The smallest e-reader Pocket Edition features a touch screen, and infrared sensors to read finger swipes.  This device sells for $229, around $76 more than Amazon’s cheapest Kindle e-reader.  It also features higher-contrast electronic ink display (16 shades of gray), is smaller in size, but still has a comparatively large screen.

The bigger models, called the Daily Edition (not able to be purchased in Australia) and the Touch Edition, have also been upgraded.  The Touch Edition will cost $299, and will have a longer battery life than the previous model.

Both the Touch and Pocket Editions are easy to use, and read from.  However, a major disadvantage is that 3G cannot be used for downloading, so users will have to sync their e-books via USB.

When asked why, Microsoft says “IE6 is a nine-year-old web browser and doesn’t sufficiently protect users from the latest security threats. Microsoft is urging customers to upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer so that they are not leaving themselves vulnerable.”

Consumers appear to be of the mindset, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, however security threats have changed and browsers need to be upgraded.

Mr Richardson contends that his patent has stood up to legal scrutiny, so he is taking these new lawsuits on principle.  However, if succesful, the damages awarded will be given to charity.

Richardson, patented the technology designed to deter software piracy in the early 1990’s, and the proceedings against Microsoft have been ongoing since 2003. And yes, Uniloc is appealing the Microsoft decision to overthrow its lawsuit, by alleging bias from the Judge.

Stay tuned, this saga will be interesting…..

To help customers from having to line up in the strangely cold weather in Sydney overnight, Vodafone and 3 will allow people to register their iPhone 4 purchase at the George Street Vodafone store from 10pm today.  Customers have also begun queueing at the Optus store on George St.

Click here to access the best iPhone plans.

Sydney Morning Herald today reports that Australian Customs faces new problems with emerging technology, as it is difficult to monitor, and exposes a potentially wider section of the public to drugs.  Some of the pills are simply caffeine-based, whereas others contain ingredients such as ephedrine, one of the precursors of methamphetamine. They are sent through the post and Customs said “many packages are opened and assessed each day”, but not every package can be opened.

Customs does not have the legal authority to shut down online sites selling the drugs but has forced some of the websites to include import restrictions warnings.

Consumer Reports stated that it could not recommend the iPhone, due to the antenna, which, if the device is held a particular way, substantially cuts the phone’s reception resulting in “signal loss issues”.

This result was upheld by Engadgets, who in their own testing, found that the iPhone 4’s dropped calls and experienced low data rates at a much higher frequency than other phones.  Engadget’s full review of the iPhone 4 is here.

Consumer Reports blog contains further detail as to why the iPhone 3 is preferable to the latest model.

Take up the challenge to get moving for just 20 minutes a day, for the entire month of September, 2010. Why?

• To improve your mood, give you more energy and improve your overall health & well-being.
• To show your support for people with depression and their famillies.

One in five Australians will experience some form of mental illness within a 12-month period and almost half of all Australians have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their lifetime. This is your chance to make a difference, both to your own mood and the mood of others.

Click here to sign up now!

However, there may be some modifications to the original proposal by  the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy.

”I understand that there’s a set of…technical concerns about internet speed, and also concerns that somehow this accidentally doesn’t move into taking away legitimate use of the internet,” said Ms Gillard.

The legislation to introduce the web filter is unlikely to be introduced before the election.

To view the full article, click here.

Independent senator Nick Xenaphon is encouraging the federal government to take action on this point, as there is no legislation handling it in the meantime.  Mr Xenaphon believes that while parents play the pokies inside a club, the kids are getting the same ‘training’ on arcade games not far away.

The Productivity Commission appears to be in agreement with Mr Xenaphon, in its report on gambling which states that “minors should not…be exposed to gambling areas within venues”.  Unfortunately, the report did not continue on to make further recommendations about fixing this problem.

To read the full article, click here.

There is no better device for durability and secure data storage, so do not miss out.