Home//Stuff Magazine South Africa/June 2018/In This Issue
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018WELCOMEDon’t let my youthful visage fool you, I’m old enough to remember a time before home computers, dial-up internet and mobile phones. The year was 1999, I was in Standard 9, and I managed to convince my dad to lend me the Wilson household’s first cellphone: The Nokia 2110i. I hoped it would impress my friends. It didn’t.It turned out some of their parents were early adopters, so they’d inherited their own brick-like mobile phones by then. Bastards. The following year I got my first phone of my own, a forest-green Siemens C25 complete with three-line monochrome LCD. With it I tried to teach my parents how to use T9 predictive text and typed so many SMSes I wore the text off some of the keys. The stubby aerial also…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018HANDS-ONStore drawYou’ll squeeze a fair few movie trilogies onto this Huawei – 256GB is more than most flagships offer. Chuck in Dolby dual speakers, and you’ve a mini media powerhouse.Triple threatLike the P20 Pro, this phone proudly flexes its photographic credentials with a triple-Leica-camera setup: a 40MP main snapper, a 20MP monochrome sensor and an 8MP telephoto.AI should cocoHuawei’s really talking up the AI capabilities of its new smartphones. You should expect better image recognition and stabilisation in your shots, as well as more efficient management of battery life.Can you digit?One of the headline features of this phone is its dual fingerprint scanners. You’ve got one on the back and one lodged under the display. You can also wake it just by waving your finger over it.Thought the P20 Pro’s…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018CHEAPER THRILLSFirst sign of radnessNo need to reach for the shutter button when you’ve lined up the perfect shot, as the new Hero will respond to voice commands. Just tell it when you want to start recording.If you want a high-spec GoPro for your dirt-bike backflips, perilous rock climbs and surfing exploits, you’re already well catered for. But for those of us who lead lives more Poldark than Point Break, those cams are a costly investment. Just want to document your weekend strolls and get some FPV footage of your dog? Then consider the new Hero.At R3 800 it’s an affordable entry-level GoPro, and while you’ll lose the 4K and super-slow-mo stuff – expect it to top out at 1440p @ 60fps – you still get a 2in touchscreen, waterproofing down…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018DELL XPS 15 (2018)Looking for a laptop that can effortlessly hop between Excel spreadsheets and an action-packed game of League of Legends? Consider Dell’s new XPS 15. On the surface, it’s difficult to separate this year’s refresh from its 2017 predecessor. It’s still a sleek machine with just-about-there bezels surrounding the 15.6in InfinityEdge touch display. Look under the hood, though, and you’ll find a beast of Hulk proportions. Opt for the entry-level model and you’ll be getting a Core i5-8300H processor and integrated graphics, but these can be upgraded all the way up to an H-series Core i9, GTX 1050 Ti card and 4K screen – perfect for your lunch-break gaming binges.Rtba / dell.com/za…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018NEWS FEEDREADY GREYER ONEWith the promise of old classics and a finish that echoes the original’s wood veneer, the newly named Atari VCS has plenty to offer ageing gamers. But Atari says the new console is more than a retro box, claiming it will “change the way you interact with your TV”. We’re intrigued.MAKING GAMING ACCESSIBLEMicrosoft has taken the wraps off a new modular game controller aimed at those with disabilities. Called the Xbox Adaptive Controller, it features nineteen ports which can be used to set the controller up for many use cases, so just about anyone can game. Expect it by year-end.PUT ON A RAVE FACEBefore Snapchat filters, it was impossible to find out how you’d look with a dog’s nose or a strawberry for a face. Luckily for us…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018DROP EVERYTHING AND DOWNLOAD...You know that old phone you banished to a drawer and occasionally stumble upon while looking for your passport? “Look at it, with its tiny screen and prehistoric bezels!” you mock. “Never turning that on again.” Wrong. That old phone is your new security/dog-watching camera. Simply download the Manything app to the discarded device, open the camera, select the ‘viewer’ option on your current handset, and you’re off. Following a recent update, you can now zoom in on recorded video and jump to the exact date a clip was taken. For absolutely zilch, you get a live feed from one camera and alerts when motion is detected, while opting for a subscription makes clips accessible from the cloud. It can’t offer pin-sharp resolution, but you won’t find an easier route…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018FIRST LOOK UP-SCALED NOSTALGIA TRIPSPYRO REIGNITED TRILOGYPS4, Xbox OneAround this time last year, the world of video games was reintroduced to a spunky marsupial with a penchant for wumpa fruit, box-smashing and miscalculating the most basic of jumps (we’ve even got the broken PlayStation controllers to prove it).Since the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was a massive sales hit, it’s no surprise that another ’90s PlayStation icon will be resurrected for modern consoles. Spyro is back, and being suckers for nostalgia, we’re pretty glad to see the purple platform-hopper.The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a ground-up remake of the first three games in the series: Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. You’ll be fire-breathing your way through the same 100+ levels, but they’ve been given a veritable HD…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018HUBLOT BIG BANG REFEREE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIATHE WORD ‘GOAL’ WILL FLASH UP EVERY TIME THE BALL ENDS UP IN THE NETThat is some name for a watch.Isn’t it just. The Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is a limited-edition smartwatch launching ahead of this year’s spectacle. Hublot is the tournament’s official timekeeper, and a special version of its latest wearable will be worn by the refs. They’ll be using them to keep track of stoppages and no doubt disappoint thousands of face-painted tourists by relaying decisions made by goal-line tech.But… I’m not a referee.Not to worry. There’s a consumer version of the Big Ba… oh, you know, the watch. It’s still geared towards football, keeping you up to date with everything going on in Russia. That means wrist-based announcements before kick-off, as well…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018WTF IS THE SONY MP-CD1?Is that a projector in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?Relieved to confirm that, yes, it is a projector. And a flippin’ teeny one at that. If you’re like us and spend countless hours every week perusing crowdfunding sites, you’ll know that miniature projectors are having a bit of a phase. Whether it’s because of the World Cup or the soaring prices of cinema tickets, people are going nuts for those portable beamers… and so it was only a matter of time before one of the big guns waded in. Thus, the Sony MP-CD1.Interesting. What can it do?It’s not going to floor you with specs, but that’s not the point. Sony’s pitching its diminutive device as the ideal portable companion for gamers, film fans and suited…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018A bigger bang than ever? Not quite for this ‘safe’ Galaxy…Having hung around the upper echelons of the