Honey, I shrunk the Apple TV 4K – but don’t worry it’s now even better and still provides a stunning entertainment and gaming experience.

The new Apple TV 4K ticks all the boxes when it comes to quality and features to offer improved picture quality and provide crisp and immersive sound.

The unit is noticeably smaller than last year’s model thanks to the removal of the internal fan.

It now has a passive thermal design and is 20 per cent smaller than its predecessor. Not that size was ever an issue.

There are two models available, one without an Ethernet port (Wi-Fi only) and the Wi-Fi + Ethernet unit for those who want to wire their connection for better quality.

The Wi-Fi only model has 64GB of memory while the Wi-Fi + Ethernet model has 128GB storage.

The device is powered by Apple’s A15 bionic chip – that’s the same chip that powers the iPhone 13 – which is a lot of processing power for a product of this kind.

The result is an incredibly responsive and snappy performance so you can zoom around the menus and jump in and out of your apps with ease.

Apple TV 4K works nicely with all your other Apple devices and services including Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness+.

You can use your iPhone as a remote control or as a keyboard via Control Centre and make purchases or sign-in to supported apps with Face ID or Touch ID.

You can also use the light sensor on your iPhone to tweak your TV’s colour balance settings and connect up to two sets of AirPods to your Apple TV 4K.

And being connected to HomeKit, users can also get a live view in the top corner of their screen from their cameras or their doorbell and all without missing their programme.

And AirPlay allows users to share anything from their iPhone, iPad or Mac directly to the TV so it’s ideal for showing your photos, streaming music and playing other content you want to enjoy on a larger screen.

But it’s all about utilising the best screen in your house to enjoy a higher level of entertainment.

This time out, Apple TV 4K supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ which happened to be the two most popular and dynamic HDR (high dynamic range) formats used in the industry.

This now allows users to enjoy even more content from various services on more TVs and at their highest quality.

Whether you’re watching Netflix, Disney+, Paramount Plus, Stan or Apple TV+, the Apple TV 4K bring out the best of the content on your smart TV thanks to the wider compatibility with HDR and audio formats.

Set-up is a breeze – it took us just minutes.

It fast because Apple TV 4K can grab your settings from iCloud so all your apps and settings from your previous Apple TV 4K or second Apple TV 4K are right there.

For our review we set up the new Apple TV 4K in our lounge room and connected it to a Samsung 85-inch 8K Neo QLED TV.

Just as important as the unit itself is the Siri remote which has a one-piece aluminium design that fits nicely in your hand.

Apple has designed the remote with contrasting controls – some buttons are concave, some are flat and some are a different shape – so you can easily navigate the remote in the dark or without taking your eyes off the TV.

The click pad and touch surface also come in handy for navigating your content.

The circular click pad can be used as a jog control to get to the precise point of the programme you’re watching while the touch surface responds to presses and gestures.

And, of course, you can access Siri by pressing the microphone button on the right edge of the remote.

You can use your voice to ask for content, move forward and back through what you’re watching and find other programs and information.

Later this year, Siri will be able to recognise your voice to distinguish you from your other members of the household and switch to your profile and make suggestions for content you’d like to see.

The remote now now has a USB C port so you’ll need a USB-C cable – the one that comes with the latest iPhones – to charge it.

Now some may be asking why do I need the Apple TV 4K when I have the Apple TV app on my smart TV?

That’s a fair question, but the Apple TV app allows you to stream your content and is governed by the TV’s processor and quality which may affect the experience.

But with the Apple TV 4K you are getting excellent performance as well as the ability to integrate other apps and services for you to enjoy on your smart TV.

Apple TV 4K has an App Store built in so you can download games either individually or as part of the Apple Arcade subscription, you can also use Siri Voice Assistant, integrate HomeKit, choose the personal photo screensaver option through iCloud Photos or Home Sharing, use SharePlay to watch content together from different locations through FaceTime and you’ll be able to watch the beautiful aerial screen savers which look stunning on a 4K or 8K TV.
Apple TV 4K Wi-Fi only is priced at $219 and comes with 64GB storage. For an extra $30 you will get the Apple TV Wi-Fi + Ethernet with 128GB storage.

To us we think it’s well worth the extra $30 to have more storage and the option of connecting Apple TV 4K physically with the cable.

VERDICT

The Apple TV 4K might be smaller but it has lots more features to power stunning cinematic experiences in your home.

The post Apple TV 4K review – tiny but mighty unit delivers stunning cinematic quality appeared first on Tech Guide.

The new Fetch Mighty (Gen 4) might not look much different from the previous model but under the hood it is has the power to keep up with the entertainment demands of the modern household.

The box, which has a 1TB hard drive onboard, is a powerful PVR for those who still want to record their favourite programs or entire seasons.

But it’s also homebase for all your streaming services.

That means in one spot you can access Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, BritBox, Hayu, YouTube Kids and more.

With four TV tuners, the box can deliver your free to air channels and allow you to set up multiple recordings.

But for $20 a month you also get access to 46 channels including Discovery, Universal, E Entertainment, National Geographic, Investigation Discovery, ESPN2 and many, many more.

And all these channels allow you to go back and watch a program from the start if you come in halfway.

The Fetch Mighty (Gen 4) M681T model has 4GB RAM and 8GB eMMC Flash memory.

It also has a faster processor that’s twice as fast as the chip on the Gen 3 box.

It’s also rocking the latest Bluetooth 5 version as well.

There is also one less USB port on the back – there used to be two – not a deal breaker as I have never had to use the USB port on the previous model and on this one.

Performance is snappy when getting to the home screen and navigating the menus.

Moving channel to channel is also pretty fast which will be music to the ear of channels surfers hunting for something to watch.

But, of course, there are easier ways to get to your content with Universal Search so you can ask for a program and the Fetch box will search not only all of Fetch but also the streaming apps as well.

The box offers a high-quality viewing experience and it can also handle Dolby Vision – a form of High Dynamic Range (HDR) – on 4K movies available in the Movie Store. And this is on top of support for HDR10.

There also already support for the AV1 streaming codec which may come in to play in the near future to provide streaming services with a better quality streaming without the need for a big increase in bandwidth.

On the audio side, the new Fetch Mighty offers Dolby Digital Surround 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos so you can hear 3D surround through your TV or speaker system when watching movies with Dolby Atmos soundtracks.

Most customers connect their Fetch Mighty to their wireless network.

Not many have the luxury of having their modem right next to the box and connected with an Ethernet cable.

The great news is the Fetch box now has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity – the faster wireless standard – so you’ll get a better wireless connection from your modem or mesh wi-fi system with reduced buffering and a better viewing experience especially when viewing 4K content.

What’s attractive about the Fetch Mighty box is the ease of use, the excellent performance and the ability to locate your content in one place and find what you want to watch in seconds.

But the Fetch ecosystem also extends to the impressive Fetch Mobile app which can easily be linked the box and even used as a remote control.

But it can so do much more. You can browse TV Guide and set recordings if you’re not home in front of the box.

You can also view Fetch through the app whether it’s one of the subscription channels of your own stuff including your recordings and purchased and rented movies and TV shows.

Fetch also has the Mini box which can be wirelessly linked to the Mighty.

The Mini can’t record but you can stream your recordings and even Live TV from the Mighty.

This means the Mini can be placed in a room where there is no antenna connection or anywhere you want to access the content from the Mighty.

The Fetch Mighty is priced at $449 and is also available through internet providers on a subscription.

VERDICT

The Fetch Mighty certainly lives up to its name. It’s one of the best PVRs you can buy – it also ticks all the boxes for your content demands including free-to-air TV, catch up apps, streaming apps, subscription channels and a movie and TV store. And it does it in style with stunning video and audio quality.

The post Fetch Mighty (Gen 4) review – a powerful PVR that meets all your content needs appeared first on Tech Guide.

The iPhone has become one of the most popular gaming devices in the world and Backbone One now provides the physical controls to take the game to a whole other level.

The Backbone One also comes into its own after the recent launch of the Xbox Cloud Gaming service which allows customers to play the latest Xbox games on their iPhone.

It’s also compatible with Apple Arcade, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Remote Play, PS Remote Play, Steam Link, Stadia and Amazon Luna.

Backbone One is compatible with a number of games for those players who want more than the touch controls of the screen.

Backbone One has an expandable design so you can fit iPhones back to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus all the way up to the recently released iPhone 13.

