IT News
Microsoft Outlook Down Worldwide
Sourced from Wikimedia Microsoft’s Outlook has suffered a global outage impacting web, desktop, and mobile email services. According to The Verge, the disruption began at 2AM ET and ‘users are currently unable to access their email, and Outlook.com is failing to load’. Microsoft has since confirmed the outage, saying that it is currently investigating the issue. “We’ve received reports of users experiencing issues accessing their Exchange Online accounts via Outlook on the Web,” reads an official tweet. “We’ve collected additional data from the affected infrastructures to determine impact to our Exchange online protocols.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_551.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_551.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “Additionally, we’ve identified this issue to be affectin...
FNB Introduces QR Code Payments to all Speedpoint Devices
Sourced from Htxt.Africa FNB has revealed that shoppers across South Africa will now be able to make QR code payments at all standalone sale terminals. The bank says that this forms part of the ongoing expansion of its payments ecosystem and integrated App-based QR code, aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital payment solutions in the country. FNB Merchant Services CEO, Thokozani Dlamini says given the challenges we are currently facing globally due to the COVID -19 pandemic, it was essential that FNB fast-track the rollout of QR code payments for enhanced convenience and safety. “Added to the cost-effective, convenient and efficient payment process of contactless payments, both consumers and merchants will have peace of mind from a safety perspective, as physical contact will be lim...
WhatsApp is Working on an Expiring Media Feature
Whatsapp is reportedly working on a feature that would allow users to delete an image or video from someone else’s phone once it’s been viewed. According to WABetaInfo, users will be able to use this feature by selecting the ‘View Once’ option when sending media. Once the recipient views the image or video, they will receive a notification to inform them that the media will no longer be available once they leave the chat. Image sourced from WABetaInfo The next time the recipient enters the chat, a message reading “View once photo expired” will replace the image or video. Image sourced from WABetaInfo There is no word just yet on when users can expect this feature to officially rollout. WhatsApp is Working on “Vacation Mode” Feature, Again WhatsApp is again working on its “Vacation Mode” fe...
Lenovo Introduces ‘Worlds First’ Foldable PC
Lenovo has unveiled the latest addition to its X1 portfolio, the ThinkPad X1 Fold – the worlds first ‘foldable’ pc. “Five years in the making, the ThinkPad X1 Fold is the first of its kind in a new personal computing category that will push boundaries and redefine how we engage with technology,” reads a statement from the tech company. “ThinkPad X1 Fold adapts to new remote, office and hybrid working models, enabling trailblazers to embrace ground-breaking innovation that will empower creativity, collaboration and entertainment as it seamlessly transforms to their specific needs.” The foldable device features an Intel Lakefield Core i5 processor, 1TB storage and 13.3-inch 2K OLED Display. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_96d.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_96d.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 au...
Google to Enforce 30% In-App Payment Policy
Google has revealed that it will be taking on app developers, who circumvent the Play Store’s in-app payment system, by enforcing its 30% service fee. In a blog post, Google reveals that a number of developers have reported being confused over the company’s billing system policies. “We want to be sure our policies are clear and up to date so they can be applied consistently and fairly to all developers, and so we have clarified the language in our Payments Policy to be more explicit that all developers selling digital goods in their apps are required to use Google Play’s billing system,” reads the post. The tech company has always required developers who distribute their apps on Play to use Google Play’s billing system if they offer in-app purchases of digital goods, and pay a service...
Red Hat and Samsung Partner to Drive 5G Adoption
Red Hat and Samsung have partnered to deliver 5G network solutions, built on Red Hat OpenShift, across 5G core, edge computing, IoT and machine learning. According to the companies, it is important for telecommunications service providers to adopt a consistent horizontal cloud-native platform hardened for their environments. A recent Red Hat-sponsored report from ACG Research, open horizontal platforms can lower total cost ownership (TCO) up to 30% when compared to siloed vertically integrated deployments of virtualized radio access networks (vRANs). By taking this horizontal approach, customers have access to more choice and better service. This collaboration will utilize Red Hat’s hybrid cloud portfolio including Red Hat OpenShift, Red Hat OpenStack Platform, Red Hat Enterprise Linu...
