Top-shelf FRITZ!Box 7490 hits Australia
Australian distributor PCRange this week revealed it had started distributing a new top-end model in the popular FRITZ!Box range of high-end ADSL routers, with the model supporting the long-awaited 802.11ac standard.
Privacy commissioners issue please-explain about Google Glass
It’s been hailed as the vanguard of wearable computing, derided as a plaything of perverts and stalkers, and in a Seattle bar even though it’s not broadly available in the wild and is still untold months from release. No doubt about Google Glass is already brewing a firestorm of controversy – and its possibilities for public snooping have proved worrying enough to Australia’s privacy watchdog that he has requested a meeting with Google to discuss its implications.
Surface Pro 3 lands locally in August
US technology giant Microsoft announced this morning that its Surface Pro 3 tablet -- unveiled in New York overnight -- would start shipping in Australia from the end of August, with Microsoft itself, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi to sell the unit for prices starting from AU$979.
BlackBerry PlayBook prices hit rock bottom
Online retailers have started heavily discounting Research in Motion's BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, taking up to two thirds off the unpopular tablet's price a year after it launched in Australia to a lack interest from local consumers and business customers.
In-flight Internet: Qantas’ failure to launch
Qantas, Australia’s biggest airline, has announced a new trial run of in-flight Internet connectivity on its superjumbo A380 for passengers on intercontinental flights between Australia and the United States. But it's not the airline's first attempt to bring in-flight connectivity to its passengers; in fact, Qantas has repeatedly struggled with the issue over the past decade.
Telstra hosts midnight iPad launch tonight
The nation's largest telco Telstra has revealed plans to open its flagship downtown retail stores in Sydney and Melbourne at midnight tonight (Thursday night) to start selling Apple's new iPad tablet, eight hours ahead of planned retail launches by Optus, Vodafone and Apple itself.
More R18+ games approved for Australia
It was only a little over a week ago that the Classification Board approved the first R18+ video game to be launched in Australia in the form of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, following new legislation supporting R18+ games taking effect on 1 January. And now we have word that that wasn’t an anomaly, with the news that the Classification Board has approved two more games as R18+ in Australia.
Google and JB Hi-Fi cut Australian price of Nexus 5X, 6P by $100
Google's Nexus 5 is now available with a $100 discount in the Australian market, with both the company itself and retailers such as JB Hi-Fi applying the discount.
Optus gets first dibs on 4G HTC One SV
The newest handset on the block from HTC is the One SV, which is a 4G model exclusive to Optus and its subsidiary Virgin Mobile at this point and with some pretty strong specifications -- although it's not absolutely top of the line.
Apple Australia sold 1 million iPads in 2011
New research published by analyst house Telsyte has revealed that Apple sold about one million iPads in Australia in 2011, representing around 76 percent of the total local market for new burgeoning tablet category.
iPhone 4S: Telco forums flooded with queries
Pundits have panned it as only a modest upgrade on the previous model, analysts have bemoaned the lack of an iPhone 5 and the traditional midnight launches have been cancelled. But if the flood of queries to the forums of Australian mobile carriers is any indication, demand is running hot for Apple's iPhone 4S.
Virgin Mobile releases iPhone 4S plans
Optus subsidiary Virgin Mobile has released its pricing plans for Apple's new flagship handset the iPhone 4S, with the company appearing to aim the plans at customers who want mid-range options with solid value.
Samsung ATIV S for Australia in Feb?
Australian Windows Phone enthusiast site Windows Phone Down Under says it's likely Australia will see Samsung's Windows Phone 8-based ATIV S in February.
Toshiba Chromebooks hit Australia
Japanese electronics giant Toshiba has announced its Chromebook laptops are available in Australia. Announced at CES 2014 in Las Vegas earlier this month, the devices ship with a 13.3" display and run Google's Chrome OS operating system. Australian recommended retail price will be $399.
“Misleading consumers”: ACCC sues HP
The national competition regulator has taken global technology giant HP to court for allegedly breaking Australian consumer law by making misleading representations to customers regarding their warranty rights.
Consoles to suffer as tablets triple mobile games downloads by 2017
Tablet makers are set to reap a windfall in coming years as gamers continue to shift their gaming dollars away from dedicated gaming devices and into the wallets of increasingly agile mobile-gaming developers, new figures from Juniper Research have suggested.
TPG claims best unlimited, Netflix ADSL plan
Cut-rate broadband provider TPG last week claimed its new $69.99 Unlimited plan was the best value option in the ADSL broadband market, additionally claiming credit as the best provider in Australia for those looking to watch television online through the popular Netflix platform.
KIRA elaison: Has Toshiba burned Apple’s Retina Display?
Laptop stalwart Toshiba has beaten Apple to the punch by offering an extremely high-resolution display in a slimline Ultrabook that has been clearly designed to appeal to buyers’ deep love of everything shiny.
Dark Souls 2 (PlayStation 3): Review
Dark Souls 2 is challenging, but ultimately rewarding, and it stands as one of those rare examples of a frustration-free difficulty that encourages players to get better at playing the game, rather that putting them off ever trying again.
Double R18+ fail: State of Decay banned
It's times like these that we have to wonder what the point of Australia enacting an R18+ rating for video games is, when the Classification Board seems intent on banning popular games regardless.
Pikmin 3 (Wii U): Review
Pikmin 3 isn't the massive game that we might have hoped for. It's a load of fun, and the charm is irresistible, but looking past that is a game that is part of a franchise that isn't quite in Nintendo's top-tier. That's not to take anything away from the game, because it is a lot of fun and comes recommended wholeheartedly, it's just not the killer app that some might have hoped it would be.
iPhone 5S and 5C hit Australia 20 Sept
Iconic technology giant Apple this morning announced that its new iPhone 5S and 5C models would be available in Australia from the company's own stores and through every major mobile carrier from Friday 20 September, the same date they will be available in other major countries such as the US and UK.
HTC One XL on sale: Compatible with Telstra 4G
Independent mobile retailer Mobicity has started selling a version of HTC's flagship HTC One XL smartphone which will fully function on Telstra's 4G mobile network, ahead of an expected launch by the telco of the device in the next month or so.
Telstra gets two new 4G Motorola handsets
Google subsidiary Motorola has revealed it will launch two new Android-based handsets in Australia in the last three months of 2012, the RAZR M and the RAZR HD, with both models to be available exclusively through the nation's largest telco Telstra -- and supporting 4G speeds.
Telstra integrates Netflix, Stan, Presto into re-badged Roku box
The nation’s largest telco Telstra today revealed it will launch a Telstra-branded version of the popular Roku TV streaming device to Australians, as the telco struggles to ensure its over-the-top services remain relevant in a next-generation viewing world which increasingly appears to be dominated by the likes of US giant Netflix.
Apple Australia’s tiny tax bill “staggering”: Husic
Apple made more than a billion dollars more revenue from Australia over the year to the end of September 2012, but it paid (according to its financial statements) about $54 million less tax.
vividwireless cuts prices for the new year
vividwireless, part of the Seven network and one of Australia’s only independent wireless broadband providers, is reducing the price of its devices and giving them away free to new customers who sign up for eligible plans.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 3 range hits Australia
Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung this morning launched its latest range of Android tablets at a breakfast event in Sydney. There are three models in the new Galaxy Tab 3 line, in three different sizes: 7″, 8″ and 10.1″, which will be selling for pretty great prices — $249, $349 and $399 respectively.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1: Review
There’s a lot to like in the latest flagship ThinkPad. The premium materials, semi-rugged construction, and ultra-slim profile all amount to a beautifully-engineered laptop that’s more than capable of handling the day-to-day drudgeries of office work.
Kaching! CommBank’s mobile payment app pays off
Less than two months since its launch, downloads of the Kaching mobile payment app from Commonwealth Bank of Australia are going through the roof. With over 110,000 downloads and an app store rating of four stars, Kaching is the second most popular free finance app in the Australian App Store, after the company’s NetBank app, CommBank revealed this week.
HP reveals first Win8 laptops for Australia
The first tranche of new laptop models slated to land in Australia and fuelled by Windows 8 have been announced by Hewlett Packard, with three new models due to launch locally later this year, all featuring touchscreens that take advantage of the new touch features of the new Microsoft operating system.
Praise the Sun
In the critically acclaimed video game Dark Souls, there is a mysterious character known as Solaire of Astora who has developed something of a global cult following which may give us some insight into this human existence.
Perth app developer wins $1.1m capital
Perth-based smartphone app developer Filter Squad this week announced it had taken a new $1.1 million funding round led by fellow Perth firm Yuuwa Capital, as the startup continues to leverage its popular Discovr iOS app into commercial success.
Attention Telstra: Shut up and take my money
Hey everyone, just a quick update on my plans to dump my iPhone 4 for a HTC One XL today.
No Moto X news for Australia
So you probably caught the news overnight that Google subsidiary Motorola has finally unveiled its new superphone, the Moto X, and you're likely pretty excited about this. But calm down a little -- initially there are no plans to bring the device to Australia.
Toshiba Android tablet trio hits Australia
Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer Toshiba has launched three new tablets in Australia, all running the latest version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) of Google's Android platform and in sizes ranging from 7.7" to a large 13.3".
