Mazen @ Al-Angary
The Official Website
The Official Website
Mar 5th
[This is has been the Editor's Note I wrote for What's Up Magazine on the Jeddah's 17th issue]
WARNING: This note is graphical, and highly descriptive. If you are sensitive or in a good mood, I don’t recommend reading it, since it might alter your current mood.
I was driving home the other day when I saw a traffic jam on the other side of the road, I slowed down ̵ since the cars in front of me forced me to do so ̵ to take a glance at the other side.
A young teenage girl with her little sister were standing on the sidewalk screaming in front of a car, that just hit their youngest brother, while they were trying to cross the road. The driver (a young chap) got out of the car to pickup the child from the hot-boiling asphalt, lifting him to his chest with his head to the side oozing blood from his mouth all over the black hot pavement .
I am sorry if I drew a grim, and graphical picture of what happened, but that little boy had a future that ended in a flash.
We should really sit and think seriously about this, is speeding really worth it, I will bet you… No wait I can get professional sports car racers to attest to this even. If you speed up trying to make it to an important appointment you won’t gain anything more than three minutes (yes 3 only) so do you think a human life is cheeper than being 3 minutes late?
Please drive responsibly, let’s start this new year with a better awareness towards driving behavior, and be extra careful navigated our way through the streets.
Before I let you go, here is one more thing that I have been thinking about for years and never found a logical answer to, you might help.
Why do ALL car manufacturers give us speeds that exceed the Maximum speed limits in almost all countries around the world? Why can’t they build a car that can never go beyond 100Km/h? If you’re going to get a speeding ticket driving over 120Km/h why do you even have the option to reach over 200Km/h in some cars? Where are you going to use all this speed?
It’s like asking for a pesticides to kill mosquitoes, and getting a flamethrower instead. Cars don’t kill people… irresponsible drivers kill people.
Please drive Safe, we wasted many lives already, to gain 3 minutes.
Mazen Al-Angary
Editor in Chief
What’s Up Magazine
Mar 3rd

I got my hands on a brand new Nokia X6 phone that has the “Comes with Music” feature, and boy was it so much fun to try that out for the very first time. The new Nokia X6 should be in the Saudi market within a week or so, with an MSRP of SR 2250 (estimated price).

Unpacking:
Inside the box you will find the X6, a charger, battery, in-ear white headphones with controls, a USB cable, Software CD, manuals, and the PIN code to activate your Ovi music store account to get as much free music as you want for a full year.

Hardware:
The Nokia X6 features a much welcomed 3.2 inches TFT capacitive touchscreen over the older resistive touchscreens, so this is clearly a move in the right direction. The unit also sports a proximity sensor, that will turn the screen off when it comes closer to the users face. A cool feature is the high-quality scratch-resistant glass surface.

As far as aesthetics, the devices feels solid while being held in hand, reminds me of the standard candy bar phones, over all it feels great to hold, yet I have noticed that the only minor drawback is the side lock-screen sliders, that feels a bit clunky. Otherwise it feels natural in the users hand.
The front of the X6 features a frontal camera for video calls, the back features a 5 MP, 2592 X 1944 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, Dual LED flash, video light. The camera also Geo-tags your images if you wish so.

On the sides you will find stereo speakers, along with the SIM card slot. While on the other side you get the volume controls, camera button, and the screen lock slider.
On the top of the device you will find the USB port, a standard 3.5mm audio jack, the charging port, and the on/off button. On the bottom you will find a place to hang a strap or a charm-attachment . The Nokia X6 comes in many colors like Blue on White, Red on Black, and Black on Black.

