Podcasters and audio professionals have another mic arm to choose from, with Australian company Rode releasing the sturdier DS3.
An upgrade from the previous model, the Rode DS3 fits mics and recording equipment up to 1.5kg (up from 950g). It also comes with adapters to fit 3/8″, 1/4″ and 5/8″ thread screws, working with a range of microphones, lights, and other accessories.
Like Rode’s previous desktop mic arm, this one doesn’t use a clamp. Instead, its base is weighted to keep it in place, with the added benefit of easier movement mid-recording. On top of that, the DS3 gains a ball head designed for smooth and quiet mic repositioning.
Based on the smoother movement and increased weight capacity, the DS3 looks like a decent upgrade. A black version is now available for $180 in Australia, with a white version to come later.
These days, having a projector in your home doesn’t mean completely overhauling your living room or finding space for a massive device. Modern projectors are much more portable, and the XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K is one of the more versatile examples going around.
Named as such for its sleek swivel-based design, the XGIMI Elfin Flip can be plugged in and projecting in just a matter of seconds. Depending on your available space, it can project an image up to 200 inches. Not bad for such a small device!
It’s a lot brighter than many other portable projectors too, beaming up to 1,600 ISO lumens. Years ago, you wouldn’t dream of using a projector anywhere other than a dark room. Today, that’s not so much of an issue.
The GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro might be the most out-there mouse I’ve ever used. With its metallic cage aesthetic, it looks like it’s from another planet. Strong sense of style aside, the Mercury M1 Pro keeps up with your gaming needs, too.
I’m not typically a sci-fi fan, but what GravaStar has created here is special. Maybe it’s the ‘Gunmetal Grey’ colour. Maybe it’s the RGB lighting. Maybe it’s the web-like frame that creates what can only be described as an exoskeleton-style body. I’m not sure exactly, but I know it all works together to create something hard to take your eyes off. It’s almost a shame that my hand covers it up when using it.
There is no secret that a lot of the appeal of GravaStar products comes down to the styling. Specifically, the sci-fi or alien look they are so well known for. Now, I do love the skeleton frame design of the Mercury M1 Pro. The frame is created from lightweight magnesium allow which makes it both durable and lightweight. I am also a fan of the overall shape of the mouse. I tend to have a bit of a claw grip when using a mouse, and it seems to work well for that. I have read that other grip styles seem to work fine as well.
I also think there are some other key design features that may be easily overlooked. For example, the Mercury M1 Pro is an ambidextrous mouse. It’s symmetrical, making it a great mouse for left- or right-handers. Another great feature is that this mouse keeps your hand cooler than most. The skeleton-style frame allows for more airflow through the cutouts. As someone who typically gets a hot hand when gaming, this is something that is most welcome.
However, it’s not all positive. I think the frame is a little less comfortable than it could be, as my hand notices the ridges of the frame more. I guess it’s a bit of a tradeoff, sacrificing a little bit of comfort for more airflow and a cooler-looking mouse. I can live with that.
Image: Jay Marshall.
Overall, I like the weight and feel of this mouse. Coming in at 88 grams, it’s certainly still a lightweight mouse. Yet with its strong build quality and the sturdy feel of the magnesium alloy frame, it feels heavier than expected. We all have our preferences in terms of weight, with some liking an ultra-light sub-50g mouse for the ultimate agile feeling. I find a balanced device with some weight helps for accuracy and an overall more satisfying feeling. The GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro seems to fit that category.
The Mercury M1 Pro also came with a few little extras. There’s a type-C changing cable, as expected, as well as a USB-A to USB-C adaptor. There is a set of replacement teflon feet pads in case your initial set wears out, and a set of non-slip pads. These are basically stickers to place on the main mouse buttons to give them a somewhat grippy feel. I have seen similar grip stickers before, yet these are not something you typically get with a mouse.
Image: Jay Marshall.
