Author: Stephen Fenech

Samsung has officially announced the Australian launch date and pricing for its highly anticipated Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones along with the date when customers can pre-order the device. The Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy S6 edge will be available on April 10 with pre-orders kicking off online at 5pm today and in-store from tomorrow through selected operator partners. Each of the models will be available in three different memory capacities – 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. The Samsung Galaxy S6 will be priced at $999 (32GB), $1,149 (64GB) and $1,299 (128GB). The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge will…

Tomorrow – March 31 – is World Backup Day, a day created to correct the alarming trend that many people don’t protect and backup the personal data and files stored on their computer. In the past 25 years the amount of personal data has grown one million times and has become more valuable than the device itself. But according to a survey conducted by backup software company Acronis, more than 50 per cent don’t actually backup their data at all while only one third protect their entire computer system instead of just selected files. “These numbers are worrying because the…

Telstra has unveiled an ambitious set of new mobile plans to give customers even more value and bonus data at a level that has never been offered on the network before. Last week Telstra surprised its home broadband customers with extra data and now it’s mobile customers who get their turn. From April 9, Telstra’s most popular mobile plans will now include data bonuses of between 500MB and 7GB  per month for the life of handset plans, Mobile Accelerate BYO plans and Casual plans. And on top of the extra data, the plans will also include a bonus six-month subscription…

HTC knows that when you’re on a good thing – you stick to it. That was obviously the thinking behind its latest flagship smartphone – the One M9 – because it looks almost identical to last year’s popular model. HTC have won a lot of fans since the One smartphone was released in 2013 – it was the device that elevated the company into the top tier to compete against the likes of Samsung and Apple. And ever since HTC has been plugging away with tweaks and updates here and there. This year’s model – the One M9 – has…

It’s a common sight to see people walking the streets, or sitting down in shopping centres and on public transport starting down at their mobile device –so much so we’ve actually developed a condition called Text Neck. This is actually a medically recognised condition with doctors saying we are doing real damage to our spines looking down at our phones all the time. The greater the angle we tilt our heads to look at our smartphones and tablets, the more pressure the weight of our heads puts on the cervical spine. Text Neck can cause headaches, upper back pain, shoulder…

Pure has respectable credentials when it comes to manufacturing digital radios and the company has just unveiled three new versatile models to hear your favourite stations and music. The Pop range has designer looks and has been engineered to take up minimal space in your home. But despite the compact design, Pop still delivers Pure’s signature high quality sound at an affordable price. There are three models in the range starting at $99 – Pop Mini, Pop Midi and Pop Maxi. Pop Mini and Pop Midi are single speaker units that really punch above their weight in terms of size…

Two Blokes Talking Tech Episode 201, with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor, looks at the launch of Netflix in Australian and the effect it will have on the local TV landscape. Also on this week’s show, Foxtel has released its new iQ3 set top box which includes some interesting new features to help you discover new shows and make it easier to watch programs that you’ve even missed on the regular broadcast. The blokes also discuss the new Amaysim 4G plans, the things you didn’t realise the iPhone Health app could do and new Arlo wire-free security camera…

When it comes to wireless security cameras there is no shortage of options but there’s only one that’s totally wirefree and that’s the Arlo from Netgear which lets you keep an eye on things from anywhere. The small cameras that are a part of the Arlo system are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. And while most security camera claim to be wireless – meaning they can link to your network wirelessly – but they still need to be connected with a cable to a power point. That’s not the case with Arlo which is why…

The Sydney Royal Easter show kicks off today and you can see Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech on stage in the Tech Arena talking about the latest technology and products and giving away lots of prizes. The Tech Arena – in its second year at the Easter Show – is the place where you can get your hands on the latest devices. Tech Guide’s Stephen Fenech will be on stage at the Tech Arena Theatre four times every day to give show goers and insight into what we can expect to see in 2015 and beyond as well as offering…

It’s certainly a viewer’s bonanza with the arrival of Netflix in Australia to join other video on demand services like Stan and Presto. But what does this mean for customers? And how will these new online services affect free-to-air TV and Foxtel’s prospects. One thing’s for certain – there has never been a better time to be a TV viewer in Australia with more choice than ever before and ability to what we want when and where we want. The traditional viewing model we’ve been used to for so long is now being challenged. Netflix and the other SVOD (subscription…

