Author: Stephen Fenech

Rakuten Kobo has unveiled an impressive new e-reader – Kobo Elipsa – which has a 10.3-inch touchscreen, ComfortLight for reading at any time of the day or night with the device also doubling as notepad for writing and drawing. The new device includes a Kobo Stylus and the Kobo Elipsa SleepCover which can protect the screen when not in use and also double as a stand. Users can read their e-books comfortably on the 10.3-inch E Ink Carta 1200 touchscreen which has a resolution of 1404 x 1872 with 227ppi (pixels per inch). Kobo Elipsa has 12 different fonts and…

Samsung and Google have joined forces to create a new unified smartwatch operating system for the next generation of upcoming smartwatch models. The partnership, which was announced at the Google I/O conference, will see the two tech giants work together to develop a platform which will offer information, notifications convenience and an understanding of our health. The other goal with this collaboration is to create an ecosystem for the developer community to create apps and potentially redefine the smartwatch experience. “The smartwatch is an empowering tool. It connects us with the people we care about, gives us immediate access to…

Just when you were wondering what Apple could possibly do to improve the already excellent iPad Pro we see the company’s M1 processor has been added to the latest models to make them even more powerful and convenient. An iPad Pro customer is usually someone pretty savvy who want to get a lot of work done on the move and be creative and collaborative at any moment when inspiration strikes. And it’s different proposition to using a MacBook because the iPad Pro offers a hand-on touchscreen experience so it’s not a case of being a laptop replacement but a laptop…

Google has unveiled the beta of its Android 12 smartphone operating system which focusses on offering a deeply personalised experience for users that can adapt to their needs while offering a new level of security. The first beta of Android 12 has been released to developers today following Google annual I/O conference. Android 12 will be seen for the first time on Google’s next Pixel smartphone. https://youtu.be/UHQPdP8qgrk PERSONALISATION Users will be able to personalise their phone with a custom colour palette and completely redesigned widgets. You’ll also be able to choose your wallpaper and the system will automatically determine which…

Apple has recreated the magic and wonder of the original iMac with the latest version of the popular desktop computer which is now powered by the company’s very own M1 processor and available in a range of colours. It has a striking reimagined design and seven stunning colours and harks back to the playful version of the first colourful iMacs at the end of the 20th century which declared at the time that computers don’t have to be one boring colour. It was a hit back then and this latest M1 iMac captures the same spirit and attraction for customers…

If you love your rugby league and you love your tech then you should be tuning in to Episode 451 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. This week, we were thrilled to go behind the scenes at Suncorp Stadium for Magic Round to see the 4K camera technology used by Fox League, the latest health devices that can help you monitor your blood pressure and heart and the Australian start up’s invention that could how we play our favourite games. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at the Poly Studio P5 webcam,…

During the COVID pandemic we had to work and learn from home and embraced video conferencing platforms like Zoom but now new research found that 82 per cent of Australians post-pandemic are prepared to live a hybrid life for working and living. The study by Zoom shows Australians are quite prepared that everything from work and living to entertainment and health will be a mixture of in-person and video communications. Australians are among the most enthusiastic nations in the world when it comes to taking on the hybrid life for business with 70 per cent in favour compared to the…

Apple has announced major changes for Apple Music with the introduction of lossless audio to its entire catalogue and spatial audio with Dolby Atmos so subscribers can hear their music like never before and at the same quality the artists created it. Subscribers will now be able to listen to more than 75 million songs in lossless audio which means you’ll hear every bit of the original audio file – exactly what the artists created in the studio. Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos creates an immersive audio experience which gives artists the opportunity to mix their music so rather than…

What better time than World Hypertension Day is there to take a look at the tech that can help you monitor your health including the Withings BPM (Blood Pressure Monitor) Connect and the Withings Body Cardio Scales. Hypertension is also more commonly known as high blood pressure and, if untreated, can cause strokes and heart disease. There are more than 1.2 million Australians aged 18 and over with a condition related to heart or vascular disease – that’s 5.6 per cent of the population according to the Australian Institute of Health Welfare. More than a billion people around the world…

We’re no strangers to the odd video meeting and Zoom call in the last year since the start of the COVID pandemic and now you can enjoy even higher quality and convenience with the new Poly Studio P5 webcam. The P5 professional webcam offers 1080p full high definition at 50hz or 60Hz with an 80-degree field of view so you’re always looking your best. Onboard are impressive optics which has automatic low light compensation so you can enjoy excellent no matter where you have to make your video call or meeting. There is also 4x zoom which makes it easier…

