Author: Stephen Fenech

Episode 167 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, is available for you to hear right now so you can stay updated and educated about the latest tech news and reviews. If you’ve 30 minutes to spare on your drive or on a run or a walk do yourself a favour and tune in to see what all the fuss is about. On this week’s show, the new iPhones have been released and they are already breaking records, how mobile technology has turned work into a thing we do rather than a place we go and…

Anyone who’s ever bought a printer will tell you the number one pain point is having to replace expensive ink cartridges all too often but Epson’s new EcoTank printers have changed all that. Epson’s ET-2500, ET-2550 and Workforce ET4500 and ET-4550 are wireless all-in-one printers that have integrated high-capacity ink tanks and supplies that can last for up to two years. This new feature means ink is supplied continuously to the printer and with no cartridges to replace. With other printers when they run out of ink, a customer is required to buy a new cartridge which not only contains…

The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus have just gone on sale and they’re already breaking records with Apple announcing a new sales high water mark being reached just three days after launch. Apple says it has sold more than 13 million devices in the opening three days smashing the previous record. “Sales for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have been phenomenal, blowing past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple’s history,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Customers’ feedback is incredible and they are loving 3D Touch and Live Photos, and we can’t wait to bring iPhone 6s and…

iPhone users who keep a close eye on how much mobile data they use may be caught out by a hidden feature in the new iOS 9 update that taps into that vital data pool even when they’re on wi-fi. Wi-Fi Assist is switched on by default in iOS 9 and is designed to revert to the cellular network automatically if you’re connected to a slow wireless network. Apple’s intention here is to make your experience faster by tapping into the fastest network that’s available. But downside of that scenario is that a user may get caught out while they…

They say good things come in small packages. The new Logitech X50 Mini Wireless speaker certainly fits that bill and, despite its tiny proportions, it can still deliver a surprisingly big sound. The Logitech X50 Mini Wireless speaker, available in grey, blue or orange, is small enough take anywhere with you. The device is 9.75cm wide, 8.57cm long, 3.83cm thick and weighs just 142g. It has a Bluetooth connection range of up to 10m but can also be connected directly to your smartphone through the AUX IN port with a cable and control the volume through the built-in buttons. The…

Many people can’t understand why a customer would camp outside the Apple Store to buy a new iPhone. That’s a question we asked self-confessed Apple fan Jarrod Gardiner who spoke to Tech Guide about his experience. This wasn’t Jarrod’s first time experiencing an overnight wait outside Apple’s Sydney store in George St. Here’s how the night progressed for Jarrod. 3AM The area in front of the Apple Store and King St is filled with tents with early customers trying to stay warm on a cold and rainy might. “I didn’t line up last year because I didn’t have the money…

Episode 226 will be the very last episode of Two Blokes Talking Tech, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long – for the month of September – so you need to listen in this week to get the tech lowdown. Next week the blokes will be taking a break and bringing you Episode the following week. But this week we’ll be chatting about the record-breaking iOS 9 iPhone and iPad update and the amazing feature that’s now a part of it – low battery mode plus watchOS2 for Apple Watch and how long it took to download…

If you’ve got a flat screen TV and are not happy with the sound quality, you can look at investing in a soundbar or you could take a look at the Bose Solo 15 Series II pedestal speaker. With just one connection to your TV, the Bose Solo 15 Series II can dramatically improve the audio of your viewing experience. And it sits unobtrusively under your TV’s stand. Measuring 62.9cm wide, 35.6cm long and just 7.6cm high, the Bose Solo 15 Series II can fit under most televisions with screens up to 50-inch. Under the hood are five drivers to…

Apple has just released the first major update to Apple Watch – watchOS2 – the new operating system that enables a host of new and useful features on the popular wearable device. One of the biggest improvements is the fact that Apple Watch apps can now run natively on the device to male it faster and more responsive. The other advantage, especially for developers, is that watchOS2 compatible apps can now take advantage of the Apple Watch hardware including the heart rate sensor, the digital crown, accelerometer, microphone and Taptic engine. To update your Apple Watch, connect your iPhone to…

The new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus will go on sale at 8am in Sydney this Friday September 25 – the first place in the world where customers can get their hands on Apple’s anticipated new device. Just this week Apple also announced iOS 9 – a free update released for existing iPhone, iPad and iPad Touch users –  has become its most successful upgrade to date with more than 50 per cent of devices running the latest software. Australia will become the first place where the new iPhone will be available thanks to the time difference and will…

