Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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Philips Audio Fidelio T2 Noise Cancelling True Wireless in-Ear Bluetooth Headphones – Excellent Call Quality, Compatible with Voice Assistant and up to 40 Hours of Music Playback – Black
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Safety is crucial for drones, particularly those equipped with advanced 8K cameras. The Antigravity A1 unveils a new omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system. This enhancement enables pilots to fly with assurance, as the drone can identify and navigate around obstacles. With the newly introduced bypass mode, the A1 guarantees smooth flights free from sudden halts, allowing users to concentrate on their creative endeavors.
The Antigravity A1 now incorporates voice command functionality, presenting a modern flying experience. By stating phrases like “A1, Let’s Fly”, pilots can manage the drone’s FreeMotion features without needing a display. This capability streamlines the flying experience, making it more user-friendly for those who struggle with conventional controllers.
Antigravity’s latest update improves the A1’s capturing features with Timelapse Photography in both Normal Recording and Sky Path modes. This addition allows users to generate dynamic, fast-paced sequences that enrich video storytelling. In Sky Paths, specific camera angles can be set at nodes, creating a more professional and engaging viewing experience.
The newly introduced Virtual Cockpit mode offers an immersive experience, allowing pilots to feel as though they are seated in the cockpit. Whether imagining piloting a dragon or an aircraft, this feature adds a fun twist to drone flights. Sky Paths now offer Path Styles and Path Markers, enriching the visual experience along the flight path.
The Spring Sale from Antigravity provides a 20% discount on all A1 bundles from March 16 to April 16. The Standard Bundle is priced at A$1,759, down from A$2,199. The Explorer Bundle costs A$2,239, reduced from A$2,799. The Infinity Bundle is now priced at A$2,319, down from A$2,899, while the Ultimate Bundle is A$2,665, decreased from A$3,295.
Antigravity is devoted to fostering aerial exploration and storytelling through swift software updates. The partnership with Insta360 brings powerful, user-friendly technology to the A1 drone, unleashing limitless creative opportunities with 8K resolution and 360-degree capture. As DJI reveals its 8K Avata 360 drone, Antigravity reinforces its position as a trailblazer in this area.
“A1, Let’s Fly”
For further details, visit Antigravity’s official site
The Antigravity A1 drone is poised to transform the drone industry with its April update, featuring functionalities like omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, voice control, and cinematic tools. The Virtual Cockpit mode introduces a fresh perspective on flying, while the Spring Sale presents a fantastic chance to embrace high-tech drone innovations.
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Australian telecommunications companies will soon encounter heightened accountability standards, as the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) introduces new transparency directives regarding network outages. These regulations will become effective on June 30, requiring telcos to disclose historical data on major and significant unplanned service outages that are resolved on or after March 31, 2026.
As per ACMA chair Nerida O’Loughlin, these updated guidelines are aimed at bolstering transparency regarding telecommunications outages for a wide range of stakeholders, including emergency service organizations and consumer advocacy groups. This initiative is anticipated to enhance existing complaints performance data and improve the accessibility of information for consumers.
Telcos are already mandated to provide “live” updates regarding unplanned outages. TPG Telecom has stated that its existing systems are sufficient for meeting the new standards, underlining ongoing system assessments and automation initiatives to guarantee compliance. Likewise, Optus has initiated its preparations, having set up a register for unplanned mobile service outages last year, and is currently examining ACMA’s revised requirements to ensure readiness by the June deadline.
These adjustments to industry benchmarks under the Telecommunications Act require telcos to reveal 20 essential types of outage-related information, including a brief description, unique identifier, and outage category. Detailed information on outage duration and location, divided by state, town, and suburb, will also be necessary. Providers will need to identify impacted connections, encompassing mobile, broadband, and satellite services.
The ACMA’s new regulations signify a pivotal move toward enhanced transparency in telecommunications, holding Australian telcos accountable for network outages. By obliging the publication of historical outage data, the regulations aim to elevate consumer awareness and enhance the collaboration of emergency services. As telcos brace for this regulatory transformation, customers can anticipate receiving more in-depth information about service reliability and performance.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds FE + Charger – Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Comfortable Fit, 3 Microphones, Touch Control, Bass Bass, White (Spanish Version)
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Australia is currently confronted with its third international energy crisis in the last six years, affecting families and enterprises all over the country. A coalition comprising energy, industry, and consumer advocacy organizations is pressing the National Cabinet to hasten the transition to a completely electrified economy. Key figures, such as the Electric Vehicle Council and Rewiring Australia, emphasize that moving away from fossil fuels is pivotal for the nation’s economic stability.