User Interface and Software:
Nokia X6 runs Symbian OS v9.4, Series 60 rel. 5 on its ARM 11 434MHz processor, you can touch almost any part of the screen to get to functions with a haptics tactile feedback to let you know you clicked on something. Navigating through the menus is quite simple, if you’re used to Nokia S60 devices you will find yourself right at home with the X6.
The device features the usual suspects like; Stereo FM radio, A-GPS support (with the free Ovi Maps 3.0), media player, Organizer, Photo editor, TV-out, Flash Lite 3.0, T9 support, A2DP Bluetooth support, among many other.
The Nokia X6 comes with a large 32 GB storage, 128 MB RAM, yet it doesn’t offer a way to expand your storage with a memory card.
The Experience:
Once I got the Nokia X6 out of the box, I got hold of the instruction card that shows you how to get free music, and application on it, you simply connect to the internet via 3.5G or WiFi which was easy to setup, after that you log into the Ovi store and enter the provided PIN, sit back and enjoy over 4 million Arabic and International tracks and albums that are available through Ovi music store. You can also install the Ovi application on your Windows PC and use the account to sync your music with your brand new device.
Nokia has worked hard on connectivity, where I learned by attending their private media roundtable meeting that they are pushing new solutions for Nokia messaging services that is suitable for both corporations and home-users, the new services provides push notifications and emails directly to your device, anywhere at any time. And with a foot-print as large as Nokia’s you can see the future of socializing with everyone around you. Setting up a new Nokia device is as easy as 3 simple steps, after that you get all your emails, IM massages, and social networks like Twitter and FaceBook running on the fly.

Conclusion:
I find myself compelled to use such a device, Nokia came a long way to reach this level, where now you can get free music, tons of applications, while staying truly connected to work and play with simple to use devices that many people have been loving and knowing for years.
What I liked about the X6:
- The improved capacitive touchscreen
- The standard 3.5mm headphone jack
- The ability to use it as an every day phone that can hold all your music.
- Easy connectivity to emails, messaging, and social sites.
- A great device for music lovers.
What I didn’t like about the X6:
- User Interface is a bit sluggish and slow at times.
- Ovi store needs more improvements.
- The way the interface occasionally requires a double tap can also be annoying.
- Slow at times while browsing the web.
So let’s rate the Nokia X6 shall we:
Hardware 4.5 out of 5. ![]()
UI & Software 3 out of 5. ![]()
Experience 4.5 out of 5. ![]()
Overall 4 out of 5. ![]()
Copyright 2010 © Mazen Al-Angary, All Rights Reserved.
Feb 28th

My brother in law went on a vacation trip, so he asked me if I would be interested in watching over (babysitting) his new Lorikeets parrot.
I was excited since I entertained the idea of getting one myself, so why not test-drive one.
The Lorikeet is a very smart bird, I managed to teach it some discipline, yet I have a long way to go, but what was interesting the most, is the fact that when I get up in the morning the Lorikeet (which is called wish-wish) wants to get out of its cage and play around. So yesterday I woke up, got my cereal and glass of milk ready, sat down to eat it. While wish-wish went insane wanting to be freed, and since I didn’t get my regular shot of espresso (providing the noise it was making) I set it free to roam around while I fueled my brain cells.
It walked to me wanting to be pick it up off the ground, I thought “Ohhh he looks so cute” As soon as I did, wish-wish jumped on my cereal bowl and started to eat my flakes.
Speechless, I had to take a Kodak moment.
Feb 17th
Had the pleasure to be invited by Nokia to attend the Comes With Music event in Beirut, Lebanon. Where Nokia introduced their new fresh take on how to consume music.
To make it simple, if you buy a Nokia device (like the upcoming Nokia X6) that has the “Comes With Music” logo on it, you will get unlimited number of songs (both Arabic and English) for a full year to download whenever you want, and the best part is that you can keep it for life.

The Nokia X6 has direct access to the Ovi Music Store so that you can download your year-long free music over WiFi or 3G directly to your device, this slick unit will be available in the Saudi market by the first week of March, and will cost roughly $600 (about SR 2250).

The interesting part is that Nokia has secured deals with all the major label companies around the world and in the Middle East in order to give you access to 4 Million songs to download 4 Free, 4 Life.

Before I let you go and watch the video I shot during the event, I would like to reflect on this for a second… You can get any song you want, any time you want it, unlimited number of songs… Free… Yours to keep… I swear it is yours to keep, now go out there and enjoy it.
You can also check out this video I shot of the main announcement below, enjoy.
Feb 15th

In the past I wrote a piece about the iPhone (iPod touch) apps I love the most, well this time around I will be writing about the games I really like and enjoy.
All links will take you to iTunes, some games offer free light versions to try before you buy.
Here is a list of all the games I liked:
Bridge Odyssey (Light Version)
Broken Sword: Director’s Cut (One of Favorites)
Command & Conquer Red Alert (Light version)
Collapse Chaos (Light Version)
Doodle Army (Loads of Silly Fun)
Flight Control (Never ending)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Jojo’s Fashion Show (Light Version)
Monopoly Here & Now: World Edition
Ranch Rush (Amazing Game)
Spider: The Secret Of Bryce Manor (Light Version) This is also a favorite game.
Star Defense (Amazing Solid Graphics)
Now as always it is your time to share your favorite games in the comments.
Have fun.
Feb 14th
Here are steps to make so that you can enable tethering on an iPhone with an STC SIM card.
STEPS:
1- Update your iPhone to OS 3.1.3, by connecting to iTunes and clicking “Check for Updates”

2- (Optional Step) After that get a Mobily SIM card and pop it in then click on “Check for Update” to get the new Carrier 5.1 on your iPhone. You can use the free one you got with your iPhone from Mobily to do that.
3- Insert your STC SIM card again, and go to “Cellular Data” scroll to the very bottom, and fill in “Jawalnet.com.sa” in the Internet Tethering field.

4- Go back and you will find the option under Setting>General>Network> Internet Tethering and turn it on, then set your computer network to work with it (Mac or PC).



5- Sit back and enjoy.

Copyright © 2010 Mazen Al-Angary, All Rights Reserved.
Feb 2nd

If you’re serious about your workout, and have even been looking for an interval timer that would help you get the best results out of your workout, I think you should take a look at GymBoss.
It is a tiny timer that you can clip-on, signaling you about the end of a duration by beeping, vibrating, or both, so that you can shift to the other end of your intensity workout. GymBoss can even be used as a stopwatch.
I took shots of the box, which also has some explanation on the back of it. GymBoss comes in three colors (Silver, Slate Gray, and Hot Pink) and sells for $19.95, but what is really great is the flat cost of ground international shipping, which is $2.99 almost anywhere in the world.

