COMPANIES

ANZ Bank caught the country's banking industry thrice in 2012 after it first went against the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) policy to hike its standard variable mortgage rate when the central bank kept the overnight cash rate on hold. In the second instance, ANZ kept a part of the cash rate cut and slashed the interest rate below the RBA rate reduction.

Public appetite for more details about the Rinehart family feud will be satisfied on Tuesday, June 26, with the release of the unauthorised biography of Gina Rinehart, Australia's and the world's richest woman.

Nokia recently gave a preview of the newest products in their Nokia smartphone line which includes Nokia Lumia 900 and Nokia Lumia 610. The entrance of these two new handsets in the Nokia Lumia prompts customers to ask this very important question: Which is the better Nokia Lumia Phone?

Microsoft has just announced Windows Phone 8 and its pending release in the market. Microsoft also announced the different smartphone manufacturers that would carry Windows Phone 8 in their smartphone models and these companies include Nokia, HTC, Huawei, and Samsung.

Diablo 3's latest patch has caused some inconvenience to players who have availed of this latest patch. Players who have the digital copies of the game will be locked down for up to 72 hours with only limited access to the game.

Recent reports have surfaced regarding the upcoming Android updates for Motorola Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx. According to reports, the beta version of the Android 4.0 or Android ICS update has been rolled out to testers which means the official release would soon follow.

Tivo, the popular TV recording device officially released its App for Android tablets. This app would help tablet users to access Tivo through the use of their own tablets.

Motorola Mobility will keep operating autonomously, Google said on Thursday, but the Internet giant admitted too that the mobile phone pioneer will need to tread closely unto Google's corporate vision following its formal acquisition by the tech titan last month.

The Australian share market remains under pressure today, but fortunately isn't falling as hard as futures markets had predicted following a sell-off on global markets overnight. European and US markets fell in response to downbeat economic data out of America and China. After the bell, ratings agency Moody's downgraded 15 global banks adding to the negative sentiment. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is weaker by 43.1pts or 1pct to 4133.7.

Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies announced on Thursday plans to ramp up its smartphone production for the current year, indicating that up to 60 million Huawei smartphones will be shipped to destinations around the world by the end of 2012.

Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, may be busy seeking a seat in Fairfax Media board, but she has not left unattended the more lucrative mining sector, which catapulted her to become the world's richest woman. On Thursday, she invested $5 million in International Coal's (ASX: ICX) coal venture in Queensland.

Minecraft is one of the most successful games in Xbox 360 and when it was first introduced, not that many people believe that it would be a success especially when the Xbox 360 edition was introduced.

Microsoft seems to be on a roll these days as it recently announced their newest product: Windows Phone 8, code-named "Apollo". Through this new release from Microsoft, can it compete with the big players in the smartphone market such as Google's Android and Apple's iPhone?

A recently leaked document detailing information about Xbox 720 has recently surfaced in the Internet which was promptly reported by different news networks around the world. In response to this, Microsoft has confirmed that the details about the Xbox 720 is true which means that its possible release date is truly a go.

Apple has just unveiled its new MacBook line specifically the MacBook 2012 with Retina Display which is considered as one of the best gadgets launched by Apple. Despite that recognition, many people are asking this crucial question: Is it worth the price?

What makes an ideal workplace environment? As far as the findings issued this week by Business Review Weekly (BRW) are concerned, the general happiness and contentment of workers greatly depend on the culture being espoused by their employers.

After the price war on fresh produce between supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, industry observers are anticipating another price battle, this time on hardware items. The price war could be the result of Metcash's purchase of Mitre 10.

It's the epic battle between Apple and Microsoft and this time, it's all about the tablets as Microsoft finally joined the tablet market with the release of "Surface", Microsoft's own Windows 8 tablet. This release leads to inevitable question of: Which is the Best? Microsoft's Windows 8 tablet (Surface) or Apple's New iPad?

Microsoft said on Wednesday that upcoming Windows Phones, which will run on the soon-to-be launched Windows 8, will give seamless mobile computing experience to global consumers, effectively unifying market platforms that the software maker has spent billions in the past years to break into.

Motorola Droid Razr and Droid Razr Maxx are slated to receive their Android 4.0 or Android ICS update based on the recent announcement made by Motoroloa. Even if Motorola has not disclosed any specific date, the smartphone manufacturer revealed that the update is already rolled out but on the hands of their beta testers.

Nintendo recently unveiled new Nintendo 3DS games that will be launched for 2012. Nintendo have listed down the most anticipated games for the console as well as the updated downloadable content available in the Nintendo eShop. The games were first unveiled during the E3 2012 event held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Local stocks are staging a rebound today on the back of positive moves on offshore markets. US shares rose on hopes of further stimulus from the Federal Reserve while European markets rallied to a one month high. Mid-session, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is firmer by 21.6pts or 0.5pct to 4189.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is convinced that digital connection has yet to reach its full potential, declaring on Tuesday that "the World Wide Web has yet to live up to its name."

DC Universe Online and Sony Entertainment LLC had just revealed "The Last Laugh" which is the fourth downloadable content (DLC) pack for DC Universe Online. This downloadable content is more focused on the online multiplayer feature of the game.

A new version of Ubuntu has been released in the market (Ubuntu 12.04) and it has received a lot of positive reviews ever since it was revealed to the public. Some people even go further by calling it the best Ubuntu version.

The thought of battling out a lawsuit from Australia's richest woman has apparently struck fear in the hearts of Fairfax Media directors. Before they would allow Georgina Rinehart, the largest stakeholder in the company, a board seat, the directors are said to be seeking immunity from a Rinehart lawsuit, The Australian reports.

Microsoft finally unveiled the reason behind the "secret event" that they revealed a few days ago as the company revealed a new Windows 8 tablet in the market. This is Microsoft's first forray in the tablet market.

Microsoft has just released Windows 8 beta version to the public which has been getting mixed reviews. Microsoft is also reported to release their own Windows 8 tablet which would rival Apple's iPad. Is this the latest effort of Microsoft to redeem its place in the technological market?

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) created to look into the safety of the highly disputed $200-million rare earths processing plant of Lynas Corp. in Malaysia has concluded that the facility is safe and has strongly urged for the immediate release of the temporary operating license (TOL) to finally start the plant's delayed operations.