D-Link A/NZ has launched a new high-capacity portable charger that should keep most people covered for days without hunting for a power point. The D-Link DPP-201 packs a 20,000mAh battery, dual USB-C ports, and one USB-A port into a compact form factor designed for the kinds of people who are always on the move.

The numbers speak well enough for themselves. That 20,000mAh capacity can fully charge an iPhone X up to five times over, or an iPad Mini up to three times. Wireless headphones and other USB-powered devices will last even longer. More impressively, the DPP-201 supports up to 65W USB Power Delivery via USB-C, which means it can charge a Nintendo Switch up to three times on a single charge — or even top up most modern laptops.

There’s a built-in digital LED display that shows remaining battery as a real-time percentage rather than vague indicator lights, which I appreciate — nothing worse than grabbing a power bank on the way out and having no idea how much charge is left. The device also supports QC 3.0 via USB-C and delivers up to 18W via USB-A, so you’re covered regardless of what cable you’re using. All three ports can run simultaneously, which is handy if you’re trying to keep a phone, tablet, and wireless earbuds going at the same time.

D-Link has also packed in a solid set of safety features, including overcurrent, overvoltage, overcharge, overtemperature, and short circuit protection. That kind of coverage matters when you’re regularly pushing 65W through a portable device.

If you’re after a reliable 20,000mAh power bank with fast-charging USB-C support and enough grunt to keep a laptop going, the D-Link DPP-201 is worth a look. It’s available now from dlink.com.au as well as all authorised D-Link resellers and partners, priced at AU$99.95 RRP.

Motor insurance premiums in Australia have risen more than 40% over the past six years, and with the Australian Automobile Association recording over 1,300 road deaths in 2025, the case for having a reliable dash cam in your car is hard to ignore. Thinkware is addressing that with the Australian launch of the TOY2KD, a dual-channel dash cam designed specifically for Toyota vehicles and officially certified as a Toyota Australia accessory.

The TOY2KD records simultaneously from the front and rear of the vehicle, pairing a 2K QHD front camera with a Full HD rear camera. Both cameras use a Sony STARVIS image sensor and Super Night Vision 2.0 for improved clarity in low-light conditions. Field of view coverage is 124 degrees at the front and 160 degrees at the rear, which should keep blind spots to a minimum on both ends.

Built-in GPS records real-time speed and location data while also providing alerts for speed cameras, red-light cameras, and mobile enforcement zones — a practical addition for Australian roads. When hardwired, the TOY2KD also offers parking surveillance, automatically recording footage when motion or impact is detected. Time Lapse, Energy Saving, and Smart Parking modes give drivers flexibility in how the unit operates when the vehicle is stationary.

Connectivity is handled through built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with support for the Thinkware Dash Cam Link app on both iOS and Android for footage review and settings management. A PC and Mac viewer is also available for more detailed playback and driving data.

The TOY2KD is available exclusively through Toyota dealerships across Australia, where professional installation can be arranged at the time of purchase. Each package includes the front camera, rear camera, hardwiring kit, and a 64GB microSD card.

And it’s a great phone to be used as a daily driver.

Unboxing and Packaging Contents

How’s The Design and Build Quality of OPPO Reno15 F 5G?

The Reno15 F 5G has a clean, straightforward design that doesn’t try too hard. The Dynamic Stellar Ring around the rear camera module catches light nicely and refracts it into a subtle, eye-catching shimmer. It’s not flashy or distracting — just a tasteful design touch that makes the phone look a little more premium than its price suggests.

At 158.18mm tall and 74.93mm wide, the phone sits at a comfortable size for day-to-day use. The 6.57-inch screen is large enough for content consumption, like scrolling through social media or watching movies, yet the phone doesn’t feel unwieldy in the hand. The edges have a good grip to them — noticeably less slippery than an iPhone, which makes a real difference when you’re using it one-handed. That said, it’s still a big phone, so two-handed operation will be necessary at times.

The Aurora Blue variant features OPPO’s Glow texture with precision-etched patterns that shift colour as light moves across the surface, while the Twilight Black and Afterglow Pink editions come with a Velvet Glass-feel panel — soft to the touch but scratch and smudge resistant. Build quality feels solid throughout, which is reassuring at this price point.

The box includes a transparent protective case, and honestly, it’s good enough that you wouldn’t need to replace it unless you’re after something more personalised22. It adds a noticeably better grip to the phone and provides adequate protection for everyday knocks and bumps.

Display

The 6.57-inch AMOLED panel delivers vibrant, natural-looking colours. It doesn’t over-saturate like some competing displays, which means photos and videos look closer to how they’re meant to look. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate keeps scrolling and animations smooth — you’ll notice the difference compared to a standard 60Hz phone almost immediately.

Peak brightness hits 1,400 nits in High Brightness Mode, and for most indoor and outdoor situations, the screen is perfectly readable. Under direct, harsh sunlight on a bright summer day, though, you may find yourself squinting a little. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you spend a lot of time outside or on beaches. The 92.8% screen-to-body ratio and FHD+ resolution at 397 PPI round out a strong display package for this price bracket.

Performance

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and there’s no noticeable lag during general use. The 120Hz display helps here too, making everything feel more responsive than it might otherwise be.

For gaming, casual and mid-tier games run well, and OPPO’s AI HyperBoost 2.0 does a decent job of keeping performance consistent while managing heat during longer sessions. However, if you’re planning to play graphically demanding AAA titles at high settings, you’ll likely need to dial things back. This is a mid-range phone, and expectations should be set accordingly. It handles most games well enough, but don’t expect flagship-level graphics performance.

The phone also comes with an AI Gaming Antenna System and AI Super Wi-Fi Booster, which are designed to maintain stable connectivity during online gaming — useful features if you play in areas with congested networks. It’s a bit had to test this so I’ll just have to take OPPO’s words for it.

Camera System

Photography is clearly one of the focuses for the Reno15 F 5G, and the results are pretty decent for a mid-range device. The main 50MP rear camera with OIS handles most shooting situations well — daylight shots are sharp and well-exposed, and the f/1.8 aperture helps in lower light conditions.

Night photography impressed more than expected. On a recent trip to Shanghai, the camera produced usable, social-media-ready shots in low light — something you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a phone at this price. Night mode does a solid job of pulling out detail without making photos look overly processed.

The macro camera is where things get a little inconsistent. Getting a sharp, well-composed macro shot requires patience — juggling the right distance, focus, and lighting is tricky, and the 2MP sensor doesn’t help. If macro photography is important to you, it might be worth considering the Pro variant of the Reno lineup.

The 50MP front camera with a 100-degree field of view is a standout feature, particularly if group selfies are your thing. The wide angle brings everyone into the frame without needing to stretch your arm, and the AI Portrait features do a good job of balancing exposure and lighting across faces.

