Technology

5 reasons the iPhone 16 Pro is impressive even without Apple Intelligence

While the tech world obsesses over Apple Intelligence and machine learning algorithms, the iPhone 16 Pro didn’t exactly need to be an impressive piece of tech. In fact, Apple kind of messed up when they put out the iPhone 16 series with little to no AI features, even though Apple Intelligence was a big drawcard…

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Google finally gets it right with the stunning Pixel Watch 3

Sleek, beautifully designed, and highly functional, the Google Pixel Watch 3 represents a major change for the mega-company’s smart device ecosystem. Whereas the original Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 failed to make much of an impact, the third time is most definitely a charm for this product line. But first. Frustration. Google’s bizarre system…

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Google Pixel 9 Pro Review: It’s how you use it

The smartphone market has become obsessed with “bigger is better,” but Google’s Pixel 9 Pro makes a compelling case for restraint. In an era where flagship phones increasingly resemble tablets, the 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro feels refreshingly normal to hold, while delivering every premium feature you’d expect from a top-tier Android device. After three months…

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Dometic CFX5: Is a portable fridge really worth the high price tag? For campers: hell yes

After plenty of acclaim this year, it seems Dometic is poised to dominate the category of outdoor essentials. Planning a big camping trip? You might want to look into this incredibly well-considered device, which is aimed squarely at big groups who spend days or even weeks soaking up the great outdoors and don’t necessarily feel…

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Ecovacs Deebot X5 Omni is another big leap forward for robot vacuums

The Ecovacs Deebot X5 Omni represents a significant leap forward in the evolution of robot vacuums. It introduces a suite of advanced features that enhance cleaning efficiency and user convenience. That’s the promise on paper and it’s more or less delivered here with stunning results. And while it may not be pushing the envelope, I’ve…

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Ultimate Ears still rule the portable speaker game with Everboom

Everyone knows the UE speakers as soon as they see them now. I don’t think there’s a sharehouse in Australia that doesn’t have at least two of these sitting around the lounge room, always ready to blast some Fred Again when the mood strikes. Such familiarity also leads to complacency at times. It’d be just…

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GoPro Hero: Is the cheaper GoPro worth it in 2024?

The latest iteration of GoPro’s action camera continues the company’s tradition of keeping in step with modern technology while maintaining the rugged reliability that made the brand a household name. Design is, after all, what made GoPro such a game-changing camera when it was first released. Now, as more and more people set out to…

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The Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe is a sleek and efficient charging stand

I love Twelve South’s range of changing stands and still use the HiRise Deluxe 3 today. The HiRise Deluxe 2 follows in the footsteps of its slightly larger predecessor while bringing some new and interesting features to the fold. The new Qi2 charging certification certainly helps your services charge quicker, while the premium finish and…

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The BlueAnt Pump X over-ear headphones deliver on both impressive features and decent value

The BlueAnt Pump X over-ear headphones bring an impressive suite of features to the table, making them appealing to fitness enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. With loud, booming audio and thumping bass, combined with the X-Mode audio setting for workout intensity, these headphones cater specifically to those who want motivational soundtracks during their exercise routines….

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The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro has won me over to portable projectors

Compact with big ambitions, XGIMI’s MoGo 2 Pro might not be perfect but, for the price, it’s the portable projector to beat right now and has me excited about where the technology is going. When it comes to portable projectors, the XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro aims to redefine expectations, packing impressive features into a device…

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The AU Review’s ultimate last-minute Christmas gift guide for 2024

Santa’s state-sanctioned home invasions are just around the corner. The big ball of joy is going to be squeezing down your chimney in just a few weeks, but you don’t want him to spot a sad, empty Christmas tree when he makes it down, do you? Trees that shadow dozens upon dozens of wrapped presents,…

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New York City skyscrapers shot with iPhone 16 Pro

Road-testing iPhone 16’s Camera Control button in New York

Look, I’ll be honest. When Apple first announced the Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 Pro in September 2024, my initial reaction was pretty lukewarm. Another button? Really? It felt like one of those features that was just more about doing something different than doing something important. The more I thought about it, the…

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The Shark FlexBreeze Fan is quiet, versatile, and feature-packed

The Shark FlexBreeze fan delivers exceptional cooling performance, whisper-quiet operation, and versatile functionality, making it one of the best fans available for indoor and outdoor use. After a few weeks of use during Melbourne’s recent attempt to emulate Queensland weather, this fan has kept me cool in the lounge room, out on the balcony, a…

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The Alienware 32-Inch 4K QD-OLED monitor sets a new standard for gaming visuals

As one of the first monitors to leverage Samsung’s next-generation 4K 240Hz QD-OLED panel, the Alienware 4K QD-OLED (AW3225QF) arrives with plenty of hype, and for good reason. This 32-inch, curved display builds on Alienware’s previous QD-OLED models, combining impressive technical specs with thoughtful design choices and stellar desktop appeal. It not only meets the…

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The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus laptop takes some decent steps forward, even if it stumbles in a few areas

  The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus comes from a workhorse line, designed for users who need an affordable daily laptop without compromising on utility. With its latest iteration—the Inspiron 14 (5441)—Dell has taken something of a gamble, swapping out its traditional Intel or AMD silicon for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform. While the move to ARM chips…

