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Remember when we were kids and our parents warned us not to talk to stran-gers? I wonder what parents tell their kids these days. It’s bad enough in the
crowded towns we’re living in, where sometimes even our neighbours are strangers, but if Earth wasn’t tough enough, we’re now dealing with everyday worries in the virtual one as well.
I’m not trying to suggest that social media or technology in general is this big bad tool that’s killing us all… that’s so last month...
This month, after reading media hype about the stuff people do online – tweeting through child-birth, their own wedding ceremony, and various other events in life that really should be private, I can’t seem to fathom what drives people to do such things. It’s not just twitter – on Facebook, Orkut, YouTube, any virtual public gathering, or anywhere there’s an audience, the court jesters show up screaming “Look at me now!”. But who are these people we’re all trying to please?
Honestly, we seem to interact with strangers or acquaintances more often than “friends” on social media platforms these days. But then that’s the point, isn’t it? Unless it’s someone you’re wooing, how boring is it to interact with the same people, both offline and online? The devil is in the details though – I use the word “interact”, which so many of us just don’t do any more. It’s more about trying to define oneself in the eyes of strangers. It’s the school or college canteen all over again – we all want to be popular, and will do anything to try and gain that acceptance.
Of course people will cry foul, and claim “Not me.” Of course not you; you’re special – just like the other 1 billion.
Why not abandon your current avatar and start from scratch? Ask yourself if you’d continue to do it if no one else ever read any of it or responded?
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m some prude who’s advocating an end to the net or anything else that’s ludicrous. I’m just trying to understand our psychology in the virtual world, because understanding something is the key to using it wisely and safely.
It is, after all, a very human need for us to try and rise above the crowds and make a name for ourselves. It’s what’s drilled into us from the time we’re able to comprehend our first words. We have to get better grades than the neighbour’s kid, or behave like he or she does. When we go
to college, it’s the group you hang out with that defines how cool you are. Later at work you jostle amongst your over-eager colleagues to find a niche you can make a name for yourself in, and will do anything to get promoted, or even noticed. The bar can never be set too high.
At first, the net was a way to escape all that and that’s what fuelled its initial surge. It was anonymous, it was free of guilt, and you didn’t really care about one another’s opinions. That hasn’t changed of course, and if you want to, you can still choose to be anonymous online.
Do you?Hasn’t the whole web experience become just
another clone of your offline life? Sure the people you meet are different, but the needs are the same. You want to be popular, but so does everyone else; you want to express yourself uninhibitedly, but fear that your boss or family might read what you said – it’s the same rat race all over again.
As CEO, MD and financer of brand You, you know that you’re nothing if Google doesn’t love you, or if people don’t follow/like/poke/message/friend/<insert favourite social activity here> you. So you tweet no matter what you’re doing, you Like everything and add everyone as a friend on Face-book, and eventually… you’re stampeding through life with the rest of the e-cattle. A few lucky ones get their 15 seconds of fame, might even make some money, and then are forgotten as everyone moves on to the next net sensation. It gets harder each time though. No one wants to see a me-too, so you do something crazy and unique to be noticed.
Real life is hard enough to deal with, without get-ting carried away in the virtual one. Use the net as a tool, and it can help you succeed at work, college, or whatever you do. Start taking e-popularity too seri-ously, and you might end up hurting your chances of success. You don’t want to be the person who eve-ryone watches on YouTube, but only to make fun of…
Do you?
PS: Food for thought – Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most private people around, yet we flock to his site and give up our own privacy to play the “I have more Face-book friends than you” game...Also read this: http://bit.ly/c7GBNr
“we seem to interact with strangers or acquaintances more often than “friends” on social media platforms these days. But then that’s the point, isn’t it?”
Robert Sovereign-SmithExecutive [email protected]
The RSS Feed
1Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
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acquaintances more often than “friends” on social media platforms these days. But then that’s the
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media platforms these days. But then that’s the point, isn’t it? Unless it’s someone you’re wooing,
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point, isn’t it? Unless it’s someone you’re wooing, how boring is it to interact with the same people,
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how boring is it to interact with the same people, both offline and online? The devil is in the details
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both offline and online? The devil is in the details though – I use the word “interact”, which so many
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though – I use the word “interact”, which so many of us just don’t do any more. It’s more about trying
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of us just don’t do any more. It’s more about trying to define oneself in the eyes of strangers. It’s the
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to define oneself in the eyes of strangers. It’s the school or college canteen all over again – we all
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school or college canteen all over again – we all want to be popular, and will do anything to try
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want to be popular, and will do anything to try and gain that acceptance.
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and gain that acceptance.Of course people will cry foul, and claim “Not
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me.” Of course not you; you’re special – just like the other 1 billion.
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the other 1 billion.Why not abandon your current avatar and start SA
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from scratch? Ask yourself if you’d continue to do it if no one else ever read any of it or responded?SA
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Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m some prude who’s advocating an end to the net or SA
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to college, it’s the group you hang out with that
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defines how cool you are. Later at work you jostle SA
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Edefines how cool you are. Later at work you jostle amongst your over-eager colleagues to find a niche
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anything to get promoted, or even noticed. The
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bar can never be set too high.
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At first, the net was a way to escape all that
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and that’s what fuelled its initial surge. It was
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anonymous, it was free of guilt, and you didn’t
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anonymous, it was free of guilt, and you didn’t really care about one another’s opinions. That
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really care about one another’s opinions. That hasn’t changed of course, and if you want to, you
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hasn’t changed of course, and if you want to, you can still choose to be anonymous online.
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can still choose to be anonymous online.
Hasn’t the whole web experience become just
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Hasn’t the whole web experience become just another clone of your offline life? Sure the people
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another clone of your offline life? Sure the people you meet are different, but the needs are the same.
SAM
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you meet are different, but the needs are the same. You want to be popular, but so does everyone else;
SAM
PLE
You want to be popular, but so does everyone else; you want to express yourself uninhibitedly, but
SAM
PLE
you want to express yourself uninhibitedly, but fear that your boss or family might read what you
SAM
PLE
fear that your boss or family might read what you said – it’s the same rat race all over again.
SAM
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said – it’s the same rat race all over again. As CEO, MD and financer of brand You, you
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As CEO, MD and financer of brand You, you know that you’re nothing if Google doesn’t love
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know that you’re nothing if Google doesn’t love you, or if people don’t follow/like/poke/message/
SAM
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you, or if people don’t follow/like/poke/message/friend/<insert favourite social activity here> you.
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friend/<insert favourite social activity here> you. So you tweet no matter what you’re doing, you Like
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So you tweet no matter what you’re doing, you Like everything and add everyone as a friend on Face-
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everything and add everyone as a friend on Face-book, and eventually… you’re stampeding through
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book, and eventually… you’re stampeding through life with the rest of the e-cattle. A few lucky ones
SAM
PLE
life with the rest of the e-cattle. A few lucky ones get their 15 seconds of fame, might even make some
SAM
PLE
get their 15 seconds of fame, might even make some money, and then are forgotten as everyone moves
SAM
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money, and then are forgotten as everyone moves on to the next net sensation. It gets harder each time
SAM
PLE
on to the next net sensation. It gets harder each time though. No one wants to see a me-too, so you do
SAM
PLE
though. No one wants to see a me-too, so you do something crazy and unique to be noticed.
SAM
PLE
something crazy and unique to be noticed.Real life is hard enough to deal with, without get-
SAM
PLE
Real life is hard enough to deal with, without get-ting carried away in the virtual one. Use the net as a
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ting carried away in the virtual one. Use the net as a tool, and it can help you succeed at work, college, or
SAM
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tool, and it can help you succeed at work, college, or whatever you do. Start taking e-popularity too seri-SAM
PLE
whatever you do. Start taking e-popularity too seri-ously, and you might end up hurting your chances SAM
PLE
ously, and you might end up hurting your chances SAM
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SAM
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Don’t talk to strangers...SA
MPL
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Don’t talk to strangers...