Vodafone inks rewards deal with Qantas, opens NZ roaming
Vodafone has inked a deal with Qantas that will see the companies work together to deliver new ways to reward customers. Furthermore, the mobile provider is offering free roaming in New Zealand to its $5 roaming package users.
Is Kogan violating the GPL?
There’s a wide-ranging number of largely unanswered allegations that Kogan has breached the terms of the GNU General Public Licence in using open source software in its own-manufactured gadgets.
As laptop scheme ends, what next for families and learning?
The computers for schools program, which involved federal funding for the supply of laptops to high school students, is set to end in June. The program was a central piece of the former government’s “digital revolution” but is being discontinued by the current government. The end of the program is already having consequences for schools and for families.
In the game of iPhone pricing, consumers are the losers
Up until this morning the telcos were only offering the pricing structures for the iPhone 5C. Why not the 5S? It turns out that they are playing a strategic game of cat-and-mouse with each other.
Optus to release Galaxy Tab 2 10.1?
According to Ausdroid, which usually has the inside scoop on these things, Optus is shortly planning to launch version 2 of Samsung's Galaxy Tab tablet (the 10.1" model).
Price gouging: Apple hikes Aussie Mac Pro prices
Iconic technology giant Apple has applied a substantial markup on the Australian price of its new Mac Pro professional workstation computer compared with the machine’s US prices, with Australians to pay hundreds of dollars more for exactly the same product when the unit goes on sale in December.
Optus launches Android tablet duo for Xmas
Optus has widened the range of tablets available to Australians, in time for the Christmas gifting season, with its launch of the Acer Iconia Tab A501 and the Dell Streak 7 on its 3G network. This adds to the current array of tablets offered by Optus, which includes the Motorola Xoom.
Australia flooded with cheap Android tablets again
Interested in buying one of the new flock of incoming smaller Android tablets from the likes of HP, ASUS and Kogan? Or is it all a bit meh?
Once more into the data breach: the LivingSocial hack and you
News of the LivingSocial breach coincides with debate within the privacy and information technology communities about Commonwealth proposals for data-breach legislation.
Australia gets quite the raw deal in expensive Apple iPhone, TV, iPad launch
Australians have been left with something of a raw deal from Apple’s launch this morning of new models in its new iPhone, TV and iPad lines, with the giant vendor revealing locals will pay more for the product lines than they previously did and receive some products later.
LG Android smartwatch available online now to Australians; Samsung’s not so much
If you caught Google’s I/O conference overnight, you will be aware that one of the highlights of the show was the fact that several smartwatches running Google’s new Android Wear operating system supposedly went on sale. However, as regular readers will be aware, “on sale” doesn’t always quite mean in Australia what it means in the US, with devices typically launching in Australia at a later date than they do in America.
ACCC approves FOXTEL and Austar merger
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of AUSTAR by FOXTEL, greenlighting the multi-billion dollar merger of the two pay TV giants and paving the way for Australia's digital TV sphere to be re-shaped.
New Android army invades telcos, resellers
Thinking of buying an new smartphone based on Google's Android platform? You may want to hold off for a while. It was revealed this week that a number of new high-end Android devices are slated to hit Australian mobile carriers Optus and Vodafone over the next few months -- as well as through third-party suppliers.
Is a 4G Samsung Galaxy S II coming to Australia?
Samsung appears to be on the verge of launching a plethora of new mobile phones and tablets into the Australian market, with the Galaxy Note confirmed to be on its way, and 4G versions of the Samsung Galaxy S II smartphone and Galaxy Tab 8.9 tablet reported to be arriving shortly.
Telstra launches 4G Wi-Fi hotspot
The nation's largest telco Telstra has launched 4G LTE Mobile Wi-Fi device, allowing Australians in 4G coverage areas to enjoy high-speed mobile Internet on their Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Victorious Samsung to launch tablet for Christmas
Korean electronics giant Samsung today claimed victory in its patent court battle against iPad manufacturer Apple and confirmed plans to launch its Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet before Christmas through a variety of Australian retailers.
Microsoft recalls 285,000 Surface Pro power cords in Australia
Microsoft is recalling 285,000 Surface Pro power cord sets sold in Australia over a fault that can expose live wires and represents a risk to consumers.
HTC One (M8) lands in Australia
Taiwanese consumer electronics giant HTC this morning revealed its latest flagship Android handset, the HTC One (M8) will be available in Australia from 1 April through all three of the nation's major mobile carriers, with a bevy of enhancements to the popular model. But will the company's latest phone be able to take on the Apple and Samsung juggernauts?
How Westfield turned free Olympics WiFi into social-media gold
Forget big sales, exclusive brands, and big marketing campaigns: when it came to getting customers through the door over and over again during the 2012 London Olympics, the best marketing tool for Westfield’s Stratford City shopping centre turned out to be the promise of free Wi-Fi and a place to recharge spent mobile batteries.
Forgotten again: No new Kindles for Australia
For the second year in a row, Amazon has decided not to launch the majority of its new Kindle tablet and e-reader devices in Australia, in a move which appears set to diminish the local popularity of the devices.
Kobo announces price cuts for holiday season
Kobo, the eReading service with over 2.5 million eBooks, newspapers and magazines in one of the largest eReading catalogues globally, has dropped prices for its eReaders at top-tier Australian retail partners.
Disney Infinity (Wii U): Review
Disney Infinity is a giant love letter to everything Disney, a collector's dream and a parent's nightmare. It's expensive to own everything (though not necessary to buy anything beyond the starter set to enjoy yourself immensely), but it offers unbounded creativity and one of the finest and most accessible virtual toy boxes you'll ever experience in the games industry. The potential for this game to expand even further into the future is truly exciting.
RAC builds electric vehicle highway in WA
The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia this week revealed it had build a network of charging stations around the state that can be used by anyone with an electric vehicle, as infrastructure of this kind continues to be deployed around the nation.
Kogan to tax shoppers for using IE7
Australian consumer electronics upstart Kogan Technologies has deployed a special "tax" on its popular website which will charge online shoppers an extra 6.8 percent on top of their purchases if they persist in using what the company described as Microsoft's "antique" Internet Explorer web browser.
Blizzard honours GAME’s Diablo III pre-orders
Pre-ordered hit Diablo III from dying Australian video game retailer GAME? Frustrated that you won’t be able to play this year’s biggest game when it launches at 5PM today, as GAME has been blocked from selling Diablo III? Worry no more. Blizzard’s got your back.
$4.88bn baby: Apple Australia’s licence to print money
Apple has revealed that its Australian division has experienced incredible levels of revenue growth over the past five years, in new financial documents released this week which paint a graphic picture of the effect that the global resurgence of the iconic technology giant's fortunes have had on its local operation.
‘Champagne gold’ HTC One hits Telstra
If you're an Android user but also a fan of the new gold option on Apple's iPhone 5S, you may be interested to know that Taiwanese vendor HTC has just announced a 'champagne' gold version of its flagship One handset through Telstra.
Vodafone launches Android clearance sale
Vodafone has launched an online only clearance sale for select smartphones, primarily offering recent generations of Android models in the deals, but also models with different operating systems from the likes of Nokia and Research in Motion.
Music service Rdio launches in Australia
Rdio, the music streaming service from the founders of Skype has launched in Australia and New Zealand this week, according to a blog post on their website. Rdio is now available on the web, iPad, iPod touch, smartphones like the iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Phone 7, and on desktop apps. Rdio is also available for users with a Sonos wireless audio system at home.
Microsoft Surface 3 4G hits Australia this month
Microsoft Australia says the Surface 3 4G LTE will soon be on sale at select outlets in Australia, while the Microsoft Band and Surface Book will soon be more widely available.
Vodafone announces Samsung Galaxy Note 7 pricing
Vodafone has announced details of its pricing strategy for Samsung's high-spec Galaxy offering, the Note7, which will be available for preorder online from 5 August at 12.01am.
Transformer Pad Infinity hits Oz for $999
Taiwanese consumer electronics giant ASUS has launched its most high-profile Android-based tablet yet, the Transformer Pad Infinity, with the device to sell in Australia for a local recommended retail price of $999.
Apple’s Australian tax is mainly on iTunes
Extensive analysis on the day of Apple's appearance before the IT price hike inquiry finds that the company's Australian markups are mainly on digital products sold through its iTunes store.
Gasp … Qld will fuel electric vehicle charging stations with solar
It seems like it was only yesterday that a rebel Queensland resident was committing the heinous sin of charging his Tesla Model S electric vehicle (EV) using a windfarm up north. Well, today’s news is even more shocking — the Queensland Government itself has announced it plans to start deploying new EV fast-charging stations around the state, powered by solar energy. That’s right. Blasphemous. How dare they!
Valve may re-issue Left 4 Dead 2 as R18+
Thanks to the new laws allowing R18+ video games to be sold in Australia, Valve is strongly investigating re-releasing its Left 4 Dead 2 game locally in its original gory form.
Optus launches Motorola RAZR V
Google-owned US handset manufacturer Motorola has launched its latest high-end Android-based smartphone in Australia, the RAZR V, through the nation's number two telco Optus.
Memorial gathers at Apple store Sydney
A small Steve Jobs memorial has started to gather outside the Apple store in downtown Sydney this afternoon.
Plants Vs. Zombies 2 (iPad): Review
I really don't understand why PopCap and EA didn't simply say "here you go, dozens of hours of fun; give us your $10 please." It would have been a guaranteed hit at that price, and perhaps, just perhaps, it would have retained its soul.
14 Dec: Galaxy Nexus to launch in Australia
Korean manufacturer Samsung has confirmed it will officially launch its highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus handset in Australia on 14 December, although details of carrier availability remain absent for now.
HP admits: We deceived consumers
HP has admitted to avoiding meeting its Australian obligations in the area of warranties.
Chromebooks finally land in Australia
Google announced on its Australian blog this morning that 2013 is the year. Finally, Chromebooks are in Australia. The only problem is … will anyone actually want to buy them? We’re not really sure.
3G ASUS 7″ Fonepad lands Down Under
ASUS announces that its 3G, 7" Fonepad has landed in Australia, at prices starting from $329.
Samsung beats Apple to take top Aussie mobile spot
Analyst firm IDC’s ANZ Quarterly Mobile Devices Tracker released this week showed that Samsung has overtaken Apple to claim the No. 1 spot in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) mobile phone market. Samsung has been growing rapidly and has shown continuous growth for the past three quarters in the ANZ market.
4G Galaxy Note II hits Australia next week
Want a larger version of Samsung's Galaxy S III handset? With a stylus and decent handwriting recognition? And 4G speeds to boot? You're in luck. Korean electronics giant Samsung announced last night at a Sydney event packed with ... well, hype and B-grade celebrities such as Todd Sampson.
Google eBooks finally hits Australia
Almost a year after it launched in the US, Google has brought its eBooks platform to Australia, announcing this morning that its catalogue included "hundreds of thousands" of commercial books available in Australia and "millions" of free eBooks on top.
ANZ Bank adds Mastercard to its Apple Pay, Android Pay options
ANZ Bank has announced that its MasterCard customers can now use their smartphones to make payments with both Apple Pay and Android Pay.
EA’s Syndicate reboot game banned in Australia
Video games giant EA has confirmed news broken by Kotaku yesterday (further reports at Ausgamers, Kotaku and Gamespot) that its reboot of the classic Syndicate game being planned for next year has been refused classification in Australia and won’t go on sale.
Nexus 7 continually selling out in Australia
Google's popular Nexus 7 tablet has been selling out repeatedly since it launched in Australia in late July, according to the tablet's manufacturer ASUS, in what may mark the first commercially successful launch of a tablet computer in Australia apart from Apple's market-dominating iPad.
ThinkPad Carbon tax only 22%, says Lenovo
Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo has sought to clarify the Australian pricing on the new 'Carbon' version of its popular ThinkPad X1 laptop, issuing a statement noting that Australian customers would only pay 22 percent more for the model instead of 60 percent as previously believed.
MyNetFone launches ADSL plan with free relocations for renters
National broadband player MyNetFone has launched an ADSL broadband plan that comes with 500GB of data and unlimited free relocations, in a move that the telco said would be aimed at Australia’s army of home renters, who may regularly relocate to new premises.
New LG PRADA Android phone hits Vodafone
The new smartphone ‘PRADA phone by LG 3.0’ from the PRADA-LG collaboration will launch exclusively on the Vodafone network in Australia in April this year, according to an announcement by LG Electronics this week.
Sayonara Steve: Today I ditch the iPhone
This afternoon I will march down to Telstra's store in Sydney's central business district and replace my much-loved Apple iPhone 4 with a HTC One XL. I'm leaving the cosy embrace of the Apple mobile empire and entering into a new relationship with Android. And here's why.
Soul Sacrifice: Review
There is an intensity to Soul Sacrifice that makes its minimalist plot and single-note theme feel more compelling than it has any right to be.
4G: Judge finds Apple flouted Australian law
A Federal Court judge has found that iconic technology giant Apple's US headquarters deliberately chose to ignore the fact that its new iPad was not capable of 4G mobile broadband speeds in Australia, during a marketing campaign for the device.
Internet nasties lock out Aussies’ Apple devices
Own an Apple device, use the vendor's iCloud online synching service but haven't been able to get access to one or more of your devices this week? Congratulations: You've fallen prey to what are probably a bunch of Internet script kiddies attempting to ransom your data for a hefty fee. ZDNet has a solid local story on the phenomenon, which so far (weirdly) appears localised to Australia.
Motorola cuts Wi-Fi Xoom to $399
Motorola has announced that the Wi-Fi version of its Xoom tablet is now on on sale in Australia for a recommended retail price of $399, translating to a saving of 39 percent in the build up to the Christmas season.
New BlackBerry OS 7.1 hits Australia
Troubled Canadian device manufacturer Research in Motion has made the new version of its operating system available to Australian customers, with the new platform being approved already for Government use and telcos Optus and Vodafone making it available to customers.
Google Glass will ‘end privacy’, claims Cory Bernardi
Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi has unleashed on Google’s augmented reality Glass project, which has been getting some press in the US as it comes closer to becoming a commercial project.
Optus gives away free PlayBooks on BlackBerry plans
Optus has announced attractive deals with the release of the BlackBerry Torch 9860 that will see customers buying the smartphone on the $49 Optus cap (or above) receive a free BlackBerry PlayBook worth $579.
Driverless cars to hit South Australia in November
The South Australian Government has announced that driverless cars will be driven on Australian roads for the first time in November this year, with the state partnering with a number of motor vehicle manufacturers and technology companies such as Telstra to test out the next generation in transport technology in early trials.
Kogan fined $32k for dodgy Father’s Day ads
Online retailer Kogan.com has been fined for "false or misleading" claims in its Father's Day advertisements last August.
RIM Australia MD quits
The long-time leader of Research in Motion's Australian division has quit her post, leaving the company she has spent a decade at, as it continues to flounder in a market increasingly dominated by competing platforms from Apple and Google.
Optus offers Nokia Lumia 800 deals
Pre-orders for the Nokia Lumia 800, the first Nokia smartphone with Windows Phone 7 operating system, are now available, with exclusive online offers announced by Optus in a statement this week. The offers (valid until 29 February) come as a precursor to the much anticipated launch of the handset in Australia on 1 March.
Apple Pay no sure thing in mobile payments race
Evidence both the incumbents and disruptors face challenges in non-traditional payments.
Sony Vaio line exits Australia, local jobs cut
After a decade and a half of only modest success with its VAIO PC and laptop line-up, technology giant Sony has finally confirmed the plans to remove the brand from the Australian market congruent with its sale to a Japanese investment giant, in a move that comes along with local job losses.
Optus launches FetchTV from $10 a month
The nation's number two telco Optus has launched the FetchTV Internet video platform already being sold by iiNet, Internode and Adam Internet for the starting price of $9.95 a month -- a charge which will be waived when customers are using its $109 Fusion home broadband and telephone bundle.
Hackett wants tax breaks for electric cars
Internode founder, NBN Co board director and all-round superhuman Simon Hackett is well-known as being one of Australia’s main electric car evangelists. The entrepreneur imported Australia’s first Tesla Roadster and recently teamed up with another former senior Internode executive and two early executives from electric car pioneer Tesla to found a new startup focused on building a new type of electric car specifically designed for high-speed performance racing. With the news that Australia may shortly see its first Tesla Model S units shipping locally, Hackett has been investigating the regulatory settings for the emerging industry and found them wanting.
Google Nexus tablet hits Oz in July: Gizmodo
Gizmodo Australia this afternoon reported that Google will launch its own 7" Android tablet, dubbed the Nexus 7 and running version 5.0 of Android (Jelly Bean) in Australia this July, with prices ranging from US$199 to US$249.
Has Telstra delayed HTC One XL launch?
Australian specialist Android media outlet Ausdroid has reported that Telstra may have delayed its rumoured launch of a 4G version of HTC's new One smartphone series, further pushing back the date when Australian mobile phone enthusiasts will have access to a top-level smartphone supporting the telco's new 4G network.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Wii U): Review
Between the lick of paint and wealth of gameplay refinements, Wind Waker HD seems more like the actualisation of the concept Nintendo could not fully achieve in 2002 than the high-definition upgrade it is billed as.
Xenophon announces plan to save Dick Smith gift card holders
Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has announced a possible solution for Dick Smith gift card holders following the electronics retailer's collapse.
Nexus 5 hits Australia from $399
US technology giant Google has finally taken the wraps of its latest high-end smartphone, the Nexus 5, and there's good news for Australians: The hotly anticipated device will launch at a very competitive price -- starting from $399 -- in Australia next week, the same time as it will launch internationally.
Killzone Mercenary (PS Vita): Review
Everyone knows that shooters are not my area of specialty, but as far as I'm concerned if a game of the genre can check the technical boxes and keep a healthy energy to it, then I'm pretty sure that it's achieved what the fans want from it. I'm fairly certain that Killzone has done enough that even the hardcore shooter fans will appreciate it.
In which a Microsoft fan ends his Apple iPhone experiment
I always enjoy Strant's posts. He's primarily a Microsoft-focused technologist, but he has an open mind. And that can sometimes be a rarity in our idealistic industry.
Xbox One goes off with a bang … but will the PS4 launch eclipse...
Which console launch are you most excited about, and why? Am I right that the PlayStation 4 has most of the momentum at this point? Or is underdog Microsoft making a comeback with the Xbox One?
