Author: Stephen Fenech

Samsung has launched its new Galaxy A Series of affordable smartphones  which is made up of four devices that offer premium features usually found on more expensive models. The range includes the A70, A50, A30 and A20 and starts at just $279 and goes all the way up to $649 so there is something for everyone. The Samsung A Series offers a stylish design, large displays as well as an enhanced triple camera system (A70 and A50) and long battery life. “Designed for the digital native, the Galaxy A Series is packed with so many of our signature, premium Galaxy…

The annual Google I/O conference kicked off last night in Mountain View with a number of new products and features unveiled including Pixel smartphones, Google Nest Max and improvements on parental controls, privacy and security. GOOGLE PIXEL 3a & 3a XL On the hardware side, Google launched the latest generation of Pixel smartphones – the 3a (5.6-inch) and the 3a XL (6-inch). Both new devices are also a lot cheaper than their predecessors and are now positioned as mid-tier products instead of flag-ship phones competing against Apple and Samsung. GOOGLE NEST MAX Google has merged its Home smart devices with…

The National Disability Insurance Scheme will take advantage of solar power and battery storage to reduce electricity costs for Australian residents living with serious disabilities. In an Australian first initiative, inhousing has partnered with leading Australian battery and solar installer Natural Solar to integrate solar and batteries into each newly built property of eligible participants of the NDIS and save more than $1500 per year. The first development under the partnership will include a property development in Salisbury, South Australia ahead of a wider rollout across developments around the country. “The move to battery storage is about making an impact…

Google has unveiled the new Pixel 3a and 3a XL which offers the high quality camera of the previous models but at half the price of its previous models which failed to make a dent on Apple and Samsung sales. The devices are available now and will be available in black or white but still retain their familiar to tone design. They will be available in two screen sizes with 5.6-inch and 6-inch displays. Of course, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL will be running the latest Android operating system which will receive will remain secure and up to date…

Episode 327 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech is now available so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show, why the Telstra Smart Modem isn’t so smart, how strong are your passwords and why Lego sales have suddenly spiked. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at the D-Link Omna Indoor/Outdoor Surveillance Camera Kit, we take a look at the Rode PodMic for podcaster and also run our eye over the new Kindle. In the Tech Guide Help Desk we talk about…

For men and women over 50 looking for love and companionship there an app for that – it’s called Lumen – and it has just launched a new social component to allow members to join groups based on mutual interests. Lumen is the first-ever dating platform for over 50s. It was launched in September 2018 and provides a safe and age-appropriate environment for older men and women. Research has shown loneliness among over 50s is on the rise. One thirds (30 per cent) of Australians over 50 say their feelings of loneliness are mainly a  result of being single. Others…

Telstra has just released the Smart Wi-Fi Booster 2.0 which is designed to expand and improve the wireless network in your home and reduce blackspots so you can always stay connected. The new device is designed to work with the Telstra Smart Modem to extend your wireless coverage from the modem’s base. And, unlike other mesh wi-fi solutions, the Telstra Smart Wi-Fi Booster 2.0 pairs wirelessly with the modem and removes the need for a secondary device. Other mesh wi-fi systems need to be connected directly to the modem with the secondary satellite device placed in a central position in…

When the new hit shot Lego Masters began we enjoyed but also thought it felt like one long ad for Lego – and it turns out it has had that exact effect with sales of Lego skyrocketing. Since the launch of Lego Masters on Channel 9 spending of Lego increased by 89 per cent on eBay with sales expected to hit $22.7m in sales in 2019. Sales on Lego Space sets increased by 101 per cent and Lego City sets spiking by 68 per cent. And Lego bricks also jumped in popularity with a 62 per cent increase which shows…

If you’re looking to install wireless security cameras, the D-Link Omna Wire Free Indoor/Outdoor Surveillance Kit is a great place to start. The kit has a hub and two wireless cameras included and the good news is there are no cables and wires to run. You can be up and running within minutes. Everything you need is in the box including the internet cable, the power supply for the hub and the charger for the two full high definition cameras. Each of the cameras are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and they’re weatherproof which means…

Tomorrow is Star Wars Day – May the Fourth Be With You – and Lego is using the occasion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lego Star Wars. The Lego Star Wars creative director Jens Fredericksen will be in Sydney this weekend all the way from Billund in Denmark. On May 4 and 5, Jens will be hosting the world’s biggest Lego Star Wars unboxing at Westfield Chatswood. In the 20 years since Lego Star Wars was introduced, more than 700 Star Wars sets have been released along with 1000 Star Wars specific Lego mini figures. And to celebrate the…

