The successor to the OnePlus 8 series is expected to launch in the coming weeks. While an official confirmation is yet to happen, some code digging might just have uncovered what the OnePlus 8T will look like.
OnePlus follows a bi-annual refresh cycle for its flagships. With the OnePlus 8 series having launched in April, their successors shouldn’t be too far now. Some minor leaks have given us a rough idea of what to expect, but details are still sparse. Taking a deeper dive into the code of the OnePlus 8’s Developer Preview 4 build shows references to the OnePlus 8T as well as possible images of what the upcoming phone could look like.
OnePlus today made the next version of the Developer Preview available for the OnePlus 8 series. With beta testers getting an early look at what Oxygen OS based on Android 11 could look like, one went a step ahead to see what else was cooking. Some of the new features include a new gaming toolbox for quick access to recent apps, Fnatic mode, screen recording and other minor settings. A couple of new shooting modes were also spotted, such as 8K video recording as well as a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio.
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(Image credit: via Fonearena)
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(Image credit: via Fonearena)
Digging deeper into the settings.apk file revealed more. Under the res→drawable-xxhdpi folder, which has information that will be shown on the About Phone page, an image of a new phone was spotted — the OnePlus 8T. If this isn’t a generic placeholder, then the upcoming flagship will have a flat display with slimmer bezels and a slightly smaller punch-hole for the selfie camera.
Some other features that are currently in testing include support for RCS messaging, being able to hide silent notifications and a new accent colour for the status bar. These should become available when Android 11 rolls out.
There were earlier rumours that there will be no OnePlus 8T Pro this season; just the regular OnePlus 8T with improved internals and a new version of Android out-of-the-box. Expected upgrades include the Snapdragon 865 Plus, a higher resolution 64MP primary camera, 120Hz refresh rate and support for 65W fast charging. It remains to be seen how many of these pan out to be true. The official unveiling is likely to happen in October.
Poco X3 will be unveiled globally on September 7. The launch date was confirmed by Poco Global Twitter handle right after the announcement of the new Snapdragon 732G mid-range chipset.
The Poco X3 Global launch is set for September 7 at 8PM(GMT+8). The launch event will be streamed on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and also MIUI community. The Poco X3 will be the successor to the Poco X2 which was launched in India back in February. The device will be called “Poco X3 NFC” and of course, it will pack in NFC.
Qualcomm confirmed that the 732G will debut on an upcoming smartphone from Poco. The name of the smartphone wasn’t disclosed, but it is expected to be on the Poco X3 which was recently leaked. Since Poco India’s spokesperson spoke at the announcement, we could be hopeful for the device to launch in India later.
Poco X3 specs
The Poco X3 is confirmed to come with a high refresh rate display and a 64MP camera. However, before things could go official, a fan site ruined Poco’s party by leaking the specs of the upcoming Poco X3.
According to the leaked specifications, the Poco X3 will have a 6.67-inch LCD panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 240Hz. It is said to come with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded within the power button.
It also appears to have a redesigned camera module. It is said to be a 64MP quad-camera array on the back and a 20MP selfie shooter on the front. The battery will be rated at 5,160mAH battery and will support 33W fast charging. On the inside, the device is expected to pack in the new Snapdragon 732G SoC which promises 15% faster GPU performance with slightly overclocked CPU compared to the Snapdragon 730G.
Social media giant Facebook has come out against proposed Australian media laws, issuing a statement today via its newsroom threatening to remove all instances of news appearing on its social media platforms in Australia if the country passes the recently drafted legislation.
Google has recently taken a similar stance against the draft law, targeting Australian internet users with warnings about claimed 'dangers' to Google services if the legislation is passed. Those alerts have appeared on the main Google search homepage, as well as across YouTube. The company also published a dedicated blog post on the matter.
Following Google's lead, Facebook has now made its own case, saying that the new regulation “misunderstands the dynamics of the internet” and that “assuming the draft code becomes law, [it] will reluctantly stop allowing publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram”.
