#PhoneReview: #Huawei unveils its 2020 flagship device in South Africa - the P40 Pro

Covid-19 forced Huawei to unveil its flagship device for 2020 by livestream. The P40 Pro is the first smartphone that will go on sale in SA without Google Mobile Services (GMS) post-lockdown.

The handset runs Android 10 but gone are apps like the Google Play Store, Chrome, Gmail, Youtube, Maps, and so on. Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) will replace GMS and it has its own app gallery, browser, mail, reader, cloud, video and music apps.

The P40 Pro has a large 6.58inch screen that runs at a 90Hz screen refresh rate, features a camera cutout on the front, and is powered by a Kirin 990 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage. It has a dual SIM slot plus ESIM functionality, 5G support and a 4200mah battery.

Flip it to the back and you cannot miss the large camera bump that houses a quad camera. It has a 50MP wide angle lens, a 40MP ultrawide lens, a 12MP periscope with 5x optical zoom and a depth sensor for portrait shots.

The handset has a glossy-looking yet matte finish that does not attract fingerprints.

Huawei's app gallery makes a special effort to include SA services from banks, travel and lifestyle but it does not have some big global names such as Twitter, Instagram and Netflix. An external link is available to download Facebook and Whatsapp. Though both Twitter and Instagram carried over onto the P40 Pro, I'm still not clear if I'll be able to update those apps.

Like its predecessor, the camera is excellent. From portrait to low light to ultrawide, you can't really fault it. The only feature missing is super macro mode. The 32MP selfie camera supports 4K videos at 60fps.

The P40 Pro runs smoothly and offers top-notch hardware with 5G support. The phone's biggest limitation is its software. The app gallery still has a long way to go. If you rely on GMS particularly for apps such as Chrome, Youtube or Google Maps and the Play Store itself, the P40 Pro is not for you. It will be a long time before Huawei can replicate the diversity of the apps in its store.

The Huawei P40 Pro will be available after lockdown for R20,999.

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Gem to ponder from Fight Club

IN this time of Covid-19 there is a quote from the book and film Fight Club that we should remember.

"It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything."

Please note that I have broken the first two rules of Fight Club just by talking about Fight Club so consider this carefully.

The power of spoken word #poetry in building change

I am very passionate about being and creating a voice for women. One of the best and safest spaces to allow women to fully be themselves is through poetry. 

The arena of poetry and spoken word has been dominated by female poets who have graced the stages with their written accounts of life journeys.

In the past, stories that were told around the fire and or at gatherings were only done by men; however, the situation has changed because now, women have been elevated to telling their own stories as well as experiences. 

Deviating away from the traditional sphere of storytelling and oral performances being done by men only, to the time where women are allowed to openly tell generational tales and recite their story, is a huge improvement within the area of patriarchy.

To account for it, female poets have started to embrace the freedom granted to them by gracing the performance poetry platforms and telling their stories.

The greatest thing about slam is its malleability, the way this impossible form can do so many things, all of them simultaneously draw a crowd, saturate the audience with power and set the art of poetry free in a friendly atmosphere.

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Masks can save lives #coronavirus

Six weeks ago wearing a mask on SA streets looked like a silly idea.

Footage was around of people in China wearing them as the virus spread in their country.

But there were barely a handful of cases in Mzansi at that point.

And experts told us that wearing one would not stop you catching Covid-19.

All they would do was scare and panic people.

Obviously things have changed a lot. Four weeks into lockdown it's no wonder people are worried about getting "back to normal".

And we've got to the point where NOT wearing a mask may scare and panic people.

There are many who may think they are unnecessary and annoying.

But if wearing them helps to get the country back on track then surely it's a discomfort worth tolerating?

At least the experts are now focusing on the next move.

Getting us past this dreadful virus.

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Love poetry? Have you tried the monthly Afro Poetry Times digital magazine?

Get your copy on PressReader and allow your mind to sail away.... far far far away from all this Covid_19 panic. We are here to serve great poetry and to promote the literary arts.

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View from my Window #Facebook group redefines virtual #tourism during this #lockdown

From Johannesburg to George, South Africans are sharing the view from their windows on a Facebook group connecting the world during lockdowns.

The group, View from my Window, has more than 740,000 members and hundreds of photographs from around the world are shared daily.

