Reolink has kicked off a week-long sale on its most popular home security cameras and smart devices, including one that we’re particularly fond of.
From now until 22 March, you can save upwards of $120 across some of the brand’s security range. One of the discounted devices is the Reolink Altas PT Ultra, which comes with a solar panel to power its 4K vision and 360-degree pan and tilt motion.
Normally $359.99 at full price, the Altas PT Ultra is currently discounted to $251.99 via Reolink’s Amazon. It’s a decent price drop on a good security camera, one that can pre-record footage before detecting motion, stores footage locally, and automatically detects subjects — all without a subscription.
For something brighter, the TrackFlex Floodlight WiFi is also on sale. Down to $279.99 from $399.99, it’s another 4K camera with 360-degree pan and tilt functionality. As its name suggests, this camera also comes with a floodlight, beaming out up to 3,000 lumens of brightness, serving two main purposes.
One is to help make nighttime vision even clearer, so you can see any late-night shenanigans in full clarity. The other is to deter would-be intruders or vandals in the first place. Seeing a big, bright light on the front porch will likely make any ne’er-do-wells think twice before acting.
Here’s the main range of sale items as listed on Amazon:
Apple seems to have done more than simply make owning a MacBook more affordable when it launched the Neo. According to a recent teardown, the MacBook Neo is considered one of Apple’s most repairable laptops in years.
Compared to many Windows-based PCs, the Neo isn’t perfect from a self-repair perspective, based on iFixit’s analysis, but it’s a lot better than many recent MacBooks. Apple’s $899 laptop still relies on soldered RAM and storage, and some of the screws are fiddly to work with.
With that in mind, iFixit labelled the MacBook Neo the “most repairable MacBook we’ve seen in about 14 years”. One of the laptop’s biggest improvements is a screwed-in battery, moving away from the glue-based design of recent MacBooks. Similarly, iFixit says the screen is also easily fixed, as are the modular USB-C ports.
Students are the prime target audience for the Mac, and if you’ve seen how some kids treat their laptops, you’d know that the need for repairs is inevitable. Apple’s design choices mean that the company isn’t the sole source of repairs; you can DIY or take it to a local computer repairer and save some money in the process.
Image: iFixit.
Interestingly, iFixit also discovered why the MacBook Neo weighs the same 1.23kg as a 13-inch MacBook Air. Despite shedding size in some areas, the Neo’s screen is heavier, while the mechanical trackpad adds plenty of weight.
Even though Apple has some room for improvement, especially compared to Lenovo’s ThinkPad range, the Neo appears to be a step in the right direction.
New features and security enhancements are the important stuff from any software update. But the real sauce is found in the fun and superfluous additions. Naturally, I’m talking about emojis. iOS 26.4 is around the corner, and there’s already an emoji I have eyes for.
Apple recently released the public iOS 26.4 beta for iPhones, paving the way for new-look video podcast support and text prompt-generated music playlists akin to Spotify’s recently launched feature. Just as importantly, the update brought with it a new set of emojis.
Courtesy of the Unicode Consortium, which is responsible for approving the library of emojis you see across iOS and Android devices, there is a swathe of new reactions to get your digits around. Ballet dancers are now represented, as is a sasquatch-like being, simply referred to as “hairy creature”.
But I know the new emoji I’ll be getting the most use out of is “Distorted Face”. Depicting a wide-eyed face from close up, it’s the perfect reaction to receiving shocking news or something completely boggling.
It brings to mind the classic anime trope when a character is about to lose the plot over something. Recreating a fisheye perspective, the perspective gives the sense that something crazy is about to happen (or that it already has). Even the Unicode Consortium’s proposal for the emoji references how iconic the expression is in popular media.
I know it’s about to become one of my most-used emojis, right up there with the Melting Face. Another fun addition is the humble trombone. Much like how a violin expresses mock sympathy (i.e. playing the world’s smallest violin), a trombone would be the perfect shorthand for “womp womp”, a popular online expression meant to mimic a sad trombone noise, making fun of someone’s misfortune.
Anyone with the iOS 26.4 beta can start playing with the new emoji now. As for everyone else, the full public release can’t be too far away.
DJI recently launched a range of robot vacuums in Australia, but the timing unfortunately coincided with security concerns. Since then, DJI has resolved some of the issues at the heart of the recent controversy while working to fix one remaining vulnerability.
