tech news
4 Trends Expected to Reshape Mobile Gaming in 2021
Mobile gaming has come into its own over the past few years. Analysts say the gaming industry generated $85 billion in value in 2020, while an estimated 2.5 billion people play games on mobile devices. Advances in technology also mean mobile games are increasingly able to compete with the visual fidelity of their console and PC cousins. Market researchers believe there are at least 11 million gamers in South Africa and forecast strong growth due to the increasing youth population. There is a clear trend towards social and mobile gaming, with the free-to-play revenue model dominating the market. However, we are also seeing more console-like experiences emerge on mobile devices as games like Fortnite and PUBG take off among smartphone and tablet gamers. Here are four reasons to expect mobile...
Microsoft is Testing an Edge Browser on Xbox
Microsoft is testing a new Edge Chromium-powered browser on Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X consoles, reports The Verge. “Chromium browser on Xbox is a boost for those wanting to access websites through their console. Edge will also now provide access to Google’s Stadia streaming service, thanks to the improved compatibility support with Chromium.” The browser is also expected to improve compatibility with browser-based games like Skype or Discord. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_831.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_831.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } the latest Xbox Alpha skip ahead build includes the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge pic.twitter.com/C34d59UYuJ — Tom Warren (@tomwarren) March 6, 2021 Google says that it initially launched with the goal of making your favourite games...
Microsoft Joins Forces with Tech4Dev to Teach Women Coding Skills in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt
Microsoft and Tech4Dev have partnered to launch the Women Techsters Initiative in 54 countries. This programme aims to train girls and women across Africa in coding and deep tech skills, bridging the digital and technology divide and ensure equal access to opportunities across the continent. Ghada Khalifa, Regional Director of Microsoft Philanthropies MEA, was excited about the initiative being scaled to other countries on the African continent from Nigeria where the program was piloted. She says “when we empower girls and women in the ICT industry, through greater access to skills and training, we not only unlock innovation but also economic opportunities”. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_2ad.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_2ad.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } A recent report&...
Telco Vs TechCo – a Battlefield for the Future of ICT
Across the world, disruption has become a reality that is driving changes the business sectors. Included in this disruptive environment is the telecommunications industry, which is having to take account of changing technologies and the challenges these changes bring to the way the sector has traditionally done business. Under examination must be the industry’s twin roles as a primary provider of telephone services and platforms to OTT suppliers to launch their offerings to users. Internationally, experience shows that there has been an average decline in revenues per user as IT suppliers, offering focused services, have made products built around mobile and data less critical to end-users. Although some different market factors apply to the African and South African markets, we are not ex...
AstraZeneca Promises 2 Million Additional COVID-19 Vaccines to Ghana
Image sourced from TimesLIVE Ghana is expected to receive an additional two million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines by the end of May, on top of the already promised 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines from Covax – this would aid the country’s mission to vaccinate around 20 million Ghanaians. According to News Ghana, more than 300,000 people have been vaccinated since the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme started on 2 March 2021. “Those who received doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines included, health care workers, persons with underlying health conditions, essential service providers and those who were 60 years and above, as well as members of the security agencies, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary branches of government.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_abe.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_abe.td...
New eCommerce Platform to Rival Takealot Launches in South Africa
Image sourced from MyBroadband Everystore is officially South Africa’s newest eCommerce platform. The online store is owned by and brings together the brands of the JD Group (HiFi Corp, Incredible Connection, Bradlows and Russels). “With the support of our existing retail businesses we have partnered with some of South Africa’s most well-known and loved brands across a number of industries including specialist electronics & appliances, furniture, fashion, footwear and DIY to deliver true value to the South African shopper through the launch of a new online retailer,” says Everyshop. Today, the site offers more than 500 brands, in 10 main categories – entertainment, fashion, health and beauty, perfect home, work and study, projects and DIY, lifestyle and leisure, fitness, cellular,...
