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Sarah Falson

Telstra Streams Election To Mobiles

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Consumers with Telstra Next G mobile phones will be able to make history by watching live Federal Election coverage this weekend on their mobile phones.

From 5:30pm on Saturday afternoon, Telstra will stream live video coverage from Channel nine to Next G handsets, which will be accessible via BigPond TV, or BigPond News on the BigPond portal.

Telstra will also stream Australian Idol final results to the 1.5 million Next G users on Sunday, which will include behind-the-scenes footage during the ad breaks.

Accessing Federal Election coverage will cost users a one-off subscription fee of $2.95 while the Idol LIVE TV Pack costs $2 a week.

“There’s no need to worry about not being near a TV this weekend as live video coverage from both the Federal Election and Australian Idol will be streamed directly to Telstra Next G mobiles,” Telstra spokesperson Peter Taylor said.

“This type of mobile technology was unheard of just a few years ago but it’s now a reality on Telstra’s world leading Next G network.

“What’s more, Telstra’s Next G network provides coverage to 98.9 per cent of the Australian population, so you can just as easily access this live streaming video if you are in Sydney or Broome in regional Western Australia.”

Streaming video from the Federal Election and Idol LIVE TV are the latest additions to the BigPond mobile entertainment line up which brings Telstra’s Next G customers a range of TV shows, made-for-mobile programs and sports and music videos.

Consumers Used As Telstra Marketing Guinea Pigs

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Selected mobile phone users on the Telstra Next G network will be able to use their handset cameras to scan specially-designed barcodes on posters, LCD screens and in magazines to connect directly to third-party websites such as KFC and Pizza Hut, in a trial announced today by the telco.In conjunction with Sensis, the system, called Mobile Codes technology, will allow customers to receive directional maps and obtain discount offers from vendors including Nike and Toyota, along with fast-food outlets.

Ultimately, the technology will be used in conjunction with the Telstra website allowing users to share contact details, blogs and messages as part of a social networking system.

“Consumers will have fast one click access to mobile websites, rich streaming media from Bigpond and Foxtel, location based services and localised information from Sensis, all on Australia’s fastest and largest Next G network,” said Telstra group marketing director, consumer marketing and channels, David Moffatt.

 

“Consumers could even wear their own barcodes on a t-shirt as a fashion statement which could then be scanned and linked to their personal BigBlog, Facebook or MySpace pages.”

The system is part of a move for Telstra from a traditional telecommunications provider to a media-communications company, designed to bring mobile internet to a wider range of consumer, said Moffatt.

But the big benefits could be for the companies engaged in posting their barcodes in the public eye, generating larger traffic numbers for their websites and simultaneously causing more brand awareness in the marketplace.

“Large corporations and small-to-medium businesses can now easily engage with consumers in the world of mobile advertising. This new technology from Telstra and Sensis will allow advertisers to place codes on billboards, magazines, newspapers, posters or even T-shirts. My making traditional advertising media interactive, mobile codes are also a great way for advertisers to engage in a two-way dialogue with consumers,” said Sensis general manager mobiles, Amanda Brook.

Shuttle And Altech Launch Joint PCs

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In a business partnership with computer-maker Altech, Shuttle has launched three new lines of multi form-factor entertainment hubs incorporating the latest Intel chipsets and HDMI connectivity for the home and office arenas.

The SFF (small form factor) media centre PCs are designed to meet a host of requirements from the entertainment enthusiast to the hardcore PC-tweaker.

Shuttle’s D’VO Series is designed to be unobtrusive in a loungeroom set-up.

Established in 1983 the Shuttle brand has until now been synonymous bare-bone systems and displays tailored to suit each user. With its own research and development team the Taiwanese company now employs 1,000 workers worldwide and is a leader in TFT technology, according to a source.

“By 2009, the volume of small form factor PCs sold in the Australian market should be double that of 2006,” said Shuttle marketing manager, Eric Wang, speaking at the Australian product launch in Sydney today.

 

The brand has therefore streamlined its product offering to include three ranges – the D’VO Series for entertainment, the XPC Glamor Series for fashion-savvy users and the XPC Prima Series for high-end gamers, computer enthusiasts and business users.

Each model includes an light-weight and rust-free aluminium chassis along with a unique proprietary motherboard design with fully-integrated handmade solid capacitors.

Various models are available and prices begin from around $500. Go to www.altech.com.au and click on the ‘products’ link for more pricing information.

Topfield Ditches Distributor After 7 Years

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Topfield Co Ltd, a Korean manufacturer of set-top boxes and personal video recorders (PVR) such as the Masterpiece, has ditched its local distributor of seven years, Digital Products Group which formerly traded under the name Topfield Australia, in favour of ACA Pacific Pty Ltd which specialises in distributing storage, imaging and security products.

The decision was made by Topfield Co Ltd but Digital Products Group was notified of the deal by ACA Pacific rather than Topfield Co Ltd itself, according to Digital Products Group director and manager, Jai Kemp.

