Tech & Gaming

Google Street View launched overnight in Australia, thanks to Kristarella for the heads up.

Now when you go to Google Maps now you can see blue outlines on all the streets that have been mapped so far, from my quick look around it seems that Google has been pretty busy as I’ve managed to find all the houses that I grew up in, all my old schools, places I used to hang out in and pretty well all of the surf spots I used to go to.

Google has copped a load of crap previously about privacy breaches and things like that where they’ve clearly shown peoples number plates and also peoples faces. Meh, I don’t really care actually as I’ve already made the decision to stream so much of my life online but I’m sure there will of course be similar complaints made against Google Australia as so far I’ve found plenty of places with car number plates, a couple of faces, and even these ‘busy’ council road workers out the front of my work.

Anyway, it’s pretty cool so go check it out.

Disclaimer: I know these guys aren’t lazy, I’m just joking for the sake of stereotypes.

I’ve spent the last 3 days hacking around on my Asus EeePC 701 trying to find information on how to install my USB 3G modem, Vodafone 3G to be precise, on it. I was directed to a number of different websites prompting me to download a load of different drivers and all sorts of other stuff the the EeePC.

As it turns out it is really simple, and takes about a minute.

Here’s how (it’d be useful for you to turn on your Asus EeePC now);

1. On the ‘Internet’ tab open up the ‘Network’ icon, this will take you to Network Connections
2. Click on ‘Create’ to start a new connection
3. Select the type of connection, for the 3G USB modem select GSM / 3G (UMTS) / HSDPA, click ‘Next’
4. Select Hardware, huawei E-220 /dev/ttyUSB0 and plug the modem into the first (closest to front) USB slot and click ‘Next’
5. Network Registration, click on ‘Search’ to find the modem and 3G service. Once you get the list select your provider by clicking on their name and click ‘Next’
6. Login Data, select the operator location you’re in, ie. Australia - Vodafone, then click ‘Next’
7. Name your connection, ie. Vodafone 3G, and click ‘Next’
8. You can now choose for this connection to start at system start, and also when you finish the wizard. It’s up to you but I prefer to start mine manually. Click ‘Finish’ and you’re done

In your Network Connections list you should now have your new 3G USB Modem connection, right click on it and select Connect and after a short period of connection time you will have yourself a 3G USB Modem connection. Go browse the internet, download some emails, chat, etc.

Hopefully your install goes as smoothly as mine did.

Well here’s something interesting, Vodafone just sent me through the following email and as I’m someone who pre-registered with them I can be amongst the first to own an iPhone 3G world wide! Small catch, I most likely wont get it for a few days because of delivery times, oh and their pricing model also sucks.

I just received this press release from Vodafone which gives some very brief details about their iPhone launch plans for tomorrow morning. At this point in time they still haven’t publicly released their pricing and confirmed that you will actually be able to pickup an iPhone outside of the below locations.

Hopefully they aren’t making the same mistake as Telstra.

Vodafone Australia is set to be one of the first mobile phone retailers in the world to stock and sell the iPhone 3G.

Tomorrow morning, select Vodafone stores across the country will be opening their store doors early giving eager customers their first opportunity to get their hands on the new iPhone 3G.

Entertainment and breakfast will be provided for all people in attendance.

Celebrity MCs and local DJs will be present at each event.

Launch locations:

Sydney – 333 George Street store

Melbourne – Chapel St store

Adelaide – Rundle Street Mall

Perth – Hay Street

Brisbane – Queen Street Mall

We’ve seen the official pricing of the iPhone from Optus for a day or so now, we’ve seen most of Telstra’s pricing, but we’ve still not sen anything from Vodafone? wtf

For around 20 minutes or so earlier today Vodafone had some publicly released pricing on their website but for some strange reason they removed it. At this point in time nothing has replaced it, and I doubt they will have anything public today.

At this point in time Optus has the best plans for the iPhone in Australia, followed by Telstra and well who knows what Vodfone is doing.

Here in Newcastle you’re probably better off getting the Telstra version if you want the full 3G data speed, if you’re prepared to wait until the end of the year then both Optus and Vodafone will / should have 3G in Newcastle (I heard this from Vodafone at Kotara).

How much will not having 3G effect you? Good question. I have a Vodafone Mobile Broadband account that works off of their 3G service and while it’s no where near as fast as my dsl at home I can easily browse a couple of websites whilst chatting in my instant messenger client without it being frustrating. So bearing this in mind I think you’re better off waiting for Optus / Vodafone to get their 3G tower installed in Newcastle. Not only will you not be stuck with the pain that is Telstra, you’ll also be paying less which is pretty important.

Anecdotally I’ve been informed that all of supplies of the iPhone in Australia are effectively accounted for because of the pre-sale / registration that Optus, Telstra and Vodafone have done. So for all intent and purpose the actual iPhone release in Australia wont be for another couple of weeks! Similar information is coming from the UK, NZ and other countries where Apple has delivered around 10-20% of the ordered stock. Fingers crossed I actually get mine on Friday as I’ve pre-paid for mine at Optus.

Assuming Vodafone release some pricing tomorrow, there will only be one more piece of the puzzle to be revealed……Mobile Me…