smartphone sales charts for seemingly aeons now, Samsung has decided less is more with the S9. Maybe it doesn’t need to obliterate the competition every year just to keep hold of the top spot. So Samsung’s latest Galaxy isn’t a huge leap forward. In fact, it looks pretty much identical to last year’s S8. But when was there anything wrong with more of a good thing?There’s no denying the S9 fixes all the old annoyances we had with its predecessor, as well as adding more power and streamlining Samsung’s already excellent take on Android. If a repositioned fingerprint scanner isn’t enough to get you hot under the collar then this phone’s dual-aperture camera should do the trick. It’s an upgrade that gives…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018The Pixel’s sequel is pure of mind yet has a killer cameraIf you wanted to buy your way to ‘elite nerd’ status not so long ago then one of Google’s Nexus phones was the way to go.Since they weren’t widely available in SA you were pretty likely to own a phone none of your mates had. Plus, there was the privilege of being able to drop the phrase ‘stock Android’ into conversations as though it was akin to the Holy Grail and a winning lottery ticket combined.The problem with all of this? Loads of people who owned a Nexus were totally insufferable. A rebranding exercise was due, and it has culminated with the Pixel 2 XL: a phone for normal folks and pedantic geeks.You see, what makes this bumper-sized handset so great is not the fact that it runs the latest…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018AUGMENT YOUR REALITY● InkHunterCommitting ink to skin is a major decision, one that can’t be undone without recourse to a laser. Test out your tatts first by using InkHunter, which uses augmented reality to project either a pre-made design or one of your own sketches on to your skin. Pick placement, angle, and snap a few shots before ever setting foot in a studio.Stuff says ★★★★✩Free / Android, iOS● SketchfabIf the idea of plonking virtual chairs near your actual chairs doesn’t fill you with excitement, how about zebras? Or giant spiders? Or massive spaceships? Or a colossal set of dentures? The sky really is the limit with Sketchfab, which projects 3D models in AR. If you’re a dab hand at modelling, you can even submit some yourself.Stuff says ★★★★✩Free / Android, iOS●…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018UPVOTED RUCKSACKSThe handsome hashtagKnomo #LiveFree BackpackRucksacks with lots of storage are usually zip-heavy monstrosities. That said, there’s not much use in a bag that struggles to squeeze in a laptop. This millennial-monikered option, however, carefully straddles the line between useful and savvy. It has a 20.4L capacity to easily fit all your portable possessions, yet maintains a low-key style that will blend in at any fancy shindig.R4 000 / myistore.co.zaFOR CITY SIGHTSEERSThe carbon fibre commuterSamsonite X-RiseThe weapon of choice for the boardroom warrior. If you’re on the streets of a cosmopolitain city in between high-level business meetings, you’re going to want your MacBook and iPad protected by the X-Rise while travelling between stations seperated by working public transport. from R2 000 / houseofsamsonite.co.zaThe adaptable adventurerEverki Atlas Checkpoint FriendlyIf you’re constantly hopping…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018OR YOU COULD USE…FACEBOOK MARKETPLACEFacebook wants to own the entire internet, so it’s no surprise it’s gunning for eBay. Mobile and on desktop, Marketplace is good for finding and selling locally. Beware, though: it’s a bit ‘Wild West’ compared to eBay, and some Facebookers price things mighty high.GUMTREEWhether you’re after anything from older tech to a home to rent or a slightly used car, the familiar green-hued Gumtree is known to most South Africans. Searching may prove to be a chore and you should keep your wits about you when buying.OLXEasy to start selling, even easier to buy, OLX has just about everything you can think of and a few things besides. It’s proved effective enough that several local retail stores have taken to advertising goods here. As always, exercise caution when buying…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Woofers and tweakersR5 000 (import) / nuraphone.com Putting fantastically expensive headphones onto knackered ears is like feeding patisserie profiteroles to a pooch – why pay for those silky high frequencies if you can’t even hear them? The Nuraphone solution: headphones that actually test your hearing and tailor their sound accordingly. The unboxing of our review unit was greeted by an office-wide chorus of “Eeurrrgh!” For some reason, over-ears with in-ear bits look all sinister and intrusive. But you do get used to them. The setup procedure involves sitting still for a calm moment while Kraftwerk-style bleepy noises are fired at your eardrums. At the end you’ll have your profile, complete with blobby graphic, and you’re now free to go back to actual Kraftwerk. Sound quality is excellent, with thumping bass, sweetly spacious…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018SPEAKER DOWNLOADSThe player companionBoomThis simple app from Ultimate Ears syncs with your speaker (not only UE’s) to let you control EQ, link up with other speakers and set alarms.The music appSpotifyThe king reigns supreme for good reason. With a vast library, wireless streaming, top curation and a free option, this is a great way to get the music flowing.The podcast appOvercastPrefer stories to songs? This should be every iPhone user’s go-to podcast player: intuitive, and with plenty of options to customise. On Android? Try Podcast Addict.…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018One x two = funfrom R219 500 / mazda.co.za Mazda’s “Kodo” design language runs through its entire range, from the entry-level Mazda 2 pictured here right up to its versatile SUVs and even the MX-5 RF roadster (all of which we’ve tested before). That means you get the same attractive – and instantly recognisable – exterior styling and practical, elegant interior, whether you opt for an austere model or a more luxurious one. Available in seven variants, from the basic Active 1.5-litre manual petrol up to the Hazumi 1.5 Engine -litre DE 2.0 automatic -lit diesel, etrol even the simplest Power model 141kW offers Torque plenty 0-100 of km compelling /h features Fuel , lik126g/km g Tank -mounted media Length 4 controls, keyless push-button engine start, a tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, and…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018WHAT WE WERE LISTENING TO IN 2007The Shins Wincing the Night AwayThis record was a perfect storm of what made the Shins great: perfect power-pop tunes, quirky lyrics and the odd one to make you cry in your bedroom.LCD Soundsystem Sound of SilverIn the flush of their first hipness, LCD Soundsystem released Sound of Silver , which includes the song that sums them up: the irrepressible All My Friends .Radiohead In RainbowsThis one grabbed the headlines with its ‘pay what you want’ release, but that would have been useless if it was a stinker. Fortunately, it’s a classic.