Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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Xiaomi Buds 5, Flagship Noise Cancel Wireless Earbuds, Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certification, 38h Playback, Fast Charging, BT5.4, Harman AudioFEX Tuning, Ergo-Comfort Wearing, 4.2g(Titan Gray)
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T-fun NC35 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, 360° Spatial Audio with Head Tracking, Over Ear Headphones Wireless Bluetooth 5.3, 55H ANC Playtime, Deep Bass, Custom EQ via App, for Travel Home
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Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 Smart Earbuds with Bluetooth 5.4, Crystal-Clear Sound, Comfortable Design, 30-Hour Battery Life, Adaptive ANC, LE Audio and Auracast – White Silver
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JBL Wave Flex, JBL Deep Bass Sound, Comfortable fit, Up to 32 (8h + 24h) total hours of battery life with speed charging, Stay aware of your surrounding, Hands-free calls with VoiceAware, Black
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Noise Buds N1 in-Ear Truly Wireless Earbuds with Chrome Finish, 40H of Playtime, Quad Mic with ENC, Ultra Low Latency(up to 40 ms), Instacharge(10 min=120 min), BT v5.3(Carbon Black)
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CMF by Nothing Buds 2 Wireless Earbuds, 48dB Hybrid ANC, Dirac Opteo Hi-Fi Sound, Ultra Bass 2.0, 6 HD Mics with Clear Voice 3.0, IP55 Waterproof, Bluetooth Earphones with Dual Connection, Orange
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Virgin Australia has undertaken a major step in digital innovation by implementing Confluent Kafka to enable real-time data processing throughout its operations. The airline is enhancing customer-oriented services like live flight notifications, baggage tracking, and automated passenger recovery by transitioning from outdated batch processing systems to Kafka’s event streaming technology.
At the center of this evolution is the Flight State Engine (FSE), a real-time data conduit that acts as the definitive source for flight status. By aggregating data from multiple internal and third-party sources, FSE processes and organizes information in real-time — essential due to intermittent connectivity at certain regional airports across Australia. This system guarantees precise and timely flight updates for passengers as well as operational personnel.
The FSE was originally developed on Oracle’s now-defunct SOA platform and has been migrated to Kafka technology. This transition enhances reliability and scalability while aligning with Virgin’s initiative towards cloud-native frameworks.
New functionalities in the Virgin Australia mobile application, including the “Journey Tracker” and baggage tracking, now leverage event streams. The Journey Tracker provides passengers with immediate updates on gate alterations, delays, and other pertinent flight details. Simultaneously, real-time baggage tracking informs users when their luggage is loaded onto the plane and when it’s ready for collection at the carousel — with notifications precisely timed to alert users when to approach the baggage area.
Flight cancellations are no longer synonymous with lengthy lines or customer service delays. Virgin Australia has introduced an Automated Passenger Recovery (APR) solution, which utilizes Kafka to identify disruptions and automatically rebook impacted passengers. Notifications are sent through the app, allowing passengers to accept new bookings or consider alternatives — all in real-time.
Kafka is also streamlining backend operations such as the generation of passenger manifests. Virgin reports that this process now operates up to 40 seconds faster, which aids in reducing turnaround times and expedites flight departures. In aviation, every second matters, and this enhancement contributes to improved punctuality and customer satisfaction.
Kafka’s cloud-native functionality is empowering Virgin Australia to accommodate emerging use cases like real-time analytics. The analytics team is beginning to utilize Kafka to access transactional data that was previously confined to various systems, unlocking new possibilities for data-informed decision-making.
Virgin Australia’s adoption of Confluent Kafka exemplifies how cutting-edge data streaming technologies are transforming the airline sector. From real-time updates and baggage tracking to automated flight rebooking, Kafka is assisting Virgin in providing an enriched, real-time customer experience while enhancing operational flexibility. As the airline continues to develop its digital ecosystem, Kafka is set to play an increasingly vital role in data-driven innovation.
Confluent Kafka is a distributed event streaming platform that facilitates real-time data processing. Virgin Australia employs it to supersede outdated batch processing infrastructures, allowing for live updates and quicker operational responses.
The FSE is a Kafka-driven data pipeline that consolidates, purifies, and organizes flight data from multiple sources. It delivers an authoritative perspective on flight status for both passengers and personnel.
The application incorporates real-time features like Journey Tracker and baggage tracking. These services provide immediate updates to passengers regarding gate adjustments, delays, and baggage conditions utilizing Kafka event streams.
APR is a Kafka-driven system that identifies flight cancellations and automatically rebooks impacted travelers. Passengers receive alerts and can either accept the new itinerary or modify the options through the app.
Kafka decreases the time required to produce passenger manifests and optimizes the flow of data between systems. This results in expedited flight preparation and better on-time performance.
