Author: Stephen Fenech

Lexar, one of the leading companies when it comes to producing flash memory, has released new memory products including two new JumpDrives along with a 128GB SXDC card and memory cards designed for professionals. With our increased usage of mobile devices, digital cameras and computers our demand for memory is at an all-time high. But it’s not just memory cards that customers are after. And the need for added memory has shifted away from our computers and cameras to our smartphones and tablets. Here are the new Lexar products: JUMPDRIVE M20c, JUMPDRIVE M20i The new Lexar JumpDrives work with our…

Telstra has responded to the growing demand for streaming video on-demand services and released Telstra TV – a device that brings them all together in one place for even easier access. The tiny device also brings the viewer some of the free-to-air catch up services and Bigpond Movies where they can rent the latest releases. Out of the box the Telstra TV, about the same size of an Apple TV, is easy to connect to your TV with a single HDMI cable. Next connect the power cable and you’re up and running. You can connect Telstra TV – actually a…

Tech Guide is kicking off an exciting competition to give readers a chance to win a Sony 49-inch 4K TV just in time to watch the Melbourne Cup like you’ve never watched it before. All you have to do to enter our competition is send in a photo celebrating that winning feeling like you’re winning jockey of the race that stops a nation. Let your imagination run wild, be creative – the more ridiculous the better. Once you’ve shared photo – get your family and friends to vote on it. The person with the best photo wins. The Sony 8300C…

It’s Episode 228 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, where we discuss the week’s hottest tech topics and trends. On this week’s program, the blokes talk about the smartwatch war that has been declared with the release of the Samsung Gear S2 and the Huawei Watch in the same week. Also on the show, the new data retention laws and what they mean for you, new Facebook reaction buttons, new Retina display iMacs and wireless accessories, Sony Xperia Z5 on sale and Microsoft’s foldable keyboard. In the minute reviews,…

Huawei has chosen an interesting time to release its first smartwatch – a high quality wearable device that combines the style and tradition of a timepiece with the technology and connectivity. The company staked out October 15 as the official release date some time ago only to have Samsung surprise everyone a day earlier with the launch of its Gear S2 smartwatch. The good news is the Huawei Watch holds its own with classic styling inspired by Swiss timepieces. Even at the unboxing stage when you are opening the luxurious lined box – you know the product inside has a…

Apple has updated its iMac computer line-up with Retina displays and introduced a range of new wireless accessories – the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2 and the Magic Trackpad 2. Now most of Apple’s iMac desktop computers feature a Retina Display – a 4K screen on the 21.5-inch model and a 5K screen on every 27-inch iMac. The screens have a resolution of 4096 x 2304 (21.5-inch) and 5120 x 2880 (27-inch) and feature a wider colour gamut for sharp images and true-to-life colours. The 21.5-inch iMacs are powered by dual-core Intel Core i5 processors ranging in speeds from 1.6Ghz…

Samsung has announced the highly-anticipated new Gear S2 smartwatches will be available to purchase in Australia from today in Samsung Experience Stores in Sydney and Melbourne. They will be available from a wider number of retailers in November. The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch has had a complete makeover with an all-new design, classic round watch face and modern styling. It is Samsung’s first circular smartwatch and the 1.2-inch screen, which has a 360 x 360 resolution, can be customised with beautiful interfaces. The device has a rotating bezel which also acts as a way to scroll through menus and zoom…

Internet threats are still on the rise and are targeting not only our computers but also our smartphones as well and the new Norton Security Premium has been designed to provide protection across all our devices. The new service shields users from these dangers that are always evolving and changing. It’s not just viruses that we have be worried about. Threats like ransomware where your computer and its files can literally be held to ransom and phishing where cybercriminals try and trick you into sending them your vital information are just other examples of what these hackers are prepared to…

Tech21 – the company boasting unique smartphone protection using a patented shock-absorbing material – has released a new range of cases for the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. At the heart of all of the Tech21 products is FlexShock – a material injected into the edges of the cases. FlexShock has remarkable shock absorbing properties and enables the iPhone cases to withstand a drop from a height of two metres. The material absorbs and dissipates the force of the impact and keeps the device safe. The advantage FlexShock provides for Tech21 cases is the fact they are 30 per…

Sony Mobile has this week launched its new Xperia Z5 smartphones boasting market-leading features like a 23-megapixel camera with the world’s fastest auto focus and a completely waterproof design. Available from this week will be the Xperia Z5 Compact (4.6-inch display, 1280 x 720 resolution) and the Xperia Z5 (5.2-inch display, 1920 x 1080). From next month, customers will be able to get their hands on the top of the line model – the Xperia Z5 Premium – the world’s first smartphone with a 4K display. The device’s 5.5-inch display has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and, like the…

