What’s Inside the Packaging?

How Easy Is It to Setup?

The review unit came with the Hardwiring Cable, which means the dash cam gets wired directly to the car’s 12V battery rather than plugging into the cigarette lighter socket. Professional installation is the recommended route and thankfully, doesn’t cost much at where I live. The benefit of going hardwired is that it unlocks Parking Surveillance mode — the camera keeps recording even when the car is off and parked.

There is no screen on the unit itself, which is actually a deliberate design decision rather than a cost-cutting measure. It keeps the unit compact and the price more reasonable. For all your settings and video playback, everything is handled through the THINKWARE Dash Cam Link app on your phone.

Pairing was easy. The U3000 PRO supports both Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz). I connected mine via Bluetooth first to pair, then switched to Wi-Fi direct for faster video transfer. All settings can be changed from the app, and you can browse, watch, and download any recordings directly to your phone — no need to pull the memory card out and plug it into a card reader on your PC. Being able to grab a specific incident clip and share it straight to social media or send it to someone within minutes is pretty handy.

What’s the Video Quality Like?

The front camera records at 4K UHD (2160p) using a Sony Starvis 2 IMX678 image sensor, and the rear camera shoots at 2K QHD (1440p) — both at 30fps. You can also switch the front down to 2K if you want 60fps instead, which gives you smoother and sharper footage for fast-moving situations.

The 147° wide-angle lens at the front and 156° at the rear do a great job of minimising blind spots. This kind of coverage matters — not just for capturing as much of the road as possible, but also because it gives you more flexibility in where you mount the unit on the windscreen. You do not have to nail the exact perfect position to get useful footage.

Low-light performance is handled by Super Night Vision 4.0, which takes advantage of the Sony Starvis 2 sensor’s high sensitivity to capture clean footage in poorly-lit conditions. The combination of HDR processing on both cameras, automatic exposure adjustment, and nighttime picture correction means the footage holds up well when headlights, tunnels, or dim streets come into play.

Video quality settings go up to 30Mbps (High option) for the front camera, which gives you more detail in each frame — useful if you ever need to read a number plate or identify a vehicle clearly.

Front and Rear Cameras

Having both front and rear cameras is more useful than it sounds day-to-day. Tailgating is a common enough occurrence on Australian roads, and if someone rear-ends you, you have the whole thing captured from both angles. The rear camera also helps document any near-misses that happen behind the vehicle. Both cameras run the Sony Starvis 2 sensor, so the quality gap between front and rear is minimal.

There is also an optional cabin camera (purchased separately) that can be added for a third channel — useful for rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, or parents with kids in the car. It uses infrared for night visibility and does not require a multiplexer, so installation stays straightforward.

Parking Surveillance and Battery Protection

This is where the U3000 PRO gets interesting, and also where most people have questions. When the car is parked and off, the dash cam draws power from the 12V battery. That understandably makes people nervous. THINKWARE has put a lot of thought into managing this, and after more than two weeks of use including parking surveillance, I have not had any battery issues with the Ioniq 5.

A few things work together to protect your battery. The camera automatically cuts off after 6 hours to prevent deep discharge. Beyond that, there are multiple parking modes you can choose from depending on your situation.

Radar Parking Mode is the highlighted feature here. The U3000 PRO has built-in dual RADAR sensors at the front and rear. In this mode, the camera essentially sleeps at very low power and only wakes up when radar detects motion near the vehicle. THINKWARE claims this mode can provide over 20 times longer parking surveillance compared to standard continuous monitoring. Independent testing from the dash cam community puts the power draw at roughly 16mA in this mode — well down from the 250mA+ you would see with traditional parking recording.

Energy Saving 2.0 mode goes even further, drawing as low as 9mA by only saving footage when an actual impact is detected rather than motion. I ended up switching to this mode because the motion detection was picking up too many people walking past the parked car. There are too many events to browse through and most of them are not particularly useful to me. If something actually hits the car, that is what you really need recorded but of course, it’s up to your preference.

Impact and Motion Detection mode captures any bump or movement around the vehicle. Time Lapse mode records continuously at 2fps during parking without a big hit to power consumption. Smart Parking Mode adds thermal protection, automatically dropping to impact-only recording if temperatures inside the car get too high during parking.

There is also automatic voltage protection built in. The dash cam monitors battery voltage and shuts down before it drops too low to start the car, which is the real safety net for longer parking sessions.

Advanced Driver Alerts and GPS

The U3000 PRO includes an Advanced Driver Alert System (ADAS) with Forward Collision Warning at both highway and urban speeds, plus a Front Vehicle Departure Warning that nudges you when the car ahead starts moving at traffic lights or in a jam.

In practice, I mostly keep these turned off because the Ioniq 5 already has all of these warnings built into the car. For anyone driving an older vehicle without these systems though, having them in the dash cam is a worthwhile addition rather than having nothing at all.

The built-in GPS handles speed and location tracking, and also powers the Safety Camera Alerts — fixed speed cameras, red light cameras, mobile speed zones, and average speed cameras. These alerts work as passive reminders while you drive and are updated via the THINKWARE platform.

Memory and Storage

The U3000 PRO supports memory cards up to 512GB, which is more than enough for extended recording. It uses continuous loop recording so older footage gets overwritten as the card fills up, and event recordings triggered by the G-sensor are protected from being overwritten. So there is no need to remind yourself to format the storage card every now and then, which is good.

THINKWARE U3000 PRO REVIEW CONCLUSION

The THINKWARE U3000 PRO is a well-thought-out dash cam that covers everything exceptionally well and then adds a meaningful layer of parking intelligence on top. The 4K front and 2K rear footage is sharp and detailed, the app makes managing recordings far more convenient than the old card-reader method, and the dual RADAR parking system addresses the battery drain concern that puts many people off hardwired dash cams. After two weeks of daily use and overnight parking surveillance, the car starts without any issues and the footage quality has been consistently solid.

If you drive an older car without built-in safety alerts, the ADAS features add extra value. If you are already in a vehicle with those systems like the Ioniq 5, you will mostly rely on the core recording and parking capabilities — which are strong enough to justify the U3000 PRO on their own.

The THINKWARE U3000 PRO is available in Australia through authorised THINKWARE retailers (also at Amazon). It is a solid investment for anyone who wants comprehensive, around-the-clock dash cam coverage.

Disclosure: THINKWARE U3000 PRO review sample was supplied for reviewing

In 2026, AI-powered content creation has evolved from a futuristic luxury into an absolute baseline requirement for growing on social media. Creative burnout is an inevitable reality for creators, and motivation naturally fluctuates. However, the Instagram algorithm does not hit pause—missing your publishing windows quickly leads to a steep drop in overall organic reach.

To break this cycle, modern creators are turning to automated systems that streamline production. Utilizing an advanced tool like Virale provides an end-to-end solution. This dedicated AI Agent studies your specific Instagram profile, automates trend discovery, and delivers tailor-made scripts and ready-to-post assets directly within a single, streamlined conversation interface.

Data Security: How Virale Works with Your Instagram Account

When integrating an artificial intelligence tool with a business or creator profile that directly impacts your livelihood, questioning data safety is completely justified.

The integration process prioritizes security through a compliance-first framework:

• Official Meta Integration: The software operates strictly via official Meta APIs. ChatPlace holds long-standing platform approval and fully adheres to all developer policies, entirely eliminating the risk of profile bans or shadowbans.
• Zero Credential Storing: The system never requests, views, or stores your direct Instagram password or login credentials.
• Real-Time Processing: Your content analytics are processed in real time over heavily encrypted connections, and your data is never stored on external servers or sold to third parties.
• Instant Access Revocation: You retain absolute ownership and can securely disconnect the integration from your Meta dashboard at any moment.