If you have the iPhone 13 Pro or the iPhone 13 Pro Max, you will need an adapter. You can email Backbone to obtain one – support@playbackbone.com.

If there’s a case on your iPhone – it will also need to be removed for the best fit.

You also need to be running iOS 13 or later on your iPhone as well.

The Backbone One looks like a controller that’s been split in half with the space in the middle expandable to accommodate the various size iPhones.

On the right half is the Lighting plug that connects the iPhone to the Backbone One to enable the controls in the compatible games.

Having that Lightning connection also means it doesn’t require a battery because it draws aits power from the iPhone. That’s one less thing you need to remember to charge.

On the left side is a joystick, directional keys, a button to record gameplay and another to mute the game.

On the right side is another joystick, A and B, X and Y buttons, shortcut button to the Backbone app and a menu key.

But it doesn’t stop there. There are also two shoulder buttons on each side.

The Backbone One without an iPhone inside it is 17.62cm wide and can extend to a maximum size of 25.76cm. It weighs 138g on its own and you can add the weight of the iPhone you’re using to working out the total weight.

The Backbone app is like your home base that links you to all the compatible games and services.

In the menu system you can take even more control by calibrating the joysticks and mapping the buttons to suit the game and your preferences.

When the iPhone is placed in the Backbone One it has a nice balanced feel in your hands with all the controls right there at your fingertips.

Playing games on the iPhone with the touchscreen controls just doesn’t offer the same experience as playing with a controller in your hands.

With the controls on the screen, it means you’re also covering part of the screen and limiting the game’s real estate.

We’ve found touch controls are not always as accurate or responsive as a physical button or joystick.

What helps is a fast wi-fi network as well. Any kind of lag you experience is more likely to be your network rather than the Backbone One.

We spend some time playing Call of Duty – a game we play on our PlayStation console.

But the mobile version wasn’t of interest because of the hit and miss nature of the control interface.

The Backbone One is literally a game-changer. Playing Call of Duty with the Backbone One felt almost exactly like playing on a console.

The tactile feel and familiarity were brilliant and really adds another layer to playability of the game.

Up until now we only ever liked to play puzzle games and the odd driving game on the iPhone.

But now, our choices have expanded thanks to having these physical controls.

The Backbone One is available now and is priced $179.99. It is available from The Gamesmen, Amazon, Catch.com.au, Mwave Australia, Scorptec, Kogan.com and from the Backbone website.

VERDICT

If you’re a fan of mobile gaming on your iPhone and want to take your gameplay to the next level, then you need to get your hands on the Backbone One.

The post Backbone One controller review – a real game-changer for iPhone players appeared first on Tech Guide.

The new Apple TV 4K is a huge leap ahead from the previous generation with a better remote, higher frame rate HDR and a new Colour Balance feature that puts a world of content at your fingertips in the best quality.

TVs are getting bigger and picture quality is getting better and there is no shortage of content that will showcase their remarkable features.

Apple TV 4K is a product that turns your television into an entertainment hub to view your favourite TV shows, movies, sport, as well as access your music, play your favourite games and access your favourite apps.

This time around while the Apple TV 4K unit itself looks pretty much the same as the previous model, it’s the new Siri Remote which has undergone the biggest change and made viewing your content even easier.

Under the hood of the Apple TV 4K is the A12 bionic chip with 64-bit architecture that adds new video decoding capabilities as well as audio enhancements which means your TV shows, movies and sport will look and sound better than ever before.

Setting up the device takes just minutes with iPhone users able to bring it close to Apple TV to start the process.

And it’s not the only time you’ll be using the iPhone to optimise Apple TV 4K – but more about that later.

The new Siri Remote has an all-new look and design which is bigger and thicker than the previous remote.

The buttons have also been rearranged along with the navigation controls.

The circular click pad is surrounded by directional keys and is touch sensitive so you can use it to swipe down to find out information about what you’re watching and jog through your movie with a simple circular gesture to get to the point you want to watch.

You need to hit the pause button first before running your thumb on the outer ring either clockwise or counter clockwise depending on the direction you choose to move through the timeline.

It will get you to your scene in seconds.

On the side of the controller is a dedicated Siri button which makes it easy for you to find your content with spoken searches and also navigate what you’re watching simply by asking.

For example, you might ask Siri to “find movies starring Tom Cruise” or “go forward two minutes”.

The remote also works to control the volume of your TV and to power it on and off.

The keys are easy to locate so you can find your way around it without the need to look down at the remote.

That’s ideal if you’re in the middle of a movie with the lights down.

Another remarkable new feature is Colour Balance – a feature that uses the advanced sensors on your iPhone to improve your TV’s picture quality.

When held up to the television, your iPhone uses its camera and proximity sensor to guide you to an onscreen target.

It uses the light sensor on your iPhone to create a comparison between your TV’s colour balance to the industry standard specifications used by film makers around the world.

At the end of the process you are presented with the original settings and the balanced settings.

You can toggle between these two settings to see the difference for yourself and choose whether to adopt the new settings or stick with the original.

We chose to go with the new settings which improved the look of the image on our Samsung 4K TV.

I’m sure if you’ve invested in a 4K TV and a decent audio system you want to watch the best possible quality content.

And that’s exactly what Apple TV 4K offers.

Already on board is 4K compatibility so you’re taking advantage of the entire resolution of your 4K TV along with HDR (high dynamic range) for much better contrast ratios and greater colour depth.

The great thing about Apple TV 4K is that it supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10 which are the two leading HDR formats used in the industry.

And that means you’re able to enjoy more HDR content across more sources and on w wider range of televisions.

The other interesting new addition, thanks to this superior processing power, is high frame rate HDR which allows you to watch content at 60 frames per second.

The result is an even smoother and more natural appearance than ever before whether you’re watching fast moving action films or sports.

We put this to the test while watching movies and watching sport and the difference was noticeable.

Apple TV 4K also supports Dolby Atmos so viewers can enjoy three-dimensional sound that runs in all directions in your viewing space, including from above you, if you have a compatible sound system to give you a fully immersive experience.

Of course, one of the best things about Apple TV 4K, is the content it can put at your fingertips.

Users have access to the App Store to download the latest streaming apps including Netflix, Stan, Kayo Sports and all the free-to-air catch up.

And you can also access iTunes and Apple TV to view the latest movies and TV shows in stunning 4K quality.

But Apple TV 4K isn’t just about TV shows and movies.

it can also be your gaming arcade and your gym as well.

The onboard A12 Bionic chip means support for high quality games which you can enjoy on your TV and control with either your PlayStation or Xbox game controllers.

Apple Arcade is where you’ll find these latest games which developers have created to take advantage of the smoother motion and greater responsiveness that Apple TV 4K can offer.

And on the fitness side, Apple Fitness+ allows you to workout with amazing trainers in a fitness class which takes your in-session metrics like your heart rate and calories burned from your Apple Watch and displays it on your screen in real time.

iPhone users can also unlock and enjoy a range of features including using your iPhone as a remote control for Apple TV 4K and entering text via keyboard notification on your iPhone.

You can also connect up to two sets of AirPods to your Apple TV 4K so you can enjoy your content quietly and in private.

Apple TV 4K supports HDMI 2.1 for higher video bandwidth and higher frame rates and also has Wi-Fi 6 on board for higher data connection speeds to improve your streaming experience.

Apple TV 4K is available now for $249 (32GB) and $279 (64GB).

VERDICT

Apple TV 4K is a worthwhile investment and an exciting upgrade for anyone interested in viewing the latest content in the highest quality in the easiest and most comfortable way.

The post Apple TV 4K 2021 review – access the latest content in the highest quality appeared first on Tech Guide.

There are so many streaming options and content available and if you have an older TV or a smart TV that doesn’t have all the streaming apps you want, then the new Chromecast with Google TV is what you need.

Priced at just $99, Chromecast with Google TV is capable of 4K streaming and includes access to Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube and catch-up apps for free-to-air channels including 9Now, ABC iView and 7 Plus.

And with the Google Play Store onboard you can also install apps including Binge, Hayu and Kayo Sports, Optus Sports and many, many more.

Where necessary users need to have subscriptions to these services to access them on Chromecast with Google TV so all you need to do is sign in on these apps to start watching.

Included with the Chromecast with Google TV is the Chromecast dongle itself, a power cable and power brick and a remote control.

Previous versions of the Chromecast required users to use their smartphones as the remote control.

But not so this time. The remote control with Chromecast with Google TV is small and light and provides an easy and fast way to get to the content you want to watch.

