Southtechreviews

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – November 27 2019 – Samsung captured the imagination of the world with its recently released category-defining flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Fold . At IFA 2019, visitors had the unique opportunity to experience the Galaxy Fold for the very first time. For those who were not able to experience this, the video above provides a look at what a hands-on experience of the Galaxy Fold looks like for users. The Galaxy Fold’s unique design and foldable form factor, providing you with two options for screen size in one device, provides a brand-new user experience. When closed, you can comfortably access all your essential apps with just one hand. But when opened, the 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display offers a truly immersive viewing experience, allowing you to get lost in videos on a screen that’s so big, you won’t believe you can fit it in a pocket. From the camera to the gallery to the latest gaming apps, users can enjoy next-level experien...

Students receive much-needed funds to pursue their university ambitions JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 27 November 2019 – At its ‘Empowering Tomorrow’ event, held last night in Johannesburg, Samsung announced that it has increased its bursaries to students of the University of Pretoria, North-West University, University of Johannesburg and Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA), which is a branch of the Gauteng Department of Education responsible for promoting skills development in the Gauteng City region. Following its initial investment of R7 million in 2019, Sung Yoon, President and CEO of Samsung Africa, revealed that the company would award another R7 million for 2020. In total, Samsung will be donating R14 million. This is part of Samsung’s wide-ranging efforts to uplift learners and students in the country. The students who are currently pursuing careers in business, marketing and IT, were the delighted recipients of Samsung’s continuing focus on the nation’s youth. ...

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – November 26, 2019 – The  Galaxy Note10  is a monumental release for the series that created the large-screen smartphone category. By taking the best-of-the-best technologies that the Note is known for to the next level, Samsung’s newest flagships empower users to do the same in both their work and daily lives. Check out the infographic below to learn more about how Samsung enhanced the newest addition to the Galaxy family.

  It’s November! And time for Black Friday to kick-off the pre-festive season madness... The fourth Friday in November has been marked by several eager shoppers in the world in anticipation, as the one day in the year where retailers offer consumers the craziest bargain deals. And the number or excited calendar-circlers are growing year-on-year; in 2018 alone, the sales increased by  30%  compared to previous years.  And with shopping malls and centres bursting at the seams during the shopping spree, many are opting for online shopping from the comfort of their mobile phones. According to a 2018 survey conducted by  PayPal in 2018 , 85% of South African online shoppers use their mobile devices for payment transactions, and the number is growing. “With the demand of mobile shopping on the rise locally, consumers should be aware of the mobile features on their device that could make their shopping experience more effective and enjoyable,” said S...

The visual language has become an essential element of today’s mobile communication. Designed to bring passion to your life, the  Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ ’s Cinematic Infinity Display lets you work and play with more freedom than ever before. With just a small, centered cutout for the front camera, the Galaxy Note10 ’s edge-to-edge design offers a truly immersive viewing experience. Galaxy Note10 with HDR10+ certification and its Dynamic Tone Mapping delivers rich, vivid contrast and color for unmatched video quality. Nowhere do these features come together better than on the Galaxy Note10+, described by DisplayMate as the most innovative and  high-performance smartphone display  they have ever lab tested. Whether you are watching the latest TV shows or playing your favorite game, images and graphics come alive on the Galaxy Note10’s best-in-class display. Check out the infographic below to learn more.  

Samsung Aims For The Biggest Black Friday Deals It’s that time of the year again when frenzied shoppers get the best deals of the year Black Friday is coming soon, which means that shoppers will be rushing into stores and onto websites around the country to get their hands on amazing deals on everything. Samsung has big plans for consumers, who can also benefit from early-bird shopping by signing up on the Samsung South Africa site for Samsung Big Black Friday Deals.

Johannesburg, 18 November 2019 – Standard Bank Group, in conjunction with their digital marketing partner agency, Wunderman Thompson were presented with an award in the Search Marketing: SEO and PPC category for Personal Lending at the 2019 Direct Marketing Association of SA (DMSA) Assegai Awards. The Assegai Awards acknowledge and award those whose integrated marketing campaigns deliver exceptional results. They showcase campaigns that have hit the mark in the direct marketing industry. According to Standard Bank, this Personal Lending journey started in February 2019 when the bank went live with their full digital loan application process through their internet banking services. The process allowed customers to get approvals on multiple loans within seconds and money into their accounts immediately. “We are pleased to be working with an agency that is able to help us deliver our promise to our customers. Winning this award is testament to our commitment to our custom...

A perfect combination of timeless looks and cutting-edge technology with a powerful triple camera and always-on HDR PureDisplay technology Johannesburg, South Africa, 18 November 2019 - HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces the Nokia 7.2, the first Nokia smartphone to combine a triple camera and PureDisplay. Nokia 7.2 features a powerful 48MP triple camera with Quad Pixel technology and ZEISS Optics. Nokia 7.2 also premiers a range of ZEISS bokeh styles, exclusive to Nokia smartphones, that recreate the way legendary ZEISS lenses produce high visual impact and signature blur. Alongside even more AI-powered features such as night mode, fans can get even more creative with their stories. Building on the strengths of its predecessor, Nokia 7.2 combines stunning PureDisplay technology and always-on HDR, with timeless design to redefine what fans should expect from this smartphone segment. Shaun Durandt, General Manager of HMD Global Southern Africa: ...

