In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we exclusively revealed the results to date of WA Police using Apple’s CarPlay on patrol. Police only need to use voice commands thanks to Motorola Solutions core application. Using CarPlay and SIRI has cut down the amount of paperwork officers are required to do per shift which means more time on the streets. I saw the demo firsthand at Motorola Solutions HQ this week. WA Police has been using the system for more than a year and in this segment I can tell you exclusively what the results are.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Jaynie Seal) we took a look at the latest round of layoffs by Google’s parent company Alphabet. The tech industry has already seen tens of thousands let go over recent months so what does that mean for consumers? The tech giants went on a hiring blitz during the pandemic - for good reason - but with a recession looming and profits reducing, staff numbers are being reduced. However … there’s one company that’s not shedding staff like the others.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we took a look at the beginning of the end for passwords. It’s called PASSKEY. The aim is to log in the same way you unlock your phone, using biometrics or a PIN on a device, like your phone. Google, Apple and Microsoft are all committed to PASSKEY and are part of the FIDO ALLIANCE (Fast Identity Online Alliance).

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we asked the question; where was the big drone show on New Year’s Eve? Drone swarms have been growing in popularity around the globe but Sydney wasn’t keen on using the technology to see in the new year. We loved the fireworks so why didn’t we see drones as well?

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we discussed Ford and Volkswagen pulling their funding from ARGO AI, an autonomous vehicle technology company.

The decision by Ford and Volkswagen to pull out ARGO AI is significant, as together they pumped 3.6 billion US dollars into the business. Ford is going to put its money into driver assist technology rather than full-blown AI driving, which many now believe is decades away from becoming a reality on our roads.

Apple announced four new iPhones today (iPhone 14 | iPhone 14 Plus | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 14 Pro Max) but as always it’s the cameras that grab the attention of Image Matrix Tech - so this story is all about the pro line. The iPhone 14 Pro breaks free from the 12MP tradition in the main camera for the first time. Apple has long held firm on tweaking its 12MP sensors - with great results mind you - but this is a big move that will see more changes in coming devices .. hopefully a periscope zoom.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we reported live from Kuala Lumpur* about the rising demand for security cameras around the world and how they are being deployed. We showed a public safety demo that looked like something out of a Jason Bourne movie. . Motorola Solutions put on the demo to show how security cameras and police work together to solve crimes and respond to disasters. Using body cameras and the latest CCTV cameras they showed how a team in a control room can track down criminals in real time and communicate effectively with first responders. All the relevant video is saved for evidence.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Jaynie Seal) we looked at Samsung’s new foldable phones. The tech heavyweight Samsung is banking on foldable phones to increase its marketshare and keep ahead of its biggest rival Apple. This comes as the iPhone continues to take big chunks out of the Android market. So are foldables finally ready for mainstream? We discuss the release of the Samsung Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4. Samsung says other Android users are coming to Samsung due to phones like the Flip .

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Jaynie Seal) we looked at how Apple AirTags are helping travellers track down lost luggage. Although other trackers like Tile have been around for some time, AirTags have really changed the game due to the number of devices, not just phones, that are part Find My system.

One of my favourite Apple Watch bands is the Pride band. So it’s great to see in celebration of Pride month in June, Apple is releasing two new Pride Edition bands plus dynamic Pride watch faces in support of the global LGBTQ+ community and equality movement.

The 2022 Pride Edition Sport Loop displays a colour gradient with the word ‘pride’ woven directly into the band. Apple is also launching a new Shot on iPhone pride campaign on Instagram that captures the essence of artists and figures within the global LGBTQ+ community.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we discussed why Australia doesn’t have federal elections online. We’ve had some online voting in Australia but nothing on the scale of a full federal election. Voting via the Internet is available in several counties around the world, like Brazil and Estonia, but here in Australia it’s still paper and pencil.

Why? We do the census online and our banking online so why not elections?  It turns out the answer is more than the technical challenge because other countries have proved that it can be done. It comes down to trust, transparency and tradition. The AEC conducts federal elections in accordance with the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The introduction of Electronic voting would require legislative change, which is a matter for Parliament.

If you want more historic detail on why we don’t vote via the Internet, check out these resources.

Australia’s Forcite Helmets has just released the MK1S. A smart helmet inspired by a bike accident the CEO was injured in. It’s taken two years of development and $10.1M of R&D investment. The helmet includes smart navigation technology, alerting riders of upcoming dangers. The LED display is designed to be non-distracting - no need to look down or at a head-up display.

There’s no bulky clip-on camera or headsets. An embedded camera records continuously - in HD. Following an accident, or even a dropped helmet, Forcite owners can send their helmet to have the shell replaced and the tech components salvaged.

Another great Australian tech success story.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we looked an Australian designed and built underwater drone. “Hydrus” is a fully autonomous submarine robot that doesn’t need a cable to explore. It is (for real) a game changer for undersea mapping and exploring.

This system developed by Advanced Navigation is much safer.

In our recent segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Gabriella Power) we looked Google’s annual health event “The Check up” and the company’s emphasis on body sensors. Currently patients recovering from knee surgery attend a gait lab for 3D motion capture. But Google is hoping to get similar results by using existing USB-dongle-sized sensors. These sensors would track relevant metrics, like knee angular velocity. This data, collected 24/7, would then be used to improve the recovery process. As the owner of bad knees - this is great news.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we looked at how Webfleet’s telematics technology and traditional driving lessons are combining to make better learner drivers.

The in-vehicle technology will capture precise detail of any dangerous driving behaviours that occur during the lesson, such as speeding around a corner, harsh braking or oversteering to avoid an overlooked hazard.

Failing to stop was indicated to be the most common error reported on practical driving tests across Australia. However, in New South Wales, failing to look over a shoulder proved to be the most common error.

In Sunday's segment on Sky News Australia (Weekend Edition with Tim Gilbert) we looked at Samsung’s S22 ULTRA. Is it the phone of the year already? The phone combines the best of the Note (S-Pen) and the best of the S-Series (Cameras).

Price: $1849 to $2449

We look at the productivity and image capturing capabilities of the ULTRA with plenty of test shots taken around Sydney Harbour at night. More testing is needed before we can say this will be phone of the year. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is holding its own at this point.

HAVE SMARTPHONES REACHED THEIR PEAK?

A lot of people are asking, “where’s the innovation?” when it comes to new phones. We discuss how significant under-the-hood updates are being missed my consumers. The new Samsung phones, like the new Apple devices, appear to be similar to recent versions. But the ‘unseen’ changes deliver big benefits when it comes to battery life and camera performance.

CHECK YOUR FIND MY IPHONE SETTINGS NOW

Tim called during the week about his daughter’s missing iPhone. We discovered that Find My wasn’t active but fortunately they located the phone later in the day. iPhones and Android devices have built-in location tracking but you must turn it on as soon as you setup your mobile.

We take you through the basics so you can always find your phone because some of the settings have changed. Third party apps are not needed.

TECH GIFTS FOR YOUR VALENTINE

When hi-tech meets fashion - that’s a good place to start.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer - $599

HUAWEI FreeBuds Lipstick Wireless Earbuds - $369 (These look amazing)

DJI Mini 2 4K Drone - $749

Ecovacs Deebot T9+ Robot Vacuum Cleaner $1299 - what better way to express your love than getting a robot to do the cleaning so you can spend more time together ;)