provincialmedia.tech – Fresh Tech News

Summer 2024

Worthwhile TV

How much TV do you watch in a week? Our Tech Guy, Jon Mamonski explains how to get the most out of your TV entertainment.

In a world where technology evolves at a breakneck pace, TV’s have emerged as the central hub of our homes.

According to ACMA, (Australian Communications and Media Authority), we spend two and a half hours a day watching TV. That’s 18 hours a week and 78 hours a month. Your time is valuable so your TV experience should be as well. Don’t waste it on an average quality set.
Make your entertainment time visually and aurally brilliant.

LG is the innovation leader in television, producing their many awarded OLED models for more than a decade. Now they have unveiled the new OLED EVO TV G3 (Gallery Edition) series, which is the brightest OLED TV ever made.

The G3 series features a new panel technology called MLA (micro lens array) that uses tiny lenses to focus and boost light output towards the viewer, in turn delivering up to 70% brighter images than previous OLED TVs.
Having road tested this model, I can tell you that compared to my own OLED TV’s, the brightness and detail is breathtaking.

Picture this: A television that transports you into another dimension – an unmatched visual feast ensuring that every frame is a masterpiece and if you’re a gamer, its flawless with 4 HDMI ports that can handle 4K at 120 frames per second and take advantage of the latest graphics features available from PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S consoles.

LG has also stepped up and refined the webOS smart platform and a great tactile remote with a microphone that’s a joy to use and speak commands to. The G3 is intended to be mounted on your wall and will grace your room as a desirable piece of artwork or a stand is available if you need it.

This Gallery series is not cheap, nor does it look or sound cheap. Imagine your leisure time is the equivalent hourly rate of Australia’s minimum wage, around $25 an hour. Your 78 viewing hours a month is then worth $1,950.
That’s $23,400 a year.

Watching the finest quality LG G3 TV’s start at $3,695 for the 55-inch, $4,695 for the 65-inch and $6,995 for the
77-inch model. So, you can see that the opportunity cost for the best TV entertainment is compelling when you consider it should last you up to ten years’ service.

Last but not least, LG G3 TVs come with an extended 5-year screen warranty and superior customer support. That’s peace of mind and ensures that you enjoy your LG G3 TV for years to come without worrying about unexpected issues. Available from your favourite retailer now.

A cleaner, healthier home

Our Tech Guy, Jon Mamonski explores the benefits of the Kobold VK7 and how it can transform your cleaning routine.

The German made and Red Dot Design awarded Kobold VK7 Vacuum and Mop Cleaner is a game-changer in the world of home cleaning. With its dual-action cleaning, smart technology, allergy-friendly features and time-saving capabilities, it’s an indispensable tool for homeowners who value efficiency and cleanliness.

The Kobold combines powerful yet quiet vacuum suction with a precision-engineered mop system, making it ideal for homes with both hard and carpeted floors. Say goodbye to the hassle of switching between vacuuming and mopping – the VK7 does it all in one pass.

For those with allergies or respiratory sensitivities, the Kobold VK7 is a breath of fresh air. Its HEPA filter traps 99.97% of allergens and airborne particles, providing cleaner and healthier indoor air quality. You can breathe easy, knowing that the VK7 is actively contributing to a cleaner and more allergy-friendly home environment.

In testing, I was surprised by its versatility and sheer suction power (adjustable) and battery time, cleaning our 12 squares of hardwood and carpet floors with ease. My wife Karen is a stick vacuum cleaner sceptic and a stickler for clean floors. She’s been delighted with the Kobold VK7 vac/mop and said, “you can print that”.

The handle can swivel 180 degrees to form a compact carry vac for furniture, cars and tight spots and there is a swag of add-on accessories for every surface. If you’re ready to revolutionise your cleaning routine and experience the benefits of a cleaner, healthier home, it’s time to consider the Kobold VK7. Say goodbye to the hassle of juggling multiple cleaning tools and hello to the future of home cleaning with the Kobold VK7 Vacuum and Mop Cleaner. It’s time to clean smarter, not harder. The Kobold VK7 vacuum with mop-cleaner is available now from $2,399 from Thermomix: www.thermomix.com.au.

