Gaming Accessories: What You Really Need to Game Like a Pro

Gaming Accessories (Source: TechChai)

Gaming is a fun pastime for many, and whether you have been a gamer for years or just getting into it, there are a few things you need to get the best out of the experience. It does not matter if your game of choice is a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game or a first person shooter (FPS). There are common needs with each type of game...

[News] Apple will start to sell new iMacs this Friday

Apple's new, thin iMac!

Apple has finally announced today that it will begin selling its new range of iMacs this coming Friday. They will be available on 30th November. The smaller version of the iMac - 21.5 inches will be available online at their store - www.apple.co.nz - from Friday with starting prices at $1,999, whereas the larger 27 inch iMac will be available for pre-order, also from this Friday, at a starting price of $2,799, but won't start shipping until next month. We are not sure why exactly as Apple hasn't told us yet, but we'd guess is that they either don't have enough parts for the iMac, or that "something wasn't quite ready for Prime-time just yet."

[Review] HDHomeRun Dual DVB-T Tuner

HDHomeRun Dual DVB-T HDTV

Have you ever had the problem where you wanted to watch another channel on your TV but someone is hogging that one and only TV? Well don't fret, Silicon's HDHomeRun device has come to the rescue! This device is available for purchase in New Zealand from Nicegear!

[News] 4TB Western Digital Desktop Hard Drive Available Now

WD releases 4TB desktop hard drive

Yesterday, Western Digital announced a new, larger spaced capacity of 4TB to be available on its high performance WD Black desktop drive.

The Difference between Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom

Comparison between Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom   (Image Source: www.DigitalTrends.com)

When learning about photography, there are a lot of unfamiliar terms that can make or break the outcome of your photos. Understanding all of those terms, especially the ones needed before buying a camera, can be tricky. Here, we are making it a little bit easier by explaining the difference between optical and digital zoom.

[News] Samsung New Zealand Launches GALAXY Camera

Samsung GALAXY Camera launches in New Zealand!

Samsung New Zealand is launching the Galaxy Camera. This device is an advanced camera plus Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS integrated together with connectivity options of 3G and Wi-Fi. This is Samsung's first device to feature a camera to combine the features of a smartphone, except without the 'phone' part.

[News] Facebook's "Share" Button Now Available on Android and iOS

"I Like" this new Share button on the Facebook app for mobile!

Before, when you were looking at a photo, via your smartphone on Facebook and had the urge to 'share' to your friends, you would either have to log on to your computer, or browse Facebook on your smartphone via the browser. But now, Facebook Developers have just released an update for it [Facebook], which allows you to share your favourite photos with your friends and with just a simple 'tap' on your News Feed. The released version is version 5.2 and is available for both Android and iOS.

[News] iOS 6's App Store Should Be Getting Google Maps Very Soon!

Google is now putting in the final touches for its Maps for iOS 6

Since Apple ditched Google's Maps application for iOS 6, Google has been frantically making a new Maps app for iOS. Google has supposedly distributed a beta test version of its iOS Maps app to some beta testers outside of the company. We would now think that a submission to the App Store is getting closer and closer; exact date is still unknown. Google is now applying finishing touches to the app.

ASB's Visa PayWave....Any Use For It?

Contactless Technology

Normally, I would've thought that retailers would've caught up with technology by now... For example: Introduced PayWave (also known as Contactless) terminals that ASB's visa cards are currently supporting for quick and effortless payments of up to $80. But no they [retailers] haven't. It's been over a year now since ASB have introduced their new chip-card system. In fact, the only retailer I know as of now, supporting the ASB's PayWave technology, is the Albany Kmart. I'm not sure if the other branches support it though. But still, that is a mere one store that does support PayWave.

[News] Android 4.1 Jelly Bean lineup for Samsung - S3, Note 10.1 and Note

Upcoming Jelly Bean for Samsung Devices

A few weeks ago, Samsung released Android's Jelly Bean to the Galaxy S3. Today Sammy is releasing Jelly Bean for the Note 10.1 in Germany! Us NZer's should see it soon!

[Video] Boxee Box Hands-On Review (Techno Buffalo)

Below is a video (thanks to Techno Buffalo) of a review on D-Link's Boxee Box! Check it out!

