Author: Trevor Long

Trevor and Val are in Berlin – not too far from Stephen – but he’s having the time of his life, meanwhile the boys are sweltering ahead of IFA. We discuss what’s happening at the show with AI in appliances, food and more. Intel has released their AI processor for next generation PCs and the companies like Lenovo are ready! Mobile phones do NOT cause Brain cancer – that’s official. Both Trev and Val are huge fans of the Pixel Fold. Trev runs through the latest from GoPro. And some short bites on Telstra Payphones, the Barbie Phone and the…

Action camera brand GoPro has announced two cameras which are a big leap forward for their range and their content creator community. The GoPro HERO is a new smaller GoPro, the smallest GoPro ever with a screen, while the flagship HERO13 Black has all new capabilities that are bound to get attention. GoPro founder Nicholas Woodman says “This year’s two new GoPro cameras are inspired by and built for the GoPro Community,” “HERO13 Black features four new interchangeable lens mods that HERO13 automatically detects and adjusts its settings for, magnetic latch mounting, GPS, and a more powerful battery that provides longer…

IFA in Berlin is an event where home appliances take centre stage with everything from Fridges to Washing machines on display, and while Samsung has big announcements in that space we’ve also got news of two new versions of their short-throw projector The Premiere coming to Australia. “Our commitment to Australians is to offer screens for every room that will always exceed expectations for function, form and value,” said Jeremy Senior Vice President of Consumer Electronics at Samsung Australia. “While we know that Australians love premium big screen home cinema experiences; more than a quarter of Australians who live in…

When HMD announced their latest smartphone was uniquely repairable – moreso than any we’d seen before it – we thought to ourselves “we’ll see about that”. Turns out, it’s remarkable – just a few screws and you’re pulling apart this phone like nothing in the modern era. Yes, back in the day you’d easily crack the back of a phone off and pull the battery out.  We all remember that.  But in the days of perfect edges, stunning design and edge to edge screens that’s a thing of the past. Or is it?  Under European Union legislation all consumer electronics…

Joshua Dowling fills in for Stephen Fenech and brings the goods with a scoop on the NSW Police are testing some Electric Vehicles for use in the Highway Patrol Listen to the full details to understand the real story. https://youtu.be/hCbGeRjmXDk Plus we’re joined by some EV owners who share their ownership experience. One man has more data than the ABS, and another is looking for a second EV in the driveway. If you’ve got an EV or are looking into it, send us a text on 0477 657 657.

Why is the Apple event on a Monday in the US – it’s very strange and out of the ordinary to be honest.  Trevor Long and guest bloke Valens Quinn discuss that plus what else to expect at the September 10 event on this week’s episode of Two Blokes Talking Tech. There’s testing going on at NSW Police Highway Patrol to see how or if Electric Cars should form part of the performance fleet. https://youtu.be/-5Lf5X3aYvA Val and Trev chat Vodafone’s device care plan offering free screen replacement, and HMD’s ultra repairable phone. And how well are you sleeping – and…

We’re just two weeks away from the announcement of the iPhone 16 it seems, after Apple sent invites to an event in September event titled “It’s Glowtime”. The “Glowtime” reference indicates a strong push for Apple Intelligence which sees Siri get a whole new look in iOS 18 for the most recent iPhones where the assistant “glows” around the edges instead of just that little shining animation at the bottom of the screen. Leaks and dummy iPhones show a new shutter button on all four iPhone 16 models which will make photography as much of a highlight of the iPhone…

If you want to know how well regarded LG OLED TVs are, just scroll back three years here at Techguide and Stephen said “When it comes to OLED, LG is the undisputed king”. Having celebrated 10 years of OLED TVs last year, the 2024 range is seemingly no different. I opted to review the 55 inch model, easier for me to unpack on my own, but also I get so attached to big beautiful screens I think LG would need to call Police to get it back from me if it was any larger.  Unboxing is a breeze, and the…

This week as Joshua Dowling keeps Stephen’s chair warm we look into some of the exciting EVs to come. KIA has a couple worth knowing about, there’s the Electric Kombi Van and will Tesla update the Model Y? https://youtu.be/CuqSQlY6_Os Motorsport Boss Roland Dane owns a Cupra Born like Trev – but his experience was recently soured – why? And The Whyalla Vet joins us to talk about his fleet of EVs!

Trev took a ride in a WAYMO Self Driving car in San Francisco. It’s just like an Uber, but there’s no driver behind the wheel! Early thoughts on the Pixel 9 devices, Val does some photo tests comparing to the iPhone. https://youtu.be/cgD0o2VJfnQ Telstra TV is about to go, our fears for their call centre. Meanwhile Fetch launches a new Fetch Mini with great potential. The JBL Live 3 Headphones and the Brown iPhone?

