Top Stories
Vodacom Introduces Data Bundles for the Google Play Store
Vodacom and Google have introduced new Play Store data bundles that will allow customers to browse, download and update their favourite apps, without the anxiety of additional data costs. This collaboration is said to make Vodacom the world’s first mobile network operator to implement such a service. “Vodacom prides itself on being a leading digital telco that strives to offer innovative services, solutions and continuous value for all our customers. We’re extremely proud to be the first telco in the world to offer Google Play Store bundles, enabling our customers to connect to the apps they love on the Google Play Store on the Vodacom network,” says Zunaid Mahomed, Vodacom’s Group Digital and Fixed Officer. “As we continue our pricing transformation journey, we have set our sights on redu...
Microsoft Unveils Two New Surface Devices in South Africa
Microsoft has introduced its newest additions to the Surface range – the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 – for both commercial and consumer customers. The devices will be available for consumers in retail from Incredible Connection stores and Vodacom from 29 July. The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are said to continue the brand’s tradition of best-in-class productivity, security, mobility and speed, and introduce new processors and modern connectivity options in a world of remote work and learning. “Rapid and continuous change define modern living and working – and the shift to remote working and education requires the right tools to stay productive and connected securely,” says Vithesh Reddy, Consumer and Channel Marketing Director at Microsoft South Africa. “Microsoft’s Sur...
Numerous High-profile Accounts were Hacked on Twitter
Image sourced from Mission Statement Academy Twitter fell victim to a major hack that saw verified high-profile accounts – belonging to the likes of Elon Musk, Bill Gates, former US President Barack Obama, Jeff Bezos and Apple, amongst others – taken over. Hackers used these accounts to promote a bitcoin scam where users were urged to send $1000 worth of the crypto to a specific account that was listed in the tweet, they would then receive double their payment in return. Image sourced from The Hacker News The unprecedented attack is ‘one of the most widespread and confounding hacks the platform has ever seen’, according to The Verge. Twitter has since confirmed that they are working on the issue and have “locked accounts that were compromised and will restore access to the original account...
Syinix Launches Kenya’s 1st Android TV
Electronics company, Syinix has officially launched a new range of Android TVs in Kenya – marking the first time this kind of technology has entered the local market. Dubbed the Syinix A20 series, these TVs come as 32”, 43”, 50” and 55” screens with prices relative to the sizing. The A20 TVs are Syinix’s first truly frameless screens with a screen to body ratio of 96%. Syinix says that this range offers breathtaking quality with the HDR (High Dynamic Range) advanced image processing technology, that can let users see richer and more realistic colours. The other goal of the HDR is to maintain as much of the original image quality as possible, all the way through to the living room. The new Android TVs are also compatible with Google Assistant, which means users can quickly find and play the...
Showmax Pro Rolls Out to 40 New Countries Across Africa
Showmax has launched its new service – Showmax Pro – across 40 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa, after initially rolling out in Nigeria and Kenya. Showmax Pro will bundle the existing Showmax entertainment service with music channels, news and live sport streaming from SuperSport. It features all Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and PSL games, as well as a wide range of other live sport events. Here’s a closer look at Showmax Pro’s offerings: Showmax Showmax Pro Showmax Showmax Mobile Showmax Pro Showmax Pro Mobile Series, movies, kids’ shows, documentaries ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ IAAF Athletics, pro boxing, major international marathons, & more – – ✓ ✓ Music channels Trace Urban, Trace Gospel – – ✓ ✓ News channels Africa News, Euronews, Newzroom Afrika – – ✓ ✓ Football: all Premier League...
UK Bans Huawei 5G Technology
Sourced from Getty Images. The UK government has decided to ban local mobile network providers from buying or using new Huawei 5G equipment. According to the BBC, Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden this ban would delay the UK’s 5G rollout by a year. “This has not been an easy decision, but it is the right one for the UK telecoms networks, for our national security and our economy, both now and indeed in the long run,” he added. This decision comes after the UK’s national intelligence agency (GCHQ) flagged new security fears over the Chinese technology company. A report from the GCHQ is said to rule that new US sanctions on Huawei have had a ‘serve’ impact and will force the company to use untrusted technology that could make the risk impossible to control. UK to Phase Out ...
