Innehållsförteckning för Issue 193 från T3 Australia

If there’s one thing Australians have proved themselves most adept at, during this crazy lockdown time, it’s buying stuff. While siting around bored at home – what’s one to do? Get more toys! That’s what. At first, there was the panic-buying rush to upgrade the home office. Chairs, desks, a big new monitor – these are all items that went fast. Now, our attention is turning to less sensible spending. And rightly so. We all need a bit of pampering right now and the delights a new bit of gear can bring are marvellously distracting. In this issue, as always, we’ve gone to town (not literally… nobody does that anymore…) and rounded up a tonne of gadgets and goodies for your pleasure. There’s best TVs – and heck, we sure…

The market for fitness wearables is getting bigger every year, making it more appealing to traditional watch companies like Casio to enter. Casio is far from a newcomer to digital watches, but we were yet to see a full-blown fitness watch from them, up until recently. The new Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 ($849, g-shockaustralia.com.au) is one of the most intriguing running watches we’ve seen in a while, taking a different approach to the likes of Garmin and Polar. The new G-Shock is shock-resistant, water-rated to 200 metres, and has a very decent GPS chip that uses multiple satellite systems (GPS/GLONASS/QZSS). The watch also houses a range of sensors, including an optical heart rate sensor, a magnetic sensor (compass), a pressure sensor (altimeter) and an acceleration sensor (pedometer). There is also a…

THE CASE FOR 8K IS IT FINALLY TIME TO UPGRADE? With pixel counts of 7680x4320, 8K TVs carry four times as much resolution as 4K ones. While this level of resolution is arguably not necessary on screens smaller than 65 inches, it removes all sense of image structure on large screens, leaving you with pictures that look unprecedentedly immersive and lifelike. Provided, anyway, that a TV has the colour, light and motion quality to unleash all those pixels’ full potential. There aren’t many native 8K sources yet, alas. Which isn’t surprising given the amount of data 8K video eats up. However, there’s talk of the next generation of games consoles providing at least a little 8K support. YouTube already carries a few 8K videos, and various streaming services – including…

SCREEN SAVER CHOOSING A LOW-COST SUPERSTAR On one hand, buying a budget TV – maybe for a second room – is easier than buying a mid-range or high end one. After all, you’ll surely be going into it understanding that any budget TV you end up with will come with some performance and/or feature strings attached. At the same time, though, the variations between different budget sets can be truly extreme. Especially now we have high dynamic range to think about. Really no true budget TV has enough brightness or colour range to handle the demands of HDR properly, so you’re invariably looking at a kind of damage limitation exercise. So much so that short of budget TVs just not bothering to offer HDR support at all, which wouldn’t actually…

As we’ve already mentioned, keyboards and digital pianos can vary wildly, from slight and portable with a focused feature set, to beefy all-in-ones with sizeable speakers and no end of bells and whistles. Picking the perfect piano for your needs shares more in common with selecting a new smartphone than it does choosing an acoustic instrument, as the sound, functionality and play style each offers is as unique as the potential pianist playing them. To help you out, we’ve put together a medley of some of the best pianos and keyboards available for beginner and intermediate players, highlighting each of their respective fortes. THE REAL FEEL ROLAND FP-30 The FP-30 offers a ton of useful functionality at a fair price. First off, its full-size 88-key ‘Ivory Touch’ keyboard adds a…

GARMIN FORERUNNER 945 From $859, garmin.com WE’RE IMPRESSED Offers more fitness features than its rivals; great battery life; as good for the gym as the track, monitoring weight training, intervals and treadmill running. WE’D IMPROVE High price point; lacks the versatility of other true smartwatches. THE LAST WORD If you’re looking for a dedicated fitness smartwatch, the Forerunner 945 is your best bet. This is undoubtedly a specialist running watch, rather than a generalist smartwatch – which is reflected in the price and feature set – but with its multi-purpose tracking and offline maps, this should be the fitness fan’s go-to watch. APPLE WATCH SERIES 5 From $649, apple.com/au WE’RE IMPRESSED Excellent design; fantastic health features; comprehensive fitness options. WE’D IMPROVE Screen reduces battery life compared to Series 4; still…