October 2010 • Volume 10 • Issue 10
BAZAAR................64Apacer AC203ASUS ENGTS450 TOPASUS NX90ASUS Sabertooth X58ASUS U43JCCooler Master CM 690 II AdvancedCooler Master Silent Pro Gold 800WCorsair AX1200Croma CREL 3127ECS P55H-AKEmsisoft Anti-MalwareF&D F700UF&D F900UGalaxy GeForce GTS450 GCGigabyte G41M-C ComboGlacialTech AlaskaGodrej Eon Game LCD HTC DesireHTC WildfireIntex Premiun N-322Iomega Skin driveIQ Pro 4GBKingston KHX2000C9AD3W1K2/4GXKodak Play Sport Lenovo IdeaCentre B300Lenovo IdeaPad Y560LG Cookie ZipLian Li EX-30Logitech H530Logitech H555Micromax QUBE X550Micromax Gravity X600Micromax PIKE X510 Moserbaer MBIK42FHDMSI Big Bang XpowerMSI N450GTS CycloneMundu Mundu IM OSEPhilips HTS5550Philips SHQ3000Philips SHQ4000Philips SQH1000Simmtronics SDC2711SSkullcandy Full Metal JacketSkullcandy Titan Smart SH-04Smart SH-11Sony Ericsson ZyloTech-Com 5700RTech-Com 5900RTech-Com 6100RTexonic IRadioPOP PlusTranscend JetFlash V90 Classic 16GBTranscend Portable Hard Drive 500GBVerbatim Rapier V1Videocon D2HZotac GeForce GTX 460 AMP!
HD.MeDiA.plAyeR.coMpARison..60Buffalo Link Theatre LT-V100Compro Videomate NMC950Xtreamer ProZebronics ZEB – MP1000HDMI
pRoDucts.RevieweD
Managing Director Dr Pramath Raj Sinha
Printer and Publisher Kanak Ghosh
Publishing Director Asheesh Gupta
Editorial.Executive Editor Robert Sovereign-SmithEditor-at-large & Online Arch. Ahmed ShaikhHead - Copy Desk Nash DavidWriters Siddharth Parwatay, Kshitij Sobti, Abhinav LalTrainee Sambhav DaffuContributing writers Anoop Verma, Hanu Prateek, Jasnoor Gill, Madhusudan Mukherjee, Nishith Rastogi
Test CentreManager (Mumbai) Rossi FernandesManager (Delhi) Michael BrowneReviewers Nimish Sawant, Vinod YalburgiTrainees Monil Hariya, Rudresh Jariwala, Samyukta Bharadwaj, Vinay Kondalkar Co-ordinator Shweta Mali
DesignSr Creative Director Jayan NarayananArt Director Binesh SreedharanAssociate Art Director Anil VKLead Designer Vijay PadayaManager Design Chander ShekharSr Visualisers PC Anoop, Santosh KushwahaSr Designers TR Prashanth, Anil T, NV BaijuSr Photographer Jiten Gandhi
Production and LogisticsSr GM - Operations Shivshankar HiremathManager Operations Rakesh UpadhyayAsst Production Manager Vilas.MhatreAsst Mgr Vijay MenonMgmt Trainee Omkar TardeExecutives.M P Singh, Mohd. Nadeem Ansari
BrandProduct Mgr Abhishek PoddarMgr - Product Marketing Chandan SinghCo-ordinator / Scheduling Kishan Singh
Circulation SalesNational Co-ordinator Samir MehtaRegional Mgrs Jayanta Bhattacharyya,Norbert JosephExecutive Vijay Mhatre
Reader ServicesLead Associate SourabhaSr Executive Prerana PanchalExecutives Poornima, Itishree, Pinky, Sudhir+91-22-678 99 678 / [email protected]
Community Advisory CouncilEjaz Ashraf, Mayur Gaikwad,Bhuveneshwar Gupta, Prashant Joshi,Romin Joshi, Natraj Kadur, Rohan Mathew,Amitabh Mishra, Abhineet Mittal, Dev Mukerjee, Anuvrat Parashar, Dipankar Saha, Dilip Sanghvi, Suvra Sarkar, Arun Sriraman
Cover design Anil T
Published, Printed and Owned by Nine Dot Nine Interactive Pvt. Ltd. Published and printed on their behalf by Kanak Ghosh. Published at Plot No. 725 GES, Shirvane, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400 706. Board line: 678 99 666 Fax: 678 99 667.
Printed at Silverpoint Press Pvt. Ltd, Plot No. A, 403, MIDC, TTC Industrial Area, Mahape, Navi Mumbai 400709.
Editor: Anuradha Das Mathur, Plot No. 725 GES, Shirvane, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400 706.
DisclaimerFor every Digit contest, there will be only one winner, unless specified otherwise.In the event of a dispute, the Editor’s decision shall be final.
VP, Sales & Marketing:Naveen Chand Singh.Mobile:.+91-99717 94688E-mail:[email protected]
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to.ADveRtise
Brand..............................................................................Page No
Intel...................................................................................................2
Altec.Lansing................................................................................3
iBall.............................................................................................5,.79
FENDA..............................................................................................7
Tikona................................................................................................9
Dell.................................................................................................. 13
MOL................................................................................................. 15
Maruti.............................................................................................19
Map.My.India............................................................................. 21
D-Link.............................................................................................23
Indian.Digital.Lifestyle.........................................................25
Directi............................................................................................. 27
Bajaj.................................................................................................29
ASUS............................................................................... 31,.69,.73.
Zuska...............................................................................................35
Kingston........................................................................................39
Apacer....................................................................................41,.81
Gigabyte........................................................................................43
Top.Gun.........................................................................................45
LIC...................................................................................................47
Abacus...........................................................................................49
MSI.................................................................................................. 51
Corsair............................................................................................53
Strontium.....................................................................................61
Dotway..........................................................................................63
Scrum.............................................................................................67
Adata.............................................................................................. 71
Bitfang.............................................................................. 106,.107
Safenet....................................................................................... 123
Asia.PowCom.......................................................................... 124
Samsung.................................................. Inside.Front.Cover
I-Omega......................................................Inside.back.cover
Microsoft....................................................................Back.Cover
AD.inDeX
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ASUS Sabertooth X58
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ASUS Sabertooth X58ASUS U43JC
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ASUS U43JCCooler Master CM 690 II Advanced
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Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 800W
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PLECorsair AX1200
Croma CREL 3127SA
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ECroma CREL 3127ECS P55H-AK
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Emsisoft Anti-MalwareSA
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EEmsisoft Anti-MalwareF&D F700U
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Galaxy GeForce GTS450 GC
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PLEGalaxy GeForce GTS450 GC
Gigabyte G41M-C Combo
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HTC Desire
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Intex Premiun N-322Iomega Skin drive
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Iomega Skin driveIQ Pro 4GB
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IQ Pro 4GBKingston KHX2000C9AD3W1K2/4GX
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Kingston KHX2000C9AD3W1K2/4GXKodak Play Sport
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Kodak Play Sport Lenovo IdeaCentre B300
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Lenovo IdeaCentre B300Lenovo IdeaPad Y560
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Lenovo IdeaPad Y560LG Cookie Zip
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Nadeem Ansari
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Chandan SinghKishan Singh
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Kishan Singh
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National Co-ordinator Samir Mehta
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Samir MehtaJayanta Bhattacharyya,
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Jayanta Bhattacharyya,
Vijay Mhatre SAM
PLE
Vijay Mhatre
Reader Services SAM
PLE
Reader ServicesLead Associate SA
MPL
ELead Associate Sourabha SA
MPL
ESourabha
Sr Executive SAM
PLE
Sr Executive Prerana Panchal SAM
PLE
Prerana PanchalExecutives SA
MPL
EExecutives Poornima, Itishree, Pinky, SudhirSA
MPL
EPoornima, Itishree, Pinky, Sudhir
+91-22-678 99 678 / [email protected]
PLE
+91-22-678 99 678 / [email protected]
Community Advisory Council SAM
PLE
Community Advisory CouncilEjaz Ashraf, Mayur Gaikwad, SA
MPL
EEjaz Ashraf, Mayur Gaikwad,Bhuveneshwar Gupta, Prashant Joshi, SA
MPL
EBhuveneshwar Gupta, Prashant Joshi,Romin Joshi, Natraj Kadur, Rohan Mathew,SA
MPL
ERomin Joshi, Natraj Kadur, Rohan Mathew,Amitabh Mishra, Abhineet Mittal, Dev Mukerjee, SA
MPL
EAmitabh Mishra, Abhineet Mittal, Dev Mukerjee, SA
MPL
ESA
MPL
ESA
MPL
E..............................................................................
