Telstra Lite

At an outright cost of only $39, the Telstra Lite is a great way to get your teen connected. The phone features a 2.4” colour screen, Bluetooth and a rear camera. It carries the Blue Tick – indicating it is suitable for rural coverage. The Telstra Lite is an ideal phone for making and receiving calls and texts, without all the distractions. You can use the internet browser and email on the Telstra Lite, but the small screen makes the experience cumbersome and unenjoyable. The Telstra Lite has a 1000mah battery.

Samsung Galaxy A30

The Samsung Galaxy A30 smartphone features a large 6.4” Display and a dual camera with 16-megapixel and 123-degree ultra-wide 5-megapixel camera to fit more into your photos. There is also a 16-megapixel front (selfie) camera. The A30 has a 4000mah battery, and also supports 15w Fast Charging.

The Samsung Galaxy A30 runs on Android, and a massive library of free and paid apps are available from the Google Play Store to install onto your device.

The Samsung Galaxy A30 is $379 outright, or available for $15.79 per month (plus plan costs) on a Telstra plan.

Plan or Prepaid?

There are a range of considerations in deciding whether to go prepaid or on a plan. Once upon a time, you would go prepaid to avoid being locked into a contract, however, Telstra’s plans are now a month-to-month plan with no lock-in contract, and also give you the flexibility to change your plan once a month. Telstra plans start at $50 per month for 15GB of data and go up to $100 per month for 150GB of data.

One of the major benefits of Telstra Pre-Paid Max is the ability to Data Bank up to 200GB of data when you recharge before your expiry date. This means that if you’re on the $30 (28-day expiry) offer with 20GB of data (10GB + 10GB) and you haven’t used all 20GB of data, the remaining data goes into your Data Bank and can be used at a later date.

Telstra Pre-Paid Max gives you unlimited standard national calls and text, and unlimited standard calls from Australia to selected destinations.

Another pre-paid option, if you have no intention to use data is Telstra Pre-Paid Long Life Plus, which gives you 365 days expiry with a $70 recharge. Calls are charged at 30c/minute to standard Australian numbers, and texts are 30c each. Data, if used, is charged at 10c per megabyte.

Using the examples outlined above, you can get your teen connected for as low as 30c a day (Telstra Lite with $70 365-day Long Life Prepaid).

If you would like more information about Telstra products and services, please visit Michael Pender and Danielle Harris in-store at GBM technology.

The post Best phones for teens appeared first on Sara Napier.

iPhone 11

• 6 new colours – purple, yellow, green, black, white, red
• 6.1″ liquid retina display
• new dual-camera system with 12mp wide camera and 12mp ultra-wide camera and night mode
• Priced from $1199

Pre-order from 13 September, Available from 20 September

Telstra pricing will be available from Friday 13 September.

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max

• Available in 5.8″ and 6.5″ sizes with Super Retina XDR display
• 4 colours – Gold, Space Grey, Silver and Midnight Green
• 64, 256 and 512GB capacity
• IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance
• Triple 12-megapixel Ultra Wide, Wide and Telephone cameras
• Priced from $1749

Pre-order from 13 September, Available from 20 September

Telstra pricing will be available from Friday 13 September.

iPhone 8 and iPhone XR stay in the iPhone line-up.

iPad 10.2-inch

• The 6th generation is being replaced by the 7th generation iPad.
• 10.2-inch retina display
• features smart connector – which supports the Apple smart keyboard
• 10-hour battery life
• Available in 32GB and 128GB storage capacity, WiFi and WiFi + Cellular and three colours – Space Grey, Silver and Gold.
• made from 100% recycled aluminium

Available from $529.00. Available to order now, and in-store from 30 September.

Apple Watch 5

• Apple Watch 5 replaces Apple Watch 4, with Apple Watch 3 remaining in the lin-up
• Proactive health monitoring, including heart rate monitoring throughout the day
• Fall detection
• Emergency Calling (anywhere in the world)
• New always-on Retina display
• New – App store available on the Apple Watch
• Available in 40mm and 44mm case size

Available from $649.00. Available to order now, available instore from 20 September.

