If you’ve been lucky enough to score yourself the elusive PS5, or you’d like to try and nab one in the near future, you’ll be happy to hear that a number of next-gen games are now on sale at several Aussie retailers.
Among the retailers, we’ve found that Amazon has come out on top, with the cheapest prices we’ve seen to date on titles such as Demon’s Souls, Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Sackboy: A Big Adventure – no need to wait until Prime Day to add to your gaming library.
Considering some of these PS5 titles have an official RRP of AU$109 and above, this is an excellent opportunity to pick up some of the best PS5 games for as low as AU$64 a pop. We’ve listed all the discounted games below:
While the titles listed above are being shipped and sold directly by Amazon AU, there are now a bunch of third-party retailers on the shopping site that are following suit, with prices to match what Amazon is doing. Here are a few of our top picks:
While the PS5 has backwards compatibility, PS5 games won’t work on an older-gen console, so you’ll need the hard-to-find PS5 to play these next-gen games. If you’d like some help tracking one down, our colleagues at GamesRadar are closely monitoring where to buy a PS5 in Australia.
Finding out how much data iOS apps collect on you has become significantly easier following the launch of Apple's privacy labels late last year.
Now though, the app intelligence company 42matters has used its own tools along with the iPhone maker's privacy labels to identify the most popular VPN apps for iOS based on the kind of data they're collecting.
Beginning at the end of last year, Apple began requiring publishers to provide information about the sort of data their apps collect to help further protect the privacy of iOS users. Four distinct labels in the form of Data Used to Track You, Data Linked to You, Data Not Linked to You and Data Not Collected are used by the company in its privacy labels.
We've built a list of the best VPN services available
There are currently 1,265 apps with VPN in their titles on the App Store and 42matters examined their privacy labels to better understand what kind of data iPhone VPN apps are collecting on their users.
What can Apple's privacy labels tell you?
Apple's Data Used to Track You label applies to any data type tracked by an app or third-party partner that is linked to data collected from other places about a particular end-user or device and this information is typically then used for advertising. The most popular VPN apps with this label based on estimated downloads over the last 30 days include VPN – Super Unlimited Proxy by Mobile Jump Pte Ltd, NordVPN and Smart VPN by ToolsForest HK Limited.
The Data Linked to You privacy label refers to any data that could be used to identify an end-user even if this data is not being used to deliver targeted ads. The most popular VPN apps for iOS over the last 30 days with this label include ExpressVPN, Turbo VPN and VPN Vault – Super Proxy App by Appsverse.
Finally, the Data Not Linked to You privacy label applies to data that publishers have declared is not linked to an end user's identity including their geolocation, browser history, etc. The most popular VPN apps with this label include VPN – Super Unlimited Proxy, Free VPN by Free VPN .org and NordVPN.
While Apple's privacy labels provide a bit more information regarding how VPN apps on iOS collect data, you'll get a much clearer picture regarding the kind of logs kept by taking a closer look at the privacy policies of VPN providers on their websites instead. Still though, Apple's privacy labels benefit consumers enough that Google has said it will also follow suit by adding them to Android apps on the Play Store next year.
Arguably the pick of the playoffs sees outright favorites Utah Jazz come up against an in-form Memphis Grizzlies spearheaded by young star Ja Morant. Read on as we explain how to get a Jazz vs Grizzlies live stream and watch the NBA playoffs series online from anywhere.
Jazz vs Grizzlies live stream 2021
Dates: May 23-31 (first four games)
Venue: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah / FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis's route to this series came via a ninth placed finish in the Western Conference followed by a win over the tenth seeded Spurs. They then saw off the Warriors in a nervy 112-117 victory, in a match that at one point saw them surrender a double digit lead, only to claw back a result in overtime thanks to Morant.
The Jazz have been seemingly unstoppable for large parts of the season on their way to notching up the coveted number one seed status. Nevertheless, questions marks surrounding the fitness of back court stars Donovan Mitchell (ankle sprain) and Mike Conley (hamstring), which will likely give an ascendant Memphis some hope of pulling off a shock.
Read on for how to watch the Jazz vs Grizzlies series online and get an NBA playoffs live stream from anywhere.
Stream NBA playoff games without cable with Sling TV Get your first month for only $10 now With NBA playoff games split between ESPN, ESPN3 and TNT, cord cutters can watch with a Sling TV subscription. Sign up to Sling Orange now and shave a mighty $25 off the usual monthly price, while also scoring access to AMC, CNN and 20+ more channels.
