Tech and Gadgets by Peter Bite
New Apple Store in Broadway
Apple recently opened their latest Australian store in the Broadway Shopping Centre. Eager Apple fanatics lined up from 730 am and by the time the store opened at 1000, the queue was half way around the third level plaza. There were about 60 Apple staff on hand to engage the throngs and the shop had all the latest products on display and working. The first sale occurred 10 minutes after opening.
A few notable new services:
- Apple now offer apple care warranties for business networks for 5+ computers
- In-store training sessions are now tailored for children during school holidays for using such apps as iMovie and GarageBand
- Apple now has a school excursion program where projects being done using apple products are supported by a trip to the Apple store to learn advanced techniques for using those products
The store is open 7 days and is located on the top level of Broadway. The closest parking is to follow the red line from the entrance to the second top level but this means you have to do about 14 hairpin turns on the way out.
Metro Screen Apps Lab
On Thursday July 5 the Metro Screen Apps Lab Seminar was held in Surry Hills with presentations given on topics such as smart phone web site design and app creation and marketing. Organisations such as the Australian Museum, Paypal, Scan2list and Google covered topics including how to get the idea for your app from concept to design, construction and publication. A lot of discussion was spent on the importance of using social media to promote your cause. The message was not to oversell your app, but to contribute to discussions in interest groups that relate to your app and just sign off with your name and the website/company you are representing.
Other points raised during the seminar:
- Instead of developing a website for your business, build a mobile website first. The majority of internet users in Australia are now doing so via a mobile device.
- Encourage feedback from your customers – they usually come up with the best designs.
- Be careful when presenting your design to so called sponsors. Get a non-disclosure agreement signed before presenting to any party.
- Flesh out your designs on paper before starting expensive computer design.
Quickflix Movie Streaming and DVDs
Quickflix is an Australian movie retail company which sells movies on subscription via internet streaming or dvd/blu-ray delivery. Tim Parsons, Chief Innovation Officer, says the bulk of the company’s business comes from DVD orders, but the online streaming accounts are the fastest growing area of the company.
The quality of the streaming service is very good with ADSL2 broadband easily supporting movie formats. Starting a movie requires a short “individualizing” step, but after that everything runs smoothly.
The service offers the latest releases as well as a back catalogue of over 50,000 titles. Membership is by a monthly payment for unlimited streaming or limited disk rentals but with no late fees. Customers create a queue of movies they wish to subscribe to and as you post each disk back to Quickflix, they will send you the next movie in your queue.
Quickflix is offering a special introductory offer to our readers: a 1 month free trial on the Regular Package with unlimited DVDs 2 out-at-a-time, plus WatchNow streaming and No Joining Fee. To redeem, signup at www.quickflix.com.au and put CITYNEWS in the promo code.
Your issues
Each week I will answer readers questions about technology or gadgets and the best questions will be published here for the benefit of all. If you need any help with your technology needs, just email me at peterbitecomputing@gmail.com .
