MarcForrest.com

Category: Tech News

  • Testing the new CellC data packages

    Last week I got a call, that said “You have 15 minutes to get to the CellC store in Gateway, we have a little gift for you”. So naturally I jumped in my car and raced up, to be greeted by a huge crowd of people outside the CellC store. Turns out CellC was launching their 4Gs 3.75G network (yes, I know…not getting into that now) in Durban. Even my mate Trevor was there :)

    To my surprise in my hands all of a sudden was a box with with a Simcard & USB Modem. After chatting to the guys from CellC, they asked me to give it a run and see how it works in Durbs, and give them some feedback.

    If you haven’t been following the launch of the new CellC data product, they are now offering high speed internet, at VERY affordable prices. The package I got given, was a 60GB for the year (5GB a month) and USB Modem (Huawei E1820), which allows for speeds up to 21.5 Mb/S, which retails for R2999 once off. There are no contracts or sign-ins, just the once off cost.

    Last night I got round to doing some decent testing, and was a bit worried when I only got 4Mb/s after hearing reports of speeds up to 10Mb/S. Turns out, because I had the USB modem plugged into my USB hub, it was decreasing the speed. When I plugged it into my MacBook I managed to get a speed of 7.15 Mb/s and then later I got around 8.5 Mb/s

    CellC using Cell C Modem (with USB hub)
    CellC using Modem (without USB hub)

    I also got a question on my site asking if the SIM can be used with a MiFi. So I popped the SIM in to my MiFi device and gave it a test, and was quite surprised to see speeds of around 7.15Mb/s – 7.50 Mb/s. This is perfect, as the MiFi can support up to 5 devices at any given time using WiFi.

    CellC (HSUPA) using MiFi

    In comparison below is the speed test from my 4MB ADSL using Afrihost.

    ADSL (4MB line) Afrihost

    The setup of the device was very simple on both Mac & Windows. Literally plug & play, and 1 click to connect. There are 2 small issues I have with the device though. The first is that the USB modem gets super hot, but after doing some googling, this seems to be a known issue with this model. Secondly, I have an issue fitting it int my USB slot on my Macbook. Because they Macbook only has to 2 USB slots, and they are very close together, the USB modem takes up more space than it should and makes plugging in a 2nd USB device a bit tough, hence the need to use a USB hub. I’m going to have to do a bit  of thinking about this one, but I’m pretty sure I can get around that.

    Overall I am very impressed with the CellC offering. People have commented that as the network grows and more people share towers speeds will decrease, but that remains to be seen.I honestly don’t think it will make THAT much of a difference.

    All in all, at under 5c/MB the CellC 4Gs 3.75G offering is well worth it, and I would highly recommend getting it as an alternative to an ADSL line, especially if you travel or work remotely.

  • My quick iPhone 4 review

    It’s been over a week since I got my brand spanking new iPhone 4 from the chaps at MTN. All I can say is wow. There is a remarkable difference between the iPhone 3GS & 4, in all sorts of categories.

    For me the kicker has to be the screen. I have never seen such a crisp & crystal clear screen on ANY device before. I honestly can’t spot any pixels, except in some of the apps I already have on the phone. That seems to be an issue is that the legacy apps need to be updated to take advantage of the screen, otherwise they just look crap. But that said, every time someone asks me about what stands out the most about the phone, I point out the screen and whip open the Epic Citadel app, which shows how awesome & clear it is.

    But it’s not only the screen that has caught me. The battery life on the iPhone is remarkably improved, and get loads more use out of the phone. With the 3GS, I charged it every night, (after using it a fair bit during the day) and now I can get almost 2 days out of it.

    The camera on the phone is also another plus. That and the HD video recording. Check out this video I took of my boy playing air drums. Awesome quaility. There is also a huge difference in speed on the phone. Apps load a lot faster as well, as well as app switiching.

    The one gripe I do have with the phone, seems to be the shape. I think cause I am accustomed to the “rounder” 3G & 3Gs shape, this feels a bit awkward to hold. But I’m sure I can get my head around that :)

    Overall, so far, the phone has been brilliant. I even landed up getting my wife one, so I could chat to the kids using FaceTime, when I am not around. Brilliant.

    Did you pick up an iPhone 4 ? What do you think ? Leave a comment below and lemme know ;)

  • Get your Pre-Paid Vodacom Microsim from Flickswitch

    Get your Pre-Paid Vodacom Microsim from Flickswitch

    With the launch of the iPhone 4 & the floods of iPads coming into South Africa, there has been a huge demand for both Vodacom & MTN microsims.
    I came across this very cool service the other day from the guys at Flickswitch. Basically they offer you a Pre-Paid microsim from Vodacom, which you can manage and recharge using their service called SIMcontrol, which allows you to monitor and recharge 3G data SIMs, and is ideal for iPad use.

