Show the love while you’re away with Tech4Pets’ smart pet feeders

Our pets have had it pretty good over the past couple of years. Covid has meant that we could spend more time with our furry pals thanks to lockdowns, working from home and limited travel. However, with things opening up again, many of us have less time at home with our beloved cats and dogs.

I for one have had to travel internationally three times in the past two months, meaning I’d need to find a way for caring for Mittens, my little tuxedo cat, while away. Thankfully, there are some clever “pet tech” options to help. I purchased Tech4Pets’s Smart Pet Feeder (4L) before my last trip for added peace of mind. While I had someone come in and check on my cat regularly, I still wanted to be 100% sure that there would always be food in her bowl in case there were any problems. I liked the Tech4Pets Smart Pet Feeder because it did everything I needed without anything I didn’t, and was just $179. You could spend more for feeders with bells and whistles like built in cameras and two way microphones, but I already had security cameras in my flat.

Fits into my decor (left), like the anti-moisture panel (centre), happy cat (right)

The Tech4Pets automatic feeder connects to a home’s Wi-Fi and is controlled by an app. It was quick and easy to set up, but keep in mind that it uses a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection rather than 5GHz. Nearly all home Wi-Fi networks will have a 2.4GHz option, thankfully. 

From the app, I could schedule regular feedings or manually add some biscuits to the attached food tray. And since it has a 4 litre capacity, I could put quite a bit of food into the hopper, which should last for a few weeks. Keep in mind that your food pieces should’t be any larger than 10mm or they might not fit through the system. There’s a bigger unit for that – the 7 liter Tech4Pets Smart Pet Feeder, which is $299, and also comes with a build-in HD camera.

During my travels, I could see the feeder from my security camera and keep an eye on my cat’s comings and goings. When her bowl was empty, I could add some more food in small increments or fill it up entirely.

There’s also a cute little feature where you can record your voice, which plays every time a new portion of food is dispensed. I could see via the camera that my cat became very aware of my voice and would quickly head to the feeder as soon as she heard it, and enjoy an extra treat. There’s also a feeding log so you can keep track of how much your pet has been eating just in case they are on a diet!

Overall, I was happy with the build quality and design of the Tech4Pets Smart Feeder too. The neutral white case fit nicely into my décor, and the sealed top will keep out prying paws. There’s also an anti-moisture packet on the underside of the lid. For those with small dogs, the Tech4Pets Small Pet Feeder should work quite well too, but if you have a larger dog, go bigger and choose the 7 litre model.

Now that I’m back from my travels, I use the smart feeder to keep my cat’s bowl topped up during the day, or if I’m going to be working late. It really helps remove the stress of not being home as much, as at least I can be confident that my cat is well fed while she’s waiting for me to come home and give her lots of pats and under-the-chin scratches.

Tech4Pets has a range of affordable pet products that I’m excited to try out including smart water fountains and treat dispensers, with more options appearing soon. Click here to see the Tech4Pets range, and you can pick one up at JB Hi-Fi.

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Poor mobile coverage the biggest gripe of Australian telco customers: TIO

Poor mobile coverage accounted for almost 40 per cent of complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman last year, as Australians vented their frustration over mobile black spots and drop-outs.

Complaints to the TIO about Australian mobile services reached their highest proportion of overall complaints in five years in 2021/22, growing 20 per cent year-on-year even as the number of complaints fell in other areas. Problems with poor mobile coverage appeared in the top ten issues in all states and territories except for the Australian Capital Territory.

All together, 79,534 complaints were received in the last financial year, a decrease of 33.4 per cent. This was the lowest volume of complaints received by the TIO in more than three years and the largest percentage reduction in a decade.

Complaints involving fault and connection issues continue to make up almost half (49.6%) of the total complaints received. This represents a slight increase from last year, driven by the increased complaints about mobile services.

Issues with connection delays, failing to cancel a service and billing issues improved, with the number of complaints dropping by more than 40 per cent. Complaints about telcos being uncontactable have also decreased considerably, and this is no longer a major issue for residential consumers and small businesses.

As the impact of the pandemic eased, while and fewer premises were connected to the NBN network as the rolllout reached its final stages, internet complaints decreased significantly but this wasn’t reflected in the total complaint numbers for services, says ombudsman Cynthia Gebert.

“Mobile services are essential for things like banking, shopping, accessing health and government services, and connecting socially, and consumers tell us their lives are disrupted when they experience problems with their mobile service,” Gebert says.

“While we’ve seen some great improvements, Australia’s telcos need to do more to resolve complaints about mobile services, including poor mobile coverage, before consumers come to my office for help.”

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Amazon upgrades base Kindle with sharper display for easier reading

A new and improved version of the entry-level Kindle is coming soon, featuring a significant screen quality upgrade and double the storage.

