New and revolutionary developments in technology are allowing users to interact with each other and their surroundings like never before – much to the displeasure of some.

Google Glass Prototype (Photo credit: Ars Electronica)

While early adopters and writers excitedly explore the possibilities which can be unlocked by devices such as Google Glass, others can only speculate over the adverse effects it can have on society as well as on businesses.

Businesses like the Las Vegas landmark, Caesar’s Palace, which the Huffington Post recently reported will not “allow guests who are gambling to wear Google Glass”. This casino has long been the home of the likes of roulette and poker; games which could feasibly grant players with smart devices an unfair advantage over everyone else.

The exact advantages of a Google Glasses wearer have not been demonstrated in a casino just yet, but with early adopters shelling out $1,500 for the privilege of taking part in product trials could eventually lead to a flagrant disregard for Vegas rules. Google Glass is worn as a pair of spectacles with a difference; it processes users’ voice commands and acts as a search engine with wireless access to the internet, as well as the function of recording photos and video through a small mounted camera. This quite feasibly counts a recording device, and one which would be banned under more conventional circumstances; you wouldn’t want to see someone recording your poker hand, would you?

Caesar’s Palace joins the list of other establishments which have called for the banning of Google Glasses – with an, ahem, exotic dancers’ venue also on the list along with a bar in Seattle which some said was only joining in for a PR stunt; the same reasonable laws should soon come into effect at more gambling joints before the product goes on full sale at the end of the year.

Quite apart from the scary feeling that you might be being filmed on someone’s Google Glasses, it’s also of vital importance that nobody outside of casino security gets to see your poker game at the other end of the camera; visit poker.ladbrokes.com if you feel the same way and would rather stick to online poker rather than braving it in a brick-and-mortar casino before the ban comes in. Banning Google Glass is by far the easiest way to ensure that none of your poker opponents are using the technology to gain an unfair edge.

• Pre-order BRAVIA X9 4K Ultra HD TV online from 15th May
• In-store from mid-June
• Confirmed European pricing: £4,000 (55”) / £6,000 (65”)

Treat yourself to the detail and excitement of 4K by Sony with the new BRAVIA X9 4K Ultra HD TV. Available to pre-order online today (15th May) on sony.co.uk, BRAVIA X9 blends stunning pictures, soul-stirring sound and breath-taking styling in a unique sensory experience.

In UK stores including Sony Centres, John Lewis and Currys from mid-June, BRAVIA X9 brings you TV pictures like you’ve never seen before. Offered in living room-friendly 55” and 65” screen sizes, it immerses you in the most natural, real images with four times the detail of Full HD.

Any content in 4K

With more films being produced and distributed in the format, 4K is this year’s biggest entertainment story. BRAVIA X9 upscales ALL your current content to 4K – including Blu-ray Disc™ films, TV shows and even low-resolution web videos – for a thrilling world of lifelike cinematic viewing.

Whatever you’re watching, the latest 4K X-Reality PRO engine ensures best-ever picture quality, from movies to smartphone clips.

Best picture and sound quality

Unique to Sony, TRILUMINOS Display enriches your viewing with a wider palette of richly realistic colours, from shimmering seascapes and skies to flowers and faces.

Fabulous pictures are teamed with sumptuous sound, powered by cutting-edge Magnetic Fluid Speaker technology for crisp dialogue and music.

BRAVIA X9 even connects wirelessly with your NFC-compatible Xperia smartphone or tablet at a touch. ‘Mirror’ your device wirelessly and enjoy photos, videos, games and apps on the big screen with rich colour and detail. Browse schedules, record shows and explore related content with TV SideView, the intuitive app for your Android or iOS device.

Sensational pictures and sound are complemented by an arresting new twist on ‘Sense of Quartz’ styling that makes a luxurious statement in any living space.

The new BRAVIA X9 4K Ultra HD TV is available in a choice of 55” (£4,000) or 65” (£6,000) screen sizes.

Sony’s newest Wi-Fi equipped AV receivers offer best-in-class audio and video, plus the freedom of wireless connection to a limitless world of great entertainment.

The stunning STR-DN1040 and STR-DN840 are painstakingly crafted to deliver an utterly uncompromising home theatre experience. Behind the sleekly minimalist exterior, a newly developed Rigid Chassis cuts unwanted vibration and resonance for solid, powerful bass. Audiophile-grade components reveal every detail of your favourite performance – from explosive movie action to the subtlest harmonies of a string quartet.

