Author: Stuff writer

This generation of consoles brought some interesting challenges. One of the major ones being how to make hardware that’s actually fairly expensive more accessible. And with accessible, we obviously mean affordable — because not everyone has R12k for a next-gen console, no matter the logo. That’s exactly what Microsoft set out to do with the smaller, lower-cost Xbox Series S this year. It’s not the flagship Series X, and doesn’t even resemble the bigger sibling. But it features some stellar components under the hood and comes in at a far more affordable price.  Despite its less impressive stature and more conservative…

Medical technology is something of a passion here at Stuff. It’s not always as sexy as consumer tech (except when McLaren is involved) but it’s very necessary and often quite groundbreaking. On the flip side are digital technologies, like this new app called MediVic. Designed for a South African audience, MediVic is venturing into the field of telehealth. If you don’t know what that is, it’s where you go to see your doctor without leaving your home. We’ve needed an awful lot of that in 2020 and a little more won’t hurt. But the main question is — will MediVic…

This year’s Apple keynote, in the form of the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2020, is on its way. And this year is the first that Apple won’t host a physical event with butts in seats at its Steve Jobs theatre. It’s all digital, like most things during COVID-19 time. You can tune in from home (like always), right here at 19:00 tonight, 22 June. Here’s what you can expect, and what we’re keen to see.  What to expect Don’t forget that this event is aimed at developers. So although Apple will reveal a bunch of shiny features that’ll make your…

What with the stressful and constant pandemic updates, it’s easy to forget that South Africa’s facing more than one problem. Remember Eskom? The state power utility is kinda hoping you’ve forgotten about it, even though it’s more than happy to attempt to ransack your pockets for even more money. If Eskom’s planning on charging more, we should be thinking about using less. That’s where PowerOptimal’s new partnership with the South African division of Electrolux comes in. The new deal will see the Swedish company’s Kwikot Superline electric geysers being paired up with PowerOptimal’s Elon solar photovoltaic water heating tech. What’s…

A long time ago, there used to be this thing called pubs. We’re sure they still exist in South Africa, but you won’t find one open. Remember that humble slice of weekday salvation that used to serve up beer-flavoured banter and preposterous tiebreakers on the regular? Well, you can relive the old days, with a little help from your friends, and Zoom.  Zoom has a set of particularly helpful tools if you plan on hosting a virtual pub quiz. First, you’ll need to brew up some pineapple beer. Second, set up your virtual pub. Third, don’t get hammered because your…

Do you have an iPad just laying around? And an Apple mouse just sitting in the closet? Well, you can now unite the previously mortal enemies and use the mouse with your iPad. As of iPadOS 13.4, your iPad has full cursor support — and it’s great. Setup is easy. In the Settings, head to Software Update and install iPadOS 13.4 (after backing up, obviously). Head to Settings > Bluetooth, pair a Bluetooth mouse or Apple trackpad; or if you have a USB dongle, you can go proper old-school and plug a cabled mouse into your iPad. Strange, right? Get…

We’ve covered just about everything about working/socialising and shopping from home. But you really don’t have to be socially distant. There are so many ways to see your fam and friends for free using a few video chat apps From group video calls to one-on-one conversations, each of the options we’ve listed will help you stay in touch with the important people in your life. Especially if you’re just in need of some human connection. It’s a good thing to just talk to (and see) someone you love every now and then.  So, whether you fancy a catch-up with your…

The future is electric, and we’re seeing more and more vehicle manufacturers announce electric vehicles. At this stage, the BMW i3 is one of the most accessible small EVs available in South Africa. There are only about 900 electric cars in South Africa — but they may be a brilliant solution for the gas-guzzling world we inhabit. Toby Shapshak test drives the BMW i3 — Find out why he’s convinced electric cars will be the next frontier in tech innovation. https://youtu.be/94ZOsoh5huY A new EV charging initiative called GridCars can even help consumers travel anywhere in South Africa, regardless of the…

In some lighter news (remember to wash your hands anyway), the upcoming James Bond film will feature a smartphone brand blast-from-the-past. Nokia has announced that it’ll be the official phone of 007, partnering with the production house to celebrate the 25th James Bond film. According to a press release, the film will feature Nokia’s upcoming, currently unannounced 5G smartphone. It looks like the brand will also feature some other smartphones, so expect to see Nokia’s in the hands of most of the major characters in the movie. The new 5G device will be announced on 18 March. “Following the announcement…

Buying a TV box could be a hit or miss, as most of them are mass-produced and run on iffy software. Your best bet right now it opting for a certified Android box. That’s if you’re not leaning toward the Apple TV. Xiaomi’s range of Mi Boxes offer some great specs at the fraction of the price of other Android boxes, but are they any good? We got our hands on the Mi Box S that retails for R1,200 from various retailers. And you know what? It’s a great piece of tech that could up your streaming game. Even if…