A lively tech talkback show focused on how everyday tech choices affect real work and daily life. Trev helps callers with: switching an elderly iPhone user to a newer model without losing Apple ID contacts; whether to revive a failing Intel MacBook Pro or buy a Mac mini; cutting mobile costs when telco plans rise (including how to handle device pay-out and sub hub subscriptions); choosing a Chromebook for dual-monitor home use; and why one caller still prefers a Foxtel set-top box for recording and fast-forwarding. The standout segment is a Pocket AI voice recorder that captures conversations and turns them into summaries and to-do items, with optional ChatGPT profile syncing.
As far as technology goes, Artificial Intelligence is a legitimate and generational game-changer. How are you using it? Get in touch with Trev by texting 0477 657 657 thanks to Vodafone - we'd love to hear from you.
This week we hear from a man with a new gadget that Trev hasn't heard of - that's what we want - your reviews!
Plus questions about Apple ID and devices, Mobile plan savings, Chromebook options and loving Foxtel - yes, Loving Foxtel!
"If you haven't bothered at any time to leave a rating or review at the Apple iTunes store, then you should do that. The podcast app allows you to do this with great ease."
The “Apple iTunes store” is referenced as a place where listeners can leave ratings and reviews for podcasts. Those reviews can affect how visible a show is within Apple’s podcast discovery and search.
"And there is also some form of commenting on Spotify. It's very hard for me to find them... And please rate the show on Spotify as well because that obviously helps."
Spotify is mentioned as another platform where listeners can leave comments and ratings. Engagement on Spotify can influence how content is surfaced in recommendations and search within the app.
"EcoVax Latest T80S. It's a $1,799 robot vacuum, folks, with a roller mop and everything."
A robot vacuum is a small device that cleans your floors by itself. You set it up, and it moves around your home to vacuum (and sometimes mop) while you do other things.
A robot vacuum is an autonomous floor-cleaning device that navigates around your home and cleans without you manually pushing it around. Many models also include features like mopping attachments or scheduled cleaning.
"Do you think she'll hate not having the home button? That's the biggest change she's going to be up for. ... And from there on, you don't need the home button."
A home button is the button you press to get back to the main screen. Some phones don’t use a home button anymore and instead use swipe gestures to do the same thing.
The “home button” refers to a dedicated physical or on-screen control used to return to the main screen. In modern phones, many interfaces replace a home button with gesture navigation (like swiping).
"all you've got to teach them is to swipe up. It's hard because when you say swipe up from the bottom of the screen, my mum does this with her Google Pixel."
“Swipe up” means moving your finger upward on the screen. Phones use this gesture to replace the old home button behavior.
“Swipe up” is a gesture used in gesture-based phone navigation to move to the home screen or app switcher. It’s often taught as a replacement for a traditional home button.
"They're not super discounted. I can see one at Harvey Norman for $900."
Harvey Norman is a retail store, and they’re using it to say they saw the item priced at $900. Store prices can be a useful reference, but they might not match what you’d pay at a car dealer.
Harvey Norman is a major Australian retail chain, and the speaker uses it as a reference point for pricing. If this is about a vehicle-related product or accessory, the store price can help listeners gauge market rates, but it may not reflect dealer pricing for cars.
"I bought a, here's how much I love the Mac Mini. I specked one up... And it runs our entire podcast studio."
A Mac Mini is a small Apple desktop computer. Here, the host says it’s powerful enough to run their whole podcast setup and multiple high-resolution screens.
“Mac Mini” refers to Apple’s small desktop computer. In this segment, it’s being used as the core machine running the podcast studio and driving multiple 4K displays.
Term
4K
"if you've seen our video podcast, the screens, it's running three screens at 4K. Like, it's unbelievable what that device can do."
4K is a very high-resolution screen setting. It means the picture is much sharper, and running multiple 4K screens at once takes a lot of computer power.
“4K” is a display resolution standard (about 3840×2160 pixels). Running three screens at 4K is a heavy graphics workload, so it’s used here to emphasize the computer’s performance.
