The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+. Image supplied by Samsung
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 is now available in South Africa, a
device the South Korean tech titan describes as the most powerful business
smartphone yet.
Available for the first time in two size options – a 6.8-inch Note10+, the biggest screen on a Note yet, and a more pocket friendly, but slightly less feature rich 6.3-inch Note10 – both still feature the Note line’s trademark S Pen stylus, now boasting more functionality than ever before.
Both models feature an edge-to-edge nearly bezel-less AMOLED
display interrupted only by the small, centrally placed cut out for the front
camera, making for a more balanced design than those on the S10 line which are
on the left.
Important on a device which power users may be looking into
for hours each day, the Eye Comfort display reduces blue light without
affecting colour quality for comfortable viewing.
Note users typically put a premium on productivity and the two
new models feature some impressive new features in this respect.
With Handwriting to Text, Note 10 owners can use the
re-designed, unibody S Pen to jot down notes, instantly convert their
handwriting to digital text in Samsung Notes, and export it to a variety of
different formats, including Microsoft Word.
Users can now also customise notes by shrinking, enlarging,
or changing the colour of the text. In just a few taps, meeting minutes can be
formatted and shared; bursts of inspiration can quickly become editable
documents.
The Galaxy Note 10 builds on the Bluetooth Low
Energy-enabled S Pen capabilities introduced on the Note 9 by adding air
actions, allowing users to control certain aspects of the device using gestures
with the S Pen.
Both the 6.8-inch Note10+ and the 6.3-inch Note 10 feature the Note line’s trademark S Pen stylus. Image supplied by Samsung
Better DeX-terity
Samsung’s DeX line of devices have in the past allowed users
to create a desktop PC-like experience by connecting their Galaxy smartphones
to a monitor or TV screen. The Note 10 extends Samsung DeX’s capabilities, now making
it easier for users to work between their phone and a PC or Mac.
The latest iteration of DeX dispenses with the puck and pad
devices of the past. Now, with a simple, compatible USB connection, users can
drag and drop files between devices, and use their favourite mobile apps with a
mouse and a keyboard, while keeping their data secure on their phone through
Samsung Knox.
The Galaxy Note 10 integrates Link to Windows directly into
the Quick Panel. With one click, users can connect to their Windows 10 PC.
There, they can see notifications, send and receive messages, and review recent
photos without pausing to look down at their phone.
Other power features are Super-Fast Charging, which Samsung
claims will get you through a full-day’s use on just 30 minutes of charge using
the Note10+ and Wireless PowerShare which lets users wirelessly recharge their
Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Buds, or another Qi-enabled device with the either of the Note
10 models.
The Galaxy Note10 and Galaxy Note10+ are available in Aura Glow, Aura White and Aura Black. – GeekWire.co.za
Dell says its Unified-Workspace service will significantly speed up the process of setting up new staff with company devices. Image supplied by Dell Technologies
By Jonathan Ryall
Finally, that open vacancy has been filled. After a process of
attracting interest, vetting candidates and picking the best among the rest, a
new employee has arrived at your company. They are ready and hungry to go from
day 1.
But they don’t get a device until day five or 10 or even later. When
they do, it’s often not as useful as anyone expected. The applications are
generic, the type of device didn’t take their role into consideration and it
can’t even do half the things they require from it.
Ten or more years ago, these were not major considerations. But devices
were not as commonplace and role-centric as they are today. Work habits were
also very different. Back then, we all mostly stayed in offices. But today, 81%
of employees engage with work outside of their offices and 76% work in two or
more places.
This requires a new way of managing workspaces, including devices,
applications and user enrolment. It’s not just about efficiency, but also the
future: companies that can get the workspace dynamic right are three times more
likely to be digital transformation leaders. This makes sense: if your workforce
is engaged and appreciative of modern technologies, they will carry the change
with them.
