05.22.18

WATCH: Nokia launches new device, the X6

BY Staff Reporter < 1 MINUTE READ

HMD Global has released the latest Nokia smartphone – the Nokia X6 at an event in China and its possible that the device might only be available there, reports suggest.

The device features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chip, has 4GB or 6GB of RAM, up to 64GB of internal storage, and support for a 256GB microSD card.

It also has a USB-C port, 5.8-inch FHD+ screen, and comes with the last OSAndroid 8.1. Nokia has listed the device for sale in China, starting at a price of $200.

The company has made no statement on whether or not the smartphone will be available outside of the country. We will update you once the announcement has been made on South Africa availability and price.

Here is the specifications for the Nokia X6’:

 

Nokia X6
Dimension 147.2 x 70.98 x 8.59 mm
OS Android 8.1
Display 5.8-inch FHD+ (2,280 x 1,080)
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 636
RAM 4GB/6GB
Storage 32GB/64GB + MicroSD 256GB
Front camera 16MP
Rear camera 16MP + 5MP
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack, USB Type-C
Network LTE
Battery 3,060mAh

WATCH:

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

WATCH: New technologies that will change the way you get to work

BY Staff Reporter 2 MINUTE READ

Companies have been investing a lot of money into innovating the ways that people commute.

According to CNN Money, here are some of the cool transport developments that people can look forward to.
 
Flying cars
Companies like Uber, Boeing and Airbus are working on technology to get people airborne. Startups like Joby Aviation and Kittyhawke have also been working on flying cars too.
Ride-sharing company Uber is working with NASA to introduce commercial flying cars in the next five years.
Hyperloop
Elon Musk’s Hyperloop will offer commuters a 30-minute train like ride between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Hyperloop functions on a vacuum-like system Passengers will travel in large pods at over 600 mph. So far, Hyperloop has built a 500- metre test track above ground in Nevada.
Some of the challenges include the building of the vacuum tube over hundreds of miles which could cost billions of dollars. The Hyperloop must also travel in a straight line so passengers do not get sick.
Futuristic subway systems
The Boring Company has almost completed the building of the first part of a tunnel in Los Angeles that will transport people in the own cars or in pedestrian pods at speeds of up to 150mph.
This new development will help people to avoid traffic and get around Los Angeles much faster. This project will also be expanding and The Boring Company have announced that a regional network will be built to connect cities that are close to each other.
Toyota’s e-Palette concept vehicle
The Toyota’s e-Palette concept vehicle can change from being a ride-sharing car to a mobile store that sells merchandise. The inside of the vehicle can transform making it almost impossible to recognise that it is the same vehicle.
The exterior of the car will be LCD screens that can display different brands,
Self-driving cars
Self-driving cars may soon be a reality thanks to the advancements in computing power and software. Now computer vision algorithms have made it possible for cars to detect objects like pedestrians or lane markings. However, there is still some skepticism in regards to this mode of transport especially after the recent incidents involving self-driving cars.
Recently an Uber self-driving car killed a pedestrian in the United States.
– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE
03.06.18

WATCH: The top smartphone devices at the #MWC2018

BY Staff Reporter 3 MINUTE READ

The 2018 Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain consisted of four days, thousands of stalls, 2300 companies exhibiting the best of the Telecoms industry at the world’s largest mobile phone show.

Here is a list of the top smartphones showcased at the event: 

1. Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

Samsung’s new flagship the S9 featured what the company called a “redesigned'” camera with a new Dual Aperture lens, Super Slow-mo video capabilities which allow you to create a personalised Augmented Reality (AR) Emoji.

The devices are made in four colours:  Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, Coral Blue and a new hue, Lilac Purple.

Key Specifications: 

Display: 5.80-inch

Processor: 1.7GHz octa-core

Front Camera : 8-megapixel

Resolution: 1440×2960 pixels

RAM: 4GB

OS: Android 8.0

Storage: 64GB

Rear Camera: 12-megapixel

Battery Capacity: 3000mAh

2. Nokia 8110

Once again, HMD and renewed and restored another Nokia classic.

