If you tried to catalogue every robot vacuum available in Australian stores right now, you’d have a big task ahead of you. There are a lot of robotic devices to choose from. With its latest model, Ecovacs wants to set itself apart by positioning the $2,299 Deebot T90 Pro Omni as the go-to robot cleaner for pet owners.
That’s a lofty goal; as pet owners will tell you, the vacuuming and cleaning requirements — especially for long-haired furry friends — are through the roof. To set the stage for its pet cleaning prowess, Ecovacs demoed the new robot earlier in the year at CES 2026, showing off some big changes to the Deebot range’s vacuum and mop system.
Most notably, the Deebot T90 Pro Omni employs a 27cm mop roller, substantially longer than the roller used in Ecovacs’ previous models. The robot continually washes the mop mid-clean via built-in water nozzles, letting the roller spin at speeds of up to 200RPM to scrub away grimy messes.
Looking at the vacuum, the T90 Pro Omni uses what Ecovacs calls “BLAST technology”. It’s a fun acronym that stands for “Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology”. In real-world terms, it refers to larger fan blades and a wider air intake system that Ecovacs says improves vacuuming performance.
On that front, the new robot boasts suction power of up to 30,000Pa. Combined with the larger fan system, it’s a big part of why Ecovacs labels this particular robot as being suited to pet cleanup.
As well as the T90 Pro Omni, Ecovacs also launched a more affordable $1,799 Deebot T80S Omni appliance. Cleaning power, alongside other subtle differences, is the main separating point between the models; the T80S Omni has a maximum of 24,800Pa suction power, while it still benefits from a roller mop system.
In Australia, the Deebot T90 Pro Ommi is available now at major appliance retailers. Meanwhile, the T80S Omni arrives later on 9 April.
Rode has a new piece of equipment out for podcasters and video producers: the RodeCaster Video Core, a device that helps mix video and audio together on the fly.
Priced at $940 in Australia, the Core follows last year’s launch of the RodeCaster Video S, Rode’s version of a compact production desk. The Australian-based audio gear company described the RodeCaster Video Core as combining video switching, recording and streaming with a built-in audio mixer.
Alongside the new device, Rode also announced a new connectivity feature: RodeCaster Sync. It enables connectivity between the Video Core and Rode’s dedicated audio interfaces, like the RodeCaster Pro II and Duo devices. So, if you already have the dedicated audio equipment, you can add video into the equation without entirely replacing your equipment stack.
Designed for podcasts and studio-based video productions, the Video Core supports three 1080p HDMI inputs, two USB-C slots, and two combo jacks that work with inputs like XLR microphones. Streaming directly online is possible through a direct Ethernet connection, in addition to saving files directly to external USB storage.
It’s an interesting device, coming so soon after Rode’s compact video production gadget. While the RodeCaster Video S includes various buttons for scene and input switching, the Video Core seems to be more of a bridging device between Rode’s existing audio interfaces.
One of the potentially helpful features is the ability to switch between media sources and scenes automatically. According to Rode, this works based on audio inputs, so when someone else starts speaking during a two-person recording, the device could automatically swap to a shot focusing on the speaker.
The RodeCaster Video Core is available to pre-order now via Rode’s website. Devices compatible with RodeCaster Sync can update to gain the feature via the RodeCaster App.
Do you really need an expensive Telstra SIM for reliable coverage in Australia, or can a cheaper MVNO plan perform just as well? I put both to the test on a month-long road trip from Sydney to Melbourne to find out.
How mobile networks actually work
A mobile phone works by connecting to cell towers. As you travel, such as when driving in a car, your call is handed off from one tower to the next. Eventually, if you move far enough from populated areas, you will run out of towers and lose coverage.
In Australia, there are three network operators: Telstra, Optus and TPG (Vodafone). Many more phone network retailers sell phone plans without owning their own infrastructure. These companies are called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
Network coverage in Australia
Coverage depends on which operator owns the tower in a particular location. In some remote locations, Telstra may have a tower while Optus or TPG does not. In others, Optus may have a tower, but Telstra may not. Telstra is known for having the best coverage (ie. the most towers) in Australia. Optus and TPG have a sharing agreement, which has substantially increased their coverage.