Absolutely, Kafka supports cloud-native structures and real-time analytics, enabling Virgin Australia to expand its digital offerings and merge additional use cases such as predictive insights.
Kafka is capable of processing data from systems with unreliable internet connections, such as those in remote airports, ensuring that passengers continue to receive accurate and timely updates regardless of their location.
Considering the evident advantages in improving passenger experiences and operational efficiency, it is probable that other airlines will implement similar real-time data streaming technologies soon.
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Meta has officially engaged in the competitive landscape of mobile AI assistants by releasing its standalone Meta AI app, aiming to compete with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, among others. Utilizing the innovative Llama 4 large language model, the app transitions Meta’s AI from social media to a specialized, voice-oriented experience. Australians are among the initial users globally to enjoy its comprehensive features, including unique tools that are not yet accessible elsewhere.
The Meta AI app is fundamentally centered around voice interactions, striving to replicate the natural rhythm of human dialogue. Powered by the Llama 4 model, the assistant provides contextually relevant, insightful responses that resemble conversing with an actual person rather than entering commands into a chatbot. Meta asserts that the model has undergone notable enhancements in conversational memory, comprehension, and tonal adjustment.
Australia is among the first nations to pilot Meta’s full-duplex voice demonstration. This feature allows the AI to engage in simultaneous dialogue with users, creating a natural, fluid exchange—much like real conversations—as opposed to the turn-taking format commonly employed by most AI assistants at present. Though still experimental and lacking real-time web connectivity, it represents a significant advancement toward genuine interactions.
Meta AI has the capability to conduct real-time web searches during discussions, delivering current answers, suggestions, and brief overviews. This distinguishes it from many competitors that depend solely on pre-existing data.
Users can navigate the Discover feed to see how others are utilizing Meta AI. This includes trending prompts, innovative concepts, and editable content that make interactions both effective and enjoyable.
Meta AI facilitates the generation and modification of images via text or voice commands, all within the chat interface. This encompasses stylized art, lifelike images, and real-time edits—perfect for both content creators and casual users.
Australians are once again among the first to experiment with Meta’s document creation and analysis features. Users have the ability to craft text/image documents, export them as PDFs, and even import files for summaries or insights, all in the AI ecosystem.
Users of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses will discover that the Meta AI app replaces the older Meta View app. Settings, connected devices, and retained media will transition to a new ‘Devices’ tab. This integration enhances user experience—enabling conversations to commence on their glasses and continue later on their phone or online.
The Meta AI web application (meta.ai) is now synchronized with the mobile interface. It features the same voice interaction abilities, Discover feed, and enhanced image creation tools. Document generation and analysis—presently being trialed in Australia—are also available through the web platform.
The app includes a customizable ‘Ready to talk’ feature for hands-free voice activation. This is ideal for users multitasking or utilizing wearable technology. The app can be downloaded for free and is available now in app stores.
Australia has been selected as a key testing ground for Meta’s most advanced functionalities, such as full-duplex voice and document management. This early access highlights Meta’s commitment to the Australian audience and its intent to gather real-world insights for global refinement.
With this application, Meta endeavors to integrate AI throughout its ecosystem—from mobile and web platforms to wearable technology. The aim is to create a unified experience where users can engage with Meta AI seamlessly across all devices and interfaces, preserving context at all times.
Meta’s innovative AI app represents a significant advancement in the ongoing race for AI assistants. Emphasizing voice interaction, real-time search capabilities, image editing, and document management, it aspires to serve as a comprehensive tool for productivity and creativity. With Australia steering the trial phase for crucial features, local users are positioned at the forefront of the next advancement in digital assistance. The integration with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and an advanced web interface positions Meta AI as a genuinely cross-platform solution.
The Meta AI app is an independent application utilizing the Llama 4 model to provide sophisticated voice-first AI interactions. It sets itself apart by emphasizing real-time vocal conversations, web search integration, image editing, and pioneering features like document management and full-duplex voice available in Australia.
Full-duplex voice enables the AI to listen and talk simultaneously, emulating authentic human dialogue. This enhances the natural and fluidity of interactions compared to traditional sequential responses.
Certainly, Meta AI replaces the Meta View app, providing direct integration with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Users can initiate conversations on their glasses and continue them via the app or the web.
Yes, downloading and utilizing the app is entirely free. It offers customizable options, including the hands-free voice activation feature.
Users in Australia receive early access to pioneering full-duplex voice and document management features. These capabilities enable them to generate PDFs and analyze documents directly through the AI platform.
Currently, the Meta AI app requires an internet connection for most functionalities, including web searches, voice recognition, and document management.
The Discover feed showcases trending prompts and usage examples shared by the community. Users can explore, remix, and utilize these prompts to enhance their own interactions with the AI.
The Meta AI app is accessible for download on both iOS and Android app stores. For additional information, please visit meta.ai.
