The solution effectively eliminates the need for traditional point-of-sale (POS) hardware, dongles, or separate card machines, allowing businesses to transact using technology they already own.

The service utilizes the Near Field Communication (NFC) chip within the iPhone to securely read contactless payment methods. To process a sale, a merchant simply enters the amount into the iStore Pay app and prompts the customer to tap their contactless card, iPhone, Apple Watch, or other digital wallet against the back of the merchant’s device.

This system requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 or later. It accepts all contactless Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, along with Apple Pay and other major digital wallets. Security is built on Apple’s Secure Element technology, ensuring that card numbers and transaction data are encrypted and never stored on the device or Apple’s servers.

iStore Pay introduces a “pay-as-you-transact” model, positioning itself as a flexible alternative to traditional merchant services that often carry high monthly rentals. The transaction fees start from 2.5% per sale, and there is no hardware cost since the system utilises the user’s existing iPhone.

There are no standard monthly fees, though a R20 monthly charge applies only if turnover falls below R2,000 per month starting in August 2026. Elsewhere, payouts carry a flat fee of R2.99, although iStore is offering free daily payouts as a launch promotion until 31 July 2026.

The solution is managed through a standalone app that serves as a central hub for business operations. Beyond just accepting payments, the app allows entrepreneurs to monitor sales history and transaction records instantly through real-time tracking. It also provides tools to manage funds, allowing merchants to view pending payouts and process refunds directly from the interface.

Furthermore, the app provides business insights and data visualisations to help owners understand their sales performance and identify scaling opportunities.

The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max aren’t short on fancy garnish, but the biggest question is whether, at their core, they’re enough to sate your appetite for a not-inexpensive upgrade. I’ve been living with my upgrade for the 2 weeks and this is my first hand experience with it.

Sierra Blue is a must see colour

This year, Apple’s halo colour is Sierra Blue, a rather fetching pale metallic blue with matching tint to the polished metal edge. There’s also Silver and Graphite, plus a slightly different Gold to last year’s finish.

The front gets Ceramic Shield glass, the stainless steel band is surgical-grade, and there’s IP68 water and dust resistance. Even with all that, you’ll almost certainly want to cosset its glass and metal in a case, and since the camera cluster is larger than last year you won’t be able to use your iPhone 12 Pro case again.

Magic display

On the front is one of the iPhone 13 Pro’s big selling points, the new ProMotion display. Apple’s 120Hz panels have been an iPad Pro feature for some time now, but this is the first time we’ve seen the tech arrive on its smartphones. Much as with Android devices with high refresh rate screens, scrolling, games, and fast-moving graphics look silkily smooth and generally pleasing on the new panel. Its first noticeable thing to those using previous gen devices.

Arguably just as important, though, is how slow ProMotion can go. The standard iPhone 13 screen has a 60Hz refresh rate, but while the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s panel can crank up to 120Hz, it can also drop to as low as 10Hz, depending on what’s on-screen. When you’re using apps that don’t need such a rapid rate, then, iOS can save on power.

You don’t notice the change in refresh rate in daily use, just how cleanly lists and such scroll as you whip your finger across the Super Retina XDR OLED display.

Capture picture perfect mementos

Like last year, you get three rear cameras: wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto. Each has been improved for 2021, though. There’s now optical image stabilization on every lens, the zoom is 3x optical, every camera supports Night mode, and the wide and ultra-wide sensors are physically larger and have bigger apertures for a greater appetite for light. Macro support has been added, along with a brace of computational photography features for both stills and video.

The wide camera will probably see the most use, and its f/1.5 aperture, seven-element lens is paired with a significantly larger sensor. Last year, iPhone 12 Pro Max buyers got a bigger sensor than those with an iPhone 12 Pro, but this time around it’s the same regardless of the size of phone you pick. The result is a claimed 49% more light-gathering versus the iPhone 12 Pro Max, and a hefty 2.2x improvement versus the iPhone 12 Pro.

For video, there’s up to 4K/60 Dolby Vision HDR recording, or – after an update – ProRes video recording at up to 4K/30fps. That’s if you have anything but the lowest-capacity iPhone 13 Pro: if you opt for the 128GB model, your ProRes support is capped at 1080p/30. Honestly, ProRes is nice but I suspect most people are never going to take advantage of it.