Think of this setup like a modern online banking application. The app allows you to view balances and execute transactions safely, but your funds remain secure within the institution. This system functions identically, allowing you to scale your business with total peace of mind.

How to Find Reels Ideas in Your Niche Using AI

The most common question among content creators is: How do I consistently uncover Reels concepts that actually perform well in my specific niche? Historically, this required hours of daily manual scrolling, bookmarking random references, and guessing why certain videos captured the public interest. Advanced algorithms have completely automated this workflow.

Reels Trends in 2026: What Actually Matters

Social media trends shift rapidly, frequently changing on a weekly basis. Instagram aggressively rewards speed and cultural relevance. Manually tracking these micro-trends used to be a full-time job; today, it requires a single, well-phrased text prompt to your AI assistant.

Tracking Competitors on Instagram

The specialized “Followed” monitoring feature allows you to keep an automated eye on industry leaders and direct competitors. This system tracks:

1. Brand-new Reels published across monitored profiles.
2. Granular performance metrics showcasing which video structures took off and which flopped.
3. An automated adaptation pipeline that transforms competitor insights into your own unique script.

This methodology is not about direct copying. It is an automated content marketing practice where you isolate a functional framework, extract the core value, and present it using your own unique voice and branding.

What Is a Hook in Reels – and How to Write Great Ones

A hook consists of the opening 1-3 seconds of your short-form video. This brief window determines whether a user stays or scrolls away. A weak hook completely suppresses your organic reach, regardless of how valuable or beautifully edited the rest of the video is.

To help you diversify your approach, the system generates high-converting hooks across several proven psychological angles:

• Analytical Questions:”Did you know this hidden setting alters your reach…?” or “Why is nobody talking about this algorithm shift?”
• Pattern Interrupts:”Forget everything you were previously told about digital marketing…”
• Direct Pain Points:”Tired of editing videos for hours?” or “If you are currently struggling to close sales, listen up.”
• Curiosity Loops:”This single metric completely changed how I script my content.”
• Targeted Audience Callouts:”Fitness coaches, stop scrolling” or “This is a mandatory checklist for e-commerce owners.”

The AI Agent evaluates historical niche data to pinpoint which hooks yield the highest retention rates, giving you custom variations tailored to your specific audience.

Reels Breakdown: Why Your Video Didn’t Perform

When a highly polished Reel fails to gain traction, relying on guesswork is counterproductive. The “Reels Feedback” feature provides an analytical post-mortem of your video by evaluating:

• The literal retention strength of your opening hook.
• Structural pacing and overall video dynamics.
• Visual clarity, lighting, and framing choices.
• The raw emotional engagement of your presentation.
• The conversion efficacy of your closing call-to-action (CTA).

Instead of vague, unhelpful critiques, you receive precise, actionable instructions on what to fix. The agent can even rewrite your existing script on the spot to immediately fix identified pacing flaws.

How to Adapt Someone Else’s Reel Without Copying

True adaptation is about understanding structure, not plagiarizing text. You are simply analyzing functional containers to hold your original insights.

The systematic adaptation workflow operates seamlessly:

Drop a reference Reel link into the chat → AI deconstructs the hook, pacing, and delivery style → Agent blends this structure with your brand’s unique tone of voice → You receive a fully original script tailored to your profile 

Because the neural network factors in your past content successes rather than pulling from generic internet templates, the resulting script feels completely organic to your personal brand.

AI Content Planning: A 30-Day Strategy in One Prompt

Sustained, predictable growth requires a rigorous macro-strategy rather than sporadic, disorganized posts. With a single command, you can generate a comprehensive 30-day Instagram editorial calendar.

Your automated content plan provides complete creative clarity by outlining exactly what to produce:

• Daily Topic Distribution: A sequential list of highly targeted subjects optimized for your specific target market.
• Format Recommendations: An optimal mix of high-reach Reels, educational carousels, and highly interactive daily Stories.
• Custom Hook Blueprints: Distinct, high-retention title variations pre-written for every single planned asset.
• Algorithmic Posting Windows: Data-driven recommendations highlighting the exact hours your audience is most active.
• A/B Testing Frameworks: Built-in variations for headlines and video formats to help you continuously test and optimize your strategy.

Having a data-backed roadmap completely removes the daily anxiety of “what to post tomorrow.” Instead of reacting to the algorithm layout line-by-line, you gain a high-level strategic overview that keeps your messaging aligned across all formats—allowing you to confidently focus on high-impact assets, such as the platform’s most engaging visual elements. 

AI Carousels: One of Virale’s Most Powerful Features

Multi-slide carousels are a powerful mechanism for driving deep profile engagement. Historically, they trigger up to three times more saves and shares than standard static images. However, creating them manually is an operational bottleneck that requires hours of copywriting, graphic design, and brand formatting.

By utilizing advanced AI design functions, you can generate a fully structured, visually cohesive 5-to-10-slide carousel in under 60 seconds. The underlying text copy, slide flow, and layout directions align perfectly with your established brand aesthetic without needing a graphic designer or generic Canva templates.

What You Get in Every Carousel?

• High-Conversion Cover: A visually striking first slide designed to halt scrolling using a powerful, high-contrast hook.
• Structured Content Slides: Highly legible, snackable information blocks optimized for maximum reading comfort and user comprehension.
• Brand-Aligned Aesthetics: Complete harmony across colors, font hierarchies, and layouts to match your existing grid.
• High-Intent Closing CTA: A clear final slide optimized to drive profile follows, content saves, or direct website clicks.

Who Is It Perfect For?

• Coaches & Consultants: Effortlessly break down complex frameworks, case studies, and step-by-step tutorials to build immediate brand authority.
• E-commerce & Small Businesses: Feature product benefits, answer persistent customer FAQs, or show behind-the-scenes processes cleanly.
• Digital Content Creators: Batch-produce highly educational resources that encourage users to tap the “save” button, boosting your standing with the algorithm.

How It Works: Step-by-Step

1. Connect Your Profile: The system takes roughly 2 minutes to analyze your historical content style, target demographic, and visual themes.
2. State Your Objective: Input a straightforward text prompt detailing your core topic and the specific business goal of the post.
3. Review and Refine: The agent generates your complete multi-slide carousel. You can request instant adjustments like: “Make slide 4 more concise” or “Increase the urgency of the final CTA.”
4. Download and Publish: Export your completed asset and post it directly to your feed.

This simple, four-step process eliminates the friction of content creation. By converting a complex, multi-stage production design pipeline into a quick conversational workflow, you can consistently publish high-engaging carousels without ever staring at a blank page or wasting hours on formatting. 

Instagram Profile Audit: Optimize Before You Post

Even the most viral piece of short-form content will fail to generate revenue if your profile is unoptimized. If your landing page is confusing, profile visitors will leave without hitting follow. To prevent this traffic loss, the system performs an instant, comprehensive profile audit:

Search Visibility Check → Audits your profile name and handles for SEO optimization → Positioning Clarity → Evaluates your Bio description to ensure your value offer is clear → Highlights Architecture → Reviews your pinned folders to ensure an easy onboarding flow → Call-to-Action Efficiency → Tests your links to ensure your sales funnels are converting traffic 

Following the audit, you receive a prioritized checklist of fixes. This ensures you fix high-impact bottleneck errors first before worrying about minor visual tweaks.