Jazz vs Grizzlies: schedule and TV channels
Here's how this first round NBA playoff series between Utah and Memphis looks:
Game 1: Sunday, May 23 at 9.30pm ET/ 6.30pm PT on TNT
Game 2: Wednesday, May 26 at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on ESPN
Game 3: Saturday, May 29 at 9.30pm ET / 6.30pm PT on TNT
Game 4: Monday, May 31 at 9.40pm ET / 6.30pm on TNT
Game 5: Wednesday, June 2 at TBD on TBD (if required)
Game 6: Friday, June 4 at TBD on TBD (if required)
Game 7: Sunday, June 6 at TBD on TBD (if required)
How to watch NBA playoffs from outside your country
Scroll down for all the ways you can watch the Jazz vs Grizzlies series online in a number of countries around the world. But first, you should know that if you're abroad at any point during the postseason, you probably won't be able to watch the NBA playoffs like you normally would at home.
This is because of geo-blocking, a digital restriction that means certain streaming services are only accessible in the region they're based in.
The simplest and most reliable solution is to use a VPN service to change your IP address to a different location. This will generally let you tune in to your local coverage, just as you would from home, and means you don't have to trawl the sketchier corners of the internet for an illegal stream.
Use a VPN to watch NBA playoffs online from anywhere
ExpressVPN - get the world's best VPN We've put all the major VPNs through their paces and we rate ExpressVPN as our top pick, thanks to its speed, ease of use and strong security features. It's also compatible with just about any streaming device out there, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Xbox and PlayStation, as well as Android and Apple mobiles.
Sign up for an annual plan now and get an extra 3 months absolutely FREE. And if you change your mind within the first 30 days, let them know and they'll give you your money back without a quibble.
Jazz vs Grizzlies live stream 2021: how to watch the NBA playoffs online
Linear coverage of the Jazz vs Grizzlies series is split between ESPN, ABC, and TNT - see above for the schedule and channel info.
If you have the channels as part of a cable package, you can also stream the action directly through the ESPN , ABC and TNT websites.
How to watch Jazz vs Grizzlies without cable
Cord-cutters are in luck, too, as you can get ESPN, ABC and TNT without having an expensive cable package.
Great value OTT streaming service Sling TV's Orange package costs just $35 a month and gets you ESPN and TNT, while an $11 p/m Sports Extra add-on nets you NBA TV, which is also showing some playoff games.
This combo will give you an NBA live stream for not only the Jazz vs Grizzlies series but most of the playoffs, since ABC-covered matches are being simulcast on ESPN3, which is also part of this plan.
Better still, Sling is offering new subscribers a fantastic bargain - right now you can save big bucks with this Sling TV deal, which lets you get a whole month of Sling Orange for a mere $10. And unlike cable, cancel your subscription at any time.
More ways to watch NBA basketball online
Another quality option is fuboTV, which offers ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and ABC in most major markets - all the channels you need to watch the playoffs. Packages start from $64.99 a month for the cable replacement service and there's even a FREE fuboTV trial you can try to see if it's right for you.
Out of the US and want to watch your home coverage? No worries - just use a VPN as described above.
How to watch Jazz vs Grizzlies: live stream NBA playoffs in Canada
Canadian basketball fans can watch the entire Jazz vs Grizzlies series via Sportsnet and TSN, with the former showing the opening match-up.
Games 2 through to 5 will be shown on TSN which also has the rights to show 6, with Sportsnet bagging the rights for the 7th and final match, should those two games be needed.
If you get TSN as part of your cable deal, then you'll just be able to log in with the details of your provider and get access to an NBA playoffs live stream.
If you don't have cable, then you can subscribe to TSN on a streaming-only basis from just CA$4.99 a day or (much better value) $19.99 a month.
Similarly, you can watch Sportsnet online at no extra charge if you already subscribe to the channel as part of your TV package - or access it on a streaming-only basis, with plans starting from just CA$9.99 a month.
How to watch Jazz vs Grizzlies: live stream NBA Play-In basketball in the UK
Basketball fans based in the UK can tune into select NBA playoff matches on Sky Sports.
Start times vary but are between 6.30pm and 12.30am BST for the confirmed games.
Subscribers also get to watch on the move using the Sky Go app, which is available on nearly all modern phones, tablets, laptops, PCs and consoles.
For those without Sky, the best option is a Now Sky Sports membership, which includes all 11 channels.
However, the network hasn't released its full schedule yet, and of the games listed, no matches from the Jazz vs Grizzlies series are listed.
An NBA League Pass may therefore be a better bet for fans of either team. The subscription to the online on demand service available for £24.99 and covers the entirety of the playoffs and makes a great option for die-hard fans who want to watch as much of the postseason action as possible.
To access your usual streaming service from outside the UK, you'll need to download a good VPN as detailed above.
Jazz vs Grizzlies live stream 2021: how to watch NBA playoffs online in Australia
The best option for for die-hard basketball fans Down Under is the NBA League Pass, which costs $39.99 per month after a 7-day FREE trial, and gets you coverage of every game of the playoffs, including the Jazz vs Grizzlies series.
