This is default featured slide 1 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.

This is default featured slide 2 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.

This is default featured slide 3 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.

This is default featured slide 4 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.

This is default featured slide 5 title

Go to Blogger edit html and find these sentences.Now replace these sentences with your own descriptions.

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Samsung teases new shape for its upcoming foldable phone

Samsung teases new shape for its upcoming foldable phone

Samsung’s foldable phones appear set for a wide change-up, if a series of cryptic social media teasers are anything to go by.

Samsung published several short video clips overnight, all revolving around the theme of a new shape. Each clip depicts someone trimming the rectangular shape of several objects, like a chocolate bar, into something shorter and more square-shaped.

Based on previous rumours and leaks, the videos likely allude to Samsung’s wider foldable phone. Similar in shape to the rumoured foldable iPhone, Samsung’s new range of phones is tipped to include a shorter foldable than its existing Galaxy Z Fold range.

Although Samsung hasn’t confirmed exactly when the next Galaxy Unpacked showcase is taking place, it’s expected to reveal its latest foldables later this month.

Last year, Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which our reviewer Alice Clarke absolutely loved. It didn’t reinvent the form factor, as such, measuring 158.4mm tall and 143.2mm when unfolded. By comparison, the teased version of the wide foldable won’t be as tall, adopting more of a passport-like shape.

Previously published dummy models suggest that a wider foldable will be additive to Samsung’s range, not coming at the expense of another form factor. Factory mock-ups exist of what’s said to be the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8, alongside the phone dubbed the “Z Fold 8 Wide”.

Although foldables aren’t the biggest-selling phones outright, they’re seen as a major growth area for phone companies. Analyst firm IDC estimated that foldable phone shipments will grow by nearly 30 per cent in 2026, largely buoyed by Apple’s debut foldable later in the year

With Apple tipped to adopt the short and wide foldable design, Samsung appears set to beat it to the punch with its revised form factor.

The post Samsung teases new shape for its upcoming foldable phone appeared first on GadgetGuy.


NBN opens FTTP upgrades to all FTTC customers on any plan

NBN opens FTTP upgrades to all FTTC customers on any plan

Australians with Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) NBN internet connections no longer need to order a high-speed plan to be eligible for an upgrade to a direct fibre connection.

NBN Co confirmed the change this morning, following through on its promise last year to streamline access to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology. Following the change, 860,000 premises currently on FTTC are now eligible for an upgrade without needing to change internet plans.

Most recently, Australians who wanted to go full-fibre needed to either be on, or transition to, a 100Mbps NBN plan or faster to qualify. Now, FTTC households on lower-speed plans, including 50Mbps or 25Mbps, can request an FTTP upgrade.

“Full fibre not only offers multi-gig speeds, but is also far more reliable, more responsive, and more resilient through storms, floods and fires,” said Bec Heap, Executive General Manager Products and Pricing at NBN Co.

FTTC uses a combination of fibre and copper technologies to provide internet access. Aging copper infrastructure is more prone to faults, and isn’t as reliable as an end-to-end fibre connection. FTTP, on the other hand, is considered more reliable and supports faster speeds, including the 500Mbps tier launched as part of last year’s speed upgrades.

How much does an NBN fibre upgrade cost?

In many cases, upgrading to FTTP doesn’t cost residents anything. Checking with an internet service provider (ISP) is the best way to be sure, and they can also arrange with the NBN to book in the upgrade. There’s also an address checker on the NBN Co website to confirm fibre eligibility.

According to NBN Co, 38 per cent of NBN connections are FTTP, with upwards of 1.3 million upgrades from copper having already taken place. The internet infrastructure provider also confirmed that it completed 45,000 fibre upgrades in May, 19 per cent more than the same time last year.

Heap added that more fibre upgrades will help deliver “a better service today” while “ensuring our network can continue to grow” to keep up with Australians’ rising demand for reliable, high-speed internet.

GadgetGuy occasionally uses affiliate links and may receive a small commission from purchased products.

The post NBN opens FTTP upgrades to all FTTC customers on any plan appeared first on GadgetGuy.


Major network change for Australian telcos now in effect

Major network change for Australian telcos now in effect

Changes to how telcos present mobile coverage maps are now live, aiming to provide Australians with transparent data about where phones can and can’t get a signal.

