Samsung announced the “death of the idiot box” today with the Australian launch of its 2011 Smart TV range, which offers web browsing, internet TV and downloadable apps. The Samsung D8000 plasma features Smart TV functionality (Credit: CBS Interactive) The company has announced a total of 41 televisions with over half offering “smart” functionality as …

Mommy, what’s “paper”? Apple iPad ad Tablets may be starting to steal people away from their laptops, desktops, and even televisions, according to a survey released this week by Google’s AdMob service. The survey–administered by Google’s mobile-centric advertising network, traffic-tracking service, and trend-spotting business–was conducted last month and had 1,430 respondents. It doesn’t specify any particular brand of tablet device. …

Verizon Wireless has confirmed with us that it will eliminate one-year contracts starting April 17. Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney said that most customers sign up for two-year contracts anyway to take advantage of the lower promotional price. She said customers will still have the option of month to month and prepaid if they don’t want to opt for the two-year …

With all the hype over the quality of smartphone cameras, one app doesn’t mind a little dust and scratches. Silent Film Director, from Macphun, gives people the ability to drop old-school effects on their video clips, add old-time music, and cut together a perfect silent film. Formally Vintage Video Maker, this app has undergone a major upgrade for version 2.0, …

The HTC Pyramid is set to ditch its Egyptian moniker in favour of a name that’s more startling. The new Android 2.3 Gingerbread smart phone is expected to be unveiled next Tuesday with the name HTC Sensation, at a media event in London. Pocket Lint has the story, although it’s unclear from its source whether the Pyramid name will be …

There’s no such thing as Android 2.4 Gingerbread — yet, says Google. The latest version of Android, which has already appeared on the Google Nexus S and HTC Desire S, is Android 2.3.3. Stick with us as we explain what happened. The outing of Android 2.4 appears to have been due to manufacturers jumping the gun about the name of …

Talk of a delayed release for the Galaxy S 2 may have been premature — Samsung says the smart phone’s on course to go on sale this month as planned, although not in every country. Speculation of delay has been rife this week, after UK online retailers Play and Clove both pushed their anticipated shipping date for the Galaxy S 2 back to May. …

All good things must come to an end. At least that’s likely the case for T-Mobile USA customers who like using the carrier’s Wi-Fi calling feature on certain smartphones. In this week’s column, I discuss whether I think AT&T will keep the Unlicensed Mobile Access Wi-Fi calling feature that T-Mobile offers on some of its smartphones. I also discuss Samsung’s …

Nokia has turned to Yahoo to power its Ovi Mail service. But with the Finnish phone-flogger signing a high-profile deal with Microsoft recently, why didn’t it choose Hotmail? Yahoo provides the behind-the-scenes gubbins for Ovi’s messaging services Mail and Chat, now rebranded as Ovi Mail and Chat by Yahoo. We’re baffled by the move, as Nokia has teamed up with …

Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless has rolled out a beefy update for owners of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab. Now being launched as a mandatory system update dubbed EC02, the 35MB package offers a variety of fixes and enhancements for the Tab. Verizon and Samsung are promising better speed and performance for the built-in browser and less drain on the battery when searching …