JB Hi-fi STACK #260 June 2026 from Mon 1 June 2026

INSIDE:

STACK

Issue 260

JUNE 2026

“Ring, ring, why don’t you give me a call? Ring, ring, the happiest sound of them all.”

ISSUE

260

JUN ’26

jbhifi.com.au/stack

YOUR TO MOVIES, TV, MUSIC, GAMING & TECH

YOUR TO MOVIES, TV

,

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

PERKS

see page 6 for details

WIN!

SMART WAYS TO TACKLE TAX TIME THIS EOFY

WHY AN OLED DISPLAY IS THE ULTIMATE LAPTOP UPGRADE

FREE

MAGAZINE

WIN

A NEW RELEASE

65” HISENSE

RGB MINILED TV

WIN

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TECH

8-9 EOFY: Smart ways to tackle tax time

10 -

12

Why OLED is the ultimate laptop upgrade

14

Study, stream, and create with

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Slim 3x

16 -

18

Inside Intel’s new Core Ultra series

20 Why M365 matters when buying a laptop

22-24 EOFY ofﬁ ce essentials

26 Upgrade your smartphone this EOFY

28 Mix and match your home audio with Bose

30

Sony’s 1000X headphone series celebrates 10 years

32 It’s Fitbit, but not as you know it

34 The Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro is here!

36 DJI’s Avata360 8K drone is a ﬂ ying action cam

38 Which DJI Lito 4K drone is right for you?

MUSIC

FLIP MAG AND

READ FROM BACK

3 Take 5/My ﬁ rst album/STACK exchange

4 Sad but glad: Olivia Rodrigo’s new album

6 New albums: Muse - The Wow! Signal/

The Pretty Restless - Dear God

7 New albums: Niall Horan - Dinner Party/

Josh Pyke - Kingdom Within

8-9 What’s out this month?

10

- 11

Vital vinyl: Engineering the Eagles:

Interview with Michael Braunstein, engineer

on the Eagles’ One of These Nights

MOVIES & TV

14

Take 5/Charts/Cinema highlights/Bob J’s

Film Buff Bafﬂ ers

16

What a blast – Fallout: Season 2/Game of

Knights – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms:

Season 1

18

There comes

The Bride/Jim Jarmusch’s family

affair: Father Mother Sister Brother

19

Sidney Prescott returns in Scream 7/Storage

spores! Cold Storage

20

Kevin James’ Roman holiday in Solo Mio/Glen

Powell’s killer instinct in How to Make a Killing

21

Bob J: Family Plot – Hitchcock’s ﬁ nal twist

22 Reel classics: New from Imprint Films

23 4K all the way

24 What’s out this month?

25 Merch of the month

GAMING

26 Take 5/Charts/Q5/Wham, bam, game exam!

28 Licence to thrill! 007 First Light Q+A

30-31 Foxing clever: Star Fox preview

32 Go, go, amiibo!

34 Pup, pup, and away!Bluey’s Quest for the

Gold Pen has arrived

36 Gear up for Forza Horizon 6!

38 Go Ergo! Razer Pro Type Ergo Wireless Split

Ergonomic RGB Keyboard/The joy of Joro:

Razer Joro Portable Wireless Gaming Keyboard

40 Step up to Pro level! Razer Raiju V3 Pro and

Wolverine V3 Pro controllers

42 Logitech G ups the X factor: Logitech G512 X

Mechanical Gaming Keyboards

44 What’s out this month?

In a smartphone market where

many brands feel increasingly

similar, HONOR’s core philosoph

y

is to simply deliver premium-feeling

tech that fits into real life, rather

than simply chasing specs.

This approach has seen the

brand evolve from a challenger into

a genuine alternative to the major

players, offering innovative and reliable

smartphones to suit a wide range of

users and budgets.

What makes HONOR’s current lineup stand

out from the crowd is that it caters to different

users without making major compromises along

the way.

The flagship Magic8 Pro showcases HONOR

at its most ambitious, blending sleek hardware,

advanced AI tools, and impressive camera

capabilities into a phone that can comfortably

compete with the big brands’ premium offerings.

At the same time, HONOR phones like the

X9d and X6d focus on the things many actually

value the most day to day: battery life, durability,

reliability, and straightforward ease of use.

That balance makes HONOR’s smartphones

a particularly compelling choice. Whether

you’re after premium performance or simply

a dependable phone that feels modern and

polished, the range offers a strong reminder that

good smartphones no longer need to follow the

leaders.

Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

WELCOME

Founder

Nic Short

Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones

Tech Editor Scott Hocking

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower

Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane

Creative Director Gary Siewert

Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor

Games Consultant Sachi Fernando

Music Consultant Mike Glynn

Marketing Manager Fleur Parker

Chief Contributors

Gill Pringle, Bob Jones, James O’Connor

Contributors

Jeff Jenkins, Billy Pinnell, Bec Summer,

Dan Nicholson, Trista McConville,

Michael Caverzan

Social Media Manager

Glenn Cochrane

Production Manager

Craig Patterson

Correspondence

STACK

[email protected]

Disclaimer

All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd.

No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication,

the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein

or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content.

Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take

responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

Recommended

for mature

audiences

Not suitable for people

under 15. Under 15s must

be accommpanied by a

parent or adult guardian

Parental

guidance

recommended

Restricted

to 18 and over

General

RATINGS

GUIDE

jbhifi.com.au/stack

ISSUE

260

JUN

2026

CONTENTS

jbhifi.com.au

4

JUNE 2026

In a smartphone mark

et where

similar

, H

ONOR

’

s core philosoph

y

is to simply deliv

er premium-f

eeling

tec

h that fits into real lif

e, rather

brand e

v

olv

e from a c

hallenger into

a genuine alternativ

e to the major

pla

y

ers, of

f

ering inno

v

ativ

e and reliable

smartphones to suit a wide range of

What mak

es H

ONOR

’

s cur

rent lineup st

and

is to simply deliv

er premium-f

eeling

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Your guide to the smarter way to claim what counts, upgrade your setup,

and cut the clutter – all without turning your life into a spreadsheet.

Words Bec Summer

EOFY:

SMART WAYS

TO TACKLE TAX TIME

jbhifi.com.au

8

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

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Before you hit ‘Buy Now’, make sure your tech actually stacks up at tax time

EOFY deals are everywhere, but not every tech upgrade makes sense

once tax time rolls around. The key is simple: if it helps you earn your income,

you may be able to claim it. If it doesn’t, it’s just another expense.

Buy for the next two to three years, not just the next tax return. The best upgrade

is the one that makes your work easier – EOFY or not.

What you can claim

(and what you can’t)

Work-related tech can include laptops,

monitors, keyboards, mice, docks, and

printers, plus software and subscriptions

like Microsoft 365, antivirus, and cloud

storage.

How deductions

actually work

•$300 or less: May be claimed

outright if the item costs $300

or less, is mainly used for work,

isn’t part of a set, and isn’t

substantially identical to another

item.

• Over $300: Claimed over time

via depreciation

• Typical lifespans: Around two

years for laptops and roughly

four years for monitors.

• Items bought together may

be treated as a set if they’re

designed to be used together.

Check before claiming each item

separately.

Your office can be

wherever you open

your laptop

The home ofﬁ ce isn’t just a desk anymore – it

can be the kitchen bench over breakfast, a café

at lunchtime, and the couch in the evening. The

workplace has expanded, and your setup needs

to keep up.

Start with mobility. A lightweight laptop with

strong battery life keeps you untethered. Add

a compact, high-capacity power bank, and you

won’t be hunting for power points.

Then there’s the invisible layer: connectivity

and comfort. Reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data is

non-negotiable. And if you’re clocking serious

hours, small upgrades – like an external

keyboard, mouse, or second screen – can turn a

workspace into something that actually works.

At tax time, the principle stays the same:

only claim what’s genuinely work-related, and

only the portion you use for work.

If you’re working from home regularly, you’ll

typically choose between two methods when

claiming expenses:

• The ﬁ xed rate method, which currently

allows eligible workers to claim 70 cents per

hour worked from home and covers costs

like electricity, gas, internet, phone usage,

stationery, and computer consumables

• The actual cost method, where you calculate

your exact work-related expenses and usage

If you use the ﬁ xed-rate method, you can’t

also separately claim expenses already included

in that rate, such as internet or phone usage.

But here’s the catch: you can only

claim the work-related portion, and you’ll

need receipts and a reasonable way to

show how much you actually use it for

work.

Streaming services, most smart

home gear, and high-end gaming setups

are usually off the table, unless they’re

directly tied to your job.

• Devices and related tech claims

must be directly related to earning

income

• If it helps you do your job right

now, and you paid for it yourself, it

may be claimable

• Apportion personal vs. work use

carefully

• Keep receipts and records (hold

them for at least ﬁ ve years)

The golden

rules

and cut the clut

t

er – all without t

ur

ning y

our lif

e int

o a spr

eadsheet.

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Less clutter, more flow

The best setups don’t have more gear; they’re just less

complicated.

Start with cables. If you’ve got three chargers doing the job of one, you’re already losing

time. Consolidating to fewer, more versatile options – like USB-C – can instantly clean up

your space.

Then tackle digital clutter. A simple backup system (cloud, external storage drive, or

both) means less time searching and less risk of losing important ﬁ les.

The goal is ﬂ ow – wireless peripherals for ﬂ exibility, a second screen for fewer tabs,

and a dedicated spot for your gear.

A good setup fades into the background, and that’s when you know it’s working.

9

FEATURE

TECH

This guide contains general information only. Tax rules can change and individual circumstances vary.

For the latest guidance, visit the Australian Taxation Ofﬁ ce website or speak to a registered tax agent.

If you use your phone or home internet for work, you can claim a percentage, but only the work-use share.

For phone and internet use, keep records that show your work-use pattern – the ATO commonly refers to a continuous four-week representative period.

The same applies to routers, modems, and data plans.

Tax time advice is

everywhere, but not

all of it is right.

“If I bought it, I can claim it.”

Only if it’s tied to your current job – and

only the work-use portion.

“I can claim rent or my mortgage if I

work from home.”

Not for most workers. That’s usually

limited to genuine home-based

businesses.

“Receipts don’t matter for small

purchases.”

They do matter. The ATO requires

evidence.

“Anything that helps my career is

deductible.”

Only if it relates to your current role, not

a future one.

“It’s all about getting a bigger refund.”

It’s all about getting it right. Over-claiming

can cost you later.

Small business tips

Don’t just track expenses –

make them work harder.

For small businesses, EOFY isn’t just about what you

spent. It’s about what your time is worth.

Most business-related expenses – equipment,

software, operating costs – are claimable. But the

smarter question is: what actually delivers value?

Worth it

• Accounting software that automates admin

• Reliable devices that don’t slow you down

• Backup systems that prevent costly mistakes

Think twice

• Overpowered tech you don’t fully use

• Duplicate tools doing the same job

• Forgotten subscriptions draining cash

Myths,

busted

If you run your business from home, you may be able to claim a portion of expenses

like electricity, internet, and workspace costs, based on business use.

For 2025-26, eligible small businesses using simpliﬁ ed depreciation may also be

able to immediately deduct the business portion of eligible assets costing less than

$20,000 per asset, if ﬁ rst used or installed ready for use during that income year.

F

or phone and internet use, k

eep records that sho

w y

our w

ork-use pat

tern – the

A

T

O commonly ref

ers to a continuous f

our

-w

eek represent

ativ

e period.

Phone and internet usage

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What is OLED?

OLED stands for Organic Light-

Emitting Diode. In other displays, the

whole screen is backlit, which makes

them bulkier and less vibrant. On an

OLED display, each individual pixel

can produce colour and light all on its

own, and can be turned on or off.

This means OLED screens have

greater granular control over what

they display, and are capable of

delivering deeper contrast, richer

colour and more precise lighting

control than traditional LCD and IPS

laptop displays.

What's special about OLED?

The biggest and most visible advantage of

OLED displays is that they can capture "true

colours". With each pixel being individually lit,

images can appear exactly as intended without

the washed-out or overblown look you might

see on other screens. This display tech is not

just for gamers or watching movies, however

– the screen's vibrancy stands out no matter

what you're using it for.

This is especially true when dealing with

darker images, as most other displays struggle

with deep blacks. On an OLED display, each

pixel can be turned "off" when required,

resulting in perfect, inky blacks. That high

contrast also makes OLED ideal for HDR

movies, photo editing, and modern games,

where highlights appear brighter and colours

more lifelike.

This premium display tech has made OLED

TV screens and portable game consoles

incredibly popular, and OLED laptops are now a

rapidly growing market.

Premium OLED displays are also becoming

a deﬁ ning feature of modern Windows laptops,

with the technology now available across

ultra-portables, creator laptops, and high-

performance gaming machines.

That means you no longer need to choose

between portability, power, and a premium

screen experience – OLED is now available

across a wide range of Windows devices and

price points.

Why are OLED screens good

for laptops?

An OLED display offers many advantages for

a laptop. They have better response times and

higher refresh rates than other displays, which

is especially great for gaming or if you're using

a touchscreen and want improved accuracy.

They also have a better ﬁ eld of view than

most screen types, which means your laptop

is useable in more situations and angles, while

the stronger colour palette is a boon for digital

artists and photographers who want to realise

the full potential of their work.

Many OLED Windows laptops also support

wide DCI-P3 colour coverage, making them

especially appealing for creators who need

accurate, vibrant colour reproduction.

OLED panels can also enable thinner and

lighter laptop designs because they don’t

require a traditional backlight layer, which is

ideal for keeping a laptop highly portable.

Do they drain the

battery?

Windows OLED laptops have also

become far more power efﬁ cient

over time. The thinner form factor

of OLED has led to many laptops

that are less power-hungry,

especially on newer Copilot+

PCs designed for efﬁ ciency and

extended battery life. There are

now many OLED laptops that offer

all-day battery life.

Are OLED laptops

expensive?

OLED laptop screens have been around for

about ten years now, and while the ﬁ rst models

were pricey, there is now a greater range of

OLED Windows laptops available, ranging

from mid-tier to ultra-powerful devices. The

cost of producing OLED has reduced, so it's

now possible to get incredible screen quality

at prices that are a lot lower than you might

expect.

OLED is no longer reserved for ultra-

expensive ﬂ agship devices, making premium

TV-quality display technology more accessible

across the Windows laptop range.

Why OLED is

the ultimate

laptop upgrade

jbhifi.com.au

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JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

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is useable in more sit

uations and angles, while

is useable in more sit

uations and angles, while

OLED screen technology has changed TVs, and now it’s

transforming laptops. Once you've used a Windows laptop

with an OLED display you'll understand why. Here's

everything you need to know about this premium display

technology, and why you need it in a laptop.

W ords James O’Connor

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JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

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Top OLED laptop picks

Lenovo Yoga S7 14" WUXGA

OLED Copilot+ AI PC Laptop

(Intel Core Ultra 5 - 226V)[512GB]

CoPilot+ for limitless creativity

This is a Copilot+ PC, so it can assist you with everyday tasks, allow

advanced searches across your system, and perform background

tweaks for smooth performance.

Intel

Cor

e

Ultr

a

+

OLE

D

Between the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and the

14-inch 2.8K OLED screen, this laptop is great for

gaming with high frame rates. The low response

time on the display can make games look buttery

smooth.

Incr

edible

battery life

Expect up to 34 hours of battery life with this

laptop, while still enjoying the brilliant

vibrancy of its OLED display.

Why OLED is the

ultimate laptop upgrade

continued

Lenovo Ideapad 5 14" WUXGA

OLED 2-in-1 Copilot+ AI PC

Laptop (Snapdragon X Plus)[1TB]

A brilliant WUXGA OLED display

The 14-inch Widescreen Ultra eXtended Graphics Array OLED

display gives you more vertical space to play with, which is ideal for

multitasking on one screen or working through graphic design tasks,

thanks to its higher pixel count.

A laptop and tablet in one

The Ideapad 5 is a 2-in-1 device.

Whether you want to draw with

a stylus, write notes during a

class, or stream movies or

shows in "tent" mode, you'll

have extra versatility with

this laptop, and everything

will look vibrant and

beautiful.

A versatile screen

This laptop can be ﬂ ipped into clamshell, tent,

tablet, and reverse modes, and thanks to an

ultra-vibrant display and OLED's improved

viewing angles, it's easy to ﬁ nd the most

comfortable conﬁ guration to suit your needs.

ASUS Zenbook A14 14" OLED

Laptop (Copilot+ PC)[512GB]

A 60Hz OLED display

This gorgeous OLED display

(1920 x 1200) offers a refresh

rate of 60Hz, which will look

super-smooth when watching

media or using most

software. It's an excellent

screen for everyday use.

Snapdragon power

The powerful Snapdragon X processor gives this laptop incredible

battery life and unlocks its AI abilities. You can enjoy that vibrant screen

all day, every day.

Light and strong

This laptop weighs in at under 1kg, but it's also strong thanks to its

ceraluminum case, which is designed to be much stronger and more

scratch-resistant than aluminium.

Lenovo Legion 5i 15.1" WQXGA

165Hz OLED Gaming Laptop

(Intel Core i7)[GeForce RTX 5060]

Gorgeous gaming

This dedicated gaming laptop features a

powerful processor and graphics chip,

but what really elevates it is the stunning

WQXGA 165Hz OLED display. Expect a

crisp, responsive image with the best

colour palette possible, so you can really

see and feel the beneﬁ t of all the power

the laptop is packing in every pixel.

Lenovo AI Engine+

Lenovo's powerful AI tools can optimise

your settings behind the scenes for the best possible outcome for

your games and apps, and can assist with work too. It can even boost

refresh rates and keep your OLED display looking its best by boosting

visual performance.

HP OmniBook X Flip WUXGA 2-in-1 AI OLED Laptop

(Intel Core Ultra 5)[512GB]

Ultra-wide

The 16:10 aspect ratio on

this 14-inch screen gives

you a lovely, extra-wide

display that’s perfect for

work or play.

Super-smooth

This laptop’s variable refresh rate

can adjust depending on usage, so

you can lower battery drain while

still enjoying ultra-smooth motion in

games and media.

A

laptop

and

tablet

in

one

The Ideapad 5 is a 2-in-1 device.

Whether you want to draw with

tweaks for smooth performance.

Intel

Cor

e

Ultr

a

+

OLE

D

Between the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and the

14-inch 2.8K OLED screen, this laptop is great for

gaming with high frame rates. The low response

time on the display can make games look buttery

smooth.

Incr

edible

battery

life

Expect up to 34 hours of battery life with this

laptop, while still enjoying the brilliant

vibrancy of its OLED display

.

(Intel Core i7)[GeForce RTX 5060]

This dedicated gaming laptop features a

but what really elevates it is the stunning

colour palette possible, so you can really

see and feel the beneﬁ

t of all the power

Lenovo's powerful AI tools can optimise

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x is a long-lasting, powerful,

and affordable laptop that’s packed with great features.

It’s an especially good device for work or study, but

there’s also plenty of everyday versatility when it’s time

to relax. Here’s what you need to know.

W ords James O'Connor

Copilot+ AI

assistance

As a Windows Copilot+ PC, the

IdeaPad Slim 3x gives you access

to improved performance across

apps and software, advanced

search features, and smoother

multitasking. You can use

AI-assisted tools, quickly

ﬁ nd ﬁ les, and work more

efﬁ ciently across everyday tasks.

The Snapdragon X platform also includes a

45 TOPS AI NPU, helping accelerate on-device

AI features while improving efﬁ ciency and

battery life. The efﬁ cient Snapdragon platform

also helps keep the laptop cool and quiet during

everyday use.

These features are useful when working, but

they also help the laptop run smoothly across

the board, whether you're streaming movies,

checking social media, or planning out an art

project.

Lenovo Learning Zone

Lenovo’s Learning Zone feature is perfect for

students. It can transcribe university lectures

as they happen, compile your notes from class,

and even create quizzes based on what you’ve

studied. It’s an impressive study companion

that can help you prepare for your next test or

tackle a tricky assignment.

S

napdragon X power

F

or a budget-friendly laptop, the

IdeaPad Slim 3x is impressively

capable. The Snapdragon X 8-core

processor can comfortably handle

productivity apps, multitasking,

streaming, and creative software,

while 16GB of RAM keeps

everything running smoothly.

With Qualcomm Adreno

graphics, it can also handle

casual and lighter gaming alongside everyday

entertainment.

All-day battery

Whether you're taking the IdeaPad Slim 3x to

uni, working in the park, or streaming movies

in bed on a cold day, battery life won’t be a

concern.

Expect up to 15 hours of web browsing or

up to 22 hours of video playback, while Rapid

Charge Boost gives you around two hours of

use from a quick 15-minute charge, so you

won’t be scrambling to ﬁ nd a power point.

Enhanced security

Security features include a ﬁ ngerprint reader

to help keep your ﬁ les and personal data

protected, while Windows security tools add

extra peace of mind when studying, working, or

shopping online.

Ample storage

This laptop comes with a roomy 512GB SSD,

giving you plenty of space for photos, videos,

assignments, apps, and games for when you

need some downtime.

There are also two USB-A ports, USB-C

connectivity, HDMI, and an SD card reader,

making it easy to connect accessories, external

storage, or displays.

Thin, lightweight, and durable

The IdeaPad Slim 3x lives up to its name,

weighing in at just 1.6kg with a slim 16.9mm

proﬁ le, so it’ll easily ﬁ t into a backpack or satchel

for everyday travel between home, uni, work, or

your favourite café.

Despite its slim design, the chassis has also

been durability tested to handle everyday bumps

and travel.

The perfect screen for study

and meetings

The 15.3-inch WUXGA 16:10 display gives you

extra vertical space, which is ideal for taking

notes, reading, and multitasking. TÜV-certiﬁ ed low

blue light tech also helps reduce eye strain during

longer sessions.

With an inbuilt webcam, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth

5.3, and Dolby Audio support, it’s easy to jump

into meetings, online classes, or movie sessions

from almost anywhere.

Study, stream, and

create with the Lenovo

IdeaPad Slim 3x laptop

jbhifi.com.au

14

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

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Specs at a glance

Display: 15.3” WUXGA IPS

Processor: Qualcomm

Snapdragon X 8-Core

Graphics: Integrated Qualcomm

Adreno GPU

Copilot+ PC: Yes

RAM: 16GB

SSD storage: 512GB

Ports: 1x HDMI, 1x USB-C, 2x

USB-A, SD card reader

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E,

Bluetooth 5.3

OS: Windows 11 Home

is a long-lasting,

po

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and af

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’

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ersatility when it’

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indo

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A

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IdeaP

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es y

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to impro

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searc

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S

napdr

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IdeaP

ad Slim 3x is impressiv

ely

capable.