Newbies can take advantage of a FREE 2-week Kayo trial to see if the service is right for them. For those who decide to keep it, Kayo price plans start from a super affordable AUD$25 a month - really good value considering how much premium live sports action it hosts.
In addition to being where to watch NBA basketball online in Australia this year, it's also your home for the F1, AFL, NRL, Super Rugby AOT, cricket and way more. Handy if you don't want to go all out on Fox.
Not in Australia? Aussies abroad looking to watch an NBA playoffs live stream should find that a good VPN helps them access their home streaming services wherever they are.
The end of financial year sales are approaching, but eBay has gotten in early with a sale of its own kicking off today (May 27). eBay Plus Weekend is an annual sale event that offers exclusive discounts to Plus subscribers, and eBay has given us a preview of what to expect.
From today until Sunday, May 30, eBay will be dropping choice deals from brands such as Apple, Dyson, Samsung and SodaStream. You’ll need to be a Plus member to be eligible, but you can always sign up for a free 30-day trial of eBay Plus to take advantage.
One of today’s deal highlights is the raved-about Dyson Supersonic, which will be available for AU$449 – a AU$100 price drop from its usual RRP. It’s not too often we see such a discount on the premium hair dryer, so this is one to consider if you’ve been holding out.
At present, we think Friday’s (May 28) best deal will be a SodaStream Spirit for AU$29, with a significant saving of AU$90 to be had. You’ll want to have your clicking-finger primed for Saturday (May 29), when deals will land on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus for AU$959 – saving AU$340 – while the exceptional Apple AirPods Max will drop to AU$759 – a saving of AU$140.
Owners of a Nintendo Switch will also be able to pick up a copy of New Pokémon Snap for AU$45, which is a decent saving considering most Australian retailers are currently offering the game for around AU$69.
We’ve got a comprehensive list of all the daily deals on offer below, but not to worry if nothing piques your interest. Plus members will also get 20% off millions of items on eBay up until Wednesday, June 2, so you have extra time to shop without the pressure of snagging a sought-after deal.
There’s a little extra incentive to shop on eBay too – the shopping giant is hosting a one million dollar giveaway, where five eBay Plus members will each win AU$60,000 in eBay gift cards. Another 7,000 members will also win AU$100 in eBay gift cards, and all that’s required to be eligible is to spend AU$50 or more during Plus Weekend.
As mentioned, a 30-day free trial of eBay Plus will help you unlock exclusive deals and 20% off select items during Plus Weekend, and if you decide to stick around after the free trial is over, you can stay subscribed for AU$49 a year, or AU$4.99 a month.
Here’s the confirmed list of Plus-exclusive daily deals:
Day
Time
Product
eBay Plus deal
Thu, May 27
12pm AEST
Dyson Supersonic
AU$449
Thu, May 27
12pm AEST
Healthy Choice 5L Digital Air Fryer
AU$39
Thu, May 27
12pm AEST
Adidas X9000L3 running shoes
AU$29
Fri, May 28
12pm & 5pm AEST
SodaStream Spirit
AU$29
Fri, May 28
12pm AEST
Golf G80 power bank
AU$0.99
Fri, May 28
12pm AEST
12x Vibrant Harvest Barossa Valley Shiraz 2016
AU$89
Sat, May 29
12pm AEST
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus (128GB)
AU$959
Sat, May 29
12pm AEST
Ugg boots
AU$29
Sat, May 29
12pm AEST
New Pokémon Snap
AU$45
Sat, May 29
12pm AEST
Apple AirPods Max
AU$759
Sat, May 29
12pm AEST
Paw Patrol Dino Patroller
AU$69
Sat, May 29
12pm AEST
Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee Machine
AU$189
Sun, May 30
12pm AEST
FIFA 21 (PS4)
AU$15
Sun, May 30
12pm AEST
FIFA 21 (Xbox One)
AU$15
Sun, May 30
5pm AEST
Dell 27-inch gaming monitor
AU$359
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/3hXuyCi
Sony has shared its Games and Network Services slides from its IR Day 2021 report and there are some interesting pieces of information regarding the future of PlayStation on console and elsewhere: especially one slide suggesting that Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is headed to the PC.
One of the slides details "new growth vectors" for PlayStation Studios on PC and Mobile. This slide points to the existing PC ports of Horizon Zero Dawn and Days Gone, as well as including a logo for Uncharted 4: A Thief's End while noting more PC releases are planned.
(Image credit: Sony)
Seeing more PS4 games come to PC isn't surprising. Back when the PC version of Days Gone was announced, a GQ interview with Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan noted that a "whole slate" of titles were coming to PC. It seems like Uncharted 4: A Thief's End could be next but fans will have to keep hoping and wishing for other titles like Bloodborne.
