Alex Kidman

Multi-award-winning freelance Tech Journo, the Alex in AlexReviewsTech (Web and YouTube). Former editor at CNET, Gizmodo, PC Mag, Finder and many more. Retro gaming, Prince and Godzilla fan. Send coffee. Lots of Coffee.

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Last Notes

2026-08-07 02:18:58 UTC

So, Quake is 30 years old.
To give that some perspective, that's the same age that Space Invaders was... in 2008.
I'm starting to feel slightly old for some reason.
#quake #retrogaming

2026-07-27 09:53:19 UTC

RIP Bill Oddie. A man passionate about wildlife and quite talented when it came to a comedy tune or two.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jul/27/bill-oddie-naturalist-and-broadcaster-dies

2026-07-26 20:13:32 UTC

I am not at all shocked. This is from a brand whose CEO once declared to me (back when I was editing Gizmodo AU) that whether or not its products used child labour was a "trade secret".
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-27/kogan-exclusive-brands-website-pricing/106891632

2026-07-03 06:55:12 UTC

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@nprofile…mmvc the memes are coming faster than I can track them...

2026-07-02 21:55:04 UTC

Atari's latest effort is... a sports bra.
I would poke fun at that, but hey, I guess given this week's gaming news, at least they're still doing physical media... of a sort.

2026-07-01 22:02:45 UTC

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@nprofile…mmvc piracy can still be stealing - I do get the intent there but it's also all too often used for lazy theft justification.

2026-07-01 21:10:41 UTC

"What's that? You wanted to own games you thought you'd purchased? Silly consumer, that's not how it works..."
My very brief thoughts on Sony announcing the death of physical games media.
#ps5 #playstation #retrogaming
https://alexreviewstech.com/sonys-killing-off-playstation-disc-games-from-2028/

2026-06-03 01:06:17 UTC

Your "novelty song you (probably) forgot all about" for the day is Thunderbirds Are Go by FAB (feat. MC Parker).
As always, what you do with this information is up to you.
#FAB #NoveltySongs #Music
https://youtu.be/vjGtkz-Ma0U?si=-SzZJo4bNY1_FIkU

2025-11-27 22:54:07 UTC

Dear people in public places.
BUY SOME DAMNED HEADPHONES IF YOU ARE LISTENING TO OR WATCHING ANYTHING ON YOUR PHONE FFS.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

2025-11-20 01:38:30 UTC

Excellent work here from @nprofile…jd3d to get Google moving on misinformation sites. #Google #Search #Australia
https://www.pickr.com.au/news/2025/google-set-to-fix-scourge-of-misinformation-searches/

2025-11-19 00:37:41 UTC

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@nprofile…t0pv Eww. Please do not get ChatGPT anywhere near my Vegemite. It'll spoil the flavour entirely! #SayNotToVegemAIte

2025-11-18 23:35:51 UTC

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@nprofile…t0pv Absolutely. Does a real number on your nasal passages when you snort it, too.

2025-10-28 22:32:49 UTC

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@nprofile…t0pv Cybermen have prior art on that score: https://youtu.be/82z6yEaJAks?si=J85wyf3G_arY1ELo

2025-10-16 04:47:42 UTC

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@nprofile…t0pv This is where dual/triple browsers and/or VPNs can come in handy. I'd always check multiple sources for any trip -- it's surprising (and sometimes depressing) the differences you get.

2025-08-18 21:59:42 UTC

Five quick tech news stories to grab your attention (plus my thoughts), from naughty Google to AI builders to World Photography Day strategies and more!
#Google #Apple #AI #Photography
https://alexreviewstech.com/tech-news-today-naughty-google-ai-builders-and-more/

2025-06-16 23:19:25 UTC

I’ll be talking WhatsApp ads and more with Nic Healey on ABC Victoria Statewide Mornings around 9:40am — tune in, or listen online!
#WhatsApp #Meta #Ads
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/vic-statewide-mornings

2025-04-01 01:17:51 UTC

Huge thanks to EVERYONE who donated to my Canteen charity run in March -- we raised over $1,500!
#Canteen #Charity #Cancer #Australia
https://www.fivepeaks.org.au/fundraisers/alexkidman/five-peaks-challenge

2025-03-26 21:59:42 UTC

Ring camera and doorbell owners in Australia can now use AI-led searches to find specific clips... with a couple of caveats. Here's my take:
#ring #amazon #security #privacy #AI
https://alexreviewstech.com/ring-adds-ai-led-smart-video-search-in-australia-and-new-zealand/

