Author: Stephen Fenech

Arlo’s flagship Ultra 4K Wire-Free Security Camera system is now compatible with HomeKit – Apple’s smart home platform – to offers users greater control on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. The Arlo Ultra system now joins Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 to offer HomeKit compatibility. iOS users can now access functions from the Ultra cameras within the HomeKit ecosystem using the Home app. A free firmware update which will install automatically on the Ultra cameras and SmartHub is now rolling out for new and existing users to activate the HomeKit compatibility. Another advantage of having HomeKit onboard is…

The final trailer for Star Wars Episode IX has been released and it has given us a tantalising view of what to expect. We’re going to take a deep dive and let you know what we’ve noticed before revealing to you our theory on what’s going to take place. We won’t reveal that theory until the very end of this story once we’ve given you a frame by frame look at what we saw in the trailer. https://youtu.be/8Qn_spdM5Zg What we’ve got to say may be a potential spoiler for some but we will give you plenty of warning for those…

It’s time to get updated and educated about the latest consumer news and reviews with Episode 371 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, a serious Google Pixel 4 smartphone security flaw has been revealed, the new Norton 360 Premium internet security is now available and Samsung takes a whole new direction with its TVs. In the Tech Guide reviews, we’ll take a look at the BlueAnt Pump Air 2 wireless micro buds, we check out the Logitech MX Master 3 mouse and Beats releases the Solo Pro noise cancelling headphones. In…

The Samsung Galaxy Fold – the company’s first foldable smart phone – will go on sale in Australia on October 30 and will be priced at $2,999. It will be one of the most expensive smartphones ever sold in Australia. “This is a landmark moment for the mobile industry in Australia. With Galaxy Fold, Samsung’s pioneering technology has created a new category of smartphone with a first-of-its-kind user experience,” said Garry McGregor, Vice-President of IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia. ”Australians today are embracing larger screens as they consume, capture, share, and do more on-the-go. From the moment you pick…

There’s a lot to like about the new Pixel 4 which offers users a fresh approach to the smartphone and their first look at the all-new Android 10 operating system. Google normally reserves some new features for its own Pixel devices and this year is no different with a proximity sensor which can tell when you’re near and gesture controls that allow users to wave their hands to navigate their content, And then there’s the camera which has gone to the next level with the addition of another telephoto lens and even more smarts. Once again there are two sizes…

Just days before its official release, a serious security flaw on Google’s new Pixel 4 smartphone has been revealed in its face unlock system. The Pixel 4 face unlock feature – which maps your entire face – can be used to unlock the device even when your eyes are closed. Google admits as much in the fine print in the Pixel 4 settings. It says: “your phone can be unlocked by someone else if it’s held up to your face, even if your eyes are closed”. There is no way to change in the settings. Google is reportedly working on…

Logitech’s new MX Master 3 mouse lives up to its name and offers even more precision and controls that make it the ideal choice for high-end users like creatives, editors and coders. The MX Master 3, which works across Mac, Windows and Linux systems, is a huge improvement over the previous model and is also slightly smaller and sleeker. The scroll wheels and buttons have a solid and precise feel to them and you can feel that every time your fingers touch them. There is a main scroll wheel (which scrolls up and down), left and right buttons, a central…

Arlo – the company behind the market leading smart wireless security cameras – has announced a new Video Doorbell with an industry-leading vertical field of view to get a more precise view of your front porch. The Arlo Video Doorbell captures footage in a square aspect ratio to allow full view of visitors from head to toe. This wider 180-degree diagonal field of view will also allow users to see if there are any packages on the ground as well. And unlike other doorbell cameras, the Arlo Video Doorbell delivers a direct to mobile video call. Users can connect to…

Samsung has expanded its television offering in a new direction with the introduction of the Serif TV which offers a whole new style and functionality for Australian homes. The Samsung Serif TV was developed in partnership with two of the world’s most respected industrial designers – the Paris-based Bouroullec brothers Ronan and Erwan. From side on, the TV has an iconic “I” shape and a more harmonious design so it can integrate into your home’s decor and your personal style. And because it can also rest on its own stand, the Samsung Serif TV can be placed anywhere in your…

Today’s online threats have become quite complex and layered and are targeting our accounts, our privacy and our identify so we need cutting edge protection like the new Norton 360 Premium to keep us safe. The all-in-one security software includes anti-malware, a firewall, a spam filter, phishing protection and cloud technology to safeguard our computers and mobile devices. Norton 360 now includes Norton’s Secure VPN (virtual private network) for bank-grade encryption to provide secure wireless connection on public wi-fi. The software is available in three tiers – Standard (one PC, Mac or mobile device), Deluxe (three and five devices) and…