…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Far Cry 5Kinder eggs. Orange plums. Haggis. All three have been banned in the US, yet if you want to purchase an AK-47 in Montana? No problem! You might even get a handgun thrown in for free. And so, whatever you think about America’s gun laws in the real world, they do make it the perfect location for Ubisoft’s shoot-’em-up franchise.There’s no psychopathic pirate or flamboyantly dressed drug lord this time, though – instead, you’re treated to a sinister threat that’s all too familiar: religious extremists. Joseph Seed and his flock of siblings lead a doomsday cult, using threats of apocalypse (and a stupendous supply of guns) to rule over the fictional Hope County. It’s split into three regions, each controlled by a member of the Seed family. You have to liberate…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Sea of ThievesThe idea behind Sea of Thieves is so brilliant that it’s hard to believe no one thought of it before. You and up to three of your mates play as pirates in a giant online world, sailing the high seas, plundering treasure and bolstering your reputations to legendary status. Who wouldn’t want to play that game?It’s a ludicrously cool concept… until you realise you’ve already seen everything Sea of Thieves has to offer. This is a plan that’s in need of fleshing out.Even so, it’s a game that does a hell of a lot right – and crucially, it does this stuff differently to pretty much every online multiplayer game going right now. Unlike Fortnite or PUBG, the focus here is on messing about with mates rather than blasting your…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Donkey Kong Country: Tropical FreezeIf you’re used to Mario games, which start off slow and ramp up the difficulty, then Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will prove shocking. Typically a single error can spell doom for Donkey and his friends Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky but they’re not without their wiles.Picking up one of their barrels and setting them free gives you access to extra hearts – which you want, since each enemy hit or spike drop will consume one. Lose two and you lose your buddy. Lose the other two and you’re heading back to your last checkpoint. That’s okay. Tropical Freeze makes even insta-die spots a challenge to be overcome rather than an obstacle to be screamed at.If you are battling to come to grips with the challenge, there’s hope. Besides the KONG…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018PLAYLIST COUCH-BASED MULTIPLAYERA Way OutYou’ll need to work with a friend to break out of prison in A Way Out – whether that means playing ‘good cop, bad cop’ with an AI character or distracting a guard to steal useful items. But while the co-op action is good fun, it’s the interweaving story that will leave a lasting memory.R400 / PS4, Xbox One, PCGang BeastsStarring spongy, Claymation-like sack fighters, Gang Beasts defines dumb fun. You’ll brawl with up to four players on a Ferris wheel, atop moving trucks, and in other hilariously dangerous settings, as the dopey-looking heroes bash each other to a pulp.R320 / PS4, PCOvercookedAny chef will tell you that working in a busy restaurant is the ultimate test of teamwork. So just imagine what it’s like in the co-op…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018THE BIG QUESTIONFOR RAD RIFFERSYOUSICIANFree (IAPs) / iOS, AndroidEvery other club outing consists of someone having the fantastic idea of starting a band. “If Seasick Steve can keep playing in his 70s, then we’ve got no excuse!” What can be a bit of a problem, however, is that your experience with musical instruments stops at Guitar Hero.Fortunately, you no longer have to hire a hairy teacher to learn the art of strumming. The Yousician app gives you access to hundreds of video tutorials to guide you through the ropes (or should we say strings?) of becoming an axe god. And when you try to play on your own guitar, the app will listen via your smartphone’s microphone then give you feedback and a rating for your performance. Thankfully there’s no jeering or…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018OUR MONTHI SHOWERED WITH JUSTICE MALALAAt first glance, a speaker you can use in the shower seems like a cheesy accessory from the Playboy Mansion circa 1973, when piping music into every room was a costly novelty for only the very few. Now, speakers aren’t just portable, many are waterproof too. After the UE Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker won our Hi-fi Gadget of the Year award I tested it both in the bathroom and out of it. So, with whom did I choose to share my inaugural audio-accompanied shower? A progressive-rock band? A deeply melodic Scandinavian electro duo? Nope, just Justice Malala and Gareth Cliff talking politics. Talk about how technology – and this particular listener – has matured.Toby Shapshak, Publisher and Editor-in-chiefI OFFSET MY VICES WITH A VERSAEven though Fitbit’s Versa…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018MEET HUAWEI’S P20 FAMILYNotch kidding P20While you’ll have to live without an OLED display, and there’s no escaping the notch in the room (although it can be hidden by a black bar), a Kirin 970 processor, 4GB of RAM and a big ol’ 3400mAh battery are not to be sniffed at.R13 000 /huawei.com/zaLens a hand P20 ProHuawei has tripled down on its camera efforts for the P20 Pro, equipping its new flagship with a three-cam arsenal that can do 5x zoom. It’s the most exciting new phone we’ve clapped eyes on in ages. In fact, it even took the fight to Samsung and Apple in this issue’s supertest…R15 500 /huawei.com/za…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018KILLSWITCH ENGAGERocking all over the worldSupport for aptX Bluetooth means better wireless audio quality – and providing your music-playing device also has it built in, you can go for a 10m wander without fear of dropouts.To most people, the name Marshall means long-haired frontmen, moshpits and guitar solos. But for a while now it’s also been synonymous with fashion-focused headphones. The latest in the line is the Mid ANC, Marshall’s first pair of active noise-cancelling ’phones. Flick a switch and the headphones will eliminate distracting background racket. We expect the custom drivers to provide a good level of detail and bass, while battery life is estimated at 20hrs+ with the noise-cancelling turned on – or 30hrs+ of wireless playback if you’re willing to let the outside world in. Just try to…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Are you reddy for love? APPLE iPHONE 8 (PRODUCT)REDAbout to upgrade your iPhone? Bored of me-too space grey and silver? Happen to think the first colour of the rainbow is unequivocally the best one? Then you’ll want to take a look at the (Product)Red special edition of the iPhone 8 or super-sized 8 Plus. These phones are part of a philanthropic partnership between Apple and (Red), which sees proceeds from handset sales used to help provide testing, counselling and medical treatment for the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Sporting a fancy-pants scarlet glass back with an aluminium band to match, it’s so easy on the eye that you might risk going caseless. from R12 000 / myistore.co.za…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018GEEK ART1 PelotonThe obvious brilliance of Jeremy Harnell’s design is that you can immediately tell you’re looking at three intense cyclists despite the absence of any bike frames.R1 300 / kingandmcgaw.com2 Robot Xtra 2The panic merchants of the internet keep telling us robots are going to rise up and kill us all, but Oli Fowler’s ’bot looks like a two-legged mobile disco.R1 300 / printclublondon.com3 UpwardTrump to the left of you, Russia to the right: the prospect of blasting off from this bumpy sphere in a rocket and never looking back is becoming ever more enticing.R350 / eastendprints.co.uk4 Blade Runner 2049There are lots of good shots in this film, but it’s the bit when Officer K and Joi get all touchy-feely in the rain that will end up being its most…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2Like visits to the dentist, home security is an unfortunate