Just before DJI launched the Romo robot vacuums in Australia, a software engineer by the name of Sammy Azdoufal accidentally gained access to thousands of robots in other regions around the world. All he wanted to do was control his device using a PlayStation DualSense controller. Instead, Azdoufal, using Claude Code, inadvertently found a way to remotely control other people’s Romo robots.
DJI deployed a fix in early February, which didn’t require any user input. More recently, the company published a blog post explaining what happened.
“In late January, as part of routine internal security reviews, DJI identified a backend validation issue involving the DJI Home app that affected our new ROMO product and some DJI power stations,” the blog post said.
“Our investigation indicates that the observed activity was primarily related to security researchers’ testing, and we did not identify evidence that user data was misused.”
Is the DJI Romo vulnerability fully fixed?
According to The Verge, DJI will pay Azdoufal US$30,000 for assisting with identifying and fixing one of the reported vulnerabilities. One vulnerability involved being able to access a DJI Romo’s video stream without needing a PIN code. A DJI spokesperson told The Verge that this issue was fixed in late February.
However, The Verge‘s reporting also alludes to a yet-unnamed vulnerability that has not been resolved. According to DJI’s spokesperson, the company is “upgrading the entire system”, with a series of updates set to roll out within a month.
It’s not known what this remaining vulnerability is. The Verge reporter Sean Hollister labelled it “so bad [The Verge] refused to describe it in our original story”. When there’s a risk of security vulnerabilities being exploited by bad actors, it’s common practice not to publish the full details, so that there’s time to fix the problem before the public knows.
DJI’s blog doesn’t reference this reported vulnerability. Instead, it outlines the brand’s approach to security, including the role that its security team plays alongside external researchers via a bug bounty program.
“Security is a never-ending process, and we will continue to share developments along the way,” the blog post concludes.
In GadgetGuy‘s review of the flagship DJI Romo P model, the device received praise for its cleaning capabilities and excellent navigation. However, its security concerns left some lingering question marks.
Every single accessories brand apparently has to have a “creator starter bundle”. They range in quality from “this belongs in a Christmas cracker and then the bin” to “finally, a one-stop-shop”. This Belkin Stage Creator Kit is one of, if not the best, starter kits I have tried in this price bracket.
The $199 kit includes a tripod, a magnetic phone mount, and a wireless lapel mic set. It’s a companion set to the great $99 Stage PowerGrip, which is a magnetic powerbank that doubles as a camera grip for your phone.
Obviously, it’s not on the same quality level as professional kit, but as a bundle, it also costs less than half the professional version of just one of these items. It’s also significantly better quality than I would expect from a ‘starter’ bundle. In my weeks of testing this kit, I have been very impressed by what it has to offer.
My first impression of the Belkin Stage Creator Kit is of how straightforward the box setup is. Nothing takes up more space than it needs to, which bodes very well for how I’m going to store it for future use, and how budding creators will be able to pack it to take on their adventures.
The second thing was just how easy it was to set up. I screwed the magnetic phone mount to the tripod (though you can use any standard mount with the tripod if you also want to be able to take GoPro footage, for example). Then I angled the tripod to point my phone at what I wanted to film, and I started filming. Ridiculously easy.
Image: Alice Clarke.
The mic setup was also straightforward — I took the mic out of the charging box and attached it to my lapel, then I plugged the dongle into my iPhone, and it just worked.
Belkin Stage Creator Kit specifications and price
Price
$199
Warranty
1 year in addition to your Australian consumer law rights
2x omnidirectional microphones
USB-C receiver
Charging case
Tripod stand
Magnetic phone tripod mount
USB-C to USB-C cable
Carrying case
Magnetic phone tripod mount
I love a good magnetic mount. That said, I have used plenty of magnetic mounts in my time, where the magnets weren’t strong enough to hold my phone against a decent breeze. So, I went into using this mount sceptically.
However, my scepticism was not warranted. This is one hell of a strong magnet. Not so strong that I can’t get my phone off, but strong enough that vigorously shaking the mount didn’t dismount the phone.
I’ve used a wide variety of tripod phone mounts, and usually favour a clamp mount (even though I hate them and they almost never fit properly) for peace of mind. But with the magnet, the phone is always centred, I never have to worry about taking my MagSafe case off. It’s just good. It’s one less thing I have to think about.
