Compiled by Patrick Avenell

Apple has announced the availability of its iWork suite of apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch. These three apps, each RRP $12.99, are Keynote (think PowerPoint), Pages (Word) and Numbers (Excel). Users who have already downloaded these apps for the iPad are invited to download a free upgrade.

Here are some adjectives used by Apple’s PR department to describe these apps: stunning, beautiful, powerful, incredible, improved, amazing and intelligent.

In other pomaceous news, the new Mac OS (Lion) and mobile iOS systems will be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference starting on 6 June. Apple’s media streaming service iCloud will also be revealed that day.

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Intel executive vice president Sean Maloney has declared that the Ultrabook will account for almost half the consumer laptop segment by the end of next year. Ultrabooks enable slim notebook PCs to operate at powerful levels whilst still retailing for under US$1,000 (AUS$936).

“Computing is taking many forms,” said Maloney. “Technology innovation is a catalyst, and we believe the changes Intel is making to its roadmaps, together with strong industry collaboration, will bring about an exciting change in personal computing over the next few years.”

Meanwhile, the Intel Australia sponsored Vivid Sydney is currently wowing Harbour City residents. There was quite a crowd at Circular Quay, beside the Harbour Bridge, last night as a light show was projected onto the Opera House and Customs House.

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Nascent (which means up and coming) consumer electronics brand Laser has released its first DAB+ digital radio receiver with an AM tuner. The DG200AM is a portable unit that features both DAB+ and both the AM and FM analogue bands.

There’s a backlit LCD screen on this radio to showcase scrolling broadcast info, 20 presets and both automatic and manual scanning. This unit is RRP $99.

“The uptake of DAB is progressing steadily with digital radio coverage in major capital cities across Australia. It still, however, leaves a large percentage of the population without full DAB+ reception,” said managing director Chris Lau. “Laser developed the DG200AM to cater to a wider society, for listeners that still don’t have digital radio coverage, as well as listeners that miss their AM radio.”

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Plantronics has appointed Cellnet as its new New Zealand distributor. This appointment is effective immediately.

“We’re very excited about the partnership as we’ve seen a growing demand for consumer solutions through the channel,” said Plantronics MD Graeme Gherbaz. “Cellnet have strong experience in the retail and telecommunication market and we welcome the company’s strategic focus on consumer retail environments.”

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Also on Current.com.au:

Jura’s Swiss head office is taking over the Australian office
LG has announced the availability of the Optimus Black
A recall has been reissued for Omega and Smeg dishwashers