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New Fujifilm Instax Pal and Mini Evo Brown land in South Africa

Fujifilm has announced the release of two new products in the South African market: the Instax Pal camera and the Instax Mini Evo in Brown. These latest additions to Fujifilm’s lineup offer unique features and designs, catering to photography enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Instax Pal: a compact companion for instant photography

The Instax Pal, unveiled in September 2023, marks a departure from Fujifilm’s traditional instant camera offerings by focusing solely on photography. This lightweight, palm-sized camera, weighing just 41 grams, is designed for capturing spontaneous moments without the need to use a smartphone.

It connects via Bluetooth to the Instax Pal app, allowing users to transfer images with an Instax frame or print them directly on Instax printers, including the Instax Mini Link 2, Instax Square Link, and Instax Link Wide.

Equipped with a 4.9MP camera, the Instax Pal features internal storage for up to 50 photos and supports microSD cards for additional storage. The camera offers various shooting modes, including Standard, Remote, and Interval, the latter taking continuous shots at three-second intervals. The Instax Pal app also enables users to create animations, edit images, and share them on social media.

Available in five colours – Lavender Blue, Powder Pink, Milky White, Gem Black, and Pistachio Green – the Instax Pal is priced at R1,799 including VAT and is available at select retail stores and online.

Instax Mini Evo Brown: expanding the flagship range

The Instax Mini Evo, Fujifilm’s flagship hybrid instant camera, is now available in a new Brown colour. The Mini Evo has gained popularity for its ability to save and print photos, offering users ten lens effects and ten film effects, which can be combined to create 100 different shooting styles. The dedicated Evo app allows for direct printing from smartphones and saving photos with Instax frames for easy social media sharing.

The Brown Instax Mini Evo maintains the retro design of the original model, featuring a print lever, lens- and film-effect dials, and a new USB Type-C charging port. This limited-edition version is priced at around R2,900, including VAT, and comes with a matching case and a pack of Instax Mini film.

In addition to these releases, Fujifilm South Africa has also announced that the Instax Square SQ40 instant camera will be available in the country from January 2024. – GeekWire.co.za

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: a step towards the future, a nod to the past

In an increasingly crowded smartphone market, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 stands out with its unique blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology, offering a glimpse into the potential future of mobile tech while also harking back to the flip phones of yesteryear

Design and display: aesthetics meet functionality

The Z Flip 5’s design is a harmonious marriage of form and function. Its sleek, gapless hinge allows the device to fold into a compact form, reminiscent of the flip phones of the early 2000s. Yet, when unfolded, it reveals a vibrant 6.7-inch AMOLED display that offers a bright, crisp, and smooth user experience.

The display’s foldable nature doesn’t compromise its quality; colours are vivid, blacks are deep, and the brightness is sufficient for outdoor use. The crease at the fold is there, but it’s something that most users find fades into the background of their daily experience.

The outer cover screen has received a significant upgrade, now boasting a 3.4-inch display that offers more than just notifications and time. It’s a fully interactive experience, allowing users to respond to messages, control music, and even use it as a viewfinder for the camera.

This enhancement in functionality transforms the cover screen from a passive feature into an active tool that complements the main display, ensuring that the phone’s design is not just about aesthetics, but about adding real value to the user experience.

Performance: power in your pocket

The performance of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is where the device truly flexes its technological muscles. Armed with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the same chip powering many flagship models, the Z Flip 5 handles tasks with remarkable agility.

This is complemented by 8GB of RAM, which ensures that multitasking is a breeze, allowing users to flip between apps with no perceptible lag. Whether it’s for casual browsing, streaming high-definition videos, or engaging in graphic-intensive gaming, the Z Flip 5 stands tall amongst its competitors, delivering a seamless performance that belies its foldable form factor.

The device comes with a choice of 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, catering to a range of users from the media-hungry who may carry an extensive library of apps, photos, and videos, to the more casual user. The absence of a microSD card slot for expandable storage is a point of contention for some. However, the generous onboard storage should suffice for most users, especially in an age where cloud services are increasingly prevalent for additional storage needs.

The Z Flip 5’s performance prowess is not just about raw power; it’s also about the efficiency and smoothness of the user experience. Samsung’s One UI interface, layered over Android 13, is optimized for the foldable display, offering intuitive interactions and a user-friendly experience that leverages the unique form factor of the device.

Features like Flex Mode, which splits apps between the top and bottom halves of the display when partially folded, showcase Samsung’s dedication to not just providing power but also enhancing usability through thoughtful software design.

Camera: competent but not class-leading

The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, while not breaking new ground, delivers a performance that is more than just serviceable—it’s downright enjoyable for the everyday photographer. The dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, comprising a wide and ultra-wide lens, capture images with commendable clarity and colour accuracy.

In well-lit conditions, photos are vibrant and detailed, showcasing Samsung’s ability to produce cameras that perform consistently across various lighting scenarios. The night mode also sees a slight improvement, allowing for better low-light photography—a welcome tweak that extends the camera’s versatility.

However, it’s in the finer details of camera innovation where the Z Flip 5 maintains a conservative stance. The absence of a telephoto lens means that users looking to zoom in on distant subjects will have to rely on digital zoom, which, despite software enhancements, cannot match the quality of optical zoom found in some of the Z Flip 5’s peers.

This omission is felt more keenly when considering the device’s premium positioning in the market, where expectations for a more comprehensive camera setup are naturally higher.

