Category: Software Development
Google is bringing a privacy feature from Android 11 to older versions
One of the really cool things that came on Android 11 was a feature that automatically reset app permissions. The feature works by revoking or auto-resetting the permissions of apps that haven’t been used in a while. When you use that app again, it will then need to ask you to authorise access to various […]
Android 12 might be coming in October
Various versions of Android 12’s beta have been available since the mobile operating system was announced back in May. The final version of the OS, however, has taken far longer to come out than those that have come before it. There is some news to a release date, according to Mishaal Rahman, Editor-in-Chief of XDA, […]
Google search on desktop finally adds dark mode, what took so long?
I don’t know what it is, but light text on a dark background just does it for me. As the dark mode fever has really reached fever pitch in the past couple of years, I’ve been one happy bunny. Sometimes called night mode, this option of displaying content on a screen is my go to […]
This awesome new tool will soon turn everyone into a programmer
Generally, if you want computers to do something useful you have to create a computer program. This typically means learning one of the many computing languages out there. These range from low-level languages such as assembling code to high-level languages such as Python and JavaScript. Now you can add a new language to that continually […]
WordPress 5.8 is out and it comes with WebP and more
Recently the folks behind WordPress released this year’s second major release of WordPress for this year – WordPress 5.8. And it comes with an awesome surprise that I gushed about a few weeks ago. This release now natively supports WebP. As I said in the earlier article this is huge. Just to recap WebP is […]
Google is ditching the APK format for apps on the Play Store
Google has announced that it is moving away from the popular APK format on the Play Store starting August this year. The new format will be App Bundles (.aab) which the company rolled out a couple of years ago. “Since we launched the Android App Bundle in May 2018, we’ve seen our developer community embrace this new […]
Windows 11: The good, the bad and the meh…
Microsoft is launching the next generation of the Windows (11) operating system, tomorrow the 24th of June 2021. We browsed the internet to see what was being said about it and here are our thoughts. You can play or download the podcast with the link below: NB: Techzim is now zero-rated for text-based content. However, for embedded […]
The upcoming version of WordPress will support WebP
I don’t often write about WordPress, the popular CMS (content management system) that powers both Techzim and all the sites I work with but today I decided to make an exception as I couldn’t contain my excitement. The next coming version of WordPress, version 5.8 which is coming out on 20 July, will have native […]
Setting up the perfect web-development environment using docker and ZOL
I have to admit I am as far from winning the world’s best web-developer as it gets, but I give it my best. And also I mostly develop for myself apart from the very rare and little WordPress PHP snippets I have shared with my even more technologically inept friends. Recently though I found myself […]
I have been running an eLearning site for six years, here are the lessons I have learned
Here are some lessons about venturing into the elearning space a developer or someone who is looking to start a service over the many platforms available.
Zambian creates programming platform for African languages
Zambian Matthews Chishinji has created a programming language called Hawking that allows almost all Africans to code in their native language.
Upgrading to Android 11 will break your favourite apps
Google engineers are sometimes like your mother cleaning your room unsolicited. You swear you left your magazines (let’s just call them National Geographic mags but we both know they aren’t) under your pillow. The spot was perfect, quick access for when you need to use them. Now comes the tricky part. You cannot ask your […]
Africa Esports Championship calls on African developers to participate in Game Showcase event
Africa Esports Championship (AEC) recently announced that they are hosting the Africa Games Showcase Invitation. The event is being organised in partnership with LudiqueWorks. AEC and LudiqueWorks are inviting video game developers and studios to submit their developed games for the showcase which is aimed to “spotlight, highlight and celebrate” video games being developed on […]
MTNs Chenosis platform seeks to solve Africa’s API problem
Earlier this month, MTN announced the launch of Chenosis. This is an independent API marketplace built to enable developers and businesses across Africa. It will aggregate open APIs making it easy for developers and interested parties discover and make use of these APIs. APIs??? For the uninitiated, we will need to explain what an API […]
UN calls for interested parties to build access to info platform for women