Wireless freedom
Making it easier to access your music, the DN1040 and DN840 can wirelessly stream music stored on your smartphone, tablet or PC. It’s easy to access cloud music services like Music Unlimited from Sony Entertainment Network, bringing you millions of tracks plus hundreds of themed channels. Or if you prefer, enjoy Internet radio stations all over the world brought to you by vTuner. Support for AirPlay lets iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch or Macintosh owners enjoy pristine-quality audio stored on their Apple product – or even stream music via the Spotify app on their device.

Sound quality
Whether you’re listening to music or watching the latest blockbuster on Blu-ray Disc™, you’ll be blown away by sumptuously rich, soul-stirring sound.

7.2 channels of effortless music power take movies and music to another level, with HD-Digital Cinema Sound recreating the authentic acoustics of Hollywood’s finest theatres. Concert Hall mode transports you into three of the world’s finest concert venues: the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Musikverein Vienna. Whatever volume level you’re listening at, Sound Optimiser tailors frequencies for extra clarity and presence. And for the ultimate in listening refinement, Advanced Digital Cinema Automatic Calibration (D.C.A.C.) fine-tunes sound from each speaker to match your living room’s acoustics.

Both receivers can replay 192 kHz/24-bit audio, taking you beyond CD quality to reveal every last nuance from today’s digital sources including high- resolution FLAC and WAV files. Movies on Blu-ray Disc™ or DVD look as good as they sound, with 4K upscaling (STR-DN1040) creating extra detail for a truly immersive experience with your 4K TV or projector.

Connectivity
You’re supremely connected, with plentiful inputs for Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD players, TV, set top box, games console, SA-CD player and other home devices. Conveniently mounted on the front panel, there’s also a USB socket for instant hook-ups with your MP3 player or flash memory drive. Support for MHL (STR-DN1040) lets you connect a smartphone or tablet to the receiver, to enjoy HD videos or photos played back from your mobile device on your TV screen.

A beautifully clear, uncluttered new graphical user interface makes it a pleasure commanding the DN1040 using your TV screen and remote.

Both receivers allow you to select input source or adjust the volume from the comfort of your sofa with the free TV SideView app for smartphones or tablets (iOS/Android). Also available, the Network Audio Remote app lets you browse your digital music collection and select tracks for playback through the receiver.

The new Sony STR-DN1040 and STR-DN840 AV receivers are available from June 2013.

Get closer to the action with superior image quality
The reach of the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x is boosted by its internal 1.4x extender, which is engaged or disengaged at the flick of a lever to provide an extended focal length of 280mm to 560mm – allowing photographers to get even closer to distant action. Ensuring the highest image performance, the optical design includes both fluorite and Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) lens elements, which help minimise chromatic aberration and eliminate colour blurring. Advanced anti-reflection SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC) and Super Spectra Coating also reduce ghosting and flare. Thanks to the use of the latest optical technologies, image performance is unaffected when the integrated extender is used.

With a fixed f/4¹ aperture the use of high shutter speeds to capture fast-paced action or a low-light scene is possible. A newly designed optical Image Stabilizer, which provides users with a four stop advantage, while IS ‘Mode 3’ applies image stabilisation only at the time of exposure – ensuring that photographers can pan with fast-paced action without IS overcompensating for movement. This feature is ideal for sports photographers, who typically have only a split-second to capture a subject in front of them.

Powerful, flexible focusing
The EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x features Canon’s pioneering ring-type Ultrasonic Motor providing fast, silent autofocusing. For those who prefer to fine-tune focus themselves, full-time manual override allows photographers to manually focus at any moment when using AF. The Power Focus (PF) mode also increases versatility during movie shooting with the EOS-1D C or EOS-1D X, enabling photographers to achieve an accurate pull-focus effect at one of two speeds, simply by twisting the focus recall ring and stopping at a pre-set distance.

High-performance design for professional demands
Designed to answer professional demands for superior image quality and versatile zoom range, the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x a boasts a premium-quality design befitting Canon’s industry-renowned L-series lenses.

The tough magnesium alloy chassis ensures that, despite the inclusion of the 1.4x extender, the lens is a similar weight to lenses of comparable focal length. Fluorine coatings on the front and rear lens elements also reduce the ability of dirt to cling to the lens surface, while a dust and water-resistant construction allows photographers to shoot in challenging weather conditions. The combination of outstanding optical performance, versatility, weight and tough construction will make it an essential part of any professional sports or wildlife photographer’s kitbag.

EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x key features:

• Built-in 1.4x extender, for extra magnification when you need it
• Shoot in low light with four-stop Image Stabilizer
• High image quality using Fluorite lens elements
• Fast AF with USM technology
• Robust design for use in the toughest environments

Clear and understandable communication is vital in an emergency or life safety situations. The new Wheelock devices feature the broadest frequency response range in the industry, 300 to 8000 Hz. The wide frequency response range allows the speaker to reproduce frequencies closer to the original sound, improving message clarity.

