Author: Stephen Fenech

Make the smart move and listen to Episode 668 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long as they go through the week’s biggest tech stories and product launches. On this week’s show, the Chinese AI platform Deep Seek – is it any good, there is a new iPhone SE coming – we got the dummy in our hands, Vodafone expands its regional coverage and Stephen reflects on the original iPad launch 15 years ago. You can listen or the watch show right here on the Tech Guide site using the…

Going back to school for some students this year means parents will be giving them their first smartphone. But the good news, especially with ongoing cost of living issues, it doesn’t have to cost the earth. HMD Mobile has a few options that won’t break the bank while still offering a high quality experience. These include the HMD Barbie Phone and Nokia’s 3210. And prices start as low as $129. Of course, every phone needs a plan which is where Boost Mobile steps in with pre-paid plans on the Telstra which offer plenty of data and value. Here are the…

Vodafone has completed a huge regional network expansion that will effectively double its mobile coverage across Australia. Vodafone’s coverage has gone from 400,000 square kilometres to more than 1,000,000 square kilometres and can now connect more customers in popular holiday destinations and other regional areas. This means Vodafone’s coverage is now within reach of 98.4 per cent of Australians. “We have doubled the coverage of our mobile network so people right across Australia – from Cronulla to Cunnamulla – can get access to the award-winning value, innovation and service that Vodafone customers in the city enjoy every day,” said Kieren…

Security company Swann has just launched ActiveResponse – a personal alarm which gives Australians the opportunity to take control of their safety wherever they go. The second generation device is now available for the first time in Australia. The compact ActiveResponse personal safety alarm has an improved ergonomic design and a built-in 120 decibel siren which can be activated when you’re feeling unsafe, dealing with a medical emergency or involved in an accident. It is ideal for school students, shift workers, hikers and solo travellers. ActiveResponse includes a long lasting battery and pairs via Bluetooth with the Swann security app…

Make the smart move and tune in to Episode 629 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech so you can stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show: We’ve just returned from San Jose were we attended the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event which revealed the new Galaxy S25 series. And Samsung also teased a super thin and light S25 Edge smartphone. And being the Australia Day long weekend we go through some of the greatest technologies invented right here in Australia. In the Tech Guide reviews – we…

Apple’s iconic iPad was launched 15 years ago today – and I was lucky enough be at the historic event on January 28, 2010, at the Yerba Buena Centre for the Arts in San Francisco. Apple CEO Steve Jobs was on stage to introduce the iPad – it had a 9.7-inch multi-touch display, 30-pin dock connector and introduced a whole new and easier way to view websites, your emails and apps. The venue was packed and filled not only with media and analysts but Apple executives including then vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller, board member at the time…

Put the pedal to the medal and tune in to the latest episode of the popular show Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars – The EV Podcast – with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long. On this week’s show Stephen and Trevor we talk abput the resale value of EVs, considering how different one car might be to another and how a brand new model may be an uncertainty. And we take your calls including one listener on their way to pick up their new EV and another drive who has bought a second hand Tesla Model X…

Knowing where our luggage is has become a lot easier with the latest trackers but the new AirLock from OneAdaptr combines both a tracker that works with Apple’s Find My network and a TSA travel lock. OneAdaptr says it is the first Apple licensed Anti-Loss TSA luggage lock. The AirLock has a TSA approved combination lock and a zinc alloy body with a metal cable loop sealed in plastic that secures your bag. It is larger and heavier than a regular travel lock but that’s because there’s a tracker built in. The device powered by a CR2023 replaceable button battery…

Who is Keyser Soze? This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen podcast we’re watching The Usual Suspects starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne and Chazz Palminteri. The Usual Suspects tells the story of a crew of  criminals who are caught up in an operation that’s is bigger than all of them and poses a real risk on their lives and freedom and gets them to question their loyalties. Stephen has watched The Usual Suspects many times while Trevor is making his approach for the first time. We go through the memorable scenes and share some interesting facts, behind the…

We’ve heard of robots – but what about a wearable robot? That’s what Hurotics is offering. These remarkable wearable robots can assist in rehabilitation, fitness and daily life. Seen at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Hurotics central power unit is worn on your back like a backpack with other parts strapped to your arms and legs to assist or guide your movement. https://youtu.be/JQrJxDn-1PY?si=-rCW3EzJpx9kRg4E The H-Medi is a rehab wearable unit and can be worn like clothing to assist with walking and moving as the patient’s recovers and their strength increases. And all the movements and data can…