Dick Smith’s amazing iTunes specials
Incredible value -- zero dollars off. Spotted in Randwick. A $50 iTunes voucher for $50 -- who would have thought?!
iPhone 4S Sydney launch: Optus pics
Optus has sent through some pictures from its Sydney launch of the Apple iPhone 4S. Pictured above is the first customer, Jeff Taylor. Jeff is also featured in another picture with Optus consumer marketing director Gavin Williams.
iTunes Radio to hit Australia early 2014
According to Bloomberg, iTunes Radio is to launch in Australia in early 2014.
Amaysim launches 1GB mobile plan with unlimited talk + text, for $24.90
National mobile telco Amaysim has launched a mobile plan featuring 1GB of data quota and “unlimited” “standard’ national phone calls and text messages for the low price of $24.90 per month.
HTC One S to hit Telstra, Optus, Virgin
Taiwanese consumer electronics giant HTC yesterday afternoon revealed that the middle smartphone in its flagship One series, the One S, would shortly launch through Australian mobile carriers Telstra, Optus and Optus brand Virgin Mobile.
Telstra bakes iPhone 4S cake … running iOS 4
Ah, Telstra, The company that so often comes so close and yet just misses the mark. The company this afternoon posted these photos on its Flickr account of a cake it has baked in celebration of its iPhone 4S launch tomorrow morning. However keen observers will note the cake only runs version 4 of Apple's iOS mobile operating system.
New Nexus 7 may hit Australia in Sept
We don’t have any inside information to share, but according to Ausdroid, the new Nexus 7 may hit Australia as early as September. Niiiice.
Sony Xperia S hits Australia early April
Sony’s new Android smartphone, the Xperia S is set to launch early April in Australia through all major mobile carriers, the company announced yesterday.
Telstra launches first 4G Windows phone
As expected, Telstra today launched its first smartphone running Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system that is capable of 4G speeds, with the model being a 4G version of HTC's Titan phone.
Huawei’s Ascend P1 lands in Australia
Chinese manufacturer Huawei this morning confirmed that it had started selling its high-end Android smartphone, the Ascend P1, in Australia, with the model being on sale outright through retailer Dick Smith for $499.
Foxtel/Austar merger may unlock IPTV goodies
Pay TV giant FOXTEL has proposed terms relating to its proposed $1.9 billion merger with fellow pay TV company Austar that could see a raft of premium content unlocked for use by competing platforms such as burgeoning Internet video companies FetchTV and Quickflix.
Telstra/AFL launch Google Glass app
The Australian Football League, its partner Telstra, and local developer Seventh Beam have teamed up to deliver an app running on Google's next-generation Glass augmented reality headset that will allow AFL fans to get live information associated with AFL matches -- all through their headset.
HTC One Max lands, exclusive to Telstra
Are you a fan of HTC's flagship smartphone, the One, but not quite satisfied with the device's already large 4.7" screen? Then you're in luck, because HTC has just launched virtually the same model, but with a much larger 5.9" screen, in Australia exclusively through Telstra.
Rest in peace, Steve Jobs. We’ll miss you.
Apple has lost a visionary and a creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.
Amazon Appstore challenging Google Play as Australian launch looms
Australian Android users will soon have an alternative source for sourcing paid and free mobile apps, but will they embrace it? Yes, if the first analysis of Amazon Appstore sales figures – which suggests the site is rapidly increasing its appeal to US consumers as a source of paid apps – is any indication.
Telstra to release HTC 4G handset “soon”
The nation's biggest telco Telstra has turned up the heat on anticipation for its first 4G handset launch, confirming this week that it will be soon releasing the first phone capable of fully utilising the speeds of its 4G network. This phone will be an HTC product.
Why touchscreens matter for laptops (Or, review of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch)
Over the past several years I've had the somewhat unique experience of reviewing almost exactly the same laptop three times. What the process has taught me is that the new wave of touchscreens making their way into laptops aren't just a fad; they're part of a subtle revolution in the way we interact with out portable devices.
Startup pays local to line up for iPad
Australian startup Airtasker has used its fledgling jobs board service to advertise for someone to line up outside the Sydney Apple store to buy the new iPad when it is launched this Friday in Australia.
Microsoft cuts Surface RT price by $170
File this in the category of predictable price cuts for poorly performing products. Microsoft, it was revealed overnight, has cut the price of its Surface RT tablet, which runs a cut-down version of Windows 8.
IT price hike inquiry kicks off: Submissions wanted
The Federal Parliament's inquiry into local price markups on technology goods and services has gotten under way, with the committee overseeing the initiative issuing its terms of reference and calling for submissions from the general public on the issue.
Rejected: No iTunes Radio for Australia
If you were following the many announcements made by iconic technology giant Apple at its Worldwide Developers Conference in the US overnight, you would have likely been well-pleased by the news that Cupertino is finally launching an Internet streaming music service (ad-supported) to compete with the likes of Spotify, Rdio and the like. But what you may not realise is that iTunes Radio won’t immediately be available in Australia.
Surface 2 lands in Australia October 22
Technology giant Microsoft has revealed the second versions of its Windows 8-based Surface tablet will land in Australia from October 22, with prices to be similar to the cost of the devices when sold in the US.
Infinity Blade II: Review
Frenetic combat and perpetual dungeon-delving are compromised by a clumsy interface and inconsistent gesture recognition in Infinity Blade II, a hack-and-slash RPG for iOS. If you can handle the repetitive content and temperamental responsiveness, an enjoyable, if grating experience lies beyond.
Older Australians embracing video games
Over the past decade, stereotypes that video games were a popular medium intended only for youths have been eroded. It is clear that video games are also a popular medium for adults.
4G Galaxy S III a “huge battery sucker”
blog Is the 4G Galaxy S III handset a "huge battery sucker"? Yes, according to Gizmodo. We can’t say we’re surprised by this, given the fact that a similar handset, the HTC One XL, also sucks battery pretty rapidly. But it is slightly disappointing if true.
No Android ABC iView? “Outrageous”, says Huawei
Chinese device manufacturer Huawei severely criticises the ABC for not developing an Android version of its popular iView iOS app.
New Kindles hit Australia a week early
Amazon has announced that its new Kindle Touch e-reader devices would start shipping to customers in over 175 countries and territories worldwide (including Australia) seven days earlier than the previously announced shipping date of April 27.
Treasurer Swan awaits IT price hike report
Federal Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan has indicated the Government is keenly awaiting a report from the Productivity Commission which will detail the extent to which price hikes on imported technology goods and services are hurting Australian consumers.
Forget it, Australia: No Amazon Fire TV for you
Global content Amazon giant overnight unveiled Fire TV, an Apple TV-like set-top device which is designed to stream movies, TV shows to consumers' televisions, as well as providing video game functionality. However, as with many of Amazon's product launches in the past, there appear to be no immediate plans to ship the device to Australia.
Nokia: Lumia 800 hits Australia in March
Nokia has reportedly revealed that its first smartphones to feature the Windows Phone 7 operating system, the Lumia 800 and 710, will hit Australia in March, with the 800 to launch through all major local carriers.
Foxtel launches streaming iPad app
Pay TV giant Foxtel this morning launched its live streaming service Foxtel Go on the iPad. For existing Foxtel subscribers, the offering allows them to watch Foxtel channels live on their iPad.
‘Digital play’ is here to stay … but don’t let go of real Lego...
Ensuring access to both physical and digital methods of building block construction where children can move freely from one to another is crucial for their development in the early years.
iPad too tough to support, says Dell Australia
Fighting words this morning from Joe Kremer, the managing director of Dell Australia, who has had a bit of a spray against Apple's flagship iPad tablet, alleging that it's not fit for use in large organisations and that the battle to conquer the tablet market isn't over yet.
Gears of War: Judgment: Review
I don’t think that Gears of War does anything that we haven’t really seen in shooters in the past, but because it does do it so well and with such intensity, it still manages to be a rollarcoaster of a ride.
Australian smartwatch market gathering steam
After a slow start, smartwatches sales numbers are starting to climb in Australia, according to a new study by emerging technology analyst firm Telsyte.
New Sony Android tablets hit Australia
Sony has launched the new Walkman Z series and the Sony Tablet P and Sony Tablet S 3G in Australia. Both the tablets and the Walkman are powered by the Android OS. The existing Sony Tablet S will also have a new pricing for its Wi-Fi model.
Crysis 3: Review
Crysis 3 has a single player game that leaves the competition for dead, in both length and quality, and is a beautiful, cinematic experience with a haunting soundtrack and some of the best visuals on the PlayStation 3.
Apple recalls some Australian AC adapters over shock risk
Apple has announced a voluntary recall of AC wall plug adapters designed for use in Australia, as well as some other countries.
Google Nexus 4 launching soon in Australia
Discouraged by Ausdroid’s reports (here, here and here) that Google’s new flagship Nexus 4 handset (manufactured by LG) isn’t going to launch through Australia’s mobile carriers? Worry no more. According to Gizmodo (we recommend you click here for the full article), the hyped Android 4.2 handset is set to launch locally through retailers anyway.
Australia’s first Tesla Powerwall goes live in Queensland
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched a battery storage trial that sees the first use of Tesla's PowerWall system in Australia.