Floorcare brand Tineco’s range of Wet and Dry vacuums will be available at Harvey Norman from today making their home cleaning solutions accessible to a wider range of Aussie shoppers. The range includes four models, at the top end a new S7 Steam which uses 140 degree steam to make a deep clean on tough stains like sticky or well set spills. At $1199 it’s a premium product that will be a game-changer for many hard floor homes. Like all the Tineco products it has a self-clean feature to get it ready to use after each use. A real innovation…

HMD have packed a heap into their latest smartphone which could tick more than enough boxes to impress likely buyers. A great camera.  Repairability.  Digital Detox. Those three things would have to be at the core of the HMD Skyline and we’ve been using it for a bit – it’s certainly impressive.  A full review to come next week! Aussie boss of HMD Brenden Folitarik says “The HMD Skyline empowers the humans behind the phone, with an impressive triple camera to capture memories, a unique digital detox mode to encourage people to live in the moment and fix-it-yourself repairability that has never been…

JBL has done it again – how often do we say that, mainly because when was the last time they did something that wasn’t awesome?  That’s what you get with JBL products – great sound, because they’re JBL and great design and features too. I still think about the Authentics Range of speakers and how amazing it is to have Google and Alexa in one device working at the same time – still yet to see that anywhere else. Anyway, sidetracked.  The JBL Live Beam 3 are the in-ear with silicon tip version of the “Live 3” range of in-ear…

Fetch has revealed an updated version of their Fetch Mini device running a “world first” hybrid RDK-Android operating system. The Fetch Mini G5 is on sale now for $149 and is likely to be the first Fetch device to offer new apps previously unavailable on Fetch devices – but there’s no word yet on what apps that might include. New Fetch CEO Dominic Arena says “We have invested heavily over the past year to pioneer this revolutionary hybrid technology together with our software integration partner, Consult Red, to enable us to deliver an unmatched suite of family-friendly entertainment and lifestyle…

Another Chinese EV brand enters the Australian Market – what is a Zeekr? https://youtu.be/1iR5hTYRThY Joshua Dowling explains as he fills the chair for Stephen Fenech who is on a well deserved break. Plus your calls on a fancy new car but was the buying experience all you’d hoped it would be? And what we’re driving right now, Trev’s loving the BMW EVs, and Josh raves about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N!

Google held their Made by Google event this week, Trev is at Google HQ, Val got all the info back home so these Two Blokes unpack the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, the Pixel 9 pro Fold and the watch, the buds and all the AI! Plus, Telstra and Optus together on something? What’s happening!! Val looks at a new Robot Vacuum brand, and the Sale of Foxtel – will it happen? Who would buy it??

Australia’s leading robot vacuum brand Ecovacs has dropped three stunning new products today at price ranges as low at $999 with features we’ve never seen before on Robot Vacuum models. The three models range in price from $999 to $2,499 and all offer the much desired auto-empty station base to ensure you don’t have to clean up after the cleaner every single time it goes out and does the work for you. And Aussies are keen for that work to be done by a robot too! Ecovacs own research shows that Aussie’s are stressed about not accomplishing their chores like…

Both Telstra and Optus have united today to announce they are extending the deadline for the switchoff of their 3G networks until October 28. The delay means a final concerted push can be made to message customers and educate the public on this change. A single date helps with that messaging, so expect a big push in marketing over the month ahead. CEO of Telstra Vicki Brady says“We have been communicating to customers about the need to prepare and make the move for almost five years. This has included multiple letters, bill messages, SMS, public awareness campaigns, advertising – even…

The choice that exists for smart-home security cameras today is quite amazing and that’s only good for Aussies who want to protect their home with a strong deterrent and arm themselves with evidence if the need should arise. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been testing Uniden’s entirely new App Cam range, kicking it off with the Solo X2k Bullet kit which is literally the one stop shop for all you need given the $199 price tag includes a solar panel for charging. Setting up the App Cam Solo X2k Bullet Out of the box this kit has all…

Stephen has been in the pocket sized Fiat 500e and the Abarth Version, while Trev has been in the $110,000 hot hatch EV from Hyundai – the Ioniq 5 N https://youtu.be/LKcqTVJ7C6A We’ve got your calls on why the Atto3 is getting attention in Tassie and what it’s like to own an EV down there, plus Victor is back talking about his test drives with all the on-road gadgetry Get in touch with your EV question on 0477 657 657