necessity. Thankfully, keeping an eye on your abode is a little easier now thanks to Ring. The US-based company launched its smart home kit in South Africa last month. Most of its solutions focus on internet-connected cameras, and our favourite is its Wi-Fi video doorbell. In addition to letting you see who’s at your front gate or door, day or night, from anywhere in the world in 1080p, it also includes motion detection that’ll send you instant alerts before your visitor has even rung the bell. Two-way audio means you can also greet your welcome visitors or tell the unwelcome ones to hit the road, and a rechargeable battery means you needn’t bother with pesky wiring – though you can…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018START MENUYes it (looks like a) canLEVETOPWhile most drones basically look identical, the LeveTop goes for something different… and ends up coming on like a tiny quadcopter attempting to airlift an Amazon Echo. It might be comically ungainly, but it can still zip through the air at 53kmh, with a 100m range and 20-minute flight time. When airborne, the LeveTop can hover, track objects and stay within geofenced boundaries, while recording 1080p video. And when it lands, its weird form factor suddenly makes sense – you fold the arms into the cylindrical body, stuff the drone into its case and then cart it about attached to a belt. from $139 / levetop.comWide riotMOMENT ANAMORPHIC LENSIf you’re a budding filmmaker who wants to use an iPhone as a camera, you’ll want to…4 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018This HDR-obsessed Sony is a little behind the curveThe Xperia XZ2 could well be a make-or-break for Sony. After years of telephonic mediocrity the Japanese giant is betting the house on High Dynamic Range, claiming this as the first smartphone to capture 4K HDR video – the same tech that’s made its TVs so astounding.So everything from the Xperia XZ2’s display tech to its camera smarts has been built to go big on features that you’d usually expect from the screen sitting in your living room. Plus there’s an improved design, upgraded display and super-fast performance to boot. As such, it’s no surprise that the Xperia XZ2 is Sony’s best phone to date.But as is so often the case with Sony’s handsets, its shortcomings are only emphasised by the competition’s ability to do things a little bit better.…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Introducing the phone that’s thrice as nice as the restWe’ve been waiting some time for Huawei’s P20 Pro to come along.This is a young upstart with the potential to waltz into the throne room Samsung and Apple have been squabbling over and chuck them both out with glee – a properly exciting smartphone in almost every respect.Get to know the P20 Pro and there’s no doubting it lives up to that ultra-high standard. Why? Rather than aiming for parity with the status quo, this phone has the gumption to go one better – with a dazzling tinted glass design, a whopping great battery and that ridiculous triple-lens camera that’s been slapped on its backside. Yup, it might scream ‘gimmick’ louder than the chap dressed as a ninja-clown at your local church hall’s charity night, but this phone is the…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018The green partyFor a while, it seemed that the folks who decided electric cars are the future of motoring had agreed they must all look like something out of a daytime sci-fi re-run on SABC.How else do you explain the painfully Beyond 2000 vibe of the original Nissan Leaf? And yet, despite looking more like a Scalextric model than a proper car, the Leaf turned out to be a quiet success – which you could actually buy in South Africa. Stick that in your vaping pipe and smoke it, Tesla.But with the launch of its second-gen model, Nissan has decided to do a 180 and transform the Leaf into possibly the most boring electric car yet made. And we mean that as a wholly good thing. Aside from the ‘zero emissions’ badge…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018HOW TO DECIDE1 Don’t get zipped offGoing on an urban adventure? Some bags have zips facing your back or require a code to open them, to lock out light fingers. RFID blocking is useful for keeping contactless bank cards safe.2 Demand proofLooking for a bag to accompany you on watersport outings? Then avoid the term ‘water-repellent’ – it needs to be waterproof. Even better, go for a specialised ‘dry bag’.3 Come fly with meIf you’re taking your bag on a plane and want it in the cabin, make sure it fits the size guidelines. That usually means something like 56x45x25cm, but every airline has its own dimensions.4 Prepare to chargeSome rucksacks have compartments dedicated to wireless chargers. Knomo’s wireless DropGo powerbank is pricey at R800, but well worth considering.…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Heady player one1 Trip through your wiresWhile the Pro’s new streamlined cable is less likely to tangle in knots than the original Vive’s, it’s still really annoying. The good news is that HTC has a solution with a wireless adapter coming to stores later this year. The bad news? It’s unlikely to be cheap.2 Running to stand stillHow powerful does your PC need to be? Very. You’ll ideally need at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and a processor equivalent to an Intel Core i5-4590. That’s a monstrous gaming rig. And you’ll need to ensure your PC has a DisplayPort.3 Stranger in a strange landHTC has given the Pro a mighty 1440x1600 resolution for each eye, but getting the best visual fidelity depends on the games.VR titles with simplistic artwork…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018ACTION FIGURESLEGO HULKBUSTER: ULTRON EDITIONBefore you ask, three and a half hours. That’s roughly how long it took us to assemble this 1 363-piece Lego replica of the Hulkbuster suit from Avengers: Age of Ultron and Infinity War. In the same amount of time we could have flown from Joburg to Antananarivo (the capital of Madagascar, obvs), or watched Paddington 2 twice. It was worth it, though. At 9in tall, placing it on the desk with the interchangeable punching jackhammer arm aimed at us is the perfect deterrent to procrastination at work. We’re sure Tony Stark would be proud of his creation’s influence.R2 000 (import) / shop.lego.comSTAR TREK TNG PICARDBeing bald isn’t a big deal in the slightest, especially when you consider all the candidates worthy of action figure stature –…4 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Better slate than ever1 The song remains the sameNo, we haven’t re-used the photos from an old iPad review by mistake – this year’s version looks identical to its predecessor. So effectively it’s a tweaked iPad Air from 2013. Well, why mess with a classic design?2 Browsers of the holyAs with the 10.5in iPad Pro, this is a Retina LCD screen with 264ppi resolution that renders text crisply and brings web pages to life with clarity and searing brightness. It can’t reach the same contrast in bright sunlight, though.3 Whole lotta shoveUnless you want a tablet to be your main computer, the new iPad has more than enough grunt for most needs. Thanks to the new A10 processor, it happily zips through most tasks, from Fortnite to AR apps.4 Store-way to heavenThere’s no…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 201823 BEST PHONES EVER23 VERTU SIGNATURE TOUCH● Year 2015 ● Stuff said ★★★★✩ ● Desirability factorVertu made a name for itself crafting absurdly exclusive and expensive phones for the ultra-rich. Problem was, beneath the unicorn-tongue and spider-silk finishes were plain old feature phones, no more exclusive than what you’d find in the bargain bin at