When it comes to security cameras, the more area you can cover the better and the Uniden App Cam Pano can give you a 170-degree field of view – it’s actually two cameras in one.

Uniden’s App Cam Pano has two lenses so it can cover a larger area but stitches the feeds together and presents you with one widescreen video or image.

For our review we installed the Pano on our back deck overlooking our yard along with the included solar panel.

When we’re not home we like to observe our two dalmatians – Ziggy and Logan – if they are outside in the yard.

After setting up, thanks to the 170-degree viewing angle, we were able to see our backyard in 3K video resolution from the fence on the left side to the fence on the right so basically there was nothing we were going to miss.

If anything is within 30m of the camera it will be captured on video.

Typically an outdoor security camera has around 130-degree field of view so to achieve what we did with the Uniden Pano and cover the same area, we’d have to position two cameras and look at two different feeds.

Naturally, it’s possible to view live video and notifications with the Uniden Solo app on your smartphone as well as record video and capture images to share.

The onboard camera activates immediately thanks to the built-in AI which also gives it the ability to distinguish between people, animals and vehicles.

And the Uniden Thermo Sense also prevents you getting flooded with notifications because it detects both heat and movement so it will flag a person in front of the camera rather than a tree swaying in the breeze or a car passing by in the street.

It also has a bright motion-activated spotlight also provides colour night vision which is enabled through a CMOS sensor.

The onboard passive infrared sensor spotlight with 440 lumens brightness. This enables colour night vision to be captured up to 30m away.

And everything can be saved locally on a microSD card or on Uniden Cloud for later playback.

Set up was very straightforward – once it was installed.

Where I decided to install the camera and solar panel involved ladders and power drills and it was more where I placed them that made the job slightly more difficult than the actual job itself.

And this proves that if a pen pusher like us can install this – anyone can.

And with the solar panel which was attached next to the camera and connected to the unit via a USB-C cable, we won’t ever need to worry about recharging the onboard battery.

Once in place the Uniden Solo app did the rest. It was just a matter of scanning the QR code on the side of the camera, aiming a second QR code for the camera to recognise and connecting it to our wi-fi network.

The whole onboarding process took a matter of minutes.

The Uniden App Cam Pano is a larger unit thanks to its twin lens design so it’s not as discreet as other cameras – but that’s a good thing.

A visible camera is a great deterrent to anyone coming on to your property with ill intentions.

Key features

– 100 per cent wire free over Wi-Fi

– Dual Lens – Double the Coverage

– Solar power compatible (Solar Panel Included)

– rechargeable battery with 120 days standby time

– low-battery notifications

– rapid wake-up

– colour night vision

– 170-degree viewing angle with dual lens and dual view

– Thermo Sense technology

– 3K (6MP) resolution to view, record and playback video

– SD Card and seven days free cloud backup and storage

– weatherproof design

– AI intelligent alerts

– customised voice-recordable alerts

– siren alert trigger

– motion detection record

– privacy masking to black out areas within the camera’s view

– black out areas within the camera’s view that you don’t want to be recorded.

The Uniden App Cam Pano is priced at $429.

VERDICT

The Uniden App Cam Pano is an excellent product that offers even wider coverage – something that usually requires two regular cameras so you can keep an eye on things when you’re not around. And with the inclusion of the solar panel – it becomes a set and forget solution that will always provide peace of mind.

The post Uniden App Cam Pano review – the twin lens security camera that won’t miss a thing appeared first on Tech Guide.

The new Arlo Video Doorbell not only provides convenience but also peace of mind as an added security device in your home right there at your front door.

The latest version of the Arlo Video Doorbell 2^nd Generation is an impressive upgrade with 2K video quality and 180-degree field of view.

Users can answer their door from anywhere whether they’re home or on the other side of the world and the person on your doorstep will be none the wiser.

When a visitor presses the button on the doorbell this initiates a video call to your smartphone.

When you answer the call, you can see a 1:1 video of the person at your door so you can see them from head to toe.

If it’s a delivery person, you’ll be able to see the package even if they placed it on the floor at their feet.

What impressed us was how quickly we were able to connect when the Arlo doorbell rang – we were talking to the person at our door in just a few seconds.

Other brands can take so long to answer and connect that the person has assumed no one is home and is already walking back up the path or the driveway by the time your video can be seen.

Even if you can’t talk to whoever is at your door, there are pre-recorded messages you can play instead.

Naturally the Arlo Video Doorbell it can handle the weather – rain, sun, cold and heat – so it’s always working for you.

The 2K quality, which is better than full high definition so you can make a lot more detail in the video than you could for the previous model.

It also has colour night vision so it can see as clearly after dark as it can during the day.

The Arlo Video Doorbell is also a security camera and can detect and record motion near your front door.

And you can track everything through the Arlo app including your other Arlo cameras as well as arm and disarm the system at the press of a button.

Customers receive a free three-month Arlo Secure trial when they but the Arlo Video Doorbell – and it’s worth hanging on to and paying from $12.99 a month to keep it.

One benefit of membership is smart notifications which can distinguish between people, packages, vehicles and animals.

Users can also access videos and event history for 30 days.

And with Smart Secure you’re also possible to customise the Smart Activity Zones so the camera is keeping an eye out for motion on those designated areas.

For us we set the activity zone closer to the door rather than including the street which could be seen from the doorbell that would send us a notification every time a car drove by or person walked past the house.

Setting up the Arlo Video Doorbell has been streamlined so you’ll be up and running in minutes.

The Arlo app gives you step by step instructions to detect and connect the doorbell to your home wi-fi.

It also comes with mounting plates so you can position the device precisely how you want it at your front door.

We replaced the previous Arlo doorbell with this new 2^nd Generation model and the mounting plate didn’t line up with the holes we had already drilled. We used one hole and had to drill another one to secure the new mount.

The onboard battery is also not removeable like the old one, so you need to pop off the entire doorbell to charge it whereas with the previous one we had a spare battery on charge to immediately swap the battery when needed.

We suggest you charge the Arlo Video Doorbell overnight when no one will be coming to your door.

Battery life runs at between six weeks to a couple of months depending on how busy your front door is and how much motion is being detected.

But if you have power available at the front door you can power the doorbell, so you never need to worry about charging the battery.

The new Arlo Video Doorbell 2^nd Generation is available now and is priced at $229.

VERDICT

The Arlo Video Doorbell 2^nd Generation offers higher quality and convenience than ever before and is an essential device to not only easily answer the door from anywhere but to act as an additional security camera as well.

The post Arlo Video Doorbell 2nd Generation review – an essential item for convenience and security appeared first on Tech Guide.

For many, mowing their lawn is a chore that’s right up there with vacuuming their carpets and mopping their floors. And it’s no coincidence then that ECOVACS ROBOTICS has extended its expertise from inside the house to the yard with the new GOAT G1 robot lawn mower.

The robot can do for your lawn what the other ECOVACS products can do for your carpets and hard floors inside your house.

Tech Guide has taken a hands-on look at the GOAT G1 from ECOVACS which was surprisingly easy to set up.

The idea of the GOAT G1 is to go out and keep your lawn trimmed and looking good rather than cutting long grass every couple of weeks like you would with a regular lawn mower.

In fact, ECOVACS says if your grass is 6cm or higher you will need to do a regular mow before putting the GOAT G1.

And that’s exactly what we had to do for our review.

Cutting the grass to the level you want is what you need to do so the GOAT G1 will keep it at this length without you having to lift a finger.

And for the record, ECOVACS named it the GOAT G1 – not to mean Greatest of All Time – but after the animal which happens like eating grass.

It was a straightforward setup which began with placing the charging station in an area of your yard which had plenty of space around it but near a power source.

The ECOVACS app steered us easily through the process which included linking to our wi-fi and even performing a firmware upgrade.

Next, we had to connect the two beacons which serve as boundary guides for the GOAT G1 in the yard.

Unlike other robot mowers, there was no need to run a boundary wire around the circumference of the lawn.

This often requires you to dig shallow trenches and hammer in the wiring with stakes.

The app presents various yard shapes and sizes and, if you can match your yard to one of these, it does make setup even faster.

Part of the process was to drive the GOAT G1 using the app like a remote control car around the edge of your lawn to map the mowing area.

You can see within the app as the map of your yard is being built – in much the same way that any Ecovacs Deebot would map your floor plan.

It also does this for the same reason, to establish the most efficient mowing path.

ECOVACS has taken a lot of the technology from its robot vacuums and brought it to the GOAT G1.

One of those technologies is obstacle avoidance with its AIVI 3D technology and a 150-degree fisheye camera which can not only detect objects in its path but navigate around them.

It can see objects as small as three centimetres which could include hoses pets, rocks and toys.

If you have dogs, we can’t tell you whether the GOAT G1 will be able to detect their poo as an obstacle so it might be an idea to clean up after them before you deploy the GOAT G1.

We tested the obstacle avoidance for our review by putting a rolled up hose in the G1’s path. It stopped short and went around it.

But a word of warning if the hose isn’t coiled high enough, there’s a chance the GOAT G1 will run right over it and damage it.

During setup, the app took note of the size of our yard after it was mapped and came up with a suggested schedule for the GOAT G1 which we gladly accepted.

It goes out three times a week and maintains the lawn as if we’ve employed a professional gardener.

And there are no trimmings to dispose of. The GOAT mulches the clippings as it cuts and puts it back into the grass.

And if it gets low on power halfway through your mow, it will simply return to the charging station to top up the battery and return at precisely the spot where it left off.

The app gives you plenty of control as well as giving you the ability to provide a view of the location of the lawnmower through the built in cameras.

The mower can also capture and mark the location of a person on the map and send it to you as a notification. So not only is it mowing your lawn it’s also a security camera on wheels.

Speaking of wheels, the goat G1 can easily get around your lawn and even go over paths and short dividers that separate some yard into different levels.

The GOAT G1 isn’t cheap – it’s priced at $2999.

But if your time is valuable, it will soon pay itself off.

And if you normally hire a gardener to keep your lawn looking good it might work out as a good investment.

VERDICT

The ECOVACS ROBOTICS GOAT G1 can keep your lawn manicured without you lifting a finger – it is easy to set up and run and will save you time and the cost of hiring a gardener to do the work for you.

The post ECOVACS GOAT G1 robot mower review – keep your lawn manicured without lifting a finger appeared first on Tech Guide.

The new Arlo Pro 5 2K Wire-free Spotlight Security Camera is a real step up in quality and additional features for those looking to improve their security and keep an eye on their home from anywhere.

We replaced two of our older Arlo cameras with the Pro 5 2K and could immediately tell the difference.

For one, the improved 2K resolution with HDR (High Dynamic Range) offers a much clearer view with a lot more added detail even in bright and dark areas of the coverage area.

That added detail can allow you to see faces, objects and car number plates even clearer.

This could be really important in the event of an incident and make it easier to identify a person or vehicle on your property.

You can also zoom in up to 12x to see things even more clearly.

Arlo’s Pro 5 2K camera has a huge 160-degree viewing angle as well so it can cover an area that might require two regular cameras.

What really impressed us was how much faster we were able to see the live view from the camera.

What helps here is the fact the camera supports dual band wi-fi – 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz – which means less buffering and speedier response times.

Each camera also has a built-in spotlight and a smart siren which can be triggered after motion is detected or activated manually.

Colour night vision is impressive – it lets you see full colour rather than black and white.

Another excellent improvement is the full duplex two-way audio quality which is more like a phone call than a walkie talkie with both people able to talk at the same time.

We were also pleased to see the improved battery which Arlo says is up to 30 per cent longer than previous models.

What helps here is Pro 5 2K’s low power mode which results in longer times between charges. This means additional weeks of use before the battery needs recharging.

Set up is pretty simple – and the app does all the work.

Users can choose to connect to an Arlo bases station, if they already have Arlo cameras, or directly to their wi-fi.

The advantage of having a base station is the ability to store your videos locally on a microSD card.

If you are using the current app and add the Pro 5 2K camera, the app will be upgraded with a slightly different look and a few new features and shortcuts.

The basics are the same but it’s easier to find the different arm modes – Arm Away, Arm Home and Standby.

Arm Away is for when you’re not home and you can set the motion notifications you want to receive.

Arm Home will still detect motion but with reduced notifications depending on the rules you set.

And Standby is basically all cameras working but all notifications off.

Users can also set rules around when notifications are sent and who receives them.

And with Arlo Secure (you get three months free when you install any new Arlo camera) you’re able to receive separate notifications for people, vehicles, animals and packages.

Of course the Arlo Pro 5 2K camera is weatherproof and comes with a mount and the screws and plugs to attach them.

Users can also add on accessories including a solar panel charger, waterproof outdoor charging cable, and XL capacity battery/housing.

The camera also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT for easy interaction, automation, and voice control.

The Arlo Pro 5 2K is priced at $329 for a single camera, $599 for a two camera kit and $1,099 for a four camera kit.

www.arlo.com

VERDICT

The Arlo Pro 5 2K Wire-free Spotlight Security Camera offers a lot of bang for your buck and provide a complete security system that’s easy to install and easy to manage within an excellent ecosystem.

The post Arlo Pro 5 2K Spotlight Security Camera review – step up in quality and protection appeared first on Tech Guide.

Uniden has unveiled a new dual mode smart baby monitor so parents can keep an eye and an ear on their little ones from anywhere.

The Uniden BW6101R Smart Baby Monitor offers 2K super HD resolution for high quality live streaming so you can catch even more detail.

The device has dual mode functionality which means you can view the live stream on the included 5-inch colour HD (720p) monitor or from your iPhone, iPad or Android smartphone or tablet remotely or at home.

You can even get in closer with the camera with up to 4x local digital zoom via the monitor and 6x remote zoom.

The camera has a multipurpose clamp which can either rest on a surface or secure itself to the rails of a cot or a shelf.

The camera also includes a portable back-up battery so it will continue to operate if there’s a power outage or if the camera is unplugged accidentally.

It is also equipped with night vision so you can clearly see your baby at any time of the night.

Also onboard is a room temperature and humidity display which provides alerts if the it gets outside your chosen temperature ranges.

There is also a built-in night light which can be changed to multiple colours to create calm sleeping conditions.

Users can also set a danger zone to mark out an area which a no-go for the baby and receive an alert if there is any movement in that spot.

The walkie talkie function gives parents the ability to soothe their baby without entering the room.

The Uniden BW6101R Smart Baby Monitor also work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa so it can be integrated into your smart home set-up.
The Uniden BW6101R Smart Baby Monitor is priced at $399.95.

Key features

– 2K (3MP) super high-definition camera

– 5-inch colour screen (720P) monitor

– 4 times local digital zoom and up to 6 times remote digital zoom

– Customisable night light – multiple colours in animation and static mode

– Dual mode: 5-inch viewing monitor included or remote smartphone viewing handy clamp camera and novelty silicon cover

– Portable battery backup

– Room temperature and humidity display

– Danger zone detection mode

– Smartphone remote access

– Two-way talk “walkie talkie” function

– Storage of footage via micro-SD card (supports up to 128GB, not included)

– Sound and motion detection

– Night vision

– Selection of 14 lullabies, including white noise

– Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa

– Two-year Australian warranty

The post Uniden has unveiled its new dual mode smart baby monitor appeared first on Tech Guide.

How do I improve my Wi-Fi? That is the question we get asked quite often and our answer is always the same – with a mesh system and Netgear’s new Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the best you can buy right now.

Having solid wi-fi at home is so important whether it’s to work or learn from home or to enjoy your favourite streaming services and play competitively online anywhere in your home.

The real issue most Australians face is their NBN-issued modem/router is not always near their most important connected devices.

The modem part is fine, but the reach of the router part is useless unless you’re standing next to it.

A mesh wi-fi system like the new Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the solution to this common problem.

Whether you live in a long narrow house or multi-storey home, you want your wi-fi to be consistent no matter where you happen to be.

