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AppDate: Matching security to Internet connection

In his latest AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights Kaspersky Secure Connection, GetMyBoat, LogoScan, Live Connected and Cowa Bunga.

Kaspersky Secure Connection

The Kaspersky Secure Connection app is designed to protect user data transmitted via the Internet. More to the point, the app allows one to customise the level of security required, depending on the connection being used. For instance, should a user connect to an unknown Wi-Fi network, maximum security would be recommended so as to prevent hackers from accessing any personal information. When connecting to a known network, settings can be dropped. Security options can also be adjusted to suit the sites visited and the apps that are opened; obviously, maximum security settings will be implemented when accessing a banking site.

Kaspersky Secure Connection allows 200 MB of free encrypted traffic per day. The paid version of the solution offers unlimited traffic for five devices for one year.

Platform: Android

Expect to pay: The free version offers 200 MB of free encrypted data per day. The paid version offers unlimited encrypted data and costs R500 per year.

GetMyBoat

With the holiday season approaching, it is time to get your reservations and activities sorted. The GetMyBoat app started 2013 as a place to simply rent a boat. Since then, it has expanded to 184 countries and now offers over 108 000 water experiences. Users can also book fishing boats, surfing lessons, paddleboards, rafting trips and diving tours, among other.

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: A free download.

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

LogoScan

Instead of scanning a company’s RFID code to get its details, LogoScan allows one to scan its logo and, using augmented reality (AR), view the company’s website, services and other offerings. At the moment only a handful of companies have had their logos “activated”. When scanned in the real world, they will provide the brand’s digital content in augmented reality. The thinking behind LogoScan is that it has the potential to become a new search method, in addition to a Google search or using voice services like Siri.

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: A free download.

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Live Connected

With the busy work lives some parents have, it is sometimes difficult to leave the office to collect children from school, take them to sporting events and help with homework. The Live Connected app helps by allowing a parent to create pick-up/drop-off points and then share them with Villagers – friends or family that are able to fill in for them. The Live Connected app also allows parents to communicate with their children and locate their current position as well as get reminders of important dates, such as doctor’s appointments.

Platform: Android and iOS.

Expect pay: A free download.

Stockists: Visit the store linked to your device.

Cowa Bunga

As petrol prices continue to increase, so too does the cost of food and the delivery of goods in general. Cowa Bunga, a cloud-based delivery app, is designed to help couriers and food delivery companies cut back on their petrol by selecting the quickest route to the destination. It does this by using data collected from over 50 000 deliveries already completed, combined with traffic conditions at the time of dispatch. According to a Cowa Bunga spokesperson, the solution has saved customers an average of 6 250 hours of driving time due to optimising routes. This, in turn, has saved an average of 25% on fuel costs.

Once signed up with Cowa Bunga, customers are given a customised dashboard that allows them to monitor their drivers, fleets, orders and routes. Drivers are given a mobile app similar to Google Maps, with a street view and turn-by-turn instructions. The mobile app also allows a customer to pay the driver directly with a credit card and then rate the overall service.

The app recently won the MTN Best Enterprise App of the year award,

Platform: Android and iOS

Expect to pay: The app is free to download, but companies wanting to sign up with Cowa Bunga need to visit www.cowabunga.co.za

Stockists: Visit www.cowabunga.co.za for more information.

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