Author: Stephen Fenech

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first James Bond film Dr No, British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins has announced a partnership to create a bespoke version of the PX8 wireless headphones – the Px8 007 Edition. Bowers & Wilkins have had a 40-year relationship with the James Bond franchise and the music from the films since its flagship 800 Series loudspeakers were used to monitor the recording of countless film scores in the Abbey Road Studios including Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). Recently, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, Bowers and Wilkins loudspeakers…

It’s another week and another data breach – this time Medibank Private have been hacked to the tune of 3.9 million customers data and are now being held to ransom by the attackers. Initially Medibank Private said no sensitive data had been compromised but the hackers making the ransom demands claim they have obtained sensitive medical information. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting the hackers are threatening to release some of this sensitive information unless the health insurer pays a ransom. In the message obtained by the Herald, it claims to have stolen 200GB of sensitive information and is threatening…

If you are a student who is mathematically-minded, particularly gifted in, or even genuinely passionate about maths, there are several choices of career paths you can make. Each of these career paths can be considerably challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling, and each comes with its own pros and cons – including varying levels of stress and pressure, differences in annual salary, as well as the degree of difficulty in securing a role in that particular field or discipline.  But what are the most ideal career paths for a maths whizz to consider? Read on for some of the best mathematically-themed careers…

Apple has rolled out a significant update to the Apple TV 4K to make it more powerful than ever and offer even higher cinematic quality. The new Apple TV 4K is running the A15 bionic chip to offer faster performance and smoother gameplay. There is now support for HDR10+ alongside the existing support for Dolby Vision so your TV shows and movies offer the best quality on your TV. On the audio side, Apple TV 4K also supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital 7.1 or Dolby Digital 5.1 for an immersive surround sound experience. The new Apple TV 4K will start…

Apple has upgraded the iPad Pro with its next generation M2 chip to make the portable and versatile device even more powerful. The new iPad pro – available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes – includes a new Apple Pencil Hover feature along with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. The new iPad Pro will go on sale on Wednesday October 26 and is priced from $1139 for the 11-inch model and from $1,899 for the 12-inch. “The next-generation iPad Pro pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on iPad, bringing even more versatility, power, and portability to the ultimate iPad experience,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s…

Apple has redesigned the new 10th generation iPad which now features a squarer shape, an all-screen design and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. Under the hood is the A14 bionic chip for even faster performance and higher power efficiency to offer all day battery life. The new iPad is priced from $749 and will go on sale on October 26. “We’re so excited to bring the completely redesigned iPad to our most advanced iPad line-up ever,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With a large 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, powerful A14 Bionic chip, a first-ever landscape front camera,…

It’s time to take a listen to Episode 524 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: the latest issue that has angered worried Optus customers, Apple and Mercedes Benz have partnered to offer drivers an all-new audio experience and Oppo has released its first tablet in Australia – but it sounds like the name of another very popular tablet. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro,…

NBN Co today announced the suburbs and towns around Australia where more than 300,000 homes and businesses currently served by Fibre to the Node (FTTN) will be eligible for a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) upgrade. This expansion to increase the fibre footprint will enable more than two million FTTN premises upgrade to FTTP by the end of the year. The NBN announced this fibre expansion back in September 2020 and this latest batch of expansion areas continues that project to enable customers to achieve even faster Internet speeds at home. “We are working to unlock new social and economic…

Ookla, the company behind the Speedtest app, has released its Internet Performance Report which looks at the speed of Australia’s mobile and fixed networks. So how did your telco perform? Ookla’s Speedtest rankings are based on median download speeds which best indicate the likely speeds a user will experience. These speed tests were carried out on both the mobile network and the fixed network. Telstra were found to offer the fastest median download speeds on mobile while Aussie Broadband were found to offer the fastest median fixed broadband speeds. The Ookla report found Telstra came out on top with a…

Apple and Mercedes Benz today announced they are delivering an even better music experience with Apple Music’s Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos now available natively in Mercedes Benz vehicles for the first time. This is the first time Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos can be heard through Apple Music on a non-Apple device. Apple Music with Spatial Audio is now fully integrated through the MBUX infotainment system in select Mercedes-Maybach models including the EQS, EQS SUV, the EQE and the S Class. The audio systems in these vehicles provide drivers with studio quality sound and provide an even more immersive…