AI features are woven throughout the camera system — AI Flash Photography, AI Portrait Glow, AI Motion Photo Slow-Mo, and AI Motion Photo Eraser are all on board. Some are more useful than others, but the post-processing AI that enhances photos after the shot is taken is worth highlighting and definitely worth having. You’ll notice a brief processing delay after capturing an image, which is the AI working in the background. The results are generally an improvement over the unprocessed shot.

The AI Eraser works flawlessly removing other people in my shot, here’s an example:

AI Features Beyond the Camera

OPPO has loaded the Reno15 F 5G with AI features across the board, and not all of them are gimmicks. AI Translate and AI Call Translator offer real-time translation of text, signs, menus, and even live phone calls. For travellers or anyone who regularly deals with language barriers, these are legitimately useful additions. The translation performance will depend on your network, but in practice it works well enough to be relied upon.

Sample Photos taken by OPPO Reno15 F 5G

Battery Life and Charging

The 6,500mAh battery is the Reno15 F 5G’s biggest selling point, and it more than delivers. With moderate use, the phone comfortably lasts a full day and then some. With lighter use, it can stretch to multiple days without needing a charge — which is very rare at any price point.

When you do need to top it up, the 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge takes the phone from 1% to 100% in around 60 minutes, and around 30 minutes to get up to 50%. That’s fast enough that a short charge while getting ready in the morning can add several hours of use. The charger is surprisingly included in the box, which is worth noting given how many brands have dropped this.

Other Features Worth Noting

The IP69 rating is a welcome addition at this price — the phone can handle dust, splashes, and full submersion. NFC is supported, as is eSIM. Bluetooth 5.1 includes LDAC and aptX HD for higher-quality wireless audio. The USB-C port handles both charging and audio, though note that only digital headphones are supported — no analogue headphone jack here. Storage is a healthy 256GB UFS 3.1 with support for expandable storage via microSD.

ColorOS 16.0 runs on top of Android and is clean and functional, also sleek. The in-display optical fingerprint sensor is fast and offers convenience in unlocking your phone (or when doing any secure transactions).

OPPO Reno15 F 5G Review Conclusion

The OPPO Reno15 F 5G is a well-rounded mid-range phone that does most things well and a few things particularly impressively. The battery life is exceptional, the charging speed is fast, and the camera system — especially for night shooting and selfies — performs above its weight class. Performance is smooth for everyday use and casual gaming.

The design is clean and pleasant to hold, the included case is a plus, and the display is bright and smooth without being over-the-top. The macro camera and direct sunlight visibility are the only real weak points worth flagging. For anyone looking for a reliable, feature-rich 5G phone that won’t need charging every night, the Reno15 F 5G is an excellent phone to be grabbed. It retails for A$679 and currently on sale for A$599.

Disclosure: OPPO Reno15 F 5G review unit was supplied for reviewing

Generous Free VPN Tier of 10GB Data per Month

The first thing that stands out about PrivadoVPN is the amazingly useful free tier. You get 10GB of data per month, which sounds modest but is actually quite generous for a free VPN. For context, that’s enough to browse normally with the VPN toggled on and off as needed, or to thoroughly evaluate the service before committing to Premium.

Most people don’t need a VPN running 24/7, so 10GB covers casual use pretty well. It’s definitely more than the token 500MB or 1GB offerings from other providers that barely let you test anything meaningful.

What’s the Server Coverage like in PrivadoVPN?

PrivadoVPN offers servers in 67 cities worldwide, which provides decent coverage across major regions. Even if your specific country isn’t listed, there’s usually a nearby option that works well enough.

I tested PrivadoVPN from three different locations: Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, and China. To my surprise, there’s actually a Jakarta server, which gave me the best connection speeds when I was in Indonesia. For Australia, multiple server options were available like Sydney. China was more complicated – as expected, there’s no mainland China server, but Hong Kong and Taiwan servers are accessible.

Real-World Performance Testing

I ran speed tests on my 300/300Mbps connection in Indonesia. Connected to the Jakarta server, I managed 126Mbps download and 44Mbps upload (using the Automatic selection of VPN Protocol). That’s a noticeable speed hit, but still perfectly usable for everyday browsing, streaming, and downloads. In Australia, I got 166/41Mbps connected to the Sydney server, and 182/33Mbps in Singapore, connected to the Singapore server.

Things get interesting if I’m switching to the WireGuard VPN Protocol though. I managed to get 290/126Mbps at some point so it’s worth using WireGuard for maximum speed unless you have issues with it. It’s worth researching on the different VPN Protocols that PrivadoVPN offers (IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN) to see the differences and probably select it manually, than having to rely on PrivadoVPN’s Automatic selection.

The ping jumped from 300-400ms (on all protocols), which makes online gaming a non-starter when the VPN is active. For regular activities though, there’s a slight delay on initial page loads that you may notice at first but quickly stop thinking about. Your brain adjusts and it becomes background in case you want to enable PrivadoVPN continuously to protect your online activities.

Multi-Device Testing Across Platforms

I tested PrivadoVPN on my iPhone 17 Pro, GIGABYTE gaming laptop, and desktop PC using the iOS app, Windows application, and browser extension. All three interfaces are straightforward with easy-to-understand toggles and settings. No hunting through nested menus to find basic functions.

However, there are some odd inconsistencies. The mobile app shows more server locations than the browser extension. You can work around this by installing the full Windows application, but it’s strange that the server lists don’t match across platforms.

Windows Application:

Browser Extension:

The China Test

Testing VPNs in China is always interesting because of the Great Firewall. Here’s where things got weird: the browser extension managed to connect successfully on my laptop using my hotel’s Wi-Fi in Shanghai, but the Windows application failed completely. The iOS app also couldn’t establish a connection, even after trying different protocols and settings.

This cat-and-mouse game between VPNs and China’s censorship apparatus is ongoing, so your experience may vary and it’s not exactly PrivadoVPN’s fault. If you’re travelling to China, I’d recommend getting an eSIM with built-in VPN as a backup – which I did in Agoda and it worked flawlessly. For everyone not dealing with Chinese internet restrictions, PrivadoVPN should work without issues.

Streaming and Regional Content

Switching between countries for region-specific Netflix content works smoothly. The process is quick and I had no problems accessing different regional libraries.

Disney+ is a different story. It detected the VPN immediately and blocked access entirely. This seems to be Disney’s aggressive VPN detection rather than a PrivadoVPN-specific issue, but it’s worth knowing if Disney+ is your primary streaming service.

Security Features Beyond VPN

The bundled security features set PrivadoVPN apart from basic VPN services. You get antivirus protection with real-time scanning, threat protection that blocks malicious sites, App Tracking protection, and customisable parental controls.

