challenges. In our advanced computer
engineering lab, we played around with
different configurations. By the time we
bought the supercomputer, we knew
which components were needed, and
that helped us to lower the costs.

DO YOU USE MUCH tECH At

HOME, Or DO YOU tAkE A BrEAk?
When I was younger, especially when
I started doing electronics, I had small
circuit boards, resistors, and electronic
components that I bought and played
around with. I was constantly on my
computer attempting to do something,
either writing a program or trying to
reconfigure my machine. These days,
though, especially if I have to install any
software on my computer, I will get my
guys to do it for me. Im a bit tired of
it, but if I buy a laptop, Im the type of
person who wouldnt sleep until I have
everything configured the way I want it.

Running wild
SA rolled out itS firSt Supercomputer
in 2007, And it hAS grown itS proceSSing
power in leApS And boundS ever Since.

2007 2009

iQudu, Xhosa foR kudu

Tsessebe, an anTelope

2.5 terAflopS 24.9 terAflopS

2016 2011

lengau, seTswana foR

cheeTah: 1 000 TeRaflops

= 1 petAflop

eQuivalenT To Roughly
667 video gAme conSoleS

( +1.5 terAflopS eAch)

upgRaded Tsessebe

64.44 terAflopS
read more about
Africas fastest
supercomputer
on page 16

For me, my laptop is indispensable. I

dont spend a lot of time on my phone
because I can do so much on my laptop.

WHAt CHIlDHOOD MEMOrY

INVOlVINg SCIENCE Or
tECHNOlOgY StANDS OUt
fOr YOU?
I really wanted to observe the physics
experiments in high school just to see the
bang when you take sodium out of the
paraffin liquid. That explosion was really
intriguing to me, and it got me into a lot
of trouble at school. The principal taught
us maths and science, and he was often
in meetings, so we were left to do most of
the work ourselves. I took an active role
in that. I organised an experiment that we
were going to do and we nearly got into
trouble, because there was a big bang
and I was in the middle of it!
For me, physics brought out the
curiosity in me and when I went on to
electronics, that curiosity helped.

styling: malika davids, PhotograPhy: kendall-leigh nash/hsmimages.co.za, gallo/gettyimages

WHAt ONE DEVICE YOU OWN

IS INDISPENSIBlE?

THE CAMERA THAT MISSES NOTHING.

AND CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Combined with your camera, the 360fly app gives you

the power to instantly shoot 360 videos, share your
edits to social media then swipe, explore and interact
with your favourite memories directly on any smart
device.

Available for download:

Learn how to fly:

Facebook @360flyZA
Instagram @360fly_southafrica

swag

B rn to
run
Were swiftly advancing scientific research
with a supercomputer we built ourselves
Words Mandy J Watson @mandyjwatson

PhotograPhy: kendall-leigh nash/hsmimages.co.za, courtesy image

LENGAU
Supercomputer

It took a village of scientists,

engineers, students and industry
partners to build Africas fastest
supercomputer. To cut costs, we
did a lot of the work ourselves and
in the process, honed our skills so
finely that we can now advise other
countries on how to make their own.
The supercomputer, which fills a
large room, is named Lengau after
the Setswana word for cheetah.
It was custom designed to suit
the research needs of scientists in
SA, so its being used to help store
and crunch data from the radio
telescopes of the Square Kilometre
Array project, and by researchers
at the University Of Cape Town to
sequence DNA. Researchers at the
University of Limpopo are using
it to improve the processing of
minerals, and to develop metal
alloys. The supercomputer is also
being used to compute chemical
reactions used for energy storage
in next-generation batteries. It is
currently housed at the Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) in Cape Town and they are

using it for more detailed modelling

of climate changes.
Companies who need to process
large amounts of data can book
time and storage space on Lengau.
For example, the mining company
Mintek uses it for modelling certain
pyrometallurgical processes, to
figure out exactly how to extract
and purify metals at extremely
high temperatures.
If you think you have a lot of
serious computing to do, or if you
just want the bragging rights for
owning one of the fastest machines
in the world, you need to set aside
a cool R100 million. For that, it wont
even play video games or help you
make better home movies. Its much
happier searching for signs of life in
petabytes of radio-wave data
streaming in from the cosmos.
1 000 teraflops (one petaflop),
over 24 000 processor cores,
1 039 Dell PowerEdge servers
based on Intel Xeon server-class
CPUs, 19 cabinets of rack-mounted
computer nodes and storage,
5 petabytes of storage
R100+ million, csir.co.za

page 17

Who wouldve thought

a bald head
would give me hope?

In 1997, the Reach For A Dream Foundation

fulfilled my dream of going to Disneyworld.
But, it was my friends shaving their heads
to look like me, which really moved me.
- Sam Pretorius
Help us continue to inspire hope in children with
life-threatening illnesses. Call 0860 DREAMS
or visit www.reachforadream.org.za.

need to know

page 19

Say What?
New terms trending in the digital space

Words Craig Wilson @craigwilson and Joanne Carew @littleCarew

artificial neural
networks
One of the things that make humans
so resilient and resourceful is pattern
recognition. An example of this can
be seen when a small child can tell
you which is the cat and which is the
dog in a photo that contains both.
Computers, on the other hand, have,
until recently, been pretty bad at that
sort of thing. And, when they have
managed it at all, theyve generally
required tons of computing power.
Artificial neural networks are
computer systems that are designed
to mimic the human brain and the
senses sight, smell, taste, touch
and hearing that we humans take
for granted.
When it comes to compactness,
computing power and energy

consumption, the human brain

is pretty hard to beat, which is
probably why its become the
chosen model for trying to build
the sorts of smart computers that
can detect patterns and make
inferences from them the way
humans do.
One of the requirements of a
good neural network is that its
teachable. For example, if youre
trying to teach a neural network
to recognise pictures of cats, you
should be able to show it pictures of
cats, pictures of dogs and pictures
of other things; teach it which ones
are the cats and then, in future, it
should be able to recognise the
cats in other pictures that it hasnt
seen before which is where deep
machine learning comes in.

Deep machine learning

Intrinsically linked to artificial neural
networks is deep machine learning.
Deep learning is a bit like baking
a cake, but where you only know
which ingredient to add after you
have added the previous ones, and
you only know which ones to add
because of the specific ones youve
already used.
This is how Google taught its
AlphaGo computer to beat a
human Go master. Go is a board
game in which players alternately
place black or white stones on a
19 19 grid and win by having the
most territory at the end of the
game. The rules are easy, but the
possible moves are so numerous,

page 20

not even todays basic computers

can consider every possible move
at every stage of the game.
So how did AlphaGo do it? First,
Googles engineers inputted the
moves of every recorded Go game
it could. This allowed it to learn not
just which moves were legal, but
which moves were most common
in particular situations. Then, to
further refine this, Google set up
AlphaGo to play itself over and
over again.
The result? AlphaGo could tell at
any stage of a game whether it or
its opponent was winning and, in
that situation, what a selection of
good moves looked like. It wasnt
seeing to the end of the game each
time, it was making an assessment
based on past experience, which
is exactly what human players do.
The final result? It won four out of
the five games.
So what does this development
mean for us, as human beings?
It means that we will soon be able
to speak to computers and have
them understand us perfectly, or
recognise not just cats in pictures,
but your cat in pictures. Or even
diagnose illnesses based on having
seen more cases than any human
doctor could in a lifetime. This
could see a major advancement
in medical technology.

email spoofing
As the name suggests, this technique is used to make a fake email
look like it was sent by a certain person/brand. By forging the sender
address, the scammer can trick the recipient into believing that the
message originated from a known source. Often used by spammers
and phishing fraudsters, the aim is to get a recipient to open and even
respond to their requests.

project Bloks
An innovation from Google
research, this collaboration
helps kids to learn about coding
by taking it to the physical world.
Tangible computing sees physical
objects interfacing with computers.
Project Bloks will use this idea to
enable children to learn how to do
basic coding by piecing together
actual, physical blocks, eventually
developing a program. Sounds like
well have Einsteins on our hands.

social Bookmarking
If youve ever sent a friend or family
member a link to a website they
may find interesting, youre a social
bookmarker. The main difference
between a social bookmark and
a regular bookmark is that the
former is saved to the web so
that you can easily access the
page at a later stage, from any
computer. Social bookmarking
services such as Flickr, del.icio.us
and Pinterest make it simple for
users to share, categorise and
access their favourite pages
and content.

PhotograPhy: CoUrtESy IMagES

need to know

social science

page 23

Who is using
Snapchat in SA?

Snapchat is trending, but

should brands even take notice?
Words Jonathan Meyer @jonathangmeyer

Make it

Snappy!

SnApChAt iS A free imAGe

messaging and multimedia mobile
application that, believe it or not,
has actually been around since
September 2011. Snapchat videos
and images are called snaps, and
these can be edited with various
filters and text overlays. They are
then sent to specific users, but
can only be accessed for 110
seconds before disappearing.
Popular with the younger crowd,
Snapchat has become a bit of an
enigma for social media managers

Snapchat
million+
uSerS log In AT leAST

100
PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyimages, courtesy images

the world over, who just dont seem

able to apply their traditional social
media strategies to what is now a
global phenomenon. Are Facebook
and Twitter becoming old school?
Snapchat is slowly creeping into
the global social media mindset, but
progress will always be marginal
when going up against the likes of
Facebook. However, an estimated
71% of Snapchats users are below
the age of 34, and if theyre not the
future of social media, then were
not sure who is.

onCe every 30 dAyS

10

billion
video views

is worth
$22 billion

(mAy 2016)

per day Advertisers

Used to promote

vIdeo ConTenT For

rIo 2016 olympic Games

CAn ProMoTe

videos or

SPonSor filters

Arthur Goldstuck,
managing director
at World Wide Worx
Connected teens
all the so-called
Millennials form
the bulk of the user base. Beyond
age-group, its difficult to pinpoint
specific characteristics for the
typical Snapchat user.
While its still a bit below the radar
here in SA, some users in certain
instances actually prefer it to using
other messaging services, such as
WhatsApp. SA brands should not
focus on Snapchat until they know
exactly what they want out of it.
Companies need to find ways to
measure their success on Snapchat.
They should rather avoid Snapchat
completely if they want to avoid
being shown up by their target
audience. Snapchat is very much
an experimental arena, and brands
would be wise to properly grasp
the environment and culture of the
app before diving head-first into
marketing efforts.