You must try Cinematic Mode

What people would be much more likely to play with is Cinematic mode. Apple describes it as a far easier to use version of the focus racking that professional videographers rely on expensive camera rigs to achieve; it’s probably easier to think of it as Portrait mode but for video.

Like Portrait stills, the subject is crisp while the background gets a shallow depth of field effect; you can tap different subjects to smoothly switch that blurring, or leave Cinematic mode to intelligently switch by itself depending on what it thinks the most likely subject is.

That intelligence works reasonably well, generally speaking. The nice thing about Cinematic mode is that you can change the focal points later on: since the bokeh is artificially added, you can edit the clip and change the subject.

Battery life is for the books

A full day is no problem with the iPhone 13 Pro Max. I shot masses of video and photos on my Speed Week drive, and used it as a hotspot with my HP Spectre, and still had power left at the end of the day. I’m not going to say you can’t get yourself into a situation where a mid- to late-evening charge could be needed, but you’d really have to be hammering it to make that sort of dent.

There were times when I could’ve plugged in for an outlet, but allowed myself the laziness of not pulling a Lightning cable out of my bag because I was confident enough in how long the iPhone 13 Pro Max would last. That’s the sort of cautionary top-up I’d not have skipped with last year’s handset.

My verdict..

Look, if you have an iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max, you should probably sit 2021’s update out. Apple may not have used its “S” branding, but the iPhone 13 Pro Max is the epitome of evolutionary change. Improved, sure, but only those utterly addicted to life on the (expensive) bleeding edge should upgrade from last year’s models.

Anybody with an older iPhone, though, should give the iPhone 13 Pro serious consideration. Even if the fancier camera tech isn’t swaying you, the core hardware improvements in Apple’s sensors makes a noticeable difference. iOS 15 is showcased at its best on the excellent ProMotion display and the punchy A15 Bionic chipset, and the battery improvements mean that experience won’t expire prematurely.

I am using the iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB R25 899.

Announced earlier in the month, the new iMac 24-inch is Apple’s most colourful since the iMac G3, though if you want the biggest choice of finishes you’ll need to shop with iStore online.

The range kicks off at R25 999 for a version with the Apple M1 (with 8-core CPU and 7-core GPU), 256GB of storage, and 8GB of memory. On the front there’s a 4.5K Retina display, while on the back are two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports. A Magic Keyboard is included too, but there’s no USB 3 and no ethernet.

For that, you’ll need the R29 999 iMac 24-inch at least. That has an 8-core GPU version of the Apple M1, plus adds two USB 3 ports and gigabit ethernet; the latter is mounted on the power supply brick. Apple also includes the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

Finally, there’s the R33 999 configuration. That has the same M1 and 8GB of memory as the mid-range spec – more memory is an option – but 512GB of storage. It, too, comes with the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

All three configurations are available to pre-order now. Currently, the entry-level iMac 24-inch is said to ship between May 21-27, as is the top-spec configuration. The mid-range model is currently said to ship between June 8-15.

iPad Pro 2021

As for the new iPad Pro, the differences between the two sizes are getting even more notable in 2021. Both sizes now use Apple’s M1 chipset, for more performance from iPadOS. However, while the 11-inch iPad Pro sticks with its usual Liquid Retina display, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro goes for a new Liquid Retina XDR display.

That relies on Mini-LED technology, for much greater control over brightness and colour. The 11-inch model starts at R13 999, or from R18 999 if you want built-in 5G. As for the 12.9-inch version, that starts at R19 699, or from R24 199 if you want built-in 5G. Both are available to pre-order now, though delivery times for the larger tablet are already slipping into mid-June.

Apple TV 4K with new Siri Remote

Last, but by no means least, there’s an updated version of Apple’s set-top box. The new Apple TV 4K now uses the Apple A12 Bionic chipset, and supports up to 4K High Frame Rate HDR. It also has a Thread radio inside, initially not activated, but waiting for more smart home applications.

More interesting, though, is the redesigned remote. The new Siri Remote has a better navigation controller and adds buttons for controlling TV power and volume mute. It comes bundled with the new Apple TV 4K, from R3 199, or can be bought separately from R1099.

