04 May 2023 – Haven’t you heard? Flip phones are making a comeback. Okay, maybe you’ve heard that a lot for the past couple of years, and it never really stuck. Some might say they’re too flimsy, expensive, and or gimmicky

But there’s a reason companies are investing heavily in foldables. Despite the reservations you might have, with new releases like the OPPO Find N2 Flip, you’ll see advances coming rapidly to this space. Flip phones can offer an alternative to standards we considered set in stone – until now. Lifestyles are changing, and phones should adapt to them, not the other way around.

With the progress made recently, the new dawn may finally have come. Foldables now feature flagship-level specs that can rival traditional smartphones, as well as a host of other benefits. Here are seven reasons why it might just be time to switch to a flip.

1. The best of both worlds

Do you prefer a larger or more compact phone size? The debate has raged for a while in the tech community. Some users want a device that fits snugly in their pockets, while others believe in “the bigger, the better” when it comes to a display. Well, why not both?

The OPPO Find N2 Flip features the same sized screen that you’re used to, with a barely perceptible crease in the display. When you’re on the go, simply fold it to half the size and pop it into your pocket. It’s convenient, easy, and takes up half the space of a regular bar-shaped phone. Plus, you can experience the “clamshell clap” sound every time you shut it! Trust us, it’s satisfying.

2. Less screen time, more “me” time

We get it. You want to put down your phone and live your life. But there’s that nagging feeling that you’re going to miss out on something – news, events, or even an emergency. How can you curb social media usage and embrace mindfulness if you’re always lost in your phone?

That’s why we made the cover screen a priority on the Flip. With it (the largest cover screen in the industry), you can keep your phone shut but still receive notifications, so you don’t miss anything important. If it’s just a meme or joke from a friend, fire back with an emoji or preset message with the Quick Reply function. Then, you’re free to go about your day without falling down an internet rabbit hole. Own your phone, don’t let your phone own you.

3. Built to last

Flip phones excel in, ahem, flexibility – but what about the fundamentals? You probably want a phone that doesn’t need charging every few hours, and most people don’t want to splurge on a new device every year or two.

When it comes to the OPPO Find N2 Flip, don’t worry about durability. It’s TÜV Rheinland-certified to still perform well after 400,000 folds/unfolds, which is the equivalent of opening and closing the phone 100 times per day for ten years! The Flip also utilizes 44W SUPERVOOC, going from 0 to 100% battery in less than one hour, according to OPPO Lab. It’s the fastest charging and longest battery life on any flip.

4. Happy snapping

For a lot of smartphone users, camera quality is the top priority. But with innovations like foldables, it’s reasonable to think they might not be packing high-end photography specs.

Think again. The OPPO Find N2 Flip continues the Hasselblad Camera for Mobile collaboration, boasting a 50MP rear camera, a 32MP front-facing camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, which rivals flagship bar style phones. You can also capture those trickier angles thanks to FlexForm Mode. Gone are the days of leaning your phone against a bottle to snap a selfie. The sturdy hinge handles that for you.

5. Your phone, your way

Smart devices are now essentially PCs in your pocket, so they, of course, should be personal to you. The Flip features all the customization options you would expect from an Android phone: wallpapers, photos, icons, backgrounds, etc. But there’s an added benefit.

You can now project your personality outwardly with various cover screen options. No need to rely on a phone case anymore – your friends can see your wallpaper or background on the back while you’re looking at the main display. It could be a photo of a loved one, a particularly cool-looking selfie, or even the Flip’s new Interactive Pets feature. Like a Tamagotchi, your pets will interact when you tap them, and you can choose from a dog, cat, rabbit, hamster, or bird! (We’re going for the cat).

6. Variety is the spice of life

You’ve probably been using a bar-style smartphone for maybe fifteen years now. True, sliders and clamshell phones were super popular in the late 90s and into the 00s, but the past decade at least was dominated by the brick shape. It’s time to relive those glory days.

The smooth flip to open. The satisfying snap to close. Mix it up, and experience another way of using smartphones without suffering on specs.

7. Industry-leading but price-beating

The elephant in the room when it comes to foldables is the price. This advanced tech, with stronger materials and intensive manufacturing, comes with a cost. But at OPPO, our mission is “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World.” That’s why we dedicated extra effort to making this groundbreaking product available to more people. So, is there such a thing as an affordable flip phone?

Well, comparatively, yes. OPPO managed to beat its main competitor when it comes to pricing while simultaneously achieving industry-leading feats. With foldable phone specs to challenge even high-end bar-shaped phones, get more bang for your buck with this flip.

So, did we convince you? Bar phones are certainly not going away anytime soon, and OPPO has a great selection to choose from. <What Smartphone Specs Matter for you>

But why not embrace innovation and flip the script?

Did you know? You can optimise the time users spend on downloading and using mobile apps. Various app stores, such as AppGallery, offer a rewards program that enables users to earn points while enjoying the user experience of their favourite apps.  As a business, big or small, rewards programs have become a great customer retention solution and an essential part of a digital strategy.

Most customers already use apps and are always looking for added value. If you are running a business and have an app, why not create personalised reward experiences that will help you engage with your users and collect relevant information to improve your offering?