Apple TV+

Apple TV+ will feature Apple original content including new shows such as Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories, The Morning Show (Jennifer Aniston, Reece Witherspoon, Steve Carell as well as two documentaries by Oprah Winfrey. Oprah’s involvement with Apple TV+ also include a new Book Club. Apple TV+ will launch on 1 November. It will cost $7.99/mth with access for up to six people. You can also get Apple TV+ for a year when you purchase an eligible new iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or Apple TV!

Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade is the world’s first subscription games service for mobile, computer and Apple TV. September 20 is the launch date for Apple Arcade in over 150 countries around the world. Apple Arcade will cost $7.99 for a family subscription (monthly) and there is a 1-month free trial available.

The post iPhone 11, new iPad and Apple Watch 5 announced appeared first on Sara Napier.

Tim Cook outlined the current service offering from Apple including:

• iCloud
• Siri
• Apple Maps
• Apple Pay
• Messenges
• FaceTime
• Find my iPhone
• Find my Friends
• Apple Music
• Podcasts
• Books
• Apple News

New services outlined today included:

• Apple News+
• Apple Card
• Apple Arcade
• Apple TV Channels
• Apple TV+

Apple News+

Will provide access to over 300 magazines across a range of categories:

• Entertainment
• Fashion
• News
• Fashion
• Politics
• Health
• Lifestyle
• Travel
• Food
• Cars

The app will include live covers on magazines and content will adapt to iPhone or iPad displays.

Apple stressed that the use of their News app doesn’t allow advertisers to track you – it uses on-device technology to feed you interesting and relevant articles.

It would cost over $8000 each year to subscribe to all of the available individually. Apple will be offering the News+ service for $9.99 per month. It will be available for Family Sharing at this price!

First month free

Apple News+ is launching in US and Canada now, simply download updates on your device.

Apple News+ is coming to Australia and Europe later in 2019.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay will surpass 10 billion transactions in 2019. It currently has 70% acceptance in USA and an amazing 99% in Australia.

It is currently used in many cities (London, Moscow) for transit and will be rolling out to more US cities this year.

Credit Cards

Today Apple introduced Apple Card stressing the importance of Simplicity, Transparency and Privacy.

It’s a new kind of card, designed to provide you with a healthier financial life.

You can use it worldwide with Apple Pay and it’s available across all devices.

Within the Wallet App you can see how much you have spent and when payment is due.

Apple Cards will use technology to link transactions and machine learning to better understand your spending. No more random, unknown transactions on your credit card statement.

You can use it for tracking spending categories and also for tracking spending over time periods.

Apple Card rewards will be cashback, with the money accumulated shown within the app to be spent.

You will earn 2% daily cash when you use Apple Pay. Items and Services purchased from Apple will earn 3% daily cash.

Apple Cash rewards will be unlimited – the more you spend, the more you earn.

Apple have partnered with Goldman Sachs and Mastercard to develop Apple Card.

As well as being a payment method in your Apple Wallet, you will also receive a physical card. It is made of titanium and your name is laser etched on the card. It is very secure, with no card number, no CVV, no expiration and no signature on the physical card.

You will earn 1% Daily Cash if the physical card used.

Apple Card will be available in the US Summer. No mention of other countries at this time.

Apple Arcade

Apple Arcade will be available in the America Fall in 150+ countries. Pricing still to be announced.

World’s first games subscription service for mobile, desktop and the living room.

It will provide access to over 100 games that are exclusive to Apple.

You will be able to plat all you can play. Rather than pay up front for each game, a subscription to Apple Arcade will give you access to all content. If you’re concerned about screen time you can set limits within Apple via ScreenTime.

Apple Arcade will be available for Family Sharing.