Under new rules from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), telcos are required to publish mobile coverage according to a uniform standard. Including ‘good’, ‘moderate’, ‘basic’, and ‘no coverage’, the quality of network coverage must be updated by telcos every three months.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin hopes that the new standardised categories make it easier to interpret network coverage maps.

“Mobile coverage maps have not always been easy to compare because providers have measured and presented coverage in different ways,” O’Loughlin said.

“For the first time, consumers will have access to like-for-like information about mobile coverage in locations across Australia.”

ACMA’s new rules followed a heated consultation process that saw Telstra and TPG Telecom, Vodafone’s parent company, clash over the new network coverage definitions. Telstra argued that more than a million square kilometres of its mobile coverage — which it claimed was still usable — registered below -115dBm, which is now considered ‘no coverage’ under the newly enforced rules.

Telstra mobile network map
Telstra’s mobile network map as of 30 June 2026.

Anything deemed ‘no coverage’ cannot be included on a telco’s map. However, despite the label, it doesn’t mean Australians can’t get coverage in those areas altogether. Instead, “some locations may still be able to make calls and send SMS”, according to the ACMA. Telco service in these areas is considered to be either “very limited, inconsistent or non-existent”.

“These new rules will give consumers clearer and comparable information about mobile coverage and network performance, helping them make more informed choices about their telco provider,” said O’Loughlin.

New rules for network outages

Alongside the ACMA’s new rules for mobile coverage, it also added a requirement for telcos to provide more transparency about outages. Now, Australian telcos must also update an online register of resolved network outages.

It’s meant to provide more information about how companies deal with outages, while also giving consumers more information to help decide which telco they buy services from.

As of today, telcos must maintain an online network outage register with the following details:

  • When an outage started
  • Locations impacted
  • Types and estimated number of services impacted
  • Cause of the outage
  • When services were restored

“Network outages can be incredibly disruptive, particularly when they affect access to vital communications services,” said O’Loughlin.

“Publishing outage information in a consistent way will improve transparency for consumers and provide valuable public data about the reliability of the telco networks.”

The post Major network change for Australian telcos now in effect appeared first on GadgetGuy.


Monday, 29 June 2026

66% of Aussies still face internet issues: Mesh Wi-Fi is the answer

66% of Aussies still face internet issues: Mesh Wi-Fi is the answer

Despite recent major upgrades to internet speeds, Amazon recently found that a whopping 66% of Australians still experience issues getting home internet running as it should. With how much of our lives rely on online connectivity, that’s a big concern. So, if you’re one of these many Aussies facing daily internet troubles, what can you do? One of the best things you can do for your home network (and your sanity) is install a mesh Wi-Fi system.

Mesh Wi-Fi sits at the centre of the eero experience. One router might be enough to spread internet throughout a small area. For modern homes with lots of connected devices, multiple storeys, and big backyards, multiple interconnected routers are a must.

Helping strengthen Wi-Fi coverage, a mesh network helps reach more corners of a home, well into your backyard, and beyond. It also makes the most out of your internet speeds and reduces annoying dropouts. By connecting multiple routers, you ensure that everyone gets their fair share of internet access for work and play.

But how does mesh Wi-Fi work, and why should you use it? Let’s go over the technology, how it improves home networks, and the various eero-specific features that make Wi-Fi even easier.

How does mesh Wi-Fi work?

Traditional Wi-Fi technology transmits its signal in 360 degrees, creating something of a sphere of internet coverage. Depending on various factors, including the strength of the router, any walls or floors in the way — and even the weather — this signal can only reach so far. It’s why you’ll likely get a great Wi-Fi signal in the office near a router but encounter slower speeds and dropouts at the other end of the home.

Instead of relying on a single router to do all the heavy lifting, a mesh Wi-Fi network uses two or more routers to create a stronger connection that acts as a blanket of coverage indoors and outdoors. One router has direct access to the internet — in Australia, this is commonly via an Ethernet cable to a Network Termination Device (NTD) installed by the NBN — while additional routers connect to the first router.

eero Wi-Fi 7 range

From here, the routers create one stronger network that’s greater than the sum of their parts. It’s like casting a big virtual net of Wi-Fi over your home, hence the ‘mesh’ label. Your smart devices then automatically connect to whichever router provides the best signal, all using the same Wi-Fi login details.

