Author: Stephen Fenech

Your iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus already have great cameras to capture excellent quality images but now there is a product called the OlloClip that can make them even better and more versatile. The OlloClip Active Lens ($154.95) has two lenses (2x zoom and ultra wide) and is designed to slip over the top of the iPhone and rest over either the front or rear camera. And each of the products come with inserts to ensure a perfect fit whether you’re using an iPhone 6 or an iPhone 6 Plus. The OlloClip 4-in-1 lens ($154.95) – ultra wide, fish…

Laser has just released a versatile new 12,000mAh battery pack with enough power to not only recharge all of your mobile devices but also with enough punch to jump start your car if it has a flat battery. The Laser PB-CJ12000 Portable Power Bank and Car Jump Starter weighs in at just 400g and is small enough to fit into a small carry case complete with car jumper cables. The lithium battery also comes with a multi-tip cable so it can recharge smartphones and tablets and any other USB-powered device so you’ll never be short of power in the go.…

Since it was formed in 1927, Volvo has always been a car company that was known for its leadership in safety, design and innovation and that legacy has continued with the XC90 luxury SUV (sports utility vehicle). The seven seat vehicle has a head-turning look with a premium interior finish and a new range of technologies and leading safety features. Volvo is calling the XC90 the world’s safest SUV with two world-first safety features – the run-off road protection and the auto brake at intersection capability. The Swedish car maker has gone as far to say that by 2020 no…

Ransomware – the threat that can lock your computer and its files until you pay the hacker to release them – looks set to spread to our smartwatches, according to security experts. Cyber criminals are always on the lookout for new opportunities and, according to research from security company Symantec, the smartwatch could be the new frontier. Other things that could be targeted are other wearable devices and the connected Internet of Things products that are used in a smart home. The increased interest in smartwatches has captured the attention not only from customers but also from hackers. https://youtu.be/shn3OM0hwwM There…

Our smartphones are quite capable computing devices but they’re not designed for us to type out long emails and documents unless you have a product like the Zagg Pocket Keyboard. The Bluetooth keyboard folds up into a compact size that’s small enough to fit into a jacket pocket or bag. When it’s folded the device measures 22.35cm long, 5.4cm wide and 1.45cm thick. It weighs just 194g. And when it’s unfolded the Pocket Keyboard is 85 per cent the size of a full size keyboard. It has good size keys that are big enough for comfortable typing so you can…

Logitech knows everything about making a great computer mouse and they’ve taken all of that knowledge and all of those features and packed them into the MX Anywhere 2 – a smaller device you can take anywhere. For those who like using a mouse when they are out and about like us, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 brings desktop control when you’re using your laptop. The device uses Darkfield laser tracking which means the mouse can be used on just about any surface including glass and high-gloss surfaces that usually bamboozle other models. It’s small enough to fit in the…

Wearables have become such a popular part of consumer technology, Telstra has decided to create a dedicated area in its stores for the many devices now available in the popular and growing market. Telstra is the first Australian telco to offer this option in its 370 stores across Australia. Australians have truly embraced wearables that can track our activities, our sleep, calories burned and the distance we’ve travelled. Now customers visiting Telstra stores can see them all in one place and compare all of the features and prices side by side. The range include devices from leading brands including Samsung,…

Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 220, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, wraps up the week’s biggest tech news and product releases in a fun yet informative way. This week’s show was recorded live at the Text100 Christmas in August event where companies were displaying current products and also showcasing upcoming devices in the run up to Christmas. On the program, Facebook takes on eBay with a new Buy and Sell section, Optus streamlines their data sharing options between plans and Telstra offers 12 months free Apple Music. Also on the agenda Skylanders unveils a new…

If you’ve got something to sell now you’ve got another option other than eBay. Facebook is now taking on the popular online auction site to help users sell their unwanted items on the huge social media site. Facebook users, take a look on the left side if the site and you will notice a new section called Buy and Sell. Here Facebook members can list their items for sale free of charge and take advantage of finding a buyer from the the social network’s huge audience. The listings are easy to create – it’s just like sharing a set of…

If you like your music and you’re a Telstra customer there’s some good news. Telstra will shout you a 12-month subscription to the new Apple Music service to give you unlimited access to more than 30 million tracks. The offer is only available to Telstra post-paid customers using an iPhone on a 12 or 24-month Go Mobile Plan This is a saving of $143.88 or actually $107.91 if you take in to account that Apple Music offers a free three-month trial for new sign ups. At the end of the 12-month offer, a monthly $11.99 membership will be billed to…

