Travel Guide 1: Stay connected with a travel eSIM, secure VPN, and top phone tips    When you arrive overseas, one of the first things you need is access to data for maps, translation, ride-hailing, and boarding passes. However, using your Aussie telco’s roaming options can prove costly for extended trips. The best way to stay connected overseas is with a travel eSIM and a reliable VPN while ensuring you don’t incur any unexpected charges from your domestic telco provider.      Choosing a travel eSIM Travel eSIMs are specifically designed for use overseas. They provide access to data across a range of countries much cheaper than Australian telco roaming offers. Our guide on travel eSIMs provides an overview of how they work and how to set them up to avoid unexpected fees. When choosing an eSIM provider, you’ll want to check out the terms so that you don’t receive a surprise charge. What to look for Data caps Most travel eSIM plans use a form of data cap or throttling. They provide a fixed amount of high-speed data and then the service stops or slows down. The cap can be either a total amount for your agreed term or as a daily cap. Some plans advertise unlimited data but impose a threshold that throttles speeds for the remainder of the term. The slower speeds still support basic connectivity but aren’t ideal for streaming or hotspots. There’s often a cap that applies to tethered devices separately, so if you plan to use your hotspot you should carefully check the terms around your data cap. The best option is an unlimited plan that throttles rather than one that automatically tops up if you hit a data cap. They might be a little more expensive than options with a hard cap, but you won’t have unexpected charges. Read more here.  Tineco’s best floor cleaners go on sale this Prime Day with up to $550 off Its a bit unusual having a sale after EOFY, but this is exactly what has been happening this week. Tineco has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading wet and dry floor cleaner brands by solving the problems cheaper cleaners ignore. From 7th to 13th July, Amazon Prime Day will see six of Tineco’s best cleaners drop to their lowest prices of the year, with up to $550 and 46 percent off RRP. If you’ve been considering a powered cleaner to help with your floor care routine, this is a great time to check out Tineco. Why Tineco leads the market Tineco introduced real-time dirt sensing and automatic suction adjustment on the Pure One S12 back in 2019, delivering responsive cleaning technology in a handheld form factor. Since then, the brand has been building on that template with tech and design innovations that have earned it the world’s number one wet/dry vacuum brand for four consecutive years. Euromonitor International shows the brand held 35 percent market share in 2025 with over 24 million households in approximately 30 countries owning one.

 

Guests and Topics on the Show

Online Scams Manifestations (Traditional and AI-driven)   Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with AI giving cybercriminals new ways to impersonate trusted organisations, friends and even family. From convincing phishing emails and fake phone calls to AI-generated voices and deepfake videos, it has never been harder to tell what’s real. This week we’re joined by Dean Williams from Norton to explain how scams are evolving, the warning signs Australians should watch for, and the practical steps everyone can take to stay protected online.      Next week we’ll be releasing an exclusive webinar with Norton cybersecurity expert Dean Williams, where we take a deeper dive into the rise of AI-powered scams. Discover how scammers are using artificial intelligence to create convincing emails, phone calls, messages and even deepfake videos, plus the practical steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and your finances. Stay tuned  -it’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to stay one step ahead of today’s cybercriminals. In the meantime, have a read through this too:    Tax time scams 2026: Fake documents and refund emails      Could the Next Major Telco Outage Be Prevented?    Australia’s recent telecommunications outages have highlighted just how dependent we are on mobile and internet networks. But could future outages be avoided?  This week we’re joined by Associate Professor Mark Gregory from RMIT University to discuss what causes major network failures, whether our telecommunications infrastructure is becoming more resilient, and what improvements could help prevent widespread disruptions in the future.

 

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Windows 10 End Of Life Support Extended (Again) As discussed last week on the show and again today, please check the video below on how to register your Windows 10 PC to receive on going updates for your Windows 10 PC.  Click Here NBN opens up free FTTP upgrade program to all FTTC customers NBN has removed the requirement for FTTC customers to hold an NBN 100 plan or faster before they can request an FTTP upgrade, opening the door for all 860,000 FTTC premises Australia-wide. Prior to 1st July, FTTC customers had to be on NBN 100 or above to qualify for a free FTTP upgrade, but under the new rules any plan qualifies. Multi-dwelling properties were already exempt from the requirement under a separate program, and this situation has not changed.    Why NBN is pushing FTTP upgrades FTTC has proven unreliable and slow compared to other NBN technologies, so NBN is prioritising its removal. FTTC involves a fibre run to a pit at the kerbside, then ageing phone line copper takes it through the final stretch to the premises. The proposed upgrade replaces the telephone copper run with fibre cable all the way into the building. The benefits are increased connection stability, faster speeds, and better resilience to weather and corrosion over time. FTTC and FTTP are not the same as HFC connections that use a thicker coaxial copper cable for the final run. HFC customers can also upgrade to FTTP, but under different eligibility criteria. HFC supports reasonably fast speeds, so there’s less urgency to upgrade this technology. Read more here.

 

Guests and Topics on the Show

Motorola Talks GrapheneOS and the New Razr Range  Motorola recently unveiled its latest Razr lineup and also announced support for GrapheneOS, giving users an alternative operating system focused on privacy and security.  We spoke with Praveena Raman, Head of Motorola ANZ, about what GrapheneOS is, who it’s designed for, and how the new Razr range builds on Motorola’s latest foldable innovations.   Have a read through on our recent review of the Moto Razr Fold below.    Motorola Razr Fold Review: Moto’s First Big Foldable  The Motorola Razr Fold is the brand’s first book-style foldable in the Razr family, and it delivers as premium an experience as you could expect. With a gorgeous screen, top-notch camera suite, and powerful processor, the Motorola Razr Fold delivers a flagship experience in every way. The experience is rounded out by Motorola’s fairly unobtrusive flavour of Android and premium materials like the vegan leather rear and metal frame. In the broader foldable market, the Razr Fold sits at the more affordable end, but the foldable form factor itself still commands a price premium that’s worth considering before you spend.

 Inside TCL’s New X11L Flagship TV  

 TCL recently unveiled its new X11L flagship TV, bringing together the company’s latest Mini LED display technology, AI-powered picture processing and premium home entertainment features. During our conversation with Richard Falzon, Product Manager at TCL Australia, we explored what sets the X11L apart, the innovations behind its impressive picture quality, and how it reflects TCL’s vision for the future of premium televisions.  

2026 TCL Range: The new TV lineup and hands-on with the X11L

TCL showed off its newest TVs in Sydney on 19th June, including the high-end X11L, and the new C6L, C7L, and C8L.

The 2026 TCL range goes all-in on SQD-MiniLED technology.

In a darkroom demo, representatives from the brand showed off the SQD-MiniLED’s exceptional colour accuracy, brightness, and panel quality.

What is SQD-MiniLED?

The TV market this year is split across a few technologies, including OLED, RGB MiniLED, and SQD-MiniLED. Each has its own merits, but TCL is focused on developing its SQD-MiniLED technology further.

SQD stands for Super Quantum Dot, and it’s TCL’s newest refinement of the technology. It results in a wide colour gamut, high colour accuracy, and reduced crosstalk between dimming zones.

TCL says SQD-MiniLED panels support more dimming zones than RGB MiniLED. That means SQD matches RGB panels on colour gamut while delivering increased contrast in comparison.

SQD-MiniLED provides increased brightness and the high number of dimming zones helps to close the gap on contrast levels versus OLED panels.

Apologies to Richard today as we ran out of time before getting deeper into the discussion, but we will get him back on the show and talk about TVs and Sport, and maybe parent

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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

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