Can’t get your PS5 online at the moment? You’re not the only one, it seems. The PlayStation Network is currently down, with an outage preventing PS5s from connecting online in Australia and around the world.
According to the official PlayStation Network status page, it’s a widespread issue. All services, from account management to gaming, and even the PlayStation Store have been down since earlier this morning.
Downdetector lists thousands of PlayStation Network outage reports starting from 10:08 AM, with users unable to access servers.
Image: Downdetector.
The network status page mentions that players “might have difficulty launching games, apps or network features” in addition to “getting products in PlayStation Store.” It also impacts access via web browsers, PS4 and PS3 consoles. Even the beloved niche handheld PS Vita console is affected, which reminds me that mine is gathering dust.
Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment.
It’s unfortunate timing for anyone who wanted to sneak in a quick match of FC 25 over lunch. At the time of writing, Sony hasn’t provided an estimated recovery time. The only update so far from its official support account on X, AskPlayStation, refers to an earlier issue that incorrectly displayed news information on PS5 dashboards.
I tried signing into the PlayStation App on my phone, only to get caught on an infinite loading screen. There’s not much else to do in the meantime except wait for an update.
If you need a gentle push to upgrade your home security system, Arlo has one heck of an incentive. For the next few months, Arlo is giving away cameras and even a car when you buy one of its products.
From now until 31 December 2024, any purchase of an Arlo camera gives you the chance to win a new MG3 Excite car valued at $18,172.73. You can also win an Arlo Essential Outdoor 2K camera, with the brand giving away one every week.
Every Arlo camera bought nets you an entry, so the more cameras you buy, the better your chance of winning. This giveaway applies to cameras bought from official retailers in addition to Arlo’s website.
To enter, all you need to do is visit the promotional website and upload your receipt. There’s a separate prize pool for both Australia and New Zealand, meaning each country has 13 cameras and one car each to win.
With plenty of sales coming up, including Black Friday, Click Frenzy and Boxing Day, it’s a pretty good time to take a look at a new security camera. If you need some help, here’s how to choose a home security system without getting a headache in the process.
Queensland is fast becoming the e-scooter capital of Australia thanks to the sunny state having the most open electric scooter laws in Australia. Now, the Queensland government is offering a rebate to purchase your own e-scooter or e-bike.
As part of Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy, the state government has put up $1 million towards the new E-Mobility Rebate Scheme. Aimed at making personal mobility devices more affordable, up to $500 is available to each successful applicant.
It’s already proved popular among Queenslanders, with the scheme attracting more than 860 applications in the first three days. In response, the state government added an additional $1 million in funding towards the rebates.
Combined with the state’s 50-cent public transport fares, the scheme aims to reduce reliance on cars and make environmentally friendly modes of transport more accessible.
“Encouraging more Queenslanders to take advantage of new forms of transport gets cars off our road, and more people enjoying our great active transport routes,” said Queensland Transport Minister Bart Mellish. “E-scooters and e-bikes are becoming a popular alternative form of transport to support the first-last mile journey to public transport or travelling short distances.”
“They also help to reduce congestion and emissions and provide a convenient mode of transport for Queensland’s hot and often hilly conditions.”
Research also shows that access to mobility devices like e-scooters also helps people with disabilities or those on low incomes.
How to access the Queensland e-scooter rebate
Available until the funding runs out, the rebate is valid to Queensland residents who purchase an eligible e-bike or e-scooter. Per the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) website, you can claim the rebate for a purchase made from 23 September 2024 onwards.
$200 is up for grabs when buying an e-scooter, while e-bikes attract a $500 rebate. If you happen to find a device less than the price of the rebate, you’ll get the cost of your purchase instead. Up to three people per household can apply for the rebate, helping families get multiple scooters or bikes.
There are a few eligibility conditions involved; you need to purchase a new device that complies with state regulations. QRIDA has a list of these requirements to ensure you make an eligible purchase.
Applications are open online until the funding runs out. QRIDA includes a disclaimer, warning “that funding will be exhausted quickly, rebate funding is not guaranteed at any stage of the application process.”
Retailers including Segway-Ninebot have jumped at the chance to promote the e-scooter rebate, labelling it as “part of a larger movement towards a greener future”.
