Author: Stephen Fenech

Australians have embraced subscription video on demand (SVOD) with the number of customers taking up streaming entertainment services skyrocketing in the last few months. The latest figures released by tech analysts Telsyte has shown more than two million Australians have active SVOD accounts to services like Netflix, Stan and Presto. This is up from just 315,000 in December 2014. The massive growth spike coincided with the arrival of Netflix in Australia and the launch of Stan – a joint venture between the Nine Network and Fairfax. Telsyte’s research suggests a large number of customers took up free trial offers and…

One thing that people need to get into shape is motivation and often that is in the form of a personal trainer urging them on during a workout. Jabra’s new Sport Coach earphones can do just that. The Jabra Sport Coach earphones connect wirelessly to your mobile device via Bluetooth or with NFC (near field communication) and are designed to be sweat and weatherproof. They have a secure fit in your ear so they are not going to come loose no matter how physical you get with your workout. In terms of audio, the Sport Coach earphones delivers Jabra’s signature…

LG has announced the arrival of Australia’s first 4K Ultra High Definition OLED (organic light emitting diode) televisions that deliver ultra-thin screens and stunning picture quality. LG has taken the lead in worldwide OLED production and, unlike any other major TV manufacturer, is focussing on the new technology to offer Australians a viewing experience they have never seen before. The new LG EG960T television combines OLED and 4K Ultra High Definition for the first time. It will be available in two screen sizes – 55-inch ($5,999) and 65-inch ($9,999). OLED and 4K UHD are the two fastest growing segments in…

For a comprehensive summary of the latest tech listen to Episode 155 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech, to stay updated and educated. On this week’s show, Optus has unveiled new unlimited home broadband plans and Apple makes it easier to take your iPad with you on your travels with Apple SIM. In the Tech Guide interview we talk to GoPro’s Chris Kinman about the latest Hero4 Session action camera. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check out the Casio Edifice smartwatch, the LG LF6300 smart TV and LG’s PH300 MiniBeam projector. In the Tech…

GoPro has unveiled an all-new go-anywhere action camera called the Hero4 Session which is 50 per cent smaller and 40 per cent lighter than the bestselling Hero4 Black. GoPro has shoehorned the features the brand is known and loved for into the smaller square chassis with a waterproof design that doesn’t require a separate bulky housing. Three years in the making, the GoPro Hero4 Session has a simple one-button operation so you can instantly capture action-packed videos and amazing pictures. Hero4 Session has a 170-degree lens and can capture in high quality video at 1080 at up to 60 frames…

There’s been a lot of attention around smartwatches lately but popular watch company Casio has been at it for years and offers connectivity to smartphones with its latest Edifice range. Tech Guide took a close look at the Casio Edifice EQB-500D-1A – a feature packed watch that also has Bluetooth onboard. It has a stylish steel design and five outside buttons along with a metal link band. It also has a day and date indicator on the watch face and the device is waterproof to a depth of 100m. The face of the Casio timepiece has hint of green on…

In the ever-changing world of technology trying to come to grips with the facts can be challenging at times so we’ve decided to dispel some of the biggest myths and misconceptions. Myths can take on a life of their own and gain strength the more often they repeated. If you repeat them often enough people will think they are true. That’s why they become myths in the first place. Here are some of the biggest myths in tech. MACS NEVER GET VIRUSES Macs can and do get infected with viruses so if you own a Mac it would be advisable…

Optus has introduced a new pre-paid plan that will allow customers to rollover their precious unused data into the next month to offer even more flexibility and value. The new My Prepaid Monthly Plus will be available from July 5. With these new prepaid plans customers can save up to 10GB of data from month to the next. The rollover will only take effect as long as the plan is recharged before the credit expires. There are three plans starting at $30 per month for 1.5GB over 30 days along with $350 worth of calls and unlimited text messages. There…

Not everyone can afford the top of the line smart TV or want to shell out thousands of dollars for features they don’t want or need. LG’s new LF6300 television sits in a more affordable price range but still offers most of the features of the more expensive models. Not everyone wants 4K Ultra High Definition, a larger screen and all of the other bells and whistles that they might not even use. What people do want is a decent TV that’s not going to cost the earth. And that’s a good way to describe the LG LF6300. Tech Guide…

It’s time to tune in to Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 215, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long, for a fun and informative look at the latest tech. On this week’s show, the blokes talk about the launch of Apple Music, the new Telstra Air nationwide wi-fi network and the amount of time parents spend on their devices. Also on the program, SBS On Demand has been relaunched and the SmartCup that lets you grab your coffee in a reusable cup and make a cashless payment for it at the same time. In the minute reviews…

