TCL launched the C Collection back in 2021, as a range of models targeting those who wanted maximum size in their living rooms. Whereas the company’s sets had previously topped out at 65-inches, this addition certainly pushes the boundaries.

The new TLC C735 isn’t just large, however, but features cutting-edge display tech. It uses HDR10+ which offers a wide palette of rich, bold, and vivid colours with frame-by-frame adaptive control. They can be adjusted for better brightness and contrast; IMAX Enhanced, meanwhile, brings cinema viewing standards right inside your home.

The panel itself supports maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, plus Dolby Vision. There’s Variable Refresh Rate and an Auto Game Mode, while inputs include four HDMI of which two are HDMI 2.1 and one supports eARC. For audio, there are Onkyo-tuned drivers and Dolby Atmos 3D processing.

As for software the C735 will run Google TV. That means there’ll be Google Assistant-powered voice control, streaming apps, and Google Play store support.

Unsurprisingly, this new 2022 flagship TV doesn’t come cheap. TCL says the C735 98″ 4K Google TV is already on sale, priced at R99 999.

From 2023, we’ll see the first Ford models to use Android in the dashboard. That will include the Google Assistant for voice control, Google Maps for navigation, and access to the Google Play store for third-party apps and services tailored to in-vehicle use.

We’ve seen Android Automotive OS used this way already, of course, with Volvo and Polestar already having vehicles relying on the car-centric platform in dealerships. Unlike Android Auto, which projects a smartphone interface on top of the vehicle’s native software, Android Automotive OS runs in the vehicle itself. That allows it deep connections with things like engine status, battery charge level, and more.

What it may not mean, though, is an end to the now-familiar SYNC design we’ve seen in recent Ford vehicles.

Manufacturers using Android Automotive OS can customize its UI, to match the rest of their cabin aesthetic. The end result could be an interface that looks like what you’d find in, say, the new Mustang Mach-E electric crossover, but with a completely different – and more flexible – OS behind it. For now, Ford isn’t giving details though it is confirming that things like Apple CarPlay and Ford Smart Device Link (SDL) will continue to be supported even after the Android transition, as will Alexa integration.

Ford and Google won’t stop at what’s shown on the dashboard touchscreen, though. The two are creating what’s being described a collaborative group, Team Upshift.

The device is powered by a large 5,000mAh battery and a 13MP Triple Camera, which includes a 13MP main camera. To keep things going smoothly there’s 3GB of RAM performance complete with 64GB storage. Additionally, the 6.3-inch HUAWEI Dewdrop Display offers an expansive area for all-consuming and never-ending entertainment.

The at Triple Camera setup comprises of a 13MP main camera, 5MP wide angle camera and a 2MP depth camera. Instead of working in silos, the three cameras synergise with each other to capture stunning photos in various scenarios including wide angle photography and natural bokeh effects. An 8MP front camera is augmented with advanced beautification algorithms, offering custom options that help users capture gorgeous selfies

Also available is an optional expansion slot that supports up to 512GB of additional storage via microSD. The device also runs on a powerful MTK Helio P22 octa-core processor, which provides all-round performance across productivity and entertainment use cases. Oh, there’s no 5G or Google Services here, in case you were getting your hopes up.

The Huawei Y6p will only be available in Mzansi from 1 July 2020 at R3299.

As with so many partnership announcements, especially in the enterprise space, the companies remained pretty vague as to what exactly their combined solution will look like, but both Cisco and Google told us that the general idea here is to help bring the power of the cloud to their customers’ on-premise environments.

Cisco further went to add that the platform will enable businesses to optimise application stacks by distributing their components to their best locations. For example, an application suite could support a front end running on one public cloud to optimise for cost, an analytics library on another cloud to leverage its AI/ML capabilities, and a financial component running on-prem for optimal security and compliance

Both teams stressed that a multi-cloud solution for enterprises must include support for the security, configuration and policy requirements of enterprises, as well as the ability to get real-time networking and performance data.

What’s maybe more important than this partnership itself, though, is that we’ll clearly see that Cisco and Google Cloud will build a close integration between Cisco SD-WAN solutions and the Google Cloud. Network policies, such as segmentation, will follow network traffic across the boundary between the enterprise network and the Google Cloud.

This practice will only be put in place for one month, assuming nothing changes in the coming weeks, and is intended to reduce the strain of internet traffic spurred by the coronavirus outbreak. Other video companies have rolled out similar measures in some places.

The quarantines and lockdowns taking place around the world have resulted in a huge number of people who are home and streaming videos all day long. Netflix and a number of other video companies recently confirmed reducing bitrates or other similar measures to reduce the strain on Internet infrastructure during peak streaming times in South Africa.

In an update on the matter, Bloomberg reports that YouTube will default to standard definition on videos globally until the end of April. Users will need to manually increase the video resolution to HD or 4K if they want a higher-quality stream. The change will start to roll out over ‘coming days.’

In the same breath, YouTube introduced their very own online concert dubbed #WithMe. The festival, which kicked off last weekend, has already featured LIVE performances from household African names like Nadia Nakai, Distruction Boyz, Gigi Lamayne and Asa on their respective YouTube channels.

