Author: Stephen Fenech

Honey, I shrunk the Apple TV 4K – but don’t worry it’s now even better and still provides a stunning entertainment and gaming experience. The new Apple TV 4K ticks all the boxes when it comes to quality and features to offer improved picture quality and provide crisp and immersive sound. The unit is noticeably smaller than last year’s model thanks to the removal of the internal fan. It now has a passive thermal design and is 20 per cent smaller than its predecessor. Not that size was ever an issue. There are two models available, one without an Ethernet…

Arlo has launched a new Home Security System which offers whole home protection and includes a first-of-its-kind all-in-one multi sensor with up to eight sensing functions. The new Arlo system can be linked to a 24/7 professional monitoring service and easily managed with the Arlo Secure App. The system also gives users one-touch access to emergency response services which, when activated, can dispatch first responders to your location. The simple home security solution will work together with Arlo’s security cameras and the Arlo app. The Arlo Home Security System was awarded the 2022 CES innovation award – an award Arlo…

With Australians facing rising interest rates, ballooning inflation, increased petrol and grocery prices and higher power bills – a study by Boost Mobile has revealed 90 per cent are tightening their belts including reviewing their current mobile plans. The research revealed most Australians have been with the same network provider for more than three years even though they’ve had opportunities to make significant savings. “As a brand that has been fighting for value for Australians for more than 20 years, it has always been important for us to listen to consumers and make sure we are doing what we can…

Tune in to Episode 526 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show: Why I sacked Optus after 25 years – and it has nothing to do with the data breach – I will tell you my detailed Optus horror story. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the new Belkin Soundform Nano earphones designed just for kids,Rode had released a new range of products for streamers and gamers and Espresso releases its latest espressoFlow…

The new Bose QuietComfort II earbuds offer excellent audio but the sound can also be personalised to suit the unique way we hear sound so it will be even better for you. One thing about Bose earbuds is they were always on the larger side. But the Bose QuietComfort II earbuds have had a makeover and each bud a third smaller than the previous version. They are still slightly larger than other earphones and will not fit all users. For our review we had to battle to get the earphones securely in our ears. The bud has not only a…

Australian success story Espresso has released a new and vastly improved version of espressoFlow – its productivity and collaboration software which is designed to increase your workflow and creativity. We know Espresso from its brilliant 13-inch and 15-inch portable displays that can expand your screen real estate anywhere. But its new free espressoFlow software can take your productivity to another level. There are several new features with the upgrade including pressure and tilt sensitivity on macOS when drawing on a screen – this was an existing feature on windows. Espresso has also released espressoCreator, which is a textured screen protector to provide a…

I was an Optus customer for 25 years until last week when I had no choice but to sack them. And it had nothing to do with the massive, embarrassing data breach. No – this was for gross incompetence. Optus could not deliver no matter how hard they tried. You’d think a simple Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) upgrade to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and moving from Optus Speed Pack 4 (100/40) to Speed Pack 6 (400/40) would be a piece of cake. A couple of keystrokes. Wrong. I expected so much more from a company I had been…

Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination…. This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen we’re watching Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory tells the story of poor but pure-hearted Charlie Bucket who hopes to find one of five golden tickets to tour the mysterious chocolate factory and meet Willy Wonka himself. Stephen has watched this movie countless times and even Trevor admits to knowing parts of the movie but without seeing the whole movie start to finish. We go through the memorable scenes and…

Put your feet up and relax with Episode 558 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long as they go through the week’s biggest tech stories and product releases. This week: our verdicts on Apple’s new iPad 10th Generation and the iPad Pro powered by M2, Apple’s prices rises on subscription services, the latest on the Medibank Private, Rode unveils its new microphones and software for streamers and gamers and the NSW Govt to roll out new ultra-fast EV chargers across the state. You can listen to the show right here…

Belkin has released a pair of earphones especially designed for children – the new Soundform Nano Wireless Earbuds are designed for kids who want to stay connected to their favourite music, games and apps wherever they are. What makes them kid-friendly is that they are designed to be easy to fit and include five different ear tip options including extra extra small to ensure a snug fit and a great listening experience for even the smallest ears. The earbuds also have Safe Sound for Kids which sets an 85-decibel volume limit. This is reassuring for parents who want to know…

