Author: Brett Venter

SwiftKey, one of the more popular mobile keyboards on the planet (check your phone), will be changing in the next couple of months. Users of the Microsoft-owned software have been notified that the experience will soon have a few new requirements. Namely, SwiftKey users will have to log into a Microsoft account to keep their dictionary and typing data. These will also be stored on OneDrive. In other words, Microsoft’s cloud service will have to run in the background. Swiftly swapping SwiftKey According to Windows Central, Microsoft reckons the change will “make SwiftKey better.” But since the change is also…

Smartwatches are everywhere. Generally, they track what’s happening inside — not out. The O-Boy, a watch from design company Futurewave, keeps an eye on what’s happening to you outside. That’s less confusing than it sounds. The watch was developed with satellite communication in mind, meaning it’ll function in the world’s most out-of-the-way places. Provided there’s satellite coverage, anyway. It’s supposed to keep track of its user and, hopefully, “save the lives of human [sic] in danger.” O-Boy, that sounds safe The O-Boy is a smart wearable with a legitimately interesting design, made possible because it’s not supposed to function like…

An American robotics company, Foundation, has sent its Phantom MK-1 humanoid robot to Ukraine to be tested in combat conditions. Don’t panic. The robot isn’t being armed for battle. But that is the eventual plan, according to company co-founder Mike LeBlanc. LeBlanc, speaking to Time Magazine, explained that it makes more sense to send robots to the front lines. The Phantom MK-1 isn’t there as a combatant, but the plan is for the bot to eventually use “any kind of weapon that a human can.” Military Foundation Two of Foundation’s robots have been in Ukraine since February, according to reports.…

Humanoid robots are everywhere. So are robotic canines. Equine versions? Not so much. But Deep Robotics, out of China, will sell you one of its limited edition robot horses if you have the cash. How much cash? Around R830,000, since these are being custom-fabricated to commemorate the Chinese Year of the Horse. The “Year of the Horse Special Edition robotic companion,” which doesn’t appear to have another title, is a modification of the robotics outfit’s Lynx M20 Pro. That one was shown off at this year’s CES and isn’t officially on sale yet. It’s also got wheels, something our equine…

It’s been literal years of smartphones fielding 5,000mAh batteries. Now, rumours indicate that Huawei plans to increase that baseline all the way up to 7,000mAh. The rumour comes via Digital Chat Station, a Chinese leaker with a fair track record for accuracy. It doesn’t go into heavy detail about which specific handsets can expect a battery upgrade, but we can be certain that they haven’t been launched yet. There’s no way to increase battery capacities via software update, after all. Huawei getting enough power? According to Digital Chat Station, “the large battery of [Huawei’s] mid-to-high flagship line is also being…

Noise traipsed into our offices one morning with its Master Buds Max over-ear headphones. Immediately, the naming convention got on our nerves. Anyone with eyes can see that these are over-ear headphones. Buds are… well, buds. Smaller, lighter, easier to squish underfoot if one falls out. These… are not buds. That was an uncharitable read of the headphones inside the box, even after we noted the ‘Sound by Bose’ on the branding. If they can’t name their products properly, surely the audio won’t measure up. Right? Turns out, we were just judging these headphones by their packaging. Most of our…

We’ve seen Energizer phones in the past, and they’ve often talked a big game. Not quite as big as the company’s new P30K Apex, which may only require a monthly energy top-up. That puts it within range of Nokia’s battery heroes from days gone by. Only, this is supposed to be significantly more advanced. That’s down to Energizer cramming a 30,000mAh battery into the thing. It won’t be as pocketable as the venerable Nokia 6110, which weighed a svelte 137 grams with its 900mAh battery. We’re not sure what the P30K Apex will weigh, but current power banks matching its…

Changes to Amazon’s Prime Video service in South Africa are slow to arrive, but they generally do. The company introduced ads on its platform at the beginning of 2024. These eventually made it to South Africa, despite no official ‘Prime with ads’ tier launching. Now, the Yanks are getting some features yanked from the basic plan. Never fear, though. Amazon has also announced Prime Video Ultra, which will return the resolution features subscribers are about to lose. And a few other things, if we’re being totally fair. They’ll just have to add about R85 ($5) on top of an existing…

Not everybody is cut out for using the internet. Scams abound, and some of them are even pretty slick. Handily, Meta has just released a set of AI-powered anti-scam tools intended to help those Darwinian disasters who can’t spot someone trying to steal their information. The new tools are coming to Facebook, WhatsApp, and the standalone Messenger app — all of which are serious attack vectors. These will warn users when a friend request is suspicious or when they’re about to link their account to a new device. Meta scam prevention There are a couple of other features coming from…

Huawei’s newly announced Mobile WiFi X is an excellent example of ‘Exactly What It Says On The Tin’ (click this link with caution). If the image isn’t enough of a giveaway, Huawei’s device is an X-shaped mobile WiFi station. It folds out into its shape when in use, folding flat if you need to take it somewhere. Provided that ‘somewhere’ is in China. The device has launched as a partnership with China Mobile, but it looks slick enough that we hope they appear over here, too. Mobile WiFi X, man Huawei reckons that the Mobile WiFi X isn’t just an…