Shopping has never been just about buying — it’s about living smarter, expressing yourself and making choices that add value to your everyday life. With the Samsung Shop App^*, you get so much more than a shopping platform.

It’s a lifestyle enabler, putting the power of choice, convenience and control in your hands. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, a home design enthusiast or simply someone who wants to get the most out of their Samsung devices – the app is your one-stop shop for everything you need.

From personalised recommendations and exclusive offers to flexible payment options and online support – the Samsung Shop App helps you unlock the full potential of your Samsung ecosystem. Let’s explore how it fits into every lifestyle and some of the products you can get on the shop app:

For a business: Smarter tools, smoother workflow

Running a business means that efficiency is everything. The Samsung Shop App gives professionals access to powerful tools designed to keep work flowing seamlessly.

• Galaxy Z Fold7 – Multi-tasking made effortless with its large foldable screen for presentations, email and productivity on the go.
• Samsung Monitors – Elevate your workspace with ultra-wide displays.

With the app, you can browse, compare and invest in the tools that keep your business ahead, at your convenience.

For students: Learning without limits

Students need speed, portability and reliability – and the shop app puts these essentials within reach.

• Galaxy Tab S9 – Perfect for note-taking, research and online lectures.
• Galaxy Buds3 FE – Crisp sound for study sessions, with noise cancellation to help you focus.
• Galaxy A Series smartphones – Budget-friendly devices that balance performance with value.

Add to this exclusive app-only discounts and studying smarter becomes easier than ever.

Home design: Style meets function

Your home should reflect your lifestyle and the Samsung Shop App makes it easier to bring design dreams to life.

• Bespoke Refrigerator – Personalise your kitchen with modular design and colour options.
• The Frame TV – A screen when it’s on, art when it’s off – perfect for blending technology with décor.
• AI-powered Washing Machines – Smart, sleek appliances that allow you to wash more intelligently.

With just a few taps, you can transform your home into a space that is both functional and beautiful.

Tech enthusiasts: Always ahead of the curve

If you love being first with the latest innovation, the Samsung Shop App keeps you connected to the next big thing.

• Galaxy Z Flip7 – Cutting-edge design meets powerful performance in your pocket.
• Galaxy Watch Ultra – A next-gen wearable that pushes boundaries in connectivity and performance.
• Neo QLED 8K TVs – Redefining immersive entertainment at home.

Stay in the loop with exclusive launches, early access and promotions, all through the app.

Health & wellness: Everyday balance made easy

Wellness is a lifestyle and Samsung makes it easy to track, measure and improve with smart devices available through the shop app.

• Galaxy Watch 8 – Like your personal fitness coach on your wrist, from heart-rate monitoring to sleep tracking.
• Samsung SmartThings – Create a connected home that supports healthy living, from air purifiers to automated lighting.
• Galaxy Buds3 – Perfect for workouts, meditation or unwinding with music.

Empower your wellness journey with devices that work as hard as you do.

 Payment options to fit any budget

Great tech should be accessible. With the Samsung Shop App, you can choose the payment plan that suits your lifestyle.

• Flexible monthly instalments with zero interest.
• Instant trade-in offers to get more value from your old devices.
• Exclusive app-only savings beyond the standard 10% welcome discount.

Whether you’re a student saving or a family upgrading, the app puts affordability within reach.

Online shop support: Help when you need it

Shopping online can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with the Samsung Shop App, you’re never alone.

• Live Chat – Get instant support for product queries.
• Product Comparisons and Reviews – Make informed decisions backed by real insights.
• Order Tracking and Easy Returns – Stay in control every step of the way.

The app doesn’t just connect you to products, it connects you to the support you deserve.

Why download the Samsung Shop App?

The Samsung Shop App is more than just a place to shop – it’s about living with empowered choices. It’s about having the world of Samsung in your pocket: the latest innovations, exclusive deals, flexible payments and seamless support – all designed to enrich your lifestyle.

Already downloaded and used your 10% welcome discount? Come back for more. The app continues to reward you with Pay Day sale offers and exclusive benefits designed for loyal Samsung users. Your lifestyle is unique – and so is the way you shop. With the Samsung Shop App, you’re always in control.

The post Shop all your needs on the Samsung Shop App appeared first on TFG Media.

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is loaded with great features, including built-in safety, security, and reliability – all at a budget-friendly price. Integrated with Powered by smart AI, it helps you work faster, smarter, and more efficiently than the previous model – so you can stress less and keep moving forward. 

“At Samsung, we understand that your smartphone is more than just a device, it’s an essential tool for people who are constantly on the move and rely on their phones to manage work and life. The Galaxy A17 strikes the perfect balance of innovation, security, reliability, and value. Empowering hustlers to stay productive on the go, and thrive with confidence,” says Justin Hume, Vice President: Mobile Experience at Samsung South Africa.  

Samsung Galaxy A17 built-in features 

Using Samsung Wallet, you can pay with your Galaxy A17. Whether grocery shopping or grabbing a quick coffee, you can tap and pay effortlessly. The Galaxy A17 supports your hustle by making transactions seamless, secure, and stress-free so that you can run much of your business straight from your phone.  

The practical smartphone is built to withstand everyday challenges. Its IP54 dust and splash resistance rating offers durability that stands up to life’s unexpected spills, splashes, and scrapes. Samsung’s defense-grade security platform, Samsung Knox, ensures that your private data remains protected from hackers and malware. Plus, it has six years of OS upgrades and a two-year warranty – giving users lasting protection and performance.  

For users’ security and peace of mind, the Galaxy A17 comes with Samsung SOS+, a free-to-use, 24/7 private emergency response service, available exclusively to the new Galaxy A Series device with 12 months of free access. In an emergency, the service geolocates the user and dispatches private security and medical assistance on demand, anywhere in South Africa. Users can opt for Samsung Care+1, protecting their device against accidental screen damage for just R99 per month for added peace of mind.  

