Author: Stephen Fenech

Arlo has taken the technology from its popular and award winning outdoor wire-free security cameras to a new indoor camera model but it has one feature the other camera don’t – a privacy shield. Not everyone would be comfortable with a camera inside their homes which is why Arlo added the privacy shield – this is literally a cover that masks the lens so your privacy in your own home can be protected. And you see at a glance when the shield has been activated because it’s white and easy to see on the Arlo’s black front face. The shield…

We love playing games across multiple platforms and now you can take your controller with you with the new 8BitDo SN30 Pro 2 – a Bluetooth controller that will work on Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac, Android and Steam. It has the typical look and feel of a console controller with the same thumb sticks, direction pad, A, B, X and Y buttons and shoulder and rear controls you’d expect on the latest products. In the middle are the Start and Select buttons and two small buttons beside each thumb stick that can be customised for the game and platform you’re…

Sony has released three new versions of its X Series of powerful wireless speakers – the SRS-XP700, SRS-XP500 and SRS-XG500 – which offers wide sound that performs well whether you’re inside or out. The Sony X Series are versatile speakers that can match your style and your needs with a wide choice of sound quality, portability, durability and lighting. Each of the speakers feature Sony’s X-Balanced Speaker Units and the non-circular speakers provide more sound pressure and less distortion by maximising the area of the diaphragm – and that results in a richer, clearer sound. The Sony XP700 has three…

Tune in to an information-packed Episode 448 of the Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, to you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show: we run our eye ever the new Apple products announced at its recent event including new Airtags, iMac and iPad Pro and Netgear has released the Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 for small businesses. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take the DJI FPV drone for a spin, JBL has released headphones designed especially for kids and Ecovacs releases a new robot vacuum with an…

Spotify has partnered with Facebook to allow listeners to enjoy their music and favourite podcasts from Spotify within Facebook on both the iOS and Android platforms. Thanks to the new miniplayer on the Facebook platform, Spotify subscribers now don’t have to switch apps to listen to their content. Another advantage for the miniplayer is the ability to share and discover songs and podcast episode – and all without leaving Facebook. Spotify Premium customers can access full playback directly from Spotify while on Facebook while Free users can still enjoy the same experience via shuffle mode and accompanying ads. Fans will…

The ECG feature for Apple Watch, which allows users to record an electrocardiogram on their wrist, is now available for users thanks to the watchOS 7.4 update which has just been released. Customers can download and install the update today by opening the Apple Watch app on their iPhone and clicking General > Software Update and they should find watchOS 7.4 waiting for them. We’d also recommend users updating their iPhone first to the iOS 14.5 update which has also just been released. You can find instructions on how to do that here. ECG works with Apple Watch Series 4,…

Apple has just released iOS 14.5 for the iPhone which brings a range of new privacy controls, Siri enhancements, AirTag support and other convenience feature for users. The update is available now for iPhone users and can be found by going to Settings > General > Software Update and you should find the iOS 14.5 update there. Click download and install to start the update – this should take about 20 minutes. When you’re done, you’ll find a range of new features. PRIVACY CONTROLS The iOS 14.5 update brings with it App Tracking Transparency which will now ask you for…

It’s one thing to have great wi-fi at home but also equally important to have the same quality for your business and that’s exactly what you can get with Netgear’s new Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 mesh wi-fi system. Netgear, one of the leading providers of networking products, has launched the Orbi Pro Wi-Fi 6 (SXK80) Tri-band Mesh System that’s designed for businesses large and small. It is an industry-leading tri-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) multi-node mesh system which can adapt and grow to fit with small businesses and home offices as their needs for consistent network coverage increases. There is a…

Flying the DJI FPV drone puts you in the driver’s seat and allows users to create some stunning cinematic footage. FPV stands for “first person view” and that’s what exactly what you get. And the DJI FPV is fast and nimble – it’s the drone version of a Formula One car. DJI FPV comes with a controller and also a pair of goggles that allows you to see just what the drone sees in real time. But here’s the thing – flying the DJI FPV with the included goggles is actually illegal in Australia. The CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority)…

Let the Two Blokes Tech entertain you – Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long – as they go through the announcements from Apple’s Spring Loaded event. There were six announcements in the one-hour long event and we go through every single one and share our thoughts. We talk about the new M1 iMac in a range of colours, the new AirTags, the M1 iPad Pro with improved display and 5G, Apple TV 4K with improved audio and video quality, the purple iPhone 12 and the Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. You can listen to the show right here on…

