LED is the buzzword in the TV industry right now and Samsung has launched its Series 6, 7 and 8 LED televisions in Australia.

The new technology uses a different form of white light rather than the traditional flourescent lighting behind the LCD screen to create images. White LED edge lighting is believed to create better picture quality, Samsung says of its LED TV range.

The claim is that Light Emitting Diodes are much brighter than flourescent lighting and offer better control of colour and contrast. They also use less energy than other forms of back-lighting, so you may even see your Samsung LED TV offer a return on your energy bill over time.

Then there is the added bonus of size. The technology has allowed Samsung to create LED TVs that are much slimmer and lighter than traditional LCD TVs, given that the lights are placed at the edge rather than directly behind the screen.

The Samsung Series 6, 7 and 8 LED TVs are all Full HD resolution (1920×1080p). Series 6 and 7 feature 100Hz Motion Plus while Series 8 features 200Hz Motion Plus, a world first for an LED TV.

Samsung Series 6 LED TVs

Comes with USB 2.0 connectivity in four available sizes: 32-inch, 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch. Australian pricing starts from $3699.

Samsung Series 7 LED TVs

This series comes with interactive TV functions, including Medi@2.0, which allows you access to YouTube as well as the ability to use DLNA to stream media from your PC. It’s available in three sizes exclusively from Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne: 40-inch, 46-inch and 55-inch, with Samsung Series 7 LED TV pricing starting from $3899.

Samsung Series 8 LED TVs

Series 8 is the top of Samsung’s LED TV range and includes the interactive features seen in Series 7. It’s available in two sizes, 46-inch (RRP $5299) and 55-inch ($6999).

Buy cheap LED TVs on sale

By Caroline Warnes

This has been a week of bargains and to finish things off, how about this hand-painted 16-piece dinner set for $14.95?

Who doesn’t love a good feed and I have to say it tastes even better when you’re eating it off nice crockery.

I’ve been lusting after a gorgeous hand-painted pink dinner set with gilt edges in an antique shop near my house for a month or so now and while I’m too scared to check out the price (no doubt it’s probably a trillion dollars or something), this version from OO.com.au makes a nice alternative.

It’s a 16-piece dinner set complete with dinner plates, side plates, soup bowls and tea cups which would be good for everyday use. It’s priced at $14.95 plus delivery.

As an aside, the more items you buy from OO.com.au, the cheaper the delivery gets. That may sound like a false economy but the site truly has some bargains.

By Caroline Warnes

And the winner is:

E. MacGregor, 2617.

Call me crazy, but I don’t hate these ruby red Zu shoes, which are marked down by 50% to just $55. I think they would do quite nicely as work shoes for winter.

The moderate heel and closed toes make these shoes entirely work-appropriate. And who can resist a shiny red heel? It’s all very Dorothy.

Zu is selling the shoes in black as well but I think they work best in the patent red flavour. In fact, apart from the style’s unfortunate name (Dorcas), I’m sold on these.

The style is available both online and in-store.

By Caroline Warnes

You could win $100,000 in cash when you buy any Century-branded battery from Bob Jane T-Marts before the end of June.

To enter this competition and go into the draw to win, you first need to buy a battery and then send in a completed entry form.

Find out more about this competition.

The Motorola H780 is the latest addition to the manufacturer’s line of Bluetooth headsets and while it certainly presents as a beautiful headset on review, it is on the expensive side.

$109.95, in fact, is the price tag that the Motorola H780 has been slapped with, which seems somewhat exorbitant when you consider that this particular Bluetooth headset doesn’t necessarily come packed with many outstanding features.

Actually, when it comes down to it, the H780 doesn’t really offer any extras beyond transmitting audio from Bluetooth devices. Unless, of course, you count stylish looks as a feature. Because the Motorola H780 has style in spades, courtesy of the stainless steel exterior.

Compensating for the lack of features is the H780’s exceptional performance. Motorola has used its proprietary CrystalkTalk technology on this Bluetooth headset. This basically combines a noise-cancelling microphone with digital signal processing for crystal clear audio performance.

