Author: Stephen Fenech

Are you tired of folding laundry? If the answer is yes, have we got a device for you. It’s called Foldimate – a robot that can fold your clothes for you in seconds. But it looks more like a washing machine than C-3P0. Foldimate, which is expected to go on sale in late 2019, is 125cm tall, 60cm wide and 70cm deep. Users simply feed their clothes into the opening near the top of the product before they appear neatly folded from a hatch near the bottom of the machine. Inside are a series of robotic folding arms which can…

LG and Microsoft have formed an unlikely partnership – in the automotive space. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two tech companies to grow LG’s autonomous vehicle and infotainment system business. LG will be leveraging Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI technologies and using them alongside its own future self-driving software. Microsoft’s AI expertise will come in to play with LG’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Driver Status Monitoring Camera (DSM) and Multi-Purpose Front Camera products. LG will also incorporate Microsoft’s Virtual Assistant Solution Accelerator to its infotainment systems. And with Microsoft’s Azure Data Box, data can be captured…

Ever had an elbow in the ribs in the middle of the night because you’ve been snoring? A new product unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show called Hupnos could be the answer. Hupnos, which is the Greek word for sleep, is a sleep mask that works with a smartphone application and monitors your sleeping position and listens out for snoring. https://youtu.be/yT5fEwE8rQ8 If it does hear the wearer snoring it emits a gentle vibration that will stir the person so they move their position while not being strong enough to completely wake them. The app also tracks and analyses your sleep…

Sony has entered the 8K world with the stunning Z9G 85-inch Master Series LCD TV which was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new Sony 8K TV is the flagship television leading a range of dazzling OLED and LCD televisions. Sony also revealed the A9G –  a Master Series 4K OLED TV which will be available in 55-inch and 65- inch in August with a 77-inch model coming in September. The Sony Master Series is the title given to the company’s very best televisions which offer premium picture quality, superb colour and contrast and clarity  you’d…

We’ve heard of airbags in cars, but how about an airbag for cyclists? That’s exactly what we saw at CES Unveiled – it’s called B’Safe and it’s a smart airbag vest that can be worn by cyclists. The product is designed to protect cyclists in the event of an accident. It features two sensors – one inside the vest itself and the other placed just below the bicycle’s saddle. https://youtu.be/vU1oeYIeRYQ The B’Safe bicycle vest uses a smart algorithm which can follow your motion pattern and detect an accident in 80ms. In that time, a CO2 cartridge fires and instantly inflates…

The Two Blokes Talking Tech, Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, are coming to you live from Las Vegas where the Consumer Electronics Show is about to kick off. The blokes attended the CES Unveiled event where we saw a variety of new tech and quirky devices. In Episode 374.1, we talk about the devices we saw which included a device to help you stop snoring, a bicycle vest that’s also an airbag, a machine that can fold your clothes, a smart cat feeder with facial recognition and robot that you can take to bed. And many,…

Samsung has revealed its vision of true connected living at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas which the company says will be powered by artificial intelligence, the internet of things and 5G connectivity. These are the building block to deliver Samsung’s vision for the connected lifestyle that’s been spoken about for years but that is finally becoming a reality. Samsung in 2019 will also be celebrating its 50thanniversary. “2019 is Samsung Electronics 50th anniversary, and for the last five decades, we’ve been committed to bringing meaningful innovations to consumers everywhere,” said HS Kim, President and CEO of Consumer Electronics Division,…

Tech Guide’s first show of 2019 – Episode 330 hosted by editor Stephen Fenech – is available now so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show – we’ve just landed in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show and we talk about what we can expect to see. Also on the show, Apple shares slump on the back of weaker iPhone sales while the App Store sets records and Uniden unveils a new wireless 4G security camera that can be positioned anywhere. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check…

Hisense has taken the wraps off its exciting new 2019 range of ULED Smart TVs at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas which promise to provide enhanced picture quality and artificial intelligence. The Chinese company, no longer considered the new kid on the block in the TV market, is now standing shoulder to shoulder with other major TV brands and competing for sales among consumers. Hisense announced the next generation of its popular Series 7 and Series 8 ULED TVs alongside its new Series 9 Premium ULED TV. In 2019 the entire ULED TV range will include Dolby Vision…

LG has started the Consumer Electronics Show with a bang after unveiling a stunning world-first product – the Signature OLED R – a rollable OLED 4K TV that you can put away when you’re not watching it. The game-changing OLED R completely redefines our idea of a TV which for years has been increasing in size and taking up more and more space in our homes and on our walls. Now the screen can magically appear when you want watch TV and then roll up out of sight when you’re done. https://youtu.be/9bmrMkBlcu8 LG has always been the leader when it…