Facebook’s threat here is a fairly large deal for Australian citizens and potentially has wider reaching implications for the world, particularly in a climate where social media platforms are trying to portray themselves as a balanced source of current affairs.
A large part of the argument from both Facebook and Google is that they claim the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – the consumer watchdog behind the proposed code – has misunderstood the relationship that news media has with social media, particularly that the former is helped by the latter, rather than the other way around.
This means that both tech companies are against the notion of needing to arbitrate the balance of the financial benefits received by both news media and social media.
Other changes proposed in the draft would include forcing both Google and Facebook to provide details about changes in their algorithms to news publishers, a point which both tech titans claim will provide unfair advantages to certain news outlets and therefore upset the country’s balance within the media landscape.
In both Google and Facebook’s posts, the companies do concede that they support the notion behind the draft law – to help support struggling news outlets – but the tech giants are unhappy with how the drafted code proposes to do so.
ProMagix HD360A workstation -$31,900 direct (roughly £23,000/AU$43,500)
This monstrous Epyc-based workstation from Velocity Micro is capable of rivalling Apple's top-end Mac Pro in all departments, at a much lower price point. View Deal
The Apple Mac Pro got heads turning for a number of different reasons; it sports a design like no other, it's immensely powerful and even came with its own set of super expensive wheels.
At $51,399, it has 28 cores (courtesy of an Intel Xeon W-3275M CPU) and can accommodate up to 1.5TB DDR4 ECC memory, two Radeon Pro Vega II Duo (that’s four GPU and 128GB HBM2 memory) and an 8TB SSD.
However, there are machines out there capable of reaching the same heights at a much lower price point. So we asked Velocity Micro, one of the many niche workstation vendors on the market, to come up with an AMD Epyc-based workstation to match Apple’s finest.
The first issue we stumbled upon was the fact that the Radeon Pro Vega II Duo seems to be a Mac Pro exclusive. Then there’s the fact that Velocity Micro systems have a much longer lead time (four weeks) compared to Apple’s (as little as five business days).
But other than that, the ProMagix HD360A obliterates Apple’s top dog. Although it can go up to 128 cores, we configured our SKU with 32 (EPYC 7282), paired it with 1.5TB DDR4 ECC RAM and a pair of Geforce TITAN RTX (each with 24GB of memory).
Add in a Sabrent Rocket Q PCIe SSD, a pair of 10Gbps Ethernet network adaptors, a 850W EVGA PSU, a Supermicro H11DSi - all securely hosted in a VM flagship chassis - and you have a very capable machine that costs under $31,900. That's almost $20,000 less than the most expensive version of the Apple Mac Pro.
Bear in mind, though, that the cheapest Mac Pro SKU can be had for “only” $5,999.
The Nokia 5.3 is now available for purchase in India. The smartphone was launched recently in India alongside the three other phones by HMD Global.
The Nokia 5.3 is the company’s latest mid-range that will take on Realme 6i, Redmi Note 9, and the recently launched Moto G9. The device is now available on Amazon. It comes in two configurations 4GB of RAM with 64GB of internal storage and 6GB of RAM with 64GB internal storage. It is priced at Rs 13,999 Rs 15,499 respectively.
The Nokia 5.3 comes with a 6.55-inch HD+ display with 20:9 aspect ratio and TÜV Rheinland’s low blue light certification to protect your eyes. On the inside, the device is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 665 CPU and is Adreno 610 GPU. It is paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. You also get micro SD card support up to 512GB.
On the camera front, the Nokia 5.3 comes with a rear-mounted quad-camera setup and the primary sensor is a 13MP shooter, a 5MP ultra-wide snapper offering a 118-degrees field of view, a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies, the Nokia 5.3 comes with an 8MP shooter.
Powering the devices is a 4,000mAh battery with 10W charging speeds via USB Type-C port. On the software front, the device runs on Android 10 and is also part of the Android One program. So, at least a couple of years of Android update is guaranteed along with regular security updates.
Other features of the device include a rear fingerprint scanner, dual nano-SIM, 4G VoLTE, Google Assistant Button, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/AGPS, 3.5 mm headphone jack, and FM radio.