Creating a personalised rewards program: Here’s what your users need to do

Huawei AppGallery Points and Offers is a loyalty program offered by Huawei’s official app store.  It allows users to earn points and redeem them for various rewards such as in-app purchases, discounts, gift cards and other exclusive offers.

To participate in the Huawei AppGallery Points and Offers program, users need to be signed up for a Huawei ID. .The rewards and offers may vary depending on the user’s location.

To accumulate points users can use AppGallery to complete tasks such as downloading and installing apps, leaving reviews and sharing apps with friends. Once users have accumulated enough points, they can redeem the points for rewards.

In addition, your users can participate in targeted promotions and take advantage of your business’ running campaigns.

 Increase customer loyalty with these suggested reward techniques

There are various ways in which you can run a rewards program and ensure customer satisfaction while growing your business.

Use a Points-based system that rewards users for completing certain actions within your app, such as making a purchase or referring a friend. Users can accumulate points and redeem them for rewards such as discounts or free items. On the other hand, tiered rewards create different ranks of rewards based on the user’s level of engagement with your app. For example, users who have completed a certain number of actions or made a certain number of purchases could be upgraded to a higher tier with more valuable rewards.

Using gamification techniques can also make your app more fun and engaging. This could include things like badges, leader boards and challenges that users can complete to earn rewards.

Another great method is offering users exclusive content or access to special features within your app that are only available to those who have reached a certain level or completed certain actions.

When it comes to personalised rewards, you can use data you’ve collected about your users to offer rewards that are tailored to their interests and behaviour within the app.

Whatever type of reward program you choose, make sure it is easy for users to understand and participate in. Don’t forget to promote your reward program regularly to keep users engaged and motivated to participate.

Tracking the progress of your rewards program

Measuring the success of a reward program can help you determine whether it’s worth continuing or if changes need to be made to improve its effectiveness.

One of the most important metrics to track is user engagement within your reward program. This includes how many users have signed up for the program, how often they participate and how many rewards they’ve earned. You can also track how many users are redeeming rewards, as this will give you an idea of how valuable they find the rewards offering.

A successful reward program should also encourage an increase in retention rates. You can track this by comparing the retention rates of users who participate in your reward program with those who don’t. In addition, rewards may also lead to increased revenue for your business.

Lastly, a good rewards program can lead to growing referral rates, especially if you incentivise your customers for sharing your offers with others.

To make your job easier, your app store partner will often provide you with a report, including metrics and statistics around the number of downloads, clicks, engagement and use. Timing is also important, so you will also get advised on the best and most efficient time to run a promotion.

To stay up to date with the other kinds of promotions and offers you can conduct, visit AppGallery.

02 May 2023: Local tech innovator and digital disruptor Nerdware will be proudly waving South Africa’s flag at the upcoming Sintech Africa Tech Week Awards this week after being announced as a finalist in the Africa Tech: Africa Tech Leader Of The Year Award and Africa Tech: Public Sector Digital Innovator category.

The premier technology awards ceremony on the continent, Sintech Africa Tech Week Awards, will be taking centre stage on the 4th of May in Cape Town. These awards recognise companies that have shown exceptional expertise in innovative product development, encouraging companies to invest in research and development and push for technological advancements that can drive the continent’s economic growth.

Ronald Magondo, Nerdware’s Director of Awe-Inspiring Feats, notes that its nomination stands as testament to the company’s exceptional success and ground-breaking innovation in the tech industry.

“We are thrilled to be named among the finalists for this award, especially given the company that we find ourselves in. Being recognised at this level reaffirms the strength of our approach and of being a little different in terms of our strategies and thinking,” he says.

“I often say that the best way to describe Nerdware is like a Fruit Loops in a bowl of Cheerios – we’re the industry’s more colourful, original choice. We like to be digital frontrunners, having truly blended technological expertise with marketing know-how. We go all-out to provide state-of-the-art solutions that drive digital transformation, and this nod truly validates our hard work and innovation-first philosophy.”

As an African tech company, Nerdware provides pioneering, full-stack marketing solutions to businesses looking to breathe new life into their brands. With a range of services that cater to different sectors, it is quickly becoming the go-to provider for companies looking to fully marry and integrate innovative technology with results-driven digital marketing.

“Our team is made up of the industry’s best creative and technical talent, as well as strategists and ideation developers who aren’t afraid to push the limits and think big. We’re not just about developing solutions, but we’re also about solving problems creatively – which is something that I believe has set us apart from other technology and marketing companies,” says Magondo.

“We make sure we take the time to understand each client’s specific needs and provide tailored solutions to meet those needs. Receiving this type of recognition will continue to inspire us to provide solutions that are cognisant of the African context and local needs, and delight audiences even while driving measurable results for businesses.

“We’re proud to be representing South Africa at the awards, and to be playing a role in placing African digital innovation on the world map.

Every year, on the first Thursday in May, World Password Day is commemorated. This day serves as the perfect opportunity for Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading global specialist cybersecurity provider, to send a reminder about the importance of dedicating special care to passwords, as they are one of the main barriers against cyber criminals.

