Yahoo!7 announced that it has acquired leading online travel marketplace, totaltravel.com. Totaltravel.com has 167,000 listings across multiple travel-related categories including accommodation, restaurants, events, shops and attractions as well as premium travel content.
Mendelson Tiu
New HTC Smartphone Larger Than Life
The new Touch HD from HTC will change the way you look at videos, documents, and websites thanks to its large screen. You can give this phone a go if you hate looking at small screens and want an easy-to-use smartphone, although be prepared to shell out a hefty sum for it.
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The unit only has three hard buttons: the power/standby switch located on the upper right had side of the Touch HD, and the volume keys on the left side. A 3.5mm audio jack is found on top of the unit (finally!), while a mini-USB port for charging and synchronisation is found at the unit’s bottom. The unit’s 5-megapixel camera, microSD card slot, and SIM card slot are found at the back of the device, while four touch keys (end call, pick up, home, back) and secondary camera are found up front.
Since the unit is a Telstra-exclusive smartphone (as of this time of writing), HTC has decided to change a couple of icons on its TouchFlo interface. It still has the Home, People, Messages, My Email, Photos and Videos, Music, Settings, and Favourite menus but now has a Downloads section (giving users access to Music, Games, Tones and Pics, Caller Tones, Applications, and Bigpond service), a Telstra Applications menu (containing Scan Code, Yellow, Call1234, Whereis Trading Post, CitySearch, Blog and Photos, My Account, My Sync), TV menu (with Entertainment, Sports, News and Docos, Kids, Music, Active, Foxtel, TV, Live, Movies), News and Sport (access to News, Weather, Finance, Sport, Alerts, BigPond, AFL, NRL, V8, Horse Racing), and Internet and Search (launches BigPond, Sensis Search, Yellow, Web, and YouTube).
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The unit also comes with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and can quickly download or upload files as it is HSDPA-enabled.
Despite the unit allowing us to view photos and videos in landscape, we found it strange that the unit cannot change the orientation of our spreadsheet and word documents. It may not be an issue for some users, but after seeing the Samsung Omnia being able to display spreadsheets in landscape, HTC should have done the same.
The Mobile Foxtel service can be watched in full screen, which is great for mums and dads who want to keep their kids busy for a couple of hours. Music sounded great, with the 3.5mm jack adding more versatility as it allowed us to use our favourite headphones. HTC has also included an FM tuner in case you want to listen to your favourite FM station.
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Thanks to its 1350mAh battery, the Touch HD lasted for about three and a half days with moderate use. The company claims that it has a talktime of up to 420 minutes and a standby time of up to 680 hours, which is good for a unit with a large screen.
HTC has set the bar high this year with its Touch HD. This new phone is bigger, faster, and is very easy to use. The only problem is that you have to shell out $1,499 upfront or $0 upfront on a $150 member plan with a repayment option of $62.45 per month over 24 months for this unit, making it difficult for some to afford this kind of luxurious phone.
See page over for product specifications and final rating.
HTC Touch HD Specifications:
Chipset: Qualcomm MSM7201a 528Mhz
Internal Memory: 512MB flash; 288MB RAM
Display: 3.8-inch widescreen VGA screen (480 x 800 WVGA)
Software/OS: HTC TouchFlo 3D with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Camera: 5-megapixel with auto focus
Network: WCDMA 850.2100 MHz and GSM: 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 2 Mbps
Memory card: microSD memory card (SDHC capable): 8GB card included
WLAN: 802.11b/g
Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR with A2DP
GPS: Built-in GPS
Interface: HTC ExtUSB (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed)
Battery: 1350mAh
Talk time: WCDMA: up to 420 minutes / GSM: up to 480 minutes
Standby time: WCDMA: up to 680 hours / GSM: up to 440 hours
Size: 115 x 62.8 x 12mm
Weight: 146.4 grams
HTC Touch HD | $1,499 | 
| www.htc.com
For: Large screen; Big icons; Responsive TouchFlo 3D; Telstra launch icons; 3.5mm audio jack; Good browser; Connectivity; Battery life; Comes with 8GB card
Against: Spreadsheets and word documents cannot be shifted to landscape; Very expensive
Conclusion: Big is beautiful with HTC Touch HD
Samsung Hits Record Profits
Samsung has reported a net income of 9.64 trillion won (AU$9.34 billion) for 2009, with the company attributing this increase to strong flat screen TV and mobile phone sales, as well as higher prices for memory chips.Vice President and Head of Samsung Electronics’ Investor Relations Team, Robert Yi, said, “Despite the uncertain business environment in 2009, Samsung was able to achieve record revenues and strong profitability based on our technological and marketplace leadership. We see this positive growth and performance flowing on into 2010 as the global economy continues to stabilise.”