Connectivity and lighting
GravaStar gives you tri-mode connectivity with this mouse, including 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth or USB connections. I always prefer wireless, as it’s the easiest and most practical for me. Another of the more prominent design features is the lighting. The Mercury M1 Pro has five different colour modes with GLOWSYNC RGB lighting with tones of flexibility. Choose your favourite RGB colour to match your PC setup, or have a play with the various colour modes. Either way, there is an option for everyone. I loved the single-colour breathing mode. It matches the alien style, and I think it makes the mouse feel more alive.
One little gripe I feel compelled to mention is that GravaStar included a sticker on the bottom of the mouse. The sticker was intended to be removable, and it was to indicate that the product will no longer be eligible for return once the protective film is removed. This sticker was not at all easy to remove. It left sticky residue on the underside of the mouse that would catch on my mouse pad. It took a considerable amount of time to remove with some household products. I would advise any mouse company to never add a sticker to the bottom of a mouse. This is in no way a design flaw of the product. It was just an oversight with the package, so I am not considering this when rating the Mercury M1 Pro.
Image: Jay Marshall.
Performance
There is no doubt that this mouse was built for gaming. Its specs reflect that in all areas. 26,000 DPI high-resolution sensitivity is fantastic, giving lots of flexibility to match any gameplay style. In terms of movement, the Mercury M1 Pro has you covered there as well. I would say anything above 400 IPS max acceleration is more than enough for human movement. The Mercury M1 Pro boasts a 560 IPS, meaning you will not outpace this bad boy.
I jumped into some games, including Overwatch, which is fast-paced and handy for testing gaming mice. The GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro didn’t miss a beat. It was both smooth across my gaming mat and precise with its inputs. I didn’t notice my hand getting hot either, so I guess the cutouts were working. Overall, I used the mouse for four weeks, and I enjoyed my time with it.
Images: Jay Marshall.
I was a little confused and let down by the polling rate. Although it can have up to 4,000Hz polling, it does require a dedicated receiver ($39.99) that isn’t included. This means the product by default is only a 1,000Hz polling rate. I wouldn’t say this is a dealbreaker, and 1,000Hz polling is standard for a gaming mouse, but it’s certainly one area that this mouse could improve. If you are looking for a super high-end gaming mouse, these days there are options from 4,000Hz all the way up to 8,000Hz.
Software and battery
Some GravaStar products don’t use native software, and instead rely on a browser-based approach. This can be seen with the GravaStar Mercury V60 Pro keyboard I recently reviewed. Thankfully, for the Mercury M1 Pro, this isn’t the case. There is a dedicated software install, and it’s great. It has a simple-to-use interface with everything you would hope to customise at a click of a button. With the ability to change button configurations – of which you can have up to four – swapping between uses is a breeze. I left the mouse on the max option for me at 1,000 Hz report rate and played with the DPI to get it feeling right for me. I also had some fun changing up the lighting to match the rest of my gaming PC RGB.
There is nothing more annoying than having to charge your wireless devices over and over again. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case here. I was using the Mercury M1 Pro in wireless mode, giving it a battery life of 146 hours while gaming. That’s a long time! You can also get up to 200 hours using Bluetooth mode if you prefer. And with just 1.5 hours of change it will last up to 75 hours. No complaints from me about the battery life. This is a huge tick in my books.
Images: Jay Marshall.
Who is the GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro for?
First and foremost, this is a gaming device. So its high-end build quality and decent polling rate align with competitive gamers. Then there are the aesthetics. Any sci-fi fanatic or lover of all things alien-looking will love the Mercury M1 Pro. Its unique design and customisable gaming features play right into your hand. Pun intended.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro cost?
The GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro has an Australian RRP of $169.99.
What connectivity options does the Mercury M1 Pro support?
It offers tri-mode connectivity: wired USB, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless.
How long does the Mercury M1 Pro’s battery last?