New Apple TV App

All new Apple TV App

Access to over 100,000 movie titles – all built into Apple TV app.

You can now access network/cable TV via the Apple TV app.

Instead of subscribing to many different services, you can pay only for what you want, all in the one app, with the password you already know!

It’s on demand and ad free. You can stream content, or download it.

Apple TV channels

A new feature Inside the new Apple TV app

You will have access to channels including Showtime, HBO, Starz and many more.

There will be Software Update available soon for access to the new Apple TV App including the TV channels feature.

The Apple TV app will also become available to Smart TV users.

It’s currently available in 10 countries, but will become available to 100+ countries.

Apple TV+

The most impressive part of Apple’s TV+ launch was the use of Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, M Night Shyamalan, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Oprah to announce Apple TV+

Apple TV+ will feature Apple original content including new shows such as Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories, The Morning Show (Jennifer Aniston, Reece Witherspoon, Steve Carell as well as two documentaries by Oprah Winfrey. Oprah’s involvement with Apple TV+ also include a new Book Club.

Apple TV+ will be:

• Ad free
• Apple exclusive original content
• Available in 100+ countries
• Available in the American fall
• No mention of subscription price yet.

The post Apple TV+ the highlight at Apple’s latest Special Event appeared first on Sara Napier.

NBNco will be decommissioning the copper network in both towns at the start of March 2019, giving residents and businesses in these towns only weeks to make the transition.

If properties do not make the switch beforehand, their phones and internet will stop working.

NBN Fibre to the Node being was made available in these towns in August 2017, and residents have been provided with an 18-month grace period to make the switch.

While the majority of households have switched their broadband over to the new NBN network, there are still people who haven’t and they risk being disconnected when the old copper network is decommissioned in March.

The switch to NBN is not automatic and if you want to maintain your landline and internet access you must contact a phone or internet provider ASAP.

This deadline only impacts properties which have NBN Fibre to the Node available and doesn’t impact those on other NBN technologies. If you’re unsure, please call in and we will figure it out with you.

GBM technology is your locally owned Telstra Partner, which means our team can help you with all your NBN, home phone and mobile connection needs. We are also an NBN business accreditated adviser, which means our staff have completed extra training to make your transition to NBN as easy and painless as possible.

Don’t switch to NBN over the phone or in a caravan in the street – we are here to help.

For more information about the NBN rollout or the range of Telstra Partner services offered from GBM technology please contact Michael Pender, our Telecommunications Manager on 03 5593 2489.

GBM technology is a Telstra Partner and an NBN business accredited adviser.

The post NBN Switch Deadline Looming for Terang and Camperdown Residents. appeared first on Sara Napier.

Streaming Hardware

Apple TV From $209

From TV shows to movies to games, it’s all available on Apple TV. Enjoy content from iTunes and apps like Netflix, Stan, Tenplay and 9Now — or use the Siri Remote to find just what you want.* You can even enjoy the photos you take on your iPhone on the big screen. And it all looks great in HD. You can also turn your television into a computer monitor using AirPlay from your Apple device.

Apple TV connects to your existing television using a HDMI cable, and can connect to the Internet via WiFi or ethernet cable.

Telstra TV $192 outright or get it on a Telstra Home Broadband Plan

With Australia’s first integrated live TV, catch-up and on-demand search function, Telstra TV is the only device in the country with the ability to search simultaneously for specific titles across live TV, Foxtel Now, Netflix, Stan, BigPond Movies, and free-to-air catch-up TV. Telstra broadband connection required.

Google Chromecast $59

Chromecast plugs into your TV’s HDMI port. Simply use your device and the TV you own to stream TV shows, movies, games and more. Chromecast works with iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Mac and Windows laptop and Chromebook.