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E provides four bands of coverage in your home including a 6Ghz, two 5Ghz and a 2.4Ghz channel.

The Netgear Orbi also creates a dedicated 2.4Ghz band making it even easier to connect your smart devices which operate on this 2.4Ghz band.

Then there are two 5GHz bands, one for the main traffic of the house and the other acting as a dedicated backhaul.

This dedicated 5Ghz channel allows data to flow from the satellites back to the modem so it’s not going to impose on the other channels and cost you any bandwidth or speed.

And the all-new 6Ghz band is reserved for the fastest devices in your home, those that are compatible with the Wi-Fi 6E standard including some of the latest smartphones and laptops.

On this band users will find noticeably faster speeds between the modem and the device to ensure smooth streaming and fast gaming on your network.

In fact, the 6Ghz band has more than twice the bandwidth of 5Ghz and eliminates any interference and congestion so you’re getting impressive speeds for your connected Wi-Fi 6E devices.

Setting up the device is quite simple.

Using the Netgear Orbi app, you connect the main router to your existing modem and the two other Orbi satellites are then positioned around your home.

The units themselves have a slick design but nothing too flashy that won’t fit your home’s decor.

Netgear says you should unplug your modem from the power point before connecting the Orbi main router and plugging in the satellites.

Once everything is connected and powered up, the name of the network and its password, displayed on a sticker on the main router will be seen on your list of networks on your mobile device.

Once connected, the app does the rest including locating your satellites and allowing you to rename the network and set a different password.

Our install took about 20 minutes and that included walking around the house plugging in the new Orbi products and downloading a firmware update for the system.

The router and the satellites also have multi gigabit Ethernet ports for wired connections to nearby devices like smart TVs and gaming consoles.

The Orbi Wi-Fi 6E system can support 16 simultaneous Wi-Fi streams – that’s good to know especially when you have people in your household streaming on their own devices and different smart TVs.

The Orbi main router has support for up to 10Gbps internet speeds so it can future proof your home network.

At the time of writing our review, we were hoping that our NBN fibre upgrade would be complete and offer up to 1Gbps speeds through our Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection.

And that’s the speed you would get throughout your entire home thanks to the mesh network created by the Orbi system.

Currently our NBN plan is 100Mbps down and 40Mbps up and our speed tests showed we were getting every bit of that speed we were already paying for.

Actually, we were getting more than 100Mbps speeds when we did three separate tests literally in the three furthest corners of our home.

The other great benefit of a system like the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the capacity to connect more than 70 devices – many of us are already there with the popularity of smart home and security products.

The movement of data within your home – separate to the sheer speed of the internet coming into your home – is what makes the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E a great choice to be able to view simultaneous 4K and eventually 8K streams in our homes smoothly and without buffering.

The system can provide wall-to-wall coverage for homes up to 840 square metres in size and you can increase that coverage with the addition of more satellites.

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is not cheap at $2,799 but customers need to remember there are three Wi-Fi 6E routers in the pack.

The cost of a single Wi-Fi 6E router is about $1,100 so there is actually some value with three at less than $3,000.

VERDICT

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E is the best mesh system you can buy right now. If who want a better and more reliable wi-fi experience to enjoy your entertainment, remain connected and to be able work and learn effectively – the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E should be considered as an investment to ensure that quality today and into the future.

The post Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E review – ultimate solution for fast and consistent wi-fi at home appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Wireless Security camera combines excellent video quality and ease of installation to offer customers a great way to keep an eye on their home or business.

Arlo has a range of security cameras with varying video qualities – Full HD, 2K and 4K.

The Arlo Pro 4 sits right in the middle with 2K video resolution.

Choosing a camera resolution depends on the area you want to cover and how much detail you’d like to see.

With the 2K Arlo Pro 4, it is ideal for monitoring medium to larger spaces and includes HDR (high dynamic range) so you can zoom in and make out more detail in the brighter and darker areas of the video.

The camera offers up to 160-degree field of view so you can cover a large area.

But it is possible to narrow that field of view down to 110-degrees if you don’t need that much of a wider view.

And even at 160-degrees, the video is still clear and flat and doesn’t end up looking like a highly distorted fisheye view.

The camera is also completely weatherproof so you can place it outside in the rain, the cold and the heat and enjoy year-round security.

And it’s not just all about video, the Arlo Pro 4 also has two-way audio that’s as responsive as talking on the phone.

When motion is detected, a notification is instantly sent to your smartphone via the Arlo app showing video of the incident.

Also onboard is a spotlight to illuminate the area in front of the camera.

There’s also a built-in siren which you can activate manually out set to trigger automatically to deter unwanted visitors.

And when the sun goes down, you can still keep an accurate eye on things thanks to the colour night vision so you can clearly make out colours and more easily identify people rather than the typical black and white night vision which offers hardly any detail.

We set up our Arlo Pro 4 for this review to look into our backyard and to also keep an eye on our telescope from inside while we’re capturing multiple long exposures for hours at a time.

From this vantage point we can also see our backyard fences and can also see our two dalmatians when we’re not home – and even talk to them through the camera.

That’s a lot of use from just one camera.

Of course, you can set up multiple cameras at your place – like we have. We have a camera at the front door, an Arlo Video doorbell, a camera near our backdoor and this new camera in the backyard.

We already have a base station so the camera connected in minutes but it’s also possible to connect multiple Arlo cameras by connecting directly to your wi-fi.

The Arlo app offers a step-by-step guide to get you connected and can detect the camera, give it a name so it can be easily identified and monitored through the app.

Once connected, the camera can also be customised with the field of view that suits your coverage area and you can also activate Auto Zoom and Tracking so if there is movement it can zoom in and follow any movement.

It’s also possible to set up activity zones so you can highlight the areas in the video the areas where you would like to receive motion alerts.

This can help customers avoid excessive notifications if you know there is an area that is being monitored that will have a lot of movement like the road or footpath outside your property, for example.

This way you would only receive alerts only when someone comes on to your property.

The Arlo Pro 4 comes with three-month free subscription to Arlo Secure which can store video for up to 30 days and differentiate between people, vehicles, animals and parcel when detecting an object and sending notifications.

Once the three-month trial is up, users have the option on continuing for $4.49 a month for a single camera or $14.99 a month for unlimited Arlo cameras.

The battery on the Arlo Pro 4 can run for up to 6-months and can be charged via a cable while the camera is still in place or charged with a cable when it’s removed from the magnetic base which can be positioned on your wall with a single screw.

The Arlo Pro 4 camera can also be linked to Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung’s Smart Things and IFTTT so it can be monitored and controlled within those ecosystems.

If you are already using one of those systems, the Arlo Pro 4 can be easily added.

The Arlo Pro 4 is available now and is priced at $369. A two-camera kit is $699 and a four-camera kit $1,299.

VERDICT

The Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Wireless Security Camera is one of the best products of its kind you can buy that’s easy to set up and manage. It offers high quality monitoring and notifications so you can have complete peace of mind.

The post Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Wireless Security Camera review – protect your home from anywhere appeared first on Tech Guide.

Uniden’s new Guardian App Cam Home+ indoor camera lets you see more than regular smart cameras because you can pan and tilt the camera and get wider view of the area.

The camera also offers 2.5K video quality and 3x zoom so you can see even more and in higher quality.

Also onboard is pre-motion recording that starts four seconds before motion is detected so you don’t miss a thing.

The Uniden Guardian App Cam Home+ can be positioned anywhere in your home and is ideal for large open plan living areas which can easily be covered thanks to the 355 degree panning and 50 degree tilt.

The camera also has 3x zoom so you can zoom in for even more detail while accessing the camera remotely through the Uniden companion app.

Uniden’s Guardian App Cam Home+ is quite easy to install.

It can rest on a flat surface or be mounted on the wall or upside down on the ceiling.

For our review we installed the camera on the bottom of a shelf. We then had to turn the display around in the app so the video was not upside down.

The device comes with a small mounting plate that can be fixed two screws so the camera then snaps into place.

Being an indoor camera it is always plugged into power so there is no need to worry about charging a battery.