1 NINTENDO SWITCH ANIMAL CROSSING EDITION The Switch Lite is amazing for travel, but the full-fat Switch still tops our list if you’re doing your gaming at home – and Nintendo has done something wonderful with the cute-as-a-button Animal Crossing special edition, which includes the quietly upgraded battery of the second Switch release. $842, nintendo.com.au 2 VALVE INDEX Obtaining one isn’t the easiest thing in the world – when they go up on sale on Steam, they tend to sell out in seconds – but there’s good reason for that. This the ultimate top-end home VR experience, and (fittingly) it comes with a free copy of Half-Life Alyx too. $tbc, steampowered.com 3 AMAZON FIRE HD 10 KIDS EDITION Low-end technology has finally caught up with high-end ambition, as Amazon’s kid-friendly…

HOW WE TEST 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,…

SAMSUNG Q90R The top 2019 4K QLED TV has almost as good processing smarts, and similarly spectacular HDR performance, for several thousands less. This TV is on its way out, though – grab one while you can! From $6,295 (75”), samsung.com/au SAMSUNG Q800T There’s a cheaper 8K Samsung TV coming in 2020. This one has the same great QLED panel and processing, but a less advanced backlight – not as bright, and with fewer dimming zones. Still great for bigger sizes, still dazzling. From $5,495 (65”), samsung.com/au SONY MASTER SERIES ZG9 Sony’s equivalent of this TV – mixing its best LCD tech with supreme backlighting for astounding HDR, is a beast. 85 inches is its smallest size – you can go for a 98-inch model too. It’s an incredible TV,…

If you’re planning the ultimate road trip, you, of course, need the ultimate car to go along with it. Look no further than the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Edition – the pinnacle when it comes to super-luxury SUVs, combining comfort with genuine practicality, on-road refinement and off-road capability. Before you experience all of that, though, you’ll be greeted by the Cullinan’s imposing design. Not only is this one of the largest cars on the road; in Black Badge guise, with blacked-out chrome and a black Spirit of Ecstasy, this is also one with the most intimidating. It helps give this Rolls-Royce a more youthful, dynamic personality. Climb inside, press the button to close the doors, and you’re surrounded by meticulous craftsmanship, the highlight of which is the Starlight Headliner, which…

ADIDAS ADIZERO PRO The latest iteration of the Adizero franchise brings the whole new Lightstrike cushioning system to the table as well as an integrated Carbitex carbon-plate, embedded in the midsole. The DSP outsole, combined with the Continental rubber compound, provides traction, flexibility and durability. $200, adidas.com.au ASICS METARACER Asics’ most advanced long-distance racing shoe yet, the Metaracer uses an updated version of Guidesole, the super-responsive sole system, aided by a carbon plate for improved responsiveness. The Flytefoam midsole is lightweight and makes landings softer and running more responsive. $TBC, asics.com NEW BALANCE FUELCELL TC The New Balance FuelCell TC follows the tried-and-tested formula of carbon-enhanced road running shoes: increased stack height, a full-length internal carbon fibre plate and a tight-fitting breathable upper. The suede collar around the ankle reduces…

TIGER KING Oh lordy, if you have not seen this you must see it, it is so good. A deserved Netflix docu-drama hit, centred on some totally weird and, er, interesting people. LA COURSE Bon Voyage Organisation’s album of French electronic world-disco is the antidote for absolutely everything wrong ever, and Guru cannot get enough of it. Glorious music. INVASION OF THE BLOOD FARMERS “The budget was $24,000. The cast was paid in beer.” Eight bottles of stage blood later, you’ve got a silly Amazon Prime schlocker on your hands.…