According to Addy Awofisayo, content partnership manager for YouTube Africa; “The Stay Home…#WithMe online music festival seeks to support the well-being of our community, who are increasingly enduring this disease in isolation – a state that can affect people’s mental, emotional and spiritual health,”

Performances will take place this Saturday and Sunday between 2 PM and 10 PM Central Africa Time. The YouTube Stay Home…#WithMe festival lineup (including previous shows) can be seen here.

The Explore tab, as the name suggests, lets you find places of interest nearby when you may not have a specific one in mind. For instance, if you’re looking for something to eat but you’re not sure what’s in the area, you can use the Explore tab to see what’s around you, along with ratings and reviews from other users. The Commute tab, on the other hand, will let you find the most efficient route for the trip you’re about to take and allows you to save your daily commute to receive updates on traffic and suggestions for alternative routes.

The Saved tab is another self-explanatory one, as it lets you look through a list of all your saved places. The Contribute tab will let you “share local knowledge,” whether that’s adding information on missing places or uploading photos of businesses, and finally, the Updates tab will show a list of spots that are trending among “local experts and publishers.” You’ll also be able to chat with certain business through the Updates tab, should the need arise.

In addition to rolling out these new tabs, Google has also given the Maps logo a bit of a rework, which you can see in the video embedded above the header. Google is also launching some new features centred around public transportation today, which you’ll begin to see alongside routes when that information is available.

These features will tell you about the temperature in the public transport vehicle, accessibility options, security, and women’s sections in regions where transit systems designate them. It sounds like Google will also ask for feedback on public transit trips so it can share that information with other users, so keep an eye out for that.

Looking ahead, Google says that it will be improving Live View with new features that better help you find the location you’re looking for and how far away that location is from where you’re currently standing. You can read more about these new features over on Google’s blog, but otherwise, update the app and take them for a spin yourself.

Mokoena, who has most recently served as Ogilvy South Africa CEO. Prior to serving as CEO, Mokoena was MD of Ogilvy South Africa, having also worked at Absa, SAB, Tiger Brands, Unilever and Mondelez over the course of his career.

He holds an LLB from Rhodes University, an MBA from MANCOSA and is working towards a PhD from the North West University School of Business, due for completion this year. He is the Chairperson on the board of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa and was recently appointed Professor of Practice by the Johannesburg Business School.

Google Africa director Nitin Gajria says Google is excited to welcome Mokoena to the Africa team. “Google is working hard to bring more Africans online, to unlock economic opportunities through working with local communities, and to make our products more helpful to Africans in the African continent. Mokoena’s knowledge and expertise will be key to helping us deliver on these goals in the local market.”

This year’s video shows the most-liked videos of the year 2019 with as little curation as possible. That comes with a few caveats, the first of which is “geo-restricted content.” Per YouTube, the list of most-liked Creator Videos includes videos uploaded in 2019, with “geo-restricted content that would prevent Rewind from being viewable globally” removed from the list.

YouTube Rewind 2019 top 10 categories include Most Liked Creator Videos, Most Liked Music Videos, Most Liked Dance Videos (only top 5), Most Viewed Games (top 5), Most Liked Beauty Videos (top 5), and Top Breakout Creators. There was also a Most Viewed Creators category.

The top trending videos on YouTube for 2019 are based on views, shares, comments, likes and more. YouTube Rewind brings together the biggest viral videos featuring today’s biggest YouTube stars, mainstream and current affairs personalities.

Top 15 Videos watched in South Africa in 2019, excluding major music labels

1. The Ellen Show – Trevor Noah Plays ‘Who’d You Rather?’
2. Anton Koen – Wheel and Car Thief Syndicate Apprehended by NoJack Baby Beast – Assisted by The Avenger
3. Lasizwe Dambuza – South African Drive-Thru’s ( The difference between K.F.C vs MacD vs Chicken Lick… – Lasizwe
4. Trendz RSA – MAMLAMBO FROM UZALO HER LAVISH LIFESTYLE
5. Gemini Blessed TV – Uzalo Actors & Their Partners/Kids in Real Life
6. Multimedia LIVE – Mzansi shooketh after video of pastor bringing ‘dead man’ back to life goes viral
7. Trend Wave – 10 MOST FUNNY PENALTY KICKS IN FOOTBALL
8. VolcanoShow – Match Chain Reaction Amazing Fire Domino VOLCANO ERUPTION
9. SuperSport – UEFA Champions League | Liverpool vs Barcelona | Highlights
10. America’s Got Talent – DJ Arch Jr: The World’s Youngest DJ Delivers Jaw-Dropping Act – America’s Got Talent: The Champions
11. MarkAngelComedy – COMMANDER (Mark Angel Comedy) (Episode 193)
12. carwow – AMG A35 v BMW M140i v Golf R v Audi S3 v Focus RS – DRAG RACE, ROLLING RACE & BRAKE TEST
13. Beastly – I Was Spat Out By A Whale | SNAPPED IN THE WILD
14. Power Vision – Experiment: Coca Cola and Mentos
15. Mongameli Tv – KWESTA’s WEDDING (FULL)

