tech news
Is Africa Ready for Digital Enablement?
Sourced from Redbubble and iStock. The World Economic Forum (WEF) believes that there are five hotspots that need to be targeted by the public sector in Africa and the theme that underpins them all is… digital. Digital is the infrastructure that the public sector needs to enable skills development, innovation, connectivity, economy and data-driven insights. Digital enablement is the firelighter that can potentially ignite the public sector’s ability to engage with citizens and reshape economic growth. But, according to Sina Mvoko, Managing Executive Public Sector at BCX, it has to be implemented and approached with strategic grace rather than the blunt hammer of square solutions shoved into round holes. “Digital enablement is about just that, enabling – empowering the public sector in achi...
Why Dedicated Networks are Critical for Industrial Connectivity
With Industry 4.0, the manufacturing and logistics industries are in the midst of digital transformations to increase automation and efficiency. There is a lot to be gained with Industry 4.0, but it all begins with having the connectivity to support it. As manufacturers address modernization, automation and digitalization, dedicated networks offer a way to support multiple use cases, retain control of network resource allocation and ensure that critical data remains on-site. The process of integrating the networks of one or more manufacturing site can be triggered by a need to replace legacy networks or the increasing mobility requirements of their operations. A unified platform is required which integrates voice, data, video and IoT. Digitalization Driving Demand Industries are now ...
What to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Data Management Partner
Sourced from Shutterstock The vast array of providers and data management solutions that organisations are faced with can be daunting – from outright ownership models to a combination of ownership and subscription models to pure service provider offerings – and the market is continuously evolving. Deciding on the right data management partner can be extremely tricky, and in order to make the right choice, there are a number of important considerations for organisations to consider before making a commitment. At the same time, partners are also struggling to choose the right vendor, based on the sheer volume of offerings in the market. The landscape was much less complex five years ago, when most partners had their preferred vendor, worked quite closely with them and it was fairly easy to p...
What Preinstalled Adware Means for Mobile Users
Following analysis of attacks on mobile devices, cybersecurity researchers at Kaspersky have uncovered that 14.8% of its users who were targeted by malware or adware in 2019 suffered a system partition infection, making the malicious files undeletable. Moreover, pre-installed default applications also play a role here: depending on the brand, the risk of undeletable applications varies from one to five per cent in low-cost devices and goes up to 27% in extreme cases. A system partition infection entails a high level of risk for the users of infected devices, as a security solution cannot access the system directories meaning it cannot remove the malicious files. According to Kaspersky researchers, this type of infection is becoming a more common way to install adware – software creat...
Samsung May Not Include Chargers When Shipping New Smartphones
Sourced from Shutterstock Samsung might not include chargers alongside new smartphones as soon as next year, according to reports from ETNews. ETNews writes that a number of industry officials believe that “Samsung Electronics is already discussing how to remove the charger from smartphone components with related companies.” Rumours behind the claim say that Samsung’s chargers – a standard component that’s included when purchasing a new smartphone – have become so widespread and the company is now looking at ways to reduce the cost of their devices. Not including a charger in the box might seem like a drastic move, but Samsung is reportedly not the only tech giant considering this. Last week, reports suggested that Apple would also be ditching the charger as well as its Earpods. Apple...
3 Things You Should Do if You Suspect Infected Apps On Your Android Device
Sourced from Forbes A new variant of the Joker Dropper and Premium Dialer spyware has been discovered in the Google Play Store, according to researchers at Check Point. Joker, one of the most prominent types of malware for Android, keeps finding its way into Google’s official application market as a result of small changes to its code, which enables it to get past the Play store’s security and vetting barriers. This time, however, researchers report that the malicious actor behind Joker adopted an old technique from the conventional PC threat landscape and used it in the mobile app world to avoid detection by Google. To realize the ability of subscribing app users to premium services without their knowledge or consent, the Joker utilized two main components – the Notification Listener serv...
South Africa’s eCommerce Market to Reach $3.5 Billion in 2020, says Researchers
eCommerce has broken barriers as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdown restrictions. Statista believes that the South African market will reach just over R62 billion this year, and show a compounded annual growth rate of 10% for the next four years. User penetration will be 37% this year and is expected to hit almost 51% by 2024. And even given the devasting impact of the national lockdown restrictions, which meant that online shoppers could order only “essential” items, 22% of a thousand South African adults surveyed in late April by Ipsos said they were using online shopping more frequently than in the month before, with 65% shopping less at a supermarket according to Nielsen figures released in early May. eCommerce and Consumer Trust “We’re seeing more and more people real...
Google and Telkom Launch Balloon-Powered Internet Service in Kenya
Image sourced from MIT Technology Review Google’s Loon Project and Telkom Kenya have announced that it’s balloon-powered mobile Internet service is now available and covers more than 50,000 sq.km of the country with a fleet of 35 balloons – specific areas include Iten, Eldoret, Baringo, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Bomet, Kericho and Narok. According to the companies, this is the first balloon-powered internet to launch in Africa and the first non-emergency commercial deployment in the world. The Loon service will work by beaming Internet connectivity from ground stations to balloons 20 km overhead. The balloons (floating base stations) are linked to the ground stations that have been connected to Telkom’s network. These ground stations utilise millimeter wave spectrum to send connecti...
Why Senior Citizens Should Choose Online Banking
While citizens are encouraged to remain indoors and work from their homes as a result of COVID-19, research around the world also highlights that senior citizens are among the most vulnerable to the pandemic. This is one of the compelling reasons for senior citizens to consider efficient ways of banking to minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19. The adoption of digital banking channels over this period empowers consumers of all ages with tools to easily manage their money from anywhere and at any time; allowing them to protect their health at the same time. “As a bank for all, we continue to scale our efforts in educating our customers on the ease and safety of using our digital platforms. To those customers over the age of 55, we want to emphasise the endless benefits such as cost-savi...
WHO Partners with Facebook to Provide Data-Free COVID-19 Info
The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with Facebook and South African based Praekelt.org to provide data-free information on the COVID-19 pandemic to vulnerable communities across the globe. This is said to add a vital element to the organisation’s work to fight misinformation – and ensure everyone has access to accurate health information and resources on COVID-19. In announcing this partnership, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Through this collaboration, we will reach some of the most vulnerable people who will be able to access lifesaving health information without any data charges in more than 50 countries”. The collaboration makes use of Free Basics and Discover by Facebook which provides people with access to useful services on their mobile phon...
Canon Unveils Two Mirrorless Cameras – the EOS R5 and EOS R6
Canon has added two advanced full-frame mirrorless camera additions to its EOS R System range – the EOS R5 and EOS R6. The pro-level EOS R5 delivers 45-megapixel stills at up to 20fps and is the first full-frame mirrorless ever to record 8K RAW up to 29.97fps internally and 4K to 120p. The EOS R6 is perfect for enthusiasts and professionals moving to mirrorless and looking for greater capabilities, capturing 20.1-megapixel stills at 20fps, stunning 4K video up to 60p and Full HD at up to 120p. Redefining professional mirrorless Next-generation CMOS sensor technology combined with high-performance RF lenses enable users to capture new levels of detail at industry-leading speeds. EOS R5 and EOS R6 can shoot with the electronic shutter in complete silence with full auto exposure (...
Mastercard and FASTA Launch South Africa’s First Virtual Credit Card
Mastercard has teamed up with FASTA – a digital lending fintech – to launch the FASTACard, South Africa’s first virtual credit card. The FASTACard – backed by Standard Bank and Tutuka – is said to give locals access to instant credit which is loaded onto a secure digital card that can be used online and in-store. This virtual card will help to meet the demand of today’s cash-strapped consumers who are increasingly seeking ‘no contact’ digital payment solutions in the wake of the pandemic. South Africans who choose to apply can select their own credit limit – up to R8,000 – and repayment plan – with up to three instalments paid over four months. Within minutes, the loan application is approved and customers are sent a virtual card which is valid for three years. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_070....
