The Umbilical Brothers and So You Thing You Can Dance dancer Kate Wormald were at Tuesday’s Panasonic B.I.G event.
Tech Wired was there to capture it for you:
The Umbilical Brothers:
The Umbilical Brothers – Panasonic B.I.G Event from Ben Grubb on Vimeo.
So You Think You Can Dance
So You Think You Can Dance – Panasonic B.I.G Event from Ben Grubb on Vimeo
- Panasonic Australia hold ‘BIG Event’
- Reveal their latest VIERA Plasma TVs alongside a bunch of celebrities
- Showcase some of the thinnest plasmas around
Photos:
Panasonic yesterday announced eleven new models to its new range of VIERA Plasma TVs.
Coined NeoPDP (Next Generation Plasma Display Panels), Panasonic yesterday revealed its newest range of VIERA plasma TVs on Sydney’s Cockatoo island.
The host for the event was the SBS RockWiz host, Julia Zemiro.
Other special guests included The Umbilical Brothers and a So You Think You Can Dance dancer, Kate Wormald.
Calling its new technology “Built-in Genius”, Panasonic launched eleven new Plasma TVs alongside some of the coolest wireless technology Tech Wired has seen integrated into the home theatre.
Some of that new technology included a demonstration of what’s to come, with Panasonic readying itself for the launch of its first 54 and 50 inch 1-inch and 2-inch thick ultra-thin and super-thin wireless 1080p Full HD Plasmas (now that’s a mouthful).
Both models, the Z1 and V10, are set to hit the market by August for the V10, and September for the Z1.
Ranging from $1,849 for the 42-inch HD 720p, right through to their $3,799 50-inch Full HD 1080p set-up.
Panasonic have tried to make a plasma suited for everyone.
The pricing for the ultra and super-thin plasmas remains unknown, but it’s a sure bet that it’ll have to cost more than $3,799 model.
Some cool new wireless technology was also showcased by Panasonic. Using the 600Hz spectrum to transmit crystal clear video in Full 1080p High Definition from any HDMI output using Panasonic’s wireless transmitter was one of them.
Such transmitter allows a cable free zone. The transmitter supposedly works up to 10 metres away from your TV.
Panasonic demonstrated that if you walk in front of the transmitter, or receiver, it doesn’t affect the image quality.
Whilst the rest of the journos went on a tour, Pete Blasina, myself, and others decided we would attempt to find ways of distorting the quality of the signal.
It was truly unbelievable to us that such a clear picture was being shown without cables.
Eventually the video transmission did distort, but only when the receiver was placed behind us, blocking any potential signal from being transmitted to the TVs receiver.
So what do the Next Generation Plasma Display Panels do differently than their soon to be extinct 2008 models?
Well, Panasonic claims that their 2009 range adds “fundamental improvements in materials and processes, discharge gas and cell design, and circuit and drive technology.”
Just what this means is another thing, though one example given was that they have now reduced power consumption by 50% in some cases, often with better results too!
Other wireless technologies included in their new demonstration included the SC-ZT1, their first fully wireless home theater sound system.
Once again it also does away with cables and uses the unlicensed 2.4Ghz wireless spectrum.
The speakers, with built in subs, look very sexy, almost to the point of being pole dance worthy.They are long circular beams that look like they are from space, so may not work with all living rooms.
And lastly, Panasonic gave us a peak at one of their prototypes in the making, an 8.8mm ultra-thin panel:
Sexy screen is sexy
With the launch of their new energy wise website (www.panasonic.com.au/energy-wise/) to allow consumer to choose what they believe is suitable to the environment, big improvements to picture quality and power consumption, and a great deal of choice, I think Panasonic have a great 2009 line-up to choose from.
We’ll bring you some video footage later.
The question I’m constantly pondering with others these days is whether online advertising can work, and whether it can work for the advertiser as well as the publisher.
The simple answer is yes, but I think the long answer is how it can be done.
