Life & Technology – 2GB 4th October, 2015

Google this week announced two new Nexus-branded smartphones, the Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P. For those who aren’t familiar with the moniker, Nexus devices are smartphones designed and built by Google in conjunction with another company. In the Nexus 5X’s case, its LG, in the Nexus 6P’s, its Huawei.

 

The handsets are used to show of the latest version of Android, as well as its new features. As such, they run what’s called “Pure Android,” a completely unmodified version of the Android operating system.

 

OS X El Capitan, the latest version of Apple's desktop operating system is now available as a free download for most Mac users. The download itself is about 6GB, and certain Macs dating back as far as 2007 are still able to run it. Click here to read about what's new.

 

In other Apple news, we had a chat to app developer Mike Boyd, the CEO of Contact Light, about the Apple TV – a new gadget he's really excited about. The new Apple TV will be the first Apple TV to let developers freely build their own apps for it, and is based on a similar framework to the iPhone and iPad. As such, it's going to be super easy for developers to move their apps across to TV.

 

You might remember that earlier this year we had a chat to Tas Tudor, Founder of an Australian start up called Strone. Strone is building a nifty gadget called the Strone Roam. Strone Roam is pitched as a global roaming killer; it’s a small cylinder that accepts a SIM card and then uses an app to relays calls and messages to any iOS or Android smartphone with a Wi-Fi or data connection.

 

This week Strone passed a major milestone and launched a crowdfunding campaign through Indiegogo. This essentially works like a pre-order – you put your money down now, and you’ll receive the device in February 2016 if all goes to plan.

 

Sonos this week announced two exciting new innovations: a revamped Play:5 that’s bigger, sleeker and louder, and a free software update called Trueplay that will make your existing speakers sound better. Both will be available in Australia before the end of the year. Click here to read more about the new Play:5, and here to read more about Trueplay.

 

 

We talked  a little more about Office 2016 this week. If you're looking at getting the software, here's the pricing information:  Office 365 subscribers will receive the new software as a free download, but you can also buy a perpetual boxed copy from our sponsors, Harvey Norman. These start at AUD$178 for the Home and Student edition.

 

Vodafone and TPG made a pretty big announcement this week. TPG will be moving all of its mobile customers to Vodafone’s network – you’ll still keep the same SIM card, but TPG won’t be reselling Optus anymore, it will be reselling Vodafone instead. Customers won't all be moved over at once, but in batches. New TPG mobile customers will be put onto Vodafone from the get go.

 

The two companies also announced that TPG will be laying the dark fibre that will build the back bone of Vodafone’s 5G network, but 5G is still a while away. Very exciting nonetheless!