Tune in to Episode 140 of the Tech Guide podcast, hosted editor Stephen Fenech, to stay updated and educated about the latest tech news, reviews and opinions. On this week’s show Netflix launches its Australian service – but not before pricing and content lists were leaked online two days early, Foxtel has released its new iQ3 set-top box and Call of Duty unveils a multiplayer map set in Australia. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at the HTC One M9 which goes on sale in Australia this week, the Philips Fidelio noise cancelling headphones and the D-Link…

There is no shortage of activity trackers on the market that can count your steps, the distance you’ve walked or run and the quality of your sleep but many people don’t realise the iPhone can do that using the onboard Health app. Because of the iPhone’s onboard accelerometer, it can collect all kinds of information. iPhone owners take their device with them everywhere, including the gym and whenever they head out for a run or walk. This means the steps, distance travelled, flights of stairs climbed, calories burned and active calories are all recorded and are easily viewed within the…

Netflix has finally announced the official three-tiered pricing for its new Australian subscription video on demand service – a day after the details were leaked online. And it appeared the leaked pricing information was spot on. Netflix officially kicks off tomorrow with the full content line-up (also leaked yesterday) to be unveiled at launch. Netflix confirmed its service will be offered in three pricing packages – $8.99 for a single stream (one screen at a time) in standard definition; $11.99 for two streams (two screens at a time) in high definition and the $14.99 “family plan” for four streams (four…

Foxtel has announced pricing for its new iQ3 set-top box which is available from today for new and current subscribers. Tech Guide had a hands-on look at the device, the new remote control, the new features and the redesigned interface. The new Foxtel iQ3 box will cost an additional $125 plus an additional $25 for either a self-installation kit or $75 for installation by a Foxtel technician. Current customers can upgrade through My Account on the Foxtel website or by calling 131 999. New customers can request the addition of the iQ3 set-top box as part of their subscription when…

Netflix has had an embarrassing leak of its content and pricing two days ahead of its official launch in Australia with its headline TV shows and movie line-up showing up on the Reddit website. The list of TV shows and movies in a number of genres were listed in a tile view on the Reddit website along with the three tiers of pricing. According to the leaked list the pricing will start at $8.99 for a single stream (one screen at a time) in standard definition, $11.99 for two streams (two screens at the same time in high definition and…

If you own an Android smartphone or tablet you can turn it into a digital TV on the go with the D-Link DSM T100 Portable Digital TV receiver so you’ll never miss your favourite show or sporting event. The D-Link device is tiny – it’s slightly larger than a five cent coin and it attaches directly to the Android device’s microUSB port. There’s also a small loop antenna that fits on the back of the receiver. The advantage of a device this small is you can carry it anywhere but the downside is it’s easy to lose if you’re not…

For the first time ever, Australian Call of Duty fans will be able compete on a multiplayer map that is set on home soil on the shores of the picturesque Sydney Harbour. Perplex is part of the second multiplayer map pack for Call of Duty Advanced Warfare called Ascendance and is the first to be set in Australia. The map was created after Michael Condrey – studio head of development and co-founder of Sledgehammer Games – fell in love with Sydney during a visit last year. “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare’s DLC content takes players on a journey to iconic…

Foxtel has announced the launch date for its new features-packed iQ3 set top box which will be available for both new and current subscribers to enhance their viewing experience. The new iQ3 set top box will be available from March 23 and Foxtel is calling it the most advanced set-top box they’ve ever released. New features of the iQ3 include: Start Over: Allows you to go back to the beginning of a show that’s already started so tuning in late is no longer an issue Look Back: Lets you scroll back in time up to 24 hours to watch the…

It’s a landmark Two Blokes Talking Tech show this week with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and Trevor Long – it’s the 200th episode of the top rating podcast that has been bringing you the latest tech news and opinions for more than four years. It’s been a pleasure bringing you the show every week. The feedback and support from our loyal listeners has been amazing. On this week’s 200th episode we take a look at the HTC One M9 pricing, release date and plans and the right age to buy your child a smartphone and Telstra’s tools to help…

Things have truly unravelled for Whole Pantry app developer Belle Gibson after allegations arose last week that she faked her terminal cancer diagnosis. The furore has reached such a level that Apple has removed her app from the App Store and her Whole Pantry recipe book has also been removed from the shelves. Belle Gibson rose to fame and fortune after the star entrepreneur created the popular Whole Pantry app after apparently beating terminal brain cancer with a wholesome diet and a healthy lifestyle. But doubts about her claims reached a crescendo last week and not only did she disappear…