Fans of nicely coloured phones are in luck: Samsung has announced the Galaxy 22 will soon come in Bora Purple, along with a bonus for those who pre-order the new style.
Named after the Korean word for purple, the Bora Purple Galaxy 22’s colour is somewhere between a shade of lilac and lavender. In fact, previous purple-shaded Samsung gadgets include an Orchid Gray Galaxy S8, Lilac Purple Galaxy S9, Violet S22 series, and the Lavender Z Flip 3.
Samsung launched the Galaxy S22 range locally in March 2022, consisting of the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra devices. As was confirmed at the Samsung Unpacked event earlier in the year, the Galaxy S22 Ultra replaced the phone-tablet hybrid Galaxy Note model. For now, only the base model Galaxy S22 will receive Bora Purple as a new colour option, with pre-orders open from now until 10 August. Pre-orders include a pair of purple Galaxy Buds2 – valued by Samsung at $219 – at no extra cost. The Bora Purple S22 range will then go on sale on 11 August.
Bora Purple adds to the Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green and Pink Gold colours available for the Samsung Galaxy S22. Although only currently announced for the standard model, Sonia Chang – VP of Global Brand Marketing Group, MX Business at Samsung Electronics – indicated the colour will come to more devices in the future.
“Whether you’re a K-pop star or a lifelong purple lover, the Galaxy S22 Bora Purple was made for you,” Chang said. “We are excited to introduce Bora Purple, first for the S22 but also for exciting new Galaxy devices later this year.”
Samsung Galaxy S22 range price and specifications
Model
Galaxy S22 Ultra
Galaxy S22+
Galaxy S22
RRP
$1849 (128GB), $1999 (256GB), $2149 (512GB)
$1549 (128GB), $1649 (256GB)
$1249 (128GB), $1349 (258GB)
Size
6.8-inch QHD+, Edge
6.6-inch FHD+, Flat
6.1-inch FHD+, Flat
Camera
12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2, FOV 120˚108 MP Wide Camera
• Dual Pixel AF, F1.8, FOV 85˚10MP Telephoto Camera
• 3x Optical Zoom, F2.4, FOV 36˚10MP Telephoto Camera
• 10x Optical Zoom, F4.9, FOV 11˚40MP Front Camera
• F2.2, FOV 80˚
Space Zoom up to 100x
12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2, FOV 120˚50 MP Wide Camera
• Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, FOV 85˚10MP Telephoto Camera
• 3x Optical Zoom, OIS, F2.4, FOV 36˚10MP Front Camera
• F2.2, FOV 80˚
Space Zoom up to 30x
12MP Ultra-Wide Camera
• F2.2, FOV 120˚50 MP Wide Camera
• Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, FOV 85˚10MP Telephoto Camera
• 3x Optical Zoom, OIS, F2.4, FOV 36˚10MP Front Camera
• F2.2, FOV 80˚
Battery
5,000mAh
45W charging
4,500mAh
45W charging
3,700mAh
25W charging
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6
This announcement from Samsung seems to be a small tease ahead of the company’s next Samsung Unpacked event which will take place on 10 August. GadgetGuy will share the latest reveals from the event as they happen, so keep your eyes peeled.
Consumer cloud storage service Amazon Drive is closing in December 2023, as the online storage giant focuses its efforts on Amazon Photos.
An alternative to the likes of Google Drive and Dropbox for more than a decade, access to Amazon Drive is one of the many perks of an Amazon Prime membership – including in Australia. It offers Prime members unlimited, full-resolution photo storage along with 5 GB of free general cloud storage, while offering a range of paid tiers ranging from 100 GB to 30 TB.
Despite Amazon Web Services being one of the world’s largest cloud storage providers, Amazon has decided to kill off Amazon Drive on December 31, 2023 – giving users a little more than a year to make alternative cloud storage arrangements.
A range of rival cloud storage providers offer users varying levels of free storage, including Dropbox’s 2 GB, Apple iCloud’s 5 GB, Microsoft OneDrive’s 5 GB and Google Drive’s 15 GB.
In the lead up to the Amazon Cloud shutdown, Amazon will remove the Android Drive app from the iOS and Google Play app stores on 31 October 2022. After 31 January 2023, Prime subscribers will no longer be able to upload files to Amazon Drive via the website.
Photos and videos will be automatically transferred from Amazon Drive to Amazon Photos. Other files in Amazon Drive will be deleted once the service closes its doors at the end of 2023.
Amazon Photos gives Prime subscribers the ability to add up to six family members to their Prime account, so they can upload photos and videos together with joint access to the digital photo archive.
“We are taking the opportunity to more fully focus our efforts on Amazon Photos to provide customers a dedicated solution for photos and video storage,” Amazon told customers in an email.
A renewed focus on Amazon Photos could see Amazon attempt to go head-to-head with high-profile photo storage and sharing services such as Google Photos and Apple’s iCloud Photo Library.
Forty years ago, my father brought the first GPS receiver into Australia. A GPS receiver then provided a position in the form of numbers only. The ‘future’ from 40 years ago was the ability to use it as an in-car navigator. Today, with the advent of built-in car navigation and Google and Apple maps on your smartphone, is there any room for the standalone GPS navigator? Garmin Australiasia, a leader in GPS across fitness, automotive, marine and aviation, thinks so. Its Garmin Tread is set to show how the humble GPS navigator has moved to the next level.
Garmin brings GPS navigation and wearable technology to the automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness markets.
What is a Garmin Tread Overland?
The Garmin Tread is a rugged all-terrain GPS navigation device that allows navigation and communication in remote areas without mobile phone coverage. It also optionally supports reversing cameras and remote control of 12-volt devices such as lights. While it has its own battery, it would normally be powered from a vehicle’s 12v or 24v supply. And it goes without saying that the Tread is just as happy navigating city streets as it is outback passes and paddocks. Ultimately, it really comes into its own for those who plan to tour Australia.
How it stacks up
At $1,999, the Tread seems a little expensive. Still, when you look at its individual functions and tally up what it would cost to buy each separately, you’ll start to see the value. We’ll break it down below.
The Garmin Tread comes in 8-inch and 10-inch versions. An 8-inch Garmin standard navigator retails for $600. The more specialised Tread, however, includes a built-in inReach communicator (see below for details), which retails for $599 as a separate unit. To access the Tread’s Hema Maps, you would need to purchase a separate navigation device for $799 or buy a $100 app for your small-screen smartphone.
The Tread also supports pairing a wireless reversing camera for the rear of your vehicle or caravan ($300 for the Garmin BC50). This will display the camera’s view on the Tread’s large screen. Alternatively, you could buy a wireless camera solution for $400 with a camera and screen.
Tallying it all up, the Garmin Tread and a single reverse camera cost roughly $2,300 versus buying four separate units for the functions mentioned above at around $2,400. If you went for this option, your dashboard would be pretty crowded too, with four individual screens versus one good-sized one. And with some additional functionality that we’ll cover below, the Tread’s $1,999 starting price may not seem so expensive after all.
Also keep in mind that Tread is ruggedised, with a IP67 weatherproof rating, so the unit could be dropped into a puddle or engulfed in dust and keep working without issue. Other separate units may not be as robust.
What is Garmin inReach?
The Tread uses satellites to determine its position via the Global Positioning System (GPS); however, this technology is purely one-direction communication – satellite to the receiver.
Garmin inReach is a two-way communication solution that uses the Iridium satellite network. Iridium uses 66 satellites at an orbit of 781 kilometres to provide global coverage.
On purchase, your Tread is Iridium-capable, but you must subscribe for it to work. Various plans from $20 to $99 a month allow 2-way SOS text communication, 2-way text messaging, location sharing and weather updates.
If you have no phone coverage, this is one of the most economical ways to stay in touch, especially in an emergency. The Tread has an SOS button with a safety cover to send your position in an emergency and start a text conversation with the 24/7 Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Centre.
A competing SOS solution is a Personal Locator Beacon, which only sends your location. No further information can be provided by you. Emergency services do not know if it is life-threatening or if your vehicle is simply broken down with a Personal Locator Beacon.
Mapping the landscape
If you plan to travel to remote areas, you are unlikely to have mobile phone and data coverage. Google and Apple Maps rely on an internet connection to work unless you have downloaded a route or map previously. These are also city-focused rather than for the outback.
The Tread, with its pre-downloaded maps for the whole of Australia and New Zealand, comes into its own. This is further enhanced by Garmin’s decision to preload Hema maps into the device. These maps provide 1:72,000 scale maps showing more than 105,00km of tracks and trails. You will also get 4WD destinations and hydrographic features such as lakes/rivers, shorelines and perennial and seasonal streams. From a searchability perspective, the Hema 40,000 point-of-interest database is available to help you find campsites, lookouts, toilets etc.
Beyond the previously discussed Hema Points of Interest (POI), there are preloaded POIs from Tripadvisor, iOverlander and Garmin. This will give you the best chance to find scenic views, camp sights and facilities on your travels.
Adding camera views
With the Garmin optional cameras, you can add up to four units to give you various views from your Tread. You could have one facing forward to see below the eye line of your bonnet, one at the rear of your vehicle and one at the back of a caravan or trailer. Two models are available (BC50 $299 & BC50 Night Vision $459), which are identical other than night vision up to 6m from the camera. The 160-degree field of view cameras are wireless and only require power, saving on running communication cables. The 720p high definition cameras have a wireless range of 15m but can be extended to 30m.
Other things the Tread can do
Suppose you want to wirelessly control various 12volt devices like lights, compressors, switches, etc. In that case, you can add the optional Garmin PowerSwitch digital switch box and have control from your Tread screen or smartphone. This removes the need to have various switches cluttering up your dashboard.
Next, if you’re headed to 4wd tracks, some built-in sensors come in handy — including an altimeter, barometer, compass and pitch/roll gauges.
Got a dog? You can see the dog’s location when paired with a Garmin GPS dog tracker too!
Lastly, there’s location sharing if you’re travelling in a pack. Called Group Ride, this can be facilitated via cellular coverage on your smartphone and the Tread app or via an optional Garmin VHF radio. Note this is not a longer range UHF solution and is expensive for a VHF radio at $529. If two or more join a group, features such as location sharing, pre-defined messaging, and route tracking are available.
The Tread experience
For testing the mapping capabilities, we compared the Tread to Google maps navigation.
Remember that this device is designed for offroad navigation, although it’s intended to be just as capable in the city. Case in point, navigating with Google, it said turn left in 300m, and Garmin told us to turn left after the Mitsubishi dealer. This landmark navigation in the city was much easier than judging distances. However, we encountered a situation where we should turn right at Tuffy Muffler, which had moved locations 5 years ago and not so helpful.
Next on the list was an auto parts store. The auto parts store was in a retail complex with the entry of a side street. The auto parts store address was on the main road. Google navigated us into the carpark to the front of the store. Garmin, however, wanted to take us to the street address on the main road, where there was no parking or entry into the complex.
When setting up your Tread, you can enter your vehicle size and weight as well as the size of a caravan or trailer you might be towing. This, combined with a route option, will determine what roads the Tread will suggest you travel on. The Tread will not offer roads your caravan cannot navigate, and the route option allows you to choose between the fastest sealed route through to offroad trails.
We liked the ability to mix and match the information on the screen. For example, you can have the navigation page up but also a weather radar showing storm activity in the area or pitch and roll sensors.
The Tread comes with a heavy-duty suction cup mounting bracket, which I have never seen better. It can be powered by either a 12v cigarette socket or USB-C connector.
The detail of the maps was a sticking point between myself and my partner. I like lots of information on maps, and she likes the bare minimum. The good news is that the clutter (or map detail) can easily switch on or off. This includes satellite maps, which must be downloaded separately (at no cost). If you run out of space on the Tread, it supports up to a 256GB microSD card.
On the road
When driving, your smartphone with the Tread App loaded becomes the gateway for your Tread Overland edition to access information such as weather, traffic and the group ride function. In addition, the App can be used for route planning and to sync waypoints, tracks, routes and collections. You may also import and share GPX files, a GPS exchange format file.
Creating a route is fairly simple: searching for your next destination and adding it to the route, and then choosing between the fastest time, ‘adventure’ or straight line, which influences the roads chosen.