Now in its 11th generation, the new version of Kindle has a glare-free 300 ppi six-inch screen, a big improvement over the previous model’s 167 ppi, which means sharper text and images. You can see the difference between 167 ppi and 300 ppi in our review of the 10th gen Kindle. It also houses double the storage of its predecessor with a 16 GB capacity, room for thousands of books.

Also new to the updated model is dark mode, which adds to the adjustable front light for customisable reading comfort. Amazon refers to the 11th gen model as its lightest and most compact Kindle, weighing in at only 158 grams – compared to 174 grams for the 10th gen – and shaving several millimetres off each side.

Increased battery life is another benefit of the latest Kindle, with a full charge meant to last up to six weeks, an extra two weeks more than the previous version. It’s worth noting this measurement is based on 30 minutes of reading each day with Wi-Fi disabled and the light setting at 13. USB-C charging means you can replenish the battery in two hours using a 9W USB power adapter.

Available in Black or Denim, the new 11th gen Kindle is a bit more expensive than the 10th gen, retailing at $179 compared to $139. Pre-orders are open now, with the new model launching on 12 October across Amazon, JB Hi-Fi and other retailers. Alongside the launch will be new fabric covers, available in Black, Rose, Denim, and Dark Emerald for $49.95 each. Those new to Kindle will also receive three months of Kindle Unlimited, Amazon’s subscription service offering access to over a million eBooks.

Although the 11th gen Kindle comes at an extra cost when compared to previous models, the added features seem like good value for a high-quality reading experience. Better text clarity, longer battery life, and a dark mode are solid additions in our eyes.

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Amaysim gets ready to launch its 5G mobile plan in Australia

Australia’s mobile options are expanding, with Amaysim launching its first 5G plan this November.

A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) running off the Optus network, Amaysim will soon launch a 5G mobile plan to take advantage of the faster network. Available to anyone with a 5G-compatible device, the plan will cost $55 over 28 days. Included in the no lock-in contract is 60 gigabytes (GB) of data, unlimited standard talk and text in Australia, and unlimited standard international calls to 42 locations. For those who don’t get through 60GB within the 28-day cycle, Amaysim also offers unlimited data banking.

Optus continues to offer customers great value 5G on its postpaid and prepaid plans, like the $60 for 60GB prepaid plan, and we are excited to now welcome Amaysim onto the Optus 5G network

Harvey Wright, Optus Head of 5G

You can bring your own number to Amaysim from another provider, or easily swap to the new plan if you’re already with the brand. According to Amaysim, 5G users can expect faster downloads, lower latency, and better capacity to deal with network congestion in densely populated areas.

“5G is without a doubt the next step in mobile technology,” Renee Garner, Head of Amaysim, said. “As such, we’re thrilled to be one of the first MVNOs to offer our Amaysim customers an enhanced mobile experience with access to supercharged download speeds and greater reliability.”

Earlier this year, statistics from mobile performance firm Opensignal showed Optus had the fastest 5G download speeds – an average of 268.8 Mbps while using the network. Conversely, Telstra claimed the fastest 5G upload speeds with an average of 17.7 Mbps, and the fastest overall download speeds across all mobile technology (54.9 Mbps).

Amaysim hasn’t specified an exact November date for its 5G plan launch. Regardless, it won’t be a long wait. More choice and competition are always good for consumers, so we look forward to more 5G plans being available soon.

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Australians can now drive away with the affordable new MG ZS EV cars

MG Motor Australia has launched its new ZS EV range locally, with two mid-sized electric SUV options both priced at less than $50,000.

As announced earlier in the year, the new ZS EV comes in two models: the base level ‘Excite’ ($44,990 drive away), and the premium ‘Essence’ model ($48,990 drive away). Both electric vehicles come equipped with a 50.3kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of up to 320km on a single charge. For comparison, the 2021 ZS EV’s battery tested up to 263km. MG Motor also promises faster charging times, too – up to 80% charge in 54 minutes based on a 50kW combined system.

In addition to the battery improvements, the 2022 ZS EV range houses iSmart, MG Motor’s own app-based system running on AWS cloud servers. This lets drivers update software and control a range of features remotely, including AC control, door locking, navigation, weather updates, Amazon Music streaming, and the ‘find my car’ tool helpful in busy parking lots.

Those who opt for the premium Essence model gain the following extra add-ons over the Excite:

• Front seat heating – driver and passenger
• Panoramic Glass Sunroof with Sunshade and Anti-Trap
• Electrically folding, heated, body colour door mirrors
• Rain sensing wipers
• 6 speaker audio with 3D sound effect
• Blind spot detection
• Roof Rails
• Wireless phone charger
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Synthetic Leather Seats
• Driver’s 6 way electrically adjustable seat

According to MG Motor Australia & New Zealand CEO Peter Ciao, the 2022 ZS EV range is part of the company’s push to make electric vehicles available to more people.

“This past year has been an incredible year for MG,” Ciao said. “In 2021, sales of electric vehicles broke records and MG’s 2021 ZS EV led the charge.”

“We have been successful in offering the Australian market unparalleled value and we are now entering a new phase of our growth with the new ZS EV. This is the first step in our new journey to an electric future that’s here today.”

“With improved range, smart design, superior technology and exceptional performance, the new 2022 MG ZS EV is a real game changer.”

Available now from 83 Australian MG Motor dealerships, the 2022 ZS EV range comes in five colours: Brighton Blue Metallic, York White, Pebble Black, Sloane Silver Metallic, and Diamond Red Metallic. Bear in mind that colours other than black or white cost an extra $700.

MG Motor has also been busy lately supporting electric vehicle charger installation throughout Australia. The company recently partnered with the NSW state government to install up to 3,500 chargers in regional areas at no cost to eligible venues. Additionally, WA is in the process of rolling out 98 publicly available EV chargers.

It’s great to see electric vehicle technology improving and becoming more affordable. Here’s hoping it signals even more affordable and reliable solutions into the future as industries and governments phase out fossil fuels.

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Australian-made EVs could jumpstart local industry, says Tesla chair

Australia’s vast deposits of lithium, along with its skilled workforce, mean the country is well-placed to revive local manufacturing to take advantage of global demand for Australian-made EVs and batteries, says Tesla chair Robyn Denholm.

Speaking at the National Press Club, Denholm said that Australia needs to embrace lithium refining and revive local manufacturing, rather than just shipp raw materials overseas to support the EV boom. 

Global EV sales doubled in the last year, led by China and Europe, and this is expected to accelerate as governments around the world tighten emission standards.

As the world weans itself off fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy, lithium offers Australia the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the clean energy revolution with Australian-made EVs. Local labour costs and Australia’s distance from some export markets would not necessarily make it too costly to manufacture cars and batteries locally, Denholm said.

Tesla produces vehicles in California, which is an expensive place to manufacture goods, yet it still ships them all around the world.

“To me, the fact that we don’t currently have a car manufacturing industry in Australia is actually not a bad thing because we have the skills, and we can retool and get people into advanced manufacturing,” Denholm said.

“Moving up the value chain is important for job creation but it’s also important in terms of the economics that can be yielded with that. And that’s why, from my perspective, the time to act on that is now.”

Denholm also urged the Australian government to follow the example of New Zealand and mandate fuel efficiency standards to drive the uptake of EVs, as well as increase efforts to extend the nation’s vehicle charging infrastructure to meet the coming demand.

“No country has more to gain from the world moving to electric vehicles than Australia,” Denholm said, “we can be a renewable energy superpower.”

More on Electric Vehicles at GadgetGuy.

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Motorola Moto G32: the entertainer (review)

8.2

Packing premium entertainment features into a budget price tag, the Motorola Moto G32 sets a high standard when it comes to affordable Android smartphones.

While some people always want the latest and greatest devices, there’s no need to spend top dollar to get a decent smartphone these days. Especially if you don’t need excessive amounts of grunt to run demanding apps or high-end games.

If your needs are simple, but you don’t want to sacrifice on usability, the Motorola Moto G32 is certainly worth adding to your shortlist when shopping for an affordable smartphone.

Australian website	here
Price	$299
Warranty	1 year
Other	You can read other GadgetGuy Motorola news and reviews here

First impressions

While Motorola makes some great smartphones, the sheer number of handsets it keeps producing can make it quite frustrating when you’re trying to decide on the best one for your pocket. Along with the Razor range, there’s also Motorola’s Edge, One, G and E families to choose from.

With a $299 price tag, the Motorola Moto G32 is close to entry level, on par with the $299 Moto G22 yet still more expensive than the $229 Moto E32. In return, the new Moto G32 focuses its efforts on entertainment. The 6.5-inch display steps up the resolution to Full HD and is accompanied by stereo speakers which support Dolby Atmos sound – great for watching your favourite streaming services on the go.

All of this combines to make a decent first impression, offering a bright, crisp IPS LCD screen on a smartphone which sits comfortably in your hand. The 20:9 aspect ratio makes it quite tall, but not as unwieldy as the very tall Moto G51 5G.

The screen’s white balance is quite cool and the colours a tad saturated, because the Display is set to “Saturated” by default, but you can easily change this to “Natural” if you wish.

The handset features volume and power buttons along the right-hand edge, with the latter doubling as a fingerprint reader to unlock the device (or you can use Android’s Face Unlock). Along the bottom of the phone you’ll find a USB-C charge port and a speaker, so the phone can produce stereo sound when held sideways. There’s also a 3.5 mm headphone jack, with earbuds included in the box. 

Around the back you’ll find a rear triple camera array consisting of a 50 MP primary lens, 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro. On the front, there’s a 16 MP selfie camera.

As with many of Motorola’s current handsets, the Moto G32 comes with a basic transparent protective case. It offers some impact protection, but doesn’t seem as robust as something like a Tech 21 case. Still, it’s good to have a case right out of the box.

Remove the case and you reveal the plastic unibody chassis, which looks good but naturally doesn’t quite have the premium feel of higher end models.

The Motorola G32 packs a big screen into a small price tag.

Motorola Moto G32 Specs

Display size	6.5 inch, 2400×1080 pixel
Display technology	LCD, 90 Hz refresh rate
Dimensions	161.78 × 73.84 × 8.49 mm
Weight	184 gm
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G
CPU	2.4 GHz octa-core Kryo 265
RAM	4 GB
GPU	1115 MHz Adreno 610
Storage	128 GB
Expansion	microSDXC (up to 1 TB)
OS	Android 12
Ruggedness	IP52
Rear Cameras	50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 0.64 µm, Quad Pixel technology for 1.28 µm PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12 µm 2 MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm (macro)
Front camera	16 MP, f/2.4, 1.0 µm, Quad Pixel technology for 2.0 µm
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Bluetooth	5.2
Security	Fingerprint reader
Ports	USB Type-C 2.0, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Battery	Li-Po 5000 mAh, TurboPower 30 charging
Bands	2G/ 3G/ 4G LTE
SIM	Dual SIM (2 Nano SIMs + 1 microSD)
Colours	Satin Silver, Mineral Gray

Motorola Moto G32 Features

The Motorola Moto G32 ships with Android 12, with minimal bloatware. As you’d expect, the handset makes a few sacrifices to keep the price down, but this might not bother you depending on what you value in a phone.

For starters, the handset supports 4G LTE mobile phone networks but can’t take advantage of Australia’s fastest 5G networks – unlike the $399 Moto G 62 5G (the Moto G32 is practically a 4G version of that handset).

To be fair, 4G is still pretty fast and, if you’re shopping in this price range, you’re probably looking to pair the phone with a 4G mobile service rather than pay extra for 5G.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chip and 4 GB of RAM under the bonnet are enough to handle day-to-day tasks, but it’s certainly not for people who like to push their handsets to the limit.

Multimedia is where the Moto G32 really shines, thanks to that large, crisp display and Dolby Atmos for making the most of the high-end audio found in streaming services like Netflix.

Another sacrifice is that the handset offers 90 Hz refresh rate, whereas some of Motorola’s more expensive handsets take this up to 120 Hz. Again, to be fair, 90 Hz still offers very smooth scrolling and you’d need an eye for detail to really appreciate the improvement of 120 Hz. 

The phone will certainly keep you entertained for a long time, with a generous 5000 mAh battery ensuring that, if you don’t push it too hard, you should be able to go 2 days before recharging. Support for TurboPower 30 charging ensures you can get a few hours worth of charge in just a few minutes and a full recharge in less than 90 minutes.

The three rear camers offer plenty of shooting options, although low-light performance is underwhelming.

Quality

As you’d expect, the GeekBench 5 benchmarks don’t set the world on fire. The handset scores 377 on the CPU single core test and 1601 on the multi-core. That’s about what you’d expect considering the price tag and what’s under the bonnet, putting it in similar territory to the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G.

When it comes to photography, 50 MP might sound like a lot of pixels, but keep in mind that it’s a relatively small sensor with small pixels. This means that photos taken in good light are reasonable but it can struggle in low-light conditions. The phone incorporates Quad Pixel technology to improve low light photos, but the results are still underwhelming.

GadgetGuy’s take

The Motorola Moto G32 is a solid budget handset which offers the benefits of a big screen and long battery life. It understandably makes a few sacrifices to keep the price tag down, but you might not mind as long as you’re not looking for a powerhouse device or 5G mobile data speeds.

If you want a big screen but your needs are simple, the Moto G32 might be a good fit – but make sure you weigh it up against the rest of Motorola’s low to mid-range handsets.

Motorola Moto G32: the entertainer (review)

Packing a big screen into a small price tag, the Motorola Moto G32 might be a good fit for your pocket if your needs are simple.

Features

8

Value for money

8.5

Performance

7.5

Ease of use

9

Design

8

Positives

Big, bright 90 Hz screen

Stereo speakers

Long battery life

Negatives

No 5G

Only 4 GB of RAM

Underwhelming low-light photography

8.2

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