TechRoar

Today’s brainwave is the creation of a technology post that caters to exam-taking accountants that wear cool shoes and work while drinking melted chocolate in gadget mugs. Continue reading if you fit the description, and if not go far, far away.
We’re just joking, but seriously though – after a not-so-long discussion among ourselves, we here at Techroar decided to present you with an alternative selection of technology and gadgets.
We are fully aware of the fact that this blog, like most of its fellow contenders caters to the mainstream; people like you and I that would rather research the latest laptop than a self-flipping coin. But what about all the chocolate-drinking accountants? Gentlemen, this is your day. Without further ado, we bring you:

	1) An assortment of chocolate gadgets. This list takes you through some of the most valuable additions to the life of a chocolate connoisseur. You don’t even have to be a gastronome to realize the benefits of having a gourmet hot chocolate maker do all the work for you, so you don’t have to resort to packets of the powdered stuff. Still, if quiet, indulgent moments with a chocolate fountain or similar device isn’t quite in your tastes, then you’ll love the chocolate sprayer that this list includes. Party-holders scrap that overused bubble machine and turn on the chocolate sprayer. Just warn your guests in advance though, you wouldn’t want the girl next door ruining her new, white dress, or do you? Too much attention has been paid to the Hershey’s USB, which would only depress me with its inedible-ness, if I owned it.
	2. A Blingdom of Gadgets All that glitters may not be gold but anything in this sparkly list will almost certainly cost you. It is common knowledge that fashion usually comes with a price tag, but if you’re willing to meet that, take a closer look at these jeweled gadgets. As a fan of all things shiny, I’ve taken a personal fancy to the Swarivski-studded thumb drives; the crystal toilet – not so much.
	3. Exam revision technology For dealing with children that are morbidly averse to studying you have two options: You could bribe them shamefully or trick them into working with inquizitor. Inquizitor puts revision in a gaming structure and hey presto! – even the most distracted kids shut up and study, I mean play. Suited for all ages though is this hand flashcard website, which employs the oldest trick in the book when it comes to studying for tests. Studyshack saves precious time on flashcard creation and even has user-published flashcard sets which you might find useful.
	4. Technology for accountants CPA tries and tests a variety of technology (such as software) that is meant to make the life of an accountant easier. The official clientele of over 40,000 professionals is far from meager and CPA’s loyal following comes mostly from the fact that its reviewing of accounting solutions is not influenced by outside sources. Check out the CPA exam review here.
	5. Gadget shoes! As discovered in the aforementioned discussion, nobody at Techroar gives two hoots about foot fashion. Luckily these shoes weren’t created for fashion alone. This website lists useful shoe-related additions to life itself as well as a few gimmicks. Since there’s nothing wrong with gimmicky gadgets, we also bring you chameleon shoes, for girls that like a little rainbow in their step.
	6. Self-stirring mug This is rather random but it must be mentioned since it caters to the cool-shoed accountant with hot chocolate and whatnot – and because it’s the only gadget in this list that I actually own. The self-stirring mug is the enemy of stray tea dregs but I love how utterly hypnotic it is. This mug is ideal for anyone with a short attention span and also for holding chunkier smoothies.

Once again gaming is one of the hottest topics out there, and hardcore gaming geeks and amateurs alike are getting a buzz out of the latest games out there. With the latest game console from the Playstation series the Playstation 3 – having been released 3 years ago, gamers are still enjoying the bundles of action that it has to offer, not only due to the multitude of games on offer, but also because of the Playstation network, which has allowed gamers from all around the world to meet, communicate and compete.

So what have these avid enthusiasts been playing to make them so addicted to gaming these past few years? Well, below we have compiled three of the best games for the 7th generation gaming consoles – in particular, those of the PS3 – so if you’re thinking of picking up a few games and haven’t got the ones we’ve mentioned, we suggest you grab a copy – pronto!

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4
This gripping follow-up of Call of Duty 2 is an intense journey not into the past like the game’s previous instalments, but to war in the present day. This version gives gamers the experience of fighting a war in which no one holds back – both sides use the most sophisticated technology, the deadliest bombs and the most lethal soldiers the world has ever seen. But it’s not just the setting that makes Call of Duty 4 so refreshingly different – the developers have changed a number of aspects about the game that have paid off big-time. For instance, unlike before, the game revolves around one powerful storyline.

Furthermore the enemies this time round are smarter and more efficient; this along with their use of vicious dogs as weapons makes the experience all the more challenging and real. But never fear – they haven’t changed everything. Call of Duty 4 still maintains its best features, making it one of the most talked-about games of the year.