Modularity is also one of the most helpful aspects of mesh Wi-Fi. You can always start with one or two routers, and then add to them over time as your needs evolve. For example, one eero device might do the trick in a small apartment. If you move into a larger home, you can add another eero to establish a mesh network and continue enjoying reliable Wi-Fi across a broader distance.

The eero TrueMesh difference

Although mesh Wi-Fi is a common label applied to technology used by many different networking brands, not all tech is created equal. Going further than industry standards, eero uses several patented technologies that power its routers: TrueMesh, TrueRoam, and TrueChannel.

Each one works seamlessly in the background, leaving you with as little work to do as possible. All eero routers are built with TrueMesh, a smart technology that automatically connects to all nearby eero devices within your network. At every moment, TrueMesh identifies the best way to route internet traffic, ensuring the best possible connection.

With tri-band routers (with 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz network bands), like the eero Max 7 and eero Pro 7, TrueMesh goes even further. Combined with the smarts of Wi-Fi 7, it directs traffic through the best network band at any given moment for each device, instead of just throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. eero also takes advantage of multiple frequencies simultaneously to increase throughput, equalling the best speeds possible.

Home Wi-Fi is also no longer confined to within the walls of your home. With the eero Outdoor 7, your network can cover even larger properties, reaching up to 1,390 square metres. It uses the same TrueMesh technology as the rest of the eero range, creating a seamless mesh network in and out of the home.

eero Outdoor 7 living area installation

With TrueMesh, you get better network reliability, meaning reduced latency or lag, keeping pesky buffering times at bay. You also benefit from the best possible speeds, because choosing the optimal network band means letting more data through.

Meanwhile, TrueRoam uses software to connect your device to whichever eero router provides the best connection. Rather than getting your phone stuck using the upstairs router when moving downstairs (and vice versa), TrueRoam automatically swaps devices over in a flash without any downtime. Like much of eero’s technology, it works in the background to create a better, more user-friendly network.

What if you reside in high-density living? Apartment blocks and uni dorms are rife with competing routers and networks, with different signals often causing interference. TrueChannel is eero’s solution, automatically assigning the least-congested channels to sidestep any clashes with your next-door neighbours.

No need to be a networking expert to have good Wi-Fi

In the early days of Wi-Fi, you had to have some pretty specialised knowledge to get the most out of a wireless network. Connecting devices, adding guests, setting screen limits — it wasn’t a simple process.

eero is the complete opposite. Everything about setting up routers, connecting to Wi-Fi, and managing your family’s internet use is effortlessly simple. The eero app walks you through the setup process, letting you get a comprehensive mesh Wi-Fi network up and running in just a few minutes.

Amazon Eero Pro 7 mesh Wi-Fi router TV unit

These days, it’s also much simpler to get reliable internet outdoors. Amazon’s research found that half of Australians frequently head back indoors to get connected, or swap to mobile data to avoid dealing with Wi-Fi frustrations. With stronger routers, including those made to withstand outdoor conditions, like the eero Outdoor 7, that problem simply vanishes.

With eero, everything works out of the box with no further tinkering required. For a technology so complex under the hood, that level of simplicity lets you enjoy the fruits of reliable internet. Many of eero’s network-boosting technologies work in the background, too. The less time spent in menus, the better.

Keeping you and your family safe

Reliable and speedy internet is important; it underpins so much of our work life, while giving us access to plenty of fun stuff, like streaming videos and playing online games. Equally as important is security and keeping safe online.

Many mesh Wi-Fi systems include various security features and parental controls to provide a secure, customisable online experience. Consistent with everything else about eero, Wi-Fi security and content moderation aren’t an afterthought; it’s baked into the system as a set of easy-to-use features.

By default, an eero mesh Wi-Fi system automatically updates itself with the latest software. This serves multiple purposes: one is to keep your Wi-Fi running without interruption. Secondly, it applies up-to-date security patches that protect every connected device at the router level.

eero Pro 6e in family living room

For even further protection, an eero Plus subscription ($15.99 per month or $159.99 annually in Australia) adds more features aimed at protecting the whole family. Content filters can be applied to each family member’s profile as needed, ensuring only age-appropriate content is accessible.