Top 15 Music Videos watched by South Africans in 2019

1. Sjava – Umama (Official Music Video) (Prod. Mace)
2. Sam Smith, Normani – Dancing With A Stranger
3. Nasty C – SMA (Vol. 1) ft. Rowlene
4. Ricus Nel – Boerepompie ft. Snotkop
5. Biggy – Dames
6. Blaq Diamond – Ibhanoyi (Official Music Video)
7. Prince Kaybee – Fetch Your Life ft. Msaki
8. Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello – Señorita
9. Cardi B & Bruno Mars – Please Me (Official Video)
10. Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
11. Prince Kaybee – Gugulethu ft. Indlovukazi, Supta, Afro Brothers
12. Ariana Grande – 7 rings
13. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care [Official Video]
14. Billie Eilish – bad guy
15. SbuNoah – Ewe Getsemane (Live)

That is why Google has directly dived into the ISP industry, in one form or another, especially in emerging markets where Internet connectivity is still pretty much a luxury. The latter comes in the form of its Google Stations, free Wi-Fi hotspots for everyone, which is now adding the Cape Flats area as its first beneficiary in South Africa.

Google has adopted a rather interesting way of providing Internet services. With Google Station, it is also partnering with local ISPs to turn the ISP’s hotspots into Google’s high-speed public Wi-Fi platform. In other words, Google Wi-Fi for all.

That was the model that Google first launched in India, followed by Indonesia and Nigeria just to name a few. The arrival in South Africa marks the second time the Google Station has crossed over the Atlantic. Partnering with local ISP ThinkWifi, Google Station brings wifi to over 100 locations across Langa, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Delft, Elsies River, Philippi and more. These areas are some of the most underserved communities in the country, with high unemployment and crime rates.

Google Station is part of the company’s strategy to address the “Next Billion Users”, placing focus on markets where access to the Internet is inversely proportional to the hundreds of thousands of potential users, and therefore customers. It goes hand in hand with Android Go, which promises to keep data and hardware use down to a minimum, especially on entry level phones.

According to its official site, Shoelace is defined as “a mobile app that helps connect people with shared interests through in person activities. It’s great for folks who have recently moved cities or who are looking to meet others who live nearby.”

Shoelace comes just months after Google shut down Google+, its most recent and most successful attempt at building a social media website. Unlike its ‘failed’ predecessor, we have a sneaky feeling that this one just might have the legs to last.

The not so great news though is that the app is currently in an invite-only testing phase on Android and iOS at the moment. It gets worse as the beta version is only available within the New York City vicinity, where Google is testing it on a small group of people. The Area 120 team (a workshop for Google’s experimental products) says it is hoping to expand to more cities across the US soon. There’s no word on when this might happen, but you can fill out a form on their website if you’d like to get involved. To participate, you need a Google account to sign in…we are going to try this to see if it works, we doubt it will though.

There’s also no word on if or when it will be expanded to other countries (us included) but we reckon it’s only a matter of time. One to definitely keep a keen eye on. To find out more about the app, including how it works and its functionality then check in here.

Since the very early days of Android, Google has assigned dessert-themed codenames to major Android releases, and those codenames have been widely used externally as well. From here on out, Google will stop referring to Android releases using desserts and letters and simply number them instead. This begins with Android Q, which is now known as Android 10.

In a blog post today, Google explains that while its naming conventions can be clear to some, they don’t always work on a global scale. “For example,” the company says, “L and R are not distinguishable when spoken in some languages. So when some people heard us say Android Lollipop out loud, it wasn’t intuitively clear that it referred to the version after KitKat.” New Android users face similar problems, as it can be hard to tell if your phone is running the latest version of Android if you’re not familiar with how Google names its releases.

This switch to a simple numbering system fixes that and helps make Android more accessible around the world. Unfortunately, that means we’ll probably never learn what dessert the “Q” in “Android Q” stood for, and that one was of particular interest simply because there aren’t a ton of desserts that start with “Q” out there.

Earlier on this week it tried to give itself an edge by rolling out a feature it’s unique situated to deliver. If you’re a YouTube Music subscriber, you’ll now be able to switch between audio-only tracks and music videos whenever you wish.

Simply put, this means that if you’re listening to a track and you decide you’d like to watch the music video for that song, you don’t need to switch apps to do so. Obviously, this feature doesn’t work with every single song on the service, but Google says that it’s already “perfectly time-matched” more than five million music videos to their audio-only tracks, so you can switch at any time during the song without interruption.

If the track you’re listening to has an accompanying music video that’s been time-matched, you’ll see a video button pop up at the top of the screen. Tapping that button with switch you to the music video, with another tap sending you back to the audio track.

YouTube also says that it feature is a good way to avoid sitting through all of the additional stuff that sometimes comes along with music videos, such as long introductions. If you’re not interested in watching music videos at all, you can go into settings and toggle this functionality by turning “Don’t play music videos” on.

You’ll find this feature in both the iOS and Android apps for YouTube Music, as long as it’s updated to the most latest version. So, make sure you’re all updated and take it for a spin.