techAU

Amazon aims for nearly 500 US cities with 30-minute drone deliveries by end of 2026 - https://techau.com.au/amazon-aims-for-nearly-500-us-cities-with-30-minute-drone-deliveries-by-end-of-2026/

Amazon has just signalled a major step-up in its drone delivery ambitions. Prime Air will expand to nearly 500 cities and towns across the United States by the end of 2026, a 6x increase from its current footprint. The goal is simple, get millions of everyday items to customers in as little as 30 minutes.

REVIEW: Google Home Speaker - Yell across the room at smarter AI models - https://techau.com.au/review-google-home-speaker-yell-across-the-room-at-their-smarter-ai-models/

Google has officially retired legacy Google Assistant on its latest Google Home Speaker, replacing it with deeply integrated Gemini AI to bring conversational intelligence straight to the kitchen bench and bedside table.

Sporting a tactile fabric-wrapped aesthetic, an expressive RGB underglow ring, and dedicated on-device neural processing.

Read the complete hands-on review and verdict at the link.

Reolink Smart 2K+ Wi-Fi Video Doorbell With Chime: No Need To Ever Recharge - https://techau.com.au/reolink-smart-2k-wi-fi-video-doorbell-with-chime-no-need-to-ever-recharge/ (by@neeravbhatt ).

Looking for a smart video doorbell that never needs battery swaps? The Reolink Smart 2K+ Wi-Fi Video Doorbell wires directly into your existing low-voltage doorbell setup, providing 5MP high-resolution security monitoring with zero ongoing subscription fees.

Featuring onboard AI detection for people, vehicles, and pets, dual-band Wi-Fi with an optional wired ethernet hookup, IP65 weatherproofing, and local microSD storage up to 256GB, it offers a complete smart home security upgrade right out of the box.

Read the full post at techAU.

Is your Australian small business great at business but rubbish at social media? Social Direct can help - https://techau.com.au/is-your-australian-small-business-great-at-business-but-rubbish-social-media-social-direct-can-help/

Running an Australian small business is a constant hustle, leaving little time to stay on top of changing algorithms or create endless social content.

Most owners fall into one of two traps: hiring cheap offshore freelancers who post generic stock content, or paying large agencies thousands for jargon-filled presentations that fail to deliver.

Brisbane-based digital marketing agency Social Direct focuses on genuine revenue, qualified leads, and measurable return on ad spend.

South Australia Launches Australia's First Royal Commission Into AI Following Silicon Valley Visit - https://techau.com.au/south-australia-launches-royal-commission-into-ai-as-premier-returns-from-silicon-valley/

Fresh from a high-level visit to Silicon Valley, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced a landmark decision: the state is officially establishing Australia's first-ever Royal Commission into Artificial Intelligence.

Commencing on 1 October 2026, the 9-month inquiry takes the approach of a forward-looking policy workshop designed to capture AI's massive economic opportunities while setting proactive guardrails against social disruption.

What Would It Take to Bring X Money to Australia? - https://techau.com.au/what-would-it-take-to-bring-x-money-to-australia/

X Money is expanding its footprint across the US with real-time peer-to-peer transfers, high-yield savings, and digital wallet features. However, bringing the financial element of 'the everything app' to Australia may be quite complex.

BREAKING: Tesla Service Center to open in Albury Wodonga - https://techau.com.au/breaking-tesla-service-center-to-open-in-albury-wodonga/

Tesla is officially opening a new Service Center in Albury Wodonga, Great news for Tesla owners across regional Victoria and Southern NSW!

Until now, local Tesla drivers often had to travel to capital cities or rely on mobile service for major maintenance, repairs, and hardware upgrades. The new facility will bring dedicated local servicing, diagnostic support, and maintenance directly to the border region, making ownership vastly more convenient for regional drivers.

Read the full story at techAU.

South Australia Signs Historic AI Partnership with OpenAI - https://techau.com.au/south-australia-just-inked-a-historic-ai-deal-with-openai/

South Australia has become the first Australian state or territory to sign a direct agreement with ChatGPT developer OpenAI. Premier Peter Malinauskas finalized a landmark Memorandum of Understanding during a visit to OpenAI headquarters in San Francisco, meeting directly with co-founder and president Greg Brockman.

The historic partnership is set to accelerate local research, build workforce AI skills, attract global technology investment, and explore new artificial intelligence applications across government services.

Read the full article for details on how this agreement was formed, what it means for local tech innovation, and how it aligns with broader national AI strategies.

PAX Aus 2026 Expands Guest Lineup and Unveils Its Largest Tabletop Hall Yet
https://techau.com.au/pax-aus-2026-lineup-ebay/

📝by Michelle Duke

PAX Aus 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest gaming events of the year as it returns to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre this October 9 to 11.

Organisers have revealed a massive wave of global guests, including Austin Creed (WWE superstar Xavier Woods), FFXIV legends Toshio Murouchi and Koji Fox, DOOM composer Mick Gordon, Housemarque Creative Director Gregory Louden, and Lenore Zann, the iconic voice of Rogue in X-Men '97.

This year's edition will also feature the largest Tabletop Hall in PAX Aus history, sponsored by eBay Australia.

Magic: The Gathering returns to Middle-earth with 'The Hobbit' - https://techau.com.au/mtg-the-hobbit/ (by Michelle Duke )

Magic: The Gathering is heading back to J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic realm. Expanding on the success of the previous Lord of the Rings set, this new release captures the heist dynamics and unexpected bravery found in The Hobbit.

Players can look forward to fresh game mechanics like Storied, Recruit, and Hone Counters, alongside the return of fan favorites like Adventures and Amass.