2025-03-16 21:06:44 UTC

How did you start your Monday? I started it with a 5km run as I try to (virtually) scale Australia’s 5 highest peaks raising vitally needed funds for Canteen’s support of teenagers with Cancer. Read the latest blog post and donate TODAY!
#Australia #Canteen #Cancer #Running
https://www.fivepeaks.org.au/fundraisers/alexkidman/five-peaks-challenge

2025-03-14 23:48:21 UTC

Woah… I’m halfway there. With this morning’s #parkrun effort, I’m halfway on my journey to conquer the 5 highest peaks in #Australia to raise money for Canteen. Read the latest blog post and donate today!
#Cancer #running
https://www.fivepeaks.org.au/fundraisers/alexkidman/five-peaks-challenge

2025-03-14 07:29:37 UTC

I’m 75% of the way to my donations goal for the five peaks virtual challenge to raise funds for Canteen’s support of teenagers with cancer. So very close. Donate today to help me reach my goal!
#cancer #australia #canteen
https://www.fivepeaks.org.au/fundraisers/alexkidman/five-peaks-challenge

2025-03-13 23:55:30 UTC

And the plane exploded in a giant fireball and everybody died…except for me. You know why? #FridayLyrics

2025-03-12 05:56:02 UTC

Today's entertaining discovery: Apple's time zone selector does allow a single time zone in Antarctica -- at McMurdo Station. I suspect the conditions there would test the warranty (and getting AppleCare to do anything might be... tricky.)

2025-03-06 20:26:00 UTC

Today's thing making me cranky: the overwhelming use of "bias" as if it were an adjective. No. You can be biased, you can have a bias, but saying "I am bias" or "I am not bias" is just jarring and WRONG. Now, back under my rock.

2025-03-02 22:14:38 UTC

I just ran 5km as part of Canteen’s Five Peaks Virtual Challenge, raising money to help teenagers going through a cancer diagnosis.
Latest blog update, as I start to tackle mount Kosciuszko is now up — give it a read and please consider donating today (and please share widely!)
#running #charity #cancer #DammitMyLegsHurt
https://www.fivepeaks.org.au/fundraisers/alexkidman/five-peaks-challenge

2025-02-27 09:29:43 UTC

I’m nearly halfway to my donation target for the five peaks virtual challenge to raise funds for canteen… before I’ve taken a single step. You know what would be AWESOME? Hitting that target before I start. You know what to do…
https://www.fivepeaks.org.au/fundraisers/alexkidman/five-peaks-challenge

2025-02-27 01:50:39 UTC

Courier just delivered a package to my verandah, claims it was "signed for".
The only logical conclusion is that my verandah has become sentient and can sign its own name.

2025-02-23 20:24:58 UTC

Oh dear. Despite what Google AI Summaries might try to tell you, your computer does NOT run on bees — but this is a good object lesson in the dangers of relying on AI when researching.
Story and video contains images of bees, because bees.
#Google #Search #AI #Bees
https://alexreviewstech.com/no-your-computer-isnt-powered-by-tiny-microscopic-bees/

2024-11-20 02:53:03 UTC

Hey, remember how they killed off Gizmodo Australia a few months back, and then deleted the entire web site and all its contents? A bad day and a poor result for Australian tech journalism history, because it’s all gone.
Except… it’s not *all* gone.
I found some bits that they missed (for now). Note: Contains sharks. You have been warned.
#Australia #Technology #Media #FlyingSharks
https://alexreviewstech.com/i-found-the-bits-of-gizmodo-australia-they-didnt-kill-yet/

2024-11-19 22:01:44 UTC

I’ll be talking tech —from passwords to privacy and more — with James Findlay on ABC Western Plains around 9:25am this morning — tune in!
#Tech #Radio #Privacy #Security #Passwords
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/live/westernplains

2024-11-18 05:05:20 UTC

Today’s stupid thing that’s annoying my inner geek. Apple has a list of obsolete (AKA no longer supported) Macs.
Fine, it exists, but Apple lumps in the Lisa, Apple II and Apple I in as desktop Macs.
They are not and never were Macs, that’s a completely different product line.
Now back to fuming underneath my rock. As you were.

2024-11-16 04:40:20 UTC

New Patreon Column (Members Only): The Twitter Death Spiral: Can we make it spin faster down the drain?
#SocialMedia #X #Twitter #Bluesky #Mastodon #Threads
https://www.patreon.com/posts/twitter-death-we-116102930?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

2024-11-13 06:47:56 UTC

I’ll be talking the implications of Woolies and Coles new smart trolleys — the good and the bad — on ABC Radio Darwin just after 4:30pm ACST — tune in!
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/live/darwin

2024-11-10 10:52:51 UTC

New Patreon Post: Opinion: Australia’s Social Media Kids Ban: The Good, The Bad and the very, very ugly (Supporters only)
My thoughts on the proposed legislation, for both better and worse — though it does tilt rather solidly in one particular direction.
#Australia #SocialMedia #Twitter #TikTok #Instagram
https://www.patreon.com/posts/australias-media-115714581

2024-09-09 21:31:47 UTC

People say they hate ads, so I’m running AlexReviewsTech sans Google Ads at the moment — but I can’t do so without your support. Here’s how you can do just that:
https://alexreviewstech.com/ad-free-september-yeah-ok-with-some-modifications/

2024-09-07 00:04:42 UTC

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@npub1gqn…kjud Likewise. I have boiled myself.

2024-09-06 21:48:27 UTC

Gearing up for another #parkrun. I may not be the fastest (I'm.not at all) but I'll get this done. Eventually.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/113/092/805/916/119/886/original/38bd26336a5f69eb.jpg

2024-09-03 22:26:40 UTC

The embargo’s lifted on the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, so here’s my video review, pitting it against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.
#Google #Pixel9ProFold #Samsung #GalaxyZFold6 #Android
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0AgWG0d7uk

2024-08-26 05:37:16 UTC

I don’t do testing by half measures. Today’s review (text and video) sees me behind the wheel of the MG4 Excite 51 for more than 1,000km of regional road testing (and charging).
#MG4 #EV #Australia
https://alexreviewstech.com/mg4-excite-51-review-1000km-road-test-is-it-worth-buying-australias-cheapest-ev/

2024-08-16 10:48:12 UTC

Friday night #retrogaming time. Something light and easy, methinks.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/971/301/728/802/553/original/638cc342019565de.jpg

2024-08-16 04:21:49 UTC

Google has said that it doesn't dominate search in Australia in the Senate today.
Hmm. Obviously that call needs some kind of verification. I know! Let's ask Google's AI -- it's bound to know the answer!
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/969/782/482/304/872/original/fd680c7e9560c776.jpg

2024-08-16 02:36:27 UTC

Updated my 8BitDo gaming controller review, as I realised I forgot one vital test.
The “What does it look like with Googly Eyes on” test. So important.
https://alexreviewstech.com/8bitdo-ultimate-2-4g-wireless-controller-review-great-controller-confusing-name/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/969/369/638/353/576/original/65a241596a95a399.jpg

2024-07-29 06:44:33 UTC

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@npub1gqn…kjud Reminds me of something…

2024-07-29 05:25:57 UTC

Fresh review time, as I strap the premium-priced Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra to my wrist and hit the (reviewing) road!
#Samsung #GalaxyWatchUltra #Smartwatch
https://alexreviewstech.com/samsung-galaxy-watch-ultra-review-heavy-duty-watch-heavy-duty-price/

2024-07-19 21:51:47 UTC

My #parkrun tourism habit intensifies. Time to make my legs suffer, because this is a thing I do now.
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/815/366/643/146/288/original/2c7a9816832b09e4.png

2024-07-19 10:46:24 UTC

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@npub19xu…e8yd Sorry to hear this. Sounds like you gave her a long (for a cat) and well-loved life, though.

2024-07-17 05:59:11 UTC

I was very good. I reviewed the Sonos Roam 2 (text and video), and I didn’t once reference the B-52s.
In other news, I don’t even know WHO I AM ANY MORE.
https://alexreviewstech.com/sonos-roam-2-review-one-for-the-sonos-faithful/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/800/297/573/154/650/original/14887b0da878670c.jpg

2024-06-26 09:19:44 UTC

Purple Rain is 40 years old today.
Which means there’s as much time between it and now as there was between it and World War II. And not even the end of the war, either.
I’m going to need some time to take that in. Or I could, I don’t know, go crazy…

2024-06-25 07:50:37 UTC

Got my first fake scam MyGov tax return email of the year today. Won’t be the last. Remember (and share) - IF YOU GET A MYGOV EMAIL WITH A LINK IN IT, IT IS ALWAYS A SCAM.

