AI companion apps have a very dark side (Consumer advice)
AI Companion apps are the new lawless data-harvesting apps. They can have a hugely distressing dark side for emotionally dependent people.
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AI chatbots spy on you (Consumer Advice)
AI Chatbots spy on you, collecting, analysing, and storing personal data, and many share that data with third parties. It is serious!
Smartphone buying patterns are changing – AI is not the driver!
Smartphone buying patterns are changing, and we are seeing significant shifts due to users holding onto their devices longer. There is also a definite digital…
Urgent Warning: Samsung soundbar firmware update can brick it (Consumer Advice)
The latest Samsung soundbar firmware update can brick the device. Take urgent action now to protect the soundbar until a fix is found.
Planes and power banks – FAA/TSA rules enforced (Urgent update off-grid)
Planes and power banks – the 100Wh rule is now strictly enforced following a slew of Lithium-ion power bank recalls and fires.
Best TVs for watching sports (AV guide 2025)
The best TVs for watching sports are not necessarily the best TVs for HDR movies and free-to-air/digital TV. What you need to know.
Google Pixel 4a – update firmware now (Recall)
The Google Pixel 4a Model G025N received an OS upgrade to Android 13 on 8 January 2025. Some phones have experienced battery overheating.
Telstra fined $626K for spamming customers – fines a way of life for this Telco
Telstra fined $626K. Why? For spamming its and Belong customers with unsolicited and unwelcome texts without an unsubscribe option
Surveillance – here’s looking at you, kid (safety)
Surveillance is everywhere: on the street, in a cafe, on a bus, train, car, and even inside the sanctity of your home. Chillng.
Dark Patterns – how AI bends our minds online
Dark Patterns use AI and social engineering to manipulate and bend your mind when online. It strongly influences you to act differently.
Call centre call times are worst in Australia – an average of 1.8 hours (Consumer Advice)
Call Centre call times to get customer service have blown out to an average of 1.8 hours with strong adverse health and brand consequences.
Kaspersky antivirus/malware software banned by the Australian Government
The Australian Government has finally banned Kaspersky software after years of the Federal Opposition calling for its removal.
Telstra screwed 9000 Belong NBN customers – it does not pay to Belong
Telstra screwed 9000 Belong NBN customers. Will it ever learn that the customer is king and lift its game at the expense of profits?
Crappy NBN Modem – here are a few better ones (2025 update network guide)
If you have poor NBN internet speeds it is likely the crappy NBN modem. Here are a few excellent alternatives for Mesh and routers.
TIO Complaints report Q4/2024 – the usual suspects let you down
The TIO Complaints Report Q4/2024 (Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman) it received 15,297 complaints. 75% from the main Telcos.
Apple iPhone 16e – an old/new ‘value’ smartphone
The Apple iPhone 16e combines the iPhone 14 design, a 6.1” OLED screen, a faster A18 processor, and one of the iPhone 16 camera sensors.
Do you need a VPN? (Virtual Private Network guide)
A VPN provides an extra level of protection against cyber criminals seeing what you type, see, and do on the internet.
Using Australian phones in America – very much hit and miss (smartphone)
Using Australian phones in America used to be easy. Get a local SIM at the airport. Not so much anymore, especially as 3G has ended.
Loyalty card wallet apps – convenient or thinly disguised data stealers (safety)
Loyalty card wallet apps have a dirty little secret. They market to you and can steal your data. Here are two safer ones.
Rooftop solar for strata (off-grid)
Rooftop solar for strata outlines the steps that Strata needs to take to install solar. There are several solar methods to choose from.
Rooftop Solar Part 3 – working as it should (off-grid)
Rooftop Solar Part 3 -- working as it should follows CyberShack's quest for the best but not cheapest solar system.
Android vital security information you need to know
Android vital security information you need to know concerns the impact of a raft of new Google Play security features, which aim to make Android…
China’s DeepSeek is not for Aussies (Consumer Advice)
China’s DeepSeek AI app wiped trillions off the US Share Market by releasing a new way to do AI—faster, cheaper, better. Or is it spyware?
Vodafone expands Australian coverage – thanks to Optus (smartphone)
Vodafone expands Australian coverage thanks to an infrastructure and spectrum sharing deal with Optus Australia-wide.
