APC - Author

DEAL HUNTER: $796, Core 2 Duo, Win 7 notebook

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:30:23 GMT

IN BRIEF | We spotted a good bargain on a well specced -- and well priced -- Core 2 Duo notebook that qualifies for a Windows 7 upgrade.

LIVE: Windows 7 launch

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:46:58 GMT

APC is at the Microsoft Windows 7 launch this morning -- but you can be too, with a live video feed.

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: Amazon Kindle -- in Australia!

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:35:25 GMT

HUGE PHOTO GALLERY | We've got it in our hot little hands -- the first 'international' Kindle.

Fancy a 3.2GHz quad-core notebook?

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:49:03 GMT

Intel has officially announced its long awaited "Clarksfield" quad-core notebook CPU, with the ability to automatically overclock to 3.2GHz.

Intel shows 22nm chips for the first time

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:16:15 GMT

Two words, spoken with a strong John Cleese, bad French accent: "wafer-thin!!!"

Intel Atom-based car stereos coming

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:34:19 GMT

Intel says the next big push for Atom CPUs will be into car entertainment, with Mercedes and BMW first to take them up.

Intel to launch iPhone-style appstore

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:12:56 GMT

The appstore concept is fast spreading to PCs, with Intel launching its own iPhone-style appstore concept.

SLIDESHOW: Intel's hot new Moblin 2.1 OS

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:20:55 GMT

Intel's has taken the wraps off its Moblin 2.1 OS, a complete operating system that can run on mobile phones through to full PCs.

Netbooks bigger than iPhone, Wii: Intel

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:21:27 GMT

IDF 2009 | Intel has unveiled a major shift away from PCs in the company's IDF conference in San Francisco.

POLL: Kevin's 50% computer discount

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:00:41 GMT

The government is offering a 50% tax rebate on new computers -- are you going to do it?

Win a job with ASUS' bizarre competition

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:49:01 GMT

What's better than winning a free motherboard in a recession? Winning a job with a motherboard maker! At least, that seems to be ASUS' thinking.

Apple Snow Leopard: with added marketing fluff

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:30:25 GMT

Apple is straying into Vista marketing territory with Snow Leopard. One of its big new features: more reliable disk ejection. No, we are not kidding.

Nokia releases 3G netbook: "Booklet"

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 21:06:11 GMT

Nokia has officially announced its first ever notebook computer with 3G built in, dubbed Booklet.

ABC iView TV on demand coming to PlayStation3

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:34:37 GMT

PlayStation3 owners will soon be able to view ABC TV on demand via their TV, in a joint announcement from ABC and Sony.

Conroy to roll out WiMax to broadband blackspots

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:53:30 GMT

Despite having mothballed the previous government's $1bn OPEL WiMax network plan, Stephen Conroy has announced his great new idea: a WiMax network to cover broadband blackspots.

Top 10 most ridiculous movie tech moments

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:29:31 GMT

Hollywood. Industry of large explosions, car chases and really laughable depictions of tech in movies. Here's our top 10 worst of the worst.

Sony Ericsson: "we're greener than the rest"

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:11:21 GMT

Sony Ericsson may not be winning the battle against the iPhone, Blackberry or hundreds of Nokia models, but says there's only one choice if you want to 'buy green'.

AUDIO: Listen to this Commonwealth Bank scammer

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:13:27 GMT

A phishing scam has reached new levels with Commonwealth Bank customers targeted by fake call centres.

AWESOME: Digital radio launches in Australia

Fri, 29 May 2009 22:45:41 GMT

MASSIVE SUPERGUIDE | Digital Radio officially goes live today. Here's our massive guide on how CD quality audio over the air works.

Australia racist, backward: Sol Trujillo

Tue, 26 May 2009 13:59:50 GMT

Trujillo says "good riddance" to a country that he characterises as racist -- Kevin Rudd was even racist to him, he claims.

Optus admits slow broadband problem

Mon, 25 May 2009 22:14:00 GMT

Optus has admitted that it has been "shaping" internet connections to a slower speed than advertised.

BUDGET 2009: Rudd splashes tech cash

Tue, 12 May 2009 21:06:16 GMT

The Federal Government budget 2009 cuts in some areas that hurt, but tech has won out for once.

WARNING: diabolical fine print in Optus' new "monster caps"

Wed, 06 May 2009 12:43:08 GMT

$680 worth of calls for $49 looks like a great deal, but Optus is again using dodgy fine print to cheat customers.

NBN rollout getting started: Conroy

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:25:19 GMT

When the going gets politically tough, the NBN gets going, apparently. Senator Conroy says the government is moving quickly to get started on the fibre network in regional areas.

IceTV wins court battle with Channel 9

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:43:46 GMT

The electronic program guide provider IceTV has successfully defended itself in the lawsuit taken against it by Channel 9 for copyright infringement.

Spam a massive carbon polluter: McAfee

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:52:26 GMT

Forget electric cars. Or clean coal. Or CFL lightbulbs. The energy use to send spam could power 2.4 million homes, McAfee reckons.

Why Malcolm Turnbull wants you to drive on potholes

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:43:44 GMT

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull today slammed the Rudd Government's $43 billion national road network.

Internode "gobsmacked", iiNet welcomes FTTH network

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:20:52 GMT

Two high profile ISPs have welcomed the government's decision to scrap its fibre-to-the-node plans and build a fibre-to-the-home network instead.

BREAKING NEWS: govt to build $43bn fibre-to-the-home network

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:02:56 GMT

The Government has scrapped the fraught NBN process and will instead build its own 100Mbit/s fibre to the home network to 90% of Australians, within 5-8 years.

Conroy up for sale on eBay

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:46:21 GMT

It may be a bit late for April Fools, but Ebay member "Krudd53" has put the beleaguered Minister for Internet Censorship, Senator Stephen Conroy, up for auction.

Top 5 most useful (and little known) Firefox add-ons

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:28:05 GMT

Here's your cheat sheet on the absolute best plugins for Firefox -- that you probably don't know about.

Fake Stephen Conroy outed as Telstra staffer

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:36:05 GMT

The hilarious and prescient Fake Stephen Conroy account on Twitter has been abruptly closed, after it was revealed that the spoofer was a senior Telstra employee.

Telstra to upgrade cable to 100Mbit/s

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:50:38 GMT

Melbourne, you lucky bastards. You'll be surfing at 100Mbit/s by Christmas, according to Telstra.

Bill Gates bans iPods, iPhone at home

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 12:30:23 GMT

Microsoft supremo Bill Gates' kids have to put up with Zune and Windows Mobile, his wife has revealed.

iiNet users get free WiFi at Starbucks

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:58:14 GMT

You'll come for the WiFi, but you'll stay for the coffee. iiNet Starbucks. At least, that's how the advertising jingle could go.

Internode launches 100Mbit fibre to the home

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:14:38 GMT

Internode has unexpectedly announced a fibre-to-the-home broadband service for $49 a month. But there is a catch...

Death to voicemail: Telstra launches Voice2Text

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:38:16 GMT

Do you hate listening to voicemail and writing down the messages? Why not get someone else to do the work?

Telstra CEO's prototype mobile phone stolen

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:47:38 GMT

Telstra's CEO has been left red-faced after a pickpocket stole a prototype mobile phone with unreleased Windows Mobile 6.5 Software at 3GSM Barcelona.

Nokia to offer all-you-can-download of 4 million songs

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:28:16 GMT

Nokia has an unbelievably appealing offer coming up: unlimited downloads (to keep) from a library of over four million songs with a Nokia phone purchase.

BREAKING: Internet filter to go live… without iiNet or Optus

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:41:23 GMT

Australia's second and third largest ISPs, Optus and iiNet, won't be included in the government's internet filter test upon its launch.

Underbelly 2 episodes hit the net

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:04:59 GMT

Channel 9 is making Underbelly 2 available for download on the web straight after each episode airs.

"Scrap the internet filter, give the cash to bushfire survivors"

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:19:14 GMT

Members of the online community are calling for the government to scrap the unpopular government internet filter and give the $44 million to bushfire survivors.

Optus: free mobiles for bushfire survivors

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:19:30 GMT

Optus says it is giving out free prepaid mobile handsets loaded with $1,000 in calling credits to stranded bushfire survivors who were Optus customers.

MELTED: Telstra network damaged in bushfires

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:03:38 GMT

Telstra has seen extensive damage to its network from the wildfires that swept Victoria, and is still unable to reach many areas classified as "hotzones".

Prices may go up when 3/Vodafone merge

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:44:23 GMT

The 3/Vodafone merger may result in higher mobile pricing across the industry, says a respected telco analyst.

Vodafone and 3 to merge

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:37:52 GMT

Vodafone and 3 have announced they will merge in Australia, forming a mobile telco that can better take on Optus and Telstra. But will competition suffer?

LIVE BUSHFIRE MAPS: follow the fires online

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 16:08:06 GMT

If you or your friends/family are in Victoria, you can now check an up-to-the-minute live map of the bushfires created by Google employees.

New game lets you ditch your own plane in Hudson River

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:30:15 GMT

Think you have what it takes to ditch a crippled plane safely in the Hudson River? A new online game tests your skills.

Melbourne blackout cripples internet nationally

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:16:09 GMT

Hundreds of thousands of people have been without internet and phone calls due to a power outage in a major Melbourne data centre.

Marijuana farmers caught on Google Earth

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:43:05 GMT

Drug farmers have learned the hard way that you can smoke but you can't hide from Google's satellites.

I'll take your price and lower it: Kogan

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:30:14 GMT

Some might say Kogan was playing a dangerous poker game with his failed attempt to launch a mobile phone, but he has come back guns blazing, promising lower prices.

Two hard drives you'll absolutely drool over

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:01:44 GMT

Check out these two new hard drives: a suprisingly affordable 2TB desktop drive and a super-fast 7200RPM, 500GB notebook drive.

Classified US military secrets on MP3 player

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:38:47 GMT

A New Zealander has inadvertently gained access to US military secrets after buying an old MP3 player for $NZ18 ($14.50) from an op-shop.

Intel profit down 90%, closing five factories

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:16:46 GMT

Here's a true measure of the economic crisis: Intel, which has a near monopoly on production of CPUs, struggled to make any money at all in its last quarter.

Singapore Airlines gets iPod & iPhone support

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:54:24 GMT

Yeehaw -- finally! Singapore Airlines has installed full iPod and iPhone music and video connectivity in all classes on its newest plane.

Barack Obama refuses presidency?

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:49:54 GMT

A raft of new malware has been released to cash in on Barack Obama's inauguration as President tomorrow.