OLEDUCATION WHAT EXACTLY DOES ‘OLED’ MEAN? While OLED TVs can’t get as cheap as LCD TVs can, they have a good excuse. Namely that each and every pixel in an OLED screen produces its own light and colour. LCD TVs, on the other hand, share external lights across many hundreds or thousands of pixels at once. OLED TVs can therefore deliver peerless local contrast – as in, the darkest pixel in a picture can sit right alongside the brightest without either ‘polluting’ the other. This makes OLED technology uniquely capable of handling dark images – and, therefore, a firm favourite with home cinema fans. OLED screens can also be watched from any angle without colour or contrast taking a hit, and in recent years have got much brighter than many…

1 NEO 2T SMART The Neo 2 Smart has been in our buying guide for an age, but this updated version of the bike add-on ups the power, drops the noise, and even offers true ride feel, simulating the experience of pedalling over cobbles or gravel as you train in your lounge. Pretty unique – but certainly not cheap. $1,989, 99, bikes.com.au 2 BOWFLEX MAX TRAINER M8 Not really a stepper, not really a cross trainer, but hovering at a midpoint that apparently provides maximum muscle actuation, the Max Trainer M8 is the ultimate cardio machine in half the space of a treadmill. It will absolutely, positively, kick you in the rear. $6,599, bowflex.com 3 BOWFLEX 2-24 KG SELECTTECH DUMBBELLS The equipment required for some serious clanging and banging doesn’t…

$799 (2 Camera Kit) arlo.com/au For some time, Arlo has been the pinnacle of smart security camera tech for the home. It comes down to how easy it makes it to place cameras indoors or outdoors, totally wirelessly, with easy control and management from a single app. They’re expensive, but worth it. Everything we’ve said above is still very true, and this newest version of the Arlo setup improves even further, adding more detailed HDR video, colour night vision, a built-in siren, improved two-way talk thanks to noise cancellation, and better wireless range and battery life. Many of these features are seen in the Arlo Ultra, which is the 4K version of this (the Pro 3 is QHD), which is even more expensive. Really, though, the resolution of these cameras…

ONEPLUS BUMPER CASE KARBON With a Kevlar body, this will keep an 8 Pro safe from knocks and scratches while not obscuring its svelte form. And, as a bonus, it’s compatible with OnePlus’s Warp Charge Wireless charger, so you can still quickly juice up your phone. $37, oneplus.com RHA TRUECONNECT Want a similar mix of premium specs and reasonable price in the headphones you pair with your 8 Pro? Then you could do worse than RHA’s TrueConnect headphones, which offer affordable audiophile quality sound. $187, rha-audio.com ONEPLUS WARP CHARGE 30 WIRELESS CHARGER Batteries are very much included with the 8 Pro but pick this up to take full advantage of them. Providing 30W wireless charging, it will charge half the battery in 30 minutes. $100, oneplus.com…

RAPPORT CAPTAIN’S MONO WATCH WINDER If your timekeeping is all at sea (and you have ample cash to splash), navigate your way towards this nautically themed luxury watch winder by Rapport London. It’s inspired by the devices used by old sea captains to keep their watches ticking as accurately as possible – a must for navigational purposes, naturally. The handsome Captain’s Mono Watch Winder comes in a hand-finished, polished mahogany cabinet with brass corner-protection details and a soft-feel beige velvet interior, all of which add to the luxe feel. A leather-covered holder ensures that your timepiece stays firmly in place while it’s being wound, providing a safe haven for your watch when it isn’t on your wrist. There’s even a lock and foldaway handles for when you want to take…

Q TONY GUY How can I revive my lawn? A Let Guru tell you a secret: he did not open the door to the rear grounds of Guru Towers even once between November and late March. Not to pick up the patio furniture strewn over the lawn by the wind. Not to clear up the toys dumped there by Gurus Jr and II, or to let in a mewling cat too lazy to go around to the front door. And certainly not for any hard work. Now that the sun is shining (and Guru is unable to leave his grounds) he’s begrudgingly restarted garden duties Now that the sun is shining (and Guru is unable to leave his grounds owing to nature’s cruel whims) he’s begrudgingly restarted garden duties. His…

