Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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Sudio A1 Pink, Bluetooth Earphones, Touch Control with Compact Wireless Charging Cradle, IPX4 Protected, Noise-Permeable Headphones with Built-in Microphone, Premium Crystal Sound
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Serco has launched its cutting-edge technology, Serco Connect, a mobile application intended to close the communication gap among its widespread contractor workforce in Australia. This strategic initiative seeks to improve connectivity and optimize operations for employees spread across various locations.
The Serco Connect application, developed on the ServiceNow platform, offers an extensive array of functionalities. Employees can now submit leave applications, retrieve payslips, report support issues, and fulfill essential training modules from a single interface. This development represents a major enhancement over conventional isolated systems.
The fundamental functionality of the application is anchored in its integration with the ServiceNow platform. This supports management of access, identity lifecycle oversight, and governance administration, guaranteeing smooth operations.
Sysintegra, a specialist in digital identity and access management, was instrumental in the platform’s creation. Its proprietary identity tool, ZertID, provides single sign-on capabilities, allowing employees to effortlessly utilize their contracted company credentials.
During the ServiceNow World Forum in Sydney, Jamie Shields, Serco Asia Pacific’s platform owner for ServiceNow, pointed out that the app’s creation was a direct response to workforce feedback. Numerous employees expressed feelings of disconnection from the organization due to their assignments at various sites and sectors.
The distributed nature of Serco’s workforce, with around 75% in mobile and site-based positions, created notable difficulties. Routine tasks like checking leave balances or reviewing payslips were often tedious and required HR involvement. The new application streamlines these tasks, enhancing efficiency and reducing time spent.
The application’s successful rollout in six weeks underscores the collective efforts of Serco’s HR, IT, and cybersecurity teams. Shields underscored the significance of grasping the business challenge and striving for a solution that authentically meets workforce demands.
Serco Connect signifies a major advancement in connecting and empowering Serco’s workforce across Australia. By utilizing ServiceNow and the knowledge of Sysintegra, Serco has tackled critical disconnection issues and optimized HR and IT processes, boosting operational efficiency and employee contentment.
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The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) has disclosed a preliminary accord with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) to investigate compensation frameworks for content employed in training artificial intelligence systems. This arrangement, unveiled during the Albanese government’s productivity summit, seeks to tackle ethical issues but has faced backlash for possibly obstructing Australia’s AI aspirations.
Unions in the creative sector, spearheaded by the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), regard the announcement as a notable success in their ‘Stop Creative Theft’ campaign. MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley has emphasized the necessity of recognizing the rights of creatives whose creations have been utilized without approval or remuneration.
Although the agreement aims to engage unions in negotiating fair compensation, it risks introducing cumbersome requirements that could inhibit AI progress. The MEAA’s requests encompass an all-encompassing AI Act, transparency in data handling, obligatory labeling of AI-generated materials, a tax on major technology firms, protections for Indigenous intellectual property, and regulations against unauthorized digital reproductions.
Such regulations could impose substantial compliance burdens on tech firms, discouraging investment and delaying AI implementation. This might impact domains like healthcare, education, and environmental management, where AI enhances efficiency and innovation.
The agreement also fails to recognize the ways AI enriches creative industries by automating mundane tasks, allowing artists and journalists to concentrate on more valuable endeavors, and democratizing content creation. Enforcing sweeping restrictions based on unverified allegations of “theft” could splinter the market, placing Australia at a disadvantage compared to global players that promote free AI advancement.
The initial agreement between the TCA and ACTU to consider compensation frameworks for AI content utilization has provoked considerable discussion. While aiming to resolve ethical dilemmas, this move poses a threat to Australia’s AI development and innovation. Creative unions, including the MEAA, celebrate it as a substantial achievement, yet the danger of increased compliance costs and regulatory overreach could hinder investment and progress in vital industries. A balanced strategy is essential to ensure that AI can flourish without excessive restraints.
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xinwld Bluetooth Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth 5.3 In-Ear Headphones with 4 ENC Noise Cancelling Mic, Wireless Earbuds 40 Hours, IP7 Waterproof, Purple
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Chemist Warehouse, a prominent discount pharmacy chain, has transformed its human resources (HR) functions by implementing an artificial intelligence (AI) system known as AIHRA in its shared email inbox. This groundbreaking initiative, launched at the beginning of 2025, seeks to streamline HR inquiries from its large workforce of 30,000 employees and store operators by automating the preliminary drafting of responses.