Viral Content Isn’t Luck – It’s a System

True virality on modern social networks is rarely a random stroke of luck; it is the predictable outcome of a reliable formula:

Virality = Trend Relevance + High-Retention Hook + Audience Alignment

While no platform can promise absolute virality for every single post, deploying a data-driven system consistently outperforms random, intuition-based publishing.

Step-by-Step: From Prompt to High-Performing Reel

1. Link Your Profile: Complete the secure, official API onboarding within 3 minutes.
2. Isolate an Industry Trend: Identify high-performing topics inside your niche dashboard.
3. Select a Structural Reference: Feed a proven video link directly into the AI chat interface.
4. Acquire a Tailored Script: Receive a fully personalized script adapted to your voice.
5. Record and Publish: Shoot your video using the technical checklist and upload it to your feed.
6. Analyze and Iterate: Review your automated performance feedback to continuously improve your next batch of content.

This workflow condenses an exhaustive 3-hour research and writing sprint into a streamlined 15-minute process.

Why Basic ChatGPT Isn’t Enough for Social Media

Standard, general-purpose conversational models lack the context of your specific digital footprint. Every time you open a new chat window, you are forced to re-explain your business model, target market, past content wins, and visual preferences from scratch.

This system removes that operational friction entirely. By anchoring the advanced language capabilities of Claude by Anthropic to a custom-built social media data loop, the tool remains perpetually aware of your brand identity. It eliminates the need for complex prompt engineering, allowing you to generate tailored strategies through simple, conversational text.

At-a-Glance: Production Workflow Comparison

To see exactly how much time and operational energy you can save, it is helpful to contrast the traditional creation process with an automated, data-driven system. This clear comparison highlights the massive difference in daily efficiency: 

This shift in workflow effectively removes the heavy lifting from your daily routine. Instead of wasting hours acting as a manual researcher and copywriter, you step into the role of a strategic director—focusing your energy entirely on on-camera delivery and high-level business growth. 

Driving Predictable Growth

By integrating these generative features directly into the broader ChatPlace ecosystem, you gain a complete, multi-faceted growth assistant. You can seamlessly transition from hands-off content planning to deploying automated AI direct messaging agents that field customer inquiries around the clock.

Sustained, honest, and long-term Instagram growth in 2026 relies on a calculated combination of high-value content, consistent community networking, and intelligent automation. You no longer need an enterprise marketing budget or a massive team of SMM managers to scale your profile. Simply link your account, initiate a conversation with your agent, and let data-driven systems scale your digital footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly is Virale and how does it optimize content creation?

It is a dedicated conversational AI assistant engineered by ChatPlace specifically for social media managers and creators. The tool reviews your live profile metrics, matches them against real-time industry trends, and writes highly personalized scripts, hooks, carousels, and monthly content strategies tailored to your exact target market.

How does this tool differ from standard web-based AI platforms?

Standard language models have no real-time awareness of your actual social media presence. This system tracks your profile’s historical performance, unique tone of voice, and visual themes, generating contextually aware marketing assets rather than generic text templates.

Does integrating my account expose me to platform security risks?

Not at all. The tool routes all data through official, Meta-approved API integrations that comply fully with Instagram’s developer terms of service. It never handles your personal login credentials, keeps your data fully encrypted, and gives you the ability to instantly revoke profile access at any time.

Can using this software guarantee that my videos go viral?

No software can promise definitive virality due to changing audience preferences. However, the tool significantly increases your statistical probability of success by combining automated trend analysis, high-retention hook patterns, and data-backed scripting into a repeatable system.

How does the application identify real-time trends in my niche?

The software continuously tracks engagement metrics, viral audio usage, and content patterns across adjacent markets and monitored competitor profiles. This data allows it to isolate exactly what formats are capturing attention right now, allowing you to adapt those frameworks instantly.

Am I at risk of copyright claims when adapting other creators’ videos?

No. The system analyzes abstract structural pillars, pacing frameworks, and hook delivery styles rather than copying proprietary text scripts. The final script is rewritten from scratch to reflect your unique insights, perspectives, and brand identity.

How much time can I expect to save using this automated system?

Traditional workflows—encompassing trend analysis, storyboard design, copywriting, and manual calendar mapping—typically consume several hours per week. This automated ecosystem condenses that entire production pipeline into a 10-to-15-minute workflow.

What industries or profiles benefit most from this setup?

The system is highly effective for educational content creators, fitness coaches, corporate consultants, business experts, and small business owners who want to maintain a highly active, professional social media presence without sacrificing hours of operational time to manual scripting and graphic design.

Belkin has teamed up with Disney and Pixar to release a special edition iPad case based on Lilypad, the frog-shaped smart tablet character from the upcoming Toy Story 5 — hitting cinemas on 18 June (if you haven’t seen the trailer yet, I’ve linked/embedded the trailer below, definitely worth a watch!). For families with young kids or Disney collectors, this is a pretty fun crossover between everyday tech accessories and one of the most anticipated animated films of the year.

The case is designed to transform an iPad into a character companion of sorts, with expressive eye details and a design closely inspired by Lilypad’s appearance in the film. It’s compatible with the iPad 10th and 11th generation, and beyond the looks, Belkin has made sure it holds up to the real-world chaos that comes with handing a tablet to a child.

Construction is built around durable EVA foam, which is solid at absorbing the bumps and drops that are pretty much inevitable during everyday play. The edges are soft and grippy, making it easier for smaller hands to hold on to securely. There’s also a built-in carry handle for portability and a foldable kickstand that props the iPad up for hands-free use — whether that’s watching videos, drawing, or doing schoolwork.

A nice touch is the inclusion of a QR code inside the packaging that unlocks complimentary Lilypad-themed wallpapers for the home and lock screens, which really does make the whole setup feel more cohesive. The materials are non-toxic and wipe-clean, which any parent will appreciate more than they’d like to admit.

The Belkin Lilypad iPad Case is available now for A$69.95 AUD through Belkin.com/au and Amazon.com.au, with Costco availability coming soon.

Toy Story 5 Trailer

A launch screenshot set might look finished at first, but mobile apps rarely stay the same for long. New features ship, interfaces change, pricing pages get updated, markets are added, and teams start testing different store creatives. That is when screenshots become more than a one-time design task.

For app teams, the right screenshot tool should not only help create polished images once. It should support repeat releases, future updates, localization, and store-ready exports without forcing the team to rebuild everything manually.

Start with real app screens

A good App Store screenshot generator should start with real app screens.

This matters because screenshots represent the product users are about to download. AI-generated visuals or generic mockups can look impressive, but they can also show fake interfaces, unclear text, or product details that do not match the real app.

The best workflow keeps the actual app UI as the source, then improves the presentation around it with captions, device frames, layouts, and brand styling.

Look for reusable projects

If an app is updated regularly, screenshots need to stay editable.

A reusable project is much more valuable than a one-time image export. It lets teams replace screens, update captions, refresh styling, change languages, create new variants, and export the latest assets again.

This is especially useful after product updates. Instead of asking a designer to rebuild every screenshot from scratch, the team can update the existing project and keep the overall visual system consistent.

Check support for sizes and formats

App Store screenshots need to work across different devices, layouts, and required export sizes. The same design may need to be adapted for multiple iPhone and iPad formats.

A strong screenshot tool should help preserve readability and visual hierarchy across sizes. Captions should not break awkwardly, device frames should stay balanced, and the app UI should remain clear.