T

he Snapdragon X 8-core

processor can comf

ort

ably handle

productivit

y apps, multit

asking

,

streaming

, and creativ

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while 1

6GB of RAM k

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napdr

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processor can comf

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ably handle

productivit

y apps, multit

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,

streaming

, and creativ

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w

are,

st260_014_TECH-Computers – Lenovo-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

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Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 processors, codenamed Panther Lake,

are designed to make next-gen laptops faster, smarter, and more

efﬁ cient. Whether you want smoother gaming, longer battery life,

faster creative apps, or better multitasking, these new chips aim to

deliver desktop-style performance in a laptop.

W ords James O’Connor

What is “Panther Lake”?

Panther Lake is the codename for Intel’s new

Core Ultra Series 3 mobile processor, ofﬁ cially

announced at CES 2026. It’s the successor

to Intel’s Lunar Lake platform, bringing major

upgrades to graphics, AI performance, power

efﬁ ciency, and overall speed.

In simple terms, Panther Lake is the brain

inside a new generation of premium Windows

laptops. It helps these laptops run demanding

apps faster, improves battery life, and delivers

smoother gaming performance.

What’s different about Intel

Core Ultra Series 3?

The biggest upgrade is balance. Panther Lake is

designed to deliver stronger performance while

using power more efﬁ ciently, which means

laptops can stay thinner, quieter, and cooler

without sacriﬁ cing speed.

Intel has also upgraded the built-in Intel

Arc graphics, allowing many laptops to handle

modern games and creative software without

relying entirely on a separate graphics card.

That means faster video editing, smoother

multitasking, better streaming quality, and

improved gaming performance compared to

previous integrated graphics solutions.

Intel is also heavily focused

on AI performance with

Panther Lake. The processors

include a dedicated AI engine

designed to accelerate

AI-assisted tasks like photo

editing, video effects,

productivity tools, live

translations, and smarter

system optimisation.

Is it good for

gaming?

Very. Panther Lake’s upgraded

Intel Arc graphics are a major

step forward for integrated

gaming performance.

Depending on the laptop model, some Core

Ultra Series 3 systems can deliver gaming

performance that approaches entry-level

dedicated graphics cards in supported games,

while also supporting modern tech like ray

tracing and AI-assisted frame generation.

For everyday gamers, that means smoother

frame rates, better visuals, and the ability to

play more modern titles without needing a large

and heavy gaming laptop.

Of course, exact performance

will vary depending on the laptop, cooling

system, and processor conﬁ guration.

What else can it do?

Because Panther Lake combines strong CPU,

graphics, and AI performance in one package,

it’s also well suited to productivity and creative

workloads.

That includes video editing, photo

editing, music production, content creation,

multitasking

, and demanding ofﬁ ce applications.

For everyday users, the beneﬁ ts can be

just as noticeable. Faster app loading,

smoother video calls, better battery life,

and improved responsiveness all help

make modern laptops feel quicker

and more capable.

In short, Panther Lake is designed

to balance work, entertainment, and

gaming in a single portable device,

making it one of Intel’s most versatile

laptop platforms yet.

Inside Intel’s new Core

Ultra Series 3 processor

PANTHER LAKE

jbhifi.com.au

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JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

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What

you’ll

actually

notice

Panther Lake isn’t

just about benchmark

numbers. In everyday

use, laptops should feel

faster and smoother

– from launching apps

and multitasking to

video calls, photo

editing, and streaming.

Improved efﬁ ciency

also helps thinner

laptops stay cooler and

quieter while delivering

longer battery life.

No dedicated GPU? No problem!

Panther Lake’s upgraded Intel Arc graphics can help many thin and lightweight laptops

handle modern games and creative apps without relying entirely on a separate graphics

card. That means smoother gaming, faster media editing, and more portable laptop

designs without sacriﬁ cing performance.

Image credits Intel Corporation

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22/5/2026

11:08 am

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jbhifi.com.au

18

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

Flip out!

HP OmniBook 5 Flip 14" WUXGA 2-In-1

OLED AI PC Laptop

(Intel Core Ultra 5 - 322)[512GB]

Intel Core Ultra 5

Intel Core Ultra 5 is a powerful upgrade for this laptop series. It has an

integrated graphics chip for better gaming, and strong performance across

software thanks to its AI capabilities.

Flexible and versatile

This 2-in-1 model can be used as a touchscreen tablet with the HP rechargeable

pen (sold separately), and it features two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports.

Sleek style

This ﬂ ip laptop is available in both grey and sky blue models, and features a gorgeous 14-inch 2K

OLED display, perfect for gaming, streaming, work, and everyday tasks.

Panther power!

Using Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 platform, these HP OmniBook laptops can help you work smarter and game harder

– all in the one device! They also come with two free months of Xbox Game Pass for PC, so you can test out your new

device with over 100 games right away.

HP

OmniBook X 14" WUXGA OLED AI PC Laptop

(Intel Core Ultra 7 - 356H)[512GB]

HP OmniBook 5 16" WUXGA OLED AI PC Touch Laptop

(Intel Core Ultra 7 - 355)[1TB]

Huge storage

This OmniBook model comes with a 1TB SSD. If you work with large ﬁ les, or just want a lot of

games downloaded at once, you'll be able to make use of that space.

Spacious screen

The WUXGA OLED display comes in at a whopping 16 inches; it's a big laptop, and that extra

screen space means graphics will really pop.

Choose your power

This laptop is available with an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor and 16GB of RAM, or an Ultra 7 and

32GB of RAM. The Ultra 7 model is capable of much higher gaming frame rates and faster

operations with intensive software, but both models are beasts.

Intel

power meets OLED form

T

he HP OmniBook X sports

a st

unning OLED display for

tr

ue colours and deep blacks,

meaning it can show off the

capabilities of the

incredibly powerful

Intel Core Ultra 7 365H

1

6-core processor. The

beautiful 14-inch, 2K display is

ideal for ray-tracing and HDR.

Massive RAM

RAM is important for

performance, and this model

features a huge 32GB. Expect

RAM speeds of 8533MT/s,

which means that most

operations on this device are

going to be ultra-fast.

AI-enhanced performance

This laptop includes AI

capabilities onboard. Also

expect long battery life and

efﬁ cient multitasking.

HP

OmniBook X 14" WUXGA OLED AI PC Laptop

(Intel Core Ultra 7 - 356H)[512GB]

Intel

po

w

er

meets

OLE

D

form

T

he HP OmniB

ook X sports

T

he HP OmniB

ook X sports

a st

unning OLED displa

y f

or

tr

ue colours and deep blac

ks,

meaning it can sho

w of

f the

1

6-core

processor

. T

he

continued

Inside Intel’s new Core

Ultra Series 3 processor

PANTHER LAKE

Grey

Sky Blue

st260_016-018_TECH-Computers – Intel Core Ultra Series 3-PROOFED-AF.indd 3

22/5/2026

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Available at

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If you're setting up a new laptop, it's important to

consider the value you get from a Microsoft 365

subscription. It unlocks the full laptop experience,

giving you the apps and cloud services millions use

every day for work, study, and creativity. Here are

ﬁ ve things you may not know about M365.

W ords James O’Connor

Everything is bundled together

When you subscribe to Microsoft 365, you're getting access to a

powerful suite of Microsoft apps, tools, and features, including:

Word for documents and assignments

Excel for spreadsheets and budgets

PowerPoint for presentations

Outlook for email and organisation

Copilot, your AI-powered productivity assistant

OneDrive cloud storage for backup and

ﬁ le access

Editor for writing assistance

Add M365 to your new laptop and

you've got the complete starter pack for

everyday computing – from assignments

and budgets to presentations, email, and

secure cloud backup.

Full versions of these premium apps

and services require an active M365

subscription, helping you to get more from

your device.

Why

Microsoft 365

matters when

buying a laptop

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TECH

FEATURE

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Here’s what’s included with a

one-year M365 subscription:

Apps and services:

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive,

OneNote, Microsoft Editor, Clipchamp, Copilot,

and more.

M365 Personal:

One user/up to ﬁ ve devices

M365 Family:

Up to six users/up to ﬁ ve devices each

Each user receives 1TB of OneDrive cloud

storage. Family plans also make it easy to

share access across multiple users and devices,

helping households stay connected, organised,

and backed up.

*M365 Personal: This is an auto-renewal subscription. Credit card or PayPal required to activate and use.

**M365 Family: This is an auto-renewal subscription. Credit card or PayPal required to activate and use. 12-month subscription

for one to six people. Includes AI features for one person – subscription owner only; cannot be shared.

M365 works

everywhere

Your M365 account isn't

locked to one device. You

can access apps, ﬁ les,

and tools across phones,

laptops, desktop PCs, and

tablets, with everything

synced in real time.

Start a Word document

on your laptop at home,

edit it on your phone, and

then ﬁ nish it on a tablet or

desktop later. It’s designed

to move with you, no

matter which devices you

use day to day.

That ﬂ exibility also

means your important ﬁ les

are always within reach

when you need them.

Generous cloud storage

is included

Cloud storage has become essential for modern

computing, and an M365 sub includes 1TB of

OneDrive cloud storage per user.

That gives you plenty of space for

documents, photos, videos, and backups,

securely accessible across your devices.

It can also automatically back up photos, ﬁ les,

and important memories from your devices, so

if your old laptop suddenly fails, everything is

safely stored in the cloud and ready to sync to

a new one.

Microsoft’s built-in security protections also

help keep your ﬁ les safe and protected.

Flexible options for individuals and families

Enjoy ongoing updates,

security and new features

Because M365 is a subscription service, your apps

and features continue evolving over time with ongoing

updates, security improvements, and new tools.

Eligible M365 plans also include access to Copilot AI

features, helping users brainstorm ideas, summarise

info, reﬁ ne writing, and streamline everyday tasks.

Microsoft Defender security features are also updated

regularly to help protect against emerging cyber threats,

giving users extra peace of mind.

Another useful inclusion is Clipchamp, Microsoft’s

video editor, which supports 4K exports and makes it

easy to create polished videos using ﬁ lters, effects, and

simple editing tools.

If you only need M365 for yourself,

a Personal subscription* can be

used across your own devices.

But if you want the whole family

connected across the ecosystem,

the M365 Family option** has you

covered.

A Family plan supports up to six

users, with each receiving access

to the full suite of apps plus 1TB of

OneDrive cloud storage.

Users don’t need to be in the same

household or using the same devices to

enjoy the beneﬁ ts.

It’s an easy way to keep everyone

connected with the tools they need for

work, study, creativity, and everyday

organisation.

What’s included

at a glance

st260_020_TECH-EOFY – M365-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

25/5/2026

11:13 am

25/5/2026

11:13 am

1 AI usage limits apply. To learn more visit https://www.microsoft.com.

App availability varies by device/language. Features vary by platform. Minimum age limits may apply to use of AI features. More details are available online.

2 Copilot in Excel requires AutoSave to be enabled, meaning the ﬁ le must be saved to OneDrive; it doesn’t function with unsaved ﬁ les.

3 Copilot features in Outlook apply to accounts with @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @live.com, or @msn.com email addresses.

Imagine. Create. Accomplish.

Faster outlines. Stronger edits.

Use Copilot directly in your Word app to help

overcome writer’s block and share your thoughts

and ideas with conﬁ dence.

From ideas to slides in a snap

With a simple prompt, Copilot in PowerPoint

can create slides, generate visuals, and even

add speaker notes.

•

A 12-month subscription for

1 person, includes AI features for

one person

•

Use on Windows PCs, Macs,

iPads, iPhones, & Android tablets

& phones

•

Premium Oﬃ

ce apps: Word, Excel,

PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive

and Editor

•

1TB of OneDrive cloud storage

• A 12-month subscription for 1 to 6 people.

Includes AI features for 1 person

- subscription owner only, cannot be shared

• Use on Windows PCs, Macs, iPads,

iPhones, & Android tablets & phones

•Premium Oﬃ

ce apps: Word, Excel,

PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive and

Editor

• 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage for

each

person

Spreadsheets, simpliﬁ ed

Copilot1

recommends formulas, creates charts,

and helps you see the story in your data.

Breeze through your inbox

Use Copilot to summarise long email chains2 and

help you draft and rewrite emails.

With

in Microsoft

Achieve new personal bests all in one plan. Get powerful apps, seamless cloud

storage, advanced security, and innovative AI� with Microsoft 365 Personal.

MS_Revised_STACK_AD.indd 1

20/5/2026

1:19 pm

20/5/2026

1:19 pm

EOFY is the ideal time to refresh and expand your

workspace tech. The right accessories and peripherals can

keep you connected, powered up, and more productive.

W ords Bec Summer

EOFY

OFFICE

ESSENTIALS

jbhifi.com.au

22

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

SECURITY SOLUTIONS

Why you need it: Protect your files, passwords, and personal data

for greater peace of mind.

Norton 360 Premium

(1-Device, 12-Month) [Digital Download]

Working from cafés, airports, or shared Wi-Fi? Norton 360 provides real-time

protection against ransomware, malware, and phishing scams, plus Secure

VPN encryption. Password Manager, SafeCam webcam protection, and 100GB

cloud backup help keep work documents, banking, and online accounts secure.

Trend Micro Security Suite Pro

(1-Device, 1 Year) [Digital Download]

Protects your PC, Mac, and mobile devices from viruses, scams, and

ransomware while helping safeguard personal information online. A built-in

VPN secures public Wi-Fi, while dark web monitoring alerts you to any leaked

personal info. Plus, password management and parental controls make it a

smart all-round security upgrade for busy households.

KEYBOARDS & MICE

Why you need them: Long workdays are easier with gear designed for comfort,

speed, and focus.

Logitech K860 Ergo Keyboard

Typing all day long? This ergonomic keyboard is built to reduce strain with a

curved split design plus cushioned wrist rest and adjustable palm lift for a

more natural posture. Quiet, responsive keys help you power through emails,

spreadsheets, and late-night work sessions without any noisy clatter.

Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse

From editing presentations to juggling multiple apps, this mighty mouse is designed

for smoother workﬂ ows. Customisable haptic feedback, app-speciﬁ c controls, and

ultra-quiet clicks help speed up repetitive tasks, while strong Bluetooth or USB-C

dongle connectivity make it easy to switch between devices and workspaces.

HP 150 Wired Mouse and Keyboard

Simple, reliable, and ready to work straight out of the box, this combo

is ideal for home ofﬁ ce setups. Quiet low-proﬁ le keys, shortcut controls,

and plug-and-play USB connectivity make everyday tasks like emails,

spreadsheets, and video calls fast and fuss-free.

STYLUSES

Why you need it: Touchscreens work

even better when you can sketch,

tap, and write with precision.

Adonit Mark Stylus

Whether you’re jotting notes on a tablet,

marking up PDFs, or sketching ideas on

the go, this stylus delivers a more natural

touchscreen experience. Its anti-roll

triangular design feels comfortable in-hand,

while broad compatibility makes it an easy

ﬁ t for phones and tablets alike.

Targus Smooth Glide

Standard Stylus

This stylus makes touchscreen work cleaner,

smoother, and more accurate. Its soft glide

tip reduces ﬁ ngerprints while improving

precision for note-taking, sketching, and

navigating smaller screens. Lightweight,

balanced, and antimicrobial-coated, it’s

especially handy for shared devices in

busy households or hybrid ofﬁ ces.

HEADSET

Why you need it: Clear audio can make

or break meetings, calls, and online

collaboration.

Logitech H340 USB

Headset with Noise

Cancelling Mic

This simple USB headset helps keep

conversations clear with a noise-

cancelling microphone and crisp

digital stereo sound. Lightweight

ear cushions and a plug-and-play

USB connection make it an easy

everyday option for Zoom calls and webinars.

WEBCAM

Why you need it:

Better video quality can help

you look your best on calls.

Logitech MX Brio 700 Ultra HD

4K Webcam

Upgrade blurry work calls with this 4K webcam. AI-

enhanced image quality,

dual noise-reducing

microphones, and sharp

UHD video help you

look and sound clearer

in meetings, streams,

and presentations. Quickly share

sketches, notes, or desk setups live

using the dedicated Show Mode.

Touchscreens w

ork

ev

en better when y

ou can sketch,

triangular design feels comfortable in-hand,

ev

en better when y

ou can sketch,

Pr

otect y

our files, passw

ords, and personal data

Trend

(1-Device, 1 Y

ear) [Digital Do

wnload]

Protects your PC, Mac, and mobile devices from viruses, scams, and

ransomware while helping safeguard personal information online. A built-in

VPN secures public Wi-Fi, while dark web monitoring alerts you to any leaked

personal info. Plus, password management and parental controls make it a

smart all-round security upgrade for busy households.

Logitech

From editing presentations to juggling multiple apps, this mighty mouse is designed

for smoother workﬂ

ows. Customisable haptic feedback, app-speciﬁ

c controls, and

ultra-quiet clicks help speed up repetitive tasks, while strong Bluetooth or USB-C

dongle connectivity make it easy to switch between devices and workspaces.

spreadsheets, and late-night work sessions without any noisy clatter

.

HP

150 Wired Mouse and Keyboard

Logitech

look and sound clearer

in meetings, streams,

and presentations. Quickly share

sketches, notes, or desk setups live

using the dedicated Show Mode.

for smoother workﬂ

ows. Customisable haptic feedback, app-speciﬁ

c controls, and

ultra-quiet clicks help speed up repetitive tasks, while strong Bluetooth or USB-C

dongle connectivity make it easy to switch between devices and workspaces.

H340 USB

Headset with Noise

This simple USB headset helps keep

conversations clear with a noise-

cancelling microphone and crisp

digital stereo sound. Lightweight

ear cushions and a plug-and-play

USB connection make it an easy

everyday option for Zoom calls and webinars.

and presentations. Quickly share

sketches, notes, or desk setups live

using the dedicated Show Mode.

and presentations. Quickly share

sketches, notes, or desk setups live

using the dedicated Show Mode.

st260_022-024_TECH-EOFY – Office Essentials-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

11:21 am

22/5/2026

11:21 am

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6/05/2026 4:18:10 PM

jbhifi.com.au

24

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

HUBS

Why you need them: Modern laptops can need extra ports,

displays and storage connections.

Satechi USB-C Combo Hub for Desktop

Not enough ports? This combo hub expands a single

USB-C connection into extra USB-A ports plus microSD

and SD card readers for fast ﬁ le transfers and backups.

Its sleek aluminium design keeps desks tidy while

making it easier to connect drives, peripherals, and

memory cards.

Cygnett USB-C to HDMI Adapter

Need a bigger screen for spreadsheets, streaming, or presentations?

This USB-C to HDMI adapter connects compatible laptops to an

external display in up to 4K resolution at 60Hz. Compact,

durable, and plug-and-play ready, it’s an easy expansion

tool whether you’re working from home or travelling.

PRINTERS

Why you need it: Every home office still needs fast,

reliable printing for when you need a hard copy.

HP Smart Tank 210

All-in-One Printer

Keep printing costs low with enough ink

for thousands of pages. This printer is ideal

for busy home ofﬁ ces and hybrid workers.

Seamless Wi-Fi, mobile printing, and mess-free

reﬁ ll bottles make everything from printing

documents to managing scans quick and easy.

Canon TS7760 Pixma

Home Printer

Compact yet versatile, this 3-in-1 printer handles

printing, copying, and scanning with ease. Intuitive

UI, fast print speeds, auto duplex printing, and simple

smartphone connectivity make it perfect for everyday

admin, study notes, and vibrant photo printing.

3D PRINTERS

Why you need it: Prototyping, creative projects,

and custom builds are easier when you can

print them yourself.

Bambu Lab A1 Combo 3D Printer

(Open Frame) [Excludes Filament]

New to 3D printing? This combo makes the process surprisingly simple with automatic

calibration, intelligent monitoring, and one-click printing. Quiet operation and reliable multi-

colour printing make it ideal for hobbyists, students, and creators wanting professional-

looking results without the learning curve.

Bambu Lab P2S Combo 3D Printer

(Enclosed) [Excludes Filament]

Built for serious creators, this 3D printer combines AI-assisted

print monitoring, multi-colour printing, and fast, precise

performance in one enclosed system. From engineering

prototypes to detailed hobby builds, features like real-time error

detection and remote monitoring help minimise wasted time and

ﬁ lament.

Bambu Lab PLA 3D Printer

Filament with Spool

Easy-to-use PLA ﬁ lament delivers smooth, reliable prints with consistent

results, making it ideal for beginners, hobby projects, and colourful prototypes

straight from your home ofﬁ ce setup. Available in a range of colours from JB.

NETWORKING

Why you need it: Slow internet and Wi-Fi dead

spots can kill productivity, fast.

TP-Link Deco AX1500 Whole

Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (3-pack)

Wi-Fi dead zones can ruin video calls and slow down workdays. A mesh Wi-Fi

system spreads fast, reliable coverage throughout the home with seamless

roaming, parental controls, and AI-driven optimisation, helping to keep streaming,

gaming, and remote work running smoothly across multiple devices.

Netgear RS200 Nighthawk

Wi-Fi 7 Router

Built for connected homes packed with devices, this Wi-Fi 7

router delivers ultra-fast speeds for 4K streaming, gaming,

and video conferencing. Advanced security features, multi-gig

connectivity, and broad coverage help keep smart homes and

busy home ofﬁ ces running at full speed.

LAPTOP STANDS

Why you need it: Better screen positioning can

improve posture and desk comfort.

Bonelk Elevate Laptop Stand

Raise your laptop for a more comfortable workspace while improving

airﬂ ow to help reduce overheating. Lightweight aluminium construction

and cable management keep desks looking clean and professional.

Alogic Elite Plus Laptop Stand

Adjustable height and angle positioning helps create a more

ergonomic setup for long work sessions and standing desks, while

foldable construction makes for easy storage and travel. Works with

all 11-17” laptops.

CHARGERS

Why you need them: Modern work setups need fast,

reliable charging across multiple devices.

Cygnett PowerMaxx 140W GaN

USB-C Laptop Charger

Fast-charge laptops, tablets, and phones from one compact charger

with integrated USB-C cable convenience and built-in overheating

protection for safer everyday charging.

Alogic Rapid Power 100W Wall GaN

USB-C Fixed Charger

Compact but powerful, this

100W GaN charger quickly

powers notebooks, tablets,

and smartphones while

remaining travel-friendly

thanks to its lightweight all-

in-one design.

Canon

Home Printer

Compact yet versatile, this 3-in-1 printer handles

printing, copying, and scanning with ease. Intuitive

UI, fast print speeds, auto duplex printing, and simple

smartphone connectivity make it perfect for everyday

admin, study notes, and vibrant photo printing.

smartphone connectivity make it perfect for everyday

admin, study notes, and vibrant photo printing.

CHARGERS

Modern w

ork setups need fast,

Need a bigger screen for spreadsheets, streaming, or presentations?

This USB-C to HDMI adapter connects compatible laptops to an

EOFY

OFFICE ESSENTIALS

continued

st260_022-024_TECH-EOFY – Office Essentials-PROOFED-AF.indd 3

22/5/2026

11:22 am

22/5/2026

11:22 am

Ads_FP.indd 1

6/05/2026 4:19:41 PM

Got your eye on a ﬂ agship Samsung Galaxy or the latest

Google Pixel? JB’s EOFY sale is the perfect time to treat

yourself to a smartphone upgrade, or to grab a quality

second phone for business use or a family member.