Up to 146 hours in 2.4GHz wireless mode while gaming, or up to 200 hours in Bluetooth mode. A 1.5-hour charge is good for up to 75 hours of use.
Does the Mercury M1 Pro support 4,000Hz polling?
Yes, but only with the optional 4K receiver, which is sold separately. Out of the box, it runs at a 1,000Hz polling rate.
Is the Mercury M1 Pro suitable for left-handed users?
Yes. It has an ambidextrous, symmetrical design that suits left or right hands.
GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro
The GravaStar Mercury M1 Pro is a bold-looking mouse that uses its exoskeleton design to keep your hand cool while gaming.
Features
7
Value for money
9
Performance
8
Ease of use
8
Design
8.5
Positives
Good value and build quality
Unique exoskeleton design
Battery life
Keeps your hand cool
Negatives
4,000 Hz receiver sold separately
Not the most comfortable at times
Annoyingly placed sticker took some effort to remove
For years, Apple has built its hardware empire on clear silos. While there’s clear cross-device integration between the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, each one has its own identity and intended use case. However, recent reports suggest that the rumoured foldable iPhone is set to bridge the gap between Apple’s phones and tablets.
As reported by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to publicly announce its debut foldable phone during the week starting 6 September. Earlier in the year, he reported that the phone’s inner screen is “roughly the size of an iPad mini”. Similarly, the foldable iPhone will be able to show two apps simultaneously, much like other foldable phones from Samsung, Oppo, and Motorola.
On the surface, it seems like a deviation from Apple’s traditional approach. Even though the iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets rival laptops in terms of raw power, their apps don’t function in exactly the same way as corresponding Mac apps. It’s caused friction among the Apple faithful over the years, with some wanting an iPad Pro to take the place of their MacBook.
Despite the added multitasking functionality, the phone will reportedly still run on iOS, not iPadOS. At this stage, the foldable iPhone’s closest competitor is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, featuring a similar passport-shaped design Apple’s device is widely tipped to use. Based on Samsung’s latest launch, people have flocked to the smaller form factor, news that’s sure to be encouraging for Apple leading into September.
Gurman’s latest report didn’t address the rumours circling the foldable’s launch date. There’s some speculation that it won’t launch at the same time globally due to supply chain challenges. However, until Apple confirms anything, it’s impossible to know for certain.
Not that long ago, printing on anything but paper required going to a specialist printer and forking out a fair bit of money. Now, printing on textiles and fabrics is a more mainstream and affordable pursuit. For creative types, there’s a new all-in-one printer that might be worth a look: the xTool O1 Omni Printer.
Designed for various kinds of printing, including UV decals and fabrics, the xTool O1 Omni can put custom designs on all sorts of unconventional materials, like wood, glass, and metal. It looks like it does much of the alignment for you, using a built-in scanner to identify placed objects and print the correct scale, even if you place it at an angle.
As a result, you can print your own stickers, or print directly to blank phone cases, shirts, and a bunch of other materials. The printer is currently up for pre-order in three separate configurations, starting from $2,399 in Australia, with shipping scheduled for November.
The latest format war is off and running, as Samsung-backed HDR10+ Advanced takes on rival Dolby Vision 2 when it comes to helping blockbuster content look its best on smart TVs.
Improving High Dynamic Range (HDR) contrast, colours and motion on a scene‑by‑scene basis, HDR10+ Advanced launched on Amazon Prime Video this month on compatible 2026 Samsung TVs.
How does HDR work?
Rather than make an image sharper, HDR reveals more detail in the brightest highlights and deepest shadows, as well as displaying more vivid colours.
The HDR10 standard launched in 2015, applying a fixed dynamic range – the difference between the brightest white and the darkest black – for an entire movie. As the old adage goes, the great thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from.
Dolby Vision, actually launched before HDR10, uses dynamic metadata (information embedded in the video) to adjust the dynamic range for each scene or frame. It also demands that compatible televisions support higher brightness and more colours.