Packing a punch

In the world of high-fidelity audio, few names command as much respect as U.K.’s PMC (Professional Monitor Company). Many of your favourite band recordings were mastered with PMS speakers. The Twenty5 Series 21i are for your home, no matter how little spare living space you have. Measuring a compact 375mm in height, 199mm in width, and 375mm in depth, these bookshelf speakers effortlessly blend into any room. The key to its precision is the trapezoid design and the Twenty5 series’ innovative ‘Laminair’ vent technology, which drastically reduces turbulence and port noise, resulting in a more transparent and open soundstage that defies these dimensions.

They match perfectly with the Lyngdorf BW-2 subwoofer. The 10-inch BW-2 is available in high-gloss black or matte white allowing for seamless integration in any contemporary interior. The minimalistic ‘form follows function’ design ensures that all resources are focused on the best possible sound reproduction.
The Lyngdorf BW-2 subwoofer is available now for $2,299 and the Twenty5 Series 21i speakers for $3,999 from www.addictedtoaudio.com.au/collections/pmc.

Ultra-light OLED notebook

Last year’s ASUS ZenBook S13 has had a complete redesign and a new engine becoming slimmer and even lighter. To give you an idea, it is thinner than most tablets. ASUS say this is the slimmest 13.3-inch OLED ultra-book in the world and the screen has a dazzling brightness and contrast – inside or out. The ZenBook S13 has an ErgoLift mechanism with the keyboard raised when lifting the lid. There’s 2x USB-C ports, a USB-A port (despite the slim case) and a full-size HDMI port. The 8-core chip is a blazingly fast Intel Core i7-1355U with up to 15 hours of battery life. From $2,189 at your favourite store.

LG shares learning

The LG CreateBoard levels up classroom learning with its interactive display available in 55- and 86-inch screen sizes, allowing students to follow along with the teacher easily, even in larger educational spaces such as university tutorial halls. Equipped with the Multi-touch feature, the CreateBoard can detect up to forty touch points at any given time, creating an accessible and easy-to-use interactive platform for students that lends itself to organic learning experiences in the classroom. Fostering student collaboration and engagement, the CreateBoard Share tool can display up to nine shared screens or files in real time via the CreateBoard Share app.

2023’s best Android smartwatches

When choosing an Android smartwatch, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences. Some factors to keep in mind are;
Design: Android smartwatches come in a variety of designs, from sporty to sleek and minimalist. Choose a watch that will fit your lifestyle and wrist size.
Features: Android smartwatches offer a wide range of features, from basic notifications and fitness tracking to more advanced features such as ECG monitoring and contactless payments.
Price: Android smartwatches range in price from the low $300’s to four figures. Yes, there are cheaper smartwatches but they don’t give you the power and range of the Android operating system. No matter what your needs and preferences are, there’s an Android smartwatch out there that’s perfect for you.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 (pictured above) is the best Android smartwatch overall, offering a sleek design, a powerful processor and a wide range of features. It has a bright and clear display, long battery life and comprehensive health and fitness tracking capabilities. The Galaxy Watch 6 classic also has a rotating bezel for easy navigation and it supports Samsung Pay for contactless payments. Base model $549.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is the second in-house smartwatch from Google, and it’s a great choice for Android users who want a simple and seamless experience. It has a sleek and minimalist design, and it’s powered by the latest Wear OS 4 platform. The Pixel Watch features a multi-path heart sensor and stress detection and deep integration with Google Fit and Fitbit, making it a great choice for fitness enthusiasts. $649.

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 is a great choice for you if a long battery life is critical. It has a dual-layer display system that allows users to switch between a power-efficient FSTN display and a high-resolution AMOLED display. The TicWatch Pro 5 also has a variety of health and fitness tracking features and it supports Google Pay for contactless payments. $439.

The Garmin Fenix 7 is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. It has a rugged and durable design and it’s packed with features such as GPS navigation, multisport tracking and advanced health metrics. The Fenix 7 also has a long battery life, making it ideal for long hikes and bike rides.
$799.

The Fitbit Sense 2 is owned by Google and is a great choice if you want a smartwatch with advanced health and fitness tracking capabilities. It has a variety of sensors that can track heart rate, blood oxygen levels, stress levels, and more. The Sense 2 also has a built-in GPS receiver and a variety of workout tracking features. $448.