Author: Stephen Fenech

Fire up and press play on Episode 588 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, breaking news on the upcoming Hubbl service and what we can expect, why people are returning their Apple Vision Pro in the US and the rechargeable batteries that can save you thousands. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a hands-on look at the ASUS Zenbook Duo which has two 14-inch OLED displays, the 4-in-1 adapter which includes a portable battery and…

If you own a MacBook you want to use it effectively and look after it at the same time and one way you can do that is the with the new BookArc Flex from TwelveSouth – it’s a vertical stand for your laptop. It might sound like a simple product, but it can be impressively useful to save desktop space and keep your MacBook in view and to store it safely. The BookArc is beautifully designed and can cradle your MacBook (or any other laptop that’s less than 2.5cm thick). So why would you need the BookArc Flex? First up…

Tune in to the latest episode of the Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars podcast hosted by Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long – who are both EV owners. On this week’s show, a startup is looking for offer access to private EV chargers, Porsche has made some big improvements with its latest EVs, we chat with a Tesla Model Y owner about their experience and Trevor is driving the massive Ford e-Transit EV. https://youtu.be/0NI4Jif56V0?si=oRjyjH3GcR2-iJrN You can listen or the watch show right here on Tech Guide site using the audio player below or by pressing play on…

The upcoming new Hubbl platform which brings together global and local apps in one place has nailed down some of the world’s biggest streaming services to join the service from launch including Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+. Hubbl, which will be officially launched later this week, brings together streaming apps, live TV, news, sport and lifestyle channels and makes searching between apps and live TV even easier. The global services which will be available from launch will include Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Kayo Sports, Binge, Stan, Optus Sport and Flash. Launching with Hubbl this week will…

Batteries are something we all need but single use batteries can not only dig into our wallet but also end up in landfill and impact the environment. The answer is Paleblue – a brand that offers rechargeable lithium ion, fast USB-C rechargeable batteries. The Paleblue rechargeable batteries are available in a number of formats – AA, AAA, C, D and 9 Volt  – and they each have a USB-C port built-in and come with a cable that can charge four batteries at once. That means there is no need to have a separate charger that adds to the cost of…

The ASUS Zenbook Duo with its dual 14-inch OLED displays and detachable Bluetooth keyboard has sent laptops in a completely new direction. ASUS is thinking outside the square with the Zenbook Duo (UX8406) and the idea of having two displays – instead of just one like a regular laptop – is a game changer. Under the hood is the Intel Core Ultra 9 processor with Intel’s first integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) to handle the heavy lifting when it comes to AI processing. https://youtu.be/LF0IcdrxhhM?si=lGd6muALm4IAtOSm From the moment you turn the ASUS Zenbook Duo on you immediately notice the snappy performance…

Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?? This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen podcast we’re watching Rush Hour starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Rush Hour tells the story of a brash LAPD detective who is reluctantly paired with an officer brought in from China to help find and return the kidnapped daughter of a Chinese diplomat on the wild streets of Los Angeles. Stephen watched Rush Hour at the movies, and it has become a popular rewatch in his house while Trevor is like a rookie cop coming to the case…

It’s time to sit with the Two Blokes Talking Tech – Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long – for Episode 620 of the popular podcast as they dissect the biggest tech stories of the week. This week: Mark Zuckerberg says Meta Quest 3 is better than the Apple Vision Pro – do Stephen and Trevor agree, you can now call for an Uber without using the app, the eSIM in the ride and Boost Mobile becomes the latest telco to offer it and Swifties beware of Tay Tay scams. https://youtu.be/YTAk1PdjouU?si=NsPYtpml6cJ2zFSR You can listen or the watch show…

While electric vehicle sales are slowly increasing but a shortage of chargers in some areas has become a barrier to entry for some drivers. But what about if you can use private chargers owned by current EV drivers? That’s the model behind the platform being built by PowerPod that will become another section of the share economy. We have Airbnb to rent out your house, Uber to get someone to give you a lift in their car. There’s even a service where you can hire out your backyard pool. Soon there will be an app where you’ll be able to…

OneAdaptr has released the world’s first 4-in-1 wireless charging station with a built-in 10,000mAh powerbank that can meet all your charging needs when travelling and on the go. The OneGo is a 4-in-1 foldable wireless charging station so users can charge their iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. There is one cable to connect to power so you can charge three devices at the same time. Included is a 15W MagSafe for your iPhone, 2W charger for Apple Watch and 5W charging for the AirPods. But the section where the iPhone rests to charge is actually a detachable 10,000mAh battery which…

