THE STAR Sunday 22 March 2015

StarSpecial TECH WORLD

In sync with the global traveller > 4

Unparalleled freedom to handheld imaging > 8

2 TECH WORLD

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

Giving
customers
the best
value
D

IGI SmartPlan gives

customers a choice of
packages that suits their
needs whether they need more
voice and text services or more
data, there is bound to be a plan
that suits their preferences.
Internet lovers can choose a
more data-heavy plan while those
who require less data and prefer
to talk or text can choose a voiceand SMS-heavy monthly plan.
Digi is the first telco in Malaysia
to introduce an Internet-centric
postpaid when its SmartPlan was
introduced in 2010.
There is a range of plans to
choose from the one that offers
up to 6GB of data to the one with
unlimited calls and SMS every
month.
Those who are heavy social
media users know that loading
images and streaming videos
use a lot of data, which can be
expensive on a pay-per-use basis.
Hence, Digis High Data offering
of 6GB at only RM148 a month
gives the best value for dataheavy users. On the other hand,
users who prefer to talk and send
text messages to connect with
their loved ones can opt for Digis
High Voice plan.
The SmartPlan also comes with
free high-speed Facebook access
and unlimited WhatsApp and
WeChat usage when users
sign up for selected plans.
On top of that, users
who sign up for the
device bundle can
also enjoy the luxury
of selecting a free
smartphone to go with
their choice of 12- or
24-month contract.
As you commit to
higher plans such as
SmartPlan 78, 108

Digi SmartPlan
packages cater
to customers
needs.

and 148, you can enjoy additional

value such as Digis Music Freedom
free subscription.

Digi Music Freedom

New Digi SmartPlan subscribers
can now enjoy unlimited access
to Digi Music Freedom. Digi
Music Freedom lets users enjoy
all their favourite music from
a comprehensive selection of
music apps non-stop, anytime,
anywhere on their mobile devices.
This exciting feature allows
users to listen to music without
using up their data quota and with
zero data charges.
It also supports music apps such
as Deezer, Spotify, Rdio, KKBOX,
SoundHound, Digi Music Play,
Hitz.fm, Era.fm, My.fm, Q.us and
Be-AT.TV.
To access and activate Digi
Music Freedom, simply install the
app, which is available on Google
Play
and Apple App Store.

Internet for
all
Mobile
connectivity
and Internet
consumption are
so ubiquitous in
this day and age,
especially
with the
advent of

Earlier this year,

Digi had its brand
refreshed featuring
a new logo and
tagline, Lets
Inspire.
smartphones and tablets.
As long as the Internet
connection is stable, fast and
affordable, users are contented.
Digi strives to deliver more than
just that.
With its strong commitment
to service excellence and a
customer-focused approach,
Digi aims to be the integral
source of digital inspiration for
its customers and to enable and
encourage them to inspire others
as well.
Earlier this year, Digi had its
brand refreshed featuring a new
logo and tagline, Lets Inspire.
The brands philosophy focuses
on bringing high-quality mobile
Internet services to the growing
number of Internet-loving users
by connecting them to enriching
content and delivering inspiring
experiences.
Digis new visual identity does
not deviate too much from its
previous one. It still maintains
its strong signature yellow but
now incorporates the Telenor
logo that represents its affiliation
to one of the worlds leading
telecommunications companies.
The popular brand remains
Monthly
Fee

Digi SmartPlan 50

constantly fuelled by its solid

track record of performance and
innovation in the industry.
As a mobile Internet provider
that is always committed to
being the best of its kind, Digi
makes access to the Internet
easy, seamless and enjoyable
through its high speed network,
competitive smart device
bundles and plans, and good user
experience.
The telecommunication
provider has always been
known for making it easy for
its customers to enjoy the
services they need by offering
value-for-money deals.
Its Internet plans are packaged
in such a way to cater to a broad
spectrum of user lifestyles
and financial means, enabling
affordable mobile Internet
access at a wide range of
price points.
Digi is committed to
being the best mobile
Internet provider for
the mass market.
To date, Digi is the
fastest growing
mobile Internet
services provider
in the country
with data revenue
that accounts
for 40% of
total services
revenue in
2014.
Additionally,
it has expanded
its 3G network to 86% population
Digi SmartPlan 78

RM50

coverage, introduced LTE services

in more locations and increased
its fibre network to more than
4,700 km nationwide.
With its refreshed brand
identity and promise to provide
mobile Internet service for the
mass market, Digi invites its
customers from all walks of
life whether first-time users or
experienced, savvy ones to an
Internet-inspired life.

Digi offers its

customers
the services
they need
with value-formoney deals.

Digi SmartPlan 108

RM78

Digi SmartPlan 148

RM108

RM148

Selection

High
Data

High
Voice

High
Data

High
Voice

High
Data

High
Voice

High
Data

High
Voice

Data

2GB

250MB

3GB

1GB

5GB

1.5GB

6GB

3GB

Talktime

100 min

400 min

200 min

800 min

300 min

SMS

100 SMS

400 SMS

200 SMS

800 SMS

300 SMS

Unlimited
WhatsApp
& WeChat

Free Music
Freedom

Free
Facebook

Both the High Data and High Voice selections are available on all of Digis SmartPlans.

