MarcForrest.com

Month: July 2010

  • CellC gets it all wrong with Photocode

    Earlier today CellC announced that they have launched a new “innovation” called Photocode.Chris from iMod has the whole schpiel about it on his site

    Photocode is a name they have used for what is essentially called BeeTaggCode. BeeTagg is a mobile application that you can download to your phone, which allows you to capture the popular 2D bar codes, including THEIR proprietary code, called BeeTaggCode.I have spoken about QR codes on my site a number of times, and while there are a number of formats you can use, QR code has by far been the most popular, around the world. The concept, has never taken off in South Africa, despite the guys from the Sunday Times trying to implement it a couple of years back.

    But there is a catch, you have to download BeeTagg to capture the Photocode code. And, to download BeeTagg, you need to send an SMS which costs R1, which they will then send you a link for a free piece of software. (Thanks to Gerhard, you can go straight to http://cellc.beetagg.com, and download it from there) There are a number of other 2D bar code readers that allow you to capture a variety of codes, but only BeeTagg can capture Photocode.Not only that but brands like Nokia are now including a QR reader in their software as a standard application

    Personally, I really don’t understand the CellC logic behind it, and as Rafiq commented on iMod, “This is like building another mobile IM platform that is network specific to ‘compete’ with the big hairy gorilla in the same space.” I have also, over the years, tested a number of mobile 2D bar code readers, and BeeTagg was by far the slowest of them all.

    It is going to be interesting to see how CellC take this one forward. I personally can’t see it taking off, but maybe, maybe, I will be wrong :)(Ps. Be sure to scan the 2 codes here ;))

  • Win a prize valued at $10,000 with FNB & PayPal X

    The guys from FNB & PayPal X have put up a prize valued at about $10,000 for a South African developer who create innovative an application using PayPal’s payment platform. This is any type of app, not iPhone, but can also be web etc.

    The competition forms part of the PayPal X Innovate Conference which is in taking place in October in San Fransisco. The winner of the local leg of the competition will get to travel to the conference courtesy of FNB & PayPal X, and all expenses will be covered. The conference will feature presentations from industry experts, new product announcements and sessions that will give developers the tools and support they need to create the future of payments.

    PayPal X is the PayPal developer network which has loads and loads of resources and forums for creating your own PayPal application. I was looking around on the site earlier, and there are some really cool things to play around with. Being the non developer that I am, even I understood it :) I also came across a very very cool iPhone Library, which allows you integrate PayPal into your iPhone app, and allows you to accept mobile payments.

    How to enter
    To submit for the FNB and PayPal X Award, log on to x.com and click to register for the PayPal X Developer Challenge. Select the box for the FNB and PayPal X Award. Developers who register by 4 August, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PDT will be entered to win one of 10 iPads. The use of some of PayPal’s products requires approval by 1 September, 2010; please check x.com for detailed contest timelines and deadlines. The winner of the FNB/PayPal X Award will be notified on 29 September, 2010.

    Good Luck :)

  • My Gadgets & Gizmos article in “The Ballito” magazine

    A couple of months ago, I met Justin Scott who is the editor of a local magazine in Ballito, aptly called, “The Ballito“. The magazine is a published every two months and covers life on the beautiful North Coast of KZN. The magazine also forms part of a  stable of magazines including “The Centurion” as well as various residential estates around South Africa.

    Justin asked me to contribute to the magazine by writing a “Gadgets & Gizmos” column. Being the gadget freak I am, I jumped at the opportunity, and and I am stoked to say, that my first column was published in the months magazine. The spread is a 2 page article where I look at 3 different gadgets and one of my favorite sites on the net, PopURLs.com.

    Of the 3 gadgets, The iPad, the MiFi & ShoX speakers, I covered in the article, I only owned 1 at the time of writing the article(the speakers), and through fate, and being very blessed, I am now the proud owner of all 3. I need to start planning ahead on my next article. If my run of luck continues, I will skip the gadgets and go straight for the Ferrari :) (Jus kiddin)

    If you would like to see the article, feel free to download a PDF copy from here ->

  • Durban needs to bid for the 2020 or 2024 Olympic Games

    So the curtain has been drawn on the worlds biggest sports spectacle. The last month has literally been a blur, and every single person I have spoken to in the last month, has mentioned soccer. But it’s not only that. It is the manner in which we did this. We pulled it off. No one can say we messed up. Yes, there was a glitch with the airport in Durbs. Yes, there was a mugging here and there. But overall, I think we get a 9.999 out of 10. But what now ? What’s the next step ? Do we smile and bask in the glory of the world cup, and say “yes” we did it? We need to think forward. We need to think  “What next ?”

    Durban has received 2 brilliant write ups over the last week. An article by Washington Post columnist Steve Goff, entitled “Oh Durban, where have you been my whole World Cup?”,  is an inspiring look at Durban by a foreign journalist. Former London financial times sports editor, David Owen, also adds another perspective to Durban in a piece called “I think I have seen Africa’s first Olympic city.”  These 2 articles add an outsiders perspective to this amazing & versatile city.

