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.
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.
Telstra to launch MOG music streaming service
Australian telecommunications company Telstra and subscription music service company MOG yesterday announced a partnership to provide Australians with unlimited, on-demand access to an estimated 15 million music tracks that can be streamed to their mobile, tablet, computer or net-connected TV.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A shake-up in Australia’s busy TV industry as Quickflix calls in the administrators
If Quickflix does fold or get absorbed by another local service, how many local services will survive? We may also see global VoD services taking over the local services.
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 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.
Natural Solar, Origin to be first Australian resellers of Tesla Powerwall
Solar power company Natural Solar and power giant Origin are to be the first resellers of Tesla Energy's Powerwall battery system to the Australian market.
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.
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.
Telstra’s 4G HTC Android on sale Tuesday
The nation's largest telco Telstra will next Tuesday start selling the first smartphone to be able to fully take advantage of its growing 4G/LTE network: A HTC model running Google's Android operating system and dubbed the 'HTC Velocity 4G'.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
New Microsoft Surface + Lumia devices to hit Australia before Christmas
Microsoft’s new range of Surface convertible table devices will launch in Australia in mid-November, the global technology giant announced this week, as well as a clutch of new Lumia-branded handsets to keep Windows mobile enthusiasts happy.
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.
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.
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.
Telstra to launch first 4G Windows phone
Telstra will shortly launch its first smartphone based on Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system that will support 4G mobile speeds, according to a product catalogue seen by local Windows Phone enthusiast site WPDownUnder, with the model to be a HTC Titan II 4G.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: Review
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword takes its time to warm up, but when it does, there's a lot to like about Nintendo's last serious hurrah on the Wii.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LG Optimus L9 hits Australia
This week LG added another model to its Australian line-up in the form of the Optimus L9.
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?
Second high-end Huawei phone hits Australia
Chinese technology giant Huawei this week revealed it would launch a second high-end smartphone in Australia, the 'Honor', following its recent launch of its highly rated Ascend P1 model.
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.
Penny Arcade Expo hits Melbourne for two years
The organisers of the popular Penny Arcade Expo ('PAX') event have announced that the popular show will be held in Melbourne in July 2013 and 2014, in an event which will mark the first international version of the expo founded by the creators of the video gaming comic.
FetchTV fail: iiNet has just 10,000 customers
National broadband provider iiNet today revealed that it had so far only signed up 10,000 customers to the FetchTV platform it launched in mid-2010, representing only a tiny success rate in converting its 824,000 ADSL broadband customers to the system.
Why I don’t regret not waiting for the iPhone 5
Delimiter editor + publisher Renai LeMay is interviewed by comparison site WhistleOut on whether he regrets switching to a HTC One XL and not waiting for the iPhone 5 to be released instead.
Nokia previews Lumia 900, 610 in Australia
Finnish mobile phone giant Nokia has invited Australian journalists to a Sydney briefing previewing its new Lumia 900 and 610 smartphones, in one of the first indications that the Lumia 900, regarded as one of the top Windows Phone 7 smartphones globally, will eventually be sold through carriers in Australia.
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.
4G Samsung Galaxy S III is “coming”
Korean manufacturer Samsung is planning to launch a 4G version of its popular Galaxy S III handset in Australia shortly, according to local blog Android Australia, in a move which will likely vault the company ahead of arch-rival HTC.
Telstra, Nokia jack up Aussie Lumia 2520 pricing
Nokia this week revealed that its flagship Lumia 2520 tablet would be sold in Australia principally through the nation's largest telco Telstra, but with a significant markup on the unit's price which will see Australians slugged with around 56 percent more for the exact same product than United States buyers will pay.
SAMSUNG ONLY: SBS limits Android IPTV app
Publicly funded broadcaster SBS today launched a highly anticipated Android version of its on-demand Internet TV viewing platform, but limited the launch to those Australians with Samsung devices, in a move stimulated by a co-development effort with the Korean manufacturer.
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.
Optus offers early phone upgrade option, new data deals
Optus has introduced a new offer that will give new customers the option to receive an early phone upgrade on its My Plan Plus deal.
