STACK #254 December 2025

FEATURE LIFE TECH

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Today’s tech that the movies predicted first

STAR TREK Long before Zoom fatigue existed, Star Trek was predicting our virtual lives. In the 1960s, the crew of the USS Enterprise used sleek video communicators to chat face-to-face across galaxies. Fast forward 60 years and that science fiction has become our reality. Now Zoom, Teams, and FaceTime, bring colleagues, friends, and family into our living rooms without a transporter in sight. Even Martin Cooper, the inventor of the first mobile phone, credits Star Trek ’s communicators as inspiration. While we may not have warp drives yet, at least we can beam ourselves onto a video call at any time.

DECEMBER

Technology has become an integral part of Australian lifestyles and continues to advance in leaps and bounds. From smartphones to smart homes, STACK keeps you up to date on the latest consumer tech in user friendly terms, along with key points to consider before you buy. If you love tech, you’re in the right place.

DYK?

Between October and Christmas of 2006, Apple sold an estimated 12 million iPods to consumers eager to tap into the burgeoning MP3 market. Taking music mobile had never been so easy.

What tech has been floating the boat of the writers at STACK recently? You can find it right here every month.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

1997

What was the hottest tech in…

Audio-Technica ATH-R50x

Movie lovers had one thing on their Christmas lists in 1997 – a DVD player. The successor to VHS promised cinematic nirvana compared to the inconsistent quality of a videotape. No more fiddling with the tracking to get a better picture or the arduous task of rewinding. Early adopters were already on board, but the DVD player that brought the format to the masses was the Sony DVP-S7000. Arriving in 1997, it would help convert the way we watched movies at home in the late ‘90s. With only a handful of titles available at the time, early players cost close to a month’s rent for most people.

Audio-Technica’s ATH-R50x prove that studio-quality sound doesn’t require a flagship budget. Just beneath the R70x, these open-back headphones bring pro-level audio to everyday listeners detachable cables: a 1.2m cable for daily use and a 3m cable with a screw-on full-size jack. The left cup features a bayonet-lock port – twist left to detach – keeping cables securely in place. Gold-plated jacks and a neat faux-leather pouch add durability and polish. with minimal compromises. The package includes two

Once unveiled, the S7000 looked and felt like high end hi-fi gear, with a heavy, brushed-metal chassis and video quality that genuinely blew VHS out of the water. Reviewers at the time raved about its crispness, colour accuracy, and near-instant navigation. Even the remote looked the part. Despite the high price tag of US$1000 ($3100 AUD today), the S7000 became the first popular DVD player that consumers sought out, not just tech enthusiasts. It symbolised the future of home entertainment: discs that didn’t degrade, widescreen movies, bonus features, and surround sound that made living rooms feel like cinemas. Its success helped give DVD the early credibility it desperately needed.

Design-wise, the R50x are clean and professional. Matte black cups, subtle silver branding, velour earcups, and a padded headband offer comfort for long sessions. At just 200 grams, they’re barely noticeable. Inside, 45mm drivers cover 5 Hz–40 kHz, delivering deep lows and crisp highs. With 51-ohm impedance, they work straight from laptops or phones. Sound is wide, detailed, and natural – vocals and instruments shine. The ATH-R50x blend excellent comfort, honest tuning, and big league sound at a mid-range price – perfect for mixing, editing, or simply enjoying music.

On The Radar

Don’t tell the children in the house, but our January issue is all about sending the kids back to school with all the tech they need. We’ll break

down what you need in our essential back-to-school guide 2026.

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