Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Be sure to register in our forums! Share your opinions, help others, and enter our contests.


Digital Home Thoughts

Loading feed...

Laptop Thoughts

Loading feed...

Android Thoughts

Loading feed...





All posts tagged "australia"


Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Improved WP7 App Pricing For Australian Users

Posted by Brad Wasson in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 06:30 AM

http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2011/07...w-0-99-aud.html

"With the new App Hub launch there seems to be a better price structure for apps and games at least for Australian users. Kudos to Chris Walsh for the find. It seems $0.99 USD apps are now $0.99 AUD. Couple of days ago we talked about the pricing of Apps and Games on the Marketplace. We used to pay AU$1.18 ( roughly US$1.25 ) for a US$0.99 App but now it seems we have to pay only AU$0.99 ( US$1.05 ), which is awesome!!"

Our Australian friends may be seeing a nice nice development in WP7 app pricing. According to the linked article, prices are seeing a slight decrease. While not a huge savings, every bit helps. Comments posted on the article suggest price drops may also be occurring in other regions.


Friday, April 29, 2011

Telstra Approves March Update for Mozart, Now In the Hands of Microsoft

Posted by Darius Wey in "Windows Phone Mobile Operators" @ 11:30 PM

http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/ph...martphones.html

Telstra may be behind on those Windows Phone 7 updates, but progress is being made with the carrier announcing yesterday that it has approved the March update for the HTC 7 Mozart. Now in the hands of Microsoft, delivery of the update is scheduled for next week. Unfortunately, those of you with the LG Optimus 7Q may have to wait a little while longer. The update is still undergoing testing, and all that Telstra has said with regard to a release date is "May".


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Microsoft Schedules Copy-and-Paste Update for Delivery to Optus Customers

Posted by Darius Wey in "Windows Phone Software" @ 07:25 PM

http://www.microsoft.com/windowspho...dule-world.aspx

Optus customers, good news. The March update has been scheduled for delivery, so expect all that copy-and-paste goodness and those general OS and app improvements to hit your Optimus 7 and OMNIA 7 within days.


Thursday, April 21, 2011

Purchase an HTC HD7 In Australia, Get a Return Flight and Xbox 360 Goodies

Posted by Darius Wey in "Windows Phone Events" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.windowsphoneflightoffer....m.au/index.html

Aussies, if you've been putting off that HTC HD7 purchase, there's no better time to pick one up than now. Why? Because there are freebies to be had. No, we're not talking a mediocre case or headset. Instead, how does a return flight to one of thirty-three destinations in Australia sound? And on top of that, two Xbox 360 games (Halo Reach and Kinect Joy Ride) or 3000 Microsoft Points. Just make that purchase before the end of May and redeem those offers before early June and they're yours. We're not sure what's induced this huge act of generosity from the folks at Microsoft Australia, but whatever the cause, we give it nothing but two thumbs-up.


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

February Update Roll-Out Begins for Telstra Customers

Posted by Darius Wey in "Windows Phone Software" @ 03:00 PM

So, without a doubt, the update process for Windows Phone 7 has been anything but fast and fluid for most users. Case in point, Telstra customers in Australia who, only yesterday, started receiving the February update notification on the HTC 7 Mozart and LG Optimus 7Q. Yes, we know what you're thinking -- the February update in April. A whole two months later. But as they say, better late than never. The March update, which delivers copy-and-paste, is supposedly arriving later this month, and when it does, we'll let you know about it. Of course, if you're rocking the recently-released HTC HD7, you already have both updates, so that game they call the waiting game is not yours to be played.


Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Telstra Launches the HTC HD7

Posted by Darius Wey in "HTC Windows Phones" @ 08:45 PM

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttels...-smartphone.xml

"Telstra today joined with HTC Corporation and Microsoft to launch the HTC HD7 smartphone - the latest Windows Phone 7 to arrive in Australia, which will be available from March 29 exclusively on the Telstra Next G network. The HTC HD7 embodies a stand‐out design with a large 4.3" high-resolution screen and flipout kickstand for an epic viewing experience. The handset is perfect for customers looking for the ultimate multimedia experience, from interactive gaming to the 720p HD camcorder that allows high definition capture and playback. The HTC HD7 has a simple, easy to use interface and access to a range of fun and useful applications that all perform brilliantly on the large screen."

If you avoided the Mozart because you decided to patiently wait for Telstra to deliver the HD7, your time has come. From March 29, the long-awaited device with the big 4.3" screen will be available at a RRP of $768 AUD, either outright or on a contract of your choosing, both online and direct from Telstra stores and partner stores.


Monday, October 18, 2010

Old Spice Guy Doing Windows Phone 7 Teasers?

