Vodacom drops pre-paid rates with ‘Freedom 99′

Posted on | May 17, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

Following in the footsteps of Cell C, Vodacom has also announced a new package dropping the cost of pre-paid calls. The package is called Freedom 99 and it offers customers a flat pre-paid call rate of 99c per minute.

vodacom-99c-pre-paid

Like Cell C’s new package, Freedom 99 offers a flat rate on calls to any local network at any time of day. The offer will be launched on 20 May 2012. Nice one Vodacom!

Category: Mobile

Cell C drops pre-paid rates with new ’99 Cents for Real’ package

Posted on | May 17, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

Cell C has a new package called 99 Cents for Real bringing customers a welcome drop in pre-paid rates. Cell C CEO Alan Knott-Craig recently announced the new package which drops off-network and peak call rates to 99c per minute. That’s a simple flat rate of 99c per minute which will make your pre-paid life a little easier.

cell-c-99c-prepaid

The new package also reduces the prices of MMS messaging to 99c per message and also mobile data to 99c per megabyte (mb). 99 Cents for Real works with per second billing, so any local calls will cost less than 2c per second, at any time of day.

It’s nice to see Cell C getting the ball rolling with lower rates. Let’s hope to see more of the same!

Category: Mobile

FNB GEOPay app – a new way of transacting

Posted on | May 16, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

First National Bank (FNB) is leading the way with its new geo-payment service called GEOPay. Using cellular tower ‘triangulation’, Wi-Fi and GPS, the app enables FNB customers to make payments to anyone nearby with a compatible mobile device, even to customers of banks other than FNB.

fnb-geopay-app

The GEOPay app gives FNB users a new convenient way of transacting with each other, provided the two parties are in the required vicinity of each other. Non FNB customers can download the app to receive payments which are then stored in an e-wallet for up to 30 days. If you receive an e-wallet payment, you can then withdraw cash from any FNB ATM by following a few easy steps.

GEOPay is currently compatible with iPhones, as well as some Android and BlackBerry smartphones.

With apps, smartphones and other mobile devices we’re seeing a shift in the way we do our banking. Going forward the need for physical bank branches may be less and less, as mobile services become more sophisticated. The days of queuing at banks are slowly on the way out.

FNB is making some bold moves in its tech services. Let’s see what the other banks can offer!

Category: Apps

iOS app development training for smartphones and tablets – brought to you by immedia

Posted on | March 31, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

If you’d like to get into the world of iOS app development, then take note. South African app development studio immedia will be running a number of training workshops for developers interested in smartphone and tablet apps in April 2012. Three courses will be offered, focusing on iOS app development for beginners and more advanced users, as well as a more specific course on smartphone web app development.

ios-app-development-training

The training sessions are a joint venture between immedia and akosma software and courses will be headed by professional trainers from Switzerland and South Africa.

You can choose from the following three options:

iOS Beginners – Introductory course for programmers wanting to learn the basics of iOS development. You’ll learn the building blocks required for creating iPhone and iPad applications. The course is presented by presented by immedia’s specialist cloud and mobile app developer Kishyr Ramdial and is suitable for beginner developers with prior knowledge of any programming language, as well as students with development experience who’d like to specialise in iOS development.

Dates:

  • Johannesburg: 10 – 11 April 2012
  • Cape Town: 16 – 17 April 2012
  • Durban: 20 & 23 April 2012

iOS Advanced – More advanced course aimed at enhancing the knowledge and honing the skills of existing iOS developers. You’ll learn all the necessary tips and tricks necessary for creating great iPhone and iPad apps. The course is presented by akosma software’s Adrian Kosmaczewski as is suitable for developers with iOS experience.

Dates:

  • Johannesburg: 10 – 12 April 2012
  • Cape Town: 16 – 18 April 2012
  • Durban: 20, 23 & 24 April 2012

Mobile Web App Development – Specific course for web developers wanting to create web-based apps for smartphones. The course is presented by akosma software’s Adrian Kosmaczewski and is suitable for existing web developers.

Dates:

  • Johannesburg: 10 – 12 April 2012
  • Cape Town: 16 – 18 April 2012
  • Durban: 20, 23 & 24 April 2012

For more information, visit www.appdev.co.za. Student and group discounts are available.

Category: Apps

Pre-order your new Apple iPad (3rd generation) in South Africa

Posted on | March 28, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

The new Apple iPad is now available to pre-order in South Africa on special import. Expected sometime around April 2012, the 3rd generation iPad includes a stunning Retina display, quad-core graphics, a 5 mega-pixel camera and 4G (where available).

new-ipad-3-south-africa

The Retina display is probably the most hyped feature of the new iPad. With a resolution of 2048 x 1536 and 3.1 million pixels on the 9.7″ screen, the device takes tablet image quality to another level. Looks-wise it’s not much different to the iPad 2 but on the processing side, there’s a dual-core A5X chip with quad-core graphics which compliments the new display rather nicely. Thankfully, the camera has also received an upgrade and you now get a 5 mega-pixel iSight camera with HD video recording. On the connectivity side of things, there’s Wi-Fi and also 4G which would depend on your service provider network and area.

Here’s a closer look at some of the specs of the new iPad:

  • Apple A5X dual-core custom design processor
  • Quad-core graphics
  • 9.7″ LED-backlit widescreen
  • Retina display with 2048 x 1536 resolution
  • Oleophobic coating (fingerprint-resistant)
  • 5 Mega-pixel iSight camera with auto-focus
  • HD video recording (1080p) @ 30 fps
  • Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), 4G (where available), Bluetooth 4.0

If you’d like to be one of the first to get the new iPad in South Africa, then click on one of the options below to pre-order:

As we’ve seen before, there’s a huge buzz when a new iPad or iPhone is released and this time round, it’s no different. The new iPad is undoubtedly going to be the must-have gadget to buy in the coming months. If you can afford one, then lucky you!

