Customers of the CIPC are advised that once a new company is registered, the system automatically dispatches a registration certificate to a customer’s email address. Customers must ensure that email addresses provided to the CIPC are correct and functional.

In the event that a customer has not received a certificate within the stipulated service delivery standards (i.e. 25 working days after receipt of an application) he/she must send an email to EManyelo@cipc.co.za or GMoumakwe@cipc.co.za [good luck with getting ANY response!]

Where is the To-Do Bar?

The To-Do Bar is turned off by default in Outlook 2013. You can turn it back on via the View-> To-Do Bar button in the Ribbon. Note that it now also holds the option to show your contacts. To mark a contact as a favourite, search for the contacts and then right click on it to see the “Add to Favorites” option. You can also directly right click a contact from your Contacts folder.

The reason why it is off by default is to allow for more horizontal viewing space and because the individual To-Do Bar modules are also available merely by hovering on the word Calendar People or Tasks at the bottom of the Outlook window.

Calendar Peek feature in Outlook 2013. It also works for the People and Tasks module.

BlackBerry has announced plans to make  its BlackBerry Messenger service (BBM) available to iOS and Android users this summer. The apps, which will be subject to approval in Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, will require iOS6 and Android 4.0 or higher, BlackBerry announced.

The initial release will iOS and Android users to use BBM chats, including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM Groups. “For BlackBerry, messaging and collaboration are inseparable from the mobile experience, and the time is definitely right for BBM to become a multi-platform mobile service,” said Andrew Bocking, Executive Vice President, Software Product Management and Ecosystem at BlackBerry. “BBM has always been one of the most engaging services for BlackBerry customers, enabling them to easily connect while maintaining a valued level of personal privacy. We’re excited to offer iOS and Android users the possibility to join the BBM community,”

iOS and Android users will be able to add their contacts through PIN, email, SMS or QR code scan, regardless of platform. Android users would also be able to connect using a compatible NFC-capable device. BBM has more than 60 million monthly active customers, with more than 51 million people using BBM an average of 90 minutes per day, the Canadian firm said.

BlackBerry plans to add support for BBM Channels as well as voice and video chatting for iOS and Android later this year.

The app is set to be a free download, with a release date yet to be nailed down.

Microsoft has unveiled the Xbox One, the next generation of its popular videogame console.  The console features 8GBs of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, an eight-core processor based on X64 architecture and a Blu-Ray drive, as well as a slick black design and a tweaked controller.

The device is also equipped with an upgraded, integrated Kinect sensor for intuitive gesture-driven navigation and Siri-inspired voice commands. Microsoft’s new machine includes an Xbox Guide, composed of listings for cable TV channels, “app channels” and a trending section for social integration.

Other notable features include Skype integration as well as Snap mode, akin to Windows 8 multitasking, which sees task-switching in a seamless fashion. Microsoft announced numerous gaming-related additions too, such as the ability to play a game while waiting for another online game to start, as well as the ability to record game footage.

Microsoft plans to release 15 exclusive titles in the first year, eight of which are new IPs, the tech giant said. Exclusive titles revealed for the console include Forza Motorsport 5 and Quantum Break from Remedy, Electronic Arts also supported the event, announcing that Madden NFL, FIFA football, NBA basketball and UFC would be heading to the console, using its new Ignite Engine.

The Redmond company also confirmed that Call of Duty: Ghosts would be hitting the console, with all downloadable content appearing on the Xbox One first. As for backwards-compatibility, tech website The Verge reported that the console won’t play your Xbox 360 games or Xbox Live Arcade titles.

Microsoft’s flagship Halo franchise wasn’t forgotten either, with the firm announcing that Steven Spielberg would be directing a live-action Halo TV series. For sports fans, the tech titan confirmed a partnership with the NFL. The Xbox One will be launching around the world “later this year”, Microsoft’s Don Mattrick said.

In this week’s app feature, we have a truck parking simulator, another neat Instagram client for Windows Phone and Google’s replacement for Google Talk.

Trucker: Parking Simulator

Seemingly one of the more mundane games around, Trucker: Parking Simulator has been enthralling the people over at TouchArcade though. As the name implies, you’ll need to park a truck in a variety of tricky spots, with a career mode included as well.

Trucker is free to play on iOS and only weighs about 40MBs, so what have you got to lose?

Frozen Synapse

A port of a PC and Mac videogame, Frozen Synapse is a rather unique and visually distinctive strategy title. Described as a simultaneous turn-based strategy title, the game has you planning your squad’s moves and then hitting the “Prime” button. Your squad’s actions then take place at the same time as the enemy’s, making for some unpredictable moments.

Frozen Synapse is available on iOS for $6.99, so consider it if you’re looking for a strategy title that’s deeper than the usual mobile fare.

Google Hangouts

One of the bigger stories out of last week’s Google I/O conference was that the company would be releasing a Hangouts app. Intended to replace Google Talk and to eventually unify the firm’s messaging services, Hangouts lets you conduct normal chats, video-calls and group video-chats.

Google Hangouts replaces Google Talk and is a free download for iOS and Android.

