tech news
Shoprite to Launch an MVNO to Rival Pick n Pay
Shoprite CEO, Pieter Engelbrecht says that the retailer plans to launch its own mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). Speaking at Shoprite’s Group results, Engelbrecht says “Very soon we will launch our own virtual network to enhance our customer data even further”. This MVNO is expected to rival Pick n Pay’s newly launched service that uses MTN’s mobile network infrastructure to offer customers prepaid, SIM-based access to services including airtime, data, and SMS. “Mobile technology is core to South Africans’ way of life and an essential part of the monthly grocery shop. Our country has a very high mobile phone penetration, but data costs have been a barrier. We believe expanding our services to enter the mobile market will benefit millions of our customers,” says Richard van Rens...
Cell C Introduces New All-in-One Data Bundles
Image sourced from Town Press Cell C is set to bring back the Double Data deal for customers purchasing any All-in-One bundle, replacing the social data promotion that allocated free Facebook data. Essentially, users will get double anytime data to use on any platform when buying an All-In-One bundle. The bonus data offerings and price structures are as follows: Description All-In-One 5GB (10.5GB) All-In-One 10GB (21GB) All-In-One 20GB (42GB) Bundle Fee (Incl VAT) R359,00 R669,00 R1 249,00 Validity(days) 30 30 30 Data 5GB 10GB 20GB Bonus Anytime Data 5GB Free 10GB free 20GB Free Social Data 500MB 1GB 2GB On-net minutes Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited On-net minutes FUP 1000 1000 1000 Any-net minutes 90 120 350 Cell C has also introduced two new 6-month data bundles: 100GB and 200GB. These wi...
Uber Offers 1 Million Rides to Teachers Across the World
Sourced from CNet. Uber has offered 1 million rides to teachers around the world to and from vaccination appointments to support the reopening of schools and to protect teachers and their communities. As a member of the Global Education Coalition, Uber worked with UNESCO and its partners during the first wave of COVID-19 to deliver meals to the hardest-hit students in countries such as the UK, Kenya, Mexico and Colombia. With cases of COVID-19 still rising around the world, and many schools either fully or partially closed, Uber and UNESCO are extending their partnership. Together, Uber and UNESCO aim to remove transportation as a barrier to accessing vaccinations for teachers around the world as and when governments allow local teachers to get vaccinated. “We look forward to building...
South African Luno Users to Earn Interest on Bitcoin and Ethereum
South African-founded Luno will let customers earn interest on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC – allowing users to earn passive income on their cryptocurrencies. These cryptos are now available in the platforms savings wallet. Users can expect up to 4% interest per annum on Ethereum and 7.6% per annum on USDC. The interest will be earned and paid in cryptocurrency. “Luno research last year showed that over a third of those surveyed (35%) were not earning any interest on their traditional cash savings at all, so growing savings options and making saving simple and accessible is a priority for us,” says Luno Africa GM, Marius Reitz. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_5e5.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_5e5.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “The same research from last year found 54% are not e...
Liquid Telecom Unveils New Identity and Pan-African Strategy
Image sourced from MyBroadband Liquid Telecom has unveiled its new identity as Liquid Intelligent Technologies. The pan-African technology group also revealed its plan to go from being a telecommunications and digital services provider to a full one-stop-shop technology group through a group-wide rebrand. Over the last two decades, Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading pan-African digital infrastructure provider with an extensive network spanning over 73,000 KM. This rebrand to Liquid Intelligent Technologies highlights the organisation’s expansion of its Cloud business, Cyber Security services, and other technologies added to its existing telecoms and connectivity capability. This furthers the Group’s aim of accelerating growth by providing tailor-made digital solutions to b...
Ukheshe and Infobip Launch the First WhatsApp Payment Gateway in South Africa
Ukheshe has partnered with Infobip to launch South Africa’s first WhatsApp payment gateway which allows Telkom customers to send money to anyone with a mobile number quickly and securely with no need for another app or any additional software. The project and collaboration with Infobip forms part of Ukheshe’s objective of expanding its international reach as a solution-driven B2B provider of digital-first payment solutions that enable banks, telcos and fintechs to provide banking and payment services to their customers through a solution called ‘Chat Banking’. “We are thrilled that through various working associations we are able to assist organisations to address financial literacy and inclusion. The chat banking solution empowers end customers by giving them access to the Internet, ...