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..............................................................................P
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Page No
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age No
Intel...................................................................................................2
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Intel...................................................................................................2
Lansing................................................................................3
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Lansing................................................................................3
............................................................................................5,
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............................................................................................5, 79
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79
FENDA..............................................................................................7
SAM
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FENDA..............................................................................................7
...............................................................................................9
SAM
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...............................................................................................9
Dell.................................................................................................. 13
SAM
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Dell.................................................................................................. 13
MOL................................................................................................. 15
SAM
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MOL................................................................................................. 15
Maruti.............................................................................................19
SAM
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Maruti.............................................................................................19
India............................................................................. 21
SAM
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India............................................................................. 21
............................................................................................23
SAM
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............................................................................................23
Indian
SAM
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Indian Digital
SAM
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Digital Lifestyle.........................................................25
SAM
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Lifestyle.........................................................25
Directi.
SAM
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Directi............................................................................................. 27
SAM
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............................................................................................ 27
Bajaj.................................................................................................29
SAM
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Bajaj.................................................................................................29
ASUS............................................................................... 31,
SAM
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ASUS............................................................................... 31, 69,
SAM
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69,
Zuska...............................................................................................35
SAM
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Zuska...............................................................................................35
Kingston.
SAM
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Kingston........................................................................................39
SAM
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.......................................................................................39
Apacer....................................................................................41,
SAM
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Apacer....................................................................................41,
Gigabyte........................................................................................43
SAM
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Gigabyte........................................................................................43
T
SAM
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Top
SAM
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opTopT
SAM
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TopT Gun.........................................................................................45
SAM
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Gun.........................................................................................45
LIC.
SAM
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LIC...................................................................................................47
SAM
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..................................................................................................47
Abacus...........................................................................................49
SAM
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Abacus...........................................................................................49
MSI.................................................................................................. 51
SAM
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MSI.................................................................................................. 51
Corsair............................................................................................53
SAM
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Corsair............................................................................................53
Strontium.....................................................................................61
SAM
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Strontium.....................................................................................61
Dotway..........................................................................................63
SAM
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Dotway..........................................................................................63
Scrum.............................................................................................67
SAM
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Scrum.............................................................................................67
Adata.............................................................................................. 71
SAM
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Adata.............................................................................................. 71
Bitfang.............................................................................. 106,SAM
PLE
Bitfang.............................................................................. 106,
Safenet....................................................................................... 123SAM
PLE
Safenet....................................................................................... 123
AsiaSAM
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Asia PowCom.......................................................................... 124SAM
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PowCom.......................................................................... 124
SamsungSAM
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Samsung
I-OmegaSAM
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I-Omega
Microsoft....................................................................SAM
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Microsoft....................................................................SAM
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&
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Contentsoctober 2010 volume 10 \ issue 10
EntEr inboxbuzz
ConnECtions mobile WatchWeb Watch
CoVEr storY World view - tech from around the worldstop! before you shop
toolbox tips and tricksQ & A
Digital lifE Drool maalAre ebooks the future? of reading
strEEt smart Agent 001Price WatchKiller rigs
tECh@Work careers in Flash
EsC unwindsKoAr!communityDigit 101
004
010
016
085
100
104
111
116
065 PhiliPs hts5550Great sound, but no support for Blu-ray
069Asus nx90 Massive in size, featuring two trackpads and a shiny aluminium exterior
068htc WilDFireAndroid weds Sense, yet again
trieDtesteD
quiCknAvigAtor
bazaar miniNew section featuring the
latest products in the market!
16
SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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mart
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mart
h@Work
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h@Work areers in Flash
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areers in Flash
nwind SAM
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nwindo SA
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EoA SA
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EAr SA
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Er! SA
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E!
ommunity SAM
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ommunityDigit 101 SA
MPL
EDigit 101 SA
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ESA
MPL
E16
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16
tips &tricks
gmail, Yahoo! inquisitor, usbwebserver...
Agent 001Agent 001 guides you through Wi-Fi routers
build your own supercomputer
DiY build your own lAser surveillance system
016
094
085 104
2 gb of ViDEos
WorK tools sPeciAl, DeveloPers corner
On the DVD
Drool maalDrool over some of the coolest gadgets and gizmos
DvD
minDWarEVideosTop 10 Things You Must Have to Start a Business• Startups that Fail: Netek• 10 Must Have For a Start-up• Invest in Great People and
Great Equipment • Naming Your Company: Put
Up a Sign• You need little capital
softwareBy Demand • Audacity 1.3• NetMeter 1.1.4 • Orb 2.0
internet• Scrapboy 2• TweetDeck 0.34• WiPeer 0.72• SmVDC++ 1.05• Dropbox 0.8• Seesmic Desktop • Gladinet Cloud Desktop • IDrive Online Backup 3• Yoono Desktop
Work•Desktop Secretary 2• OpenOffice.org 3.3• Floppy Office 4.0• Powerpoint Backgrounds 1.0• IBM Lotus Symphony 3 • Efficient Calendar Free • Essential PIM • Address Book Standard 2• RoboForm2Go 6• Open Contacts 6• Mozilla Sunbird
PlaYWarEkidszone• Ebooks• Gaming• Animations
gamingDemos• FPS Terminator Alpha• Lost Horizon• RUSE
trailers• Blade Kitten• Lylian• NBA Elite 11• The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff
Walkthroughs• Assassins Creed • Brink• Dead Rising 2• Duke Nukem Forever• Gears of War 3 • Halo Reach • Killzone 3
speedruns • Halo 2 • The Terminator
Patches• BioShock 2 • Unreal Tournament
mods• GTA Vice City • Half-Life 2 • Perfected Doom 3
100
• Mozilla Sunbird
Reading redefinedAre ebook readers here to transform the way we read? We look at what the future holds
3D mirror on the wall...German TV maker Ad Notam’s 46-inch mirror monitor converts 2D content into Above & Below or side-by-side 3D format102
100 101Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.comDigit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
Drool maal
Sleek SchulteThe EVOline Vertical speaker lookalike docking station from Schulte Elektrotechnik features international sockets and a movable design
Compute bling!Computer Choppers now offer you the option of plating your iPad with 24kt gold, studding it with diamonds among many other precious stones and metals
Ryobi Tek4 4V 8 MP Digital CameraMeet the big daddy of all durable and rugged cameras. The Ryobi TEK4 has some cool features – steel lens protection that protects its 3x lens, even when it’s extended, it’s dust- and water-proof, impact resistant,
and also sports a flash light that can light-up objects up to 15 feet away. It shoots in 8 megapixel and comes with a 1GB SD card. But the coolest thing in the price, a mere $199.