Unlimited

400 min
400 SMS

Unlimited

Sunday 22 March 2015

StarSpecial 3

4 TECH WORLD

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

In sync with the global traveller

I

N todays fast-paced world,

time is a commodity that few
can afford to waste. The savvy,
jet-setting business person needs
a device that allows him to stay
on top of matters at home and
abroad.
Casio Malaysia has three watch
series that utilise technology to
help keep precise time anywhere
in the world.

you to access information on your

exact location, determine the time
zone you are in and adjust for
daylight savings time with just the
push of a button.
The watches can correct the
time using either GPS signals
or radio wave time-calibration
signals within seven seconds.
The sharply styled Oceanus
also features Dual Dial World
Time function, which lets you set
the time of two different cities
simultaneously, making travel and
work simple and efficient.
This range also has shadowdispersing solar cells, as well as
a slim-line titanium case with a
highly refined watch face design
that features dual-curved sapphire
glass with an anti-reflective
coating on both sides.
The Sallaz mirror polishing is
a special treatment that provides
high abrasion resistance to the
metal and brings out the full
beauty of the watchs silver
colouring.
You can find the Oceanus range
in selected G-Factory outlets
(Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama,
Fahrenheit 88) and KLIA Pop-up
Store.

Smart syncing
The new Edifice EQB-500
Series with Bluetooth Smart
Connectivity is the first range
of watches that can link to your
smartphone.
The EQB-500 allows you to
easily access precise local time
information from more than 300
cities globally by connecting your
watch to your smartphone via
Bluetooth.
Once connected, you can adjust
time settings by selecting from
a list of cities in Casios Watch+
smartphone app.
The Dual Dial World Time
function displays the time of two
different cities simultaneously by
using the hour and minute hands
and an inset dial so that you can
work quickly and efficiently.
The watch and app also come
with a phone finder feature.
Should you misplace your phone,
the EQB-500 can be used to
trigger a beeping sound in your
phone.
The new Edifice EQB-500 series
sports a stainless steel metal
casing that comes in two colours
silver and black with an elegant
black watch face that makes it
sleek enough for the boardroom
while being sporty enough for a
casual day out.
You can find the Edifice
EQB-500 at G-Factory outlets
nationwide, major retail outlets
and other Edifice exclusive
dealers.

Tradition and modernity

Casios multifunction analogue watches are manufactured at the advanced Yamagata Casio factory in Japan.

Hybrid system
Casios new G-Shock GPW1000 series was inspired by the
speed and accuracy of modern
aviators. It features the worlds
first hybrid time-keeping system.
The GPW-1000 uses global
positioning system (GPS)
technology and radio wave timecalibration signals to ensure
precise and reliable time-keeping.
This allows the watch to
receive GPS and radio wave time
calibration signals simultaneously
from six stations worldwide.
The G-Shock
GPW-1000-1A.

The Oceanus
OCW-G1000-1A.
This means you can rely on the
watch to accurately adjust the
time display according to changes
in time zone and daylight savings
as you travel around the world.
The GPW-1000 has been
designed to be durable without
compromising on comfort and
style. It also features shadowdispersing solar cells for longlasting performance and
a low-power GPS LSI to
receive GPS signals
without draining the
batteries.
The pursuit of even
greater toughness has
produced a tough
structure that stands
up to three types of
powerful gravitational
acceleration shocks,
centrifugal forces and
vibrations.
The strength to operate
normally under the most
brutal conditions enables users
to take full advantage of the GPS
hybrid radio wave reception
systems unique ability to receive

Looking ahead,
Casio will continue
to develop
analogue watches
with superior
functionality like
these, based on
its Global Time
Sync development
concept offering
world-time functions
for this era of rapid
globalisation.

transmissions in any
part of the world.
The G-Shock
GPW-1000 can
be found at all
G-Factory outlets
nationwide.

The Tough Movement at the

heart of the Sky Pilot GPW1000 and Oceanus G1000 series
is manufactured by Casios
Yamagata Factory, the
brands mother
factory, where
advanced
technologies
and

Advanced
technology
As the Worlds First
Full-Metal GSP Hybrid
Wave Ceptor, the Oceanus
range contains the same hybrid
time-keeping system as G-Shock
GPW-1000 series, but its design
is a sophisticated marriage of
elegance and technology.
This functional beauty allows

The Edifice
EQB-500D-1A.
skilled craftsmanship join forces
for integrated manufacture of
multifunction analogue watches.
Looking ahead, Casio will
continue to develop analogue
watches with superior
functionality like these, based on
its Global Time Sync development
concept offering world-time
functions for this era of rapid
globalisation.