The Galaxy A17 has a 50MP OIS Triple Camera for sharp, blur-free shots – even in motion – making it perfect for capturing fast-paced moments, taking spontaneous selfies and documenting your everyday hustle. Its advanced low-light performance helps photos and videos look stunning, day or night. The Galaxy A17 offers more than just a camera; it’s a powerful content creation companion. Whether you’re showcasing products, capturing behind-the-scenes moments, or producing professional social media content on the go, the A17 helps you present your brand with clarity and confidence.     

Among other excellent features, the Galaxy A17 comes with Circle to Search, an intuitive AI-powered tool that lets you instantly search anything on screen with a simple gesture – unlocking more innovative ways to explore and discover. On its large 6.7″ Super AMOLED display, content shines with vibrant clarity, delivering an immersive viewing experience.  

With 128GB of internal storage, 4+4GB of RAM, and expandable storage up to 2TB, the Galaxy A17 ensures you’ll never need to delete a memory. From playlists and project files to treasured photos and videos, everything you love stays safe in one place.  

If you’re looking for a reliable, hustle-worthy device, the Galaxy A17 is built for you. Available in South Africa at Samsung retail stores, online, the Samsung Shop App, and through leading retailers and network operators, at the recommended retail price of R3,999. 

The post Meet the Samsung Galaxy A17: AI Innovation meets daily essentials  appeared first on TFG Media.

Mental disorders are a major health challenge worldwide, with one in every two people set to develop at least one disorder in their lifetime, according to a 2023 study in The Lancet medical journal. And there is a “massive unmet need for treatment’ according to the principal researcher of the study.  

The need stems from ignorance and the ongoing stigma around mental health, along with difficulty accessing psychological help due to the cost, travel distances and, in South Africa specifically, poorly developed mental-health services and a limited supply of mental-health professionals and staff, noted a 2011 study in Psychiatric Services.  

Today a slew of mental-health tech solutions are emerging to address the need, putting anyone with a smartphone or computer in reach of diagnosis, treatment and support. These range from simple meditation apps to sophisticated apps that use built-in sensors to collect information on a user’s typical behaviour. If the app then picks up a change, it can signal that help is required before a crisis erupts.  

There are now thousands of these apps available in iTunes and Android stores, with more constantly being released as technology evolves. But for all the buzz around such developments, the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that “this new technology frontier includes a lot of uncertainty”. It notes that there is little industry regulation, with no review boards or widely accepted rules for evaluating and choosing mental-health technology, and little objective data on its effectiveness —or on users’ privacy, despite dealing with sensitive personal information. 

The NIMH advises caution in trusting any mental-health tech tool, and the South African Anxiety and Depression Group (SADAG) echoes this. “Online tools and apps can be incredibly helpful for mental health support and self-care, offering quick and accessible ways to track moods, practise mindfulness and connect with resources,” says SADAG operations director Cassey Chambers. “However, they should be used alongside other treatments like therapy, medication and professional support when needed. The right tools can empower people on their mental-health journey, but it can often be overwhelming to know which apps would work best.” 

Innovations to investigate 

On-demand programmes:
These provide an online platform that connects you with vetted mental-health professionals, resources and communities, such as South Africa-based Amari Health (previously The Pocket Couch). “We address issues of convenience, cost and removal of stigma around mental health,” says founder Onkgopotse Khumalo. In 2023, The Pocket Couch was named Best Mental Health Software Provider in South Africa at the MEA Markets African Business Excellence Awards.  

AI tools for early detection and diagnosis:
Algorithms can analyse data from your social-media posts and wearable health devices and find patterns that indicate the possible onset of a mental-health issue such as anxiety or depression. With natural language processing (NLP), it can pick up changes in your speech pattern, emotions and language that suggest distress before you are conscious of it.  

AI chatbots and therapy apps:
Bots can provide a way for you to receive support anonymously if you fear stigma or rejection. They can engage in therapeutic conversations to help you work though emotional problems, give you coping strategies or just lend an ear.  

AI monitoring tools:
Traditional tools to track your progress, such as self-reported questionnaires or quick check-ins during your appointments, are unlikely to give a full picture of your mental health. AI tools enable a therapist to monitor you in real time with apps that track your emotional patterns and physiological information (such as from wearables that monitor your heart rate changes and sleep patterns). This can give insight into your mental well-being so the therapist can adjust your treatment or therapy accordingly.  

Virtual-reality therapy:
This uses a computer-simulated world where those with conditions such as social anxiety, phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder can face a fear in a safe environment, practise new skills or become more confident in social interactions. VR therapy is mostly used by clinicians as an additional treatment and is offered locally by the likes of Pretoria clinical psychologist Ashton Robertson.  

Digital therapeutics:
These aim to help prevent and manage mental illnesses. For example, the Monarch External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation System is the first FDA-cleared device for children with ADHD, offered as an alternative to medicinal interventions that may have long-term risks and side effects. A small electronic device stimulates the trigeminal nerve in the brain through a patch applied to the forehead at bedtime, and targets parts of the brain involved in mood disorders and attention. Limited studies have suggested improvements, but this year a clinical trial is being run at King’s College, London. 

Tips to choose the correct tech tools 

► Consider the pros and cons. Pros might include convenience (a tech tool allows treatment to take place anytime, anywhere); anonymity (it can act as an introduction to care if you’ve been reluctant to seek mental-health care); and cost (it’s usually cheaper than traditional in-person appointments, or even free). Weigh these against the cons given by the NIMH and SADAG (discussed on the previous page). 

► Research the app/tool to see if there is evidence backing up its effectiveness or claims.  

► Search for information about the app/tool developer, their credentials and experience. Was it designed with input from reputable mental- health professionals, not just software engineers/developers?  

► If you are unable to find info about a particular tool, check to see if it’s based on a treatment that has been tested. For example, the NIMH says that “Research has shown that internet-based CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) is as effective as conventional CBT for disorders such as anxiety, depression, social anxiety and panic disorder.”  

