Life & Technology – 2GB 31st October 2026

Yes, G-mee Play Pro 2 Supports Tapt Media Apps – 2GB, 3AW, 4BC & 6PR!
 
A listener recently asked whether the G-mee Play Pro 2 supports streaming radio apps, such as those offered by Tapt Media, allowing you to listen to your favourite radio station directly through the device, provided you have an internet connection.

The answer is absolutely YES!

One of the things we love about the Play Pro 2 is the ability to enjoy your favourite audio content wherever you go. Through the Google Play Store, you can download thousands of apps, including those published by Tapt Media, giving you access to your favourite radio stations and streaming services.

And there are plenty of ways to listen. You can connect Bluetooth earbuds or a wireless speaker, plug in your wired earbuds, or even share the audio through a whole-home audio system such as Sonos.

A quick update on stock and pre-orders

Our G-mee Play Pro 2 stock has now arrived in Australia and is currently awaiting customs clearance. We expect to have it released around Tuesday, after which we’ll prioritise dispatching all existing pre-orders.

With stock so close, we’ve decided to extend our pre-order offer until Tuesday, giving everyone a little more time to secure their device.  
  
PRE-ORDER YOUR G-MEE PLAY PRO 2 HERE


Thank you for all your support! 

Finding the best travel camera for brilliant holiday photos
  
You may have heard the phrase, “The best camera is the one you have with you,” which for most of us, most of the time, is our smartphone. The idea is that a phone camera that you’re carrying is better than a high-resolution DSLR left at home.

For happy snaps and casual photography, a phone camera works great. They’re easy to use, always with us, and usually get the exposure right. However, a dedicated camera will beat a phone for quality in almost every situation.

Finding the best travel camera comes down to how much size you’re willing to carry for better quality. For once-in-a-lifetime trips, a great camera can help put you back in the moment when you pressed the shutter.

We’ve broken the most popular options into three categories: photography-focused phones, compact cameras, and entry-level mirrorless cameras.
    
READ MORE. 

Guests and Topics on the Show

 Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: What’s New and What’s Next?
  
 Apple’s move into foldable smartphones marked a major change for the iPhone range. The new iPhone Duo introduced a foldable design, combining a compact outer display with a larger 7.6-inch screen when opened. It also brought changes to how iOS handled multitasking, apps and content across the two displays.

Mike Boyd joined us to discuss the latest Apple Fold developments and what the new device meant for the smartphone market. We looked at its design, features, software updates and how Apple had approached the challenges of foldable technology. We also discussed what consumers could expect from this new category of iPhone and whether foldables could become a practical alternative to traditional smartphones.
  
Delivery Robots Arrive in Australia: DoorDash and Serve Launch on the Gold Coast
  
Autonomous delivery robots moved a step closer to everyday life in Australia, with Serve Robotics and DoorDash launching the country’s first footpath robot delivery service on the Gold Coast. The initial rollout began in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, with Griffith University hosting the operational depot used to station, charge and maintain the robots.

Craig Rowsell, Director of the Health and Knowledge Precinct at Griffith University, joined us to discuss the launch and what it meant for the precinct. We explored how the delivery service worked, how customers could receive orders through DoorDash, and how the robots navigated public footpaths. We also discussed the precinct’s role in supporting new technology, the opportunities for local businesses and what this trial could mean for the future of autonomous deliveries in Australia.  

 

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Life & Technology – 2GB 24th October 2026


Thank You!! 
 
 Last week, we opened pre-orders for our newest G-mee device, the G-mee Play Pro 2, and the response has been far beyond our expectations.

As I mentioned on the show today, the response has been so strong that we’re diverting stock originally destined for other parts of the world to ensure we have enough units available for our Australian customers.

From me and the entire G-mee team, thank you for your incredible support. We really appreciate it!

Pre-orders are still open for another week. Our stock is expected to arrive in the next few days, after which it will be processed through our warehouse and dispatched, with our first deliveries going to customers who have already placed pre-orders.

If you’d like to secure yours, you can place your pre-order using the link below. 

Pre-orders will remain open until Friday.
  
PRE-ORDER YOUR G-MEE PLAY PRO 2 HERE

Thanks for being part of the G-mee journey. We’re excited to share this next chapter with you!
  
Vodafone’s grey import phone blocking is a problem for MVNOs 

Amid complex Triple Zero phone blocking rules, Vodafone’s network appears to run on a simpler rule: if your phone’s IMEI isn’t on a whitelist, it doesn’t stay on the network. Grey import phone handsets are most heavily affected by this policy.

The policy appears to represent a shift from banning known-bad devices, and it’s likely to catch out people who are ill-equipped to deal with the consequences.

Whitelist phone blocking

A spokesperson for Vodafone/TPG Telecom confirmed that where the telco hasn’t tested a device itself, it relies on evidence from the manufacturer or supplier called a Supplier Declaration Of Conformity. Devices that don’t have an SDOC may be blocked in the interest of customer safety.
This is a self-declared system where the importer or manufacturer physically tests the handset and submits the required documentation. If there is no IMEI range submitted within 45 days, Vodafone will block the devices.

The current Approved Devices List mainly consists of familiar brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, Motorola, Oppo, Nokia, and HMD Global. Suspiciously thin on the list are Xiaomi, Realme, Honor, and OnePlus: brands that show up often on grey import list websites.
  
READ MORE. 