On average, electric technologies are three times more efficient than fossil fuel-dependent systems, permitting lower energy consumption and enhanced service quality. Research reveals that 75% of the global energy framework could be electrified utilizing current technologies, with policy backing.
At present, only 21.5% of Australia’s energy demand is satisfied by electricity, with residential buildings achieving 53% electrification and road transport only 0.13%. The commercial sector is leading with 73% electrification, indicating potential for further development.
The coalition presents a plan for governments to enhance electrification, focusing on the conversion to electric vehicles and the elimination of gas appliances in homes and businesses. Strong public charging facilities and financial incentives are essential elements of this approach.
The manufacturing and food processing industries require assistance to implement clean industrial heating technologies. Developing renewable energy storage and grid infrastructure is vital to meet the growing electricity demands.
Experts advocate for a decisive transition towards electrification, highlighting its potential to significantly lower living expenses. Francis Vierboom, CEO of Rewiring Australia, underscores the necessity for immediate action to safeguard Australia’s energy future.
“As Australia grapples with its third global energy crisis in six years, we urge Australian governments convening for National Cabinet on Monday to enhance the security, affordability, and productivity of Australia’s energy systems by rapidly advancing electrification throughout the economy.”Francis Vierboom, CEO, Rewiring Australia.
Transport electrification offers a significant chance to maintain economic value within Australia, decreasing dependency on imported fuels. The industry advocates for long-term policies to facilitate this change.
The plan highlights the importance of supporting renters, individuals in apartments, and low-income Australians, ensuring equitable access to the advantages of electrification. Encouraging landlords to upgrade appliances is vital for inclusive energy savings.
Australia’s global competitiveness depends on lowering energy costs. Utilizing renewable resources can offer a strategic edge, positioning the nation as a leader in sustainable energy practices.
The urgent energy crisis facing Australia necessitates a swift transition toward electrification. A coalition of industry leaders and advocates is calling for comprehensive governmental action to ensure a sustainable and economically feasible future. The plan emphasizes increasing electric vehicle use, moving away from gas, and improving renewable infrastructure.
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Australian councils are pressing the federal government to finance shared security operations centres (SOCs) to confront the increasing cyber threats aimed at local administrations. This appeal for help comes before the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) national general assembly in Canberra.
Leeton Shire Council in NSW has submitted a detailed plan that includes 24/7 monitoring, quick incident response, and secure, Australian-based log file storage. The plan also proposes a tiered service model tailored to each council’s risk level.
Noosa Shire Council in Queensland is advocating for enhanced cyber protections, whereas Bega Valley Shire Council supports integrating local governments into the national data and digital government framework, ensuring access to equal resources as federal entities.
In its pre-budget submission for 2023-24, ALGA has requested $10 million from the Commonwealth to evaluate cyber security preparedness among local governments. This funding would also help create a chief information security office (CISO) for local governments at the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
A representative from the Home Affairs department stated that no specific submissions addressing SOCs for local government have been submitted. The department is working on Horizon 2 of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, emphasizing a unified approach across all levels of government.
Australian councils are actively pursuing federal support to create shared security operations centres aimed at improving their cyber security capabilities. With local governments handling significant amounts of sensitive data, the importance of strong security measures remains vital. As discussions progress, the drive for a cooperative approach in cyber security continues to be a key focus for councils nationwide.
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The eagerly awaited Hatching-tide event makes its return to Final Fantasy XIV Online (FFXIV Online) for 2026, welcoming players globally to partake in the Easter celebrations. Regardless of whether you’re enjoying the emergence of spring or the cool winds of autumn, FFXIV Online ensures a delightful celebration for all regions.
The Hatching-tide event is presently active and will finish on April 7 at 12:59 AEST. Remember this important date, especially if you reside in an AEDT region, since daylight saving time will conclude shortly. If you miss this window, you may need to wait for the potential reappearance of items on the Mog Station.