Jan 30th
Back in 2007 I wrote a piece about the iPhone when it first came out, but what made that article interesting was how it predicted the future of mobile phones, and how the iPhone changed the whole industry… If you don’t believe me, pick any old-school mobile company and look at their inventory lineup for an iPhone wannabe, you will find many.
Fast forward to 2010, where every cellphone manufacturer is still trying to bring the iPhone down off its throne. A position it captured and secured in less than three years of its life. Now, Apple and with just one single sweeping move crushed many companies’ dreams yet again by using only four characters… iPad.
In 2001 Apple created the Halo effect by introducing the first iPod. In 2007 Apple released a Tsunami wave by releasing the iPhone. Now in 2010 Apple is unleashing a massive Shockwave with their new iPad. Another device that will create a new dent in the technological universe.
I read and heard many people’s opinions about the iPad, and how it is nothing more than a large iPhone (yet it should be compared with the iPod touch, since it has no telephony functions), so in this case I think the best thing to do is explain why the iPad is a game shifter.
The Ultimate Communication Device
With the new iPad, Apple managed to show us the future of mobile computing, after spending over 200 years of using mechanical keyboards to interface with language and text. Now we can do that virtually with the most natural human way. Our fingers.
This means that we will start to see other companies trying to mimic what Apple created, as the case with the iPhone and iPod touch. Monkey See, Monkey Do.
The Ultimate Mobile Gaming Machine
If you ask any gamer about what they want in their gaming machine, I bet you will get two common answers; bigger screen, blazing processing power. And that is two ways to describe iPad. Now add the fun-factor to that mix, and you will understand how a company like Nintendo managed to stay alive in front of stomping giants like Sony and Microsoft for so long.
With Apple’s custom made A4 chip, the company is sending a clear message that we will see more power to support their ultra-mobile lineup in the future, and this is another aspect of why the iPad is an important device.
Print Media
This is a big one. For years we have been hearing about the dying print media, but no one had the guts to step up and introduce anything doable, all we see are foldable E Ink and e-paper, yet no company has ever managed to come out with the real way to put print media to rest, till we saw the dawn of the iPad.
With this slick slate of modern technology we can now download all our magazines, enjoy them with full color pictures, supported by audio and video, while communicating back with comments, and share knowledge and information with our community all at once. As humans we have never experienced such a way to consuming information yet.
From another angle, as a race we have depended on books to communicate and transfer knowledge, and with the iPad, this task will become much easier and faster, speeding up the time it takes us to get books and read them.
Education and Learning
I remember school days and boring static text books, with faded images, as I also remember how the iPhone and iPod touch gave us a glimpse of how learning can be fun and interactive with iTunes U, well now we will see the whole picture of this new era where we will learn faster and in a more sufficient way, instead of yawning during boring lectures.
Plus the whole world will have full access to knowledge that was preserved for people who can afford traveling to the United States and enrol in a university. Knowledge can be shared and learned at our own leisure.
Visual Arts
Many photographers carry loads of equipments with them as they go on shooting sessions, and in some cases they need to show clients their work on the spot, and that is why they have to carry hard disks and laptops to store and transfer their images, but with a simple connector, they can now show their work on a digital picture frame, with stunning presentations, while still maintaining ultra-mobility.
Artists and painters have now a new medium, that cramps the canvas and tools on one device, where they can create fine pieces of art, while listening to their inspiring music all at once.
Another aspect is watching movies and TV shows, since now you can truly move all your HD favorites with you and watch them anywhere, anytime. Thanks to the iPads large HD crisp display screen.
Ease of Use
Most of us got our training on iPhones or iPod touches already, yet it has been known that two and three year olds can use the simple software to play games or even learn the alphabets. So what about the older generation that missed the train heading to tech-ville. With the iPad they can now be part of our future, to communicate with us on FaceBook and Twitter.
Creating Vs Consuming
With the new iWorks UI, writers, accountants, bloggers, and marketing gurus have a new way to seize the moment and create something as soon as the muse visits. And this is just the beginning, we are yet to see what developers can do with such a large screen.
But the iPad doesn’t even have Multitasking
Okay, I will try my best to be gentle here. Neither can you!
If you’re human and reading this, I am willing to make a bet here, I want you to write something (type) while reading this article, and sipping a cup of coffee at the same time.
Some of you might whine about having multiple windows open at any given time, but your attention span can focus on one thing at a time.
On the iPad you can read a PDF, copy some text, hit home button, fire up Safari, paste it on the search field, check it out then go back to the page you were reading. That is the same steps you will use on any multitasking computer.
What’s Next?
I can’t claim to know anything about what the future holds for us, but I can make some logical guesses. In a couple of years eBook manufacturers will follow up with touch screen readers, while mobile gaming manufacturers will see the true worth of this market and will try to jump in. While PC makers will snap all their keyboards out and try to introduce Windows alternatives to support true touch interaction.
Will any of this work? Well I guess it will be more like blowing spitballs at iPad. By 2013 we will see the next big thing from Apple, and this time it will be wearable technology. (Hint).
To sum up, the iPad is:
When a company wants to introduce a new product to the market, they think of a single task that this product can do (Kindle to read books, PSP to play games, cellphones to make calls), but when Apple thinks of creating a product they create something that serves many purposes at once. That’s because they Think Differently.
So if you still think the iPad is nothing more than an over-sized iPod touch (or iPhone if that gets you to sleep at night) than be it, but you will not see the big picture till you see how this device will change everything around us forever. Since the introduction of the iPad is like jumping from Black & White televisions not to color, but to HD LED with touch interface. Welcome to 2010.
Copyright © 2010 Mazen Al-Angary, All Rights Reserved.
Jan 21st