"This group has been created to connect people from all around the world during these tough times when #stayhome: coronavirus lockdown obliges us to stay home," the group says.

"Every day, through our windows, we have the same view. Take a photo. Only one.

"Let's share it. Our idea is for you to share the atmosphere of your daily life from behind your window."

Some members said the photographs allowed them to travel without leaving their homes. while others said it gave them a sense of comfort to know "we're all in this together".

Johannesburg-based clinical psychologist Bradley R Daniels said the group was a form of social support.

"At this point in time, the big intervention we have around the world is social distancing.

"Social distancing is physical distancing. In fact, what the world needs more of is social connectivity and social connections.

"This Facebook page does exactly that. It gives people a sense of social connectivity, a sense of shared common purpose and shared lived experience," he said.

He said the group connected people "at a very difficult time with some similarity and humanity around the world".

"A lot of people are finding themselves under lockdown in different forms and shapes around the world.

"The common thing is that we're all having to cope and make sense of having our freedom limited.

"That's going to the same everywhere in the world, whether the shutdown is officially sanctioned by the state or recommended by the state," Daniels said.

"I find some of the pictures are connecting people to their own humanity and the shared experience among all of us.

"I looked at some pictures on just the top of the page and they range from people in Canada showing what it looks like from their window to somebody in New York showing the room from their hospital window.

"Those things help us connect to some from of humanity. "

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#Music: Here are the world's top home #workout songs

For many people, listening to music when working out is key to keeping energised and motivated.

Scientific evidence suggests that the music we listen to can improve our endurance and help us feel positive. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, people across the world are adjusting their exercise routines – moving from group classes and gym sessions to workouts in their living room, kitchens and gardens.

According to Google Trends, searches around working-out at home have risen by 488%, showing just how much demand has grown for keeping fit at home.

New research from PureGym reveals the most popular artists and songs streamed for home workouts.

PureGym crunched the data of more than 900 home workout playlists on Spotify to pinpoint the favourite songs and artists.

Dua Lipa's Don't Start Now is the most popular song, appearing in 12% of all home workout playlists.

The British singer appears twice in the top 15, with her aptly named song Physical the fourth most popular.

Eminem appears on a third of all home workout playlists.

Top 10 Most Popular Home Workout Artists (based on number of playlists they are featured in)

Eminem: 305 Dua Lipa: 259 Kanye West: 246 Drake: 234 Beyonce: 223 David Guetta: 203 The Weeknd: 190 Calvin Harris:172 Lady Gaga:172 Rihanna: 171 Ariana Grande:160

Top 10 Most Popular Home Workout Songs (based on number of playlists featured in)

Don't Start Now – Dua Lipa: 117

Blinding Lights – The Weeknd): 101

Stupid Love – Lady Gaga:82

Physical – Dua Lipa:77

Dance Monkey – Tones And I: 66

The Box – Roddy Ricch: 53

Lose Control – MEDUZA: 49

ROXANNE – Arizona Zervas: 47

'Till I Collapse – Eminem 43

RITMO (Bad Boys For Life) – Black Eyed Peas: 43

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The ugly nude picture - sextortion is on the rise as more people send explicit pics during the #lockdown

Extortion over sexually explicit content is becoming an "extremely profitable" cyber crime during SA's lockdown.

This is according to security specialists and law experts who have seen an increase in this type of online criminal activity during the mandatory confinement.

Cyber criminals‚ particularly "sextortionists"‚ are capitalising on the fact that many South Africans are online while staying at home.

These criminals are duping people into sharing explicit material of themselves‚ and then threatening to expose them if money or sexual favours are not given.

Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services said: "Especially within the confinement of the pandemic‚ these types of criminal activities have become extremely profitable.

"A new and concerning trend brought to our attention is the appearance of South African women in this form of victimisation.

"This is a trend perpetrated by women of all classes‚ circumstances‚ ethnic backgrounds and education."

Social media law expert Emma Sadleir has been inundated with complaints about sextortion during the lockdown.

"Everything is happening online. People are home and bored‚ so many are willing to send pictures‚" said Sadleir.

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Love poetry? Have you tried the monthly Afro Poetry Times digital magazine?

