Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 185 i T3 Australia

FORWARD X OVIS In the world of travel tech, arguably nothing is evolving faster than the suitcase. The first wave of smarter cases had built-in chargers, and some even had Bluetooth functionality so that you could track their whereabouts at the luggage carousel. The arrival of the Ovis marks the biggest advance yet, bringing artificial intelligence to the suitcase. Forward X’s AIpowered clothes carrier is capable of driving itself, so that it rides alongside you to, through and from the airport, and over various terrains (maximum speed 6.2mph). The waterproof Ovis uses self-driving tech similar to cars, with advanced obstacle avoidance smarts helping it glide out of the way of people, animals and objects; it’s designed to continuously sense its surroundings, calculating the distance and best route to take. The…

1 SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH From $499, samsung.com Smartwatches are like Vegemite: some see the appeal, and some don’t. Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch, a surprisingly attractive successor to the Gear S3, is hoping to convert non-believers and bolster the faith of the smartwatch loyal. The Galaxy Watch arrives in two sizes (42mm and 46mm), and is infused with a plethora of features that aim to make your daily life better. It’s clear that Samsung has designed the Galaxy Watch to look more like a regular timepiece rather than a big chunk of tech squatting on your wrist. In either its Black or Rose Gold persuasion, you’d be as happy pairing it with a crisp shirt as you would your gym clobber. And yes, the new Samsung wants in on your gym…

1 BLACK DIAMOND VAPOR HELMET This helmet is so ultra-light you forget you’re wearing it. Extremely breathable too, so you can climb harder. $143, blackdiamondequipment.com 2 ARCTERYX AR 395A HARNESS If you want a lightweight harness that feels like it was made for you, this is it. We use it at Original Wild, and it’s one of the best I’ve owned. $220, arcteryx.com 3 MONTANE PRISM JACKET When securing your climbing partner, things can get chilly. A quality synthetic jacket that fits over your harness and gear is essential for exposed moments. $160, montane.co.uk 4 DMM PIVOT BELAY DEVICE A bombproof guide belay device used at Original Wild. Enables you to secure a climbing partner in different modes, with single or double ropes. $64,…

Late winter through early summer is an odd time for clothes. We’re not quite ready to embrace the tees and lightweight chinos of summer, but it’s still too cool to abandon the heavier knits of autumn. So, how can we shift into the new season both comfortably and stylishly? Ellis Ranson, stylist to the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Peter Andre, suggests running an inventory on your existing wardrobe, then carefully adding in new pieces, rather than splurging on a total fad closet overhaul… “Men can get away with spending more on fewer pieces, avoiding too much throw-away fashion,” says Ellis. Take a look at your jeans and how these could be paired with a new sweatshirt, or give your favourite summer tees a new lease of life beneath a…

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOSOUND EDGE B&O has reinvented the wheel for its new multi-room speaker, out this November. Using proximity sensors, the Edge will detect when you’re approaching and switch itself on. You can then adjust the volume by rocking the speaker back and forth. $TBC, bang-olufsen.com NENDO BUNACO SPEAKER A collaboration between Bunaco and style studio Nendo, this soundbox relies upon the echo-reducing properties of its coiled beechwood build to produce omnidirectional acoustics that are as soothing as a Shiatsu massage. $2,400, bunaco.co.jp PEOPLE PEOPLE TRANSPARENT SPEAKER Bringing a new meaning to the phrase ‘crystal-clear audio’, this speaker enables you to observe its inner machinations while it pumps out your favurite tunes. There’s also a mini version. €800, eu.transparentspeaker.com…

XOLORspace SMARTOOO 23051 We’ve now got a range of 4K HDR streamers, games consoles, Blu-ray players… but a lot of TVs only have a couple of 4K-capable ports. You need a high-speed HDMI switch, and this is it. Five inputs, one output: all sorted. $46, amazon.com Logitech Harmony Elite Control your telly and smart home from one touchscreen-programmable remote. A single press can turn on the TV and the Blu-ray player, set the input, and dim the smart lights. You can also control it from your phone or using Alexa. $449, logitech.com Chromecast Ultra This tiny streaming box dangles behind your TV, adding an easy way to beam 4K video over to it from any Chromecast-enabled app on Android or iOS, including Netflix and YouTube. Browse…