Additional premium eero Plus features enhance your online experience, like ad blocking, VPN access, and password management. There’s also even more security, as your mesh Wi-Fi system works to block viruses and phishing attempts online.

If you do need a hand at any stage, eero has local support available through the app and via telephone. Even after hours, you can reach customer support, so no waiting around until the next day. You can also access a wealth of helpful information through eero’s support site.

Wi-Fi should be simple, automatically keeping you connected around the home. Mesh Wi-Fi is even better, connecting more devices across greater distances. For a simple mesh Wi-Fi system that works out of the box, eero is one of the best options.

To make it even easier to get started, the eero range is discounted during the end of financial year sales:

The post 66% of Aussies still face internet issues: Mesh Wi-Fi is the answer appeared first on GadgetGuy.


Google Home Speaker review: Deep thought

Google Home Speaker review: Deep thought

7.9

Bringing Gemini Live to life, the latest Google Home Speaker is ready to engage in deep and meaningful conversation.

It’s almost a decade since the original Google Home smart speaker was unveiled, reaching Australia before the Alexa-powered Amazon Echo and later joined by Apple’s Siri-powered HomePod.

All three talkative smart assistants have gradually grown smarter and more life-like over the years. Not only in their ability to perform more complex tasks, but also in their ability to engage in natural language conversations.

Over that time, we’ve seen smart speakers and screens of all shapes and sizes. The new $199 Google Home Speaker is the first from Google since the launch of the $149 Google Nest Audio back in 2020. 

The new Google Home Speaker costs more than the old Nest Audio, and you get a lot less actual speaker in return, but the focus is less on sound quality and more on a shiny new lamp for Google’s more powerful genie.

Table of contents

First impressions

I honestly laughed aloud when I opened the box to discover that the latest Google Home Speaker looks a hell of a lot like the snowglobe-style Apple HomePod Mini and Amazon Echo (4th Gen).

I laughed not only because Google’s smart speaker design team has fallen into line with its rivals, but also because the size of the Google Home Speaker immediately looks like a major step down in sound quality compared to the much larger Google Nest Audio – which has lived in the corner of my kitchen bench for six years, since it usurped the original Google Home.

It’s a valid first impression; once you fire up the new Google Home Speaker, you soon discover its 360-degree sound is absolutely no match for the old Google Nest Audio – especially when it comes to the low end. The sound is a bit brash and flat, especially once you crank the volume, and you miss out on graphic equaliser settings.

This new speaker has no chance of stealing the Nest Audio’s pride of place in my small kitchen. It’s no surprise, considering the Google Home Speaker packs a single 58 mm driver, while the Nest Audio packs a 75 mm mid-woofer and a 19 mm tweeter.

The new Google Home Speaker is actually much closer in size and style to the 2019 Google Nest Mini that lives on the sink in the children’s bathroom. The Google Home Speaker has a slightly larger footprint and stands about twice as tall as the Nest Mini, so it needs a little more space.

A family portrait, with the Google Home Speaker and Google Nest Mini in front of the Google Nest Audio and original Google Home. Image: Adam Turner.

It’s no surprise that Google spruiks its new speaker’s audio credentials by comparing them to the Nest Mini, boasting a driver twice the size and 2.5x stronger bass. Yes, the new Google Home Speaker certainly does sound better than the Nest Mini, let’s just forget to mention the superior Nest Audio.

Shying away from sound quality in favour of a compact design has been the trend for several years, with Google abandoning the Sonos-esque Google Home Max and Amazon retiring many of the larger Echos. Only Apple has stuck to its guns by releasing the beefy HomePod 2 alongside the HomePod mini.

The new Google Home Speaker retains the same design as the Google Nest Mini, with tiny light-up touch-sensitive volume buttons and a central play/pause button hidden under the mesh. There’s still a mute switch at the rear, plus Google has added an Echo-style glowing status ring to the base.

Viewed from above, you can see the lit volume buttons, which are far too small and difficult to find. Image: Adam Turner.

The new speaker isn’t prepared to share the stage, with Google recently discontinuing the Nest Audio and Nest Mini, leaving the Google Home Speaker as the tech giant’s only smart speaker. At $199, it’s now a lot more expensive to dip your toe into the Google speaker ecosystem than snapping up a $79 Nest Mini.