The rebate is likely to boost Queensland’s already-high e-scooter usage. Victoria is catching up, while South Australia is currently legislating private e-scooter use in public areas. Meanwhile, it is currently illegal to ride private e-scooters in New South Wales. Only approved rental scooters can be ridden publicly in NSW.
Electric scooters – or e-scooters – have become an increasingly popular method of transport throughout Australia, particularly where rentals are commonplace in various CBDs. Electric scooter laws differ between states, however, making it tricky to know where you can and can’t ride them.
Queensland, for example, lets you ride e-scooters nearly everywhere, including your own, like the Segway-Ninebot range, provided you follow a few rules. Research has shown this to have a positive impact on Brisbane’s tourism and urban mobility. However, not all states and councils are on the same page about electric scooter usage, adding to the confusion.
One of the reasons people turn to e-scooters is the relatively cheap running cost. Cars and petrol are expensive to run, and public transport may not serve everyone’s needs depending on where you live. E-scooters don’t even require a driver’s licence to ride, although where you can use them differs between states.
As people look for alternative and cheaper types of transport, here’s what you need to know about electric scooter laws in Australia and whether e-scooter use is legal in your state.
According to Transport for NSW, personal e-scooters are restricted to private property only. You cannot ride your own e-scooter on any public roads, footpaths, or bike lanes.
Outside of that, the state’s electric scooter laws mean you can only ride approved rideshare rental scooters in designated areas that have active trials arranged by local councils.
You can check the NSW government transport website to see which council areas it’s legal to ride e-scooters. At the time of writing, Kogarah, Albury, Forster-Tuncurry, and Wollongong have active trials.
In NSW, you must be at least 16 years old to ride an electric scooter. 10km/h is the speed limit on shared paths, and 20km/h in bike lanes. With the changing nature of e-scooter trials and rules, make sure you visit the NSW government website for up-to-date information.
Victoria
In Victoria, it’s legal to ride a privately owned electric scooter in public. According to the state’s electric scooter laws, anyone 16 and older can ride on shared paths and public roads that have a speed limit of up to 60km/h. You cannot ride e-scooters on footpaths or go faster than 20km/h.
Penalties for misuse are going up in Victoria, so make sure you wear a helmet and follow the rules.
Queensland
Queensland has some of the most open electric scooter laws in the country. E-scooters here are counted as a personal mobility device, so they’re covered by all related legislation.
You can ride on most paths and roads as long as you follow specific speed limits and signage. Path speed limits, unless otherwise signed, are as follows:
Footpaths — 12km/h
Shared paths —12km/h
Separated paths—25km/h
Bicycle paths — 25km/h
As for roads, e-scooters are generally restricted to roads with speed limits of 50km/h or lower, unless there’s a bike lane separated from traffic. Here’s what the Queensland government website says:
Bike lanes on roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less
25km/h maximum
obey speed limits lower than 25km/h
Any bike lane that is physically separated from other lanes of traffic (for example by bollards or raised median strip)
25km/h maximum
obey speed limits lower than 25km/h
Local streets (50km/h or less and no dividing line)
25km/h maximum
obey speed limits lower than 25km/h.
Source: Segway-Ninebot
One of the biggest differences between Queensland and most other states is the age limit. Like other jurisdictions, anyone 16 or older can ride an e-scooter. However, riders as young as 12 can also legally use e-scooters under adult supervision. Once they hit 16, they can ride independently.
South Australia
South Australia is currently legislating the legal public use of private e-scooters. Until it’s formally made legal, SA’s electric scooter laws currently only permit the use of council-approved rideshare e-scooters in public. In SA, the age limit is also higher: you need to be 18 years old to legally ride an e-scooter.
Each council area with active rental e-scooter trials is listed on the SA government website, along with specific rules. 15km/h is the blanket speed limit, and you can only ride on footpaths and shared paths. You can’t ride e-scooters on roads unless it’s to avoid an obstacle. In this case, you can only use the road for 50 metres before returning to the path.
Western Australia
Electric scooter laws in Western Australia fall under the definition of “eRideables” as listed on the government website. You can legally purchase and use your own e-scooter publicly in WA. Anyone 16 or older can ride e-scooters on footpaths, shared paths, and bike paths. You can also ride on roads with no dividing lines and have a 50km/h speed limit or lower.
