Optus teases iPhone 4 with confirmation email
When Optus launched their ‘register your interest’ page in early July, many were quick to sign up to get the latest info. Users who signed up have just been notified, that they’ll be notified… what a tease!
What we really need to know is the upgrade plan for existing iPhone owners. Last year existing the iPhone 3G users were given a discount on early termination fees when upgrading to the iPhone 3GS. Breaking a 24 month contract after only 12 months isn’t cheap, but if you can resell your existing iPhone, the change over cost isn’t usually too bad.
The iPhone 4 is due for launch in late July in Australia. As yet, no carriers have officially announced plans.
Windows Mobile 7 has Zune integration
During the Microsoft keynote at MWC, it was confirmed that Windows Mobile 7 will indeed have the Zune service integrated. Containing Music, Videos, Podcasts, Radio and the Zune Marketplace, this surely means the world-wide release of the Zune services.
In Australia we can of course download the Zune application, or rent movies through Zune Video marketplace, but if you wanted to use Zune Maketplace to purchase your music or videos, your out of luck. For the new Windows Phones to seriously compete in Australia, where smart phones have been very successful, the full Zune service (hopefully including subscription-based music) needs to be available.
Windows Phones 7 Series get slick Zune UI
Microsoft have revealed Windows Phones 7 Series which contains a number of phones from a multiple manufacturers, but run a brand new interface. This group of devices run Windows Mobile 7 which as you’ll see from the screens below has drawn strongly on the popular ZuneHD user interface.
The home page (above) is made up of a number of ‘tiles’ that contain information from data sources online. Facebook, Xbox Live for example, as well as other updates like SMS, email, and phone calls. These are customisable so your experience with the phone suits the services you use most.
Naturally Microsoft have a key arm to their mobile strategy that has really been under-utilised. That is full Microsoft Office support on a mobile device. While today’s keynote was very consumer orientated, a more important play is the business market, which can also take advantage of SharePoint integrations.
In the Q&A after the keynote, it was confirmed by Steve Ballmer that devices will not ship with Adobe Flash support “out of the gate” but added, they are not against having it on Windows Phones. With many months between now and launch, I’d expect Adobe will work with Microsoft to make this happen before launch.
Windows Phone 7 Series devices will be out before Christmas this year.
You can watch the full MWC Microsoft keynote video here.
Amazon Kindle comes to Australia October 19, no DX.
Update
Well clearly Amazon reads techAU 
The Kindle DX is indeed getting the international treatment. You will have to wait to 2010 though. More @ TechFlash
Amazon’s Kindle is an E-book reader that has been a US exclusive for the past couple of years. That’s all about to change, Amazon have announced world-wide distribution of the Kindle, shipping to more than 100 countries on October 19. The good news for Australian’s is we’re one of those countries.
Surprisingly Amazon say the Kindle is their #1 bestselling product. One of the reasons it’s been so popular is it’s ability to download content wirelessly anywhere you go over the 3G mobile network. Wi-fi works as well, but that’s not always available. What’s not in today’s press release is which telco will be partnering with Amazon to provide the over-the-air downloads or ‘Whispersync’ as they call it and if it’ll come free or have download caps.
Also missing is Australian-specific pricing. The Kindle costs US$279, with a good exchange rate, that should land around A$330-$350, but could be as high as $400. At that price its not for everyone, but serious book readers/travellers are likely to be drawn to the device.
Amazon Kindle specs
- 0.91mm thick
- 6-inch (15.24cm) e-ink display
- 2GB internal storage (around 1,500 books)
- Text-To-Speech
- Word, PDF support
- Wireless syncing via Whispersync
- Bookmark sync, Notes, highlights
- iPhone application available.
The other problem is that it looks like it’s only the first version of the Kindle that’s going international at this point. The larger 9.7” Kindle DX is still going to be US only.
Also Amazon, you might want to buy out the squatter at http://kindle.com.au
More @ Amazon
Zune gets Gears of War 2 theme, still not available in Australia
Microsoft have announced they’ll be making a special Gears of War 2 edition of the Zune. The theme includes a themed box, laser-etching, as well as a bunch of GOW2 content pre-installed on the device.
I’d get into specs, prices and release dates, but the Zune team apparently hasn’t heard of Australia.
For those international readers, the 120GB GOW2 Zune will go on sale for November 7th for US$280.
Webcams begin to increase quality.. long overdue
Webcams are well known for their low quality, bad handling of low-light, average sound – the list continues. As the novelty of being able to see your loved ones through the computer screen, consumers are beginning to inevitably look for a better experience.
For a long time now the standard webcam has been 2 megapixel in res, while digital cameras have progressed through 5,6,7 and now 8 and beyond. Yet webcam development has remained stagnated.
You know that scene in a movie that seemed so unobtainable, so far away, well it’s coming..
No longer are we after a 320×240 window of video, consumers are after an entire full screen web-conference like experience.
I’m glad to see companies like HP releasing a new and improved models in attempt to rectify this situation.
Their Elite new 3 megapixel webcam with a unique design and still has some way to go before being a great camera (note: only 5fps @ 1600×1200), but it’s definitely a good step in the right direction.
The nifty design also shows webcams don’t have to be plain and boring, but can feature life and attitude, being a desk feature, rather than something you want to hide away.
More @ Engadget
Zune 2: New interface.. pretty slick
After the less than inspiring response to the first Zune, Microsoft needed to do something pretty substantial to attract consumers to the Zune. Not just with the hardware specs either, the software / UI design is an integral part of any consumer electronic device. This video gets hands on with the device, explaining that… ah just watch the video.
More @ CrunchGear