The Samsung Galaxy M51 will be unveiled in India next week. The Amazon teaser has confirmed the launch date of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy mid-range device.
The Samsung Galaxy M51 will be unveiled in India on September 10. The launch will be an online-only event and will start at 12 noon on September 10. This is one of the most anticipated Samsung mid-range devices. The device was recently unveiled in Germany which in turn revealed all the specification and features of the handset.
It comes with a glossy back and is available in two colour options Black and White. The Samsung Galaxy M51 packs in a 6.67-inch display. It is a Super AMOLED screen with Infinity-O panel which means there is a centred punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. It is most likely a Full HD+ screen with 2,340 by 1,080 pixels. Further, the device is said to come with 8.5mm thickness and weight of around 213 grams.
Although the German site didn’t confirm the chipset, the Amazon teaser has confirmed the Qualcomm chipset on the Galaxy M51. It could be Snapdragon 730/730G chipset, going by the previous leaks. In Germany, the Galaxy M51 is available in one configuration, 6GB of RAM with 128GB of internal memory and a microSD card slot for additional storage. However, in addition to this variant, in India, we can expect the device to come with 8GB RAM. There is also the Samsung Knox security feature that's built-in to the handset.
The Galaxy M51 comes with a quad-camera set-up with a 64MP primary camera with f/1.8 aperture. The primary camera is followed by a 12MP wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture, a 5MP depth sensor and a 5MP macro lens. For selfies, the phone is said to feature a 32MP shooter. The camera specs are pretty much similar to the Galaxy M31s here.
The Galaxy M51 features a massive 7,000mAh battery. This is a jump for M series standard 6,000mAh capacity. On the charging front, the device comes with support for 25W fast charging technology via Type-C interface.
In Germany, the device is available for pre-order at € 360 which is around Rs 31,400. The Samsung Galaxy M51 will be available on Amazon, just like the other M series devices. The teaser for the same is already live on Amazon.in.
Sony's imaging department is seemingly keeping very busy, if the latest reports are to be believed.
According to Sony Alpha Rumors – a reliable source for Sony camera news – the company has a brand-new range of full-frame mirrorless cameras in the pipeline, with the first in the new series potentially being announced in September.
The rumors site claims it has reliable information from two sources who have "confirmed" the imminent arrival of a "C" series of "super compact" E mount full-framers, starting with a model dubbed "A7C".
As per the report, the A7C will have a body similar to Sony's compact APS-C mirrorless line – specifically the A6600 – but with the 24.2MP full-frame sensor of the A7 III under the hood, similar performance to the third-generation A7 camera, and will inherit the fully articulating rear LCD of the A7S III. It's also rumored to come with a pop-up electronic viewfinder found on some of Sony's compact Cyber-shot RX100 cameras.
Expensive mish-mash
Other leaked specifications for the rumored Sony A7C include a single SD card slot, USB-C in-camera battery charging, onboard Wi-Fi, and in-built mic and headphone jacks.
Sony is reportedly cashing in on the vlogging market with the new line-up, potentially providing its fans with alternatives to its recently launched ZV-1.
Unlike the ZV-1, which is an affordable camera at $749 (£699 / AU$1,299), Sony Alpha Rumors claims the A7C – supposedly an entry level model – will debut with a price tag of over $2,000 (possibly more than £1,500 / AU$2,700 in UK and Australia).
The report also claims a new line of compact lenses designated the "V" series is also being produced. Whether these are exclusively for the C series cameras is as yet unclear, but with an expected mid-September announcement, we'll find out soon enough.
The CDN provider Fastly has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Signal Sciences for $775m in cash and stock.
By acquiring the security monitoring and management company, Fastly will be able to bolster its existing security offerings to bring customers a unified edge security solution. At the same time though, the CDN provider will also combine its current solutions with Signal Sciences' technology to form its new security offering, Secure@Edge.
Secure@Edge will be a new modern, unified web application and API protection solution that will protect organizations that are looking to start or further their digital transformation efforts.