A purpose-built App Store screenshot generator should make this easier by helping teams move from raw app screens to upload-ready screenshot sets without manually rebuilding every format.

Make captions part of the workflow

Screenshots should explain the app quickly. A raw screen may show the interface, but a caption explains why the feature matters.

Instead of labels like “Dashboard” or “Reports,” stronger captions focus on benefits:

• Track progress in one place
• Get reminders before tasks are missed
• See important trends at a glance

Some tools now use AI to help draft captions, but AI should support the message rather than invent the product. The final screenshot should still be based on real app screens and accurate product claims.

Plan for localization and testing

Screenshot production grows quickly when localization and ASO testing are involved.

A team might need translated captions, right-to-left layout support, market-specific examples, different screenshot orders, or multiple creative variants for testing. What starts as 10 screenshots can quickly become hundreds of files once sizes, languages, and experiments are added.

That is why repeatability matters. The tool should help teams manage variants without losing control of the design.

Choose a workflow, not just an image maker

Tools like AppScreens are built for this kind of repeatable screenshot workflow. AppScreens helps app teams turn real app screens into polished App Store and Google Play screenshots from one editable project, with templates, AI-assisted captions, device frames, brand styling, 80+ localizations, ASO variants, and store-ready exports.

This matters because app screenshots are not finished after launch. They need to keep up with product changes, new markets, campaigns, and future releases.

The best screenshot generator is not the one that creates a single good-looking image. It is the one that helps teams keep store assets accurate, polished, localized, and easy to update every time the app changes.

What’s Inside the Packaging?

Design and Setup

The CrossWave OmniForce EdgeFind is not a large or bulky machine, which makes it easy to carry around the house. Assembly is straightforward and takes seconds — you can essentially start using it straight out of the box. It weighs 4.8kg, which is manageable, and the swivel head makes it easier to navigate around furniture.

The unit sits in a 3-in-1 Docking Station that handles charging, self-cleaning, and brush roll storage. It runs on a 25V rechargeable battery with up to 30 minutes of run time per charge, with a 4-hour recharge time. The 610ml clean water tank and 440ml dirt tank are kept separate by design.

One limitation to be aware of: the unit cannot be laid completely flat. This means cleaning those far edges underneath a bed or low furniture is tricky, as you simply cannot get the head low enough to reach in properly. It is not unique to this machine — many upright floor cleaners have the same constraint apart from the premium models — but worth knowing if underfurniture cleaning is a priority for you.

ZeroGap Edge Cleaning

The ZeroGap Technology lets the machine clean right up to the skirting boards with zero millimetres of gap. In practice, this works well. It reaches areas that a regular vacuum cleaner would normally miss, and you spend less time going over the same edge multiple times or following up with a separate tool. For anyone who has tiles or floorboards that run right up to the wall, this makes a noticeable difference.

FurFinder Headlights

The FurFinder Headlights use patented high and low beam lighting to illuminate debris on the floor. They are actually useful — not just at night or in dimly lit rooms, but even during the day. Specs of dust and short hairs from our Chihuahua that I would have otherwise walked past are now easy to spot. You can also tell when you have missed a patch during your cleaning session, which helps you do a more thorough job without going over everything twice blindly.

Power Mop Mode vs Power Vac Mode

The OmniForce EdgeFind gives you two main operating modes. Power Mop Mode vacuums and mops simultaneously, dispensing the right amount of water and cleaning solution automatically — no trigger to hold. Power Vac Mode switches off the water and gives you 75% more suction for dry vacuuming only. Switching between modes is done through the buttons on the machine and the LCD display, which is straightforward enough.

The suction is strong enough that debris does not need to be directly under the roller to get picked up — even stuff sitting a few centimetres in front of the head gets pulled in. That means you do not have to be overly precise or super slow with your strokes, and it makes the overall cleaning feel more efficient.

One thing to plan around though: if you want to use Power Vac Mode on rugs or carpets, you need to do that before the roller brush gets wet from mopping. There is no spare roller included in the box, so once you have started mopping, you either wait for the roller to dry completely before going near the carpet (which is very long), or you plan your session in order — vacuum dry surfaces first, mop the hard floors after. It is not a dealbreaker, but it does require a bit of forward thinking rather than just picking the machine up and going.

Tangle-Free Technology and Two-Tank System

The multi-surface brush roll has built-in Tangle-Free Technology, and so far it has handled both my wife’s long hair and our Chihuahua’s short hair without getting clogged. Hair and dry debris do not end up mixed in with the dirty water. The machine keeps them separated — dirty water goes out into the toilet, and dry waste goes into the bin.

That said, there is a design issue worth flagging. The strainer that captures dry and larger debris sits a little too low inside the tank. During longer cleaning sessions, as the dirty water level rises, the strainer ends up partially or fully submerged. When you pull it out afterwards, it does bring most of the dry debris up with it — but not all of it. Some debris ends up waterlogged and sinks, staying behind in the dirty water when you lift the strainer out. So while the separation system works reasonably well for shorter sessions, it is not entirely clean cut. I think raising the strainer height would be a straightforward fix that would make the separation far more reliable.

The automatic water dispensing in Power Mop Mode uses roughly one tablespoon of water per square metre. There are barely water streaks on the floor which is immediately noticeable compared to the Tineco FLOOR ONE S7 PRO. Regular/traditional mopping always left the floor wetter for longer, so this is a clear improvement for daily cleaning.

Manoeuvrability

The CrossWave OmniForce EdgeFind is reasonably easy to push and pull around the house. It is not the most effortless machine out there — some more premium models from other brands use additional technology to make movement even smoother — but it is more than good enough for everyday use. Cleaning the entire house in one session is not an issue.

Self-Cleaning Cycle

Once you are done cleaning, place the machine back into the docking station and activate the Self-Clean Cycle with one button press. It rinses and flushes out the brush roll, and you can watch the process through the transparent roller closure — dirty water passes through until everything runs clear. All the dirt ends up in the dirty water tank, which you then need to empty and rinse. Do not leave dirty water sitting in the tank for days, or it will start to smell.

There is only one self-clean mode and the cycle is fairly quick. For regular light cleaning sessions this is fine. But if the roller brush is heavily soiled or has got a bit sticky, a single cycle may not leave it properly clean. You may need to run it two or three times depending on how dirty things get. It would be better with a more intensive option for those situations.

There is also no drying mechanism after the self-clean cycle finishes. Once done, you need to remove the brush roll and leave it in the docking station to air dry. If you want a machine that dries the brush roll automatically, you are looking at models that cost roughly twice as much. At this price point I would not expect that feature — it is just something to build into your routine.

Safety and Sanitising

The included Hard Floor Sanitise Formula eliminates 99.9% of bacteria on sealed hard floors when used as directed, which is a useful addition on top of the regular cleaning. The machine is also compatible with any BISSELL formula labelled for CrossWave use. The filter is FreshStart antimicrobial washable, and Bissell recommends replacing it every three to four months, with the brush roll replaced every six months or as needed.

Bissell CrossWave OmniForce EdgeFind Review Conclusion

The Bissell CrossWave OmniForce EdgeFind is a capable and practical floor cleaning machine that does what it promises. Vacuuming and mopping in one pass saves real time in daily cleaning, and features like ZeroGap edge cleaning, FurFinder Headlights, and the Tangle-Free brush roll show that Bissell has thought carefully about the common frustrations of floor maintenance. For homes that are primarily hard floors — tiles, floorboards, laminate — this machine performs well.