"just buy yourself a webcam. You know, no drivers at all there. Cheap webcam. Just make sure you get a 1080p one."
A “webcam” is a camera used for video calls and streaming. The speaker recommends buying one for online teaching and notes that it should meet a minimum resolution for acceptable image quality.
"Cheap webcam. Just make sure you get a 1080p one. Let's get you some webcam and you're good to go."
1080p is a standard high-definition video quality. They’re saying to choose a webcam that records at least at this quality so you look clear on camera.
“1080p” is a common video resolution standard (1920×1080 pixels). The speaker specifies it as the minimum quality to ensure the webcam image looks good enough for teaching.
"And the other thing that I thought also was with the Neo, I don't have enough ports to... The things that I got hanging off this MacBook Pro."
Ports are the plug-in slots on your computer. They’re saying their laptop doesn’t have enough connection points for all the gear they use.
“Ports” are the physical connection points on a computer for peripherals like monitors, storage, and capture devices. The speaker says they don’t have enough ports on their MacBook Pro for everything they want to connect.
Thunderbolt is a faster kind of connection than regular USB. If a port says Thunderbolt, it’s usually meant for quicker transfers and sometimes extra features like video.
Thunderbolt is a high-speed connectivity standard (often over USB-C) that can support very fast data transfer and, in some cases, video output. When a device lists Thunderbolt ports, it typically means you can use more demanding peripherals than with basic USB.
"So, you will need the odd converter for your USB-A stuff."
USB-A is the older USB plug shape you’ll see on lots of older devices. If your new gear only has USB-C ports, you’ll need an adapter to connect the older USB-A stuff.
USB-A is the older, rectangular USB connector type commonly found on older accessories. If your device only has USB-C/Thunderbolt ports, you’ll need an adapter or cable to use USB-A peripherals.
Term
phone
"You know, it's a bit of an expensive phone. But I do love the phone actually. But yeah, so it just got me thinking, if I was to..."
They’re talking about a mobile phone that’s being paid off over time. The monthly bill includes both the phone service and the payments for the phone itself, so the price can creep up.
The speaker is discussing the cost of a mobile phone plan and the phone’s financing/repayments. In many markets, the “device repayments” are bundled with the monthly service plan, so the total cost changes as plan pricing increases.
"If I was to sort of order from Optus now, would they just charge me the $288 on the next bill when it cancels?"
Optus is a phone company. They’re asking whether Optus would charge the remaining phone payoff amount on the next bill if they cancel or switch.
Optus is a telecommunications provider. The speaker is considering switching to Optus and wondering how remaining device repayment balances are handled when the service is cancelled or changed.
"Do you know how much data you're using every month? ... But of course we're offering more data. I went, data that people don't need."
“Data” is the internet allowance on your phone plan. It’s measured per month, and most people don’t use all of theirs—so paying more for extra data may not help.
In mobile plans, “data” is the amount of internet you can use each month on your phone. When carriers raise prices, they often claim it’s because they’re offering more data, but many users don’t come close to using their full allowance.
"So mate, you know, the great thing there is again, you've got that boost mobile option. [1268.1s] They're 12 month Sims."
Boost Mobile is a phone service provider. This part is about your mobile plan cost, not anything mechanical on a car.
“Boost Mobile” is a wireless carrier option. When a podcast mentions a “boost mobile option,” they’re usually talking about a specific mobile plan or pricing structure rather than a car-related feature.
"About, I don't know, a year ago, the factory screen protector started a bubble on the crease, which then eventually destroyed the screen, the actual screen of the internal screen of the phone."
They mean the protective film that came with the phone. It started peeling/bubbling, and that eventually damaged the actual screen underneath.
A factory screen protector is a pre-installed or manufacturer-supplied protective film over a display. In this case, it started to bubble at a crease, which then led to damage of the phone’s internal screen.
"They sent me a, that was destroyed, they sent me a refurbished Fold 5. This is my second one."
A refurbished device is a previously owned phone that has been repaired, tested, and restored to working condition—often with cosmetic or component replacements. The speaker received a refurbished Fold 5 after the original internal screen was destroyed.