By combining content delivery and security, Fastly will ensure that businesses' websites don't go down and that browsers will be able to quickly download and deliver their content. Online companies often choose Fastly or even its competitor Cloudflare for this reason.
Signal Sciences acquisition
The Signal Sciences acquisition also supports Fastly's mission to provide simplified, secure and frictionless solutions at scale while providing organizations with a better alternative to the existing array of fragmented solutions needed to protect their web applications and APIs.
Co-founder and CEO of Signal Sciences, Andrew Peterson praised the deal in a press release, saying:
“Our mission has always been to secure web applications and APIs through a developer-first approach. Together with Fastly, we will be able to offer enhanced protection to a broader set of customers across multiple verticals and geographies. We are thrilled to be joining forces with Fastly, an ideal partner who shares our values, deep technical knowledge, and commitment to extending the DevOps movement into the realm of security.”
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Fastly will acquire Signal Sciences for $200m in cash and approximately $575m worth of Class A Common Stock. The CDN provider will also establish a retention pool of $50m worth of restricted stock units which will be given to Signal Sciences employees.
The acquisition is still subject to regulatory approval but both companies expect it to close in 2020.
Much was made during the Republican Convention of the lack of a party platform. The media characterized this as a capitulation to the Cult of Trump phenomenon, but the questioned begged was: so what? If you’re running as a candidate to disrupt the status quo…. But beneath the media framing, an important question emerges. What exactly is the platform we need to emerge from the toxic situation we find ourselves in?
For months, if not years, the technology industry has been working on a new platform to succeed the previous one. Mobile would seem to be that fundamental shift from the desktop world of Windows and PCs. The twin dominance of powerful phones by Google and Apple has created a new language of notifications and streaming video perfectly timed for the devastating pandemic. Our devices are now the front lines for managing the struggle to stay alive for our loved ones, the economy, and our future.
Zoom is of course the poster child for all that it enables, and certainly what it doesn’t. The notion of work from home is more likely a question of what is home and what’s the difference with work? The routines of life are congealing around the interactions with phone, watch, iPad, laptop, and TV. When I wake up, the first dive is for the notification stream built up overnight from overseas and then the East Coast. The rhythm varies from day to day: intense on Monday as the weekend cobwebs dissipate, more issue oriented through the middle of the week, and finally a thank-god-it’s Friday feel. Email, text messages, media updates, and work calendar reminders.
And then there’s the outline of the new platform — live streaming notifications from what some call citizen media, or the influencer network, or the loyal opposition. That last one refers to the decline in trust of the mainstream media. Maybe it’s just me, but the cable model of host-driven cyclical repetition of the headlines, talking heads, and medical ads adds up to a trip first to the mute button and eventually the off switch. Which plugs me right back into the notification stream and a new contract with us based on whether we click on the link or even allow the notification in the first place.
And these new voices are networks of one or a few, broadcasting on a global reach pastiche of cloud services that begin with the ubiquity of Zoom and its click and you’re there ease of on boarding. Then there are the key networks of record as it were: Facebook Live, Twitter/Periscope, YouTube, and maybe LinkedIn if you’re Brent Leary and got an early invite. There’s a whole bunch of streaming accelerators like Restream and StreamYard and Just Streams (I made that up) to use software and a dash of hardware to do what it took many thousands of dollars and cables just a few years ago. Right now it’s early days, but soon you’ll be seeing something that looks like the media it’s replacing as the OG buys in.
Don’t believe me? Just look at how streaming has disrupted the television industry. Or the music business. Or the reemergence of podcasting and newsletters. Or how messaging is growing rapidly as a preferred digital commerce and marketing channel. The pandemic has certainly had a devastating effect with the loss of theaters, events, and travel that drive so much of our economy and the emotional underpinning of our lives. But as we learn to respect the power of the virus to force this digital wave of transformation, we fuel the winners that emerge from a new hybrid blend of evolution and adaptation.