I tested the parental controls by blocking social media platforms. Instagram and Facebook were completely inaccessible on my phone, so the blocking works as advertised. You can set this up at the router level to apply protection across your entire household, which is handy for families.

The ad blocker is included but don’t expect miracles. PrivadoVPN claims it blocks most YouTube ads, but I still saw ads appearing regularly. It might catch some ads, but you won’t notice dramatically fewer interruptions. Don’t choose PrivadoVPN primarily for ad blocking – use the free tier to test it yourself and set realistic expectations.

Privacy and Encryption

PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland, which means it operates under strong consumer privacy laws and sits outside surveillance agreements like the 14 Eyes Alliance. The company maintains a strict no-log policy, meaning they don’t track or record your online activity.

All connections use AES-256 encryption, and you can choose between multiple protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard depending on whether you prioritize security or speed. The VPN Kill Switch monitors your connection and blocks internet traffic if the VPN drops unexpectedly, preventing accidental data leaks.

For users wanting extra privacy, the SmartRoute feature routes traffic through two VPN locations instead of one, separating your entry and exit points. This adds another layer of separation between your device and your visible internet activity.

SOCKS5 Proxy for Speed

PrivadoVPN includes SOCKS5 proxy support, which is useful for specific applications where you want speed over full encryption. A SOCKS5 proxy masks your IP address without the encryption overhead of a full VPN connection, making it faster for tasks like file transfers where you still want anonymity but need maximum speed.

You can set applications to automatically route through the proxy while keeping your main connection on the VPN, giving you flexibility to balance speed and security based on what you’re doing.

Premium Plan Benefits

The Premium plan removes the 10GB monthly data cap and provides unlimited simultaneous connections across up to 10 devices. That’s double what most VPN services offer and means you can protect your entire household with a single subscription.

You also get access to the full security suite including the antivirus engine, advanced threat protection, and comprehensive parental controls. The Premium plan includes access to all server locations and priority support.

PrivadoVPN Review Conclusion

PrivadoVPN delivers a solid VPN service bundled with useful privacy and security features. The combination of VPN access, antivirus protection, threat blocking, and parental controls makes it a compelling all-in-one privacy and security solution. The generous 10GB free tier lets you properly evaluate the service before paying, and the Premium plan’s 10-device limit is more flexible than most competitors.

Performance is really good across most locations I tested especially with WireGuard protocol, with reasonable ping hits and reliable connections outside of restrictive environments like China. The security features work as advertised – parental controls effectively block what you tell them to, and the antivirus provides active protection. Plus the extra privacies across the devices are awesome. There is also a Kill Switch which will stop all internet traffic if you lose connection to the PrivadoVPN servers.

Some features don’t quite deliver on their promises. The ad blocker is hit-and-miss, particularly for YouTube ads. Disney+ streaming is blocked. Server lists vary between platforms. These aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re worth knowing about and your experience may vary depending on where you are, or what you are using. Best is to try out their free VPN account to test.

For users wanting both VPN privacy and comprehensive security tools in one package, PrivadoVPN offers strong value. The free tier is very useful rather than just a teaser, and the Premium plan provides solid protection across all your devices.

Disclosure: PrivadoVPN review licence was supplied for reviewing

Midea has just launched its Easy-Lift Dishwasher in Australia with a bottom tray that lifts up to 25cm at the touch of a button, supporting loads of up to 18kg. It’s a practical solution for anyone who’s ever strained their back loading dinner plates or struggled to reach down into a dishwasher cavity.

The Easy-Lift functionality addresses a real need across Australian households. With four million Australians living with some form of back pain and nearly seven in ten preferring to age in place at home, the ability to bring a fully loaded dishwasher tray up to waist height removes a daily source of discomfort. For busy parents juggling kids and groceries, or anyone with chronic mobility issues, it’s the kind of feature that makes a tangible difference to daily kitchen routines.

Beyond the lift mechanism, Midea has packed in solid environmental credentials with a 5.5-star water rating and 4.5-star energy rating. The Dual Zone Wash feature lets you run just the upper or lower basket independently, which cuts down water and energy use when you’re dealing with smaller loads. There’s also an Auto Wash sensor that detects how dirty your dishes are and adjusts the cycle accordingly, so you’re not wasting resources on an unnecessarily intense wash.

Space has been maximised through Midea’s Spacemaster Design, which adds up to 46mm of additional internal height compared to conventional 60cm dishwashers. That translates to roughly 9% more capacity, giving you room for taller wine glasses, serving platters, and oversized cookware without the usual Tetris-style rearranging.

The hygiene features are comprehensive. Ion Dishfresh technology releases negatively charged ions to eliminate up to 99.8% of pollutants, creating an antibacterial environment inside the machine. Meanwhile, the HygieneCare+, IntensiveCare+, and MachineCare+ programs tackle 99.8% of viruses including COVID, HSV-1, Norovirus, and Rhinovirus. These features reduce reliance on harsh chemical detergents while maintaining thorough sanitation.

Once the wash cycle finishes, ActiveOpen Dry automatically opens the dishwasher door to release steam and allow cool air to circulate. It’s an energy-efficient approach to drying that works well in practice, particularly for plastic containers that typically retain moisture.

The Midea Easy-Lift Dishwasher is available now at Bing Lee stores across Australia with a recommended retail price of A$1,269. For households looking at long-term kitchen upgrades—particularly those with accessibility requirements or sustainability priorities—this model offers a thoughtful combination of practical features and modern dishwasher technology.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred delivers an epic conclusion to the battle between good and evil that’s been building since the base game launched. This expansion brings a satisfying end to the narrative threads left dangling from Vessel of Hatred, and does so with some of the best storytelling Blizzard has crafted for the series. Combined with two excellent new classes, meaningful endgame improvements, and deeper customisation systems, Lord of Hatred is everything a Diablo expansion (and Diablo itself) should be.

How good is Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Campaign?

The Lord of Hatred’s story focuses on the grander scale of battles happening across all Sanctuary, particularly involving the Amazonians on the sacred isles of Skovos. The pacing here is excellent, moving between intimate character moments and massive conflicts that feel appropriately epic for what’s meant to be the conclusion of this chapter.

It’s cool to see how dark the expansion gets compared to both the original Diablo IV and Vessel of Hatred. Betrayals, sacrifices, suffering, fear, deception, and hope are all mixed together in a narrative that doesn’t pull its punches. The cinematics are absolutely brilliant, matching the grandeur of the story beats perfectly. Double thumbs up to the writing team here because they’ve knocked it out of the park here.