The financial report contains other interesting tidbits as well, such as updated subscriber numbers for PlayStation Now. Per the report, PlayStation Now has crossed 3.2 million subscribers. This comes after the service was recently upgraded to 1080p game streaming for applicable games.
Meanwhile, the disc drive version of the PS5 is expected to start breaking even next month as manufacturing costs decrease. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is the next big first-party PS5 game, currently aimed for release on June 11, 2021.
Guerrilla Games' Horizon Forbidden West is also slated for later in 2021 though there's not an exact release date right now. 14 minutes of gameplay will be shown on May 27, giving fans a look at just what's new, including the possibility of new machines in Forbidden West.
There is a huge variety of ecommerce platform packages from which to choose, so building an online store has never been easier.
To begin, first you'll need ecommerce web hosting, which is to say hosting that will scale up with your business without interruption. Next you'll need shopping cart software to run with your ecommerce site. This will probably include a payment gateway for credit card processing, though if you're already established and have a decent enough credit rating you could apply for merchant services to reduce transaction costs.
Which ecommerce software is best for your business depends entirely on your specific requirements. If you're an online-only outfit, then POS integration won't be necessary, but you may get a lot of business from overseas, in which case foreign currency support would be a requirement.
In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the best ecommerce platforms available right now, before moving on to consider other options you might want to explore in terms of creating your own ecommerce solution.
Wix is our top-rated ecommerce platform If you want a simpler alternative to some of the full-on web store building solutions here, check out Wix. It’s highly user-friendly, yet there’s still plenty of ecommerce power available to create a suitably impressive online store.
Wix may be better known for providing an all-purpose website builder, but it's not just templates and logos that Wix can provide, but also a fully-functional ecommerce platform.
While other platforms are known for their complexity in being able to deliver an ecommerce platform for all needs, Wix offers a much simpler solution for small businesses who don't need all the bells and whistles of an online megastore.
Additionally, because of the suite of website building tools available through Wix, setting up an ecommerce platform is really simple and easy to do, and just as easy to manage, with no coding skills required. The result is a platform that anyone should be able to use without too much difficulty.
There are over 500 templates available to help you get the look and feel you need for your ecommerce site, and along with inventory management, you can also use Wix payments to choose from a global network of payment providers, including all major credit card companies, as well as other services such as PayPal and Stripe.
Overall, if you want a simpler alternative to some of the full-on web store building solutions here, Wix delivers well. It’s highly user-friendly, yet there’s still plenty of ecommerce power available to create a suitably impressive online store.
(Image credit: Bluehost)
2. Bluehost + WooCommerce
The Wordpress ecommerce solution
Very easy to use
Already installed
Lots of features
Simple to start
Rather than being a standalone ecommerce platform, WooCommerce is a free plugin that can turn your Wordpress website into a fully functional ecommerce website. The basic WooCommerce plugin is easy to install through Wordpress, and even better is that the plugin is free to download and use.
However, to get the most from WooCommerce you will need to install a number of third-party plugins. This is to add features such as payment processing, inventory management, and stock control.
Bluehost simplifies the process by providing a read-made Woocommerce platform with everything you need already installed, and that includes a shopping theme and essential plugins. Although two different plans are offered, even the Standard plan offers almost every feature you could possibly need.
Features include not just the online store with the store-front theme installed but also a blog, along with Jetpack free, payment processing, email marketing, and discount codes. The Premium plan adds online bookings and appointments, subscriptions, product customization, as well as local & country tax management.
Of course, there's web hosting undlying everything as well, meaning that you have a fully functional ecommerce platform already online as soon as you sign up to Bluehost - all that's left for you is to add your products and set up marketing and you're good to go.
All in all Woocommerce is one of the best ecommerce platforms for those looking to ease themselves into starting an online retail business, whether for physical products or even digital ones, and the web hosting platform deal provided by Bluehost makes it incredibly simple to get started.
(Image credit: Shopify)
3. Shopify
Giant of the ecommerce world
Easy to use
Loads of features
Powerful analytics
Shopify is perhaps the most well known ecommerce platform available. It was set up in 2006 by founders Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand and Scott Lake who, as the story goes, felt that there wasn't a simple-to-use ecommerce platform available and so built their own. The company claims that: "You don't need to have any technical or design experience to easily create a beautiful online store."
According to Shopify, it's possible to get one of its online stores up-and-running within minutes. Users can choose from a wide range of templates, or they can design the look and feel of their store themselves. It accepts a comprehensive range of credit cards, has Level 1 PCI compliance and 256-bit SSL encryption for security, and it offers 24/7 support via phone, instant messaging or email.