The optional reverse camera integrates easily with the Tread. It brings up a clear colour display of the selected view once connected. The image comes up quickly and can be viewed as a full screen or smaller image on the map display. Adjustable reversing lines can be shown to help.
We tested the wireless camera’s signal range (BC50) and it appears to exceed the specifications. Still, the Wi-Fi signal will be affected by what is between the camera sender unit and the Tread. The camera Wi-Fi sender unit can be positioned closer to the camera with an optional extension cable if you need more range. One big miss was that there are no operational instructions for the camera in the Tread manual, and I learned how to use it by trial and error.
GadgetGuy’s take
The Garmin Tread is not the solution for big city navigation. If your goal is to tour Australia, the Tread replaces around four separate devices and combines them into one. The remote maps and advanced navigation features make it a handy companion to ensure you reach your destination without missing any highlights. Find yourself in dire straights or just want to keep in touch with family or friends. The InReach satellite communication will keep you in touch where there is no phone coverage, and there are plenty of options for managing power, tracking friends or even your dog.
Telstra must stop deliberately tying up spectrum to interfere with preparations for Optus’ nationwide 5G rollout, as part of a court-enforceable undertaking to the ACCC over 5G competition concerns.
In December 2021, Optus was the successful bidder in the ACMA auctions for large sections of 900 MHz spectrum, to become available in July 2024 part of its 5G rollout. The valuable low-band spectrum has the ability to transmit over greater distances than higher frequencies, and is typically used by mobile network operators to provide core network coverage and capacity.
Telstra currently holds a licence for parts of the 900 MHz band, but has made little use of the spectrum since shutting down its 2G network in 2016.
On 9 December 2021, Telstra became aware that the ACMA would consider early access applications for the 900 MHz band spectrum – allowing Optus to begin conducting 900 MHz 5G trials before July 2024, in preparation for the rollout.
On 31 January 2022, Telstra registered 315 sites in the 900 MHz band, predominantly located in major cities or inner regional areas – despite not having registered a new 900 MHz site since 2016.
Following an intensive investigation over 5G competition concerns, the ACCC was concerned that the “substantial purpose” of Telstra’s move was to hinder preparations for the Optus 5G rollout.
The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Telstra to deregister all remaining radiocommunications sites it registered with the ACMA in the 900 MHz spectrum band in January 2022, that would have prevented Optus from early access to the spectrum.
“We were concerned that Telstra’s registration of 315 radiocommunications sites in the 900 MHz spectrum band had the substantial purpose or likely effect of lessening competition by Optus, as Telstra knew of the importance of this spectrum band to Optus’ 5G rollout plan,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.
“Telstra’s undertaking will ensure Optus is not hindered from expanding its 5G rollout, giving more Australians access to a choice of 5G services in regional and metropolitan Australia.”
Various new features will make virtual reality safer and easier to share with your friends, according to an early glimpse at the PlayStation VR2 user experience.
A recent blog post shared by Sony revealed what we can expect when going hands-on with the upcoming next-gen VR headset, including several screenshots of the device in action. Safety appears to be a core focus, with the new see-through view letting you check your surroundings without removing the headset. Here, the embedded front cameras on the PlayStation VR2 kick in to produce a grayscale image of the play area. By pressing the headset’s function button or accessing the Control Centre, you can swap between viewing the game, and viewing your surroundings.
The PlayStation VR2 see-through feature looks like something from a found-footage horror film
An extension of the PlayStation VR2 see-through view is a feature other VR units have had for a while: the ability to customise your play area. With the embedded cameras and PS VR2 Sense controllers, you can scan your room to set precise play boundaries. During gameplay, the system will warn you when approaching boundaries, which is helpful for avoiding damage or causing harm to yourself and others. The original PlayStation VR was limited in this regard, so it’s good to see this has been addressed with the PS VR2.
Streamer centric
PlayStation VR2 content creators and streamers will no doubt enjoy the added ability to natively broadcast footage from a PS5 camera, too. This feature lets creators stream both the gameplay and their reactions simultaneously to platforms like Twitch. With prior hardware, this required an external workaround. It sounds like the PS VR2 will make sharing your VR gaming sessions easier than ever.
Sony also reiterated some of the PlayStation VR2’s technical aspects. For example, games in VR Mode provide a 360-degree virtual environment to play in, where content is displayed in a 4000 x 2040 resolution – 2000 x 2040 pixels per eye – in HDR at either 90Hz or 120Hz. Alternatively, Cinematic Mode lets you view non-VR content on a virtual cinema screen. Here, you can enjoy non-VR media at 1920 x 1080 with the option of 24Hz, 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates.
A glimpse at the in-game PlayStation VR2 Control Centre
As for when you can expect the PlayStation VR2 to launch? Sony hasn’t confirmed a release date yet, although there are plenty of whispers indicating a late-2022 or early-2023 launch window.
Everything Sony has revealed about the PlayStation VR2 looks promising. Safety features that bring it up to speed with competitors, and more content creation potential are good ideas indeed. Now all that’s left is to confirm its availability and the all-important price tag.
Small Business Answers (our sister publication) recently interviewed Peter Walcott, a hat maker of 40 years and owner of a new Australian Hats company, ooGee.
Peter identified an opportunity to produce a range of stylish hats that would survive abuse in our tough Australian conditions.
This meant a hat that could be packed in a bag, didn’t mind taking a swim, and could be made from breathable materials to prevent its wearer from overheating. It would also need to provide UPF 50+ sun protection and fit well to avoid blowing away with the first gust of wind. Not a small challenge.
Two key innovations
To help make Oogee has successful, Peter developed two innovations – Flexibraid and Comi-Fit.
Flexibraid allows you to conveniently flat pack your hat into a travel bag, while being able to return to its original shape once unpacked.
Comfi-Fit is an internal elastic strap with size adjustment that ensures the hat stays on your head – even with strong wind. This feature makes finding the right size hat just that much easier.
Peter also suggests wetting ooGee hats when it gets hot to keep your head cool. If it gets dirty, just rinse it off.
How to find a hat that fits?
Peter indicates that almost all hats will shrink, so always get one that feels a bit bigger and has a loose fit. Measure your head size by using a sewing tape where your hat will actually rest on your head. His ooGee hats are available in 3 sizes with internal adjustments on each and multiple colours.
Ogee Hats range in price from $88 to $125 and are available direct from ooGee or from Horse Land and specialty and resort retailers.
Not only are ooGee hats Australian-made, but they also use Australian cotton, leather and recyclable materials.
From floppy disks to the latest in smart home technology, Australian tech company Laser hasn’t show any signs of slowing down, revealing the next wave of products at its 35th-anniversary event in Sydney.
New Matter-compatible smart home gadgets, pet technology, e-mobility and portable power stations will form the bedrock of the company’s immediate future. Laser working with the Matter smart home protocol is a major move, one that international brands like IKEA will support when the cross-platform standard launches in spring. This means Laser and its upcoming Connect Smart Home products – including smart light bulbs – will operate easier and faster while seamlessly connecting with other brands’ products that also support the Matter standard.
Another area Laser is expanding into is outdoor power solutions. Portable power stations for campers, tradies, and home backup use are on the way in the near future. This comes off the back of the continued support for its existing brands including Tech4Pets, dashcam label Navig8r, and the gaming peripheral Gtek range.
Laser also renewed its commitment to various sustainability practices. Many of its products will be made from recycled and recyclable materials, with packaging to meet sustainable protocols established by APCO and Redcycle.
Exciting new gear is heading our way including portable power stations, electric scooters and Matter-compatible smart home security cameras, smart power plugs and smart lights
At the 35th anniversary event, Laser managing director Chris Lau reflected on the company’s long-term success and affordable philosophy.
“Our history mirrors the significant consumer technology revolution we have experienced over the last four decades, technology that has changed the world and the way we live our everyday lives,” Lau said. “We have played an important role in helping many Australians adopt and try new technology for the very first time, an often under-appreciated benefit of delivering affordable but high-quality products.”
“We are proud to be a home-grown Aussie consumer electronics success story, delivering great technology, affordable and accessible to all.”
35 years is an impressive run by any measure, especially in an industry as fast-paced as technology. Expect to see plenty more years as Laser continues supplying affordable electronic goods to major retailers like Big W, Harvey Norman, and Officeworks.
