Steve Jobs, wearing his customary black polo-neck, yesterday gave the market a preview of Apple’s iPhone OS4 software. Over 100 new features will be available to iPhone and iPod Touch users when the software update is released around the middle of the year.

New features include

• multitasking for third-party apps
• folders to allow for better app organisation and access
• unified inbox in Mail, allowing users to see messages from all their email accounts displayed together in a single inbox
• fast inbox switching and threaded messages
• iAd, Apple’s new mobile advertising platform
• iBooks, Apple’s new ebook reader and online bookstore
• enhanced enterprise support, including better data protection, mobile device management and wireless app distribution

Not all features will work on all devices – for instance, multitasking will only run on the iPhone 3GS or third-generation iPod Touch.

Watch the video of the iPhone OS4 event for more details.

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We were browsing through the ever-entertaining OneLargePrawn the other day, when we came across something really cool… the minimalist heaven that is Simple Desktops. Run by Tom Watson, a product designer for Facebook, it features a fantastic collection of no-fuss, no-frills wallpapers that will leave your desktop looking simple and serene. (more…)

Must. See.

The Grid, Vodacom’s location-based mobile social network, has partnered with e.tv to create a daily Mood Map of the country based on Grid user data.

The Grid allows users to set their mood to happy or sad; this data is then combined with each user’s geographical location, and a map is produced, much like a weather map – except that the Mood Map shows “happy” and “sad” percentages in each province, rather than cold fronts and approaching thunderstorms.

e.tv will feature the Mood Map every morning after the weather report on Sunrise (weekdays from 6AM to 8AM). The partnership is reportedly the first to see a news channel using data from a social networking platform for statistical purposes. It’s not the only recent partnership for The Grid, though – last December we reported on how the mobile social network had partnered with the HIV-911 programme to map out around 11,000 HIV-related support services across South Africa.

Vincent Maher, Portfolio Manager Social Media, Vodacom South Africa, says, “The partnership with e.tv is a great interactive way for users of a social network like the Grid to see how their actions influence the general mood of the country. We are using the data from a social network in an innovative way by showing users how their mood updates contribute to the overall mood of the country or province.”

To access the Grid, SMS ‘MOOD’ to 33313 (50c/SMS) or visit onthegrid.mobi.

Gamestate, ZA’s sweet online gaming show, is showing some love for the 1994 Megadrive (and later, PC) classic, Earthworm Jim. Watch Grant Hinds show us why Jim is still his wormy hero. (more…)

Local mobile company, Panacea Mobile, today announced the launch of their new E-Commerce service, which makes use of multiple payment gateways, one of which is PayPal, which has partnered with FNB to enable South African merchants to accept PayPal payments.

“The implementation itself is not necessarily a special occasion – the fact that South African merchants are finally able to use the PayPal service to accept payments is.” says Stefano Sessa.

Offshore clients have always been able to pay via PayPal, but only to merchants that have been able to transfer the funds to a South African bank account, FNB’s effort to break this barrier has now made it possible for all internet merchants to accept PayPal payments.

“We see the benefit mainly from an international perspective. We all know that accepting foreign payments are time consuming, and this will help save some time and enable foreign clients to pay South African businesses quickly.”

FNB clients are able to use PayPal to accept payments, and transfer funds directly to their FNB accounts. “FNB does charge a small fee for the transfer of funds from PayPal to your FNB account, which makes this option only viable for non South African payments.

It would still be cheaper, faster and easier for South African clients to pay by EFT or Credit Card. I have no doubt, however, that in time this too will be phased out and South Africans will also be able to enjoy the benefits of PayPal.”

“For South Africans, we have partnered with E-Cash to process payments and 2CO for Foreign Payments. This enables our customers to experience a truly hassle-free and fast payment experience”. says Stefano Sessa.

The next Heavy Chef session will be taking place in Johannesburg on Wednesday 28 April 2010. These sessions are always informative, as well as a great opportunity to meet people working in the digital marketing industry.

Here are the details, straight from the Heavy Chefs themselves:

Imagine being able to view two versions of the world around you. In the first world, things are pretty much as you’ve always known them to be. The birds around you are tweeting; neon billboards are blinking aimlessly. Don your Augmented Reality glasses and an entirely different scenario takes place. Suddenly, the people around you are tweeting (Twitter messages are magically appearing above them in virtual bubbles); and neon billboards are blinking interactively (reach up and point to gain further information).

Sound far-fetched? Actually, this second world is not too far off. More than any other channel at the moment, Augmented Reality has the marketing world in a spin. In April’s Heavy Chef Session, we’re joined by internationally renowned speaker and entrepreneur, Rich Mulholland from Missing Link . On the eve of Wednesday 28th April, Rich will unpack the growing convergence between the real world and a digitally-enhanced world filled with opportunity.

Venue: Building 33, Deloitte Place, The Woodlands, 20 Woodlands Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg
Date: Wednesday 28 April 2010
Time: 6 for 6:30pm – 8:30pm

There are 100 seats available, and they usually go fast. To book your spot, email Yolandi or call 0861 932 226.

Officially, they are only on sale in the United States of Exclusive America, but we know that the first Apple iPads are already on their way to South Africa.

The internet is awash with opinion. Too much, if you ask us. But somehow, some way, we have to figure out if we want to buy the damn thing, right?

Let’s break it down for you. (more…)