The Two Blokes Talking Tech, Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, are in Brisbane for Episode 486 for NRL Magic Round to check out the technology behind Fox League’s NRL coverage at Suncorp Stadium. This week we talk about the amazing Fox League 4K camera technology that brings league fans all the action from every angle. Also on the show, ABC iView, Google Photos free storage comes to an end, App Store stops fraudulent transactions and HTC releases two new Vive AR headsets. You can listen to the show right here on the Tech Guide site using…

When you’re watching the excellent Fox League coverage of the NRL matches in stunning 4K UHD you don’t realise how much work and how much technology goes into providing the experience to brings fans closer to the game than ever before. Tech Guide went behind the scenes at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane which was hosting Magic Round where every NRL match of the round is played at the stunning venue. https://youtu.be/uijO0-1gWNg Fox League were set to broadcast five of the eight games in 4K UHD which is provided through a network of 24 cameras positioned on the ground, on wheels,…

Google has announced it will no longer be offering unlimited free storage or backup of your photos on Google Photos beyond June 1, 2021. Here’s what you need to know. After June 1 users will have to pay for a Google One subscription if they would like to store more “High Quality” images. Any images will now be counted against your Google storage allowance. And users who already have “High Quality” images within Google Photos for free don’t have to panic – those images will still be stored for free. But any images uploaded after June 1 in “High Quality”…

Amazon has launched two updated smart displays – the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 in Australia with more powerful cameras for improved video calling and new ways to experience the convenience of Alexa. The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 are not only smart speakers but they also have a display to add another level of convenience and quality so you can see and hear the information you need and enjoy your video content. ECHO SHOW 8 – $199 The Echo Show 8 has an 8-inch high definition display with adaptive colour and dual stereo speakers…

Facebook Messenger and Instagram have introduced new messaging features including audio messaging which will allow users to record their messages hands-free instead of typing. AUDIO MESSAGING To record an audio message simply create a new message and choose the recipient and then tap the microphone icon to begin recording and then tap again to finish. This feature is available now on Messenger and will be coming soon to Instagram direct messages as well. SWIPE TO ARCHIVE This feature is for those who prefer a zero inbox which allows users to swipe on a message to archive it. The new Archived…

The latest Federal Budget has been announced and it includes huge spending on technology and related industries to enhance cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, digital skills and emerging technologies. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has splashed the cash in a few areas including technology with the goal to offer a modern digital economy that will allow Australia to compete on the world stage and prosper in the world economy. The Government has pledged $124.1m to fund the improvement of AI which includes setting up a National Artificial Intelligence Centre, supporting Australian businesses to take part in pilot programs to find AI-based solutions to national…

Apple has revealed it has blocked more than $US1.5bn of potentially fraudulent transactions in the App Store in 2020 in the fight against suspect developers and users. There have been threats to the App Store since it opened in 2008 and Apple has scaled the size of its team and the level of technology to stay one step ahead of potential threats. Apple uses sophisticated technology like machine learning and AI along with human expertise to prevent fraudulent transactions and keep nearly a million risky and vulnerable new apps out of customers hands. The App Review teams stands as the…

HTC has launched two new VIVE VR headsets and a suite of professional tools that will take the platform in an all-new direction for business and consumer applications. Announced at HTC’s VIVECon, the company unveiled the VIVE Pro 2 and the VIVE Focus 3 with both featuring 5K resolution displays and a 120-degree field of view. “Today’s launch marks a major milestone in our strategy to create the very best immersive experiences,” said Cher Wang, HTC Chairwoman and CEO. “We have listened to our customers, from well-known global companies to smaller firms and professional users and have designed these premium…

We’re celebrating the 450th episode of the top rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, which has kept listeners updated and educated about the latest consumer tech since June 2012. On this week’s show, the pursuit for even faster home broadband just got even better – we’ll take a look at the announcements from Telstra and the NBN, are the new Apple AirTags safe? Officeworks doesn’t think so and Dyson has unveiled its new V15 Detect vacuum that now uses lasers. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the Amazon Fire Stick 4K, we listen…

The Lenovo Yoga Slim Carbon 7i is a combination of design, beauty and performance for those users who want to get things done on the go and look good doing it. The Yoga Slim Carbon 7i has an eye catching colour – its official name is Moon White – and a tapered design which gives it a slim 14.9mm profile. It also weighs less than 1kg. The top cover of the laptop is made from high-strength carbon fibre which means its 40 per cent lighter but with greater durability. Meanwhile the palm rests below the keyboard are made from magnesium…