It’s also pretty easy to connect the camera to your wireless network through the Uniden Solo App with step by step instructions.

You can also view your other Uniden cameras in the app as well.

The Uniden Guardian App Cam Home+ offers sharp and clear 2.5K video and, even when you zoom in, it’s still pretty clear so you can make out a lot of detail.

Users can also pan and tilt the camera through the app through the joystick control to adjust their view.

There is a slight lag when you are panning and tilting and it might take a couple of attempts to settle on the exact spot you want.

The camera also has an in-built siren to deter intruders as well as night vision so you can still just as see as clearly after dark.

Users can also receive notifications when movement is detected.

It’s also possible to save recordings to a microSD card as well as accessing video from the last seven days from the free rolling cloud back-up.

Being an inside camera, privacy is important and the app allows users to black out areas within the camera’s view field of view that you don’t want to be recorded.

The Uniden Guardian App Cam Home+ is available now exclusively through Bunnings and is priced at $149.95.

VERDICT

The Uniden Guardian App Cam Home+ is a great solution for anyone to monitor a wide area inside in high quality without the need for multiple cameras.

The post Uniden Guardian App Cam Home+ review – indoor security camera that pans and tilts appeared first on Tech Guide.

If you need a fast connection no matter where you’re located then you need the new Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi nighthawk Router which can be easily set up for your home and business.

And all you need is a 4G LTE nano SIM card to provide your connection to the Internet.

Normally a router connects to a modem which brings into your home or business a fixed broadband connection.

But in the case of the Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi router LAX20, that link to the internet is provided through the 4G LTE SIM card which needs to be purchased separately.

The product is ideal for users who need a connection but are out of reach of wi-fi networks and a hard wired connection.

It can also be used when you’re on vacation or in a short term rental property.

Once this SIM card establishes connection to the device, you are then able to create your own Wi-Fi 6 network to share with others who want to connect at high speed.

The device is capable of delivering up to 1.8Gbps of speed so you can connect your mobile devices and other wireless devices including security cameras, smart lights, baby monitors and smart switches.

For our review we set up the Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi router LAX20 in our backyard shed which we use to operate and store our astrophotography gear.

The shed is situated a few metres away from the house and our regular wireless connection was available but didn’t have the strongest signal.

We were able to insert a Telstra 4G LTE SIM card into the Netgear unit and achieve download speeds of more than 120 megabits per second.

The Telstra signal is quite strong where we live and we were able to take advantage of that for our connection with the Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi router.

The product works with a SIM card from any 4G provider.

Setting up the device is fairly simple using the companion Nighthawk app which can step you through the process from initial connection all the way through to renaming your network and setting your own unique password.

The app also provides a control panel to monitor your network, pause the Internet to any device, track Internet data usage and even set up a separate wi-fi network for guests.

The router also creates a dual band connection – both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz which are also distinguishable when you search for the SSID.

This is important because many of the smart devices in your home need to connect to a 2.4Ghz network and this is easy to identify with the Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi router.

On the rear panel of the router are four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports to allow you to connect other wired devices.

There is also a fifth WAN port for users who want to connect the router to their regular modem.

For our setup we are able to wirelessly connect our computer and TV (yes we have a 32-inch TV in the shed which doubles up as our computer monitor) so we are able to not only connect to the Internet but also stream content as well.

The Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi router also has a USB port on the rear panel which allows users to connect a hard drive and share its contents on the network.

Users also receive a free 30 day trial of Netgear armour which can protect your home network and its connected devices.

The Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi Router is available now and is priced at $499.

VERDICT

The Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi Router can connect users quickly and is essential for users who just need to stay connected wherever they go.

The post Netgear Nighthawk 4G LTE Wi-Fi Router review – a high speed connection anywhere appeared first on Tech Guide.

The idea of a smart speaker that follows you as you move around the room maybe a little off putting but the Amazon Echo Show 10 is a handy smart display to have in your life.

And when we say follow you around the room, we don’t mean it actually follows you around the room we mean the display turns to face you when you need it to.

Amazon has had a number of smart displays in various sizes but these were static products that could only be viewed when you were in front of it.

The Echo Show 10 brings all the smarts from the wide range of Alexa speakers and combines the tracking screen and a high-quality speaker into one attractive unit.

Set up is really easy and is all done through the product’s touchscreen display so you could be up and running in minutes.

But with this speaker there are a couple of other steps you need to take including choosing Its position, whether it’s against the wall in a corner or on an open surface, in placing the speaker needs to be considered carefully to ensure the swivelling screen has a full range of motion.

Having a screen like this, when used in the right position, can be a very helpful and useful tool.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TechGuide (@techguideau)

We set up the Amazon Echo show 10 for our review on our long kitchen counter and it came in handy when following a recipe, when watching content and when making a video call.

The screen can also be tilted manually to create a more comfortable viewing angle.

Having a screen adds another layer of versatility to a smart speaker with the unit not only able to tell you what you want to know but also being able to show you as well.

As with other Alexa speakers, the Echo Show 10 can be used in a variety of ways whether it’s to find information, connect and control smart devices and to consume a variety of content.

The fact that the screen will swivel in your direction means you can still get on with what you’re doing and see the smart display at the same time.

In the kitchen it is ideal especially if you’re cooking and following a recipe.

With voice control and a 10.1 -inch screen that will always be pointing in your direction, you can be elbow deep in your ingredients and still find out what you need to know.

The screen is located above a cylindrical speaker which is a decent size and would have been a great product on its own.

That size adds to the audio quality so music sounds crisp and clear and adds a decent level of bass as well.

It’s easily the best quality Amazon speaker you can buy.

The audio quality makes consuming your content even more enjoyable.

Users can watch Netflix and Prime Video on the Amazon Echo Show 10.

The 10.1-inch HD screen is large enough to enjoy your shows when you’re sitting close by if the device is on a kitchen counter or a desk.

But you can’t watch YouTube on the Echo Show 10. That would require a Google Nest Hub because Google actually owns YouTube.

And of course your music is just a voice command away with access to music services including Amazon Music and Spotify.

You have to remember the screen will move with you with your watching something or listening to music and when you ask Alexa a question.

The screen will swivel effortlessly to face you so you can always see what’s on the screen.

Users can also make video calls to the unit – this is called a drop in – and if you’re receiving a call on the Amazon Alexa Show 10, the device will follow you and always keep you in the centre of the frame.

it’s also possible to access the built-in camera to remotely monitor your home through the Alexa app or from other echo show smart displays.

This is a quick and easy way to check in on your home to see what your pets are up to or to make sure your children are home from school.

But there is a way to block the camera and to disconnect the microphone if you want complete privacy.

Users can also disable motion at any time if you would prefer the screen not to follow your every move.

The Amazon Echo Show 10 is available now and is priced at $399. It is available in stores and at www.amazon.com.au.

VERDICT

The Amazon Echo Show 10 takes the smart display to a whole new level with an improved speaker and a display that can always be in view.

The post Amazon Echo Show 10 review – the screen will follow you and stay in view appeared first on Tech Guide.

The new Google Nest Hub second generation is a lot more than a smart display – it’s also a sleep tracker that provides an accurate snapshot of your nightly slumber.

The device has a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 and is 17.5cm wide and 12cm tall so its small enough to fit anywhere – including your bedside table.

It has a simple minimal design so it can fit in any space in your home.

And it also has a built-sensor so it can assess the room’s brightness and adjust to suit.

Google has also taken an environmentally friendly approach with the Nest Hub which is made from 54 per cent recycled plastic.

The Nest Hub is an all-rounder and it can be used to find information, control your smart products and even access streaming content through services including Netflix, YouTube, Spotify and much more.

What’s also handy about the device is the new Quick Gestures feature which means you can control your content playback by moving your hand in front of the device.

And the Google Nest Hub doesn’t pick up those movements through a camera because there isn’t one.

It uses Motion Sense to detect and interpret your hand movements to control the playback and features.

One example when this feature would come in handy is if you’re in the kitchen following a recipe on YouTube and you’ve got messy hands – you can play and pause the video or audio without touching the Nest Hub.

