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...
Spotify brings Audiobooks to SA
Audiobooks are now available to listen to on Spotify in South Africa. Spotify’s selection spans bestsellers, new releases and genre favourites. Users on Premium Platinum get 12 hours of audiobook listening each month included in their subscription. If they need more...
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...
Airlink inaugurates Jo’burg to Nacala service
Airlink has opened a Johannesburg-Nacala route, providing air connectivity for Mozambique’s third largest harbour town and gateway for trade, tourism and economic activity in the country’s northern provinces. Nacala is also the gateway to the Nacala Corridor...
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 that...
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...
Streaming trends to watch in 2026
New formats, viewing behaviours and industry moves are setting the scene for the year ahead, writes Leslie Adams, sales director at Reach Africa. Every new year brings a fresh wave of predictions about where streaming is headed, with experts peering into their crystal...
Fintech drives financial wellness through responsible BNPL
As economic pressure mounts and the cost of living continues to rise, South Africans are seeking new ways to balance their monthly budgets without falling deeper into debt. Within this landscape, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) models are rapidly reshaping how consumers...
Property predictions: what buyers and investors can expect in 2026
South Africans should be cautiously optimistic about the local property market in 2026, though it’s a story of green shoots and a two-speed market. “While we most likely won't have a property boom this year, we’re seeing very encouraging early signs of recovery," says...
Cyber-resolutions that will actually improve your life in 2026
The new year is the perfect time to reset goals and build new habits. But apart from the usual commitments to exercise more, doomscroll less or eat better, 2026 is the year to finally get ‘cyber-fit’ – you don’t even have to drive to a gym for this one. While...