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Microsoft discontinues Windows 10’s Timeline feature
Windows 10 is officially losing its once-ambitious Timeline feature, Microsoft announced today. Timeline, first launched in 2017, was designed to make it easier for users to swap between multiple devices — transitioning seamlessly from a Windows 10 PC to an Android or iOS phone and back again. It’s no surprise that Timeline is getting deprecated:
Dell Technologies spins off VMware stake
Dell Technologies Inc announced on Wednesday it would spin off its 81% stake in cloud computing software maker VMware, in a move that will help the PC maker reduce its debt. VMware will distribute a special cash dividend of between US$11.5-billion and $12-billion to all its shareholders, including Dell, which will receive between $9.3-billion and
48-megapixel cameras and no mini option: next year’s iPhones will feature substantial changes to the camera system
The 2022 iPhone lineup will feature substantial changes to the camera system, according to analyst Ming-chi Kuo in an investor note reported on by MacRumors and AppleInsider. Kuo says the high-end iPhones — presumably the Pro range — will use a larger 48-megapixel sensor for the primary camera. Separately, the analyst suggests that 2023 iPhones
Avian flu outbreak hits SA commercial poultry farm
An outbreak of avian influenza has been detected on a chicken farm in South Africa’s central province of Gauteng, the agricultural ministry said on Tuesday. Around 300 birds died of avian flu at the commercial chicken-layer farm in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, with samples from the farm testing positive for the H5 strain, the Department
FNB reveals upsurge in consumer spend on home delivery, video and music streaming subscriptions
14 April 2021 – A year since SA went into lockdown, FNB data is showing an upsurge in customers who are spending on home delivery, video and music streaming apps for convenient access to services. This has led to booming usage of platforms like Mr D Food, Netflix, Showmax, iTunes, and Spotify. Raj Makanjee, CEO of
Hydrogen charging station to be built on N3 highway
Sasol plans to build a charging station in South Africa to test the viability of fuel-cell powered heavy duty vehicles. Sasol and project partner Toyota will install hydrogen refuelling infrastructure along the N3 highway connecting Johannesburg and Durban, CEO Fleetwood Grobler said in a statement on Wednesday. The South African fuel maker plans to use
TikTok founder Zhang Yiming now among the world’s richest people
Just last year, the world’s most valuable start-up, ByteDance, was being squeezed from all sides. The Trump administration wanted the Chinese firm, which owns the ubiquitous TikTok video-sharing platform, to get rid of assets. Beijing was cracking down on tech businesses, and India had blacklisted some of its social media apps. For all the obstacles, ByteDance
Absa closes money market fund
In a nondescript letter dated April 7, Absa informed investors in its Absa Money Market Fund (AMMF) that it is closing down the fund worth R75.47 billion. Absa said the unit trust fund, which has been operating since 1997, would be wound up in terms of Section 102 of the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act
Intel to start making chips for car companies
Intel could start producing in-demand semiconductors for car companies within six to nine months, CEO Pat Gelsinger said in an interview with Reuters, commenting that the chipmaking is already being discussed with companies that design chips for cars. “We’re hoping that some of these things can be alleviated, not requiring a three- or four-year factory
Google Shopping is going out of business
Google is shutting down its mobile Shopping apps for both iOS and Android and directing users to its web Shopping site instead, 9to5 Google reported. On Friday, Xda Developers discovered that the term “sunset” had been added to several strings of code in the Shopping app, suggesting the apps were being discontinued. A Google spokesperson
Telcos gear up to secure new wave of 5G networks
Telcos will implement a wide array of measures in 2021 to secure the next wave of 5G connectivity, according to a global survey of service provider employees by Heavy Reading1. As operators begin to rollout standalone 5G networks, they are moving swiftly to secure core network configuration services, such as slice management, which enable 5G operators to provide highly customized connectivity. By the end of 2021, 71% of
Microsoft to buy Nuance Communications
The software giant is set to buy Nuance Communications, tapping the company tied to the Siri voice technology to overhaul solutions that free doctors from note-taking and better predict a patient’s needs. Microsoft may announce the deal as soon as Monday if talks are successful, according to people familiar with the matter. The price being
Exxaro Coal Central sold to privately owned BEE company
Exxaro Coal Central has been sold to privately owned BEE company Overlooked for an undisclosed sum. Exxaro is selling some of its coal assets to a black economic empowerment group as it optimises its current coal operations and projects. The disposal of Exxaro Coal Central (ECC) follows an internal portfolio review. The resources group said
Nigerian banks are not indebted to MTN Nigeria, says bank CEO
Nigerian banks are not indebted to MTN Nigeria and other phone companies for using telecommunication platforms to provide payment services, a bank chief executive said. “There is no such thing as an obligation due from banks to telcos,” Herbert Wigwe, chief executive officer of Access Bank Plc, said on an investor call in Lagos. “We
South Africa takes another $1bn Brics Bank loan
The New Development Bank approved a $1 billion emergency loan for South Africa to support government efforts to contain the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The funds will help finance the creation of employment opportunities, particularly under the Presidential Employment Stimulus program that aims to create and support about 700 000 jobs in the
Thungela Resources to acquire some of SA’s best quality coal assets
ANGLO American recently unveiled details of a plan to demerge its South African thermal coal export assets – to be named Thungela Resources – into which it will inject R2.5bn in cash ahead of its primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.. Should the proposed demerger be approved by 75% of Anglo American shareholders, its
Personal info from 533 million Facebook accounts have leaked online
You might still be reeling from the news that personal information from 533 million Facebook accounts has been made freely available online. But now there’s another huge batch of people’s data floating around the web — including data from LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned social network confirmed. And the potential scope of the leak is huge: an
Pick n Pay loses billions due to alcohol ban
Pick n Pay says it lost an estimated R4-billion in sales last year due to restrictions on the sales of alcohol, tobacco and other products. But the supermarket group says its core food and grocery business still grew sales by 10% despite the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns. In a trading and earnings update, the retailer
LG promises three years of Android updates despite exiting phone business
LG has announced a pledge to issue future Android OS updates to many of its smartphones despite confirming earlier this week that it’ll be leaving the phone business altogether. The Velvet, Wing, and G- and V- series phones from 2019 or later should be getting three Android updates from their year of release, and “certain
"Temporary" shortage of tomatoes in South Africa causes a huge dent in consumer pockets
Some South Africans are speaking about a shortage of tomatoes. Other people say they can't find cauliflowers. Tomato producer ZZ2 has confirmed that there is indeed a temporary shortage of tomatoes and other vegetables. ZZ2 marketing manager Clive Garrett: “Tomatoes need a lot of water. They love water but they don't like rain. In dry