The platform provides a full CMS with which users can manage the functionality and layout of their online store. Users can manage their store on-the-go using Shopify's mobile apps, and the platform itself is fully responsive, meaning the store will be optimized for visitors regardless of whether they access it from a desktop computer or a mobile device. A live chat function is available which allows you to have a real time conversation with your customers. There's a built-in support for 3D models and video too. There's also an option to create customizable storefronts on Facebook and Instagram. One of the newer features is the store speed report.
Shopify also offers users unlimited hosting for their stores, in-depth analytics of how visitors are using the store, and functionality for marketing such as SEO optimization, a discount and coupon engine, gift cards and email marketing tools. You can test out Shopify with a 14-day free trial.
(Image credit: Bigcommerce)
4. Bigcommerce
Ecommerce expertise with a fully-fledged CMS
Flexible product management
Great support
Access to web design expertise
Bigcommerce was established in 2009 and promises to "support your business, not just your store." BigCommerce is now listed on the Nasdaq as a public company. In addition to offering support via phone, instant chat and email, it also offers articles and videos to help with ecommerce, and access to a team of ecommerce experts who can provide advice and guidance about online selling. Their experts are qualified in both Google Analytics and Adwords.
Like Shopify, Bigcommerce provides a variety of templates and themes to help stores look their best and get up-and-running quickly. Alternatively, users can design their own store or use Bigcommerce designers to do so. The platform incorporates a full-featured CMS that allows users to run an entire website, rather than just a store.
Users can benefit from detailed and flexible product management, optimized search engine rankings, along with a variety of integrated marketing tools and analytics. Payments can be accepted via 40+ pre-integrated gateways and shipping details can be customized as per the business's requirements. As of late, some new features have been added like support for Amazon Import and Link and Shopping in Instagram Stories. The platform offers automated order processing, flexible tax rules depending on where orders are made and shipped, and support for multiple currencies. You can test out Bigcommerce with a 15-day free trial.
(Image credit: CoreCommerce)
5. CoreCommerce
Service which focuses on SMBs
All features offered across every plan
Secure hosting with 99.9% uptime guarantee
Prides itself on transparency
CoreCommerce was set up in 2001 and focuses on providing ecommerce services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company places an emphasis on simplicity and transparency, promising that its platform is easy-to-use and that customers will not fall foul of any hidden charges.
Perhaps CoreCommerce's most unique aspect is that all of its features are offered to all customers regardless of what plan they are on. Price plans are determined by the number of products, the number of email addresses, the amount of bandwidth and the amount of storage required by the user (and higher-end plans also benefit from additional support).
As with other ecommerce providers, CoreCommerce offers functionality for store design, product management, order processing and marketing. Of its headline features, the platform offers unlimited product customization options, a built-in blogging engine, and secure hosting that is provided by Rackspace and comes with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You can try CoreCommerce out with a 15-day free trial.
(Image credit: Future)
6. Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart)
Allows for an impressive degree of tailoring to your needs
User-friendly
Plenty of innovative features
Lots of additional services on offer
Having been founded in 1997, 3dcart (now Shift4Shop) is the oldest of our featured providers here. It was set up with a view to incorporating as many of the most requested ecommerce features into one platform as possible.
The company says it has six core values by which it operates: ongoing innovation, good service, simple solutions, fostering trust, keeping employees and customers happy, and stimulating prosperity amongst employees and customers.
Some of the platform's innovative features include a module that users can install to offer gift-wrapping, a purchase order system, the option of running a loyalty program and the ability to offer recurring orders. Many of these features are very specific, meaning that stores can be highly tailored to the needs of each business.
Stores can be designed using one of the many templates offered by Shift4Shop, or users can design their own store. A quick edit bar means that making changes to the design of a store is simple. Product images are fore-fronted with Shift4Shop's auto-zoom feature and products can be sold via Facebook with its store integration. As with some other platforms, users can blog directly from Shift4Shop and tools are provided for setting up coupons, sending newsletters and affiliate marketing.
Shift4Shop is regularly updated and new features are constantly added, like the drag and drop HTML builder, built-in SEO stats, the home page editor or scheduled promotions.
Users can also make use out of "make an offer" feature, which basically lets you and your customers to negotiate on a price. There is also a B2B quote system, which provides customers with a temporary quoted price after discussing their order via phone.
In addition to its platform, Shift4Shop offers a number of professional services. Users can request help with SEO, PPC, shopping feed management, social media, Facebook ads and conversion consulting. Help can also be provided to ensure that a user's store is set up to the highest standard. Services such as site cloning, setting up custom tracking, data migration and training are offered.
In addition, Shift4Shop can provide SSL certification. Hosting is guaranteed at 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support is provided via phone, email or online chat. You can test out the service with a 15-day free trial.
If you don’t want to go the route of using an off-the-shelf package, what other options are available for you to explore? That’s what we’re going to look at in the second half of this piece…
Is eBay right for your business?
