I Got My Mazda Back  Ive been writing about my Mazda CX9 and the engine issues we encountered. Mazda confirmed the issues were not of our making, but a known design issue and promised to fix the car under ‘factory warranty’. The car is actually out of warranty, but the factory agreed the fault is known and is known as a design issue. Its always a nervous experience when you are getting a major asset repaired. You need the ‘thing’, but you are not sure of the cost. In this instance, the car was repaired and I collected it yesterday.  I am appreciative of Mazda Australia fixing the car and accepting the issue with the motor. I don’t know the ‘cost’ to Mazda Australia, I was never quoted for repairs. But when I received the service docket there were three pages of parts and services included in the repair project. As such, I can make an accurate assumption that it wouldn’t have been cheap.  For now, this head ache can be closed off, and I am still in the market for a new electric vehicle. Watch this space.   Apple iPhone safety – things you can do to stay safer  Apple iPhone safety is a hot topic following revelations that its App Store contains hundreds of thousands of leaky apps and mercenary spyware. Attackers are now targeting iPhones.Last week, we revealed that the Apple iPhone is not safe – 70% of App Store apps leak hardcore secrets, resulting in hundreds of requests to develop this iPhone Safety Guide.But it goes far deeper.  Apple has issued threat notifications to iPhone users in over 150 countries. It says Mercenary spyware attacks are exceptionally well-funded and evolve over time. The cure is to go to lockdown mode and contact Apple. Read More

Life and Technology If you missed the East Coast tech show, the podcast is on the website – www.2gb.com – AND if you missed the West Coast show the podcast is on the website (some times) – 6PR.com.au. I Got My Mazda Back Ive been writing about my Mazda CX9 and the engine issues we encountered. Mazda confirmed the issues were not of our making, but a known design issue and promised to fix the car under ‘factory warranty’. The car is actually out of warranty, but the factory agreed the fault is known and is known as a design issue. Its always a nervous experience when you are getting a major asset repaired. You need the ‘thing’, but you are not sure of the cost. In this instance, the car was repaired and I collected it yesterday.  I am appreciative of Mazda Australia fixing the car and accepting the issue with the motor. I don’t know the ‘cost’ to Mazda Australia, I was never quoted for repairs. But when I received the service docket there were three pages of parts and services included in the repair project. As such, I can make an accurate assumption that it wouldn’t have been cheap.  For now, this head ache can be closed off, and I am still in the market for a new electric vehicle. Watch this space.  Apple iPhone safety – things you can do to stay safer Apple iPhone safety is a hot topic following revelations that its App Store contains hundreds of thousands of leaky apps and mercenary spyware. Attackers are now targeting iPhones.Last week, we revealed that the Apple iPhone is not safe – 70% of App Store apps leak hardcore secrets, resulting in hundreds of requests to develop this iPhone Safety Guide.But it goes far deeper.  Apple has issued threat notifications to iPhone users in over 150 countries. It says Mercenary spyware attacks are exceptionally well-funded and evolve over time. The cure is to go to lockdown mode and contact Apple. Read More

Telstra 5G Bandwidth Slicing – winners (them) and losers (you) Telstra 5G Bandwidth Slicing was announced in February 2024 as a proof-of-concept. It creates multiple virtual networks with different performance characteristics on the same physical 5G network. To be clear, bandwidth slicing means dividing the available bandwidth into separate pipes within the same overall bandwidth. Imagine you have a 100mm water pipe. Telstra 5G Bandwidth slicing is akin to running 4 x 25mm pipes (or any combination to 100mm) inside that—no more added capacity, just different levels of use and congestion in each pipe. To take that further, imagine that Telstra retail mobile users get one pipe to themselves (less congested), another for government/military (secure), another for enterprise (guaranteed bandwidth), and finally one for all those Telstra wholesale MVNO customers (really congested).  Read More

Guests and Topics on the Show

We caught up with Mitchell Whitaker, Director at Harvey Norman Newcastle, to get his take on Starlink and what it means for Australians—especially those in regional and remote areas. Mitchell explained how the satellite internet service has shifted the landscape for home connectivity, offering fast, reliable internet in places traditional networks have long overlooked. He also touched on customer interest, setup experience, and how Starlink fits into the broader conversation around digital inclusion and future-proof tech.  Here are some Harvey Norman Starlink kits  you can check out you can also read more about the Starlink service, how it works and how it is growing through Australia here. You can also read more about the different pricing plans for the service here.

