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Sony's new 1R headphone series is here, and so are our reviews. Get the lowdown on the MDR-1RNC and MDR-1RBT right here!



What do these headphones have in common? A quality build, a classy, discreet look, and generally impressive performance. But, both in their specs and in practice, they are two entirely different devices with different sounds.

> Full review: Sony MDR-1RNC
> Full review: Sony MDR-1RBT

> See all our headphone reviews

Although the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2013 doesn't kick off until June, this year's edition of the gaming conference and show could see us finally catching a glimpse of next-generation consoles from Sony and Microsoft. And hype surrounding a new Microsoft console is already heating up.

As the blog is often used to give readers an insider look at goings-on the Xbox division, this instantly led to speculation that Microsoft could be set to make a major announcement at the show, possibly involving a new console to replace the seven-year-old Xbox 360.

> Reviews: Games Consoles and Accessories

Samsung's mobile operating system, Tizen, developed in partnership with Intel, will be available for non-Samsung smartphones as well, along the lines of Android and Windows Phone.

Samsung's objective: gain independence from Google by releasing its own OS to compete with Android. Designed to meet high performance criteria, Tizen-running smartphones should arrive sometime this year. No price or specs have been announced as yet.

Last year Vodafone, Intel, NTT Docomo and Samsung put their heads together to found Tizen Association, in the aim of developing the open source OS. The operating system will clearly play a major role in Samsung's game plan for 2013.

> See our smartphone and mobile reviews

1.66 million computers. That's how many devices Toshiba drew data from to develop a technology that predicts hard drive failure and pre-saves data.

Toshiba used PC Health Monitor to retrieve all sorts of information (with users' consent) about hard drive batteries, cooling systems and more to predict the periods during which HDDs are most susceptible to failure, in order to save HDD data before issues arise.

Smart Client Manager is expected to be released in 2013, initially for professional laptops only.

Samsung today unveiled the NX300, a minor update of its NX210 interchangeable lens compact, which now gets a tilting AMOLED display.


The Samsung NX300 mirrorless camera has a lot in common with its predecessor, the NX210. The camera body is practically identical, you get the same Wi-Fi connectivity options, and the electronics are based on the same 20-Megapixel sensor—although this has been updated to include phase-detection sensors, which should improve the autofocus.

The major change here is the screen. The display is bigger, at 3.31", has a wider aspect ratio of 5:3, and definition has been upped to 800 x 480 pixels or 768,000 dots. The screen has also been treated to a vertical-tilt function. Plus, touchscreen controls should make it somewhat easier to enter Wi-Fi passwords!

Samsung is launching a "2D/3D" lens alongside the NX300. This 45 mm lens offers a standard 2D mode and a stereoscopic 3D mode, which records two side-by-side images on the sensor—a bit like the Panasonic FT012, although full details of the system haven't been revealed.

The NX300 has been announced with a US retail price of $750 (approx. £462, although exact UK pricing TBC) and is due for release in March. The NX210, presented at the end of July, will therefore be bowing out after just eight months on the market.

> Digital Cameras: SLR, Micro 4/3 and Interchangeable Lens Reviews

Apple's skinny new-generation iMacs look like they've been on a strict diet since last year. Apple has outed new 21.5" and 27" iMacs, and we've got our hands on the smaller version to test.


So what impact will this new super-slim design have on Apple's star all-in-one computer? Time to take a closer look.

> Read the Full Review: Apple iMac 21.5-inch (2012)

> See More All-in-One Computer Reviews