Consumer tech and devices
Phones, watches, software updates and other consumer tech, with Australian pricing and availability where it has been confirmed.
- Technology ·
Which AirPods to Buy: AirPods 5, Pro 3, Max 2 or AirPods 4
Apple sells four AirPods models in Australia, from AirPods 5 at A$219 to AirPods Max 2 at A$999, and all four have noise cancellation. This guide compares them feature by feature using Apple’s own figures, lists Australian retailer prices, sets clearance AirPods 4 and the original AirPods Max against their replacements, shows what works on Android and covers AppleCare and your consumer guarantees.
- Technology ·
PS5 Pro vs PS5: Price, Specs and Who Should Upgrade
A side-by-side comparison of the PS5, PS5 Digital Edition and PS5 Pro for Australian buyers. Sony says the Pro adds a stronger GPU, faster ray tracing, PSSR upscaling, 2TB of storage and Wi-Fi 7, but it has no disc drive and cost A$400 more than the PS5 at JB Hi-Fi on 30 October 2026, or A$524 more with the A$124 Disc Drive. The guide sets out which TVs and games gain from the upgrade, how to check for PS5 Pro Enhanced games, and who should stay with a standard PS5.
- Technology ·
Noise-Cancelling Headphones Compared: Australian Prices
Side-by-side spec tables for noise-cancelling headphones and earbuds sold in Australia, from the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) to AirPods Pro 3 and soundcore Liberty 5, covering maker and JB Hi-Fi prices read on 30 October 2026, battery with ANC on, quick charge, wired listening, codecs, multipoint and replaceable parts. A shortlist by need for flights, iPhone, Android, commuting and under A$200 follows, plus how ANC works, safe listening limits and consumer rights. Nothing was tested.
- Technology ·
How to Take a Screenshot on a Mac: Shortcuts and Settings
Press Shift-Command-3 for the whole screen, Shift-Command-4 for part of it or Shift-Command-5 for the Screenshot app; add Control to copy instead of saving. Quick-reference tables compare every Mac shortcut, map Windows Snipping Tool habits to their Mac equivalents and list the Screenshot app’s options by macOS version, with steps, Markup and fixes for common problems, checked against Apple’s documentation for macOS 27 Golden Gate.
- Technology ·
Cheap Laptops in Australia: 12 Models Compared
Twelve laptops from A$349 to A$1,049 at JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, HP and Apple, compared side by side on processor, memory, storage, screen and operating system as listed on 30 October 2026, with a checklist of what A$500 to A$900 should buy, Chromebook update dates, picks by need based on stated rules, the traps to avoid and your consumer rights. Nothing was tested.
- Technology ·
Fortinet Security Updates: What Australian Businesses Should Check
The ACSC has issued a critical alert covering several Fortinet product families. Businesses should establish which devices need updates and who will complete them.
- Technology ·
Critical PHP Security Flaws: What Website Owners Need to Check Now
PHP has released fixes for two critical flaws. Australian website owners should confirm their hosting is patched and ask about a further session-handling warning.
- Technology ·
UWA’s quantum computing deal: who gets access?
UWA and Quantinuum plan cloud access for university-affiliated users. The agreement is non-binding, and a proposed applications centre remains exploratory.
- Devices ·
Apple plans clearer Mac controls for AI apps with broad access
Apple plans stronger controls around Full Disk Access. Check which Mac apps have that permission and what it means for your files and messages.
- Technology ·
Tesla Semi enters volume production. What has changed?
Tesla says Semi production and deliveries are starting at scale. We separate factory capacity, charging claims and future autonomy from what is confirmed.
- Technology ·
BigPond Email Not Working? Telstra Mail Settings and Fixes
Start with webmail, then check app passwords, IMAP and SMTP settings. Practical fixes for BigPond login and mail-app problems, plus how to keep your address when leaving Telstra.
- Technology ·
September’s Android Security Update Fixes a Critical System Flaw: Check Your Patch Level
Google’s September 2026 Android Security Bulletin, published 8 September, fixes a critical remote code execution flaw in the System component across two patch levels, and Samsung’s matching release adds 31 of its own fixes. How to read your phone’s patch date.
- Technology ·
Moving to a New Phone: What to Transfer Before Wiping the Old One
Move your photos, files and account access to a new phone, then check what actually arrived before erasing the old device.
- Technology ·
Apple Reference Image: How iPhone 18 Pro Shows Photo Edits and What It Cannot Prove
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max can store a signed, unalterable reference version of a photo beside the one you edit. Apple says it shows what the sensor saw. It is not an AI detector, and here is where it works and what is still to come.
- Technology ·
AirPods 5 Arrive 18 September: Australian Prices and Differences Between the Two Models
AirPods 5 cost A$219, or A$249 with the Wireless Charging Case, and go on sale in Australia on 18 September 2026. The longer battery figure and the volume swipe belong to the dearer model, and the new Siri AI features start in English only.
- Technology ·
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Australian Prices, Dates and What Is Missing Here
Apple Watch Series 12 starts at A$649 and Ultra 4 at A$1,349, both in stores on 18 September 2026. The new sensor reads your heart every five seconds, but the blood pressure alert feature is not available in Australia at launch.
- Technology ·
Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Australian Hypertension Alerts Await Clearance
Apple says Hypertension Notifications will not be available in Australia at launch on Apple Watch Series 12 or Ultra 4. Here is what that means if you were buying for that feature, what the new heart sensing does offer, and how to decide.
- Technology ·
Before You Update to iOS 27: Backup, Storage and Installation Checklist
iOS 27 arrives on Tuesday 15 September 2026. Back up to iCloud, check your storage, plug in and update from Settings, following Apple’s own Australian support steps. Plus a word on whether to update on day one.
- Technology ·
iOS 27 Arrives in Australia on Tuesday 15 September: What Apple Has Confirmed
Apple lists Tuesday 15 September for Australia’s free iOS 27 update and has published compatible iPhones. Its separate Siri beta date conflicts with that schedule.