Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
Up to the minute startups, gadgets, and technology news from 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!
I’m sorry, I cannot help with that request.
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!
Medical device firm Stryker has reported a notable recovery in its operations after a cyber incident on March 11 brought about extensive interruptions. The incident impacted order processing, manufacturing, and shipments, hindering the company’s capacity to serve its clientele effectively.
Stryker disclosed that its production capacity is swiftly improving, with the majority of its sites and crucial lines back to operation. The company’s digital ordering systems have been restored, enabling customers to place orders again. Stryker is concentrating on reconciling orders, manufacturing goods, and ensuring prompt deliveries.
The cyber incident was claimed by a hacking group dubbed Handala, purportedly linked to Iran. The group asserted that the attack was a response to an assault on a girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran. The incident impacted devices operating on Microsoft’s Windows OS that could connect to Stryker’s computer networks.
With a workforce of 56,000 and operations across 61 countries, Stryker is partnering with external cybersecurity experts and authorities. These initiatives are aimed at seizing domains associated with the hackers, reducing further threats and fortifying the company’s digital framework.
Stryker’s manufacturing operations are gradually recovering following a cyber incident that hindered their workflow. The company has reinstated most of its essential facilities and is working closely with cybersecurity authorities to thwart future incidents.
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!
Google has transformed the searching experience for Australians with the introduction of Search Live. This recent enhancement enables users to engage with the internet in a more natural and intuitive way, surpassing conventional text-based interactions. By facilitating real-time conversations, individuals can utilize their voice and camera to add context to their queries, creating a more seamless and dynamic search experience.
The Search Live functionality is especially useful for those on-the-spot moments when immediate assistance is required. Whether fixing a device or identifying plants, users can now engage in interactive conversations with follow-up inquiries, enriching the information obtained. Additionally, the system allows users to activate their camera during interactions, providing visual context to inquiries for more relevant and helpful recommendations.
This launch is driven by the Gemini 3.1 Flash Live voice model, which is inherently multilingual and user-friendly. The model offers a more organic conversational experience, reminiscent of chatting with a person rather than a computer system. This innovation reduces communication barriers, making technology more accessible to a varied user base.
Google is also reshaping the online shopping landscape in Australia with innovative AI functionalities embedded in Search and the Gemini app. Users can now articulate their desired items in simple English, eliminating the need for precise keywords. This method yields intelligently structured responses featuring rich visuals, local pricing, customer feedback, and real-time inventory information, enhancing the efficiency and personalization of shopping.
The Google Shopping Graph, an extensive repository of more than 50 billion product listings, fuels this upgraded shopping experience. With approximately 2 billion listings refreshed every hour, users receive precise and timely information regarding product availability and pricing, specifically tailored for the Australian market. This guarantees that users can rapidly make well-informed purchasing choices.
The merger of camera functionality with AI blurs the boundaries between the digital and physical realms, providing practical solutions to everyday challenges. While some may find the concept of conversing with their device peculiar, the advantage of having hands-free support is undeniable. Australia’s participation in this global launch emphasizes the nation’s forward-thinking tech approach, with users already capable of accessing these features today.
The introduction of Google Search Live and AI-empowered shopping capabilities signifies a major leap in how Australians connect with technology. By merging voice and visual components into search and shopping, Google delivers a more intuitive and effective user experience. These enhancements are poised to reshape daily activities, making technology an even more integral aspect of our lives.
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!
Telstra is preparing to improve its event-oriented network observation framework, which has been in place for four years, by integrating the Apache Flink data processing engine. This integration, slated to commence in the upcoming months, aims to enhance Telstra’s capacity to process and analyze streaming data in real-time.
Telstra plans to combine Flink with its current Kafka-focused event stream processing functionalities, both of which will be utilized through managed services offered by Confluent. This strategic initiative is anticipated to increase the speed and efficiency of data processing, enabling Telstra to swiftly tackle network challenges.
With Flink’s integration, Telstra intends to monitor significant changes in its network, facilitating early problem identification and faster restoration of complete services. The enhanced observability will ensure that customers receive the promised service levels, leading to greater overall satisfaction.
Telstra leverages network data to guide service innovation and ensure customers achieve the expected value from performance-related service enhancements. By investigating trends and customer demands, Telstra can create customized products, improving the selections available on its network.
