In his latest AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights Free WhatsApp voice and data with KnowRoaming, Apple’s new TV App, Shell foetal heartbeat listener, My Vodacom with Masterpass feature and Absa walletdoc.
Free WhatsApp voice and data with KnowRoaming
The KnowRoaming products allow users traveling abroad to chat via WhatsApp without having to worry about huge roaming data costs. KnowRoaming comes in the form of a sticker that activates whenever it detects the device is on an international network or in the form of a SIM that can be swapped out when overseas.
Platform: Any smartphone or tablet
Expect to pay: R450 for the sticker or R150 for the SIM card.
Stockists: Visit www. knowroaming.com
Apple TV App
Apple’s new TV app is designed to offer a unified experience for accessing TV shows and movies from multiple apps on an Apple TV, iPhone or iPad. The TV app provides a single place to access TV shows and movies, as well as a place to discover new content to watch. Also included is a Siri feature that lets viewers tune in directly to live news and sporting events across their apps.
Platform: Apple TV, iPhone and iPad
Expect to pay: A free update.
Stockists: Visit http://www.apple.com/tv/ for more information.
Shell foetal heartbeat listener
Shell by Bellabeat is a non-invasive foetal heartbeat listener for expectant families. It enables one to listen to the sound of a baby’s heart without the use of Doppler technology – very much like resting an ear against the tummy, but at a higher volume. Shell works by placing a phone’s microphone on the belly, which then captures sounds from the womb and isolates the heartbeat.
In addition to listening to the heartbeat, moms can record and store the tracks and share them through social networks.
Platform: Devices running iOS
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Visit the Apple App Store
My Vodacom with Masterpass feature
The latest My Vodacom app now allows Vodacom customers to buy airtime, data bundles and SMS bundles straight from the app. To make a purchase, customers simply load their payment card information into the secure app, select “pay with Masterpass”, and enter in their bank PIN to complete the purchase. Masterpass speeds up the buying process as payment card information – including card details from both Mastercard and other payment forms – are only captured once, meaning that consumers do not have the repeated hassle of entering these details each time they want to complete a transaction. Another benefit of Masterpass is that it uses multiple layers of security, ensuring the personal details are protected. Unlike some other solutions, each Masterpass transaction is classified as an Authenticated Mobile Transaction by South African banks.
Platform: Android devices with iOS support coming soon.
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the Google Play Store.
Absa walletdoc
Absa’s walletdoc now offers users a more convenient way to pay utility and monthly subscription bills. The solution notifies one when bills arrive, and automatically reminds users when payments are due. walletdoc also takes care of account and reference numbers, ensuring billers always receive reconciled payments. Once payment card details have been setup, they can pay multiple bills in a single transaction and walletdoc digitally stores bills and payment history.
A list of walletdoc’s supported billers can be found at www.walletdoc.com/supported-billers.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.
* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher