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Norton 2011 In-depth (Media Event) – Part 1

Symantec reveals the latest updates and direction for their Norton security products

Sydney Australia, July 27, 2010 – Performance and Protection are still the main focus of Norton Internet Security products as Symantec keep one step ahead of the cyber criminals. As the threat landscape continues to move away from traditional threats, Norton continues with their reputation based technology as their database of safe files continues to grow. Reputation based technology involves standalone, heuristic and behavioural reputation as it uses the Norton Community to flag safe files among their. According to Symantec, they block around 65,000 a day and as more people join this community, their reputation based technology will only improve. For downloading, no matter what program you use to download files, this provides safer downloads whether it’s P2P, Mozilla or E-mails for example.

Webpage pop-up to install Malware

In terms of protection, Norton continue to rank #1 and in 2009, they were the only internet security software company to prevent all threats, according to the comprehensive testing done by Dennis Labs, an independent testing company. Two of the main threats to internet users include Search Engine Optimisation Poisoning and polymorphic malware. For example, Search Engine Optimisation Poisoning is circumventing the controls of search engines to push up the rank of “fake” websites.


Dennis Labs 2009 Report

Through keyword stuffing and the creation of bogus websites, this forces their rank to appear in the top pages of a search engine, such as Google. If a user clicks on this webpage, it may load malware on the system such as fake anti-virus programs. These fake anti-virus programs will then inform the user they have a security threat and that only their program can remove it. Some less than savvy computer users then pay this company to remove the “threat”. Thanks to the technology of Norton products, it can detect these fake sites and polymorphic malware (e.g. Fake internet security pop-ups) and prevent the user from getting duped.

Users who don’t use any internet security products are also adding to the problem whether through bot nets or spreading the malicious software. This is where Symantec have changed tact a little by offering these users some impressive free downloads. Norton SafeWeb Lite (http://safeweb.norton.com/) is one of these products and allows user to check whether a site is fake or if it is a real site that has been infected. This program will inform the user the following simple messages that include Warning, Caution, Safe or Untested in order for them to make an informed decision. This utility is also available for FaceBook (http://apps.facebook.com/nortonsafeweb/) and scans the links on your wall and links from friends to ensure that the sites are safe. It’s definitely a great tool to alert your friend’s network.

The new Facebook App

Another free tool is Norton Power Eraser that removes deeply embedded and difficult to remove crimeware from PC’s. I tested this on a colleagues PC who was infected by a fake anti-virus program. Unfortunately they were not protected but thankfully Norton Power Eraser removed this malware with no issue whatsoever. Although not a free tool, Norton Rescue Me which comes with Norton Internet Security allows the user to create a bootable device (e.g. USB or DVD) and to recover a badly infected computer. Thanks to the WIN PE O/S, this recovery tool is quite small and can be used by everyone due to the simplistic wizards. The last free tool from Norton is Norton Online family which assists parents with children to safely access the internet. As opposed to blockers or keyloggers, Norton Online Family is to be used with the child’s knowledge and is to open up healthy debate.

The new interface – Including the Protection Map

The interface of Norton Internet Security has been slightly revamped and once again, no comprise has been made to installation, speed or performance. There is an interesting new feature called the Protection Map which highlights the number of threats from various cities across the world which can even be limited to your part of the world. At the bottom of the map is a ticker system that displays the city name and the number of threats. This new feature is made possible thanks to GEO-IP which log suburbs and mobile towers from the ISP. 


The new Reputation Scan

The Norton products have also integrated other Norton family products into a central console such as Online Family, Online Backup and SafeWeb. The “Know before you go” feature is great for entering the URL of a new web site in order to determine whether an unfamiliar website is safe or not. Symantec have also added a new reputation area of files on your computer which displays the trust level, age and prevalence according to the Norton Community which is a useful scan to both tech heads and novices. Thankfully, the interface is still as simplistic as ever and Norton have carefully balanced the accessible to all users, still allowing advanced users to tweak certain settings.

The new Performance Alerting

However my favourite feature of 2011 from Norton is the performance alerting feature. Often Norton gets a bad rap for being responsible for slowing down systems, however with the performance alerting monitor, it will display what process is slowing your PC. Although a little “techy” for some users, it has some great customisation options such as optimizers, reports and alerting features.