This new model Nokia 8810 is slimmer, has a bigger screen that’s full-color, and is available both in black, the color of the original, matte-yellow.

Key specifications: 

Battery: 25 days’ battery life on standby.

Apps: a small number of apps including Facebook, Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Search and Twitter.

Connectivity: 4G connectivity and the ability to share 4G in a hotspot.

Availability: May 2018.

 3. Cat S61

The Cat S61 is unique designed smartphone described as a toolbox that can be used in a variety of professions.

Interesting features on the device: 

1. A thermal camera 

The S61 has an improved thermal camera – again by FLIR – that can read temps from -20°C to 400°C and show a higher resolution image than its predecessor (from SD to HD).

The camera app can even livestream the image, if you need to consult with a colleague.

For example, It can be used by handymen working on the insulation on your house or for checking for hidden leaks.

2.  Laser-assisted measurement tool

You can take a photo and you can accurately measure distances up to 10m and calculate area.

3. Monitoring air quality 

The Cat S61 can constantly monitor the air in a room and the phone will alert you if the it becomes dangerous with too many pollutants.

Key Specifications:

Display: 5’2 Inch

Camera:  16MP/4K regular camera on the back and an 8MP selfie cam

OS: Android Oreo at launch
Storage: 64GB of built-in storage plus a microSD slot
It will be available globally in Q2 at a price of €900 ( R13 235)

4. LG V30S ThinQ

The V30S features artificial intelligence (AI) features that “actively analyses the world around itself to understand sight and sound just like a human, according to LG.

This helps users take better pictures, with the AI algorithm enhancing images by scanning the environment through its dual-camera set-up.

LG has yet to announce a release date for the V30S, but it is expected to arrive in Korea before making its way to international markets.

Key specifications: 

Processor:  Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor

RAM:  6GB

Storage: 128GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 2GB via a microSD card

OS:  Android 8.0
Battery:  3300mAh

5. Sony XZ2

Sony has released a handful of new smartphones at MWC, with the standout model being the Xperia XZ2.

Sony says that the handset will have support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) so blacks should appear deeper and colours more vivid.

Key specifications: 

Display: 5.7 HRD display

Resolution: 2,160 x 1,080

Processor: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 chipset

Storage:  64GB onboard with support for a microSD card up to 400GB.

Battery:  3 180mAh Battery.

Camera: 19 megapixel camera that can record slow-motion footage at 960fps.

Pre-orders open on 22 March, the website says, although pricing has yet to be announced.

6. ZTE Blade V9

Chinese tech firm ZTE announced its new Blade mobile that’s targeted at the mid-range of the market.

The device has a price tag of  €269 (R3, 959) features a dual-camera system with 16 and 5 MP lenses.

The dual-camera set-up also allows users to access augmented reality (AR) apps, which layer computer graphics over real-world images in real-time.

Key Specifications: 

Battery: 3200mAh

Camera: (Front)13MP, Camera (Rear) 16MP + 5MP

Display: 5.7-inch Full HD

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 450

Storage: 32GB (expandable up to 256GB via microSD)

RAM: 3GB

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

Apple may launch a cheaper Mac Air this year

BY Staff Reporter < 1 MINUTE READ

Apple may be preparing to release a new and cheaper MacBook Air in the second quarter of 2018, according to a report in 9to5Mac.

9to5Mac spoke to KGI securities Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the company is reportedly planning to release a cheaper model at some point in the second quarter of 2018.

Ming-Chi Kuo expects that Apple will release a 13-inch MacBook Air “with a lower price tag,” later this year. He also adds that the lower price could help boost Apple’s laptop sales.

Kuo did not provide any further details about the product such prices or specifications. While the line celebrates its tenth year in 2018, the line hasn’t received many changes or updates.

The last update the Mac air recieved was when Apple updated it with a faster 1.8GHz Intel processor.  Apple currently sells the MacBook Air for $999.