There are a few rough edges but note that at A$699, it is forgivable (more premium machines mostly have fixes for these rough edges but they cost twice as much). The unit cannot lie flat, which limits reach under low furniture. The strainer separation works reasonably well but is not perfect — some debris will still end up in the dirty water after a longer session. The self-clean may need to be triggered multiple times for a heavily soiled roller. And without a spare roller in the box, you need to plan your session if dry vacuuming and mopping are both on the agenda.

Factor in the 2-year warranty and the 60-day money-back guarantee, and the OmniForce EdgeFind is still a solid buy for anyone who wants to cut down on cleaning time without spending a fortune on a premium robot cleaner or higher-end models. If you are still doing the traditional way of vacuuming and then mopping your floor separately, getting the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce EdgeFind is a fine choice.

Disclosure: Bissell CrossWave OmniForce EdgeFind review unit was supplied for reviewing

D-Link A/NZ has launched a new high-capacity portable charger that should keep most people covered for days without hunting for a power point. The D-Link DPP-201 packs a 20,000mAh battery, dual USB-C ports, and one USB-A port into a compact form factor designed for the kinds of people who are always on the move.

The numbers speak well enough for themselves. That 20,000mAh capacity can fully charge an iPhone X up to five times over, or an iPad Mini up to three times. Wireless headphones and other USB-powered devices will last even longer. More impressively, the DPP-201 supports up to 65W USB Power Delivery via USB-C, which means it can charge a Nintendo Switch up to three times on a single charge — or even top up most modern laptops.

There’s a built-in digital LED display that shows remaining battery as a real-time percentage rather than vague indicator lights, which I appreciate — nothing worse than grabbing a power bank on the way out and having no idea how much charge is left. The device also supports QC 3.0 via USB-C and delivers up to 18W via USB-A, so you’re covered regardless of what cable you’re using. All three ports can run simultaneously, which is handy if you’re trying to keep a phone, tablet, and wireless earbuds going at the same time.

D-Link has also packed in a solid set of safety features, including overcurrent, overvoltage, overcharge, overtemperature, and short circuit protection. That kind of coverage matters when you’re regularly pushing 65W through a portable device.

If you’re after a reliable 20,000mAh power bank with fast-charging USB-C support and enough grunt to keep a laptop going, the D-Link DPP-201 is worth a look. It’s available now from dlink.com.au as well as all authorised D-Link resellers and partners, priced at AU$99.95 RRP.

Motor insurance premiums in Australia have risen more than 40% over the past six years, and with the Australian Automobile Association recording over 1,300 road deaths in 2025, the case for having a reliable dash cam in your car is hard to ignore. Thinkware is addressing that with the Australian launch of the TOY2KD, a dual-channel dash cam designed specifically for Toyota vehicles and officially certified as a Toyota Australia accessory.

The TOY2KD records simultaneously from the front and rear of the vehicle, pairing a 2K QHD front camera with a Full HD rear camera. Both cameras use a Sony STARVIS image sensor and Super Night Vision 2.0 for improved clarity in low-light conditions. Field of view coverage is 124 degrees at the front and 160 degrees at the rear, which should keep blind spots to a minimum on both ends.

Built-in GPS records real-time speed and location data while also providing alerts for speed cameras, red-light cameras, and mobile enforcement zones — a practical addition for Australian roads. When hardwired, the TOY2KD also offers parking surveillance, automatically recording footage when motion or impact is detected. Time Lapse, Energy Saving, and Smart Parking modes give drivers flexibility in how the unit operates when the vehicle is stationary.

Connectivity is handled through built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, with support for the Thinkware Dash Cam Link app on both iOS and Android for footage review and settings management. A PC and Mac viewer is also available for more detailed playback and driving data.

The TOY2KD is available exclusively through Toyota dealerships across Australia, where professional installation can be arranged at the time of purchase. Each package includes the front camera, rear camera, hardwiring kit, and a 64GB microSD card.

And it’s a great phone to be used as a daily driver.

Unboxing and Packaging Contents

How’s The Design and Build Quality of OPPO Reno15 F 5G?

The Reno15 F 5G has a clean, straightforward design that doesn’t try too hard. The Dynamic Stellar Ring around the rear camera module catches light nicely and refracts it into a subtle, eye-catching shimmer. It’s not flashy or distracting — just a tasteful design touch that makes the phone look a little more premium than its price suggests.

At 158.18mm tall and 74.93mm wide, the phone sits at a comfortable size for day-to-day use. The 6.57-inch screen is large enough for content consumption, like scrolling through social media or watching movies, yet the phone doesn’t feel unwieldy in the hand. The edges have a good grip to them — noticeably less slippery than an iPhone, which makes a real difference when you’re using it one-handed. That said, it’s still a big phone, so two-handed operation will be necessary at times.

The Aurora Blue variant features OPPO’s Glow texture with precision-etched patterns that shift colour as light moves across the surface, while the Twilight Black and Afterglow Pink editions come with a Velvet Glass-feel panel — soft to the touch but scratch and smudge resistant. Build quality feels solid throughout, which is reassuring at this price point.

The box includes a transparent protective case, and honestly, it’s good enough that you wouldn’t need to replace it unless you’re after something more personalised22. It adds a noticeably better grip to the phone and provides adequate protection for everyday knocks and bumps.

Display

The 6.57-inch AMOLED panel delivers vibrant, natural-looking colours. It doesn’t over-saturate like some competing displays, which means photos and videos look closer to how they’re meant to look. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate keeps scrolling and animations smooth — you’ll notice the difference compared to a standard 60Hz phone almost immediately.

Peak brightness hits 1,400 nits in High Brightness Mode, and for most indoor and outdoor situations, the screen is perfectly readable. Under direct, harsh sunlight on a bright summer day, though, you may find yourself squinting a little. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you spend a lot of time outside or on beaches. The 92.8% screen-to-body ratio and FHD+ resolution at 397 PPI round out a strong display package for this price bracket.

Performance

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chip paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and there’s no noticeable lag during general use. The 120Hz display helps here too, making everything feel more responsive than it might otherwise be.

For gaming, casual and mid-tier games run well, and OPPO’s AI HyperBoost 2.0 does a decent job of keeping performance consistent while managing heat during longer sessions. However, if you’re planning to play graphically demanding AAA titles at high settings, you’ll likely need to dial things back. This is a mid-range phone, and expectations should be set accordingly. It handles most games well enough, but don’t expect flagship-level graphics performance.

The phone also comes with an AI Gaming Antenna System and AI Super Wi-Fi Booster, which are designed to maintain stable connectivity during online gaming — useful features if you play in areas with congested networks. It’s a bit had to test this so I’ll just have to take OPPO’s words for it.

Camera System

Photography is clearly one of the focuses for the Reno15 F 5G, and the results are pretty decent for a mid-range device. The main 50MP rear camera with OIS handles most shooting situations well — daylight shots are sharp and well-exposed, and the f/1.8 aperture helps in lower light conditions.

Night photography impressed more than expected. On a recent trip to Shanghai, the camera produced usable, social-media-ready shots in low light — something you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a phone at this price. Night mode does a solid job of pulling out detail without making photos look overly processed.

The macro camera is where things get a little inconsistent. Getting a sharp, well-composed macro shot requires patience — juggling the right distance, focus, and lighting is tricky, and the 2MP sensor doesn’t help. If macro photography is important to you, it might be worth considering the Pro variant of the Reno lineup.