Screenbeam HDMI Adaptor Were $70 NOW $50

ScreenBeam Mini2 takes many of the same features of Actiontec’s award-winning, market-leading ScreenBeam Pro platform, and squeezes them into a tiny form factor perfect for connecting to today’s flat-screen TVs, and at a ground-breaking low price. With ScreenBeam Mini2, you can enjoy your favourite videos, photos and movies on the best display in the house. Simply connect the tiny adapter to your HDTV and you can wirelessly display content from a compatible laptop, tablet, or smartphone. That means you can sit back and watch movies from Netflix or YouTube on your HDTV.

Subscription Streaming Services

There are a number of subscription-based streaming services available now. Popular ones include Netflix, Stan, Foxtel Go and Amazon Prime.

Netflix from $9.99/mth

Netflix provides both TV shows and movies. Netflix screens a lot of reruns of popular TV shows including Outlander, Mad Men and Gilmore Girls. Netflix Originals are television shows and movies commissioned by Netflix and available exclusively on Netflix. Netflix spends around 25% of their budget on new original programming. Popular Netflix Originals include: Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, The Crown, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Grace and Frankie.

There are three subscription tiers: basic, which is SD quality and allows only one stream to run at any one time; standard, which allows for two simultaneous streams and HD quality; and premium, which lets you run four simultaneous streams and gives you access to 4K streaming (for titles that support it).

Stan from $10/mth

Stan is Australian owned, similar to Netflix and slightly less expensive. Stan’s library isn’t as extensive as Netflix, but it tends to have more Australian content. Like Netflix, Stan also produces original content (Stan Original) and also have First on Stan, content which hasn’t been shown first on pay or free to air, and Only on Stan content. Popular content available exclusively to Stan includes Younger, Impostors, Billions and The Royals.

Stan comes in three subscription tiers: basic, which is SD quality and allows only one stream to run at any one time; standard, which allows for three simultaneous streams and HD quality; and premium, which lets you run four simultaneous streams and gives you access to 4K streaming for titles that support it.

Foxtel Now from $10/mth

Foxtel Now is essential if you’re wanting to catch up on popular television such as Game of Thrones, Wentworth, Top of the Lake and the new episodes of Outlander (coming in November). The content packs start at $10 per month for Kids, Docos and Lifestyle and are $15 per month for drama and pop. Premium packs for Movies and Sport for $20 and $29 per month respectively. Foxtel Now offers Live TV and On Demand, and there is more on offer if you can tie yourself to a TV guide, as the On Demand options are often quite limited, due to streaming licensing rights. The good news is that you can often get a free Foxtel Now subscription with select mobile and home broadband plans from Telstra. Keep in mind that it is not unmetered and will use your data allowance.

Amazon Prime from $6.99/mth ($4.99/mth intro)

Amazon Prime has similar content to Stan with repeats of comedies such as Parks and Recreation and Seinfeld.  There are also partial series available with Seasons 9-13 of NCIS, seasons 1-4 of Law and Order SVU and seasons 9-16 of CSI. Prime Original Series are also available – which is content produced exclusively for Amazon. A couple of programs worth checking out include Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and Emmy award-winning The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

Free Streaming Services

As well as the paid subscriptions services, there are a number of free view services including ABC iView, SBS On Demand, 7Plus, 9Now and Tenplay.

These are great for catching up on shows from the last week or two, but increasingly are providing back catalogues for binge-watching.

Current picks include.

ABC iView: Rake, Anh’s Brush with Fame and Back in Time for Dinner.

SBS On Demand: The Handmaid’s Tale, The Way and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.

7Plus: Blue Heelers and City Homicide.

9Now: 165 episodes of Getaway, Love Child, McLeod’s Daughters, Marple, and Poirot

TenPlay: Heartbreak High.

The post Streaming – all you need to know! appeared first on Sara Napier.

The Apple Special Event was held in the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s Californian campus Apple Park with a Mission Impossible style lead-in utilising Siri, AirPods and a locked case and a teleporting Apple Watch…so much drama!

