In a Windows world populated by pockets of diehard Mac fans, Parallels Desktop was what Joelle Pang would use to run her programs smoothly and wow clients at the same time.

Of late, the online boutique store owner has been wowing her Mac-loving clients and colleagues with her Apple computer while still running her favourite Windows programs on her Mac during presentations – something that has scored her points during presentations.

By retelling those compelling stories for the Techgoondu/Parallels contest last month, she has won herself a much-coveted iPad 2. The tablet is given out by our pals at Parallels Software, which makes the Parallel Desktops 6 (PD6) software that enables Mac users to simultaneously run Windows programs on their Apple computers.  …

Fortune published its list of the Most Admired companies in the world earlier this month, and BrandFinance just followed suit with its list of the 500 world’s more valuable brands, measured with a different methodology. Surprisingly, this list is rather different from Fortune’s; more technology companies made it into the top ten, and (gasp!) Microsoft is ranked higher than Apple! …

Post-paid mobile users in Singapore can send donations to help victims of the devastating Japanese earthquake earlier this month by simply sending an SMS with their phones.

All you have to do is send an SMS to 78888, whether you are on SingTel, StarHub or M1, to make S$5, S$10 or S$20 donations to the Singapore Red Cross to aid the cause.

• For a $5 donation, SMS RC5 to 78888
• For a $10 donation, SMS RC10 to 78888
• For a $20 donation, SMS RC20 to 78888

The amount will be reflected in your next monthly bill. This donation drive runs from now until midnight on April 11, 2011. Donations are not tax-deductible and persons below the age of 18 years will require parental or guardian consent before making a donation.

Do support this donation drive, as aid for the country has been a little slow to come through.

Domino’s Pizza is back in Singapore and their first outlet is just 5 mins from my home. I urge everyone to order online at www.dominos.com.sg instead of calling them on the phone. Why? Because you can simply key-in the promo codes for amazing deals – like 2 pizzas for $25.80 nett – without physically having to show them your discount coupon. (They don’t check for coupons even though they are supposed to) Once you know the promo codes you can keep using them. The online ordering form is one of the best I have seen and extremely easy to navigate. And the pizzas always arrive on time (within 30 mins) and are piping hot!

Here they are, in order of best deals (in my opinion)

BT3OR SF7 – $39.80 for TWO large pizzas with EXTRA cheese (save $25.80)

BT5 OR SF6 – $25.80 for TWO regular pizzas (save $19.80)

SF 8 – FREE regular pizza when you buy a large one (save $22.80) Tuesday Only

SF 5 – 30% off any regular, large or xtra large pizza

I was so excited to unwrap my newly minted Nexus One which arrived at about 3pm today but I did not get a chance to mess around till an hour ago as I was outside. I was immediately impressed by its speed, cool looks and excellent touch feel. I immediately installed Hoiio and SMS Backup and Facebook to get my basic apps up and running. They were all working fine and I even listened to Amazon MP3 30 second free top hits previews. Then I went downstairs and out of the Wi-Fi zone and everything stopped working. I have tried everything I know, checked my settings three times, rebooted twice but 3G simply does not work. This is obviously a problem and I am very disappointed this did not work out of the box. Will be calling HTC for support real soon!

Update: OK i figured out the problem. The phone strangely does not set the access point settings automatically when you insert the SIM card, so it needs a manual configuration, for starhub users you need to go to settings>mobile networks>access point names>press menu>then press new apn then set apn as shinternet or as shwapint, 3G should work now.

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When you are a tech reporter, you get to play with any gadget or game that you want, most of the time. The problem with gadgets is that the yearning and desire is strongest when you can’t hold them, but since I get to test almost any gadget I am interested in, the desire is no longer to own the gadget but just to play with them for a week or two.

So when I sat down and asked myself what I would like for X’mas, I really had to think hard. But here’s what I think I would need:

(1) Time.
I want to rip all my DVDs, VCDs, convert my LDs plus convert my home video tapes into a digital format, and store them all in my 4-bay NAS. Sounds like a lot of time, which is what I really need but don’t have much of.

(2) A new mobile phone plan
Since my contract ended in October, I am going to switch from my 800 minutes plan with 0 GB free data  to 100 minutes plan with 12GB  free data. I am going to start using Hoiio or pfingo Bounce to make local calls to cut down on my mobile phone bill. Why pay 16.05cents per minute when I can get it for 3.8 cents per minute.

(3) A gaming laptop
I have many laptops but I think it’s time to get a 15.6-inch or 17-inch machine that can do everything including games. I have been testing the 17-inch Gateway P series and so far I am very pleased with it. The laptop does not overheat after hours of gameplay! Trying to see if prices will fall under $2,500.

(4) A sound system
The stereo speakers from my 40-inch Samsung TV really sucks and having done quite a few stories on hifi-systems at Audio House, I am convinced it’s time to get a good 5.1 sound system. I liked the Polk Audio speakers I tested the last time, will probably combine that with a Denon amp. Trying to get it all for about $2,000.

(5) A new phone for my wife
This is the toughest choice of all. It’s hard to figure out what women really wants, and that also applies to getting a phone for them. I think I’ll stick to a Sony Ericsson with a good camera. And no, I wont get her an iPhone.

Tiny Singapore finally joins the ranks of countries with Street View today, right on the heels of the roll out in Hawaii and large parts of Spain in November.

This also makes Singapore the third Asian country after Japan and Taiwan (Taipei city only) to be mapped in 3D by the Mountain View firm.

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Techgoondu will be livecasting Oracle CEO Larry Ellison’s closing keynote roday around 6.30am SGT. Ellison is expected to share more details on the state of technology, right after an address by Infosys CEO S. Gopalakrishnan. Stay tuned!

Update: If you didn’t manage to catch the livecast, we have a recorded video of Ellison’s closing keynote, featuring a guest appearance by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who hailed technology as the solution to the climate issues facing us today.

Firstly, a big apology to readers for the late announcement. I would have liked to say that I wanted to keep readers in suspense, but in truth was held up by a horribly busy week. Again, my sincerest apologies.

If you haven’t read the previous roundup on this Sony Ericsson contest, you’re missing out on some other really good entries. There were a few close runner-ups that were pipped by just a vote or two, and would have won if the votes had fallen in other ways. Still, in a contest decided by democratic votes by the judges, the majority speaks, even if winners win by just a sliver of votes.

Without further ado, let’s move on to the three winners!

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Firstly, a big thank you to all readers who participated in the recent Techgoondu Sony Ericsson G705 Giveaway contest. The challenge given to contestants this time round was to submit what they thought was one of their best “geek moments”, and the submission could come in the form of text, pictures, or even audio or video.

Like in our previous LG TV giveaway contest run last year, we had some very good entries, but unfortunately not everybody can be a winner — we had to pare the numbers down to three lucky winners amongst all the entries.

Similar to last year, the winners are chosen by a democratic vote of the goondus. Even though our individual goondu tastes might be quite different, the process is generally a fair one.

But first, before we announce the winners, let’s take a look at some of the wackier and more interesting entries that were sent in this time round.

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