Latest news with #DeanBlake
Man of Many
13 hours ago
- Business
- Man of Many
Feel-Good Friday: 25 July, 2025—Aged Whiskey, Dance Battles, and Meteor Showers
By Dean Blake - News Published: 25 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link 0 Readtime: 6 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. It's the end of the week, and you know what that means: another instalment of Man of Many's Feel-Good Friday! Every week we look to bring some fun ideas for things you can do this weekend, as well as some easy opportunities for you to do some good in the world. This week, we're showing off what our friends at TIACS are up to this weekend, as well as the best way to adopt a greyhound in Sydney. Plus, there's a new Jack Daniel's drop coming to Australian shores next month, and some stellar stargazing on offer all week. So put your feet up, grab a drink, and check out this week's Feel-Good Friday. TIACS and Bunnings Team Up to support Aussie Tradies Tradie-focused mental-health charity TIACS (This Is a Conversation Starter) are hitting the road today with the aim of kicking up conversations around the barriers blue-collar workers face seeking professional support. To do so, TIACS have partnered with hardware chain Bunnings to fund a road trip around works sites and Bunnings stores in Queensland this weekend, taking a coffee van to serve some goodness and start some conversations. Plus, the brand is launching a Bunnings Trade x TIACS hoodie today, of which 100% of the proceeds will go back to TIACS to help fund the charity's mental health support initiatives. 'We're stoked to once again be working with Bunnings to connect more people to free, professional support… We'd love to see as many tradies and their loved ones join us at their local Bunnings on launch day as we fire up the barbie,' TIACS' co-founders Dan Allen and Ed Ross said. TIACS delivers free counselling, either through text or phone call, with hundreds of tradies around Australia each year. The charity is funded through donations, partnerships (like this one), and through the co-founders social-impact workwear brand Trademutt. BrewDog South Helping Pups find a New Home This Saturday, BrewDog South Eveleigh is teaming up with Greyhounds as Pets NSW to host an amazing greyhound adoption day, where 30-40 puppers will be available for a fast-tracked adoption that day. Notoriously one of the most chill breeds of dog out there, Greyhounds are perfect for apartment living, and are an easy breed to train—making them fantastic family pets. If you're keen to check out some well-behaved doggos, or just grab a drink at BrewDog, make sure to turn up in your pyjamas for 10 per cent off your food and drinks. The greyhounds will have their own PJs on, so you might as well too. The folks at Greyhounds as Pets NSW will be on hand to help any new pet parent understand their responsibilities, and the event will feature discounted adoption rates, only costing $150 for a 'standard' adoption, or $75 for a senior greyhound (that just makes them even more mellow). BrewDog South Eveleigh is located at 1 Locomotive Street, Eveleigh, and the Greyhound Adoption Day will be taking place on July 26, 11am – 2pm, and is free to attend. Red Bull's Street Dance Competition Returns This Weekend This Saturday, 26 July, dancers from around the country will descend on Sydney's Hordern Pavilion to take part in Red Bull's 'Dance Your Style' competition. They're competing not just for glory, but for a chance to go on to represent Australia in the world street dance competition finals in L.A. in October. It's a ticketed event, and with doors opening at 6pm to give everyone enough to time settle in before the dance battles begin. The event will be hosted by Miss Universe 2024 finalist Unice Wani and ballroom dancer Xander Khoury, and will feature live performances by JessB and VV Pete. If you're keen for something a bit different this weekend, and are in the area, it'll definitely be an evening to remember. Jack Daniels Aged 10-Year Whiskey | Image: Supplied Jack Daniel's Bringing Limited 10-Year Aged Whiskey to Australia Tennessee whiskey-maker Jack Daniels is bringing a batch of its rare 10-year aged drop direct to Australia—the first time the whiskey has been available outside the US. There'll be only around 3,000 bottles available for purchase, so if you're interested, get in fast. While JD's usual fare is aged for about 7 years, the brand's 'aged' series tends to be left for 10, 12, or 14 years to create a more robust flavour profile. 'Over the past decade, we've worked tirelessly to craft a whiskey that not only reflects the depth and character of our early releases, but also speaks to the global demand for premium and high-quality whiskey. This release is a tribute to our heritage, inspired by the past and crafted with the expertise of today,' said Jack Daniel's master distiller, Chris Fletcher. 'Australia is home to some of our most passionate fans and the world's most discerning whiskey drinkers. Jack Daniel's 10 Year Old is the perfect whiskey for them, showcasing the true craftsmanship and quality that only Jack can offer.' The end result is a 97% proof whiskey, with a 48.5% ABV, featuring a more intense flavouring. It'll set you back around $150, and will be available in August. Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash Look to the Skies this Week for 2 Meteor Showers If you're looking or something free to enjoy this week, there's a very good chance we'll be getting not one, but two meteor showers this week. The Southern Delta Aquariids event, as well as the Alpha Capricornids event, will happen just days apart this week: starting on Monday, 28th July and Wednesday, 30th July respectively. While the Delta Aquariids will be best spotted somewhere outside of the light pollution of the city, the Alpha Capricornids tend to be quite bright, and should be able to be enjoyed from anywhere. Meteoroids from the Aquariids event are expected to be smaller, faster and more numerous, while the Capricornids will be slower and brigther. So, if you're looking to best enjoy this cosmic phenomenon, get out of the city (pack a jumper or two), and give your eyes a bit of time to adjust to the dark. Keep an eye on the north-northeast, and you should catch some great balls of fire in the sky.