Duolingo A popular app for learning languages, Duolingo teaches you through different levels, badges and topics in a range of ways that’ll keep you on your toes. With more than 30 languages to choose from, you’ll be like a local in no time. It also has social features, for practicing with others. Free, iOS; Free, Android Rosetta Stone If you’re serious about learning a new language, buy a subscription for Rosetta Stone. You’ll then get access to the service’s fantastic app, which is full of lessons and has speech-recognition technology built-in to improve your pronunciation. Lessons can be downloaded for offline learning. Free, iOS; Free, Android Memrise If you’re having fun, you’re likely to develop lasting skills faster. That’s why Memrise mixes real-life content with language learning. There are lots…

1 Tern Vektron S10 The biggest folding bike here, but there’s loads of room to carry luggage, or even kids, with added comfort, and it’s equipped with a capable Bosch motor. From $5,900 ternbicycles.com 2 Brompton Electric Brompton has taken the classic folding bike formula, synonymous with city slickers, and added a dollop of extra speed to its perfectly formed package. From $1,999 brompton.com 3 Vello Bike + Boasting regenerative charging as you ride, an all-in-one hub, and a sleek folding frame, the Vello looks every bit the part. A titanium frame option offers even more bling. $4,640, vellobike.com…

Though the Tern Vektron is relatively big among its folding compadres, it’s still a weeny machine compared to a typical road bike, with a smaller frame and smaller wheels. The knock-on effect of this style is that the ride isn’t as gracious as a full size bike. But if you’re in the market for an electric folder, you don’t have to go small.Montague (montaguebikes.com) makes fine full-size folders, its USP a patented F.I.T. folding system, in which the frame uses a tube within a tube design, offering the strength of a non-folding bike (if not its looks) with the ability to fold on demand. The Montague Boston ZE marries the firm’s folding prowess with a Zehus Bike+ all-in-one hub with regen – the same type found in the Vello Bike+…

01 CHARGE YOUR DEVICES The Brompton Electric comes with a USB connector in the top of the battery pack, meaning you can charge your phone on the go, as long as you have a cable that’s long enough and a handlebar mount – which will be handy when you get a load of the next thing in this list… 02 GET THE APP Though it wasn’t available at the time of writing, Brompton has promised to release an app this year that allows owners of the Brompton Electric to connect to the bike over Bluetooth and check your speed and mileage, as well as adjust individual riding modes on the fly. 03 SPEED UP CHARGING TIMES The standard charger included with the Brompton Electric is a 2A unit, which means…

In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out there, and we believe that you – our loyal reader – deserve only the best tech in your life. We don’t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and that’s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here you’ll find only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3’s experts. We only choose people with specialist knowledge for each test, so you know you’re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective field. As well as our traditional five-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these, you’ll know you’re…

$334.90 mobvoi.com When a company moves from making entry-level smartwatches to top-end wrist real estate, it can be quite a risk, but that’s exactly what Chinese AI company Mobvoi is doing. A new entrant on the wearable space, Mobvoi’s been making waves with its wrist innovations and now it has unleashed the TicWatch Pro. Aimed at being the affordable top-end to its current Wear OS (née Android Wear) offerings, the Pro’s main selling points are price and big battery life. The Pro’s dial is available in silver or matte black, with a strap to match The Pro’s quoted battery life is five days (mixed use) to 30 days (Essential Mode), thanks to dual display tech that extends usage. Battery life drops to two days if you use the watch exclusively…

Let’s be honest, shall we? A good laptop bag is essential in this day and age. Whether you need to carry your tech, your lunch or mission-critical documents, we all rely upon being able to move around our stuff day-to-day without it getting lost or damaged en route. So choosing a bag should be at the top of your purchasing list. That bag needs to look good, too. That’s why we’ve tested six of the most stylish laptop bags to help you find the ideal one. Each of these bags does its job a little differently to the next, but there’s a few things they all must do: carry your tech around in relative safety (bonus points if the bag offers more than a laptop sleeve), and make you look…

OLED 4K TV SONY A8F SERIES Sony’s next-gen 4K HDR TV looks fantastic thanks to its OLED display and advanced image processing. Because of ingenious tech that uses the screen itself as a speaker, it also sounds superb. From $3,999, sony.com.au TOP-END 4K TV LG SIGNATURE W7 This is the most amazing-looking 4K HDR TV we’ve ever seen at just 2.57mm thick (it attaches to the wall using magnets!), and the image quality is simply fantastic too. A shape of what’s to come. $13,499 lg.com/au VALUE 4K BLU-RAY PLAYER XBOX ONE S Yes, this is primarily a games console, but it’s a damn good UHD Blu-ray player too. Why pay more for something that just plays discs when you could be getting your game on with…