Apple announces Australian launch dates for iPhone 7
Apple has announced that its new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available for preorder on 9 September in Australia, with the phones becoming available for retail sales on 16 September.
Federal Court finds Valve guilty of deception over Steam refunds
The Federal Court has found that the Valve Corporation misled Australian consumers over consumer guarantees via its online game distribution and social platform Steam and the Steam website.
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.
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.
Readershop will import new Kindles
Remember how that big old nasty Amazon decided not to launch its new Kindle tablet and e-reader models in Australia, apart from the lowest-end model. Well, don’t worry Australia, local ereader retailer Readershop‘s got your back, and will be importing the new models.
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.
Dick Smith’s amazing iTunes specials
Incredible value -- zero dollars off. Spotted in Randwick. A $50 iTunes voucher for $50 -- who would have thought?!
“Open, frank + candid”: Apple defends tiny tax bill
Iconic technology giant Apple has described its relationship with the Australian Taxation Office as "open, frank and candid" and its process of calculating its local tax obligation as "rigorous", despite the fact that the company last year paid local company tax of just $40 million, off Australian revenues of $6 billion.
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.
‘You can’t ride this out’: Husic warns price-hiking vendors
Federal Labor MP Ed Husic has warned technology vendors hiking prices for the Australian market that criticism and examination of their pricing strategies would not cease, despite the fact that they had so far been largely unresponsive on the issue.
Spotify hiring Australian staff
Online music streaming label Spotify is currently hiring for at least one Australian staff member, following its high-profile launch in the United States.
Sydney Apple iPad queue is huge
If you're curious to know what the launch overnight and this morning of Apple's new iPad, check out these two videos posted by Gizmodo of the event.
“Bullshit spread far and wide”: MacTalk founder slams iPhone 4S reporting
Anthony Agius isn’t happy about the way Australia’s technology press has reported this morning’s Apple announcements. And the entrepreneur has some experience following Cupertino — having founded local Apple community MacTalk, he’s as much of an Apple expert as they come.
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.
Next stage approval for Foxtel/AUSTAR merger
The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), led by Treasurer Wayne Swan, has announced the approval of the multi-billion dollar merger between pay TV companies Foxtel and AUSTAR. The merger will bring together two of Australia’s major subscription TV service providers.
iiNet hints at new BoB in 2012
Dropping hints about new products due to be launched in 2012, iiNet Labs team member Simon Watt has revealed in a blog post this week that one of these is a major new broadband hardware product.
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.
Telcos clam up on iPhone 4S injunction
Australia's major mobile carriers have declined to comment on whether they will stop selling Apple's latest iPhone 4S handset or shipping the device to customers, following a legal attempt by smartphone rival Samsung yesterday to block the sale of the handset in Australia.
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.
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.
Nintendo Australia finances fall off a cliff
The Australian division of Japanese video gaming giant Nintendo has taken another staggering hit to its finances for the second year in a row, losing a further 36 percent of its overall revenue over the past year as its flagship Wii U console has flopped with consumers due to what is perceived to be a lack of quality games.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop jets in to Australia
You may have noticed from the flurry of articles from the mainstream media this morning that Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop is in Australia at the moment checking on the progress of the Finnish smartphone manufacturer Down Under.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Husic asks Conroy for IT pricing inquiry
Federal Labor backbencher Ed Husic has revealed that he is planning to write to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy requesting that an inquiry be held into the practice of technology vendors unfairly hiking prices for the Australian market.
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.
Beyond: Two Souls (PS3): Review
Whether Beyond is the kind of game that you would like to play a lot of or not is largely irrelevant to the objective quality of Cage's work. In terms of storytelling and technical execution there isn't anything out there better, and the fact that it is a different, more thoughtful experience than anything else produced by a major studio means it is worth experiencing.
Broadcast to Chromecast – is TV being recast or cast out?
I expect more from the biggest screen in my house and, once again, traditional mass media have failed to deliver.
Kindle Fire HD finally lands in Australia
Amazon has gradually been opening up its Kindle range to Australians, culminating in the news overnight that the Kindle Fire HD models are now available.