Obviously traditional media, of whom are slowly moving online, are able to secure their advertisers from an existing customer base.
With niche bloggers I think it’s a completely different story.
Do bloggers need to hire sales people to go out and pitch their publication to companies?
I think they certainly need someone to go out with a positive attitude and do exactly that; it may even be themselves.
From what I’m starting to hear from the likes of Garry Vaynerchuk and others, pitching seems like the only way to go.
I guess in economic times like now, with advertising budgets usually the first thing to get the chop, it’s all about convincing the brands why they need to advertise with you.
With events in Sydney like Social Media Club, Mumbrella Masterclass, and others, many of the decision makers in business are attending such events and beginning to understand that having an online presence, keeping as transparent as possible, using the tools available, and using them properly, is crucial if they want to keep up with where the eyeballs are going.
Now some PR agencies with large marketing budgets usually put their money into the big media brands.
They put in their reports, say they reached X many eyeballs, at X publication, in X category, on X website, and that’s it.
The company who hired them is happy, the marketing agency is happy, and the product/service hopefully sells.
The one problem I have with this strategy is the Return on Investment (ROI).
I believe PR advertising budgets will soon start to consider ROI more as figures become harder to use wite-out on.
ROI is is crucial if you have a small PR marketing budget that needs to reach the right eyes.
With the Internet enabling advertisers to measure how successfully an online campaign is, I believe they should leverage their marketing budgets appropriately.
The other thing advertisers need to understand is that the CPC (Cost Per Click) model is not enticing to a publisher at all.
Just because an advertisement is not clicked doesn’t mean someone didn’t pay attention to it and then googled the product later because of that advertisement.
The CPM (Cost Per Thousand) model is now where it’s at.
There are so many niche websites on the web, with perhaps a small audience, that can offer you, as an advertiser, a far better ROI.
To give an example of ROI on an advertising campaign, I recently heard of a local publisher advertising a service that was incredibly niche to what it wrote about.
The advertisement ran for one month on the website and delivered more than 100 emails to the advertiser, of which lead to over 5 leads and 1 successful business deal. How’s about that for a successfully campaign!
So getting back to the point of this post.
- PR agencies need to focus on ROI when it comes to their marketing budget.
- Bloggers needs to work harder in convincing PR agencies that they can offer a far better audience.
- The company that hires the PR agency needs to keep an eye on ‘em to see if the campaign is successfully working!
Relevant advertising works people!
- Government puts out request for potential tenders for a lead advisory role in the NBN implementation
- It consists of a two-stage selection process
- Role may go to a consortium of companies or people
Late Friday afternoon saw government tender documents released for a lead advisory role for the National Broadband Network (NBN) implementation study.
The documents, put forward by the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), are a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) for the provision of lead advisory services relating to the implementation study.
The purpose of the REOI, consisting of 39 pages, is to compile a shortlist of respondents who are “able to demonstrate their ability to provide the required services to the required standard.”
Once respondents are shortlisted they will then be invited to participate in the Request for Tender (RFT) process.
The DBCDE has outlined in the documents that only those with “relevant experience” in lead advisory services will be considered.
“Only Respondents with relevant experience and expertise in providing Lead Advisory services relating to large complex transactions or projects, over a tight timeframe should respond,” the document stated.
The closing date for expressions of willingness to tender to the advisory role is May 19th, with the government hoping to finalise those who expressed their tender by June 16th.
“It is envisaged that the successful Tenderers(s) will commence work on the NBN implementation study immediately after the selection process is completed, subject to the conclusion of suitable contractual arrangements with the Department.”
“Responses to the REOI will be evaluated to compile a shortlist of prospective service providers able to demonstrate that they have the capability to perform the required tasks.”
In conducting the evaluation of EOIs the government has stated that the following criteria will be assessed:
- Service delivery and management;
- capability;
- capacity;
- probity and accountability;
- and financial viability.
