If there was any proof needed that more Australians are doling out serious cash for supercars, then the arrival of Melbourne’s first standalone McLaren showroom is it.

According to George Biggs, the Managing Director of McLaren Automotive Asia Pacific, the British supercar marque has spotted a huge potential for the brand to further its operations locally amongst a consumer market which “gets our brand”.

“Melbourne has been a really good market for us,” says Biggs.

“Australia is an active and strong market for us which has grown since we started five years ago. It’s a great opportunity for us to develop a new site.”

More importantly, Biggs says that the flashy new space located in Richmond’s Swan Street will serve as a portal for future models the carmaker has planned.

“Every country has its road laws and regulations we all need to respect.”

The current portfolio of McLaren cars on offer to local buyers has grown significantly since the brand’s arrival five years ago with the MP4-12C.

Today that range includes the sports series with the 570S, 570GT and 540C alongside the more race-focused 650S and the now sold-out 675LT.

“We’ve had rapid growth in the past eighteen months in Australia,” explains Biggs.

“There’s a new site on the Gold Coast, McLaren is already in Sydney. So now we’re at a point where we make sure to establish and embed our current business and our [local] customers have the service and can enjoy McLaren ownership.”

RELATED: Supercar Shootout: 650S V 570S V 540C

The push to develop the McLaren brand in Australia can be seen as a move from a company fixated on a customer-first business model. That is, continually assessing what the market wants before deciding what they’ll deliver.

This same approach brought to the attention the need for a more refined McLaren in the sports series which captured the racing spirit of McLaren into a daily driver.

Biggs says that it was this approach that has brought the brand to where it is today.

Querying Biggs on the supercar buying habits of Australian men, it was revealed that locals are coming from two distinct categories: Those who already know the brand and are buying the most extreme road going race cars on offer, and buyers of other exotic brands who now have their interest piqued.

“The 675LT has been phenomenally well received in Australia,” he says. “We’ve had a really strong response and that could be the fact that we didn’t bring the P1 hypercar into Australia. It’s the most extreme model McLaren you can purchase (locally).”

The second group falls under the new McLaren buyer, a group which is aware of McLaren’s F1 roots as well as the more contemporary sports series which is available for under AU$400,000 on road.

This, according to Biggs, is exactly where McLaren Australia wants to be positioned. “We’re kind of having that interest across the segment which is really pleasing for us.”

What’s polarising is the fact that McLaren’s supercar sales appear to be increasing even in the face of ever-stringent Australian road laws limiting the enjoyment of these types of cars on public roads.

Is McLaren worried about the fun police affecting their sales Down Under?

“There is always that question and it comes about quite often. You can’t reach the full potential of the car with current road regulations,” says Biggs.

“Every country has its road laws and regulations we all need to respect. Our car is born on the race track and we have a lot of people who are interested in taking our car on track.”

“We’re quite proud of our independent roots and independent operation. It gives us a lot of stability and allows us to respond very quickly.”

Consistency appears to be the key to McLaren’s success as well as its signature design language. In a bid to replicate this locally, the company has taken the blueprints of McLaren Technology Centre’s design and injected it into their Melbourne showroom.

“You can walk into the service centre which is like a mini MTC and it’s something we really like. It really starts to show the attention to detail we pay to customer’s cars,” says Biggs.

Speaking of this custom attention to detail, Biggs told us that Australia will not be seeing a local MSO (McLaren Special Operations) arm even though there’s been an increase in MSO customers.

“I certainly believe we’ll see more MSO bespoked cars in Australia, but with the nature of the work that they do and their intimate relationship they have with designers and engineers, they’ll always need to be based in the UK.”

“It’s exciting to have many of our customers discuss their individual tastes but I can’t foresee that being operated out of Australia.”

Those hoping for a McLaren-Mercedes SLR type supercar revival in the current McLaren-Honda F1 partnership will also be disappointed.

“I very much doubt that,” says Biggs of the road car collaboration.

“We’re quite proud of our independent roots and independent operation. It gives us a lot of stability and allows us to respond very quickly.”

“I think the Honda NSX project is very interesting in its own right and they’ve delivered a fantastic car. But where we are and where we operate, as far as we’re concerned, we deliver the ultimate driver’s cars in the market and it’s something we’re focusing on and making sure we deliver on that promise.”

The McLaren Melbourne showroom is now open and boasts floor space which includes an adjoining service centre where customers can watch their cars being fiddled with by expert technicians.

The post Why McLaren Are Betting Big On Australian Customers appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Bali: an earthly paradise, a land of lush landscapes, a place to eat, pray, love, and party. Just when you think it can’t get any more magical, Brydie Mack arrives with a camera and Joanna Halpin in tow.

