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Articles by Melissa Fitzgerald
WHAT'S NEXT | Kirkus Reviews
A blissfully vicarious, heartfelt glimpse into the life of a Manhattan burlesque dancer. A former New York City dancer reflects on her zesty heyday in the 1970s. Discovered on a Manhattan street in 2020 and introduced on Stanton’s Humans of New York Instagram page, Johnson, then 76, shares her dynamic history as a “fiercely independent” Black burlesque dancer who used the stage name Tanqueray and became a celebrated fixture in midtown adult theaters.
ASUS Reveals It’s New Gaming AeroActive Cooler X
Just in time for summer, ASUS introduced a new the ROG AeroActive Cooler X, which is a compact device that provides thermoelectric cooling and console-like buttons to elevate gaming experiences, while being 29% smaller and 10% lighter than previous models. The new cooling accessory was designed for the ROG Phone 8 series, including the ROG Phone 8 and ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Samsung Offers Android OS Updates To Compete With Big Players
It’s a win for smartphone consumers everywhere that multiple big brands are offering several years of operating system updates with the latest being Samsung who is joining Google and Apple. The company has guaranteed at least seven generations of Android updates and seven years of security patches for the Galaxy S24. This is a big leap for the Southern Korea phone maker as it presently only gives users four years of OS updates for the Galaxy S23 and other select Samsung handsets.
Disney+ Adding 3D Movies To Apple Vision Pro Soon
Next month Disney+ said it will be adding 3D movies to the Apple Vision Pro VR headset’s lineup and a select number of films will be in High Frame Rate too. Dozens of movies will be added to the new device including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Avengers: Endgame, but additional movies and series will be introduced soon.
Amazon Could Release A Paid Version Of Alexa Soon
Until now, Amazon has not turned Alexa into a cash cow and instead its more of a money pit losing much of the $3 billion in just one quarter in 2022, but now the Business Insider has claimed that that’s all about to change with the launch of a paid version of Alexa as of June 30 to help counterbalance expenses.
Google To Kill 17 Features From Assistant This Month
In a recent blog post, Google revealed it would remove 17 features from its Assistant by January 26 in the effort to increase the “quality and reliability” of the service, enabling it to be “easier to use Assistant across devices.” If after the kill date a user attempts to use the feature, a notification will pop stating that they are no longer available. As reported by 9to5Google, here is what is being removed: “Controlling audiobooks on Google Play Books by voice is out.
TCL's 2024 Dolby Atmos Soundbars Revealed -
TCL North America is set to release a new line of soundbars in 2024, inclusive of a high-end Dolby Atmos model. The new range will compete with LG, Samsung, and Sony’s premium soundbars. Because the new form factors are said to offer enhanced TV audio and music performance, products such as the new TCL soundbar line, Sony’s 360 speakers and Apple’s HomePod could increase growth in the soundbar sector and entice buyers to purchase.
Xbox Game Pass Reveals New January Lineup
Microsoft has announced Xbox Game Pass will soon be offering a fresh new lineup of games including the popular “Those Who Remain” and “Turnip Boy Robs a Bank” starting at the end of January and into early February 2024. Another game new to the list is “F1 23” to the Game Pass, which has been given a high score of 8/10 from IGN. From January 18th and on, gamers can race for themselves on this new title which reviewers have said has comprehensive content and a new loot-based upgrade system.
FiiO CP13 Cassette Deck Reminds Me Of My Old School Sony Walkman
What is old is new again with vinyl records making a comeback and now the latest release from FiiO CP13, a Cassette Deck that looks like its straight out of the 80’s. The cassette resurgence in Australia may be less popular than the renaissance vinyl is having, but according to a Music Network report, cassettes are projected to gain traction with artists like Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue, AC/DC, and Metallica add their music to retro cassettes.