Should local brands

take advantage of
Snapchats overall
popularity with teens?
Aime Serro,
social media
manager at Citiq
The impact Snapchat
is making on alreadyestablished social
media platforms, such as Twitter
and Facebook, is minimal.
Snapchat is a small contender in
comparison, and the larger social
networks have significant growth
strategies, as well as a much higher
mobile penetration with which
Snapchat simply cannot compete.
Integration of Snapchat into your
existing brand social media strategy
is wise, especially if your audience
is of a younger demographic.
However, brands should not be
spending too much on the platform,
and rather use it in conjunction with
Facebook and Twitter to amplify
existing marketing efforts.

page 24

H ck your life
Nifty tricks with tech Words Joanne Carew @littleCarew
RubbeR sole

Mood Music

Want to get a little more oomph

out of your hi-fi speakers or your
audio dock? You just need some
balls. Tennis balls, that is. You will
need two of these. Simply cut each
of the balls in half and then place
these under your speaker, round
side down. Youll probably need
four of these special feet, or one
on each corner, to keep it stable.
The round side minimises the
vibration between the speaker
and the floor or counter, improving
your sound quality and clarity.

If you prefer the vibe of an office

or a coffee shop and find yourself
less productive working in silence,
then here is a way to generate some
background noise, from corporate
cubicles to a restaurant. Download
the Coffitivity app to mimic the
chatter and bustle of an open-plan
office, a popular eatery or campus
canteen. Looking for something a
little more tranquil? You can make
a rain-drenched work environment
by downloading the app from
rainymood.com, or cosy up to your
own simulated crackling fire from
endlessvideo.com, which will loop
any YouTube video infinitely.

Tech subscribers
get up to 10% off
iFix repairs. Dial
*130*3272*18#

library of images and emojis,

and adding a sticker acts a
lot like a hashtag a visual
hashtag if you will so your
posts will be grouped in a
timeline with all others which
used the same sticker. You
can find them in the photo
editing functions on the
Twitter app.

FoRget FoRMatting
When working on a long document
made up of bits and pieces from
lots of different sources, including
emails, web pages and spreadsheets,
its quite common to end up with a
mishmash of different formatting.
Trying to tame your mix of fonts,
text styles and crazy line spacings,
is a disheartening waste of precious
time. In Microsofts Word, there is
a shortcut to clean up your act in
one step. Select all the text (Ctrl+A)
and then on the Home tab, select
Clear All Formatting (found in the
font tools, its the letter A with a pink
eraser over it). This will remove all
styles and formatting, reducing your
document to plain text.

Pic stickeRs
Taking a page out of Snapchats
playbook, Twitter now offers more
fun options with their photos. Using
the Twitter app on iOS or Android,
you can add Twitter Stickers to your
pics. Users can choose from a big

bendy end
If youre moving your phones
charging cable from home to
the car, into the office and back
again, then its likely looking a
little worse for wear. Protect your
cable from breaking with this trick.
Take apart an old ballpoint pen,
the kind with the retractable nib,
and remove the spring. Wrap this
spring around the charger cable
where it joins to the microUSB plug
that goes into the phone. This will
stop the cord from bending and
prevent fraying.

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyimages, courtesy images

life hacks

Subcibe to
FOR ONLY R27.99 PER MONTH, BILLED TO YOUR ACCOUNT
FROM ANY TFG (THE FOSCHINI GROUP) STORE

1
2
3

BENEFITS

30%
DISCOUNT

Up to a 30% discount on
doctors consultations
(within our network)

BENEFITS

HOME
EMERGENCY
Quick home fixes with
access to the Home
Emergency Assistance
service 24/7, 365 days
a year*

*Terms and conditions apply.

BENEFITS

MONTHLY
PRIZES

Monthly prizes including

fragrances, shopping
vouchers, TFG gift cards
and much more!

JOIN
NOW

SMS BL with your TFG (The Foschini Group) account number, ID number, or email address if you are not an account holder, to 43183
and well automatically subscribe you at a cost of R27.99 per month, billed monthly to your TFG account. For subscription Ts&Cs,
visit tfgclub.co.za/balanced-life. Standard SMS rates apply.

Flipboard
Free, Android,
BB10, iOS, WP
One of the most
popular news apps
around, Flipboard, originally stood
out thanks to its variety of news
sources and easy-to-use interface.
True to its name, the page-based
navigation and strong news sources
are still in place, but Flipboard now
also adds stories shared by your
Facebook friends. The ability to
browse and track stories by topic,
the Twitter integration, and the
daily round-up feature are what
make Flipboard outstanding.

South aFrica
NewS brieFlY
Free, Android, iOS
At the time of
writing, this was
the number-one free news app on
Google Play in SA. This app prides
itself on its brief news nuggets,
promising to filter out the noise.
As the name implies, it is more
focused on local news from mostly
local sources, delivering the first
few paragraphs and a read more
option for the whole story. It also
caches stories for offline reading,
which proves invaluable to readers
with little data or bad connectivity.

GooGle plaY
NewSStaNd
Free, Android, iOS
This handy app
comes pre-installed
on most Android devices, and its a
great source of news, even though
its easily overlooked in the array of
Google tools. Offering several
template topics (business,
entertainment, sport and
tech, for example), along

with customisable news sources

and rich visuals, this is quite a strong
offering. Most importantly, for many
Android users, its available on their
phone at start-up. There is a major
advantage: you can even download
selected news sources or entire
topics for offline reading.

NewS24
Free, Android,
BB, iOS, WP
As the aggregator
for Media24, SAs
biggest newspaper group, News24
is on every shortlist of SAs top apps.
Available across the greatest number
of platforms and devices, the app
funnels news from across a network
of digital content channels, such as
News24, Sport24 and Channel24,

and adds videos and breaking news

alerts. To browse more economically,
you can choose to disable images.

MSN NewS
Free, Android,
iOS, WP
Microsofts MSN
has been a wellknown name in the desktoppublishing space for years, but did
you know that it offers a mobile
news app too? Its a pretty
bare-bones offering compared to
other news aggregators, but it
delivers different versions for each
region, is customisable by topics
and offers breaking news alerts.
It doesnt have offline functionality,
but it showcases a fantastic variety
of local news sources.

Making
headlines
If youre still getting your news from social
media networks, it might be time
for a more serious approach
Words Hadlee Simons @hadleesimons

apptitude
reddit: the
oFFicial app

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyimages, Courtesy images

Free, Android, iOS

Its not what wed
call your typical
newsreader platform, but Reddit
serves as a news aggregator for
millions of internet users. The
social news site specialises in
user-created subtopics, from
Android and Africa to Zelda
and Zoology. Reddit apps
abound, but there is only
one produced by Reddit
itself, and it has only been
launched very recently. It
features GIF support and
Reddits full system for
commenting on stories.

Subscribers, SMS
SEP PHONE
+ your ID no
to 43183

XiaoMi redMi
2 pro

page 27

BOX

LIGHT
Video projectors have
become a practical
big-screen alternative

DATA PROJECTORS WERE ONCE THE

exclusive dominion of the boardroom
presenters, corporate-training heads
and salesmen of the world. But theres
only so much PowerPoint we could stand.
Eventually, movie projectors appeared in
the home and are now priced on par with
modern TVs.
Early home cinema was tricky to set
up, but todays projectors, the so-called
lifestyle beamers, are reliably plug-and-play.
Video projectors are now the best way
to share your viewing experience with lots
of people, but its not all about picture size.
A projected image is not only gentler, but
also more relaxing on the eyes, and can
be a source of many grand and romantic
evenings at home.

ACER C205

Designed for the professional on

the move, this good-looking pico
projector is only marginally bigger
than a paperback novel, but delivers
an eye-catching presentation with
minimum fuss. Its a slightly older
product, but it still projects bright
enough to keep your presentation
visible even in a lit boardroom. Best
of all, it will run for up to two hours
on its built-in battery, so you dont
have to lug around power supplies
and cables, or hunt for a socket.
DLP, 854 480 px, 200 lumens,
1 000:1 contrast, 1 HDMI, 2W audio
R7 000, acer.co.za

Using HDMI on one

side and microUSB
on the other, Mobile
High-Definition Link
(MHL) is a quick way
of connecting tablets
and phones to your
projector. This model
has an MHL adapter
cable in the box.

DECIDER

BUYERS
GUIDE
LCD vs DLP
The two main projection
technologies used these
days work completely
differently. LCD (liquid
crystal display, similar
to some TVs) produces
slightly sharper images
and DLP (digital light
processing, making use
of microscopic mirrors)
produces slightly better
colours. Both use LED
bulbs as light source.

DELL M115HD

If youve ever lugged two kilograms of projector through airports, up steps

and down corporate corridors, youll appreciate the superb performance
of this palm-sized pico projector. Weighing only 360g, it still throws a
massive, bright 2.5m image on the screen, even from a short distance. Its
not full HD and the speaker is especially weak, but then, youre probably
showing business slides, not watching movies, and for that, its tops.
DLP, 1 280 800 px, 450 lumens, 10 000:1 contrast, 1 HDMI,
1 USB, Universal in (VGA), microSD slot, 1W audio, 36 dB
R8 000, dell.co.za

Brightness
and contrast
Brightness is measured
in lumens and, together
with high contrast, will
determine how good
your picture will look if
the room is not totally
dark. Thats important
for daytime viewing,
for example.

Picture size
Resolution in pixels is
the most important thing
to consider here. The size
of the projected image
is determined by how far
away your projector will
be set up, but you will lose
quality as the image gets
bigger. Very roughly, most
projectors placed 2m
from the screen will
make an image about
2m wide, or four times
the size of a 40 TV.

Ports and
plugs
Its essential to have at
least one HDMI port for
simple plug-and-play
with all modern laptops.
Get a 24-pin VGA-In if
youre using older PCs.
Using a USB In, you can
conveniently plug in flash
drives with no need for
a PC at all.

Keystone
This is an adjustment for
squaring up your image
if youre projecting at an
odd angle to the screen
in front. Most modern
projectors will offer both
auto keystone adjustment
and manual controls, but
it does tend to degrade
your picture quality.