The addition of Flink is also perceived as a move towards fortifying Telstra’s AI and analytics capacities. High-quality, accessible data from the network is essential for informed decision-making, vital for progressing AI initiatives.
Telstra’s incorporation of Apache Flink into its existing Kafka-based platform signifies a notable improvement in its event streaming proficiencies. This action is poised to enhance network observability, stimulate product development, and bolster AI and analytics endeavors, ultimately improving service for customers.
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 Benchmark Awards Roundtable, hosted by Interactive, gathered leading technology executives to explore the shifting dynamics of cloud technology. As organizations increasingly depend on cloud solutions, modernization becomes imperative. Executives are charged with crafting strategies that cater to current requirements while also preparing for upcoming obstacles.
Cloud sovereignty remains a pivotal element for Australian firms. With data regulations tightening, businesses must guarantee that their cloud strategies adhere to local laws and global standards. The roundtable reinforced the significance of selecting cloud solutions that provide both adaptability and governance over data storage and processing.
Security is paramount in cloud implementation. The discussions at the roundtable emphasized the necessity for comprehensive security protocols that safeguard sensitive information and uphold the integrity of business operations. As cyber threats progress, the strategies to defend against them must evolve as well. This necessitates ongoing investment in security technologies and methodologies.
One of the hurdles in cloud integration is expense management. Predictability in cloud-related costs enables organizations to plan judiciously and allocate resources adeptly. Moreover, resilience in cloud services guarantees that businesses can sustain operations without interruptions, even amid unforeseen circumstances.
The Benchmark Awards Roundtable offered valuable perspectives on the future of cloud technology, focusing on modernization, sovereignty, and security. As Australian enterprises tackle these intricate matters, the necessity for strategic foresight and dependable solutions becomes increasingly apparent.
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 Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is gearing up to revamp its strategy for regulating the telco sector. By discontinuing co-regulatory arrangements, ACMA is assuming direct oversight to introduce enforceable industry standards that more effectively protect consumer interests.
The decision comes in the wake of ACMA’s dismissal of a proposed co-regulatory code in October 2023. The draft was found lacking in terms of consumer protection. ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin highlighted the urgency for more explicit obligations and enhanced regulatory enforcement to tackle issues such as predatory sales tactics and protections for at-risk consumers.
Although the Australian Telecommunications Association (ATA) defended its record on consumer satisfaction, it recognized the need to collaborate with ACMA. ATA CEO Luke Coleman pointed out that the industry is dedicated to working together for improved consumer outcomes, underlining the critical role of connectivity in the lives of Australians.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) praised ACMA’s proactive position. ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett commended the decision as a major shift in telecommunications regulation, urging ACMA to actively alleviate consumer harm through the forthcoming standards.
ACMA’s resolution to directly regulate telco consumer protections signifies a significant transformation in the telecommunications arena. With new enforceable standards imminent, both industry stakeholders and consumer advocates anticipate notable advancements in consumer safeguarding.
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!
.png&h=420&w=748&c=0&s=0)
In the current fast-paced business environment, data and artificial intelligence (AI) lead the charge in innovation. Companies throughout Australia are increasingly allocating resources to these technologies to improve operations, enhance competitive advantage, and aid decision-making. The dilemma for senior tech leaders has transitioned from grasping AI’s possibilities to charting the course for its implementation.
As AI and data transform industries, the expectations for leaders are at an all-time high. The transformation from trial phases to concrete business results imposes significant pressure on executives. Leaders must navigate informed choices about governance, risk assessment, capability enhancement, and strategic orientation amidst a lack of previous guides.
The TechBest Executive Retreat: Data & AI Leaders Edition, set for 28-29 May 2026 at the beautiful Château Élan in Hunter Valley, is designed to create a favorable atmosphere for these vital discussions. By gathering a curated group of senior tech, data, and AI leaders, the retreat allows for open dialogue among peers in a serene environment.
The retreat’s structure promotes relaxed interactions through activities like wine and cheese tastings, golfing, and leisure at a HydroDeck spa. This environment encourages relationship growth and allows participants to exchange insights and experiences away from their usual routines.
The TechBest Executive Retreat: Data & AI Leaders Edition presents a distinct chance for senior leaders to participate in honest conversations about the future of AI and data in their organizations. By focusing on peer learning and relationship development, the event aims to provide leaders with the insights necessary to successfully navigate the changing technological landscape.
