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 AMSUNG GALAXY WATCH: TIME TO UPGRADE?

4K TODAY’S
TOP BUYS
Get Ultra HD quality and
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Summer 2019

SAMSUNG
NOTE 9
BEST BIG PHONE?
NEW
MACBOOK
PRO: RATED

BEST Apple’s most

powerful
ever

TECH • Turntables
• OLED TV
• Techy toys
• Fitness gear
• Top tablets
54 ace innovations,, from killer audio to smooth shaves

STED NEW!
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So go
ood they EARBUDS
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 GAMECHANGER
The tech that’s so cutting edge,
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just turning this page

COMPLETE CONTROL
Leave the AI powered Ovis
suitcase to drive itself, or
grab it by the handle to cut
power and engage manual
mode, at which point
all four wheels become
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FORWA R D X OV I S
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USD$799, forwardx.com

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3

 he team

Future Publishing Australia, PO Box 1077 Mount Street,

North Sydney, NSW 2059
Tel: 02 9955 2677 Fax: 02 9955 2688
Email: ben.mansill@futurenet.com
Web: www.t3.com | www.techradar.com

Editorial
Editor: Ben Mansill ben.mansill@futurenet.com
Creative Director: Troy Coleman troy.coleman@futurenet.com
Designer: Sharnee Swinnerton sharnee.brisbourne@futurenet.com

Contributors
Matt Bolton, Nick Odantzis, Claire Davies, Paul Dimery, Craig Stewart, Chris Barnes, James
Jarvis, Warren Brown, Duncan Bell, Joe Branston, Alex Cox, Olly Curtis, Ian Evenden,
Neil Godwin, Steve May, Steve Jarratt, Danny Phillips, Sam Taylor, Chris Barnes, Becca
Caddy, Spencer Hart, Russell Lewin, Joby Sessions, Jordan Erica Webber, Michelle McLaren

Photography
All copyrights and trademarks are recognised and respected

Advertising
Group Advertising Manager: Cameron Ferris
cameron.ferris@futurenet.com
Management
Managing Director: Neville Daniels
Sales Director: Paul Marttila

Printed by Bluestar
Distributed in Australia and NZ by Gordon and Gotch
www.gordongotch.com
ISSN 1445-2901

About the magazine

T3 is published by Future Publishing Australia. All articles in this magazine are copyright of
Future Plc group company, UK 2018. All rights reserved. Distributed in Australia and NZ
by Gordon and Gotch www.gordongotch.com.au. Printed by Webstar www.bluestargroup.
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Publishing Australia copyright 2018.

We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly
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environmental and socioeconomic standards. The manufacturing paper mill holds full FSC
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All contents © 2018 Future Publishing Australia or published under licence. All rights
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4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Welcome

Editor’s letter
Welcome to summer, T3-style. Our mission is to
serve you up not just a dazzling array of the techy
gear we know you love to hear about, but test it
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by owning something we’ve reviewed.
It starts with our humbly-named Best Tech for
Everything feature story. There’s not a single part of
your life where tech can’t step in and improve things
a little. Sure, there’s the obvious stuff like which new
TV is the best and what soundbar should I pair it
with, but here at T3 we like to get up from the couch
once every so often, go outside and perhaps cook a
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around with a high intensity torch. If we miss the TV
too much while stumbling around the bush then no
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phone and drown out the howling dingoes
somewhere out there in the darkness with a few
episodes of Friends. We need the biggest bloke in
our group to stand still while we use his back as a
screen, but apart from that it’s all about successfully
embracing tech, and bringing it into your life.
We hope you enjoy yet another gear-packed
issue of T3!
Ben Mansill, Editor
ben.mansill@futurenet.com

T3’S MISSION
T3èV PLVVLRQ LV WR KHOS \RX ĆQG WKH EHVW SURGXFWV IRU HYHU\
area of your tech lifestyle. From traditional gadget buys like
phones and TVs to connected home security and sports
sensors, if it can make your life better, we’re here to make
sure you get the right one for you.
The products we feature are chosen by our expert writers,
with years of experience in their key areas. We wouldn’t
recommend something we wouldn’t be happy to live with
RXUVHOYHVåWKHWDWLVĆOWHUHGRXWORQJEHIRUHZHSULQWDSDJH
This goes for reviews too – you won’t us wasting your time
with products you don’t need to know about.
More than that, our aim is to make sure you get the most
out of the things you buy, with in-depth guides to complex
tech areas, tips on making better use of products, and
recommendations for add-ons that make your favourite
gadgets even better.
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that make your life easier. Because we can all do with that.

OUR AWARDS

THE BEST FOR BEST ON

PLATINUM DESIGN BATTERY TEST
AWARD AWARD LIFE

2QO\ D ĆYHVWDU UHYLHZ HDUQ We give this only to tech This award, and others like it, The winners of our group
a product our prestigious WKDW VWDQGV RXW IRU VWXQQLQJ are given for exceptional tests earn this accolade,
Platinum Award aesthetics or a clever build performance in a key feature showing them to be top tier

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 5

 Contents

Contents
HORIZON
008
TOP 10
024
THE BEST
The latest drop of the world’s TECH FOR
hottest new tech is right here. EVERYTHING
Feast your eyes on Samsung’s Calm down.
stylish new smartwatch, an Unwind. Entertain.
AI-powered drone that’s big on Have fun. Get
cinematic shots, and a slightly weird ĆWWHU ([SORUH
yet innovative full body scanner to other (VR) worlds.
monitor your health from the inside Yes, these are the
out (yikes!) gadgets to help you
win at life
020
STYLE
The best jeans for autumn style.
Oh, and we show you how to dress
like Jeff Goldblum. You’re welcome

014
AUTO
Rain and snow? Pah! These
all-weather rides will keep you on
track

022 MAN VS TECH STATE OF

LIVING
Fresh new ways to light your home
for autumn, plus B&O’s rockable
042 Think you can clean
your toilet better than
tech can? Grab your marigolds, we’ll bring
062 THE ART
Meet the new breed
of compact commuting ebikes, a marriage
speaker WKH FOHDQLQJ JDGJHWV DQG OHWèV ĆQG RXW of speed and sheer convenience

15
FITNESS & OUTDOORS
Want to give rock climbing a go?
Here’s the essential kit to get you
started

017
GADGET GURU
Will more pixels make you more
productive? Our tech expert knows
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029
TALKING TECH
GEAR FOR YOUR PREPARE YOUR

056 085
Duncan Bell muses on the
provocative role of packaging CONNECTED SMART HOME
in tech HOME FOR SUMMER
Ready to set up a proper 4k home From overhauling your cooling to clearing
entertainment room? out gutters, here’s what you need to do

6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


058
HOME
058
THE SETUP
How to get started with the Amazon
Echo Spot and customise it to suit
your particular smart home’s needs
052
UPGRADE
/RYH VPRRWKLHV" )ROORZLQJ D VSHFLĆF
diet? Find out how much fat and sugar
is in your smoothie with the world’s
ĆUVW%OXHWRRWK EOHQGHU
058
DESIRE
Furnish your pad with the ultimate in
modern living accessories
054
HOME TEST
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KRPH ZLWK WKH EHVW ZLUHOHVV DOO
weather outdoor security cameras
056
SMART HOME SURGERY
Our resident experts dish out the
answers to your smart home queries
058
LIVING SMARTER
Sync your smart home’s lights with the
weather outside
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Contents
078
071
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE9 BEST OF THE BEST
Samsung has relied heavily on the
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really enough this time around?
075
SMACKDOWN
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pit two sporty earphones against one
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This unique new smartwatch seems to 089
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BUYER’S GUIDE
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BEST GAMING HEADSETS WHOO\ LV" 2U WKH EHVW ĆUVWWLPH '6/5"
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LPSRUWDQW SHULSKHUDO LQ \RXU DUVHQDO ZRUOGèVEHVWDQG onlyWKHEHVW
Here are six to elevate your game
80
APPLE MACBOOK PRO
Six cores of processing power in a
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we discovered some pretty interesting
things during the review
076
071
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 7
 Horizon

The best new tech heading your way

Edited by Claire Davies

SAMSUNG
GALAXY
WATCH
From $499, samsung.com

Smartwatches are like Vegemite: some see the

appeal, and some don’t. Samsung’s new Galaxy
Watch, a surprisingly attractive successor to
the Gear S3, is hoping to convert non-believers
and bolster the faith of the smartwatch loyal.
The Galaxy Watch arrives in two sizes (42mm
and 46mm), and is infused with a plethora of
features that aim to make your daily life better.
It’s clear that Samsung has designed the
Galaxy Watch to look more like a regular
timepiece rather than a big chunk of tech Samsung reckons
squatting on your wrist. In either its Black or the 46mm Galaxy
Rose Gold persuasion, you’d be as happy Watch’s battery
pairing it with a crisp shirt as you would your should last up to
gym clobber. And yes, the new Samsung wants seven days if you
in on your gym time… don’t hammer it
In addition to displaying notifications, and with heavy use,
enabling you to make and take calls on the with the 42mm
wrist, the Galaxy Watch tracks 39 workouts version lasting for
and offers guided indoor exercises (via up to four days
Samsung Health), as well as monitoring sleep. with light use
It also wants to help organise your smart home,
connecting with SmartThings-enabled devices
for wrist-based control.
We also like the sound of the My Day watch
face, providing an at-a-glance peek at your
schedule for the next 10 hours. Could there be
a smartwatch hit for Android at last?

TECH-O-METER
A good-looking
smartwatch that’s fit
for parties or the gym
Matt Bolton, Editor

8 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Top 10

POCKET SIZED PA
The Galaxy Watch acts as
a digital assistant, keeping
track of your schedule
and nudging you about
upcoming events. The
watch uses the Bixby virtual
assistant, so you can set
reminders and alarms using
your voice

PERFECT PARTNERS
Samsung’s newcomer
is compatible with
smartphones running
Android 5.0+ or iOS
9+. SmartThings and
Samsung Pay are also
here, boosting control
over your compatible
smart home gear and your
contactless shopping

DOCTOR’S
ORDERS
Cycling, swimming
(it’s waterproof to 50
meters) and running
(it has built-in GPS)
are among the 39
workouts tracked, and
there are 29 indoor
exercises for you to
explore, too

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 9

 Horizon

SONY MASTER SERIES AF9

$5,799, sony.com.au

When it comes to TVs, it’s easy to get

befuddled by all the alphanumeric names.
But there’s nothing confusing about the sheer
awesomeness of Sony’s new Master series of
4K HDR TVs. The tech giant’s aim with the AF9
OLED (available in 55- and 65-inch sets) was to
create “a picture approaching the quality of a
professional-grade monitor in a motion-picture
studio”. Plus, with the help of its own next-gen
picture processor, X1 Ultimate, Sony has
achieved the kind of supreme accuracy and
detail that you’d expect to find from the
master. Sony has also teamed up with Netflix
to offer Netflix Calibrated Mode. What’s that?
Switch it on in the menu bar and your fave
Netflix shows will come alive in exactly the
way their creators intended. Prepare to fall
in love with Stranger Things all over again.

T3 SAYS: Packed with pro-grade smarts, Sony’s

new panels are made for TV connoisseurs.

TECH-O-METER

AIRLANGO MYSTIC
USD$599, airlango.com

In case you’ve forgotten, drones aren’t

only useful for assassination attempts and
smuggling contraband into prisons. They’re
also very good at aerial photography – and
this Kickstarter project, due in November,
is especially good at it. The Mystic, like many
modern drones, uses 3D tracking to follow
you around autonomously. But what makes
this drone stand out is that it’s AI-powered.
As it soars above you, it will identify points
of interest and focus on them for photos or 4K
video. The Mystic is also pre-programmed with
a number of ‘cinematic’ flight patterns, meaning
you can recreate the chopper scene from
Apocalypse Now as it divebombs your garden.
Best of all, you can get it to take a selfie just by
striking a few poses thanks to gesture control.

T3 SAYS: It’s no longer about whether you need

a drone, it’s whether a drone needs you.

TECH-O-METER

1 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Top 10

KOZMOPHONE
USD$349, kickstarter.com

Much like vinyl records, fashions tend to

go round in circles – and aesthetically, this
turntable harks back to a time when men
smoked pipes and women wore petticoats.
Happily, though, the Kozmophone boasts some e
smarts. For a start, it’s modular, so you can
remove the horn and connect it, via Bluetooth,
to your laptop or smart device as a portable
speaker. If you keep the horn on the turntable,
you can rotate it 360 degrees to direct sound
around the room. But the feature that probably y
got most of its Kickstarter funders excited (it’s
due for launch in December) is its holographic
display. Choose from a range of icons,
download it, then have it rotating inside the
turntable’s perspex pyramid. Magic.

T3 SAYS: Some might consider it gimmicky,

but as a conversation starter, the Kozmophone
e
ticks all the boxes.

TECH-O-METER

LG 34WK95U-W
USD$1,499, lg.com

If Vincent van Gogh was alive today, he’d

probably give his right ear for one of these.
Destined to become the go-to monitor for
digital artists, the 34WK95U-W is a borderless
wonder that boasts the world’s first 5K2K
(5120x2160 resolution) 21:9 display. The
luxuriant DCI-P3 colour gamut – a film-industry
standard – and certified HDR600 compatibility
will bring breathtaking exuberance to any
project, whether that be Photoshopping your
holiday snaps or editing a wedding video.
And if you want to multi-task, you can – the
monitor’s Split Screen function, combined with
a Thunderbolt 3 port that provides super-fast,
40Gbps data transfer, means two separate
video streams can be viewed side by side.

T3 SAYS: Even for creatives this is arguably OTT,

but there’s no denying that it’s immense when it
comes to multi-tasking and crisp colours.

TECH-O-METER

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 1 1

 Horizon

NAKED LABS NAKED

USD$1,395, nakedlabs.com

The big drawback of dieting is that you end

up spending twice as long in front of the mirror,
trying to work out whether or not your handles
have shrunk. Well, say goodbye to guesswork,
slimmers, because Naked Labs has launched
“the world’s first home body scanner”. Step
onto the included set of rotating scales and this
body-length ‘mirror’ will use its infrared light
sensors to map your entire body in 3D. Your
scan – along with details including body fat,
fat mass, lean mass and weight – will then be
beamed to the Naked Labs app, giving you a
clear-cut appraisal of your calorie-burning
endeavours, with detailed measurements. You
can even view scans side by side, to check if
you’ve developed an extra chin since last
week’s bucket meal.

T3 SAYS: Weight Watchers meets Minority

Report in this futuristic body-mapping tech.

TECH-O-METER

NIKON COOLPIX P1000

$1,499, nikon.com.au

Ever wanted to know what an ant’s earlobe

looks like? Or what that microdot on the moon
is? Now you can (maybe). The latest snapper
in Nikon’s long-running CoolPix range is a
wonder of science: it boasts the world’s longest
optical zoom (125x, with a focal-length range
of 24-3000mm!) for this size of camera – and
yet, at a piffling 1.4kg, it’s a fraction of the
weight of your average chunky DSLR. Nikon’s
proprietary vibration reduction tech will help
you capture eye-popping detail even when
your hand is shaking. And that telephoto lens
can be called into action while filming glorious
4K video, too, so you can shoot Blue Planet-
style close-ups of sea anenomes to your
heart’s content.

T3 SAYS: Whether you’re a wildlife snapper

or a super-spy, that mega-zoom will make
a big difference to your work.

TECH-O-METER

1 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Top 10

GARMIN VIVOSMART 4
$199, garmin.com

When fitness trackers first appeared, sensor, energy-reserve calculator,

many wrote them off as a fad –
flimsy rubber step-counters that held
about as much long-term appeal as
calculator watches. But those cynics
clearly underestimated the boffins
that build these things, as sports
bands have advanced beyond
recognition. Garmin’s Vivosmart 3
was a massive hit with fitness freaks
thanks to features like all-day stress
tracking and a ‘rep counter’ for
monitoring bench presses. The US
company has upped the ante yet
further with the tracker’s fourth
edition, adding a blood-oxygen
a seven-day battery life and water
resistance. It’s also slimmer than it
used to be, which is handy for
comfort, but is also a good omen
for its wearers, right?
T3 SAYS: This feature-packed fitness
tracker may end up knowing more
about your body than you do.
TECH-O-METER
COOLNESS
INNOVATION
FEATURES

PHILIPS 65OLED903
$TBA, philips.com.au

An OLED TV isn’t just for Christmas,
but there’s bound to be some
cracking telly, so you might want to
buy a new panel to make the most of
it. If you can’t afford the Samsung
8Ker that heads up this section then
your next best option is the latest 4K
launch. The ultra-slim 65OLED903/12
has a lot going for it: P5 Perfect
Picture Engine technology serves up
crisp detail, authentic skin colouring
and super-smooth motion; Google
Assistant lets you navigate the telly’s
Android smarts with your voice, and
Philips’ tried-and-trusted Ambilight
feature adds some psychedelic
pizzazz. Best of all, the TV boasts an
integrated soundbar by audio
experts Bowers & Wilkins, which
we’ve heard in the flesh, and is a
seriously impressive bit of kit for
built-in TV speaker.
T3 SAYS: How to stand out in the TV
market? Team up with one of the
world’s best audio companies!
TECH-O-METER
COOLNESS
INNOVATION
FEATURES

NETATMO SMART SMOKE ALARM

USD$99, netatmo.com

How are you supposed to relax on
your hols when you’re constantly
worrying that you’ve left the iron on
at home and your house is going to
catch fire at any minute? Easy! Install
Netatmo’s latest smart device to your
ceiling. Using optical sensors, this
stylishly understated gadget will
detect the first signs of smoke, and
immediately start pinging alerts to
your and your partner’s smartphone
so that you can call the fire brigade.
If you accidentally set it off when
you’re at home (damn that cheap
toaster), you can use your phone to
silence it via Bluetooth. And as for
those annoying beeps you usually
get when smoke alarms run out of
juice? No bother – this one will
calculate when its 10-year battery is
on its way out, and keep you posted
via a notification.
T3 SAYS: Smart and reliable, this
smoke detector has got your back
while you’re at home and away.
TECH-O-METER
COOLNESS
INNOVATION
FEATURES

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 1 3

 Horizon

CAR RACKS
AND BOXES

HOLLYWOOD
EXPRESS 3-BIKE
CAR RACK
Why hire bikes when you
can take your own? his
rack attaches to your car
via six fastening straps for
impressive stability, while
rubber separators stop your
bikes from getting scratched.
$124, 99bikes.com.au

THULE WAVE SURF

RACK/WINGBAR 963
No self-respecting surf dude
(yes, we’re cool) wants their
board to get damaged in
transit. Featuring four rubber
cradles and taut straps, the
Wave Surf Rack provides
optimum protection – and
the WingBar it attaches to
packs drag-reducing tech for SEASON PASS
improved fuel economy.
$179, thule.com.au THE BEST ALL-WEATHER RIDES
Give inclement weather the cold shoulder with an SUV that’ll keep
you rock solid on the road in any season

KAMEI 330 ROOF BOX
With room for six skis
(although feel free to cram it
with pants, socks, booze…
whatever), a secure locking
system and a chiselled,
impact-resistant build,
the Kamei 330 will keep
anything you store up there
safe and sound.
$329, kamei.de
Unless you want to recreate Torvill and
Dean’s Bolero on the slippery roads this
autumn and winter, you need to think about
buying a motor that can cope with adverse
conditions. Of course, Land Rover has been
building all-weather vehicles for donkey’s
years, so you’d expect its latest Discovery
Sport (from $62,762, landrover.com.au) to
take this kind of stuff in its stride. And it
does, boasting dedicated ‘Mud’ and ‘Snow’
modes that apply exactly the right amount
of power to maximise traction on
unforgiving surfaces, as well as tyres that are
wider and grippier than a bouncer’s arms.
Subaru may not be the first marque that
springs to mind when you think about
no-nonsense vehicles, but the 2018 Outback
(from $35,740, subaru.com.au) laughs in the
face of chilly climes, with all-wheel drive and
impressive ground clearance, not to mention
heated front seats as standard. Toasty.
Volvo’s new V90 Cross Country all-wheel
drive (from $99,900, volvocars.com/au)
takes no prisoners in cold weather, drawing
upon a turbocharger and a supercharger
to pummel its way out of trouble. And the
latest iteration of Volkswagen’s T-Roc (price
TBC) combines a raft of smart safety
features (emergency braking, accident
avoidance and optional 4MOTION traction
control) to boost your confidence when the
frost bites.

1 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Top 10

MERINO
WOOL BASE ROCK AND ROLL
LAYERS Original Wild founder and adventure expert Kyle Moran
picks his top rock climbing kit
SMARTWOOL MERINO
150 SHORT SLEEVE
Core Spunun
technology
(merino BLACK DIAMOND VAPOR
wool HELMET
wrapped d This helmet is so ultra-light
around a you forget you’re wearing it.
nylon corre) Extremely breathable too, so
combines you can climb harder.
comfort $143,
with durability. But where q p
blackdiamondequipment.com
this tee really impresses is
temperature regulation.
Perfect for an early autumn ARCTERYX AR
hike when the wind could be 395A HARNESS
feisty at the top of the climb. If you want a lightweight MONTANE PRISM
$176, smartwool.com harness that feels like it JACKET
was made for you, this is When securing your
it. We use it at Original climbing partner, things can
ICEBREAKER COOL- Wild, and it’s one of the get chilly. A quality synthetic
LITE MOMENTUM best I’ve owned. jacke
jacket that fits over your
LONG SLEEVE ZIP $220, arcteryx.com harness and gear is essential
Cool-Lite DMM PIVOT for exposed
e moments.
fabric aids BELAY DEVICE $160, montane.co.uk
$160
comfort, A bombproof guide
nylon aids b
belay device used
durability, at inal Wild. B
BOLDRINI APACHE 5
and Lycra Enab es you to secure These climbing shoes aren’t
makes a cllimbing partner in
n the cheapest, but they last.
the top ferent modes, with Commfortable, and a great-
pleasingly ngle or double ropes. lookking shoe that slides on and
stretchy. A $64, off a treat.
zipper chin guard
d andd storm
t dmmclimbing.com $2000, coldmountainkit.com
flap prevent chafing, offset
shoulder seams stop pack
rub, and the odour resistance
is unbeatable.
$260, au.icebreaker.com RUNNING SHOES FACE-OFF
Ultra-grip trainers for staying steady on your feet
DHB MERINO
SLEEVELESS BASE
HEAD-TO
LAYER -HEAD INOV-8 TERRAULTRA G 260
WINNER
Here, the $218, inov-8.com
lightweight, British brand inov-8 already has an excellent reputation
super-fine for its running shoe grip, and by using graphene, it’s
material now durable too. The upper is no less rugged, infused
wicks away with Kevlar. A wide toebox makes the shoes breathable,
sweat and while zero drop aids natural running form. At just 260g,
resists body the shoe is also insanely light.
odours, with h
excellent ALTRA MEN’S LONE PEAK 3.5
thermal $180, altrarunning.com
regulation Altra, huge in US trail-running and new here, offers a
keeping you cool. his soft wide toebox, zero drop and ample cushioning. The shoes
vest is a good choice for a base are comfortable and rugged. Grip is good, but less sticky
layer, or as the first layer of than the Terraultra’s. The cushioning will feel luxurious
your base system. to some but excessive to others, and the size and weight
$45, wiggle.com.au negates dexterity.

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 1 5


GADGET GURU
ANDY M, MELBOURNE
Which monitor should I get?
The progressive ease at
A which Korea, Japan, and
China can manufacture
LCD panels means great things for
the desktop market, and good
news for fans of odd aspect ratios
and absurd pixel density. Though
selecting the right one boils down
ILLUSTRATIONS: STEPHEN KELLY
to a personal cost/benefit analysis.
You could plump for a 16:9
screen, which suits most
applications, most online video
formats, and most games, or you
could go mad with a more exotic
oblong: the Cinemascope-shaped
21:9 is making big inroads, while
Samsung and others are pushing a
rather silly 32:9 ultrawide ratio.
SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: INBOX@T3.COM OR FACEBOOK.COM/T3MAG
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Our adviser makes the tech world
even clearer than a 5K display
When things start getting that
complex, and you start dealing with
that many pixels, you need extra
hardware to drive it; 1080p has you
wrangling two million pixels, while
a 4K screen pushes that over eight
million. Not that GaGu would
recommend going for anything less
than QHD (2560x1440), because it
really does make a difference.
When things start getting that
complex and you start dealing
with that many pixels, you need
extra hardware to drive it
Gadget guru
ABOVE There’s the question of curves
The bigger your
monitor, the
(that’s really an each to their own sort
of thing) and HDR (you don’t need it,
bigger your joy. but it’s nice to have, if what the
Isn’t that how the manufacturer claims is HDR actually is).
saying goes? There’s the question of refresh rates
(don’t trust science –you’ll notice the
difference between 60Hz and 144Hz)
and sync (look for something in
conjunction with your graphics card for
tear-free images).
GaGu cop-out answer time, then:
buy the best thing you can afford, and
what works with your desk. Don’t get
something gigantic if you’re going to
be a foot away from it; don’t spend on
gaming features if you’re never going
to use them.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 1 7
 Horizon

FRANKIE D, SYDNEY

Is my smart speaker really

spying on me all the time?
GaGu’s been asked this
A question before, and
nothing has changed:
they’re just not built to do that. And
that remains true: until its trigger
phrase kicks it into action, an Alexa
or Google Assistant-infused device
is only listening on a tiny loop
(one-second in the Echo’s case)
that’s constantly recording over
itself. You’re limited to a specific list
of potential triggers because the
small hardware circuit that splits
the wait mode from the active
mode is not advanced enough to
accept anything more, and (for
your security) it’s designed to stay
exactly as it is, to prevent hacking.
That said! That said. Guru has
learned that while your smart
speaker is not listening at all times
(we’ll sidestep a few sinister patents
from Facebook – you can write
your own conspiracy theories
about those) it is certainly
everything it’s heard you say once
activated, along with everything
else you’ve done with your Google
account. Some of these entries
(you can find them in the My
Activity section of your Google
account) even include audio
recordings. Ostensibly this is a way
to ensure the service Google offers
you is personal; cynically, Guru also
suspects Google is holding on to
them to improve its voice-
recognition algorithms.
Amazon does the same thing
– you can find your voice recording
history through the Alexa app, and
see just how miraculous it is that
your Echo device can determine
through the muffled hiss of your
room just what it is you’re trying to
say. Both services helpfully allow
you to delete these recordings, but ABOVE
here’s the rub: if you want to use a If there’s a tiny LARRY R, PERTH
voice assistant, you’re going to be spy living in your
recorded. Uncomfortable as the smart speaker,

my humidor
remembering. Google Assistant, for idea may be, that’s how these do they get tiny
instance, literally stores a record of services work. pay cheques?

tippity top?
Guru (and, he is assured,
A the rest of the agonisingly
clean-cut T3 team) cannot
T warm
The necessary – router-level parental controls, condone the idea of you smoking,
winter led
w specifically the Disney-fied variety found in dear reader. You shouldn’t do it. It’s
GaGu to
G the Netgear Orbi mesh system ($499 for really bad for you. But if you do,
place himself
h in two nodes) are doing the trick at keeping and if your predilections lean
front oof the him on the straight and narrow for now. towards cigars through which you
barbeq que, turning Technology couldn’t fix GaGu’s cat’s can really taste the sumptuous
ever-mmore lobstery recent predilection for what the vet calls surfaces it was promised to have
under the burning ‘middening’ – even the mighty Feliway been rolled on, you’re not going to
sun. Tuurns out (or at face-hormone diffusers ($30-ish, or a lot be able to pull off that fantastic
his is the
least th more if you get it from the vet) didn’t stop Hannibal Smith impersonation with
storyy he
h told Mrs the agoraphobic tyke from leaving presents a soggy stoagie.
Guru) that the grill was definitely broken. throughout Guru Towers. GaGu can, So, if you must, the best way to
While the price of getting a Lynx Smart Grill however, heartily recommend both cat litter keep tabs on your death-box is with
express-shipped from the States didn’t tray liners, which simplify an otherwise a Bluetooth sensor that can sit in
quite match up to the immense value of its disgusting process, and the microchip- there and beam the conditions out
Wi-Fi connectivity, rotisserie features and detecting SureFlap cat flap ($169), which to you. GaGu especially likes the
app-directed meat-placement advice, Guru (as long as SensorPush HT1 ($50), which
did at least get a Big Green Egg. Inside, a batteries are live) monitors both humidity and
Meater beams the meat’s internal goings-on does a strong job temperature in one tiny package
directly to GaGu’s phone. at keeping out (so you can relocate the box if it’s
Guru is a little alarmed at the ability of his unwanted looking like your storage space is
youngest child to wiggle his little brain into intruders. the problem), but he’s more
any tech put in front of him – particularly if inclined towards putting it to work
that tech is protected by parental controls. in his suspiciously damp, warm
More severe sanctions have been made fridge. Just what is in there? We
may be better off not knowing.

1 8 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


NEW MEDIA
NOW PLAYING
he greatest media
you need on your
various screens
BETTER CALL SAUL
One of the greatest TV tricksters
returns to Netflix in the new
season of Better Call Saul. We
can’t wait to see what Jimmy
gets up to as it creeps toward
the start of Breaking Bad.
GIDEON FALLS
Echoes of Twin Peaks haunt this
new comic from the creative
team behind Old Man Logan,
which sees a young man and
Catholic priest drawn to the
dark town of Gideon Falls.
DONUT COUNTY
In this quirky, colourful game
for PC/Mac/PS4/iOS, you play a
hole that must get bigger and eat
everything in its path. It sounds
daft, but suspend all scepticism
and jump in.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Gadget guru
HAL W, ST LEONARDS
Can tech help
me gain
muscle?
Look away from the
A infomercials, Mr Flex,
because there’s nothing for
you there. GaGu can’t legally say
that (unnamed) vibrating stando-
plates or torturous ab-zappers
don’t work, but use a little common
sense – you know you can’t cheat
your way to a six pack.
The trick is to dodge the other
kind of six pack, get your diet right,
and work the right things at the
right time. Tech, or at least apps,
can help with that; Fitness Point
(iOS/Android, free) offers a basic
selection of mass-building routines,
with animations to help you find the
ABOVE
right form, while Jefit (iOS/Android,
We want to look
free) does the same with photos, KERRY C, LIVERPOOL
great on the
and lets you track your lifts as well.
outside, but we
also really want
EVAN P, to just lie in bed
watching Netflix
good mobile
TOOWOOMBA
recordings?
Are dash cams
worth it?
You would be surprised at
A what that tiny mic on your
phone is capable of. Guru
What price do you put listens to podcasts recorded using
A on security, safety, or the
possibility of capturing
nothing but a Android handset, and
while the content’s excruciating, the
footage of a crazy meteor strike audio quality generally isn’t.
while you’re trundling along the To do it better, Zoom’s compact
M2? Of course it’s worth it. Decent $169 H1n (a replacement for the H1,
dash cams are leaving China by the a long-standing favourite) produces
containerload, so while we think remarkable audio at a decent price,
you should plump for Garmin’s using a crossed-pair microphone
Dash Cam 55 ($238) you could get array to deliver a good stereo
good results with the Yi Smart Dash image. Consider also the Tascam
Camera ($54). DR-05, similarly specced and
Your insurance will get cheaper coming in at $158.
and, as long as you install the cam
properly, you’ll not even notice it’s
there. One caveat, though: GaGu’s
experiences attempting to run the
cabling for a rear-facing camera
were so negative he was inclined to
dash the thing onto the pavement.
With a dash cam in your car you
have the possibility of capturing
footage of a crazy meteor strike
as you trundle along the M2.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 1 9
 Horizon
RINSE, WASH, REPEAT
Jeans are the workhorse of any person’s wardrobe... Sam Squire picks five
of the best cuts and colours to be seen in this summer
THE HOTTEST TIMEPIECES RIGHT NOW
CERTINA DS
PH200M
As part of its Heritage
Collection, Certina
resurrected a dive
watch from the 1970s.
Inspired by the depths
of the ocean, it
combines timeless
design with a modern
automatic movement.
$1,020, certina.com
2 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
WHICH WATCH
OMEGA
SEAMASTER 1948
SMALL SECONDS
Released to celebrate
the 70th anniversary of o
the Seamaster, Omega a’s
latest watch is full of
retro touches, from the e
opaline silvery domed
dial to the embossed
vintage Omega.
$9,000, omega.com
ZARA RAW EDGE
SKINNY JEANS
Distressed jeans are one of 2018’s
hottest denim trends, and this raw
hem creation can be partnered
with every sneaker you own.
$91, zara.com
HUGO BOSS
REGULAR FIT JEANS
For those occasions when you
need to create a smarter look, slip
into Hugo Boss’ popular Regular
Fit Jeans, pairing them with
brogues and a crisp shirt.
$160, hugoboss.com
AMIRI TRACK STACK SKINNY-
FIT STRIPED DISTRESSED
STRETCH-JEANS
Side stripes were a big summer
hit and aren’t going away any
time soon. These designer jeans
will bring the look into autumn.
$2,287, mrporter.com
LEVIS 512 SLIM TAPER FIT
We’ve chosen the versatile 512
Slim Taper Fit because of its
perfect fit and sheer range of
colours you can buy ’em in.
From $89, levi.com
PULL & BEAR
CARROT FIT JEANS
Looser at the crotch yet tapered at
the calves, these jeans are ideal for
those with larger thighs. They’re
also great for wearing with boots.
$32 pullandbear.com
CHRISTOPHER
WARD C65 TRIDEN
W NT
BRONZE SH21
B
This classic 1960s dive
watch
w is underpinned
by Christopher Ward’ss
thhoroughly modern
n-house movement.
in
The bronze edition is
mited to 150 pieces.
lim
$3,333,
hristopherward.com
ch
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
 Style

DRESS LIKE
JEFF GOLDBLUM
Turns out the king of cool’s playful black
ensemble is easy to pull off…

THE JACKET
Bomber jackets are a
timeless classic, integrating
beautifully with a wide
range of looks. Jeff’s Saint
Laurent Sequin Bomber
($9,200, farfetch.com) is so
strong it elevates his entire
outfit in one swift move.

THE TROUSERS
Jeff often tones down his
bold shirts and jackets with
simple trousers. ASOS’
Design Slim Fit Black
Trousers ($52, asos.com) FOR ALL SEASONS
give you a similar look
without the movie star price.
HOW TO CREATE A
TRANSITIONAL
THE SHOES
A simple black boot is a
great way to lend an edge
to your outfit. The Office
Heron Chelsea Boots ($64,
WARDROBE
asos.com) provide a similar Stylist Ellis Ranson explains how to
vibe to Jeff and can be worn transition from winter to summer.
with black jeans and
trousers.
Late winter through early summer is an odd time for
clothes. We’re not quite ready to embrace the tees and
lightweight chinos of summer, but it’s still too cool to
abandon the heavier knits of autumn. So, how can we
MONEY shift into the new season both comfortably and stylishly?
Ellis Ranson, stylist to the likes of Rio Ferdinand and
NO OBJECT Peter Andre, suggests running an inventory on your
existing wardrobe, then carefully adding in new pieces,
Louboutin Greggo Flat Calf rather than splurging on a total fad closet overhaul…
“Men can get away with spending more on fewer
pieces, avoiding too much throw-away fashion,” says
Ellis. Take a look at your jeans and how these could be
paired with a new sweatshirt, or give your favourite
summer tees a new lease of life beneath a tailored blazer.
Adopting a tonal approach to colour is another key
starting point, says Ellis: “I love using different shades of
the same colour. Grey is a great example, as different
shades of grey creates a clean, effortless look.” For
choosing a look on cooler autumn days, Ellis suggests
layering up – but stylishly. “Layering is a key style hack
for all men. If you’re wearing a plain jumper, try a
longer-line t-shirt underneath, styled with a pair of skinny
There are Oxford shoes and then there’s the Louboutin Greggo jeans for a more casual look.”
Calf. A true sartorial icon, this dapper calfskin shoe is more When it comes to comfortable layering, Ellis advises
versatile than it first appears, lending itself smartly to suits (pair her clients to follow one golden rule: “Gym clothes
the Tan with blue suits, the Black with grey) as well as darker rinse belong in the gym. We all love a tracksuit, but if you’re
jeans. A flash of red from the soles introduces a racy element to looking for comfort try a twinset. These are hugely
an otherwise refined choice of footwear. popular and offer a casual look while still helping you
$1,200, asia.christianlouboutin.com look as though you’ve made an effort.”

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 2 1

 Horizon
Living

LUXURY
FEATURE
SPEAKERS

BANG & OLUFSEN

BEOSOUND EDGE
B&O has reinvented the
wheel for its new multi-room
speaker, out this November.
Using proximity sensors,
the Edge will detect when
you’re approaching and
BRIGHT IDEA
switch itself on. You can then
adjust the volume by rocking
the speaker back and forth.
FRESH NEW WAYS TO LIGHT
$TBC, bang-olufsen.com YOUR HOME THIS AUTUMN
Illuminate your house with the brightest lighting trends for summer,
O
NENDO from the latest smart lighting kits to showstopper pendants
CO
BUNAC
KER
SPEAK Lighting is one of the easiest ways to create shade of light depending on whether you’re
A collabooration a specific mood at home, and smart lighting bathing or showering.
between Bunaco helps you achieve the right colour and Keep it cosy in bedrooms and living
and stylee intensity for any space. Throwing a party? rooms with lanterns filled with LED string
studio Nendo, Deck your walls in the new Nanoleaf Canvas lights, arranged in clusters on mantelpieces
this sounndbox ($TBC, nanoleaf.me), a modular lighting or tables, or make a statement with a neon
relies upon the system comprising app-controlled LED wall sign or a giant, showstopper pendant.
echo-red ducing panels. Cover your entire ceiling in them if In the kitchen, why not embrace the
propertiees of its you want to go totally disco. industrial look with exposed bulbs, such as
coiled beeechwo
w od d Looking a bit grey? Let the new Philips the Plumen 001 ($59, plumen.com)? Hang a
build to produce Hue Adore Bathroom Ceiling Light ($TBC, series of them above your table for a
omnidirectional acoustics meethue.com) cast a flattering glow on you, statement light fixture that’s bright enough
that are as soothing as a throwing out either a relaxing or energising to cook by, no matter how dark it is outside.
Shiatsu massage.
$2,400, bunaco.co.jp

PEOPLE PEOPLE
TRANSPARENT
SPEAKER
Bringing a new meaning to
the phrase ‘crystal-clear
audio’, this speaker enables
you to observe its inner
machinations while it pumps
out your favurite tunes.
here’s also a mini version.
€800,
eu.transparentspeaker.com
WI-FI WONDER
SUPER-FAST SMARTS
Hi fi meets Wi Fi with Netgear’s groundbreaking
mesh system and smart speaker combo
Like Simon Cowell throwing together his latest boyband,
Netgear has taken a bunch of brilliant individual
components and merged them into one world-beating
smart-home kit. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the
Orbi Mesh Wi-Fi System with Orbi Voice ($TBC, netgear.
com), a genuinely exciting innovation that boasts a
Harman Kardon-built Bluetooth speaker, a voice-
enabled Alexa personal assistant and a trailblazing
tri-band mesh Wi-Fi router. What does it mean? You can
conduct all of your IoT shenanigans at lightning-fast
speed from literally anywhere in the home. Now, that’s
what we call the X factor.

2 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


Duncan Bell is
wrapped in plastic
Opening a new bit of tech is like weird sex
involving lots of film. Is this sustainable?
pening a new gadg t
is a very 21st centur
O expression of sexua
desire. As millennial
turn their backs on bonking, to
spend more time with their
avocados, inducting a new bit
tech is filling the hole that leav s.
You don’t agree? Consider th ...
When you buy a new bit of
the box is swaddled in shrink ap,
stretched taut across its body.
Everything is visible, yet
prophylactically covered. With
fumbling hands you must ease your
way through, then tear it off. Inked
text and logos hint at the
excitement within, like the neon
signs on disreputable bars of yore.
Prise off the lid and what you
desire is finally visible. The next
layer of plastique is not transparent
but translucent – sometimes near
opaque. Rather than being sealed
tightly like the outer layers, this is
suggestively loose, held together
by easily found tabs. This must be
carefully, lovingly peeled back.
Beneath, the soft plastic, the
vulnerable glass and the hard,
unyielding metal of the gadget’s
construction seem to yearn for your
touch. Finally, on the most sensitive
area, the screen, there is one final
sheet of plastic. You peel it back.
Now, at last, you can gaze upon its
true face, and let your fingers work
their magic, bringing it to life.
You get the subtle subtext of
what I’m getting at here, right?
Come on, we all know why people
love unboxing videos…
I need a shower after that
Not surprisingly, it was an Apple
product that recently made me
have all these rather feverish
thoughts about plastic. The Series
3 Apple Watch, which I bought as
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
esent, s
rhaps th
st w
apped device
all time.
First up, the watc
mes in a shrink-wrappe
x that even the shop assistant at
e Apple Store described as
, ver-sized”. Honestly, it’s about t
ze of one of those massive pac
cigarettes you can buy
duty-free shops,
h s or luggage r a
rabbit. Then the inner packaging is
plastic on top of card on top of
plastic. Even the straps, which are
entirely made of plastic, come
wrapped in individual bits of more
diaphanous plastic.
I’ve played up the sexy element
of unwrapping tech here because
that’s the way my mind works, but
it is, of course, much more complex
than that.
“here are aspects of
fetishism, but there is
also inhuman precision
and spiritual devotion”
There are aspects of fetishism
but there is also inhuman precision,
spiritual devotion and, more
prosaically, protection and
preservation of the new tech as it
moves up the supply chain from
factory to the clammy embrace of
your sweaty hands.
With the Apple Watch, for
instance, the vacuum-formed inner
tray is like a perfect tech bento box,
fussed and thought over to the nth
degree by Jony Ive and his monkish
Opinion
olytes.
e way Apple
h t k n some of e of
luxury watch packaging, but
applied them to a more explicitly
‘tech’ product, is also clever if
you’re in the know. However, how
long can this level of packaging
excess continue?
Given how upset people now get
about plastic drinking straws and
single-use shopping bags, it seems
inevitable that there will be a
backlash against this school of
packaging. It’s so beautiful, so OTT,
so perfectly plastic and... So
absolutely destined to be
immediately sent to landfill.
I’m not picking on Apple in
particular here. I’m aware that, in
recent years, the company has
worked hard to reduce the amount
of plastic it uses in its packaging,
and that much of what it uses is
actually recycled (though this is
problematic in itself as recycled
plastic has usually reached the last
of its nine lives) or is recyclable.
Probably other brands have too.
Even so, realistically, our
precious tech must surely all
start coming to us in corrugated
cardboard and ugly pseudo-
plastics based on starch. That’s
probably great for the planet, but I
admit I will miss this era of perfect
icons of glass and steel, impeccably
dressed in sexy, sexy plastic.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 2 3
 Best Tech for Everything

BEST TECH
FOR
EVERYTHING
Find out how tech can upgrade every part of your life,
from art appreciation and top TVs to the best shave ever
Words: Becca Caddy, Matt Bolton Photography: Neil Godwin

24 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Best Tech for Everything

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 2 5

 Best Tech for Everything

THE BEST TECH FOR…

audiovisual supremacy
1 Sonos Beam
Sonos’ new soundbar packs a stunning amount
of audio into your bedroom or living room,
OLIWLQJ WKH ćDW VRXQG \RX JHW IURP PRVW 79V
But it’s also a great addition to a smart home
setup, thanks to built-in Alexa voice control,
DQG LWèV SDUW RI D 6RQRV RU $SSOH $LU3OD\ 
PXOWLURRP PXVLF V\VWHP $QG WKDW 6RQRV
support means you could add a couple of Sonos
satellite speakers or its subwoofer to extend it
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7KHUHèV UHDOO\ QR EHWWHUYDOXH ZD\ WR ERRVW
\RXU KRPHèV VRXQG DQG VPDUWV
$599, sonos.com

2 Sony AF8
Our favourite telly on the market right now
starts with a gorgeous OLED 4K panel that
produces perfect HDR visuals, and then
continues with best-in-class image processing 1
for making HD content look great at Ultra HD,
DQG PDNLQJ PRWLRQ SHUIHFWO\ VPRRWK LQ VSRUWV
It also comes with ‘Acoustic Surface’ speaker
tech: the whole screen itself is a speaker (with a
woofer at the back for added oomph), creating
D PRUH HQJURVVLQJ VRXQGVWDJH WKDQ RWKHU 79V 2
From $3,499, sony.com.au

3 Sony WH-1000XM2
Get rid of the outside world and focus solely
on your music with Sony’s advanced noise-
FDQFHOOLQJ KHDGSKRQHV 7KH\èUH FRPIRUWDEOH
to wear for long periods of time, and do an
amazing job of cutting down on exterior noise
(and even have special tuning for pressure-
FKDQJH HQYLURQPHQWV VXFK DV SODQHV 0RVW
LPSRUWDQWO\ WKH\ VRXQG IDQWDVWLF :LWK OLYHO\
detail and rich bass, it all sounds perfectly
EDODQFHG $GG VPDUWV OLNH EHLQJ DEOH WR SODFH
one hand over a cup to let in noise from the
RXWVLGH WHPSRUDULO\ DQG \RXèYH JRW D ZLQQHU
$498, sony.com.au

4 Optoma UHZ65
:KHQ LW FRPHV WR SURMHFWRUV \RX QHHG WR JR
ODVHU LI \RX ZDQW WKH EHVW SLFWXUH SRVVLEOH 3
But buying this kind of cinema-quality tech
has always been the reserve of the really
ULFKðXQWLObWKH8+=DUULYHG7KLVSURMHFWRU 4
blows the mind with its HDR pictures, the
laser system creating deep blacks and vibrant
FRORXUV7KH.LPDJHLVDOVRSDFNHGZLWK
GHWDLO,WèVQRWWRRODUJHHLWKHUVR\RXZRQèW
need to create a whole home cinema space
MXVWbWRbDFFRPPRGDWHLW
$8,999, optoma.com

2 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Audiovisual supremacy

Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 2

Rectangular turntables? Forget it.
Half the fun of getting back to vinyl
is how everything looks on display
in your home, so you want to buy a
player that’s as much objet d’art as
practical tool. Say hello to the RPM 9
Carbon. The main plinth, with platter
and tone arm, is shaped like a guitar
SLFNDQGĆQLVKHGLQGUDPDWLFFDUERQ
ĆEUH7KHPRWRULVLQDVHSDUDWH
section of the base, ensuring that it
doesn’t interfere with the smooth
motion of the platter, so your
records always sound impeccable.
$4,199 project-audio.com
Continuing our ‘audio as art’ theme
is B&O’s 360-degree wireless
speaker. The gorgeous aluminium
design comes in silver, gold and
,QIDQWU\*UHHQĆQLVKHVDQGLVHDV\
to play music to, thanks to wireless
support for Bluetooth, AirPlay 2,
Chromecast and DLNA. The sound
spreads around the room beautifully
thanks to that striking ‘Acoustic
Lens’ design at the top: the tweeter
ĆUHVGRZQZDUGVRQWRDWHDUGURS
VKDSHGVWUXFWXUHZKLFKUHćHFWVLW
out in all directions.
$TBC, bang-olufsen.com