Once again Norton continues to be one step ahead of its competitors and we’re eager to test out their 2011 line of products. BETA testing has already commenced so end-users should be expecting these products to land on our shelves very soon. Definitely keep an eye out for them!

 
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iPhone 4 Arrives in 17 More Countries This Friday

SYDNEY, Australia – 27 July 2010 – Apple’s iPhone 4 will be available in 17 more countries this Friday, 30 July. iPhone 4 features FaceTime, which makes video calling as easy as one tap, Apple’s new Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, resulting in stunning text, images and video, and a beautiful all-new design of glass and stainless steel that is the thinnest smartphone in the world.

Beginning this Friday, customers can purchase iPhone 4 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. iPhone 4 will be available for purchase through Apple’s online store (www.apple.com/au/store), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers (www.apple.com/au/buy).

iPhone 4 also features a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, HD 720p video recording, Apple’s A4 processor, a 3-axis gyro and up to 40 percent longer talk time.* iPhone 4 comes with iOS 4, the newest version of the world’s most advanced mobile operating system, which features Multitasking, Folders, enhanced Mail, deeper Enterprise support and Apple’s new iAd mobile advertising platform.

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 4 will be available for outright purchase for a recommended retail price starting from AUD$859 inc GST through Apple’s online store (www.apple.com/au/store), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers (www.apple.com/au/buy). A new iPhone 3GS 8GB model will be available for outright purchase for just AUD$719 inc GST. iPhone 4 will roll out to many more countries later this year and Apple will announce availability and local pricing for these additional countries at a later date.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

 
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Kane & Lynch 2 Public Demo Out Now

IO Interactive, a part of Square Enix® Europe, is pleased to confirm that the Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days(tm) demo is now live on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system,  Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC in Australia New Zealand.

“The response to the exclusive demo has been overwhelming,” said Niels Jørgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. “Everyone needs to try Kane & Lynch 2 as it’s clear that the unique visual style, gritty story and refreshing multiplayer modes are delivering a sense of tension and excitement not found in other games.”

Experience 48 hours of hell with two of gaming’s most notorious criminals in Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. Kane and Lynch face the consequences when a simple job gone wrong sets off a desperate and frantic struggle to escape the entire Shanghai underworld. Ground-breaking art direction, relentless action gameplay and innovative multiplayer redefine the action shooter experience and positions Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days as the standout shooter of 2010.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will release on August 19.

PC demo can be found here:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/28020

 
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NEIL PATRICK HARRIS TO REPRISE HIS ROLE AS SPIDER-MAN™ IN ACTIVISION’S SPIDER-MAN™: SHATTERED DIMENSIONS

Activision Reveals Spider-Man Voice Cast at San Diego Comic-Con

Sydney, AUSTRALIA. 27th July 2010 – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and Marvel Entertainment (NYSE: MVL) announced today that Neil Patrick Harris will reprise his role as Spider-Man in Activision’s upcoming Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, which is currently being showcased at San Diego Comic-Con. In the game, players traverse through four unique worlds from Spider-Man lore and take on the role of four distinctly different Spider-Men – Amazing, Ultimate, Noir and 2099 – which will be brought to life by Neil Patrick Harris along with Josh Keaton, Christopher Daniel Barnes and Dan Gilvezan, respectively.

Additionally, legendary creator and comic book icon Stan Lee will guide players through the storyline of Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions as the game’s narrator, and Emmy Award-winning composer Jim Dooley has created an original orchestral score for the game.

Each of the actors voicing Spider-Man in the game has portrayed the web-slinger in previous Spider-Man animated television series. Neil Patrick Harris voiced the wall-crawler in “Spider-Man: The New Animated Series” in 2003; Josh Keaton was the voice of Spider-Man in “The Spectacular Spider-Man” from 2008-2009; Dan Gilvezan starred in “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends” from 1981-1983; and Christopher Daniel Barnes voiced the iconic Super Hero in “Spider-Man,” the 1994 series.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, which will be available September 8th, allows players to engage in nonstop heroic action as they traverse four unique worlds from Spider-Man’s lore – Amazing, Noir, 2099 and Ultimate – within one unique storyline. Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions transports players to a variety of locations, from lush jungles and dusty deserts to a futuristic NYC, and allows them to use unique gameplay styles for each Spider-Man, including stealth moves in Noir, gliding maneuvers in 2099, black-suited tendril attacks in Ultimate, and innovative web combat in Amazing.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions is rated M (Violence) on Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, and PG (Mild Violence) on Nintendo DS.