Great prizes to be won

IN conjunction with this
years Malaysian Grand
Prix, Edifice, as the
official partner of Red
Bull Racing, is running a
Facebook contest.
Check out Casio
Timepiece Malaysias
Facebook page for
more information on
the contest and stand a
chance to win an Infiniti
Red Bull Racing Limited
Edition Watch.
Casios manufacturing process produces the highest quality products through a
process of micron-level assembly and quality consistency checking.

Sunday 22 March 2015

StarSpecial 5

6 TECH WORLD

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

Nothing is out of this world

current needs and wants.
Simply log on to social media
websites such as Facebook and
Twitter, and one can see that
advertisements are now tailored
based on ones recent keywords in
search engine or browser history.
British supermarket giant
Tesco is also aggregating data
from petrol stations run by the
retailer to generate ads based on a
customers demographic profile.
It will also take into account
the customers purchase history
to amass real-time data that will
allow the advertisers to modify
and change their marketing
campaigns as they are played out.

By TINA CARMILLIA

CIENCE fiction, whether

literary or cinematic,
is broadly accepted as
the artistic exploration and
expression of ideas beyond the
realms of reality.
And yet it has become
increasingly apparent that
fictitious technology has made its
way into reality, blurring the lines
between fact and fiction.
Authors such as HG Wells and
Ray Bradbury, and filmmakers
such as Gene Roddenberry (of Star
Trek fame) and Stanley Kubrick
with Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A
Space Odyssey) imagined a world
that transcended the technology
of its time when their works were
produced.
Their forecasts of inventions
such as the atomic bomb, earbud
headphones and automated
doorways all of which did not
exist during their time have
mostly come to pass.
Here are a few of the most farfetched and entertaining science
fiction technology that have
become a reality:

The tablet
In 2010, Apple introduced the
iPad tablet not quite a phone
yet not a laptop a new category
of device that is the best of both
worlds.
A similar technology appeared
in Clarkes novel version of
Kubricks Space Odyssey
(1968), where it was named the
newspad.
In the novel, the newspad
is a foolscap-sized electronic
gadget that is used to scan latest
reports and read the worlds
major electronic papers. It is also
touchscreen-enabled.
Although it is undeniably
primitive compared to the far
more extensive capabilities of
the tablet device we have today
stream films and music in high
definition, take photos, store
digital books and even navigate it was certainly a highly futuristic
prediction that eventually came
true.

3D printer
The Hitchhikers Guide to the
Galaxy is a novel series by Douglas
Adams based on his radio series of
the same name.
The novel was first published
in 1979, and a film adaptation was
made in 2005. In both the novel
and the film, the Nutri-Matic
machine allows users to instantly
synthesise any drink they desire.
Similarly, the Star Trek series
introduced its audience to the
Replicator, a machine that is
capable of creating and recycling
objects and not just food.
The Replicator synthesises
organic and inorganic materials by
rearranging subatomic particles,
which are abundant anywhere in
the universe.
By providing food, water,
emergency medical supplies
and spare parts, this technology
effectively eliminates the need
for stock provisions on the
spaceships.
Today, 3D printing has
entered the mass market after

Truth is stranger
than fiction

What was once considered

speculative technology is
now within reach.

several decades of research and

development that started in the
late 1970s.
By the early 2010s, the
technology, also known as
additive manufacturing,
was employed in several
industries, including aerospace,
architecture, automotive and
medical.
One of the earliest medical
usages of 3D printing was in
2013 when medical pioneers
replaced part of a patients skull
with a 3D plastic implant of the
exact match of the patients bone
structure.
Several companies are now
making efforts to develop 3D
printers for consumer home
desktop use.
Although there is still a
long way to go before we can
synthesise food and other
materials, the 3D printer is a
promising start.

There is no doubt
that most, if
not all, of these
technological
developments are
made primarily with
the well-being of the
human population
and future in mind.
Thus, education
plays an important
role in creating
awareness and
encouraging ethical
consumption of new
technology.

Virtual reality media

and finger motion input that is

similar to a mouse but requires
no physical contact, much like
the air-touch technology in Philip
K Dicks 1958 sci-fi short story,
The Minority Report that was also
adapted into a film.
The Leap Motion enables
whole-body tracking in a space
the size of a living room. The
device can perform tasks such

A computer-simulated
environment that mimics
physical presence in the real
world or in an imagined,
alternative world is also known
as immersive multimedia.
The whole premise of The
Matrix (1999) is about humans
who live in a simulated reality,
the Matrix, created by sentient
machines to harness energy
from humans while keeping
them subdued and oblivious.
Virtual reality is perhaps
one of the most exciting new
technologies currently in
development.
One of the leading
manufacturers of this
technology is Oculus VR that
developed the Oculus Rift, a
head-mounted virtual-reality
device.
The consumer version of this
product is expected to become
available sometime this year,
with gamers being their target
market.
Another company, Leap
Motion, has developed a
computer hardware sensor
device that supports hand

as navigating websites, pinch-tozoom gestures, high-precision

drawing and manipulating 3D
visualisations.
Virtual technology has a wide
range of practical applications,
including education, therapy and
training but hopefully not to
enslave a human community in
oblivion.