Cabestan’s NostromoA look at this watch and you would probably think –
but how do I tell time? The catch is that the Cabestan’s Nostromo doesn’t work and look like your normal
watch. A series of gears power up this watch and the current time is displayed in the top left corner. It’s made
of titanium with a coating of phosphorescence on top. Yours for only $1,41,400!
Hasselblad H3DII-50An ideal camera for
professionals, the Hasselblad houses a 50 megapixel CCD
sensor and is a multi-shot full colour camera. It can capture
four shots in a row, records full RGB values at each position
by moving the sensor one pixel between shots. Go out and start shooting with this
high-end camera for $52,128.
Icon A5A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and aviation gas, does not require a professional commercial pilot license, is capable of landing on both land and water, its consoles and meters are designed like any sports car interiors for ease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a lot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000! Start saving...
Roth MC4 The MC4 is a tube amp for Apple iPod / iPhone. You can pop in any other MP3 player apart from the iPod as well. This dock produces pure hi-fi tube sound, and can be connected to your PC or laptop too. Its main USP is the vacuum tubes that amplify never-before-heard sounds, giving you a new listening experience.
A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and aviation gas, does not require a professional commercial pilot license, is capable of landing on both land and water, its consoles and meters are designed like any sports car interiors for ease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a lot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000! Start saving...
Vusix iWear VR920Don’t just stare at the screen be a part of it...and with the iWearVR 920 that’s exactly what you can do. This device is capable of showing 3D content on a 62-inch screen at a perceived distance of 9 feet, and also supports NVIDIA’s stereo drivers. Just $400 too.
Digital life
070lenovo iDeAPAD Y560An affordable yet stylish laptop
073goDrej eon gAming tv LCD TV with a dash of gaming
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22 Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
ElephantitisIBM’s ASCI white supercomputer weighs as much as 17 elephants and can do in one second what a calculator would take 10 million years to do
Penguin’s MarketLinux OS has close to 90% of the supercomputer market in its gripSci-tech
When was the last time you paid attention to the electronics behind the devices you interact with
and use every single day of your lives? Over the last few decades, embedded technology has taken over our homes, being present today in almost every aspect of our lives. Most devices, from the humble electronic wristwatch to your car have one or even more embedded microprocessors in them.
These devices do all the work behind the scenes, silently and reliably. They work so well, in fact, that we rarely stop to even think of the mini-computer running inside the smallest and simplest (suppos-edly!) of devices. As a result, every house has dozens of embedded devices and microprocessors running in the back-ground. For some, it may in fact even run into the hundreds.
Starting from the first true micro-processor invented in the early 1970s,
we have indeed come a long way today. Technology has kept advancing, resulting in increasingly powerful processors, while becoming even smaller at the same time. Beginning with some very special-ised applications, embedded technology today is prevalent in every field imagi-nable. Today’s automobiles are one of the best examples of the advances made in embedded technology. From the single microprocessor present in the ‘trip-com-puter’ of the 1978 Cadillac Seville, we have come a long way to today’s high end Mer-cedes S-class and BMW 7-series models, boasting around 100 microprocessors. These control everything from the engine to the one present in each headlight! The electronics and related wiring is in fact a major part of the total cost of any car being manufactured today.
“How did we survive before the micro-processors took control of almost every machine we operate?” The answer lies in the demanding “we”. We want a car which can do 0-100 kmph in 5 secs, yet it should give an economy of 15 kmpl. We want a phone which should have push mail, yet give 100 hours of talk time and give off minimum radiation. Such feats cannot be achieved by mere mechanical and electronic designs alone. The replacement of a carburettor with direct fuel injection would not have been possible without a microprocessor, because a carburettor is the best precision a mechanical design can achieve. Embedded designs help overcome such engineering and material limitations.
And this is the primary reason for their pervasiveness.
The second reason is our paucity of time. We want assistants, intelligent assistants. Our microwave oven should not overheat my food even if we’re not around. Our washing machine should know how much detergent to use for our clothes, depending upon the type of clothes without us having to intervene. This “intervention-less” behaviour cannot be achieved without a microprocessor.
The third and most potent reason is connectivity. The “On Star” systems, installed in Ford vehicles in the US, can inform emergency services should the car meet with an accident. The BMW customer service can unlock and start your 7-series remotely if an emergency occurs. Closer to home, you can tell your Airtel set-top box to record your favourite program while you are stuck in a meeting. So in effect, you not only pay for the device which you have bought, you also pay for the connectivity and the associated ecosystem.
22 Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
Here is some equipment which functions because of embedded technology:lMulti-function electronic watcheslAll computers/ATMslmobile phones, pagers and other
communication deviceslEngine controllers, anti-lock brake (ABS)
systems in carslHome appliances like microwave ovens,
washing machines, televisions, air conditioners etc.
lAll aircraft systemslSafety systems like fire alarms, sprinklers
Microprocessors – everywhere and in everything
Embedded systems and controllers
Totally unaware of the rapid development around us, we don’t realise the importance of embedded systems in our lives
Jasnoor [email protected]
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more embedded microprocessors in them.
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more embedded microprocessors in them. These devices do all the work behind
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These devices do all the work behind the scenes, silently and reliably. They
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the scenes, silently and reliably. They work so well, in fact, that we rarely stop to
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work so well, in fact, that we rarely stop to even think of the mini-computer running
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edly!) of devices. As a result, every house has dozens of embedded devices and
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best examples of the advances made in embedded technology. From the single
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embedded technology. From the single microprocessor present in the ‘trip-com-
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cedes S-class and BMW 7-series models, boasting around 100 microprocessors.
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to the one present in each headlight! The electronics and related wiring is in fact a
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electronics and related wiring is in fact a major part of the total cost of any car being
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manufactured today.“How did we survive before the micro-
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24 Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
Perhaps the most significant use of the embedded microprocessor has been in making this world a safer place to live. A plane armed with an anti-collision device can warn the pilot if another plane comes too close. A modern ICU monitors all the vital signs of a patient and informs the medics should a parameter cross some dangerous threshold. The airbag controller in a car is so finely tuned that it can activate the safety bag before you hit the steering column. Most of the vital safety devices today contain some or the other form of computing support, because by nature, a computer cannot commit “human error”.
The Spanair crash, which occurred on August 20th 2008 and cost 154 lives, is one of the examples of what happens when safety systems go wrong. This crash occurred because the pilots did not verify flap positions, and ground system that was supposed to verify this, was shut down due to a malware attack.
Another example is that of Therac-25, a radiation therapy machine which gave its patients severe burns and radiation poisoning. The reason was a software bug. This bug had been present in previous ver-sions of the machines as well, but was never seen before due to mechanical locks. In the Therac-25 design, these locks were removed, but the software was not tested thoroughly.
These and many such instances depict how we have started placing the most precious thing in the hands of machines, human life. While casualties due to self-aware systems like the Skynet may still be in the future, a machine not following the proper safety standards has been around already. Hence the need for extensive safety norms like Do-178B, that ensure the
reliability and functionality of life-critical systems. With the increasing usage of embedded technology, we need these sys-tems to be up and running, always.
An aircraft while landing cannot afford the infamous blue screen of death (BSOD) during touchdown. A pacemaker planted inside a patient cannot afford to hang. That is why the operating systems which run inside these embedded devices are not standard operating systems. They are designed with special requirements like no hang issues, to always respond within a time limit, and to have a very high degree of reliability. The usual ones are QNX Neutrino (used in Cisco Equipment), VxWorks (one of the oldest), Integrity (used in USAF F-22 Raptor fighter jets), and its lighter version, the VelOSity. The most common open-source RTOS avail-able is RTLinux.
