IT News Africa: Top Stories Of The Week
Yet again, technological advancements have captured the headlines both across Africa and around the world. In South Africa, a machine learning powered Unit Trust fund was launched by a startup backed by former FNB CEO - Michael Jordaan.
Also making the headlines were two African companies, Bettr Finance from South Africa and Kudimoney from Nigeria. Both firms were named among the top 50 digital banks in the world.
In Rwanda it was revealed that Microsoft and WiseKey joined forces to support the local government in a blockchain project.
From all of us at IT News Africa, have a great weekend. The top stories of the week can be found below.
News
Micro Focus and HPE Software launch South African leg of merger
Micro Focus and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) software have officially launched the South African leg of the merger between the two software companies. The merger, which is happening on a global scale, was announced on the 1st of September 2017 and saw the “new” company become the 7th largest software vendor in the world. Read More.
Two African Companies Make 2017 Top 50 Digital Banks List
On Tuesday 10 October 2017, Financial IT Magazine released their 2017 Financial IT Top 50 Digital Banks list. Making it onto the list were two African companies, which included Nigerian Fintech company, Kudimoney, and South African company Bettr Finance. Read More.
Rwanda: WiseKey and Microsoft partner to support government Blockchain project
WISeKey International Holding Ltd, a cybersecurity and IoT solutions company, announced a collaboration with Microsoft aimed at facilitating the Rwanda Government Blockchain project as the country journeys to becoming more digitised. Read More.
New fibre comparison tool to bridge digital divide in South Africa
Chameleon Fibre, a new online fibre comparison tool has been launched in South Africa. The tool enables users to gain access to a list of product packages available in their fibre-live areas. Read More.
Dell IQT Day New York: Dell unveils new IoT strategy
In New York City, on 10 October 2017, Dell Technologies unveiled its Internet of Things (IoT) vision and strategy, which comes in the form of a new IoT division as well as new IoT specific products, labs, partner program and consumption models. As revealed by the firm, at the event, Dell Technologies revealed that it is committed to helping its customers realise their digital future by safely navigating the complex and often fragmented IoT landscape. Read More.
Top Opinions & Features
Twitter Reacts: Zuma set to face 783 criminal charges
On Friday 13 October 2017, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) rejected, with costs, President Jacob Zuma’s appeal to get charges against him dropped in the South African President’s extended battle to avoid prosecution for fraud and corruption. Read More.
Social media usage intensifies in South Africa
A study conducted by Brand Intelligence organisation Ornico, as well as high-tech market research consultancy World Wide Worx, has revealed that Social Media use has intensified among South Africans during the past year, with Facebook now being used by 29% of the population. The SA Social Media Landscape 2018 study found that the number of South Africans using Facebook has increased by 14% since 2016, from 14-million to 16-million. Of these, 14-million were accessing the social network on mobile devices. Read More.
Twitter backlash at latest Dove advert
International cosmetics giants, Dove, last week, Wednesday 4 October 2017, released a new campaign on the company’s US Facebook Page showing a short video clip of an African woman taking off her brown T-shirt and turning into a white woman after using the product. The advert has caused worldwide outrage due to the nature of the contents. Read More.
Interview: how autonomous vehicles will impact Africa
In a recent interview, IT News Africa spoke to Riaan Graham, Sales Director at Ruckus Sub-Saharan Africa, who eloquently unpacked how autonomous vehicles (AV) will impact Africa. Read More.
South Africa gets first of its kind machine learning powered unit trust fund
A machine learning powered unit trust fund has been launched in South Africa. The fund uses machine learning to drive research, analysis and stock selection. Read More.
Gadgets and Gaming
Lenovo launches limited edition ThinkPad
Celebrating 25 years of the ThinkPad, Lenovo has announced the launch of a limited-edition model, the ThinkPad Anniversary Edition 25. The laptop features a backlit 7-row ThinkPad Classic keyboard, dedicated volume buttons, multiple status LEDs and a multicolour logo. Read More.
Busting the myths for businesses seeking to switch to Mac
A simple fact of life is that human beings, as a rule, do not like change. By this same token, however, we also know that change is necessary for progress. Read More.
Fitbit Iconic smartwatch launches in South Africa
The Core Group has launched Fitbit’s first smartwatch in South Africa. Fitbit Ionic, a cross-platform high-end smartwatch, is available immediately from a variety of retailers across South Africa at a Recommended Retail Price of R5499. Read More.
Before handing your phone in for repair follow these steps
Nearly one in five South Africans don’t have a password on their smartphone. With almost 9 million South Africans reportedly victims of cybercrime in the last year, according to a 2016 study by internet security company Norton, the need for heightened security measures for tech devices becomes abundantly clear. Read More.
Samsung introduces new gaming monitors
Gaming is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and is worth over $21 billion. According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the South African video games industry will grow its share of the market from R1.6 billion in 2010 to R3.6 billion by 2019 – As a result, gaming events are in abundance and gamers and enthusiast alike are busy preparing for upcoming premier events such as rAge Expo. Samsung has unveiled new CHG90 and CHG70 curved monitors, which feature High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture enhancement technology typically reserved for televisions. Read More.
By Dean Workman
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