If you had an Optus SIM and only a Telstra tower is available, you could make an emergency call, but you could not make regular calls or use mobile data (and vice versa).
What is an MVNO?
MVNOs in Australia have a contract with a network operator to use the operator’s cell towers and infrastructure, but own the relationship with the customer, which usually includes billing and customer service. In most cases, network operators do not provide MVNOs the same coverage and data speeds, so they keep a competitive advantage. Countering this, MVMOs offer lower prices for monthly plans.
One exception to this is Boost Mobile, which is now owned by Telstra and offers full Telstra network coverage. Its advantage is lower pricing for the same Telstra coverage.
Boost Mobile v Woolworths Everyday Mobile coverage maps
Boost Mobile coverageWoolworths Everyday Mobile coverage
Most Australians live in a major city or town and rarely venture out to woop woop (aka remote Australia). So the question needs to be asked: Does it really matter if you have a Network operator SIM or an MVNO SIM?
Testing coverage on a Sydney to Melbourne road trip
On a recent trip to Melbourne, I went to test this out, as Melbourne to Sydney is a trip many Australians are likely to make at some time in their lives. I travelled to Melbourne along the coast road via Wilson Promontory and returned via the Hume Highway, detouring into the Victorian High Country.
I use a Woolworths Everyday Mobile SIM and have a Boost SIM in a mobile Wi-Fi router mounted in the car. These SIMs both use the Telstra network.
Over the course of a month, I worked from the caravan using the mobile network for phone calls and internet connection (data). For the most part, I had no issues. I found that in some out-of-the-way towns where I had a good reception, I still had slow internet. This was not a coverage issue, but rather a limitation of how much internet bandwidth had been provisioned to the tower.
The results: Telstra vs Boost vs Woolworths Mobile
When comparing the two SIMs, there was only one location where the Woolworths SIM lost coverage while the Boost SIM still had a signal. This was around the NSW-Victorian border on a very hilly, winding road.
From a data speed perspective, the Boost SIM performed better, but the faster speeds were rarely necessary for my day-to-day usage.
Which SIM should you choose?
Overall, the results of this trip would not change my SIM choices. I like having the Boost SIM for the peace of mind of extra coverage, especially in an emergency, and for providing shared mobile data across multiple devices. My everyday usage is driven by the low cost of using the Woolworths SIM and the 10% off groceries.
In this scenario, Telstra is arguably the loser. While it owns the network infrastructure, its retail plans are the most expensive and offer little additional benefit over alternatives that use the same network.
If I lived in Sydney or Melbourne and never really left either city, and only had one SIM, I would use a cheaper MVNO. In my case, if I were limited to one SIM, the low price and full network coverage of the Boost SIM make it an easy pick.
Packing 3,840Wh energy in a wheeled chassis, the BLUETTI Elite 400 delivers serious battery backup for anyone needing mobile energy at home or outdoors—without being stuck in one place. It handles everything from suburban outages and weekend BBQs to market stalls, outdoor events, and off-grid farm work, without the noise, fumes, or hassle of a traditional generator.
Big power on wheels, no compromise
At first glance, the Elite 400 looks like a travel suitcase with a pull rod, two solid wheels, and integrated handles. The mobile design redefines what a high-capacity portable power station can do, allowing one person to roll this nearly 4kWh powerhouse from garage to ute, gravel, or concrete with ease.
Once in place, it delivers 2,600W of continuous AC pure sine wave power, with up to 3,900W of power lifting for high-startup appliances. That’s enough to run fridges and freezers for street stalls, power tools at outdoor worksites, or sensitive audio systems during beach parties.
Run high-startup appliances such as fridges, freezers and worksite power tools.
All-day runtime for camps, stalls, and events
With 7 output ports, including two AC outlets, two USB-A, two high-speed USB-C ports, and a 12V car socket, the Elite 400 can power multiple devices without juggling plugs. Stallholders can keep their EFTPOS terminals charged, lights on, and music speakers playing for hours.