To experience the expansion properly, I played through the entire Diablo IV campaign from the beginning, including Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred, using one of the new classes (Paladin). It’s a significant time investment, but it pays off in understanding the full scope of what’s at stake. And I’m glad I did this.

Is the Paladin Class any good?

I chose the Paladin for my playthrough, and having your character devoted to defending Sanctuary and upholding justice feels incredibly fitting for the narrative. As someone channelling Holy Light against the forces of Hell, you’re positioned perfectly within the story’s themes of hope fighting against corruption.

The Paladin class offers four distinct build paths: Arbiter, Zealot, Judicator, and Juggernaut. I went down the Arbiter route, which focuses on triggering the Arbiter of Justice form as often as possible to deal passive strikes moving around the battlefield. Combined with Aura skills and Runes that summon multiple wolves, enemies melt quickly as my Blessed Hammer handles the primary crowd damage.

The beauty of Diablo IV is that you can respec as often as you want without penalties. This means you can experiment with different builds that suit your playstyle or adapt to whatever unique, mythic, or set equipment you’ve found in your loot hauls. Finding that perfect piece of gear that suddenly makes a different build viable is part of what makes Diablo so compelling.

Diablo IV: Warlock Class

The other new class, the Warlock, weaponises Hell itself through forbidden knowledge and iron will. Unlike necromancers who raise the dead, Warlocks bend demons and hellish powers to their command through four distinct disciplines: Legion, Vanguard, Mastermind, and Ritualist.

The Legion build unleashes swarms of demons to overwhelm enemies. Vanguard transforms you into a hulking monstrosity leading from the front. Mastermind controls the battlefield through manipulation and fear. Ritualist weaves devastating rituals and hexes for catastrophic payoffs. The variety between these approaches gives the Warlock incredible build diversity, making it a class worth experimenting with across multiple characters.

Beyond the two new classes, all existing Diablo IV classes have received major skill tree reworks. These changes introduce new skill variants and focus on making more meaningful choices rather than just picking passive stat boosts. The reworks push you towards decisions that change how your skills function rather than just making numbers go up. It’s a welcome change that makes characters feel more distinct even when playing the same class as someone else. Combined with the level cap increase, there’s plenty of new room for character progression and experimentation. You may want to respec your build now or perhaps, try out one of the new classes for the expansion.

Loot and Customisation Reach New Depths

The core loop of Diablo has always been about chasing better loot, and Lord of Hatred expands on this significantly with all new types of runes, tokens, etc. As you increase difficulty levels, you’ll have better chances at higher quality gear drops. Finding that random piece of equipment that somehow perfectly complements your build remains as exciting as ever.

The expansion introduces new systems to tinker with your gear beyond just finding drops. Masterworking allows you to further temper and modify your current equipment to reach that sweet spot of stats. Between sockets, affixes, and the new Talisman system, there are more ways than ever to fine-tune your build.

Talismans add magical runes that slot into another loadout menu, offering set bonuses without requiring you to wear matching armour pieces. This decouples build optimisation from specific gear sets, giving you more freedom in how you construct your character.

The Horadric Cube also makes its return for series veterans. This magical device does everything from turning common items into uniques to adding extra stat boosts to your masterworked gear. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take full advantage of it until you’ve finished the campaign, which feels like a missed opportunity for players who want to experiment with it earlier.

How good is Diablo IV Endgame now? Endgame Activities Get Serious Improvements

Blizzard has made great updates to address concerns and complaints about endgame activities from the base game and Vessel of Hatred. There are tons of things to do now, especially if you’re chasing dream gear and pushing your build to its limits.

The new War Plans system acts as a curated playlist of activities that directs you from one challenge to the next, all offering worthwhile rewards. The best part is how easy it is to jump between activities without hunting for dungeon keys or manually travelling to events. You can teleport to your next activity in seconds and keep the momentum going. As you progress through War Plans, you’ll unlock branching paths and modified versions of events that target specific rewards. Each endgame activity also has its own perk tree that lets you modify how events work and customise your loot drops.

Echoing Hatred serves as the expansion’s horde mode, throwing waves of enemies at you until you’re eventually overwhelmed. It starts at the lowest world tier difficulty and climbs as you push through waves, eventually reaching absurd challenge levels. It’s a great way to test your build’s capabilities and see which world tier you’re actually ready for.

The new Loot Filter deserves special mention for making gear management significantly less tedious. You can create rules to automatically filter loot down to specific items with specific affixes, removing the need to manually sift through mountains of unwanted drops. It’s a quality of life improvement that makes the endgame grind far more enjoyable.

In between slaying demon lords and witnessing apocalyptic horrors, you can now pull out a fishing rod and just relax. The fishing minigame is hilariously out of place in Diablo’s dark fantasy setting, but it’s a fun diversion that adds a bit of variety. You’ll fish in each region to complete your collection, though there’s not much reason to continue after that. Still, it’s amusing that Blizzard bothered to add this at all. I honestly can’t be bothered with this so after getting a couple of fishes, I never even remembered this stuff exists.

The new region of Skovos offers a Mediterranean-style island setting that plays an important role in Diablo lore as the birthplace of humanity. The region features the series’ trademark horrors – destroyed areas covered in fleshy corruption and an alarming ratio of humans to monsters – but also includes beautiful, not-yet-destroyed areas that reflect Skovos being spared the worst of mainland Sanctuary’s suffering. The diversity across the region is impressive, ranging from foggy, atmospheric shorelines to volcanic hellscapes. Each zone gives you new reasons to keep exploring and hunting for loot. The new Strongholds to conquer are particularly well-designed and worth seeking out. This is definitely my most favourite region and part of the game.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Review Conclusion

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is an epic conclusion to Sanctuary’s darkest chapter, delivering excellent storytelling, two fantastic new classes, and meaningful improvements to endgame systems. The campaign’s pacing and scale feel appropriately grand for what’s meant to be the finale of this narrative arc, and the darker tone reinforces the stakes involved.

The Paladin and Warlock both offer diverse build options that feel distinct from existing classes, and the skill tree reworks breathe new life into characters you might have already maxed out. The expanded customisation through Talismans, Masterworking, and the Horadric Cube gives you more ways to optimise your build than ever before.

Most importantly, the endgame improvements address previous complaints head-on. There are simply tons of activities to engage with now, all accessible through streamlined systems that reduce friction and keep you in the action. The Loot Filter alone makes gear management infinitely more tolerable.

For Diablo IV players looking for a reason to dive back into Sanctuary, Lord of Hatred delivers in every area that matters. The combination of satisfying story conclusion, excellent new classes, and substantially improved endgame makes this expansion essential.

