This morning as I logged onto the FNB site to do my monthly banking, I was pleasantly surprised to see that FNB is offering their customers Prevx Safe Online (TM) software for FREE.  As a keen evangelist of safer Internet surfing, I installed the software and have to say that it is really impressive.

Unlike other banking security solutions, which only offer protection on the banking site, Prevx Safe Online offers real time information relating to the security level of all web sites you visit.

While you go about your regular Internet surfing, Prevx Safe Online constantly monitors the sites you visit to make sure that no nasty viruses or spyware are creeping in to your computer.

It adds an additional level of confidence by placing either a blue or green icon above the address  bar of your internet browser.  The blue shows that the site has no encryption security and green shows that the information on the site is secure. (Similar to what an EV SSL Certificate shows).

The software is offered for free but if you’d like to upgrade to the paid version and use it as your primary anti-virus and protection service, you will be charged just under $30.

Other great FREE anti-virus software:

1. Microsoft Security Essentials – offers excellent software for licensed Microsoft users.

2. Avira

In today’s world where hackers and identity thieves lurk in cyberspace, you HAVE to make sure that your data is protected.

QR (quick response) codes are like regular barcodes – on steroids. Although widely used in Japan, they have only recently been accepted by the western world as a new marketing media.  In a surprise move, Cell C has announced the first local launch of QR codes in their PhotoCode branded service.

What is a QR code?

A QR code works similar to a bar code but offers more information (up to 4296 characters!).  It is a 2-dimensional image that is printed on most commercially available products and has been used on billboard and brochure advertisements.  The code is read by a “reader” that you install on your phone.  Cell C has developed their own reader and are making it available to all networks in SA.

Here is the description from their web site:

With a little imagination the potential uses of PhotoCodes are endless. Picture these scenarios: 1. You notice an ad for an upcoming gig by a local music star and the PhotoCode printed alongside it allows you to download one of their tracks as a ringtone. 2. You are attending an exclusive new event and a PhotoCode gives you the password to the VIP area, or 3. You are in the Cell C store and by snapping a picture of a PhotoCode you can find out all there is to know about any product on the shelves. These are the kinds of unique experiences Cell C’s PhotoCodes can unlock for you, and already more applications are being devised.

All you have to do is download the PhotoCode reader, and then see it, snap and get more.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1
Get the Cell C PhotoCode reader:

• sms your name to 32357
• you’ll receive an sms with a download link
• click on the link to download

Step 2
Keep a look out for a Cell C PhotoCode in print and participating media

Step 3
When you’ve spotted one, snap a pic of it using your PhotoCode reader

Step 4
Experience the world the Cell C way.

Terms and Conditions

• PhotoCode available to all networks
• Application requires a WAP-enabled phone with a camera
• Sms’s to download application free to Cell C customer. R1 charge to MTN and Vodacom customers
• Data charges apply when using PhotoCodes
• Errors will be billed

As many know, the iPhone 4 was announced recently.  What an object of beauty! Apple sure knows how to make really sexy hardware, and this time, they got the software right with regard to additional features.  The iPhones 1,2 and 3 were dearly loved but had some fundamental things missing.  Most of these have been rectified in the iPhone 4.

What’s new in iPhone 4?

• The screen is unbelievable! Apple used what they call a “retina display” which means that this screen has the best resolution on any phone in the world.
• 

  Crystal clarity

  The front facing camera allows for video calling.  Apple uses a service called “Face Time” which only enables video calling over wi-fi.  This is a bit of a downer because you’d think they would have enabled video calling over the mobile network.  For South Africa, this might not be such a big drawcard.  MTN and Vodacom both offer video calling (at the same price as a regular call) but both phones must be in a 3G area.  With iPhone, both phones would have to be connected to a wi-fi (wireless) network.

  

  Video calling

  One of my biggest irritations with the previous iPhones was that they could not multitask.  This means that I couldn’t have instant messaging running in the background while I was doing something else.  The previous iPhones only allowed for one application at a time.  With iPhone 4, multitasking is enabled!