For travellers, an iPad is a common companion to stay connected and stay in touch and Apple has launched a new SIM card service that will keep users connected when they are overseas. Apple SIM lets you choose a cellular data plan from the available providers in more than 90 countries and territories around the world including the US, Canada, UK and across Europe. The Apple SIM is available from Apple retail stores and will work with the iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 wi-fi + cellular models. No matter which of these countries you travel to, there is…

The saying “good things come in small packages” can certainly apply to the LG PH300 MiniBeam projector that packs plenty of features into its small chassis. The PH300 is just 13.3cm wide, 8.5cm high and 6.4cm thick so it can go anywhere with you for your next presentation or when you just want to kick back and watch a movie. Onboard is a DLP Picture Engine which can project an image up to 100-inches in a high definition resolution of 1280 x 720. The built-in light source will run for up to 30,000 hours which equates to four hours of…

Australian company frank green has launched the SmartCup – a world-first technology that combines a reusable cup and a payment system so you can go cash free each time you get your coffee. The SmartCup has a sensor built into the lid to instantly process the payment at participating cafes and restaurants. The sustainable and environmentally-friendly SmartCup syncs with the CafePay app so you can find locations that will accept these cashless payments. Users can add a credit card to the CafePay app when they register so the funds can be drawn every time the SmartCup is used. The app…

Apple has released the iOS 8.4 update which includes Apple Music – the streaming service that will give listeners access to more than 30 million tracks in the iTunes library. This is Apple’s first step into the streaming music market which puts it up against other competing services like Spotify, Rdio, Deezer and Guvera. Another part of Apple Music is the new Beats 1 24/7 global radio station which serves up the latest music and news from LA, London and New York Users will also find Apple Music Connect which allows then to follow their favourite artists and see content…

Get your update on the latest tech news and reviews with Episode 154 of the top-rating and highly informative Tech Guide podcast, hosted by editor Stephen Fenech. On this week’s show, do parents use their smartphones more than their kids, Telstra Air wi-fi network launches and MotoPogo – the all-new urban transport solution. In the Tech Guide reviews, we check out the Canon PowerShot SX710 HS, the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 smartphone and the new SBS On Demand website relaunched with even more content. The Tech Guide interview this week is with Oakley’s Boyd Wilson and Olympic snowboarder Scotty James…

The snow season is underway and many are heading to the snowfields but wouldn’t it be good if you had a pair of googles that can help you see even better when you get there. That exactly what Oakley’s Prizm lens technology can do. While the human eye can easily perceive detail and colour, that is lost when looking at flat low contrast white snow The Prizm lenses can enhance contrast and visibility across a number of different light conditions. That means you can perceive even more detail in the snow and see more clearly to ski safely and confidently.…

It’s common to hear parents complain about their kids spending too much time on their smartphones but a new survey shows the kids feel the same way about them. The research, conducted by online security company AVG Technologies, examined the relationship between parents, their children and smartphones. The global study of 6,117 included 335 Australian adults and 302 children, found a third of Australian children (32 per cent) said their parents spend equal or less time with them than on their devices. The smartphone’s digital intrusion is having an impact on the family. More than half of the children questioned…

The Canon PowerShot SX710 HS is a camera that gives the photographer plenty of options when they take their pictures and also plenty of options sharing them as well. Standout features are the 30x ZoomPlus lens, the 20.3-megapixel resolution along with built-in wi-fi and NFC (near field communication). It can also shoot full high definition movies at up to 60 frames per second. The Canon PowerShot SX710 HS is a solid little camera that has shrunk in size over the years but at the same time improving the lens, image quality and resolution. For what it can offer, the camera…

Telstra has announced the launch date for Australia’s largest wi-fi network – Telstra Air – which will allow customers to use their home broadband allowance in Australian and overseas. From Tuesday, Telstra Air will be available through thousands of hotspots including payphones and retail outlets in popular locations after a partnership with leading wi-fi provider Fon. Telstra Air members will be able to tap into their home broadband allowance instead of using their cellular data when they are out and about both in Australian and overseas. The service will be accessible at 15 million hotspots in 18 countries including the…

It’s a cross between a Segway and a motorcycle – but it only has one wheel. It’s the MotoPogo – a new self-balancing vehicle that can change the way we get around town. Originally launched as a Kickstarter project, MotoPogo might look unusual but it’s easy to ride. All you need to do is lean forward or backwards to control the ride. It’s like riding a bike – but without the pedalling – or the second wheel. Gyro sensors and an accelerometer work out the exact speed to drive based on how the driver leans their body forward or back…