Opening its doors in 1999, eBay UK now has over 14 million users, with over 10,000 people using the site for a business that is their primary means of income. It's not just about people selling unwanted goods - businesses have used the simplicity that eBay offers to set up lucrative operations. Even the larger brands such as Argos, Debenhams and House of Fraser are using eBay to sell online.
With sophisticated tools now available you can be up and running with your store in just a few hours. The eBay Seller Centre has all the information you need. Each store is managed via eBay's familiar user interface, and there are a number of eBay-provided tools to help manage, track and promote your shop once it's established.
Using eBay as the platform for your business could be ideal if your business wants to sell goods on a fixed price basis. The complete integration of the PayPal e-payments system into eBay takes care of this essential component of your store.
The key with eBay is to look closely at the costs involved and also the transaction fees that PayPal charge before moving forward and setting up your own store.
How to create your own ecommerce solution
Of course if you want complete control over every aspect of your new online store, building each page yourself will be the best course of action. Hiring someone to code your website is one option. If you decide to do this follow these steps:
Ask the company for live examples of their work to look at
Write a detailed brief of the site you want created. The more detail the better to avoid confusion
Ensure you understand the price you are being charged and how many revisions this price includes
Always have a signed agreement or contract before work commences
Ask whether the designers will host your site and if you will be able to make updates yourself or if all updates must go through the design agency at an additional cost
Ask for the copyright of your design to be assigned to your company, as your website is an important part of your business' intellectual property
Put into your contract, details of how the agreement can be amicably dissolved if things go wrong
You also don't have to build your site completely from scratch. Buying a template can give you all the basic pages your site needs. You can then either modify them yourself using an application like Dreamweaver, or hire a coding expert to make the changes. Website templates are available from a number of vendors including Template Monster.
If you already have a website and want to add ecommerce functionality, this can be easily achieved with a number of applications including:
Whichever route you decide to take when building your website always remember:
You need to ensure your store can be easily updated and managed.
Good professional web hosting is vital to ensure your site is always available.
Look for payment and shopping carts that are intuitive and efficient to use.
Customer service is king these days. Businesses shouldn't just efficiently take customers' money, but should also properly support them.
Make sure that your store is fully integrated with all the leading social media sites.
Put security first – shoppers are now more comfortable buying online, but always ensure your site uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) which is now the industry standard for online payments.
Above every other consideration should be your site's visitor experience. Don't forget your competitors are just a mouse click away in the world of ecommerce.
Setting up your online store should be approached carefully and diligently to ensure you put a professional and efficient site live. Internet shopping continues to expand. Make sure your business doesn't miss out on a sales channel that shows no signs of slowing down.
Figuring out how much your family may receive can get complicated quickly. Our calculator will help estimate your payments from the IRS starting in July.
The company that makes the screens for the most popular ereaders has just announced a new technology that will make reading on electronic paper displays a better visual experience, while also possibly bringing down the cost of the devices.
E Ink's new On-Cell Touch ePaper is a module that comes with the touch sensor built into the screen itself. Before this, the touchscreens we're so familiar with on ereaders had the touch sensor laminated above the E Ink displays – working as a separate component of the device.
This small change, according to E Ink, will make ereader screens a much better visual experience, with text becoming sharper, clearer and with better contrast.
The new screen technology will work on both black-and-white as well as color displays.
E Ink's Carta grayscale displays – the black-and-white screens on popular ereaders from Amazon and Kobo – will see a 30% increase in contrast ratio, the company claims, while E Ink Kaleido color screens (like the one used in the PocketBook InkPad Color) will get a better 40% bump in contrast ratio and 15% increase in color saturation with the use of the new On-Cell Touch module.
The integration of the touch sensor within the display itself also means the new technology can be used on flexible e-paper screens, like the E Ink Mobius, as well as in TFT (thin-film transistor) displays that have a glass backplane. In theory, that means this tech can be used in TFT LCD displays like the ones on our computer monitors and TVs, potentially making interactive panels more mainstream.
The new On-Cell Touch module uses a stacked design that, according to E Ink, will drop the production cost of making ereaders as it eliminates the step where the touch sensor needs to be added on top of the electronic paper display.
If this saving is passed on to the end user, next-gen premium devices that could potentially replace the likes of the Kobo Forma and Amazon Kindle Oasis might be a bit more affordable. And if this tech eventually filters down to into displays generally, it could reduce the price of touchscreen monitors.
An integrated touch sensor could, theoretically, make the screens more responsive, too. E Ink hasn't released any information in terms of performance, but an "easy on the eyes" experience will be a welcome improvement for avid readers.
The end of financial year sales form one of the biggest shopping events in Australia, and early tax-time deals are already available. So far, it’s been all about the screens, and we’ve seen a number of retailers offer early EOFY sales on laptops, monitors and TVs.
