MarcForrest.com

Author: Marc

  • iPhone 5 to be released in South Africa on 14 December 2012

    Apple have just put out a press release confirming the availability of the iPhone 5 in South Africa on Friday the 14th of December.

    The iPhone 5 is the thinnest and lightest iPhone ever, completely redesigned to feature a stunning new 4-inch Retina display; an Apple-designed A6 chip for blazing fast performance; and ultrafast wireless—all while delivering even better battery life.

    I’m suspecting the cellular networks will announce pricing in the next day or so, and we start seeing the usual specials. I will update this post with pricing as it is announced

  • My Vodacom iPhone app

    I came across a very cool and handy new app from Vodacom today, called the My Vodacom App. (Thanks for the heads up Mike from AppleNews). Finally ! It’s been a long time coming, and I’m glad Vodacom finally created an app which allows you to monitor & access your account.

    The app allows you full access to view data & sms balances, see unused minutes and the best of the app for me, is purchasing of Data Bundles. Now I don’t have to call in or go online to top up my data bundles, I can just do it on my phone !

     

    This video gives a pretty good overview of what is available in the app and how to use it

    [youtube id=”PY9j_QEVxzI”]

    The app is available from BlackBerry App World, iTunes App Store, Windows Mobile App Store & Android App Store

    [app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/app/my-vodacom/id567085004?mt=8″]

  • ZABooks – South African Textbook iPad app to launch in January 2013

    I was invited to attend the annual Apple in Education awards at Monte Casino where the Core group award various learners & teachers awards for the work they have done using Apple products throughout the year. The event was fantastic, and I was in awe of what some of our youth are up to using these tools. Amazing !

    At the event, it was announced that a new iPad app, called ZABooks, would be launched in Jan 2013. The app is a collection of over 400 South African curriculum textbooks, which learners can use on the iPad. This is great news, as it allows learners to interact in the app, as well as take notes, and of course, not lug around heavy text books in their bags !

    Here is some info about the app, and I’ll pop something up here when it is launched.

    • ZABooks will be a stand alone app, separate from iBooks
    • ZABooks has been developed in partnership with all the key local education textbook publishers
    • At launch, ZABooks will have 400 textbooks pertaining to the South African curriculum, more content will be added post launch
    • ZABooks will have textbooks that range from Grade 1 to Grade 12 for both public and private schools
    • ZABooks will allow for a variety of interactive features including bookmarking, annotation, highlighting of key content as well as “freehand” writing and note taking
    • The ZABooks App will be free and exact textbook pricing will be determined by the individual publishers

    Looking forward to seeing the app when it launches !

  • Shoprite Checkers iPhone App

    Earlier today, I noticed the brand new Checkers iPhone app had been launched. I know a couple of South African retail brands have launched apps, but I think this could be the first grocery store in SA to release an iOS app.

    After a quick play around with the app, it offers cupons with some cool savings and the ability to create shopping lists, as well as seeing the latest specials. All in all, very cool. My app says I can save R1266 :)

    From the app store:

    The Checkers app for iPhone provides instant shopping discounts on your cellphone through digital coupons. It was designed to revitalise the traditional idea of coupons and make them more accessible through the use of new technology – your mobile phone. With this app you can browse, select and use coupons that save you money on purchases at our stores, giving you more everyday savings in your pocket. The app also provides helpful tools that make it easier to shop and save, such as latest deals, how to find your nearest stores, store hours and a shopping list for extra convenience.

    [app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/za/app/checkers-sa/id554151744?mt=8″]

  • Meeting the legendary magician Dynamo

    Last week Thursday I was given an awesome opportunity to attend a meet & greet session with the legendary magician Dynamo. If you haven’t heard of him, where have you been ?

    Over the last couple of years British born Steven Frayne, aka Dynamo, has been making waves in the entertainment world with his street magic that he performs around the world. And South Africa gets a chance as he is here to promote his new series “Dynamo: Magician Impossible Season 2” which starts this week Wednesday on the Discovery channel on DSTV. The night before the meet & greet he also announced he would be extending his stay in SA to film a few episodes for the upcoming season 3.

    We got to ask Dynamo a couple of questions and he even did 1 or 2 spontaneous tricks as well ! Really interesting guy !

    But for me, the biggest take-away from the event was, we were each given a copy of his book, “Nothing is Impossible“, which I finished reading in 1 day. It was seriously THAT good. The book takes you into Dynamo’s life, how he got into magic, and how, suffering with a serious disease called Crohn’s disease, managed to overcome so many obstacles, and just persevere with getting recognised. For a chap who isn’t even 30 yet, and has made such an impact in his life, is utterly amazing. Seriously, if you enjoy reading biographies, I highly suggest reading his book !