There were a lot of robots at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year and a standout was Mirokai that is designed to be of service. Mirokai, created by Enchanted Tools, isn’t trying to look human like a lot of other robots at the show but is instead embracing the fact it is a character and it looks different. https://youtu.be/kL_eVJdDJYg?si=zMwP3NZJ4eNli_LU It has display that acts as the Mirokai’s face and allows it to share many expressions and emotions. The robot itself is mobile can move around easily on its ball tread. It has a number of 3D sensors…

Episode 667 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide Editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long is coming to you live from Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose. Stephen and Trevor go through the new features of the Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+ S25 Ultra as well as the AI upgrades and enhancements. Samsung also teased a super light and thin smartphone that will be released later in 2025 – the S25 Edge. You can listen to the the show right here on the Tech Guide site using the audio player below. It is also possible to…

Samsung concluded its Unpacked launched event today with a teaser for a new slim and light version of the Galaxy S25 smartphone which it is calling the S25 Edge. Following the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series – the Samsung S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra – a short video with glimpses of a much thinner smartphone was also shown. https://youtu.be/0_oY1fQ5D1s Samsung set up a small viewing area behind ropes which showed the S25 Edge beside the S23 and S24 and the difference is thickness was remarkable. The S25 Edge looked nearly half as thick as its stablemates. Rumours have…

Tech Guide took a hands-on look at the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra which has just been unveiled at the Unpacked global launch event in San Jose. The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the largest smartphone in the range and the model which has undergone the biggest design change. The S25 now has slightly more rounded edges and has lost the more squared look of the S24 Ultra. It has also lost the slightly rounded side edges which are now flat just like the S25 and S25+. It has the same screen size at 6.9-inch but also manages to have even…

Samsung has unveiled its latest lineup of flagship smartphones – the Galaxy S25 Series – which introduces a new level of AI that will turn the device into a personal assistant and companion. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Series includes the S25 (6.2-inch display), the S25+ (6.7 inch display) and the S25 Ultra (6.9-inch display). They will go on sale in Australia on February 14, 2025, with pre-orders starting from today. Samsung says the Galaxy S25 represents the first step towards changing the way users interact with their phone and the world around them. https://youtu.be/p98oHRugoes?si=D9JnzZAZkd0O-tEx The devices are powered by a…

Samsung has unveiled its 2025 range of soundbars that feature new home audio technology to elevate your home entertainment experience to another level. Seen for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Samsung’s new Q Series range includes the HW-Q990F and HW-QS700F. “Our new soundbars combine exceptional audio quality with seamless convenience,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With advanced intelligent technology in the HW-Q990F and the HW-QS700F’s innovative convertible design, these soundbars effortlessly adapt to virtually any environment, delivering an immersive and personalised audio experience for virtually…

The Liber Live C1 is a stringless smart guitar which makes it easier to produce music so anyone can pick it up and start playing. We spotted the Liber Live C1 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Instead of strings there is a paddle that is flicked to play the complete chord so you can forget complex finger placements. https://youtu.be/3f8Tisl2w7c?si=P_SIWnKBNJlFWZPS There are also LED indicators on the fretboard so you can see exactly where to place your fingers to achieve the right chord. And being a smart guitar naturally it also includes a companion app which has interactive…

Give yourself a headstart and press play on Episode 628 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech to stay updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show Arlo partners with AI company to improve protection, Netgear releases the latest WIFi7 product – the Orbi 870 mesh system and Samsung to offer larger Galaxy Ring sizes. In the Tech Guide reviews we take a look at the new DJI Flip drone with an all-new foldable design, we check out the new ASUS Zenbook A14 and the Shinobi Floor that can…

Leading home security company Arlo has released new fire detection technology to provide an earlier warning when a flame is detected so emergency services can be alerted even faster. Arlo users will receive an urgent smart notification if flames are present which would be well before smoke triggers the smoke alarm. By detecting the fire earlier it give users a better chance of evacuating, calling in emergency services and saving important belongings. And if you’re at work, on holidays or outside your home you can react faster to the emergency. The early detection means users have a better chance of…

Strap yourself in so you can tune in to the latest episode of the popular show Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars – The EV Podcast – with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long. On this week’s show Stephen and Trevor discuss the Australian EV market – is it slowing down? We also take a look at a whole host of EVs set to hit the market in Australia this year. It’s a long, long list and some brands are new, some established and some pivoting to electric. If you’ve got a question about EVs or you want…