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.
Reader giveaway: A new Nexus 7!
Today we're kicking off a new competition to give away one of Google's new Nexus 7 tablets: Just sign up for our weekly "Best of the Week" email newsletter before November 15 to enter.
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.
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).
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.
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?
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The difficulties of ordering a Surface Pro in Australia
Want to buy one of Microsoft's new Surface Pros in Australia? Well, As we covered a couple of weeks ago, you're out of luck, as Microsoft isn't shipping them locally yet. But you may not know quite how out of luck you truly are: It's probably not even worth ordering one from overseas through the usual avenues.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
God of War: Ascension: Review
So, how do I rate God of War Ascension? It lives up to its franchise and escalates its key features over the previous title. The combo system is as fun and fluid as it ever was. And it can hardly be faulted for giving its fans what they’re probably working on. But by the same token I can’t help but shake the impression that things have gone too far with this game. Any sense of balance that the previous games have has been thrown out of the window here, and overall it is the weaker game for it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dick Smith in new offer after game sale fiasco
Electronics retailer Dick Smith has kicked off a new sale on video games and accessories, to mollify customers miffed by a poorly handled sale last week which saw thousands of customers lining up in front of stores for deals, only to walk away empty-handed.
Apple Pay no sure thing in mobile payments race
Evidence both the incumbents and disruptors face challenges in non-traditional payments.
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.
Budget 2014: Govt dumps game dev funding
The Federal Government tonight announced as part of this year's Budget that it would cut $10 million of remaining funding to the Australian Interactive Games Fund, in a move which at least one commentator has already said will "destroy" Australia's video games industry.
WA Govt trials iPads in schools
Some of the youngest of Western Australia’s nearly 262,000 students enrolled in 770 public schools will now use the latest in Apple tablet technology to learn about alphabets and numbers.
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.
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.
Sydney’s Bubble Gum studio raises $2.5m more
Sydney-based children's entertainment company Bubble Gum Interactive has raised another $2.5 million to help fund the expansion of its Little Space Heroes online game, adding to an initial $1 million raised in mid-2011.
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.
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.
Internode manager proposes in video game session
An online game of Team Fortress 2 in late February became the unusual setting for Internode web site manager Taryn Hicks to propose to her long-time boyfriend Derek Adams.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
Netflix Australia: Review
Australians have spent years waiting for US Internet television giant Netflix to launch its popular streaming service in Australia. But now that the service has finally launched Down Under, is it worth paying cash money for on a monthly basis? Read on to find out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Australia misses out on 64Gb Galaxy Note 5, some colours
Korean electronics giant Samsung today revealed it would start selling two new high-end smartphones, the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 edge+, in Australia in early September at comparable prices to those charged in the United States, but leaving the 64GB version of its Note 5 handset out of the local market.
Apple Pay to hit Australia by end of 2015
Overnight in the US Apple revealed it is still planning on bring Apple Pay to Australia -- and the launch could happen sooner than you expect.
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.
Vodafone’s new top Androids: HTC Sensation XL, XE
As of last night, Vodafone has several new flagship Android smartphones on offer, with the mobile carrier officially launching HTC's latest Sensation XL and XE handsets exclusive to its network.
Who owns footy rights? Optus web copyright victory explained
Yesterday’s Federal Court ruling that Optus customers are able to view sporting matches minutes after they are streamed live without breaching copyright is a landmark decision that alters our understanding of copyright law, and has significant implications for the AFL’s broadcasting rights deal.
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.
Telstra hints at Galaxy Nexus launch
Telstra hasn’t yet confirmed reports that it’s planning to launch Samsung’s highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus smartphone, but if this post on its CrowdSupport forum by one of its executives, Gerd Schenkel, is any indication, the telco is certainly eyeing the handset off.
iHype: Welcome to the iPhone 5 hypno-orgy
Apparently, the iPhone 5 is already a success, before it even launches.
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.
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.
TV Now: Why the AFL should be grateful
More eyeballs in front of live sport broadcasts are what matter. The AFL should be encouraging people to watch their product. Trying to stop them is just completely counter-productive.