Beenox is developing the game for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™, and PC, and Griptonite is creating a Nintendo DS™ version.

Fans can learn more about Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions by visiting www.SpiderManDimensions.com.

About Marvel Entertainment, LLC

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel’s strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more information visit www.marvel.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

 
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AOC Delivers Fresh Fashion to the Widescreen Industry with the Launch of the Stylish Luvia Series

AOC Delivers Fresh Fashion to the Widescreen Industry with the Launch of the Stylish Luvia Series
Celebrating a modern and unique designThe Luvia series introduces fresh fashion to the widescreen industry.


Sydney, Australia: 27 July 2010 – AOC, one of the top global players in providing the best value display technology along with unique design and lifestyle features, today announced the launch of the Luvia series of LED-backlit monitors. The series includes the e2237Fwh and e2437Fh models, all showcasing an elegant, modern design, user-friendly features and green power.

Themed Clear Frame Design
The monitor is framed with an ultra-slim cabinet tapering to just 22mm and a “floating bezel” design with luxury crystal-clear frame. The beautifully designed Luvia series adds style and individuality to your home or office desktop. Available in three uniquely designed decorative front panels including Mystic Black, Floral Red and Noble Gold, the AOC Luvia series is more a home office feature than a monitor, In fact the Luvia can be easily hung on the wall with it’s super-slim body allowing for flat installation and immaculate presentation. Screen sizes begin from 21.5″ with the largest screen in the screens at 24″ wide.

LED Keyboard and Ambient Light
The ergonomically designed Luvia series includes a fashionable and practical LED desk light for brightness control, night working and ambient decoration in one. The blue LED light bar can light up your keyboard & mouse working at night and brightness can be adjusted according to your wishes. The range is also designed with user-friendliness at the forefront of their engineering and includes Luvia’s touch ring control design with graphical icons in the OSD menu that makes monitor adjustment simple.

i-Care Sensor
Users can experience the ultimate in comfort and
protection with the uniquely designed “i-Care” sensor system exclusive to AOC can detect the intensity of surrounding lights and automatically adjusts monitor brightness accordingly, protecting against eyestrain and fatigue.

All models in the Luvia range are green powered and environmentally responsible with up to 48% lower power consumption then other LCD models equipped with e-Saver software and EPEAT Silver Certification.
multiple input connections including HDMI and built-in speakers. Nothing has been compromised in style design and specifications to make the Luvia series stunning and practical, great for business or personal use.

The Luvia series boasts an ultra-high contrast ratio of 20M:1 (DCR) which allows users to see darker areas of content in more depth,

Key Benefits and Features of the AOC Luvia Monitor

  • 21.5″ and 24″ screen
  • Ultra slim 22m design
  • HDMI Input
  • Crystal frame design
  • Wall mountable
  • Available in three unique decorative panels
  • Ambient LED Backlight
  • Ergonomically designed i-Care Sensor System
  • Ultra-high contrast ratio of 20M:1 (DCR)
  • Low Power consumption
  • Off Timer
  • e-Saver Software
  • Environmental Certifications
  • EPEAT Silver Certification
  • Microsoft Windows 7 compatible

Product Pricing and Summary
Vendor: AOC
Model: Luvia
RRP:

e2237Fwh AU $269  NZ $329
e2437Fh AU $329  NZ $TBA
Distributor:  Altech Computers, Compucon
Website: www.aocmonitor-anz.com
Mini site: http://www.aocmonitor-anz.com/lcd_monitor/e2237fwh.php
Availability:  Now

About AOC
AOC is a leader in display technology for Monitors, Multimedia Displays and TVs, backed by over 60 years of design and manufacturing experience. AOC has earned a reputation for selling user-friendly, technologically advanced displays, with every aspect of AOC’s business focusing on the development of products that fit seamlessly into consumers’ digital lifestyles.