WA e-scooter speed limits include the following:
Footpaths: 10km/h
Shared paths and bike paths: 25km/h
Local roads: 25km/h
Pedestrian crossings: 10km/h
Tasmania
Similar to Queensland’s electric scooter laws, Tasmania considers e-scooters to be personal mobility devices, under which specific rules apply. This includes both personal use and rental devices, both of which are legal in Tasmania.
People aged 16 years and above can ride e-scooters on footpaths, shared paths, bike paths, and local roads – unless otherwise signed. Roads you can ride on include those with a speed limit of 50km/h or less, and no dividing lines or median strips. You can’t ride on multi-lane, one-way roads.
Speed limits for Tasmanian electric scooter users are 15km/h on footpaths, and 25km/h on shared paths, bike paths, and roads. You can find all the details on Tasmania’s transport site.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory’s electric scooter laws mean that you can only use rental e-scooters in public. You can currently ride your own e-scooter on private property but not anywhere else.
In the NT, anyone 18 or older can use approved rental e-scooters on footpaths, shared paths, and bike lanes. Like SA, road usage is limited to 50 metres to avoid obstacles on paths. Speed limits here are a blanket 15km/h across all surfaces. All the details about e-scooter use in the Northern Territory are available on the state government website.
Australian Capital Territory
As outlined on the ACT Policing website, you can use your own electric scooter in public on footpaths and shared paths. Road use is not permitted unless you’re on a residential street without a footpath. Keep in mind the local speed limits that include the following:
Footpaths: 15km/h
Shared paths and bike paths: 25km/h
Crossings: 10km/h
As outlined on the ACT transport website, children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision.
Australian electric scooter laws summarised
As legislation changes over time, make sure you check your local transport laws to ensure legal e-scooter use. Several rules remain consistent across the country, like abiding by local traffic rules, wearing an approved bike helmet, not riding under the influence of drugs, and not using your phone while riding.
It’s the specific details about how old you need to be, how fast you can go, and where you can ride electric scooters that change depending on the state you’re in. If in doubt, check your state government’s transport website and your local council to make sure you’re good to go.
An internet outage is currently affecting Aussie Broadband customers in Victoria, in the middle of the state’s public holiday before the AFL grand final.
Outage reports on Downdetector spiked at approximately 8:00 AM this morning, indicating that thousands are without service. Aussie Broadband posted to social media acknowledging the outage and confirmed that some Tasmanian users were also impacted.
At the time of writing, more than 150 locations are affected, according to the telco’s outage page. Aussie Broadband’s budget internet brand, Buddy Telco, also lists various unscheduled outages on its website.
It appears that only NBN and Opticomm customers are affected; its mobile products use the Optus network, which is currently active. There’s no estimated recovery time as of yet.
GadgetGuy understands that the outage is related to Aussie Broadband’s CGNAT infrastructure, a technology used to assign IP addresses. Victoria and Tasmania’s infrastructure is connected, hence the impact on both states.
Tried to have a sleep in on the public holiday. Kids were all up in my jam about you tube (sic) not working. Can’t believe I have to engage and actually parent them.”
12:00 PM: No estimated recovery time yet
The telco’s latest update mentions that a “few potential fixes” are in the works but there’s no ETA yet.
Per Aussie’s social media accounts:
“The whole Aussie team is working to resolve this as soon as we can. We know how frustrating this issue is and we are very sorry for the inconvenience.”
Another update is expected by 12:30 PM AEST.
11:30 AM: Issue is “more complex” than expected
In one of the most recent social media posts shared after 11:30 AM, Aussie Broadband labelled the issue as “more complex than we initially anticipated”.
“We are investigating other ways of getting you all back online as soon as we can, but unfortunately we do not have an estimate of when that will be at this time.”
Based in Victoria, Aussie Broadband’s response to the outage is likely delayed due to the state holiday. The local telco acknowledged as such in one of its updates.
We’ll update you with the latest on the Aussie Broadband outage when we learn more. GadgetGuy has contacted Aussie Broadband for comment.
Samsung has revealed its Galaxy S24 FE handset, a more affordable phone built to complement the brand’s flagship range.
Following on from last year’s S23 FE, the $1,099 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE fits into the company’s late-year approach of offering high-end features at a more affordable price. This time around, the focus is on Galaxy AI. That means popular Gen AI features like Google’s Circle to Search, Chat Assist, and Live Translate trickle down to the lower price point.
