StarSpecial TECH WORLD

THE STAR Sunday 23 March 2014

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Your at-home World Cup experience > 2 Smart way to connect > 3

2 TECH WORLD StarSpecial, Sunday 23 March 2014

Your at-home World Cup experience

Not everyone will be able to go to Brazil this June, but that does not mean you cannot enjoy the game at home in style and comfort. These devices will allow you to lose yourself in the moment and make your World Cup viewing experience memorable and fun. So ensure that you have access to the broadcasting networks that will be airing these matches live. Astro will have full coverage of all 64 live matches, and RTM will also broadcast some matches. Kick off times for most matches will be at midnight, 2am, 4am and 6am. So sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Sharp Comfort Eco air conditioner One good thing about watching the game at home is that you do not have to brave the heat and humidity. This air conditioner comes with precise fan and temperature control software as well as Plasmacluster technology that suppresses airborne contaminants. Its Comfort Mode prevents increases in humidity to keep the rooms environment at optimum levels while you enjoy the game. Panasonic LED bulbs Brazil being on the other side of the world, most of the matches will be in the wee hours of the morning. This means that while you are awake, your lights are switched on. You will need some energysaving lightbulbs to get you through the month. The Panasonic LED lightbulbs can give you up to 87% of energy savings in a lifetime. They are a good long-term investment too they can last up to 25 years longer than a normal bulb. You actually need fewer bulbs to light up your space because the light distribution mechanism in the bulb diffuses light at a 1200 angle, covering a wider area. LG 84-inch Ultra HD TV There is no reason you cannot pretend you are in the stadium along with a thousand other screaming fans. This TV is the best one to get you there. The worlds first commercialised Ultra HD TV, it has such good image quality that viewing fatigue is minimised. The 4K resolution (3840x2160p) will give you sharpness and details so incredible that you will be able to see the tiny beads of sweat on Roy Hodgsons brow.

Sony Home Theatre system The official home theatre system of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, this set-up will give you high-resolution sound quality, completing the illusion that you are in the middle of the crowd. There is even a special Football Mode that allows you to cut the narrators voice and enhance the cheers of the fans so you will feel right in the thick of things.

GINTELL De Aero Touch massage chair Ease your frustrations with a good massage. The Octopus Massage technology in this massage chair means there are a combination of 20 features, six auto programmes and six massage techniques you can choose from including Thai Shiatsu stretching, Guasa Moxage and wave swing. You can even control the massage chair through Bluetooth from any mobile phone or tablet with an Android operating system.

Toshiba Gradient Glass-Door Refrigerator Series Everyone knows the best way to enjoy the beautiful game is with a nice cold drink in your hand. This fridge has a spacious layout with wider than usual shelves. This means you can store huge amounts of food and drinks for you and your gamewatching buddies. The automatic ice maker is convenient. This modern fridges efficient compressor and thicker insulation lowers its energy consumption by up to 40%, so you will actually save money in the long-term.

Saeco Exprelia EVO espresso machine If you are going to be up all hours, you will need some caffeine to keep you going. This automatic espresso machine will give you the perfect cup of coffee according to your personal preference as to length, strength and temperature. The Memo function remembers your preferences and the one-touch beverage selection means you will not have to spend any time looking away from the TV screen. Perhaps the best thing about this machine is its automatic cleaning and de-scaling cycles that will save you a lot of hassle.

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StarSpecial, Sunday 23 March 2014

TECH WORLD 3

Smart way to connect

W
HETHER you are a light phone user, a student on a budget, an active thrill seeker or a high-ying business mogul, it can be tough choosing the right phone. We have put together a list of phones that might appeal to your every need. Alcatel One Touch Scribe Easy Free with DG SmartPlan.