TOP TV ACCESSORIES

XOLORspace SMARTOOO 23051 gitech Harmony

We’ve now got a range of 4K HDR streamers,
games consoles, Blu-ray players… but a lot of
TVs only have a couple of 4K-capable ports.
<RXQHHGDbKLJKVSHHG+'0,VZLWFKDQGWKLV
LVbLW)LYHLQSXWVRQHRXWSXWDOOVRUWHG
$46, amazon.com
Log y Elite
Control your telly and smart home from one
WRXFKVFUHHQSURJUDPPDEOH UHPRWH$VLQJOH
press can turn on the TV and the Blu-ray player,
VHWWKHLQSXWDQGGLPWKHVPDUWOLJKWV<RXFDQ
DOVRFRQWUROLWIURP\RXUSKRQHRUXVLQJ$OH[D
$449, logitech.com
Chromecast Ultra
7KLVWLQ\VWUHDPLQJER[GDQJOHVEHKLQG\RXU79
DGGLQJDQHDV\ZD\WREHDP.YLGHRRYHUWRLW
IURPDQ\&KURPHFDVWHQDEOHGDSSRQ$QGURLG
RUL26LQFOXGLQJ1HWćL[DQG<RX7XEH%URZVH
on your phone, watch on your TV. Easy,
$95, store.google.com

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 2 7

 Best Tech for Everything

THE BEST TECH FOR…

finer tastes 2

1Cozzia Qi CZ-730
1
Smart Massaging Chair
A hand-held body tension sensor built in to
this smart chair evaluates the stiffness in your
back. You can then tell the app where you’re
experiencing problems and it’ll use that info
along with your biometric data to create a
personalised massage programme specially
designed to ease up your problem areas. Using
heated rollers that move in all directions, the
chair is designed to feel like a real life human
massage, not a fancy robot. Think of it as your
own personal chair doctor.
USD$12,999.99, cozziausa.com

2 Coravin Model 2 Elite

For the ultimate in luxury-meets-technology,
may we introduce you to Coravin. It’s a wine
preservation system that lets you taste that
crisp white or rich red without pulling out the
cork. It comes with a needle that pierces corks
gently to extract the wine, then the Coravin 4
Capsule uses argon gas to prevent oxidisation
of the vino that’s left, keeping it as delicious
as the day you started it. It’s a must-have for
VDPSOLQJĆQHZLQHVZLWKRXWFRPPLWWLQJWR
ĆQLVKLQJWKHZKROHERWWOHDQGZRXOGEHULJKW
DWbKRPHLQDQ\ZDQQDEHVRPPHOLHUèVNLWFKHQ
$549, whiteredbubbles.com.au

3 Orion SkyQuest XT8g

Computerised GoTo
Dobsonian Telescope
See the stars like you’ve never seen them
before with this high-end telescope from Orion.
It’s fully motorised and comes with object-
location tech, which means it can automatically
track more than 42,000 celestial objects,
and makes stargazing a breeze. Its eight-inch
DSHUWXUHUHćHFWRURSWLFVFDQVKRZ\RXGHWDLOHG
views of our solar system, including planets and
the moon, but you can also view some deep sky
objects as well, like star clusters and nebulae.
USD$1,049, telescope.com
4 Leica M10 Edition Zagato
This beautiful camera combines the high-end
German craftsmanship Leica is famous for with
the luxury Italian touch of car-design legend
Dr Andrea Zagato. It has a Leica Summilux-M
35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens and as the Zagato
design house is known for its innovative use of
aluminium, it’s no surprise to see that’s what
the camera’s casing is made from. It’s limited
edition, so if you want to take exceptional
photos on an exceptional device, act fast.
$33,700, leicastore-store.com.au
3
Optik Horizon
001 Flagship
This distinctive and stylish
watch presents time in a totally
different way by putting the
whole 24 hours of the day on its
face. Not only is it an unusual
concept, but so is its design.
Its face features a yellow and
grey rotating dial, which turns
only once throughout the day,
and is housed in a stainless
steel casing. The device has a
100m water resistance rating, a
20mm black silicone strap and
comes in a number of different
androgynous styles.
$639, optikinstruments.com

2 8 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Finer tastes

Meural Leonora
It’s time to make your art smart.
The Leonora may look like a
regular frame, but you can control
the art that’s displayed on it
via the Meural app, Alexa voice
control, or just by waving your
hand in front of it. You have
instant access to more than
100 images and works of
art, or you can sign up for a
membership to the Meural
gallery, which will give you
lots more to choose from.
From $595, amazon.com

DELUXE GLAMPING GADGETS

Nebula Capsule
Watch movies, TV shows and anything else
from your phone in the middle of nowhere
with this portable projector. It delivers a great
picture up to 100 inches, and the 100 ANSI
lumens brightness looks fab in dimmer light.
$599, anker.com
Heininger 5995 Portable Fire Pit
,I\RXOLNHVLWWLQJDURXQGĆUHVEXWQRWWKH
way your hair and clothes smell of smoke
DIWHUZDUGVWKLVSRUWDEOHĆUHSLWLVIRU\RX,W
burns smokeless and it’s easy to carry, making
LWbLGHDOIRUWKHFDPSVLWHRU\RXUSDWLR
$193, amazon.com
Olight X7R Marauder
You want to see in the dark? The X7R Marauder
has a maximum output of 12,000 lumens,
ZKLFKPHDQVLWèVRQHRIWKHEULJKWHVWćDVKOLJKWV
you can get. It’s also dust-proof and waterproof,
so can survive a rainy walk back from the pub.
$369, olightstore.com.au

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 2 9

 Best Tech for Everything

THE BEST TECH FOR…

having fun 2
1 Expressive E Touché 1
Synth Controller
If your idea of a good time involves listening
to music or creating your own, then you’re
going to love the E Touché. It’s an expressive
instrument that lets you control electronic
sounds using touch. Soft and hard gestures will
LQćXHQFHWKHLQWHQVLW\RIWKHVRXQG\RXKHDU
and even the slightest pressure will have an
effect, which means there’s lots of scope to be
creative. The E Touché is USB-powered and
also has built-in MIDI and CV ports for direct
connection to your favourite synth.
$445, expressivee.com
3
2 Z Scooter
7KHĆUVWVHOIEDODQFLQJVFRRWHUWKLVVKLQ\
vehicle may have been designed with vintage
styling, but with zero emissions, its own app
and a Tesla Model S long-lasting battery, it’s a
modern take on the classic mode of transport.
It’s made of solid, high-quality materials
and comes in a range of different colours.
Everything about the scooter is intuitive, with
a touch-activated light and a driving style that 4
follows your body’s movements, making it easy
to learn to use in a matter of minutes.
$9635, z-scooter.com

3 Nintendo Classic Mini: Super

Nintendo Entertainment System
Retro gaming is having a real moment right now
and what better way to relive your youth than
with a SNES Classic? This version of the iconic
console has the original look and feel of the
’90s console, but it’s smaller and more portable.
It also bakes in a new feature, which enables
\RXWRUHZLQGXSWRĆYHPLQXWHVRIJDPHSOD\
It comes fully loaded with 21 games, many
of which are multiplayer (it comes with two
controllers in the box), including Super Mario
Kart and Donkey Kong Country. MenKind FPV
$120, nintendo.com.au Rock Crawler
This remote-controlled buggy is
4 Lego Star Wars Y-Wing built for off-road adventures, with
Starfighter Ultimate Collectors Series a sturdy waterproof frame and
Part of Lego’s elite-level Star Wars sets, this big tyres. A camera sits over the
<:LQJ6WDUĆJKWHUNLWIHDWXUHVDQLQFUHGLEOH front, so you can use the remote
level of detail, including wheel-activated ion to take photos or video, or watch a
cannons, space for the R2 astromech droid, live stream from the rock crawler
and it even has an opening cockpit with a Gold on your phone in real time. What’s
/HDGHUPLQLĆJXUHSHUFKHGLQVLGH,WèVDJUHDW more, if you have a VR headset that
WR\WRRZQEXWLWèVGHĆQLWHO\EHHQGHVLJQHG can be powered by your phone, you
with Star Wars fans and collectors in mind, as can have an even more immersive
it comes with both a display stand and a fact experience by viewing what the rock
plaque. It’s more than two feet long and 11 crawler sees as if you’re there.
inches wide, so make some space. $144, menkind.co.uk
$299, shop.lego.com
3 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

Oculus Go
The latest VR headset from Oculus works all on
its own, without added devices or an expensive
computer. It’s a lightweight design with a clear
lens, and has surround sound audio and access
to more than 1,000 VR games and apps.
$359, oculus.com
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
VIRTUAL REALITY
o Fusion 360 Camera
GoPro
A GoPro especially for capturing 360-degree
videos and photos in all kinds of conditions. It
has an 18MP camera with built-in stabilisation
for a super-smooth shot, and you can create
fully immersive VR experiences in 5.2K video.
$884, shop.gopro.com
Having fun
Parrot Bebop 2 FPV
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H[SHULHQFH\RXèUHOLNHO\WRJHW
ZLWKRXWDSLORWèVOLFHQVH\RXQHHG
WKH3DUURW%HERS)39GURQH
)RUWKRVHQRWLQWKHNQRZ)39
VWDQGVIRU)LUVW3HUVRQ9LHZDQG
WKDWèVH[DFWO\ZKDW\RXJHWZKHQ
\RXVHQGWKH3DUURW%HERS
GURQHXSLQWRWKHVN\,WFDQWDNH
H[FHSWLRQDOSKRWRVEXWLWèVDOVR
DEOHWRFDSWXUH3)XOO+'
ZKLFK\RXFDQZDWFKLQUHDOWLPH
YLDWKH)39*RJJOHVåMXVWOLNH
EHLQJLQWKHFRFNSLW
$576, parrot.com
Lenovo Star Wars: Jedi Challenges
If you’ve always dreamed of becoming a Jedi,
then now is your chance. This augmented
reality game arms you with a headset and a
lightsaber controller so you can battle Darth
Vader and Kylo Ren as you use the Force.
$199, lenovo.com/au
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3 1
 Best Tech for Everything
THE BEST TECH FOR…
personal improvement
1 2
1 DrinKup Bottle
Stay hydrated with this
smart water bottle, which
recommends how much
you need each day based
on your height, weight and
GDLO\DFWLYLWLHV,WèOODOVR
show you your hydration
OHYHORQWKHOLGWKURXJKRXW
WKHGD\DQGYLEUDWHZKHQ
\RXQHHGWRGULQNPRUH,W
comes with an app, which
bugs you to hydrate, keeps
tabs on how often you
GULQNVR\RXGRQèWKDYH
to and lets you know how
well your hydration habit
LVbFRPLQJDORQJ
USD$69, drinkupbottle.
com
3 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
2 Dyson Supersonic
Hair Dryer
One of the best hair
dryers on the planet, the
Supersonic has 1,600W of
SRZHUZLWKDPSOLĆFDWLRQ
tech tripling the amount
RIDLULWSXVKHVRXW
There are three different
speed settings, as well as
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means it might be super
quick and easy to use, but
LWZRQèWIUD]]OH\RXUKDLU
The hair dryer also comes
with a number of different
magnetic attachments,
like a smoothing nozzle for
DGGHGVOHHNQHVVDQGVKLQH
$499, dyson.com.au
3 Garmin
Forerunner
645 Music
Runners need a dedicated
sports watch for pounding
WKHSDYHPHQWDQGZLWK
GPS and music storage,
WKLVLVSHUIHFW'RZQORDG
500 songs and connect
Bluetooth headphones for
KDVVOHIUHHOLVWHQLQJ,WKDV
HYHU\WKLQJ\RXèGH[SHFW
from a high-end running
watch, including heart-rate
tracking and lots of data
DERXWKRZ\RXPRYHåDQG
WKHUHèVHYHQPRUHGHWDLOHG
tracking if you add the
*DUPLQ)RRW3RGVHQVRU
$599, buy.garmin.com
4 O i
Ovie
Smarterware
For a food storage system
that’s smart yet simple,
FKHFNRXW2YLH$WWDFKLWV
SmartTags to anything in
\RXUIULGJHIURPDQ2YLH
FRQWDLQHUWRDEDJRIYHJ
The light on the tag will
then show you the status
of your food and how
TXLFNO\\RXVKRXOGHDWLW
Green is fresh, yellow is
good (but eat it soon), and
UHGLVWKURZLWDZD\,WèVD
great idea for meal prep
and reducing food waste if
you often forget when you
SXWWKLQJVLQ\RXUIULGJH
USD$100, ovie.life
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
3
5 WattBike
W Bik AAtom
A super-smart indoor
bike trainer that enables
\RXWRJHWĆWDQGLPSURYH
your cycling performance
from the comfort of your
OLYLQJURRP$&OLPE0RGH
with automatic resistance,
means you don’t need to
NHHSFKDQJLQJVHWWLQJV
It also keeps your cycling
quiet, so you can get up
at the crack of dawn for a
spinning session without
ZDNLQJHYHU\RQHXS<RX
can access training plans,
track your performance
and analyse data from the
:DWW%LNH+XEYLDDQDSS
$TBC, wattbike.com
 Personal improvement

Philips Series 9000 Prestige Electric Shaver

The latest shaver from Philips, the Series 9000
Prestige, gives you a shave as close as a straight razor.
It’s equipped with blades that pull hair closer to the
LEARN ANOTHER
foil before cutting, for ultimate closeness even when
tackling days-old stubble, and anti-friction rings ensure
it won’t irritate the skin as it goes. You can easily tweak
LANGUAGE
its power to suit the sensitivity of your skin, too. It also
comes with a Qi charging pad for keeping it juiced up Duolingo
without any hassle (handy for your phone, too). A popular app for
$699, philips.com.au learning languages,
Duolingo teaches
you through different
levels, badges and
topics in a range of
ways that’ll keep
you on your toes.
With more than 30
languages to choose
from, you’ll be like a
local in no time. It also
has social features, for
practicing with others.
Free, iOS;
Free, Android

Rosetta Stone
If you’re serious
about learning a
new language, buy
a subscription for
Rosetta Stone. You’ll
then get access to
the service’s fantastic
app, which is full
of lessons and has
speech-recognition
technology built-in
to improve your
pronunciation.
Lessons can be
downloaded for
RIćLQHOHDUQLQJ
Free, iOS;
Free, Android

Memrise
If you’re having
fun, you’re likely
to develop lasting
skills faster. That’s
why Memrise mixes
real-life content with
language learning.
There are lots of
languages to choose
from and a handy
RIćLQHPRGHPHDQV
you can learn any
time. There’s even a
chatbot to practice
talking to.
Free, iOS;
Free, Android

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3 3

 Best Tech for Everything

THE BEST TECH FOR…

getting things done
1 2
1 Samsung Galaxy Note9
Samsung’s biggest phone yet is ideal for
working on the go, because it has a bunch of
features that make the most of its 6.4-inch
2960x1440 AMOLED display. The S Pen is
now Bluetooth-connected, with 4,096 levels
of pressure detection and a button you can
use to control the phone. It’s also got clever
split-screen controls, which let you pair apps to
launch side-by-side, so it’s easy to bring up your
calendar and email together, for example. Plus,
you can get it with 512GB of storage, and then
at another 512GB SD card for a whopping 1TB.
$1,579, samsung.com
3
2 BeyerDynamic Fox Professional
USB Studio Microphone
This professional microphone is the ideal choice
for podcasters, gamers, YouTubers, content
creators, musicians, singers, songwriters and
anyone else who relies on recording top-
quality audio for a job or side project without
any hassle. With 24-bit and 96kHz support,
it delivers a high-resolution audio quality that
could compete with the result you’d probably
get from a professional recording studio. It
comes with a USB cable, but can also connect
to smartphone via an adapter.
$229, beyerdynamic.com

3 Anker Powercore II Slim

We all know there’s nothing quite as heart-
breaking as watching your phone battery
slowly ebb away when you’ve forgotten your
charger. Make sure that never happens again
with a portable charger that can go with you 4
everywhere. We like the Powercore II Slim
from Anker because it’s compact enough to
ĆW LQ DQ\ EDJ LWèV KLJK FDSDFLW\ SURPLVLQJ 
whole charges for an iPhone 8, and it plays nice
with a range of other devices.
$93, anker.com

4 Microsoft Surface Go
Microsoft’s latest Surface is a tablet on the,
uh, surface, but it’s got the full power of
Windows underneath, which makes it really
ćH[LEOHIRUZRUNLQJRQWKHJR$WNJLWèV
the lightest Surface ever made, and with 8GB
RAM and 256GB of storage it delivers great
performance. It’s specially designed for mobile
work with a compact design and touchscreen,
but you can also connect it up to a Surface
Dock and view your work from an external
PRQLWRUZKHQ\RXJHWEDFNWRWKHRIĆFH
From $599, microsoft.com

3 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Getting things done

Moleskine Pen+ Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch

Ellipse and Moleskine
Paper Tablet
The Pen+ Ellipse may look
like a stylish, regular pen
but it’s super smart and can
transfer everything you
GRRIćLQHRQWR\RXUGLJLWDO
devices. You’ll need one of
the Moleskine Paper Tablet
notebooks for it to work,
which contain special paper
that tracks everything you
do with the pen and makes
it available digitally in real
time. That means whether
you’re taking notes,
doodling, creating graphs
or even using the diary
planner, you can easily turn
your analogue scribbles into
shareable digital ones.
$179, moleskine.com
Packing more power than ever, the
new 13-inch Pro from Apple is ideal for
getting things done. It has a great-looking
13.3-inch LED-backlit Retina display
and latest-generation Intel quad-core
processors, while still weighing just
1.3kg. With 10 hours of battery life, it’s
good for working while on the move,
with even pro apps handled comfortably
by the power of that processor. The
integrated Touch Bar and Touch ID
security also make for quicker, more
HIĆFLHQWZRUNLQJ
From $1,899, apple.com/au

ESSENTIALS FOR WORKING ON THE GO

hule Vea BackPack 25L
Thule creates tough bags and cases that keep
your gear and your tech safe. This backpack is
designed to keep a 15-inch MacBook/15.6-inch
PC protected with padded pockets, padded
straps and compartments for everything else.
$229, thule.com
Satechi Type-C Pro Hub Adapter
If you get the MacBook Pro recommended
above, you’ll notice it only has USB-C
connections. This small adapter gives you every
SRUW\RXFRXOGQHHG(WKHUQHW+'0,[b86%
3, microSD card, and power.
$139, satechi.net
Western Digital My Passport
A good-looking and reliable portable storage
system that you can take with you wherever
you go. It’s ideal for those who rely on smaller
laptops that lack space and need a simple,
secure way to back up their work.
From $106, wdc.com

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3 5

 Best Tech for Everything
THE BEST TECH FOR…
relaxing and recharging
1 2
3
1 Kindle Oasis
The newest ereader from
Amazon is also the best of
the bunch. For starters,
it’s waterproof, which
makes it ideal for holidays
or indulging in some
restorative reading in the
bath. It has a seven-inch
high-resolution display at
300ppi, so it reads just like
printed paper without glare
from any lights like other
ereaders. It also has built-
in Audible support with
200,000 titles to choose
from, so you could read
a book then seamlessly
switch to listening to it.
$479, amazon.com.au
3 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
2 Moodo
Smell is a really strong
trigger for evoking feelings
RUPHPRULHVVRWDNHĆQH
control of how your house
smells with this smart scent
diffuser. You can load four
capsules of various aromas
into it, then use the app to
program what balance of
each you want, giving you
a personalised air for every
mood. You can control
it using Alexa or Google
Home too. Push something
LQYLJRUDWLQJĆUVWWKLQJLQ
the morning, or chilled
out in the evening, and
anything in between.
USD$139, moodo.co
4
3 Spire Health T
Tag
g 4
To monitor your stress
levels, sleep and activity
throughout the day and
night, attach one of these
to your clothes and you
won’t have to worry about
it again. All of the data goes
to the Spire app where you
can take a look at how your
activity levels, heart rate,
sleep, breathing patterns
and stress levels affect
how you feel and perform
throughout the day. You
can put more than one tag
on your clothes. They’re
waterproof, as well as
washer and dryer safe.
From USD$49, spire.io
Oura Ring
g 5 Hyperice
You don’t need a wristband
WR ĆQG RXW PRUH DERXW
how you move and sleep.
The Oura ring tracks all
your activity, like exercise
and steps, and helps you
get a better night’s rest. It
helps you to visualise and
understand your sleep
patterns by analysing your
sleep stages, resting heart
rate, heart rate variability,
body temperature and
more. It’s also durable,
water resistant up to 100
metres, and as a bonus,
looks minimal and stylish.
From USD$299, ouraring.
com
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
yp
Viper 2.0
Foam rollers are great
for easing out knots and
relieving aches on your
own after you’ve been
working out. Luckily, like
everything else, the boring
old foam roller has had a
high-tech makeover and
this one from Hyperice
vibrates. This means you’re
getting a deeper, and more
effective massage. Use the
smart roller regularly for
better circulation, relaxing
your muscles, warming
them up before exercise
and recovering from injury.
$299, hyperice.com.au
 Relaxing and recharging

Foreo UFO Smart Face

Mask Treatment
This combines dermal technology
with effective Korean face
mask formulas. The result is an
indulgent treatment for your face
that only lasts a few seconds, but
improves the look of your skin
the way a long mask treatment
would. The UFO uses a mixture of
warm and cold therapies, LED light
therapy and a pulsating message
to give you a safe, painless, UV-
free facial that can help you look
miles better after a night out, even
when you have no time to spare.
$316, foreo.com

CALMING APPS
Oak
Whether you’re after
a quick and simple
breathing exercise or
a guided meditation
that’ll last half an
hour, Oak has all your
relaxation needs
covered. It also plays
soothing sounds and
white noise for those
who have trouble
going to sleep. If you
can’t get out of your
own head enough to
relax, this might be
just what you need.
Free, iOS
Hexologic Sway -
Some people like to Mindfulness in
switch off to calm Motion
down, others like to Practicing
distract themselves. If mindfulness doesn’t
you’re in the second have to mean sitting
group, Hexologic is for in silence with
you. It’s a refreshing nothing but your
spin on Sudoku that own thoughts. Sway
also serenades you is designed to keep
with relaxing music you in the moment by
while you play. It’s playing with colour,
chilled out, without sound and movement
time pressure, so on your phone. The
is ideal for winding idea is that it helps
down gently. \RXĆQGIRFXVLQ
$1.49, iOS; everyday life.
$1.29, Android USD$2.99, iOS

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3 7

 Feel more secure

1
3

Feel more secure 4

6XPPHUEULQJVPRUHSHRSOHRXWDQGDERXWVRJHWWKHVPDUWHVW
H\HVRQ\RXUKRXVHZLWKRXUSLFNRIWKHEHVWFRQQHFWHGKRPH
security tech
egardless of the size of your home, and exposed entry points, monitoring them 24/7. A video

R
whether you live alone or with others, it will doorbell provides extra peace of mind too, saving you
benefit from a boost in security. An indoor from answering the door to unexpected visitors, or
security camera is a great choice for this, but enabling you to speak to couriers before they run off
we recommend taking it a step further with an all-in- again with your parcel.
one device. Our pick is the Cocoon, an AI-powered he Ring Video Doorbell 2 is an excellent choice for
multi-room security system complete with a built-in this, alerting you (via the app) when someone is at the
camera and an array of genuinely smart features. door. You can then watch and speak to your visitor
Using Subsound tech, this system senses unusual remotely, even if you’re lounging in bed. Speaking of
activity throughout your entire house, regardless of visitors, installing
where it’s positioned. he Cocoon quickly learns the the Yale Conexis
unique ‘sound signature’ of your home so that it doesn’t Smart Lock gives
mistake your pet for an intruder. When it does pick up you maximum Reinforce security with an
on activity, it alerts you to what’s happening and where. control over who
Night Vision keeps watch when you’re asleep, viewing enters and when, AI system that learns your
your home through a 120-degree wide-angle lens. as you can send
You can reinforce the security of your house further virtual door keys home’s sound signature
by attaching Hive Window or Door Sensors to your most to your guests.