The most common hardware for embedded systems today are usually SOCs or System-On-Chip (example: Nvidia Tegra). This is a special chip which contains everything a system needs, including a CPU, memory, and other required controllers (graphics, input output, etc). The most common CPU used in such systems is either an ARM or an MIPS based CPU. Intel has recently released an Atom SoC as well. Unfortu-nately, most of the embedded systems available today cannot be reprogrammed without specialized equipment. This is both good and bad. Good because we may inadvertently change a mission-critical parameter. Bad because we won’t be able to customize our equipment. While some ECUs (Electronic Control Unit) used in vehicles can be modified for aftermarket modifications, the best way is usually to swap out the complete unit.
Embedded devices already dwarf com-puters many times over in numbers, and
this is only going to increase as we move to a more and more automated future. With the rise of networking, the number of devices connected to the internet is increasing, so much so that this is acknowledged as a factor in the coming exhaustion of IP addresses, and the resulting move to IPv6 from the current IPv4. The day is not far off when most of the internet will consist of such devices talking to each other or sending updates on their status.
What was once considered the domain of some crazy programmers a few years ago is already here. You can, with some effort, put the technology in place to control your home appliances and other devices from a remote location. The smart home is not far away, when all such operations will be performed automati-cally using sensors to detect events, and react accordingly.
Cyborgs, once considered the fantasy of science fiction writers, are now a reality with humans increasingly being given artificial electronic implants to restore damaged body functions, from prosthetic implants to pacemakers, all with the help of embedded technology.
Embedded technology is definitely here to stay in our lives for the long term, but like most technologies, it is a double-edged sword. While making life easier for everyone involved and automating multiple tasks, it is still up to the designers to ensure that all such designs perform as expected. A good embedded design is always the one where the user does not have to think about the complexities working behind the scenes.
Did you know?Modern day automobiles have more computational power than there was on the Apollo 13 moonlander
At a lower level, every embedded device is basically the same. It consists of:
lA microprocessor which is designed for low power consumption
lMemory – meant for storing both the original program (‘firmware’) and for processing of data
lA reliable, real-time Operating System or ‘firmware’ designed to give instant results while running without any errors for years at a time.
What goes on in your television set?
lMore on vehicle ECU modifications: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_control_unit#Programmable_ECUs
lhttp://www.eetimes.com/design/embedded
lEmbedded Linux forum:http://www.ucdot.org/
lhttp://www.embeddedarm.com/
Programming Embedded systems
Is Wi-Fi safe?The WPA and WPA2 encryption has been broken by Russians using a brute force attack coupled with massively parallel computational power of NVIDIA’s GPUs
Advances in fabrication mean that the chips only get smaller
Sci-tech
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degree of reliability. The usual ones are QNX Neutrino (used in Cisco Equipment),
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and its lighter version, the VelOSity. The most common open-source RTOS avail-
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most common open-source RTOS avail-able is RTLinux.
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able is RTLinux.
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Advances in fabrication mean that the chips
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only get smaller
Palit Sonic GeForce GTX460Price: `16,700
GPU Core Clock ...................... 700 MhzNo. of cores ...................................... 336Memory Size ...........................2048 MBMemory Type..............................GDDR5
GPU Core Clock .......................810 MhzNo. of cores ....................................... 336Memory Size ............................1024 MBMemory Type..............................GDDR5
Features..............................Overclocked by 25 MHz, DirectX 11 compatible, NVIDIA 3D Vision ready
Performance......................6.5Crysis Warhead: 28 fpsStalker Clear Skies: 30.5 fps Far Cry 2: 75 fps
Build.quality.......................5.0Average quality, fan looks cheap, power cables of poor quality
Value.for.money................4.0Performance does not justify pricing.
Features...............................6.5Overclocked, DirectX 11 compatible, NVIDIA 3D Vision ready, Zotac firestorm to overclock GPU, 2-way SLI
Performance......................7.5Crysis Warhead: 30 fpsStalker Clear Skies: 35 fps Far Cry 2: 88.84 fps
Build.quality.......................6.0Plastic body not of good quality, fan looks cheap
Value.for.money................ 5.5Priced in the range of GTX 465 cards - somewhat expensive
The.Palit.Sonic.card.doesn’t.run.as.fast.as.the.Zotac.GeForce.GTX460..The.Zotac.GeForce.GTX460.Amp!.is.the.clear.winner.among.the.two..2.GB.memory.doesn’t.help.in.performance..Price.asked.for.the.card.is.too.high.
The.Zotac.GeForce.GTX.460.outperforms.GTX.465.in.two.benchmarks.out.of.four,.so.it.makes.sense.to.go.for.it.rather.than.the.GTX.465.series.if.you.are.not.into.overclocking..If.you.are.the.kind.who.knows.how.to.overclock.GPU.and.has.tried.it.before.than.go.for.GTX.465.which.can.be.overclocked.
5.5 6.5
AlSo See: 1) Zotac GeForce GTX465 DigitSept20102) Sparkle GeForce GTX465 DigitSept20103) Asus GeForce GTX465 DigitSept2010
AlSo See: 1) Zotac GeForce GTX465 DigitSept20102) Sparkle GeForce GTX465 DigitSept20103) Asus GeForce GTX465 DigitSept2010
Zotac GeForce GTX460 AMP editionPrice: `15,999
Graphics cards
TeST.CenTre.rAT GS.(All.Scores.out.of.10)
SP CIFCATIonS
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Next Big Thing in TVWith.a.3mm.thin.panel.and.a.contrast.ratio.of.1,000,000:1.Sony’s.oLeD.TV,.the.XeL.is.undoubtedly.the.next.big.thing.in.television.
Bazaarmini
The Digit Test Centre receives and tests enough products on a monthly basis to fill hundreds of pages with reviews. Each and every one of the products reviewed in Digit is tested thoroughly, and put through the same rigour as you’re used to seeing in our comparison tests. Bazaar mini is our way of ensuring that you get the results of our extensive testing in a more timely manner, and in a compact and easy-to-read format. Send feedback and suggestions on this new section to [email protected].
Quick inSiGhTS FroM indePTh TeSTS
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16,700
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GPU Core Clock
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No. of cores
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No. of cores......................................
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...................................... 336
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336Memory Size
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Memory Size ...........................
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...........................2048 MB
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2048 MBMemory Type
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Memory Type..............................
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..............................GDDR5
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GDDR5
GPU Core Clock
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No. of cores
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No. of cores.......................................
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.......................................Memory Size
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Memory SizeMemory Type
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Memory Type
Features..............................
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Features..............................Overclocked by 25 MHz, DirectX
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Overclocked by 25 MHz, DirectX 11 compatible, NVIDIA 3D Vision
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11 compatible, NVIDIA 3D Vision ready
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ready
Performance......................
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Performance......................6.5
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6.5Crysis Warhead: 28 fps
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Crysis Warhead: 28 fpsStalker Clear Skies: 30.5 fps
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Stalker Clear Skies: 30.5 fps Far Cry 2: 75 fps
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Far Cry 2: 75 fps
Build
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Build quality.......................
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quality.......................Average quality, fan looks cheap,
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Average quality, fan looks cheap, power cables of poor quality
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power cables of poor quality
Value
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Value for
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for money
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moneyPerformance does not justify
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Performance does not justify pricing.
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pricing.
Features
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FeaturesOverclocked, DirectX 11
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Overclocked, DirectX 11
SAM
PLEZotac GeForce GTX460
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AMP edition
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Price:
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Te
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The Digit Test Centre receives and tests
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The Digit Test Centre receives and tests enough products on a monthly basis
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enough products on a monthly basis to fill hundreds of pages with reviews.