Category: Notebooks / Tablets /e-Readers

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 – look out for it soon in South Africa

Posted on | March 26, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

It looks as though the 7 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will be hitting South Africa later this year. The device will feature the Android version 4.0 operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich) and will boast a number of cool Samsung features, building on the success of the original Galaxy Tab.

samsung-galaxy-tab-2

Equipped with a 1 GHz dual-core processor and 1024 x 600 7″ display, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will run the upgraded Touchwiz user interface – an already impressive feature from the original Galaxy Tabs. In addition, the new device will sport a 3 mega-pixel rear-camera, 21Mbps HSPA+ (on the 3G model) and Samsung Hub services like Video Hub (where you can rent movies).

The new Galaxy Tab will be available in 3G and Wi-Fi models and can be expected in South Africa sometime in the second quarter of 2012.

Category: Notebooks / Tablets /e-Readers

Get Mass Effect 3 on PS3, Xbox 360 or PC-DVD – Collectors Edition available as well

Posted on | March 10, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

Mass Effect 3 is here and it’s already proving to be very popular as expected. The action RPG sees Commander Shepard returning to save Earth from the Reapers in the third and final instalment of the trilogy developed by BioWare and released through Electronic Arts.

mass-effect-3-game-ps3-xbox-360-pc-dvd

Mass Effect 3 features a kick-ass storyline with multiple endings which you’ll ultimately determine. The gameplay is on par with previous versions, sticking to a winning formula. You’ll battle across the vast galaxy against enemies each with their own challenges and nuances. Elements in the game are highly customizable, so you can decide exactly what’ll work best. The graphics are superb and the sound work is something else – best enjoyed in surround sound. There’s a multi-player mode as well.

Click on the options below to buy Mass Effect 3 in the format you’re looking for:

Category: Gaming

immedia developer Kishyr Ramdial wins inaugural Vodacom App Star Challenge

Posted on | March 10, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

The winner of the inaugural Vodacom App Star Challenge was recently announced in Midrand. First place went to Kishyr Ramdial, a 25 year old developer from Durban based app development company immedia.

vodacom-app-star-winner

Apps were judged on the following criteria:

  • local relevance of the app
  • user experience
  • design
  • content
  • overall quality

Kishyr’s RadioPod app – a useful South African directory of radio and podcast content – scored highly in all five categories and deservedly picked up first place. With the win, Kishyr walked away with R15,000 in prize money, an Apple iPad 2 and tickets to an ICT conference of his choice. If you’d to check out the RadioPod app, it’s available from the Vodacom App Store.

Big ups to Vodacom for organising the Vodacom App Star Challenge – it’s great to see developers getting platform to showcase their skills, so let’s hope the challenge is here to stay. And well done to Kishyr for the big win!

Category: Apps

Transcend Storejet 25M2 500GB external drive – military drop tested to protect your data

Posted on | March 3, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

If you’re looking for an external hard drive to backup valuable data, then it doesn’t get much tougher than this. The Transcend Storejet 25M2 500GB external drive is compact and tough enough to meet US Military drop-test standards. This is possible with its advanced three-stage anti-shock technology which makes use of an anti-slip rubber case and solid reinforced hard casing, as well as an internal suspension damper. It’s pretty impressive stuff.

transcend-25m2-500gb-external-drive-military-tested

The Storejet 25M2 also features a useful One Touch Auto-Backup button and Transcend Elite backup and security software,  giving you an easy-to-use solution for those regular backups that you may need. The 2.5″ drive is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux and is USB 2.0 compliant, with backwards compatibility for USB 1.1. The Storejet 25M2 weighs 250 grams and it’s powered by plugging into a USB port ie. you don’t need an extra power cord or battery.

All in all, it’s a great option if you’re looking for a tough external drive which can take a few falls and bumps along the way.

Click here to buy the Transcend Storejet 25M2 500GB External Drive.

Category: Other

Toshiba AT100 Android Tablet – good price with good features

Posted on | February 25, 2012 | No Comments - Add your comment

So, you’re looking for a good Android based tablet and you don’t want to break the bank… If this is where you’re at, then an option to consider is the Toshiba AT100. On the plus side, the tablet comes with a 10.1″ HD display, NVidia Tegra T250 processor, 1GB RAM and a great selection of ports which are very handy. The device isn’t as sleek and slim as some other tablets but then again, it’s not in the same price bracket as those.

toshiba-at-100-tablet

Looking more closely at the Toshiba AT100 specs, you’ll find:

  • NVidia Tegra T250 Mobile Processor
  • 1GB RAM (DDR2)
  • 16GB Solid state storage
  • 10.1″ HD display with 1280 x 800 resolution
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11 (b/b/n)
  • Bluetooth
  • 5.0 Mega-pixel rear camera
  • 2.0 Mega-pixel front camera
  • Android 3.2 (Honeycomb)
  • 1 x USB 2.0 port
  • 1 x Mini USB 2.0 port
  • 1 x HDMI port
  • Multi-card reader slot (SD, MiniSD etc)
  • Weight: 800g
  • Size: 273.0mm x 177.0mm x 15.8mm

The range of Android based tablets is growing all the time. You’ve really got to just weigh up the options and decide on what’s important – specs, price, looks, connectivity etc.

The Toshiba AT100 fits in nicely in the low to mid-range price bracket and specs-wise, it’s no slouch. There’s no 3G but it seems that most tablet PC users are using Wi-Fi anyway.

Click here to buy the Toshiba AT 100 tablet.

Category: Notebooks / Tablets /e-Readers
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