Should you buy the new, slimmer and pricier PlayStation Vita?

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Saying it three times won't make things any easier, but that's where we come in. Sony's latest iteration of the PlayStation Vita handheld, which we're going to call the Vita Slim from now on (as seems to be the fashion), is coming to the UK, having previously only been available in Asia. It's up for pre-order right now and will launch a week from today -- so, do you want one? The choice is ultimately yours, of course, and it's a delicate one, but if the pressure is too much to bear, then head past the break where we explore how the Slim stacks up against the Vita of old, and whether it's really worth the extra £50 (or roughly $80, in US terms) for a console that delivers essentially the same experience.

HardwareNow, we're not here to tell you that the PS Vita is an essential purchase -- whichever version you're looking at. If you're unfamiliar with the handheld, or perhaps the PlayStation brand as a whole, then it's really a matter of how you like to game on the go. Are you more Killzone than Brain Training, more Need for Speed than Mario Kart, or maybe you're happy killing commute time with a bit of Angry Birds and don't need another device at all? If you're going in blind, then it's probably best to start with a quick browse of the Vita's game catalog, and check out our full reviews of the original and Slim models to get acquainted.

The Vita, in general, is serious and well-built hardware. Dual thumbsticks, a 5-inch touchscreen display, another touch panel on the rear, stereo speakers and two cameras facing forward and back. Most importantly, it delivers the best graphics of any handheld, verging on last-gen console territory.

As the Vita Slim isn't a sequel, you'll find everything mentioned across both iterations, so what's the hook? As you've probably guessed, the Vita Slim is everything the Vita is, but in a smaller package: 20 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter, to be exact. At 15mm thick and weighing 219g, it's still not pocket-sized by any means, but the nip and tuck's welcome nonetheless, alongside a few other minor revisions that make it more comfortable to hold.

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What should you look for when choosing a car stereo?

Upgrading your car stereo's receiver is the one of the easiest ways to boost your dashboard tech. Here are the seven features we look for when making recommendations.

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Acer's new Liquid Z5 smartphone is more expensive than it should be (hands-on)

Acer didn't just bring a couple of new tablets to Vegas this year, but something to make calls with, too. The latest addition to its Liquid range after the top-spec S2, the Z5 is very much a "value" proposition, as the raw numbers show. We're looking at a 5-inch, 854 x 480 display, 1.3GHz dual-core Mediatek processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), and a 2,000mAh non-removable battery. For cameras, the Z5 has a modest VGA shooter up front, and a 5-megapixel main affair with a 5-lens array and IR sensor that Acer promises will improve focus and low-light performance, respectively.

Acer Liquid Z5 CES hands-on

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Should You Use the Services of a Fashion Consultant?

Have you ever heard of a fashion consultant before? A fashion consultant, which is also commonly referred to as an image consultant, is an individual who consults with you or gives you advice on the latest fashion trends.



Now, it can be relatively easy for you to learn about fashion on your own, but there are some individuals, who just want to seek professional assistance. If you are unsure as to whether or not you are one of those individuals or if you should be, you may be wondering when someone uses the services of a fashion consultant or for what. If you are, you will want to continue reading on.



When it comes to using the services of a fashion consultant, many of those who are looking to get a new job or who have recently been hired for one turn to a professional fashion consultant. Starting a new job or even just interviewing for a new job can be a stressful time. There are many individuals, possibly just like you, who want to make a good first impression and one of the best ways to do so is with the clothes that you wear.



Unfortunately, workplace fashion can be tricky, as different businesses have different needs. For instance, if you were to work in a clothing store, there is a good chance that you would want to dress trendy, but if you worked in a law office, professional attire may better suit you. Professional fashion consultants are those who spend hours each week reviewing the latest trends in fashion, including workplace fashions. Therefore, if you are interested in revamping your appearance for a new job or even just an interview, you may want to think about using the services of a professional fashion consultant.



In keeping with business related activities, a fashion consultant also helps those who are planning on taking extended business trips. Business trips are nice because although you are there on business, you are often given you own private, personal time. While this can be nice, it may pose a problem. You may want to toss on a bikini and relax with no worries, but you need to remember that those who you may be meeting with for business may be staying at the same hotel or resort. To keep up your professional look, feel, and appearance, you may be unsure as to exactly what you should do, namely what you should wear. If that is the case, you may want to think about using the services of a fashion consultant.



Weddings are another time when many individuals seek professional assistance. Unfortunately, many do not realize that a fashion consultant can help with planning of a wedding. Many just believe that the only help you can receive is with hiring a wedding planner. A fashion consultant cannot only help you find the perfect wedding dress to fit you and your body type, but they can also help you choose the perfect dresses for your bridesmaids. If you are about to be married soon and still have no idea what you would like the wedding attrite to be, you may want to think about hiring the services of a professional fashion consultant.



Fashion consultants can also be hired for other special occasions, like important business meetings or elegant dinners. Unfortunately, many individuals mistakenly believe that fashion consultants only work with clients who need their attention for an extended period of time, not just one night or for one person. This is simply not the case. If you have an important dinner event that requires formalwear or elegant eveningwear, you may want to think about hiring the services of a professional fashion consultant, especially if you want to make a good impression.



As you can see, there are a number of different instances where you may want to turn to a professional fashion consultant. In all honesty, you really dont need a reason to do so. If you would like to hire the services of a fashion consultant, you may be able to find one by using your local phone book, the internet, or recommendations from those that you know.

