James Blog

Android outsells iOS in Australia

    It's official
    Googles Android operating system for smart phones now surpasses sales of Apples' iOS operating system for the iPhone in Australia, making Android the most commonly used Smart Phone operating system around the world.
    For almost 12 months, Android has out sold iOS in Europe and America, but last week finally made the cut to overtake iOS in Australia.
    Local Telco's are selling many different branded Android handsets from the likes of Motorola, Samsung, Huawei, Sony Ericsson, LG and many others, both on Post Paid and Pre Paid. 
    The cost benefits are part reason for Android outselling iOS as is the fact that multiple manufacturers have embraced the open operating system from Google.

    Another interesting fact is, 1 in 2 handsets sold in Australia are now Smart Phones with internet access. This used to be an area reserved for the business market, but all consumers are wanting the benefits of smart "connected" mobiles.

    If you haven't tried one of the new smart phones, then maybe it's time you upgraded your handset to one of many Android powered Smart Phones available today.

    Prices have plummeted in recent months and you can now pick up a great bargain on Prepaid for as little as $79 rrp.

    My suggestion would be that if you are thinking of buying an Android powered smart phone, buy one that runs Android Operating System 2.2 (Froyo) or above for the best user experience.
 

2011 National Newsagents Awards - Winners Announced


    The best of the best gathered at the Melbourne Conference Centre in Melbourne to celebrate and honour newsagents across the country.
    Pictured above are Tracey & Ian McVea from newsXpress Beechworth in Victoria accepting their award and prize money for  the 2011 "New Technologies"  Newsagent of the Year

    The national winners for 2011 are :-

        Retail Newsagent of the Year - Doug & Tracey Otter, Queenscliff Village News - Victoria

        Distribution Newsagent of the Year - Coral Giles & Marten Beyer, Somerton Park Newsagency - SA

      Technology Newsagent of the Year - Tracey &  Ian McVea, newsXpress Beechworth - Vic

        Employee of the Year - Ella Butler from Morisset Newsagency - NSW

 

ANF Conference Highlights Unity
    The Australian Newsagents Federation (ANF) annual conference was held at the Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne earlier this week.
    A full program on both Monday and Wednesday were close to full, with an enjoyable Golf Day on Tuesday to let delegates unwind.
    Jenlist Distributors are proud to be the Platinum Sponsor at this years event, and values our relationship with newsagents around Australia.

    I managed to speak to almost everyone during the 3 days and was pleased to hear comments from newsagents like "best confernce in 6 years" and "unity is back".

    Congratulations to the ANF team for a well organised and highly successful conference.
 

GNS Trade Show a Hit !
    Although the number of Newsagents attending this years GNS Trade Fair at the fabulous Melbourne Exhibition Centre was down a little, the calibre of newsagents seems to get better with each year.
    The common theme amongst the many newsagents I spoke with was they were looking for ways to grow their business thinking outside the square. 
    No longer are these people relying on just selling magazines, newspapers and cards, but are looking for new exciting products to fill gaps and offer their customers a better shopping experience.
    Our latest lines of products were a hit this year. Newsagents enthusiastically added new products from Jenlist to their range in store, from torches to iPod Docks and cameras, expanding the range of "technology" based products to their existing Prepaid Mobile handsets.
    The new iPhone 4 cases in particular were a hit, backing up the huge sales growth we have seen with this product over recent months.
    Thank you GNS and thank you to all the fabulous newsagents that took time out to visit us.
 

Blackberry Value with Boost Mobile


    Boost Mobile offers great value for all those Blackberry users. Get unlimited Blackberry emails and unlimited mobile access to social network sites on your compatible Blackberry mobile with Boost Mobile. 
    No lock in contracts and recharge from as little as $25. Better still, recharge with $40 Boost and get unlimited Talk and Text as well as 3GB of data.

    The Boost Blackberry SIM is available for $49.95 rrp. Click here

    For more information about rates, please see the Boost Mobile Web site
 

GNS Trade Fair Sydney


    We attended the GNS Trade Fair again this year in Sydney and were pleased to intoduce many new products to our valued newsagents. The Trade Fair was well attended with Newsagents travelling long distances from country NSW. It was nice to speak to many of you that decided to make a weekend of it, booking a nice hotel and relaxing a little while still  making time to visit the many stands at GNS. 
    Thank you to all our valued retailers that visited us. We hope you enjoyed the weekend as much as we did.
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30 Years of Mobiles in Australia
    The first Mobile Phone Call in Australia was made 30 years ago today.
    This historic moment occured using a car phone weighing 14 kilograms and costing the equivalent of $17,000 in today's money.
    The actual phone was a bit more sophisticated than the one in the picure here, but I liked this picture. It actually shows a car phone in use in the USA during 1967 supplied by the General Telephone Company.

    It's hard to believe we have come so far in so few years

    Do you remember your first Mobile Phone?
 

Dual SIM Phones Took a While

    It took a while for unlocked Dual SIM phones to become fairly mainstream in Australia but they are here in force now.

    We have two very popular Dual SIM handsets from Nokia and Samsung in our range currently, and there are more coming.

    It wasn't so long ago that the major brands like Nokia and Samsung did not offer dual SIM, with most available coming from little known brands from China.

Well, now it is a reality.

Why do people want Dual SIM phones? Quite simple really. A dual SIM phone means having 2 SIM cards, therefore 2 phone numbers on the one phone. Great for people that have a work number and a private number. They no longer need to carry two handsets. Others may wish to have two SIMS because they use one SIM number to make overseas call regularly to family and friends using products like the Optus Calls for Less or Virgin Home Made with cheap overseas calling rates on their included Pre-Paid plan.
    If you are stocking handsets, then you should make sure you have at least one Dual SIM phone in stock for your customers.
    Take a look at the Nokia C1 00 and Samsung Chat C222
 

New ANF Web Site


    So, I was scrolling through the web last night, and I often visit web sites relevant to our industry to see what is on offer, or what news and updates there might be.
    I went to the ANF (Australian Newsagents Federation) web site and note they have updated and improved the look with a completely new web site. Very refreshing!
    I found the site easy to navigate and find information, so well done ANF.

    If you are a newsagent, then I recommend you check out the ANF's new web site. I am sure you will find lots of things relevant and of interest to you.

Click here to go to the ANF Web site
 

Free To Air Television
on your
Optus Mobile



    Optus have launched their new Free to Air Television service.            Its called Optus TV Now.
Don't want to miss your favourite SITCOM or drama while you are away? Like to catch up with what's happening on the Ellen show screening at lunh time, but can't get to a TV?
    Then check out the new service from Optus that allows you to record and watch later Free to Air Television on your mobile. Optus gives you the ability to record your favourite television shows on the Optus servers and later retreive these to watch directly on your mobile.
    Best of all, this sercice is available now to all Optus Mobile cusotmers, Post Paid and Prepaid, and Optus have included 45 minutes of recording for FREE.

Like to know more... then click here to check out how to use Optus TV Now.