Best phones for students

Sony Xperia C This competitively priced phone is packed with value and with an 8-megapixel camera and dual-SIM card functionality. The screen resolution, which is at 540x960 pixels, may not be the best but Sony makes up for it with 1GB of RAM and expandable storage of up to 32GB. The Sony Xperia C borrows much of its design from its higherend Xperia cousins but its screen resolution is not as good as the Sony Xperia Z1. Despite this, the phone is still able to handle 1080p video recording and 4x digital zoom. Alcatel One Touch Scribe Easy If you are a light phone user and do not need too many apps then the Alcatel One Touch Scribe Easy is for you. The phones come in bright colours called Flash Red, Fresh Blue and Flash Yellow. This is a simple phone that is powered by a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and a 5-megapixel camera. The phone also comes with 4GB of internal BlackBerry Z10. storage but if that is not enough you can purchase a microSD card for added storage space. Interestingly, this phone comes with a stylus and apps that are specially made to be used with it. This functionality will come in handy if you forget to bring your notebook to a lecture or just need to jot something down really quickly. Apple iPhone 5C The Apple iPhone 5C may not be the cheapest option but it is cheaper than the Apple iPhone 5S. The 5C allows potential buyers to express themselves by choosing from ve eye-catching colours green, blue, yellow, red and white. For those keen on taking pictures, the phone comes equipped with an 8-megapixel iSight camera and a 4-inch retina display. There is also a 1.2-megapixel front camera to aid with seles. The Apple iPhone 5C runs on the latest iOS7 operating system and has 1507mAh battery that allows for 10 hours of talk time. HTC Desire 610 and HTC Desire 816 The HTC Desire 610 is set to launch in Malaysia in May while the HTC Desire 816 will be launched next month. The prices here for these phones have not yet been announced but what is known for sure is that HTC is targeting the midrange market. Just like the Apple iPhone 5C, both these phones come in different colours. Both phones come with 8GB of storage and the option to insert a microSD card for additional space, which students will nd helpful. Even without the supplementary microSD card, you should be able to t a reasonable number of songs and lecture material and still have enough space for other things like pictures and videos.

Note III (LTE)s display is bigger than most top-of-the-line phones, allowing users to actually do work on it. Besides the big display, business users will be happy to know that inside the phone is a 3,200mAH battery and a 2.3GHz quad-core processor. You can expect the phone to last the whole day on one charge. This phone comes equipped with a stylus, which Samsung has dubbed the S Pen stylus. This allows users to quickly take down notes or to draw something out with the applications that come with the phone. BlackBerry Z10 BlackBerry has seen big drops in sales lately but their new line of phones pack a punch and is still one of the better business phones in the market. The BlackBerry Z10 runs on the new BlackBerry 10 operating system and sports a 4.2-inch display. Users of the BlackBerry 10 have lauded the phone for its ability to strike a balance between the users work and personal life. This is made possible with BlackBerry 10s Hub, which assists users by gathering all notications from Gmail, Twitter and Facebook and others in one place.

iPhone 5C Free with DG SmartPlan. phones with them during their workouts will nd the water resistance useful as it is able to tolerate sweat and rain very well.

Best phones for fitness buffs

Sony Xperia Z1 The Sony Xperia Z1 is waterand dust-resistant, which makes this one of the more appealing phones for users who engage in outdoor sports. If you are willing to risk it, the phone is water-resistant for up to 30 minutes in freshwater as deep as 1.5 metres. The phone comes with a 2.2 GHz quad-core processor and a 5-inch 1080p display, which will deliver awless images and videos of your sporting activities. Samsung Galaxy S4 Active If you need a sturdier phone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is what you want to go for. Just like the Sony Xperia Z1, the phone is dust- and water-resistant. Unlike most of Samsungs phones that look very plastic, the phone comes with rubberised strips all along the top and bottom. Users who take their

Best phones for business

Samsung Galaxy Note III (LTE) The rst thing you will notice about this phone is its big full HD Super AMOLED display, all 5.7 inches of it. The Samsung Galaxy

Sony Xperia Z1.

Sony Xperia C Free with DG SmartPlan.

Samsung Galaxy Note III (LTE).

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active.

4 TECH WORLD StarSpecial, Sunday 23 March 2014

Industry accolades for new TV model

L
G Electronics (LG) took a lead in the Ultra HD TV segment when it released its 84-inch model (84LM9600) in 2012. Since then, the product has gained positive reviews from some of the worlds most reputable home entertainment authorities, including magazines such as Germanys Heimkino, Swedens HemmaBio and the United Kingdoms T3. The positive feedback from industry experts is testament to LGs hard work and experience, being the rst to globally launch a large-screen Ultra HD TV. LGs 84LM9600 stands at the forefront of engineering and design, offering consumers an unparalleled viewing experience. I think the incredible reviews speak for themselves, says M.W. Baek, executive vice-president of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Co. Being the worlds rst commercialised Ultra HD TV, LGs 84-inch model has taken home a number of notable accolades, including the CES 2013 Innovations Award, T3 magazines TV of the Year award, AVForums.coms Recommended award, Home Cinema Choices Reference Status award and Hi Tech.Mail.rus Innovation award.

Super size, super quality

International publications continue to praise LGs groundbreaking Ultra HD TV. Watt, a Scandinavian home entertainment magazine, labelled it as the next generation TV. It added that the sharpness and detail are on a level that viewers have to experience in order to believe. A reviewer from the prestigious Swedish home electronics periodical, Hemmabio, remarked that the 84LM9600 was the rst large screen TV he had seen. He said You can sit so close without sabotaging image quality. The UKs trusted Home Cinema Choice magazine gave LGs next generation television an impressive ve stars, stating that the extra resolution contributes to zero viewing fatigue and makes it comfortable.

Immersive audio
Although primarily recognised for its picture quality, LGs 84-inch Ultra HD TV also delivers sound quality that is unmatched by other at panel TVs. LG incorporated a compelling 2.2 channel, 50W audio system into the unit to complete what is truly a premium home entertainment package. Reviewed.com of the United States

perfectly summed up the 84-inch TVs all-around prowess, stating There wasnt much that did not impress us with the LG 84LM9600. The sleek design, the killer audio, LGs solid smart TV platform are we forgetting anything? Right, the resolution! LGs 84-inch Ultra HD TV is the complete package and as Hi Tech.Mail. ru points out, LG has made its mark in history as a pioneer of Ultra HD TV.

New additions to the big picture

LAST year, LG Electronics (LG) introduced its 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TVs, contributing to the expansion of its impressive next generation TV line-up. Although smaller in scale than the 84-inch model, LGs 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TVs offer the same impressive sense of immersion that includes sharp picture quality and exceptional colour contrast. The models also feature powerful audio and design that will deliver an exceptional home entertainment experience. As the rst company to offer Ultra HD experience, LG now boasts three outstanding models, allowing consumers to select a screen size that best suits their lifestyle. With production of crisp, high-contrast images with vivid colours, LGs Ultra HD TVs are the true champions of picture quality, says H.K. Kwon, managing director of LG Electronics (M) Sdn Bhd. subwoofer located behind the screen ensures strong bass performance as well. The Sliding Speaker can be programmed to remain permanently hidden or extended. Alternatively, it can be set to slide out when the TV is turned on and retract when turned off.

Modern design and Smart TV

LGs Ultra HD TVs are the embodiment of stylish yet functional modern design. The new models offer the subtle aesthetics and narrow bezels of LGs Cinema Screen Design, serving to heighten the viewers sense of immersion. An unobtrusive chrome nish stand completes the minimalist appearance of LGs next generation TVs. Additionally, LGs Smart TV platform offers an incredible userfriendly design and access to a growing collection of applications and content services from all over the globe. The Magic Remote provides natural language recognition, as well as point, wheel and gesture control options. The features make it easy to navigate menus, search for content and play game applications. LGs Smart TV platform also incorporates a useful service called Now On, which recommends content based on the users viewing habits. In addition, the 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TVs boast excellent wireless connectivity options, such as WiDi and Miracast for convenient screen mirroring, as well as LGs NFC-based Tag On for convenient device pairing. n For more information on LG, call 1800 822 822 or visit www.lg.com/my

Unparalleled picture quality

LGs 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TVs deliver 8.3mil pixels per frame, a superior screen resolution enabled by the LGs Tru-Ultra HD Engine, which also upscales any video format into crisp, near-Ultra HD picture quality. Optimised with the companys proprietary, Super Resolution algorithm, the Tru-Ultra HD Engine maximises image clarity, improves sharpness and eliminates any blurring caused by the upscaling process. Both Intertek and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), two of the most respected product-testing and certication bodies in the world have recognised the superior picture quality of LGs 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TVs. New models undergo a thorough evaluation process to assess their picture quality.