ESSENTIAL KIT
1 COCOON If something unusual is detected in your home, Cocoon alerts you. You can then tap to sound its 90+dB siren. $366, cocoon.life
2 HIVE WINDOW OR DOOR SENSORS *HW LQVWDQW DOHUWV RI XQH[SHFWHG DFWLYLW\ QHDU VSHFLĆF GRRUV DQG ZLQGRZV RU LQ FDVH \RXèYH DFFLGHQWDOO\
OHIW RQH RSHQ $29, hivehome.com 3 RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2 /HW 5LQJ ĆQG RXW ZKRèV RXWVLGH ĆUVW WKHQ \RX FDQ FKDW WR \RXU GRRUVWHS YLVLWRU
YLDbWKHGRRUEHOOèVWZRZD\ DXGLR $307, ring.com 4 YALE CONEXIS SMART LOCK7KH&RQH[LVV\QFVZLWKWKH<DOHDSSHQDEOLQJ\RXWRbXQORFN\RXU
IURQWGRRUZLWK\RXUVPDUWSKRQHDQGOHWRWKHUVLQUHPRWHO\HYHQLI\RXèUHDWZRUN$515, yalelock.com.au

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3 9

 Feel more secure

1
3

Feel more secure 4

6XPPHUEULQJVPRUHSHRSOHRXWDQGDERXWVRJHWWKHVPDUWHVW
H\HVRQ\RXUKRXVHZLWKRXUSLFNRIWKHEHVWFRQQHFWHGKRPH
security tech
egardless of the size of your home, and exposed entry points, monitoring them 24/7. A video

R
whether you live alone or with others, it will doorbell provides extra peace of mind too, saving you
benefit from a boost in security. An indoor from answering the door to unexpected visitors, or
security camera is a great choice for this, but enabling you to speak to couriers before they run off
we recommend taking it a step further with an all-in- again with your parcel.
one device. Our pick is the Cocoon, an AI-powered he Ring Video Doorbell 2 is an excellent choice for
multi-room security system complete with a built-in this, alerting you (via the app) when someone is at the
camera and an array of genuinely smart features. door. You can then watch and speak to your visitor
Using Subsound tech, this system senses unusual remotely, even if you’re lounging in bed. Speaking of
activity throughout your entire house, regardless of visitors, installing
where it’s positioned. he Cocoon quickly learns the the Yale Conexis
unique ‘sound signature’ of your home so that it doesn’t Smart Lock gives
mistake your pet for an intruder. When it does pick up you maximum Reinforce security with an
on activity, it alerts you to what’s happening and where. control over who
Night Vision keeps watch when you’re asleep, viewing enters and when, AI system that learns your
your home through a 120-degree wide-angle lens. as you can send
You can reinforce the security of your house further virtual door keys home’s sound signature
by attaching Hive Window or Door Sensors to your most to your guests.

ESSENTIAL KIT
1 COCOON If something unusual is detected in your home, Cocoon alerts you. You can then tap to sound its 90+dB siren. $366, cocoon.life
2 HIVE WINDOW OR DOOR SENSORS *HW LQVWDQW DOHUWV RI XQH[SHFWHG DFWLYLW\ QHDU VSHFLĆF GRRUV DQG ZLQGRZV RU LQ FDVH \RXèYH DFFLGHQWDOO\
OHIW RQH RSHQ $29, hivehome.com 3 RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2 /HW 5LQJ ĆQG RXW ZKRèV RXWVLGH ĆUVW WKHQ \RX FDQ FKDW WR \RXU GRRUVWHS YLVLWRU
YLDbWKHGRRUEHOOèVWZRZD\ DXGLR $307, ring.com 4 YALE CONEXIS SMART LOCK7KH&RQH[LVV\QFVZLWKWKH<DOHDSSHQDEOLQJ\RXWRbXQORFN\RXU
IURQWGRRUZLWK\RXUVPDUWSKRQHDQGOHWRWKHUVLQUHPRWHO\HYHQLI\RXèUHDWZRUN$515, yalelock.com.au

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 3 9

 Prepare your smart home

Better smart
home health
Giving your home a wellness overhaul and reap
rewards for your health, and that of your family
and pets too
f you don’t clear out your gutters after

I
the seasonal onslaught of rain and colder
temperatures, you risk creating drainage
problems come summer. Gutters laden with
water could expand, leading to cracked guttering. Head
it off at the pass with the iRobot Looj 330 Gutter
Cleaning Robot. Fitted with a series of rotating brushes,

Damp is an issue for many

homes, so use a dehumdifier to
reduce condensation and spores
1

this remote controlled robot moves swiftly through

guttering, dislodging debris as it pushes onwards.
Next, safeguard your water pipes with the Grohe
Sense Guard smart water monitoring system. Fit it
to your main water pipe and it’ll monitor your supply
2
and usage 24/7. If it detects a leak or worse, it’ll shut
off your water supply and instantly alert you.
Damp is another wellness issue for many homes.
Using a dehumidifier helps by reducing mold spores
and condensation, and for this we recommend Meaco’s
DD8L. It’s ideal for small- to medium-sized houses,
extracting up to eight litres of moisture daily.
We know that the air inside our homes is up to four
times more polluted than the outside, and in the colder
months, when we’re indoors more, our exposure is
amped. Why not invest in an air quality monitor to track
levels of indoor pollutants? he Awair 2nd Edition is our
top pick, thanks to its ability to track invisible fine dust
and chemicals in the air, then give you personalised
4
recommendations on how to improve it. 3
Speaking of air, do you have a smart smoke alarm? 5
If not, Nest Protect is perfect for monitoring for smoke
and carbon monoxide. It’s designed to last a decade,
giving you maximum protection for your money.
he warm season starts as early as October for some,
so get a headstart on embracing it by outfitting your
bedroom with LIFX’s Mini Colour, a smart bulb that
can be programmed to wake you up with a sunrise glow.
Finally, make relaxing a deeper experience with
SmarTap, a smart bathing system that creates custom
bath and shower experiences for everyone in your home.

4 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Better home health

DON’T FORGET
THE GARDEN!

EGO POWER+ BLOWER

Your garden will soon begin its summer
transformation, dropping leaves and general
debris onto the lawn and path. Blast it all
into a neat pile, ready for composting, with
EGO’s powerful leaf blower. It runs on a 56V
li-ion battery, equipping you with the clout
of a petrol blower but without the noise.
$249, egopowerplus.com

6 PHILIPS HUE TUAR

287'225b3('(67$/
Connect the app-controlled Tuar to your
existing Hue bridge and take advantage of
its geofencing and scheduling smarts, so
that it switches on when you’re returning
home in the darker evenings. Place one
along your driveway to bathe you in light
as you potter around outside.
$160, meethue.com

ESSENTIAL KIT
1 Create lighting schedules to help combat the winter blues with this voice-controlled BOSCH EASYCUT 12
bulb. $69.99 lifx.com.au 2 MEACO DD8L DEHUMIDIFIER Reduce stinky mold Use this mini chainsaw to pare back
spores and condensation. $347, meaco.com 3 AWAIR 2ND EDITION Track levels of overgrown hedges and remove garden
ĆQH GXVW D FDXVH RI UHVSLUDWRU\ LOOQHVV $295, getawair.com 4 SMARTAP Warm up tree branches in danger of breaking off in
with a voice-activated shower or bath. $1,200, smartap-tech.com 5 GROHE SENSE harsher weather. he EasyCut 12’s design
GUARD Monitor water pipes and appliances for leaks 24/7. From $659, grohe.com 6 enables you to get closer to the trunk for a
NEST PROTECT Let this intelligent alarm monitor your home for smoke and CO. $185, clean cut, with cutting speed controlled via
nest.com/au 7 iROBOT LOOJ 330 GUTTER CLEANING ROBOT Dislodge gutter the responsive trigger switch.
debris via remote control. $766, irobot.com $199, bosch-do-it.com

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 41

 Man vs Tech

THE MISSION
Household chores are an ever-present
misery, sucking time, energy and joy from
our already busy lives, but it needn’t be
this way. From robot vacs to self-cleaning
juicers, there are plenty of helpful gadgets
designed to keep your home clean
without the need for back-breaking, time-
consuming effort on your part during our
spare time. Our writer is ready to get his
hands dirty to find out whether cleaning
tech can actually clean house better than
he can. Dusters at the ready!

42 3 SUMMER 2 19 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 he daily grime

MAN
TECH

CLEAN UP YOUR ACT

The
daily
grime
Can tech clean house better than we can? Our man dons his
PDULJROGVWRĆQGRXWZKHWKHULWèVDQ\PDWFKIRUHOERZJUHDVH
Words: Chris Barnes Photography: Olly Curtis

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 4 3

 Man vs Tech
’ve been so committed
I
to enjoying every minute
of the glorious weather
that I haven’t cleaned my
house in weeks. Yet with summer just
around the corner, it’s time to get
cleaning. That’s all well and good,
but my toilet is a toxic hazard and my
floors are oddly sticky. I’d rather not
waste hours cleaning, so I’ve been
researching gadgets that promise to
tackle my household chores and save
me time. Before I spend hundreds of
dollars, does cleaning tech actually
do the job better than me? Or would
I be pouring money down the drain?
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
The balmy summer has meant more
dust in the air, so the windows of my
flat are caked in grime. I’d like to be
able to see out of them again, but even
the thought of washing them by hand
is making my arms ache. I’m intrigued
by Vorwerk’s Kobold VG100 window
cleaner. The handheld device is
designed to wet your windows,
remove the dirt, and extract the
remaining water in one swift
movement. Is it too good to be true,
though? More importantly, could I do
it better with some Windolene and a
cloth, and for a fraction of the
Vorwerk’s $450 price tag?
I grab my Windolene and start
washing. The results are passable, but
the filthy cloth quickly starts leaving
ugly streaks and my arms are aching.
With the Kobold VG100 fully charged,
I attach one of the supplied microfibre
cleaning pads and fill the tank with
80ml of water and 5ml of Vorwerk’s
Cleaning Concentrate.
Positioning the device in the top left
RIGHT
T3’s resident
George Formby
gives his elbows
a good workout
FAR RIGHT
Chris sits for a bit
of quality time
with the latest
household pet
4 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
corner of the filthiest window, I switch
on the 30-watt motor. Applying a little
pressure, I drag the vibrating VG100 to
the bottom of the frame. Miraculously,
the grime has disappeared and there’s
not a streak in sight. Two more speedy
swipes finish the pane. 10 minutes later
(with lots of battery power remaining)
my windows are gleaming. The VG100
costs more than a cloth and spray, but
the spotless results and time saved
make it a clear winner.
If you have kids or pets, hoovering is
a daily job. On paper, robot vacs are
ultimate time-savers, but are they as
capable as a manual hoover? Neato’s
Botvac D7 Connected uses sensors to
map your floors and calculate efficient
ways to clean. Schedule cleaning
sessions using the Neato app and even
set no-go lines to stop the Botvac
chewing cables or terrifying the cat.
In practice, the D7 does exactly what
THE VG100 COSTS MORE THAN A CLOTH AND
SPRAY, BUT THE SPOTLESS RESULTS AND
TIME SAVED MAKE IT A CLEAR WINNER
it promises. It gets stuck into deep-
rooted dirt, and the level of control
and convenience, plus additional
features like the full bin sensor, make
it ideal for time-poor people with big,
open spaces to clean.
In the interests of fairness, for this
test I’m also getting to grips with
Dyson’s Cyclone V10 Absolute
cordless stick vacuum. While it’s more
hands-on than the Botvac, the V10’s
digital motor and crud-sucking
Cyclone technology ensure a spotless
clean. Interchangeable heads make
light work of stairs, window sills,
cobwebbed ceilings and even my car
– areas the Botvac simply can’t access.
We love the ‘set up and forget’
approach of the Botvac, but at almost
half the price and for sheer versatility,
the Dyson takes the crown here.
PULP FRICTION
I like to start my day by drinking a
healthy juice, but I don’t like the
horrible mess juicing creates. So when
I learned that Philips makes a juicer
that cleans itself, I had to get it. The
powerful 1,200W motor inside Philips’
Avance Centrifugal juicer reduces my
pile of whole oranges, carrots and
apples to a delicious hit of fruity
goodness. But now the clean-up…
I needn’t have worried. The Avance’s
QuickClean function definitely helps
with cleaning. Simply pour tap water
into the feeding tube and give the
juicer an extra whizz. Within seconds
the worst of the pulp is blasted from
the main components, including the
fruit-mashing sieve, which usually
requires a deep scrub. With the worst
of the mess dealt with, the parts take
no time to rinse clean in the sink.
Some pulp has ended up on my hard
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
 he daily grime

All together now: “I

want to break freeee”

GOOD CLEAN FUN

DOMINATE THE DIRT WITH SOME HIGH-TECH HOME CLEANING ESSENTIALS

VORWERK NEATO PHILIPS VORWERK UV-C LIGHT KÄRCHER K7

KOBOLD VG100
Achieve gleaming, streak-
free windows in seconds.
The VG100’s microfibre pad
applies cleaning solution to
the glass, before removing
the grime and sucking
away dirty water.
$450,
kobold.vorwerk.co.uk
BOTVAC AVANCE KOBOLD SP600 PRODUCTS PREMIUM FULL
CONNECTED CENTRIFUGAL This upright mop/hoover PORTABLE CONTROL
D7 JUICER hybrid takes no prisoners WAND PLUS HOME
The Wi-Fi-enabled Botvac A 1,200-watt motor, when it comes to cleaning Give surfaces a blast of The K7 cleans everything,
maps your floors for centrifugal extraction hard floors. The SP600 short-wave UV radiation from your car to garden
autonomous hoovering. system and a FibreBoost uses 50 times less water from this magic wand and furniture. You can also
Use the Neato app to setting ensure you get and cleaning product than you’ll neutralise 99.9 per adjust water pressure and
plan a thorough cleaning the maximum goodness a mop and bucket. cent of nasty bugs. detergent levels via the
schedule. from your fruit and veg. $1,999, $103, LED display panel.
$1,250 neatorobotics.com $398, philips.com.au kobold.vorwerk.com.au uvc-lightproducts.com $965, kaercher.com

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 4 5

 Man vs Tech

LEFT
You’re not living
in the future until
you’ve cleaned
the lav with a
glowing wand

RIGHT
Our man does
science for your
benefit. Grim,
dirty science…

4 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


THE WAND FIRES OUT SHORT-WAVE
UV RADIATION TO KILL 99.9 PER CENT
OF VIRUSES AND BACTERIA
kitchen floor – the perfect excuse for
another test! I quickly grab a mop and
bucket. It gets the job done, but leaves
the floor slick and I now have litres of
dirty water to dispose of. The hefty
Vorwerk Kobold SP600 hard floor
cleaner, on the other hand, mops and
hoovers at the same time.
On the base is a large cleaning pad
complete with an 260ml tank filled
with cleaning solution. It’s easy to
control how much water is released
into the cloth and the rate at which the
pad buffs, so you can tackle anything
from spillages to ground-in stains.
The SP600 glides over the floor,
manoeuvring nimbly into tight corners
and leaving a quick-drying trail and
clean floor in its wake. The only
drawback is the price. Considering a
mop and bucket costs a few dollars, is
a $2,000 outlay truly justifiable?
GAME OF THRONES
Keeping the house looking clean is a
challenge in itself, but eradicating
invisible bacteria is a different ball
game altogether, particularly when it
comes to the toilet. Swab testing my
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
he daily grime
porcelain using a germ kit produces
some seriously sinister results. This
needs attention.
For this test, I’m cleaning one half of
the bowl with Toilet Duck and treating
the other half to a 20-second blast
with UV-C Light Products’ Portable
Wand. The wand is designed for use
on most household surfaces and fires
out short-wave UV radiation to kill
99.9 per cent of viruses and bacteria.
To be honest, I’m not entirely
convinced it’s going to work.
But I was wrong, as the second swab
test reveals that both the Toilet Duck
and UV-C Wand have neutralised the
grime – take that, germs! Considering
the wand can be used in other areas of
the house and doesn’t involve pouring
chemicals down the drain, it’s a potent
weapon in the battle against
household bugs.
AT THE CAR WASH
Having had my head stuck down the
toilet, I think I’m in need of some fresh
air, which brings me to the final test:
cleaning the car. Kärcher has always
been at the forefront of household
cleaning gadgets, and the K7 Premium
Full Control Plus Home pressure
washer is the daddy. From sprucing up
filthy patio tiles and blasting muck off
garden tools, to scrubbing the family
car, the K7 promises to do it all. But
can it do the job better than the good
old application of hard graft?
Grabbing a bucket of soapy water
and a sponge, I attack the rear of
my car. Like the windows, the results
are passable, but getting the really
caked-on stuff of is making me tired
already. Now it’s the Kärcher’s turn…
Different jobs require different water
pressures, and the K7’s pressure can
be controlled, along with detergent
concentration, via the digital display
on the Full Control Trigger Gun.
Elsewhere, the 3-in-1 multi-jet spray
lance can switch between a flat
stream, a mud-blasting rotary stream
and a detergent stream. In the battle
between the sponge and the Kärcher,
there is only one contender. A quick
high-pressure burst and that crusty
bird poo on the bonnet is gone. The
spray is better at getting in the fiddly
gaps, too.
I’m not shy of manual labour, but I
believe most people would prefer to
spend their free time doing something
more enjoyable than chores. While the
best cleaning tech is pricey, anything
that keeps the grime at bay and saves
you time is surely worth exploring?
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 47
The home of technology

techradar.com
 HOME
Get the complete smart home lifestyle

Edited by Claire Davies

50 52 54 56 58
THE SETUP UPGRADE HOME TEST SMART HOME LIVING SMARTER
How to get started Do you know how Beef up the security SURGERY Bring the outdoors
with the Amazon much fat and sugar around your home Got some smart in by getting your
Echo Spot and is in your smoothie? with the best questions that need weather forecast
customise it to suit Nutribullet’s new wireless, all-weather smart answers? Our app talking to your
your smart home Bluetooth blender outdoor security home gadget smart lighting –
needs can tell you cameras experts can help purple means rain!

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 4 9

 Home

THE
SETUP
Each issue, we show you how to set
up a key piece of connected-home
tech. This month…
Amazon Echo Spot

WHO YOU
GONNA CALL?
Nestled discretely above the Spot’s
screen is a tiny camera. If your pals
have the Alexa app on their device or
an Echo Spot or Echo Show at home,
you can make video calls hands-free
(or voice calls to any Echo device).
The Drop In feature is ideal for quick
communication with other Echo
devices in your home, like if you want
to ask what’s for dinner or check the
baby is still snoozing in the nursery.

5 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 he setup

TAKE CONTROL
:,7+b$0$=21è60,1,
6&5((1('$66,67$17
Run your smart home, make video
calls and play music with Echo Spot

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HERE’S
LOOKING AT YOU
The Spot’s circular 2.5-inch,
480x480 pixel screen might
be small, but it’s capable of
displaying a world of information
based on your voice commands:
watch news, sport and weather
reports, check out trailers before
booking your next cinema trip,
view today’s work schedule and
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keep tabs on your smart security
camera feed. Our favourite?
Line up your favourite tunes
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can display on-screen lyrics
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S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 5 1
 Home
he setup

SCREEN-READY
$/7(51$7,9(672 FIND THE SWEET SPOT
7+((&+26327 It takes no time to set up your Amazon Echo Spot.
Not sure about the Spot’s Customising it is where things really get good
small screen? Try these…

AMAZON ECHO SHOW

The Echo Show ($349, amazon.
com.au) delivers the same smarts
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seven-inch screen. A pair of
two-inch speakers add extra,
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generous eight- and 10-inch display
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Display (from $340, lenovo.com) is
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audio.
01
GRAB THE APP
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room to position your Echo
Spot in, plug the device into
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Android) to your smartphone
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Amazon account already,
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02
BEGIN SETUP
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asked to connect to your home
Wi-Fi and log-in to your
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in, your Spot will play you a
short video highlighting what
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a great way to experience
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03
CUSTOMISE
Time to make the Spot your
own. Within Settings you can
choose a home screen clock
face, or select a more personal
home screen image. Here, you
can also adjust audio settings,
to link your calendar and
choose which services you
wish to include in your daily
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News to Sky Sports.

LG WK9 THINQ
The retro-looking WK9 ThinQ
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smart assistant world. Behind that
eight-inch touchscreen is Google
Assistant and Chromecast.
SAYS…
“Echo Spot makes
a great smart alarm
clock, but it’s handy
all around the house.
I keep mine in the hallway, so I
check whether I’ll need a coat
before I head out for the day.”
MATT BOLTON
5 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Navigate to Music & Media
within the Alexa app Settings
menu and select which music
service you want. Now you can
start requesting tunes. Ask for
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like, “Alexa, play the song with
the lyrics ‘Mama Mia let me
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MAKE A CALL
Head to the Communications
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call anyone in your contacts
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with a non-video Echo device.
:KDWèV PRUH \RX FDQ 'URS ,Q
on other Spots in your home:
“Alexa, drop in on the ORXQJHë
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
GET SKILLS
Skills add extra functionality,
particularly when it comes to
controlling your smart home
JHDU+HDGWRWKH6NLOOVWDELQ
the Alexa app and search for
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&DPHUDè+LW(QDEOHWRYLHZ
\RXUFDPHUDèVIHHGXVLQJD
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Skills to control your lighting,
WKHUPRVWDWVðHYHQ\RXU79

Smarten up your smoothies
You may enjoy a daily smoothie, but do you know how many kilojoules are
LQWKHP")LQGRXWZLWKWKHZRUOGèVFOHYHUHVW%OXHWRRWKEOHQGHU
Fresh smoothies do wonders for your
health, but some of these meal drinks
have a naturally high kilojoule and sugar
yield – higher than you’re perhaps aware
of. While it’s fun creating your own
smoothies and experimenting with
different combinations of fruit and veg,
ĆJXULQJ RXW WKH H[DFW EDODQFH RI QXWULHQWV
can be taxing, especially if you’re
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%DODQFH WKH ZRUOGèV ĆUVW %OXHWRRWK
blender with app functionality, could
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RZQ FRPSDQLRQ DSS %DODQFH IRU L26 DQG
Android), via which you can track the
nutritional content of any ingredient you
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
+20( 83*5$'(
he Bluetooth Balance
offers real-time tracking
of the fat, kilojoule,
sugar and vitamin
content
place inside the blender. You do this by
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blender’s base, within which sits a sensor.
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sensor, you can then work with the app to
build your own smoothie or to create one
Home
Upgrade
xx
from the hundreds of in-app recipes that
are available.
From there it’s a fun process of
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and watching data getting pinged to the
app, giving you a real-time picture of how
healthy (or not) your smoothie is going to
be. You can name and save your own
custom blends via the app, as well as
saving favourites you’ve discovered
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really easy to clean as well, which is
important if it’s going to become a regular
part of your day. For health nuts, this
sounds like it could be one of the best
purchases they’ll make all year.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 5 3
 Home

SMALL AND AFFORDABLE

HOME TEST

Wireless
outdoor
security cams
Super security needn’t mean
drilling holes through walls, as we
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battery-powered eyes in the sky

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF

YOUR WIRELESS OUTDOOR
SECURITY CAMERAS…

PLACE IT WELL
All of these cams cope well with light level changes, but to
get the best footage possible you’ll want to avoid placing
the sensor facing direct sunlight which might dazzle it –
stick to the shadows if possible. his might mean
installing beneath the eaves of your house, or high inside a
window opening. he higher you go, the more difficult the
process of recharging becomes, but better a good picture
than a blown-out image that does you no good.
PROTECT IT
Some security cameras come with theft protection, so if a
sneaky intruder happens to abscond with your outdoor
cam – these cameras are all easy to detach from their
brackets – you’ll be able to claim a replacement. Make sure
the rest of your cams are either covered or insured, and
(conversely) use the deterrent stickers included with each
to draw attention to the fact that you’re filming.
HEAD TO THE CLOUD
Your investment in outdoor security cameras is not the
end of the expense: while you’ll usually get short-term
storage included for free, it’s imperative that you sign up
for the cloud storage service your chosen camera offers,
both to extend the length of time your footage stays
available and to keep a backup should you need to review
old footage for a claim or to prevent evidence of something
happening on or near your property.
SWANN SMART SECURITY CAMERA
$129, swann.com/au
First impressions make all the difference… but not when it
comes to Swann’s accomplished little outdoor security cam.
Pull it out of the box and it defaults to the lowest quality
streaming mode, offering up a painfully glitchy and rough
picture. Up the quality in-app and, if your Wi-Fi network can
handle it, things get a lot better. Swann’s motion capture is
decent. 20-second clips loop through the on-board memory
– it could potentially store a week’s worth – and in the cloud
for a couple of days if you sign up for the cloud plan. Push
message reporting is a little slow, though. Design-wise, it’s
pleasingly small – half the size of the Ring Spotlight Cam – and
pulling it off the wall to recharge its internal battery is a case
of scaling a ladder, disconnecting the magnetic dish-mount
from the bracket and plugging it into a USB port. Easy.
VERDICT
T3 SAYS Compact and capable in all conditions, and
priced very modestly. Make sure you find the right
settings for you so that you don’t miss any vital details.

