Geekzone: IT, mobility, wireless and handheld news

Microsoft Office 2010 hits major milestone and enters Technical Preview

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:45 +1200

Microsoft showcases new product capabilities and announces Office Web applications will be available at launch.

Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera launches in New Zealand

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:31 +1200

The new Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera allows consumers to capture those famous "Kodak moments" in high-definition, and share them on YouTube.

linux.conf.au issues call for papers for LCA2010

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:37 +1200

The linux.conf.au is a technical conference about Free and Open Source Software, held annually in Australasia since 1999.

Orange introduces Toshiba TG01 Windows Mobile handsets

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:09 +1200

The TG01 is the first handset in the UK to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 1GHz processor.

Nokia introduces the Nokia 3720 classic, its most rugged mobile handset to date

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:05 +1200

The Nokia 3720 classic is encased in durable materials and is entirely sealed to protect the inner electronics.

BT speeds up super-fast-fibre plans

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:01 +1200

1.5 million homes to have access to friber connections in the UK by early summer 2010.

Vodafone introduces free service to help against SMS bullying

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:23 +1200

Each month, more than 700 million TXT messages are sent through Vodafone's network and many of these are between young people.

Microsoft promotes Steven Sinofsky to President, Windows Division

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 23:55 +1200

As president, Sinofsky assumes responsibility for the Windows business including both the engineering and marketing functions for Windows, Windows Live and Internet Explorer.

Government grants $3M digital boost for New Zealand Families

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 23:51 +1200

Over 1,500 families from throughout New Zealand will benefit from a Government grant to the Computers in Homes programme.

Dell expands Global PartnerDirect programme to New Zealand

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 21:34 +1200

PartnerDirect broadens options for solution providers and customers.

Google introduces the Google Chrome OS for mini laptops

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 05:55 +1200

New operating system will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010.

Sony launches new mini laptop W Series

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 05:50 +1200

The company says it works well for people who while watching TV or reading a magazine experienced the urge to look up something on the internet.

Yahoo!Xtra Search unveils new functionality

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 05:10 +1200

Service gives Kiwis their own personal research assistant with intelligent internet search tool developed by Yahoo! now available to New Zealanders on Yahoo!Xtra Search.

EMC Ionix eases pain of migrating from physical to cloud services

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 04:00 +1200

New offering from EMC brings together recent acquisition and unified software portfolio to accelerate customers' transition from physical to virtual to cloud.

Online accounting software service Xero appoints new UK Managing Director

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 22:51 +1200

Gary Turner is a twenty-year veteran of the UK accounting software industry and leaves Microsoft UK to take up his post with Xero in August.

My technology kit - full disclosure

freitasm — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:41 Y

I have been thinking about such a post for a while, so it's just about time. This is a (continuously changing) list of things and services I have here on loan from manufacturers and operators.

Of course this is not the limit of my technology at home, but only whatever I have here that is not "mine".

So here it goes:

- Nokia N97 - on loan from Nokia
- Acer F900 Windows Mobile - on long term loan from Acer as part of their beta test group
- AT&T Pantech Matrix Pro Windows Mobile - on long term loan from AT&T
- HTC Touch Dual - on long term loan from HTC
- Nokia E71 - on long term loan from Telecom New Zealand
- Cradlepoint PHS300 - on long term loan from Cradlepoint
- TomTom Go730 - on loan from TomTom
- HP Mini 1000 - on long term loan from HP U.S.
- HP tx2000c - on long term loan from HP U.S.
- Microsoft Cordless Mouse 5000 - on long term loan from Microsoft New Zealand
- Acer Ferrari 5000 - on long term loan from Microsoft Corp (currently down because of motherboard fault)
- Intel SSD - on long term loan for review from Intel
- TopGlobal MB6800 router - on long term loan for review
- Lexar Express Card SSD 16GB - on long term loan for review
- Jabra BT530 - on long term loan for review
- Telecom XT SIM card - on loan from Telecom
- Microsoft MSDN - Microsoft MVP Award, one year license until April 2010.