AIHRA, fondly called “she” by the HR team, has undergone considerable growth since its launch. Initially dubbed ‘baby AIHRA’, it has advanced to ‘intern AIHRA’, demonstrating its capability to address a wider variety of HR-related issues such as leave requests, probation oversight, and performance conversations. This development reflects the continuous enhancements made during the year.
AIHRA is crafted to integrate flawlessly with external data sources, including Fair Work Australia. This connection guarantees that the AI system can access contemporary award documents and enterprise bargaining contracts, along with internal guidelines. Within half a minute of receiving an inquiry, AIHRA formulates a response, which is then evaluated by an HR advisor before dispatch, ensuring both rapidity and precision.
The introduction of AIHRA has resulted in notable time savings for Chemist Warehouse’s HR advisory team. By handling up to 300 email inquiries each week, the AI system is projected to save the team around 1950 hours annually. This efficiency empowers the HR advisors to concentrate on more complicated and urgent assignments.
Created in partnership with Microsoft affiliate Insurgence AI, AIHRA utilizes Microsoft Azure AI Foundry and the Power Platform. Chemist Warehouse is dedicated to a structured approach to AI, balancing governance with immediate business advantages. This strategy includes a scalable AI governance model that aligns with the organization’s long-term objectives while achieving quick successes across various business segments.
Chemist Warehouse’s strategic application of AI in HR inbox management illustrates the potential of technology to boost operational efficiency. By automating repetitive tasks, the pharmacy chain not only conserves time but also enables its HR team to focus on more strategic projects. This example underscores the significance of AI integration in contemporary business practices, establishing a benchmark for others to emulate.
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Elon Musk has recently unveiled plans for Tesla Autopilot V14, which is set to debut next month. This development is notable as it’s the first time that Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) share the same version identification. The news has ignited enthusiasm regarding potential advancements for Tesla owners who do not have FSD.
Traditionally, Tesla’s Autopilot has relied on an older code structure, lagging behind the end-to-end neural network model of FSD. The launch of ‘Tesla Autopilot V14’ indicates a potential switch to FSD’s codebase with certain functions disabled for Autopilot. This shift could boost Autopilot’s efficiency, tackling prevalent problems such as phantom braking by enhancing the AI’s ability to perceive and navigate its surroundings.
This update may render aspects of Tesla’s software stack, including smart summon, autopark, and navigate on autopilot, more fluid and dependable. This change would allow Tesla to concentrate on honing AI models through training data instead of relying on human-written code.
Musk has pointed out that FSD V14 will substantially increase the count of model parameters, presenting challenges for older Tesla vehicles equipped with HW3 hardware. While there is an assurance to provide hardware updates for these models, a timeline remains unspecified.
Another fascinating prospect with Autopilot V14 is the ability to activate the system on unmarked roads, a feature previously noted internationally with FSD. For users in Australia, this could provide greater adaptability in navigating unmarked routes, enhancing the driving experience.
Owners anticipate that phantom braking will be diminished or eradicated, as observed with the latest FSD V13 iterations. The forthcoming version is expected to deliver heightened performance by a considerable margin.
Even after displaying FSD in Melbourne and Sydney, Tesla owners in Australia are still waiting for its launch. Tesla’s Country Director confirmed that testing is nearing completion, but the software has yet to be released to the public. The anticipated V14 launch could explain this holdup, as Tesla may prefer to roll out the latest version directly to new markets.
The forthcoming launch of Tesla Autopilot V14 could signify a pivotal change toward integrating Autopilot with FSD, utilizing a cohesive end-to-end AI framework. This update holds promises for smoother operations, fewer complications like phantom braking, and potential additional features such as navigating unmarked roads. Tesla owners in Australia remain optimistic about the FSD rollout as the launch of V14 approaches.
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Noise Master Buds-Sound by Bose Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds – Titanium
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As quantum computing technology evolves, it has the capability to undermine current cryptographic systems. Microsoft cautions that forthcoming scalable quantum computers could dismantle existing public-key cryptography, threatening digital signatures, authentication processes, and identity validation.
Microsoft is devoted to shifting all its products and services to quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques by 2033. This initiative is driven by the anticipated power of quantum computing and the possibility of the “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” (HNDL) attack method, wherein encrypted information could be retained now and decrypted later when quantum capabilities advance.