But that can’t be done if you are still waiting a week to provision
devices that are chosen for their convenience and not purpose. Why does this
happen? IT departments simply don’t have the time to address every nuanced user
need that is sent their way. Anything from resetting passwords to granting VPN
access to installing applications takes time – multiply that over dozens or
hundreds of employees and it’s amazing IT gets anything done at all.
Jonathan Ryall, Client Solutions Field Marketing Manager at Dell Technologies. Image supplied by company
Dell Technologies saw this problem and, in collaboration with VMWare,
developed a solution that ticks all of the above boxes and more. Dell Unified
Workspace is a holistic device, application and user management service, built
and integrated with VMWare’s Workspace One platform.
It’s a strategy that supports all devices and gives users a consistent experience: provisioning and deploying the right devices with the right services to the right people. The processes dictating who gets what are automated, thus freeing IT’s resources while at the same time ensuring employees can hit the ground running from day one.
Unified Workspace is secure thanks to further collaboration with
Secureworks. We all know that giving users access to any data on any device
creates a much larger attack surface. It’s another reason why provisioning of
devices, applications and access is so slow. But Unified Workspace offers a
complete solution to these problems. Backed by ProSupport, it meets the ultimate goal: to take away the pain of end-user IT
deployment without increasing risk.
The greatest digital strategies ever conceived are useless if your
workforce can’t do their job effectively. A trivial issue such as deploying
devices or services can undo business transformation. But with Unified
Workspace, that is in the past. –
GeekWire.co.za
Jonathan Ryall is Client Solutions Field Marketing Manager at Dell Technologies
Sung Yoon President & CEO of Samsung-Electronics Africa. Photo credit Alan Cooper, GeekWire.co.za
AFTER postponing the rollout of its Galaxy
Fold phone-tablet hybrid following a string of high-profile
failures among review models, Samsung has made improvements that it
believes will solve the problems and get the ground-breaking folding screen
device into stores sometime in September 2019.
That’s according to Sung Yoon President and
CEO of Samsung Electronics Africa, speaking at last night’s launch of the
company’s Galaxy Note and Note Plus smartphones.
“I can confirm that the Galaxy Fold will be
available in South Africa in September,” he told an audience of mobile industry
representatives and media in Sandton, Johannesburg following a live stream of
Samsung’s #Unpacked event from New York.
The most common problem encountered by
reviewers was a partial or complete failure of the screen after they removed
the screen protector. Unlike the peel-off protectors that come with other
smartphones, the one on the Galaxy Fold is not supposed to be taken off.
Sung said that to solve this problem,
Samsung has tucked the screen protector under the bezel of the device.
Previously there was gap between the screen protector and the edges of the phone
making it appear like the standard removable protector found on other mobile devices.
Samsung is also reportedly beefing up the
warning not to remove the screen protector that accompanies the phone, making
it larger and placing it more prominently.
The second, less common, problem encountered by reviewers was a gap in the hinge area on the top and bottom of the folding device that lets dust, grit and other foreign objects in, potentially damaging the screen from below. Samsung is said to be shrinking these gaps in an attempt to minimise this risk. – GeekWire.co.za
Valter Adão, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer for Deloitte Africa. Photo credit Alan Cooper, GeekWire.co.za
Deloitte recently concluded a week-long series of digital
immersion sessions in KwaZulu-Natal, aimed at introducing leading companies
operating in the region to the many exponential technologies available to them
today.
“We positioned the week’s activities around the theme,
‘We’re on a new adventure’,” explained Ruwayda Redfearn, the professional
services firm’s Regional Managing Partner: KZN.
“Until now much of the focus, where digital transformation
is concerned, has been on the negative consequences of failing to adapt to the
new digital reality, a ‘doom and gloom’ scenario. By contrast, Deloitte’s focus
during the Digital Week and going forward is to underline the many
opportunities presented by digital technology and how we are perfectly
positioned to take our clients on a journey of possibilities in this exciting
new world,” she said.
