From the category archives:

Technology & Gadget Reviews

Listen To Audible Audio Books Using Android App (Review GEARE #64)

If you spend your work hours staring at a computer screen, your eyes may be too tired to read a book after hours. But that doesn’t mean you have to be bored during the commute to and from work. Audible recently launched a free Audible Android app to simplify access to the world’s largest selection [...]

2 comments

eBook Readers and Book Publishing: Australia State of Play (GEARE #64)

Ebook readers are suddenly affordable, while the ebook market is gathering pace – even for previously poorly-served Australian readers. Read on as I turn the page on the future of literature. Think back just over three years. Amazon in the USA had just announced a new ebook reader product called the Kindle, to much excitement [...]

13 comments

RODE Video Mic Pro (review) Shotgun Top Microphone for DSLR Cameras

I’ve just bought a RODE Video Mic Pro (shotgun top mic to slot onto a Digital SLR camera) after reviewing it for the last 6 weeks, during which time I’ve been kicking myself for not getting it earlier because I’ve realised that OK quality video with good audio is far preferable to good video with [...]

1 comment

Electric Cars – The Future of Australian Motoring? (GEARE #64)

With all the buzz surrounding cars like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster, not to mention hybrid petrol-electrics like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, you’d think that electricity-powered cars were a relatively recent innovation. But you’d be wrong. They may be touted as the future of personal transport, but electric [...]

12 comments

Android Attack: History of Google Powered Smartphones and Tablets (GEARE #63)

We always knew it would be quick when the Androids landed. Google’s operating system for mobile devices was officially launched just over 3 years ago, but is already outselling all others in some markets thanks to a variety of manufacturers, prices and implementations. Are these the droids we are looking for… I write short articles [...]

14 comments

Evolving IPTV Poses Worldwide Challenge To Incumbent Broadcast TV Networks

Like it or not, thanks to the rapid spread of internet access and constantly evolving consumer electronics the media industry lives in interesting times. This decade is an inflection point where changes in technology and the media are happening with potentially as great an impact as the introduction of broadcast TV and radio last century. [...]

2 comments

HTC Desire Z Telstra NEXTG Compatible QWERTY Keyboard Android Phone (Mobicity Review)

The NEXTG Compatible HTC Desire Z sold by importers Mobicity.com.au is the only real choice for Australians who want a modern Android Phone with a QWERTY slideout Keyboard that is fully compatible with the Telstra mobile network. I’ve been testing it on loan from Mobicity for several weeks and apart from being a bit heavier [...]

2 comments

2011 Year of the Tablet-iPad, Android, Blackberry, Mobile Apps and Connectivity – Business Spectator Webinar

I was recently a guest expert for a Business Spectator webinar about 2011 possibly being the Year of the Tablet: discussing hardware like the iPad, Google Android, Blackberry as well as Mobile Apps and Connectivity … all in the context of how Australian organisations and their employees can use these to be more effective and [...]

9 comments

Mobile Games and Lolcats: Ways To Relax and Unwind or Waste of Time and Cognitive Surplus?

Is it a tragic waste of time & cognitive surplus that people spend so much time on mobile and online social games like Farmville, Angry Birds, Lolcats etc? Opinions are mixed with claims that people are spending too much time playing games that program humans into machines which respond automatically to stimuli and others arguing [...]

2 comments

Kogan Elite 100Hz LED 32 inch TV Review KGNFHDLED32

I recently bought a Kogan 32″ Full HD 100Hz LED sidelit TV with USB PVR functionality to replace my old Kogan 32″ LCD TV because the new LED TV looks better, is much thinner, has lots more connection ports including 4 HDMI, can record digital TV to a USB drive, uses 40% less power and [...]

2 comments

Harvey Norman Margin Over 60% Percent – Frustrated Technology Manufacturer Speaks Out

The fat margins of Australia’s few major consumer electronics retailers and product distributors are causing companies who actually make the products to tear their hair out in frustration after constant attacks from customers who compare local prices to those in the USA or UK and say they’re being rorted. I’ve watched discussions amongst Australian customers [...]

12 comments

Android 2.2 Speeds up Samsung Galaxy S Phone, Adds Free Navigon GPS Turn By Turn

I’ve tested a Samsung Galaxy S phone with Android 2.2 on it for a few weeks and can confirm that the random slowdown issues I noted when I first reviewed it are almost gone and tried the very useful Navigon GPS Turn by Turn navigation app worth $60 which Samsung has kindly included for free [...]

8 comments

My 2010 Top 5 Technology Product and Gadget Awards

I reviewed a lot of consumer electronics technology products and gadgets in 2010 but the ones which impressed me most were not the flagship high end premium products but 5 products all priced under $AUS200 which offered tremendous value for money. $199 Sony BDP-S370: Bluray DVD Player, Internet Video, Plays Network Shared Files DLNA I [...]

5 comments

Personalise iPhones Laptops Gadgets with SmirkAbout Skins (Review)

Gadgets like iPhones, Laptops, ebook readers etc tend to be grey, black or white in colour which is not visually appealing and means it can be easy to mix them up if you have the same gadgets as friends or family members. That’s why I use SmirkAbout skins on my HTC Desire phone, Lenovo laptop [...]

2 comments

ABC iView and Online Evolution: Technology & Strategies to Meet Changing Audience Needs

I’ve been closely watching for years as the TV, Radio and Online divisions of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have dealt with changes in audience needs/wants and technological advances in how people consume and communicate with the media. The Online and Innovation teams have achieved a lot since the first ABC websites in the mid-late [...]

4 comments

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