BTTR Roundup #61: Do smart people even want smarter smart speakers?

This week, both Amazon and Google unveiled their latest lineup of home security and smart speakers, with a much bigger focus on AI integration.

From Amazon's side of things, most of the products are available now, though Australians still have to wait for an as yet undetermined period of time for Alexa Plus to launch in Australia.

But Google's new speakers won't launch until 2026 in Australia, complete with Gemini on board.

I feel like we're getting ready for the next generation of the smart speaker war of 2016/17, with the idea that the tech might actually be useful for more than just cooking timers this time around.

But given just how disappointing it has been to own a smart speaker for the past decade or so, and AI's propensity to just make stuff up, I'm not even sure I want to get involved.

In other news this week, we're coming to the end of an era. Rock Band 4's 10 year licence for music tracks is coming to an end, which means the game and its DLC is about to systematically start disappearing from digital storefronts.

I'm going to talk about this a bit more in the paid section below, but I think this is one of the biggest tragedies of modern gaming. Rock Band is a timeless experience anyone can pick up and enjoy. It's great family entertainment, but also great with mates.

And now, it's done. The next generation of gamers will only know "Fortnite Festival". That's a tragedy.

Until next week

–Nick

This week's new tech news

• Let's start the week with Amazon's big announcement day, covering a range of new products. You can get the full rundown of products in our news post.
  • First off, there are the new Ring cameras, including the company's first 4K models.
    • There's a new Wired Video Doorbell Pro, Spotlight Camera Pro, Floodlight Camera Pro, and Outdoor Camera Pro, all of which offer 4K resolution, plus AI features for improved zoom and low light performance
    • There are also new 2K models, the Indoor Camera Plus and the Wired Video Doorbell Plus, which also leverage AI for improved zoom and low-light, but not quite to the same level of detail.
  • Blink is finally launching its video doorbell in Australia. It's also got a cool new mount for the updated Mini 2K+ camera, that combines two cameras to give a single panoramic stream.
  • If you want updated Echo devices – here you go!
    • Amazon has updated the Echo Studio to be more compact with better sound, as well as a new generation of the Echo Dot Max.
    • For those after a screen, the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 have both had a nice upgrade, with improved resolution, a 13MP camera for video calls and custom silicon to prepare for the updated Alexa when it launches in Australia.
  • There's a new Fire TV 4K stick for streamers.
• Google also announced new home security and smart speaker products. I would never buy one because of Google's track record with products, but you do you. [Full details at Google]
  • Google has updated three of its Nest cameras: the 2nd-gen Nest Cam Outdoor, the 3rd-gen Nest Cam Indoor and the 3rd-gen Nest Doorbell. All now offer 2K HDR sensors with a wider field of view. The doorbell won't launch in Australia, though. The indoor cam is priced at $189, and the outdoor cam at $239.99
  • A new Google Home speaker, which looks a bit like a squashed sphere, promises 360º audio, and the ability to work as groups or stereo pairs. Launches next year for $179.
  • The Google Home app is getting updated to build around Gemini.
• Anker has a new camp fridge, which promises to be useful for the coming months. Two versions, including a dual-zone 58L model, let you keep food cold for as much as 4.3 days on a single charge. Plus, you can plug it into your car (or solar panels) to keep it running longer. Pricing from $1,099 if you buy in the next couple of weeks. [Full details]
• Tineco has launched a few new wet/dry vacuums with the "Stretch" moniker, which means they lay flat. If you want to mop under your bed, then this is something you know is important. There are three new models, including the S7 Stretch, the iFloor U5 Stretch and the s6 Stretch Pro, with pricing from $599. [Grab the full breakdown and specs comparison]
• I really liked the audio quality of the Sennheiser HD 505, but not the inconvenience of wires. But for gamers (or maybe work-from-homers), Sennheiser has just launched a $80 boom mic attachment for the headphones (and a few other audiophile models) that delivers that same audio quality for a boom mic. Pretty cool. [Full details]
• If you don't like your home security cameras to be expensive or come from Amazon or Google, then Arlo has a couple of new cheap pan and tilt models to consider. The indoor model is $79 (which is cheaper than Arlo's annual subscription), while the outdoor model is $119. Both are available now. [Full details]
• Shark's FlexBreeze fan was one of my favourite products of 2024, but i think the TurboBlade looks even cooler. It can stand vertically or horizontally, oscillates a full 180 degrees and can help keep you comfortable at night without running the aircon. Available now for $399.99. [Full details]
• Samsung's big-arsed 115-inch Neo QLED is available to pre-order in Australia. I don't know if you realise how awesome a 115-inch TV would look on your wall, but it would be incredible. The catch is that this TV will cost $26,999, which is probably more than you're willing to spend on a TV. But if not, maybe let me know and I'll try and get an affiliate link for you. Even a 2% commission is over $500. [See the TV's full details]
• Xbox has reworked its Xbox Game Pass plans, which inevitably ends up costing you more. The cheapest plan now starts at $12.95 a month, and includes 50+ games. There's a newer "Premium" plan at $17.95 a month, which offers 200+ games, while Game Pass Ultimate promises 400+ games and costs $35.95 per month. If this is the future, I worry for the next generation of gaming... [Full details @ Xbox]
• Nothing's budget brand, CMF, has launched a new pair of affordable "Pro" headphones, called the Headphone Pro (of course!). Fortunately, the design is a bit less out there than Nothing's own brand, and comes with a dedicated slider for controlling the headphones' bass level. Seems like a bit of a gimmick to me, but it's the sound quality that matters. $179, available at nothing.tech.
• If you picked up the new iPhone 17 Pro in orange and want a pair of headphones to match, Apple-owned Beats has just launched the PowerBeats Fit wireless earbuds, which just so happens to come in a vibrant orange colour. These IPX4 earbuds give up to seven hours of playback, 23 hours of charge in the case , and also come in black, grey and pink options. They'll set you back $329.95 [Beats]
• Xiaomi has had a long, varied history in Australia, launching various sub-brands through various distributors, with varying levels of support. But now the company is targeting Australia directly, launching a comprehensive lineup of products in Australia. There are phones, vacuums, wearables and electric shavers... [Xiaomi via Alex Reviews Tech]
• Roborock launched the F25 RT at an event in Sydney a couple of weeks back, and now the entry-level floor cleaner is coming to Aldi as part of its Special Buys offers. From 8 October, you'll be able to grab the cleaner for just $299, which is half price. Pretty solid offer. [Aldi]

