After some extensive ‘research’ trying out Singstar with some friends I can confirm it is as embarrassing as you would predict. Mostly when you play back the videos recorded on your friends phones.

Singstar certainly has it’s place in the way of Family entertainment, party activity and everyday fun with every 5-6 party invite or work social event listing Singstar as one of it’s attractions.

The upsides include variety of songs, genres and eras in separately available packs so that you only get the style of songs you want to sing. It’s a group activity so you an get everyone involved and because you can play it on your at home consoles there’s no need to embarrass yourselves in public if you just want to sing some Karaoke.

The downsides are that although there are separate packs, they can be pricey and the costs soon add up with every song pack you buy. If you have someone playing that knows it well they might know the cheats way to win (we’re not going to give that away).

All in all it can be a lot of fun for a lot of people so unless you have a microphone hogger in your midst (we all know one) or your neighbours don’t enjoy your powerful Tina turner rendition at 4am you should all be safe to enjoy a night on the town, in your living room. Just keep an eye on the secret video recordings taking place!

Find cheap Singstar in NZ

I think most people have that crazy Aunty, or someone in the family, who you can guarantee that every year will give you weird Christmas presents, or things that you would never use, leading you to wonder, why bother in the first place?

Well, we here at Lasoo, decided to do something about those unwanted Christmas gifts, by offering you the chance to tell us your gift fail and win a $50 prezzy card for you and your guilty gift giver.

All you need to do is ‘like’ Lasoo on Facebook, register your gift fail with us and the most humorous story will win each day. For fourteen days, we will give away vouchers, so you can try more than once, as well as a grand prize of a $1500 prezzy card to the ultimate gift fail.

So what are you waiting for? Tell us your gift fail now!

- 3.2” touch screen
- Slide out QWERTY keyboard
- 5MP Camera
- 200MB device memory – expandable to 16GB with Memory card

I have been using the Nokia C6-00 for the last few months as an upgrade from my Nokia 5800 Xpress Music. I saw this as having the same operating system and a similar shape to the Xpress music but the addition of the slide out QWERTY keyboard. And honestly, this is the only change I have found it to have to my Xpress music.

I can still use it as my default music player saving me from hauling around a phone AND a MP3 player. The headphone jack is compatible with your generic headphones so I can even run it through my car stereo with a tape->MP3 player converter with the added benefit of when a call comes through it turns the music off for me and after pressing answer the phone call comes through my car speakers, hey presto hands free kit.

I have always found Nokias to be easy to use and like that they keep a steady and similar operating system and set up so the transition from one of their mobiles to another is always smooth.

Nokia announced in 2009 that they would be supplying all Nokia Smart phones with use of Nokia Maps for free and for ever, so now not only is my phone, my MP3 player and my camera, but it is my GPS unit too, even less to have to carry around.

While I like the touch screen functionality of touch/ smart phones I like buttons too and the Xpress only had the 3 at the bottom so the introduction of the slide out QWERTY keypad on the C6 has been a welcome addition for me. It also means when I am browsing the web the touch keypad doesn’t take up screen room at all making it easier and faster for me to browse through pages without having to move into a keypad and back out again every time I need to enter text in username, password and search fields.

I do have one gripe about this phone and most Nokia’s I’ve used and that is camera quality. As much as they get right Nokia can’t seem to get their camera quality up to par with their competitors.
Even as their phones go up in Mega Pixel the quality remains the same and unless it’s urgent I don’t find myself using the camera function at all and with the way social media on the move is growing it’s almost enough for me to switch brands.

Find cheap Nokias in New Zealand

No doubt many of you would have made the long trek away for your summer holiday this year.  I remember being a kid, and thinking that the 2 hour drive to the beach that our family went to every year actually seemed like a 10 hour drive, constantly asking Mum and Dad “are we there yet”.  Coming from a big family, you times that by five, and I don’t know how my parents didn’t go insane!

A great solution!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you probably know that the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch are the greatest things to come along for traveling parents since portable DVD players.  Load them with the best iPad and iPhone apps for kids, and the miles fly just by.

Below are five popular games bound to entertain the kids for hours!

1) Sneezies - A very addictive game in which furry little pompom creatures called “Sneezies” float across the screen trapped in bubbles.  You sprinkle sneezing powder to free them, and their sneezes start chain reactions that free even more sneezies!  It’s strangely soothing, but maybe that’s because of the spa-music soundtrack.

Squiggles lets you and your kids take iPhone photos and doodle, write, and paint on them with a wide selection of colors and stamps.

2) Squiqqles - Younger kids will enjoy stamping hearts, flowers, and bubbles on photos while  older kids and adults will find more sophisticated ways to use this potentially hilarious app (such as adding animal ears and noses, mariachi hats, and mustaches to their friends’ faces).

3) Wurdle - A very fun word finding game in the tradition of Boggle, complete with satisfying sound effects.  If your kids are stress monsters, have them play in untimed mode.  This app is even good for kids who are relatively new to the reading and spelling game.