The show is set to showcase the power of innovation in a big way   Samsung announced its headline sponsorship of the latest in Cassper Nyovest’s famous FillUp series of concerts. This December, Samsung will be firmly behind the popular hip hop star, in the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, as he once again raises the bar for South African artists. Cassper Nyovest’s Fill Up concert series is the most successful hip hop focused event in Africa. This is seamlessly aligned to Samsung’s position as the most loved brand in South Africa in the Sunday Times Top Brand survey, for the 7th year in a row. Additionally, the show’s innovative stage design and production has set the standard and influenced major artists worldwide.

Working in partnership with the dti, Samsung aims to create substantial employment in the e-waste sector   Samsung South Africa is running a search for 2 (two) established black industrials in the e-waste sector, which require financial and business support, to take their business to the next level. The initiative is part of Samsung’s R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP). EEIP is a Department of Trade and Industry (dti) initiative where multinational companies are invited to participate and contribute positively towards B-BBEE in South Africa. This programme is strongly aligned with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2030, which is the elimination of poverty through job creation and entrepreneurship.

The Samsung Fl!p 2 has transformed what can be achieved in a digitally progressive office   Samsung Fl!p 2 is now available in South Africa. The need for smarter, more efficient meeting environments is fast increasing. There is therefore a growing interest in technology that bridges the divide between the traditional and the digital. This is where the Samsung Fl!p 2 shines! Fl!p 2 is an intuitive and easy-to-use digital flipchart for any meeting environment, offering enhanced collaboration capabilities in an easy UI with a host of features, including brush mode, annotation on, merge to roll, and other collaboration tools.  

Consumers are embracing the technology offered by virtual cards, as Standard Bank starts to see the benefits of online shopping ecosystem, nine months after the launch its virtual card proposition. In the past nine months, virtual card payments have increased by more than 300%, though they started off at a very low base. A virtual card allows consumers to shop online and access their favourite Apps.  It further allows them to make payments without using a debit or credit card. Gwenael Trotel, Standard Bank’s Head of Consumer Solutions and Digital Cards says: “The adoption of virtual card technology is playing its part in changing the thinking about online shopping. Convenience and safety considerations are re-shaping the way consumers choose to transact, and Standard Bank is excited about the role it is playing in the digital and experience economies”. Online retail spending currently accounts for less than 2% of retail spend in South Africa. As this number is expected t...

22 August 2019:   HMD Global is excited to share its roll out plan for Android 10 across the Nokia smartphone family. Starting in Q4 2019, Nokia smartphone fans can get their hands on the Android 10 software upgrade and start enjoying the very latest Android experiences.  Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global said: “With a proven track record in delivering software updates fast, Nokia smartphones were the first whole portfolio to benefit from a 2-letter upgrade from Android Nougat to Android Oreo and then Android Pie. We were the fastest manufacturer to upgrade from Android Oreo to Android Pie across the range. And with today’s roll out plan we look set to do it even faster for Android Pie to Android 10 upgrades. We are the only manufacturer 100% committed to having the latest Android across the entire portfolio. Thank you to everyone in our Beta programmes who help to build on our unique Android promise and ensure your Nokia phone experience just keep...

South Africa’s newest mobile network, Standard Bank Mobile, has expanded its service offering to allow customers to purchase Apple, Samsung and Huawei smartphone devices with a convenient financing option. The Bank has introduced an innovative way to acquire a smartphone by financing devices over 24 months using an extended payment facility on Standard Bank credit card accounts.  This facility is offered at a special interest rate of 11% per annum. Customers can call in to request a limit increase if required. This convenient alternative to securing a 24-month contract with a Mobile Network Operator will also enable Standard Bank customers to enjoy the benefit of free voice and data to the value of their monthly banking fees. Standard Bank believes that the only way to enter a crowded telecommunications market is by offering additional value to consumers. As a result, the bank has integrated several benefits into the Standard Bank Mobile operating structure that include:...

4 th  generation Nokia 105 brings a  longer lasting battery and modern design  to its popular model JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 07 October 2019  – HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announced the South African launch of the all new fourth generation of its most popular feature phone – the Nokia 105. The Nokia 105 has sold in tens of millions across the globe proving its popularity and timeless quality as a legendary phone. Packing everything the Nokia 105 is known and loved for, including a lasting battery, allows you to talk from sunset to sunrise with one charge. An island key mat makes dialling and texting easy and enjoyable while its 1.77” colour screen is great for playing games like the classic Snake. With an inherently coloured polycarbonate body, the new Nokia 105 effortlessly combines modern design with simplicity and durability in a package that offers great value. Shaun Durandt, General Manager, HMD Global : “As a business our aim...

By: Gwenael Trotel, Standard Bank's Head of Consumer Solutions and Digital Cards The financial services landscape is fast changing. Technology is disrupting traditional offerings and those who have previously been unable to access banking services are now being brought into the fray through digital and more accessible offerings. It is not only the likes of Western giants like Facebook, which recently announced the launch of its digital currency Libra, who are shaking things up. African players are making steady progress in bringing the continent closer to a cashless society. According to 2015 figures from the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa is home to 350 million unbanked individuals, which accounts for 17% of the global total. This number is likely to have come down in recent years due to the rapid uptake of mobile money technologies. Financial inclusion is critical to reducing poverty and igniting economic growth. As specific regions within the continent lack ...