Geekzone: IT, mobility, wireless and handheld news

TelstraClear to start MVNO based on Vodafone network

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:38 +1200

Telco turns back to Vodafone, after short relationship with Telecom New Zealand.

Viewsonic introduces VPC100 all-in-one PC

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 06:58 +1200

New model is first in computing line of productivity products at just a fraction of the footprint of others.

Updated Ovi Maps for mobile devices now available for download

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:35 +1200

New version opens up a new world of context-aware and location based services for consumers and includes a range of new features such as high-resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks and more.

InternetNZ launches .nz awareness campaign

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:29 +1200

The InternetNZ Group manages the .nz domain name system through the Domain Name Commission, and owns the .nz domain name registry - .nz Registry Services.

Canonical gets deeper into the cloud by launching Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud Services

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:41 +1200

Partners with Eucalyptus to offer 'private cloud' assessment, proof-of-concept and support services.

Bank of New Zealand invest in storage infrastructure

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:02 +1200

BNZ has streamlined its backup and recovery processes while reducing storage-related expenditures.

Telecom New Zealand introduces HTC Snap Windows Mobile handsets

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 03:56 +1200

HTC's newest QWERTY smartphone features "Inner Circle" to automatically prioritise email from most important contacts.

Unisys to adopt cloud computing strategy

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:50 +1200

New strategy combines innovative security with suite of solutions to expand clients' options for delivery of services in the cloud.

Vodafone New Zealand confirms 10 July launch date for iPhone 3GS

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:34 +1200

Mobile operator can't confirm prices yet.

Kiwi FIRST Robotics brings FIRS LEGO League to New Zealand

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:40 +1200

People interested in forming teams are encouraged to attend a FIRST LEGO League Primer session with tems of up to 10 students aged 9-16 years and an adult coach.

Microsoft introduces Windows 7 Upgrade Option programme

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:05 +1200

Microsoft is announcing the official start of the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Programme, so customers won't have to wait until October to buy a new PC, if they want Windows 7.

Review: HTC Magic - Google Android, take two

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:25 +1200

We take a look at the HTC Magic or G2 "Google Phone".

HTC Hero introduces new UI for Android-based phones

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:19 +1200

HTC Hero is the world's first Android-based phone with a customized user interface. HTC plans to use the same HTC Sense UI acros platforms including Windows Mobile.

Adobe and HTC bring Flash platform to Android handsets

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:18 +1200

New HTC Hero delivers more complete Web browsing experience with Adobe Flash technology.

HP introduces top of line HP Mini 5101

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:52 +1200

New HP Mini 5101 comes with large HDD, built-in mobile broadband.

Two Degrees Mobile starts TV advertising with Rhys Darby

freitasm — Sun, 5 Jul 2009 07:00 Y

New Zealand's newest mobile network, Two Degrees Mobile, finally coming into the public view with a prime time ad with Rhys Darby of The Flight of the Conchords fame. As expected there's a discussion on Geekzone, and here is the ad:

Moving from Telecom CDMA to Telecom XT

freitasm — Fri, 3 Jul 2009 05:54 Y

After using a Telecom XT SIM card that was sent to me for review I finally decided to move my personal account from their CDMA network to the new XT Network.

A couple of reasons why I did the move: first, moving to equivalent plans I'd be paying about 50% less than on my previous plan - and no term contract!

Second, there are no queues in store now. Moving plans took all of five minutes. I inserted the new SIM card in my handset just after I signed the paperwork - and it was working already. It means my change to XT Network happened even before I moved away from the desk.

Good job!

PS. Now I remember a third reason: I don't need to carry my personal handset and a test handset anymore.

Linkification v42

RedJungle — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 22:23 Y

News / Web Happenings:

Mobile phone giants agree on universal charger
Firefox 3.5 Officially Available for Download
Firefox 3.5 Portable Available for Download
Gmail Attachment Size Upped to 25MB
Windows 7 gets"Apple style" guided tours
Skype 3.0 for Windows Phones
ComCom to investigate mobile roaming charges
'Asteroids' heading towards the big screen?
HTC Magic Back on Sale - What a bizarre incident
YouTube Uploads Doubled to 2GB, HD Embeds and Linking Added
Microsoft May Sell Windows 7 on Flash Drives
Windows 7 Beta Shutdowns Begin Today - If you're still running a BETA build, make sure you update to RC now.
Gmail Gives Labels the Folder Treatment
Pirate Bay Planned for Purchase, May Start "Compensation Model"
Skype 4.1 for Windows goes gold
Hotmail Rolls Out Incoming Pop3 to U.S. and Other Customers

