Author: Stephen Fenech

Amazon today unveiled a range of new Echo products including the Echo Hub which is an Alexa enabled smart home control panel to make it even easier to manage all the smart devices in your home. Amazon also revealed the new Fire TV Stick 4K Max and the Fire TV Stick 4K. ECHO HUB – $329 The Echo Hub is a thin 8-inch touch screen with a customizable dashboard which makes it simple for users to manage their smart home devices and view multiple smart camera feeds at the same time. And with your media devices, Echo Hub makes it…

Dyson has turned its attention to lighting technology and applied the same engineering principles to make things work properly and better – and as a result they’ve released the Dyson Solarcycle Morph Desk Light. The Dyson Solarcycle Morph Desk Light is the latest product in its lighting portfolio and can imitate daylight from dawn till dusk as well as delivering light in four different ways – indirect, direct for a task, as a feature light or as an ambient light. And it can all be controlled via the MyDyson app. “With the Dyson Solarcycle Morph, our aim was to challenge…

If you’re not planning on upgrading to the new iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, you can still get that new iPhone feeling by upgrading to iOS 17 which is now available to download and install. And iPad users can also upgrader to iPadOS 17 as well to unlock a range of new features and capabilities. If you’re thinking of installing the new iOS 17 and the iPadOS 17 on your iPhone and iPad – be sure to back up your devices before installing – just in case. HOW TO INSTALL On your iPhone and iPad go to Settings >…

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have taken a significant step forward in terms of power, performance, features and design. Apple has intelligently upgraded the most popular parts of the iPhone including the camera, the display and added several convenient new features to make using the device faster, easier and more enjoyable to use. iPhone 15 an iPhone 15 Pro have the same screen sizes 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch and start at $1499 and $1849 respectively. They go on sale on September 22. DESIGN The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have had subtle re-designs. The iPhone 15 is made…

It’s time to press play on Episode 568 of the top-rating Tech Guide podcast hosted by editor Stephen Fenech who keeps you updated and educated about the latest consumer tech news and reviews. On this week’s show, we wrap up all the major announcements from the Apple launch event – including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the AirPods Pro (second generation) with USB-C charging case. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the Blackmagic Camera app that unlocks the power of your iPhone…

Apple’s AirPods Pro (second generation) just got even better with the introduction of a range of new features that have been enabled by iOS 17. These new features include Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Personalised Volume. Since the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro announcement about the inclusion of USB-C, Apple has also released an updated AirPods Pro (second generation) earphones with a MagSafe Charging Case with USB-C. Tech Guide has been using these new AirPods Pro (second generation) for a few days paired with an iPhone running the iOS 17 beta. We understand the official version of iOS 17…

Australian company Blackmagic Design has released the Blackmagic Camera app which can add powerful film camera tools and controls to the iPhone. The free Blackmagic Camera app is based on the same operating system as Blackmagic Design’s award-winning digital film cameras. The app can put some powerful tools into the hands of iPhone content creators. These same tools already being used in feature films, television and documentaries. And when linked with Blackmagic Cloud, creators can collaborate and share media with editors and colourists around the world in an instant. Blackmagic Camera can make the iPhone even more powerful by offering…

An important part of Apple’s latest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro announcements is the change to USB-C charging which will be a first for many customers who’ve only ever used an iPhone. Belkin was on the frontline in developing the USB-C standard and has also been instrumental in educating customers on the format and how it can connect, power and enhance productivity on the move. Before Apple’s announcement, Belkin already had a line-up of USB-C products including cables, wall chargers and stands. Belkin also has a wide range of products that works with Apple’s MagSafe technology. It’s been 11…

Were you rushing or were you dragging? This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen we’re watching Whiplash starring Miles Tells and JK Simmons in his Academy Award-winning performance. Whiplash tells the story of an aspiring drummer who is asked to join the core orchestra led by an instructor who goes to extreme lengths to draw out the best in his students. Stephen missed this in the cinema in 2014 but has watched it several times since while Trevor is a brand new inductee. We go through the memorable scenes and share some interesting facts, behind the scenes tidbits,…