The 50MP front camera with a 100-degree field of view is a standout feature, particularly if group selfies are your thing. The wide angle brings everyone into the frame without needing to stretch your arm, and the AI Portrait features do a good job of balancing exposure and lighting across faces.

AI features are woven throughout the camera system — AI Flash Photography, AI Portrait Glow, AI Motion Photo Slow-Mo, and AI Motion Photo Eraser are all on board. Some are more useful than others, but the post-processing AI that enhances photos after the shot is taken is worth highlighting and definitely worth having. You’ll notice a brief processing delay after capturing an image, which is the AI working in the background. The results are generally an improvement over the unprocessed shot.

The AI Eraser works flawlessly removing other people in my shot, here’s an example:

AI Features Beyond the Camera

OPPO has loaded the Reno15 F 5G with AI features across the board, and not all of them are gimmicks. AI Translate and AI Call Translator offer real-time translation of text, signs, menus, and even live phone calls. For travellers or anyone who regularly deals with language barriers, these are legitimately useful additions. The translation performance will depend on your network, but in practice it works well enough to be relied upon.

Sample Photos taken by OPPO Reno15 F 5G

Battery Life and Charging

The 6,500mAh battery is the Reno15 F 5G’s biggest selling point, and it more than delivers. With moderate use, the phone comfortably lasts a full day and then some. With lighter use, it can stretch to multiple days without needing a charge — which is very rare at any price point.

When you do need to top it up, the 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge takes the phone from 1% to 100% in around 60 minutes, and around 30 minutes to get up to 50%. That’s fast enough that a short charge while getting ready in the morning can add several hours of use. The charger is surprisingly included in the box, which is worth noting given how many brands have dropped this.

Other Features Worth Noting

The IP69 rating is a welcome addition at this price — the phone can handle dust, splashes, and full submersion. NFC is supported, as is eSIM. Bluetooth 5.1 includes LDAC and aptX HD for higher-quality wireless audio. The USB-C port handles both charging and audio, though note that only digital headphones are supported — no analogue headphone jack here. Storage is a healthy 256GB UFS 3.1 with support for expandable storage via microSD.

ColorOS 16.0 runs on top of Android and is clean and functional, also sleek. The in-display optical fingerprint sensor is fast and offers convenience in unlocking your phone (or when doing any secure transactions).

OPPO Reno15 F 5G Review Conclusion

The OPPO Reno15 F 5G is a well-rounded mid-range phone that does most things well and a few things particularly impressively. The battery life is exceptional, the charging speed is fast, and the camera system — especially for night shooting and selfies — performs above its weight class. Performance is smooth for everyday use and casual gaming.

The design is clean and pleasant to hold, the included case is a plus, and the display is bright and smooth without being over-the-top. The macro camera and direct sunlight visibility are the only real weak points worth flagging. For anyone looking for a reliable, feature-rich 5G phone that won’t need charging every night, the Reno15 F 5G is an excellent phone to be grabbed. It retails for A$679 and currently on sale for A$599.

Disclosure: OPPO Reno15 F 5G review unit was supplied for reviewing

Generous Free VPN Tier of 10GB Data per Month

The first thing that stands out about PrivadoVPN is the amazingly useful free tier. You get 10GB of data per month, which sounds modest but is actually quite generous for a free VPN. For context, that’s enough to browse normally with the VPN toggled on and off as needed, or to thoroughly evaluate the service before committing to Premium.

Most people don’t need a VPN running 24/7, so 10GB covers casual use pretty well. It’s definitely more than the token 500MB or 1GB offerings from other providers that barely let you test anything meaningful.

What’s the Server Coverage like in PrivadoVPN?

PrivadoVPN offers servers in 67 cities worldwide, which provides decent coverage across major regions. Even if your specific country isn’t listed, there’s usually a nearby option that works well enough.

I tested PrivadoVPN from three different locations: Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, and China. To my surprise, there’s actually a Jakarta server, which gave me the best connection speeds when I was in Indonesia. For Australia, multiple server options were available like Sydney. China was more complicated – as expected, there’s no mainland China server, but Hong Kong and Taiwan servers are accessible.

Real-World Performance Testing

I ran speed tests on my 300/300Mbps connection in Indonesia. Connected to the Jakarta server, I managed 126Mbps download and 44Mbps upload (using the Automatic selection of VPN Protocol). That’s a noticeable speed hit, but still perfectly usable for everyday browsing, streaming, and downloads. In Australia, I got 166/41Mbps connected to the Sydney server, and 182/33Mbps in Singapore, connected to the Singapore server.

Things get interesting if I’m switching to the WireGuard VPN Protocol though. I managed to get 290/126Mbps at some point so it’s worth using WireGuard for maximum speed unless you have issues with it. It’s worth researching on the different VPN Protocols that PrivadoVPN offers (IKEv2, WireGuard, and OpenVPN) to see the differences and probably select it manually, than having to rely on PrivadoVPN’s Automatic selection.

The ping jumped from 300-400ms (on all protocols), which makes online gaming a non-starter when the VPN is active. For regular activities though, there’s a slight delay on initial page loads that you may notice at first but quickly stop thinking about. Your brain adjusts and it becomes background in case you want to enable PrivadoVPN continuously to protect your online activities.

Multi-Device Testing Across Platforms

I tested PrivadoVPN on my iPhone 17 Pro, GIGABYTE gaming laptop, and desktop PC using the iOS app, Windows application, and browser extension. All three interfaces are straightforward with easy-to-understand toggles and settings. No hunting through nested menus to find basic functions.

However, there are some odd inconsistencies. The mobile app shows more server locations than the browser extension. You can work around this by installing the full Windows application, but it’s strange that the server lists don’t match across platforms.

Windows Application:

Browser Extension:

The China Test

Testing VPNs in China is always interesting because of the Great Firewall. Here’s where things got weird: the browser extension managed to connect successfully on my laptop using my hotel’s Wi-Fi in Shanghai, but the Windows application failed completely. The iOS app also couldn’t establish a connection, even after trying different protocols and settings.

This cat-and-mouse game between VPNs and China’s censorship apparatus is ongoing, so your experience may vary and it’s not exactly PrivadoVPN’s fault. If you’re travelling to China, I’d recommend getting an eSIM with built-in VPN as a backup – which I did in Agoda and it worked flawlessly. For everyone not dealing with Chinese internet restrictions, PrivadoVPN should work without issues.

Streaming and Regional Content

Switching between countries for region-specific Netflix content works smoothly. The process is quick and I had no problems accessing different regional libraries.

Disney+ is a different story. It detected the VPN immediately and blocked access entirely. This seems to be Disney’s aggressive VPN detection rather than a PrivadoVPN-specific issue, but it’s worth knowing if Disney+ is your primary streaming service.

Security Features Beyond VPN

The bundled security features set PrivadoVPN apart from basic VPN services. You get antivirus protection with real-time scanning, threat protection that blocks malicious sites, App Tracking protection, and customisable parental controls.

I tested the parental controls by blocking social media platforms. Instagram and Facebook were completely inaccessible on my phone, so the blocking works as advertised. You can set this up at the router level to apply protection across your entire household, which is handy for families.

The ad blocker is included but don’t expect miracles. PrivadoVPN claims it blocks most YouTube ads, but I still saw ads appearing regularly. It might catch some ads, but you won’t notice dramatically fewer interruptions. Don’t choose PrivadoVPN primarily for ad blocking – use the free tier to test it yourself and set realistic expectations.

