Apple has unveiled an updated iPad mini with a larger OLED screen and a base price of $699. The base model includes 128GB of storage and Wi-Fi connectivity, while higher storage tiers cost $100 and $300 more. Only the 512GB version gets the dual 16-core Neural Engine found in the iPhone 18 Pro. The front camera has moved to the long edge of the tablet, which may take some adjustment for FaceTime users. Preorders open October 28, with devices arriving November 6.
Apple's Mac Mini M4 has been popular for running local AI around the clock, and the base model is now discounted to $649, which is $150 below its list price. The newer M6 costs $899, so the M4 remains noticeably cheaper. Buyers should note that the M4 originally launched at $599 in 2024 and later rose to $799 amid broader price increases tied to chip and memory shortages. The M4 is less powerful than the M6, but for typical tasks such as web browsing and everyday productivity, the difference is small.
Smart businesses focus on which customers are most profitable, not just how many they have. Revenue alone does not show value, so owners should review their top 10 to 20 customers. Key questions include what those customers buy, what servicing costs, whether pricing is right, and whether they pay on time. Owners can then market to similar businesses, ask for referrals and review pricing where margins are low. Clear Path Accounting founder Suzanne Walker says the better question is how to attract more of the right customers.
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The consumer watchdog is examining how artificial intelligence may be used to set different prices for different shoppers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission told a parliamentary inquiry that personalised pricing becomes harmful when it is highly granular and targets vulnerable customers. The watchdog said giving different prices to groups is not currently against Australian consumer law. It also warned about shopping bots that may favour certain brands, and about AI tools helping scammers operate at scale. The commission is also taking Microsoft to court over alleged misleading pricing linked to its Copilot AI assistant.
Australians not covered by the national program can now be charged up to $180 for a COVID-19 vaccination, with prices set by individual pharmacies. Since 1 October, the vaccine has been part of the routine National Immunisation Program, which still covers at-risk groups such as older Australians. SBS News found prices differing across chains, with one Chemmart outlet charging $120 and Chemist Warehouse stores charging $179.99. One pharmacy owner said the high wholesale price and short expiry date of stock could affect whether pharmacies stock the vaccine.
Maranoa Regional Council has adopted a three-tiered pricing structure for the new Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre. Options include casual entry, 10-visit passes and annual memberships. Mayor Wendy Taylor said the council wanted the facility to be accessible to the whole community. She said the centre will not recover its full operating costs through entry fees alone. The centre officially opens on Saturday, 12 December 2026, with a community celebration and family activities.
Australian billionaire Adrian Portelli has launched a new supermarket chain, LMCT+, in Melbourne's Deer Park, aiming to challenge major retailers like Coles and Woolworths. The store offers locally sourced products and a 10% price match guarantee, though customer reactions to pricing have been varied. Portelli's venture requires an annual $99 membership fee and operates at a loss, with the focus on gaining members. He has relocated to Dubai but denies abandoning Australia, criticising the current government and media. Portelli claims his mission is to hold leaders accountable while expanding his business empire.
Meta's Superintelligence Lab has released Muse Wonder and Muse Wonder Full, the company's first frontier AI models. Meta says the larger models score comparably to rival systems on benchmarks and perform better on complex tasks such as coding. Muse Wonder will be sold through Meta's API at $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens. Wonder Full will only be available to Muse Code subscribers. Meta highlighted a memory feature it calls active memory, which it says scores higher on the MemoryBench test than rival models.
The LDV D90 diesel engine returns after a nearly two-year hiatus, now part of an updated model range that includes a new ‘Luxe’ flagship. The expanded lineup also features a $4500 discount until October 31, 2026, before price increases of up to $1000 take effect. The diesel powertrain will be offered in two trim levels, starting with the mid-spec Executive, priced from $46,990 drive-away for ABN holders and $49,700 drive-away for private buyers, including the discount. The new diesel engine has higher outputs and lower fuel consumption than the previous model, along with a 3500kg braked towing capacity.
Sydney businesses say they will raise prices to offset costs after the Reserve Bank of Australia banned card surcharges. The rule change, effective from 1 October 2026, prohibits businesses from charging customers for card payments but does not cover the fees they incur. The ACCC has advised businesses to incorporate these costs into their overall pricing. Some local operators, like the Chippendale Hotel’s Mama B’s, have already increased menu prices, while others remain uncertain about how to manage the additional expenses.