If you have a car accident it’s just your word against the other driver in determining who’s at fault. But using a dash cam like the Swann DriveEye Ultra Portable HD Video Recorder can change all of that. Recording from dash cams are admissible in court and are also accepted by police for use in accident investigations. The Swann device attaches to your windscreen like a portable GPS device. But unlike a GPS, it’s quite small – 6.3cm wide, 5cm long and 1.9cm thick – and won’t block your view of the road. It can be positioned just below your…

To hear the latest consumer tech news and reviews you need to tune in to Episode 159 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, so you can stay updated and educated. On this week’s show, Optus make it easier to share data on your plans, Belkin’s WeMo Insight Switch lets you see how much power your products are using and who’s winning the smartphone battle – is it Apple or is it Samsung? In the Tech Guide interview we talk to Ford chief electronics engineer Craig Sprenger about the technology under the hood of the new…

When it comes to choosing your next car, the amount of technology literally under the bonnet is going to play a big part in that decision. This is something Ford is well aware of and the reason why the company has invested so much time and research into the technology of its vehicles. The new Ford Everest SUV (sports utility vehicle), which was completely designed and developed in Australia, is a good example of how the latest technology can be integrated into the 21st century car. And it’s not just about being able to pair your smartphone and your entertainment…

When it comes to making a good pair of headphones, Plantronics can certainly claim a level of expertise and development that not many other companies can match. It has demonstrated this with its latest wireless headphones – the BackBeat Sense. Plantronics has been in the game since man first landed on the moon. In fact, those famous words by Neil Armstrong after he became the first man to walk on the moon – “one small step for man – one giant leap for mankind” were actually spoken through a Plantronics headset. The BackBeat Sense is an impressive amalgamation of standout features including excellent audio quality, lightweight materials, subtle…

Apple, Samsung and Huawei were the big movers in the smartphone market in the second quarter of 2015 with worldwide shipments reaching more than 338 million units representing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, according to Juniper Research. Apple and the iPhone continue to lay all before them with sales of 47.5 million in Q2 fuelled by massive growth in China. The company’s year-on-year profits increased by 112 per cent to more than $13 billion. Samsung, meanwhile, saw a year-on-year decline but still had a profitable quarter on the back of solid Galaxy S6 and S6 edge sales which are…

Belkin has expanded its WeMo home automation range with the Insight Switch that can not only let you control electronic devices but also monitor and manage how much power they use in your home. Any product connected to the WeMo Insight Switch, which is connected to a power point, can be turned on and off using the companion app on an Android or iOS device from anywhere. User can easily see the products that are being used and, through the app, switch them on and off. So the days of thinking you might have left the iron on are over.…

Episode 219 of the top-rating Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, was recorded on the shores of Sydney Harbour at the Windows 10 launch event. Microsoft’s new operating system has been officially released this week and the blokes take a look at their favourite new Windows 10 features. Also on the show, the Telstra TV in partnership with Roku, Android security concerns and the Belkin Wemo Insight Switch. Stephen and Trevor also discuss DrinkMate – the world’s smallest breathalyser and LG’s excellent new 4K OLED TV. In the minute reviews we…

Windows 10 is available today as a free upgrade across 190 countries and Microsoft says it’s the best operating system it has ever produced thanks to the number of new useful features onboard. Users running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be able to upgrade for free to Windows 10. Windows 10 will also be preloaded on new computers, Windows tablets and Windows smartphones. The new operating system will work seamlessly across all Windows devices. Here are the main new features: CONTINUUM Windows 10 Continuum is a new enhancement that helps the software detect whether your device has inputs like…

Telstra is taking on Apple TV and Google Chromecast after striking up a partnership with Roku to offer customers Telstra TV – a device that makes it easy to access subscription video on demand services and other content. Roku is a leading streaming platform in the US, UK and Canada and it has designed a streaming platform specifically for Australian customers as the basis for Telstra TV. Customers can view SVOD services like Netflix, Preston and Stan through Telstra TV along with other content from Bigpond movies and other catch up TV services. Telstra TV will be offered in addition…

Windows 10 is available now and it’s a simple and free upgrade for customers running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 who want to enjoy the new features of the latest operating system. Microsoft says this update is so big and packed with so many capabilities it had to skip from Windows 8 all the way up to Windows 10. That’s why there is no Windows 9 in case you were wondering. So what do you need to do to upgrade to Windows 10? IS YOUR COMPUTER COMPATIBLE First check to see if your computer is suitable for the upgrade. If…