Privacy and Encryption

PrivadoVPN is based in Switzerland, which means it operates under strong consumer privacy laws and sits outside surveillance agreements like the 14 Eyes Alliance. The company maintains a strict no-log policy, meaning they don’t track or record your online activity.

All connections use AES-256 encryption, and you can choose between multiple protocols including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard depending on whether you prioritize security or speed. The VPN Kill Switch monitors your connection and blocks internet traffic if the VPN drops unexpectedly, preventing accidental data leaks.

For users wanting extra privacy, the SmartRoute feature routes traffic through two VPN locations instead of one, separating your entry and exit points. This adds another layer of separation between your device and your visible internet activity.

SOCKS5 Proxy for Speed

PrivadoVPN includes SOCKS5 proxy support, which is useful for specific applications where you want speed over full encryption. A SOCKS5 proxy masks your IP address without the encryption overhead of a full VPN connection, making it faster for tasks like file transfers where you still want anonymity but need maximum speed.

You can set applications to automatically route through the proxy while keeping your main connection on the VPN, giving you flexibility to balance speed and security based on what you’re doing.

Premium Plan Benefits

The Premium plan removes the 10GB monthly data cap and provides unlimited simultaneous connections across up to 10 devices. That’s double what most VPN services offer and means you can protect your entire household with a single subscription.

You also get access to the full security suite including the antivirus engine, advanced threat protection, and comprehensive parental controls. The Premium plan includes access to all server locations and priority support.

PrivadoVPN Review Conclusion

PrivadoVPN delivers a solid VPN service bundled with useful privacy and security features. The combination of VPN access, antivirus protection, threat blocking, and parental controls makes it a compelling all-in-one privacy and security solution. The generous 10GB free tier lets you properly evaluate the service before paying, and the Premium plan’s 10-device limit is more flexible than most competitors.

Performance is really good across most locations I tested especially with WireGuard protocol, with reasonable ping hits and reliable connections outside of restrictive environments like China. The security features work as advertised – parental controls effectively block what you tell them to, and the antivirus provides active protection. Plus the extra privacies across the devices are awesome. There is also a Kill Switch which will stop all internet traffic if you lose connection to the PrivadoVPN servers.

Some features don’t quite deliver on their promises. The ad blocker is hit-and-miss, particularly for YouTube ads. Disney+ streaming is blocked. Server lists vary between platforms. These aren’t dealbreakers, but they’re worth knowing about and your experience may vary depending on where you are, or what you are using. Best is to try out their free VPN account to test.

For users wanting both VPN privacy and comprehensive security tools in one package, PrivadoVPN offers strong value. The free tier is very useful rather than just a teaser, and the Premium plan provides solid protection across all your devices.

Disclosure: PrivadoVPN review licence was supplied for reviewing

Midea has just launched its Easy-Lift Dishwasher in Australia with a bottom tray that lifts up to 25cm at the touch of a button, supporting loads of up to 18kg. It’s a practical solution for anyone who’s ever strained their back loading dinner plates or struggled to reach down into a dishwasher cavity.

The Easy-Lift functionality addresses a real need across Australian households. With four million Australians living with some form of back pain and nearly seven in ten preferring to age in place at home, the ability to bring a fully loaded dishwasher tray up to waist height removes a daily source of discomfort. For busy parents juggling kids and groceries, or anyone with chronic mobility issues, it’s the kind of feature that makes a tangible difference to daily kitchen routines.

Beyond the lift mechanism, Midea has packed in solid environmental credentials with a 5.5-star water rating and 4.5-star energy rating. The Dual Zone Wash feature lets you run just the upper or lower basket independently, which cuts down water and energy use when you’re dealing with smaller loads. There’s also an Auto Wash sensor that detects how dirty your dishes are and adjusts the cycle accordingly, so you’re not wasting resources on an unnecessarily intense wash.

Space has been maximised through Midea’s Spacemaster Design, which adds up to 46mm of additional internal height compared to conventional 60cm dishwashers. That translates to roughly 9% more capacity, giving you room for taller wine glasses, serving platters, and oversized cookware without the usual Tetris-style rearranging.

The hygiene features are comprehensive. Ion Dishfresh technology releases negatively charged ions to eliminate up to 99.8% of pollutants, creating an antibacterial environment inside the machine. Meanwhile, the HygieneCare+, IntensiveCare+, and MachineCare+ programs tackle 99.8% of viruses including COVID, HSV-1, Norovirus, and Rhinovirus. These features reduce reliance on harsh chemical detergents while maintaining thorough sanitation.

Once the wash cycle finishes, ActiveOpen Dry automatically opens the dishwasher door to release steam and allow cool air to circulate. It’s an energy-efficient approach to drying that works well in practice, particularly for plastic containers that typically retain moisture.

The Midea Easy-Lift Dishwasher is available now at Bing Lee stores across Australia with a recommended retail price of A$1,269. For households looking at long-term kitchen upgrades—particularly those with accessibility requirements or sustainability priorities—this model offers a thoughtful combination of practical features and modern dishwasher technology.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred delivers an epic conclusion to the battle between good and evil that’s been building since the base game launched. This expansion brings a satisfying end to the narrative threads left dangling from Vessel of Hatred, and does so with some of the best storytelling Blizzard has crafted for the series. Combined with two excellent new classes, meaningful endgame improvements, and deeper customisation systems, Lord of Hatred is everything a Diablo expansion (and Diablo itself) should be.

How good is Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Campaign?

The Lord of Hatred’s story focuses on the grander scale of battles happening across all Sanctuary, particularly involving the Amazonians on the sacred isles of Skovos. The pacing here is excellent, moving between intimate character moments and massive conflicts that feel appropriately epic for what’s meant to be the conclusion of this chapter.

It’s cool to see how dark the expansion gets compared to both the original Diablo IV and Vessel of Hatred. Betrayals, sacrifices, suffering, fear, deception, and hope are all mixed together in a narrative that doesn’t pull its punches. The cinematics are absolutely brilliant, matching the grandeur of the story beats perfectly. Double thumbs up to the writing team here because they’ve knocked it out of the park here.

To experience the expansion properly, I played through the entire Diablo IV campaign from the beginning, including Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred, using one of the new classes (Paladin). It’s a significant time investment, but it pays off in understanding the full scope of what’s at stake. And I’m glad I did this.

Is the Paladin Class any good?

I chose the Paladin for my playthrough, and having your character devoted to defending Sanctuary and upholding justice feels incredibly fitting for the narrative. As someone channelling Holy Light against the forces of Hell, you’re positioned perfectly within the story’s themes of hope fighting against corruption.

The Paladin class offers four distinct build paths: Arbiter, Zealot, Judicator, and Juggernaut. I went down the Arbiter route, which focuses on triggering the Arbiter of Justice form as often as possible to deal passive strikes moving around the battlefield. Combined with Aura skills and Runes that summon multiple wolves, enemies melt quickly as my Blessed Hammer handles the primary crowd damage.

The beauty of Diablo IV is that you can respec as often as you want without penalties. This means you can experiment with different builds that suit your playstyle or adapt to whatever unique, mythic, or set equipment you’ve found in your loot hauls. Finding that perfect piece of gear that suddenly makes a different build viable is part of what makes Diablo so compelling.

Diablo IV: Warlock Class

The other new class, the Warlock, weaponises Hell itself through forbidden knowledge and iron will. Unlike necromancers who raise the dead, Warlocks bend demons and hellish powers to their command through four distinct disciplines: Legion, Vanguard, Mastermind, and Ritualist.

