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Where is India on the cyber security map today?

Where is India on the cyber security map today?

What’s the current cyber security scenario like in India? Is the existing security architecture robust enough to tackle crisis like the latest ransomware threat?

The current cyber security scenario is India can at best be described as reactive. While most of the advanced nations included cyber security as a key socio-political agenda quite some time back, we have been lagging behind in even setting up a national cyber security architecture. USA for example, has a ‘Critical Infrastructure Identification, Prioritization, and Protection directive’ in place under parliamentary directive which maps mission critical services and installations that public and private sectors must work jointly to protect. India has just started to think in terms of setting up such a framework. 

Having said, we are observing traction gaining in this direction with the government setting aside Rupees 1000 Crore fund to design the National Cyber Security architecture directly under the National Security Advisor. We have to see how this body defines tangible action points to safeguard ourselves against cyber-attacks of this nature. 

Given the apparent ‘digital’ move by Modi government, how much of this translates to beefing up the digital infrastructure and security systems of the country?

As a nation, we are at the first stage of digitization which pertains to migration of our basic services towards digital platforms. Over the past few years, we have seen tremendous pace in this initiative. 

Today almost all our services have become online. However, the situation today demands a parallel focus on securing digital information assets that it creates. Cyber security should be an integral part of all digital initiatives of the Government. 

The first tangible activity that we would like to see from the Government is a clear national cyber security infrastructure in place.

In my opinion, there is definitely a lag in this area and it will not be an understatement to say that we are sitting on a tinder box. Attacks of this kind should be a harbinger of change within the government’s mind set on cyber security.

Where do we stand globally on digital transformation and is our cyber security posture in sync with the changing times?

In terms of pure digital capabilities and digital transformation we have taken rapid strides in the past few years. We have deep mobile penetration as well as a high density of cyber usage, which defines the digital capabilities of a nation. Today our e-Services have actually reached the grassroots level and there is no denying the fact that the current Government’s digital push is making a lot of difference to people. This was unthinkable even five years back. 

However, we are definitely behind many countries in terms of our cyber security posture. As mentioned earlier, the first tangible activity that we would like to see from the Government is a clear national cyber security infrastructure in place which is quite evolved in most other developed and developing countries. 

Is cyber attack by its very nature of ingenuity results in a case to case reaction? Is this the way forward?

Yes, at some level, unfortunately. By the very nature of their sophistication, we end up dealing with them on ad-hoc basis. This is true not only for India, but also on a global level. America is continuously evolving their cyber defence posture after each seminal attack such as the Target and DDoS incidents. 

However, this is definitely not how it should be. In my opinion, it is critical to develop analytical methods to identify vulnerability. Preparedness is the key and the focus should be on creating strong defensive methodologies to safeguard ourselves. Each of these incidents should be taken as opportunities to increase the body of knowledge that can be used to predict future attacks and thereby make our systems impregnable. 

The government should provide a platform for creating a knowledge repository of cyber incidences where organizations can share their experiences to be able to defend against future cyber events.

I strongly recommend the government to provide a platform for creating a knowledge repository of cyber incidences where companies or institutions can share their experiences which can be used to defend against future cyber events. 

Do we have the right level of cohesion today among ministries of defence, home, external affairs and IT required to come up with a unified policy tank that can provide assessments of security situations in real-time?

There is a lot to be done on this front. Not only inter-ministerial coordination, but the scope should also include a collective initiative and responsibility sharing between government and the private sector. The appointment of the first Cyber Security Chief of the country and talks of setting up a National Cyber Co-ordination Centre as a command and control hub are directions towards achieving this. As of now there is limited coordination, but hopefully the National Security Council Secretariat will create a common platform very soon towards this direction.  

Indian companies too have been hit in the recent global ransomware attack! What’s the need of the hour?

The need of the hour is to work on two fronts –the physical infrastructure and the human infrastructure. The former alludes to using the latest technology encompassing secured hardware and software. All systems and networks of vulnerable infrastructure such as police, banks and defence should be reviewed against technology obsolescence. 

Apart from this, it is critical to develop skills of system and network administrators around cyber security, especially on behavioural analytics and incident response. They should be skilled on cyber defence so that they possess the core competence of identifying an attack, recommend a course of action and configure systems to help manage the attack. Just like our physical armed forces, India actually requires an army of cyber defenders.

What’s your message for tech users in general to steer clear of cyber-attacks?

Awareness is the key. In India, we have a very high density cyber usage, but an extremely low level of awareness on cyber security. Since a bulk of our computing is done on handheld devices, we should know the basic security features available on our devices. We must be also careful of connecting to public WiFi and follow basic internet safety etiquettes. From a PC user’s standpoint, one should be updated on their operating system and anti-virus software. 

