Tag: tech trends

Goodbye Windows 7, Hello Windows 10! Upgrading your windows

New and interesting surveys show that IT professionals aren’t entirely ready for Windows 10 and the risks that migration poses for users. In fact, the excitement of Windows 10’s arrival has overshadowed the potential risks!

You may have heard that Windows 7 is at end-of-life and in just 15 months, it will be obsolete.

The good news is that migrating to Windows 10 will be highly beneficial for many businesses. The bad news is that it has to be done properly. Organisations must prepare their security strategy effectively, or the losses might be disastrous.

Some Have Got a Head Start

It would be wrong to say that all IT professionals are unprepared. That is not the case for at least half of the IT professionals that participated in recent surveys. Some of them stated that they had already migrated to Windows 10 and that they were using the exercise as a way to boost their security strategies and offer more secure end points to their existing users.

Those Who Haven’t

IT professionals who haven’t got a head start on the migration might be in for a nasty surprise as Windows 7 users will only receive support for their software until January 2023 if they pay an escalating fee. Companies that don’t do this and haven’t migrated by January 2020 will find themselves paying mammoth amounts for support.

Why the Migration in the First Place?

Windows 10 is all about improved Cybersecurity. Malicious content, vulnerable applications, and data breaches are all less likely when using the more secure Windows 10.

The Risk of Migration

When migrating from one system to another, there is always the risk of losing data/sensitive information. There is also a risk that during the migration process, data could fall into the wrong hands. Both of these scenarios spell inconvenience and unwanted costs for companies.

Minimise the Risk When Migrating to Windows 10

In order to minimise the risk during the process, IT departments have been advised to do complete encrypted data backups before starting the migration. If you are migrating from Windows 7 to Windows 10, data backups can be done via Soteria Cloud. All data is encrypted when backed up.

Need information and advice on the migration? Need more information on our cloud backup services? Get in touch with us today!

Latest Tech & Gadget News: 5 Hot Tech Gadgets Selling Fast in 2018

So you think that you’ve heard about all of the latest hot tech gadgets that are selling like hotcakes across the globe, but you might be wrong. There are so many hot gadgets that have already sold in the millions, that even we can’t keep up!

We highlighted a few of the weirdly wonderful tech and gadgets to emerge from the Consumer Electronics Show back in February of 2018 and, this latest release also caught our attention. While there are many, we have picked our favourite five novel and hot gadgets that we thought might be of interest (and even use) to you.

#1 Nightguide HD

Ever worried about just how much you can actually see when driving at night? Nightguide HD glasses are designed to enhance colour and clarity (much like an HD television) when driving at night and in rainy conditions. Avoid those pesky mishaps due to poor vision – even in the snow!

#2 EnergixCharge

This is an extremely thin charging device. It attaches to the rear of your phone and wirelessly charges your device. Now you can extend the battery life of your phone effectively and reduce wear and tear on the phone’s cables and charging ports at the same time.

#3 XY Find It

Ever wasted hours searching for your phone, your keys, your tablet, only to find them resting somewhere obscure in the house? XY Find IT uses tracking tech to find your missing devices quickly. Simply attach a small coin-sized tab to your most used possessions. If you misplace them, use the app to locate them.

#4 CrashSafe

No one is ever truly prepared for an accident, but with CrashSafe, you can be just a little bit more prepared. This tool looks like a car phone charger and has much the same multi-use, plugging into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter. It can be used to cut through seat belts, smash windows, charge devices and even as a torch in case it’s dark. While CrashSafe can’t deter an accident, it can improve your chances of survival.

#5 TrustyCharge

Some have called the TrustyCharge a miracle device. It looks like any other trendy radio, but it’s so much more than that. It operates as a torch and a USB charger. The device is waterproof and solar-powered too. You never know when you might need one. Keep one in your car or take yours on holiday with you. Never worry about running out of battery power again!

Have you heard of other gadgets that you think are worthy of being mentioned? Let us know what your favourite tech or gadget buy has been this year. We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Wearing your health – Latest health tech

Most of us are familiar with the saying “prevention is better than cure”. The phrase draws attention to the ways in which wearables are changing preventative care.