Those two old Nest speakers are still valuable, considering that mine seem perfectly capable of running the exact same Gemini and Gemini Live experience as this new Google Home Speaker.

The only improvements are that the Google Home Speaker steps up to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4, plus it is now a Thread border router as well as a Matter hub. This means it can connect to more third-party smart home gear, similar to the Google Nest Hub smart screen.

Viewed from below, you can see the glowing status ring and mute switch. Image: Adam Turner.

Google Home Speaker specifications and price

SpeakerOmni-directional sound with 58 mm full-range driver
Microphones3 far-field microphones
PrivacyPhysical mute switch
ChipsetQuad Core A55 2.0 GHz with NPU
RAM1 GB LPDDR4
Onboard storage4 GB EMMC
PowerAC via 30-watt USB-C adaptor
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 802.11ax (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)
BluetoothBluetooth 5.4
SmarthomeThread 1.3 border router (2.4 GHz)
Works as a hub for Matter with Google Home
Dimensions86.6 mm height, 107 mm diameter
Weight396 gm
ColoursHazel or Porcelain (Jade and Berry are US-exclusives)
Price$199 RRP
Warranty2 years
Official websiteGoogle Australia

Google Home Speaker safety briefing

Setting up the Google Home Speaker is very straightforward, especially if you’ve already used the iOS or Android Google Home app to set up other smart home gear.

The catch is that adding the Google Home Speaker to your home will permanently replace Google Assistant with Google Gemini on all of your Google smart speakers. Thankfully, this doesn’t cripple third-party Google-compatible devices like the Lenovo Smart Clock in my kids’ bedrooms, even if they can’t run Gemini Live.

Google has recently been pushing homes with existing Google speakers to upgrade to Gemini, but I’ve been putting it off because these kinds of updates tend to break old features. So far, I haven’t encountered any glaring issues.

What is interesting is how much more Google is focused on warning people about the shortcomings of smart assistants, compared to when it launched its first smart speakers 10 years ago.

I was at Google I/O 2016 in California when they launched the original Google Home, and no one wanted to acknowledge the potential dangers of putting an all-knowing smart assistant in your home with absolutely no ability to restrict access for children.

The original Google Home and later Google Home Mini.

These days, the new Google Home Speaker comes with copious warnings about not trusting Gemini or letting children speak to it unsupervised. Along with filters to restrict certain features and topics of conversation for children and voices it doesn’t recognise, Google’s extensive disclaimers include:

Gemini for Home isn’t a person: Teach children that Gemini for Home is a tool, not a person. Help them understand that even though they can chat with Gemini for Home, it doesn’t have feelings and isn’t a person to confide in.

Keep personal info private: Teach children that their private information should stay private. Remind them not to share sensitive details like their full name, home address, school name, phone number or family information in their chats.

Gemini for Home can make mistakes: Help children think critically about answers and encourage them to double-check responses from Gemini for Home.

Gemini for Home can make mistakes: don’t rely on it for professional advice.

That’s a lot of provisos and quid pro quos for an all-powerful genie. I don’t know, Abu, he probably can’t even get us out of this cave. 

Gemini versus Gemini Live

With those extensive disclaimers out of the way, it’s time to start chatting with the Google Home Speaker. Of the smart assistant’s new personas, Calathea seems closest to the original female Australian voice (she might be called Eucalyptus on some devices). It’s still jarring if you’ve been listening to the old voices for a decade.

Gemini is determined to make things personal, so I’ll refer to Calathea as “her” rather than “it”. Just to confuse things, there are actually two genies of the lamp: you can choose between talking to Gemini or Gemini Live, even though they use the same voice.

Gemini is the replacement for the old Google Assistant, summoned as before with “Okay, Google” and performing the same tasks while speaking in a slightly more natural manner. 

Like Google Assistant, she supports continued conversation, so you don’t need to keep saying “Okay, Google”, but she can handle more complex queries. Gemini also tends to offer longer answers to questions, speaking with authority on topics where the old Google Assistant would cite its source – something that rubs me the wrong way. 

For example, ask Google Assistant “How many months in the Roman calendar?” and she responds. “10 months, according to the website webexhibits.org…” before launching into more detail. Meanwhile, Gemini simply launches into an answer with no acknowledgment of the source, perpetuating AI’s terrible habit of scraping information without attribution or permission.