Screen
Always try and project
on to a white surface, not
beige or grey. The best
makeshift screen is made
from blackout lining used
in curtains. Its white, light
enough to tape to your
wall, not too difficult to
get your hands on and
pretty cheap.

It has 1 GB of
built-in storage,
so you can store
documents, slides
and clips on board,
and play without
connecting
to a PC.

PAGE 29

EPSON EH TW5350

Recognised as the global market

leader, Epson uses only LCD-type
imaging, while most of the others,
including its closest competitor,
BenQ, use mostly DLP. Although
this is a budget model, the movie
performance was superb, with a
seriously enjoyable image, some
excellent skin tones and fantastic
colour reproduction throughout.
We especially liked the simplified
controls on the front for focus and
zoom, and a very clever slider for
keystone correction. Theres also
frame interpolation tech built in,
to smooth out sports and action
sequences a bit.
3LCD, 1920 1080 px (Full HD), 2 200
lumens, 35 000:1 contrast, 2 HDMI,
2 USB, VGA in, WiFi, 5W audio, 37 dB
R18 800, epson.co.za

It uses
Bluetooth to
connect to your
speaker dock
or headphones
for improved
sound.

The built-in frame

interpolation technology
can smooth the high
frame rate on speedy
action sequences, ideal
for sports viewing.

DECIDER

PAGE 31

Using a control
lever, you can tilt
the lens by about
10% to fine-tune
picture positioning
without keystone
distortion.

BENQ W2000

LG MINIBEAM PF1500G

Possibly the best all-rounder on test

here, this projector offers you a full
complement of useful features and
excellent image quality. Its a striking
design, looking equally at home in
the boardroom and the living room,
and, at half the size of other full HD
projectors, its somewhat portable,
too. It uses a revolutionary lighting
system to deliver a brilliant image
with accurate colours, and has a full
range of inputs as well as advanced
video controls.
DLP, 1920 1080 px (Full HD),
1 400 lumens, 150 000:1 contrast,
2 HDMI, 1 USB, RCA, WiFi, 6W audio
R17 500, lg.com

The remote,
thoughtfully, lights
up, which is very
useful when youre
trying to adjust your
projector image in a
darkened room.

BenQ is a hugely respected brand

in the projector world and is widely
regarded as the innovator of the
industry. This home-cinema model
is the first entry-level projector that
can reproduce the advanced Rec.
709 standard for colour accuracy.
It definitely showed in the superb
picture quality we saw certainly
on par with the Epson we tested
alongside, although it costs quite
a bit less. This model had far and
away the best sound quality of any
projector weve tested: in full HD,
the operatic parts of Les Miserables
filled the room!
DLP, 1920 1080 px (Full HD), 2 000
lumens, 15 000:1 contrast, 3 HDMI,
1 USB, VGA in, 20W audio, 36 dB
R22 000, benq.com

PAGE 32

DELL 1450

A rugged and reliable performer,

this basic projector will happily live
in your small business boardroom
or classroom and keep on shining
with neither fuss nor any ongoing
maintenance. Its happiest showing
basic PowerPoint slides, text and
line art, but struggles to produce a
watchable movie image or enough
sound volume. There are almost no
buttons on the body to manage
the projector, so youll need to take
special care of the remote control.

Designed to
be mounted in a
permanent position,
this model also has
an audio output to
conveniently send
your audio to a
PA system or
loudspeakers.

DLP, 1024 768 px, 3 000 lumens,

2 200:1 contrast, 1 HDMI, RCA-In,
VGA-In, 2W audio, 34 dB
R8 500, dell.co.za

PHOTOGRAPHY: GARETH VAN NELSON/HSMimages.co.za

DECIDER

Find it. Love it. BUY IT.

Shop your favourite TFG brands online!
Anywhere, any time and only checkout once.
Standard delivery is free for orders over R500
and returns are free within 30 days.

CO
M

Choose to pay with your TFG account card,

credit card or both. The choice is yours.

www.sportscene.co.za

www.duesouthescapes.co.za

NG
By
S
you Sept
em OO
ll
onl be a ber 2 N...
ine
ble
016
cos for th to sh
op
e
m
l
e
fra
gra tics a atest
nce
nd
s fr
om

www.home.co.za

www.totalsports.co.za

www.hi-online.co.za

www.duesouth.co.za

www.fabiani.co.za

www.relayjeans.co.za

PLUS,

Lets hear it
for the boys
ONLINE!

www.markham.co.za

NOW

ONLINE!

NOW

ONLINE!

Terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit our shopping sites.

NOW

ONLINE!

k
c
ha

k
c
ba

py
s
r
e
k
c
a
h
g
layin
p
r
o
f
s
k
c
i
r
ld
nd T
r
a
o
s
w
p
i
l
T
a
T
T
i
s
g
e
i
b
d
The
The
n
i
k
e
e
s
d
n
hide-a
Between that free
software you installed and the
firewalls that corporations and
governments are protected by,
there are a seemingly endless
number of digital security
vulnerabilities. Whether on
PCs, servers or phones, more
gaps are being reported weekly,
even as they are being exploited
by hackers, some idealistic and
some just plain greedy.
However, if your PC is connected
to the internet, you need to be on

top of security matters if you

want to keep your Facebook
profile clean and your bank
balance intact. But you could
take things a step further and
gain mastery of some of the
tools and techniques that elite
hackers use to cruise along the
shadowy corridors of the web,
and potentially your accounts,
pretty much undetected.
Here is how to indulge your
inner secret agent in the evergrowing digital realm.

HOW TO HIDE YOUR DATA

Everybody has secrets, and thats
okay. Maybe its the formula for
Coke, or photos of aliens in your
backyard, or the blueprints for a
flying car. Whatever your secret,
youll need a smart way to conceal
your sensitive information.
There are two aspects to hiding
data effectively: encryption, of
course, and steganography.
As a Tech reader, you no doubt
already know a good bit about the
first one: encryption. Encrypted

primer

data is scrambled and can only

be decoded using a tiny piece of
digital code which serves as the
key. This all happens in a flash, so
that accessing encrypted data
with the key appears no different
to using unencrypted data.
Using Windows, you could
simply right-click to encrypt the
secret files and folders on your
hard drive, and that would foil all
but the hardiest black-hat hackers.
But a true operative wouldnt stop
there. After all, the secret police

might shoot you full of truth serum,

or threaten to hurt your pets until
you turn over the password to
decrypt your files.
A true operative would take
things a step further. If youve got
proof of who really shot JFK, then
youll want to bury that information
using steganography. This is the
art of hiding one set of data inside
another set of data.
Also sometimes called deniable
encryption, its possible to pack
one set of encrypted folders and

page 35

files within another such that it

is completely undetectable. Give
those enforcers one password
and you will slip them a dummy,
as it appears to open your data
store without revealing the true
stash hidden imperceptibly
between the bits and bytes
of the visible set.
One name is all you need to
get started: VeraCrypt (veracrypt.
codeplex.com). Open-source and
completely free, it allows you to
create an encrypted virtual file

primer

page 36

Spycraft on
the Screen

The Matrix
From 1999, The
Matrix hardly
illustrates the
sort of security
measures youre
likely to encounter
in the, er, real world, but its hard to
beat this flick for high-tech paranoia.
Also, more importantly, The Matrix
introduced a serious cool factor to
being paranoid.
Ghost in the Shell:
Stand Alone
Complex
For some, hacking
is all about the
swag, and thats
the theme of the
animated classic Ghost in the Shell.
Most self-respecting geeks have
seen the films, but far fewer have
seen the series, which explores what
could happen if we all had neural
implants. Riveting, yet philosophical.

vault, with your secrets both locked

up tightly, but also undetectable.

HIDE YOUR IDENTITY

Maybe youre not comfortable with
Google or other agencies knowing
your surfing habits, or maybe youre
researching a delicate topic and
would rather not leave any digital
footprints. Either way, the principles
of snaking your way through the
internet remain the same: lay down
a thick digital smokescreen.

Most first-level agents think

theyre safe enough using the
Incognito Mode in Googles
Chrome browser (Ctrl+Shft+N
to open an Incognito browser
window) but, as youve already
guessed, that wouldnt be nearly
enough for Jason Bourne, or for
you. You will need to deploy
onion routing.
As the name suggests, think
multiple layers of anonymity,
with all your web clicks securely

PhotograPhy: rory keohane/hsmimages.co.za

Mr Robot
This is it: the hacker
TV series. Its got
your corporate
computer buff
moonlighting as
a techie vigilante,
and its got your shadowy anonymouslike organisation of elites. Its topped
with your deeply satisfyingly anticapitalist sentiment and its really
good to boot. Season 2 starts soon.

encrypted, so that the origin and

destination of your web data can
only ever be known to your browser
and cant be intercepted.
Onion routing is a bit complex for
your run-of-the-mill web browser.
The first step for those venturing
into the dark, possibly uncharted
waters of the web is the tor browser
(torproject.org). Standing for The
Onion Router, Tor is an offshoot of
the open-source browser Mozilla,
and its the only way into the deep

web, where even Google cant

reach. Just download and install.

FAST BOOT ANY PC

Theres a lot of good reasons you
shouldnt use anyone elses PC for
hacking or other edgy digital
projects. Besides everything else,
they might actually be able to spy
on you while youre using their
equipment. But lets say it is an
emergency situation, and you need
to use a PC thats to hand. Here is

how to take precautions against

compromising its security or
damaging property.
Bypass the PCs entire operating
system by starting up the PC using
your own featherweight operating
system from a USB drive, and the
PCs Windows profile and private
data remain safely out of harms
way while you get all your hacking
done and dusted.
Youll want to use a system that
loads quickly, works first time, every

page 38

time, and it needs to be built from

the ground up with airtight security
that leaves absolutely no trace of
your activities. Go with tails (tails.
boum.org) which is a fast-and-light
bare-bones variation of Linux, every
hackers preferred OS, and it has
full security settings turned on
by default.
In fact, Tails takes your security
so seriously that it can only be
downloaded in the Firefox or Tor
browsers. Check the Tails website

for instructions on how to make

a bootable flash drive.

GET MORE WIFI

Youre on a stake out using the
local coffee shop for cover. You
know its going to be a long wait
with a lot of bad coffee, but you
need to receive those encrypted
blueprints of the building, and
photos of the target. And now the
pesky free WiFi is telling you that
your time is up.