Something that cannot be overlooked is that while it’s well and good to think that prevention is better than cure, it’s also the more difficult option. Especially for doctors. Which is why treatment-based care is pretty much the norm. Until latest health tech becomes more readily available that is.

The medical field is recognising just how important it is to focus on preventative care. The sad reality though, is that most hospitals are struggling to keep up with the latest technology in the first place (this could be due to inadequate funding), so slow progress is to be expected.

That doesn’t mean that preventative care has hit a wall. Like a miracle in progress, many physicians, medical administrators and technologists have formed a coalition to create unique solutions to the many problems affecting healthcare today. These solutions range drastically from diagnosis techniques to standard administration. In the end, the ideal is to improve on patient care absolutely, and on every level.

Enter latest wearable health technology

There’s no denying that there are many hurdles in the healthcare industry, but one particular technology, wearables, is something that consumers have welcomed. Unfortunately, entrepreneurs haven’t taken to the tech as readily, but they should. This technology is something that can change everything in terms of preventative care.

Healthccare professionals are already starting to learn the value of remote monitoring. Some doctors are keeping track of patients conditions between visits quite effectively. They do this by using applications and programs that just need a device and the internet access to work.

Not sure how this works?

Think of the diabetic whose glucose monitor sends an alert when health conditions are poor. Think of a heart rate monitor or pacemaker that alerts the medical professionals when a patient is in distress. Now that you think of it this way, the possibilities seem endless, don’t they?

How latest health tech may affect the medical and healthcare industry in the near future

  • Wearables will become less imposing. Big and bulky wearables will see a change as smaller hardware becomes available for patients to wear comfortably.
  • Smart hearables will become possible. Imagine a hearing aid that knows to dull the noise of a loud crash and increase the audibility of a quiet whisper. This technology will be possible in the future.
  • Real-time language translation will be made possible for medical professionals utilising wireless headphones. These can translate in real time and make real medical assistance possible for people who are travelling or in an area where they don’t speak the local language.

These are just 3 of the latest technologies that will affect the medical field.

Do you know of any other ways in which wearables can potentially help the healthcare industry? We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

Digital technology spurs on online business, the age of convenience

New digital technology can go two ways, either it can take off like a virus thanks to good propagation, development and planning, or it can become redundant due to over-estimation or sloppy development.

Good digital technology is realised for what it is and it will, and does – change the way we do things and how we interact with the world around us. Think about Steve Jobs and his vision to have the world using iPhones…now, that dream is just about realised and it was certainly no fluke! It took time, attention and meticulous development and planning.

Integrated technology

Digital technology has transformed the world around us, so much so that modern day is referred to as the “age of convenience”. This, as fully integrated technology begins to make almost every aspect of our lives more convenient. Digital technology is shaving off minutes from our everyday tasks and eliminating the frustrations that come with outdated systems and customer service strategies.

For the consumer, new technology is fantastic while for some industries it can be quite inconvenient all together. Think about what Uber has done to the taxi industry or what Netflix has done to the DVD hire market.

The thing about technology is that it is always changing which can be rather convenient for consumers but creates a volatile and somewhat aggressive market for tech developers. The tech industry is always vying for the next spot in the limelight and because there’s always something newer and better, that spot is often short lived. Ever so convenient for us, the consumer though!

Constantly changing technologies comes with high expectations

With new digital technologies making things simpler for consumers, it has almost become expected that everything can be handled online. Businesses still operating in the physical world are being left behind. They must adapt or die, so to speak.

In order to keep up with the age of convenience and still remain competitive, suppliers and service providers have to be relentlessly up to date with latest technologies and systems. Which is quite a high expectation to keep up with, and an unavoidable one.

Today’s businesses that have made the change to digital and virtual platforms place value on the convenience too. Those who are holding out and being die-hard physical business operators would benefit from changing with the times and joining the digital age of convenience.

It’s not just about doing things online

Running a virtual business is not what all it is about though. If you want to truly excel and compete in today’s age of convenience, you have to go mobile. If your online platforms and systems aren’t mobile friendly, chances are – you are going to lose out on a lot of business.

