Author: Gugu Lourie
by Staff Writer After thirty-two years since the first world domain name .com was launched, Africa still has no domain name. But finally, Africa has a chance to introduce in four months’ time its own domain name — dotAfrica (.africa), a generic Top Level Domain (gLTD). The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names & Numbers (ICANN) has approved the launch plan and dates for dotAfrica, Lucky Masilela, the CEO of dotAfrica gTLD (generic Top Level Domain) administrator ZACR (ZA Central Registry), announced on Tuesday. ICANN is the US non-profit tasked with maintaining the efficient functioning of the worldwide web. From…
by Antonis Michalas A battle between national security and privacy is brewing. Governments and secret services are asking encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp to allow them access to users’ data. Most recently, in the wake of the March attack at Westminster, Amber Rudd, the UK home secretary, said it was unacceptable that the government couldn’t read the encrypted messages of suspected terrorists. The main argument behind this request is that access to messages will allow authorities to thwart future terror attacks. On the other hand, there are many ordinary people who use messaging apps for daily communication and this request…
by Staff Writer After 2016 financial year that could be described as a financial and PR disaster due to the recalling of millions of Galaxy Note 7, Samsung is trying to pick up the pieces against its main rival Apple to build a best, premium smartphone. The Galaxy Note 7 was recalled after the batteries on the phones catches fire and exploded. The phones were also banned by various airlines. The South Korean-based smartphone giant is seeking to regain lost ground and on Wednesday is set to reveal its new and much awaited Galaxy S8. “This is a phone. Silence…
By Gugu Lourie Electric vehicle enthusiasts and owners in South Africa will be thrilled to hear that Nissan is testing a solution to use its electric car, the Leaf, to provide power for household needs. South Africa does not have a reliable electricity supply to households and business owners. In 2008, the country’s power utility Eskom unintentionally started rolling blackouts that plunged the country into darkness. The economy stumbled, and households and business owners were forced to invest into alternatives source of energy such as solar systems and generators. In 2015, Eskom suffered its worst power outage and sometimes they…
by Staff Writer South Africa’s classroom of the future may adopt new methods to learning such as gamification that will help teachers challenge, inspire and engage their students. The classroom of the future aims to bring about widespread digital transformation in schools, harnessing technology that fosters collaboration and the sharing of ideas to provide children and young people with the relevant skills they will need in an ever-changing world. Microsoft South Africa in partnership with the Cape Town Science Centre has unveiled the Microsoft Classroom of the Future, an exhibition that showcases the latest educational tools available to teachers today.…
by David Glance Estonia is a small country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe with a population of 1.3 million and a GDP of US $23 billion, roughly 10% of Apple’s annual earnings. Since its independence from Russia in 1991, Estonia has been rapidly implementing a digital economy. It established online voting in 2007, has provided many government services online, has medical records and prescriptions online and has a fibre broadband network that gives it average speeds similar to those of Korea. Perhaps the most radical move by the Estonian Government was to introduce an e-Residency program in 2014 which…
by Gugu Lourie This week we selected three cool tech gadgets, if we can afford them will be wearing and driving them. We believe these gadgets are awesome. Samsung’s Latest Gear S3 Concept Samsung Electronics is showcasing its concept smartwatches at the mecca of watch enthusiasts at Baselworld 2017. Inspired by the art of watchmaking, the Gear S3 combines the meticulous details and premium design elements found on a traditional watch with the smart technology innovations demanded in a smartwatch. The user benefits match the quality design – from water resistance and military-level durability, to a built-in speaker for calls,…
by Brett Parker, MD at SAP Africa at SAP You may have heard about the sword of Damocles, hanging above its target by a single hair. It’s a metaphor often used to describe impending doom, yet this is not the actual meaning. The story goes that a servant was taken by all of a king’s wealth and wanted to partake in that luxury. The king offered the servant supper on his throne, but with a sword hanging above him held by a single strand. Afterwards he asked the servant if he enjoyed the meal, but the servant was too worried…