Most hacks are actually avoided if one’s PC runs a standard updated anti-virus. Also, users should identify SPAM mails and safeguard themselves from social engineering which prompts people to share their confidential details through innocuous looking emails and text messages.

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This robot bird will scare real birds away from airports

This robot bird will scare real birds away from airports

 Birds are bad news for airports. As well as the risk of a "bird-strike" downing a plane, they cause material damage estimated to run into billions of pounds a year.

To control the populations of birds, airports use pyrotechnics, sound cannons, lasers and other technological systems. But birds get used to them over time and learn to fly around them.

That's why roboticists from the University of Twente have developed a lifelike robotic bird that will patrol the landing strip, scaring real birds away at Edmonton International Airport in Canada.

The bot, which has been codenamed "Robird", mimics the appearance and flight of a falcon. It's the creation of Clear Flight Solutions – a spin-off company from the University – which collaborated on a Canadian drone services firm called Aerium for the project.

Drone Project

 Robird is part of a large-scale drone project at Edmonton, which will not only keep planes safe but also observe wildlife, inspect buildings and take 3D measurements. For three months, Robird's effectiveness at scaring away birds will be carefully monitored.

‘This is a historic step for the Robird and our company,’ says Nico Nijenhuis, the CEO of Clear Flight Solutions.

“We currently operate our Robirds in a variety of places, but taking the step towards full integration within daily operations at an airport is huge. For years, there has been a lot of interest from airports. To now officially start integrating our operations at a major Canadian airport is absolutely fantastic.” 

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The latest version of Netflix will not run on rooted Android phones and tablets

The latest version of Netflix will not run on rooted Android phones and tablets

Though gaining root access to Android devices usually opens up avenues for more functions and privileges, changes to Netflix’s DRM practises will see root users hit a roadblock when attempting to access the popular streaming service.

“Your device isn’t compatible with the version” was the message that reportedly greeted a number of root Android users who attempted to access Netflix on the Google Play Store today, and the streaming service has now revealed that support for many unlocked devices will cease with the latest version of its app. Some users running legitimately unlocked bootloaders also found themselves blocked.

In a statement given to Android Police, a Netflix representative said “With our latest 5.0 release, we now fully rely on the Widevine DRM provided by Google; therefore, many devices that are not Google-certified or have been altered will no longer work with our latest app and those users will no longer see the Netflix app in the Play Store.”

For those who don’t know, Widevine is a Google company that provides multiplatform content protection to internet video delivery services. Devices are separated into three security levels, with rooted Android devices falling into the not-very-secure Level 3.

According to Android Police, Netflix version 5.0.4 is still functioning on their unlocked and rooted Galaxy Tab S, so it’s still unclear as to which devices will be affected.

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Microsoft denounces government agencies in wake of WannaCry attack

Microsoft denounces government agencies in wake of WannaCry attack

In light of the recent WannaCry (WannaCrypt) ransomware attacks, which saw an NSA-owned virus stolen and used in an attack that brought UK hospitals to its knees, Microsoft has issued a statement on its official blog asking for “a new Digital Geneva Convention” to avoid the hoarding of malicious vulnerabilities by government agencies.

The statement made by Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer of Microsoft, begins by describing the nature of the global attacks and expounding any relevant context on the issue. It then goes on to assure us that the company will assess the attack and strengthen its capabilities as a result, but also urges businesses and members of the public to ensure their systems are kept up to date with the latest patch.

Smith’s third point is to denounce the “emerging pattern” of global governments stockpiling viruses such as WannaCry, only to have them leak into the public domain and be used in widespread attacks. He finds the threat so severe as to liken it to “the U.S. military having some of its Tomahawk missiles stolen” and points to the need for something like a Digital Geneva Convention that he had proposed in February.

Overall, Smith’s statement is an urgent call for a united front — the tech sector, customers, and governments — against cyberattacks, but the biggest wake-up call is by far the message to government agencies such as the NSA and CIA. 

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Plantronics BackBeat 500 Series Bluetooth cans launched in Australia

Plantronics BackBeat 500 Series Bluetooth cans launched in Australia

Wireless seems to be the way to go, with smartphones losing headphone jacks and people not wanting to get entangled in cables.

“More and more consumers today are ditching the cord and are ready to step up to a wireless listening experience. At the same time, they are unwilling to compromise on the high standards that come with a wired connection,” said Peter Petrides, National Retail Sales Manager at Plantronics.

The California-based company has today launched another set of on-ear Bluetooth stereo headphones – the BackBeat 500 Series – that are lightweight and promise up to 18 hours of playback on a single charge.