Personalised
advertising
At least two films have depicted
some form of face-scanning
targeted marketing technology:
They Live (1998) and Minority
Report (2002).
In these films, the protagonists
are confronted with personalised
advertising on billboards and
other digital media everywhere
they go.
While advertising used to be
for the mass consumer market,
today, targeted advertising is
much more established, thanks
to facial-recognition technology,
supplemented by information
about ones Internet-browsing
history and personal data that is
stored digitally.
By determining a customers
gender, age, socio-economic
background and interests, among
other things, advertisers can now
cater specifically to an individuals

Evidently, the modern age

has matched many of the
technologically advanced visions
imagined by science fiction
writers and filmmakers.
The speed at which technology
progresses means that
policymakers, businesses and the
public rarely have time to compute
its benefits and drawbacks.
As such, despite these
developments primarily purpose
to improve the quality of life, they
also bring about grave concerns
and challenges such as ethics and
legislation, which will need to
catch up since there is not much
jurisprudence to say, for example,
how the law will apply if 3D
printers become mainstream and
individuals begin manufacturing
firearms for personal use or to
make profit.
Yet, there is no doubt that most,
if not all, of these technological
developments are made primarily
with the well-being of the human
population and future in mind.
Thus, education plays an
important role in creating
awareness and encouraging
ethical consumption of new
technology.
In fact, with such knowledge,
it may inspire the next generation
of scientists, engineers, artists and
designers to improve or develop
even more astounding inventions
for the future.
After all, there is also much
to explore in terms of driverless
transportation, wearable
technology and virtual reality.
If life imitates art, and science
fiction is any indication, we might
not be too far away from more
sci-fi becoming sci-fact.

Virtual reality, such as that depicted in The Matrix (1999), is perhaps one of the most exciting new technologies currently in
development.

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

TECH WORLD 7

A range of smart options

N

OWADAYS, people use their

mobile phones for so much
more than calls and text
messaging. Phones with Internet
connectivity have become
a staple, and on top of that,
users require devices that have
good cameras and great audio
capabilities.
With so many different
smartphones in the market,
picking the one that suits your
needs becomes a little harder.
Digi SmartPlans that come
bundled with a smartphone have
now made owning a smartphone
more affordable.
Here is a look at some
smartphones that Digi is offering.

versions. The Redmi Note is

the largest phone in Xiaomis
device range, with a 5.5-inch
(0.14m) in-plane switching
(IPS) display, which means
the screen is big enough for
watching videos, surfing the
Internet or gaming.
There is a 13-megapixel
camera that performs well
in daylight with an LED
flash that allows for highquality photos in lower
light situations.
The Redmi Note
comes with the LTEcapable quad-core
1.6GHz Snapdragon 400
processor. The Xiaomi
Redmi Note 4G is free
with the Digi SmartPlan
108.

Xiaomi
Redmi
Note 4G.

Xiaomi
Redmi Note 4G
Xiaomi launched the Redmi
Note not too long ago and has
recently put out a 4G version of
the device alongside the original.
There is no external
difference between
the two

Samsung
Galaxy
Grand Prime.

Honor 6.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

The Galaxy Note 4s 5.7inch display has great pixel
density and has been given
a further boost by
Samsungs Super
AMOLED technology,
which provides vivid
colours for an impressive
viewing experience.
The phone comes
with a 16-megapixel
camera equipped with
a dual-LED flash for
capturing bright and
clear images. It can also
capture 2160p videos.
The Samsung Galaxy
Note 4 has an octa-core
1.9GHz processor and
runs on the Android
4.4.4 KitKat operating
system.
It also comes with
a new, advanced S pen
that has been improved
in terms of sensitivity
and accuracy. It can be
used for writing as well
as a replacement for
your finger on the touch
screen.
The Galaxy Note 4 is
RM1,169 with the Digi
SmartPlan 148.

Samsung
Galaxy
Grand
Prime
Well-equipped
with a five-inch Quad
HD display, eightmegapixel camera and
dual-SIM capability,
the Samsung Galaxy
Grand Prime is a good
mid-range phone.
The front camera has
a wide-angle lens, which
makes this phone one of
the best for group shots
or wefies. The long
battery life also allows for
hours of photo taking. The
slim build makes it easy to
handle.
The quad-core 1.2GHz
processor is more than
sufficient to handle all
the Galaxy Grand Primes
functions.
The Samsung Galaxy Grand
Prime is free with the Digi
SmartPlan 108.
Honor 6
Huawei calls the Honor 6
the worlds fastest smartphone
because of its octa-core 1.7Ghz
processor and LTE connectivity.
It runs on the Android v4.4.2
KitKat operating system.
The Honor 6 has a fiveinch IPS display and comes
with a 13-megapixel
camera. It has been
dubbed as the best for
selfies because of its
better-than-average
five-megapixel front
camera, which has
10 levels of autoface enhancement
capabilities and an
88 large viewing
angle for its
panoramic selfie
mode.
Another
exciting feature
is that you
can turn the
phone into
a universal
remote
control.
The
Honor 6 is free
with the Digi SmartPlan
148.

