Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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Baseus EP10 NC in-Ear Headphones Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones with -43 dB ANC, Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Earbuds with 4-Mic AI Clear Call, IP55, 41H Playtime, Bluetooth 6.0
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Bendigo Bank has commenced a significant transformation by partnering with Google Cloud for its inaugural large-scale enterprise AI implementation. This strategic partnership will extend Google’s Gemini tools throughout the organization, enabling all staff to leverage innovative AI functionality. CEO Richard Fennell notes that the initiative is designed to provide employees with essential capabilities for future achievements.
The bank has previously engaged in AI initiatives, albeit on a more limited basis. Utilizing MongoDB tools, Bendigo Bank effectively re-engineered the code of a retail banking application. AI has also contributed to improvements in their contact center operations through Amazon Connect and reinforcement of compliance and home lending processes.
In its evaluations, Bendigo Bank has tested Google’s AI solutions across several core operations, such as lending, refinancing, and data examination. The goal was to discover product deficiencies and enhance overall productivity. The rollout will further allow developers to access Gemini Code Assist, facilitating quicker and more uniform system development.
To strengthen its measures against financial crime and customer safety, Bendigo Bank is implementing Google’s Anti Money Laundering AI. Additionally, the bank intends to shift to Google Security Operations and its cloud-based Security Command Center, striving to lower risks and enhance response capabilities to threats.
This collaboration reinforces Google’s presence within Bendigo Bank’s infrastructure. The bank is moving its VMware environments to Google Cloud to guarantee a smooth, zero-downtime transition while sustaining high service continuity. Plans are also underway to incorporate Google’s BigQuery, upgrading their data warehousing abilities.
Amid these technological upgrades, Bendigo Bank has executed substantial restructuring in its technology division. In September, the bank revealed a streamlining initiative that resulted in the elimination of 145 positions, affecting a total of 637 technology employees, as reported by the Finance Sector Union.
Bendigo Bank’s alliance with Google Cloud represents a crucial turning point towards AI-driven sophistication in the banking industry. By empowering its workforce with advanced AI technology, the bank aspires to enhance operational performance and customer satisfaction. This initiative not only fortifies Bendigo Bank’s technological framework but also aligns with its strategic long-term objectives concerning risk management and compliance.
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Shokz Openrun Wireless Open-Ear Headset, Blue
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The National Rugby League (NRL), overseen by the Australian Rugby League Commission, is a major contributor to the sports sector, handling various matches, sponsorships, and community initiatives. With a complex array of data sources, the NRL encountered difficulties in leveraging this data effectively for informed decisions.
Data head, Albert Xavier, spearheaded the initiative beginning in March, utilizing Databricks’ Lakehouse technology. The goal was to unify data sources into a centralized, real-time platform to enhance business decision-making.
In the past, the NRL’s data was handled through unwieldy Excel macros. Transitioning to a cloud-hosted data lake optimized data management, minimizing error risks and improving real-time visibility.
Confronted with limited resources, the NRL team sought new strategies, ultimately opting for Databricks’ application-centric solution. This innovative approach facilitated app development directly on the database infrastructure, streamlining processes and boosting efficiency.
The initiative was wrapped up 80% quicker and 60% more cost-effective than conventional methods. The in-house team, leveraging Streamlit’s coding framework, quickly developed applications, lessening reliance on outside resources.
With the successful rollout of their first application, the NRL plans to incorporate agentic AI into their systems. This progression signifies a transition from a basic BI initiative to an extensive product, unlocking new business prospects.
The NRL’s BI initiative demonstrates how cutting-edge technology and strategic planning can convert a data challenge into a scalable product. By leveraging Databricks’ offerings, the NRL not only improved its decision-making prowess but also set the stage for future tech advancements.
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TOZO T6 Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones, Ergonomic Design in-Ear Headset, 50Hrs Playtime with Wireless Charging Case, APP EQ Customisable, IPX8 Waterproof, New Upgraded Version, Green
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The Dell Pro Max 16 Plus represents a revolutionary mobile workstation that delivers data centre-level AI inferencing directly to users. Built with custom dual-NPU architecture and equipped with 64GB of dedicated AI memory, it handles sophisticated AI models up to 120 billion parameters. This configuration provides exceptional FP16 inferencing performance, effectively transforming the laptop into a formidable edge server.
This innovative architecture transitions AI processing from cloud reliance to on-device autonomy. The Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card enables instant inferencing without cloud-induced delays, which is essential for Australian users facing inconsistent internet connectivity. Such autonomy also brings down costs by replacing ongoing cloud charges with a one-time hardware purchase.
For industries like healthcare and finance, the Pro Max 16 Plus guarantees data sovereignty by carrying out processing on-device. This methodology adheres to Australia’s rigorous data protection regulations, ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information without the need for external network resources.
The Pro Max 16 Plus caters to both Windows and Linux, fitting a variety of enterprise toolchains. This capability facilitates smooth integration into current IT frameworks, making it an adaptable option for corporate settings.
The Pro Max 16 Plus is tailored for sectors with distinct AI requirements. Medical professionals can analyze images locally, while finance and legal fields gain from secure, on-device AI functionalities. Researchers can test AI models at the location, fostering advancements in robotics and autonomous technology.
The Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card stands out with its 32 AI cores and 64GB of memory, surpassing integrated NPUs and conventional GPUs for AI tasks. This discrete NPU delivers efficient, consistent performance, essential for ongoing AI demands.
The Dell Pro Max 16 Plus is offered with Intel Core Ultra processors alongside options for NVIDIA RTX Pro Blackwell graphics or the Qualcomm AI 100 PC Inference Card. Prices begin at US$3,329 for the 16″ variant and US$3,789 for the 18″ variant. For further information, please visit Dell’s Website.