Halpin is a British It-Girl who regularly makes waves on Instagram. She’s also a model and, along with her sister, one-half of the duo behind What She Said Blog. With a childhood spent in the English coastal countryside of Cornwall, her connection to the beach began at an early age and never left.

Brydie Mack is a creative director, photographer, and stylist based in Sydney. Her raw, minimal aesthetic and appreciation of the female form make her a powerful force behind the camera. It doesn’t hurt that she and and Halpin are besties, either.

The post Joanna Halpin And Her Hat Hit The Beach In Bali appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

This story was originally published on Gizmodo

Wi-Fi is one of the most useful and important parts of using a computer and yet it’s also one of the most frustrating. If you’re plagued by slow speeds, bad reception, and other Wi-Fi issues, here are 10 ways you can power up the Wi-Fi in your home.

Use The Latest Wi-Fi Technologies

One of the best ways to make sure your network is as fast and reliable as possible is to use up-to-date hardware. We’ve gone through the basics of router hardware before, so check out the first lesson of our networking Night School for the full lowdown. The main thing you need to know: Wireless A, B, and G are old and slow, wireless N is decent, but 802.11ac will give you the fastest speeds around. Note that you’ll need both a wireless AC router and compatible card in your computer if you want the full speed boost.

Find The Perfect Spot For Your Router

Routers may be ugly, but that doesn’t mean you should hide them behind the TV cabinet. If you want the best signal, you’ll need it out in the open, free of any walls and obstructions. Point the antennas vertically and elevate the router if you can (one reader found that his attic was the perfect spot). Lastly, make sure its in the centre of your house, so you have the best coverage possible throughout your home.

8. Find The Right Wireless Channel

If you have neighbours, their routers may be interfering with yours and causing the signal to degrade. Wireless routers can operate on a number of different channels, and you want yours on a channel with as little interference as possible. Use a tool like Wi-Fi Stumbler or Wi-Fi Analyzer to find the perfect channel in your house. We have more detailed instructions on how to do that here.

Get Rid Of Interference From Other Appliances

Thwart Wi-Fi Thieves With Better Security

Even if your router has a password, it can be really easy to hack. There are easy ways to find out if someone is stealing your Wi-Fi, but the best thing to do is just lock them out with better security. Using a WPA password is absolutely essential, but even those can be cracked pretty easily — so see our security recommendations here to fully protect your network from prying eyes.

Control Bandwidth-Hogging Applications

Increase Wi-Fi Range With DIY Tricks

If your router still won’t reach far enough, you can extend its range with simple DIY tricks. Our favourite isthe aluminium foil hack, though you can also use an old beer can or a cooking strainer to extend your router’s range. The results won’t necessarily be mind blowing, but you should be able to eke a bit more distance out of your Wi-Fi network with minimal effort.

Boost Your Router’s Signal With A Bit Of Hacking

Another great way to extend your range is to hack your router and install the DD-WRT firmware (or one of the various alternatives). Not only will it give you a load of great security features and other enhancements, but it gives you the option to boost your transmitting power. This can be dangerous for your router, but most routers can handle an increase up to 70mW without causing any issues and you’ll be able to access your network from much further away!

Set Your Router To Reboot On A Schedule

If you’re one of the many folks that has to reboot their router every so often so it doesn’t drop out, there is a solution. You can run a few tests to make sure the problem isn’t caused by heat, old firmware, or excess downloading, but an easy way to solve the problem is just automatically reboot it once a day or so. You can do this with DD-WRT or just a regular old outlet timer. When you’re done, you shouldn’t have to reboot your router so often (which is great if your router’s all the way up in the attic).

After going through these tweaks, you should find that your home Wi-Fi is faster, more reliable and more secure than ever. When you’re done, make sure you check out our favourite clever uses for Wi-Fi, too — after all, it isn’t just for connecting to the internet.

Gizmodo explores the smart design, breakthrough science and awe-inspiring tech shaping your future.

Follow Gizmodo on Facebook and Twitter.

The post How To Boost Wi-Fi In Your Bachelor Pad appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Entertaining friends with beers and a BBQ is a skill most of us have perfected by our mid-twenties. But as we get older a simple barbie doesn’t always cut it, and the time will come when a dinner party is called for. Put your gentlemanly maturity on display with a dapper dinner party using some of the tips listed below.

Make A Guest List & Keep It Tight

Unlike a casual barbeque or Friday night drinks, a dinner party works best when guest numbers are kept to single digits. Between four and eight is ideal. Any more than this and you’ll probably want to think about hiring caterers or installing a second oven in the kitchen. Resist the temptation to take on more than you can handle!