The 10-megapixel front-facing camera is adept for selfies and video calls, producing clear and flattering results. Yet, the true camera delight comes from the ability to use the main cameras for self-portraits, thanks to the cover screen acting as a viewfinder. This clever use of the Z Flip’s form factor not only provides superior selfie quality but also exemplifies the innovative spirit of the device.

Again, it’s a fusion of form and function that elevates the user experience, making the most of the hardware at hand.

Battery life: adequate but not exceptional

The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is a study in balance, providing enough power to get through a day but not stretching much beyond. The 3,700mAh battery is a modest offering in the current landscape where larger batteries are becoming the norm.

For the average user, this capacity translates to a day’s worth of emails, social media browsing, video streaming, and photography, all without the anxiety of a midday charge. However, it’s worth noting that ‘normal usage’ is a variable term, and for those whose phone usage leans towards the heavier side, the Z Flip 5 may struggle to keep up without a supplementary boost of power.

The charging speed of the Z Flip 5 is competent, with the ability to reach a full charge in about 90 minutes using a 25W charger. While this is not groundbreaking when compared to the ultra-fast charging capabilities some competitors offer, it is sufficient for a quick top-up. The convenience of wireless charging is also present, adding to the device’s modern credentials and providing users with an alternative charging method that fits seamlessly into a wireless ecosystem at home or in the office.

The adaptive battery software within the Z Flip 5 does its part to extend battery life, learning user habits and adjusting power consumption accordingly. This intelligent power management can help squeeze more life out of each charge, ensuring that the phone prioritizes energy for the apps and services you use most. Despite this, the reality remains that the Z Flip 5’s battery life is not its standout feature, and while it doesn’t underperform, it doesn’t dazzle either.

Price: innovation at a premium

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5’s price tag, starting at R 26,999, is a reflection of its position at the forefront of smartphone innovation. The cost is not just for the hardware but for the novelty and design ingenuity that a foldable phone represents. It’s a luxury statement, a piece of technology that doubles as a fashion accessory and a conversation starter.

However, the premium pricing also invites scrutiny and comparison with the top-tier devices across the smartphone spectrum. When matched against flagships that boast superior camera systems, larger batteries, or more robust displays, the Z Flip 5’s value proposition hinges heavily on its unique foldable feature. It’s a price that demands justification through daily use, where the convenience of a large screen that folds down to fit comfortably in one’s pocket must be weighed against the cost.

The Z Flip 5 does come with twice the starting storage of its predecessor and a suite of incremental upgrades that enhance its overall user experience. These improvements, while subtle, contribute to the device’s premium feel and performance, making it a solid choice within the foldable niche. Moreover, the cost includes not just the physical device but also the extensive research and development that has gone into refining the foldable technology to its current iteration.

For consumers, the decision to purchase the Z Flip 5 will come down to how much value they place on its foldable design and the flexibility it offers. It’s a device that stands out in a sea of standard smartphones, offering a glimpse into what the future of mobile technology could look like. For those who are captivated by this vision, the price may well be worth it. – GeekWire.co.za

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Huawei Expands Watch GT 4 Series with new premium models

Huawei's newly released Watch GT 4 Premium is available in Grey and Silver versions. Image supplied

Huawei has introduced two new premium versions of its flagship smartwatch, the Huawei Watch GT 4, in South Africa, offering enhanced design elements and the same advanced technology features that have defined the series.

The Grey version, available in a 46mm size, showcases a contemporary and sophisticated design. It features a stainless-steel case and an integrated stainless-steel strap, a design choice that deviates from the traditional lug and strap format. This integration allows the strap to appear as a seamless extension of the case, providing a snug and secure fit on the wrist.

The watch undergoes over a dozen precision manufacturing processes, including fine grinding and sandblasting, resulting in a durable and corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel body with a ceramic texture. Huawei says this model is designed for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and seek a watch that makes a bold statement.

The Silver version comes in a smaller, sleeker 41mm form factor. As the name suggests, it features a silver-coloured stainless steel body with gold accents, reminiscent of a two-tone piano key. The intricate link bracelet strap blends silver and gold elements, which the company says adds a timeless charm to the watch.

This model is notable for being the first in Huawei’s smartwatch range to employ intricate handcrafted gold-alloyed techniques, involving over 17 complex processes.

Advanced features maintained

Despite the focus on design, these new models retain all the technological functionalities of the Watch GT 4 series. They boast an impressive battery life of up to 14 days for the 46mm model and up to 7 days for the 41mm. The watches are equipped with the upgraded TruSeen™ 5.5+ heart rate monitoring technology, offering enhanced precision in heart rate and workout tracking.

Additionally, users will find the popular Stay Fit app for managing weight and calories, and the Sleep Breathing Awareness feature, among other functions. The watches maintain their versatility with call, message, notification handling, music playback control, and compatibility with Huawei, Android, and iOS devices.

Availability and promotional offer

The Huawei Watch GT 4 Grey and Silver versions are now available for purchase in South Africa. Priced at R9,999, these watches can be bought from the Huawei online store and any Huawei Experience Store. Customers will also receive a complimentary Huawei Freebuds 2 SE and the Huawei Refresher Service, which includes software updates, watch cleaning, UV disinfection, and strap cleaning.

The original Watch GT 4, launched locally in September, is still available for R6,999 for both the 46mm and 41mm models. - GeekWire.co.za

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‘Black November’ bargains promise portable power without breaking the bank

As the summer season approaches in South Africa with no end in sight to loadshedding, EcoFlow, a company specializing in portable power solutions, has launched an extended Black Friday sale that could be a beacon for those looking for a more affordable way to blunt the impact of power outages.

