Author: Stephen Fenech

Camera brand Canon has today announced it will now offer a five-year standard manufacturer warranty for its mirrorless, DSLR, digital video camera and lens ranges. The new extended five-year warranty applies to purchases made from today and is a demonstration of Canon’s confidence in the quality and reliability of its products. Canon Australia commissioned the independent Consumer Warranty Expectations Survey 2019 which found the length of a product’s warranty was linked to a customer’s impression of that product’s quality and value and the level of trust in the brand. The study found longer warranty periods made the brand appear more…

Paying a little bit extra for a premium cable like the latest range from Moshi can make a huge difference in your set-up and offer better quality and connectivity, reliability and faster transfer speeds. Having a good cable is like having good tyres on your car – they affect the feel and performance of your drive. Moshi has released two new cables and an adaptor to connect monitors and other peripherals. The cables are capable of sharing power, data and video content between USB-C devices like a MacBook Pro and a 4K monitor with support for high-quality multimedia transfer of 4K…

Optus is now offering customers the option of building their own plans so they can mix and match a range of features to suit their needs. Customers can now choose how much monthly data, international call minutes and texts and roaming data their plan can include based on how they use their device and if they are travelling. And there are no lock-in contracts which means customers can add or remove features from the plan each month to suit their lifestyle. Customers can also choose to include a phone to pay off over up to three years or bring their…

Tesla just revealed one of the most unusual vehicles ever – the Cybertruck – an electric utility with an odd angular design and shape but the strength and durability of an armoured car. Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed the new vehicle at a special event in Los Angeles that can only be described as bizarre. There was initial disbelief when the new Tesla electric vehicle was introduced but as the event went on the live audience and the many watching the live stream realised the new Cybertruck was real. It is built with an exoskeleton that Tesla says is impenetrable…

Episode 414 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, is coming to live from Samsung HQ in South Korea. The blokes are in Seoul to take a look at some of Samsung’s future products which they can’t discuss till January. But they can talk about why Samsung has heavily invested in 8K TV technology and how humans perceive it. Also on the show, our verdict on the new Disney+ streaming service, TCL releases the 4G MoveTime family watch and the importance of air purifiers including the brand-new TruSens model. The…

Australian company Rode has released the new VideoMic NTG – an on-camera shotgun mic that can also be used in a variety of different ways. The Rode VideoMic NTG sits on top of your camera and can provide high quality audio for your videos. The compact mic can automatically detect whether it is connected to a camera or a mobile device and switch to accommodate that recording mode. Users can easily tailor their output with variable gain control from line to mic level and headphone level. It has digital switching onboard and a dB peak warning light. The Rode VideoMic…

TCL has just launched its 4G MoveTime Family Watch – a sub-$200 watch for kids that offers video calling, voice calling, GPS tracking and 4G connectivity. TCL MoveTime (MT40) makes it possible for parents to stay connected to their children at any time. The product is designed for children who are not quite old enough to own a smartphone. Parents can keep in contact with their kids via two-way 4G calling, video chat, photo sharing and messaging through the MoveTime’s 1.3-inch touch display. Also onboard is geofencing and geolocation functionality which offers parents peace of mind knowing where their children…

LG has released a range of fast gaming monitors that offer high resolution and a response time as low as 1ms to give players the edge when playing online. The new UltraGear range is made up of six monitors that range in size from 27-inch to 32-inch, 34-inch and up to 38-inch. They not only offer superior resolution and picture quality but can also render games with HDR (high dynamic range) so you can see even more detail. Included in the line-up are three NVIDIA G-Sync certified and G-Sync compatible monitors with a 1ms refresh rate. The 38-inch GL950G NVIDIA…

It’s time to tune in to Episode 375 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show, the Disney+ streaming service blasts off in Australia – we tell you everything you need to know, Motorola revive the Razr as a folding smartphone and the surprising stats about Australians listening to audiobooks. In the Tech Guide reviews, we’ll take a look at Yeti X USB microphone – that section of the show is recorded with that mic, we add a…

Samsung has unveiled a special Star Wars limited edition version of its Galaxy Note10+ ahead of the December 19 release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The device has Star Wars design elements along with exclusive wallpaper and other digital content. Samsung has been a partner with Lucasfilm for several years and are now giving fans an chance to get their hands on a collector’s item. The Star Wars edition Galaxy Note 10+ also comes with a red S Pen, matching Galaxy Buds earphones, a specially designed cover and a metal badge, Also onboard is other Star Wars-themed content…