2024-06-14 10:43:28 UTC

Neko is dreaming of all the crimes he will commit. #CatsOfMastodon
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/614/557/333/963/732/original/c107fc270ce382a8.png

2024-05-31 00:24:56 UTC

Another donation to my #TheMay50K (with thanks to Jen D-N), means another #cat photo for everyone to enjoy! Keep the donations coming!
(Neko is VERY interested in what is on the ceiling. Probably a bug. Maybe the crunchy kind.)
#running #Australia #CatsofMastodon
https://www.themay50k.org/fundraisers/alexkidman/the-may-50k-2024
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/532/853/047/202/260/original/053f058f33cfebbb.jpg

2024-05-26 02:12:28 UTC

It's retro game of the week time once again, and once again I'm playing Pinball -- in this case, Super Pinball: Behind The Mask for the SNES.
What lurks behind the mask is... not great.
#SNES #Nintendo #Retrogaming #Pinball
https://alexreviewstech.com/retro-game-of-the-week-super-pinball-behind-the-mask-snes/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/504/965/494/840/859/original/5486a64b67c0d47b.jpg

2024-05-22 06:13:40 UTC

Do I have an opinion on Microsoft's big push for Copilot+ PCs?
You bet I do.
At Gizmodo Au, I've dived into the details (that we know) and the problems (more than just the one...)
#Microsoft #Windows11 #CopilotPlus #AI
https://gizmodo.com.au/2024/05/copilot-pcs-future-of-windows/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/483/262/634/719/218/original/4986cf4eef2e6c50.jpg

2024-05-21 08:48:57 UTC

Wow. Now at 85% of my distance goal and 91.5% of my fundraising goal for #TheMay50k - would love for your donation to put me over the 100% level (hint, hint) #Running #multiplesclerosis https://www.themay50k.org/fundraisers/alexkidman/the-may-50k-2024

2024-05-14 04:36:48 UTC

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@npub1q0f…rdcz Time to bust out the Harry Belafonte. https://youtu.be/P-4xyg4PU-U?si=-PODyyUEu9iXDsAO

2024-05-06 23:08:47 UTC

It's day 7 of my 100km run to raise funds for MS research. 35km down, and I am, indeed, running up that hill.
Also that one, and several more.
Help out (and read the latest blog post) by DONATING TODAY!
#Running #Australia #MS #Ow
https://www.themay50k.org/fundraisers/alexkidman/the-may-50k-2024
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/396/659/402/066/711/original/2020fcff88a52e6a.jpeg

2024-05-04 02:51:01 UTC

It's May the 4th, so of course my #retrogaming game of the week has to be a Star Wars game.
But why just one? After all... there is another...
#starwars #maythe4thbewithyou #Nintendo #Famicom #retro
https://alexreviewstech.com/retro-game-of-the-week-star-wars-nes-star-wars-famicom/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/380/543/839/454/085/original/d62d21e219056cfa.jpg

2024-04-24 06:08:33 UTC

I will be... busy... in May.
That's not so much crystal ball gazing as it is the fact that I'll be running 100km in May to raise funds for MS research.
I do the running and sweating (and, if asked, provide terrible sweaty selfies to prove it) -- all I need is YOU to donate to help this vital cause. So please consider doing so (and feel free to repost and share as widely as you can)
https://www.themay50k.org/fundraisers/alexkidman/the-may-50k-2024

2024-02-27 02:16:48 UTC

The Apple MacBook Pro M3 Max is ridiculously powerful... but it should be for its asking price. Here's my review!
#Apple #MacBookPro
https://alexreviewstech.com/apple-macbook-pro-m3-max-review-very-powerful-very-expensive/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/112/001/036/939/686/723/original/27cdad07c0bcded0.jpg

2023-08-14 04:01:17 UTC

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@npub1mpw…4h3u Public transport absolutely should be part of the mix, and you're right. A lot of EV adoption is reframing usage and expectations (often with net positives -- I find longer drives in an EV way more comfortable as there's less vibration and charging stops mean I stop *properly* and get back on the road much more refreshed, for example).

2023-08-14 03:05:44 UTC

Survey just landed in my inbox stating that "34% of Australians are unable to install electric vehicle (EV) charging" at their homes.
It's an interesting figure... but one that I suspect will be spun entirely the wrong way by the anti-EV crowd. My expanded thoughts here:
#EV #Australia
https://alexreviewstech.com/how-many-australians-can-install-an-ev-charger-at-home-its-more-complex-than-you-might-think/
https://mediacdn.aus.social/media_attachments/files/110/885/753/478/244/964/original/ba99376ee3e204fc.jpg