Instead of chatting with Gemini, you can say “Okay, Google, let’s talk” to summon Gemini Live. It’s a much more conversational experience, which lets you interrupt and ask follow-up questions. She also copes better with conversations where you stumble and change direction mid-sentence. 

A meeting of two minds

Rather than asking her for specific answers, Gemini Live is more useful for exploring topics. We started off talking about Iron Maiden’s early influences and then pivoted to a long chat about the Western Bulldogs’ chances of making the finals, including a look at our next few matches and an explanation of the AFL’s new Wildcard finals round.

Gemini Live doesn’t have strongly held opinions, which sometimes makes it difficult to have a real conversation. 

When I slagged off the Wildcard finals round as a shameless grab for cash by the AFL, she didn’t disagree with me but said it was a controversial issue and presented both sides of the argument. That’s a diplomatic approach, but a real person would have an opinion of their own and take a stance, even if you both agreed to disagree.

If you push her for an opinion on most topics, she says “as a home assistant, I don’t have opinions” and gives you a balanced answer. But asked her opinion on whether the world is flat or 5G causes COVID, and she categorically states that the “scientific consensus” is otherwise.

Retort with “I disagree”, and she says “that’s fair” before steering the topic into safer waters. It would be interesting to know exactly which topics are locked down and how much leeway she gives crackpots and bigots.

Gemini Live handles flowing conversation and complex topics surprisingly well. What’s particularly interesting is that when the conversation reaches a natural pause, she often asks you an engaging follow-up question to seek your opinion and drive the conversation forward.

She impressed my wife, a high school librarian, with her ability to discuss authors and genres, while linking themes and making reading recommendations. Gemini Live throws in phrases like “oh, that’s such a good choice” when you mention your favourite books, leaning into those sycophantic tendencies that can make personable AI dangerous for some people.

It’s easy to get drawn into conversations with Gemini Live, although, as a cynical tech reviewer, it’s hard to shake the feeling that she’s simply telling me what I want to hear.

She’s also parroting ideas stolen from other sources, particularly scraping the work of my fellow journalists. Realistically, her thoughts on the Western Bulldogs’ chances of making the finals are actually sports journalists’ thoughts that she regurgitates without permission. When I called her out on this, we dove into a discussion on intellectual property, again without her taking sides.

Talking to Gemini Live would seem more natural if she could dial down the perkiness, dial up the moxie and occasionally adjust her tone to suit the topic at hand (think Tony Stark’s Jarvis). Instead, you get the exact same demeanour whether discussing baking a cake or burying loved ones.

Occasionally, she simply stops talking, and it’s hard to know whether you’ve stumped her, hit a nerve, or she’s just encountered a glitch. You sometimes get “sorry, something’s not right”, so we’ll assume it’s just teething issues.

Asking her to tell me about “Adam Turner the technology journalist” was a timely reminder that Gemini Live and her kind simply can’t be trusted to get their facts straight.

After detailing my work as a journalist and corporate writer, she confidently went on to discuss my supposed work as a cybersecurity researcher – the exploits of a different Adam Turner.

When I pointed out her error, she corrected herself and admitted the mistake, but it makes you wonder how much you can trust her when she spouts erroneous information with such an air of confidence. Interestingly, I asked her the same question the next day, and she didn’t make the same mistake.

It’s important to note that Gemini Live isn’t free; it comes with the Google Home Premium subscription – with Google throwing in six months for free if you buy a Google Home Speaker by September 30. Along with Gemini Live, some of the subscription-exclusive features include video storage for Nest cameras, smart notifications when the doorbell detects a person and quick summaries of the day’s events.

Who is the Google Home Speaker for?

The Google Home Speaker is a great fit for Google-centric homes like mine. That said, Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa are also getting smarter (even though Alexa+ isn’t yet available in Australia), so it’s worth weighing up your options if you’re just starting down the smart home path.

It’s just a shame about the Google Home Speaker’s lowly sound quality. It would be more forgivable if it were pitched as a replacement for the Nest Mini, with a Nest Audio replacement to come. Remember, if you already own a Google Nest Audio, with far superior sound quality, it will happily upgrade to Gemini and Gemini Live. So there’s absolutely no reason to upgrade to the Google Home Speaker, unless you desperately require a Thread border router and nothing else in your home can do the job.