Mother’s Day Deals  Laraine Caruana from Harman joined us to talk all things audio ahead of Mother’s Day, with a focus on earbuds that strike the right balance between function and flair. As Product Manager for Consumer Audio across Australia and New Zealand, Laraine walked us through the latest innovations from JBL—designed with everyday users in mind.  The premium model we discussed was the Tour Pro 3.  On the show we also discussed the JBL Fit Checker, to ensure the buds fit YOUR ears. ­

Here’s a copy of our newsletter.

Life and Technology – Saturday May10 2025

The iPhone Is Not A Completely ‘Safe’ Device, There Is No Such Thing I am always asked about about iPhone and its safety, and security. So with some news floating around the internet on this subject this week, I thought it was worth covering the topic in more detail and explaining a few things to you, as many of you have iPhone.  Read More  Upgrade hints for older PCs – save money and get Windows 11 for free (guide) Upgrade hints for older PCs resulted from many readers’ requests. They still use a desktop or mini-tower and don’t want to lose their hardware investment because of a lack of Windows 11 compatibility.As you know, Windows 10 End of Life is on 14 October, which means there will be no more updates or security patches, making paddling in the wild, wild web (WWW) quite dangerous. Read Windows 10 EOL (end of life) options – risk it, upgrade if you can, or buy a new computer.Rather than create an extensive PC buying guide, let’s look at your upgrade options. If you are tech-savvy, you can DIY; if not, take this guide to a local PC store (getting increasingly rare).We will limit our upgrade hints to PCs less than 10 years old.  Continue Reading..  An Update About My CX9 Mazda  Last week, John Connolly wrote in the Australian about my Mazda CX9 showing signs of major engine work being required to get it back on the road. The engine had a coolant leak, a serious one, and Mazda Waitara were conducting an assessment at my cost, to find out what was going on. The key part of the discussion by John, was around that the leak the car was showing was known to Mazda. In other parts of the world where the same engine was sold in cars (like the USA), the repair costs were being covered under factory warranty but in Australia there was no national direction to do the same.  Well, I have very good news. News that made me feel far less stressed.  Mazda called me on Monday regarding the conclusion of their assessment, confirming the car did have the coolant leak that was known to Mazda. As a result my car repairs would be covered under Factory Warranty, including any costs applicable to me so far. This was relating to the assessment fees I was on the hook for, which were around $1100 because the engine needed to be taken apart to find the fault.  So the message here is that if you you the SkyActiv Turbo engine described by John in his article,  with the coolant leak, and you have an issue, then please talk to your dealer and push for this to be investigated and covered.  I’ll let you know how things turn out, because I dont have my car yet (its being fixed right now), but will have it in a week or so.  I would like to thank John for his support once again. I would also like to thank Mazda for doing the right thing to support a very loyal customer.

Guests and Topics on the Show

This week, I had a chance to check out Samsung’s 2025 range of TVs and soundbars. What stood out was how much more personalised the experience has become — from smarter recommendations to settings that adapt to how I watch. Samsung has also doubled its Neo QLED 8K line-up, with one model available exclusively at Harvey Norman. And as screens keep getting bigger, Samsung’s clearly focused on making that big-screen experience even better, with upgraded picture quality, immersive sound, and thoughtful design. Overall, the 2025 line-up felt like a solid mix of innovation and practicality. We invited Simon Howe from Samsung Electronics who unpacked what’s next for Samsung TVs in 2025 — from smarter AI integration to what it means for the way Australians watch, game, and connect at home. Here is the TV that Simon was talking about today on the Radio Show.

Mother’s Day Deals  Ahead of Mother’s Day, we caught up with Lucy Martyn from Breville who sharesdsome timely ideas and exclusive deals to help you find the perfect kitchen gift this Mother’s Day. Here are some of the items we mentioned –  Barista Express in Black Sesame Colour – Australia’s # 1 selling coffee machine – The Dual Boiler in Sea Salt Colour – The Barista’s choice for home espresso – The Barista Touch Impress in Black Truffle, Sea Slat & Brushed Stainless colours – now featuring Cold Brew recipes – Crystal Luxe Kettle & Toaster in exclusive Strawberry Glaze Colour – premium breakfast setThe  – Paradice 9 Food Processor in Black Truffle Colour – Precision & performance meet compact designWe also discussed the  – ‘InFizz’ drink maker to. Lots of fun there!

Here’s a copy of our newsletter.

Life and Technology – Saturday May 3 2025

My Mazda Needs Major Engine Work and ‘The Australian’ Newspaper Says I Am Not The Only One 

Every Saturday morning, I get to do something I truly enjoy—helping people on the radio. I always approach each problem with a simple question in mind: what’s fair in this situation? If your phone stopped working because you threw it at a wall, well, it’s fair that it’s broken.

