Editor’s letter

When one of the most influential and recognisable tech giants goes quiet for a while, we start to wonder why.

In this case, it was Apple that had a nearsilent 2016 – though we can now see what was happening as it releases a motherload of new and updated gear. Almost the entire Mac line-up was overhauled to include a budget-stretching iMac Pro, while the iPad Pros took a big leap forward, and Apple’s competitor to Amazon Echo, Google Home and Sonos, – HomePod – made a bold entrance. Plus, iOS 11 and other software updates were announced too. We have everything you need to know on p37, including our review of the iPad Pro – and there’ll be more of the lineup in future issues.

However, Apple had better keep on its toes in the home space, as Nest finally, officially, launches in Australia. With the backing of Alphabet (Google’s parent) behind it this is a system that protects your home and makes it smarter, and the tech that has the power to save your life is nothing short of ingenious. Check it out on p58.

Anyone looking for a bit of playtime will be thrilled to see that Microsoft’s Xbox One X is a full-blown 4K gaming powerhouse. We got our hands on it at E3, the gaming event of the year, to bring you our first verdict on p45.

Keeping the 4K theme going for a moment, we wrapped our hands around the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, which shows off HDR and Ultra HD images on a device you can keep in your pocket. Read all about that and be amazed from p74. Enjoy the issue.