In a previous report, Kuo also stated that company will likely refresh its AirPods, and that the HomePod has been met with “mediocre” demand.

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

03.01.18

Blackberry World will not have paid apps from April

BY Staff Reporter 2 MINUTE READ

Blackberry Limited has begun informing app developers that they will be removing paid for software from the Blackberry World app store on the 1 April 2018, according to The Verge.

Blackberry Limited, is a company that manages Blackberry brand licensing and software. According to Blackberry the marketplace will be a free-only storefront and all purchasing methods will be disabled.
The company said that apps can still be monetised but payment backends must be supported by the developer and built into the app itself. Refunds for paid content will be supported until 30 April 2018. Customers will be able to enjoy access to paid content even after it is removed.
If a developer chooses not to change an app from paid to free, then the company will take it down by the end of March.
Developer Steve Troughton Smith posted on Twitter a statement from Blackberry where the company announced the end of Blackberry World. Troughton Smith said that the closing down of Blackberry World the final nail in the coffin for BB10.

The BB10 is the last Blackberry Limited custom mobile operating system before the company moved to Android in 2015.
Last year December, the mobile company promised at least two years more of support for the Blackberry 10, with Blackberry World set to close down officially on New Years Eve 2019.  A Blackberry representative pointed to a blog post from December last year when asked for comment. In the blog post the company states that “Customers who upgrade to a new KeyOne or Motion won’t miss a beat as they’ll have immediate access to the rich universe of apps in the Google Play store without compromising on either security or their desire for a physical keyboard”.
– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE 
02.28.18

WATCH: Give your input on Google’s Pixel smartphone

BY Staff Reporter < 1 MINUTE READ

Google’s internal team responsible for Pixel software, settings, and device configuration turned to crowd sourcing via Reddit to uncover Android users’ biggest complaints about the smartphone.

“We don’t have any features or product plans to announce right now, but we hope to incorporate this feedback to improve your Settings experience on Pixel devices in the future,” the company wrote on the Reddit thread, which remains active.

The replies to the thread covered everything from Bluetooth volume settings to Google Home integration. So far the thread received nearly 700 comments and counting.

“For any pain points or feedback you have, it would also be great if you could explain as much as you can about your context and why it is a pain point. For instance, if there’s a setting you toggle 20 times a day, explain the scenarios where you need to manage the setting. This will help us better understand how to address the problem.”

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

02.26.18

WATCH: These smartphones are best for business – Google

BY Staff Reporter 2 MINUTE READ

The Android Enterprise Recommended programme launched by Google, will help businesses select the best Android devices to equip their employees.

A section of the programme consists of a shortlist of smartphones that businesses can consider to be the best in the industry according to Google.

“Android Enterprise Recommended, a Google-led program raises the bar of excellence for enterprise devices and services,” Google explained in a statement.

“The program establishes best practices and common requirements, backed by rigorous testing so you can confidently deploy Android in your enterprise,” added the company.

For a handset to be on the list it must:

1. Support at least Android 7.0 software

2. Be available as an unlocked device from the manufacturer or reseller. This means that no changes have been made to the hardware and software of the device and that it can be used with any cell phone provider.

3. The device should be able to be mass enrolled.

Additionally, Google also requires that security patches from the manufacturer are delivered and one major system updates are done within 90 days of their release.

Here is a list of the current best Android devices according to Google: 

-Blackberry KEYone

– Huawei Mate 10 Pro

– Huawei P10

– Huawei P10 Plus

– Huawei P10 Lite

– LG G6

-LG V30

-Nokia 8

-Sony Xperia XA2

-Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra

-Sony Xperia XZ Premium

-Sony Xperia XZ1

-Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact

– Moto X4

-Moto Z2 Force Edition

-Huawei Mate 10

-Google Pixel

-Google Pixel XL

-Google Pixel 2

-Google Pixel 2 XL

WATCH:

 

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

02.23.18

Warren Buffett again cautions on Bitcoin

BY Staff Reporter < 1 MINUTE READ

American business magnate, Warren Buffett, CEO of  JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon and American television personality, Jim Cramer all say that cryptocurrencies will come to a bad ending, reports Inc.