When implemented well, HDR brings out a scene’s highlights without overexposing the rest of the image. Image: HDR10+ Technologies.
While most television makers embraced Dolby Vision, it requires hardware chips and royalty fees from manufacturers.
Samsung chose to back the rival royalty-free open-standard HDR10+ format, which launched in 2017. It also optimises dynamic range on the fly, but falls short of Dolby Vision when it comes to colour range and maximum brightness.
How does HDR10+ Advanced improve picture quality?
Almost a decade later, HDR10+ Advanced ups the ante by using richer metadata and advanced AI processing to optimise every scene.
Expanding the metadata available to filmmakers, HDR10+ Advanced pinpoints brightness within specific regions of each frame to provide more details in the picture. It also focuses on AI-powered optimisation, particularly to improve motion smoothing according to genre to limit its impact on overall picture quality.
Key improvements over HDR10+ include enhanced overall brightness, intelligent motion smoothing, local tone mapping, genre-based optimisation and advanced colour control, according to a spokesperson for Samsung Australia.
Content compatible with HDR10+ Advanced will be labelled accordingly. Image: HDR10+ Technologies.
“Australians watching HDR10+ Advanced content will see brighter highlights in daylight scenes, more detail in dark shadow areas, preserving the cinematic feel of film content while delivering smooth, natural motion for sports, action and other fast-moving scenes,” they said.
“Because the format uses dynamic metadata and AI‑driven processing, each scene is optimised to look closer to how the creator intended.”
“To achieve these enhancements, Samsung trained AI models to identify the best‑performing networks and develop algorithms that act on HDR10+ Advanced metadata for optimal on‑screen representation.”
Do I need a new television to watch HDR10+ Advanced content?
Yes, HDR10+ Advanced content is not simply a software update; it requires specific hardware processing capabilities.
For now, HDR10+ Advanced is available on Samsung’s 2026 range of Neo QLED, OLED and Micro RGB TVs. Compatible Australian models include the following:
Samsung’s flagship S95H OLED TV is among the first to support HDR10+ Advanced. Image: Chris Walsh.
Entry-level TVs with peak brightness and colour gamut limitations are unable to display HDR10+ Advanced’s full potential “at this time”, according to Samsung Australia.
Meanwhile, Panasonic, Hisense and TCL support both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and will likely inherit both their successors over time. Hisense is first cab off the rank, bringing it to select 2026 models this month via a firmware upgrade,
Just as Samsung has shunned Dolby Vision, rivals LG and Sony are the major hold-outs on HDR10+.
Which streaming services offer HDR10+ Advanced content?
HDR10+ Advanced content began rolling out on Amazon Prime Video in the first week of August.
Content creators and streaming platforms need to integrate HDR10+ Advanced metadata into their production and encoding workflows, but existing HDR10+ content can be upgraded.
Prime Video plans to convert its entire HDR10+ content library to HDR10+ Advanced within the next few months. A full list of supported titles is yet to be released but, over the coming weeks, Prime Video will label compatible content, with more titles to come throughout the year.
HDR10+ Advanced content will likely come to most major streaming platforms over time, given that the likes of Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+ and Paramount+ already support HDR10+.
These streaming services also support Dolby Vision and will likely support Dolby Vision 2, with Peacock the first major Western streaming service to embrace it.
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Cleaning the pool used to be hours of back-breaking labour. Now, it’s as easy as literally throwing a robot into the water and letting it get to work.
At Mova’s mega Australian launch yesterday, I saw the upcoming range, which included home robotics, kitchen appliances, and even power tools. One of the standouts was the Mova Rover X10, a robot pool cleaner that uses jet propulsion to float to the water’s surface.
That’s a pretty nifty feature, considering most robot pool cleaners tidy the bottom and sides of household pools. Usually, you’d need a separate skimming device to clean the pool surface, but the Rover X10 does it all in one device.