That’s even more problematic when it comes to wearing protective masks while working out, forcing people to choose between health and safety.

Newcomer to the game, as with any brand that has ceased the opportunity, AirPop, which boasts of being the world’s first “Air Wearables” company, is aiming to fix that problem with a new line of reusable and washable masks that not only filter out harmful substances in the air, they also promise breathability even during intense physical activities.

We have been living with AirPop’s Light SE washable face masks for the past two months. During our time with it, what we noticed is that face masks are designed to keep dust, pollution, some bacteria, and harmful gases out of your mouth and nose but not all of them are designed to facilitate proper breathing like AirPop.

AirPop has a patented 3D Air Dome design that solves those breathing problems by creating an almost literal canopy of air that is not only clean but also well-circulated. As you’re about to wear the mask, you’ll notice there’s an Adaptive Soft Touch Seal on the top layer of the mask, its there to create a perfect fit that can still be adjusted to accommodate unique face sizes and shapes. Something you won’t read about is that this Soft Touch Seal also assists by keeping your glasses free from fogging up.

The AirPop Light SE are reusable and machine wash friendly for up to 5 – 10 wash cycles.

In addition to the AirPop Light SE, their product line comes in two additional flavours, with the Pocket, Original and Light SE intended for everyday city life. The AirPop Active, on the other hand, is a bit more interesting because of its advertised use even while running or cycling. The secret is the “performance pores” that better channel airflow compared to typical masks. We’re yet to test this variant out.

Pictured above, you might think that those pores pretty much negate the masks’ efficacy but that’s where the snap-in filters come in. These replaceable filters, good for 40 hours of use, are promised to be able to block 99.97% of PM0.3 particulate matter, including dust, bacteria, and even viral matter.

The AirPop Light SE reusable and washable mask is now available in Mzansi for R199 (1 pack) and R599 (4 pack), the AirPop Kids face mask will set you back R299 (2 pack) and R549 (4 pack), the AirPop Original is set at R1 199, while the AirPop Active goes for R1 599.

WIN your own AirPop Light SE Face Mask set

WIN with TWFLD and AirPop! One lucky TWFLD reader stands a chance to win AirPop Light SE Face Mask (4 piece) valued at R599. To enter, simply complete this sentence in the comments below: AirPop boasts of being the world’s first ______ company.

• This competition is only open to residents of South Africa that are 18 years and older.
• Valid identity documentation (green bar coded ID or Smart ID card) will be required in order to claim your prize.
• This competition is valid 16 January 2021 – 16 February 2021.
• Terms and Conditions apply

As you might expect, though, the fact that this is a smart mask hikes the price of it rather significantly, so if you want to own one yourself, get ready to pay far more than you would for a traditional mask.

The Active+ was revealed as part of their CES 2021 show, and while it looks more or less like a regular fabric mask that we reviewed here, that little knob on the front is where the Halo sensor is stored.

AirPop says that the Halo sensor is powered by a coin-cell battery that can last for up to six months before it needs to be replaced. The Halo sensor connects to Android or iOS devices through Bluetooth, and the health data it collects can be shared with Apple HealthKit.

The sensor is capable of tracking fitness metrics like breaths per minute and breaths per pace, but it can also track which pollutants have been filtered out. That data is surfaced in the AirPop app, and the app can also tell users when it’s time to change the filter, which snaps in behind the mask’s fabric.

AirPop says that each filter blocks “>99% PM0.3, including dust, allergens, particulate matter and microbial particles.” Each filter also comes with a QR code that users scan using the app to ensure that the filter is indeed a genuine one. In that way, these QR codes could potentially serve as a form of DRM too, ensuring that users are prompted to only use filters made by AirPop in their masks.

In any case, it’s certainly interesting to see a smart mask pop up, but as we alluded to at the beginning of this article, such fancy tech is going to set you back a significant amount – more than R2000 if our rand/dollar exchange figures serves us correct.

Core Group, the official distributors of Airpop products in South Africa says that the Active+ should be available in Mzansi towards the end of the quarter.