    In short, it manages your 3G data top-ups making sure your SIM is always active and recharged. The simple online portal gives you full access to the SIM balance, recharge rules and details usage reporting. You simply specify a minimum recharge level (i.e. 80Mb) plus a recharge bundle of your choice (i.e. 600Mb). The SIMs are monitored daily and are automatically recharged from your pre-funded purse it when it reaches the minimum recharge level. It also avoids expensive out-of-bundle data rates that contract SIMs use, and removes the hassle associated with normal prepaid recharging. The service is also ideal to manage multiple company 3G SIMs

    The best features of the service are:

    • No contract commitment (You can simply cancel monitoring or recharges as needed)
    • Accurate usage stats (A way to check data balance online)
    • Easy cost control (One bill with accurate reporting)
    • Auto top-ups (Choose any standard data bundle to recharge with. You can change this at any time)
    • Takes the hassle out of managing prepaid SIMs

    The SIMcontrol Service costs R10 once off and there is a R6 monthly fee for them to manage your SIM. You can also buy the MicroSIM for R50 as well as the standard 3G sims for R1. Once you have the SIM, you can top it up with the standard Vodacom Data Bundle packages.

    If you would like to read more about the Flickswitch services & what they offer, you can download the full brochure & info package.

  • Gadgets & Gizmos – The Ballito Sept

    My 2nd Gadgets & Gizmos column has just been published in The Ballito magazine. The mag hit the streets of Durbs & Ballito today and covers a whole variety of stuff & events on the KZN North Coast.

    This edition I covered the awesome GirlGuides.co.za site, as well as the Tech4Africa conference I attended last month. I also take a look at the new Samsung Wave, and the must have gadget for the boys for Christmas this year, a gyrocopter.

    You can download a PDF copy of the article here. Would also love to hear your feedback, and see if there is anything you think I should cover.

  • iPhone 4 Prices in South Africa

    Last night I was fortunate to attend both the launch parties for the iPhone4 in South Africa. First I went to the MTN Launch party at Gallagher estates in Midrand. The vibe there was awesome. They had huge projected screens all around the place, and at 9PM 4 huge platforms with iPhone 4 demo models dropped from the ceiling. They had a couple of really cool overseas dj’s playing, and around 200 people.

    At around 11 I left to go to the Vodacom party which was being held at Vodaworld. They had DJ Fresh & Gareth Cliff on the “decks” and around 2000 people at the party. I didn’t get to experience the complete vibe of the crowd, as I was catching up with a couple of good people from the tweetosphere. The official launch of the iPhone 4 for Vodacom was at 12, which was when the opened the doors to some of the cell shops in Vodaworld, where people could buy their new iPhone 4’s. Let me tell you that there were hundreds of people in the shops, and more specifically in the iStore where I popped in quick to buy a cover for my new iPhone 4

    The most asked question I got asked during the evening was about pricing for the iPhone 4. There has been a couple of price lists flying around the net, but there doesn’t seem to be a “cash” price for the new iPhone. It would seem that both MTN & Vodacom are only offering the iPhone 4 on contract only for the moment. I suppose this makes a bit more sense as it keeps customers for 2 years. I also believe that there is very limited stock at the moment, with more arriving in mid October.

    I have come across 2 really good iPhone 4 deals at the moment. The first is from Vodacom who are offering an iPhone4 16GB  on a Talk 500 package for FREE. The package is R925 a month and includes 500 free minutes & 250MB of data.

    UPDATE (23/9/10): From Aki Anastasiou: Vodacom have just announced a new deal. Also, Pieter Uys (Vodacom CEO), also confirmed that they have received new stock

    Vodacom just announced 2 new options for iPhone 4. 16GB, 110 MB data R379 on top up 275s x 24 months. 32GB version R429 pm

    The deal from MTN seems  a little sweeter. They are offering a 16GB iPhone 4 for FREE on an MTN AnyTime 200 topup , with R200 airtime, with a 150MB data bundle for only R379 a month or a 300MB internet bundle for R429. Sounds like a bargain.

    Judging by the reaction of most of the people I spoke to last night, the iPhone 4 is going to be a HIT in SA, and I can’t wait to see everyone holding one in their hands soon :)