For further tech news and updates throughout Australia, check out techbest.com.au.
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
JBL Wave Buds, JBL Deep Bass Sound, Comfortable fit, Up to 32 (8h + 24h) total hours of battery life with speed charging, Stay aware of your surrounding, Hands-free calls with VoiceAware, Black
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
Melbourne Airport is making significant investments in cyber detection and response systems to protect 30 million passenger journeys annually. Cheuk Wong, the Head of Cyber Security, highlighted the necessity of transparency across the entire tech ecosystem, which includes internal IT infrastructures, baggage handling processes, and public Wi-Fi scenarios.
Wong noted that visibility is critical; without it, protective strategies are nearly impossible to enforce. The data collected is routed to a third-party Security Operations Centre (SOC) that watches for potential threats and aids in incident management. This method has proven essential as cyber threats are on the rise and airports are increasingly seen as prime targets.
Since Wong joined Melbourne Airport in 2018, he has directed a compact yet proficient cyber security group integrated into the broader technology department. Over the past six years, he has been instrumental in developing a nimble cyber security strategy that adjusts to emerging threats. Wong reiterates that grasping the evolving risk landscape is vital for both responsive and anticipatory security strategies.
Continuous evaluation and flexibility ensure that Melbourne Airport’s cyber policy is perpetually evolving. As Wong states, “Without understanding the prevailing environment, how can effective protection be achieved?” Visibility enables the team to not only react to incidents but also forecast potential future challenges.
Realising the constraints of traditional data analysis, Melbourne Airport has implemented artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its detection capabilities. Initially focusing on email security, AI resources now survey the larger email environment, scrutinizing conversation trends and sender activities to pinpoint threats such as phishing.
Wong compares the task to “searching for a needle in a haystack,” especially as data volumes surge with ongoing digital innovations. AI aids in filtering through this data, allowing for quicker threat identification and responses while alleviating the workload on human analysts.
Internal threats pose notable challenges for organizations worldwide. To address this, Melbourne Airport’s HR division has rolled out automated account deletions for employees leaving the company. This measure ensures that ex-staff do not maintain access to sensitive systems, thereby curtailing insider threats. Plans are in place to broaden the scope of such automation within the organization.
With over 100,000 passengers on a daily basis—akin to filling the Melbourne Cricket Ground—seamless coordination between various systems, including those run by the Australian Border Force and Airservices Australia, is crucial. Melbourne Airport has adopted a centralized access control framework that regulates physical access to sensitive areas throughout all four terminals.
Wong’s responsibilities include synchronizing business requirements with security measures to uphold system integrity and availability. Any breach could lead to unauthorized access to critical assets, highlighting the need for effective access management systems.
Even the most sophisticated security systems are only valuable if they function correctly in times of need. Hence, ongoing security testing is integral to Melbourne Airport’s cyber security framework. Wong advocates for routine evaluations to confirm that systems are robust against evolving risks, ensuring a sufficient level of protection for the airport’s extensive digital and physical environments.
The efforts of Melbourne Airport to improve cyber visibility reflect a proactive and adaptive approach to safeguarding one of Australia’s busiest transit locations. By harnessing AI capabilities, automating internal procedures, centralizing access management, and insisting on continuous security assessments, the airport seeks not just to address cyber threats, but also to foresee and prevent them. Given the rising cyber risks alongside digital intricacies, Melbourne Airport’s strategy could serve as an exemplary model for critical infrastructure operators nationwide.
Cyber visibility enables Melbourne Airport to identify suspicious behaviour quickly, respond to incidents effectively, and anticipate potential threats. Without comprehensive ecosystem transparency, protective strategies would remain reactive rather than proactive.
AI is chiefly employed for recognizing phishing attempts within the airport’s email frameworks. It evaluates conversational trends and wider email practices to pinpoint threats more effectively than manual processes could achieve.
The human resources department at Melbourne Airport employs an automated account deletion system for departing employees. This minimizes the possibility of former personnel having ongoing access to sensitive data and systems.
Centralized access control oversees physical entry across all terminals and sensitive locations, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access restricted areas. It is essential for maintaining both operational integrity and passenger security.
Security assessments at Melbourne Airport are an ongoing initiative, designed to ensure that security protocols are effective and that vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated timely, maintaining robust cyber defenses.
By utilizing AI-driven solutions, Melbourne Airport can efficiently process and analyze vast quantities of data generated every day. This enables quicker identification of threats and fortifies proactive cyber security initiatives.
The systems at Melbourne Airport coordinate with those maintained by the Australian Border Force and Airservices Australia, necessitating strong collaboration and security oversight to ensure smooth operations and a positive passenger experience.
Melbourne Airport plans to enhance automation in risk management, improve AI capabilities, and continually refine its cyber security roadmap to effectively address new threats and adapt to evolving technologies.
