Author: Trent Meikle

ChatGPT can access the web (again) ChatGPT is making like a North Korean defector and can finally browse the web (again), OpenAI announced over on X last night. The aim here is for the massively popular large language model (LLM) to provide users with “current and authoritative information, complete with direct links to sources.” Better yet, it’ll no longer be restricted to data posted before September 2021. This isn’t the first time the LLM has had access to the web. Until recently, ChatGPT featured a ‘Browse with Bing’ feature that was removed a few months back, due to the model’s…

Roughly three years after its launch, MultiChoice is officially shutting down Showmax Pro, the broadcaster’s sports-focused streaming service, in favour of a new Showmax – powered by Comcast. According to a FAQ post on Showmax’s website, the phase-out period will be complete by 30 November 2023. If you weren’t paying attention, MultiChoice first announced its massive partnership with Comcast back in March of this year, with the idea being to squash Showmax and relaunch – as Showmax – with Peacock’s (a US-based streamer) tech at the helm, and a host of new content. The New Showmax The service has yet…

Buying anything gaming-related with the Acer logo slapped on the front is always going to be an expensive procedure. That’s… just how it is. You’re paying for some substantial tech, a (usually) massive display and a power brick big enough to replace your gym membership. Its latest gaming notebook – the Nitro V 15 – sees the company return to the ‘budget’ gaming realm, arriving in SA in December with a starting price of R20,000. Whip out the Nitro(us) Don’t get us wrong, R20,000 is by no means cheap. Even so, it’s a far cry from, say, Razer’s latest Lamborghini-fied…

Remember Melon Mobile? The mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that launched a couple of months back? We’re not surprised. It’s been quiet, unable to compete with the country’s larger (and faster) networks. The MVNO, which piggybacks off MTN, announced plans to launch eSIM support (something MTN only recently got around to doing) and what it calls family plans in October. Melon eSIMs – now seedless For the blissfully unaware, eSIMs are digital “embedded” SIM cards that require no physical installation. They’re the way of the future, what with Apple foregoing physical SIM slots entirely in some territories. “eSIM is another…

The (WGA) strike is over! The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has officially called to lift its strike order, 148 days after the Guild first began to waylay Hollywood’s production, according to a report from Variety. The East and West boards of the WGA unanimously voted to lift the strike late on Tuesday, after coming to a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). As of Wednesday, 27 September, writers are officially allowed to return to work – before the final ramification vote takes place. Great. One down, two to go, huh? The WGA released…

Nokia’s kept Stuff relatively busy this year with the release of the C32 and T10 – both finding some place in our hearts. They beat dealing with load shedding anyway. Now, HMD Global has announced the Nokia G42 5G, a 5G-capable (surprise surprise) smartphone that’s retailing for the low price of R5,000. There’s nothing particularly interesting about the G42, other than its 5G capabilities and the fact that it’ll be DIY-repairable from the comfort of your own home, as long as you’re willing to foot the import fee and cost of the parts themselves, available from iFixit. A capable budget-beater…

Until Amazon finally admits its plans for South African domination, we’re stuck with the local offerings. That’s not so bad, especially after Checkers’ recent launch of Xtra Savings Plus – a subscription-based service that tacks onto the Sixty60 app, not unlike that of Amazon’s own Prime service in the States. Tom Cruise, is that you? “In an African retail first, Checkers has launched Xtra Savings Plus, a monthly subscription offering unlimited free Sixty60 grocery deliveries, more personalised offers and an additional in-store discount,” says Checkers in a release. Essentially, Checkers is looking to save some of its more loyal customers…

Sony hack and slash Sony has been hacked. At least, that’s what a report from Cyber Security Connect is claiming, with a newcomer in the ransomware space, Randsomed.vc, taking the credit. While the group’s claims haven’t yet been verified, it says that the stolen data is up for sale, due to Sony’s unwavering stance of not paying ransome demands. “We have successfully compromissed [sic] all of sony systems. We wont ransom them! we will sell the data. due to sony not wanting to pay. DATA IS FOR SALE,” it said before hammering the point home with “WE ARE SELLING IT.”…

Because just about everything in 2023 includes the words ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI), YouTube is updating its creator tools to usher in new features that’ll supposedly “enhance creativity and let anyone create”. With the help of AI, of course. Announced at this year’s Made on YouTube event, held last week, the Google-owned video platform showed off features like a ‘Dream Screen’ greenscreen, automatic language dubbing (sorry Mr Beast en Español), and AI insights to give your content a push in the right direction. Summoning the YouTube Dream Screen If you’ve watched any sort of TikTok video ever, then you’ve probably already…

If you’ve been counting down the days ‘til the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, we’ve got some good news. Nintendo South Africa turned up at this year’s Comic Con Africa 2023 to put on a show, featuring some of this year’s best games: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, and of course, Super Mario Bros. Wonder. We got to play it. So can you. Keen-eyed gamers will notice that we’re still nearly a month away from the game’s 20 October 2023 release date. Nintendo brought the goods early, and they’re giving everyone who’s able to hold a controller a go.…