Home tech
Why robot vacuums still have plenty of tricks to learn
Robot vacuums are getting smarter all the time – but they still need a human operator. Manufacturers have plenty of work to do if they are ever to clean your floors autonomously.
- by Tim Biggs
Latest
Why downlights are making you colder and your split system less effective
Ever felt like the air-conditioner only pushes around cold air in winter? It may take climbing up into the attic and having a look around to find out why that is.
- by Jim Malo
Review
Gadgets
Picturesque smart speaker gives good sound with no tech clutter
Getting a satisfying noise out of a thin, wall-mounted device is no small feat, but Samsung’s Music Frame strikes a good balance considering its unobtrusive looks.
- by Tim Biggs
Review
Gadgets
Can Sonos beat Apple AirPods Max with new Bluetooth magic?
It might not be what Sonos fans were expecting, but the Ace is an excellent noise-cancelling set of headphones with a bag of new tricks.
- by Tim Biggs
Exclusive
Education
How much screen time is too much? This is the answer to every parent’s question
New data reveals how Australian schools rank among OECD nations for the time students spend on digital devices in classrooms.
- by Lucy Carroll and Robyn Grace
Review
Review
Samsung’s anti-reflection TV excels in the light
The S95D 4K TV is not only exceptionally bright, it remains watchable in even the brightest and most glare-prone environments.
- by Tim Biggs
Review
Gadgets
It’s not black and white: New e-reader brings more colour, but less clarity
Book covers, magazines, comics and notes benefit greatly from a colour screen but, for reading, black-and-white technology is still superior.
- by Tim Biggs
What are Matter, Thread and Wi-Fi 7, and how they can make life easier?
You might not know about these latest wireless standards just yet, but they’ll be key to pulling your smart home together in the near future.
- by Tim Biggs
Too many streaming options? This new device could solve the problem
Think of Foxtel’s Hubbl like it’s a supermarket that puts everything you want to watch on the shelves, so you don’t need to visit a dozen streaming services.
- by Adam Turner
Review
Streaming
Foxtel’s Hubbl isn’t revolutionary, but it is a great Apple TV competitor
Coming in a $100 puck or integrated into a full 4K TV with built-in sound system, Hubbl focuses on simplicity but still has some gaps.
- by Tim Biggs and David Swan
Amazon may have just solved the smart home problem
A new device allows for logical, communal control of all your devices rather than relying on apps and voice.
- by Tim Biggs