Oppo is releasing its first tablet in Australia – it’s called the Pad Air – and, like the company’s impressive smartphones, offers a sleek design and impressive performance. Priced at $379, the Pad Air is available from today and includes a two-tone metal splicing design with 3D texture on the rear panel to prevent unwanted fingerprints. The device is just 6.94mm thick and tips the scales at 440g. Pad Air is running the ColorOS operating system – similar to that found on its smartphones. In fact, the Oppo Pad Air works seamlessly with Oppo smartphones with users able to drag…

The new Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones live up to their expectations as flagship devices with impressive performance and a camera that not only takes great pictures but will improve the ones you’ve already taken. The new Google Pixel phones have had a slight design refresh with the Pixel 7 Pro (6.7-inch display) sporting a polished aluminium frame and camera bar. The Pixel 7 (6.3-inch display) has an anodized aluminium frame and camera bar and echoes the same design as the Pixel 7 Pro but just slightly smaller. The Pixel 7 Pro, apart from a larger screen…

Mankind was born on Earth. It was never meant to die here. This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen we’re watching Interstellar starring Matthew McConaughy, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain. Interstellar tells the story of a dying Earth struggling with food shortages and the mission to find a new world where mankind can be relocated – but at what cost? Stephen saw this in the cinema and has watched it many times and picks up something new each time. Trevor, on the other hand, has only just got to the party and experiencing Interstellar for the first time.…

Press play on Episode 556 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’S Trevor Long as they discuss the week’s biggest tech stories. On this week’s show: ACCC to decide on cellular coverage in the bush, Telstra weighs in on the data retention laws following the Optus hack, the photo negative device you can buy from Amazon, Netgear’s Orbi WiFi 6E and our first impressions of the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones and the Pixel Watch. You can listen to the show right here on the Tech Guide site using…

The fallout from the catastrophic Optus data breach continues as the company tries to quell the mass exodus of angry customers who are facing exit fees as they look to switch to another carrier. And Optus is telling customers whose passport information was part of the leak that they do not need to replace the travel documents, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. More than three weeks after 10 million Optus customer details were hacked and stolen, the company is still lurching from crisis to crisis with barely a word from CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin. Tech Guide has been contacted…

HP has revealed its new HP Spectre and HP Envy laptops which are built to enhance our creativity while providing a powerful solution to suit our flexible working conditions. HP researchers revealed 89 per cent of Australians agree hybrid working improves employment, wellbeing and their work life balance while three in five agree hybrid working creates more opportunities to focus on health and wellbeing and frees up time to pursue their passions. “Creators aren’t just limited to professional photographers, designers, composers, and editors – everyone is a creator, collaborating with friends, family, and colleagues and creating from home, work, and…

Sony has announced a new vlogging camera – the ZV-1F – which is small enough to fit in your pocket yet still capable of capturing stunning videos and images. The Sony ZV-1F is packed with features and advanced connectivity to allow users to create great content and easily share it on their favourite social media platforms. This is the third member of the ZV family, and it introduces several new features including the ultrawide 20mm F2.0 prime lens and touch screen. The ultrawide 20mm lens means you have a wider field of view to capture more of your background while…

Polestar has revealed its first fully electric SUV – the Polestar 3 – a sleek five-seater which produces up to 380kW and includes a luxurious and high-tech interior. Polestar 3 has a stunning aerodynamic profile with a powerful and wide stance and features an aero wing integrated into the bonnet and an aero wing integrated into the rear spoiler. “Polestar 3 is a powerful electric SUV that appeals to the senses with a distinct, Scandinavian design and excellent driving dynamics,” says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. “It takes our manufacturing footprint to the next level, bringing Polestar production to the United…

Dyson has released its latest cordless vacuum – the Dyson Gen5Detect – which is the company’s most powerful cordless vacuum that incorporates its latest 5th generation hyperdymium motor and a whole machine HEPA filtration system. The Dyson Gen5Detect is capable of 262 air watts of powerful suction with the filtration system that’s been engineered to capture 99.99 per cent of particles down to 0.1 microns. “The Gen5detect defines Dyson’s next generation of cleaning technology. It is the combination of our dust light optic technology, dust particle counting and sizing, pioneering new motor and whole-machine HEPA filtration, that enables you to…

Samsung has unveiled its latest addition to its Bespoke range – the Bespoke Refrigerator which can be customised and personalised in a number of stylish colours and combinations. Starting at $2,999, the Samsung Bespoke Refrigerator range is now available via Harvey Norman, Winning appliances, The Good Guys and the Samsung Online Store. In stores, customers will be able to mock up various combinations on tablets and magnetic boards which include mini versions of the entire range of colours and finishes Research has shown Australians have become even more particular about the way appliances integrate into their living spaces with limited…