Telstra introduced their Smart Modem Gen 2 last year that offers a 4G back-up in the event of a service outage. Sounds pretty good right? Except it’s not. And calling it Smart is verging on false advertising. Here’s why. A reader has been in touch with us for the past six weeks and asking what they can do about their Telstra cable broadband connection that has been virtually non-existent for the last couple of months. Telstra were pretty vague about why the service was being affected and frankly our reader was tired of talking to people in the Philippines about…

It’s time for Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 386 with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long as they discuss the week’s biggest stories and products news. On this week’s show, the outrage over the latest Game of Thrones episode with customers flooding Foxtel with complaints saying it was too dark, Samsung delays the Galaxy Fold release and Amazon and Google finally start working together. Also on the program, the leaked images of the iPhone, Apple outlines what it does to protect your privacy, Huawei’s Porsche Design Mate20 Pro and the Samsung 8K TV. You can listen to…

You want to record a podcast but don’t know enough to choose the right microphone? Rode has once again come to the rescue with the PodMic – a broadcast quality dynamic microphone designed for podcasting. It’s relatively small – a lot smaller than Rode Podcaster microphone which is what we normally use for our Tech Guide podcast – but it still offers a warm and rich sound. In fact, we recorded Tech Guide Episode 345 (embedded below) using the Rode PodMic so you can hear the quality for yourself. It has Rode’s typical solid construction and is built to last.…

Privacy is a word we hear a lot in this digital age especially now we’re all carrying around smartphones everywhere we go. Apple has put this issue top of mind once again with a series of TV spots which basically say “your business is none of our business”. While Apple has never compared how it handles your privacy on their products with other smartphones manufacturers, studies have shown Android devices gather, on average, 10 times more information about you than iPhones. Professor Douglas Schmidt, from Vanderbilt University, says Google utilises the tremendous reach of its products to collect detailed information…

The Kindle has set the benchmark for e-readers over the years and the latest and most affordable model has inherited features introduced in more expensive models including an adjustable front light. Priced at $139, the entry level Kindle provides an ideal reading experience which can be enjoyed inside and outside and in all kinds of light conditions. The first thing you notice when you turn on the 6-inch glare-free display which has 167ppi (pixels per inch) is how great the text looks – it’s just like printed words on a page. Under the hood is updated electronic ink technology for…

Episode 346 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, is now available so you can stay updated and educated about the latest news and product reviews. On this week’s show, has the new iPhone just been revealed, Tesla announces its plans for self-driving which includes a robotaxi network of unmanned Teslas and Hoyts releases an app so you can order your popcorn before you get to the cinema. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check out the Samsung 8K Q900 TV, the Apple AirPods 2 and take a look at the 40thanniversary remastered version of sci-fi…

Foxtel customers are threatening to cancel their subscriptions after complaints the latest episode of Game of Thrones was streamed in poor quality and was unwatchable. These criticisms come after the latest movie length episode of the popular series which  showed a drawn out battle sequence which was hard to watch because every scene was shot in the dark. The Foxtel Community page was flooded with complaints with many people threatening to cancel their subscription. “Absolutely unwatchable – not even SD quality. Cancelling my subscription,” said GavinH. “I gave up watching GOT after about 20 minutes – it’s unwatchable,” said TheBigPlugger…

We can already book our movie tickets online but now Hoyts has launched a new app that allows customers to pre-order their snacks and drinks for their movie as well. The Hoyts smartphone app will be available later this week and will soon give moviegoers a way to order popcorn, snacks and other food and drink before arriving at the cinema so they don’t have to queue and save more time. Pre-ordered food and drink will be available from a dedicated collection zone to really streamline the customer experience when they arrive at the cinema. “We’re excited to be launching…

Samsung has released the first 8K TVs in the Australian market which have four times the resolution of 4K TVs which customer are only now getting accustomed to. So is the Samsung 8K TV worth the investment? That’s the question Tech Guide asked when we got to review the Samsung 75-inch Q900 8K QLED TV. So why make an 8K TV to begin with? Samsung has recognised the growing demand for larger televisions especially in the 65-inch and 75-inch range. And while our appetite for bigger screens is increasing, the size of our living rooms are staying the same. Buying…

It’s 40 years since Alien hit the big screen and it has been scaring audiences ever since. To celebrate the 40thanniversary of the sci-fi horror film, a remastered version has just been released on 4K Ultra HD disc. The film tells the story of the crew of space tug Nostromo who answer a distress call on their way back to earth. A crew member is attacked by a creature and exposes the ship to a lethal life form with terrifying survival instincts. The film was restored in 4K by 20thCentury Fox at Company 3/Deluxe Entertainment Services group supervised by director…