IT News Africa: Top Stories Of The Week
IT News Africa: Top Stories Of The Week
Another week has gone by where technology news has been dominating the headlines both across Africa and around the world.
On Friday 3 November, instant messaging app, WhatsApp, crashed. The story captured headlines all over the world as the downtime was reported in the UK, India, South Africa and various others all around the globe.
In Nigeria, the partnership agreement between Signal Alliance and Checkpoint grabbed the headlines as it furthers the country’s drive to bring top-notch security solutions to Internet users.
The team at IT News Africa also reviewed a couple of new smartphones including the Huawei Mate 10 Pro and the Motorola Z2.
From all of us at IT News Africa, have a great weekend. The top stories of the week can be found below.
News
The world comes to a standstill as WhatsApp crashes
On Friday 3 November 2017, instant messaging app, WhatsApp, experienced some unscheduled downtime in South Africa as well as various other countries across the world. Read More.
Signal Alliance and Checkpoint sign Nigerian cyber security partnership
On Wednesday 1 November 2017 technology company, Signal Alliance, and Israeli IT security company, Check Point announced that the two companies have signed a partnership agreement in an attempt to bring world class security solutions to Nigeria. Read More.
Teraco named Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Connectivity Partner
On Thursday 2 November 2017, Teraco Data Environments, Africa’s largest neutral data centre, announced it will be a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Connectivity partner. This partnership will allow them to provide clients with a private network connection to Microsoft Azure and other Microsoft Cloud Services. Teraco will be one of the first companies to offer access to the Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute sites in Africa, when Azure becomes generally available in 2018. Clients will be able to connect directly to Azure ExpressRoute via the Teraco Cloud Exchange in both Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa. Read More.
Uber adds new features for South African drivers
Ride-hailing service, Uber, announced on Monday 30 October 2017 that the company has launched a new set of features for driver-partners in South Africa. Some of the new addition to the popular app will allow the drivers to choose when, where and how they drive which will ultimately look to improve both driver and rider safety. Read More.
John Sanei becomes first South African to join Singularity University’s faculty
The Singularity University, a collection of some of the most innovative minds in the world, announced on Tuesday 31 October 2017 that South African, John Sanei has been invited to join Singularity University’s (SU’s) panel of global speakers. John, a business innovation strategist, trend specialist and futurist will join a panel which includes the world’s top minds in exponential technologies, global grand challenges, entrepreneurship, and organisational innovation. Read More.
Top Opinions & Features
South Africans clash on Twitter over Black Monday
On Monday 30 October 2017, thousands of protesters took to the streets across South Africa to draw attention to farm murders. Read More.
Tips for coming out on top of Black Friday 2017
The biggest online shopping day of the year, Black Friday, is just 4 weeks away. Internationally renowned for its huge sales and shoppers’ equally massive shopping sprees, South African shoppers are urged to get ready – sales are coming! Read More.
Multiple security threats Internet users need to look out for
The double whammy of the largest data breach in South Africa’s Internet history coupled with the announcement that the wireless communication protocol used by virtually all wireless access points (WAP) world-wide had been hacked is bad news for both consumers and business showing just how fragile our virtual world had become. Read More.
Decentralising ICT support services can help solve the challenge of rural unemployment
The unemployment rate in South Africa is growing steadily with the latest figures reaching 27.7 percent in the second quarter of 2017. This is a sobering fact which has an impact on poverty and crime. Rural communities are probably most challenged as job opportunities in these areas are scarce and many individuals lack in education. Read More.
How to control your data usage on Netflix
Internet TV service, Netflix, provides users with a way to stream thousands of titles of online content, including well-known TV series, movies, mind-broadening documentaries and stand-up comedy shows, whenever and wherever you are. The catch, however, comes when streaming data usage runs up huge fees, you run out of cap, or the usage leads to huge additional costs. If you’re on uncapped Wi-Fi, there’s no need to be concerned as Netflix automatically adjusts your data usage according to your bandwidth. But if you’re watching Netflix using your monthly data plan through your cellular carrier, you’ll want to be aware of your data usage. Read More.
Gadgets and Gaming
PlayStation Plus Free Game Lineup November 2017
The PlayStation Plus Free Game Lineup for November 2017 has been officially revealed. Looking back at the October 2017 lineup, gamers were offered the opportunity to download and play the likes of Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain, the Amnesia: Collection, and RIGS: Mechanised Combat League. Read More.
Assassin’s Creed Origins Review
We have had some great games launch over the past few weeks, these would include the likes of South Park: The Fractured But Whole, Destiny 2 and a plethora more. Along with these titles comes another great release, Assassin’s Creed Origins. Read More.
You can now watch Showmax on your PlayStation 4
Internet TV service, Showmax, announced on Wednesday 1 November 2017 that the company has launched an app for Sony’s PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro. The addition of this new app means that PS4 and PS4 Pro owners who have connected their consoles to the internet can watch on-demand TV shows and movies in just a few easy steps, with no need to buy new equipment. The app is currently only available in South Africa. Read More.
Motorola Moto Z2 Play Review
The slim and sleek Motorola Moto Z2 Play has a thin and light design and makes handling effortless. It is an impressive 5.2mm thick, and arguably the thinnest smartphone in the market. Under Lenovo, Motorola has been producing quality phones and the Motorola Moto Z2 Play is no exception. With a 2600mAh battery, at one charge the phone is enough to get you through the day. Read More.
Huawei Mate 10 Pro Review
Huawei’s latest device, the Mate 10 Pro, not only looks magnificent, but also feels great too. The device features a 3D Glass Body, beautifully and symmetrically curved on all four sides for an ergonomic hold. The back of the device features a reflective band design to highlight the New Leica Dual Camera. In addition to its slick, premium design, the device comes with a beautiful 6-inch OLED screen – which features HDR10 technology and an 18:9 aspect ratio. Read More.
By Dean Workman
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