(Credit: Apple)

Customers interested in grabbing an Optus SIM for their iPad can now select a new 12-month expiry plan on a 15GB allowance for AU$130. Recharges of AU$80 and AU$100 now have six-month expiry periods, with allowances of 8GB and 10GB respectively. Interestingly, the 10GB allowance is actually lower than that previously given, down from 12GB.

To further entice shoppers to the Open Network, Optus will give away the first 500MB, bundling the data with a $0 SIM card available from Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, Apple, David Jones and Myer. This data has a 20-day expiry.

Optus' prepaid iPad 2 plan prices are listed below. The "up to" phrasing on the data quotas refers to the fact that the company charges data downloads in 10MB increments and includes both uploads and downloads. However, Optus will charge the first 30MB per day that customers use as 10MB.

(Credit: Optus)

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The Apple iPad 2 comes in a choice of black or white and starts at AU$579(Credit: Apple)

The top-of-the-line iPad 2, with 64GB of storage space and an on-board 3G mobile broadband connection will go for AU$949, and prices will scale down to AU$839 and AU$729 for the 32GB and 16GB 3G models respectively. The Wi-Fi only version of the iPad 2 will sell for AU$799 for the 64GB model, AU$689 for the 32GB model and AU$579 for the 16Gb model.

The prices are not too dissimilar from the cost of the same devices in the United States, with most models increasing in price by less than $100.

Apple’s new iMovie and GarageBand apps for the iPad will be available through the company’s App Store, and will go for AU$5.99 each.

In addition, Apple will sell its iPad Smart Covers locally in a range of colours for AU$45 for the polyurethane model, or leather for AU$79.

When the first iPad went on sale in Australia in May last year, hundreds of Apple fans around the nation braved a cold night on city streets to line up outside Apple stores to be one of the first to buy one of the Apple tablets. Apple scheduled the launch of its new Bondi Junction store in Sydney to coincide with the launch on the morning of May 28 2010.

This year, Apple fans will also be able to pre-order the iPad online before the physical stores open - from 1AM on Friday 25th.

Australia’s cadre of mobile telcos don’t sell the iPad directly, unlike the iPhone, but they do sell prepaid 3G plans for the device. Telstra recently said that more than 100,000 iPads had been connected to its Next G network, and the company will maintain its pre-existing pricing options when the iPad 2 launches.

The iPad 2 represents a substantial upgrade to the original iPad. The new features include a design that is 33 percent thinner than the original model, coming in at 8.8mm thick, and a lighter weight, with the Wi-Fi version of the iPad coming in at 601g compared to 680g, and the 3G version at just over 600g, compared with 730g for the old model. White and black models are available; both feature a silver back.

Apple has also updated the CPU for the iPad 2, with the new Apple-produced A5 processor retaining the same speed rating (1GHz), but adding a second core to bring the iPad up to speed with an incoming wave of devices based on Google’s Android platform which utilise NVIDIA’s dual-core Tegra architecture.

Like the iPhone, the iPad now comes with both front and rear-facing cameras, meaning the device is now capable of using Apple’s FaceTime videoconferencing application, and the rear camera can record 720p video at 30 frames per second. Apple has produced an optional a HDMI output adaptor which can export both a clone of the iPad screen and 1080p video to your television.

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IDC noted in a statement that HP captured some 22 per cent of the Australian market for PCs and laptops in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2010. That figure was 7 per cent ahead of number two player Acer, which sat at 15 per cent. Acer was just 1 per cent ahead of Dell, which took out third place in the quarter with 14 per cent of the market.

Apple had 11 per cent of the market in the period, with IDC market analyst Amy Cheah noting the company had managed to generate "healthy growth" with the introduction of its new 11-inch MacBook Air laptop. Toshiba came in fifth place with 10 per cent of the market. Others such as Asus and Lenovo fell out of the top five.

IDC noted that HP had regained its number one position from Acer in the consumer space, with Acer being unable to sustain the momentum it had gained locally in the previous quarter to September.

Most consumer-centric vendors such as Acer, Toshiba and Asus experienced weak consumer uptake and struggled to clear the backlog of stock in the channel following a strong quarter in Q3," said Cheah.

In general, IDC noted that the Australian PC market had grown in the quarter (14 per cent year-on-year), but faced a number of challenges. The firm noted that natural disasters such as floods were taking a toll on PC sales, as well as interest rate hikes and delays in the Federal Government's whole-of-government purchasing efforts.

