For more intel about 007 Legends, visit the game’s official Web site – www.007Legends.com – and Facebook page – www.facebook.com/007LegendsGame. Planned to launch on October 17, 2012, 007 Legends is being developed by Eurocom, under license from EON Productions Ltd. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. (MGM) for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
PREMIUM EDITIONS NOW IN SIGHT
Sydney, Australia – May 22, 2012 – City Interactive has today unveiled the contents of its premium versions of Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2.
The highly-anticipated sequel – set to be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on August 21st 2012 – will be available in two premium flavours, offering players the opportunity to own prestige editions of the best sniping game to date.
The stunning Collector’s Edition will come in a prestigiously produced folded box, housing an extraordinary array of contents:
The Limited Edition offers astonishing value for money, housed in beautiful O-card packaging and includes:
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 takes the bulls-eye precision of its best-selling predecessor to new and exciting heights. Powered by the CryENGINE 3 engine, the missions of Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 are graphically stunning and more challenging as you once again step into the ghilliesuit of a special ops sniper to take down the enemy.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 will be shooting onto Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on August 21st 2012. Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 is distributed in Australia and New Zealand by QVS.
About QVS
As a leading interactive entertainment specialist across Australia and New Zealand, QVS is a privately owned independent software and accessories distributor that has operated in Australia for over ten years providing quality, innovative interactive software titles and accessories. The company’s main objective is to provide its clients and customers with software products and accessories that deliver a highly satisfying entertainment experience. QVS distributes products from a wide range of publishers for a variety of demographics including lifestyle, office, productivity, education and games. QVS feature titles and products from the following well-known brands: Avanquest, City Interactive, Focus Home Interactive, Focus Multimedia, Koch Media, NCsoft, Nero, PDP, Trion Worlds, Turtle Beach plus many more. www.qvsoftware.com.au
On May 25 ICON HOME ENTERTAINMENT releases the hilarious A FEW BEST MEN starring Xavier Samuel, Rebel Wilson and Olivia Newtown-John, the Jet Li epic FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE and the home entertainment premiere title PELICAN BLOOD.
A FEW BEST MEN
Join us for the biggest wedding of the year! When David travels to Australia to marry the love of his life, his three best men give a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘for better or worse’. The chaos-filled wedding is a classic culture clash between his friends and her family… because blood is thicker than water and so are David’s mates!
With the largest box office opening for an Australian comedy in the last ten years, written by Death at a Funeral scribe Dean Craig and directed by Australia’s own Stephan Elliott (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) A FEW BEST MEN stars Xavier Samuel (Twilight: Eclipse, Anonymous), Kris Marshall (Love Actually, Death At A Funeral), Rebel Wilson (Bridesmaids, This Means War) and superstar Olivia Newton-John (Grease, Xanadu).
FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE
Starring Jet Li, directed by Tsui Hark and with the stunning visual effects overseen by the 3D director of AVATAR, FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE is a breathtaking martial arts action adventure.
The country is being terrorised by corrupt imperial assassins led by the ruthless, power-hungry warlord Commander Yu. Zhao (Jet Li), a former General wrongfully stripped of his rank, sets out to take down Yu and restore honour to the Imperial Court. Their conflict comes to a head at the infamous Dragon Inn, a remote desert outpost and rumoured location of legendary lost city buried beneath the sand. As a massive sandstorm approaches, the lost city and its hidden treasure are revealed and the scene is set for an epic final confrontation.
PELICAN BLOOD
Pelican Blood tells the story of Nikko, a funny but left-of-centre young man living in London. Following a disastrous break up with his girlfriend, Stevie, he’s taking life one day at a time, throwing all his energy into his hobby: bird spotting Just as life becomes bearable, Stevie arrives back on the scene, causing a rift between Nikko and all his friends, who warn him she will destroy him. They are fully aware of how the couple first met: on a suicide website, pledging they will ‘end it all together’. As their intense, disturbing and highly sexual connection resumes, the relationship between Nikko, Stevie, his friends and his hobby are thrown into questionable chaos. Pelican Blood is a funny and passionate look at the things that make us tick, and the things we tick off the list.
CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF 007 WITH THE EXPLOSIVE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY BLU-RAY COLLECTION LOADED WITH EXTRAS, THE DEFINITIVE JAMES BOND COLLECTION ARRIVES THIS SEPTEMBER FEATURING ALL 22 FILMS TOGETHER ON BLU-RAY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
Includes Videoblogs Filmed on the Set of SKYFALL
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (May 22, 2012) – All the Bonds. All the girls. All the action. All in high-definition. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment mark James Bond?s monumental golden anniversary with the release of BOND 50, the complete Bond experience showcasing all 22 classic films on Blu-ray together for the first time ever, neatly packaged into one cool, sleek collectable box-set. The collection will be available from September 26th 2012. BOND 50 marks the debut of nine James Bond films previously unavailable in high definition Blu-ray and comes with a dossier of more than 122 hours of bonus features.
Set for release just prior to the theatrical premiere of SKYFALL, BOND 50 will offer a look at the latest Bond film through videoblogs shot with the cast and crew. The BOND 50 collection also provides two all-new pieces that spotlight the history of 007. “The World of Bond” takes a look at the style and attitude that is signature to Bond; pulling together the cars, the women, the villains and the music that have been a staple of these films for the past 50 years. “Being Bond” profiles the six distinguished actors that have had the honour of portraying 007.
Additional bonus content in the BOND 50 collection includes cast and crew commentaries, the behind-the-scenes making of each film, in-depth interviews with every actor that played Bond, a closer look at the exotic locations as shot on-the-set, the women of Bond, the villains of Bond, Bond?s cars and gadgets, music videos and much, much more!
Special Features:
* DISC ONE— Dr. No (Over 3 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
o 6 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC TWO— From Russia With Love (Over 3 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
o 2 Featurettes
o Animated Storyboard Sequence
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC THREE—Goldfinger (Over 5 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton
o Commentary with the cast and crew
o 3 Featurettes
o Original Screen Tests with Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Original Publicity Featurette
o Original Radio Interviews With Sean Connery
o Photo Galleries
* DISC FOUR—Thunderball (Over 6 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Terence Young
o Commentary with Editor Peter Hunt and Screenwriter John Hopkins
o 4 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC FIVE—You Only Live Twice (Over 4 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
o 4 Featurettes
o Animated Storyboard Sequence
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC SIX—On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Over 4 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Peter Hunt and cast and crew
o 4 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC SEVEN—Diamonds Are Forever (Over 4 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton and cast and crew
o 3 Featurettes
o Deleted Scenes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
* DISC EIGHT—Live and Let Die (Over 7 hours of content)
o Commentaries with Director Guy Hamilton, Roger Moore and Tom Mankiewicz
o 3 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC NINE—The Man with the Golden Gun (Over 5 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton and the cast and crew
o Commentary with Roger Moore
o 2 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC TEN—The Spy Who Loved Me (Over 5 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
o Commentary with Roger Moore
o 3 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
* DISC ELEVEN—Moonraker (Over 5 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
o Commentary with Roger Moore
o 4 Featurettes
o Original Theatrical Trailer
o Photo Gallery
* DISC TWELVE—For Your Eyes Only (Over 7 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director John Glen and the cast and crew
o Commentary with Roger Moore
o Commentary with Producer Michael G. Wilson and crew
o 4 Featurettes
o Animated Storyboard Sequences for Snowmobile Chase & Underwater
o Music Video performed by Sheena Easton
o Deleted Scenes and Expanded Angles
o Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
o Photo Galleries
* DISC THIRTEEN—Octopussy (Over 6 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director John Glen
o Commentary with Roger Moore
o 4 Featurettes
o Original Screen Tests with James Brolin
o “All Time High” Music Video
o Original Theatrical Trailers
* DISC FOURTEEN—A View to a Kill (Over 6 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director John Glen and the cast and crew
o Commentary with Roger Moore
o 4 Featurettes
o A View to a Kill Music Video performed by Duran Duran
o Original Theatrical Trailers and TV spots
* DISC FIFTEEN—The Living Daylights (Over 5 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director John Glen and cast and crew
o 3 Featurettes
o Deleted scenes with introductions from Director John Glen
o The Living Daylights Music Video performed by A-Ha
o Original Theatrical Trailers
* DISC SIXTEEN—Licence to Kill (Over 6 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director John Glen and cast
o Commentary with Producer Michael G. Wilson and crew
o 3 Featurettes
o Licence to Kill Music Video performed by Gladys Knight
o “If You Asked Me To” Music Video Performed by Patti LaBelle
o Opening Titles Sequence
o Original Theatrical Trailers
o Photo Galleries
* DISC SEVENTEEN—GoldenEye (Over 5 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Martin Campbell and Producer Michael G. Wilson
o 8 Featurettes
o Deleted scenes
o GoldenEye Music Video performed by Tina Turner
* DISC EIGHTEEN—Tomorrow Never Dies (Over 9 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Roger Spottiswoode and Dan Petrie, Jr.
