Author: Stephen Fenech

D-Link has released a range of new connected devices designed to optimise our home wi-fi, keep all of our devices safe, allow us to monitor our homes even easier with Google Assistant and connect even faster. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the new D-Link products include a wi-fi router with McAfee security onboard, the Covr range of tri and dual bank wi-fi systems, new Google Assistant compatible devices and the latest generation of routers with the 802.11ax standard onboard. D-LINK COVR WHOLE HOME WI-FI SYSTEMS D-Link has two new Covr whole home wi-fi systems which can…

Ever dreamed of having your own Stormtrooper? Dream no more – UBTech has released the First Order Stormtrooper Robot that is loaded with features and artificial intelligence. The robot is about 25cm tall and is like a caricature version of the First Order Stormtroopers from the latest Star Wars films with a larger head and feet. There is plenty of detailing on the armour and it looks to be precisely movie accurate. But this doesn’t just look good – it’s also smart as well. The eyes are actually cameras and it can recognise faces and customise interactions. Users can also…

LG’s booth at the Consumer Electronics Show was eye-catching and told the story of the company’s connected approach so no product will ever stand alone in its exciting new ecosystem. Right from the start, the LG CES booth is a visual feast with an OLED canyon directing visitors inside the stand. The walls of the canyon are made from curved OLED panels which demonstrates the versatility of the format. LG Display – the company that supplies the OLED panels to not only LG but also to Sony, Panasonic and to Hisense later this year – also had a behind-closed-doors prototype…

Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, the Two Blokes Talking Tech, are in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show and they talk about what they’ve seen on the show floor. On today’s show, the blokes talk about the blackout that plunged CES into darkness, Netgear’s new products including a router designed for gamers, the new Alcatel range of 18:9 smartphones and Telstra’s latest announcement. Stephen and Trevor also chat about the new D-Link range of routers and cameras, the interesting new AKG earphones and the new cooking and laundry appliances from Whirlpool. You can listen to…

Trying to record 360-degree video can take some effort – you need to hold a dedicated camera and hope you don’t get in the way but with Orbi it’s as easy as putting on a pair of glasses. Slip on the Orbi glasses (they are sunglasses as well) and you’ve got four cameras in total without the need to worry about mounts or rigs. There are two cameras in the front and two in the back – each of them with 1080p resolution. And the cool thing about them is that you can combine the video of all four of…

Any parent will tell you that trying to get your child to brush their teeth ids a challenge and getting them to brush long enough is even harder but a new augmented reality toothbrush called Magik just might have solved that problem. Produced by Kolibree, the Magik toothbrush turns brushing into a game so they can earn points and be rewarded the longer they brush. Instead of using a mirror, the child can see themselves in the companion app and an imaginary set of gums. As the child brushes, they have to eliminate the creatures on the part of the…

Alcatel has used the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to provide a sneak peek at its range of quality affordable smartphones which will be released in 2018. Tech Guide was given a preview and hands-on look at the devices which will all boast all-screen designs with 18:9 displays. The three Alcatel ranges – the 5 Series, 3 Series and 1 Series – continue the company’s mission to deliver flagship features in mid and entry level price points. Alcatel will officially announce the complete specifications, screen sizes and camera quality at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in early…

What do you call a tech trade show without power? Answer: The 2018 Consumer Electronics Show. A blackout hit the Las Vegas Convention Centre where the show is being held at 11.15am local time and plunged the main hall into darkness. Tech Guide was just walking into the Central Hall at the LVCC for our 11.30am meeting with Alcatel when suddenly the lights went out. Seconds later people were switching on the torches on their phones to find their way around the crowded hall. And not only was it dark – it was also quiet as well with the blackout…

We love our tech but we don’t want it to hurt us – particularly, ahem, below the belt. One company has created special boxer briefs designed to protect the family jewels from the potentially harmful effects of wi-fi and cellular radiation. And it’s no laughing matter for the team at Spartan Underwear who have developed a high-tech fabric by incorporating silver fibres in the cotton weave which acts as an electromagnetic shield. This can block 99 per cent of all mobile and wi-fi radiation. It’s basically the same technology used to build spacesuits. The company says there have been a…

Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the best smart device of all? The Verdera Voice Lighted Mirror from Kohler would have to come close. It is powered by Amazon Alexa so you can use your voice to do your shopping, play music and receive traffic updates as you get ready in the morning. The Verdera was on show at the Consumer Electronics Show and is part of the Kohler Konnect portfolio of smart home products. The product has built-in voice-controlled and dimmable LED lighting which can be adjusted up to 1000 lux to give you plenty of light to get…

