Author: Stephen Fenech

You better get used to scanning a QR code if you ever want to visit a restaurant, cafe or club to stay COVID safe and help with contact tracing. But what do you do if your phone can’t scan the QR code? First of all, let’s understand what a QR code is. The QR code was invented in Japan in 1994 by the barcode scanner manufacturer Denso Corporation as they were trying to come up with new codes that could store a lot more information. The result was the square code we see today which, unlike a regular barcode that…

Be sure to tune in to Episode 424 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. We take you inside the Amazon Fulfilment Centre and also chat to 2GB Breakfast Show host Ben Fordham in our popular Celebrity Tech segment. We give you a behind the scenes look inside the massive Amazon facility to show you how orders are stocked, processed, packed and shipped. Also on the show, Coles to start selling refurbished iPhones after a partnership with Boost Mobile and we talk to radio host and media personality Ben Fordham in our Celebrity Tech interview. In…

There are lot of choices when it comes to buying a TV and the first decision you have to make is choosing what screen size best suits the room in your home you’ll be watching it in. Over the last three years, Australians have been demanding an increase in larger screen sizes, with 75-inch and larger becoming popular. Samsung offers a range of size choices from 43-inch up to 85-inch. When choosing the right size TV for your home you should consider size, resolution and price. Calculating the right TV size for your home is less complicated than you might…

The global smartphone market has rallied after a difficult first half of 2020 with only a 0.9 per cent decline in Q3 over last year’s numbers following declines of more than 15 per cent in each of the first two quarters. According to Omdia, the latest global shipments figures shows the smartphone market has recovered dramatically. In Q3, 2020 global shipments reached 357.4 million units which is down from 360.8 million units in the corresponding quarter of 2019. Samsung has maintained its lead as the number one smartphone manufacturer while Apple has dropped down to fourth place after a 10.2…

Apple still isn’t done releasing new products this year. The company has just announced an event for next week entitled “One More Thing” which is likely to reveal the first Mac computers running Apple’s very own silicon. The event kicks off in the US on Tuesday November 10 at 10am at Apple Park in Cupertino which is 5am Wednesday, November 11 Sydney time. We’ve already seen two Apple events in the last six weeks which revealed the Apple Watch Series 6, the iPad Air and, more recently, the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and the HomePod mini were unveiled. With…

Amazon is the largest online marketplaces in the world and is used by millions of people every day. But have you ever thought about the logistics required to process your order and get it to your doorstep? The wheels swing into motion the moment you hit the checkout button on the Amazon website. Tech Guide was invited to the Amazon Fulfilment Centre (AFC) in the Sydney suburb of Moorebank to take a look behind the scenes at and see how the products we order are processed,stored, picked, packed and sent. https://youtu.be/vGpP7TZ7VmA The Amazon FC is huge and covers 45,000 square…

From this week, Coles customers doing their weekly shop will be able to pick up a refurbished Apple iPhone after forming a partnership with Boost Mobile. Starting Wednesday, Coles customers will be able to purchase a fully refurbished Apple iPhone 7 32GB at the promotional price of $259. The unlocked iPhone comes in premium Boost packaging and also includes a $10 Boost Mobile SIM card, which connects to the Telstra 4G network, to get you started. Each refurbished iPhone undergoes a rigorous 72-point inspection to make sure the device is genuine and in tip-top condition and excellent shape. All of…

Motorola has released three new smartphones and extended its 5G line-up in Australia. The models include the Moto G9 plus, the Moto G 5G plus and the Motorola Razr 5G. This new Motorola range offers customers choices whether you prefer a mid-tier device or cutting edge flagship product. MOTOROLA RAZR 5G – $2,299 Motorola’s foldable Razr device has had a makeover and now includes 5G connectivity. It has a rear mounted fingerprint sensor and a more tapered chin along with an updated hinge mechanism that adds significant functional changes. When it is flipped open, the Razr reveals a 6.2-inch Flex…

Be sure to join us for Episode 460 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 and products. On this week’s show, we talk about our hands on looks at the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, Alcatel’s new sub-$200 1SE smartphone, the new Google Chromecast, the Nighthawk Pro gaming router, the explosion of AR and its many uses and the Microsoft Office updates that make using Word, Excel and PowerPoint easier on the iPad. You can listen to the show right…

Shazam is a great app that can tell you the name of a song just by listening to it for few seconds but have you ever wondered which are the most “shazamed” songs? Well, wonder no more. The ranked Apple Music playlist shows the 100 most “shazamed” songs in the 2010s in Australia. The list is quite diverse but there are still plenty familiar tunes, old favourites and many surprises. You can check out the playlist on Apple Music here. The 100 “Most Shazamed Songs of the ’10s” on Apple Music 1          Klingande – Jubel 2          Passenger – Let Her Go 3         …

