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Oonagh Reidy

Hello Tim! iPhone 5 Hits Oct 4: Sources

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Apple’s new head honcho is to unveil iPhone 5 on October 4, sources predict.


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October will see Tim Cook, Steve Jobs replacement at the head of Cupertino since August, take the main stage for the first time in his new role – and woo audiences with next gen iPhone as well as a budget model of its 4 variant.

The ‘sources’ also told AllThingsD, to expect sale of ‘5’ “within a few weeks” after the announcement.

This would make some sense if you take into account slipped comments from CEO of France Telecom, Stephane Richards, who pinpointed the 15th of October as the new iPhone’s release date.

Reports have zigzagged between a September and October release and it seems logical Apple will want their new model to make a stamp on the market in time for the Christmas rush.

Previously Jobs’ right hand man, Cook will now take the main stage for the debut  – a prospect which may lead many to wonder if he can fill the boots of his legendary predecessor, and also if the iPhone 5 will be the global hit among consumers as ‘4’ – the best selling phone in history.

The iPhone 5 is said to inherit the iPhone 4’s exterior (although a larger screen made possible through a finer bezel) and 512MB of RAM. Little else is known about the device.

But Apple would want to watch out.

 

Rumour has it arch rival Samsung will seek to ban the device for sale on its home ground of  South Korea, as soon as it is released. 

Read All Out War: Samsung To Ban iPhone 5 Sale Here

Roll on October.

Oops, Where’s My iPhone 5? Apple Tester Loses Top Secret

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Tequila + iPhone = not a good idea. As one Apple employee found out when he left a prototype iPhone – possibly the upcoming ‘5’ in tequila bar Cava22, San Francisco.

Following the blunder, which took place over a month ago, a massive manhunt ensued with company investigators and police on the trail of the top secret and highly valuable device. The Apple employee was said to be testing the device. 

According to Cnet, the iPhone has now been sold on Craigslist for a mere $200. 
iPhone 5, due for release September/October is said to sport a faster A5 processor a la iPad 2 – and a better camera, possibly with 8-megapixel sensor, a polysilicon low temperature HD display and running the new iOS 5. 
This isn’t he first time an Apple employee has lost top secret iPhone while out on the town – a similar incident has previously occured. 
Cupertino are reported to have traced the device electronically to a location in the Bernal Heights area of San Francisco and despite the offer of money, left empty handed and iPhone-less. 
The man who lived in the house denied all knowledge. 
 

The company declined to comment on the reports.

BBC + YouTube Hook Up

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Coming soon: Beeb to launch two new channels on YouTube


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BBC Worldwide has announced a new partnership with YouTube and the launch of two new channels for science boffins.

One will be a new nature channel, showcasing new films created by BBC Earth, along with another science channel with Top Gear’s James May and his crack team of scientists.

Both will launch early 2013, BBC Worldwide said today, and believes the move will drive its YouTube subscribers base from its current 1.7 million to dizzy new heights.

The BBC’s most popular channels out of its six on YouTube are BBC Worldwide, Top Gear and EastEnders.

BBC Digital boss, Daniel Heaf, says the move to YouTube will give it scope for creativity and to experiment with different platforms.

Daniel Heaf, EVP & Managing Director Digital at BBC Worldwide says the British broadcaster is “very excited” about expanding our successful relationship with YouTube.

“Not only is it a place to distribute the best British content around the world it will, through our original content, be a place where we can experiment with new forms of creativity.”

 

The deal also sees BBC add to its existing selection of over 8,000 YouTube clips across its 6 redesigned channels, including new clips include Top Gear series 18.

BBC Worldwide will also be launching a selection of long-form programming in the UK and Canada for the first time, including the first ever episodes of EastEnders, The Likely Lads, a selection from the BBC’s Shakespeare Collection and The Trials of Life and other dramas such as Campion and The Onedin Line.

Woolies Snap Up EZi Etailer

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Multi-channeling is Ezi: retail king nab pure e-tailer for $350m, grows optionsWoolworths has purchased etailer EZibuy for an estimated $350 million, it said yesterday. 

