Author: Gugu Lourie
by Bradley Elliott, director of digital agency Platinum Seed Artificial intelligence (AI) is commonly associated with science fiction films and some distant future scenario where the world is run by psychotic robots. However scary it may seem, we are already interacting with self-teaching technology in our everyday lives. Major corporations are increasingly turning to smart machines to make their businesses more impactful and relevant to their customers. Gaining a global competitive edge is vital to the survival of any commercial entity, especially in a world of increasing product parity. Artificial intelligence, or machine learning (the ability of a computers…
by Staff Writer South Africa’s tech firm Vox has announced that its shareholders have approved R550 million investment earmarked to enable the company to prioritise three key areas of the business. Jacques du Toit, CEO of Vox, said in a statement that the investment will be directed into extending the Vox fibre rollout through its wholly owned subsidiary Frogfoot Networks, bolster job creation and improve efficiencies through enhanced automation. “The capital injection into our operations endorses our conversion strategy. We are moving away from being just an Internet service provider (ISP) into a Telco that provides connectivity and integrated services.…
by Jannie Rossouw This article was first published last year as South Africa faced a possible downgrade by rating agencies Current developments in South Africa are reminiscent of events in 1985. In that year South Africa experienced high costs from currency depreciation and adverse political developments. At the time the country faced increasing international sanctions and isolation, while the exchange rate of the rand remained under severe pressure, recording sharp falls in the international value of the rand. South Africa’s financial stability was put under severe pressure after the infamous Rubicon speech of then State President P W Botha. Before the…
It’s common knowledge that education systems in Africa is in crisis, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranking countries on the continent near the bottom. Realising how vital education is in shaping the future of our country, two dads in Cape Town have decided to take action by developing edly: An innovative new cloud-based platform that’s aiming to raise the standards of education by lightening the load for stressed teachers. It was developed throught their company DataDIGEST, a Western Cape-based software developer. Edly is a first on the continent and DataDIGEST CEO David de Villiers says: “We’re…
by Gugu Lourie During our trip, this week to Japan for the #NissanIntelligentMobility Tour 2017, journalists from several countries from Africa, Middle East, India, and Latin America region undertook a series of engagements to get a better understanding of Nissan’s various innovations and smart solutions. Guided by the vision of mobility for all, Nissan has embarked upon a strategy to deliver a comprehensive series of innovations that will make transportation safer, smarter, and more enjoyable with the goal of achieving zero emissions and zero fatalities. Nissan is bringing many of these innovations from luxury segments to compact and high volume…
by Staff Writer Samsung is turning a phone into a personal computer (PC). The smartphone manufacturer has launched Samsung DeX, which provides an Android-based desktop-like experience. This enables users to seamlessly access apps, edit documents, browse the web, watch videos, reply to messages and more, directly from the smartphone on a larger display, keyboard, and mouse. To start working, users simply insert their Samsung smartphone into the DeX Station, which connects the smartphone to an HDMI compatible monitor and connects to any Bluetooth-enabled, USB or RF-type keyboard and mouse. The company said in a statement that Samsung DeX is designed…
by Staff Writer The Galaxy S8 is being used by Samsung to regain customer trust by redefining what’s possible in safety. The Samsung Galaxy S8 delivered new great features. Improved biometrics technologies An iris scanner, fingerprint scanner and facial recognition so users can select a secure biometric authentication method that works best for them. Personal assistant, Bixby We all love to have a personal assistant on our phones and computers, like Siri in iPhone, Assistant in Google, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Amazon’s Alexa. Samsung is introducing Bixby, which is an intelligent interface that will help users get more out of their…
by Staff Writer Samsung has announced a new Samsung Gear 360, a 4K resolution-capable 360-degree camera enabling a user to shoot video and photos in 360 degrees. What’s exciting is that the Gear 360 also offers greater compatibility with iOS devices including the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone SE, as well as Windows and Mac computers. Equipped with 8.4-megapixel image sensors and Bright Lens F2.2 on both dual fisheye lenses, the Gear 360 can create high-resolution images. It leverages Samsung’s innovative technologies and services to seamlessly share, view and edit content. Whether creating…
By Gugu Lourie Is Phuthuma Nhleko, the executive chairman of MTN Group, worth R68.2 million in total remuneration for 2016 financial year? This is a question that will be on the lips of South Africans as they realise that Nhleko was paid R30 million in salaries for 2016 financial year with a R32.2 million bonus, pushing his total remuneration as executive chairman of MTN to more than R68 million. Mind you this figure exclude his fees as a chairman of the mobile phone giant. Nhleko was paid R2.6 million retainer as a chairman, R638 000 for attending meetings, R351 000…
by Martin Hall Late in 2016 Senegal’s Banque Regionale De Marches announced the launch of the eCFA Franc; a cryptocurrency for the countries of the West African Monetary Union – Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Togo and Guinea-Bissau. This and similar innovations mark the coming of age of a new generation of applications – an Internet of Intelligent Things – that could provide a new infrastructure for economic development across Africa. The Internet of Things is a network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items. They are equipped with electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity so they…