Compiled by Patrick Avenell

Transcend has released two 1TB rugged external hard drives, with the higher-end unit featuring USB 3.0 data transfer.

Both new models in the StoreJet range are housed in a tough, shockproof case that can withstand “bumps and drops”, according to the release. The 25H3P unit, which has USB 3.0 for transfers up to 90MB per second, is RRP $235. The USB 2.0 unit, 25H2P, is RRP $225.

Transcend is distributed in Australia Cellnet, Synnex and WestGroup.

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Western Digital (WD) has introduced its latest WD Photos app for iOS and Android devices. This free app lets users transfer HD video files from their compatible phone or tablet device to a WD TV Live Media Hub for playback on a television.

For the app to work, the device must be running Android 2.1 (Eclair) or higher or Apple’s iOS 3.1 or higher.

Here’s WD vice president Dale Pistilli.

“The WD TV Live Hub media center already lets users store and play 1TB of their personal videos, photos and music plus enjoy the best of Internet services including Netflix, YouTube, Pandora and Facebook, all without a computer,” he said. “Now with the new release of WD Photos, the world’s first smartphone-to-HDTV video sharing app, WD TV Live Hub helps users stay in touch with friends and family in high-definition.”

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Optus has opened pre-ordering for the Samsung Galaxy S II, which will be launched in Australia this Thursday (26 May 2011) ahead of its availability on 1 June 2011.

Customers who pre-order with Optus before 28 May 2011 should expect to receive the handset on 1 June 2011, according to a sort-of guarantee given by Optus.

“Pre-order before 28 May and we will aim to deliver your phone on 1 June 2011, the day Samsung Galaxy S II is released in Australia,” reads the Optus website.

There are four plans to choose from on the Optus site:

-$5 per month on the $59 cap plan (2GB data): $1,418 minimum cost over 24 months.
-$0 upfront on the $79 cap plan (3GB data): $1,738 minimum cost over 24 months.
-$0 upfront on the $99 timeless plan (5GB data): $2,178 minimum cost over 24 months.
-$0 upfront on the $129 timeless plan (6GB data): $2,838 minimum cost over 24 months.

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Also on Current.com.au today:

The highs and Loewes of television history
Samsung’s new Wi-Fi and DLNA camera
Sony recruits Dell marketer
JB CEO questions set top box pricing