A single full charge can run a 50W portable fridge for more than 131 hours, a 1,000W ice maker for around 3.2 hours, or recharge a 60Wh laptop up to 45 times. For campers and outdoor hosts, it means a reliable power supply without constant refuelling, emissions, or noises, which are often restricted or outright banned in public areas.
Nearly 4kWh of portable power means reliable supply for camping, stalls and events.
Fast charging that keeps up with real life
Charging speed matters for large-capacity power stations, and this is where the Elite 400 quietly flexes. It supports 2,300W AC fast charging, cutting down wait times between uses.
Add up to 1,000W of solar input, and combined charging peaks at 3,300W, pushing the battery to 80% in around one hour under ideal conditions. That’s a major win for Australians relying on solar during daylight hours, especially on solar farms, remote caravan parks, or properties where grid access is limited.
Smart backup for everyday power confidence
At home, the Elite 400 also works as a dependable backup system, with a 15ms UPS switchover that keeps essential devices running through sudden outages. Internet routers, fish tank pumps, medical devices, and home offices stay online without interruption.
Its ultra-low 3W idle power draw allows the unit to sit on standby for extended periods without quietly draining itself. Through the BLUETTI app, via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, users can monitor power in real time, schedule charging during solar-heavy hours, and remotely manage connected devices. Whether used as a home battery to offset peak rates or to turn the AC on before getting home, it offers power that fits around modern Australian routines.
BLUETTI Elite 400 can be used for home backup during power outages.
Pricing and availability
The BLUETTI Elite 400 portable power station will be available in Australia from 9 March 2026 via the official BLUETTI Australia website, priced at AUD $2999. Customers can use the code GG400 for an additional 6% launch discount.
About BLUETTI
BLUETTI is a global clean-energy brand focused on portable power, solar integration, and energy resilience. Known for combining robust engineering with practical design, BLUETTI continues to develop power solutions that support everyday living, outdoor exploration, and off-grid independence.
Transparent tech is what Nothing is known for, just look at the latest Phone (4a). But in a sign that the UK phone maker wants to be known for more than its looks, the freshly announced Nothing Phone (4a) Pro has gone in a completely different direction.
It hasn’t entirely abandoned the brand’s bold industrial aesthetics — the eye-catching rear camera cutout and Mini LED-adorned Glyph Matrix see to that. So, it still shares some design DNA with the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, one of last year’s best phones under $1,000. However, rather than an entirely transparent back casing, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro adopts a metallic unibody, contributing to its slim 7.95mm frame.
As such, the phone pairs with the company’s similarly striking set of headphones. Nothing says the new-look design results in better durability and thermal management, along with an IP65 weather resistance rating. In real terms, dropping the phone in a shallow body of water shouldn’t cause any problems.
Included in the camera array is a larger 50MP Sony LYT700c sensor, which is also said to focus on subjects faster than Nothing’s previous phones. There’s also a 50MP 3.5x telephoto lens that leans on AI to zoom in as far as 140x.
Even moreso than the flagship-positioned Phone (3), the (4a) Pro’s 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen is considered Nothing’s best. It’s brighter, reaching 5,000 nits with HDR content, and employs Gorilla Glass 7i for durability.
On the inside is the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, with 256GB of storage and 12GB of LPDDR5X memory. Battery-wise, the capacity is a fairly standard 5,080mAh. There’s no Qi wireless charging, but the phone at least supports 50W wired charging speeds.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro release date and price
In Australia, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro costs $949, squarely facing it off against the likes of the Google Pixel 10a. Pre-orders are live now, with the phone officially launching on 27 March, slightly later than the rest of the new Nothing range.
Silver and black colour options are available, as well as a subtle shade of pink to match one of the new Headphone (a) colours.
Like the standard (4a) model, the Pro only gets three years of Android software updates, notably less than the seven years some similar-priced handsets get. However, the six years’ worth of security updates is a better deal.
Crafting machines are a fun gateway drug to suddenly wanting to make everything yourself. It gets real expensive, and real time-consuming, real fast, and yet it’s worth it to be able to give people objects that are homemade and thus carry a bit of you with them. It’s more personal, meaningful and interesting.