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Talk" @ 10:00 PM

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20...artedsomething)

"Look at your phone. Now back to me. Now back to your phone. Now back to me. Sadly, your phone isn't a Windows Phone 7 but starting from next week it could be. An obscure YouTube video featuring Isaiah Mustafa of Old Spice Guy fame tweeted by Microsoft Australia employees is apparently the internal teaser to an Australian marketing campaign for Windows Phone 7 down under, most likely to coincide with the availability of WP7 devices on October 21."

Clever to use someone that has a high degree of "Hey, I know that guy from those commercials!", but I personally found the video to be completely uninspired and lacking, well, everything. Goes to show you that a good ad campaign takes great writing, directing, set design, special effects, and acting. The actor can't do it all alone!


Thursday, September 16, 2010

Australia's Telstra Shows Off their Customized Hub for Windows Phone 7

Posted by Jason Dunn in "Windows Phone Mobile Operators" @ 09:18 AM

http://exchange.telstra.com.au/2010...-first-glimpse/

"A couple of weeks back thousands of software developers converged on the Gold Coast for Microsoft's annual technical education conference, Tech.Ed 2010. It was a chance for technology people to get their first look at Windows Phone 7 - Microsoft's new operating system for mobile phones. We also took the opportunity to preview our TelstraOne hub which will appear on Telstra's range of Windows Phone 7 smartphones later this year. The app, which is in the final stages of development, will provide our customers with fast, simple and graphic-rich access to unmetered news, weather and sport content."

If you've been curious how carriers will customize Windows Phone 7, wonder no more - they'll be getting their own hub. Personally, I think this is brilliant: from the looks of it, everything the carrier wants to add is integrated into a single hub, not splattered all over the device like we've seen with previous versions of Windows Phone. Although carrier customizations are rarely at the top of anyone's "must have" list, I understand the carrier's need to get their brand and services on the phone - if they're all inside one tile, that's just fine by me!


Monday, July 13, 2009

Telstra Snags a Duo for Australia: HTC Touch Pro2 and LG GM730f

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Hardware" @ 08:55 PM

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttels...?ObjectID=45185

"The new arrivals include the world-first launch of the LG GM730f - which is upgradeable to Windows Mobile® 6.5 later this year - as well as the LG Xenon, both exclusive to Telstra. Two further new additions include the TelstraOne Experience user interface from Sony Ericsson and the HTC Touch Pro2 smartphone for professionals."

Telstra has announced that the HTC Touch Pro2 and LG GM730f will be available from July 21 and July 28 respectively. You probably already know all there is to know about the Touch Pro2. The GM730f, on the other hand, is somewhat of an unknown. It boasts 7.2 Mbps HSDPA support (though, still well under the Next G network's current speed of 21 Mbps, and the eventual 42 Mbps slated for later in the year), a 3.0-inch touch screen, a 5.0-megapixel camera, LG's S-Class UI, and upgradeability to Windows Mobile 6.5. It'll set you back $0 on a plan over 24 months, or $979 AUD outright.


Monday, February 16, 2009

Telstra Pumps Out World's Fastest Mobile Broadband Network

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 09:15 PM

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttels...?ObjectID=44387

"Telstra today launched the world's fastest mobile broadband service, ushering in a new era in real-time mobile communications that will bring major benefits to customers, innovation and business productivity. The CEOs of Telstra, Ericsson, Qualcomm and Sierra Wireless jointly announced a new 21Mbps peak rated mobile broadband modem, Telstra Turbo 21, would be available to customers on Telstra's supercharged HSPA+ network, the Next G network, on 23 February. Peak network speeds will increase to 42Mbps later this year."

Australia's largest carrier, Telstra, has kicked its Next G (3G) network up a notch to 21 Mbps, earning the title of the world's fastest national mobile broadband network from the folks at Guinness World Records. And it's set to increase to 42 Mbps later this year. One can only hope we'll see more mobile phones that, put simply, will take advantage of such a mind-boggling amount of pure "awesomeness", because the last time we checked, they were few and far between.


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Vodafone and 3 Set to Merge In Australia

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 07:42 PM

http://www.australianit.news.com.au...5-15306,00.html

"Tough economic times have triggered an upheaval in Australia's $13 billion a year mobile sector with its number three and four players Vodafone Australia and Hutchison "3" forced into merger... The new group, to be named VHA Pty Ltd, will have more than 6 million customers and sell products and services under the Vodafone brand. The deal also appears to signal the death knell of the 3 brand in Australia with Vodafone being earmarked as the new venture's main brand."

Uncertain times have forced Australia's third and fourth largest carriers, Vodafone and 3, into merger. The two operate in all major centres and select rural areas across the country, and currently carry many of HTC's and Samsung's Windows Mobile devices, including the Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, Omnia, i600, and i780. It's expected that once the merger is complete, all products and services will sell under the Vodafone brand, with pricing expected to change in an attempt to take aim at Australia's second largest carrier, Optus.


Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Google Maps 2.3 Brings Street View to Windows Mobile

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 12:00 PM

http://google.com/gmm

"We're excited to announce the availability of Google Maps for mobile version 2.3 with Street View on Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile. Street View was previously released on Google Maps for Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone. Street View lets you access street level imagery to help orient yourself when looking for places, businesses, or getting directions. Say you're going to meet with friends at an unfamiliar restaurant. Now you can search for it in Google Maps for mobile, click on "Street View", and see what the place and surrounding area look like. Similarly, say you need to get to a shop in a part of town you don't know. Find it using your phone, get directions to it, and see how to get there with full-screen panorama images of every step along the way."

Google Maps 2.3 has arrived, but this release is more than just a bunch of bug fixes. It includes walking directions, transit alerts, POI reviews, and Street View support, so you can take the sights of the United States, Australia, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Spain with you wherever you go. It's a free download from google.com/gmm.


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Australian Carriers Embrace Samsung Omnia

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Talk" @ 02:00 PM

Omnia fever has hit Australia. Bus stops, billboards, newspapers... pick one and there's a good chance an Omnia ad is plastered all over it. Take, for example, an ad in today's paper that caught my eye; it advertised the availability of the Omnia on Optus for a mere $0 on a $49 cap plan. Other carriers such as Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, and 3 are also selling the device on similar plans. And then there are the usual online and brick & mortar stores that sell the device standalone. One thing's for certain: with this widespread availability and constant advertising, Samsung is doing their best to give residents of the country with the highest number of authorized iPhone carriers something else to talk about.


Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Live Mesh for Windows Mobile Surfaces at Tech.Ed Australia

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC Software" @ 02:10 AM

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20...-client-teased/

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. Indeed, that's e.aspx">Live Mesh for Windows Mobile running on a Palm Treo Pro. And there's word coming out of Tech.Ed Australia (where the aforementioned was demoed) that it will soon be available for public consumption. Any Live Mesh users here looking forward to this?


Thursday, May 22, 2008

Spb Online Shell Showcased, Set to Appear in Australia Soon

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 03:45 AM

http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/abo...8/may21.html?en

"Today at CeBIT Australia, Spb Software House, a leading mobile applications vendor, showcased Spb Online Shell — a practical on-device access point to online multimedia content and services. Spb Online Shell will help mobile network operators deliver improved content experiences to subscribers. Spb Online Shell is an elegant content discovery solution that makes it possible to bring online radio, TV, video-on-demand, weather, gaming, music, and shopping directly to subscribers using Windows Mobile handsets. Set to reinvigorate user enthusiasm for mobile entertainment and data, Spb Online Shell is an easy to use and engaging single entry portal for online services and payments. It is designed to strictly adhere to, and enhance, a carrier's unique identity and brand. Sebastian-J Schmidt, CEO, Spb Software, said: "The demand for mobile services is strong throughout the world. In Australia, we're now actively seeking partnerships with innovative mobile carriers, and believe that Spb Online Shell will resonate well here, since Australia is an early adopter of 3G and streaming content for mobile devices." Spb Online Shell uses the engine of Spb Mobile Shell, an application that has been recognized by dozens of respected mobility experts around the world as the user interface improver, which reignites interest in Windows Mobile and changes the device experience completely."



Interesting! I'll keep a close eye on the mobile market here in Oz and let you all know just how much of an impact Spb Online Shell makes.


Monday, April 28, 2008

Australia Bids Farewell to CDMA

Posted by Darius Wey in "Pocket PC News" @ 06:00 AM

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttels...?ObjectID=42298

"Telstra Country Wide Director, Gary Goldsworthy, today confirmed that the old CDMA mobile network would shut down across the country at midnight tonight, closing a significant chapter in the history of telecommunications in Australia. "At midnight tonight Telstra will commence the carefully planned closure of the redundant CDMA mobile network. Today really is the last chance for remaining CDMA customers to move across to a new mobile network, such as the Telstra Next G™ network, and remain connected" Mr Goldsworthy said. "CDMA technology has served Australia well over the years but has now been superseded by more advanced third generation mobile technology such as the Telstra Next G™ network, which carries about 7.5 times the data carried on the CDMA network at its peak."



CDMA coverage in Australia will be axed at midnight, starting from the east coast and progressing toward the west coast in accordance with local time zones. Telstra has been at it for two years, urging CDMA customers via letter, phone, and SMS to make the switch over to Next G. But this has been much to the discontent of a handful of rural customers, primarily due to concerns that the UMTS/HSDPA network suffers from poorer coverage in remote areas of the country. Like it or not, however - the clock is ticking. Any Australian readers here happy/unhappy about this?


Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...

Reviews & Articles

Loading feed...

News

Loading feed...