Welcome to summer, T3-style. Our mission is to serve you up not just a dazzling array of the techy gear we know you love to hear about, but test it hard and find the ways you can improve your lot by owning something we’ve reviewed. It starts with our humbly-named Best Tech for Everything feature story. There’s not a single part of your life where tech can’t step in and improve things a little. Sure, there’s the obvious stuff like which new TV is the best and what soundbar should I pair it with, but here at T3 we like to get up from the couch once every so often, go outside and perhaps cook a grill on a new portable fire pit while finding our way around with a…

Unless you want to recreate Torvill and Dean’s Bolero on the slippery roads this autumn and winter, you need to think about buying a motor that can cope with adverse conditions. Of course, Land Rover has been building all-weather vehicles for donkey’s years, so you’d expect its latest Discovery Sport (from $62,762, landrover.com.au) to take this kind of stuff in its stride. And it does, boasting dedicated ‘Mud’ and ‘Snow’ modes that apply exactly the right amount of power to maximise traction on unforgiving surfaces, as well as tyres that are wider and grippier than a bouncer’s arms. Subaru may not be the first marque that springs to mind when you think about no-nonsense vehicles, but the 2018 Outback (from $35,740, subaru.com.au) laughs in the face of chilly climes, with…

INOV-8 TERRAULTRA G 260 $218, inov-8.com British brand inov-8 already has an excellent reputation for its running shoe grip, and by using graphene, it’s now durable too. The upper is no less rugged, infused with Kevlar. A wide toebox makes the shoes breathable, while zero drop aids natural running form. At just 260g, the shoe is also insanely light. ALTRA MEN’S LONE PEAK 3.5 $180, altrarunning.com Altra, huge in US trail-running and new here, offers a wide toebox, zero drop and ample cushioning. The shoes are comfortable and rugged. Grip is good, but less sticky than the Terraultra’s. The cushioning will feel luxurious to some but excessive to others, and the size and weight negates dexterity.…

The warm winter led GaGu to place himself in front of the barbeque, turning ever-more lobstery under the burning sun. Turns out (or at least this is the story he told Mrs Guru) that the grill was definitely broken. While the price of getting a Lynx Smart Grill express-shipped from the States didn’t quite match up to the immense value of its Wi-Fi connectivity, rotisserie features and app-directed meat-placement advice, Guru did at least get a Big Green Egg. Inside, a Meater beams the meat’s internal goings-on directly to GaGu’s phone. Guru is a little alarmed at the ability of his youngest child to wiggle his little brain into any tech put in front of him – particularly if that tech is protected by parental controls. More severe sanctions have…

CERTINA DS PH200M As part of its Heritage Collection, Certina resurrected a dive watch from the 1970s. Inspired by the depths of the ocean, it combines timeless design with a modern automatic movement. $1,020, certina.com OMEGA SEAMASTER 1948 SMALL SECONDS Released to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Seamaster, Omega’s latest watch is full of retro touches, from the opaline silvery domed dial to the embossed vintage Omega. $9,000, omega.com CHRISTOPHER WARD C65 TRIDENT BRONZE SH21 This classic 1960s dive watch is underpinned by Christopher Ward’s thoroughly modern in-house movement. The bronze edition is limited to 150 pieces. $3,333, christopherward.com…

Opening a new gadget is a very 21st century expression of sexual desire. As millennials turn their backs on bonking, to spend more time with their avocados, inducting a new bit of tech is filling the hole that leaves. You don’t agree? Consider this... When you buy a new bit of tech, the box is swaddled in shrink wrap, stretched taut across its body. Everything is visible, yet prophylactically covered. With fumbling hands you must ease your way through, then tear it off. Inked text and logos hint at the excitement within, like the neon signs on disreputable bars of yore. Prise off the lid and what you desire is finally visible. The next layer of plastique is not transparent but translucent – sometimes near opaque. Rather than being sealed…