Microsoft’s Surface Book 3 to Rollout in South Africa
Microsoft is set to roll out its Surface device range in South Africa with the introduction of the Surface Book 3 – available from Incredible Connection stores. Surface Book 3 is a powerful tablet with a detachable touchscreen that adapts to all the ways users work and create best. It combines speed, graphics, immersive gaming and long battery life with the versatility of a laptop, tablet, and portable studio. “We are excited to expand our Surface family with the addition of Surface Book 3 – our most powerful laptop yet. It is a portable powerhouse that provides the performance to tackle any task, from intensive video and graphic files to high-octane gaming. Developers, designers and professionals can rely on it for coding, compiling workloads, and for gaming,” says Vithesh Reddy, Consumer...
How to Create a Culture of Cybersecurity
Sourced from IDG Connect Security. This is a word that can make a grown CFO tremble and an entire SOC crumble. It is the word that captures a complex landscape littered with complexity, cybercriminals and technology. It defines how well an organisation adheres to a growing body of legislation – GDPR, POPIA and other data protection regulations – and how its reputation fares when a breach is revealed and information exposed. Security should be on every boardroom agenda, in ongoing employee training, and an investment into the right tools and solutions. But, perhaps most importantly, security should be an inherent part of the company’s culture because it is this factor that ultimately determines its security risk and posture. “There is a clear link between security culture and secure behavio...
New Online Retail Platform Launches in South Africa
Netcash has partnered with Ecwid E-Commerce to launch Netcash Shop. Powered by Ecwid E-Commerce’s platform, Netcash Shop is expected to allow merchants to create a digital eCommerce store where they can sell their products. And thanks to the tight integration with Netcash’s Payment Gateway, merchants can accept a wide range of payments options. According to the companies, merchants who use Netcash Shop will pay half as much as those using alternative eCommerce platforms and shopping cart options. For companies that already have a website, a Netcash Shop shopping cart or shop can easily be added to a site built on a content management system like WordPress, Wix or Joomla. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_fb7.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_fb7.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Tho...
REVIEW: Real Life Instagram Thanks to the Instax SQ1
At the end of 2020, Fujifilm launched the newest addition to its series of instant point-and-shoot cameras – the Instax SQ1. Now available across Africa, the camera is sleek in design, features square format film and a durable protective shell – and using it feels like real-life Instagram. [embedded content] The Instax SQ1 is an incredibly nostalgic product that is easy to use and perfect for people who want to quickly capture memories (which could double as a gift for friends and family). /* custom css */ .tdi_3_0fc.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_0fc.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Most notably, the instant film camera features auto-exposure; meaning it is able to capture bright photos even in dark spaces – no special settings needed. It is also fitted with a selfie mirro...
Ajala Hosts Webinar on Artificial Intelligence and African Enterprises
Ajala, a leading provider of speech technologies for African languages, is pleased to announce the third event in their “Artificial Intelligence & African Enterprises” series, focusing on Delivering Economic and Operational Gains. The series examines the landscape of Artificial Intelligence solutions in the context of public and private African enterprises. Each webinar will address business and technological considerations relevant to African enterprises that have adopted or are considering adopting AI solutions as a part of their core business strategy. Thought leaders and experts will engage in topics ranging from operations, to policy, to economics and the technology underlying AI solutions and their relevance to African enterprises and consumers. Previous sessions include Da...
Security and Medical Response Platform, Aura Expands to Kenya
Security and medical response platform, Aura has announced its plan to expand into Kenya by offering its emergency and medical response services in Nairobi and Mombasa. The rollout will be led by the newly appointed General Manager, Hilary Itela. Warren Myers, CEO of AURA, says that the intention is to address the fragmented and idle response capacity in Kenya while also “democratising access to critical services by making them more widely available and more affordable than ever before”. With over 15 years of experience in various management roles in East and Central Africa, Itela brings with him a wealth of specialist expertise within various verticals including security, eCommerce, logistics, pharmaceuticals, FMCG and renewable energy. In addition to working closely with Kenyan partners ...
