Author: Stephen Fenech

Apple has introduced the new Apple Watch Series 7 which includes a redesigned Always-On Retina Display, new aluminium case covers and even faster charging. Apple Watch Series 7 will now be available in 41mm and 45mm sizes but will provide more screen area thanks to thinner borders while hardly changing the dimensions of the device itself. The new Apple Watch has retained its curved design and shape despite the strong rumours of a flatter and square a look to match the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Apple hasn’t specified a release date for Apple Watch Series 7, saying it will…

Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro line-ups which include improved displays, even more advanced camera systems, a faster A15 bionic processor and better battery life than ever before. The iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will be available to pre-order this week and go on sale in Australia on September 24. The range of new iPhones are all 5G compatible, offer improved performance, better and brighter displays and upgraded camera systems to shoot enhanced images and stunning cinematic video. On the design side, the iPhone 13 and iPhone…

Stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and product reviews with Episode 468 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, Apple v Epic Games – we have a verdict, we talk to Nick Dandy, Foxtel’s Group Director of Product Innovation about the new iQ5 streaming set top box and the Google research that shows one in three Australians have been hacked or scammed. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the new Ray-Ban glasses developed with Facebook that can record video, we check out the Samsung…

Sennheiser has just released its new CX Plus True Wireless high-quality earphones with active noise cancellation – but at a more affordable price. Priced at $259.95, the Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless earphones include the German-engineered true response transducer which brings higher quality audio to everyday listening. The acoustic system offers high fidelity stereo sound with solid bass, natural mids and detailed treble. Also on board is active noise cancellation which allows the listener to focus on what they’re listening to without the distraction of a noisy environment. It also has a Transparent Hearing mode so you could also focus…

In an age when many rely on social media and search engines to deliver their news, a new platform – LeadStory.com – has emerged to create an accurate, on-demand and personalised video news stream. According to the Reuters Institute Trust in News report, just 9 per cent of Facebook users trust the social media platform to deliver them their news. Google only fared slightly better at with just 16 per cent trust as a reliable source of news. This uncertainty revolves around the way tech giants like Facebook and Google use algorithms to decide their news mix. LeadStory.com, which launched…

Australia’s NBN services are cheaper than other utilities like water, gas and electricity and among the most affordable in the world according to the latest research by the NBN. NBN commissioned Accenture to research the relative affordability of Australian broadband and the result was that the average cost of an NBN services accounted for 1.1 per cent of an average household’s weekly income. The average Australian household is spending $16.80 per week on the NBN. This equates to $73 per month. When placed alongside the average weekly Australian household income of $1,600 – it works out as 1.1 per cent…

One in three Australians have had a password hacked and one in four have been taken by a phishing scam according to new research from Google that shows almost 60 per cent of Australians are not trying to improve their online security. Google Australia says 42 per cent of adults take deliberate steps to improve their online security while one in 10 rarely do so and a further 8 per cent don’t take any steps at all. And it’s younger Australians (18-34) who are more likely than older Australians aged 50+ to say they have not taken deliberate steps to…

Apple has won a resounding legal battle against Fornite creator Epic Games with the court ruling in Apple’s favour in nine out of 10 claims – but Apple has been told it must allow developers to accept payments outside the App Store. The crux of Epic’s argument was that Apple had a monopoly and alleging the company was “seeking to control markets, block competition and stifle innovation”. The court found Apple was not a monopolist in any relevant market. “Success is not illegal,” US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said in her ruling. “While the court finds Apple enjoys considerable…

The Belkin Magnetic Phone Mount with Face Tracking is a handy tool to help you create video content that can be shared to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and many other social media platforms. The device utilises MagSafe so it can work with the iPhone 12 and future iPhones and hold them in place in portrait or landscape mode to shoot your video. On top of that, the Belkin mount’s companion app recognises your face and follows your movements as you’re shooting so that you’re always in the centre of the frame. https://youtu.be/cQ-Vo0rcIyc The app makes it easy to link directly to…

Take a listen to Episode 503 of the popular 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 and products. On this week’s show, we speculate on what we can expect to see unveiled at Apple’s event next week, we give our verdicts on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Flip 3 foldable smartphones, Foxtel releases the iQ5 streaming set top box, Optus launches Sidekick, BackBone One gaming controller for iPhone and the work-from-home solutions from Satechi. You can listen to the…