Microsoft is currently offering 15% off select Surface laptop devices, and we’ve also found the brilliant MacBook Air available for less. For TVs, we’re seeing discounted sets from the likes of LG, Samsung, Sony and Hisense.
While some of the early discounts we’re seeing are on last year’s stock, we’ve also found savings available on brand-new TVs, including the exceptional LG C1 OLED. So don’t be fooled into thinking it’s only older tech that gets discounted during EOFY.
We know it can be a lot to trawl through, but excellent deals can be found if you know where to look. That’s where the Australian TechRadar team comes in – we’ll be on hand during EOFY sales to help you hunt down the best bargains on electronics over the month of June, and we’ll list all our finds right here.
The Surface Laptop Go is an affordable laptop that doesn’t cut corners, and it doesn’t make the same compromises as similarly-priced devices. It looks and feels premium, with a lovely display and very comfortable keyboard. As the Business version, it comes with Windows 10 Pro and Microsoft’s ‘Advanced Exchange’ program, so you’ll be immediately eligible for a replacement device if you run into trouble. All models are discounted by 15%, which you can configure with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 chip and solid-state storage up to 256GB.
The Surface Book 3 is one part laptop, one part tablet. It has one of the best displays and keyboards we’ve tested to date, and the overall design is gorgeous. As the Business model, it’s equipped with Windows 10 Pro, which includes enhanced security and single sign-on. The range is outfitted with 10th-gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, and all configs are now 15% off. There are even Nvidia GPUs available for creatives looking to do design work.
Our pick for the best laptop in Australia is now available with a small but sweet discount – an uncommon sight for Apple products. The 2020 edition of the MacBook Air saw a big upgrade to its internals, as it ditched the Intel chips for Apple’s own custom-built processor – the M1. The result is better performance and a longer battery life. This discount is available to eBay Plus subscribers through Wireless 1’s eBay store, just enter the code PLUSES10.
This monitor has a 27-inch IPS panel, so you’ll get excellent colour over a wide viewing angle. 4K resolution will bring out the fine detail, and AMD FreeSync support will help keep visuals smooth and tear-free. It’s already discounted at Dell’s official eBay store, but if you enter the code PNVDG20, you’ll get a further 20% off the already reduced price.
The BX is one of the most affordable options in LG’s OLED range. It emits bright whites, deep blacks and vibrant colours, and overall the picture quality is impressive. It lacks HDR10+, and we did experience motion blur in our review, but if these aren’t important to you, it’s a great option. A number of Australian retailers have the set discounted, but we found it cheapest at The Good Guys’ eBay store. Plus members will get the biggest discount with the code PLUSES10, while anyone can save AU$900 with PPSS1.
The Q60A comes from Samsung’s 2021 range, and it’s the cheapest set with the QLED name. It’s got 4K resolution and HDR support, alongside HDR10+ so you can get a better balance between light and dark. At this price it’s lacking Dolby Atmos audio, but that’s certainly not a deal breaker. This early EOFY discount is available from Bing Lee.
The LG C1 is our new pick for the best OLED TV you can buy. It uses LG’s a9 Gen 4 chipset, which brings better upscaling and uses AI processing to distinguish between objects and their backgrounds. There are four HDMI 2.1 ports as well, great news if you want to use the screen for gaming. All told, you can expect stunning 4K picture quality. eBay Plus members will save the most with the code PLUSES10, but anyone can save AU$400 using PPSS1.
Looking for a monster TV to up your living room? Sony’s 75-inch X9000H offers crisp 4K visuals on an LED panel with full array local dimming and support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The set has an asking price of AU$3,295, but you can pick it up for AU$2,695 if you claim the cash back offer from The Good Guys.
Pining for a massive TV but don’t want to pay out the nose? eBay Plus members can score Hisense’s 75-inch Series 8 telly for just AU$1,345 at The Good Guys’ eBay store when using the discount code PLUSES10. Non-members can still save AU$100 by entering PPSS1. Not a huge amount, but a pretty great price for a 75-incher nonetheless.
EOFY 2021 sale: what and when is it?
Australia’s end of financial year is June 30. That means, from July 1 to the end of October 2021, individuals and businesses will need to file their tax returns with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
Prior to that, retailers will be racing to shift old stock to make way for fresh items, and they’ll be slashing prices on plenty of products – which could be tax deductible if you use them for work-related purposes.
Australia’s EOFY sales traditionally begin June 1 and end on June 30, although many retailers tend to jump the gun, offering a few tempting discounts to lure shoppers in towards the end of May. The best EOFY offers will arrive in June though, and not all retailers will have month-long sales.
We’ve found that offers often change through the month, so you’ll need to keep checking back in to see if what you’re after has seen a price drop.
