The Digital Lifestyle Measure report by MBIT shows that 23 percent of South Africa’s “high-tech” consumers own cryptocurrency.
According to the DM segmentation, a high-tech consumer is classified as a DLM 5 consumer while a low-tech consumer is known as a DLM 1 consumer.
A person is categorised according, to the scores that they receive for questions they have answered about their personal digital lives and the technologies that they own.
In order to be categorised, a consumer must have at least one type of internet access. Due to 55 percent of the population having access to the internet only that number was classified.
Cryptocurrency
According to the report, 42 percent of DLM 5 consumers and 30 percent of DLM 4 consumers felt that cryptocurrency has a place in the future and while 41 percent of DLM 1 consumers did not know what cryptocurrency is.
The 34 percent of the DLM 3 consumers said that they had no idea of what is going to happen while 26 percent called it the future of transacting.
DLM Category
% of ownership
DLM 1
6%
DLM 2
7%
DLM 3
12%
DLM 4
8%
DLM 5
23%
Banking
The survey also looked at banking and the primary bank for each DLM category.
According to the report, 47 percent of DLM 5 consumers banked with FNB while 41 percent of DLM 1 consumers banked with Capitec bank. The second most popular bank for DLM 5 and DLM 1 consumers was Capitech and Nedbank respectively.
At least 92 percent of DLM consumers or high tech consumers said they used internet banking and mobile banking applications. According to low tech consumers, 55 percent of them use a mobile banking application and 53 percent of them use internet banking.
The report also showed the high tech consumers are more likely to pay for something using a mobile payment application in comparison to a DLM 1.
Cell C has launched new fixed-LTE-A packages, which offer data bundles of between 15GB and 200GB a month.
The company is calling it the Data Democracy packages and it is available as SIM-only products or bundled with a router.
Additionally, it is only being offered as 24-month contracts.
“Data is a right, not a privilege. Today we stand to make data affordable to all. We stand up for data democracy. Stand with us,” Cell C said in its promotional material.
The SIM-only deals start with a 15GB package, while the router-and-SIM products start at 50GB.
Fossil has just released their fourth generation of Fossil Q smartwatches and they have added some great features to the watch.
The new smartwatches are the Fossil Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR.The only difference between these two watches is the size of the casing. The Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR having casings that are 40mm and 45mm respectively.
The new watch from Fossil has built-in tracking, notification features like such as text, app alerts, calendar alerts, alarm clock and multiple time zones.
Some of the functions of the watch include heart rate tracking, GPS, NFC, personalise your dial, swim-proof and you can use it to pay for items thanks to Google Pay. There is Bluetooth and wi-fi connectivity and it is compatible with Android OS 4.4+ (excluding Go edition) and iOS 9.3+.
The Fossil Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR cost between $255 (R3396) and $275.
Fossil Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR Photo: Facebook
While Fossil has released their new smartwatches they are not the only brand to make smartwatches. Here is a closer look at three other smartwatch brands:
Apple Watch Series 3
The Apple Watch Series 3 can help you keep up with your day with All-Day Assistant. With this feature, you can ask Siri to send a message if you missed a call as well as make and receive phone and Facetime audio calls with the keypad. Siri is more helpful and versatile on the smartwatch and getting directions is a breeze.
The health tool on the watch measures the user’s heart rate throughout the day whether they are working out or resting. The SOS function ensures that help will be on its way and that your emergency contacts will be notified of your location.
The device is also swim-proof, it has interchangeable wristbands and it has both GPS and an altimeter.
These smartwatches cost between $329 and $699 depending on style and wristband.
Apple Watch Series 3 Photo: Facebook
Samsung Gear S3
The Samsung Gear S3 it is water resistant, has Samsung Pay, Bluetooth connectivity and built-in GPS to track activities and share your location. Like the previous two watches, users can receive and respond to calls and texts and receive notifications.
It can also go nonstop for days on a single charge and the wireless charger makes it easier to charge on the go. Users can also track their fitness, heart rate and steps with the smartwatch and access your apps easily.
The smartwatches can cost between $299.99 and $449.99.