o Commentary with Vic Armstrong and Producer Michael G. Wilson
o 2 Featurettes
o Interview with Composer David Arnold
o Deleted and Extended Scenes with introduction from Director Roger Spottiswoode
o Tomorrow Never Dies Music Video performed by Sheryl Crow
o The James Bond Theme (Moby’s Re-Version)
* DISC NINETEEN—The World Is Not Enough (Over 6 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Michael Apted
o Commentary with Peter Lamont, David Arnold and Vic Armstrong
o 4 Featurettes
o Opening Titles Sequence
o The World Is Not Enough Music Video performed by Garbage
o Deleted, Extended and Alternate Scene
o Original Theatrical Trailer
o Photo Galleries
* DISC TWENTY—Die Another Day (Over 8 hours of content)
o Commentary with Director Lee Tamahori and Producer Michael G. Wilson
o Commentary with Pierce Brosnan and Rosamund Pike
o 5 Featurettes
o MI6 Datastream Trivia Track with Branching Video
o Opening Titles Sequence
o Photo Galleries
* DISC TWENTY ONE—Casino Royale (Over 1 hour of content)
o Becoming Bond
o James Bond: For Real
o Chris Cornell Music Video
* DISC TWENTY TWO—Quantum of Solace (Over 1 hour of content)
o 2 Featurettes
o “Another Way to Die” Music Video
o Original Theatrical Trailers
* DISC TWENTY THREE – Bonus Material o NEW – The World of Bond – the 007 films have a look, style and attitude that is signature Bond. From the cars, to the women, to the villains and even the music, Bond films stand apart. The World of Bond takes the viewer through the best of five decades worth of classic James Bond in one thrilling montage. The World of Bond showcases the fascinating and entertaining interplay among unforgettable moments of danger, seduction, adventure and a dash of that distinguished humour that fans have cherished from the beginning up until now. To add to the experience, The World of Bond featurette will also offer a Pop-Up Trivia option to challenge even the sharpest of fans with little known facts and interesting trivia from the Bond Universe. o NEW – Being Bond – there?s only one James Bond – but he?s proven too much for only one actor to play the role. In the franchise?s 50-year run, six distinguished actors have taken on the part and secured a spot in cinematic history. Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig each reflect on the impact and importance of taking on such a famous role. With this piece, gain insight into what each actor brought to the character and discover how they shaped the world?s most timeless secret agent. o SKYFALL Videoblogs – behind-the-scenes look at the making of SKYFALL from the cast and crew
Fight the Fear in 2013’s First Blockbuster Shooter
Tuesday 22nd May 2012 – SEGA® Europe Ltd., SEGA® of America, Inc., Gearbox Software and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products are thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated first-person shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines™ will be in stores worldwide on February 12, 2013. As the authentic addition to the ALIENS franchise canon, the game’s stunning visuals and adrenaline pumping action will deliver breathtakingly immersive single, cooperative and competitive multi-player modes. Providing for an innovative asymmetrical competitive multiplayer experience, Aliens: Colonial Marines lets players fight in first person as the ultimate combatants – the United States Colonial Marines, or in third person as the universe’s deadliest killers – the Xenomorphs. Plunging into familiar and new environments from the iconic film franchise, players will have to fight the fear and face the true horrors of the ALIENS universe.