Leading robotics company Ecovacs Robotics has launched the new Deebot T9+ – the very latest obstacle-avoiding robot vacuum with vacuuming and mopping function. And now it even includes an air freshener. The air freshener releases the fragrance onto the floor to remove musty and pet odours while the onboard fan spreads the fragrance evenly around your home. It uses replaceable fragrance capsules, available in three kinds of fragrances, which last up to 60 days. The T9+ combines 9-in-1 cutting edge features to deliver a robot that is even smarter and more powerful. The Deebot T9+ has an upgraded TrueDetect 3D…

Tech Guide has taken a first look at the new purple iPhone 12 – a vibrant new colour for one of Apple’s most popular products in recent years. Last year the iPhone 12 went on sale and it immediately became a hit. One of the reasons for that was the choice of colours. Now there is a new colour available for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini – it’s purple. This new purple option provides yet another choice for customers on top of the other five colours – white, black, blue, green, (PRODUCT)RED. Now you’ve got purple. On the…

We’ve taken our first look at Apple’s new AirTag – a button size device that will allow you to find and track your items – after it was announced at the Apple Spring Loaded event. There had been rumours for years about AirTag and we’ve finally got them in our hands. The AirTag is about the size of an Australian 50 cent coin and has a white front face and a silver rear panel with the Apple logo on it. https://youtu.be/FtGaKzSpS0Q We received the four-pack for our first look. Each of the AirTags are wrapped in plastic when you take…

Belkin has announced a range of accessories designed for the just-announced Apple AirTag so they can easily and stylishly attach to your belongings like keys, bags and luggage. There are two variations to Belkin’s Secure Holder – a Key Ring and a Strap – which are available in four colours – black, white, pink and blue. The AirTag is a small and light device that links to Apple’s FindMy network so the items attached to it can be located on a map. The Belkin Secure Holder has an innovative twist and lock closure to keep AirTag safely secured in place.…

Suunto, one the leading sports watch brands, has just announced two new variants to the award-winning sports watches with the Suunto 7 and Suunto Baro Titanium – and a partnership with Australian Ninja Warriors. The entire Suunto 7 range received a significant software update for the sleep and heart rate functionality plus the integration of route planning app komoot. The new Titanium models have a sleek minimalistic design with high grade five titanium bezels. New and existing customers will benefit from Suunto’s software updates which now include in-depth sleep tracking, body resources management and heart rate feedback visibility. Suunto has…

Bowers & Wilkins have finally entered the hugely popular True Wireless in-ear headphone market but not before it could offer the company’s iconic sound quality and performance in such a small product without compromise. After a lengthy period of development, Bowers & Wilkins has delivered two new products – the PI7 and the PI5 – that offer the audio quality customers come to expect from the brand. And they have also included a range of smart and convenience features along with exceptional call quality and a premium design. The PI7 supports the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive wireless transmission from compatible mobile…

Apple today revealed a re-designed Podcast app and Apple Podcast Subscriptions – worldwide podcast marketplace to listeners to sign up to premium podcasts and exclusive content. Moving forward there will be a subscription service for premium podcasts alongside free shows on Apple Podcasts. The benefits of Apple Podcast Subscriptions will include ad-free listening, access to additional and exclusive content and early access to new series. “Fifteen years ago, Apple took podcasts mainstream, offering creators a premier, open platform to inform, entertain, and inspire hundreds of millions of listeners around the world,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services.…

The iPhone 12 has been a huge success for Apple since it was released late last year with 5G onboard and now there is a new colour available for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini – it’s purple. The new colour option was unveiled at the Apple Spring Loaded event today which also revealed new a new iMac, iPad Pro, Apple TV 4K and AirTag. The new purple colour option adds another choice for customers on top of the other five colours – white, black, blue, green, (PRODUCT)RED and now purple. It is identical in terms of specs as…

Apple has launched the next generation of the Apple TV 4K which can now deliver high-frame rate HDR with Dolby Vision and an all-new Siri remote control. The new Apple TV 4K is powered by the Apple A12 Bionic chip which significantly improves graphics processing, video decoding and audio processing to improve your experience across the board. “Apple TV 4K is in a category of its own, leveraging a deep integration of Apple hardware, software, and services that delivers a massive upgrade to any TV for the very best cinematic experience,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With the…

Apple has taken the iPad Pro to an all-new level of power and performance by adding a new M1 processor, a stunning Liquid Retina XDR mini LED display and 5G connectivity. If there were ever any doubts the iPad Pro could be a laptop replacement, they have now been swept away with these enhancements. The new iPad Pro is now powered by Apple’s very own M1 system on a chip to dramatically enhance the performance to handle even the most demanding applications and tasks. “The revolutionary M1 chip has been a breakthrough for the Mac, and we’re incredibly excited to bring…