TechLife June 2022

How about some good stuff that will make your digital and online life so much better? At time of writing, Australia is bracing for a very tough Federal election. No, don’t worry, I’m not going to get too political at you, but I will say that one of the key talking points in the lead-up to May 21 will be cost of living pressures. We’re all feeling it – so how about some good stuff that will make your digital and online life so much better, and not cost you anything? Well, this issue we have a double-helping of free apps! First up, we’ve a got list of free and quite superior software to replace some of the older standby programs many of us have been using for years. And on top of…

Ashampoo Music Studio 2022 Music software to cut, organise and burn songs and audiobooks. Ashampoo Music Studio 2022 is powerful versatile music software to edit, cut and burn audio files. Audio disc ripping happens quickly and missing track information is filled in automatically based on an online database. Files can be burned or converted into different audio formats. The integrated audio editor enables users to modify or remove individual passages and allows them to split up tracks, e.g. MP3s, into individual parts, or recombine them with in-place snapping. Ashampoo Music Studio 2022 makes reorganising music libraries incredibly easy. Metadata can be modified, songs normalised, and tracks renamed based on customisable naming schemes, turning disorganised collections into well-formatted libraries. Mix Tape helps users create song mixes with cross-fading or custom pauses. Furthermore, audio…

$4,499, www.asus.com We liked the 15.6-inch Zephyrus M15 that we reviewed a couple of years ago, which provided good gaming performance and an attractive slimline design at a competitive price. That model was succeeded by last year’s 16-inch Asus ROG Zephyrus M16, which has now received a rapid update with this new 2022 edition. The Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (2022) is a little larger than its predecessor, measuring 19.9mm thick and weighing 2kg, compared to 18.9mm and 1.9kg for the M15. That’s still a good weight for a powerful 16-inch laptop such as this, though, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble carrying it with you when you need to leave home. And when it comes to gaming performance, the Zephyrus M16 leaves its predecessor trailing in its wake. This 2022 model now…

Android antivirus apps caught spreading their own malware Google has removed a number of fake Android antivirus apps from the Play Store after it was discovered they were being used as a vehicle for malware distribution. According to Check Point Research, the company responsible for the discovery, at least half a dozen antivirus apps available on the official Android marketplace were being used to spread banking malware. The apps appear to be of Russian origin. Microsoft Edge just steamed past a major rival As the browser wars rage on, Microsoft Edge is one step closer to challenging Google Chrome as it has finally surpassed another major rival. According to data from the web analytics service StatCounter, Microsoft’s browser is now used on 9.65 percent of all desktops worldwide which still pales in comparison…

$249, Rode.com For decades Rode has been known around the globe for its quality microphones, and now with the release of its first ever pair of headphones, the Aussie company has taken its pursuit of quality to another category. The Rode NTH-100 is the brand’s first ever pair of headphones and are available now for $249. They’re aimed at audio professionals with their studio grade performance, but appeal to anyone seeking a top-quality listening experience. They’re cabled, closed-back headphones that don’t feature any of the modern conveniences associated with Bluetooth headphones, but their focus on sound, comfort and build quality easily makes up for this. Design The NTH-100 are cabled over-ear headphones, and from the outset you’ll notice they lack features found on many wireless counterparts. There’s no microphone, transport or volume controls, voice assistant,…

SPACE The ISS will plunge into the sea in 2031 The end of an era is coming. The orbiting laboratory, which launched in 1998, will splash-land 2,700km from land at Point Nemo, the final Pacific Ocean resting place for many dead satellites and space stations, such as Russia’s Mir. The new expiration date for the ISS is due to a Biden administration commitment to extend support for the space station’s operations through 2030, which NASA announced in late December. In January 2022 the space agency announced a new transition plan for low-Earth orbit science. In the lead-up to the decommissioning of the ISS, NASA has signed agreements with three private companies to launch commercial space stations for use by both private companies and government astronauts. These new commercial space stations will be launched…