So it’s been a bit of a weird few months. I know that because at the last count, I have had 12,037 emails that begin “Dear [insert name] I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during this crazy time.” Then, pleasantries having been dispensed with, they add: “We have a new phone charger that would be great for you to write about on techradar.com, [name]!” In some ways, the Great Lockdown of 2020 was a gift, to those of us who remained healthy. I’d also get emails from work contacts I actually do know, asking if I was going to write something about those headphones they sent me three weeks ago. I would say, “Sorry, it’s been a crazy time,” and they would just say, “Yes,…

SET PRIORITIES TO PICK THE RIGHT TV, CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS While the mid-range TV segment typically gives you the best value for your investment, it’s also the most complicated area for TV buyers to negotiate. Mid-range models can’t give you everything like high-end TVs can, so they have to pick and choose their strengths. With this in mind, try and figure out as accurately as possible what you most need from your TV before you even start your search. Think, for instance, about how bright your room typically is when you watch TV. If it’s bright, a good LCD model may suit you best. If it’s dark or you regularly turn off the lights to watch a film, a budget OLED may suit you best. If you have wide seating…

FLOWKEY Flowkey is an app for computers and iOS/ Android devices. It’s fully interactive, gives you live feedback, allows you to slow down/speed up sections for practice and is endorsed by teachers and pianists. Free (with in-app purchases), flowkey.com LUMI Roli will soon be helping budding pianists practise their craft with the release of Lumi, a keyboard with light-up keys and partnered app that teach you technique and new songs. $tbc, playlumi.com SKOOVE Skoove enables you to play along to songs and lessons on your phone, tablet or desktop. Its built-in AI listens to your playing and shapes your learning. From US$9.99 a month, skoove.com…

1 PHILIPS OLED754 Solid from top to toe, including its basically bezel-free 4K HDR panel, its P5 processor and its superb audio package, the OLED754 is Philips’ entry-level OLED but you’d be forgiven for being fooled otherwise. $tbc, philips.com 2 FIRE TV STICK 4K Now that Amazon and Google have made up and are playing nice, the YouTube-capable Fire TV Stick 4K has cemented itself as the premier plug-and-play media streamer. It’s app-rich, handles 4K like it’s nothing, and is fully compatible with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. $69, amazon.com.au 3 BENQ HT3550 Massively contrasty and highly detailed, with a powerful 4K HDR engine backing it up, BenQ’s projector is what all projectors should be. It’s best in low light, but it’s fully capable wherever you choose to put it –…

From $3,995 (65”) samsung.com The Q950TS is Samsung’s latest attempt to sell you something you didn’t know you wanted. 8K is still struggling to find its place in the world – the idea of 33 million pixels of detail (compared to the suddenly minuscule 8 million pixels of 4K) certainly sounds tempting, but there isn’t a stack of 8K content available to watch, and it won’t suddenly appear. But Samsung sees a world that isn’t so reliant on content being the exact right format for your screen – it’s aiming to make its 8K TVs the best 4K TVs you can buy. AI upscaling technology is intended to make Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and anything else you watch look appreciably better – more detailed, and more lifelike – than…

From $1,599 apple.com/au After its resurrection a few years ago, the MacBook Air has reclaimed its throne as Apple’s cheapest laptop, but this new version drives home that price isn’t everything anyway. It’s also simply one of the most useable laptops you can buy, and nails the core stuff that makes a laptop a comfortable, reliable companion. It starts from $1,599, which is the model we’re testing. That’s a price drop compared to previous versions, but nothing has been cut for that – in fact there have been various upgrades. The base model includes 256GB of storage instead of the 128GB that the last Air came with. Meanwhile, the next model up, which costs $1,999, gives you a quad-core processor instead of dual-core, and doubles the storage to 512GB. Both…

If you’re looking for the very best tech available today, you’ve 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 extensively tested the best tech the world has to offer, to bring you rock-solid recommendations for your home life, daily commute and the tech you use all the time. In different categories, we’ve chosen the top four products, so you can choose one that’s just the right mix of features and budget for what you need. These rankings come from real testing by our team of experts – they’re the products we’d choose for ourselves, and we can’t recommend any higher than that. Look for the links above each category that take you to the…