The guest list might be limited, but the characters you invite don’t need to be. Ideally, the majority of your party-goers will know each other, but it is interesting to throw in a few quirky friends to mix things up a bit and keep people on their toes. Aim for a 70:30 ratio where 70 per cent of guests are already acquainted and 30 per cent are fresh meat (work colleagues, for example).

Whether you email, post or text your friends the details of your intended dinner party, ask them to RSVP a couple of weeks in advance so you can plan the menu and prepare the house.

Keep The Menu Simple

If you think convoluted canapés are the only way to show off your culinary skills and impress your guests, think again. Leave the fiddly horderves and elaborate meals to Heston and his ilk while you focus on simplicity. Never cook something you haven’t prepared before and stick with dishes you know you can nail. Trust us: a well-cooked steak will taste better than a 5-course French degustation where you serve pâté and spend all night in the kitchen attempting to fry snails and raise a soufflé.

Remember: it’s okay to serve food that requires little or no preparation. Cheese platters and antipasti plates, for example, make fantastic starters.

Slow cooked dishes work well for mains, as does a classic roast with vegetables and gravy. Pasta salads and other cold dishes are a great addition to any meal and can be prepared ahead of time, further lessening your time in the kitchen.

Whatever you choose to cook, try and estimate your portions correctly and always buy more than you think you’ll need. It’s better to have leftovers than hungry partygoers.

Drinks

Cover all bases by offering red and white wine, beer and a couple of spirits (vodka or whisky etc.). Alternatively, you can inform guests that you will be supplying beer and wine only, leaving them free to bring their own spirits or beverage of their choice.

Do your homework and try to match the wine and beer with the menu, and stock up on brands you know your friends enjoy. Non-alcoholic options are also essential. Soft drinks and sparkling waters never go astray, and double as mixers for the spirit drinkers. Have a selection of lemon and lime wedges pre-cut to garnish drinks.

Don’t forget the ice! Nobody enjoys a dash to the servo for a last minute ice run, so buy a few bags in advance and make sure you have enough glassware and straws to keep everyone happy.

Hire Some Help

If your dinner party budget is generous we suggest you hire a waiter to mix and serve drinks. This way you won’t be getting up every five minutes to fetch more wine, refill glasses or clear empty beer bottles off the table as they pile up.

Having someone to take care of this allows you to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It also means you can be a more engaging and present host, while making sure inebriated friends keep out of your liquor cabinet.

Set The Scene & The Table

Almost as important as the food and the company, is the ambiance of a dinner party. Set the table with matching dishware and cutlery (a mismatched table setting is a rookie mistake and should be avoided. Buy a new set of plates and bowls if need be – they needn’t be fancy and expensive but they do need to match!).

Candles and soft lamp lighting is preferable to the harsh brightness of overhead illumination. A centrepiece is also something to consider. It doesn’t need to be a feminine bunch of blooms: your centrepiece could be anything from a row of large candles to a glass bowl filled with red and green apples.

Be The Music Maestro

Awkward silences and dinner parties are not happy bedfellows, so create a playlist to have on in the background at all times. This will guard against total, nerve-wracking silence where the only sound is chewing and chairs shuffling.

Meet & Greet, Drink & Eat

If you plan your prep right you’ll be free to greet guests and chat for a while before you need to get back into the kitchen to start plating up and adding finishing touches.

As soon as your guests walk in the door, offer them a drink and something to nibble on (cheese platter, canapés etc.). Introduce anyone who doesn’t know each other and offer little titbits about newbies to get the conversation flowing.

Dealing With Stragglers

• Inquire as to how they plan on getting home and offer to call an Uber or cab for them.
• Talk about how busy you are the following day.
• Turn off the music and extinguish any candles. Turn on the overhead lights.
• Start doing the washing up and ask if the straggler would like to help.
• Change into your pyjamas (unless you sleep naked, although your unexpected exposure would also work).
• Just straight up ask the guy to go home because you’re exhausted.

The post How To Throw An Unforgettable Dinner Party appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Do you have what it takes to be the next Albert Einstein? Or a real-life Tony Stark?Scientists have struggled to measure intelligence. Some say scores on aptitude tests are tightly linked to outcomes like health, school performance, and future earning potential. Others insist tests fail to accurately indicate IQ or identify geniuses.What science has done, however, is identify factors that correlate with above-average intelligence. If you have any of these character traits, you may have a leg up in the brainpower game.

#1 You’re A Worrier

Individuals of high intelligence are more prone to anxiety than those of moderate intelligence. A study published in 2012 theorised that intelligence may have co-evolved with worry in humans because it boosted their chances of survival. Another study, published in 2014, found that verbal intelligence (a key player in problem solving, critical thinking, and abstract reasoning) was “a unique positive predictor of worry and rumination.”“It is possible that more verbally intelligent individuals are able to consider past and future events in greater detail, leading to more intense rumination and worry,” the researchers told the Daily Mail.

#2 You’re A Loner

Socialising generally makes people happier, but research has found that intelligent people are less satisfied with their lives when they socialise more often. A study published in the British Journal Of Psychology provides two explanations for the phenomenon.One states that intelligence is linked to a strong focus on long-term projects and goals. Socialising may be an unwelcome distraction from those ventures. The second theory takes an evolutionary approach, speculating that smarter people are better able to adapt to the modern world. Because humans are no longer a hunter-gatherer species that requires close social contact, intelligent people may have evolved to prefer a less pack-oriented lifestyle.

#3 You’re A Night Owl

Our ancient ancestors were wired to be active during the day and seek shelter at night. Sticking with the evolutionary theme, scientists have hypothesised that going against that historical trend would be positively correlated with higher intelligence. Studies like this one confirm that the bright go to bed later and wake up later, while their less intelligent counterparts go to bed earlier and rise earlier in the morning.

#4 You’re A Risk-Taker

Jumping out of a plane may not seem like a smart decision, but science disagrees with common sense (provided you have a parachute, of course). A 2015 Finnish study found that individuals who are open to new challenges and willing to take risks tend to have higher intelligence.Intelligent individuals have also shown a greater propensity for taking recreational drugs. The desire for novel experiences is a strong motivator for experimenting with intoxicants. A study from 2012 suggests that intelligent people tend to value novelty more highly, and may therefore be more likely to try drugs.

#5 You’re Popular

Smarty-pants people may be loners, but they’re also primed for popularity. Popular individuals achieve their high social status in part because they are able to read other people’s emotions and personality well. According to a 2015 study, emotional intelligence (the ability to identify what others want, think, and feel) makes it easier to climb the social ladder.Along those same lines, another study found that intelligent people are better judges of character and consequently more likely to be trusting. People who were more trusting were also happier and had higher levels of physical health.

The post Signs You May Have Above-Average Intelligence appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There’s more to South Africa than just hitting up wildlife parks with a busload of balding, retired foreigners and their mistresses.

This country is one of the world’s most vibrant, boasting a plethora of local fauna that could easily rip your face off along with some of the most idyllic natural scenery ever known to man.

Suspended on the world’s biggest rope swing? You can do that in South Africa. Downing a pint in the world’s highest pub? Yep, that’s South Africa too. Visiting local witch doctors for a regular fortune check and hunting down glowing plankton? You get the drift.

Of course South Africa does have some precautionary measures just as any other country does, so it’s important to note that when we say ‘crazy’, we don’t mean venturing into the darkest alleyway you can find to hunt Pokemon.

As much as it is a beautiful country filled with amazing people, it can also be dangerous for unweary tourists. Follow the rules and you shall live another day to experience the once-in-a-lifetime spoils of burgeoning country.

These are the eight craziest things to do in South Africa.

The post 8 Crazy Things You Can Only Do In South Africa appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

He might be a relative unknown to some but make no mistake, Boyd Holbrook is on the rise.

The 34-year-old American actor has already been earmarked as the next Ryan Gosling for his impeccable sense of style, a point furthered by his fashion modelling career with labels like Gucci, Jean Paul Gaultier Hugo Boss and DSquared² under his belt.

To date, the model-turned-actor has appeared in films such as Gone Girl and Milk whilst he will play the villain opposite Australia’s Hugh Jackman in the third and final Wolverine. Currently he stars in the Netflix series, Narcos, where he plays a DEA agent charged with bringing down Escobar.

We’re putting our money on Holbrook as a future star to keep an eye on. Until then, here’s how to score Boyd Holbrook’s fashion and style moves.

Breaking It Down

There’s definitely a sense of Ryan Gosling with a bit of youthful bravado thrown in when looking at Holbrook’s winning wardrobe style.

The man ventures seamlessly between contemporary smart casual to tuxedo to red carpet suiting with ease, and his choice of tones and layering is definitely something men can aspire to.

Starting with the formal tux, Holbrook opts for a dark navy instead of the traditional black, a style move which breaks convention without breaking the rules. For an extra bit of edge, Holbrook adds in the the popular bead bracelets that most fashion-forward men are rocking these days. Whether it goes with a tux is questionable but there’s no denying that Holbrook makes the look his own.

