Author: Stephen Fenech

Worries about privacy on Facebook is nothing new but this week they reached a new level and droves of users are contemplating leaving the social media site after it was revealed the data of 50 million Facebook users was accessed without their permission. Cambridge Analytica, a data analysis firm from the UK, allegedly gained access to the data using a research app called “This is your Digital Life” which was shared to Facebook in 2014. At the time, more than 270,000 Facebook users signed up to the service which offered payments for personality tests. But what we didn’t know was…

Australians love their sport and now they will love Google Home even more because you can now find information about your favourite NRL, AFL or rugby team just by asking for it. From today, Australian sports fans can now check live scores, find out match results, check upcoming fixtures and see where their team is positioned on the ladder using the Google Assistant. You can now get all the key details of the upcoming matches in Google Search and find all the details in a neat panel at the top of the results page. Or you can just ask. For…

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro has an incredible hidden feature that all of your friends will love –  the device can be used to charge other smartphones when they are low on power. Huawei set up a courtesy charging station at Bondi Beach where beachgoers were invited to charge their devices. The video shows people connecting iPhones and Android devices to charge and complaining about their battery life. After a few moments, the power source of the charging station was revealed –  it was the Huawei Mate 10 Pro. And to say they were impressed is an understatement. This feature…

Tune in to Episode 291 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, Aussie Broadband offers the ultimate transparency to its NBN customers, how to spot the signs that your child is being cyber bullied and Netgear launches the Nighthawk Pro gaming router and we chat with Netgear CEO Patrick Lo all about it. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the Belkin USB-C charger that can look after all of your devices, Fitbit has…

Telstra has set a new 4G speed record using the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones on gigabit-enabled parts of its Sydney network with speeds exceeding 1Gbps. In an Australian first on a commercial network, Telstra achieved repeated speeds above 1Gbps with one test actually hitting 1.03Gbps. “This is the first time in Australia that speeds in excess of 1Gbps have been demonstrated on a commercial network with a commercial smartphone,” said Kevin Teoh, Telstra’s head of mobiles. “While customers using these phones on Telstra’s 4GX service will typically see download speeds in the range of 5-300Mbps –…

Netgear has just launched the Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR 500 Wi-Fi router that is designed to offer gamers the best possible speed and performance to enhance their online play. Based on Netgear’s powerful Nighthawk platform, the new pro-gaming router has been purpose-built and tuned to overcome network challenges for gamers. The XR 500 combines high-performance hardware and new control software to allow users to optimise their network. Gamers already go to great lengths to maximise their performance including using special keyboards, a gaming mouse, high-end PCs and even purpose-built gaming chairs. It is all about preventing lag and getting that…

OK, so you’ve invested in the new Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Galaxy S9+ so now you’ve got to protect that investment by buying a decent case and the good news is there are plenty to choose from. Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and S9+ actually comes with a clear silicone case but if you’re after added protection or just want something that looks even more stylish there are lots of choices for you. We’ll be looking at cases from Cygnett, Tech21, EFM, 3SIXT and Pelican. CYGNETT Cygnett not only has cases but also screen protectors that are designed especially for the…

Belkin has just released a new 45W USB-C Home Charger that can take care of all of your devices’ charging needs including ultrabooks, smartphones and tablets. It’s compatible with all your USB-C devices so it’s ideal for home, work and travel. The relatively small charger also comes with a 2m USB-C to USB-C cable. And delivering 45W of power, means you can charge your devices up to 70 per cent faster. What appealed to us was how the Belkin charger could be used to recharge a laptop including the latest ultrabooks and MacBooks. And on top of that charge your…

Start your weekend right with Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 336 – with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long – as they the biggest tech stories, issues products of the week. On this week’s show, the big changes coming to Foxtel, Samsung announces its new line-up of TVs which can blend into the wall, the new Fitbit devices which have just been unveiled and what we can expect to see at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Also on the show, the NBN to issue a monthly report card itself and Optus doubles data allowances on handset,…

Great news for Optus customers –  the company has doubled its data allowances on a selection of handset and mobile broadband plans and will continue that offer for SIM-only customers as well. Optus is kicking off this offer on the same day the highly-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S9 goes on sale. Customers who buy the Galaxy S9 64GB to lease on a My Plan Flex will receive 32GB of data (which includes a bonus 16GB) with $0 handset fee for $85 per month. The Optus lease plan means a lower monthly price with the option to upgrade to a new device…

