Author: Tshepo Chauke

A date has been set for the American Federal Trade Commision’s (FTC) trial against Meta. The trial seeks to break the social media giant away from its second-biggest subsidiary. The FTC’s case essentially alleges that Meta purchased WhatsApp and primarily Instagram for the sole purpose of eliminating competitors in the social media landscape. Meta-Morphosis The U.S. Federal Trade Commission exists to curb monopolies and protect smaller businesses and consumers. The Commission began pursuing Meta in 2020 during Trump’s presidency. It alleges that Meta acted illegally by overpaying when acquiring Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, all in a bid…

Sony Electronics has released the Alpha 1 II, its second-generation full-frame mirrorless flagship camera tailored for professional use. Packed with AI technology and enhanced ergonomic design, the Alpha 1 II promises high resolution, speed, and versatility for the detail-oriented photographer. Be the Alpha 1 II The camera boasts a 50.1 MP reason with an Exmor RS sensor stacked on a CMOS sensor. The latest BIONZ XR image processing engine improves image clarity in APS-C crop mode. Sony reckons its new shooter offers blackout-free continuous shooting at 30 fps and AF/AE tracking with up to 120 calculations per second. The highly-requested…

If you make use of iCloud backups on older Apple hardware, you’ll want to pay attention. The Fruit Company has begun notifying users that iCloud backups will require iOS 9 or later from 18 December 2024. When that day rolls around, backups on devices still running iOS 5 through iOS 8 will cease to function and the data will be deleted. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Floating on iCloud 9 “Starting December 18, 2024, device backups will require iOS 9 or later. This is to align more closely with our published minimum software requirements. Until this date, you’ll be…

rAge Expo, one of the largest geek and gaming culture events in the country, makes its annual return to Johannesburg between 29 November and 1 December 2024. The event will offer something for everyone across its three-day span. Live esports competitions will take place between the best gaming teams and casuals alike, with the promise of loot for the victors. Attendees can also buy souvenirs from vast selections of handcrafted items in the Artists’ Alley, from plushies and sculptures to various cosplay accessories and handmade dice. Tech lovers can look forward to cutting-edge tech including VR, robotics, and interactive exhibits…

Everyone’s favourite yellow mobile network operator recently announced MTN CloudPlay, its own local cloud gaming platform. In partnership with European mobile tech company Telecoming, MTN is offering South Africans access to a wide range of ‘console-quality’ cloud-based games that can be streamed to a smartphone, tablet, or PC. MTN CloudPlay is already available at cloudplay.mtn.co.za, or through MTN Play. The service costs R80/m and already boasts a vast library of “over 300 games” which currently includes popular titles like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Fallout 4, and Elden Ring. The platform’s webpage also states that the catalogue will add new games every…

At Microsoft’s Ignite 2024 conference, the tech giant unveiled Copilot Actions, a feature that automates repetitive tasks for Microsoft 365 Copilot users. Currently in ‘private preview’, the new AI tools allow users to streamline activities such as summarising the important bits of Microsoft Teams meetings, generating reports, or automating meeting preparation. Limited AI automation features are also coming to PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. Microsoft’s Copilot takes action Currently in private preview, Copilot Actions allow Microsoft 365 users to automate repetitive mundane tasks like generating summaries of Teams meetings and weekly reports, and even automating meeting prep using only simple, fill-in-the-blank…

Google plans to migrate Chrome OS into Android, unifying the two operating systems to better compete with Apple for a piece of the tablet market share. That’s according to a report from Android Authority which cites “a source within Google.” The Android operating system, which Google acquired in 2005, was designed for smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, TVs, and cars, whereas Chrome OS was made with laptops in mind. While the Chromebook range includes tablets, in our experience Android is the better-suited operating system for those devices. Android Authority’s source told the publication that Google is undergoing a multi-year project to fold Chrome OS…

FNB Connect, the bank’s Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) has unveiled its latest offering, embedded SIM cards (eSIMs), now available to both retail and commercial customers. eSIMs help simplify mobile connectivity for customers, reducing the time of sign-up to activation to under three minutes. Customers no longer need to wait for physical SIM card delivery. FNB is next to join the ‘supports eSIM’ list An eSIM is a digital chip embedded directly into devices allowing users to connect to multiple networks without physically swapping cards. According to FNB Connect CEO Sashin Sookroo, the adoption of eSIM-ready devices among the bank’s…

Mama Money Financial Services has developed a specialised Whatsapp-powered bank card to assist those who do not have access to conventional banking services. The fintech platform facilitates cost-effective money transfers among select underdeveloped countries. It has created this initiative to promote more financial participation by helping those who do not have easy access to the market. Mama Money Card on WhatsApp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSf0pY2nA-c The project is a collaboration between Mama Money, a local fintech company, Pick n Pay, and Access Bank. With the card, customers can buy airtime or electricity, deposit cash, check account balances, and instantly freeze the card if…

South African shoppers now have the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency rewards when making purchases at Pick n Pay using Luno Pay. This promotion, available from 18 November 2024 to 31 January 2025, offers customers the ability to receive up to 10% of their spending back in Tether (USDT) on the crypto exchange Luno. Any customer that pays with Luno Pay within the next two months will receive rewards in the Tether stablecoin. Customers that pay with Tether will get 10% of that spend back, and 5% if paying with Bitcoin. This is at a minimum spend of R100, and a…