• The primary camera at the back of the iPhone 4 has 5Meg, flash, touch focus and geo-tagging (this is where location information is added to digital media like photos).
• The video feature on the new iPhone allows for you to shoot video, edit video and share video – all in HIGH definition!
• Music lovers will be happy to know that the new iPhone allows you to use mp3 ringtones.
• The HSDPA data is super fast so internet browsing and email will be an absolute pleasure.
• Memory capacity is still limited to 16 or 32 Gigs

I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!  For more information see here.

If you’ve wanted a smart phone but bulked at the high price tag, then I have great news for you.  Vodacom intends to launch the Vodafone 546 for only R400.00.  This little device is jam-packed with features and I suspect it will sell like crazy!

It looks very similar to the BlackBerry Curve, with an icon based  desktop and menu structure.

Here are some of its cool features:

• A full QWERTY keyboard for easy messaging.
• 2 MP camera with video.
• FM radio
• Micro SD slot for extra storage capacity
• Data connections: GPRS, EDGE and Bluetooth (does not have wi-fi)
• Can do SMS, MMS and Email
• Media playback of most common types (for example mp3)
• Flight mode
• Conference call facilities

At R400 this is a sure winner.  Vodacom intends to bring out another version with a touchscreen, which will retail for around R600- R800.  That too, is far lower than today’s entry level smartphones from R2500.00.

I think that devices like this, at these excellent price points, could really help to get more South Africans online and connected.

The Soccer World Cup 2010 has finally arrived and the streets are abuzz with eager fans from South Africa and abroad.  If you have seen any of the games, you will have noticed the insane noise of the vuvuzela’s.  These innocent trumpet-like gadgets are capable of making an incredible noise and when 60 000 of them are all going at once, its no wonder the players can’t hear their coach!

Well hot on the heels of any trend come mobile applications and this time is no different.  Visit iTunes or any other application store and you will probably find four or five different vuvuzela applications that you can load onto your phone.  Some of them are quite impressive and immitate the irritating noise really well (and fortunately not as loud!)

Here are some iPhone examples:

If you are looking for a GREAT mobile site where you can track the soccer, visit the Sport24 mobile site.  Just type m.footyfans.co.za into your phone’s browser…

As new broadband Internet cables go live (such as the Seacom cable), the price of Internet access keeps dropping and the speeds keep rising.  In the data rate comparison done 22 April, MTN was clearly the most affordable option, but now  their competitors have come back with some rather compelling offers too.  The competition makes pricing more competitive and can only be an advantage to the consumer. This comparison was found on My Broadband and you can read their article here.

More than 100 million Facebook subscribers access their Facebook account via their mobile phone.  Facebook is the most popular mobile site in nearly every country in the world – especially after they launched their text messaging service (which is similar to MXit) that allows you to chat to your Facebook buddies.

Until recently, when you access Facebook on your MTN phone, you would have been charged standard data rates.  But here is some great news!  MTN is now allowing their subscribers FREE access to Facebook through the mobile site 0.facebook.com (zero.facebook.com).  When you access this site using your MTN phone, you will not be charged for the data as long as you stay on the site.  However, if click on a link that takes you to the official Facebook mobile site (for example, if you would like to look at a friend’s photographs), then you will be charged standard data rates.

You will notice that 0.facebook.com is a very simplified version of Facebook, which means that almost any WAP (Internet) enabled mobile phone will be able to access this site.

In an article on IT Web, MTN’s chief marketing officer Santie Botha made this comment: “In the true spirit of innovation and bringing our customers convenience – including the latest in technology at affordable rates – MTN has collaborated with Facebook on this venture to ensure our customers are among the first to benefit from this social service and communication offering for free.”

“We are always looking to work with innovative companies to provide simple and fast mobile access to Facebook across the world,” says Henri Moissinac, head of Mobile Business, Facebook. “Thanks to our collaboration with MTN, people will now be able to access Facebook for free through 0.facebook.com.”

Kudos to you MTN!