The new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models go on sale next week and one way to make the purchase cheaper is to trade in your old iPhone. Boost Mobile has just announced the latest iPhone trade-in values. Boost Mobile has timed the update perfectly and has made it easy for customers to see what their iPhone is worth. If you have a recent iPhone and are looking to trade in, there are some healthy trade-in values. Here are the top seven iPhones that will attract the highest trade-ins through Boost Mobile: – iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB -…

One of the most interesting announcements at the Apple event this year, apart from the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, was the new Double Tap feature with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Tech Guide put Double Tap to the test after yesterday’s Apple launch event. Double Tap works only with the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 which have the new S9 SiP chip onboard. Double Tap allows users to do things like answer calls and end timers by simply raising your watch hand and tapping your thumb and index…

We went hands on with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro after yesterday’s Apple launch event at Apple Park to take a look at the new designs, materials and features. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are available in five colours – pink, blue, yellow, green and black. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is now finished with Titanium and has a matte brushed metal look. It’s a lot different to the shiny surgical stainless steel that was used with the iPhone 14. Colours are Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium and Black Titanium. Watch…

While the new iPhone 15 and new Apple Watches got most of the attention at the launch event, Apple also introduced the AirPods Pro (second generation) with the MagSafe Charging Case with USB-C. With updated case with USB-C, this means users can charge their AirPods Pro with the cable that will be included with the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max which now also include a USB-C connector. The new AirPods Pro earbuds also have an improved IP54 rating for durability which adds resistance to dust along with existing resistance to sweat and…

The landmark 600th episode of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long is coming to you live from the Apple iPhone launch event. Stephen and Trevor were at Apple Park for the launch of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro plus the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and share their thoughts on the new products and features. This 600th episode comes 12 and half years since Stephen and Trevor recorded the first episode of the show in February 2011. You can listen to the show…

Apple has introduced the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 which have been updated with faster processors and new gesture controls that will change the way customers use their devices. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are powered by Apple’s new custom S9 SiP which is 30 per cent faster than Series 8 the original Apple Watch Ultra. And these are the first Apple devices that are completely carbon neutral well ahead of the company’s goal to be carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by…

Apple today unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro at Apple Park which has a better camera, a faster processor, an improved display and all all-new USB-C charging port. Tim Cook kicked off the event at the Steve Jobs Theatre before launching into a pre-recorded presentation that introduced the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro along with the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. But the iPhone 15 was the star of the show with numerous changes and upgrades and a range of brand new colours. Screen sizes have remained the same at…

Get onboard with Episode 567 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: GoPro has launched its latest Hero12 Black action camera, Ecovacs has expanded to the backyard with its first robot mower and Dyson has released its biggest air purifier for even larger spaces. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Tablet, Sonos has revealed its new Move 2 speaker and Bang & Olufsen joins forces with Ferrari…

Cowabunga dudes! Laser has launched a range of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-branded products to celebrate the release of the new film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Created under licence with Paramount Pictures, the new Laser TMNT products include an alarm clock, portable speaker, charging cables, earphones, headphones and a powerbank. Each of the products includes the latest graphics from the franchise so every fan can get their own Turtle Power and stay connected to their favourite characters. “Everyone wants affordable tech now more than ever. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been an iconic part of pop culture, capturing the hearts…

Technics has launched its next generation direct drive turntable which offers smooth and accurate rotation stability and a new power supply for lower noise. The SL-1200GR2 and SL-1210GR2 turntables are the latest models in the popular GR Grand Class turntables. “This is the first offering in the fourth generation of the Technics turntable lineup. A key objective with this new model is to further enhance sound quality by eliminating micro vibrations from the motor, using the new Delta-Sigma-Drive system.” Says Aaron Waters, Product Marketing Manager, Technics. “Customers will also enjoy the classic Technics design in both silver and black versions,…

This is the “go big or go home” tablet. The 14.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a tablet on steroids and it has the power and features to back it up as well. Tablets have become a lot more powerful in recent years – so powerful they can take the place of your laptop or step in as an alternative. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is one of those tablets. It is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 3.36Ghz octa-core processor and 12GB RAM which makes it quite a capable device. On the design side, the Samsung…