Man of Many
4 days ago
- Man of Many
Everything We Know About the ‘iPhone 17 Air'
By Dean Blake - News Published: 22 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. As we enter the second half the calendar year, it's time to turn our attention to all the fun stuff our friends at Apple have been cooking up for us: and while it's no secret there's an iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max are coming soon, there's something special on the way. For the first time, Apple is bringing it's Air moniker to the iPhone, and is set to deliver a surprisingly thin entrant to the iPhone lineup this September: the iPhone 17 Air. Beyond the name—which finally fits the iPhone into the same naming convention as the iPad and MacBook product lines—we do have quite a bit of unofficial information leaked from journalists and the production line to look at. Obviously, until we have official confirmation from Apple everything in this article should be taken with a grain of salt. But if you're keen to get the scoop on what will likely be the most existing iPhone launch in recent years, read on. A dummy iPhone 17 Air | Image: AppleInsider What will the 'iPhone 17 Air' Look Like? When you imagine what an iPhone Air would look like, you're probably not far off from what Apple has in mind. The key feature of the rumoured phone will be its overall thinness and weight: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has noted he believes, based on his sources, that the Air will shave around 2mm from the current iPhone 16 Pro, which would put it at around 6mm thick. However, other estimates put it as thin as 5.5mm and as light as 145 grams (for reference, the current iPhone 16 clocks in at 170 grams), but ultimately we won't know the proper measurements until Apple itself shows the phone off this September. We're also not entirely clear on the overall size of the display, though the common ground between each rumour is that the Air will land somewhere around the size of the iPhone 16 Plus (6.7' display)—that is, with a display measuring somewhere between 6.55' and 6.65'. That puts the phone between the 16 Pro (6.3' display) and 16 Pro Max (6.9' display), but quite a bit bigger than the base iPhone 16 (6.1'). The design of the phone isn't necessarily going to radically differ from what we've seen from Apple (or it's competition, actually), though one big difference leakers point at is the fact the iPhone 17 Air will probably only feature a single 48 megapixel fusion camera similar to the one used in 2025's iPhone 16e. This would mean a less cluttered camera bump, but also means videophiles are likely looking at sticking to the Pro and Pro Max models for another year. A full-scale render of the upcoming iPhone 17 Air | Source: Render by @asherdipps What are the likely specs of the 'iPhone 17 Air'? While the iPhone 17 will act as the base model of the new line-up, the 17 Air is actually very likely to share a lot of the technical DNA, with a few caveats here and there to account for the slimmer build. The biggest one, of course, being the battery size. Rumours all point to the new device having a sub-3,000mAh battery—considerably less than even the budget-focused iPhone 16e's 4,005mAh—which will struggle to maintain battery life for an entire day. Hardware and software optimisations could go a long way in mitigating the relatively small battery size, as well as a very likely iPhone 17 Air-compatible battery case, which will give users back some battery charge in exchange for adding bulk to what is supposed to be a thin device. Here's the rumoured tech specs of the iPhone 17 Air: Rumoured iPhone 17 Air Specs Price USD$899 / AUD$1,599 Display – 6.6' OLED Retina Display – 120Hz ProMotion – 1260 x 2736 resolution Operating System iOS 26 Internals – Processor: A19 – RAM: 8GB – 12GB – Storage: ??? Networking – 5G – Wi-Fi 7 – Bluetooth 5.3 – NFC Capable Camera 48-megapixel wide-lens fusion camera 24-megapixel front-facing camera Battery 2,800mAh – 3,000mAh Other Features – Single USB 2.0 Type-C port – Face ID – Action Button – Apple Intelligence – Rumours suggest the phone may be too thin to house a SIM tray Scroll horizontally to view full table When is the 'iPhone 17 Air' Releasing? Given Apple's propensity to launch its phones in September, it's very likely the iPhone 17 Air will launch alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, in mid September. The 16 series were launched on Friday, September 20, meaning the new line-up is likely to land on shelves on Friday, 19 September, or 26 September, 2025.