Simply swap the MaC address

of your PC. Every PC network
card has a unique number called
a media access control (MAC)
address and this is how computers
are tracked on a network. Despite
the odd-sounding name, this has
nothing to do with Apple.
You can find it in Windows
by pressing the start button,
then typing CMD. This opens
the Command Window. Type
ipconfig/all and look for Physical
Address and 12 numbers with it.
This is your MAC address.
You cant physically change
your MAC address, but you can
download special software which
feeds fake MAC numbers to that
server trying to turn off your
coffee shop WiFi while you have
got some serious spying to do.
Smart agents make use of the
free technitium MaC address
Changer (technitium.com/tmac)
to stay connected until the job
has been completed.

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyimages, courtesy images

primer

GOOD
THINGS
COME IN
PAIRS

All Account customers are

AUTOMATICALLY Rewards members
ACCOUNT
CARD

REWARDS
MEMBER

For more information go to www.tfg.co.za/rewards-and-more

You can use your Account card at any of the following TFG stores:

ProPose

a toast
A golden opportunity to save
your bread from burning
Words Zaid Kriel @zaidkriel

swag

Morphy richards redefine

Toaster

Everyone loves their morning toast a little differently, but

its tough gauging just how far along it is, since you cant
actually see the toast browning in the toaster. This clever
appliance solves that problem by cladding itself in clear
glass, making it possible to actually watch your toast crisp.
The glass panels arent just beautiful to watch: they are
functional too. The glass actually generates the heat that
crisps the bread, resulting in your toast evenly browning
until the perfect moment when its ready to pop. But your
Redefine Toaster doesnt pop. Its far too refined and
elegant for that. Its release action is less abrupt and
more a floating ascension as your golden slices emerge.
Its asking way too much for a toaster so snobby and
posh to fire its precious creations into the air.
r5 000, morphyrichards.co.za

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyimages, courtesy images

The motorised lift that

moves the toast in and
out travels nearly all
the way to the top so
its much easier to toast
up small bits of bread
and unusual slice sizes
without getting them
stuck in the toaster.

page 41

TAKE
ACTION
Chat apps are everywhere,
but this one leads to
convenient transactions
Words Nafisa Akabor @nafisa1

HOW TO
WECHAT IS RANKED ONE OF
the largest messaging apps in
the world, with more than 1.1
billion accounts worldwide, of
which 70 million are outside of
China. Local company Naspers
owns a considerable chunk of
the company that made WeChat,
so its no big surprise that theyve
set up shop in SA.
The app goes beyond simple
chat; there are many features
inside it that you wont find on
any other platform. It supports
messaging, of course, but also
broadcasting, video, voice notes,
games, photo sharing and, quite
importantly, payments and
money transfers.
Here are seven of the coolest
things you can do with WeChat.

Unlike many other messaging

platforms, WeChat requires
you to approve contacts before
chatting to them. This gives you
greater control over who can
get in touch with you, which cuts
down on spam and harassment
drastically. Your profile allows you
to create a unique WeChat ID,
which you can share with friends,
and you are also assigned a QR
code. You can easily use WeChat
without revealing your mobile
number by disabling the find
me by phone no option.

The OrderIn feature lets you

order food through the app,
for either collection or delivery.
Its often a better way of doing
things because orders are often
misunderstood over the phone.
The app requires your location to
find restaurants near you, and the
menu comes up for the selected
restaurant. You can then tap to
add items to your basket before
checking out, but first check
which payment methods are
allowed per establishment.

Because you control your

contacts on WeChat (unlike
WhatsApp, for example), you can
now use it like your other social
networks. Through the Moments
feature in the Discover tab you
can share what youre doing using
pictures and location, and you can
tag your friends. The Sights feature
lets you record a six-second video.
Friends can then Like and post
comments on your lifestream. You
can also control who views your
photos; either all friends, or just
selected ones.

For the busy fashion-oriented

crowd, GoBeauty allows you
to make your next salon, spa or hair
appointment by using WeChat.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GALLO/GETTYIMAGES

Your location connects you with

service providers in your area, or
you can choose a specific location
to search, such as somewhere near
your work premises. You can select
a time that suits you, and the salon
will confirm your appointment.

You can also buy and sell

second-hand goods straight
from your WeChat account. Hook
up with the official account for
online auction site OLX in SA and
start searching for mobile phones,
cars, furniture, concert tickets and
more. Each section has a search
box to help you narrow down what
youre looking for, and most include
photos and all the related info. You
can then call or message the seller
directly from the listing.

If you are a registered DStv

subscriber, you can now access
its programming guide straight from
WeChat, whichever bouquet you
are on. You can sift for listings via
a number of categories including
news, children or sport and you
have access to programmes for
the next seven days. There is also
an extensive help guide to troubleshoot your DStv problems, from
getting connected to changing
your package.

WhoChat?

If you are a South African

citizen with an ID number
(so, at least 16 years old), you can
create a digital wallet inside the
app. This allows you to send and
receive money without having a
bank account, which is a big deal.
You can turn this into cash at any
Standard Bank ATM around the
country. Wallet can help make
payments easier for those with
limited access to banks, or in rural
areas. By linking up your bank
cards, you can buy airtime, mobile
data, electricity, or use SnapScan
to make a quick payment.

PAGE 43

1+ BILLION
REGISTERED
WECHAT
USERS

8 BILLION

WECHAT TRANSACTIONS
OVER CHINESE NEW
YEAR, 2016

762 MILLION
ACTIVE USERS

LUXURY BRANDS
BURBERRY, CHANEL AND COACH
OFFER EXCLUSIVE CONTACT AND
CUSTOMER CARE ON WECHAT

R1 TRILLION

VALUE OF NASPERS,
THE SA COMPANY
THAT OWNS 34%
OF WECHATS CREATOR,
CHINESE COMPANY TENCENT

Up to

speed
Is that slow connection driving you crazy? Heres how
to make your connection function optimally
Words Zaid Kriel @zaidkriel

TroubleshooTing your
internet connection can be a
tough nut to crack. There are
many different possible causes,
both within your home network
and across the global network
beyond, but the end result is the
same: buggy internet.
We cant address all the possible
causes here, so well concentrate
on a few of the main issues. More
importantly, well show you what
to do about them.

the authority on internet-speed

Virtual speed limit
testing around the world. It can
Internet speed can be a subjective
be used through your browser
experience. For example, it always
window or through its mobile
seems to be going especially slowly
phone app.
when youre in a hurry. You need to
To get an accurate result, you
conduct a proper scientific test to
first need to disconnect all your
know for sure.
devices (except the one youll be
The most common way to test
using to run the test) from the
your internet speed is to visit
network. Even if no one is
speedtest.net. The
actively using a laptop,
service has been
TV or phone on the
around for years
Data transfer speeds
are measured in Mbps
network, some of
and is considered
(megabits per second),
these could be
which is roughly eight
using the internet
times slower than the more
familiar MBps (megabytes
in the background.
per second). So on a 1 Mbps
Next, close all
line, you will transfer one
browser windows
eighth of a megabyte each
second, or 125 kilobytes
on your PC except
for one. Now go to
speedtest.net and, once
the graphical interface loads,
click on Begin Test. Speedtest.net
analyses not only the speed of
internet data coming down to your
PC, but also the rate at which you
are uploading data to the internet
(sending emails, adding images

how To

Junker pC
Check multiple computers by
loading both South African and
international web pages, to see if
all your connections are slow, or
just one PC. It is, of course, entirely
possible that your PC itself is slow,
because its old, overburdened with
dozens of browser windows, or is
playing host to malware or a virus.

to Facebook and performing cloud

backups, for example).
Allow the test to complete, then
compare the result with the speed
of the internet package that you
are paying for.

reality CheCk
For many consumers, their internet
experience will fall well short of
their expectations.
Whatever the line speed of your
ISP package, from the entry-level
2 Mbps up to the more serious
10 Mbps, you always pay for the
maximum possible speed on your
line, even if it rarely hits that speed.

page 45

theyre primarily doing basic web

browsing, emailing and checking
Facebook. However, you should
remember that each person usually
makes multiple connections, so add
up all your familys phones, tablets
and PCs, then add the TV, satellite
decoder and other smart devices.
It is less important how many
people are connected, and more
about knowing what theyre doing
while online. On slower lines (2 or
4 Mbps), even a few users can have
a big impact, especially if one of
them is using a service such as a
peer-to-peer network to download
large media files, or if they are
too many bodies
streaming videos from
If you have a speedy
Ups and
YouTube or Netflix.
internet connection
downs
Solve the problem
(your line runs 10
In general, your ISP
by talking sternly
Mbps or better),
connection is set up so your
to the internet hog.
then you wont
uploads are ten times slower
than your downloads. If you
Not only are they
routinely be
have a 10 Mbps line, then
slowing matters
affected by the
your upload speed would
down for everyone
number of users
be 1 Mbps. This is because
we typically download ten
else, they are using
connected to your
times more data than
up your data allocation
line, especially if
we upload.
quickly too.

Some drop-off in overall speed

and performance is normal, relative
to your package. So, say, a speed
shortfall of 0.5 Mbps is normal for
a 2 Mbps line. Running 2 or even
3 Mbps slower than your 10 Mbps
line is also normal.
However, if speedtest.net results
measured over a period of time are
always a great deal lower than your
own targeted line speed, then there
is a good chance that you have
some kind of technical problem
and should ask your provider to
check that out.

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyimages, courtesy images

router restart
There are a number of hardware
faults that can have an impact
on your internet connectivity. The
most common is an issue with
your router. Unfortunately, unless
your green lights have turned red
on the router, diagnosing these
problems could require a good
bit of technical know-how, and
tinkering could leave you unable
to reconnect at all.
Silly as it may sound, switching
your router off and on again does
have some technical merit. First,
the router will purge all the data it
has been storing in its relatively
minuscule memory. Second, if
your connection was running
through a piece of faulty gear on
the routers network, restarting
it may well re-establish your
connection with your ISP
and connect you via a
different piece of kit.

TIG ER
UNICORN

MONKEY

OW L

UNICORN

R ABB I T

Give their childhood back.

Donate towards building a bigger and bet ter ICU at the

Red Cross War Memorial Childrens Hospital, the largest
dedicated paediatric hospital in Africa.