Some things I have here and it's worth saying "I pay for it myself":

- TelstraClear cable service
- Telecom XT SIM card for personal use
- WorldxChange VFX VoIP service for home use

So what's the difference between a "on loan" and "long term loan"? Basically "on loan" means it will be returned to the manufacturer or PR agency sometime in the very near future. "long term loan" means I will have it here for a longer term and because of use and tear I can decide myself to either return, give it away, or keep it.

If you follow me around on Geekzone and Twitter you know that I pretty much give almost everything away after a while.

Note that I have a Telecom XT SIM card on loan. This is not my personal account, which I pay for. This is used to test the other devices around here and Telecom expects it to be returned soon. This is the same handed to other bloggers and journalists who attended tehe Telecom XT Network announcement in July 2009.

I also have an AT&T SIM card, which I am pretty sure has now expired (I can't know for sure until I go to the U.S. next time).

I don't take cash or equivalent for writing. I am not posting links to these products because it's not a URL drop post. It's a disclosure post. Like it or not.

Companies fail to deal with technology: telephone numbers and voicemail

freitasm — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:28 Y

I just had a laugh now when I read Ari's tweet about his experience with Post Haste, a New Zealand courier company:

Yes, I just called their local offices on a Sunday evening to listen myself and their voicemail recorded greeting say "You called us outside our office hours. To book an emergency courier call 025 ...".

For those who don't keep pace with this moving world of telecommunications, 025 is the non-geographical prefix used by Telecom New Zealand for their old TDMA network. This means there used to be a mobile network in New Zealand that used the 025 prefix.

Telecom shutdown the 025 network 31 March 2007 6pm. This was more than two years ago.

Like Ari I wonder how many emergency courier jobs Post Haste missed in those two and a half years of voice mail redirecting their customers to a non-existant number. I also wonder if no one in the company ever thought of looking for a reason in dropped jobs at weekends and week nights...

But they are not alone. I see lots of vans driving around town with old 025 numbers still printer on the sides. Those people who need jobs now more than ever are losing for not updating something as simple as a number on the side panel of their van...

This is how low tech people can be.

Government plans to filter New Zealand Internet

freitasm — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:45 Y

I am a member of the InternetNZ and I have just been reading its internal mailing list about the frightening possibility of Internet filtering coming to New Zealand, courtesy of our Department of Internal Affairs.

There's a good FAQ on Internet Filtering in New Zealand out there and I will quote a couple of items:

New Zealand’s censorship laws forbid viewing or owning certain types of material (e.g. depictions of bestiality or sex with children) and this applies to material accessed over the internet too.

At this moment it [New Zealand] does not [have Internet filtering]. However, the Department of Internal Affairs ran a trial internet filtering scheme in conjunction with Ihug, Watchdog, Maxnet and TelstraClear in 2007/2008 and is planning to fully implement it in 2009/2010.

[There is now ["Internet Filtering Law"]. [The filtering] it is being done under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993. This gives the responsibility for enforcement to the Department of Internal Affairs.

The scheme is currently voluntary for the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) as there is no law to force them to use it.

The filter is applied at the level of the IP address but it is common for a web server to host multiple websites on a single IP address. All requests to a website on one of the filtered IP addresses will be diverted to the DIA’s server.

ISPs can choose whether to subscribe to it or not. The only way [for a person] to opt-out of the filtering is by switching to an ISP that doesn’t implement it. ISPs that have implemented it so far have not provided a way to opt out of it.

The list of sites is manually compiled by DIA officers. They will update the list monthly and only after the review and agreement of a few officers.

Initially they plan to filter any website carrying child abuse related material.

Here is a series of questions sent to the DIA under the Official Information Act 2002 with respective answers.

I personally don't like the idea of a government body overseeing what I can read. It's my personal believes that prevent me visiting websites that carry this kind of material.

What really worries me is that it looks like there isn't an oversight of this process, there isn't a publicly available list of blacklisted websites, and no guarantees that a secret meeting between government agencies wouldn't in the future add other "categories" to this list.