"With the flood disasters in Queensland and other parts of Victoria and New South Wales seriously impacting the local coal mining industry, local businesses and consumer sentiment, IDC has called down its Q1 2011 forecast by 6 per cent to reflect an expected total shipment of 1.4 million units," the company wrote.

"However, as flood rebuilding accelerates in the second half of the calendar year, the PC market is expected to recover as insurance claims flow through and end users look to replace damaged/lost PCs."

HP likes being on top of the table (Credit: IDC)

Other factors slated to affect PC sales in Australia over the next while include the flaw in Intel's new Sandy Bridge chipset, which has seen many vendors being forced to push back their product refresh plans in 2011.

"Channel partners were also reluctant to take on more faulty systems and would rather wait till the fixed chipsets arrive as doubtful end users put off spending in fear of long-term complications," said Cheah.

"Nonetheless, Intel's quick turnaround time will be a relief to all as the fixed chipsets are expected to arrive in time for the June tax rush period before the end of financial year."

In addition, it remains unclear what impact the incoming flood of tablet devices such as the Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab and Motorola Xoom will have on the PC market.

"Although the majority of media tablets are currently embraced as complementary devices, these devices are eating into consumers' share of wallet," IDC said.

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Are you passing the point of Apple no return? (Apple image, by John Loo, CC2.0)

For a few moments, we were elated.

But minutes after Jobs' presentation finished, the cynicism set in as publications started to tally up precisely what was new. And that tally didn't weigh in Apple's favour. With no iPhone 4 style 'Retina' screen, no multiple form factors, no real software upgrade or user interface overhaul and few extra ports, it's not hard to see why much of the initial reaction to the iPad 2 has been a collective, global "meh".

So here are five reasons why Australians, specifically, shouldn't buy the iPad 2.

1. It's the same as the old one

There's no doubt that Australians loved the first iPad. Analyst firm Telsyte believes some 400,000 of us would have been using a tablet of some sort by the end of 2010. With Telstra alone connecting some 100,000 iPads to its network so far, there's no doubt that the overwhelming majority of that 400,000 are iPads.

In other words, iPad hype reigned supreme in Australia last year, and the nation bought the device in droves. But as we've pointed out, the iPad 2 has no significant new features in comparison to the first iPad. So if you didn't buy the first iPad when it launched in Australia in mid-2010, why would you buy one now?

2. You don't need one

Common uses for the iPad include reading newspapers, magazines and books, browsing the internet, playing games and consuming multimedia such as movies, TV shows and music.

Well, here's a big, fat reality check: most of those functions are actually better performed in other ways. The overwhelming majority of Australia's newspapers and magazines are not available on the iPad. Meanwhile, Amazon's Kindle eBook store has a way bigger range than Apple's iBookstore, especially when it comes to those books actually available in Australia.

If you want to browse the internet on the move, why not do it on the iPhone, HTC Desire or BlackBerry that you already own? The same goes for listening to music. As for watching movies and TV on the road, if you want to stay legal and avoid BitTorrent, you had better buy a portable DVD player, as very few TV shows or movies are available for legal download on the iPad in Australia.

3. The competitive landscape is about to open up

Companies like Motorola, HTC, Samsung and LG have revealed great tablet devices similar to the iPad over the past month, and many of the tablets are expected to hit Australia in the middle of 2011, although some major companies like BlackBerry maker Research in Motion have not yet confirmed local launch dates for their offerings.

Some of the devices have fantastic features that the iPad doesn't have - especially when you factor in the ability for manufacturers to customise the Android platform being used by many. They also come in form factors that Apple doesn't provide, giving greater choice. In short, why would you buy an iPad 2, when we don't have the full picture yet on what tablets will be available in Australia? Hold off a few months and we'll know a lot more.

4. It costs too much

Even if you decide you definitely want a tablet device, why would you shell out the uber-dollars required to buy an iPad? Apple hasn't yet confirmed Australian pricing for the iPad 2, but if the US pricing model (where the price is the same) is applied down under, the cheapest price you'll get on an iPad 2 is $449 and that's for the low-end model, with just 16GB of storage and no 3G mobile broadband access.

For $269, by comparison, you can buy an Optus My Tab tablet, which provides many of the same functions as the iPad 2 - light browsing, email, reading and multimedia use - without being overpowered or overpriced. Better yet, it's a sturdy little beast that you can give to your kids to take to school or on holidays. If it breaks, the cost is not overwhelming to buy a new one.