Personally, I don’t think Gemini Live is worth paying for, but you might think otherwise or get value from other aspects of a Google Home Premium subscription.

Finally, just remember, even Google admits you should never completely trust the genie of the lamp.

Google Home Speaker
The Google Home Speaker brings Gemini Live to life, but falls short on sound quality compared to its predecessors.
Features
9
Value for money
7
Performance
7
Ease of use
9
Design
7.5
Positives
Compact size
Supports Gemini and Gemini Live
Six-month free Google Home Premium subscription
Negatives
Inferior sound to Google Nest Audio
Makes Google’s entry-level speaker more expensive
Extensive disclaimers as to Gemini’s trustworthiness
7.9

The post Google Home Speaker review: Deep thought appeared first on GadgetGuy.


Save up to 46% with Reolink smart home Prime Day deals

Save up to 46% with Reolink smart home Prime Day deals

Amazon Prime Day is always a good time to pick up a bunch of good gadgets at a cheaper price than you’d normally pay. With this year’s sales, it’s well worth looking into some gear that will help protect your home and give you peace of mind. Some of the best Prime Day deals come from Reolink, with plenty of good discounts across its smart home range.

Starting early on 30 June and running until 15 July, this year’s Reolink Prime Day deals see up to 46% off security cameras, video doorbells, and smart home gadgets that are easy to set up and use.

Ideal for Australian conditions, Reolink’s technology covers all aspects of smart home security. Many of the brand’s gadgets run on solar power, requiring just a bit of sunlight every day to provide 24/7 coverage.

One of the best parts about Reolink’s smart home security range? No subscriptions are required to access premium features. Automatic AI-based detection —like recognising people, vehicles and pets — is included with the cost of the device. Plus, you have the option of storing security footage locally, using either microSD cards or NVR storage.

This flexibility and customer-friendly approach make Reolink’s Prime Day deals even more tempting. Let’s get into the deals, including when each one is live.

OMVI 3i PoE: Save 30% on 360-degree security

Reolink OMVI 3i Wi-Fi camera veranda

Reolink’s new flagship security camera, the OMVI 3i PoE, is big on features and now lower on price. Equipped with an 18MP triple-lens array, this 4K camera provides comprehensive 360-degree coverage, perfect for larger outdoor areas.

Two of its lenses produce a wide-angle panoramic view, while the remaining lens pans and tilts to track movement. It uses a technology called “ReoNeura™ AI with SyncTrack” to smartly give you the whole picture. While the pan-tilt lens automatically locks on and tracks moving objects, the panoramic lens keeps a wider perspective, so you can see everything that happens in clear detail.

The OMVI 3i PoE’s AI smarts process locally on the device, too, which is great for securing your footage, and your wallet. Without any subscription fees, you can look up footage using a simple text search to describe the scene. Reolink’s app then shows you any matches, saving you time scrubbing through hours of footage.

With two views in one at your disposal, the OMVI 3i PoE is one of the smartest home security cameras you can get.

Solar Floodlight Cam: 30% off all-in-one floodlight camera

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam on house close up

Floodlights are a great way to bolster your home’s security at night. Floodlight cameras are even better, recording clear footage in dim conditions. But you’d need some way to power that, right? With the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam, all you need is the sun.

With no wires or complex installation to worry about, the Solar Floodlight Cam needs just an hour of sunlight a day to keep running without interruption. Even if it doesn’t get much sun, the camera can last up to three months at a time via its internal rechargeable battery.

Once set up, you benefit from a 2K camera with a 4MP sensor, capturing a wide 150-degree field of view. Its 1,000-lumen floodlight illuminates dark areas, making it even easier to see at night, while letting others know your place is protected.

Ideal for outdoor security, the Reolink Floodlight Cam is easy to mount, keeping an eye on your front porch, backyard, or wherever you need all-day monitoring.

Altas PT Ultra + Solar Panel: Up to 31% off 4K coverage

Reolink Altas PT Ultra with solar pannel installed

For super-clear security footage at all hours of the day, it’s hard to go past the Reolink Altas PT Ultra. A 4K camera with 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt functionality, you can see everything that happens outside your home.