Samsung’s 2019 range of QLED TVs have been designed to deliver style, picture quality and smart features but also to provide additional value and innovation in the modern home. The company’s mission is to cater for many different solutions and deliver technology that will enable customers to do something different. The latest range represents a journey to perfection with its always-improving QLED technology powering its flagship televisions. There are many pillars that go in to create the high standard for Samsung televisions. These include picture quality, AI, smart home integration, voice control and sound quality. Samsung will also enter into…

Samsung’s 2019 smart TV range will  be the only televisions in the world to include iTunes so customers can buy or rent movies and TV shows directly from their 4K TV. The iTunes Movies and TV Shows app, as well as support for Apple AirPlay 2, will become available on the new Samsung TVs in the coming months. Customers who purchased a 2018 Samsung smart TV will also be able to enjoy these new features via a firmware update. “We pride ourselves on working with top industry leaders to deliver the widest range of content services to our Smart TV…

Go big or go home – that will be the Hisense mantra in 2019 after the company announced it will launch the huge a 100-inch 4K Ultra High Definition Smart Dual Colour television in Australia. The Hisense 100-inch 4K Series L TV is actually a short throw projector that can beam the image from a distance of just 19cm from the wall. The unit itself can be positioned on top of an entertainment unit. It is 1/10 of the weight of a comparably-sized LED TV. The Series L television combines a Laser Engine, developed by Hisense along with its proprietary…

The App Store enjoyed a massive holiday period with customers spending $US1.22bn between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to top off a record-breaking year. And on New Year’s Day alone, iPhone and iPad users also splurged $US322 million downloading the latest apps. “Thanks to the inspiring work of our talented developers and the support of our incredible customers around the world, the App Store finished off an outstanding 2018 and kicked off 2019 with a bang.” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. The huge App Store earnings drove up Apple’s Services revenue to an all-time high in…

Apple’s share price has taken a tumble after the company reduced its sales forecast by almost $US5bn on the back of weaker than expected iPhone sales in the latest quarter. In the letter to Apple shareholders, CEO Tim Cook cited several reasons for the slump including the timing of the iPhone launches and the strong US dollar creating “foreign-exchange headwinds”. But most of the revenue shortfall for the iPhone occurred in Greater China while other Apple categories including services, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch grew by almost 19 per cent year-on-year in that region. The Apple boss puts the iPhone…

Every year is a big year for technology in 2019 will be no exception. This year there will be a variety of new technologies introduced along with changes to the technologies we use every day. Here are the technologies we are looking forward to seeing in 2019: 8K TVs TVs are getting bigger and bigger to meet the demands of customers. It won’t be uncommon for customers to go for 80-inch TVs and larger in 2019. As a result the major TV manufacturers, including Samsung, LG and Hisense, will be releasing 8K TVs – which have four times the resolution…

Uniden has released a new full high definition security camera that works without wi-fi or mains power which means it can be used to monitor building sites, properties, caravans, boats and even agricultural equipment or livestock. The Uniden App Cam Solo 4G connects through the cellular network and has a rechargeable battery on board but, when paired with the Uniden Solar Panel, can be powered non-stop anywhere. This provides numerous options and flexibility so users can place the camera wherever they want for their surveillance needs. This means it is possible to set up the device where wi-fi is unavailable…

Headphones are a category where there is not a great deal of difference between the top tier brands but Nuraphone has managed to stand apart from the rest and offer unique audio quality. These headphones have one major difference from its competition – they can learn and adapt to the way you hear. We all hear sound differently so a one-size fits-all approach might sound OK but it’s not optimised to every listener. That’s where Nuraphone stands out from the competition. Outwardly the Nuraphone has a similar look to other headphones. It has a comfortable headband and adjustable ear cups…

Samsung has announced Remote Access will be one of the many new features available on its 2019 line-up of smart TVs which will allow wireless connectivity to other devices in your home and to cloud services. Remote Access will allow users to connect wirelessly from their Samsung Smart TV to PCs, tablets and smartphones and remotely control compatible programs and apps and access content. Users will be able to link a wireless keyboard to the Samsung Smart TV to make it easier to search for and control their on-screen content. This means users can remotely access a PC in another…

Australians spent up big in the run-up to Christmas and in the Boxing Day sales with Amazon customers setting new shopping records across every department of the online store. Amazon Australia has revealed some of the bestselling products in the lead up to the holiday season. These included the Nintendo Switch, the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II wireless Bluetooth headphones, SanDisk memory cards and video games including Marvel’s Spiderman and Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Nintendo proved to be the most loved brand overall at Amazon.com.au. Lego was the bestselling brand overall for toys with the Harry Potter and Star Wars…