Man of Many
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Man of Many
Man of Many's Staff Favourites—19 July, 2025
By Dean Blake - News Published: 19 Jul 2025 |Last Updated: 17 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 5 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. The week is over, July is halfway done, and wouldn't you know it—it's time for another round of our Staff Favourites! Each week, we try to show off some things that have brought us some joy in the hopes it'll help you find your own, and this week we're showcasing some delicious Tasmanian whiskey, a pint-sized collectable car, an ape wearing a tie, and some custom Adidas. Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set | Image: Mattel Hot Wheels 1990 Acura NSX Brick Set John Guanzon – Head of Creative & Production When we posted about the news of Mattel dropping collector-focused brick sets on Man of Many's Instagram, the response was huge, so I took it as my sign to grab a set for myself. I told myself it was for the kids over the school holidays, but let's be real: I'll be the one building it while they watch (and honestly, I'm not mad about it). The build quality is surprisingly impressive. This one features 876 pieces and pays tribute to the iconic '90s ride with incredible attention to detail, from its scissor doors to the classic wedge profile. It's part of Mattel's new Brick Shop range, which also includes the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 1963 Corvette Grand Sport. All three are loaded with authentic touches and feel way more premium than you'd expect from a brick set. It's definitely got that collector energy, and now I'm tempted to grab the others and complete the set (or quietly drop hints between now and Father's Day wink). Favourite Article this Week: Our First Look at Link and Zelda in 2027's 'Legend of Zelda' Movie Donkey Kong Bonanza | Image: Nintendo Donkey Kong Goes Bananza Dean Blake – Entertainment & Tech Writer Donkey Kong has finally been let out of his cage, and he's literally tearing the scenery apart. In DK's big return to a starring role, he's diving deep into the bowels of the planet in Bananza, the first major single-player system-seller for Nintendo's new Switch 2 console. I got a chance to play a few hours of the game recently, and it was fantastic. DK feels great in the hands (which is no surprise if you've played this studio's prior game, Super Mario Odyssey), and has a number of new abilities in store: he can break the world apart around him, for one, but also climb most surfaces and, when the mood strikes just right, turn into an ostrich. No, I'm not kidding. He can also turn into a zebra and an even bigger ape with bananas in his hair, which is strange but you know, who cares? Doing so gives the big man access to some new abilities, like gliding, sprinting, and bashing things even harder. Oh, and he does it all with a human child on his shoulder. Confused yet? Well, that's just the beginning of where things get whacky with this one, but I don't think I want to spoil much else. Really, if you've already picked up a Switch 2 for Mario Kart you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to check out Bananza—and if you've been on the fence, this is a pretty damn good reason to make the jump to Nintendo's new system. Favourite Article this Week: Does the Nothing Phone (3) Justify its AUD$1,509 Price? Image: Scott Purcell / Man of Many Kicking It with the Three Stripes: Our Night with the adidas Superstar Scott Purcell – Co-Founder This week, Harry and I had the opportunity to head out to the adidas flagship store on Pitt St in Sydney to celebrate the return of a true icon: the adidas Superstar. The new 'Superstar: The Original' campaign is bringing back the legendary sneaker in two classic colourways, alongside the equally iconic Firebird Tracksuit. The global campaign features a star-studded cast including the likes of Missy Elliott, Jennie from BLACKPINK, and is narrated by the one and only Samuel L. Jackson. The event was a super fun getting to customise our own sneakers, and they even offered to embroider the back of our new jackets ahead of the night. In a moment of questionable genius, I opted for 'Man of Many' on mine, which made for some interesting conversations. Others were more clever, with one person getting 'It wasn't me' stitched on the back. While I'm not sure my attempt with a metallic scourer was a complete success as you can see in the photo, I can confirm these shoes are ridiculously comfortable. I've been wearing them all week since and this was my first proper foray into the world of adidas Superstars footwear. I think it's safe to say I'm a convert. Favourite Video this Week: DITL with the Dyson