Well, that was a bit of fun. With the election over and Australia back to doing whatever it is that we normally do on the weekends, things are looking up. Here in Sydney, the sun is shining and the crisp morning air is doing wonders for our sleeping schedule, but a Saturday sleep-in isn’t going to stop us from dishing out the goods. We scoured the net looking for sh*t to share and this is what we’ve found. Strap in for Man of Many’s Staff Favourites for this week.
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Killing It
Nick Hall – Editor-in-Chief
It’s no secret I love a bit of Craig Robinson. The funniest member of the Franco/Rogen/Hill brigade has turned out hilarious performances in The Office, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the criminally underrated Hot Tub Time Machine. This week, I finally dipped my toes into his latest venture, Killing It and I’ve got to say, it’s a bonafide winner. The series sees the actor play Craig, a bank security guard struggling to make ends meet, who, despite grand plans to become an entrepreneur, winds up hunting snakes with a nail gun. Honestly, parts of this show are so awkward it’s hard to watch, but it’s worth it just to see Craig nail a snake’s head to the palm of his hand. I genuinely laughed out loud throughout this entire series.
Favourite Article of the Week: New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Trailer is Hilarious, Terrifying and Slightly Erotic
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber
Scott Purcell – Co-Founder
Perhaps one that’s flown under the radar a bit here in Australia behind the likes of Bad Blood and WeCrashed but this mini-series on Uber is 100 per cent worth a watch. It’s crazy to think that Uber only launched in 2012 and has achieved so much. This series looks behind the curtains at founder and CEO Travis Kalanick, who is ultimately ousted in a boardroom coup after tense battles that come with running a unicorn startup business. It’s an insane story to be able to go and watch his real-life interviews with Stephen Colbert and what he was like as a leader. Although likely a little embellished, it’s incredible the similarities you see in the personalities behind Theranos, We Work and Uber at their inception. Also, some traits to watch out for as a founder of a business. You can watch it on Paramount Plus or Amazon Prime.
Favourite Article of the Week: 70 Years of Grange: The History of Australia’s Most Iconic Wine
YouTuber Pranks Leader of the KKK
Frank Arthur – Co-Founder
Niko Omilana is a YouTuber that has pranked his way around the world with stunts like hanging his own painting in the Louvre next to the Mona Lisa, going undercover at a Trump rally and opening a fake Apple store in London. In his latest jaunt, the likeable Brit travelled to the US to visit a place dubbed ’the most racist town in America’, posing as a reporter from the BBC.
The plot really twists in this video. What was intended to explore the prevalence of racial bigotry in this town, pivoted into Omilana securing an interview with Thomas Robb, leader of the Klu Klux Klan. The KKK leader in his own words would never invite Omilana to his house for a barbecue due to the colour of his skin. Still, for reasons I can only put down to extreme narcissism and gullibility, he agreed to a sit-down interview with the fake BBC reporter. From there, the virtuoso level trolling ensues.
Favourite Article of the Week: Mannal House is a Gleaming Beacon on the Isle of Tiree
Little Giant “L.G.F” Grenache
Denise Barnes – Head of Branded Content
Those who know me, know how much I appreciate a good wine, and right now I’m going through a big Grenache phase. It’s not too light like a Pinot Noir, but not too heavy either like a Cab Sav, Malbec or Shiraz. In other words, it’s juuuust right. And although this wine variety originates from Spain, Australia has become quite well known for making exceptional Grenache wines in the last couple of years. In particular, I’ve been a big fan of the Little Giant Grenache from McLaren Vale. Recently, the winemaker has started producing the L.G.F range, aka Little Giant Free. These wines are all organic, natural, biodynamic, and certified sustainable, and luckily their natural wine makeover also includes the Grenache varietal. Handcrafted from premium South Australian grapes that are picked at optimal ripeness and minimally handled, the wines require minimal additions and preservatives. It’s really delicious and easy to drink, goes great with food (especially pizza) and is good for the planet. I’m also a big fan of the general branding and look of the bottle.
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JBL Tour Pro+ Noise Cancelling TWS In-Ear Headphones
Tim Fernandes – Senior Sales & Partnerships Manager
My favourite thing about these headphones is 32 hours of battery life. Knowing I’ll be sorted all week (and then some) for listening to music on my commute and in the office, without constantly charging or worrying about battery life has been brilliant. And if I ever do get caught out then a few minutes, fast charge ensures I’m good for a couple more hours. I’ve come to expect exceptional sound quality from JBL and these deliver without any surprise a clear, crisp audio. The adaptive noise cancelling technology and smart ambient helps control the sounds around you, so the aforementioned commute means complete silence whilst on the bus or train, but also a way to easily hear and chat with the barista on the coffee stop before the office. They’re super comfy, the case isn’t too bulky, the buds don’t look too big sticking out of your ears (a genuine problem for a lot of brands) and at $330 they’re very well priced for what they deliver. Definitely recommend.