It’s a packed Episode 169 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, Norton’s new Security Premium service to protect ourselves online across all our devices and Android market share slumps in Australia. In the Tech Guide Interview, we talk to Sony Mobile’s Australian managing director John Featherstone about the new Xperia Z5 range of smartphones and how they will take on Apple and Samsung. In the Tech Guide Reviews, we check out the Bose SoundTouch 10 wireless…

Bose has released a new wireless speaker to join its existing range of SoundTouch products that take advantage of the growing customer trend of streaming music via Bluetooth and around the home’s wi-fi network. The SoundTouch 10 is Bose’s new entry level wireless speaker and has both Bluetooth and wi-fi onboard to enjoy your favourite songs or radio stations anywhere in your home. When using Bluetooth, listeners are able to stream content from their smartphone or tablet to a single speaker. But because the Bose SoundTouch 10 can also connect through wi-fi, that same content is able to be streamed…

Sales of Android-powered devices have slumped in Australia in the last year with Apple picking up most of that loss to achieve significant year-on-year growth according the Kantar World Panel which measures mobile operating system adoption around the world. In Australia, Android market share stands at 53.1 per cent as of the end of August 2015 – a significant drop from the 64.3 per cent slice it held 12 months earlier. That’s a drop of 11.2 per cent. Meanwhile Apple continues to go from strength to strength. In that same time frame Apple has increased its iOS footprint in Australia…

Two Blokes Talking Tech are back! Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long take you through the week’s biggest tech news and reviews in Episode 227 of the popular podcast. On this week’s show, Microsoft’s new hardware including the Surface Book, the Surface Pro 4 and a new Lumia range of handsets, LG extend the sales of its 4K UHD OLED TVs to more stores and also drop the price. The blokes also talk about Telstra’s new LTE-B technology for live events, the real problem of visual hacking and Jarryd Hayne’s new role as a Norton ambassador. In…

If you use an iPhone and also wear an Apple Watch then Belkin’s latest product will be ideal. It’s an elegant first-of-its-kind stand that can charge both of your devices at the same time. The Belkin Charge Dock was created in collaboration with Apple to ensure the functionality and design fits with the Apple ecosystem. It has a sleek look with a rounded base and a solid metal arm with a chrome finish to support the iPhone and the integrated magnetic Apple Watch charger. It has a Lightning connector for the iPhone that can be adjusted with a dial on…

LG has expanded the rollout of its excellent 4K Ultra HD OLED TV to even more retailers around the country and has also reduced the price of the 65-inch model that offers unrivalled black levels and stunning colour. Originally available through Harvey Norman stores, the 65-inch and 55-inch LG 4K UHD OLED TVs will now be sold through Retravision, The Good Guys, Bing Lee, JB Hi-Fi, Radio Rentals, RT Edwards, Dick Smith and Betta Electrical stores. Tech Guide reviewed this TV earlier this year and awarded it 5 stars. LG’s TV combines both 4K Ultra HD resolution with remarkable OLED…

Microsoft has rolled out an impressive line up of new hardware that take advantage of the latest Windows 10 operating system including the Surface Book – a re-invented laptop – and the all-new Surface Pro 4 tablet. Also unveiled were three new Lumia smartphones – the Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and the Lumia 550 – along with the Microsoft Band 2 wearable device. And the common thread for these new products is Windows 10 which brings with it a number of new experiences including secured login with Windows Hello and digital assistant Cortana. SURFACE BOOK The Surface Book is…

Want to get the latest tech news, reviews and opinions in plain English then you need to listen to Episode 168 of the Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, to stay updated and educated. On this week’s show, students about to start end of year exams – is it better to study from a screen or from a printed page, Australians putting themselves at risk from visual hacking and Microsoft announces the grand opening date for its flagship Sydney store. In the Tech Guide reviews, a thorough look at the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, Google’s new…

NRL to NFL convert Jarryd Hayne has partnered with internet security company Norton to help build awareness about issues like cyberbullying and educate customers about online crime. The former Parramatta Eels superstar now San Francisco 49ers rookie will become a Norton ambassador and use his now considerable profile to raise awareness about these urgent online issues. “The online world is a big and enjoyable part of my life,” Hayne said. “Being so far away from home, the internet and social media is a great way for me to keep in contact with my family, friends and supporters, and stay informed…

Humax’s new 2Tune HDR-3000T is a quad recorder that makes it easy to enjoy your favourite free-to-air TV programs when and where you like so you’ll never miss a thing. The HDR-3000T has tapered edges and a curved design – a refreshing look that’s a lot more interesting than a plain box. And even though the Humax unit has the looks – it also has the brains. This PVR (personal video recorder) has two tuners on board which means you can record up to four programmes from two different networks and even stream one live channel to your mobile device.…