Like most people, I’m pretty reliant on technology to get me through the day. From my clock radio, electric toothbrush and my car’s on-board computer telling me when it next needs a service to my trusty desktop computer bringing me the latest market prices and world news, there’s not much I do that isn’t somehow affected or influenced by technology.

These items all display varying types and degrees of technology. My reliance on them also varies:
dead battery – no problem, I’ll just brush my teeth the old-fashioned way. Glitch in my car’s on-board computer: not so great as I could find myself stranded on the highway in the middle of the night. But my biggest reliance, I’m loathe to admit, is probably on my mobile phone. And I know it’s an awful cliché,
but how I managed before having one I just don’t know.

But it’s not just about the convenience of being able to make calls any time, any where, or being contactable any time, any where. Many of us carry smartphones and we increase our levels of reliance on these small gizmos by using them to store valuable and important information including detailed address books, documents and most importantly to some, diary information.

So when they start malfunctioning or, heaven forbid, die, the consequences are dire. If you’re conscientious you’ll have been syncing your phone with your desktop or making backups to the removable memory card. But if you’re not and you haven’t been doing so, you might find yourself with a really big problem when your phone unexpectedly throws in the towel.

My slinky little Finnish handset has been plagued by a mysterious problem since I switched it on for the very first time. It’s been sent away for repairs, I’ve updated the operating software at least twice and, on occasion and usually accompanied by a severe sense of humour failure, actually given it a smack. Trawling the net for solutions has provided no joy – just the rantings of a bunch of other hapless saps suffering from the same strange glitch in this particular model’s matrix. So now, after years of unwavering brand loyalty, it’s time to send my Nordic friend to wherever it is those that don’t make it to Valhalla go.

For those with fully functional mobile phones read Rodney Weidemann’s article on the world of mobile e-banking. With far more people in Africa having access to mobile phones than bank accounts, the move to using this technology for financial transactions is set to revolutionise the continent’s banking sector.

The importance of the role of ICT in the development of Africa cannot be disputed. Recent studies have shown, however, that the continent is suffering a severe shortage of ICT-skilled professionals. Lance Harris investigates the steps being taken by both business and governments to develop and retain these all too important skills.

We also look at the state of affairs around satellite communication in Africa, the developments taking place and who the main players are.

So while the world is racing to bigger and better things, I’ll be starting the process of finding a bigger (in terms of data naturally) and better handset – compiling spreadsheets to compare battery life, megapixels, and data capacity. In the meantime I’ll leave you with this piece of sage advice – backup, backup, backup. Oh, and don’t forget to charge the battery.

James Retief

IN THIS EDITION:

Gizmos & gadgets – The latest hot technology

Sound bytes – News and developments from the industry

Radar – Arthur Goldstuck on Africa’s undersea cables

Evolutionary leader – Telkom CEO, Reuben September

Mobile security – How vulnerable is your phone?

Satcom for Africa – Where to next?

Where information is king – The state of ICT in Ghana

Green revolution – Environmentally conscious IT

Back to school – ICT skills development

Delivering results – Adding value through outsourcing

E-banking – Mobile financial services

What’s on – Conferences and exhibitions