Blog

The thoughts, opinions, happenings, and just plain ramblings of a seemingly boring person.

Technology

New Mobile: Sony Xperia Z5

Categories Geekery, Technology

sony-xperia-z5Although I had hit the two-year mark on my Nexus 5 back in October, I wasn't in the mood to look for a new phone. Up until recently, the Nexus 5 had served me well.

However, things went downhill with the recent Android Marshmallow update. General buginess, especially regarding the battery life, was very disappointing. I'm not alone with these type of issues, and I've got to say that each Android update since KitKat has introduced more problems compared the usefulness of new features introduced, and it takes Google months to issue fixes.

Ironically, the last two releases (Lollipop and … Read more →

Keyboard Hit and Misses: Read My Tale of Woe

Categories Rants, Technology

Corsair Strafe RGBMy trusty almost-7-year-old keyboard, the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard, unfortunately has started to go on its way out over the past 6 months or so. I have really loved this keyboard, it's easily the best keyboard I have ever used. But, a few sticking and failing keys meant that I  begrudgingly started to look for a replacement.

Long post ahead! The TL;DR version is that I got a new keyboard, the Corsair Strafe RGB with Cherry MX Silent key switches.

Now onto the tale:

I started looking at mechanical keyboards, as they seem to be all the rage at the … Read more →

Steam Home Streaming with Ori

Categories Gaming, Geekery, Technology

Steam Home StreamingAfter recently getting an Intel NUC primarily for use as a Plex Home Theater (PHT) client, I was forced to install Windows to use PHT because of the general buginess of the OpenELEC-PHT Linux distro.

Turns out that was a blessing in disguise, because having a full Windows computer attached to the TV has made the device so much more handy and flexible for other uses that I never originally intended for it.

Other than being able to easily watch anything you can on a computer on the TV (for example, being really useful for sports streaming), the use that … Read more →

Pebble: *Time* for a Sequel

Categories Geekery, Technology

Pebble Time

I got the original Pebble smartwatch in November last year, and since then it has become an invaluable tool in my day-to-day tech world.

When Pebble announced the colour e-paper Pebble Time via a Kickstarter campaign, I backed it immediately. I was totally sold on the colour e-paper screen, but also the built-in microphone for dictating text replies to messages.

I received my Kickstarter Edition black Pebble Time a few weeks ago, and overall it has been a stellar experience.

Pebble have been fast in rolling out updates to the watch, too; in a recent update they've already responded … Read more →

Plexing with a NUC

Categories Geekery, Technology

Intel NUCFor the past 6+ years, a WDTV has served as the trusty media player for our living room: firstly playing stuff off an external hard drive, and then off our NAS.

Although the latest one is still going strong after almost 4 years, I recently saw a Plex Home Theater setup running on an Alienware Alpha, and was impressed at the great visuals and easy experience of the platform, as well as the 'on deck' items when watching through a series.

Despite the Alienware Alpha being an impressive living room gaming PC, it is way overkill for what … Read more →

Windows 10 Tech Preview

Categories Rants, Technology

Windows10-StartMenuAfter receiving the 'Free Upgrade!' notifications this week, I downloaded and had a quick peek at the upcoming Windows 10.

After my scathing preview of the Windows 8 Beta, which although slightly over the top but still mostly accurate, it was interesting to see what Microsoft was going to do after the very lukewarm reception of that iteration of their OS.

Although the .1 update made Windows 8 stomachable, it seems that for Windows 10 they've gone and made it what I think Windows 8 should have been all along.

Sound familiar? It's pretty much what I said for … Read more →

Back to Cable & New Router

Categories Geekery, Internet, Technology

Asus RT-AC68UIt took almost three months of laborious, will-testing, patience-stretching torture, but I have finally bested the beast. We are now back on Telstra cable as our internet connection.

The reason for the move back to Telstra (whom I have no love for), was initiated by TPG's takeover bid for iiNet (owner of Internode), which the iiNet board has recommended. There aren't many companies in the world that I would say I am mortal enemies with, but TPG is one (and the only other would be Samsung).

Although I have loved the five years I have spent with Internode, there … Read more →

New Mouse (G502) & Avenging Again

Categories Movies, Technology

Logitech g502-proteus-coreIt's been a while, but now I have the excuse of taking care of a new life and attempting to get some sleep at the same time! 😉

I bought a new mouse this week. My last mouse, the G9x, has performed superbly over the past four years. However, recently the rubber coating on the mouse has started to oxidise and get sticky, so I thought it was time for a new one.

I picked up the Logitech G502 on sale for a very cheap $49, and it hasn't disappointed. It's amazing how much cheaper these top-tier mice have … Read more →

Three Days Without Internet

Categories Internet, Technology

Keep calm there is no internetThis past week, we were without internet for a full three days. It doesn't seem like much, but I can't remember a time in the past 10 years that we were completely without our main internet connection for so long (disregarding temporary connection performance issues).

I'm not sure what caused it, and despite Internode's (my ISP) best efforts, Telstra haven't given any explanation as to why my whole phone line was unceremoniously disconnected. Internode were great throughout the whole ordeal, keeping me informed every day (sometimes multiple times), and proactively noticing another Telstra stuff-up before I did: Telstra originally only … Read more →

Me and My Pebble

Categories Geekery, Technology

My pebble watch on my wristI've wanted a Pebble smartwatch for a while, but the price (US$150+) had always put me off. They recently dropped the price to only US$99, which was right in my ballpark, so yay!

I think it's the perfect device for me. Although I like the idea of a fuller featured smartwatch, like the various Android Wear devices now being sold, I definitely do not like the prices (at well over US$200), or the fact that you need to charge them almost every day. I have enough trouble remembering to charge my phone!

The Pebble platform and development community has matured … Read more →