The Google Home Max Is Coming To Australia

Google's Home Max speaker is coming to Australia. The smart speaker, which boasts sound 20 times more powerful than the standard Google Home, will be available in the country starting August 9. 

Home Max launched in the US in December 2017, and Canada earlier this year - international availability of Google's products is notoriously slow, although the regular Google Home and Home Mini are already available in the Australian Google Store. If you’re in Australian you’ll be able to pick up a Google Home Max for $549 from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, David Jones, The Good Guys, Officeworks and as previously mentioned The Google Store. 

Apple Now Allowing In Store Pickup For Australia And Canada

Apple has launched an in store pickup in Australia And Canada allowing customers in those countries to order and pay for devices online and pick them up in Apple Retail  Stores. Personal Pickup is available for a number of Apple products, from Macs, Apple Watch to the iPhone, iPad, and the Apple TV. When an order is placed for an in stock item for Personal Pickup, Apple employees get it ready to go and then send an email to a customer whenever it's ready. Out of stock items are able to be shipped to a store for Personal Pickup. What do you think of Apple adding in store pickup in Canada and Australia ?

The PS4 Price Cut Comes To The UK And Australia

Sony has announced that the price cut for the PlayStation 4 has made its way to the UK and Australia. As of today, the 500GB PS4 in the UK will now cost you £300, down from £350. Sony announced a price drop for the PS4 in Japan at Tokyo Game Show, soon after that announcement North America received a price drop as well. What do you think of the price drop ? If you don’t have a PS4 already doesn’t it make you want to buy a PS4 ? 

PlayStation 4 Is The Fastest Selling Console In Australia

SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment Australia) announced that the PlayStation 4 is the fastest selling console of all time in Australia, according to sales figures. Sony also revealed that PS4 currently holds the # 1 new gen console in the region. The console broke pre order records for Sony consoles and devices in Australia prior to its launch in the country on November 29.  Approximately 700,000 PS4’s were sold across Europe and Australasia in the two days following launch and the console was the fastest selling in the UK. Sony announced in its last earnings report that it shipped 3.3 million PS4 consoles worldwide during the second quarter this year, bringing the PS4 total lifetime sales to 12.3 million units since its debut in the U.S. on November 15.

Xbox 360 Gets a Price Drop In Australia

Microsoft Australia has announced a price drop for the Xbox 360 starting on October 1. This price drops affect the 250GB console and the 250GB Kinect console bundle, which will both drop by $100. In addition to the price drop, a 500GB Holiday Value Bundle and Xbox 360 Special Edition Blue Bundle were also revealed. The 500GB Holiday Value Bundle will include a copy of Call of Duty: Ghosts and Call of Duty: Black Ops II, as well as one month of access to Xbox Live Gold. 

New 3DS And 3DS XL Coming To Australia Later This Year

Nintendo Australia has announced the release of the two new 3DS models in Australia, the New Nintendo 3DS and the New Nintendo 3DS XL. The announcement was made on YouTube via the first ever Nintendo Direct Australia, this direct revealed that both handheld consoles will be released in Australia on November 21 this year, a short time after the Japan release on October 11. Nintendo also revealed that it is "not planning to release the systems in Europe and America this year." The New Nintendo 3DS will be available in white at launch, and the New Nintendo 3DS XL will have two color options, metallic black and metallic blue. Cover plates will also be available, which players can purchase to customize the external design on the console. The New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL have retail prices of A$219.95 and A$249.95. The consoles will not include an AC adapter, however, they will be compatible with all older model DS and 3DS adapters.

Left 4 Dead 2 Finally Uncensored In Australia

After following the Australian reclassification of Left 4 Dead 2, Valve has announced that the uncensored version is now available to gamers aged 18 and up on Steam. Those who purchased the censored version of the game can download a free update to upgrade to the uncensored version. Left 4 Dead 2 was first refused classification in Australia when it was submitted in 2009, making it illegal to sell, rent, or promote the game in the country. Valve appealed the decision before resubmitting both the uncensored and modified versions of the game for classification. The modified version of the game eventually earned an MA15+ rating. This version of the game removed decapitation, limb dismemberment, and fallen bodies faded away, which removed the option for players to cause post-mortem damage. The game has been reclassified with an R18+ rating. The rating was officially introduced on January 1, 2013.