In this week’s AppDate, SEAN BACHER highlights NetSpot’s Network Analyser, Qlik European Championships, Google Play Music Concierge, BlackBerry’s BBM Everyday competition, and Rush courier’s updated website.
NetSpot Network Analyser
Having a Wi-Fi connection at home is exceptionally convenient but, no matter where the router is installed, there will always be those dead spots – or places where the router’s Wi-Fi signal does not reach. In the past it was a matter of trial and error when looking for the ideal
spot for a router. With the NetSpot Network Analyser ,however, one is able to load a house plan and find the best spot for the router without difficulty. The app also displays a network’s noise and security levels.
Platform: Mac and Windows.
Expect to pay: Three packages are available,:a free version with a very basic network scan function, a pro version that allows one to add additional zones, and an enterprise version that can be used by up to 10 users and retailing for around R7 500.
Stockists: Visit www.netspot.com
Qlik European Championships App
Did you know that 579 goals have been scored since the first Euro championship in 1960? Or that Bulgaria is the country to have received the most red and yellow cards so far? All these facts and more are instantly available in the Qlik European Championships App. In addition, soccer fans can access details on every player and team since the beginning of the championship and have the option to pit one team against the other to see what the chances are of their chosen team winning.
Platform: Most modern, desktop-based Internet browsers
Expect to pay: Free to use.
Stockists: Visit www.webapps.qlik.com/Euro2016/Euro2016
Google launches Google Play Music Concierge in South Africa
Google Play Music Concierge gives Play Music subscribers access to a large set of playlists targeted to specific contexts – what users are doing or how they’re feeling. Next time a user opens Google Music Player, they will be prompted to say whether they would like to listen to music according to mood or time of day. Google will then search for music in that category and begin streaming it.
Platform: Android
Expect to pay: A free upgrade.
Stockists: Visit the Play Music store from an Android device.
BBM Everyday competition
BlackBerry has launched a BBM Everyday competition that is designed to cast light on South Africa’s lesser-known treasures. The competition is open to anyone using BBM and invites everyday photographers to enter the #BBMEveryday competition by sharing their photographs. Each week, for the next month, photographers simply need to submit images
of everyday South Africa to www.bbmeveryday.com, according to the weekly clues that will be revealed through the #BBMEveryday BBM channel (Pin: C0022F31B). Prizes range from an all-expenses trip for two to Zanzibar to one of five BlackBerry Priv smartphones.
Platform: Any platform running BlackBerry Messenger
Expect to pay: Free to enter.
Stockists: Visit www.bbmeveryday.com for more information.
Rush courier service upgrades
Since its launch late last year, the Rush courier service is making waves in the courier industry. In addition to being operated via WeChat, the company has recently launched its new website, which now allows users to easily find quotes, place orders and track their
parcels in real-time. The site also offers the functionality to book bulk deliveries around South Africa and includes an address book for recently used addresses.
Platform: Most modern, desktop-based Internet browsers
Expect to pay: Registration is free, courier costs depend on the package and its destination.
Stockists: Visit www.rush.co.za
* Sean Bacher is editor of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter on @SeanBacher
