Australian Stories

Ask LH: How Can I Have Interesting Conversations With My Boss?

Dear Lifehacker, Every week after work we have informal drinks with the boss. I am the resident nerd and I want to find what topics of conversation are appropriate without pretending to like things that I don’t like or having to be false. I do have a decent sense of humor and can crack the boys up now and then, but I need more than that. I need to be interesting and respectful without acting like a fool or being a suck-up. What topics of conversation can I use that I am actually interested in that will engage and interest the boss and his cronies? Thanks, Conversation Starter


BarTab-Inspired Chrome Extension FooTab Boosts Browser’s Startup Speed

BarTab is a popular add-on for Firefox, preventing tabs from a previous session from loading until you activate them. Anyone who keeps 20+ tabs open knows the primordial sadness of watching one’s browser struggle with the load of restoring such a large number of tabs simultaneously. Now, Chrome users can enjoy the benefits of the add-on with an extension called FooTab.


Briefly: High-Fibre Food Guide, Microsoft Surface Pro Review, Free Bicycle Rear-View Mirror

Brief news items of note for Lifehacker readers including: Google and NASA launch the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab, Microsoft Surface Pro review, get a free flexible bike mirror.


What The Hell Is A Discgo Charger?

Pub phone-charging stations seem like an excellent idea on paper but in reality they’re a bit of a dicey proposition: you either have to risk your phone getting stolen or stand over it vigilantly for an hour. An Australian start-up is attempting to provide a solution in the form of the Discgo Charger — a portable charging system designed for cafes, bars and restaurants.


Why Your App Development Approach Sucks

Think you can emulate Amazon, eBay or other modern software giants? You’ll never get there unless you abandon a conventional silo-driven approach to building apps.


Publish An App In The Windows Store: Win A Trip To TechEd Australia With Lifehacker And Microsoft

FINAL ROUND! Good news developers: you still have 3 days (and this weekend!) to chase your dream. Simply submit your new app to the Windows Store (even if it’s an Android or iOS port) and you could win the chance to present your app to thousands of industry-types at Microsoft’s TechEd 2013 on the Gold Coast. Then there’s the HP laptops, Xbox bundles and Microsoft peripherals that we’re also giving away…


You Can Now Upload Personal Docs To Google Play

You can now keep up to 1000 EPUB or PDF files in Google Play for free. You’re able to upload from your PC or import from Google Drive available to read anywhere.


Ask LH: I Rent, Can I Complain About Noisy Unit-Owning Neighbours?

Dear Lifehacker, How do you deal with bad neighbours when living in a unit? We are renting but they own theirs, so can we take our grievances to the body corporate or our agent, or do we just have to grin and bear it? Thanks, Fed Up


BlackBerry 10.1 OS Update Now Available In Australia

BlackBerry Z10 smartphone owners in Australia can now download the latest operating system update; BlackBerry 10.1. The updated OS ushers in a raft of new features including improved cursor control, new Blackberry Hub tools and a high-dynamic-range camera mode.


App Deals: iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone

Today’s best app deals for iOS, Android and Windows Phone. Prices go back up without warning, so be quick!


World of Servers