Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Microsoft is partnering with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk-led SpaceX and others as it expands its cloud-computing platform into space. The partnership would allow Microsoft to connect its Azure cloud computing platform to SpaceX’s network of low-Earth orbiting satellites, offering the software company an edge in its battle with the rival cloud…

Vodacom today announced that it will invest over R320 million into its network in KwaZulu Natal during the 2020/2021 financial year. The majority of this investment will involve building new LTE base stations in the province, the mobile network said – with rural areas being a particular focus. Vodacom said…

Struggling to get a mobile signal? Well, not for long, since you could always move to the Moon. For even as many Earthlings still suffer from signal problems, astronauts visiting the lunar surface will soon be able to get full bars. That is the plan, anyway, after US space agency…

Across the globe, governments are exploring ways to use data to improve the life of citizens, increase efficiency of operations, and create more innovative business models. Gathering, accessing and analyzing data can assist governments with insight to implement strategies, monitor the impact of those policies, and ensure a safe living…

If these reports are to go by with, then this latest update by Facebook on its WhatsApp platform will be greatly appreciated. The latest update for WhatsApp’s web client points to the imminent launch of video and voice calling for the web-based version of the messaging platform. According to a report…

Pick n Pay has concluded a deal to purchase on-demand alcohol and grocery delivery service Bottles, which was launched in 2016 as South Africa’s first alcohol on-demand delivery app, and partnered with Pick n Pay in 2018. Bottles repurposed its app when the lockdown began to deliver on-demand groceries to…

Cell C has published its interim results for the six months ended June 2020, reflecting a R7.5-billion net loss after tax. The company said this loss was mainly as a result of once-off costs and adjustments, and also reflects impairments to the value of R5 billion. R5 billion worth of…

Digitising the agricultural sector enables farmers to enhance their business and profitability while opening possibilities to the benefits of next generation technology. In May 2020, Vodacom launched 5G services in South Africa, making use of an assigned temporary spectrum during the COVID-19 crisis. The company is in the process of…

According to a report from Windows Latest, Microsoft has started to automatically install its web-based Office 365 apps on Windows 10. The publication cited several users who noticed shortcuts to the Progressive Web-based Apps (PWAs) for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook had been pinned to their Start menus without their…

Uber Eats has partnered with Medicare to provide users access to over-the-counter medication directly on the Uber Eats app. Uber South Africa said this includes schedule 1 and 2 medicine for delivery without the recipient having to leave home. “We strongly believe in reinventing pharmacy, and thanks to this partnership…

MultiChoice has renamed its DStv Now streaming service to DStv, signalling the first step towards the full launch of its standalone streaming service and in a blog post on Thursday 15 October, MultiChoice said that once customers update their DStv Now application, the name of the platform will change to DStv. “We’ve…

MultiChoice has announced a number of changes to its leadership team, including the appointment of Nyiko Shiburi as the new CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. “Nyiko is an extremely experienced leader and has successfully navigated the complexity of multiple territories and businesses, working with deeply skilled teams within the organisation…

Ozow, a South African digital payment tech startup has partnered with AfricaArena to host a digital hackathon and the participating teams stand the chance of winning R100 000 in cash. The hackathon is aimed at encouraging tech startups to help deliver a new wave of fintech innovation leveraging the new Ozow API.  Thomas…

The Global Startup Awards (GSA) is an awards platform that aims to find and connect global “future shapers of the digital age” and it has continued its expansion across the African continent, having now expanded into South, North, East, and West African territories. Expanding into more African territories will give entrepreneurs access…

An award-winning AI manufacturing local tech startup, DataProphet, has won the 2020 European Prescriptive for Autonomous Manufacturing Technology Innovation Leadership Award by Frost & Sullivan, an international research firm to make it the fourth international award that the cutting-edge tech startup has won. Frans Cronje, CEO, and co-founder of DataProphet, comments on receiving…

MVXChange, a Nigerian trade and tech startup, has launched a new product offering titled MVXTransit, expanding its range of services for small African businesses. The new platform, MVXTransit is a convenient and easy-to-use digital freight booking and management platform for African businesses. RELATED READING: NIGERIAN MARITIME STARTUP MOTOR VESSEL XCHANGE RAISES USD 100K IN…

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S21 smartphone’s design has been leaked by OnLeaks and the most notable element of this leak is the new rear camera housing, with the lenses being positioned in a metal frame that juts out at the back of the device. These three lenses are positioned vertically, while the…

In August, the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) prize competition, a flagship philanthropic program established by the Jack Ma Foundation’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI) shortlisted the top 20 finalists competing for a spot at this year’s finale. Henceforth, from the 20 finalists, the ten finalists have been announced for this year’s African Business Heroes…

The latest version of Oculus’s affordable virtual reality headset, the Oculus Quest 2, has begun shipping to customers around the world. The VR headset is priced at $299 and has been listed for pre-order since last month. RELATED READING: FACEBOOK UNVEILS OCULUS QUEST 2 VR HEADSET “It’s been less than…

During Apple’s ‘Hi! Speed’ event on Tuesday 13 October 2020, it launched its new Apple HomePod Mini smart speaker. It’s smaller than the original 2018 model, and it comes with a lower price tag of $99 (£99, AU$149), giving it a brand new piece of hardware to pit against Amazon, Google…