Choice (Chippendale, Australia) articles from August 2008

Choice (Chippendale, Australia) archives from August 2008

Bigger banks aren't better banks.(Comment)
August 1, 2008... When the big end of town decides to get bigger, consumers naturally feel uneasy. Whether shopping for groceries or a home loan, we know that larger companies don't necessarily deliver better deals for their customers--particularly in a market...

In-flight internet takes off.(INTERNET)
August 1, 2008... Qantas has announced plans to allow passengers to use mobile phones and notebook computers to access the internet, as well as use mobiles to send SMS text messages during selected domestic flights by the end of the year. [ILLUSTRATION...

Big promises from not so smart meters: the plan to install smart electricity meters in homes across Australia has some critical faults.(POWER CONSUMPTION)
August 1, 2008... Federal and state energy ministers decided that smart meters are to be rolled out in Victoria and NSW, with more than five million expected to be in homes before 2017. Queensland and some other states and territories will undertake pilots. ...

Allergy hypochondriacs: when it comes to food allergies, our nation takes the cake.(FOOD ALLERGIES)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Coughing and wheezing after a glass of milk? Must be allergic to dairy. Bloated after a slice of bread? Gluten intolerant to boot. It seems everyone you talk to has an allergy to at least one food, so it's not...

Online P2P lending: would you lend money to someone you've never met?(MONEY)
August 1, 2008... person-to person ('P2P') lending is available through www.igrin.com.au. The concept is like an eBay for unsecured personal loans, allowing borrowers and lenders to come together and agree on interest rates. They pay administration fees to iGrin...

e-health by Google: Google Health has gone live in the US, allowing users in Australia and elsewhere to store and manage their medical records online.(HEALTH)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Google Health is free and enables ou to keep all your health information in one central place, allowing you to access it anywhere at any time. It has some obvious benefits, from being able to keep your doctors up to...

Licence to speed: now there's insurance against losing your driver's licence.(INSURANCE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Loss of licence insurance provides you with a benefit of $500 or $1000 per month for up to three months if you Jose your driver's licence because of cumulative speeding offences. You could use the money to hire a driver or take taxis. A $100...

Diabetes before motherhood doubles: while the rate of gestational diabetes has remained static, the increasing incidence of pre-existing diabetes in pregnant women is alarming.(HEALTH)
August 1, 2008... The number of pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes has more than doubled in six years, in part due to the fact that our society has become more overweight, according to new research published in the journal Diabetes Care. Researchers...

Credit card PIN is here.(CREDIT CARDS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Australian debit and credit card users now have the option of entering a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at point of sale purchases, instead of signing their name. The "Pen or PIN" initiative, which was...

Skipping pap tests.
August 1, 2008... Fewer women under the age of 40 are having regular pap tests, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. In the decade to 2006, there was a decline in participation for women under 40, the worst being a 12% drop for women aged...

Compost danger.(fungal spores in his garden compost cause death of man)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A man died from kidney failure after inhaling fungal spores in his garden compost, according to a study in the June 2008 Lancet. He developed a rare reaction to Aspergillus fumigatus, which is commonly found in decayed plant matter. While...

Red hot nano science.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A professor from the University of Oxford has developed an objective way of measuring chilli heat using carbon nanotubes. The chilli's heat-producing molecules, capsaicin, are put through an electrochemical reaction and the heat level is...

Rainy day options.(HEATED CLOTHES RACK)(Kambrook KDR 100)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KAMBROOK KDR 100 Price $199 Weight 4.8 kg Contact www.kambrook.com.au The KAMBROOK KDR 100 is an update on the humble clothes rack--it has heated rails to help speed up the drying process. We...

Get a Wii bit fitter: Nintendo ends the excuses for couch potatoes.(Wii FIT)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wii Fit Price $150 * Contactwww.nintendo.com/wiifit Toe more fun an activity is, the less discipline you need do it regularly. That's the thinking behind the latest craze in exercise, the Wii Fit. Built to...

At mitt's end: if you find yourself surrounded by pet hair, these cleaning mitts help, though our trialists ultimately thought they'd stick with their current hair removal methods.(PET HAIR MITTS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... Pets have many benefits for their caretakers, including stress relief, companionship and a good source of fun--when we have time to indulge in play. For some of us, however, there's the hair-raising prospect of the stray strands of hair that...

127 cm TVs.(Coming)
August 1, 2008... These big-screen TVs make a big impact, but they will also make a considerable hole in your finances. Our experts tested plasma and LCD TVs to make your big-ticket purchase a little easier. They also give solid advice on how to adjust your...