Belkin Battery Clip Coming Soon For Upcoming Apple Vision Pro
Belkin has revealed it will be manufacturing an official external battery clip allowing users to attach the battery for Apple’s latest Vision Pro headset to their clothing instead of carrying it in their hands or pockets. With the new battery clip, individuals can use the Vision Pro on the go and attach the battery of the device to their clothing for easy access.
Kayo Sports To Offer 4K Streaming To Fans
From the end of February, Kayo Sports is inviting fans to choose from new streamlined subscription packages inclusive of 4K streaming of its most popular sports. With the introduction of 4K streaming, Kayo Sports will also adjust subscription pricing starting next month inclusive of two packages, a $25 and $35 option. Kayo One is $25 per month and offers 50-plus sports in High Definition.
LG’s New Apps Bring Baby Shark & High-End Art To Its Smart TVs
LG has revealed it will be launching several new apps and new content surrounding lifestyle, education, and personal growth that will be found on its webOS-based smart TVs. The South Korean electronics giant said it is hopeful that the slew of new apps, platforms, and features will “meet users’ specific preferences and interests” and help enhance “various lifestyles with fun and enjoyment,” the LG press release said.
New WebOS Update Brings Chromecast To Older LG OLED TVs
LG Electronics will include Chromecast in the forthcoming webOS upgrade for OLED TVs from 2022. As of now, 2023 has not yet been confirmed. LG will begin upgrading webOS in TVs once it is purchased and the models to be upgraded are the 2022 OLED A2, B2, C2, CS, G2 and Z2. With Chromecast, users have the ability to share music, videos and other media content from a smartphone, tablet or PC onto the TV screen. Currently, LG TVs support Apple’s Airplay.
Pawport Reveals How To Smarten Up Existing Pet Doors at CES
The unique Pawport motorized pet door cover has been showcased at CES 2024 and is made for animal lovers that want to protect their homes with the product stays closed until the door automatically opens when a pet wearing the connected collar tag approaches. Pawport is programmed with its accompanying smartphone app and was designed to ensure a pet owners home remain secure by allowing users to control the door remotely.
ASUS Showcases Wearable Display AirVision M1 At CES
This year in Las Vegas ASUS has introduced a new wearable display named AirVision M1. Asus’ high-tech eyewear is the latest answer to a wearable display, and it can produce multiple virtual screens, allowing the user to toggle between different screens and tasks. The innovative eyewear is armed with an FHD (1,920 x 1,080) Micro OLED display that is said to have a 57-degree vertical perspective field of view.
LG Display Says Its New MLA OLED TV Panel Reaches 3000 Nits
LG Display introduced its 2nd generation of its MLA OLED (Micro Lens Array) TV panel that it said will max out up to 3000 nits peak brightness. The new panel will be coming out later this year. The MLA OLED TV panel from LG will rival Samsung Display’s recent newcomer to its QD-OLED TV panel line that the company says can reach the same number of nits, which is also coming out this year.
Swann Unveils Long Range Outdoor Wireless Camera At CES
Swann has a hot new solar camera that is being shown off at CES. As seen below with the new CEO Alex Talevski, ChannelNews had a hands on look at the new MaxRanger 4K Wi Fi camera that has exceptional range while still delivering a high-quality image. In Las Vegas, Swann is showcasing a broad range of security solutions from video doorbells to wireless cameras and more with many of the solutions enhanced with AI.
Acer Announces New AI-Centric Swift Go 14 Laptop -
Acer announced the release of a new laptop in the Acer Swift Go 14 line, the 14-inch SFG14-72, which has an integrated Intel Arc GPU and Intel Core Ultra processors that boast Intel AI Boost. The new AI Boost is said to enable the laptop to act like a “dedicated AI engine” and AI-powered resources. Ideal for gaming or content creation, the new laptop has Arc GPU and provides next-generation performance with the new Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor.
Next-Gen Wi-Fi 7 To Arrive Early 2024
The first Wi-Fi 7 certified devices will be available as early as the first quarter of 2024, according to Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology and is said to be speedier with a lower latency and more reliable. “Wi-Fi Certified 7, based on IEEE 802.11be technology, will be available before the end of Q1 2024,” the Wi-Fi Alliance said.
