Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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pocobob SP Sports Headphones with Ear Hooks, Bluetooth 5.0 in-Ear, Microphone, Touch, IPX7 Waterproof, 30h Battery, USB-C – Wireless Earbuds for Fitness, Jogging, Training & Outdoor (Beige)
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Woolworths Group has strategically selected Jon Alferness, a digital commerce specialist, to serve as a non-executive board member. This strategy aims to fill the technology leadership void left by Tracey Fellows, the previous chief executive of Microsoft Australia.
With two decades of expertise in digital product management, Alferness has occupied key positions at leading technology firms including Pinterest, Google, Lyft, and Varo Bank. His recent role as Walmart’s chief product officer and governance board member of a San Francisco food insecurity non-profit aligns closely with the aims of Woolworths.
Scott Perkins, chairman of Woolworths Group, highlighted Alferness’ mission to guide the organization toward a digitally-oriented future in consumer food marketing. His skills in digital, media, and ecommerce will be pivotal to Woolworths’ ongoing strategic evolution.
The exit of Tracey Fellows creates a significant experience deficit that Alferness is set to address. Fellows’ prominent career featured critical roles at Microsoft Australia, Australia Post, and REA Group. Her contributions established a high benchmark for the new director.
Alferness’ appointment will undergo confirmation at Woolworths Group’s annual general meeting in 2026, marking an essential milestone in the company’s strategic digital evolution.
Woolworths Group is fortifying its board through the hiring of Jon Alferness, introducing vital digital knowledge. As the corporation adapts to a shifting market, Alferness’ experience with leading tech companies will be crucial in steering through the transforming environment of digital consumer engagement.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds Core True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Secure Fit with Wingtip, Easy Pairing, Auto Switch, Touch Control, Black (UAE Version)
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CMF by Nothing Buds Wireless Earbuds Light Grey, with 42dB ANC, Transparency Mode, Ultra Bass Technology 2.0, HD Audio by Dirac, IP54 Dust and Water Resistance and Dual Device Connection
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The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has faced a considerable upsurge in its VMware licensing expenses, with a new three-year contract totaling $12.2 million. This constitutes a significant jump from the earlier $4.9 million contract arranged through Kirra Services. The rising costs align with wider trends affecting federal bodies in Australia, triggered by modifications in VMware’s commercial and licensing framework.
The transition of VMware to a subscription-based licensing framework has been a crucial element in the rising costs. After its acquisition by Broadcom, VMware declared that it would phase out perpetual licenses, entirely embracing subscription services. This alteration has left numerous organisations, including BOM, dealing with elevated expenses despite constant consumption trends.
Although several Australian organisations have contemplated alternative virtualisation solutions, the shift away from VMware is frequently intricate. The software is deeply woven into numerous IT frameworks, rendering migration complex and potentially disruptive. This intricacy serves as a deterrent for organisations like BOM, which may find it impractical to transition before the expiration of their current licenses.
The Bureau of Meteorology is not the sole entity experiencing these rising costs. The Australian Defence Department has similarly reported a notable increase in its VMware licensing expenditures, escalating from $82 million to $178 million. Despite attempts to streamline consumption, the move to a subscription model has considerably increased expenses.
Government entities in Australia, including the Bureau of Meteorology, are enduring climbing VMware licensing costs due to a shift to subscription models. This transition, instigated by VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom, has resulted in significant financial repercussions for organisations that heavily depend on virtualisation software. The difficulties of shifting to alternative solutions leave many entities absorbing these increased costs.
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In a scenario highlighting the effects of extreme climate on contemporary infrastructure, Victoria has established a new peak for electricity demand, surpassing a 17-year-old record. An unyielding heatwave has escalated energy use to extraordinary heights as residents depend increasingly on air conditioning to manage rising temperatures.
The previous maximum energy demand was noted during the heatwave of January 2009. With a growing population and heightened dependence on electric cooling systems, this record has now been exceeded. The surge in demand is due to residents returning home in the afternoon and activating air conditioning units, straining the grid to its maximum capacity.
Despite the grid managing to hold up under tremendous pressure, the extreme heat has triggered considerable unplanned power outages. More than 35,000 customers are currently experiencing power cuts, especially in the eastern and western suburbs and regional Victoria. Key areas like Werribee and Geelong are particularly impacted.