3 Digital Transformation Priorities for Healthcare Organisations in Africa
South Africa’s healthcare sector has conducted roughly four million COVID-19 tests with around 650 000 positive cases identified. While infection rates continue to climb in much of the developed and developing world, stringent measures to contain the coronavirus in South Africa have helped flatten the curve to the point where most normal economic activity can resume. While public efforts at hygiene and social distancing have certainly contributed greatly to the decline in daily case numbers, it’s undoubtedly the tireless work of the healthcare sector that has helped the country get through the greatest public health challenge in a century. Efforts to treat infected patients were complicated by a prevailing shortage of medical staff. The World Bank estimates South Africa has only 0.9 medica...
Africell Launches its 4G KaiOS Feature Phone in Uganda
Africell has launched the new KaiOS–enabled smart feature phone, the 4G Vida K242, in Uganda. The 4G Vida K242 has been specifically designed for people who are unable to afford a smartphone and want to go online. It has a user-friendly interface optimized for first-time internet users. It comes with the world’s most popular apps, such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Facebook, and provides access to hundreds of other applications through the KaiStore. “On top of being the first 4G feature plus phone to be launched in Uganda, we are also making the 4G Vida the most affordable for only 120,000 ugx, inclusive of 1.5 GB and 850 minutes of talk-time on Africell network,” says Neeraj Gala, COO of Africell Uganda. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_fd7.td-a-rec-img{ text-align...
Jumia and Airtel Kenya Partner to Enable Mobile Payments
Jumia and Airtel Kenya have partnered to allow consumers to complete their online payment transactions using Airtel Money. “Millions of Kenyans rely on mobile money daily to make fast payments. By expanding our payment options to include Airtel money, it will make it easier for more consumers to incorporate online shopping as part of their daily transactions,” says Nelly Movine, Head of Financial Services at Jumia. The service is expected to further enhance the Jumia contactless-delivery initiative launched in March as a safety measure against COVID-19. Consumers are encouraged to prepay for their purchases to avoid cash exchange or pay with Airtel money upon delivery. “We are delighted to be working with Jumia on this exciting partnership to enhance customer experience on the Jumia platfo...
How Cybercriminals are Using the PS5 to Scam Internet Users
Cybercriminals are becoming more and more interested in the PlayStation 5, according to research from Kaspersky. In the period of July – September 2020, almost 150 suspicious web resources around the world included the word ‘PlayStation’ in their names. The phishing websites were mainly offering the chance to pre-order PlayStation 5 by leaving a prepayment or personal information. On some sites, it was supposedly even possible to purchase a console at a reduced price. There were also resources where the previous version of the console – PlayStation 4 – was on offer for much lower prices, with the major discounts attributed to the release of PS5. “We want to remind users that if something looks too good to be true on the Internet, then it’s most probably a scam,” says Tatyana Sidorina,...
vivo Unveils New Y20 Smartphone in Kenya
vivo has unveiled its newest mid-range smartphone – the Y20 – in Kenya. The device, which is expected to launch on 8 October, is the latest addition to vivo’s youth-oriented Y-series. The vivo Y20 is expected to be equipped with a Triple AI camera supporting macro, bokeh, and other advanced selfie features, a fingerprint scanner as well as super-capacity 5000mAh battery supported by power-saving technology which can last up to 16 hours of online HD movie streaming, or 11 hours of resource-intensive gaming. The overall design of the device is teased to be sleek and polished, sporting a 6.51-inch Halo Display with an elongated aspect ratio of 20:9 and HD+ (1600 x 720) resolution that ensures crystal clear visuals and detailing for immersive viewing and gaming experience. The modern scan...
Microsoft 365 Suffers Worldwide Outage
Microsoft has confirmed that a number of its cloud services – including Teams, Outlook, and Office 365 – suffered an outage. “We’re investigating an issue affecting access to multiple Microsoft 365 services. We’re working to identify the full impact and will provide more information shortly,” reads an official tweet. The tech company revealed that the outage could have been caused by a recent update – which it has now reverted. “We’ve identified a recent change that appears to be the source of the issue. We’re rolling back the change to mitigate impact.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_852.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_852.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “We have confirmed via our monitoring that the majority of services have recovered for most customers,” reports Micro...