Of course, this won’t be as helpful for non-magnetic phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S26 range. But most mainstream phones generally have a magnetic case option these days, which would solve the problem.
Tripod
On the one hand, this isn’t the fanciest tripod on the market. There are tripods that feel more sturdy, and allow for more adjustments. However, those tripods cost double the price of this whole pack. For an inclusion in a sub-$200 pack, this is a ridiculously good tripod.
It’s super light to carry around, which could be a challenge in very windy or unstable areas, but it is a godsend for those of us who have to carry it in our backpacks or luggage on the way to capture whatever it is we’re trying to film.
That lightweight nature means it’s always going to be better suited to mobile phone photography. Sure, it says that it’s rated to 2kg, but I would be surprised if those leg locks would be able to stand up to repeated 2kg camera use long-term. It is, however, excellent for phones.
Image: Alice Clarke.
There are little bubble level windows to see if you have it level. However, I found them difficult to read and not as helpful or intuitive as bubble levels on some other tripod models, just because they were too small.
I do like how adjustable the height and positioning are. I was able to film an unboxing while sitting on the ground with the phone sitting in front of me, and then I could extend the legs tall enough to get the camera bang on to my eye level (iPhone 17 Pro Max; I am 175cm tall).
Obviously, I haven’t been able to do any long-term testing on the locks, but they seem solid enough for now.
Wireless microphones
This is the item I was most excited about in the pack, because an affordable wireless lapel mic set that doesn’t sound like it’s at the bottom of the ocean is so hard to find. While it’s definitely not perfect, and I do have a few issues with it, overall it’s a solid option for those starting out on a limited budget.
The recording quality is about half a step down from just recording a voice memo on the phone’s built-in microphone in a quiet room. However, this connects two microphones, and both users can stand a good 15m away from the phone and still get a clear recording. It might not sound as good as the iPhone microphone in ideal conditions, but it sounds a lot better than the iPhone microphone in a busy environment with two speakers standing away from the phone. Given fancier brands’ wireless lapel mic sets start at around the $150 mark, this is excellent value for people starting out.
My big complaint about the set, though, is that without the magnetic clips to attach the mics to, the microphones are a nightmare to attach. Basically useless. So, why are the special magnetic clips left to cling onto the outside of the charging case? They’re going to get bumped off the case in any bag they’re thrown into. Surely Belkin could spare a little room in the case to store them? Even just a tray on the lid? This is the one ridiculously poor design aspect of the set, and I find it frustrating. It’s not a dealbreaker, but I really dislike it.
Who is the Belkin Stage Creator Kit for?
The Belkin Stage Creator Kit is for people who want a decent tripod and lapel mic setup without breaking the bank. It’s for hobbyists, people starting out, and those who just want to upgrade their setup to record interviews, speeches, TikToks, home movies, short films, and anything else that would utilise a tripod and a wireless lapel microphone.
The kit is easy to use, and it’s good value for the price.
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I have loved Espresso Displays products for many years, having used them for a long time. But, because of the (justifiably) high price tag, they were sometimes difficult to recommend to people who didn’t have specific, high-end needs.
The Espresso Lite 15 changes all that. Now, people who need a second screen on the go have no reason not to try one of this excellent Australian company’s screens.
Taking the Espresso Lite 15 display out of the box, I was struck by how simple the setup was. There’s a super thin screen, a USB-C cable and a magnetic stand, and that’s really all you need.
I also really loved the colour. I strongly debated between orange and purple, and I think I still one day want to get a purple one, but I love the orange so much that I think I made the right choice for now. It’s just nice to have productivity devices with a little personality. Sure, I’m using this to fill out my expenses spreadsheet, but I also enjoy colours. For those who don’t enjoy colours, there are also black and white options.
You might only see it from the back, but the bright colouring is fun. Image: Alice Clarke.
Setting it up was easy. Because I already had the Espresso Flow software installed on my Mac, I plugged in the screen, and that was the whole setup process. The app is easy enough to use, letting you customise the screen and whether you want it to mirror or extend, which apps you want to open automatically on each screen in certain modes, etc. I’ll explain more later on in this review, but the main takeaway is that it was super easy to set up and use.
Espresso Lite 15 specifications and price
Price
$399
Warranty
2 years in addition to your Australian Consumer Law Rights
The difference between the Lite and my usual $1,100 Pro model is stark, and that really shows the range of this brand. At the higher end, you can get 4K resolution, 550 nits of brightness, an aluminium body (instead of plastic) and touchscreen capability across Mac and PC.
