Digital Technology for Digital Living.
May 31, 2005
The rumour mill is churning….
Keep your eyes open for the new phone from HTC - the maker of some nice little devices that get badged up as O2 and imate in Australia.
Yagoohoogle for the latest results, or check out the translated Italian site here.
Random | Comments (0) | General
May 30, 2005
Stealing Broadband.
The Australian IT section has a tiny little article, Broadband vanishes into thin-air, that yet again talks about the insecurity of Wi-Fi.
John Leung, of Glen Waverley in Melbourne, said he had noticed a big spike in the amount of data being downloaded on his broadband internet account.
“The downloads were during working hours when I am not at home and the computer is switched off,” he said. “I suspect it’s probably a neighbour but (I’ve got) no idea who can it be.”
Mr Leung said the wireless link was not secured at first “as I thought the possibility of someone leeching off me was pretty low, but I guess it wasn’t”. Luckily, the downloads did run up a big bill, falling short of the account’s monthly limit.
Gadget Lounge knows someone who had a similar experience. They weren’t so lucky and it cost them several hundred bucks.
Last year we pointed to a similar but more interesting article. We suggested that everyone using wireless might want to take some precautions.
So, don’t use the default or a generic password for your Wireless Router. Even better, a few extra simple measures include adding a WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key, or with newer routers the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) key, and turn off the SSID (Service Set Identifier), which isn’t possible on all routers (like an older Apple Airport Base-station). If you feel the need, go that extra mile and only allow the MAC Address of the computers you intend to use. Alternatively, leave the network wide open and score major Whuffie!
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Broadband, Wireless
May 29, 2005
Full Digital TV Delayed.
Gee our Government just doesn’t get technology, does it.
Communications Minister Helen Coonan has flagged that the full introduction of digital TV may be delayed until the mid-2010s.
She said the 2008 deadline was unrealistic after figures showed only 500,000 out of 8 million Australian families had so far bought digital televisions or set-tops.
Might that be because Aussies see no compelling reason to buy the technology. Let’s face it. Slightly better picture quality, sound and a widescreen image aren’t anything the general public finds beneficial. If the Government would lift the ridiculous boundaries, such as limited multicasting, then we might see some real interesting innovation with the medium. Different camera angles at sporting events as one example.
Right now the major networks aren’t going to bust their butt to develop new uses. They don’t have that much competition after all.
Article at News.com.au.
Gadgetman | Comments (2) | Digital TV
Foofpod Review.
When I first received my iPod a few years ago, I bought the middle of the range 15GB model. Back then the pack included the iPod Case and Dock. It didn’t take long for me to realise just how fragile the chrome and plastic of the player was when the little Apple tag in the back of the iPod case made nice little scratch marks. I wouldn’t choose the Apple case as a method to protect it.
Foofpods on the other hand are like little sleeping bags for your iPod. If it’s one thing they are, they’re nice and soft, and certainly not likely to scratch the chrome or plastic. In fact when you slip them into one of the soft cases it seems to lighten the music player. My iPod seemed more like a swisho wallet than a 15GB hard drive when I slip it into my pocket encased in a Foofpod.
There are currently 15 types of Foofpods. The samples I played with were the corduroy Hot Pink, the Wool Irish Tweed Herringbone and the denim Green Jeanie. Half the time I was happy just to enjoy the feel of the different materials. Certainly nicely made with Polyester quilted satin lining with polyester wadding, which will certainly keep your Pod safe. They ship in nice little snap bags, and best of all are made in good old Australia. Saying that they have some great arrangements for delivering international orders, and they take a PayPal payment as well. Just makes for easier ordering.
Besides the protection, the best feature of the Foofpod is the individual looks and feels. If you have a few, you’ll have a look for your iPod for every occasion. It’s tempting to treat them like ties, or shoes. A little fashion item for every occasion. I’m just sad that I missed out on the Feep Foofpod which they suggested was angora sheep like.
All in all I think that Foofpods make for a fantastic choice of case for you portable digital music player. Ranging from $AU18 up to $AU28 for the Kimono Obi material (the Obi is the “belt” worn as part of a Japanese Kimono), there are plenty to choose from, one for every taste. Or as I see it, one for every occasion. Next up I’ll have to try their range of Foofbags for my Powerbook.
Gadgetman | Comments (1) | Music, Peripherals
May 25, 2005
Hmmm….its green….but what is it?
Gadgetman | Comments (2) | General
May 24, 2005
iTunes 4.9 to support podcasting
Steve Jobs has stated that iTunes 4.9 will add the ability to directly subscribe to podcasts (no word as to when we can expect iTunes 4.9 to be available).
Now, if only Apple would add the ability to add labelled chapter markers to audiobooks/podcasts, I’d be a very happy man.
Story via Engadget.
Kap | Comments (3) | General
May 15, 2005
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Gadgetman | Comments Off | General
May 12, 2005
Windows Mobile 5.0
Microsoft has released Windows Mobile 5.
And Taiwan’s HTC is apparently releasing the world’s first 3G phone, the HTC Universal, to run this operating system. We’ve seen HTC before in the form of O2, iMate and the various other brands that it produces phones for.
Random | Comments (0) | General
May 11, 2005
Government to extend “fair use” copyright
The Federal Government is calling for submissions from the public on extending the “fair use” exceptions in the Copyright Act.
The What?
Let’s put it this way: Say you record a show on your VCR to copy it later or record songs from a CD onto an MP3 player. In both cases, you are technically breaking the law in Australia. The US and other contries have exemptions for things like time shifting TV programs and copying to other media for personal use.
So, the government is having a look at this with a view to expanding our “fair use” rights. They are accepting public submissions on the issue, so if you want to make your opinion clear, read the Issues Paper and make some comments to the government.
See the Attorney General’s Media Release as well.
And what do you think should be fair use? Let’s have a discussion here in the comments.
Graeme | Comments (2) | General, PVR
May 08, 2005
iTunes Music Store: last-minute delay
According to a music-source who spoke to the Brisbane Courier-Mail, the Australian iTunes Music Store delayed opening at the last minute after a breakdown in negotiations with a major record label:
A source said yesterday Apple had planned to launch an Australian version of its popular online music store last Thursday [April 28], as widely touted, but the launch was thwarted by one unnamed major record company that refused to sign an agreement in time.
The hurdle reportedly forced Apple to cancel radio advertisements ordered for the date, and it is expected to delay iTunes’s launch by days, or possibly weeks, as song and album prices and payments are negotiated with the holdout label.
The Courier-Mail: iTunes hits the pause button
We wait a bit longer.
Graeme | Comments (2) | Music
May 05, 2005
ATI Radeon® X800 XL 512 MB Graphics Card
ATI has announced the release of the Radeon® X800 XL, featuring 512M of RAM. See the article for full specs, but it suggests a release date in May and a MSRP of US$449 (approx $576AU)
Random | Comments (0) | General
