Life & Technology – 2GB 20th June 2026

  Phone durability explained: IP ratings and the most common accidents
  
You might assume that water damage is the most common risk to a mobile phone, but the stats say otherwise. Research from Bupa shows the most common mobile phone insurance claims, and the list tells a story about today’s phone durability.

The most common damage claims are as follows:
Back glass damage
Display bleed / panel damage
Touch screen unresponsive
Front screen crack
Device no power
Device bent / structural damage
Camera damage
Charging / USB port failure
Water damage

Screen protectors often save the front glass, but few people consider protecting the rear glass that has become standard on many modern flagships. Repair costs for our devices have climbed sharply, with screen replacements and rear glass repairs costing hundreds.

While glass sandwich construction remains popular, protection against water damage has become a priority for brands. With phones reaching higher IP resistance ratings against water and dust ingress, they’ve gotten better at handling everyday spills and splashes. Read more here.

 

Guests and Topics on the Show

Why Removable Smartphone Batteries Were Set to Make a Comeback
  
We spoke with Alex Choros, Managing Editor at WhistleOut, about the European Union’s upcoming requirement for removable smartphone batteries from February 2027. 

He explained why the regulation was introduced, what it could mean for phone design and repairs, and whether Australian consumers were likely to see the benefits.

How Wi-Fi Router Generations Can Change Your Home Network
 
We spoke with Graeme Reardon, Managing Director ANZ at D-Link Australia, about the latest generations of Wi-Fi technology and what they meant for everyday users. He explained the differences between Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7 and the emerging Wi-Fi 8 standard, and why choosing the right router wasn’t just about picking the newest number on the box.

Graeme also discussed how router generations have evolved over time and what that has meant for speed, coverage and reliability in the home. He looked at what consumers should consider before upgrading, especially as more devices compete for bandwidth in modern households.

We’ve also written an article on CyberShack breaking down the different Wi-Fi generations in more detail, including what to look for when choosing your next router.  

Read more about current routers and mesh systems from DLink
 

Here’s a copy of our newsletter

Life & Technology – 2GB 13th June 2026

   Vivid Sydney Becomes the Perfect Playground for HONOR’s Latest Smartphones
  
As mentioned on the show today, here is the video we put together showing me out and about at the Vivid Festival, shooting low light pics. We took the HONOR Magic 8 Pro and HONOR X9D around Vivid Sydney to see how they handled real-world photography challenges. Can a smartphone capture the atmosphere, colours and details of one of Australia’s most iconic events?

No fancy post image cleaning up, no shot set ups, just lots of picture taking in a challenging environment. 

Watch the video as we explore the Magic 8 Pro’s advanced night photography capabilities and discover why the X9D is designed to keep up with long nights out in the city.

Watch the video to see the results for yourself.  

Epson EcoTank ET-2920 and ET-4900: Two Cartridge-Free Printers Tested for Home and Office Use  

 Epson’s EcoTank range continues to target cost-conscious users with its cartridge-free printing system, but the ET-2920 and ET-4900 are built for slightly different needs.

Epson EcoTank ET-2920 Review

The ET-2920 is designed for everyday home use, focusing on simple setup, reliable performance, and ultra-low running costs. It’s ideal for families and students who mainly print documents, schoolwork, and occasional photos without the hassle of replacing ink cartridges.

Epson EcoTank ET-4900 Review

The ET-4900 steps up as a more complete home office solution. Alongside low-cost printing, it adds productivity features like an automatic document feeder and fax capability, making it better suited for users who need more than just basic printing.

Both were tested to see how they perform in real-world use and whether Epson’s EcoTank promise of cheaper long-term printing holds up.

Guests and Topics on the Show

Biggest Announcements from WWDC 2026
  
 Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference delivered plenty to talk about this year. From the evolution of Siri and Apple’s AI ambitions to enhanced parental controls and fresh speculation surrounding a foldable iPhone expected later this year, there was no shortage of headlines. 

Tech commentator Mike Boyd joined us to break down the key announcements from WWDC 2026 and what they could mean for Apple users.

No operation of parental controls through non iPhone or iPad devices ofcourse, but this is the decision Apple has taken. Google for their Android system allows the user to turn off parental controls using the Family Link service once they turn 13 – Yep, ‘You’re 13? Great – download the entire internet!! Google thinks you are old enough’. 

