First touchscreen MacBook expected at Apple’s ‘Pro and tell’ event

Apple has locked in a late-October event, where it is expected to debut the company’s first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen.

Scheduled for 29 October at 4:00 AM AEDT, Apple’s event carries the tagline “Pro and tell”, hinting at what has become a traditional time of year for new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro devices. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported that Apple intends to show off MacBook Pro models running on Apple’s latest M6 silicon, including a laptop with a touchscreen.

Despite the ubiquity of touchscreens across many Windows-based laptops, Apple hasn’t followed suit. Reporting over the years has long suggested that Apple valued a clear distinction between its Macs and the company’s touch-based iPads. With next week’s announcement, it’s highly likely those two streams will cross over.

Whispers around a touch-enabled MacBook have circulated for years, including a 2023 report from Gurman. Earlier this year, more concrete reports surfaced, predicting a late-2026 launch for what now seems like an inevitable touchscreen MacBook Pro announcement.

In addition to the new MacBook model, Apple is also expected to announce a new M6-powered iMac. If true, it will replace the M4 iMac model launched in late 2024.

Rounding out the speculated announcements is an iPad Mini with an OLED screen. Apple’s current iPad Mini, which launched in 2024, runs on an A17 chip and uses an IPS LED-backlit display. Whether the new Mini sports the same tandem OLED technology as the iPad Pro remains to be seen.

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Tapo makes the front door smarter with two new devices

Video doorbells are almost commonplace in Australia, but there’s still plenty of room for the technology to grow. TP-Link’s smart home sub-brand, Tapo, is the latest to bring its front door technology to Australia, launching the D260 Doorbell Pro and DL130 Smart Lock.

Tapo advertises the $399 D260 as being a smarter doorbell, one that records clearer footage and produces fewer false alerts. It supports 4K footage, capturing a 180-degree diagonal field of view that can see visitors and packages left at the front porch.

Tapo’s doorbell uses a combination of radar and dual motion sensors to detect passersby. But unlike many video doorbells, the technology is meant to differentiate between actual people and unimportant things, like a tree branch swaying in the breeze.

There’s a split between smart home brands that gate premium features behind paid subscriptions, and those that include them with the cost of the device. Tapo sits within the latter category. AI-powered detection — running locally on-device — of people and packages, for example, sends alerts to your phone without requiring a subscription.

The Tapo D260 works as both a wired and a wireless device. As for the latter, Tapo claims up to 180 days of battery life between charges. When hardwired, the doorbell supports 24/7 recording and pre-roll footage, giving you a glimpse of what happened immediately before a motion trigger.

Reading your palm for entry

Also coming to Australia is the $499 Tapo DL130 Smart Lock, which can read fingerprints and palms to unlock the front door. According to Tapo, the lock recognises palms via vein patterns in “under 0.33 seconds”, regardless of whether your palms are clean, dirty or sweaty.

Like the video doorbell, Tapo’s smart lock relies on local AI smarts, not cloud technology. Any biometrics, like fingerprints and palm data, remain on-device.

“A lot of what happens at the front door is everyday stuff, like your kids getting home before you and realising their keys are still on the kitchen bench,” said Neville Wang, Managing Director, TP-Link Australia and New Zealand. “You want to see who’s there and let them in, without your face or fingerprints ending up in the cloud.”

“That’s why we built both the doorbell and the lock to keep that data on the device itself.”

As a backup, the DL130 also supports customisable passcodes, which can be one-time or scheduled for specific times. Inside is a rechargeable battery, plus a backup battery. Failing that, you can plug in a phone or a power bank via USB-C to supply power in an emergency.

Tapo’s palm-reading smart lock arrives next month in Australia, while the D260 Doorbell Pro is now for sale online.

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Laser debuts high-capacity power banks using semi-solid-state tech

Power bank technology is in a transition phase, with newer developments promising better safety and more capacity in smaller form factors. Australian brand Laser drew attention to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) as an alternative last year. Now it’s getting in on the semi-solid-state battery trend with a new range of ChargeCore power banks.