The Two Blokes Talking Tech are in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show and Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long discuss CES Press Day and Day 1. On today’s show, the blokes go through the main announcements from LG, Samsung, Hisense and Sony. The theme of the show is smart connectivity with companies talking more about ecosystems and intelligent systems rather than individual products. Of course, there are plenty of new TVs and appliances from all of these major companies and Stephen and Trevor talk about the upgrades features. Google Assistant is everywhere and powering the…

If you own a traditional bicycle it is now possible to convert it to an electric bike in 30 seconds with the new Electron Wheel which was unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show. The Electron Wheel replaces the front wheel of your bicycle and it contains a powerful motor which can get up to speeds of 32km/h. It fits most bikes with rim brakes and doesn’t require any throttles or wires to operate. Riders simply use their bike as they always have. Replacing the front wheel has two benefits –  it is easier to replace the front tyre and…

First Alert has come up with the most versatile smoke alarm carbon monoxide detector which also includes a speaker and wi-fi range extender – it’s called the Onelink Safe and Sound. The Onelink Safe and Sound device is installed on your ceiling like a regular smoke alarm but the product takes advantage of its position by adding a speaker and a wireless hotspot. These high-end speakers provide quality omni-directional audio with impressive bass. Onelink is also equipped for voice services like Amazon Alexa so you can use your voice to play music, hear the latest news and control other devices…

Sony has kicked off the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas with a commitment to generate an emotional response from the customer with its new products which include a new range of TVs, headphones, speakers and soundbars. Sony CEO Kaz Hirai says the company’s goal was to provide unmatched experiences through its products which offer higher quality and connectivity than ever before. The flagship announcement was the A8F Series 4K OLED which has enhanced contrast, improved colour and clarity thanks to Sony 4K HDR X1 Extreme processor. It also has an Acoustic Surface panel which allows the sound to come directly from the…

A senior taking a fall could result in serious injury including a broken hip but a new wearable airbag unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show, that’s similar to an airbag used in a car, could prevent that. Hip Air, created by French company Helite, is an airbag designed for seniors and is worn around their waist like a belt. The device has four adjustable sizes and contains an airbag on the left and right sides. Inside is a gas cartridge that can inflate airbags in 280 milliseconds as soon as the person loses balances so they are fully deployed before…

The Two Blokes Talking Tech, Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long are in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show and we take a look at the quirky smart gadgets we found at CES Unveiled. CES Unveiled is the preview show before the main CES show begins and it gives other smaller companies and start-up the opportunity to showcase their products to the world’s media. We talk about smart products including smart under wear, a band to prevent motion sickness, an augmented reality toothbrush for kids, smart bicycle safety products and many more. You can listen to…

Tech Guide has landed in Las Vegas for the International Consumer Electronics Show and takes you through some of the pre-show announcements in Episode 281 of the top rating podcast. Editor Stephen Fenech goes through some of the quirky smart products unveiled ahead of the massive tech tradeshow – the largest of its kind in the world. These include smart mirrors, hip airbags for seniors, bicycle safety devices, a toothbrush designed to make children brush longer, a smart and versatile smoke detector and many more. In the Tech Guide reviews, we talk about the Epson ET-4750 printer which comes with…

Samsung used its opening press conference at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show to outline its strategy for an open and intelligent connected home to provide a seamless experience across all of your devices. The electronics giant also unveiled “The Wall” – the world’s first modular 146-inch TV which uses MicroLED technology that doesn’t require a backlight or a filter. The company is well on track to achieve its goal of make all of its products IoT (internet of things) ready by 2020. And Samsung intends to keep that platform open to make today’s fragmented and complex IoT ecosystem simpler than…

Trying to safe on the road is harder for cyclists but a new product introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas called Cosmo Connected can make riders even more visible on the road. The device attached to the back of a rider’s helmet and, through the connected companion app, the person can indicate they are making a left or right turn and also trigger warning lights. And the red brake light is automatically activated when Cosmo Connected, which is an evolution of the product for motorcycle riders, detects when the person decelerates. The product provides even more visibility…

Hisense will introduce its first range of OLED TVs in Australia to complement its popular line-up of ULED TVs which have also been updated with a number features to deliver even higher picture quality. The announcement was made on the eve of the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where the company will be displaying its latest products. OLED (organic light emitting diode) is a self-lighting format which therefore requires no backlight and allows for super thin and lightweight designs. Hisense is sure to take advantage of this when it finally reveals its OLED TV in the coming months.…