Oculus Go The latest VR headset from Oculus works all on its own, without added devices or an expensive computer. It’s a lightweight design with a clear lens, and has surround sound audio and access to more than 1,000 VR games and apps. $359, oculus.com GoPro Fusion 360 Camera A GoPro especially for capturing 360-degree videos and photos in all kinds of conditions. It has an 18MP camera with built-in stabilisation for a super-smooth shot, and you can create fully immersive VR experiences in 5.2K video. $884, shop.gopro.com Lenovo Star Wars: Jedi Challenges If you’ve always dreamed of becoming a Jedi, then now is your chance. This augmented reality game arms you with a headset and a lightsaber controller so you can battle Darth Vader and…

1 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Samsung’s biggest phone yet is ideal for working on the go, because it has a bunch of features that make the most of its 6.4-inch 2960x1440 AMOLED display. The S Pen is now Bluetooth-connected, with 4,096 levels of pressure detection and a button you can use to control the phone. It’s also got clever split-screen controls, which let you pair apps to launch side-by-side, so it’s easy to bring up your calendar and email together, for example. Plus, you can get it with 512GB of storage, and then at another 512GB SD card for a whopping 1TB. $1,579, samsung.com 2 BeyerDynamic Fox Professional USB Studio Microphone This professional microphone is the ideal choice for podcasters, gamers, YouTubers, content creators, musicians, singers, songwriters and anyone…

Oak Whether you’re after a quick and simple breathing exercise or a guided meditation that’ll last half an hour, Oak has all your relaxation needs covered. It also plays soothing sounds and white noise for those who have trouble going to sleep. If you can’t get out of your own head enough to relax, this might be just what you need. Free, iOS Hexologic Some people like to switch off to calm down, others like to distract themselves. If you’re in the second group, Hexologic is for you. It’s a refreshing spin on Sudoku that also serenades you with relaxing music while you play. It’s chilled out, without time pressure, so is ideal for winding down gently. $1.49, iOS; $1.29, Android Sway - Mindfulness in Motion Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have…

VORWERK KOBOLD VG100 Achieve gleaming, streak-free windows in seconds. The VG100’s microfibre pad applies cleaning solution to the glass, before removing the grime and sucking away dirty water. $450, kobold.vorwerk.co.uk NEATO BOTVAC CONNECTED D7 The Wi-Fi-enabled Botvac maps your floors for autonomous hoovering. Use the Neato app to plan a thorough cleaning schedule. $1,250 neatorobotics.com PHILIPS AVANCE CENTRIFUGAL JUICER A 1,200-watt motor, centrifugal extraction system and a FibreBoost setting ensure you get the maximum goodness from your fruit and veg. $398, philips.com.au VORWERK KOBOLD SP600 This upright mop/hoover hybrid takes no prisoners when it comes to cleaning hard floors. The SP600 uses 50 times less water and cleaning product than a mop and bucket. $1,999, kobold.vorwerk.com.au UV-C LIGHT PRODUCTS PORTABLE WAND Give surfaces a blast of short-wave UV radiation from…

AMAZON ECHO SHOW The Echo Show ($349, amazon.com.au) delivers the same smarts as the Spot, but on a much bigger, seven-inch screen. A pair of two-inch speakers add extra, Dolby-powered audio punch. LENOVO SMART DISPLAY With Google Assistant built-in, and generous eight- and 10-inch display options available, Lenovo’s Smart Display (from $340, lenovo.com) is always on-hand. A 10-watt full-range speaker takes care of audio. LG WK9 THINQ The retro-looking WK9 ThinQ ($TBC, lg.com) might resemble an old handheld telly, but this is LG’s first foray into the screen-toting smart assistant world. Behind that eight-inch touchscreen is Google Assistant and Chromecast.…

SMALL AND AFFORDABLE SWANN SMART SECURITY CAMERA $129, swann.com/au First impressions make all the difference… but not when it comes to Swann’s accomplished little outdoor security cam. Pull it out of the box and it defaults to the lowest quality streaming mode, offering up a painfully glitchy and rough picture. Up the quality in-app and, if your Wi-Fi network can handle it, things get a lot better. Swann’s motion capture is decent. 20-second clips loop through the on-board memory – it could potentially store a week’s worth – and in the cloud for a couple of days if you sign up for the cloud plan. Push message reporting is a little slow, though. Design-wise, it’s pleasingly small – half the size of the Ring Spotlight Cam – and pulling it…

