Last year McDonald’s rolled out free WiFi to over 700 restaurants across Australia. This makes McDonald’s the largest provider of Free WiFi Internet Access in Australia. You can access the service with devices that have WiFi (802.11 b/g) capabilities.

You can find out more information including a map to help locate sites at http://www.maccasfreewifi.com.

Google has recently released their Nexus One smartphone. It boasts may features similar to the iPhone 3GS so I thought it fitting to compare video recording capabilities. Let me know what you think?

First iPhone 3GS

Then Google Nexus One

After receiving my iPhone 3GS I was interested in how it compared with my iPhone 3G. One of the areas I was curious about was video recording. As you may be aware, the iPhone 3G is not shipped with this ability but you can install a program called Cycorder which is available to jailbroken iPhones.

The other option is to install an application from the App Store like Qik or Ustream Broadcaster but they don’t perform as well as Cycorder.

Here are two videos I shot at the same time with both iPhones side by side.

Let me know what you think?

First iPhone 3G

Then iPhone 3GS

I thought the iPhone was a breakthrough device but Apple’s new tablet computer released today, looks like it will be an even better piece of technology. The thing that sets these devices apart from the pack is the interface.

More information on the Apple site.

There is a story at APCMag about Telstra’s new wireless broadband pricing. The plans will be available from January 21 and will finally mean Telstra’s superior network and coverage will be offered at similar pricing to Australia’s other carriers.

This offer may appeal to iPhone users as it can take advantage of the 850MHZ frequency which is only available on Telstra’s Next G Network..

The 1GB and 3GB plans at $19 and $29 respectively look like the pick of the crop.

To be eligible for the Member Plan pricing you need to have an ABN (Australian Business Number) which can be easily obtained at www.abr.gov.au.

Finally, Australia’s best data network at a reasonable price!

Disclaimer: I don’t work for Telstra or get any kickback from them in any way. Their customer support suck but few would disagree that they have the best data network in Australia.

Here are the rates on offer:

As I patiently wait for my Google Nexus One phone to arrive, I started thinking about the iPhone features and improvements I’d like to see in the new model.

Don’t get me wrong, I think my iPhone 3GS is the best piece of technology I’ve ever owned, but it will be a relic in 2 years. Replaced by something newer and shinier, with even more bells and whistles.

I’m actually typing this post on my iPhone using the Wordpress app, one of about 90,000 apps available. The quantity and diversity of apps available is definitely the iPhone’s best feature.

So although I love my iPhone and believe it to be a life changing device (seriously!), there are some things I’d like to change.

Battery life

Because the iPhone is really a mobile computer which happens to also be a phone, you find yourself reading emails, looking up things on Google or writing blog posts just because you can. This results in heavy use and consequently drains the battery much faster than you would on a normal boring plain vanilla phone with none of these features. I find the rare days I just use it as a phone, I have no problems with battery life.

So, either a bigger battery which would obviously increase the size of the phone or an interchangeable battery would help a lot. I notice Google’s Nexus One has a replaceable battery.

Bluetooth

Why on earth can’t I send a picture by Bluetooth? My sister has a valid point when she tells me this is ludicrous for a phone which could easily be capable of this. Especially since there is no card slot to use to transfer files.

She has an Samsung Omnia, which on paper looks so much better than the iPhone but in reality the ‘experience’ is so much better on Apple’s device. I still haven’t managed to convert her though, she thinks iPhone owners have Stockholm Syndrome, a situation where kidnapping victims start to feel compassion for their captors. Apparently we make excuses for out iPhones and only extol it’s virtues.

MMS

OK, this has now been fixed with updated firmware but how can a smartphone be shipped without MMS? Yes I’ve heard the argument “who needs MMS when we have email right on our phone”, I can tell you my Mum and Dad don’t have email on their phone so I need MMS!

Video

The iPhone 3GS now has VGA video at a smooth 30 frames per second. So this feature is now taken care of. You will either need to jailbreak your iPhone 3G and add a program called ‘Cycorder’ or install ‘Ustream Broadcaster’ or ‘Qik’ from the app store if you want video on Apple’s older device. This is because Apple feels it better you don’t have video, even though the iPhone 3G is quite capable of it although at a lower frame rate than the current device. Who cares right? Better to be able to capture motion even if it looks slightly jerky than be restricted to stills.

Multitasking

Since the iPhone is really a mobile computer, it would be nice if we could run multiple apps simultaneously.The device is clearly capable of this as you can speak on the phone while browsing the internet or answering email. If you jailbreak your phone you can install a program that will allow you to do this albeit against Apple’s wishes.

As good as it is, the iPhone is not a perfect device. We have come along way since my first mobile phone, a Motorola Brick. That phone didn’t even have SMS!

I’m looking forward to seeing smart-phones develop over the next few years but right now, eagerly anticipating what the Nexus One has to offer when it arrives and will post my findings here.

You can’t buy the Nexus One in Australia at the time of writing, Google’s site says it’s not available in our country.

With the increasing use of portable WiFi enabled devices like notebooks and mobile phones, it is more important than ever to optimize your WiFi setup to get the most benefit. Here are some simple ways to maximize performance and increase security of your WiFi setup.

Equipment

There has been a huge improvement in speeds and performance offered by WiFi equipment since devices first started appearing in the mid 90’s. When shopping for devices it would be a good idea to note the specifications of your current equipment and make sure your Access Point (AP) choice support them. The most common types of hardware supports 802.11g (54Mbps) which is also backward compatible to 802.11b (11Mbps)

Placement

When choosing a location for your WiFi AP, make sure you keep it away from obstructions, especially metal objects such as fridges and filing cabinets or other potential signal obstacles. Generally your AP should be up as high as possible which enables a clearer line of sight to your WiFi clients.

Interference

These days with the common use of transmitting devices such as cordless telephones, video senders and wireless game controllers, there is the potential for interference which causes your WiFi setup to perform poorly in both range and speed. 802.11b and 802.11g both use the 2.4Ghz frequency so cordless phones or other devices using this same frequency have the potential to impact your WiFi setup a lot. You can usually set your AP to a different channel which may reduce disruption.

Antenna

Your AP will generally come with a small antenna which performs adequately for small offices or homes. You can usually unscrew this antenna and replace it with a better one which will provide greater coverage. Alternative antennas are available to screw on directly to replace the supplied unit or with a short length of coax so you can position the antenna at a better, usually higher location. Generally these antennas will provide 360 degree coverage but directional units are also available which would suit installations that may be a far corner and concentrate coverage in one direction. For locations where coverage is needed outside a building, for example a school ground or outdoor cafe, an external outdoor antenna can be mounted in a suitable location and connected to the AP using a short a length of coax.

Power

Some AP’s have a power setting allowing you to increase or decrease output power. This is useful if you would like to prevent your WiFi coverage spilling out outside your home or office too much or give your coverage a bit of a boost. This doesn’t increase your AP’s ability to recieve your WiFi clients, which is what a better antenna can do.

Security

It is a good idea to lock down your WiFi network to prevent unauthorized access and people snooping inside your network. WEP was the original method of securing WiFi networks but has proven to be less secure than was hoped. Since then WPA was introduced and is present on almost all WiFi AP’s and other devices currently being sold. WPA is a more secure alternative to the original WEP method but may not be supported on all your devices.

• Dataopedia.com – All you need to know about a website http://ff.im/-kQoE #
• Installed the Intensedebate Wordpress plug-in for comments. Seems like a logical choice over Disqus since Wordpress recently acquired them. #

Nice day for a ride

Originally uploaded by Jaxxon33

Lovely day on the Peninsula to take a mountain bike ride.