Windows 7 a dud for sight-impaired people

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:01:11 GMT

According to an analyst, Microsoft has done a slipshod job of making Windows 7 usable for vision impaired people.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Apple smashing Macs to pieces

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:56:17 GMT

EXCLUSIVE | A whistleblower has provided details of how Apple Australia orders Macs be smashed to pieces.

Obama to have high-tech inauguration ceremony

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:32:29 GMT

No expense is being spared to bring President Obama's inauguration to the world using virtually every popular technology available.

Optus convicted of spamming, fined $110,000

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:19:00 GMT

The country's second largest telco has been fined $110,000 by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for sending out spam.

Google readying Mac, Linux versions of Chrome 2.0

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:30:20 GMT

Google has a swathe of new functionality ready for Chrome 2.0, along with Mac and Linux support. Here's what's inside.

iPod plummets in Christmas gift popularity

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:41:03 GMT

MP3 players, including the Apple iPod, are out of favour as Christmas gifts this year, according to online auction site Oztion.

AUDIO: Sol Trujillo announcing Telstra NBN failure

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:21:04 GMT

Listen to Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo lambast the government for rejecting Telstra's bid to build the national broadband network.

Telstra knocked itself out of the bidding: Conroy

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:58:58 GMT

The Federal Government says Telstra excluded itself from the bidding to build the national broadband network.

BREAKING: Telstra dumped from government NBN process

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:23:29 GMT

Telstra is out of the running to build the national broadband network, after the Government's expert panel rejected the company's non-compliant bid.

The 10 sins of Senator Conroy, the blogger

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:46:03 GMT

Our beloved communication minister has launched a blog. The only problem? He appears to completely misunderstand how blogs work.

Telstra Next G network hit by software glitch

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:23:13 GMT

Telstra execs may have been rubbing their hands in glee at Optus' 3G misfortunes, but now its own Next G network has been hit by a software glitch.

BREAKING: First Australian Android phone revealed

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:02:41 GMT

Have you been waiting for that sexy Google Android phone OS to hit the streets? The wait is almost over...

Banned iPhone ad shown in Australia

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:39:14 GMT

Did you buy the iPhone based on promises of "really fast' 3G, only to find it was a dog speed-wise? You've been sucked in by iPhone ads, banned overseas for false advertising.

"Beauty machine" can make you sexier

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:40:15 GMT

Ever wished you looked a bit more like Brad Pitt or Scarlet Johansson? New software is the answer. PLUS: what Kevin Rudd & Julia Gillard look like run through the machine

Internode inks Telstra ADSL2+ wholesale deal

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:27:10 GMT

Internode has announced it will soon be reselling Telstra ADSL2+ services, giving it broader coverage than Telstra itself.

Tourists shot after following GPS directions

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:17:43 GMT

Three tourists have been shot at, after their GPS navigator guided them into a notorious slum ruled by drug traffickers.

Defiant iiNet to launch Tivo-killer broadband PVR

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:08:41 GMT

Despite facing a massive lawsuit from movie and TV production studios, iiNet says it will launch an IPTV service with a difference.

God's wicked sense of humour on Facebook

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:56:13 GMT

Whether you're christian, atheist, buddhist or whatever — it seems you can now befriend God on Facebook. And he has a wicked sense of humour.

Why iiNet will probably lose the piracy lawsuit

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:31:29 GMT

A look at the Copyright Act suggests the movie and TV industry have an unfortunately strong case against iiNet. PLUS: Read the court documents yourself.

Internode launches Ultra Naked

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:47:27 GMT

Just when you thought ISPs couldn't strip off any more costs, Internode hands us a big fig leaf...

15 reasons Macs are still better than Windows PCs

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:47:33 GMT

With Windows 7 coming up, it's time to yet again ponder on whether Microsoft has the upper hand in operating systems. Here's 15 reasons it doesn't.

Internode brings soft, hackable broadband geek toy to Australia

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:29:53 GMT

If the idea of the internet connected toaster piques your interest, check out this amazing little squishy toy/appliance being released by broadband ISP Internode.

Virgin Broadband pulled from general retailers

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:53:55 GMT

Virgin Mobile has pulled its wireless broadband service — provided via the Optus 3G mobile network — from general retailers like Dick Smith.

Say G'day to Fake Steve Conroy

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:17:15 GMT

Whether you think Senator "clean feed" Conroy is a twit or a visionary, you can now follow his every move on Twitter.

Google CEO in line for Obama tech guru role

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:03:38 GMT

Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who campaigned for US President Elect Barack Obama, may be in line for the tech chief spot on Obama's team.

Why I switched to Telstra

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:10:26 GMT

OPINION | I think Optus' 3G network is just screwed, to be honest.

What recession? Apple sales soar on iPhone 3G

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:42:48 GMT

The world may be in financial crisis, but Apple's sales are soaring, said CEO Steve Jobs, who also revealed Apple is now the world's third largest mobile phone maker.

NAMED AND SHAMED: the most complained-about ISPs

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:44:54 GMT

The results are in: the top 10 ISPs in Australia. But they won't exactly be popping champagne corks.

Telstra chops wireless broadband prices - again!

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:15:27 GMT

Telstra has scrapped excess usage fees and bumped up download allowances on a selection of its Next G mobile broadband plans.

Top 10 things you didn't know about the new MacBook

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:33:06 GMT

We've had one of the new MacBooks for 24 hours and have discovered some interesting secrets hiding within...

Bose releases iPhone-compatible headphone cords

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:27:45 GMT

Now, cords wouldn't normally rate a mention...

BigPond: talk to a computer, then the Philippines

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:09:20 GMT

Telstra BigPond customers with technical problems can look forward to talking to a computer for 10 minutes before speaking to someone in the Philippines.

DOUBLE THE PRICE: Optus hikes wireless charges

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:23:59 GMT

Optus has hiked the prices of its prepaid wireless broadband service -- up to double the price on some plans -- just weeks after launching the service.

Inside Google's mobile phone: new details of Android

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:54:09 GMT

EXCLUSIVE | Google reveals new details about its Android mobile phone OS, including why it will be better than other phones.

"Chrome is the auto-defrost fridge of browsers": Google

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:07:45 GMT

That's just one of the interesting comments made by Google's Chrome browser development chief in a chat with APC this morning by video link from California.

People Telecom first to start reselling Telstra ADSL2+

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:07:14 GMT

People Telecom has started reselling Telstra ADSL2+ at prices that undercut Telstra's own pricing, with coverage across 900 exchanges.

iPrimus announces 12GB mobile broadband

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:09:52 GMT

OPINION | iPrimus has announced a mobile broadband package with enough data to displace ADSL broadband services. But will the service quality be adequate? Probably not.

Internode triples ADSL2+ coverage area

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:31:12 GMT

Internode has announced it will no longer follow Telstra's restrictive rules about ADSL line length in areas where it has its own ADSL2+ DSLAMs installed in exchanges.

HP 2133 competition winners announced!

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:38:32 GMT

After a marathon readathon of 270 amazing APC reader reviews — we have 10 deserving winners!!

It's a miracle! BigPond slashes wireless prices

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:05:21 GMT

It was miraculous enough when Telstra's controversial PR chief Phil Burgess announced he was leaving; now Telstra has dropped pricing on wireless broadband significantly.

Virgin Mobile's iPhone plans offer up to 5GB

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:11:27 GMT

If you thought Three's unofficial iPhone plans were impressive, you'll be amazed at Optus-owned Virgin Mobile's new iPhone plans.

Telstra revamps iPhone plans

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:34:08 GMT

Telstra has done a rare about-face on its poor-value iPhone plans, which allowed arch-rival Optus, with its far better plans, sign up customers by the thousand.

Three will pay you to buy an iPhone from Optus

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:40:04 GMT

The telco spurned by Apple so far -- Three -- has announced tasty plans for iPhone users who bring their own 3G handset.

XP still killing Vista in sales volume: HP

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:42:07 GMT

Business PC buyers are still overwhelmingly opting for XP, computer giant HP has revealed.

Apple: stop changing the F$#%ing iPod connector!!!

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:53:02 GMT

Will your $500 iPod speakers work with your iPhone 3G? Don't count on it.

What's included and excluded: Optus Timeless unlimited mobile plans

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:30:34 GMT

What's the catch with Optus' new unlimited mobile plans? We interviewed Optus consumer marketing chief Michael Smith to find out.

Optus introduces unlimited mobile plans, 2GB iPhone plan

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:25:13 GMT

EXCLUSIVE | Now you can really dump your home phone: Optus has revealed a range of new unlimited mobile plans.

PHOTOS: crazy iPhone queues

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:03:06 GMT

I admit I was sceptical people would really queue up at 6.00am to buy an iPhone. How wrong I was.

UNAUTHORISED: First Australian review of iPhone 3G!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:46:49 GMT

Unlike Walt "special dispensation" Mossberg, APC wasn't allowed to review the iPhone 3G in advance of its launch, but we got one anyway.

iPhone 3G to be sold unlocked in Australia

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:42:13 GMT

For some people, it's a dream come true: the ability to buy an iPhone 3G in Australia totally unlocked and without a contract.

iPhone 2G repairs won't be available to Australian residents: Apple

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:11:39 GMT

So you've dropped your iPhone and smashed the screen. Or made the speaker crackle. Or jammed the 'lock' button in place. If you live in Australia don't turn to Apple for help...

Mobile telco 3 protests inability to obtain iPhone from Apple

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:45:03 GMT

3 isn't feeling the love from Apple: it is asking customers to petition to let 3 sell the iPhone.

Top 10 reasons to hate the iPhone 3G

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:20:17 GMT

Is the iPhone 3G really deserving of the nickname Jesusphone?

Will the iPhone kill the iPod?

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:16:05 GMT

Apple may be doing what the rest of the electronics industry has so far been unable to do: kill off the iPod.

Apple Store Sydney: the 3D virtual panorama

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 21:37:46 GMT

Want to get the first look at the Apple Store Sydney? We have it in interactive 3D, thanks to reader Aaron Spence.

PRICE WAR: Apple 40% off iTunes, BigPond 50% off Music

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:16:36 GMT

A tit-for-tat price war has broken out between telco giant Telstra and iPod-maker Apple over music pricing, with massive price cuts as both try to win customers from each other.

Telstra hits Optus with iPhone legal threat

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:15:32 GMT

Telstra has threatened Optus with legal action over its claims that the iPhone will be able to use Optus' upcoming HSDPA network with 98% coverage.

eBay fails in bid to force users to use PayPal

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:46:46 GMT

eBay faces prosecution under Australian competition law if it pushes ahead with plans to force users to use PayPal for online auction payments, the ACCC said today.