The Legion build unleashes swarms of demons to overwhelm enemies. Vanguard transforms you into a hulking monstrosity leading from the front. Mastermind controls the battlefield through manipulation and fear. Ritualist weaves devastating rituals and hexes for catastrophic payoffs. The variety between these approaches gives the Warlock incredible build diversity, making it a class worth experimenting with across multiple characters.

Beyond the two new classes, all existing Diablo IV classes have received major skill tree reworks. These changes introduce new skill variants and focus on making more meaningful choices rather than just picking passive stat boosts. The reworks push you towards decisions that change how your skills function rather than just making numbers go up. It’s a welcome change that makes characters feel more distinct even when playing the same class as someone else. Combined with the level cap increase, there’s plenty of new room for character progression and experimentation. You may want to respec your build now or perhaps, try out one of the new classes for the expansion.

Loot and Customisation Reach New Depths

The core loop of Diablo has always been about chasing better loot, and Lord of Hatred expands on this significantly with all new types of runes, tokens, etc. As you increase difficulty levels, you’ll have better chances at higher quality gear drops. Finding that random piece of equipment that somehow perfectly complements your build remains as exciting as ever.

The expansion introduces new systems to tinker with your gear beyond just finding drops. Masterworking allows you to further temper and modify your current equipment to reach that sweet spot of stats. Between sockets, affixes, and the new Talisman system, there are more ways than ever to fine-tune your build.

Talismans add magical runes that slot into another loadout menu, offering set bonuses without requiring you to wear matching armour pieces. This decouples build optimisation from specific gear sets, giving you more freedom in how you construct your character.

The Horadric Cube also makes its return for series veterans. This magical device does everything from turning common items into uniques to adding extra stat boosts to your masterworked gear. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to take full advantage of it until you’ve finished the campaign, which feels like a missed opportunity for players who want to experiment with it earlier.

How good is Diablo IV Endgame now? Endgame Activities Get Serious Improvements

Blizzard has made great updates to address concerns and complaints about endgame activities from the base game and Vessel of Hatred. There are tons of things to do now, especially if you’re chasing dream gear and pushing your build to its limits.

The new War Plans system acts as a curated playlist of activities that directs you from one challenge to the next, all offering worthwhile rewards. The best part is how easy it is to jump between activities without hunting for dungeon keys or manually travelling to events. You can teleport to your next activity in seconds and keep the momentum going. As you progress through War Plans, you’ll unlock branching paths and modified versions of events that target specific rewards. Each endgame activity also has its own perk tree that lets you modify how events work and customise your loot drops.

Echoing Hatred serves as the expansion’s horde mode, throwing waves of enemies at you until you’re eventually overwhelmed. It starts at the lowest world tier difficulty and climbs as you push through waves, eventually reaching absurd challenge levels. It’s a great way to test your build’s capabilities and see which world tier you’re actually ready for.

The new Loot Filter deserves special mention for making gear management significantly less tedious. You can create rules to automatically filter loot down to specific items with specific affixes, removing the need to manually sift through mountains of unwanted drops. It’s a quality of life improvement that makes the endgame grind far more enjoyable.

In between slaying demon lords and witnessing apocalyptic horrors, you can now pull out a fishing rod and just relax. The fishing minigame is hilariously out of place in Diablo’s dark fantasy setting, but it’s a fun diversion that adds a bit of variety. You’ll fish in each region to complete your collection, though there’s not much reason to continue after that. Still, it’s amusing that Blizzard bothered to add this at all. I honestly can’t be bothered with this so after getting a couple of fishes, I never even remembered this stuff exists.

The new region of Skovos offers a Mediterranean-style island setting that plays an important role in Diablo lore as the birthplace of humanity. The region features the series’ trademark horrors – destroyed areas covered in fleshy corruption and an alarming ratio of humans to monsters – but also includes beautiful, not-yet-destroyed areas that reflect Skovos being spared the worst of mainland Sanctuary’s suffering. The diversity across the region is impressive, ranging from foggy, atmospheric shorelines to volcanic hellscapes. Each zone gives you new reasons to keep exploring and hunting for loot. The new Strongholds to conquer are particularly well-designed and worth seeking out. This is definitely my most favourite region and part of the game.

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred Review Conclusion

Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred is an epic conclusion to Sanctuary’s darkest chapter, delivering excellent storytelling, two fantastic new classes, and meaningful improvements to endgame systems. The campaign’s pacing and scale feel appropriately grand for what’s meant to be the finale of this narrative arc, and the darker tone reinforces the stakes involved.

The Paladin and Warlock both offer diverse build options that feel distinct from existing classes, and the skill tree reworks breathe new life into characters you might have already maxed out. The expanded customisation through Talismans, Masterworking, and the Horadric Cube gives you more ways to optimise your build than ever before.

Most importantly, the endgame improvements address previous complaints head-on. There are simply tons of activities to engage with now, all accessible through streamlined systems that reduce friction and keep you in the action. The Loot Filter alone makes gear management infinitely more tolerable.

For Diablo IV players looking for a reason to dive back into Sanctuary, Lord of Hatred delivers in every area that matters. The combination of satisfying story conclusion, excellent new classes, and substantially improved endgame makes this expansion essential.

Disclosure: Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred review licence was supplied by Blizzard for reviewing

XGIMI has officially launched the HORIZON 20 in Australia, bringing what the company calls its most advanced all-in-one home projector to the local market. Priced at $3,999 AUD including GST, the HORIZON 20 combines RGB triple laser technology with cinema certifications and gaming-focused features that should appeal to both movie enthusiasts and competitive gamers.

The projector’s core technology centres around XGIMI’s X-Master RGB Triple Laser system, which differs from single-laser models by using three separate lasers for colour reproduction. This approach aims to deliver more accurate colours without the image degradation that can occur with colour wheel systems. The HORIZON 20 pushes out 3200 ISO lumens and supports 4K Ultra HD resolution, making it suitable for rooms that aren’t completely blacked out.

On the cinema side, XGIMI has secured several important certifications including IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Filmmaker Mode. These ensure that content displays with the colour grading and creative intent that directors and cinematographers originally envisioned. The built-in Harman Kardon speakers handle audio duties without requiring an external sound system, though serious home theatre setups will likely still want a dedicated soundbar or surround system.

Installation flexibility comes through the lens shift feature, which offers vertical adjustment up to 120 percent and horizontal adjustment up to 45 percent. This means you can position the projector off-centre or at awkward angles and still get a properly aligned image without the trapezoidal distortion that typically ruins cheaper projectors. The automatic setup takes care of focus and screen alignment, removing the tedious manual adjustments that usually come with projector ownership.

Where the HORIZON 20 really pushes beyond traditional home cinema projectors is in gaming performance. The unit supports a 240Hz refresh rate and delivers 1ms input lag, which puts it in competitive gaming territory. Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode are both included, matching the features you’d expect from a gaming-focused display. The projector can throw an image up to 300 inches, creating a gaming experience that simply isn’t possible with even the largest TVs.

Google TV comes pre-installed, giving direct access to streaming apps without needing an external device. This keeps cable management simpler and means one less remote to juggle during movie night.

XGIMI Australia has positioned the HORIZON 20 as a no-compromise solution that eliminates the need for separate components or complex installation. Whether that holds true will depend on individual setup requirements and expectations, but the spec sheet certainly covers most bases that home cinema and gaming users would prioritise.

The XGIMI HORIZON 20 is available now through select Harvey Norman stores, XGIMI’s flagship locations in Sydney and Melbourne, and directly from xgimi.com.au for A$3,999 AUD including GST.