Washing machines.(Coming)
August 1, 2008... You've told us that not all washing machines are equal when it comes to water efficiency and performance. So we did some extra testing and added it to our regular update on washing machines to help you get the best performance out of your...

Blu-ray players.(Coming)
August 1, 2008... If you're thinking of upgrading your home entertainment system, should you invest in a Blu-ray player now or should you wait? Our experts test the latest products and demystify the technology to give you the information you need when it comes...

More than skin deep.(Letters Emails)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... Thank you for the informative article on skin cancer clinics in the February 2008 issue of CHOICE. I've had a spot above my lip for approximately five years and for the past three years I've had my local skin cancer clinic check it annually....

Power to change.(Letters Emails)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... I was very pleased to see the GreenPower article in the May edition of CHOICE, which arrived a few days after I received my latest Origin Energy bill. In April last year I tried to get Origin Energy to provide 100% wind power to my home, which...

Money with no baggage.(Letters Emails)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... Thank goodness for the Foreign currency gouge article in CHOICE, May 2007. When we were in the US last month we were able to check the figures. Our (newly minted) Wizard Mastercard cost zero dollars, with no fees and the exchange rate as...

Country of origin.(Letters Emails)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... In the May 2008 edition you tested fridges, gas heaters, slow cookers and small step ladders. Would you please provide details of where these products are made? It still puzzles me why you stopped publishing products' country of origin. Can you...

An end to greenwash.(Letters Emails)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... I'm writing to support your call for an end to greenwashing. As a consumer I want to be able to source legitimate 'green' products. I need labels I can rely on for supermarket-type items and a website to consult to judge the green credentials...

IQ not so smart, after all.(LETTER OF THE MONTH)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... Despite suggestions these days to turn off electronic equipment at the plug (to save on power and reduce carbon emissions) you can't actually do that with the Foxtel IQ system. We were turning ours off at the power point every night and found...

Suzanne Kuuse of WA would like to give a Thumbs up to Babies Galore.(Thumbs up!)
August 1, 2008... Suzanne Kuuse of WA would like to give a Thumbs up to Babies Galore. She bought a KinderKot eight months ago and used it only twice. On the second occasion her husband broke it while folding it up. Suzanne contacted Babies Galore, which...

Donna Naismith from Victoria also has a Thumbs up in the baby product area.(Thumbs up!)
August 1, 2008... Donna Naismith from Victoria also has a Thumbs up in the baby product area. She would like to thank CNP Brands for repairing her Maclaren pram, which was damaged during transit on a flight. Being stuck without a pram with a small baby can be...

Shane McRae's four-month-old Apple computer recently stopped working, so he took it to an Apple reseller for repairs.(Thumbs up!)
August 1, 2008... Shane McRae's four-month-old Apple computer recently stopped working, so he took it to an Apple reseller for repairs. When he went to collect it he was told that due to a loose chip the reseller was unable to bill Apple for the repairs, and...

June Dallas would like to thank customer service at Diana Ferrari, which organised a replacement pair of shoes for her.(Thumbs up!)
August 1, 2008... June Dallas would like to thank customer service at Diana Ferrari, which organised a replacement pair of shoes for her. June discovered that her new shoes had a fault, but she'd bought them several months before first wearing them and no longer...

Pills for the thinking person: can a pill improve brain function and help prevent dementia? If you don't eat fish, supplements may help but it's not worth spending your money on other pills.(Health: Aging and memory loss)(Cover story)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As you get older, particularly past 50, it can become harder to concentrate and it's not unusual to feel that your mind isn't as sharp as it once was. The prospect of getting more and more forgetful and eventually...

Seven ways to combat mortgage stress: interest rate rises are really squeezing household budgets, so what should you do if you're on struggle street?(Money: Mortgage stress)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mortgage stress hit the headlines in 2007--and stayed there. It's not surprising, given that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) increased interest rates four times in the seven months to March, and since May 2002...

A 'warranty' for your investments? What is an investment warranty and does it mean your money in a mortgage trust is safe?(Money: Investments)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You may have seen advertisements in major metropolitan newspapers asking, "You wouldn't buy a telly without a warranty... so why would you invest without one?" The ads are for Equititrust, a company offering...

Shining a light on hot water: solar systems are confusing. How do you choose between roof-mounted tanks and heat pumps, electric or gas-boosted, and what are RECs and rebates? CHOICE steers you through the maze.(Environment: Solar hot water)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Solar hot water is now big business. There are dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of retail suppliers, all keen to get your custom. You can choose from several types of system, each with its pros and its cons. And...