Netgear has partnered with Telstra to launch its Arlo Go LTE camera which uses a SIM card to connect to the Telstra network so it can be located anywhere for mobile monitoring. The Arlo Go LTE camera has high definition video, night vision, two-way audio, and IP65 weather resistant rating and rechargeable batteries. The device can be utilised to monitor properties and objects outside of a wireless network. Instead, the camera uses the Telstra network to connect and remotely monitor activities, deliveries as well as secure your property and equipment. Arlo Go LTE can also be used to keep an…

Australians love a takeaway coffee but our caffeine addiction could be causing a problem with disposable coffee cups seen as a major pollution hazard. The answer is a reusable cup like the Australian-made Uppercup. Disposable coffee cups are considered to be the second largest category of litter waste after plastic water bottles, according to the ABC. Australians contribute more than a billion disposable coffee cups to landfill every year. These are made with unknown plastics, cardboards and materials that can have a real impact on the environment. Most of the cardboard disposable coffee cups are often sourced overseas and often…

Fitbit has announced two new products –  the Fitbit Versa, a modern smartwatch, and the Fitbit Ace, the company’s very first wearable that’s designed especially for kids. The Fitbit Versa will be an Apple Watch competitor when it launches in April. The device will be Fitbit’s lightest smartwatch with a sharp easy-to-read screen and changeable bands. Fitbit Versa, which will be priced at $299.95, will have a four-day battery life along with 24/7 heart rate monitoring and the ability to upload music for phone-free listening. It will also be able to provide personalised on-screen workouts that can coach you through…

Apple has announced it will be hosting the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose from June 4 when we will see the latest software updates as well as new products. It will be the 29th annual WWDC and will take place at the McEnery Convention Centre where the world’s best developers will hear about the latest operating system upgrades. Apple CEO Tim Cook will kick off the event with a keynote at 10am on June 4. The event will also be an opportunity for developers to learn more about creating new apps and experiences on Apple’s products including the iPhone, iPad,…

You can keep up to date with the latest consumer tech news and reviews with Episode 290 of the popular top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, Crowne Plaza install Tesla chargers across its entire network of hotels in Australia, Samsung unveils its new range of QLED TVs that can blend into the wall and how Australians are embracing robotics – to get out of doing housework. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphone, we road test the Cocoon Create 3D Touch Printer and also…

NBN Co wants to demonstrate its commitment to customers by providing monthly progress reports to make it easier for Australians to track the service and performance being delivered on the network. Following a spate of complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman about network congestion, speed promises and service, the NBN has decided to put its best foot forward and provide reports that document the network’s performance, the quality of the service provided, cooperation with industry partners and the progress of the network rollout. The reports will include some key information including the number of homes and businesses that can connect…

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is set to be hit with customers with preorders for the highly anticipated device easily eclipsed the pre-sales for last year’s popular re-designed Galaxy S8. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ have been available to preorder since February 27 and go on sale this week on March 16. And, according to Samsung Australia head of mobile and IT Garry McGregor, there has been a double digit increase in the number of preorders for the S9 when compared to the S8. “The pre-orders for the S9 have been fantastic. There is more than a 10 per cent increase…

Crowne Plaza has become the first hotel network to install Tesla destination charges at all of its properties in Australia and New Zealand to provide electric car owners with even more places to charge on their travels. Tesla drivers can now travel through NSW, ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand with the added peace of mind the chain of Crowne Plaza Hotels can provide a place for them to charge before they hit the road. Owners can plug in on top of their batteries while staying at the hotel, enjoying the hotel’s facilities or attending an event. There…

Many people interested in purchasing a 3D printer have been put off by the high prices but now there’s an affordable product available from Aldi priced at under $500 that can open up a whole new world of creation. The Cocoon Create 3D Printer Touch is priced at $499 (we’ve seen it’s been reduced even further to $449) and Tech Guide put it through its paces. We’ve never used a 3D printer before and we imagine the more expensive models can print larger objects. When 3D printers were brand-new, like any new technology, they were quite expensive. But now, years…

Apple’s new HomePod smart speaker has learned some new abilities with users now able to access and live stream numerous ABC radio stations just by asking Siri. HomePod naturally works incredibly well with Apple Music when requesting songs, artists, playlists and various types of music. And it also sounds amazing as well thanks to the onboard technology that optimises the audio quality based on where it is positioned in the room. READ TECH GUIDE’S COMPLETE REVIEW OF APPLE’S HOMEPOD You can also ask HomePod to play podcasts and listen to radio stations. Now ABC radio stations, including Radio National and…