W ords Bec Summer

From faster processors, improved

security and encryption, to new apps, AI

assistants, and software, a smartphone

upgrade puts a shiny new model that’s

effectively future-ready in your pocket.

Even better, where a phone is used for

work or business, the work-related/business

portion may be tax deductible. Individuals

generally need to apportion claims for work

use, while eligible small businesses may be

able to claim an instant asset write-off for

the business portion of an eligible phone

in the year it’s ﬁ rst used or installed ready

for use.

Browse JB’s EOFY sale range and you

may be surprised to discover that many

recent and ﬂ agship models can be picked

up with signiﬁ cant savings.

jbhifi.com.au

26

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TECH

FEATURE

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is the EOFY upgrade for those who want a phone

that does almost everything.

Between the big immersive display, powerhouse performance, pro-

level cameras, and built-in S Pen, it’s designed for work, creativity, and

entertainment – all in one premium package.

Galaxy AI adds genuinely handy everyday smarts, while the

titanium build feels ultra-premium.

If your current phone is starting to feel a bit slow, cramped, or limiting, this is a huge step up.

Google Pixel 10a 5G 128GB

If you want a smarter phone experience without jumping to ﬂ agship pricing, the Pixel

10a nails it.

It’s packed with genuinely useful Google Gemini features that can assist with

photos, calls, planning, and everyday tasks, while the clean design and bright 120Hz

display keep things slick and simple.

The camera system is classic Pixel – point, shoot, and get great results, or edit later.

Add a durable IP68 design and seven years of updates and security support, and

you’ve got an EOFY upgrade that’s built to last.

Motorola moto g56

5G 256GB

The moto g56 is a great EOFY pick if you want an

affordable and dependable all-rounder that can

handle everyday life.

It’s tough, with underwater protection and

built to survive knocks, while the bright 6.7-

inch display and stereo speakers make

streaming and gaming pop for

the price.

Long battery life, fast

charging, and generous

storage mean less

compromise day to

day

, making it a smart

upgrade for anyone

hanging onto an

ageing budget phone.

OPPO Reno15 Pro

5G 512GB

OPPO’s Reno15

Pro feels made for

creators, travellers,

and anyone glued to

their camera roll.

It combines

premium styling

with ﬂ agship-

level durability,

powerful battery

life, and seriously versatile cameras that shine for

vlogging, selﬁ es, and cinematic video.

AI tools help with editing, translating, and

travel, while the compact design keeps it

comfortable to use one-handed.

If EOFY is your excuse to ﬁ nally upgrade to a

sleek, smart, and creative phone, this is it.

HONOR X9d 5G 256GB

The X9d is

the kind of

EOFY upgrade

that makes

everyday life

easier without

smashing your

budget.

The big

6.79-inch 120Hz

display is great

for binge watching, gaming, and scrolling, while

the massive 8300mAh battery just keeps on going

– ideal for busy days away from the charger.

Add a sharp 108MP camera and reliable

everyday performance, and you’ve got a phone

that suits anyone wanting more screen, more

battery, and less fuss. (See page 27)

built to survive knocks, while the bright 6.7-

inch display and stereo speakers make

streaming and gaming pop for

the price.

Long battery life, fast

charging, and generous

storage mean less

compromise day to

day

, making it a smart

upgrade for anyone

hanging onto an

ageing budget phone.

use, while eligible small businesses ma

y be

inch display and stereo speakers make

streaming and gaming pop for

the price.

Long battery life, fast

charging, and generous

storage mean less

compromise day to

day

, making it a smart

upgrade for anyone

hanging onto an

ageing budget phone.

Upgrade your

phone this EOFY

st260_026_TECH-EOFY – Telco-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

25/5/2026

10:45 am

25/5/2026

10:45 am

The latest smartphones from HONOR are here,

bringing a mix of ﬂ agship performance and long-

lasting battery life. Whether you’re chasing premium

features or everyday reliability, this line-up delivers

strong value to suit all budgets.

W ords Bec Summer

HONOR's

smartphone line-up

27

FEATURE

TECH

HONOR Magic8 Pro 5G

Flagship finesse

HONOR’s X9d 5G

smartphone goes big

where it counts, without

blowing the budget. If

y

ou’re after a phone that

k

eeps up with your day and

then some, this one is built

to deliver.

The immersive 6.79”

display is perfect for

streaming, gaming, or just

scrolling in comfort, with

HONOR X6d 5G

Everyday essentials

You don’t need to spend big to get

a solid smartphone experience.

HONOR’s X6d model is ideal for

anyone who wants reliability,

simplicity, and just enough extras to

stay current.

This is a phone that covers the

basics well. The display is clear

and comfortable for everyday

viewing, whether you’re messaging,

browsing, or watching videos.

Performance is tuned for

efﬁ ciency, bringing smooth operation

across core apps, while battery life is

dependable and can easily handle a

full day of typical use.

The 50MP wide camera system is

straightforward and easy to

use, capt

uring consistent,

quality results f

or both

casual snaps and social

sharing.

For st

udents, ﬁ

rst-

time smartphone

users, or an

y

one

after a no-fuss

device, the X6d

ticks all the right

boxes.

Specs at a glance

Display:6.71” OLED

Camera:Rear 50MP main + 200MP Ultra Night telephoto

+ 50MP ultrawide, front 50MP

Processor:Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Battery:7100mAh + 100W HONOR SuperCharge

Storage:512GB

Connectivity:5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v6.0

Durability:IP69K

Colours:Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Midnight Black

Specs at a glance

Display:6.75” LCD

Camera:Rear 50MP wide, front 5MP wide

Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6300

Battery:5260mAh

Storage:128GB

Connectivity:5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.3

Colours:Ocean Cyan, Midnight Black

HONOR X9d 5G

Big screen, big battery, big value

The Magic8 Pro is HONOR’s premium

player for users who want top-tier

performance from a phone that leans into

smart, everyday usability. It’s fast, ﬂ uid,

and quietly powerful.

The Magic8 sports a 6.71” 120Hz

display that makes everything from

scrolling to streaming feel silky smooth.

It’s backed by serious processing power,

so apps open instantly, multitasking is

seamless, and mobile gaming levels up.

The triple camera system includes a

200MP Ultra Night telephoto lens for

awesome low light shots, and takes

the guesswork out of photography with

AI-assisted shooting that consistently

delivers sharp, vibrant results.

The big 7100mAh battery can stretch

through a full day, with 100W HONOR

SuperCharge to top up quickly.

Specs

at

a

glance

straightf

or

w

ard and easy to

use, capt

uring consistent,

qualit

y results f

or both

casual snaps and social

sharing

.

F

or st

udents, ﬁ

rst-

time smartphone

users, or an

y

one

af

ter a no-fuss

de

vice, the X6d

tic

ks all the right

use, capt

uring consistent,

qualit

y results f

or both

casual snaps and social

F

or st

udents, ﬁ

rst-

time smartphone

Specs at a glance

Display:6.79” AMOLED

Camera:Rear 108MP, front

16MP wide

Processor:Snapdragon 6 Gen 4

Battery:8300mAh

Storage:256GB

Connectivity:5G, Wi-Fi,

Bluetooth v5.2

Durability:IP69K

Colours:Reddish Brown,

Midnight Black, Sunrise Gold

H

ONOR

’

s X9d 5G

smartphone goes big

where it counts, without

blo

wing the budget. If

y

ou’

re af

ter a phone that

k

eeps up with y

our da

y and

then some, this one is built

to deliv

er

.

T

he immersiv

e 6.79”

displa

y is perf

ect f

or

streaming

, gaming

, or just

scrolling in comf

ort, with

HONOR

Big screen, big battery

, big v

alue

a smooth and responsive

120Hz refresh rate.

Packing a massive

8300mAh battery, this

is a phone designed to

go the distance and can

comfortably last through

heavy daily use with some

power to spare.

Performance-wise,

the X9d 5G handles

everyday tasks with

ease – apps, social media,

and multitasking all run

smoothly.

The camera setup

comprises a main 108MP

lens with OIS, along with

a 16MP on the front for

selﬁ es. It’s very user-

friendly, capturing solid

shots without needing

pro-level skills.

For anyone who wants

a large-screen phone with

dependable performance

and knockout battery life,

the X9d 5G is a top pick.

puts power in your pocket!

st260_027_TECH-Telco - HONOR full page-PROOFED-AF.indd 2

25/5/2026

10:49 am

25/5/2026

10:49 am

Want cinema-style sound in the lounge, music ﬂ owing through

the kitchen, or a compact speaker that punches way above

its size? That’s the thinking behind the new Bose Lifestyle

Collection – a ﬂ exible audio range that’s designed to work

brilliantly solo or together as one seamless sound system.

W ords Scott Hocking

The collection comprises three core

products: the Bose Lifestyle Ultra

Speaker, Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar,

and Bose Lifestyle Ultra Subwoofer.

The beauty is in the ﬂ exible, mix-and-match

approach. You can start with a single speaker

in one room, build a full surround-sound home

cinema setup over time, or connect multiple

devices throughout the home for immersive

multiroom audio.

The Lifestyle range keeps things simple. The

Bose app is your go-to for setup and control,

while support for AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify

Connect, Bluetooth, and Alexa means you

can stream pretty much however you please.

Plus, adjustable EQ settings help tailor the

sound to your space, whether you’re hosting a

party, watching a blockbuster movie, or simply

winding down with a playlist or podcast.

Moreover, Bose has ensured that aesthetics

matter. The Lifestyle Collection leans into

premium materials, soft curves, and minimalist

styling that can easily blend into modern homes

– and look great doing it!

Mix and match your

home audio with the

Bose Lifestyle Collection

jbhifi.com.au

28

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker

Small enough to ﬁ t almost anywhere, the Ultra speaker is designed for versatility, using

three drivers – including an up-ﬁ ring one – to deliver spacious audio with punchy bass

and crisp detail from a compact unit, in any room.

Solo, it’s the perfect all-rounder for bedrooms, studies, or smaller living spaces. Pair

two Ultra speakers together and you get richer stereo sound that can make your music

sound dramatically bigger and more immersive.

It also doubles as a clever expansion piece for the wider Bose Lifestyle suite. Add

two Ultra Speakers to the Ultra Soundbar and

they serve as rear surround speakers for more

cinematic-sounding movie nights. There’s even

an AUX input for connecting older gear like

turntables or CD players – a nice touch in today’s

streaming-ﬁ rst world.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar

Movie nights are where the Ultra Soundbar really ﬂ exes. Bose calls it the company’s

highest-performing soundbar to date, with Dolby Atmos support, nine drivers, and

proprietary TrueSpatial tech combining to create an enveloping soundscape without

needing to ﬁ ll your lounge room with speakers.

Dialogue-boosting tech helps voices cut through explosive action and sound effects,

making those mumbled actor exchanges much easier to follow, while audio adapts to

suit your room’s layout for more balanced

listening.

On its own, the Ultra Soundbar is a major

upgrade for TV audio, but when combined

with the Ultra Speaker and Ultra Subwoofer,

it becomes a genuinely cinematic surround

setup with thunderous bass.

Bose Lifestyle Ultra

Subwoofer

If you love bass, this sub delivers serious room-

rattling impact! Indeed, Bose calls it their most

powerful subwoofer yet, delivering deep low-end

that you don’t just hear – you feel.

Pair it with the Ultra Soundbar to add a

cinema-scale rumble to movies. It’s perfect for

sci-ﬁ and action blockbusters that go heavy on

bass – or even your next house party.

Combined with the Ultra Speaker setup, the

sub brings extra depth and warmth to music

playback, from dance tracks and hard rock to live

albums and concert recordings.

Want even more ﬂ exibility

from your setup? Bose also

offers optional accessories for

the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker,

including premium wall

brackets and ﬂ oor stands

(sold separately).

The wall bracket allows

the speaker to be mounted

neatly with hidden cabling

for a cleaner look, while the

ﬂ oor stands make it easier

to position speakers around

the room for more immersive

sound – especially when

using two Ultra Speakers as

rear surround channels in a

home cinema setup.

Accessorise

st260_028_TECH-Audio – Bose Lifestyle Collection-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

23/5/2026

10:32 am

23/5/2026

10:32 am

Ads_FP.indd 1

12/05/2026 3:41:03 PM

Sony is celebrating 10 years of its ﬂ agship 1000X series

with the launch of 1000X The ColleXion – a premium

headphone range built around the features that have

made the series a benchmark for wireless listening.

W

ords

Glenn Cochrane

Top-tier noise cancelling

,

immersiv

e sound,

and luxur

y comf

ort!

Sony’s 1000X range has

spent the last decade

setting the benc

hmark

for premium listening

.

Now, to celebrate

the line’s tenth

anniversary, Son

y

is unveiling 100

0X

The ColleXion – a

luxury-focused e

v

olution

that blends super

-premium craf

tsmanship,

immersive sound, and the smart feat

ures that

have helped deﬁ ne the brand’s ﬂ agship range of

headphones.

Industry-leading noise

cancelling

No matter what crowded or noisy environment

you’re in, The ColleXion continues to lead the

way in noise cancellation – a deﬁ ning feature of

Sony’s 1000X range.

Powered by Sony’s HD Noise

Cancelling Processor QN3 and

Integrated Processor V3, the

system constantly monitors

surrounding environments

and adjusts in real time to

minimise distractions.

The tech is designed

to create a more personal

listening space where

music and entertainment

remain front and centre.

P

r

emium

sound for pure

immer

sion

No mat

ter where

y

ou are, 1

000X The

ColleXion is designed

to deliv

er a fully

immersive experience.

Whether you’re in

the peak hour commute,

headed to a game, watching

a mo

vie, or just c

hilling out to

music, Son

y has doubled down

on premium sound qualit

y with bespoke drivers

engineered to deliver rich bass, detailed vocals,

and clear high-frequency response.

Things get even more cinematic, too, with

the inclusion of dedicated 360 Upmix modes

that expand stereo audio into a wider spatial

experience, adding grander scope to music,

movies, and games.

Crafted for comfort

and luxury

When it comes to ear gear, comfort

and luxury matter just as much as

sound quality.

Premium materials, reﬁ ned

ﬁ nish, and a comfort-focused build

combine to create headphones

that feel as premium as they

sound. You may forget you’re even

wearing them!

Sony say that the design has been

carefully calibrated for long listening

sessions, with a cushioned headband,

balanced ﬁ t, and minimal side pressure

helping reduce fatigue during extended wear.

That means day-long TV and movie binges,

artist catalogue playbacks, your favourite

podcasts, and epic audiobook listens.

Smart features for

everyday listening

Moving from inside to outside, or hopping into

your car? No problem! 1000X The ColleXion is

designed to ﬁ t seamlessly into everyday life,

with

smart connectivity features that make

switching between devices simple.

Multipoint support allows users to stay

connected to multiple devices simultaneously for

up to 24 hours (or 32 with noise cancelling off),

while LE Audio support helps improve wireless

efﬁ ciency and low-latency performance.

Sony has also placed a major focus on

call clarity, using AI-enhanced voice isolation

tech to help voices remain clear even in noisy

environments.

In short

Sony’s 1000X The ColleXion is a reﬁ ned

evolution of the company’s industry-leading

headphone range.

Designed for everyone from commuters

and ﬁ tness enthusiasts to busy professionals

and parents, it combines premium comfort,

immersive sound, smart everyday features,

and the noise cancelling performance the

series is known for – continuing the legacy

of one of Sony’s most recognisable premium

audio lines.

jbhifi.com.au

30

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

Studio-

quality tunes!

1000X The ColleXion can let you

experience music closer to the way artists

and producers intended it to sound in

the studio. Sony has worked alongside

professional mastering engineers to

ensure these headphones reproduce music

with clarity, balance, and detail.

Sony’s 1000X

The ColleXion

Celebrating 10 years

at the top!

W

ords

Glenn Cochrane

op-tier noise cancelling

,

immersiv

e sound,

and luxur

y comf

ort!

Son

y’

s 1

0

0X range has

spent the last decade

set

ting the benc

hmark

f

or premium listening

.

No

w

, to celebrate

the line

’

s tenth

anniv

ersar

y

, Son

y

is un

v

eiling 1

0

0X

T

he ColleXion – a

luxur

y

-f

ocused e

v

olution

that blends super

-premium craf

tsmanship,

immersiv

e sound, and the smart f

eat

ures that

op-tier noise cancelling

,

and luxur

y comf

ort!

P

r

emium

sound for

pur

e

immer

sion

No mat

ter where

y

ou are, 1

0

0X

T

he

ColleXion is designed

to deliv

er a fully

immersiv

e sound, and the smart f

eat

ures that

ha

v

e helped deﬁ

ne the brand’

s ﬂ

agship range of

immersiv

e e

xperience.

Whether y

ou’

re in

the peak hour commute,

headed to a game, w

atc

hing

a mo

vie, or just c

hilling out to

music, Son

y has doubled do

wn

on premium sound qualit

y with bespok

e driv

ers

engineered to deliv

er ric

h bass, det

ailed v

ocals,

W

ords

Glenn Cochrane

that blends super

-premium craf

tsmanship,

immersiv

e sound, and the smart f

eat

ures that

on premium sound qualit

y with bespok

e driv

ers

P

r

emium

sound for

pur

e

immer

sion

No mat

ter where

y

ou are, 1

0

0X

T

he

immersiv

e e

xperience.

the peak hour commute,

headed to a game, w

atc

hing

a mo

vie, or just c

hilling out to

music, Son

y has doubled do

wn

Black

Platinum

st260_030_TECH-Audio – Sony 1000X The Collexion-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

11:25 am

22/5/2026

11:25 am

Available at

Ads_FP.indd 1

7/05/2026 10:15:24 AM

Sometimes the best tech is a device you barely notice.

That’s the idea behind the Google Fitbit Air – a screen-free

ﬁ tness tracker that cuts distractions and quietly works in

the background to help you sleep better, train smarter, and

better understand your overall health and wellbeing.

W ords Bec Summer

Fitbit with a very

different approach

While smaller, lighter, and more

discreet than any previous Fitbit,

the biggest difference between the

Google Fitbit Air and other Fitbit

trackers is that there’s no screen. That

means no disruptive notiﬁ cations

and no endless tapping through

menus. Just a tracker band designed

to sit silently on your wrist while

it monitors what matters in the

background.

Instead of bombarding you with

endless stats and activity charts, it

focuses on delivering simple metrics,

tracking, and trends via the new

Google Health app – an update

and rebrand of the Fitbit app that

integrates Fitbit tracking with broader

Google Health services.

Fitbit Air is also the brand’s smallest

heart rate-enabled wearable to

date, sporting an ultra-thin design

f

or maximum comfort during sleep,

w

orkouts, and all-day wear.

Health tracking without

the overload

Despite its minimalist design, Fitbit

Air still packs plenty of advanced core

health tracking features, including HRV

(heart rate variability), blood oxygen levels

(SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and

activity tracking, all monitored 24/7.

Battery life gives you up to seven days

of use on a single charge, along with

f

ast charging that can deliver a full day of

power in just ﬁ ve minutes.

It’s swim-friendly too, with 50-metre

w

ater resistance for pool sessions, sweaty

w

ork

outs, and even showering.

It’s Fitbit,

but not as you know it!

Meet the screen-free

Google Fitbit Air

jbhifi.com.au

32

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

* Requires Google Health Premium subscription (sold separately), Google Health app and Internet connection. Features subject to change; availability varies.

Not intended for medical purposes. Gemini features work independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy; results may vary.

Why go

screen-free?

A screen-free tracker might sound

unusual in 2026, but there are actually

some major advantages.

With no display constantly lighting

up or sending alerts, Fitbit Air is less

distracting than a smartwatch and

designed to help users stay in the zone,

sleep better, and reduce digital overload,

while still quietly tracking the important

health data in the background.

The smaller design also makes it more

comfortable for 24/7 wear – especially

when tracking sleep.

Think of it as wearable tech that

quietly supports you instead of constantly

demanding your attention.

Gemini-powered

premium coaching

Another big shift is the launch of the

new Google Health ecosystem and

accompanying Premium subscription

service.

Fitbit Air works with the redesigned

Google Health app, along with the new

Google Health Premium tier.*

Standard users still get the core

tracking features such as steps, heart

rate, sleep tracking, and readiness

metrics, while the more advanced

Gemini-powered coaching feature

requires a paid Google Health Premium

subscription to unlock it.

Premium features include adaptive

ﬁ tness and workout plans, more detailed

sleep insights, plus Google Health

Coach – powered by Gemini AI - for

personalised, conversational guidance.

Summing it up: Fitbit Air + free Google

Health covers the base metrics tracking

and trends, while Fitbit Air + paid Google

Health Premium subscription helps turn

that data into more useful, personalised

guidance.

the biggest dif

f

erence bet

w

een the

Fitbit

Air is also the brand’

s smallest

heart rate-enabled w

earable to

date, sporting an ultra-thin design

f

or maximum comf

ort during sleep,

w

ork

outs, and all-da

y w

ear

.

H

ealth

tr

acking without

the o

v

erload

heart rate-enabled w

earable to

date, sporting an ultra-thin design

f

or maximum comf

ort during sleep,

w

ork

outs, and all-da

y w

ear

.

H

ealth

tr

acking without

trac

k

ers is that there

’

s no screen.

T

hat

menus. J

ust a trac

k

er band designed

Despite its minimalist design, Fitbit

Air still pac

ks plent

y of adv

anced core

health trac

king f

eat

ures, including HR

V

(heart rate v

ariabilit

y), blood o

xy

gen le

v

els

(SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and

H

ealth

tr

acking without

the o

v

erload

trac

k

ers is that there

’

s no screen.

T

hat

H

ealth

tr

acking without

the o

v

erload

Despite its minimalist design, Fitbit

Air still pac

ks plent

y of adv

anced core

health trac

king f

eat

ures, including HR

V

(heart rate v

ariabilit

y), blood o

xy

gen le

v

els

(SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and

H

ealth

tr

acking without

the o

v

erload

of use on a single c

harge, along with

f

ast c

harging that can deliv

er a full da

y of

po

w

er in just ﬁ

v

e minutes.

It’

s swim-friendly too, with 50-metre

w

ater resist

ance f

or pool sessions, sw

eat

y

w

ork

outs, and e

v

en sho

w

ering

.

f

ocuses on deliv

ering simple metrics,

integrates Fitbit trac

king with broader

(SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and

activit

y trac

king

, all monitored 24/7

.

(SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and

of use on a single c

harge, along with

f

ast c

harging that can deliv

er a full da

y of

po

w

er in just ﬁ

v

e minutes.

w

ater resist

ance f

or pool sessions, sw

eat

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w

ork

outs, and e

v

en sho

w

ering

.

(SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and

activit

y trac

king

, all monitored 24/7

.

st260_032_TECH-Fitness – Google Fitbit Air-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

11:26 am

22/5/2026

11:26 am

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1 Requires Google Health Premium subscription (sold separately), Google Health app, Wi-Fi and Internet connection. Features subject to change; availability varies. Not intended for

medical purposes. Gemini features work independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy; results may vary. 2 Maximum ba ery life is approximate. Ba ery life depends on

features enabled, usage, environment and many other factors. Use of ce ain features will decrease ba ery life. Actual ba ery life may be lower. See g.co/suppo . 3 Not available in all

countries and regions. 4 Google Fitbit Air works with most phones running on Android 11 or higher and Apple iOS 16.4 or higher. Requires Google Account and Google Health app. Feature

availability varies; some features require Google Health Premium membership. See g.co/health/ tbit-air and g.co/ tbit/compatibility. Colours sold separately.

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st260_Fitbit_Google_Revised.indd 1

8/05/2026 1:50:59 PM

The new Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro

Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro blends ﬁ tness, sports,

and wellness tracking with a slim, fashion-forward

design that suits both the gym and everyday wear.

Words Bec Summer

The look

Huawei has ﬁ tted the watch with a large 1.92-

inch LTPO display capable of reaching 3,000 nits

of brightness, making it easy to view outdoors

in direct sunlight.

Sapphire glass protection and titanium alloy

accents lend it a more polished feel than many

regular ﬁ tness trackers.

At around 30g, it’s lightweight enough for

all-day wear, and durable enough for everything

from gym sessions to trail runs and freediving.

Built for everyday

wellness

The Fit 5 Pro isn’t just focused on hardcore

workout stats – it’s an everyday wellness

companion.

Huawei’s TruSense health system tracks

heart rate, SpO2, sleep quality, stress

levels, skin temperature, and more, giving

users a more holistic snapshot of their

wellbeing than basic ﬁ tness stats alone.

All health tracking, workout history, and

wellness insights sync through the Huawei

Health app, which works across both Android

and iOs devices. Plus, Huawei doesn’t lock core

ﬁ tness and wellness features behind a paid

subscription.

Sleep tracking breaks down light, deep, and

REM sleep stages while offering sleep scores

and breathing awareness insights to help users

better understand recovery and fatigue.

Huawei has also added mini guided workouts

and movement reminders – featuring a playful

panda – designed to encourage healthier habits

throughout the day.

Dedicated sports and

fitness tracking

The watch is not only accessible for casual

users but also delivers plenty for serious

ﬁ

tness enthusiasts, with 100+

w

ork

out modes, including

dedicated tennis, cycling, trail

r

unning, and golﬁ ng features

that position it closer to a

sports watch than a regular

smartwatch.

Golfers get access to

more than 17,000 global

course maps, along with

swing data, scorecards, and

driving range features. Trail

runners can access detailed elevation, grade,

and route navigation tools, while cyclists can

track cadence, virtual power, and FTP data

when paired with compatible equipment.

Huawei’s Sunﬂ ower Positioning System

also improves GPS accuracy for outdoor

training.

The watch also supports advanced

freediving features up to 40m, including

dive logs and breathing training tools.

Casual users don’t need to understand

every advanced stat. Just head out for a

walk, gym session, or weekend ride and

let the watch quietly track your activity in

the background.

Battery life that lasts

Huawei claims up to ten days of usage,

with around a week being more realistic for

heavier users running regular workouts and

health tracking. Even with Always-On Display

enabled, battery life can still comfortably

outlast many other smartwatches.

There’s also 64GB of onboard storage for

ofﬂ ine music, apps, and downloadable maps.

The bottom line

For anyone wanting a watch that blends

holistic health and wellness tracking, long

battery life, and a stylish wear-anywhere

design, this is one of Huawei’s most well

rounded watches to date.

The

Huawei Fit 5 Pro

nicely balances fitness,

sports, wellness, and style

jbhifi.com.au

34

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

34

JUNE

2026

users but also deliv

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Fit 4 Pro

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Compared to its predecessor, the Huawei

Watch Fit 5 Pro adds a brighter 3000-nit LTPO

display, updated wellness tools, improved GPS

performance, new mini guided workouts, and

faster overall responsiveness.

The newer model also feels more polished

thanks to its upgraded materials, tougher

sapphire glass, and refreshed design.

st260_034_TECH-Fitness – Huawei Watch Fit 5 Pro-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

1:17 pm

22/5/2026

1:17 pm

Product color, shape, inteace and functions are for reference only. e actual product may va.

1. Suppos free dives at depths of up to 40 metres.

2. is feature is not intended to replace any medical diagnosis or treatment. Users should not interpret or take clinical action based on the results without consulting a qualied healthcare professional.

is feature is not suitable for users under the age of 18. Data obtained through this feature is for personal use only. Please read the instructions carefully before using this app.

3. is is a non-medical feature. All monitoring data and results are for reference, general health or wellness only, and should not be used as a basis for medical diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, prediction or treatment.

Please consult a physician for any medical advice required.

4. Data comes from Huawei labs. Actual usage may va depending on product dierences, usage habits and environmental factors.

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Ads_FP.indd 1

18/05/2026 4:14:57 PM

What if you didn’t have to worry about missing the

perfect drone shot? That’s the idea behind the new

DJI Avata 360. Think of it as a ﬂ ying 8K action cam

that captures everything around you, and lets you

choose the best angles later.

W ords Scott Hocking

Two drones in one!

The DJI Avata 360 combines immersive

FPV ﬂ ying with ultra-high-end 8K 360° video

capture. And unlike traditional camera drones

or dedicated FPV racers, this one blends both

styles into one ﬂ exible ﬂ ying platform.

Equipped with dual 1/1.1-inch sensors

capable of shooting 8K/60fps HDR 360° video

and massive 120MP panoramic photos, you

simply launch the drone, capture your footage,

and later reframe it into multiple videos – all

from a single ﬂ ight.

And because the drone itself isn’t visible in

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Plus, there’s the option to seamlessly switch

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vertical clips, or ultra-wide landscape shots.

Perfect for creators –

and beginners, too

FPV drones can seem a bit intimidating,

with fast speeds and manual ﬂ ying that’s

not exactly beginner friendly. But the Avata

360 softens that learning curve with a stack of

smart safety and automation features.

DJI’s O4+ transmission system ensures

smooth, stable live video feeds for

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ﬂ ying.

The integrated propeller guards help

protect both the drone and nearby

obstacles, while omnidirectional

obstacle sensing and advanced

sensors help to avoid crashes – even

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DJI’s Easy ACRO system also

makes ﬂ ashy FPV-style moves a lot

easier for newbies. Even ﬁ rst-time

ﬂ yers can pull off some dramatic drifting and

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Dedicated drone enthusiasts and content

creators will love the creative ﬂ exibility and

image quality, while casual users can simply

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Smarter tracking

One of the Avata 360’s standout features is

ActiveTrack 360°, which automatically keeps

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around them. Cyclists, surfers, and even boats

can all be tracked smoothly without needing a

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removes the need to constantly aim the

camera manually – the drone handles framing

assistance while you focus on ﬂ ying. Travel

vloggers and social shooters can concentrate

on the moment, instead of stressing over

capturing the perfect shot.

Packing 42GB of internal storage, you can

start shooting immediately without needing

to insert a microSD card. And when you’re

done, Wi-Fi 6 transfers let you quickly pull

footage into the DJI Fly app for editing and

sharing.

DJI’s Avata 360 drone

blends FPV thrills with

cinematic 8K capture

jbhifi.com.au

36

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

Which DJI Avata

360 bundle is

right for you?

The base DJI RC 2 version is a good entry

point. It includes the drone, one battery,

and the traditional RC 2 controller – ideal

for casual ﬂ yers and users who prefer a

more familiar drone experience.

The Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2) adds

two extra batteries, a two-way charging

hub, and a sling bag. That means longer

sessions, less downtime, and better

portability. With up to 23 minutes of ﬂ ight

time per battery, having extras on hand can

make a big difference during longer shoots.

Then there's the Motion Fly More

Combo, which delivers the full immersive

FPV setup. Alongside the RC 2 controller,

you get DJI Goggles N3 and the RC Motion

3 controller for head-tracked FPV ﬂ ying.

This bundle is perfect for thrill-seekers and

FPV creators wanting the most immersive

experience possible.

Before you start droning, check out the full drone rules and regulations

athttps://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules.

Ignorance of them isn’t a valid defence if anything happens to go wrong.

360 bundle

right

for

y

ou?

The base DJI RC 2 version is a good entry

point. It includes the drone, one battery

,

and the traditional RC 2 controller – ideal

for casual ﬂ

yers and users who prefer a

more familiar drone experience.

DJI Avata 360 8K

Drone Fly More

Combo (DJI RC 2)

st260_036_TECH-Cameras – DJI Avata 360-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

11:28 am

22/5/2026

11:28 am

Ads_FP.indd 1

12/05/2026 3:33:33 PM

These new, compact 4K camera drones from DJI are designed to make aerial content creation

easy for beginners, while still packing enough smart features to impress more experienced

ﬂ yers. But while they share plenty of DNA, they’re aimed at slightly different users.

W ords Scott Hocking

DJI Lito 1

vs

DJI Lito X1

Which 4K drone is right for you?

jbhifi.com.au

38

JUNE 2026

TECH

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

DJI LITO 1 4K

The easy, everyday drone

The DJI Lito 1 ideally suits those buying their ﬁ rst drone. It’s beginner-

friendly, lightweight, folds down to palm size, and weighs under 249g.

The 1/2-inch sensor captures 4K/60fps video and up to 8K photos,

while 4K/100fps slow motion can add extra drama to action footage.

There's also 2.7K vertical video support for creating social-ready

content – straight from the drone.

DJI’s smart ﬂ ight modes handle a lot of the hard work for you.

QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse, and Panorama modes can

create cinematic-looking footage at the tap of a button, while

ActiveTrack can follow moving subjects like cyclists, runners, or

pets while keeping them correctly framed.

Safety is another big focus. Omnidirectional obstacle sensing

helps the drone detect and avoid objects automatically, while the

DJI Simulator app lets ﬁ rst-timers

practice ﬂ ying virtually before

taking to the skies.

DJI’s O4 video transmission

system provides stable 1080p live

feeds at ranges up to 15km, while

ﬂ ight times reach up to 36 minutes.

DJI LITO X1 4K

The premium, beginner-friendly drone

Where the Lito 1 focuses on simplicity, the DJI Lito X1 pushes further into

premium image quality and advanced creative control.

It sports a larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and bright f/1.7 aperture for

richer detail, and better dynamic range – especially for sunset shots, city

lights, and more cinematic footage. It also supports 10-bit D-Log M recording,

giving creators more ﬂ exibility for colour grading and editing in post-

production.

Moreover, DJI’s SmartPhoto processing also helps optimise lighting and

colours automatically for more

vibrant-looking shots.

Just like the Lito 1, the Lito

X1 records 4K/60fps HDR video,

4K/100fps slow motion, and 2.7K

vertical footage for socials. But

its larger sensor, improved dynamic

range, and 10-bit D-Log M provide

creators greater ﬂ exibility and a more

cinematic ﬁ nal result.

The safety system is also enhanced.

Alongside omnidirectional vision

sensing, the X1 adds forward-facing

LiDAR for even more precise obstacle

detection in trickier environments.

Beginners aren’t left out, though.

Smart ﬂ ight modes, ActiveTrack,

MasterShots, and automated camera

movements all help users create

professional looking footage without

any advanced drone skills.

There’s also 42GB of internal storage,

so you can start shooting

right away without a

microSD card, while

Wi-Fi 6 QuickTransfer

speeds up wireless

footage transfers.

VS

Which DJI Lito 1

bundle is right

for you?

The base Lito 1 includes the

drone, DJI RC-N3 controller,

and a single battery. It’s

ideal for casual ﬂ yers and

drone newbies looking for an

affordable entry point.

The Fly More Combo adds

two extra batteries, a charging

hub, and shoulder bag, making

it the better option for travel or

longer shooting sessions where

downtime matters less than

keeping the drone in the air.

Which DJI Lito X1

bundle is right

for you?

The base DJI RC-N3 version is

the easiest entry into the X1

ecosystem and suits casual

users who don’t mind ﬂ ying via

a connected smartphone.

The Fly More Combo (DJI

RC 2) upgrades you to DJI’s

premium built-in-screen

controller and includes three

batteries, a charging hub, and

carry bag.

Then there’s the Fly More

Combo Plus, which swaps in

higher-capacity Battery Plus

units for ﬂ ight times of up to

52 minutes. This is a bundle

for ambitious creators wanting

maximum airtime and

fewer charging stops

during bigger shoots.

Before you start droning, check out the full drone rules and regulations at

https://www.casa.gov.au/knowyourdrone/drone-rules.

Ignorance of them isn’t a valid defence if anything happens to go wrong.

DJI Lito X1 4K

Drone Fly More

Combo (DJI RC 2)

for ambitious creators wanting

maximum airtime and

fewer charging stops

jbhifi.com.au

so you can start shooting

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Wi-Fi 6 QuickT

ransfer

speeds up wireless

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DJI Lito X1 4K

Dr

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so you can start shooting

for ambitious creators wanting

so you can start shooting

right away without a

microSD card, while

Wi-Fi 6 QuickT

ransfer

speeds up wireless

for ambitious creators wanting

maximum airtime and

fewer charging stops

during bigger shoots.

DJI Lito 1 4K Drone

st260_038_TECH-Cameras – DJI Lito 1 + Lito X1-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

26/5/2026

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ISSUE

260

JUN ’26

INSIDE:

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HARRY IRVINE

@ JB Woden, ACT

’

s

ROVING REPORTER

I was given a cassette at high school

– one side was 36 Chambers by

Wu-Tang Clan, the other side

was Back Once Again by Hilltop

Hoods. With my friend Honson,

we played that tape every single

day. Then I went to a shop in the

city and bought Back Once Again on

vinyl. The cover said, “Manufactured in

Lonsdale”, which was a suburb away from

where I grew up. It blew my mind that this

music was being made next to Noarlunga.

Minimal opportunities, maximum rap music!

I sent a letter to that address, saying that

I loved rap music. I got some tickets to a

show, a phone number, and a bunch of CDs

and some vinyl from a guy named Barry. In

brackets it said, “DJ Debris, Hilltop Hoods”.

So, that’s how I ended up on the scene. I

lived on Barry’s couch for years after that. I

learned so much from him. And those three

guys are my heroes. I’ll sing their praises

forever. They’re the best artists in the world

– and they’re even better people.

TRIALS

#1

MY FIRST

ALBUM

hendle

by trials

is out now via Universal

In the hotseat this month is Aussie country star

RACHAEL FAHIM, who has just released her debut album.

Five words to describe yourself: Short,

creative, ambivert, empathetic, resilient.

Your all-time favourite album?

Three.

Two. One. by Lennon Stella.

What did your most memorable school

report say? I can’t remember any of

my school reports, but I’m sure it said

something about how I needed to focus

more!

What would be your Hard Quiz expert

subject?

The Incredibles movie. Only the

ﬁ rst one, the OG.

Song you wish you’d written?

Love Is a

Wild Thing by Kacey Musgraves.

If you weren’t a country star, what

would you be? Probably a payroll ofﬁ cer,

back to my pre-music day job. I love

spreadsheets.

Last album you bought?

The Best of

Whitney Houston (vinyl of course).

Aside from yourself, which musician

would you most like to be? Look, I tried

to be original, but it’s Taylor Swift... it just

has to be.

What’s the most ridiculous item you’ve

ever put on your rider? Four 165g bags

of Red Rock Honey Soy Chicken chips. I

meant to ask for the 90g bags... my bad!

Your funeral song?

When I Get Where

I’m Going by Brad Paisley featuring Dolly

Parton.

Happiness is... Sitting on the lounge,

watching TV, and cuddling my dog.

What’s an early, cherished music

memory?

Getting my ﬁ rst proper CD at age seven. It

was The Sound of Perseverance by Death.

I actually got it at the store that I currently

work in! I’ll never forget the drum/guitar solo

that starts off the album, it blew my mind. As

a young musician, this propelled me into the

musical depths of songwriting, dedication,

and extreme music!

STACK

Photo credit: Richy Sandham

Who You Are

by Rachael

Fahim is out now via Universal

JUNE

Photo credit: Cybele Malinowski

Which recent album do you

currently have on repeat?

The new Revenge album Violation.Strife.

Abominate. They have been one of my

all-time favourite bands since I was 15 and

this new album is just another insanely

solid addition to their catalogue with their

signature sound still going stupidly strong

after all these years. However, the latest Bad

Seeds record Wild God is still blowing my

mind many months after its release.

What’s your all-time favourite

album and why?

Look, it’s a hard question but I’m going to go

with Monotheist by Celtic Frost. This was

their ﬁ nal hurrah before the band dissolved in

2008 and with a more doom oriented sound,

Celtic Frost yet again pushed boundaries

with their newly reﬁ ned material, but most

importantly they created an atmosphere so

thick you can get lost in it. Monotheist will

swallow you whole as you progress through

the album, it just consistently gets better

and with a runtime that’s over an hour, this

is a very hard thing to accomplish. The riffs

on this thing are HUGE to say the least and

both Tom G. Warrior and Martin Eric Ains’

vocal performances outshine anything I’ve

ever heard. It’s not just an album, it’s an

experience that you won’t forget.

Do you have a vinyl collection? If

so, how did it begin, and expand?

Yes! I have a couple hundred vinyl albums,

around 1900 CDs and just over 100 cassettes.

But if we’re just talking about records, my

collecting journey began when I was 14. I

already had hundreds of CDs but when I saw

that a local record store had started selling

record players, I knew I had to get one. My ﬁ rst

vinyl was Melissa by Mercyful Fate, a 10/10

album and from there, the ﬂ oodgates opened

and I’ve been buying records ever since.

What do you enjoy most about

working in music at JB?

Being able to come to work and still being

involved with music is amazing. I’m known as

“the music guy”, I write most of the reviews

and I’m constantly ﬁ xing up the section when

I get away from the counter. I’m being paid

to do this is!

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4

JUNE 2026

MUSIC

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

In April, the words

“you seem

pretty sad for a

girl so in love”

were spraypainted

on a pink wall on

Melrose Avenue in

Los Angeles.

It was soon

revealed that this

was the title of Olivia

Rodrigo’s eagerly

awaited third studio

album, the follow-up

to 2023’s Guts.

It was expected

that the star would go

for another four-letter

title (her debut was

Sour

). Many fans

were tipping “Luck”,

but Olivia went for

something else

entirely.

The title came

about when the singer

was chatting with her

producer, Dan Nigro,

about her relationship.

He reflected, “Oh, you

seem pretty sad for a girl

so in love.”

You Seem

Pretty Sad for a

Girl So in Love

by Olivia Rodrigo

is out Jun 12 via

Universal

f

or another f

our

-let

ter

title (her debut w

as

Sou

w

ere

tipping “Luc

k”

,

but Olivia w

ent f

or

something else

entirely

.

T

he title came

about when the singer

Y

ou Seem

title (her debut w

as

Sou

Explaining the title, the 23-year-

old American artist said, “No

matter how hard I try to write

love songs they always come out

laced with a little

melancholy.”

She expanded

on the album’s

content, calling

them “sad love

songs”.

“I realised

all my favourite

romantic love

songs were

beautiful because

they had a tinge

of fear or yearning

in them,” she told

Vogue.

Sonically, Olivia

says she wanted

to capture the

melancholic vibe

of The Cure’s

Lovesong and

Lana Del Rey’s

Video Games.

Sad songs say so much.

Olivia Rodrigo

returns with her third studio album.

Olivia’s ﬁ rst two studio

albums – 2021’s Sour and

2023’s Guts – both hit number

one in Australia, the US, and UK.

Her 2025 live album, Live from

Glastonbury, hit number 11 in

Australia. She has also had eight

Top 10 singles, including four

chart toppers.

CHART

FACT

Olivia’s boyfriend is British actor Louis Partridge. And she loves London. “I’ve found a lot of inspiration from being in London. I’ve spent so

much time here over the course of making this album. It has a lot of songs that are London vibes, about experiences that I’ve had here.”

Olivia says the

album’s ﬁ rst single,

Drop Dead – which

topped the charts

in Australia, the

US and UK - was

“the ﬁ rst chapter”,

documenting a

“really awesome

ﬁ rst date”. “The

journey deﬁ nitely

ebbs and ﬂ ows

and goes in lots of

different places

from here.”

DROP

DEAD

Love story

but glad

Sad

Sad songs sa

y so muc

h.

Sad songs sa

y so muc

h.

but glad

Sad

Another inspiration was Sex and

the City – Olivia’s favourite show

– particularly Miranda and Steve’s

relationship. The star smiles

when she recalls Miranda telling

Steve: “Whenever something

funny happens, I always want to

tell you about it.”

“I knew I wanted this record to

be about romantic love in more

of a positive sense because my

last two, obviously, were a little

heartbroken and angsty, as they

should be,” Olivia continues.

“So, I knew I wanted to write

some kind of love songs.”

But the key takeaway from the

record? Love won’t necessarily

fix you.

“You’re getting to the core

of all of your issues,” Olivia

remarks about falling in love.

“How you feel about yourself,

your insecurities,

what makes you

joyful. It feels like

the most raw form

of you, which is so

scary and terrifying

and uncomfortable,

sometimes, but

beautiful at times.

“The second

I’m in a really great

relationship [I feel]

I’m gonna start

feeling good about

myself and this stuff

is going to fall into

place, but it just

doesn’t work like

that.”

But then again,

Olivia Rodrigo is also

pretty happy that

she’s so in love.

Jeff Jenkins

We’re living in a world where two of the

biggest pop stars are named Olivia –

Olivia Rodrigo and Olivia Dean. The ﬁ rst

great pop star named Olivia? Australia’s

own Olivia Newton-John, who starred in

Grease, won four Grammy Awards, and

had ﬁ ve number one singles in the US.

Liv it up

Louis Partridge

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Metallica

ReLoad (Remastered)

The seventh release in the Metallica

multi-format reissue series is their 1997 studio

album ReLoad.

Vince Staples

Cry Baby

One of the most revered voices of his

generation; Vince Staples’ new album Cry

Baby is an outwardly facing artistic statement

and piece of social commentary

Vika & Linda

Where Do You Come From?

The new album by iconic duo and ARIA Hall of

Fame inductees, Vika & Linda. After a lifetime

of lending their voices to the stories of others,

this new era marks a deﬁning moment: the

sisters stepping forward to tell their own

story in full.

Pink Floyd

8-Tracks

8-Tracks features eight essential classics

selected from Pink Floyd’s 1971 - 1979 era.

The track sequence has been edited by Steven

Wilson for a continuous listening experience.

Available now on CD, Black 180g Vinyl and

Blue 180g Vinyl.

The Pretty Reckless

Dear God

Record-breaking, multiplatinum rock band

The Pretty Reckless have begun an explosive

new era with their ﬁfth studio album Dear God.

Niall Horan

Dinner Party

Niall Horan returns with his fourth solo album,

Dinner Party, calling it ‘a thank you to the past

and a hello to the present,’ Niall delivers 12

new tracks shaped by ‘love, intimacy, fear,

loss, hope and dreams.’

August Burns Red

Season of Surrender

August Burns Red’s tenth full-length Season

of Surrender sees them craft an album that

effortlessly integrates the brutal breakdowns

of their classic era with instrumental

ﬂourishes.

Evanescence

Sanctuary

Entering a bold new era, Evanescence continue

to push boundaries with their new album,

Sanctuary. CD out now. Pre-order JB Hi-Fi

Exclusive Clear Smoke vinyl out September 4.

TOMORA

COME CLOSER

TOMORA’s debut LP COME CLOSER fuses

Aurora’s celestial vocals with Tom Rowlands’

(The Chemical Brothers) kinetic production

- an alien-pop world of chaos, mischief and

release.

Moby

Future Quiet

Moby’s new album reﬂects on the tension

between hyper-connected modern life and the

human need for stillness.

Castle Rat

The Bestiary

Castle Rat’s second full length album,

The Bestiary, received mass critical acclaim

upon its release, launching the band into

unprecedented realms of heavy music.

Judas Priest

The Best of Judas Priest

The Best of Judas Priest is a curated overview

of the unparalleled career of legendary heavy

metal band Judas Priest. Available June 19 on

CD, black vinyl and solid blue vinyl.

Dirty Heads

7 Seas

Dirty Heads’ 8th studio album 7 Seas has their

unique sound that blends reggae, hip-hop,

rock, and punk into a sound that helped

deﬁne modern alternative beach culture. For

this release Dirty Heads have partnered with

4Ocean - a global organisation on a mission to

end the ocean plastic crisis.

Jalen Ngonda

Doctrine of Love

Experience the timeless soul of Jalen Ngonda,

a masterclass in modern heart and vintage

heat.

Josh Pyke

Kingdom Within

Sydney singer-songwriter Josh Pyke explores

technology, morality, creativity, love, loss and

family on Kingdom Within.

Modest Mouse

An Eraser and a Maze

Guided by Isaac Brock’s instinct-ﬁrst process,

the album stretches across the band’s sonic

history.

OUT

JUN 26

OUT

JUN 26

OUT

JUN 12

OUT

JUN 26

OUT

JUN 19

OUT

JUN 12

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jbhifi.com.au

XX

JUNE

2026

MUSIC

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

The title of The

Pretty Reckless’

new album was

inspired by the song

Love Me, where Taylor

Momsen sings about

depression, obsession,

and betrayal, and

addresses God:

“Why won’t you

answer my prayers?”

she asks. “God, are

you even there?”

“There’s this moment in your

life where you’re so hollowed out

that you start bargaining with God,

not even for happiness, just

for proof that someone sees

you,” Taylor explains.

After a successful acting

career, Taylor decided to

focus on music, saying:

“Music is where I can be me.

“Acting is easy. I’ve been

doing it for so long and I

totally love it. But you’re

playing a character instead

of yourself. Music is more

personal because you’re writing it

and you’re involved in every step

of it.”

Strange but true: rock acts

LIKE WOW!

Muse’s eagerly awaited tenth

album is out of this world –

literally.

The English band launched the

record by partnering with a company

called Sent into Space. They propelled

a special tablet 33km into the air to

announce the album.

The space theme

relates to the title of the

record: The Wow!

Signal, which

follows Muse’s 2022

chart-topper Will of the

People.

The Wow! Signal

was detected on

August 15, 1977, by

Ohio State University’s Big Ear

radio telescope. Some believe

the bandwidth and intensity

suggested the existence of

extraterrestrial life.

When astronomer Jerry R.

Ehman reviewed the data, he

noted the 72-second anomaly,

and wrote “Wow!” on the

printout.

The band says the record

contains a “mix of cosmic

mystery, existential hope, and the

exhilarating possibility of contact with

something far greater than ourselves”.

The record opens with The Dark Forest

and climaxes with an epic track called

Space Debris. It’s quite a trip. Jeff Jenkins

OH MY GOD

Dear God

by The Pretty

Reckless is out

Jun 26

via Universal

The Pretty Reckless

The Wow!

Signal

by Muse is out

Jun 26 via Inertia

The Pretty Reckless unleash their ﬁ erce ﬁ fth album, Dear God.

ACTING UP

Muse had its origins at Teignmouth Community College,

a school in Devon. They started out as Carnage Mayhem,

before renaming the band Gothic Plague. Then they

became Rocket Baby Dolls before settling on Muse.

THE NAME GAME

record:

Signal

A

ugust 1

5, 1

977

, b

y

Muse have had

six Top 10 albums in

Australia, including

four chart-toppers.

Muse are touring North America as

part of a double bill with Australia’s

The Temper Trap.

Muse

Muse take us to space on their tenth studio

album, their ﬁ rst in four years.

The Wow! Signal

was also referenced

in an episode of The

X-Files in 1994, called

Little Green Men.

have had a long

history with bats,

from Meat Loaf’s

Bat Out of Hell to

Ozzy Osbourne’s

encounter with a

bat in Iowa in 1982.

In 2024, Taylor

Momsen was

bitten by a bat

while The Pretty

Reckless were

on stage in Spain.

After the show,

she had to have a

shot for rabies.

Before focusing on The Pretty Reckless, Taylor Momsen was an actor, starring in How the

Grinch Stole Christmas, Spy Kids 2, and Underdog. And she was Jenny in Gossip Girl.

The Pr

et

ty Rec

kless

bat in Io

w

a in 1

982.

The Pretty

Reckless have had

three Top 40 albums in

Australia. Their last release,

2021’s Death by Rock and

Roll, was their highest

charter, reaching

number 15.

CHART

FACT

AUSSIE

LINK

CHART

FACT

FUN

FACT

TOUR DATES:

THE SUPERJESUS

JET AGE

(25TH ANNIVERSARY

SILVER VINYL)

QLD: JUNE 5, 6 | VIC: JUNE 12, 13 |

WA: JUNE 18, 19 | SA: JUNE 20 |

NSW: JUNE 26, 27

Album available at

June 5 - 27, 2026

st260_OT_1title_strip.indd 1

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D

E

C

K

S

B

A

C

K

O

N

T

H

E

*While stocks last

GREA

T VINYL

B

A

CK IN ST

OCK A

T

COLD CHISEL

50 Y

ears - The Best Of

B

A

CK IN ST

OCK A

T

KT TUNST

ALL

Eye to the T

elescope

(20th Anniversary)

DEF LEPP

ARD

Greatest Hits

JB Hi-F

i

A

U Exclusiv

e

Gold

Vin

yl

KT TUNST

ALL

KT TUNST

ALL

OUT

JUN 12

st260_BOD_3titles_Strip.indd 1

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And the scary stuff

doesn’t stop there.

Earlier this year, while

on the road with AC/

DC, Taylor was bitten

by a poisonous spider in

Mexico.

Sounds like rock ’n’ roll is Pretty

Reckless... and dangerous!

Jeff Jenkins

FUN

FACT

Taylor Momsen auditioned for the role of

Hannah Montana, but it went to Miley Cyrus.

Taylor Momsen

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11

FEATURE

MUSIC

In a world that’s lost its way, you

need a moral compass.

Josh Pyke’s new album,

Kingdom Within, opens with

the title track. “With no

kingdom within,” the

Sydney artist sings,

“such a rudderless

thing we become.”

“This song

is really about

reconnecting with

your moral core,”

Josh explains. “The

Kingdom Within I am

referring to is our rich

internal life. In a world that seems

really fraught at the moment and

really fragmented by not only what

is going on in the political landscape

but also in social media, I think it

is more important than ever that

we reconnect with what is

important to us.”

Not that Josh, 48,

has lost sight of what

makes his music

matter – the magical

melodies.

The record also

includes a duet with

Missy Higgins, Won’t

Be Heavy.

Outside of his solo

work, Josh has regularly

ventured onto the stage to perform

The Beatles’ White Album with

his good buddies Tim Rogers, Phil

KINGDOM COME

Kingdom

Within

by Josh Pyke

is out Jun 12

via Inertia

Josh Pyke

Aussie melody master Josh Pyke reveals the

Kingdom Within on his eighth studio album.

For a decade, Josh

Pyke helmed the Josh

Pyke Partnership,

which helped artists

such as Gordi, Alex

Lahey, and Angie

McMahon get their

start in the music

business.

MENTOR AS

ANYTHING

the title trac

k.

“W

ith no

import

ant to us.

”

Not that J

osh, 48,

has lost sight of what

B

e Hea

v

y

.

Outside of his solo

w

ork, J

osh has regularly

Josh Pyke’s ﬁ rst

six albums all hit the

Australian Top 10. His

most recent album, 2022’s

To Find Happiness,

peaked at 17.

Jamieson, and Chris Cheney.

“I must say it’s been a

really important project in my

performance life,” Josh says.

“Prior to doing that concert

series, I was very much the acoustic

guitar, singing guy. I’d never really

performed without a guitar and I’d

never really played other people’s

songs. It’s a completely different

mindset to get into someone else’s

songs and show them the respect

they deserve; not just cover a song

but really put yourself into it.

“And those guys are known as

real performers; I learnt a lot on

that first tour about how to perform

without taking on a character, how

to bring out myself as a performer.”

Jeff Jenkins

One night can change your

life. Six years ago, Niall

Horan met his girlfriend

Amelia Woolley at a

dinner party. She was

a late addition to the

guest list, but the two

hit it off and they’re still

together.

The 32-year-old Irish

star has now called his

fourth solo album Dinner Party.

“This song is about a really

happy and big moment in my life,”

Niall says of the title track.

“An evening at a simple dinner

party that changed the course of

my life.

BE MY GUEST

“After writing the song, the

words ‘dinner party’ became

the nucleus for the rest

of the record. That once

in a lifetime moment

that I am grateful for

and for everything that

came after that night.

Things are different

n

o w .”

In the song, Niall

documents a night of drinking,

chatting, and playing games. “I

was loud as hell,” he sings. “You

were so discreet... One kiss on

your neck, it was so concrete.

“I’m done looking for

somebody.”

Niall Horan

Niall Horan is having a Dinner Party – and everyone is invited.

FUN FACT

On Channel

Seven’s

Sunrise, Niall

sampled

Vegemite

on toast. He

didn’t like it.

The half-eaten

piece of toast

then attracted

bids on eBay.

lif

e. Six y

ears ago, Niall

w

ords ‘dinner part

y’ became

the nucleus f

or the rest

of the record.

T

hat once

n

o

w

.”

In the song

, Niall

Niall has had three

Top 5 solo albums in

Australia, including the

2023 chart-topper,

The Show.

CHART

FACT

Niall listened to a lot of

Radiohead while he was making

the album. And he says that

fellow Irish artist Damien Rice

was a big influence on the sound.

“All Damien Rice’s recordings

sound like they were just done

in his living room, and I wanted

to try and get that across and in

how we recorded this time,” Niall

revealed to NME.

The result is a pop album that

sounds real.

“I’m happy with the

authenticity in my music,” Niall

says. “I’ve stuck to my guns on

the type of music that I make.”

Jeff Jenkins

Dinner Party

by Niall Horan is out

Jun 5 via Universal

CHART

FACT

TOUR D

A

TES:

THE SUPERJESUS

JET A

GE

(25TH ANNIVERSAR

Y

SIL

VER VINYL)

QLD:

JUNE 5,

6

|

VIC:

JUNE 12,

13

|

W

A:

JUNE 18,

19

|

SA:

JUNE 20

|

NSW

:

JUNE 26,

27

Album a

v

ailable at

June 5 - 27, 2026

st260_OT_1title_strip.indd 1

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DECKS

BACK

ON THE

*While stocks last

GREAT VINYL BACK IN STOCK AT

COLD CHISEL

50 Years - The Best Of

B

A

CK IN ST

OCK A

T

KT TUNSTALL

Eye to the Telescope

(20th Anniversary)

DEF LEPPARD

Greatest Hits

JB Hi-Fi AU Exclusive

Gold Vinyl

KT TUNST

ALL

KT TUNST

ALL

OUT

JUN 12

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jbhifi.com.au

8

JUNE 2026

MUSIC

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

EDITOR’S

PICK

VIKA & LINDA

Where Do You

Come From?

MUSHROOM

Australia’s favourite singing

sisters Vika & Linda – ARIA Hall

of Fame inductees - release

their ninth studio album, a

deeply personal collection of

songs about the changing face

of Australia. The ﬁ rst word on

the album is Mālō e lelei, the

Tongan word for hello.

What follows is a record

about identity, family, getting

older, and swimming – check

out Vika Bull’s sublime That’s

How I Pray. Linda’s song about

being a single mum, Waiting

on the Kid, is another standout.

The sisters wrote most of the

tracks, though contributions

from Helen Shanahan (What

a Beautiful Thing

) and Ben

Salter (Bliss ) are amongst the

highlights.

Whether it’s a voyage of musical discovery

or a sonic reacquaintance with a favourite

band or artist, check out these fresh

releases heading to JB this month.

WHAT’S OUT

T

HIS

MONT

H?

DJ SEINFELD

If This Is It

INERTIA

Sweden’s Armand

Jakobsson had a bad

break-up and then moved

to Barcelona, where he

found himself

binge-watching Seinfeld.

He loved it. So when it came to his stage

name, he called himself DJ Seinfeld. If This

Is It is the third studio album for the artist,

who performed at this year’s Australian

Open. A thrilling mix of house and trance, it

features The Right, a collaboration with

Australia’s Conﬁ dence Man.

BARRY MANILOW

What a Time

ROCKET

The great Barry Manilow

turns 83 this month, and

he’s celebrating with his

33rd studio album, his

ﬁ rst featuring original

material in 15 years. The

album includes Once Before I Go,

co-written by Australia’s Peter Allen. It’s

another classic love song in the Manilow

canon. “Once more, just once before I go, I

want you to know that I have loved you all

along,” the American legend sings.

BUTTHOLE SURFERS

After the Astronaut

MGM

Forty-ﬁ ve years after

they formed, America’s

Butthole Surfers come

back down to earth

with their ninth studio

album. After the

Astronaut was originally intended to be

released in 1998, but it was shelved by

the band’s then label. But it’s now

landing, the Butthole Surfers’ ﬁ rst studio

album in 25 years.

GEORGE THOROGOOD

AND THE DESTROYERS

The Baddest Show on

Earth: Greatest Hits Live

UNIVERSAL

At the age of 76, George

Thorogood remains bad to

the bone. His eighth live

album with The Destroyers

gathers songs performed

in concert between 1978

and 2024, including sizzling versions of Bad to

the Bone, Who Do You Love, Boogie Chillun,

and One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.

THE BOBBY LEES

New Self

ROCKET

When American singer Sam

Quartin experienced a

hallucination, she thought

she saw a ghost named

Bobby Lee, so that’s why she

called her rock band The

Bobby Lees. New Self is the group’s fourth studio

album, their ﬁ rst since signing with Epitaph

Records. The power-packed title track namechecks

Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and

American snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun

White. The record also includes 50 Ft, a reworking

of PJ Harvey’s 50ft Queenie.

CHUCK PROPHET

Wake the Dead

MGM

After the dissolution of

the band Green on Red,

Chuck Prophet has had

a proliﬁ c solo career,

which continues with

Wake the Dead, which

is ﬁ nally getting an Australian release.

A collaboration with Californian cumbia

band Qiensave, the Latin rhythms are

alive in the funky title track, where

Prophet sings: “Gonna wake the dead,

get them on their feet.”

MOBY

Future Quiet

UNIVERSAL

Twenty-seven years after

topping the Australian

charts with his Play

album, Moby presses play

on his 23rd studio album.

It features a new version

of the Stranger Things hit When It’s Cold I’d

Like to Die, which was originally on Moby’s

1995 album Everything Is Wrong. The

American artist says he wants this record to

be a “refuge”. “As the world gets louder and

crazier, I ﬁ nd myself needing the refuge of

quiet, both as a listener and as a musician”

BETH ORTON

The Ground Above

UNIVERSAL

The Ground Above is the

ninth studio album for

England’s Beth Orton, who

says: “What has kept me

alive is a feral invincibility,

barrelling through life,

propelled magnetically as in a ﬂ ying dream that

won’t allow for time to get hold of my ankles and

catch up with me. Grief had me say yes to life, to

embrace and taste and devour. I know life to be as

pointless and as meaningful as I can make it. I

wanted to write some of this into a dream, a

conﬂ uence of meaning and feeling.”

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

I Built You a Tower

ROCKET

There have been some

changes in the Death Cab

world. The band are no longer

with a major label, and singer

Ben Gibbard has gone

through a divorce. He said he

had to “compartmentalise” everything to keep

making music. “I kind of stumbled into this

metaphor of like building a tower and placing

trauma or pain or suffering into it,” he explains.

“So, to me, the central theme of the record is that

compartmentalisation of grief, and how

sometimes it breaks out of the compartments that

we try to hold it in.”

MODEST MOUSE

An Eraser and a Maze

INERTIA

Modest Mouse, the

much-loved American

indie rock band, have

emerged with their ﬁ rst

new music in ﬁ ve years.

Frontman Isaac Brock

thought these new recordings would

initially be an EP for his side project Ugly

Casanova, but they ended up becoming

Modest Mouse’s eighth studio album.

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9

FEATURE

MUSIC

After the overwhelming

success of Pink Floyd’s

1973 album The Dark Side of

the Moon (more than 50 million

copies sold), the question

most often asked was: Could

the band possibly maintain

a standard of songwriting

and recording to match

the timeless music of their

masterpiece?

The answer turned out to be

a resounding YES!

This new ofﬁ cial Pink Floyd

compilation features eight

essential classics selected

from the band’s 1971-1979 era,

released on vinyl and CD.

Pink Floyd were never a

singles band – releasinga ‘Best

Of’, we’re thinking, was never

an option – so what we have in

this collection are tracksoften

referred to as the golden era

of the band, with songs that

include One of These Days,

Money, Another Brick in the

Wall Part 2, Wish You Were

Here, Time,

and

Comfortably

Numb.

Also included is a full version

of Pigs on the Wing from

their Animals album, which

features a guitar section from

new recruit Snowy White; the

onlyother place it became

available was Snowy’s 1995

compilation Goldtop.

Radio legend Billy Pinnell presents

Billy Pinnell’s Musical Moments on YouTube.

W

HA

T’S

OUT

THIS MONTH?

PINK FLOYD

8-Tracks

SONY

Coming in

Coming in JULY

JULY

MADONNA

Confessions II (Jul 3)

THE ROLLING STONES

Foreign Tongues (Jul 10)

AMY SHARK

soft pop (Jul 31)

BILY’S PICK

MYLES SMITH

My Mess, My Heart, My Life

SONY

England’s Myles Smith

has packed it all into

the title of his debut

album: My Mess, My

Heart, My Life. It

includes the previous

singles Stargazing (which hit number 11

in Australia), Nice to Meet You, and

Gold, as well as

Drive Safe, a

collaboration with Niall Horan.

RODNEY CROWELL

Then Again

MGM

Rodney Crowell is a legend

of American roots music,

having won two Grammys,

played with Emmylou

Harris, been married to

Johnny Cash’s daughter

Rosanne, and had ﬁ ve number one singles on

the US country charts. Then Again is the

75-year-old artist’s new album, though most of

it was recorded two decades ago. It features

Are You One Of Us?, a duet with the late Guy

Clark, as well as collaborations with Lyle Lovett,

Benmont Tench, Emmylou Harris, and Lera Lynn.

STING

The Night Watch: Live at

The Rijksmuseum

UNIVERSAL

Recorded at Amsterdam’s

Rijksmuseum, this is

Sting’s eighth ofﬁ cial live

album. Playing a

17th-century guitar made

for Louis XIV, the album

features songs from Sting’s musical The

Last Ship plus classics from his catalogue,

including live versions of The Police’s

Message in a Bottle, Roxanne, Every Little

Thing She Does Is Magic, and Every Breath

You Take.

SUBLIME

Until the Sun Explodes

INERTIA

American ska punk band

Sublime sadly split in 1996

when singer Bradley Nowell

died of a heroin overdose. But

the band reunited in 2023,

with Nowell’s son Jakob

joining the band. Until the Sun Explodes is

Sublime’s fourth studio album, their ﬁ rst in 30

years. But Jakob is clear about what this record

represents. “The last true Sublime record will be

[1996’s] self-titled,” he told Rolling Stone. “You

can’t compete with mythology. This is the

epilogue.” The record includes a bunch of special

guests, including Australia’s own Skegss.

AUSSIE RELEASES

HUXTON CREEPERS

12 Days to Paris

TWEAK

Huxton Creepers are a

pop ’n’ roll band that

should have been much

bigger. Emerging at the

same time as the Hoodoo

Gurus, singer Rob Craw,

guitarist Paul Thomas, bass player

Matthew Eddy, and drummer Archie Law

all went to high school together in

Melbourne and named their band after a

villain in the Sherlock Holmes ﬁ lm The

Pearl of Death. Their debut album, 12 Days

to Paris, was co-produced by Los Lobos’

Steve Berlin (and featured Procol Harum’s

Chris Copping on organ). It hit number 63

on the Australian charts and featured a

batch of great songs, including My Cherie

Amour, I Will Persuade You, and Autumn

Leaves. The 40th anniversary edition is a

terriﬁ c trip.

KITA ALEXANDER

Rage

INERTIA

Rage is the second album

for Kita Alexander, who is

based in Byron Bay.

Despite the title, she

points out it’s a positive

record. “Rage has been

the catalyst of positive change in my life

over the last couple of years,” Kita says.

“The album is about an emotion I’ve always

had but never understood. It’s me looking at

it and embracing it as a new friend and

realising that I don’t have to shut it down or

avoid looking at it. An emotion that is

usually seen as ugly or wrong has helped

me have the conﬁ dence to create necessary

change in my life that I was otherwise

scared of doing. Rage has helped me ﬁ nd

what truly matters to me and to change my

life in ways that work for me.” Matt Corby

co-wrote and appears on two tracks.

KEITH URBAN

Flow State

UNIVERSAL

Sail away! Yacht rock

is having a moment

right now, and country

king Keith Urban is

getting on board. This

covers collection

features a smooth-sailing set of ’70s

and ’80s gems, including Player’s Baby

Come Back, Seals & Crofts’ Summer

Breeze, Stephen Bishop’s On and On,

and Bread’s Guitar Man (featuring John

Mayer). Keith has also come up with a

cool new original, We Go Back –

featuring the sublime voice of the

Doobie Brothers’ Michael McDonald.

And Keith hasn’t forgotten his home

country, covering Little River Band’s

Aussie chart-topper Help Is on Its Way.

POND

Terrestrials

ROCKET

The proliﬁ c Perth band

Pond have released 11

studio albums since

2009. The psychedelic

rockers have changed

things up a bit for

Terrestrials, apparently setting some

rules for the record: no fuzz pedals, no

ballads and “no Pink Floyd sh-t”. They

wanted a “goths at the pub” vibe, citing

The Sisters of Mercy and Magazine as

the main inﬂ uences. Check out the

rocking Two Hands, which the band

wrote when mining company Rio Tinto

blew up Juukan Gorge, destroying

sacred rock shelters. “You’ve got every

right to be very f-cking angry about this

injustice,” singer Nick Allbrook says.

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10

JUNE 2026

MUSIC

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

A well-respected veteran of the control room, the engineer’s engineer,

Michael Braunstein,

spoke with STACK

about his work on the Eagles’ classic,One of These Nights.

Words: Paul Jones

V

I

N

Y

L

V

I

T

A

L

ENGINEERING THE EAGLES

“Chris Stone called me in and said, ‘You’re

going to work with Bill Szymczyk

in Studio B with the Eagles.’ I had

experience as a ﬁ rst engineer, so in I went with

Szymczyk on April 1st, [1975].”

Michael Braunstein thumbs through the

pages of his worn 1975 diary before settling on

the entry for that day. He pauses, turns a page,

and smiles.

“Here. Here we go. April 2nd, we overdubbed

[Don] Henley’s tablas onToo Many Hands.”

In the 1970s, Record Plant – the brainchild of

sound-engineering visionaries Chris Stone and

Gary Kellgren - established ﬁ rst in New York and

then, two years later, in LA, became the world’s

premier recording studio.

After getting sacked as the studio carpenter’s

assistant, Braunstein convinced Stone to utilise

his experience as a live sound engineer and

landed a role behind the desk.

“The Eagles would come in around 11am, and

I’d ask what song they wanted me to put up on

the 24-track.

“[Glenn] Frey was the one who always led the

session, but Henley would have the ﬁ nal say.

“It was Frey who would sit next to me and

moan, saying stuff like, ‘No, we need more

guitar on that’, but out of the side of his eye, he

was always watching Henley.

“Henley was very quietly the one who had

the yes or no. It was an interesting dynamic.”

Three albums in, the Eagles were still

searching for a true breakout record. Their

previous album,On the Border, had been a

commercial success thanks largely toBest of

My Love, while signalling a departure from the

band’s country roots.

The Eagles were now pursuing a more rock-

oriented direction - one fully realised onOne of

These Nights.

The album is packed with radio-friendly

heavyweights:Lyin’ Eyes,Too Many

Hands,One of These Nights, and the

anthemicTake It to the Limit.

While Braunstein didn’t record the vocals

onTake It to the Limit–

much ofOne of These

Nightswas cut in

Florida - he did set up the song’s famous string

accompaniment.

“That was one of the things I loved about

Szymczyk - he gave me a lot of latitude,” says

Braunstein.

“He would tell me what we had for strings –

say, 12 violins, four violas, two cellos, and two

basses - and he would let me set it up.

“Then I would do all the micing and stuff. So,

onTake It to the Limit, the entire song just fell

together the way I watched it.

“I’d put the tape up, and we’d all listen

to it in the control room, and it was just

Alongside the plethora of recording

artists Michael Braunstein worked with –

including Frank Zappa, Crosby, Stills & Nash

and Nils Lofgren - he also engineered the

ﬁ rst major label digital recording session, in

February 1979.

Using an innovative 3M digital recording

system, he recorded a new version of

Stephen Stills’Cherokee, making the studio

veteran an early trailblazer in the shift from

analogue tape to digital audio.

WORKING WITH THE EAGLES

The Eagles’ fallout is legendary, the band imploding in 1980 after years of

substance abuse and ﬁ erce quarrelling. But according to Braunstein, there was

little tension during the recording ofOne of These Nights.

“They were very professional. There was virtually no bickering, although

there was some smouldering resentment that Bernie Leadon held during the

whole time. I think he was on the way out the minute he walked in the door to

work on that album.

“But there was a reason they called Szymczyk the ‘Coach’. That’s what made him

the best producer I’ve seen with these eyes. He took ﬁ ve genius musicians with ﬁ ve

huge egos – I mean, between Frey and Henley alone, there was more ego than you and I would ever

want to have - and ran the smoothest, coolest show. He was just focused on getting the music.”

GOING DIGITAL

Michael Braunstein

in Studio B

The Eagles

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1:37 pm

XX

FEATURE

MUSIC

For Eagles fans, this

three LP set is a veritable

treasure trove.

Inside is a 14-page

LP-sized colour booklet

featuring rare photos,

studio run sheets,

and images of iconic

memorabilia.

The album was newly

mixed in 2025 directly

from the multitracks by

engineer Rob Jacobs,

overseen by Don Henley.

The real gold,

however, is the previously

unreleased 1975 Anaheim

Stadium show.

Spread across two LPs,

the 16-song performance

– played before 55,000

people on September 28,

1975 - is a corker.

The daytime concert

captures the band at a

pivotal transition point,

with global success

beckoning.

It was Bernie Leadon’s

ﬁ nal gig, and the band

was joined onstage by

his successor, Joe Walsh,

forRocky Mountain Way

.

The tour then headed

to Australia and New

Zealand, with Walsh as a

full-time member.

Braunstein

helped mix the show

with Szymczyk and

remembers it as a

frantic two days, with

the band playing in

San Diego the night

before.

“It was a red-hot

day, but a good show

.

Combined with the

San Diego show, it

was a helluva 18-hour

turnaround. I’ve still got

the Gideon Bible and the

water glass I took from the

hotel in Anaheim!”

ONE OF THESE

NIGHTS

BY NUMBERS

Released on

June 10, 1975

The Eagles’

ﬁ rst number

one album on

Billboard

Yielded three Top 10

singles:One of These

Nights,Lyin’ Eyes,

andTake It to the Limit

Won a Grammy -

the band’s ﬁ rst - in

1976 for ‘Best Pop

Performance by a Duo

or Group with Vocals’

Reached number

ﬁ ve in Australia and

number three in New

Zealand

Certiﬁ ed quadruple

platinum

Estimated to have sold

more than ﬁ ve million

copies worldwide

• The Eagles’

3LP box set

is available at

JB Hi-Fi now.

bone-chilling. It was just like, ‘What

could this song possibly need?’”

Pressed on his favourite track

from the album, Braunstein answers

without hesitation:Too Many Hands.

He dismisses the long-held

view that the song carries an

environmental message, saying the

songwriter, Randy Meisner, told

him it was inspired by the lead-up

to the US Bicentennial in 1976 and

“had more to do with the spirit

of America than it does with the

environment.”

Too Many Hands, of course,

is renowned for its killer duelling

guitars in the fade-out – Glenn Frey

and Don Felder as sonic sparring

partners, trading guitar licks like

blows.

“Glenn Frey sat to my left in the

very small control room in Studio B,

helped mix the show

with Szymczyk and

frantic two days, with

the band playing in

San Diego the night

“It was a red-hot

day

, but a good show

.

Combined with the

San Diego show

, it

was a helluva 18-hour

The Eagles’

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

and I had Don Felder on a stool to

my right,” explains Braunstein.

“They had a Twin Reverb that

they were both playing through in a

sound lock. It was Szymczyk’s idea

to do the duelling guitars.

“That fade went on forever with

some of the best licks I’ve heard.

Frey and Felder were amazing, and it

was all done live and spontaneous.

It was gorgeous.”

June 10, 1975

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26/5/2026

9:45 am

26/5/2026

9:45 am

Ads_FP.indd 1

15/05/2026 4:10:41 PM

Ads_FP.indd 1

15/05/2026 4:11:34 PM

What’s a movie you

saw as a child that has

left a lasting impression

on you?

Like any mid-2000s baby, the

animated Barbie movies were

everything. The

Swan Lake and

12

Dancing Princesses movies were my

faves. The stone stepping scene of 12 Dancing

Princesses was life changing!

What’s one of your all-time favourite

movies, and why?

Lady Bird by Greta Gerwig will always mean

the world to me. Growing up is weird,

becoming your own person is weird, loving

and hating your home town is weird. It feels

like Gerwig looked into my brain and made the

movie just for me.

What’s one of your all-time favourite TV

series, and why?

Gilmore Girls

! My mum put me on to it when

I was 13 and it ignited my love for ’90s-2010s

drama shows. Yes they’re ALL messy

characters but they’re MY messy characters!

I’ll always defend them, LOL.

What have you been watching lately that

you’d recommend?

I’m obsessed with Superman again so

obviously I’m rewatching Smallville. I adore the

“freak of the week” Buffy the Vampire Slayer-

esque format. My fave movie this year has to

be Sorry, Baby (Eva Victor). Truly a beautiful ﬁ lm

with an equally beautiful message.

Q1 Which 1999 movie

features a twist revealing

that the main male

character is actually dead?

Q2 This unusual 2000

ﬁ lm is told in reverse

chronological order. Title

please.

Q3 Which 2014 movie

was ﬁ lmed over 12 years,

featuring the same cast?

Q4 What is Clarence’s job

inIt’s a Wonderful Life

?

Q5 Why did Jack

Nicholson’s character go

berserk inThe Shining?

Q6 Which movie character

quotes “To survive a war,

you’ve got to become a

war”.

Q7 Who composed the

music forVertigo, North

by Northwest,andTaxi

Driver

?

Q8 Who played the Pinball

Wizard inTommy

?

Q9 In which ﬁ lm did Alec

Guinness play eight family

members?

Q10 For which Vietnam

veteran movie did Jon

Voight and Jane Fonda

win ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best

Actress’ awards?

M AY

2026 (Issue 259) ANSWERS -

A1.

Walter Brennan forCome and Get It, Kentucky,andThe Westerner

A2. Road House(1989) A3.

Remember the Titans(2000) A4. Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, D.W. Grifﬁ th

A5. Bwana Devil(1952) A6.

Harry Houdini the American escapologist

A 7.

Kathleen Turner A8.

Heaven’s Gate(1980)

A9. Sir Alec Guinness A10.

Cabaret(1972)

QUIZ

Q

UIZ

Q

UIZ

jbhifi.com.au

14

JUNE 2026

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

CHARLOTTE HERMES

@ JB Tuggeranong, ACT

What’s the best thing about working at JB?

I’ve always loved media and music, so getting

to work with it and talk about it basically 24/7 is

AWESOME! The environment and people have

taught me so much about myself.

’

s

ROVING REPORTER

JUNE

5

5 CINEMA

CINEMA

HIGHLIGHTS

4K UHD BEST-SELLERS

in MAY 2026

BLU-RAY BEST-SELLERS

in MAY 2026

1

SHELTER

2

28 YEARS LATER:

THE BONE TEMPLE

3

PRIMATE

4

WELCOME TO DERRY: S1

5

DR WHO

COLLECTION: S21

6

ANACONDA (2025)

7

DRACULA: A LOVE

TALE

8

SONG SUNG BLUE

9

MERCY (2026)

10 “

WUTHERING

HEIGHTS” (2026)

DVD BEST-SELLERS

in MAY 2026

1

28 YEARS LATER:

THE BONE TEMPLE

2

WELCOME TO DERRY: S1

3

SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009)

4

S

HERLOCK HOLMES:

GAME OF SHADOWS

5

NO OTHER CHOICE

6

SHELTER

7

THE LORD OF THE

RINGS TRILOGY:

EXTENDED + THEATRICAL

8

HAMNET

9

INTERSTELLAR

10

ANACONDA (2025)

CHARTS

Supergirl

Jun 25

Jackass:

Best and Last

Jun 25

Disclosure Day

Jun 11

Scary Movie

Jun 4

Masters of

the Universe

Jun 4

1

SHELTER

2

28 YEARS LATER:

THE BONE TEMPLE

3

ANACONDA (2025)

4

SONG SUNG BLUE

5 “

WUTHERING

HEIGHTS” (2026)

6

PRIMATE

7

MERCY (2026)

8

WELCOME TO DERRY: S1

9

STAR TREK:

STRANGE NEW

WORLDS S3

10

HAMNET

st260_071_MOVIESTV-IntroTake5QuizCinemaHighlightsCharts-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

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1:36 pm

22/5/2026

1:36 pm

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15/05/2026 4:46:28 PM

What could have easily been another

forgettable video game adaptation

instead turned into one of the smartest,

strangest, and most entertaining sci-fi shows

around.

If Season One managed to balance brutal

violence, dark comedy, emotional storytelling,

and weird post-apocalyptic charm in a way

that felt completely unique, Season Two faced

the challenge of expanding that world without

losing what made it special in the first place.

Set two centuries after the Great War

of 2077 – in which society has collapsed

following a nuclear holocaust - the first season

ended with several major revelations and a

massive shift in direction, especially for Ella

Purnell’s Lucy, whose journey from sheltered

Vault resident to hardened wasteland survivor

became the emotional backbone of the show.

By the finale, the series pulled back the

curtain on some of the deeper corruption

behind the Vault system and hinted at much

bigger conflicts ahead, as well as teasing one

of the most iconic locations from the games:

New Vegas – now showcased in Season Two.

That tease alone sent longtime Fallout fans

into overdrive, given how this city from the

beloved game Fallout: New Vegas has almost

mythical status among gamers.

And they weren’t disappointed, as Season

Two dives right back into more political chaos,

morally questionable factions, bizarre desert

characters, and the kind of twisted humour

the franchise thrives on.

Another big reason for the show’s success

is the chemistry between the cast. White

Lotus star Walton Goggins absolutely

steals scenes as The Ghoul, delivering a

performance that is equal parts terrifying and

charismatic. His backstory turned out to be far

more tragic than expected, with Season Two

exploring even more of his past before the

apocalypse destroyed the world.

What really makes Fallout work, though,

is that underneath the monsters, explosions,

and bizarreness, it’s a show about human

nature. The apocalypse didn’t

magically make people honest

or noble – it just amplified greed,

desperation, and survival instincts.

That mix of satire and sincerity

is what gives Fallout its edge,

cementing it as one of the defining

sci-fi series of the decade. Gill Pringle

WHAT A BLAST!

FALLOUT: SEASON 2

jbhifi.com.au

16

JUNE 2026

MOVIE

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

GAME OF KNIGHTS

Game of Thrones was such a juggernaut

that a follow-up series was inevitable.

And in making lighter work for its creators,

George R.R. Martin already had a collection

of prequel stories published between 1998

and 2010.

Under the title Tales of Dunk and Egg,

three novellas occupy the same world

as his A Song of Ice and Fire saga

(aka Game of Thrones), taking

place around 90 years earlier.

Plans for the new series began long

before Game of Thrones concluded, with

Martin initially envisioning the stories as

feature films. Instead, HBO opted to expand

the universe for television, first with House

of the Dragon, before turning its attention

to the more intimate adventures of

Ser Duncan the Tall and his unlikely

companion, Egg.

Set roughly a century before

Game of Thrones – and nearly a

hundred years after the events

of House of the Dragon - A

Knight of the Seven

Kingdoms explores

a quieter, but no

less consequential,

chapter of Westeros

history. Gone are the

sprawling wars and

dragonfire spectacles, replaced by

a grounded, character-driven tale

that leans into chivalry, loyalty, and the

myth-making of knights.

The series centres on Dunk, a hedge

knight of humble origins, and Egg, a young

squire with more to his story than first

appears. Their travels across Westeros

offer a different perspective on the realm,

one that trades palace intrigue for dusty

roads, tourneys, and small-scale conflicts

that quietly shape the future of the Seven

Kingdoms.

Developed for television by George R.R.

Martin alongside writer and producer Ira

Parker, the series has been praised for its

lighter tone and strong character focus, with

early reception highlighting its accessibility

for newcomers while still rewarding longtime

fans. It’s a deliberate shift in scale, but one

that enriches the wider mythology rather

than simply repeating past glories.

Glenn Cochrane

GENRE: Action

RUN TIME: Series

• A Knight

of the Seven

Kingdoms

is out Jun 17

GENRE: Drama

RUN TIME: Series

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

The Last of Us, Halo, The Stand, 12 Monkeys

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

The complete series of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are also available on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD.

Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell

One of the most anticipated TV returns in recent memory,

Season 2 of Fallout maintains all the weirdness of this

fantastical retro-futuristic world viewers have grown to love.

Fans of Game of Thrones can return to Westeros in A Knight of

the Seven Kingdoms, a new prequel series based on author

George R.R. Martin’s series of novellas.

a quieter

, but no

less consequential,

c

hapter

of W

esteros

Fun fact:

George R.R. Martin has called the

Dunk and Egg tales his favourite to write,

with plans for more stories still in mind.

• Fallout:

Season 2

is out Jun 3

Inset: Kyle MacLachlan

Below: Ella Purnell and

Walton Goggins

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14/05/2026 5:58:02 PM

jbhifi.com.au

18

JUNE 2026

MOVIE

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

HERE COMES

THE BRIDE

The iconic Bride of Frankenstein is reimagined in one of the year’s

most polarising, dazzling and exhilarating exploits, The Bride!

starring Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.

When we first heard that Maggie

Gyllenhaal was stepping behind the

camera again for The Bride!, there was

immediate curiosity. After her haunting,

Oscar-nominated debut with The Lost

Daughter, expectations were high.

Instead of playing it safe, Gyllenhaal

went bold and reimagined one of the most

iconic figures in horror history. Inspired by

Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein, it

was a chance viewing of the 1935 gothic

horror film The Bride of Frankenstein that

prompted Gyllenhaal to take on – and

entirely reshape - the neglected bride.

“I was watching the original Bride of

Frankenstein - but the Bride isn't in it!”

exclaims the filmmaker, talking to STACK.

“I mean, she's in it for two minutes, and

she doesn't say one word. We don't get

a chance to get really inside of ‘What was

she thinking?’ What was her perspective

on that? So, that was the original spark of

inspiration, especially because she finds

herself in such an insane situation, you

know, having been brought back from the

dead – without her consent! - to be the wife

of someone that she's never met.”

But this isn’t just a remake with updated

lighting and louder jump scares. Instead,

Gyllenhaal leans into mood, identity, and

emotion, reframing the Bride not as a

side character in someone else’s gothic

nightmare, but as the centre of her own

story. It’s an electrifying move.

And who better to portray this newly-

animated Bride than Hamnet actress

Jessie Buckley, with whom Gyllenhaal

had become close while filming The Lost

Daughter

?

Talking about what drew her to The

Bride!, the British actress says, “I think,

firstly, it was a great opportunity to give

voice to something that wasn't permitted,

or hadn’t had that opportunity before. And

to feel the potential of what that character

might have said was really so exciting.

“ You know, she doesn't get

reinvigorated with a definite idea of herself.

She gets reinvigorated with huge questions

with a mind and body that she doesn't

even expect herself, like it's so alive,

it's so monstrous in the most wild,

brilliant, laser beam kind of way.”

Gill Pringle

GENRE: Sci-ﬁ romance RUN TIME: 2h 7m

Christian Bale’s

“Frank” prosthetics

took six hours to apply,

while Jessie Buckley’s

“Bride” took 90

minutes.

FUN

FACT

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale

Jessie Buckley with

director Maggie Gyllenhaal

• The Bride!

is out Jun 3

The Bride!

Lisa Frankenstein, Frankenstein, Dracula: A Love Tale, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy

With Tom Waits and Charlotte Rampling

in the roles of “Father” and “Mother”,

Blanchett plays one of several estranged

siblings alongside Adam Driver, Vicky Krieps and

Mayim Bialik.

The film feels less like a conventional drama

and more like sitting in a room with people who

have spent years avoiding difficult conversations

- until suddenly they can’t anymore. It’s

funny, melancholic, awkward, intimate, and

deliberately slow in that unmistakable Jarmusch

way.

Structured as a triptych, the film is split into

three separate stories titled Father, Mother, and

Sister Brother. Each chapter takes place in a

different country - Father is set in the Northeast

US, Mother in Dublin, Ireland, and Sister

Brother in Paris, France.

Each story takes place in present time, the

film is a series of character studies, quiet,

observational and non-judgmental – a comedy,

but interwoven with threads of melancholy.

“Father Mother Sister Brother

is a kind

of anti-action film, its subtle and quiet style

carefully constructed to allow small details to

accumulate – almost like flowers being carefully

placed in three delicate arrangements,” says the

director celebrated for his movies Coffee and

Cigarettes, The Dead Don’t Die, Stranger Than

Paradise and Broken Flowers.

Critics especially praised the final chapter for

giving the movie its emotional payoff. Visually,

it’s gorgeous with everyday spaces - kitchens,

cafés, apartments, rainy streets - becoming

strangely poetic.

What makes the film particularly interesting

is its lack of melodrama, so often inherent in

films about family dysfunction. Nobody screams

hysterically. There are no huge revelations or

sentimental speeches. Instead,

the movie captures something

quieter and arguably more

truthful: the uncomfortable

mystery of family itself.

For audiences willing to

settle into its mood, the

movie becomes surprisingly

moving. By the end, it leaves

behind that bittersweet feeling

you get after a difficult family

reunion - exhausting, awkward,

funny, sad, and strangely

comforting all at once.

Gill Pringle

GENRE: Comedy drama

RUN TIME: 1h 50m

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

The Room Next Door, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Cate Blanchett joins the all-star cast of Jim Jarmusch’s

wonderfully old-fashioned and quietly hypnotic drama,

Father Mother Sister Brother.

• Father

Mother Sister

Brother

is out Jun 10

Fun Fact:

Jim Jarmusch is the

founder of a satirical secret society

called The Sons of Lee Marvin,

whereby all members resemble

the late actor. Notable members

include Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Josh

Brolin, Neil Young and Iggy Pop.

Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik

Inset: Director Jim Jarmusch

JIM JARMUSCH’S

FAMILY AFFAIR

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12:46 pm

19

FEATURE

MOVIE

SIDNEY PRESCOTT

RETURNS IN

SCREAM 7

Directed by Kevin Williamson – the

original writer who helped turn

Ghostface into one of horror’s most

recognisable villains - Scream 7 shifts

the focus back onto Neve Campbell’s

Sidney Prescott, who was absent

from the previous instalment.

The return of Sidney gives

the movie a very different

energy from the youth-

driven tone of Scream VI,

leaning heavily into legacy

themes such as trauma,

survival, ageing, and whether

anyone can ever really escape

the mythology of Woodsboro.

This time around, Campbell’s

original scream queen Sidney is trying to

live a quieter suburban life with her family

when, naturally, Ghostface resurfaces yet

again. But while Scream 7 is leaning heavily

into its legacy roots, there’s still plenty of

fresh blood entering the mix.

Alongside returning favourites

Courteney Cox’s Gale Weathers,

David Arquette’s Dewey Riley,

and Matthew Lillard’s Stu

Macher, newcomers Isabel

May, McKenna Grace, and

Michelle Randolph are

helping usher the franchise

into its next generation of

terror.

For Campbell, she relished

the opportunity to revisit a

character who has grown up alongside

a generation of fans.