LG has unveiled its new LG signature wine cellar – a specially-designed refrigerator that creates the optimal conditions to store any variety or vintage of wines. The LG Signature Wine Cellar is 70cm wide, 1.79m tall and 79.3cm deep and features multi-temperature and humidity control with room to store up to 65 bottles of wine. It has a sleek, seamless scratch resistant metal frame structure with a glass door to showcase your wine collection. An LG study found that most Australians (90.4 per cent) do not have much expertise when it comes to properly storing wine. The solution is the…

It’s the gaming console everyone is desperate to get their hands-on and that’s exactly what we did when we got up close and personal with the hugely-anticipated PlayStation 5. The next generation gaming console goes on sale in Australia on November 12 for $749. Tech Guide had a hands on session with the PlayStation 5 and the new controller. The first thing you’ll notice with the PlayStation 5 is the size which dwarfs the most recent version of the PlayStation 4. It is 39cm tall when stood upright which means its 39cm wide when rested on its side. The console…

If you love creating video content with your iPhone or iPad then RODE Microphones has great news for you. The Australian company says its VideoMic NTG is now officially MFI-certified which means it can be connected directly via the Lightning port to an iPad or iPhone. RODE has also released a new SC15 Lightning Accessory Cable – a high quality USB-C to Lightning cable that can be used to connect the VideoMic NTG to your Apple iOS device. The VideoMic NTG on-camera shotgun microphone was released in late 2019 and put high audio recording quality in the hands of everyday…

Netgear, the number one wi-fi brand and leading provider of networking products, has released the Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR1000 Wi-Fi 6 AX5400 router which can offer a network optimised for online gaming. The XR1000 combined the speed and range of Wi-Fi 6 with the advanced DumaOS 3.0 software which is purpose-built to provide superior gameplay conditions and smoother video streaming. The gaming router is designed to improve performance and reduce network latency which can make a huge difference to a competitive online gamer’s experience. It can mean the difference between winning and losing. Gamers can do things like customise their…

Microsoft has issued updates to Word, Excel and PowerPoint which makes them easier to use on an iPad and take full advantage of trackpad support in iPadOS. Microsoft says the Office experience on an iPad is important for many users who use the device to work and learn and create. The latest iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad models offer new features and capabilities to help people stay productive anywhere. Microsoft recognised this and made several updates to the Office apps that will further enhance these applications and make them easier to use on an iPad. Trackpad and mouse support…

It’s been a tough year with the COVID lockdowns. Deloitte has released a Digital Consumer Trends survey which highlights how Australians technology habits have changed during this period. Deloitte surveyed 2000 Australians who were in lockdown in June and July about their use of technology and connectivity during this difficult time. And the news is not all bad with a quarter of Australians working from home finding they enjoy their work even more as a result while 12 per cent found it even more stressful. And 45 per cent say their quality of life has improved thanks to the flexibility…

TCL communications has redefined the meaning of smartphone value with the launch of the Alcatel 1SE in Australia – which is packed with impressive features but still priced under $200. Alcatel has always been a brand that has proven you don’t need to spend big money to have an impressive smartphone. The Alcatel 1SE has a 6.22-inch HD+ display, an AI triple rear camera system and a 4000mAh battery. Over the years Alcatel has packed numerous features into its sub $200 devices starting back in 2016 with the POP4 which included an 8-megapixel rear camera and an 18:9 display 2018 saw…

Episode 423 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, is huge! This week we give you our verdict on the iPhone 12 and also chat with best-selling novelist Tara Moss in the Celebrity Tech segment. We take you through our review of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, the research that shows cash and credit cards are headed for extinction and in our Celebrity Tech interview we catch up with novelist and presenter Tara Moss. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at the new iPad Air, we take a listen to the…

As Melbourne comes out of lockdown, Apple has announced it will re-open all five of its Apple Stores across the city from Wednesday October 28 on an appointment only basis. The Apple Stores in Highpoint, Southland, Chadstone, Doncaster and Fountain Gate will reopen for customers but with health and safety measures in place. Customers will be able to pick up online orders made through the Apple online store and also receive Genius support with an appointment which can be made here. Customers can also make appointments to shop via a one-on-one session with an Apple specialist via the Apple website.…

Logitech has released the MX Anywhere 3 and MX Anywhere 3 for Mac – a compact and low-profile mouse for users who demand performance, portability and comfort wherever they need to work. Tech Guide took a look at the MX Anywhere 3 for Mac which we have been using with our MacBook Pro. The MX Anywhere 3 comes in pale grey, rose and graphite while the MX Anywhere 3 for Mac is only available in pale grey. The mouse is contoured for the shape of your hand with silicon side grips to offer a softer touch. What makes it so…