Australian company Rode, already a well-known audio brand for content creators, has just launched a new streaming and gaming division Rode X which will feature two new USB microphones. Rode X has been three years in the making with the goal of developing high performance audio solutions for streamers and gamers. This new division has its own team of developers and engineers and they have come up with three products at launch including Unify – a virtual mixing solution designed for streaming and gaming and two pro level USB microphones – the XDM-100 dynamic USB microphone and XCM-50 condenser USB…

Arlo, one of the leading companies for wireless security cameras, is offering cash back deals on their award-winning products with customers able to receive up to $150 back when purchasing Arlo security camera kits. Australian customers have until the end of 2022 to take up the cash back offer with the purchase of the Arlo Pro 4 or Arlo Ultra 2 kits. This offer is ideal for those looking to install their first home security camera kit. the cash back bonanza offer provides Australian customers with a $150 cash back on the Arlo Pro 4 four-camera kit, $150 back on…

Lend us your ears for Episode 525 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show: Faster EV chargers are coming that can charge an electric car in as little as 15 minutes, how you can save money on your electricity and water bills using smart home devices and the NBN is extending fibre – possibly into your neighbourhood. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the new 10th Generation iPad and the M2 powered iPad…

If you thought the M1 iPad Pro was powerful, then wait till you get a load of the brand new model powered by Apple’s M2 processor – it really takes things to the next level. While the design of the new iPad Pro hasn’t changed, there are some exciting developments under the hood that will make this product even more valuable and versatile to professionals who rely on high-level performance anywhere. Available with either 11-inch and 12.9-inch Liquid Retina displays, the iPad Pro can now deliver incredible performance and power through even the most demanding workflows thanks to that new…

The humble iPad has taken a huge leap forward with the release of the 10th generation of the popular device which features a new look and an all-screen design. Since the release of the iPad back in 2010, it has defined the tablet market and this latest iteration is its biggest upgrade. Not only does it look different but is also running the A14 bionic chip which certainly upgrades its capabilities to do things like edit 4K videos, play the latest graphics-heavy games and last all day on a single charge. On the design side, this is the iPad’s biggest…

The NSW Government has announced it will roll out more than 500 new fast and ultra-fast EV chargers across the state to recharge electric vehicles in as little as 15 minutes. The announcement was made by Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean who says the NSW Government will invest $39.4 million in round one of fast charging grants which will co-fund 86 new fast and ultra-fast EV charging stations. Each of these new charging centres will have between four and 15 bays. “This investment will see the largest, fastest and most comprehensive public EV charging network in Australia,” Mr…

Setting up a smart home not only offers convenience, added security and an easier way of accessing content and information – but it can also save you money. Smart home products have become extremely popular in Australia and allow customers to monitor and control their devices remotely. And with the strong wi-fi networks we built during the COVID pandemic, adding smart products to your network and building that ecosystem has never been easier. But a favourable by-product of having a smart home is being able to reduce your power and water bills. The connectivity and control smart home devices provide…

I don’t write postcards, I write scripts!! This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen podcast we’re watching The Player, released 30 years ago in 1992 starring Tim Robbins and Greta Scacchi and directed by Robert Altman. The Player is a look behind the curtain in Hollywood and tells the story of Griffin Mill, a studio exec, who is receiving threatening postcards while trying to run a studio. And the film also has so many celebrity cameos you’ll probably lose count. Stephen watched The Player at the cinema and has watched it many times since but for Trevor it’s…

Start your weekend wind down with Episode 557 of the popular Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast hosted by Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long as they discuss the week’s biggest tech stories. On this week’s show: Apple’s new iPad and iPad Pro, mobile and fixed broadband speedtest reports, Netflix announced ad-supported tier, the latest on the Optus and Medibank data breach and Dyson’s new Gen5Detect vacuum. You can listen to the show right here on the Tech Guide site using the audio player below. Click on the Two Blokes Talking Tech link at the top of the…

Arlo, known for its leading home security products, has launched Arlo Safe – a new safety app and device to increase personal safety no matter where you are. Arlo Safe combines an app and a physical button device which work together to provide immediate access to support in an emergency. It has just launched in the US and will be coming to Australia in the coming weeks. When it comes to Australia, the app will be free to download on iOS and the Google Play store. Arlo Safe is a personal safety solution that’s ideal for those customers who maybe…