Life & Technology – 2GB 20th July 2024

LG TVs and Soundbar Reviews 

Looking for a new TV? We’ve done an in-depth review of two of LG’s newest OLEDs and a soundbar.  The LG C4 evo OLED is a mid-range OLED TV that provides the true OLED experience at a more affordable price. It is superb in every respect. When we say mid-range, the LG C4 evo OLED (α9 AI Processor) is a step up from the B4 OLED (α8 AI Processor, which is pretty good) and not much of a step down from the G4 evo OLED (α11 AI Processor). The B4 costs about $1000 less (review to come). The G4 costs about $1000 more, is brighter, uses a unique MLA screen coating for superior reflection handling, has a 5-year panel (parts only) warranty, and has a 4.2 sound system (2.2). We will review that separately. Why is evo OLED so good? 

The LG G4 evo OLED takes OLED TV to a new high with fantastic brightness, true natural OLED colours and inky blacks – it is simply the best OLED experience you can aspire to. The most significant upgrade in the 2024 G4 compared to the 2023 G3 is the A11 processor versus the A9 Gen 6. According to LG, this powerhouse delivers a 400% AI performance boost, a 170% graphics performance improvement, and a 130% general processing improvement. These enhancements allow the TV to handle process real-time images (up to 144 frames per second) with unprecedented speed and accuracy. 
Our verdict is crystal clear 
The LG S95TR 9.1.5 is one of the very few true Dolby Atmos soundbars using discrete three-way wireless rear speakers instead of vastly inferior virtual psychoacoustic faux Dolby Atmos. It is, frankly, outstanding. At $1699 (often seen as low as $1250) and less when purchased as a bundle with an LG TV, the LG S95TR 9.1.5 Dolby Atmos soundbar offers exceptional value for money. This is the soundbar that every fan of Dolby Vision/Atmos or DTS:X content should consider. Its excellent 2.0 to 7.1 free-to-air TV or digital streaming sound upscale enhances your viewing experience. How CyberShack judges a soundbar?  
Guests and Topics on the Show
Samsung continues to push the boundaries of smartphone innovation with the release of the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6. These latest models combine cutting-edge technology with sleek design, offering users a versatile and immersive mobile experience. This week we invited Nathan Rigger, Head of Product & Services – Mobile
Samsung Australia to talk about these two brand new phones.  Both models are equipped with the latest Snapdragon processors, 5G connectivity, and long-lasting batteries, ensuring top-notch performance and connectivity. With the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Galaxy Z Fold6, Samsung sets a new standard for foldable smartphones, combining innovation, functionality, and style.
Pre-order the new Galaxy Z Flip6 or Fold6 to get a Bonus* 1 year of Samsung Care+.
Buddy Telco is a new low-cost off-shoot brand from Aussie Broadband aimed at the value self-service market.

The question to ask is whether the Qantas/Jetstar move was a success. You bet it was, and so will this. 

First, Aussie Broadband was the germ of an idea in 2003 by two hard-working Aussie blokes, Phillip Britt and John Reisinger, in regional Victoria. They saw how frustrated people were with the major internet providers. We won’t go into details, but they merged Wideband Networks and Westvic Broadband to focus on Victorian regional areas, South Australia and Northern Territory. We invited Jonathan Prosser, Chief Strategy Officer from Aussie Broadband to talk about this new brand.  

Here are some more thoughts on Buddy Telco
 
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Life & Technology – 2GB 13th July 2024

Big Pond Email is changing NEXT week 

From the 16th of this month Big Pond is requiring users to sign in using SMTP. You will have received an email about it, if it affects you. Check out this Facebook that explains what Telstra is doing (and Optus to!)  

Visa and HSBC Teamed Up for Zing

 Lots happening in the international payments and transactions area. Looks like some thing happening

Visa and HSBC have teamed up to support HSBC Group’s new international payments app, Zing. Zing allows users to hold funds in over 10 different currencies, send funds in over 30 currencies, and transact in over 200 countries and territories. All of this is managed through a single app and smart multi-currency card. Zing launched in the UK in January 2024 and will soon expand to other markets. Thanks to Visa’s support, Zing benefits from a multi-currency wallet powered by Currencycloud technology. Users can easily top up their accounts using the ‘quick bank transfer’ feature, delivered by Tink – another Visa solution. 