“I am thrilled to announce the definitive launch date for Aliens: Colonial Marines,” said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. “Aliens: Colonial Marines is the culmination of a life-time of inspiration from the films and relentless passion and drive from the exceptionally talented development team behind the scenes.”
“We knew this game would be incredible from the moment Gearbox began developing Aliens: Colonial Marines,” said, Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing for SEGA Europe and SEGA of America. “Now that the title is in its final stretch of development, we can confidently release the exact date that gamers will finally get to experience this blockbuster thrill-ride.”
“SEGA has a proven track record with the ALIENS franchise. ALIENS vs. PREDATOR released by SEGA in 2009 became one of their top-selling titles,” said Gary Rosenfeld, Senior Vice President for New Media for Fox Consumer Products. “We look forward to working with them and bringing an exciting new way for fans to immerse themselves in the ALIENS world.”
In partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and developed by critically acclaimed studio Gearbox Software, Aliens: Colonial Marines will bring new levels of bone-chilling suspense and adrenaline-filled action to the renowned franchise. Aliens: Colonial Marines begins with an ostensibly abandoned ship, the U.S.S. Sulaco, recovered in orbit around LV-426. Players lead a group of highly trained United States Colonial Marines as they board the deserted craft to uncover the fate of the crew. They will have to fight to survive unspeakable horrors and their own anxieties as they chase down the truth behind a galaxy-spanning deception that places humanity at the mercy of the most murderous and deadly species in the universe. Aliens: Colonial Marines features authentic environments, such as the surface of LV-426 and Hadley’s Hope, weapons inspired by the film series and is designed to provide an exhilarating and engaging new chapter in the ALIENS universe.
Aliens: Colonial Marines will be available in stores across the globe on February 12, 2013 on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. A release date for the announced Wii U™ version will be revealed at a later time.
For more information, please visit www.sega.com/alienscolonialmarines
Munich, May 21, 2012 – Elgato announces Game Capture HD, a simple and stylish solution for recording and sharing PlayStation or Xbox gameplay using a Mac or PC. With Elgato Game Capture HD, gameplay videos are easier to record, edit and share than ever before thanks to its innovative hardware design, powerful H.264 encoder, and software that is specifically tailored to gamers needs. Elgato Game Capture HD will be available from June 1st for $279.95 (AUD).
Advanced hardware
“Gameplay videos created on the Mac or PC are reporting explosive growth, especially on YouTube,” says Adam Steinberg, Vice President Marketing at Elgato. “Elgato Game Capture HD offers the community an unrivalled and efficient way to create gameplay videos in maximum quality with minimum effort. It brings together years of video-encoding and editing experience.”
Thanks to the most advanced H.264 hardware encoding technology, Elgato Game Capture HD records in breath-taking HD quality – all without burdening the hard disk with large files. At the same time, gameplay is passed through to the TV via HDMI – in pristine quality and without delay. Elgato Game Capture HD doesn’t need a lot of cables or even a power supply – the hardware connects directly to the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 using a single cable.
Tailored to gamers
Elgato Game Capture HD lets gamers focus on what matters, instead of constantly concerning themselves with the recording technology. Thanks to the unique Flashback Recording feature, Elgato Game Capture HD remembers the gameplay that has preceded it, even if the record button wasn’t pressed. The gamer can then simply revert to the start of the scene they want to record and begin recording retroactively. What’s more, Elgato Game Capture HD allows for social interaction and sharing. With just a single click, videos can be shared with friends and fans on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter. And with Elgato Game Capture HD software, it’s even possible to trim gameplay videos for later editing using a video-editing program.
What’s in the box & requirements
Elgato Game Capture HD comes with a Quick Start Guide, a USB cable, an HDMI cable, and a PlayStation 3 cable. It accepts the input of Xbox 360 (unencrypted HDMI) and PlayStation 3 (A/V In) video signals at 480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i. Mac OS X 10.7 and a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU are required for use on a Mac. On a PC, Windows 7, a 2.0GHz Dual-Core CPU, a sound card, 4GB RAM, and a USB 2.0 port are required. Elgato Game Capture HD software is available to download.