Buffett reportedly said, off the record, that there is no position in cryptocurrencies.

A founder of a cryptographic ledger company allegedly wrote to Dimon in October, explaining the controversial nature of blockchain.

The founder reportedly explained decentralized applications, saying they are simply traditional applications similar to banking and payment processing which do not require a regulated intermediary.

Some analysts agree Bitcoin’s very decentralised structure is what makes it lack credibility.

Business Report reported on February 17 reported on what happens to your bitcoin when you die.

Five years ago, Matthew Moody was killed during an observational flight when the two-seater plane he was in crashed flying over a canyon in Chico, California.

The 26-year old had been mining Bitcoins – today worth thousands of dollars each.

However, the decentralized and unregulated nature of Bitcoin means that without the keys to access his son’s digital wallet, hosted by blockchain.info. This meant that Matthew’s father was not able to access his bitcoins.

“There is no authority that could be appealed to fix this,” Nolan Bauerle, director of research at cryptocurrency analysis website CoinDesk, said of an individual’s Bitcoin stash becoming inaccessible after they pass away. “Those coins would be abandoned.”

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE 

 

02.22.18

Google Pay to replace Google Wallet and Android Pay

BY Staff Reporter < 1 MINUTE READ

Google has released a new payment service called Google pay which will combine previous services such as Google Wallet and Android Pay.

The company has big plans for Google Pay, promising that the service will be available when using Google products, including Chrome and Assistant. So far, the company has re branded the Google Wallet app and updated the design as Google Pay Send.

How it works: 

1. The “Home” tab on the app will show recent payment activity, nearby local offers and stores and other information using Google’s card-style interface.

2. It has a “Cards” tab, which is where all your individual credit, debit, reward, and gift cards live.

3. Just like Android Pay, this service will allow you to use cards and payment information stored in Google Pay across a wide variety of apps and websites.

4. Google Pay will also work for transit in cities including Kiev, London, and Portland, although that depends a lot on where you live and what your city’s public transit looks like.

5. Google is also working on integrating its Venmo-like service from Google Wallet directly into the Google Pay app for the US and UK markets.

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

02.20.18

SpaceX to launch test satellites to kick off internet project

BY Staff Reporter 2 MINUTE READ

Space X is set to launch a Falcon 9 rocket which will carry an Earth-observation satellite called Paz for Spain and two more satellites to test out the technology needed to receive internet from space.

The launch was supposed to happen Sunday 18 February 2018 but SpaceX moved plans to launch due to performing “final checks’, and rescheduled for February 21st.

These 2 satellites in addition to Paz are called the Microsat-2a and Microsat-2b are set to be the first in Elon Musk’s vision to transmit internet to Earth from space.

According to reports, The company with the help of Elon Musk’s vision wants to create a giant constellation of nearly 12,000 satellites that will orbit  above Earth, allowing internet connectivity to antenna receivers on the planet’s surface.

The idea is to create a network of satellites that ensures connectivity at all times. According to financial projections obtained by The Wall Street Journal , SpaceX ‘s system, called Starlink, is expected to have more than 40 million subscribers to the service by 2025.

This could amount to $30 billion in revenue for the company. The project is currently under consideration by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). On Thursday, it received backing from FCC chairman Ajit Pai, who said that Starlink would be “on such innovation … to provide high-speed internet to rural Americans.”

The license would give SpaceX six years to deploy all the satellites, although the FCC is also looking at a petition from SpaceX to remove time limitations. Pai also added that if Space X is successful in getting the FCC approval,  it’ll be a first time an American-based company in the internet-in-space race.

Many companies have been participating in the race due to many people around the globe still lacking access to the internet access. CNN reported that a startup called, OneWeb, has already received approval  from the FCC to send internet satellites into orbit.

– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE