Minibyte »

• iPhone flaws highlighted

  July 31, 2009 @ 12:48 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  I like the 3G S, don’t get me wrong. But – and I’m not the only one to point this out – there are some flaws.  Sorry, iPhone fans. It’s true.

  If it’s not reports of overheating batteries, it’s security flaws.  The vulnerability, which can be exploited through sending computer code via the phone’s text messaging system, was highlighted a few weeks ago, but has yet to be fixed.

  In the meantime, experts warn, iPhone users are vulnerable to having their devices taken over and puts affected users at risk of identity theft.

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• Should Ebay clamp down on the ticket touts?

  July 22, 2009 @ 2:32 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  I used to have an advantage when it came to getting tickets for gigs. Having broadband at home when very few people would – or could – make the leap to higher speed lines meant that queuing outside HMV for tickets at 6am in the freezing cold was a thing of the past. Log on, get the tickets, go back to bed.

  These days, everyone has it. It’s hit and miss as to whether you manage to beat the crowds to snatch the last two tickets to the gig of your choice, but at least you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

  However, although it may be easier for music fans, broadband has also made it easier for touts to make a quick profit.
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• Amazon’s Orwellian move

  @ 1:22 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  It’s no secret that the publishing industry has lagged behind others – music, movies – when it comes to embracing the digital revolution. And  stories like this don’t exactly do it any favours.

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• Eircom woes

  July 17, 2009 @ 3:07 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  Based on this article, I’ve started getting a number of complaints about Eircom’s broadband service. Slow or limited connectivity, not being able to get online at all in some cases, with problems allegedly extending long past the time Eircom claims the issues were resolved.

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• Microsoft, Google competition steps up a gear

  July 14, 2009 @ 8:07 am | by Ciara O'Brien

  Google and Microsoft are trampling all over each other’s territory lately. If it’s not Microsoft trying to creep up on Google with its search engine Bing, it’s Google offering word processing and other productivity software.

  This week, it seems the line between the two has got a whole lot fuzzier. Google is talking about operating systems, and Chrome netbooks. Microsoft is now talking about a web-based version of Office.

  Good thing? Bad thing? Competition is usually a good thing but we’ll have to wait and see how these new ventures pan out.

• Technology can be a dangerous thing

  July 13, 2009 @ 4:21 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  Technology is hazardous to your health, especially when you forget to watch where you’re going. This will be me some day. Except without the threatened legal action.

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• Review: Sony NWZ W202

  July 9, 2009 @ 1:56 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  When a tech company touts anything as “wearable” technology, I usually find myself flinching. Perhaps it’s because I can remember the days when a certain firm who shall remain nameless tried to convince me that some fairly terrible looking portable digital picture frames would make a good necklace for a night out.

  Hint: It didn’t.

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• CGI gets a little creepy

  @ 1:44 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  You can do fantastic things with computers. Amazing, interesting things.

  Every so often though, it crosses the line from amazing to slightly creepy. I’m not sure whether or not to laugh or move slowly away from my computer screen: Evian babies

• Free stuff

  @ 12:29 pm | by Ciara O'Brien

  Getting something free is usually a good thing. So here’s some for the weekend.

  Three Ireland have gone the way of Vodafone and O2 by offering customers free webtexts to Irish mobiles – 333 to be exact.  Three customers can register on the site for their free text service.

  In keeping with the same theme, I’ve been having a poke around on Apple’s App Store. Lots of free stuff there, some more useful than others.

  Jelly SMS, which allows you to make use of your free text allowance through your handset whether you are Vodafone, Three, O2, blueface or other providers, is available free of charge until Sunday. Developed by Finbar Brady, it’s made it into the top 10 app list on iTunes Ireland.

• Open 24/7?

  July 2, 2009 @ 9:14 am | by Ciara O'Brien

  I’ve got to the stage where I do most things online - pay bills, shop, keep in contact with friends. So I’m used to logging on at 1am to pay my ESB bill, or transfer money for my mortgage.

  That’s the beauty of online self-service, isn’t it? Not if you’re buying insurance, it seems.

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