Xperia™ Z2 available now from Telstra 

Telstra customers to receive exclusive bonus track from Michael Jackson’s new album, XSCAPE 

Sydney, 13 May 2014 – Sony Mobile Communications Australia can confirm that its latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia™ Z2, is available today with Telstra in both purple and black. The Xperia Z2 also comes with Telstra Blue Tick certification, meaning it is recommended for rural and regional use.

Customers can enjoy the best of Sony’s waterproof design, display, sound, camera and camcorder experience on Telstra’s Mobile Network which has four times the 4G coverage of other mobile networks in Australia.

Telstra customers can purchase the Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone  for $6 per month additional handset payments on a $70 Telstra Mobile Accelerate Plan, when they stay connected for 24 months, which includes 1.5 GB of data ($0.03c/MB) for use in Australia ($76/month – minimum cost over 24 months is $1824) 2 min standard call $2.38.

Telstra business customers can purchase the Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone  for $10 per month additional handset payments on a $60 Business Performance Plan, plus when they stay connected for 24 months, which includes 1 GB ($0.03c/MB) for use in Australia ($70/month – minimum cost over 24 months is $1680) 2 min standard call $2.38.

Customers can also purchase the Sony Xperia Z2 from Telstra outright for $672 RRP.

To celebrate the launch of Michael Jackson’s XSCAPE album Telstra customers who purchase the Xperia Z2 before 31 May 2014 can to download the XSCAPE album plus an exclusive bonus track– a PaperCha$er remix of Chicago through the Xperia Lounge app.  Telstra customers with the Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z1 Compact, can also receive the exclusive download¹.

The new album, which is executively produced by Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, is a long-awaited collection of exciting new music that will thrill the legions of fans of one of the world’s most revered and best-selling artists, as well as attract a whole new generation discovering his artistry for the first time.

Further details on the XSCAPE album can be found at www.michaeljackson.com.

All exclusive offers are part of the ‘One Sony’ collaboration of Sony Group’s entertainment and electronics.

LEARN TO DRAW YOUR FAVOURITE POKÉMON AND MASTER REAL-LIFE ART SKILLS IN POKÉMON ART ACADEMY FOR NINTENDO 3DS

From 5^th July, step-by-step lessons will teach budding artists real illustration techniques through drawing fan-favourite Pokémon 

13^th May 2014 – Grab your stylus and start your Pokémon-drawing journey in Pokémon Art Academy launching on 5^th July exclusively on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems. This Pokémon-themed iteration of the Art Academy series offers budding illustrators and Pokémon fans alike 40 lessons to learn how to paint, sketch and draw with beloved Pokémon characters. Along the way, students of Pokémon Art Academy can pick up actual illustration skills that they can transfer onto real canvas or paper, or share their digital masterpieces with the world.

The Art Academy series made its debut on Nintendo DS in 2009, offering a comprehensive virtual art studio with a variety of realistically behaving art materials. Wield the stylus with tactile precision on the Touch Screen to use the plethora of paint, pencils and pastels. What sets the Art Academy series apart are its easy-to-follow lessons with step-by-step guides that teach genuine painting and drawing techniques. A friendly tutor takes students of all ages through these lessons, each of which breaks down complex-looking images into simple steps. Gradually, players pick up more and new techniques that allow anyone to create artwork they can be proud of. Whilst previous Art Academy titles were focused on traditional and fine art, this Pokémon-themed iteration lets players try their hand at illustration. So join the Pokémon Art Academy and meet Professor Andy, who teaches players to draw and train their creative skills – beginning with starter Pokémon and working up to legendary masterpieces.

Every artist needs tools, and the Touch Screen toolbox once again houses a bright range of pencils, pastels and paint. There are also art materials brand new to the series, such as Markers that make block colours with clean sharp edges, and Airbrushes that allow for a fine graduation of colour. In addition, the new Outline Pen leaves a smooth line that cannot be coloured over – perfect for cartoon drawings with slick borders. Finally, players need not worry about making mistakes when experimenting, as the new Undo feature allows the removal of several previously made steps from a masterpiece-in-progress.