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.
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.
Amazon launches new flagship Kindle e-reader for $449
Amazon has launched a new flagship Kindle called the Oasis – the eighth generation of its dedicated e-reader device -- which will sell in Australia for the high price of AU$449.
Samsung skips Exynos CPU for Aussie Galaxy S4’s
Most of you probably already suspected this, but just to put it on the record: Korean smartphone giant Samsung has confirmed that its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone will ship in Australia in the lesser quad-core version of its processor rather than the top of the range eight-core Exynos processor which many people have been looking forward to.
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.
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.
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.
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.
iiNet launches $69.99 terabyte naked DSL, VDSL plans
National broadband company iiNet has launched a new range of naked DSL broadband plans -- simplifying its plan structure by offering customers a single download quota of one terabyte for the cost of $69.99 per month -- as well as revamping its VDSL plan structure on TransACT's FTTN network in Canberra.
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.
Qantas to use NBN, ViaSat to deliver in-flight Wi-Fi from 2017
Qantas is set to introduce inflight Wi-Fi from next year under a partnership with international broadband services provider ViaSat and the NBN network.
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.
Surprise! Microsoft hikes Xbox One Aussie price
From the department of completely expected price hikes comes the news that Microsoft has opted to charge Australians substantially more to buy its upcoming Xbox One gaming console when it launches in November this year.
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.
$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.
Introducing Australia’s (eventual) game classification system
Those of you with a long memory will recall that Australia’s video game classification systems hasn’t precisely always been without controversy. Well, in what looks like a good move on the surface, Australia appears set to join a new international system for video game classification.
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.
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.
Strong NFC push by CommBank, Coles
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has unveiled a new unified smartphone app that will operate on iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8 platforms and provide NFC payments functionality, as well as a 'stick-on' NFC chip for smartphones (also launched by Coles) that don't have near-field functionality embedded in their own hardware.
Don’t hang up yet: the latest study linking mobile phones to cancer has big...
You may have seen the headlines over the weekend, reporting on a new study that’s supposedly found a link between mobile phones and cancer. But all is not quite as it seems. And much of the alarm raised by the study is misplaced.
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.
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.
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.
Tesla Powerwall to hit Australia first, in late 2015
Reneweconomy reports that US car manufacturer and burgeoning battery giant Tesla is looking to launch its home and commercial battery storage solution Powerwall into Australia in late 2015, with retailers such as Canberra-based Reposit Power already going public with its plans to act as an integrator.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dynasty Warriors 8: Review
Will Dynasty Warriors 8 convert the kind of person who is inclined to dismiss a game without playing it first? Sadly, no. Is it the finest example of the series to date and does it deserve to be given a fair go by everyone? Absolutely. It's incredible.
Lumia 925 hits Australia this month
Nokia's Lumia 925 is a similar model to its previous top of the range smartphone, the Lumia 920, but with a thinner and lighter casing and some other minor improvements. Can it move the needle for Nokia?
ACCC sues firm for alleged fake iPad sales to Aboriginal communities
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has started Federal Court proceedings against a company alleged to have sold counterfeit iPads to Aboriginal communities.
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.
The best smartphone in Australia
Australians have a wide variety of options available when it comes to great smartphones in 2015. Shape, size, style, performance and features are all factors that can be considered, and the diversity is endless. So with all this variety available, which model should you buy?
Samsung Galaxy S5 hits Australia 11 April
South Korean electronics giant Samsung this week revealed its latest flagship model, the Galaxy S5, would launch in Australia from 11 April, as well as supporting mobile payments for customers of top-tier banks Westpac and CommBank.
New iPad to hit Australia 16 March
Iconic technology giant Apple this morning revealed the new version of its flagship iPad tablet, noting that the device would be available in Australia along with a clutch of other countries from Friday 16 March -- next week.
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.
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.
Video games are art: And this awesome Kickstarter project will prove it
The debate over whether video games can be classified as art has been a long and bitterly fought one. To explore this issue in greater depth and champion the idea that games can have artistic merit, Australian gaming journalist Matt Sainsbury has started a Kickstarter project to fund the development of an in-depth, 200 page, premium quality hardcover book which will tie in conversations with some of the gaming industry's artistic titans.