5 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


HIGH-END AND HARDCORE
BEST ON
TEST
ARLO PRO 2
$659 (two cameras and base station), arlo.com/au
The price of getting started with the Arlo 2 might make you
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Wireless security cameras
ALL THAT AND MORE
RING SPOTLIGHT CAM BATTERY
$299, ring.com
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VERDICT VERDICT
T3 SAYS Spectacular picture and a host of neat features, T3 SAYS Motion sensing can be a little hit or miss at
but this is one expensive system if you’re looking to times, but this camera captures solid footage, has a
cover a whole home perimeter. great collection of extras, and an impeccable design.

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 5 5

 Home

SMART HOME SURGERY

Your connected-home queries answered by T3’s experts

CARL H, PERTH
Q I’ve moved house and finally have a room (though small)
for a dedicated home cinema. What kit should I buy for it?
STEVE MAY REPLIES: If you want to supersize your movies, ($999. qacoustics.co.uk). The speakers
A As it happens, Carl, small rooms
can make perfect home cinemas!
opt for an Ultra Short Throw 1080p
projector rather than a TV. The Optoma
are compact and integrate beautifully
with the Q Acoustics 7000si subwoofer
This is because 4K TVs are designed to GT5500+ ($1,800, optoma.com) casts giving cinematic sound. Power them with
be viewed closer than standard HD 100-inch images from just 30cm. Small a Sony STR-DN1080 Dolby Atmos AV
models. A 65-inch UHD panel is enjoyed rooms are also a doddle for audio. Polk’s receiver ($1,199, sony.com.au).
from 1.5m-2m, the optimum distance to Command Bar ($619, polkaudio.com) is a Amazon’s Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD
VHH ĆQH GHWDLO 'HSHQGLQJ RQ EXGJHW JR gutsy stereo soundbar with integrated ($145, amazon.com.au), Panasonic’s
for a 65-inch Hisense U7A ULED LCD Amazon Alexa functionality. DMP-UB300 UHD Blu-ray player ($259,
($1,999 hisense.com.au), or an OLED like If you want to go multi-channel, panasonic.com.auERWKPDNHĆQH.
the 65in Sony AF8 ($5,299, sony.com.au). audition Q Acoustics’ 7000i system sources.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: inbox@t3.com or www.facebook.com/T3mag

5 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Smart home surgery

KATIE BASSETT, EMAIL

Q Which robot vacuum cleaner
is the most intelligent?
BECCA CADDY REPLIES: The iRobot Roomba 980 ($1,199,
A Although there’s still a way to go
before robot vacuums make
PAUL P, BALMAIN
Q Is there a
sleep lamp that
can wake me up?
CLAIRE DAVIES REPLIES:
A The best smart sleep lamps are
just as equipped to wake you up
feeling refreshed as they are to help you
drift off feeling soothed and sleepy. In
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products in this space, just in time for
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Terraillon Homni (sold with Dot Sensor,
$510, amazon.com.au). The lamp
simulates sunset and sunrise, bathing
your bedroom in red hues at night to help
you drift off and blue tones in the
morning to wake you. The Homni’s
sensors analyses temperature, humidity,
luminosity and noise levels in your
bedroom, so you can adjust your
environment to get a better night’s rest,
while the Dot sleep sensor analyses your
night’s sleep.
Alternatively, Lumie has a great range
of lamps designed for sending you to
sleep and waking you up, and its latest
Bodyclock Glow 250 ($135, lumie.com)
might be the best yet. The lamp has
customisable sunrise duration and
light-intensity settings, as well as a suite
RIUHOD[LQJVRXQGVVR\RXFDQWDLORU\RXU
wake-up call.
Finally, for a sleep lamp that makes a
style statement, try the Philips Somneo
($499, philips.com.au), designed with a
guided breathing feature to help you
UHOD[HQRXJKWRGULIWRII7KHEHVWSDUWLV
the lamp’s slow and steady sunrise,
changing from soft red to bright yellow
each morning.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
regular vacuums obsolete, they’re getting
smarter with every update.
If we were to get the best of the
bunch to take an IQ test, we imagine
Neato’s Botvac D7 Connected ($1,299,
amazon.com.au) would come out on top.
It’s just been given additional smarts,
including Multiple Floor Plan Mapping,
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You can also set no-go areas, which is
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you’re particularly precious about.
SMART WEATHER STATIONS
Get local climate reports. Like, really, really local…
Smart weather stations keep tabs on
what the weather is like where you’re
e
ORFDWHGLQUHDOWLPH7KH\èUHĆWWHG
with sensors to give you more
information about humidity, air
quality, rainfall and more. You can
then use these readings to
automatically trigger your lights,
thermostat or other smart home
devices. The Netatmo Smart Home
Weather Station ($279, shop.
netatmo.com), for example, has
indoor and outdoor modules and
keeps tabs on the temperature,
humidity, barometric pressure and
weather forecast outside, which it
serves up to your phone. Powered by
shop.irobot.com.auLVDOVRDĆUP
favourite. It may not provide a clean that
rivals the Neato range, but it’s great at
handling navigation. For something
different, try the Vorwerk Kobold VR200
($1,499, kobold.vorwerk.com.au).
Although its cleaning and navigation
smarts don’t quite rival the others, it’s
the most stylish.
Remember that as smart as these
robot vacs are, they’re still learning. So
move cables and shoelaces out of the
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the time to program your new robot
servant to best suit your home.
p , the Bloomsky
a solar panel, y Sky2
y
($658, instrumentchoice.com.au)
tracks rainfall, humidity, temperature
and pressure, with an added HD
camera on top for real-time snaps of
the sky throughout the day.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 5 7
 Home

DESIRE
Furnish your pad with
the ultimate in modern
living accessories

01 02 03

05
04

5 8 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


06
PLATE BY
07 01 CLAUDIA RANKIN
Claudia Rankin brings her
ceramic art to the masses with
the ‘affordable’ and handmade
Plate. Combining Rankin’s love
of colour and nature, this
quirky display plate adds
warmth to dour kitchens.
$407,
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GREY HURRICANE
02 LANTERN
Lanterns introduce a soft glow
08 into your living space, and the
‘new neutrals’ palette of this
Scandinavian style offering
will suit most decors. At 32cm
tall, the lantern is also large
enough for pillar candles.
EHDXPRQGHFRXN
03 GOOD MORNING
MUG
Audenza’s Good Mug, made in
Blue, Green and Pink, is the
perfect vessel for drinking tea.
Buy one of each colour and
stack ’em charmingly across
your kitchen worktop.
DXGHQ]DFRP
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Desire
COPPER
04 WOODEN
ARMCHAIR
Autumn is made for devouring
books in a comfy armchair, so
why not introduce a slice of
slow living into your life with
Cult Living’s relaxing faux
leather armchair? Available in
black and brown, this modern
mid-century design chair was
made to bolster comfort as
soon as you sit down.
FXOWIXUQLWXUHFRP
TUSCAN STOOL
05 A hot new interiors
trend for autumn, lavastone is
lighter than concrete but still
has the same moody, industrial
vibe. That smooth stone seat
looks handsome offset against
the stained and sealed acacia
trapeze legs. Buy one before
the world and its wife does.
VZRRQHGLWLRQVFRP
GEOMETRIC
06 AVIARY
WALLPAPER
Just because we’re heading
into autumn doesn’t mean we
need to part ways with funky
interiors. That’s why we’re
feeling this Divine Savages
wallpaper, an ode to tropical
IDXQDDQGćRUD7KHZLSHDEOH
easy-to-hang wallpaper is
ideal for a statement wall or
transforming smaller spaces.
GLYLQHVDYDJHVFRP
TEFAL JAMIE
07 OLIVER CERAMIC
SHALLOW PAN
Part of the Jamie Oliver series
for Tefal, this gleaming pan will
inject style into your kitchen
while giving you the perfect
tool for sautéing and frying
YHJJLHVPHDWVDQGĆVK
The pan itself is made from
scratch-resistant anodised
aluminium and ceramic.
WHIDOFRPDX
XMERCER
08 NESTING TABLES
Crafted from solid wood, each
WDEOHLVĆQLVKHGZLWKLQGXVWULDO
style black metal legs, or brass
if you’d prefer a warmer vibe.
The tables slot neatly under
one another, and tuck into
corners when not in use.
FXOWIXUQLWXUHFRP
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 5 9
 Home
Living smarter
HOME LIVING SMARTER
Match moods
indoors and out
Bring the outdoors in with
a clever lighting tweak
There’s nothing worse than starting your
day in a warm and fuzzy mood and then
meeting a great outdoors that hasn’t had
the same idea. Creating equilibrium
between a smart home and the dumb
outdoors isn’t impossible, even if it would
be easy to take this too far. Linking your
thermostat to the temperature outside
would be a little crazy – though, perhaps,
tweaking your home’s temperature within
a certain range might work without
freezing you solid in your bed.
But that’s a project for another day.
Rather than dealing with the physical –
ĆULQJ XS D VPDUW SOXJFRQQHFWHG IDQ
when your home hits a certain heat level,
for example, is a trivial task – let’s look
instead at the mental aspect of the daily
departure. Getting a morning weather
report delivered is straightforward
enough, given that it’s baked into the
$OH[D )ODVK %ULHĆQJ DOWKRXJK \RX FDQ GR
slightly better if you’re on an Amazon
device: try using the Big Sky skill to pull in
a hyperlocal and, most importantly, polite
6 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
Want to know what the
weather’s like without looking
outside? Use a smart bulb
weather forecast. If you’re often angry in
the morning, the phone app WTForecast
will be more your slice of toast, given that
it delivers the bad news with a liberal
dose of vitriol and wanton cursing.
Let’s not talk to anyone, though. Let’s
not even look at a screen with bleary eyes.
Use smart bulbs to link
the conditions outside
to a certain colour
Using IFTTT and a smart bulb or three,
you can link the conditions outside to a
certain colour light – a miserable purple
for rain and a cold blue for cloud. The key
to making this work is the crowdsourced
DQG GDWDIULHQGO\ :HDWKHU 8QGHUJURXQG
service, though you could also use the
outdoor portion of the Netatmo Weather
Station if you were so inclined.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
LINK YOUR LIGHTS
TO WEATHER
UNDERGROUND
ç7KLVè LV WKH IRUHFDVW çWKDWè
is your smart bulbs
GET THE WEATHER
Head over to IFTTT.com and log
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registered your bulbs with the
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PDNHV &OLFN ç0\ $SSOHWVè ç1HZ
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Underground’ in the list.
PICK A CONDITION
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COLOUR IT UP
Find your smart bulbs (using the
search box makes this much
quicker) and set an action to change
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option, so you’re not woken up by a
blazing bulb if the sky’s clear. Then
repeat for each other condition.
 EXCLUSIVE PREVIEWS, INTERVIEWS AND FEATURES ON
THE WORLD’S BIGGEST GAMES GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

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 State of the Art

Folding fast
Want the convenience of a folding bike but need to get where you’re
going quickly? Meet the perfect compact commuting ebikes
Words: Nick Odantzis Photography: Neil Godwin

WHAT’S ON TEST…

1 Tern Vektron S10

The biggest folding bike here,
EXW WKHUHèV ORDGV RI URRP WR FDUU\
2 %URPSWRQ (OHFWULF
luggage, or even kids, with added
comfort, and it’s equipped with
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From $5,900 ternbicycles.com
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folding bike formula, synonymous
3 9HOOR %LNH 
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you ride, an all in one hub, and a
with city slickers, and added sleek folding frame, the Vello looks
a dollop of extra speed to HYHU\ ELW WKH SDUW $ WLWDQLXP IUDPH
LWV SHUIHFWO\ IRUPHG SDFNDJH RSWLRQ RIIHUV HYHQ PRUH EOLQJ
From $1,999 brompton.com $4,640, vellobike.com

6 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


olding bikes have been around
F
for ages - as far back as the ’60s,
in fact, and if you live in a busy
city it’s highly likely you’ll spot
one on your commute, unless you’re asleep.
Folding bikes are ideal transport in a variety
of scenarios - if you’re commuting by train,
they’re great for covering those extra miles
at either end without worrying about trying
to find bike space on board; if you want
something for getting about, but don’t live
in a bike-friendly home, they’re easy to store
2
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
indoors and out of sight, ready when you
need them; and then there’s leisure types
- a folding bike is perfect on your travels
because you can simply chuck it in a car for
when you get to your chosen destination.
If you’ve ever been on a folder, you’ll
know that the actual riding part feels like
an afterthought - with tiny wheels and
ergonomics suited only to the shortest of
rides. But the latest breed of folding bikes is
better than ever, packing modern comforts
such as electric assistance, mighty brakes and
Electric folding bikes
featherweight frames, making them as easy
to ride as a a full-size bike.
On show for this issue’s super-test, we give
you three of the most capable electric folding
bikes you can buy today. Each one has its own
unique approach to the folding theme, from
its intended purpose, to the way it actually
goes about folding, as well as the type of
electric system it uses. Each of these bikes
couldn’t be more different, so which one is
the best, and which one should you choose?
Read on to find out.
3
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 6 3
 State of the Art

TEST 01: TERN VEKTRON S10

DESIGN
7KH\èUHPDGHWRIROGĆUVWDQGIRUHPRVW
VRMXVWKRZZHOOGRWKH\GRLW"

ith its award-winning frame,

W
Vello’s Bike+ adopts a unique
design that eschews the normal
fold in the main tubes. his
means it’s quite long when folded, but looks
neater when riding, and aids rigidity. he
folding process is simple - a single magnetic
point connects the rear to the main frame,
while the front forks have a turn key
connector, with an, admittedly fiddly, pin
lock. Swing the wheel around and magnetic
points on forks and frame allow them to
connect together securely. he stem can be
lowered quickly thanks to a quick-release
collar; ditto for the bar ends which, removed,
give the Bike+ a long, but narrow stance.
A lack of proper stand makes it clumsy to
unfold, but it gains points for being super
light (13.9kg!), so it’s easy to carry around.
With its chunky looks, the Tern Vektron
looks a beast to handle, but it’s very friendly
to operate thanks to huge levers at each
break, which are quick to undo. he Vektron
has a stand built into the bottom of the frame,
so it’s easy to fold without fear of the bike
toppling, while magnetic points on the frame
and fork allow you to secure the bike together

here are lots of nice The Vektron offers a luxorious riding feel when unfolded, but the downside
is that it’s the biggest and heaviest bike to lug around when folded
touches on the Brompton,
like wheels on the stand SPECS

FRAME Hydroformed 7005 aluminium WHEELS 20-inch TYRES

in seconds. A bungee on the rack neatly Schwalbe Big Apple 55x406 BRAKES Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc
tethers the handlebars. At a mighty 21.8kg, GEARS Shimano Deore 10-speed (11-34T), chain driven MOTOR
you’ll need some muscle to carry it around, Bosch Active PLUS 250W MOTOR LOCATION Bottom bracket
though. Folded, it’s a whopper too. BATTERY 400Wh DISPLAY Bosch Purion RANGE 31-62 miles
Brompton has been making folding bikes (depending on mode and environmental factors) WEIGHT 21.8kg
for a long time now, and it shows. he Electric
acts like a regular Brompton, which of course
means it folds beautifully to a super compact
shape, though its not the quickest to break
down because you have to unscrew each
section. Still, there are lots of nice touches, TEST 01: WINNER
like a hook on the rear section and connector
on the front forks, which make the bike feel
super solid when folded, and the addition of BROMPTON ELECTRIC
rubber wheels on the stand makes it easy to
move around. Cleverly, the Brompton has a Not surprisingly, the Brompton wins this by a country
pad underneath the saddle, allowing you to
carry it comfortably - even when you take
mile. It’s a cinch to fold, small enough to fit just about
into consideration its slightly portly weight anywhere and dead easy to carry, despite its weight.
of 14.5kg (17.5kg with battery attached).

6 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Electric folding bikes

BROMPTON ELECTRIC VELLO BIKE+

The Brompton hides its electrics well – even the battery bag looks A magnetic connector at the chain stays makes it really easy to fold the
inconspicuous. It’s the smallest and easiest to carry when folded %LNHEXW\RXèUHOHIWZLWKDQXQXVXDOO\ORQJRYHUDOOVKDSH

SPECS SPECS

FRAME Steel WHEELS 16-inch TYRES Schwalbe Marathon Racer
35-349 BRAKES Rim-mounted calipers GEARS 6-speed BWR
(Brompton Wide Range) hub, chain driven MOTOR Brushless DC
250W MOTOR LOCATION Front hub BATTERY 300Wh DISPLAY
Battery mounted LED RANGE 25-50 miles (depending on mode and
environmental factors) WEIGHT 17.5kg
FRAME Steel WHEELS 20-inch TYRES Schwalbe Kojak 406x35
BRAKES Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc GEARS Single speed,
belt driven MOTOR All-in-one 250W MOTOR LOCATION Rear
hub BATTERY 160Wh DISPLAY ZEHUS smartphone app RANGE
18-unlimited miles (depending on mode and environmental factors)
WEIGHT 13.9kg

DOES IT HAVE Though the Tern Vektron is relatively big

72 %( 60$//"
NOT ALL FOLDING EBIKES ARE
EQUAL, AND MONTAGUE’S FULL
SIZE FOLDER IS IDEAL FOR A
BIGGER, MORE REASSURED RIDE
among its folding compadres, it’s still a
weeny machine compared to a typical road
bike, with a smaller frame and smaller
wheels. The knock-on effect of this style is
that the ride isn’t as gracious as a full size
bike. But if you’re in the market for an
electric folder, you don’t have to go small.
Montague (montaguebikes.com) makes
ĆQHIXOOVL]HIROGHUVLWV863DSDWHQWHG
F.I.T. folding system, in which the frame
uses a tube within a tube design, offering
the strength of a non-folding bike (if not its
looks) with the ability to fold on demand.
The Montague Boston ZE marries the
ĆUPèVIROGLQJSURZHVVZLWKD=HKXV%LNH
all-in-one hub with regen – the same type
IRXQGLQWKH9HOOR%LNHRQWHVWKHUH

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 State of the Art

TEST 02: TERN VEKTRON S10

ELECTRIC
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ll three ebikes have a unique

A
electric setup. he Vektron uses
the slick Bosch Active Plus motor,
mounted at the cranks for
optimum efficiency and smoothness. Unlike
previous generation Bosch systems, the latest
line now has the chainring on the outside of
the motor, so you don’t get that ‘brick wall’
effect when the motor isn’t spinning. With a BROMPTON ELECTRIC
more traditional, externally mounted battery,
the Vektron looks very much like an ebike -
the plus point is you can remove the battery
to charge it, or you can just plug in at the
source. he 400Wh battery is rated for
about 31 miles in its most powerful mode,
or 62 miles in eco mode, which is nifty.
At a glance ,you’d be hard pushed to tell
the Brompton Electric apart from a regular
one, aside from the battery strapped to it.
he motor is housed in the front wheel hub,
giving you instant power as you pedal.
Developed in conjuction with Williams
Advanced Engineering (yes, the F1 guys), the
motor uses a smart sensor to adjust the power
as you ride. With its ‘battery-in-a-bag’ setup,
mounted to the handlebar stem, you can VELLO BIKE+
easily remove it for charging. he electric

he Vello’s party piece is

its F1-like Kinetic Energy
Recovery System (KERS)
controls are mounted on the top of the
battery, for accessibility. You get three power
modes to play with and niceties such as auto
lights and a USB port for charging your
phone. he Brompton’s 300Wh battery offers
25-50 miles of range, depending on mode.
he Vello Bike+ has a clever all-in-one
motor and battery housed in a hub at the rear
wheel. It weighs just 3kg and is mounted nice
and low, to aid handling. he Vello’s party
piece is its F1-like Kinetic Energy Recovery TEST 02: WINNER
System (KERS). In full regenerative mode you
can travel indefinitely without having to
charge the battery, which is a big deal. hat VELLO BIKE+
said, it only really works on a flat, and as it
only offers minimal power assistance to get Under the right conditions, you’ll never have to charge
you going, it won’t handle hills. If you have a
need for speed, Turbo mode will propel you at
the Vello Bike+. hat and its ‘hidden’ lightweight all-in-
a rate of knots, bursting through the battery one electric setup are a gamechanging innovation.
to give you a mere 29km of range.

