Author: Stephen Fenech

The Two Blokes Talking Tech are at it again for Episode 351 with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long discussing the week’s biggest tech news and products. On this week’s show, it’s 10 years since the iPhone launched in Australia and 10 years of the App Store, Fornite Season 5 about to kick off and why 80 per cent of NBN users stuck with their pre-NBN provider. Also on the show, Aussie basketball star Ben Simmons appears on the cover of the NBA game and we take a look at Sony’s latest 4K projectors. In the minute…

Telstra has just switched on Australia’s first LTE-Broadcast technology nationally across its 4G network which can deliver a high definition video and audio experience for broadcast content. The LTE-B technology will be able to work efficiently even in high traffic areas. It is the first deployment of its kind in Australia and one of the first in the world. The first customers it will be available to will be Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S8 users who can enjoy high definition streaming using the AFL Live official app. “With the success of our AFL, NRL and Netball apps, we are…

We’re used to getting software updates for our devices but the one for the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator has been one of particular interest and something the whole family can take advantage of. After we ran the Tizen 3.0 update on our connected Samsung Family Hub we found a new-look interface and numerous new features plus new and updated apps. Our fridge is last year’s Samsung Family Hub French Door model with that massive 21.5-inch touchscreen but we were still able to update to the latest software and enjoy all the features that it brings. It’s a big fridge –…

Soon patients will be able to receive medical prescriptions through a world first smartphone app created by start-up company ScalaMed with backing from the NSW Government. When the system is available, patients will be able to download the ScalaMed app and add their doctor to allow them to receive prescriptions directly to their mobile device. They will also receive information about their medication and how often they need to take it. The app will provide digital record keeping for patients, doctors and pharmacists. ScalaMed was founded by Dr Tal Rapke who has worked in medical wards for 10 years. He…

D-Link has launched the DSL-3785 – a new modem-router for DSL and NBN customers which can connect wired and wireless devices throughout your home with speed and efficiency. It has an integrated VDSL/ADSL2+ modem along with wireless AC1200 connectivity to create a fast and sturdy wi-fi network. The DSL-3785 has MU-MIMO (multiple user – multiple input multiple output) so it can handle sending and receiving data to numerous devices at the same time. The modern household’s demands for connectivity have changed significantly in recent years with an average of 17 devices accessing the internet including mobile devices, gaming consoles, smart…

If you want to stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews, tune in to Episode 307 of the top rating Tech Guide podcast, posted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s program, Apple celebrates the 10th anniversary of the App Store, why 80 per cent of customers stick with their provider when they switch to the NBN and the best day to go shopping if you’re an Amazon Prime member. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check out the Hisense 75 inch Series 8 ULED 4K TV, we roadtest the Uniden UPP136 can jump start…

Microsoft has just unveiled the latest addition to the Surface family – the Surface Go. It is the smallest and most affordable tablet device in the range and is positioned to take on Apple’s popular iPad Pro. Surface Go has a 10-inch touchscreen, a fanless design and is just 8.3mm thick and weighing in at 520g. Surface Go, which will be priced at $599, is powered by the 7thGeneration Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y processor and offers nine hours of use on a single charge. The Windows device is designed as a go-anywhere device whether it’s for work, play or study.…

Sony has doubled down on its commitment to 4K projection with three new projector models that use the same technology used in digital cinema projectors around the world. There are currently more than 22,000 cinema screens globally which use Sony’s 4K projectors. In fact, Sony is the only projector manufacturer that also has a pedigree in the entire workflow of film production, distribution and display. Anyone looking to experience pristine 4K quality on a larger scale in their home, a projector is the ideal solution and Sony’s line-up showcases the quality which has been developed by the company throughout the…

Apple is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the App Store which is now an incredible software marketplace available in 155 countries and spawned a whole new and exciting industry. The App Store opened on July 10, 2008 with just 500 apps. Today there are now more than 2.2 million apps available to customers. The App Store has changed how we work, play, travel, meet and create and become a cultural, social and economic powerhouse. When the App Store opened in 2008, Apple had just released its second iPhone – the iPhone 3G – which was actually the first iPhone to…

When connecting to the NBN, users have the option to choose from many internet service provider but new research has revealed that four out of five customers stick with their pre-NBN ISP. A survey by comparison site finder.com.au  among 1,235 NBN users showed that 80 per cent decided to stay put with their current provider. Of the 20 per cent who did make the switch, 15 per cent did so because they found a better deal while five per cent were forced to change because their current provider did not provide an NBN service. The most popular response came from…