Favourite Article of the Week: 70 Years of Grange: The History of Australia’s Most Iconic Wine
ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED W7600
Ben McKimm – Journalist – Automotive & Tech
While I usually have my hands on cars, smartphones, and other gadgets, I had the pleasure of using the ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED over the last month to see what a dedicated creator laptop could muster compared to my run-of-the-mill Windows laptop. When the words “first OLED 4K display in a laptop” scroll across your inbox you’re immediately hooked, and the funky ASUS Dial on the case was just icing on the cake for me to take this on for Staff Favourites review.
Whenever I sit behind a 16.0-inch, 4K (3840 x 2400) OLED display with a 16:10 aspect ratio I’m always blown away by how productive laptops have become. It’s arbitrary, but I believe creator laptops like the ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 encourage you to work harder. Instead of acting like a blocked pipe with slow image importing, average colour contrast, accuracy, and overall capability, laptops like these give you all you want and more from a device that you can take anywhere. Before you even consider the performance capabilities of the laptop you’re blown away by the display quality that is both OLED and 100% DCI-P3 colour accurate, it’s truly gorgeous and makes my personal laptop look like an iPhone 3. The case is the next thing you notice, it’s strong (a little heavy for travel), and extremely functional with comfortable wrist rests, smooth surfaces, and a keyboard that is one of the best we’ve used in a laptop with plenty of travel and minimal bounce. The ASUS Dial makes rotating, resizing, or scrolling through colours in Adobe seamless, it’s far more accurate and ergonomic than a mouse wheel. The middle (programmable) button on the trackpad controls things like pan, rotate or orbit in 3D applications (not something I use). In terms of performance, it feels right on par with the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M1 Pro) but we didn’t get the chance to bench test it in this instance. If you’re a creator of any kind and prefer using a Windows-based laptop like me, check this one out.
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LSKD Oversized Clubhouse Sweater
Sam Mangioni – Journalist – Entertainment & Culture
LSKD (Loose Kid) is an Australian-owned and operated brand that delivers functional sportswear with a street aesthetic. Whether you’re at the gym, walking the dog or going on an outdoor adventure, they have you covered. While competitors follow the same business model, there’s an edge to each collection that has separated them from the pack and boasts a quality feel unmatched at its price point. Heading into winter, I’d highly recommend picking up the Oversized Clubhouse Sweater (see above), Essential Puffer Vest and Capsule Track Pant for some comfy-stylish vibes. Do yourselves a favour and head over to their website and indulge in the wide variety of products they’ve got on offer.
Favourite Article of the Week: Feast Your Eyes on Hennessey’s 1000-Horsepower 6×6 ‘Mammoth’ Truck
Marantz CD60
Rob Edwards – Branded Content Writer
While there isn’t a day that goes by in which I don’t stream music, I still love the ritual that comes with throwing on a vinyl album. I find using the physical format causes me to listen with more intent – pompous as that sounds – and I’m hopeful Marantz’s new high-end CD60 player will do the same for my CDs. Because while I have a larger vinyl collection than most, it’s dwarfed by my long-unloved CD hoard.
But, I hear you say, why haven’t you thrown your CDs away? Well, a small fortune spent, for one thing. And second, streaming music forces you to think of an artist, song or album before you can search for it. In contrast, I can run my finger along the spines of my thousands of CDs, spot something I haven’t heard in years, throw it on, and be instantly transported back to the last time I listened. That’s why I’ll be keeping an eye out for the Marantz CD60 player when it launches in June for USD$999 or AUD$1,749.
Favourite Article of the Week: New ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ Trailer is Hilarious, Terrifying and Slightly Erotic
Future Farm
Clelia Niyikiza – Branded Content Assistant
Between health and environmental factors, I’ve noticed that more people being cautious of how much meat they are consuming – whether it’s going full vego or incorporating meatless Mondays into their week. I tried Future Farms’ burgers and meatballs this week and have to say it’s the most accurate tasting meat substitute product I’ve ever had. The texture and flavours were so real to an actual burger! If you’re looking to eat less meat but can’t let go of it, this one’s for you. According to the brand, they also use non-GMO products to create 100 per cent plant-based protein in the same texture, taste and tenderness as eating the real thing.
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Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor (MLM)
Jacob Osborn – Staff Writer
I’m not the world’s most avid golfer, but I’m definitely getting into the swing of it (pun intended). A friend and I recently hit up a local course for a round of nine holes, with a Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor (MLM) at our disposal. Impressively accurate, the product converts your iOS device into a portable launch monitor, generating instant feedback in the form of video playback along with essential data such as shot distance, ball speed, launch direction, and more.
Having put this tech to the test, I’m happy to report that it actually works. Using the monitor is as simple as downloading an app on your iPhone and then positioning your phone in the provided cradle, being sure to line it up with the tee. The product takes it from there, recording your swing and using all kinds of crazy GPS to deliver accurate data. Everything loads up within seconds and remains effortlessly legible as it delivers immediate insight into your game.
We imagine there are a few golf coaches out there who could use this monitor for virtual training purposes, though it’s no less helpful for personal use (either indoors or out). There’s also a Premium Subscription service available in both MLM’s Net and Outdoor mode for a separate cost, which offers player-specific feedback and a “key takeaways” summary so as to help passionate golfers get the most out of their game.
Favourite Article of the Week: Highland Park Brings Immersive Whisky Dining Experience to Sydneysiders