6 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Electric folding bikes

TERN VEKTRON S10 TEST 03:

THE RIDE
Which will get you from A to B in the
quickest and most comfortable way?

hile the Tern Vektron suffers at

W
luggability, it comes into its own
when it gets rolling, offering a
luxurious, ‘big bike’ ride. he big
volume tyres eat potholes for breakfast and
it’s seriously quick, too, with 10 generous
gears working in perfect harmony with the
smooth Bosch motor to give you a perfectly
BROMPTON ELECTRIC balanced power delivery over any terrain.
Unlike some ebikes, which run out of puff
at the 15.5mph electric-assist limit, the
Vektron just sails on. Even without the aid of
the motor, it cruises along the flat at 20mph,
which is astonishing really. he Vektron is
perfect for mile-munching.
Whereas the Vektron feels like a tank,
the Vello Bike+ is a racing car in comparison.
Its relatively low weight allows it to zip off the
line with gusto, and it’s able to take corners
as fast as you like. You might find yourself
wanting for more, though, as the single speed
gear setup – while effortless to get you off the
line, the motor eagerly spinning up with a
mighty dollop of electric boost – doesn’t have
the legs of a multi-gear setup and you’ll be
VELLO BIKE+ spinning like a lunatic at about 15mph. Which
is fine in an inner city, but slightly tedious on

he Vektron’s big volume

tyres eat potholes for
breakfast and it’s quick
TEST 03: WINNER
TERN VEKTRON
For long, leisurely rides, this is the bike you want to have
underneath you. It’s comfortable, fast over any terrain
and even has a luggage rack to carry all your belongings.
straights. Surprisingly, the single speed is
well augmented by the electric assistance.
As long as you’re in Turbo mode, hills are
a doddle. Sure, you won’t be going up them
quickly, but you won’t break a sweat either.
As the smallest bike on test, the Brompton
feels almost comical to ride, especially for
taller folk, but there’s loads of adjustments
and it’s heaps more comfortable than it looks.
Sure, the small wheels, high handlebars and
weighty battery make it a little nervous on
turns, especially with the brick of a battery
and motor at the front, but you soon get used
to it, and it’s a lot of fun. he six-speed rear
hub gives a decent amount of range (it’ll top
out at a handy 17.5mph), though we found
we were constantly cycling through power
modes mid-ride to compensate for changes
in terrain. Due to the battery’s position,
behind the handlebars, it’s quite fiddly.

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 State of the Art
VERDICT:
THE OVERALL
WINNER IS…
BROMPTON ELECTRIC
From $1,999, brompton.com
WE’RE IMPRESSED By far the
smallest package once folded,
making it the go-to bike for
commuting on packed trains;
easy to fold; lively ride with
usable gearing (six-speed
version); good handling; it’s
JRWbWKHYLVXDONXGRVRQO\
matched by another Brompton.
WE’D IMPROVE You’re
constantly adjusting the power
TERN VEKTRON S10
$5,900, ternbicycles.com
2nd
SIX WAYS TO GET MORE FROM YOUR BROMPTON ELECTRIC
01 CHARGE
<285b'(9,&(6
The Brompton Electric comes
with a USB connector in the top
of the battery pack, meaning
you can charge your phone on
the go, as long as you have a
cable that’s long enough and a
handlebar mount – which will be
handy when you get a load of
WKHQH[WbWKLQJLQWKLVOLVWð
02 GET THE APP
Though it wasn’t available at the
time of writing, Brompton has
promised to release an app this
6 8 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
modes as you go; it’s a little
ELWbRQWKHKHDY\VLGH
THE FINAL WORD A great
all-round package that rides as
nicely as it folds - it still feels like
a classic Brompton. It’s also got
DbĆWDQGĆQLVKXQOLNHDQ\WKLQJ
we’ve seen before, adding to the
feeling of premium ownership.
WE’RE IMPRESSED An
enjoyable ride – it’s ideal for long
journeys; Bosch electric system
is smooth and fast with no motor
resistance; folds really nicely.
WE’D IMPROVE Big and heavy,
so less ideal for commuting.
THE FINAL WORD Easily as
good as the Brompton, but for
D GLIIHUHQW IROGLQJ DXGLHQFH
year that allows owners of the
Brompton Electric to connect
WRbWKHELNHRYHU%OXHWRRWKDQG
check your speed and mileage,
as well as adjust individual
ULGLQJbPRGHVRQWKHć\
03 SPEED UP
CHARGING TIMES
The standard charger included
with the Brompton Electric is
Db$XQLWZKLFKPHDQVLWèOO
WDNHbDERXWKRXUVWRJHW
DbIXOObFKDUJHZKHQ\RXSOXJLW
LQb,I\RXZDQWWRFXWGRZQ
WKHbFKDUJHWLPHWRDPRUH
1st
VELLO BIKE +
$4,640, vellobike.com
3rd
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IRUWKRVHRQWKHJRæ\RXèOOQHHG
WKHRSWLRQDO$IDVWFKDUJHU
04 GET MORE RANGE
Brompton recommends you
pump up the tyres to 100psi to
minimise the amount of rolling
UHVLVWDQFH,QGRLQJWKLV\RXèOO
give the motor, and yourself,
DbELWOHVVZRUNWRGRDV\RXULGH
05 PREP FOR A
COLD WINTER
Bike batteries don’t like the cold,
so when you’re parking your
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
WE’RE IMPRESSED Game-
changing no-charge tech;
super-light; single speed for
HDVH RI XVH LGHDO IRU FLW\ ULGLQJ
WE’D IMPROVE Long shape
once folded won’t suit all;
VOLJKWO\ ĆGGO\ WR IROG
THE FINAL WORD The Vello
Bike+ is a fun, fast and funky
alternative to the Brompton.
Brompton, remember to take
the battery off and store it
LQGRRUV$OVRNHHSWKHEDWWHU\
fully charged if you’re not using
LWIRUDZKLOH
06 CHECK IT BEFORE
YOU TRAIN WRECK IT
Obviously, the Brompton
Electric is an ideal commuter
aid, which makes it perfect for
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happily jump on one without
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require you to carry it in a
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 Electric folding bikes

5
ESSENTIAL
ADD-ONS
With a few custom touches, the Brompton can
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1
LARGE CITY BAG
7KHVWDQGDUGEDJPRXQWHGWRWKH
01 IURQWRIWKH%URPSWRQ(OHFWULFKDV
DbPHUHOLWUHVRIFDSDFLW\åJRRGIRUD
WRRWKEUXVKDQGDVDQGZLFKSHUKDSV)RU
PRUHFDUU\LQJFDSDFLW\åOLWUHVLQIDFW
å%URPSWRQèVELJJHUXQLWLVDGLUHFW
UHSODFHPHQWIRUWKHH[LVWLQJRQH
$230, brompton.com

2
TELESCOPIC SEAT POST
,I\RXKDSSHQWREHRIDORIW\
KHLJKW%URPSWRQèV7HOHVFRSLF
VHDWbSRVWLVWKHWLFNHWJLYLQJ\RXORDGV
PRUHVHDWOHQJWKWKDQWKHVWDQGDUGSRVW
ZLWKRXWWKHGUDZEDFNRIDORQJHUĆ[HG
SRVWMXWWLQJRXWRIWKHIUDPHZKHQWKH
ELNHLVLQWKHIXOO\IROGHGSRVLWLRQ
02 $75, brompton.com

3
03 SCHWALBE KOJAK
TAN WALL TYRE
7KHVWDQGDUG%URPSWRQW\UHVDUH
SHUIHFWO\JRRGIRUDOOURXQGULGLQJEXWLI
\RXZDQWDQH[WUDOLFNRIVSHHGDQGVW\OH
6FKZDOEHèV.RMDNW\UHVZLOOGRLW:LWKD
PPZLGWKDQGVOLFNW\UHSURĆOH\RXèOO
JHWOHVVUROOLQJUHVLVWDQFHDVZHOODV
DGGHGJULSIRUIDVWULGHV
$62 (per tyre), brompton.com

4
04 CRANKSET
&KRRVHIURPD77RU7
FUDQNVHWDQG\RXFDQFXVWRPLVHWKH
JHDULQJRQ\RXU%URPSWRQ:K\",I\RX
ZDQWPRUHKHOSRQKLOOVDVPDOOHUFUDQNVHW
05 ZLOOPDNHLWHDVLHU$ELJJHURQHZLOOPDNH
LWKDUGHURQWKRVHXSKLOOVEXWDOORZ\RX
WRbKLWKLJKHUVSHHGVLQHDFKJHDU
$140, brompton.com

5
FOLDING FLIGHT CASE
$%URPSWRQLVDVKDQG\WRKDYHRQ
KROLGD\VDVLWLVIRUJHWWLQJIURP$
WRb%RQDFRPPXWHVRLI\RXZDQWWRWDNH
\RXUVRQDćLJKW\RXèOOZDQWWKLVVWXUG\
FDUU\LQJFDVHWRSURWHFWLW7KHZKHHOVOHW
\RXPRYHLWDURXQGZLWKHDVHDQGLWIROGV
GRZQZKHQQRWLQXVHWRVDYHVSDFH
$305, brompton.com

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THE VERY LATEST GAMES, THE MOST CUTTING-EDGE
PC HARDWARE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN,
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ON SALE NOW
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Expert reviews and recommendations
WRKHOS\RXEX\ZLWKFRQĆGHQFH

Edited by Claire Davies

72 76 78 80 87

SAMSUNG GALAXY TICWATCH PRO THE BEST GAMING APPLE MACBOOK PRO JABRA ELITE
NOTE9 HEADSETS 15-INCH ACTIVE 65T VS. BOSE
SOUNDSPORT FREE

In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out
there, and we believe that you – our loyal
reader – deserve only the best tech in your
life. We don’t want you to waste time, and
money, on inferior products, and that’s
exactly why our Tested section exists.
In here you’ll find only the latest and
hottest tech. Each product has been
handpicked and tested by T3’s experts.
HOW WE TEST
We only choose people with specialist THE SCORES EXPLAINED
knowledge for each test, so you know you’re
going to get an outcome based on many years Forget it
of experience in their respective field. Below average
As well as our traditional five-star rating
Good for the price
system (right), we also give out awards to
particularly exceptional gadgets, using the Very good all round
line-up below - so when you spot one of An exceptional,
these, you’ll know you’re onto a good thing. best-in-class product

OUR AWARDS
Only the best products This is given to winners This accolade, and For kit with exceptional
å WKRVHWKDWVFRUHĆYH BEST ON of our group tests, so BEST FOR others like it, show you THE industrial design and
PLATINUM stars – receive our TEST you can see which is BATTERY which gear is best for DESIGN UHĆQHPHQWLQDGGLWLRQ
AWARD LIFE AWARD
Platinum Award the best at a glance VSHFLĆFIHDWXUHV to being a great buy

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 Tested

Screen 6.4-inch 1440x2960 AMOLED

Processor Octo-core Exynos 9810 Memory
6GB/8GB Storage 128GB/512GB
Cameras 12MP telephoto/12MP dual-
aperture wide-angle rear, 8MP front Battery
4,000mAh Dimensions 76.4x161.9x8.8mm
Weight 201g

From $1,499
samsung.com.au
CLOUD9
amsung has always gone

Samsung S
big with its Note handsets,
and we don’t just mean
the 6.4-inch screen on
offer in this year’s model. hey’ve

Galaxy Note9
You’d think that smartphones with styluses
always pushed ahead on features and
premium build, and the result is a
phone that comes close to the iPhone
X’s high price. So, is it worth it?

Built better
would have died off by now, but Samsung he Note9 feels dense and classy in
keeps them alive by making them excellent the hand, without the plasticky feel
some flagships have had this year.

7 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au


ON THE BIG SCREEN
At 6.4 inches, it’s only a tad
bigger than the S9+’s 6.2-inch
display, but that extra space is
excellent for its split-screen app
pairing shortcuts
It’s no surprise that it feels solid,
considering just how much is packed
into a thin 8.8mm frame and more
substantial 201g weight.
hat’s no doubt thanks in part to
its new 4,000mAh battery, which is a
big increase over the 3,300mAh unit
in the previous model, though we
can’t blame Samsung for having been
cautious there, given the Note’s
colourful battery history…
It looks nearly identical to the
Galaxy S9, meaning it’s one of the few
high-end handsets you can have
without a notch. Of course, you get
the added bonus of the S Pen here,
which hides completely within the
handset when not in use, popping out
from the bottom-right corner.
he S Pen has had a nice upgrade
this year: it’s Bluetooth connected for
the first time, meaning it can do more
than simply tap and draw. here’s a
button on the stylus, which acts as a
handy remote to play or pause music,
for example, or to launch the camera
app and take photos remotely. he S
Pen works really well, making it an
ideal addition on top of the drawing
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
prowess of the S Pen, which includes
4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity.
It feels natural in the hand during
use, is totally accurate, and its ability
to take notes, annotate screengrabs
and photos, translate foreign text
(you select the words with the S Pen
on the screen), and send Live
Messages, are genuinely useful.
Infinity phwoar
Of course, all that note-taking and
drawing prowess wouldn’t feel as nice
if the screen wasn’t any good. But the
1440x2960 Infinity Display is (just)
Samsung’s best ever, with images that
are just as vibrant as the ones on the
S9 Plus, but in a slightly taller form.
From streaming HDR movies from
Netflix, to enjoying a couple of rounds
of combat in Dragon Ball Legends, to
reading the fine content on T3.com,
this phone’s screen makes it all an
absolute pleasure.
Everything you’ll do on it feels
utterly smooth too, which is just as
important. he new entry-level Note9
comes with an Exynos 9810 processor,
128GB of storage space (a 512GB
Samsung Galaxy Note9
PEN PAL
The S Pen’s square shape is
surprisingly comfortable to
hold. This is great, since the
intuitive software makes
it much more tempting to
XVH WKDQ \RXèG WKLQN
Some might say version costs more), and 6GB of RAM
Samsung design (this is increased to 8GB on the 512GB
has found its storage model). his is just about as
groove. Some
might say its in a high-end as phones get, especially
rut. We expect big the storage, which is colossal on that
changes next year… 512GB model. Bear in mind that it has
a microSD card slot that can take
another 512GB, meaning we’ve got a
1TB phone here. You really won’t have
to worry about running out of space
for photos and videos.
Aside from all that extra space, it
basically matches the best of what
else is currently out there for speed.
his means that using the Note9 is a
rapid, fluid experience: we met zero
slow-down or lag while opening and
using apps, playing games, switching
usage modes (such as when using the
S Pen), downloading content and
browsing the internet. It’s what you’d
expect for $1,499, though.
It helps that Android 8.1 is nice and
mature now, running like a bug-free
dream here. he Samsung Experience
software, which replaced the crude
and unpopular Samsung TouchWiz
from earlier Galaxy devices, has also
reached an incredibly refined level on
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 7 3
 Tested

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in h w you c n a and looks g glorious on the big
often complex operating system.
he software partnering the
Note9’s S Pen digital stylus also syncs
seamlessly with Oreo. Extracting the
S Pen when the phone is unlocked
causes an overlay to appear with a
customisable app wheel, enabling you
to quickly make a note, or run an app.
We have to confess that we added
Football Manager Mobile 2018 to this
almost immediately (the S Pen is
perfect for configuring your false 9
formation). And, talking of gaming,
7KH1RWHFRPHV you’lll be delighted to kno
ow thata
Forn
rnite runs smoothly on n th
t e No ote9,
EODFNEOXHSLQN
g br
b igghtt
DQGSXUSOH
screen too. You have to install using
the awkward route outside of the
Google Play store, but then you can’t
argue with the end results.
Artificial idiocy
here is one area of software where
the Note9 stumbles, and inevitably it’s
Samsung’s Bixby smart assistant,
which returns to the Note9 with its
own dedicated, physical button,
located on the left side underneath
the volume keys. A single press opens
t e A asssisttant’s home screen, where
y u an e t r your text commands,
confi
on ure re settings, and run through
its tutorials. A long press takes you
directly to voice command input.
Providing you enable the option,
Bixby can also be raised with a “Hi,
Bixby” voice command, which
worked for us most of the time.
Samsung says Bixby is smarter and
better than ever, and it does feature
extra smarts such as learning to tailor
its responses and suggestions for you
better (like which eateries to suggest
based on your past preferences). hat
said, we still found it as patchy as ever

THE COMPETITION

SAMSUNG
G GALAXY
GAL
GA L S9+
6DPVXQJèVVHFRQGELJJHVW VHFRQGćDVKLHVW
SKRQHRI KDV DQ HTXDOO\JRRGGLVSOD\
LVHTXDOO\IDVWDQGKDVHVVHQWLDOO\WKHVDPH
FDPHUDV\VWHP<RXGRQèWJHWWKH63HQEXW\RX
FDQĆQGWKH6IRUFORVHWRRQOLQH
$1,199, samsung.com.au
APPLE iPHONE X
,WèVQRWDVELJDVWKH1RWHDQGWKHUHèVQRVW\OXV
RUVSOLWVFUHHQDSSVEXWWKLVLVWKHRQO\SKRQH
WKDWKDVLWEHDWIRUSUHPLXPIHHODQGVSHHG
WKDQNVWRWKHVWDLQOHVVVWHHODQGJODVVERG\
SOXV$SSOHèVEOLVWHULQJ$SURFHVVRU
$1,629, apple.com/au
HUAWEI P20 PRO
$JDLQQRWDVELJDVWKH1RWHDQGQRWDV
IRFXVHGRQSURGXFWLYLW\EXWLI\RXZDQWWKH
EHVW$QGURLGFDPHUDV\VWHPZHèYHWHVWHG\HW
\RXQHHGWKLVWULSOHOHQVV\VWHP7KHUHVWRI
WKHSKRQHLVDOVRH[FHOOHQWRIFRXUVH
050, consumer.huawei.com

74 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Samsung Galaxy Note9

TELE ADDICT
The twin rear cameras include
a telephoto lens (for portraits)
and a wide-angle. You can add
arty bokeh effects to blur the
background, of course

DONE IN 40 SECONDS
The S Pen charges when you place it
back in the phone. Fancy fast-charge
tech means it can take 30 minutes
worth of juice in only 40 seconds

when on test. Many requests that we
felt it would be able to handle didn’t
register, or if it did register them,
sometimes it would do random things
that weren’t useful. Asking, for
example, “How long will it take me to
get home today?” saw Bixby open he
Weather Channel, stating, “I couldn’t
find the specific weather condition
you asked for, here’s the overall
weather instead”.
Ask Google Assistant, which is also
available on the Note9, the exact same
question and within a second a
Google Maps box has opened with a
time estimate to your house and a
recommended route. Alas, Samsung
doesn’t let you change the Bixby
button to Google Assistant instead…
Always focused
One area Samsung always gets right is
the camera. he Note9 inherits the
dual-lens, dual-aperture system from
the S9+, meaning it can let in different
levels of light for different types of
comes loaded with a first for the Note
series: a front-facing camera with
autofocus, which is perfect for using
the remote trigger in the S Pen.
All the cameras take excellent
bright pictures, helped with new
intelligent scene optimisation, which
adjust contrast and colours depending
on what you’re shooting.
One day at a time
he boosted battery is another success
story. he Note8’s battery was fine,
but no more, really. he Note9 now
delivers a battery that can meet the
‘all-day’ experience being touted by
Samsung, and with medium mixed
usage too. But you’ll still need to only
be using it lightly if you want to get a
full two days of use out of it.
hat’s no problem – it’s standard
among smartphones – but for a phone
that prides itself on going big in
everything, and being a productivity
powerhouse, ideally we’d want an
even larger battery to be slotted in
7KHULFKEOXHSKRQH he Note9’s final trick is its audio
and gold/yellow credentials, including AKG-tuned
SHQFRPELQDWLRQLV speakers (which are noticeably better
RXUIDYRXULWHRI
6DPVXQJèVRSWLRQV than the Note8’s), plus an Adapt
Sound system and Dolby Atmos
support. Using these with
headphones provides much richer
audio quality than normal.
All of this adds up to the Galaxy
Note9 being our newly crowned king
of the Android phones, and
Samsung’s best device yet.
VERDICT
WE’D IMPRESSED Glorious, huge screen;
excellent cameras; new S Pen is very handy;
ORWVbRISRZHUDQGVSHHG
WE’D IMPROVE %DWWHU\OLIHLVVWLOOMXVW
DYHUDJH%L[E\VLPSO\LVQèWDFRQWHQGHU\HW
THE LAST WORD $QRWKHUWRSSKRQHIURP
6DPVXQJ,WèVH[SHQVLYHEXWHDUQVWKDWSULFHE\
shot, more like a proper camera than
its phone rivals (only on the wide-
angle lens, though). Both 12MP rear
lenses are image stabilised too, so it’s
easy to get crisp and clear shots.
Moving round to the front of the
Note9, the 8MP front camera now
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
here. Other phones already meet (or RR]LQJTXDOLW\IURPDOPRVWHYHU\IHDWXUH
are set to exceed) the 4,000mAh size
used here. You do get both Fast
Charging and Fast Wireless Charging
capabilities in the Note9, though, so
at least refilling the phone’s tank is a
rapid experience.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 7 5
 Tested
OS Wear OS Display dual, AMOLED
(400x400) and FSTN Size 45mm
Battery two-30 days (depending on
usage) Water and dust resistance
IP68 Heart rate Yes Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Works with iOS, Android
Is affordability and increased battery life a better swap for quality?
$334.90
mobvoi.com
hen a company moves
from making entry-level
W smartwatches to top-end
wrist real estate, it can be
quite a risk, but that’s exactly what
Chinese AI company Mobvoi is doing.
A new entrant on the wearable space,
Mobvoi’s been making waves with its
wrist innovations and now it has
76 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
TIME FOR MORE
TicWatch Pro
unleashed the TicWatch Pro. Aimed at
being the affordable top-end to its
current Wear OS (née Android Wear)
offerings, the Pro’s main selling
points are price and big battery life.
he Pro’s quoted battery life is five
days (mixed use) to 30 days (Essential
Mode), thanks to dual display tech
that extends usage. Battery life drops
to two days if you use the watch
exclusively in Smart Mode. Basically,
there are two 1.39-inch screens
layered on top of one another. here’s
the 400x400 OLED display, with ace
resolution for the size that ensures
The Pro’s dial is text is legible and the pixels are barely
available in silver or visible. But it doesn’t fare well in
matte black, with a
strap to match
bright sunlight, washing out colours
and making the time harder to read.
Screen time
here is, however, the inclusion of
that second screen. It lies in wait
above the other – a transparent LCD
layer – and comes to life whenever the
other screen is off. his secondary,
low-powered display still shows the
time, date, your step count, the
watch’s current battery level, and
even your heart rate, with one touch
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
 TicWatch Pro

of a button. It’s a simple version of the it looks almost ridiculous. It doesn’t The strap’s design
Pro aesthetic, but it does mean you’re help that there are two sizeable metal means it’s business
hardware buttons on the right-hand- on the front and
getting more out of the battery than
totally sweatproof
you would on the Apple Watch. side, which you use to navigate the on the back
In reality, the smart screen lasts watch in between swipes and prods
around two days, but it can limp on of the touchscreen.
using that LCD display for another All that heft packs in a lot of
week or so - just without most of the features, thanks to the fact it runs on
actual smartwatch functionality and Wear OS. It’s incredibly easy to set up,
the pretty watch faces. Plus, that the software is easy to use and there
low-power screen just doesn’t look are plenty of apps available. here’s a
attractive, making the TicWatch Pro plethora of highly customisable faces
feel cheaper than it should, especially to choose from too, and it supports
considering its aesthetics elsewhere. Google Pay. You can even programme
the lower of the two buttons, which
Style matters we assigned to toggle Google Pay.
You see, despite the price tag, this Unlike the Samsung Gear Sport, for
feels like a premium product. It’s a example, the TicWatch Pro doesn’t
blend of matte black plastic and a take advantage of the Wear OS
brushed metal bezel, paired with a support for a bezel or buttons, so this
hybrid strap that wraps a heavily button is fairly handy. It’s just a shame
textured silicone underlay with a fine that the software on the watch can
layer of leather. Comfortable, flexible often stutter and lag as you move
and remarkably light, the Pro looks between notifications or apps—it’s
and feels expensive. It’s just a shame never quite as smooth as you’d hope.
that the size of the body won’t appeal It’s also frustrating that you need
to all. Some of us love a big watch, but to use a combination of the Wear OS
the TicWatch Pro is massive, thick and Mobvoi apps on your phone to
and definitely not subtle. he majority make the most of everything the
of people we showed it to weren’t a TicWatch has to offer. Mobvoi doesn’t
fan of its size, and for slimmer wrists add much to the Wear OS experience,
SLIMLINE ALTERNATIVES
LG
LG WATCH STYLE APPLE WATCH 3
e clue is in the name for lthough all Wear OS devices
t is one, as while the LG work with an iPhone, you
W tch style isn’t be the bestt can’t get past the fact the
QHVVWUDFNHURQWKH:HDU Apple Watch is still the
OS lineup, it’s sleek, slim and
d most complete smartwatch
d sirable. It also offers a nea package, and it won’t attract
otating crown for additiona
rro al the wrong kind of style
f nctionality. attention, either.
a
$249, lg.com F om $399, apple.com/au
Fr
and the app is particularly limited,
but its activity tracking provides
useful data. he Mobvoi app (iOS,
Android) shows your progression
across steps, exercise and active hours
in a series of rings, with the aim of
closing all three by the end of the day.
It’s not designed specifically as a
fitness tracker, so the software isn’t
going to provide highly detailed
exercise breakdowns, but it’s enough
for those who aren’t fitness freaks.
We used it at the gym several times
and found it more than substantial in
terms of recording our workouts,
especially in the accuracy of its heart
rate tracker. hough if you’re looking
for advanced tracking, you’ll need to
be looking at a Garmin.
VERDICT
WE’RE IMPRESSED
Excellent longevity; premium
build quality; affordable price tag.
WE’D IMPROVE
Unsightly CD display; overly
chunky design; software
performance isn’t smooth.
THE FINAL WORD
Despite its thick-set size and a few
software issues, the innovative
display and lengthy battery life
turn this into the best smartwatch
you haven’t heard of.

