DChetty» Technology

Web Browsers Explained!

DChetty — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:08:52 +0000

This image best explains the current browser offering that we all have come to love, hate or love to hate!

Airtime innovation from Flexicell!

DChetty — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:08:40 +0000

I have been in the mobile industry for a short while now & even though I do my best to stay on top of innovation in this sector, its tough because this world turns itself on its head every few weeks or so. Innovation is rife and users’ demands for more services, better hardware, applications and better operating systems have grown exponentially in the last 3 to 4 years.

With iPhone 4 rumoured to launch in SA in September 2010, Nokia N900 and the Nokia X-range doing well in Europe & the massive uptake of Android, its no surprise that South African users have become so demanding.

But on the flipside of all of this hardcore innovation, sometimes it is critical that we sit back and remind ourselves that the best ideas are often the simple ones. Flexicell capitalises on this and offers a super solution to an everyday problem.

Many mobile users in South Africa use prepaid airtime. Many reasons exist why it is so popular and a few of the most common ones are:

Monthly income and expenses don’t allow affordability of predefined contracts
Signup criteria requires minimum salary, proof of address, clear credit record, etc and is often a barrier to entry for many South Africans.
Users prefer the flexibility afforded to them of not being tied into a 24 month contract.

Whatever the reasons are, Flexicell has come up with a brilliant solution to bridge the gap between users who would like a monthly commitment of airtime to be credited to the phones by setting up a monthly debit order based on users affordability. They sell themselves with a mission to “convert prepaid product users to month-to month contract.”.

The service allow for users to opt out with one calendar months notice with no penalties, unlike post-paid offerings from the voice networks like Vodacom, MTN, Cell C & Virgin Mobile.

I’m impressed. Well done for finding the simple solution to the complicated problem, Flexicell.

If you use Flexicell, I would love to hear about your experience.

Nokia E72 Firmware update v32 change log!

DChetty — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:52:13 +0000

Nokia have just release V31 of its firmware for the Nokia E72 and it looks like it has a lot of enhancements.

Heres the list what to expect in V31 of Nokia E72 firmware update:

NEW CONTENT

WAPI support for China
Internet radio
Smart Connect
Bloomberg
Advanced Communications Manager

UPDATED

Freestyle email (2.05, BL3, csw.32.rd_email_10w04)
My Nokia (4.1)
Nokia Maps SR3
Share on OVI (4.3)
OviStore (1.5.436)
Cherry (2.1)
Browser 7.2

MAJOR CORRECTIONS

Stability improvements
- Memory leak corrections to improve general stability
- Music player, radio, video recording, earphone, security sw and encryprion stability corrections
- Localisation corrections(MAPS, Calendar, Contacts, Email and Browser area)
Email improvements
- MFE activation registration correction
- Synchronisation correction to mailbox creation(like Yahoo and Gmail) for the first time
- Email editing correction(dubling of words when deleting suggestions)
- Correction to synchronization when syncing draft meeting request
- Set default setting “Sync while roaming” to “No”
- Sending message without password initials crash correction
- Messaging menu memory leak correction
Calendar
- Meeting request creation stability corrections
- Requiring meeting request corrections
- Meeting request saving correction if meeting request is saved before sending
- Meeting update send after editing request
Contacts
- Contacts stability improvements (arrow keys pressed rapidly before contacts are loaded, add searched contact to the group without name, mail box removal, open/close contacts during call, conference call with two same name participants, … )
- Company name displayed in contacts
- Group deleting correction when group is deleted from group edit view
- Contact group editing view corrections
- Contacts search corrections (Group cannot be searched after editing its conference service number, Image detail of marked contact is not displayed in search result, Group disappears when add contact to it in searched result view)
Home screen
- Missed call indicator removal correction after call has been accomplished form action menu
- Message notifier corrected when several voice messages received
MAPS
- New maps version included
- Free navigation
- Improved GPS handling
- Landmark corrections(land mark received vie MMS, Landmarks are not displayed when selecting places during planning route from landmarks application)
- Voice guidance corrections (turning directions, safety camera)
- Route planning/saving corrections
Browser
- Browser bitmap memory leak correction
- Browser closing stability improvement before connection is open
- Secure connection icon corrections (going to an other secure page, secure connection canceling)
- When moving multiple Bookmarks, the last selected Bookmark is not moved
- Bookmark icon correction
Other
- Spacebar stops working correction
- Emergency call correction when lock code query is on and call made quickly after power on
- Theme effects disabled by default

Win McAfee Family Protection Software!