► Ask a trusted healthcare provider for an app recommendation.  

► Try it – test the app/tool for a few days. Is it easy to use, does it keep your attention and is it something you want to continue using? 

► Check if it offers advice on what to do if your symptoms worsen or in the case of a psychiatric emergency and know how to get help if needed.  

For any mental-health emergency help or support, contact SADAG’s 24-hour helpline: 0800 567 567, with trained volunteers who can provide help seven days a week. 

By: Glynis Horning
Photography: Gallo/Getty Images, Freepik
Text courtesy of Club magazine  

Also read: 5 Ways Good Laughter Affects Your Health and Wellness

The post Mental health tech: What you need to know appeared first on TFG Media.

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James Baldwin, the 2019 World’s Fastest Gamer winner, has gone on to compete in British GT, winning several races. Numerous F1 drivers have now been schooled by sim racers – Enzo Bonito scaled Lucas di Grassi at the Race of Champions 2019, Valtterri Bottas suffered the same fate at the hands of F1 esports champion Lucas Blakeley, and in 2022 Blakeley did it again against some guy called Sebastian Vettel.  

It is settled, then: sim racers are fast. But in reality, they’re not putting down their gamepads and then getting straight into a GT car. They’ve trained their muscle memory using wheels, pedals, and other peripherals that simulate the real environment as closely as possible. The trouble is, you can spend an ever-escalating amount of money on a sim racing rig, and the point of diminishing returns isn’t clear. 

At the beginner end, Logitech’s G920 force feedback wheel and pedals bundle offers a great entry point around the R6 500 mark. 

Thrustmaster’s TMX bundle does the same for slightly less, if you can live with the plasticky feel. Both can be clamped to any desk, and both are belt-driven force feedback units whose tech introduces a bit more lag and a bit less detail than pricier direct drive wheels, but the jump from controller to budget wheel is significantly bigger than the dainty step from belt-driven to direct drive wheel when it comes to your driving experience. 

Spend a few thousand rand more, and you enter a different kind of setup. One typically installed onto a rig rather than clamped to a desk, and where the hardware gets a bit more modular. Direct drive servos from Fanatec, Moza, Thrustmaster and more recently Logitech are the beating heart of higher-end sim racing setups. The feedback’s faster, more powerful and more detailed because you’ve got a direct connection between the actuators generating the sensation and your hands. And since those servos – aka wheelbases – are expensive, they’re usually standalone, able to house a variety of wheels. 

Fantatec’s higher end ecosystem is a good example. Once you invest in a direct drive unit, you have a choice of wheel shapes to reflect your discipline – GT, F1, rally or road models designed either for precise, gentle steering inputs or massive, lightning-fast rotations as you see from WRC or drift drivers. From there, you can add shifter and handbrake units, and pedals with different load cells, to build a cockpit that operates and feels like the virtual vehicle you’re driving.  

At this level, your hands are engaged in the simulation, but your body isn’t. The bucket seats in sleds made by the likes of Playseat and Recaro put you in the right position to stamp on the brakes, but they’re not actually exerting any forces on you. That’s where electronic actuator platforms like Vesaro’s Quad Motion come in. Priced around R280 000, it’s a base that you build the sled and peripherals onto, and which changes in elevation with a travel of 1.5 inches to mimic the sensations of rolling over a track surface or trackside furniture, or the lateral and horizontal G forces you create with the throttle, brakes and steering inputs.  

It is enjoyable, being thrown about on a platform of actuators. But truthfully most sim racers do not train in this way for the simple reason that the significant outlay does not necessarily lead to faster lap times. A consumer-grade actuator platform like this is immersive, but it’s not the most practical setup for someone who trains every day, or anyone who travels and wants to set up their rig quickly in a new location. 

Motion generator rigs 

Meanwhile, a million kilometres and rands away, is the very top end of simulator hardware: 

Dynisma’s DMG. These are the motion generator rigs used by motorsport teams and automotive companies to train their drivers and develop new concept vehicles. And if you have deep pockets and a vast space in which to install their enormous platforms, which feature several metres of lateral and horizontal travel, you can buy one too. 

When you accelerate in a Dynisma motion generator, you don’t need to rely on a force feedback wheel to provide the sensation, because your entire chassis shifts backwards on the platform. 

Its low-latency electronic actuators respond with incredible agility to model the track surface, providing the tarmac rumble not through your hands, but through your whole body. There’s pitch and yaw motion too, so when the back end of the car starts to step out on you, you’re rotated in the cockpit. Direct drive wheels are great and everything, but they can’t do that. 

The only downside, other than the tremendous amount of space required, is that professional motion generators of this calibre cost several million pounds, aka nearly enough to buy an Nvidia GPU. Given that the 5-series cards are expected within months, who has that kind of money to fritter away on sim racing hardware? 

Sim racing’s had its hurdles since the lockdown boom, most notably with supply chain, but also in event administration and viewership. However, on a hardware level the demand for both inexpensive rigs and professional equipment remains, and that’s thanks to sim racing’s increasingly accepted position as an entry point into motorsport. Every time a story breaks about someone like Lucas Blakeley beating an F1 driver, some young hopeful buys a cheap wheel and pedals, keen to give it a go. And years later, maybe they end up strapped to a Dynisma rig, being paid for their services. 

Text courtesy of Tech magazine 

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Best for the long haul

JBL Live Beam 3

Two days is a long time to be listening to music, but that's exactly what the JBL Live Beam 3 offers. What's more, the way it reproduces sound makes two whole days and nights fly by.
On top of impressive battery life and endlessly engaging sound, JBL has included a nifty touchscreen charging case, so you don't even need to open the JBL control app to access volume, playback, or ANC modes.