The other really obvious and popular use of the Nest Hub is to control other smart devices in your home like smart lights and switches.

You can see at a glance the connected devices available to you on the Nest Hub’s screen and control everything from the touch display or with your voice.

Users can also see the live feeds from the security cameras and doorbells through the Google Nest Hub as well.

Naturally it’s easy to find information and set timers and alarms. We used our Nest Hub to access radio stations instead using a digital radio.

All we had to say was “Hey Google, play 2GB” and a few seconds later we were listening to 2GB. If there’s a radio station you like listening to – you can just ask for it.

It’s the same deal if you want to hear music through YouTube or your Spotify account – just ask for the song or the artists and you’re hearing the music.

One big improvement with the second generation Google Nest Hub is the audio quality.

This speaker delivers 50 per cent more bass than the last model so you can easily hear the improvement and it’s even possible to group other Nest speakers in your home and control them together or separately.

This isn’t going to match the audio quality of other purely audio Bluetooth non-smart speakers but it can hold its own.

But it’s the Sleep Sensor side of the device that we focussed on for this review.

The device doesn’t have a camera – people will appreciate that considering many customers will be using this in their bedroom.

The Nest Hub gathers all of its data about your sleep through the onboard sensor which can detect sound and movement.

The other bonus is you don’t even have to wear any type of sensor or watch to bed for the Nest Hub to track your sleep.

It just needs to be positioned on your bedside table at about the height as your mattress for it to work.

For our review, the Nest Hub was slightly lower than the mattress and it still provided remarkably accurate data.

And when you wake up you can ask to see your sleep report to find out how long you slept, the quality of your sleep, if it heard coughing or snoring and how long it took you to fall asleep.

You can see not only your stats for the previous night but also for the entire week.

We were told we got less than six hours sleep but it was restful so we had deep rejuvenating  sleep.

One thing we noted was it did assume I was coughing during the night – that happened to be my wife but it did assign that sound to me.

The same thing could be said for the snoring it detected – but I’ll leave that debate alone for the sake of my marriage!

But it doesn’t stop at just delivering your sleep stats.

The next thing Nest Hub offers are way to improve your sleep like going to bed earlier and getting in the sleep zone like dimming the lights and playing soothing music.

None of your sleep data ever leaves the device so your privacy is protected.

The other cool feature is the sunrise alarm which can slowly brighten the screen like a sunrise to wake you up rather than using an audio alarm.

The Google Nest Hub is available now and is priced $149.

VERDICT

The Google Nest Hub is an excellent first smart display for customers who have never invested in a smart product and a handy addition for customers who already have a Google speaker. Its versatility will certainly impress first time users especially with the accurate Sleep Sensing technology.

The post Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) review – all the smarts and it can monitor your sleep too appeared first on Tech Guide.

One of the questions I’m asked most often is: how can I improve my wi-fi? One of the best solutions is the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 which can be set up in minutes and solve all your wi-fi problems.

We’re working and learning from home now and rely on our broadband connections more than ever.

And this is on top of what we’re already doing including streaming content, gaming online, accessing the internet from our laptops, smartphones and tablets and also connecting our numerous smart home devices.

All of this has put many home networks to the test and many of them have not been able to handle the load.

Netgear, one of the leading wi-fi brands with more than 20 years’ experience, has just released the Orbi Wi-Fi 6– the latest mesh wi-fi system that can create wider and more consistent wireless coverage throughout your home.

There are two Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 models – the RBK852 ($1,399) and RBK752 ($949) which use a dedicated wireless backhaul which provides a dedicated 5Ghz channel for data exchange between the router and the satellites.

This reduces network congestion and allows devices to run faster on the network.

The RBK852 is designed for larger homes and offers 12 simultaneous wi-fi streams with support for more than 60 connected devices.

The RBK752 has the same level of wireless coverage with support for 8 simultaneous wi-fi streams and more than 40 connected devices.

They can both provide up to 465 square metres of coverage and can accommodate a two or three storey home.

RBK852 can support wi-fi speeds of up to 2.5Gbps while the RBK752 can manage 1Gbps.

For this review, Tech Guide took a look at the RBK852 and set it up in our two storey home.

Each Orbi unit is 25.4cm tall and also have four Ethernet ports on the back to connect other devices like gaming consoles and smart TVs although they can just as easily connect wirelessly.

The issue with a regular modem router is the router half responsible for creating a wireless network to allow users to connect around the home is just not up to the task of managing so many connected devices and meeting our modern needs.

When working from home we need to have good speeds to share and upload documents and files and to also have enough bandwidth to handle video calls and online meetings.

And when it’s time to relax, we turn to streaming content on Netflix or Stan or any number of other streaming services.

Meanwhile other members of the household might be browsing the web on their laptop, playing a game on their iPad or competing online on a gaming console.

And often this is happening all at once and most NBN-issued routers just can’t cut it.

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 not only offers superb mesh wi-fi coverage but it also had the latest wireless standard – Wi-Fi 6 which is up to four times faster with compatible devices like the latest smartphones, laptops, tablets and upcoming next generation gaming consoles.

So basically you’re future proofing your network as well as making it more reliable and consistent.

Connecting the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 RBK852 is a simple five-minute job.

Through the Netgear Orbi app on your smartphone, you are taken step by step through the process.

Firstly you scan the QR code on the main unit that connects directly to your modem and connect the cable and plug it into power.

After the app detects the new Orbi it’s time to install the second satellite unit.

In our case the modem is towards the front of the house on the lower level and we placed the satellite towards the back of the same level of our house.

Again, with a quick QR code scan, the unit was detected and our new network was created.

The finishing touches was renaming the network and setting a password and we were done.

No longer than five minutes and the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 was already up and running.

The app not only helps you set up the network but also allows you to manage it as well.

You can see the devices connected to the network and also see an alert whenever a new device connects.

You are also able to monitor the health of the network and perform speeds tests to ensure things are running properly.

There’s also a free month’s trial of the Netgear Armour – an internet security system that looks after all devices at the router level that can usually prevent a security issue even before it reaches the devices on your network.

You can also access wi-fi settings and also turn on guest wi-fi that allows for connection without sharing your network password.

Once it’s set up there is nothing more to do except enjoy the fast and consistent speeds.

The Netgear Orbi can also automatically assign the traffic on your network to the appropriate 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz band on so there’s no need to get complicated with it – a welcome feature we’d imagine for most users.

And for those who do want to tinker with the networks and still enjoy mesh wi-fi coverage and Wi-Fi 6, Netgear also offers the Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 system which comes with three base stations.

When you’ve got Orbi up and running, you can get the same speeds throughout your home – not just when you’re in the same room as the modem.

That’s the biggest frustration for customers – the weakness of their wi-fi even one or two rooms away from the modem where they want to stream a 4K movie.

With the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 we were able to enjoy the same speeds in every corner of our two-storey home.

We have the NBN at our place – fibre to the curb through Optus on the 100/40 plan – 100Gbps download and 40Gbps upload which is typically around 95 and 38.

We did speed tests in three locations downstairs and three locations upstairs and got a consistent speed test result in each of these locations which are all separated by walls and staircases and doors.

Downstairs where the modem is located the Orbi achieved speeds of 96.92Mbps down and 39.13Mbps up.

At the very front of the house about 12 metres and two rooms away, the speeds were 95.54Mbps down and 38.42Mbps up. At the very back of the house – three rooms away from the modem – on the beck deck we got 95.08Mbps down and 38.47Mbps up.

Then we headed upstairs at the very front of the house we got 94.86Mbps down and 39.39Mbps up.

In the middle of the second level in the hall way between two of the bedrooms the speed was actually 97.71Mbps down and 38.98Mbps down – that’s faster than the speeds we achieved beside the modem downstairs.

And finally in the ensuite of the master bedroom which is upstairs and literally at the farthest corner of the house away from the modem the speeds were 95.92Mbps down and 38.37Mbps up.

And I know it was working fine because none of my kids or my wife ever complained that the internet was slow or unavailable even when they were streaming Netflix and playing games.