Should You Let Your Teen Become a Fashion Model?

Are the parent of a teenager? If you are, have you ever been asked by your teen to be a fashion model? While a large number of teens who want to be fashion models are girls, there are some boys who also wish to do so. Although your teen may wish to become a teen fashion model, the question is should you let them?



When it comes to determining whether or not you should let your teen be a teen fashion model, there are a number of important factors that you may want to take into consideration. One of those factors is where they would model. Is your teen only interested in participating in local fashion shows, like ones that may be run by local fashion designers or local fashion store owners? Or, are they interested in making it big? These are important questions that you may want to get answers to because it may actually mean the difference between a yes and a no answer.



Another factor that you may want to take into consideration is jobs. Was your teenager recently approach by a local fashion designer or fashion store owner? Did they happen to see a local advertisement asking for teen models for an upcoming local fashion show? If they did, your teen likely stands a better change of actually becoming a teen fashion model, even if it only is for a day or two. Teens who aim high as fashion models likely have a lot of drive and ambition; unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to make it as a professional teen fashion model. That is just something that you may want to keep in mind.



Another factor that you may want to take into consideration is the type of fashions that your teen would be modeling. This may be a little bit hard to determine if they havent yet lined up any appearances, but it still something that you will want to take into consideration. Teen fashions include a wide range of clothing pieces. There are swimwear pieces that are often modeled, as well as summer clothes, and so forth. If your teen is interested in participating in a local fashion show, will they screen or keep an eye on all viewers? Unfortunately, with many local fashion shows, just about anyone can enter, including possible child predators. Making money as a fashion model is a great way for you child to learn about jobs and money, but it is important that you also remember to keep their safety in mind as well.



As previously stated, if your teenager would like to become a teen model and if you are fine with them doing so, you may have better luck targeting local fashion shows. With that in mind, however, if you would like to help your child make it big, there are a number of different steps that you can take. Some of those steps may include getting professional photographs of them taken, as well as the hiring of an agent. The only thing that you need to do is be careful with who you choose to work with. With the recent interest in teen and child models, many parents are getting scammed by unsavory individuals. Do the proper research first and you shouldnt have any troubles trying to get your teen into modeling.



The above mentioned factors are just a few of the many that you may want to take into consideration, should your teenager ask about becoming a teen model. As previously mentioned, working as a teen model is a great way to prepare your child for working in the real world, but it is a decision that should be made by the whole family.

Why You Should Use A Wine Rack

For wine to mature in the proper way, youll need to have the right humidity, temperature, light condition, and movement. Whenever you are storing wine for any amount of time, youll need to ensure that the wine is in a safe place. Even though there are a few ways that you can store wine, none are safer or smarter than using a wine rack.



When you choose your wine rack, you should always remember to choose one that will store your wine properly. There are a several styles to choose from, including those that stack, wall mounts, and side mounts. You should also pay attention to size as well, as the sizes range from storing a few bottles to storing hundreds. Youll also have a lot of varieties and designs to select from, all of which depend on your needs and your space.



Among the best types of wine racks are the horizontal racks. Contrary to what many may think, vertical racks arent a good choice for storing your wine. Wine that is stored on vertical racks are stored vertically, which means that the cork will dry out and eventually start to shrink, bringing air into the wine and ruining it. On the other hand, vertical racks can come in handy when storing wine for short periods of time, or wine that is best consumed young.



Tilted racks are another type of rack you should avoid using, as they can dry out the corks or deposit the sediments too close to the cork. For your wine storing needs, you should always go with a horizontal rack. Horizontal racks will keep the cork moist, and keep unwanted air from making contact with the wine. The sediment will fall towards the side of the bottle, preventing spillage when you pop the cork. Horizontal racks are also very affordable and you can always add more racks to the design with little to no problem.



The materials for wine racks are normally wood or metal. You can hang them from ceilings, mount them on the wall, or simply place them on the floor. Metal racks are the strongest, although wood is more flexible. Wooden racks provide a bit more storage, for the simple fact that you can always add to them. Wood racks are also visually appealing, durable, and provide plenty of strength.



All in all, a wine rack is a fine investment for anyone who appreciates wine. There are various sizes to choose from, all of which are very affordable. The small to medium sizes work best for homes, while the large styles are best for commercial settings. No matter where you keep your wine - you can count on a wine rack to keep your wine stored for years to come.

Ask A VC: GGV Capital’s Glenn Solomon On How Companies Should Build And Expand In China

Next StoryWindows Phone’s 2013: A Year In PerspectiveFacebookTwitterLinkedInGGV Capital’s Glenn Solomon On Startup Success In China

In this week’s episode of Ask A VC, we had GGV Capital’s Glenn Solomon in the studio to talk about the developing technology market in China, and his predictions for 2014.

Solomon, who has taken 32 trips to China in the past eight years, tells me in our interview that developing for the Chinese market is completely different than developing for the Western markets. And any U.S. company that wants to expand to China has to be aware of this, and take into account these differences when introducing a product in China.

Solomon explains, “Several years ago, VCs thought they would create the blank of China, and a company that was successful here would work in China. But China is unique and the way you grow and start companies there has to be local.”

Solomon also made his predictions for the IPO market in 2014, investing changes and more.

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