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1 month ago | 
smallbusinesscurrents.com | Maria Valdez Haubrich |Tong Zhang |Data Scientist
Small businesses have higher expectations for economic growth in 2025 than last year, specifically with hopes of lower inflation and more consumer spending. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose by 3.4 points in December to 105.1 points, marking the highest reading since October 2018.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
YouTube is expanding access to its Communities feature, a dedicated space for creators to connect with their fans directly within the platform. Initially launched last fall, Communities allows creators to post updates, share images, and engage in discussions with their audience, reducing the need for external platforms like Discord.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
OpenAI has introduced a groundbreaking feature for ChatGPT called “deep research,” an AI agent capable of autonomously conducting in-depth research on the internet. This new capability allows ChatGPT to plan, execute, and refine research strategies, effectively mimicking the actions of a human researcher.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
Vodacom Group has reported a significant surge in its financial services business, processing an average of R23 billion in mobile money transactions daily during the quarter ended December 31, 2024. This highlights the growing importance of fintech within the company’s revenue stream. Read: Boom Supersonic XB-1 breaks the sound barrier, a major milestone for supersonic flight Financial services contributed R3.6 billion to the group’s total revenue of R39.5 billion for the quarter.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
The PlayStation 5 Pro, Sony’s high-end gaming console, has been well-received by South African gamers, according to local distributor Gamefinity. Despite supply constraints, sales have met expectations. Read: Boom Supersonic XB-1 breaks the sound barrier, a major milestone for supersonic flight Launched in South Africa in mid-December 2024 at a recommended retail price of R19,499, the PS5 Pro offers enhanced performance with faster frame rates and higher resolutions.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta glasses have achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 1 million units sold. While the exact revenue split between Meta and EssilorLuxottica remains undisclosed, the sales represent a substantial market entry for Meta’s smart eyewear. This figure marks a significant increase compared to the previous generation, Ray-Ban Stories, which sold less than 300,000 units in 16 months.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
Forza Horizon 5, along with its predecessors, has traditionally remained an exclusive title for Xbox and PC. However, in an exciting development for racing game fans, the latest instalment—set in a breathtakingly detailed recreation of Mexico—is set to make its way to the PlayStation ecosystem later this year.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
Google’s Platforms and Devices division, encompassing Android, Pixel hardware, and other projects, has offered a voluntary exit program to its US employees. This move, announced by SVP Rick Osterloh, comes amidst concerns about potential layoffs within the company.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
The South African government’s deployment of drones at five high-priority border crossings, including the critical Beitbridge border with Zimbabwe, has yielded significant results. According to Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, the use of drones has already prevented over 2,000 illegal border crossings.
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2 months ago | 
bandwidthblog.co.za | Data Scientist |Theunis Jansen van Rensburg
In an all-hands meeting, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg warned employees to brace for an “intense” year ahead, emphasizing the critical role of AI in shaping the company’s future. He predicted that a “highly intelligent and personalized” digital assistant would reach 1 billion users within the year, asserting that whoever achieves this milestone will gain a significant competitive advantage.