Many people are under the wrong impression that being indoors protects you from harmful fine particles and pollutants. All the more reason why a product like the TruSens air purifier is a good investment. According to the World Health Organisation, nine out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air with 7 million dying from exposure to particles that penetrate the lungs and cardiovascular system causing a variety of issues from stroke to lung cancer and heart disease. An air purifier like TruSens can make a huge difference in a household especially if there are  children and pets and even if…

With so many people creating content like YouTube videos, podcasts and live streaming, the Yeti X USB microphone has come along just at the right time to add a professional level of audio to these productions. The microphone packs in a lot of features, is really easy to connect and use and it also offers impressive professional quality. The Yeti X microphone is perfect for users who want to create and record their content directly to their computer so the USB connection is a perfect play. It can turn your computer or laptop into a recording studio. Regular microphones with…

Australian tech company BlueAnt has launched its flagship portable Bluetooth speaker – the Burleigh – to become your boombox this summer and provide the soundtrack for your next barbecue or trip to the beach. The BlueAnt Burleigh 40W speaker has been developed using Grammy award-winning DSP (digital signal processing) software and intelligent volume stabilisers to ensure smooth output. Also onboard is Stereo Spatial enhancement to provide excellent audio whether you’re inside or out. It includes the company’s patented “psycho-bass” which takes bass output to the next level. Users can choose from three different Equalizer modes and enjoy the quality at…

Alcatel has released two new smartphones – the 3X and 1S – which once again demonstrate that quality, features and value can be found in a single product. The devices, both under $300, are available now from JB Hi-Fi. The entry level 1S offers a dual camera system and a crisp 18:9 display for under $200 while 3X brings a triple camera system to the table along with Face Key and a fingerprint reader for under $300. Both  products are running the Android 9.0 Pie operating system. ALCATEL 3X – $299 The Alcatel 3X has a generous 6.5-inch display with…

Get the lowdown on the biggest tech stories of the week with Episode 413 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long. This week’s show was recorded at the Laser offices after Stephen and Trevor were invited to enjoy a lunch of BBQ pulled pork and wagyu brisket. On the program, Motorola to revive the Razr as a folding smartphone, Apple releases the 16-inch MacBook Pro, Uber launches a loyalty rewards program and everything you need to know about the new Disney+ streaming service which kicks off next week. Meanwhile, Sonos…

We spend a surprising amount of time on our keyboards so why not make sure that experience is a premium one. You can with the Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Keyboard. The MX Keys adds a touch of luxury to your desktop and is crafted for stability and precision just like its companion product – the MX Master 3 mouse. The keyboard shares a similar design language to the MX Master 3 and offers the same design quality and attention to detail. Logitech has been making keyboards for decades and they have certainly brought their expertise to the table with…

The highly-anticipated Disney+ streaming service kicks off in Australia next week with hundreds of hours of entertainment. Here’s what you need to know about the platform which kicks off on November 19. Disney+ opened in the US earlier this week with a roar and within the first 24 hours there were more than 10 million sign ups. The service will include movies and TV shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and much more. https://youtu.be/P7zW53OuvMg Here’s everything you need to know: PRICING Disney+ will be priced at $8.99 a month or $89 for a full year subscription. HOW…

The Motorola Razr, once the hottest phone on the market before Apple launched the iPhone, is making a dramatic comeback as a head-turning foldable Android smartphone. The device was unveiled in the US today and takes the classic flip phone form factor and completely reinvents it with a folding screen. The catch phrase “hello Moto” – made famous during the heady days of the original Razr’s success in the early 2000s – will no doubt be echoing once again when the device is released in early 2020. And Motorola has confirmed it will be released in Australia. The new Motorola…

Uniden has launched three new models of its home security camera range which includes the Guardian App Cam Solo PT – Australia’s first completely wire-free rechargeable home security camera that can pan and tilt. Also added to the line-up is the App Cam Solo Bullet and the App Cam Floodlight. The Uniden Guardian App Cam Solo PT is fully weatherproof, offers full high definition resolution and an ultrawide viewing angle on top of its 355-degree pan and 140-degree tilt. The camera can be controlled remotely through the Uniden app so users can keep an eye on a larger area. Now…

Apple has unveiled its all new 16-inch MacBook Pro which offers a huge leap in performance along with a redesigned keyboard for customers who demand power on the move. It will be available to purchase this week. This new 16-inch MacBook Pro will replace the 15-inch MacBook Pro. Apple’s new professional 16-inch laptop computer has been designed for mobile creatives like developers, photographers, filmmakers, scientists, music producers and anyone else who needs to stay productive on the go. The new device has a brilliant 16-inch Retina display along with the latest 8-core processors, up to 64 GB RAM and it…