Harvey Norman fined $1.25m for false advertising
The Federal Court in Brisbane has penalised retail giant Harvey Norman $1.25 million for misleading advertising, resulting from action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Shock: iPhone 5 queue “pretentious, superficial”
Shock news has arrived this morning courtesy of The Register, which reports that the experience of queueing overnight (or even for several nights running) to buy an iPhone 5 may not be the glorious experience which Apple fans have believed it to be.
Google trumps Apple with banking partners for Android Pay launch
Google has announced that it will be be bringing its digital wallet Android Pay to Australia in the first half of 2016 with a number of financial partners.
Tomb Raider: Review
Tomb Raider is an amazing game. It is a perfect way for the series to be re-introduced to gamers, as it depicts a very likable heroine who truly struggles to survive, emotionally and physically. The overall experience wanted me to jump straight back into the campaign the moment it ended. Lara is back!
Aussie SMBs want tablets for Christmas
The latest research conducted for Telstra by StollzNow Research has shown that one in three Australian small business owners are thinking of buying an iPad or other brand of tablet in the lead up to Christmas.
Screwed: Australian PS4, Xbox One lack basic functionality
Are you one of those Australians who lined up at midnight to buy some of the first next-generation video game consoles to go on sale? Have you spent some time exploring your new PlayStation 4 or Xbox One? Then you would be aware that when it comes to Australian support for their new consoles, both Sony and Microsoft appear to have screwed Australians pretty badly.
Samsung Galaxy Note launches in Australia
Samsung launched its Galaxy Note Android handset in Australia on Tuesday. The device, which the company claims is a product category of its own, is described as having the benefits of a tablet while maintaining the functionality of a smartphone.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch: Review
Ni No Kuni is a genuine masterpiece and all-but guaranteed to be the best game released this year. That's a big call since it's still January, but that's how great this game is.
Foxtel ramps up its IPTV offering in competition with Netflix
Foxtel has revamped its approach to package pricing for its IP-delivered subscription TV service, Foxtel Play, presumably aiming to lower the cost bar for customers in the face of competition from rival services such as Netflix.
Optus launches Wi-Fi calling, SMS
SingTel subsidiary Optus today revealed it had launched a smartphone app dubbed “Wi-Fi Talk” that would allow customers to make and receive calls and SMS over a Wi-Fi network, instead of through the company’s mobile network.
Use a Surface Pro as your desktop? It’s possible
Local Microsoft Office 365 MVP Loryan Strant has been successfully conducting an experiment in using his new Microsoft Surface Pro tablet as his full-time desktop, complete with multiple monitors.
Optus targets renters with 50GB 4G wireless broadband plan
Australia’s second-largest telecommunications company, Optus, has announced a new 50GB 4G wireless broadband plan it says is perfect for renters or students who need to quickly set up a reliable Internet connection or those living in areas with no access to cable broadband.
Optus a “disgusting” company, says AFL chief
AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has reportedly blown his stack over Optus' appeal in the ongoing legal drama over the telco's TV Now Internet TV recording system, labelling the company "a disgusting organisation" which was undermining the rights of sports companies.
Australian tests: New iPad’s 3G faster than iPad 2
Despite the lack of 4G support in Australia, Apple's new iPad offers substantially faster network speeds locally than previous models, according to tests conducted this week by Gizmodo.
AFL rights: Optus, Telstra in a techno-legal time warp
The danger here is that regulators go with a business-friendly commercial fix, rather than regulation in the public interest. At the heart of capitalist property law is the right to exploit: just ask Optus.
HP forces MicroServer fan page offline?
Some of you may be aware that local IT professional Joel Dickins has for some time been running a rather useful Facebook page dedicated to the HP MicroServer, an excellent HP line which are used by many geeks in their households for varied duties from media serving to NAS functionality and so on. The only problem? HP has had the page taken offline.
Vodafone launches 4G dongle, Wi-Fi unit
National mobile operator Vodafone has launched two new mobile broadband devices -- a USB dongle and a Wi-Fi unit -- that will allow customers to access its new 4G mobile network at theoretical speeds up to 150Mbps, due to their support of the so-called 'Category 4' standard for mobile broadband.
Killer is Dead: Review
Even though Killer is Dead's gameplay itself is a little too unrefined for its own good, the thematic strength of it is enough to make it an interesting curiosity to sit on any game library.
Made in Australia: Windows Phone 7 apps plugged
Developed Down Under (DDU) is a new, free, Aussie-made mobile phone app for the Windows Phone 7 platform that officially went live about a week ago.
Optus releases Galaxy Tab 10.1 pricing
National telco Optus has announced the addition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 to its tablet range, just in time for Christmas. Starting from this week, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be on offer at the Optus online store bundled with a variety of plans for householders and small and medium businesses (SMBs).
HTC Windows phones hit Telstra, Optus
We've more or less known about these launches for a while, but today HTC finally confirmed the details of its Windows Phone 8 launches in Australia. There's two new models on offer here, both looking especially spiffy.
R18+ game classification: The quest continues
The battle for an R18+ classification for videogames in Australia has been something of an epic, but the journey’s not over yet. There are still plenty more rocks and potholes to navigate before we start seeing R18+ games in local stores.
What Apple’s incredible quarter means for Australia
$46 billion in revenue. 64 percent quarter on quarter growth. 37 million iPhones shipped. Apple just stunned the world with some incredible financial growth over the last three months of 2011. But what do these results mean for Australia?
Quickflix movies to stream to PS3
DVD rental outfit Quickflix today revealed it had signed a deal with Sony to allow streaming of its nascent video on demand platform to the Japanese manufacturer's PlayStation 3 platform.
Australia has its first R18+ video game
The Federal Government's Classification Board has revealed that it has classified its first video game under the new R18+ category, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, following the delivery of amended classification rules last year after a long community campaign to see the new adult-only category implemented.
Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge to hit Australia in early March
Samsung has announced that the latest additions to its Galaxy range – the S7 and S7 edge mobile phones – will be available in Australia from the middle of March.
Diablo III latency: Blizzard faces angry Aussie horde
Video game giant Blizzard is currently facing a tsunami of complaints from Australian gamers frustrated that the company's lack of Australian servers is making its new Diablo III unplayable for locals.
Apple Black Friday discounts hit Australia
Apple has confirmed that its online and retail Australian stores will offer customers one-day only discounts today for Black Friday celebrations. The last Friday in November, known as Black Friday in the US, is a day of massive discounts on various items to start the Christmas shopping season.
Netflix in Australia? Forget about it.
Pioneering online TV and movie streaming service Netflix has given a strong indication that it has no immediate intention to launch in Australia, despite having last week announcing plans to expand to the UK and Ireland early next year.
DuckTales Remastered (Wii U): Review
Wayforward is really thriving in this era of digital distribution. Because its games are so marketable as cheap downloadable titles it's scoring all of the licensed titles and retro remakes that it wants. Playing DuckTales I could feel how much the developer team loved making the game. And that love is infectious.
Redflow launches ZCell battery to rival Tesla Powerwall
Australian battery specialist Redflow has launched a residential energy storage solution called ZCell – a product that will rival Tesla's Powerwall, which launched in Australia in late January.
Simon Hackett is selling his original Tesla Roadster for a cool $150,000
But don't worry, Hackett's not short of speed, even though he's selling his original ride. He actually has another Roadster still in Australia and one in California, as well as a Tesla Model S. The Carsales ad for the car states: "Owner has too many Roadsters; this one is surplus to requirements." It's a hard life for a multi-multi-millionaire.
Nokia 1520 lands in Australia
If you are looking to buy a new Nokia, you'd probably be interested to know that the company announced this morning that it would have one more stab at a major local launch, with its new model, the Lumia 1520. The selling point of the 1520 is that it features a 6" full HD 1080p screen, placing it in Galaxy Note range.
$6 billion: Apple’s huge Aussie haul in 2012
Technology giant Apple has revealed it had a record year in terms of revenues and profits from its Australian operation over the past year, raking in revenues up 23 percent to almost $6 billion, as new iPad and iPhone launches sent the company’s finances into the stratosphere over the past 12 months.
Sony won’t bring US tablet price cut to Oz
Japanese electronics giant Sony yesterday said it wouldn't commit to cutting prices on its Tablet S Android tablet in Australia, despite chopping US$100 off the price of the device in the US this week.
Mobicity, Kogan start selling Galaxy Nexus
Independent online retailers Mobicity and Kogan have started selling Samsung's Galaxy Nexus handset, ahead of any planned Australian launch by Samsung itself or any mobile carrier partners.
Over 300,000 Australian households access IPTV
Telsyte, the Australian independent technology analyst firm, has released a study showing an increase in the use of subscription TV over broadband, with more than 300,000 Australian households currently accessing an IPTV service. This is equivalent to about one in ten subscription TV services presently provided.
Apple Pay partners with American Express for Australia launch
American Express card members in Australia can now use Apple Pay to purchase products and services at participating merchants across the country.
Apple claims second position in Aussie PC market
For the first time, Apple has overtaken Acer and Dell this quarter in PC unit shipments in the Australia and New Zealand market to claim second position behind HP. This could be the effect of its retail store expansion and the launch of the Macbook Air Sandy Bridge refresh model.