[News] Apple Issues Samsung Apology on its UK Website

Apple's apology letter to Samsung

After all these months of "Apple vs Samsung, "Samsung vs Apple" court battles, it has been found that one of the judgments made against Samsung was wrong. This resulted in Apple requiring to make an "apology" to Samsung, requested by a U.K judge. Read on for more...

[News] Samsung's Galaxy S3 now Surpasses the 30 Million Sold Mark

Samsung Galaxy S3's 30 million sales mark!

Early September was when Samsung announced its 20 million sales mark. Now the company has sold more than 30 million devices since its release day back in May! Just two days after releasing sales figures on one of their newest devices - Galaxy Note 2, which has sold more than 3 million devices so far, Samsung must be proud of their numbers!

[News] Windows Phone 8 to be Launched Tomorrow!

Windows Phone 8

Microsoft will unveil its Windows Phone 8 platform in San Francisco tomorrow. This event comes after the official release of Windows 8 platform. We will update you with what's to come tomorrow.

[News] Google's October 29 Event for Android Has Been Cancelled

Google's October 29 Event Cancelled

Google's supposed-to-be major Android event scheduled for tomorrow (NZT) in New York was cancelled over the weekend due to the disaster - Hurricane Sandy. The storm has already killed a lot of people in the Caribbean, which has been nicknamed "Frankenstorm".
The Verge reports that the event was going to take place on a waterfront pier in the city, which has now turned into a evacuation zone.

[News] Windows Phone Marketplace surges in Apps, now over 126,000!

Windows Phone Marketplace

Microsoft's Windows Phone Marketplace is now home to more than 126,000 applications with a daily rate of more than 215 apps being added every day. Out of those 126,000 apps, 113,170 are able to be downloaded across 60 countries (101,517 are currently live in the US Marketplace), according to AAWP (All About Windows Phone). The Windows Phone Marketplace (back then it was called Marketplace) launched in late 2010 along with the then-new Windows Phone 7.

[News] Comparison between Apple iPad Mini vs Google Nexus 7 coming soon!

As you may know Apple has just announced the iPad mini this morning. Apple claims that it will be out for sale on the 2nd November but you can pre-order from this Friday. (Including us New Zealanders!!)

Amazon Kindle Page

                                                   

                                                        We now support purchases through Amazon!

[News] Remembering Steve Jobs...

Steve Jobs... and the first iPhone!

Yesterday (Time Zone differences)... was when Steve Jobs passed away one year ago..

[News] Tim Cook apologizes for buggy Maps - "It Fell Short"

The icon on Apple's homepage

Apple CEO Tim Cook has posted a letter online 3 days ago, on the Apple website saying they are "extremely sorry" about the buggy Maps application and all the drama that has been unfolding over the past few weeks about it. Apple replaced the Google Maps application for its own-baked version of Maps, which was built-in to iOS 6.

[Review] Logitech Wireless Wave Combo MK550

Logitech Wireless Wave Combo MK550

As I type up this review with the Logitech Wireless Wave Keyboard, I feel the ergonomic shape of the keyboard, and not to mention, the comfortableness. The keyboard also has a cushioned palm rest which makes typing up this review a breeze! The keyboard may seem a bit bulky at first glance, but once you feel the spacious keys and features it has to offer, I'll bet you'll make room on your desk for it!

[News] Want to buy an iPhone 5? Read on!

iPhone 5!

In less than an hour's time, you will be able to get your hands on an iPhone 5 New Zealanders! (If you're lucky enough!)

[News] An Annoying Bug in the Apple! (iOS 6, Apparently fixed)

iOS 6 WiFi Bug

There have been multiple tips regarding a bug in users' WiFi after several hours of installing Apple's new iOS 6. A now-long discussion thread on Apple's help forum had also been created as well as tweets about the problem on Twitter.

[News] Google releases new Maps update for Android as iOS 6 releases

Google Maps

Apple's new iOS 6 release means no more Maps (or YouTube). Those two services/products offered by Google has been in Apple's mobile operating system since the launch of the first iPhone 5 years ago in 2007!

[News] Apple's iOS 6 has been released!

Apple's iOS 6

Apple's new and refreshed iOS 6 has now been officially released and is now available for download for your iDevices.

