Author: Tshepo Chauke

Audio company Sennheiser is launching its Profile Wireless, a dual channel, 2.4 GHz all-in-one microphone system, as a powerful tool for creators looking for reliable compact audio. Compatible with mobile phones, cameras, and computers, the Profile Wireless is designed for versatility to function seamlessly as a clip-on, handheld, or desktop mic depending on the situation. The high Profile Wireless system Compact 2.4GHz mic systems have become integral to modern content creation. The Profile Wireless’s modular design includes a charging bar, a mini-receiver, two clip-on mics, foam windshields for all three, and some cables. No additional software downloads are required, either.…

Google is making it easier for families to introduce kids to digital payments, with plans to extend Google Wallet’s in-store tap-to-pay feature to supervised kids’ accounts. Starting next year, kids using Family Link-managed Android devices can use Google Wallet in-store, though online purchases will remain restricted. Building on the success of tap-to-pay on the Fitbit Ace LTE app, this feature is in response to the growing interest in secure, supervised financial features for youngsters. Google Wallet for kids Kids under the Family Link umbrella can install Google Wallet on their Android devices (with the assistance of their elders) to access…

2024’s edition of the Oppo Reno Academy offers aspiring photographers and content creators a chance to further their skills, this time backed by the power of artificial intelligence. In an age where smartphones capture everyday moments, the smartphone maker aims to transform these tools into gateways for professional success. The Academy provides participants with hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and access to advanced AI tools through an accessible online platform. Oppo-rtunity knocks The initiative is Oppo’s opportunity to nurture local talent and innovation. Led by photographer Craig Howes, the 2024 curriculum focuses on mastering AI-powered tools: the AI eraser, teaching students…

Venom: The Last Dance arrives in a quiet year for superheroes. Marvel and DC have chosen to take a breather in 2024 amidst dwindling box office returns. It was looking like this year would be Sony’s as the Big Two’s absence has left an open niche in the superhero movie market. For whatever reason, that hasn’t been the case. Following the release of Madame Web earlier this year, Sony delayed its subsequent releases for the year, opting to skip the lucrative but competitive summer blockbuster lineup. Then we got this film. Bromance under attack Venom: The Last Dance closes the…

The Checkers Sixty60 app’s new update comes with many new features set to make the platform even more appealing to South African consumers. Customers now have access to the wider Checkers Hyper range… with free delivery. With its R35 delivery fee that ensures groceries within an hour, Sixty60 is now an even more serious competitor to Amazon and Takealot. Gone in Sixty60 The update gives Sixty60 a visual refresh, featuring subtle layout and font adjustments to improve user experience. While the interface looks sleeker, some users might find the new “Discover” menu more cluttered compared to the “Search” function it…

YouTube is making changes to its mini-player. The minibar has been the standard mini-player since 2018, but now the classic picture-in-picture player is returning with a widescale rollout, with a few new trinkets to boot. Previously a desktop exclusive, the new PiP player is coming to Android devices worldwide. Speculations of its return have swirled since July, with Google’s announcement last week making it official. YouTube makes a PiP Most users can now access the new mini-player on the YouTube app by minimising the screen.  Instead of the classic minibar design, users will see a smaller window with a simple…

AI company Anthropic is dropping two new Claude updates and a Computer Use feature. Claude 3.5 Sonnet and its smaller sibling Claude 3.5 Haiku claim serious performance strides from the company’s update. Claude 3.5 Sonnet gets Computer Use and better performance. 3.5 Haiku matches the performance of Sonnet predecessor Claude 3 Opus, at a similar speed and cost to the previous Haiku model. If all of this is Greek to you, you obviously don’t code but that means you’re probably not going to let Anthropic’s AI agents take over your computer. That’s what Computer Use means, after all. Claude 3.5…

Jlab’s Epic Air Sport earbuds aren’t just for the active and sporty, though there’s plenty for them here, too. They bring a versatile feature set, packed into an IP66 rating to resist dust and big splashes. They’re great for active individuals who want a pair of sporty buds that are just as useful outside the gym. However some compromises in the sound mix might leave some audiophiles wanting a bit more. Making sport of it The Jlab Epic Air Sport earbuds look like standard sports earbuds. Their hook design means they never randomly lean out of place or fall off…

Apple is redoubling its efforts in the smart home market after lagging behind competitors like Amazon and Google. The company has dominated consumer electronics for decades, but it still struggles to be a staple in the realm of the car and the home. The company closed down its long-running car project and its current home devices have been hit and miss. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for its competitors. Amazon’s Echo has seen its momentum slow after a strong start. Other hardware releases like the company’s rolling robot, have also struggled. This leaves an opening for Apple, as the…

Meta continues to struggle in the post-Covid tech landscape as it seems the tech company wants to shake things up and shed some weight. After announcing a plan last year to shed 10,000 jobs for ‘efficiency’, the tech giant is restructuring its subsidiaries like WhatsApp, Instagram, Threads, and Reality Labs. Some employees will be laid off in the process. Meta analysis Last year CEO Mark Zuckerberg declared 2023 ‘a year of efficiency’, announcing a plan to cull about 10,000 jobs from their books. This followed Meta’s initial round of post-Covid mass layoffs in 2022, which saw 11,000 employees lose their…