Disclosure: Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred review licence was supplied by Blizzard for reviewing

XGIMI has officially launched the HORIZON 20 in Australia, bringing what the company calls its most advanced all-in-one home projector to the local market. Priced at $3,999 AUD including GST, the HORIZON 20 combines RGB triple laser technology with cinema certifications and gaming-focused features that should appeal to both movie enthusiasts and competitive gamers.

The projector’s core technology centres around XGIMI’s X-Master RGB Triple Laser system, which differs from single-laser models by using three separate lasers for colour reproduction. This approach aims to deliver more accurate colours without the image degradation that can occur with colour wheel systems. The HORIZON 20 pushes out 3200 ISO lumens and supports 4K Ultra HD resolution, making it suitable for rooms that aren’t completely blacked out.

On the cinema side, XGIMI has secured several important certifications including IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Filmmaker Mode. These ensure that content displays with the colour grading and creative intent that directors and cinematographers originally envisioned. The built-in Harman Kardon speakers handle audio duties without requiring an external sound system, though serious home theatre setups will likely still want a dedicated soundbar or surround system.

Installation flexibility comes through the lens shift feature, which offers vertical adjustment up to 120 percent and horizontal adjustment up to 45 percent. This means you can position the projector off-centre or at awkward angles and still get a properly aligned image without the trapezoidal distortion that typically ruins cheaper projectors. The automatic setup takes care of focus and screen alignment, removing the tedious manual adjustments that usually come with projector ownership.

Where the HORIZON 20 really pushes beyond traditional home cinema projectors is in gaming performance. The unit supports a 240Hz refresh rate and delivers 1ms input lag, which puts it in competitive gaming territory. Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode are both included, matching the features you’d expect from a gaming-focused display. The projector can throw an image up to 300 inches, creating a gaming experience that simply isn’t possible with even the largest TVs.

Google TV comes pre-installed, giving direct access to streaming apps without needing an external device. This keeps cable management simpler and means one less remote to juggle during movie night.

XGIMI Australia has positioned the HORIZON 20 as a no-compromise solution that eliminates the need for separate components or complex installation. Whether that holds true will depend on individual setup requirements and expectations, but the spec sheet certainly covers most bases that home cinema and gaming users would prioritise.

The XGIMI HORIZON 20 is available now through select Harvey Norman stores, XGIMI’s flagship locations in Sydney and Melbourne, and directly from xgimi.com.au for A$3,999 AUD including GST.

REDMAGIC has officially launched the 11S Pro Series in China, marking the gaming hardware manufacturer’s eighth anniversary with what appears to be one of the most comprehensive upgrades the company has delivered in recent years. The new flagship lineup pushes forward on multiple fronts, from overclocked performance and active cooling to cross-platform gaming capabilities and AI-powered features. While you are here, make sure to check my review on REDMAGIC 9 Pro to see how the active cooling works.

This new series is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version, REDMAGIC’s proprietary RedCore R4 gaming chip, and Energy CUBE 3.0. The combination handles high-performance mobile gaming, AAA titles, desktop projection, and everyday flagship tasks within a single device. Supporting all this power is an advanced dual-cooling architecture and an upgraded BOE X10 AMOLED full-screen display.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Leading Version sits at the heart of the 11S Pro Series, achieving clock speeds up to 4.74GHz. This high-performance variant of Qualcomm’s flagship platform is tuned specifically for intensive workloads like advanced graphics rendering, super-resolution enhancement, and frame interpolation, which translates to stable performance during high-frame-rate gameplay in demanding scenarios.

REDMAGIC doesn’t just rely on raw processing power though. The proprietary RedCore R4 gaming chip manages essential gaming functions including touch optimisation, frame enhancement, rendering acceleration, and AI-assisted features. This works alongside the upgraded Energy CUBE 3.0, which intelligently coordinates performance scheduling, thermal management, and power efficiency to maintain smooth responsiveness during extended gaming sessions.

Energy CUBE 3.0 brings AI-based frame rate sensing and refined system tuning into the mix, allowing for dynamic resource allocation based on specific gaming demands. The result is a more balanced approach between performance, power consumption, and battery endurance that should deliver consistency even under sustained heavy use.

On the visual front, the 11S Pro Series supports super-resolution rendering and frame interpolation for over 200 popular titles, resulting in sharper visuals, smoother motion, and more responsive gameplay in graphically intense environments.

Managing all that flagship hardware requires serious thermal management, which is where the upgraded AquaCore Cooling System comes in. This advanced system integrates the TurboFan, a through-channel airflow design, the 4D Vapor Chamber architecture, and Composite Liquid Metal 3.0 technology.

The TurboFan achieves high-efficiency heat dissipation by operating at up to 24,000 RPM while staying relatively quiet (below 30dB) and offering IPX8 water resistance for daily durability. For the REDMAGIC 11S Pro, thermal management gets further enhancement through the AquaCore Cooling System, which adopts AI server-inspired liquid cooling concepts and combines liquid cooling, active airflow, liquid metal, and VC thermal systems into a multi-layer hybrid architecture.

This structure facilitates extremely rapid heat transfer from core sources, ensuring stable, sustained performance during demanding gaming sessions. The entire cooling system prioritises maintaining consistent performance during prolonged use rather than merely achieving brief peak bursts, which is a philosophy I can definitely get behind after years of testing gaming phones that throttle after 20 minutes.

The REDMAGIC 11S Pro Series retains the brand’s signature transparent, esports-inspired design. Despite housing substantial batteries and complex cooling systems, the device features a fully flat rear profile, ensuring an ergonomic and seamless grip free of hardware protrusions.

The aesthetic is expressed through distinct colourways. The REDMAGIC 11S Pro+ is offered in “Nightfreeze (Black Transparent)” and “Subzero (Silver Transparent),” highlighting visible internal components and the dynamic cooling architecture, including a pulsating water-cooling system. The REDMAGIC 11S Pro is available in “Matte Black” and “Matte Silver,” utilising matte-gloss contrast finishes, metallic accents, and precision surface treatments to solidify its gaming identity.

Across both models, the transparent mechanical design transforms internal engineering—such as cooling structures and RGB zones—into visible features. Customisable RGB lighting on the shoulder triggers, central logo, side frame, and cooling fan areas further enhances the esports atmosphere and visual recognition.

The display is a 6.85-inch BOE X10 AMOLED panel, achieving a 95.3% screen-to-body ratio with ultra-narrow 1.25mm bezels. Its true full-screen design—devoid of any punch-hole or notch—ensures a maximally immersive experience for gaming and media consumption. The screen supports 1.5K (2688 × 1216 pixel) resolution and a 144Hz high refresh rate for smooth visuals and responsive gameplay.