SMS ICU to 40465 to donate R20, or simply use Snapscan.

To donate online or via EFT, visit www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za

THE FIX

How do I move my WhatsApp

messages from my old phone
to my new one?
Words Zaid Kriel @zaidkriel

Whatsapp has fast become

a wildly popular way for many
south africans to communicate,
both personally and for business.
since we now have long, and
sometimes important, threads
of conversation in this app, its
become essential to back up our
Whatsapp history.
A feature of this backup system
is that its possible to restore your
conversations on another phone,
because thats what matters when
you replace your phone. Of course,
you should have the backup feature
working even if youre not planning
to swap phones, and luckily you can
do this relatively easily with your
Google Drive account.

Older
versiOns

of WhatsApp did not have

backup capabilities, so be sure
to update your WhatsApp to
the most current version.

PhotograPhy: courtesy images

PreParing the backuP

Make sure the following conditions
are in place before you start:
The phone is connected to a
working internet connection.
You have at least one active
Google account on the phone.
Theres enough memory space
on your phone for the backup.
Now, open WhatsApp and tap the
menu button in the top-right corner
(normally shown as three dots).
From the drop-down menu
that appears, select Settings.

page 47

THE

FI

Now select Chats, followed by

Chat Backup.
Under Google Drive settings,
select Backup to Google Drive to
choose how often a backup should
be uploaded to your Google Drive.
We recommend Daily.
If you have multiple Google
accounts on your phone, select
Account to choose which account
should store the backup.
Next, choose Back Up Over to
pick if backups should only happen
over a WiFi connection, or both WiFi
and cellular. We suggest using only
WiFi to save your mobile data.
Then, choose if the backup should
include video, which could greatly
increase the size of your backup.
Its time to create and upload the
backup to Google Drive, your free
storage service in the cloud. By
default, WhatsApp creates a backup
every day at 2 am, but to ensure the
messages you move to your new
phone are as current as possible,
its best to perform a manual back
up just prior to the transfer. Press
the large green Back Up button to
create and upload the backup to
your Google Drive account.

restoring WhatsaPP
on your neW Phone
With the backup now safely stored
on Google Drive, you can copy it
on to your new phone.
Make sure the following is in place
before you start:
Youve moved your SIM card from
the old phone to the new phone.

The new phone is connected to

a working internet connection,
preferably using WiFi.
The Google account you used
to make the backup has been set
up on the new phone.
Now, all you have to do is install
Whatsapp by downloading from
the Google Play store.

if yOu
chOOse

not to restore WhatsApp from your

backup at this time, you wont be able
to do it later without uninstalling and
reinstalling WhatsApp.

Once you have done so, open

the app. The normal WhatsApp
procedures involve automatically
getting an SMS to authorise your
new WhatsApp and, as soon as
WhatsApp is up and running, itll
automatically detect the backup
in your Google Drive. Tap Restore
when prompted and WhatsApp
will download and
restore your message
history to exactly
how it was when
you made your
last backup.

SHARE &
Tell us what you like at Tech Magazine ZA
and @TechMagZA and you could win a
Cooler Master Sentinel III gaming mouse.

Wheel

of fortune

Circle the world on a motorised

unicycle ripped straight out
of science fiction

Words Zaid Kriel @zaidkriel

swag

PhotograPhy: courtesy images

RYNO
Electric unicycle

It might seem counter-intuitive

that the RYNO motorcycle should
have just one wheel, but dont let
it worry you unduly: its centre of
gravity is nice and low, and it also
actively works to retain balance
on its own.
The RYNO is electric powered,
as is the current trend, making it
environmentally friendly. A single
charge will take you nearly 25 km,
which is pretty decent for such
a diminutive vehicle. Its two little
electric motors propel the RYNO
to a maximum speed of 16 km/h,
which is about the equivalent of
a brisk jog. Also, its ridiculously
simple to operate. It doesnt even
have a throttle: you just lean in the
direction you want to go.
The RYNOs primary reason to
exist (ignoring its eco credentials
and ride-it-anywhere-in-the-city
attitude) seems simply to be cool,
and be just to be a cool as some
transportation out of 80s sci-fi.
If that was the brief these guys
were trying to fulfil, we think we
can call this one a success.
Price TBA, rynomotors.com

page 49

Rethinking
learning
As a serial tech entrepreneur,
Rapelang Rabana uses tech to solve
practical human problems
Words Joanne Carew @littleCarew

Rapelang Rabanas jouRney

as a tech entrepreneur started at
the age of 22. She co-founded Yeigo
Communications, a mobile service
that allows users to make calls, send
emails and SMSs for free over the
internet, fresh out of university. Her
latest venture, Rekindle Learning,
combines her belief that digital
technologies can be used to build the
capabilities of the African continent
based on her passion for learning
and proper education.

What role CaN teCh

play iN aCtive testiNg
aNd learNiNg?
The idea is to use mobile technology
to allow people to test themselves
and reinforce the knowledge theyve
gained in a classroom environment.
This mechanism will allow you to
continuously question yourself and
your own understanding. The issue
is not with the level of difficulty the
content might not be too hard to
remember, but actively remembering
anything requires the mechanisms
to reinforce information. In a class
of 25 students, a teacher cannot
provide that kind of personalised

reinforcement. That is where the

technology comes in.

hoW do you develop

these learNiNg
outComes?

Who is rekiNdle
learNiNgs maiN
target market?

I approach the people who are in

charge of training or learning at
an organisation and find out if
they are achieving the outcomes
they need. For example, if their
employees need to know about
something such as new legislation,
then the company would probably
have run some sort of face-to-face
compliance workshop. Staff would
probably have passed the test, but
the question is whether or not this
information is being used in practice.
Through our microlearning system,
we would provide a practical way
to reinforce staff understanding of
the new concepts, as opposed to
just sending them a PDF file and
hoping theyll read it.

Our role as Rekindle Learning is

not to bridge the divide per se.
We are trying to develop learning
methodologies, so we work more
with corporates and businesses,
where infrastructure is not an issue.

aNy suCCess stories

you Would be WilliNg
to share?
We did some work with an academy
for young professionals in financial
services who were being upskilled
to be claims processors. They were
given a bunch of reading materials
to go through and half were left to
learn on their own, the other half
were given access to our app. The
pass rate was 10% higher with those
using our app thats a whole grade
level up in the traditional teaching
sense. What they were learning
was not complicated how that
information was being reinforced
was what made all the difference.

hoW does your produCt

differ from other types
of e-learNiNg?
Usually, e-learning involves taking
training manuals and PowerPoint
presentations and sharing them or
putting them online. Everyone can
download the file and read it. Most

movers & makers

page 51

RapeLang Rabana
Founder of Rekindle Learning
rekindlelearning.com

page 52

e-learning is about delivering the

content online, so that people can
access and read it when they wish.
But, most of these programmes do
not delve into whether or not the
people download the content, how
people use these resources and if
these tools actually foster learning.

aNy adviCe for youNg

girls eNteriNg the field
of teChNology?
A lot of the difficulty when it
comes to programming and
computers is the perception
its about a geeky guy with
glasses in a computer lab. Why
it may exclude girls is because
these people arent necessarily
developing apps or programs
that cater to the world as
young girls see it. The real
beauty of technology is
that it is ultimately an
expression of how
you see the world.
An example of this
is a friend of mine
who comes from
a branding
background.
She started

a second-hand clothing exchange.

People who are looking to buy, sell
or exchange clothing can view all
the items online on an app. She
expressed her idea via technology.
Whatever you are interested in, you
can use technology to see what is
possible beyond what is currently
available. Technology is a tool for
expression and the opportunity lies
in our ability to use it as such.

What is your message

to NeW eNtrepreNeurs?
I can say from experience that it
doesnt get easier the second time
around. Its still a challenge to create
a value proposition that people will
pay for. I think it is really important
to realise there is no easy business
and there is no easy way to start
one. If youre starting a business,
you must make sure you choose
something you are willing to commit
to, and commit a huge portion of
your life to. It is a life commitment.
If your idea doesnt truly represent
your fundamental interests or
values, then you wont stick it
out. So, whatever you decide
to do should align with who
you are.

A leArning experience

2015

15 Women Changing the World

in 2015, WoRLd economic FoRum

2014

entrepreneur for the World

(Youth CategorY), WoRLd
entRepReneuRship FoRum
global agenda CounCil
future of SoftWare in SoCietY,
WoRLd economic FoRum

2013

founded rekindle learning,

20 Young poWeR Women in
aFRica (FoRbes aFRica)

2012

30 under 30: afriCaS beSt

Young entrepreneurS
(FoRbes aFRica)
o poWer liSt
(opRah magazine sa)

2011

global Shaper,
WoRLd economic FoRum

2006

Co-founded Yeigo
(acquiRed bY teLFRee in 2009)

PhotograPhy: Paul shiakallis

movers & makers

KEEP
TALKING!
ON
ACCOUNT!
GET UP TO 40% MORE AIRTIME WITH YOUR TFG ACCOUNT!*

SAVETOP UP SAVETOP UP
R31
R15
pm R110
pm R55

55

A
IR
TI
M
E

AIRTIME
ONLY
R40pm

110

AIRTIME
ONLY
R79pm

SAVETOP UP
R62
pm R210

500MB 1GB 2GB

DA
TA

R62x24

R93x24

R135x24

210
AIRTIME
ONLY
R148pm

SAVETOP UP
R84
pm R370

370
AIRTIME
ONLY
R286pm

SMS TECH TO 32177

OR CALL 0860 004 151
WELL DO THE REST!

*MTN AND ONE2ONE TS AND CS APPLY. PRICES CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRINT. ONE2ONE IS A
DIVISON OF TFG PROVIDING MTN AIRTIME AND DATA PACKAGES BILLED MONTHLY TO YOUR TFG ACCOUNT.

Scope
scope

page 54

natural world

scope

page 55

Ancient tech that is

still impressive today
Words William Horne
@awilliamhorne

What Was the World like

2 500 years ago? If youre imagining
illiterate, superstitious people, living
and dying at the whim of nature
and the gods, well, youre quite far
off the mark.
Where we find ourselves today
with our smartwatches, our selfdriving cars and our virtual reality
worlds isnt just the result of us
discovering how to use electricity
and make complex machines. In
fact, all of our technological progress
has been built by standing on the
shoulders of some seriously smart
humans who lived thousands of
years ago, and not just in this here
modern civilised setting we find
recognisable today.
Still, today the intellectual giants
from two thousand years ago can
reach out to directly inspire modern
science, as though reaching through
time itself. When that happens, we
are not just amazed at what our
ancestors achieved with so little
resources, we should be inspired
by what we can still learn from
them today.