4) Facemelter - Good luck not laughing your face off when you play this hilarious photo manipulation app.  You take or download pictures, then deform them by dragging, pinching, and twisting your finger across the screen.

5) Smacktalk - Your children speak into the microphone, and an unbearably cute guinea pig, puppy, kitten, or chihuahua repeats what they say in a higher pitch and speed (squeaky mode) or a lower pitch and speed (freaky mode).   How much of this silliness can you bear listening to from the backseat?  There’s only one way to find out.

With summer comes trampolining. Here are some things to think over before the big purchase.

• Consider who is going to use the trampoline: just children or adults too? Check the trampoline weight limits on the models you are considering
• Quality trampolines are built to last, and may cost a little bit more but the investment is worth it.
• Will it be too small for your growing children in 2 to 3 years time? Think about the overall size. Bear in mind that a 14′ round trampoline has 44% more jumping area than a 12′ model making it suitable as your children grow.
• Is it for family fun or for the more serious gymnastic practice? Round or rectangular
• If you have young children then a safety enclosure is an option you should consider.

The list above will probably give you more questions, so here are some answers:

Rectangular Trampolines can be divided into three groups:

Child - These range from 7′x5′ with 5.5 inch springs, up to 10′x 7.5′ with 7” springs. The upper weight limit on this range is approximately 12 st (83kg).The jumping beds are non abrasive polypropylene mesh. These trampolines are designed for solo use and would suit children age 7 to 11.

Adult/Advanced - These range from 11′x8.5′ with 8.5 inch springs, up to 17′x10′ with 9.25 inch springs. The upper weight limit on this range is approximately 22st (140kg).The jumping beds are either polypropylene mesh or two-string woven nylon mesh.

Sports Hall/Club These are the type you will find at your local sports club or leisure centre and are professional gymnastic apparatus. Often a fold away design, they meet competition size and specification. They are not on sale to the general public.

Professional sports hall trampolines have always been rectangular. The springs work at different rates giving a quick response and results in a more powerful lift. This makes it much more suitable for gymnastic use. However, because of these characteristics rectangular trampolines should only be used by one jumper at a time.

Round Trampolines can be divided into three groups:

Top - Robust frame with thick steel .Superior pads with heavy vinyl . Springs must be 8.5 inches and more springs naturally increase the upper weight limit.

Mid - The frame diameter is narrower than on the Top Band. The steel will be thinner. Springs will be 7 or 8.5” .On the 14 they will range from 88-96 springs, with 80 springs on the 12′. Pads will also have a lower spec than on the Top Band.

Budget - Large number available and you will need to proceed with extreme caution. As a bare minimum we would recommend 88x 7 inch springs on the 14 foot and 72 but preferably 80×7 inch springs on the 12 foot model. The welded joints are of particular concern on these cheaper models, as this is the weakest point on any trampoline frame. We would recommend frames with a three way ‘T-Junction’ socket where the leg meets the top rail, as they are extremely strong and reinforce a lightweight frame. They are the safest option at this level.

On round trampolines all the springs work at the same rate. This gives an even, softer, and more stable bounce, suitable for children of any age or ability. Round trampolines at the higher end are all suitable for adults.

Springs:

The springs are what provide the bounce in your trampoline. These should be made from high quality steel wire which is fully galvanised to protect against rust and corrosion. It should have a helical coil type.

Having established the quality of the springs, take note of the length and number. On domestic round trampolines springs range in length from 8.5″ to 5.5″.The heavyweight rectangular trampolines sometimes use a 9.25″ spring. The longer and more numerous the springs the greater the upper weight limit will be.

Some trampolines have elasticated bands sewn onto the bed in place of springs. They give an inferior and harder bounce than springs. Another disadvantage is when the elastic perishes you will have to replace the entire bed, as the bands cannot be replaced individually.

Jumping Bed:

The jumping bed of a trampoline fall into 2 main categories:

Black Polymesh - is generally found on round trampolines. It should be manufactured from Grade A non-abrasive, Permatron polypropylene. This does not provide any additional elasticity, but the tight ‘weave’ does provide a smooth surface which does not graze children’s skin.

2-string bed - is made of nylon, and is found more typically on rectangular trampolines. The wider weave allows good air flow giving a higher bounce, and will dry quicker after rain. However it does have a rougher surface and may cause grazes to elbows and knees i.e. ‘trampoline mat burn’. Trampolines with a 2-string bed are better suited for adult use or gymnasts who are used to performing more advanced trampoline moves.

The bed should be attached to the springs by galvanised steel triangular rings or injection mouldings (UV stable) the perimeter stitching should be in UV stable thread, and in multiple rows for extra strength.

Safety Enclosures:

Safety enclosures surround the trampoline and are designed to provide a safe environment for young or inexperienced trampoline users to experience the fun of bouncing.

The net should be at least 6 feet (1.8m) high to stop high bouncers going over the top. The 8 support poles should be thickly padded to prevent nasty accidents. Some models link the poles in pairs with cross bars, which improve the stability and strength of the safety enclosure.