According to the report, Samsung has recorded revenues of 39.24 trillion Korean won (AU$38.15 billion) on a consolidated basis for the fourth quarter ending 31 December 2009, which is an 18.9 per cent increase year-on-year.
This fourth quarter result brought Samsung’s full year 2009 revenue to a record 136.29 trillion won (AU$132.15 billion). Its full year 2009 operating profit was 10.92 trillion won (AU$10.59 billion), while its net income on a parent company basis was 9.64 trillion won (AU$9.34 billion).
Samsung has reported that its strong performance in the fourth quarter was supported by improved pricing for memory semiconductors and the seasonal increase in sales of consumer electronics products.
The company said that its strong semiconductor business performance was driven by a rise in market prices for memory chips and solid demand. In DRAM, spot prices increased by 25-30 per cent from the beginning of the quarter, supported by strong PC sales.
“Despite traditionally weak seasonality, sales were boosted by demand for high-density chips for smart phones. During the fourth quarter, Samsung also began production of 30-nm-class, 3-bit Multi-Level-Cell NAND chips for the first time in the industry, providing a further technological edge for 2010,” added the company.
Samsung has also recorded flat panel TV unit sales of 10.88 million, exceeding the 10 million mark for the first time in the industry. The sales record represented a 41 per cent increase year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. With its new line of LED TVs selling strongly, Samsung was also able to meet its sales target of 2.5 million units for the year.
Finally, Samsung’s sales of mobile handsets for the quarter reached 69 million, up 16 per cent year-on-year. This enabled the company to comfortably exceed its 2009 sales target of 200 million units in reaching 227 million units for the full year.
Samsung forecast positive growth across its businesses in 2010, with the continued economic recovery expected to stimulate demand for flat panel TVs, mobile handsets and notebook PCs. The company aims to continue to enhance its cost competitiveness and bolster market leadership across its core businesses.
Hitachi Projector Offers Remote Access
The new Hitachi LCD projector can be networked, controlled and maintained from one remote location via a network connection.
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Hitachi’s Product Manager, Digital Presentations Solutions Division, Bill Christoforou said, “The Hitachi CP-X3010N projector brings networking functionality to applications such as education and corporate environments, where the ability to monitor and manage multiple projectors is often required. With this projector, Hitachi has addressed the increased demand for networking technology with tools that lower the total cost of ownership as a result of added convenience, security and ease of operation.”
Hitachi’s proprietary My Image functionality allows AV/IT administrators to transfer still images, such as emergency alerts, from a PC to each projector on the network. This is ideal for applications in which multiple projectors are networked across a large space, such as a school, campus or large corporate environment. My Image is ideal for sending presentation images ahead to a projector, sending morning announcements to rooms on campus or sending important notifications to boardrooms.
Hitachi’s Projector Messenger Application (“PJMessenger”) software also allows an administrator to send real-time (or stored) text messages that appear on the screen of the projector. This is perfect for sending campus or company-wide announcements and important notifications. When used in conjunction with the scheduling function, notifications can be shown at pre-set times, making each screen a virtual message board.
The CP-X3010N also comes with Hitachi’s Projector Control Application (PJCtrl) which allows a user to control the functions of their Hitachi Projector through a toolbar on their desktop or laptop PC. Since all of the functions for controlling the projector are on the PC, PJCtrl helps to reduce costs associated with lost remote controls and battery replacement.
Furthermore, the CP-X3010N features a Transition Detector, requiring a password to operate the projector when it is moved from a fixed position. The CP-X3010N also offers PIN Lock and MyScreen functions, along with a security bar that enables the use of a heavy chain to prevent theft.
Tough i-Mate Phone For The Outdoors
i-mate has released a new phone that is built to last, thanks to its lifetime warranty and tough military-grade build.
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According to the company, the 810-F is designed around the stringent MIL-STD-810F series of standards. These standards are issued by the U.S. military’s Developmental Test Command, a body whose role is to ensure equipment can withstand the rigours of the most extreme environments.
This means that the i-mate 810-F can cope with pressure, heat, water, humidity and even extreme shock. The company also claims that the unit can run at sub-zero temperatures (-10C) and can withstand temperatures of up to 60C. The unit can even be submerged in water.
i-mate’s CEO, Jim Morrison said, “Until now, users have had to choose between a compact phone that incorporates the latest features, or one that was big, bulky and very expensive that could cope with the rigours of a harsh working environment and survive use during adventurous outdoor pursuits.”
“The 810-F has been developed to meet the demands of the office, the work site and the outdoors. It is all about performance; whether it’s the ability to perform in extreme conditions, or the performance under its skin. For adventurers looking for a phone to match their lifestyle, it’s the perfect answer,” added Morrison.