FIFA 10
Yet another great pick for game lovers and especially for game lovers who love football, the latest edition of EA Sports football has much to offer in terms of game play, graphics and player options. Unlike before, FIFA 10 allows you to choose from a large number of football league clubs from England, Brazil, Australia and more. Games can be played as league or cup games or just friendly matches between teams. While you can still pick any player from any of the teams, you also have the option of creating your own avatar t play as you and develop its skills.

Players also have greater flexibility on the field. The other features of game play remain roughly the same, and connectivity to the Playstation network is still available for gamers to try their skills against competitors from across the globe. The graphics, soundtracks, commentaries and replay options are still superb, making the experience a more than satisfying one that will keep you coming back for more.

Guitar Hero: World Tour Band Bundle
This latest version of the revolutionary Guitar Hero takes virtual musicianship to the next level. The World Tour is available in three different formats – game only, game and guitar and the complete band set. The guitars in this version are easier to operate and have a style more suited to guitar solos. In addition, there are more than 80 different songs to choose from and you get a virtual studio to produce your own. You can create an avatar using a seemingly unlimited number of options, and the band logo can be displayed in the setting of your choice. This is a great single or group game, and online options allow you to hold your very own battle of the bands in your living room.

Digital menu screens are the latest in digital signage technology. Discover how they have revolutionized the experience and business of dining.

In today’s highly competitive business climate companies continuously have to struggle to succeed. As this success rests largely in the hands of their customers, businesses must always find new and innovative ways to catch the public’s attention to sell their product or service and promote their brand to a large audience. Staying in the know about the latest technology is therefore a must for any business that wishes to thrive in the ever-changing market.

For many restaurants and other eating outlets around the world – from local diners to international five-star hotel chains – digital menu screens are fast becoming a popular way of conveying information to their customers. This method utilizes digital signage technology in the form of large screens that can display vast amounts of information in an organized and attractive manner.

Digital menu boards in eating outlets not only allow the business to present and update its menu as the name suggests, but also to showcase special offers on selected items, play videos and slideshows for either entertainment or advertising purposes and inform the public about upcoming promotions and events. As these are all displayed on screens as soft copies, there is no need to continuously have new signs and boards made for different purposes; instead, the content of the already existent format can be easily updated, and once saved, will be shown on the screen. This also results in less wastage of paper and valuable wall space.

Furthermore, promotions, events, menus and more can be scheduled to show up on the screen at specific pre-set times – a process which saves the hassle of having to constantly be aware of when to put up new signs and posters in the outlet and also maximizes the options available to an outlet. This is made even more convenient by the fact that updates and changes can be made via a remote computer so there are much fewer complications and almost no delay between the removal of an old sign and the addition of a new one, and customers are never bothered by the unsightly process of taking down and putting up signs.

To make these digital menu screens more interactive, many companies make models that incorporate touch screens into their design. This allows customers to browse through the available information at leisure.

All these options make the digital menu screen a truly dynamic piece of technology that will transform any business into a higher-quality and more successful enterprise. If you are considering using digital menu screens or any other type of digital signage in your establishment, make sure to research a host of different brands before you select one. Make sure to take into account what you will be getting with the package instead of just the price, as some companies offer more expensive products only because they include features such as hardware, software, training, cabling and professional media to enhance the results.

Other digital signage technology includes Point of Purchase displays, digital greetings and message boards, digital wine racks and digital community centres.

Following months of ever increasing excitement and buzz, and close on the heels of an electrifying international launch, Microsoft Sri Lanka today announced the local launch of the highly anticipated Windows 7, the latest version of its flagship desktop operating system. The local launch event was presided over by Mr. Ken Wye Saw, Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Asia Pacific Microsoft and Mr. Akther Ahmed, President, New Emerging Markets Microsoft South East Asia.

Windows 7 has already enjoyed worldwide success following its international launch last week, as the operating system received rave reviews across the globe from industry experts, media and consumers alike. Hailed as the operating system users have been waiting for, Windows 7 works on a simple premise: making it easier for people to do the things they want on a PC.

Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Ken Wye Saw, Vice-President (Sales and Marketing), Asia Pacific Microsoft enthused about the new operating system saying “I am honored to be a part of the Windows 7 launch in Sri Lanka. Building Windows 7 has been a collaborative process from the beginning, with Microsoft’s engineers and designers working with customers and partners to build an Operating System that delivers on the vision ’Your PC, simplified’. The new OS provides users with an experience that is above and beyond anything they have used before. The product is a result of bridging customers and technology. We believe that customers will reap a range of benefits, be it an individual consumer or a business”.

Media at the launch event were taken through a dynamic product tour by Imran Vilcassim, Enterprise Accounts Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka, which provided an insight into the unique capabilities of Windows 7. Commenting on the benefits Windows 7 offers customers, Mr. Akther Ahmed, President, New Emerging Markets Microsoft South East Asia, “The additional features and benefits of Windows 7 is a major development on existing software, allowing users to explore features such as simplified task bars and connectivity options that were previously too complicated for the average user. Overall it is a smoother experience, built to make working on a PC an easier and more rewarding for users”.