The extreme heat combined with electrical demand has resulted in physical stress on the infrastructure, leading to overheating transformers and poles. Recovery crews are working around the clock to restore power, but some residents might remain without electricity until the early hours.
As Victoria moves forward with its energy strategy, the State Electricity Commission (SEC) is concentrating on improving grid resilience. Renewable sources such as solar and wind are fundamental during daylight hours, but challenges continue in managing peak demand in the evening. A higher uptake of household batteries and virtual power plants is expected to ease some of the load on the grid.
For those facing outages, it is recommended to consult official outage maps for the latest updates. Keeping fridge and freezer doors shut helps maintain food freshness. It’s also wise to check on neighbours who may be vulnerable without air conditioning.
Even though the peak demand has passed, elevated temperatures are projected to continue, sustaining strain on the grid. Authorities encourage residents to utilize energy judiciously without jeopardizing their health, such as by keeping blinds closed during the day to minimize heat entry.
Victoria has set a new record for electricity demand, breaking a 17-year milestone amid a severe heatwave, leading to widespread outages and stressing energy infrastructure. While renewable energy plays an essential role, the state still faces hurdles in managing peak demand. Residents are advised to consume energy thoughtfully as high temperatures persist.
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The Singapore government has unveiled a major investment exceeding S$1 billion ($1.14 billion) in public AI research, aimed to be executed by 2030. This program seeks to enhance the country’s capabilities and competitiveness on a global scale within the rapidly progressing AI domain.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Information has specified key focus areas, such as the creation of responsible and resource-efficient AI technologies. The investment will also concentrate on developing AI talent from pre-university levels to academic faculty roles. This holistic strategy ensures a continuous flow of skilled individuals ready to advance AI innovation.
A portion of the funding has been set aside for enhancing capabilities that facilitate AI adoption and application across a variety of sectors. This strategic initiative aims to boost the practical use of AI, promoting economic growth and technological development within Singapore’s industrial arena.
In 2024, Singapore earmarked S$500 million ($569 million) for high-performance computing facilities, providing crucial infrastructure for AI growth in both public and private sectors. This funding demonstrates the nation’s dedication to sustaining a robust and enabling environment for AI advancement.
AI Singapore, a national program focused on creating advanced AI capabilities, has received significant funding of over S$500 million. In 2023, AI Singapore researchers launched an open-source large language model called the Southeast Asian Languages in One Network (Sea-Lion), supported by S$70 million in funding. The model has been effectively adopted by companies, including GoTo from Indonesia.
In October 2025, an improved version of Sea-Lion was released, featuring enhancements in languages such as Burmese, Filipino, Indonesian, Malay, Tamil, Thai, and Vietnamese. These developments underline Singapore’s commitment to fostering AI accessibility and innovation in the region.
Singapore’s substantial investment in AI research highlights its strategic commitment to evolving cutting-edge technologies and developing talent. With a strong focus on responsible AI, industrial application, and solid infrastructure, the country is well-positioned to enhance its global competitiveness and stimulate innovation across Southeast Asia.
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Wireless Earbuds for Kids, Bluetooth Headset with Cute Panda Charging Case, Bluetooth 5.0 Noise Cancellation, Type C Charging, 3D Stereo Deep Bass, Wireless Earbuds for Sports and Outwork
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The global healthcare sector is increasingly threatened by cyber attackers. In its Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024-2025, the Australian Signals Directorate reported that the frequency of ransomware events in the healthcare sector had doubled since 2023-2024, with malicious parties achieving success in 95% of all incidents reported to the organisation last year, in contrast to an overall sector average of 52%.
As the ASD highlighted, interruptions to healthcare networks pose risks to patient safety, rendering the sector a prime target for extortion attempts by cybercriminals. Healthcare data is also accessible in dark web marketplaces, facilitating activities like fraud and identity theft.
For healthcare leaders, the issue has evolved beyond mere prevention of cyber incidents. It involves ensuring clinical continuity, safeguarding patient safety, and upholding trust, while navigating increasingly complicated environments that incorporate legacy systems, connected medical devices, and the convergence of IT and OT networks.