UN Women Zimbabwe is looking for innovative solutions to persistent societal and economic challenges that are disrupting participation of women in decisions that affect their lives. As such UN Women Zimbabwe aims to support an ideathon that is expected to result in a viable and workable web-based platform that facilitates access to information as well […]
Recruiting and managing I.T. staff the right way
Techzim is expanding into Logistics and looking to on-board new delivery truck drivers. Suitable candidates must hold a clean class one drivers’ license. The drivers will also be required to possess motor-mechanic skills as they will be responsible for servicing and maintaining the vehicles they drive. They will also load and off-load the cargo they […]
Slack Connect is looking to replace email
Slack has a new product called Slack Connect. The angle is to provide businesses and organisations with a secure and productive way to communicate. They are looking to replace email as the primary way in which organisations communicate. “Designed to replace email, Slack Connect extends channel-based messaging to everyone you work with—inside and outside your […]
Amazon Honeycode, a web and mobile app builder with no code
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched Amazon Honeycode. A platform, in beta, that allows almost anyone in a business to build a custom web or mobile app without having any prior coding knowledge. “Most teams rely on their IT Departments for new apps. Many IT departments don’t have the staff or capacity to build all […]
Video: Apple & Google installed a COVID-19 tracker in everyone’s phone
In a bid to fight the spread of COVID-19, Google and Apple partnered up to add a COVID-19 contact tracing feature into Android and iOS. Here is how you can find it as well as how it will work. Quick NetOne, Econet, And Telecel Airtime Recharge Number to recharge: Airtime amount ($): EcoCash or OneMoney […]
App developers, apply for AppsAfrica Innovation Awards 2020
Entries are now open for the sixth annual AppsAfrica Innovation Awards which celebrate the best in mobile and technology from across Africa, showcasing the continents best innovations across 12 categories. The Awards continue to be a leading barometer of innovation across the continent and provide finalists and winners with global publicity, recognition and networking with industry leaders and investors. […]
Hiring A Developer? Devcenter’s Free eBook Could Be Of Use
Last December, we shared Devcentre’s State of Code Jobs document which shared interesting insights on Nigerian software development trends. The startup has now released a 2-part eBook giving tips on Hiring developers. The document titled 7 Mistakes Managers Make When Hiring Nigerian Developers explores the Nigerian context but I felt most of the information I […]
African AI Platform To Host Webinar On How Machine Learning Can Be Used To Fight COVID-19
Zindi the data science platform that connects data scientists and people who need their problems solved is hosting a free webinar titled “From Models to Medical Care: in conversation with epidemiologists on the scientific frontlines.“ The webinar will see 3 epidemiologists; Prof Wim Delva, Dr Brooke Nichols and Dr Elaine Nsoesie discuss how machine learning […]
Want To Learn About Data Science, But You’re Not Sure Where To Start? This Course Could Be Of Use
The importance of data science in today’s workplace is becoming more apparent to workers by the day. The biggest problem has been where do people who want to learn about this field start? I’ve referrenced a number of free courses in the past but another course I feel might make a difference for beginners looking […]
Guy Uses Machine Learning To Help Him Count How Many Times Noku From Wadiwa Wepa Moyo Says “Hesi”
Stumbling upon this pointless but intriguing video made my day yesterday. Usually when we talk about machine learning and programming – it’s rarely this light-hearted. A student from HIT – Tatenda Mushaya made use of Machine Learning techniques to attempt to figure out how many times Noku from Wadiwa Wepa Moyo says “Hesi”. If you’ve […]
Open Parly Announces Hack4Covid Virtual Hackathon; Apply Here
Open Parly ZW is joining the hundreds of organisations trying to use tech to solve the problems caused by COVID-19. The world is adapting to life during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals, organizations and governments are innovating to make life better, easier, and safer during this unprecedented time. Hack4Covid is Open Parly’s 1st virtual hackathon, and […]
Google’s Developer Scholarship Program Opens Registration
Google Africa Developer Scholarship (GADS) program is back for its second edition. The initiative aimed at helping developers become certified on Google’s Android, Web, and Cloud technologies continuously engage with aspiring and existing developers to help them become professional developers with skills that can get them opportunities after the program. Developers registering for this course […]
Combating COVID-19 Conference: A Collaborative Arduino Community Initiative
Humanity is facing one of the most trying events in its history and as technologists, makers and designers we are asking ourselves how we can contribute to the efforts to help our fellow human beings and potentially save lives. After seeing the equipment shortages faced by essential workers, people in communities all around the world […]