Author: Stephen Fenech

Christmas is coming at us fast and we’re offering the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas to match up the right present for your friends and family. We’re now up to Day 11 and covering appliances which have not become connected and smarter than ever before. Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers DAY 11: Appliances Dyson Cyclone V10 – $899 Dyson has just introduced the world’s most powerful…

Cygnett has released its biggest battery yet – the 27,000mAh ChargeUp Pro Power Bank – which can keep all of your devices powered, including laptop computers, even when there is no power point in sight. The company has also released a range of Armoured Cables which offer fast charging with a robust cable design. The Cygnett battery has an impressive 60W USB-C output which is powerful enough to fully charge a laptop. There is a total of three USB ports onboard which means you can charge three devices simultaneously. Cygnett’s battery is about the size of a small paperback which…

We’re getting even closer to Christmas and the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas is here to help you nail the present choices for your friends and family. Today is Day 10 and we’re looking home entertainment products like TVs, 4K UHD players and 4K and Blu-ray movies. Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K Hisense OLED TV – from $3,499 Hisense has launched its first…

There comes a time for every parent to give their child their first smartphone but there is always the worry it will be a distraction and that they will view inappropriate content. There is also the fear the child will forever be on their screen. But there is a solution – it’s the FZ One powered by Alcatel. It offers key safety features to give parents peace of mind including Family Zone – a system that will allow a child to enjoy the benefits of the device but that also empowers parents to set age-appropriate boundaries, block adult content and…

Christmas is less than two weeks away and if you haven’t finished your shopping don’t panic, we’ve got for you covered with our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas to help you. Today were talking about in-car gadgets and devices you can use on the road. Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers DAY 9: In-car gadgets Navig8r FHDX 307 Crash Camera – $59.95 The Navig8r FHDX 307 features 1080p Full…

Stay updated and educated with Episode 328 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 world’s first multi-function underwater drone, how Vodafone will reward customer loyalty and Samsung launches its new SmartThings platform. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check out the HP Spectre Folio leather-bound laptop, the Arlo Ultra 4K security camera and the DJI Osmo Pocket to shoot smoother video. In the Tech Guide Help Desk, we talk about what you can do if your…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and we’re presenting our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas to suggest the perfect choice of gift for your friends and family this year. Today is Day 8 and we’re covering smart and IoT (internet of things) products that will make your life easier and your home more secure and energy efficient. Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices…

Any product that can offer impressive design and the performance to back it up is certainly worth noting. That is exactly what you get with the HP Spectre Folio –  the laptop made of durable tanned leather. It might sound strange, but the fact it doesn’t look like a laptop gives it more appeal. For those who want to make a fashion statement with this device yet still possess a machine that can go the distance and match it with regular top shelf laptops, it’s not a cheap investment. On the design side, the HP Spectre Folio has to be…

As the cost and impact of data breaches, from Equifax to Cambridge Analytica, continues to make headline news, the idea of personal data privacy has moved to the forefront of mainstream thinking for the first time. In the US, this was prompted by the Trump administration’s decision to repeal online privacy protections in 2017. As people realised that companies could now sell their personal information without permission, the attitude around privacy moved on from ‘I have nothing to hide’ to ‘I want to make sure my data is protected and managed responsibly’. As a result, worldwide VPN usage has continued…

When you think of drones, you imagine a device that flies. But PowerDolphin is the world’s first multifunctional water drone that can be used below the waterline in a variety of ways. PowerDolphin is equipped with a 220-degree dual joint rotation camera and can capture 4K ultra high definition footage underwater. The device, aimed at Australia’s fishing, diving and water sports enthusiasts, has adjustable front lights to illuminate your underwater photography. The on-board camera can be used above and below the waterline. It can rotate 70-degrees above water and 150-degrees below the water and send real time full high definition…

Santa Claus is coming to town!! And it’s that time of year to make sure you’ve completed your Christmas shopping and the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas can help you find the right tech presents for family and friends. Today we’re talking about drones and gadgets – this will be one of the most popular categories this year. Here are Tech Guide’s 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and we are running out of shopping days. That’s where the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas comes in to help you find the right gift for friends and family. We’ve reached Day 6 and were talking about tablets and e-readers which would be welcomed with open arms as a present this Christmas. Here are the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers…

Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 370, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, is available now so you can hear about the week’s biggest tech stories and products. On this week’s show, Telstra’s 5G announcement and what it means for customers, Samsung launches its SmartThings platform, Vodafone to reward customer loyalty and Apple Music is coming to Alexa speakers. Also on the program, Apple’s top picks of 2018 in apps, music, podcasts, movies, TV shows and books and the new Arlo Ultra smart security camera. In the minute reviews, we take a look at the Tiny Tower…

It pays to be loyal. That’s the message coming from Vodafone which just announced a new multiservice reward program called Bundle and Save which offers customers up to 20 per cent discount. Bundle and Save is unlike any other telco reward program in Australia and is available for eligible plans across post-paid mobile, mobile broadband and NBN plans. Customers will be offered a sliding scale of discounts starting from 5 per cent for two services and up to 20 per cent for five services. Mobile plans priced $30 and above and launched after July 25, 2018 will be eligible along…

Christmas! It’s nearly here and you’re running out of shopping days to find the right gift. That’s where the Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas comes in to give you plenty of food for thought before buying presents for your friends and family. Today were up to Day 5 which takes a look at Gaming. Australians are huge fans of gaming which is enjoyed by both men and women of all ages. Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/eReaders DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY 11: Appliances DAY 12: Computers…

Samsung Australia has partnered with RACV to make the Samsung SmartThings platform available to customers for the first time and deliver a solution to integrate into the lives of Australians. The partnership is designed to give customers easier access to Samsung’s home technologies through the RACV. Victorians will be among the first in Australia to experience SmartThings with the Smart Home Starter Kit – available exclusively from RACV. The kit includes a SmartThings Wi-Fi Hub and some sensors to detect motion, orientation and door and windows sensors. As part of the service, RACV will offer an assisted installation service with…

Christmas is almost upon us and for those who haven’t done their shopping, we have the Tech Guide 12 Day of Christmas Gadget Gift Ideas to help you find the right gifts. Today is Day 4 and we’re talking about headphones and speakers – products that will appeal to men and woman of all ages and would be a safe choice as a Christmas gift. The Tech Guide 12 Days of Christmas Gadget Gift Ideas will be: Day 1: Cameras Day 2: Smartphones Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches Day 4: Headphones/speakers DAY 5: Gaming DAY 6: Tablets/eReaders DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices DAY 9: In-car gadgets DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K DAY…

Arlo has unveiled its next generation wire-free security system that will offer a whole new level of protection and connection for our homes and families. Arlo Ultra, which will be available in Australia in early 2019, will offer 4K Ultra High Definition resolution, HDR (high dynamic range), colour night vision, dual noise-cancelling microphones and a 180-degree field of view. And it’s all housed in a compact modular unit that’s still wire-free and weatherproof. Security cameras are now more popular than ever and can provide peace of mind for customers. In Australia a burglary occurs every three minutes with 2.5 per…

Telstra has made the world’s first connection with a 5G commercial device – the HTC Hub –  to its 5G network which will be expanded in 2019 in readiness for the wave of compatible devices heading our way. The HTC 5G Hub is expected to be one of the first mobile smart devices, which was built in collaboration with Telstra, to be available to customers early next year. The connection was made on Telstra’s 5G mobile production network on the Gold Coast using the company’s 3.5GHz spectrum. The HTC 5G Hub is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X50 5G modem. Also…

Apple has just released its extensive list on the best of 2018 and have published top charts and selections from its editors across every category including apps, music, movies, TV shows and podcasts. And Australians have figured prominently in all categories. Three of the eight apps chosen as Global Picks by the Apple editorial team are Australian. In the music section, 5 Seconds of Summer’s album Youngblood was the most streamed Australian album of the year. Best Apps of 2018 Global Picks — Editorially Selected by Apple: – iPhone App of the year – Procreate Pocket (Australian – developed in Tasmania)…