Incorporating the best elements of Deloitte’s acclaimed
Greenhouse innovation centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the KZN immersion
experience exposed participants to the gamut of Deloitte’s powerful digital
assets. These range from Connected Retail, Supply Chain and Customer marketing
solutions, as well as several locally developed analytics, predictive modelling
and gamified performance management tools, to name a few.
“Deloitte has built some incredible digital solutions and
offerings,” said Alex Moir, the firm’s supply chain lead for Consumer Services
Sector – Africa. “Hosting the digital immersion week was an unrivalled
opportunity to introduce these solutions to select KZN clients, specifically
focussing on the fast moving consumable goods (FMCG) sector.”
Valter Adão, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer for
Deloitte Africa, said companies considering adopting digital assets faced a
bewildering, constantly evolving array of technologies and trends.
“Our aim during the KZN digital immersion week was to
simplify the field and distil it down to the three most important things
businesses need to think about when considering digital transformation.
“These are: leveraging digital technology to unlock
exponential growth inside the business, boosting productivity inside
organisations by allowing them to conduct the same business but at a lower cost
point, and leveraging digital to uplift the experience customers have when
engaging with the organisation,” Adão said.
Redfearn said feedback from the Digital Week attendees had
been overwhelmingly positive.
“Many of our clients and prospective clients still view us
as largely an audit firm, unaware that Deloitte are leaders within the digital
transformation space.”
She added that this pre-eminence was underpinned last month
when Gartner, the world’s leading information technology and advisory company,
ranked Deloitte as the number one worldwide consulting service provider for the
second consecutive year. Earlier this year, it named Deloitte the Undisputed
Global Leader for CRM & Customer Experience Implementation Services as well
as Global Leader in Public Cloud Infrastructure Managed and Professional
Services. This follows recognition from ALM Intelligence last year of Deloitte
as the Undisputed Global Leader in Innovation Strategy Consulting.
“Our KZN Digital Week was a decisive first step in launching
this globally-acclaimed capability to the local market. We were able show
attendees, many of them key decision makers for top companies, what we can do
and get an idea of what their challenges and opportunities are in this arena,”
Redfearn said. – GeekWire.co.za
iSchoolAfrica has partnered with iStore and Siya Kolisi to bring an iPad Lab and learning programme to the rugby star's PE alma mater. Picture courtesy of iSchoolAfrica's Twitter page
Eastern Cape-born rugby star Siya
Kolisi isn’t just a winner on the field. In a partnership announced today, 7
August 2019, with iSchoolAfrica and iStore, the iSchoolAfrica iPad programme
will be brought to his own former primary school.
This will include the roll-out of a
mobile iPad lab, curriculum apps, ongoing teacher training and the monitoring
of results at Emsengeni Primary School Zwide, Port Elizabeth.
“Rugby gave me hope growing up and I want to give the
same to young South Africans by providing opportunities to help them find their
passion and fulfil their potential,” Kolisi said.
“My journey began at this primary school and its why I
want to start with changing lives here by introducing world-class technology
like the Apple iPad. My dream is to provide more opportunities for our youth to
realise that whether they live in the suburbs or a township, they can be anyone
they want to be.”
Since 2009, the iSchoolAfrica
programme, has brought educational technology and classroom best practices to
more than 240 rural and township schools through the investment of corporate
sponsors.
The iPad lab consists of 20 Apple
iPads in a mobile carry case which can be moved from classroom to classroom.
The lab is pre-loaded with apps aligned to the South African curriculum, has one plug point to charge all iPads simultaneously and can be locked away securely in the school safe.
An iSchoolAfrica facilitator has been appointed to
train and work closely with the teachers to ensure the technology can be used
effectively in the classroom. A teacher will also be selected to be an
iSchoolAfrica champion and will receive ongoing training in order to support
their colleagues and ensure sustainability of the programme.
In addition to appointing an iSchoolAfrica champion, Kolisi
will act as an ongoing mentor at the school and to the iSchoolAfrica programme.