Boost Mobile has become the latest MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) to offer eSIM activation. The company’s boss Peter Adderton is calling it “a big telcos’s worst fear” because it is now even easier for customers to switch. The brand, which uses the Telstra network with its competitive plans, has unveiled its first eSIM offering along with a refreshed app. The embedded SIM (eSIM) is available on most recent phones with 40 per cent of users unaware their device even had an eSIM that could be activated. To activate an eSIM with a Boost Mobile plan takes a few taps…

Do yourself a favour and lend us your ears to listen to Episode 587 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: eSIMs on the rise thanks to Optus – is the plastic SIM dead, Telstra deploys AI to improve its customer service and the new Celestron Origin automated smart telescope that makes capturing stunning astro images a snap. In the Tech Guide reviews, we give run our eyes over the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, Ring releases…

Tineco has unveiled its new Floor One S6 Pro Extreme – a 3-in-1 smart floor cleaner for mopping and vacuuming that also cleans itself. The Floor One S6 Extreme Pro has improved suction power and mopping capabilities to handle both wet and dry messes in your home. The unit comes with a Continuous Fresh Water Flow system which can swap out dirty water for fresh water 400 times per minute while you’re cleaning. The Intelligent iLoop Smart Sensor technology can detect and adjust the clean including suction, roller speed and fresh water flow based on how dirty your floors are…

Join Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long for Episode 2 of their latest podcast – Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars – the EV podcast. If you’re thinking about buying an EV or just bought your first this is the podcast you need to listen to hear the latest news, learn great tips, bust a few myths and find out about the latest electric cars to hit the road. https://youtu.be/_YXy6lLbU9o?si=uAeXp8nRivaEJNgX On this week’s show, we talk about the government’s latest emissions standards – what that means and how it will affect the EV market, we also talk about…

Oppo has boosted its credentials as a brand that offers features and value with the release of the Oppo A18 that’s priced at just $219. The A Series device has a 6.56-inch HD+ 90Hz Sunlight Display which can reach up to 750nits brightness in High Brightness Mode so you can easily view your content even in direct sunlight. The Oppo A18 also has an All-Day AI Eye Comfort to reduce eye strain so you can view the screen in comfort for as long as you want. On the design side, the Oppo A18 has a stylish shape with a rear…

The Meta Quest 3 is an impressive improvement over the previous model and offers an excellent entry into the world of VR with lots of content to enjoy on this high quality hardware. If you’re a fan of the Meta Quest 2 – then you should absolutely get yourself the Meta Quest 3 – it’s a lot better but also more expensive. In our eyes the Meta Quest 3 is still a product that will have a core group of fans – but it could be more approachable for your average consumer. While it’s pretty easy to set up and…

Don’t let go!!! This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen podcast we’re watching Gravity starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. Gravity tells the story a mission in Earth’s orbit that results in catastrophic failure and the astronauts must work out a way to get home. Our show also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the first spacewalk without tethers or umbilicals with a nitrogen-propelled Manned Manoeuvring Unit (MMU) which is used by George Clooney’s character in the film. Stephen saw Gravity at the movies and has rewatched the multi-Oscar award winning film many times while Trevor is blasting…

Settle in with the Two Blokes Talking Tech – Tech Guide Editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long – for Episode 619 of the popular podcast that covers the biggest tech stories and product launches of the week. On this week’s show: Stephen and Trevor share their verdict on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, complaints to the TIO spike after the Optus outage, CarPlay’s next update and the new features it will bring, the new Worx robot lawnmower and the D-Link Aquila Pro router that looks a sculpture. https://youtu.be/BGQVrwqaXaY?si=9_OwfCO0tk01Z7CJ You can listen or the watch show right here on Tech…

Is the plastic SIM card on the way out? There has been a surge in Australians using eSIMs to sign up to a new plan and a new telco – and it was driven by the Optus outage on November 8. According to data gathered by TPG Telecom, one in four new and re-signing customers are now activating the eSIM in their smartphone when signing up and connecting to a new mobile service through Vodafone, TPG and iiNet brands. And it was the Optus outage that has driven customers to migrate to eSIM. On November 8, when the Optus network…

Ring has released it first battery-powered version of the Video Doorbell Pro to allow customers even more flexibility to keep an eye on what’s happening at their front door. The device incorporates radar-powered 3D motion detection along with Birds Eye View to give users more accurate alerts. Customers can set areas where it wants the doorbell to detect movement using the radar-powered Bird’s Eye Zones and Bird’s Eye view to reduce unnecessary notifications. The Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro offers 1536p HD video which delivers impressive clarity thanks to dynamic image processing and high efficiency compression so you can see…