Way back moons ago I lusted after the original Asus Padfone, then the Samsung Galaxy Note stole the show and was followed by the Samsung Galaxy Note II. More recently the third generation of the Asus Padfone, the Asus Padfone Infinity, emerged as the top spec device I expect. I've had the Padfone for a month or so now and I really like it. The build quality of the handset is phenomenal, the convenience of having a top spec (same specs as the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One) handset for portability but also the 10.1" full HD tablet is magnificent. BUT. I'm on a mega minimalism bender at the moment and having 2 bits to cart around is doing my head in. I'm quite happy using the handset only for my day to day use but find myself feeling guilty about leaving the Asus Padfone Infinity Station at home. So I take the Station with me and then find myself using it only because I feel guilty about not. Or just not using it at all and therefore carting it around unnecessarily. First world problems huh.

So the Padfone is on limited time in my possession and I eagerly await the arrival of the years phablets. The phablet form factor is the one that suits me by far the most. One device, big hands, I wear jeans that can pocket such a beast rather than skin tight ones that couldn't, the list goes on. But what is it going to be . . .

So far, the HTC T6 sounds very appealing. Assumed to be a big version of the HTC One, here's hoping it will come with vanilla Android :-) Chances are the Samsung Galaxy Note III will find itself in my possession at some stage, but I'm not sold on the plasticness of the Galaxy series. The rumoured Sony Xperia L4 at 6.44" is another potential candidate. I like the design and build quality of the Xperia Z and Sony holds the brand loyalty I have the earliest memories of. Lastly the Nexus 7 II is what I have high hopes for. The vanilla Android experience is what I am after and if the Nexus 7 II has a slimmer bezel, full HD screen, iPad mini style design & materials and the ability to use it as a phone then it could well take the cake.

A while ago I tweeted and made general enquiries about how to delete passwords from Internet Explorer in a corporate environment which has had the usual methods disabled.

There were a few suggestions made but ultimately the only option that worked for my situation was a brilliant little application called IE PassView. It is available from Nirsoft here http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/internet_explorer_password.html. I see they have similar applications for router passwords, email passwords and Internet Explorer history but I haven't tried them.

I ran it from a USB stick and it showed me all the stored usernames and passwords and allowed me to delete them. Quite scary really! It also allows you to export them for backup etc

I post this here in the hope that it will save someone else the hassle of searching. It does access and edit the registry so it comes with risks and anti virus/spyware programs alert on it but it seems to have a good reputation around the internet.

Just over a year a ago I had reached what I considered a reasonable state of minimalism. I thought I was pretty much at the stage I wanted to be and was quite happy there. Fast forward 14 months and HOLY MOLY, I have gone CRAZY!

Since the 15th of March I have sold 68 items on Trade Me (plus a few via Geekzone and word of mouth) and I currently have another 24 items listed, an effort which has seen me become a Trade Me Top Seller. This phase of my quest for minimalism has seen extreme ruthlessness, with sacred possessions such as gadgetry, Ducati paraphernalia and even my beloved Ducati Hypermotard motorbike put on the chopping block (oh ok, maybe that last one is related to a desirable new model being released ;-) ). My TV and associated appliances is on the list, it gets used rarely and when it does, only as a glorified radio to play C4 music videos and my tool box full of tools that seldom see the light of day can be easily replaced by a multi tool in most situations.

This wasn't and isn't about making money but so far my Trade Me sales total $1,053.50 (with $90.52 of Trade Me fees which I don't begrudge at all). That is a whole pile of cash that is far more usable than a bunch of items I haven't used for years sitting around gathering dust! To date I have not thrown anything out . . . a few bits and pieces have been given to charitable causes or bartered, a few have been sold for $1 on a $1 reserve auction but even that is satisfying, to allow someone else to put to good use an item that I just don't need.

Looking towards the future, I am working on a list of the possessions I NEED and this is what I am striving for. Essentially clothes and a one device does all piece of technology is all I want and need. Living in a fully furnished apartment assists greatly here but I see my future own residence being quite minimal in whichever form it takes (a tent maybe haha).

I am the first to admit that I have reached a crazy level of extreme minimalism but it is making me feel so happy, so liberated. I am just a little scared to consider what I can sell next ;-)

If you want a bargain, check out my Trade Me listings and feel free to judge me based on some of the quirky dregs that are currently listed :-) Everything must go!