The New Zealand based clothing and homewares sites operates online, catalogues and contact centres across ANZ. 

Woolies CEO Grant O Brien said the move was part of its move to grow the multichannels, saying the retail mammoth was “very impressed”  with the calibre of EziBuy’s business, admitting “we can learn a lot from each other.”
“Direct to consumer retail is a critical part of the multi channel option” he said in a statement. Woolworths is also seeking to learn from EziBuy’s direct-to-customer logistics at Palmerston North and apply these learnings across its business. 

Ezibuy, with over half a million customers across ANZ has a history of profitable growth, recording over NZ$200 million sales over the past financial year. 

The transaction is worth around $350m. Ezibuy is owned by founding shareholders Peter and Gerard Gillespie and Catalyst Investment Managers. 
 

Woolies Penny Winn, Director of Group Retail Services  says “the combination of its retail network, EziBuy’s direct selling expertise, customer bases will provide a “unique competitive advantage.”

EziBuy Chief Executive, Simon West, the etailer is “delighted to have the backing of Woolworths as we embark on the next phase of our growth.”
Woolworths shares rose 0.75% today to $33.76. 

Belkin Jumps On iPhone 5 Wagon

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Belkin bright iPhone 5 cases, armbands and screen protectors, revealed.


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As the new Apple is unleashed to the masses, Belkin is bracing itself for enormous demand for iPhone 5 cases and armbands, as the redesigned 4″ Apple goes on sale in OZ today.

Belkin has created a truckload of colourful cases, armbands, wallet and screen protectors to fit snugly around the longer and thinner iPhone 5, some of which are on sale from today.

The new Apple gear start at $14.95 for a screen protector to $34.95 for Grip Max iPhone case with treble protection.

Belkin Shield Series (F8W172) iPhone 5 cases are made from ultrathin polycarbonate, with some nifty designs including Shield Dottie, Shield Blooms and Shield Pixie.

Belkin Shields start at $29.95, while the high-gloss finish Multi and BlueMicra Shield Sheer Matte (F8W095) sell for $19.95

Belkin has also released the Grip Series for iPhone 5 made from a flexible, easy-to-grip TPU material and provides durable protection from impacts and scratches. They come in bright colours including pink and Day Glo and Purple Lightening Grip Neon Glo (F8W097), and cost $19.95 – $34.95 model dependant.

Belkin’s Wallet Folio for new the iPhone (F8W101) costs $29.95, has an inner pocket to carry notes and credit cards and slip over to cover the screen.

And for sports enthusiasts, there are water-resistant sport armbands for the new iPhone which are made from lightweight, breathable Lycra and neoprene, are hand-washable and have a the clear window for full control of the iPhone.


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Belkin’s EaseFit Armband (F8W105), priced at $24.95, comes with an adjustable strap, while the EaseFit Armband Plus (F8W106) has a longer adjustable strap for increased comfort and fit and costs $29.99.

 

Belkin also has developed an iPhone 5 Screen Guard with Tru Clear technology, an anti-smudge protector (F8W180qe2) for $14.95 and a High Definition for Retina Display Screen Protector (F8W182qe) $17.95.

Some of the new Belkin accessories for the iPhone 5 will be available today, with additional accessories launching throughout the summer at select retailers across Australia and New Zealand.

“Ranging from fun and bright to sleek and sporty, our designs for the iPhone 5 offer stylish solutions for everyone,” said Patrick Sullivan, director of global product management at Belkin.

BlackBerry 7 Fights Back With ‘Free Calls’

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BlackBerry is back, looking to lure users with free calls on BBM 7, announced overnight.
BlackBerry launched Messenger (BBM) 7 overnight, offering BBM Voice – free VoIP calls to BBM contacts – anywhere in the world via Wi-Fi.

The free update to BBM 7 is available for all phones on BlackBerry 6 OS or higher.