Starting at $49.95 for a 10,000mAh model, the latest ChargeCore Everyday power banks are Laser’s first to use semi-solid-state battery technology. It’s a technology designed to improve energy density, squeezing more capacity into devices that use it. From a safety perspective, semi-solid-state batteries also use a more gel-like chemistry, which reportedly also improves battery safety.

“We’ve been closely following semi-solid-state battery development for some time, since first visiting an EV factory several years ago, and advancements since that time mean that it can now move into smaller, more compact options,” said Chris Lau, Laser CEO. “Simply put, I believe that semi-solid-state chemistry makes this the safest power bank technology available in Australia today.”

In addition to the 10,000mAh power bank, Laser also launched 20,000mAh ($69.95) and 27,000mAh ($99.95) models, the latter of which supports up to 35W USB-C PD charging, while the two cheapest variants support up to 20W charging speeds.

Each power bank includes a digital display showing the power bank’s current charge level. All models in the range come with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port.

Laser’s semi-solid-state ChargeCore range is now available in Australia via Harvey Norman and Laser’s online store. At this stage, black is the only colour available for purchase, but other colours are coming soon. Laser also plans to launch more power banks in the range, including models with magnetic charging and waterproof designs.

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Belkin launches 3 affordable device-agnostic Bluetooth trackers

Bluetooth location trackers are in abundance right now: Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and plenty of others make their own variants. Joining them is Belkin, launching three separate devices as part of the brand’s new SureFind range. Each tracker works with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub platforms, letting you know where your items are, regardless of the phone you use.

One is the $44.95 SureFind Card, a slim credit card-like tracker that fits into wallets and purses. Belkin claims the card lasts up to three years via its built-in battery. As explained on Belkin’s support page, the battery can’t be replaced or recharged.

Alongside the card are more conventional trackers, including the $29.95 SureFind Spot and $44.95 SureFind Loop Cable Tag. Also available in a two-pack ($54.95) and a four-pack ($99.95), the Belkin SureFind Spot comes with a loop and lanyard for attaching to bag straps and other objects. It’s designed to last up to 12 months, using a replaceable coin battery.

SureFind Spot. Image: Belkin.

Belkin’s SureFind Loop Cable Tag works a bit differently. As its name suggests, the loop hooks onto objects and baggage so it doesn’t dislodge.

But the main difference is its power. Rather than using a replaceable battery, it relies on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to four months at a time. Built into the tracker is a USB-C charging cable, letting you top up the battery as needed. I’ve forgotten to stock up on coin batteries right before a big trip, so this seems like a handy addition.

Belkin’s Bluetooth trackers are out now in Australia through the brand’s online store, JB Hi-Fi, and Amazon.

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DJI Romo P2 is one of the best at avoiding home obstacles

DJI is putting its drone technology to good use throughout its other gadgets. Of all the robot vacuums we’ve tested, the DJI Romo P was one of the smartest. It avoided cables and furniture better than most robot vacuums, something the DJI Romo P2 does even better.

Keeping the smarts of the previous model, the Romo P2 also gets a welcome power boost. Where the original Romo hit a peak suction power of 25,000Pa, the $2,899 sequel steps up to 36,000Pa for more thorough vacuuming.

As good as the cleaning was in my apartment, it was the smart navigation that impressed me the most. While a lot of robot vacuums struggle to identify and avoid smaller objects (charging cables are a repeat offender), the Romo P2 outperforms many competing robots in leaving common household obstacles untouched.

You can see how well DJI’s latest robot vacuum navigates my home via GadgetGuy‘s latest YouTube video. It’s an impressive device.

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This $199 benchtop pizza oven is an absolute crowd-pleaser

Three years ago, I reviewed an Ooni electric pizza oven and was astounded by the difference it made compared to using your kitchen oven for home pizza making. However, I didn’t consider storage at the time, since this wasn’t a small appliance. I eventually found room for it in my laundry, but it takes up a large shelf.