Way back forever ago I fell in love with the original Asus Padfone when it was announced. I had my heart set on it for the following months but just before it was released, the Samsung Galaxy Note stole the show. The Samsung Galaxy Note II followed and it is a great machine but in February the Padfone flame was reignited with the announcement of the Asus Padfone Infinity.

Featuring full HD screens on both pieces, a beautifully crafted handset, amazing specifications, a reasonably vanilla Android experience, large internal memory, decent camera. SOLD!

Yesterday I ordered (from BuyshopTW) what appears to be one of the first publically available units (as did NZtechfreak). I hadn't felt this level of new toy excitement for years.

We have a discussion thread here, feel free to ask questions/discuss/share my excitement :-)

Come on Fedex!!

Well well well, 2 days before the announcement of its successor (Samsung Galaxy Note 2), my generic Australian Samsung Galaxy Note has finally been allowed to update to Android 4.0 ICS. I will run the update later today.

I have no regrets about ditching iOS for Android and I love the form factor of the Note but I wish Google/Android took Apple's approach to software updates (I realise that OEM customisation is a factor).

There are a few spy shots kicking around the internet of the supposed 2013 Ducati Hypermotard 848.





I love my current steed, a 2011 Ducati Hypermotard 796, but I am always on the lookout for something to replace it when the time comes and until now that was the new Ducati Streetfighter 848. I do like the Streetfighter style a lot but the Hypermotard really is something and the rumoured Hypermotard 848 has a strong appeal.

Bring on the confirmed specs and pics!

I have gone a little crazy in preparing myself for the purchase of my first Android device . . .

Procured to date:
Full size 2degrees SIM card to SIM swap from my microSIM.
Sandisk 64GB microSDXC card from Moby Memory in the UK

From Expansys (ex Singapore):
Design Craft Hard Case (Sky Blue)
Martin Fields Screen Protector
Samsung MHL MicroUSB to HDMI Adapter to allow display on a TV
Samsung USB Gender Adapter to allow connection of a USB flash drive

I am about to order my black Samsung Galaxy Note from Mobileciti which will be delivered to my parents in Sydney to await my arrival on Wednesday. Along with it I'll grab a couple of extra chargers for my various places of work plus a 12V (cigarette lighter) charger, both are genuine Samsung parts for a great price.

I will be on the look out for a nice (smallish) Bluetooth keyboard and mouse while in Australia as the Note is going to be my only computer (for now at least, will see how I cope).

Is there anything else I must have?

After years of wanting a device just like the Asus Padfone, now that it is so very close I have changed my mind

The Samsung Galaxy Note is going to be my first Android device. With screen size and resolution my main priority (I no longer own a computer, my phone does it all) I have decided that the 5.3" 1280 x 800 screen is going to suit my needs the best. Provided I don't take a liking to skin tight jeans (not going to happen!) it is still pocketable and therefore the best device for me.

I am off to Australia in 2.5 weeks, I will grab one from Mobileciti over there as a 2 year manufacturer warranty in Oz plus the GST refund on departure makes it my favoured deal.

I have gone a little crazy in anticipation . . . ordered so far ex Hong Kong and the UK are a 64GB Sandisk microSDXC card, a screen protector, a hard skin case, USB OTG adaptor and MHL to HDMI adaptor.

Wheeeeeeeeee new toy!

I have had numerous speaker systems over the years. Initially the boom-box style mini systems but more recently I have had no need for a radio tuner, CD, cassette tape *cough* etc so the last few have been varying styles of speaker and amp only systems. I have been on a bit of a minimalisation trip over the past year and this resulted in me disposing of my Logitech 2.1 speaker system recently. I set about finding a more portable solution, with the aim being to find something small enough to fit in my pocket on my motorcycling adventures (tunes at the beach while eating fish & chips are essential) but loud enough to be heard over a bunch of roudy beer-drinkers at a BBQ at home. I did some googling and started a thread here on Geekzone with the soundmatters foxL series emerging as my preferred contender.

Recently I received from Sound & Image Pty Limited in Australia the soundmatters foxL v2 Platinum Bluetooth Edition Personal Audiophile Loudspeaker. Sound & Image are the Australasian distributors for soundmatters products and were excellent to deal with providing prompt, helpful communication and my new toy to my door (across the Tasman) in just on one week, for a very reasonable freight cost.