Itsdagram

It was only a month ago that Windows Phone users were left in the lurch, with no decent Instagram apps available. Sure, there were photo-browsing apps, but if you wanted to upload snaps, you were out of luck. However, hot on the heels of the pioneering Instagraph comes Itsdagram, which also offers photo-uploading functionality on the platform.

The app is available for R12 on Windows Phone, along with a free trial that gives users one upload to test.

Cut the Rope

First released back in 2010, Cut The Rope also saw a PlayBook launch, oddly enough. Now, it’s been ported to the BlackBerry Z10. The game is simple to get into, with players using swipes to cut strings as you try to get candy into the mouth of cute monster Om Nom. It’s a formula that’s clearly worked, as the game has been ported to a wide variety of platforms.

Cut The Rope is available for $1.99 from the BlackBerry World.

Google Field Trip

Way back in our Apps of the Week 27 feature, we detailed the new Field Trip app, by the same people who brought us Ingress. At the time, it was only available in the United States though… In a welcome turn of events however, the app has since made its way to 80 other countries, with South Africa being one of them. If you haven’t heard of it, the app simply makes use of augmented reality to alert you to interesting locations and establishments. Additionally, it’s also capable of reading out these locations to you when you’re driving.

Field Trip is available as a free download for Android and iOS, so consider checking it out.

Strategy and Tactics: World War II

As a teenager, the Advance Wars series occupied untold hours of my gaming time, being a tough strategy title for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. Strategy and Tactics is reminiscent of the Nintendo effort to an extent, albeit with more realistic tactics and visuals. War buffs will also appreciate the healthy injection of real-world scenarios.

The title is available as a free to play title on iOS (with an in-app purchase to unlock the full game) while Android users will have to stump up about R46.

Sure, the likes of the Galaxy S4, Lumia 920 and HTC One are all fantastic smartphones, but not everyone can afford them. However, there are loads of bargain-priced smartphones out there, so we picked a few notable handsets you should look at. We tried to stay below the R3000 mark, using the Orange Store for price references in lieu of the recently shuttered Expansys SA, as well as official recommended retail prices.

Nokia Lumia 520

We’re currently putting the review unit through its paces, but it’s safe to say that the Lumia 520 represents good value for money.

Featuring a 1Ghz dual-core processor, 512MBs of RAM, super-sensitive display and Windows Phone 8, the handset isn’t far off the benchmark set by its big brother, the 920.

Of course, there are a few shortcuts that Nokia has made to keep costs down, such as a lower resolution screen, five megapixel camera, no flash and no front-facing shooter.

Still, with an RRP of R1899, you’re getting a full-fledged Windows Phone 8 device.

Nokia Lumia 620

If the 520 doesn’t quite cut it and you’re still intent on a Windows Phone 8 handset, the Lumia 620 is also worth considering then.

At R2597, it’s just a few hundred rand more than the 520, but includes an LED flash and a colourful, customisable design.

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2

The Korean giant has traditionally been at the forefront of cut-price Android handsets, with its Galaxy Pocket and Galaxy Y Pro being two notable devices.

However, the Galaxy Ace 2 also warrants consideration if you’ve got a bit more cash, with a dual-core 800Mhz chip, 480×800 screen, 5MP camera and microSD support.

The Ace 2 will set you back roughly R2189 online.

Samsung Galaxy Y Duos

If paying over R2000 for a handset is steep for you, the Y Duos could be for you instead, coming in at R1184.

Despite a paltry 832Mhz single-core processor and an eyewateringly low 240×320 resolution, the Y Duos does have one cool feature – the ability to use two SIMs at once.

HTC Desire X

Although it has produced some great handsets in the past 12 months, HTC hasn’t had the easiest of times. But you’ll want to check out their budget devices nonetheless.

The Desire X is the more expensive option, listed at R2799, but you get a good smartphone anyway.

Featuring a 1Ghz dual-core processor, a 480×800 LCD screen and 5MP camera with LED flash, it’s about as powerful as a flagship device from 2011 – which is a good thing.

HTC Desire C

The Desire C is the cheaper HTC option, with an RRP of R2200 following its release. It now costs R2020 on Orange, but you can tell it’s a bargain handset thanks to a 600Mhz single-core processor and 320×480 display.

Still, the presence of Android 4.0, a 5-megapixel camera, NFC (in some models) and microSD support means it covers your bases well.

Huawei Ascend P1

One of the world’s thinnest smartphones upon its release, the Ascend P1 has also seen a welcome price drop on Orange, now costing R2700.

The form factor hasn’t resulted in a spec compromise however, with a 1.5Ghz dual-core processor, 8MP camera and 1GB of RAM all included.

Disappointingly, the resolution is a bit on the low side, coming in at 960×540, but this is mitigated to an extent by the smaller 4.3-inch display.

Acer Cloud Mobile

Acer might not be renowned for its smartphones but the Cloud Mobile S500 surprisingly represents a lot of bang for your buck.

Equipped with a 720p screen, 8GBs of expandable storage and a 1.5Ghz Snapdragon Krait processor (i.e. pretty powerful), it’s quite possibly the best deal of the lot, for R2360.