Smart weather stations keep tabs on what the weather is like where you’re located in real time. They’re fitted with sensors to give you more information about humidity, air quality, rainfall and more. You can then use these readings to automatically trigger your lights, thermostat or other smart home devices. The Netatmo Smart Home Weather Station ($279, shop.netatmo.com), for example, has indoor and outdoor modules and keeps tabs on the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure and weather forecast outside, which it serves up to your phone. Powered by a solar panel, the Bloomsky Sky2 ($658, instrumentchoice.com.au) tracks rainfall, humidity, temperature and pressure, with an added HD camera on top for real-time snaps of the sky throughout the day.…

GET THE WEATHER Head over to IFTTT.com and log in. Make sure you’ve previously registered your bulbs with the service – it’s happy with most makes. Click ‘My Applets’, ‘New applet’, ‘+this’, and find ‘Weather Underground’ in the list. PICK A CONDITION We’ll use WU’s ‘current condition’ trigger, which fires on one of four specific weather types. You could get more specific if you wanted to. Click it, select ‘Rain’ in the drop-down box, then ‘Create trigger’. Now click ‘+that’. COLOUR IT UP Find your smart bulbs (using the search box makes this much quicker) and set an action to change the colour – avoid the ‘switch on’ option, so you’re not woken up by a blazing bulb if the sky’s clear. Then repeat for each other condition.…

With its award-winning frame, Vello’s Bike+ adopts a unique design that eschews the normal fold in the main tubes. This means it’s quite long when folded, but looks neater when riding, and aids rigidity. The folding process is simple - a single magnetic point connects the rear to the main frame, while the front forks have a turn key connector, with an, admittedly fiddly, pin lock. Swing the wheel around and magnetic points on forks and frame allow them to connect together securely. The stem can be lowered quickly thanks to a quick-release collar; ditto for the bar ends which, removed, give the Bike+ a long, but narrow stance. A lack of proper stand makes it clumsy to unfold, but it gains points for being super light (13.9kg!), so it’s…

BROMPTON ELECTRIC From $1,999, brompton.com WE’RE IMPRESSED By far the smallest package once folded, making it the go-to bike for commuting on packed trains; easy to fold; lively ride with usable gearing (six-speed version); good handling; it’s got the visual kudos only matched by another Brompton. WE’D IMPROVE You’re constantly adjusting the power modes as you go; it’s a little bit on the heavy side. THE FINAL WORD A great all-round package that rides as nicely as it folds - it still feels like a classic Brompton. It’s also got a fit and finish unlike anything we’ve seen before, adding to the feeling of premium ownership. TERN VEKTRON S10 $5,900, ternbicycles.com WE’RE IMPRESSED An enjoyable ride – it’s ideal for long journeys; Bosch electric system is…

From $1,499 samsung.com.au Samsung has always gone big with its Note handsets, and we don’t just mean the 6.4-inch screen on offer in this year’s model. They’ve always pushed ahead on features and premium build, and the result is a phone that comes close to the iPhone X’s high price. So, is it worth it? Built better The Note9 feels dense and classy in the hand, without the plasticky feel some flagships have had this year. It’s no surprise that it feels solid, considering just how much is packed into a thin 8.8mm frame and more substantial 201g weight. That’s no doubt thanks in part to its new 4,000mAh battery, which is a big increase over the 3,300mAh unit in the previous model, though we can’t blame Samsung for having…

LG WATCH STYLE The clue is in the name for this one, as while the LG Watch style isn’t be the best fitness tracker on the Wear OS lineup, it’s sleek, slim and desirable. It also offers a neat rotating crown for additional functionality. $249, lg.com APPLE WATCH 3 Although all Wear OS devices work with an iPhone, you can’t get past the fact the Apple Watch is still the most complete smartwatch package, and it won’t attract the wrong kind of style attention, either. From $399, apple.com/au…

So far, the T3 hivemind isn’t really sold on the need for gaming-focused phones. The Razer Phone is a great handset, but not because its 120Hz screen and Dolby Atmos speakers are good for games. They’re just nice features generally. It’s the same story with the Honor Play: its huge 6.3-inch screen and high-end processor might be pitched with gaming in mind, but a fast phone with a gorgeous screen is something we can all appreciate. Especially at this price. Game on The Honor Play does have other gaming features beyond those: the GPU Turbo tech aims to keep intensive games running silky smooth by boosting graphics power while playing, while Game Suite mode makes it easy to record what you’re playing and to lock keys from accidental presses. Both…