EcoFlow’s sale, running throughout November, offers up to 47% off on products including portable power stations, solar panels, and extra batteries.

The company’s flagship Delta 2 power station is among the items on sale. Known for its high capacity and rapid charging, it is now available at a 28% discount, bringing the price down to R17,999. This model boasts a modular design allowing capacity expansion from 1-3kWh and can be fully recharged in 80 minutes, with a rated power output of 1800W, expandable to 2400W with X-Boost technology.

For those seeking the best combination of affordability and versatility, the River 2 Max is discounted by 38%. Now at R7,999, it features a 512Wh battery capacity and a recharge time of one hour, with a 500W rated power output, which can be doubled using X-Boost.

The more compact River 2 may be one the biggest bargains. The company is offering a 43% reduction, slashing the price to R3,999. It includes a 256Wh battery and similar rapid charging capabilities, suitable for powering essential devices.

Warranty and After-Sales Service

EcoFlow stands behind its products with a five-year warranty for the Delta 2 and River 2 series, promising up to a decade of reliable power thanks to their 3000-cycle battery life. The company also provides on-site after-sales service, ensuring customer support and product reliability.

In addition to power stations, EcoFlow’s solar panels are available at significant discounts, especially when bundled with power stations, promoting sustainable and off-grid living.

The company’s Black Friday deals present a timely opportunity for South Africans to equip themselves with reliable and sustainable power solutions. With substantial discounts, a reassuring warranty, and a range of products to suit different needs, consumers have a chance to prepare for the summer’s power challenges without breaking the bank.

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Huawei Watch GT 4: a stylish new entry in South Africa’s wearable market

Huawei has launched its latest addition to the South African smartwatch market, the Watch GT 4. Local tech aficionados first got a glimpse of this eye-catching wrist candy back in May when it featured as a side attraction at the Chinese tech titan’s launch of its flagship smartphones, the P60 Pro and Mate X3.

But the new watch was front and centre at yesterday’s official unveiling at the Hazendal Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands, a suitably swanky venue for a device aimed at tech enthusiasts and style-conscious consumers alike.

Design and aesthetics

Huawei describes the Watch GT 4 as a ‘Fashion-Forward’ wearable, which aims to seamlessly blend technology with fashion. Available in two sizes, 46mm and 41mm, the watch offers distinct design variations to cater for a variety of wrist sizes and fashion tastes.

The 46mm variant boasts an octagonal design, reminiscent of classic timepieces, and is available in three colorways: classic brown leather strap, rainforest green GMT, and a black rubber strap. The 41mm model showcases a sleek pendant design, available in two-tone piano key bracelet, Milanese bracelet, and white leather strap variants.

Beyond the default designs, users can further personalize their watch faces from a gallery of over 25,000 designs, ensuring that the watch complements their unique style.

Health and fitness features

Earlier iterations of the GT line did a solid job of blending style with robust performance in the health and sports tracking department. The GT 4 doesn’t disappoint in this respect, with over 100 workout modes, accommodating everything from mainstream activities like jogging and biking to more niche pursuits like Padel and eSports.

The fourth-generation watch introduces three major new health features: PPG Arrhythmia Analysis, Menstrual Cycle Management 3.0, and Sleep Breathing Awareness. These features leverage Huawei’s TruSeen™ 5.5+ health indicator monitoring technology, which offers enhanced accuracy in heart health readings, even during dynamic activities.

The GT 4 also boasts the upgraded TruSleep™ 3.0, providing users with comprehensive insights into their sleep cycles and respiratory health during sleep.

Connectivity and battery life

The Huawei Watch GT 4 is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, ensuring a broad user base. It offers quick messaging and replies, third-party application access, and an impressive battery life of up to two weeks, surpassing the staying power – at least on paper – of many mainstream competitors.

Pricing and availability The Huawei Watch GT 4 is priced at R6,999 in South Africa. Customers who register for the promotional offer will receive additional gifts worth R2,500. The watch will be available in stores from 6 October 2023.

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Twin peeks: A first look at Huawei’s new South Africa-bound flagships

Huawei's new P60 Pro will be available in South Africa from 1 June 2023. Image supplied

Introducing the P60 Pro and Mate X3

Chinese tech giant Huawei has unveiled two flagship devices, the P60 Pro and Mate X3 smartphones. Launched at an event in Johannesburg on 18 May, both phones will be available in stores from 1 June.

The P60 Pro, the successor to the highly regarded P50 Pro, boasts an impressive battery life, top-tier processing power, and a camera system that Huawei claims rivals professional DSLRs. The Mate X3, by contrast, claims to be the world’s slimmest and lightest large-screen foldable smartphone.

Cameras galore

Particularly notable is the P60 Pro’s camera system. It comes equipped with a 108 MP primary sensor, a 12 MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 40 MP ultrawide sensor, making it a real contender in the realm of smartphone photography. The camera also boasts optical image stabilisation and Huawei’s unique RYYB sensor, which enhances low-light photography.

The Mate X3, on the other hand, flaunts an 8 MP selfie camera and a 40 MP primary sensor on the rear. Furthermore, it carries a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, enhancing the device’s security without compromising on its sleek design.

Battery life is a standout feature for both devices. The P60 Pro offers a 4500mAh battery, while the Mate X3 brings an even beefier 5000mAh battery to the table. Both devices support Huawei’s SuperCharge technology, ensuring rapid charging without overheating.

Huawei has included an ample 8GB of RAM in the P60 Pro, making multitasking a breeze, while the Mate X3 comes with a hefty 12GB RAM. Storage is equally generous, with options for 256GB or 512GB in both devices.

