Life & Technology – 2GB 28th March 2026

Why your phone battery dies quickly – 4 tips on how to stop it
 
As our phones age, battery life is one of the most noticeable changes. Over time, the chemistry inside the battery degrades and becomes unable to store as much charge as when the device was new.

Eventually, aging can cause a battery to become dangerous. But before then, the biggest issue is your phone battery dies quickly.

Let’s take a look at what causes increased battery drain and how to make your phone battery last longer.
Gmail failing to authenticate? Here’s how to fix it

We’ve heard reports of some Gmail users struggling to keep their Gmail account connected to third party email clients like Outlook and Apple Mail.

The issue may be linked to an update to Google’s OAuth 2.0 implementation that results in Gmail failing to authenticate with existing email client connections.

Through this update, third party email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail, and more may fail to refresh authentication and as a result, they ask for your password repeatedly.  

Guests and Topics on the Show

Motorola’s Three New Phones, But a Different Approach  

We spoke with Praveena Raman, Head of Motorola ANZ, about the brand’s latest smartphone launches and why they’re taking a different approach in a crowded market.

The conversation focused on Motorola’s three new devices and how the company is shifting away from the usual spec race. Instead, the focus is on practical innovation—features that actually improve everyday use, from design to usability. It’s a move that aims to stand out by simplifying the smartphone experience, rather than overcomplicating it.

Motorola Signature and Edge 70 are two stylish new smartphones
Magnif-eye turns your phone into a eye health tool  

We caught up with Margaret Lam, Head of Optometry at 1001 Optometry, to talk about a new AI-powered tool designed to support early eye health detection.
 
The discussion explored Magnif-eye, a tool that turns everyday phone photos into a potential screening method for early signs of childhood myopia. With rising cases globally, the initiative highlights how technology—particularly AI—can play a role in making eye care more accessible for families.

As with all these services, that you need to provide your personal information to, please read the terms and conditions of the service and make sure you are comfortable with the information you are sharing. 
                  
The Magnif-eye is now available to access by visiting magnifeye.com.au.      
   

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Life & Technology – 2GB 21st March 2026

Which is the best OLED TV? LG and Samsung compared
 
With the recent Samsung OLED announcement and LG’s lineup reveal for the coming year, it might be difficult to pick the best OLED TV.

On many points each brand has very comparable models at similar price brackets, but there are a few key differences to take away from these announcements.

Let’s cover what’s the same between both brands, and what are the differences. 

Similarities

Both brands’ flagship models feature near-flush wall mounting options. Both the LG OLED evo W6 and the Samsung S95H feature sleek designs with minimal protrusion and wireless connectivity options.

Flagship and midrange models from both LG and Samsung feature glare-reducing anti-reflective coatings. Samsung offers this on the S95H and the S90H models, while LG offers it on the OLED evo G6 and on the OLED evo C6.  
A Beginner’s Guide to Home Security Tech – 3 product categories to check out

Home security tech is a great way to add some peace of mind to your home, and it’s a growing market.

Whether you’re starting fresh with home security or planning on diving in with a full smart home setup, it’s important to be sure of what your needs are.

With so many product categories available, let’s take a look at a few of the most useful types of home security tech to add to your smart home.

Guests and Topics on the Show

EVs amid petrol crisis
    
 Petrol prices had climbed again, hitting Aussie drivers where it hurt most — the weekly budget.
 
Naturally, more people had been asking: was it the right time to switch to an electric vehicle?
 
While EVs promised lower running costs, the upfront price, charging infrastructure, and real-world practicality still raised plenty of questions.
 
To break it all down, we spoke with one of Australia’s most trusted automotive voices, Trent Nikolic.
 
He explained whether EVs actually stacked up financially at that time, what buyers should have considered before making the switch, and whether petrol prices were genuinely accelerating Australia’s move to electric.
  
The Future of Drones
  
 We also spoke with Adam Yaney-Keller, a lead author and PhD candidate from the Monash University School of Biological Sciences. He discussed new research showing how thermal drone technology is helping researchers detect seals that have become entangled in marine debris, a problem that can often be difficult to spot from the ground or by boat.  
   

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Life & Technology – 2GB 14th March 2026

The Tech Trends We Love — And the Ones We Don’t 

The 2020s have already delivered some huge changes in the world of tech. From smarter devices and better connectivity to design choices that have made gadgets easier to use and maintain, there’s been plenty to like. But not every trend has been a win for consumers. Alongside the innovations, we’ve also seen frustrating shifts in the way tech companies design products, charge for services and shape the user experience.We’ve taken a look at both sides of the story — the trends that are making technology better, and the ones many people wish would disappear.

Check out our picks for the best and worst tech trends of the 2020s so far.
Authenticators – an easy way to boost your account security

Online accounts and passwords are more vulnerable to hacking than ever, with major database breaches seemingly happening every day.That’s why it’s so important to protect your accounts with not just a strong password – but multiple layers of security working in tandem to ensure your information stays private.What is multi-factor authentication?Multi-factor authentication, often called MFA or 2FA, is a great way to beef up security by adding an extra step to log into your account. That makes it Ach more difficult for people without the proper credentials to log in.One of the most common methods used by platforms today is based around time-based one-time passwords, or TOTP. Authenticator apps are the most common way to generate these passwords.

Guests and Topics on the Show

Robot Cleaning on a Budget
    
We spoke with Karen Powell, Regional Director for ECOVACS Robotics Australia and New Zealand. In the interview, she discussed how robot vacuum technology has rapidly evolved over the past few years. What was once seen as a premium category is now becoming more accessible, with brands focusing on delivering strong cleaning performance and smart features at more affordable price points.

She also explained how innovations in mapping, obstacle detection, and automation are helping consumers get the benefits of robotic cleaning without spending thousands of dollars. The conversation looked at how brands are approaching the growing demand for robot cleaning on a budget and what that means for households looking to automate their cleaning routine.

Ecovacs Deebot T90 Pro Omni Review – Effortless Cleaning
The Future of Drones
  
 We also spoke with Adam Yaney-Keller, a lead author and PhD candidate from the Monash University School of Biological Sciences. He discussed new research showing how thermal drone technology is helping researchers detect seals that have become entangled in marine debris, a problem that can often be difficult to spot from the ground or by boat.  
   

Here’s a copy of our newsletter

https://omny.fm/shows/life-and-technology/life-and-technology-saturday-march-14-2026