ZA Tech Show: Episode 22
Simon has lost his brain this week and Duncan’s attention span is missing too. Nevertheless, we attempt to compose ourselves and discuss:
- Multichoice launching its DSTV HD service with PVR pricing and full details.
- Nokia’s new E-series business smartphones.
- MTN’s 7.1 billion rand investments, including fibre roll-out.
- A former Vodacom executive being accused of perjury.
- Papi Molotsane’s small fortune.
- The debates at this year’s Internetix conference.
- Jake White getting into blogging and vlogging with Youtube.
- The “king of spam” committing suicide.
And much more…
Just listened to the discussion on Nokia’s GPS implementation and was pretty surprised at the praise for it. I’ve had an N95 for around a year, and it _was_ great to start with. Unfortunately an update disabled the ‘tracking’ feature (allowing you to plot a route, and follow your position as you move along that route) rendering it all but useless unless you buy a voice package at around R800 per six months per region. As a result it’s hardly fair to consider the ‘out the box’ Nokia solution as much more than a crippled demo/shareware product.
I don’t know about the other guys, but I don’t have too much experience with the Nokia GPS software. In fact, the E71 is the first Nokia device I’ve used with an integrated GPS. So I look forward to trying it out and I’ll report back on the positives and negatives in a future show. But thanks for the heads-up on the N95’s “update” — that really sucks.
Duncan
I’ve used a couple of Nokia phones with GPS and I find that it works really well - but one must update to Maps 2.
The subscription fee is for voice navigation. On-screen navigation still works fine and has no charge attached. And new phones ship with a one year voice navigation subscription.
Tracking is a feature that you won’t find on many GPS devices. But I agree that it isn’t cool to strip off features.
I had a friend visit me this weekend with a N95 8GB. I was very disappointed that the maps he had downloaded for South Africa (he is from the UK) did not include a huge part of Parklands in Blouberg. Needless to say, he had to call me for directions to my place.
I don’t know if “Maps 2″ as mentioned by Simon above are more updated maps of South Africa, but at least they could make sure that the maps that people can download, are up-to-date - considering that my house was built in 2003.
Another friend of mine with a Nokia 6110 Navigator had the same problem. If I had this problem with my area, goodness knows what other areas are affected. This is a huge deal breaker and would make me think twice about considering a Nokia based GPS device.
The fact that you have to pay extra for turn-by-turn voice navigation - that is really pathetic IMO.
Great show and I can’t wait for every new episode. I have been following your conversation over many shows regarding the digital music industry. You mentioned the new ZA iStore as well as the Nokia music store lately. I share many of your views on this issue, and was wondering if you’re aware of http://www.mp3fiesta.com? What’s your take on this one? Is it relevant enough to discuss in a future show perhaps? Check out what they say under their legal section. How can they offer music so cheap if they pay all their license fee dues? I know of a few people who have been using them for quite a while now and the service as such works great. Also no DRM.
Hi Guys,
Have you seen what Hellkom have been doing to You-Tube - Highjacking it.
Check out the link in MyAdsl: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=129495
I’m appaled