Author: Stephen Fenech

Stephen is the Tech Guide editor and one of Australia's most respected tech journalists. He is a regular on radio and TV talking about the latest tech news, products and trends.

Kick off your weekend with Episode 598 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long as they discuss the week’s biggest tech stories and product releases. On this week’s show: smartphones sales drop – which were the most popular models, we give our verdicts on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 and Fold5, Android phones can now detect Airtags, South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell partners with Bluetti, Cortana will be shut down and how Apple’s Emergency SOS saved lives in Maui. You can listen to the show right here on Tech Guide site…

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Samsung Australia has scored a big win with its impressive Galaxy Tab tablets receiving the Canstar Blue award for the Most Satisfied Customers and beating Apple in this category for the first time. Earlier this year Samsung also won the same award for its smartphones. Canstar Blue, the trusted consumer comparison site, surveyed more than 3,000 Australians who had purchased a tablet in the last two years. They were asked to offer a rating on their experience in the following areas: value for money, user friendliness, battery and charging performance, design, durability, performance and overall satisfaction. Samsung received a five-star…

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When it comes to shavers the more blades you have the better they are and Panasonic has just released its first electric shaver with six blades to provide an even closer shave. Panasonic’s new ES-LS9A has six Japanese surgical-grade blades created using Samurai sword traditions so it can handle all beard types and maintain their sharpness even after years of use while causing minimal skin irritation. There are two new thick stubble blades that are coated with Titanium along with two finish blades and two lift blades which can cut more hair in a single pass. The height of the…

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Booklovers rejoice! Here’s a deal you’re going to love. Rakuten Kobo has expanded it’s all you can read eBook subscription service to now include unlimited access to audiobooks. Readers can choose a read-only or listen-only Kobo Plus subscription for $13.99 per month or choose the combined read and listen subscriptions for $16.99 a month. You have more than 1.3 million eBooks to choose from more than 100,000 audiobooks. Subscribers can try the Kobo Plus read and listen catalogue for free for 30 days. “At Kobo, our goal is to make reading lives better with an unparalleled, accessible reading experience,” says…

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Samsung’s new fifth generation foldable smartphones – the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 – go on sale this week and there will be many inspired to take their first bold step into the world of foldables. Samsung, of course, has been leading the way in this growing category and these latest models represent years of development and improvement. Tech Guide was lucky enough to go into Samsung’s design studio after the launch in Seoul and heard about the design philosophy behind the products. These units had gone through countless versions before deciding on the versions we see today.…

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Press play on Episode 564 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: Navman has released its first 4K dash cam – and they are saying it’s their best ever, we get behind the wheel of the new MG4 EV and why Mac users are being targeted by cyber criminals. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a look at the DJI Air 3 drone, Nokia has released a sub $450 smartphone that you can repair yourself and…

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South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has joined portable power station brand Bluetti as their brand ambassador and they have released a video showcasing the rugby league superstar’s inspiring rise to the top of the game. The video has a “Recharge, Rebuild, Return” theme and follows Mitchell as he spends time at his remote property at Winmarra Farm in Taree where he uses the Bluetti products to power his devices off the grid. https://youtu.be/–gQzc5t-z0 “We are thrilled to collaborate with Latrell Mitchell, an exceptional athlete and an inspiration to millions,” says Bluetti spokesperson James Ray. “Latrell’s relentless pursuit of greatness…

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Sennheiser has released the Conversation Clear Plus earphones which do exactly as the name suggests – makes hearing conversations clearer even in noisy environments. Not only can you listen to your audio content with the Conversation Clear Plus, but you can also use them to pick up what people are saying whether you’re in a busy restaurant or in the street. The Conversation Clear Plus earphones lets users choose the level of background noise you want to block while still focussing in on people’s voices. Also onboard the Bluetooth earphones is Active Noise Cancellation can also reduce outside sounds so…

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Drones are going down the same path as smartphones when it comes to cameras – having just one is no longer enough. The new DJI Air 3 has two dual primary cameras. It is the first dual camera model of the Air Series and it adds even more choices and functionality for aerial photographers. Onboard is a wide-angle camera and a medium telephoto with up to 3x zoom that can produce stunning 48-megapixel images and 4K HDR videos at 60 frames per second. The DJI Air 3 has a foldable design so when you’re done the props tuck away to…

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Float like a Cadillac, sting like a Beemer. This week on The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen we’re watching Cars – the Pixar animated classic starring the voices of Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt and Paul Newman. Cars is the story of cocky young racecar named Lightning McQueen who is diverted to Radiator Springs and exposed to its quirky residence before contesting the final Piston Cup race. This is one of Trevor’s favourite movies and he’s in the drivers seat (get it?!) this week while Stephen saw this in the cinema when his kids were much younger. We go through the…