Cellucity.The Signature Touch was different. Its titanium chassis held a 5.2in Full HD screen, an octa-core Snapdragon 810 processor and a 21MP, 4K-capable camera. Finally, a Vertu had the mouth to match its diamond-laden pants. It could also encrypt messages and came with access to Vertu’s famous concierge service – a 24/7 helpline for all your modern oligarch needs.Alas, Vertu went bankrupt last year, so if you pick up one of its phones now, you’ll have to book…18 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018INSTANT UPGRADES APPLE HOMEPODFIRST ADD THESE...ONE LUTRON CASÉTAThe Lutron Caséta dimmer setup works with Siri and the HomePod to let you create geofenced lighting rules, like brightness and timing – or you could use the supported app. Lutron’s kit also works with most other smart ecosystems, including the likes of Google Assistant, in case you feel the need to diversify. from R2 500 / wantitall.co.zaTWO LIFXWhile we wait for Philips Hue bulbs (oh, how we’ve been waiting), Lifx’s range of smart light bulbs have been updated to work with Apple’s Homekit.You know what that means, right? Siri will control them for you via the HomePod if you ask nicely... or at all, really. Already own ’em? Just upgrade the firmware. from R1 500 / takealot.comTHREE LOGITECH CIRCLE 2Use it indoors or outdoors –…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 20183 more gun-toting open-world gamesTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon WildlandsFar Cry 5 isn’t the first game to let you loose in an open world with a bagful of guns. In fact, that’s essentially the whole premise of Wildlands, as you and your fireteam attempt to take down various drug lords in Bolivia.Just Cause 3Thanks to your grappling hook, you can take the bullet-blitzing carnage to the skies in Just Cause 3. Few games will make you feel more of an action hero, as you plant a bomb on a helicopter, parachute down, and descend into an enemy base for even more shooting.Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain This one sticks out comparedto the rest, swapping explosive shoot-outs for the stealth approach. Still, thanks to the dynamic open world, things can still end up pretty…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018God of WarGod of War takes place in Midgard, the central realm of Norse myth, and sees the Ghost of Sparta travelling with his young son, Atreus.This is the start of a terse, often brusque journey that sees Atreus trying to win his father’s approval and Kratos trying to learn what it means to be a father.Seems almost sappy when you put it that way but this is God of War. This journey takes players through masses of draugr, trolls, revenants, and even a few gods en route to fulfil a dead woman’s wish. The violent combat is more visceral than ever, the over-the-shoulder camera a stark contrast to the fixed cam of previous games. Each hit seems harder, each dismemberment is more in your face, even if it now seems Kratos…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018DISTINCTIVE SOPHISTICATIONSituated in the heart of Johannesburg’s most exclusive suburbs, Southern Sun Hyde Park hotel offers guests the perfect blend of style, sophistication, relaxation, and elegance.The hotel’s 132 well-appointed, luxurious en-suite rooms are the perfect base from which to enjoy the nearby shops, restaurants, and other amenities at Hyde Park Corner, or to conduct business or explore nearby attractions.For those in search of a unique blend of the very finest authentic Italian cuisine fused with Japanese dishes and flavours, Lucé at Southern Sun provides it all in one destination, set against magnificent views of Sandton and surrounds. With a selection of Tsogo Sun’s exceptional auction wine collection available to complement each magnificently crafted dish, every mealtime is an experience.The Island Bar, situated on the Pool Deck, comes alive when the sun…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018PHABLETSSamsung Galaxy S9+R18 000 / samsung.com/zaSamsung’s only gone and done it again, claiming the top phablet spot with their newest flagship. And this time around it’s more than just an oversized copy of the “smaller” of the pair, though we do really like the 6.2in display. One of the new dual rear cameras gets the same variable aperture tech found in the S9’s camera, while the secondary camera offers some telephoto magic with a 12MP f/2.4 2x optical zoom lens. The 6GB of RAM doesn’t hurt either. Some of these features were available in the Galaxy Note 8 but they look even better here.Stuff says ★★★★★The Galaxy phone most worth having... unless you have small-ish hands.● NOW ADD THISConvertible Wireless ChargerThe latest in phone wizardry deserves the latest in wireless…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018TVsLG OLED65B7R70 000 / lg.com/zaWith the absence of LG’s paper-thin (and wallet-busting) Wallpaper W7 screen in SA, we’ve got to go with the OLED65B7 as the TV that you want to own. LG’s incomparable OLED display tech give you a brilliant 4K panel. Dolby ATMOS sound is baked-in, as is that lovely HDR tech that Netflix launched here recently, meaning you get high-end tech on a budget. Yes, budget. The B7 is part of LG’s budget line. There’s also a 55in (R40 000) model.Stuff says ★★★★★LG’s OLED tech doesn’t have to mean selling your house but it’ll still cost you● NOW ADD THISSony PlayStation 4 ProYou’re going to want to use your 4K screen to display 4K bits and the PS4 Pro is going to help you to do that.…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018SMARTWATCHES, FITNESS TRACKERSApple Watch Series 3 (GPS)from R5 500 / myistore.co.zaThe original Apple Watch was the best smartwatch on the market when it launched, but it lacked focus. The Series 2 devices came with an array of upgrades – more power, a brighter screen – along with a greater emphasis on fitness functions without a phone in tow. Both GPS and waterproofing made it a far more compelling gadget for exercise fanatics. The Series 3 keeps the best of the 2 and adds an altimeter and an enhanced Heart Rate app. The best just got even better.Stuff says ★★★★★Apple’s further tweaks and even heavier sports focus add up to make the Series 3 unmissableSamsung Gear S3from R4 700 / samsung.com/zaSamsung’s Tizen OS combined with the rotating bezel is the stuff smartwatch dreams…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018MEET THE BAND . . .1 Simply PianoLike Yousician, this app will take you through step-by-step video tutorials while analysing your performance as you play a proper keyboard. You also have the option of playing a virtual piano to hone your skills.Free / iOS, Android2 Drum GuruForget guitars: the drumkit is by far the coolest musical instrument for rockouts. Drum Guru is a highly rated app for learning the craft, with lessons from the likes of Steve Gadd (Steely Dan) and Chad Smith (Chili Peppers).Free / iOS3 VanidoIf you’re an attention-seeker, you won’t want to bother with an instrument… you’ll want to be on vocals. Vanido helps you improve your singing, with exercises focusing on breathing, pitch, range and vocal consistency.Free / iOS…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Should I upgrade? APPLE iMAC PROPower-obsessed geeks only ever have fleeting moments of happiness. Sure, they experience unrivalled euphoria on becoming the proud owner of the latest and greatest super-specced computer, but that soon fades once an even more powerful machine enters the market with an earth-shuddering price.Sadly for Apple fans, it’s time to look longingly through shop windows, as the world’s most powerful Mac has launched: the iMac Pro. But while the novelty of becoming the owner