EOFY 2021 sale: deal predictions
If you’re looking to save some money on electronics during Australia’s EOFY sale, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been following tax-time deals for a few years now and can safely predict what you can get for a cheaper price.
So, what kind of tech can you find during EOFY sales in Australia? Plenty. From computers to gaming gear, the best flagship smartphones to noise-cancelling headphones. Here are our predictions for EOFY 2021:
Laptops, PCs & peripherals
Computing gear are some of the most popular items that’s purchased during EOFY. Manufacturers such as Microsoft, Lenovo, Dell and HP will host sales on their sites, but you’ll also be able to grab laptops and desktop PCs from major retailers as well, with average discounts of about 15% to 20%. You’ll be able to snag bargains on accessories as well, with printers, keyboards, mice and SSDs – maybe even those elusive RTX 3000-series GPUs – all going on sale during this time.
Gaming
From Nintendo to Sony and Microsoft – there were plenty of deep discounts on gaming gear last year, but we’re not so certain about 2021. The current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X are in short supply and often out of stock, so it’s highly unlikely we’ll see them for less. On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite could see some cracking deals (and keep an eye out for bundles too). There’ll also be some blockbuster gaming titles available for cheap if you’d like to expand your gaming library.
Smartphones & tablets
Good smartphone discounts are few and far between throughout the year, but there can be decent deals to consider during EOFY if you’re looking to upgrade your handset. Last year saw some great discounts on Samsung’s then-flagships, so if you’re an Android user, you may be able to score a new phone without having to pay full retail price. It’s also a great time to pick up a discounted tablet as well – particularly iPads – and they’re often tax deductible if you use them for work.
Home entertainment & personal audio
There were plenty of TVs, sound bars and speakers on sale during the last couple of EOFY sales, and we don't expect that trend to change any time soon. And with some excellent 4K smart TVs already seeing price drops outside of big sales, we're looking forward to seeing how much more affordable they'll be during 2021 tax-time.
Portable Bluetooth speakers and headphones will be discounted as well. We’re expecting to see deals on the top-notch Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. We may also get surprised by a rarer discount on the Apple AirPods. While discounted prices may not match Black Friday offers, tax-time deals still see a decent chunk of change saved on premium products.
Cameras
The EOFY sales are also a great time for photographers – beginners, pros or hobbyists – to grab the latest gear. Last year saw plenty of cameras go on sale, particularly from Nikon. We also saw action cameras from GoPro and DJI drop in price last year, so keep your eyes peeled for excellent bargains. Sales on DSLRs, mirrorless snappers, compacts and more are highly likely to see a discount, or if you’re happy with the camera body you already own, we’re expecting lenses, tripods, bags and SD cards to see some decent price drops as well.
Smart home devices
Smart gadgets can now be found for every room in the home – from smart lights to smart security systems, and the speakers and displays to control them all. Amazon discounted its Echo range of smart speakers last year and we're quite sure that will happen again, along with the other smart devices found on Amazon, such as Philips Hue smart lights. You’ll also find plenty of retailers offering discounts on Google's range of smart speakers and displays.
Home appliances
If the appliances in your home are looking a little out of date, the EOFY sales will help you save plenty on the brand-new appliances you want. You can expect to see bargains on Dyson vacuum cleaners, robovacs, fridges, dishwashers, washing machines and plenty more. Retailers such as Myer, David Jones and Peter's of Kensington will certainly have sales, where you could find great deals on smaller kitchen appliances too.
EOFY 2021 sale: best offers from last year
To get an idea of what to expect in 2021, let's take a look at what was on offer last year:
There was a huge packet to save on this dream gaming machine. The series is rated by our colleagues at PC Gamer as one of the best gaming laptops you can buy, making this steeply discounted Razer an absolute steal at the time.
In addition to gaming laptops, we saw plenty of discounts on premium machines, such as this Dell XPS 13. This powerful configuration was a fairly new model at the time, but it was still available with a 20% price drop from Dell. Take that as evidence that it’s not just older tech discounted during EOFY sales.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus (128GB) | AU$999 (save AU$300)
Last financial year, this Samsung S10 Plus was knocked down just shy of the AU$1,000 mark by Amazon. Samsung has now released its S21 family of flagships, so there’s a decent chance we’ll see the S20 series on sale this June.
These excellent noise-cancelling headphones were 20% off during last year’s EOFY sales. We’ve since seen the Bose 700 drop as low as AU$359 during Black Friday in 2020, which could be a promising sign of what’s to come this June.
Sonos Playbar | AU$759 (save AU$240)
This is one of our favourite soundbars, and it usually doesn’t come cheap. But last financial year, Amazon slashed AU$240 off the excellent soundbar, making it a little more tempting to update your home entertainment setup.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2RIY2c2
