Modem, Routers and Mesh are still confusing Let’s clarify some terminology related to NBN connections. FTTN: Fibre to the Node uses Telstra’s dodgy old copper telephone wires from a neighbourhood node to a phone point in the home. NBN is valiantly trying to replace these by 2030 because it has no responsibility for speed or reliability if FTTP is available. FTTP: Fibre to the Premises uses optical fibre to deliver internet and is terminated with an Ethernet RJ45 point in an NTD (Network Termination Device). This is usually in a room closest to the existing Telstra copper termination box outside the home. The problem is that this is often the worst place to have a router.

Epson ET-4950 Eco Tank – cheap to run, superb print quality, duplex scan and print  The Epson ET-4950 ink tank printer produces superb print quality. It is very low-cost to run, can do duplex scans and prints, and even has a fax. Epson kindly invited me to its Demonstration Showroom in North Sydney to review this new printer. They wanted me to witness that a) the ink tank is extremely economical, b) it’s fast enough for typical home or small business print jobs, and c) it’s saving the planet with meagre energy use and ozone/heat creation.

Guests and Topics on the Show

WWDC 2025 RoundUp We caught up with tech commentator Mike Boyd right after Apple wrapped its WWDC 2025 keynote. He walked us through the biggest announcements—from AI features baked into iOS and macOS, to surprise hardware drops and what it all means for everyday users. If you missed the keynote, this chat covered all the need-to-know moments (and a few curveballs too). and here is the Wall Street Journal taking Apple to task of their AI not being up to competitors.   Here are some of the key things that Apple announced –   1. Major Visual Redesign: “Liquid Glass” Interface The standout feature of iOS 26 is the “Liquid Glass” interface—a dynamic, translucent design with reflective elements and a sense of depth. It’s Apple’s most significant aesthetic update in years, setting a new visual tone across devices. 2. Unified Design Across Platforms iOS 26 aligns its look and feel with iPadOS, macOS, and other Apple systems, ensuring a seamless, cohesive user experience no matter which device you’re using. 3. Enhanced Personalisation Options Users now have expanded control over app icons, widgets, and Home/Lock Screen designs. With more customisation than ever, the OS balances flexibility with Apple’s signature polish. 4. Dynamic Lock Screen The Lock Screen features fluid animations, adaptive time and date visuals, and animated music artwork, creating a more immersive front-facing experience. 5. Refined Core AppsCamera App: Simplified layout with key controls front and centre.Photos App: Revamped with new tabs and 3D effects to enhance depth in standard images. 6. Apple Intelligence: Smarter Everywhere AI enhancements power on-device translation, custom emoji creation (Genmoji), and context-aware tools in apps like Messages, Safari, and Camera. 7. Real-Time Communication ToolsLive translation in Messages and Phone apps supports multilingual chats.Call screening and spam filtering improve communication control.Group chats now include AI-generated polls, typing indicators, and customisable backgrounds. 8. Entertainment and Gaming EnhancementsApple Music gets lyrics translation and karaoke mic support.A new Apple Games app consolidates all gaming content into a single hub. 9. Performance Stability Despite its rich visual effects, early reports suggest no major hit to performance or battery life. 10. Developer Support Updated APIs for SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit make it easier for developers to embrace the new features and design paradigm. But there are some things that were not received so well –  Steep Learning Curve for Developers: The redesign requires substantial app updates, adding workload and potential frustration.Usability Concerns: Some controls in the Camera app and Control Centre are more hidden, which may reduce intuitiveness.Familiarity Trade-Off: Long-time users may find the overhaul jarring initially.Access Limitations: Currently in developer beta, iOS 26 won’t reach the public until July (beta) and September (general release).Device Compatibility Issues: As expected, some older iPhones won’t be supported, which may alienate part of the user base.Visuals Over Function?: Critics question whether the focus on eye-catching design detracts from practical improvements.Too Much Customisation?: The vast array of personalisation tools might overwhelm users who prefer a simpler setup.

Camera Comeback?

We sat down with Aaron Berthelot, Senior General Manager – Consumer Imaging at Canon Oceania, to talk about where Canon stands in a world dominated by smartphones. 

Aaron reflected on the brand’s legacy, how Canon has evolved for creators and hybrid shooters, and whether we’re seeing the start of a true Canon camera comeback.

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Solar battery con – won’t help most Aussies (update)

The murmurs are starting to get louder about this Home Battery rebate. We are hearing more from the legitimate battery installers as we roll closer to the official July 1 kick off. 

The truth about the solar battery con is that it affects less than 10% of Australian households. Australia’s 4m solar panel installations may not be battery-ready, with many requiring expensive retrofits or simply not being able to afford them.

Please consider that CyberShack has significant expertise in rooftop solar, including

• A three-part series that follows the path from the desire to have solar (Part 1) to the investigation into solar (Part 2) and the result (Part 3).
• A rooftop solar guide for Strata buildings
• We will publish actual figures for the test home in July.

Guests and Topics on the Show

Meta Ai Smart Glasses We caught up with Jason Juma-Ross from Meta to talk about the company’s new AI-powered smart glasses. We asked what first-time users usually notice when they put them on, we also asked who’s getting the most out of this new tech, and Jason shared some interesting insights.And of course, with questions around privacy and data security front of mind, we asked what Meta has put in place to protect users.  Catch some EOFY deals of Meta AI glasses here.

Eufy Smart Lock We spoke with Euan McInnes from Eufy about the growing interest in smart door locks here in Australia. One of the first things we asked was: what’s the biggest misconception people have about switching to a smart lock? It’s something that comes up more often than you might think — and his answer could change the way you think about your front door.  Read our review of the eufy FamiLock S3 Max video smart lock – security in the palm of your hand and you can check more details of this at our sponsor Harvey Norman

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