by Staff Writer The new era has begun. That is the key message of the new BMW film released today. For the first time, the film “A NEW ERA” shows all four BMW Group Vision Vehicles side by side. One year after the company’s centenary, the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles is revisiting its “THE NEXT 100 YEARS” campaign. “A NEW ERA” is the second film that showcases the BMW Group at a corporate level with its strong brands, BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad. Showing the four Vision Vehicles together for the first time, the online…
by Janette Stewart, principal at Analsys Mason “The fast pace of NB-IoT standardisation during 2016 suggests there is demand for its commercial deployment.” Standardisation of “narrowband IoT” (NB-IoT) occurred rapidly during 2016, and major mobile operators such as Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone are planning wide-scale roll-out. This article discusses the spectrum options for NB-IoT and their commercial implications. Noting that there are three options for deployment – namely in-band deployment alongside LTE traffic, ‘guard-band’ deployment at the edges of existing LTE carriers, and use of separately assigned spectrum – the article discusses the trade-offs involved and the factors determining the…
by Staff Writer South Africa’s biggest mobile phone operator Vodacom announced on Thursday it has expanded its range of accessible smartphones for specific needs customers through the launch of the Alcatel 2008G. The mobile phone operator said the device is designed to make it easier and more suitable for customers who want an affordable smartphone to use predominately for messaging and voice calls. Specifically, its 2.4 inch display screen and large keyboard makes it ideally suited to the needs of senior citizens who might prefer an easy-to-use phone. The phone boasts a stylish and compact design for comfortable grip. Other features include: ▪ Emergency button – this…
by Staff Writer Flying vehicles may just be a part of Singapore’s transport network in the near future, says Singapore’s Ministry of Transport. The ministry’s top official are in talks with some companies to start trials on drones that can carry passengers, according to The Business Times. Pang Kin Keong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said that it may thus be possible to ride in a driverless pod to work, cycle to the gym after work, and then take an aerial taxi home. “There is going to be a significant shift in the public mindset from one of ownership of transport…
by David Glance The US Government has thrown the world of travel into chaos again by banning tablets, laptops and other electronic devices from cabins of planes originating in 8 African and Middle Eastern countries (Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates). These devices will have to be packed in checked-in luggage. The US transportation safety administration (TSA) has stated and other security officials have said that the move is in response to intelligence indicating that the group ISIS is developing the capability of targeting aircraft with explosives hidden in batteries in electronic devices. There has been…
by Staff Writer New Telco SA said on Thursday that its carrier neutral Midrand data centre has been selected by Internet service and premier fibre provider, XDSL, as a Point of Presence on their rapidly expanding network. The data centre provides XDSL with the ideal platform to further extend their reach into the rapidly booming Midrand area, while enabling them to interconnect with multiple network operators and other service providers. “Midrand is a fast-growing economic hub, with an increasing demand for fibre, data and Internet services,” says Eckart Zollner, head of business development at New Telco SA. “Through our Midrand…
By Staff Writer BMW is investing a further R400 million in South Africa to build a new regional distribution centre at the Waterfall Distribution Campus in March 2017 and revamp its headquarters. The investment project will be multi-phased. It will also expand its Midrand Headquarters over the next two years. The car maker said in a statement that this customised warehouse will double in size and further refine the service to customers of the BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad brands not only in South Africa, but also to tap into the growth potential of Sub-Saharan Africa. It added that relocation of parts…
by Adrian Schofield The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy White Paper, which was released last October by the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), is an ambitious document filled with many good ideas. It is essential that South Africa’s ICT policy framework ensures the maximum value is extracted from the potential contribution which the ICT industry can make to transformation and economic growth. The new rapid deployment policy is thus to be commended! A good idea, however, does not always translate into good implementation, especially not considering the track-record of the South African government. With no indication that…
by Staff Writer Now you can buy an Apple iPad and iPhone and contribute to the global Fund to Fight Aids. Apple has unveiled a Red iPhone, which will be available to order online worldwide and in stores beginning Friday, March 24. The smartphone maker said the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition in a vibrant red aluminum finish, are a recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED). “This gives customers an unprecedented way to contribute to the Global Fund and bring the world a step closer to an Aids-free generation,” the company…