Besides having a lifetime warranty, the 810-F also comes with Secure i-Q, a service from i-mate that lets you use your PC to remotely lock, wipe personal information or alarm your mobile if it’s ever lost or stolen.
The 810-F is a full-featured Smartphone based on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with tri-band HSDPA and quad-band GSM/EDGE connectivity. Also included is a 320_240 touch screen, 2.2GB of built-in storage, 128MB of DDR memory, 624Mhz PXA processor, 2MP camera with video capability, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, Wi-Fi, digital compass, accelerometer and Bluetooth.
The i-mate 810-F will be available in the next couple of weeks.
See: www.imate.com
Clinton And Obama Used By Spammers
Public figures, celebrities, celebrated events, and even branded items are now being used by spammers to solicit personal data. This is according to Symantec’s recently published report on the current state of spam.
Paid Apps Now On Oz Blackberry Phones
Research In Motion has confirmed that its BlackBerry App World will now allow Blackberry users in Australia to purchase applications using PayPal and major credit cards.RIM says that in addition to various free mobile applications available, customers can also now purchase a variety of additional mobile applications starting from US 99 cents (automatically converted to local currency).
In addition, QR barcode scanning is also supported, allowing users to scan a QR code associated with an application in order to find the related apps. It will also automatically open the application’s information and download page.
Finally, the company said that it provide customers with a BlackBerry ID which enables credit card payments and allows customers to seamlessly transfer their personal library of free and purchased apps when they switch to a new BlackBerry smartphone.
Download the new BlackBerry App World directly to your BlackBerry smartphone by visiting www.blackberry.com/appworld or mobile.blackberry.com.
Fonality Virtual Phone System For SMBs
Fonality’s Connect is a contract-free monthly phone system and service over the Internet that includes unlimited free calling and can be deployed and operational in minutes.
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According to the company, Connect has been developed for businesses of all sizes but is ideal for companies with up to 20 employees. With a fixed monthly fee that includes handsets and unlimited local and national calls, and zero up-front investment, Fonality Connect enables business owners to budget their monthly telephony costs accurately.
Fonality’s Vice President of International Sales, Marc Englaro said, “Business owners are moving away from services with variable costs. They want to know their costs in advance. Fonality Connect enables them to have a clear view of their monthly phone costs and does not require a costly, initial capital expenditure.”
Fonality Connect has been designed as a ‘plug-and-play’ solution, with minimal technical expertise required to get the system up and running.
“Many small business owners are not technically minded and most would rather not worry about the technical details of the phone system,” added Englaro. “Fonality Connect is very easy to set up by almost anyone and in most cases is operational in a matter of minutes.”
Fonality Connect is available in Standard Edition and Team Edition, which also offers an upgrade to advanced call centre features usually reserved for high-priced, big business phone systems.
Fonality Connect is available exclusively through Fonality Australia – fonality.com.au.
Sony Slims Down Projector Line-Up
The new projector from Sony weighs 1.7kg and is only 45mm thick, allowing business users to take it along to presentations.
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Sony Australia’s Projector Product Manager, Vincent Bautista said, “The VPLMX20 is a strong combination of some of Sony’s key projector technologies that can be easily applied across a number of presentation applications. The portability, top end picture reproduction and user features will make the VPLMX20 one of the most appealing data projectors for those presenting on the road.”
These usability features include Advanced Intelligent Auto Setup, which automatically initiates setup functions by simply turning on the VPLMX20. Additionally, a built-in Auto Focus module and Smart APA (Auto Pixel Alignment) focuses and sizes the projected image for optimum picture performance simply by turning the projector on.
The Sony VPL-MX20 will be available from mid-April 2009, with its RRP to be announced at a later date.
Woolworths Profits Up, Dick Smith Sales Solid
Woolworths has reported a 10.3 percent increase in net profit to $983.3 million and said that it is very well positioned for the future.
According to its half year report, sales were up by 8.8 percent to $26.1 billion and EBIT gained 10.2 percent to $1,515.2 million.
Woolworths Limited’s CEO, Michael Luscombe said: “This is a strong result reflecting increasing customer acceptance of our retail offer underpinned by the continued investment in all our businesses. I am confident that we are well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities as they arise and to meet future challenges.”
Woolworths has also reported solid sales growth for its Consumer Electronics division with sales reaching $838.9 million (from 769 million), up 9.1 percent on last half year and comparable store sales increasing by 5.8 percent. However, EBIT dropped 26.7 percent to $31.6 million (from 43.1 million last year).
Woolworths has also mentioned in its report that it has finished its strategic review for its Consumer Electronics division and has implemented a number of key findings such as the rollout of its new store format, improvements to its range of products, a new price promise and branding, as well as investment in their people.
Woolworths has opened 29 Dick Smith Electronics and 3 Powerhouse stores during the half taking its total store number to 433.