TECHGEEK.com.au » Luke Chandler

Yellow Chocolate Craze in NZ

Luke Chandler — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:32:18 +0000

The Yellow Pages in NZ, Gave a man [Called Josh] a mission... To create the worlds first "Yellow" Tasting Chocolate bar, using only Yellow Pages, Mobile and online. The Chocolate Bar Sold out in aweek... And since then Trademe.co.nz has been BUZZING with auctions... My self listed a a "Yellow" Chocolate Bar... And i never thought it would get to as much as it has... with 30 mins it is at $17... Heres a link if you want to check it out

EDIT: The Chocolate bar was sold for $21! More then i expected!

NZ: Internet Filtering Trial to Start Next Month

Luke Chandler — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:39:33 +0000

zdnet.com.au Has reported The Department of Internal Affairs has began work on implementing a Filter trial, The Department of Internal Affair said in a statement "in response to community expectations that the government and the internet service providers (ISPs) should do more to provide a safe internet environment,"

The Department of Internal Affairs continued saying "We [The Department of Internal Affairs] have watched the Australian proposal with interest and have observed the debate that surrounds it."

More information soon.

Rumor: iPad Pricing in NZ

Luke Chandler — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:06:13 +0000

According to an Apple Authorised Reseller who will be getting the iPad [In New Zealand], have said the iPad WiFi Will Cost:

16GB: $799

32GB: $999

64GB: $1300

[Prices in NZD]

Please Note: This is NOT an official price but one of a Apple Reseller. So we cannot Guarantee the prices. Please take it as a guide only

The 3G Version is Expected to cost a Extra $150 on the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB Models with a later release date. And no word yet on the Carrier for the iPad [In New Zealand].

Rumor Mill: iPhone Coming to Telecom’s XT

Luke Chandler — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:33:20 +0000

EXCLUSIVE/RUMOUR MILL: According to a Telecom NZ sales representative, the iPhone is coming to Telecom. It is unclear if it is the 3G iPhone or a next-generation iPhone. While the XT Network has been out since the launch of the 3GS, it is unclear why it has taken almost a year to come.

However it may have something to do with Telecom NZ offering a "iPhone Plan" consisting of a $600 account credit while not being an offical carrier. The source was not willing to say anything else other than the iPhone is coming to Telecom NZ.

Looking to do some motoring around the house?

Luke Chandler — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:01:02 +0000

Looking to do some motoring around the house over the summer?
Well now you can with the 4+4 Motorized Wheelbarrow!

Muck Truck 4 wheel drive wheel barrow drivin by 5.5 hp honda motor.
It has 4 forward gears and one reverse.
It can carry up to 230 kgs.
It is only 700mm wide by 900mm high.
It is about four years old but has not been used for the last two years due to change of job, it is in good condition.

(Via: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Building-renovation/Tools/Other/auction-263425461.htm)

Google Chrome Beta for Mac Now Out!

Luke Chandler — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:15:43 +0000

Google Chrome is now available in beta for Mac OS X.

Chrome for Mac was perviously in Alpha.

Min System Requirements 10.5 Intel Only (Sorry PPC Owners)

Here are a few fun facts from the Google Chrome for Mac team:

73,804 lines of Mac-specific code written
29 developer builds
1,177 Mac-specific bugs fixed
12 external committers and bug editors to the Google Chrome for Mac code base, 48 external code contributors
64 Mac Minis doing continuous builds and tests
8,760 cups of soft drinks and coffee consumed
4,380 frosted mini-wheats eaten

Download here

Get Festive on your Mac!

Luke Chandler — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:02:58 +0000

The time is upon us, Where we grab a axe, and cut down a tree to call your Christmas tree.
But for some people, for what ever reason can't have a Christmas tree, real or fake.
So the TECHGEEK.com.au Get Festive Guide! For Mac (Sorry Windows Users, Ill Make a guide later on this)

Lets start with the Tree! No Christmas is complete with out a tree!

The Christmas Tree: Download here

The Lights!: Download Here

Google DNS, Whats Next?

Luke Chandler — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:50:29 +0000

Today Google has introduced Google DNS.
Similar to that of OpenDNS, Google DNS is designed to speed up web browsing.
How ever, It is for Public use and not for ISPs to use as they do not have a service-level agreement (SLA) in place. The project is characterized as "experimental".

View Google Code DNS Page

More Information to Follow.

Review : Apple Magic Mouse

Luke Chandler — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:03:35 +0000

Apple brings out a brand new mouse for TECHGEEK.com.au to play with, and our New Zealand correspondent Luke Chandler files a review its successor to the Apple's Mighty Mouse, the Magic Mouse. With multi-touch support and a smaller design, does it live up to the hype or does it fall flat? Read the review and find out.

