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Category: Tech News

How to add GIF Images to your Whatsapp conversation on iOS & Android

The team at Whatsapp released an update this week for iOS & Android which now includes the ability to send GIF images in your messages. This has probably been one of the most requested features for the Whatsapp app for a while now!

If you don’t know what a GIF is, I’m pretty sure you’ve seen one of those silly looking silent video’s of cats somewhere on the internet, much like the image below…

Excited Dance GIF from Excited GIFs

To insert GIF’s into your Whatsapp messages follow the steps below:

1. Download a GIF enabled keyboard for iOS or Android. My favorite is Tenor GIF keyboard (iOS or Android) or GBoard Keyboard for iOS

2. Once installed, open the keyboard and select your GIF.

3. You then need to “paste” the GIF into your conversation, which will then show up on the other person’s phone.

The process is pretty much like typing out any message or sending a photo or video, so very simple. The one thing to consider is GIF’s are a bit larger in size, so I would recommend turning off your “Save Incoming Media” on Whatsapp. I also suppose Group chats may become annoying with people sending unnecessary GIFs, but hopefully Whatsapp give an option in later editions to turn this option off :)

Have fun with some cool GIFS :)

November 2, 2016
Review: 3Doodler Create 3D Printing Pen

I recently had the opportunity to review the new Doodle Create 3D printing pen, which has launched in South Africa. The 3D printing pen is the latest version 2 of the original spec of the pen, and has been greatly improved with a couple of great new features. The original 3Doodler pen caused a huge stir on Kickstarter when it launched and raised almost $2.4 million before the end of the campaign.

The Doodle Create pen comes at a time when 3D printing is starting to make a significant impact in our everyday lives. We are seeing 3D printing being used in a number of ways, and now bringing that ability to the everyday consumer is a game changer.

I did a quick unboxing and first impressions video below. (I’m still learning about this whole video thing, so forgive me if it seems a little bit #awks J)

The review unit we got also came with a very cool book showcasing some of the projects and things you can build with the pen. We also got a set of 6 interchangeable nozzles, and a PVC board where you can create your 3D models on, as well as a cool stand to keep the pen safe while you not using it.

My 12-year-old daughter instantly grasped the concept, even though she didn’t understand that the concept of the nozzle being extra hot (while it’s on) and got stung a few times, albeit not too bad.
We had a look at the 3D Doodle community pages, where anyone can upload designs, and my daughter gave the sunglasses a quick go, which proved to fairly simple, but VERY cool in the end.

Using the pen is very simple. You either use a ABS or PLA plastic stick, which is put into the pen, turn the pen on and in a few seconds you ready to go. There are 2 speeds that you can use to “squirt” out the plastic, and even though it takes a little while to get used to, once you have the idea, it’s so simple.

Although the pen is fantastic, you have to be fairly creative to create some of the awesome things I’ve seen online. As you may have seen in the video above, I’m not very artistic, so will leave that up to the 12-year old who is far better at it that I am.

I think that this could possibly be the hot-ticket-seller for the Christmas season of 2016. The 3Doodler 3D printing pen retails for R1990, and is available at iStore & Dion Wired or on if you are outside of SA. This includes 2 packs of plastic, which can be bought for about R240. If you stuck for ideas for an awesome present for someone who loves to create, then the 3D Doodler is a must!

Disclaimer: The team at Above & Beyond, who are the official distributors of the 3Doodler Pen in South Africa, sent me a review unit. They did not ask me to write about the product and the above review is my own thoughts on the product.

October 21, 2016
Chipolo – Finding all the lost stuff!! (Giveaway)

I came across a new little gadget this week called Chipolo. I honestly think this thing is going to save my life.

As someone who is ALWAYS misplacing their stuff, from wallets to my keys, to my phone and even sometimes my mind, I have always wanted something to tell me where I put my lost items, and this does the trick!

The Chipolo tag is a small tag (35mm wide & 5mm thick) that can fit in almost anywhere and comes in a variety of 9 different colours. The tag connects via Bluetooth to your iPhone or Android device and allows you to “ring” it from the device using a dedicated Chipolo app (iOS App & Android App) . Similarly, you can also shake the Chipolo to find your phone. Because it uses Bluetooth the max distance you can ring the Chipolo from is 60m, which is a pretty fair distance if you trying to find something around the house.

But the best part about this cool little device is that it also works “inside a community” So what this means is, if you misplace your wallet, which has a Chipolo attached to it, at a shopping centre for example, you can mark it as “Lost” from inside the app. If anyone else who has a Chipolo walks past it, the 2 connect and it can send you a notification and email to tell you exactly where it is. Amazing!!

I have only had mine for about 24 hours and I have already had to use it once to find my wallet. It is small enough to pop inside the coin pouch and doesn’t add any extra weight.