For more information about AOC and its products, please visit www.aoc.com

 
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EXPERIENCE ANGELINA JOLIE’S ‘SALT’ WITH THE DAY X EXISTS GAME

An on-line game has been launched that will give audiences a unique look into the story-line of the upcoming contemporary action thriller SALT. The film stars Angelina Jolie and opened in the U.S. over the weekend to a huge $US 36.5 million dollars.

The Day X Exists game combines video based story telling with espionage themed missions and asks users to delve into the world of Agent Evelyn Salt after she is accused of being a sleeper spy within the CIA. Players are recruited by Salt to stop a mysterious plot called ‘Day X’ and clear her name.

As told to mX Newspaper, “This is about participation and rewards we can give – if you play, you might learn something about Salt that you won’t get from just seeing the film,” said Nathan Mayfield co-founder of Hoodlum, a Brisbane based company that designed and produced Day X Exists for Columbia Pictures.

9 missions will be released across a 4 week period with the first mission activated on Tuesday July 27. Upon the completion of the final mission, users can enter a sweepstakes to win Sony Electronic prizes valued at $12,000.

About the Film:
Angelina Jolie stars in the contemporary action thriller SALT directed by Phillip Noyce. As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honour and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a sleeper spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives. As the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues, the question remains: “Who Is Salt?”

View the Game Trailer and play Day X Exists at www.DayXExists.com.au now.

SALT is in cinemas nationally from August 19.
www.WhoIsSalt.com.au

 
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NETGEAR Business Security Products Raise Industry Bar with Three Consecutive Five-Star Perfect Review Scores

NETGEAR ProSecure UTM25 and STM600 Appliances Receive “Recommended” Rating by SC Magazine US, Beating Out all Other Well-Established Security Competitors in Head to Head Comparison Tests

SYDNEY, Australia – July 27, 2010 – NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative networking solutions for businesses, homes and service providers, today announced for the third time in a row, ProSecure® UTM and STM appliances have secured a perfect score in SC Magazine’s hands-on lab laboratory reviews, one of the leading computer security magazines. Most recently the ProSecure UTM25 achieved top marks for two separate reviews in SC Magazine US and SC Magazine UK across six different categories, including features, performance, ease of use and value for money. NETGEAR garnered the highest review rating for the UTM25 in SC Magazine US with being the sole company among other well-established security vendors, to receive a perfect score and top honour in achieving the “recommended” logo. And business customers continue to praise NETGEAR’s ProSecure performance as well.

“We conducted a comprehensive review of all-in-one network unified threat management systems and ultimately chose to deploy the NETGEAR ProSecure UTM25 to protect not only our business, but also our customers while they are in our showroom,” said Patrick Wergin, vice president at Gateway Subaru. “Gateway Subaru depends on the UTM25 on a daily basis to stop threats, and we agree with SC Magazine UK that the UTM25 provides a powerful partnership of antivirus, anti-spam, and web filtering in a high performance package.”

ProSecure Five Star Reviews, Three In A Row By SC Magazine
In the latest review, SC Magazine US technology editor Peter Stephenson gave the ProSecure UTM25 five stars in six categories along with the only “recommended” logo among the group of 11 different vendors including SonicWALL, Fortinet and Check Point. He praised the UTM25 for its simple and straightforward deployment and configuration and deemed the appliance to be “excellent value for the money by providing solid protection for just about any environment without breaking the bank.” The full review can be viewed here.

In a stand-alone product test of the UTM25, SC Magazine UK’s Dave Mitchell awarded five stars across all six categories and observed that the UTM range consistently delivers plug and play protection at lower costs. He claimed that smaller businesses requiring a low-cost solution that’s easy to deploy and manage will see the UTM25 deliver on all counts. The full review can be viewed here.

In April, NETGEAR’s ProSecure STM600 received a perfect score in SC Magazine US for a competitive review of anti-malware gateways. The STM600 was the only appliance to be rated as “Recommended” in the group of products from ten different vendors including Barracuda, McAfee and Trend Micro. The STM600 was specifically praised by technology editor Peter Stephenson for its “comprehensive web and email protection that is easy to deploy and use.” The full review can be viewed here.