But most of the issues I come across aren’t like that. They don’t start with the customer doing something wrong. They usually begin with a product fault, and a company that fails to acknowledge or resolve it properly.

Which brings me to my Mazda.

Which one, you ask? Good question. I currently have two, and until November 2024, I had three. The issue I’m dealing with involves my Mazda CX-9 Azami Turbo—which is now off the road. When I bought it, it was one of Mazda’s most premium models. Like any major purchase, I did my homework before spending over $70,000 on a new car.

At first, everything seemed fine.

But years into ownership, trouble started brewing—literally—in the engine bay. The car developed a coolant leak. I’m no mechanic, but I know a few, and one of them told me this issue is not unique. In fact, it’s been showing up in plenty of Mazda vehicles with the same engine.

“So it’s not the way I’ve driven it?” I asked.
 

He responded with one of those deep, hearty laughs that tells you you’ve asked a silly question.

No, this appears to be a known issue—a flaw in the engine design that leads to coolant leaks and engine failure. My own research confirmed it: this problem goes beyond individual cases and is at the heart of a class action lawsuit in California. Over in the U.S., Mazda has been covering repair costs for affected customers.

So I reached out to one of Australia’s top motoring journalists, John Connolly, to ask a simple question: Should I be paying the bill—currently $1,100 just for an engine “assessment”—or is this a manufacturing fault that Mazda should be addressing?

John took an interest and has written about it in The Australian (behind a paywall)
 

Click Here.

Epson Projector – Review 

Epson has a new ‘Smart’ projector, with Google TV and built-in portability, and we have reviewed it right here. 

 

Windows 10 End Of Life Is Almost Here

This October marks one of the biggest waves of PC retirements in history, as many well-loved Windows 10 machines will no longer be safe to connect to the internet. If you’re among those planning to upgrade, it’s a great time to talk about how to save money when buying a new PC. Let’s break down the key do’s and don’ts, along with some important things to consider before making your purchase.

Read More

ECOVACS WINBOT W2 PRO OMNI – its best window cleaner yet

The ECOVACS WINBOT W2 PRO OMNI is a robot window cleaner with a storage case, retractable power cable, and a 110-minute battery for more portable operation.

The technology has been upgraded since the 2022 W1 to include

• Dual side x 3-nozzle micro spray system for more accurate coverage.
• Gravity acceleration and optocoupler sensors.
• WIN-SLAM 4.0 intelligent planning system for 30% cleaning efficiency over W1.
• Multiple Cleaning modes*: fast, thorough, heavy duty, deep and edge cleaning
• Up to 110 minutes on a 4500mAh battery and 55m2 (depends on cleaning mode).
• Dual charge – battery and/mains power. 3+hour charge
• Improved synchronous belt climbing system and 5500Pa suction
• Edge mode improves edge cleaning to within 2mm of the frame.
• 37% faster than W1.
• 5.5m retractable power cable acts as a 100kg safety cable, and the case has a suction bottom.
• It must be used with Ecovacs window cleaning solution with fast dry characteristics.
• Uses ECOVACS Home app and Yiko voice control
• 63dB quiet
• Return to the start point
• 271(L) x 271(W) x 77(H)
• Minimum window size 30 x 40mm and at least 4mm thick

* The online manual (not the brief printed manual) mentions Split Zone Cleaning for panels up to 8m wide. It is not obvious in the app, but it is under ‘Remote Control’, which has Water Spray, Spot Clean and Zone Clean.

Does it work? Read more..

Guests and Topics on the Show

We missed this story last week so we tried to do it again this week. 

We spoke with Phil Krok, Product Lead at Anker, about the launch of the Anker SOLIX X1 – a home battery storage system designed to help Australians better manage their power use. Phil explained how the SOLIX X1 integrates with solar setups, stores energy for peak times, and fits neatly into modern homes. With rising energy costs and growing interest in sustainable living, this was a timely chat for anyone considering a smart energy upgrade.

Mother’s Day Deals

Ahead of Mother’s Day, we caught up with Mitchell Whitaker, Director at Harvey Norman Newcastle, to talk through some of the top gift ideas in-store and online. From tech-savvy gadgets to home must-haves, Mitchell shared thoughtful suggestions to suit a range of budgets and interests – perfect for Aussies looking to spoil Mum with something special this year.

We love having Mitch on the show to talk about different gift ideas. Here are some of the items we mentioned – 

Medisana Foot Massager 
Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses
Moto Tags 
Apple Watch Series 10 (Save $150)

Frameo Smart Picture Frames

Here’s a copy of our newsletter.

Life and Technology – Saturday April 26 2025