Company News
Apple Announces 5G iPhone Launch Date
Apple has revealed that its newest iPhones will debut at a product launch event on 13 October. The company is expected to showcase “four redesigned iPhones with 5G wireless capability, upgraded cameras, faster processors and a wider range of screen sizes”, according to Bloomberg. The lastest devices were notably absent from the tech company’s annual product launch in September – leaving many wondering if we were to see a new iPhone at all this year. But now it seems that the October launch could allow Apple to avoid a gap between the event and handsets reaching store shelves – as the iPhone maker will have more stores reopened by that point, according to Jon Prosser, a reliable Apple insider. Apple Might Ditch the Charger and EarPods When Shipping 5G iPhones Apple may no longer include a p...
Google Rebrands G Suite as Google Workspace
Google has officially unveiled the redesign of its collection of office apps as Google Workspace – formerly known as G Suite. Google Workspace is expected to still include Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and more. “Whether you’re returning to the office, working from home, on the frontlines with your mobile device, or connecting with customers, Google Workspace is the best way to create, communicate, and collaborate,” reads an official blog post from the tech company. [embedded content] With Google Workspace, Google is introducing three major developments: new, deeply integrated user experience that helps teams collaborate more effectively, frontline workers stay connected, and businesses power new digital customer experiences a new brand identity that reflect...
Showmax Introduces 5 New Livestream Channels in Kenya
Showmax has announced the availability of five new live-streaming channels in Kenya. These local offerings include K24, KBC, KTN Home, KTN News and NTV. “With the addition of these live channels, Showmax offers Kenyans a one-stop streaming destination featuring the best of international and Kenyan shows, movies and kids’ shows, the world’s best sport from SuperSport on our Pro plan and now, live streams of Kenya’s biggest channels,” says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of Connected Video at Multichoice. “We’re constantly working on new ways to improve the Showmax experience for our subscribers. Whether it’s M-Pesa payments or daily episodes of Maisha Magic favourites like Selina, Kina and Kovu as well as weekly episodes of Sol Family and Hullabaloo Estate, our local-first approach keeps our Kenyan subs...
Uber to Crack Down on Mask Wearing in South Africa
Sourced from CNet. Uber South Africa has launched its Mask Verification tool in an attempt to ensure all passengers wear a mask when taking a ride. Passengers may be required to take a selfie while the mask verification tool ‘detects whether a mask is within the frame of the portrait and allows access to Uber if this is the case,’ reports MyBroadBand. “Masks are mandatory for riders and drivers, and both of you can leave feedback if the other isn’t wearing one,” reads an email from Uber to its South African users. “If we receive feedback about anyone consistently violating our mask policy, they will be blocked from the Uber app.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_f66.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_f66.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Uber Cash Digital Wallet Launched in Sub-Saharan A...
Mukuru Adds Sign-Up Feature to WhatsApp
Mukuru has upgraded its app and added a new self sign-up feature to its WhatsApp offering. The new app – available on Android and IOS – will allow users to send money to 12 countries including Botswana, Bangladesh, DR Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Both channels are expected to enable customers to sign-up and conduct important transactions from home. “Our customers have been asking for a Mukuru App, and we have made sure to develop and present a solution that empowers our customers to send money back home to their families in an even safer and more convenient way. Mukuru has always given its customers the ability to transact when and wherever they need to through our existing USSD and WhatsApp offerings – the Mukuru App adds a ri...
Unpacking Intelligent Infrastructure in the Modern Data Centre
As the world’s largest IT companies realise the importance of ‘intelligent infrastructure’ in the modern data centre, the race is on between storage competitors to provide products and solutions that are actually truly intelligent, and not merely standard infrastructure. So says Marcel Fouché, Networking and Storage General Manager at value-added distributor Networks Unlimited Africa, which partners in South Africa with Tintri, a provider of intelligent infrastructure for virtualised and non-virtualised enterprise IT environments. He clarifies, “In order to get to grips with this challenging issue, Tintri recently held a free webcast to unpack the differences between intelligent and standard infrastructure, looking at the topic from the perspectives of the customer, the vendor and th...