AntikytherA MechAnisM
In 1900, divers exploring a shipwreck
near the Greek Island of Antikythera
found what is now regarded as the
first analogue computer ever made,
dating from 200 BCE.
The mechanical computer, using
various dials and gears, was able to
tell the date, as well as lunar cycle,
the positions of many planets and
constellations of stars for navigation
purposes. It could even tell when
the next Olympic Games would
be held.

The device far exceeds the

sophistication of any other device
recovered from the ancient world
and was likely being transported to
Rome for a parade to honour Julius
Caesar, conqueror of the Greeks,
when the ship was sunk.
Little else is known about the
mechanisms origins and uses. Only
74 years after it was discovered, did
scientists realise what it truly was,
and researchers are trying to find
more clues to unlock the mystery
of the Antikythera Mechanism.

scope

page 57

hydrAulic
MessAging systeM

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyImages, CoUrtesy Images

The Ancient Greeks were often

at war. During one of many
bloody conflicts in 400 BCE,
military leaders realised the
advantage to be gained from
communicating quickly over
great distances, and a kind of
hydraulic messaging system
was invented.
Military camps, dozens of
kilometres apart, would each
be equipped with an identical
clay pot fitted with a rod in the
middle. On the rod was marked,
at different heights, a couple of
the most important military
messages such as Attack or
Retreat or Send reinforcements.
The pots would be filled with
water and a cork would float in it.
When one camp needed to send
a message, they would alert the
other by lighting a flaming torch
which could be seen from very
far away. Then, using another
torch signal, they would both
release a stopper at the bottom
of their pots and the water would
run slowly out of both pots at the
same time. When the floating
cork in the senders pot reached
the spot corresponding to the
correct message on the rod, they
would signal again by flaming
torch. That would tell the receiver
to check their water level to know
what message was being sent.

the lycurgus cup

An ornamental ancient Roman
goblet from around 300 BCE uses
a nanotechnology so sophisticated
that researchers were only able to
reproduce it properly in 2014.
Using particles with a diameter
of just 50 nanometres, about one
thousand times smaller than a grain
of salt, the glass of the cup was
altered so that light shining on it
reflects an emerald green colour,
while light shining through it from
the other side presents as a bright,
translucent red.
The chalice is called the Lycurgus
Cup, and is made of glass laced
with microscopic amounts of gold
and silver nanoparticles. What took
todays researchers nearly 20 years
and roomfuls of equipment to figure
out and reproduce, saw the Romans
spending a gruelling period of time
painstakingly grinding down ever

finer gold and silver particles

into imperceptibly small piles.
This would then, somehow, be
added to the glass mixture in
scientifically precise amounts,
all without modern laboratory
equipment we rely on today.
Then, an intricate image of a
mythological story would be
carved on to it.
Glass nanotechnology of the
ancient Romans 1 600 years ago
has allowed modern day scientists
to make massive advances in 3D
holograms, for example. So that
when we do, eventually, end up
communicating with each other
as holograms over vast (possibly
interplanetary) distances, consider
those ancient civilisations who
made it all possible using nothing
but some primitive tools, a lot of
ingenuity and a crazy amount
of patience.

Scope
scope

page 58

natural world

BUG

MAchines
The Planthopper bug is the first
living thing to have ever naturally
developed organic gears as part of
its body. The little mechanical gears
are interlocked at a joint between
its two hind legs, and allow it to
jump, accurately, at an acceleration
of 400G (400 times the force of
gravity) in only two milliseconds.

s
e
M
dO
George RR Martin, author of the Game of Thrones series of books,
owned pet turtles as a child. He would write stories about them
inhabiting a mythical kingdom of magic and wonder. Unfortunately,
his turtles died quite frequently in the toy castle he had them in, so
he decided that it was part of the story, and that they were killing
each other off in sinister plots.

cMOn

BABy,
light My Fire
In a heart-warming example
of extreme match-making, a
scientific researcher at a
remote outpost in Antarctica
used mobile dating service
Tinder and got a date with a
woman doing research at a field
camp only 45 minutes away.

scope

page 59

CODE

yellOW
seArching
THE

gAlAXy

PhotograPhy: gallo/gettyImages, CoUrtesy Images

Some of the Star Trek

characters were named
with a very specific goal in
mind. During the Second
World War, Star Trek creator
Gene Roddenberry lost track
of a friend whose name he
could not spell so he named
one of the arch villians Khan
Noonien Singh (better known
as just Khan) and also named
Datas father Noonien Soong
because these had sounded
similar to his friends name.
His hope was that his friend
might recognise the phonetic
sounds and contact him.

Everything gives off a little

radiation. The elements in bananas
make them slightly radioactive, but
not enough to do any real harm.
If you ate 2 500 bananas, though,
you would be exposed to the same
amount of radioactivity that would
be considered an emergency leak
at a nuclear power plant.

FAMILY
Feud
During the First World War,
the kings of Germany, Russia,
and Britain were all cousins.
Their shared grandmother
was none other than Queen
Victoria of Britain. Kaiser
Wilhelm II of Germany once
remarked about the war: If
my grandmother had still
been alive, she would never
have allowed it.

e
s
u
o
h
e
h

t
n
w
do

f
your tur
k
c
a
b
e
ns to ta_kdredd
o
p
a
e
w
ur ownlint OShea @zombie
o
y
t
f
a
r
C
Words C

Homefront:
tHe
revolution
Xbox One,
PS4 and PC
The Homefront
games seem to
be a source of
great frustration. The Revolution is
a reboot of the original 2011 firstperson shooter, which itself didnt
garner a massive following. It stands
to reason the second game would
have a mountain to climb, and while
we could write an entire story on the
evolution of this game and the trials
and tribulations of its development,
all you really want to know is if its
worth playing, right?
At its heart, Homefront is still a
first-person shooter and, as with
the original game, the setting is
a fictionalised future of the North
Korean occupation of America in
2029. The player takes the part
of an American resistance fighter
battling to regain control of their
homeland or, in this case, the city
of Philadelphia.

loSinG tHe Plot

Probably the biggest advance on
the original is that The Revolution
has shifted its game mechanic away
from a linear model to a more openworld one. This allows the player to
choose from a variety of tasks and

side missions and, as they claim

back more of the city, by taking
enemy outposts.
This is the main storyline, but it
does very little to pull you in. The
characters you meet are generally
one-dimensional and prove to be
nothing more than task-givers. The
promise of an epic, gritty story is
never realised, although, that would
have been the perfect opportunity
for the game to stand out from a
bunch of other similar games.
With a bigger city environment
to play in, The Revolution has added
vehicles and the ability to customise
and upgrade your weapons and
skills. You can also craft items, and
with the correct parts, you can make
a Molotov cocktail or other explosives
to aid you in your quest. The game

vaguely hints that you can

use stealth rather than all-out
aggression to meet most of
your objectives, but the truth
of the matter is you will need
to be prepared to shoot yourself
out of trouble at every turn.

SHootinG iS A miSS
Sadly, the game struggles with this
central, crucial mechanic and its
further hampered by sluggish and
unsatisfying gunplay. Considering
the games core is a first-person
shooter, this presents disaster, and
together with the average graphics,
and disappointing sound and voice
acting, there are sadly few reasons
to recommend this game. Frankly,
there are many more, higher-quality
titles recently released in this genre.

game reviews

page 61

Multiplayer in the 2011

version of Homefront
had some promise, and
if the developers had at
least refined this element
over the last few years, they
would have had something
to build on, and we would
have had something a bit
more positive to say.
Unfortunately, Dambuster
Studios went another route.

A co-op element would have

added a wide range of strategic
opportunities for players to get into
the game, but now the shortage of
players logged-in online makes it
almost impossible to unlock these.
Homefront: The Revolution is not
a game I can easily recommend to
fussy gamers who are looking for a
complete and polished first-person
shooter. For me, it has fallen down
in both these areas.

game reviews

page 62

running wild
Pokmon GO might be the most popular
smartphone game ever
iconic gaming company
nintendo has been under nearconstant pressure to release
a number of its most-beloved
game franchises on to mobile,
where the likes of Fifa, minecraft
and gran Turismo
have proven
themselves
to be very
successful.

For years, fans

of Super Mario,
Pokmon and
Zelda have
speculated that
their favourite characters would be
freed from Nintendo's own mobile
game console, the Nintendo DS,
and come to life on much more
ubiquitous handheld devices:
their mobile phones.
After several missed launch
dates, and a fair number
of years in development,
most would have given
up on Nintendo making
the brave move away from
its own handhelds, and on to the
gaming device that everybody
already owns: their personal
smartphones.
No one fully anticipated the
extraordinary, runaway success
that has been Pokmon GO. It
succeeds, possibly, by bringing
fantasy elements into the real
world, now possible through the
power of augmented reality and
the processing ability of mobiles,
which are only getting better.

G810 Orion Spectrum

RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Logitech G810 Orion Spectrum delivers a pure gaming experience.
Romer-G mechanical switches actuate up to 25% faster than standard
Cherry switches and last for over 70 million key presses. Use Logitech
Gaming Software to customise RGB lighting from up to 16.8 million
colours or program macros for the F1F12 keys.

G502 Proteus Spectrum

RGB Tunable gaming mouse
The G502 features Logitechs most advanced optical sensor for maximum
tracking accuracy. Customise RGB lighting or sync it with other Logitech
G products, set up custom profiles for your games, adjust sensitivity from
200 up to 12,000 DPI*, or position five 3.6g weights to get the perfect
balance and feel.
*Some profile settings require Logitech Gaming Software,
available for download at logitech.com/downloads.

G29 DRIVING FORCE

Racing wheel for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
Designed for the latest PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PC titles, the
G29 Driving Force features dual-motor force feedback and quiet helical
gearing. On-wheel controls and RPM/Shift indicator LEDs help you make
crisp, fluid gear transitions, while the pedals provide a quick, controlled
response. Driving Force is built for comfort and durability with handstitched leather and stainless steel components.