With a 500-day battery life under normal use, recharging the Altas PT Ultra will be one of the furthest things from your mind. Even more so if you opt for the solar bundle that includes a panel for continuous operation

Pre-recording is one of the biggest features here. Many security cameras use motion as a trigger to begin recording footage. But what if something happens just before the motion trigger activates? That’s why the Altas PT Ultra can record up to 10 seconds of footage before motion alerts kick in, giving you the entire context.

Night footage is also recorded in clear colour, using what’s called “ColorX” technology. It’s a combination of software, a wide aperture, and a large sensor that works to produce video that looks like it was recorded in broad daylight.

If all-day security with even more recording flexibility is what you want, the Altas PT Ultra is a standout pick.

Reolink Go Ultra: Get 46% off reliable 4G security

Reolink Go Ultra with solar panel outdoors

Need reliable security where Wi-Fi can’t reach? Reolink’s Go Ultra camera includes a 4G SIM card providing LTE connectivity where you need it. Perfect for big properties, outdoor settings, and building sites, this camera doesn’t need a Wi-Fi network to power its smarts.

The Reolink Go Ultra captures 4K footage with its 8MP sensor, letting you keep up with what’s happening, even from where your home internet can’t reach. Its built-in solar panel keeps the camera running at all hours, with no need for lengthy power cables — or a source of mains power, which might be hard to come by.

Like the rest of the Reolink range, Go Ultra is as smart as they come. All the usual person, vehicle, and animal detection features are included, as is a bunch of internal smarts to ensure you only receive alerts when you need them.

It’s built to withstand Australian outdoor conditions, too. With an IP65 weather-resistant rating, the Go Ultra isn’t deterred by dirt and dust blown around by gusts, nor will rain affect its operation. Where other cameras can’t reach, this is the ideal solution.

TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi: Ultra-bright security up to 35% off

Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi camera at night

Equipped with pan, tilt, zoom, and a floodlight, the Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi camera does it all. This wired camera gives you clear 4K footage with 360-degree coverage via two views: a wide-angle perspective, and up to a 6x zoom close-up.

That’s handy during the daytime, with the zoom lens also able to track moving subjects, ensuring everything gets recorded. At night is when the TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi really shines. Its super-bright 3,000-lumen LED floodlight system brightens up big areas, ideal for driveways and big backyards.

This is also another one of Reolink’s cameras that supports local AI search, which combines nicely with the clear zoomed-in footage it records. If someone in a red shirt walks by, you can type in a search via the app specifically for that person, and you’ll quickly find any footage they appear in. Again, this feature doesn’t cost anything in subscription fees — it’s included from the get-go.

Argus PT Ultra + Solar Panel: Up to 31% off affordable 4K solar security

Reolink Argus PT Ultra camera with solar panel on outdoor wall

For 4K-quality security at an even more affordable price, the Reolink Argus PT Ultra has you covered: literally and figuratively.

A fully wireless smart security camera, the Argus PT Ultra can keep running continuously when paired with Reolink’s 3W solar panel. It can also pan 355 degrees and tilt 140 degrees, providing wide coverage via its 8MP sensor.

For even more flexibility, you can use the Reolink app to set smart detection zones. This personalises the alerts you get, letting you know when people, vehicles or animals cross over a specific area.

There are also built-in spotlights, enabling clear colour footage 24/7. Combined with automatic tracking of anything that enters the camera’s field of view, the Argus PT Ultra is yet another smart option for outdoor security.

Video Doorbell Battery: Save up to 33% on wire-free convenience

Reolink Battery Video Doorbell on wall

What about your front door? How can you keep track of visitors and package deliveries, especially when you’re not home? An easy solution is the Reolink Video Doorbell Battery.

As its name suggests, this video doorbell is a completely wire-free device. It’s easy to set up in a matter of minutes, providing you with front door security in almost an instant.

Via the Reolink app, you can see 1:1 head-to-toe 2K footage, seeing anything that happens at your doorstep in clear view. When someone rings the doorbell, you can chat via two-way communication, letting family know you’ll get the door soon, or asking posties to leave packages on the doormat.

Reolink’s AI smarts also extend to the Video Doorbell Battery, detecting people, vehicles, and packages, just like the brand’s security cameras. Its rechargeable battery lasts up to five months of regular operation, too, giving you plenty of time in between charges.

The post Save up to 46% with Reolink smart home Prime Day deals appeared first on GadgetGuy.