Review
Specifications

When I first got the Apple Magic Mouse, I tried it for about an hour and put it in the box, thinking it was crap. Waking the next day, I checked out my Twitter and found someone tweeted about a Magic Mouse add on for OS X. I quickly got my Magic Mouse out again and gave it another shot, and with the add on, I was surprised. It made the Magic Mouse experience a hell of a lot better.

The design has a clear shell with a white underside, and it is very light, weighting in at 106 grams (46 grams more than my standard mouse). I thought it looked a bit big, so I compared it with my iPhone; and it is about the same size of it. No joke! Setup is easy, just turn on the mouse at the bottom and pair it up with your Bluetooth-enabled Mac, though you will need another mouse to set it up.

Feature-wise, the product is the same with the Mighty Mouse, and gestures can be swapped in the System Preferences to suit both left and right handed people; but also adds additional features that sets it apart from its predecessor.

It no longer needs a scroll wheel, or the 360-degree Scroll button, as you place one finger on the surface and "brush" it in the direction you want, and it also supports Momentum Scrolling, where the page keeps moving and slowly comes to the stop after scrolling; and you can swipe to the next photo or page on iPhoto or Preview by using two fingers on the surface, with going back using the same gesture, but in the opposite direction. The swiping, however, can be a bit uncomfortable at times. There is no RIGHT CLICK on the mouse, but that function is replaced with the secondary click, using two fingers and tap.

But being small does have its negatives, it can be not very ergonomic, and its battery time may not be as long as other Bluetooth-enabled mouses. I would liked to see a dock for it. Laser tracking also seems to be a problem, and I tested it on a couple of surfaces (and some of the testing surfaces may not be the ones you are going to use, but these are what I had at hand). It does work on wood really well, but not on cork, cloth or a fur blanket. Cardboard was also tested, and it does works - just not in the same way as wood.

The Final Line

The mouse looks nice design-wise, and scrolling does work. Like I mentioned, laser tracking may not work at all surfaces, and it can be a bit too thin. Swiping and the Multi-touch gestures for the mouse do make the mouse set itself apart from the competition, though don't find a Windows version for this - there isn't any.

The Good Multi-touch and scrolling works well, beautiful design, battery replaceable

The Bad Not very ergonomic, swiping is a bit uncomfortable

Editor’s Rating 8.5

System Requirements
OS Support Mac OS X 10.5.8 and above, Mac OS X 10.6.1 or above
Battery AA Batteries x2
Bluetooth Yes, must be enabled

Google: “Lets make patent a few things”

Luke Chandler — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:47:30 +0000

When you thought all the good idea for patents are gone, "The USPTO issued US Patent No. D603,866 to six Google inventors for their 'graphical user interface for display screen of a communications terminal.' Among the six inventors is the guy who introduced Google Patents. Ironically, Google Patents can't seem to find the new Google patent for Google Patents."

What does this mean? The fact Google has a patent to Display patents using a Graphical User Interface (GUI

Coming soon to TECHGEEK.com.au

Apple Magic Mouse Review

This Week on The Internet.

Luke Chandler — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:59:55 +0000

I thought I would make a new segment on TECHGEEK.com.au, This Week on The Internet.

Looking about on News sites i found this story about a New Zealand Cop (Yes, I'm From New Zealand) jokes about the safety of eating overheated meat pies. (See the Link Below)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCL_5WfcnnM

More New Zealand News, Whats the best use of Twitter? The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has decided to join twitter to let Students know what exams are on and is the roads are busy.

Thats all for Today come back Next Week as i rap up the week again.

- Luke

(NZ) Ban on handheld cellphones.

Luke Chandler — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:44:20 +0000

From today (1st November) It is now illegal to use your handheld mobile while driving in New Zealand.

Calls can only be made using a hands-free kit, and those caught breaking the law will be hit with an $80 fine and 20 demerit points.

Calls can be made and received only if the cellphone is "secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle" or is fully voice-activated - meaning you can not put your mobile on speaker phone and "plop" it on the passenger's seat or or down your top.

However the use of mobiles as satellite navigation devices (Such as the iPhone 3G) is allowed, as long the phone is touched infrequent and brief.

If you are from New Zealand and want more information on the law, please contact your local Police Station.

Hebrew, Hindi, Korean Gets the Tick

Luke Chandler — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:36:37 +0000

The nonprofit body that oversees internet addresses has approved the use of Hebrew, Hindi, Korean and other scripts not based on the Latin alphabet in a decision that could make the web dramatically more inclusive.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) Board members voted to allow non-latin script in domain names, such as; Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Arabic, Chinese and other scripts.

Internet users could start seeing them in use early next year, particularly in Arabic, Chinese and other scripts in which demand has been among the highest, ICANN officials say.

Rumor: Apple Game Console?

Luke Chandler — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:17:26 +0000

Could Apple bring out (another) gaming console? That's what Analyst Jerry Johnson predicts, saying:

"In terms of predicting the 'next gen' of gaming hardware, Parker refused to be drawn on specifics, although he was keen to speculate that it would not be too surprising to see Apple launch a dedicated gaming console based around Intel's Larabee chip."

Apple has changed a lot since they tried (and epic failed) to release a gaming console called "The Apple Bandai Pippin". It was Expensive and inferior to the PlayStation and N64.But Apple have changed, All Mac "Fanboys" must have everything Apple. Look at the iPod and the iPhone.

Or could Apple use Apple TV as a base for a console?

No doubt if Apple were to make a console they would use iTunes to Sell Games. But Apple would need to see Big Game Developers to start developing games so it would not become a flop.

I personally think if Apple were to bring out a Gaming Console the Controller would incorporate a "Multi Touch" Pad(s).

I would like to know what you think. Leave your comments.

2degrees Online Store and “Your 2degrees” Still Down

Luke Chandler — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:01:48 +0000

The 2degrees online store and "Your 2degrees" are still down after the breach of privacy they faced. The problem started from seeing the the last user's Personal Details.

A support team member from 2degrees told me "A Man who had his Vodafone Number for around 10 years that he uses for business purposes had been lost after someone toyed with the details on the form."

The 2degrees Facebook page has been inundated with requests for the site to hurry up and relaunch.

It has even come to the point where a user listed the 2degrees robot on the auction site Trademe.

TradeMe farm-for-tractor deal falls through

Luke Chandler — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:27:15 +0000

The couple who listed their tractor for a dollar on TradeMe and offered to throw in their farm for free have been left "furious" after the winning bidder was denied finance by his bank and the sale fell through.

The Catlins couple Shelley and Allan Holland listed a tractor with a catch, You buy the tractor, you get a free farm.

Shelly and Allan listed the auction for $1 Reserve and within the first 10 minutes bidding was at $5500.

The Auction fetched over 380,000 views and over 1500 Comments, with over 1400 questions answered.

TradeMe business manager Mike O'Donnell said all of the top bidders had been contacted before the close of the sale, to ensure bids were legitimate. They had spoken to the eventual winner, Wainuiomata man Lance Karanga, twice, he said.

Mr Karanga raised the auction by $16968 from $233,032 to $250,000

While the auction maybe legally binding Mrs Holland said legal action was not being considered at this stage.

Mr Karanga has also had his TradeMe membership terminated.

- Lukc Chandler Reporting for TECHGEEK.com.au

2nd Biggest Auction on Trademe.co.nz

Luke Chandler — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:33:35 +0000

A New Zealand Couple decided to list a Tractor on Trademe for $1 Reserve. With the Catch that they will throw in a free 20 Acre Farm,

It was a risk, But its paid off. In the first 5 minutes of it opening it was already at $5000.

The auction has over 500 Questions and over 300,000 Page Views.

You can visit the auction here (WARNING IT WILL TAKE A WHILE ON A SLOW CONNECTION PAGE IS OVER 2.5MBs)

New iPhone features?

Luke Chandler — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:47:07 +0000

AppleiPhoneApps.com (unknown until now by us) has released what the new features in the iPhones.

While we aren't 100% sure of it heres there list (In bold is the "new stuff")

32GB and 16GB to replace current capacities
$199 and $299 price-points to be maintained
3.2 Megapixel camera
Video recording & editing capabilities
Ability to send a picture & video via MMS
Discontinuation of the metal band surrounding the edge of the device
OLED screen
1.5X The battery life
Double the RAM and processing power
Built-in FM transmitter
Apple logo on the back to light up
Rubber-tread backing
Sleeker design
Built-in compass
Revolutionary combination of the camera, GPS, compass, and Google maps to identify photo and inform about photo locations.
Turn by turn directions
July 17th, 2009 release date

While the site says the source appears credible, and the new iPhones will be second to none. We aren't too sure about some of the features.

iPhone How to : : Day 1

Luke Chandler — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:28:50 +0000

TELECOM XT NETWORK UPDATE : : Mobile Phone Line Released

Luke Chandler — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:33:03 +0000

This Morning Telecom released their Line of Mobile Phones for the new XT mobile network.

After the setback earlier phones start from $150.
you can look at the line of phones here http://www.testdrive.co.nz/?pid=int025.#/newrange

Telecom are yet to release the pricing plans

Luke Chandler Reporting for TECHGEEK.com.au