MULTI-ROOM SPEAKERS SONOS ONE Pound for pound, this is a hell of a lot of speaker for your money, easily filling a room, and expandable through the versatile Sonos speaker range. Built-in Alexa support clinches it for Sonos. $299, sonos.com PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER CAMBRIDGE AUDIO YOYO M These portable speakers are made for wireless stereo sound and come as a pair (though you can use one on its own). They offer punchy audio in an impressively wide sound field, and look great, too. $599, cambridgeaudio.com WIRELESS IN-EAR HEADPHONES FLARES PRO These headphones plug into a mini-DAC you need to clip about your person, but the result is truly amazing sound for the size. It’s audiophile stuff, with beautiful stereo channel separation. $545.35, flareaudio.com WIRED…

ANDROID PHONE SAMSUNG GALAXY S9 Samsung’s super-slick smartphone is the most refined Android experience to date. An excellent camera, gorgeous Infinity Display screen and some smart exclusive features make for a truly fantastic phone. From $1,199, samsung.com/au MID-RANGE PHONE HUAWEI NOVA 3i Coming in at half the price of a flagship phone, this is truly a hidden gem. It looks great, with minimal bezels, and its cost completely belies its specs – especially its excellent dual cameras, front and rear. $419, huawei.com SMARTWATCH APPLE WATCH SERIES 3 Nothing in the smartwatch market does more than the Apple Watch, and this third generation can do it all without a tethered phone – perfect for keeping your life in order whatever you happen to be doing. From $459,…

FAMILY CAR VOLVO XC60 Well-appointed and exquisitely designed, this mid-size hybrid SUV has all the entertainment options you need, the poise to make those long journeys smooth and enjoyable, and is safe as houses. From $62,990, volvocars.com/au CITY ELECTRIC CAR BMW i3 The i3 is a responsive, highly practical electric runabout packed with connectivity options and enough power in its 125kw motor to hit 100km/h in just 7.3 seconds. Perfect for a daily commute. From $63,900, bmw.com.au CAR DISPLAY NAVDY An innovation that takes the concept of the car heads-up display to the next level, with translucent mapping in your eyeline and gesture control so you can answer calls or dismiss alerts with a wave. $799, navdy.com DASH CAM GARMIN DASH CAM 55 Constantly…

VOICE ASSISTANT GOOGLE HOME Google’s home assistant is being woven into more and more devices, but the original Home tower is still one of the best to get. An attractive design and pleasing sound make it a modern must-have. $79, store.google.com SMART DOORBELL RING VIDEO DOORBELL 2 Part motion-detecting security camera, part ring-anywhere doorbell, the Video Doorbell 2 alerts you via your smartphone when you have a visitor – and you can two-way talk even if you’re not home. $329, ring.com LIFESTYLE WI-FI CAMERA NEST CAM This indoor cam streams sharp HD video to your phone or computer, and can alert you when it senses motion or sound, so you can tune in – with an 8x zoom and 130-degree view, you won’t miss a thing.…

ULTRAPORTABLE LAPTOP HP SPECTRE 13 An incredibly thin, light and beautiful laptop, with a dense, high-end HD panel. Despite being 1cm thick, it doesn’t skimp on the power either, thanks to an Intel Core i7 processor. From $2,999, hp.com/au GAMING LAPTOP ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS GX501 This is an amazing piece of engineering. Despite being incredibly thin and light (2.2kg), it packs insanely powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics, a quad-core processor, and a 120Hz 1080p display.. $4,999, asus.com ALL-IN-ONE APPLE iMAC WITH 5K RETINA DISPLAY There’s never been a screen like this. Big enough for every task, detailed, bright, colourful, and it happens to have a Mac stuffed in the back of it as well. From $2,699, apple.com/au GAMING HEADSET ASTRO A40 + MIXAMP…

ENTRY-LEVEL DSLR CANON EOS 800D Make no mistake: the EOS 800D’s tech, trickled down from higher models in the line, is remarkable. It offers up 45-point autofocus, a touch-sensitive screen and awesome image quality. $1,199, canon.com MIRRORLESS CAMERA FUJIFILM X-T20 Fujifilm has done wonders with the X-T20 by packing an excellent 24.3MP sensor and an advanced autofocus system into an affordable and compact package that is a delight to shoot with. $1,500, fujifilm.com ACTION CAMERA GOPRO HERO7 BLACK While it may share much of the same headline video specs as the Hero6 Black that it replaces, the Hero7 Black offers a number of big improvements, most significantly new stabilisation tech. $599.95, gopro.com RUNNING WATCH GARMIN FORERUNNER 935 The Forerunner 935 measures every aspect of…