Mechanical Keyboard
A mechanical keyboard uses actual, physical switches underneath the
keys to determine when the user has pushed the key.
When you press a key, you in fact are pressing its switch down. This sends
a signal from your keyboard to your PC, telling it that you pressed that key.
Keys on a mechanical keyboard give audible tactile feedback, as opposed
to laptop keyboards or other non-mechanical keyboards.
Mechanical keys enable you to game faster and more accurately.

www.logitech.com

game reviews

page 65

HoW it WorKS
The game combines
real-time geospatial
data (your GPS
location) with
augmented reality
elements (virtual objects, such as
Pokmon creatures, overlaid on
your view of the real world, through
your phone) with a clean graphical
interface, and very simple gameplay
dynamics that anyone can manage,
from pre-teens all the way through
to middle-aged fans.
Pokmon are manga-inspired
mythical creatures that appear
on your smartphone map. You
capture them by tossing Pokballs
with the flick of a finger on your
screen. Over 20 years, Nintendo
has created hundreds of different
Pokmon, although only the first
140 or so are currently in the game.
Your character walks down city
streets (using a simplified version
of Google Maps in the background),
stopping to grab gear at real world
landmarks like schools, churches
and sculptures, which appear as
Pokstops on your smartphone.
Bigger landmarks are called
Gyms, where groups from one of
the three Pokmon GO factions
(Valor, Mystic and Instinct) use
their captured Pokmon to battle
for control.
The game is available in dozens
of countries

10 THINGS TO
KNOW ABOUT
POKMON GO
1 There have been 75M downloads
so far, at the time of writing. The SA
launch date is unknown.
2 Minimum phone specs to play are
Android 4.4 or Apple iOS 8, GPS and
a mobile data connection. Very little
mobile data is used.
3 Pokmon GO is loosely based on
an earlier game called Ingress, also
by Niantic Labs.
4 Every player is considered a
Pokmon trainer. Training takes place
at gyms controlled by your faction.
5 Pokmon can be hatched from
eggs collected by the player within
the game, and incubated by simply
walking certain distances.
6 Pokmon evolve from a basic
form to more advanced and more
powerful forms.
7 Pokmon don't die. They faint
when defeated in a battle, and are
then revived.
8 The most famous Pokmon is
Pikachu, which has been used as
a mascot for the game, although
it is not one of the most powerful
characters at all.
9 The original Pokmon video game
launched in 1995, and spawned an
equally popular card game in 1999.
1 0 Pokmon is banned in China.

across North America, Europe,

Australasia and parts of Asia.
At the time of writing, it was
not available anywhere in South
America or Africa. However, the
dedicated fans have found quick
and simple workarounds to play in
their native countries, albeit illegally.

SoCiAl imPACt
Commenting on the success of
the game, some psychologists
have reasoned that Pokmon GO
is a feel-good, non-threatening
form of free entertainment that
encourages people to go outside
and interact with their environment,
and each other. Even fostering a
sense of community at a time when
the entire world can probably use
it most. And what better way than
going out to catch em all?

upwardly

mobile
Great gear for your
digital lifestyle

Skullcandy
Grind WireleSS
headphones

Skullcandy has matured both in its

designs as well as sound and build
quality. Were thrilled by the build,
the materials and, ultimately, the
sound quality. The metal headband
is perfectly sprung and the ear
pads generously padded
so they fit firmly, but
Yes, you can
without creating the
have it both
ways. Theyre
ear cramp effect,
wireless, but you
and the brown suede
can also jack in
headband is a classy
with a cable.
touch. The sound far
exceeded our expectations,
some of the designs are less
putting it on par with the
garish than before, they could
fabulous wireless Smokin Buds 2
now capture a much more
on our list of best buys (page 72).
discerning music lover. For us,
this pair, at this price, is a very
Whats missing? We are quite
clear buy.
disappointed that theyre not a
foldable design.
Metal headband, Bluetooth/cable,
calls/music, 12 hr battery (claimed)
Verdict Skullcandys wireless range
R1 500, luksbrands.co.za
continues to impress, and because

smart buys

page 67

Subscribers, SMS
SEP SAMSUNG
+ your ID no
to 43183

SAMSUNG
GALAXY S7 +
SAMSUNG GEAR
VR LITE

aSuS ViVOBOOk
Flip Tp301ua
ultrabook

The hybrid tablet laptop

market is booming, and
thats largely because of
high-calibre products such
as this. The all-round build
quality is immediately
evident: it feels sturdy in
hand with none of the flex
found in cheaper products,
and its finished in a handsome
all-metal body. The touchscreen
flips through 360 to rest against
the base of the keyboard so you
can use it like a tablet, but it is
definitely too heavy to hold in your
hand. You will end up supporting
it with your arm and using it more

like a clipboard. More

laptop than tablet, it has
a great array of ports and
proper processing power under the
hood.
Whats missing? We consider 4 GB
of RAM appropriate only for budget
PCs, so you could have expected
more at this price. The screen is also
a little grainy and underwhelming.
Verdict This works as a well-built,
thin-and-light laptop that has great
style, backed up with a satisfying
build. Theres lots to like here, even
if you never use the flip-over screen
as a tablet.
i5, 13.3 touchscreen, 4 GB RAM,
500 GB HDD, 4 USB, HDMI out,
Win10, 1.5 kg
R12 000, asus.com

smart buys

page 68

Skullcandy uprOar WireleSS

headphones

These are starter headphones for an adolescent,

or for someone trying to get a feel for cordless
freedom. The all-plastic construction and the
controls dont inspire confidence, and they
are a very tight fit, which doesnt help. It
has the all-important toe-tapping quality
to the music, but the sound does become
muddled with complex music played loud.
Whats missing Theres no option to
switch from wireless to cabled, and
theyre not foldable.
Verdict Theres little to recommend these
except for the above-average sound quality,
but theyll work a treat for young adults
looking to impress their peers.
Bluetooth, calls/music, 10 hr battery (claimed)
R900, luksbrands.co.za

lG STyluS 2
smartphone

Last month, Huaweis G8 ascended

the podium as our top-rated
mid-range phone, but now its
reign might be cut short by this
superb LG offering. For a
mid-range device, it
is a near perfect
package with
We enjoy LGs
trademark buttons
a light but
on the back of the
durable body,
phone, leaving us free
a whopping
to grip the phone any
way we want. Simple,
5.7-inch
but effective.
screen thats
sharp and bright,
and 2 GB of RAM to
keep things slick. Even if you are
not a regular stylus user, its great
to have it available as an option,
and it works great with LGs
built-in note-taking apps.
Whats missing? However you
juggle the memory card and apps,

16 GB of storage will eventually

seem inadequate.
Verdict Compared with the
Huawei G8, its got a plastic body,
not metal, and it only has 2 GB, not
3 GB, of RAM, which will matter over
time. But it has a bigger screen,
costs almost R2 000 less, and the

3 000 mAh removable battery

really delivered. Whichever of these
two mid-range champions you
choose, youll end up the winner!
4G LTE, 5.7 screen, 13 MP rear/
8 MP front camera, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB
storage, microSD slot, Android 6
R4 300, lg.com

SOny Xperia X
smartphone

Instead of playing the bigger-is-better

game, Sony have packed a huge
amount of
top-end tech
into a distinctly
lean and clean
shape that is
pocket-friendly
and that feels
somehow more
manageable.
Not once did
we find the
screen too
small. The
well-placed
fingerprint
sensor on the
side power
button unlocks
the phone as
you pick it up.
The cool
bleeding-edge
camera has
half-a-dozen ways to improve your
shots, such as auto
tracking, which
keeps an object in
Sonys upgraded
music player app
focus as it moves,
plays HD audio
and its low light
beautifully, has neat
capabilities are
one-touch sound
optimisation and a
truly impressive.
fresh, attractive
interface.

XiaOmi mi5
Smartphone

The Xiaomi brand is new to SA, but its a huge

hit in its native China and highly regarded
everywhere else. Its easy to see why. This is a
superbly built product, with plenty of horsepower
under the hood, a brilliant full HD screen, a topperforming 16 MP camera, fast fingerprint sensor
and a massive 4 GB of RAM (as much as phones
costing twice as much). Like the Sony Xperia X on
this page, the Mi5 has championed the smaller,
leaner body shape and, like the Sony, somehow
the 5-inch screen never feels cramped. The only
reason this isnt ranking in our mid-range phone
fight is because its not yet readily available from
all of SAs service providers.
Whats missing? Glass-backed phones always
seem like a bad idea, and this one is so glossy it
simply slides right off desks
and counter tops.
Verdict At Tech magazine
we want the newcomer to
have their shot, especially if
its providing more choice in
the mid-range. The Mi5 is a
fantastic deal for the smart
shopper willing to make a
bet on the next big thing.
4G LTE, 5.1 screen, 16 MP
rear/4 MP front camera,
4 GB RAM, 32 GB storage,
USB Type-C, Android 6
R8 000, mia.africa.com

Whats missing? The

unusual button positions
found us performing all sorts of
unwanted mobile manoeuvres.
Verdict Its got some of the best phone
tech around, in the advanced camera
and the raft of clever battery saving
technologies, but its boring aesthetics
might mean it will be overlooked.
4G LTE, 5 screen, 23 MP rear/13 MP
front camera, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB
storage, microSD slot, Android 6
R12 000, sonymobile.co.za

Optical image stabilisation gets

you clearer pictures in tricky
situations, but was only found
on the most expensive phones.

With its polished stainless steel edge, the Mi5 has

created a distinctive and recognisable product,
which is crucial to building a new phone brand.

smart buys

page 70

kineSiS FreeSTyle 2
ergonomic keyboard

South Africa is lagging behind

many countries in understanding
how ergonomic equipment can
contribute to daily productivity,
long-term health and overall
well-being. This specialised
keyboard comes split up the
middle so you can angle the
two halves for optimal comfort,
instead of forcing your wrists into
unnatural angles. The keys require
less pressure, meaning less strain
on your fingers. By adding the
optional risers underneath, you can
slope the sections off to the left
and right for an even better fit
and add in padded palm rests,
as required. Theres a bunch
of extra keys added (copy,
paste, undo and more).