The Netgear Orbi RBK852 is not cheap at $1,399. The RBK752 is cheaper at $949.

But when you consider the money you’ve invested with a new smart TV, a laptop computer, a gaming console and the smart home products designed to provide security and convenience, we think it’s a worthy investment.

That’s how important a home’s wi-fi has become – it’s an investment.

We not only rely on it to keep us connected and entertained but we now also need it to do business, do our jobs and allow our children to learn.

You might have paid top dollar for the fastest NBN speeds at home but if it’s being let down by the router then you’re not getting the most out of it.

It’s like owning a Ferrari but only putting the cheapest tyres on it.

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6  is the best mesh wi-fi system hands down.

Yes, there are cheaper mesh system but they also offer a fraction of the coverage and reliability.

If you want to see the results and take comfort in the fact you and your family and devices and appliances and smart products are all connected securely and reliably, then you’ll be glad you decided to pay a little extra for the Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6.

VERDICT

The Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 is the best mesh system you can buy right now and it can put an end to your wi-fi woes and allow you to keep all of your devices connected whenever you need them.

The post Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6 review – the mesh system that can solve all of your wi-fi problems appeared first on Tech Guide.

Arlo is one of the leading companies in the huge wire-free security camera market and its latest Arlo Pro 3 Wireless Floodlight camera is a fine addition to the impressive range.

It is actually the first wire-free floodlight camera with a motion sensor that can activate the onboard LED light when it detects movement.

Other floodlight cameras need to be hard wired to power so it’s an effort to install them.

It could also cost you more money if you need to hire an electrician to help you.

But you don’t have that worry with Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera – it’s as easy to install as the other Arlo cameras.

The beauty of the wire-free design is that is frees up users to place it anywhere they want rather than being limited to where they can only access power.

And it’s also completely weatherproof as well so you can place it anywhere.

For our review we installed the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera on our front porch so it could illuminate the driveway and front yard.

This is quite handy especially if it is able to illuminate a path or stairs which are hard to navigate in the dark.

What you have here is basically an elongated Arlo Pro 3 camera which has a larger rechargeable battery than the regular Arlo Pro 3 – but you can use the same Arlo battery charger.

The LED light fans out on either of the camera. It is a surprisingly thin panel – that’s the advantage of using LED light. It has a pretty slick and modern design.

Installation is as easy as drilling three holes and attaching the camera mount and then screwing on the camera itself.

It took us 10 minutes to drill the holes and mount the camera – and no electrician was required.

The camera’s mount is also versatile so it’s easy to aim it exactly where you want.

But with a 160-degree field of view, it’s going to catch everything you want anyway.

The next step was set up the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera and link it to our wi-fi.

Because we already had a base station for our other Arlo cameras, the new Floodlight camera recognised it right away and proceeded to add it to the network.

But the good news is you don’t need a base station to install the Arlo Pro 3 Flood Light Camera – it will work on its own.

All you need to do is download the Arlo app to complete the set-up which is pretty straightforward.

Users can also name the camera – usually where it’s located. Ours is called Front Floodlight and it joins the other Arlo cameras we have installed in our home.

The camera provides 2K quality – resolution is 2560 x 1440 – and it also includes HDR so your videos are clearer in all conditions whether it’s bright light or near darkness.

At this resolution it’s also possible to zoom in on live videos and saved videos to see something closer.

Now the first thing you’ll discover is the LED lights are really bright at 3000 lumens and illuminate quite a wide area. It was bright enough to shoot a movie in this light.

We had to turn it down to about 70 per cent.

This is done through the app which will also allow you to control the activity zones so you can determine where the camera will detect motion.

You can also manually switch on the light through the app as well to light up the area of you are monitoring through the app.

But you need to go to another section of the app to arm the Floodlight Camera to activate the light to detect motion.

This was a little confusing at first because we though setting the activity zone would have looked after the motion settings.

It would have been good to locate these settings here rather than having to find them in another section of the app with our other cameras.

There is also two way audio onboard so you can talk to anyone on front of the camera.

And if that person is someone you don’t know or don’t want on your property you can also sound the built-in siren which is also quite loud at 80 decibels.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera comes with a free three-month trial of Arlo Smart which provides even more features like intelligent notifications which can distinguish between people, animals, vehicles and even packages.

Users can access their cloud recordings for up to 30 days with the service.

Alternatively, you can record to an SD card if you already have an Arlo base station.

The battery will run for weeks before it needs recharging and you can also check the percentage level in the app and you’ll also receive a notification when it’s time to recharge.

Customers can also buy an Arlo solar panel which can keep the Floodlight camera continually charged.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as IFTTT for easy interaction and automation.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera continues Arlo’s legacy as a market leader in the security camera space.

Security cameras have become a vital addition to our homes and the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is a great way to start or a tremendous addition to your existing set-up.

The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is available now and is priced at $449.

VERDICT
The Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera is a versatile addition to any home to increase your security and peace of mind and literally shed more light wherever it is needed.

The post Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera review – let there be light and added security appeared first on Tech Guide.

Smart speakers are extremely popular right now but the addition of a screen makes them even more useful as the new Amazon Echo Show 8 demonstrates.

It has all the features of a regular smart speaker so you can hear Alexa and your music and content but now with the screen you can also see things as well.

The Echo Show 8 is the middle child in the Amazon family and sits between big brother Echo Show (10-inch) and the Echo Show 5 (5-inch).

And it’s a “just right” size for your desk or kitchen counter – perhaps a touch too big for the bedside table – we use an Echo Show 5 there.

Design-wise the Echo Show 8 has a small footprint so it won’t take up too much space on your desk.

It’s just 20cm wide and 9.9cm deep and 13.6cm high.

The screen is angled up towards the user to make it easy to read from right beside it or from across the room.

The 8-inch screen has a resolution of 1280 x 800 and has two speakers onboard at 10W per channel.

Along the top are volume controls and a microphone/camera audio on/off button.

There’s also a camera onboard which can be used to make video calls to other Echo devices with a screen – this is a handy feature that can be used to keep in touch with family and friends or used as a local video intercom.

And for those worried about their privacy, there is also a simple switch that can not only cover the camera lens but turn it off completely.

If you have several Echo devices in your home, did you know you can also send voice messages to every room to announce that it’s dinner time or bedtime?

A popular use for smart speakers is listening to your music or the radio and the onboard speakers offer impressive quality.

Users can link their favourite music services including Apple Music and Spotify so they can ask Alexa to hear their favourite artists, tracks, playlists and albums.

And having the display means you can display lyrics and turn your room into a karaoke stage.

The Echo Show 8 has Bluetooth onboard so you can also stream your favourite audio content to the device as well.

You can access packaged content from media partners like Sky News, ABC News, Fox Sports and Channel 7 if you ever need an update.

If you have an Amazon Prime account you can also stream your favourite movies and shows right there on the Echo Show 8.

If you need an update on the weather or traffic all you need to do is ask.

And, of course, all of the skills are still there so you can not only access content but also get things done from ordering a pizza and checking your bank balance to booking an Uber and checking the status of your flight.

You can control and monitor all of your connected smart devices.

And with the screen you can go a step further and see live feeds from your Ring doorbell and your Arlo security cameras as well as other connected products.

You can simply ask “Alexa show me the front door” and you can see a live feed from the Ring doorbell or say, “Alexa show me the back deck” and your Arlo security camera feed appears on the display.

The display comes in handy to display your favourite photos so it become a digital photo frame as well.

One thing we noticed was that you can’t make the clock fill the entire display like you can with the Echo Show 5 so what you basically get is a time display on the Echo Show 8 that’s smaller than what you get on the smaller Echo device.

It would be good to get the clock to fit the entire screen so you can easily read it from a distance.

The Echo Show 8 is available now and is priced at $229.

VERDICT

The Echo Show 8 is an even more versatile way of accessing information and content and controlling your smart devices. And with the screen it’s a great security camera monitor as well. This is one of the smartest devices you can buy.

The post Echo Show 8 review – the smart display that’s a versatile addition to your home appeared first on Tech Guide.

