Samsung S22 Ultra
Samsung’s best of the best in one!
Price: R28,000
https://www.samsung.com/za/smartphones/galaxy-s22-ultra/
Samsung recently unveiled its latest flagship devices as part of the S22 range. Their top-of-the-range S22 Ultra is, without doubt, the best Samsung mobile device ever built. But, if you’re looking for a compact smartphone, it isn’t small. The 6.8-inch device with the Dynamic Amoled 2X display, weighing 229g, is Samsung’s brightest display. Featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, it will make watching videos and playing games incredibly smooth.
The astonishing part of this device is the processing power it packs through its 8th generation Snapdragon chip. But it is the camera on this device that makes it stand out. Aficionados will appreciate the various lenses on the S22 Ultra. It has a 12MP camera with an ultra-wide lens, a 108 MP camera with a wide lens, two 10MP cameras with telephoto lenses with 100x optical zoom and a 40MP front camera. Now, I know that is quite a mouthful, but to pack all those camera features in a device this size is a technological feat. The photographs and rich colours are breathtaking. Samsung has also introduced a ‘nightography’ feature whereby the phone uses built-in AI, processing power and software to produce exceptional photography shots and videos at night.
If you are a Note fan, you will be pleased to know that the S22 Ultra is the new flagship device that will incorporate the latest S-Pen to allow users to make notes on their screen and draw. In addition, the 5,000mAh battery is more than sufficient to give you a full day on your phone. The S22 Ultra is a fantastic device that will satisfy Samsung’s most die-hard fans.
Apple 14
The perfect all-round MacBook Pro
Priced from R38,800
https://www.istore.co.za/macbook-pro-14-inch-m1-pro
When Apple first announced their new silicon M1 chip in 2020, it was the beginning of a new era for the world’s largest company. The performance and energy efficiency of the new chip range is nothing short of phenomenal. Apple continued to build on this chip architecture when they added the new M1 Pro or M1 Max chips to their 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros a few months ago. The device’s performance is lightning fast!
It is the 14-inch MacBook Pro that I want to draw your attention to. In my view, it is the perfect all-round MacBook that has been built. The jump from 13 inches to 14 inches is subtle. Still, the new MacBook Pro has an even thinner bezel around the liquid retina display that delivers a ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate, making everything smoother. Some are calling this the best screen ever on a laptop.
The machine itself has also been redesigned. The ports now include a MagSafe 3 port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port and an SDXC card slot, making it easy to transfer photos and videos from SD cards.
Is this overkill for a business machine? Not at all. In fact, I would categorise this MacBook as the perfect business machine for the executive. The new 1080p webcam significantly enhances video quality for virtual calls, and the new studio-quality microphones deliver a professional look and feel. The battery life has also been significantly improved with up to 17 hours of usage! It is not a cheap device, though. Once you start configuring and adding additional RAM and storage memory, you can easily pass the R60,000 mark. Nevertheless, it is a primary business tool, and the value that one gets from using it makes the money spent more palatable.
Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Take your virtual calls to a different quality of audio
Price: R4,000
https://circuitcity.co.za/jabra-2/
It gets frustrating when you’re on a virtual call and someone doesn’t have a great microphone. Your sound should be one of the most critical aspects of the new remote working era. Unfortunately, not all notebooks and phones have great microphones, and this is why one should look at investing in a good pair of wireless earbuds. Jabra has been doing this for a very long time, and the technology they have developed over the years puts them into the premium sound category. The new Jabra Elite 7 Pro works with an app to deliver excellent sound performance. They are the perfect all-day wireless earphones with 8-hour battery life and an additional 22 hours in the charge case. The sound quality is very good, and there is also active noise cancelling for noisy environments. With its two built-in microphones, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro is a great value wireless earbud.
iRobot Roomba s9+
The Rolls Royce of robot vacuums
Price: R23,000
https://irobot.co.za/product/irobot-roomba-s9-plus/
In December, I had a chance to use the iRobot Roomba s9+. I loved telling people at dinner parties that I was testing a R23,000 vacuum cleaner. The responses were priceless!
So, what makes a R23,000 vacuum cleaner so special, and at this price, shouldn’t it do the dishes as well?
I remember first seeing these robot vacuum cleaners many years ago at an international tech show. My first reaction was that these robots could surely not do as thorough a job as a traditional manual cleaner.
The iRobot company is an interesting one. Founded in 1990 by three members of MIT's Artificial Intelligence Lab, the company has sold more than 30 million units. Their technology has even been used by bomb disposal units.
As you can tell, the iRobot Roomba s9+ has a long pedigree. It is packed with sensors and their PerfectEdge technology, and an advanced 3D sensor will clean your house perfectly without you having to do a thing. Once you download the app, the vacuum maps your entire home. Through the app, you choose when to clean, which rooms to clean, and what suction level. There is a reason why they are number 1 in the world. The build quality and product result are flawless. This particular robot also docks into their Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which allows it to vacuum for weeks without emptying anything. If you are inclined to speak to your vacuum, Alexa will respond to all your voice commands. Oh, and if you have pets and allergies, this thing is an absolute dream. For an additional R10,000, you can add the iRobot Braava Jet Robot Mop, which mops the floors when the s9+ is done.
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