Pricing, availability & VIP units
Elgato Game Capture HD will be available from the start of June from Elgato (www.elgato.com), Amazon, and selected retailers for $279.95 (AUD). YouTube directors with their own gameplay channel can now apply for VIP status and request a test device by visiting facebook.com/elgatogaming. Visit www.gamecapture.com for a selection of beta-tester demo videos, product-availability info, and additional news about Elgato Game Capture HD.
Blades of Time and its Limited Edition are now available in retail stores and various download portals worldwide!
Haarlem, The Netherlands – 21 May 2012 – Videogame publisher Iceberg Interactive and Russian game developer Gaijin Entertainment announce that PC/Mac version of Blades of Time, as well as the extras-ridden Limited Edition of the game, were released last Friday in the UK and Benelux – and worldwide via a multitude of digital download portals. Blades of Time is a stunning looking hack & slash action game with the unique Time Rewind feature, and features a host of colorful characters, eye-popping visual appeal, tons of treasure and a huge variety of combat skills to master. The fully localized German release is set for 6 July 2012.
About Blades of Time
The gorgeous looking and gunsword-wielding treasure hunter Ayumi finds herself on Dragonland island, a dangerous island full of secrets, that has been conquered by dreadful Chaotic beasts. Auymi must find a way to defeat armies of menacing villains and a multitude of treacherous traps in order to break free of the possessed island’s grasp. Carving a path of destruction, Ayumi soon discovers that the island also holds thousands of long-held secrets, including special powers and abilities that she can gain for herself.
Key features
Limited Edition additional features
Award-Winning Studio, Loot Drop, Brings Popular Ghost Recon Franchise to Facebook
SYDNEY — May 22, 2012 — Ubisoft® has announced that Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® Commander, an isometric tactical combat game, is now available to play on Facebook.
Brenda Garno Brathwaite, Loot Drop’s cofounder and lead game designer, has created features that both hard-core and social game players can enjoy. Hard-core gamers will appreciate the beautiful graphics, tactical game-play and faithful translation of the Ghost Recon franchise to the Facebook platform. Facebook and other casual game players will like the approachable dynamic combat system and the ability to start and stop the game at their convenience without penalty. Ghost Recon Commander also features 10 re-playable missions, three difficulty levels and dozens of weapons for players to choose from to help them win their missions. These features help make Ghost Recon Commander fun for all types of gamers.
“We are taking the popular Ghost Recon franchise and bringing it to platforms that allow players of all skill levels to enjoy at their leisure, on the platform of their choosing,” said Chris Early, vice president of digital publishing at Ubisoft. “This is the basis of our companion gaming strategy that Ghost Recon Commander exemplifies so well.”
“As a longtime fan of the Ghost Recon franchise, I wanted to make a game that would appeal to me both as a fan and a gamer,” said Brenda Garno Brathwaite, lead game designer and cofounder of Loot Drop. “Ghost Recon Commander highlights the tactical game-play that fans of the series will enjoy in a social environment that’s accessible to all types of gamers.”
In Ghost Recon Commander, players will be able to develop their own “Ghost,” an elite Special Forces operator utilising stealth, firepower and exciting near-future technology to take command of the battlefield against impossible odds.
Other features in Ghost Recon Commander include:
Ghost Recon Commander can be played as a stand-alone game or played to tie into the overall Ghost Recon universe. Following Ubisoft’s companion gaming strategy, players are encouraged to play the game alongside Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier™ (available on consoles May 24). By playing Ghost Recon Commander, players will be able to unlock exclusive weapons, weapon skins and bonuses to use while playing Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Ghost Recon Commander players can also gain benefits, such as exclusive characters, by playing Ghost Recon: Future Soldier.
