Author: Duncan Pike

Stuff recently reviewed (and was impressed with) the Asus ZenWiFi XT9 mesh kit but that system is overkill for most users. We asked Asus to show us something a little more accessible. Something that still feels like a meaningful upgrade and uses the latest tech but won’t obliterate your bank account. We were initially surprised to find two more routers in the box until we saw the ‘Extendable router’ sticker on each. Extending Wi-Fi the not-so-smart way ‘But why do you need two routers?’ we hear you ask. Well, technically, you don’t. If your standard ISP-issue router reaches all the…

Huawei South Africa picked Thursday, 18 May as its chosen day to launch its latest crop of flagship devices in the country — the Mate X3 and the P60 Pro. Those are joined by the MateBook X Pro and D 14 for your office needs, the Watch Ulitmate for when you fancy a really deep swim, and the Watch 4 series for regular wrist-based activities. Stuff was lucky enough — or unlucky, if you don’t fare well in hot weather — to attend the Middle East and Africa launch last week in Dubai. Before that, the devices had their time…

South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market is growing, along with the rest of the world’s, albeit at a slower pace. BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, and Volvo are a few of the automakers that offer EV models in the country and GWM recently announced it will launch the Ora in SA which will replace the Mini Cooper SE as SA’s cheapest EV option. Now if we could only pry other modes of transport away from their dirty internal combustion engines, the planet, and future humans, might have a chance. Oh, what’s that? BMW is making an all-electric boat? Nevermind then. BMW’s ‘The…

Earlier tonight, Xiaomi unveiled three of its Redmi Note 12 devices launching in South Africa – the Redmi Note 12, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G. While they are priced differently – we’ll get to that later – the three share many of the same specs. But they also differ in a few key areas. Xiaomi brings 200 megapixels to the masses The highlight of the three new devices – and the feature Xiaomi chose to focus on – is the 200MP main camera sensor in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G. It might not be…

One of the main attractions for entering the Sonos ecosystem is the versatility that its app and wireless speakers provide. That doesn’t mean the company can become complacent with its position in the industry. Nor should it be removing functionality for its users. Currently, the Sonos app supports a wide range of audio streaming services and most of the company’s speakers support at least two additional connectivity options for playing local files – line-in and via network-attached storage (NAS). Its new Era speakers (along with the Move and the Roam) support Bluetooth audio, iPhone users have AirPlay, and Android users…

Tonight, 10 May 2023, Huawei announced seven new flagship consumer devices including the foldable Mate X3 and P60 Pro at its Middle East and Africa regional launch event held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Stuff had boots (or flip-flops, in this case) on the ground to watch it all unfold. We can also confirm that five of the seven new devices will be launching in South Africa at a separate event slated for next week. Headlining the event was Huawei’s new flagship foldable, the Mate X3. It was joined by the P60 Pro, the latest addition to Huawei’s ever-popular P…

Last week, local wireless internet service provider, Rain, announced the launch of its own 4G mobile network and the introduction of a new product to go with it – Rain One. As a result, new customers no longer have the option to only opt for a SIM card and uncapped 4G data to use on the go. Instead, they will need to subscribe to the operator’s new package that combines an uncapped 5G home package with two 4G SIM cards for use on its new mobile network, with varying “levels” of monthly data, minutes and SMSes. Out with the old…

As more bandwidth becomes available (and to make more money in a competitive market), local ISPs can decide to upgrade their customer’s line speed at no additional cost. While that might sound like you’re scoring, it isn’t always the case. That speed bump won’t do you any good if your router can’t keep up. That “free” ISP-issued router is probably fine for most folks. Especially for those a) with a set-and-forget approach to their home network, b) who don’t need much coverage, or c) are content with using old Wi-Fi technologies (Wi-Fi 4 or 5). If you opt for a…

Earlier this month, Asus surprised everyone by announcing a new handheld gaming console to rival Valve’s Steam Deck and Nintendo’s Switch – the ROG Ally. With the initial announcement being on 1 April, many people were a little sceptical. And rightly so. Every year, companies around the world and across every industry seem unable to resist the urge for a mock announcement or joke. Some of them kinda work, and some… definitely don’t. But Asus assured everyone the ROG Ally was, in fact, a real product, and now, ahead of the global launch event on 11 May, we know a…

Production for the next generation of Apple-designed M3 chips is set to begin in the second half of this year, according to reliable industry insider Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple has used its own ARM-based M series silicon chips in almost all of its computers since the company unveiled the first M1-powered MacBooks in November 2020. Only the desktop-sized, cheese-grater-looking Mac Pro has yet to transition to Apple silicon and still runs on Intel’s Xeon platform. The upcoming M3 chip will be the eighth iteration of Apple’s SoC design – following the M1, M1 Pro, Max, and Ultra, M2, and M2 Pro…