It seems there’s trouble in iPhoneland, Australia. No, I’m not talking about faulty or spotty 3G connections (although yes, that is a problem) and similar typical iPhone 3G stuff. I’m talking about iPhone customers getting billed ten times more than what they’re supposed to pay.

continue reading "When Bill Hits the Fan; Optus and Vodafone Shock iPhone Customers"

Oh yes, we got more leather cases for your iPhone 3G available right here in Mr. Gadget Australia. The new Krusell Orion leather cases fit the iPhone 3G perfectly, and of course, the iPod Touch

continue reading "Krusell Leather Cases for the iPhone 3G at Mr. Gadget Australia"

Now if only my tax return gives me around $1000 more than what I am expecting, I’ll have the perfect speakers for my iPhone 3G:

Get your B&W Zeppelin Speakers here!

iPhone

Not that the UK’s Daily Mail is the best source of news on earth, but we can’t ignore a recent report that according to the newspaper was from an “industry source.” The report says that a new “nano” version of the iPhone would be available by Christmas.

continue reading "iPhone Nano by Christmas—Really?"

Yippee! Yesterday afternoon Telstra upgraded their mobile data plans! Although not the most generous, it is a major improvement from their previous offerings; I was paying AU$59 for a paltry 200MB! Just got off the phone with Telstra and changed to the new AU$29 plan which gives me 300MB - so basically paying half price and get an extra 100MB. Good times.

Here are the new Telstra mobile data options:

Telstra Mobile Data Packs Aug2008

It’s no surprise that Telstra have finally succumbed to competitive pressures. With 3 and Virgin Mobile coming aboard the iPhone 3G bandwagon, it’d be foolish of them to do otherwise.

Just a thought: could you imagine the buzz that would be created if Telstra created a very well priced all-you-can-eat mobile data plan? There would be dancing in the street!

Apple iPhone3G Pricing - Telstra

Palringo for iPhone

Palringo, a multi-client instant messenger, has hit the Apple App Store a couple of days ago. Among the clients Palringo supports are Windows Live Messenger, Google Talk, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, Gadu Gadu, and Jabber.

continue reading "Palringo IM Hits Apple App Store"

JBL On Stage IIIP Dock

Yesterday, we announced that we will be selling e a couple of new Harman Consumer Group’s docks as listed in our catalog: the JBL On Stage 400ID and the JBL On Stage IIIP. Let’s now get you more acquainted with the JBL On Stage IIIP dock for the iPod and iPhone 3G.

continue reading "JBL On Stage IIIP Dock for iPod and iPhone 3G"

Last week I wrote on the top 10 things I liked about the new Apple iPhone 3G. Now that I’ve had time to incorporate the iPhone 3G into my daily regime, I’ve ratified my most annoying things about it into the following 10. This list is also the result of speaking to fellow iPhone 3Gers like Twitter buddies @mpesce and @allisonr.

I see this list giving those who are still pondering on whether to make the iPhone 3G leap, a realistic view of the iPhone 3G - like all things on this earth, nothing is perfect.

1. Terrible Battery Life
The trade-off for all the wonderful functionality on the iPhone 3G is poor battery life. Running WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, iPod, and mobile phone capabilities at the same time will suck the living daylight out of any gadget. I’m sure Apple knew this, so one has to ask why didn’t they bump up the milli-amps to cater for this? Could this also be a reason why Apple didn’t include more bluetooth functionality such as A2DP or Bluetooth data file sharing abilities?

According to an experiment conducted by AnandTech, you can only browse for around 3 hours on the iPhone 3G before it completely dies! Here’s the comparison with iPhone Version 1 and the Samsung Blackjack.

As a power-user (I use all the aforementioned power draining functions with gusto daily), I’m finding that I have to charge my battery every night.