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.
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.
BlackBerry Curve 9360 comes to Australia
Research In Motion (RIM) announced this week in Sydney that the BlackBerry Curve 9360 is now available in Australia.
Australia again leads world in Game of Thrones pirating
Australia has once again topped the list of countries breaching copyright by downloading HBO's Game of Thrones television show from BitTorrent sites, despite efforts by the show's local licensee Foxtel to cash in on the popular series.
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.
CommBank’s Kaching hits iOS App Store
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia's 'Kaching' mobile payments app has been approved by Apple and is now available through the company's iOS App Store, the bank said this afternoon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Judge overturns Galaxy Tab sale ban
Multiple media outlets are reporting this afternoon that the Federal Court of Australia has overturned Apple;s preliminary injunction against the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet in Australia.
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!
All Australian telcos to offer Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung's flagship Galaxy S5 handset revealed overnight at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona is set to be offered by all three of Australia's major mobile telcos, although the Korean manufacturer has not yet confirmed any pricing or availability details for the device's Australian launch.
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.
R18+ game delays frustrate Pirate Party
The Australian branch of the Pirate Party has expressed its dismay about the continuing delay over the introduction of an R18+ classification for video games, in a statement issued last week.
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.
BlackBerry CEO to hit Australia in March
Yesterday it was revealed BlackBerry chief executive Thorsten Heins would bring his smile to Australia on Monday 18 March to launch the new BlackBerrys and share the happiness. Praise be.
Apple just lost Australia’s smartphone conch
The release of the iPhone 4S throws a ring fence around Apple’s smartphone market share in Australia, protecting and securing it for the time being. But that's about all it will do.
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.
Apple Maps losing Victorians in forest
We haven’t found Apple’s new mapping application in iOS 6 to be that much of a headache — in fact, it does offer some noticeable improvements in some areas over the previous Google Maps tool — but then we weren’t trying to use the platform to navigate by road to the Victorian town of Mildura. According to the Victorian Police, quite a few people have made that mistake — and ended up in the middle of nowhere.
Transformer Pad Infinity lands Aug 7
The ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity looks set to hit Australian from August 7 this year.
A little late, Apple brings iTunes Radio to Australia
Iconic technology giant Apple this morning announced its music streaming service iTunes Radio is available in Australia, some eight months after it announced the service and five months after it launched in the US.
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.
Telstra launches next-gen Samsung Windows phone
Nokia’s Lumia handsets might be just around the corner, but Korean electronics giant Samsung has beaten its Finnish rival to the punch when it comes to new Windows Phone 7 smartphones available in Australia, launching its high-end Omnia W handset through Telstra this week.
Telstra releases Galaxy Nexus pricing
After dropping a series of hints about the matter over the past week, Telstra finally confirmed this morning that it would launch Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus handset in Australia this week, claiming pole position locally with sales due to start tomorrow (Wednesday morning).
What’s the best Australian streaming music service?
Which music streaming service should you choose? It'll depend on your specific technology setup, habits and how much you're willing to spend for what you use. But the good thing is the market for music streaming services in Australia is getting increasingly crowded; meaning more options for users and more competition.
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.
This is what a crate of Galaxy Nexus phones looks like
Vodafone has just published a photo gallery of a crate of Galaxy Nexus handsets arriving in its warehouse. That's a lot of sweet Android goodness!
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.
Despite Aussie windfall, does Apple profit slide suggest hard times ahead?
blog Even as it marks the tenth anniversary of iTunes and its companion iPod device, Apple’s first profit decline in a decade has many observers contemplating the future of the pioneering company – and asking whether Steve Jobs’ spirit of innovation has in fact passed along with the company’s co-founder.
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.
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.
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.
Apple rejects banks’ proposed mobile payments “cartel”
In a strongly worded letter to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), Apple has rejected the formation of a mobile payments "cartel" proposed by four major Australian banks.
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.