In particular, these include its resolution, colour accuracy, contrast, balance and viewing angle. The tests also assess 3D-specic performance characteristics, including screen blink and pixels per image. In addition, LG has equipped its new Ultra HD TVs with Nano FULL LED backlighting. As a result, illumination control is greatly enhanced, guaranteeing outstanding contrast and consistent brightness across the entire breadth of the screen. The LA9700 models also incorporate In-Plane Switching

(IPS) display panels, which offer incredible colour expression and a wide, 1780 viewing angle. Users can enjoy watching LGs Ultra HD TVs from almost any position in the room without having to worry about colour distortion or loss of visual detail. Thanks to razor-sharp Ultra HD screen resolution, LGs 55and 65-inch models produce the most stunning 3D images. Additionally, the companys Filmtype Patterned Retarder (FPR) 3D technology provides a crosstalkfree 3D viewing experience that enables users to wear comfortable

and lightweight 3D glasses.

The Sliding Speaker

LG also complements its superior Ultra HD picture technology with superb audio. Both the models feature a 4.1 channel, 50W sound system that includes the Sliding Speaker sound bar. This cleverly concealed sound bar boasts four forward-facing speakers that deliver surround sound audio and excellent expression of mid to high frequency ranges. A powerful

Sunday 23 March 2014

StarSpecial 5

6 TECH WORLD StarSpecial, Sunday 23 March 2014

Customise your phone plan

OW is the best time to sign up for an Internet plan if you are not on one yet. DiGi offers comprehensive Internet plans through DG SmartPlan. The Internet plans offered are the DG SmartPlan 50, DG SmartPlan 78, DG SmartPlan 108 and the DG SmartPlan 148. Among the four of these Internet plans, DG SmartPlan 50, DG SmartPlan 78 and DG SmartPlan 108 are new and affordable. The DG SmartPlans all come with up to 6GB of Internet data and the recently introduced 4G LTE services, which covers selected high-trac locations in the Klang Valley. The DG SmartPlan 50, which costs a monthly fee of RM50 comes with 2GB of bundled Internet and 200 bundled text messages from DiGi to DiGi. Once the free monthly usage has been reached, voice and video calls are charged at a rate of 15 cents per minute, 10 cents per text message, 20 cents per MMS, and Internet data can be topped up from RM1 a day. These rates apply to the rest of the plans except the DG SmartPlan 148, which offers 10 cents per minute on voice and video calls instead of 15 cents per minute. With a monthly fee of RM78, the DG SmartPlan 78 comes with 3GB of bundled Internet and 100 bundled text messages to any telco. Compared to the DG SmartPlan 50, this plan comes with a lot of extras like unlimited weekend calls to numbers on the DiGi network and free Norton Plans DG SmartPlan 50 DG SmartPlan 78 DG SmartPlan 108 DG SmartPlan 148 Monthly fee RM50 RM78 RM108 RM148

Mobile Security. These two plans are best suited for light to moderate users and students because of the affordable prices. Customers who opt for the DG SmartPlan 78 will be able to enjoy unlimited music streaming through the Deezer app. With Deezer, users can search, discover, listen, organise and share music from a catalogue of more than 30 million songs and 30,000 radio channels. The DG SmartPlan 108 requires a monthly fee of RM108 and comes with a total of 5GB of bundled Internet and bundled voice calls of 300 minutes, which include unlimited weekend calls to other DiGi numbers. Three hundred bundled text messages are also given under this plan. Lastly, there is the DG SmartPlan 148. At a monthly fee of RM148, it is expensive but offers the most value. The DG SmartPlan 148 stands out with its 30 minutes of bundled International Direct Dialling (IDD) calls, 6GB of bundled Internet data, 600 minutes of voice calls and 600 bundled text messages. Users also get unlimited weekend calls to other DiGi numbers. Additionally, all of the DG SmartPlans come with free DiGi Visual Voicemail, which allows users to view and manage their voicemail messages with an app. DiGi prides itself on this app that has an intuitive and friendly interface, address book integration, customisable voicemail greeting and smartphone push notication. Bundled Voice Calls N/A 100 mins 300 mins 600 mins Bundled SMS 200 SMS (DiGi - DiGi) 100 SMS 300 SMS 600 SMS