Harvey Norman EOFY Deals for 2026
 
 The End of Financial Year sales period has become one of the best times for Australians to upgrade their tech and home appliances. 

To help shoppers navigate the savings, Mitchell Whitaker, Director of Harvey Norman Newcastle, spoke with us about some of the standout EOFY deals available this year, along with tips on how consumers could maximise value before the sales wrapped up.  

More Products on Sale below:

LG 75″ QNED80B evo AI 4K UHD Mini LED Smart TV Save $723
Dyson V8 Advanced Stick Vacuum Save $270
Ninja 9.5L Double Stack 2 Drawer Air Fryer Save 50%
Sonos Arc Ultra Home Theatre Soundbar Save $399
Haier 601L Quad Door Fridge with Ice & Water Dispenser – Black Save $800

(Confirming, these are direct links because Harvey Norman is the sponsor of our radio show. They are provided as a guide only – they are not commission earning referrals!!) 
 

Here’s a copy of our newsletter

Life & Technology – 2GB 13th June 2026

   Vivid Sydney Becomes the Perfect Playground for HONOR’s Latest Smartphones
  
As mentioned on the show today, here is the video we put together showing me out and about at the Vivid Festival, shooting low light pics. We took the HONOR Magic 8 Pro and HONOR X9D around Vivid Sydney to see how they handled real-world photography challenges. Can a smartphone capture the atmosphere, colours and details of one of Australia’s most iconic events?

No fancy post image cleaning up, no shot set ups, just lots of picture taking in a challenging environment. 

Watch the video as we explore the Magic 8 Pro’s advanced night photography capabilities and discover why the X9D is designed to keep up with long nights out in the city.

Watch the video to see the results for yourself.  

Epson EcoTank ET-2920 and ET-4900: Two Cartridge-Free Printers Tested for Home and Office Use  

 Epson’s EcoTank range continues to target cost-conscious users with its cartridge-free printing system, but the ET-2920 and ET-4900 are built for slightly different needs.

Epson EcoTank ET-2920 Review

The ET-2920 is designed for everyday home use, focusing on simple setup, reliable performance, and ultra-low running costs. It’s ideal for families and students who mainly print documents, schoolwork, and occasional photos without the hassle of replacing ink cartridges.

Epson EcoTank ET-4900 Review

The ET-4900 steps up as a more complete home office solution. Alongside low-cost printing, it adds productivity features like an automatic document feeder and fax capability, making it better suited for users who need more than just basic printing.

Both were tested to see how they perform in real-world use and whether Epson’s EcoTank promise of cheaper long-term printing holds up.

Guests and Topics on the Show

Biggest Announcements from WWDC 2026
  
 Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference delivered plenty to talk about this year. From the evolution of Siri and Apple’s AI ambitions to enhanced parental controls and fresh speculation surrounding a foldable iPhone expected later this year, there was no shortage of headlines. 

Tech commentator Mike Boyd joined us to break down the key announcements from WWDC 2026 and what they could mean for Apple users.

No operation of parental controls through non iPhone or iPad devices ofcourse, but this is the decision Apple has taken. Google for their Android system allows the user to turn off parental controls using the Family Link service once they turn 13 – Yep, ‘You’re 13? Great – download the entire internet!! Google thinks you are old enough’. 

Harvey Norman EOFY Deals for 2026
 
 The End of Financial Year sales period has become one of the best times for Australians to upgrade their tech and home appliances. 

To help shoppers navigate the savings, Mitchell Whitaker, Director of Harvey Norman Newcastle, spoke with us about some of the standout EOFY deals available this year, along with tips on how consumers could maximise value before the sales wrapped up.  

More Products on Sale below:

LG 75″ QNED80B evo AI 4K UHD Mini LED Smart TV Save $723
Dyson V8 Advanced Stick Vacuum Save $270
Ninja 9.5L Double Stack 2 Drawer Air Fryer Save 50%
Sonos Arc Ultra Home Theatre Soundbar Save $399
Haier 601L Quad Door Fridge with Ice & Water Dispenser – Black Save $800

(Confirming, these are direct links because Harvey Norman is the sponsor of our radio show. They are provided as a guide only – they are not commission earning referrals!!) 
 

Here’s a copy of our newsletter