Technology has often been seen as impersonal and cold to the touch. But now we should be making friends with robots for touchless shopping, At the beginning of this Gillmor Gang session, Frank Radice seemed stunned by the administration’s takeover of the symbols of our Washington monuments for political purposes. By the end, he seemed more hopeful of a different result. We have more ways now of making our voices heard, broadcasting our own names in fireworks above and beyond the fake news and suppression. Our platform: suppress the virus, not the vote.
Following its recent appearance in an FCC filing, Google's long-rumored Android TV dongle, is now closer than ever to an official reveal thanks to a listing found within US retailer Home Depot's internal systems. And, if the listing's pricing is to be believed, it will be surprisingly affordable.
As reported by 9to5Google, the Android TV-powered Chromecast Ultra successor will be priced at $49.99 (around £37 / AU$68), placing it right in the same ballpark as the Amazon TV Fire Stick 4K and the Roku Streaming Stick.
According to Home Depot's listing, which can still be viewed thanks to Google Cache, the streaming device will be called Sabrina as per previous rumors.
That said, it's worth noting that both the image and description included in Home Depot's now-removed Sabrina listing was that of the current Chromecast Ultra, and not of the expected Android TV-powered dongle with remote – this implies the listing is more of a placeholder than anything concrete.
Of course, there is some new information to be found within Home Depot's system, including the names of at least three expected colors for the device: Rock Candy, Como Blue and Summer Melon.
While Como Blue suggests a similar color to the Nest Mini's Sky variant, the other two color options could be just about anything. We won't know for sure until Google officially unveils its new streaming device, which should be sooner rather than later.
Ereaders have been exploding in popularity lately – this surge of demand quite possibly steams from people stuck indoors wanting to fill the extra hours in their days with something move constructive than just binge-watching Netflix.
Reading is a fantastic hobby that expands your mind, deepens your knowledge and takes the lid off your imagination. What's even better is that the best ereaders around are currently being discounted by major retailers so you can grab yours without making a dent in your back pocket.
At the moment, the best device available for quality and price is Amazon’s Kindle Paperwhite. Currently on sale for AU$179 through Amazon, this ereader is one of the more affordable options in the Kindle series, and the latest iteration is thinner and lighter than ever before.
The Paperwhite has a stunning 6-inch screen with a 300ppi resolution that makes the words sharp and clear, creating a better reading experience overall. It’s also packed with 8GB of storage and is Wi-Fi enabled so you can download books from the Kindle Store whenever you wish.
You’ll also be able to adjust the built-in light from white to warmer hues to reduce eye strain caused by blue light– a nifty feature, especially when you’re in the habit of reading before bed.
However, unlike the Oasis, the Paperwhites chassis hasn’t been designed for single-hand use, so that’s something to keep in mind when deciding what ereader to get.
That said, the Paperwhite does feature IPX8 waterproofing, and the battery will go weeks before you need to recharge – this combined with all of the above features, makes this ebook a perfect companion, whether at home or out-and-about.
If this sounds like the deal you’ve been looking for, don’t hesitate to grab yours today through Amazon and save a handy AU$20.
Grab Amazon’s mid-range ereader and get lost in the immersive world of reading for only AU$179. This nifty ereader is waterproof (so it’s safe from accidental bath incidents), has a glamorous 6-inch screen and is Wi-Fi enabled – everything you need in an ereader. Head to Amazon to secure your very own portable library today. View Deal
We’re now less than one week away from Father’s Day, and we know finding the right gift for your dad can be tricky. Whether he’s a fully-fledged tech-head with a smart home setup, or a little averse to electronics, we’ve got you covered with plenty of practical gift ideas he’ll actually use.
There’s recommendations here to suit a variety of budgets, and something for the dad who appreciates high-fidelity, wants a clever security system or simply enjoys relaxing with a book. Everything below is available online, just make sure you order early enough for it to arrive in time for Father’s Day on September 6!
Last minute Father's Day gift ideas
So Father’s Day has snuck up on you again, huh? If you’re scrambling for a gift with less than a week to go, why not consider some of these last-minute gift ideas.