With so many
different
smartphones
in the market,
picking the one
that suits your
needs becomes
a little harder.
Digi SmartPlans
that come
bundled with a
smartphone have
now made owning
a smartphone
more affordable.

Samsung Galaxy
Note Edge.
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
The Galaxy Note Edge comes
with a 5.7-inch Quad HD Super
AMOLED display and it also has
an OLED (organic light emitting
diodes) panel. The curved
display is innovative and can
independently show information.
It comes with the Android
4.4.4 KitKat operating system and
a quad-core 2.7GHz CPU, which
allows for easy multitasking,
especially as the notification
bar has been moved to the edge
screen. It also comes with an
advance S pen.
The Galaxy Note Edge has a
16-megapixel camera with CMOS
sensor. The auto-focus feature
allows for stunning, shake-free
photos. It can also capture video in
low-light conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
is RM1,599 with Digi SmartPlan
148.

Meizu MX4.
Meizu MX4
The Meizu MX4 has a
customised MediaTek 6595
CPU. This is a quad-core 2.2GHz
Cortex-A17 processor and quadcore 1.7GHz Cortex-A7 processor
backed by 2GB of RAM. The
eight cores can be turned on
simultaneously.
The camera is 20.7-megapixel
Sony premium IMX220 Exmor RS
with a dual-LED flash, which snaps
sharp, high-quality images both
indoors and outdoors. The single
speaker is loud and clear, great for
watching videos or listening to
music.
When it comes to connectivity,
the 802.11ac Wi-Fi protocol brings
blistering Internet speeds. The
3100mAh battery provides longlasting power.
The Meizu MX4 runs on the
Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Meizus
custom Flyme 4.0 on top of that.
The Meizu MX4 is RM869 with
the Digi SmartPlan 78.

Samsung Galaxy
Note 4.

8 TECH WORLD

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

Unparalleled
freedom
to handheld
imaging

Feature highlights
16-megapixel LiveMOS image sensor

LYMPUS Imaging recently

announced the launch
of the new OM-D E-M5
Mark II interchangeable lens
camera (ILC), which has the
worlds most advanced five-axis
stabilisation system that is said to
bring about freedom to handheld
photography and filmmaking.
The technological
development of digital single
lens reflex (DSLR) camera,
which is based on mechanical
and traditional technology, has
plateaued.
By removing the mirror
box from the ILC, digital lenses
produce edge-to-edge photo
sharpness and live composite
features with instant exposure.
Even the auto-focus speed for still
subjects on ILC has surpassed that
of the DSLR, says Yong Kee Nyap,
general manager of Olympus
Malaysia.

The future of the camera

business
The new E-M5 Mark II
takes imaging stabilisation
(IS) performance and imaging
freedom to a new level to provide
users with up to five shutter speed
steps of shake-compensation,
cinematic quality OM-D Movie
stabilised video recording and
reliable splash- and dust-proofing.
This camera can produce
blur-free images and videos even
in challenging low-light shooting
conditions. It is also lightweight,
compact and weather-proof, says
Yong.
With this 16-megapixel
camera, users can embrace
natural light photography and
shoot sports, nature and wildlife
photos with
telephoto

The OM-D E-M5 Mark II is a

lightweight, compact and
weather-proof camera.

lenses without a tripod.

Its special high-resolution
shot mode uses an advanced
sensor-shifting technology that
captures 40-megapixel fullframe resolution quality photos
using the cameras Voice Coil
Motor-driven IS mechanism to
systematically shift the image
sensor by half a pixels width as
it takes eight shots in sequence.
The resulting image
composites have extraordinary
colour and clarity.
The camera also boasts
a silent shooting mode that
utilises an electronic shutter
with a 1/16000th second top
shutter speed that freezes the
actions in shots.
The quick sleep power
management mode enables
battery life for up to 750 shots.
The Movie IS system in
the E-M5 Mark II has been
engineered to provide cinemalike quality stability typically
available only with professional
gyro-stabilised external rigs.
The system is so effective that
stable dynamic action footage
can be recorded while the
camera is held by a running user.
Additionally, a sophisticated
blend of hybrid-stabilisation
with optimised acceleration
and deceleration algorithms
allows for smooth
pan-sequences.

Designed for freedom

The E-M5 Mark II has lowprofile styling and design.
Its top control layout is
organised with tactile knobs,
dials and buttons that are
ergonomically positioned,
enabling users to change exposure
and other key camera settings
without having to take their eye
away from the viewfinder.
The metal alloy chassis is
splash-, dust- and freeze-proof.
A large high-speed

2.36-megapixel digital
viewfinder with a high 1.48x
magnification provides a clear
composition.
Its flip and swivel variangle LiveView LCD with
1.04-megapixel resolution
provides compositional
flexibility for stills and video.
The Olympus OM-D camera
is user-friendly with Touch
AF (touch to shoot with full
autofocus capability via the
LCD screen), live guide mode
and art filter modes.
It also has a built-in Wi-Fi
function for quick image
transfer to smart devices, as
well as remote control function.
As a Micro Four Thirds
(MFT) standard system
interchangeable lens camera,
the E-M5 Mark II can be used
with more than 50 different
MFT lenses from seven
different lens brands.
With an advanced five-axis
VCM IS system built into the
camera body, every lens used
with the E-M5 Mark II benefits
from image stabilisation.