“Audiences have a real affinity for the

first film, as we all do. It was exciting to

bring classic set pieces and characters back

in,” says the Canadian actress, now 52

years old.

“When we started out, Sidney was

young, vivacious, and enthusiastic about

life. She has gone through tremendous

hardship since then, but she’s a survivor,

not a victim. That is what I think people

find admirable in her. She went through a

journey of trying to overcome her trauma.”

Gratified to see the film continue to bring

in young audiences after three decades,

Campbell adds, “People of all ages still have

fun with all of these films. They’re engaged

in the journey of all the characters. I’ve

heard of folks going back 20 times.

Each one is a new kind of roller

coaster.” Gill Pringle

GENRE: Horror

RUN TIME: 1h 54m

STORAGE SPORES!

COLD STORAGE

The prestige comes from the movie’s

ensemble of creatives. Actors Liam

Neeson, Joe Keery, Georgina Campbell,

Lesley Manville, Vanessa Redgrave, Richard

Brake, and Sosie Bacon make up the cast,

while Hollywood titan David Koepp adapts

his own novel for the screen.

As for the throwback, think ’80s splatter

movies like Return of the Living Dead, Day

of the Dead, and

The Stuff.

The story concerns employees at a

self-storage facility built on the site of

a decommissioned military silo, and a

parasitic fungus that breaks loose, turning

humans into slime. Neeson plays the

biochemist who contained the hazard

many years earlier, and is the only one who

knows how to stop it.

David Koepp is the screenwriter behind

countless Hollywood hits, including

Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, and

Steven Spielberg’s upcoming Disclosure

Day

. With

Cold Storage, it all began as a

thought put to paper that grew, not unlike

the parasitic fungus itself, into something

much bigger.

“For some reason, I challenged myself

to write ten pages of prose first, just as a

way to get to know the characters a bit,”

Koepp recalls. “And after three pages, I

thought, ‘Oh, this could be a short story.’

After 30, I thought, ‘Oh, it’s a novella.’ And

after 100 pages, I had to admit, ‘This is a

novel.’ It was an absolute joy to write.”

The origins of Cold Storage are also

connected to Australia, as evidenced in

the movie’s opening act. The seed of

the story was planted in the late 1970s,

when the NASA space station Skylab

deorbited Earth and rained debris across

the Western Australian outback community

of Kiwirrkurra.

“Our opening sequence is based on

those real events. Kiwirrkurra is a real

place,” says director Jonny Campbell of the

remote Australian community.

“When bits of the Skylab fuselage fell,

people put them outside their houses and

tried to make museums out of them to

earn money from tourists,” he continues.

“That is a good starting point for a story...

What if something had infiltrated that

debris on the way down?”

Glenn Cochrane

GENRE: Horror sci-ﬁ RUN TIME: 1h 39m

the f

ocus bac

k onto Ne

v

e Campbell’

s

Sidne

y P

rescot

t, who w

as absent

from the pre

vious inst

alment.

sur

viv

al, ageing

, and whether

an

y

one can e

v

er really escape

the m

ythology of

W

oodsboro.

Alongside ret

urning f

a

v

ourites

Courtene

y Co

x’

s Gale

W

eathers,

Da

vid

Arquet

te

’

s De

w

e

y Rile

y

,

and Mat

the

w Lillard’

s St

u

ter

ror

.

the opport

unit

y to re

visit a

With the release of

Scream 7, the franchise

ofﬁ cially crossed the $1

billion mark at the global box

ofﬁ ce. It also became the ﬁ rst

ﬁ lm in the series to slash

past $200 million

worldwide.

FUN

FACT

GO BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN:

Wes Craven’s original Scream is available on 4K Ultra HD and JB exclusive 4K steelbook.

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

Cabin Fever, The Thing, Evil Dead, Together

Liam Neeson,

Joe Keery, and

Georgina Campbell

Above:

Neve Campbell

with director

Kevin Williamson

Almost 30 years on, the Scream franchise delves deeply into nostalgia

for its thrilling seventh instalment, with the original writer at the helm!

Cold Storage is a splatter movie with prestige that throws back to

the kind of ﬁ lms once considered too “nasty” for public consumption.

• Cold Storage

is out Jun 17

FUN FACT:

Vanessa Redgrave is Liam Neeson’s mother in law, and Sosie Bacon is the daughter of Kevin Bacon (a fun nod to Tremors).

• Scream 7

is out Jun 10

Abo

v

e:

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Having spent the last few years building

a reputation as Hollywood’s charming

golden boy – effortlessly funny and

old-school movie-star handsome - he’s

proven to be surprisingly good at playing

characters with a slightly dangerous and

unexpected edge.

And this film leans hard into that unique

skill set, resulting in a slick, strange, often

entertaining comedy thriller that has plenty

to say about wealth, entitlement, and

modern greed.

“I loved the script because its concept

was just so compelling and had such

a great ensemble of characters,” says

Powell, who was already a fan of acclaimed

director John Patton Ford’s earlier film,

Emily the Criminal.

“When I read it, I realised that this was

the kind of role I’d been looking to take on

- the kind of part I’d never played,” says the

Top Gun: Maverick star.

As Becket Redfellow, Powell plays a man

who has grown up completely cut off from

his insanely rich family after his mother is

disowned. He spends years living a fairly

ordinary blue-collar life while the rest of the

Redfellow dynasty enjoys obscene levels of

privilege and money.

But when he realises just how massive

the family fortune really is, something

inside him snaps. Instead of accepting

his place outside the dynasty, Becket

decides that he’s going to reclaim what he

thinks belongs to him – even if it means

eliminating every relative standing in

his way.

And yes, the movie goes very dark

very quickly in this modern “eat the rich”

murder comedy satire.

“We’ve all seen American Psycho. We’ve

seen derivatives of it. We’ve seen Taxi

Driver. We’ve seen derivatives of that too.

But the way John was conceptualising

this movie, his vision behind it, I was

like, ’I’ve never seen that movie –

it’s like Ocean’s 11 with murder. It’s

rock ’n’ roll. It’s got swagger’,” says

Powell. Gill Pringle

jbhifi.com.au

20

JUNE 2026

MOVIE

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

KEVIN JAMES’S

ROMAN

HOLIDAY

IN

SOLO MIO

Solo Mio is a bittersweet, though mostly

sweet, story about Matt, an all-round nice

guy who is left standing at the altar on his

wedding day in Rome. Unable to secure a refund

on his honeymoon package, he’s persuaded to

take the trip anyway, embarking on an Italian

adventure alongside a group of newlywed

couples.

You may recall the viral social media videos

from earlier this year featuring a school teacher

who bore a striking resemblance to Kevin James.

Of course, it was Kevin James all along, and a

follow-up series of staged viral moments soon

followed, including the actor appearing forlorn

on a baseball game jumbotron while clutching a

bouquet of flowers. Once again, it proved to be a

brilliant piece of marketing.

The film comes to us from Angel Studios,

the independent distributor rapidly emerging as

a formidable force within the industry. Initially

focused on faith based films, the company has

broadened its scope in recent years, backing

some of the most talked-about and attention-

grabbing releases around. Their growing catalogue

includes titles such as Sound of Freedom, Sketch

and, Homestead.

“We saw Solo Mio, and the feeling was

incredible,” said Angel Studios president Jordan

Harmon following the acquisition announcement.

“We knew it was a perfect fit for Angel to release

to a broad audience. Kevin James brings heart,

humour, and originality to this uplifting tale of

rediscovery, and we can’t wait for audiences to

experience it.”

James co-wrote the film with directors Chuck

and Dan Kinnane, reuniting with the filmmakers

following their collaboration on 2022’s Home

Team, produced through Adam Sandler’s Happy

Madison banner.

The supporting cast is stacked, with Alyson

Hannigan and Kim Coates playing a hilariously

dysfunctional couple embarking on their fifth

marriage together. Jonathan Roumie and Julee

Cerda also join the fun, while Nicole Grimaudo

brings warmth and charm as a potential romantic

spark for James’s heartbroken Matt.

Understated extended cameos

from music legends Andrea

Bocelli and Ed Sheeran add an

extra layer of surprise. Quite how

the filmmakers secured such a

significant role from Bocelli is

anyone’s guess, but it works

wonderfully. Glenn Cochrane

GENRE: Romance comedy

RUN TIME: 1h 37m

GENRE: Thriller comedy

RUN TIME: 1h 46m

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Mamma Mia, Yesterday, The Holiday

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

Kind Hearts and Coronets, Ready or Not, Honey Don’t, A Simple Favour

Glen Powell

Who would have thought Kevin James would be directly linked to,

and largely responsible for, one of the year’s most charmingly

unassuming rom-coms? Yet here we are.

Inspired by the 1949 British ﬁ lm Kind Hearts and Coronets,

How to Make a Killing feels like it’s tailor made for Glen Powell.

• Solo Mio

is out Jun 17

Fun fact:

The Kinnane brothers are part of an eight sibling family collective, all of whom contributed to Solo Mio in various capacities, including directing, writing, producing, and editing.

Kevin James

with Nicole

Grimaudo

Inset: Alyson

Hannigan and

Kim Coates

• How to Make

a Killing

is out Jun 10

Ed Harris

GLEN POWELL’S KILLER INSTINCT IN

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING

Fun fact:

In addition to How to Make a Killing, the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman has led to two other adaptations

in Kind Hearts & Coronets (1949), and the Tony Award-winning musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

st260_065_MOVIESTV-Solo Mio-How To Make a Killing-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

22/5/2026

1:50 pm

22/5/2026

1:50 pm

After reading Victor

Canning’s thriller novel

The Rainbird Pattern,

an impressed Alfred Hitchcock

decided to make it his next ﬁ lm.

Ernest Lehman, who had

previously penned Hitchcock’s

classic North by Northwest,

wrote the screenplay. The newly

retitled Family Plot marked the

53rd and ﬁ nal ﬁ lm from the

legendary Master of Suspense,

who had notably slowed down

during his ﬁ nal decade, directing

just two ﬁ lms in the 1970s

compared to 16 across the

1950s and ’60s.

However, Hitchcock’s

tongue-in-cheek mystery thriller

proved to be a ﬁ tting send-off to

his glorious ﬁ lmmaking career,

which had begun in the

1920s.

The plot

concerns an

ageing and

wealthy

woman named

Julia Rainbird

(Cathleen

Nesbitt), who

hires psychic

Blanche Tyler

(Barbara Harris) to

perform a séance in an

attempt to contact her long-lost

illegitimate nephew.

The boy, given up for adoption

by Julia’s deceased sister, was

named Edward Shoebridge and is

21

FEATURE

MOVIE

Alfred Hitchcock’s ﬁ nal ﬁ lm, Family Plot may not be his most celebrated work,

but its enduring appreciation and growing cult following have nevertheless

secured its status as a classic. Words Bob J

believed to have died young. But

Julia suspects Edward may still

be alive and, if so, wants to leave

her fortune to her only presumed

living heir.

If he can indeed be located,

Julia offers Blanche $10,000 upon

delivery. However, unbeknownst

to Julia, Blanche is a complete

charlatan and, along with her

conniving would-be actor and

cab-driver boyfriend George

Lumley (Bruce Dern in a brilliant

comic performance), perpetrates

an elaborate psychic scam.

George’s early investigations

reveal that a Joseph Maloney

(Ed Lauter) paid for Edward’s

tombstone years after his

supposed death, raising

suspicions that the grave may in

fact be empty.

Further digging uncovers

disturbing inconsistencies

surrounding Edward’s apparent

death, leading George and

Blanche into the orbit of Arthur

Adamson (William Devane),

a seemingly respectable San

Francisco jeweller, and his icy

companion Fran (Karen Black).

As the mystery deepens,

the ﬁ lm’s two separate

narrative threads begin to

converge, placing George and

Blanche in increasing danger.

As with many Hitchcock ﬁ lms,

the tone of Family Plot relies on

screwball antics that somehow

always manage to deliver intrigue

alongside thrilling twists.

Hitchcock fans will also

recognise many of the director’s

signature devices throughout

Family Plot. There are the

familiar suspense sequences,

the “Wrong Man”, the MacGufﬁ n

(diamonds hidden inside a

chandelier), the platinum blonde

femme fatale, and a chilling high-

speed car descent after Blanche

and George’s brake lines are cut,

recalling Cary Grant’s peril in

North by Northwest.

And, of course, Hitchcock

himself makes his customary

cameo, this time appearing as a

silhouette behind a translucent

glass door marked “Registrar of

Births & Deaths”.

Hitchcock’s ﬁ nal ﬁ lm was

a moderate success

upon release, earned

more than $13 million

in rentals, and would

go on to develop a loyal

fanbase in the decades

that followed.

A

f

ter

reading Victor

belie

v

ed to ha

v

e died y

oung

. But

go on to de

v

elop a lo

y

al

f

anbase in the decades

that f

ollo

w

ed.

Alfr

ed Hitc

hcoc

k’

s ﬁ

nal ﬁ

lm,

F

amily Plot

ma

y not be his most celebr

at

ed w

or

k,

Fun fact:

John Williams,

riding high on the

critical acclaim for

his orchestral Jaws

theme, was hired by

Hitchcock to write

the music score for

Family Plot.

whic

h had begun in the

(B

arbara Har

ris) to

perf

orm a séance in an

Toward the end of his life,

Hitchcock was working on

the script for his next ﬁ lm, the

spy thriller The Short Night,

but never got to ﬁ nish it. He

died of kidney failure

in April 1980.

DYK ?

Left: Bruce Dern

Above: William Devane and Karen Black

Original banner

Or

iginal banner

Director Alfred Hitchcock

(Left) and Bruce Dern

st260_064_MOVIESTV-BobJ - Family Plot-PROOFED-AF.indd 2

22/5/2026

1:33 pm

22/5/2026

1:33 pm

jbhifi.com.au

22

JUNE 2026

MOVIE

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

• The new Imprint range is out on June 17 for a limited time only, while stocks last.

FILM FOCUS: RACHEL WEISZ

(1997-2011)

- Limited Edition Blu-ray Hardbox

Best known for her role opposite

Brendan Fraser in The Mummy, Oscar

-

winning British actress Rachel Weisz

has built a celebrated career spanning

more than three decades, moving

seamlessly between Hollywood

hits and intimate character-driven

dramas. This limited edition box set

brings together three of her most nuanced performances:

Swept from the Sea (1997) and I Want You (1998), both making their worldwide Blu-ray

debut, alongside The Deep Blue Sea (2011). Presented in crisp 1080p high-deﬁ nition with

English LPCM 2.0 Stereo, the collection is also packed with bonus content, including audio

commentaries, featurettes, and interviews that explore Weisz’s work in greater depth.

Swept from the Sea co-stars Ian McKellen, Vincent Perez, and Kathy Bates, I Want You is

directed by acclaimed ﬁ lmmaker Michael Winterbottom, and The Deep Blue Sea features

Tim Hiddleston and Simon Russell Beale.

FILM FOCUS: PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN

(1999-2007)

- Limited Edition Blu-ray Hardbox

There are few actors as revered

and beloved as Philip Seymour

Hoffman, whose remarkable

career moved effortlessly between

mainstream blockbusters and

acclaimed independent cinema.

This limited edition collection

from Imprint Films spotlights three

of his most overlooked yet exceptional performances,

showcasing the depth and versatility that deﬁ ned his work. The set includes Joel

Schumacher’s bold and progressive dramatic comedy Flawless (1999), co-starring Robert

De Niro, the gripping crime drama Owning Mahowny (2003) alongside Minnie Driver,

Maury Chaykin, and John Hurt, and Sidney Lumet’s masterful Before the Devil Knows

You’re Dead (2007), featuring Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, and Albert Finney. Presented

in 1080p high-deﬁ nition with English 5.1 Surround and LPCM 2.0 Stereo across all ﬁ lms,

the collection is packed with bonus content including audio commentaries, featurettes,

interviews, and more, offering deeper insight into Hoffman’s extraordinary talent.

This month, Imprint Films has so many titles on offer that it’s hard to do them

all justice. So, here are five standout highlights that deserve a place in your

collection, including more worldwide firsts.

Words Glenn Cochrane

RAISE THE TITANIC

(1980)

- Limited Edition Blu-ray Hardbox

+ Hardcover Booklet

Based on Clive Cussler’s best-selling novel, Raise the

Titanic is an ambitious, large-scale adventure directed by

Jerry Jameson (Airport '77 ). Arriving during the boom of

Hollywood disaster epics, it features a strong ensemble

cast including Jason Robards, Alec Guinness, Anne Archer,

and David Selby, with a cameo from Cussler himself. Set

against a Cold War backdrop, the story follows a US-Soviet

race to recover a powerful, war-ending mineral from the

wreck of the Titanic, elevated by John Barry’s stirring

score. This limited edition two-disc set

includes extensive bonus content,

lobby cards, an 80-page booklet,

and a 1080p presentation with

English 5.1 Surround and LPCM

2.0 Stereo.

PRISON ON FIRE (1987)

PRISON ON FIRE II (1991)

- 4K UHD + Blu-ray SteelBook + Hardback

Booklet in Limited Edition Hardbox

Another key ﬁ gure in Hong Kong cinema is Ringo

Lam, whose inﬂ uence on the action genre remains

unmistakable. Before heading to Hollywood for

collaborations with Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lam

delivered the brutally intense Prison on Fire and Prison

on Fire II, starring Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung Ka-fai

as inmates who revolt against corrupt wardens. Raw,

violent, and ahead of their time, both ﬁ lms have now

been restored in stunning 4K. This collection includes

an exclusive steelbook with 4K UHD and Blu-ray

presentations from the original 35mm

negatives, plus extensive bonus

features and a 60-page hardcover

booklet, all housed in a lid hardbox.

BULLET IN THE HEAD

(1990)

- 4K UHD + Blu-ray SteelBook + Hardback

Booklet in Limited Edition Hardbox

Imprint Films continues its focus

on legendary Hong Kong ﬁ lmmaker

John Woo with this deﬁ nitive

three-disc edition of Bullet in the

Head. Financed largely out of

Woo’s own pocket, the ﬁ lm

marked a turning point in his

career, launching a run of acclaimed

1990s hits and cementing his status as a master of action

cinema. This premium release includes an exclusive

steelbook with the ﬁ lm remastered on 4K UHD and Blu-ray

from the original 35mm negative, plus a bonus Blu-ray

featuring the 136-minute festival cut. Also included are

archival interviews, featurettes, and a 52-page hardcover

booklet, all housed in a lid hardbox.

Also out this month

- Limit

ed Edition Blu-r

a

y Har

dbo

x

, Oscar

-

has built a celebrated career spanning

- Limit

ed Edition Blu-r

a

y Har

dbo

x

career moved effortlessly between

from Imprint Films spotlights three

of his most overlooked yet exceptional performances,

includes extensive bonus content,

lobby cards, an 80-page booklet,

and a 1080p presentation with

English 5.1 Surround and LPCM

2.0 Stereo.

presentations from the original 35mm

booklet, all housed in a lid hardbox.

on legendary Hong Kong ﬁ

lmmaker

Bullet in the

career

, launching a run of acclaimed

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23

HIGHLIGHTS

4K UHD

Words Glenn Cochrane

SPEED RACER

Roadshow

The Wachowskis’ Speed

Racer was almost ahead of

its time, a live-action cartoon

bursting with colour, energy

and visual imagination.

Recapturing the spirit of the

original anime with dazzling

race sequences, quirky

characters and an outstanding cast, it’s a ﬁ lm that has

only grown in reputation over the years. Presented in

upscaled 4K (2160p) with Dolby Vision and HDR10, plus

Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz/24-bit), this

high-octane spectacle looks better than ever.

Out Jun 3

BEN-HUR

Roadshow

William Wyler’s Ben-Hur

arrives on 4K in a lavish

three-disc steelbook that

ﬁ nally does justice to its

epic scale. Winner of 11

Oscars, this biblical classic

remains the gold standard

of spectacle. Presented

in native 4K (2160p) with

Dolby Vision and HDR10, the image is sourced from a

meticulous large-format restoration, while Dolby TrueHD

7.1 (48kHz/24-bit) delivers thunderous, immersive sound.

Spread across two UHD discs plus a bonus features disc,

it’s a must-own showcase release.

Out Jun 3

BMX BANDITS

Umbrella

Compulsory viewing for

’80s kids in the glory days

of VHS, BMX Bandits is

a breezy Ozploitation ride

starring a teenage Nicole

Kidman and directed by Brian

Trenchard-Smith. Packed

with BMX thrills, speedboat

chases, and waterslide antics, it remains pure nostalgic

fun. Now upgraded to 2160p, the ﬁ lm returns with a fresh

visual polish, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track

preserves its classic charm for longtime fans and new

generations alike.

Out Jun 3

LEAVING LAS

VEGAS

AID

Mike Figgis’s Leaving Las Vegas

is a downbeat romantic drama

that earned Nicolas Cage an

Oscar for his uncompromising

turn as a self-destructive

screenwriter. Opposite Elizabeth

Shue’s tender performance as

a woman of the night, it’s a haunting slice of American

cinema. Now restored in native 4K (2160p), the ﬁ lm looks

better than ever, while Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1

(48kHz/24-bit) deliver an immersive audio experience that

deepens its raw, emotional impact.

Out Jun 10

THE NINTH GATE

Imprint

Roman Polanski’s The Ninth

Gate follows an occult book

dealer drawn into a shadowy

hunt for a rare 17th century

text, spiralling into paranoia

and the supernatural. This

Imprint limited edition arrives

in 2160p with Dolby Vision,

alongside Dolby Atmos, Dolby

Digital 5.1, and LPCM 2.0 stereo options. Spread across

three discs and packed with extras, it also includes a 60-

page hardcover booklet, making it an essential collectible

for horror fans and cinephiles alike.

Out Jun 17

NOTTING HILL

AID

A guilty pleasure for some

and a bona ﬁ de rom-com

gem for others, Notting

Hill remains a deﬁ ning

’90s classic. Julia Roberts

and Hugh Grant lead a

charming tale of an A-list

star colliding with a humble

bookseller, with standout

support from Rhys Ifans, Hugh Bonneville, and Emma

Chambers. Presented in 4K (2160p) with Dolby Vision

and HDR10, plus Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1,

this irresistible favourite is ready for a well-earned

upgrade.

Out Jun 17

You’re going to need a bigger basket this month, because June’s 4K Ultra HD slate is stacked.

From iconic Hollywood classics to ’80s cult favourites, this lineup covers all bases and

demands attention. So, get ready to ﬂ ex and check out these must-own highlights.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

PART 2

AID

While it’s usually originals

that get the 4K treatment, it’s

great to see Friday the 13th

Part 2 joining the format.

Introducing Jason Voorhees

as the franchise’s iconic killer,

this slasher sequel helped

deﬁ ne one of horror’s most

enduring series. Presented in native 4K (2160p) with Dolby

Vision and HDR10, plus Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio, it’s a

killer upgrade that fans will want in their collection, with

hopes the rest will follow soon.