Given some of the best wireless headphones carry premium price tags, Plantronics has tried to keep affordability in mind without compromising on the sound quality or the comfort factor.

The cans are priced at $119.99 a pop, making it one of the more budget options out there for anyone who enjoys their music while on the move.

Starting today, the BackBeat 500 Series headphones are available at JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman in three colours – white, grey and dark grey.

Feature-rich cans

The BackBeat 500 Series headphones features 40mm drivers and bass tube design. 

On-ear controls and a wideband-enabled mic allows for calls to be taken, or you can plug the accompanying analog cable into its 3.5mm built-in jack. 

Plus there’s access to Siri, Google Now or Cortana.

The foam ear cups are made out of memory foam for comfort and can rotate to lie flat for easy storage.

“The BackBeat 500 Series is designed to be your perfect first pair of wireless headphones that provide an exceptional experience without breaking the bank,” added Petrides. “With best-in-class battery life, all-day comfort and Plantronics’ signature high quality audio, they bring simplicity and reliability to those who are looking to transition into the world of the wireless.”

The BackBeat 500 joins the BackBeat PRO 2, BackBeat FIT, BackBeat GO 3, BackBeat SENSE and the BackBeat 100 Series in Plantronics’ Bluetooth-enabled headphones family.

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Dick Smith celebrates one year of being online with massive sale

Dick Smith celebrates one year of being online with massive sale

It’s been over a year since icon Aussie retailer Dick Smith succumbed to liquidation. The brand was bought up by Kogan, who relaunched the store online in May last year and, to celebrate, there’s a sale on with massive savings.

“People thought the Dick Smith brand could not be revived,” said Dick Smith CEO Ruslan Kogan, “and we knew it was a mammoth task. Many had written the business off, but we crunched the numbers and knew we could make it work – and that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

There’s a total of 62 products on the celebration sale which includes everything from smartphones to home appliances and everything in between. There are security systems, tablets, headphones and a refurbished DJI drone that could save you $200.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is also $200 cheaper with the latest flagship from the South Korean manufacturer on sale for $999, while the 32GB Apple iPhone 7 is listed for $879, dropped down from $1,079.

If you’d like to save some dosh and bag yourself a shiny new toy, head to Dick Smith’s website and take a look at the products on sale.

  • If you can’t find what you’re looking for on sale at Dick Smith, take a look at the other Aussie tech bargains we dig up for you three times a week.

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Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda is reportedly coming to smartphones

Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda is reportedly coming to smartphones

Following the overwhelmingly successful release of Breath of the Wild, Nintendo will be bringing the 30-year-old Legend of Zelda franchise to the smartphone, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Although the details are a bit thin and come from “people familiar with the matter”, we can apparently expect the game to come hot on the heels of the mobile launch of Animal Crossing, which itself is due in the latter half of this year. 

Nintendo has already made a splash in the mobile games world with its Fire Emblem Heroes and Super Mario Run entries and, as both of these have different payment strategies (in-app purchases and one-off payments respectively), it’s unclear how users will be charged for this mobile Zelda title. According to the report, Nintendo is looking to bring in new fans and new money with its mobile releases, hoping it will entice casual gamers to buy its hardware.

We’re not sure what role the game will play in the saga’s epic timeline – will it be a canonic mainstay like Ocarina of Time, or a whacky distraction such as Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland? 

Bring on the Tingle. 

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Australian business affected by global cyberattack, says Federal Government

Australian business affected by global cyberattack, says Federal Government

Australia seems to have come away relatively unscathed from the global cyber attack that took place over the weekend, with the Federal Government confirming that only one private-sector business has been affected with two more potentially impacted.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday evening, Dan Tehan, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, said, “There has been one incident of the ransomware hitting a business here in Australia and there could be two other incidents where it has occurred, although we are trying to confirm that. What I can say though [is] we’re not talking about a government organisation or a hospital or anything like that.”

Tehan added that the affected business is working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre to fix the issue. He also warned that this attack should be “a wake-up call” for public and private sector department heads to upgrade their systems to fight the latest threats.

“When you go into work ­tomorrow to make sure your systems have been updated,” he added during Sunday’s interview, “make sure your chief information officer is right on top of this.”

Held for ransom

WannaCry is believed to have been made using tools developed by the US National Security Agency and leaked online. It affects Microsoft machines running older versions of Windows, holding users’ files for ransom.

According to Europol, it affected 200,000 victims across 150 countries, with the threat first spotted by the NHS in the UK.

A self-taught British computer technician brought the attack to a halt by registering the domain the virus was trying to link to and, in the meantime, Microsoft released a patch to fix the issues relating to WannaCry.

The Federal Government, however, has warned that the storm has not passed as newer versions of the bug could be spread and Australians are being urged to upgrade their Windows machines and back up their data.

