Once again it is the newcomer amongst the mobile networks that seem to shake up the pricing for 3G in SA.

Local mobile broadband provider, 8.ta has today announced reduced broadband rates for its Once-Off Internet packages as well as its Post-paid Internet packages. In addition to this 8ta has also revised its contract terms which now include month to month, 12 and 24 months terms. The month to month contract excludes a modem while the 12 and 24 months contracts will include a modem.

“Today 8.ta has reduced its broadband pricing, responding to the need for affordable broadband Internet in the South African market. Effectively, 8.ta has tailored these packages to give users the freedom to choose packages that suit their pockets.

“Existing 8.ta Internet subscribers will automatically be migrated to the new price plans, and after their contracts are up for renewal they can also opt to subscribe on a month to month or 12 months contract basis,” says Managing Executive of Telkom Mobile, Amith Maharaj.

Once the monthly recurring Post-paid Internet package has been depleted, users will be charged an out-of-bundle rate of R 0.30 per MB while the Once-off Internet subscribers will be charged an out-of bundle rate of R1.00 per MB. Compare this to other mobile broadband solutions out there that still get charged more. For example Vodacom charges R1 per out of bundle meg for contract users, and R2 (!!!!) for prepaid users.

Post-paid and Once-Off Internet subscribers will also benefit from the following value added services:

• Free 8.ta email account with 5GB mailbox giving users access to 25GB online storage and free access to online Microsoft Office suite, which includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Send 5 SMSs daily and receive 50 FREE SMSs to use on that day.
• 8·ta also provides users with a ‘safety net’ to check their balances on the self-service portal and via USSD and make out of bundle purchase decisions in real-time, using the redirect functionality.
• Users will also receive a free call-out and support services with every 3G data modem purchased.

Now we have to wait and see to see if the other cellular networks will match this offering. Post-paid Internet Bundles – Month to Month contract:
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Nokia has announced their latest high end flagship phone  at CES 2012- the Lumia 900. Continuing the beautiful minimalist design of the Lumia 800, the Lumia 900 is a new super sized version with some much improved internals. Still sporting a polycarbonate design, it is apparently a lot more resilient than most new smartphones.

The camera is also taking center stage on this model – it features a 8MP sensor behind a Carl Zeiss wide angle lens with a nice f2.2 aperture at 28mm, and a 1 MP front camera. No mention is made if it is a backlit sensor like the iPhone 4S, but at least at that aperture you should expect some better low light camera performance. The camera can also capture 720p video at 30fps. On the inside there is a 1.4GHz Snapdragon processor (single core though) and 512MB RAM with 16GB of storage. The phone will run Windows Phone Mango 7.5, and also ships with an LTE capable radio (at least in the US). The screen size has been increased to 4.3 inches, but still only packs 800 by 480 pixels. Not that it is anything to sneeze at. That big screen might make you worry about battery power, but its broader design means the Lumia 900 can handle a 1840mAH battery which is good for 7 hours talk time or a claimed 300hrs standby.

As part of Nokia’s adoption of Windows Phone 7, they have enhanced a few things in the software stack – Nokia Drive is a fully featured GPS navigation system which is free with the phone. And no, it is not just a subscription. Social networking is also catered for with Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter integration into the contacts.

Nokia has in recent years fallen behind other smartphone manufacturers in terms of operating system innovation and phone design – but the latest Lumia 800 and 900 really makes us think that Nokia still has some life in it yet. Right now the Lumia 900 is US only, but we will keep you posted when it ships internationally.

I decided against doing a full iPhone 4S review – the simple fact is that the iPhone 4S is not a massive jump from the iPhone 4, and you will be quite familiar with the 4S if you have ever used an iPhone 4. But the thing about Apple fans is that they always want the latest and greatest. Luckily I was up for an upgrade from Vodacom, so here we are.

I am doing this review from the viewpoint of a long time iPhone user – I am comparing it to previous iPhones, of which I have owned every version since launch. While I use different phones with different operating systems almost every week, my primary phone is still an iPhone. I am not comparing it to the latest Galaxy Optimus Black Nexus LTE Droid RAZR Defy Plus. I have great respect for some of the latest Android superphones, but right now I am simply going to address the iPhone 4S from the viewpoint of an iPhone user. So here goes.

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Just a few hours after it was revealed that Google had made available the official Siri for Android app on the Android Market, the search giant has not only pulled the app but has also removed all apps by controversial app developer “Official App”.

If Android device users search for the application, while a number of Siri clones and third party solutions may appear, the search results for Siri for Android can no longer be found. The developer’s other app “Pinterest”,  a mobile wrapper for Pinterest’s own website, has also been removed from the listings.