To stay updated and educated tune in to Episode 166 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, and hear about all the latest tech news, opinions and product reviews. On this week’s show, Apple’s significant court victory over Samsung, iOS 9 is available now for iPhones and iPads and why millennials are at most risk online. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet, the new SanDisk memory products and the 3DR Solo drone. In the Tech Guide Help Desk, we let you in on all of the hidden…

Smartwatches are emerging as the latest growth category in technology – especially with giant companies like Apple and Samsung heavily invested in this space. But it seems the market might be moving too fast for the real world. These new wearables – especially the Apple Watch – are designed to integrate with the world around us. For travellers it’s a great accessory because it can be used as a boarding passes and to open hotel room doors. Before a recent flight from San Francisco to New York I had checked in to my flight and added the boarding pass to…

Sony’s Xperia range of tablets have always been pushing the envelope when it comes to their svelte proportions and its latest Xperia Z4 Tablet continues that tradition. It’s actually the world’s lightest and thinnest 10-inch tablet. With a thickness of just 6.1mm and weight of 393g, the Xperia Z4 Tablet is hardly going to weigh you down or take up too much room. These dimensions can only really be appreciated when you’ve got the product in your hands. When we first held the device, the slender proportions were an absolute standout. It has premium stainless corners and is made from…

Apple’s new iOS 9 software is here as a free upgrade and it offers iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch users a range of new features. But there are a number of hidden features included with this update as well. We’ve all heard about all of the main, more obvious enhancements but there are plenty that you might not notice. HOW TO INSTALL iOS 9 ON YOUR iPHONE OR iPAD Here are the hidden features of iOS 9: NEW BACK BUTTON Sometimes when using an app there is a link that takes us out of that app and into another. A…

The never-ending patent lawsuits against Apple and Samsung continue. The latest battle has seen a victory to Apple that could result in Samsung significantly changing their mobile devices to abide by this new ruling. The features in question include the slide to unlock functionality – and was part of a decision previously won by Apple. Samsung then had to pay monetary damages to Apple without changing their products. But Apple decided to pursue the matter further with the hope of an outright victory. Well, that victory has come with the US Appeals Court stating the “right to exclude competitors from…

SanDisk has expanded its memory line-up with solutions to meet the growing needs of the user including the Connect Wireless Stick which can stream content to up to three devices at the same time. Also released were new microSD cards that are waterproof, shockproof and X-Ray proof and now with capacities up to 200GB. The company also introduced the world’s first dual flash drive with a with a USB-C and USB 3.0 connector. Consumers today are demanding more memory than ever as they store and consume their content on the go. For smartphone users these SanDisk products are often supplementing…

Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 225, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, deliver the latest tech news, reviews and opinions in a fun and informative way. On this week’s show, Apple’s pre-orders kick off for the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus and the blokes take a look at the plans offered by the telcos and offer their opinions on just how popular these devices will be. Also on the show, Tim Cook is a special guest star on the Late Show with Steve Colbert, Samsung releases its hero Galaxy Tab S2 tablet, the 3DR drone,…

If you have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch you can upgrade to the latest iOS 9 software today for free to enjoy a range of new features. So how do you do it? Here is a step-by-step guide. The iOS 9 update can be installed either when your device is connected to your computer or on a wi-fi network. 1. The first thing you need to do is back up your iPhone either to your computer or to iCloud. You’d want to have a back-up of your device in the unlikely event that something may go wrong and your…

The next generation of drones was unveiled on Sydney Harbour with the new 3DR Solo making its maiden voyage over the iconic waterway to capture amazing pictures and videos. What sets the 3DR Solo drone apart is its computer-assisted flight and camera control. This onboard intelligence can help users capture professional looking footage and images. Onboard is a GoPro camera that is stabilised with a gimbal that can stream live video to an Android device or iOS device. For its first flight in Sydney, the 3DR Drone lifted off from Cockatoo Island and captured a 360 video of the island…

Episode 165 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, is the best way to stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news, reviews and opinions. On this week’s show, we take a look at the products unveiled at Apple’s launch event in San Francisco – the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, the iPad Pro, the Apple TV and the updated Apple Watch. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at Samsung’s Galaxy Note5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ smartphones and Sony’s Project Morpheus virtual gaming headset. In the Tech Guide Help Desk,…