The remote can even control the volume on your TV and turn in on and off.

It also provides voice control through Google Assistant so you can easily search for content by title, actor, genre and even by mood.

Setup is really easy – it can be done either through the Google home app or entirely on the TV using the remote control.

For users who don’t want to include their smartphone and reduce the complication, setup via the TV is probably the best option.

If they don’t already have one they’ll need a Google account which can easily be created.

otherwise it’s simply a matter of logging in to your Google account and setting it up.

For our review we connected Chromecast with Google TV and had to wait patiently for a firmware update before connecting to our home network.

Once connected and updated, we could then choose the apps we wanted to include on our home screen.

This would be a welcome feature for customers who may have older TV’s or a more recent TV that doesn’t have all the streaming apps built in.

Disney+ and Kayo Sports, for example, are not available on all smart TVs.

If your TV is running the Android operating system then you can simply download those apps to your TV.

But for those that are not, you needed to purchase a product like Apple TV which cost hundreds of dollars.

With Chromecast with Google TV, that problem is solved for just $99 – a remarkable price for a device that can not only offer access to all of these streaming services but also offer it in 4K.

For customers with older TV’s the Chromecast with Google TV is also a godsend because it turns their TV into a smart TV.

And for users with older smart TV it makes that an even smarter TV and now brings streaming apps like Netflix and Stan, now standard on newer smart TVs, to their fingertips.

But another great feature of the product is the dashboard which arranges and suggests content.

It groups movies and TV shows into genres and time periods.

It derives all of these selections from the apps you have installed.

So the movie recommendations, for example, are gathered from the streaming apps you have installed so suggestions are coming from Prime, Stan, Netflix and any others you have installed.

Sports lovers can also enjoy Kayo Sports, Optus Sports and download and subscribe to the NFL, NBA and MLB apps of you’re a fan of American sports.

The only downside is that the Google TV has a few seconds lag when switching between apps.

The Chromecast with Google TV is available now in snow (white), sunrise (pink) and sky (blue) and is priced at $99.

VERDICT

The Chromecast with Google TV is a great solution for anyone who wants to experience the latest streaming apps in 4K quality. And for less than $100 you might want to buy one for every TV in your house.

The post Chromecast with Google TV review – access the latest streaming content in 4K for under $100 appeared first on Tech Guide.

If you’d like to broadcast yourself easily and in decent quality or want to look your best for your next video meeting then the Logitech StreamCam is an ideal solution.

The device has come along at just the right time and can be used for live streaming as well video chats which have become the norm as we work from home during the coronavirus crisis.

We’re dialling in from home and having video meetings with the current COVID-19 restrictions in place and the StreamCam can help you look and sound your best.

Logitech StreamCam has an adjustable mount that can help users attach to the lid of a laptop or on top of a monitor and then aimed at the user.

It can also be attached to the top of a tripod if you pop it out of the mount.

Logitech StreamCam, as its name suggests, can be used for live streaming to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Instagram and Snapchat.

Users can choose to shoot horizontally like a regular video or re-position camera in the mount to capture vertically to create videos for the smartphone screen for Instagram and Snapchat.

The device, which works with both Mac and Windows, connects to the USB-C port on your laptop or computer and offers 1080p full high definition at up to 60fps (frames per second).

Quality of the video is quite impressive with a sharp image and the automatically calculated exposure takes into account the available light and makes the adjustments on the fly.

It works quite well even if there isn’t a lot of light in the room.

The StreamCam also has smart focus and AI-enabled face tracking so the camera will always keep you centred and in focus.

On the audio sound, users also have the choice of using the mic aboard the Logitech StreamCam which is actually decent quality.

But users can also connect their own higher quality microphone if they prefer.

A lot of online live streamers also like their microphones to be visible on screen because they not only sound good but look pretty cool as well.

Apart from the Logitech StreamCam itself, there’s also the Logitech Capture companion software which adds some fun and versatility.

With the software, users can connect a second camera and create various split screen and picture in picture effects so you can really take your live stream or recording to another level.

Another source can also be your desktop and the various open applications you have so you can display on the screen websites, documents, images – whatever you need.

It’s also possible to place text on the screen and change the font and colour. This is handy to identify yourself on screen or to cut and paste questions or comments you might be receiving in a live stream

You can also easily change the colour and transparency of the text background as well to suit your video.

Scene effects are also available to change the colour of the image, turn it to black and white and other fun effects like magnifying parts of the scene.

There’s also an option to create a border around the image as well.

And for true broadcast quality features you also have the ability to create sliding transitions to shift between sources and cameras.

The Logitech StreamCam is available now in white or graphite and is priced at $229.95.

VERDICT

The Logitech StreamCam is an ideal solution for users who want to broadcast themselves with live streaming or to create content that can be viewed on social media and smartphones. It offers quality and versality and the companion Logitech Capture software puts a range of powerful features at your fingertips to improve your content.

The post Logitech StreamCam review – easily broadcast yourself in great quality appeared first on Tech Guide.

When you think of tracking your run, most people would think of their phone, smartwatch or fitness tracker but now you can do it with your shoe – and more specifically the Under Armour HOVR.

Under Armour is a well know brand in the fitness space and it also has a range of fitness apps so it made perfect sense to combine those two worlds.

And when you think of it, what better way to track your run than with the shoes on your feet.

There are six UA shoes in the HVR range which offer varying levels of cushioning and cover different types of runners and cope with how they run.

For this review we used the UA HOVR SONIC 3 ($180) which offers both cushioning and flexibility which can be used for long or short runs and walks.

The full range is:

UA HOVR MACHINA ($220)
The softness of a high-cushion distance running shoe with the springy speed of a racing flat, for runners with serious goals. Uncaged UA HOVR and a carbon-filled Pebax plate give lightweight cushion and responsive speed, for energy return.

UA HOVR INFINITE 2 ($200)
The anchor of the UA run suite, the UA HOVR Infinite features just the right amount of cushion and bounce, for runners looking to go the distance. The UA HOVR Infinite 2 features a slightly updated upper, with the same fit and feel underneath your feet.

UA HOVR SONIC 3 ($180)
For runners who need flexibility, cushioning and versatility, the UA HOVR Sonic 3 offers our smoothest ride yet. Lightweight cushion and a breathable upper make this a go-to for any run.

UA HOVR PHANTOM RN ($200)
These offers an amped-up feel, a sock-like fit, and flex vent panels give comfort on shorter, faster runs. Improved breathability and an anatomically shaped collar are two key features of this update to the UA HOVR Phantom collection.

UA HOVR GUARDIAN 2 ($220)
It offers lightweight stability to help overpronators direct their bodies to the most efficient stride. New for 2020 is a slight update to the mesh upper, while the midsole and outsole remain unchanged.

UA HOVR VELOCITI 3 ($200 – launching in June)
The UA HOVR Velociti is a lightweight, durable tempo shoe for fast workouts and shorter races. A sleek new upper gives the shoe a fast look.

The UA shoes are quite stylish with bright colours and designs and are also super comfortable to offer the support you need whether you’re running, walking, on the gym or doing any type of exercise.

To get started you need to download the UA MapMyRun app and then you need to pair your shoes – yes, that’s right pair your shoes.

The sensor is located in the right shoe so you need to move or tap your right foot to wake up the sensor and make it detectable by the app.

A few seconds later you’re connected and ready to go. We did a couple of runs and a few walks and was amazed at the amount of data it can capture while you’re exercising.

It’s also possible to install the app on Apple Watch and just run it from there. You can also monitor your runs with a Fitbit, a Suunto watch and also add a heart rate chest band.

We somehow ran the app at the same on both our iPhone and Apple Watch and were getting notifications from both.

By notifications, we mean a voice interrupting whatever you’re listening to with a report about your walk or run and all your stats. You can turn this voiceover feature off if you like.

And the level of detail is quite impressive. It includes distance, pace, cadence and even stride length.

With the sensors in the shoes, it also reads things like ground contact time and your foot strike angle.

The companion app is excellent and can provide GPS mapping through your paired phone and also allows you to link Apple Music.

But that’s just the start. The app can also provide real time coaching to help you reach your targets for pace, heart rate (obtained from Apple Watch), speed, distance and calories burned.

It’s quite comprehensive and will satisfy even the most active users to tally their stats and look back on their progress and find areas to improve.

VERDICT

If you want to find your best form and increase your fitness and receive the real-time coaching and encouragement to help you meet your goals, the Under Armour HOVR running shoes and the MapMyRun app make a great combination.