Smart speakers are more popular than ever but smart speakers with screens like the Google Nest Hub Max are also surging thanks to the added capabilities of having a display.

It is a bigger and better version of the Google Home Hub with a 10-inch high-definition display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and the onboard Google Assistant that can help you get things done, find things out, provide entertainment and organise your day.

The Google Nest Hub Max also has stereo speakers on board and a built-in camera that can be used for video calls and facial recognition.

Design-wise, the Google Nest Hub Max has a fairly small footprint and can easily reside on a desk, side-table or kitchen counter.

And even though it has a touchscreen for you to navigate through the features, the product is designed as something you look at and talk to rather than touch.

The larger 10-inch screen makes it makes a lot easier to watch and enjoy content than on last year’s original 7-inch model.

The screen quality is impressive although not as good as the premium tablet or laptop screen.

There is a built-in ambient light sensor which does a great job in tuning the screen brightness to the room and optimising the display so your content looks the best it can be.

It’s also smart enough to dramatically reduce the brightness in a dark room so it’s no brighter than a digital clock if you happened to situate it by your bedside.

It’s possible to set your preference for the screensaver with either your own Google Photos playing like a slideshow so you can relive memories or simply choose from the other excellent galleries.

The other option is simply displaying the time so you can see it at a glance.

Users can take advantage of that screen and simply ask to view YouTube and Google Play video content.

YouTube is also a great source of audio content as well which can be played through the device’s stereo speakers.

The sound quality from the Google Nest Hub Max stereo speakers was surprisingly good through the 18mm tweeters and 75mm bass driver.

This product isn’t going to make dedicated speakers obsolete but it does a good job in small to medium size rooms and is much better than the previous model.

Despite this being a Google product, the Nest Hub Max does not run Android so you can forget about installing apps and using this like an attached tablet.

You can swipe from the top or the bottom to see the shortcuts and settings but there’s not really that much you can do through touch.

This is a product designed to be controlled with your voice like the other speakers in the range that can do lots of things and even control your other smart products.

Having the display added some other abilities like being able to view your security cameras, watch YouTube and see the weather forecast for the week.

But don’t think you can kick back and watch Netflix on it or other streaming services.

You are able to connect your Netflix account and use your voice to start watching your content on nominated televisions.

Now you may be wondering why the Nest name is in the title.

Google now owns the Nest brand and has added a camera on the device that can be used just like a security camera.

But you do need a Google Nest Aware subscription, which can cost up to $30 a month, to take advantage of this feature.

Without a subscription any camera clips disappear after 24 hours.

The camera can still be used for video calling through the Google Duo service.

But you can’t make other more common types of  video calls through Messenger or Skype – these are competitors to Google’s own services.

The other use for the camera is face recognition so the camera can actually identify individual users when they see them and switch to your individual profiles.

It can then show your own calendars and preferences and personalise the whole experience to that user.

The Google Nest Hub Max is available now and is priced at $349.

VERDICT

The Google Nest Hub Max is a nice update to the original Google Home Hub with a larger screen, better sound and a better experience.

The post Google Nest Hub Max review – smart speaker with a bigger screen and better sound appeared first on Tech Guide.

Leading home robotics company Ecovacs Robotics has unveiled its latest flagship model – the Deebot Ozmo 950 – which has new multi-floor mapping functionality and three hours of battery life to give your home a fast and thorough clean.

The Deebot Ozmo 950 has already been awarded the IFA Product Technical Innovation Award for its mapping technology.

“Ecovacs aims to play a key role in the development of the service robotics industry in the next 20 or even 100 years,” said Jonathan Tang, Vice President, Head of Global Business at Ecovacs Robotics.

“The new brand Visual Identity goes well beyond a Logo. It represents Ecovacs’ brand spirit which is innovative and vibrant, as well as our commitment to building an intelligent home service robotics brand.”

Launching in Australia in October, the Deebot Ozmo 950 includes the upgraded Smart Navi 3.0 laser mapping and navigation technology which scans, maps and plans the most efficient cleaning path around your home.

The Multi-Floor mapping means the robot can now store multiple maps of a home’s different levels so no area of the home is left out.

The Deebot Ozmo 950 offers a premium cleaning experience with a new pressure retention system called Floating Brush 2.0 and superior suction power.

This allows the machine to sweep up to 4mm deep cracks so no dust can hide.

And Max+ Mode increases suction power when needed to tackle stubborn dirt and other messier areas.

The Deebot Ozmo 950 can be controlled and monitored through the Ecovacs Home app and also directed by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The app also allows users to create virtual boundaries for both vacuuming and mopping and the ability to assign cleaning areas, set schedules and switch between modes.

“Ecovacs Robotics designed the DEEBOT OZMO 950 to meet growing consumer demand for a smarter, more affordable vacuum robot with premium features that include vacuuming, mopping and smart-home capabilities and we are excited to be launching this shortly in Australia,” said Karen Powell, Country Manager for Ecovacs Robotics Australia and New Zealand.

“By combining intelligent mapping, navigation technology, energy-efficiency, automated mopping capabilities and new designs for the robots to enhance mobility, our robots ensure that the always missed spots can be well taken care.

“Ecovacs robots are already the first choice of over 15 million families around the world, are we’re delighted that an ever-growing number of Australian households are among them.”

The Ecovacs Ozmo 950 will be available in Australia in October. Local pricing will be announced closer to the local launch date.

The post Ecovacs Robotics launches new flagship Deebot Ozmo 950 vacuum appeared first on Tech Guide.

Amazon has revealed its latest smart device to join the Alexa family – the Echo Show 5 – which includes a 5.5 inch display, HD camera with built-in shutter and speakers.

Echo Show 5 has a compact design but is still big enough to use in any room of the house to enjoy both video and audio content.

The product offers a rich sound which makes it great for watching music videos or listening to music through Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, TuneIn and more.

The display also makes it possible to catch up on your favourite programs from Prime Video and other sources.

Soon customers will enjoy integration with wikiHow – a collection of how to videos that give you step-by-step instructions on everything from tying a tie to baking a cake.

Of course, Echo Show 5 is also a smart device that will allow you to control all of our compatible smart home devices.

It’s also possible to view your smart home camera feeds and thermostats as well as access and manage devices by group.

It works seamlessly with brands like Ring and Arlo so you can view these cameras, including Arlo Baby in the nursery to check on the baby, simply by asking it.

There is also two-way talk functionality with the Ring doorbell cameras where you can simply say “Alexa answer the front door”.

You can also wind down and wake up with Echo Show 5 which can turn off the lights at night and play soothing music to get you to sleep and then wake you up again with an animated sunrise before the alarm goes off and turn the kettle on automatically after you get up.

It’s also possible to make hands-free video calls between people with an Echo Spot or Echo Show device or through the Alexa app or Skype.

There are numerous clock faces to choose from and you can even personalise it with a photo or run a slide show of your favourite images.

With the ambient lighting mode, the Echo Show 5 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen based on the light in the room.

For privacy the device’s camera has a built-in shutter so you can cover the camera while still be able to access Alexa.

The Echo Show 5 will be available in two colours – charcoal and sandstone – and will be priced at $129.

Customers can also purchase a magnetic stand which allows you to tilt the device and adjust the viewing and camera angles for $29.95.

Echo Show 5 will be available from JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks next month.

The post Amazon unveils new Echo Show 5 smart speaker with display and HD camera appeared first on Tech Guide.

Choosing a security camera system for your home is a serious decision. You want high quality security but also the connectivity to give you peace of mind. That’s exactly what you get with new Arlo Ultra 4K Wire-Free Security System.

The cameras offer 4K ultra high definition HDR (high dynamic range) so you get the clearest possible video which is ideal if you need to identify people and car licence plates.

Also onboard is a 180-degree field of view – a lot wider than the previous generation of Arlo cameras – so can fit a lot more in the frame.

But it also de-warps the image at the same time so what you see through the app on your smartphone looks like a regular picture.

Also onboard is noise cancellation so there is clearer audio and clearer two-way conversations through the camera’s onboard microphones.