Ghost Recon Commander is available to play for free worldwide on Facebook at: https://apps.facebook.com/GhostReconCommander/
16-million digital devices purchased from bricks-and-mortar stores in Australia in 2011
Sydney 22 May 2012: The latest Canon Consumer Digital Lifestyle Index (Canon CDLI), released today in partnership with GfK Retail and Technology, reveals that Australians continued to purchase more digital lifestyle devices at local retail stores in 2011, buying 15.795 million units at a total value of $6.345 billion[1].
While unit sales grew by 716,800 units for the full year versus 2010, the Average Selling Prices[2] at Australian retail stores continued to fall, dropping 13.5% across the CDLI categories (average $63 per device). The price decline trend for digital devices continues to contrast sharply with the overall increase of inflation at +3.1%[3] for the year.
“The index is a regular barometer of retail sales in 13 digital technology categories in Australia, including TVs, digital video recorders, digital cameras and computers,” said Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. “The latest report shows that, despite continuing increases in costs of living in Australia, consumers continue to receive more quality technology for less.”
“Reflecting on the last nine years of the index, we see just how much consumers have enjoyed the availability of advanced, high-quality tech products at continually declining prices,” continues McLean. “When you consider that since 2003 the Average Selling Prices for digital cameras and plasma TVs have fallen 68% and 90%, respectively, we can see just how much the market has moved.”
Australian Tech Market has endured amid price deflation, global competition
McLean believes that the consumer technology market has endured thanks to local investment by the industry and an innovation cycle that offers significant reasons to upgrade. However, this has taken place against the backdrop of severe price deflation and increased costs of doing business.
“There’s clearly an adjustment taking place as the technology market moves to address global price disparities, with average selling prices declining across the index each month for the past 24 months,” says McLean. “While prices are moving to find their natural point of balance, our market is forced to contend with competitive disadvantages in the form of higher costs of doing business and the GST exemption for imported products under $1000.”
A recent report by Ernst & Young[4] for the National Retail Association stated that the high tax-free import threshold in Australia is a “significant component” in the difference between Australian and overseas online retailers “equating to 14% of the sale price on average”.
“As an industry we’re absorbing the price deflation straight to the bottom line and at some point this could threaten the viability of local operations. The warning signs are there now and while Canon has had no response from Ed Husic MP, Federal Member for Chifley to discuss competitive issues, we welcome the upcoming parliamentary inquiry to examine and resolve them.”
Compare the real value to be had in-store
McLean believes that misleading online price comparisons may prevent some consumers from discovering the real value that is available in their local stores: “It is common to see unfair price comparisons using local RRP versus tax-free selling prices in the global market,” says McLean. “The price paid at the register is the only fair price for comparison and I encourage consumers to always check the value to be had in-store. So far this year, Canon has taken price action more than once on popular products and we continue to work with our retailer partners to drive value for Australian consumers.”
2H 2011 sales breakdown (July – December 2011)[5]
In the second half (2H) of 2011, Australians purchased 9.066 million digital lifestyle products at local retail stores, a 6.7% increase on the volume of products purchased in 2H 2010. Australians spent $3.430 billion locally on digital lifestyle products in 2H 2011, with consumers spending a significant $2.364 billion on the top three products alone: Personal Computers ($1.088 billion), LCD TVs ($956 million), Digital Cameras ($320 million).
Strong category volume growth was observed for Personal Computers (+42%), Digital SLR cameras (+26%), LCD TVs (+21%), PVRs (+17%), MFDs (+14%), and DVD (including Blu-ray) players (+6%).
Notable category performers, in volume terms, included Games consoles, which maintained volume sales in excess of 1 million units, despite increased usage of low-cost, smartphone-based games applications. Achieving sales of more than 1.4 million units, the Digital Cameras category remains in the top-three for the ninth consecutive year despite market maturity, household penetration of around 80% and the proliferation of competing photo-capture devices.
Tech evolution drives a Lifestyle revolution
Lifestyle insights from the latest report include (see report Part 2 for complete findings):
– Mass image-capture trend: we take an average of 146 photos per month (up 57% vs. 1H 2008), with DSLR photographers taking a significant 288 photos per month on average.
