Author: Stuff writer

Eskom has announced the latest load shedding schedule, and they’ve given us a glimpse of how much electricity we won’t be getting this week. Remember, this could change at any point. Generators trip and coal gets wet sometimes. We’re moving down the stages, though we’re not sure if it’s worth celebrating or if we should be grateful to plan our week in the dark. Tuesday  Eskom says Stage 4 load shedding will continue until midnight on Tuesday, and then they’ll move us to Stage 2 from Wednesday at midnight until 5 am. Wednesday Just when we were getting excited about…

We knew it was only a matter of time, so we were prepared. After some slightly reduced stage 1 load shedding on Friday followed by an upgrade to stage 2 over the weekend, we’re back up to Stage 4 load shedding “until further notice”. The non-power utility announced the latest stage early on Tuesday morning. “Stage 4 load shedding was implemented at 05:30 due to breakdowns of five generators at five power stations overnight. The load shedding will be implemented until further notice,” notes Eskom. You’ll need Stuff to get you through the dark times.  You’ll also need sunshine, petrol,…

Having your phone stolen is bad, but having what’s on it stolen is worse. Stuff digs into the best ways to lock down data and devices to protect yourself from nefarious types.  The basics Use better passwords Make device passcode locks alphanumeric. Use a password manager and, when setting any new passwords, avoid easily identifiable strings of characters or letters. Never· use the same passwords ( or parts of passwords) across multiple apps and services. Use random strings for account recovery challenges. not real answers that a third party could figure out.  Thwart phishing You might laugh at terrible phishing…

Multichoice has killed off the DStv app on some older Samsung and Hisense TV sets, stating the TVs no longer meet the DStv app’s technical requirements. “The DStv App is no longer supported on this device as it does not meet the technical requirements to run the app. For compatible devices, go to dstv.com,” reads the message on some affected TVs when attempting to access the DStv app. Multichoice says the upgraded DStv app no longer supports Samsung TVs from 2015 and 2016  and Hisense U2.5 TV sets. Shocked, confused and disappointed customers continue to post questions and complaints on…

Apple is expected to launch its latest range of iPads this week. As expected, the company is holding its pads close to its chest. So we’ll have to make do with leaks about specific details until the official launch. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple may be launching the tenth-generation iPad and iPad Pro with an 11-inch screen and a 12.9inch screen. The biggest change expected in the iPad Pros, code-named j617 and J620, is the M2 processor that’s also in the MacBook Air. In his weekly newsletter, Gurman says the processor is expected to boost the iPad Pros’ performance…

It seems a bit of flexibility is what Samsung’s reaching for with its range of flipping and folding smartphones. We got a chance to play with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, just weeks after playing with the Galaxy Z Fold 4. Somewhere between the two, we weren’t sure if we were flipping or folding….but we knew we were bending.  Call the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip range the more affordable, feminine version of the big brother Galaxy Z Fold range. Flips don’t take life as seriously and sport a few more lifestyle features. That’s the main difference… other than the…

Generation Z, also known as the Zoomers, has ‘cancelled’ another emoji, labelling the thumbs-up emoji as hostile, rude, and passive-aggressive when used in the workplace. In a debate between Zoomers and Millenials on Reddit, Zoomers advised millennials to avoid using the thumbs-up emoji after a Reddit user said they were not comfortable posting the ‘thumbs-up’ emoji reaction. Okay, let’s clear out the generations before we go too far… Generation Z(Gen Z) are the Zoomers and they were born between the 1990s and early 2010s. They’re also the first humans to have grown up with most of the technology we use…

As Eskom continues to throw one load shedding stage after another at us, South Africans still have a sense of humour. Eskom has announced stage 1 load shedding from Friday. Which stage will we be on this weekend? Does Eskom even have an answer to this question? We doubt it. TikTokers in SA continue to find new ways to put the joke on Eskom – even in the dark. With no electricity around, you might as well spend your time on social media. That is, if you managed to charge your devices in time. We never thought we’d hear ourselves…

Microsoft previewed Places this week, an app meant to help us get back into the swing of things as we figure out the ‘new normal’ hybrid working environment. That’s if you use Microsoft of course. Microsft says the workplace needs to be more connected. Sure, Microsoft, we’ll hear you out. “When spaces have meaning and purpose, they become places. That comes from people gathering, bonding, and sharing an experience together. It’s what makes a house a home—and an office worth coming into,” says Microsoft. Well, we don’t know about that. But we guess it would be nice to have the…

You could soon be catching an air taxi to the airport if Delta Airlines’ investment in Joby Aviation works out. It will probably be slightly different to South Africa’s Siyaya taxis with passengers passing money from the back of the taxi. Also, you won’t have to worry about sitting in front and calculating the change so you give the driver the right amount. Your Joby experience might be completely different, but it’s still a taxi. Fly me to the… airport It plans to have vertiports across New York City and Los Angeles initially. These will be close enough to residential…