The Arlo Ultra weatherproof cameras, which can be used inside and outside, also have advanced night vision thanks to a built-in LED light which means you can colour at night instead of grainy black and white.

The Arlo Ultra system Tech Guide reviewed came with two cameras and a Smart Hub along with mounts and screws needed to install them.

Installation was fairly straightforward and explained step by step – the first of which was connecting the Smart Hub and waiting for the app to detect it.

When it did we gave it a name and then proceeded to connect the cameras.

The app had to detect these as well and this took a little while because each time it went to check for firmware updates for the SmartHub took two or three minutes.

That’s the only complaint we had about the process but before too long we were all set up and ready to dive into the app to adjust the settings and take a look through the cameras.

Users can specify activity zones within each camera to narrow down your notifications for genuine movement.

What we liked about the system was it could determine whether the movement was a person or a pet.

Even when looking back through our library of motion videos stored through the Arlo service, we were able to see at a glance whether the motion was a person, one of our dogs or just general motion like a tree swaying in the breeze.

This can save a lot of time when looking back on your footage.

What we did, to prevent getting a notification every few seconds was disarm the system whenever we were home.

Motion was still being recorded whenever it was detected, we just went being notified about it while we were at home.

But then when we headed out we would switch the system to Armed Mode to start receiving those notifications again.

It’s also possible to schedule that mode change and even manage it by setting a geo-fence around your property which will then arm or disarm the system whenever you come home and when you leave again.

If you happen to own older Arlo cameras, they will also work with the new SmartHub and sit beside the other cameras within the app.

The quality of the new Arlo Ultra cameras is impressive. There is so much more detail to see and the HDR makes it easier to make out details in bright sunlight and are also in shadow.

Usually bright light washes out the image at all the details are lost but not so with these new Arlo Ultra 4K HDR cameras.

It’s the same thing for shadows which inferior cameras would have failed to make out any serious detail. These details could prove the difference between making out an intruder or a vehicle.

What was stunning was the amazing 180-degree field of view which looks like a regular image rather than looking through a fish-eye lens.

The camera has up to 12x zoom to see even more detail.

There’s also a siren onboard – except this time it’s built-in to the camera instead of the hub.

Now the noise is right there in front of the intruder you’re trying to startle instead of coming from inside the house.

The SmartHub has a microSD card slot as well so you can have all of your motion recordings stored locally to view on a computer or a mobile device.

The Arlo Ultra Wire-Free security system with two cameras and a SmartHub is available now and is priced at $1,049 – although we’ve seen them in stores under $1,000.

VERDICT

The Arlo Ultra Wire-Free Security camera system has set a new standard of quality, design and connectivity to give customers peace of mind about their home’s security. It’s one of the best home security camera systems money can buy.

The post Arlo Ultra 4K Wire-Free Security System review – a new standard for home security appeared first on Tech Guide.

Ring has come a long way since its connected doorbell. The company has built a smart ecosystem of products that offer both convenience and security and the latest addition is the Ring Stick Up Cam.

And it’s appropriately named because you can stick it up anywhere at home inside or out.

For our review we chose to aim the Ring Stick Up Cam at our backyard to keep an eye on our Dalmatians Ziggy and Logan from anywhere whether we’re inside the house or on the other side of the world.

One of the strengths of the Ring ecosystem is the ease in which you can install and connect the cameras and other devices to your network and monitor and interact with them in the companion app.

The Ring Stick Up Cam is available in two versions – wired or battery.

For Tech Guide’s review we had the battery version which, considering the location, was the best option because we wouldn’t be able to run a cable to it.

The wired version is ideal if you can run a microUSB cable to power it and connect via wi-fi or if you can connect it with a nearby Ethernet cable which will do two things – provide a wired connection and also power the device as well with the appropriately named Power over Ethernet.

Everything you need to set up the camera is included in the box including a screwdriver, screws and a drill bit if you wanted to attach the Ring Stick Up Cam to a brick or concrete wall.

We mounted the camera on a wooden beam so we were able to attach the mount using a screwdriver – which took 10 minutes.

The camera is weatherproof (IPX5 rating) so it can handle being inside or out.

It also has an adjustable stand so it can be mounted on a horizontal surface, a vertical surface (which is what we did) and even upside down.

Next step is to connect the camera to your wireless network – an easy task and you’re taken step by step through the process.

Within minutes the camera was connected and we could see our backyard in full high definition on our smartphone.

It has a fairly wide angle so it’s going to pick up a lot no matter where you place it.

We could check in on the backyard from anywhere in the world – I was just taking a look all the way from Paris as I’m writing this review.

The big attraction of the Ring Stick Up Cam is the peace of mind it provides. I can take a live view and I can also choose to record motion so I can look back and see what was going on later.

To access those recordings, customers will need to sign up for a Ring Protect Plan which is just $4 a month or $40 annually.

Users can also choose to receive real time motion notifications.

It’s also possible to set your motion zones so you’re not picking up outside motion and generating a lot of false notifications.

The Ring Stick Up Cam also has two-way audio so you can talk to anyone near the camera.

And, of course it has night vision so it is just as perceptive 24/7 so you can maintain the security of your home around the clock day and night.

Our only issue wads the battery which lasted a couple of week before we needed to climb up and retrieve the battery and recharge it.

And when you’re recharging the battery you can access the camera of course.

You’ll have another issue if you’re travelling for a while – the battery could very well be drained while you’re away which is the precise time you want the camera to be working.

One workaround here is the Ring Stick Up Cam Solar which can connect to the camera and keep it constantly charged with energy from the sun so you can basically set and forget it.

Ring Stick Up Cam

Price: $319

VERDICT

The Ring Stick Up Cam is easy to install and connect to offer even higher security for your home and the peace of mind to go with it.

The post Ring Stick Up Cam review – upgrade your home security and your peace of mind appeared first on Tech Guide.

The latest camera in the Uniden smart security range is the Guardian App Cam X56 – a full high definition camera that can pan, tilt and zoom and even see in the dark.

The App Cam X56 is designed for indoor use only and can be connected with an Ethernet cable or to your network wirelessly.

Design-wise, the Uniden App Cam X56 has a spherical shape and sits atop a stand.

It has a far wider range of movement than a regular security camera which sits completely still but has a decent field of view.

But with the X56, users can pan through 355-degrees and tilt up to 90-degrees.

It is ideal for those customers who want to monitor a wider space with the freedom to pan and zoom to check out the entire area.

The unit can rest on top of a surface or be installed upside down on a ceiling – and you can flip the image in the app so everything is the right way up.

This is made possible through the free Uniden companion app which allows users to view the stream as well as control the pan and tilt of the camera from anywhere.

Set up literally takes minutes.

We chose to install the camera and connect to our network wirelessly.

The app steps users through the whole process including discovering the camera by scanning the QR code and connecting it to your network.

Within a couple of minutes camera was connected and I could clearly see the room through the app.

At the bottom of the screen were the pan and tilt controls.

Our only criticism was the sensitivity of the controls which sometimes panned past the area of the room we wanted to see.

But it didn’t take long to find our touch to aim the camera exactly where we wanted.

What helps is motion tracking which allows you to focus on a person and keep them in frame as they move across the room.

Also on board is two-way talk so you can chat to whoever is near the camera.

Videos can be saved either to a microSD card on (it’s BYO microSD card) or to the Uniden Cloud so you have peace of mind you can always recall a piece of footage.

Thanks to the H.265 compression, video is squeezed down to half of its size to save on storage and bandwidth.

And the Uniden App Cam X56 can work day or night.

With night vision, you can see up to 10m in complete darkness and turn night into day.

And the camera is also compatible with Google Assistant so you can view the stream on your TV or smart display just by asking for it.

This means you can also include the App Cam X56 in your smart home routines and controls.

Uniden App Cam X56 – $199.95

VERDICT

The Uniden App Cam X56 is an excellent affordable indoor security which allows users to monitor a wider area through panning and tilting through the app day or night.

The post Uniden App Cam X56 security camera review – pan and tilt from the app to get the best view appeared first on Tech Guide.