5-axis in-body VCM IS system

providing up to five shutter
speeds of stability
Splash-, dust- and freeze-proof
OM-D movie stable and smooth
cinema-quality video
Full HD 24/25/30/60P with All-I and
IPB modes (max 77/52Mbps approx)
40-megapixel hi-resolution shot
using sensor shift technology
1/8000th sec shutter speed
(1/16,000th sec. electronic)
Improved FAST-AF with 81 focus
points
2.36-megapixel electronic viewfinder
(100%;1.48X)
1.04-megapixel touch-sensitive
vari-angle LCD
Touch AF and movie touch controls
10 frames per second sequential
shooting
Live Art Filters and Creative Control
Wi-Fi remote control and transfer
via iOS and Android apps
Metal alloy chassis

Versatile all-occasion lens

LAUNCHED simultaneously with
the E-M5 Mark II is the new
weather-proof Olympus
M.Zuiko 14-150mm
f4.0-5.6 II superzoom lens.
This compact
and lightweight
10.7x zoom
lens combines
with the E-M5
Mark II to become an
easily carried, highperformance camera ideal
for travel and all-occasion
photography.
A crucial strength that the
Olympus OM-D system has is the
wide range of fully compatible,
high-quality lens selection. We
already have many fast prime
lenses that have garnered
highly positive response, such
as M.Zuiko 75mm F1.8, 45mm
F1.8 and 17mm F1.8, says Yong
Kee Nyap, general manager of
Olympus Malaysia.
The complete M.Zuiko lens
line-up is high in optical quality
and superior in performance,
allowing our OM-D users to make
the best of the system.
The revamped M.Zuiko
14-150mm f4.0-5.6 II super-zoom
lens has 28-300mm zoom range

versatility and is fully

splash- and dust-proof.
With a compact size
and a versatile wideangle to long-telephoto
28-300mm zoom
range, Olympus latest
M.Zuiko Digital ED
14-150mm f4.05.6 II lens is ideal
for one-lens
travel, sports
and family
photography.
Retaining the
sophisticated optical
design of the earlier
M.Zuiko Digital 14-150mm
super-zoom model, Olympus
pro-grade ZERO lens coating is
applied to all lens surfaces of this
new lens, significantly enhancing
optical performance in terms of
picture contrast, flare-resistance
and clarity.
Its near focus range of 0.5m is
achievable at all zoom settings,
giving macro capability even at
the 300m telephoto end. The lens
aperture system has also been
reworked for improved video
exposure stability. The Movie &
Still Compatible auto-focus drive
system provides silent and rapid
focus.

The new M.Zuiko Digital

ED 14-150mm II is an ideal
lens choice for all-occasion
photographic and movie capture
convenience. It is compatible with
all MFT cameras.

Feature highlights
28-300mm equivalent
(35mm format)
F4.0-5.6 aperture
Splash- and dust-proof
ZERO coating (Zuiko Extra-low
Reflection Optical coating)
15 elements in 11 groups
optical design
DSA, Aspherical ED, ED and HR
high-performance lens elements
0.5m near shooting distance at
all zoom settings
7-blade circular aperture
MSC (Movie & Still Compatible)
silent and fast AF drive system
Design styling matched to OM-D
series camera bodies
58mm filter diameter
Lightweight and compact: 285g;
L 83mm x D 63.5mm

Sunday 22 March 2015

StarSpecial 9

10 TECH WORLD

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

S the worlds No.1 projector

maker, Epson has been at
the forefront of projection
technology innovation and
development, designing and
manufacturing modern projection
systems that offer a host of
compelling benefits.
Pioneered by Epson, 3LCD is
now the worlds leading projection
technology. It delivers bright and
natural colour and amazing detail
with proven reliability.
3LCD projectors use an
innovative three-chip optical
device that allows the brightness
level of each primary colour to be
precisely controlled to produce
the specific colour and brightness
level required on the screen.
Some key advantages of 3LCD
technology include:
l Colour brightness and
accuracy Colour light output
is the new standard for users
to measure image quality
instead of white light output.
3LCD projectors are capable of
producing equal white and colour
light output, delivering up to three
times brighter colours that result
in crisper, clearer and richer trueto-life colours at high resolution.
l Improved eye-friendliness
Unlike one-chip DLP projectors,
Epsons 3LCD projectors are easier
on the eyes as there are no colour
breakup or rainbow effects.
l Ultra large image
reproduction 3LCD technology
has enabled the development of
higher performance projectors
that are capable of producing
larger images. Epsons high
brightness EB-Z series projectors,
for example, offer up to 11,000
lumens of white and colour
brightness, making them suitable