Volvo starts testing kangaroo avoidance tech
Volvo is developing a unique system that uses radar and camera technology to detect kangaroos, in order to avoid collisions with the animals, one of the most common causes of traffic collisions in Australia.
PlayStation 3 adds Quickflix streaming for Christmas
Sony Computer Entertainment Australia has announced that it is expanding its on-demand services in Australia with the launch yesterday of the Quickflix subscription movie streaming service for PlayStation 3 (PS3). The PS3 Quickflix service will offer unlimited movie viewing with a continually updated catalogue.
Surviving the zombie apocalypse: the DayZ experiment
Amid the resurgent popularity of zombies in recent years – think The Walking Dead, I Am Legend, Shaun of the Dead and so on – the 2011 publication of Dan Drezner’s Theories of International Politics and Zombies showed we might be able to learn something useful from the lumbering horde. In short, Drezner poses the question: how would we deal with a zombie outbreak?
iPhone 5 hits Australia next week with 4G
Consumer technology giant Apple has revealed its new iPhone 5 smartphone will launch in Australia next week on Friday September 21, and will support the 1800Mhz 4G networks which Telstra and Optus operate locally. It will also launch through Australia's third major carrier Vodafone, but without 4G speeds.
Good news, flyers: ‘Flight mode’ is safe during take-off and landing
Earlier this year, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) put together a panel of aviation experts to look at whether personal electronic devices (PEDs) could be used on planes without compromising safety. The results are in: the committee is recommending that electronic devices – such as tablets, e-readers and other PEDs – be allowed during all phases of flight (including take-off and landing).
Non-4G Lumia 720 hits Australia
Finnish smartphone manufacturer Nokia announced today that its Lumia 720 model would come to Australia. Unfortunately, while the model is quite high-end -- it comes with a 4.3" screen, a 1GHz dual-core CPU, Windows Phone 8, a 6.7 megapixel camera on the back, 512MB of RAM and 8GB of storage space, plus the ability to take a microSD card up to 64GB -- it does not support the 4G networks already launched in Australia by Telstra and Optus, being limited to 3G.
Telstra confirms HTC One XL launch
The nation's largest telco Telstra has confirmed through a YouTube video posted this morning that it plans to launch HTC's 4G-capable One XL Android handset on its Next G network, with the smartphone likely to be one of the nation's top 4G-capable models for some time.
Telstra is essentially giving away new ‘Telstra TV’ Roku box
The nation’s largest telco Telstra has revealed it essentially give away its Telstra TV-branded Roku box to its customers, aiming to drive rapid adoption of the platform’s Internet television streaming capability.
The Last Of Us: Review
I just want to get this out from the start: The Last Of Us is an incredible game. Naughty Dog's finest title, to be sure, and if you're looking for buyer's advice, just skip the rest of this review and look at the score at the bottom. Suffice to say, the game is essential.
12 months late, Chromecast finally hits Australia
Almost twelve months after the USB dongle went on sale in the US, Google has finally made its Chromecast TV connector available in Australia.
Will the PlayBook’s US price cut hit Australia?
A spokesperson for Research in Motion (RIM) has Australia declined to reveal whether RIM will apply US discounts on its PlayBook tablet to its Australian stock. RIM has announced substantial price cuts for a limited time up to February 4 on the PlayBook in the US, offering the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models all for US$299 each, saving buyers between US$200 to US$700.
HBO to invest $10 million in Quickflix
Leading Australian online movie rental company Quickflix announced yesterday that US television giant Home Box Office (HBO) would invest $10 million for a strategic stake in the company.
Injustice: Gods Among Us: Review
The only people who will look at Injustice and think to themselves “this looks good” are the fans of the DC Universe. And for those people I don’t think it will really matter that there are better fighting games out there - this plays well enough, and it rocks because it lets Batman beat the living bejeebus out of Aquaman.
iPhone 4S Sydney launch: Vodafone pics
Vodafone has also sent through some pictures of its iPhone 4S launch in Sydney this morning. The company shipped in a boatload of celebrities for the event -- the overwhelming majority of which we'd never heard of.
Dragon’s Crown (Playstation Vita): Review
While certain aspects of the game's artistic approach have started a healthy industry debate, it doesn't stop it from bringing the classic multiplayer beat-em-up gameplay that had us filling arcade cabinets with quarters many years ago back and better than ever. Vanillaware, I crown you the new beat-em-up genre victor.
Sony Xperia Z tablet hits Australia
Sony’s last clutch of Android tablets, as with the offerings from virtually every other manufacturer, failed to make much of a dent on the Apple-dominated tablet market. However, Google’s recently had a series of hits with its Nexus line-up, and Samsung has also recently stepped up to the plate with its ‘Note’ series of tablets. Can Sony be the third party to succeed in breaking through in the hyper-competitive Android tablet market?
Rejected: No Surface Pro for Australia, yet
Just a quick note that Microsoft has left Australia off the list of countries which will receive the Surface Pro tablet when it launches in February.
Will Telstra skip Nokia’s Lumia 900?
Australian Windows Phone blog WPDownUnder has stated that it is its "firm opinion" that Telstra will not sell Nokia's flagship Lumia 900 handset slated to launch in Australia tonight, with the handset reported to be an exclusive to the nation's number two telco Optus.
RIM bites off more Colvin than it can chew
Spare a thought for poor Research in Motion, which received the big slapdown from ABC Radio presenter Mark Colvin last week afterm it appeared, its advertising agency mistakenly used Colvin's Twitter picture in one of its video promotions.
R18+ fail: Australia bans Saints Row IV
In a move which will be seen as a challenge to the efficacy of Australia's new R18+ video game classification category, the Classification Board yesterday revealed that it had refused to classify the upcoming title Saints Row IV, due to what the board said was implied sexual violenace and illicit drug use.
R18+ game legislation hits Federal Parliament
Jason Clare, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice, yesterday introduced legislation to create an R18+ category for computer games.
Virgin Australia provides in-flight Galaxy Tabs
Airline Virgin Australia has revealed plans to use Samsung's Android-based Galaxy Tab 10.1 device to launch Phase I of its new in-flight entertainment system on most of its Boeing 737 and Embraer E190 aircraft in April 2012. Business Class guests on all sectors will be able to use the Galaxy Tab while Economy Class passengers taking flights over three hours will have access to the device.
Telstra launches Samsung Galaxy S II 4G
The nation's largest telco will tomorrow start selling a 4G version of one of 2011's most popular smartphones, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S II.
RIM loses second Australian MD
The Australian division of Research in Motion has lost its second managing director in six months, with Ray Gillenwater reportedly to leave the company just three months after he took up the role, following the departure of his predecessor Adele Beachley.
Kate Vale to head sales as Spotify plans Aussie launch
Former Google executive Kate Vale has been appointed Sales Director, ANZ of Spotify, a popular music streaming company that plans to launch its services in Australia and New Zealand.
Samsung files suit to block Aussie iPhone 4S sales
Korean electronics giant Samsung today asked courts in Australia and Japan to block the sale of Apple's latest iPhone 4S handset in the two countries, as part of ongoing legal action between the pair.
Senate backs Greens motion for ‘refocus’ on electric cars in SA
The Senate has backed a motion from the Australian Greens calling on the government to "refocus" South Australia's car manufacturing industry on electric vehicles.
Aussie Motorola Xoom prices decimated: Now half-price
The approaching holiday season has online retailer Kogan Technologies slashing prices yet again on Motorola's troubled Xoom Android tablet. The 32GB 10” Wi-Fi tablet is on offer at $369, while the 3G version is available for $429.
Oops … Tesla enthusiast charges car on Qld windfarm
Headline says it all, really. The future is here.
Quickflix movie streaming hits PCs, Macs
DVD rental service Quickflix yesterday announced its new instant movie streaming service had gone live. Most householders in Australia with entry level broadband speeds can now stream unlimited movies from Hollywood’s leading studios at any time, for a monthly fee.
Absolutely phabulous: When is big, too big?
Just when is a smartphone too big? Manufacturers have been pushing the boundaries for some time as they dance with higher resolutions and larger screens, but the latest offerings from Huawei and Samsung may have clinched the deal as both companies produce 'phablets' – smartphones with screens in the six-inch range.
Software is officially a rip-off in Australia, So what can you do?
It’s official: Australia isn’t the “lucky country” in the IT sector. Consumers, government and industry down under are charged typically 50% more for software and hardware compared to their American counterparts. Why is this the case and, more importantly, what can affected customers do about it?
Deconstructing Delimiter: An article teardown
http://delimiter.com.au/2011/10/05/bullshit-spread-far-and-wide-mactalk-founder-slams-iphone-4s-reporting/
Apple agrees $2.25m iPad 4G fine
From the Department of Technology-related Parking Fines comes the news that Apple has agreed to pay $2.25 million in penalties to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for falsely marketing its new iPad tablet as being capable of 4G mobile broadband speeds in Australia.
Delving behind the iPhone 4S “demand”
Over the past several days several pieces of evidence have emerged that there is overwhelming interest from consumers in Apple's latest handset, the iPhone 4S. But what's behind this "demand"?
Internode slashes FetchTV prices
In an effort to draw more subscribers to Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), national broadband provider Internode late last week announced that prices for its FetchTV service have been cut by one-third.