Kia To Reveal 5 New Concept Cars Next Month At CES
The Korean automaker Kia announced it will showcase its sustainable mobility strategies called ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ with five new concept vehicles at the CES tech show in January. With the new strategy, Kia has set out to inject innovation into the ‘Purpose-Built vehicle’ (PBV) with experience-based benefits.
Google Shares Fix For Drive Glitch & Missing Files
Google has offered a fix for users of their Google Drive cloud offering who claim that they have lost files, including ‘months of important data’. Affected users claim that their files could not be located, while others said important documents have been vanishing on a regular basis.
Are Amazon Echo Frames Worth $588?
Amazon decided to opt out of including visual augmented reality features or adding a camera for its new Echo Frames line, including the new Carrera Cruiser model (3rd generation), but instead focused on making stylish-looking glasses that are lighter and include Alexa and open-ear headphones.
Acer Previews New Carbon Neutral Vero Laptop Line
Acer announced a new carbon-neutral, cutting-edge Aspire Vero laptop line that follows international carbon footprint calculation and neutrality standards. Pricing and availability for the first laptop in the line, the Aspire Vero 16 (AV16-51P), is expected to be revealed next month at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
Alphabet Reveals New ChatGPT Competitor, Gemini
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has entered the AI market with its own cutting-edge artificial intelligence model named Gemini, which is said to distil information from various sources such as video, audio, and text. Google also said it has better sophisticated reasoning inclusive of understanding nuance. “This new era of models represents one of the biggest science and engineering efforts we’ve undertaken as a company,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said.
REVIEW: Is The Galaxy S23 FE Worth $1,000?
Rating 8 Smartphones are becoming increasingly homogenous, but despite the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE looking eerily similar to the latest iPhone, it's still a good option for the cost. It has all the features you would expect, with the camera being one of the best features. Between the stabiliser and the quality of the photos, any amateur can take a photo, and the S23 FE significantly improves images with the inbuilt AI optimisation.
Amazon Launches “Q” AI Chatbot
A year after OpenAI disrupted the tech market with ChatGPT, Amazon launched a chatbot called “Q”. The bot is powered by artificial intelligence, and Amazon says that businesses can use Q to sum up pages of content, group calls, and other communication which would augment overall productivity.
Google Home Gains New Features & Nest Cam Support
Google Home will release new camera features and support for the Nest Cam Outdoor soon with updates limited to Public Preview users only. One of the biggest releases is the first-generation Nest Cam Outdoor support, which should drop in the next couple weeks and let operators use device in Google Home. There’s also access to an updated camera history interface. Beyond these updates, Google is granting users the alternative to generate and download custom clips using their video history.
Loewe Unveils New Bespoke Options For Iconic TV
Skip to content Loewe had already introduced the Iconic, a 4K OLED TV made of Syno-Stone, a premium recycled material, but now has added two new stand colours, white and bronze, as well as three new Syno-Stone finishes including marble, dust, and sand. To conclude the design update, Loewe gave three soundbar fabric options: grey, black, and bronze. Buyers can also decide on an array of new side inlays in various colours, materials, and finishes.
Motorola Launches New g84 5G Model For $399
Motorola launched a new mid-tier 5G smartphone, the moto g84 5G, which has a 6.5” ultrawide display with Full HD+ resolution, crystal clear audio through Dolby Atmos, and Spatial Sound, priced at a budget-conscious $399. The new g54 was launched in Australia simultaneously as the brand celebrates the 10th anniversary of the moto g line. Additionally, Motorola has designed the smartphone for the first time with the 2023 Pantone Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta (pictured above).