The Huawei P60 Pro costs R24 999, while the Mate X3 will set you back R44 999. Both will be in stores from 1 June 2023, but they’re available now for pre-order with Huawei sweetening the deal for early birds with a limited freebie offer of a Watch GT3 SE and FreeBuds 5i.

Apps and partnerships

In the face of ongoing concerns about the absence of Google Mobile Services on its devices (a legacy of US-imposed ban), Huawei has put significant effort into enhancing its alternative, Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). HMS provides users with an array of apps and services, including Huawei’s AppGallery, which offers a range of global and localised apps.

Watch these

On the wearables front, the company unveiled two new smartwatch lines, starting with the Huawei Watch Ultimate. Positioned as a “luxury smartwatch”, it boasts a zirconium-based “liquid metal” body, giving it a premium and durable feel. Its glass cover is made of high-strength sapphire glass, ensuring protection against scratches and damage and Huawei claims it is capable of withstanding water depths of up to 100m.

The company showcased a number of these at the launch event, focusing on its partnership with Standard Bank and announcing a collaboration with radio station Jacaranda FM.

With a battery life of up to two weeks, 24-hour heart rate monitoring, all-night sleep tracking, and 90 minutes of daily exercise tracking, the Watch Ultimate offers a comprehensive range of health and fitness features.

Huawei also introduced two new additions to its laptop lineup. The Huawei MateBook X Pro is a lightweight yet powerful laptop weighing just 1.3kg. It is equipped with a 13th-generation Intel Core processor, ensuring fast and efficient performance for various computing tasks. The MateBook X Pro features a sleek and modern design, making it an attractive option for professionals and students alike.

South African prices and availability for the new watches and laptops have yet to be announced.

Power solutions

With loadshedding an ongoing concern for South Africans, Huawei used the event to announce its new Power-S seamless solar hybrid power and backup system designed for commercial and industrial scenarios to help businesses ensure continuous power supply.

The Power-S solution features an all-in-one design that supports simple installation, making it convenient for various settings. It allows users to flexibly expand the capacity of batteries and power modules, catering to different budgets and power requirements.

Huawei did not list any pricing for the Power-S solution, but it did announce a price drop on its home-focussed Power-M product. The recommended retail price for the Power-M now starts from R69,999.

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Super nova! New ‘flagship lite’ available in SA for under R6000

Huawei has announced the release of its latest smartphone, the nova 11i, in South Africa. The device, part of the company’s “flagship lite” series aimed at younger consumers, is now available for purchase at selected retailers and through the Huawei online store.

The Huawei nova 11i features a large screen with narrow 1 mm bezels, offering a screen-to-body ratio of 94.9%. The device is designed to be comfortable to hold, with a moisture-proof and fingerprint-resistant coating. It comes in two color options: Mint Green and Starry Black.

The smartphone is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which can be charged up to 60% in 30 minutes, thanks to its 40 W Huawei SuperCharge Turbo feature. The device also includes smart power management technology and intelligent charging protection.

In terms of photography, the Huawei nova 11i has a 48 MP High-Res Camera, a 2 MP depth camera, and a 16 MP selfie camera. The cameras use algorithms to optimize image quality in different lighting conditions. The device also includes a motion detection feature that adjusts the shutter speed in real time.

Good sport

The nova 11i’s launch coincides with the announcement of the continuation of Huawei’s partnership with South African football club SuperSport United.

As part of the ongoing collaboration, SuperSport United players and staff will have access to the latest Huawei devices, including the newly released Huawei nova 11i.

Huawei Vice President of Operations, Akhram Mohamed said, “advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision will support and monitor players performances and provide analysed data for the technical team.”

SuperSport United CEO Stanley Matthews said football has experienced a technological explosion in recent years with data analytics and performance measurement driving recruitment and retention decision making around players.

“In Huawei we have a globally recognised partner at the cutting edge of the technology industry with products and features that can give us a competitive edge on our fellow rivals in the PSL,” Matthews added.

The Huawei nova 11i is available from Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C stores, as well as the Huawei online store with prices starting at R5 999 or R329 a month on a 24-month contract.

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Samsung’s Z Fold 4 blends innovative design and premium performance

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G is the latest iteration in Samsung’s foldable smartphone lineup, demonstrating just how far the technology has evolved since its inception.

The device embraces the now familiar book-like design, refining it with subtle improvements to enhance its appeal and durability. Reassuringly, it now boasts an improved hinge mechanism, providing a smoother folding experience that feels more natural and sturdy. It’s complemented by a water-resistant rating of IPX8, making the phone more resilient to the elements.

The exterior of the device features a 6.2-inch AMOLED cover screen, providing a compact smartphone experience for quick interactions. On unfolding, the Z Fold 4 5G reveals a 7.6-inch AMOLED main screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering an immersive tablet-like experience. The bezels have been reduced and the under-display camera technology provides an unobtrusive screen layout, making for an improved viewing experience.

Performance and Battery Life

Equipped with a powerful Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G excels in performance, handling everyday tasks with ease and running demanding applications without hiccups. Despite its powerful internals, the device manages to maintain an impressive battery life, thanks to its 4,500mAh battery.

Samsung’s One UI 4, based on Android 12, offers seamless transitions between the cover screen and the main display. It also provides a host of multitasking options, such as Flex mode, which splits the main screen in half for simultaneous app usage. With the improved multi-window mode, users can run up to three apps at the same time. This was seamless and stutter free in our testing.