But how does the app work? After signing up, users can jog, cycle, train or drive anywhere, confident that if anything bad should happen they are covered with 24/7, country-wide, armed response. Built for both iPhone and Apple Watch, ReactPlus allows users to activate an alert even when their iPhone is not within reach.

With Apple Watch Cellular, ReactPlus works independently of iPhone and even if you leave your iPhone at home. Should your iPhone get taken, you can still activate an alert on your Apple Watch Cellular and get immediate help from the closest armed response.

In addition to this, iStore will be offering all customer who purchase an Apple Watch Cellular from iStore the first six months of ReactPlus for free, and thereafter a subscription fee of R39 per month applies. ReactPlus can be dowloaded from the App Store.

Key features of the app include;

• Help Me – Once activated the ReactPlus app broadcasts the user’s location to all the nearest responding security partners as well as the app’s 24 hour Command Centre that tracks users in real time and assists the responder by providing them with all the required information.

• Meet – This unique feature allows users to use ReactPlus when they are meeting a stranger at any location outside their home. By triggering “Meet” ReactPlus will immediately prompt the user to enter the meeting address. A safe meeting window will then be assigned. Once the scheduled meeting is completed, ReactPlus will check-in with the user to ensure that they are safe. This will be validated with a unique security code that would have been chosen by them at the beginning of their meeting. Should no response be received, or the code entered incorrectly, armed response will immediately be dispatched to the location.

• Ride – “Ride” has been built to ensure users have a companion checking whether they arrived safely at their destination. Users can trigger the “Ride” function before they commence their trip, ReactPlus will ask them to confirm their destination and expected arrival time. Once their expected arrival parameters have been met, ReactPlus will automatically check-in to see if they are safe. Similar to Meet, this will be validated with a unique security code that would have been provided to the user at the beginning of their trip.

The initiative will see refurbished iPads, from an iStore trade-in drive with customers and donations from partners, be deployed to support the learners who have fallen behind.

iStore have not only committed to the donation of R1 million worth of refurbished iPads to the programme, but have also enhanced the value of the trade-in for customers. This means that customers will have the benefit of a higher value when trading-in their pre-loved iPads and know that their iPad is going towards helping matric learners secure their futures.

MyFuture programme learners will also have access to a digital learning kit which includes the following:

• Refurbished iPads to support learners with digital learning
• Access to high quality curriculum relevant Grade 12 content
• Live study sessions with teachers
• Live study sessions with fellow matric learners
• Sufficient data to connect to the programme

DJI bills the Mavic Air 2 as its smartest, safest, and easiest-to-fly non-professional drone and a lot of that is thanks to its plethora of obstacle avoidance sensors, the new pilot-friendly controller with a smartphone clamp, and the larger battery that promises an average of 34 minutes of flying time. Despite those myriad sensors, though, the Mavic Air 2 lacks the top IR sensors that still gives the Mavic 2 Pro a professional edge.

A new and larger 48 megapixel image sensor also opens the doors to new content creation opportunities, including 4K 30p video recording as well as 8K hyperlapse. Smart features like updated ActiveTrack 3.0, Point of Interest 3.0, and Spotlight 2.0 ensure that the chosen subject will always be in frame.

Of course, all those photos and footage aren’t meant to stay in the drone. DJI’s OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology utilizes 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz wireless frequency bands to stream HD video feed from drone to a smartphone app. The DJI Fly app, on the other hand, makes short work of editing video clips for quick and easy sharing on social media.

Availability in South Africa will be confirmed as soon as possible. Mavic Air 2 will be available in two purchasing options: a standard package which includes Mavic Air 2, one battery, remote controller and all the required wires and cables for R 18 999, and the Fly More option which includes all items from the standard version as well as a shoulder bag, ND filters, charging hub, and 3 batteries for R 22 999.

As numbers sit at 2 415 confirmed cases in Mzansi, our current global pandemic requires that companies like Apple step forward and offer their tech power to assist the world in avoiding sickness and death. Mobility data revealed by Apple today is not attached to any specific user account, but is based instead on user requests for Apple Maps data for directions.

Per Apple’s release on the subject this week, Apple’s created this new tool for the public using mobility trends for major cities and 63 countries or regions, including Johannesburg and Cape Town (below  graphs). The data is generation by “counting the number of requests made to Apple Maps for directions.” This data is used to show changes in volume of people moving throughout a city. This is slightly different from the contact tracing business – slightly.