“iSchoolAfrica celebrates 10 years of
proven success this year and we are extremely proud to be in 240 schools, have
trained 3000 teachers and have changed the lives of over 100 000 learners,” said
Michelle Lissoos, Director at iSchoolAfrica.
“We are very excited to be working
with a mentor like Siya and to partner with iStore again, to achieve the vision
we all have to improve the futures of South African youth.”
This is the fourth school that iStore has
invested in sponsoring through the iSchoolAfrica programme. Otherr sponsors include
the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, Exarro and Growthpoint.
“Apple iPad is the chosen educational tool for
schools around the world and iSchoolAfrica is a way for us to invest in a
sustainable programme for under-resourced schools in South Africa. We are
thrilled to co- invest with Siya in this project and have him support as a
mentor. We encourage other sponsors and mentors wanting to make a difference to
teaching and learning to invest in the future of young South Africans through
iSchoolAfrica,” said Chris Dodd, iStore CEO. – GeekWire.co.za
A new feature from FaceApp uses AI to simulate the ageing process. Image supplied by FaceApp
Face aging fad rules the web
South Africans generated more than 100 000 search queries for “Face App” on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, while only generating 50 000 for “Mandela Day”, Google has revealed.
The Internet went crazy over the two-year-old app, which
uses artificial intelligence to create a rendering of what users might look
like in a few decades.
FaceApp went viral as users posted their aged likenesses on
social media in the #faceappchallenge. Some the traffic may also have been due
to the controversy surrounding the app and its Russia-based developers Wireless
Lab.
Privacy experts warned that the app may pose a threat to
users’ privacy as it stores photos on its servers, with US Senate minority
leader, Chuck Schumer, appealing to the FBI to investigate.
It’s not the first time the app has come in for criticism. Launched
in early 2017, it was almost immediately in hot water over its “ethnicity
filters” and, later, the “hot” transformation trick that was said to lighten
skin colour. Both features have since been removed.
Farewell White Zulu
In other top searches on Google this week, “Johnny Clegg”
garnered more than 500 000 search queries on Tuesday as the news of his passing
broke. The ‘White Zulu’ of Juluka and Savuka fame was an internationally
acclaimed musician who was also an important figure in the fight against
apartheid.
Tributes to Clegg have been flooding media and social media
over the past couple of days. Clegg succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age
of 66.
More than 200 000 search queries were generated for “Mark
Batchelor” on Monday after the former soccer star was gunned down outside his
Olivedale home in Gauteng. Investigations into the shooting are still ongoing.
Batchelor, whose first name is actually spelled “Marc”, played for Orlando Pirates, Wits University, Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and Bafana Bafana.
“Jacob Zuma” also garnered more than 100 000 search queries
on Monday as he made his first, much-anticipated appearance in front of the
Zondo Commission on state capture.
On Sunday “Macdonald Ndou” picked up more than 10 000 search
queries after reports of the Muvhango actor’s arrest made the rounds. Ndou was
held on various charges including extortion and kidnapping. The Hawks have
reportedly provisionally withdrawn charges against the TV star, but a
spokesperson said the decision to withdraw does not mean the charges will not
be reinstated.
“Serena Williams” garnered more than 50 000 searches on
Saturday as the tennis superstar suffered a 6-2, 6-2 defeat against Simona
Halep in a Wimbledon final that lasted just 56 minutes. Williams later told
Agence France Presse, “She [Halep] played out of her mind” and “I was
like a deer in headlights”.
Last Friday, South Africans produced more than 20 000
search queries for “Duduzane Zuma” as the Randburg Magistrates Court found the
former first son not guilty of a charge of culpable homicide. In February 2014,
Zuma was involved in a car crash that claimed the life of Phumzile Dube when
his vehicle crashed into the taxi she was travelling in.