Compelling new technology

The Epson EB-z11000
high-brightness business projector.
for large venue settings and other
commercial applications.
l Improved energy efficiency
Since the lamp light in 3LCD
projectors is focused only on
image creation, lamp energy
wastage is minimised. On average,
3LCD projectors use up to 25% less
power than DLP projectors, which
also translates to lower operating
heat that results in longer-lasting
lamps.
New interactive features in
modern 3LCD projectors offer
users better collaboration for more
compelling presentations and
business discussions.
A good example is Epsons
newest interactive projector the
EB-1430Wi. It comes with fingertouch interactivity so users can
scroll, press and tap, pinch in/out
and rotate images even on wireless
projections.
By further combining this
capability with interactive pens
and PC-free functionality, as many
as eight people can seamlessly

coordinate collaboration
on-screen or from diverse
devices connected
wirelessly.
Additionally, the
Epson iProjection
application for iOS and
Android makes wireless
projection from a smart
device possible while multilocation interactivity allows for
simultaneous meetings at up to
four different locations around
the world, with individual mouse
control from each location.
Modern projection systems
are also designed to be incredibly
versatile and durable.
Epsons ultra-short throw
lens only needs 47cm to project
on an 80-inch (2.03m) screen.
This drastically reduces shadow
interference and obstruction
that can be disrupting during
presentations.
Users can also project on
different surfaces including onto a
table, expanding the possibilities
for various applications such
as interactive lessons in the
classroom or retail window
display projection.
Epsons high brightness
projectors (the EB-G and EB-Z
series) offer 360o projection and
include a range of lenses that
allows users to project images
from any angle, so there is no
limitation, whatever the space
restrictions.
Additionally, a new portrait

360o projection and the new potrait mode enables vertical image projection, which
is ideal for retail applications.
mode allows for selected models
to be placed on its side with
no impact on its performance,

enabling vertical image projection

that is ideal for advertisements
and digital signages.

Epson projectors in action

MAGIQADS, a subsidiary of
Redberry Media Group, has
selected Epson projectors to
create Animated Floorstoppers,
which are animated floor
advertisements that resemble
3D images. It offers a new media
experience aimed at delighting
and engaging shoppers.
We required a projector
that could be mounted
vertically about 12 feet (3.65m)
above the floor. Epson was
the only manufacturer that

made projectors we could use

vertically, straight out of the
box. This allowed us to keep
costs down and make Animated
Floorstoppers more accessible,
says Irwan Saufi Rafek, head
of 3D and VI Engineering at
MagiqAds.
Other factors that led to
MagiqAds decision to choose
Epson included superior image
quality in well-lit spaces, ease
of maintenance and enhanced
durability.

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

TECH WORLD 11

Quirky apps for the fun-loving

I

N the ever growing world of

technology, mobile apps are
being created faster than we
can download them. There are a
myriad of useful ones in various
genres, including education,
fitness, nutrition and lifestyle.
There is also a largely
developed genre of weird apps
that some may find either
useful, strange in nature or just
mindlessly fun to use.
Here are some of the weird
apps you can find and download
for iOS from the App Store or for
Android phones from Google Play.

Carrr Matey by Lionebra Studios

Need to find your carrrrrr matey? are words a
pirate might say to you if he finds you looking for
your car in the city. Though the cast of Pirates of
the Caribbean may not be around the corner, Carrr
Matey will help you track down where you parked
your car in pirate-speak, whether you are in an
unfamiliar city or a massive parking lot.
Using your phones GPS, a drop-anchor is placed
on a treasure map interface, locating your car
instantly and allowing you to track it later. This
app is available for iOS and Android platforms.

Fake-A-Text Free
Finding it hard to even answer
a fake phone call to get out of a
conversation? Fear no more as
the Fake-A-Text Free app can
provide you with another avenue
to escape.
Simply type the name of the
person you want to appear on
your screen, turn off your screen
and wait for the text to arrive.
Stock text messages are available
for a quick pick.
How about taking it one step
further and start getting creative
with the app. Make your friends
believe you know a celebrity or that you have won the
lottery. Great for an April Fool trick or getting yourself out of
a sticky situation.
The app is available for iOS and Android platforms.

RunPee by polyGeek
Do you hear these words in your head often
during a movie? I need a toilet break. But what if I
miss something important? Should I go now?
Worry no more as RunPee will solve every
movie lovers toilet break problem. Equipped with
a list of appropriate toilet run moments during
the movie, users can set a timer from the start
that makes the phone vibrate before the time for
each toilet break.
Now you can enjoy a movie without the
discomfort of a full bladder and not worry
about missing anything particularly important.
The app is available for iOS and Android platforms.

Places Ive pooped by Mike Judge

Perhaps not the most conventional
travelling app, the Places Ive pooped
app allows you to track all the places
you have taken a dump at in the world.
With this app, you can now mark your
territory at your favourite spots and even
share it on your Facebook timeline.
If you are someone who is concerned
about your bodily functions with an
obsessive desire to remember where
you last cleared your bowels, this may
be just the app you need. It is a strange
app indeed, but it may give you the
satisfaction you are looking for if you are
feeling particularly territorial.
This app is available for iOS and
Android platforms.