[Video] Apple's Keynote is now up on their website

The 6th generation of Apple's iPhones

As if you haven't already heard, today is the day for all Apple fans! Apple fans have rejoiced over the new iPhone - iPhone 5: the biggest thing to happen to iPhone since iPhone.

[Videos] Apple's iPhone 5 Official Video Clip

Here is a link to Apple's newest generation iPhone 5 Official Video Clip. Enjoy.

[LIVE] Apple iPhone 5 Event Live Coverage

[News & Video] Samsung Galaxy Note II Unpacked Event August 2012

Samsung UNPACKED event August 2012

The successor to its original Galaxy Note, was unveiled two days ago (Thursday NZT) at a Samsung UNPACKED event in Berlin. After the break, you can re-watch the whole event again, if you want to experience it while live-blogging, or just want to watch the event again!
A Note: You may want to put the kettle on first and make yourself a nice coffee! Enjoy and leave a comment down below about what you think of the newly announced Galaxy Note II and will you be buying this new bad-boy!

[Video] Samsung UNPACKED 2012 Note 2 Teaser Clip

Only two more weeks to go until Samsung "unpacks" its latest phone, which will most likely be the Note 2, the Galaxy Note successor. But today, Samsung has released a new video teaser for its IFA show. Director Wim Wenders is starring the trailer, and stating "all the things you can do in the blink on the eye, on such a small and light thing." But by that "small and light thing", I hope Sammy won't change the screen size to under 5.3" because that is the main selling point - the big display and its specialized stylus! There is a small glimpse of the new stylus in the video, but that is all. See for yourself down below after the break!

[News] Samsung unveils Exynos 5 Dual-core Mobile Processor

Samsung Exynos Processor

Yesterday, Friday, Samsung officially unveiled its next chip-processor - the Exynos 5 Dual processor. The current Exynos 4 Quad processor is currently powering Samsung's latest flagship - Samsung Galaxy S3. The new processor is packed with alot of new, sweet goodies!

[News] YouTube app to be demolished on Apple's iOS 6

YouTube app dead for Apple's iOS 6

That's Right! You read it! Apple will not be including a specific YouTube app in iOS 6. This may be due to the course that Apple's licensing deal with Google has expired. But Apple may be secretly happy about that!

[News] Another event (Samsung) to 'mark in your diaries' - August 30 (NZT)

Samsung's Unpacked Event on August 30th (NZT) [The above date is GMT+1, Berlin]

Here is another "UNPACKED" event coming up from Samsung (obviously, as whenever the word "unpacked" is used in an event, it is usually Samsung). This event has been confirmed by an anonymous Samsung representative to Reuters and the event will take place at a Samsung Mobile Unpacked event in Berlin on August 30th at 6am (NZT), just two days before the IFA electronics show.

[News] An Apple event to 'mark in your diaries' - September 12

An Apple Event

In my last post I talked about the possibility of Apple's iPhone 5 implementing an 8-pin dock connector. Well we should be able to know for sure on (or around the date) September 12. Apple is expected to hold a special event on the week of September 12. We are presuming that this might be the event for the long-awaited iOS device - the Next Gen iPhone 5.

[News] Apparently, iPhone 5 will feature a 8-pin Dock Connector and maybe a Sync-Up with Bluetooth 4

Reportedly iPhone 5 with 8-pin Dock Connector

Recently, we have heard from reports that the iPhone 5 and future iPads will have a 19-pin Dock Connector that will replace the existing 30-pin connectors. Apparently not. iLounge claims that Apple will put in an amazingly small 8-pin dock connector instead.

[News] What devices will get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean?

Jelly Bean Android 4.1

It has just been over one month since the official announcement of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The mobile operating system's source code has been released a couple of weeks back already, so it makes sense for us to believe that "Jelly Bean" updates should be following? Well we have a list (quite a short one though as not many manufacturers have confirmed with the media..) of smartphones officially confirmed to receive the new Jelly Bean update and another list of those that we assume will get the update.

[News] Samsung plans "major" Galaxy event, but it's not a phone

On July 21 here in NZ, Samsung had sent out a "Save the Date" message to the press, addressing a mystery major event on the 'Galaxy' lineup, planned to be on August 15 at 10AM EST (3AM NZ Time; most people  in NZ would be in bed then..).

