Knowledge

Win sexy geek friends and influence hot chicks with your ability with mobile phone acronyms!

• 3G – Third Generation of mobile technology
• SIM – Subscriber Identity Module, a removable card inserted into WCDMA and GSM phones to connect to a mobile network
• WCDMA – Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, a third-generation mobile wireless technology and an evolution of GSM
• GSM – Global System for Mobile Communications, a 2G technology introduced here by Vodafone
• HSPA+ – Evolved High Speed Packet Access, the latest evolution of technology for 3G WCDMA
• LTE – Long Term Evolution – The path to 4G

Discover and memorise yet more mobile acronyms to increase your chances on the playing field of life in the latest Tone in print and online, and read the full story about Telecom’s XT network, and the lowdown on 3G mobile communications in New Zealand!

News

• 2 12megapixel cameras to launch
• Sony’s smallest HD camcorder
• Xbox’s 2009 games lineup
• Camera iPod?
• Hacking for dummies
• Robot mimics human emotions

Daily tech news at www.tone.co.nz/news

Reviews

• Canon EOS 1000D
• JBL Project Array floorstanding speakers
• Magico V3 floorstanding speakers
• Cowon A3 Portable Media Player
• Epson Stylus Photo R1900 A3 inkjet printer

More reviews at www.tone.co.nz/reviews

Reviews

• Brett Gideon: Auckland Festival of Photography 2009
• Jeska Innes: too cute not to frame
• Framed and Shot: who are the real heroes in consumer electronics?

More blogs at www.tone.co.nz/blogs

Winners

To see competition winners from the last issue of Tone, and online competitions, click here

Tips

How to clean CDs, DVDs and game discs

Don’t write off your favourite CD, game or DVD just because it got scratched. There are a few things you can do to get that scratched or dirty disc to play better

1. Clean the disk using soapy water and your fingers. Hold it by its edges, be gentle, and only wipe directly away from the centre, never in a circle. Pat it dry
2. Try it in a computer CD/DVD drive – these tend to be more tolerant. If possible, make a copy of it. Programs such as Nero have a feature that lets them scan a disk very slowly multiple times
3. If it still won’t play, hold the disk under a good light and examine it. You’re looking for scratches that run parallel with the edge of the disk. Scratches perpendicular to the edge won’t affect playback
4. Polish the CD (this is a last resort asyou can damage the disc). Use baking soda toothpaste or another very mild abrasive. Only rub from the centre outwards, never in a circular motion, for a couple of minutes – don’t apply too much pressure. Focus only on the scratched areas.
5. Wash and dry the disc again. If it still doesn’t work, try polishing the scratch almost completely out.

There are other ways you can clean a disk. Click here to find out how

Videos

• Can you put a camera through a blender?
• Jet pack vs car
• How do fuel cells work?
• Robots inspired by animals
• 236kph on a rocket-powered mountain bike
• Macro photography tutorial

More videos at www.tone.co.nz/videos

Poll

Where do you buy hi-fi gear from? Click here to vote

Subscribe and win

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