Remember how I shared with you that I started my own leather case design business last year called “Aranez“? Well I’m happy to report that after being in business for only 6 months our cases have actually been selling! Not only that but there are now people walking around with Aranez Leather Cases like the Aranez Mirage iPhone 4S Leather Case and Aranez Notebook iPad 2 Leather Case in just over 19 countries!

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As some of you are aware, I’m back from Hong Kong after spending three months working on a web project for one of the world’s leading airlines based there. And now, I have time to review gadgets! One of the first ones that I have been eagerly anticipating to play with was the Telstra Bigpond Ultimate USB Modem. We talked about the BigPond Ultimate USB Modem release in August this year and since then it’s been getting rave reviews from those fortunate enough to get their digits on this device.
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For those of you who haven’t tried Animoto yet, I strongly suggest you do! This neat little website takes your photos and videos and turns them into a much more interesting memento – all very easily Just upload your photos / vids, insert titles, select music and it’s done! It automatically inserts transitions and animations.

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It was only a couple of weeks ago that I blogged on how I’d be switching to Opera Mini as the main browser on my iPhone as soon as it became available. Well today was the day that I removed Safari from my home screen and replaced it with the speedier and in my view, more easier-to-use Opera Mini.

Besides the speed, one of the best features I like about Opera Mini is the Start Page – allows you to specify your top 9 best web sites / pages, where Opera Mini then records a thumbnail which allows you to basically speed-dial these favorite pages. Oh and of course, the other brilliant feature about Opera Mini is that it is FREE!

Biggest grumble? Lack of Flash support which means that websites like YouTube don’t work. Come on Opera, I’m sure you’ll get a lot more followers if you fixed this…soon.

Would love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments below

Opera Mini Press Release

Oslo, Norway – April 13, 2010 – Opera today announced its popular mobile browser, Opera Mini has been approved for iPhone and iPod touch on the App Store. Opera Mini will be available as a free download within 24 hours, depending on market.

Opera Mini, with more than 50 million users worldwide, enables fast mobile Web browsing by compressing data by up to 90 percent before sending content to the device, resulting in significantly improved page loading. Users of the app will notice an uptake in speed, especially on slower networks such as the 2G Edge network. Surfing the Web with the Opera Mini App on iPhone and iPod touch will also help users save money because of its data compression capabilities. This will hold especially true while the user is incurring roaming charges.

“We are delighted to offer iPhone and iPod touch users a great browsing experience with the Opera Mini App,” said Lars Boilesen, CEO, Opera Software. “This app is another step toward Opera’s goal of bringing the Web to more people in more places.”

The Opera Mini App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Resources
A demo video is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpTCS3g-cBY.
Screenshots are available at: www.opera.com/press/resources/.

About Opera Software ASA
Opera Software ASA has redefined web browsing for PCs, mobile phones and other networked devices. Opera’s cross-platform web browser technology is renowned for its performance, standards compliance and small size, while giving users a faster, safer and more dynamic online experience. Opera Software is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices around the world. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. Learn more about Opera at http://www.opera.com/.

It had to happen sooner or later. Safari’s days reigning as the prominent browser on the iPhone are numbered with the very-soon-to-be-released (is a matter of hours in some places) Opera Mini browser for iPhone.

Reminds me of how for many years the general public didn’t have any other choice except for IE on Windows machines and how the likes of organisations like Mozilla / Netscape changed that. In this case, as evident from the video below, Opera have come out with a much more faster browser and one that looks better too.

It’s also interesting to note that the iPhone using Opera Mini is actually using the what’s-supposed-to-be slower EDGE network!

I’ve got my eyes glued to the Australian Appstore just waiting for Opera Mini to appear…I want to surf faster!

Safari VS Opera Mini Video:

YouTube – Opera Mini for iPhone.

I’m not too ashamed to admit that I’m still somewhat of a MacBookPro (MBP) noob, only having mine for around 3 months. I’m still finding and trying to find out new tricks on this Apple eye-candy gadget.

A Call For Keyboard Layout Standardisation!

It’s only when transitioning from many years on the PC to a MAC that you really question why a standard keyboard layout isn’t adhered to by both parties. So frustrating when you’ve memorised countless time-saving shortcuts in Windows.

The improved intelligent touchpad on the MBP means that I am less dependent on a mouse these days which means keyboard shortcuts are even more important. I wrote this post both as a reminder for me and to help other people out there who want to know how to change tabs in Firefox (on the Mac).

How To Change Tabs in Firefox [MAC]:

There are two main ways to do this:

1. Command + <Tab Number> e.g. if you have four tabs open it’s Command + 1 for the first tab, Command + 2 for the second and so on…
2. Command + Option + Left / Right – this will toggle through the various tabs that you have open

Hope this was useful. Please share with other Mac users

Here’s the link to the complete set of Firefox Shortcuts.