Samsung Gear S3 Photo: Facebook
FitBit Versa
The FitBit Versa was released in April 2018 and it has a squircle design that is similar to the design of the Apple Watch. It is a health and fitness smartwatch that has features like connected GPS, Bluetooth, multiple day battery life of 4 days and more, heart rate tracking and payments on the go.
Its female health feature logs your menstrual cycle and records symptoms. You can track your steps, calories burned, floors climbed amongst other things with this smartwatch. A user can keep track of their sleeping patterns and personalised onscreen workouts that play on your wrist.
The FitBit smartwatch costs $199.99.
FitBit Versa Photo: Facebook
Smartwatches in South Africa
The Ipsos Affluent Survey has revealed that South Africa could be the next big market for smartwatches and fitness trackers. The survey looks at the adoption of wearables, smartphones and other personal electronics in 41 countries across the globe.
The survey showed that less 13 percent of South African households have a wearable technology but an improvement in this number is expected as technology becomes more extensive and affordable.
– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE
Fossil Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR
Photo: Facebook
DURBAN – The chief engineer of Tesla, Doug Field has left the electric car company to return to Apple according to the Verge.
Field was formerly the VP for Hardware Engineering in 2013 when he left the company to join Tesla as the VP for Vehicle Programs before he was promoted to chief engineer in 2014.
Now, according to reports Field is actually working on a secretive self-driving car program for Apple. The self-driving car program is apparently called Project Titan.
Field was in charge of vehicle production and engineering for Tesla but CEO Elon Musk had to take over this year after the electric car company did not make their initial first-quarter for the Model 3.
The former Tesla VP was on leave in May but then left the company in June.
Just recently it was reported that Apple was filing a patent for an augmented reality windshield for an autonomous car.
According to Mashable a European patent application for a windshield display that shows maps and road conditions in autonomous cars was discovered.
Apple has been tight lipped about their self-driving cars.
In 2017 while being interviewed by Bloomberg the CEO of Apple Tim Cook spoke about the company’s involvement in autonomous systems and hinted at Apple’s involvement in autonomous cars.
Tesla
South African born Elon Musk announced his plans to take Tesla private. Musk made the announcement via Twitter on Tuesday.
The announcement resulted in Tesla stock dropping and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) inquiring if Musk’s statements on Twitter were factual.
Investor support is confirmed. Only reason why this is not certain is that it’s contingent on a shareholder vote. https://t.co/bIH4Td5fED
Google has announced that they will be introducing a “visual snapshot” feature on Google Assistant that will sum up what is happening in your day.
This new feature that will be available on both Android and iOS devices from this week, will curate a user’s personal information into a single interface that is scrollable.
Assistant will also merge these snapshots with notes and lists from the individuals other other note-taking apps like Google Keep. The app will also include the time needed for your daily commute depending on whether you drive, bike or walk.
As the user moves to and from different places their overview will be updated. Android users can also check for updates by tapping on the blue inbox icon at the to the home screen for Google Assistant.
Google Assitant has a new “visual snapshot” feature Photo: Facebook
For iOS users, they can check for updates with a long press of the home button after they have launched the app. It has been reported that Assistant will also be expanding to include things like recommendations for music, stocks that you follow and even podcasts.
Google Podcast
Just last month Google announced a new podcast app that will be called Google Podcasts for Android. The podcats app uses the recommendation algorithms to recommend based on the listening preferences and history of the user.
Once the user has downloaded the podcasts app, users can listen to any podcast for free.
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S10 in three variants, instead of the usual “standard” and “plus” configurations, Forbes reported.
This is because Samsung will have an “entry-level” Galaxy S10 option, which will exclude an in-display fingerprint reader – expected in the other two models.
The cheaper Galaxy S10 will have the fingerprint reader mounted on the side of the device’s frame, according to the report.
Each in-display fingerprint module will cost $15, which is more than seven times the price of the normal fingerprint sensor Samsung has used in its previous phones, BGR reported.
It also reported that Qualcomm will supply the optical fingerprint sensors to Samsung and that the Galaxy S10+ will have a triple-lens camera system.
A Korean news site called The Bell and Ice Universe have referred to the alleged new S10s as Beyond 0, Beyond 1 and Beyond 2.
