tech news
Why Consumers should be Cautious when Entering Banking Details Online
The fast pace of digital progress in the financial world has made it easier than ever for people to transact, make purchases, and manage their money online. For most people, speed and convenience are two of the most important benefits that a digital transaction offers, and many businesses invest significantly into developing digital processes that make such fast and easy transactions possible for their online customers. One example of this digital transactional enablement is a process called screen-scraping. Put simply, this is the process of copying information shown on a digital screen like a computer or mobile device, so that it can be used in another digital screen or process. Ravi Shunmugam, CEO of EFT Product House for FNB, explains that there are various examples of screen-scraping ...
Telkom Reintroduces Pawa Combo Bundles in Kenya
Telkom Kenya has revamped its Pawa bundles to include SMS and mobile data at more affordable price points. “It is worth noting that SMS and WhatsApp communication are popular among the young audiences who have been actively at home following the prolonged closure of educational institutions due to the current pandemic,” says Telkom’s Marketing Director, Eric Achola. The bundles will now be available as follows: /* custom css */ .tdi_3_f6f.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_f6f.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Pawa 10- 30 minutes (Telkom to Telkom)+50MB WhatsApp (valid for 24hrs) Pawa 20- 5 minutes (Across networks)+100SMS+100MB (Valid for 24hrs) Pawa 20 Extra- 100 minutes (Telkom to Telkom)+100SMS+100MB (Valid for 24hrs) Pawa 50- 600 minutes (Telkom to Telkom)+200SMS(across net...
Netflix Gains 2.2 Million Subscribers in Q3
Image sourced from Netflix Following a blockbuster H1 2020, Netflix’s growth slowed down in Q3 2020. According to the research data analyzed and published by Comprar Acciones, net paid subscriber additions for Q3 2020 were 2.2 million. Comparatively, FactSet analysts had estimated 3.57 million while Netflix had expected 2.5 million. According to a report made by Netflix, it had added 15.77 million subscribers in Q1 2020 against an expected 7 million. In Q2 2020, the total number of new paid subscribers was 10.1 million versus an expected 7.5 million. Disney+ Subscribers Grow by 60M in 9 Months vs. Netflix’s 28.1M At the end of Q3 2020, Netflix reported a total of 195.15 million. Netflix reiterated the fact that it had missed its Q3 2020 subscriber forecast due to the company’s record perfo...
Sony Unveils ‘PlayStation Ready’ Bravia TV Lineup
Sony has unveiled a lineup of its current Bravia TVs that are officially ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’. The new ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’ tagline has been created in partnership with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) to make it easier for consumers to select the “optimum TV in preparation for the highly anticipated launch of PlayStation 5, the next-generation game console releasing this holiday season”. The first ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’ TVs from Sony includes the standout X90H 4K HDR Full Array LED. The X90H displays gameplay images of up to 4K resolution at 120 fps with a very low input lag of 7.2ms. ‘Ready for PlayStation 5’ TV models also boast Bravia Game Mode, which allows users to automatically play games on the PS5 console with low latency. Thanks to Bravia Game Mode, users can wak...
Infinidat Joins Forces with VMware to Tackle IoT Threats
Infinidat has partnered with VMware to deliver a comprehensive software-defined data centre solution that tackles current and evolving IoT Edge security threats. All industries are undergoing major digital transformation, leveraging technology to improve customer experiences, operational efficiency, enhance business agility, and create competitive advantage. IoT solutions play an essential part in meeting these objectives, as they enable digital transformation processes by extending software control of physical assets to optimize performance and enhance flexibility. A recent report, Worldwide Global DataSphere IoT Device and Data Forecast, 2019–2023 from the IDC estimate that there will be 41.6 billion connected IoT devices, and yet data also shows that large companies, typically wit...
Cyberpunk 2077 Launch Delayed Until December
Image sourced from VentureBeat CD Projekt has delayed the launch of Cyberpunk 2077, for the third time. The highly anticipated open-world RPG from the studio that brought gamers the Witcher series, is now expected to be released on 10 December. In an official statement, the developer says “The biggest challenge for us right now is shipping the game on current-gen, next-gen, and PC at the same time, which requires us to prepare and test nine versions.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_bb8.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_bb8.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “We’re aware it might seem unrealistic when someone says that 21 days can make a difference in such a massive and complex game, but they really do,” the pair added. We have important news to share with you pic.twitter.com/qZUaD...
Insurance Companies could’ve Avoided Loss of R7 billion during 2019, According to ICB
Nowadays, it is customary that people who own certain goods obtain insurance to protect their belongings. Car insurance companies are the most popular ones; the different car insurance alternatives in the market are there because we need to feel safe while we are on the streets – not only because of the actions we take, but also because of other people’s actions. Nevertheless, in the market citizens can find an insurance policy for many different purposes, like property insurance. In the same way that these policies are widely used, there are also some widely dishonest actions taken by contributors in South Africa. The Insurance Crime Bureau (ICB) stated in a report that R7 billions were lost in 2019 because of insurance fraud. However, this could have been avoided if some measures h...
How SMEs Should Protect Themselves from Cybersecurity Attacks
Stefan van de Giessen, General Manager: Cybersecurity at Networks Unlimited Africa Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are widely acknowledged as playing a critical role in South Africa’s economy, and yet they are also potentially more at risk in terms of their ongoing survival than larger enterprises. According to a recent McKinsey report, SMEs in South Africa employ between 50 and 60% of the country’s workforce across all sectors. At the same time, SMEs arguably face a number of challenges, which can potentially weigh on them more heavily than on larger enterprises. These particular areas of concern include attracting customers; maintaining profitability; increasing revenue; facing greater uncertainty during economic down-turns, and securing financing for expansion. Now add in the issues a...
Vodacom Partners with Nokia on 5G Network
Vodacom has join forces with Nokia to enable ultra-fast 5G services for South Africans. Nokia is said to be deploying its 5G radio, core and fixed network solutions across Vodacom’s network. The telco is using Nokia’s 2G, 3G, 4G and fibre access networks, as well as 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) and mobile broadband services. Vodacom will also use Nokia’s FastMile 5G gateway to offer FWA broadband services in areas not currently served by a fibre network. The solution is expected to be easy for subscribers to install, delivering fibre-like speeds to homes while using Wi-Fi to connect devices within the home. “We are committed to providing the most innovative products and highest quality service to our subscribers. 5G technology allows us to deliver ultra-fast mobile networks and support e...
7 Cybersecurity Precautions South Africans Should Take
Cybercriminals aren’t easy to detect and present a real risk to their victims. The best way to avoid becoming a victim is to be aware of the threats they pose and take every precaution you can to keep yourself safe. According to Giuseppe Virgillito, FNB Head of Digital Banking, the remote living and working requirements of lockdown have meant that most people are communicating digitally – and criminals often use this to their advantage to gain people’s trust in order to steal sensitive information, money or both. “Fraudsters are constantly looking for new ways to get to your information,” explains Virgillito, “and if customers or businesses let down their guard as a result of physical distancing and the need to transact or operate digitally, that unfortunately presents fraudsters with anot...
INTERVIEW: Unlocking True Leadership Potential in Tech
The COVID-19 pandemic has showcased the true leadership potential of women across the world. A case in point is the strategic appointment of Gudani Mukatuni as the WesBank Motor Chief Information Officer (CIO). Her appointment in February 2020 acknowledges and is testament to her vast knowledge in the industry in defining and executing IT transformation and digital strategies. IT News Africa’s Jenna Delport chatted to Mukatuni about her appointment and her role as a leading woman in tech. Here’s what transpired: Has your recent appointment as the WesBank Motor CIO allowed you to drive digital transformation throughout the organisation? If so, How? /* custom css */ .tdi_3_c80.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_c80.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Yes – the organisation is a...
Nokia Introduces the 8.3 5G Smartphone to Kenya
HMD Global, the home of Nokia, has announced the availability of its 8.3 5G smartphones in Kenya. The Nokia 8.3 5G has been designed to support multiple and evolving 5G network deployments, with support for both standalone and non-standalone 5G combinations – which operators are rolling out around the globe. Being the first smartphone to use the Qualcomm 5G RF Front end module solution, as part of its Qualcomm Modular Platform, the Nokia 8.3 5G condenses more than 40 different RF components into a single module, making it not only a global device but also a “future-proof smartphone” which is ready for the next step in 5G. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_4f8.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_4f8.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } The device comes with a powerful PureView quad camera with...
