Not all smartphones need to carry a hefty price tag, and the Nokia 6700 Slide is ample proof of that fact.

Although exact local pricing for this upcoming phone is yet to be released, Nokia has made it clear that the 6700 Slide is aimed at anyone on a budget who is also looking for a range of smartphone features.

You can use the phone to connect to Ovi, which is Nokia’s answer to Apple’s iTunes and App Store. Ovi has its own music and app store, plus you can use it to share photos and videos, back up your contacts and calendar and even access a maps function.

The 6700 Slide is something of a multimedia powerhouse for a budget smartphone - it features a 5-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics and dual LED flash and can play back a range of the standard audio and video files. Nokia has added a 2GB microSD card to expand the phone’s 45MB internal memory.

When it comes to design, this isn’t the slickest smartphone around - the slide form factor does look a bit dated, especially compared to the touchscreen format of the likes of the iPhone. The 2.2-inch screen looks small when compared to these phones. On the up side, it comes in a range of eye-catching colours: purple, pink and raw aluminium.

The Nokia 6700 Slide’s Australian release date is expected to fall sometime in Q1 2010. Local pricing will be announced closer to this date.

Buy a cheap Nokia phone on sale in Australia

By Caroline Warnes

As I’ve made abundantly clear over the past few months, Spotlight is truly one of the great loves of my life (I don’t have much of a life) and I tend to get ridiculously excited when they have some sort of sale event.

Well hold into your hats because it’s happening again: you can use this Spotlight voucher to save $40 when you spend $100 or more on anything in-store.

The voucher is valid until Wednesday, December 9 so you have plenty of time to get in and see what’s available. Don’t forget to check out the latest Spotlight catalogue for inspiration.

By Caroline Warnes

The Wallace Bishop Final Sale is now on, and to celebrate you can claim your free $25 voucher.

Sign up now for your free Wallace Bishop Gold Card and receive a free $25 gift voucher to use before Christmas when you spend $50 or more at any Wallace Bishop store.

This membership entitles you to great regular discounts, as well as exclusive, member-only offers.

Offer valid to first time applicants only. Please see voucher for conditions.

The Nikon Coolpix S640 is the latest compact digital camera from this popular manufacturer, with its main selling point being speed.

In fact, Nikon claims that the S640 boasts the fastest start-up time in its class (0.7 seconds). Ultra-fast autofocus and a short shutter-release time lag add to the camera’s speedy performance.

Another main selling point is the inclusion of Nikon’s proprietary Clear Colour Display technology in the 2.7-inch LCD screen, which helps reduce reflection and increase visibility when you’re shooting in direct sunlight or other bright conditions. 5x optical zoom and a wide-angle 28mm lens also weigh in on the plus side.

The rest of the package isn’t really anything out of the ordinary for a compact digicam in this price range. You get a 12.2-megapixel sensor with maximum sensitivity of ISO 6400, 5x optical zoom and 45MB of internal memory, expandable by SD or SDHC cards. While there are two movie modes, unfortunately there’s no HD shooting.

The Australian recommended retail price of the Nikon Coolpix S640 is $499.

Buy a cheap Nikon Coolpix digital camera on sale in Australia

By Caroline Warnes

Whether you like it or not summer is now officially here (well it will be on Tuesday) and it’s time to get out your sleeveless tops and show off your arms.

I stumbled across this Witchery jersey silk tank this morning and think it would do just about anyone for most of summer - the lower printed silk part of the top is floaty enough to keep you cool. Clingy fabrics are just the worst on really hot days.

It’s on sale for $39.95 at the moment, reduced from $119.95.

Added bonus - until Sunday you can get free shipping at Witchery online when you spend more than $100. Use the code FREESHIP at the checkout to claim your discount.

By Caroline Warnes

We are giving you the chance to win one of five double movie passes to see the new smash hit thriller, “Paranormal Activity“, in this week’s free competition.

In the tradition of “The Blair Witch Project”, “Paranormal Activity” is the new horror film that has been breaking all sorts of US box office records.

After a young, middle class couple moves into a suburban “starter” tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be somehow demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially when they sleep. Or try to.

“Paranormal Activity” opens in Australia on Thursday, December 3.

To enter to win one of five double movie passes to see “Paranormal Activity”, tell us in 25 words or less using the form below what your scariest real-life experience has been. The best answers will win. The competition closes next Thursday.

Competition terms and conditions

Clutch purses are a stylish addition to any outfit for an evening out - they’re a little more dressed up than their over-the-shoulder handbag counterparts.

Unfortunately they’re also a lot easier to misplace so make sure you keep tabs on yours at all times!

This Tony Bianco Ruby clutch is a great option for the party season - it’s reduced by 50% to $30 and seems to be of a good enough size to hold a decent amount of stuff.

Plus it also comes with a detachable strap - great if you’re the kind of person who tends to lose handbags.

By Caroline Warnes

**Please note that your entry is NOT VALID unless it is emailed to the address below with a photo.**

Which Aussie retailer do you want to see on Lasoo? Let us know and you could win a $200 Lasoo gift card, which can be spent like cash at any location that has EFTPOS facilities.

We’re constantly looking to bring new retailers onto Lasoo to offer a better Pre-Shop experience for Australians, so we want to know which retailer’s catalogues you’d like to be able to browse on Lasoo.

To enter the competition, you should take a photo of yourself either holding a catalogue of that retailer OR outside that retailer’s store. You then need to email us the photo with the words “Who Do You Want” in the subject line and tell us in 25 words or less in the email why you want to see this retailer join Lasoo. Of course, this should be a retailer that does not currently advertise on Lasoo.

Our favourite entry will win the $200 Lasoo gift card.

The competition closes on January 24, 2010.

Competition terms and conditions

The New Super Mario Bros Wii game is yet another successful addition to Nintendo’s best-known game series.

Yes, everyone’s favourite Italian brothers (plus friends) are back with one of the most challenging Mario games yet. The most noteworthy improvement here is the addition of four-person multiplayer. This means you can either tackle the familiar side-scrolling worlds by yourself, or add in three extra players to take on the enemy together. Players can play as Mario, Luigi, Blue Toad or Yellow Toad and can help each other out as you navigate through each world - or hinder each other.

The plot of New Super Mario Bros Wii doesn’t deviate greatly from its predecessor. Your basic aim is to conquer each of the eight worlds one by one to rescue Princess Peach. But Nintendo has mixed up the gameplay and obstacles enough within each level to keep things interesting.

Because of the level of difficulty, New Super Mario Bros Wii isn’t the place for new players to the franchise to start - unless you’re some sort of prodigy. But if you’ve conquered the other games in the Mario series and are looking for fresh challenges, you’ll love this latest game.

New Super Mario Bros Wii is out now with a recommended retail price of $99.95.

Buy a cheap copy of New Super Mario Bros Wii in Australia

By Caroline Warnes

I recently discovered a new jewellery and accessories site called Precious Love and there are some nice pieces to be found.

Plus, to sweeten the deal you can use the discount code XMAS at the checkout to get 20% off your purchase plus free gift wrapping - perfect if you need to buy a gift for someone interstate. Just place the order and have it sent straight to them!

I can’t go past a good chunky cocktail ring, and I’m a little bit fond of the Pink Princess Ring, pictured here, which definitely makes a statement (even if that statement is something along the lines of “I’m about to turn 30 and still think I’m Barbie”). With the discount, you can pick it up for $31.20. It also comes in black for something a little more subtle.

Precious Love also sells bags, wallets, keyrings and hair accessories.

By Caroline Warnes