There are times when nothing hits the spot quite like a Mars bar, but there are times when wickedly decadent chocolate, so tantalising it could have been harvested by the gods, is the only way to go. To’ak’s seductively smooth 73 per cent cacao chocolate is a culinary work of art. Sourced from organic cacao growers in the valley of Piedra de Plata, Ecuador, then matured for two years in an Islay whisky cask, everything about this slab is purposefully slow – and that’s how it should be enjoyed: slowly. Do so to savour notes of caramelised fruit, honey, sea grass and peat smoke. $501 (50g), toakchocolate.com NEXT ISSUE IS ON SALE MONDAY 28TH JANUARY…

T3’s mission is to help you find the best products for every area of your tech lifestyle. From traditional gadget buys like phones and TVs to connected home security and sports sensors, if it can make your life better, we’re here to make sure you get the right one for you. The products we feature are chosen by our expert writers, with years of experience in their key areas. We wouldn’t recommend something we wouldn’t be happy to live with ourselves – the tat is filtered out long before we print a page. This goes for reviews too – you won’t us wasting your time with products you don’t need to know about. More than that, our aim is to make sure you get the most out of the things…

HOLLYWOOD EXPRESS 3-BIKE CAR RACK Why hire bikes when you can take your own? This rack attaches to your car via six fastening straps for impressive stability, while rubber separators stop your bikes from getting scratched. $124, 99bikes.com.au THULE WAVE SURF RACK/WINGBAR 963 No self-respecting surf dude (yes, we’re cool) wants their board to get damaged in transit. Featuring four rubber cradles and taut straps, the Wave Surf Rack provides optimum protection – and the WingBar it attaches to packs drag-reducing tech for improved fuel economy. $179, thule.com.au KAMEI 330 ROOF BOX With room for six skis (although feel free to cram it with pants, socks, booze… whatever), a secure locking system and a chiselled, impact-resistant build, the Kamei 330 will keep anything you store up there safe and sound.…

SMARTWOOL MERINO 150 SHORT SLEEVE Core Spun technology (merino wool wrapped around a nylon core) combines comfort with durability. But where this tee really impresses is temperature regulation. Perfect for an early autumn hike when the wind could be feisty at the top of the climb. $176, smartwool.com ICEBREAKER COOL-LITE MOMENTUM LONG SLEEVE ZIP Cool-Lite fabric aids comfort, nylon aids durability, and Lycra makes the top pleasingly stretchy. A zipper chin guard and storm flap prevent chafing, offset shoulder seams stop pack rub, and the odour resistance is unbeatable. $260, au.icebreaker.com DHB MERINO SLEEVELESS BASE LAYER Here, the lightweight, super-fine material wicks away sweat and resists body odours, with excellent thermal regulation keeping you cool. This soft vest is a good choice for a base layer, or as the first…

BETTER CALL SAUL One of the greatest TV tricksters returns to Netflix in the new season of Better Call Saul. We can’t wait to see what Jimmy gets up to as it creeps toward the start of Breaking Bad. GIDEON FALLS Echoes of Twin Peaks hauntthis new comic from the creative team behind Old Man Logan, which sees a young man and Catholic priest drawn to the dark town of Gideon Falls. DONUT COUNTY In this quirky, colourful game for PC/Mac/PS4/iOS, you play a hole that must get bigger and eat everything in its path. It sounds daft, but suspend all scepticism and jump in.…

THE JACKET Bomber jackets are a timeless classic, integrating beautifully with a wide range of looks. Jeff’s Saint Laurent Sequin Bomber ($9,200, farfetch.com) is so strong it elevates his entire outfit in one swift move. THE TROUSERS Jeff often tones down his bold shirts and jackets with simple trousers. ASOS’ Design Slim Fit Black Trousers ($52, asos.com) give you a similar look without the movie star price. THE SHOES A simple black boot is a great way to lend an edge to your outfit. The Office Heron Chelsea Boots ($64, asos.com) provide a similar vibe to Jeff and can be worn with black jeans and trousers.…

