Category: iPhone

  • iOS8 officially released – direct download links

    iOS8 officially released – direct download links

    It’s been a while since we first heard about the cool new features of iOS8, and now it’s finally available for download.

    It is inevitable that the Apple download servers will crash or slow down to snails pace when the new software is released, so below are some of the links to download the latest software, which you can then use to manually update your iPhone & iPad software. Links below are only for GSM models as this is what is used on South African Cellular Networks

    iPhone

    iPhone 5s download (GSM)
    iPhone 5c download (GSM)
    iPhone 5 download (GSM and CDMA (A1429))
    iPhone 4s download (GSM)

    iPad

    iPad Air (5th generation WiFi + Cellular)
    iPad Air (5th generation WiFi)
    iPad (4th generation GSM)
    iPad (4th generation WiFi)
    iPad mini (GSM)
    iPad mini (WiFi)
    iPad mini 2 (WiFi + Cellular)
    iPad mini 2 (WiFi)
    iPad 2 Wi-Fi
    iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)

  • How to earn Discovery Vitality Points with your iPhone 5s (For Free!)

    vitalityDiscovery Vitality is an interesting concept, which often leaves many people frustrated. The aim of the programme is to get to Gold (Diamond after 3 years of Gold) otherwise, basically, your life sucks. You don’t get good travel rewards, you don’t get money back on your credit card, and if you have a life policy like me, you premiums basically increase dramatically, if you not on the coveted Gold Status. All while paying an additional premium every month for these “benefits”.

    So, how do you get to this magic gold status? Discovery markets it as “Discovery Vitality is the wellness programme that rewards you for getting healthier“.
    Which means a barrage of online & real-life tests (which actually end up costing you money) and then a few other cool products and initiatives which allow you to earn points.

    One of the new ways of earning points is by owning a Fitbit device. The Fitbit device is recognised as one of the Discovery Vitality Living Vitality “Wellness Devices” which allow you to accumulate points for any physical activity you may do. Fitbit, which is it actually really a step counter counts your steps, converts it to Kilometers, and works out calories. There are a range of devices starting at around R600 (for the Fitbit Zip).

    fitbitBut. There is also a Free Fitbit app. The app is designed to sync with the Fitbit devices to show you a graphical representation of your steps you made with your Fitbit. Having said that, the Fitbit app on the iPhone 5s, ALSO acts as a Fitbit device. Yip, no need to spend R600 on a Fitbit device. If you have an iPhone 5s, it *IS* your Fitbit device, and can count your steps, kilometers and calories. Thanks to the new Apple M7 Chip in the iPhone 5s, info from all the sensors are stored in a chip and are accessible to apps, without using too much battery. And according to a few reports is also pretty accurate

    So, what that means is that you can in fact link your “New Fitbit device” (ie. your iPhone 5s) can also link to Discovery and earn you points in the same way your paid-for Fitbit device would. For Free!

    To sign up and register your iPhone5s “Fitbit Device” as a new device follow the below steps:

    1. Download the Free Fitbit iPhone app onto your iPhone 5s
    2. Sign up in the app and select to use the iPhone as a tracker (ie. you don’t have any Fitbit devices)
    3. Go to Fitbit.com and complete your registration and log into your Fitbit account
    4. Sign into your Discovery Account
    5. Go to Discovery Vitality Living Wellness dashboard (https://www.livingvitality.discovery.co.za/lv/dashboard)
    6. You can login with your Discovery details (click login) or register for the first time. It uses your Discovery credentials to log you in
    7. Once logged in go to Wellness Tools -> Devices and click on Fitbit (scroll down a bit)
    8. Click on the “Go To Fitbit” button
    9. Log into the Fitbit.com site and allow access for Discovery to use your Fitbit device

    And that’s it. They will import the previous months history (if you have it on your phone) and allow you to start earning points. The “rules” on Discovery say you earn 150 points for every 10,000 steps you do, and 50 more points if you do over 12,500. 10,000 is pretty easy to do every day if you keep your phone in your pocket most of the time. That said, I have earned my points a lot “faster” than that ;)

    [app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fitbit/id462638897?mt=8″]

     

  • Uber – Not your average “taxi” service (Free Promo Code)

    Uber – Not your average “taxi” service (Free Promo Code)

    I’m sure by now you would have heard about the new service Uber, which recently launched in South Africa. Uber is your own private driver. As simple as that! And it’s awesome!