It has also been made clear that the DBCDE may not just hire one person or company, stating in its request that multiple tenders may apply as one.
Just who is applying remains unknown, and whether the government will remain “open and transparent” in the RFT process is also unknown.
- Internode announce 3G Broadband service
- Pricing plans announced
- “Data blocks” available for topping up service
Update: It is unknown what happens to your connection once you exceed your limit. Tech Wired is currently investigating this with Internode.
Update2: Internode product manager Jim Kellett has said that once you hit your data quota, you are redirected to a “captive portal” that allows you to order data blocks to increase your quota.
Coined NodeMobile, Internode will tomorrow launch its 3G wireless broadband data service that will allow customers to access the Internode network using existing Optus infrastructure.
The new service, delivered via the Optus 3G wireless broadband network, is able to be accessed by customers using a SIM card and wireless data modem.
Internode product manager Jim Kellett said NodeMobile Data was part of Internode’s strategy of offering its customers greater convenience and connectivity.
“It’s about giving our customers wireless broadband with extensive national coverage in Australia,” he said.
“While our first NodeMobile-Data plans provide mobile broadband with a dynamic IP address, over time we intend to develop a wider range of business-focused applications such as a static IP backup for Business ADSL and various types of connectivity to our Internode Business Connect private IP service.”
What’s the Cost?
Internode has announced two data plans, A 250-megabyte (MB) plan costing $14.95 a month and a three gigabyte (GB) plan for $39.95 a month.
Customers who sign up on to the 24-month plan will recieve the Internode branded USB dongle free, otherwise it will cost them $199 unless they wish to BYO their own compatible 3G device, for an establishment fee of $25 (including the SIM).
Unfortunately data quotas include both downstream and upstream data flows and there is no ‘unmetering’ or ‘shaping’ offered, though this is fairly normal in the 3G broadband scene.
Top up with “data blocks”
The NodeMobile Data service will also provide customers with the ability to buy “data blocks” above their monthly quota at the effective rate of four cents per megabyte, which Internode says is below typical market rates
Internode has said that the data blocks will ensure that customers don’t receive any “nasty surprises” in the form of large post-billed excess data charges.
Charges for data blocks are $10 for 250 MB; $20 for 500 MB; and $40 for 1 GB.
Click here to download the interview
Tech Wired Australia interviews Peter Black, a law lecturer at the Queensland’s University of Technology.
We discuss the three year legal battle between IceTV and the Nine Network.
Peter voices his opinion at http://www.freedomtodiffer.com/
You can read his blog post on the case here.
The Queensland Government have partnered with Unisys to provide Queensland Transport with Australia’s first Biometric Drivers licence.
Currently the Queensland Government provides a laminated licence to the 3 million license holders in Queensland; it looks like this:
Judy Oswin, the Land, Transport and Safety Executive Director of Queensland Transport said that the new licenses would deliver a more secure form of driver license documentation.
“We have used the laminated licence design in Queensland for over 20 years. The new digital licence will deliver a more secure form of driver licence documentation for Queenslanders as it is harder to forge or alter. As a result it will help reduce the risk of identity theft to Queensland licence holders and give them greater confidence that their personal licence information is being kept secure. It will also enable Queensland Transport to deliver services in a more convenient manner as licence holders will be able to use a card reader or the Queensland Transport website to view, update and transact on their licence and registration themselves,”
“Queensland is the Smart State and the move to digital products will set a new national benchmark in biometric and smartcard based driver licences across the country,” Ms Oswin said.
The new system will provide facial image processing technology allowing for extra security.
Unisys have said that they won’t be supplying the digital card itself but supplying the technology behind it.
The “solution” includes approximately 370 purpose-built image capture devices which will incorporate a camera and lights built into each unit, used to capture digital biometric facial images that are subsequently embedded into a computer chip in the smartcard.
Front counter devices, used at most Queensland Transport customer service centres, some Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) offices and police stations in rural and remote areas, will have access to these facilities.