From ±R3 800, jbl.com

Cambridge Audio Melomania P100

Rely on Cambridge Audio to go to town when designing and specifying a new pair of wireless over-ear noise-cancellers. Yes, the Melomania P100 look good, feel good and even smell pretty good straight from the box —but more importantly they sound great and cancel noise splendidly.
And even more important for the power users among us is the epic battery life: 100 hours with ANC switched off and 60 hours of blissful noise-free listening is easily achievable.

From ±R7 000, cambridgeaudio.com

Cleer Audio Enduro ANC

To be fair, it's possible to buy on-ear headphones that are a little more comfortable than the Cleer Audio Enduro ANC — but what's much harder to come by at this sort of money is similarly chunky sound quality, a comparable control app, or battery life that comes anywhere close.
If you need to enjoy top-quality isolation for 60 hours at a stretch, the aptly named Enduro have you covered. They're small but have some very big numbers attached.

From ±R6 000, focal. com 

Best for audiophiles

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

The new Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are the best-sounding true wireless in-ear headphones you can buy, and they are exceptional noise-cancellers at the same time, which shouldn't come as any surprise.
What's a little unexpected about these brilliant earbuds is the agricultural appearance of previous Bowers Er Wilkins models is gone, replaced by a sleek and understated design that even David Beckham doesn't mind having in his ears. Just because you're an audio geek doesn't mean you don't want to look good...

From ±R7 000, bowerswilkins.com

Focal Bathys

Nothing's perfect, of course, and in truth the Focal Bathys are in the 'very good' rather than 'great' category when it comes to noise-cancellation.
But the sound they produce makes up for it, in spades - this is a superb-sounding pair of headphones, so good that you'll find yourself checking they're not hard-wired to a source of music. Add in great looks, luxurious build and impeccable finish, and you'll take 'very good' noise-cancelling all day long - guaranteed.

From ±R20 000, focal.com 

Marshall Monitor III ANC

The third generation of Marshall's Monitor ANC wireless on-ear noise-cancellers is its best yet - and that's saying something.
Unmistakable looks combine with huge battery life, the sort of active noise-cancellation that makes every journey serene, an audio quality that combines the usual Marshall virtues of punch and drive with a slightly less predictable helping of insight and refinement —so in every respect, these are brilliantly capable headphones.

From ±R6 000, marshall.com 

Best for style

Apple AirPods Max

This isn't the first Apple audio product to have the 'style' thing covered, but it's the one that backs it up with the most substance.
The AirPods Max sound uncomplicatedly excellent, they cancel noise with something approaching fanaticism, and the way they're specified, designed and finished is basically shorthand for 'look at me, I'm a very discerning and sophisticated individual'. Not every pair of wireless headphones can do this, of course, and even fewer can do it with quite such panache.

From ±R10 000, apple.com

Final Audio UX3000

The Final Audio UX3000 make their modest price look like a misprint. Here's a compact, elegant, nicely styled and interestingly finished little pair of wireless on-ear headphones, light and comfortable, with specification out of all proportion to the asking price.
Add in some very effective noise-cancellation and confident, articulate and convincing sound, and the combination of positives adds up quickly. If 'style' is interchangeable with 'understatement', you won't go wrong here.

From ±R2 800, snext-final.com

Montblanc MTB03

The casual six-pointed star that adorns each of these small, understated true wireless earbuds is more commonly found gracing some of the most luxuriously upmarket luggage, pens, watches, sunglasses and what-have-you that [lots and lots of] money can buy.
But the MTB03 are no mere frippery —these are serious earbuds that sound superb and cancel external noise with determination. So, it's the same with the MTB03 as with every other Montblanc product.

From ±R8 300, montblanc.com

Best for your budget 

Audio Technica ATH-CKS30TW+

Audio Technica is no stranger to value-for-money true wireless earbuds, but with the ATH-CKS30TW+ it may have surpassed itself. No matter which aspect of the 30+ you consider: sound quality, ANC performance, battery life, build quality, standard of control app, you name it - the Audio Technica are among the very best pound-for-pound performers out there.
These earbuds look, feel and sound way more expensive than they actually are —which makes them one of the biggest bargains around.

From ±R1 300, audio-technica.com

Sony WH-CH720N

Sony remains the absolute king of this sort of thing. For comfortably less than £100 it will happily sell you a pair of properly made, expertly finished and attractive wireless over-ear headphones that look and sound the part - and that have noise-cancellation chops good enough to embarrass any number of more expensive alternatives from other brands.
Where value for money is concerned, you'll find it hard to do any better than the WH-CH720N.

From ±R2 000, sony.com

JBL Tune 670NC

If the Sony WH-CH720N are on the bulky side for your purposes [and if you fancy one of several different colours], then meet the JBL Tune 670NC. They're smaller and lighter than the norm, have impressive battery life [up to 70 hours if you're careful about volume levels] and feature very effective noise-cancellation along with eminently listenable sound.
The fact that they're compatible with one of the best control apps around is the cherry on an already quite tasty cake.

From ±R1 800, jbl.com

Best for travel

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

If you often find yourself on a plane or a train, you know that effective noise-cancellation is a must if you're going to ignore the drone of the vehicle [and of its passengers].
And there's no two ways about it: the best noise-cancellation in the business has the word 'Bose' attached. With the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, the company has added 'excellent sound quality' to 'predictably brilliant ANC' to deliver the only pair of over-ear headphones a frequent flyer will ever need.

From ±R3 8OO, jbl.com

Anker Soundcore Space One Pro

Anker's noise-cancelling option represents supreme value, with excellent pound-for-pound performance, cracking battery life and supreme portability. These headphones will last for over 110 hours on a single charge, and that's with ANC switched on —turn it off and it's over 60 hours.
Their super-foldable design takes up very little of your baggage allowance. And the active noise-cancellation is so effective that any kind of background sound is taken out of the equation.

