Following the press release from Apple South Africa that we featured a couple of days ago, Gismodo has got his grubby hands on one and has a short review for you to read before you lay out your hard eraned cash.
On another note, there is talk that the new music cell phones could dent the Apple iPod's current lead in portable MP3 players. I know many more people who already have phones that can play music on headphones. All they need are better headphones and Bob's your Uncle. Why splash out another three grand for an iPod when your phone is just as good.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
DSTV PVR
I have been using the PVR for over 2 months now and I can't imagine watching TV without it! Everything you read about it is true. It can do anything you imagine with it. Record while watching two channels, record while watching a recorded programme. If you want to do it, you can.
Hopefully in the future one will be able to plug a DVD writer into the unit so that one is able to back up recorded programmes, especially series.
One great thing is that you never have nothing to watch on TV. Even on Friday and Saturday evenings when the channels try damn hard to get you out of your home, you are able to catch up with everything that you have recorded.
I am still to use more that 30% of the 80 hours of hard drive space on the PVR and it's so easy to use, even my 5 year old son knows how to record, play back and pause live TV.
Sports fans will love the PVR as you can hit record on your favourite channel and watch another or go out or whatever you want.
Drawback? No backup, yet. Also, the hard drive is on all the time unless you set it to go to sleep. If you watch TV during the time the drive is asleep, it takes a couple of minutes to switch on. I don't like waiting. Another problem is that if two programmes overlap by a couple of minutes, you can't set it to start the 2nd programme a little later, so you tend to not be able to record it at all.
I would also like a search funtion in the programme menu and I would like to be able to set the PVR to record all of a programme. For example, when ER is on, record it! You have to do it all manually which is not great as I miss programmes.
If you have the cash, buy one!
Hopefully in the future one will be able to plug a DVD writer into the unit so that one is able to back up recorded programmes, especially series.
One great thing is that you never have nothing to watch on TV. Even on Friday and Saturday evenings when the channels try damn hard to get you out of your home, you are able to catch up with everything that you have recorded.
I am still to use more that 30% of the 80 hours of hard drive space on the PVR and it's so easy to use, even my 5 year old son knows how to record, play back and pause live TV.
Sports fans will love the PVR as you can hit record on your favourite channel and watch another or go out or whatever you want.
Drawback? No backup, yet. Also, the hard drive is on all the time unless you set it to go to sleep. If you watch TV during the time the drive is asleep, it takes a couple of minutes to switch on. I don't like waiting. Another problem is that if two programmes overlap by a couple of minutes, you can't set it to start the 2nd programme a little later, so you tend to not be able to record it at all.
I would also like a search funtion in the programme menu and I would like to be able to set the PVR to record all of a programme. For example, when ER is on, record it! You have to do it all manually which is not great as I miss programmes.
If you have the cash, buy one!
Friday, March 03, 2006
Giveaways
Great news. From Wednesday, 8 March, there will be massive prizes being given away here on The Technology Circle. Symantec have given us a huge amount of software to give you for being such loyal fans. Be sure to come back next Wednesday to win big prizes to make you machine just that much safer.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
REWARDS FOR LOYAL VODACOM CUSTOMERS
Vodacom is rewarding its loyal Prepaid customers by introducing Vodacom Talking Points - a loyalty awards system whereby recharge points can be accumulated to exchange for call discounts, SMS bundles and free cellphones.
"As of January this year Vodacom's South African customer base comprised of more than 15.8 million prepaid customers, reflecting an increase of 12.2% since 30 September 2005. This kind of growth rate was made possible by our Prepaid customers' loyalty and with Vodacom Talking Points, we are saying thank you to all these customers", says Shameel Joosub, Managing Director of Vodacom South Africa.
Every time customers recharge with Vodacom's Prepaid recharge vouchers, they earn Vodacom Talking Points. Customers have been earning Vodacom Talking Points since 1 November 2005 and can find out how many Vodacom Talking Points they've earned by calling 082 2411 082 (free from a Vodacom cellphone) or by registering online at www.vodacom.co.za. Customers will be able to exchange Vodacom Talking Point for rewards from 5 March 2006 onwards.
Another way Vodacom is rewarding its customers, including Contract, TopUp and Prepaid customers, is with the Yebo Millionaires competition. The Yebo Millionaires competition rewards customers with a chance to win up to R1 million a week and to win prizes such as R500 000 in cash, a Ford Focus car or recharge vouchers. Vodacom customers receive two free SMSs per week to send any 9 letters of the alphabet to 32082, the Yebo Millionaires SMS line. During the TV show, the winning letters will be announced and the customer who has a 9 letter match can win R1 million.
Vodacom Talking Points can accumulate for a period of 18 months in monthly buckets similar to Free Bundled Minutes. Any Talking Points that are older than 18 months and that have not been exchanged for free rewards will be forfeited.
"To become a Vodacom Prepaid customer, customers can buy any one of the Vodacom Prepaid starter packs at various participating outlets and start recharging as soon as possible," Joosub says.
"As of January this year Vodacom's South African customer base comprised of more than 15.8 million prepaid customers, reflecting an increase of 12.2% since 30 September 2005. This kind of growth rate was made possible by our Prepaid customers' loyalty and with Vodacom Talking Points, we are saying thank you to all these customers", says Shameel Joosub, Managing Director of Vodacom South Africa.