At 6.7 inches, it’s the same size as the Galaxy S24+, including Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The FE’s 4,700mAh battery is slightly smaller, and it uses the Exynos 2400e chipset alongside 8GB of RAM.
Like the core Galaxy S24 series, the FE model features a triple-camera array including a 3x optical telephoto lens. It has a slightly lower 8-megapixel count than the more expensive phones, but it won’t make a huge real-world difference.
From a gaming perspective, Samsung claims the Galaxy S24 FE houses a larger vapour chamber. This helps dissipate heat more effectively, preventing overheating and prolonging performance for longer periods.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE price and release date in Australia
Launching in Australia on 10 October alongside the Galaxy Tab S10 tablets, the S24 FE starts at $1,099 for the model with 128GB of onboard storage. Pre-orders start today at various retailers, including various offers when you sign up to a plan. Samsung’s latest phone comes in three colours: Graphite, Blue, and Mint.
It’s a little pricier than last year’s $999 FE model, yet still $300 cheaper than the standard S24.
One of the most important highlights is Samsung’s commitment to seven years of operating system and security updates. It’s a guarantee the brand has made with its recent flagship phones, so it’s good to see the post-launch support extend to the more affordable handset.
Since its introduction ten years ago, the Apple Watch has been the hands-down leader in smartwatches. It works seamlessly with the Apple iPhone, with a mixture of useful and entertaining health metrics.
After ten years, there is only so much new stuff left to shove into a watch this small without going the way of some other phone makers and adding wildly inaccurate “health” sensors. As opposed to the merely somewhat inaccurate sensors found in smartwatches, that is, because the laws of physics can only be bent so far.
So, with many of the improvements software-based and thus coming to all compatible Apple Watches, Apple has done what so many dressmakers do when out of big new ideas: make it smaller and in black. Also slightly more waterproof, which I guess makes this more of a mascara than a dress.
Shockingly, this ever-so-slightly larger screen and thinner body makes a huge difference to how the watch feels and looks. While most people would perhaps have preferred some more battery life, this new thinner body will make it go with more outfits and feel more comfortable on more people.
The addition of a 6m depth gauge will also mean that amateur snorkelers will be able to get the regular Apple Watch, rather than springing for the more premium Apple Watch Ultra 2.
My first impression is that the Apple Watch Series 10 is quite similar to the Series 9. It’s still as sleek and easy to set up. But the new jet black is just stunning. It is quite black. Interestingly, the band it comes with is more navy than black, despite being called “Ink”.
Spec-wise the Series 10 is very similar to the last year’s Apple Watch. The biggest differences are the physical size of the watch and the screen. It’s somewhere between 2-10g lighter (depending on the model), it’s 1mm thinner and the LTPO3 OLED screen has a wider field of view.
On paper, that doesn’t sound like much, but the size and weight make a difference. The wider viewing angle doesn’t make much difference to the wearer, because you probably turn your wrist to look at your watch like a normal person, though it will make the watch look nicer to those around you. Still, it’s nice, I guess.
Image: Alice Clarke.
However, most people who buy the Watch 10 won’t be coming from the Watch 9 (what would be the point?). This is for people on the Watch 5 or older who won’t be getting WatchOS 11. From there, the differences are far more stark. The screen size is a massive upgrade, and the brightness is doubled. It’s also got the Blood Oxygen app, which older Apple Watches (and American models, due to a patent dispute) don’t have. The newer Watch 10 also has ovulation estimates, though in my experience those estimates were not accurate (when compared with data from my IVF clinic).
The upgrade to fast charging and being able to get 36 hours in low power mode will also be game changers for users coming from those older devices.
Not having a multi-day battery in standard use remains disappointing. Other brands manage to pull it off, and the Ultra 2 has a 36-hour battery. With the fast charge, it’s not a deal breaker, but it does feel like a weird oversight in 2024.
Generally, my first impression is that the Apple Watch Series 10 is solid and still easy to use.