The Dell Pro Max 16 Plus establishes a new benchmark for mobile workstations, delivering exceptional AI processing capabilities and autonomy from cloud services. Its strong security, adaptability, and integration in enterprise settings make it an essential asset for professionals spanning various fields.
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Australia has introduced the ‘Social Media Minimum Age Act’, which obliges platforms to authenticate the ages of their users. Snapchat, which serves mainly as a visual messaging platform, finds itself in disagreement with this categorization but has committed to compliance as the December 10 deadline nears.
To prepare, Snapchat has begun informing users below the age of 16 through various means, such as in-app notifications, emails, and text messages, regarding the forthcoming adjustments.
Snapchat adopts a diverse strategy utilizing third-party services:
If age verification is not completed by December 10, accounts will be locked for users under 16, potentially lasting as long as three years. Snapchat is urging affected users to retrieve their data and terminate subscriptions to avoid incurring fees for inaccessible services.
Snapchat expresses disillusionment, perceiving the regulation as an overreach by the government that adversely affects their youngest users. They promote verification at the device or app store level as an alternative.
A representative conveys the platform’s opinion: “Snapchat is a visual messaging service designed for close friendships. We are disheartened that young Australians will lose connectivity, yet compliance with the law is necessary.”
For Snapchat users below the age of 16, the directive is straightforward: comply or risk losing access. Snapchat offers assistance for those facing issues with verification or account deactivation. As the deadline approaches, this regulation represents a crucial juncture in Australia’s technological environment, underscoring discussions surrounding digital identity and privacy.
For more information, visit Snapchat.com.
The Social Media Minimum Age Act requires age verification for users under 16 on platforms such as Snapchat in Australia, effective December 10. Verification methods consist of bank connections, ID scans, and facial recognition, with failure to comply leading to account lockouts. Snapchat contests the classification and champions wider solutions.
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Chemist Warehouse has effectively integrated the AI Human Resources Advisory (AIHRA) tool, starting within its HR department. Developed in partnership with Insurgence, a Microsoft collaborator, AIHRA automates replies to common questions from the retailer’s workforce of 22,000 employees. This automation is vital in alleviating the burden and avoiding burnout among HR personnel, as highlighted by Melissa Bear, Head of People and Culture Advisory.
The effective rollout in HR has established a precedent for other divisions at Chemist Warehouse. Matteo Castiello, Managing Director at Insurgence, pointed out how AIHRA serves as a framework for other internal units to implement similar AI solutions, fostering efficiency throughout.
The AI initiative was partly prompted by elevated turnover rates attributed to monotonous tasks, underscoring the need for more intelligent solutions. Melissa Bear stressed the significance of retaining essential staff and improving their job satisfaction. The initiative also included extensive documentation of internal knowledge, a crucial phase for AI training and usage.
The AI system utilizes Microsoft’s Power Platform, Copilot Studio, and Azure AI Foundry to perform its sophisticated functions. Efforts were concentrated on ensuring the AI’s precision in response generation, with considerable time invested in instructing the AI on what to avoid in its replies, thereby guaranteeing it acts within prescribed limits.
The rollout of the AIHRA tool by Chemist Warehouse signifies a major leap in HR operations, establishing a model for other departments to emulate. The project effectively tackles employee fatigue while also boosting overall efficiency and knowledge management within the organization.
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Samsung Galaxy Buds FE White (Import Version)
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The landscape of Australia’s renewable energy is primed for a major enhancement as the Golden Plains Wind Farm incorporates 168 Tesla Megapack 2 XL batteries. Situated in Victoria, this project aims to bolster the dependability and adaptability of the state’s electricity grid, signifying a new achievement in sustainable infrastructure.
The battery energy storage system (BESS) at Golden Plains will consist of a 150MW capacity and 600MWh storage, offering a four-hour supply during peak demand. This configuration is quickly becoming the benchmark for grid-scale batteries across Australia, guaranteeing energy provision during evening peaks.
TagEnergy has teamed up with Consolidated Power Projects Australia (CPP) to develop this independent facility. Tesla will supply its cutting-edge Megapack 2 XL systems, a well-known choice for significant renewable projects in the area.
Once completed, the wind farm will have a total capacity of 1,333MW, catering to around 9% of Victoria’s energy requirements. With Stage 1 (756MW) nearing finalization and Stage 2 (577MW) underway, the addition of a large-scale battery improves the site’s capability to store and distribute energy effectively.
Andrew Riggs, Managing Partner for Australia at TagEnergy, underscored the project’s importance in ensuring a flexible and clean energy source for Victoria. Wallie van Hoving, CPP’s President, remarked on the crucial function the BESS will serve in supporting the renewable energy generated by the wind farm.
The Tesla Megapack system will provide grid-forming capabilities, vital for preserving stability during faults or frequency fluctuations. Josef Tadich, Tesla’s APAC Regional Director, noted the system’s potential to deliver essential 24/7 grid services, propelling Victoria’s renewable energy objectives.
The project will link to the grid via AusNet’s terminal station in Rokewood. This signifies TagEnergy’s inaugural BESS construction in Australia, laying the foundation for upcoming initiatives as they grow their portfolio nationwide.
The Golden Plains Wind Farm, with the incorporation of Tesla Megapack 2 XL batteries, signifies a notable progression in Australia’s renewable energy industry. By bolstering grid stability and enhancing energy storage, the initiative is set to fulfill a substantial share of Victoria’s energy demands while paving the way for future sustainable projects.
