Author: Stephen Fenech

Want to hear about biggest tech issues and products of the week then tune in to Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 242, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long. On this week’s show, LG’s surprise release of its flat 4K OLED TVs, the “Netflix Tax”, the Belkin machine that can apply your screen protector and Telstra’s network outage. Also on the show, the world’s top companies are graded on their production policies and practices and Kogan slashes prices on its mobile plans. In the minute reviews, the Kensington trackballs to replace your mouse and the Logitech MK235…

Australia Post has issued a warning about phishing emails that are infecting computers and even installing ransomware that locks all of your files on your PC until money is paid to release them. A recent spate of these phishing emails have been received by unsuspecting victims. Australia Post has listed a warning for January and February 2016 about these emails on its website. They contain the Australia Post logo and says that a package couldn’t be delivered because nobody was home. Also included is a link to either download package information or to save a shipping label. Either way the…

If you own a Sonos system and have an Apple Music account, you’ll be pleased to know that now you can unite them and access your music service through your wireless speakers. Apple Music can now be piped through the Sonos app and played your speakers anywhere in your home. You can enjoy all of Apple Music’s features including For You, New, Radio and My Music as well as the entire Apple Music catalogue. Users can also access all the pre-programmed playlist on your favourite artists and listening habits along with radio station Beats 1 and the other specialised radio…

The Federal Government has introduced draft laws – dubbed the “Netflix Tax” – that will add a 10 per cent GST on digital content obtained from overseas like movies, music and e-books. The bill was formally introduced in parliament today by Treasurer Scott Morrison after being originally proposed last year. Mr Morrison said the bill would “level the playing field” for Australian companies. This means any content obtained from another country like digital music, movies, e-books and software will attract a 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax. And the tax will be added to subscription video on demand services…

LG Electronics has launched the first flatscreen OLED TVs in Australia earlier than expected to meet the huge demand for the technology that offers a stunning viewing experience like no other TV in the market. The 4K Ultra High Definition OLED flatscreens available in 55-inch (55EF950T – $5,499) and 65-inch (65EF950T – $8,999), can be purchased from select retailers this week. These new TVs join LG’s already popular 4K UHD curved OLED TVs that have taken the Australian market by storm and, according to LG, have been generating a million dollars in retail sales per week over the last 10…

From today, Apple Stores across Australia will be using Belkin’s ScreenCare+  Application System to precisely apply the protective and anti-glare films to the iPhone 6/6S or iPhone 6/6S Plus displays. Belkin’s machine, which was on display at CES, can place Belkin’s Invisiglass Screen Protector or TrueClear Anti-Glare Screen Protector on a smartphone’s screen in exactly the right position. According to Belkin, 90 per cent of smartphone customers say they want to buy a screen protector but only 10 per cent actually do. The main reason behind this is because they are so hard to place on the screen in the…

Telstra customers got to experience the nostalgia of life before we had mobile networks after a major outage that ran for a few hours sent them back to the telco equivalent of the 1980s. What’s even more unfortunate – especially for one Telstra worker anyway – was the fact it was human error that sent the network back to the stone age. Ironically, Telstra’s logo includes the words: “It’s how we connect”. Not today it wasn’t. Customers naturally expressed their disappointment on social media with Twitter delivering quite the hammering to @Telstra. It’s a good bet that the majority of…

If you’re on the clumsy side and are sick of buying a new keyboard and mouse every time you spill a drink near your computer, then you need the Logitech spill-resistant keyboard and mouse combo. The Logitech MK235 is a wireless keyboard and mouse combo that offers Bluetooth connectivity with your computer and the durability to handle any little accidents. Because we spend so much time in front of the computer, it’s not unusual for drinks, hot liquids and even food to be spilled on the keyboard. The Logitech MK235 look like a regular keyboard and mouse combination but are…

Actor and gadget lover Greg Grunberg from Star Wars The Force Awakens and Heroes, is our special guest in Episode 185 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. We ran into Grunberg at the Consumer Electronics Show – he made an appearance at the Sphero stand where they were demonstrating the hugely popular BB8 toy and Force Band. And he promised to come on the Tech Guide podcast – and he is a man of his word. In our chat we talk about his pivotal role in Star Wars The Force Awakens, what it was like…

Cash by Optus is an easy way to access your money with compatible smartphone instead of carrying cold hard cash but today it got even easier with new a sticker and wristband payment accessories. Customers have a mobile payment solution using an Android smartphone with a Cash by Optus SIM card onboard and the companion app. Users simply link the app to their bank account and then use their NFC (near field communications) enabled device with Paywave terminals to make payments of up to $100. But now, with the introduction of the new sticker and wristband, those payment options just…

