TECHNOLOGY

Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX:TLS), Australia's biggest telecommunications company, will make an accounting gain of up to $150 million on an agreement to restructure its troubled 50:50 Hong Kong joint venture Reach.

A new survey by Testra has shown that grammar is back in fashion amongst Australian's as 50% of those polled find it objectionable receiving SMS that include abbreviations or emoticons, with 'totes' (totally), '4COL' (for crying out loud) and 'wut' (what) topping the no-go list.

Apple has announced that download from its iconic App store breached 10 billion apps by the more than 160 million iPhone, iPod touch and iPad users across the globe. The 10 billionth app downloaded, Paper Glider, was purchased by Gail Davis of Orpington, Kent, UK. As the winner of the App Store Countdown to 10 Billion Apps, Gail Davis will receive a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card.

The Digital Economy and Broadband Application missiono organized by the Australian Trade Commission - Austrade - to Japan, South Korea and Singapore late last year, has shown that opportunities for Australian ICT's abound in Asia.

Media and telecommunication companies are embracing the new digital technologies and giving consumers wider data allowances, mobile caps and pricing, together with internet and VoIP bundling and "smart phone" features on their home handsets. The competition has indeed benefited consumers.

NBN Co has awarded three equipment contracts worth over $1.6 billion to Australian located companies to supply passive network infrastructure to build the national broadband network during the next five years.

By Tim Conneally, BetanewsWeb retailer Amazon.com has released a few end of the year lists that show what people were buying in 2010. Among its "holiday hot sellers" list, Amazon said Smith Micro's Anime Studio Debut 7 and Manga Studio Debut 4 were two pieces of software that were given the most as gifts, along with Adobe Photoshop Elements 9. When looking at the rising tide of app store-based software distribution, the popularity of netbooks and ultra slim PCs with no optical drives, and the hype surrounding smartphones, tablets, and Web terminals like Google's Chrome OS, boxed software like these would appear to be under serious threat of extinction. But good old fashioned boxed software serves a major purpose and has a specific group of consumers to whom it appeals. "Many Customers see value in something tangible. Something that [they] can touch and feel," said Steve Yatson, Senior Director of Productivity & Graphics in Smith Micro's Consumer Division. "I don't see that going away anytime soon." Though Amazon was a major driver of sales of Smith Micro's Debut versions of Anime Studio 7 and Manga Studio 4, the company's software is selling just as well in physical outlets like Target and Best Buy."I would hesistate to say that one or the other is the best," Yatson continued. "Both brick and mortar and Online have their merits." For one thing, that famous quality of "shelf appeal" is actually a powerful sales tool. A 2009 study from Ohio State and Illinois State University showed that consumers are far more likely to buy products they've pulled down from a store shelf and handled."The 'display factor' as I call it is something that requires a box," Yatson said. "We take a great deal of time with our packaging. The images we use to represent the power and versatility of our graphics applications on that packaging are critical."This helps reach a broader range of consumers. After all, the methods of discovery online do not work for everyone, and users who are likely to download a piece of software may not be the same people who would buy it in a retail store."We reach a different customer in a retail location as opposed to online. There's a great deal of visibility for both the product and the Smith Micro brand in retail," Yatson told Betanews today. "Having an attractive package on a retail shelf presents the opportunity to make an impression on a customer that may just be browsing and may not be familiar with our products or Smith Micro as a company." Finally, there's the Christmas factor. You can wrap a boxed piece of software for a gift; and as anyone who grew up in the era when all consumer software was distributed on floppy disks will tell you, certain kids are thrilled to get software as a gift. "We're seeing more parents and grandparents gifting our Debut products than ever before," Yatson concluded. "Anime Studio Debut, for example, is less expensive than the average video game. There's something satisfying about giving a child something educational, something that helps them grow or learn a skill such as animation."Copyright Betanews, Inc. 2010

Julian Assange will receive $1.5 million for autobiography.

The three most popular social media sites in Australia -- Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter -- are all offering new services with a business focus.

Small business operators in Australia are currently clueless on the beneficial dynamics of online advertising and most are out of touch on effective ways to virtually connect with potential customers.

Wholesale telecoms carriers have a significant opportunity for growth by delivering managed services, according to an independent market analyst firm.

"World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" is now on sale in stores.

Doug Campbell has advised that he will be leaving the National Broadband Network team for personal reasons and retiring at the end of the year.

Blizzard Entertainment announced that it will be supporting a number of retail location with "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" launching tomorrow.

Australian authorities are reminding consumers that online safety should never take a holiday while Internet shopping during the festive season. The warning comes as shopping online, especially for products from the US, has never been more attractive in the lead up to Christmas while consumers seek out bargains due to the strong Australian dollar.

PayPal indicates that 2010 will be the biggest Christmas yet for Australian online retailers.

Volkswagen Polo bagged Carsguide Best Green Car Award, narrowly beating the Aussie built, Toyota Camry Hybrid.

More than half of Australian businesses believe the national broadband network (NBN) will improve the way they do business, according to new research commissioned by Macquarie Telecom (ASX: MAQ).

Former US President George W. Bush is set to discuss "Decision Points" and have a Q & A with Facebook users tomorrow.

Jeff Bridges thinks that technology is developing too fast and ethics is yet to keep pace with its progress,

Oprah's 'Ultimate Australian Adventure' forges new partnership with Australian telco Telstra.

Microsoft issued another warning for Australians to be wary of a phone scam.

National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) has confirmed it experienced a major IT outage resulting in payments made overnight not appearing in potentially "millions" of customers' accounts.

World of Warcraft's The Shattering of Azeroth is now live.

Amazon.com has launched its Black Friday Deals.

David Beckham speaks against online bullying on Facebook.

Amazon.com launched a new iPhone app for price comparison in time for 2010 Black Friday sales.

Australian wireless broadband services provider BigAir Group Ltd (ASX: BGL) says it intends to make an off-market takeover bid for rival Clever Communications Australia Ltd (ASX: CVA).

Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) has extended its infrastructure outsourcing relationship with IBM for another five years. The bank's initial contract with IBM was signed 10 years ago for an initial total value of $2.3 billion.