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Australian streaming service Guvera at death’s door as co-founder leaves

Australian streaming service Guvera at death’s door as co-founder leaves

Music streaming startup Guvera is in bad shape after investors were told that a co-founder and primary investor have walked away from the project, and that the business  has shut down all operations.

Guvera was founded in 2008 and had the intention of providing free and legal music to its users via desktop browsers and apps. Since then it has experienced various transformations and turmoil, even briefly shutting down its Australian operation and running as an advertising tracking tool for the Indian and Indonesian markets in 2016.

Around 3,000 private investors have so far assisted in the raising of $185 million for the company in the last nine years, but they were told in a meeting on Friday that co-founder Claes Loberg and major investor Steve Porch have walked away from the business. 

The Future

The remaining director, Darren Herft, addressed the meeting and asked for any volunteers in replacing the departing members, hoping to rebuild the company. This seems unlikely, however, given the business narrowly escaped insolvency after losing $81 million in the last financial year (leading to the aforementioned tracking tool revenue raiser) and also had a $100 million IPO turned down by the ASX.

Herft is optimistic for his shareholders at least, claiming the company still holds valuable intellectual property that can be sold off, and is also owed $6 million in tax. As for the service itself, the future looks bleak. 

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The best Australian tech deals

The best Australian tech deals

Begin the new week with new tech – there’s laptops and smartphones to choose from, amongst other things.

Here are Monday’s deals:

New deals added Monday, 15 May

PCs, LAPTOPS & PERIPHERALS

  • Lenovo IdeaPad 11OS ($299): If you’re in the market for a budget laptop that could get you through your daily tasks at home, or help out with the kids’ homework, this 11-inch laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron N3060 processor, comes with 2GB of memory and 32GB flash storage. It retails for $329, but you can save $30 on the device and get it for $299 from Lenovo. Sale ends 19 May.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460 ($1,599): The ThinkPad Yoga 460 convertible is up for sale a lot on Lenovo’s websites, but the high-end version doesn’t see a price drop too often. You can save a whopping $1,050 on this machine until 19 May as it’s down from $2,649 to $1,599. You get 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics card, all powered by an Intel Core i7 CPU.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad E470 ($949): Designed for productivity, this 14-inch laptop can be configured to suit your needs – and your wallet. This E470 features an Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB HDD and a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 940MX graphics chip. And, until 19 May, this laptop is available below the quadruple figure mark. Lenovo is offering this device for a low $949, saving you $450.
  • LG 34-inch Full HD ultrawide gaming monitor ($499 + Ghost Recon Wildlands): Immerse yourself in your game with LG’s 34-inch Full HD gaming monitor. There’s plenty of screen real estate to comfortably split your screen in four or display two connected devices at once. Plus you get a bonus licence for Ghost Recon Wildlands with this purchase. The package is available on Kogan for $499, saving you $150.

SMARTPHONES

  • Samsung Galaxy S7 (gold; $629): With Samsung’s latest flagship now on the market, it’s only natural that the prices of the Galaxy S7 has dropped to $999 a pop. But you can save $370 on this Android-toting handset at Kogan, where it’s on sale for $629, making a premium smartphone a brilliant budget option. Just be aware as this is for the gold model as the silver is already out of stock.
  • Apple iPhone SE (32GB; from $579): Apple decided to compete in the mid-range smartphone market and came out with the iPhone SE – a palm-friendly yet brilliant phone that won’t bust the bank when you buy it outright. And with prices starting at $579 for the 32GB Space Grey and Silver models, this phone got a bit cheaper on Kogan as well, saving you up to $100. The 32GB Gold and Rose Gold versions are available for $619.
  • Apple iPhone 5s (16GB; $419): If you’re not sold on the bigger sizes of Apple’s latest smartphones, then the iPhone 5s is still a compelling smaller option. And with three generations of newer handsets available from Apple, the price on these 5S has dropped significantly. They’re even cheaper at Kogan, with the 16GB model available for $419, down from $539, saving you $120 off the RRP.
  • Apple iPhone 7 (32GB; $879): Kogan can save you money on Apple’s latest flagship phones, too. You don’t need to shell out $1,079 for the 32GB model of the iPhone 7 as you can lay your hands on it for $879.

