Geek Actually Episode 30 – Can We Have a New Communications Minister Please

Geek ActuallyHosts: David McVay and Jacob Oberman

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David and Jacob discuss the weeks news (film and tech) and Radio National’s “Background Briefing” special on the Stephen Conroy Internet Filter. We also look at all the new features that will be on offer with the iPhone 3.0 software that is being released in the middle of the year.

In tech news: Fake Stephen Conroy busted, text dating, Seattle Post-Intelligencer goes 100% digital, Apple’s iPhone 3.0 announcement and Apple sues a company for putting the term “pod” in the word “podium”.

Film news includes: Linda Hamilton’s cameo in “Terminator: Salvation”, Natalie Portman cast in “Thor”, Michael Bay argues with Paramount over the release date for Transformers 3, David Chase returns to HBO, SAG & AFTRA threaten strike over commercial contracts and Sci-Fi channel changes it’s name to SyFy!

Vale to Ron Silver and Natasha Richardson, our thoughts go out to your families.

David quickly reviews Stephan Elliot’s new comedy “Easy Virtue” and it was surprisingly good.

And Mirren Lee even pops her head into the studio to say hi.

As always this episode carries an explicit tag due to possible bad language.

Listen or download it here or subscribe to it on iTunes

Show Notes:

Radio National’s Background Briefing Clean Feed Special
New Zealand’s Viral “True Blood” Advertising
Porn++ Podcast
Easy Virtual Trailer and Website

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(This post edited 24th May, 2009)

6 comments

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    • atomicbetty on March 20, 2009 at 10:37 am

    I think the Kevin Rudd should be concerned about what the internet censorship issue is doing to Australia’s technology reputation overseas. I listen to quite a few tech podcasts during the week and they have all talked about our web filtering efforts at various times. Australia really comes off as being some conservative Luddite backwater. And that’s saying something coming from a Neddy like me. You would think that our image-conscious Prime Minister would want to be seen to be keeping up with Obama in the tech-savvy stakes.

    • on March 20, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    I think the Kevin Rudd should be concerned about what the internet censorship issue is doing to Australia’s technology reputation overseas. I listen to quite a few tech podcasts during the week and they have all talked about our web filtering efforts at various times. Australia really comes off as being some conservative Luddite backwater. And that’s saying something coming from a Neddy like me. You would think that our image-conscious Prime Minister would want to be seen to be keeping up with Obama in the tech-savvy stakes.

    • atomicbetty on March 20, 2009 at 10:57 am

    I’m fascinated by the negative reaction of the tech community to the iPod Shuffle. I think it might be a case of Ultra Geeks just being out of touch with the hoi polloi. I love my Shuffle. It does exactly what I need it to do. I listen to music when I’m out for a run, podcasts when I’m mooching about. It’s small, light and simple. The new version is smaller, lighter and simpler. I don’t care about the headset thing. I want it.

    • on March 20, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    I’m fascinated by the negative reaction of the tech community to the iPod Shuffle. I think it might be a case of Ultra Geeks just being out of touch with the hoi polloi. I love my Shuffle. It does exactly what I need it to do. I listen to music when I’m out for a run, podcasts when I’m mooching about. It’s small, light and simple. The new version is smaller, lighter and simpler. I don’t care about the headset thing. I want it.

    • atomicbetty on March 20, 2009 at 10:59 am

    Great to hear Mirren popping her head into the studio – very Laugh-In.

    • on March 20, 2009 at 9:59 pm

    Great to hear Mirren popping her head into the studio – very Laugh-In.

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