The Australian technology services provider Orro aids healthcare entities in minimizing cyber risks through solutions tailored to securely connect, protect, and sustain clinical operations. These solutions encompass operational technology (OT) such as building management systems that operate elevators, air conditioning, and other essential hospital infrastructure, alongside IT assets and the integrations between IT and OT.
Orro offers a Clinical Security Network Operations Centre platform that extends protection throughout intricate healthcare environments. Flexible to cater to various organizational maturity levels, the platform can be adapted to meet compliance needs and risk management strategies, broadening the scope beyond individual hospitals to encompass IT and OT across wider healthcare networks.
Orro’s solutions are empowering healthcare organizations to enhance their security framework. One significant private hospital group gained full insight into its digital landscape through the identification and cataloguing of all IT and OT devices, along with immediate visibility of device vulnerabilities and operational threats.
This enabled the organization to implement virtual patching to alleviate vulnerabilities linked to medical devices and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), while ensuring clinical operations remained uninterrupted.
The group also established a comprehensive security framework aligned with regulatory and industry standards, guaranteeing ongoing compliance as requirements evolve. Continuous monitoring and advanced analytics facilitated proactive risk management and accelerated, targeted responses to incidents, minimizing operational disruptions and reinforcing clinical trust in vital systems.
Applications for Orro’s solutions include clinical device discovery and asset management; real-time monitoring of clinical assets; clinical Secure Network Operations Centre capabilities; incident response integration; and ongoing maturity enhancement of clinical security operations.
These functionalities are delivered through the synthesis of leading-edge technologies within clinical and operational settings. For example, Orro utilizes Medigate’s deep packet inspection (DPI) technology to provide thorough visibility into connected medical and IoMT devices, while the Claroty xDome platform facilitates discovery, classification, and risk identification across cyber-physical systems.
Within the clinical Secure Network Operations Centre framework, Fortinet solutions back secure policy enforcement and contextual protection for OT assets, while analytics platforms like Splunk enhance detection, correlation, and response across healthcare IT and OT ecosystems.
Together, these integrated systems offer a cohesive strategy for visibility, protection, and response, bolstering resilience across clinical environments.
Orro has also devised a clinical security maturity blueprint to assist healthcare organizations in continuously improving their cybersecurity stance. Described through its Secure Network Operations Centre integration methodology, the model addresses six core components: people, process, technology, tools, data, and security.
With this structure, healthcare organizations can implement modular, scalable solutions tailored to their current level of maturity, fostering progressive improvements as clinical settings, threat landscapes, and regulatory demands evolve.
“Healthcare cybersecurity has transcended being a mere technical concern – it has become a clinical and operational necessity,” said Orro CTO, Stuart Long. “Our mission is to assist healthcare leaders in creating environments where digital systems bolster care rather than jeopardize it, instilling confidence in patient safety, service continuity, and resilience.”
As cyber threats continue to escalate, Australian healthcare providers are taking bold actions to safeguard their systems and information. Orro’s integrated cybersecurity solutions empower organizations to securely maintain clinical operations, ensuring patient safety and adherence to regulations. By merging advanced technologies and embracing scalable frameworks, healthcare leaders are better prepared to confront the constantly changing cyber threat landscape.
The healthcare sector possesses sensitive personal and financial information, making it appealing to cybercriminals aiming for ransom, fraud, and identity theft. Interruptions to healthcare services can also jeopardize patient safety, providing further leverage for attackers.
Orro delivers solutions to securely connect, safeguard, and sustain clinical operations, addressing both IT and OT requirements. Their platform expands protection across intricate healthcare settings and aligns with compliance and risk management strategies.
Orro employs technologies such as Medigate’s DPI for device visibility, the Claroty xDome platform for risk identification, and Fortinet for policy enforcement. Analytics tools like Splunk enhance detection and response capabilities.
The blueprint offers a structured methodology for enhancing cybersecurity posture over time, concentrating on six pillars: people, process, technology, tools, data, and security. It assists healthcare organizations in implementing scalable solutions that match their level of maturity.
By providing continuous monitoring and proactive risk management, Orro’s solutions ensure uninterrupted clinical operations, reducing operational disruptions and enhancing confidence in critical healthcare systems.
