Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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!
Skullcandy Rail in-Ear Wireless Earbuds, 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!
The Yack 02 battery plays a crucial role in Victoria’s movement toward a decentralized energy grid. Backed by the Victorian Government’s 100 Neighbourhood Batteries Program, this effort seeks to modernize the state’s energy framework by deploying community-level energy storage solutions. These batteries capture surplus solar energy produced from local rooftop installations, alleviating grid congestion, decreasing energy expenses, and empowering communities to utilize clean, renewable energy.
By harnessing excess solar energy throughout the day, Yack 02 guarantees power availability during high-demand evening hours and, importantly, during grid failures. This functionality benefits Yackandandah residents while also aiding in stabilizing the broader energy network, minimizing the necessity for costly grid enhancements.
Located strategically at the Yackandandah Sports Park, an essential community center, Yack 02 is intended to deliver dependable power during emergencies. Its primary specifications include:
Yackandandah’s path initiated with Yack 01, its inaugural community battery, which commenced operation in July 2021 at the historic sawmill site, now occupied by the Agency of Sculpture. Yack 01 offers a capacity of 100kW/274kWh and is linked to a 65kW solar array featuring bi-facial panels to optimize energy capture. This groundbreaking project validated the feasibility of behind-the-meter community battery solutions in Australia, paving the way for Yack 02.
The achievements of Yack 01 delivered crucial insights and assurance for the community to broaden its energy storage capabilities. Collectively, the two batteries form a robust, localized energy ecosystem that maximizes the utilization of Yackandandah’s plentiful rooftop solar, with over 60% of residences in the town now fitted with solar panels.
The primary catalyst behind Yackandandah’s renewable energy success is Totally Renewable Yackandandah, a volunteer-driven organization committed to securing 100% renewable energy for the town. The launch of Yack 02 illustrates the community’s dedication and collaborative ethos.
“This is an incredible milestone for the Yackandandah community. The Yack 02 battery will be crucial in our journey toward 100% renewable energy, and it exemplifies what can be accomplished when we unite,” stated Matthew Charles-Jones, president of Totally Renewable Yackandandah.
The partnership between Totally Renewable Yackandandah, Indigo Power, local councils, and installers such as KDEC Solar and Electrical underscores the value of community-led efforts bolstered by strategic government support.
With Yack 01 and Yack 02 now functioning, Yackandandah is not only decreasing its carbon footprint but also establishing a resilient, self-sustaining energy system. The town’s innovative model serves as an example for other communities in Australia seeking to transition to renewable energy while ensuring energy security during outages.
As Yackandandah continues to set a precedent, its community batteries showcase the transformative potential of localized energy solutions. For additional information on this inspiring initiative, visit https://totallyrenewableyack.org.au/.
The introduction of the Yack 02 battery by Yackandandah signifies a major milestone in the town’s renewable energy journey. This new addition boosts local energy resilience, supports Victoria’s decentralized energy grid goals, and highlights the strength of community-driven renewable initiatives. The collaboration among Totally Renewable Yackandandah, Indigo Power, and the Victorian Government establishes a benchmark for other Australian communities striving for sustainable energy solutions.
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!
The Security Testing and Offensive Research at Microsoft (STORM) team has revealed vulnerabilities in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) that permit attackers to circumvent BitLocker encryption. This finding, dubbed “BitUnlocker,” showed four methods of attack that took advantage of the trust between BitLocker and WinRE, enabling physical access device attackers to override encryption safeguards.
The vulnerabilities arise from WinRE’s “auto-unlock” feature, which provides full access to encrypted volumes during recovery processes. Although these recovery processes are essential for system restoration, they unintentionally introduced new attack vectors.
The STORM team discovered four separate attack methods, each with a distinct CVE identifier. The first vulnerability, CVE-2025-48804, exploited the way WinRE handles System Deployment Image (SDI) files. Attackers could append malicious Windows images to legitimate Boot.sdi files to circumvent integrity checks.