[News] Steve Jobs Would Be Proud: How Apple Won The War Against Flash

Picture Source: MobileJacker

Steve Jobs would definitely be proud! On Thursday 28 June, Adobe did an extraordinary thing! The company announced in a blog post that it would discontinue the use of Flash Player for devices running Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It also said it would pull the plugin from the Google Play store on August 15, just less than a month away from today!   Read on for more!

[News] New iPad along the way??

There might be a new iPad coming out soon! Apple is reportedly modifying the new iPad to feature a different battery and LCD back-lighting scheme, making this device a lot less 'hot' than what it is currently with the new iPad and are also modifying the dimensions to make it just about as thin as the iPad 2. This new model should hit before the holiday season at the end of the year, and it may launch alongside the iPad mini that is currently being rumored about.

[News] Dropbox Pro Users Get Double the Space for the Same Price!

Do you find yourself running out of cloud storage space fast? Do you also want a reliable cloud storage provider as well? Well if you answered yes to both those questions.. read on!

[News] Official ICS for NZ Galaxy Note Owners should be just round the corner...

My Galaxy Note ICS Update (Android 4.0.3)

Hello guys, You might've seen me on Youtube talk about how there was still no Ice Cream Sandwich update for my Galaxy Note and that I was not happy about it, well, not anymore! New Zealand Samsung Galaxy Note owners should finally be receiving their Ice Cream Sandwich updates within the week or two. I have just received my update through Samsung Kies, but it did not show up through OTA, so try checking for a new firmware using the Kies software.

[Video] Galaxy Note-No Ice Cream Sandwich Update in NZ!

In this video I talk about my mood for no ICS update available yet for NZ Galaxy Notes.
As you can see I am not very happy about it.... and I can imagine you guys aren't either!

[Overview] A CRAZY Dyson DC23 Vacuum Cleaner Review

Here I do a Crazy overview of the Dyson DC23 Vacuum Cleaner!

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[News] We have a Youtube Channel!

Hey guys, I have just started a Youtube Channel and the link is down below!! The Videos will feature unboxings, reviews, and anything tech, or anything tech that has a chip in it! We try to make at least one video per week.

Check it out and Subscribe!

http://adf.ly/ARQ4r

[Review] Samsung Galaxy Note (GT-N7000)

White Samsung Galaxy Note (N7000)

Hello everyone, today we have the beautiful white Samsung Galaxy Note to review. I have been using this device for about a month now, and from the start it has not felt like a very large phone/tablet (phablet) to me, although I have dropped it twice on hard concrete -Ouch! (It has a small dent in the bezel) because of the device falling out of my track-pants pockets. Hehe. But the phone does fit into my pocket without any issues from sitting down etc. The white headphones included was a very good set. I really enjoyed them as they had a silicon-feature that acts as 'noise-cancelling' headphones. Guess what happened to them? I broke them while trying to sit down on the bus! As most of you would say, that is very clumsy!

[News] Apple's WWDC 2012 Live Keynote

Tim Cook speaking at WWDC 2012

Welcome to Apple's WWDC 2012 Conference at the Moscone Center. Here was the live events going on down in the Moscone Center this morning..

[News] Google unveils 3D cities in Google Earth

Google has announced another new feature - 3D cityscapes in Google Earth. This announcement was made on June 6, 2012. It comes right before Apple's most famous event - WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference). This announcement will be seen as a pre-emptive strike against Apple's event coming up this week, one of the things which is expected to announce that it is ditching Google Maps in favor of its own mapping system and services in its upcoming iOS 6 software.

WWDC Highlights At the End of Each Day

As most of you already know, Apple's WWDC 2012 event is coming up this week. At NZ TechBlog, we will be summarising the new gadgets and software showcased at WWDC, and will be posting to you about it at the end of each day for the 5 days.

Subscribe to our feed for daily updates at WWDC 2012!

[News] Dropbox confirms Galaxy S3 won't include 50GB storage on AT&T and Verizon

Dropbox has informed us that not all carriers in the US are offering the deal of 50GB storage with the Galaxy S3, with AT&T and Verizon being amongst one of them. This has been confirmed on Dropbox's support pages. Lucky for us folks here in New Zealand, Samsung and Dropbox will be offering 50GB of free online storage for purchasers of the Galaxy S3. The offer will last for 2 years.

