STACK #188 June 2020

LIFE TECH WELCOME

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TECH LIFE

A side from all the exotic locations, death-defying stunts and expensive fast cars, one of the most intriguing parts of a James Bond film for fans is the introduction of Q in the story. Generally, Bond has been briefed at this stage of the film and is about to embark on a dangerous mission – but not before dropping in on the quartermaster, or Q, for a little technological help. We marvel at what gadgets Q produces for Bond's adventure, from a wristwatch that doubles as a garotte to a ring that doubles as a camera, right down to his famous Aston Martin DB5. Beyond the magic on the screen, the fascination with technology exists for many of us. Advances over the last five years have brought more tech to our fingertips at an affordable price, making life that little bit easier and opening up a wealth of entertainment opportunities. The connected home, where voice recognition technology enables full control over lighting or entertainment selections; a wearable that delivers important exercise and health data to the user; a smart TV offering unprecedented size and connectivity; and powerful laptops that won't break the bank. We've never been more connected and, to celebrate, our June issue takes a look at some of the coolest gadgets and technologies of 2020 thus far.

STACK ’s Top Tips for Buying Tech Where do you start when you’re on the hunt for some new tech in-store?We’ve got you covered. 1 Set a budget and try to keep to that 4 Research is your best friend before 5 Don’t buy exclusively based

2 Chances are you already have an existing tech ecosystem at home, and while compatibility issues are certainly not the concern they once were, it is worth checking that whatever you are in the market for will fit in with what you have at home.

3 Think about your specific needs and requirements for whatever you’re in the market for before you go looking. Write them down if it helps. What features do you need, or don't need? Is it future-proof?

6 As a rule of thumb, if the budget permits, always opt for the model with the most storage (if that option exists). It’s better to over-estimate than regret not having more storage.

budget as best as you can. This will influence your buying decisions in a positive manner.

you leave the house and head to a store. The more research you do, the closer you will be to ensuring the right purchase is made. It’s a good idea to check out reviews online, but try to establish that they’re genuine. And remember that the sales reps at JB are trained extensively in their respective categories and are a great resource to tap into.

on the price. There are many instances where budget products out-perform the price tag attached to them, and many where they don’t. Again, just because a product is in the high price bracket doesn’t mean the cost is reflected in the feature set. Do your research as there’s often more than one option that fits your brief.

40 JUNE 2020

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