This true full-screen immersion is made possible by REDMAGIC’s advanced Under-Display Camera (UDC) technology. By integrating a 16MP UDC, an upgraded display driving chip, and a high-transparency circuit architecture, these refinements minimise visual interference in the camera area, resulting in a more uniform and seamless screen.

The REDMAGIC 11S Pro is powered by an 8,000mAh dual-cell battery—the largest capacity in REDMAGIC’s history—supported by 80W fast charging. This substantial capacity enables extended gameplay for demanding scenarios such as screen casting while providing enhanced stability for sustained high-performance output.

The REDMAGIC 11S Pro+ features a 7,500mAh dual-cell battery, prioritising rapid energy recovery with 120W fast charging and up to 80W wireless charging support. This combination offers both speed and flexibility for intensive daily use.

For precision control, the series incorporates a Synaptics touch solution with the MagicTouch 4.0 algorithm. This delivers an instantaneous touch sampling rate of up to 3,000Hz and a multi-finger rate of 360Hz, ensuring ultra-fast response, superior accuracy, and stable handling, including support for wet-hand touch. These features, alongside independent IC shoulder triggers with up to 520Hz touch sampling, significantly reduce input latency and refine control precision in competitive FPS and MOBA genres.

Beyond gaming inputs, the device offers a premium user experience with dual 1115E + 1015 speaker units, a triple-microphone array, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, all certified by DTS:X Ultra for immersive audio. Tactile response is provided by an X-axis linear motor and a 4D vibration feedback system. Connectivity is robust, featuring Wi-Fi 7, NFC, infrared remote control, and a full-function USB Type-C interface, cementing its position as a comprehensive flagship device.

Running on REDMAGIC OS 11.5, the 11S Pro Series features the Mora AI Assistant to enhance both the gaming and daily user experience. During gameplay, Mora AI provides tools such as AI Tactical Coaching and interactive assistance to aid strategic decision-making and streamline in-game social communication, minimising distractions and allowing players to concentrate on the action.

The device’s projection capabilities are also upgraded for cross-platform use, supporting output formats of up to 1080P at high refresh rates and 4K at 144Hz. When casting to external displays, the system automatically adjusts the aspect ratio to remove black borders, ensuring a true full-screen immersive experience on larger displays.

The REDMAGIC 11S Pro Series has been adopted as the official device for multiple professional esports tournaments due to its reliable frame stability, thermal management, and responsive controls. It’s the device of choice for major FPS competitions in China like the CrossFire Mobile League, Arena Breakout Masters, and the Call of Duty: Mobile Masters. Its competitive reach extends to MOBA and racing titles in China, including the Wild Rift League and the Speed League (S League). This extensive adoption confirms the REDMAGIC 11S Pro Series as a trusted, competitive-grade device in professional gaming environments.

Pricing and Availability

The REDMAGIC 11S Pro Series officially launches in China on 18 May 2026, with prices starting from 5,499 RMB. The lineup will be offered in multiple storage configurations and colour options:

• REDMAGIC 11S Pro in Matte Black or Matte White with 12GB+256GB configuration retails for 5,499 RMB.
• REDMAGIC 11S Pro+ in Nightfreeze (Black Transparent) or Subzero (Silver Transparent) starts at 6,199 RMB for the 12GB+256GB model, 6,999 RMB for 16GB+512GB, and 7,999 RMB for the 16GB+1TB configuration.

Global availability details for the REDMAGIC 11S Pro Series will be announced on 27 May 2026 via redmagic.gg, so international buyers won’t have to wait too long for pricing and release information in their respective markets.

Ring has announced the next generation of its outdoor security cameras for the Australian market, introducing the Ring Spotlight Camera (2nd Gen) and Ring Floodlight Camera (2nd Gen). Both models now feature 2K video resolution as standard, marking the completion of Ring’s transition to higher-resolution video across its entire outdoor camera range.

And yes, we all love higher resolution recording so this is great news.

The Spotlight Camera (2nd Gen) captures video in 2K resolution, delivering sharper detail when recording faces and movement around your property. It comes equipped with a 550-lumen spotlight that boosts nighttime visibility and acts as a deterrent for unwanted visitors. The camera features a dual-chamber battery design and works with the Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack (sold separately), giving Australian homeowners more options for managing power without needing to hardwire the unit.

For larger outdoor spaces like driveways, backyards and garages, the Floodlight Camera (2nd Gen) combines the same Retinal 2K video quality with significantly brighter 2000-lumen floodlight illumination. The jump from 1080p to Retinal 2K means clearer footage across the camera’s entire field of view, regardless of whether you’re reviewing daytime or nighttime recordings.

The dual-chamber battery setup in the Spotlight Camera allows for more flexible power management, particularly useful in Australian homes where hardwiring isn’t always practical. Compatibility with the Quick Release Ultra Battery Pack means you can swap batteries quickly without dismounting the entire camera, which is a practical improvement for maintaining continuous coverage.

Both cameras represent Ring’s push to make 2K video resolution accessible at lower price points. Previously, higher-resolution options sat at the premium end of Ring’s lineup, but these second-generation models bring improved video clarity to more budget-conscious buyers without sacrificing essential features like motion detection and two-way audio.

The Ring Spotlight Camera (2nd Gen) is available for pre-order now on Amazon.com.au and Ring.com for A$279, with shipping starting from 11 June 2026. The Ring Floodlight Camera (2nd Gen) is also available for pre-order at A$329 and will begin shipping on 4 June 2026.

RAZER BLACKSHARK V3 PRO REVIEW – PACKAGING CONTENTS AND UNBOXING

RAZER BLACKSHARK V3 PRO REVIEW – DESIGN AND FEATURES

The BlackShark V3 Pro feels premium from the moment you pick it up. The build quality is exceptional, with a reinforced construction that feels like it can handle the rigours of daily use. The leatherette headband and swivel holders are built to withstand knocks and bumps during intense gaming sessions, and the headset doesn’t feel flimsy.

The earcups feature adaptive 15-degree swivel joints that conform to the angle of your ears, creating a snug fit that enhances both comfort and sound isolation. The dual-layered FlowKnit memory foam cushions combine the sound isolation benefits of leatherette with breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. This design choice makes a real difference during extended gaming sessions, keeping your ears comfortable without overheating.

At 367 grams, the headset sits comfortably on your head without feeling too heavy. The detachable microphone transforms the BlackShark V3 Pro from a gaming headset into something you can comfortably wear outside for commuting or general listening. This versatility means you don’t need separate headsets for different occasions.

The control layout on the BlackShark V3 Pro is well thought out too. A sleek volume dial that I really like sits on the left earcup, adding a premium feel to the headset. This dial is configurable through Razer Synapse or the Razer Audio app, allowing you to adjust game-chat balance, mic monitoring, or footstep boost on the fly.

Both earcups have controls within easy reach. The SmartSwitch button lets you cycle through EQ presets with a single press, or switch between 2.4 GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and simultaneous audio mode with a double-tap. The ANC button cycles between Active Noise Cancellation On, Ambient Mode, and ANC Off. The power button doubles as a media control, handling play/pause and track skipping.

Everything is positioned well within reach and becomes second nature after a few gaming sessions.

The BlackShark V3 Pro uses Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 technology, delivering audio in as fast as 10ms. This ultra-low latency performance is crucial for competitive gaming where split-second decisions matter and Razer delivers. During my testing in Overwatch Competitive matches, audio cues arrived instantly with no perceptible delay. Professional players will definitely benefit here as we try to cut any latencies (no matter how small) from all of our wireless gaming peripherals.

The headset can connect via 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth simultaneously. For example, you can take a phone call on your mobile device without disconnecting from your game. The headset intelligently manages both audio streams, and you can adjust the volume for each source independently. An LED indicator on the left earcup shows your current mode: green for 2.4 GHz wireless, blue for Bluetooth, and white for simultaneous audio (though I guess you can’t probably see it while wearing the headset). Beyond wireless connectivity, the headset also supports USB as a wired connection.

Battery life is outstanding at 70 hours on a full charge. In real-world use, I’ve been gaming regularly without worrying about battery levels. A full charge takes approximately four hours, but the quick charge feature gives you six hours of playtime from just 15 minutes of charging. This means even if you forget to charge overnight, a quick top-up during lunch gets you through an evening gaming session.

The hybrid Active Noise Cancellation on the BlackShark V3 Pro is pretty impressive though you shouldn’t compare this to Bose’s headphones or alike. You can adjust ANC through four different intensity levels via Razer Synapse or the Razer Audio app, fine-tuning the noise cancellation to your environment.

During testing, I was surprised by how effective the ANC is. There was heavy rain outside one gaming session, and I didn’t realise until I removed the headset – I couldn’t hear it at all through the ANC. For competitive players attending LAN tournaments or gaming in noisy environments, this feature is invaluable for sure.

However, the headset’s passive noise isolation is already excellent thanks to the snug fit and memory foam cushions. For home gaming in a relatively quiet room, the passive isolation alone is definitely more than adequate.

What I particularly appreciate is the Ambient Mode. As a gamer dad, my only free time to play is when the kids are asleep, and I need to hear if our one-year-old cries during the night. Ambient Mode lets me stay focused on my matches in Overwatch but remain aware of my surroundings. This feature alone makes the BlackShark V3 Pro essential for parents who game, and those who still want to be aware of their surroundings while gaming (like Mum calling you for dinner).

The Razer TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm Gen-2 drivers deliver excellent audio quality for gaming. These upgraded drivers feature several improvements: a new driver plug that reduces harmonic distortion by 50%, an ultra-thin bio-cellulose diaphragm for clearer frequency distinction, and a 75% increase in magnet size for deeper bass precision and improved sound pressure levels.

In practice, the audio positioning is top-notch. Playing Overwatch Competitive, I could identify incoming threats before seeing them on screen. This awareness led to early ping warnings that saved my team from flanking attacks multiple times. Every audio cue – footsteps, enemy ultimate callouts, teammate death notifications – came through with perfect clarity and precise positioning.

In Diablo IV, the soundstage impressed me with its detail. Background groans and ambient sounds were clearly audible as my Paladin cut through demons. The audio never became muddy or overwhelming despite the chaos on screen.

The THX Spatial Audio provides 7.1.4 surround sound with precise overhead audio, powered by the latest spatial algorithms. This creates an expanded soundstage that enhances competitive awareness. However, for games with built-in Dolby Atmos support like Overwatch, you might prefer switching to stereo mode and using the game’s native spatial audio instead.

The headset includes several EQ presets tuned for different activities: Game, Movie, Music, and Esports. The Esports profiles are precision-tuned with input from Razer’s roster of professional players, emphasising footstep audio and directional cues in popular competitive shooters. You can create custom EQs and save up to nine profiles directly on the headset.

The configurable roller adds another layer of customisation. Set it to adjust footstep audio levels on the fly, balance game and chat audio independently, or monitor your mic levels. This flexibility lets you optimise audio settings without diving into software menus mid-match.

For music listening and movie watching, the audio quality is good but doesn’t provide extra immersion compared to other flagship headsets. The BlackShark V3 Pro is clearly designed with gaming as the priority, and that’s perfectly fine. It excels at what it’s built for.

The Razer Audio app gives you full control over the headset from your phone. You can personalise EQ profiles, remap controls, and adjust settings without needing to boot up Razer Synapse on your PC. This convenience is particularly useful for making quick adjustments between gaming sessions. But for most people, Razer Synapse is good enough as it provides complete access to THX Spatial Audio 7.1.4 and other advanced settings. The software interface is straightforward and doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary options.

Everything about the BlackShark V3 Pro is designed for competitive play. The 10ms ultra-low latency ensures audio arrives instantly during clutch moments. The hybrid ANC blocks out tournament noise and distractions. The comfortable, secure fit maintains sound isolation during extended sessions. The precise audio positioning gives you a competitive advantage by hearing enemy movements before they appear on screen.

Professional esports players need equipment that performs flawlessly under pressure, and the BlackShark V3 Pro should deliver exactly that. The combination of advanced features and rock-solid reliability makes it easy to understand why this is the headset trusted by pros.

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Review Conclusion

The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is an exceptional gaming headset that justifies its esports credentials through outstanding performance and thoughtful design. The 10ms ultra-low latency wireless technology, precise audio positioning, and effective ANC create a competitive advantage that matters in serious play. The 70-hour battery life and simultaneous dual-connectivity add practical versatility that extends beyond pure gaming.

The detachable microphone transforms this from a gaming-only headset into something you can comfortably wear for commuting or general use, offering better value than buying separate headsets for different purposes. The Ambient Mode is particularly valuable for gamers who need to maintain awareness of their surroundings, making this an excellent choice for parents.

Audio quality is exceptional for gaming, with precise positioning and clear sound separation that helps you identify threats and opportunities instantly. For competitive players looking for every possible edge, the BlackShark V3 Pro definitely delivers. The premium build quality, comfortable design, and extensive customisation options make this one of the best gaming headsets available today.

Casual gamers may want to look for other alternatives from Razer though like the regular V3 or V3 HyperSpeed, because the BlackShark V3 Pro itself retails for A$449.95 and you may not need all the Pro have to offer like the ANC. It’s available at Razer’s website, retailers around Australia, and Amazon.