Search trends information is gleaned from data collated by
Google based on what South Africans have been searching for and asking Google. – GeekWire.co.za
An index backed by Dell Technologies has ranked the world's top 50 cities on how well they support women entrepreneurs. Image credit pxhere.com
Johannesburg has once again ranked among the top 50 cities in
the world that supports Women Entrepreneurs.
Dell Technologies has announced the findings of its annual Women
Entrepreneur Cities (WE Cities) Index – the only global,
gender-specific study that looks at a city’s ability to foster the growth of
women-owned businesses
Since 2017, all 50 cities improved on the majority of their
indicators year-over-year and Johannesburg remains the leading African city for
women entrepreneurs, followed by Nairobi.
Building on annual research since 2010, Dell ranks cities
based on the impact of local policies, programs and characteristics in addition
to national laws and customs to help improve support for women entrepreneurs
and the overall economy. The study found an overall improvement for women
looking to establish and build their own businesses but noted that there is
still significant room for improvement.
“When we invest in women, we invest in the future.
Communities prosper, economies thrive and the next generation leads with
purpose,” said Karen Quintos, EVP and chief customer officer at Dell
Technologies.
“By arming city leaders and policymakers with actionable,
data-driven research on the landscape for women entrepreneurs, we can
collectively accelerate the success of women-owned businesses by removing
financial, cultural and political barriers.”
Building on 10 years of research on women entrepreneurs,
Dell Technologies partnered with IHS Markit to research and rank 50 cities on
five important characteristics, including access to Capital, Technology,
Talent, Culture and Markets.
These pillars were organized into two groups: operating
environment and enabling environment. The overall rating is based on 71
indicators, 45 of which have a gender-based component. Individual indicators
were weighted based on four criteria: relevance, quality of underlying data,
uniqueness in the index and gender component.
All 50 cities made progress since 2017, however, some cities
made bigger strides than others and the race to the top inevitably left some
cities behind.
Even though it dropped slightly in rankings, Johannesburg’s
position at 36 is more indicative of the increasing competition to attract
women entrepreneurs. It ranks ahead of numerous international hubs and
overtakes Nairobi, the only other African city in the top 50.
Talent
Talent is one of Johannesburg’s strongest pillars. While the
city ranked No.29 overall in 2019 for Talent, it was within the top 10 for
women’s skill and experience overall.
The research found that 78% of students at top universities
are women in Johannesburg. Women in Johannesburg also make up considerable
amount of the labour force employed in professional services (67%) and IT (65%).
In addition, more than a quarter of company boards in
Johannesburg have women on them, a distinction shared with London, Sydney and
Tel Aviv. Johannesburg also ranked 9th for the best market in terms of
operating environment.
From a city and national-level, policies for Culture,
Technology and Markets have also been put in place to enable upward mobility
for female entrepreneurs. These include Government goals for women-owned
business procurement, policy for “equal remuneration for work of equal
value”, policy for “non-discrimination based on gender in
hiring”, presence of a paid maternity leave policy, and presence of open
data initiatives.
“Johannesburg is a business powerhouse, both in Africa and
across the world,” said Doug Woolley, Dell EMC SA’s general manager. “It’s also
a giant melting-pot and is known for its cosmopolitan and progressive
attitudes. These are some of the reasons why it is more attractive and
welcoming to all entrepreneurs, including women.
“Its inclusion in the 2019 Women Entrepreneur Cities findings shows that significance, but it’s also a reminder that much more can be done. AT Dell Technologies, we’ll keep being part of that movement until Jozi is number one,” Woolley said. – GeekWire.co.za
Samsung,has been recognised as the continent's most admired tech brand. Picture of the Galaxy A70 smartphone supplied by Samsung
Samsung has been recognised as the most admired technology
brand in the just released 7th annual Brand Africa 100: Africa’s Best Brands
survey and ranking of brands across Africa.
The survey is billed by its organisers as the first and most comprehensive pan-African study and ranking of brands in Africa. Samsung was acknowledged as number 1 Most Admired Technology brand and third overall Most Admired Brand in Africa, across all categories.