What's lurking under the lid? Some questionable chemicals slip under our food regulators' radar. CHOICE tested foods in glass jars and found contaminants from the plastic used to seal the lids.(Health: Plasticisers)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Good things come in glass--pasta and stir-fry sauces, pickles and preserves. They're a quick, easy way to add flavour to a meal, but they can contain unexpected and unwelcome ingredients that aren't mentioned on the...

Best health cover choices +: CHOICE reviewed 215 hospital insurance policies from 18 funds so you can decide if tax changes and premium increases make hospital cover worthwhile for you.(Money: Hospital insurance)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The health insurance landscape is changing. For a start, health insurance premiums went up by 5% on average this year. The actual increase you pay depends on your fund, policy and the state you live in. Some policy...

In the pursuit of better feta ... You told us in an online poll that feta's a favourite. We discovered there's more to this cheese than you might think.(Food: Feta)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Buying feta used to be quite straightforward but now we're overwhelmed by choice. Not only do supermarket shelves stock Greek feta, and feta made in Australia, Denmark or Bulgaria (see What's in a name, 32), but...

Hands-free baby: CHOICE asked eight parents to trial 12 baby carriers, while two medical experts also assessed them for comfort, safety and suitability.(Test: Baby carriers)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Being out and about with a baby can feel like a juggling act. As well as your baby, you'll be trying to carry a bag of nappies and bottles, a handbag and sometimes shopping bags too. With a baby carrier or sling, you...

Avoiding the rental car rip-off: car rental contracts operate very much in favour of the rental companies, but you can reduce your risks.(Travel: Car rental)
August 1, 2008... Renting a car at your destination offers the freedom and flexibility to make the most of your holiday: you can go (almost) anywhere you want, when you want. However, over the years, many consumers have contacted CHOICE about unfair contracts,...

Time for HD? If a picture's worth a thousand words, imagine the story you can tell with video.(Test: Camcorders)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The two biggest changes in the camcorder market over the past year have been the recording media and the arrival of high definition (HD). CHOICE tested 24 models, including 10 HD camcorders, and found that overall...

Cooking up a storm: a 20 cm saucepan is a must-have in the kitchen. Our test gives you the heads-up on non-stick pans.(Test: Saucepans)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A great hollandaise can turn simple poached eggs into a culinary feast. And to make a great sauce you need a good saucepan. We tested 13 non-stick and stainless steel saucepans with a 20 cm diameter but of varying...

A close shave? When it comes to a clean shave, it seems electric shavers can't beat the trusty razor blade.(User trial: Men's shavers)
August 1, 2008... CHOICE recruited 20 fuzzy-faced male trialists to test the performance of electric shavers and discovered that it's unlikely the $164.2 million men's razor blade market is under threat--a common complaint by trialists was that the shave just...

The perfect slice: you can't put a price on the smell of warm toast in the morning, so selecting the very best two-slice toaster is even more important.(Test: Two-slice toasters)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Like all modern household appliances, the pop-up toaster has evolved beyond its basic duties. Nowadays you're likely to come across sleekly built machines with functions that promise to deliver warm bagels, golden...

Still some life in the landline: cordless phones come with answering machines as well as a multitude of features. CHOICE put them to the test to see how well they perform.(Test: Cordless phones)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite the explosive popularity of the internet and the proliferation of mobile phones, the landline phone remains one of the best options when it comes to having a good chat with friends and family. Unlike the...

More grip for your car: just a scare or an actual accident? A tyre with good grip such as the top performer in our test can mean the difference.(Test: Car tyres)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] If you're shopping for tyres, you don't have to get the same ones your car left the factory with, nor the same size--check your owner's manual or a tyre dealer to find out which sizes fit your car. However, getting...

Recalls & bans.(List)
August 1, 2008... Nowadays there are so many product recalls we may not be able to print all of them in CHOICE. For comprehensive recall information go to the Product Recalls Australia website: www.recalls.gov.au. If you don't have web access, call the Product...

Parents tell us they're Fed Up!(MARKETING)(Fed Up! storybook tell story of parent's problems on junk food marketing to kids)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHOICE has compiled your stories about junk food marketing in our storybook Fed Up! A tale of junk food marketing to kids. The Fed Up! storybook uses the results of our survey of parents and their experiences of junk...

Healthcare reform: Australian consumers deserve a better health system and CHOICE is campaigning for a range of healthcare improvements.(HEALTHCARE)
August 1, 2008... National healthcare reform is now squarely on the agenda in Canberra and CHOICE is campaigning for a better system for consumers. While Australia has one of the best health systems in the world, too often it seems designed to benefit doctors,...