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 7 7

 Tested
Best headsets for gaming
+HDU LW DOO KHDU LW ORXG å DQG PDNH \RXUVHOI KHDUG ZKLOH \RXèUH JHWWLQJ LQWR WKH JDPH
A HEAD-FILLING SOUNDSTAGE
SENNHEISER GSP 600
$299, sennheiser.com
,I ERXQF\ VRXQG LV \RXU WKLQJ 6HQQKHLVHUèV
ERPEDVWLF ZLUHG FDQV VKRXOG EH WRS RI \RXU
OLVW 7KH\èUH ORXG EUDVK DQG WKH FORVHG
EDFN HDU FXSV DEVROXWHO\ VZDGGOH \RXU HDUV
:RUGV$OH[&R[3KRWRJUDSK\2OO\&XUWLV
BEST FOR
AUDIO
AWESOME AUDIO, AT A PRICE
V-MODA CROSSFADE WIRELESS II
ROSE GOLD
$419, v-moda.com
7KH GHVLJQ RI 90RGDèV IROGDEOH KHDGVHW
ZRQèW EH IRU HYHU\RQH ZLWK LWV URVH JROG
WULP DQG KH[DJRQDO FXSV ,WV KHDGEDQG LVQèW
GAMER-FRIENDLY, BUT LAGGING
PLANTRONICS RIG 800HS
$218, plantronics.com
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GHOLYHU ULJKW" :LUHOHVV VWUHQJWK LV
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UXPEOHLWèVKROORZDQGWKHPLFLVODFNLQJ

7 8 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

 Gaming headsets

f you’re a dedicated strapped to your head for hours, contain your ears without

I
gamer, your headset
is probably the
most important
peripheral in your arsenal.
Forget that pinpoint mouse and
clacky mechanical keyboard,
as neither of those things is
and neither is interacting with
you quite as intimately. So it
pays to get it right.
We’re not just talking great
sound, although that’s a big plus:
the perfect headset needs to be
light to save neckache, and
crushing them. It also needs a
quality mic tol ensure you’re
heard clearly when admonishing
rubbish teammates. And, let’s
face it, style is important,
especially if you’re going to be on
the business end of a webcam.

BEST FOR
BUDGET

A TREAT FOR YOUR EARS COMFORTABLE AND CHEAP SIMPLE BUT SUMPTUOUS

STEELSERIES ARCTIS SOUND BLASTERX H7 CORSAIR HS70 SE

352 :,5(/(66
$449, steelseries.com
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KHDGVHWV 7KH $UFWLV 3UR :LUHOHVVèV VNL
JRJJOH KHDGEDQG ZKLFK GLVWULEXWHV WKH
KHDGVHWèV PLQLPDO ZHLJKW RYHU WKH WRS RI
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IDOWHUV $QG WKH VRXQG LV WRSRIWKHOLQH
2QO\WKHSULFHOHWVLWGRZQEXWLWèVZRUWKLW
TOURNAMENT EDITION
$120, soundblaster.com
Despite being near the bottom for price,
this does a huge number of things that some
higher-end headsets can’t get right. The
audio, with a convincing 7.1 effect, is decent
å SHUKDSV ODFNLQJ PLGV DQG SXVKLQJ WKH
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on a tighter budget.
$192, corsair.com
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)RUJRLQJ IDQF\ GHVLJQV RU HODERUDWHO\
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SXOOVbWKHb+66(GRZQDIHZSHJV

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 7 9

 Tested

SIX APPEAL

Apple
MacBook
Pro 15-inch
:LWK VL[ FRUHV RI SURFHVVLQJ
power in a 1.5cm body, this
LVbDSRFNHWLVKURFNHW
From $3,499 ($7,139 as tested)
apple.com/au
pple’s high-end laptop finally gets a
A
big leap forward in power this year,
putting six-core processors in as
standard (the 13-inch model gets a
tidy quad-core processor). he basic $3,499
model (2.2GHz Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM,
256GB of ultra-fast flash storage) is pretty handy
itself, and compares well to the T3-favourite
15-inch Surface Book 2: for the same price, you
get the same storage (but faster), the same RAM,
two extra processor cores, but a weaker GPU.
We got the XXXTREME version to test the
MacBook Pro, a machine that comes in at
tear-inducing $7,139, kitted out with a 2.9GHz
Core i9 chip, 32GB of RAM, AMD Radeon Pro
560X 4GB graphics card and 2TB storage.
Small change
Outside of a big boost in processor power, the
only other changes of note in the new MacBook
Pros from last year’s model are a new keyboard
that Apple promises is quieter (but others say
should be more reliable too, as several people
had issues with the previous generation) and a
8 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
True Tone screen, which changes its colour
temperature to match the ambient light in the
room, making it more comfortable to use. his is
one of our favourite features on iPad and iPhone,
and once you try it, every computer without it
will feel horrible to use.
he good news, then, is that the beastly
processor proves to be as much of a bonus as
expected – compared to last year’s model VERDICT
(which had a similar processor to the Surface
Book 2), hardcore video encoding was nearly 30 WE’RE IMPRESSED So much
per cent faster in our tests. For pro stuff that processing power; True Tone is
taxes the processor, this is the performance brilliant; highly portable.
machine, even at the more basic end. However, WE’D IMPROVE Some won’t like
gaming performance doesn’t compare to the the lack of touchscreen; graphics
likes of Nvidia 1060 in the Surface Book 2 aren’t great; limited port options.
(especially since macOS isn’t good at it). THE LAST WORD You can’t
he MacBook Pro still has other advantages, argue with the sheer processor
including being thinner and lighter than grunt here – and in that thin, light
anything else in its power range. he screen is SDFNDJH å EXW LWèV QRW DV ćH[LEOH DV
also sharp and really vibrant, with wide-colour some Windows-based rivals.
support. Keep in mind that there are four
hunderbolt 3 ports here, a headphone jack, and
nothing else. No regular USB, no SD card reader,
no HDMI – it lacks flexibility. It’s also strictly a
laptop, so no touchscreen or 2-in-1 shenanigans.
hat troublesome keyboard is also divisive:
it’s very low-travel, and feels ‘clicky’. We really
like it, but some detest it. You’ve been warned.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

ACTION PACKED
GoPro
Hero7 Black
The action camera market
has long been dominated
by GoPro, but has it done
enough with this new cam
to hold onto the crown?
$570
gopro.com
ooking to extend its lead in the
L
action camera market, GoPro’s new
Hero7 Black brings a host of updates
to the already ace Hero6. Focusing
on making videos less shaky, GoPro has given us
new tech called HyperSmooth. his built-in
electronic stabilisation enables you to ditch the
gimbal and still capture judder-free footage.
Audio is better, and there’s a new TimeWarp
function, gesture-based UI, and live streaming.
Impressively, these new features have been
crammed into a case the exact same size and
shape as its predecessor. he Hero7 is waterproof
down to 10 metres, and you can expand that to
an impressive 30 metres with an optional GoPro
waterproof housing. Plus, there’s the massive
selection of compatible mounts and extras that
already work with the Hero7.
One of our favourite new features is the
ability to record TimeWarp videos, which use
GoPro’s image stabilisation to create moving
timelapses (like you might see in a Casey Neistat
vlog). hey’re ideal to set the scene, convey time
passing, or to add variety to an edited video.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
GoPro Hero7 Black
he real star of the show is HyperSmooth
stabilisation, which now works on all video up
to 4K at 60fps. HyperSmooth does its job
incredibly well, and doesn’t present any of the
traditional warping or artifacts found on older
GoPro cameras.
Audio recording capabilities have also been
enhanced here, with built-in microphones able
to capture more dynamic range (deeper lows, VERDICT
higher highs). here’s also software targeting
and eliminating sound from vibrations. WE’RE IMPRESSED Stabilisation
A touchscreen sits on the rear of the Hero7, really works; vastly improved UI;
but the user interface has been redesigned. As a great TimeWarp function.
result the menus, modes and settings are far WE’D IMPROVE Only Facebook
more simple to use, with intuitive gestures that live-steaming at launch; no
can be easily picked up. You also get voice improvement to battery life.
control, which is handy when you can’t reach THE LAST WORD GoPro has
the display or if you’re wearing gloves. again proven itself the undisputed
When you connect to the GoPro smartphone king of action cams. The Hero7
app, you’ll get live streaming. At launch you’ll Black is expertly built, feature-
be able to send video directly to Facebook Live stacked, and essential gear for
(via your smartphone’s internet connection), thrill-seekers and adventurers.
with YouTube coming shortly after.
he GoPro Hero7 Black is undoubtedly the
most powerful action camera the company has
created. his year’s updates have made getting
professional shots easier, rather than bumping
specs. As a result, we reckon GoPro has done
enough to retain the coveted action cam crown.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 8 1
 Tested
Sizes 55- or 65-inch Panel OLED
3840x2160 Speaker output 80W
Connections 4x HDMI 4K, 3x USB,
Ethernet, SD card, CI slot, Wi-
Fi, optical audio, headphone jack
Dimensions 1228x785x330mm
(55-inch) Weight 29kg (55-inch)
MOVIE MAGIC
Panasonic
FZ950
Panasonic leads the way
when it comes to truly
cinematic telly, though it’s
lacking a couple of features
8 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
From $2,420
panasonic.com
anasonic rightly makes a
big deal of its Hollywood
P connections. Not only
does it have an R&D lab
that’s a stone’s throw from the Walk
of Fame, but all the OLED screens you
buy at home have been finely tuned
by Tinsel Town creatives, resulting in
huge appeal for movie lovers. In fact,
it’s probably the best OLED TV ever
made. But not all of it…
Star appeal
Well, Hollywood is nothing if not nice
to look at, and build quality on the
FZ950 is exceptional, with a slimline
bezel and the best finishing this side
of Harry Kane. It also comes with a
dedicated soundbar, tuned by
Technics audio engineers, which is
similarly sleek. he TV is available in
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
55-inch (tested here) and 65-inch
models. Size aside, the screens are
essentially identical.
Before we go into detail about
high-end video, there’s extra good
news: the set does a great job with
upscaling HD channels. here’s no
sense that you’re slumming it with
sub-2160p fare, as long as the quality
of the original is good. Of course, 4K
HDR is better, and if you’re watching
a disc or stream at this quality there’s
a depth to the FZ950’s colour that’s
nothing short of mesmerising.
However, with SDR content
the cinematic viewing modes
dramatically reduce panel luminance
(down to as little as 30 per cent), and
shouldn’t be used in anything other
than fully dark room conditions.
hat’s an important point to consider
about this TV. As soon as you pop on a
film, it looks the business… provided
you choose the right image preset.
he Normal mode is the best option
for watching in rooms with average

ambient light. Using Dynamic can
oversaturate colour, but some content
(animation, for example) can look
divine. When displaying 4K HDR
content, all the set’s image presets
lock to full panel luminance and
contrast. he True Cinema mode
beautifully replicates the image
characteristics of a Hollywood
mastering monitor, but requires
near-dark viewing conditions to
really impress.
Lack of Vision
HDR support covers HDR10, HLG and
HDR10+, the new open standard
developed to challenge Dolby Vision
for the most advanced HDR image.
Dolby Vision itself isn’t supported,
which isn’t a deal breaker, but with
HDR10+ not really having any support
yet, it does mean you miss out on the
best possible viewing option.
Fortunately, you probably won’t
mind, because with amazingly rich,
dark images from its OLED screen,
and impressive brightness when
needed, it looks stunning. Motion
handling is also decent, so with 4K
HDR sports becoming more widely
available, this will do nicely. he
THE RIVALS
SONY MASTER
SERIES AF9
6RQ\èVQHZWRSHQG
FZ950 also makes for a superb gaming
display, provided you use the Gaming
mode to cut lag.
Sound quality is excellent for a
flatpanel TV. he speaker bar uses
four woofers, a quartet of mid-range
drivers, two tweeters and a quad
passive radiator for deeper bass. Its
stereo presentation is first class.
here’s no Dolby Atmos, but outside
of that it really cuts the need to buy a
dedicated soundbar.
Speaking of Dolby Atmos, support
for it is lacking entirely from this TV.
here’s no decoder, so you can’t route
Dolby Atmos from either a connected
set top box or the internal Netflix
client out to an Atmos sound system.
his maybe the single biggest issue we
have here: Atmos is incredible, and
although there are ways around not
having it, this is not ideal.
Plugged in
You get four HDMI inputs, but while
all are 4K HDCP enabled, only two are
full bandwidth. hat means you can’t
run the highest-end 2160p 10-bit
source into HDMIs 3 or 4. he built-in
operating system works well, and
you’ve got streaming from Netflix,
LG C8
([FHOOHQW2/('
LPDJHVIRUDOO
Panasonic FZ952B
7KH3DQDVRQLF Amazon Prime Video, ITVHub, All4
)=LVDJUHDW and loads more.
WHOO\IRUWUXHPRYLH In many ways, the FZ950 is the
IDQVRIIHULQJD
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SLFWXUHåEXW seen this year. Its colour performance
ZHLUGO\QR'ROE\ is extraordinary, while detail and
$WPRVVXSSRUW HDR really shine. It also boasts a
superior sound solution out of the
box, and has a great smart platform.
However, the lack of Dolby Vision and
Dolby Atmos support means it’s not a
slam dunk against rival OLED panels,
such as LG’s OLED C8 and the
jaw-dropping Sony AF8.
But if you want a 4K TV to suck the
finest possible detail out of movies
from Casablanca to Ragnarok, the
Panasonic FZ950 is like having your
own personal screening room.
VERDICT
WE’RE IMPRESSED Fabulous
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soundbar included.
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$TBC, sony.com.au From $2,795, lg.com.au

Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 8 3

 Tested
Stylish laptop bags
Lug your lavish tech about in comfort, and look good while doing so
Words: Nick Odantzis Photography: Phil Barker
BEST FOR
STYLE
SWISH AND MINIMALIST CARRYING
TED BAKER STARK
$488, tedbaker.com
If you must have a briefcase for carrying
your stuff, you could do a lot worse than
this gorgeous offering from Ted Baker,
decorated in a slick micro-perfortated
leather outer. The lining is classic TB, with
a funky print, and you get lots of pockets
within which to stash your belongings.
There’s a padded laptop sleeve, which,
though designed for a 13-incher, sadly
won’t accomodate thicker, older laptops.
The chunky handles are great to grasp, and
there’s a shoulder strap for added comfort.
8 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
BOMBPROOF, BUT LACKS COMFORT
BROOKS RIVINGTON
$315, brooksengland.com
Brooks designs gear primarily for cycling,
so rest assured this bag is tough and
weatherproof, with a water-resistant fabric
that looks and feels nice to the touch.
There’s a huge amount of space inside,
plenty of pockets, and a padded sleeve for
a 15-inch laptop. All good, then? Oddly,
for a bag that’s designed to be carried
while riding – where comfort is key – the
unpadded nylon straps hurt after a few
minutes. And though the back is padded, we
felt our laptop digging into our lower back.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE
HERSCHEL HERITAGE
$69, herschels.com.au
A simple bag for simple pleasures, the
Herschel Heritage gives you that back-to-
school feel with a retro vibe. Inside you
get a single yet generous laptop sleeve. It
isn’t padded, though, so be careful what
you place against it. There’s also a neat
lower pocket for storing your phone, and
a headphone port located higher up for
listening to music without a cable getting in
your way. The Heritage is capacious, comfy
and cool, and you can buy it in a frankly
ludicrous 45 unique colour options.
 Stylish laptop bags

et’s be honest, shall our stuff day-to-day without it of these bags does its job a little

/
we? A good laptop
bag is essential in
this day and age.
Whether you need to carry your
tech, your lunch or mission-
critical documents, we all rely
upon being able to move around
getting lost or damaged en route.
So choosing a bag should be at
the top of your purchasing list.
hat bag needs to look good,
too. hat’s why we’ve tested six
of the most stylish laptop bags to
help you find the ideal one. Each
differently to the next, but
there’s a few things they all must
do: carry your tech around in
relative safety (bonus points if
the bag offers more than a laptop
sleeve), and make you look good
when you’re on the move.

BEST FOR
MISSIONS

A GOOD ALL-ROUNDER RAT RACE-SURVIVING ABILITIES LOTS OF HIDDEN CHARM

PATAGONIA ARBOR CLASSIC 25L MISSION WORKSHOP RHAKE EASTPAK FLOID

$129, patagonia.com.au From $289, missionworkshop.com $79, eastpak.com

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S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 8 5
 Tested
WORK, REST…
Honor Play
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design and piles of speed
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wanting a bargain phone
$439
hihonor.com
o far, the T3 hivemind isn’t really
S
sold on the need for gaming-focused
phones. he Razer Phone is a great
handset, but not because its 120Hz
screen and Dolby Atmos speakers are good for
games. hey’re just nice features generally. It’s
the same story with the Honor Play: its huge
6.3-inch screen and high-end processor might
be pitched with gaming in mind, but a fast
phone with a gorgeous screen is something
we can all appreciate. Especially at this price.
Game on
he Honor Play does have other gaming features
beyond those: the GPU Turbo tech aims to keep
intensive games running silky smooth by
boosting graphics power while playing, while
Game Suite mode makes it easy to record what
you’re playing and to lock keys from accidental
presses. Both work well, but aren’t exactly
pushing our Start button.
No, let’s go back to the basics. he phone’s
display resolution of 1080x2340 looks lovely and
sharp, and the screen is impressively bright.
8 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
he ratio of screen to body is insanely high here,
and coupled with great build quality and fun
colours, the Play is a bit of a looker.
he Kirin 970 processor is flagship level,
matching the likes of the Samsung S9 for speed,
yet it’s in a phone under $450. Everything we
did on the phone was super quick – there’s no
sign of it having been watered down. 64GB of
storage is okay (a higher-tier option would have VERDICT
been welcome) but there’s a microSD slot.
he fingerprint sensor can be found dead WE’RE IMPRESSED Amazing
centre on the back of the phone, and worked performance for the price; great
perfectly for us. Above it, you’ll find the 6.3-inch screen; GPU Turbo
16MP+2MP dual-camera system, which uses feature works well.
Honor’s AI tech to recognise what you’re WE’D IMPROVE An option with
shooting and adjust settings accordingly. For more storage would be nice.
example, switching to bokeh-tastic Portrait THE LAST WORD Our new
mode when you’re snapping a person. You’ve king of the cheaper phones.
also got a front 16MP camera, which has :LWK ćDJVKLS OHYHOV RI SRZHU DQ
impressively fast facial recognition (though it’s LQYLWLQJ VFUHHQ DQG QR FXW FRUQHUV
not as secure as Apple’s Face ID system). LQ WKH ĆQLVK WKLV LV D VWHDO IRU
Add strong battery life on top of that, and you HYHU\RQHQRWMXVWJDPHUV
get a phone that’s just a fantastic package. Yes,
the addition of GPU Turbo and Game Suite are
nice for those playing Fortnite on the go, but to
focus on this phone being for gamers wouldn’t
do it justice: it looks, feels and runs like a quality
Android phone, with high-end power for
around half the price. We love it.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

BEST FOR
SPORT
SPORTY TRUE WIRELESS ’PHONES
Jabra Elite Active 65t
$265.99, jabra.com.au
FIT & COMFORT
hese are seemingly unshakeable without being
uncomfortable, which is no small feat. Stick them
in and do whatever you want – running, weights,
spin, Greco-Roman wrestling – and they’ll still be
there, feeling like you’re wearing nothing at all.
FEATURES
Five hours battery life, plus 10 hours with the
charging case. Wind-reduction tech boosts sound
for runners, and IP55 rating means they can a bit of
a beating from lousy weather if you’re exercising
outside. Voice assistant support is here too.
CONNECTIVITY
he connection on the Jabras was good, but we had
a couple of moments where it broke down, which is
always more confusing with true wireless. he app
enables you to customise the EQ to get more out of
their sound, which is useful, as you’ll see…
SOUND QUALITY
For workout purposes, the 65t are fine, even
though they’re not the most musical of
headphones. hey’re more like a very good
Bluetooth headset than a hi-fi product, but with
the volume up, they’re perfectly okay for workouts.
VERDICT
WE’RE IMPRESSED 8QEHDWDEOH FRPIRUW DQG ĆW IRU
2nd any physical activity; great wind reduction tech for
outdoors use; good battery life.
WE’D IMPROVE Sound is weaker than the Bose.
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Tested
Smackdown
BEST ON BEST FOR
TEST AUDIO
Bose SoundSport Free
$279.99, bose.com.au
FIT & COMFORT
hese are perfectly comfortable for use in the gym
or at home, but aren’t so good for running or
cycling – they’re noticeably less stable than the
Jabras in the ear. he way they protrude catches on
hoods far too often, and looks a bit cyborg-y.
FEATURES
Like the Jabras, you get five hours of battery, plus
10 hours from the case – though a quick-charge
feature gives 45 mins of juice from a 15-minute
charge. IPX4 rating makes them sweat- and
rain-resistant. Voice control is also here.
CONNECTIVITY
We found the connectivity on the Bose totally
unbreakable in normal sport use – quick to
connect, solid through a session, and always super
clear. If you lose a bud, the app makes it easy to
find where you last had it. Very nice.
SOUND QUALITY
You get notably better audio from the Bose
headphones than the Jabra – good enough to be
your everyday headphones too. However, the
protruding design catches a lot of wind noise, so
they aren’t ideal for outdoor activity at times.
VERDICT
WE’RE IMPRESSED Good audio quality;
comfortable; top connectivity and app.
WE’D IMPROVE Sticky-out design looks a little odd,
1st
catches, and is less stable for running or cycling.
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 8 7
 AT ALL GOOD
NEWSAGENTS!