of the desk-bound equivalent of a Tesla Roadster just can’t be measured, that R84 000 price means you might struggle to get your money’s worth.Power crazyThat’s not to say the iMac Pro doesn’t warrant this price. With a 27in 5K Retina display, an 8-core 3.2GHz Intel Xeon W processor, 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage, even the…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018WIRELESS SPEAKERSUE WonderboomR1 500 / takealot.comIt might resemble a can of baked beans wearing a colourful jersey with a cross on the front, but don’t let that put you off: the UE Wonderboom is the best compact Bluetooth speaker you can buy. It’s waterproof, the rechargeable battery beneath its mesh exterior is good for eight plus hours, and the sound it produces is staggering given how compact it is. If that wasn’t enough – and it ought to be – it’s also one of the most affordable portable speakers out there. Boom.Stuff says ★★★★★The Wonderboom shouldn’t be as good as it is for the price, but it is● NOW ADD THISJooxWant to get the proverbial party started? But where to start? Joox’s numerous curated playlists can help. from R29/week / joox.co.zaDreamWave…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018MATE FOR LIFEIf your idea of excess is eating a whole Debonair’s pizza by yourself or watching every series of The IT Crowd in one sitting, then you clearly haven’t met Huawei’s new Porsche Design Mate RS. It’s a monster of a phone with a price even the 256GB iPhone X can’t match. There’s an even more expensive, 512GB version of the Mate RS, but it’s not coming to South Africa. Announced alongside Huawei’s already impressive P20 and P20 Pro handsets, despite the massive hike in price, the specs don’t look much different to those offered by its siblings. It shares the Pro’s triple-lens camera, 4000mAh battery and Kirin 970 processor. So what’s actually new here? Well, there’s an in-display fingerprint scanner embedded under its 6in curved OLED screen, and this handset…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018OPEN A NEW CHROME TABmagnetic Together seams inThe x2’s magnetic hinge design holds the tablet in place when you’re using it as a laptop, and allows you to easily break it apart or spin it around when you want to get all arty.Port in the spotlightConnectivity shouldn’t be an issue here, as the x2 is packing two USB-C ports, a microSD slot and a headphone jack socket – so you don’t have to go Bluetooth just yet.Snap out of it This is your regular reminder that a tablet is a ridiculous camera. But if you absolutely insist, you’ll find a 13MP rear snapper, while there’s a 5MP camera on the front.The easiest way to make something sound boring is to call it ‘educational’. Take Acer’s Chromebook Tab 10: it may be the world’s first…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018THE EDGE OF GLORYfrom R45 000 / cambridgeaudio.comTHE FULL LINE-UP● Edge NQAs well as Wi-Fi and the other wireless tech already mentioned, the NQ streamer also has coaxial, optical and USB inputs, so you’re covered if you ever decide you haven’t given up on cables after all.● Edge AThis integrated amp has the ability to deliver 100 Watts of power, and it has aptX HD Bluetooth plus optical, coaxial and USB inputs – so all you really need to add is a pair of equally decadent speakers.● Edge WA good old-fashioned 100W power amp, the Edge W lacks the new-fangled inputs or connectivity you’ll find on the other two. That makes it the cheapest of the bunch, although ‘cheap’ is hardly the word.Cambridge Audio marks its half-century by unwrapping some tasty high-end hi-fi●…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018GIGA PIXELSING A RAINBOWWe’ve seen keyboards, mice and even monitors exhibit their own light shows, so it seems only fair that Logitech’s new gaming speakers get the same treatment. The G560’s four RGB lighting zones can throw 16 million colours onto your desk and the wall behind it, and they can sync with what’s on screen, Ambilight-style. Say you’ve just walked into a boss area – game developers could make the G560 change colour to ramp up the dread. They could also flash red when you hit low health, or indicate which direction you’re taking fire from. And with peak power of 240W, they can make a fair racket too.…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018HOT STUFFPro evolutionLOGITECH G PROA job that involves nothing but playing video games all day long? It’s an increasingly viable career option, but you need to be good. Really, stupidly good. And according to Logitech, you also need its new G Pro headset. With soft leatherette earpads and a lightweight frame, the G Pro is built for long gaming sessions. ‘Hybrid mesh’ drivers promise big bass and less distortion, while Logitech says the pads offer up to 50% more sound isolation than its previous gaming cans – crucial in games where you need to hear every footstep.R2 500 / evetech.co.zaI’ve got your DACSTEELSERIES ARCTIS PRO + GAMEDACSteelSeries is serious about giving your gaming audio a sonic step up – which is why the new Arctis Pro headset comes with its own…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018FIRST PLAY THE ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE: SUMMERSET PC, PS4, Xbox OneMassive multiplayer online games are a big commitment. While you can ditch your job and put your children up for adoption, it’s essentially impossible to give up on an MMO once it has its grip on you.The latest series trying to take over your life is The Elder Scrolls Online. Following last year’s nostalgic Morrowind chapter, the next expansion will be Summerset, letting you loose on a region that hasn’t been explored since 1994’s The Elder Scrolls: Arena. You see, Summerset’s borders have been shut for a long time, but now Queen Ayrenn has ordered them to be opened, allowing you and your merry band of online pals to wander in. Not everyone’s thrilled about this, and it’s your job to help soothe the growing tensions between the different factions.But…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Dreaming in greenA few years ago, I had a billion-dollar idea. It was during our infamous period of national load-shedding, when every second advert on the radio was for a generator, and every second person around the weekend braai was moaning about how many times their house was dark that week. My idea was really simple: Solar-power paint.You’d paint a large, sun-facing surface with this remarkable stuff – available in a variety of easy-to-clean colours, to get the approval of those fluffy dogs in the TV ads – and one end of it would have a multi-plug attached, into which you’d plug your TV, mobile phone, or whatever else took your fancy. I haven’t thought through the specifics that thoroughly to be honest. I’m not a photovoltaic-paint engineer. I’m not any flavour…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018APPS1 Minimoog Model DR230 / iOSThe world’s first portable synth, the analogue Minimoog Model D was horribly expensive. But now, with 160 presets, you can get it stuffed inside your extremely portable iOS device – and for relative peanuts.2 Scanbot 7Free (IAPs) / iOS, AndroidNobody actually owns a scanner… but Scanbot makes it a cinch to grab multi-page documents on your phone, make them readable and hurl the results at colleagues. This new version has improved filters.3 Linea SketchR80 / iOSIf you don’t need a full-on art app but have the urge to scribble, Linea Sketch balances simplicity and power. Its ZipLine feature will even straighten a wiggly line if you press down after drawing it.4 321 LaunchFree / iOS, AndroidTurn any flat surface into a miniature Kennedy Space