Author: Marcé

A Chinese state media outlet recently reported that video games are the equivalent of ‘electronic drugs’. Following the publication of one of the wackiest statements of the year, two of the country’s major online gaming companies saw their shares drop considerably.  “Tencent and NetEase shares fell more than 10% in early Hong Kong trade before regaining some of those losses,” the BBC reports.  Not the drugs we grew up with, right Tencent? According to the Economic Information Daily (which is a state-run publication), many teenagers have become increasingly addicted to video games, with online gaming getting a specific mention. The…

While there’s certainly no lack in digital wallet services in South Africa, some of ‘em take their sweet time rolling out support for some major banks. Now, iPhone users can access Apple Pay services if they bank with First National Bank (FNB).  Anyone living in the Apple ecosystem will know that completely buying into its hardware and software offerings does pose a significant increase in security and accessibility. When everything’s integrated the way Apple Pay allows for, users can pay for just about anything using their Apple hardware and easily authenticate payments through Apple’s biometric system.  Apple Pay for everyone…

In 2020, people of the world experienced a lot of new and not-so-exciting things. Like being confined to their homes and adapting to working from home. Most of us turned to (now) popular video conferencing platform Zoom for the latter. Not long after, a new phenomenon called zoombombing made its appearance, now the platform is paying for it.  Zoom, the company behind the software, has agreed to pay a settlement of $85 million in a lawsuit regarding its privacy and security. The lawsuit was brought forward by users who had been affected by the elusive ‘zoombombers’ which reportedly came about…

You may recognise the name from any previous reporting on Twitter, because Jack Dorsey is not only the CEO of the social media platform, but also a fintech company called Square. While not available in SA, Square looks to function in a similar way to our very own Yoco. It’s a platform that allows small businesses the ability to receive payments. Now, it’s acquiring Afterpay — a pay-later service.  Guess they’ll Afterpay $29 billion The Australian company, Afterpay, is a ‘buy now, pay later’ service, and Square’s Jack Dorsey will acquire it for $29 billion in stock. Its service has…

The smartphone industry is experiencing a major shakeup in the current destabilised world. Last week, we reported that Xiaomi has officially overtaken Apple as the number 2 smartphone maker in the world. New data suggests that it’s gunning for that number one spot already. Samsung better sleep with one eye open… Xiaomi the sneak According to the same research firm that confirmed its silver medal, Canalys, the Chinese brand is actually much closer to grabbing the number one spot than previously thought.  The new report shows Samsung at number one with a total of 58 million devices shipped and an…

Following the PlayStation 5 reveal event, fans of the console were almost more excited about Stray, a game featuring an adorable lone feline teased in a short clip, than they were for the console itself. We were among those, and couldn’t wait to gain a more detailed look at the strangely dystopian futurescape featuring robotic inhabitants and the tiny cat the player controls.  Now, publisher Annapurna Interactive has released an extended trailer featuring actual gameplay, mechanics and a small taste of the storyline. In addition, we know that the release of the game has been pushed out from ‘end 2021’…

It’s no secret that gaming is one of the most lucrative industries — even in a pandemic-stricken world. If anything, people are gaming even more now that they’re scared of going outside. Of course, not all gaming sales comprise of consoles, but they’re a pretty big part of it — hence the high sales of Sony’s newest console, the PlayStation 5.  Sony reports that it’s sold over 10 million units of the perpetually out of stock PS5 console. Where those 10 million new PS5 owners bought their consoles is anyone’s guess — but they found ‘em somewhere and Sony’s laughing…

It looks like another social media platform is poised to become an online marketplace for products and services. — and this time, it’s Twitter. According to new reports, the social platform is currently testing a ‘Shop Module’ that’ll allow businesses the ability to sell directly through the microblogging app. Twitter selling out The ‘module’ will highlight a business’ products or services on the front of their profiles, making them available to purchase right there. After someone interested in the product clicks on the ‘buy’ button, they’ll be redirected to an in-app browser window. There, they’ll be able to make payment…

Following the unfortunate two years Huawei’s had, the Chinese telecoms company persists with its new products — one of which we got our hands on recently. The Huawei Band 6 follows in a line of stellar fitness trackers, but brings some smarts to the party, along with new sensors and improved fitness features.  Smartwatches and fitness trackers are becoming increasingly prominent among smart-tech users.  You may not find your parents (or grandparents) especially excited about the proposition of wearing a small smartphone on their wrist. That is, until they find out how darned useful they can be. And they’re especially…

The South African liquor industry has faced a jarring year-and-a-half. Lockdown restrictions in the country (quite literally) changed overnight in most cases, halting alcohol sales completely a few times over many months. Now, a new start-up online delivery service is looking to help increase alcohol sales in the country.  Booze on the move with Liquor.co.za Liquor.co.za prides itself on offering ‘the easiest way to buy alcohol’, that’s considering you don’t know about the absolute lifesaver called Checkers Sixty60. Nevertheless, the new platform went live this week, and offers a surprising range of alcoholic drinks to choose from.  “Born out of…