Games industry upbeat despite downturn
Australia’s interactive games industry is upbeat and prospects remain bright as consumption of games continues to thrive, according to a media release from Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA). The sentiments come despite latest data showing that there was a significant dip in ‘traditional retail’ computer and video games sales in 2011.
Telstra announces free Netflix, Stan, Presto on mobile plans
Recognising that Australians' sport and TV consumption habits are moving rapidly towards a more mobile, small-screen experience, Telstra has announced a number of free streaming options for its customers, as well as a new app.
Blizzard finally starts adding Australian servers
Those of you who've been long-term fans of the excellent video games produced by Blizzard Entertainment (StarCraft, World of Warcraft, Diablo) will recall that Australians have been fighting for many years to get the company to set up local servers to service the multi-player aspects of its games. Well, Blizzard has finally cracked, and Diablo III is the first cab off the rank to get the local seal of approval.
Optus launches dual TD/FDD-LTE handsets: Samsung Galaxy S4 + mini
Optus revealed today that it will sell dual-mode 4G handsets from Samsung to support its new 2300Mhz TD-LTE infrastructure which has already launched in Canberra and is slated to reach around the rest of Australia.
Galaxy Tab banned for another week
We just got the following statement from Samsung, indicating that the ban on the company's Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet will remain for another week, while the High Court decides if it wants to hear Apple's case on the matter.
Delimiter is giving away a Nexus 5!
As you may know, we're big fans of Google's Nexus line-up in general here at Delimiter towers. Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 10 ... we love pretty much anything Nexus. Because of this, and because we're still seeking to boost our newsletter subscriber numbers, today we're kicking off a new competition to give away one of Google's new Nexus 5 smartphones.
Optus takes TV Now case to High Court
The nation's second-largest telco Optus today said it would appeal its Federal Court loss over its TV Now cloud-based personal video recording software to the High Court.
Apple win doesn’t apply to Australia: Samsung
Wondering if Apple's billion-dollar patents victory in the US against Korean consumer electronics rival Samsung will have any impact on the Australian market? Well, it was always unlikely, given the differing legal jurisdictions. But now we have an official answer from Samsung itself.
Would your company ban Facebook Home?
It’s only been two weeks since Facebook launched its home-screen replacement for Android phones, and hours since it was launched in the UK. But as privacy advocates wrestle with the ever-increasing efforts of Web giants bent on collecting and utilising personal information to line their own pockets, some in the security community are calling for companies to ban Facebook Home for the myriad and untested security vulnerabilities they fear may be hiding inside it – as well as the usual concerns over Facebook’s (often-questioned) privacy.
Aussie Google store hobbled for Nexus 7 launch
We shouldn't have to find out weeks after the Google Nexus 7 is unveiled through investigative work by bloggers that Google's latest tablet will be hobbled in Australia. Google should be more up-front about this kind of stuff.
ASUS Transformer Pad tablet hits Australia
Taiwanese consumer electronics giant ASUS has started selling its Transformer Pad TF300T Android tablet in Australia, with the device to hit retailers this week starting at $499 for the basic model, and $599 with a docking station attached.
Apple harmonises Aussie MacBook pricing
Iconic technology giant Apple appears to have broadly harmonised the Australian prices of its MacBook laptop line with its US pricing, with its new line-up of products released overnight to cost broadly the same locally as they do in its home country.
Victorian tries to fly drugs into prison with drone
Australia’s law enforcement agencies have for some time now been demonstrating their interest in using remotely controlled drones to tackle crime. The military already uses them, South Australia’s police force went to market for a whole bunch last November, and Queensland Police is also keen on the technology. But what the law may not have quite anticipated is the degree to which criminals are also interested in using drones for their own, not quite as legal purposes.
Will Netflix launch in Australia, or not?
Over the past week several fascinating articles have been published speculating about the possibility of US-based IPTV giant Netflix launching in Australia.
HTC One V launches through Optus
Taiwanese giant HTC has introduced its One V handset in Australia, picking an exclusive partnership with mobile telco Optus to launch the handset, which is the baby in its popular One series already available locally.
Double surprise! Sony hikes Aussie PS4 prices
Following on from the news this morning that Microsoft would deliver a modest price increase on its Xbox One console to Australians, Sony this afternoon confirmed the local pricing on its PlayStation 4 console.
MacTalk founder’s Love Letter to the Mac
As you might have noticed, Apple is currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of the birth of the Macintosh. Anthony Agius, the founder of Australian Apple forum MacTalk and long-time Mac lover, has posted what he bills as "a love letter for the Mac" on his blog.
Moto X hits Australia … eight months late
Remember when Motorola was a Google subsidiary and not in the throes of being acquired by Chinese company Lenovo? Remember in early August last year when the company announced what looked like at that point as being a fantastic new Android handset, in the form of the skin- and colour-changing Moto X? Yeah, good times, good times. Well, even though multiple other high-level Android and iPhone handsets have been launched since August, Motorola has finally gotten organised enough to send a few Moto X units Australia’s way.
Lenovo slaps 37% AU tax on ThinkPad X1 Carbon
Chinese manufacturer Lenovo yesterday confirmed the newest 'Carbon' version of its popular X1 ThinkPad laptop was available in Australia -- but for a price 60 percent more expensive than it is sold for in the US, or around $755 more.
Telstra doubles NBN/broadband data on new bundle deals
Telstra has announced limited-time bundle deals for new NBN or broadband customers, offering extra data, bonus calls, and access to Wi-Fi when away from the home.
Nokia’s 6″ Lumia 1320 hits Australia
Finnish smartphone vendor Nokia this week revealed it would in February launch its new Lumia 1320 handset in Australia, which it is billing as introducing many of the high-end features and bold colours Lumia has become known for in an affordable six inch large-screen smartphone.
Can we believe the Galaxy Nexus rumour mill?
Will Samsung's hyped Galaxy Nexus smartphone launch through Optus in late December? It's doubtful.
Internode launches FetchTV for the NBN
Internode customers using fibre connections on National Broadband Network (NBN) and Opticomm-based FTTH (Fibre to the Home) network ports can now benefit from the full subscription TV channel suite offered by FetchTV.
The Kindle Fire will storm Australia in 2012
Prediction: When Amazon's Kindle Fire launches in Australia next year, it will very quickly become the second most popular tablet locally behind Apple's dominant iPad, easily eclipsing rival offerings from the likes of Samsung, Motorola, Research in Motion and more.
Buyer beware: No Aussie 4G support for HTC, Samsung ‘Nexus’ units
Unfortunately neither the HTC One nor Samsung Galaxy S4 models with stock Android appear to support Australia's 4G networks just yet; consequently, we can't recommend that Australians buy them when they launch.
iPhone explodes on Sydney plane flight
Regional Express (Rex), Australia's largest independent regional airline yesterday revealed that a passenger’s iPhone had self-combusted on board its flight ZL319 from Lismore to Sydney on November 25th. After landing, the phone began giving out a significant amount of dense smoke, along with a red glow.
Video games “screw up” kids’ minds: Gerry Harvey
According to Gerry Harvey, one of "the great tragedies" of our modern age is that kids spend way too much time ... you guessed it ... playing video games. Wow.
CBA and Barclays announce UK-Australia mobile payments solution
Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Barclays have announced a new technology partnership that is aimed to ease the movement of money between Australia and the UK.
HP Chromebook 11″ lands in Australia
Technology giant Google this morning announced it had started selling HP's Chrome OS-based Chromebook 11 laptop in Australia through its Play Store as well as select JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman stores, with the low-priced laptop going for a recommended retail price of $399.
Internode launches Fritz!Box rentals, slashes prices
National broadband company Internode revealed a new service last week that allows customers rent its Fritz!Box broadband routers and accessories. The announcement also unveiled lower pricing across the series of Fritz!Box equipment.
Reminder: Delimiter is giving away an Apple iPad mini 4!
Just a quick post to remind you that Delimiter is currently holding our first reader giveaway since our relaunch!
ABC unlocks 3G iview iPhone app, Android coming
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has modified its highly popular iview streaming video iPad app so that it will function on Apple iPhones, as well as unlocking the streaming ability for the app on 3G networks and revealing that it also has a separate version in the works for Google's rival Android platform.
In court: Apple offers refunds to iPad buyers
Iconic technology giant has reportedly offered to refund any Australian customers who bought its new iPad tablet under the misapprehension that 4G network speeds were available in Australia, in a preliminary hearing in Melbourne this morning, after the national competition regulator filed a lawsuit over what it called 'misleading' advertising in the area.
Surface storage misleading? Choice files complaint
You may have noticed, if you've bought one of Microsoft's new Surface tablets, that you haven't actually gotten the storage you paid for. Consumer watchdog Choice objects to this kind of behaviour, and has referred Microsoft to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over the situation.
Woolworths walks away from Dick Smith
Retail giant Woolworths today revealed plans to sell its Dick Smith chain of consumer electronics stores, following a strategic review of its broader assets finished in November 2011. It also plans to close up to 100 Dick Smith stores in the next two years.
Toshiba’s ‘thinnest & lightest’ tablet hits Australia
Japanese consumer electronics giant Toshiba yesterday launched what it described as "the world's thinnest and lightest tablet" in Australia, putting the 10.1" Android device on sale for a recommended retail price of $579.