Apple Watch Series 10 specs and price in Australia
Size and weight
46mm model:
46mm x 39mm x 9.7mm
36.4g (aluminium, GPS)
35.3g (aluminium, GPS + Cellular)
41.7g (titanium) 42mm model:
42mm x 36mm x 9.7mm
30g (aluminium, GPS)
29.3 (aluminium, GPS + Cellular)
34.4g (titanium)
Electrical heart sensor
Third‑generation optical heart sensor
Blood oxygen sensor
Temperature sensor
Compass
Always‑on altimeter
High‑g accelerometer
High-dynamic-range gyroscope
Ambient light sensor
Depth gauge
Water temperature sensor
Display
Always‑On Retina LTPO3 display
Wide‑angle OLED
Edge‑to‑edge display
Ion‑X front glass (aluminium cases)
Sapphire front crystal (titanium cases)
Up to 2,000 nits maximum brightness
1-nit minimum brightness
326 pixels per inch
Battery
Up to 18 hours of normal use
Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode
Up to 80% charge in about 30 minutes 15 minutes for up to 8 hours of normal use
Weather resistance
Water resistance to 50m
Dust resistance IP6X
Connectivity
L1 GPS
GNSS, Galileo and BeiDou
4G LTE and UMTS
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
Bluetooth 5.3
Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
Apple Pay
GymKit
Safety features
Emergency SOS
International emergency calling
Crash Detection
Fall Detection
Noise monitoring
Backtrack
Wearables only work and help if you wear them, and you won’t wear them unless they’re comfortable. The good news is that having the watch be a bit thinner means that it’s also a lot more comfortable.
Personally, I don’t mind a chunky watch (my daily wearable is an Apple Watch Ultra 2), but they can take a lot of getting used to and it’s easy to knock them on things. Having the thinner watch makes it easier to slip under a cycling jersey, and is less likely to get caught on clothes in general. Being a bit lighter also makes a difference.
Image: Alice Clarke.
Beyond that, all the comfort lies in the watch bands you choose, and there is something to suit just about everyone there.
Apple Watch Series 10 features
Health
The built-in health features haven’t changed since the Watch 9, which was very similar to the Watch 8. There are some operating system changes, though (which are coming to the Watch 6 and newer). The biggest change is the new Vitals app and Training Load metric.
Vitals lets you know if any of your overnight vitals are out of the typical range, so you can take your concerns to your doctor. It’s not foolproof, but there are plenty of stories of people whose lives were saved because their Apple Watch gave them valuable, actionable information about their heart.
When I say it’s not foolproof, I mean that it’s reasonably accurate, but in a way that’s in the ballpark rather than something you’d rely on 100% as a medical device. It gives you information you should take to your doctor to confirm, but something concerning doesn’t always mean you have something wrong, and nothing showing up on your watch doesn’t necessarily mean you’re fine.
I recently did a sleep study while wearing my Apple Watch Ultra 2 running WatchOS 11, and I was impressed by how close the metrics were. The Watch missed a few wake-ups, gave me a little more REM sleep than reality, and had my heart rate more steady than it was. But it was in the ballpark much closer than I expected. The Apple Watch results gave a decent enough overview that it’s a good jumping-off point.
In the US, users will get information about Sleep Apnoea, but the TGA still hasn’t approved that feature in Australia.
Vitals app. Image: Apple.
Another new health feature, related to Vitals, is Training Load. This isn’t a new feature for smartwatches, but it is new for Apple. On other smartwatches, the Training Load data is used to tell you when you should ramp up your training, or tell you when it’s time for a rest day.
With Whoop training bands, you get a readiness score each day so you have a better idea of what your body might be capable of that day. Apple Watch doesn’t do that. It just tells you where you are compared to your baseline. This might be helpful for some elite athletes, but it’s not going to be something many casuals benefit from, due to the cautious, hands-off approach Apple has given the feature.
It’ll be interesting to see how it evolves in future updates. It would have been more useful if Apple had taken the Whoop approach.
Fitness
My favourite new fitness feature in WatchOS 11 is the ability to rate how intense a workout was. Was that an all-out effort? Or were you just leisurely riding to the beach for fish and chips? You’re able to tell your watch how hard you tried. This then feeds into the aforementioned Training Load feature.
I also really appreciate that you can now pause your rings for a day. If you’re injured, having a rest day as part of a busy program, or you’re sick, you don’t have to break your streak, which really matters to some people.
Training Load app. Image: Apple.