Pokémon Art Academy boasts 40 lessons in which players can encounter favourite Pokémon from throughout the series – even including those from the recent Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games – such as Pikachu, Oshawott, Charizard, Torchic, Fletchling, Fennekin and many more! Students can progress through four different levels of lesson, beginning with first drawings in Starter, discovering new skills during Novice and Apprentice, and culminating with mastering a new talent in Graduate courses. They will first learn how to draw colourful Pokémon profiles, then build up Pokémon out of simple shapes like a cartoonist. Later lessons introduce colouring techniques such shading, shadow and depth that bring drawings to life. For the first time in the Art Academy series, it’s even possible to add a finishing touch by placing completed artwork against a selection of backgrounds for dramatic effect.

As players hone their skills, they can try out Free Paint mode, where Pokémon can be created in any style using the full range of tools. Over 100 reference pictures of Pokémon are included for inspiration, while images taken with Nintendo 3DS Camera can also be imported into the game. For those who want to keep their artistic juices flowing, there’s the new Quick Sketch mode where players can jump into short, simple drawings and practice producing Pokémon sketches quickly – perfect when out and about, or as daily practice.

All accomplishments can be saved into an album, as a truly personal collection of character cards featuring your artwork as the illustration, together with your signature. Share masterpieces locally with other Pokémon Art Academy players, or post them to Miiverse to show the world your greatest artistic triumphs. And while you’re there, you can always ask for help with techniques from the friendly Miiverse community of art and Pokémon fans.

Learn to draw your favourite Pokémon characters and gain real-life illustration skills in Pokémon Art Academy. Start your Pokémon-drawing journey on 5^th July 2014 exclusively on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 2DS systems, available at retail or as a digital version from the Nintendo eShop*.

Additional Links:

Nintendo Australia Website: http://www.nintendo.com.au
NintendoAustralia Twitter:https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo Australia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NintendoAUNZ
Nintendo AU on YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/nintendoau

Nintendo Australia Image Libraryhttp://images.nintendo.com.au

* Wireless broadband Internet access required.

About Nintendo 3DS:

Nintendo 3DS family consists of a Nintendo 3DS system, Nintendo 3DS XL system (both with a 3D feature) and a Nintendo 2DS system (no 3D feature). Nintendo 3DS family offers Parental Controls so that parents can control the content their children can access and the games they can play. Additionally, devices with a 3D feature allow parents to control the level of 3D their children can view and also provide a 3D depth slider which lets players turn off or adjust the level of 3D they want on the 3D Screen. Nintendo 3DS family also features two built-in screens for different functionality, a Circle Pad which provides a full 360 degrees of direction, a built-in motion sensor and gyro sensor. It is equipped with three cameras (two of which are facing outwards to allow the taking of 3D pictures), houses a 2GB/4GB SD Memory Card and is compatible with AR Cards which come packaged with Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo 3DS family is also backwards compatible with all existing Nintendo DS games, which can be played in 2D on your Nintendo 3DS system.

www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo-3ds

PARAMOUNT PICTURES ANNOUNCES START OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON “SCOUTS VS. ZOMBIES”

HOLLYWOOD, CA (May 12, 2014) – Paramount Pictures announced today that principal photography on “SCOUTS VS. ZOMBIES” has commenced in Los Angeles.  The film is directed by Christopher Landon (“PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES”).

The screenplay from Landon is based on Lona Williams (“DROP DEAD GORGEOUS,” “The Drew Carey Show”) and Etan Cohen’s (“MEN IN BLACK 3,” “TROPIC THUNDER”) draft of an original script from Emi Mochizuki & Carrie Evans (“COLLEGE ROAD TRIP”).  Todd Garner (“PAUL BLART: MALL COP,” “INTO THE STORM”) and Andy Fickman (“PARENTAL GUIDANCE,” “RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN”) will produce, with Bryan Brucks (“BLENDED”), Sean Robins (“INTO THE STORM”) and Samson Mucke (“PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES”) serving as executive producers.

Tye Sheridan (“MUD,” “DARK PLACES”), Logan Miller (“I’M IN THE BAND,” “NIGHT MOVES”), and newcomer Joey Morgan are three scouts who, on the eve of their last camp out, discover the true meaning of friendship when they attempt to save their town from a zombie outbreak.