Two vulnerabilities related to ReAgent.xml parsing, CVE-2025-48800 and CVE-2025-48003, offered alternative means of attack. These vulnerabilities involved the misuse of legitimate tools and hotkey combinations to access encrypted volumes.
The most critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-48818, facilitated the total decryption of BitLocker-protected volumes through the manipulation of Boot Configuration Data (BCD) stores. This exploit utilized a combination of multiple techniques to achieve devastating effects.
To mitigate these vulnerabilities, Microsoft suggests activating the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) with a personal identification number (PIN) for pre-boot authentication. This approach emphasizes hardware security, thereby minimizing software attack surfaces. Furthermore, the REVISE mitigation strategy is in place to thwart BitLocker downgrade attacks.
All detected vulnerabilities were addressed in Microsoft’s July 2025 security updates. This discovery was also showcased at significant security events, such as Black Hat USA 2025 and DEF CON 33.
The identification of the “BitUnlocker” vulnerabilities in WinRE by Microsoft underscores the necessity of securing recovery environments. By rectifying these weaknesses and suggesting improved security protocols, Microsoft seeks to shield users from possible encryption circumvention. Maintaining hardware-level security and ensuring systems are current remains vital for the protection of data integrity.
“BitUnlocker” refers to a set of vulnerabilities in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) that might enable the circumvention of BitLocker encryption, as labeled by Microsoft’s STORM team.
The vulnerabilities exploit the trust dynamics between BitLocker and WinRE, enabling attackers with physical access to devices to bypass encryption and penetrate encrypted volumes.
Microsoft corrected these vulnerabilities through security updates in July 2025. They also recommend activating TPM with PIN and utilizing the REVISE mitigation to bolster security.
It is advised to implement a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) with a personal identification number (PIN) for pre-boot verification, alongside applying the REVISE mitigation strategy to prevent BitLocker downgrade attempts.
Indeed, the vulnerabilities and their potential impact were discussed at both the Black Hat USA 2025 and DEF CON 33 security conferences.
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 LIVE PRO 2 Fully Wireless Earbuds, Hybrid Noise Cancelling, Fit, IPX5, Multipoint, Equalizer, Wireless Charging Compatible (Blue)
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!
Suncorp Group is making considerable progress in enhancing its technological integration with the rollout of the Duck Creek policy administration system (PAS) at its AAMI brand in Australia. This effort follows a successful prior launch in New Zealand, which strengthens the business rationale for the platform.
Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston mentioned during the annual investor call that the launch in New Zealand has confirmed the expected advantages. The insurer is heavily investing in this multi-year initiative, with full deployment across Australian brands projected by mid-to-late FY26.
In addition to the PAS, Suncorp is also revamping its platform infrastructure. Johnston pointed out the successful completion of data migration to the cloud, with 93% of the company’s technology workloads now publicly hosted. This migration has paved the way for Suncorp to gradually close its older data centres over the past year.
Suncorp is placing considerable emphasis on artificial intelligence and machine learning as essential elements of its operational overhaul. Johnston noted that AI is fundamental to digital transformation, automation, and other strategic initiatives aimed at improving customer experiences and operational efficacy.
The firm operates over 100 AI and machine learning models, with intentions to broaden these applications in the coming year. CIO Adam Bennett remarked that Suncorp is scaling these innovations across various business sectors, focusing on customer outcomes as the primary goal.
In its recent financial disclosures, Suncorp revealed a full-year net profit of $1.8 billion, reflecting a 52% increase over the prior year. This growth highlights the advantageous effects of the company’s ongoing technological and operational strategies.
Suncorp’s deployment of the Duck Creek platform at AAMI signifies a crucial leap in its technological development. By modernising its systems and investing in AI, Suncorp aspires to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction. The firm’s strategic emphasis on digital evolution is evidenced by its substantial financial progress.
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!
Marshall Motif ANC True Wireless In-Ear Bluetooth Headphones (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!