SAM
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to fill hundreds of pages with reviews. Each and every one of the products SA
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EEach and every one of the products reviewed in Digit is tested thoroughly, SA
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Ereviewed in Digit is tested thoroughly, and put through the same rigour as SA
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Eand put through the same rigour as you’re used to seeing in our comparison SA
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Eyou’re used to seeing in our comparison tests. Bazaar mini is our way of ensuring SA
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Etests. Bazaar mini is our way of ensuring that you get the results of our extensive SA
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Ethat you get the results of our extensive testing in a more timely manner, and in a SA
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Etesting in a more timely manner, and in a compact and easy-to-read format. Send SA
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Ecompact and easy-to-read format. Send feedback and suggestions on this new SA
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Efeedback and suggestions on this new SA
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ESA
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ESA
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ESA
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E
Tablet PrinterHP Photosmart eStation printer has a dock to print directly off a tablet
Seesmic Desktop 2Seesmic has released an update which has immediate support for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Buzz, Foursquare, and Ping.fm
Micromax X510 (PIKE)Price: `5,499
Micromax Gravity X600Price: `5,999
Dual-SIM (GSM); 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen (240x400); microSD up to 16GB; 2MP (1600x1200); Battery: 8 hrs talk, 384 hrs standby;
CDMA EVDO Rev 1; 3-inch display, 240x400 pixels, 262K colours; 70 MB inbuilt, microSD expandable; Camera: 2 MP; weight: 90 grams
SIM card................Dual SIM Display.....................3.2-inches resistive touchscreen (240 x 320)Camera................................................2MP
SIM card....................................Dual-SIM Display..............3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen (240x400)Memory.........expandable up to 16GB
Features ............................. 6.0Micromax X510 (PIKE) has similar features to the X550 (QUBE). Dual SIM touchscreen phone.
Performance .....................5.5Modest performance across all the tests. Poor captured video quality. Device loudspeaker clarity also bad.
Build quality ....................6.5Built with an all - plastic body and is slightly bulkier than X550.
Value for money .............6.0Expensive when compared to others in its category.
Features ............................. 6.0LG510 has a poor touch interface. Ability to drag widgets on to your main screen is nice.
Performance ................... 5.5In zone three we had issues with clarity and at times there was static on the line. In zone one and zone two we had no issues.
Build quality .....................7.0Build quality is decent, but for the price, we expected more.
Value for money ............... 5.5MRP of `8,399 seems excessive for this device.
Features ..............................7.0Motion sensor based dual-SIM phone. Dual microphones and speakerphones add the extra zing.
Performance .....................6.5An average performance overall. Bluetooth transfer rate was ordinary at a paltry 111 KB/s.
Build quality ......................7.5Sleek, stylish, made of plastic with brushed aluminium finish.
Value for money ............... 8.0It is a feature-rich handset and offers good value for money.
Features ..............................6.5The Micromax X550 (QUBE) is a feature-rich social-networking, touchscreen phone, with a 3D Cube UI.
Performance .....................7.0It performed decently across all the tests with an average score in the loudspeaker audio and photo colour tests.
Build quality ......................7.0It is built tough and looks quite attractive.
Value for money ...............7.0A bit expensive but great features for the price.
The Micromax X510 (PIKE) lost out both in terms of performance and ergonomics in comparison to the X550 (QUBE). Lack of a hard-ware keypad, does not help its cause with unfriendly and ageing touch-screen interface. Hence, we would not recommend it for a best buy or value for money option.
At that price, you get a decent set of features, but nothing that is not spectacular value for money. In fact, the major selling point of this phone isn’t its fea-ture set but its touch interface. And in our opinion, its interface is the major deterrent – it’s not intuitive and fluid and using this phone is at times a frustrating experience. So zip it – this is one cookie you can skip.
At `5,999, the X600 is a feature rich handset that offers a lot of functionality at a good price. The dual GSM SIM support is a nice plus and the gravity sensor based SIM swapping is the real icing on the cake. It gives a hefty bang for buck at `5,999.
The Micromax X550 (QUBE) truly holds an edge in its price category, with the innovative 3D Cube UI and a rich assortment of features. It is priced a bit high but the pricing does complete justice for whats on offer.
6.0 6.0 7.0 7.0
Also sEE: 1) lG Cookie Fresh Digit September ’102) lG Cookie Plus Digit September ’10
Also sEE1) g-Fone 345 Digit April ’10 2) Fly E106 Digit April ’103)Intex IN 4410 Digit April ’104) lG GW 620 Digit May ’10 5) lG GM 200 Digit May ’106) lG GC900 Viewty smart Digit June ’10
Also sEE: 1) Fly B430 Digit April ’102) Intex IN 2020E Digit April ’103) Wyncomm Y50 Digit September ’10
Also sEE1) g-Fone 345 Digit April ’10 2) Fly E106 Digit April ’103)Intex IN 4410 Digit April ’10
lG Cookie Zip (lG510)Price: `8,399
Micromax X550 (QUBE) Price: `5,999
77Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
TEST CEnTrE rATI (All Scores out of 10)
SPECIFICATIOnS
mobileS
bazaar mini
SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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5,999
SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
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Price:
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SAM
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SAM
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SAM
PLESIM card................Dual SIM
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PLESIM card................Dual SIM
Display.....................3.2-inches resistive
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Display.....................3.2-inches resistive touchscreen (240 x 320)
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touchscreen (240 x 320)Camera................................................2MP
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Camera................................................2MP
SIM card....................................Dual-SIM
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PLESIM card....................................Dual-SIM
Display
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Display..............3.2-inch TFT resistive
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..............3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen (240x400)
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touchscreen (240x400)Memory.........expandable up to 16GB
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Memory.........expandable up to 16GB
6.0
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6.0
interface. Ability to drag widgets
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interface. Ability to drag widgets on to your main screen is nice.
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on to your main screen is nice.
...................
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................... 5.5
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5.5In zone three we had issues with
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In zone three we had issues with clarity and at times there was
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clarity and at times there was static on the line. In zone one and
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static on the line. In zone one and zone two we had no issues.
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zone two we had no issues.
Build quality
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Build quality .....................7.0
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.....................7.0Build quality is decent, but for
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Build quality is decent, but for the price, we expected more.
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the price, we expected more.
Value for money
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Value for money ...............
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............... 5.5
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5.5MRP of
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MRP of `
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`8,399 seems excessive
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8,399 seems excessive for this device.
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for this device.
Features
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..............................7.0
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7.0Motion sensor based dual-SIM
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Motion sensor based dual-SIM phone. Dual microphones and
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phone. Dual microphones and speakerphones add the extra
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speakerphones add the extra zing.
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zing.
Performance
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Performance .....................
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.....................An average performance overall.
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An average performance overall. Bluetooth transfer rate was
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Bluetooth transfer rate was ordinary at a paltry 111 KB/s.
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ordinary at a paltry 111 KB/s.
Build quality
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Build qualitySleek, stylish, made of plastic with
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Sleek, stylish, made of plastic with brushed aluminium finish.
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brushed aluminium finish.
Value for money
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Value for moneyIt is a feature-rich handset and
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It is a feature-rich handset and offers good value for money.
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offers good value for money.