To join in on the celebration, players need to be a minimum of level 15. Visit the Mih Khetto Amphitheatre in Old Gridania and converse with the Stylish Dreamer to kick off the quest called “Of Weeds and Whimsy.” This quest opens the door to exclusive event activities.
The 2026 Hatching-tide brings a fresh mini-game that players are sure to enjoy. Armed with a garden scythe, players will clear weeds to discover hidden eggs. This challenge can be approached in two different ways: trading eggs for rewards or striving for high scores.
This year’s rewards take inspiration from spring themes, providing players with a selection of cosmetic and housing goodies. Look forward to egg basket decorations, egg and blossom-themed eyewear, and past event artwork. Additionally, players can now equip multiple pairs of the themed eyewear at once, allowing for inventive glamour combinations.
As with all seasonal events in FFXIV Online, Hatching-tide is temporary. Make sure to start the quest by April 7, gather sufficient eggs, and claim your prizes before the event wraps up. After it’s finished, acquiring these items might necessitate waiting for a Mog Station release.
FFXIV Online’s Hatching-tide 2026 features an Easter celebration with a new mini-game and a range of themed rewards. Players must fulfill the level requirement and complete event tasks prior to the April 7 deadline to obtain exclusive items.
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National Australia Bank (NAB) has made a pivotal advancement in the cybersecurity field as one of the five design partners for Databricks’ new security information and event management (SIEM) platform, Lakewatch. This partnership denotes Databricks’ first step into the security industry, generating significant excitement within the technology community.
Lakewatch is now in a “private preview” stage, with details regarding its public launch still undisclosed. NAB’s chief security officer, Sandro Bucchianeri, emphasized the bank’s daily processing of over 30TB of security data, conveying a goal to merge these signals with larger enterprise datasets to enhance its cybersecurity framework.
NAB already employs Databricks on AWS as a fundamental aspect of its enterprise data platform, Ada. The existing partnership between NAB and Databricks sparked conversations about extending Databricks technology into security solutions, which led to NAB’s role in the design of Lakewatch.
Bucchianeri expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, mentioning, “Collaborating with Databricks to shape a product tailored to the needs of cyber defenders moving forward … is exciting for us.” The platform is designed to address both present and future security requirements.
Databricks has disclosed that Lakewatch will facilitate data integration from 15 security vendors, offering an “agentic” SIEM where customized security agents can be created for incident detection and resolution. This adaptability is a crucial advantage for organizations seeking bespoke security solutions.
NAB’s alliance with Databricks to create Lakewatch represents a significant development in the cybersecurity landscape. By harnessing Databricks’ technological expertise and NAB’s substantial data capabilities, this collaboration promises to deliver a powerful SIEM platform. With its ability to integrate extensive security data and provide customizable security agents, Lakewatch stands as a promising asset for future cybersecurity efforts.
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Xiaomi Mi Buds 3 Wireless Earbuds, IP55 Water and Dust Resistant, Single Charge 7 Hours Play Time, Carbon Black
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Macquarie University has named Richard Watts-Seale as the acting head of AI following Phil Laufenberg’s departure to take a position as pro vice-chancellor at La Trobe University. Watts-Seale was formerly the technical lead of Macquarie’s AI transformation initiative.
In spite of the leadership change, Macquarie’s AI program is on course. The university’s chief information and digital officer, Jonathan Covell, together with Eric Knight, the deputy vice-chancellor of people and operations, will maintain oversight of the university’s AI strategy.
Under Laufenberg, Macquarie launched ChatMQ, an open-source generative AI assistant for its staff members. ChatMQ enables staff to utilize OpenAI’s ChatGPT, hosted on Microsoft Azure, and Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet on AWS Bedrock. There are plans to add Google’s Gemini into the platform.
La Trobe University has plans to emerge as an “AI-first” institution. With Laufenberg’s onboarding, the university intends to harness his expertise to refine its AI strategy and execution, advancing efforts to enhance staff capabilities and create proactive AI systems.
As Phil Laufenberg transitions to La Trobe University, Macquarie University names Richard Watts-Seale as acting head of AI. Macquarie’s AI initiatives, including the ChatMQ project, proceed without interruption, while La Trobe aims to become an AI-centric university.
