For $70 a month, you get 50GB worth of broadband data and $10 worth of VoIP calls. The catch is you need access to an exchange with Internode’s ADSL2+ equipment installed.

It sounds like a pretty good deal if you’re able to get it.

[Internode]

According to Internode, the entire 3000km journey cost just $126.11 using Greenpower electricity. And that’s peak service – if they’d bought the power off peak it would have cost just $69.11. That’s the equivalent of running at about 1.22 litres per 100km for petrol users.

Of course, I reckon it’ll take quite a few 3000km roadtrips to justify the $160,000 price of the Roadster. But as a justification for the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, this is pretty persuasive.

[Internode]

The world record happened on the fourth day of his 3000km journey, where Simon and his co-driver pushed the Roadster to take them 501km on a single charge, smashing the previous record by 110km.

That’s a pretty fantastic effort. If only we could all drive Roadsters, the world would be a much better place.

[Internode]

The Global Green Challenge, in case you’ve not heard of it, is a 3000km, week-long road race running from Darwin to Adelaide. It’s a test for all manner of alternative energy vehicles to test their eco-friendly credentials.

There are 54 vehicles competing in the challenge, including 37 solar-powered cars and 17 production vehicles. In order to keep the Roadster charged, the team has a generator on the back of a truck, which runs ahead of the electric vehicle and stops at points along the way to simulate having a recharging infrastructure in place. Sure, that probably won’t happen for a while yet, but it’s going to be an interesting race to follow this week. You can follow Simon’s travels on his blog here.

The free public Wi-Fi is available for everyone within the MCG grounds, courtesy of Internode, which launched the service back in March. Sure, it may not be the most reliable connection when everyone at the match has jumped on during half time, but it’s still better than any other stadium in Australia…

Playing with balls is Gizmodo AU’s week-long look at the technology behind the sports we love, from the jerseys to the balls and everything in between. Go the Tahs!

[MCG Wireless on Giz]

By pointing your browser at their performance website, you can check to see what the average call queue was for the past 24 hours, as well as the average wait time for each type of customer support call..

It’s still in beta, and has obviously only been publicly running for a week or so, because there isn’t a lot of data on the page just yet. But as this service rolls on, there’s only goodness that can come from it. I mean, if you have a non-urgent tech support question, you’ll be able to pick a time when the average wait time is significantly less, based on what you read in the tables on the Internode site. And that can only be a good thing.

[Internode]

However, as Gus over at Lifehacker points out, that 30GB counts both uploads and downloads. Which sucks. Although realistically, the types of people who go for this aren’t going to really use up all that data anyway. Especially when you consider that TiVo and iView downloads are still unmetered, just like all Internode plans.

[Internode and Lifehacker]

[Internode]

movies are said to be “DVD quality”, although that term is a bit loose. They also come with a 5.1 channel soundtrack, which is an attractive feature.

If you’re an Internode customer, these downloads are unmetered, although all other ISP customers will have to pay twice for the privelage of watching downloaded films.

TiVo also promise to expand the video on demand service over the coming months, so hopefully we’ll see a real competitor for the Apple TV in terms of legal video downloads for your TV screen.

Blockbuster Movies on Demand service launches on the TiVo platform with over 100 movie titles

Sydney, Australia, 30th April, 2009 – Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Ltd, the exclusive licensee of TiVo® products in Australia and New Zealand, today announced the launch of the Blockbuster Movies on Demand service on the TiVo platform. With over 100 DVD-quality films with true surround sound available at launch, this comprehensive movie download service is the first major broadband content service for Australian TiVo users.

The initial Blockbuster movie download service, launched on TiVo in December 2008, was purposely limited to one movie a week to help TiVo customers become aware of the role broadband can play in their TiVo experience beyond continual software updates and EPG data. The four month trial period allowed TiVo customers to learn about their broadband speed and capacity in preparation of the full service. Under that single movie a week service, more than 73 per cent of TiVo customers downloaded a collective total of more than 61 terabytes of movie content, clearly demonstrating demand for broadband content in the living room.

The movie service will provide ‘New Releases’ (in the video on demand new release window) charged at $5.95 per film and a great library of other all time favourites charged at $3.95. There will also continue to be a small number of films available for customers to sample at no charge (funded by sponsors).

Customers who have an internet service with Internode, Hybrid TV’s TiVo unmetered partner, will be able to download movies without paying additional data charges to their ISP.

Robbee Minicola, CEO of Hybrid Television Services commented; “The launch of the Blockbuster Movies on Demand service establishes a key milestone for us; the ability to enjoy DVD-quality movie content with true 5.1 channel surround sound downloaded straight into the living room with a TiVo media device. This service demonstrates you can have exactly what you want, when you want it…without any need for a monthly subscription fee. This broadband service launch is a fundamental milestone in TiVo’s evolution in Australia.”

Paul Uniacke, Managing Director of Franchise Entertainment Group (Blockbuster) added; “Movie downloads through the TiVo media device mark another delivery milestone for Blockbuster customers. Access to the latest must-see movies doesn’t get more convenient than the touch of a button.

Movies-on-demand will only grow in the coming months and years, as broadband speeds and capacities become greater. The Blockbuster Movies on Demand service through TiVo allows customers to control when and how they watch and consume the movies that they love.”