Lithium-ion batteries from e-bikes have been in the news recently for catching fire. But why? And how do you make sure yours is safe? In this episode I discuss what makes lithium batteries potentially dangerous, and what to look for when choosing batteries and chargers.

I refer to "Lithium batteries" in the podcast as a short-hand for the more correct term - "Lithium-ion batteries" which is chemically-correct but more combersome to say over and over again. To the best of my knowledge they can't be confused with anything else.

Inside a Lithium-ion Battery: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/lithium-ion-battery.htm

New South Wales Government guidance: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/safety-home/electrical-safety/lithium-ion-battery-safety

New South Wales Government standards (from February 2025): https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/safety-home/electrical-safety/lithium-ion-battery-safety/new-standards-for-lithium-ion-batteries-e-micromobility-devices

TV has evolved from black-and-white tubes to colour, to digital, to high definition, 4K and 8K, HDR, and now internet streaming. Smart TVs have become very complicated, but sometimes they aren't that smart. This episode tells you what you need to know when buying them and how to tame them.

MSN TV. (2024). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSN_TV

TV and Computer Jargon Explained. (2019). Choice Magazine. https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/home-entertainment/tvs-and-projectors/articles/tv-and-computer-screen-jargon-explained

TV ports explained: What all those HDMI, USB and other connections are for? (2021). Tom's Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/features/tv-ports-explained-what-all-those-hdmi-usb-and-other-connections-are-for

Why your smart TV might not last as long as you'd hope. (2023). Choice Magazine. https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/home-entertainment/tvs-and-projectors/articles/op-ed-smart-tv-lifespan

What is Bluetooth? Why do I need it? How do I use it? And why does it have such a strange name? In this episode, David tells you why Bluetooth is your friend and the basics of making it work for you.

Origin of the name:

https://www.bluetooth.com/about-us/bluetooth-origin/

Wikipedia entry for Bluetooth:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

Technical overview:

https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/tech-overview/

Theme music - Upbeat Jazzy Hiphop Instrumental by Joel Loopez.

https://elements.envato.com/user/Joel_Loopez