NBN Co has launched new technology that will make it possible for service providers to improve speeds and reliability for their customers without the need to physically connect to the NBN’s 121 nationwide Points of Interconnect (POI). The technology – called an NNI link – means service providers could immediately increase their NBN bandwidth (called CVC – connectivity virtual circuit) and identify their subscribers traffic within the network (this is called AVC – access virtual circuit). This will allow RSPs (retail service providers) to scale their services to the customers faster than ever before and better manage the bandwidth they…

One of our favourite sayings is “go big or go home” and that was precisely what we thought when we had a chance to watch the FIFA World Cup on the Hisense Series 8 75-inch TV. Even though we’re used to watching a 65-inch TV as our daily drive, the Hisense 75-inch LCD LED TV was still a monster. Hisense is actually one of the major sponsors of the World Cup so what better way to watch the world’s biggest sporting event than on one of their new ULED TVs. The Hisense TV Series 8 4K UHD TV is beautifully…

Two Blokes Talking Tech, Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, have just recorded their milestone 350th episode and talk about the biggest stories and products of the week. Stephen and Trevor recorded Episode 1 in 2011 and more than seven years and four months later they’ve hit the 350 episode mark. The Two Blokes have also recorded the show around the world at various events and launches. On this week’s show, Kmart has stopped selling DVDs, Boost Mobile pumps up the data allowances on its pre-paid plans and Google eases Gmail users minds about their emails. The…

Photography enthusiasts will be happy to learn that Canon Australia has opened its very first flagship store to cater for all types of customers – from beginners to professionals. The Canon Experience Store is located in South Melbourne and is one of the first destinations of its kind for the brand globally. It occupies 320 square metres and will be a one-stop shop for your photography and video needs. Visitors will be able to try and buy a range of Canon products as well as troubleshoot any issues they might be having. It will also be a place where photographers…

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ have been popular smartphones since their release earlier this year and now a new colour has joined the ranks of the flagship device. It was initially available in Coral Blue, Lilac Purple and Midnight Black but from today Samsung will be offering the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in Sunrise Gold. The company says the colour captures the warmth of the rising sun with a reddish glow and a satin gloss finish. Samsung decided to offer yet another colour as a response to customer demand to express themselves through colour customisation. The Samsung…

Ever been stuck with a flat battery? The Uniden UPP136 jump start kit can get you out of trouble without the need to call roadside assistance which gives every driver peace of mind. The powerful 12V portable battery pack can not only jolt your car back to life but also charge up your mobile devices and laptop on the move as well. Uniden’s UPP136 comes with a set of jump cables with universal 12V clamps to supercharge a dead battery along with regular USB cables for your phone, tablet and other portable devices. There are even eight laptop connectors to…

It’s that time of the week again – tune into Episode 306 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, Kmart stops selling DVDs – is this the end for physical media, Vodafone simplifies its NBN plans and we chat with Oppo executive director Michael Tran about the Find X and the R15 Pro. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check out the world’s smallest device to help sleep apnea sufferers, we take a look at the Roidmi…

Yippee Ki Yay!! Classic action movie Die Hard is celebrating its 30th anniversary and to mark the occasion Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing an all-new 4K Ultra HD remaster of the film. Available from tomorrow, Die Hard tells the story of New York City cop John McLane (Bruce Willis) who is in LA on Christmas Eve for his estranged wife’s company Christmas party when their new high-rise is overtaken by terrorists. The terrorists are led by Hans Gruber – played meticulously by Alan Rickman – but McLane, who manages to escape to the empty and unfinished floors of…

Younger smartphone users are also the hungriest when it comes to data and well-known youth focused telco Boost Mobile has responded with new prepaid plans that includes more data than ever. Boost Anytime Plus mobile plans now have even more data inclusions with every recharge with up to an additional 10GB. And any unused data can now be rolled over to use with the next recharge on all plans $30 and up. Plans start as low as $10 over seven days with 1.5GB data and go all the way up to $50 for 28 days with a massive 30GB data…

Spotify will today offer listeners who are using the free ad-supported platform in Australia a new interactive video and audio ad experience so users can now hear, watch or skip the ads altogether. The Active Audio and Active Video offerings are the first of their kind in the world and can offer audio, video and display ads across a huge scale. So here’s how it works. A Spotify user on the ad-supported free platform will receive an ad of a targeted audio and video ad. The user can choose whether they want to hear, see or skip the ad. From…