OnTrac Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey | Image: Rosevears Rosevears Tasmanian Three Grain Whiskey Alex Martinez – Media Sales & Brand Partnerships Tasmania's first crack at a bourbon-style whiskey is an ambitious and largely successful effort. Rosevears Batch 1 delivers a bold, grain-forward profile that proudly wears its local ingredients on its sleeve. The nose is rich with sweet corn and toasted cereal, backed by a punch of rye spice and oak. On the palate, it leans into classic bourbon notes – vanilla, caramel, and a touch of char. While it doesn't quite rival the depth of some seasoned Kentucky counterparts, Rosevears impresses with its authenticity and craftsmanship. As a debut, it sets a promising foundation for what's to come from this Tasmanian distillery. One for the curious bourbon enthusiast looking to explore Australian innovation – and why wouldn't you be? Favourite Article this Week: Ninja SLUSHi: The Uber-Cool Drink Maker You Need Right Now
Man of Many
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
Feel-Good Friday: 18 July, 2025—Dim Sims, Speedruns, and Hottest 100 Parties
By Dean Blake - News Published: 18 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 3 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. It's the end of the week, and you know what that means: another instalment of Man of Many's Feel-Good Friday! Every week we look to bring some fun ideas for things you can do this weekend, as well as some easy opportunities for you to do some good in the world. This week, we're showing off some cheap meals, and an upcoming celebration of triple j's 2025 Hottest 100, as well as a chance for all the gamers out there to do some more good for cancer research. Without further ado, here's this week's Feel-Good Friday. Dimmies & Tinnies | Image: Supplied Dimmies & Tinnies Pop-Up at The Norfolk with $3 Dim Sims, $7 Tinnies If you're keen for a cheap feed this weekend, head on down to The Norfolk Hotel in Redfern for a delicious treat this Saturday, 19 July: A Dimmies & Tinnies pop-up, offering $3 dim sims, $7 Reschs Pilsners, and good vibes. The dimmies come in two flavours—a spicy pork with red chilli and cabbage, and chicken with sweetcorn and a bit of kombu. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also book your spot if you don't want to miss out. Dimmes & Tinnies is an odd offering, having been born out of the combination of TV personality Andy Lee, NYC-based hospitality duo Eddy Buckingham and Paul Donnelly, and ceramist Sam Gordon, with the chief goal of making dim sims even more fun. How do they achieve that? Well, add tinnies. While D&Ts will be at The Norfolk Hotel this Saturday, 19th from 12pm, this is actually the first stop on an east-coast tour of Australia. Where'll it be headed next? Keep an eye on the Dimmies & Tinnies Instagram for updates. Taphouse, Darlinghurst | Image: Supplied Taphouse Serving 'Hottest 100' Deliciousness With triple j celebrating 50 years on the air in 2025, this year's Hottest 100 is sure to be a big one: and Darlinghurst's Taphouse is preparing to deliver its own celebration. Next Saturday, 26 July, Taphouse will be playing the beloved music countdown throughout the venue, while offering patrons $14 Aperol Spritzes paired with a succulent Chinese meal. For those of us with a taste for beer, schooners of Mountain Culture's award winning Status Quo will be $10 — with $1 of every beer donated to youth mental health foundation Headspace. The Hottest 100 is a staple in Australia's music culture, so if you're not celebrating the countdown with a backyard barbecue, check out Taphouse. 'Mario Kart World' | Image: Nintendo Australian Speedrun Marathon is Running Now! If you're looking for something to do indoors this weekend, but still want to do some good, consider checking out the Australian Speedrun Marathon—an annual video-game speed-running event which raises money for cancer research live on Twitch. It'll be running until Sunday 20th, so you've got plenty of time to tune in. 'We are absolutely delighted to be working with the AusSpeedruns team, once again, for another Australian Speedrun Marathon,' said Alexandra Lynne, Gaming Campaign and Content Manager at Cure Cancer. 'Last year at ASM2024 the incredible AusSpeedruns community raised more than $30,000, and to date the team have raised more than $100,000 to support life-saving cancer research across a number of different events.' This year the event will feature a bunch of fantastic games to watch, from Pokemon Heart Gold, Mario Kart 64, Donkey Kong Country, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and The Simpsons: Ht & Run. Viewers can head to the AusSpeedruns Twitch channel to watch the event, and/or can donate to the cause via Tiltify.
