ICYMI: UJFM Tech Insert of 15 February 2016

Sony Xperia Z5
The beast packs punch for the price between their Snapdragon 810 processors, 32GB of storage and 23-megapixel rear cameras. Coming in at 5.2 inches and 2GB RAM. Melody give his review.

Twitter Timeline and new layout

The guys at twitter are busy doing they’re best to make sure you see the best content in your timeline. Or at least that’s what they’re hoping to be doing with last weeks announcement of a new timeline option.
The new nameless-feature algorithmically determines which tweets are important to you (based on who you follow and engage with) and moves them to the top of your timeline when you open the app or launch the site. The featured updates will be presented in reverse chronological order in case you were worried Twitter was turning into Facebook. Twitter is hoping this will keep you from missing important updates.
Now before you lose your mind, the company has included a message in the app or online showing you how to use it and giving you the option to turn it off.

Local Apps
KaChing: The synopsis given with this app is that one must picture the scene, you reach the paypoint at a parking lot and discover it only takes cash while youre only carrying cards. The atms are on the opposite side of the mall, and once you’ve drawn the cash you still have to get change because the machine demands coins and small notes. Eventually you get back the machine and find that the coins slot is not working – mall maintenance has to intervene and only an hour later you are on your way home. KaChing takes that hassles and combines top IT specialty and convenience. The app uses license plate recognition technology and links to a credit or debit card. Once registered, it triggers the malls system and opens the boom as the car is driven into the parking lot, and when the car departs the parking amount is deducted from the said linked account. The system has been live at 3 malls in JHB; Melrose Arch, Sandton City, Hyde Park.

SkyBird: The second app, Skybird uses geo-fencing and heat mapping activity to better ones shopping experience. Initially rolled out in Port Elizabeth, the app allows retailers to communicate tailored retail deals to customers with a smartphone as they trawl the mall. In short, one has to download the SkyBird app, register and open it once you’re inside a participating mail. As you walk around the mall, and say, walk past a Foschini and have a look at the app, deals from that particular retailer(S) will pop-up on your screen.

Both apps are free to download from your app stores.

Toyota Aygo

I recently got to drive the next-generation in and around the Free State, and got a deep-dive with new, first time buyers. First, its got new bones. Riding on Toyota’s new TNGA architecture.
It has a new characterful 51 kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with the best thermal properties in its class. Torque output weighs in at 95 Nm delivered at 4300 rpm which echoes its much intended purpose: fuel economy.

he exterior of the Aygo has evolved with new headlights, a lower cowl in the front, and sculpting on the sides. Though not dramatically different if you see one in passing by, exterior styling is more appealing with focus on the X grille. The interior receives a noticeable update. The dash and center console look more similar to the Toyota Auris and Yaris vehicles, which seems to work well here. The touch display seems to hide all the clutter away. The entry-level Aygo 1.0 starts at R138 900 after delivery, while the top trim X-play in black or silver will put you just over the R139 900 mark. Full review here

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#KaChing #Sony #Sony South Africa #Toyota #Toyota Aygo #Twitter #UJFM

Posted By

Papi Mabele

Papi Mabele has a marketing background, he is a digital marketing expert with extensive experience in launching and building global brands in the emerging markets. Papi is also an avid tech writer, enthusiast and all round tech junkie. As a freelance writer and analyst he has been numerously published in Popular Mechanics (SA), GQ South Africa, Premier Magazine, Driven Magazine, Bloem News, Courant, The Weekly, Enthooze Magazine and PiE magazine amongst others.