Windows XP SP3 causing buggy home routers to crash

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:14:20 GMT

Been having problems with your broadband router rebooting unexpectedly? Windows XP SP3 could be the cause -- but isn't actually to blame.

Internode opens Sourceforge mirror

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:04:14 GMT

Internode has opened a massive Australian SourceForge mirror to the open source community, providing VFF (very flaming fast) downloads to Australian broadband users.

AMD explains its strategy for coming back

Wed, 14 May 2008 23:04:23 GMT

Where does AMD fit in a world where Intel has the top performing CPUs? Very snugly, as it turns out. AMD's communications chief, Chris Hook answered APC's questions.

Don't count on NVIDIA or Intel for BluRay, says AMD

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:51:23 GMT

Unless you like movies played back "slideshow" style rather than moving video style, you should avoid buying Intel or NVIDIA graphics chipsets, alleges AMD.

AMD Puma pads softly into 100+ notebooks

Mon, 05 May 2008 18:00:20 GMT

AMD's new notebook platform is nearly ready to pounce on Intel, with some amazing capabilities built in.

We're giving away 10 HP 2133 mininote PCs! (No... seriously!)

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:51:36 GMT

It's pure geek sex... a sleek aluminium chassis, 92% full size keyboard, ExpressCard slot for 3G broadband... and it could be yours just by entering our APC reader competition.

"Only Telstra can win fibre network tender"

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:39:13 GMT

“Unless someone has a flux capacitor handy, we’re in deep shit,” says Bevan Slattery, CEO of Pipe Networks, about the tender for Australia’s fibre network.

Telstra CEO cool on iPhone

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:24:32 GMT

Answering a question at a conference this morning, Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo was cool about whether Australia would get the iPhone through Telstra.

Apple's latest notebooks plagued with graphics glitches

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:33:13 GMT

Apple's latest raft of MacBooks and MacBook Pros, based on Intel Penryn CPUs, are giving owners grief with frequent onscreen display corruption.

Internode announces Naked DSL transfers

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:52:08 GMT

Internode says customers who already have a phone line can now get Naked ADSL2+ connected on it, rather than having to get a whole new line connected.

MacBook Air: 160GB SSD drives coming

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:20:37 GMT

IDF Shanghai | Intel will soon be offering a 160GB solid state disk drive, small enough to fit into the MacBook Air.

Intel mobile chief defends WiMax

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:13:53 GMT

IDF Shanghai | Intel’s mobility chief has conceded that fixed WiMax is more likely to fly than mobile WiMax.

Calpella: Intel's next-gen PC platform revealed

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:52:34 GMT

IDF Shanghai | Intel dropped a few choice details of its next-next-gen PC platform today. (Yep, that’s next-next-gen).

We can transform single thread to multithread: Intel

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:50:13 GMT

IDF Shanghai | So you think parallel programming is a drag, huh? "Let us recompile your app to take advantage of all those cores", says Intel. Plus heaps of other juicy new stuff.

Internode Naked services to get Annex M

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:31:58 GMT

Internode says it will offer ADSL2+ Annex M services as part of its "naked DSL" service soon, offering 2.5Mbit/s upstream.

Internode strips covers off naked DSL

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:25:20 GMT

No more annoying Telstra line rental bill with Internode's new "Naked" DSL service. PLUS: coverage expanded to 350 exchanges.

BluRay drives hit $200

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:22:04 GMT

(With apologies to Snow White) HD-DVD has hit the wall... now who is the cheapest BluRay of them all?

Qantas confirms inflight internet for domestic planes

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:54:45 GMT

You won't need to switch your phone off inflight with Qantas' new inflight internet and SMS access service.

Comms regulator cracks down on Dodo

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:59:45 GMT

Cut-price ISP Dodo, the subject of ongoing controversy over customer service and billing issues, has been directed to clean up its act by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Vista SP1 available for download now

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 12:46:11 GMT

Officially, the long awaited Vista SP1 won't be available to consumers until March. But here's a little secret: you can download it anyway from Microsoft's own web servers.

BigPond customers into XXX, leather?

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:22:08 GMT

Telstra BigPond has withdrawn an advertising campaign that inadvertently suggested its customers were into XXX, leather, and trawling Sydney's Kings Cross red light district.

Internode doubts legality of Telstra's ADSL2+ plans

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:58:10 GMT

Managing Director of Internode, Simon Hackett, says he has doubts over the legality of the government's assurance to Telstra that it doesn't have to wholesale ADSL2+ access across its expanded ADSL2+ network.

BREAKING: Telstra flicks the switch on ADSL2+ at 900 exchanges

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:23:26 GMT

UPDATED |Prime Minister Rudd and Communications Minister Conroy this morning announced Telstra would turn on the ADSL2+ broadband capability it has at 900 exchanges around the country.

Apple calls off the attack dogs

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:02:26 GMT

The gold standard of Apple rumour sites has, for a long time, been the threatening letter from Apple's lawyers. It meant you were onto something. So, with MacBook Air info leaked left, right, and centre, why did Apple stop suing?

"Anonymous" threatens to "dismantle" Church of Scientology via internet

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:15:03 GMT

A hacking group calling itself Anonymous has posted a chilling video on the internet, announcing that it plans to dismantle the Church of Scientology.

Virgin Broadband expands coverage amid controversy

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:14:51 GMT

Wireless broadband provider, Virgin Broadband, has expanded its coverage to regional NSW and Victoria, but not all customers are happy with the service they're getting.

Is it all over for HD-DVD?

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:26:15 GMT

Sony is in the final stretch of killing HD-DVD, offering free Blu-ray playing PlayStation 3s with certain TVs, while Toshiba slashed the price of HD-DVD players today by 50%.

Mac repair shops popping champagne after 'eco-friendly' DVD gets stuck in hundreds of Macs

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:22:58 GMT

Mac repair shops in Britain are doing 'brisk trade' after a free DVD in the Daily Mirror newspaper got stuck in unknown quantities of Apple Macs.

AMD promises DivX support in CPUs

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:56:00 GMT

Ailing chipmaker AMD hopes to make one xilleon dollars by bundling DivX support into its new Xilleon range of CPUs. Sadly they won't be seen inside your home PC.

MacBook Air: top 10 things wrong with it

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:43:55 GMT

ANALYSIS |Like an anorexic fashion model, Apple's new super-thin MacBook Air has made too many compromises for the sake of being skinny.

Australia to get 2-terabit-per-second cable

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:57:36 GMT

Australia will get a new internet link to the United States, with the announcement of a $200 million cable to be built between Australia and Guam.

Labor to make broadband announcement in weeks

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:04:40 GMT

Communications and IT Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, said the Government hoped to make major announcements about Australia's fibre network within the next two weeks.

Myer loses exclusivity on eeePC

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:41:38 GMT

ASUS has announced that Myer has lost its exclusive position as the only retailer of the Eee PC in Australia.

Wrong turn for Navman results in $1million fine

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 06:39:18 GMT

GPS navigator manufacturer Navman has been hit with a $1.25million fine after the ACCC found it had tried to force stores to not discount its products.

Optus, Vodafone, Acer: I've had it with dishonest tech marketing!

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 06:32:47 GMT

Why don't tech companies just say what they mean? As a journalist, I'm sick of receiving essentially dishonest announcements from big tech companies.

Optus has 'lazy, underutilised' broadband network: Telstra

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:24:34 GMT

Telstra has accused Optus of having a 'lazy and underutilised' cable network and asked the ACCC to excuse it from its obligation to provide Optus with access to copper phone lines.

Optus doubles cable broadband speed

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:45:19 GMT

Optus has announced a major speed boost for its cable network, but users of broadband forum Whirlpool have already spotted an ulterior motive behind the move.

Optus to switch on nationwide wireless broadband 18 months early

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:56:17 GMT

Optus has announced it will switch on nationwide HSPA mobile network dubbed Turbo G, offering wireless broadband, a full 18 months ahead of schedule.

Finally, BigPond introduces reasonable download allowances

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:21:55 GMT

Telstra BigPond has -- at last -- updated its plans to include one with a reasonable 25GB download limit and no excess usage fees.

Optus jacks up broadband prices, introduces excess usage fees

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:40:56 GMT

Optus has taken the unusual step of raising prices and introducing hefty excess fees on its popular Fusion home phone and broadband plans.

Australia gets new Minister for Broadband

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:22:13 GMT

For the first time, Australia has a minister for broadband. Not before time, we say... was it really that hard?

Apple threatens resellers: don't talk about iPhone

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:45:59 GMT

Staff at an Apple reseller have been told they will lose their jobs if they discuss the iPhone with customers -- even outside business hours.

Just how thick is Microsoft?

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:39:27 GMT

Just how thick is Microsoft? Everywhere you go, there are advertisements for how unstable Windows is. They're big. And blue. And deathly.

iiNet's naked DSL goes on sale; pricing revealed

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:18 GMT

Finally, Naked DSL has gone on sale -- it's broadband which does away with the hated compulsory Telstra line rental fee forever.

Dodo Internet in complaint crisis

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:32:27 GMT

Cut-price ISP Dodo is facing a tsunami of customer rage, topping the complaint list at the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

Telstra launches Unplanned Broadband

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:55:23 GMT

No, Telstra's unplanned broadband is not what happens when its senior management team forgets to use protection: it's a new wireless broadband service available on a prepaid basis.

Microsoft turns to pirated Windows users to boost IE7 market share

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 02:16:06 GMT

Internet Explorer 7 is now available to all users of Windows. Yeah, yeah, OK, even the pirate ones. It's a bit like DRM-free music. Sorta.

Engin introduces $0 VoIP adaptor

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 05:14:56 GMT

Engin has launched an $0 internet telephony adaptor. But is it really the best deal out there for getting into VoIP?

Amazon launches 2 million track MP3 store

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:34:29 GMT

DRM-free music, here we come. Amazon today launched a music store offering two million tracks in MP3 format that can play on literally any digital music player.

Half price Telstra broadband for Optus customers

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:17:03 GMT

Telstra is offering Optus customers a heavily discounted phone and broadband deal to head off the threat posed by Optus' $69 Fusion phone+broadband offer.

Virgin Broadband cutting off calls

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 05:12:51 GMT

Virgin Broadband has admitted it is cutting off callers on its unlimited plan deliberately if they talk too long on the phone.

Microsoft launches $59 Office 2007 worldwide

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:53:40 GMT

Microsoft has slashed the price it charges students for Office 2007, reducing it to $59 worldwide, following a trial in Australia that saw strong takeup of cut-price Office.