The post Under Armour HOVR review – the connected shoes that can track your run appeared first on Tech Guide.

Apple’s iWork suite of applications – Pages, Numbers and Keynote – have been given a significant update both on the Mac and on iOS devices with a major focus on enhancing creativity.

Included in the update is a new Drawing and Smart Annotation. It’s also possible to record, edit and play audio directly to Pages, Numbers and Keynote documents.

In Keynote on iOS, you can now add math equations, edit master slides and export a presentation as a movie or an image.

Here are all the updates:

iWork for iOS
What’s new in Pages
• Easily record, edit, and play audio directly on a page.
• Smart annotation marks now stretch and wrap to follow your text as you edit.
• Quickly switch between drawing and smart annotation modes on iPad.
• A new option in Settings > Pages lets you use Apple Pencil to select and scroll
• Track text changes in shapes and text boxes.
• Add colors and images to backgrounds in page layout documents.
• Give charts a new look with rounded corners on columns and bars.
• Add mathematical equations to page layout documents using LaTeX or MathML notation.
• Enhance your documents with a variety of new editable shapes.
• Add gradient and image fills to shapes and text boxes.
• Easily browse templates by category.
• Save a different auto scroll speed per document when using presenter mode.
• Improved support for Arabic and Hebrew.

What’s new in Numbers
• Easily record, edit, and play audio directly in a spreadsheet.
• A new option in Settings > Numbers lets you use Apple Pencil to select and scroll
• Give charts a new look with rounded corners on columns and bars.
• Add mathematical equations using LaTeX or MathML notation.
• Enhance your documents with a variety of new editable shapes.
• Add gradient and image fills to shapes and text boxes.
• Easily browse templates by category.

What’s new in Keynote
• Edit existing or create new master slides.
• Easily record, edit, and play audio directly on a slide.
• A new option in Settings > Keynote lets you use Apple Pencil to select and scroll.
• Export a presentation as a movie or images.
• Give charts a new look with rounded corners on columns and bars.
• Add mathematical equations using LaTeX or MathML notation.
• Enhance your documents with a variety of new editable shapes.
• Add gradient and image fills to shapes and text boxes.
• Improved support for Arabic and Hebrew.

iWork for Mac
What’s new in Pages
• Track text changes in shapes and text boxes.
• Add colors and images to backgrounds in page layout documents.
• Give charts a new look with rounded corners on columns and bars.
• Add mathematical equations to page layout documents using LaTeX or MathML notation.
• Enhance your documents with a variety of new editable shapes.
• Improved support for Arabic and Hebrew.

What’s new in Numbers
• Give charts a new look with rounded corners on columns and bars.
• Add mathematical equations using LaTeX or MathML notation.
• Enhance your documents with a variety of new editable shapes.
• Improved compatibility with Microsoft Excel.
• Improved CSV and text import.

What’s new in Keynote
• Add mathematical equations using LaTeX or MathML notation.
• Give charts a new look with rounded corners on columns and bars.
• Enhance your documents with a variety of new editable shapes.
• Improved compatibility with Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Improved support for Arabic and Hebrew.

These updates are all available as a free download.

The post Apple rolls out major updates for Pages, Numbers and Keynote appeared first on Tech Guide.

Amazon has been busy releasing its new range of Echo speakers and it’s at it again with the launch of its latest creation – the Echo Spot – which includes a small circular screen so you can see as well as hear the information.

The orb-shaped device is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and has a flat base which gives it the perfect angle to view on a desk, a bedside table or a kitchen counter.

Users can personalise the screen with a clock face or their favourite photos.

And, of course, the Echo Spot also connects to Alexa so you can ask questions, play your music, hear the latest news, and control compatible smart home devices.

It includes far-field technology and four microphones with enhanced noise cancellation so it can hear you from across the room even with loud music playing.

But now with the screen you can also see that information including short videos of the latest news items from your choice of news providers.

This means you can get a video briefing before you’ve even gotten out of bed.

You can even watch movie trailers on the screen through the IMBD app.

The addition of the display adds another dimension to the product which can be placed in easy view rather being parked away in a corner like a traditional smart speaker.

That display adds a lot more skills for you to enjoy including viewing connected security cameras in your home.

For our review, we linked to our Ring doorbell and we could see a live view from our front door just by asking.

That’s a handy feature and a great use of the screen.

But it would have been better if our Echo Spot could automatically show us the view from the front door when someone actually rang the doorbell.

It’s a similar scenario when linked to your other security cameras or a connected baby monitor – you can simply ask to see the view from their locations.

Users can also take control of their smart lights and set up scenarios like they did with the regular Echo speakers.

There are already a number of smart home device manufacturers who have lent their skills to Alexa and the Echo ecosystem.

These skills can be easily set up through the Amazon Alexa app.

A great new addition to the device is voice and video calling. Users with the Amazon Alexa app and an Echo Spot can make video calls to each other.

Yes, there is a camera built in.

It would be a great idea to gift the Echo Spot to loved ones like parents or grandparents so you can make this easy connection.

There is another feature on board called Drop In – and just like people would drop in at your place, you can do a similar thing with the Echo Spot.

A Drop In with the Echo Spot initiates a video call with your contacts already identified as Echo Spot owners.

So rather than going through the cellular network to contact them – it’s a Spot to Spot connection over the Internet.

But before you get the creeps, we should tell you that you can select the contacts you would allow to Drop In on you.

And when the Drop In call comes through – you can’t stop it .

It will connect automatically after the light ring on the Echo pulses green and the caller can hear anything within range of the Spot. If they have video enabled the contact will see a frosted glass video that eventually turns clear shortly after the connection is made.

Echo Spot can also be your DJ and play your music from your Amazon Music Unlimited account.

But the speaker is not going to win any awards for audio quality. It’s ample for a small room but don’t expect a massive sound.

The good news is you can connect it with a 3.5mm audio cable or Bluetooth to your existing audio system which then adds Alexa to that system as well.

The Echo Spot can also be utilised to take advantage of the many skills of Alexa including checking bank accounts, requesting an Uber, checking flight status, asking for a recipe and seeing when the next bus or train will arrive.

The Echo Spot is priced at $199 and is available in black or white from amazon.com/echospot and retailers JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and Myer.

VERDICT
The Echo speaker family was already impressive thanks to Alexa and its many skills but that’s just gone to the next level with the Echo Spot speaker thanks to the built-in display.

The post Amazon Echo Spot smart speaker review – all the power of Alexa and now with a display appeared first on Tech Guide.

Fitbit, already a household name when it comes to activity trackers, has ventured again into smartwatch territory with the Fitbit Versa and is trying to poach customers away from the popular Apple watch.

The company’s first attempt was last year with the release of the Fitbit Ionic which was priced almost in line with the Apple Watch – the runaway leader in the category.

Now Fitbit is attacking from a different direction with the more affordable Versa.

This latest smartwatch is priced from $299.95 and is a stylish addition to your wrist.

Naturally the device can keep track of all your movement, your workouts and also your sleep and present it to you in the excellent Fitbit app.

The device has an impressive design with angled edges and it’s pretty slim on your wrist.

Fitbit has decided to go with the 1.34-inch screen hoping to make it the “just right” size for both men and women.

I don’t know if it’s because of I’ve got a thick wrist, but I felt the Versa was a little too small for me.

But that aside, it still looked pretty cool and worked really well.

Fitbit is not positioning the Versa to be an Apple Watch killer but rather an affordable alternative that can do almost everything it’s more expensive rival can do.

It has a heart rate monitor, can fit music on the device, track you through on-screen workouts and even make wallet free payments.

And did we mention it’s got a battery that can last up to four days?

For our testing we got well into the third day before being reminded the battery was low.

But if we pushed it and didn’t do too many workouts or receive a lot of notifications from our smartphone we might’ve hit four days between charges.

The device has a responsive touchscreen that’s still big enough to easily navigate.

There are also three physical buttons to help guide you around the menus and apps.

On your wrist you can see all your daily health and fitness stats, your heart rate along with hourly nudges to get you up and moving.

And being a smartwatch, it was also possible to view app, call, calendar and text message notifications right on your wrist.

It can pair with an iPhone or Android device but it plays nicer with the latter.

When we paired the Versa to an iPhone, we didn’t always get call notifications on our wrist. That didn’t seem to be an issue when it was linked to an Android device.

