Lenovo to buy Google's Motorola Mobility

By Allie Coyne

Updated: In $3 billion deal.

Optus to start 2600MHz LTE trials

By Ry Crozier

The 'other' digital dividend.

British govt works to break MS Office grip

By Staff Writer

Uses open document formats to usher in new suites.

Juha Saarinen

@juhasaarinen

Half of users abandon smart meter trial http://t.co/DkmyUOviFg via @itnews_au

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@juhasaarinen @breditor @iTnews_au Because the providers took the money for the meter upgrade, but nothing to the homeowner.

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@juhasaarinen @breditor @iTnews_au The providers had no interest in homeowners reducing their power bills, but wanted to reduce their OPEX.

Juha Saarinen

@juhasaarinen

@ianbfarquhar @breditor Savings on meter readers and load planning, none of which were returned to customers?

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@juhasaarinen @breditor They were meant to provide homeowners visibility of their usage. That was the purpose. NOT to upgrade meters alone.

Juha Saarinen

@juhasaarinen

@ianbfarquhar @breditor I get that with @powershop .

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@juhasaarinen @breditor I was one of the first participants. @EnergyAustralia told me they had no intention of providing me a display.

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@juhasaarinen @breditor I talking to an eng lead: "we're only upgrading the meters". He said they have no plans to give homeowners data.

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@juhasaarinen @breditor @powershop The tech exists. The Oz providers don't seem to think they should roll it out.

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@powershop @juhasaarinen @breditor The meters are more expensive that the old EM versions, but surely reading is MUCH cheaper?

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@powershop @juhasaarinen @breditor That was the whole smart meter pitch to consumers: understand (manage) your energy use. Failed goal. :(

Ian Farquhar

@ianbfarquhar

@powershop @juhasaarinen @breditor As it stands, smart meters are nothing more than a potential privacy risk with no return benefit.