STACK #239 September 2024

CONTENTS

ISSUE 239 SEP 2024

TECH 6 Tech tips and editor's pick 8-14 Smartphone generative AI explained 16 Tough phones and DIY repairs 17 Flip phones and fun features 18-19 Google Pixel 9 series and all the hot new phones 20-22 Smartphones for every budget 24 Smartphone accessories 26-34 The best tech for spring cleaning 36-38 Supersize the footy finals with a massive 4K TV 40 Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 review 42 Audio-Technica AT-SP3X Bookshelf Speakers review 44 What's new in tech this month MOVIES & TV 46 Intro/Take 5/Filmmaker’s Signature/On the radar/ In development/Bob J’s Film Buff Bafflers 48 Merch of the Month/Charts/This month 10 years ago/Socials 49 Cinema: The Substance and Megalopolis 52 The Bikeriders interview with Jodie Comer and Austin Butler 54 Bad Boys: Ride or Die - the boys are back in town 56 The Crown: Season 6 - a royal send-off 58 John Krasinski’s IF - blending worlds 60 Bob J: Ridley Scott’s Black Rain 35 years later 62 New from Imprint Films 64 Out this month 65 New to 4K 66 The latest anime and board games MUSIC 68 My first album/ STACK Exchange 70 Missy Higgins is back 72 Keith Urban/Dave Gilmour 75 Bring Me the Horizon 76 Jamie xx/Eminem 77 Vital Vinyl – Ten top cuts from the ‘90s 80-81 What new albums are heading to JB this month 82 Rock ‘n' roll stories with Stuart Coupe GAMING FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 3 Take 5/Chart/Q5 4 Astro Bot Q+A 6 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom preview 8 EA Sports FC 25 preview 10 NBA 2K25 Q+A 12 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Q+A 14 Funko Fusion Q+A 16 Out this month/Fast Forward/ Wham, bam, game exam!

WELCOME

September brings both spring and a host of new smartphones packing the latest AI-powered tech. From Samsung Galaxy AI to Google’s Gemini, generative AI is the current buzz phrase in phone tech and its making smartphones even smarter. This month we demystify this amazing tech that can generate text and images with a simple prompt, translate supported languages in real time, summarise documents, transcribe voice recordings, and more. How does it work, and how will it change the way that you use your phone? Our deep dive into AI has all the info you need to take advantage of this intelligent personal assistant, along with all the cool AI-powered features to look out for. Flip and foldable phones are also trending, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6 and Flip6 models leading the charge, and Google bringing its first foldable phone to the Australian market, the new Pixel 9 Pro Fold. These are just some of the latest phones that we’ve rounded up this month, along with recent models – including some quirky and affordable alternatives to the big brands – to suit every budget. September is also the traditional month to give our homes a good spring clean, so what better time to explore the new innovations in cleaning tech designed to make the chore no one likes doing even easier? Whether you’re on the lookout for a new stick, robot, or wet and dry vacuum, we’ve got you covered with a guide to the best appliances for simple and efficient multi surface cleaning. Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

jbhifi.com.au/stack

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Tech Editor Scott Hocking

Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones Contributors Jeff Jenkins, Zoë Radas, Simon Lukic, Billy Pinnell, Denise Hylands, Simon Winkler, Jake Cleland, Holly Pereira, Adam Colby, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Michael Irving, Jacqui Picone, Stuart Coupe, Trista McConville, Chris Mobbs, Michael Caverzan

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando Music Consultant Mike Glynn

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accommpanied by a parent or adult guardian

Restricted to 18 and over

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2024 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

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