Moving onto the contemporary smart casual threads, Holbrook smashes it out of the park with a dark ensemble which is primarily navy and denim. It features so many layers that it adds enough depth and volume to make the look work. Navy trousers are paired with a denim shirt, cardigan and bomber. Throw in a matching grey fedora and suede boots and this is a look every man can steal for the colder seasons.

Finally we have Holbrook’s suit game. Following in the colour wheel footsteps of Gosling’s suits, Holbrook opts for a bolder colour in Burgundy for his own red carpet events. This particular look is simple to pull off with a fitted suit pairing nicely with a tie bar and skinny checked tie.

A white pocket square would add nicely to this outfit but it’s not entirely necessary since the colour already does most of the attention grabbing. Pair it with a decent pair of derby shoes or double monks in brown and your job is complete.

Look #1

Tuxedo: Topman – £160
Shirt: ASOS – $39
Pocket Square: Tie Bar – $10
Bow Tie: Tie Bar – $19
Shoes: Aquila – $189

Look #2

Suit: ASOS – $237
Shirt: ASOS – $28
Tie: Tie Bar – $19
Tie Clip: Tie Bar – $15
Shoes: Aquila – $189

Look #3

The post How To Get Boyd Holbrook's Style appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Wake up. Hit the gym. Get ready for work. Meetings. Emails. Appointments. Commute home. Run errands. Catch up on Netflix. Get ready for bed. Pass out. Repeat tomorrow.

With a schedule that hectic, it’s easy to convince yourself you don’t have time to eat well. You’re already proud (and, frankly, shocked) that you manage to squeeze in workouts now and again. Isn’t that enough?

Fitness is only one piece of the healthy lifestyle puzzle. Helpful sleep habits, low stress levels, and clean eating are also essential to overall wellness. The good news is, you don’t have to be a Cordon Bleu graduate to whip up nutritious and tasty meals. And you don’t have to be unemployed to have enough time to do it.

#1 Plan Your Meals

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Planning out your meals ahead of time helps you manage both your time and your diet more effectively. Write a list of your meals for the week along with their ingredients. You’ll only need to make one trip to the store, and you won’t be tempted to make unhealthy choices out of convenience when a long day at work leaves you lazy and craving comfort food.

#2 Invest In A Crock Pot

A crock pot or slow cooker is a painless way to prepare meals when you can’t spend hours in the kitchen. Throw in a little meat, some veg, broth, a few seasonings… let it simmer while you’re at the office… come home to a hot and healthy meal. It couldn’t be simpler, and the internet is chock-full of diet-conscious crock pot recipes for cooks who are big on ambition but short on time.

#3 Make Water Easily Accessible

It’s no secret that adequate H2O consumption is key to optimal health. The best way to ensure you imbibe a sufficient amount is to make it easy to do so. Stash water everywhere you can. Keep a glass by your bed, a glass on your desk, a bottle in your car. Anywhere you go, water should go with – or better yet, already be there.

#4 Have Healthy Snacks Handy

When a snack attack hits, you’ll be tempted to grab whatever grub is closest. Suddenly the vending machine down the hall looks like 5-star cuisine. Instead of stuffing down your fourth Snickers bar this week, keep emergency snacks stockpiled in your desk and car. Nuts, seeds, and single-serving hand fruits are healthy options that can easily be stored anywhere.

#5 Cook Extra

Cook for two (or three, or four) even if you’re dining solo. You’ll only have to drum up the energy to cook once, and you’ll have leftovers to distribute throughout the week. Extras make easy lunches to take to work and dinners when you’re too wiped to do anything but reheat and relax with a cold one.

The post Eating Well When You're Busy Isn't As Hard As You Think appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

“Rugged” is not a word typically associated with New York City (unless you count the wannabe lumberjacks of Brooklyn’s hipster scene). The city is better known for its slick warehouse conversions, its chic townhouses, and its blindingly expensive condos.

This sexy urban loft, however, proves the Big Apple can’t be put in a box. Extensive wood panelling gives it just the right touch of mountain man style, while the rest of the space oozes city slicker sophistication.

David Howell Design furnished the recently renovated Flatiron loft for a couple. To complement the dark panelling and flooring, DHD selected furniture and finishes that are rich in colour and texture, yet still cool and casual. Grass cloth wallpaper in the bedrooms reduces the contrast of the dark wood and walls, adding brightness to a space that could otherwise be overwhelmed by those heavier design elements.

The post A Rich And Rugged Urban Loft That Oozes Sophistication appeared first on DMARGE Australia.