BlackBerry Messenger in the past was a major pull for consumers, particularly the youth market in the UK and US who didn’t have to pay for messages to other BBM contacts, before the likes of Whats App and Viper came into play.

Other features on BBM7 include: multi-tasking with split-screen – BBM users can talk, check other BBM text chats, emails, or navigate to other apps while on a BBM voice call.

BBM 7 also has a visual indicator which tells them which contacts are available for a voice call – like Skype – and 16 new emoticons,  similar to Whats App.

BlackBerry has also made ID Synchronisation easier and a users BBM profile, groups and contacts are now linked to their BBID for easy backup and restore.

Early Beta testers said “The voice feature [on BBM 7] is easy to use and the audio quality is excellent” and over 80% of testers said that they were likely to recommend BBM 7 version.

T.A. McCann, Vice President of BBM sais the struggling maker is taking BBM “to the next level.”

 

“BBM began as a convenient and effective business messaging tool, and today it is an essential part of daily communications for customers around the world. Now, with BBM version 7, customers have a new option: they can text and talk with their BBM contacts near and far, for free.

BBM 7 with BBM Voice is now available for all BlackBerrys running on BB OS 6 or higher but says it plans to support BlackBerry 5 OS early next year.

The BBM 7 software update can be downloaded for free at appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3729/.

Pumped Telcos Hop On Samsung S4 Wagon

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Both Vodafone and Telstra today expressed their undying love for Samsung’s new S4 smartphone, revealed today in New York.

Telstra got in first declaring the news via its Twitter account:

“Oh yeah! We’ll be offering the new #GalaxyS4! Pricing/availability will be confirmed closer to launch register here:http://www.telstra.com.au/s4”

Samsung’s 5 inch S4 phone, has been kitted out with a Full HD Screen, 4G, 13 MP camera and a slew of new software like S-Health, eye scroll and hover feature.

Read more about its S4 specs here:

Vodafone too breathed excitement on its Twitter page today asking: “Are you as pumped as we are about the announcement of the Samsung #GalaxyS4? Pre reg is now open!”

Earlier, Optus said it didn’t “have a link for GS4 specifically” and gave one Twitter enquirer a link to register interest in new phones, so it wasn’t clear if it would definitely carry the new device.

But since then it has confirmed they will be carrying the S4 via statement.

“Customers can register their interest at www.optus.com.au/smartphonealerts to get the latest updates on pricing and availability for the Samsung GALAXY S 4.”

E-tailer Kogan too is looking to lure smartphone buyers in promising “world’s best price” on Samsung Galaxy S4 and opened up an online Waiting List.

 
 

No pricing or other details are available yet but Samsung Australia did confirm the S4 would be here in second quarter, so thats April to June time frame.

And by the looks of things pricing will be competitve as all telcos look to nab Samsung fans.

Hello Siri: iPhone BFF Knocks But Where’s iPhone 5?

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As disappointment about the missing iPhone 5 rings, fear not. iPhone 4S has brought along Siri, the ” intelligent assistant that helps you get things done”… just by asking.


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Siri is an understanding friend to iPhoners and gets “context allowing you to speak naturally when you ask it questions,” Apple declared today.

Siri will also listen to your problems. For example, if you ask “Will I need an umbrella this weekend?” the clever PA understands you are looking for a weather forecast.

But Siri is also discreet and smart about using your personal information you give her access to, insist her makers.

And what’s more, the assistant will be available in beta on iPhone 4S in English  and localised for US, UK and Australia. (Does that mean she will say G’Day?). 

But, take note, the onhand assistant also knows your location and every move, but will help you find nice restaurant, movie house or nearby events.

Cupertino acquired Siri last year for $200m, which Steve Jobs described as “artifical intelligence.”

“Siri helps you make calls, send text messages or email, schedule meetings and reminders, make notes, search the Internet, find local businesses, get directions and more. You can also get answers, find facts and even perform complex calculations just by asking.”