General / Neat Stuff:

Windows 7 Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows Longhorn's Aero Snap, circa 2005

Development:

45 Incredibly Useful Web Design Checklists and Questionnaires
Sign up for Tech Ed before 31 July and be in to win - Interesting that last year TechEd sold out in three weeks.. this year they're giving away prizes as incentives to buy tickets! State of the economy perhaps?
Google Analytics on your Mobile Phone

Apple:

Steve Jobs back to work at Apple
Skype 1.1 for iPhone and iPod touch out now - Still no push notifications?
Apple patching nasty iPhone SMS vulnerability
Vodafone New Zealand confirms 10 July launch date for iPhone 3GS
iPhone OS 3.1 beta now available for developer community

FAIL of the week:

Luggage Container Fail

Brand management is important

freitasm — Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:53 Y

What happens when your company has the rights to sell a product using a third party's branding, but use this other company's branding innapropriately?

You may ended up not having the product to sell at all...

Microsoft Tech.Ed New Zealand 2009 giveaway: Canon IXUS 100 IS Digital Cameras

teched — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:35 Y

Microsoft New Zealand just announced a competition for those attending the Microsoft Tech.Ed New Zealand 2009: register between now and 31st July 2009 to be in to win one of seven Canon IXUS 100 IS digital cameras - with 12.1 megapixel, optical ima... (more in the full post)

Linkification v41

RedJungle — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:59 Y

News / Web Happenings:

Announcing the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program
Firefox 3.5 RC 3 Available for Download
Windows 7 Will Cost Less than Vista
Adobe shows Flash Player on Android handset
Xero Blog: Multi-currency: Get it now, while it's free
Google Maps Adds Local Attractions with "What's Here?" Link
Microsoft extends XP downgrade availability to 2011. When will it end?
Palm says no webOS SDK till end of Summer
Top 10 Firefox 3.5 Feature
Google Analytics Blog - Google Analytics Gets a New Site

General / Neat Stuff:

LightLane Virtual Bike Path to Become a Reality
Supercharge Your Garden with Home-Brewed Compost Tea
Build Your Own Pizza Oven

Development:

10 Common Mistakes In Logo Design
JSON Hijacking
The History of Microsoft - 1975 - Bill Gates talks about what it was like to build Altair Basic
jQuery UI Selectmenu: An ARIA-Accessible Plugin for Styling a Custom HTML Select Element - These guys are doing some amazing stuff with jQuery + UI

FAIL of the week:

Soccer Kick Fail

New Air NZ flight safety video (with body painting)

freitasm — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:03 Y

It looks like the Air New Zealand folks can't keep their clothes on... This time they have produced a new flight safety video to be used on their Boeing 737-300 domestic services (on flights from 29 June 2009):

Update: As noted in the comments there's a bloopers video too:

Rumours of my heart attack are greatly exaggerated

juha — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:31 Y

Ahh... the Internet; don't you just love it? David MacGregor, one of the Idealog founders, has unfortunately come down with a very dodgy ticker. He's currently awaiting to undergo bypass surgery, and blogged about it. I read what David had written, thought it interesting and retweeted his tweet with a link to the blog:

It's probably the way Tweetie formats retweets, but I was little taken aback when the well-wishes started rolling in. So to clarify, I'm fine. No heart attack for me. Please read David's blog though to see how he's going.

And thank you very much everybody for your concern - I really appreciate it, and promises to get the exercise going again properly, so as to keep that all-important muscle running smoothly.

Adobe shows Flash Player on Android handset

freitasm — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:25 Y

I've just uploaded this video showing a Flash Player demo on an Android handset:

Reviews here on Geekzone: Dell 2130cn colour laser and HTC Magic

juha — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:52 Y

Short blog post today, to alert those who follow me on RSS about two reviews that I've posted here on Geekzone.

Dell 2130cn review here.

HTC Magic review here.

Check them out and let me know what you think.

Offset your iPhone or iPod

freitasm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:37 Y

A kiwi initiative, AcornHQ allows people to offset the environmental impact of their gadgetry - in this case the focus is on iPhone and iPod devices.

One of the guys from Ponoko decided to create this website where people can donate to plant trees in the New Zealand South Island, to offset the carbon emissions from iPod and iPhone devices. They also have tips and tricks on how to use these devices efficiently from an energy point of view.