Rounding out the cast is Sarah Dumont (“DON JON”) as Denise, David Koechner (“ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGUNDY,” “ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND CONTINUES”) as Scout Leader Rogers, Cloris Leachman (“THE LAST PICTURE SHOW,” “Raising Hope”) as Ms. Fielder, Halston Sage (“NEIGHBORS,” “THE BLING RING”) as Kendall, and Patrick Schwarzenegger (“DEAR ELEANOR,” “STUCK IN LOVE”) as Jeff.

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About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group

Archiact Interactive’s New Tunnel Runner Game ‘Little Lamper’ Gains Kickstarter Support

Vancouver, Canada — May 12, 2014 /  On May 1st, Archiact Interactive launched a Kickstarter campaign for their new iOS/Android game ‘Little Lamper,’ which has since attracted over 60 backers and more than $2,000 in pledges.

“I’m always addicted to runner games like subway surfer, temple run… Now I will challenge myself with the next innovative runner game :D” — Kickstarter supporter.

Though it falls into the ‘Tunner Runner’ genre of games, the gameplay is altered to represent the free-form flight, rather then locking the player into the standard three tracks we’ve become used to seeing in tunnel runners or 3D infinity runners. Little Lamper gamers play as a species of fireflies called ‘Lampers’ through a variety of dangerous environments. As a character in the Lamper Kingdom, gamers have the choice of playing as the Princess, the Professor, the Ninja, the Pirate or the title character, Lil’ Lamper. Each have their own unique look, and players will be given the options tocustomize them further to create a Lamper to suit their imagination.

The object of the game is to find a new home, and recreate Lamper Kingdom, which was invaded and destroyed by an army of dangerous spiders. By avoiding obstacles, dodging pebbles, collecting coins and sap, and using a number of power-ups, players must survive the challenges faced as a small bug in a big world.

“Just backed! Glad I found this. Looking forward for the alpha!” — Kickstarter supporter.

The Archiact Interactive team has already completed in-game illustrations, prototype functionality, and the storyline that characters will experience as they explore worlds to find sanctuary. They’ve since turned to Kickstarter to further finance game development and involve backers in the storyline with unique rewards like custom-made characters based on player photos.

“We believe in this game, and want the chance to bring it to a wider audience, while making it exceptional. Money raised is going into the development of the game, the rewards for our backers like pins, keychains, etc, and a few surprises.” — Archiact Interactive

The Kickstarter campaign will run until Jun 2nd and features a variety of perks for backers including a copy of the game, posters, and the ability to design your own Lamper character.

HyperX Memory Supports New Intel® Processors, Chipset

Sydney, Australia – May 13, 2014 – HyperX^®, a division of Kingston Technology, the independent world leader in memory products, today announced its memory product lines: FURY, Genesis, Predator and Beast, offer a series of dual-channel kits compatible with the new Intel® fourth-generation Core™ i5 and i7 processors and Intel 9 series chipset. HyperX worked closely with leading motherboard partners to guarantee compatibility and the highest performance.

Compatible Intel HyperX memory is available in frequencies ranging from 1333MHz to 2800MHz, and in various combinations from 8GB to 32GB in kits of two and four. A complete list of dual-channel compatible kits is available here. HyperX memory is 100-percent tested and backed by a lifetime warranty, free technical support and legendary Kingston reliability.

HyperX is the high-performance product division of Kingston Technology encompassing high-speed DDR3 memory, SSDs, USB Flash drives, and headsets. Targeted at gamers, overclockers and enthusiasts, HyperX is known throughout the world for quality, performance and innovation. HyperX is committed to eSports as it sponsors over 20 teams globally and is the main sponsor of Intel Extreme Masters. HyperX can be found at many shows including China Joy, PAX, Davao Cyber Expo, and TGS & Big Fest.

For more information visit the HyperX home page.

HyperX can be found on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kingstonhyperx

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hyperxcommunity

About HyperX

HyperX^® is a division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the world’s largest independent memory manufacturer. Established in 2002, HyperX is headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, USA. For more information, please visit http://www.kingston.com/en/hyperx/.