This week's reviews

Sony WH-1000 XM6 review: You’ll have to speak up, I’m wearing the XM6

Sony’s WH-1000 XM6 flagship wireless headphones offer phenomenal sound quality with even more impressive noise cancellation.

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

Sony ULT Field 3 review: Big, beautiful Bluetooth bass, but…

Sony’s ULT Field 3 is a compact, portable Bluetooth speaker that is much louder than you might expect, but sacrifices audio quality for volume.

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

Withings BeamO Smart Health Monitor review: Simple health monitoring

At $499, the Withings BeamO seems pricey. But once you understand it’s not actually designed for families, it makes a lot more sense.

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

New favourites

Having reviewed the frankly excellent Sony WH1000 XM6 this week, I felt obliged to update my recommendations in the headphones and noise cancelling headphones space.

Hint: The Sony headphones feature prominently in both lists.

Best noise cancelling headphones in Australia in 2025 | BTTR

Wipe out the outside world and focus on the sound, with one of these pairs of noise cancelling headphones.

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

My favourite pair of headphones to buy right now

Looking for the best headphones in Australia? I’ve tested a bunch of headphones, and these are what I would buy tomorrow.

BTTR ReviewsNick Broughall

New products at BTTR HQ this week

Apple iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods

It may be slightly later than I hoped, but I have just this week gotten my hands on all of Apple's new releases from the "Awe-dropping" event in September.

Reviews to come, obviously.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

So fresh I haven't even managed an unboxing video, Samsung's flagship tablet has arrived here. Don't forget to follow on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube to get the unboxing videos when they go live.