Cameras

The Z Fold 4 5G sports a triple-camera system on its rear, consisting of a 12MP ultra-wide, a 12MP wide-angle, and a 12MP telephoto lens, providing versatility for a variety of shooting scenarios. The main 12MP wide-angle camera produces sharp, detailed photos in a range of lighting conditions, with reliable autofocus and image stabilization. The 12MP ultra-wide lens captures a broader field of view, while the 12MP telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom for distant subjects.

The under-display 4MP front camera, though not the highest resolution, produces decent if underwhelming selfies. However, the cover screen’s 10MP front-facing camera provides better quality for those seeking higher-resolution selfies and video calls.

Connectivity and Extras

As a 5G-enabled device, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G offers fast internet speeds for those with access to 5G networks, still a frustratingly spotty experience in South Africa. It also includes other advanced connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.

The stereo speakers tuned by AKG, offered an impressively immersive audio experience for when you’ve left your earbuds at home.

One of the standout extras of the Z Fold 4 5G is the S Pen Fold Edition, which Samsung says provides a seamless stylus experience for note taking, drawing, and more. The S Pen Pro, a separate accessory, adds even more functionality, including remote control capabilities.

Alas, our review device did not come with either, but from what we’ve heard from those who’ve used these extras, it enhances the device’s multitasking capabilities significantly. However, Samsung hasn’t provided a slot in the Z Fold 4 to store a stylus, unlike its non-folding Galaxy S22 and S23 Ultra devices.

Our verdict

Samsung has refined the foldable smartphone experience with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G, showcasing a stunning design, top-tier performance, and a plethora of advanced features. Its improved hinge mechanism and water-resistant build make it more durable, while the seamless integration of software and hardware facilitates a versatile user experience.

The triple-camera system offers versatility and excellent photo quality, even though the under-display front camera may not be the best choice for selfie enthusiasts. The inclusion of the S Pen Fold Edition and AKG-tuned stereo speakers further enhance the device’s functionality and appeal.

However, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G’s steep price point means it’s not for everyone. It’s best suited for those who want a cutting-edge, high-performance device that can provide both a smartphone and a tablet experience in one package. For anyone willing to make the pretty hefty investment required, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G is a remarkable piece of technology that showcases the future of mobile devices.

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G is available on contract from R3 073,00/pm or for a cash price of R32 999.

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Watch this space

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, shows off the gorgeous Huawei Watch at a pre-IFA event in Berlin

If ever there was any doubt that smartwatches have entered the mainstream, they were dispelled by the sheer range of them on display at IFA, from chunky sports-oriented models from Garmin and Tom Tom to more stylish offerings from the likes of LG and Motorola. My prize for the best looking goes to the gorgeous Huawei Watch with its classic round shape, realistic looking luxury watch faces and a range of premium strap options. But at a starting price of ��US$349 it’s hardly an impulse buy.

Samsung’s Gear S2, with its blend of classic and modern styling was another big hit at IFA

I also love the look of the new Samsung Gear S2, also round but with more contemporary styling and a really clever system of accessing menus using the rotating bezel. At an identical US starting price as the Huawei Watch, the Gear 2 is another premium priced product. I shudder to think what they’ll sell for when they finally make their way to South Africa. That’s why my pic of the wearables on show at IFA is the ZenWatch 2 from Asus. It’s a great looking timepiece with a wide range of customisable watch faces to choose from. Asus is promising two full days between charges. The best thing, though, is its $165 price tag although you can bling it up with a Swarovski crystal-studded strap if you really want to show off.

The Asus ZenWatch 2 is a great looking, relatively affordable smartwatch

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Shake it like a Polaroid picture

With vinyl records experiencing a hipster-driven resurgence in popularity I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that another 20th Century icon, the Polaroid camera is also making a comeback. Cynic though I am, I have to admit that the latest snapper from the company that invented the instant print picture is a really compelling combination of retro styling and modern smarts. The Polaroid Snap bears a striking resemblance to the Instagram app logo, which is actually quite appropriate, because apart from cheerfully churning out prints of your snaps in less than a minute, it can also save them in electronic format like any conventional 10MP digital camera for easy sharing via your favourite social app. With a price tag of just $99 it’s something even I may consider splashing out on in a fit of nostalgic whimsy. There’s no word on when it’ll land in Mzansi or how much it’ll sell for in our battered rands, but the Polaroid rep at the show assured me they’re in talks with their SA suppliers to get it here asap.

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Ridiculous resolution

Two big smartphone announcements were made in the run-up to IFA. One was the Huawei Mate S which I was fortunate enough to attend and covered in an earlier post. The other, on the same day, was from Sony who announced not one, but three variants of it new Z5, a compact, standard and premium model. It’s the latter that caught my eye, quite literally - All 5.5 inches of its 3840 x 2160-pixel screen. This adds up to an astonishing pixel density of 806 pixels per inch, making the Z5 Premium the world’s first smartphone with an ultra-high-definition display. I can understand the appeal of a 70-inch UHD TV. But can the human eye even notice the difference between UHD and regular HD in a device that fits in your hand? Apparently not, according to a colleagues who attended the Sony presentation. I’m told the Sony bods had barely finished speaking when eager hacks stormed the display area and started oohing and ahing over the marvelous new display. That was until word filtered out that these were standard models of the Z5 and that the scant handful of Premium models were on show in a separate nook watched over by beefy bodyguards.

Awkward.

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These ARE the droids you’re looking for

There were plenty of robots on show at IFA, most of them designed to make themselves useful around the house, cleaning your floors or keeping an eye on your possessions and pets while you’re out. But by far the most popular was the Sphero BB-8, designed to do nothing more than be a whole lot of fun. The geekily inclined will recognise this chap as the cute rolling bot from the eagerly awaited next installment of the Star Wars saga: Episode VII - The Force Awakens.