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Do yourself a favour and tune in to Episode 597 of the Two Blokes Talking Tech podcast with Tech Guide editor Stephen Fenech and EFTM’s Trevor Long as they discuss the week’s biggest stories and product announcements. On this week’s show, Australia is a nation of video gamers across various ages, Trevor shares his thoughts on the Gran Turismo movie and we both give our impressions of the DJI Air 3 drone. You can listen to the show right here on Tech Guide site using the audio player below. It is also possible to subscribe to the popular weekly tech…

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MG has launched one of Australia’s most affordable EVs – the MG4 – and Tech Guide got a chance to get behind the wheel ahead of its official launch earlier this week. The vehicle was officially unveiled at the South Sydney Rabbitohs High Performance Centre at Heffron Park – MG is, after all, South Sydney’s major sponsor. The MG4 is the first MG model built with its new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) which means it was designed as an EV from the ground up. The previous MG ZS EV was an electrified version of the petrol model but the MG4…

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Nokia has released G42 – it’s the first sub-$450 5G smartphone that you can repair yourself if you need to even though it has an industry-leading 3-year warranty. Priced at $449, the Nokia G42 has been released in collaboration with iFixit which offer repair guides and part so customers can repair or replace the screen, the battery and the charging port if they have any issues. The Nokia G42 is running Android 13 and has a 6.56-inch HD+ display plus a standout colour that’s so purple it’s called So Purple. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G Mobile…

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Many Mac and iPhone users have a false sense of security and think they are impervious from malware and safe from cybercriminals according to the latest macOS Threat Landscape Report from Bitdefender. The report comes as more than 45 per cent of Australians are now using at least one Apple operating system. Bitdefender says the main threats to Apple users are: trojans, adware and potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). Apple has a narrower threat level than Microsoft or Google and for this reason many users think they don’t need security software. Trojans pose the biggest threats to Macs which account for…

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Dyson’s Zone noise-cancelling headphones and air purifier – first unveiled in March last year – has now gone on sale in Australia starting at $999. Dyson, a company best known for its powerful cordless vacuums and hair care products, has taken its first step into the competitive audio space. But when you think about it – producing good audio is all about pushing air around inside a speaker – and Dyson knows a thing or two about air movement with its motors and highly-engineered products. The Dyson Zone noise-cancelling headphones offers up to 50 hours of listening and high quality…

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Navman has released the new MiVue Pro 4K and MiVue Pro 4K DC (dual camera) and the company is calling them the best dash cams it has ever built. Navman has brought together industry leading features into a single unit so they can act as the driver’s high quality eyes on the road. The MiVue Pro 4K records in true 4K resolution – 3840 x 2160P at 30 frames per second. It also has on board 1/1.8-inch low light sensor that draws in a greater amount of light to improve clarity even in low light situations. Having that improved resolution…

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It’s time to check in for Episode 563 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: The Vodafone State of the Scam report is a real eye opener and shows we’ve still got a massive problem, but Norton has released a new AI powered app than can help you spot the scams and my affair with Tesla has come to an end – I’ve actually gone back to my ex. In the Tech Guide reviews, we take a…

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Australians love their video games. In fact, 81 per cent of the population plays video games according to the new Australia Plays 2023 report – that’s a 14 per cent jump from the previous report. The Australia Plays 2023 report was produced by the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (IGEA) in conjunction with Bond University. It proves conclusively that gaming is a mainstream activity and that it’s not just for kids with the average age of a gamer found to be 35 years old – that’s up by three months from the last report. And nearly half of all gamers…

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Trading signals, often considered a trader’s best friend, are perceived as a beacon guiding investment decisions in the complex and often confusing world of trading. They offer real-time data and insights about the market, providing traders with a sense of direction. But how reliable are these signals? In this article, we aim to delve into the efficacy and reliability of trading signals, dissecting their benefits and potential pitfalls to help you navigate the tumultuous terrain of trading with greater confidence and foresight. What Are Trading Signals Exactly? Trading signals are alerts or notifications sent to traders, providing them with up-to-date…

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Finding a healthy balance between studying, working, and personal life is essential for college and grad students. The demands of academics and work can easily lead to burnout and neglect of personal well-being. In this informative article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to maintain a healthy study-work-life balance. Following the tips below, students can create a sustainable balance and enjoy a fulfilling and enriching college or grad school experience.         I.            Prioritize Self-Care and Well-Being Self-care should be a top priority in maintaining a healthy study-work-life balance. Make time for activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional…

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