tech news
Huawei Introduces Petal Search to South Africa
Huawei has announced the launch of its search engine app, Petal Search, in South Africa. The service is now officially available in 170 countries across the globe, supporting more than 50 languages. This addition to the Huawei Mobile Services ecosystem allows users to instantly find the information they need. In addition, with the cooperation with global and local partners, Petal Search is vigorously developing local life search services, to provide users with a rich location-based and scenario-based search experience. When a user looks up local live content, Petal Search provides high-quality and most popular localized information, such as personalized recommendations or nearby foods, worth visiting local attractions, and shopping discounts. Huawei Launches Petal Maps and Huawei Doc...
How Digital Payments could Foster African Development
The World Bank has estimated that Africa could potentially hold 90% of the global poor population by 2030 and has recently cut its economic growth predictions to between -2.1% and -5.1% in 2020 from the 2.4% of 2019. The situation has been significantly worsened by the global pandemic, as the continent hits its first recession in 25 years. But this is not the picture that defines a continent that has long defied expectation and prediction. In fact, a young population, a growing consumer market, and the rapid movement towards mobile inclusion and connectivity are shifting the conversation. Africa is poised on the cusp of change introduced by mobile and internet technology. Africa has undergone a remarkable journey over the past 30 years. It has not only leapfrogged legacy technolo...
How an Engaged Workforce could Make or Break a Business’s AI Strategy
Employees across the world are concerned about the impact automation could have on them, brought into clear focus as the world navigates one of the greatest periods of uncertainty in history. Data shows that AI has the potential to create more jobs than it takes away, augmenting human ingenuity and removing many of the mundane tasks people don’t enjoy. However, organisations still need to be deliberate around how they address change management if they want their staff to embrace it. The question is what does an effective change management strategy look like? According to Microsoft’s AI Maturity in the Middle East and Africa report, regional leaders in AI have achieved success by focusing on three key areas: 1. An open culture reduces uncertainty /* custom css */ .tdi_3_199.td-a-rec-img{ te...
App Developers Stand a Chance to Win up to R1 000 000 with #HDC2020
Huawei is committed to bringing the latest technology to app developers in order to support them in delivering the best app experience possible. With HUAWEI AppGallery, Huawei has developed more than 50 kits and hundreds of capabilities for developers and is proud to be working with 1.3 million developers and partners globally. As a brand committed to assisting app developers, Huawei is now running two new competitions, which will be running until 30 November. Upload your app onto HUAWEI AppGallery and win Huawei Cloud vouchers To enter this competition, all you need to do is register as a Huawei developer on HUAWEI AppGallery, Huawei’s app store. Once you have signed up, you will receive a Huawei Cloud voucher. This voucher is worth $200 for individual developers, or $600 for enterp...
Rain Introduces ‘My Rain’ Mobile App
Image sourced from MyBroadband Rain South Africa has introduced ‘My Rain’, its new mobile app which is expected to allow customers to manage their accounts and data usage directly from their smartphones. Rain lists the following app features on the Google Play Store page: Manage your account – Users can update their personal details and payment method, and view their current and past invoices. Billing info – Users can see how much they’re going to be billed for the month. No nasty surprises. Daily usage – Users can see how much they’ve been using for every day of the past month. Complete control – Users are always in control. Upgrade, switch plans, or even cancel at any time. Contact support – Users can get support directly through my rain. Log a network, billing, RICA or onboarding query ...
LG Introduces New Noise Cancelling Earphones
LG has introduced a new addition to its LG Tone Free lineup – the LG FN7. These earphones are expected to add Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to provide even greater listening pleasure and enhanced personal audio experience. “LG has always striven to deliver more options to consumers and with our newest TONE Free earbuds we are expanding our lineup to audiophiles who desire the very best that audio technology has to offer,” says Park Hyung-woo, head of LG’s audio and video division. The LG Tone Free FN7 sport adjustable ear gels with patented twist-fit Vortex Ribs design deliver a tighter in-ear seal to minimize outside noise seepage. With ANC activated, environmental noises are now almost completely neutralized, making every note and voice sound clearer, more natural, without losing the d...