Acer Liquid Gallant Duo

Coming in at a few hundred rand cheaper than the Cloud Mobile, Acer’s Liquid Gallant isn’t quite as powerful, but still deserves attention.

Sure, it has a 1Ghz single-core chip, 5MP camera and Android 4.0, but the Duo stands out due to its dual-SIM design, letting you easily take advantage of two different networks.

The Liquid Gallant Duo is very reasonably priced, coming in at R1888 from Orange.

Google’s Android mobile system boosted its lead in the global smartphone market over Apple in early 2013, while Microsoft’s Windows Phone edged into third place, a survey showed on Thursday.

The IDC survey showed Android’s commanding lead with a 75 percent market share in the first quarter, to 17.3 percent for Apple’s iOS platform.

The other platforms remained far behind, but Windows Phone posted the largest year-over-year and moved past BlackBerry into third place, IDC said.

IDC said Windows Phones accounted for 3.2 percent of the market, after a 133 percent rise in sales, to 2.9 percent for Blackberry.

Nokia was largely responsible for driving Windows Phone sales, accounting for 79 percent of the smartphones using the Microsoft platform.

“Windows Phone claiming the third spot is a first and helps validate the direction taken by Microsoft and key partner Nokia,” said IDC’s Kevin Restivo.

“Given the relatively low volume generated, the Windows Phone camp will need to show further gains to solidify its status as an alternative to Android or iOS.”

IDC’s Ramon Llamas said the survey shows some interest in alternative platforms despite the dominance of Android and Apple.

“Android and iOS accounted for more than the lion’s share of smartphones in the first quarter, but a closer examination of the other platforms reveals turnaround and demand for alternatives,” Llamas said.

A survey by the research firm Gartner earlier this week had similar results, but showed Blackberry barely ahead of Windows Phone.

Apart from Start Orb and classic Start Menu, what most Windows 7 users, who decided to take Windows 8 for a spin, miss in Windows 8 is ability to create ad-hoc network. If you’re a power users, you might’ve noticed that Windows 8 doesn’t include an option to create and setup ad hoc network connection to share files and internet with Wi-Fi enabled computers and devices. Windows 7 ad hoc connection feature does nothing except creating a shared connection with separate IP address to register the device on the virtual network. This allows users to use router’s default or specified DNS server address to easily connect to internet. Even though Windows 8 comes with ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) feature to allow devices  to connect to yours PC internet connection, it doesn’t allow creating a wireless network connection to share the internet. In this post, we will look at some tools that let you easily create and manage ad-hoc connections in Windows 8.

Using Windows netsh Utility

The Network Shell (netsh) utility is basically developed to let users configure network devices in both client and server editions of Windows. The support for configuring WLAN using netsh was first introduced in Windows Vista, and it’s now available in Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Using netsh wlan command, one can easily use hosted network (virtualization) feature to create a virtual wireless connection. The Hosted Network is WLAN feature, which is designed to implement virtualization of physical network adapter. Since it plays a vital role in creating a virtual wireless adapter, it’s used by a majority of virtual Wi-Fi hotspot applications, such as Virtual WiFi Router, MyPublicWiFi, Marfi etc. So, if your NIC supports wireless hostednetwork / virtualization feature, then you can create an ad hoc wireless connection and turn your PC into Wi-Fi hotspot.

There are no plans to bring a newly announced Galaxy S4 variant to South Africa anytime soon. Google announced that it would be launching a Galaxy S4 equipped with the vanilla version of the Android platform at its I/O Conference.

The variant, which will retail for $649, will support LTE on T-Mobile and AT&T’s network.  Several manufacturers of Android devices, such Samsung, Sony and HTC, often choose to add their own theme and user-interface to the platform. The Galaxy S4, for instance, is equipped with the TouchWiz interface by default.

However, Samsung South Africa has told iafrica.com that there aren’t any plans to bring the variant to local shores.

“We currently have no plans for a Vanilla Android S4 for the SA market,” said Dr. Michelle Potgieter, Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications, Samsung Electronics South Africa. Samsung launched the Galaxy S4 in South Africa on 27 April 2013, with an LTE version also expected in the coming weeks.

The tweaked version of Microsoft’s operating system nicknamed Windows Blue will be previewed on 26 June and will be a free update for users as Windows 8.1, the company said earlier yesterday. The update comes amid a lukewarm reception for Windows 8, an operating system released last year to help the software giant transition from personal computers to tablets and other mobile devices. The move is part of a goal “of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers,” a Microsoft blog post said.

Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc said a public preview of Windows 8.1 will be available starting on 26 June, timed with the Microsoft developer conference in San Francisco. Microsoft said recently it had sold than 100 million licenses for Windows 8 but that the update was planned after listening to customers.

Some analysts say Microsoft was forced to act because of slow adoption of Windows 8, which made some radical changes to the design of the desktop. With Windows 8, Microsoft was trying to create a system that could be used on mobile touch screen devices while also serving the users of traditional PCs. Microsoft launched Windows 8 last October, revamping its flagship system in an effort to make inroads in the fast-growing mobile segment. At the same time, it also launched its Surface tablet computer.