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The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds are some of the best in the business

SteelSeries is well known not only for its fantastic variety of gaming peripherals and accessories but also for its consistent quality. From the Arctis Nova Pro to the Arctis Nova 5 and even the Arctis Nova 1, it’s safe to say their newer headsets have all been winners in their own right. The SteelSeries Arctis…

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The Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Headset (Gen 3) shines with incredible audio quality and versatility

We’ve reviewed a bunch of Turtle Beach headsets over the past couple of years, from the high-end Stealth Pro to the more modest, yet value-packed Stealth 500. There’s no doubt that Turtle Beach is providing a wide range of features and price points across their headsets, and the newer Stealth 700 (Gen 3) is no…

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The Anker Prime Charger (250W, 6 ports, GaNPrime) is a one-stop solution for home charging

We’ve had the pleasure of reviewing multiple Anker charging products in the past, like the 10,000 mAh 30W Power Bank, which I still use today. However, The Anker Prime Charger differs from what we’ve seen before. In its newer 250W, 6 port form, this GaNPrime desktop charger essentially acts as your go-to charging station for…

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Interview: Yan Chen and Dell’s Alex Timbs discuss AI’s role in VFX for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and the future of filmmaking

In the closing months of 2024, the following has happened: Ridley Scott revealed that AI can now achieve what used to take 10 people 10 weeks, in just one week, and he plans to integrate it into his process. Robert Zemeckis credited generative AI for making his latest film, Here, possible within a $50 million…

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The BlueAnt X5i Bluetooth Party Speaker brings the versatility to any setting

We’ve tested a few BlueAnt speakers over the past couple of years and can safely say that they’ve established a presence in the Australian market by providing versatility and value across their range of products. I’m still using the larger BlueAnt X6 speaker to this day. The BlueAnt X5i feels like a repackaged version of…

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Norby the Robot: The Personal Touch You Need in Language Learning

With AI making headlines everywhere, robots have had their biggest growth spurt in years, fueled by rapid advancements in machine learning, deep learning, and large language models. Countless AI developments have allowed us to accelerate the wider applications of what robots can do sometimes to uncanny effectiveness. Of course, our capitalist overlords want a piece…

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The Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 is the ultimate gaming laptop

The Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 is a standout gaming laptop with high-end specifications and a sleek and portable design. Its slim profile and lightweight, under 2.5 kg, make it a top choice for gamers who need mobility without sacrificing extreme performance while on the go. The laptop boasts Intel’s 13th-gen processors along with NVIDIA’s…

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NPU in Snapdragon: Powering the ARM-Based Dell Latitude 7455

Steve Jobs once said, “People who are really serious about software should make their own hardware.” That very well became the case with the quantum leap advent of the ARM-based Apple M silicon that now, in its latest 4th generation, has its architecture built for Apple’s own AI cheekily named Apple Intelligence. But on the…

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Unreal Engine 5.5’s New Features to Revolutionise MMO Mobile Game Dev

What do you get when you give a Guinness World Record holder in game development a healthy dose of competition? The near-lifelike exploration of Unreal Engine 5.5. Epic Games is a name recognised by everyone in the gaming community, primarily because of its staple game engine, Unreal Engine. As an engine that’s “built by developers…

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Beat the heat this summer with the Shark FlexBreeze Fan

When it comes to staying cool and comfortable, the Shark FlexBreeze Fan is making waves with its innovative design and multifunctional capabilities. Designed for indoor and outdoor use, this fan provides power, convenience, and unique features like a built-in misting option to elevate your cooling experience and beat the Aussie summer heat. Versatility for Indoor…

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The Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K Bell provides some fantastic value for money

Uniden has released their latest wireless doorbell with integrated camera, audio and storage to deliver an affordable and no-fuss option that doesn’t require an ongoing payment to a backup service to access the interactions saved on the device. I was fortunate enough to be able to check out the Uniden App Cam SOLO X2K Bell…

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The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone-conduction headphones are some of the best yet

While their popularity is certainly growing, I hadn’t tried open earphones until we reviewed the Shokz OpenFit headphones last year, and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Certain situations do call for these nowadays. Be it cycling, working out, or simply being out in public and wanting to keep an ear on things, the…

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Why Apple’s new iPhone 16 Camera Control button is important

It’s always the same thing when a new iPhone comes out. Has Apple done enough to significantly move the dial forward or is this another largely iterative update? Now criticisms lodged at the iPhone are perfectly reasonable. There are just some things Android still does better, from the customisation to photo processing. But to say…

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Google has finally stepped up to the competition with Pixel Buds Pro 2

For a company that’s ahead of the curb when offering a refined Android experience for Pixel users, Google has been slow to move in the hyper-competitive space for truly wireless earbuds. Attempts to distinguish the Pixel Buds from other earbuds, like the high-performance Sony WF series and Apple’s paradigm-shifting Airpods, have led Google to rely…

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Showcasing Reality: Our highlights from Sony’s Scene Tradeshow 2024

Back in 2018, I got my first full-frame mirrorless camera: the Sony A7 III. The hype and acclaim for this camera blew everyone away, offering an unprecedented jam-packed performance package and an unbeatable value proposition. It was hot off the heels of its previous unique Alpha brethren including the sorcery see-in-the-dark, low-light sensor of the…

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