From ±R4 000, soundcore.com

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

You can go ahead and assume that everything written above about the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones applies to the Ultra Earbuds too — great sound, ace noise-cancellation and more.
Which would be enough to make the Ultra Earbuds a no-brainer if they had nothing else going for them - but these earbuds are among the lightest, most comfortable and most discreet around. Which means your fellow passengers might not even notice that you're ignoring them entirely.

From ±R9 000, bose.com

Best for luxury

Yamaha YH-E700B

First things first: the Yamaha YH-E700B are either on-ear or over-ear wireless headphones - it really depends on how big your head is, because they're pretty small by over-ear standards and quite large by on-ear standards.
No matter the size of your head, though, it will feel the benefit of being inside a pair of these —the sound they make is excellent, the way they cancel ambient sound can't be argued with, and they're luxurious enough where materials and finish are concerned to back up their discreet good looks.

From ±R6 000, yamaha.com

Devialet Gemini II

French maximalist Devialet is more commonly known for its bonkers range of madly high-performance wireless loudspeakers, but it's similarly uncompromising when it comes to true wireless in-ear headphones.
You might think a product as necessarily small as this can't offer the chance of authentic luxury, but the Gemini II look and feel as good as they sound. And you can get an 'Opera de Paris' version that's finished in 211-carat 'moon gold' for just R12 000...

From ±R10 000, devialet.com

Bowers & Wilkins PX8

It's one thing to enjoy high-quality sound and top-notch active noise-cancellation, it's quite another to have your other senses indulged at the same time.
This is what makes the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 such a treat for the eyes, the nose and the fingertips as well as the ears —the quality of the materials used here, from the leather to the burnished aluminium, is almost enough to provoke sensory overload. And you can't say that about any old pair of wireless over-ear headphones.

From ±R13 000, bowerswilkins.com

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Capturing great vocal audio from your PC used to be a bit of a teeth-clenching experience. Esoteric cables, strange terminology, and fiddly equipment previously made the process a lot more difficult than it needed to be. Luckily. there are now many easy-to-use microphone solutions on the market at a range of price points, taking the stress out of capturing top-quality sound Whether you are looking to break out as the next streaming sensation, finally start that podcast, or simply want to improve the audio in your daily meetings, a good microphone will take your audio to the next level. However, with a wealth of options to choose from, finding the right mic for you can still be a bit of a conundrum. Here are six microphones that might fit the bill for supremely Smooth sounds and eardrum-tingling audio. 

Alias – STEELSERIES  

Premium contender  

For most uses, a good cardioid desktop mic will capture a great vocal sound, providing it has a quality capsule. The SteelSeries Alias certainly has one of those but also comes nestled in its own supportive shock mount, meaning table bumps and vibrations are much less likely to make an appearance in your audio. The slim design means it doesn’t take up too much room on your desk either, and with its robust aluminum construction, the Alias doesn’t just feel the part, but looks it too. The Alias offers a clear, rounded sound, and picks up well at a distance while maintaining some midrange weight to your vocals. Combine that with the SteelSeries Sonar Al noise-correction software, and you have a relatively set-and-forget solution. The downside here is the price, as those just looking for decent audio quality may well be better off with a cheaper unit. Still, the little Alias has some impressive tricks up its sleeve and build quality that feels solid and dependable.  

SPECIFICATIONS  

• Dynamic capsule
• Cardioid pattern
• USB-C
• 48 kHz sample rate
• 50-20 000 Hz frequency range 

From R4 000,  steelseries.com 

MV7  – SHURE 

Professional assassin  

Those who have been around the audio game for a while will be very familiar with the Shure brand, as it has been cranking out professional microphones for years. Listen to some of your favorite tunes and chances are at some point you will be hearing a Shure microphone at work.

The MV7 is Shure’s attempt at nailing a podcast audio mic in one easy swing, and in terms of sheer audio quality, it’s knocked it out the park. Warm, slightly crispy vocal audio is the MV7’s forte, although what it really likes is getting up close and personal. It’s a shame that il doesn’t come with a desktop mount – although you can buy one separately – but we’d highly recommend a boom arm and a pop filter to get it up close where it does its best work.

The MV7 can be used both as a USB mic and as an XLR unit with a separate audio interface, so top marks for versatility too. It’s a pricey option, but if you’re looking for audio that sounds truly brilliant, the Shure MV7 makes a great pick. 

SPECIFICATIONS 

• Dynamic capsule
• Cardioid pattern
• USB-C, XLR  
• 48 kHz sample rate
• 20-20 000 Hz frequency range  

From R5 800, shure.com 

H2 XCM-50 – RODE X  

Small but mighty  

Everyone likes a compact piece of hardware that punches well above its weight, and the Rode X XCM-50 is just that. Tank-like construction and the addition of a solid tripod mount that folds into an easily transportable tube means this mic feels like a very tough piece of kit. It’s not just the build quality where the XCM-50 shines either. It captures a toasty-hot sound with a nice level of crispness and is not prone to plosives or hissy sibilance, while the Unify software gives you plenty of mixing options. The red front-mounted dial with a hidden mute button is a nice touch too. One slight let-down is that tripod stand, which, while reassuringly sturdy, only has two levels of height adjustment, and even at its tallest it still takes up a fair bit of your desk footprint despite the diminutive size of the microphone itself. It is also a bit heavy, even for such a small mic unit. Still, the little Rode impresses as a serious contender in a compact package. 

SPECIFICATIONS  

• Condenser capsule
• Cardioid pattern
• USB-C
• 48 kHz sample rate
• 20-20 000 Hz frequency range  

From ±R2 700, rode.com 

Duocast – HYPERX  

Light touch  

The Hyperx Duocast is flexible, in more ways than one. As the name suggests, you have the option here to switch between two polar patterns: traditional cardioid for single-user recording, and omnidirectional for recording multiple speakers at once.

That makes it a good pick for podcast recording on a budget, provided you’re prepared to huddle around it for the best capture. It will also add something of a vibe to your recording sessions, thanks to an adjustable RGB ring around the bottom of the mic unit itself.