“There’s so much you can ask. Compose and dictate emails, ask questions about the weather, stocks, set timers. It’s not perfect, but there’s a huge amount it can do,” declared Scott Forstall,, Apple head of iOS at the US launch yesterday.

Ok, enough about Siri. Where’s iPhone 5? Nowhere to be seen, to the disappointment of millions.

Read OZ Consumers & Analysts Not Impressed By New iPhone 4S Here

But wait.

 

The new iPhone 4S is “entirely new on the inside,” Cupertino insist at what was classed as a “dud” event in California.

Suri and the new iCloud were seen as mere distractions to the clear absense of a spanking new hero handset.

Industry watchers and Apple fans alike were hotly anticipating the release of a span new 5th generation Apple handset to wow them into 2012.

Read Apple Launch Upgraded iPhone 4 No iPhone 5 Here

So, what’s so new about this iPhone 4S? 8 megapixel camera sensor, which is 33% faster at taking photos, full 1080p HD video, new antenna system, faster download and upload speeds  to 14.4Mbps and 5.8Mbps, respectively, thanks to dual core A5 chip, and is now a ‘world’ phone, able to handle both GSM and CDMA networks, giving Apple a massive foothold in the Chinese market.

Other extras include iMessage, service that lets you send texts messages, photo and video messages and iCloud storage.

4S is also running iOS 5, which has 200 new features and will be available as a free software update for iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS holders.

 

iPhone 4S comes in either black or white and will be sold here from October 14 for AUD$799 for the 16GB model, $899 for the 32GB and $999 for the new 64GB handset, in what is being called one of the fastest rollout’s ever.

iPhone 4 price is also being trimmed, available for “just” AU$679, while iPhone 3GS will now sell for $449.

Telstra: We’re No Data Snoopers

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Telco confirms it has ceased giving user information to US company.


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Telstra went on a PR offensive after revelations it gave NextG mobile customer web usage information to a US company, yesterday .

“Customers’ trust is the most important thing to us, so upon hearing concerns about the development of our new cyber-safety product we have stopped all collection of website addresses for its development,” Danielle Clarke, Telstra’s Head of Online and Social Media, wrote on a blog.

Telstra insisted the web addresses were being collected in order to develop a “new cyber-safety tool” which would help adults  choose the websites kids can access on mobiles.

The telco insisted  “we needed to classify internet sites, based on the content they hold.”

However, Telstra insisted no other user personal user data other than web usage was given to the US company.

There was outrage among Telstra users over fears of a lack of cyber security on Next G and Clark confirmed a “number of our customers have contacted us over the past 24 hours about network activities.”

“I want to reassure all our customers that at no point in the development of this product was personal information collected or stored and we’ll be reviewing what we learned from this project.

“We understand our customers’ concerns about protecting their privacy online and are serious about keeping trust on this front by being transparent about the way we deal with customer data, ” Clark said.

Panasonic Hits BigPond Movies

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First Quickflix, now Panasonic Blu-ray is getting BigPond Movies


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Telstra’s BigPond extensive movie library can now be streamed to Panasonic Blu-rays, Players and Home Theatre systems through its Viera Connect IPTV platform.

BigPond has over 4,000 titles on demand, including new release movies ‘Salmon Fishing in Yemen’, ‘American Pie: the Reunion’ and ‘Contraband’ to TV shows like ‘Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals’, ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Small Time Gangster. ‘

Classic movies start at $3.95; $5.95  for new releases; $2.95 for TV shows. Plus, there’s no late fees involved.

 “We are delighted to announce the addition of BigPond Movies to our VIERA Connect platform, offering Australians even greater viewing flexibility in the home,” said Anthony Smyth, Product Marketing Manager, Panasonic.

Panasonic’s Blu-ray Recorders and Players boast several smart home networking features, including DLNA, built-in Wi-Fi on some models and smartphone connectivity.

Other content already on Pana Blu-ray devices includes ABC iView, Yahoo!7’s PLUS7; Skype, as well as You Tube, Facebook and Twitter.