STACK #227 September 2023

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STACK ’ s TECH tips

Just as we feel compelled to sanitise the house when spring rolls in, it’s also a great time to give your tech a clean.

Earbuds. Yep, just thinking about the gunk that collects on these through uses is

enough to turn the stomach. Clean with a warm damp cloth and remove the ear tips - these can be washed in warm water. For thick wax build-up on the speaker grills, it’s probably worth investing in a specialised cleaning kit. TV screens and monitors. A microfibre cloth is your best friend here. Use it dry for fingerprints and slightly damp (distilled water) for heavier soiled areas. Avoid using solvents, soap, or window cleaning products. Wait until the screen dries before switching on. Keyboards. Be prepared to be shocked at the amount of debris falling out when a keyboard is turned upside down and gently tapped. Follow this with a good blast of compressed air between the keys and wipe down the keyboard with a cloth once disconnected. Smartphones. Remove from the case and clean with a damp microfibre cloth, avoiding openings.

R

SEPTEMBE

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.

Remotes. Take out the batteries and gently tap the remote to remove debris. A dampened microfibre cloth and cotton buds for stubborn areas will usually do the trick with remotes. Never apply approved disinfectants directly onto a remote.

It’s always worth checking in with the relevant manufacturer for their cleaning recommendations, too.

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

EDITOR'S CHOICE

2004

What was the hottest tech in…

Back in the early noughties, mobile phones were designed to be practical. Uninspiring rectangular shapes in black or grey, sending texts, and making phone calls took priority over form. However, when fashion journalists were invited to the Arken Museum of Modern Art in 2004 for the unveiling of Motorola’s latest phones, all that changed. The unique design profile made the Motorola RAZR V3 an immediate head-turner. A hefty launch price was deliberately marketed with exclusivity in mind. And it worked. Celebrities clambered for the chance to be

Bose S1 Pro+ When it comes to multi-functional speakers, it’s hard to go past the S1 Pro+. A perfect fit for buskers, gigging musicians, or anyone doing public speaking gigs, this robust speaker is light enough for transportation and has a battery that can last up to 11 hours. A powerful speaker with plenty of grunt, on the rear is an integrated three-channel

mixer with two channels reserved for a mic or instrument and a third for Bluetooth streaming and AUX. The speaker can be positioned in three ways: on the side and angled back like a stage monitor (it makes a good monitor, too), upright, or upright and angled back. It can also be placed on a stand. An onboard EQ will automatically optimise the sound whichever way the PA is positioned. One of the most exciting new additions is the introduction of two optional wireless RF transmitters: one for an instrument and one for a mic. Sold separately, these give musicians or performers the flexibility to wander away from the speaker for up to nine metres without being restricted by cables. The S1 Pro+ is an excellent PA speaker with a suite of features for various uses, including as a thumping party speaker. The superb output delivers a big, clean, punchy soundstage that suits many spaces. As an all-rounder PA, it has it all.

seen holding one - if you pulled a Motorola RAZR V3 out of your pocket in 2004, you were a force to be reckoned with. The stunning V3 had a slim aluminium body, far thinner than its competitors at the time, a 2.2-inch colour screen, and an external display that featured 4000 colours. The keypad looked like a prop from Tron when illuminated. To top it off, it shipped with a 1.3-megapixel camera to capture life’s unmissable moments. The RAZR V3 would eventually become more affordable, selling an incredible 130 million units over its lifetime. For over three years, the V3 was the most popular phone on the planet.

With the weather improving (hopefully), our October issue will feature tech for the great outdoors. Think smartwatches, drones, electric scooters, and just about everything in between. On The Radar

18 SEPTEMBER 2023

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