Sound-wise, the capture is excellent, with a clear and crisp pickup no matter which mode you have the mic in. The Ngenuity software allows you to play around with audio and RGB options and the top-mounted tap-to-mute feature works well. However, the fly in the ointment here is the flimsy construction. The stand feels plasticky, and the mic wobbles around easily in its shock mount. Still, it’s relatively cheap, and the sound quality is not to be sniffed at.  

SPECIFICATIONS 

• 2 x Condenser capsules
• Cardioid/omnidirectional patterns 
• USB-C
• 96 kHz sample rate
• 20-20 000 Hz frequency range  

From ±R1 800, hyperx.com 

XDM-100 – RODE  

Huge and hefty  

The Rode XDM-100 is a serious bit of equipment, and that becomes obvious the second you hold one. It is supremely well built and feels like the sort of gear you would expect to find in a professional studio.

It also comes with an excellent pop filter, and a substantial shock mount to keep it isolated.

What’s missing here is a stand, as the XDM-100 requires nothing less than a substantial boom arm to hold itself aloft, and you’ll have to buy that separately. Much like the Shure MV7, this is a mic that likes to get close to capture all the fidelity it can, and if you bring it near you can expect stellar vocal capture, warm tones and sparkly highs.

This will be far too much microphone for many users, but those of you looking to get serious about audio quality without investing in an XLR mixer will find all you need here. There’s a single USB-C port for connectivity and some robust gain and headphone controls, but when it comes to pure audio chops, it has you covered.  

SPECIFICATIONS 

• Dynamic capsule
• Cardioid pattern
• USB-C
• 48 kHz sample rate
• 20-20 000 Hz frequency response  

From R5 800, rode.com 

Seiren Mini – RAZER  

Super smol  

The Seiren Mini is all about delivering a no-fuss microphone at a bargain price without compromising on the audio quality. Razer has cut all the extraneous elements from this diminutive microphone while still using the same essential components from its higher-priced Seiren line. That means you get the same quality of audio capture – though with only a solitary supercardioid pattern – but without any extra features. That can be both a blessing or a curse, depending on what you want. If you’re after just a good desktop mic to use instead of your dodgy headset mic, this is great, but if you are after more control for more serious use, then the lack of volume, gain, or even a mute button will be a frustration. There’s no option for a boom arm mount, either. For us, being able to plug it in and get going without having to think about it at all makes it our favourite budget gaming mic bar none. And it comes in different colours, too, which has got to be a win however you look at it.  

SPECIFICATIONS

• Condenser capsule
• Supercardioid pattern
• USB
• 48 kHz Sample rate
• 20-20 000 Hz frequency response  

From ±R1 100, razer.com  

Microphone polar patterns explained  

CARDIOID 
This polar pattern captures a heart-shaped area of sound around the front of the mic, making it resistant to background noises and resulting in a usable vocal signal.   

SUPERCARDIOID
A supercardioid pattern captures a slightly narrower ‘bubble’ of sound at the front of the mic, while also picking up a small amount from the rear of the mic for added depth.  

BI-DIRECTIONAL
A bi-directional pattern captures audio from both the front and the rear of the microphone, which is perfect for two people talking into the same mic from either side at the same distance.  

OMNIDIRECTIONAL
These microphones have the same sensitivity from all directions, making them great for capturing a whole room or multiple speakers at the same time. 

By: Andy Edser
Text courtesy of TECH magazine

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In the world of science, there are many concepts which have been explored, tested, written into scientific theory and widely accepted.  

However, some people choose not to believe the science and instead speculate about how we’re being deceived. A conspiracy theory is an attempt to explain an event alternatively, often involving the concealment of the truth by powerful beings and government groups.  

Many struggle to understand how others believe a fictitious storyline with no evidence to back it up, but someone is more likely to be a conspiracy theorist if they possess specific psychological traits. Studies show that a combination of personality traits and motivations make you more likely to believe a conspiracy theory. These include paranoia, impulsivity, insecurity and manipulation. The average conspiracy theory believer relies on their own intuition much more than other personalities do, striving for a better personal understanding of the world and often looking to feel safer in their environment. Many also want to feel superior in their views of the world by straying from the more widely accepted worldview.  

Aeroplane contrails contain mind-control chemicals 

When aircraft soar through the population’s thoughts towards sky, they leave behind lingering cooperation with the government white trails in a range of shapes and population control, including and sizes. Depending on an aircraft’s height, size and flight path, these trails can vary in appearance. A small percentage of the population are suspicious about the contents of these puffy trails, believing that those in power are poisoning the people of Earth with chemicals for various reasons. Some of the theories include weather control to create rain and prevent droughts, mind control to influence the general population’s thoughts towards cooperation with the government and population control, including chemicals that reduce fertility. 

In reality, they are just contrails: clouds that form when fine soot particles from aircraft engines freeze into crystals in the air’s water vapour. Where the air is highly humid, these ice crystals are unable to disperse easily and remain streaks in the sky for longer. This is why the trails are inconsistent in their duration; it’s not because they contain mysterious substances.  

Saturn’s storm is alien technology 

If you have seen any close-up images of claims of alien technology that could be Saturn, you may have noticed a hexagonal-shape patch located at the planet’s north pole. While most would assume that this is a natural feature, the unusually uniform six-sided shape has led some conspiracy theorists to jump to the conclusion that Saturn has advanced alien technology. Despite a hexagon being a rare shape in nature, this patch is the result of a planetary storm.   

Closer inspection of the hexagon by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft debunked any claims of alien technology that could be suggested from seeing a photograph of the phenomenon. Close-up footage of the hexagon showed it to be a rotating storm around 50 times larger than a hurricane on Earth. Saturn’s north polar jet stream spins above the planet’s atmosphere at around 400 km/p. At this speed, the storm has settled into a symmetrical shape that we are unfamiliar with in nature on Earth. Unlike Earth’s uneven surface, Saturn is a gas giant and has no solid surface to affect gas flow. 