If you are a customer in the US who was hoping for the free storage from Dropbox, or that was one of the reasons that swung the pendulum in your favour, drop us a line down below to share your disappointment!

[News] Galaxy S3 changes pin layout, incompatible with previous MHL adapters

Galaxy S3's new MHL Adapter

If you have bought a Galaxy S III and plan on showing it on your big screen with your friends, you'd better write down on your shopping list to purchase a new MHL dongle.

[News] Google Maps is Finally Going Offline!

Google has announced in their Meeting on June 6th, that it will be taking Maps offline, right down to the Street View detail. Read more for details...

[News] Official ICS starts rolling out for Galaxy Note! (About Time!)

The Galaxy Note is currently in the process of being updated to ICS! This is an exciting event, but also a very depressing time! Samsung has taken forever!! to roll out the update! There has been many obstacles in the way of Samsung releasing that update! But finally it has started rolling out.  Read on for more info!

[News] Forget the Galaxy S3, The Galaxy Note 2 is what I want!

A Rumored-Concept of the Galaxy Note 2

Hello and welcome back guys, to a fresh new edition of NZ TechBlog! I have been away on holiday and now have come back! I am now catching up to all the latest news again and here is my first post! Now as I think about it, I will not buy the Galaxy S3 (This device hardly impressed me! but then again, S-Voice apk is now leaked out and I've yet to try it out), but wait till the Galaxy Note 2 comes out (if it will, but rumors are predicting it should be on the cards of Samsung) and hopefully that device will impress techies like me!

The Samsung Galaxy S3 was without a doubt the most hyped Android smartphone of 2012. However when it was officially unveiled, it was definitely met with mixed reactions.

We got the 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display and even the quad-core processor, however speculations of a 12-megapixel camera, ceramic case and 2GB RAM were shot down, basically kicking the S3 off its pedestal.

[News] UPDATED: Samsung Galaxy S3 Announced!

The Samsung Galaxy S3 was brought before our eyes early morning [4th of May] NZT. The event was held at London's Earls Court. It seems that Samsung has focused more on the "Software" point of view, instead of the "Hardware" point of view as well. From what I have seen and read on Facebook, not many people are liking the design of it. People are 'over-hyping it'.

[Competition] Win an HTC One X

Want to win a HTC One X? Read more....

[News] Samsung Galaxy S3 is all accessorized up!

The Galaxy S3 is definitely the 'Star' of the Unpacked Event today. There were quite some accessories up for grabs. Up for offer will be a variety of goods including a flip cover, battery-charging stand, spare battery, car dock, metallic docking stand and an HDMI adaptor. More of the interesting accessories are the AllCast wireless dongle, a Wireless Charging Kit and a S-pebble MP3 player that goes well with Samsung's Music Hub app's scan and match feature.

We will have photos up for you soon! Stay Tuned!

[Video] Samsung Galaxy S3 TV Commercial

The New Samsung Galaxy S3 has arrived! Above is Samsung's Galaxy S3 TV Commercial. We will be having a look at the Galaxy S3 soon!!

[News] RIM unveils Blackberry 10 Prototype

Research In Motion's new chief executive has unveiled a new BlackBerry smartphone prototype powered by a re-imagined operating system - the software the company has pinned its future on.

Thorsten Heins, who took the CEO job in January, on Tuesday revealed features of the BlackBerry 10 operating system running on a prototype device at the company's BlackBerry World conference in Orlando.

He provided no update on the software's launch date.

[News] Apple WWDC 2012

Apple's WWDC 2012 starts on June 11 and goes on for 4 days. Announced on April 25 2012, the WWDC extravaganza had sold out in just two hours as 5000 developers made-up $1,600 each to attend the event. The company has made a cool $8 million. So, what can we expect from this year's show? Read on for more info!

[News] Windows Live SkyDrive client released ; account upgrades available

Microsoft has released a Windows Live SkyDrive client for Windows and Mac. I have just downloaded this off their website, and it shows up in your library on Windows Explorer. Since your computer is connected to the internet, the files will always be readily available on all your devices (that you have set up SkyDrive with) anytime.