Every time customers recharge with Vodacom's Prepaid recharge vouchers, they earn Vodacom Talking Points. Customers have been earning Vodacom Talking Points since 1 November 2005 and can find out how many Vodacom Talking Points they've earned by calling 082 2411 082 (free from a Vodacom cellphone) or by registering online at www.vodacom.co.za. Customers will be able to exchange Vodacom Talking Point for rewards from 5 March 2006 onwards.
Another way Vodacom is rewarding its customers, including Contract, TopUp and Prepaid customers, is with the Yebo Millionaires competition. The Yebo Millionaires competition rewards customers with a chance to win up to R1 million a week and to win prizes such as R500 000 in cash, a Ford Focus car or recharge vouchers. Vodacom customers receive two free SMSs per week to send any 9 letters of the alphabet to 32082, the Yebo Millionaires SMS line. During the TV show, the winning letters will be announced and the customer who has a 9 letter match can win R1 million.
Vodacom Talking Points can accumulate for a period of 18 months in monthly buckets similar to Free Bundled Minutes. Any Talking Points that are older than 18 months and that have not been exchanged for free rewards will be forfeited.
"To become a Vodacom Prepaid customer, customers can buy any one of the Vodacom Prepaid starter packs at various participating outlets and start recharging as soon as possible," Joosub says.
SiteAdvisor plug-in warns surfers of dodgy sites
Web surfers can now get a little free advice on the trustworthiness of the sites they visit, thanks to a new browser plug-in released Wednesday by Boston's SiteAdvisor Inc.
The SiteAdvisor software, which works with both the Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers, draws on information compiled from millions of automated Web site visits to let users know whether visiting these sites is likely to yield annoyances such as spam, spyware or computer viruses.
SiteAdvisor warns users when they are visiting untrustworthy Web sites by placing a red "X" in the bottom corner of the browser. A yellow exclamation mark means that users should be cautious because tests have revealed some issues with the site, and a green checkmark means that the site is trustworthy.
With the Google, MSN, and Yahoo search pages, SiteAdvisor actually superimposes its ratings icons right on top of items in the search results, making it easy for users to see when they may be on the verge of clicking on a dubious Web site.
SiteAdvisor believes that unwitting Web surfers make more than 1 billion visits to untrustworthy "red" sites every month.
Cape Town and free internet
It's the fuiniest thing I have ever read. Western Cape Premier, Ebrahim Rasool spent the morning this morning in Delft in the Cape telling all who would listen, just how brilliant Cape Town is for becoming the 1st city on South Africa to offer free internet access in all public libraries. BRILLIANT. NOW IF YOU COULD JUST GET THE ELECTRICITY TO WORK!!!
Idiot.
Idiot.
iPod Hi-Fi
Apple today announced iPod Hi-Fi, an all-new highfidelity works seamlessly with the iPod to redefine the home stereo system. iPod Hi-Fi delivers breathtaking acoustic performance and room-filling sound unlike any other speaker system designed for the iPod in an innovative, all-in-one design that can be powered from a wall socket or by batteries. iPod Hi-Fi is easily controlled by the Apple Remote for an amazing stereo experience in any room in the house.
iPod Hi-Fi has been designed and engineered by Apple to deliver unrivaled sound quality, realistic sound imaging and optimal audio performance. Its clean, all-in-one design features a unique isolated enclosure system that includes two custom designed wide-range speakers and a tuned, ported bass system, minimizing vibration while maximizing sound quality and allowing users to listen to their favourite music as it was intended with amazing sound clarity and rich, deep bass. iPod Hi-Fi features handles to easily transport your stereo anywhere, a removable front grille with precision-mounting clips, touchsensitive volume control buttons, the Apple Remote for easy song and volume control from anywhere in the room, a universal power supply incorporated into the all-in-one design so there’s no bulky power brick to weigh it down, and the
ability to power iPod Hi-Fi from batteries for true portability.
Featuring seamless integration with all iPods with a dock connector, iPod Hi-Fi automatically recharges your iPod while docked and displays features of iPod that maximise the iPod Hi-Fi experience such as Tone Control, Large Album Art mode and volume mirroring. iPod Hi-Fi includes a dual-purpose 3.5-mm auxiliary input that accepts either analogue or digital signals for easy connection to a wide range of audio sources. iPod Hi-Fi is compact and can be powered by batteries, providing more flexibility than any traditional home stereo and is perfect for use not only at home, but just about anywhere you go without compromising sound quality.
Apple today also announced new luxurious leather cases designed specifically for the fifth generation iPod and iPod nano models. The Leather Case for iPod is made with fine, hand-crafted Italian leather and features a soft and durable interior lining for a secure fit, making it the perfect carrying case for iPod or iPod nano.
Pricing & Availability iPod Hi-Fi includes the Apple Remote, a removable grille, an AC power cord and 10 Universal Dock adapters, and is available for R2 999.00. The Leather Case for iPod is available in 30GB and 60GB models as well as an iPod nano model, each for R880.00. iPod Hi-Fi and all models of the Leather Case for iPod will be available soon through the South African Authorised Apple Online Store (www.zastore.co.za), Apple Centres and Apple Authorised Resellers. (www.apple.com/za/buy) Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
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