The new rumor of the Galaxy S10, Beyond0 uses side fingerprints, Beyond1 and Beyond2 use screen fingerprints. And Beyond0 and Beyond1 are dual cameras, and Beyond2 is three cameras.
While there are no hard spec leaks it is believed that the Beyond 0 will be an entry-level model that has a fingerprint scanner on the side of the device. The Beyond 1 and 2 will allegedly have FOD functionality.
Samsung is reportedly planning on replacing the iris scanner on the Samsung Galaxy S10 device with an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Samsung reportedly did not request that its suppliers add iris scanners with the new device, reports The Verge.
However, the device will reportedly utilise facial recognition and an in-display fingerprint scanner will provide an easy way to unlock the device.
The phone will also reportedly have a 5.8 inch display and the Galaxy S10 Plus will have a 6.2 inch display.
Microsoft has partnered with Razer to enable its Chroma RGB lighting support in Xbox games.
This means that keyboard and mouse support for the Xbox One will soon be a reality. Chroma allows players to have an assortment of colors light up on a keyboard, and it’s also useful for spotting ability cooldowns in games like Overwatch.
According to reports by Windows Central, Microsoft started briefing developers about the upcoming support earlier this year. Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans told The Verge that Microsoft and Razer presented their plans at the annual Xfest event for developers earlier this year.
Razer is planning to allow game developers to tap into its API to bring Chroma lighting effects to games. If all goes according to plan, Xbox One users will start to make use of this later this year with Microsoft’s fall update for the Xbox.
Xbox gamers will welcome the addition of keyboard and mouse support, but some will question the impact on multiplayer games.
Microsoft is allowing developers to detect whether a keyboard or mouse is present on an Xbox One, and games could potentially only match keyboard and mouse users with similarly equipped players.
(Image: Razer and Microsoft partnership at Xfest / Windows Central)
TCL Communication’s newest BlackBerry smartphone the BlackBerry Key 2 now has a release date which will be available on July 13th in the United States starting at $649.99 (R8789.49)
WATCH:
Pre-orders are set to start at Amazon and Best Buy on June 29th.
The Key2 is an upgraded version of the KeyOne.
TCL has updated the design a bit, slimming down the bezels and making the iconic physical keyboard slightly larger. But this isn’t a radical redesign.
Specs have also been boosted since the KeyOne, for example, there’s a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chip and both RAM and internal storage have been doubled from the previous model to 6GB of memory and either 64GB or 128GB of space.
The front-facing camera is still an 8-megapixel shooter, but the rear camera is a new dual 12-megapixel camera.
Both Amazon and Best Buy will be offering the Key2 unlocked, although TCL and BlackBerry say that the phone is optimized for GSM carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile in silver and black options.
Google has updated the Google Account and released new features in order to make it easier for people to navigate their account.
Google announced yesterday in a blog statement the new changes.
“Several years ago, we brought our privacy and security settings together in one place to make it easier for you to choose the options that are right for you. Billions of people have now visited their Google Account and over 20 million people do so every day.Today, we’re announcing an improved Google Account experience. It includes new features to more easily navigate your account, more prominent security and privacy options, and detailed summaries of relevant information associated with it—like your personal info, your devices, payment methods, purchases, subscriptions, reservations, and contacts”, said the statement.
New ways to find what you need
Google users will reportedly be able to review and control data. With a new functionality being installed, users will be able to find setting and other information in their account like how to change your password.
A mew support section will also be available which will assist users when they have an issue and they are not sure what they are looking for. With the new support section, users will be able to find help with common tasks like upgrading their account storage and getting answers from community experts.
More helpful privacy and security information
Google has also updated it data and privacy feature, making it easily accessible. “We know that when it comes to data and privacy, one size does not fit all. To help you better understand and take control of your Google Account, we’ve made all your privacy options easy to review with our new intuitive, user-tested design. You can now more easily find your Activity controls in the Data & Personalization tab and choose what types of activity data are saved in your account to make Google work better for you. There, you’ll also find the recently updated Privacy Checkup that helps you review your privacy settings and explains how they shape your experience across Google services”, said the statement.
