Tech

Realme on Thursday announced a strategic partnership with camera equipment company Ricoh to bring the tradition of conventional cameras into mobile photography. As part of this collaboration, the two brands will work together to develop imaging systems for Realme handsets, offering deep customisation which is claimed to mimic the feel of a RICOH GR camera. Consequently, the first co-created product will be launched with the Realme GT 8 Pro later this month.

South Africans can now make everyday purchases using cryptocurrency at nearly 700,000 retail outlets nationwide. Through a partnership between Luno Pay, MoneyBadger, and the Scan to Pay network, consumers can pay with Bitcoin and stablecoins at major chains. Transactions are instantly converted, shielding merchants from volatility risks. This rollout marks one of the most significant expansions of crypto payments in Africa’s retail sector.

Apple could enter the foldable phone segment next year with iPhone Fold. The foldable iPhone is expected to feature a new frame made from a combination of titanium and aluminium. It is said to sport a 7.8-inch internal flexible display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. Apple packed an aluminium frame in the iPhone 17 Pro models. The iPhone Air has a titanium frame,

Google has expanded its AI-powered “Try It On” feature to include shoes, letting users preview how footwear would look on them before buying. The tool generates realistic images by asking users to upload a full-length photo. The process mirrors Google’s apparel try-on tool, where users select a shoe listing, tap “Try It On,” and view or share the results. The update builds on Google’s earlier AI clothing try-ons, making online shopping more interactive and personalised.

iQOO 15 launch date in China was announced on Thursday. The handset is expected to arrive as the successor to the iQOO 13. Ahead of launch, the China-based smartphone manufacturer has also revealed its colourways and design of the phone. It is teased to be available in four colour options, with one of them featuring a dual-pattern design. The iQOO 15, notably, is already confirmed to be the first handset from the company to be powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.