technology news
INTERVIEW: Boosting Security on Smartphone Trading Apps
Gur Geva, CEO of iiDENTIFii The rate of banking services that are available via mobile devices is growing daily as businesses and individuals are increasingly forced to prioritise digital transformation – one such development is Shyft. To unpack the security behind this mobile forex trading solution, ITNA’s Jenna Delport chatted to Arno Von Helden, Head of Forex Solutions for Standard Bank and Gur Geva, CEO of iiDENTIFii. Here’s what transpired: Why is Shyft different from other mobile forex trading solutions? Von Helden believes Shyft is different because it offers more features than a traditional forex trading solution. “An individual can buy and sell foreign exchange 24/7. The app also effectively behaves as an offshore bank account, whereby your foreign exchange has effectively le...
MTN Group Adds 29 Million Subscribers Despite a Challenging 2020
MTN added 29 million new subscribers in 2020, to reach a total of 280 million across 21 markets. The group also reported a 52% increase in adjusted headline earnings per share, a four percentage point increase in return on equity to 17% and a more than doubling in operating cashflow to R28,3 billion. “We continued to perform favourably against our medium-term targets,” says MTN President and CEO, Ralph Mupita. “In constant currency terms, service revenue grew 11,9% to R170 billion and EBITDA increased by 13,4%, maintaining our strong operating leverage. The Group’s EBITDA margin improved by 0,9pp to 42,7%, benefiting from the execution of our expense efficiency programme.” The solid results were supported by growth in MTN’s larger operations as well as a broad-based improvement across...
Dimension Data Appoints New CEO After Grant Bodley Steps Down
Image sourced from ITWeb Dimension Data MEA has appointed Werner Kapp as the new CEO for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) – this follows the departure of Grant Bodley who has been with the company for more than 20 years. Kapp will take up his new role from 1 April 2021. “I’m thrilled to be taking on the new role of CEO and look forward to progressing our leadership position in IT services across the region,” says Kapp. “I am especially excited about our One Dimension Data operating model, as I believe it is a critical part of our differentiation in the market and a key to ensuring the work we do with our clients across the organisation drives solutions-focused thinking and delivery.” Kapp, who has also been with Dimension Data for the last 2 decades, is currently the company’s Chief O...
Microsoft Officially Lays its Edge Legacy Desktop App to Rest
Sourced from Wikimedia Microsoft has officially ended all support for its Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application – this means that it will no longer receive security updates. “Last August, we announced that Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application support would end on March 9 2021 as part of this transition to the new Microsoft Edge,” reads a blog post from Microsoft. “Today, Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application support officially ends, and it will no longer receive future security updates”. The company went on to say that the now out-of-support Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application will be removed and replaced with the new Microsoft Edge when customers apply April’s Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update (or “B” release). /* custom css */ .tdi_3_1f3.td-a-rec-...
4 Trends Expected to Reshape Mobile Gaming in 2021
Mobile gaming has come into its own over the past few years. Analysts say the gaming industry generated $85 billion in value in 2020, while an estimated 2.5 billion people play games on mobile devices. Advances in technology also mean mobile games are increasingly able to compete with the visual fidelity of their console and PC cousins. Market researchers believe there are at least 11 million gamers in South Africa and forecast strong growth due to the increasing youth population. There is a clear trend towards social and mobile gaming, with the free-to-play revenue model dominating the market. However, we are also seeing more console-like experiences emerge on mobile devices as games like Fortnite and PUBG take off among smartphone and tablet gamers. Here are four reasons to expect mobile...
Microsoft is Testing an Edge Browser on Xbox
Microsoft is testing a new Edge Chromium-powered browser on Xbox One, Xbox Series S and X consoles, reports The Verge. “Chromium browser on Xbox is a boost for those wanting to access websites through their console. Edge will also now provide access to Google’s Stadia streaming service, thanks to the improved compatibility support with Chromium.” The browser is also expected to improve compatibility with browser-based games like Skype or Discord. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_831.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_831.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } the latest Xbox Alpha skip ahead build includes the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge pic.twitter.com/C34d59UYuJ — Tom Warren (@tomwarren) March 6, 2021 Google says that it initially launched with the goal of making your favourite games...