Get your copy on PressReader and allow your mind to sail away.... far far far away from all this Covid_19 panic. We are here to serve great poetry and to promote the literary arts.

http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/afro-poetry-times/20200401

Basic #hygiene lessons learnt must be implemented after this #coronavirus pandemic

Lockdown has given us an opportunity to contemplate life after the pandemic.

There are lessons to be learnt but we should all reflect on behaviours before we landed in this situation:

1. South Africans need to start being health-conscious at all times. Washing hands, and covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing should have been the norm before Covid-19. These are basic hygiene measures. Adhering to these disciplines will even help to curtail the spread of common flu and colds.

2. There are companies where the bosses are actually impressed when staff members with colds/flu attend work. This is plain dumb and should result in action against the boss and the staff member. And no-one should feel pressure to attend work if they are unwell.

3. Restaurants and pubs need to jack up their hygiene practices. I regularly see kitchen staff sneezing while preparing food. I have even seen staff members eating with their hands and not only food goes into the mouth but fingers as well. No washing of hands takes place. Surely masks and sanitising soap can be provided? Many patrons exhibit similar behaviours in close proximity to others.

4. I notice, and it seems to be a woman thing, that for some reason a used tissue seems to be regarded as reusable. Some, mostly elderly, ladies even "store" these soggy tissues in their bras, sleeves and handbags. Enough said.

5. Then there are the individuals who walk into a pub, restaurant or office and proudly, even heroically, announce how "full of flu" they are. Are these idiots that desperate to "share" their virus with others?

These are just a few examples of the bad practices that have been going on for years.

There are far worse viruses to come that will make Covid19 look like child's play. Practise good hygiene habits consistently as though there is an epidemic around the corner.

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http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/inspire-msanzi-south-africa/20200501

Warren Masemola's take on his new #Tjovitjo role as it debuts on #Netflix

Actor Warren Masemola has revealed how challenged he was by his role on Tjovitjo, which can now be viewed on Netflix.

Being one of SA's most popular television shows to date, the local dance drama first came out in 2017 on SABC 1.

The show follows real-life pantsula dancers on their daily grind as led by a disgruntled former dancer played by Masemola.

The SA Film & Television Awards (Safta) winning actor took to Instagram to reflect on his character in the dance drama, which he said was his most challenging role yet.

Masemola also expressed how glad he was to be part of a series that showed the "realness" of the country.

"This has been my most challenging role to date," he said.

"The realness drew me in. "It is the state of the nation at the moment.

"So much of it is heartbreaking to watch because it is so real.

"It is the places and the people that the country doesn't normally see on TV."

During an interview on Metro FM in 2018, Masemola spoke about how deep adulthood really was when he left school.

He also expressed how he realised he would be working from one contract to another as a freelancer.

"I've always had a fear of being out of work.

"I realised straight out of drama school that I was going to be a contract worker for the rest of my career.

The celebrated actor also reflected on a time when he was struggling financially.

"I've been very broke before. "When I finished drama school, starting out as an actor, it was really tough.

"I shared a two-bedroom cottage with a friend of mine — it was six months of being really bad.

"We had to do odd jobs and go on to other things."

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Love poetry? Have you tried the monthly Afro Poetry Times digital magazine?

Get your copy on PressReader and allow your mind to sail away.... far far far away from all this Covid_19 panic. We are here to serve great poetry and to promote the literary arts.

http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/afro-poetry-times/20200401

South Africa's top 10 trending Google searches during #lockdown

The top trending search term on Google South Africa over the initial 21-day lockdown period was "thank you coronavirus helpers".

South Africans also searched for actress Vinolia Mashego, who recently passed away, Zwelinzima Vavi, who tested positive for the Covid-19 on April 2, and Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, who was sanctioned and placed on leave by the president for violating the lockdown regulations.

Google said the popular searches lion and tiger likely referred to the hit series Tiger King and various associated parodies.

Top 10 trending search terms over the 21-day lockdown period were: "Thank you coronavirus helpers", "Lion", "Boris Johnson", "Tiger", "Vinolia Mashego", "Covid-19 news", "Stella NdabeniAbrahams", "Money Heist", "5G" and "Zwelinzima Vavi".

Search trends information was gleaned from data collated by Google based on what South Africans have been searching. 

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For more inspirational articles and tips, get your copy of Inspire Mzansi digital magazine on PressReader. It is Mzansi's premium motivational magazine. 

http://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/inspire-msanzi-south-africa/20200501