Queens of the Drone Age

In this deep dive special from the archives, the Queens reveal some fun egg facts, the science behind Century Eggs, and share an Australian scientist who has defied nature itself...by inventing a gadget that unboils eggs. If you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon to get access to fun stuff - like our newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rae tries out a "cosplay fireplace" aka the Dimplex Ritz Portable Electric Fire with Optiflame Log Effect Heater and Tegan gets behind the wheel of the 2022 Mustang.  If you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon to get access to fun stuff - like our newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone who follows us on social media knows we are keen hikers, and we love our hiking tech - so we thought we'd share with you all a few of the latest gadgets, gizmos and gear we've been testing out.  Rae went along to the Blue Mountains Climbing School to complete a course all about old-school map and compass navigation. She also picked up a pair of gaiters for bushbashing - and found the fitting process harder than expected. Meanwhile, Tegan gives a long-term review of the Sea To Summit collapsable lightweight cookware, and the $35 lantern everyone falls in love with. If you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon to get access to fun stuff - like our newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this gadget chat, Rae looks at the Brydge 12.9 Pro keyboard for iPad, and Tegan reviews an $18 Kmart spice/coffee grinder. If you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon to get access to fun stuff - like our newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this gadget chat Tegan hits the road with the new Turo app, while Rae settles in for an evening with Sony's new TV range.  If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff - like our newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing Droning On, a new interview-based Queens episode where we chat to fascinating experts about their jobs and relationship with tech.Our first guest is Alden Rose - the Lead Sustainability Designer (Next UX User & Customer Experience) at Lenovo.  Tegan chatted to Alden on a recent trip to North Carolina, where she takes us through some of what her team does in the sustainable design space, including rewards and challenges.If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff - like our newsletter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability is not just incredibly important keeping the planet alive, it's also a fun corporate buzzword. So when tech companies say they are making it a focus - we look at how.  In this deep dive special, we focus in on sustainable design, and who is doing it well.Tegan travels to North Carolina to see what Lenovo are bringing to the table with product and packaging design, while Rae explores what Aussie scientists are doing to replace rare earth minerals used in everyday products. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rae reviews a pair of solar-powered headphones while Tegan plays a Megagame (kind of a cross between live action roleplaying and model UN). And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this catch up, Rae heads to gaming paradise (AKA Fortress Sydney), while Tegan tries out shiny new Uber features in the most unlikely (but coolest) of places.  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, the Queens take a look at Space Tech - things in our lives that exist because of space exploration, travel, or the agencies that look after star stuff.  There are cool new innovations constantly happening in this industry - but there are also everyday objects we owe to space research, so we take you through our favourites!  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  In this week's gadget chat, Rae has finally been able to connect her Audio-Technica record player with some decent speakers - she puts the Sonos Era 100 and Sonos Era 300 through their paces with all manner of music. She also digs into the new sustainability considerations of the latest Sonos offerings.    Meanwhile, Amanda has been trying out not one, but two Mophie Snap+ chargers - the Multi-Device Travel Charger and the 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Mat. One she loves, one not so much. For dubious reasons.    And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apps are great, except for when they're not. And some are just downright dodgy. So in this ep from the archives, the Queens put some unethical apps under the microscope – such as Noom – as well as some of the practices that have allowed them to stay live and make money on the App Store and Google Play. Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel is on the agenda again! But before you pack your suitcase, is there some tech you might need to consider making space for - or even some you might consider ditching? In this deep dive, the Queens look at our favourite gadgets and gizmos to take on the road/water/plane. This episode is one of our deep dive specials from the Queens archives. Full show notes are available at the Queens of the Drone Age website. If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we dig into weird as heck medical tech. From using frogs as pregnancy tests, to a wellness toilet that analyses your poop. This episode is one of our new deep dive specials, where we dig into the archives and pull out the segments our OG listeners have loved the most. Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we have a gift for you: we've dug into the Queens archives, and found a gem you may not have heard where we explore the wild world of vapourware - some of our favourite gadgets and games that never got released. From the infamous Nintendo PlayStation (yes, really) to a printer that used reusable plastic sheets rather than paper, we've got some gems.  If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode Amanda regales the Queens with tales of her recent trip to Tokyo with Netflix. There's a lot of anime talk off the back of Amanda attending Anime Japan and getting to go along to an actual anime studio where she got to see PLUTO being hand drawn. There's even talk of AI and the way that could impact the future of the art form. Rae also discovers that Sailor Moon absolutely counts as her seeing anime and that there is an actual place in 90s kids brains for recognising Pokemon. It's true, it's been studied. Amanda also talks us through how pasmo cards work, the delicious things she ate (and why you should use TikTok for food recommendations when you travel) and how you can absolutely get your technology blessed at some Japanese shrines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's gadget chat, Amanda gets addicted to parenting in raising sim Volcano Princess, while Rae tries to help visually impaired people through the Be My Eyes app. Meanwhile, high flyer Tegan tries out Qantas' Business Class, because she is a Fancy Business Lady.And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, this week's deep dive really is about chairs. This came about when Rad yelled out “chairs!” when we asked what she wanted to do. But you see, when it comes to Queens, we can make a tech topic out of anything. Rad takes a look at kneeling chairs and whether they're actually good for your posture. She, of course, also got one from Facebook marketplace to test this for herself. Rae also looks into whether massage chairs are as good as the real deal and cites many, MANY studies to back up the science behind this. Meanwhile, Tegan looks at the history behind plane ejector seats and how they actually work. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Tegan is back in her happy place: the driver's seat of a bougie car. She reviews the brand new 2023 BMW 320i, which is the entry-level model in the range. While it may look the same as previous models on the outside, the inner cabin is a different story. A total redesign and a very long touchscreen dashboard make it feel incredibly futuristic. Oh, and there are ports... lots of them. Meanwhile, Rad is back to talking about her favourite thing: vacuums. It's not a Dyson this time, but the Tineco Pure One S12 Platinum. While some features make her brain go brrr, she has some things to say about the overall design. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  In this episode the Queens take a close look at the alternative meats industry. It's become increasingly popular in recent years as more fake meat pops up in the startup space as well as in supermarkets and on restaurant menus.   In addition to touching on different types of meat alternatives - including plant based and lab grown meat - we also look at how tofu is being used as meat in a very different way to how you might think.   We also discuss some of the current issues surround the fake meat industry - including potential health concerns, regulation restrictions and price. You can read the full show notes on our website, and join us on Patreon to help support the podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Queens have caught the travel bug, after a bit of jet-setting from the team! Amanda shares a super practical way to use your phone overseas, with an app called Airalo that provides international data eSIMs that she used in Japan. Tegan shows off her passion for practical fashion with a review of some next-level thermal-wear from Icebreaker, that kept her cosy as she traipsed across Canada. And Rad stays home and gives us an early look at the Kobo Elipsa 2. It's not only an ereader, but you can also annotate your books, create your own notebooks to draw in, and draw humorous images on smutty books. Fair warning: things go a tiny bit beyond PG13+ right at the end. You can read the full show notes on our website, and join us on Patreon to help support the podcast :)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother's Day is just over a month away so we're getting in early this year to give you plenty of time to buy something for mum. Of course, as always, this quickly turned into a list of cool things the Queens actually want for themselves and we encourage you to take it the same way. Maybe you deserve a treat too! While we usually steer clear of household appliances for Mother's Day, Rae makes a great argument for a cute little robot - the Ecovacs WINBOT W1 PRO window cleaner.  If your mum loves to travel, Tegan recently tried and love the extra big July Checked Plus luggage. And Amanda recommends the Dermasonic+ Sonic Cleanser for the mums who need a little pampering. But the Queens didn't stop there. Rae thought it would be funny to ask a very specific someone else for recommendations. But you'll have to listen to find out who

In this episode Tegan and Amanda return from their respective overseas trips and have brought some reviews back with them!Amanda took the Volume+ Backpack from July Luggage to Japan and was impressed by the pockets and anti-thieving protocols. Tegan gives us the low-down on the 'Vegan McDonald's of San Francisco - Mr. Charlies. The gratuitous branding is truly next level and you can read more about it here. And Rae reviews the fancy TheraBody TheraFace Pro, which is basically like having a face spa in your house. If you ever wanted to (gently) Theragun your face, this is your chance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From scientists making chocolate easier to temper to making biofuel from its waste - this episode of Queens of the Drone Age is a celebration of the giant bunny bringing us lil brown eggs - and everything they're made of.  Does dark chocolate help your vision? And how much can you eat before it kills you? We answer all your melting questions about the world of chocolate.  Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. And if you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's gadget chat, Rad emerges from laptop land to tell us all about the HP Spectre x360 14”. Meanwhile, Rae explores Dyson's giant air quality monitoring backpacks being worn by Melbourne schoolkids.  Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. And if you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a magic lozenge that rebuilds tooth enamel to adhesives that dissolve with light - this week we take a deep dive into the toothy world of dental tech.  Rae brings the latest and greatest in Aussie innovations - including nanopores on implants and Virtual Reality training for injections, while Rad drops some fun facts about mole rats and Roald Dahl - plus lots more.  Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. And if you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this gadget chat, the Queens are getting comfy. Rad invested in “the world's most comfortable basecamp mat” – the Exped Megamat Duo LW+ air mattress that has a very interesting way of inflating and deflating. Rae slept on it, so also gives her thoughts. And Rae has been spending a fair chunk of time in bed lately, mainly to test out the Samsung The Frame television she's popped up on her bedroom wall. She takes us through the art store, the installation process, and the battle it is engaged in with her Google Nest. And while we're cosied up in bed in front of a screen, Amanda has been playing a new rougelike deck building video game – Sigil of The Magi. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a trip into the Queens of the Drone Age archives to re-visit one of our favourites that you also seemed to like. That's right, it's poo-demonium as we get right down into the bowels of toilet tech. We're a wee bit excited about this and don't want to s(p)oil the episode in advance - but we'll be looking at stuff like algae that turns waste into drinkable water and future toilets that will be able to detect diseases. If you want more Queens, and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're digging into the archives with a Queens of the Drone Age classic! From rubber going sticky to still having to charge all our devices every day, the Queens have a bone to pick with our biggest tech and gadget annoyances. But, some solutions may be on the way... If you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode the Queens are heading off to the land of nod to explore the (sometimes terrifying) science behind sleep. As it turns out, global warming is here to ruin the party again as it slowly erodes sleep across the world. So that's fun. Meanwhile, sleep deprivation is extremely harmful for the body and can result in death. But it's not all doom and gloom. They also cover lucid dreaming and some of theories behind what might cause it.And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Later this week the Queens are delving into the science of sleep. So Rad wanted us to try and review some sleep-related gadgets to match... with mixed results. Rad checks out the Emma Cloud Hybrid Pillow while Amanda argues why a very bad treadmill app is absolutely linked to sleep probably. The 1.5 star review on the App Store says it all. And Tegan reviews... you know what we're not gonna reveal that. You'll simply have to listen to the episode. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Queens are firing up the dusty old printer in the corner of your office... or are they? In this episode the Queens do tackle printing tech... but it went in directions nobody expected. Rad is the most normal of the lot, looking at the importance of certain inks and paper - especially when it comes to printing photographs. Amanda takes us on a tasty journey in the world of 3D printed food, which is very much a thing. Rae delves into the human body where 3D print biomaterial is being used to print organs in real time. And Tegan brings down the mood by looking at the rising issues of 3D printed guns in Australia, despite our strict gun laws.And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode the Queens head to the South Pole as Amanda reviews survivor RPG The Pale Beyond. Rae brings along a GHD Duet Style and Rad packs a Milwaukee M12 FUEL orbital detail sander. Tegan just brings vibes. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, the Queens answer a listener's question. Our favourite (so far) three-and-a-half-star patron, Tracey, wanted to know all about clearing 'docs and data' off her iPad, and the best storage for digital photos and videos - so the Queens are on the case!  Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the Queens are trawling the tepid depths of the ocean as Tegan drags them into her review of Eldritch fishing game, Dredge. Full of mystery, insanity and some very disturbing fish, you have to cast your nets far and wide as you explore different islands to solve the mystery of why this particular portion of the seven seas is so very cursed. Rad brings us firmly back to land with a review of the OutlookBaby Autoshade - a car window shader that's designed to block UV rays. But there's a very specific twist and testing of similar products here that you'll have to tune in for. And Amanda heads to a Stray Kids K-pop concert in Sydney and explains the importance of lightsticks (and how long people line up for them) to K-pop fandom. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ah, the beautiful bean juice. We use it to increase our productivity, delight the tastebuds, and as a thinly veiled way to busy our hands when catching up with friends or new acquaintances. Coffee is a pretty central part of the Australian experience, and we couldn't be more stoked to chat about it! In this episode, Tegan delivers us some history about the evolution of the espresso machine, while Rad takes us through some interesting ways to make coffee from around the world. She also breaks down why pod coffee is perhaps not the most delightful way to consume the beverage (spoiler alert: it has less to do with the environmental impact than you may think!) Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're kicking off an entire week dedicated to our favourite type of morning brown, coffee! More on that in the deep dive later in the week, but for now Tegan and Rad review a couple of De'Longhi espresso machines - the Eletta Explore and the Specialista Maestro with Cold Brew. De'Longhi didn't sponsor this ep, sometimes this is just the way the coffee puck crumbles. Tegan also accidentally ends up reviewing a cold brew set she spent her own cash on, the Dripster Cold Brew Coffee Maker with the Hario Skerton Plus hand grinder. You can find both over at Alternative Brewing. It also isn't a sponsor, but its site and walkthrough videos are great. And as an added bonus, here's the review of the De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Tegan tackled last year. Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology, but make it fashion. In this episode, the Queens are getting all stitched up about science and tech in clothing - from the Google x Levi smart jacket collaboration, to 3D printed textiles that can generate power through the movement of our bodies. They also ask some questions about the marketing of some nanosilver products... Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Deep Dive special from our archives, the Queens take issue with the internet and mobile connectivity being treated as a luxury.  Millions of Australians are unable to get online in a reliable way, or at all in some communities. This is called the digital divide and we dig deep in this episode as to how and why it exists, and what's being done to fix it - as well as perhaps also suggest a cheeky government overthrow totally as a joke, officer. Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.  And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since first launching at the end of November 2022, ChatGPT has taken over our news and social media feeds. While AI has been around for a while now, this is one of the first times that it has been used at such a critical mass by so many regular users simultaneously, and that's a big deal. So this week the Queens are looking at ChatGPT, as well as some of the other popular AI tools like Lensa AI that are currently being utilised online. What do they do, what are their implications, and can the law keep up (it can't)? Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a real big gadget chat this week - quite literally in Tegan's case because she recently got behind the wheel of the 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak. It's a whole lot of ute and she took it camping in zero-reception territory to really put it to the test. We don't want to spoil the finer details (though our Patreon newsletter subscribers already got a sneak peek) but between the tech inclusions, roomy dual cabin and fancy electric tray cover - she's dubbed it her favourite vehicle review ever

It's February, which is a deeply upsetting thought. But it also means it's nearly Valentine's Day! Here at Queen's of the Drone Age, we celebrate whatever that might mean to you. Whether you're buying for a loved one, some gal pals (they were just roommates) or even yourself – we have some neat gift suggestions for you. Rae offers up the Love Box, a very cute digital message sender. Rad keeps things deeply on brand by suggesting Flapper Head, which are absolutely adult flap hats. As Rad points out, “What could be sexier than sun protection?” So many things. She also throws in a vote for kitsch soap dispensers and the Nanoleaf Shapes, particularly the Hexagon Starter Pack, which was personally recommended by her partner Teja. Amanda brings it all home with scheduled emails. We promise it is very cute and not at all work-related.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's gadget chat, Rae gets into a beef with the Audio Technica AT-LP60-BT turntable and the Sonos speaker system. Specifically, in an effort to try and get the bluetooth component to work. Meanwhile, Amanda has been getting into the new HBO The Last Of Us TV series - so we dig into how much like the game it really is. Can we avoid spoiling an almost decade-old game while discussing its TV adaptation? We try, we promise. Also: we discussed the science behind the fungi in the story a few episodes back in our Mushroom and Fungi Halloween Special. Then, Rad reviews the iPad 10th Gen - the cheapest full sized iPad. What's the difference? What's the plus side (besides the price)? And what are the downsides? One issue we've detected already is the potential for Wild Apple Pencils. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're coming to that time of year when school and uni are almost back in session. Perhaps even some of you are getting ready to get back to work. Regardless of the circumstances, January is a great period to get organised for the year, and we have some gadgets and tips to help! Rae tells us all about the laptop stand that changed her working life... and only costs $10 from Kmart. She also chats about her conversion to GoodNotes after decades of using paper notebooks and calendars. Tegan becomes obsessed with a slick FYY magnetic pill organiser. Stay with us here! She argues its multi-purpose use after seeing an unhinged TikTok account use it for a whole manner of wild and sometimes unnecessary things. But our girl reckons it would be great for organising daily items for your school or work bag like hair ties, phone cables, gum and panadol. She also preaches her love for Bento-style lunch boxes and covets the fancy ones with an in-built thermos to keep your food hot. And Amanda talks through some of her study tips from when she was studying to be a space lawyer (probably). Apparently, she used to post them on Tumblr. No, we haven't been able to find the account yet :( And if you want more Queens and to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's gadget chat is an eclectic one! Amanda kicks things off with a spoiler-free review of M3gan. If you haven't heard of it (and even if you have), we highly recommend you check out the trailer. Just try not to cry-laugh at this modern masterpiece of cinematic triumph. Rae recently moved house, which made it the perfect time to try out the Roomba j7+ robot vacuum. On top of mapping your house and knowing what to avoid (mostly) it can run to a set schedule, spot clean on command and loads more. And after Four-ish months of daily use, T3gan (she's re-branding) hands down her verdict on the July Carry All Backpack Series 2. After being gifted one in the middle of PAX week, she's lugged it across convention floors, used it as her only luggage for multi-night work trips and even took it to parliament during budget lockup. So is this the premium price tag worth it? If you want more Queens and to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon to access fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES, recently wrapped up - it is one of the biggest tech events in the world and practically takes over the entirety of Las Vegas. You'll see announcements of the hottest new tech coming out over the next year from big brands. But you'll also come across a lot of startups doing funky stuff, as well as some really conceptual tech that may never see the light of day. For example, this Ballie home robot that Samsung showed off at CES 2020 that we still desperately want to see on the market. The show can get pretty weird, and so can we - so in this episode, we looked at some of our favourite weird, wacky and cooked stuff that came out of CES 2023. Rad look at the Blok smart chopping board and the Sengled Smart Health Monitoring Light. That's a light that tracks you in your sleep. Amanda became a fan of the Fufuly - a pillow that breathes at you - and also explained Neutrogena's Skin 360, which involves 3D-printed personalised skincare. Rae falls in love with the L'Oreal Brow Magic - a device that prints your eyebrow makeup with a tiny inkjet printer. She also threatens her large adult son with the Mutalk - a soundproof Bluetooth microphone that fits over your whole mouth and muffles your words (or screams) from those around you. And Tegan gets back on her BS with the Kohler aromatherapy shower pods and loses her mind over a Roland concept piano with some rather unique external speakers. And if you want more Queens and want to support the show, please consider subscribing to our Patreon so you can get access to fun stuff like our WEEKLY newsletter, exclusive Discord server and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oh heeeeey everyone, we're back! Welcome to the first episode of Queens of the Drone Age for 2023. Well, kind of. You may have noticed a cheeky

It's a brand new year, and with it brings a big announcement from your favourite Queens. We've launched a Patreon! After two years of running the pod and being asked countless times, we're finally doing it! We have some really fun stuff in there, including a brand new weekly newsletter and an exclusive Discord for our patron mates. You can find all of the details in this mini episode announcement and if you're keen and able to help support the show, you can find our Patreon Page right here. As a disclaimer, the 3.5 ⭐ feet tier is a joke, unless...

In this episode from the archives, the Queens share their wholesome safe havens on the internet - from mushroom subreddits to #CleaningTok. Amanda also shares her memories of a Yahoo Geocities page that recapped Sailor Moon episodes in the early 2000s. Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deep dive from the archives, the Queens are talking communication, literally. Tegan delves into the past to chat about how carrier pigeons work and Rae explains how the Metaverse is much bigger than Facebook and was first conceptualised in the early 90s.Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode from the archives,  the Queens are exploring online safety and the murky world of scams. And it's not all dodgy calls and texts. They also dig into the fascinating subject of social engineering, what that means and how humans are often the most fallible system of all. Full show notes are available on the Queens of the Drone Age website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.