Our original list of tech gift ideas is also available below, and you might still be able to get them if the seller offers fast shipping – just be sure you're ordering early this week.
(Image credit: Kayo Sports)
Kayo Sports
Got a sports-mad dad? A subscription to Kayo will be the gift that keeps on giving. Signing him up to Kayo this Father’s Day will get him almost everything sports-related that’s available on Foxtel for a pretty nice price. That’s over 50 sports live and on demand, plus a bunch of excellent features not available on any other platform. That includes SplitView, that allows you to watch multiple streams at once, and a No Spoilers mode, to ensure you don’t see the scores of the matches you've missed. Kayo offers a 14-day free trial, and after that, a basic subscription costs AU$25 a month.
If your old man’s more into Emmy-worthy drama over sports, then a subscription to Foxtel’s new streaming service is definitely worth a look. It has a huge library of classic HBO TV shows and an impressive movie line-up, and it’s quite affordable compared to a regular cable TV subscription. Binge also offers a free trial for 14 days to new sign-ups, and once that ends, plans start at AU$10 a month for a single standard-definition stream. For AU$14 per month, you can step up to two simultaneous high-definition streams, and hey, that’s not a bad deal if you want to Binge for yourself as well.... we won’t tell.
To have your last-minute gift-giving sorted in a pinch, consider a membership to Audible. This is a unique (and great) idea if your dad’s an avid reader but finds it hard to sit down with a physical book. You can set him up with Audible’s audiobook gift membership, which has more than 400,000 titles to choose from – whether he loves true crime stories, autobiographies or getting lost in sci-fi fiction – for as low as AU$16.45 a month. There are a few gifting tiers to choose from – see full details below.
Tech, gaming, photography or AV magazine subscriptions
If you’ve got a dad who loves to talk tech, why not gift him with a subscription to APC or TechLife – TechRadar’s sister titles in print? These top tech magazines will have your dad in the know on what’s happening in the world of tech, with the latest news, in-depth reviews and handy tips and tricks for his devices. A yearly subscription to either of these magazines is now discounted for Father’s Day – down to AU$69 for 12 issues, which is AU$10 off the usual price, and much less than what you’d pay at your local newsagent.
If your pop isn’t into tech, but likes his music, video games, or is deep into photography, there are other magazines to choose from. See the full list below:
And with TechRadar’s Aussie team regularly contributing to all the above magazines, we guarantee they’re excellent reads!
Note: these offers are only available to Australian customers
Father's Day tech gift ideas
(Image credit: Apple)
Beats Powerbeats Pro
If your dad’s the active type, consider gifting him the rather stylish Beats Powerbeats Pro. These true wireless earbuds are designed with working out in mind, with a unique and adjustable hook that keeps the ‘buds securely on the ear. These aren’t just made for exercise though – most importantly, the sound quality is up to scratch, warranting them a place as your dad’s all-purpose set of headphones. The Powerbeats Pro also have an IPX4 sweatproof rating and nine hours worth of juice on a full charge, and an extra two charges from the case, each worth about eight-or-so hours. Time to kick dad’s fitness back into gear? Now he can do it in style.
There are plenty of smartwatches to choose from these days, but the brand-new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 offers one of the best experiences you can get. This is a rather slick-looking timepiece, and it’s more refined than the original Galaxy Watch – it’s slimmer, lighter and more comfortable to wear. It has a vivid display which your dad can navigate around using the rotating bezels with a satisfying click, click, click, rather than a fiddly touchscreen. This updated version has improved on its fitness features too, with automatic tracking for selected workouts and plenty more you can add in yourself. This savvy smartwatch works with both Android and iOS phones, though it will play better if you own an Android device.
The Nest Cam IQ is really darn smart. While this rather sweet-looking security camera will look unassuming wherever it’s placed, it’s hiding some pretty impressive power. When it detects movement inside the house, not only will it differentiate between people and animals, it will also identify whether it’s a familiar or unfamiliar face – pretty remarkable. With a 4K image sensor, you can monitor your home in full high definition (1080p), while two-way audio should help in deterring unwanted guests. It’s worth noting that full functionality of this smart security camera will require a subscription fee to Nest Aware. Without one, you’ll only be able to see snapshots of the past three hours. So while the Nest Cam is usable without it, it’s something to consider if dad wants continuous and live video recording.