“This is a great testament to NETGEAR’s commitment in helping businesses achieve optimum network security at affordable prices,” said Jason Leung, senior product line manager for SMB Security. “The five-star rating across all evaluation categories and the recognition as the only company receiving “recommended” logo business security product, demonstrates the strength and validity of NETGEAR security appliances among well-established competing security vendors in the market.”

Ryan Parker, managing director, Australia and New Zealand said the awards cemented NETGEAR’s claim that its ProSecure range of UTM and STM security appliances offer easy deployment, configuration and ongoing management, all key advantages over competitive vendors.

“These awards will provide our reseller partners with even stronger proof points when promoting our products. We have a strong partner program and are continuously looking for more partners who can benefit from the recurrent revenue stream that our ProSecure UTM and STM products offer,” said Parker.

ProSecure UTM Family of Unified Threat Management Appliances
Designed for smaller businesses, the ProSecure Unified Threat Management appliances combine VPN, zero day protection, anti-virus, anti-spy, anti-spam, intrusion prevention, URL filtering and proxy firewall for optimum performance with security coverage. There are three models in the series, each recommended for a different number of concurrent users and tailored for an organisation’s unique traffic characteristics. The UTM25 is recommended for 10-30 concurrent users but there are no restrictions on the maximum number. The subscription fee included in the price guarantees all updates and support for the first year. More information on the award-winning UTM25 is available at: http://www.netgear.com.au/au/Product/ProSecure-Brand/UTM-Series/UTM25

ProSecure STM Family of Web/Email Threat Management Appliances
The NETGEAR ProSecure STM series offers three platforms, to accommodate businesses with up to 600 concurrent users. The STM150, STM300 and STM600 all contain the same security functionality across the product family. The STM appliance family is designed to sit in-line and filter all potential threats via email and the web, as well as give administrators control over which sites can be visited. The STM Series employs NETGEAR patent-pending Stream Scanning technology and leverages technologies from leading enterprise security partners Kaspersky Lab and Commtouch® to deliver best-of-breed URL filtering, anti-spam, and gateway anti-malware protection for businesses. Key features such as active directory integration, email quarantine, comprehensive reporting, and HTTPS scanning enable the STM to be deployed in a wide range of business network environments. More information on the award-winning STM600 is available at: http://www.netgear.com.au/au/Product/ProSecure-Brand/STM-Series/STM600

About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) designs innovative, branded technology solutions that address the specific networking, storage, and security needs of Small- to Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) and home users. The company offers an end-to-end networking product portfolio to enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, multimedia content, and applications among multiple computers and other Internet-enabled devices. Products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in over 26,000 retail locations around the globe, and via more than 39,000 value-added resellers. The company’s headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at http://www.NETGEAR.com.au or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.

©2010 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and ProSecure are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

 
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When in Rome, should you do as the Romans? Released to DVD and BLU-RAY 8 September 2010!

What’s a girl to do? Successful but single Beth (KRISTEN BELL) is in for the ride of her life when, in Rome, she chooses the wrong fountain to pick up coins from, and gains an army of devoted admirers in WHEN IN ROME, released to DVD and Blu-ray 8 September 2010! 

Art curator Beth is on the verge of giving up on love altogether. With her job at the Guggenheim and her New York lifestyle to her liking, all that seems to be missing is that special someone in her life. Further still, when her sister announces her impulse Rome wedding, Beth packs her bag expecting to be alone on another perfect romantic occasion.

Things, however, are looking up! At the wedding Beth meets the handsome and charming Nick, played by JOSH DUHAMEL (Transformers and Transformers Revenge) and it seems maybe she has just met Mr Right.  

But when it looks as though her luck had changed, true to form Beth spies Nick in the arms of another women! Frustrated, and a little tipsy, she jumps into the reputed ‘fountain of love’ and collects three coins, instantaneously causing her luck to swing too much in her favour!