I had done plenty of research prior to ordering, looked at lots of photos, etc, but unlike with previous gadget purchases hadn't actually drawn out the size of the unit on paper. WOW! When I opened the box and lifted the unit out the size and build quality feel was quite a surprise. It feels like a really well made device and the size has to be felt to be believed. I charged the battery using the supplied AC adaptor as advised on the "for best performance" card and then paired it to my iPhone. The pairing was a simple process, no annoying passcode required, and now for the moment of truth . . .



This thing is worth every cent and is well deserving of every rave review (most of them are) that it receives. I'm no audiophile but I did want "good" volume and clarity from the smallest speaker possible and I sure have got that. It is simply amazing. Dr. Godehard Guenther really has hit the nail on the head very well with the design and build of this product. Innovative features such as employing the battery as a bass generating panel (it vibrates) have allowed this extremely compact unit to produce the sound that it does.

While plugged in to a 5V supply (via AC adaptor or USB cable) the amp runs at full power 4W and while running off the internal 3.6V battery the amp runs at half power 2W. The difference is obviously noticeable but the performance on battery is still quite remarkable.



The packaging is smart and efficient and contains a decent selection of accessories. Included is the 5 volt @ 2 Amp AC adator, plug heads for most AC sockets around the world, a USB cable (for charging), a soft carry bag, an anti-slip mat (when cranked up the unit bounces around a bit), a wrist lanyard and a concise instruction manual and extra info card. Because I got the platinum edition I also got an evergreen 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio lead. The Platinum Edition provides greater battery life, aptX support and the evergreen cable.

I also purchased the soundmatters foxL Case UKPro TT10 which is a water proof hard case for transporting the speaker system and the AC adaptor. This provides good protection from the elements for the precious cargo inside and won't take up too much room in your carry on luggage or day bag. It also comes with a larger lanyard type strap.



The bluetooth pairing has been kept quite simple and this produces the only real (very minor) issue I have. When first powered on the unit attempts to connect one of the five previously paired devices for 30s before switching to new discovery mode. This is a slightly annoying delay when the bluetooth button on the front panel could have been used like most other devices do to enter pairing mode.

All in all I am very impressed. This is obviously a premium product in terms of price but you certainly get what you pay for. It won't be for everyone but if you want the best sound from the smallest package this is the device for you!



Disclaimer: When I approached Sound & Image about the possibility of buying a unit for personal use and to review they kindly offered me a discount.

I am currently right back to where I started with my little 18 month Apple obsession . . . my iPhone 4 is my last piece of Appledom. It was great while it lasted but the temptation of the Asus Padfone is too great so the AirPort Express is gone and more recently the 11" MacBook Air is gone, along with it's numerous accessories.

I do of course have continued access to an Apple "account" which contains a few hundred songs purchased through iTunes, a shi.largeload of iTunes Matched songs and a couple of hundred iOS apps purchased from the app store. They can go into hibernation for a rainy day ;-)

The whole Apple ecosystem is cool and I got right into it, I do still think the hardware is brilliant and the "it just works" aspect of the software is great . . . but I'm bored of it, it is time for something new. Also, my needs/use don't justify having an iPhone, an iPad and a MacBook Air. I tweet, I Facebook, I web browse, I take photos but they don't have to be awesome quality - as much as I could embrace my inner (and outer) geek and have a separate device for each task, my minimalist self wins hands down with wanting one device that does all.

So for the next month or so I will farewell my time with Apple by employing my iPhone 4 as my only computer. I used to go days at a time without firing up the MBA and pre-iPhone I went a month or so with a Nokia N900 as my only computer, so it should be fine.

Bye Apple, thanks for the memories. Thanks for taking my money in return for your priced-at-double-what-it-would-cost-without-the-Apple-logo hardware. Thanks for making that hardware so well. Thanks for that spendy hardware maintaining its resale value. Thanks for the great wind-up of my acquaintances when I went from staunch anti-Apple to very pro-Apple almost overnight. Thanks for the new wind-up of all my Apple-owning (and for the most part typical Apple fanboi ;-) ) acquaintances ridiculing me for jumping ship.

Thanks.