GADGETS

  • Samsung Tab A 7.0 (8GB, Wi-Fi; $179): This 7-inch tablet from Samsung runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop and is perfect for getting things done while on the move. It features 1.5GB of memory and 8GB of storage, which can be increased to 256GB via a microSD card. This budget tablet can save you $20 on the RRP of $199 if you get it from Kogan – available now for $179.
  • BlueAnt Pump Soul on-ear wireless headphones ($119): These on-ear Bluetooth headphones from Aussie manufacturer BlueAnt feature sweatproof antimicrobial ear cups, possibly making it a great gym buddy. It promises up to 24 hours of battery life, features Siri and Google integration mode and call capabilities. They retail at $169, but you can get them for $119 at Catch of the Day, saving you $50.
  • Jabra Move on-ear wireless headphones ($89): At Techradar, we think the Jabra Move headphones are a great set of cans for the fitness fanatics and the casual listener with a pretty darn good price tag of $159. But you can save a cool $70 by getting them from Catch of the Day for just $89 and enjoy your favourite tunes anytime, anywhere, without the hassle of cables.
  • Samsung Fast Charging wireless stand ($69): Samsung’s Fast Charge wireless pad outputs at up to 9 volts 1 amp, for 9W of power rather than the usual 5W. Samsung says it'll charge your phone from flat in 120 minutes. So if your handset is a Qi charging-enabled device, you can forget cables and to add some juice to your phone. It’s available for $69 on Kogan, saving you $50 on the RRP of $119.

Deals added Friday, 12 May and still available

PCs, LAPTOPS & TABLETS

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 (64GB/Wi-FI; $597): Thinner and lighter than its 8-inch counterpart, the 9.7-inch Galaxy Tab S2 features an AMOLED display, 3GB RAM, 64GB of storage and is powered by a Qualcomm octa-core processor. This Android tablet retails for $697 a pop, but is currently on sale for $597 at JB Hi-Fi, saving you $100.
  • Microsoft Surface Book (Core i5; $2,356.80): Featuring a 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, this laptop/tablet hybrid has a detachable screen and carries enough of an oomph factor to be premium. But grab it from JB Hi-Fi and you can save over $589 – it’s currently available for $2,356.80 and includes the Surface Pen.
  • Microsoft Surface Book (Core i7; from $3,039.20): For a touch more power and a few more options in terms of specs, you can get the Surface Book powered by an Intel Core i7 processor with up to 1TB of storage direct from the Microsoft Store with prices starting at $3,039.20. This offer can save you up to $1,039, depending on the specs of the machine.
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Core i7; from $1838.40): There’s currently 20% off on Microsoft Surface Pro 4 devices at JB Hi-Fi too, with prices starting at $1,838.40 for the 8GB RAM/256GB storage model. A 16GB RAM/256GB storage version is also available, along with 512GB and 1TB models.
  • Dell Inspiron 17 5000 laptop ($1,018): While this deal isn’t quite as good as the one offered by Dell last month (something that’s largely caused by Dell increasing the standard price on this model by about $100), there is still money to be saved by getting this 17-inch laptop. It’s powered by a 7th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, with 8GB of memory and a whopping 1TB hard drive for storage. It also houses a 4GB Radeon R7 graphics card. Until 18 May, you can get this machine for 40% off – it’s available at Dell for $1,018, saving you $680 on the RRP of $1,699.
  • Dell Inspiron 15 5000 laptop ($1,139): Powered by a 7th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, this 15-inch laptop gives you 16GB of memory, a 256GB SSD and a 4GB AMD Radeon R7 graphics card. Plus there’s 40% off on this machine until Thursday, 18 May – get it now for $1,139 and a save $760.
  • Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 ($1,699): Featuring a 7th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD, a Full HD display and an infrared camera for facial recognition, this 15-inch 2-in-1 from Dell is on sale until 18 May for $1,699. That’s down from $2,299, saving you $600 (or 26%).

GADGETS

  • Kobo Aura H2O e-reader ($219): Take your entire library with you everywhere, irrespective of what the weather is outside. The Kobo Aura H2O is dustproof and waterproof and comes with 4GB of onboard storage. It regularly retails for anywhere between $239 and $265, but this e-reader is currently available at JB Hi-Fi for $219. That said, if you’re willing to wait, a new version of the Aura H2O will arrive in Australia in July carrying 8GB of storage.
  • Jaybird Freedom wireless in-ear headphones ($149): Drip all over your new sweatproof gym buddy and you’ll hear no complaints from this Jaybird Freedom in-ear Bluetooth headphones, available for $149 at JB Hi-Fi – down from $249, saving you $100 on the purchase.
  • Sony XB650BT Extra Bass bluetooth headphones ($139): Simple connectivity and some deep, punchy bass make these Bluetooth headphones an awesome set for the price. You can grab them at half price from Sony’s store right now, cutting the cost down from $279.95 to $139, and they’re also available in red or blue.
  • Sony XB80BS Extra Bass sports in-ear Bluetooth headphones ($178): These in-ears could be a great workout buddy as they have ear hooks, a washable design, and bangin’ bass to get you pumped. You can get them for more than 20% off at the Sony store, bringing them down from $229.95 to $178. They’re also available in red and blue.
  • Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum toothbrush ($199): Keeping your chompers healthy and clean should be easy and cheap with Philips’ Sonicare FlexCare Platinum electric toothbrush featuring nine different brushing options. For just $199, you get four brush heads, the UV sanitiser and a travel kit from Catch of the Day. This entire package normally retails for nearly $335, so this’ll save you about $135.

