Author: Stephen Fenech

The MG ZS is not only the first fully electric SUV in Australia – it has also been priced competitively so it can be a serious consideration for any customer thinking of making the switch to an EV. Tech Guide got behind the wheel of the MG ZS EV which looks and drives just like a regular SUV but instead of refuelling at the petrol bowser – you plug it in. I’m already very familiar with electric cars – I’ve been driving a Tesla for almost three years – so this is going to be two reviews in one. One…

The South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league club has launched a new initiative to give fans a chance to show their support through their regular purchases and services including mobile phone plans, credit cards and insurance. Rabbitohs PLUS has been designed to provide extra value to the club’s many members on the everyday items they would usually purchase elsewhere like mobile plans, insurance, credit cards, home loans, personal loans, car loans and travel bookings. Members will receive highly competitive rates on these purchases with a portion of their spend going back to the club to fund resources for community programs and…

Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 472 with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and Trevor Long brings you the biggest tech news and products in a fun and informative podcast. On this week’s show, how sports rights and streaming services will evolve over the years, Ford partners with Google while Apple Car rumours persist after news of a potential deal with Hyundai, Ecovacs Deebot U2 robot vacuum launched for less than $400 and the realme 7 5G smartphone that’s priced under $500, TikTok coming to your TV and Apple Watch will unlock your iPhone if you’re wearing a mask. You can…

The rumours about Apple working on a car just won’t go away. And they were fired up even further with reports that Apple is on the verge of signing a deal with Hyundai and sister company Kia to manufacture its electric car. Bloomberg is reporting the partnership will include Apple making a $US3.6 billion investment in Hyundai. Reports suggest the car won’t be seen on the road before 2024. Apple’s involvement isn’t entirely clear but it’s fair to say the company will focus more on the car’s operating system and autonomous driving capabilities and leave the actual car manufacturing to…

Making our homes smarter and more secure is the goal of more Australians than ever before with more than 190 million connected devices already in our homes. And that number is set to rise by a staggering 92 per cent by 2024. Arlo, the leading wireless security camera company, teamed up with Telsyte to produce the IoT@Home Market Study 2020 which found that the number of connected devices will explode from 190 million to 370 million connected devices within the next three years – that’s an increase of 92 per cent. And with the increase of connected devices, this will…

realme has broken the $500 barrier for a 5G smartphone with new the realme 7 device which not only offers 5G connectivity but also a 120Hz ultra smooth display, 30W fast charging and a 5,000mAh battery. One of the fastest growing smartphone brands, realme has managed to combine a number of impressive features with the realme 7 5G which has been priced at $499. “2021 is the year that 5G becomes a reality for Aussies across the country,” says realme managing director Andy Yang. “At realme, we want to pave the way in ensuring all consumers can benefit from the…

EcoXGear has launched another rugged outdoor product – the EcoExtreme 2 – that’s both a Bluetooth speaker and a case to protect your belongings. The EcoExtreme 2 is rated at IP67 and is fully waterproof so you can take the speaker anywhere and also store your items like phone, wallet, keys and other small items while travelling or camping. The product can be fully submerged and will also float if it goes into the water. EcoExtreme 2 is made from high impact and rugged materials so it can handle all types of conditions. The onboard speaker has a 15W full…

Ecovacs Robotics has launched a new robot vacuum – the Deebot U2 – which offers powerful suction for carpets as well as mopping for your hard floors and all for less than $400. Available from February 4, the Deebot U2 is an affordable new entry-level option which joins the advanced Ecovacs range. “We are continuously striving to help Australian families free up time from cumbersome chores so that they can focus on more enjoyable things during their rare downtime,” says Karen Powell, Head of Australia and New Zealand for Ecovacs Robotics. “Having a reliable, cost effective robotic vacuum solution such…

Ford and Google have announced a partnership which will see the car manufacturer’s vehicles running the Android operating system from 2023 onwards with Google app and services built in. This strategic alliance is designed to accelerate Ford’s vision of a connected vehicle experience. Ford and Google will establish a collaborative group called Team Upshift which will leverage the talents of both companies to create new users experiences for everything from in-car driving applications to new retail experiences. Ford has also announced Google Cloud as its preferred cloud provider which will offer world class expertise in data, artificial intelligence (AI) and…

Episode 436 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, is right here so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show, understanding how our data is used to track us, Google has kicked off an information war over the News Media Bargaining Code – but they’ve also presented a solution and Tesla has unveiled the latest version of its Model S electric car. In the Tech Guide reviews, we offer our verdict on the Samsung S21 and S21 Ultra smartphones, Norton releases new internet security for…