Disclosure: Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review unit was supplied for reviewing

HP has announced the Australian launch of its latest commercial and consumer PC lineup, now powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. The new portfolio spans multiple product lines including OmniBook, OmniStudio, EliteBook and the newly rebranded HyperX gaming range, bringing built-in AI capabilities designed to handle everyday productivity, content creation and multitasking with less friction.

While you’re here, make sure to also check my review on the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14.

The announcement comes as workplace dynamics continue shifting across hybrid environments, with HP positioning these devices as tools that adapt to how people actually work rather than forcing users into rigid setups.

The entire portfolio runs on Intel’s latest processor architecture, which includes dedicated AI acceleration built directly into the chip. This allows devices to run AI tasks locally rather than relying on cloud processing, resulting in faster response times and improved privacy. The architecture also delivers better power efficiency, translating to longer battery life across the range so users can work through a full day without hunting for power outlets.

OmniStudio X 27 and OmniBook Ultra 14 for Creators

Leading the consumer side, the OmniStudio X 27 All-in-One features a 27-inch QHD display with strong colour accuracy and optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics. It’s designed to handle creative projects, entertainment streaming and everyday tasks without compromising on visual quality or performance. The all-in-one form factor suits users who want a clean desk setup with minimal cable management.

For those needing portability, the OmniBook Ultra 14 packs similar performance into a compact design. It combines Intel’s AI-powered processing with a 3K OLED display, collaboration tools and all-day battery life with fast charging support. The laptop weighs in as an ultra-portable option for professionals and creators who move between locations frequently, whether that’s home offices, client meetings or coffee shops.

EliteBook X G2i Flip for Hybrid Work

The HP EliteBook X G2i Flip targets professionals requiring flexibility across different work scenarios. Its convertible design switches between laptop and tablet modes, while the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor delivers performance for demanding applications. HP has included AI collaboration tools to improve video calls and online meetings, addressing one of the most common pain points in remote and hybrid work setups.

The EliteBook X G2i also emphasises security features, which matters for professionals handling sensitive information across various networks and locations. Long battery life means fewer interruptions during back-to-back meetings or long work sessions away from the office.

ZBook X G2i Mobile Workstation for Demanding Tasks

HP’s ZBook X G2i Mobile Workstation joins the lineup as a Copilot+ PC aimed at creators and professionals working with resource-intensive applications. With Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and optional NVIDIA RTX PRO Blackwell graphics, it handles 3D design, video editing and AI tasks that would typically bog down standard laptops.

The workstation includes fast local AI processing, Wi-Fi 7 support and extended battery life, packed into a portable chassis built with recycled materials. It’s positioned for users who need desktop-class performance but can’t be tied to a stationary setup, such as video editors working on location or architects meeting clients on-site.

HyperX Brand Integration Across Gaming Portfolio

Following updates announced at CES 2026, HP has unified its OMEN and HyperX brands under the HyperX master brand. This consolidation brings together OMEN’s high-performance gaming systems with HyperX’s peripheral and audio expertise, creating a more cohesive ecosystem across desktops, displays and accessories.

The rebranding reflects HP’s push towards delivering connected experiences where gaming hardware, monitors and peripherals work together seamlessly. For users invested in the ecosystem, this means fewer compatibility concerns and more consistent performance across their setup.

Australian Availability and Pricing

The OmniStudio X 27 is available now on HP.com from late May, priced at $2,899. The OmniBook Ultra 14 retails for $4,499, while the EliteBook X G2i starts at $4,500, both available now through HP’s website. The ZBook X G2i Mobile Workstation launches later in May with pricing starting at $6,500.

More information about HP’s new product range and detailed specifications can be found on HP.com, where the company has published full factsheets for each model in the lineup.

Narwal is bringing its 2026 flagship robot vacuum and mop to Australia, and the Flow 2 represents a substantial shift from its predecessor. Set to launch between late June and early July, this latest model combines an entirely new industrial design with advanced battery management technology and what Narwal calls its CleanFlow philosophy. While you’re here, make sure to check my review on the Narwal Freo Z Ultra that was nothing short than amazing.

The original Narwal Flow established strong cleaning performance benchmarks, but the Flow 2 takes a different approach to how a premium home robot should present itself. The unit now features a glass front panel, Rational Arc Design, a Status Light Bar and an Easy-Lift Tank Design. For Australian homes where appliance aesthetics matter as much as function, this redesign addresses both fronts equally.

Battery technology gets a serious upgrade through NavoPower AI Battery Care. The system packs a 7000mAh capacity with 99Wh high-output energy, and the AI-optimised charging adapts to usage patterns to help maintain battery health over time. Full Lifecycle Battery Health Monitoring, Proactive Risk Alerts and Wide-Temperature Stable Charging (functioning between 0°C and 40°C) are all built in, with the battery rated for over 800 cycles. In practical terms, this covers approximately 250 square metres per charge.

The 60°C Hot Water FlowWash Mopping System is where things get interesting from a cleaning perspective. Hot water sanitises surfaces on contact, working alongside 12N downward pressure and a 26.6cm wide track mop that Narwal claims delivers seven times the cleaning efficiency of traditional round-mop designs. The system includes AI-Adaptive Hot-Water Mop Washing up to 100°C, 60°C hot-air drying, and a built-in real-time scraper to keep the mop pad clean between cycles without manual intervention.

Suction power reaches 31,000Pa through the Turbo Force system, paired with an upgraded CarpetFocus feature for handling both hard floors and carpet fibres. This represents a significant performance increase over previous models and sits at the higher end of current industry standards.

Freo Mind 4.0 powers the Flow 2’s navigation and cleaning intelligence. TwinAI Dodge Obstacle Avoidance 2.0 can identify and navigate around over 200 real-world objects, while the VLM OmniVision Model provides broader contextual awareness. The system uses TrueColor 3D Mapping (replacing the 2D mapping from the previous generation) to create more efficient cleaning routes and allow for quick spot cleaning through intuitive controls.

Narwal has also introduced specialised cleaning modes tailored to different household needs. Pet Mode, Baby Care Mode and AI FloorTag adjust suction levels, behaviour patterns and navigation based on specific requirements, with automatic floor surface detection built in. These are completely new additions to the Flow lineup.

The unit includes a disposable dust bag system with auto-drying to prevent bacteria and odour build-up, and voice control works through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri for hands-free operation.

With over $460 million in annual sales and 4 million households using Narwal products worldwide, the company has built a solid foundation in the robotic cleaning space. The Flow 2 represents their most ambitious Australian release to date.

The Narwal Flow 2 Complete, which includes the robot vacuum and an accessory bundle package, launches in Australia on 25th June with a retail price of A$2,999. It will be available through the official Narwal website. A pre-launch phase runs from 18th May to 24th May, followed by pre-orders from 25th May through 25th June.