Internet filtering gives the government - any government - the resources they need or want to prevent people connecting to each other by the means of the Internet, one of the most liberating tools available to its citizens.

If you are a grown up you don't need a nanny state to tell you what you can read or not. You know you shouldn't be reading or trading this kind of material. If you still decide to access, promote and distribute any objectionable material, then feel free to join these other offenders.

If you have kids at home there are software - such as the free Microsoft Windows Live Family Safety - that allows you to help them stay away from objectionable material, while you, responsible parent, educate them on how to use the Internet sensibly.

But I don't think a government should tell me what I can see or read because of some criminals who have no common sense.

Burning books was bad. Breaking the Internet may be worse.

Browser wars: Internet Explorer 6 is not going away

freitasm — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:41 Y

A few months back I posted that Firefox was the #1 browser here on Geekzone for the first ever, with Microsoft Internet Explorer coming second.

Of course I expected a bigger number of Firefox (and other browsers) users because of the more tech savvy audience we have - I bet Internet Explorer is way ahead of Firefox in more mainstream New Zealand websites such as Trade Me, Stuff and the NZ Herald for example.

I've looked at the stats again this month and found out that of more than 2.1 million unique visitors in the last three month period, Internet Explorer is again ahead of Firefox. Could it be because of the number of people using Windows 7 RC for testing?

Interesting to see Google Chrome coming up so quickly on Safari.

What really surprised me though is that of those 900,000 unique visitors using Internet Explorer in that same three months, the number of Internet Explorer 6 users is practically the same, with Internet Explorer 8 gaining over Internet Explorer 7 mainly:

This is about 200,000 people visiting Geekzone every three months that still have Internet Explorer 6 as their main browser. I'd again guess this percentage is probably higher on those other mainstream sites.

Does people update their Windows PCs, at all?

Linkification v43

RedJungle — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 23:01 Y

News / Web Happenings:

Feedback: Geekzone Mobile
Putting together the pieces of Microsoft's "big announcement" next Monday - Looks like MS may be about to announce 'Office Web'
VLC Portable 1.0 Puts Multi-Format Playing on Thumb Drives
Google Releasing Chrome Operating System
Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS
What's wrong with Telco pricing and how to fix it
Sources: Google OS lives (and it'scoming to a netbook near you)
Gmail, Google Calendar, Docs, and Talk Leave Beta
VLC Hits 1.0 with Better Playback and File Support
Google adds real estate search to Google Maps in New Zealand
Windows 7 release to manufacturing reportedly on track for July 13th

FAIL of the week:

Dump Truck Fail

Google Chrome OS announced

juha — Wed, 8 Jul 2009 05:48 Y

The competition for Microsoft just heated up considerably, with the Google announcing that it intends to release an operating system aimed initially at Netbooks in the second half of next year. Google Chrome OS is the somewhat unimaginative name, and it's supposed to be fast, simple and secure.

"It should just work" might end up being Google VP Sundar Pichai and Engineering Director Linus Epson's famous last words but judging by the Chrome browser and Android mobile OS, the search engine giant should be able to produce something worthwhile.

While Chrome OS is supposed to have a minimalist user interface, it'll be curious to see what kind of windowing system Google intends to use with a Linux kernel.

Also, how will Google solve some of the thorny issues facing Linux device drivers that have to load binary non-open source driver BLOBs, for things like hardware accelerated 3D?

Looking at the larger picture, a Google OS could pique the interest of anti-monopoly regulators, especially if it will be closely tied in with Google webapps - making it Open Source should circumvent that though, but an Internet experience that's Google all the way from boot-up to the advertising and information that's presented to you in the Google browser does seem a little bit constricting.

The announcement seems to say the OS will be extremely web-centric, and potentially boot straight into a browser. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't know if I like the thought of that...

Update Mauricio made an interesting point earlier - Chrome OS might be ad supported. In fact, it's a reasonably safe bet it will be that, in some form or the other. That's a whole new kettle of fish, and one that could be controversial for regulatory reasons.

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: