tech news
How Tech is Changing the Mining Industry’s Future
Sourced from Mining Weekly. The mining industry across the globe is currently undergoing a technological paradigm shift. Mines of the future will require advanced technologies and mining operators are all set to embrace the new digital technologies to gain a competitive advantage. For centuries, mining has provided us with the raw materials that have enabled us to develop our economies and build communities. Mining as an industry has been maturing over the last few decades on the back of an ever-increasing demand for resources on one side, and a need for sustainability on the other. Even though there have been challenges in the South African mining industry for several years, it still employs nearly 5% of South Africa’s employed workforce, makes a significant direct contribution to GDP, si...
Telkom Records R43 billion in Revenue, Up 3%
Image sourced from My Broadband South African network provider, Telkom has delivered a solid top-line performance in the year to 31 March 2020, with revenue increasing 3.0% to R43.0 billion, mainly driven by a 54.4% increase in mobile service revenue. The company says its performance was underpinned by capital investments of R7.8 billion within the same period. The mobile business continues to gain scale and remains the fastest-growing mobile business in South Africa. With 12 million customers, it now accounts for 35% of Telkom’s total operating revenues. “Our Group revenue performance represents how ongoing investment – particularly in mobile, IT and masts and towers – enables Telkom to grow new revenue streams and offset traditional business shrinkage,” says Telkom Group Chief Executive,...
CERN Wants to Build a New 100 Kilometre Long Super-Collider Worth $23 Billion
Sourced from CERN. The Large Hadron Collider is the world’s highest-energy particle collider at 27 kilometres in length. It is also the largest machine ever built by human hands, according to CNET. Now, the machine’s operators, the European Organization for Nuclear Research – CERN, is planning to build a second, even larger collider. This one could end up being 100km, almost four times the size, and may cost up to $23 billion to produce. The collider will be used to further study the Higgs Boson particle. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_5c5.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_5c5.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Having been further popularised due to CBS’ smash-hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Higgs Bosons are a type of particle theorized by Peter Higgs and five other scientists back in ...
Mastercard Promises 120,000 Free Uber Rides and Meals to Frontline Workers Across the MEA
As cases of COVID-19 continue to escalate, frontline workers have tirelessly continued to support, feed and protect communities. With this in mind, Mastercard has committed 120,000 free trips and meals across the Middle East and Africa, which will be facilitated through Uber. Uber is utilizing their technology and making available their wide network of drivers to ensure those who are supporting communities and the many frontline workers who need to be mobile, have a reliable and efficient way of getting around. Once qualifying workers have successfully signed up through Uber’s website, they can arrange transportation to and from their homes and to where they are needed, such as healthcare facilities or to feed the vulnerable. Uber has shared relevant health information with drivers to ensu...
6 Tips to Consider When Building a ChatBot for your Business
Sourced from UC Today. By 2022, Gartner predicts that 70% of customer interactions with businesses will involve emerging technologies such as machine learning (ML) applications, chatbots and mobile messaging. It’s as good a time as any to consider introducing chatbot functionality to your business. Chatbots are a bit like magic in that they are powerful tools in the right hands. But if they’re thrown into gaps in the business without strategic direction or the customer underpinning the foundations of their design, then they can potentially do the opposite of what the business wants. They can frustrate customers, deliver poor service and damage the brand. There are six essential elements that make up a solid and effective chatbot implementation. These six qualities will define the relevance...
Scale Computing Partners with Mustek on HCI and Edge-computing Solutions
Scale Computing and Mustek have partnered to provide hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) series, including the HC3, to customers throughout South Africa. Scale Computing is said to be Mustek’s only HCI vendor and is well placed to service Mustek’s needs throughout South Africa with its local presence. With all components built-in, including the hypervisor, Scale Computing’s HC3 customers have no need for third-party components or licensing. This all-in-one configuration simplifies management and maintenance, which helps to streamline tasks, saving time and money. This makes the technology ideal for industries that require IT infrastructure with high performance and minimal management, especially during the current uncertain circumstances around COVID-19. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_ff4.td-a-r...
New COVID-19 Contact Tracing App Designed “For Nigeria by Nigerians”
Sourced from Washington Post. Rapid Trace, a new innovative contact tracing mobile app has been developed by Cadnetwork Enterprise, burgeoning Nigerian tech firm. The app is being touted as a key in Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19. The Guardian writes that the app is designed “for Nigeria by Nigerians” and is available for free. Currently only on Android smartphones. The app offers a bevvy of features apart from contact tracing. Namely social distance enforcement, crowd control, self-testing & QR, among many more. Darlington Onyeagoro, strategy consultant at Rapid Trace, says that the mobile app was launched because technology is a common denominator in managing and mitigating the impact of the current pandemic, restoring livelihoods and tackling similar challenges in the future. “Pre...
MTN Pulse Introduces New Data Bundles for Social Media
Sourced from Business Tech MTN Pulse has announced the launch of the new MTN Pulse Daily, Weekly and Monthly Social Pass bundles, effective immediately until 16 July 2020, which sees the introduction of 1GB valid for a day for R25. The new MTN Pulse Social Pass bundles are an extension to the existing Social bundles. The network provider says that these bundles give customers on MTN Pulse access to Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and YouTube, all in one bundle. “Social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter are essential for our youth customers to remain connected. Through these attractively priced bundles, MTN is connecting its youth customers with the services that resonate with them by ensuring that they can use their favourite online pla...
Google Chrome Users May Have Been Effected by a Spying Campaign, According to Report
Sourced from Forbes. Google Chrome extensions downloaded more than 32-million times were used to spy on the popular browser’s users in a massive global surveillance campaign, according to a new report. The report, published by cybersecurity firm Awake Security, found at least 111 “malicious or fake” Chrome extensions capable of taking screenshots, stealing login credentials and capturing passwords as users typed them. This spying campaign impacted a wide range of sectors across the web including financial services, healthcare and government organizations, the firm adds. Browser extensions, such as the ones for Chrome allow users to add a myriad of new features previously unavailable to them. Extensions such as Netflix Party and Suspicious Site Reporter are examples of popular extensions. A...
5 Things to Consider When Planning a Virtual Graduation
Image sourced from University of Pittsburgh The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly thrust us into the future. Digital technologies have become more entrenched in our daily lives in the past two months than they have over the past two years. If we want to see our loved ones, we jump onto a Teams or Zoom call, if we want to engage in some retail therapy, we turn to eCommerce companies and outlets. There are very few aspects of our day-to-day lives that have not been altered in some way, shape or form by the coronavirus. When it comes to schooling, both younger learners and tertiary-level students have had to adapt to a whole new world of remote learning. Digital tools have made this process a bit easier, and have enabled students to stay on top of their game, even while learning from home. An...
Cyberpunk 2077 Delayed Again
Sourced from CD Projekt Red. Cyberpunk 2077, the highly anticipated open-world RPG from the studio that brought gamers the Witcher series, has been delayed for the second time in one year. Its new release date its set for 19 November 2020, moved from previously set date of 17 September. Developer CD Projekt Red announced the delayed release date on Twitter. An important development update pic.twitter.com/uFGrt9Tqpi — Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) June 18, 2020 /* custom css */ .tdi_3_eee.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_eee.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “Those of you who are familiar with the way we make games know that we won’t ship something which is not ready,” reads the statement. “At the same time, we are fully aware that making such decisions costs us your trust, a...
Cell C to Cut Over 900 Jobs, Almost 40% of its Workforce
Image sourced from Town Press South African network provider, Cell C has confirmed that it could retrench up to 960 employees – including junior management and semi-skilled staff – resulting in cuts of almost 40% of its workforce. “Cell C can confirm that it is has reached a difficult decision and initiated discussions with junior management and semi-skilled staff to implement a restructuring of its operations so as to align the organisation with its new operating model,” says a Cell C spokesperson. “Earlier this year, senior management positions were aligned to this revised operating model and new organisational structure. This process was completed in May and resulted in 30 positions being affected,” she said. Cell C began reevaluating its workforce in March 2020 and was said to be looki...