Center…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Leap year1 Sony Xperia XZ2Finally, Sony has pulled its finger out with a phone that can kick it with the best of them. Can the Xperia XZ2 win the big one, though?2 Apple iPhone XThe iPhone we had all been waiting for does everything you’d expect of a truly great phone… but for more dosh than you’d like.3 Huawei P20 ProHuawei’s been making decent phones for a while now, but this is its first to properly challenge the best of them.4 Samsung Galaxy S9The pick of Samsung’s new flagships skimps on a dual camera, but still combines low-light photo smarts with a familiar, elegant design.5 Google Pixel XL 2It has the best camera we’ve seen in a phone, yet somehow this is the underdog. Will a few rough edges hold it…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Still brilliant, still a grand… the X is unashamedly poshBefore the iPhone X came along, the ‘Apple tax’ meant paying a premium for a handset that couldn’t do as much as an Android.Now it’s paying more for the same stuff at least, and that feels like a much better deal. Well, for the people who can afford it.But you know all this already, right? So for the purposes of this supertest the iPhone X is best considered as a benchmark from which to judge its many rivals. Which phones can live up to its lofty ideals for less? Such is the all-round quality of the X that only two come close: Samsung’s S9 and the Huawei P20 Pro.Even then, neither of them has a little thing called Face ID in its corner. The Galaxy S9 has an equivalent feature…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018The winner is… Huawei P20 ProHands up if you saw this one coming. Nope, us neither, and that’s exactly what makes the P20 Pro so special. No Huawei phone had even come close to being supertest champion before this bona fide marvel came along.Truthfully, you could wed yourself to any one of these phones – even the Sony – for the next two years and have yourself an excellent time. This test was won on impossibly fine margins: a design that looks that little bit more chic, a camera that can zoom further, and a price in contract that offers the best for less.So hats off to the Huawei P20 Pro. We’ve no idea how long it will last at the top but, for now, just getting there is one hell of an achievement.Now add…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Flight of the charge brigadeFast and fueliousYou can restore 80% charge in as little as 40 minutes by plugging the Leaf into a 50kW fast charging point at a Nissan dealership. That’s pretty much coffee and a sandwich time. Wall-ePrefer to stick with an old-fashioned three-pin socket? Even that’ll work with the Leaf – it’ll just take 16hrs to charge. Buy a wall-mounted 7kW charger and that’ll drop to 7.5hrs. Night riderThe Leaf allows you to set a charging timer to remind you to plug in before everyone either goes to sleep or sticks on the morning kettle. But it still won’t remind you to pay your Eskom bill. Socket leagueThere are only a handful of charge points in South Africa at present. Most are at dealerships (or at Eskom in Jozi) so expect…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018BETA YOURSELF EBAYTHE BASICS Watch and learnYour watch list appears on the eBay app’s main screen, and it’s as easy to scroll through here as it is in the ‘My eBay’ section of the website. Use the watch list to track items without bidding on them, so you don’t push up the price early on. If you find several auctions for an item you want, watch them all. Often there’s a bidding war as the first ones finish, and you can snap up one of the others for less. Go for soldDon’t make the mistake of only watching live auctions to see how much stuff sells for. Perform a search, filter it for sold items, and then sort by price or date. Now you can see how much that ZX Spectrum you…4 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Most improved playersThumperOnce you strap on the Pro and witness the intense flashing colours, you’ll never want to play this trippy rhythm-based rollercoaster ride any other way. It’s one of our favourite VR titles. Project Cars 2Virtual reality and racing sims are a match made in heaven, and the Pro makes it an even better combo by giving those photo-realistic visuals a turbo boost. You’ll want to buy a steering wheel. Elite: DangerousThere’s no better place than space for dazzling spectacles. The Pro makes those laser beams flash with deadly exuberance, and has the muscle to keep up with the rocket-fuelled dogfighting. Doom VFRYou’re going to want to rip off those demon limbs in the best quality possible as you tear through this VR adaptation of Doom. Movement is frustrating, but this…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Sonic ’toothFender NewportR4 000 / musica.co.zaFor some, there’ll be no beating the charm and name-recognition of Fender’s portable speaker. The Newport looks and acts like a mini guitar amp, complete with witch-hat knobs on top for volume, bass and treble.Every second of using this tiny slice of rock’n’roll is delightful. Flick the switch to turn it on and you’re met with the rich roar of an electric guitar; put it into Bluetooth pairing mode and a different riff plays. It’s the little things that make this speaker so much fun.With 12hr battery life and aptX Bluetooth for CD-quality streaming, it’ll find a place in any home.STUFF SAYS ★★★★✩A Fender you can truly enjoy without Hendrix-like talentVifa ReykjavikR5 300 / pclinkshop.comWant a bit of Icelandic style with your sound? Look no further…4 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Keeping tabsPaddy fieldApple’s iPads have largely been competing with themselves of late, and that’s no different now. This is the cheapest Apple tab you can get – the iPad Mini 4 (7.9in screen, 128GB) is R6 800. Fire breakIf you only need a tablet for basic web browsing and watching films on the move, this iPad could still be overkill. The Amazon Fire HD 10 might well suffice for less than half the price. Acer in the holeThere’s also a new contender on the horizon in the form of Acer’s Chromebook Tab 10 (due out this month), which is the first ever slate to run Google’s Chrome OS. App to the jobUltimately, though, if it’s a massive variety of games, creative tools and Pencil-compatible work apps you’re after, then this iPad…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 20183 GREAT CHEAPIES YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOWHonor 9 Lite R3 500With glass on both sides, an 18:9 screen and dual-camera setups front and back, the Honor 9 Lite puts some phones worth over twice as much to shame.Doogee BL7000 R3 400This bargain phone might be a little on the chunky side but there’s a good reason: its 7060mAh battery is twice the size of any other phone’s.Motorola Moto G5 R2 500Unlike OnePlus, Moto’s G range keeps improving without also increasing the price too much. The G5 is better than the original in almost every area.