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max

The most anticipated announcement today was the new mobile phone line-up. Today saw the announcement of iPhone XS (Ten S) and iPhone XS Max, which are available for pre-orders from 14 September and available from 21 September.

The iPhone XS is made of surgical steel and comes in a range of colours including the new gold finish. The edge-to-edge bezeless screen comes with the most durable glass ever used in a smartphone.

iPhone XS has a Super Retina 5.8” OLED Retina Display. The new iPhone XS Max has a 6.5” Super Retina display – which is the biggest iPhone display ever. The new plus-sized phone gains most of its extra screen area from height, not width, so shouldn’t be any more difficult to hold. The latest iPhone is IP68 rated, which guarantees projection in water 2m deep up to 30 minutes.

iPhone XS comes with the features we have come to love on iPhone X including Face ID. The A12 Bionic chip provides improved CPU and graphics processing, which also enables improved Augmented Reality (AR) features.

The dual-camera features a 12megapixel wide camera and a 12megapixel telephoto camera. Of course, the improvement to photography is not just hardware, but also improved processing and software. Smart HDR is a new feature featuring zero shutter lag. It basically takes the best parts of a series of photos and merges them to create a beautiful image. Amazingly you can now change the depth of field of your photos after you have taken the photo.

iPhone XS will be released in a range of three colours – silver, space grey and gold.

Both models will have a 64GB, 256GB and 512GB variants.

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR (Ten R) is Apple’s new base model. It comes in White, Black, Blue, Coral, Yellow and Product (RED) colours. It is IP67 water resistant and has a 6.1-inch (diagonal) LCD edge-to-edge display, which is known as a Liquid Retina display.

There is a single 12-megapixel wide-angle camera.

Like other iPhone X variants, it features Face ID. It has improved battery life, with up to 90 minutes longer than an iPhone 8 Plus.

iPhone XR will be available for pre-orders from 19 October and available from 26 October and will be available in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB variants.

Apple Watch Series 4

The Apple Watch 4 was the first product released overnight.

The biggest news about the Apple Watch Series 4 is the new sizes, with the new release coming in 40mm and 44mm sizes (each 2mm larger than previous releases). The Watch screen is now 35% and 32% larger than previous models, meaning you’ll see much more on screen than before, however the casing is thinner and overall volume is less than previous models.

Apple Watch is helping people stay connected and get healthy.

1. Keeps you connected – via phone, messages, and cellular models make this even easier
2. Fitness is at the core of Apple Watch,
3. Health, HRM – it now notifies you if it detects differences in your heart rate, such as low heart rate, high heart rate and abnormal heart rhythm. Apple Watch 4 also features electrodes which can take an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is the first product providing ECG over-the-counter and has FDA approval.

The ability to customise the screen and complications has been improved in Apple Watch 4. You can add your contacts to the Watch face and simply tap to contact.

The Digital Crown has been reengineered with haptic feedback. The speaker has also been redesigned and is 50% louder – making the cellular model more useful!

The Apple Watch 4 includes an updated Accelerometer and Gyroscope. As well as identifying types of movement, the Apple Watch Series 4 can now detect a fall and can automatically call emergency services for you if you remain immobile. Apple Watch is no longer for those after gadgets or those with fitness on their mind.

The Apple Watch 4 will come in Aluminium Space Grey, Silver and Gold and there is a stainless-steel collection also.

The Apple Watch Series 4 will ship with WatchOS 5, and has an 18-hour battery life, and GPS workout time of up to 6 hours. WatchOS 5 is available on September 17 for exisiting Apple Watch owners.

Preorders for the new Apple Watch start on 14 September with availability from 21 September.

iOS 12

The much-anticipated release of iOS 12 was also announced overnight. And it will be available on September 17.

For more information about Apple’s new product line-up, visit our friendly staff at your local Apple Authorised Reseller and Telstra Partner Gee Bees Media.

The post Apple Special Event 2018 appeared first on Sara Napier.