This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen podcast, Stephen Fenech and Trevor Long are watching Joker – starring Joaquin Phoenix, in his Oscar-winning role, Robert De Niro and directed by Todd Phillips. It tells the origin story of Arthur Fleck – a mentally unstable aspiring comedian in the grim Gotham City who inadvertently sparks a movement on his way to transforming into the Joker. Stephen and Trevor take a look at the memorable scenes, behind the scenes tidbits and trivia and things you might not have noticed. You can listen to the show on the player below. Subscribe…

Forget holding your phone to capture your content. You can now stay in the moment and record and photograph what you’re seeing at the same with the new Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses which have been produced in partnership with Facebook. The glasses are available in three different styles and allow users to take instant photos and videos of up to 30 seconds so you can capture those spontaneous moments using the built-in dual 5-megapixel cameras on either side of the glasses. https://youtu.be/acZMsWlgSFY The glasses allow you to look up and be present in the moment without having to focus on…

DJI has just launched the new DJI OM5 – a smartphone stabiliser which includes a new clamp, a compact design and an extension rod to give users an easier way to create quality content. The latest in the Osmo Mobile series brings its expertise from its drone gimbals to this product with three-axis stabilisation so you can shoot rock steady and smooth videos with your smartphone. The DJI OM5 has DJI’s iconic foldable design and it’s actually a third smaller than the previous version. It is also now compatible with even more smartphone models. “With the iterations of the DJI…

Audible, the biggest global provider of audio books, has launched a new all-you-can-listen Plus Catalogue – a selection of more than 11,000 Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts which is now included in Audible membership at no extra cost. The Plus Catalogue also includes 21 new Australian and New Zealand productions. On top of their monthly credit, Audible members can now access all of this additional content which includes a wide range of bestsellers and new releases. These content from Aussie and Kiwi talent includes The Orchard, starring Eric Bana and Magda Szubanski; The Success Experiment by FlexMami; Creative Differences by…

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a fun new device that can give you a big screen when you need it but then gives you the satisfaction of snapping it shut when you’re done. The Z Flip 3 is in the same foldable family as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 but it couldn’t be more different. The Flip 3 is aimed for totally different customer that would be attracted to the Z Fold 3. While the Z Fold 3 is for the high-end multitasking user, the Flip 3 is built for the more casual smartphone user who has a…

The heart-pumping, adrenaline-fuelled multiplayer mode for the highly-anticipated Call of Duty Vanguard has just been revealed. Multiplayer is the most popular way to play Call of Duty and the latest Vanguard release takes it to another level with realistic reactive environments, more modes to play, more weapon options and cross platform play. https://youtu.be/aFgRvXXZm7s This weekend (September 10-13) customers who have pre-ordered the game for PlayStation will have Early Access to the Multiplayer Beta. These customers will receive a code for the early beta access. The following weekend (September 16-20) will see Xbox and PC get their first shot at the…

Optus has launched a new feature called Sidekick which help customers to feel safer and reassured when they are making their way home, out on a walk by themselves or just at home on their own. Optus Sidekick allows customers to choose up to three close and most trusted contacts to check in on them whether they’re home alone, walking alone or making their way home on their own. Here’s how it works. You select your three contacts, you set a timer to cover the amount of time for your walk, your commute home or anything else you want -…

Apple has confirmed it will be streaming a launch event next week which will unveil the new iPhone 13 and a redesigned Apple Watch Series 7. Apple CEO Tim Cook will kick off proceedings from Apple Park at the virtual event it has named California Streaming at 10am on September 14 (California time) which is 3am September 15 (Sydney time). It comes just 11 months after Apple introduced the iPhone 12 – the company’s first 5G device. The iPhone 12 was delayed last year after COVID forced factory shut downs and caused supply chain issues. But Apple is back on…

Go to the top of the class with Episode 467 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, and stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show, NBN makes good on its promise to expand the reach of fibre – is your suburb or town on the list? Windows 11 is out soon – will your PC be able to handle it and the site where buying a used car is as easy as buying something on Amazon. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at Samsung…

Logitech has released a new high-performance and secure wireless technology which offers cross-platform compatibility to power its new keyboard and mouse for business users. The new Logi Bolt connect to one of your PC or Mac’s USB ports and creates strong wireless connection. Why is this important? There have been cases of endpoint vulnerabilities which have impacted Australian enterprises. Logitech has released a new combo pack which includes the MX Keys for Business keyboard, the MX Master 3 for Business mouse and a wrist pad. There’s also the ergonomic K860 Split Keyboard for Business that is compatible with the new…