    The Moses Mabhida stadium could easily be given first prize for the most picturesque stadium of the world cup. The fact that it is less than 200m from the Indian ocean, gives it a sub-tropical holiday feel when looking at it from the overhead helicopter shops. My experience of the stadium has been beyond all my expectations. From my first visit while the stadium was still being built, through to a visit with the family to the top of the arch, right through to my 2 games, I simply cannot fault it on anything. Really.

    Durban has been tipped to bid for either the 2020 or 2024 Summer Olympic games. Emperor Sepp has given his blessing, as well as President Jacob Zuma. Durban & KZN are fully capable of hosting the Olympic games. The fact that 80% of the events can be held within a 3km radius from the Moses Mabhida stadium bodes well for the bid. Durban already has everything in place, and after doing a research, I can only see the need to maybe build one or 2 new venues, if that. KZN has hosted numerous sporting events over the last couple of years, with a couple big ones lined up. Pietermarizburg is hosting the World BMX championships in 3 weeks time !! We also host the world biggest ultra marathon, as one of the, if not THE, biggest river canoe race, the Duzi canoe marathon.

    I been thinking about this a lot lately after reading some of the articles above, and I honestly think we can do it. Everything is in place, and with a few tweaks at the airport, which is being continuously expanded, Durban has everything in place to bid for the Olympics. After doing a bit of research I put together a list of venues, which can be used in and around Durban & KZN, for the various Olympic sports:

    Discipline Sport Venue
    Aquatics Diving Kings Park Pool
    Swimming Kings Park Pool
    Synchronized swimming Kings Park Pool
    Water polo Kings Park Pool
    Canoe Canoe/kayak (flatwater) Umgeni River
    Canoe/kayak (slalom) Tugela River
    Cycling BMX Pietermaritzburg
    Mountain biking Holla Trails
    Road cycling PMB – Durban
    Track cycling Cyril Geoghegan velodrome
    Gymnastics Artistic ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Rhythmic ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Trampoline ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Volleyball Volleyball (beach) Durban Beach Front
    Volleyball (indoor) University of KZN
    Equestrian
    		 Dressage Shongweni Equestrian Centre
    Eventing Shongweni Equestrian Centre
    Jumping Shongweni Equestrian Centre
    Wrestling Freestyle ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Greco-Roman ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Sports Archery Kings Park Archery
    Athletics Moses Mabhida
    Badminton ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Basketball University of KZN / New arena
    Boxing ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Fencing ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Field hockey Queensmead Hockey Stadium
    Football Moses Mabhida
    Handball ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Judo ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Modern pentathlon Various
    Rowing Harbour/New Arena
    Sailing Harbour & Sea
    Shooting Umzinto
    Table tennis ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Taekwondo ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    Tennis Westridge Tennis Stadium
    Triathlon Beach & Surrounds
    Weightlifting ICC/Durban Exhibition Centre
    20/20 Cricket Kingsmead Cricket Stadium

    I really hope Durban gets their act together and bids for an Olympic Games. Imagine hosting THE worlds largest sporting event on African soil. Wow, after the feeling of euphoria after the amazing world cup, I can’t imagine how we will feel when the Olympic Flame is put out.

    Below is a map with some of the venues showing their proximity:

  • MiX Mobile iPad app

    Earlier today I wrote about the News24 iPad app being the first iPad app in South Africa, until I was alerted earlier today  to the fact that it indeed wasn’t the first. The free Mix Mobile for iPad app (iTunes Link) from the guys and girls at Mix Telematics, was actually the first SA iPad app, which was published on the 30th June.

    You may recall a couple of months ago, I received a XDrive unit from the chaps at Mix. The XDrive unit is a device you install in your car, which then allows you to track it on the either the web site, an iPhone app, and now, and iPad app. The app is very cool, and is perfect for the iPad. The large screen now lets you get a much “wider” view of what is happening with your vehicle. You can view movement history of the car, which will show you stats such as distance traveled, top speed and time etc.

    Here are some of the features of the Mix Mobile for iPad app:
    • Track your vehicles in real-time on a map
    • Quick view of all your vehicles and their status
    • Latest speed and event information
    • Choice of maps include street, satellite and hybrid
    • SMS tracking (including multiple positions)
    • System test from MiX Mobile
    • Lock onto a vehicle in Follow Mode
    • Trip reports
    • Plot a route on a map
    • See start and end points of trips
    • Your position relative to your vehicle
    • Longitude and Latitude positions as well as street locations

    I have had my XDrive unit for  almost 8 months now, and the credits I got from the team when they sent it to me, are STILL available (413 left). Granted, I don’t do thousands of KM a week, but it sure has lasted long. What I do like is the ability to pull reports from the website, and I really hope to be able to see this type of functionality in both the iPad & iPhone app. It would also be great if one could see your balance & purchase more credits directly through the app.

    The one thing thing I have to commend the guys (well actually mostly girls that I follow on Twitter) is the superb support & passion for their products. I had an issue a while back, and mailed @Cath_Lewis, who responded almost immediately and sorted my issue out. Even the CEO of the company is on Twitter and interacts with their users. Another #brandplus to them :)

    As my time draws to a close with the XDrive, I am most definitely going to be topping up the credit, now that the iPad version is out. I am looking forward to using it more and more in the coming months.