The site developer, John Lewis, explains more about this venture on his blog:

At the very core the idea was to promote more environmentally responsible gadget ownership. To start with this means we provide an easy way for people to offset the carbon associated with their iPod or iPhone.

We all love our iPods and iPhones but they do have a very real cost to the environment. Carbon is emitted when your iPod is manufactured, when your iPod is transported from the factory to you, and when you use power to recharge your iPod. How that power is generated to recharge your iPod also has a huge impact.

So you come to AcornHq and join a tree by purchasing a leaf, for US$3.50. Once all the leaves on that tree have been taken, we plant a tree in the South Island to offset those iPods. Trees being most excellent at extracting and absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

You can get a widget and put in your blog so you and others can see your tree grow.

Barcamp Auckland 2009 - register now

freitasm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 03:11 Y

Barcamp Auckland 2009 is happening 11th July 2009 - time to register for the event folks! You can also follow @barcampauckland updates on Twitter.

The browser is less important - what you do is more important

freitasm — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:17 Y

Every few weeks I receive a few emails that are clearly intended to one of the large telcos in New Zealand. Topics range from "I've asked something from your customer service but nothing happened" to "I want to pay my account number #, using my credit card number #" (yes, people just send their credit card numbers to me!).

I have a theory about this. It's likely that a lot of people have Google (or any other search enghine) as their home page and never heard of "Address bar". Instead they enter "Vodafone" or "Telecom" into the search field on their home page, hit enter and click on the first name (or one of the top) in the results page.

Last week Google went around in New York city asking "What's a browser". This would explain what I have just told you:

Another thing to note is that not knowing exactly what is a browser is not something related to age. Lots of young people show there's no age distinction when it comes to tools and actions.

Also note that at 1:22 the guy says he's switched to Firefox - actually his friend came over and "erased all my other browsers and told me to use this now" and behind him there's a big billboard saying "I'm a PC"...

Linkification v40

RedJungle — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:38 Y

News / Web Happenings:

Orcon and Vodafone comments on ComCom sub loop decision
Geekzone Pizza Evening 2009 - Wellington
Facebook and Telecom New Zealand integrate SMS service
SKY TV now available on Vodafone home phone bill
Project Natal recognizing retail shelves in 2010, says Ballmer
Microsoft Security Essentials Antivirus Software (Codename: Morro) Available on June 23rd
Gmail Improves Contact Importing, Syncing Options
Firefox 3.5 Upgrades to Release Candidate for Beta Testers
TweetDeck Adds Multi-Column iPhone Client, Account Syncing

General / Neat Stuff:

Let Homer be your copilot, says TomTom
ARhrrrr - An augmented reality shooter

Apple:

iPhone 3G S line begins in NY, weather be damned
iPhone 3GS Review Matrix: What Everybody's Saying
Evernote 3.0 Makes Syncing Instantaneous, Improves Capture Speed
iPhone 3.0 Update Available for Download
Hands On with Mac OS X Snow Leopard (Developer Preview)
iPhone 3G S review
Hands On with iPhone 3.0's Best New Features
How To Use The Best 40 Features of iPhone 3.0

Development:

Automagic Time Localization using javascript
Introducing iPhone-style Checkboxes
Understanding vertical-align, or "How (Not) To Vertically Center Content"

FAIL of the week:

Samurai Fail

Geekzone Pizza Evening 2009 - Wellington

freitasm — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:14 Y

Last year we moved around New Zealand (Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Napier), enjoying good times, pizza and beer with our readers - we even had some who actually attended all four events!

We are now getting ready to tour around the country again. Our first event is in Wellington. Again we will meet at the One Red Dog restaurante (Blair St, Courtenay Pl). More details are in this discussion on Geekzone.

Snapper is sponsoring the Wellington event. Yes, the pizza is free!

We still have space for drinks and prizes sponsorship, so contact me if you want to have your brand there.

Registrations open 18th June 3pm and registrations must be completed online. You must have Geekzone login to enter. Sign up on Geekzone now if you haven't got one.

The event is limited to 60 people so be quick. We are giving you warning now so you can book any travel you might need!

About the registration online: You have to enter your information, and click on a confirmation link sent to your email. IF YOU DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK YOU WON'T RECEIVE THE FINAL CONFIRMATION EMAIL AND YOUR NAME WON'T BE ON THE LIST. FOLLOW ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS.