As Apple ditches the headphone jack, the sound quality of Lightning audio gear depends on its Digital to Analogue Converter. Apple is painting the loss of the analogue headphones jack as a great leap forward, but “digital sound” doesn’t automatically mean great sound. The digital signal coming out of the iPhone’s Lightning port still needs… More
If you’re using the same password for multiple online services then you might be handing hackers the keys to your business. Coming up with a new password each time you sign up for a new service can be a hassle, but not as much of a hassle as dealing with a digital break-in. If you’re… More
In a period that will span just over a fortnight, Apple will have released major software updates for its smartphones and tablets (iOS 10), wearables (watchOS3), Apple TV set top box (tvOS 10) and Apple Macs (macOS Sierra, technically Mac OS 10.12). The latter three were all released in Australia on the 14th of September,… More
We’re not all blessed with lightning fast broadband but there are a few tricks for staying productive when you’re stuck in the slow lane. The National Broadband Network is slowly making its way across the country, but the patchwork nature of the roll-out means that it could still be years before it reaches your office… More
As expected, Apple used its 7 September event to formally announce the iPhone 7, its latest premium priced and mostly-premium-specification smartphone. It has a powerful processor, either one or two embedded cameras, depending on whether you opt for the standard or plus version of the iPhone 7. They’ve added water resistance, and a unique home… More
Don’t expect miracles, but noise-cancelling headphones can certainly help buy you some peace and quiet while you’re up in the air. It’s important to appreciate up front that noise-cancelling headphones don’t offer a Maxwell Smart-style cone of silence. They can’t completely block out the world, instead they’re designed to dull the roar of constant background… More
If you’re using a current generation smartphone, or even a reasonably current Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to the Internet while you’re out and about, you’ll be doing so over networks with 4G connectivity potential, whether your provider of choice is Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, or any of the many mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that trade… More
With a single giant button labelled “Video call”, Google’s new app makes it simple for anyone to talk to their friends face to face. Available for Android and Apple devices, Google Duo is one of the most simplistic mobile apps you’ll ever come across. You might be disappointed with its limitations compared to other communications… More
There was a time when phones — even smartphones — came with teensy tiny screens, not capable of much more than reading a few thin lines on web pages, but certainly ill advised for any kind of productivity work. Even within the theoretically “productivity-centric” phone space, and I’m thinking here of near-moribund brands such as… More
As more Australians switch off broadcast television in favour of broadband video, PVRs like the Fetch TV Mighty are the key to winning them back. To be fair Australian free-to-air television isn’t on death’s door just yet, but the long-term trends don’t look good. We less spend time watching broadcast television each year, especially younger… More