“It’s always an honour to be recognised by the people we
design our products for. This research validates our ongoing focus on creating
products that empower Africans to do more. Samsung’s continued growth in Africa
is fuelled by our commitment to be a part of the continent’s growth and
prosperity,” said Dudu Mokholo, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Central
Africa.
The Brand Africa 100 list also recognised Samsung as the
number one brand in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of
Congo and Morocco as well as number three in Kenya.
The rankings are published annually in partnership with
African Business Magazine and Brand Africa Partners.
“Samsung’s relentless
pursuit of excellence and innovation has resulted in products that are
redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras,
digital appliance and other ground-breaking technological categories,” Mokholo
said. – GeekWire.co.za
CONNECTED and autonomous cars have been in
the works for years, but this futuristic technology is fast becoming a reality.
It’s not only in the technology-saturated
environments of Silicon Valley, where you’re likely to see the automated cars
of internet giants like Google and Uber prowling the streets. Across South
Africa and the broader continent which lies beyond, connected cars are rapidly
becoming not just a possibility, but a reality.
Some of this reality is thanks to simple
consumer activity. Just last year, Elon Musk announced that Tesla cars will
soon be available in South Africa; Tesla is, of course, widely regarded as the
poster child for connected cars. Recent developments at Tesla include the
announcement of ‘full’ Autopilot, which gives any such equipped car the ability
to drive entirely on its own.
Reminiscent, some might say, of the 1980s
TV show Knight Rider and his car KITT.
Blade Nzimande, former South African
Minister of Transport, recently noted that while no self-driving cars were
currently on South African roads, the government had plans to introduce them as
soon as the necessary legislation framework had been created.
But beyond the availability of the vehicles
themselves – which are being proven ‘on the road’, as it were, in areas including
North America, Europe and Eurasia – there is something fundamental to the
ability for connected cars to successfully operate. That fundamental is
connectivity. Without good mobile networks, provided by mobile network
operators, the connected car simply cannot exist.
And this is where there is good news for
many regions in Africa. Thanks to competitive markets and consumers’ insatiable
demand for connectivity, the penetration of high-speed mobile networks in
multiple nations across the continent has rapidly outstripped terrestrial
networks.
With 4G proven and in place, the next steps
towards enabling connected and autonomous cars include increased coverage and
upgrades to next generation 5G, capable of handling far greater data
throughput. And in addition to connectivity, security remains a key issue in
both development and deployment, especially given the complexity of the
autonomous car itself.
Digitising Driving
Permanently connected cars already exist
and they are challenging every notion we have ever had about car ownership,
safety and insurance. The revolution is not only impacting the technology
behind how cars are built but traditional ownership models are being challenged
as the autonomous vehicle takes centre stage in smart, connected cities.
After all, a connected, autonomous car
could be out ‘working’, doing ride shares while you relax. It could arrive just
in time to take you to work, then transport someone else in the opposite
direction. It could be insured at different rates depending on whether it’s in
your garage or patrolling the streets with a passenger.
The digitisation of driving is the key
driving force behind the connected car. Computers and sensors in car
components, and on the roads themselves will assimilate sophisticated data
changing everything from how we navigate and avoid traffic to how we find the
nearest available parking spot. And central to the digitisation of driving is a
system of machine-to-machine (M2M) communication which allows the car to
communicate with the Internet, other vehicles, the road and traffic markers,
and more.
When Audi wanted to launch LTE services in
its popular A3 model, a Gemalto solution called Cinterion quickly made it
happen. This custom solution provides LTE speeds to support a suite of embedded
voice and data services, allowing one passenger to search online for the best
nearby restaurant while another passenger calls for a reservation.
Embedded M2M technology also identifies
individual vehicles, encrypts communications and ensure secure global
connectivity for smart vehicle systems including emergency call solutions,
vehicle telematics, navigation and more.