“Digital Products Group, formerly Paige Communications, have been the sole distributor for Topfield for the past 7 years. The first we found out that Topfield had appointed ACA was from ACA themselves,” Kemp told SmartHouse News today.

Topfield Co Ltd decided to release its ties with Digital Products Group following some “legal disputes”, according to ACA Pacific marketing manager, Raj Saini.

Earlier this year the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found Digital Products Group guilty of performing price-fixing in relation to certain of its Topfield-branded set-top boxes and PVRs and ordered the company to pay damages of almost $300,000.

 

“Topfield approached us and asked us if we would distribute their set-top boxes and PVRs – they knew we were a value added distributor, that we make investments in sales and marketing and we have established retail contacts, a solid distribution structure and that we are a national company,” Saini told SmartHouse News.

The focus for ACA Pacific and Topfield is now on strengthening an already solid retail channel and providing efficient and industry leading service for its range of award-winning products, said ACA in a press notice today.

“ACA Pacific will be working closely with its retail channel partners to develop exciting product offers and a sound knowledge base,” said the notice.

“Topfield Australia had an illusion that they were Topfield,” said Raini, who also said Digital Products Group will clear its current stock while Topfield Co Ltd plans to phase them out as a distributor.

 

ACA has placed an order for all new Topfield products along with their current stock, including the new 7000PVRt set-top box.

Topfield’s retail presence won’t change much initially, as ACA Pacific enjoys close ties with “all the main partners like JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Myer,” according to Saini, but ACA also plans to invest some time gaining Topfield distribution is some smaller, more specialist audio and video retailers.

Optus Launches Wireless Broadband

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Optus has finally rolled-out its new 3G wireless broadband solution called Optus Wireless Broadband (OWB) at quite a competitive price, starting at $24.99 a month, along with a range of wireless products for consumer and business customers.

“OWB pricing is groundbreaking, with monthly fees comparable to what the competition is charging for fixed broadband. A quick comparison will reveal just how aggressive our new mobile broadband offers are,” said Optus Consumer managing director, Warren Hardy.

Optus is offering two products for customers who want wireless access. The InZone for consumers and small business users is a plug and play device for users who want to move their access from room to room, while the Roamer – also a plug and play device – allows users to access wireless broadband when they are travelling in a car, train or are in a location remote from the office.

“These are ‘plug and play’ products, providing flexibility for customers to access the internet anywhere there is Optus 3G/HSPA or GSM coverage,” said Hardy.

“Customers will be able to access speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps? available on the Optus 3G/HSPA network – allowing them to be mobile whether they are downloading music, accessing social networks or checking their email on the go.”

Optus says its OWB offering answers consumer need for a wireless solution, with an increasing mobile workforce in Australia.

A national sales campaign for OWB will launch early next year.

Visit www.optus.com.au for more pricing information.

Upgrade Your Office With NEC Desktop LCDs

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Three new widescreen desktop LCDs from NEC are now on the market, in 19, 20 and 22-inch sizes and boasting multimedia capabilities along with office necessities for both avid gamers and workaholics.

Priced at $389, $449 and $519, the LCD193WXM, LCD203WXM and LCD223WXM are part of the NEC AccuSync family which the brand markets as an affordable range for the home and SMB office.

Affordable, yes, but these LCDs don’t skimp on features, with a 176-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle for multiple users viewing spreadsheets and documents; a 1000:1 contrast ratio for sharp text and bright colours, decreasing eye strain; and Vista compatibility, says the company.

Each screen includes a power-consumption saving mode and RoHS environmental compliancy, which will appeal to ‘green’-aware business users. Power consumption is 49 watts or less than 2 watts in saving mode.

 

The response time is 5ms, which is on par with some leading-edge entertainment LCD screens, while resolution sits at 1680 x 1050.

The screens come with integrated speakers and three year parts-and-labour warranties.

Wesfarmers’ Coles Group Buy-Out One Step Closer?

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Coles Group Limited has requested that its shareholders halt trading for one day only pending an important announcement from the company, implying that the announcement might alter trading conditions.

Coles Group and its entities, including Harris Technology, Target, Kmart and Liquorland, is up for sale at the moment and major public company Wesfarmers has shown interest in purchasing the supermarket giant, which has recently garnered speculation from industry-watchers for losing money from the re-branding of its Bi-Lo supermarkets to Coles.

Only last week Weafarmers’ bid was cleared by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) which had previously opposed the proposed acquisition on the grounds that Bunnings – a Wesfarmers-owned consumer building supplies company – would be forced to compete internally with Target and Kmart’s hardware, gardening, lighting, tools and electrical products divisions, and possibly lower its prices.