Microsoft Joins Forces with Tech4Dev to Teach Women Coding Skills in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt
Microsoft and Tech4Dev have partnered to launch the Women Techsters Initiative in 54 countries. This programme aims to train girls and women across Africa in coding and deep tech skills, bridging the digital and technology divide and ensure equal access to opportunities across the continent. Ghada Khalifa, Regional Director of Microsoft Philanthropies MEA, was excited about the initiative being scaled to other countries on the African continent from Nigeria where the program was piloted. She says “when we empower girls and women in the ICT industry, through greater access to skills and training, we not only unlock innovation but also economic opportunities”. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_2ad.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_2ad.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } A recent report&...
Telco Vs TechCo – a Battlefield for the Future of ICT
Across the world, disruption has become a reality that is driving changes the business sectors. Included in this disruptive environment is the telecommunications industry, which is having to take account of changing technologies and the challenges these changes bring to the way the sector has traditionally done business. Under examination must be the industry’s twin roles as a primary provider of telephone services and platforms to OTT suppliers to launch their offerings to users. Internationally, experience shows that there has been an average decline in revenues per user as IT suppliers, offering focused services, have made products built around mobile and data less critical to end-users. Although some different market factors apply to the African and South African markets, we are not ex...
AstraZeneca Promises 2 Million Additional COVID-19 Vaccines to Ghana
Image sourced from TimesLIVE Ghana is expected to receive an additional two million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines by the end of May, on top of the already promised 600,000 COVID-19 vaccines from Covax – this would aid the country’s mission to vaccinate around 20 million Ghanaians. According to News Ghana, more than 300,000 people have been vaccinated since the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme started on 2 March 2021. “Those who received doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines included, health care workers, persons with underlying health conditions, essential service providers and those who were 60 years and above, as well as members of the security agencies, Executive, Legislature and Judiciary branches of government.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_abe.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_abe.td...
New eCommerce Platform to Rival Takealot Launches in South Africa
Image sourced from MyBroadband Everystore is officially South Africa’s newest eCommerce platform. The online store is owned by and brings together the brands of the JD Group (HiFi Corp, Incredible Connection, Bradlows and Russels). “With the support of our existing retail businesses we have partnered with some of South Africa’s most well-known and loved brands across a number of industries including specialist electronics & appliances, furniture, fashion, footwear and DIY to deliver true value to the South African shopper through the launch of a new online retailer,” says Everyshop. Today, the site offers more than 500 brands, in 10 main categories – entertainment, fashion, health and beauty, perfect home, work and study, projects and DIY, lifestyle and leisure, fitness, cellular,...
WhatsApp Reportedly Testing End-to-End Encrypted Chat Backup Feature
WhatsApp is working on a new password protection feature that would encrypt chat backups, reports The Verge. At the moment, chats are only end-to-end encrypted on WhatsApp – this doesn’t include the online backups stored on Google Drive and iCloud.So with the introduction of this feature, chats would only be accessible to the sender and recipient. WABetaInfo shared screenshots of what this could look like: • The chat database is already encrypted now (excluding media), but the algorithm is reversible and it’s not end-to-end encrypted. • Local Android backups will be compatible with this feature. The chat DB and media will be encrypted using a password that only you know. https://t.co/WAliLUnF18 — WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) March 8, 2021 /* custom css */ .tdi_3_4a4.td-a-rec-img{ text-al...
Growing Female Talent in the Tech Workforce
Sourced from TechCabal International Women’s Day, 8 March 2021, is a celebration of progress and recognition of work that still needs to be done to advance women in business and society. In an annual study produced by the World Bank titled “Women, Business and the Law 2021” the gender inequality amidst the global COVID-19 Pandemic is explored looking at eight key pillars. The pillars are mobility, workplace, pay, marriage, parenthood, entrepreneurship, assets and pension. The report analyses laws and regulations affecting women’s economic opportunities in 190 countries and shows promising results. Results show that despite the difficulties of the global pandemic, many economies have made gender equality a priority. The results are encouraging with every region surveyed improving its a...