YouTube’s Ad Blocker Crackdown Heats Up
YouTube is taking a new approach to its crackdown on ad-blockers by delaying the start of videos for users attempting to avoid ads. There were also complaints by various X (formerly Twitter) users who said that YouTube would not even let a video play until the ad blocker was disabled or the user purchased a YouTube Premium subscription. Instead of an ad, some sources using Firefox and Edge browsers have reported waiting around five seconds before the video launches the content.
OpenAI Launches Free ChatGPT Voice Feature Amid CEO Turmoil
Amidst CEO drama and internal disruptions, OpenAI dropped the cost associated with ChatGPT’s voice feature, which lets users use a voice prompt to ask questions to the chatbot, like Siri. The feature was originally released in September for paying customers but is now free. OpenAI announced ChatGPT’s voice feature on its X (formerly Twitter) account, sharing that users can now tap the headphones icon to speak with ChatGPT in the mobile app, rewarding users with an audible response.
Lenovo & EPOS Sign Audio Solutions Deal
Lenovo has paired up with EPOS, an audio technology leader, to collaborate on high-quality audio solutions designed for business use, inclusive of a hybrid work environment, resulting in the launch of two Lenovo EPOS co-branded headsets. With the new agreement, EPOS is now Lenovo’s global audio partner for PC audio accessories. EPOS will also be included in Lenovo’s 3rd party program, offering consumers a wide selection of audio devices from a single source.
Apple Vision Pro Releasing In March
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Vision Pro is expected to release ‘sometime around March,’ which appears to be a likely timeframe for the pricey headset. Gurman said Apple had previously planned to launch the Vision Pro in January 2024, but the company is not ready to meet that deadline, instead adjusting its distribution plans while it finalises testing.
Amazon’s Free AI Classes Launch To Train & Attract Workers
By 2025, Amazon aims to upskill two million people on basic to advanced AI skills with new classes named “AI Ready” as the competition over attracting and retaining skilled workers heats up against competitors such as Microsoft and Google.
Belkin's Best Black Friday Tech Deals -
With Black Friday coming up, Belkin has released discounts on some of its most popular products, all under $200, great for consumers on a budget. From November 20th, the following deals are available for Christmas shoppers or those looking for a great holiday bargain. 50% off the BoostCharge Pro Portable Fast Charger for Apple Watch – On Sale for A$ 49.97 (RRP A$ 99.95), the Portable Fast Charger uses the new magnetic fast charging module that delivers 33% faster charging for Apple Watch Series 8.
Motorola Black Friday Deals Revealed, Save Up To 50%
Motorola has revealed its 2023 Black Friday deals, with many available now and huge savings on its most popular phones. Lucky shoppers will save as much as 50% on Moto’s best smartphones this year. Tech is always a popular retail segment for holiday deals, but Motorola is offering their deals early, with now a great time to upgrade your device. Some of the best deals is the 50% off the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion, and 30% off the Motorola Edge 40.
ALDI Starts Holidays Early With Black Wednesday Sale
Starting November 22 and lasting till November 25, ALDI is bringing back its yearly Black Wednesday Special Buys sale for 2023, which will include a bevy of bargains from a 7Ultra high definition 70” 4K UHD Smart TV with WebOS for $629 to a Lenovo 10.61” M10 Plus Tablet for $199. To maximise their foot traffic, other new sales will be released in store on Saturday, November 25, as the ALDI sale continues.
REVIEW: New Moto Phone Has Premium Features & Cheap Pricetag
Rating 8.5 The moto g54 impressed me with its price point because it still offers 5G, sharp photos, 3 years of security updates, and stellar battery life. It also has a premium design, but still durable enough to withstand unintended spills.
New xMEMS Micro Speaker Uses Navy Sonar Tech
It’s an industry first for xMEMS, which is launching their new Cypress MEMS micro speaker, which can be used within noise-cancelling earbuds, and is replacing century-old coil speakers by employing sonar technology that is claimed to achieve a 40X louder bass response, and a 140dB low-frequency sound pressure level (SPL).