MTN Adds 12 Million New Subscribers in Q3
MTN Group has reported a strong set of financial results for the third quarter, supported mainly by its larger operations in South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana as well as the addition of 12 million new subscribers across the continent. “As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to impact lives and livelihoods across our markets, the group has demonstrated strong operational execution and resilience,” says MTN Group president and CEO, Ralph Mupita. To meet the increase in data and digital usage, he added that MTN had focused its investment on network capacity and resilience and modernising its IT systems, spending R16 billion in the year to the end of the third quarter. Service revenue grew by 11,4% to more than R43 billion. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (...
Skyworth Unveils Newest Range of Smart TVs
Skyworth has officially unveiled its newest range of smart TVs, including the SXC9800, the SUC9300 and the SUC9300 Pro. Besides the showcase of its models, the brand also announced the latest addition to its high-end offering, Android 10, Far Field, access to more content in the Google Play Store, improved hardware and speed, larger memory, AIoT, Cast Play and Two Way Bluetooth Transmission. Skyworth SXC9800 The SXC9800 performs video frame interpolation on a 120Hz 4K OLED screen, delivering an ultra-smooth and stutter-free visual experience, replicating a refresh rate similar to 240Hz. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_593.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_593.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } With built-in Wi-Fi 5 hardware, users can seamlessly access the 120HZ 4K online videos. The TV...
Pick n Pay Introduces Smart Shopper Digital Receipts
Pick n Pay has revealed that, instead of receiving a printed receipt, Smart Shoppers can now have their till receipts sent directly to their email. These will also be loaded onto the customer’s PnP mobile app profile for 90 days so that they are saved in one place for easy access and review. This is one step in the retailer’s efforts to reduce unnecessary waste as many till receipts land up in landfills as they are often lost in rubbish bins and not recycled. “We are always looking at ways we can reduce waste within our stores and help our customers lead easier lives by making their shopping experience quicker and more convenient. This latest Smart Shopper enhancement ticks all these boxes,” says John Bradshaw, retail executive: marketing at Pick n Pay. “Customers are already telling us th...
New WhatsApp Update for iOS and Android
Image sourced from YoMZanzi WhatsApp has unveiled new beta updates for iOS and Android, according to WABetaInfo. These new features include advanced wallpaper configuration tools that allow users to customise their in-app wallpaper. MyBroadband reports that there are now “32 new bright wallpapers, 30 new dark wallpapers, and a number of solid colour options to choose from”. WhatsApp Unveils New In-App Features WhatsApp has revealed a number of new in-app features covering Shopping, Payments, and Customer Service. According to the messaging platform, the ways in which people and businesses communicate are not working. “The global pandemic has made clear that businesses need fast and efficient ways to service their customers and make sales. WhatsApp has become a simple and convenient resourc...
South Africans could soon need a TV License for their Smartphones and Laptops
The SABC has revealed its plans to push new regulations that would call for South Africans to pay TV Licence fees. Sylvia Tladi, SABC Head of TV Licences, said that “one of the key things that we [need] to deal with was the definition of the television set because once you have defined what a television set is, you move on to identifying whether a licence is required or not.” Tladi goes on to say that people are not just viewing content or broadcasting services on a traditional TV anymore – and that’s why the regulations need to change. “What we are asking for is for the definition to be amended so that it can also include other devices that are not traditionally built to look like television sets but are used to receive broadcasting services for content, whatever platforms people use...
ESET Launches ESET Cloud Office Security to Provide Advanced Protection for Microsoft 365
ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, has today launched ESET Cloud Office Security, a new standalone software as a service solution that provides advanced preventative protection for users of Microsoft 365 applications. The software is designed to reflect the modern role of emails and collaboration tools used within organizations. Microsoft Office 365 is used by organizations all over the globe, with the cloud becoming an integral part of many businesses’ data storage and systems, regardless of their size. With more than 84% of organizations (according to Gartner survey*) using or intending to use Microsoft 365, it is crucial that businesses and their cloud tools are adequately protected. Businesses that leverage ESET Cloud Office Security are protected against incidents caused by email...