Term
mobile plan
"But remember, $25 a month. [1470.1s] That's what you're going to be paying for the mobile plan. [1472.3s] So the other $40 a month that you were going to have to pay,"
A mobile plan is what you pay each month to use your phone on a cellular network. It’s separate from paying off the phone itself.
A mobile plan is the monthly service contract you pay for cellular service (data, calls, texts). In the segment, the speaker contrasts the plan cost with the phone’s device repayment cost.
"So yeah, it just all works in nicely with Mac and iOS, I guess.
I mean, the Chromebook, I've had the ASUS CX-14.
...
See, Chromebooks don't need a lot."
A Chromebook is a laptop that mostly works through the internet—like using Google apps in a browser. Since it stores a lot online, it usually doesn’t need as much built-in storage as other laptops.
A Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s ChromeOS and is designed around web apps and cloud storage. Because most work happens in the browser, they typically don’t need large local storage compared with traditional Windows laptops.
"It's got a touch screen and it's an OLED screen.
You know, there's, there's some, but if you're going to hook it up to some monitors,"
OLED is a type of screen that usually looks really sharp, with strong contrast and vivid colors. If you’re connecting to external monitors, the built-in screen quality matters less.
An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display can produce very high contrast and deep blacks because each pixel can turn off independently. In laptops, OLED is often chosen for better image quality, but it may not matter much if you’re mostly using external monitors.
"Yeah, the screen, I'll just have to have that, you know, [1808.2s] closed once it's connected via USB-C, which is what I was doing with the old one."
USB-C is the common “plug shape” you see on newer laptops and phones. Here, it’s the cable connection between the computer and the screen.
USB-C is a modern, reversible USB connector used for charging and data transfer. In this context, it’s how the screen connects to the device, so compatibility and cable quality can affect performance and stability.
"[1838.4s] So, but I think the ASUS CX-14 is a great little Chromebook. [1842.2s] I think you should be able to get one for under 800 bucks."
They’re talking about an ASUS Chromebook called the CX-14. The idea is that it should be fast enough for everyday work, even when you’re using multiple screens.
ASUS CX-14 is being discussed as a Chromebook model. The key point is that it’s positioned as a capable, budget-friendly option for multi-screen work, implying it has enough performance for typical office tasks.
"I do like the idea of a Chromebox and I know that they're not readily available anymore and they're quite expensive. But I do like the idea of that because, you know, like, I don't need the display."
A Chromebox is a small computer that uses Chrome OS. It’s meant to work mainly online, so you don’t need a big local setup like you would with some other computers.
A Chromebox is a small desktop computer that runs Google’s Chrome OS. It’s typically designed to be “always connected,” with most apps and data living in the cloud rather than on the local machine.
"...you're definitely going to be faced with pre-roll and mid-roll ads that you can't skip. That's one of the biggest negatives for you."
Some streaming videos show ads before the show starts (pre-roll) and again during the show (mid-roll). The annoying part is that sometimes you can’t skip those ads, so you have to sit through them.
Pre-roll ads play before the video starts, and mid-roll ads play partway through. On many streaming platforms, these ad breaks can’t be skipped, which changes how “watchable” long-form content feels compared with ad-free or DVR-style viewing.
"I loved Allegiant Stadium. You know why? Because I think it's the short, you know, the in goal area is quite short."
The in-goal area is the end zone where scoring happens. If it’s shorter, players have less space to work with near the goal line, which changes how the game feels.
The in-goal area is the scoring zone at one end of a field (common in rugby and some football codes). Its dimensions affect how teams position players and how kickoffs and returns are set up.
"there's no ads during the game. It's only at halftime. Okay."
Halftime is the break between the first and second halves of a game. In broadcast terms, it’s a common window for ad insertion, which the speaker contrasts with ads during live play.
"It even gives you mind maps. So once it's done the summary, the conversation, the highlights of this transcript, the bullet points, it'll then give you your to-do or your action items"
A mind map is a diagram that helps you organize thoughts. The main idea is in the middle, and everything else branches out so you can see what matters and what to do next.