However, at this end of the market, FHD (1080p) is to be expected, and most other options only have either 800:1 or 600:1 contrast ratios, which is suboptimal. Comparing the Espresso Lite 15 to similar-priced portable monitors, like the Lenovo ThinkVision M15, the Espresso comes out on top.
For instance, Lenovo’s display has a 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 nits of brightness, a significantly less adjustable stand, and a larger, heavier body for the same screen size. The Espresso Lite 15, with a 1500:1 contrast ratio, 400-nit brightness, and a lighter build, obviously wins in that direct comparison.
General use
This is an absolutely solid screen for daily use. I use it as my emails and notes screen, and I have the document I’m working on and whatever research on my main screen. Because my main monitor is 6K, the difference is more stark than I’d like, but FHD is more than enough for most non-gaming and intensive video editing duties.
Watching an old film (D.E.B.S., one of the greatest films of all time) on it, the colours popped, the motion was appropriately smooth, and it generally looked excellent.
Image: Alice Clarke.
Watching a newer, fancier show, like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, I can see that the blacks aren’t fully black, and there is some light bleed. This reinforces that this is an affordable portable screen for productivity and work travel.
You can technically play games on it, but the refresh rate is nothing to write home about, and the 9ms response time is lacklustre.
400 nits of brightness is plenty, so long as you don’t plan on working in full sunlight. I’m generally happy having it at 10 per cent brightness, and can count on one hand the number of times I’ve felt the need to crank the brightness to contend with bright rooms or parks. That said, I do like a dark screen, so your mileage may vary.
Portability
This screen is ridiculously portable. It’s so thin and light that it fits in the laptop section of my backpack with my MacBook Air and room to spare. It’s smaller and easier to transport than an iPad Pro with a keyboard case.
Image: Alice Clarke.
The stand is also quite versatile. I’ve seen people angling their stands to fit in the seat backs of trains to mount a second screen while in transit. While I prefer the Stand+ Pro because it’s able to get in more positions and reach higher while remaining stable, the Stand+ is extra portable and is fine to fit next to or above a laptop screen. It also folds up so small that it’ll fit in basically any bag.
Software
This is where I become less effusive. The software isn’t as intuitive as I’d like, and I have had problems with it in the past (though these bugs were usually fixed relatively soon after I reported them).
Espresso Flow is an essential tool to get the most out of your display, because you can set up Workspaces and use Jot with the touchscreen models, as well as get battery information. But it’s also just clunky. Like, it’s fine. It does the job well enough, and it hasn’t crashed on me in a while. I just look forward to a day when it’s better.
Image: Alice Clarke.
This is a nitpicking issue, and the software isn’t bad per se, it just doesn’t flow in the way my brain does. It’s a personal preference thing. There needs to be more view options, and I shouldn’t have to click so many things to get to the brightness adjustment and picture tone options.
The good news is that once you’ve used Flow to set up the screen how you’d like, you only have to deal with it to adjust brightness.
Who is the Espresso Lite 15 for?
This is an excellent portable screen for productivity. It could be the second screen at your desk, one that you use on the go, or to use in a hot-desking situation. It’s just so easy to take around with you.
It’s a fantastic no frills option — it doesn’t do the fancy stuff like 4K, high refresh rates, OLED or support touch inputs. But what it does do is make spreadsheets, Slack, Google Docs, and emails look good. It also fits in your bag without breaking your back, and it costs (marginally) less than $400. Really, what more could you ask for?
I love the Espresso Lite 15 and strongly recommend it to people who need a basic but good portable screen.
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Espresso Lite 15
The Espresso Lite 15 is the best portable display I’ve tried for under $500, and I have no idea how a small Australian company is making screens that are this good, for this cheap.
Across both hardwood floors and rugs, the T90 Pro Omni picked up a wide range of dust and large particles, all without my input. A big part of the robot’s efficiency comes from a combination of its 30,000Pa peak suction power and a large air inlet.
Owners of long-haired cats or shaggy dogs will be pleased that this Deebot avoids tangles as a priority. Instead of long strands of hair or fur getting caught on its brushes, the robot sucks up the hair before it has a chance to tangle.
Stay tuned for our full thoughts on this $2,299 robot vacuum in the next couple of weeks.