Telstra has transformed its live sports streaming offer by joining forces with Kayo Sports to give customers even more value and more sports to enjoy on their smartphones and at home. Kayo will replace Telstra Live Pass in the AFL and NRL apps and give fans the ability to watch every AFL and every NFL match of every round live and ad-break free. And Telstra also has an exclusive offer for those who had previously used the AFL and NRL Live Passes with eligible customers receiving $20 a month off Kayo’s basic subscription (usually $25) which brings the price down…

Energy company AGL has entered the phone business and is now offering mobile SIM plans with generous data allowances and no lock-in contracts. AGL Mobile will be powered by the Optus network with plans starting at as little as $15 a month. There will also be discounts available to customers who combine their AGL Mobile service with an AGL Energy plan. “We want to transform how Australians connect to the essential services that power their lives,” says AGL chief customer office Christine Corbett. “We’re offering customers simplicity and ease by taking away the hassle of calling several providers and becoming…

During COVID anyone wearing a mask is unable to unlock their iPhone with Face ID and have to manually unlock the phone with your passcode but a new feature in the upcoming iOS 14.5 update will solve this issue. The iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 beta has been released to developers and will include a feature to allow users to unlock their iPhone with their Apple Watch if they are wearing a mask. Other features of iOS 14.5 will also include dual 5G SIM mode and App Tracking Transparency Unlock With Apple Watch will be included with this update so…

Huawei today launched its latest Watch GT 2 Pro smartwatch which offers a rugged new design, advanced sports tracking, pro-level health monitoring and a two week battery life. The Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro has a round face covered in tough sapphire glass and a frame made from titanium so it offers the durability a customer will appreciate when used in the great outdoors. The rear of the casing is made from smooth ceramic so it’s comfortable to wear. There are more than 200 watch faces to choose from along lots of customisation options. It’s also possible to choose different…

Samsung has hit the ground running in 2021 with the release of its new flagship Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra smartphones in the first month of the new year. Why wait? Samsung says it was ready to go with the new devices and decided to pull the trigger early. And in doing so Samsung has also reduced Apple’s window of clear air without a rival product release. Apple released the iPhone 12 a month later than normal and Samsung released the S21 a month early so that adds up to two months less time Apple has on its own…

Launch into your weekend with Episode 471 of the popular Two Blokes Talking Tech 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 your back to school options with the refurbished iPhone 8 or a new Android smartphone under $500 and we share our thoughts on the Google battle with the government over the news media bargaining code. You can listen to the show right here on the Tech Guide site using the audio player below. Click on the Two Blokes Talking Tech link at…

Tesla has unveiled the new Model S Plaid electric car which has an updated design and an all-new interior and can go from 0 to 100km/h in just 2.1 seconds. The biggest change to the new Tesla Model S Plaid – which won’t arrive in Australia until 2022 – is the cockpit with a new steering wheel and dashboard and main screen layout. The central console is dominated by a 17-inch horizontal display with a resolution of 2200 x 1300. The biggest change is to the steering wheel which looks less like a wheel and more like something you’d find…

Google is using its massive reach to promote its side of the argument as it battles for a fair deal from the Australian government in the proposed news media bargaining code with a prominent link that is being display in every Google search. The link is shown in an unmissable yellow box with the headline “Google Search is in the news”. It goes on to say “You may have heard about a proposed law. We are willing to pay to support journalism”. The “Hear our proposal” button then takes you to a video of Mel Silva, Google Australia’s managing director.…

It’s Data Privacy Day and Apple has used the occasion to increase awareness about the importance of protecting people’s personal information online and within apps. This is an area where Apple has been quite vocal because the company and its products offer users transparency and control over what data is collected and how it is used. Apple is commemorating Data Privacy Day by sharing “A Day in the Life of your Data” – a eye-opening report that details how companies track your user data across websites and apps. The report also goes on to illustrate how privacy features across the…

Ring has launched its smallest and most affordable doorbell ever which still packs in all the features you’ve come to expect from the hugely popular product that offers security and convenience. The Ring Video Doorbell Wired is priced at $119 and is noticeably smaller than Ring’s other wireless versions. And like the other Ring video doorbells, users are able to answer their doors and see and talk to whoever is that the front door. https://youtu.be/vbyzzEEIPKk It can also detect motion and act like a security camera. Customers will need to have power and a chime box at their front door…