Many of us spend most of the day in front of a computer with a mouse that can cause wrist pain and discomfort from moving it back and forth across the desk. The innovative alternative is to use a trackball instead. Tech Guide decided to take the challenge and replace our mouse with a trackball. For our review we used two trackballs from Kensington – the Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball ($149.95) and the SlimBlade Trackball ($159.95) Each has a snooker ball-sized trackball inside which is used to move the cursor around the screen and it is surrounded by four programmable…

To celebrate the release of the hit film The Martian, a replica of the HAB occupied by Matt Damon’ character Mark Watney as he fights for survival on Mars will be located at Circular Quay in Sydney from Monday. And inside the HAB for five days will be Australia’s Mars One candidate, ex-army soldier and comedian Josh Richards. Richard will be completing challenges all week while Australia watches live at Circular Quay or through a live web stream at www.bringhimhome.com.au The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney (Damon) who is stranded on Mars and must use all of his…

Fitbit has unveiled the Alta – an activity band with a new look and feel along with a larger screen and a number of additional features designed to keep you moving and keep you motivated. Fitbit is one of the leaders in the fitness tracker category and the Fitbit Alba is the latest in its popular line of products. It has slim look and a satin finish with the tracker module made of stainless steel. Users can even change the bands to match what you’re wearing or suit what you’re doing with a number of choices of colours and materials…

Twitter has opened up its brand new Australian offices this week and Tech Guide was given a guided tour through the space in the Sydney CBD which was designed to have a distinct Australian feel. NSW Premier Mike Baird officially opened the Twitter Australia offices in a ceremony today. The lobby and waiting area is decked out with sandstone floors and louvres that gives it the look of a beach house. Even the meetings rooms are named after beaches like Bondi, Coogee and Tamarama. The views out of the Park St building are breathtaking with the beaches to the east,…

If you want to get the latest tech news and reviews in a fun and informative way, then tune in to Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 241 with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long. On this week’s show, Vodafone’s new global roaming deal and the rewards the telcos are offering to attract customers and Apple’s wall plug adaptor recall and how the company is viewed by customers and analysts. The blokes also talk about the Qwerkywriter old school typewriter-style Bluetooth keyboard and the KitchenAid range of coffee machines. In the minute reviews we take a look at…

If you’re still a fan of vinyl records and also a fan of legendary rock band Queen, then you’re going to love the limited edition Queen by Rega turntable which features the band’s logos. There are only 100 of these Queen by Rega turntables that have been brought in to Australia and are available now through Synergy Audio’s specialist audio retail partners. The band’s logos, designed by frontman Freddy Mercury, can be seen on the custom designed high-gloss acrylic laminated plinth. Designed for audiophiles and lovers of vinyl, the Queen by Rega turntable has been released to coincide with the…

We’re always carrying our devices around with us but carrying around the cable to connect for charging or sharing data has never been convenient – until now with the Echo Connect Plus key. The Echo Connect Key is the world’s first dual charge key for all of your mobile devices and is small enough to fit on your keyring. The key fits in the palm of your hands and has a USB, Lightning and microUSB connection for all of your devices and can replace every cable you could want. It’s handy for those times when you want to connect your…

KitchenAid has expanded its impressive coffee machine portfolio so customers can bring the café culture into their very own home with the same precision and care as an expert barista. The three new products are: the Siphon Coffee Brewer, Precision Press Coffee Maker and the Burr Grinder. These devices join KitchenAid’s existing coffee products including the KitchenAid Espresso Machine and the Nespresso by KitchenAid. These new KitchenAid products are for craft coffee lovers who like to grind and brew the coffee themselves to suit their own taste. KITCHENAID SIPHON COFFEE BREWER – $279 The Siphon Coffee Brewer is an attractive…

To stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news, reviews and opinions  tune in to Episode 184 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, Apple issues a recall for its wall plug adaptors, Tourism Australia embraces virtual reality for its latest campaign, Garmin releases its latest golf devices and Star Wars The Force Awakens Blu-ray Disc release date is announced. In the Tech Guide Reviews, the Samsung R Series speakers and Kensington’s new range of SecureTrek laptop bags. In the Tech Guide Interview, we chat to Logitech’s CEO Bracken Darrell…

One distinguishing sound in the offices and newsrooms of old was the clickety clack of typewriter keys and now you can recreate that with the retro Qwerkywriter Bluetooth keyboard. The device has been designed to look – and sound – like an old school typewriter that you might find in an antique store. For those of a certain age it will no doubt give them a terrific sense of nostalgia. The Qwerkywriter has raised mechanical keys for a great tactile typing experience and even has a carriage return that can be used instead of the return key to take you…