Despite their enormous importance, there are still a high number of bad practices when it comes to managing and creating passwords. For example, in 2019, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre revealed that 23 million people worldwide continue to use insecure passwords such as “123456” or “qwerty”, evidencing that many users are still unaware of the potential dangers. In fact, research shows that people are continue to share their passwords with others, they use the same password across multiple accounts and fail to update their passwords regularly.

And in a country like South Africa, the dangers are significant. Our research shows that an organisation in South Africa is attacked on average 1445 times per week in the last 6 months, compared to 1211 attacks per organisation globally. Similarly, according to a recent INTERPOL report, South Africa had 230 million threat detections in 2022; 219 million of which were e-mail-related threats. South Africa also had the highest targeted ransomware and business email compromise (BEC)-related attempts.

With these numbers in mind, it is critical to remember that technological advances are not only benefiting users, but also providing cybercriminals with new tools to carry out their attacks. What once were considered secure passwords are now becoming outdated, creating new vulnerabilities.

The advent of new graphics cards with virtual memory (VRAM) has opened the door for these hardware devices to process high-speed data, the same way it is used in cryptocurrency mining. However, they can also be used in brute-force cyberattacks to obtain passwords, being the newest models able to perform more than a million checks in just one second, way faster than the previously achieved by central processing units (CPU). This means that if we have a password with less than 12 characters based exclusively on the use of letters and numbers, it could be breached in just a few days.

According to the latest report from Hive Systems, which shared the approximate times in which cybercriminals could “crack” our passwords, range from minimal effort and almost instantaneous times for the most insecure passwords, to 438 trillion years for the most robust keys. In a matter of just one year, these same figures have seen their possible vulnerability times cut by up to 90% that, with the entry of new agents such as cloud services or artificial intelligence, could be even more reduced in the coming years.

So, what does a password need in order to be secure and strong? Check Point Software gives the definitive answers below:

• The longer and more varied, the better: it should be at least 14-16 characters long and consist of different letters, combining upper and lower case letters, symbols and numbers. However, it has been noted that by simply increasing the password to up to 18 characters combined, a completely unbreakable key can be constructed. This belief is based on the number of attempts brute-force practice requires where the total number of combinations is equal to the number of characters multiplied by their length.
• Easy to remember, complex to guess: it should be a combination that only the user knows, so it is advisable not to use personal details such as dates of anniversaries or birthdays, or the names of family members, as these can be easier to figure out. A simple way to create passwords that anyone can remember is to use complete sentences, either using common or absurd scenarios, with examples such as ‘meryhadalittlelamb’, or its even safer equivalent with different characters ‘#M3ryHad@L1ttleL4m8’.
• Unique and unrepeatable: create a new password each time a service is accessed and avoid using the same password for different platforms and applications. This ensures that in the event of a password being breached, the damage will be minimal and more easily and quickly repairable. According to a Google survey, at least 65% of respondents reuse their passwords across multiple accounts and web services, which increases the chances of multiple platforms or applications being breached.
• Always private: a premise that may seem basic but is important to remember. A password should not be shared with anyone, and it is especially advisable not to write it down anywhere near the computer or even in a file on it. For this task, you can use tools such as password managers, which do the same job, but in a more secure way.
• Real security is just ‘two steps’ away: in addition to having a strong and secure password, the use of two-factor authentication (2FA) is a major security enhancement. This way, every time an attacker or an unauthorized person wants to access someone else’s account, the account owner will receive a notification on their mobile phone to grant or deny access.
• Change it periodically: sometimes, even after following all these practices, incidents beyond our reach occur such as leaks of company databases. Therefore, it is advisable to periodically check whether an email has been the victim of a vulnerability to a third party, as well as to try to trace the accounts that may have been compromised. To do this, there are public access tools such as the Have I Been Pwned website, which try to gather basic information on these leaks in order to offer support and help to users. Similarly, even if they have not been breached, it is always recommended to update passwords every few months.

“Every day, cybercriminals create new attacks aimed at stealing user passwords. Techniques such as phishing have managed to breach thousands of services by stealing credentials, especially here in South Africa, where on average, organisations are attacked 1352 times per week in the first quarter of 2023. While this number if actually down slightly, this doesn’t mean that organisations should get complacent,” shares Pankaj Bhula: Check Point’s EMEA Regional Director: Africa. “This risk can be easily remedied by establishing secure passwords, making it much more difficult for cybercriminals to guess these combinations, ensuring the highest level of security for our devices”.

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About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (https://www.checkpoint.com/) is a leading provider of cyber security solutions to corporate enterprises and governments globally.  Check Point Infinity´s portfolio of solutions protects enterprises and public organisations from 5^th generation cyber-attacks with an industry leading catch rate of malware, ransomware and other threats. Infinity comprises four core pillars delivering uncompromised security and generation V threat prevention across enterprise environments: Check Point Harmony, for remote users; Check Point CloudGuard, to automatically secure clouds; and Check Point Quantum, to protect network perimeters and datacenters, all controlled by the industry’s most comprehensive, intuitive unified security management; Check Point Horizon, a prevention-first security operations suite. Check Point protects over 100,000 organizations of all sizes.