An Android user can send quick pre-populated or customisable replies to messages, something that is just not possible with an iPhone with Versa because of Apple’s closed system.

But you can with an Apple Watch.

When you’re exercising, the Fitbit Versa comes into its own with automatic activity and exercise tracking.

So when you go on a run or walk, you don’t even need to do anything it can tell what you’re doing and keep track of it.

There are more than 15 exercise modes and it can hook into your smartphone’s GPS to map your run or walk.

One of the strengths of the Fitbit is its sleep tracking which could not only tell you how well you’re sleeping and how long you’re sleeping but can even set your sleep schedule to get optimum shut eye.

One thing that bothered us during the night was how easily a slight movement can illuminate the screen.

It also has Cardio Fitness Level to really gauge a fitness – a feature usually found in far more expensive sport watches.

You can even take Versa for a swim – it’s water resistant to a depth of 50m and can even track your laps, duration and calories burned in the swimming pool.

Female users will have an extra reason to have the Versa on their wrist – soon it will be able to help women understand their menstrual cycle and how it affects their overall health.

Women will be able to easily log their menstrual cycle data and take note of other effects like headaches, acne and cramps.

It can also then tell women exactly where they are in their cycle, when to expect their period and the time of the month when they are ovulating.

The update is coming soon and could very well steer more women to the Fitbit brand.

It is easy to personalise the Fitbit Versa with various clock faces while the Fitbit App Gallery can introduce you to more than 550 apps.

You can also leave your wallet at home and pay in any store where contactless payments are accepted with Fitbit Pay which is supported by nearly 40 banks through American Express, MasterCard and Visa networks.

And of course, we have to mention the brilliant Fitbit app which puts all the information collected by the Versa smartwatch at your fingertips so it’s easy to keep tabs on your progress.

Users can also accessorise the Versa with classic, leather and stainless-steel watchbands with prices ranging from $49.95 to $139 95.

The Fitbit Versa is available in five colours and is priced at $299.95. There is also a Special Edition which has a grey body and an exclusive watch band for $349.95.

VERDICT

The Fitbit Versa is an impressive entry-level smartwatch that delivers a lot of bang for your buck. With the exercise tracking and apps on board, it’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist.

The post Fitbit Versa review – affordable smartwatch that’s like a personal trainer on your wrist appeared first on Tech Guide.

How much do you love your pet? If you’ve got a cat or dog, they’re part of the family and have also become our viewing partners when we’re bingeing the latest shows from Netflix.

On the eve of International Pet Today, Netflix has released some surprising details about our viewing habits – with our pets.
They are already great companions and like to be near us or snuggle right next to us on the couch when watching TV.

According to Netflix, 70 per cent of Australian members have watched a Netflix program with their pet.

More than half, that’s 59 per cent, find pets to be the best binge partners – well, they’re not going to talk, hog the remote, reveal any spoilers or judge your taste in TV shows.

Nearly half (47 per cent) said they found it relaxing to have their pet nearby while watching their favourite Netflix shows.

One in seven even go as far as bribing their pets with treats so they stay with them while watching TV.

And 14 per cent have even turned off show because their pet didn’t like it.

The post Netflix and woof? Why Australians love to binge watch with their pets appeared first on Tech Guide.

The movement away from cables with earphones is growing rapidly and Jabra has given us a great reason to leave the cords behind with its new Elite 65t true wireless earbuds.

We already know Jabra has solid credentials in the wireless audio space and it has managed to pack all that technology into a pair of small earbuds that deliver a big sound.

Each of the Elite 65t buds have been ergonomically designed to sit comfortably and securely in your ear.

They are about the size of a five-cent piece and are about 1.5 cm thick – in other words they’re not too bulky.

Each bud has a small branch with a silicon tip to fit into your ear canal and this adds to the stability of the product, so they will never feel like they’re about to fall out.

On the outside is a button that can help you navigate your music but, thanks to the outside microphone, you can also summon Siri, Google Assistant and Alexa to make your next move.

That outside mic also comes in handy for making and receiving calls – more about that in a minute.

When the Jabra Elite 65t buds are in your ears, they create a seal which helps reduce outside noise.

But what also happens is you being able to hear everything through your head like your footsteps if you’re walking or running.

This isn’t an issue with Apple’s AirPods, for example, because they don’t create that seal, they just sit securely inside your ear.

The upside of that seal with the Jabra earbuds is higher maximum volume than the AirPods but you will still hear every footstep through your skull.

Sure, when the music is playing that fades into the background, but it’s still there.

All the audio side, Jabra has a lot to be proud of.

The quality is impressive with plenty of detail and an ample amount of bass so any type of music you’re listening to sounds great.

Even at its maximum volume there was little distortion we could detect.

There were some times where the connection flaked out and took a few seconds to reconnect.

Also, on the odd occasion, only one earbud would be connected (the left would drop out) when we got them out of the case.

To rectify this, we had to turn them off and on again for both to connect to our device.

This didn’t happen very often, but when it did it took a little while to rectify.

The Jabra Elite 65t works with the Jabra Sound+ app which lets you add extra features and let you choose your voice assistant and even modify how much nearby noise you want to hear.

The app also let you keep track of your battery charge level and set up a personalised equaliser.

It also comes in handy to adjust the quality of making and receiving calls. The app allows you to adjust how much of your own voice you want to hear.

Call quality at our end was excellent but a couple of the people we were talking to said it sounded like we were standing in the middle of the room talking through our phone’s loud speaker.

A big help is the wind noise reduction using the onboard four-microphone technology that can make you sound clearer whether you’re in the middle of a shopping centre or outside in the wind.

You can also use the app to control how much of the outside world you can hear.

This is a handy feature especially for those using it while they’re walking or running so they can be aware of what’s happening around them.

Jabra has also made it easier to stay up-to-date with firmware updates so you’ve always got the latest software on board.

This popular use for the Jabra Elite 65t will be for exercise and the good news here is the earbuds have an IP55 rating so they can handle water and dust. They also come with a two-year warranty as well.

You get about five hours of use on a single charge but, when you throw in the case which has its own built-in battery, that can be stretched out to 15 hours.

Every time you put the Jabra earbuds back in the case they are being charged, so you’re never going to be caught short before a run or trip to the gym as long as you remember to charge the case.

At $299, the Jabra Elite 65t are on par with similar products on the market but more expensive than Apple’s popular AirPods ($229), which would be an iPhone user’s most obvious option if looking for true wireless earphones.

The Jabra Elite 65t are more secure in your ear than the AirPods and also louder but you do have that issue of hearing every footstep and mouthful of food you’re eating through your head.

VERDICT

The Jabra Elite 65t are impressive wirefree earphones that can be used anywhere and provide excellent audio quality with a companion app that can give you complete control.

The post Jabra Elite 65t wirefree earbuds review – impressive sound and a secure fit appeared first on Tech Guide.

When you invest in an Amazon Echo speaker, you’re not just getting the hardware in the deal but the entire Amazon ecosystem which allows you to take control of your life, your music and the devices in your home.

There are three products in the range –  the Echo Dot ($79), the Echo ($149) and the Echo Plus ($229) which all have varying degrees of audio quality and processing that can all give you a remarkable amount of information and control of your smart devices at home.

Each is your gateway to the latest news, the weather, sports results, recipes, your calls, your calendar along with access to your music and a host of other services which are called “skills”.

Then of course, there are other devices you can control like lights, switches and the appliances connected to them, the temperature in your home and your security cameras.

Set up of these devices is fairly straightforward through the Amazon Alexa app that walks users through the process and eventually connects the speakers to your wireless network.

This went smooth for our review and only took a few minutes to complete.

What was interesting was the fact that each of the speakers thought my location was in Westlake in Western Australia. I actually live in Sydney in NSW and had to enter my address manually.

Overall, Alexa is quite accurate and can hear you even from across the room.

Each speaker has an array of seven microphones that use being forming technology and noise cancellation to zero in on the person who says the wake word “Alexa”.

And the more we used to live better and more responsive it got.

Echo can play multi-room music, give you movie showtimes and even read your Kindle e-books to you.

And tadding your smart devices to Echo is remarkably easy. All you need to do is say “Alexa, discover my devices” and that’s exactly what happens.

The ones that aren’t picked up like this can be added quite easily throng the Amazon Alexa app.

One area where Amazon stands out from the rest are the skills which allow you to find information, request certain services and get tasks done.
For example, you can check your Qantas flight status, ask hipages to find your tradesmen, check your Westpac and National Australia Bank balance and check on your Amaysim mobile account plus much much more.