Famed StarCraft hosts ‘Tastosis’ hit Australia
Australia is shortly to play host to two of the biggest celebrities in the global StarCraft II competitive gaming scene, with commentators Tasteless and Artosis to arrive in Sydney in mid-August to host one of the nation's largest and lucrative tournaments in the local history of electronic sports.
‘Bad journalism’: Seven’s GTA report under fire
Several high-profile members of Australia's technology and gaming industries have written directly to the Seven Network, alleging the television station's report last week into a call to have the video game Grand Theft Auto banned in Australia did not represent fair coverage of the issue and made incorrect statements about gaming in general.
Telstra to launch Galaxy Note next week
The Samsung Galaxy Note will be available at Telstra stores and online from Tuesday, April 24, the telco revealed yesterday.
Choice wants geo-IP blocking abolished
One of Australia's peak consumer groups has recommended the Federal Government investigate whether region-coding and charging Australians higher prices for products based on Internet IP address should be banned, in the context of an investigation which has found little justification for average Australian price hikes of 50 percent on technology goods.
Huawei’s high-end Android comes to Australia
Chinese hardware giant Huawei last week unveiled the Ascend P1 S this week at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). With a thickness of just 6.68mm, the Ascend P1 S is the world’s slimmest phone; and the company's working to bring it to Australia from April 2012.
New FRITZ!Box 7272 hits Australia
Australian distributor PCRange this week revealed it had started distributing a new model in the popular FRITZ!Box range of high-end ADSL routers, with the 7272 model to launch locally this year, replacing the entry level 7270 model and adding two gigabit Ethernet ports into the mix.
Vodafone cuts Galaxy S II, HTC Sensation prices
Struggling national mobile operator Vodafone this week launched a special offer on prices on its mobile plans for its flagship HTC Sensation XL and Samsung Galaxy S II handsets, with customers now able to pick up the smartphones for just $5 a month on a monthly plan costing $29 or higher.
iPhone 4S launch: Telstra photos
Lastly, some photos from Telstra's iPhone 4S. The photos appear to have been taken both in Sydney and at one of the telco's stores in Melbourne.
Australia’s carriers want to sell you a Galaxy S4
In case you missed it, we thought we'd let you know that we've received fevered media releases from all of Australia's major mobile carriers over the past few days letting us know the somewhat obvious news that they will be stocking the new Galaxy S 4 model when it launches in Australia.
Vodafone preferred 3G provider for PlayStation Vita
Vodafone and Sony Computer Entertainment this week announced a partnership that will deliver Vodafone preferred provider status for 3G connectivity for the PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) handheld console in Australia.
“Cloak of invisibility”: Husic on tiny Apple tax bill
Crusading Labor MP Ed Husic has delivered a blistering attack in Federal Parliament on the tiny Australian tax bills paid by global technology giants Apple and Google, accusing the local management of the Cupertino, California-headquartered Apple of maintaining a "cloak of invisibility" to avoid engaging with the Government on such issues.
TPG releases unlimited NBN business plans
National broadband provider TPG has released a new range of National Broadband Network plans aimed at businesses, with the headline plan offering 100Mbps speeds and unlimited data and telephone usage for $120 per month.
4G Samsung Galaxy S III hits Telstra next week
The nation's largest telco Telstra late last week revealed that it would launch the 4G version of Samsung's popular Galaxy S III handset on October 9, in a move which will see Apple's iPhone 5 face perhaps its most significant rival yet on the nation's largest 4G mobile network.
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros: Review
Dream Team Bros. is a game that offers me nothing that I look for in a typical RPG, and perhaps that's precisely why I enjoyed it so much. It's pure fun; nothing more, and certainly nothing less.
Vodafone’s iPhone 5 speeds are awful
We've known for a while that the iPhone 5 would be dramatically slower on Vodafone's network, as it doesn't support 4G speeds like Telstra and Optus do in some areas. And now we know just how slower it will be.
Locked down: Foxtel blocks non-Samsung Android, jailbroken Apple devices
Pay TV giant Foxtel this week blocked those Australians using non-Samsung Android and jailbroken Apple iOS devices from accessing its flagship mobile IPTV streaming app Go, in moves that seem destined to reinforce the company's reputation for setting strong restrictions on how customers can access its content.
Do Australia’s video game developers have a future?
While there are obviously plenty of opportunities to develop a sustainable video game industry in Australia, the key appears to be an ongoing dialogue between industry and policy advisors at a state level, and an association such as the GDAA.
4G LG Optimus G hits Telstra in March
Korean consumer LG today revealed it would launch its high-end Optimus G smartphone exclusively on Telstra’s 4G mobile network in March.
HP Slate 7 to land in Australia shortly
If there's one thing we like more than hot new gadgets entering the Australian marketplace, it's inexpensive hot new gadgets, and this appears to be precisely what global tech giant HP is about to deliver with the Australian launch of its Slate 7 Android tablet.
BlackBerry Q10 hits Australia July 1
BlackBerry reveals that its hardware keyboard smartphone model, the Q10, will land in Australia from 1 July. But will anyone care?
Optus, Uber team up to trial in-car Wi-Fi
Optus has inked a deal with ride-sharing firm Uber that will see the two firms trial in-car Wi-Fi, as well as introduce Uber as a business travel option for Optus employees.
Kindle Paperwhite lands at Dick Smith, Big W
Amazon has announced that it will shortly selling the new version of its popular Kindle Paperwhite unit through Australian retailers Dick Smith and Big W.
Quickflix leadership decimated as losses mount
Online DVD rental and Internet media company Quickflix this week revealed a series of senior leadership losses including the representative of investor HBO, as the company continues to burn through cash and seek further funding to continue its operations.
Google Nexus 4 hits Harvey Norman
Frustrated at not being able to buy Google’s Nexus 4 handset (manufactured by LG), which Delimiter recently rated as the best non-4G handset available in Australia? Worry not. LG has just announced the handset will be on sale through Harvey Norman imminently. Praise be.
Microsoft launches flagship store in Sydney’s Pitt St Mall
Microsoft Australia has launched its first flagship store outside of North America in Pitt Street Mall, Sydney – one of Australia’s most popular and expensive retail sites.
Surprise! Xbox One neutered for Australia
Look, I don’t know what y’all were expecting at this point. But if you’ve been reading Delimiter for a while, you may be aware that global technology giants do not always launch the same products in Australia that they launch internationally, they don’t always launch them at the same time, and they almost never launch them at the same price point. That’s why we’re not entirely surprised to find that some of the key features hyped this week as part of Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal won’t be available in Australia, at least initially.
Police target Gumtree Internet pirate
Officers from Green Valley Local Area Command and investigators from Australian Screen Association have executed a search warrant on a residential address in Busby, NSW during which they discovered a large number of allegedly illegally stored film and television titles.
New Nexus 7 launches in Australia
Google has launched the new version of its Nexus 7 tablet in Australia.
Samsung Galaxy S4 hits Australia, but will it match the S3’s success?
If there was any question whether Samsung has become a superstar of the smartphone market, it was put to rest with last night’s Sydney Opera House launch of its flagship Galaxy S4 phone – in which the mobile giant pulled out all the stops to show the world the device that it hopes will consolidate its market lead over rival Apple’s iPhone 5.
Fixed broadband replacement? Voda unveils 20GB mobile plan
National mobile operator Vodafone this week launched what it said was Australia’s largest data allowance in a smartphone plan, offering customers 20GB of quota for $130 per month on a two-year plan and pitching the plan as a potential replacement for customers’ traditional fixed broadband plans.
Vodafone launches Sony smartphone Xperia S
Sony’s new flagship smartphone – the Xperia S – is set to make its Australian debut at Vodafone stores and online for $0 upfront on a range of Vodafone’s 24-month plans.
Quickflix goes into administration, blames rival firm
Australian streamed content provider Quickflix has announced that it has gone into administration, claiming that Nine Entertainment Co and Fairfax Media Limited are to blame for its problems.
Broadway Apple store: Opening video
Want to see hundreds of iFanbois lining up to buy things they could already buy elsewhere? Want to see dozens of Apple retail staff in blue t-shirts revving themselves up to sell them those iThings? Then you'll want to watch the video above of Apple's new Broadway, Sydney store opening last Saturday. iExciting.
Tesla Model S may come to Australia shortly
Queue the hype train, because Gizmodo reported this morning that US electric car firm Tesla has shipped one of its popular Model S units over to Canberra for testing.
GAME Australia goes into administration
The Australian division of embattled video game retail chain GAME Group has gone into administration, video game media outlet Kotaku reported this morning.
Optus supports Google Play billing
SingTel subsidiary Optus this week issued a statement noting that it had switched on a feature which would allow customers to buy apps and content from Google's Play Store on their Android mobile phone, and be billed directly through their Optus mobile connection.
Apple wins Samsung Galaxy Tab injunction
Apple has reportedly won a temporary injunction against Samsung selling in Australia its iPad rival tablet, the Galaxy Tab 10.1, until the legal wrangling over patents between the pair is resolved.
NSW Attorney-General wants GTA banned
NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith has unexpectedly called for the popular Grand Theft Auto video game series and other violent games to be banned -- not just classified R18+ as suitable for adult use.