Gadgets
Review: Synology DiskStation DS218j
Synology is known for quality NAS products, not just on the hardware side of things, but also the company’s excellent software ecosystem. I got to have a go at the DiskStation DS218j a couple of weeks ago and I am surprised by the overall functionality and utility of the device.
The DS218j is company’s entry-level 2-bay NAS for home and personal cloud storage. This one replaces the DS216j and you will see some familiar design cues if you have been using a DS216j. The DS218j takes in up to two drives with a storage capacity of 8TB each. When it comes to connectivity, you get one gigabit Ethernet port and two standard USB 3.0 ports at the rear of the device.
Under the hood, the Synology DiskStation DS218j is powered by a dual-core Marvell ARMADA 385 (88F6820) with a clock speed of 1.3GHz. You also get 512MB worth of DDR3 memory. Inside the device, you get enough space to fix up two 3.5-inch hard disks. You can also use 2.5-inch hard disks and SSDs through an adapter.
For this review, I used two 3.5-inch Seagate HDDs made for NAS drives and configured them to use the default Synology Hybrid Raid (SHR). What SHR does is, it allows the device to tolerate the failure of one hard disk without any data loss, but at the expense of one disk’s capacity.
Setting up the DS218j NAS is a breeze. Connect the NAS to your router and power it up. Then go to find.synology.com, which will locate the NAS on your network. If you’re using brand-new hard disks, you’ll just be able to click the big Download button to install the latest version of Synology’s DSM operating system.
However, if you’ve used your disks before in another NAS, you will need to plug them directly into your PC and use Disk Management to erase any partitions. This needs to be done in order to start using the hard disks with the new NAS drive. You can even connect to your NAS drive from anywhere in the world as long as the NAS is turned on and is connected to an internet connection.
This can be done using the QuickConnect ID, which can be created during setup. Just by typing quickconnect.to/ followed by your own QuickConnect ID into any web browser, you will be able to access your NAS’ interface. It’s as simple as that.
With the Synology software ecosystem, you also get the company’s brilliant Package Center that boasts of hundreds of add-on applications. In the Package Center there are many add-on packages available to expand the value and functionality of your Synology NAS.
You will be able to download and install the packages designed specifically for your unique needs, whether it’s sharing files on the cloud, sharing photos on an online album, setting up a VPN environment or even an antivirus to protect your system. Everything can be found and done in Package Center, with just a few clicks.
Software packages include Acronis True Image, Active Backup for Business, McAfee Antivirus, Apache HTTP Server, Audio Station, Synology Chat Server, LDAP Server, GitLab, Redmine, Spree, Drupal, File Station, Java8, Joomla, iTunes Server, OpenERP, WordPress, and lots more.
To check the overall performance of the Synology DiskStation DS218j, we used the CrystalDiskMark benchmark. In terms of reads, we achieved 123MB/s, while we clocked 127MB/s for writes. The Synology DiskStation DS218j is a very capable and affordable NAS drive intended for people who are just starting with setting up their own personal cloud.
Price: AED 857
Gadgets
HUAWEI Launches WATCH GT 5 Series, WATCH D2, WATCH Ultimate Green, MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and MatePad 12 X
HUAWEI has launched a series of new gadgets at its Innovative Product Launch event in Barcelona, Spain. The company introduced a range of highly anticipated products, highlighting its ‘Fashion Forward’ approach to wearables. The new wearables lineup includes the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, HUAWEI WATCH D2, and the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Green. Additionally, Huawei unveiled the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and HUAWEI MatePad 12 X—brand-new tablets offering advanced technologies for enhanced productivity and seamless connectivity. To provide a worry-free experience, Huawei is offering the HUAWEI Care+ Service, which can be purchased alongside the new devices.
HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2”: Brighter, Lighter, and Ready to Replace Your Laptop
Alex Huang, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei Consumer BG, emphasised the brand’s global impact and commitment to innovation. “We aim to bring innovative products that offer consumers a unique blend of fashion and creativity,” said Alex. “By inspiring our users, Huawei strives to create a more connected and heartwarming world where technology enhances daily living and brings people closer together.”
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series elevates smartwatch fashion with sharp, geometric designs and premium materials. Boasting IP69K certification for water and corrosion resistance, the series is built for durability. It’s available in two editions—HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro and HUAWEI WATCH GT 5—with three sizes and 12 colourways. The 46mm version features an iconic octagonal dial, a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, and durable materials like sapphire glass and titanium. The sleeker 42mm version offers a nano-ceramic build with gold accents and a 1.32-inch AMOLED screen. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series provides the sleek 41mm and a larger 46mm options. Unlike the Pros, these are constructed with durable stainless steel.
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series introduces a major leap in health and fitness tracking with the debut of the HUAWEI TruSense System. It now leads the industry in tracking vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiratory rate. The new Emotional Wellbeing Assistant allows the watch to infer the user’s emotional state. The battery life remains impressive, boasting up to 14 days on the 46mm model and 7 days on the 41mm version. The watch is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series will be available in UAE on September 26thwith pre-orders starting on September 19th price from 899 AED from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.
HUAWEI WATCH D2
The HUAWEI WATCH D2 is the successor to the HUAWEI WATCH D, which brought blood pressure monitoring to the wrist. The new watch introduces Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), offering 24-hour blood pressure tracking throughout a full sleep-wake cycle. For individuals with hypertension, the watch helps identify their blood pressure circadian rhythms and detect abnormal nighttime blood pressure decline rates. For those without hypertension, the watch can help assess their risk.
