Pre-paid mobile internet Australia

My friend is going to Australia for a trip. My friend was being warned not to turn on Internet roaming, because there are people who has been charged for few thousands on data roaming on the telephone bill.

Roaming is always expensive, be it voice or data charges. I will always recommend to get local pre-paid mobile package.

I simply do some research on Australia mobile operators, and share these information. These information get from Internet and just for reference. Please double check with the local mobile shop for detail information, as mobile packages are very confusing.

The top 3 mobile operators are:
1. Telstra
2. Optus (Mobile bridge alliance)
3. Vodafone

There are a few cases below, one of it may fit into your needs:
(If not stated, prices are in AUD)

a. Mobile internet only. If you have disabled data roaming and need a pre-paid internet for iPhone or iPad, get Optus iPad prepaid data plan, it came with micro-SIM card.

Optus iPad prepaid data plan $30 came with micro Sim Starter Kit 3Gb data for 30 days.

Vodafone has an iPad starter kit, detail information is unknown.



b. Local voice and mobile internet. Get Vodafone. Flexi Caps cost $29 came with 500Mb data.

c. Local voice only. Use Telstra. starter pack start with $2, without any credit, need re-charge.


Data roaming

d. For Maxis customers, use Bridge Alliance data roaming. It has 1 day, 3 days and 5 days package. 5 days Bridge DataRoam Unlimited USD$40, roam on Optus network. There registration and subscription is here.

Make sure you only roam on Optus network, your mobile device should have an option to set.

If you are confused and don't know what to do, just disable the data roaming on your phone and follow case a or case c.

e. For Digi customer Internet roaming Max36 on Telstra network. RM36/day.

I will recommend just get local prepaid mobile or mobile internet, it will be much cheaper than your roaming.

Apple iPad 2 2011

Finally iPad 2 is launched on 2 March 2011(US time). As expected it is thinner, lighter, faster and with FaceTime. It came with A5 dual core CPU and dual camera. The first version of iPad is about USD 100 cheaper by now.

What unexpected is Steve Jobs appear on the event and present the keynote. I though he is on medical leave!? Steve Jobs looks much better than the description by recent news. Is clear that Apple is not ready to have an alternative than Steve Jobs yet.

iPad which launched last year, had been sold for a total 15 million units by the end of year 2010, reported by Steve Jobs at the start of the keynote. Expected to generate 9.5 billion in revenue by iPad alone.

iPad 2 is thinner and lighter, thickness is just 8.8mm (previous is 13.4mm) , even thinner than iPhone 4. I am expecting the iPhone 5 will be thinner as well compare with iPhone 4.

Apple design a new magnetic case for the iPad 2, attached magnetically to the device. The thin leather cover protect the screen display without increase the thickness much of the device. The cover can be used as the standing support for the device as well.

iPad 2 is able to output display to HDTV through HDMI connectors. User need to purchase a HDMI connector separately. User can output everything on the iPad device on HDTV (and not just video only for earlier iPod Touch, iPhone). User can do a presentation through the iPad and output to projector.

There are people saying that no new revolutionary factors for the new iPad 2. If you already have an iPad now, you might not need to upgrade.

What makes iPad 2 different from other tablet (or the previous iPad) will be the design, the software and the price tag. The 16G Wifi version will be selling at USD499, same price as the first iPad.

iPad 2 will be available 10 March (for US). Other countries have to wait till 25 March or later.