Author: Stephen Fenech

The anticipation ahead of the release of Samsung’s new Galaxy S9 smartphone is building and the company has added fuel to the fire with some teaser videos hinting at some of the device’s new features. Samsung will officially introduce the Galaxy S9 at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on February 26. There has been no shortage of rumours and even leaked product images about the highly anticipated new smartphone. But this week Samsung Mobile Korea released three videos which appear to showcase some of the abilities of the S9’s camera. Much of the hype from Samsung ahead of the announcement…

Pilots who want to fly any of DJI’s impressive range of drones will now have to pass a knowledge quiz about the rules and regulations before being able to take to the air with their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). DJI, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, has set the quiz inside the DJI GO and DJI GO 4 apps which are used to connect to and control the drones. The quiz is made up of nine basic questions about the safe use of drones in Australia based on the Civil Aviation Safety Authorities (CASA) rules and regulations. It is just another…

One of the most popular questions we are asked here at Tech Guide is how to improve wi-fi networks in certain parts of the home. The new Netgear Nighthawk X4S tri-band wi-fi range extender is an impressive solution. It is the world’s first tri-band wall plug wi-fi range extender which can boost your existing network using mesh technology like that found in Netgear’s Orbi routers. And it also keeps the same network name and password. Under the hood is FastLane3 technology which will give your network a 100 per cent improvement over regular range extenders thanks to an additional dedicated…

At a time when the latest technology and connectivity has made instant gratification a part of our lifestyles, now banking is about to join that list with the introduction of instant bank transfers. Three of the big four banks – Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and National Australia Bank are introducing the New Payments Platform (NPP) which will allow customers to transfer money that will be available in the receiver’s account in under a minute. Until today, these transfers could have taken up to three days – despite it being a digital transfer. The NPP is a new payments infrastructure built by…

Episode 286 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, is coming you from Rome where we attended the Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum. On this week’s show we take you through Samsung’s multi-device connected strategy as well as the new products that were unveiled including the latest Family Hub refrigerator, 43-inch The Frame TV, two new soundbars, QuickDrive washing machine and a new PowerStick vacuum cleaner. We also sat down to Sunggy Koo, Samsung vice president for smart product and IoT strategy. Also on the program, we take a look at what battery management will…

Guys, there’s good news even if you forget to buy your lover Valentine’s Day gifts and flowers thanks to Zoom2U, the instant courier company, who will deliver flowers and chocolates on the big day. For $58, forgetful blokes can stay out of the doghouse by ordering a unique bouquet of two dozen chocolate hearts which can be delivered within three hours of purchase. Order cut-off time is 7pm on Valentine’s Day. Zoom2U is unlike other courier companies because it allows customers to contact their allocated courier in real-time. They also provide live GPS tracking functionality which allows customers to view…

NBN Co has released positive half-yearly results which are showing increased revenue and a steady deployment which has now passed 7.1 million premises which are now ready for service. It has doubled its first half revenue to $891 million thanks to good results after meeting construction and financial targets. At the end of 2017, NBN Co declared there were 6.1 million premises declared ready to connect with 7.1 million ready for service. Activations in this period grew with more than 940,000 new premises signing up to services over the NBN access network. And with the additional activations, revenue also increased…

Bose has launched its first truly wirefree earphones – the SoundSport Free – which have no cables whatsoever and gives listeners an even easier way to enjoy their music on the move from two small earbuds. The SoundSport Free have been engineered to provide not only wireless freedom but also uncompromised performance and comfort and all housed in two rugged earbuds. Each earbud weighs less than 10g and each measure 2.8cm long and 3cm deep. SoundSport Free are meant to be used on the go, while you’re exercising and in the gym. And Bose has ensured the earbuds will stay…

We’ve all seen those little kiosks in shopping centres which can repair broken iPhone screens. Well imagine if that kiosk came to you? No need to imagine any more thanks to Sydney start-up Fix2U. Now customers can have their broken screen for damaged device repaired at their home or workplace or any other agreed location in less than half an hour. At the moment, Fix2U is only offering services for iPhones which include broken or cracked screens, rear camera repairs, charging issues, sound or microphone problems and water damage devices. Prices start at just $89 for a screen replacement -…

A 4K UHD HDR projector for under $2500. That’s exactly what BenQ is offering with the CineHome W1700 – a lightweight projector with a compact footprint that can be used in any space in your house. Tech Guide is awaiting the W1700 for review and will publish that in the coming weeks. A 4K projector that is priced at just $2,499 is remarkable value and we had to see this for ourselves. Being huge movie fans, naturally we have a home theatre with 150-inch screen, a knockout JBL Synthesis speaker system and a Sony 4K projector that is priced well…