If your dad often has his head buried in a book, the Kobo Libra H2O should make for a fantastic gift. It’s comfortable to use single-handed thanks to page-turn buttons and an asymmetrical design, so your dad can kick back and get cosy. The Libra uses the latest E Ink technology, so the 7-inch display imitates real paper and is wonderfully fast and responsive. Kobo’s ereaders also have OverDrive support, which means ebooks can be borrowed from the local public library as well. Oh, and did we mention it’s waterproof? The user interface is also streamlined and intuitive, making the Libra H2O, in our books, one of the best ereaders you can get without spending too much money.
The UE Megaboom 3 is for the dad who wants to enjoy his music both indoors and out. It’s an incredibly rugged Bluetooth speaker, with an IP67 waterproof rating to handle rain, accidental spills, and even a dip in the pool. While it’s portable, it’s also powerful enough to be a go-to home speaker, with a 360° design that pumps out loud room-filling sound. We favour the Megaboom 3 over the slightly smaller Boom 3 because it has better bass, louder volume and a longer 20-hour battery life for a reasonable price – but either will make a great present for dad.
If you're looking for a backpack that’s equal parts style and substance, you’ll want to take a closer look at Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack. Originally designed to comfortably and securely carry camera gear, these well-constructed backpacks can be customised to suit any purpose. These bags have a weather-proof shell, so whether it's for commuting to work with a laptop or camping out in the elements, everything will be protected. Expandable side pockets provide extra room if you need it too. The Everyday Backpack retails for AU$369 and is the brand’s leading bag, but if you’re hoping for something a bit cheaper, check out the more streamlined Everyday Backpack Zip for AU$270. And they're both available in a variety of great natural-looking colours.
(Image credit: Future)
Nanoleaf Canvas
To really make your dad’s eyes light up, consider gifting him the unique Nanoleaf Canvas. It’s a set of interactive smart light panels that can absolutely transform a space. The colour on these panels can be adjusted to suit the mood, from playful colours for entertaining to soothing ambient light. Those colours and scenes can be controlled through the app, but they’re also touch- and voice-sensitive, with a touch sending out a mesmerising ripple and colour change effect. While setting up the Nanoleaf Canvas might sound like a tricky task, it’s actually quite easy, and your dad can get creative with the design – the app will help if you need a hand.
At first glance, this is a rather unassuming power plug, but it’s a nifty device that can turn almost any appliance into a smart home gadget. You just need to insert the plug into an AC outlet, then connect it to your home Wi-Fi using the companion Kasa app. Once that’s sorted, simple home devices, like an electric kettle, can be controlled remotely. Even their power usage can be monitored through the app. That means you can switch off lamps without getting up, or set on and off schedules for your devices. If your dad accidentally leaves something on while he’s away, he’ll be able to switch it off with a tap on his smartphone from anywhere.
(Image credit: Audio Technica)
Audio Technica AT-LP60XUSB
If he loves his vinyl collection, get your dad an easy-to-use turntable this Father’s Day that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. This deck from Audio Technica is a fully automatic belt-drive turntable, and has a line output so it can be plugged directly into any amplifier. What’s more, this turntable can also convert vinyl records into digital audio files, in case your pop wants to take his music with him while on the go.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Oculus Quest
For the gamer dad, the Oculus Quest is a superb piece of kit. If he’s curious about virtual worlds, this VR headset will deliver it right out of the box, no expensive extra equipment required. The set comes with two handheld motion controllers, and it’s completely wireless, so you can really immerse yourself in virtual worlds without fear of tripping over a cable. There are a ton of games available – he can get his hands on a virtual lightsaber and face off against Darth Vader himself, or play puzzle-platform games if that’s more his speed.
