Author: Trent Meikle

If you thought AI-powered subtitles were a bad idea, then you’ll want to see what Prime Video has cooked up. Or maybe you don’t. Amazon, with a seemingly endless stream of money and artificial intelligence tech on hand, feels the time is ripe for AI-powered dubbing on certain licensed movies and series. Amazon is in the process of stuffing AI into nearly every revenue stream it has, most recently implementing a subscription-based Alexa+ that was designed to serve as a smarter home assistant (and the prequel to Her). Prime Video is no stranger to AI tech, either, having brought AI summaries…

Now here’s something you don’t see every day. Tesla’s Powerwall 3 is headed for SA’s shores nearly two years after its launch, courtesy of SegenSolar. Now that Eskom has revealed that all isn’t as it seems regarding load shedding, a power solution like the Powerwall 3 could prove an effective measure against those power bandits. “As the country faces ongoing load-shedding and rising energy costs, Tesla Powerwall 3 delivers a smarter, more powerful, and more efficient way to store solar energy, reduce grid dependence, and ensure uninterrupted power,” SegenSolar said. Nikola’s Powerwall dream Wondering what the hell a Powerwall is…

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Apple with the release of the iPhone 16e and the recent upgrades to the iPad Air, culminated last night when it announced the ‘new’ MacBook Air – now boasting the company’s M4 chipset – among a few other updates. Those include a new Sky Blue hue, revised camera, and most importantly, a slightly more affordable price. As ever, the M4 MacBook Air is available in two sizes – 13in and 15in – and is already available for pre-order in the US, with an expected launch date of 12 March. The 13in model…

When Sony rang its bells to alert potential PSVR 2 buyers of a massive, permanent price cut, we couldn’t help but get excited. Sure, there was no telling just how the new $400 price tag (down from $550) overseas would affect wishful Saffas, but there was a glimmer of hope for a reasonable price. That glimmer has been snuffed out. “For those who have been waiting for the opportunity to jump into PlayStation VR 2 and experience what this generation’s innovative virtual reality system has to offer, we are happy to share we’re reducing the recommended retail price of PSVR…

There’s nothing quite like playing a game early while the rest of the world eagerly watches a ticking clock. As such, Sony has launched its ‘Beta Program at PlayStation’ initiative, an “easier, more consolidated way for gamers to sign up to participate in future PlayStation betas across a wide range of PlayStation experiences.” Sony’s looking for a beta (tester) In other words, you’ll have the opportunity to playtest games early on the PS5 or PC, try out new software updates before they’re entirely ready for the outside world, and preview new app features for the mobile client and PlayStation.com website.…

It’s finally that time of the month again, folks. Time for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) to pass judgement on the country’s petrol and diesel price updates for March 2025. Fortunately, the DMRE has delivered a verdict that all South Africans will find agreeable. As ever, the DMRE’s adjustments will only become official the minute the clock strikes twelve – meaning that you’ll want to hold off until Wednesday, 5 March before filling up. While the petrol price predictions throughout February, courtesy of the Central Energy Fund (CEF), showed price improvements for most grades of fuel, it…

Siri wants a bite of the apple (intelligence) While Amazon is making strides in its disembodied voice with artificial intelligence, Apple isn’t doing so well. It’s an open secret that Apple is desperate to make Siri a little smarter with the help of Apple Intelligence, the Big Fruit Company’s AI outfit. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman (via The Verge), Apple “won’t release a “true modernized, conversational version of Siri … until iOS 20 at best in 2027.” That isn’t stopping Apple from releasing something AI-related during the iOS 18 lifecycle, reportedly targeting a release alongside iOS 18.5. This will be an LLM-powered…

There’s no denying TikTok’s supremacy in the war for our ever-shortening attention spans, leaving YouTube and Instagram to vie for second place. The latter, in the hands of Meta, hopes to claw back some of those numbers by launching a separate Reels app that’ll get people clicking faster than they were previously. Unlike Instagram’s last attempt to snatch away Twitter’s users with Threads, Instagram Reels has the benefit of brand recognition behind it, ensuring that Instagram’s latest venture won’t flop quite as hard as all the rest. Keepin’ it Reel It’s worth mentioning that Instagram hasn’t fully committed to the…

If you’ve cautiously resisted hopping aboard Sony’s PSVR 2 train until this moment, all that hard work is about to pay off. Starting this March, Sony will drastically cut the price of the company’s VR efforts to $400 (∼R7,400), down from the original starting price of $550 when the headset first launched in February 2023. This isn’t specific to the United States. Sony’s blog post announcing the “great new price” for the PSVR 2 mentions that similar price cuts are headed for the UK, Europe, and Japan – leaving out how the change would affect the rest of the world,…

After FNB’s abrupt dismissal of its partnership with Shoprite in favour of a glamorous new team-up with Pick n Pay, the retail brand has sought a new partner for discounts while shopping at its own and Checkers stores: Standard Bank. More specifically, the local bank’s UCount Rewards, adding to its ongoing collaboration with Discovery. In what feels like a dig at FNB, Shoprite’s announcement reads: “Africa’s biggest bank and Africa’s biggest retailer have teamed up to offer customers Africa’s biggest grocery rewards. This comes as the Shoprite Group doubles down on transparent partnerships that offer shoppers real value. ” Shoprite…