The Telstra Android-powered Smart-Touch phone

The Telstra Android-powered Smart-Touch phone, at $99, is the cheapest of its type in Australia. Using the Android 2.1 OS., it has GPS, a 32 mega pixel camera & video recording and Bluetooth connectivity.

As a prepaid phone, it offers web browsing, email and 150 mins talk time. Certain

plans offer free access to social networks and 2 GB of data. The $50 Weekend+

plan offers free talk & text.

The new Lite-on eNAU external DVD burner

The new Lite-on eNAU external DVD burner has customizable cover plates. Use the existing ones or create your own from photos or your designs. The burner is an 8x speed USB-powered burner and can burn circular labels.

The 2 versions are almost identical. eNAU608 also has LightScribe direct disc labeling technology for CDs and DVDs at a cost of $79. The 508 doesn’t have this additional feature. Available in April.

Use your mobile phone as a credit card

Use your mobile phone as a credit card. An Apple iPhone with an inbuilt MicroSD memory card works with a prepaid debit card and allows you to charge purchases less than $100 by scanning your phone.

Over 20,000 terminals have been installed so far. The cards will soon be used in Android phones and Blackberries as well, giving users a decreased need to carry cash or credit cards at all.

The Eee Slate EP121

The Eee Slate EP121 is ASUS’s answer to Apple’s iPad and will be released in Australia next month. It’s a serious tablet at $1499.

It runs Windows 7 with an Intel Core i5 chip, 2 or 4GB RAM and 64GB SSD. The tablet has a wide view screen, Bluetooth keyboard and pen.

Targeted at all consumers, it has Office, PhotoShop and Quicken, and its popularity is yet to be decided.

New 1 Trillion bits per second photonic chip

New 1 Trillion bits per second photonic chip is set to overcome internet data bottlenecks due to massive increase in usage.

The chip accurately captures data through an efficient light-based stream known as “polarization multiplexed Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying.”

The transmitter must be efficient at both sending and receiving and it’s only possible by using more powerful, flexible networks that are cheaper and use less energy to run.

TeeWee for iOS

TeeWee for iOS doesn’t have the annoying Quick Bar. It closely replicates Twitter with support for multiple accounts, geotagging of tweets and URL shrinking. It offers personalized themes and longer tweets.

It has all the basic Twitter functions and can also upload and view images and has an inbuilt web browser. It can share URLs, translate and email tweets, filter the timeline and record footprints as you go.

Apple’s iPad2

Apple’s iPad2 is on sale soon and its enhanced graphics and faster processor will attract buyers waiting for the “bugs” to be ironed out of the original iPad.

The front and back-facing cameras improve the interactive features as owners can use it without touching it. Safari browsing has greatly improved and HTML5 will soon be added which will make this device a necessity for mobile business people.

Samsung 4TB Hard drives

Samsung 4TB Hard drives will soon be released and will reportedly fit 1000 x 2 hour, DVD-quality movies on one drive. The drives will run at 5400 RPM according to early reports and consist of 4 x 1TB platters.

Samsung have also announced a 1TB hard drive on a 2.5 inch, 2 platter base for their laptops. Technology keeps improving and makes you wonder just how far it will all go.

New Microsoft Three Button Mouse

By Tiffany Perle, Senior Product Marketing Manager

Hate dealing with batteries in your gadgets? Well, today I’m excited to announce three new additions to the Microsoft Hardware mouse roster, all wired and under $30: the Express Mouse, Comfort Mouse 3000 and Comfort Mouse 6000.

Let’s start with the Express Mouse. It’s perfect for people that need a comfortable, stylish mouse and don’t want to deal with batteries. Whether you’re surfing the web, working on a report or playing games, the ambidextrous design and smooth top case will keep you comfortable. The mouse also includes BlueTrack Technology that lets you mouse almost anywhere, even on difficult surfaces that are rough, glossy or soft. And the new color options will add some pop to your PC. Express Mouse will be available in Flint Grey and Hibiscus Red in April, and Turf Green, Dahlia Pink, Ultramarine Blue and Coast Blue in June. All for just $19.95.



Also joining the Hardware line-up are the Comfort Mouse 3000 and Comfort Mouse 6000, offering comfortable, reliable wired navigation at an affordable price. The Comfort Mouse 3000 is a great choice for the productive ambidextrous mouse user, and – for the righties – the Comfort Mouse 6000 will fit you like a glove to offer more control as you mouse. Both the 3000 and 6000 come equipped with BlueTrack Technology so let go of your mouse pad and track freely! Comfort Mouse 3000 and 6000 will be available in April.

Samsung’s Ultra-deluxe 9 series 900X3A notebook

Samsung’s Ultra-deluxe 9 series 900X3A notebook is their answer to the Apple MacBooks. It weighs 1.31 kgs and is made from light duralumin, a material used in planes and Lamborghini wheels.

The brightest screen ever, it also adjusts to surrounding light to avoid retina damage and can be viewed clearly from all angles.

Samsung’s technology boots the system in three seconds and doesn’t drain battery power.

The Nintendo 3DS gaming system

The Nintendo 3DS gaming system uses 3D technology without needing glasses. An inbuilt slider adjusts the intensity. Their 3DS games can be played in 2D with a superior look.

Characters and obstacles become easier to see because of the extra depth. It has a wide screen, an adjustable stylus and a 2D memory card for storing 3D photos, sound recordings and downloaded games from the eShop.

iiNet’s newest BOB ADSL modem

iiNet’s newest BOB ADSL modem hits the stores in April. It’s a combination modem/router/phone with a colour screen and the added ability to use two VoIP numbers.

This modem allows customers full internet access to TV and movies on demand through their FetchTV Service. It also allows you to download settings from the internet.

This model supersedes previous economical models ones but the price is yet to be announced.