Stories by Adam Bender

Hands On: Livescribe smartpen adds Wi-Fi, Evernote

How do you improve upon a digital pen that records audio as you write? With its new Sky smartpen, Livescribe is betting wireless is the answer.

Lonely Planet embraces digital amid disruption in publishing

Lonely Planet had to quickly adapt to a digital world to stay relevant as a publisher of travel guides. Known for physical books, the company overhauled its Web presence and publishing processes to meet consumer demand for real-time and mobile tourist information, according to Lonely Planet online platform manager, Darragh Kennedy.

Mobility speeds local inspections for Auburn City Council

The Auburn City Council has embraced mobility to automate inspections and increase productivity. The council’s IT manager, Sarju Sahu, said he chose a mobile enterprise application platform by BlinkMobile to enable his any time, any device vision.

Current Boost customers to stay on Optus network

Existing Boost Mobile customers won’t be transferred to the Telstra network when Boost moves there from Optus this coming January, Telstra said.

Could Vodafone become takeover target for Japanese telco?

SoftBank might eye Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) as the Japanese telco continues its global expansion, mobile industry observers have told Computerworld Australia. They said VHA, which has lately suffered large customer losses due to network problems, may be open to such an acquisition.

Windows is Sara Lee's favourite mobile OS flavour

Sara Lee chose Windows Phone handsets for its workforce over BlackBerry, Android or iPhone. The Sydney-based food manufacturing company announced it is giving staff Nokia Lumia 800 handsets running on the Optus network.

Choice urges IP spoofing for better IT prices

Consumers should spoof their IP address and use US forwarding addresses to beat high IT prices in Australia, consumer advocacy group Choice said.

Queensland seeks public safety wireless network

The Queensland government seeks a vendor to provide a wireless network for public safety, according to a request for expression of interest released this week. The wireless project aims to deliver better radio voice and narrowband data communications for police and emergency responders.

NCR to connect concessions in Perth Arena

VenuesWest has chosen NCR to provide its venue management system for the new Perth Arena, NCR announced.

Adam Internet rejected buyout proposals before Telstra offer

Adam Internet resisted acquisition offers for nearly a decade before agreeing to a deal from Telstra, Adam Internet executive chairman, Greg Hicks, said on a conference call this morning with reporters.

Telstra buys Adam Internet in surprise agreement

Telsta has purchased Adam Internet, the last independent ISP of South Australia, the telco confirmed this morning.

TransACT signs data centre deal with CrimTrac

TransACT signed a $14.9 million, 10-year agreement to provide data centre services to CrimTrac.

NCR to speed ATM deposits for ANZ

ANZ bank has tapped long-time partner NCR to help build the bank’s “next-generation” cash machines. NCR announced a five-year agreement with the bank to build ATM machines that can handle complex deposits more quickly.

Study finds iPhone 5 plans cheaper in Australia than US, UK

Australia pays less for services on the iPhone 5 than other countries, according to WhistleOut. It compared Australian iPhone plans to those of the US, UK and New Zealand.

Telstra to address ACCC concerns about Trading Post sale

Telstra dismissed concerns raised by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) about the telco’s deal to sell classifieds service Trading Post to Carsales.com.