Amazon has formed these strategic partnerships to make their devices even more useful and valuable in a person’s life.

That’s the extra mile the company has gone to to create features and capabilities other smart speakers can’t match.

ECHO DOT ($79)

This is the smallest product in the Echo family and can be used on its own or connected to a larger music system to turn that into a connected smart device.

Audio quality through the Echo Dot is fairly average through its on-board single speaker but when connected either via Bluetooth or a cable to another speaker, it’s a different story altogether.

AMAZON ECHO ($149)

The mid -sized Echo speaker sounds noticeably better than the Dot thanks to the Dolby-powered tweeters and downward firing 2.5-inch subwoofer.

Amazon Echo stands at 14.8cm high and has the same controls on the top panel as the other speakers in the range.

If you’re a member of Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify or TuneIn, you can hear music, artists,  playlists and podcasts just by asking for it.

ECHO PLUS ($229)

This is the top-of-the-line model and not only because it is the largest speaker in the lineup.

The device, which is 23.5cm tall,  has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub for even simpler and direct set up of compatible lights, locks and more from a number of brands.

Sound quality when listening to music is impressive and far better than its smaller family members.

Clarity is respectable but the base is a touch on the weak side.

If your main use for the speaker is to hear music, we recommend spending the extra money and going for the Echo Plus.

VERDICT
The Amazon Echo speakers are extremely useful tools to have in your home and they can become a useful addition to get things done, hear your favourite music and control your home.

The additional skills from partner companies, and there will be many more, will make the Echo speakers and Alexa an even more valuable part of your life.

The post Amazon Echo speakers review – the power of Alexa to control your life, your music and your home appeared first on Tech Guide.

A good smart product is one that can add control and convenience to your life. Sensibo Sky is one of those products and it makes it possible to control your air conditioner from anywhere at any time.

Sensibo is a small device that can be linked to your home network and turn your existing air-conditioning set up into a smart system that can be controlled using an app.

Whether you’ve got a split air conditioner, a mobile air-conditioner or ducted air-conditioning, Sensibo will now let you take complete control as well as monitor and automate the process and even help you save energy.

The device is compatible with any air-conditioner that comes with an infrared remote control.

And it just takes minutes to set up.

It is a small unit, less than the size of a deck of cards and it can be mounted in view of the air conditioner using the two-sided tape on the back.

But it does need power so you need to have it near a plug as well.

At first we thought the device had a built-in rechargeable battery because we’d seen standalone images of the sensor.

But we soon realised there was no internal battery and it needed a constant power supply.

For our review, we linked the Sensibo to our LG ducted air conditioner. It has a traditional control plate with a LCD screen to indicate the temperature and the ability to turn the temperature up and down and switch between cooling and heating.

The set up required us to plug in the Sensibo unit to power and link it to our wi-fi network.

Then we had to simply aim our infrared remote control at the top half of the Sensibo and press the remote’s on button so it could learn the available commands.

Our control pad is on the second level of our house and the remote (which was stored in a bracket under out stairs) wouldn’t work from downstairs.

By the time we were in range with the remote we were virtually only a couple of metres away from the panel.

But now with the Sensibo I can turn on the AC from anywhere in my home and also adjust the temperature.

Our Sensibo is positioned on the opposite wall to the air-conditioner control panel –  which means they are about 7m apart.

The device is basically an IR (infrared) blaster that sends the same signal the original remote would to get things happening.

And I can also switch it on when I’m not even home – a handy feature on a hot day when you want to come home to a cool house.

Or if you want to come home to a warm one in winter.

Users can also set up a location based trigger for their air conditioner to turn on or off.

Sensibo can be set up to automatically turn on your air conditioner when you arrive and also turn it off when the last person leaves the house.

You also have unlimited seven days scheduling so you can set certain times of the day for your air-conditioner to be running and when it needs to be switched off.

And yes you can also control Sensibo with Google Home and Amazon Alexa so your air conditioner can switch on and off with your voice.

One of the only things we didn’t like about the product was the fact we couldn’t see if someone had turned the air conditioner on manually.

During our review period someone had turned on the AC at the switch but it didn’t register on the Sensibo app that it was actually on.

So clicking on with the app kept it on and then when we had to hit the off switch on the app to turn the system off.

But not knowing the status of the system was the only downside. Apart from this minor issue we couldn’t fault it.

Sensibo is available now and is priced at $159.

VERDICT

Sensibo Sky does a great job at turning a regular device like an air conditioner into a smart device to open it up and make you easier and more convenient to use.

The post Sensibo Sky review – turn your air conditioner into a smart device appeared first on Tech Guide.

Netgear’s Arlo range of wire free cameras already provide excellent coverage on your home network but now the new Arlo Go can provide the same monitoring anywhere because it has its own SIM card.

It is the world’s first wire-free weather resistant 4G LTE high definition security camera that can be positioned anywhere.

Suddenly the options open up for users who want to keep an eye on their boat, their car, their caravan or just about anything anywhere.

Because you’re using the 4G cellular network for your connection you can now take this camera outside the reach of the your wi-fi network in your home or office.

You might have a holiday house where there’s no wi-fi network, your boat docked at a marina or a caravan in a camping ground.

In all of these scenarios you can use the Arlo Go to keep an eye and ear out for you.

And, just like the other Arlo wire free cameras, users can monitor the cameras through the app and also receive motion notifications.

There’s also two-way audio onboard so you can hear what’s going and talk to whoever is in front of the camera.

Users can also view up to seven days of recordings for free in the cloud and can pay a monthly fee if they want their recordings retained for a longer period.

The set up took just minutes through the Arlo app. It was simply a matter of turning it on, aiming the camera at a QR code on your phone and we were done. That’s it.

For our review, we even left the camera in our car while we were parked at a shopping centre to monitor what was going on around our vehicle. Car park accidents increase by 20 per cent in the Christmas period so now we would be able to see if any incident occurs.

And because of the high-resolution video we were able to see number plates and faces of anyone coming near the car.

This isn’t what Arlo Go is specifically designed to do but it illustrates just how easily it can connect anywhere and how portable it can be.

There is no wi-fi onboard Arlo Go – if you need a wi-fi camera then the Arlo Pro is available for that.

The Arlo Go has a SIM card slot and a slot for a microSD card so you can store your recordings locally.

You do need a SIM card and an attached data plan to provide the connection for the camera.

Data wise, you’re probably looking at about up to 2GB a month.

Options here would be a monthly plan on its own or including the data component to share your existing mobile phone plan’s data allowance.

The Arlo Go is powered by a rechargeable battery that will run for up to 4 months before it needs recharging.

If the camera is placed in a hard to reach location, it would be an idea to invest in an Arlo solar panel so it can constantly charge the device and you’ll never have to worry about the battery again.

The Arlo Go comes with a power cable and adapter, a mounting post and all the screws and plugs you will need.

The Arlo Go is priced at $599 with limited stock in JB Hi-Fi stores now with more stock due early in the New Year.

And if you wanted to pair it up with the Arlo solar panel that will be an additional $149.

VERDICT

With the Arlo Go, Netgear has created a security camera that can literally be placed anywhere and monitor anything to give you peace of mind at all the time.

The post Netgear Arlo Go review – onboard 4G SIM allows you to use it anywhere appeared first on Tech Guide.

There’s isn’t a true Star Wars fan around who hasn’t once imagined wielding a lightsabre and using the Force. Thanks to the new Lenovo Jedi Challenges – it has turned that imagination to reality – augmented reality to be precise.

Jedi Challenges literally puts a lightsabre in your hands and pits you against Darth Maul, Kylo Ren, Darth Vader and others.

And not only that you can play Holochess – on the same board we first saw aboard the Millennium Falcon in the original 1977 Star Wars film – you can also direct troops in massive ground battles.

And it all comes through the Lenovo Mirage AR headset which places your opponents in your surroundings.

It’s powered through the Jedi Challenges app which runs on your smartphone which is inserted into the headset using a special tray that can accommodate most late model handsets.

We also understand that the Jedi Challenges app will be updated when the new Star Wars film The Last Jedi is released in cinemas.

One of the additions to the game will be an all-new opponent from the film. Can’t wait for that!

For our review, we used the iPhone 8 Plus but the system only uses a section of the phone’s display so you’re getting a consistent experience regardless of the size and brand of your smartphone.