HOME AV

  • Sony 49-inch X700D 4K HDR TV ($1,198): This Sony TV is ready for any kind of media you can throw at it, netting you both 4K and HDR at an incredible price. Purchased from Sony’s store, you can get the X700D reduced from $1,599 to $1,198, saving you around 25%.
  • LG UJ654T 43-inch UHD smart TV ($888): Stream your favourite HDR content via webOS 3.5 on this enhanced contrast 43-inch TV from LG and save yourself plenty of cash. It’s available for just $888 at Appliance Central, whereas it’s priced at $1,396 with the major retailers, meaning you save a whopping $508. But hurry, as it’s a limited time offer with no end date specified.
  • LG UJ654T 55-inch 4K UHD smart TV ($1,495): If you consider the 43-inch LG too small, you could go for the 55-inch version and immerse yourself into your screening experience. You can save a cool $600 by getting it from Harvey Norman with a bonus $100 EFTPOS card. It’s on sale for $1,495 instead of its usual $2,096 RRP. This offer ends 14 May.
  • Sony 43-inch W750D Full HD TV ($798): Grab yourself a decent Full HD TV for a low price, with X-Reality Pro and built-in Wi-Fi. You can knock a stellar $401 off the $1,199 price tag and nab the TV from Sony’s store for only $798.
  • Sony SRSXB30 portable Bluetooth speaker ($179): Bring the party with this bass-rich bluetooth speaker, kitted out with a rim of multi-coloured, strobing lights. You save over 20% when buying from the Sony store, bringing it down from $229 to $179, and it’s available in Black, Blue, Green, Red, and White.
  • Sony SRSX11 mini portable Bluetooth speaker ($79): Portable music has never been so simple and stylish, with one-touch operation and a cubist aesthetic (heh), and the ability to pair two devices to create stereo. You can take 20% off the total price, bringing it down from $99 to $79, and pick it up in black, blue, red, or white.

HOME APPLIANCES

  • Beko DN151130X 510L top-mount fridge ($898): A large enough refrigerator to store food for the entire family doesn’t have to break the bank, with this 510L top-mount from Beko available for $898 at JB Hi-Fi. That’s a saving of $268 on the RRP of $1,166, with the advantage of keeping fruits and veggies fresh for up to 30 days.
  • Beko RCNE450K40ZX 450L bottom-mount fridge ($797): If a 510L fridge is too large for your home, there is a smaller 450L option from Beko, with the freezer compartment below the refrigeration unit. It’s also available at JB Hi-Fi for $797, saving you $249 on the usual price tag of $1,046.

Deals added Wednesday, 10 May and still available

PCs, LAPTOPS & PERIPHERALS

  • Lenovo ThinkPad E570 laptop ($999): Designed for work and portability, Lenovo promises that this 15.6-inch laptop will meet every business need in terms of storage, memory, graphics and your budget. It features an Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive alongside a 2GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 950M graphics card. Until 9pm on 12 May, there’s 29% off on this machine, available now for $999 via Lenovo, saving you $500 on its usual $1,499 RRP.
  • Lenovo V520s desktop PC ($699): This compact PC option for a home or office setup from Lenovo houses an Intel Core i7 CPU, 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. It usually retails for $1,099, but is available until 12 May for just $699. That’s a saving of $400 (or 30%).
  • BenQ GW2270 21.5-inch monitor ($149): If you’re looking for a monitor with a budget price tag, this 21.5-inch monitor from BenQ will save you a bit of money and ensure you view your everyday tasks with BenQ’s flicker-free technology and low blue light modes. It usually carries a budget price tag of $199, but you get to save $50 more by getting it from Mwave for $149.
  • Logitech G900 Chaos Spectrum gaming mouse ($159.99): Give yourself a win every time you delve into the gaming world with this professional-grade gaming mouse from Logitech. It features a 1-millisecond report rate and 2.4GHz wireless connection that promises incredible responsiveness for competition-level twitch targeting. It usually retails for an eye-watering $250, but you can save nearly $90 on this cool device by getting it from Mwave for $159.99.
  • Dell XPS 15 laptop ($1,519.20): You can pick yourself up a powerful laptop with a 15-inch InfinityEdge display at a massive discount with the Dell XPS 15. 8GB of RAM and a 3.5GHz 6th-gen Intel i7 processor powers the beast, ideal for everything from business to video-editing. You can save a further 20% on the already massively discounted $1,899 by entering the code CLICK at the eBay checkout. This brings it down from the retail of $2,499 to $1,519.20. Sale ends 15 May, but you might want to hurry as stock is very limited.

