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Epson Annouce New Ultra-Efficient WorkForce Pro Inkjet Printers

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Epson Australia has introduced four new and ultra-efficient printers built specifically for businesses which they claim has an ink yield of up to 50,000 pages while using up to 87% less energy than comparable printers as well as providing a suite of software solutions and work-flow tools. The new WorkForce Pro printers are specifically designed … Read more

3Com & Westcon Divorce Over Direction Issues

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3Com Corporation, a leading provider of secure converged networking (SCN) solutions and Westcon Group, an IT distributor specialising in networking technology, solutions for convergence, security and storage, have announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate their partnership agreement in Australia, expected to take effect by the end of August.

Myer Snares 3G iPhone Deal

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Myer’s retail jingle may well say that ‘Myer is my store’, but as of today, Myer may well be an iPhone store as the retailer launches a loyalty program that will enable Myer One customers to pre-register for the iPhone through Vodafone.

Mobile Advertising Set To Explode In Australia

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At present, the mobile advertising market in Australia is very much in its infancy with total revenues reaching just $2.5 million in 2007.


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However, according to one study, this figure is set to grow more than 300 per cent in 2008 to about $10 million and be sustained into next year driven by the growing consumer take-up of 3G data services coupled with attractive campaign pricing to entice advertisers.

 The Australia Next-Generation Mobile Advertising Market 2007-2011 study from Frost & Sullivan found that sustained growth of mobile advertising into 2009 will depend on a continued reduction in mobile operator data charges, the development of sophisticated mobile advertising offerings from more organisations, and enhanced technological capabilities and integration across the mobile advertising value chain.

 At the same time, continued uncertainty about the mobile advertising medium among advertisers is still restraining its popularity.  The study found that mobile advertising spend currently is mainly driven by the media and entertainment, and banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) industries which together contributed more than 50 per cent of revenues in 2007. 

Currently, the bulk of mobile advertising spend is based on campaign trials in partnership with mobile carriers and content publishers. 

 

This is concentrated in display (banners and video) accounting for 91 per cent of total revenues. And concurrently, search advertising on mobile phones remains very low, with most consumer activity still concentrated in the free-to-access, on-deck directories within carrier portals, said Frost & Sullivan. 

Early leaders in the mobile advertising space, including Vodafone, Hutchison 3, Sensis MediaSmart, ninemsn and Fairfax Digital have now reached a stage where they can offer marketers a proven next-generation mobile proposition. Vodafone for its part had some 40 per cent of the market share in 2007.

In addition, the number of 3G handset subscribers is expected to mushroom with the corresponding adoption of mobile data services. 

Frost & Sullivan estimates there are now more than six million 3G handset subscribers in Australia and this will grow rapidly over the next two years as operators phase out their non-3G handset offerings. 

Furthermore, Apple’s iPhone is also expected to have very strong impact in the usage of mobile data services.

 Finally, the study found that early success by advertisers deploying mobile advertising in their marketing mix, particularly with SMS/MMS broadcast and response campaigns, is driving further take-up and experimentation.

Canon Using Kiwi Prisoners To Fix Printers

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It seems the Chinese are not the only ones using prison labour, for according to www.scoop.co.nz, Canon New Zealand has announced an agreement with the NZ Department of Corrections that will see prison inmates trained to assemble and dismantle its machines.


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Following a successful trial at both Rimutaka Prison and Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, “workshops are being set up which will potentially employ up to eight inmates at each prison. It will provide training and up-skilling for the prisoners with the aim to increase their chances of gaining employment upon release”, according to the report.

The report notes over the past six years Canon NZ have supplied photocopiers, printers and scanners to the Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) scheme at the Wellington Prison Printshop and witnessed the employment scheme in action.

Currently, 135 new machines are being assembled per month. The initial target for refurbishment was set at 30 to 50 machines per month, however the workshops seem to be exceeding this by far.

Prisoners working within the Canon workshops are able to obtain NZQA credits towards a National Certificate in Electronic Manufacturing Level 3.

The report notes that, “Canon is faced with the situation where demand for services is outstripping supply in both the Wellington and Auckland regions, with technicians spending the majority of their time on site honouring the service agreements. This partnership will address the issue of the shortage of qualified workers within the market”.

LG Recalls Microwave Ovens

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LG Electronics is voluntarily recalling microwave ovens manufactured between August 2007 to February 2008 in order to repair a fault which “may pose a risk of electric shock to the user”, according to the company.

LG notes the products are being recalled because in some cases an internal part of the unit may be loose which may cause an electrical short circuit which will trip the household’s safety switch.  In rare cases this may result in an electric shock to the user in households that do not have a safety switch.  This issue does not affect other LG products.
 
LG Electronics will inspect and, if necessary, repair the unit at no cost to consumers.
 
Although any risk of electric shock is low, customers are asked to cease use of the product until it has been inspected and repaired.
 
Customers with the following appliance model numbers and serial number range should contact the Customer Information Line on 1800 506 154 to arrange for an appointment to service the appliance.
 
Model numbers:
MS-2346VR, MS2347GR
Serial number range:
Serial numbers commencing 708 to 802
Manufactured: August 2007 to February 2008
 
LG Electronics says it is liaising with the ACCC and state electrical safety offices in relation to the recall process.
 
For further information contact the Customer Information Line on 1800 506 154.