INTERVIEW: Craig Mundie -- Microsoft's technology chief, taking over from Bill Gates

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:03:25 GMT

INTERVIEW |Bill Gates is set to leave the building in July '08. His replacement, Craig Mundie, has given this rare interview to APC, talking about his plans for the future of Microsoft.

INTERVIEW: Craig Mundie -- Microsoft's technology chief, taking over from Bill Gates next year (page 2)

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:01:16 GMT

INTERVIEW - PAGE 2 |Microsoft's Craig Mundie on what's coming in future versions of Windows.

INTERVIEW: Craig Mundie -- Microsoft's technology chief, taking over from Bill Gates next year (page 3)

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:01:12 GMT

INTERVIEW - PAGE 3 |Craig Mundie's thoughts on the rise of desktop Linux in the PC industry.

Telstra switches on 30Mbit/s BigPond Cable

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:55:01 GMT

Telstra's 30Mbit/s cable broadband has gone live today -- but people in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been cut out of the service.

Telstra jacks up line rental yet again

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 09:23:46 GMT

Telstra is increasing line rental yet again, this time targeting customers who use a different telco for long distance calls.

GoTalk launches unlimited VoIP calls to mobiles

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:58:29 GMT

VoIP telco GoTalk has launched a VoIP plan that solves the biggest bugbear of Australian internet telephony users -- the high cost of calls to mobiles.

HP launches RedHat Linux desktop PC

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:31:08 GMT

HP, the world's largest PC manufacturer, has announced it will start selling Linux-based PCs from $AU600 in Australia.

Coonan puts fax spam in the firing line

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:30:13 GMT

Do faxes from Dell, investment seminars and outrageously overpriced directory listings keep rolling off the office fax machine week in, week out?

Google launches YouTube-style embeddable maps

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 01:07:13 GMT

If you know how to embed a YouTube video in your blog, you'll be able to embed Google Maps in your website, Google promised today.

Your old PC needs to meet Dr Kevorkian

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:53:29 GMT

An old friend asks you to bring their old Windows 98 PC back to life. Here's what you need to do. Look them squarely in the eyes, put a hand on their shoulder, and say, it's time to die.

Telstra confirms 30Mbit/s cable upgrade

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:33:26 GMT

Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo has confirmed, as revealed by APCon 17th July, that Telstra will be upgrading its hybrid fibre-coaxial network to provide 30Mbit/s broadband speeds.

VoIP fights back: 10c untimed calls to 31 countries

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 06:29:09 GMT

Optus and Virgin might be signing customers by the bucketload to their new unlimited calls + broadband plans, but the VoIP guys are fighting back.

Government orders Telstra: no CDMA shutdown

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:48:22 GMT

The Government has today blocked Telstra from shutting down the CDMA mobile network prematurely.

Toshiba R500 world's lightest, thinnest notebook. 64GB flash hard drive...

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:02:22 GMT

We'll just call it the God notebook, OK?

In-depth review: Virgin Broadband's home HSDPA broadband service

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:56:08 GMT

In the past few days I've been writing about how Virgin Broadband has the potential tobreak Telstra's landline monopoly. But if you've been itching to know how the service performs in real life, read on...

Virgin Broadband poised to slaughter Telstra's landline profit

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:41:44 GMT

Has Telstra finally met its nemesis? The official launch of Virgin's broadband and home phone service today made something very clear: if Telstra thought its landline monopoly was under threat from capped mobile plans, it ain't seen nothing yet.

Three introduces $12 for 100MB HSDPA plan

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:26:09 GMT

Mobile network Three today introduced yet another cheaper plan to its X-Series wireless-broadband phones range: $12 (on top of your voice plan) for 100MB of usage.

Inflight internet lives again: Qantas introduces wireless broadband, laptop power in all classes

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:55:35 GMT

Laptop power will be available in every seat of Qantas' new international Airbus A380s, as well as some 747-400s. Seats will also feature USB and Ethernet ports and seat-back email

Optus/Telstra planning cable speed boost

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:32:07 GMT

Don't assume fibre is Australia's only broadband future: both Optus and Telstra are working on upgrades to the speed of their HFC cable networks.

Three's wireless broadband cheaper than ADSL

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:29:24 GMT

Believe it or not: some plans on Three's HSDPA wireless broadband service are now five times better value than BigPond's home ADSL service.

ADSL2exchanges website launched: find out where your closest ADSL2+ exchange is

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 01:54:27 GMT

A broadband industry insider who wants to remain anonymous has created a website revealing the locations of all ADSL2+ providers.

Legal threat over Leopard article: how Apple keeps the media on-message

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:05:56 GMT

Apple sure does like to use its lawyers to ensure that the only thing you ever hear about Apple products is exactly what the marketing department wants you to know.

Telstra applies for permission to raise prices on 5.2 million phone lines

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:10:28 GMT

After a brief lull in the telco wars while the government chooses a fibre network vendor, a new flareup today: Telstra wants the right to raise prices on 5.2 million phone lines.

ASUS eee PC to be released in Aust by Sept

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:40:57 GMT

UPDATE |ASUS has advised that the eee PC will only be made available in Australia on a 'special project tender' basis -- not via regular retail channels.ASUS' hot new sub-$400 laptop PC is about to hit Australian shores. We're already imagining dedicated Torrentputers, set-top boxen running the forthcoming Linux port of XBMC...

It's official: BigPond is too expensive

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:19:22 GMT

The Federal Government left BigPond out of its new online broadband locator because it is too expensive. It was not an oversight, a spokesperson said.

BigPond blocking VoIP on new modem

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:05:55 GMT

BigPond has started distributing new 2wire modems, but is deliberately blocking the modem's hardware capability to do VoIP.

Govt broadband availability checker unveiled

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:53:34 GMT

Australians can now check availability of broadband to their home on a government website. Just don't assume the answer will be right.

Telstra softens its iPhone criticism

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:44:26 GMT

Telstra looks forward to reviewing the iPhone, the carrier said today, a marked softening on tech chief Greg Winn's earlier position that the iPhone would be a flop and Apple should stick to its knitting.

Romania a global hotspot for eBay fraud

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:08:22 GMT

eBay has held a press conference to talk about an endemic fraud problem it says it now has under control, but says 'we are constantly watching for the next Romania.'

Labor vs Liberal broadband: what's the diff?

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 07:37:10 GMT

We've warmed the Prime Minister and Federal Opposition Leader over a nice grill to help you get the details on their broadband proposals.

Beware of Dodo's "free" broadband

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 02:36:58 GMT

Cut-price ISP Dodo had some exciting news yesterday: free ADSL2+ broadband! Being jaded sceptics though, we had to ask: what's the catch?

BigPond offers internet security for $99; Optus offers it free

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:59:23 GMT

It's going to be a tough choice for many... get their internet security software for free from Optus, or pay Telstra $99 for it. Decisions, decisions...

Govt introduces legislation to starve Labor broadband plan to death

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 03:20:16 GMT

The Government has ratcheted up its attempt to neutralise Labor's popular broadband policy, with a bill to be introduced into parliament today designed to starve Labor of the funds it needs for its plan.

Don't wait for Vista SP1, pleads Microsoft

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:20:48 GMT

Some customers may be waiting to adopt Windows Vista because they've heard rumors about device or application compatibility issues, or because they think they should wait for a service pack release, admits Microsoft.

Microsoft does embarrassing double-backflip

Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:47:39 GMT

Microsoft has backflipped on its policy of banning users from running Vista under virtual machines like VMware... and then double-backflipped back to its original stance.

Govt broadband plan creates more questions than answers: Internode

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:46:53 GMT

Internode's outspoken CEO Simon Hackett has voiced hesitations about the Government's broadband plan that was announced today.

12Mb broadband for all by June 2009: Govt

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:40:21 GMT

The government has finally shown its counter-plan to Labor's popular broadband plan, saying it will offer minimum broadband speeds of 12Mbit/s to 99% of Australians by June 2009.

Optus unveils $2bn WiMax/ADSL2+ network

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 02:30:21 GMT

Finally, rural, regional and outer-metro residents will get proper broadband through a government/Optus partnership.

Sony killing HD-DVD? Claims 91% BluRay

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 03:08:59 GMT

Sony has made the audacious claim that 90.8% of the 6,000 high definition movies sold in Australia in the first quarter of 2007 have been in the BluRay format.

Free data recovery for NSW storm victims

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:27:21 GMT

Kroll Ontrack, a data recovery company, is offering free digital image recovery to home PC users affected by computer water damage as a result of the recent New South Wales storms.

Virgin ditches 1GB for $10 mobile broadband deal

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 05:06:08 GMT

Virgin Mobile has canned the 1GB for $10 mobiie deal it launched just weeks ago.

New "Santa Rosa" MacBook Pros released by Apple this morning

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:16:13 GMT

They're based on Intel's Santa Rosa chipset, with processor speed bumps up to 2.4GHz, a new NVIDIA 8600M GT video chip, and up to 4GB RAM.

Google developing Apps in Australia

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 02:19:36 GMT

INTERVIEW |Google Australia's head of RD reveals three things you probably didn't know about Google downunder, including the fact that the Apps suite, which is so critical to Google's mission of beating Microsoft Office into submission, is partly developed here.

Internode hikes ADSL prices

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 01:39:38 GMT

Internode has blamed ADSL price rises on rising BitTorrent and YouTube use, saying that the cost of buying IP traffic wholesale has bottomed-out.

Telstra names the date for 80Mbit/s broadband

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 11:54:51 GMT

According to BigPond Chief Justin Milne, 80Mbit/s broadband is just around the corner, and he's made a video presentation telling staff when it will be available.

Parallels 3.0 for Mac: 3D GPU emulation confirmed (with screenshots)

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:41:32 GMT

Popular virtualisation company Parallels has announced version 3.0 of Parallels Workstation for Mac with long-anticipated GPU acceleration and several other tasty features.

AJAX is painful, painful, painful says Google

Thu, 31 May 2007 06:24:55 GMT

One of Google Maps' key developers today told attendees of Google Developer Day Sydney that programming AJAX apps could be very, very painful. But of course, Google has a solution.

Dell to offer free PC recycling in Canberra this Saturday

Thu, 24 May 2007 05:28:01 GMT

Dell and the Australian National University are holding a free PC recycling day this Saturday, where Canberrans can empty out their garages and spare rooms, and get rid of their old PCs.

Guy climbs Everest to send ludicrous SMS

Wed, 23 May 2007 04:10:24 GMT

After days of fighting off frostbite, avoiding practically bottomless abysses and battling through howling winds, British climber Rod Baber reached the summit of Mt Everest...

Nokia's first standalone GPS navigator has some key design flaws

Tue, 22 May 2007 14:40:14 GMT

Nokia's first standalone GPS navigator is a quality device, but it's let down by a few design flaws that compromise the overall package.

First OpenOffice virus emerges

Tue, 22 May 2007 01:53:18 GMT

Oh what a sweet, sweet day it must be for Microsoft. The first worm specifically targeting the open-source office package OpenOffice has emerged, displaying a pornographic picture of a man in a bunny suit with a woman in a forest.

The Wiggles more trusted than Telstra CEO

Mon, 21 May 2007 15:03:33 GMT

A Reader's Digest survey has thrown up a surprising result: The Wiggles are more trusted -- by a wide margin -- than Telstra CEO Sol Trujillo. It hasn't exactly been a great week for the regulation-busting crusader.

Optus admits broadband network problem

Sun, 20 May 2007 11:00:45 GMT

Optus has admitted the Huawei hardware running its ADSL2+ broadband network has a fault that is preventing certain brands of modem from successfully connecting.

Optus mobile plan better value than Telstra's, Federal Court judge rules

Wed, 16 May 2007 05:25:28 GMT

Telstra has lost a Federal Court case which tried to prevent competitor Optus from comparing its mobile plans with Telstra's. It is undeniable that a consumer would get better value under the Optus $49 Cap plan. Telstra cannot show to the contrary, said the judge.

APC feels Telstra fury over unfavourable poll

Fri, 11 May 2007 06:09:16 GMT

We received a torrent of angry emails from one of Telstra's PR minders after we published a story yesterday about a poll result on the Telstra website that was unfavourable to the company.

What Telstra didn't want to hear

Wed, 09 May 2007 14:34:21 GMT

Telstra has discovered an inconvenient truth about being part of the 'blogocracy': nearly 100% of people contributing to Telstra's corporate blog poll think it's Telstra's fault we don't yet have a fibre network.

Only 15,000 people buy Office 2007 for $75

Wed, 09 May 2007 00:38:17 GMT

A mere 15,000 people have taken up Microsoft Australia's offer to get Office Ultimate 2007 for just $75, possibly disproving the argument that if Microsoft dropped the price of software, people who might otherwise pirate it would buy it.

Mozilla CEO speaks out on the future of Firefox: the complete 8,000 word interview

Tue, 08 May 2007 12:04:30 GMT

Read the complete 8,000 word interview with Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker, who talked to APC about the future of Firefox. If there's one tech article you read this year, read this one.

The stoush over Linux distributions using the Firefox trademark

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:59 GMT

The war of words over usage of the Firefox trademark -- name and logo graphic -- has been a contentious issue, with some commentators going so far as to say that Firefox is not really 'free'. But Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker says that there's a much more rational explanation and that the issue has been somewhat misconstrued.

Mozilla CEO speaks out on future of Firefox

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:57 GMT

INTERVIEW |Mozilla's CEO, Mitchell Baker, talks to APC about what's coming in Firefox 3.0, how Firefox now makes $55million a year and how Mozilla plans to take on Flash and Silverlight in web-based graphics and video. Mozilla Japan's cartoon character: Foxkeh pops up to say hello too.

Firefox 3.0 – what’s all this ‘lock-in branding’ stuff about?

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:54 GMT

The upcoming version of Firefox 3.0, codenamed Gran Paradiso, talks about a curious thing in the alpha release notes: ability to lock-in branding. Is Firefox going to become some commercial billboard on your PC, a la IE4?

Mozilla working on Web 3.0: web apps that run offline too

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:48 GMT

With future versions of Firefox you'll be able to run web applications in the web browser without an internet connection, according to Mozilla Foundation CEO Mitchell Baker. Bring on Web 3.0.

Mozilla Japan's cartoon character, "Foxkeh" and more Firefox development in the Asia/Pacific region

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:46 GMT

Some of Mozilla's key developers are working in a small development office in New Zealand. They're the people responsible for building key functionality in Firefox 3.0. Plus, Mozilla Japan has come up with an even cuter Fox than the Firefox... its cartoon character is called Foxkeh.

The strategy for getting Firefox onto more desktops: Mozilla CEO

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:46 GMT

Mozilla doesn't have the many tendrils of the giant Microsoft octopus when it comes to software distribution, so it's testament to word-of-mouth marketing that Firefox has grabbed the marketshare it has. But where to from here, in terms of getting Firefox into the hands of more people? We asked Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker.

Firefox to go head-to-head with Flash and Silverlight

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:43 GMT

Firefox 3.0 includes a new graphics rendering engine, codenamed Cairo: a tantalising hint that Firefox might be moving into territory owned by Adobe Flash and being greedily coveted by Microsoft? The answer is yes, actually... Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker says graphics and video rendering are absolutely part of her future plans for Firefox.

How Microsoft deals with the Firefox developers

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:34 GMT

Is there new love between Microsoft and the Firefox developers? The new caring, sharing Microsoft made a big show of inviting the Firefox developers into its Vista compatibility lab during development of the mega-OS. We asked the Mozilla CEO Mitchell Baker how that went down.

How Firefox earns $US55million a year

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:34 GMT

Turns out the Mozilla Foundation actually makes tens of millions of dollars a year from Firefox, which it ploughs back into development projects. Who is this generous benefactor?

Businesses recontemplating Firefox rather than upgrading to IE7?

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:33 GMT

With Microsoft's radical changes to both the user interface and rendering core of IE7, more businesses are recontemplating moving to Firefox, according to Mozilla Foundation CEO Mitchell Baker.

Firefox will move to mobile phones: Mozilla CEO

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:31 GMT

Most tech enthusiasts have wondered why web browsers on mobile phones suck so much. Mozilla Foundation CEO Mitchell Baker has been thinking about it too, and looking at how Firefox can be ported to mobile platforms.

How 12 people banded together to make Firefox 1.0

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:30 GMT

We asked the Mozilla Foundation CEO Mitchell Baker what it took to create Firefox. The answer: blood, sweat and tears, because there were only 12 people on the original development team.

Why there's no inbuilt adblocker in Firefox yet: Mozilla CEO

Mon, 07 May 2007 07:37:04 GMT

Users love them, so why hasn't Firefox got inbuillt adblocking capabilities yet? The CEO of the Mozilla Foundation, Mitchell Baker, is circumspect as to the reason why...

Why you need Intel's 6Gbit/s SATA

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 07:13:50 GMT

Intel is now working on the SATA 3.0 standard that will provide up to6 gigabits per second of bandwidth. We asked Intel why on earth the world needs yet again another speed boost in the drive interface: surely we need faster drives first?

Virgin Mobile launches dream data plan for iPhone and other email handsets

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 06:43:23 GMT

The success of Apple's iPhone in Australia and many other countries will depend on telcos offering mobile internet data plans that are affordable and have generous usage limits. Virgin Mobile's new plan provides just that.

Telstra launches MacBook Pro compatible Next G ExpressCard

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:20:00 GMT

Telstra BigPond today launched a wireless broadband card that fits in the ExpressCard34 slot of MacBook Pros and other new model laptops.

Intel red faced after WiMAX demo fails

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 03:43:13 GMT

Intel used its Developer Forum in Beijing to name the date it would be introducing WiMax in notebooks: by the end of June 2008. But it was embarrassed during a keynote when it couldn't actually get the technology to work.

GALLERY: Intel's new Mobile Internet Device with Red Flag Linux

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:52:33 GMT

WORLD EXCLUSIVE PICTURES |We've seen it all in depth and now you can too... Intel's Red Flag Linux powered mobile internet devices.

Intel demos 80 core CPU

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:34:21 GMT

So Intel wasn't blowing smoke up us after all when it said it was heading towards a 100 core CPU...

Intel shows PC booting Windows with UEFI firmware

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 06:43:49 GMT

The last vestige of the 1980s PC may soon be wiped out from your PC: Intel has demonstrated a PC that boots Windows using a UEFI firmware startup sequence.

Intel announces "Core 2 Duo on steroids" - automatic overclocking

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 08:13:51 GMT

Intel today announced new details of its forthcoming Santa Rosa PC platform, including a significant revision of the Core 2 Duo chip with core-by-core auto-overclocking.

Adobe CS3 apps now available for download in Australia

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 06:12:13 GMT

IN BRIEF |Adobe has announced the immediate availability of Adobe Creative Suite 3 downloads and says boxed copies will be in stores on 23rd April.

Intel to make major UEFI announcement

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:35:45 GMT

Intel says it will make an announcement tomorrow related to the UEFI firmware platform tipped to supercede the 22 year-old BIOS and already is used in Apple Macs.

Optus to halt sales of Telstra-based ADSL

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:08:30 GMT

Optus will stop selling broadband via Telstra's Wholesale ADSL network from June 25th, the company has confirmed.

EMI breaks ranks, confirms DRM-free music

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 13:40:44 GMT

The unthinkable has happened: EMI has broken ranks with big music and has jointly announced with Apple that it will offer DRM-free music downloads via iTunes with superior sound quality.

Voda slashes wireless broadband prices; Optus unveils HSDPA upgrade

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 07:19:53 GMT

Mobile networks haven't taken the wireless broadband price challenge from Three X-Series lying down: Voda has today slashed its prices, while Optus has announced a network upgrade to HSDPA.

So you want to pirate Photoshop CS3?

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 07:18:47 GMT

Adobe has revealed the details of Photoshop CS3: destined to continue to be one of the most pirated applications in the world. But Adobe says people who snaffle a copy of CS3 from work might not be pirates after all.

Three drops "X-Series" mobile broadband bomb: Skype, internet-streamed movies, email - $20/mth

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:44:29 GMT

Three set the cat among the pigeons today by launching its new X-Series internet-connected mobile phones: HSDPA speeds, free Skype calling, up to 2GB of data usage, and plans from $20 a month. What's not to like?

'Carbon criminals' banned from freeware

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:12:47 GMT

'Carbon criminals' who fly more than four times a year or drive a big car will be banned from using freeware under a new software licence.

Sony's new Vaio G: the ultimate portable?

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 04:30:00 GMT

Sony today unveiled a new ultra-portable laptop with looks and specs to make even a strong-hearted geek-traveller go week at the knees and slobber.

Hacked: top blog package has backdoor

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 05:02:53 GMT

The PHP source code of the popular blogging package Wordpress has been hacked to include a dangerous and highly exploitable backdoor, according to Matt Mullenweg, the software's founding developer.

Office 2007 Ultimate $75 for Aussie students

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 04:09:32 GMT

It's not cheating, according to Microsoft Australia, to buy Office 2007 Ultimate for 95% off its normal price, at just $A75 ($US59).

Telstra jacks up internet prices, introduces three year contracts

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:38:35 GMT

Telstra is cutting speeds and raising prices on its four-month-old Next G wireless broadband network, while simultaneously introducing three year contracts.

Microsoft apologises for serving malware

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:00:06 GMT

Microsoft has apologised for serving malware via its websites and Windows Live Messenger software, and has promised to tighten checks on companies booking banner ads on its websites.

How Apple could crush Dell

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 03:48:09 GMT

Imagine a Windows PC where all the correct drivers could be automatically installed after a fresh Windows install with a single software tool. You've just discovered Apple's secret weapon in its war against Dell.

BigPond and Optus broadband slip on Vista

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:56:59 GMT

More driver woes for Vista users: this time it's lack of support for USB modems. BigPond is simply refusing to connect anyone using Vista to ADSL or Cable, and Optus admits it hasn't completed the work to fully support Vista yet.

ISPs warned over broadband fiddling

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 05:44:54 GMT

Too many ISPs are fiddling with the speed, download limits and other contractual obligations of broadband internet services, the Ombudsman said today.

NVIDIA owners threaten class action over Vista drivers (or lack of them)

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 03:24:54 GMT

Big trouble in big video -- NVIDIA's lack of final Vista drivers for its video cards is stirring up a lawsuit by users who say they've been mislead.

Telstra takes on YouTube: cash for clips

Fri, 26 Jan 2007 03:51:13 GMT

Giant Australian telco Telstra is offering people cash for clips in an effort to steal some of YouTube's success.

No problem with Australian company "Vista Windows", says Microsoft

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 05:03:02 GMT

If Microsoft wants to make a deal with us to put information about their new operating system up on the site, we'd love to speak to them, says Vista Windows' Paul Imola.

Telstra takes broadband fight straight to the pool room: it's the constitution, your honour

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 01:05:47 GMT

It's mabo, it's the constitution, it's the vibe, it's broadband, your honor. Telstra has taken a cue from The Castle and is going to the High Court in its latest fight over broadband pricing.

Netspace unveils 8Mbit/s broadband plans

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 11:23:26 GMT

Netspace is the latest ISP to unveil its 8Mbit/s ADSL plans based on Telstra Wholesale's new nationwide full-speed ADSL1 offering.

Australians locked out of Vista discounts

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:25:54 GMT

There will be no Vista family discount, no Vista downloads and no Vista Anytime Upgrade for Australians, Microsoft has confirmed. The official reason they're not available in Australia? Because they're not available in Australia. Oh,that'swhy...

Could BigPond Cable become the fastest broadband in Australia?

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:44:32 GMT

Rumours are circulating that BigPond could be set to upgrade its cable broadband technology to leapfrog ADSL2+ operators, as Foxtel prepares to shut down the analogue channels on its cable.

10 reasons you should get Vista

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:25:55 GMT

Microsoft says Vista offers a richer experience and that you should be getting ready for a new day? Cut the crap! Here are 10goodreasons you should get Vista.

Is Vista's Australian pricing a rip-off?

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 01:02:57 GMT

You could save between $54 and $217 by mail-ordering Vista from the US rather than buying it here.

Microsoft to offer Vista DVD as a download

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:00:53 GMT

It's a milestone in computing history: for the first time, you don't have to operate your legs (tm) and bother with connecting sneakers-to-pavement in order to get a copy of Windows. Vista will be 100% available as a download.

Symantec offers free upgrades to Vista-compatible Norton security apps

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 05:01:41 GMT

Symantec has announced Vista compatible versions of its security software, with free upgrades for owners of the 2006 or 2007 products.

Cisco sues Apple over iPhone name

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 01:06:32 GMT

Networking giant Cisco has sued Apple over theft of Cisco's iPhone trademark. Today's iPhone is not tomorrow's iPhone, said Cisco.

Top 10 things to hate about the original Apple iPhone

Wed, 10 Jan 2007 01:26:30 GMT

Don't get me wrong. I want an iPhone as badly as the next guy, but in the midst of the gushing hype-stream out there, I'd like to provide a little balance and point out that the iPhone's far from perfect.

Australia won't see iPhone ‘til 2008

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 23:24:58 GMT

Salivating over the Apple iPhone announced by Steve Jobs this morning? Lick your chops and collect that drool - Apple Australia says it won't be available in Australia until 2008.

Wait, bloggers can keep the free laptops after all: Microsoft

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 05:03:21 GMT

It's like playing peek-a-boo with a child: now Microsoft wants to give you a laptop. Now it doesn't. Now it does.

We don't need Vista after all?

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 06:42:50 GMT

Now that we're close to the public launch of Vista, a weird thing is happening in the blogosphere: people are starting to say that we don't really need it after all.

Microsoft sends Ferraris to bloggers

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:15:16 GMT

Microsoft has been caught out sending top-of-the-line laptops preloaded with Vista Ultimate to bloggers who have been covering Vista. The company says it's not a bribe because if bloggers wish they can choose to send the laptops back.

Microsoft fights Gmail in the workplace

Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:28:00 GMT

Resist the temptation to dump your skimpy work Outlook mailbox for Gmail -- Microsoft is promising multi-gig mailboxes in Exchange 2007.

Vista beta haunts Microsoft helpdesk

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:42:59 GMT

Microsoft may have finished the gold-master version of Vista, but tech support for the beta versions is just beginning... through gritted teeth.

Telstra opts out of own broadband transfer system

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 13:05:17 GMT

Mega-telco Telstra has announced it will not participate in its own broadband customer transfer process, meaning BigPond customers will not be able to change to other ISPs as easily.

Vodafone in trouble over broadband ads

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:56:46 GMT

Vodafone has copped a bollocking over claims of false advertising regarding its new HSDPA wireless broadband service.

Vista, Office and Exchange launch with a pop

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 05:49:02 GMT

There were no catastrophic failures, no blue screens, in fact nothing remarkable at all at Microsoft Australia's official launch of Vista, Office and Exchange 2007. We'd heard it all before.

Internode first to release details of 8M plans

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 08:08:54 GMT

Internode is the first third-party ISP to announce its 'draft pricing' for 8Mbit/s broadband -- roughly the same speed as Optus cable internet -- across Australia, using Telstra's new wholesale network.

8Mbit/s ADSL to be available through all ISPs

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:14:58 GMT

Telstra has announced it will make speeds of 8Mbit/s available everywhere there is ADSL coverage, and to any ISP currently selling services on Telstra's network.

Telstra ADSL2+: full pricing details

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 18:00:00 GMT

Telstra launched ADSL2+ broadband services early this morning, liberating customers from the 1.5Mbit/s hell they've been enduring since the late-90s. We have all the juicy details on pricing, speed and coverage.

Vista goes gold: the frenzy begins

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:46:24 GMT

Vista's final code has been signed off by Microsoft execs early this morning. It's good to go - or as good as it is going to be until the first round of patching begins.

Quarter-terabyte notebook hard drives announced by Hitachi... drool

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 13:39:52 GMT

Just when you thought that 160GB 2.5in notebook hard disk you bought was the latest and greatest (it happened to me this week, OK) Hitachi announces it will be releasing a 250GB disk soon.

Desktop search is rotten in Vista

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Since installing Vista on my work PC, I'm beginning to know what the end of the world would feel like. It's an apocalyptic wasteland strewn with poorly organised files; I'm the feral pig foraging haplessly through folders.

Bring out your dead PC this Saturday

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 08:09:16 GMT

If you live in Melbourne and have an old PC collecting dust in the garage, Dell will take it off your hands for one day only - tomorrow - and process the materials using environmentally-safe methods.

BigPond broadband chief drops hints about ADSL2+, cable speed upgrades

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 13:21:16 GMT

INTERVIEW |BigPond MD Justin Milne has dropped hints that Telstra may be readying its ADSL2+ network for launch and that BigPond is currently upgrading its cable network to offer faster speeds again.

Microsoft releases Windows Vista RC2: final test build

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 10:51:02 GMT

Microsoft has released Windows Vista Release Candidate 2 for public download.

Google recommends Windows Live search

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 10:31:46 GMT

In a strange turn of events, Google's I'm feeling lucky button is redirecting users to its direct competitor, Windows Live Search.

Fire alarm rains on Sol's parade

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 01:56:52 GMT

Sol Trujillo's launch of Telstra's Next G network to investors and the media has been interrupted by a fire alarm.

LIVE WEBCAST: What is Telstra Next G?

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 05:37:01 GMT

Telstra will tomorrow lift the wraps on its Next G network, with a live webcast of its briefings to media and investors. The new network is the centrepiece of Telstra's strategy of delivering broadband wirelessly.

Vodafone 1.8Mbit/s HSDPA in two weeks

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:05:49 GMT

Vodafone has announced it will switch on its 1.8Mbit/s High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) wireless broadband service in Sydney and Melbourne metro areas on Friday, 20 October.

Screw it, we'll recall the lot: Sony

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 05:14:23 GMT

Sony may be finished in the battery business after announcing a global product recall today for lithium ion batteries it manufactured, following recalls by Dell, Apple, Toshiba, Panasonic, Lenovo and IBM.

Nokia announces phone with satellite navigation, 5 megapixel camera

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 02:11:24 GMT

Nokia's new N95 will feature sat-nav using GPS as well as a ludicrously high-resolution five megapixel camera. Is this the beginning of the end for dedicated sat-nav vendors like TomTom and Navman?

New Vista build 5728 temporary available

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:22:29 GMT

Microsoft is making a new build of Vista with post-RC1 fixes available for a short time only. Grab it while you can!

Harvey Norman slams computer makers over warranty policies

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:27:27 GMT

Australia's biggest computer retailer, Harvey Norman, has criticised Apple over its restrictive warranty policies. It also says in general, computer industry warranty policies fall short of what's required by Australian law.

Netspace to launch widest ADSL2+ coverage by year end

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 07:34:54 GMT

In a surprise announcement, broadband ISP Netspace said today it would offer broader ADSL2+ coverage than any other ISP by the end of this year.

Topfield releases PVR with WiFi and EPG

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:53:39 GMT

Popular PVR-maker Topfield has unveiled a dual-tuner digital TV PVR with inbuilt WiFi to make it easy to download recordings to your PC. It can also download electronic program guides off the internet wirelessly.

HOW TO: download Office 2007 beta 2 "technical refresh" from Australia

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 03:19:43 GMT

Officially, Aussies are still blocked from downloading the Office 2007 beta, but we've found a direct download link that will let you get the technical refresh -- the final beta before Office 2007 goes to manufacturing.

The Vista taskbar: it's worse than XP's

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:22:23 GMT

It's a dark day for taskbar tweakers (you know who you are). Microsoft has actuallycutVista's taskbar functionality from what was in XP, ignoring years of calls for improvement.

HOW TO: install iTunes 7 on Vista RC1

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 06:58:25 GMT

If you've had problems installing the new iTunes 7 on Windows Vista RC1 today, here's how to work around the problem.

Australian raid over billions of Viagra spams

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 05:06:49 GMT

The Australian communication regulator has raided an Australian house over claims that its resident was involved in sending billions of spam emails.

End-of-year Vista release: business versions only

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 04:11:46 GMT

Microsoft will push ahead with release of Vista to volume-licence customers before the end of the year, but it will only release the business-specific versions, Microsoft Australia's Windows Chief said yesterday.

Steve Irwin tribute planned in online game

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 06:31:14 GMT

Online gamers are planning a virtual wake for wildlife TV star Steve Irwin in the World of Warcraft online world. Other players are threatening to slaughter them during the ceremony.

$60,500 or jail time for modchippers

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 08:53:00 GMT

Console mod-chip installers will be wiped out and bloggers banned from discussing methods of breaking copy protection under tough laws to be introduced by the Australian government.

Vodafone starts live trials of 1.8Mbit/s mobile broadband

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 03:27:59 GMT

Vodafone today confirmed it would launch its 1.8Mbit/s HSDPA mobile broadband network in Sydney and Melbourne before the end of the year. It commenced a live trial today with 40 customers in the Sydney Lower North Shore area.

Up to $670 for Vista in Australia?

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 03:02:23 GMT

Microsoft today confirmed its US pricing for Windows Vista. Based on the previous price difference between Windows XP in the US and Australia, we could end paying as much as $670 for Vista when it hits.

Optus announces ADSL2+ for resale by ISPs: widespread 24Mbit/s broadband

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 03:41:21 GMT

Optus today announced ISPs would be able to begin reselling its ADSL2+ broadband from Q4 this year. But other ADSL2+ networks still have some advantages over Optus...

Windows Vista RC1 (build 5600) released!

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 05:02:05 GMT

Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 has gone gold, with an initial release to formal beta testers today and a wider release next week, according to Windows Chief Jim Allchin.

New iPods coming? Major retailers slash iPod prices up to 80%.

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 03:55:19 GMT

UPDATED |Major computer retailer Harvey Norman is advertising heavy discounts on current-model iPod Shuffles, indicating that a new release may be imminent.

What kernel would Jesus compile?

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 07:11:53 GMT

Does the bluescreen of death make you spew forth fire and brimstone, or are you the type that just says a quiet prayer? Now, you can put your autosave in God's hands with Ubuntu: Christian Edition.

JUST RELEASED: Gmail for your domain along with "Google Apps"!

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 06:32:10 GMT

Google has finally released it! Google Apps for your Domain allows you to buy any domain name for a few dollars, then Google will provide hosting for it, with 2GB of GMail for as many users as you want on your domain, along with Google Calendar, Talk and Pages. It's free, and if you sign up now, Google says it will stay free forever.

Qantas ban may extend to Mac laptops

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 04:50:42 GMT

Qantas is seeking advice on whether it should place restrictions on the use of Apple Mac notebooks on its aircraft, following the computer maker's recall of 1.8million batteries today.

We were wrong about HD playback in Vista: Microsoft

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 01:18:43 GMT

Microsoft has clarified its statement that playback of protected high-definition content wouldn't be possible in Windows Vista 32bit. It now says its Senior Program Manager Steve Riley didn't quite get it right, though it's hard to see how the clarification isn't more of the same in different words.

Microsoft cuts ANOTHER feature: full HD playback in 32bit Vista goes

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 08:25:15 GMT

TECH.ED 2006 |Microsoft has bent to pressure from movie studios to limit playback of protected HD movies to 64-bit computers only. That means owners of most Pentium 4s and Core Duos can kiss goodbye to dreams of studio-release BluRay and HD-DVD movies playing on a 30 LCD monitor...

Telstra announces core upgrade

Thu, 24 Aug 2006 05:48:03 GMT

Telstra has announced that it will deliver voice, video and broadband data over phone lines to 5.3 million customers within the next five years, using five massive softswitches, which will replace physical PSTN switches.

Unlock work internet or risk losing staff: Microsoft

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 05:29:16 GMT

TECH.ED 2006 |People don't want to work for employers who limit their internet access at work, a senior Microsoft exec said today at the opening of the software giant's annual developer conference, Tech.Ed 2006.

Treo 650 morphs into Blackberry

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:00:30 GMT

Vodafone, Optus and Telstra have all announced availability of Blackberry Connect software for Treo 650, finally bringing push-email and over-the-air calendar sync to the venerable Palm-based smartphone.

Unwired lights up new Melbourne towers

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 01:14:50 GMT

Wireless ISP Unwired says it is now covering 250,000 Melbourne homes with its WiMax-like network, after activating four new towers today. The company says it is seeing growing numbers of customers roaming between Sydney and Melbourne with their Unwired modem.

New ASUS wireless router has Bittorrent and hard drive built in

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 22:36:17 GMT

Dang, this is THE router for the avid software/TV/music/movie pirate. Not that we'd condone that sort of thing. Just sayin'...

APCMag.com readers: 37% Firefox

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 13:33:22 GMT

Internet Explorer usage is sinking fast, at least according to APCMag.com's latest statistics. It's down to 53 per cent of users, and Firefox is gobbling up Microsoft's once unassailable monopoly position.

BluRay media goes on sale and the cost is... wait for it...

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 05:22:45 GMT

Well, let's just say you could either take your partner out for dinner, or buy a single BluRay disc from Verbatim.

Gmail finally open for business

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 03:17:51 GMT

Google has finally announced full availability of Gmail to Australians, who will no longer need to scrounge an invite from an existing Gmail user.

Did Apple hire the Microsoft Bob guys to work on OS X 10.5 Leopard?

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 01:12:04 GMT

Apple has given its first preview of OS X 10.5 Leopard to attendees of its Worldwide Developer Conference in San Francisco. One of the new features is a kitsch time machine feature that uses a starscape background to help users understand that they're turning back the time on their files.

New Mac Pro is quad-core Xeon

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 22:16:54 GMT

Apple has unveiled the replacement for its PowerMac G5: a machine based on two dual-core Xeon processors at clock speeds of up to 3GHz, with room for four hard drives, two optical drives and 16GB RAM.

Telstra ditches fibre plan

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 03:32:38 GMT

Telstra has quit its negotiations with the ACCC over its controversial fibre-to-the-node network, saying it refused to plough its billions into it until the government weakened the ACCC's control over the telco industry.

$0 laptops with Optus broadband

Sun, 06 Aug 2006 14:31:55 GMT

It seems a free modem is no longer enough to entice people to sign up for broadband. Optus is the first telco to offer $0 laptops to customers who sign up for two years of wireless or DSL broadband.

Microsoft dumps "unpopular" IE7+

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 04:46:42 GMT

Microsoft announced this morning Australian time that it has dropped the unpopular Internet Explorer 7+ name for the version of IE7 that will come in Windows Vista.

New Vodafone plans offer wireless broadband via your 3G phone

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 09:15:10 GMT

Vodafone's new capped mobile plans for single business users can now be coupled with a 'data bundle' -- good news for anyone who has wished they could use their mobile phone as a wireless broadband modem for their laptop.

We won't switch Firefox users to IE7, Microsoft pledges

Tue, 01 Aug 2006 05:37:34 GMT

Microsoft will go ahead with its plan to distribute IE7 to XP users via Automatic Updates, but it won't change Firefox or Opera users' default browser setting, the software giant has clarified.

Affordable KVM for Vista testing

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 02:31:41 GMT

If you're doing the two-PC tango so you can use the Vista Beta while using XP for your main work PC, Belkin's new $99 KVM is a very handy accessory to have around. You can use both PCs with one keyboard, monitor and mouse.

WinRAR free for one day only

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 15:19:15 GMT

The popular archiving utility WinRAR, normally $US29, will be free for one day only: from about 8am today (Sunday) by our calculations.

XP users to get IE7 foisted on them

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 07:39:18 GMT

Microsoft will distribute Internet Explorer 7 as an automatic update to Windows XP, the software giant has revealed. Users can choose not to receive it, but they must download the IE7 blocker toolkit from Microsoft in order to permanently stop it from being downloaded automatically.

Microsoft releases Windows Media components for Intel Macs

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 06:42:26 GMT

Intel Mac owners can finally play Windows Media files through Quicktime again, following an update issued by Flip4Mac this afternoon.

Vista to have inbuilt undelete

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 02:20:53 GMT

Hey! It looks like you're shredding a letter! Would you like me to undelete that for your boss?

A fairytale about Telstra and net neutrality

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:41:50 GMT

Once upon a time there was a big fat telco called Telstra. King Solomon ruled the villagers with an iron fist. Then, one day, the villagers heard about VoIP and were set free of the tyranny of long distance. Calls were cheap and all was well, until one day ...

Opera to put widgets on mobile phones

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 09:16:36 GMT

Putting widgets on mobile phones, TVs, game consoles and your car stereo is Opera CEO Jon S. Von Tetzchner's latest mission. We spoke to him about the open standards involved (including AJAX) and whether he was going to attempt to swim from Norway to Australia.

Dell responds to bloat claims

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 06:28:10 GMT

Dell has conceded customers are increasingly unhappy with the amount of preloaded software that comes preinstalled on their new PCs. One customer was so frustrated he made a program called PC-Decrapifier that targets Dell's preinstalled software for deletion.

Inside Vista's new image-based install

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 09:32:10 GMT

Vista's installation process is dramatically different to any previous version of Windows: rather than being an 'installer', the install DVD is actually a preinstalled copy of Windows that simply gets decompressed onto your PC.So how does it adjust to your hardware? Can you slipstream updates and drivers into it? We asked Microsoft Australia and got some surprising answers.

Why the future is not AJAX

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 04:15:34 GMT

OPINION |How can anyone seriously argue that writing a whole spreadsheet package in Javascript is anything more than a hack? The future is in desktop apps that mirror settings and documents online. Firefox can do it; the mystery is why more software doesn't.

Free VoIP calls to landlines in 60 countries

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:47:19 GMT

The Skype competitor Gizmo Project is offering free calls to any landline phone in Australia, as well as 59 other countries.