If he’s been curious about a smart home setup but has been worried it might require some elaborate equipment, put your father’s mind at ease and get him the Nest Hub. This smart display is a nice introduction to Google Assistant (if you're not already using it on a smartphone), and it’s intelligent enough to answer almost any question you can throw at it. YouTube is also available, and now so is Netflix, Stan and Foxtel too. So not only can your dad listen to music or follow along to a recipe in the kitchen hands-free, he can even stream his favourite shows and movies while he’s pottering around with other things. There’s Google Photos integration as well, so when it’s not busy fielding queries, this device makes for an excellent digital photo frame.
For the forgetful person who always seems to be misplacing their valuables, a Bluetooth tracker could be just the thing they didn’t even know they needed. Tile make some of the best, and the Tile Mate is the most affordable. It looks like a keychain, and it can easily be attached it to your keys, lanyard or even laptop bag. So next time your dad asks “have you seen my…” he can use the companion app to find it again. The range of the Mate is 61 metres from a smartphone, and the tracker will ring out loudly when you’re near the lost item.
(Image credit: Sonos)
Sonos One
If you’re looking to get your dad a smart speaker, why not spoil him with one of the best. Not only is the Sonos One the best-sounding on the market, it has support for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. That means you can request songs from Spotify, hear the news, set an alarm and get questions answered completely hands-free. The audio really is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, and if you want to elevate it a step further, a second Sonos speaker can create a multi-room setup.
For the film buff who wants to watch movies and TV shows in picture perfect quality, the Apple TV 4K is a great gift. To match the brighter colours and richer detail, it also has support for Dolby Atmos sound to deliver a truly immersive experience. It supports the most popular streaming apps including Netflix, Stan and Apple TV Plus, as well as most Aussie TV catch-up apps. You can use the remote to search, or simply ask Siri to find what you’re looking for. We’d strongly recommend this one be paired with a 4K HDR-ready telly, and being an existing Apple user can be beneficial, though not essential.
GoPro’s flagship model is its best offering yet, and it’s ideal for the dad who wants to capture all his adventurous exploits in glorious 4K. It’s image stabilisation is second to none, so all the action from his (mis)adventures will look much better than he might be letting on. There’s unique time-lapse modes as well, and sound quality for video recording has improved over previous models. If you want to make your father feel like a video pro, this is a brilliant buy.
For anyone that craves a shot of caffeine in the morning, the Nespresso Vertuo Plus is convenient, easy to use and serves up great-tasting coffee in a variety of flavours. This is a great gift if you’re not interested in grinding your own coffee beans, and prefer the thought of just getting delicious coffee with two touches of a button. It’s a compact machine, so you won’t have to worry about it taking up too much valuable countertop space. It’s one of our favourite coffee machines here at TechRadar, so we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it to any caffeine-loving dad.
The SodaStream is a nifty kitchen gadget that’ll turn your tap water into a refreshing sparkling drink. It’s an easy system to use as well, with a simple push being all that’s required to add some fizz to your beverage. You can add some flavouring as well to turn plain water into something a little more exciting. It’s all a rather compact system, and should be simple to store on the kitchen bench or in a cupboard. The carbon dioxide canister is refillable and there are plenty of places that’ll do so, including some major supermarkets and petrol stations.
When is Father's Day 2020?
Father’s Day in Australia and New Zealand is reserved for the first Sunday in September. This year, it’s on September 6, 2020. It’s a day to celebrate the men who look after us, or have helped us raise children of our own, whether that be our own fathers, stepfathers, guardians, caregivers or partners.
This year, Father’s Day is likely to look very different. Physical and social distancing are still strongly encouraged, and the traditional gatherings may not be able to go ahead.
Despite all this, we can still take time to make our dad’s feel special. That might mean getting them a gift they’ve long wanted, or a nice surprise with the latest gizmo or gadget. If you’re planning to shop online, we’ve laid out some excellent gift ideas right here – just make sure you order in time to have it delivered by September 6.
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Father's Day gift ideas for 2020: 21 great gifts for the tech-savvy dad
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