It’s based on the revolutionary Sphero robotic ball first released in 2012. But thanks to its Star Wars livery, complete with adorable magnetically attached head, and a host of clever new moves it’s now another droid altogether.

You interact with the BB-8 using an iPhone or Android app and it comes with a few pre-programmed “missions”, which is a good thing because it can take a bit of time for anyone older than 15 to get used to “driving” it. Plenty more software tricks and experiences are promised after the film opens on 18 December, a release date guaranteed to make this little guy the must-have Christmas toy of 2015. But you don’t have to wait till then. I’m told by it SA distributors, the Core Group, that its available now from local retailers including iStore, The Gadget Shop, Musica, Toyzone, BT Games and more. The damage? A not so cute  R2799.

Most of the bots on display at IFA were designed for more utilitarian jobs like cleaning your floors. 

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Stop me IFA you’ve heard this one

I was fortunate enough to get to visit Europe’s biggest and oldest tech show, IFA, in Berlin recently as a guest of Huawei South Africa. The following posts will be on some of my impressions from the show and various associated product launches - they’ll appear above this one thanks to this blog’s reverse chronological ordering.  

[alanqcooper]

Huawei Mate S steals Apple’s force touch thunder

When Apple releases its new iPhone on Wednesday you can expect CEO Tim Cook to make a huge fuss about a clever new technology called 'force touch' that will allow its users to do all sorts of cool things never before possible using a smartphone's touchscreen. The iPhone fanboys (and girls) will go gaga and trumpet this as yet another example of how Apple leads the way in mobile innovation. There's just one small problem.  Someone's already beaten them to the punch, and by one whole week nogal. That someone is Huawei and the device they've used to steal Apple's thunder is the Mate S, unveiled to the world in Berlin this past Wednesday. There were rumours the Chinese company would do this but I must confess I was sceptical. After all, Apple had achieved a genuine first by incorporating force touch into its smartwatch. Could Huawei really be the first to put it into a smartphone without making it seem like a rushed afterthought? I had my doubts. Boy was I wrong. From the moment Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's Consumer Business Group, stepped on stage to reveal the Mate S with '#incredibletouch' emblazoned on the giant screen behind him, it was clear that touch was going to be at the front,  centre and back of the Mate S. "Touch is a natural action we take to undestand our world," Yu told tech journalists who'd come to the German capital from around the world for the IFA technology expo. "The Huawei Mate S redefines how we incorporate touch technology into our smartphones, breaking through the conventional way of touch screen control and ushering in new era of human-machine interaction." Stirring stuff to be sure and the Huawei faithful responded with cheers and applause. But talk, as they say, is cheap. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, or in this case the touching and I was fortunate enough to worm my way through the scrum of hacks to get my mitts on a Mate for a few precious minutes.

First, a bit about its looks. After all, foodies do say you taste first with your eyes. If that's true, then the Mate S is a veritable visual banquet. Sporting a 5.5-inch, high definition Amoled screen made of super tough, fourth generation Gorilla Glass and subtly curved to meet the diamond chamfered aluminium body, it's a truly gorgeous eyeful. I was expecting it to be a real handful too, familiar as I was with its predecessor - the groundbreaking but, let's face it, slab-like Mate 7. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Mate S feels a lot more comfortable and secure in the hand than the 7, thanks in large part to the curved back. And speaking of the back, that's a good place to start talking about the Mate S's touch prowess. That's where the fingerprint unlocking sensor is placed, a much more sensible spot in my opinion than on the front. Apart from doing a faultless job of unlocking the device, you can use this sensor to snap a selfie, scroll through your image gallery as well perform several other navigational gymnastics. Flip the phone over to the front and the touchy feely stuff gets even better.   Force touch allows users to press harder on the screen to unlock a lot more features than a mere tap allows. Although it's called force touch, you really don't need to use much pressure, as Yu demonstrated by weighing an orange with the Mate S. When scrolling through your photo gallery, pressing harder on a thumbnail enlarges it. When you've got an image open, pressing harder on a spot zooms you into that area of the picture. That's just a few of the force touch tricks up the Mate S's sleeves but sadly I've run out of space - and that's before I've even got to the impressive 13MP rear camera and 8MP selfie snapper, never mind the much improved battery and processor. Fortunately,  I'll be getting a test unit soon, so watch this space for a full review. South Africa will among the first markets to receive the Mate S so look out for it in stores sometime this month. Prices will be announced nearer its time of arrival, a wise move given the rand's alarming free fall.

This article first appeared in the Sunday Tribune on 6 September 2015. It is used here with permission.