Cricut is the most popular brand of crafting machines in Australia, and the company recently released its two latest machines, with a focus on making them more accessible to newer crafters. I’ve spent over a week with the Cricut Explore 5 and Joy 2. While I love both of them for different reasons, I think the Explore 5 is going to be the better buy for more people, despite its higher price tag.
The first thing I noticed about the Cricut Explore 5 is how much smaller it is than the previous generation. It’s a whole 30 per cent smaller than the Explore 4, and takes up so much less space than my usual Maker 4. It still retains basically all the features of the previous model, and it now comes with a pack of essential tools.
I was impressed by how much was included in the pack — the materials are a bit miserly, with only small pieces of each of the varieties, so it’s more of a sample pack than a materials bundle. But the tools are what make the difference — everything you need to weed, as well as a card mat, light grip mat, pen and scoring tool.
Setting up the machine in Cricut’s Design Space software was easier than ever. I just turned on the machine next to my laptop with Design Space open, and it synced, just like that.
Cricut Explore 5 specifications and price
Price
$449
Warranty
1 year in addition to your Australian consumer law rights
Cricut Explore 5 machine in Taupe
Premium Fine Point Cutting Tool
Scoring Tool Dual-Sided Marker (0.4 mm & 1.0 mm) in Black
Light Grip Machine Mat, 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)
Welcome card
USB cable
Power adapter
Free trial subscription to Cricut Access Materials (see website for all materials)
Dimsnsions
50.2 cm x 19.05 cm x 11.9 cm
Weight
4.5kg
Max cut sizes
Max cut size using machine mat (small): 11.5 x 11.5 inches (29.2 cm x 29.2 cm)
Max cut size using machine mat (large): 11.5 x 23.5 inches (29.2 cm x 59.6 cm)
Max cut size using Smart Materials: 12 inches x 12 feet (30.5 cm x 3.6 m)
The biggest differences between the Explore 4 and 5 are just what comes in the box, and the size of the machine. That’ll be great for new crafters, but it means the machine isn’t for people who already have a recent Explore or Maker machine in working order.
Design
There is a lot to love and be a bit suspicious of with this new design.
The smaller size is fantastic, and I’m so glad that the tool storage in the door remains (even if it is a bit less organised). Having the mat now load automatically when you start the cut in Design Space is handy, allowing the machine to lose a button and taking out a step in the making process.
Image: Alice Clarke.
I am just concerned that the machine no longer has a lid. The top of the machine is now open to the air, which looks really nice, and likely reduces the manufacturing cost, but now means it’s going to get full of dust. Pet hair will get into it. That’s going to cause other problems.
Of course, you can choose to cover the machine with something. I’d say a dust cover is now an essential extra step, whether you cover it with a towel or make something custom. The cover used to come built in, and now it’s another thing you have to think about.
Cutting and drawing
Of course, this is kind of the Cricut Explore 5’s whole thing. It’s right there in the name. And, the good news is that the Explore 5 is mostly great at it. I’ve made cards, cut out and written on smart paper sticker cardstock cut-outs for a custom book, and cut infusible ink for a tote bag, and all of them came out looking excellent. Though the cut on the infusible ink was deeper than I would have liked in places.
Images: Alice Clarke.
My attempts at print-and-cut sticker making have been less successful. But, given that my colleagues have had better experiences, I’m going to put that down to the trials of using beta software. The kiss cut keeps going all the way through to the mat on the light setting, and damaging the mat on the regular setting, which is frustrating on a sticker sheet. Hopefully, this no longer occurs outside beta.
Image: Alice Clarke.
The process for cutting and creating is very straightforward. A small project, like a card, is quick to pull together. You can select a template or existing design, or start from scratch in the app (more on that later), load a card into the card mat, put it in the machine, and then you have a really beautiful card. The more time-consuming part is choosing what to put on the card; the actual making is simple.
However, compared to the Explore 4 and the Maker 4, there are some new irritations and extra touch points, which likely won’t be an issue for newcomers who didn’t know it could be better. But people who have been using Explores or Makers for years will find this bothersome.
