Feature: Tech Bytes: Long-Distance Love Connections

From pillows that connect long-distance lovers to remote-controlled waterproof pleasure objects, advances in intimate technologies mean that lovers both near and far can remain connected - sometimes in very surprising (and occasionally disturbing) ways.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 14 February 2012  |  View Comments

Review: Verbatim Bluetooth Audio Cube

Zap the audio from your phone, tablet, or computer to the Verbatim Bluetooth Audio Cube for instant amplification of your favourite tracks (and the odd system alert sound but that just adds to the excitement).

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 24 November 2011  |  View Comments

Feature: The ZombieBooth User Gallery Wants Your Braaaaaiiiinnnnss

What does an average zombie horde look like? What would you encounter if random members of the public suddenly amassed outside your house, looking for braaaaiiinnns? We asked for your best ZombieBooth shots and here's what we received. Combined, the collection is slightly frightening. Therefore, don't forget: when confronted, aim for the head. (Then run like hell!)

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 17 November 2011  |  View Comments

Review: ZombieBooth v3.05

Somewhere, deep in a lab that's probably in Japan, some clever real-time-processing technology has been utilised for the advancement of zombies. The result? With one click of a camera button and this free zombification app you can be your own worst nightmare!

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 3 November 2011  |  View Comments

Review: Verbatim GT Portable Hard Drive

With sleek racing-car looks the Verbatim GT Portable Hard Drive brings a fresh visual aesthetic to the average grey and beige computing environment. We took it for a spin to if what's under the hood is up to speed.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 7 July 2011  |  View Comments

Review: Apacer AP520 USB 2.0 4-Port Hub

This compact hub from Apacer is designed to be portable and to take up as little space as possible in your bag and on your desk, while still making four ports available to you so that you can plug in and access multiple USB devices at once.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 25 May 2011  |  View Comments

Review: Minkster Meitropolis Series Designer USB Flashdrives

Much like Mimobots and other designer USB storage devices, the Minksters are a combination of form and function and would look equally at home in your collection of miniature vinyl toys.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 5 May 2011  |  View Comments

Feature: The Sun In 3D

Tucked away slightly in the Wikimedia Commons is a 3D anaglyph of the sun that was taken by NASA in 2007 and spruced up on 9 February 2011 by a Wikipedia user to give it more depth and impact. Get out your red-cyan glasses!

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 10 February 2011  |  View Comments

Feature: A Look At Shopping Online With NetGifts And NetFlorist

The online shopping sites NetGifts and NetFlorist offer South African consumers a wide range of gift items that are perfect for special occasions or emergency gifting situations. Read about our experiences trying out the site and placing an order.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 1 February 2011  |  View Comments

Review: Paul Frank Laptop Case For 15-Inch Macbook Pro

Protect your notebook with a stylish, eye-catching neoprene-based cover designed by Paul Frank Industries for the MacBook Pro - but is it robust enough?

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 24 January 2011  |  View Comments

Feature: An Introduction To Ovi Music And Ovi Music Unlimited

The Nokia Music Store, which is now called Ovi Music, and the Nokia Comes With Music service, which is now called Ovi Music Unlimited, have gone through some huge changes since their launch in 2009. Here's a look at what's on offer and what to expect if you are interested in either of the services.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 23 November 2010  |  View Comments

Feature: Nokia N8 First Look (Hands On) - With Screenshots!

It's felt as though Nokia has been stuck in a rut, while other phone manufacturers have been zipping past with fancy features and smart services. The N8 is the phone that Nokia is hoping will change all of that. I've had a sneak peek at what's coming - and here are my first impressions.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 19 August 2010  |  View Comments

Review: World Cupinion 1.1.5 (Android And The Web)

Part of the fun of a live sports event is watching it with friends and participating in the form of fan reactions - but what if you're home alone or stuck at the office? World Cupinion, a university research project being run during the World Cup, presents a whole new interactive experience.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 1 July 2010  |  View Comments

Review: Nokia N97 mini (Testing Notes)

Nokia's N97 mini cellular phone, which runs Symbian S60 5th Edition, was released late last year. Is it an improvement over not-so-well-received Nokia N97? Have a look at our testing notes and decide for yourself.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 7 June 2010  |  View Comments

Review: Apacer Handy Steno AH321

The entry-level Apacer Handy Steno AH321 USB 2.0 Flash Drive features a no-loss cap design and storage capacities from 1 GB to 16 GB, as well as some impressive performance capabilities.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 4 May 2010  |  View Comments

Feature: Showcase: Maemo 5 (On A Nokia N900)

Maemo 5 is a Debian Linux-based operating system that is installed on the Nokia N900 cellular phone. As it's a customised version of an operating system that is designed to run on all sorts of devices, including desktop machines and laptops, it has lots of productivity features and tools. This is a showcase of some of what the OS has to offer the phone.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 5 March 2010  |  View Comments

Review: Nokia N900 (Testing Notes)

Nokia's N900 is a classy touchscreen phone that emphasises productivity as well as play. It runs the Maemo 5 Linux-based operating system and using it feels almost as though you have a mini desktop computer in your pocket. Almost. Our testing notes reveal the pros and cons.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 4 March 2010  |  View Comments

Review: Apacer Handy Steno AH161 plus

The design of USB flash-memory storage devices has come a long way from the grey, thumb-sized units with a company logo that were (and still are) handed out at corporate events. They've now evolved into playful fashion accessories, such as this one, that will appeal to anyone with even the vaguest aesthetic leanings.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 1 March 2010  |  View Comments

Review: Apacer Handy Steno AH160

Just over four years ago brainwavez.org was launched, complete with its first (tech) article, with the intention of it being primarily a tech-review site, with a little bit of culture thrown in. Instead it became a tech-culture site and we never got around to reviewing hardware and software. Today, that all changes. Behold! A tech review: Apacer's Handy Steno AH160 flash-memory storage device.

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 11 February 2010  |  View Comments

Review: Tasty Apps Red Snapper 1.3

Sometimes you need to archive a web page for offline viewing or permanent archiving, and the PDF function in Safari on the Mac just doesn't get it right. Enter Red Snapper: a perfect little browser plug-in for preserving almost everything on the Web. Well, if you have a Mac. Don't complain.

By: Paul Pregnolato  |  Posted: 24 April 2007  |  View Comments

Feature: DStv PVR Decoder

"Essentially the PVR is a South African version of the US TiVo system (or ReplayTV in the UK) but, rather than being a technological import from overseas, the device was developed locally for MultiChoice by UEC Technologies, a Durban-based company that is a subsidiary of the Altech group. The PVR has been in development and testing for two years - some people have already been using one in their homes for about a year to test the features - and, as of this month, it has been made available to the general public. MultiChoice is convinced that it will change the future of television in this country."

By: Mandy J Watson  |  Posted: 22 November 2005  |  View Comments