Our top 10 stories of 2020

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 22 December 2020

End of year and retrospective go hand in hand. As we here at WhistleOut look back on the year, we can't help but wonder... What in hell's handbasket was that!?

It's safe to say that 2020 has been tumultuous. Challenging. A complete trash fire. Call it what you will, but even in an eventful year (which was ironically free of events) small wins emerge.

As part of our non-stalgic walk down memory lane we've compiled our ten favourite stories of the year.

Social distancing and the internet made me a better person

By: Anula Wiwatowska
The TLDR: The internet is the only reason why I didn't lose my mind in iso.

A note from the author:

Just before our pubs started to reopen in Sydney I was overwhelmed with a sense of optimism about the time we spent in lockdown. This op-ed took a look at how the internet helped me stay connected and relativley sane through the whole ordeal.

"There is something about our joint trauma that is reconnecting relationships that otherwise might be long lost to the ages."

Even now, as NSW has become the Victoria of the country and Christmas has ultimately been cancelled across the state - I still find comfort in the profound shift something of this magnitude can create.

Read the whole article here

Apple iPhone SE review

By: Alex Choros
The TLDR: This review is brought to you by the sad songs and red wine part of iso.

A note from the author:

Sometimes you just have to commit to the bit. The iPhone SE dropped right in the middle of Sydney's lockdown, a welcome morsel of nostalgia during a challenging time. A little like reconnecting with a former fling.

"No matter the thrill of reacquainting yourself with an old flame, the reason you broke up in the first place eventually returns to light."

While I did my best to avoid texting exes, looking at the iPhone SE through that lens was too much fun to pass up. Even if it required a few wines. Feelings bad, wine good.

Read the whole article here

G-mee Plus review

By: Anula Wiwatowska
The TLDR: A phone for kids you say? I wonder what a kid would ACTUALLY do with this thing...

A note from the author:

This review was actually just entertaining AF to research and write. I moved out of education into the tech sector and never really thought the twine would meet and yet here we are.

"It’s no secret that children and adults operate differently; no grown up has ever asked me what my third favourite reptile is, and then cried and threw a toy at the wall when it wasn’t the frilled neck lizard."

I acutely remember arguing with a certain WhistleOut editor who insisted that dropping this phone from a height probably wasn't a fair test. He was clearly wrong. Toddler tantrums are no joke. And hey it held up!

Read the whole article here

Telstra's plan refresh shows the risk of going contract-free

By: Alex Choros
The TLDR: Maybe contracts were good?

A note from the author:

Telstra made a rather unprecedent move this year - putting up prices and forcing customers onto those more expensive plans. While it tried to ease the transition with a grace period, Big T's actions show that consumers aren't the only ones that benefit from contract-free plans.

Read the whole article here

Boost says Phuket to travel bans with new international roaming offer

By: Anula Wiwatowska
The TLDR: Boost Mobile brought out international roaming at the most inopportune time.

A note from the author:

I can't get over how perfect this headline is.

Read the whole article here

Online gigs shouldn't go away when venues open doors again

By: Alex Choros
The TLDR: How I learnt to love the live stream.

A note from the author:

As a black blooded metalhead, I've missed live music so much this year. To the point where I missed my train watching some buskers at Newtown station after a haircut.

"You can't just yell 'marry me Carly' when watching a live stream on your laptop. Well you can, but it's not quite the same."

But even if traditional gigs haven't been a thing for the majority of 2020, at least we've still been able to watch musicians perform thanks to the magic of the internet. It doesn't replicate the experience of a gig, but maybe it doesn't have to. I'd just love it I didn't have to get up at 6am on a Sunday while recovering from a big night with a certain WhistleOut editor to watch them.

Read the whole article here

5G and coronavirus are not related, but they have something in common

By: Anula Wiwatowska
The TLDR: I tried to talk some sense into the foil hat parade, but to no avail.

A note from the author:

Oh boy... I already regret adding this one.

I wrote this at the beginning of ~ t H i S ~ shitstorm. Metal heads (no offense intended to the metal community) already had theories about 5G and how it was causing apparent harm. It was only a matter of time before the two theories combined.

"If we look at Hong Kong and Monaco as examples, one could argue that 5G is actually helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. But we wouldn't say that. Because it is a baseless claim, stemming from limited data..."

Hopefully now that our 5G networks are getting larger, COVID is less prominent in Australia, and Apple has backed 5G with the iPhone 12 I'll stop getting hate mail about this one.

Dare to dream.

Read the whole article here

Optus 5G Home Broadband Review

By: Alex Choros
The TLDR: Man is frustrated by orange light.

A note from the author:

I'm pretty fortunate to have both Telstra and Optus 5G coverage at my apartment, which is really helpful for when it comes to reviewing the latest kit. Unfortunately, my Optus 5G coverage wasn't quite good enough to get an optimal signal when testing out its 5G home internet solution.

Sure, 300Mbps is still excellent for a connection that's just "okay", but I will forever be haunted knowing there was the potential for faster speeds. Please note that the prices and plans referenced in this review are out of date.

Read the whole article here

Huawei Watch GT 2e Review

By: Anula Wiwatowska
The TLDR: *smacks watch* You can fit so many problems in this baby

A note from the author:

When the GT 2e watch came out it had a cacophony of issues, and I couldn't stop myself from raging. Since then, updates have seen marked improvements to how the Huawei Watch interacts with iOS but the initial scars run deep.

" It’s like playing The Sims on PS4 - it works but it would almost be better if it didn’t."

We were also lucky enough to test out the device with stunt woman Nandalie Killick, you can watch the full video on our Facebook here.

Read the whole article here

The number of COVIDSafe downloads shouldn't dictate restrictions when it's flawed on iPhone

By: Alex Choros
The TLDR: A "fun" throwback to when ScoMo was comparing the COVIDSafe app to sunscreen.

A note from the author:

How great would it be if we had a contract tracing app that actually works?

Read the whole article here

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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