The Two Blokes Talking Tech, Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, are coming to you live from Rome from the Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum in Episode 332. The blokes attended the conference and heard Samsung’s roadmap about the multi-device plan and connected experience, the new soundbars, a new Family Hub refrigerator, faster washing machines, a PowerStick Pro vacuum and the latest version of The Frame TV. Also on the show we discuss Apple’s just released new HomePod smart speaker, buying a personal breathalyser for your Valentine and what new Netflix users are binging. In the…

Samsung has extended its range of the popular The Frame TVs, will which look like a works of art when not being used a television, to include a 43-inch model to join the existing 55-inch and 65-inch versions. The company announced the new television at its Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum in Rome this week. The Frame is already an award-winning television for Samsung which can be customised with different coloured frames to match the home’s decor. And despite the trend towards bigger televisions, Samsung has still seen a space in the market for a smaller TV in The Frame…

D-Link has launched two new affordable smart home security cameras that offer high definition video quality, advanced monitoring capabilities and wide viewing angles. The DCS-8000LH Mini HD Wi-Fi camera and DCS-8100LH HD 180 Degree Wi-Fi camera also form part of D-Link’s Connected Home series of devices. These new cameras can be connected or controlled using Google Assistant, IFTTT (If This Then That) and Amazon Alexa for an even more personalised smart home experience. The DSC-8000LH can keep an eye on their homes through crisp 720p HD video and 120-degree wide-angle lens. It also has a built-in IR LED to provide…

Samsung is reaping the benefits of its Hollywood audio labs with the announcement of two new soundbars that will transform the home viewing experience and deliver panoramic surround  sound. The new soundbars – the MW700 Sound+ and the N650 – were unveiled at the Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Forum in Rome. Both soundbars feature patented audio technology which was engineered at the company’s Seoul headquarters and tested and perfected at the Samsung audio labs in Valencia, California just outside Los Angeles. These innovations include distortion-cancelling, wide-range tweeters and multi-speaker control. The N650 Soundbar features the patented Samsung Acoustic Beam…

Samsung has dramatically demonstrated its multi-device strategy and Internet of Things vision that’s designed to simplify and yet enhance the customer experience during the SouthEast Asia and Oceania Forum in Rome. The company introduced a number of number products including smart TVs, the latest Family Hub refrigerator, washing machines, vacuums and soundbars and how they can be seamlessly connected and controlled. “At Samsung, we believe IoT should be as easy as flipping a switch. With the new products and features announced today, we’re making IoT easier and more seamless,” said Steve Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics, Southeast Asia and…

Lenovo has announced the voluntary recall of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon – one of the highest selling Windows laptops in the world – because it could potentially overheat and pose a fire hazard. In the interests of public safety and in cooperation with regulatory authorities, the company has issued the recall for the fifth generation of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon notebook manufactured between December 2016 and October 2017. Customers can identify the affected systems by machine type, serial number and build date. Machine types including MT, 20HQ, 20HR, 20K3 and 20K4 built between 12/16 and 10/17. Users can confirm if…

The saying that you only miss something when it’s gone applies even more when you’re talking about the internet. Or the lack of internet as I have experienced in my home for close to two weeks. The internet is something you take for granted at home – like electricity and water. It’s just as essential for Australian households. Until I recently I couldn’t speak more highly about the download speeds with my Optus cable broadband. It’s not unusual to hit 100Mbps per second but averages well over 50Mbps even at “Netflix hour” after dinner. Upload speeds, on the other hand,…

Apple has revealed an insight into its upcoming iOS 11.3 update which will give iPhone users the ability to monitor their battery’s health and have a greater understanding about how it will affect the device’s performance. Apple published a support document on its website outlining iPhone battery and performance and an explanation about how batteries chemically age. The company is also pointed out how it’s performance management works with the iPhone. The news that Apple was slowing down older iPhones to maintain performance because a stir amongst customers and either resulted in Apple CEO Tim Cook personally apologising for not…

Beyonce once sang “if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it” and now Bankwest want you to do the same thing when you want to make tap and go payments with the introduction of Halo. Halo is Australia’s first payment ring which is worn like a regular ring. The major difference is that it is linked to your Bankwest account and has a small NFC (near field communication) chip built inside it so you can use it exactly like your card at a tap and go terminal. All you need to do is make a…

Stay updated and educated about the latest tech news and reviews with Episode 285 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, Optus unveil plans for high-speed 5G fixed mobile internet access for homes and businesses, legendary singer Michael Bolton fronts the new Audible campaign in Australia for audio books and we chat with futurist Barrie Barton and ask if we can expect the same future presented in the hit film Blade Runner 2049. In the Tech Guide reviews we take off with the DJI Mavic Air drone, we test drive the new…