– Multi-device integration: single-device ‘convergence’ yields to multi-device ‘integration’ as the user – not a device – becomes the point of convergence, integrating devices seamlessly into their lifestyles. Purchasers of technology[6] own an average of 6.17 digital lifestyle products and acquired an average of 2.2 devices in 2H 2011
– Multi-screening: the living room TV remains the central home viewing experience but multi-screening behaviour, with consumers accessing multiple devices simultaneously (e.g., TV plus PC, TV plus tablet) means that usage occasions have increased and often overlap. 24% of PC buyers watch TV on their PC and 66% use their notebook in the living room.
– The changing role of TV: while in 2003 the primary use of the TV was watching broadcast shows, in 2011 22% of consumers access catch-up TV, 16% download full-length movie titles from the internet and at least 10% access online content via their TVs. Also, one third of TV buyers play videos games from their console.
The complete 2H2011 Canon CDLI report can be downloaded from the Canon Australia website: http://www.canon.com.au/About-Canon/News-Events/Canon-Digital-Lifestyle-Index
About Canon:
Canon is the world’s leading imaging brand that actively inspires with imaginative ideas that enable people to connect, communicate and achieve more than they thought possible through imaging solutions for business and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-four US patent recipients* for the past 20 years. Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit www.canon.com.au, www.facebook.com/canonaustralia, www.twitter.com/canonaustralia, www.youtube.com/canonaustralia
* Based on weekly patent counts issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office
1 Excludes internet/online sellers
2 Average Selling Price refers to the average of the prices actually paid by shoppers for their technology purchase
4 The threshold question: Economic Impact of the low value threshold of the retail industry. 22 February 2012 Ernst & Young, Australia.
5 The latest report focuses on July-December 2011 and follows from the January-June report launched in October 2011. Full Year figures are provided for total category performance only.
6 Survey of digital camera buyers
[1] Excludes internet/online sellers
[2] Average Selling Price refers to the average of the prices actually paid by shoppers for their technology purchase
[3] Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/allprimarymainfeatures/D74CA6740B088572CA2579E90017DDA1?opendocument
[4] The threshold question: Economic Impact of the low value threshold of the retail industry. 22 February 2012 Ernst & Young, Australia.
[5] The latest report focuses on July-December 2011 and follows from the January-June report launched in October 2011. Full Year figures are provided for total category performance only.
[6] Survey of digital camera buyers
Melbourne, 22 May 2012.‘Should I Change My Password’ (shouldIchangemypassword.com), a free Australian-developed website that allows the public to anonymously check if their email may have been hacked or in some way compromised, has unearthed its 10 millionth publicised email address and password.
Shayne Tilley, Commercial Manager at Avalanche Technology Group, said: “It’s scary to think that in less than two years, hackers have made more email addresses and passwords public on the internet than the entire population of NSW.
“With thousands of new compromised emails and passwords being discovered every day, it’s increasingly evident that the threat from hackers is more dangerous than ever. Unfortunately in many cases the compromise is only discovered after it’s too late.”
Kevin Yank, Chief Technology Officer at Avalanche, said: “When your email is compromised a big part of your life can be exposed. A hacker can access your Facebook or Twitter account, invade your personal emails and in some cases even reset your bank password – all within minutes.”
Should I Change My Password aggregates compromised databases in a safe and reliable manner. Users can check their email address in one central spot rather than track down hacked databases often hosted in some unsavoury areas of the Internet.
Should someone discover their password has been compromised, Kevin Yank recommends.
“As soon as the compromise is identified you should change your password right away on every site where you use it. Check for signs of someone else using any of the accounts you have registered with that email address. Report anything suspicious to the authorities. And finally, get serious about using a different strong password for every site and service you use. Cyber criminals have sophisticated hacking technology so it is vital to set long passwords with illogical combinations of letters, numbers and symbols – for example: $hould1changemYpa$$word. And change them regularly.”
Every compromised email address recorded by Should I Change My Password is encrypted before it is stored to a unique ID. This means that not even Avalanche’s internal team can access the list of email addresses, let alone a third party. People can check their email address anonymously and be confident their details cannot be misused.