No Nero for Windows Vista beta 2 yet

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 06:37:00 GMT

German company Nero AG, maker of the popular disc burning program, has confirmed that no version of Nero will work properly on Vista beta 2 yet. It says it is working on fixing the problem but won't have a release ready until Vista ships.

Qantas to finally offer inflight broadband

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 05:46:11 GMT

A buried Flash animation on Qantas' website confirms that the airline will start offering inflight internet services on its fleet of next-generation Airbus A380 superjumbos.

Cost of BluRay vs HD-DVD: Toshiba v Sony

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:45:22 GMT

So what exactly is the true cost of the BluRay or HD-DVD drive in one of the new high definition laptops? $100? $500? $1000? It seems that even the notebook manufacturers themselves aren't too sure.

Hitachi ships 160GB SATA notebook drive

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:13:54 GMT

Hitachi has released a 5400RPM 2.5 notebook drive that uses perpendicular technology to hit 160GB, and SATA to connect with the latest notebooks. But there are still rumblings of discontent in the tech community about how slowly hard-drive makers are beefing up notebook drive capacity compared to the whopping desktop drives available now.

Free antivirus for Vista beta 2

Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:53:02 GMT

Grisoft, the maker of the popular free antivirus software AVG has announced that Microsoft has fixed a bug that was preventing AVG from installing on Vista Beta 2.

The problem with wireless broadband

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 11:33:26 GMT

Wireless broadband has an image problem that no publicist can help turn around: people who pay for it expect it to work well. A lot of the time, it doesn't. Slow throughput, coverage blackspots and dropouts are all part of the service.

4GB notebook RAM: but not for MacBooks

Thu, 13 Jul 2006 08:11:08 GMT

UPDATE |Apple has confirmed that the 2GB DIMMs willnotwork in its MacBook or MacBook Pro.RAM manufacturer Transcend has announced 2GB notebook RAM DIMMs that can be installed in a pair in Intel Centrino Duo notebooks to provide 4GB RAM. But inexplicably, they don't work in Apple's Intel-based notebooks, dashing Mac users' hopes of getting more RAM for use with virtualisation and Rosetta.

Vodafone unveils 1.8Mbit/s 3G modem

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 07:24:18 GMT

Vodafone Australia is set to launch a USB modem for notebooks and desktop PCs that will provide a 1.8Mbit/s wireless broadband internet connection over its 3G mobile network.

New visual theme for Vista unveiled

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 14:37:24 GMT

The Vista development team used its blog to preview a new visual theme this weekend that will replace the ugly basic theme, dubbed scrap metal by the beta testing community.

Burn slower or risk data loss, warns Microsoft

Sat, 08 Jul 2006 11:59:12 GMT

Microsoft is warning Vista beta testers to burn ISOs to discs at slower speeds, claiming its failure analysis data is showing that three quarters of failed Vista installs are due to dodgy DVD-Rs.

Deal watch: 300GB HD for $142

Thu, 06 Jul 2006 07:39:17 GMT

300GB desktop hard drives are the current sweet spot, at just 47c a gig ($142). A quick survey of pricing via StaticICE.com.au shows that you'll pay dearly for the new higher capacity drives like 500GB or 750GB.

Top 5 best places to find geek deals

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 05:36:36 GMT

Scoring a 400GB hard drive for $109 is a pure kind of happiness for a geek. After all, tech is expensive, and there are only so many dollars to go round to store all your, um, Linux ISOs.

Microsoft backs off anti-piracy software

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 04:33:54 GMT

Microsoft has given customers instructions on how to remove its Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy nagware, in what amounts to an admission that the software giant had annoyed many of its customers.

New Vista beta out today: build 5456.5

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 03:02:49 GMT

Microsoft has released another beta of Vista -- build 5456 -- to its Microsoft Connect beta testers. The release is not publicly available yet, but critics who have seen it say it is what the bug laden Beta 2 should have been.

HP bans Playboy on PCs

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 08:38:36 GMT

HP today announced a skinnable home entertainment PC, the Pavilion S7500. But new owners won't be able to have skin on their skin, if you know what we mean.

Telstra line rental increase: up to $4 more

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 04:27:24 GMT

Bad news for ADSL users: Telstra has raised line rental yet again by up to $4. But it sweetened the blow by offering some all you can call deals if you'll agree to a higher monthly spend.

Microsoft: humble pie over Office bloat

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 07:30:12 GMT

Microsoft Australia's Office chief today delivered a frank retrospective about how badly bloated Office had become over the years, admitting that users hated some aspects of what Office had become. These applications were really big; they were unwieldy with the user interface that we had, he admitted.

Vista betas to be released monthly

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 02:35:30 GMT

Microsoft will release updates to Windows Vista monthly until its gold master release to corporate customers in November, the software giant's Australian Windows chief revealed today.

BigPond game service: false economy

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 09:21:35 GMT

UPDATE |BigPond has corrected a pricing error which affects the content of this story. See the story body text and comments for more information.Internet service provider BigPond is again doing the pony-dance of appearing to create value for subscribers without really creating it, with its new BigPond Games Shop download service.

Sony to launch BluRay PC in AU 30 June

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 03:26:50 GMT

Sony will launch its first BluRay product in Australia on 30th June, along with what it says will be Australia's smallest and lightest notebook. Meanwhile, a shopper has stumbled upon a Samsung BluRay player that was accidentally put on-sale early in a shop.

Dell considers selling barebone PCs

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 07:30:18 GMT

In a move that shows it is deadly serious about growing its credibility in the gaming market, Dell Australia last night said it was considering selling a barebones version of its mammoth new XPS 700 gaming PC - so gamers could install their own parts.

Microsoft, Mozilla compete on World Cup

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 03:14:01 GMT

Is it pure coincidence that Steve Ballmer's head looks so much like a soccer ball? Microsoft has jumped head-first into the World Cup frenzy, releasing a desktop gadget that helps you keep track. It's in a death match with an open-source World Cup extension, Footiefox, for Firefox.

You are Microsoft's guinea pig

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 07:18:45 GMT

Microsoft today encouraged software makers worldwide to leverage your user base as free Quality Assurance testers for your products running on Windows! after announcing an upgrade to its Windows Error Reporting system.

Google releases Browser Sync

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:52:30 GMT

Google has just given the world the best reason to use Firefox yet: a 'Browser Sync' extension that synchronises your bookmarks, cookies, passwords, history and even open tabs/windows across multiple PCs.

Vista beta 2 available for download

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:49:21 GMT

Now's your chance to see what the next-generation Windows will be like, first hand. Microsoft has made Windows Vista beta 2 available for free public download.

Canon rips into HP over ink claims

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 02:28:23 GMT

Canon Australia has labeled HP's 'fuel efficient printing' a 'pure gimmick.' The company has accused HP of misusing the results of independent testing used to prove its printers are more 'fuel efficient' than other brands on the market.

Seagate's self-encrypting hard drive

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 06:47:57 GMT

The guy who sold his notebook on eBay and found his embarrassing personal photos and details published on the internet must be kicking himself that he didn't data-scrub the hard-drive properly. If only he'd had Seagate's new self-encrypting hard-drive that was announced today.

Why Adobe is the new enemy

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 23:48:21 GMT

Adobe really is being an A-grade ass when it comes to Microsoft's intention to integrate PDF output into Office 2007. Despite having encouraged everyone to develop software that can read and write PDF, it suddenly has a huge problem with Microsoft building it into Office.

Intel card puts VoIP in your PCI slot

Wed, 07 Jun 2006 04:01:36 GMT

Intel has announced a PCI VoIP card that lets you plug a phone into the back of your PC and dial calls via Skype or other VoIP software. But is it a better choice than a dedicated analogue telephone adaptor? Some of Intel's marketing hype for the product leaves a lot to be desired.

Telstra testing 8Mbit/s ADSL

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 05:15:13 GMT

Telstra has confirmed it is testing 8Mbit/s ADSL, after the service appeared unexpectedly in a Telstra ordering system. Is Telstra now preparing plan B in case the government doesn't give the telco giant its way with fibre to the node?

Unwired to offer wireless movie downloads

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 02:12:07 GMT

Wireless ISP Unwired will start offering movie and TV downloads to its 50,000 customers using a Linux-based set-top box, or software which will be available for PC or Mac. The set-top box will also offer digital TV PVR capabilities, a function the company's content partner Reeltime hopes will provide more value for the pricetag.

Phantom calls from Skype subscribers?

Mon, 05 Jun 2006 08:32:35 GMT

John Vandyke is tired of receiving calls every day from people who claim they've got missed calls from his SkypeIn number. In a tech support conversation passed on to APC, Skype admits that it uses randomly generated numbers as the calling line identifier for outbound calls.

Windows graphics system to be overhauled

Wed, 31 May 2006 23:40:53 GMT

Microsoft is to overhaul Windows' graphic driver model after realising that the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.0 which will ship with Vista needs improvement in the way it shares GPU resources between programs and Windows itself.

Internode to expand ADSL2+ reach

Tue, 30 May 2006 02:24:21 GMT

National ADSL2+ ISP Internode has quietly added 46 new locations to the list of exchanges it is installing ADSL2+ into. The expansion is Internode's second major wave of DSLAM installations as it builds out its ADSL2+ network nationally. The total number of exchanges that will ultimately be covered is 111.

Inside Vista Beta 2: screenshots

Sun, 28 May 2006 23:30:02 GMT

Vista Beta 2 |I've been in Seattle for the past few days at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference 2006, first at the Windows Vista Reviewers' Workshop (where Microsoft shows carefully crafted examples of the operating system working flawlessly) and then at the conference itself, where Microsoft and hardware makers talk drivers, architecture, compatibility and so on. I've also had some time to play with the just-released Vista Beta 2, and here are some screenshots of interesting aspects.

Less 64-bit driver woes with Vista

Fri, 26 May 2006 07:52:25 GMT

Microsoft said today that it was aiming for parity between the number of drivers shipped in 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. But it also admitted it probably wouldn't reach this goal.

Microsoft backs Samsung over Intel

Wed, 24 May 2006 08:45:57 GMT

Microsoft is recommending Samsung's hybrid flash hard drive as the best device to be used with the SuperFetch memory caching in Windows Vista, which may frustrate Intel's hopes for its Robson motherboard flash caching technology to be widely adopted.

A third of us are TV pirates: survey

Tue, 23 May 2006 06:45:43 GMT

Over a third of Australian broadband users are now regularly downloading pirated television episodes on their home internet connection, according to broadband user web site Whirlpool's latest survey of over 16,000 of its members. At least one Australian TV network is rising to meet the challenge... but will these moves cut it in the long run?