    (Promo Code – UberiGuyZA R150 off your first ride in an Uber vehicle. Details below) 

    You “order” your Uber driver using the iPhone, Android or Uber Mobile website (Blackberry or any phone with a browser), and get picked up in a luxury vehicle (think C-Class Mercedes, BMW 3 Series etc), and within a couple of minutes you have your own personal driver at your door. One very important thing to note is that Uber isn’t a taxi service. Uber is your own personal driver. So if you want to head to Cape Town from Durbs, he can do that  (sure it may cost you a few R’s, but it is possible)

    I have used the Uber service a couple of times over the last few weeks, in both Joburg & Durban, and I can honestly say this is one of the best services I have ever used. From the guy offering you a chilled bottle of water as you get into the car, right through to the invoice being emailed to you as you leave the car, this is truly a world class service.

    So, Uber has officially launched in Cape Town, Durban & Joburg in South Africa. I did a quick comparison to see what the prices are in the various cities, and to be honest they are VERY reasonable for the service offered.

    Below is a quick comparison of all the prices in SA, and compared to some of the other cities around the world that Uber Black is available in

    uber

    (Updated 10/1/2014 – Joburg Rates & Exchange Rates)

    * JHB rate is based on either R3.90 per min OR R10.90 per km depending on speed
    * DBN & CT rates are per min PLUS per KM
    * Flat rate is a charge from the city Airport <-> City CBD
    * 10km trip is an estimate using the Uber Fare calcultor
    * $/R = R10.15 & €/R = R13.63
    * Mozzie cab is a taxi service based in Durban

    As you can see the rates are very reasonable and compare quite well to other services & the rest of the world.

    As I mentioned above I have an awesome promo code available to any new Uber users. When signing up simply use the code – UberiGuyZA –  and you will get R90 off your first uber ride, anywhere in the world ! You can also click here to sign up using the code. 

    Have you used Uber yet ? What are your thoughts around the service? Comment below :)

    [app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uber/id368677368″]

     

     

     

  • SA App of the Week – Gautimes

    SA App of the Week – Gautimes

    I have been meaning to start this series for quite a while now, where each week I will focus on a newly developed and released iPhone app from a South African Developer.

    This week, I wanted to showcase a very slick looking app from the chaps at Glucode, called Gautimes. The Gautimes app is a free app which makes travelling on the Gautrain a breeze. The design of the app is absolutely amazing with a clean interface and has a really simple interface when  using the app. Even if you aren’t a frequent user of the Gautrain, this is still one of those apps you should download to keep in the back of one of those “unused apps” folders, and keep it for a rainy day.

    mzl.mcencyzh.320x480-75 mzl.ewbwatqs.320x480-75 mzl.tcofytlp.320x480-75

    App Store App Description

    Getting to the Gautrain station and your destination on time has just become a whole lot easier! Now Gautrain commuters can easily plan their train trips.

    Whether you’re a frequent, occasional or first time Gautrain commuter you can now confidently plan your meetings, airport arrangements, shopping sprees or exciting adventures that the tracks may lead you on.

    Gautimes will automatically locate the Gautrain station nearest to you. You can then easily view arrival times for all stations on your line based on your selected departure time as well as set departure reminders so that you can make sure that you catch your train on time.

    Key features
    – automatically locates and selects the Gautrain station nearest to you
    – see a list of all Gautrain stations to make a custom selection
    – see your current distance from all Gautrain stations
    – see a map of all Gautrain lines and stations
    – see which trains are 8-car trains
    – see future date specific train schedules
    – set reminders on train departure times
    – see arrival times based on a departure time
    – Gautrain schedule changes are updated automatically

    [app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gautimes-for-iphone/id648890879?mt=8″]

     

  • Lenmar Meridian BC5 iPhone 5 Battery Case

    Lenmar Meridian BC5 iPhone 5 Battery Case

    I recently got to test the awesome Lenmar Meredian iPhone 5 Battery Case before it launched in South Africa. There aren’t too many iPhone 5 battery pack covers on the market in SA, because Apple has strict policies when licencing to use the lightning connector, so when I got the opportunity to test it, I jumped at the chance.

    The Lenmar Meredian iPhone 5 Battery Case (RRP 799) is a sleek designed, and super lightweight. Unlike other battery pack covers when the case is on your phone, it doesn’t feel bulky or add on too much weight. The crux of this case for me was it offers a 2300mAh battery which means your iPhone gets charged back to 100% in record time from 1% battery, and then still extra battery if it goes flat again. To put this in comparison the standard iPhone 5 battery is only 1400 mAh, and the nearest rival battery pack only offers a 2100 mAh battery pack.

    I can’t tell you how many times this case has been a life saver, and I simply cannot recommend it enough. We all know the iPhone 5 battery sucks, so if you often find yourself with that dreaded 1% battery on your iPhone, then you have to get this. The only downside to this case is that there is no adapter for the headphone jack, but it is not a trainshmash as there is a inlet for the headphones, albeit quite far in, so if you using an L-Shaped headphone connector you may struggle.

    The Lenmar Meridian BC5 iPhone 5 Battery Case retails for R799 and is available on Geekshop.co.za. Click to see the full Lenmar Range