tech news
Showmax Introduces 2 New Pop-up Channels
Showmax subscribers in South Africa are now able to live stream kykNET and Mzansi Magic 24/7 with the launch of two pop-up channels. “We’re always looking at ways of making the Showmax experience better for our customers,” says MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment and Connected Video, Yolisa Phahle. “During last year’s lockdown, we gave subscribers access to live news channels. Now, following this month’s Presidential address, South Africans will continue to spend more time at home, and so, once again, we’d like to make sure our customers have something extra.” The Mzansi Magic live stream is available exclusively in South Africa while kykNET is also available in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_0ee.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_0ee.td-a-...
Unpacking the Digitalisation of South African SMEs
In just a matter of months, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world at the speed of light. Most businesses weren’t prepared and were forced to adapt to extraordinary challenges in order to continue with business operations –whilst battling to stay afloat. In South Africa, many businesses have opted for mass work-from-home policies for their staff, as businesses navigate through new ways of working as a direct result of the pandemic. Digital transformation has become the enabler, propelling businesses into the future. Technologies like collaboration and online meeting software have become a necessity through the transition to digitally enable remote working. The acceleration saw a broader...
How AI is Changing the Dynamics of Healthcare
Globally, healthcare organisations have accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) with the ones still implementing frameworks planning to go live within 24 months. Hardly surprising given the improved consumer engagement that results from the technology. But more than that, the challenging economic climate is seeing healthcare organisations looking for better ways to make processes more efficient, enhance their existing products and services, and lower cost. The key to this is AI that brings with it a more innovative environment to automate manual, error-prone processes, and introduce a sophisticated layer of analytics that can deliver new insights to the wealth of data already available. These platforms use algorithms and machine learning to analyse and interpret data, while em...
Why Data is Key in the Era of 5G
Convergence is nothing new, however as technology evolves this is being taken to unprecedented levels. The cloud, the endpoint, the edge and now 5G are converging and changing the way we collaborate, connect and communicate. However, for telcos and operators, adapting to a 5G world can be a challenge. Not only does it involve new infrastructure, but it also means adapting business models, embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and potentially developing entirely new revenue streams. At the heart of the ability to leverage 5G effectively lies data, which must be portable, protected and above all available for analysis. Data is the key to unlocking the value of 5G for operators. The 5G opportunity /* custom css */ .tdi_3_90d.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_9...
4 Trends Every CIO Should Know in 2021
We enter 2021 in a very different place from where we were at the start of 2020. For CIOs, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented enormous challenges, but there is a silver lining. Organizations have come to recognize the importance that networking, and more broadly, the IT function can have on the business, including how fast change can be implemented, even under such stressful circumstances. As we begin the new year, with the coronavirus continuing its grip on the globe, organizations have to take the experiences and learnings from the previous year and apply them to their IT strategies if they are to find success. Here are the networking trends for 2021 which can assist CIOs in ensuring organizations stay one step ahead in the future: 1. The emergence of the hybrid workforce /...
Samsung Unveils the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra
Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S21 range of smartphones – the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra – at the Unpacked 2021 event. “We are living in a mobile-first world, and with so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home, we wanted to deliver a smartphone experience that meets the rigorous multimedia demands of our continuously changing routines,” says TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “We also recognize the importance of choice, especially now, and that’s why the Galaxy S21 series gives you the freedom to choose the best device for your style and needs.” The new flagship series debuts an iconic design, epic pro-grade camera for users of any skill level and the most advanced processor ever in a Galaxy device. Here’s a closer look a...
Samsung Introduces the Galaxy Buds Pro
Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy Buds Pro. The tech giant unveiled the next-generation earbuds at its annual Galaxy Unpacked January 2021 event. According to Samsung, the earbuds feature immersive sound, exceptional call quality, intelligent ANC and enhanced connectivity across your devices – all packed into a modern and sleek design. “As people look for technology that can help them adapt to new routines and lifestyles, the market for a truly wireless earbud has expanded substantially, and consumer expectations have risen,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “With Galaxy Buds Pro, we’re making a big statement with a small device, offering users a one-of-a-kind audio experience that makes even everyday tasks truly epic.” /* custom css ...
Samsung to Slowly Ditch Wired Headphones and In-box Chargers
Samsung has revealed that future devices will no longer come with wired headphones and in-box chargers. According to Patrick Chomet, EVP and Head of the Customer Experience Office at Samsung, many Galaxy users are making more sustainable choices in their daily lives which is why the tech giant is considering ways to help make them more sustainable. “We discovered that more and more Galaxy users are reusing accessories they already have and making sustainable choices in their daily lives to promote better recycling habits. To support our Galaxy community in this journey, we are transitioning to removal of the charger plug and earphones in our latest line of Galaxy smartphones.” He goes on to say that that the gradual removal of charger plugs and earphones from Samsung’s in-box device packag...
Top 10 Most Imitated Brands for Phishing Attempts
In a brand phishing attack, cybercriminals try to imitate the official website of a well-known brand by using a similar domain name or URL and web-page design to the genuine site. The link to the fake website can be sent to targeted individuals by email or text message, a user can be redirected during web browsing, or it may be triggered from a fraudulent mobile application. The fake website often contains a form intended to steal users’ credentials, payment details or other personal information. According to Check Point Research, Microsoft was the brand most frequently targeted by cybercriminals. The most likely industry to be targeted by brand phishing was technology, followed by shipping and retail, showing how threat actors are using well-known brands in these sectors to tric...
Lesotho and Zimbabwe Implement Telco Traffic Monitoring System
The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) have begun the implementation of a system to monitor national and international telecommunications traffic. The system is expected to help increase revenue assurance, combat network fraud and enforce billing integrity across all communication networks available in the countries and shall be provided by leading regulatory technology developer and Big Data Analytics organisation Global Voice Group (GVG). “With these partnerships, GVG enables solid telecom metrics for tax collection purposes, fraud detection and market compliance with regulations to protect consumers and operators in Lesotho and Zimbabwe,” says James Claude, GVG CEO. “The RegTech solution provided by GVG ...
Telegram Reaches 500 Million User Milestone
Image sourced from The Independent Telegram has officially surpassed 500 million users – this comes after more than 25 million people downloaded the platform in the last 72 hours. “Twenty-five million users have joined Telegram in the last 72 hours. 38% of them are from Asia, 27% from Europe, 21% from Latin America, and 8% from MENA,” says Telegram Founder, Pavel Durov. The rise in demand is attributed to Facebook’s recent move to update WhatsApp’s terms of service and privacy policy – leaving many WhatsApp users concerned and searching for a more secure messaging platform, like Telegram. “People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services. They no longer want to be held hostage by tech monopolies that seem to think they can get away with anything as long as their apps have ...