When Ricardo Trinidad, President of Telcom & Data, was asked about the new speakers and speaker strobes, he said, “Wheelock has once again proven their strong commitment to innovation and providing best-in-class products. These units are perfect for enhancing safety in emergency situations.”

For more information on Wheelock’s Exceeder high fidelity speakers and speaker stobes, visit wheelock-products.com or call 1-800-335-0229.

The netHD provides vivid, lifelike HD video with no compromises. This plug-and-play system comes with an HDMI cable and can be connected directly to HDTVs for the full HD experience. Once switched on, the NVR automatically begins recording all connected cameras in 1080p at 30 frames per second, surpassing expectations for high definition video and fluid playback.

The netHD is a complete surveillance kit, utilizing advanced indoor/outdoor 1080p network cameras. The cameras provide six times the resolution of traditional D1 security cameras. They boast features available only in professional surveillance cameras including 150 foot night vision, digital wide dynamic range for exceptional performance in extreme lighting conditions and 3D-digital noise reduction for sharp nighttime images.

The netHD features Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology for convenient installation. Cameras connect to the NVR using a standard CAT5E Ethernet cable, which provides both power and video transmission. The system includes a pre-installed 2TB surveillance-grade hard drive, expandable up to 8TB, for 24/7 peace of mind.

The NVR allows for easy streaming to smartphones and tablets, giving you the confidence that you won’t miss a thing. Simply download the free Lorex netHD app to view live or recorded video from your cameras over the Internet on any PC, Mac, Android™ or iOS device.

“People expect entertainment products to provide exceptional picture quality after years of watching sporting events and shows on HDTV’s in their living rooms,” said Martin Worndl, Senior Vice President of Product Development at LOREX. “Now Lorex brings you a security system with video quality that matches what we’ve all become accustomed to… 1080p in real-time!”

LOREX netHD systems are available in 4 and 8-channel configurations with 1080p bullet and dome cameras. The products are available online from select retailers and on the LOREX website. For more information, visit http://www.lorextechnology.com.

Chroma’s new model 66203 and 66204 Power Meters allow users to take accurate power measurements for various wiring modes including three phase WYE and DELTA and split phase. These power meters feature state-of-the-art DSP digitizing technology which replaces less accurate and slower traditional analog circuits. The internal 16 bit analog/digital converters with sampling rates of up to 250 kHz provide both high speed and high accuracy measurements.

The 66203 and 66204 are packaged in a 3U high, half rack enclosure suitable for bench top or system integration. The 4 channel 66204 is ideal for functional and efficiency measurements of three 3 phase grid inverters as the fourth channel may be used to measure the DC voltage, current, and power on the input side of the inverter.

The 66203 and 66204 power meters include a 2-shunt design to provide high accurate readings for both low and high current measurements and are capable of supporting external shunts and current transformers for higher current applications. The power meters also support Inrush Current, Total Harmonic Distortion of V/I, and Energy measurements. These practical functions make Chroma’s new power meters ideal for meeting the demanding tasks of R&D, production and quality control departments.

The instruments include a four part display with 7-segment LED front panel readouts. Users can easily select desired parameters and readouts with a touch of a button. The 66203 and 66204 meters also include remote control using USB or GPIB interfaces via rear panel connections. Chroma provides optional software for increased operational efficiency and reporting.

The advanced graphical software package controls and captures measurement data via standard computer interfaces such as GPIB, and USB. Graphical panels are especially useful when performing industry standards testing such as pre-compliance testing of harmonic current limits to IEC61000-3-2 or Energy Star ® requirements. The software can also control Chroma’s AC Sources and Electronic Loads for added ease of use. For more information on these power meters, log on to http://www.chromausa.com/powermeters.php or call us at (949) 600-6400.

This case is thin so users don’t have to worry about adding extra bulk. The patented case is uniquely designed so that even in normal, everyday use the regular phone actions aren’t hindered. Answering calls is still very easy and the case has been designed for ideal camera and video capture. The case has a special angle around the camera eye which inhibits any blockage and also provides great light filter.

This FA70 iPhone 5 battery case also comes with a unique charging cord station that allows the user to charge the phone while the case is closed or open and angled. Forget about a dangling cord. The notch on the case guides the cord out of the charging socket and then out of the case so users can continue to operate the phone without tangles or accidentally pulling out the charging cord.

Protection is always important with an iPhone 5 battery case and this particular one is no different. Due to its unique design, it’s extremely durable and the four corners of the case wrap around the front of the iPhone. When a user places the phone, screen down, on any surface, it never actually makes contact with the table. This prevents a scratched screen.