In his opening address Mr. Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne, Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka, emphasized the impact the new operating system would have on the local business community. “Our country will be able to experience Windows 7, which combines a great degree of functionality, features and simplicity. Windows 7 steering way ahead of its previous versions, is fully compatible with more applications and hardware that users will already have installed on their PCs. The upgrade is both simple and cost effective making things easier, not only for our businesses to seamlessly adopt this latest technology, but also for every individual in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka can now enjoy an innovation that simplifies the PC, with more choices and more options, delivering better value than ever before”.

The event featured the ceremonial presentation of the first seven copies of the Windows 7 Ultimate software packs to 7 of Sri Lanka’s key personalities representing a cross section of Seven state as well as private sector leaders, namely, Mr. M.M.N.D Bandara - Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. D.W.R. Wijeweera, Chief Information Technology Officer, Sri Lanka Telecom, Mr. Suren Amarasekera – CEO, Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd , Dr. Chathura De Silva – Senior Lecturer , Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Mr. Indaka Raigama – CEO, Navantis IT (Pvt) Ltd, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne - Executive Director, Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya and Mr. Faiq Faaiz - Executive Vice President, Millennium Information Technologies Ltd.

Through its island wide network of reputed resellers, Microsoft Sri Lanka has ensured that Windows 7 will be easily available to all who seek it, ensuring that more people will be able to enjoy the convenience of the new operating system, as quickly as possible. Microsoft Sri Lanka has also updated the skills of its partner eco system on Windows 7 product capabilities and features through trainings and information sharing sessions. Business customers across all segments were provided with the opportunity to experience the product first hand, with their users taken through technical sessions to familiarize themselves with the product. Microsoft Sri Lanka will also introduce a series of special offers during the introductory period, focusing on the early adopters who have been eagerly awaiting the general availability of Windows 7 in Sri Lanka.

The world of gaming is expanding to include all aspects of the realm of technology, conquering first desktop computers, arcade game machines and televisions to name a few, and now proving its edurance as an entertainment phenomenon with laptops as well. Gaming laptops or notebooks are now the most convenient way for an avid gamer to win intergalactic wars on Starcraft or build empires, wherever they may be! No more is gaming constricted to the house and the arcade – gaming laptops allow us to take it out into the streets at our convenience. Now isn’t that a novel idea.

For first-time gaming laptop buyers, there are a few factors that are essential in making the product truly worthwhile. These are a good graphics chip, processor speed and type and the amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) available for users to make the most of their interfaces. These can all determine the standard of one’s gaming experience. The first of these ensures that the display does not freeze or get interrupted in any other way during the game, while the second allows the laptop to deal with the high power that is needed to facilitate the game. Intel core 2 Duo is a good pick for a high-quality dual processor. The last is also needed for the program to run smoothly on your computer, as the amount of memory available for running tasks is very important, though the use of higher values can often be limited by the operating system in use. At least a 2GB RAM should be used to avoid glitches.

Besides the laptop there is a number of gaming accessories that will make your gaming experience more worthwhile. These include gadgets such as a steering wheel, special gaming keyboards and other devices. Besides hardware, there are also several software packages that will improve your gaming laptop and increase its performance. Game accelerators, for example, are game optimization tools that allow your laptop to run smoothly by eliminating processes that hamper the progress and speed of your game. These can often be downloaded online, and several versions are available. VGA cards are also useful for enhancing your display; the Anno 1404 VGA graphics card is a good choice for this reason.

Below are details of some of the best gaming laptops out there:

	Alienware m17x Reviewed by many to be the fastest gaming laptop in the world, this model comes with a 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad QX9300, a whopping 8GB RAM; two 500GB drives and a 17-inch display. It has a Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M (2GB) graphics chip and works with Windows Vista Home Premium. The price is almost equally mind-blowing at just below $4500.
	Alienware Area-51 m15x Again one of the fastest in the world, this laptop has a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme X9000, a 4GB RAM, two hard drives worth 200GB and 320GB, and a 15.4-inch display. A Nvidia GeForce 8800M GTX (512MB) is present; as well as Windows Vista Home Premium.
	Sony VAIO NW180JS This model has a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350, 4GB RAM, 400GB hard drive and 15.5-inch display. It also has ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4570 (512MB). It has a great display and has Blu-ray playback capabilities, and comes at the reasonable price of about $800.
	HP Pavilion zd8000 This comes with an Intel Pentium 4 540 (3.20GHz) processor, 2 GB RAM, 100GB hard drive and 17-inch display. It also has an ATI Mobility Radeon X600 graphics card and is known for its great sound and graphics, though it has a relatively short battery life.