It was reported that an official Siri port for Android called ‘Siri for Android’ had been launched on the Android Market place on the 28th December. The Android app had launched using Apple’s very own Siri icon to function as a shortcut to Android’s version. Google’s lack of attention to and check-ups of its marketplace, allows developers such as “Official App” to launch copyright/trademark infringing applications in minutes by not having to contend with application approvals.

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For anyone who is curious about what Microsoft has planned for its Windows Phone, here is a leaked roadmap that reveals some details about the future, up to date as of October 2011.

The roadmap lays the foundation with the release of the Windows Phone 7 in the fourth quarter of 2010 as a high-end and differentiated product followed by Mango also in the fourth quarter of 2011 that offers new features, languages and countries.

The beginning of 2012 will see the release of Tango that focusses on enabling Windows Phone 7 on low-end handsets at the best prices. Finally, the fourth quarter of 2012 will see the Apollo, when Microsoft finally expects volume to increase, enable the release of superphones and concentrate on users’ business needs.

Source: WMPoweruser.com

Vodacom today announced the launch of a service that is going to proactively inform customers via SMS while abroad, about the roaming rates that are applicable in the foreign countries they travel into. The service, known as Roaming Tariff Information (RTI) SMS, is going to help customers avoid roaming bill shock.

The RTI SMS service will notify customers on arrival at their international destination that they are in the coverage area of a foreign network; and it will specify the exact roaming rates customers are going to pay on a particular foreign network.

Commenting on this new offering, Portia Maurice, Chief Officer, Corporate Affairs at Vodacom says, “This service augments our ongoing consumer educational campaign on how to help prevent roaming bill shocks. By proactively informing customers about the roaming rates, this will enable customers to manage their roaming use carefully.”

Customers should take note of the rates in the RTI SMS, and be aware that roaming is more expensive than using the same services back home.

When travelling internationally, Vodacom suggests the following tips to help customers manage their roaming bill.

Data Roaming tips: (more…)

This summer, beach-goers now have a solution for finding their favourite beaches, without the hassle of first having to brave traffic and crowds to get there. BeachWatch, a useful new mobile app, ensures views from Cape Town’s best beaches are now only a click away.

Since the application’s launch, the only of its kind in South Africa, the developers from iSee Software Solutions have expanded and improved its overall offering and service to include desktop viewing as well as special iPhone based browsing. BeachWatch’s high-quality, live-video streams give beach lovers instant access to live streaming views from fourteen different beaches and surfing hot-spots around the Cape Peninsula including Muizenberg, Clifton, Noordhoek, Table View, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay and Strand.

Johann Stegmann, CEO of iSee Software Solutions, believes that the app will revolutionise Cape Town’s beach culture. Johann says that “Beach lovers now have a one-stop solution to reduce both time and hassle, and can easily plan their beach activities around the information provided by the BeachWatch service. Never before has a local solution been provided that supplies real time information on-the-go, and we strongly believe that this application will be invaluable to all eager beach-goers and watersports enthusiasts.”

iSee Software Solutions has also recently launched a Facebook application whereby users can now view live footage directly from the Facebook page too.

BeachWatch is free to download and is compatible with most non-smartphone handsets.

For more information and to download the BeachWatch app click here.

This will be an ongoing post, and I will update it as time goes on.

In South Africa we have a tendency to not really care about bad customer service, which really only makes us even more deserving of it. Worldwide the launch of a new iPhone is typically followed by a bit of a frenzy by loyal Apple fans. In South Africa, Vodacom and MTN are the only providers of the iPhone, so users need to use their “pre-order” channels in order to secure an iPhone.

Vodacom’s handling of this launch has been nothing short of shocking. I have been a Vodacom customer for more than 10 years, and every year I have had to deal with poor service trying to get an iPhone on launch day. I have been up for an upgrade for a few months, because I was holding out for an iPhone 4S.

This year is no different: After multiple calls with their call center, Twitter agents, multiple uninformed stores (“I think you mean the iPhone 4 sir!”) etc, I decided I would share my experience with the readers of this site. At this time I have still not gotten hold of an iPhone 4S, and Vodacom has not yet reached me to inform me when I will receive one. And the strange thing is, I doubt I am the only one in this boat.

Here is a timeline of my experience with Vodacom and the iPhone 4S launch:

Thursday, 1 December 2011 – Vodacom Pre-Registration Form goes live. I register within the first hour of the page being available. I also register with Cellucity’s pre-registration page. That set my mind at ease. (more…)