Nebula Capsule Watch movies, TV shows and anything else from your phone in the middle of nowhere with this portable projector. It delivers a great picture up to 100 inches, and the 100 ANSI lumens brightness looks fab in dimmer light. $599, anker.com Heininger 5995 Portable Fire Pit If you like sitting around fires but not the way your hair and clothes smell of smoke afterwards, this portable fire pit is for you. It burns smokeless and it’s easy to carry, making it ideal for the campsite or your patio. $193, amazon.com Olight X7R Marauder You want to see in the dark? The X7R Marauder has a maximum output of 12,000 lumens, which means it’s one of the brightest flashlights you can get. It’s also dust-proof…

1 DrinKup Bottle Stay hydrated with this smart water bottle, which recommends how much you need each day based on your height, weight and daily activities. It’ll also show you your hydration level on the lid throughout the day and vibrate when you need to drink more. It comes with an app, which bugs you to hydrate, keeps tabs on how often you drink so you don’t have to and lets you know how well your hydration habit is coming along. USD$69, drinkupbottle.com 2 Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer One of the best hair dryers on the planet, the Supersonic has 1,600W of power, with amplification tech tripling the amount of air it pushes out. There are three different speed settings, as well as heat-control smarts. That means it…

EGO POWER+ BLOWER Your garden will soon begin its summer transformation, dropping leaves and general debris onto the lawn and path. Blast it all into a neat pile, ready for composting, with EGO’s powerful leaf blower. It runs on a 56V li-ion battery, equipping you with the clout of a petrol blower but without the noise. $249, egopowerplus.com PHILIPS HUE TUAR OUTDOOR PEDESTAL Connect the app-controlled Tuar to your existing Hue bridge and take advantage of its geofencing and scheduling smarts, so that it switches on when you’re returning home in the darker evenings. Place one along your driveway to bathe you in light as you potter around outside. $160, meethue.com BOSCH EASYCUT 12 Use this mini chainsaw to pare back overgrown hedges and remove garden tree branches in danger…

01 GRAB THE APP Once you’ve decided which room to position your Echo Spot in, plug the device into the mains. While your Spot is optimising itself for setup, download the Alexa app (iOS/ Android) to your smartphone or tablet. If you don’t have an Amazon account already, now would be a good time to register at amazon.com.au. 02 BEGIN SETUP At this point, you’ll need to head to the Spot’s touchscreen to continue setup. You’ll be asked to connect to your home Wi-Fi and log-in to your Amazon account. Once you’re in, your Spot will play you a short video highlighting what it can do. It’s a useful intro and a great way to experience the screen in all its glory. 03 CUSTOMISE Time to make the Spot your…

PLACE IT WELL All of these cams cope well with light level changes, but to get the best footage possible you’ll want to avoid placing the sensor facing direct sunlight which might dazzle it – stick to the shadows if possible. This might mean installing beneath the eaves of your house, or high inside a window opening. The higher you go, the more difficult the process of recharging becomes, but better a good picture than a blown-out image that does you no good. PROTECT IT Some security cameras come with theft protection, so if a sneaky intruder happens to abscond with your outdoor cam – these cameras are all easy to detach from their brackets – you’ll be able to claim a replacement. Make sure the rest of your cams…

SAMSUNG GALAXY S9+ Samsung’s second-biggest, second-flashiest phone of 2018 has an equally good display, is equally fast, and has essentially the same camera system. You don’t get the S Pen, but you can find the S9+ for close to $1,000 online. $1,199, samsung.com.au APPLE iPHONE X It’s not as big as the Note, and there’s no stylus or split-screen apps, but this is the only phone that has it beat for premium feel and speed, thanks to the stainless steel and glass body, plus Apple’s blistering A11 processor. $1,629, apple.com/au HUAWEI P20 PRO Again, not as big as the Note 9, and not as focused on productivity, but if you want the best Android camera system we’ve tested yet, you need this triple-lens system. The rest of the phone is…

If you’re looking for the very best tech available today, you have definitely come to the right place. Best of the Best is the most useful gadget-buying guide you will ever encounter. To create it, we’ve ruthlessly filtered down to the biggest groups, to bring you rock-solid recommendations for your home life, daily commute and the tech you use all the time. Within each of those groups, we’ve got a dozen categories for key tech buys. We’ve picked one product for every category that we think is the best you can get on balance, taking into account price, quality and features, so it’s easy to know what you need in your life. You should also check out T3.com, where you’ll find even more categories, if you’re looking for something that…