You can no longer leave a pen in the pen holder while the machine cuts, or it will simply draw offset instead of cutting, ruining your materials. For those who score cardstock, you can no longer put the scoring tool in clamp A (clamp A has been replaced with a pen holder), and you will have to switch between the tools. It won’t make much difference to your workflow if you’re just occasionally making a card, or if you mostly just use a pen or cut (not both at the same time). But making a 30-page book and having to constantly put the pen in and out meant that it was a much more labour-intensive process than it would have been on one of the older machines, or the Maker 4.
Image: Alice Clarke.
The benefit, though, is that the Explore 5 now uses the universal pen holder, which means that (as long as you’re getting the pens with the compatible symbol), you can use the same pens across multiple machine types, which will make things less confusing when shopping. Of course, not as helpful if you have old pens now, but good for the future.
For people who haven’t had a Cricut machine before, the Explore range is the Medium in terms of Cricut’s consumer-grade machines. The Joy is the smallest and most limited, but best for small spaces and for people who just want to make the occasional card, the Joy Xtra is the Joy but more, and then the Maker 4 is the large appliance, able to cut hundreds of types of materials, do fancy things like debossing, and work with wood and metal (with a price tag to match).
The Explore 5 is in the sweet spot for most crafters who have some space and want options. The vast majority of people who want a crafting machine would be more than satisfied with how cleanly and easily the Explore 5 cuts paper, vinyl, temporary tattoos, stickers, and a range of other materials.
Design Space software
Design Space, which is the essential software to use with the machine, has always been a bit finicky. It needs to be connected to the internet to work, and it has a paid subscription that gives users access to more images and fonts to use.
I have had a love-hate relationship with the software for some time. However, this latest update has solved one of my biggest complaints: there are now templates for the most common projects.
Images: Alice Clarke.
Before, you had to kind of guess when making an insert card, cutaway card, or sticker sheet from scratch whether your design would work out in reality. Now you can start with the template and go from there, which cuts down the amount of materials that go to waste due to an incorrect estimation. It also makes the creation process so much faster, so you spend less time trying to make the whole thing work, and more time on the creative fun parts.
Image: Alice Clarke.
Unfortunately, this update has also introduced a bunch of generative AI nonsense, which I hate and believe is antithetical to creativity and artistry. I’m sure this update will have some actual artists rethinking some of their usage of the app. Luckily, the AI nonsense is (mostly) well labelled and can be avoided.
The templates are really good, though.
Who is the Cricut Explore 5 for?
Overall, the Cricut Explore 5 is an excellent and extremely capable cutting machine.
There are a few changes over the Explore 4 that I feel are downgrades, but the offset of that is better compatibility, a smaller footprint, and decent cost savings (over the Explore 4’s launch price), which I think makes up for it. This is the perfect cutting machine for people who are looking to get into crafting and want a machine that does almost everything.
Unless you plan on working with wood, or doing embossing or debossing, then this is the best larger-format Cricut machine you can get for the money.
It’s often said that two main factors determine which phone people buy: battery life and camera quality. With the Nothing Phone (4a), the boffins over in the UK have leant into photography as a main selling point.
As you’d expect from Nothing, its latest phone is quite the looker. A transparent back offers a glimpse into what its internals look like, an aesthetic that’s quickly become the brand’s signature. That shade of blue is rather slick. Also adorning the rear is a newly designed Glyph Bar, a rectangular array of Mini LEDs that lights up for notifications and other actions, including a red light during video recording.
But the main point Nothing stressed about the Phone (4a) was how good its cameras are. Of the three rear cameras — already quite the feat for a sub-$700 phone — the telephoto sensor has received the biggest upgrade. It now punches in 3.5 times optically, and up to seven times to produce quality Nothing refers to as “lossless”.
Both the main and telephoto cameras include both optical and electronic image stabilisation, helping reduce shaking and the resulting blur. Meanwhile, the entire camera array benefits from more software smarts, including more natural separation of subjects and backgrounds in portrait mode.
There’s also a generously sized 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen to enjoy your photos and videos on, which Nothing says is brighter and sharper than the 3a’s display. Rounding out the package is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 5,080mAh battery.
Nothing promises three years of Android updates, which is a little lean compared to some similarly priced competitors. Fortunately, the six years of security updates are more in line with some of the best mid-range phones.
