Author: Brett Venter

Multichoice-owned DStv is on a drive to impress its subscribers, knocking down streaming and satellite prices. Next for a revamp is the company’s MyDStv app, which subscribers should immediately upgrade to. That’s because it entirely replaces the company’s previous app, released in June this year. That app’s various functions — payments, package changes, and so on — no longer work on the old version. For those tasks, and a couple of new ones, subscribers need to download and use the new app. Looks like MyDStv  Everything the previous app was capable of, including clearing account errors, managing billing, and managing…

From Cybertruck to Cybercab — Tesla, the electric vehicle company headed by Elon Musk, has made its autonomous taxi official. A prototype for the new EV was shown at Tesla’s We, Robot event held last night at Warner Bros. Discovery’s California studios, along with an updated look at the Optimus robot and a new Robovan autonomous transport vehicle. Catching a Cybercab Of the three products revealed, the Cybercab is the most likely to cross paths with South African drivers (any day now, Elon). It’s unusual in that it’s designed with similar lines to the controversial Cybertruck but with a few…

If you’re aware of the definition of the mitochondria but not how to submit a tax form, you’re a candidate for Moneyversity+, a new platform from Old Mutual that aims to provide the financially impaired with the information they need to get better at the whole money thing. A large portion of what the platform does is educate kids, who really don’t know any better, but it’s also targeted at adults who need a hand with their financial literacy. The platform soft-launched in June 2024 but officially became available this week. To date, it has seen more than 60,000 signups…

In a move that was totally not prompted by its subscriber base collectively saying “Are you @#$%^# serious?”, Canva has announced that it will retain its old pricing structure for the time being. It didn’t exactly put it in those terms but that’s what it comes down to. Instead of “gradually transition[ing] Canva Teams subscribers to our current standard pricing of US$10/month per person starting at three people, or your local rate”, that won’t be happening at all. Not even to account for the “expanded value of our product over the past four years.” Stop ripping Canva Canva Teams subscribers…

It’s getting harder to know what’s really real anymore. Whether it’s the Pope wearing Balenciaga or Donald Trump doing… many unsavoury things, artificial intelligence is making it hard to stick to reality. Adobe, one of the proponents of the AI image generation revolution, is aware of the effect AI technology is having on the world. It’s also taking steps to counteract those effects. The steps include introducing Content Credentials to its library of AI-generated images. This is via a new Adobe Content Authenticity web app that lets users tag generated images with the sources of its computer-compiled brilliance. Because what…

Does it count as a new idea if it’s been around for ages? Google Docs has introduced an all-new feature — if you’re just looking at Docs. It’s been around in other apps for ages — Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Excel. Basically, anything coded after 2008… We’re talking about tabs, of course. Odds are you’re reading this article in one. That magically innovative feature is headed to your Google-hosted documents. Why? More effective document navigation. We’re sure it doesn’t make it easier for Gemini to read your work or anything. What’s up, Google Docs? The stated reason for adding document…

The October-November 2024 issue of Stuff Magazine reintroduces the noble giveaway to the pages of South Africa’s best consumer technology magazine. That’s far from the most exciting thing found between the slivers of dead tree (or living electrons, depending on how you consumer your media) but it’s certainly worth mentioning. Especially since we’re giving away a shiny new Apple iPhone 16. You know, the thing you’re desperate to buy every time Apple holds a September event? The catch? You’ve got to read this issue of Stuff. That’s it.  That’s not it for this issue of Stuff. Obviously. October-November 2024 includes…

Meta has announced Movie Gen, its new prompt-based video and image generation platform, in the most Q3 2024 manner possible — with a cute animation of a baby hippo bumbling around. However, you don’t need to know who Moo Deng is to peer over Meta’s fence at their shiny new toy. Peering, at least for now, is all that is possible but several interesting claims make us keen to get hold of the platform. Meta reckons its new AI-powered functions can turn a single image into a customised and functional video. That could be awesome or terrible, depending on what’s…

South Africa’s contributions to space travel will move beyond satellite launches and ground support if the ASRI has anything to say about it. The Aerospace Systems Research Institute, a division of the University of KwaZulu Natal, has been working on rocket technology for some time. The Institute has just gained an upgrade in the form of a new launch facility at the Denel Overberg Test Range, consisting chiefly of an advanced launch gantry for sounding rockets. Sounding rockets are sub-orbital vehicles used to conduct experiments and are a precursor to fully orbital launch platforms. Ask the ASRI The launch facility…

If your badly edited Joe Rogan clips or snatches of AI-narrated comic book fare aren’t long enough (we don’t know what you watch on YouTube), you’ll be pleased to note that YouTube Shorts is extending its length. Just a bit and in just a bit. The update goes through from 15 October, so creators might want to get their newer, lengthier videos ready before then. If you’re just a passive observer, your attention span should be prepared for 180 seconds of content fury. The long and Shorts of it That’s right, YouTube is extending its Shorts to a solid three…