Not realising her error, Beth is now pursued back to New York by the four owners of the coins, all convinced that Beth is the love of their lives! This includes sausage magnate Al (DANNY DEVITO) who calls on Beth for private tours of the museum; Italian painter Antino, played by WILL ARNETT (of Arrested Development fame); Lance (JON HEDER), a creepy street magician; and Gale (DAX SHEPARD), a narcissistic model obsessed with his body.

Meanwhile, Nick has not forgotten Beth and begins to pursue her back in New York. But when Beth learns that by taking the coins from the fountain she was responsible for the curse that has men chasing her, could it be that Nick’s interest is the result of the same curse?  Or could it be true love?

Also starring ANJELICA HUSTON and packed with special features including deleted scenes, bloopers, and music videos. Exclusive to Blu-ray are also alternative openings and endings!

Don’t miss one of the funniest and heart-warming romances of 2010, WHEN IN ROME, released to DVD and Blu-ray, 8 September 2010.

Available to own: 8 September 2010

Rated: PG

Running time:  87 Minutes (DVD)

91 Minutes (Blu-ray)

 

 

 
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New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii Coin Challenge – National Final!

Competitors from across the country and across the sea will battle it out tomorrow, Wednesday 28 July, to be crowned the Australia and New Zealand New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii Coin Challenge Champion!

The Nintendo Connection Tour 2010 has now completed its journey around Australia and New Zealand. The tour played host to the New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii Coin Challenge in which players could compete in the Individual or Tag Team battles to collect the highest number of coins in a series of courses. Winners from each tour location, as well as from special events at Myer Sydney City, EB Games Swanston St Melbourne, and through a radio promotion on Tasmania’s Sea FM, will all be competing in Sydney in this National Final.

The Challenge Champions, both Individual and Tag Team, will each win a trip to New York, including all flights and accommodation, as well as $1000 to spend big at the Nintendo World Store!

The final will play out through a series of rounds commencing at 11:30am, with the Grand Final to be held at approximately 1:30pm.

Come along to see the exciting final stages of the competition, as well as some very happy faces once the winners are crowned!

EVENT DETAILS

What: New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii Coin Challenge – National Final

When: Wednesday, 28 July, commencing 11:30am. Grand Final and Presentation of Winners (key photo opportunity) from 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Where: The Mint, 10 Macquarie St, Sydney

For more information visit:

www.nintendo.com.au

 
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Apple Updates iMac Line – Introduces New Multi-Touch Magic Trackpad