According to Product Manager for Google Account, Jan Hannemann said that the new Google Account experience builds on the Security Checkup which was update in October.
“The new Google Account experience builds on this and will show you prominent notices if we detect there’s something you can do to improve your security. For example, we might suggest you remove your account from old devices you’re no longer using or remove unverified apps you had granted access to your account data.We are committed to providing you with the controls you need to choose what’s right for you. For years, we’ve built and refined tools to help you easily understand, protect, and control your information. As needs around security and privacy evolve, we will continue to improve these important tools to help you control how Google works for you”, said the statement.
Facebook has arguably evolved into one of the largest online communities which serves many purposes. From connecting with friends to trading goods and even raising funds. However, there may be certain tabs that you are not familiar with or unaware that it existed.
These are some cool Facebook tips and tricks that you may not know about:
See what is happening around the world
Picture: Facebook Live. (Screengrab).
Facebook allows users to access live streams as they happen in real-time with Facebook Live. Facebook Live basically provides users with a map of the world. Users can then navigate the map and select a certain area on the map and the Facebook Live will then list all the live videos within that region.
How to access Facebook Live
Simply type in “Facebook Live” in the search bar and select the first option.
Stop birthday reminders
Picture: Birthday reminder. (Screengrab).
Facebook has a built-in functionality that sends reminders to people when it is their Facebook friend’s birthday. However, some users may be pleased to know that this notification can be turned off.
How to switch the notifications off
Go to “Settings” then “Notifications” then select “On-Facebook” and “Edit”. A drop-down list will appear, then navigate down to “Birthdays”. You can then turn off the reminder by changing the setting to “off”.
Unfriend someone but still have access to their account
Picture: Unfollow. (Screengrab).
At times you may feel that you have drifted from certain people that you used to know or you feel that you no longer need to be reminded of their social activity. Facebook allows for this option where you can unfriend someone yet still have access to their account.
How to do this:
Go to the person’s Facebook page whom you wish to unfollow. You will then see a dropdown bar which reads “Following”. Click on this and then select “Unfollow” at the bottom.
See more things from certain people
Picture: See first. (Screengrab).
At times we are more interested in the activity of certain people but their feed gets lost amongst everyone else’s Facebook feed and updates. This need not be an issue any longer. Facebook allows you to see more things from certain people.
How to do this:
Go to the person’s Facebook page then select “Following”. You will see a dropdown option and then select “See First”.
Turn off auto-play Facebook videos
Picture: Auto-play video. (Screengrab).
There may be times when you are reading a very engaging Facebook post and you are abruptly interrupted by an auto-play Facebook video. You will be pleased to know that you can turn the auto-play feature off.
How to turn it off
Go to “Settings” then select “Videos”. Then click the drop-down menu next to auto-play and select off.
Director and the Chief Operating Officer (COO), IBM Southern Africa
Ziaad Suleman is a Director and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for IBM Southern
Africa. He joined the company 11 years ago and has been integral to the growth and development of the IBM business in the region.
In his role as COO, Ziaad is responsible for the overall business operations of the company. His main focus areas include strategy, transformation, operations; special projects and investments.
He also serves on the IBM South Africa Board of Directors, EXCO, as well as important
governing councils such the Social & Ethics Committee and the Disciplinary Board.
Prior to his role as COO, Ziaad was the head lawyer for IBM in Sub-Saharan Africa — a
territory which is challenging, both in geography and complexity.
Ziaad represents South Africa as the SA Chair of 4IR on BRICS. He is a member of the ICT 4IR Public Private Growth Initiative (PPGI), is a Member of the FNB Islamic Advisory Council, and is part of the Business Advisory Group to the president, amongst other roles.
Stafford Masie
WeWork South Africa
Celebrity innovator and head of WeWork in South Africa, Stafford Masie, will be the keynote speaker of Fast Company’s inaugural Most Innovative Companies conference and awards ceremony taking place on 5 March 2020 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Masie is no stranger to the South African innovation community. He spent 7 years in the US where he played a significant role in the global open source software arena and was responsible for international partnerships and corporate technology strategy for a number of international territories including Latin America, the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Europe.
