Electronic goodies have long crossed over from being a sign of thick-rimmed, pants-too-high, Bill-Gates-haircut geekiness to being the way every urbanite communicates, gets their tunes and enjoys their pics. Sure, geeks still have their toys, but the playground is now crowded with fashionistas, ladies-who-lunch, metrosexuals and every other tired personality type out there. We’ll let you figure out which color matches your handbag best—meanwhile, let’s look at what these new gadgets are packing.
Home Entertainment
In the TV category, it’s a battle of the skinny hi-defs. The Sharp LC-52A83M (B204,9900, Power Buy), from their well-known Aquos line, is a full HD1920x1080 screen with a clear high-contrast picture and multi-format support (i.e. you can still view crappy ol’ PAL on its digital greatness). Sharp’s panel screen system also helps reduce glare from ambient light so nothing distracts you from your couch potato moment.
For multitaskers who just can’t sit still in front of the TV, try the new Panasonic TX-32LX76T (B28,990, Power Buy). Panasonic’s design allows you to enjoy its HD pictures from any angle so that the TV looks great whether you’re on the phone on the balcony or playing with your Wii in the living room.
What’s a home theater without a good sound system? Samsung HT-TXQ120 (B49,990, Samsung) is here to bring you all the symphonic orchestration, high-action crashing and exploding, and Oscar-winning inflections that make a good movie great. It’s made of five speaker towers and a multimedia station that can play CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. There’s also a USB port to hook up your MP3 player. Of course, you’ll need a generous (soundproofed) room to match the equally large price tag.
For the ultimate hi-def experience, ditch the LCD and go plasma. The Pioneer Kuro PDP-LX508G (B299,990, Pioneer) makes movie-viewing almost as good as in an actual theater thanks to dark blacks with no “bleeding” from bordering bright elements in the frame. Also, this model can function as a home digital gallery if you hook it up to your camera via the USB port located on its back.
Hook up this Pioneer CDJ 400 station (B24,000, Pioneer) and bring the house down. The CDJ can read CDs as well as MP3s on CD and thumb drives. You can just have it in your home to look cool, but if you really know what you’re doing, you can also hook it up to your computer to record your mixes.
LCD vs. Plasma
There are three choices when you buy a TV: the good old-fashioned glass tube (CRT), plasma and LCD. Compared to plasma, LCDs are slightly cheaper, lighter and less fragile, but they don’t quite have the same contrast and pitch-black blacks as plasma screens. LCDs do offer higher resolutions (good for computer screens) but, when it comes to TVs, plasmas are the way to go for superior image quality.
HD DVD vs. Blu-ray
Your DVD may look crystal-clear compared to a VCD, but with Blu-ray and HD-DVD out on the shelves, your home theater sound and image is going to get even crisper. Blu-ray discs can hold up to 50GB, as opposed to 30GB for HD-DVD, so that slight edge means nominally better picture quality. But what matters most is choosing the standard that will triumph so that you don’t end up with a useless player. Currently, Blu-ray seems to have the edge. Our tip: get Sony’s Playstation 3 for a dirt-cheap Blu-ray player and game console all in one.
Media Players
These days, mobile phones have shifted their focus from communication to multimedia. But if you’re still one of those who have a separate media player in your bag, here are you choices:
The big player, iPod, adds to its still-quite-new nano and iPod Touch collections. The iPod nano has come out with two new dashing colors—pink and red (B8,690, iStudio). The pink 8GB nano is focusing on luring girly tech girls while the sales of the red nano help contribute to the (PRODUCT) RED AIDS/HIV fund. For the new iPod Touch (approx. B15,000), the specs and color remain the same but they have upped the maximum available memory to 32GB.
MP3s alone just don’t cut it anymore. That’s why media players are coming out with DVD quality video players. The Samsung P2 (B10,990/8GB, Samsung) is dubbed as a “portable concert hall and cinema.” Although just a palm-sized touch screen media player, the sound quality coming out its earphones is clear and the video playback is smooth and comfy on its 3-inch screen.