Fake Conversation by Dr. Strange App

Ever find yourself stuck in a conversation you need to get
out of? With the Fake Conversation app, you can receive a
simulated inbound phone call that plays a pre-recorded audio
for you to imitate, making the entire call a pretty convincing
conversation.
Forget casual conversations; these recordings are geared
to making you look impressive. Some conversation prompts
will fool others into thinking you are a professional such as a
doctor, athlete or music producer. So before you head to that
party full of strangers, it might be a good idea to have this
handy app installed in your phone.
This app is available for iOS and Android platforms.

iNap@Work by
De SilentLogic Studios
Need a micro nap but
worry about having your
bosses peek into your
cubicle or room because
of the suspicious absence
of the sound of you
typing or clicking your
mouse?
Look no further
for a solution as
iNap@Work comes
with a variety of
work-like sounds.
Adjust the volume,
speed and frequency of sounds of
typing, paper scrunching, mouse clicking
and even throat clearing or coughing.
While it may not be an entirely smart
idea to sleep on the job, the app can provide
amusement at work when you need it.
iNap@Work is only available for iOS
platforms.

Pimple Popper by Room Candy Games

Ladies and men alike may find some sense of
satisfaction in popping virtual pimples, a much
better option than bursting ones own pimples
for hygienic reasons.
It allows you to use your fingers to
squeeze and pop whiteheads, blackheads,
full-blown pimples or scratch off any crusty
scabs, all with your fingers on a screen.
Disgusting? You will not be the first to
say so. Despite the abundance of disgusted
reviews the app has received, it has still managed
to find its way into the hands of many people.
The app is available for iOS and Android platforms.

12 TECH WORLD

StarSpecial, Sunday 22 March 2015

E live in a world with

endless possibilities
brought about by everevolving technology. These
gadgets provide simple solutions
to everyday issues and help make
lives easier.
One such item is the Panocam,
a Wi-Fi camera with a fisheye
lens that uses advanced wireless
camera technology.
This device enables you to keep
track of things that matter to you
in high-definition imagery.
A Micro-Star International
(MSI) offering, Panocams
easy setup and two-way
communication make it perfect
for remote monitoring of a room
and casual home surveillance.
Once connected, the Panocam
delivers a live surveillance feed
to your phone, allowing you to
monitor situations no matter
where you are.
The impressive features on
this device include a 360 view
with a fisheye lens, which is more
effective than the conventional
120 wide angle lens and grants
you access to an unrestricted view
of your surveillance area.
Remote monitoring is made
easier with the multi-sharing
option, which enables video
sharing with up to two people
viewing at once.
This means you can authorise
friends and family to watch your
video streams from anywhere in
the world.
The sensitive microphone
aids in excellent two-way
communication, recording
every sound and allowing you to
communicate via the talk-back
function.
These streams can be recorded

Sleek and stylish

in local or timelapse modes
for playback
at a later
time, and
Panocam
also
delivers
highquality
images
that enable
you to view
recorded
footage with
perfect clarity.
All these functions
are made easy with Wi-Fi
portability for instant access to
your stream without the hassle of
cables.
The Panocam brings CCTV
surveillance one step further
with several advanced features,
including the ability to send
and receive data via a computer
network and over the Internet.
Panocam users need not fumble
through a complicated set-up as
the Panocam application, which
can be downloaded on your
mobile phone, helps you set up the
device.
This is done through a unique
audio-pairing technology
implemented by MSI.
Connecting your Panocam is
as simple as turning on the device
and playing the audio with your
phone application.
Physically, the Panocam is
small, sleek and stylish. It has

The Panocam
is an advanced
Wi-Fi camera
with a fisheye
lens.
a diamond-cut, minimalistic
cylindrical metallic body that
fits in the smallest nooks and
crannies.
The camera provides a fullspectrum, eye-level perspective

Remote monitoring
is made easier
with the multisharing option,
which enables video
sharing with up to
two people viewing
at once.
horizontal view as well as upward
and downward views.
The device weighs 215g and is
able to support a micro SD card
with a storage capacity of up to
32GB.
The MSI Panocam can be used
for various security surveillance
purposes at home, schools, shops,
restaurants and banks, among
others.

This device is supported by

Apple products with iOS 7.1.2
or later, Android products with
Android 4.0.4 or later, Windows
7 or later, and MAC OS X 10.8 or
later. Panocam will be available in
the market this April onwards.
Panocam is brought to you
by MSIs new lifestyle platform,
Somethings, which focuses on
utilising technology to enhance
the human experience by
integrating simple set-ups and
straightforward usage in daily life.
MSI recognises the need for
speed and reliability in the techsavvy world today and aims to
deliver information at any time
and place to meet these demands,
adopting rapidly advancing
technological solutions to make
everyday life easier.
n For more information, visit
somethings.msi.com
The Panocam allows
you to monitor
situations within your
surveillance area
from anywhere in the
world.