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 swift progress of commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite providers represents a novel opportunity for worldwide connectivity. Nonetheless, their ability to provide services in Australia without local operations raises critical issues regarding users’ data being beyond the reach of Australian regulations. This intricate matter is covered in a recent guideline from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
LEO satellite networks often share data across various nations without utilizing local Australian assets. This scenario not only generates uncertainty about the applicable legal jurisdiction but also complicates adherence to established privacy and data protection laws. The ACSC suggests that entities employing LEO services negotiate contractual agreements to guarantee data localisation, thereby preserving authority over data processing locations and methods.
In tackling these hurdles, the ACSC recommends that organizations require management of encryption keys within the country to maintain cryptographic sovereignty. Furthermore, they should demand satellite configurations that restrict data downlinking to authorised regions. It is also advisable for LEO operators to isolate customer data at every stage to improve security.
LEO satellite architectures face specific cyber threats arising from their distributed framework and dependence on radio links, which can be disrupted or intercepted. The ACSC highlights the danger of unauthorized command injections and signal spoofing, particularly in older satellites lacking contemporary security measures. Ground systems present additional vulnerabilities, such as malware intrusions and credential breaches.
For those utilizing LEO services, the ACSC recommends adopting multi-factor authentication and deploying endpoint detection tools. Encrypting data during transmission and at rest, along with routine updates and secure settings, is essential. The guidance also underscores the necessity of readiness for post-quantum cryptography to defend against upcoming threats.
The capability of LEO satellite operators to function outside the scope of Australian data regulations introduces considerable risks and challenges. With the stakes of data sovereignty and security involved, organizations need to actively collaborate with satellite providers to ensure compliance and secure operations, while also preparing for emerging technological risks.
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!
An independent assessment has determined that Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure (SoCI) Act is deficient in its efficiency, branding it as “ineffective”. The associated penalties are viewed as merely a standard business expense rather than an incentive for enhancing security.
The assessment recommends a reformation of the SoCI Act to eliminate duplication and synchronize with other existing responsibilities. It advocates for the legislation to be designed to adapt to technological and geopolitical changes. A key suggestion is to transition from a compliance-focused approach to one centered on enforcement with concrete penalties.
Consultations with industry representatives indicated that the current SoCI Act is perceived as convoluted and intricate. The assessment recommends broadening the Act’s scope to encompass emerging areas like AI services, content delivery networks (CDNs), large-scale cloud service providers, and technologies related to space and drones.
Assessment leader Jill Slay pointed out a lack of personal investment in the significance of safeguarding Australia’s critical infrastructure among compliance personnel. It was noted that individuals with backgrounds in Defence and intelligence were exceptions, showing a greater awareness of the consequences.
The review of Australia’s SoCI Act underscores notable deficiencies in its present form. The push for a comprehensive overhaul aims to ensure that the Act can effectively tackle modern threats and challenges by transitioning to a more stringent enforcement framework.
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 Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) is taking a proactive stance by appointing a chief technology officer on an as-needed basis. This move is designed to infuse strategic insights into a significant core modernisation initiative. By opting for a CTO-as-a-Service model, ACMA aims to incorporate expert knowledge that resonates with current technology developments and government digital initiatives.
In the wake of Lyall Reid’s exit as the previous full-time CTO, ACMA has been actively searching for a suitable successor to manage its technological agenda. At present, Chris Dale serves as Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO) and will supervise the on-demand CTO. This strategic choice underscores ACMA’s dedication to enhancing its technological framework and decision-making processes.
ACMA’s choice to implement this adaptable CTO model highlights the necessity for strategic technology leadership. The agency’s current systems and infrastructures are becoming obsolete and disjointed, requiring a coherent strategy to modernise and align with wider government digital initiatives. The new CTO will be vital in steering this transformation, ensuring that ICT investments deliver meaningful business and regulatory results.
As ACMA advances its modernisation strategies, there is a clear focus on enhancing architectural governance and general technology oversight. The CTO-as-a-Service will be instrumental in this process, providing expert advice to consolidate ICT decision-making and bolster strategic alignment throughout the organization.
ACMA is making a significant advancement by adopting a CTO-as-a-Service framework, concentrating on modernising its core systems and reinforcing strategic technology leadership. This initiative is expected to facilitate considerable improvements in technology governance, investment strategies, and alignment with government digital objectives.