The HUAWEI WATCH D2 also offers comprehensive health monitoring capabilities, including heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, stress, skin temperature, ECG, vascular elasticity, pulse wave arrhythmia, and sleep apnea detection. With a single tap, users can measure nine body indicators and generate a Health Glance report to identify potential health risks. In terms of design, the HUAWEI WATCH D2 features a glossy mirror bezel and a rotating crown that exudes a premium feel.
HUAWEI WATCH D2 will be available in UAE on October 14th at AED 1599 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers. Subscribe now and get an early bird voucher worth AED 150.
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Green Edition
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate introduces the new Advanced Golf Course Features and the enhanced Expedition Mode, along with a new green edition. The new green edition brings an exclusive dual-colour nano-tech ceramic bezel, crafted through a highly complex manufacturing process. As Huawei’s ultimate luxury smartwatch, the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate boasts a Zirconium-based liquid metal body and a high-strength sapphire glass cover, ensuring maximum durability and wear resistance. Additionally, it offers a 100-meter diving mode with audio functions.
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate will be available in UAE on October 14th at AED 2999 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers. Subscribe now and get an early bird voucher worth AED 300.
HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2
The new HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” features an innovative Tandem OLED PaperMatte screen capable of reaching an astounding 2000 nits of brightness. It delivers stunning HDR visuals, ensuring lifelike colours even in bright sunlight. This display incorporates cutting-edge anti-sparkle and nanoscale anti-glare etching technologies, alongside magnetron nano optical layers to reduce light interference and glare offering a paper-like viewing. The all-new HUAWEI Glide Keyboard offers integrated stylus storage and charging, with a magnetic hinge for easy mode switching. Built with anti-stain materials, it resists coffee spills, oil, and lipstick smudges.
The GoPaint app on the new tablet introduces Splatter and Fluid brushes, delivering pro-level tools for digital painting. The MatePad Pro 12.2” comes in a stunning Golden Silk rear cover that redefines artistry in gadget design. HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” will be available in UAE on October 3rd with pre-orders starting on September 26th at AED 2999 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.
HUAWEI MatePad 12 X
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X is an elegant-looking tablet Available in three beautiful pastel colours—Greenery, Sakura Pink, and White. They all have a unique metallic white lustre, adding a refined aesthetic touch. Designed for young professionals, its 12-inch PaperMatte Display simulates the texture of paper using nano-level etching making it the most suitable screen for paperless creation. Paired with the HUAWEI M-Pencil, it delivers a writing experience that feels natural, improving precision by 47% compared with traditional tablets.
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X also comes with Huawei Notes, a professional note-taking app designed by Huawei for seamless, paperless creation, making it the perfect tool for creativity and productivity. HUAWEI HUAWEI MatePad 12 X will be available in UAE on October 3rd with pre-orders starting on September 26th at AED 1699 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.
Artificial Intelligence
Acer Expands Copilot+ PC Line with New Swift AI and Swift Go 14 AI Laptops
Acer has launched its latest Swift laptops, powered by the new Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2). The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI Copilot+ PCs offer exceptional AI performance, sleek designs, and a suite of AI-powered features. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors, these laptops deliver up to 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of NPU AI performance. This enables them to accelerate generative AI tasks and creations with ease. The laptops also feature advanced security features, including biometric security and hardware-level protection, to safeguard user data.
The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI boast premium aluminium chassis and stunning OLED displays with 90 Hz refresh rates and HDR TrueBlack 500 certification. The laptops also offer exceptional battery life, thanks to efficient power management and the new Intel Core Ultra processors. Acer’s suite of AI features includes Copilot+, which provides intelligent assistance for various tasks. The laptops also feature AcerSense, which allows users to control system settings and access AI features with a single click. Additionally, Acer Assist offers AI-powered document search and troubleshooting, while Acer PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice enhance video conferencing experiences.
The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI are Copilot+ PCs, offering a new era of productivity and efficiency. With Copilot, users can access AI-powered tools like Cocreator for image generation and Live Captions for real-time speech translation. The Acer Swift Go 14 AI, powered by a Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor, offers exceptional performance and long battery life. It is designed for everyday users who seek a powerful and accessible AI-powered laptop.
Acer’s new Swift laptops offer a combination of powerful AI performance, sleek designs, and innovative features. Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or a business user, these laptops have something to offer.
Earbuds
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 Now Available in Smoky Pink Variant
Sony has announced a new colour addition to their 1000X noise-cancelling headphones. Released in collaboration with K-Pop girl group LE SSERAFIM, the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones are now available in Smoky Pink. Both the WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer noise-cancelling features and great audio quality. The WF-1000XM5 currently comes in black and platinum silver, while the WH-1000XM5 comes in black, platinum silver and midnight blue.
The Smoky Pink colour is soft and sophisticated, with a powdery matte texture that boosts your style. This colour fits perfectly with LE SSERAFIM’s aesthetic and their newly unveiled partnership with Sony’s For The Music campaign.
The record-breaking K-pop giants are known for their fearless attitude, chic fashion sensibilities, and empowering songs, which have resulted in multiple entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 200 charts. With 20M+ combined followers on social platforms and a diehard global fanbase, there’s no question that LE SSERAFIM is a mainstay in the genre and one of the most exciting acts to watch in 2024 and beyond.
LE SSERAFIM also stars in Sony’s campaign for the WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds, featuring their new song “CRAZY” from their same-titled fourth mini album, which was released on August 30th. “The connection we have with our fans is everything, and we can’t wait for them to be able to experience our music with Sony’s awesome Smoky Pink 1000X headphones and earbuds,” said LE SSERAFIM.
The Smoky Pink WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds will be available in the Middle East and Africa from October 2024.