Sony has a similarly equipped device with the Walkman NWZ-S610 (B4,990/2GB, Sony). The player mainly focuses on playing MPEG movies but it does support music files like MP3 and WMA (Windows audio file), and if you’re old school, it has a built-in FM radio—so Walkman, so 80s!
Personal Computers and Laptops
If you like your laptop so small you need to thumble around in your bag to find it, the 7-inch Asus Eee PC (B15,900, SoftWorld) is a fun buy. This Linux-based laptop has only 8GB of hard drive space, so if you want to install Windows XP, you won’t have much space left for other programs. Good points? If you stick with Linux, there are lots of free programs that are as good as those on Windows and are less greedy when it comes to processing power. Think of it as a more advanced PDA, but get it only if you already own another computer.
If you don’t mind the thickness and the weight, the 14-inch BenQ Joybook Q41 (B36,900, IT City) is an intriguing choice, but you might be better off not carrying this thing around town. The Joybook has two screens, the regular computer one and a 2.5-inch screen on the cover that displays your videos and music stored in your computer’s Windows Media Player library.
A similar alternative would be the HP TouchSmart PC (B89,000, Power Buy) but the difference is that it comes with a touch screen (there’s still a mouse, don’t panic). The TouchSmart focuses on being a multimedia center for your home. It boasts an 19-inch screen and an all-in-one media hub as it comes with a compact HP Photosmart A526 printer that can be easily mounted on the back of the computer without taking up more space on your desk.
The chunky desktop has long disappeared from the evolved geek’s environment. Headlining the portable line, you just cannot miss the MacBook Air (B69,900, iStudio). Thanks to the viral power of the internet, you might have seen Steve Jobs pulling it out of a brown paper envelope to show off just how thin it is. If not, here’s what you missed: a 13.3-inch screen, multitouch mouse pad (like on iPhone) and 80GB iPod hard drive. There’s no DVD reader or a proper set of USB ports, but who cares in this wifi world? Did we mention it’s less than 2cm thick?
For those who are tempted to throw out the gigantic CPU purring beneath their desk but not quite ready to make the jump to a laptop, the VAIO LM Series (B84,900, Sony) is here to minimize your desk clutter. The keyboard and the mouse are wireless and the CPU built into the 19-inch screen keeps things tidy (Mac users know this is not a new trick). It’s also equipped with Sony’s multimedia goodness—there’s a 1.3-megapixel camera built-in and you can even save more space by using this baby as your TV.
What is Linux?
Like Microsoft Windows and Mac OS, Linux is an operating system (OS) that your computer runs on. The major difference is that it’s open source, meaning many independant rogrammers have contributed to improving it. Linux comes in a number of variations and some are free. Try Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com), for example. Linux is often considered more stable than Windows (no crashing) and the list of add-ons and upgrades is nearly infinite because of the community of geeks backing it. Don’t worry, it’s still a graphic user interface, so usage is similar to Mac and Windows.
Windows XP vs. Windows Vista
The new and hyped Windows Vista isn’t really all that better than XP. The good points of getting a Vista upgrade are the cleaner look, desktop toys like calendar and clock, graphic window switches (which is only just for show and eats up your battery and slows down your PC), and the ability to search for every file imaginable hidden in your omputer from the desktop. For cool, get Vista. Otherwise, stick to XP and show your love for Bill by donating to his foundation instead.
Cameras and Camcorders
The new Nikon D300 (B65,000, Eastbourne) is an upgrade to the popular pro D200 model. The D300 upped its auto-focus points to 51 and has enhanced its 3D-tracking to help capture moving subjects more sharply. The now 12-megapixel camera also upped its viewing screen size to 3 inches and comes with a built-in wireless flash control.