Out Jun 3

RAD

Umbrella

The BMX thrills continue

with Rad, landing on 4K in

a mint collector’s edition.

Presented in 2160p with

DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0

and 2.0 tracks, the ﬁ lm gets a

crisp upgrade while retaining

its retro energy. Extras

include a fresh commentary from Lonely Island’s Jorma

Taccone and Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess.

The soundtrack stands out too, featuring John Farnham,

whose You’re the Voice later found iconic new life in

Taccone’s Hot Rod.

Out Jun 3

include a fresh commentary from Lonely Island’

s Jorma

ERASER

Roadshow

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s

Eraser has grown into a

much-loved cult favourite

among ’90s action fans,

blending explosive set pieces,

outrageous railguns, and

classic one-liners into pure

blockbuster entertainment.

Directed by Chuck Russell

(The Mask

), the ﬁ lm delivers exactly the kind of high-

concept spectacle the era was known for. Now upgraded

to native 4K (2160p) with Dolby Vision and HDR10, this

release also includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1, and

DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio tracks.

Out Jun 17

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jbhifi.com.au

24

JUNE 2026

WHAT’S OUT THIS MONTH?

MOVIES & TV

PREVIEWS

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

Adding to the hot slate of releases featured throughout this issue, these brand new arrivals

offer a diverse range for the month ahead. From an unexpected rom-com, and a kid’s flick,

to acclaimed dramas, horror, comedy, and cult curiosities, there’s something for everyone.

Coming in

Coming in JULY

JULY

Following a slight delay, Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis

Presley in Concert ﬁ nally arrives across all formats,

alongside crowd-pleasers Michael and The Super

Mario Galaxy Movie. Also on the horizon are Crime

101,

The Magic Faraway Tree, and more.

EDITOR’S

PICK

SOLO MIO

AID

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 17

GENRE:

Comedy

FORMATS:

DVD

A Kevin James movie

brimming with heart?

We’re as surprised

as you. Yet

Solo Mio

stands as one of the

year’s most unexpected

feel-good ﬁ lms. James

plays Matt, a lovable

guy left at the altar in

Rome who, unable to

refund his honeymoon,

is forced to tour Italy

solo alongside a

group of newlyweds.

Bittersweet, funny, and

genuinely charming, the

ﬁ lm balances romance

with self-discovery

against stunning Italian

backdrops. Nicole

Grimaudo, Alyson

Hannigan, and Kim

Coates co-star, while

Andrea Bocelli delivers

a memorable extended

cameo that adds even

more warmth to the

journey.

Words Glenn Cochrane

HOW TO MAKE A KILLING

AID

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 10

GENRE:

Thriller

FORMAT:

BD, DVD

Glen Powell continues his Hollywood hot streak

with this cheeky comedy-thriller remake of the

1949 classic Kind Hearts and Coronets. Directed

by Emily the Criminal filmmaker John Patton

Ford, it follows a man disowned by his wealthy

family at birth who plots revenge by eliminating relatives standing

between him and the family fortune. Packed with dark humour and

twisted charm, the film boasts a killer cast including Ed Harris,

Margaret Qualley, Topher Grace, and Jessica Henwick.

RETURN TO SILENT HILL

Umbrella

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 3

GENRE:

Horror

FORMAT:

4K, BD, DVD

A new Silent Hill movie spent so long

in development that most fans gave up

hope. Now it’s finally here, and we’ll take

it! Christophe Gans, director of the 2006

original, returns to adapt Silent Hill 2, widely

regarded as the game franchise’s darkest and most emotional

chapter. Expect the same oppressive atmosphere and dread

that defined the first film, only this time with the horror dialled

up even further for a more disturbing descent into madness.

REMINDERS OF HIM

AID

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 17

GENRE:

Drama

FORMAT:

BD, DVD

Based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel,

Reminders of Him is a tearjerker with its heart

firmly on its sleeve. Maika Monroe plays a

young mother fresh out of prison who returns

home hoping to reconnect with the daughter

she barely knows, only to find the town unwilling to forgive her

past. Equal parts romance and redemption story, it leans hard

into the emotion without losing sight of its hopeful core. Tyriq

Withers, Lauren Graham, and Bradley Whitford co-star.

PILLION

AID

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 10

GENRE:

Comedy

FORMAT:

BD, DVD

This critically acclaimed kinky arthouse

comedy arrived seemingly out of nowhere and

quickly raised eyebrows. Alexander Skarsgård

and Harry Melling star in the story of a timid

young man drawn into the dangerous orbit of

a charismatic biker, plunging him into an intense world of BDSM

and self-discovery. Edgy, provocative and darkly funny, Pillion

won’t be for everyone, but those willing to embrace its offbeat

energy and confronting themes are in for a wild ride.

GOAT

AID

RELEASE DATE: Jun 17 GENRE: Family

FORMAT:

4K, BD, DVD

From Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and K-Pop Demon

Hunters, comes

GOAT, a fast and funny animated

sports comedy bursting with energy. Set in a

world where animals dominate the sporting arena,

it follows an undersized young goat determined to prove he belongs

amongst the greats. Packed with colourful visuals, cheeky humour, and

plenty of heart, it embraces the classic underdog formula while delivering

the inventive animation style Sony has become famous for.

QUEEN OF BONES

Defiant

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 17

GENRE:

Horror

FORMAT:

DVD

From the director of Delia’s Gone and

Stockholm,

Queen of Bones, comes a gothic

horror steeped in mystery and folklore.

Martin Freeman, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylor

Schilling star in the story of twin siblings

living on an isolated Oregon farm in 1932 who uncover an

ancient Icelandic spell book hidden in the attic. As secrets

surrounding their mother’s death begin to surface, they

suspect a sinister force lurking within the nearby forest.

FATHER MOTHER SISTER

BROTHER

Madman

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 10

GENRE:

Drama

FORMAT:

BD, DVD

American auteur Jim Jarmusch returns with this

thoughtful exploration of family dynamics and the

complicated bonds between parents and their adult

children. Presented in Jarmusch’s signature style, the

film weaves together three interconnected stories to form an intimate portrait

of family life. Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, Charlotte Rampling, Mayim Bialik,

and Tom Waits lead an impressive ensemble in a drama that balances emotion,

warmth, and dry humour with the filmmaker’s unmistakable offbeat sensibility.

THE CREEP TAPES: SEASON 2

Madman

RELEASE DATE:

Jun 3

GENRE:

Horror

FORMAT:

BD

The Duplass Brothers expand their Creep universe

with The Creep Tapes: Season 2, delivering another

dose of demented found footage horror. Mark Duplass

returns as Peachfuzz, the socially awkward serial

killer who lures unsuspecting videographers with

promises of paid documentary work. As the cameras roll, his increasingly

bizarre behaviour reveals far more sinister intentions. Equal parts funny,

disturbing, and skin-crawlingly tense, the series continues to blur the line

between cringe comedy and psychological horror with unnerving effect.

st260_061_MOVIESTV-OutThisMonth-All-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

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XX

FEATURE

MERCH

MONTH

MERCH

MONTH

of the

WHILE STOCKS LAST

Based on a remarkable true story, I Swear

(2025) is the frank, funny, and upliing account

of a Touree Syndrome campaigner in 1980s

Scotland. Winner of 3 BAFTA Awards, including

Best Actor for Robert Aramayo. Also on DVD.

Change of Habit (1969) stars

Elvis Presley in his

nal lm role! An inner-city doctor falls in love

with a social worker who turns out to be a nun.

Could he change her life, and could she forget her

vows? Available on Blu-ray and DVD.

The call is coming from inside the house as

Simon West’s horror

When A Stranger Calls

(2006) comes to 3D Lencular Limited Edion

Blu-ray! Stars Camilla Belle

. Individually

numbered and accompanied by Art Cards.

Rawhide, one of the longest-running television

Westerns, comes to a mammoth 59-disc DVD

set with The Complete Collecon! Stars the

Academy Award-winning Clint Eastwood in his

breakout role as an impetuous cowboy.

Rebecca Gibney stars as a forensic psychiatrist in

the award-winning Aussie psychological drama

Halifax F.P. This 21-disc boxset of The Complete

Series is packed with heart-pumping espionage

and subterfuge as our lead delves into the dark

side of the human mind.

The meless classic lm and its sequel are paired

together in the Blu-ray collecon of To Sir, With

Love 1 & 2 (1967/1995). Stars the exceponal

Sidney Poier as an earnest teacher of a rowdy class

in the slums of London’s East End. Also on DVD.

McHale’s Navy - The Complete Collecon brings

together all 138 episodes of wacky military mirth

and madness, as well as the 1997 lm adapon

starring Tom Arnold. Laugh out loud with

misadventures of a mist PT crew during WWII.

OUT

3 JUN

OUT

10 JUN

OUT

17 JUN

OUT

3 JUN

OUT

3 JUN

OUT

3 JUN

OUT

3 JUN

STACKHALFPAGEAD_JUNE V2.indd 1

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5/18/26

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T

H

MON

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H

MON

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Top Trumps -

Football Gift Set

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FIFA Legends

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- Booster Box

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11:17 am

23/5/2026

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JUNE

jbhifi.com.au

26

JUNE 2026

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

What’s your ear

liest video

gaming memory?

Getting a pink PS2

for Christmas when

I was seven.

PS5 from now – it creates variety as I can play

older games and still enjoy new releases, and the

joys of VR!

You can only have one games console from any

era – what would it be and why?

What have you been playing

most lately?

At the moment I’ve been replaying Kingdom

Come: Deliverance II, one of my favourite games

of 2025, as well as Palia on PC, and Pokémon

Pokopia on Switch 2.

What’s your all-time fav

our

it

e g

ame or g

ame ser

ies?

Crash Bandicoot, Stardew Valley, Baldur’s Gate 3.

1

What was the ﬁ rst game that you played? Sonic the Hedgehog on the SEGA Mega Drive. I must have been

about six years old, and I can remember the first time I completed the final boss and freed all the animals that

Robotnik had captured. My first ‘achievement’!

2

What was the last game that you ﬁ nished? Probably The Last of Us Part II, because I’m not quite at the end

of Ghost of Tsushima yet.

3

What’s your favourite video game/series of all time? What a question! Gears of War, maybe. It’s the reason

I bought an Xbox 360 and an Xbox One, so there’s a lasting appeal too. I also thought that the opening missions of

Gears 5 were some of the most intense in the series.

4

What do you think is the most underrated video game of all time?

Crackdown – no doubt about it. The

first one was a gem, with a unique visual style, iconic narrator, impressive open world, an impactful levelling

system, and orbs.

5

What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? I would have liked to have worked on a Kane & Lynch

game. I really liked the underdog personality of the two of them and, as you might be able to guess from the other

answers, I quite enjoy a third-person action game.

Global communications

manager at IO

Interactive

TRAVIS BARBOUR

MADISON

PERRIE

@ JB Booragoon, WA

’

s

ROVING REPORTER

Gears of War

What’s the best thing about working in games at JB?

Getting to talk gaming all day – new and exciting

releases, and different perspectives on games.

1

TOMODACHI LIFE:

LIVING THE DREAM

2

LEGO BATMAN: LEGACY

OF THE DARK KNIGHT

3

007 FIRST LIGHT

4

POKÉMON POKOPIA

5

FORZA HORIZON 6

6

YOSHI AND THE

MYSTERIOUS BOOK

7

SAROS

8

CRIMSON DESERT

9

MARIO KART 8 DELUXE

10

SUPER MARIO GALAXY +

SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2

MAY 2026

BEST SELLERS

at

!

GAME

EXAM

ANSWERS on page 44

1. What was the original Super Nintendo game Star Fox known as in Australia?

2. On which console did Final Fantasy VII ﬁ rst release?

3. In 1974, the ﬁ rst arcade racing game released. What was its name?

4. In what year was the original Gothic released?

5. Which legendary arcade manufacturer released the vector graphics Star Wars game in 1983?

6. What was the name of the ﬁ rst UFC game, released on Dreamcast in 2000?

7. What is the name of the alien protagonist in Destroy All Humans!?

8. Which characters were spawned from the Rayman series, going on to star in several of their own games?

Are you up to answering all eight of this month’s game related posers?

What’

s y

our ear

liest video

g

aming memory?

Get

ting a pink PS2

f

or Christmas when

What’

s y

our all-time f

a

v

our

it

e g

ame or g

ame ser

ies?

BES

T S

ELLER

S

BES

T S

ELLER

S

What’

s y

our ear

liest video

g

aming memory?

, maybe. It’

s the reason

I bought an Xbox 360 and an Xbox One, so there’

s a lasting appeal too. I also thought that the opening missions of

Gears

of W

ar

Gears

of W

ar

, maybe. It’

s the reason

I bought an Xbox 360 and an Xbox One, so there’

s a lasting appeal too. I also thought that the opening missions of

game in 1983?

Which characters were spawned from the Rayman series, going on to star in several of their own games?

Ar

e y

ou up t

o answ

er

ing all eight of this month

’

s g

ame r

elat

ed posers?

game in 1983?

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22/5/2026

11:53 am

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15/05/2026 2:00:24 PM

The much-anticipated original James Bond adventure

007 First Light has hit, letting us discover how the young

spy became a 00. The game’s main writer at

IO Interactive, Michael Vogt, tells us more…

Words Bec Summer

How familiar will your Bond be to fans of the

movie franchise?

Many of the aspects that you associate with

James Bond are already there as innate

qualities. He’s incredibly charming and

charismatic, and he’s audacious. He’s very cool

under pressure and of course he’s insanely

capable and resourceful – and there’s also

a ruthlessness to him when the situation

requires it.

He’s not the suave connoisseur who

knows everything about champagne

and wine and fancy cars. I think that

will come with age and experience.

But because he’s a young guy, there

are also some traits that we haven’t

really seen before. There’s an innocence

to him here. He’s quite trusting and

earnest and idealistic even.

007 First Light sees us delving into the origin

story of James Bond. How important was

this clean slate to you, and what freedoms

did it offer up?

The origin aspect was always central to the

project vision. Since we meet Bond as a young

man, the tone and the story world also needed

to reﬂ ect his sort of youthful perspective.

It’s not a dark and gritty or cynical world. It’s

dangerous to be sure, but it’s fun and inviting

and adventurous and ultimately hopeful.

He’s not jaded yet – Bond is experiencing

this hidden, exciting world of espionage for the

very ﬁ rst time. Of course, we want to convey

a sense of bright-eyed wonder here. There’s

this trope of the hero who walks away from

explosions, right? Because he’s so cool. But the

reason heroes walk away from explosions is

because they’ve seen so many of them. This is

Bond’s ﬁ rst outing

and he’s 26 years

old, so I think he’s

going to want to

turn and watch that

explosion.

How relevant to

the real world is

the 007 First Light

story?

Belonging is

deﬁ nitely a theme

in this story. He’s

a young man who

hasn’t found his

place in the world or his purpose yet. What

does it mean to be a double 0 in this age? And

does the world even still need them? Will heart

and intuition even matter, or can technology

just do everything better? So, in that sense the

story reﬂ ects the times that we live in, which is

also something that Bond stories have always

done.

Has this young Bond offered up any special

gameplay opportunities?

We have a bluff mechanic, something Bond

can do to get out of a tight spot because we

felt that that’s exactly the sort of thing a young

James Bond would do. Agent 47 in Hitman, he

plans meticulously, but Bond is not somebody

who plans meticulously. He’s very impulsive.

You know, he just goes in and he wings it.

How do you go about creating a game that’s

set in an established cinematic world such

as that of 007?

When we start out in a pre-production, we

make a story outline that looks pretty much like

a feature ﬁ lm, only it’s a little bit more elastic.

The way I see it as a game writer, you really

have two toolboxes. Toolbox number one is the

classic screenwriting craft. The time-honoured

method of structuring plots and creating

character arcs and themes that resonate and

kind of tying it all together into a meaningful

experience.

And then, once you’ve

done that, you go to toolbox

number two, and that’s the

game writing craft. That’s

where you take that initial

outline and then translate it

somehow into an interactive

experience. And throughout

production, we work very

closely with level designers in

just designing the moment-to-

moment story gameplay ﬂ ow.

Creating this is a much

more demanding task than

simply writing a classic story

outline, and it takes like 50

times as long.

jbhifi.com.au

28

JUNE 2026

GAMING

FEATURE

visit jbhiﬁ .com.au/stack

LICENCE

TO THRILL!

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

Hitman: World of Assassination, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, Maﬁ a: The Old Country

• 007 First Light

is out now

FORMAT: GENRE: Action adventure

MULTIPLAYER:

No

ALWAYS ON

THE RUN…

While familiar 007 staples

such as M, Q, and Miss

Moneypenny feature in

007 First Light, Bond’s main

adversary, Bawma, is a

wholly new creation. He’s

portrayed by Lenny Kravitz.

st260_057_GAMING-007 First Light-PROOFED-AF.indd 1

23/5/2026

10:37 am

23/5/2026

10:37 am

AVAILABLE NOW

Violence and coarse

language, online

interactivity and

in-game purchases

*COMING TO NINTENDO SWITCH 2 2026

©2026 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. “PlayStation Family Mark", “PlayStation”, “PS5 logo”, “PS5”, “PS4 logo”, “PS4”, “PlayStation Shapes Logo”, and "Play Has No Limits" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, the Xbox Sphere mark, the Series X logo,

Series S logo, Series X|S logo, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Game Pass are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo. Published by IO Interactive A/S. IO INTERACTIVE and the IOI logo are trademarks or

registered trademarks of IO Interactive A/S. 007 FIRST LIGHT (source code and other software and certain audiovisuals only) © 2026 IO Interactive. 007 FIRST LIGHT (audiovisuals), 007 FIRST LIGHT, JAMES BOND, and related James Bond copyrights and trademarks authorized for use by IOI

under license from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., exclusive licensee of London Operations LLC. © 2026 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Glacier © IO Interactive A/S. Developed in association with Delphi Interactive LLC. All rights reserved.

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12/5/2026

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12/05/2026 2:11:47 PM

After his cameo in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, intrepid space pilot Fox

McCloud is now set to return to our console screens, with Star Fox hitting

the Switch 2 this month. Let’s look back at the history of the series, and ﬁ nd

out what to expect from the latest outing…

Words Amy Flower

Beginnings

When the original Star

Fox

– known as Starwing

in Australia and other PAL

territories - arrived for the

Super Nintendo back in

1993, it felt very much like players

were privy to a glimpse into the future.

The game’s graphics wowed all who

laid eyes upon them, a product of the

groundbreaking Super FX chip inside the

cartridge. Developed by Britain’s Argonaut

Games, this was a special

processor that allowed the

SNES to render speedy 3D

polygon graphics. While most

console games at the time were

resolutely ﬂ at and sprite-based,

Star Fox looked stunningly

futuristic.

The game saw players enter the cockpit

of an Arwing ﬁ ghter as McCloud, tasked

with defending the Lylat System from the

nasty Andross, ably assisted by his wingmen

Slippy Toad, Peppy Hare, and Falco Lombardi.

Sequel time?

A sequel, simply titled Star Fox 2,

was ﬁ nished for the SNES, but was

famously cancelled just before its

release, as Nintendo had shifted

focus to their shiny new Nintendo

64 console. For many years Star Fox

2 was gaming’s ultimate missing

sequel, before it ﬁ nally saw the light

of day on the Super NES Classic

Edition mini console that released

in 2017.

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GAMING

FEATURE

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New system, new game

In 1997, the Nintendo 64 saw the release of

the next franchise game, known as Star Fox

64 in Japan and the USA, and Lylat Wars in

PAL regions. It expanded upon the cinematic

storytelling and introduced branching mission

paths to further gameplay variation.

At release, the game came packaged

with an exciting new

technology at the time,

known as the Rumble

Pak (sic). This was a

piece of hardware that

plugged into the N64

controller’s expansion

port and provided

physical feedback

at speciﬁ c points in

the game. We take this

tech for granted nowaday

s

but can thank Nintendo for

introducing us to in-game shakes.

Star Fox 64/Lylat Wars also introduced

many memorable quotes, with “Do a barrel

roll!” becoming one of gaming’s most

famous memes – and that was when memes

weren’t even a thing!

Into the 2000s

Fox McCloud next graced out

screens in 2002’s Star Fox

Adventures on the GameCube.

Developed by Rare, it took

a different tack by giving us

an almost Zelda-styled action

adventure. It was followed by

another GameCube release, 2005’s Star

Fox: Assault, which saw more of a return

to the on-rails shooting that the series was

renowned for, paired with third-person ground

play.

Handhelds didn’t miss out on the Foxy fun,

with 2006’s DS outing Star Fox Command

adding strategic aspects to the mix, and

2011’s Star Fox 64 3D for the 3DS updating

the N64 release.

After skipping the mega-successful

Wii generation, 2016 saw the arrival of

Star Fox Zero on the Wii U. Created by

PlatinumGames, it was a reimagining of

Star Fox 64, and came with a bonus tower

defense game, Star Fox Guard.

Then, crickets – until now…

S

t

ar Fox returns!

Y

es,

Star Fox is back this month,

promising all the action that

we love from the legendary

N64 version, bigger and

better than ever.

This reboot is set to

expand on facets such

as level design, story, and

c

haracter design, as well as

t

w

eaking the gameplay to suit

the Switch 2 hardware, while

embracing the series strong rail shooter

heritage. It will even support

the Switch 2’s mouse mode

for targeting.

There’s also set to be a

strong multiplayer

presence, with

competitive Star Fox

vs. Star Wolf action, as

well as campaign co-op

pilot/gunner play.

Look out Andross,

Fox and his team

are back, and they’re

coming for you!

IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU’LL

LOVE

THESE:

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Kirby Air Riders, Star Wars Outlaws: Gold Edition

Star Fox (2026) is

the ﬁ fth series entry

based on the original

game’s story

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FEATURE

GAMING

• Star Fox

is out Jun25

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23/5/2026

11:21 am

23/5/2026

11:21 am

They’ve been around for 12 years now, and Nintendo’s

amiibo ﬁ gures are still seeing regular new releases.

If you’ve missed the boat, now might just be the right

time to check in on these incredible collectibles.

W ords Amy Flower

We use the word collectibles, but

amiibo are so much more than

just cool knickknacks to pop

on a shelf. They’re actually a fun mix of

gaming, tech, and fan service for lovers of

all things Nintendo.

These highly detailed ﬁ gurines feature

all manner of iconic characters from

much-loved franchises like Super Mario

Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, and

Metroid. But they have hidden talents –

by tapping an amiibo on top of the right

control stic

k of a Nintendo S

witc

h or

Switch 2, players can unlock bonus content,

special items, costumes, and other fun

stuff in supported games.

So, that they look amazing displayed on a

shelf is really just a bonus!

Many amiibo have become highly

desired collectibles, too – some previous

releases are now quite rare and valuable to

those seeking to add them to their stashes.

On this page we explore some of the

more recent amiibo releases, available now

at JB Hi-Fi – but be quick, some may be in

short supply!

Go,

go,

amiibo!

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