Parliament must subpoena IT giants: Choice
Consumer group Choice has called for the Federal Parliament to use its powers of subpoena to force recalcitrant IT vendors such as Apple, Adobe and Microsoft to give evidence about their price setting practices in Australia, due to the vendors' reluctance to voluntarily appear before a committee into Australian IT price hikes.
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.
Nintendo Australia takes huge revenue hit
The Australian division of Japanese video gaming giant Nintendo has lost a staggering 41 percent of its local revenue in one year, as diminishing interest in the company's aging Wii platforms and lacklustre launch of its 3DS handset console have slugged the company's finances hard.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It’s official: R18+ game legislation passes
After a hard-fought campaign lasting several years, Australia's video game industry and community has achieved a major victory with the passing last night of landmark legislation which will introduce a new R18+ classification for video games in Australia.
No Amazon Fire Phone for Australia yet
You might have noticed that global online retailer Amazon launched a new phone overnight in the US. With a new feature called ‘Dynamic Perspective’ (which delivers 3D depth to some apps), a customised version of Android and solid integration with Amazon’s world-beating content ecosystem, this model is getting some plaudits from technology reviews. However, for Australians the phone itself may not be as interesting as Amazon may want it to be. That’s because there are no signs it’s coming to Australia yet.
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.
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 sold 500,000+ iPhone 5’s last year
Every time I think I know just how dominant Apple's iPhone unit is in Australia's mobile phone ecosystem, I am forced to confront new information showing that I had underestimated the situation.
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?
Weighing the environmental costs: Buy an eReader, or a shelf of books?
Bookshelves towering floor to ceiling filled with weighty tomes, or one book-sized device holding hundreds of “books” in electronic form: which one of these options for the voracious reader creates the least damaging environmental footprint?
Apple “price gouging” Australians, claims NSW Minister
Liberal NSW Fair Trading Minister and Liberal MP Anthony Roberts has added his voice to the debate about price markups on technology goods sold in Australia, claiming iconic technology giant Apple is "price gouging" the Australian public when it comes to digital goods such as films, music and software.
Huawei confirms Ascend P6 for 15 July
We've been getting gradually more impressed with the smartphones launched in Australia by Chinese vendor Huawei over the past several years, although they haven't quite measured up to the best that top of the line vendors like Apple, Samsung and HTC have been able to deliver. The newest cab off Huawei's rank is the Ascend P6.
PlayStation Vita now available for Aussie pre-order
Sony Computer Entertainment Australia announced yesterday in Sydney, the pre-order details for its next generation portable gaming and entertainment system, PlayStation Vita, launching in stores across Australia on February 23 next year. Pre-orders for PS Vita will be available through select Australian retailers including GAME, EB Games and JB Hi-Fi.
Nokia’s supersized Lumia 625 hits Oz; But does it even matter?
We can’t help but wonder at this point whether anyone will truly care, given the existing proliferation of Nokia Lumia models in Australia, but seeing as it’s our job to do so, we thought we’d inform you all of the availability of a new model in the Lumia line down under. Nokia tells us this morning that the company’s Lumia 625 is shortly to land on Australian shores.
Foxtel launches special Game of Thrones plan
Foxtel is offering a discounted subscription to its Premium plan for the broadcast of HBO's much anticipated Game of Thrones Season 6, which the company will commence airing on Monday, 25 April.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kindle Touch 3G goes on sale to Australians
Online retailer Amazon.com has announced that the Kindle Touch 3G is available for pre-order online to customers in over 175 countries and territories, including Australia. The Kindle Touch 3G will be shipped to customers from April 27.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Revamped Telstra plans bundle yearly handset upgrade
The nation's largest telco Telstra has launched two new ranges of mobile phone plans, in addition to offering customers the option to pay $10 a month extra for the ability to trade in their smartphone once a year for a new model.
Updated Amaysim deals include 9GB of data for under $50 a month
Australian telecoms provider Amaysim has announced improved data and international inclusions on all its Unlimited mobile plans, including a 9GB package for less than $50.
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.
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.
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.
Oops … Tesla enthusiast charges car on Qld windfarm
Headline says it all, really. The future is here.
