Top Stories
4 Digital Payment Trends to Watch in 2021
For many businesses that had previously relied on selling their products or services in person, accepting online payments has been a significant step in digitising their offering to the local market. As eCommerce adoption rates continue to soar in 2021, digital payment solutions will need to keep pace to ensure that customers continue to shop online. Jonathan Smit, Managing Director and Founder of PayFast, predicts that 2021 will continue to see an uptake in eCommerce use and digital payments in the following four ways: Contactless continued – contactless payments have become widely accepted. Whether it be by smartphone, card or wearable device – tap-and-go has become a convenient staple for South African shoppers. Additionally, many are still wary of the COVID-19 virus spreading through s...
FNB Launches Virtual Card Service
FNB has launched its virtual card service to all individual and business customers. The Virtual Card is accessible via the FNB App and the RMB Private Banking apps. With this service, customers no longer need to rely on a physical card at merchants that have Tap-to-Pay functionality as they can either use an Android smart device or an Apple device where the merchant accepts QR Code payments. “Customers can immediately load the Virtual Card on their FNB and/or RMB Private Bank profile and link it to a debit, credit or fusion account at no additional cost to shop safely and conveniently,” says FNB. These customers are also able to create multiple virtual cards for dedicated transactions at no extra cost. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_166.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_166.td-a-rec-img img...
Showmax Partners with MTN Nigeria to Launch Mobile Data Deal
Showmax and MTN Nigeria have teamed up to launch a special data deal for mobile subscribers. The deal that includes the monthly subscription and 2.5GB data – enough to stream 25 hours’ worth of movies, sports, series, kids’ shows and more. A Showmax Mobile subscription gives access to the full Showmax catalogue on a data-enabled mobile device and is available for N1250, including MTN data. Sports fans can get Showmax Pro Mobile and MTN data for N2100. Showmax Pro features all Premier League, Serie A and La Liga matches plus a wide range of live sport from SuperSport including pro boxing, international marathons and IAAF athletics on top of the full Showmax entertainment catalogue. “Keeping up with our digitally savvy, always-on-the-go customers is an exciting challenge that is made easier ...
Alphabet is Closing Down the Loon Project
Image sourced from MIT Technology Review Alphabet is shutting down its balloon-powered mobile Internet service, Loon. The project’s main objective was to bring abundant, affordable Internet access to unconnected communities around the world. “When we unveiled Loon in June 2013, we meant everything in its name. It was a way-out-there and risky venture,” says Astro Teller, X lead. “Sadly, despite the team’s groundbreaking technical achievements over the last 9 years — doing many things previously thought impossible — the road to commercial viability has proven much longer and riskier than hoped. So we’ve made the difficult decision to close down Loon. In the coming months, we’ll begin winding down operations and it will no longer be an Other Bet within Alphabet.” Teller goes on to say that m...
WhatsApp is Behind the “Largest Digital Migration in History”, says Telegram Founder
Facebook’s recent attempt to update WhatsApp’s privacy policy has left many users concerned and searching for a more ‘secure’ messaging platform, like Telegram. This move has sparked what Telegram founder, Pavel Durov, says is “the largest digital migration in human history” after the platform saw a massive increase in active users. In a recent statement, Durov revealed that a number of political leaders and numerous public organizations, rely on Telegram to combat misinformation and spread awareness about important issues in their societies. He goes on to say that “unlike other networks, Telegram doesn’t use nontransparent algorithms to decide whether a subscriber will see content they subscribed to or not. As a result, Telegram channels are the o...
Showmax Introduces 2 New Pop-up Channels
Showmax subscribers in South Africa are now able to live stream kykNET and Mzansi Magic 24/7 with the launch of two pop-up channels. “We’re always looking at ways of making the Showmax experience better for our customers,” says MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment and Connected Video, Yolisa Phahle. “During last year’s lockdown, we gave subscribers access to live news channels. Now, following this month’s Presidential address, South Africans will continue to spend more time at home, and so, once again, we’d like to make sure our customers have something extra.” The Mzansi Magic live stream is available exclusively in South Africa while kykNET is also available in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_0ee.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_0ee.td-a-...
Why Data is Key in the Era of 5G
Convergence is nothing new, however as technology evolves this is being taken to unprecedented levels. The cloud, the endpoint, the edge and now 5G are converging and changing the way we collaborate, connect and communicate. However, for telcos and operators, adapting to a 5G world can be a challenge. Not only does it involve new infrastructure, but it also means adapting business models, embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and potentially developing entirely new revenue streams. At the heart of the ability to leverage 5G effectively lies data, which must be portable, protected and above all available for analysis. Data is the key to unlocking the value of 5G for operators. The 5G opportunity /* custom css */ .tdi_3_90d.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_9...
Samsung Unveils the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra
Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S21 range of smartphones – the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra – at the Unpacked 2021 event. “We are living in a mobile-first world, and with so many of us working remotely and spending more time at home, we wanted to deliver a smartphone experience that meets the rigorous multimedia demands of our continuously changing routines,” says TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “We also recognize the importance of choice, especially now, and that’s why the Galaxy S21 series gives you the freedom to choose the best device for your style and needs.” The new flagship series debuts an iconic design, epic pro-grade camera for users of any skill level and the most advanced processor ever in a Galaxy device. Here’s a closer look a...
Samsung Introduces the Galaxy Buds Pro
Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy Buds Pro. The tech giant unveiled the next-generation earbuds at its annual Galaxy Unpacked January 2021 event. According to Samsung, the earbuds feature immersive sound, exceptional call quality, intelligent ANC and enhanced connectivity across your devices – all packed into a modern and sleek design. “As people look for technology that can help them adapt to new routines and lifestyles, the market for a truly wireless earbud has expanded substantially, and consumer expectations have risen,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “With Galaxy Buds Pro, we’re making a big statement with a small device, offering users a one-of-a-kind audio experience that makes even everyday tasks truly epic.” /* custom css ...
Telegram Reaches 500 Million User Milestone
Image sourced from The Independent Telegram has officially surpassed 500 million users – this comes after more than 25 million people downloaded the platform in the last 72 hours. “Twenty-five million users have joined Telegram in the last 72 hours. 38% of them are from Asia, 27% from Europe, 21% from Latin America, and 8% from MENA,” says Telegram Founder, Pavel Durov. The rise in demand is attributed to Facebook’s recent move to update WhatsApp’s terms of service and privacy policy – leaving many WhatsApp users concerned and searching for a more secure messaging platform, like Telegram. “People no longer want to exchange their privacy for free services. They no longer want to be held hostage by tech monopolies that seem to think they can get away with anything as long as their apps have ...
LG Joins Forces with Google to Support Stadia on Smart TVs
LG and Google have partnered to bring Stadia to the latest webOS smart TVs in 2021. After Stadia comes to Google TV, LG will be the first TV manufacturer to natively support Stadia gameplay via webOS. Stadia on LG TVs will allow customers to instantly play hit Stadia games such as Cyberpunk 2077, NBA 2K21, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and Watch Dogs: Legion with just a Stadia controller and no additional hardware or game downloads required. LG plans to have the new service launched within the second half of 2021 on LG Smart TVs as a downloadable app from the LG Content Store in countries where Stadia is available. Stadia already offers more than 130 games with more being added regularly. Games can be purchased individually or gamers can claim a regular cadence of games to be played for free ...