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The Micromax X510 (PIKE) lost
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The Micromax X510 (PIKE) lost out both in terms of performance
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out both in terms of performance and ergonomics in comparison to
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and ergonomics in comparison to the X550 (QUBE). Lack of a hard- SA
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Ethe X550 (QUBE). Lack of a hard-ware keypad, does not help its SA
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Eware keypad, does not help its cause with unfriendly and ageing SA
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Ecause with unfriendly and ageing touch-screen interface. Hence, SA
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Etouch-screen interface. Hence, we would not recommend it for SA
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Ewe would not recommend it for a best buy or value for money SA
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Ea best buy or value for money
At that price, you get a decent
SAM
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At that price, you get a decent set of features, but nothing that
SAM
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set of features, but nothing that is not spectacular value for
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is not spectacular value for money. In fact, the major selling SA
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Emoney. In fact, the major selling point of this phone isn’t its fea-SA
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Epoint of this phone isn’t its fea-ture set but its touch interface. SA
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Eture set but its touch interface. And in our opinion, its interface SA
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EAnd in our opinion, its interface is the major deterrent – it’s not SA
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Eis the major deterrent – it’s not intuitive and fluid and using this SA
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Eintuitive and fluid and using this phone is at times a frustrating SA
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Ephone is at times a frustrating experience. So zip it – this is one SA
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Eexperience. So zip it – this is one cookie you can skip.SA
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Ecookie you can skip.SA
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E6.0
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6.0
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Reading redefinedAre ebook readers here to transform the way we read? We look at what the future holds
3D mirror on the wall...German TV maker Ad Notam’s 46-inch mirror monitor converts 2D content into Above & Below or side-by-side 3D format102
100 Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
Hasselblad H3DII-50An ideal camera for
professionals, the Hasselblad houses a 50 megapixel CCD
sensor and is a multi-shot full colour camera. It can capture
four shots in a row, records full RGB values at each position
by moving the sensor one pixel between shots. Go out and start shooting with this
high-end camera for $52,128.
Icon A5A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and aviation gas, does not require a professional commercial pilot license, is capable of landing on both land and water, its consoles and meters are designed like any sports car interiors for ease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a lot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000! Start saving...
Roth MC4 The MC4 is a tube amp for Apple iPod / iPhone. You can pop in any other MP3 player apart from the iPod as well. This dock produces pure hi-fi tube sound, and can be connected to your PC or laptop too. Its main USP is the vacuum tubes that amplify never-before-heard sounds, giving you a new listening experience.
A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and aviation gas, does not require a professional commercial pilot license, is capable of landing on both land and water, its consoles and meters are designed like any sports car interiors for ease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a
Digital life
SAM
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A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and
SAM
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A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and
SAM
PLEaviation gas, does not require a professional
SAM
PLEaviation gas, does not require a professional
commercial pilot license, is capable of landing
SAM
PLEcommercial pilot license, is capable of landing
on both land and water, its consoles and meters
SAM
PLEon both land and water, its consoles and meters
SAM
PLE
SAM
PLEare designed like any sports car interiors for
SAM
PLEare designed like any sports car interiors for
ease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a SA
MPL
Eease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a lot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000!
SAM
PLElot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000!
SAM
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SAM
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Hasselblad SAM
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Hasselblad H3DII-50SAM
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H3DII-50An ideal camera for SA
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EAn ideal camera for
professionals, the Hasselblad SAM
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professionals, the Hasselblad houses a 50 megapixel CCD SA
MPL
Ehouses a 50 megapixel CCD
sensor and is a multi-shot full SAM
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sensor and is a multi-shot full colour camera. It can capture SA
MPL
Ecolour camera. It can capture
four shots in a row, records full SAM
PLE
four shots in a row, records full RGB values at each position SA
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ERGB values at each position
by moving the sensor one SAM
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by moving the sensor one SAM
PLE
Roth
SAM
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Roth MC4
SAM
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MC4 The MC4 is a tube amp for Apple iPod / iPhone.
SAM
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The MC4 is a tube amp for Apple iPod / iPhone. You can pop in any other MP3 player apart
SAM
PLE
You can pop in any other MP3 player apart from the iPod as well. This dock produces pure
SAM
PLE
from the iPod as well. This dock produces pure hi-fi tube sound, and can be connected to your
SAM
PLE
hi-fi tube sound, and can be connected to your PC or laptop too. Its main USP is the vacuum
SAM
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PC or laptop too. Its main USP is the vacuum tubes that amplify never-before-heard sounds,
SAM
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tubes that amplify never-before-heard sounds, giving you a new listening experience.
SAM
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giving you a new listening experience.
SAM
PLE
SAM
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A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and
SAM
PLE
A personal aircraft that runs on both auto and aviation gas, does not require a professional
SAM
PLEaviation gas, does not require a professional
commercial pilot license, is capable of landing
SAM
PLEcommercial pilot license, is capable of landing
on both land and water, its consoles and meters
SAM
PLEon both land and water, its consoles and meters
SAM
PLE
SAM
PLEare designed like any sports car interiors for
SAM
PLEare designed like any sports car interiors for
ease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a SA
MPL
Eease of use. What more can you ask for? Not a lot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000!
SAM
PLElot perhaps, since you’re only paying $139,000!
Start saving...
SAM
PLEStart saving...
101Digit | October 2010 | www.thinkdigit.com
Drool maal
Sleek SchulteThe EVOline Vertical speaker lookalike docking station from Schulte Elektrotechnik features international sockets and a movable design
Compute bling!Computer Choppers now offer you the option of plating your iPad with 24kt gold, studding it with diamonds among many other precious stones and metals
Ryobi Tek4 4V 8 MP Digital CameraMeet the big daddy of all durable and rugged cameras. The Ryobi TEK4 has some cool features – steel lens protection that protects its 3x lens, even when it’s extended, it’s dust- and water-proof, impact resistant,
and also sports a flash light that can light-up objects up to 15 feet away. It shoots in 8 megapixel and comes with a 1GB SD card. But the coolest thing in the price, a mere $199.
Cabestan’s NostromoA look at this watch and you would probably think –
but how do I tell time? The catch is that the Cabestan’s Nostromo doesn’t work and look like your normal
watch. A series of gears power up this watch and the current time is displayed in the top left corner. It’s made
of titanium with a coating of phosphorescence on top. Yours for only $1,41,400!
Vusix iWear VR920Don’t just stare at the screen be a part of it...and with the iWearVR 920 that’s exactly what you can do. This device is capable of showing 3D content on a 62-inch screen at a perceived distance of 9 feet, and also supports NVIDIA’s stereo drivers. Just $400 too.
SAM
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SAM
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4V 8 MP Digital Camera
SAM
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4V 8 MP Digital CameraMeet the big daddy of all durable and rugged cameras.
SAM
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Meet the big daddy of all durable and rugged cameras. The Ryobi TEK4 has some cool features – steel lens
SAM
PLE
The Ryobi TEK4 has some cool features – steel lens protection that protects its 3x lens, even when it’s
SAM
PLE
protection that protects its 3x lens, even when it’s extended, it’s dust- and water-proof, impact resistant,
SAM
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extended, it’s dust- and water-proof, impact resistant, and also sports a flash light
SAM
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and also sports a flash light that can light-up objects
SAM
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that can light-up objects up to 15 feet away. It shoots
SAM
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up to 15 feet away. It shoots in 8 megapixel and comes
SAM
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in 8 megapixel and comes in 8 megapixel and comes
SAM
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in 8 megapixel and comes with a 1GB SD card. But the
SAM
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with a 1GB SD card. But the coolest thing in the price, a
SAM
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coolest thing in the price, a mere $199.
SAM
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mere $199.
SAM
PLE
A look at this watch and you would probably think – SAM
PLE
A look at this watch and you would probably think – but how do I tell time? The catch is that the Cabestan’s SA
MPL
Ebut how do I tell time? The catch is that the Cabestan’s SA
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ESA
MPL
EVusix iWear
SAM
PLEVusix iWear
Don’t just stare at the screen
SAM
PLEDon’t just stare at the screen
be a part of it...and with the
SAM
PLEbe a part of it...and with the
iWearVR 920 that’s exactly SA
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EiWearVR 920 that’s exactly what you can do. This device
SAM
PLEwhat you can do. This device
is capable of showing 3D
SAM
PLEis capable of showing 3D
content on a 62-inch screen
SAM
PLEcontent on a 62-inch screen
at a perceived distance of
SAM
PLEat a perceived distance of
9 feet, and also supports
SAM
PLE9 feet, and also supports
NVIDIA’s stereo drivers.