The Samsung 8i (B8,990, Samsung) is taking on girl photographers with its sweet colors. It can take self-portraits in 8.1-megapixel clearness. Another gimmick to lure fashionistas is its built-in media player that can carry around Kelly Clarkson’s MP3s and Fergalicious videos wherever your stilettos take you.
If you want to get your vid’ burnt straight to DVD for instant sidewalk distribution, get the Hitachi Hybrid DZ-HS303SW (B25,990, Power Buy). Since it’s a hybrid, it can also take photos, when you’re sick of movies.
As for the clumsy, or to put it nicely, the adventurous, the idiot-proof SW series, like the Olympus Mju 795SW (B14,990, Eastbourne), can take 10m of water, a 1.5m drop and –10 degrees Celsius (for that next trip to Moscow). This model offers a standard 7.1-megapixel resolution.
Planning to record your life memories? At the camcorder corner, the Samsung HMX10 (B25,990, Samsung) fits a full HD camera right into the palm of your hand. There’s also a Hyper Image Stabilizer function to minimize motion sickness when shooting your own version of Cloverfield.
Amateur cineastes, grab a Canon Full HD HG10 (B54,900, Power Buy) and become the new Pen-ek or Poj Arnon, whatever floats your boat. This camcorder boasts a built-in processor to record and render clips instantly and clearly in digital format. The video clips are stored on its 40GB hard drive so no tapes or DVDs to fumble around with. But you’ll have to make sure you’ve got a computer to connect it to.
If you’re not a pro but want to pose as one, try out the Casio V8 (B13,900, Power Buy). Its dual image stabilizer should take care of those tricky low-light situations while its 8.1 megapixels are more than enough for large prints. It also boasts a “YouTube” video mode for best upload quality but lacks wifi so keep those cables handy.
Smartphones
For mobile fanatics, prepare yourself for some over-the-top features and branding. Two high-end brands have decided to follow Prada and D&G to bring you the ultimate materialistic phones. The Samsung Giorgio Armani (B23,900, Samsung) is a sleek black designer phone that’s more than just a pretty face. Only 10mm thin, the phone packs serious functions such as wifi, a 3-megapixel camera, document editor and touch screen.
If you’re not that brand-minded but still like some bling on your phone, the Motorola RAZR V8 LX (B22,900, Motorola) is a 24K gold-plated handset with etched patterns on the back cover. Function-wise, the 2-inch screen on the front cover is a touch-sensitive music player that shows album covers as the music plays.
For a fresh take on the all-around phone, try the new LG Viewty (B17,900, Power Buy). Another touch screen to take on the iPhone, the Viewty also packs multimedia functions like a 5-megapixel camera, image stabilizer, and handwriting recognition to make your messaging experience faster.
If you’re into totally off the chart design, you might like the Porsche Design P’9521 (B59,900, I-mobile). Aside from the brand’s awe-factor, the phone also does fab things like fingerprint ID, media player, internet browser and, when rotated 180°, turns into a 3.1-megapixel camera. And all this within a 3.5x1.8 inch aluminum frame.
For a Nokia fan who doesn’t mind a hefty price tag, the Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte (B41,700) is offering a similar lavish design, with leather finishing and a sapphire stone as the navigator key. With that comes a 3.1-megapixel camera and motion detector that puts the phone on silent mode when the phone is turned upside down.
For those of you who don’t want their phone to be just a calling device, action-packed phones like the Nokia N82 (B21,850, Nokia) are the way to go. More like an updated version of the popular N95, the N82 tosses out the double slider and just goes with the simple candy-bar look. It still boasts GPS capability,
5-megapixel camera and wifi connection, though.
Of course, you can’t miss the iPhone (B22,000 at MBK or the gray market. See “Unauthorised Dealer”). Granted, it’s a bit tired already and the new upgrade that just came out prevents the use of third-party programs. Time to upgrade your “Jailbreak,” a firmware that allows your phone to run such programs. Check out a step-by-step guide from Lifehacker at http://tinyurl.com/26suop/.