If you just want the basics and a little more, why pay double for the iPad 2?

5. Apple fandom is so two years ago

Most of my friends belong to Australia's early technology adopters. They often buy the latest and greatest mobile phones, game consoles and games, PCs and laptops - and now, tablets - when they come out, because they want to be on the edge of the technology curve and are prepared to pay for the privilege.

Among this crowd, if you're an Apple fanboy with an iPhone, a MacBook Pro and an iPad, you're really just ... not cool. In fact, you're viewed as a bit of a conformist, the sort of person who would switch off their brain and be sucked into Steve Jobs' famous reality distortion field.

No, most of this crowd has switched their focus away from Apple over the past year as the Google Android platform has taken off in a big way. Why pay for Apple gear that is inherently limited to Jobs' personal specifications, many ask, when you can get the same hardware with more open software?

In mobile devices, Apple is becoming what Microsoft was in the late 1990s and early years of the 2000s - a monopolistic behemoth that controls its position in the market with an iron fist in a velvet glove. Do you really want to be an iClone?

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HP TouchPad (Credit: HP)

The TouchPad tablet, unveiled by HP in the US yesterday, is based on technology acquired with its buyout of handset specialist Palm last year and represents HP's attempt to take on Apple's iPad, utilising Palm's rival WebOS operating system. HP also launched several new phones in the Pre range, the Pre 3 and the Veer.

However, in a statement yesterday, HP Australia's public relations manager for its Personal Systems Group Brad Swiney made it clear that Australia was not on the early deployment list for the devices, which are slated to hit the US in mid-2011. "HP will not be launching these WebOS devices in Australia at the same time as the US and at this early stage cannot speculate on local pricing," Swiney said.

Palm never launched the Pre in Australia, preferring instead to focus throughout 2009 on countries in the Americas and Europe, such as the US, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Canada and Mexico. Despite this, some users in Australia had imported the handset due to what was seen as its innovative and open operating system.

"Specific region and country availability details have not yet been announced; however, HP will first be targeting markets where WebOS is currently available," said Swiney.

The news has the potential to severely limit HP's share of the mobile operating system market in Australia, as a number of other smartphone and tablet manufacturers are planning major launches in Australia over the next few months, not just Apple, which is expected to launch new versions of the iPhone and iPad this year, but also a raft of Asian manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung and LG, which all have next-generation devices in the works.

Research In Motion is also planning to launch its PlayBook tablet this year, although the company has not yet confirmed Australian launch plans.

The news comes as Telstra yesterday revealed just how popular Apple and Android smartphones and tablets had proven among its customer base. Responding to a question from a journalist, Telstra chief executive David Thodey said Telstra had sold some 400,000 Apple iPhones in the second half of 2010, and registered some 70,000 iPads. "New iPhones was 400,000," the CEO said. "And if you want to keep going, 290,000-something Android smartphones in the first half as well," he said.

Nexus S (Credit: Samsung)

"Vodafone can confirm the Nexus S will be available in Australia. Pricing and launch details to be announced soon," the company said on its Vodafone blog late last night. It noted that customers would be able to pre-register for interest in buying the Nexus S from 9am this morning. The revelation comes as Vodafone globally revealed the Nexus S would be launched in a total of 24 new countries worldwide.

Speculation has run rampant about whether the hyped handset would land in Australia ever since it was unveiled in early December last year. At the time, manufacturer Samsung would only say that it was excited at the prospect of bringing the device to Australia, and was reviewing its options on how to do so.

When it was first unveiled, the Google-branded Nexus S was hailed as the current top model in Android phones. However, since that time, a flood of new models from up to a dozen manufacturers have been announced at the CES tradefair in the United States.

In addition, a plethora of new high-end devices are expected to be unveiled next week at the Mobile World Congress conference in Barcelona. Telstra chief executive David Thodey is planning to attend the event, where the telco's partnership with HTC to launch its flagship Desire handset was unveiled in 2010.

The Nexus S has similar specifications to other high-end Android handsets currently on the market, such as the HTC Desire HD, also sold by VHA in Australia. It comes with a 4-inch WVGA, super AMOLED screen running at a resolution of 480x800 and using capacitive touch technology. It utilises a 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) CPU, and comes with 16GB of onboard memory, and a 5-megapixel back-facing camera, as well as a front-facing VGA camera for video calls.