He returned to South Africa in 2004 as the country manager for Novell and in 2007, developed and launched Google’s initial local presence in South Africa. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as Google’s regional Africa director and together with his team, established the local office and launched the Google business ecosystem. He was also responsible for the launch of google.co.za, as well as localised versions of Google AdWords, YouTube, Google Maps Street View, and more.
After a successful career at Google, he launched his own company called Thumbzup before developing mobile payment app, Payment Pebble which allows merchants and ordinary people to make easy card payments online.
Now, he heads up WeWork South Africa with a wealth of experience in the tech and innovation space under his belt.
Phathizwe Malinga
Managing Director, SqwidNet
As the Managing Director of SqwidNet, Phathizwe Malinga is responsible for building an IoT connectivity business in South Africa in partnership with International IoT giant SIGFOX.
In addition to his Managing Director role, he will continue overlooking the solutions division for SqwidNet, a fully owned subsidiary of Dark Fibre Africa. Malinga has made a natural transition into the role of leading SqwidNet because of the various leadership roles he has fulfilled over the years.
He is no stranger to the role of a strategist, as he consulted with both Max Healthcare and Life Healthcare Group in his previous position with the organisation. He has been involved in the information technology and telecommunication industry for over two decades, having held senior management level positions.
Before joining SqwidNet, Malinga was the Head of Application Strategy at Life Healthcare Group, where he was in charge of the IT Application strategy and Software Development for the group. Phathizwe completed his Executive MBA from the Graduate School of Business in Cape Town. He continues to guest lecture with the university and he sits on the board of Bizmod Consulting. Malinga is a Singularity University Faculty Candidate.
Jayshree Naidoo
YIEDI
Known for her position as a thought leader on innovation and entrepreneurship, Jayshree Naidoo is the CEO of YIEDI, a founding member and ex-chairperson of the Southern African Innovation Network and a member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation for South Africa (NACI).
Naidoo was previously a recipient of Fast Company South Africa’s Most Creative People in Business 2018 for “Putting Entrepreneurs First” and has held several leadership roles at large South African corporates, including Standard Bank, Discovery, Absa, Internet Solutions and Da Vinci.
Currently, Naidoo delivers the IBM Techscale, PROPreneurX anf the YIEDI Business in a Box programme that helps grow, develop and provide access to market linkages for entrepreneurs. In 2019, Naidoo was identified as one of South Africa’s Inspiring 50 winners. Inspiring 50 is a global initiative supported by the governments of the Netherlands and South Africa that recognizes the top 50 women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
Rory Moore
Accenture
An innovation and emerging technology expert with years of experience growing and leading multi-disciplinary teams, Rory Moore aims to bring new ideas and technologies to life.
He is the lead for Africa and Asia Pacific of 10 Liquid Studios, the rapid application development teams of Accenture that works on projects in the experimental and emerging technologies space.
With his keen focus on conceptual development and proof of value through high-fidelity prototypes around artificial intelligence, virtual reality and blockchain, his role as adjunct faculty at top business schools across the country is no reach. Moore is also an inventor and patent holder of a collaborative innovation platform and has an MBA in innovation from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.
Reshaad Sha
Liquid Telecom
Reshaad Sha is the CEO of Liquid Telecom South Africa, a pan-African connectivity and digital service provider that offers services to telecom operators, governments and businesses across the African continent.
Before joining Liquid Telecom, Sha was the founder and CEO of SqwidNet, where he led the team entrusted to build an IoT connectivity business in South Africa in partnership with the world’s largest IoT operator, Sigfox.
Concurrently, Sha served as the chief strategy officer at DFA, where he led the company’s strategy to transform the business from infrastructure to telecommunications. In addition to holding various director-level positions in the telecommunications industry at LogicaCMG, Protek, Lifetree and Cisco, Sha has had the opportunity to work closely with many leading telecommunications operators in the United States, the Middle East, Africa, Russia, Turkey and South-East Asia.
Sha holds a national diploma in information technology from the Durban university of Technology and Technikon South Africa, an executive MBA from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and is a recent advanced management graduate of Harvard Business School.
