Author: Stephen Fenech

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…

Vodafone has released an update on its Australian 5G rollout plans and the opportunities the faster cellular network will present to customers and businesses. Speaking at the Comms Day Summit, TPG Telecom CEO Inaki Berroeta provided a Vodafone 5G network progress report and revealed the plan to offer a 5G fixed wireless services in the first half of 2021 after successful tests that achieved speeds up to 2Gbps. He also said the Vodafone 5G network will be within reach of 85 per cent of the population of the six capital cities. “With the new 5G-enabled iPhone now starting to land…

Want to upgrade to the new iPhone 12 or the latest Samsung flagship smartphone? Maybe you can fund that purchase by selling your old smartphones. eBay has revealed Australians are sitting on more than $7.8 billion worth of unused mobile phones. Australia is a nation that loves the latest smartphones so selling your well-cared-for device can provide a handy return. So far in 2020, there have been 76,626 pre-loved smartphones sold on eBay – that works out at 11 handsets per hour. And the second-hand models offering the best returns are the Apple iPhone XS and the Samsung Galaxy Note10+…

Foxtel has brought voice control to the iQ4 and iQ3 so subscribers can search and browse and navigate their favourite shows simply by using your voice. Voice control works through the latest Foxtel remote control which was introduced to include shortcuts to content like movies, TV shows and Netflix. At the top of the remote is a button with a microphone symbol which will now give users a fast and easy to find something to watch. To use voice control you press and hold the microphone button to activate the voice function and speak clearly into the remote. The remote…

Australian brand Audiofly has just released the AFT2 True Wireless In-Ear headphones which deliver an impressive sound, a comfortable design for extended wear and a long battery life. The Perth-based company has delivered an impressive product which might have an unusual design for wire-free earphones but they’ve got plenty of technology under the hood to make them worthy of your consideration. And with a price tag under $200, the Audiofly AFT2 will win plenty of fans. The AFT2 earphones include finely-tuned 6mm dynamic drivers with the Qualcomm Bluetooth 5.0 chipset to ensure a solid connection to your mobile device. On…

Episode 459 of the popular Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long takes you through the biggest tech stories of the week. There are two podcasts this week – the show focusing on the iPhone 12 launch and our reviews, sponsored by Telstra, can be found here while Episode 459 covers everything else that happened in the tech world this week. On this week’s show, Foxtel and Kayo issues, the blokes share their iPad Air, the Nanoleaf lights, the DJI Pocket 2 stabilized 4K camera, Google’s new feature that will recognise a…

Huawei has unveiled the Huawei Mate 40 Series of smartphones which showcase the company’s latest innovations along with remarkable performance and 5G connectivity. The Huawei Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ offer a stunning 6.76-inch OLED 88-degree Horizon Display with sharply curved edges. The advanced 5nm Kirin 9000 5G SoC processor offers huge speed improvements as well as a boost in graphics performance. The Huawei Mate 40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro+ now include Smart Gesture Control so users have complete hands-free control of the phone. By hovering your hand over the device you can wake it up and…

The iPhone 12 is now available and the Two Blokes Talking Tech – Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long  – have recorded a special launch day edition live from Telstra headquarters in Sydney. Stephen and Trevor both share their verdicts on the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro. During the show Stephen even upgraded his current Telstra Medium plan through the MyTelstra app to the newly reduced XL plan that offers 180GB for the same $65 price as the Medium but with 100GB extra data per month. Before the end of the show he received his confirmation email and…

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro is finally here after COVID-related production delays but it was definitely worth the wait – this is easily the best smartphone Apple has ever produced and one of the most anticipated launches for years. Apple has built up quite a loyal customer base with most of those customers only ever using an iPhone as long as they have used a smartphone. So for them there are few significant improvements including the new design, the new colours and the fact that it is also Apple’s very first 5G device. Yes, we’ve reviewed the numerous…

Cash is on the way out and credit cards could soon follow according to research that shows one in five Australians now pay for things with their phone or smartwatch. The study by popular comparison site Finder revealed that 19 per cent of Australians – that equated to 3.7 million people – have turned to their digital wallets to make payments on the go. The survey was conducted among 1,069 Australians and showed 30 per cent have their debit or credit card connected to their smartphone or smartwatch with another 10 per cent planning to move across in the near…

The new iPad Air could very well be the Goldilocks of the iPad family – it’s more powerful than the entry level iPad but doesn’t come with the high price of the top-end iPad Pro – it’s just right. The iPad Air sports an all-new design. Gone is the Touch ID home button and in its place is screen from top to bottom. While it doesn’t share the iPad Pro price tag, it certainly has inherited some of its DNA with similar flat edges and narrow bezels. This new member of the iPad family is aimed at the user who…

ASICS Australia has announced the launch of the inaugural ASICS World Ekiden 2020 – a challenge which will see teams of six people from around the world complete a combined marathon. The race, inspired by a century of Japanese running culture, will be split into six legs of varying distances to allow runners of all skill-levels to take part. The ASICS World Ekiden 2020 will combine both real-world and virtual running thanks to a new race platform using Race Roster and ASICS Runkeeper. This allows competitors to track their team progress in real time on their Apple Watch, Garmin or…

DJI has released an updated version of the Osmo Pocket portable stabilized camera – it’s now called the DJI Pocket 2 and it offers a range of improvements to help users create and capture stunning videos. The DJI Pocket 2 is small and easily portable device that can fit in a pocket, bag or purse. But despite its small size, the DJI Pocket 2 still packs in a lot of features including a smooth 3-axis gimbal for silky smooth footage. Also onboard is a 4K camera with a larger sensor and wider lens to deliver improved images and videos. The…

Get updated and educated with Episode 422 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech and hear about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show, we take you through the features and highlights of the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 is also 5G compatible we’ll take a deep dive in what that means for customers and chat with Telstra’s executive of networks Channa Seneviratne and we’ll also talk about the other product Apple announced – the HomePod mini. In the Tech Guide reviews we literally roadtest the Mate X electric bike, we check…