You can also set higher goals for Saturday than on Monday, acknowledging that you have different fitness expectations depending on how your life is structured.
Who is the Apple Watch Series 10 for?
This is the best smartwatch for most Apple users. It’s also, generally, the best smartwatch for most people (but you have to have an iPhone to use it). If you need more health features than the SE has to offer, but not as many fitness features as the Ultra 2, then the Apple Watch 10 is in the Goldilocks zone.
If you already have an Apple Watch that’s Series 6 or newer, you’re probably not going to get the most out of the 10. This is for users with the original Watch SE, and 5 or below, as well as people who are new to Apple Watch.
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Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch for most iPhone users.
Features
9.5
Value for money
9
Performance
9.5
Ease of use
10
Design
10
Positives
Thinner
Larger screen with a smaller body
Brighter at extended angles
New Jet Black Aluminium is beautiful
Negatives
Same battery life as Series 9
No huge upgrades over the previous generation in general
It looks like JB has pulled the trigger early on a broader PlayStation sale, based on a promotional banner featured on the retailer’s website. According to the banner, the PlayStation 5 sale goes from 27 September until 10 October, meaning it’s started a day early.
I recently picked up the Portal (right before the sale, just my luck!) and I really like it as a comfortable way to play PS5 games away from the TV. A word of caution though, you need a solid Wi-Fi network to get the best experience.
JB Hi-Fi PS5 sale highlights
You can grab up to $124 off PS5 consoles and accessories in JB Hi-Fi’s sale. Here are the big-ticket items currently discounted:
It’s likely that other retailers will follow suit either later today or tomorrow, considering the sale is officially meant to start on the 27th. These deals are reasonable but they might get even better once more retailers add to the competition.
Today’s the day if you want to pre-order the upgraded PS5 Pro console. Officially revealed recently, the more powerful PlayStation 5 hardware doesn’t come cheap; it costs nearly $1,200 here in Australia.
Pre-orders are also now live for the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection, a range of consoles and peripherals styled with the classic PlayStation One aesthetic.
Compared to the base PS5 model, the Pro version renders gameplay up to 45% faster courtesy of 28% faster memory and 67% more GPU compute units. From a player perspective, it means you can crank up the graphics settings while maintaining a higher frame rate.
Plenty of games will get the “PS5 Pro enhanced” treatment, including some shown in the recent State of Play presentation. Part of the enhancements stems from PlayStation’s new AI upscaling technology called “PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution” (PSSR).
If you’re keen to be one of the first to grab a PS5 Pro in Australia, here’s everything you need to know before you pre-order.
When can you pre-order the PS5 Pro in Australia?
Pre-orders for the latest console go live this morning, starting at 10:00 AM AEST. Here’s what that translates to depending on where you are in Australia:
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart (AEST): 26 September at 10:00 AM
Adelaide, Darwin (ACST): 26 September at 9:30 AM
Perth (AWST): 26 September at 8:00 AM
We don’t know what the stock situation is, so it’s worth keeping a browser tab open before the pre-order window opens. Stock and supply chain issues plagued the original PS5 launch in 2020 but that’s no indication of how quickly the Pro model will sell out.
How much does the PS5 Pro cost in Australia?
Locally, the PS5 Pro price sits at a lofty $1,199.95. It’s a digital-only console too, meaning it doesn’t include a disc drive, nor does it come with a stand. If you want to use your existing disc collection or display the console upright, it’ll cost you extra.
PS5 Pro console: $1,199.95
PS5 disc drive: $159.95
PS5 stand: $49.95
Where can you place a pre-order?
Most of Australia’s usual video game retailers are taking pre-orders, like EB Games and JB Hi-Fi. Some retailers require a deposit, while others will take full up-front payment.
Max, the Warner Bros Discovery streaming platform that used to be known as HBO Max, is coming to Australia in 2025, leaving big question marks hanging over Foxtel’s Binge service.
James Gibbons, the local Warner Bros Discovery boss, confirmed the move at APOS, an entertainment industry event. Mumbrella reported that Max is coming to Australia in the first half of 2025.
“We can also confirm we’ll be launching our direct service in Australia in the first half of next year; that’s definitely happening,” said Gibbons.
It’ll add yet another major service to the local mix as production companies seek out their slice of the streaming pie. Launching as HBO Max overseas in 2020, the platform evolved into Max last year, while slowly increasing its global availability.
Max launching in Australia could have far-reaching implications for the existing market. Foxtel currently holds the local streaming rights to HBO content, for example. Shows like The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, and Succession air on the brand’s Binge service for now. How long these shows remain on Foxtel’s platforms once Max launches is unknown.
Prior to the public confirmation of Max’s Australian launch, News Corp recently opened discussions about selling the Foxtel brand. The Sydney Morning Herald also reported the news of several notable personnel departures from Foxtel, including executives overseeing Binge and Hubbl, the company’s streaming hardware product.
In a statement to the Australian Financial Review, a Foxtel spokesperson reiterated the company’s long-running partnership with Warner Bros Discovery.
“As we have long said, optionality remains at the heart of our partnership.”
While mainstays like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ continue to perform strongly, Australia will soon find out how many people will flock to HBO shows when Max launches in 2025.
Oppo has launched two new phones, the A60 5G and A40, for less than $300 in Australia, and both sound like they can hold up to the rigours of daily life.
Each phone carries an IP54 rating, meaning they’re dust and water-resistant. It’s uncommon for phones at this price to include the certification. Often, you’ll see budget handsets advertised with a vague “water-repellent” disclaimer.
To go into slightly more detail, an IP54 rating means a device is protected against dust in addition to water splashes. So, you can’t dunk either the Oppo A60 5G or A40 in water, but they’ll be fine if you spill a drink on them. One of the new touted features is “Splash Touch” which reportedly lets you accurately navigate the touchscreen when wet.
Oppo says its A60 and A40 phones are easier to use in the rain or with wet hands. Image: Oppo.
Oppo also advertises its new phones as having “Military-Grade Shock Resistance”, certified to the MIL-STD 810H standard. In other words, the handsets should survive the occasional drop or bump.
But what’s on the inside? Starting with the Oppo A60 5G, you’ll find a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip with 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage. Meanwhile, the A40 uses a Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen1 chip along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage.
Both handsets employ a 6.67-inch 720p LCD display, like the Oppo A80. The A60 supports a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, while the A40 goes up to 90Hz. They also include a 5,100mAh battery, with support for Oppo’s 45W SUPERVOOC wired fast charging.
Oppo A60 5G and A40 price in Australia
Out now in Australia, the Oppo A60 5G costs $299 and comes in two colours: Nebula Red and Ocean Blue. Slightly cheaper, the Oppo A40 costs $259, with Starlight White and Sparkle Black as its colour options.
You can find the new phones from the usual suspects, including JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Big W, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, and Oppo’s online store.
Oppo has recently put a noticeable focus on phone durability and toughness. It’s an interesting point of difference to pursue but it makes sense. Not many budget phones include IP ratings or military-grade certifications, so these handsets could appeal to people keen to prolong their investment.
Usually, tougher materials and better water resistance require spending more money upfront. For some folks, that’s just not feasible. Perhaps Oppo is trying to reverse the “boots theory”. Popularised by Terry Pratchett, the theory suggests that cheaper products need replacing more often, therefore costing more over time and trapping people in a cycle of only being able to afford cheaper goods.
Or I could just be overthinking things. Either way, tougher affordable phones sound good to me.
PlayStation certainly ended its recent State of Play presentation on a high note. Closing out the showcase was Ghost of Yōtei, the sequel to 2020’s popular PS4 game Ghost of Tsushima.
Instead of going with Ghost of Tsushima 2, the team at Sucker Punch wanted a fresh direction, as revealed in an official blog post. Ghost of Yōtei takes place in 1603, more than 300 years after the first game. As such, a new warrior protagonist, Atsu, dons the Ghost mask, exploring Mount Yōtei in Feudal Japan.
Yōtei continues the open-world exploration of its predecessor while adding new gameplay mechanics and weapons to wield. While the reveal trailer didn’t detail much, we’ll undoubtedly learn more closer to next year’s launch.
While Ghost of Tsushima got a director’s cut PS5 version, its sequel is Sucker Punch’s “first game built from the ground up for PlayStation 5”. With the more powerful hardware, the developers claim that you’ll be able to see further into the distance and notice more realistic in-game physics.