Verdict As committed ergonomic

keyboard users, we really wanted to
love this product, but its let down a
bit by the build quality. The risers
leave the keyboard less stable than
were comfortable with, but the
adjustable slope was a big win.
R2 070 keyboard only, R840 risers
and palm rests, medsport.co.za

The optional number pad

attaches by USB, but it
has two extra USB ports
built in. R1 000

micrOSOFT SculpT
ergonomic keyboard

Microsoft has been researching

ergonomic computing for 20 years,
and produces some of the most
outrageous looking gear. This
keyboard is raised in the middle
because, says Microsoft, that is the
natural position of your hands, and
not flat as for most other keyboards.
Its subjective, of course, but the keys
felt perfectly sprung, with just the
right amount of resistance and travel,
and the cushy removable palm rest
saves the nerves and tendons in your
wrists from grinding on the hard desk
surface. The ergonomically shaped
mouse has a thumb scoop for better

control. BlueTrack sensor tech

makes it work better on almost
any surface.
Whats missing? It takes up
more desk space than most
regular keyboards.
Verdict Rand for rand, this
is one of the smartest tech
investments you can make.
R1 350, microsoft.com

Styling: robyn lane; PhotograPhy: gareth van nelSon/hSmimages.co.za

Whats missing? Its

good to break your
bad keyboard habits,
but getting used to
this odd layout makes it
impossible to work on any
other keyboard, including your
laptop. Also, we dont want to
pay extra for a number pad.

FUTURE

R20

00

in p
riz
es u
p fo
rg
rab
s

Coming Up in ThE nExT issUE

GO, GO,
GAMING!

20 pieces of top gear

for serious players

NO MANS SKY

Play for ever and ever,

worlds without end
All you need
to know about

FITNESS
TRACKERS
Quick ways to
move from iPhone
to Android

FACEBOOK
LIVESTREAM
PhotograPhy: gareth van nelson/hsmimages.co.za

Sharing video
as it happens

Best apps to tickle

your funny bone

ALL
CREATURES,
GREAT AND
SMALL
Six seriously weird
animals that
shouldnt exist

Top

Buyer
s
5
The top gear tested and compared on features,
price and build quality by the experts at Tech

Phones

headPhones

1 Huawei G8

Replacing our previous mid-price

hero, the G7, this one comes with a generous 5.5 screen
and a whopping 3 GB RAM, the most important spec to
keep your phone flying. The metal body and reasonable
price clinched this top-value deal for us.
R5 500

1 Sennhesier Momentum 2

Audio experts agree that these overear headphones are now the gold
standard for the industry. For sound quality, build and
design, theyre tough to beat. Dont sweat the price:
youre investing in a decade of pure aural pleasure.
R6 610

ne

2 LG Stylus 2

With its massive 5.7 screen, this is great

value, especially if you dont need top-end
processing power. We liked the tough plastic body and
large 3 000 mAh battery, and the stylus is a nice touch.
R4 300

3 Xiaomi Mi5

ne

Its easy to see why the Xiaomi brand has

done so well around the world. This model
has top specs, a superb camera, 3 GB of RAM
and a pin sharp screen, and its particularly well built.
R8 000

ne
2 Skullcandy Grind Wireless

This streetwear brand has matured,

swapping its crazy colours for better build
quality. This subtle design caught us off guard
and was as pleasing on the eye as it was on the ear.
R900

3 Skullcandy Smokin Buds 2

Wireless

Taking us by surprise, these plain-looking

buds deliver excellent sound, a comfy fit and
a novel neckband that keeps everything tidy.
R900

4 AG Mobile Ghost

4 Houdt Cyclone

Its hard to trust a new brand, but this

phone won us over by doing the basics
well, then sweetening the deal with a bunch of
accessories, a lifetime warranty and two screen repairs.
R5 000

With a sturdy build, a comfortable fit

and great all-round sound, these are
our new budget-price champions. You
are not short-changed on bass either.
R800

5 Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE

5 Happy plugs Deluxe Edition

This mid-range Microsoft device runs

Windows wonderfully simple operating
system with speed, even on basic hardware.
And theyve added 4G and bumped the screen to 5.
R2 799, hi-online.co.za

The gold finish makes a strong personal

statement on the street, while on the inside,
the handmade drivers deliver a detailed and balanced
sound that is much better than the price suggests.
R500

page 73

best buys

Guide
FITness GeaR

BODY GLOVE
AUDIO B-SPORT
PLUS HEADPHONES

aCCessoRIes

1 Garmin Vivoactive

1 InstaLens

2 FitBit Blaze

2 Logitech Mx Master

Its still a great fitness tracker with a solid

phone app, but now it tracks your sports (in
a fairly basic way), too. Best of all, its a properly
stylish watch for everyday wear, with continuous
heart-rate monitoring and a five-day battery. R4 000

Aside from the superb, wrist-saving

ergonomic design, we loved the dual
speed scrolling wheel which clicks over automatically
from smooth, high-speed scrolling to a more controlled
ratcheted mechanism. R1 500

3 Fitbit Charge HR

3 Microsoft Universal
Mobile Keyboard

With many strong competitors,

this watch stands out for balancing
smartwatch-like notifications with a strong
suite of sports metrics, including GPS mapping.
Its waterproof, has superb battery life and looks
great as everyday workwear. R4 500

Offering a screen and constant heart-rate

monitoring in a slimline design, this tracker
collects a lot of data and has some smart features.
The time display also adds a lot of value to a device
youll wear all the time. R2 600

4 Jawbone Up3

Activity tracking is only half the story

the Jawbone supplies the insights and
analysis to make all that step-, passive heart
rate- and sleep-data actually useful to you with
its Smart Coach functionality. R2 400
PhotograPhy: courtesy images

Subscribers, SMS
SEP BSPORT
+ your ID no
to 43183

Smartphone photography is taken to

a whole new level with these magnetic snap-on lenses.
With a wide range to choose from for any scenario,
they fit any phone and can be easily carried around
on a magnetic keychain.
R300R400 per lens

This is the keyboard thatll pair seamlessly

across platforms. The detachable, magnetically
latched cover doubles as a stand, making it a real
everyday product. R1 000

4 Skross MUV USB plug

Whether for work or pleasure, travelling

with your tech is a pain. This Skross device
will make charging abroad easy with two USB ports
and a series of sliding adaptors for 150 countries.
R550

ne
5 Sony Smartband SWR30

Falling between the pricey smartwatches

and basic fitness trackers, this offers step
counts and sleep monitoring, plus dozens of add-on
apps. Phone notifications are visible on the large e-ink
screen and it takes calls too. R2 300

5 BenQ W2000 projector

This home cinema model has high

brightness (2 000 lumens), advanced tech
for colour accuracy and fantastic cinematic
sound, the best weve ever heard from a projector.
R22 000

backspace

page 74

WhatsGroupie
The universal chat app that brings our small circles
of common interest together in two blue ticks
Words Gus Silber @gussilber

As Tolstoy almost once said, every family

WhatsApp group is dysfunctional in its own
way. Where before, the passage between
bedrooms would have echoed with shouts to
turn down the volume, we now double-tick
each other off with upper-case commands
to cease and desist.
And yet, the main thing I really like about
WhatsApp, the reason its the app I use most
on my phone, is oh, wait, heres another pic
of the missing ginger cat, in a different pose.
I realise, as I read the message, that its a
different ginger cat.
Just to note this is our ginger cat, not to
be confused with the missing cat, explains our
neighbour, a few blocks down. Tick-tick. From
my project group, just four members, a quick
query about whether were still Skyping on
Sunday night. And now, its my teenage son,
waiting to be fetched from school: Please can
you leave now. Ah, good. He said Please.
When my phone rings in-between these
polite blips of notification, it feels like a jolt
from the far, forgotten side of the space-time
continuum, a reminder of an era when we still
had to yell to make ourselves heard.
Here comes the update, from somewhere
down the road: I found my cat. And alongside,
an emoji of a thumbs-up, and an emoji of a
smiling cat. And thats the thing I really like
about WhatsApp, the most-used app on
my phone.
(See page 42 for how WeChat is going
beyond the world of messaging.)

illustration: ryan sedeman

somewhere down the road, someone

in my neighbourhood taps out a message
and hits send. In two ticks, the message flits
on to my phone, drawing me into a web of
intrigue that spans a world within a world.
One street, in one suburb, in one city.
Here is the news: a ginger cat has gone
missing. I thumb the image to enlarge it. The
cat lies sprawled on a bed, its tail curled into
a comma, its paws flamboyantly splayed in
a jazz-dance position.
In days gone by, this felines photograph
would have been printed on to a poster and
wrapped around trees and lamp posts. But
now the owner of the cat is the poster, and
the pillar for posting is made not of metal or
bark, but of millions of lines of binary code.
In an instant, it takes to the air on the one
messaging platform that everybody uses,
across the world, across the barriers of age
and culture and brand of phone: WhatsApp.
A verb, a noun, an icon of a speech bubble
housing a telephone. But more than anything
else, WhatsApp acts as a community of smaller
communities, a set of circles within circles,
little ripples of common interest that embrace
a neighbourhood, a team, a project, a school,
a home.
On my phone right now, I have more than
a dozen WhatsApp groups, the busiest being
Family, which transmits bulletins of grocery
lists, takeaway orders, please-fetch-mes and
stern interjections from the group admin: No
fighting in the group!

CLICK IT.
LOVE IT.

TYPE IT.
LOVE IT.

HEAR IT.
LOVE IT.

MX Master
Wireless Mouse

K400 Plus
Wireless Touch Keyboard

H800
Wireless Headset

MX Master wireless mouse is Logitechs

flagship mouse, designed for power
users. It offers a comfortable handsculpted contour*, stunning design,
advanced features and a fullyrechargeable battery.

Enjoy laid-back control of your

TV-connected computer with the
Logitech Wireless Touch K400 Plus.
Watch video, browse the web and
chat with friends from your couch.

Connect to your PC, tablet and

smartphone*; enjoy rich digital
stereo*; listen and chat longer with
a six-hour rechargeable battery**
no wires to tie you down.

* Mouse mould manufactured from

an original hand-sculpted design.

* Some functions of the headset may

not be supported, depending on the
tablet, smartphone or application.
** Actual battery life may vary
with use, settings and different
environmental conditions.

www.logitech.com