But the other impressive part of Jedi Challenges is the exquisite replica lightsaber. It looks just like the one given to Luke Skywalker in Episode IV lightsaber which is actually Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber in Episode III.

It is impressively detailed and accurate and, speaking as Star Wars collector, it’s as good as the many replicas I’ve seen and bought over the years that cost more than the Jedi Challenges $399 pricetag.

So that’s a big tick from me right there – and I haven’t even turned it on yet.

It’s pretty easy to get set – pair the lightsaber, calibrate the lightsaber (you have to draw a figure eight in the air) and you’re good to go.

With the app running on your phone, the headset reflects the image into your eyeline so you can see your surroundings as well as the menu system, your opponents and the playing area in front of you.

A small battery-powered tracking beacon is placed on the floor in front of you. It’s best to give yourself some room – a couple of metres in all directions.

When it’s go time – you get to activate the lightsaber and it’s a thrill to not only hear the amazing ignition sound but also see the blade light up on the lightsaber hilt you’re holding.

You can choose to play holochess or take part in the ground battle but we just wanted to swing that lightsaber.

And being called Jedi Challenges, the object of the game is to not only build up your lightsaber skills but also develop your Jedi powers.

Before you take on your main opponent, you get to practice against Imperial droids and Stormtroopers and learn how to deflect a laser fire and slash them with your lightsaber if they get too close.

Jedi Challenges offers guidance on where your lightsaber needs to be to deflect the blows and these gradually get faster and more complicated as the action intensifies.

Players build up points as they strike their opponent to drain their energy and claim victory.

The menu system is like looking at a star map with different planets offering different opponents and levels as your skills improve.

Before fighting a new opponent, you are given a short training session to learn new methods of combat and defence.

As you move through the levels you learn to dodge and duck to avoid injury while looking for the openings where you can unleash your own attack with your lightsaber.

When you progress to take on Darth Vader, you will need to harness all the skills you’ve learned to beat him.

You have to dodge left and right and duck to avoid his attacks as well as plan your own.

Don’t for a minute think just swinging wildly will get you through, it’s a lot more precise than you think.

And if you think it sounds physical, you’re absolutely right.

Playing Jedi Challenges certainly got our heart rate up and raised a sweat so you’re exercising as much as having fun.

When playing holochess or the ground battles it’s not as physical as a lightsaber dual but still very entertaining.

You can see the images in front of you and watch the battle unfold and direct your troops on the floor of your room.

The quality of the image coming through the app on the smart phone inside headset is surprisingly good.

Although there are some moments when there is reflection and you see images in the corner of your eye but this doesn’t detract from the game at all.

One suggestion we had was expanding the challenges.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could choose to be a Jedi or a Sith at the start of the game and fight different opponents according to that choice?

Maybe you could even buy a replica Darth Vader lightsaber if you choose the Sith path – that opens up a sale to fans of the game and collectors.

If you choose Sith, you’d be able to take on Luke Skywalker, Obi-wan Kenobi, Qui-gon Gin, Rey and even Yoda in your battles.

We suppose Lucasfilm might not like the idea of seeing these heroes defeated in the game.

VERDICT

Jedi Challenges provides an entertaining and memorable experience for any Star Wars fan.

The Force is definitely strong with this one.

The post Jedi Challenges review – live the Star Wars fantasy of wielding a lightsaber appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Ring doorbell has made it possible to answer your front door from anywhere and now, it is even better, with the release of Ring Video Doorbell 2 and the Ring Floodlight Camera.

Ring offers convenience and security so you can literally keep an eye on whoever is at your door and on your property.

The original Ring was excellent but the Ring Doorbell 2 is a huge improvement.

It has a slightly different look as well as improved features and higher quality video.

YOU CAN WIN THE RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2 ON THE TECH GUIDE FACEBOOK PAGE

Users can hardwire the Ring 2 to power but, if that’s not possible you keep it powered up with a rechargeable battery.

We didn’t have power to our door so we opted for the rechargeable battery and the good news is Ring 2 is easier to charge.

With the original you had to unscrew the whole doorbell off the door to charge the built-in battery.

But with Ring 2, the battery can be removed (you now only need to remove one screw instead of two) so it can be charged on its own.

The device connects to your wireless network so you can not only hear the doorbell (with the addition of Ring chimes inside your home) but you also get a notification on your smartphone no matter where you are.

This means you can see who’s at your door and talk to them from anywhere.

We’ve answered our front door from the other side of the world. It has a 160-degree field of view so you’re not going to miss anything.

Now you can accept a package and speak to visitors at your doorstep. And as far as they’re concerned, you’re home but not coming to the door. We never told anyone we weren’t home.

Opportunistic burglars will ring your doorbell to see of anyone is home. If they hear your voice coming from the doorbell like an intercom they’re not going to hang around.

And if it’s a parcel you’re waiting for, just tell them to leave it on the doorstep.

The microphone is surprisingly clear thanks to the two-way audio noise cancellation.

Video quality is now full high definition 1080p so you can see even more clearly and make out more detail like people’s faces and number plates.

You can also set the Ring 2 doorbell to send you notifications when it detects movement even if the doorbell isn’t used.

Motion zones can also be easily adjusted so doesn’t pick up movement from your neighbour’s house or a car driving by in front of your house.

Another new feature is the ability to take a live look through the Ring 2 high definition camera and listen through the built-in microphone.

It can also see and hear very well at night thanks to its night vision capabilities.

The beauty of the Ring system is that you can add accessories like the Chime Pro which is both a chime and range extender for your wireless network.

Another product we added to our system is the Ring Floodlight Cam – a motion activated high definition degree security camera with 270-degree fields of view plus two built-in floodlights, two-way audio and a 110-decibel alarm.

We could now extend our Ring range of security even further from our front door.

You need an electrician to install the Ring Floodlight Security Camera. It can replace existing flood lights and connects to standard junction boxes.

Once it’s installed it takes just seconds to include the device on the excellent Ring app that’s free for iOS, Android smartphones and Mac and Windows 10 computers.

Now you can position a camera at your backdoor, at the front or side of your home.

And like the Ring doorbell, you can receive motion alerts and view live HD video through the camera.

The camera is also smart enough to recognise faces and distinguish between pets and humans.

It also has smart zoom and panning and it’s also possible to turn on the motion-activated light remotely and trigger the alarm to scare of any intruders.

Users can also set a schedule for the lights to turn on at dusk and turn off again at sunrise.

If you want to access all your videos for up to 60 days you can subscribe for $40 a year or $150 a year for unlimited cameras.

The Ring Doorbell 2 is priced at $329 and the Ring Floodlight Cam is $379 so it’s a bit of an investment to get set up.

But what price is your home security and safety? We believe this is a sound investment.

VERDICT

The Ring Doorbell 2 and Ring Floodlight Cam provide peace of mind and convenience and can instantly upgrade the security of your home. The system is easy to set up and easy to use and when you’ve got it – you’ll wonder how you lived without it.

The post Ring Video Doorbell 2 and Ring Floodlight Cam review – security and convenience appeared first on Tech Guide.

Cozmo is a toy of a different kind. This high-tech device might look small but it’s got a massive personality and it’s really smart as well. Meet the real-life robot that will be your new best friend.

He might look like a bulldozer but Cozmo, created by Anki, is an intelligent and loyal companion that is always happy to see you.

When you turn Cozmo on for the first time you connect your smart phone to the robot’s wireless network before introducing yourself.

The owner types their name in the app and Cozmo will always remember.

It moves around on treads like a tank and has a set of arms that can pick up, roll and carry the three included smart blocks.

Cozmo’s eyes can be seen on the small display at the front of the unit and they can be surprisingly expressive.

He’s is also a little chatterbox and makes a lot of cute noises when he’s playing or waking up from sleep.

It’s a little bit like having a small electronic puppy dog.

You can teach it tricks and he is always ready to play. The difference is Cozmo can talk and even recognise you when he sees you.

Cosmo is also an animal lover so don’t be surprised when he reacts when he sees your dog or cat in front of him.

On the outside, he might look like a cute little robot but under the hood are more than 300 parts engineered to combine the robotic hardware to work hand-in-hand with the software.

It is also remarkably sturdy as well. He’s been dropped tested and is built to last.

The companion app lets you interact with Cozmo in a number of ways.

You can play with him, feed him and give him a tune-up.

It also has Discover section that allows for more free play and, one of our favourites, a section where you can type what you want him to say.