The mobile phone has given the laptop and desktop computers a run for their money, in fact, most people are using their mobile phones to complete all their online transactions. Without a mobile solution or strategy in place, you are being short sighted.

Software and technology companies need to make sure that they are constantly developing and improving on their solutions for mobile businesses. This in turn keeps the tech development market highly competitive.

Remember, in order to keep up with the digital times, you can’t just dabble with it. What’s oh-so-convenient now could be inconvenient and outdated tomorrow.

Is your business currently fully online and mobile friendly? Are you struggling to keep up with the latest tech and software? Do you have the latest security and online backup facilities in place? Our online cloud backup system is constantly being updated and our consultants are always up to date with the latest technology. Give us a call if you need some advice.

Classroom reality – could it be virtual reality?

If you have ever read a book and wished you could literally immerse yourself into the story, then you have had a taste of what virtual reality can do for the average person. Imagine being able to have a truly personal experience when reading a book, or a studying a subject. Continue reading Classroom reality – could it be virtual reality?

Tech trends that will affect online businesses in South Africa going forward

Embracing digital technology is something that every business needs to consider. New tech trends and the evolution of technology have made many online processes easier, efficient and more accurate, from data capturing to target audience marketing. Continue reading Tech trends that will affect online businesses in South Africa going forward

Ai’s time is now – all the more reason not to be afraid of it

Artificial intelligence can best be described as magic…that’s how little people really know about it. Yet they fear it. The truth is that AI is not magic. It can’t be seen or touched, but it can be experienced. That’s what makes it the most interesting technological breakthrough in recent years. Continue reading Ai’s time is now – all the more reason not to be afraid of it

Best Christmas Gadget Gifts for your Techie Kids

While Christmas is the time of year for fun, merriment and a little overindulgence, you can still keep things relatively educational for kiddies who love a gadget or few!

Gadgets are a great form of educational entertainment for kids, however it’s important to remember that they could be exposing themselves to the internet. This, in turn, poses a few security risks. It’s important to perhaps have ‘the conversation’ with your children about the dangers of being on the internet and importance of using security measures when setting up online profiles for gadgety gifts. Depending on their age, you may have to set-up and reinforce security measures for them.

Here’s a list of some of 2017’s most popular Christmas gadget gifts for your techie kids.  It’s the best possible way to keep them entertained throughout the holiday.

1. Technology Will Save Us Gamer Kit

Coax your child away from the TV these holidays with the gift for kids that love to tinker and build. This unique gadget gift allows your child to clip, bolt and snap parts together to create their very own handheld GameBoy console. Additionally, basic games such as Snake and Flappy Bird are included, with the option for your techie offspring to code the game entirely on their own!

2. Bloxels Video Game Builder

This one will get your child’s creative juices flowing, away from any form of TV or electronic device! If your techie kid is a fan of video games, they might love the idea of building and designing their very own. Bloxels includes 320 different coloured blocks used to design game characters, locations and objects. Once the game has been designed, it can then be digitised to the app and played in-real time from a device.

3. Lego Boost Creative Toolbox

As if Lego was not ‘’cool’’ enough already for your children, enter the Lego Boost Creative Toolbox. This amazing Lego set includes Bluetooth blocks, encoded motors and buttons to build a fully functional creation, which can be controlled through a Tablet. Choose from five modular options, some of which include Franke the Cat, Guitar4000 and the Multi-Tooled Rover

4. Two-player Laser Tag

This is the ultimate gift for young siblings and yet another ingenious method of getting your child outdoors and away from their electronic devices. This set is equipped with two Laser Tag blasters and two vests, working up to 60 metres in distance apart for hours of outdoor fun this summer.

 

5. Learning Resources Zoomy Handheld Microscope

For budding science or biology fundis, the Zoomy Handheld Microscope is an amazing techie Christmas gift. The handheld option removes the fiddly-ness of a traditional microscope and works by connecting to a laptop. The scope is held over the chosen object of inspection which is then captured and enlarged on the laptop screen. With its 54x zoom capacity, this makes for hours of exploration for your kids these holidays.

Why not make your gifts both fun and educational this Christmas with these top techie gifts for kids? Buy these now and thank us later!