 

If Wesfarmers is successful in its bid for Coles Group, the company will “reinvigorate” the struggling retailer in three ways:

1. Structural: Three new divisions will be created – Food, Liquor and Convenience, Big Box Retailing (Bunnings and Officeworks) and Target.
2. Value creation opportunities: a number of initiatives have been proposed to increase earnings, including reducing overheads, savings on supply chains, and lift supermarket sales momentum.
3. Business-specific initiatives: a detailed strategic review of Kmart will be undertaken while Wesfarmers comes up with ways to optimise shareholder value.

The Coles Group Board will offer its shareholders a mixture of shares and cash to the tune of around $18 billion, according to the Australian Financial Review. There are no rival bidders at this time.

Telstra Rescues Flood-ridden Residents

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Telecommunications giant Telstra is coming to the rescue for hundreds of North Coast homes and offices isolated by severe floods and storms over the past week, with a relief package for those using its services.

Small business and residential customers whose phone-lines have been affected by the disaster will receive free call diversion from their fixed line to another fixed or mobile line, according to Telstra.

In addition, customers who contact Telstra and report phone-line damage due to recent weather will continue to pay fixed line rates on local and STD calls made from their mobile phones.

To access the free call diversion or to report loss of their Telstra fixed service, customers should contact 13 22 03.

These offers will continue until the network damage in the area has been repaired and applies to one designated Telstra mobile per household or business.

Customers whose homes have been severely damaged by the floods will also be offered cancellation of a Telstra fixed phone service at existing premises with free number reservation to be provided for three months; free connection of a Telstra fixed phone service at one residence or business within a twelve-month period beginning from the date of the disaster; and Telstra mobile customers who do not have a fixed line will receive a one off credit to the value of $50, limited to one mobile phone per household or business.

 

Telstra Country Wide Area General Manager for the North Coast region, Sue Passmore, said Telstra technicians are working to restore services as soon as possible.

She said that the number of customers experiencing problems with their fixed phone lines had significantly increased as a result of the storms in the region.

“Telstra is bringing additional technicians into the area and they are working overtime to restore customers’ services as quickly and safely as possible,” she said.

“We do have a significant increase in the number of customers who have problems with their fixed phone line because of the floods, and while we are maximising the use of people in our Australian call centres, there may be some delays when calling 13 22 03 to report a fault.

“We ask for people to be patient during this time, and assure our customers we are doing everything we can to get them back online as quickly as possible.”

FAULTY: King Power Surge Protectors

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Kingcable Australia Pty Ltd has been ordered to recall an undisclosed number of King Power Surge Protector Power Boards because they do not comply with Australian Standards.The power boards, which were sold between January and July this year at specialist computer resellers, have six socket outlets and two telephone sockets with surge and over-current protection, and are fitted with insulated active and neutral plug pins – a combination which goes against local rules.

According to a spokesperson at Kingcable Australia Pty Ltd, all stockists have been informed of the recall by mail and must display the notice in their stores.

 

Customers who purchased one of the potentially-affected power boards between these times should stop using the product immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further enquiries, contact the company on (03) 9558 3800.

JB Hi-Fi Adds Five And Stays Alive

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Australia’s third-largest retailer, JB Hi-Fi, says it will open five new stores in Australia and New Zealand this year, after announcing a jump in net profit after tax for the half-year ending 31 December of 60 per cent – the company’s highest-ever sales growth.

The company opened 13 new JB Hi-Fi branded stores and two new Clive Anthonys stores throughout 2007, bringing the retailer’s store total to 104 at the end of December.

This comprises of 89 stores in Australia (81 JB Hi-Fi and eight Clive Anthonys), along with 15 in New Zealand. During the half-year ended 31 December, 12 new Australian and three new New Zealand outlets were launched.

According to JB Hi-Fi chief executive officer, Richard Uechtritz, attributing to the excellent sales result was lower operating costs for the business, along with a “unique technology focussed retail model.”

But while most retailer’s report massive drops in sales after the busy Christmas rush and corresponding January sales period, JB Hi-Fi’s results have continued to impress.

“Sales in January and February to date have continued the strong momentum of the first half of the year. We now expect sales to be circa $1.8 billion (previously $1.7 billion) for the full financial year, 40 per cent increase and we expect the full financial year NPAT to be between $57 – $60 million, a 41% to 49% increase on the prior year,” said Uechtritz.

 

JB Hi-Fi has already announced two new store openings, one in Melbourne and one in Sydney, since January this year.

The retailer will open a store in the basement of the famous Strand Arcade in Sydney at the end of the month, signposting the technology retailer’s second store opening in the Sydney CBD and strengthening the company’s presence in the business district.

The store will be located in the former Downtown Duty Free site, and will officially open on 28 February.

The store’s wares will focus on DVDs, CDs, games, computers, IT equipment, cameras and navigation, and will incorporate two special areas designated to Apple and Telstra stock.

Coinciding with the Strand Arcade launch is the opening of a new dedicated computer and IT store in Elizabeth Street in Melbourne’s CBD, in close vicinity to the existing Elizabeth Street JB Hi-Fi outlet.