BECOME A MINECRAFT KING

AWESOME ENEMY TRAPS
FANTASTIC BEASTS
ISSUE 24
SUPER SHADERS OUT NOW
FOUR PULL-OUT POSTERS
AND MUCH MORE! ONLY $8.95!
BEST OF
THE BEST
The world’s best tech, all in one place

If you’re looking for the very best

tech available today, you have
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useful gadget-buying guide you
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we’ve got a dozen categories for
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we think is the best you can get
on balance, taking into account
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easy to know what you need in
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little (but essential) accessories,
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INSIDE
90 ENTERTAINMENT

91 AUDIO

92 LIFESTYLE

93 AUTO

94 SMART HOME & LIVING

96 COMPUTING

97 TRAVEL & OUTDOORS

S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 8 9
 Best of the best
BEST OF…
ENTERTAINMENT
However serious you are about your TV, movies and gaming setups,
we’ve got the perfect buys for a tricked-out living room
OLED 4K TV
SONY A8F SERIES
Sony’s next-gen 4K HDR TV looks
fantastic thanks to its OLED display and
advanced image processing. Because of
ingenious tech that uses the screen itself
as a speaker, it also sounds superb.
From $3,999, sony.com.au
TOP-END 4K TV
LG SIGNATURE W7
This is the most amazing-looking 4K HDR
TV we’ve ever seen at just 2.57mm thick
(it attaches to the wall using magnets!),
and the image quality is simply fantastic
too. A shape of what’s to come.
$13,499 lg.com/au
VALUE 4K BLU-RAY PLAYER
XBOX ONE S
Yes, this is primarily a games console, but
it’s a damn good UHD Blu-ray player too.
Why pay more for something that just
plays discs when you could be getting your
game on with the money left over?
$329, microsoft.com
4K STREAMER
GOOGLE CHROMECAST ULTRA
The new super-small Chromecast Ultra
offers Ultra HD movies with HDR support
for a seriously cinematic experience from
a tiny box. Plus, you can stream your
phone or laptop to your big screen.
$99, play.google.com
TV SOUNDBAR
SONOS BEAM
Not only is this a superb-sounding TV
speaker, with an excellent mode for
enhancing dialogue, it’s multi-room ready
with Sonos’ other products, supports
Apple AirPlay, and has Alexa built-in.
$599, sonos.com
PORTABLE GAMES CONSOLE
NINTENDO SWITCH
Not the most powerful current-gen
console, but with Nintendo’s legendary
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it’s the best portable machine you can buy.
$469, nintendo.com.au
9 0 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
VALUE 4K TV
HISENSE M7000
Looking for a next-gen TV but don’t want
to pay more than $1,500? Then step this
way - the M7000 boasts a beautiful 4K
HDR picture and comes with the essential
. VWUHDPLQJ DSS 1HWćL[
From $1,098, hisense.com.au
4K HDR PROJECTOR
OPTOMA UHD65
This projector brings 4K projection to the
home for an affordable price, meaning
giant-screen Ultra HD detail with the
richness of HDR. It’s unbeatable for home
movie magic., and ace in small rooms too.
$5,299, ambertech.com.au
TOP-END 4K BLU-RAY PLAYER
PANASONIC DMP-UB900
Clean lines, great software design and
the processing power to create simply
the best 4K picture you’ll get from a UHD
disc. If you’re building a serious collection,
this is the serious player for you.
$899, panasonic.com
UNIVERSAL REMOTE
LOGITECH HARMONY ELITE
A dual-purpose remote, as at home in
your hands as it is sat in the corner of
your living room, controlling everything
from your TV to your lighting. You can
even control it from a phone app!
$449.95, logitech.com
AV RECEIVER
MARANTZ NR1608
Small enough for any set-up but packing in
features, this receiver offers 7.2-channel
surround, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D
audio, eight 4K 60Hz HDMI ports, Wi-Fi
music playback and smart 4K upscaling.
$1,299, marantz.com
4K GAMES CONSOLE
XBOX ONE X
The most powerful console ever is a true
technical marvel, capable of astonishing
graphics in native 4K and HDR, and Dolby
Atmos 3D sound. It even includes high-
quality 4K Blu-ray playback.
$649, xbox.com/en-au
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

BEST OF…
AUDIO
From wireless convenience to audiophile heaven, this is the gear
you need to make the most of your favourite music
MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS
SONOS ONE
Pound for pound, this is a hell of a lot
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a room, and expandable through the
versatile Sonos speaker range. Built-in
Alexa support clinches it for Sonos.
$299, sonos.com
PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO YOYO M
These portable speakers are made for
wireless stereo sound and come as a pair
(though you can use one on its own). They
offer punchy audio in an impressively wide
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$599, cambridgeaudio.com
WIRELESS IN-EAR HEADPHONES
FLARES PRO
These headphones plug into a mini-DAC
you need to clip about your person, but
the result is truly amazing sound for the
size. It’s audiophile stuff, with beautiful
stereo channel separation.
 ćDUHDXGLRFRP
WIRED IN-EAR HEADPHONES
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM M2IE
The M2IE boast fantastically detailed
sound, plenty of bass and dedicated
versions for both iOS and Android.
They’re comfortable too, and impossible
to beat for the price.
$169.95, en-au.sennheiser.com
HI-FI STREAMER
NAIM UNITI ATOM
An immensely stylish streamer with a
great screen, that’s compatible with a
host of music streaming services. It’ll
play anything on your network and via
Chromecast, AirPlay and Bluetooth aptX.
$3,150, naimaudio.com
HI-FI STEREO AMP
CAMBRIDGE AUDIO AZUR 851A
Nine easily selected inputs and Cambridge
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design combine to make this a truly
unique and special amp, one that can
stand up to any musical test.
$2,699, cambridgeaudio.com
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Best of the best
WI-FI SPEAKER
NAIM MU-SO
It’s expensive, but there just isn’t a better
sounding or looking wireless speaker for
the price. The sound is monumentally
excellent, and it supports a solid range
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$1,899, naimaudio.com
WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
BOWERS & WILKINS PX
These stylish headphones are also
technical marvels, boasting adjustable
noise cancellation via an app. They pause
automatically when you take them off, last
ages, and sound absolutely fantastic.
$549, bowers-wilkins.com
WIRED OVER-EAR HEADPHONES
SENNHEISER MOMENTUM 2.0
The around-ear version of Sennheiser’s
brilliant range offers supreme comfort,
good portability thanks to a folding design,
and – most importantly – fantastic sound
quality in all situations.
$499.95, en-au.sennheiser.com
PORTABLE HI-RES PLAYER
ASTELL & KERN KANN
A substantial audio device at nearly 300g,
but one that does incredible things. It’s a
DAC in its own right, it’s an astonishing
high-res player, and its massive battery
will keep you rocking for days on end.
$1,349, astellnkern.com
BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS
WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 220
These are great value, yet offer up 13cm
Kevlar mid/bass drivers, deep-dish
tweeters and outstandingly punchy sound.
Place them next to a wall for the strongest
output from the rear-set bass port.
$549 (pair), wharfedale.co.uk
TURNTABLE
MARANTZ TT5005
Not a looker, but when it comes to
practicality and sound, the TT5005’s
automatic tone arm and moving magnet
cartridge are unparalleled. It even includes
a pre-amp for amps without phono input.
$450, marantz.com
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 9 1
 Best of the best
BEST OF…
LIFESTYLE
Kit yourself out with the ultimate in personal technology. This is the stuff
you use every day, so make sure you get it spot on with our picks
ANDROID PHONE
SAMSUNG GALAXY S9
Samsung’s super-slick smartphone is the
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$QH[FHOOHQWFDPHUDJRUJHRXV,QĆQLW\
Display screen and some smart exclusive
features make for a truly fantastic phone.
From $1,199, samsung.com/au
MID-RANGE PHONE
HUAWEI NOVA 3i
&RPLQJLQDWKDOIWKHSULFHRIDćDJVKLS
phone, this is truly a hidden gem. It looks
great, with minimal bezels, and its cost
completely belies its specs – especially its
excellent dual cameras, front and rear.
$419, huawei.com
SMARTWATCH
MARTWAT
APPLE WATCH SERIES 3
Nothing in the smartwatch market does
more than the Apple Watch, and this third
generation can do it all without a tethered
phone – perfect for keeping your life in
order whatever you happen to be doing.
From $459, apple.com/au
ANALOGUE WATCH
VICTORINOX INOX PARACORD
With a strap woven out of 250kg-tension
paracord and sporting a transparent
compass-marked bumper, the INOX
Paracord is a durable survival tool that
happens to look super-cool on your wrist.
$640, victorinox.com
BLUETOOTH TRACKER
TILE SLIM
A tiny keyring-sized square that helps
your phone keep tabs on your wallet and
vice versa, with a selection of ringtones, a
year’s battery life, and the endurance to
last a lifetime sitting in your back pocket.
$44.95, thetileapp.com
ELECTRIC RAZOR
BRAUN SERIES 9 9095CC
Stubble is man’s worst friend, but Braun’s
waterproof Series 9 can handle even a
three-day beard without ripping out your
face hair. When you’re done, the charging
station automatically cleans and dries.
$699, braun.com
9 2 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
PREMIUM PHONE
APPLE iPHONE XS
Proving that Apple truly has embraced
large screens, the XS can be had in 5.8-
inch or 6.5-inch models. Stunning good
looks and cutting edge perfromance
and specs make this the premium pick.
$1,629, apple.com/au
VALUE PHONE
MOTOROLA MOTO G6
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packing exactly the tech you need into a
bargain package. There are no obvious
compromises either, making this a really
capable phone at a brilliant price.
From $399, motorola.com.au
HYBRID WATCH
MISFIT PHASE
Smartwatch functionality without the
screen – all the alerts, connectivity and
activity tracking you desire, packed into
a stunning and completely inconspicuous
analogue watch with a six-month battery.
)URPPLVĆWFRP
FITNESS TRACKER
GARMIN VIVOSPORT
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absolutely packed with features, including
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the price. It tracks all sorts of activities
accurately, and battery life is strong.
$299, garmin.com
EREADER
KINDLE OASIS
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and weighted to be held in one hand, the
Oasis takes digital reading to the next
level. Clip on the leather charging cover
and you’re set for months of books.
$389, amazon.com.au
ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH
PHILIPS SONICARE
DIAMONDCLEAN SONIC
Whiten and polish with the vibrations
from this versatile brush, which whips
your toothpaste into a bubbly frenzy to
get between your teeth more effectively.
$439, philips.com.au
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

BEST OF…
AUTO
Get the best driving experience possible. No matter whether you tend to go
for two wheels or four – these are the top vehicles and accessories around
FAMILY CAR
VOLVO XC60
Well-appointed and exquisitely designed,
this mid-size hybrid SUV has all the
entertainment options you need, the
poise to make those long journeys smooth
and enjoyable, and is safe as houses.
From $62,990, volvocars.com/au
CITY ELECTRIC CAR
BMW i3
The i3 is a responsive, highly practical
electric runabout packed with connectivity
options and enough power in its 125kw
motor to hit 100km/h in just 7.3 seconds.
Perfect for a daily commute.
From $63,900, bmw.com.au
CAR DISPLAY
NAVDY
An innovation that takes the concept of
the car heads-up display to the next level,
with translucent mapping in your eyeline
and gesture control so you can answer
calls or dismiss alerts with a wave.
$799, navdy.com
DASH CAM
GARMIN DASH CAM 55
Constantly watching the road, the Dash
Cam 55 does more than record footage
and save it in case of an incident. Driver-
awareness warnings will tell you if you’re
too close or veering out of your lane.
$249, garmin.com
ELECTRIC BIKE
SCOTT ESUB TOUR
You still need to pedal, but Scott’s
battery assist makes a huge difference in
acceleration and torque, meaning you’ll
handle hills with ease and leave other road
users standing at the lights.
$4,399, bicyclesuperstore.com.au
SMART HELMET
LIVALL 2017 SMART HELMET
A connected helmet with turn signals,
speakers for safe Bluetooth calling, ride-
tracking facilities to keep you pushing
harder, and an SOS alert which detects
impacts and shares your location.
$229.99, livall.com
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Best of the best
FUN CAR
JAGUAR F-TYPE
In coupé or convertible form, the latest
F-Type rules the road. Fine lines, amazing
agility and a two-litre, four-cylinder turbo
engine that kicks hard without costing the
earth. You’ll be grinning behind the wheel.
From $107,017, jaguar.com.au
LONG-RANGE ELECTRIC CAR
TESLA MODEL S 100D
Safe, super-smart and speedy, Tesla’s
all-electric saloon has everything you’d
expect and more. It’s a true technological
marvel, with a range of over 500km, so
even long journeys are no problem.
From $159,903, tesla.com
SAT NAV
TOMTOM GO 6200
Sat-nav brought bang up to date, with pin-
perfect mapping joined by on-board Wi-Fi,
a data SIM to keep you up to date with
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your phone, including narrated alerts.
$449, tomtom.com
IN-CAR CHARGING
STK HUB
Five ports in two parts – a pair plugged
into the 12V socket, and three in the
back via an extension module – means
everyone in the car can share the Hub’s
10.8A of charging power at one time.
$35.99, stk-life.com
ELECTRIC FOLDING BIKE
VELLO BIKE+
Under the right conditions you will never
have to charge the Vello Bike+. That and
its ‘hidden’ lightweight all-in-one electric
setup are a game changing innovation in
personal transport.
$1,795, velectrix.com.au
BIKE NAV
BEELINE BIKE COMPASS
More of a traditional navigation device
than a modern one, the backlit E-Ink
display of the Beeline constantly points
to your destination and tells you how far
precisely you have left to ride.
$169, beeline.com
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 9 3
 Best of the best
BEST OF…
SMART HOME & LIVING
Upgrade your house with the best tech for monitoring security
and saving energy, plus lifestyle luxuries to make life easier
VOICE ASSISTANT
GOOGLE HOME
Google’s home assistant is being woven
into more and more devices, but the
original Home tower is still one of the best
to get. An attractive design and pleasing
sound make it a modern must-have.
$79, store.google.com
SMART DOORBELL
RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2
Part motion-detecting security camera,
part ring-anywhere doorbell, the Video
Doorbell 2 alerts you via your smartphone
when you have a visitor – and you can
two-way talk even if you’re not home.
$329, ring.com
LIFESTYLE WI-FI CAMERA
NEST CAM
This indoor cam streams sharp HD video
to your phone or computer, and can alert
you when it senses motion or sound, so
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130-degree view, you won’t miss a thing.
$319, nest.com/au
KETTLE
BREVILLE SMART KETTLE
The perfect cup of tea requires careful
temperature control. The Breville kettle
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desired brew, and can keep itself nicely
warm for 20 minutes.
$169.95, breville.com.au
SMART PLUG
BELKIN WEMO INSIGHT SWITCH
This isn’t just a way to switch your devices
on and off (though it does do that); the
WeMo also keeps close tabs on your
energy usage, so you can see just how
much that tumble dryer is costing you.
$69.95, belkin.com/au
MANUAL VACCUUM
DYSON CINETIC BIG BALL
ANIMAL UPRIGHT
Heavy, yes, but the suction the Cinetic
Big Ball generates is beyond compare,
particularly considering its unique skill
at dealing with pet hair.
$799, dyson.com.au
9 4 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
SMART LIGHTING SYSTEM
PHILIPS HUE
Philips is the big name in smart lighting,
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Great app control, clever lighting options
and integrations with other smart home
devices make it the brightest of the bunch.
From $144, meethue.com/en-au
ROBOT VACCUUM
iROBOT ROOMBA 980
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and clever navigation mean this Wi-Fi-
connected vac can take care of just about
any cleaning need. You can control it via
$OH[D RU *RRJOH $VVLVWDQW WRR
$1,199, irobot.com.au
SMART SECURITY CAMERA
NETGEAR ARLO PRO
With a battery lasting months inside each
camera, the Arlo system does away with
the painful process of wiring your security
cameras, and you get seven-day cloud
storage of motion-detected recordings.
$799 (two cameras), arlo.com/au
COFFEE MACHINE
GAGGIA NAVIGLIO
Everything you need to create a delicious
bean-to-cup brew at an entry-level price.
Gaggia’s pedigree is all poured into this
quality espresso maker, and proves you
don’t need to spend a cent more.
$990, gaggia.com
WEATHER STATION
NETATMO WEATHER STATION
Netatmo’s outdoor sensor pulls in metrics
about temperature, humidity and more,
but it’s the indoor sensor, which keeps
tabs on the air quality and CO2 levels
in your home, completes the package.
$299.99, netatmo.com
PRESSURE WASHER
KAERCHER K7
By using multiple pressure layers and
an adjustable spray lance, Kaercher’s
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and quickly, with enough options available
to scrub just about any surface or vehicle.
$994, kaercher.com
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
 SUBSCRIBE

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 Best of the best
BEST OF…
COMPUTING
From gaming paradise to mobile workhorses to tablets with laptop power,
these computer and accessory picks will increase your productivity
ULTRAPORTABLE LAPTOP
HP SPECTRE 13
An incredibly thin, light and beautiful
laptop, with a dense, high-end HD panel.
Despite being 1cm thick, it doesn’t skimp
on the power either, thanks to an Intel
Core i7 processor.
From $2,999, hp.com/au
GAMING LAPTOP
ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS GX501
This is an amazing piece of engineering.
Despite being incredibly thin and light
(2.2kg), it packs insanely powerful Nvidia
PRO LAPTOP
MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK 2 15
7KLVVXSHUćH[LEOHODSWRSEULQJVKXJH
Intel quad-core power and Nvidia GTX
1060 graphics to a thin frame, but also the
ability to detach the screen and use it as a
generously sized 15-inch tablet.
From $3,649, microsoft.com
GAMING PC
ALIENWARE AURORA R6
Compact, cool and nowhere near as
ostentatious as many larger gaming PCs
tend to be, the Aurora R6 (particularly in
GeForce GTX 1080 graphics, a quad-core
processor, and a 120Hz 1080p display..
$4,999, asus.com
ALL-IN-ONE
APPLE iMAC WITH
5K RETINA DISPLAY
There’s never been a screen like this. Big
enough for every task, detailed, bright,
colourful, and it happens to have a Mac
stuffed in the back of it as well.
From $2,699, apple.com/au
GAMING HEADSET
ASTRO A40 + MIXAMP PRO
Not only supremely comfortable and with
clear and accurate audio that is equal with
the best, Astro also include the magical
MixAmp box for adjusting game and voice
balance in real time.
$420, astrogaming.com
GAMING MOUSE
RAZER DEATHADDER ELITE
Razer’s Chroma-lit mouse is ultra-
ergonomic for even the most awkward
hands, and its Omron switches (good for
50 million clicks, apparently) are only
bested by the 16,000 CPI optical sensor.
$119.95, razerzone.com
MID-RANGE TABLET
APPLE iPAD 9.7
Apple’s cheaper iPad has a super-fast A10
processor, a vibrant 9.7-inch 2048x1536
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apps and games that run great. It also
supports the excellent Apple Pencil stylus.
From $469, apple.com/au
9 6 T3 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9
LWVZDWHUFRROHGFRQĆJXUDWLRQLVDJUHDW
way to get VR-gaming ready.
From $3,499, dell.com/au
4K MONITOR
SAMSUNG U28E590D
Everyone’s getting in on the 4K game,
but Samsung’s 28-inch panel is yet to be
bested. A 1ms response time means it’s
perfect for even twitchy games, and 60Hz
4K action is just a DisplayPort away.
$598, samsung.com/au
MECHANICAL KEYBOARD
COUGAR 700K
Made for serious gaming with every
possible mod con – from the FPS wrist
UHVWWRUHSHDWUDWHVDGMXVWDEOHRQWKHć\
– with your choice of Cherry MX switches
to get the exact experience you’re after.
$155, cougargaming.com
PREMIUM TABLET
APPLE iPAD PRO
The iPad Pro is more than a tablet. It’s a
creative toolkit, a processing powerhouse,
and an essential addition to any mobile
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10.5-inch or 12.9-inch model.
From $979, apple.com/au
VALUE TABLET
SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A 8.0
While it’s a budget device, don’t expect
budget performance. The Galaxy Tab A
8.0 offers up everything you need for a
smooth experience, and enough muscle to
deal with anything you can throw at it.
From $299, samsung.com/au
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au

BEST OF…
TRAVEL & OUTDOORS
Whether you’re off for a holiday or just hitting the running trail,
get the most from your trips with these amazing tech buys
ENTRY-LEVEL DSLR
CANON EOS 800D
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trickled down from higher models in the
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DXWRIRFXVDWRXFKVHQVLWLYHVFUHHQDQG
awesome image quality.
$1,199, canon.com
MIRRORLESS CAMERA
FUJIFILM X-T20
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E\SDFNLQJDQH[FHOOHQW03VHQVRU
and an advanced autofocus system into an
affordable and compact package that is a
delight to shoot with.
IXMLĆOPFRP
ACTION CAMERA
GOPRO HERO7 BLACK
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headline video specs as the Hero6 Black
that it replaces, the Hero7 Black offers
a number of big improvements, most
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$599.95, gopro.com
RUNNING WATCH
GARMIN FORERUNNER 935
The Forerunner 935 measures every
aspect of your workout, from heart rate
to complex running metrics like ground
contact time. It helps you to improve
posture and upgrade your pace.
$699, garmin.com
BATTERY PACK
ANKER POWERCORE 20100
Being away from a power socket doesn’t
mean you’re away from power. Anker’s
battery pack can charge an iPhone 7 seven
times, determine the best way to charge
your devices, and weighs only 350g.
$89, anker.com
BACK-UP PHONE
NOKIA 3310
The 3310 will win no awards for its tech,
that’s true. But for a bargain price like this,
with a battery that goes on and on, it’s the
perfect second phone to chuck in a bag
when you’re hitting the great outdoors.
$89, nokia.com
Discover m ore a t techradar.co m/au
Best of the best
FULL-FRAME DSLR
NIKON D850
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DGYDQWDJHRILWVELJIXOOIUDPHVHQVRUWR
produce truly astounding images. On top
of that, it’s packed with great features, and
is easy to handle. Pretty much perfect.
$5,299, nikon.com
COMPACT CAMERA
SONY RX100 V
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you’re pointing and shooting, you want
your pocket camera to perform. The
RX100 V really does, with 4K video, 0.05
second autofocus and a Bionz X processor.
$1,699, sony.com.au
CAMERA DRONE
DJI MAVIC AIR
This premier foldable drone can capture
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backpack or even a jacket pocket to take
anywhere. It’s small, fast and can do a lot
of neat tricks.
From $1,299, dji.com
WATERPROOF PORTABLE SPEAKER
UE WONDERBOOM
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pool than it would be in your kitchen, the
8(:RQGHUERRPJHQHUDWHVDGHJUHH
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ten hours of battery life is great, too.
$99, ultimateears.com
CHARGING CABLE
STK BINARY 3
There’s no universal charging port on
modern gadgets, but there is a universal
cable – this has adapters for compatibility
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with brilliant braiding so it won’t fray.
$52, stklife.com
UNIVERSAL CHARGER
MU WORLDWIDE TRAVELLER DUO
Two ports for a pair of devices that can
charge at once, a range of foldable plug
pin connectors for different countries,
and the thinnest design we’ve seen for
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$25, amazon.com
S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 T3 97
 VICES
Guilty pleasures to
seriously spoil yourself

T N GE
2 SK

There are times when n nothiing hits thee sppot quite like a
Mars bar, but thhere arre time es when wick kedly decadent
chocolate, so taantalissing it could havee be een harvested d
by the gods, is the
t on nly way y to go. To’ak’s sedductively
smooth 73 per ccent cacao chocolate is a culin nary work k
of art. Sourceed fromm orga anic cacao gro owers in the
valley of Piedra de Plata, Ecuador, th henn matured for
two years in an Islay y whisk ky cask, ev
verythin ng about
this slab is purpoosefully sloww – and tha at’ss how
w it should
be enjoyedd: slow
wly. Do o so to savoourr notees of
caramelised frruit, hooney, sea grass and peatt smoke.

$501 (50g),
toak
kchoco
olate.com

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