CAMERA ACCESSORIES

  • HP Sprocket ($199): Love taking photos with your smartphone? Then level it up with the ability to print your photos wherever and whenever you want. This smartphone-sized portable printer from HP creates 2 x 3-inch prints or stickers. The HP Sprocket app can even be used to print images from your social media feeds, plus the photos can be jazzed up with borders, emojis and filters. It connects via Bluetooth and requires no ink cartridge. It’s available for $199 from Mwave in white and black, saving you $26 on the usual RRP of $225.

SMARTWATCHES

  • Apple Watch Series 1 ($359): Been wanting an Apple Watch but not sure if you wanted to pay the usual premium price for one? Well, if you’ve got a slim wrist, or would like to gift it to someone special, you can save $40 on the 38mm version of the Series 1 Apple Watch at JB Hi-Fi. It’s now available for $359 in Rose Gold and Space Grey.

HOME APPLIANCES

  • Dyson V6 Absolute handstick vacuum cleaner ($489): Make cleaning the house an easy (well, *easier*) chore with this powerful vacuum from Dyson. It cleans any surface – from carpets to wood floors – and captures large chunks of debris and fine dust alike. It will even get rid of allergens, thanks to its HEPA filter. It usually carries a premium price tag of $599 at most major retailers, but you can save $110 by getting it from Kogan for $489.
  • DeLonghi Dragon4 oil column heater ($189): Stay toasty this winter with this 11-fin, 2400w heater. It features three heat settings and has a built-in thermostat to maintain the perfect temperature the way you like it. It usually carries an RRP between $250 and $299, but you can get it from The Good Guys for $189 and save up to $110. But this model may not be available everywhere, so check the store in your area before heading in.

MISCELLANEOUS DEALS

  • DVD & Blu-ray sale (from $10.38): Stock up on some amazing flicks and TV shows to keep you and your family entertained for a long time to come, with DVDs and Blu-rays going on sale at JB Hi-Fi for 20% off. This includes new releases like La La Land, Patriot’s Day, Lion, The Last Kingdom and lots more. The online sale is already live on the retailer’s website, while the sale starts tomorrow in store.
  • Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition ($14.95): Explore, survive, and build your way to the top with the latest version of Minecraft for Windows 10. Team up with friends or go it solo in the blocky creation game that’s still got everyone abuzz, and now includes a Magic: The Gathering themed skin pack. This Windows 10 Edition has just come out of beta, so they’re celebrating with a stellar $25.50 off on the Microsoft Store, bringing it down from $40.45 to $14.95. Offer ends 18 May.
  • Games sale: For another five days, you can get 75% off a huge range of classic EA games at GOG.com. That includes the likes of Dragon Age, Mirror’s Edge, Crysis, Dead Space and plenty more.

Deals added Monday, 8 May and still available

PCs, LAPTOPS & TABLETS

  • Samsung Galaxy TabPRO S ($749): At TechRadar, we think this is one helluva tablet with a great Super AMOLED display and decent battery life. And if you missed this great deal from a couple of weeks ago, we’re happy to announce that you can still get the 128GB Wi-Fi Galaxy TabPRO S for just $749 from Kogan. That’s down from $1,399, saving you $650.
  • Samsung Tab A 10.1 ($299): But if the Galaxy TabPRO S is too much for your needs and you’d like something simpler that can keep you entertained while on the move, you could consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1. It comes with a 10-inch screen running at a 1920 x 1200 resolution, as well as having a capable Exynos 7870 mid-range processor and 3GB of RAM packed inside – great for streaming videos and being entertained while on the go. Plus you can save $150 on this Android 6.0 Marshmallow-toting device by getting it from Kogan for just $299. That’s down from $449.

HOME AV

  • ASUS P3B portable LED projector ($999): With built-in Wi-Fi, you can wirelessly stream your favourite movies or TV shows, even conduct presentations without the need to get entangled in cables, plus you project content via HDMI or VGA, from a USB device or a microSD card. Being battery-powered, you can also take this projector anywhere. Additionally, there’s $40 to be saved on this device at Mwave, with a bonus Universal Mini Tripod stand thrown in as well until 14 May. Just use the code ACO3443 to avail your free tripod, and pay $999 instead of the usual retail price of $1,039.98.
  • Logitech Z906 5.1 gaming speaker system ($399): Take your gaming experience to the next level with this sound system from Logitech. With 1,000 watts of peak power and 500 watts of RMS power, this system promises to ‘surround’ you with great sound every time you dive into a game. It supports multiple inputs simultaneously, connecting up to six compatible devices. And the best part about this setup – it’s over $150 cheaper than its regular RRP at Mwave, selling for $399. That’s down from $549.95.