[alanqcooper]

ShowMax steals a march on Netflix in Mzansi

For more than a year now there have been rumours that wildly successful global streaming video service Netflix is on its way to South Africa. The latest talk is that it’ll launch here in December. When Netflix does eventually decide to storm our digital beaches it’ll find them very well defended. That’s because Mzansi-based media behemoth Naspers, owner of Dstv, has just launched its own streaming service, ShowMax. For the uninitiated, streaming video, also known as video on demand, allows you to watch movies and shows on a range of Web-connected devices including smartphones, tablets, PCs and smart TVs. The content is delivered overt the Internet rather than traditional broadcast or satellite channels. I’ve been trying out ShowMax for the past week and a half since its launch and I predict that unless Netflix brings its A game, it’s in for an extremely rough landing. For one thing, the ShowMax catalogue of movies, series and documentaries is likely to dwarf anything Netflix has to offer. In the US, Netflix offers around 30 000 hours of content. But its South African catalogue is unlikely to be anything near as well stocked. That’s because each territory has its own licensing agreement. If some of Netflix’s other overseas markets are anything to go by, it’s unlikely to arrive here with a content basket that’s much bigger than 5000 hours. ShowMax, by contrast, is offering 10 000 hours of entertainment, including a pretty sizeable selection of locally-made content. Blockbuster shows include Game of Thrones, Ray Donovan, Suits and Arrow. I really like the box set collections which allow you to start from the beginning of series you never properly caught the first time they appeared, sometimes years ago - The Wire, Big Bang Theory and The Sopranos here I come. The movies on offer are less impressive, most of them several years old. But Netflix isn’t known for its selection of the latest movies either. According to John Kotsaftis, General Manager of ShowMax South Africa, “We’re unashamedly ambitious in what we’re aiming to achieve with ShowMax. “The ongoing change in viewing habits has given us the opportunity to build a video on demand powerhouse to feed the marathon viewing trend. We’ve got all the best content from Hollywood and beyond, but at the same time we also have the local content that consumers here expect. “Importantly, we’re bringing this in at an attractive price, and doing this across more devices than ever before,” Kotsaftis said. On the subject of price, ShowMax is also likely to be cheaper than, or at least on par with Netflix when it arrives. Netflix costs $7.99 (R105) a month in the US. A ShowMax monthly subscription is R99, although there’s also an extremely limited selection of free content. It’s also cheaper than existing local video on demand offerings like Vidi and MTN Front Row. While the latter two are now offering free data streaming in an effort to compete, their rather thin content catalogues simply can’t come close to matching ShowMax’s bursting-at-the-seams line up. Your subscription gives you to access to its content using five different devices. Two different video streams may be watched simultaneously on separate devices using the single monthly subscription. I tried it out on several different smartphones and on a Windows laptop and found it worked as advertised. ShowMax recommends you have at least a 2mbps Internet connection, preferably uncapped because you’re going to chew through roughly 400mb of data an hour streaming video content. My experience using ShowMax over a 4mbps ADSL line was excellent. I was able to get two shows streaming on two different devices at the same time, all with only occasional buffering which probably had more to do with my dodgy line than ShowMax’s ability to deliver. One glitch that I’m sure will be ironed out is that I was only able to load two devices onto the service, rather than the five they advertise. My only other gripe is a minor one. As the owner of an old fashioned, non-smart TV I’d have loved it if the service was compatible with the Google Chromecast, a nifty dongle-sized gizmo that allows you to “throw” content from mobile devices onto a television screen. Judging by the numerous comments about this on the Google Play store, I’m not the only one who feels this way. ShowMax is offering a seven-day trial period, with free access to the entire library so you can test the service before you buy. At present it’s available on devices running recent versions of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating system, on selected smart TVs and on Windows and Mac computers using the Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox and Safari Web browsers. For more information visit www.showmax.com.

This article first appeared in The Sunday Tribune on 30 August 2015. It is used here with permission.

[alanqcooper]

Lumia 640 - full of surprises

Following the recent release of Windows 10 for PCs, now is a great time to take another look at smartphones running the mobile version of Microsoft’s iconic operating system. And if you’re looking for a reasonably priced mid-range handset with several features that are more at home on a pricey flagship device, there’s no better choice than the Microsoft Lumia 640. I recently spent a few weeks with this unassuming but full-of-surprises smartphone and handed it back well impressed and wishing I could have hung onto it for a bit longer. Those familiar with the Nokia Lumia range of phones will instantly recognise the 640’s lineage despite the Microsoft branding on the back - the Redmond, Washington-based multinational finalised its purchase of Nokia’s mobile division last year. If the trademark plastic body - Microsoft prefers the term polycarbonate - and rounded corners weren’t enough to tip you off, one look at the crisp, bright 5-inch display replete with Windows’ distinctive live tiles will do the trick. For the past few years Lumia handsets - with a few niche exceptions that never went anywhere - have been the only devices to run Windows mobile. At present, the 640 still runs Windows Phone 8.1. But Microsoft has promised it’ll get the update to version 10 as soon as it’s available for public release - at the moment it’s being torture tested for bugs and other flaws by thousands of Windows Insider volunteer beta testers. Microsoft hasn’t announced a release date for Windows 10 for hand-held devices, but there are rumours that it could be sometime in September. In the meantime, you’ll have no complaints about Windows 8.1 on the Lumia 640. I found it snappy and responsive without any of the lag and jitters you sometimes experience even on premium smartphones running competing operating systems.

For those who judge a device on its spec sheet alone, this performance may come as a surprise given that the 640 is equipped with a rather underwhelming sounding 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with just 1GB of RAM. But not if you know Windows 8.1 - and its successor Windows 10 - have been carefully optimised to have low system requirements so they’ll work almost as well on entry-level devices as they do on high-end smartphones.       