SAM
PLENVIDIA’s stereo drivers.
Just $400 too.
SAM
PLE
Just $400 too.
Halo Reach takes the player to the birthplace of Spartan program and one of humanities most pop-ulous and prosperous space colo-
nies. The story explores the last few days of Planet Reach’s defense against the full force of the mighty Covenant war-machine. It follows the exploits of a team of Spar-tans soldiers called Noble Team, and the player takes on the role of Noble Six.
This is how we do itHalo Reach’s goodness is not just in its emotive storytelling, but the action is just as engaging. If you liked the game-play changes made with Halo 3 over its pred-ecessors, then chances are good that you will enjoy Reach all the more. A significant and interesting addition in Halo Reach is Armor Abilities. Extending over the concept of equipment which was introduced in Halo 3, Armor Abilities are reusable pick-ups with a cool-down timer. There are a total of seven such abilities in the game, but the player can equip only one at any time. Effective use of these abilities becomes crucial during certain set-pieces in the Campaign mode on higher difficulties. On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-pens to be the recommended level — the
Game review
120 SKOAR! | October 2010 | www.skoar.com
Halo 3 boasts of emotive storytelling You’ll find the enemy’s AI quite challenging
Genre: First person shooterStudio: BungiePublisher: Microsoft Game Studios*Platforms: Xbox 360
level design which has a fair bit of variety. Between the arsenal of human and Cove-nant weapons, vehicles, mounted weapons and Armor Abilities, there is a good deal of combinations and strategies to experiment with. This keeps things fresh and chal-lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
Reach onlineThe Halo series owes much of its fame to the series’ multiplayer component and Reach has been built well around that tradition. Bungie has extended the Service Record and armor customiza-tion options, along with commendation, in a new credits-based content unlocking system. The sheer number of multi-player game types and game customiza-tion options available in Halo Reach is very impressive and could very well be
unique, at least among console games. We played Halo Reach on Xbox Live
using the free two-day Gold Access card that comes with the game, on a 1 mbps connection. The experience was without glitches and completely lag-free. One exception to an otherwise solid system is a standalone program called Halo Waypoint. This is meant to serve as a hub for all Xbox 360 releases of Halo games. This program consolidated Service Records and Achievements from Halo Wars, Halo 3, Halo ODST and Halo Reach into one epic career record. Unfortunately, the system appears to be broken or reeling under a lot of traffic, as we experienced constant disconnects with the server after every minute or so. There may be more to Halo Waypoint, but it’s hard to tell when the system is not playing nice.
Halo Reach has earned its reputation as the killer-app for the Xbox 360 with its immersive single-player campaign, coupled with wide variety of multiplayer options. If you have ever loved a shooter, this game deserves your attention even if you not particularly a fan of the series.
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emotive storytelling, but the action is just
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emotive storytelling, but the action is just emotive storytelling, but the action is just
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emotive storytelling, but the action is just emotive storytelling, but the action is just
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emotive storytelling, but the action is just emotive storytelling, but the action is just
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emotive storytelling, but the action is just as engaging. If you liked the game-play
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as engaging. If you liked the game-play
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over its pred-
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over its pred- over its pred-
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over its pred-
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ecessors, then chances are good that you
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ecessors, then chances are good that you ecessors, then chances are good that you
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ecessors, then chances are good that you ecessors, then chances are good that you
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ecessors, then chances are good that you ecessors, then chances are good that you
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ecessors, then chances are good that you ecessors, then chances are good that you
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ecessors, then chances are good that you all the more. A significant
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all the more. A significant and interesting addition in Halo Reach is
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and interesting addition in Halo Reach is Armor Abilities. Extending over the concept
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Armor Abilities. Extending over the concept of equipment which was introduced in Halo
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of equipment which was introduced in Halo 3, Armor Abilities are reusable pick-ups
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3, Armor Abilities are reusable pick-ups with a cool-down timer. There are a total
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with a cool-down timer. There are a total of seven such abilities in the game, but
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of seven such abilities in the game, but the player can equip only one at any time. SA
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Ethe player can equip only one at any time. the player can equip only one at any time. SA
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Ethe player can equip only one at any time. the player can equip only one at any time. SA
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Ethe player can equip only one at any time. SA
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ESA
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ESA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes SA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes Effective use of these abilities becomes SA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes Effective use of these abilities becomes SA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes Effective use of these abilities becomes SA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes Effective use of these abilities becomes SA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes Effective use of these abilities becomes SA
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EEffective use of these abilities becomes crucial during certain set-pieces in the SA
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Ecrucial during certain set-pieces in the crucial during certain set-pieces in the SA
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Ecrucial during certain set-pieces in the crucial during certain set-pieces in the SA
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Ecrucial during certain set-pieces in the Campaign mode on higher difficulties. SA
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ECampaign mode on higher difficulties. Campaign mode on higher difficulties. SA
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ECampaign mode on higher difficulties. Campaign mode on higher difficulties. SA
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ECampaign mode on higher difficulties. SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-On ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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EOn ‘Heroic’ difficulty level — which hap-SA
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Epens to be the recommended level — the SA
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Epens to be the recommended level — the pens to be the recommended level — the SA
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Epens to be the recommended level — the pens to be the recommended level — the SA
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Epens to be the recommended level — the pens to be the recommended level — the SA
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Epens to be the recommended level — the pens to be the recommended level — the SA
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Epens to be the recommended level — the SA
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E
Genre:
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Genre: First person shooter
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First person shooterStudio:
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Publisher:
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*Platforms: Xbox 360
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level design which has a fair bit of variety.
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level design which has a fair bit of variety. level design which has a fair bit of variety.
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level design which has a fair bit of variety. level design which has a fair bit of variety.
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level design which has a fair bit of variety. level design which has a fair bit of variety.
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level design which has a fair bit of variety. level design which has a fair bit of variety.
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level design which has a fair bit of variety. Between the arsenal of human and Cove-
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Between the arsenal of human and Cove-Between the arsenal of human and Cove-
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Between the arsenal of human and Cove-nant weapons, vehicles, mounted weapons
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nant weapons, vehicles, mounted weapons nant weapons, vehicles, mounted weapons
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nant weapons, vehicles, mounted weapons and Armor Abilities, there is a good deal of
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and Armor Abilities, there is a good deal of combinations and strategies to experiment
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combinations and strategies to experiment with. This keeps things fresh and chal-
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with. This keeps things fresh and chal-
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet. lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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lenging right till you fire your last bullet.
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Reach online
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Reach onlineReach online
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Reach online
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The Halo series owes much of its fame
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The Halo series owes much of its fame The Halo series owes much of its fame
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The Halo series owes much of its fame The Halo series owes much of its fame
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The Halo series owes much of its fame The Halo series owes much of its fame
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The Halo series owes much of its fame to the series’ multiplayer component
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to the series’ multiplayer component to the series’ multiplayer component
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to the series’ multiplayer component to the series’ multiplayer component
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to the series’ multiplayer component and Reach has been built well around
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and Reach has been built well around that tradition. Bungie has extended the
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that tradition. Bungie has extended the Service Record and armor customiza-
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Service Record and armor customiza-tion options, along with commendation, SAM
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tion options, along with commendation, in a new credits-based content unlocking SAM
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in a new credits-based content unlocking in a new credits-based content unlocking SAM
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in a new credits-based content unlocking system. The sheer number of multi-SAM
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system. The sheer number of multi-player game types and game customiza-SAM
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player game types and game customiza-SAM
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tion options available in Halo Reach is SAM
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tion options available in Halo Reach is tion options available in Halo Reach is SAM
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tion options available in Halo Reach is tion options available in Halo Reach is SAM
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tion options available in Halo Reach is SAM
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