The Motorola H780 also offers multi-point connectivity so you can connect two devices to the headset at once.

Buy a cheap Bluetooth headset

By Caroline Warnes

After the blatant negativity of yesterday’s Sass & Bide blog, I’ve come up with the bag bargain to end all bag bargains today.

Browsing racewear site Madaboochoo just now, I came across this Cam Red Duo clutch purse, marked down to just $25 from $39.30.

It isn’t the biggest clutch bag in the world, measuring in at just 23cm long, but if you can streamline your possessions enough to cram them all in then it would be perfect for a day at the races or even a night out. In fact it could almost pass as a large wallet.

I love the old-timey fabric and colours too - red, champagne and gold.

By Caroline Warnes

The above headline re: local design duo Sass & Bide may seem a little harsh, but I’m sorry, I simply can’t take the fuggery anymore.

I’ve suffered in silence because of their stupid fashion trend known as Sass & Bide “rats” (as pictured here in the oh-so-appetising bronze colour) for several months, ever since I saw British Jesus impersonator Russell Brand getting around in a pair a while back. This ill-conceived piece of clothing is apparently a wet-look legging that will set you back nearly $200.

I’M SORRY, BUT WHAT? My hatred of leggings is not really any great secret, so it won’t shock anyone to hear that I wouldn’t pay two cents for a pair of leggings of any description, let alone $200. I have better things to spend $200 on. Like, oh I don’t know, ANYTHING.

Who exactly are these people who think this is a good look? And are they aware that I nearly cried when I saw the Sass & Bide zebra rats yesterday?? You should really think twice about wearing a piece of clothing when even David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust phase would label it “a bit out there”.

But this isn’t just another blog rant about leggings. I checked out some more of the Sass & Bide range on MyCatwalk yesterday and could only conclude that either;

a) I’m not fashion-forward enough and don’t “get” any of it, or
b) It’s all just plain stupid.

Exhibit A: A giant gold cupcake wrapper thingy worn as a skirt.

Exhibit B: A dress so obscenely brief that you would surely get arrested for solicitation if you dared to wear it in public.

Exhibit C: What are the little wings on the side for? To fly away in case you suddenly realise you walked out of the house in this outfit and start dying of embarrassment?

Exhibit D: I’m actually not even sure what this thing is.

That being said, there are a few nice pieces in the collection, such as the gorgeous All Over Again dress. But on the whole, I’m sorry, you’ve lost me.

By Caroline Warnes

If you’re looking for a portable and inexpensive notebook to be used primarily for accessing the Internet, then you need a netbook, such as the HP Mini 2140.

A netbook is ideal for light online activities like email and web browsing and the HP 2140 Mini doesn’t disappoint. Based on the popular HP Mini 1000 netbook, the Mini 2140 features a 25cm screen and an extremely intuitive keyboard, especially for anyone with bigger fingers - you’ll love the generous key size, despite the 2140’s compact form factor.

The HP Mini 2140 also boasts some features you’d expect to see on a fully fledged notebook rather than a netbook, especially when it comes to connectivity. HP has included an ExpressCard slot as well as two USB 2.0 ports as well as a VGA video connection, not to mention Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The Mini 2140 comes with a 160GB hard drive, which is protected froom bumps and shocks by the 3D accelerometer.

The HP Mini 2140 netbook’s Australian pricing is $799.

Buy a cheap HP Mini netbook

By Caroline Warnes

As previously mentioned, I am on a pretty strict spending ban at present, but for Ulta3 nail polish, I think I can make an exception.

That’s because Ulta3 nail polish sells for just $2 at selected pharmacies, including Terry White Chemists. That means that for the price of just two Coke Zeros from the office vending machine, I can have myself a brand new polish.

Unlike the other el cheapo nail polish brands you pick up from pharmacies and the like, Ulta3 is actually decent and long-lasting. I bought one last week and six days later, it’s still going strong.

Call 1800 181 040 to find an Ulta3 stockist near you.

By Caroline Warnes