Here are some tips to help you conserve your iPhone 3G battery life:

a. Condition battery in first week: even though battery technology has improved immensely over the last 10 years, I still habitually fully discharge and charge my batteries of new devices in the first week. In the ol’ days of nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride (still around), this both lengthened the life of your battery and ensure it knew where full and empty were.

b. Turn-off WiFi and Bluetooth when not required: this will save you considerable battery juice as your iPhone 3G won’t be actively scouring the air waves for nearby access points or bluetooth gizmos. Both of these can be switched off via the Settings option.

c. Get an extra charge cable or adapter: keep one at home via your bedside table and one for your work / study desk. This way you can re-juice while you sleep and work. I got an extra charge dock given to me at the Telstra Shop in Melbourne, since I was one of first so I’m all set in this area.

d. Get a iPhone 3G car charger: similarly if you drive to-and-fro everyday, make use of auto-power and top up your iPhone 3G.

e. Be conservative in your usage in general: I know I sound like a killjoy, but prioritise the tasks you perform on your iPhone 3G, e.g. do you really need to be using GPS when walking to your local convenient store? Save your battery for important situations like showing off at birthday parties with party tricks like the photo pinch ‘n’ zoom functionality.

2. No Bluetooth Data Transfer

Yup, you heard right, the Apple iPhone cannot transmit data files over Bluetooth. Kinda sad if you want to transfer your photos to friend’s phone or PC. For those in the U.S. blessed with lavish data plans this isn’t an issue as you can send via Internet/email. However, for the Australian Telstra iPhoners who are without all-you-can-eat or even remotely generous data plans this can be an expensive data transfer alternative. Guess we’ll just have to carry our USB cables on us wherever we go and hope that there will always be a free PC handy…not.

3. No full Outlook Sync Support
Contrary to what iPhone 3G non-business users will tell you, the iPhone does not fully sync with Outlook. More accurately, the iPhone 3G only syncs contacts and calendar events and does not sync notes or to-do list. This is annoying as I have a lot of notes created and stored from my Windows Mobiles days, not to mention my daily to-do list which keeps me on track. Now I have to install separate apps to store this info and squirm at the idea of re-inputting these items into those.

continue reading "10 of the Most Annoying Things about the iPhone"

Earlier this week I received two pairs of Sumajin Headphones to review: black SD Card (RRP $89.95) and orange standard (RRP $49.95) versions. I donned the orange headphones this morning as I walked to work and immediately took a liking to the light weight design. It features two well padded 40mm DiaNdFeb ear speakers which sit comfortably on the head while at the same time, blocking out all external noise so you can focus on enjoy your music.

The 3.5mm stereo audio jack comes with a sturdy almost 2m cable - ample length for hooking up to your MP3 as well as your computer.

Best of all was the sound. Bass was rich and treble clear. I was using it on the iPhone 3G and was very happy with the audio output. I could just imagine using the Sumajin Headphones to watch a movie on a Portable DVD Player - it would be awesome!

Key Features of the Sumajin Headphones:

• High quality sound
• Adjustable Head Strap with Soft Ear Foam
• Small, lightweight & foldable design for easy storage.
• 3.5mm Headphone cable included.
• Available in assorted colours.

Technical Specifications of the Sumajin Headphones:

• Speaker Driver:
• 2X40mm DiaNdFeb Speaker
• Impedence: 32 Ohm
• Sensitivity: 1-5dB S.P.L.at 1KHz
• Frequency range: 18-20,000Hz

Sumajin Headphones Giveaway!

If you would like to own a pair of these great headphones, we’re giving away 2 on the Mr.Gadget Live Show, streaming from Ustream.TV this Monday Night at 8:30pm (AEST).

You have to be watching for details to win! Make sure you put it in your calendar.

Sumajin Headphones, iWorld Australia

We’ve already featured iPhone 3G cases from various manufacturers here. But if you haven’t found the right casing for you yet, this time, we’ve stocked on various models of Griffin Apple iPhone 3G cases.

continue reading "Griffin iPhone 3G Cases at Mr. Gadget Australia"