How to Sell Technology Solutions to the C-Suite
Technology is transforming industries on a global scale — with the COVID-19 pandemic proving just how critical a solid IT strategy really is for business sustainability. C-level executives who weren’t prepared for digital transformation have been left playing catch up, which means there has never been a better time to sell IT solutions to them. And while it may seem easier than ever to reach decision-makers, the truth is that many of them employ seasoned gatekeepers and are inundated with technical sales calls. This means gaining access to the C-Suite has become an extremely difficult task for sales executives. So when it comes to selling to CEO’s, CIO’s or CTO’s — the rules have changed; and to be a successful Sales VP, Sales Manager or Sales Executive, you have to adapt your approa...
Facebook Selects 12 Africans to Join its Community Accelerator Programme
Facebook has announced that 12 African community leaders have been selected to join the Community Accelerator, a six-month programme that aims to equip communities with the training, mentorship and funding they need to grow. As part of the global Facebook Community Leadership initiative launched in 2018, the Community Accelerator programme invests in leaders who are building communities around the world; including bringing people together, offering encouragement, and driving change. Awarding up to $3 million, selected community leaders will receive up to $30,000 in funding. In the first three months of the programme, these leaders will learn from experts and coaches, whilst developing customized curriculums focused on growing their own communities. The following three months will then be f...
Mastercard Foundation Partners with USIU-Africa to Expand Higher Education Access in Africa
Sourced from PYMNTS USIU-Africa and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to enable 1,000 high-performing students to receive a quality education and leadership development over the next 10 years under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme. The partnership provides scholarships for high potential students facing financial, gender, displacement or disability constraints. At least 70 per cent of the young people who benefit from the partnership will be young women, while 25 per cent will be displaced or refugee youth and at least 10 per cent will be young people living with disabilities. With this USD 63.2 million partnership, USIU-Africa joins the foundation’s expanding global network of partners committed to developing a generation of African leaders who will use their knowledge ...
Cell C Introduces New 30-Day Data-Bundles
Image sourced from Town Press Cell C has dropped the price for its 30-Day data bundles and has introduced new bundles too. This new range of options from as low as R5 for 15MB to R95 for 1GB in anytime data plus 1GB nite data. The South African telecom provider also notes that customers stand to gain an extra 1GB of anytime data when they purchase the R95 bundle from the Cell C App resulting in a total of 3GB worth of data. The new pricing structure can be seen below: PRICE DATA NITE DATA R10 40MB R15 80MB R35 150MB R49 325MB R80 800MB R95 1GB 1GB “At this time it is more vital than ever that South Africans are able to stay connected with one another,” says Cell C’s COO, Simo Mkhize. “As a consumer-centric organisation, Cell C has always had the needs of its customers at the forefront of o...
vivo V19 Smartphone Officially Available in Kenya
vivo has announced that its V19 smartphone would be officially available in Kenya – after initially launching the device in June and then pushing back the release. The V19 – vivo’s first-ever Dual Punch Hole Camera phone – will retail for Kshs 40,999 and come in either Gleam Black or Sleek Silver. “Having the device available in the market will now have Kenyans access our products at their convenience, which is in line with our vision of providing every Kenyan with affordable yet sophisticated devices with a great experience,” says CEO of vivo Kenya, Arthur Xian. The vivo V19 comes with an Ultra O Screen design with an in-display fingerprint sensor under the AMOLED screen of the phone. It sports a dual front camera which comprises of a 32MP main camera and an 8MP super wide-angle while the...
Vuma Expands ‘Free Fibre to Schools’ Programme in South Africa
Vuma has officially launched its Fibre to Schools programme in Limpopo, South Africa. As part of the initiative, primary and high schools located along Vuma’s existing fibre deployment route in Polokwane are provided with a free 1Gbps fibre line. Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos in Bendor has already benefited from the initiative, along with Adsum Academy, which received its fibre installations and connection with Capricom. Vuma says that it plans to connect more schools in the coming months. The launch follows the recent arrival of Vuma fibre-to-the-home services in Polokwane, with fibre connections already active in Bendor, Welgelegen, Fauna Park, Flora Park, Sterpark and Annadale with more areas to be added soon. “Fast fibre Internet is the key to ensuring uninterrupted, efficient e-learning e...