A mind map is a visual way to organize information around a central idea, with branches for related topics. In this context, the AI turns a transcript into structured, easy-to-scan planning material like summaries and action items.
Select text to request an explanation
The EFTM podcast. Talkback technology. Got a question about tech?
Trev's here to help. Not sure what to buy. Ask Trev.
Australia's number one talkback technology podcast.
I was gobsmacked. I spoke to you on the Tuesday.
Thursday afternoon there's this lovely courier man at me back door with a parcel for me.
All I know is we've been 24 hours mate. You had it sorted after five weeks of hell, raising hell.
Mate I can't thank you enough.
Join the conversation. Head to eftm.com and click Ask Trev.
Hoping Australians would take questions for over 15 years. The EFTM podcast would Trev along.
Real Australians. Real questions. Every week.
You can text Trev now thanks to Vodafone on 0477 657 657.
Great to have you company. Thank you for listening once again to the EFTM podcast.
As we push our way through April. It's great to have you company.
And I enjoy sitting back on a Tuesday and having these chats with you and anyone who calls.
This is a talkback technology show. It is all about trying to help you out where I can.
So if you've got a tech question or you just want to brag about tech.
Something tech in your life. Get in touch. I'd love to talk to you about it.
I'm happy to just shoot the breeze. You don't have to have a problem.
But if you've experienced something. You've learned something. You've tried something.
Anything other people could benefit from knowing it. Then let me know.
Just send us a text 0477 657 657. Thanks to Vodafone. That's the number.
Producer Rob will be in touch. We'll line you up. We'll get you on the show.
We record on Tuesdays at lunchtime and try and publish the episode as close to and as quickly after the recording as we can.
And if you're listening in the two blokes talking tech feed, thank you for listening to this show as well as two blokes and the TV show,
the movie show and whatever other shows you listen to in that feed. It's appreciated.
If you haven't bothered at any time to leave a rating or review at the Apple iTunes store, then you should do that.
The podcast app allows you to do this with great ease.
So please be willing to. No one's done that for a long time.
Someone did it in October last year. I feel like I've read that one though.
And there is also some form of commenting on Spotify. It's very hard for me to find them.
I'm not going to lie to you. It's very hard to find them in our kind of back end system.
It tries to tell me when there's comments.
But I don't know where to find them.
It's a very weird setup and system that they have.
But it comes up somewhere, but unfortunately it's very hard for me to see.
So with apologies to anyone who has been leaving comments and what not, thank you.
And please rate the show on Spotify as well because that obviously helps.
All these things just help the algorithms. You know what I mean?
Sometimes people are just browsing the internet and they're looking for things to talk about or things to listen to.
This helps them find them.
But yeah, I don't know where to go. I'm looking through the thing now and I can't quite see where there's any comment.
But it's definitely come up before. In my back end, it's come up where I can see what's happening.
It might be a different app. I've got to download or something.
But they don't make it easy. Put it that way.
But anyway, I'd love to hear from you no matter what the case.
Best way to do it, the easiest way to do it is the text line.
Also WhatsApp 0477657657.
If you've got the EFTM app, then easy. Just click Ask Trev on there.
And there's always prizes to win, folks.
This week, we're giving away a robot vacuum.
EcoVax Latest T80S. It's a $1,799 robot vacuum, folks, with a roller mop and everything.
This is pretty much all the latest EcoVax technology in a slightly more affordable product.
It's $1,799. So well worth a look.
And if you haven't entered, do it now and do it daily.
That's the thing, remember, you can enter every day.
I'm not going to send reminders out every day.
But thousands of people do enter and many of them every day.
So get on it, folks.
But in the meantime, lots of people to talk to today.
So let's get cracking with your calls.
That's it. Get in touch. We'd love to hear from you if you've got a tech question
or maybe you just want to talk about some cool thing that you just bought
and you want to brag about it. We're cool with that as well.
You can get in touch, as we said, as Dixie just said.
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark.
Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.