And don’t worry, the inventors have given Cozmo great manners so he won’t be saying anything naughty.

Even if you try, he will act all shy and shake his body like he is saying “no I can’t say that”.

Part of the discovery mode is steering Cozmo around with your smartphone.

This allows you to see through his eyes. He can identify people and objects and, when he recognises you, he will say your name.

It’s also possible to introduce other friends and include them in his database.

But his personality is our favourite feature.

When you wake him up, he’ll yawn and pretend to stretch and then bug you to play with him until you choose an activity on the app.

If he’s bored, it won’t be unusual to hear him break out into song. As we are writing this he is singing Yankee Doodle Dandy to us.

There are also plenty of tricks and games you can play using the three smart blocks that come with Cozmo.

There are memory games as well as games of skill where you can match wits with the lovable little robot.

You also need to feed him and give him the odd tune-up so he stays healthy and motivated.

And the more you play and interact, the more skills and surprises you unlock.

When he wants to play, Cozmo will send you a message through the app but you’ll probably discover he is up for a game by the movements and sounds he makes.

The only real downside is that while you’re connected to Cozmo you can’t connect to another wi-fi network.

Being a connected device that runs with an impressive companion you can expect plenty of updates and software upgrades that will no doubt unlock new activities, behaviours and ways to interact.

Cozmo is not cheap at $320 but there are not many tech toys on the market that can match its intelligence and personality and provide the same level of fun and companionship.

Cozmo is available now from JB HI Fi, Australian Geographic, Kogan, Syntricate and Mac Addict.

VERDICT

Cozmo is a truly amazing device which can move, see and recognise and show remarkable emotion and intelligence. This little supercomputer on treads is more than just a toy – he’s a friend.

The post Cozmo robot review – the smart little toy with a huge personality appeared first on Tech Guide.

Sphero has unveiled the Mini – the company’s smallest app-enabled robotic ball – that is still packed with features and entertaining abilities despite its much smaller size.

Sphero Mini is about the size of a golf ball and you can drive it, play games and even use it as a video game controller.

The tech that drives the regular Sphero ball robots has been packed into an even smaller space and includes an accelerometer, gyroscope and LED lights that can change colour.

When paired with the companion app, Sphero Mini users can drive it around using the virtual joystick.

But, for the first time, users can drive the Sphero Mini with their face. You can either make different expressions to make the robotic ball move forward or back or tilt your head left or right to make the device move in the same direction.

Included in the box are small bowling pins and witch’s hats which you can use to set up an obstacle course and hone your driving skills.

With the bowling pins, you can use the fun slingshot mode so you can have your own little bowling alley.

Another driving mode is tilt which lets you move your mobile device to steer the Sphero Mini.

The Sphero Mini has a 10m range and can glow in any colour you choose.

And not only can you play games with Sphero Mini you can also use Sphero Mini to play your other games – that’s right, it can be used as a video game controller.

Instead of using your smartphone or tablet’s touchscreen to control the action, the Sphero Mini can be used by holding it in your hand.

And the Sphero Mini is also programmable. If you want to learn how to steer the robotic ball your way, you can download the Sphero Edu app and get started using Javascript.

The Sphero Mini runs for 45 minutes on a single charge so you can have plenty of fun before you need to recharge it.

And you might be wondering how do you actually charge it? There is no visible microUSB port.

Users can pull apart the two halves of Sphero Mini and access the mechanism inside where the charging port is located.

The Sphero Mini is priced at $79.95 and available now from JB Hi-Fi, Australian Geographic, EB Games, Harvey Norman, Myer, www.Kogan.com.au and www.macaddict.com.au

The post Meet Sphero Mini – the golf ball-size robot you can drive with your face appeared first on Tech Guide.

Nest is a big name in the world of smart home devices and it has landed in Australia to offer customers safety and security with its range of connected and intelligent devices.

Tech Guide took a look at the Nest products – and it was almost over before it began.

Now you’d think it would be pretty simple to register your email and password with the service.

Whenever we did, we were sent an email to that address and had to click on a link to verify our email. Fairly straightforward you’d assume.

Well, you’d be wrong. We tried all four of our email addresses and it couldn’t recognise one of them.

To make matters worse we had an electrician booked to installed the Nest Outdoor Camera and two Nest Protect smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors before we could connect them to the app and our network.

We would eventually install the Nest Indoor Camera ourselves.

To try and troubleshoot the issue, we got onto the Nest site’s support chat and just as we were getting out our issues across, the chat would end or be cut.

That happened four times and we were ready to chuck it in.

A frustrated customer would be entitled to ask for their money back at this point.

But a support person sent us an email with a suggestion. By now none of our email addresses has been recognised and the Nest app had come up with a network error despite me trying it on an iPhone and two Android phones.

The problem was definitely not at our end.

Then this support person’s email hits my inbox with a simple suggestion. Add +nest to the name on the email and try again.

So for me my address would become Stephen+Nest@………..

And it worked.

If an address with + Nest added can work why can’t they program their verification services to assume every address has + Nest there already.

We wonder how many other customers went through what we went through.

Anyway, from there, it was thankfully smooth sailing.

All of the Nest products we had – two Nest Protects, the Nest Outdoor Camera and the Nest Indoor Camera all connect through your wi-fi to the Nest app.

Each of the Nest products have a small QR code which are simply scanned so they can be connected to your network and added to your Nest account.

NEST PROTECT – $189

These smart smoke detectors were installed to replace my existing smoke detectors.

If they detect any threat they can identify what is and where it is coming from.

The device has a voice warning before the alarm sounds.

This is handy if you’ve just burnt toast in the kitchen because you have time to bypass the alarm to deal with the burnt toast rather than having to do that with the piercing sound of a smoke alarm in the background.

Nest Protect is on the ceiling but also connected to your phone so they can be monitored anywhere with notifications sent to the device if the alarm goes off or is about to go off.

Another handy feature is Path Light – which lights your way when it senses movement so you’re not going to bump into anything in the middle of the night.

NEST OUTDOOR CAM – $319

The Nest Outdoor Cam lets you keep an eye in things from the Nest app whether you’re home or not.

This outdoor camera comes with a long cable – 7m of it – and a USB adaptor and plug that needs to connect to a powerpoint.

Lucky for us we had an outdoor powerpoint. Customers need to mount the magnetic base and then run the cable to the powerpoint.

At the end of cable is a USB module that links the camera’s power cable to the cable that will end up in the powerpoint.

If you’re trying to run the cable in through the wall to plug it into an indoor powerpoint, the USB cable is too thick to make this easy. And cutting of the end of cable to fit it through gives you no guarantee that the cables can easily be connected again.

Our advice is to get professional help.

For our install, we positioned the camera near our outdoor powerpoint and used cable ties to tame the excess cable and keep it tidy.

You also have to choose a spot that is still with reach of your home’s wi-fi network. The router at our place was on the inside of the wall where the camera was located.

The camera can be positioned with the magnetic base to face in any direction and its wide-angle lens gives you a good view.

It’s easy to monitor the camera through the app and set your alerts for movement and sound.

It can even distinguish between people and pets and you can prioritize zones to more sensitive than others.

For example, if your camera can see into your neighbour’s yard you can tell the camera to ignore the movement there.

The camera also has two-way audio so you can hear and talk back through the camera.

If it’s installed near your front door you could talk to anyone who’s there whether it’s a delivery person or a visitor.

The video is high definition and easy to make out details like faces.

All the footage can be accesses through Nest Aware – an online storage service.

As a Nest Aware customer, it’s possible to have 24/7 recordings stored. But a word of warning that will equate to about 120GB of data per camera per month so be aware if you have a limited monthly data allowance.

NEST INDOOR CAMERA – $319
Take all the features of the Nest Outdoor Camera and put them into a version that can be used indoors so it doesn’t need a weatherproof housing and long and thick power cables.

Locating the Nest Indoor Camera is a snap, just find your spot, connect to the nearest powerpoint and you’re done.

This too has two-way audio and high quality video and – like the Nest Outdoor Camera – can record 24/7 and send it to your Nest Aware account.

Nest Aware makes it easy to skim through your footage and see the videos with any type of movement that are automatically put aside and easy to review.
The Nest products are available now through iSelect.

VERDICT

The Nest family of connected products can provide peace of mind to users to monitor everything going on at home – but hopefully you’ll have an easier time than we did getting started.

The post Nest smart products review – keep an eye on your home from anywhere appeared first on Tech Guide.