Insta360 has entered the drone sector with the Antigravity A1, an innovative product that unites the capabilities of 8K 360-degree video recording with a simple flying interface. This launch signifies a major advancement in aerial photography, enabling pilots to concentrate on flying without the stress of getting the frame right.
The Antigravity A1’s 8K 360-degree video function permits users to document their surroundings in high resolution. This attribute removes the necessity for intricate in-air camera adjustments, since users can adjust their shots during post-editing, creating engaging and interactive visuals.
One of the A1’s most revolutionary elements is its capability to erase the drone from the final footage. Cameras mounted on both the upper and lower parts of the drone’s frame facilitate seamless stitching, crafting the illusion of a suspended camera in the air.
The Antigravity A1 departs from conventional drone controls through its one-handed Grip controller and Vision goggles, which deliver an immersive first-person perspective. This setup streamlines the flying process, making it suitable for both amateurs and seasoned professionals.
Insta360’s acclaimed FlowState Stabilization technology, combined with 360° Horizon Lock, guarantees smooth and level footage regardless of the drone’s movements, offering a professional-quality filming experience.
The Antigravity A1 is presently available for pre-order in Australia at a cost of A$2,499. The package comprises the drone, an Intelligent Flight Battery, the Grip Controller, Vision Goggles, propellers, and essential cables. Shipping is anticipated to start in January 2026.
The Insta360 Antigravity A1 drone represents a groundbreaking tool that merges advanced 360-degree camera technology with seamless drone operation. With features such as the invisible drone effect and FlowState Stabilization, it provides a distinctive and innovative resource for aerial content creators in Australia.
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!
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is investigating the application of artificial intelligence to boost the efficiency of its 800 principal developers by tackling prevalent programming obstacles.
The ATO is looking for a software-as-a-service solution to collaborate with Microsoft’s development platforms, which include Visual Studio 2019, 2022, and Visual Studio Code. This initiative aims to enable developers to concentrate on high-priority tasks like test case planning, application security, and technology upkeep.
Security is a major consideration in the adoption of AI. The ATO has stressed that any code analyzed by the AI will not be stored nor used for model training, thereby addressing issues of privacy and compliance.
This initiative is part of a broader plan to introduce artificial intelligence across various ATO functions. The agency has identified five enterprise-level AI applications, including fraud detection and document comprehension.
During the recent AI Innovation Showcase in Canberra, Assistant Commissioner Ying Yang provided insights on the ATO’s internal AI structure, categorizing AI capabilities into scaled machine learning, augmentation, and intelligent automation.
The ATO’s investigation into AI-powered tools for its developers signifies a crucial advancement towards integrating sophisticated technologies to optimize operations and improve productivity. By prioritizing secure and compliant solutions, the ATO intends to harness AI while upholding privacy and data protection standards.
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!
Cyber Wireless Gaming Earphones (for PS5 / Switch/PC) White
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!
The cyberattack that targeted UnitedHealth Group’s technology division last year has affected 192.7 million individuals, as indicated by the website of the U.S. health department. This breach has been identified as the largest healthcare data breach in the U.S. to date.
The hackers, who label themselves as the “Blackcat” ransomware group, penetrated the technology division. This breach led to extensive disruptions in claims processing, significantly impacting patients and healthcare providers across the nation.
The breach unveiled sensitive data, including health insurance member identification numbers, patient diagnoses, treatment records, and social security numbers. Additionally, billing codes utilized by providers were also compromised, raising concerns about the potential misuse of this information.
A spokesperson for UnitedHealth verified that the number of affected individuals is around 192.7 million. The information regarding the breach is documented in a list maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ office for civil rights, underscoring the importance and transparency of this revelation.
The cyberattack on UnitedHealth’s technology division has set a record for the largest healthcare data breach in the U.S., impacting 192.7 million individuals. Attributed to the “Blackcat” group, the attack disrupted healthcare services and revealed sensitive patient data, highlighting the urgent necessity for strong cybersecurity practices within the healthcare industry.