Almost everyone gets their daily dose of Spam. We get it in our emails, we get it on our blogs, and we get it on our cellphones in the form of SMS messages.
But I think this is the first time I get spam from PushMe.to
So if you’re the person who sent me this message, please stop. It’s not cool.
Oh and I don’t want to buy dates, if I do, I know where to get them from.
Jan 11th
Zagg is a company known for their legendary invisibleSHIELD, which helps protects any mobile and GPS devices from scratches, bought many of their shields in the past (they are that good), till one day I got an email from them announcing ZAGG Sparq.
The news got me excited. Personally, it will solve a great issue I have with powering all my gadgets on the go. Since I am always searching for such a power solution for my ever-hungry iPhone(s), iPod, and other gadgets.

I tried different solutions, like carrying a charging cable and power-brick (not very convenient), I have also tried a small faulty battery pack called Kensington Mini Battery Pack, It worked fine for a couple of weeks, soon after it started to lose power capacity. Plus due to its bad design, you will find yourself with a cold black brick dangling out of your iPhone which adds a lot of mass while traveling with the device. Plus it feels like it’s going to get snapped off if you mistakenly hit something (don’t try this at home or anywhere else).

I then started to think of getting the Mophie Juice Pack or Juice Pack air, yet I didn’t find great reviews about both products, plus if Apple decides to change the physical shape of the next iPhone, you can kiss those packs good bye. Another down-side to the juice packs is the fact that they work with a specific device, so you can’t plug an iPod to it (without looking odd).

Enter ZAGG Sparq, when I first saw this I thought that this has the potential to be what I am looking for in a battery pack.
- I don’t want the pack to restrict me to charge only one type of device because of its design.
- I want the pack to give me more then one charge.
- I would like a pack that can charge multiple devices at once.
Out of the box the Sparq looks like Apple’s power brick designed by Darth Vader, it has the same shape as the power brick, yet a bit larger, and it comes in glossy black (hence the Darth Vader connection). I read that that would be an issue since it can show all the fingerprints on it, but thinking practically, a battery pack isn’t something you will be flashing around anyway.
The unit has two (2) USB ports, which means you can charge any two USB powered devices at once. The Sparq offers 6,000 mAh Lithium Polymer battery which has the power to charge an iPhone up to four times. It has 4 yellow lights to indicate power level. So with the USB approach, you can plug in your iPhone, iPod, BlackBerry, Bluetooth headset, digital video camera, or any power hungry device that charges over USB.
I tried it on a flight and it was a charm, I got to watch a movie on my iPhone, then listen to a podcast, and once I was back on the ground I had a full battery ready to go.
Now here are some of the things I didn’t like about the Zagg Sparq and I hope the company will conceder an upgrade to it soon to address those issues.
When you plug the Sparq to charge you won’t find any indicators to tell you whether it is charging or not, the four yellow lights should be used in such a situation, furthermore, you won’t know when the pack is fully charged and ready to go. The only way to check on that is to click on the charge indicator button to see how far it charged.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the leaflet that came with the device recommends that you charge the Sparq for 9 hours to get a full charge. I never checked if the unit would charge in less then 9 hours, but for a unit that gives you 4 full iPhone charges, plugging it over night won’t be an issue in most cases.
So if you’re always on the go, or travel a lot, Zagg Sparq makes it feel like you have a chunk of your wall’s power outlet with you all the time.
The ZAGG Sparq sells originally for about $129.99, but you can get it on their site for $99.99.