Additional plan details Services Supplementary Lines Standard Bill Itemised Bill Internet Roaming Details Free 100 hours of voice calls, 3,800 SMS and 3,800 MMS (up to 6 DG Family lines) RM2/month RM5/month From RM32/day Additional Information Optional subscriptions available for: DG Family Prepaid DG Family Postpaid Free when you switch to e-billing via DiGi OCS Optional subscription to itemised billing includes standard bill statement For unlimited Internet roaming in selected countries

Bundled Internet 2GB 3GB 5GB 6GB

Sunday 23 March 2014

StarSpecial 7

8 TECH WORLD StarSpecial, Sunday 23 March 2014

We keep important and sometimes irreplaceable files in our phones. There has been an increase in virus attacks over the past few years since phones started having better access to the Internet. The last thing anybody wants is to have their phone attacked by a virus. Just as we spend time and money protecting our computers from threats and viruses, we should also put effort into protecting our phones and personal information.

Smart phone at risk

How to protect your phone
Download antivirus software: The first step to take is to download an antivirus application from Apples App Store or Androids Google Play. If you do not want to spend money on antivirus software for your phone, there are many free applications to choose from.

Make your phone run faster

Do you remember how fast your phones operating system ran when you first took it out of the box? It is quite normal for phones to slow down after years or even months of use. But you do not have to buy a new one. There are a few easy ways to speed up your phone. Shut down applications: Most new phones require you to shut down an application once you are done with it. If this is not done, the application will still be running in the background and taking up the processors power.

Thorough scan: After you have decided on antivirus software, make sure to thoroughly scan your phone for viruses that may have already made their way in.

Delete applications: Some of us have more applications than we actually need. Too many applications can slow your phone down because of the space they take up. Consider deleting applications that you rarely or never used. Stay away from animated wallpapers and screensavers: Sure, they are really nice to look at but they drain a lot of your battery and most importantly, your phones processing power.

Bluetooth: It is important that you turn off your Bluetooth whenever you are not using it. Viruses can be sent from one phone to another via Bluetooth even without the receiving party initiating a file transfer.

Update: While it is important to scan your phone for viruses frequently, it is also important to ensure your phones antivirus softwares virus signature database is updated. This will keep your phone protected from new viruses that emerge.

Delete texts messages and e-mails: Try not to horde too many e-mails and text messages. Even though they do not take up much space, if you store a large amount your phone will slow down.

Control your home

HAVE you ever thought about how modern life is starting to resemble science ction a little more every day? Cars do not need keys to start, we can store information on the cloud, and our mobile phones can be used to control our living environment. Home automation, the controlling of lighting, appliances, security, entertainment and more in the home, is actually easily possible. It may seem like a futuristic dream a Jetsons moment, as one communications company puts it but all you need is a smartphone, a good app, a controller and, of course, controllable devices.

WeMo Home Automation

Operating systems: Android, Apple Controller: Home Wi-Fi or mobile phone network Price: Free Download from: Google Play, iTunes App Store This app does not even need a controller. It controls WeMo devices - LED lightbulbs, switches and a motion sensor through Wi-Fi or 3G. When

the motion sensor is plugged into a WeMo switch, it can turn on lights when it detects movement in the room. In fact, anything that can be plugged into a WeMo switch can be turned on and off remotely. The devices can be controlled through your smartphone from anywhere in the world. Interestingly, this app is also available for the Kindle Fire.

Home Control Mobile App

Operating systems: Android, Apple Controller: Verizon Price: Free Download from: Google Play, iTunes App Store This app manages all activated Home Monitoring and Control devices from a compatible smartphone. It allows you to manage cameras, review energy use in the home and access devices. You can turn on and off lamps, adjust dimmer brightness, turn on and off appliances, activate door locks, and monitor door or window sensors.

MobiLinc

Operating systems: Android, Apple Controller: INSTEON ISY-99i & SmartLinc Price: Free (MobiLinc Lite), RM65.40 (MobiLinc Pro) Download from: Google Play, iTunes App Store With this set-up you can control your devices from anywhere in the world as long as you have Wi-Fi or access to a mobile network. It can control lights, devices, programmes and even your irrigation system.

INSTEON for Hub

Operating system: Android, Apple Controller: INSTEON Hub Price: Free Download from: Google Play, iTunes App Store This set-up connects your home devices to any Android-operated smartphone or tablet and can control light bulbs, wall switches, outlets and thermostats, and can receive instant alerts from motion or water leak sensors.