When the Kenwood My Pizzeria home countertop pizza maker arrived, I noticed it was considerably smaller. I wondered if it could be any good being so small. Would it be a flimsy alternative to the bigger pizza ovens available? At $199 (often discounted to $149), it’s also a fraction of the cost of other pizza ovens currently available.

I shouldn’t have worried: this small appliance makes a tasty pizza.

A pizza oven that fits on your kitchen bench

Measuring 35.2 x 36 x 18.5 cm and weighing just under 5kg, the Kenwood My Pizzeria doesn’t take up much space. It has a removable 30cm pizza stone and comes with two pizza peels (metal pizza paddles) which make a 30cm circle when held together.

The secret to this oven is its ability to reach 400 degrees Celsius, powered by two elements above the pizza and below the stone, a much higher temperature than a standard oven. This heat cooks the pizza quickly, and the stone crisps the base.

Image: Angus Jones.

On the top of the unit, you will find two knobs: one controls the temperature, and the other is a timer. Pizzas take between two and three minutes to cook, and you can watch the progress via the appliance’s top window. I found the perfect time was when you see the first sign of charring.

A small instruction book comes with the My Pizzeria, which didn’t include much information. However, after my first cook, I found a handy PDF on Kenwood’s website, which included some great pizza-cooking tips.

Included pizza peels. Image: Angus Jones.

Kenwood’s guide includes a dough recipe and several handy hints to maximise your pizza-making ability. From experience, having the right tools is only part of the equation to making a good pizza. For example, the temptation to add too many toppings is great, but you will end up with a soggy pizza.

The pizza stone isn’t designed to be washed, and anything left on it will quickly burn to a crisp. You can use one of the peels as a scraper to remove any residue from the stone. Plus, you can wipe the case down when it’s cool if you spill anything else, then put it back in the cupboard for storage.

Pizzas for everyone

I was very happy with this oven’s pizza-cooking; it cooked a pizza almost as well as an appliance five times its price. One advantage over more expensive models I have tested is that the pizza cooks evenly and doesn’t need to be rotated during cooking.

Image: Angus Jones.

If you have space in your kitchen, the Kenwood My Pizzeria is an economical way to produce authentic pizza at home without all the theatre. You can also use the oven to cook flatbreads and make s’mores.

This handy little appliance will be getting plenty of use, I can guarantee you.

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Aussies face major iPhone Duo delays as pre-orders open

Pre-orders for Apple’s long-awaited foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, began last week, but many Australians won’t be able to get the device until next year, several months after the advertised launch date.

Some delivery estimates at the time of writing list shipping dates as late as 22 January 2027, some three months after the iPhone Duo’s 23 October launch date. On Apple’s online store, all colours and storage configurations of the new handset, which starts at $3,499 in Australia, currently have a January shipping date.

It’s a similar story at Australia’s major telcos, too. Telstra advertises an estimated delivery window of “4+ weeks” from 23 October. According to Optus’ website, the iPhone Duo is on “back order”. Meanwhile, adding a delivery area on Vodafone’s listing brings up an estimated delivery date of 22 January.

Screenshot: Chris Button.

Some of Australia’s tech retailers fare slightly better, though. Officeworks still lists 23 October for in-store pick-ups and deliveries, while JB Hi-Fi’s website advertises availability from 6 November. However, Harvey Norman’s online store carries the disclaimer “pre-orders are likely to experience extended delays beyond the release date”.

It’s unclear how much of the iPhone Duo’s delays are caused by demand, and how much blame lies with supply issues. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claimed that Apple “knew there would be severe supply constraints”, yet the company persisted with a global launch.

Gurman’s comments match earlier reports that claimed Apple’s debut foldable would face supply issues. There was speculation that Apple considered launching the iPhone Duo in a handful of regions before a wider rollout, but it decided to go global instead.

This leaves Australians who wanted an Apple foldable potentially waiting upwards of several months before they can get the new device, while competitors, like Samsung, claim sizable sales growth for their foldable phones.

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