…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018New bezzie Matefrom R24 000 / huawei.com/zaDAY 01Imagine competing for gold at the Commonwealth Games, but it’s only 12 months since you first picked up a javelin. That’s essentially what Huawei is doing with the MateBook X Pro.Last year’s MateBook X was the first time the company had ever attempted to make a laptop, and its performance came impressively close to the 12in MacBook. Now, though, its successor is comfortably ready to take on the might of Apple’s MacBook Pro.This is one of the thinnest laptops to have a dedicated graphics card, and it’s possible to play even new games like FortniteThis sleek machine borrows more design inspiration from the latest phones than from other laptops, with a near-bezel-free screen, fingerprint-sensing power button and incredibly compact dimensions. Then it goes one better…4 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Ni no Kuni II: Revenant KingdomImagine being kicked out of your home by your own dinner. While the likelihood of a roast chicken leading a mutiny against you is thankfully slim, Ni no Kuni II’s hero Evan – a descendant of cat royalty – is embarrassingly usurped as king of Ding Dong Dell by a band of rebel rats. Most game plots would then see you formulate a revenge plan – but in this JRPG you’re instead tasked with building a new kingdom and achieving world peace.Of course, there are still many monsters to kill and kingdoms to save, as a mysterious villain keeps stealing control of powerful beasts and wreaking havoc on the realm. But while this story is successful at recapturing its predecessor’s wacky charm, it fails to live up to the grand…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018Get the whole backstoryGod of War Collection (PS3)The GoW Collection features the original two PS2 games in HD. Follow Kratos as he sets out to kill Ares in the original game and then as he has his powers as the God of War stripped by his father, Zeus.God of War Collection Vol II (PS3)A remake of the two amazing PSP releases, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, which take place before and after the first game respectively. A lot of character development takes place in this underappreciated pair.God of War III: Remastered (PS4)If you only play one game for context, make it this one. Kratos’ final assault on Olympus is gorgeously remade for the PS4 and features the Ghost of Sparta at his most angry and driven. This is the man he’s…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018GADGET DOCTORMAIL OF THE MONTHQ YOU THINK YOU KNOW THE ANSWERI bought my first MacBook in 2007 and swore I would never go back. Many, many iDevices later, I especially view my iPad Pro as indispensable. I’m still rolling with the ancient and now very slow iPhone 6s. I need an upgrade, ASAP.I find myself staring at another device... The Huawei P20 Pro is catching my eye. At a fair discount compared to iPhone X, what’s stopping me? Not much, I use a lot of Google apps already!Truth be told, if it wasn’t for my full blown addiction to my AirPods, I would probably flip to Android. The iPhone 8 seems to be my only way out (I want the home button). But will Apple release a new beauty just after…4 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018TABLETSApple iPad Pro 10.5infrom R10 800 / myistore.co.zaThe 9.7in iPad Pro was already sitting comfortably as our favourite tablet, but that wasn’t good enough for Apple. Rather than giving its flagship tablet a few minor tweaks, Apple has introduced a bigger screen and an immensely potent processor. In fact, this device is so powerful and flashy that it’s even blurring the lines between tablet and laptop. If you only want to browse social media and watch Netflix, the 10.5in iPad Pro is overkill; this is for those more interested in creation than consumption.Stuff says ★★★★★The iPad Pro puts all other tablets to shame – it’s unbeatable as a multimedia machine or creative toolSamsung Galaxy Tab S3from R11 500 / samsung.com/zaThe Tab S3 is powerful and has a gorgeous screen, while…1 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018YOUR STREAMING ESSENTIALSNETFLIXSanta Clarita Diet (S2)Think your parents are weird just because they like to dance at discos? Please. That’s nothing on the Hammond family, whose mother has picked up the habit of gorging on human flesh. So embarrassing.The Alienist (S1)A killer is targeting homeless boys in late-19th century New York and it’s up to psychologist Lazlo Kriezler to work out how to bring him to justice. Feels very much like action-based turn-of-the-century Mindhunter.Happy! (S1)The creators of Happy! were clearly on every drug imaginable when making this comedy. The premise? An alcoholic ex-cop joins forces with a little girl’s imaginary friend to solve a kidnap case. See what we mean?AMAZON VIDEOSuburbiconFed up of gunning people down in action films, Matt Damon looked to find a quiet life as a family man in…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018DSLRs, COMPACT CAMERASFujifilm X-H1R27 000 (body only) / fujifilm.co.zaThe Fujifilm X-T2 was our favourite camera for a long time. So it’s little wonder its successor, the X-H1, takes our top spot. The key new features? The 3in LCD is now touch sensitive, there’s a monochrome LCD on top of the (slightly larger) grip for instantly checking settings, and the already excellent sensor now includes 5-axis stabilisation, which should mean up to 5.5 extra stops handheld. And video fans get new film simulation modes for 4K video shooting. The best mirrorless camera just got even better.Stuff says ★★★★★A hardy body, outstanding ergonomics and brilliant image quality in a compact packageSony A7RIIIR51 300 / premiumbrands.co.zaTaking all the good bits from previous A7 models (OLED viewfinder, solid build, full-frame sensor), perfecting certain things and adding…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018HEADPHONESSennheiser PXC 550R8 500 / fitcorp.co.zaIt’s tough at the top. Tough to get there, and tough to stay there. Truth be told, there’s not much in it between these and the Bose QC 35s below… except cool factor. But that counts. As does two levels of active noise cancellation, touch controls, quality accessories and around 30 hours of life to a charge. Frequent flyers, these are your cans. You don’t have to be an airline afficionado to want to pop these over your ears but they certainly lend themselves to lengthy times in transit.Stuff says ★★★★★Good looks, superb build, top-notch comfort and stonking audio to boot. The PXC 550s set the bar.Bose QuietComfort 35R8 000 / dionwired.co.zaActive noise cancelling. Planes? No problem. People? Perish the thought. Just your tunes. Which…3 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018HOW TO BUY A PRINTERJARGON BUSTERDPI‘Dots per inch’ is the key figure for print quality. You’ll want a high DPI if you’re after sharp, detailed photos.PictBridgeIf your camera and printer are both PictBridge-compatible, you can connect them directly for easy printing.PPM / IPM‘Pages per minute’ is the printing speed for text and images. ‘Images per minute’ is the equivalent for photos.THE INK-REDIBLES1 Laser quest?Fancy physical copies of your best snaps? Then an inkjet printer is for you. They produce images with superior quality compared to laser types… plus, while the ink cartridges don’t last as long, they are cheaper – handy if you only need to print sporadically. Laser printers like the Brother HL1210W are speedier and more cost-effective for frequent use.● Get this: Brother HL1210W2 MultitaskerMost printers these days are all-in-one, which means…2 min
Stuff Magazine South Africa|June 2018MIND-READING CARSPlease say this is called the Honda Acorah.Top-drawer punning, but sadly the answer’s no – and for two good reasons. Firstly, it’s not made by Honda. And secondly, this mind-reading motor isn’t just for gullible pensioners. No, this is the all-electric Nissan IMx Kuro concept car. It’s one of those crossover SUVs, which means it’s both bigger and smaller than it looks at the same time; but as your mother always used to tell you when you were younger, it’s what’s inside that really counts.Who’s inside? Derren Brown?It’s what, not who. Start thinking more along the lines of HAL: the IMx Kuro has Nissan’s brain-to-vehicle (B2V) tech on board. This uses a headset to read the brainwaves of the driver and, if necessary, start to apply the brakes or turn…1 min