 

Guests and Topics on the Show

  Arlo’s New Solar Security Camera: Protection Without the Power Cables
  
Security cameras had become a popular way for households to monitor their homes, but keeping them powered could be a challenge, particularly in areas without convenient access to power. Solar-powered cameras offered another option, helping reduce reliance on charging and power cables.

Bradley Little, Vice President of Sales for APAC at Arlo, joined us to discuss the company’s new Essential Solar Security Camera. We explored how its solar charging technology worked, how long the camera could operate with limited sunlight, and what consumers needed to consider when choosing a security camera for their home. The discussion also looked at how solar-powered security could help make monitoring areas such as driveways, gardens and other outdoor spaces more convenient.

We’ve written an article about it here: 
Arlo Essential Solar Security Camera lasts up to 6 months without sunlight 
  
Growing Up Online Doesn’t Mean Being Digitally Ready
   
  Children and young people had grown up surrounded by smartphones, apps and online services. But being comfortable using devices did not necessarily mean they understood how to navigate the digital world safely, critically and responsibly. Digital readiness involved more than knowing how to use technology. It also included recognising online risks, protecting personal information, evaluating what people encountered online and understanding the consequences of digital behaviour.


Rinat Strahlhofer, founder of Digital Readiness Lab, joined us to explore why familiarity with technology did not always translate into digital capability. We discussed the skills young people needed beyond everyday screen use, the challenges parents and educators faced in preparing them for an increasingly connected world, and how families could help build safer, more confident digital habits.
  

 

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Life & Technology – 2GB 17th October 2026


A first look: Introducing the new G-mee Play Pro 2!
 
Next week, we’re officially announcing our new G-mee Play Pro 2 Portable Digital Content Player, and we wanted to share the news with you FIRST!

I’ve mentioned on the show a few times that I created G-mee with a simple goal: to make connecting with family and enjoying digital content simpler and safer.

The G-mee Play is our dedicated digital content player, and the Play Pro 2 is the latest addition to the range.

Your favourite digital content, wherever you go.

Simply load your favourite apps, including MP3 players, Spotify, Netflix, Audible, Libby and many more. Add your subscription details, and your favourite music, audiobooks, podcasts and entertainment are ready to go wherever life takes you.


Introducing G-mee TileView — a great idea from one of our listeners!

We design G-mee in Australia, but some of our best ideas come directly from our community. When a listener got in touch and suggested, “Hey, why not offer a tile interface to declutter the user experience?”, we thought — GREAT IDEA!

That’s why the Play Pro 2 introduces G-mee TileView, a new way to simplify the experience for the person using the device.

Think about it: your kids or parents might only want to use a handful of apps, but having so many options on the screen can be confusing and overwhelming.

TileView works with our G-mee Co-Pilot parental controls, allowing you to remotely choose which apps appear on the device. You can keep the apps your family member loves visible while making the others invisible.

Less clutter. Less confusion. Just the content they want, made simple.

Designed in Australia, heading around the world.

Like our other devices, the Play Pro 2 is designed right here in Australia. Our latest batch is about to leave our factory in China by air freight, heading to G-mee fans across the US, UK, Europe and, of course, Australia.

Want to be among the first to get your hands on one?

You can pre-order the new G-mee Play Pro 2 now for just $154, including FREE shipping.
We expect stock to arrive in approximately 10 days, and we’ll ship your device as soon as it’s available.

PRE-ORDER YOUR G-MEE PLAY PRO 2 HERE

Thanks for being part of the G-mee journey. We’re excited to share this next chapter with you!

 

Guests and Topics on the Show

  Are Robot Vacuums Really Saving Us Time? ECOVACS on the Future of Home Robotics  

As robot vacuums became increasingly common in Australian homes, ECOVACS had been expanding the role of robotics well beyond floors. At IFA, the company showcased a growing range of home robots designed to tackle windows, lawns and pools, highlighting how advances in AI, sensors and navigation had made more complex household tasks possible.

In this interview, Karen Powell discussed how ECOVACS had been working to make home robotics more autonomous and practical, while also addressing one of the biggest concerns for robot owners — maintenance. She explained how features such as automated mop washing, hot-air drying, auto-empty stations and app-based maintenance reminders had been designed to reduce the amount of work required from homeowners.

She also shared details about ECOVACS’ latest innovations, including the DEEBOT X12S OmniCyclone, and what Australian consumers could expect as the company continued expanding its home robotics ecosystem.
  
Ecovacs IFA 2026: Intelligent robots throughout the smart home  

 
   Apple’s Home Ambitions: 
What the Latest Announcements Meant for the Smart Home  
    
Apple had finally made a more formal push into the smart-home market with the launch of HomeView, a new 7-inch touchscreen hub designed to sit on a benchtop or be mounted on a wall. The announcement put Apple in more direct competition with established smart-home displays from Amazon, Google and Lenovo, while also expanding the role of Apple TV and HomePod in the connected home.

In this interview, Mike Boyd looked at what Apple’s latest Home announcements meant for consumers, from the $450 HomeView and updated Apple TV 4K to the second-generation HomePod mini. He also examined some of the questions raised by Apple’s approach, including the lack of an App Store on HomeView, its tightly controlled selection of third-party apps and whether consumers would be better served by using an iPad mini as a more flexible alternative.

Mike also explored Apple’s wider Home strategy, including its partnerships with LG and Schneider for connected home devices and the company’s continued focus on privacy and integration across its ecosystem.
  
Apple smart home devices launched at the Welcome Home event  
 

 

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