WhatsApp Reportedly Testing End-to-End Encrypted Chat Backup Feature
WhatsApp is working on a new password protection feature that would encrypt chat backups, reports The Verge. At the moment, chats are only end-to-end encrypted on WhatsApp – this doesn’t include the online backups stored on Google Drive and iCloud.So with the introduction of this feature, chats would only be accessible to the sender and recipient. WABetaInfo shared screenshots of what this could look like: • The chat database is already encrypted now (excluding media), but the algorithm is reversible and it’s not end-to-end encrypted. • Local Android backups will be compatible with this feature. The chat DB and media will be encrypted using a password that only you know. https://t.co/WAliLUnF18 — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 8, 2021 /* custom css */ .tdi_3_4a4.td-a-rec-img{ text-al...
Growing Female Talent in the Tech Workforce
Sourced from TechCabal International Women’s Day, 8 March 2021, is a celebration of progress and recognition of work that still needs to be done to advance women in business and society. In an annual study produced by the World Bank titled “Women, Business and the Law 2021” the gender inequality amidst the global COVID-19 Pandemic is explored looking at eight key pillars. The pillars are mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets and pension. The report analyses laws and regulations affecting women’s economic opportunities in 190 countries and shows promising results. Results show that despite the difficulties of the global pandemic, many economies have made gender equality a priority. The results are encouraging with every region surveyed improving its a...
MTN Group Appoints New Strategy and Transformation Executive
Image sourced from TechFinancials MTN Group has appointed Chika Ekeji as its new Strategy and Transformation Executive – effective from 15 March. The telco says this appointment is part of its plans to further bolster management capacity to accelerate the Group’s strategic ambitions. “In December 2020, MTN Group announced the completion of a comprehensive strategy review with a focus on accelerating growth, deleveraging the holding company debt and unlocking value,” says MTN. “To support the execution of the repositioned strategy, we announced the appointment of a new Group Chief Financial Officer as well as changes to the Group’s regional structure and the Group Executive Committee.” According to MyBroadband, Ekeji has a Masters of Engineering in Computer Science from Cornell University a...
5 House Objects Cybercriminals could Use to Spy on You
It is estimated that there are more 22 billion devices linked to a home internet connection around the world, and research suggests this figure could reach 38.6 billion by 2025. While hyper-connectivity offers countless benefits, it also increases the number of available attack points to hackers and invisible intruders. Check Point research warns that there are five household objects that are being targeted by cybercriminals to spy on individuals in their own home. “Mobile phones, Smart TVs, computers and toys are just some of the devices being targeted. The number of products that feature a camera or microphone is growing every day, which can become an issue if they are connected to the internet and do not have the necessary security measures in place,” says Eusebio Nieva, Technical Direc...
Ukheshe Confirms Global Expansion of its FinTech Operations
Ukheshe set to expand its fintech operations across the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific. The move comes on the back of partnerships in various African countries including Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Botswana, Angola, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Ghana. In addition to collaborating with numerous blue-chip banks, telcos and fintechs, Ukheshe has built strong alliances with Mastercard while acquiring two companies and raising just under R100m within a two-year period. “We will continue to look for potential acquisitions in these new markets to further support Ukheshe’s growth and strategy as we pursue our goal of reaching unicorn status within the next three years,” says Clayton Hayward, CEO of Ukheshe. “Ukheshe is ex...
Airbnb and SnapScan Join Forces to Encourage Local Spending in South Africa
Image sourced from The Tyee Airbnb has partnered with SnapScan to launch ‘Support Jozi, Shop Local’, an initiative that aims to aid the recovery of SMEs by driving traffic to smaller businesses, and delivering a much-needed economic boost to local communities. Using the SnapScan app, locals and visitors alike can now buy goods and services in 20+ Jozi businesses, chosen and recommended by local Hosts on Airbnb. People using SnapScan in these locations will also earn cashback vouchers called ‘Jozibucks’, which can then be ‘spent’ in the shops throughout March, driving additional revenue for the local businesses. The vouchers are funded by Airbnb. The “Support Jozi, Shop Local” initiative aims to encourage an inclusive recovery of the sector, by providing a platform to showcase small local b...