Man of Many
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Man of Many
Feel-Good Friday: SydneyMusic, Mental Health, and Magic Mushrooms
By Dean Blake - News Published: 11 Jul 2025 |Last Updated: 10 Jul 2025 Share Copy Link Readtime: 4 min Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here. Welcome to this week's Feel-Good Friday! Each week, we share a bunch of exciting and interesting stuff in the hopes that you can find something fun to do, or a new deal to get in on. But this week's a bit different. Instead, we're celebrating the revival of a Sydney institution, amplifying the efforts of the good people at Beyond Blue, as well as sharing some fun news about your favourite fungi. No, not shitake. SydneyMusic | Image: SydneyMusic SydneyMusic Saved From Closure The local music scene in Australia needs as much support as it can get, and this week we've seen a miracle. SydneyMusic—self proclaimed 'no-nonsense gig guide' that largely acts as a directory as to what acts are playing in Sydney each week—has been saved from the imminent closure by the legends at RØDE Microphones and Heaps Normal. The site was expected to close in June, but when it announced the closure would be happening it was inundated with one-off and recurring donations from its users. That secured the site another month or so of operations, but the end was still coming. Now, RØDE have pledged to fund a portion of the site's monthly budget for the next two years, and will act as a core sponsor for 'next era of SydneyMusic'. Plus, non-alc beer brand Heaps Normal—known for its support of the Aussie music scene—have also offered a 'significant contribution' to boost the team's resources and help them get the site up and running smoothly. Honestly, we love this. SydneyMusic is exactly the kind of local project Man of Many loves, and to see it given new life is awesome. 'We're so bloody excited by the thoughtfulness and energy we've heard from people wanting to solve the many challenges facing live music in Sydney,' said creator and co-founder Joe Hardy. 'Sydney's most comprehensive gig guide is back and firing on all cylinders.' Beyond Blue's #BeyondTheScreen | Image: Beyond Blue Beyond Blue Taps Gamers For 'Beyond The Sceen' Mental Health organisation Beyond Blue is preparing to launch its annual Beyond The Screen initiative, a national fundraising campaign working with Australia's gaming community to raise vital funds and awareness for mental health services. The campaign encourages participants to take on an individual challenge that somehow reflects their own personal wellness journey. It might be co-op gaming with your friends, finally starting that YouTube channel you've thought about for ages, or even just committing to daily walks. The goal is, of course, to raise money – but you can also win rewards from brands such as Logitech, RØDE (they're everywhere), Bandai Namco, Fujifilm, and more. Plus, every $66 raised gives individuals an entry into the big prize: a custom gaming PC, built by Sidekick PC. If you're interested in donating, or participating, the Beyond The Screen campaign will be running until July 31. Psilocybin | Image: Wikipedia Commons Magic Mushrooms are Even Better For You Then We Thought Speaking of mental health treatments, recent years have seen the humble psilocybin—or magic mushroom—pinpointed as particularly helpful in treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. It turns out, though, that the mushroom may also be good at slowing down the way our cells degrade with age. According to the authors of a new study, human fetal lung cells were given a dose of psilocin (the stuff magic mushrooms metabolise into in our guts) to test if it'd slow down the aging process, and the lung tissue's lifespan increased by as much as 57 per cent. When the experiment was repeated with adult tissue, it saw a 51 per cent extension. This is thought to be because of psilocybin's impact on telomeres, the bits at the end of each of our chromosomes that typically get shorter and shorter with age. Essentially, the presence of psilocin seems to correlate with healthier telomeres, and even it'll make a difference even when the telomeres have already started aging. While there's still a lot for scientists to hash out as far as how safe the treatment is for humans (so far its only been tested on mice), the idea that we might be a one-step closer to slowing down the most harmful effects of aging is a pretty exciting thing.