The cost of the Chipolo tag is R399 and it comes with an extra battery as well (batteries last about 6 months or so) You can buy it online in SA from the iStore online store and they also available in iStores.

Because I love this little gadget so much, I have decided to give one away. Follow the steps below in the Gleam giveaway, and we will select a winner on Friday 7th October. Shipping free to anywhere in SA. There are a 6 different ways you can enter including liking my new Facebook iGuy Page or even subscribing to my YouTube channel I recently setup.

Chipolo Giveaway

Disclaimer: I was not asked to write about the Chipolo Tag. I was given one as a gift from the good people at Above & Beyond distributors. The Chipolo in the giveaway is not a sponsored prize, it was purchased to give away in this competition :)

September 23, 2016
GoPro Launches Karma Drone & new Hero 5 & Session 5 Camera’s

I’ve never really followed the new releases from Go-Pro, but when I heard they were launching a Drone, I decided to watch the live stream tonight.

First up they announced the brand new GoPro Hero 5 camera, which is fully waterproof out the box, sports touch screen controls and voice control. I must admit, the video they showed during the press event looked awesome, and controlling the GoPro with your voice will make things a lot easier!

They also announced a new GoPro Hero5 Session camera, which is a smaller version of the camera, and also now shoots in 4K. Both of these camera’s look awesome, so I am definitely keen to check them out when they land in South Africa!

But, I, like many others, was waiting to see what they had up their sleeves with regards to the Drone. And wow, I was pretty impressed. I really think the GoPro Karma is going to give the Phantom a run for it’s money, especially cause it is already a bit cheaper.

The GoPro Karma offers not only a fully functional Drone, but you can also slide out the Gimble stabiliser and attach it to an included grip allowing you to use it manually on the ground.

Although the pricing has been released for the US versions of the camera’s and Drones, we might have to wait a little while till we see these in South Africa, and with a bit of a markup. I know I’m definitely keen to check them out!

September 19, 2016
Review: Xiaomi Mi 4
A while back I mentioned about the new Xiaomi Mi 4 that was being launched in SA. The launch of the phone in South Africa was a HUGE success, and really started gaining traction as a must have phone, given the price point.

As a gadget freak, I am always on the lookout for new and exciting gadgets, especially in the mobile sphere. So when I got the opportunity to give the Mi 4 a run, I jumped at the opportunity!! The Xiaomi brand in China is one of the fastest growing mobile brands, and has a huge community to support it. What I like most about Xiaomi is that they offer the ability to upgrade the phone MIUI OS, as well as being able to install a Windows 10 ROM on the phone!
The phone, which is priced at R3,799 in SA offers a variety of features:
- 5″ IPS 1080p capacitive touchscreen
- Android 4.4.3 KitKat with MIUI v.5, upgradable to MIUI v.6 (And Windows 10)
- 2.5GHz quad-core Krait 400 CPU; 3GB of RAM; Adreno 330 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset
- 13MP camera, f/1.8 aperture, LED flash, 4K video capture, HDR video, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps
- 8MP front-facing camera; 1080p video recording
- 16/64 GB of built-in memory
- Active noise cancellation with a dedicated microphone
- 3,080mAh battery
So, I have been using the Mi 4 as my secondary device for a few weeks now, using it on the go for a few photos, social stuff and just general on the go use.
Even though the un-boxing was a little underwhelming, with just a phone, charger & USB cable in the box, once you turn the phone on, you start getting a sense of the Xiaomi brand and feel. The phone is pretty sturdy and made of a strong stainless steel frame, and has a distinctly similar look to the iPhone 5.

The screen display is amazing and offers a FULL HD experience, which does mean the battery life takes a bit of a knock. Having said that, using the phone as a secondary phone, I managed to get around 2 days out of the phone, with medium use. Not bad, considering what is under the hood.
The Sony Camera (at 13MP) also offers pretty clear images, as well as great video. This has to be the highlight of the phone, as it is not often we get to see such great camera hardware in these sorts of devices.

The performance on the device is pretty average, given the very basic CPU that’s behind the covers. Comparing it to other devices using the AnTuTu 4 benchmark app, the phone ranks in the middle of comparative phones in the same category.

The MIUI ROM that is pre installed comes with all the standard Google Apps offerings, and apart from 1 or 2 Xiaomi standard apps, the phone doesn’t feel like it comes with any “bloatware” that is often installed by Android phone distributors.

In a world where new smartphones are being released daily, it is difficult to match up to some of the best in the market. But given the price point on this device (R3,799) it’s a great device for an entry level user looking for a smartphone. The device is available at for purchase online on the MIA Africa Site, as well as on contract from MTN and at Dion Wired, Makro, Game & Incredible Connection.
March 1, 2016