Beware Of Black Friday Deals: Study Finds 1.4M Aussies Scammed
In a new study commissioned by ING, 92% of Black Friday shoppers say they will be vigilant not to fall prey to scams, as a projected 1.4 million have formerly been ripped off during the mega shopping period.
Samsung One UI 6 Added To 30 Devices In 45 Days
Skip to content By next month roughly 30 Galaxy smartphones will get One UI 6 with Android 14, according to a community manager at Samsung. The Galaxy S23 flagships have previously had the update, but the number of qualifying smartphones looks like it will soon quickly be expanding. The full list with potential release dates: This is the release calendar for devices in Europe only, however, the updates tend to come out in a similar timeframe.
Optoma Launches Eco 4K Gaming & Media Projector
Optoma is launching a new UHZ66 home entertainment and gaming projector boasting a peak brightness of 4,000 lumens, offers a lifespan of over 30,000 hours without any lamp changes, equivalent to roughly 15,000 movies.
Samsung Ramps Up A-Series Smartphone With $249 Model
Samsung Electronics Australia has released its new affordable and sleek line of Galaxy A05s smartphones starting at $249, and offering several key features such as an improved 50MP high-resolution primary camera, and powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon4 680 with enhanced CPU and GPU capabilities. The new line of the Galaxy A05s could work well for any consumer with a budget, but especially as a child’s first phone with the back-to-school season approaching.
The Wait Is Over: ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ Out Next Month
Rockstar Games said it will begin promoting its new Grand Theft Auto game next month and plans to deliver a trailer for the latest release in its wildly popular series next month. The company, which is part of the division of Take-Two Interactive Software, is releasing the game commercial to coincide with Rockstar’s 25th anniversary, according to the company’s president, Sam Houser. “We look forward to many more years of sharing these experiences with all of you,” he said.
Samsung Unveils Galaxy S Pen Creator Edition
Samsung has released a new thicker, and textured premium stylus, the Galaxy S Pen Creator Edition, which it announced during the launch of the Galaxy Tab S9 series of tablets recently. Available in the U.S. for $99 US, there has not been any mention of rolling out the new pen to Australia, but Samsung just began releasing the pen in markets starting with South Korea, now U.S., and soon it looks like other Western markets are up next.
YouTube Doubles Fee In Select Markets
YouTube Premium’s price is increasing within several countries, including Australia, some of Europe, and parts of South America. On Reddit, one user shared their YouTube Premium price went from $30 to $42 per month for a Family plan beginning on November 30th. Another user said they were informed of a €6 increase, making the Family plan cost €24 per month in Germany. Whereas in Argentina, users have said they are facing a hard-to-swallow 100% raise in pricing.
ChatGPT Store Coming, As OpenAI Hits 100M Users
OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is taking a similar approach to when Apple released the iOS App Store by releasing a new marketplace with tools called GPTs that can be customised for specific applications making it similar to a digital platform such as iOS or Android.
Consumers Urged To Shop Around For Broadband Deals
NBN retailers have been put on notice that they have to be upfront with consumers about recent retail price changes with carriers such as Telstra, Optus, and Vodaphone, who have been told that they need to be more transparent by offering different plans for households. The move to aggressively go after carriers and retailers of NBN products was initiated after the ACCC accepted changes to NBN’s regulatory commitments.
Windows Rolls Out Major AI Update & New Features
Microsoft released a new update to Windows 11 with the incorporation of Copilot, which acts as an AI assistant to complete various tasks. Changes have also been made to Teams, Paint, and the Snipping Tool, making the tools more intuitive. The new update brings the operating system to version 23H2 and allows users to fully experience Copilot, which should be toggled on by default.
Dell Monitors Just Got Sharper & Faster
Dell’s expansion of its UltraSharp series includes four new models, all of which come with a faster refresh rate of 120Hz, with some of the new monitors pairing easily with Teams or Zoom. The new lineup features the world’s first 23.8-inch, 27-inch, and 34-inch video conferencing monitors that are certified for both Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
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