There’s a new smartphone company in Australia – it’s called realme – and it has hit the market with four stylish new devices that offer advanced features and performance at a reasonable price. The challenger brand was founded by former Oppo VP Sky Li  and has already launched in other countries including India. realme still has close ties with Oppo and shares numerous technologies and production lines. In fact, all four of the new devices are labelled as “powered by Oppo” and even shares the same ColorOS software. But realme has its own research and development facilities along with an…

When Two Blokes Talking Tech get together, Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, you know you’re in for a fun and informative podcast as you’ll hear with this week’s Episode 409. On this week’s show, Google releases the Pixel 4 smartphone, Nest Mini and Nest Wi-Fi, Dyson pulls the pin on its electric car plans, Laser releases its range of smart devices and Stephen talks about his savings two years after his solar and battery installation. Also on the program, our survey on telco loyalty, Optus Messaging means you’ll never have to wait on hold and, in…

Beats by Dr Dre has just released the Solo Pro – the company’s first on-ear noise cancelling headphones – which now includes a number of new features for an enhanced experience. The Solo Pro inherits the Solo3 sound profile with an improved acoustic platform for even better audio performance. The driver has been refined with an improved diaphragm which provides exceptional frequency response and lower total harmonic distortion. There are also two beamforming microphones and an improved speech detecting accelerometer that also offers excellent audio quality for voice and video calls as well. It also has enhanced voice pick up…

Dyson has shelved its once ambitious multibillion dollar plan to channel its finest engineering and release an electric car by 2021. Sir James Dyson, the British inventor and designer that revolutionised vacuums, fans and hairdryers, announced the project had been axed because he could not see a way to make it “commercially viable”. The project was announced two years ago with the goal to bring together the company’s technologies and expertise in batteries and motors into an electric vehicle. But it had always been shrouded in secrecy apart from a tantalising view of some of its patents which were made…

Apart from announcing the new Pixel 4 smartphone, Google also introduced its new Nest Mini for easy access to Google Assistant and your music and Nest Wi-Fi which can create an wider wireless network in your home. Both products and the Google Pixel 4 were announced overnight at a Google event held in New York City. GOOGLE NEST MINI – $79 This is a device that sparked the rush for smart speakers two years ago and offers access to Google Assistant from any room. The new model has been re-engineered with better audio quality and significantly improved bass. It also…

D-Link has just released new EXO Smart Mesh Wi-Fi routers to offer expanded coverage as well as built-in internet security to protect all of your connected devices. The DIR1760 (AC1750), DIR1960 (AC1900) and DIR3060 (AC3000) high performance routers are built to handle the wireless demands of the modern home including streaming and online gaming thanks to the powerful onboard 880Mhz dual core processors. Also onboard is a five-year subscription to the McAfee Secure Home Platform which can block suspicious connections and malicious content. The routers also come with two years’ McAfee LiveSafe protection – it’s an antivirus software which can…

Google has unveiled its new Pixel 4 smartphone which has a slick new look along with an even better camera system and a whole new way to control the device with gestures. The Pixel 4 (5.7-inch) and the slightly larger Pixel 4 XL (6.3-inch) are running the latest Android 10 software and are powered by Google’s custom-built Titan M security chip to protect your data and ensure the security of the operating system. On the performance side there is also the Pixel Neural Core which will handle the on-device processing, always-on computing and machine learning Pixel 4 will also include…

It’s time to get updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews with Episode 370 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, the money we’ve saved after two years with our solar panels and battery, the best tips to keep yourself safe online and Optus introduces a new service so customers won’t have to wait on hold. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at the Montblanc Augmented Paper which bridges the written word with the digital world, Tile has released a new range of trackers and…

When it comes to wire free earphones, the ideal scenario would be a smaller earphone that still produces a big sound and the BlueAnt Pump Air 2 Wireless Microbuds fit that description. Australian company BlueAnt Wireless has come up with one of the world’s smallest and lightest wireless earbuds which still managed to fit in 6mm drivers to deliver impressive audio. Each bud fits comfortably in your ear and, despite their small size, they still sit securely in place. The buds also have a Comfortseal tip to ensure a perfect fit. There are actually seven different sized tips in the…

It’s been two years since I went solar with panels and a storage battery in my home. And the investment has paid off handsomely – saving me close to $8000 in electricity and petrol costs in that time. In October 2017, there were 27 solar panels, a Solar Edge inverter and a 10kW Sonnen battery installed in my two-storey home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. Ironically the day I met with Natural Solar – July 1, 2017 – was the same day electricity prices increased by 20 per cent. What better time could there be to make the jump to…