by Gugu Lourie German car maker BMW is targeting to sell 100, 000 electric-powered cars this year as its battle with Mercedes-Benz for the number one spot as the leading premium brand automaker. The Munich-based firm estimated on Tuesday that electric-powered vehicles and plug-in hybrids will account for about 15 to 25% of its sales. The car maker has already sold 62, 000 electric cars. It added that the BMW i3 – we had a privilege to review this car last year click here – is one of the top three best-selling pure electric cars worldwide. “This shows we are…
by Staff Writer Richard Bull was found dead in the bathtub. A Coroner to warn Apple over potentially lethal iPhone chargers after Bull electrocuted himself while charging his phone in the bath, according to a Daily Mail report. Bull from Ealing in west London was pronounced dead by paramedics in his home on December 11. The inquest into Bull’s death concluded that he died due to using the ‘innocuous devices’ which can be ‘as dangerous as a hairdryer in a bathroom.’ “’They should attach warnings. I intend to write a report later to the makers of the phone,” , Dr Sean Cummings, the…
by Gugu Lourie Apart from a wonderfully laid back lifestyle, the Western Cape Province has wonderful views that make driving in open spaces a genuine pleasure – more so when one is driving an all-new Nissan Navara pick-up. My co-driver and I travelled along one such scenic road that passed through a small country town of Citrusdal in the Olifants River Valley and then onto Lamberts Bay – a tiny fishing town situated 280km north of Cape Town. Both towns, which provide a sense of romantic isolation, are situated at the base of Cederberg mountains. I was not the only…
by Ben Dickson Education, the ability to pass on knowledge, is one of the most ancient practices that sets humans apart from all other species on earth. It is through education that, instead of rediscovering and mastering the laws that govern the world we live in, new generations are able to pick up where their predecessors left off and enhance the knowledge and skills we possess. Now, the learning and teaching process is undergoing an unprecedented transformation thanks to ed-tech, a conglomerate of technologies that is redefining classrooms, schools, universities and the entire education process. At the forefront of those…
The company behind one of the world’s famous guns, the AK-47 rifle, is building a 20 ton unmanned drone tank, according to Guns.com. In an interview with Russian media, Kalashnikov Concern CEO Alexei Krivoruchko, said a new 20-ton platform (described as a “робота” — robot) is under development which, when compared to what Kalash already markets, is huge. In an interview with state-run media outlet Tass (Russian) (Google Translate), Krivoruchko hyped the partially-state run factories progress on advanced weapons including the new RPK-16 light machine gun before moving on to the mechanical elephant in the room– unmanned ground combat vehicles,…
by John Walubengo Elections present a milestone beyond which countries either strengthen their democratic credentials or become failed states. Often states fail when there are either perceived or blatant election malpractices. This in turn can lead to prolonged civil unrest. Numerous cases exist across the continent. But I will use the Kenyan case to illustrate how election processes can be compromised, and then brought back from the brink with the use of technology. Following the election in 2007 Kenya erupted into two months of unprecedented conflict. People were unhappy with the outcome which saw Mwai Kibaki of the incumbent Party of…
The Luxury Electric Vehicle Bentley, the most sought after luxury car brand in the world, has unveiled an electric luxury vehicle called the EXP 12 Speed 6e. The concept car to show that Bentley is defining electric motoring in the luxury sector, with the appropriate technology, high quality materials and refinement levels. Bentley believes that the concept will open discussions with luxury car buyers of the future – millennials, members of Generation C and the rising affluent in developing economies – to understand the desired expectations from a future electric luxury car ownership experience. An all-electric Bentley will not compromise…
by Adam G. Klein In late February, the headline of a news commentary website that receives more than 2.8 million monthly visitors announced, “Jews Destroy Another One of Their Own Graveyards to Blame Trump.” The story, inspired by the recent desecration of a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, was the seething fantasy of an anti-Semitic website known as the Daily Stormer. With only a headline, this site can achieve something no hate group could have accomplished 20 years ago: It can connect with a massive audience. Hate speech moves rapidly from the fringe to the mainstream. Screenshot of DailyStormer.com, CC BY-ND To…