This new iPhone 5 battery case is MFi authorized and has obtained an Apple product plan id number. With its power bank of 2150 mAh, the user will not worry about the battery life. Enjoy videos hands-free and charge the phone at the same time. This angled battery case is an original.

Unique to the Roadie Executive is a dual-pocket computer compartment that will hold both an iPad and a laptop up to 15 inches. The left side of the bag has a stretchy mesh pocket for a beverage or other items for quick access. On the right side there is one of Tenba’s signature zippered side pockets that can be accessed even while wearing both sides of the harness; it fits a wallet and passport for easy retrieval.

“From photographers and filmmakers to our own marketing and sales representatives, we work with many people who spend a large amount of their life traveling,” said Jan Lederman, President of MAC Group. “The new Roadie Executive Backpack was built for the person who occasionally spends days on the road, and the only bag they will have with them most days is their briefcase backpack. You need space for everything, pockets to be organized, and it all needs to fit under the seat of an airplane.”

The exterior of the new Roadie Executive Backpack is made from water-repellant 1680 denier black ballistic nylon, and includes matte black YKK zippers with molded zipper pulls. There is a padded and ventilated shoulder harness at the rear, along with a built-in trolley strap to slide over the extending handle of rolling luggage, and a padded, reinforced handle at the top that is comfortable to carry even when the bag is fully loaded. The interior is made with ripstop nylon, with zippered window mesh pockets to carry loose items, and neoprene pockets for gadgets and larger accessories. Finally, the bag includes the same abrasion and water-resistant tarpaulin bottom panel that is used on other Tenba Roadie, Messenger and Discovery bags.

The slim design of this bag allows it to slide effortlessly beneath the seat on any airplane, and its quick access side pockets put a beverage (on the left) and your passport (in the right pocket) within easy reach.

The Roadie Executive Backpack is available immediately at a suggested retail price of $169.95. To find more information about Roadies, and to see a full video demonstration of all Tenba products, visit http://www.tenba.com.

win.rar GmbH and RARLAB present the first Beta version of WinRAR 5.0. The world’s leading compression software has incorporated a number of innovations for the RAR-format. The new RAR5 format provides many improvements of existing features of WinRAR and creates RAR5 files with higher compression ratio and speed gain on multi-core systems for decompression.

Better compression and increase of speed
Due to changes in the RAR format, WinRAR 5.0 Beta 1 can create larger dictionaries up to 1 GB in 64 bit version of WinRAR which leads to higher compression in solid archive mode on large similar files.
The increased of speed derives from the use of multithreaded decompression on multi-core systems for lower redundancy data.

More secure
So far, users of the RAR format have benefited from the integration of 128-bit AES encryption. Based upon popular demand we have upgraded the RAR algorithm to include 256-bit AES encryption to ensure sensitive data is safe from undesired access.

Further innovations of the Beta version of WinRAR 5.0
Based on the demand of many users, the limitation of maximum archived file path length in RAR archive is changed from 260 to 2048.

Another major improvement is the new recovery record function which is based upon the Reed-Solomon error correction codes making archive recovery stronger. In test scenarios with a 1 GB archive, 10% recovery record and average damage size of 32 KB, WinRAR was able to fix 9x more damages relative to the previous version. Also, the new recovery record is much more efficient than the old to fix insertions, deletions, not only when data has been modified but when data positions are shifted.

The file identification within RAR archive has been enhanced by using BLAKE2sp hash as a file checksum. With BLAKE2 inclusion, one can definitively detect whether files are different or the same while using CRC32, two different files may share the same value. Furthermore, CRC32 is shorter and therefore there is a small chance it will not detect a corrupt file and some classes of errors unlike BLAKE2.

More information on the improved items and fixed bugs can be found here: http://www.win-rar.com/whatsnew.html.

Another tip: for all Windows-64-bit users, it is highly recommended to install the WinRAR 64-bit version. It is faster and offers best available integration. WinRAR’s compression speed in Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 or any other multi-core-system has been increased considerably.

The new Beta 1 version of WinRAR 5.0 can be downloaded for the 32-bit-version from http://www.win-rar.com/fileadmin/winrar-versions/wrar50b1.exe
The 64-bit-version is available under the following downloadlink: http://www.win-rar.com/fileadmin/winrar-versions/winrar-x64-50b1.exe.

We will inform you, as soon as the final version or WinRAR 5.0 is available.

WinRAR is available in more than 40 different languages and is compatible with Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 and Windows 8. The command line version of WinRAR is also available for Linux, FreeBSD and MAC OS X.