The role of IoT
The term Internet of Things (IoT) is often banded around, although adopting the technology regionally has presented challenges. Connected cars are not exempt, reliant as they are on high-speed internet connections for situational awareness. That awareness is greatly enhanced by traffic alerts, smart city grid information and a peer-to-peer understanding of other devices and vehicles around them; these feeds, in turn, rely heavily on IoT.
Artificial intelligence on board the
vehicles (or in the cloud) can make decisions about routes and speeds, sharing
details of the car’s location with other road users. All the features culminate
in smarter, safer, self-driving cars that can trump their human counterparts.
Driver favourites such as Toyota and Lexus
are already introducing these sorts of connected car capabilities to vehicles
in the United States and other markets. Given the availability of the necessary
networks practically everywhere in Africa, and the rapid development of IoT
infrastructure, it is just a matter of time before connected cars arrive
locally. In fact, in 2017 already, it was estimated that South Africa has as
many as 100 000 such vehicles on its roads.
The Road to the Future
Christophe Lepoivre, VP Sales Africa, Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Gemalto. Image supplied by the company
In the near future, secure cloud-based
service enablement and next generation features such as secure ID-based
ignition, integrated NFC and mobile-wallet applications will contribute even
further to convenience for drivers and passengers alike.
Tesla vehicles come with software
“Autopilots”, Uber is piloting self-driving taxis with Volvo, Daimler and
Embark have tested autonomous trucks, and the ability of a car to reverse park
itself isn’t even a differentiating feature for luxury sedans anymore.
The benefits of adopting autonomous
vehicles on a widescale are plenty, from reducing transportation costs, carbon
emissions and accidents, to saving hundreds of millions of hours wasted in
conventional transportation.
So, when can you expect to step into an
autonomous vehicle? Government effort, the continuous digital revolution driven
by the telecoms operators and an eagerness to evolve the automotive industry
all mean you could be driving on the revolutionary road to the future sooner
than you think. – GeekWire.co.za
Christophe Lepoivre is VP Sales Africa, Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Gemalto.
The Raspberry Pi 4 is expected to go on sale in SA in September. Image credit Wikimedia.org
Micro-PC marvel headed for Mzansi
The Raspberry Pi 4 has been launched globally,
but local fans of these revolutionary microcomputers will have to wait a little
longer to get their hands on one.
RS Components South Africa has assured enthusiasts
that once these latest offerings from the Raspberry Pi Foundation get
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) stamp of
approval, they will be available to order.
The first of the fourth generation
Raspberry Pi that will be available is the Pi 4 Model B. Eben Upton, founder of
Raspberry Pi, said the latest offering was a comprehensive upgrade, touching
almost every element of the platform.
“For the first time, we provide a PC-like
level of performance for most users, while retaining the interfacing
capabilities and hackability of the classic Raspberry Pi line.
“What’s changed with Raspberry Pi 4 is
that, in addition to being a device for learning about computing, it’s also
much more suitable than its predecessors for use as a general-purpose classroom
computer,” Upton said.
Brian Andrew MD of RS Components South
Africa said that he was excited to offer the latest Raspberry Pi to their
customers.
“It is undeniable just how popular
Raspberry Pi’s have become over the years. These microcomputers have come a
long way and here in SA their popularity continues to grow. We are hard at work
to make sure we get the Pi 4’s as soon as possible. We are just waiting for
ICASA’s go ahead,” he said, adding that the company expected stock in September
2019.
This new operating system is based on the upcoming
Debian 10 Buster release and delivers a modern user interface and updated
Chromium 74 web browser. Other improvements include the adoption of the Mesa
V3D graphics driver, which offers OpenGL-accelerated web browsing and the
ability to run 3D applications in a window.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has also
released new accessories for the Pi 4 Model B, including a new case, a USB
Type-C power supply, a microUSB to USB Type-C adapter, and micro HDMI cables.
Notable upgrades include Gigabit Ethernet, support for up to 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM,
dual-band Wi-Fi, as well as 4K60 hardware HEVC decode support.