Weight Limits:

Weight limits given by trampoline companies on any given model are a guide only. The skill of a user can also be a factor, since the higher the bouncer jumps, the greater the loading on the springs.

Bearing this in mind a jumper could be under the maximum recommended weight for a particular trampoline, but due to his adeptness could still manage to overload the springs. If in doubt buy a bigger, space permitting, or a more robust model.

Warranty:

Trampoline guarantees which cover against faulty materials or workmanship are usually specified for different parts of the trampoline.

Frames you should look for a ten year guarantee on top quality trampolines, with 2 - 5 years on lower specification models.

Typical guarantees on the jumping bed and springs are 5 years, and 1 year on the frame pads.

‘Lifetime’ guarantees should be treated with caution as they are in reality meaningless.

And please be aware there are many poor quality, cheaply made trampolines cashing in on the trampoline boom. Problems you will encounter are poor performance, weak springs, poor rust protection, inadequate pads and danger of breakages in the first couple of years.

Find cheap Trampolines in New Zealand

If so, then Good Health is the perfect magazine for you.  If you are like me and feel like you overindulged over the summer break, with all the good food around you, then this magazine has some great tips to get you back on track. 

Full of ways to look and feel good about yourself, Good Health is definitely worth the $7.50 you pay.  It is suitable for all shapes and sizes, and gives great advice on what super foods to eat to give you a more positive mind, exercise tips, and much more.

The great thing about this magazine is that it is New Zealand made, so everything in the magazine applies to products, foods and places that are all available.

So, if your looking for the perfect guide on how to kick start those healthy eating habits, get into your closest Magazine retailer to pick your self up a copy or you can buy a years subscription from The Mag Shop for a special price of $50.

I have recently added a 27” iMac to my growing apple office family. I primarily use my computer to edit photos and was finding my 13” MacBook Pro screen to small to edit photos in a timely fashion so decided to upgrade to an iMac.

As screen size was an issue for me with the iMac I decided it best to go for the 27” over the 21.5” and if I thought it looked big in the shop, when I got it home and set it up on my humble student desk it bordered on slightly excessive. Never the less, once my eyes adjusted to the sheer size of the screen and my neck got used to having to swivel my head to be able to view one side of the screen to the other I settled in to getting to know my new iMac.

The similarities between the MacBook Pro’s operating system, location of applications and folders made the transition smooth and the Migration Assistant helped me to move all my previously installed applications and saved documents to my new iMac with ease. Although it pays to keep in mind that when you set the migration assistant to begin you are unable to use either of the computers while it is in the process – 19hrs and 59mins for my migration meant I suffered some technology withdrawal and at a loss of what to do without a computer for that long even found myself reading a book!

I am still impressed with the logic simplicity of a Mac’s operating system and the speed of asking it to do something and the activity taking place! It is not as quiet as my MacBook but I only hear it make a noise every so often and it certainly doesn’t interrupt my sleep if it is left on at night in the same room.

The iMac came with a cordless mouse and keyboard which are small and tidy without lacking in functionality.

Screen quality is incredible and it has taken the place of my TV with me now preferring to watch all my movies and TV on the iMac and at 27” it’s all I need now meaning I can get rid of my TV. The screen quality is also made it so pleasurable to edit my photos making me feel like a better photographer in the process as all my photos look amazing on there.

I am now a full blown Mac convert and don’t ever see myself going back to PC.

Buy cheap iMacs in New Zealand

Augustine International was born because the designer Kelly Coe couldn’t find it anywhere!!!

“It” being the clothes that she wanted to wear personally, different pieces that stood out and spoke for themselves. Pieces that made you have to buy them, made you feel sexy, confident, funky, unique and feminine without the guilt of an outlandish price tag.

And the clothes are just that, a rainbow of colour, fresh and vibrant and guaranteed to make you stand out.

There are only two Augustine Flagship stores, one in New Market Auckland and one at Mount Maunganui, so you are sure to find a unique dress that will receive many compliments and make you feel amazing!

Samsung bills the new R590 as a “performance” notebook, and that is a fairly accurate summation for this device.

For the Samsung R590 is indeed an impressive performer, being able to handle pretty much anything you throw at it - whether that be intermediate gaming, word processing or modest multimedia functionality.

This is thanks to the Intel Core i5 M450 processor (2.4GHz) with 4GB of RAM and 640GB hard drive, plus the Nvidia GeForce GT 330M graphics card. Sound is handled fairly competently through the built-in speakers, though if you’re an audiophile you should consider adding some higher-end speakers externally.

It runs on the Windows 7 Home Premium OS, and Samsung has thrown in some nice software extras, including Cyberlink DVD Suite, YouCam, McAfee Security Center, Skype and some decent games demos.

Externally, the R590 is a gorgeous looking machine, boasting a deep blue exterior and blue LED lights at various points on the keyboard if you’re the kind of person who works in the dark. The screen is a non-glossy 15.6-inch LED with 1366×768 resolution