DChetty — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 05:10:12 +0000

I have three copies of McAfee’s Family Protection Suites to give away worth about $40 each. Each copy can be installed on 3 separate computers in your home as they each ship with 3-user licenses. The software is a slick, easy to use and setup software that allows you to manage web pages visited, which applications are used, how much time is spent on the computer, which social networks are being used, etc.

It’s an all-in-one solution that helps ensure that your kids are not exposed to the nasties that are all over the web. The web was never meant to be so hostile and we can only wish for a day when it’s a safe place for our kids to learn, interact and express themselves.

McAfee Family Protection Suite is not an antivirus, so don’t think that because you have an antivirus, you won’t need this, because you would be wrong. Trust me, I know these things!

Family Protection is an entirely different suite altogether and looks after a whole other kind of web problem:

Instant Message reporting – Monitors and records IM conversations so parents are aware of cyberbullying and improper dialogue with strangers
Social network monitoring – Records when personal information (phone number, address, location) is posted to social networking sites and monitors the use of profanity and sexually explicit terms
Set time limits – Manage the amount of time your children spend on the Internet
Block objectionable websites – Filter up to 35 categories of inappropriate websites that may be accidentally exposed to children
Review usage reports – View and understand your children’s online activities to educate them about proper online behaviors

All that you need to do to win is:

Join the DChetty.co.za Facebook Fan Page
Leave a message on the wall naming one of the features of McAfee Family Protection and then explain why you think that you should win.
Get your friends to “Like” your wall post.

Competition closes on Friday at noon and the most liked wall messages wins.

This is an Incredible Connection give-away. Don’t forget that you can now also use your eBucks at Incredible Connection stores nationwide!

Funniest Mac vs PC video!

DChetty — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:01:42 +0000

I’ve become a total Mac boy now and have nothing but hostility toward PC and Windows. This is a really funny spoof rap video of Mac vs PC.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8FnACj25xM[/youtube]

Nokia Ovi Maps Navigation Announcement! #NokiaCTIA

DChetty — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:51:13 +0000

Last night, I posted an article about a looming Nokia Navigation Announcement which is expected later today at an exclusive event in Cape Town. I have done some snooping and have figured out what the announcement is and it’s really WOW!

I’m excited to show you pre-announcement screen shots of the latest version of Ovi Maps with 3D view, 3D Buildings and Routing and Navigation for both Car and Walk mode.

Here are a few screen shots that I just took using the service for the first time, with my first impressions:

Ovi Maps Homepage defaults to Cape Town. This must be done by using my IP as I have not set up any other profiling information regarding my location.

Ovi Maps requires a browser plug in to be installed.

Ovi Maps Map View Options, include the standard that we have to come love on Ovi Maps on Mobile, Map View, Satellite and Terrain.

Check after the break for more screen shots, including the 3D Landmarks of Cape Town.

Ovi Maps 3D and 2D Toggling is made easy by the button on the top right-hand corner.

Ovi Maps More… Allows for management of Night Mode/Day Mode toggling, inclusion of 3D Landmarks and the ability to set the default language of Ovi Maps.

That’s right, those 3D buildings are of Cape Town’s foreshore and include the CTICC, MetLife and the Cullinan Inn. How cool is THAT?

Ovi Maps Navigation with Turn by Turn Directions for both Drive and Walk Mode.

Ovi Maps Good Stuff Content Sharing. Here I have added Urban Khana HQ to the map and it is now publicly available globally to view and navigate to. I particular like the function “Share This Good Thing”, which gives you a URL to share on the Ovi Platform.

Nokia Ovi Navigation Announcement Soon!

DChetty — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:57:25 +0000

Nokia has recently announced that all Nokia Maps, now known as Ovi Maps will include free navigation to all capable handsets. This shook the navigation world and blew the Garmin model out of the water, forever changing mobile mapping technology. This move was no surprise to some as it became more and more evident that unless other mapping platforms followed suit, Google Maps were set to landslide the industry with yet another disruptive technology offered as a free service.