What is Third-Party?
“Third-party” is used to describe programs that are not officially developed by the maker of the device on which they run, like a non-Apple program that can run on an iPhone.
Wish List
You won’t find these in Thailand—or only on the gray market. But we can’t wait for them to make it here.
Eye-Fi SD Card
www.eye.fi
This camera memory card has a built-in wifi capacity so you can upload your pictures straight from your camera to your computer (or share your pics with others) without cables or handling the card. In the US, it now comes bundled with the Nikon D60.
Amazon Kindle
www.amazon.com
To profit from the e-book revolution, the Kindle is a device that can connect to the internet and access books and news online. Kind of like an iPod touch, but for reading—there’s no need for a computer. When you buy a book, it gets fed into the reader which can store up to 200 titles.
PlanOn’s DocuPen RC 800
www.planon.com
Looks like something you’d find in a Chinese street market but it can scan full A4 pages, in color, in as little as four seconds. Have a whole batch of top-secret documents you need to copy? Its micro-SD card can hold hundreds of pages. Take that, James Bond!
Toshiba External Harddrive
www.toshibastorage.com
Is your computer overloading with pics, videos and MP3s? Here’s an external drive that won’t ruin the décor of your office. The drive holds up to 320GB and comes in black with stripes in red, green or gray.
Eazo Luxury PC
www.eazo.com.cn
If you prefer a desktop to a laptop but still crave sleek design, get yourself a Luxury PC with a Core Duo processor, 4GB RAM, and 500GB hard drive. Made in China.
Unauthorised Dealer
Tech geeks who want to stay on top of everything head to MBK’s phone dealers for stuff that isn’t officially available in Thailand. Tuen, 48, is one of those who can fix you up with some gray market gear.
How long have you been in the phone business?
For about four or five years already but now I am on a kind of break. I have employees who run the place for me.
Where do you usually get the goods?
When you open a store like this you have to know a dealer. I can’t reveal who that dealer is but there’s a group of people who help us get the stuff we want from abroad—for a fee, of course.
How do you know what’s hot? Where do you get updated on the latest gadgets?
It’s usually the customers that show us what’s hot. They come to us, asking if we have this and that and we go and get it for them.
Is it cheaper buying here than getting it from abroad ourselves?
Actually no, and it depends on the demand. If the item is really popular, it can be quite expensive. But the good point is, you get the unlocked version here. If you buy from the US, you can’t use it in Thailand until you get it unlocked.
How do you deal with having so many competitors?
We just have to be close to our customers as they are the ones who tip us with information on the next big thing. If you know what’s coming, you can get it in stock before the competition.
Do you have any problems with authorized dealers?
No, actually. They know we offer something they don’t. We know the market better than they do,
I think.
Do you consider yourself a high tech person?
Not at all. I’m a simple person. I got into the business because the market was so good!
For the latest phones not really on the market yet, check out Tuen’s outlet on 4/F MBK, 02-620-9047.
Gear Up Here
Power Buy—4/F Zone D, CentralWorld Plaza, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-873-8746. Open daily 10am-9pm.
IT City—4/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9866. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Pioneer— 2/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9648. Open daily 10:30am-9pm
Samsung— 2/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9585. Open daily 11am-8pm.
Jay Mart— 4/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9774/-7. Open daily 10am-10pm.
iStudio—3/F, Pantip Plaza, Petchaburi Rd., 02-256-0419. Open daily 10am-8pm.
Sony—3/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8531/-3. Open 11am-9pm.
Eastbourne—3/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8515/-7. Open daily 11am-9pm.
Motorola—3/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9574. Open daily 10am-8pm.
Nokia—3/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8565. Open daily 10am-10pm. Or 4/F, CentralWorld Plaza, Ratchadamri Rd.,
02-613-1671/-3. Open daily 11am-9pm.