Continue Reading..
Guests and Topics on the Show
Who’s excited for the games? Paris Olympics is in a few weeks and we thought of featuring 2 TCL TVs for you, perfect for watching the games.  We invited, Jason Carrick, Sales General Manager from TCL Australia

 The TCL C755 is a standout choice for sports enthusiasts. It offers an immersive viewing experience that makes every game feel like a live event.The TV boasts a stunning 4K UHD display. This ensures crisp and clear visuals, bringing every detail of the game to life. The C755 also features Quantum Dot technology, enhancing colour accuracy and vibrancy. This means you’ll see every jersey, grass blade, and ball movement in true-to-life colours.  

Watch our feature video of the C755 here.  The TCL C855 Premium QD Mini LED TV offers an exceptional out-of-the-box viewing experience. It has all the features you need to enjoy your favourite entertainment content.The C855 features a premium quantum dot display, producing vivid, lifelike colours and exceptional contrast. Selected models offer a massive peak brightness of 3500 nits, competing with any home lighting situation. 

Watch our feature video of the C855 here.  

You can also read more about each model at the Harvey Norman website.
We also invited Paul Colley Director HomeLife Technology who introduced us to the DayHub.   

Day Hub is designed to help people manage activities of daily living and maintain an independent lifestyle.
 Low-tech and super easy to use. The personalised task reminders with the ability to see which tasks have been completed, support ongoing independence at home and provide some added peace of mind for caregivers.
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Life & Technology – 2GB 29th June 2024

Confused about TV tech? That’s just what they want!

LCD, LED, QD, Mini-LED, Micro-LED, OLED, QD OLED, 4K, 8K, Laser… Confused about TV tech? Well, there are so many made-up terms and so much marketing hype to delight and confuse you that you can end up buying the wrong TV. We explain the differences and help you decide what is best for your needs. First, we need to define some terms.

Mainstream tier-one brands (% global market share)

  • LG (About 7.4% in a mix of OLED, NanoCell Quantum Dot, QNED QD/mini-LED/LCD made in South Korea and China)
  • Samsung (about 12.8% of the global market share in mini-LED/LCD, Quantum Dot, LED/LCD made in South Korea and China) and now QD OLED.
  • Sony (about 4% in LED/LCD and OLED [LG OLED and Samsung) is made in Malaysia.
  • Hisense has about 7.7% (mainly VIDAA OS and LED/LCD but increasing mini-LED)
  • TCL has about 11.7% and is growing faster than all other tier-one brands (mainly Google TV and LED/LCD but increasing mini-LED)

Continue Reading..

Guests and Topics on the Show
It’s Eofy and Tech is on the shopping list for many.   

An item we purchased this Eofy was a new touch screen monitor, that is Aussie designed to. It’s simple to use and to see how hard it is to set up, I had my wife do it (who is the owner of the monitor).  

As we continue our support of Aus based Tech development, we spoke with Scott MckeonCofounder and Head of Growth espresso Displays who discussed about this amazing product.  

Read our full review of this product here.  

AI PCs are coming to the market aims to replace our old machines.

Qualcomm who has been in the mobile space is expanding its’ expertise in the PC world.  

We invited Terry Yen Senior Director for Business Development from Qualcomm who shared what they are doing in AI PC space and what are the developments to watch out for.  

AI is changing lots of industries and products, including your personal and work computer. Explore how AI PCs are changing computing by reading further; we’ll also help you understand how to pick the best AI PC. Generative AI is revolutionizing industries across the board, from healthcare to finance to entertainment and transportation. Models like ChatGPT, Sora, and others are making headlines for their remarkable capabilities, showcasing the vast potential of artificial intelligence. 

Read more.. 
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