CAMERAS & ACCESSORIES

  • Canon EOS 1300D ($599): Want to dive head-first into photography but have no clue where to start? You could begin with getting yourself a great DSLR like the Canon EOS 1300D to teach yourself the art. You can get this camera bundled with two kit lenses – 18-55mm and 55-250mm – making it perfect for beginners. Plus you get to save $200 on this bundle from Dick Smith. It’s on sale now for $599.
  • DJI Phantom 4 drone ($1,099): Want a drone that’s got a bit more oomph than the DJI Phantom 3? Then this officially refurbished DJI Phantom 4 might be what you’re looking for. It, too, comes with a DJI warranty, so there’s peace of mind when purchasing. Plus you can capture 4K footage at 30fps and Full HD at 120fps for slow-motion video. You can save $200 on this mean machine and get it for $1,099 from Kogan, instead of the usual price of $1,299.
  • DJI Phantom 3 Standard drone ($599): It isn’t brand new, but it has been officially refurbished and carries the usual DJI warranty. So if you’ve been wanting to get into aerial photography, this is your chance to save some dosh. You can shoot 2.7K video with this drone’s onboard 12MP camera, plus there’s a built-in GPS to ensure the drone flies right back to you. This refurbished gadget usually sells for $749, but you can save $150 (or 20%) by getting it from Kogan for $599.
  • GoPro Hero5 Black ($499): GoPro has become synonymous with action cameras and, as a company, has listened to its fans, coming out with some of the best rugged, go-anywhere cams on the market today. The GoPro Hero5 Black is a sturdy little camera that shoots 4K videos at 30fps and 12MP still images. If you’d like to record your next surfing adventure or your mountain biking trip, you can save $70 on the regular RRP of $569 by ordering it from Kogan for $499 and keep some of the fun and frolic saved for posterity’s sake.
  • GoPro Hero5 Session ($369): The Hero5 Session is GoPro’s smallest camera, but it’s capable of shooting stabilised 4K videos and features a variety of new field of view modes. It usually retails for anywhere from $459, but it’s now available online for $369 at Kogan, saving you $90.
  • 360fly 4K camera ($439): Shooting 360-degree footage is fast becoming the next big thing and the 360fly enables you to do just that without the need for too many accessories. A single lens does the job in 4K and you can upload and share the results of your photography adventure easily via a smartphone app. It retails for $799 at the major retailers and $699 on Kogan, but save yourself $260 (or $360) by getting it on sale from Kogan for just $439.

SMARTPHONE ACCESSORIES

  • Sony ZX220BT Bluetooth headphones ($94): Sony promises up to 8 hours of playback time with this set of wireless cans that offers one-touch listening via Bluetooth and NFC. They also retail for $129.95, but are currently on sale online on the Sony store for $94, saving you nearly $36.
  • Plantronics BackBeat FIT behind-the-head wireless headphones ($139): Don’t get entangled in cables when you work out. Go wireless and get yourself the Plantronics BackBeat FIT for $139 from JB Hi-FI. It usually retails for $179, so you save $40 and get yourself a great workout buddy.

FITNESS TRACKERS

  • Fitbit Alta ($114): If you’re looking to get fit and need something to keep you motivated and track your progress – and did we mention save some money, too? – then get the Fitbit Alta from Big W for a sweet low price of $114, saving you $65 on the RRP of $179. The small size is available in blue, while the large comes in teal.
  • Fitbit Charge 2 HR ($174): Need more functionality than what the Fitbit Alta can offer? Then the Charge 2 HR can not only keep tabs on your beating heart, but can clock up exercises thanks to its multi-sports modes. It even comes with a built-in GPS. At Big W, you can save $75 on this wearable with it being on sale for $174. You can get the large size in blue, black and plum, and the small size in plum, blue, black and teal.

MISCELLANEOUS DEALS

  • Sphero BB-8 droid with Force Band ($199): Star Wars Day may have come and gone, but the Force will always be with you, especially when you’re watching Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at home with this app-enabled BB-8 droid with Sphero’s latest Watch With Me mode. This enables the droid to react with sound effects and actions to everything happening in the film. You can also record and play back holographic AR videos, plus, slap the Force Band on your wrist and you control BB-8 like a Jedi master. This fun package is on sale at JB Hi-Fi for $199. That’s $150 off the regular marked price on the product.

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