What did surprise me was the camera. I wasn’t expecting much given the price, but I managed to capture some pretty impressive images in a range of lighting conditions with the eight-megapixel rear-facing snapper. Sure, it’s not in the same league as imaging powerhouses like the iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 - especially the front facing one-megapixel ‘selfie’ camera - but there’s not much to touch it in the mid-range market. The build quality is great and the Lumia 640 feels solid, if a little slippery in hand thanks to the smooth finish on the black plastic back. I’d have preferred a more brightly coloured matt back, but that’s something that should be easy to rectify as it’s removable - and presumably replaceable with a choice of after-market backs in a range of colours. Taking off the back also reveals another neat feature of the 640 model I reviewed - two SIM card slots. I popped my usual SIM into one and a data SIM from a competing network into the other and found the freedom to switch between the two based on coverage and the best price at certain times of the day really liberating. It’s pleasing to see that the cellular operators are finally starting to stock more and more dual SIM phones after giving them the cold shoulder for years. The 2500 mAh battery is removable, another plus, so you can swap it out with a spare if needed, although I found it easily lasted a working day and well into the evening, even with heavy use. Less impressive was the miserly 8GB of internal storage. This is redeemed somewhat by the fact you can beef this up by as much as 128MB with the addition of an after-market micro SD card. For those still on the fence, Microsoft is sweetening the deal by offering a free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, valued at R750, which includes free 1TB of OneDrive storage. If you’re already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem with a Windows desktop or laptop and happen to be in the market for a mid-range smartphone selling at a a near entry-level price, the Lumia 640, which starts at around R2500 on prepaid and R170 a month on contract, is a no brainer. Heck, at that price it deserves a serious look whatever phone or computer you’re currently running.

This article first appeared in the Sunday Tribune on 23 August 2015. It is used here with permission.

[alanqcooper]

Affordable and dunkable

Sony’s Xperia M5 brings Z-range looks and smarts to the mid-range

Regular readers will know I’m a big fan of gadgets designed to cope with the curve balls life throws at us. And they don’t come more challenging than a good dunking. I doubt there’s anyone reading this who hasn’t killed an electronic device by dropping it in the loo, bath or a swimming pool. If not, you’ll certainly know someone who has. One of my most popular columns, judging by feedback via email and social media, was one about how to bring a drowned cellphone back from the dead by packing it in rice overnight. But this is a hit-and-miss cure at best. For best results you should whip out the battery as soon as possible, something you can’t do with the growing number of phones that now come with non-removable batteries. Far better to prevent the water getting into the phone in the first place. I wrote that piece a few years ago and since then several handset makers have brought out models offering varying degrees of water resistance. Japan-based manufacturer, Sony, was a leader in the field and today its flagship Xperia Z range of phones and tablets are the benchmark. But like all top-end devices they’re not cheap. Thankfully, Sony has also led the way in introducing the dunkability superpower to more affordable mid-range phones, the most recent being the Xperia M4 Aqua. It’s a great phone and, at present, the only one I know of in the R4000-R5000 price bracket that’s water resistant. But if you’re thinking buying one, you may want to wait a bit. That’s because Sony recently announced yet another mid-range submersible, the M5, and this one looks like it’s going to be a real cracker. Better looking and more premium feeling than the already attractive M4, the M5 also outshines its predecessor in the photography and processing power departments. While the M4 Aqua had a pretty respectable 13 megapixel main camera and 5 megapixel ‘selfie’ snapper, the M5 ups this to 21.5 and 13 megapixels respectively. I’m especially looking forward to testing out two features of the rear camera - 5x clear image zoom which, as the name suggests, promises zoomed-in images without significant loss of quality and hybrid autofocus, which lets you lock onto a target in literally a fraction of a second - 0.25 seconds to be exact. The ability to capture videos in 4K is nothing new in a smartphone, but it’s still fairly rare in mid-range devices, so kudos to Sony for including it in the M5. The front-facing camera looks to be pretty impressive too, with integrated autofocus and Full-HD video recording. Sony is also promising a near-premium media consumption experience thanks to a “sharp, bright and vivid” five-inch full HD display, with the mobile version of its Bravia TV technology promising enhanced sharpness and contrast. If the pictures I’ve seen are to be believed, the M5 will also look and feel more like a high-end device than any other Sony to date, with a premium glass finish on the front and rear and stainless steel corners giving it added metallic appeal as well as protection against bumps. Sony claims the 2600mAh battery will offer up to two days battery life, a boast I’m inclined to believe given the performance of its Z3 range. The M5 is powered by 64-bit 2.0 GHz Octa-core processor with 3GB RAM and runs Google’s Android 5.0 (Lollipop) operating system.

More and more mid-range devices - and even some budget phones - now offer high speed 4G connectivity and the M5 is no exception, so you’ll be able to download and stream as much audio and video content as your data plan allows. While the M5 is both waterproof and dust-resistant, Sony is at pains to point out that this doesn’t mean you should go out and swim or take a shower with the device. Rather, the water resistance is intended to give you peace of mind if you get caught in the rain or want to wash off dirt under a tap. All ports and attached covers should be firmly closed. “You should not put the device completely underwater or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water or liquids such as drinks. Abuse and improper use of device will invalidate the warranty,” the company warns. One can only imagine the Hangover movie-like scenes that prompted that disclaimer. I must confess I’ve been guilty of all of the above transgressions - and a few more that I don’t intend to elaborate on - while testing earlier models of Sony phones and tablets with the same IP65/68 ingress protection rating as the M5. They shrugged the abuse off like water off the proverbial duck’s back. Prices haven’t been released yet, but expect them to be similar to the M4 Aqua which goes for around R4600 on prepaid or R300 per month on contract. If you do go out and buy the M5 when it arrives in SA sometime in the fourth quarter of this year I strongly urge you not to follow my irresponsible example. But isn’t it good to know you’ll be able to listen to a podcast while jogging through an unexpected rain shower or catch up on your Facebook feed in the bath without any worries?

An edited version of this article first appeared in the Sunday Tribune on 16 August 2015. It is used here with permission.