SYDNEY, Australia – 28 July, 2010 – Apple® today updated its all-in-one iMac® line, widely praised as the world’s best desktop computers, with the latest Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors and powerful new graphics. Starting at AUD$1599 inc GST / AUD$1453.64 ex GST, the new iMac line is the fastest ever with dual-core processor speeds up to 3.6 GHz, quad-core speeds up to 2.93 GHz and discrete graphics including the powerful ATI Radeon HD 5750. The new Magic Trackpad, with a smooth glass and aluminium design, gives iMac users the same intuitive Multi-Touch™ gestures that Mac® notebook customers have come to love and is available separately for AUD$99 inc GST / AUD$90 ex GST. 
“We took the world’s best all-in-one and made it even better,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With the latest processors, high-performance graphics and signature aluminium and glass design, customers are going to love the latest iMac.”
Dual-core Intel Core i3 and Core i5, and quad-core Core i5 and Core i7 processors set a new benchmark for iMac performance. The processors feature an integrated memory controller to access the system memory directly, allowing the new iMac to take full advantage of its faster 1333 MHz memory. New discrete ATI Radeon HD processors deliver incredibly smooth, crisp graphics for the most demanding 3D games, creative software and technical applications. iMac displays feature IPS technology to deliver a brilliant image across a wide 178 degree viewing angle. The SD card slot on the iMac now supports the SDXC format to handle the latest high-capacity storage cards. Customers of the 27-inch iMac have the option to order a 256GB solid state drive (SSD) as a primary or secondary drive. The iMac SSD supports up to 215 MB/s data transfer rates for faster startup and application launch times.
Every iMac comes with Apple’s innovative Magic Mouse and customers can also order the new Magic Trackpad as an option. The Magic Trackpad brings the intuitive Multi-Touch gestures of Mac notebook trackpads to the desktop. With its glass surface, the wireless Magic Trackpad enables users to scroll smoothly up and down a page with inertial scrolling, pinch to zoom in and out, rotate an image with their fingertips and swipe three fingers to flip through a collection of web pages or photos. The Magic Trackpad can be configured to support single button or two button commands and supports tap-to-click as well as a physical click. 
Continuing Apple’s commitment to the environment, Apple’s desktop lineup is a leader in green design. The iMac meets stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieves EPEAT Gold status.* iMac features LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. iMac uses PVC-free internal components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, uses highly recyclable materials and features material-efficient system and packaging designs. A new Apple Battery Charger provides a convenient and environmentally friendly way to always have a fresh set of batteries for your Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse and Wireless Keyboard. The Apple Battery Charger is available for AUD$39 inc GST / AUD$35.45 ex GST and comes with six long shelf life rechargeable batteries.
Every Mac also comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto®, with breakthrough ways to organise and manage your photos by who appears in them and where they were taken; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use features such as Precision Editor, video stabilisation and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand® which offers a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.
Pricing & Availability
The new iMac line is shipping now and available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/au/store), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers (www.apple.com/au/buy). 
The new 21.5-inch 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3 iMac, for a recommend retail price of AUD$1599 inc GST / AUD$1453.64 ex GST, includes:
• 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display;
• 3.06 GHz Intel Core i3 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache;
• 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
• ATI Radeon HD 4670 discrete graphics with 256MB GDDR3 SDRAM;
• 500GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• slot-load 8x SuperDrive® with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• Mini DisplayPort for audio and video output (adapters sold separately);
• AirPort Extreme® 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• iSight® video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet;
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one SDXC SD card slot;
• one FireWire® 800 port;
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.
Configure-to-order options include up to 8GB of RAM.
The new 21.5-inch 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 iMac, for a recommend retail price of AUD$1999 inc GST / AUD$1817.27 ex GST, includes:
• 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 LED-backlit display;
• 3.20 GHz Intel Core i3 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache;
• 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
• ATI Radeon HD 5670 discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3;
• 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• Mini DisplayPort for audio and video output (adapters sold separately);
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet;
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one FireWire 800 port;
• one SDXC SD card slot;
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.
Configure-to-order options include a faster 3.6 GHz Core i5 processor, 2TB hard drive and up to 8GB of RAM.
The new 27-inch 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 iMac, for a suggested retail price of AUD$2199 inc GST / AUD$1999.09 ex GST, includes:
• 27-inch 2560 x 1440 LED-backlit display;
• 3.20 GHz Intel Core i3 processor with 4MB shared L3 cache;
• 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
• ATI Radeon HD 5670 discrete graphics with 512MB GDDR3;
• 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• Mini DisplayPort for audio and video input and output (adapters sold separately);
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet;
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one FireWire 800 port;
• one SDXC SD card slot;
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.
Configure-to-order options include a 3.6 GHz Core i5 processor, 2TB hard drive, 256GB solid state drive (SSD) and up to 16GB of RAM.
The new 27-inch 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 iMac, for a recommended retail price of AUD$2599 inc GST / AUD$2362.73 ex GST, includes:
• 27-inch 2560 x 1440 LED-backlit display;
• 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache;
• 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 16GB;
• ATI Radeon HD 5750 discrete graphics with 1GB GDDR5;
• 1TB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm;
• slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
• Mini DisplayPort for audio and video input and output (adapters sold separately);
• AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
• iSight video camera;
• Gigabit Ethernet;
• four USB 2.0 ports;
• one FireWire 800 port;
• one SDXC SD card slot;
• built-in stereo speakers and microphone; and
• Wireless Apple Keyboard, Magic Mouse.
Configure-to-order options include a 2.93 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 processor, a 2TB hard drive, 256GB solid state drive (SSD) and up to 16GB of RAM.
Additional accessories include: Magic Trackpad, Apple Battery Charger, wired Apple Mouse, wired Apple Keyboard, wired Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad, Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple Remote, the AppleCare® Protection Plan; and pre-installed copies of iWork®, Logic® Express 9, Final Cut® Express 4 and Aperture® 3.
*EPEAT is an independent organisation that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognised as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.
Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.