However, unlike its competitors, the Nexus S runs the latest Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system, which adds features such as an updated user interface, support for near-field communication (used for mobile payment technology), and support for video calling and Google TV. It also features a slightly curved screen designed to fit to a users' head in a more comfortable fashion than the traditional flat screens of other mobile devices.

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(Credit: Vividwireless )

Wireless telco vividwireless has unveiled minor changes to its broadband plan range, boosting download quotas across the board and bundling voice services into its offering.

The company operates what it describes as the nation's first 4G wireless broadband network, which is based on the WiMax mobile standard, in comparison with the 3G/HSDPA wireless networks used in Australia by mobile telcos Telstra, Optus and VHA.

Vividwireless - a part of the Seven Group - initially launched in Perth in March 2010, but has since expanded to cover some areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra.

In a statement today, the company revealed it had allocated several gigabytes of extra download quota to its $35 and $49 monthly subscription plans, abolished its $99/40GB plan, and established a new 15GB plan for $55 a month, as well as making slight pricing changes (up and down) to other plans.

It's a similar situation with vividwireless' prepaid plans, which now have a $79/12GB plan included. The company's broadband and phone bundles range from $39 to $109, and come with varying amounts of data - from 8GB up to unlimited - as well as varying degrees of included phone calls. Most of the bundled plans, apart from the lowest $39 bundle, come with unlimited local and national calls.

Vividwireless chief executive Martin Mercer said the company's plans offered "some of the best value in the market" and had also started rewarding loyal customers, with the company reducing the minimum term commitment required to receive one of its modems.

Its $299 home gateway is now available for only $149 when customers sign up to a $49/12GB monthly plan for 12 months - and will cost customers nothing on a two-year plan of $49 per month or above.

The vividwireless USB modem, normally $69, will be provided free of charge when customers sign up for a one year or more plan at $35 per month or more, and the Wi-Fi hotspot device will be free on the same plan or above.

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In the first three months of 2010, just 2.1 per cent of smartphones shipped in Australia were based on the Android platform. But over the succeeding three months to the end of June, the percentage of Android shipments had more than trebled, reaching 7.1 per cent at the end of that period. Then in the three months to the end of September, Android's share of the smartphone market exploded again by up to 21 per cent.

According to IDC, the vendor that has the most to lose in the smartphone space is Nokia, which the analyst firm said has been number one in the local market since 2002, when it nudged Palm, now broadly considered a minor party in the smartphone wars, off its throne. Nokia primarily uses the Symbian operating system on its devices, also it is planning to bring its new Meego platform to market shortly.

Over the three months to the end of September, Apple for the first time overtook Nokia as the leader in Australia's smartphone space, IDC said, with more than a third (36.5 per cent) of all smartphones shipped locally in that period being iPhones. Nokia had a 30.5 per cent market share during the same period.

Android may be the next platform to knock Nokia down a notch - and next time it will be into third place.

A key factor in the growth of the Android platform is the number of handsets that have been launched by different vendors this year. Industry insiders commonly cite Telstra's exclusive introduction of the HTC Desire in April as the critical factor that vaulted Android to the forefront of Australia's consumers' minds, but rival vendors like Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG and soon Huawei have also launched high-end Android smartphones locally.

But much of the Android market share is being taken up by Taiwanese innovator HTC. "HTC saw a strong increase in shipments in Q3, with market share soaring to 8.9 per cent to take third place in the smartphone market, up from fifth place in Q2," said IDC telecommunications market analyst Mark Novosel.

Some of the Android vendors are now launching new versions of their existing high-end models, such as the HTC Desire HD, which recently went on sale through Vodafone. In comparison, Nokia has had relatively few high-profile launches, with one notable exception being its flagship N8.

"2011 will be a critical year in the Australian market," wrote Novosel in a statement. "Android will continue its strong upward trend, with Apple's iOS leading the charge. Nokia must fast-track the development of its high-end Meego-powered smartphones, in order to regain market share and avoid being overtaken by Android."

IDC also echoed comments earlier this week by Huawei on continual downward pricing pressure in the smartphone space. "The combination of a strong Australian dollar, intense competition amongst carriers and high demand for smartphones means 2011 will be a fierce battleground for smartphone vendors, with strong downward pressure on prices in order to win over consumers," wrote Novosel.

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