Scientists have discovered a killer planet 

An object capable of destroying our entire world would be one to be feared. And those who are highly sceptical of the authorities believe that not all the important information about the world is shared. A combination of fear and scepticism has created the ultimate conspiracy theory that the world is ending. Conspiracy theorists say that there is a planet called Nibiru that is on a trajectory to collide with Earth and that people need to know. 

The planet is believed to orbit the Sun every 3 600 years. Doomsday predictions were set to the year 2003 and then 2012, but the end of the world has not occurred yet. Is there any truth to this theory? Mathematicians have predicted that there may be another large planet in our Solar System called Planet Nine. However, this is entirely hypothetical based on the orbital patterns of known objects. There is yet to be any evidence of Nibiru’s existence, let alone any suggestions of a collision path. 

5 reasons earth can’t be flat  

1. Shadow on the Moon
During a lunar eclipse, Earth casts a round shadow on to the Moon, as would be expected from a spherical object. 

2. Ships on the horizon
When a ship sails over the horizon, it disappears gradually from the bottom up. This disappearance further confirms Earth’s curved shape. 

3. Time zones
The Sun sets and rises at different times around the world. If it were flat, these events would be the same everywhere. 

4. The direction of gravity
Gravity pulls objects on Earth towards the centre of the planet. If Earth were flat, gravity wouldn’t pull you ‘down’ towards the ground in all countries.  

5. Space observations
Now that space travel is commonplace, the number of people who have seen Earth’s curvature firsthand is increasing.  

The Moon-landing was fake  

Certain aspects of the 1969 Moon-landing photos make some people question whether it even happened  

1. Starless sky
To prevent overexposure, the cameras had short exposure times to capture the bright lunar surface. This prevented the stars from showing up in photographs, but they were there.  

2. Waving flag
Why is the flag waving if there is a thin atmosphere and no wind on the Moon? It’s simply because NASA designed a flag with an extra pole along the top edge so that the flag would stand out and the Stars and Stripes could be seen.  

3. Too many shadows
There should only be one light source — the Sun — so why aren’t the shadows parallel? In reality, the uneven ground and different perspectives can cause this illusion.  

4. Clear footprints
Should the footprints be this defined without moisture? Being made up of fine particles, the lunar surface compacts well to form these well-defined prints.  

5. Well lit
Conspiracy theorists think the scene is too well lit to not be staged. However, the Moon’s surface is highly reflective and brightly lit by the Sun.  

6. No crater created
Why are there no visible signs of disturbance from the Lunar Module’s descent to the ground? The Lander was slowly lowered, and didn’t make a crater when tested on Earth either. The lack of an atmosphere on the Moon also limits dust dispersal.  

The Bermuda triangle has hidden truths 

There are multiple theories surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, and many attempt to explain the large number of missing aircraft and boats in the area 

1. Alien abduction
Theories suggest that extraterrestrial life is capturing human ships and planes. However, there has been no evidence to support these claims anywhere in the world. Scientists also reject this.  

2. A lost city
Legends describe an advanced city called Atlantis that was destroyed by a large cataclysmic event. Some think the ruins lie beneath the Bermuda Triangle and that the government is keeping its advanced technology a secret, even though there is no archaeological evidence of Atlantis. 

3. Time warp
Are missing vehicles caused by accidents or a disruption in the space-time continuum? One theory is that ships are sucked into another dimension by time warps. This is a popular concept in fiction, but not a fact. 

4. Supernatural activity
Could sea monsters or paranormal activity be to blame for disappearances? Some people believe authorities could be covering this up, but paranormal activity has not been scientifically proven, and it’s unlikely that large creatures would not be seen elsewhere. 

5. Weather phenomena
Large earthquakes and storms could affect this region of ocean more than other areas. It is an area known for frequent rogue waves – steep and unexpected waves that some scientists think are the true culprits responsible for some of the missing and sunken ships. 

Vaccines cause autism 

In 1988, Dr Andrew Wakefield published a study linking the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR] vaccine with an increase in autism cases. This was a flawed study that included false data and was consequently retracted. But news outlets picked up on this story and spread fear among the public about the impact of vaccinations. Many studies have been conducted since this incident, and each one has concluded there is no link; Wakefield even lost his medical licence. Despite this, people are more likely to remember and believe the scary headlines, regardless of their accuracy, and questioning which studies are truthful. This misinformation has caused vaccination rates to decrease. This is harmful, as it lowers populations’ immunity to certain diseases and makes dangerous outbreaks more likely to occur. 

5G is harmful 

5G is just the fifth-generation mobile network, making mobile communications quicker and more consistent. However, to some people, the advancement in mobile technology and the ease with which we can communicate with people across the globe seems too good to be true. And from this technology, conspiracy theories have been born. Perhaps the most dominant 5G conspiracy theory is that it has harmful health implications. 5G accesses a higher frequency of radio waves than previous generations for speedier data transmission, leading some members of the public to question whether the radio frequencies are harmful. But there is no need to fear the 

5G masts being constructed for data transmission. 5G mostly uses the same radio waves as previous generations. The main difference is that 5G uses higher frequencies, although it still falls far short of the harmful ionising part of the electromagnetic spectrum. 

COVID-19 was created in a laboratory 

How nature produced this virus through evolution 

1. Animal origin
COVID-19 originated in bats. Bat coronavirus RaTG13 has genome sequences with 96.2 per cent similarity to the COVID-19 virus. 

2. Intermediate host
As the virus began subtle mutations, it was eventually able to infect wild animals that come into contact with humans.  

3. SARS-COV-2
The COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2 is 10 to 20 times more likely to bind to human cells than SARS-CoV-1 – the virus responsible for the 2002 coronavirus outbreak. 

4. Spike proteins
Proteins on the outside of coronavirus interact with the host cells. Mutations in spike proteins altered the virus in bats, making them more efficient at infecting human cells. 