Last week I finally took the plunge and created a Foursquare account. Unlike other location-based social media apps out there, I found Foursquare’s interface to be clean and simple to use as well as FUN! As you share information about where you are and where you’ve been, you can be awarded with cool badges – I got my first badge last week which was the Newbie Badge

Here’s an overview of Foursquare from Wikipedia:

Foursquare allows registered users to connect with friends and update their location. Points are awarded on weekends and non-business hours for “checking in” at venues. Users can choose to have their Twitter and/or their Facebook accounts updated when they check in. In version 1.3 of their iPhone application, Foursquare enabled push-notification of friend updates, which they call “Pings.” Users can earn badges by checking in at locations with certain tags or for check-in frequency^[3]. The company has stated that users will be able to add their own custom badges to the site in the future. If a user has checked-in to a venue more than anyone else, on separate days, and they have a profile photo, they will be crowned “Mayor” of that venue, until someone else earns the title.^[4] Users can create a “To Do” list for their private use and add “Tips” to venues that other users can read.^[5]

Foursquare was previously available in only 100 worldwide metro areas^[6], including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas / Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Helsinki, Houston, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis / St. Paul, New York City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Washington, D.C.,Seoul and Bombay in India. In January 2010, Foursquare changed their location model to allow check-ins from any location worldwide. ^[7] The service has 100,000 users internationally.^[8]

Foursquare currently has an iPhone, Android, and Palm webOS application and is working on applications for BlackBerry and the Windows Mobile^[9]. Both the Blackberry and webOS clients are currently in beta testing.

In February 2010, the company entered into new commercial partnerships for its badges with Zagat, Bravo and several other firms.^[10]

With it’s easy-to-use interface, various different mobile apps available, statistic pages and badge rewards, it’s obvious to see why this social app is growing so fast!

Of course, the Foursquare app is very useful if you’re in a new location where other foursquarers have left tips about where to visit and things to do. Get your friends on! Can’t wait to try it out when I hit the U.S. hopefully later this year…

Ooh and if you haven’t yet…add me! (Please refrain from stalking me though)

In case you haven’t noticed it yet, Facebook has just started rolling out its new layout. I think they’ve done a good job organising functionality by placing most used items in the top left hand corner such as new requests, messages, notifications, news feed etc. Multiple chats can now be handled easier with names of chat partners listed vertically on the side. Other changes include moving Accounts setting to more logical place of its own (top right hand side) and the search field being moved over to the top left hand side.

This organised structured layout appeals a lot more to me than MySpace’s customisable mostly messy look and feel – I’ll leave MySpace to the kids.

Click here to view more about the latest Facebook changes.

What are your thoughts? Do you like it?

Are you into all things anime? If yes, you may want to check out Animavericks.com. They are a group of Indo-Australians who have taken their love for anime to the next level online. In particular their website has information on Anime News, Anime Review, Anime Information, Anime Magazine and Cosplay Tips.

We’re also helping them redesign their flash-based website into something more functional

If you need help with SEO or Web Design please contact our partner company WebAces.com.

Have you ever been stuck in an airport, hotel room, coffee shop, or on the road and wished that you had access to the Internet? Hate paying $9.95 for 30 minutes of internet service? Resorting to your Blackberry but wished you could use your laptop?

TetherBerry is here to provide a solution to all those worries!

TetherBerry is an application that allows your PC to take advantage of your Blackberry’s data plan, allowing you to access the Internet on your laptop anywhere there is cellular coverage from your BlackBerry.

TetherBerry is easy to install, easy to use, works practically anywhere, and is cost effective.

Features of TetherBerry for Blackberry:

• Internet Anywhere: You can use TetherBerry anywhere you can make phone calls.
• Easy Setup: Download our software to your BlackBerry and another for your laptop… Then surf the web and email just like you would with any Internet connection.
• Fast Speeds: Download speeds that are impressive. Our users download at speeds up to 1,800 kbps.
• No Tethering Fees: TetherBerry uses your phone’s data plan and we do not charge tethering fees. (refer to our Terms of Service) (Note that significant charges may apply for data usage if not on an unlimited data plan. Please check with your carrier.) All BlackBerries: TetherBerry is compatible with all BlackBerries.
• All Carriers: TetherBerry has been used by carriers all over the world. Some carriers do require APN settings, though. It appears our product does not work on the iDen Network.
• PC & Mac: TetherBerry works on both PCs and Macs.

Reviews on TetherBerry for Blackberry:

Tim

Oh my! Thanks from the two in this household. Wonderful!

Eric

This app works as advertised and is worth the one time payment of having internet access when you need it. Thank you to the developer!

BillKisse

Worked great the first time! Had it up and running in less than three minutes, and it’s proven reliable for the past week.

Marvin

This application saved my life on the road both professionally and personally. I use email to communicate for both home and business and WiFi is not always an option (and neither is typing out an immense response on the BB keyboard even for as great as the device is). Tetherberry took me less than 2 minutes to get on the web on my MacBook. It’s worth $100 bucks for the convenience alone and it costs half of that. I have to say that I *was* skeptical (because $50 bucks IS $50), but took the chance and can say, without regret or doubt, that it is the best $50 I have spent on a piece of software in a VERY long time.

E.J.Coleman

It works great I am going to Verizon tomorrow to cancel my tethering with them I am a “OTR Driver” Over The Road truck driver that really relies on my laptop to have internet access wether its for my AIO buisness or Fantasy Football or just e-mailing I need it when I need it not wait to drive till I find a rest area with WiFi available I am so glad I dont have to pay $30.00/month any longer… Yeah I had to pay full price of $49.99 but if you think what it would cost to keep Verizon’s tethering service $360.00/year It’s a steal Awesome Program thanks RIM for such a design as the BB and all it’s Capabilities

Gary P

Great and useful app! I thought it would be handy for my notebook in the even I wasn’t in a wifi location. This is not a big concern for me but when they had a sale for about half off I jumped on it. Now I’m protected. I’ve thoroughly tested/played around with it and it works perfect and the speed suits my needs just fine. Thanks, guys!

TetherBerry for Blackberry Product Download Link