LexisNexis Tournament Sparks Learner Interest in Coding
More than 400 learners from over 80 schools across the country participated in a virtual tournament held from 19 to 26 September 2020 which used gamification to introduce them to basic coding concepts and social issues such as ocean conservation. Professor Jean Greyling, associate professor in Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University, said the BOATS tournament was a partnership between the university’s Department of Computing Science, legal technology company LexisNexis South Africa and non-profit organisation, Leva Foundation, which empowers previously disadvantaged youth by providing employable skills development. “During the tournament, learners logged in from home to access the BOATS Android mobile coding app. They were taken through multiple-choice questions that edu...
Canal+ Acquires 6.5% Stake in MultiChoice
Image sourced from The Vanguard Nigeria MultiChoice has revealed that Groupe Canal+ SA – a French media company – has acquired 6.5% of Group’s ordinary shares. The African entertainment company emphasised that Canal+ would have to accept reduced voting rights of shares as it’s a foreign entity. “Shareholders should take note that, pursuant to a provision of the MultiChoice memorandum of incorporation, MultiChoice is permitted to reduce the voting rights of shares in MultiChoice (including MultiChoice shares deposited in terms of the American Depositary Share (“ADS”) facility) so that the aggregate voting power of MultiChoice shares that are presumptively owned or held by foreigners to South Africa (as envisaged in the MultiChoice memorandum of incorporation) will not exceed 20% of the tota...
Ethiopian Airlines Could Supply SAA with Planes and Pilots
Image sourced from News 24 Ethiopian Airlines has offered to supply South African Airways with planes, pilots and maintenance services as part of a new venture with the South African government, reports Bloomberg. Ethiopian Airlines CEO, Tewolde Gebre Marium says that they’re looking at providing operational assistance and aren’t interested in “helping with debt repayments or the cost of reducing the workforce”. “We don’t want to deal with the legacy issues — the debt, labour claims and so on because that is very difficult for us not only in terms of financial outlay but also in terms of managing the restructuring,” says Gebre Marium. “We want to make it very easy for them to start the airline by providing aeroplanes, by providing expertise, pilots, technicians, leadership.” SAA, which has...
T-Systems and Fortinet to Launch Cyber Security Academy in South Africa
T-Systems and Fortinet have teamed up to launch a Cyber Security Academy that’s accessible to local South African youth. The new Academy is expected to include Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) certifications, helping participants build cybersecurity awareness skills and ultimately tackle the global cybersecurity workforce shortage. “Cybersecurity has become a top C-level priority across the globe with skills in high demand. With the addition of this focus to our ICT Academy, we are empowering participants with new skills that will make them even more employable,” explains Marcus Karuppan, ICT Academy Manager at T-Systems South Africa. “T-Systems has been a Fortinet partner for many years. Building on our relationship, we are now collaborating with them to focus on cybersecurity ski...
Microsoft Outlook Down Worldwide
Sourced from Wikimedia Microsoft’s Outlook has suffered a global outage impacting web, desktop, and mobile email services. According to The Verge, the disruption began at 2AM ET and ‘users are currently unable to access their email, and Outlook.com is failing to load’. Microsoft has since confirmed the outage, saying that it is currently investigating the issue. “We’ve received reports of users experiencing issues accessing their Exchange Online accounts via Outlook on the Web,” reads an official tweet. “We’ve collected additional data from the affected infrastructures to determine impact to our Exchange online protocols.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_551.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_551.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “Additionally, we’ve identified this issue to be affectin...
FNB Introduces QR Code Payments to all Speedpoint Devices
Sourced from Htxt.Africa FNB has revealed that shoppers across South Africa will now be able to make QR code payments at all standalone sale terminals. The bank says that this forms part of the ongoing expansion of its payments ecosystem and integrated App-based QR code, aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital payment solutions in the country. FNB Merchant Services CEO, Thokozani Dlamini says given the challenges we are currently facing globally due to the COVID -19 pandemic, it was essential that FNB fast-track the rollout of QR code payments for enhanced convenience and safety. “Added to the cost-effective, convenient and efficient payment process of contactless payments, both consumers and merchants will have peace of mind from a safety perspective, as physical contact will be lim...