Google’s Ingress creates Aussie online turf war
Don’t read technology blogs? Then a new innovation in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMPORGs) may be passing you by. Perhaps, like me, such games have never been of much interest to you. Or perhaps they haven’t been able to hold your sustained attention. So why should you care now?
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.
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.
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.
Android tablet growth slows in Australia
The Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) media tablet market experienced a visibly dampened growth in the third quarter of this year, with a rise of only 3.1 percent quarter on quarter (QoQ) with 434,000 units shipped, and much of the slowdown relating to the Android side of the sector.
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.
Optus releases Galaxy Nexus pricing
National mobile carrier Optus has released the pricing and started taking pre-orders for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset to launch on its network in Australia, offering customers a launch discount of two months worth off their network access fees.
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.
New Apple iPads support 4G in Australia
Iconic technology giant Apple has confirmed that its new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad tablets announced overnight will support the 4G mobile networks of Telstra and Optus when they launch in Australia, although the versions supporting mobile broadband will launch several weeks later than the Wi-Fi versions.
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.
Vodafone confirms HTC One X launch
Mobile carrier Vodafone has announced the pre-order availability of the HTC One X Android smartphone in Australia, opening up a pre-registration page for the phone on its website.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vodafone releases Galaxy Nexus pricing
National mobile carrier Vodafone has started taking pre-orders for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset to launch on its network, with an anticipated launch slated to occur before Christmas.
Telstra, Optus launch 4G version of Galaxy S III
The nation's top two mobile telcos Telstra and Optus this morning revealed they would start selling a version of Samsung's popular Galaxy S III handset which will function on their growing 4G networks and come with the Jelly Bean version of Android, as Optus simultaneously launched consumer access to its 4G infrastructure.
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.
‘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.
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.
Angry consumers flood IT price hike inquiry
Dozens of frustrated Australians describing themselves as concerned private citizens have flooded the Government's IT price hike inquiry with hundreds of examples where they allege technology retailers and vendors have been ripping them off with unfair markups, while the major vendors concerned have yet to formally respond.
Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox 360): Review
In a nutshell, Grand Theft Auto V is nothing short of pure fun. There are some minor issues, but the game's strengths easily overshadow its tiny flaws. San Andreas is a large world to explore, and there are so many things to do and sights to see that will keep players hooked for a very long time.
Steve Jobs: Australia says goodbye, and thank you
From academics to chief executives and entrepreneurs, from the everyday man on the street to our country’s Prime Minister and from one side of our wide brown land to another, yesterday Australians paid tribute to the passing of Apple supremo Steve Jobs and the incredible wave of innovation the executive unleashed upon the globe over the past few decades, as well as saying goodbye and thank you to a visionary with a personal touch.
iTunes Radio to hit Australia early 2014
According to Bloomberg, iTunes Radio is to launch in Australia in early 2014.
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.
ASUS PadFone docks in Australia
Taiwanese electronics giant ASUS this morning announced that its combination smartphone, tablet and netbook device the PadFone, would launch in Australia through Harvey Norman from 14 August, retailing locally for $999.
Huawei’s quad-core D1 Android hits Australia
A quad-core smartphone with a 4.5" screen and close to stock Android, for $499 outright? Sounds like a bargain, and that's precisely what Chinese manufacturer Huawei has a reputation for delivering. The Ascend D1 quad will hit JB Hi-Fi this week, and if it's anything near as solid as the P1, we think quite a few people will be interested. Stay tuned for our review sometime soon.
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.
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.
Optus, Virgin open pre-orders for HTC One X
Optus has announced the availability of online pre-orders for the HTC One X Android smartphone. Booking started on March 20th for delivery in Metropolitan areas on April 2nd, and Regional areas on April 4th. Optus subsidiary Virgin Mobile has also announced the imminent arrival of HTC’s flagship model in Australia, posting “check back early April for updates” on its website.
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.
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.
$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.
Rip-off: Telstra wants $20 a month to share data between devices
Telstra attempts customer rip-off with data sharing plans which will cost at least an extra $480 over a two-year mobile phone plan.
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.