Technology

On Friday, Microsoft reminded customers once again that Windows 10 will reach its end of support in 30 days, on October 14. So what will this mean if your PC or laptop is running on Windows 10? We technically you can still use windows 10 on your laptop or pc but after it retires Windows 10, Microsoft will stop providing bug fixes or technical assistance for issues affecting security, stability, or usability. Microsoft also highlighted Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015 will also reach the end of extended support on the same date. So here is all you need to know and if your PC hardware supports, particularly the Truster Platform Module (TPM 2.0) it’s recommended that you upgrade to Windows 11. Let’s dive deep.

For centuries the standard world map used in schools, offices and pretty much everywhere has been the Mercator projection, a centuries-old map style from the age of sail, still prevails in the internet age. Just in case you didn’t know, it was drawn that way to be easily used for navigation particularly in the sea so generally some of the countries were distorted and their sizes magnified or reduced in size. For example Africa seems like a small continent but the truth is USA, China, South America and most of western Europe can fit into Africa and still leave some space. Relevant African bodies are pushing for the correction of this centuries old misinformation and introduce a map that truly reflect the true sizes of continents and countries. So Here’s what the African Union wants to use instead.

Prior to StarLink entry, Zimbabwe had one of the most expensive data packages if not the most expensive in the world. While the introduction of StarLink might have resulted in changes the problem is still not yet resolved. Some giants like Econet were forced to innovate, coming up with SmartBiz to counter the StarLink threat. While StarLink monthly pricing is cheap, well there Kit to get started has a steep price tag which most Zimbabweans can’t afford in one go, that’s why most Zimbabweans have failed to crossover. But StarLink now offers these Kits for free in Zimbabwe and DRC just like how it has done in several European countries but to get a free kit you have to commit to a 12 month subscription plan. So here is all you need to know.

You might be planning on buying a laptop or might not be at the moment but it’s undeniable computers have become a huge part of our lives and sooner or later you will need one. But buying one is not an easy decision with lots of factors to consider from purpose to budget, we are gonna let you worry about budget but we are going to help you with the technical side of things so that you will make an informed decision and have valid reasons on why you opt for a certain choice. There's Intel and AMD on the x86 side, with Apple and Qualcomm making Arm-based processors on the other. We break down the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you pick the right chip for your needs and budget.

The infamous CrowdStrike fiasco which caused millions of computers worldwide to crash is still fresh on our minds, so we might be forgiven for being skeptical since we depend on our PCs for work, entertainment and other purposes as well. The latest issue was from Microsoft itself with Microsoft confirming the mistake before stating it had been fixed only to find out that the supposed update to fix the issue hadn’t. Although the latest bug is not like the CrowdStrike issue, let me just say this if you have important documents back them up now just to stay on the safe side. Microsoft apologized for any inconvenience or confusion after mistakenly claiming an awkward Windows update issue had been fixed. Well newsflash, It hadn’t been fixed and has now gotten worse.

By now it’s safe to say StarLink has disrupted the markets sending ISPs into panic mode, much to the delight of internet users in every country it has been introduced to. From offering fast internet with cheaper subscription plans albeit a bit higher cost for equipment but frankly that will even out with time when you compare the data costs. Now re-imagine that StatLink technology but this time without the need for the kit, now some Smartphones can now connect directly with satellites with T-Mobile leading the charge. Now that direct-to-cell technology has graced us could this signal the end of traditional telecommunications companies? With carriers constantly updating their satellite phone plans, here's all you need to know about satellite connectivity in Smartphones phones, whether your phone has it and what "satellite optimized" means.

For the past few years, EcoCash has been introducing new wallets to cope with the times and market demands from introducing USD wallets, merchants, diaspora wallets to even virtual cards. Now EcoCash has launched a special wallet designed specifically for small and medium businesses, vendors, and service providers that in reality account for over 60% of the country’s economy. Dubbed EcoCash Plus, the company said the new product addresses the day-to-day operational needs of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), by enabling them to transact, pay bills, manage payroll, and access business records, all through their mobile phones. This surely is a good move to help small businesses navigate the complexities of operating in an unstable economy. Let’s delve deep.

Gone are the days where most of the processes and procedures were done manually, now almost everything you can think of is now automated with the use of systems and AI. While Zimbabwe maybe be considerably late to the party, we eventually get there one way or the other with the latest sector seeing the shift in technology is the border and customs. Zimbabwe’s Online Border Management System (OBMS) is now fully operational, kicking off an era of digitised immigration services that allows travellers to apply for visas and complete border procedures online.

It’s nothing new, masking malware behind apps or softwares, time and again we come across some of these infected softwares without knowing it. A severe privilege escalation vulnerability has been discovered in Notepad++ version 8.8.1, potentially exposing millions of users worldwide to complete system compromise, so if you hadn’t downloaded the update this is wake up call to not update yet until the vulnerability has been fixed. But those who have already downloaded the 8.8.1 and above, if you are already infected stay tuned to see what you should do.

By now it’s common knowledge that electricity has been a major problem in Zimbabwe. In recent times the problem seems to be getting worse with no end in sight, Zimbabweans have now resorted to alternative solutions for electricity generation with solar being top of the list. Solar energy is gaining popularity as a renewable power source for homes and businesses worldwide but it is gaining different kind of traction in Zimbabwe as Zesa becomes more and more unreliable. At the heart of this technology are solar panels, which come in four distinct varieties, each with unique characteristics and applications so take a minute to learn exactly which type you should buy so you make an informed decision.

Network disruptions have always been normal as maintenance and system upgrades have been done occasionally. This usually takes a few hours, a day or two but lately Econet has been in a major dilemma with the latest disruption. Econet Wireless, is battling to maintain reliable network services amid mounting customer frustrations and increasing competition from Elon Musk’s Starlink. So here is all you need to know and how it impacts everyone Econet user out there.

In this day and age almost everyone has a gmail address and this address is linked to virtually everything you do online from Social media accounts, online shopping and more. Well have you ever shopped at an online store once, and then found yourself dealing with a constant influx of marketing spam emails for weeks and even months? Virtually every online service wants me to create an account just to read what’s below the fold or browse through a few listings. Well this is just the best case scenario with the worst case being hacked and notice your account making online payments you didn’t order.