Even by modern standards, Ghost of Tsushima still looks beautiful. The thought of its sequel eclipsing its visuals is an exciting prospect.
It’s also likely to feel tangibly different based on the new setting. Ezo, where Mount Yōtei resides, is described as “outside the rule of Japan” and “a far cry from the organised samurai clans who lived in Tsushima”. One can only speculate about what this means specifically, although it sounds like it could be more chaotic by nature.
When is the Ghost of Yōtei release date?
Confirmed to launch in 2025, there’s no set release date yet for Ghost of Yōtei. Ghost of Tsushima originally launched on PS4 in July 2020, although that’s not necessarily an indication that its sequel will launch mid-year.
With the original game a critical and commercial success, having sold 13 million copies, there are high hopes for the sequel.
PlayStation wasn’t kidding when it teased a bunch of games ahead of the latest State of Play presentation. From something old to something new, there was a smorgasbord of upcoming titles to look forward to.
Astro Bot is getting some more love, and we learned more about previously announced games. Most exciting of all, PlayStation confirmed a sequel to 2020’s Ghost of Tsushima open-world samurai adventure.
With lots of stuff coming to PS5 and PSVR 2 in the coming months, these games are the standouts from the latest State of Play.
Ghost of Yōtei revealed, stars new hero
Arguably the centrepiece of PlayStation’s State of Play presentation, Ghost of Yōtei is the newly revealed sequel to Ghost of Tsushima. Set well after the events of the first game, Ghost of Yōtei stars a new playable character, Atsu, a wandering warrior exploring Feudal Japan.
Other than some gorgeous visuals, there aren’t too many details just yet. Ghost of Yōtei doesn’t have a set release date yet, with a 2025 window the only current confirmation.
Astro Bot gets free speedrunning DLC
Not long after the cute robot warmed our hearts, Astro Bot is back with some upcoming DLC. Available as a free content update sometime in the next couple of months, the 3D platformer will get five extra levels and 10 additional bots to save.
These challenge-filled levels have speedrunning in mind, suggesting there will be a competitive online leaderboard element. Joining the roster of PlayStation-themed bots is Eve from Stellar Blade, and the soldiers from Helldivers 2.
Palworld is out on PS5 today
Geez, what timing. Only days after Nintendo filed a lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair, the Pokemon-styled game is now available on PS5.
Known for its monster-collecting and gun-toting gameplay, Palworld debuted on PC and Xbox in January this year. It quickly attracted comparisons to the Pokemon series, forming the basis of Nintendo’s recent lawsuit.
Technically, it’s still in early access, meaning it’s not fully finished but there’s more than enough to play now. Lots of players dived into Palworld earlier in the year, so expect the PS5 launch to further boost its popularity.
Alan Wake 2: The Lake House expansion looks spooky
One of the best games of 2023, Alan Wake 2, is getting its second major DLC in October. Dubbed The Lake House, the trailer depicted a spine-tingling look at the Federal Bureau of Control in disarray.
It picks up where Alan Wake 2‘s various story threads left off, further joining the settings of Remedy’s expansive universe. Here’s hoping we get to see more of Control protagonist Jesse Faden.
Dual-wield with Hitman World of Assassination VR
PlayStation promised games for the PSVR 2, and it delivered. Among several titles confirmed for its virtual reality headset, PlayStation confirmed the VR version of Hitman Word of Assassination.
Combining the recent Hitman trilogy into one package, the VR version literally puts you in the perspective of Agent 47. Dual-wielding weapons is a big part of the experience when it arrives in December 2024.
Monster Hunter Wilds release date confirmed
We’ve known about Capcom’s latest Monster Hunter entry for a while, but we now have a release date. Revealed in a fresh trailer showing off some of the epic encounters against massive beasts, Monster Hunter Wilds launches on 28 Feburary 2025.
Horizon Zero Dawn remaster comes to PS5 and PC
Teased ahead of the State of Play showcase, PlayStation confirmed that Horizon Zero Dawn is getting a remaster. One of the flagship PS4 games, Horizon Zero Dawn will arrive on PS5 and PC with a shiny coat of paint on 31 October.
PlayStation also shared more on Lego Horizon Adventures, the family-friendly spin-off set in the same universe. It’s a cute take on Horizon‘s sci-fi universe that’ll arrive on 14 November.
