Sleep Debt, Starlink and Shopping Shenanigans
Tech Things #53
It’s been a busy week, I’ve just returned from AfricaCom in Cape Town with Cassava Technologies, who announced a GPU as a Service offering, Cassava AI and a partnership with Google to bring Gemini to more users. Stay tuned to Recharged for more. Also noteworthy from the event is Vodacom’s agreement with Starlink to provide connectivity to rural areas.
📞 Talk of the Town: New Phones and Trends
Oppo has introduced its first Find X Series device in South Africa, the Find X9 Pro. This flagship is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor, 16/512GB, a 200MP Hasselblad camera, and a staggering 7500mAh battery. It has full AI integration and Oppo’s proprietary SuperVooc fast charging, at a cost of R29 999. Oppo is throwing in extras worth R9 999: an 80W wired and 50W wireless charger, magnetic phone case, the Watch X2 and a VIP Care Package.
🔋 Watt’s New in the EV space?
Geely is almost ready to relaunch its brand in South Africa and I’m hoping to get behind the wheel of the Geely EX5 next week. It will launch in an EV and PHEV variant with ICE options coming in 2026. Geely’s parent company also owns Volvo, so expect similar safety features and advanced tech in the vehicles.
I came across this round-up on the top 5 most affordable EVs you can get in the SA market right now. What do you think? I’m also keen to see what GWM has up their sleeves with the relaunch the Ora brand next year.
🕹️ Gadget Goals: Gear to Geek Out
Recharged contributor Marcé Heath recently shared her list of top low-tech gadgets she’d like her child to grow up with. I think these are nifty and may even catch the eye of adults alike. A simple drawing tablet, Kindle, and film camera is definitely appealing. Check her full list on Recharged.
Just a quick update on the Oura Ring, I’m waiting a full month before I share a review as it is a very data driven device, but in the mean time I’ve learnt about sleep debt and I can’t start my day without checking my Readiness Score. All this and more will be shared in detail soon.
📲 App-solutely Essential
It’s almost Black Friday, which means some of you have been saving for months to grab tech deals online. Have you seen the news of Alibaba coming after Shein and Temu in South Africa? It plans to open a hub in Durban, which means yet another shopping app, AliExpress, will be enticing us with cheap deals. I myself recently caved and bought my first item on Temu (it’s a gadget not yet available in SA) and will share more about it soon. I love finding a good deal and support local businesses where I can; it’s a balance.
PS before I close out this week, check out this cool initiative by Naked, who sponsors my TikTok videos, about a collab they did with local artists to create a collection of artworks and tote bags. Pre-orders are open till tomorrow before they get shipped. At R100 and R140 each, they make great gifts!
Till next week,
Nafisa