Anyway, I now enjoy Ovi Maps 3.0 on my Nokia N97 with free navigation.

I have however been invited to a very intriguing Nokia Navigation event. It started, when I accepted an invitation to attend and was swiftly followed with a small gift box arriving in the mail.

With no explanation, the tag on the gift box read, ” Thank you for accepting Nokia’s invitation. Here is a small taste of what you will experience. Looking forward to seeing you in Cape Town.”

Inside the box, I found

A Luggage Tag,
EverySun AquaSport Lip Balm,
Smarties Mini Eggs,
Pyatt’s Mini Cheddars
Maynards Mini Ice Cream Mallow Gums
and a pack of South African Playing Cards

I have no idea what Nokia and Ovi have up their sleeves with this gift pack and what it means, but if this teaser photo that has just been released by the NokiaOvi team which are busy setting up the event in Cape Town is anything to go by, I’d say that tomorrow’s announcement and demo is going to be REALLY cool.

Lamborghini financials not so bullish!

DChetty — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:44:41 +0000

With the massive collapse of the motor industry last year, Lamborghini found itself in a spot of bother when demand for their cars dropped substantially throughout the year and the value of the US Dollar was slapped around with a trout. One can not ignore the value of the US market for the Italian luxury super car manufacturer and the hit to the US economy had the Italians eating crackers and cheese for dinner to save costs.

With last years turnover down to 281 million Euro from previous years 478.8 million Euro and reduction of manufactured cars by a whopping 37.7% which saw 1 515 units being built instead of the 2430 built the previous financial year, the Italian super car manufacturer definitely did feel the financial crunch.

Now if you know anything about the way these guys decide how to roll their cars out, you would know that when it comes to super cars, they always manufacture less cars than the general demand. This helps maintain its prestige, keeps pricing high & creates a shortage which drives demand even further. It’s a trick out of the late great Enzo Ferrari’s playbook and one worth keeping in mind if ever you get into any kind of business.

BUT, and this is a huge but… while Lambo turnover dropped, car sales plummetted and the Americans all moved out of their picket fenced houses into motor homes, the Italians have thrown more money at R&D and will increase their spend again this year from last years increase of about 33%.

Lamb will continue to kick out a new model a year and will remain committed to being a long-standing prestigious brand that represents brutal power. Expect the Lamborghini to roll out the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, which will help them balance their Galardo and Murcielago ranges with a drop-top, coupe and high performance model in each stable.

Egg cracker!

DChetty — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:59:29 +0000

When is too far, too far?

This device is for all the talentless useless folk out there who can’t crack an egg. It’s no genius feat on its own, but apparently its just too much to ask for from some.

They retail for $15 and will help take the crunch out of your omelette forever.

Talking of omelettes, you should try my favourite home-made omelette:

Ingredients:

3 beaten eggs

3 tablespoons of fresh milk

chopped onion

chopped chilli

grated sweetmilk cheese

chicken strips/mince/any other cooked meat that u think will work

Salt & Pepper

Butter

Method:

In a little butter, fry the chilli and onion a little bit

Mix the milk into the egg and beat properly

Throw the egg into the pan on top of the sizzling chilli & onion and spread the egg out on the pan evenly

Use a spatula to even out the distributionof the onion and the chilli

Add Salt and Pepper to taste

Allow the egg to cook a little bit. Add your chicken strips and top it with grated cheese

Close the omelette into a half-moon and cook on both sides

Serve with Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce and toast.

If you do try it, let me know how it works out for you. Also let me know your favourite home-made omelette version!

What to do with your "Panic Buy Carrots"!

Iron Man 2 Official Trailer!

DChetty — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:15:08 +0000

This is the official video trailer that has been released for the movie Iron Man 2, which is expected May 7th 2010. If the first movie is anything to go by, Iron Man 2 should prove to be another brilliant Marvel movie.

At the end of Hulk, I am not sure if you remember Starck asking the Hulk to join Iron Man in a team of ass-whipping Marvel legends. That’s right, Justice League is on its way )

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNQowwwwYa0[/youtube]