Microsoft’s transition plan is organized into three stages:
The initial stage includes the incorporation of post-quantum cryptography algorithms into SymCrypt, Microsoft’s main cryptographic library, ensuring uniform security across platforms like Windows, Azure, and Microsoft 365.
The second stage is centered on upgrading core infrastructure services, including authentication and key management systems, to accommodate quantum-safe encryption.
The concluding stage aims to apply quantum-safe measures throughout all Microsoft services, facilitating early adoption of these capabilities by 2029 and establishing them as defaults where feasible.
Microsoft is collaborating with essential regulatory and technical organizations like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to establish consensus on quantum-safe encryption standards. This cooperation guarantees global compatibility and a smooth transition to new cryptographic standards.
Microsoft is making substantial efforts to protect its services against impending quantum computing threats. By outlining a thorough transition to quantum-resistant cryptography, the company is establishing a proactive benchmark in the tech sector. With strategic alliances and staged implementations, Microsoft is prepared to spearhead the effort in preserving digital security in the quantum age.
Microsoft seeks to counteract potential future threats from quantum computing that may undermine current encryption techniques. By taking early action, they can facilitate a seamless transition and uphold security standards.
This concept involves malicious actors saving encrypted data today with the plan to decrypt it later when quantum computers are capable of breaching existing encryption mechanisms.
The method includes embedding quantum-safe cryptography into foundational security elements, upgrading the core infrastructure, and thoroughly integrating these strategies across all services.
These organizations assist in aligning quantum-safe encryption standards internationally, ensuring interoperability and a cohesive transition to new cryptographic techniques.
The Majorana 1 processor symbolizes a critical leap in Microsoft’s quantum research, bolstering the company’s wider objectives in attaining quantum-safe cryptography.
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Kanye West, now recognized as Ye, has embarked on a journey into cryptocurrency with the introduction of his memecoin, YZY. The announcement was made through a post on X, presenting the coin as an innovative financial concept tied to his Yeezy label. However, the launch quickly became one of the most disputed crypto events since Hawk Tuah.
YZY is developed on the Solana blockchain, selected for its rapidity and economical nature, making it a preferred choice for memecoins. Most trading takes place on the Meteora decentralized exchange. Even with a liquidity pool established, early worries surfaced regarding its capacity for swift exits.
The aggregate supply of YZY is limited to 1 billion tokens. The distribution approach aimed to discourage sniping, yet it was unsuccessful. An innovative anti-sniping mechanism was applied, employing 25 contract addresses with one being randomly selected for the official YZY. Nevertheless, 94% of the supply was initially in the hands of insiders, including a multisig wallet controlling 87%, which raised concerns.
In addition to the coin, Kanye launched YE Pay, a cryptocurrency payment processor that promises lower fees for businesses. Furthermore, the YZY Card enables users to utilize YZY and USDC in transactions worldwide. These features place YZY within a larger ecosystem, although its success depends on sustaining value and trust.
YZY saw a dramatic increase, surging by over 1,000% in just 40 minutes from the launch, hitting a market capitalization of US$3 billion (A$4.5 billion). This increase drew a large number of traders. However, within a day, the value of the coin decreased by 66%, reducing the market cap to below US$1 billion. Currently, YZY is trading at approximately US$0.86 per token, with a market cap of US$258 million (A$387 million).
What started as a buzz soon unraveled into controversy, with claims of insider trading and biased distribution. The single-sided liquidity pool on Meteora allowed insiders to retain control, leading to allegations of prospective “rug pull” strategies. Investigations indicated that a small number of wallets gained a substantial profit, while more than 56,000 users incurred losses.
The project’s terms encompass a class action waiver, transferring potential legal responsibilities to users. Social media platforms were filled with claims of scams and rug pulls. This situation underscores the dangers of celebrities initiating memecoins, often resulting in monetary losses for supporters and tarnishing reputations.
Kanye West’s venture into the cryptocurrency market with the YZY memecoin rapidly became contentious. Despite an initial valuation surge, insider conflicts and distribution challenges led to a notable decline. The complexities of the launch and the following backlash serve as a cautionary tale for celebrities entering the digital currency landscape.
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JBL Live Free NC+ – True Wireless in-Ear Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling, Microphone, Up to 21H Battery, Wireless Charging (Black)