Unisys will also be providing the training required for Queensland Transport staff in facial image capture operation.
As Queensland driver licences are valid for up to five years, it’ll take approximately five years for the digital licences to be rolled out to all licence holders.
Allen Koehn, Managing Partner of Unisys Asia Pacific said they were delighted to bring their technology to the Queensland Government.
“We are delighted to assist the Queensland Government to introduce Australia’s first biometric supported driver licence, which will put Queenslanders at the forefront of secure smartcard-based licence registration.”
Julian Persaud, Head of Online at Google Australia has posted an offer of $75 worth of free AdWords.
“At Google, we want to help propel the Australian digital economy. Encouraging more Australian businesses to connect with customers online is a major part of that vision.”
“In the current economic climate, more Australians than ever before are heading online to research products and services, with search engines central to online navigation, research and comparison shopping.”
You can claim you free $75 worth of Adwords @ https://services.google.com/fb/forms/stimulusoffer/
This article is continuously being updated
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced that Optus will participate in the Australian Government’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) filtering pilot.
Senator Stephen Conroy outlined the process as being evidence-based.
“The participation of Optus will help ensure the Government obtains robust results from the pilot, which will inform the evidence-based development of our ISP filtering policy.”
This news comes after iiNet withdrew from the trial process.
Optus have released Q & A info on their website.
Tech Wired have been given the following information:
Gary Smith, General Manager of Regulatory Compliance at Optus said:
- Optus has been accepted into the Governments’ ISP filtering Pilot, due to begin on 22 May 2009.
- The trial will last for approximately six weeks.
- An area covering Sydney/Newcastle will be used for the trial.
- Residential customers in the chosen area will be eligible to participate.
- Customers can opt-out of the trial, even after it starts.
- Communication via email to customers will be issued from 22 April, 2009.
- Optus is participating in order to accurately gauge the effectiveness of filtering and the impact on its network, including download speeds and customer experience.
- Participation will be strictly limited to filtering ONLY the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) blacklist which contains URLs of prohibited content.
Maha Krishnapillai Director of Government and Corporate Affairs at Optus said:
“Optus has always been a strong advocate of promoting the safety and wellbeing of our customers online, in particular families.
Our participation in the ISP filter pilot is further proof of our commitment to explore ways in which Optus can contribute to the protection of families, and their safe use of the internet.
We are looking forward to working with Government on this initiative, and to better understand the implications of internet filtering.
Additionally, as an IIA accredited Family Friendly ISP, Optus informs customers of how they can obtain a content filter which they can download onto their home computer.
The telecommunications industry must be able to demonstrate that using the internet can be as easy, safe and secure as possible – especially for families using the internet to live, work and play.
Optus believes the best way to accurately gauge the impact that this type of filtering may have on our network -including download speeds and customer experience – is to play a proactive role in the pilot.”
UPDATE: The High Court of Australia has released its decision publicly.
The High Court of Australia today ruled in favour of IceTV in what has been a three year legal battle with the Nine Network.
It all began in May 2006 with the Nine Network alleging IceTV were infringing their copyright by using their Electronic Program Guide (EPG) without permission.
August 2007 saw IceTV defend the allegations and win; This was then overturned in May 2008.
Six months after the appeal was heard by the High Court and 3 years since the case originally began the High Court has today in Canberra, allowed IceTV’s appeal from the decision of the Federal Court.
In an offcial statement IceTV’s Chairman and major shareholder, Mr. Colin O’Brien, said IceTV was looking forward to a successful future.
“I would like to thank all our shareholders, our staff, our customers and our business partners. Without their support during the last three years IceTV would not have survived. IceTV now looks forward to a successful future bringing both Free-To-Air TV and content via various partners to viewers in a way that satisfies viewer demand, whilst embracing the future of digital Free-To-Air television in Australia.”
Via IceTV News
