When AI plays Cupid: the dangers of companion chatbots

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s worth asking an uncomfortable question: what happens when the feeling of being ‘seen and heard’ doesn’t come from a partner, but from a machine? Designed with distinct personalities and an affirming tone, artificial...

Love in the age of apps …

Giving cards, flowers and chocolates for Valetine’s Day is a tradition that stretches back hundreds of years. But these days, our smartphones offer a range of new ways to be thoughtful and share love. TCL looks at some ways you can use digital technology, especially...

Why discipline matters more than predictions in 2026

Investors enter 2026 carrying the scars of a volatile year, writes Etienne Viljoen, chief investment officer at Aurora Capital. Markets have moved rapidly between fear and optimism. Policy signals have shifted. Narratives around inflation, interest rates, AI, and...

How to get smoother performance from your Android smartphone

Don’t panic if your Android phone is feeling slow and unresponsive, it might not be necessary to trade it in for a new model. A few simple tweaks, fixes and behaviour changes can often restore smoother, more reliable performance. TCL suggests some quick tips for...

Mesh vs repeaters vs extenders: what’s the difference?

You can have a blazing-fast fibre line and still struggle with buffering, laggy Zoom calls, or “no signal” in the back bedroom. That’s because fibre is only the internet pipe coming into your home – what really determines your day-to-day experience is how well...

A smarter way to cool homes this summer

With summer temperatures climbing, South African households face a familiar dilemma: how to stay cool without the electricity bill skyrocketing. For many, the default strategy is to run the air conditioner at full blast until the room is freezing, then switch it off...