Technology News

Rise and shine! Amazon unveils new alarm clock that know when you’re in deep sleep - along with two other new devices

Amazon unveils a smart alarm clock that adjusts wake time to sleep stage, plus two other new Echo devices.

Amazon is unveiling three new Echo devices this month, including the Echo Time Smart Clock priced at $379, which brightens gradually to wake users and uses optional AI features to pick the moment to wake them. The clock comes in Graphite, Coral Pink and Glacier White, and with Alexa+ its smart alarm detects lighter sleep and can wake users up to an hour before their set alarm.

tech#AppleTouchscreenMacBookPro · 4d ago

Apple unveils its first touchscreen Mac, a MacBook Pro starting at $4,599

Apple unveils a touchscreen MacBook Pro priced from $4,599, launching in Australia on 6 November.

Apple unveiled the premium MacBook Pro with a PROLED XDR Display on Thursday, a move the company had previously said it would never make. The laptop launches in Australia on 6 November, priced at $4,599 for the 14-inch model and $5,499 for the 16-inch, with M5 Pro and M5 Max chip options. Apple says the touchscreen can be turned off and opens a new dimension for professionals, while social media commenters have raised concerns about fingerprints and ergonomics.

tech#QantasAmadeusBreach · 5d ago

Qantas confirms it is among airlines hit by Amadeus cyber breach

Qantas confirms it was hit by the Amadeus cyber breach, which also affected several other airlines.

Spanish travel technology firm Amadeus was breached by an unauthorised agent, potentially exposing passenger reservation and booking data. A Qantas spokesperson said Japan Airlines, ANA, Cathay Pacific and Korean Air were also affected, and Amadeus said the issue was contained in September. The company said no payment records or financial data had been accessed, and Qantas said its own systems remain secure.

tech#CanberraAI · 5d ago

Canberra's AI monitoring rules need an appeal before an algorithm can punish

Canberra's AI monitoring rules need an appeal process before an algorithm can punish public servants.

The University of Technology Sydney released a report on October 20 urging stronger protection against technology-enabled workplace surveillance. Its authors propose a fair test for monitoring and a dedicated complaints pathway through the Fair Work Commission. The article says an automated score should never by itself trigger a formal warning or adverse performance finding.

tech#AICowGorithmHelping · 5d ago

How the AI 'cow-gorithm' is helping this dairy couple get the job done

Tasmanian dairy couple uses AI virtual fencing and robotic milkers to run their farm with less manual work.

Dairy farmers Simon and Sonia Badcock on Tasmania's remote north-west coast use GPS virtual fencing collars and robotic milkers to run their farm while they are away from the sheds. Their farm is the first in Australia to combine the two technologies, a setup it has used for two years. Mr Badcock said the robots handle nearly 100 cows each, so the couple only check the herd and wash down the machines at night, maybe once a week.

tech#ESETLegacyCyberIncidents · 5d ago

Unpatched Legacy Software Behind 30 Per Cent of Major Business Cyber Incidents

ESET report finds unpatched legacy software behind 30 per cent of major business cyber incidents.

ESET's Enterprise Cybersecurity Report 2026 found legacy technology caused 30 per cent of major incidents at Australian businesses, peaking at one in two in telecom. The survey of 400 organisations found 72 per cent of Australian businesses suffered a major security incident, and about two-thirds faced at least one AI-related threat. Ionize chief executive Andrew Muller said small businesses are not resourced to respond.