STACK #240 October 2024

STACK ’ s TECH tips

5 tips to get the best out of your smartwatch/ fitness tracker

1. Clean up! Wearables can be caked in dirt, sweat, and dust through daily wear, so ensure that you clean the sensors regularly. 2. Temp check! Extreme heat (and cold) is the enemy of wearables, so avoid leaving them in direct sunlight or in the car on those roasting summer days. 3. Stay in charge! Don’t drain your battery flat every time. It takes some managing, but keep the battery level between 20% and 80%. 4. Super soaker! Check out your device’s IP ratings before you dive into the pool and start doing laps. Not all wearables are fully waterproof. 5. Stay up to date! Jump straight on firmware or software updates.These often include bug fixes and performance enhancements that can keep your device running smoothly.

OCTOBER

DYK?

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.

The original fitness tracker was invented in 1964 in Japan. Called the Mano-kei – which translates to ‘10,000 steps metre’ – the basic pedometer was worn around the waist.

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

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Lenovo Yoga 7 i EVO 2-in-1 14” OLED Laptop The lightweight and rugged Lenovo Yoga 7i strikes a good

2009

What was the hottest tech in…

Back in 2007, budding entrepreneurs James Park and Eric Friedman had an idea. What if they could put sensors into wearable devices to track fitness? Taking the concept to investors, they secured $400,000 in funding. However, they needed more money, so armed with little more than a circuit board inside a wooden box, they hit up more investors. Fortunately, these investors spotted an opportunity and supported the idea. In 2008, the intrepid duo took their idea to a major tech conference, anticipating they would garner no more than 50 orders. After just one day, they walked away with 2000. Then came the hard part. The pair had

balance of portability and screen real estate; it’s easy to carry while still providing ample space for spreadsheets, creative projects, and video editing. touchscreen tablet, perfect for hands-free viewing, note taking, and drawing. The 14” OLED display supports Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio from upward-firing The 2-in-1 design gives you a traditional laptop and a

to design the wearable and have it produced with no prior manufacturing experience. Towards the end of 2009,

speakers and supported streaming content pops visually. Under the bonnet is a powerful Intel-Core Ultra H processor with Intel AI Boost NPU to balance performance and efficiency. The response time is blazingly fast, and with speedy Wi-Fi 6E support, this is a 2-in-1 designed to up your productivity. Lenovo promises up to 25 hours of use from a full charge, and we got around three days of continuous daily use without needing to plug in. This versatile laptop is an ideal option for students, professionals, and everyday users alike.

Next month, we’re talking about easy home security solutions straight from the shelf at JB, and we’ll look at the latest baby monitors. And if you’re looking to buy an electric scooter, we’ve got you covered with an e-scooter buying guide. On The Radar

it was ready for retail. Bearing little resemblance to

contemporary fitness wearables, the Fitbit Tracker was a small device that could be clipped onto clothing and would then track 24/7. The device proved popular, and with extensive financial support, Park and Friedman – refusing to sit on their laurels – reinvested in new models with enhanced technology. It would mark the beginning of a very successful fitness story.

3