Trends show people moving via driving, walking, or taking public transit in the Apple tool, via Apple Maps. Data availability is based on several factors for each city, country, or region. One significant factor in play is the minimum threshold for direction requests made per day. If you live in a region where very, very few people are asking for directions at, for example, 3AM in the middle of the wilderness, you’ll get no significant info from Apple’s tool.

If you’d like to access this data, take a peek at the site Apple COVID-19 Mobility – as of today. This site may change in the future, but for now, that’s the place to go. You can see trends listed with the tool or by downloading a CSV of all the data all at once. If you’ve got an idea for a project based on the data, let us and/or Apple know.

In a separate announcement released today, Chris Dodd, iStore South Africa’s CEO said that all of its stores will remain open as they are implementing the necessary additional precautions around hygiene and large groups of people.

The online store will also remain open offering free delivery for all purchases for the time being and the convenience of online cellular upgrades. Apple says that its Support website will also still be available for existing customers.

Apple has been performing ‘extensive, deep cleaning’ at its offices, something that won’t be changing. As well, Apple says that it is monitoring for potentially sick employees.

In addition, Apple News is now offering a new COVID-19 section that aggregates news specifically about the disease and outbreaks.

Core Group is the Official Apple Premium Reseller in South Africa and Africa.

The DJI Mavic Mini is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand; it is joined by a camera that can capture up to 2.7K video.

The Mavic Mini is incredibly light with a weight under 250 grams; it features a 360-degree propeller guard and works with a charging base. Despite its small size, the drone comes with multiple operation modes found on larger drones, such as the ability to circle the camera’s subject, spiral away from the subject, and fly backward and upward away from the subject.

The system also features CineSmooth, a mode that extends the drone’s braking time to produce what DJI describes as ‘more cinematic’ videos. There’s also a basic operation mode called Position and a Sport mode described as being pilots who have more experience. Operators are given an HD live feed while operating the drone.

One of the Mavic Mini’s key features is its camera, which features a 1/2.3-inch sensor for 12MP still images and video recorded at either 1080p/60fps or 2.7K/30fps. The camera is attached to the drone using a three-axis motorized gimbal that keeps the footage and images stable and sharp.

DJI presents its new model as ideal for creatives who want to capture their daily adventures, as well as footage and images from unique perspectives. The Mavic Mini is already available to pre-order starting on October 30 from iStore for R6999; there is also a R8999 version that includes extra gear including spare batteries. The drone will start shipping on November 11. Hopefully.

In a seven-minute long video today, we’re taken through a demo of Ring Fit Adventure and what kind of content players can expect. Ring Fit Adventure relies on two accessories: a leg strap and a device called the Ring-Con. The Switch’s two Joy-Con controllers slot into these accessories to track your movement as you play.

The game puts you in a world that’s been invaded by a body-building dragon named Dragaux. You’ll explore the world by jogging in place, using the Ring-Con to perform certain movement abilities. When you encounter enemies, you’ll do battle by performing colour-coded exercises. For instance, one attack you can carry out is a simple squat, while others involve yoga poses. Each enemy you encounter is weak to a certain type of exercise, so you’ll need to switch it up to ensure that you’re doing as much damage as possible.

In addition to the the standard adventure mode, there are a number of quick play modes as well. The Simple mode allows you do quick exercises targeting specific muscle groups, but for something a little more in-depth, there’s also a Minigame mode. Finally, Sets mode is the traditional exercise mode, so if you want to get moving but you don’t want jump into Adventure mode, it sounds like Sets will be the mode for you.

https://youtu.be/-Ki-LZ5imwU

In the video you see embedded above, Nintendo says that Ring Fit Adventure is aimed at people of all fitness levels, as the exercise level can be adjusted and a visual guide will show players the proper form for each exercise. As exergames go, Ring Fit Adventure seems fairly fleshed out. We’ll find out if that’s the case soon enough, as it’s out on Nintendo Switch tomorrow, October 18th. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

UPDATE: Nintendo South Africa has confirmed that the Ring Fit is selling for R1299 at launch.