5. Human transmission
An infected human can spread COVID-19 through close contact. The virus can live outside the human body for a short time, such as in small exhaled airborne droplets. 

6. Constant change
As the COVID-19 virus copies itself to replicate, small errors are made, changing the genetic code slightly and altering how well the virus can infect different species. 

Variants

ALPHA B117

BETA 1351

GAMMA P1

DELTA 1617

OMICRON 11529

Words: Alisa Harvey 

Photography: Shutterstock, Alamy, Illustration by Adrian Mann

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The process of 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, builds three-dimensional objects layer by layer. Lately, this relatively new technology is becoming extremely popular, and a lot more accessible, allowing for the creation of anything from home decor to medical devices. We had the opportunity to speak with Denislav Marinov, the founder of Amnova – a start-up at the forefront of developing sustainable 3D printing technologies – to learn more about the process and how to create your own 3D printed piece. 

@kuyamagik How a 3D printer works #3dprint #3dprinted #3dprinting #tikoku #edutokph #learnontiktok #howthingswork #tutorial ♬ How a 3D printer works – Kuya Magik 🪄

“I started the journey into 3D printing in high school,” says Denislav. “I received a printing kit for my 14th birthday, and I was instantly mesmerised by the technology that would allow you to take an image and bring it to life. In a South African context, where there’s not much access to manufacturing, I decided to investigate it further, starting with creating gifts for my family to gaining my first commercial client in my last year of high school.” Early on, Denislav recognised 3D printing’s cross-functional value. From there, he began to work towards his start-up, Amnova, testing large format additive manufacturing (AM) systems. During this period, he realised there was a desperate need for these systems and services in Africa. “3D printing is a massive enabler,” he says. “Africa accounts for less than 2% of the global manufacturing output because there’s a lack of modern manufacturing technologies locally. I believe 3D printing will enable the next generation of local manufacturing, leapfrogging established industries around the world by leveraging this new technology.” 

This shift will see 3D printing being used in prototyping and in the production of in-use parts, particularly in small- to medium-volume production, so products wouldn’t need to be made in the millions. Nowadays, the materials used in 3D printing are so advanced, allowing you to produce parts even stronger than a traditional process. However, one of the most alluring elements of 3D printing is that it is industry agnostic – something that can be used in any market or solution without being limited. This has paved the way for 3D printing to be extremely useful in the design world – extending to furniture, interior design and decor. “3D printing has found an amazing application in the interior space, including lampshades, façades, cladding, and furniture,” says Denislav.

“Amnova is currently exploring furniture, particularly using recycled plastic bottles to create sustainable pieces.” Ultimately, 3D printing removes design constraints and provides the freedom to design parts of arbitrary complexity. We are seeing a wave of merging 3D printing with existing manufacturing – like wooden legs with 3D printed brackets to connect everything – to create organic and complex shapes that can be produced on demand. There are plenty of options when creating products within the design world, especially with the materials that can be used. “You can always use traditional 3D printing materials such as polymers and PLA, a non-petroleum-based plastic made from corn starch, and more industrial materials like ABS, which is typically what plastic furniture is made from,” adds Denislav. 

“We are currently also experimenting with ceramics and recycled water bottles to produce furniture and interior pieces.” Even though plastic is traditionally weaker than wood, 3D printing has come a long way and with complex design geometries, you can compensate for reduced material properties. The process involves creating an organic shape that distributes the force more evenly, achieving stronger parts than most processes. But, what is the process? 

“To bring an idea to life, there are several steps: First, the idea, whether it’s stemmed from inspiration or if you’re experiencing a problem and are thinking of ways to solve it. The next step is to get those ideas on paper. Then comes a feasibility check before the process starts,” explains Denislav. A common misconception is that you need to have access to large-scale manufacturing capacity to get your ideas out there, but with service providers like Amnova, that step becomes a lot more accessible. “After developing a refined version of your design, it allows you to print in a matter of hours, going through several prototypes, ideas as well as iterations that can be tested and tweaked before producing a few units for customer feedback.” 

3D printing is actively disrupting and revolutionising the design world. Leveraging 3D printing allows us to create and bring ideas to life in several different ways, from rapid prototyping to bespoke pieces. As access to 3D technology increases, artists and businesses alike can explore new dimensions of innovation, transforming the way we approach design and manufacturing, and turning concepts into tangible reality. 

By Shai Rama 

Photography: Pexels, Unsplash, Supllied

The post The rise and rise of 3D printing in South Africa appeared first on TFG Media.

This is the first time an insect species native to Africa has been found to degrade this persistent plastic, which is notoriously difficult and costly to recycle.

Polystyrene is widely used in packaging and can take hundreds of years to break down. Traditional recycling methods often involve harmful processes. In contrast, biological solutions, like using insects, offer a potentially more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. 

Researchers from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology discovered that the Kenyan lesser mealworm larvae (Alphitobius) can digest polystyrene. These insects host specific bacteria in their guts that help break down the plastic. The study also found that when fed a balanced diet of polystyrene and bran, the mealworms consumed plastic more efficiently, breaking down approximately 11 per cent over a month-long trial. 

The gut bacteria in these mealworms, including Kluyvera, Lactococcus, and Klebsiella, can all produce enzymes capable of digesting synthetic plastics. This microbial process may be key to developing scalable solutions for plastic waste. Rather than releasing millions of insects into waste sites, the bacteria and enzymes could be isolated and applied in factories, landfills, and clean-up efforts. 

This discovery could be particularly significant for Africa, where plastic pollution is escalating due to high plastic imports and limited recycling infrastructure. 

Understanding and harnessing these natural ‘plastic-eaters’ could provide a sustainable, large-scale solution to tackling plastic waste, offering hope for more effective environmental management across the continent. 

By Mecayla Maseka
Images: Adobe Firefly 

Also read: Science, tech, and research news you may not know

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