Cars & Gadgets is the newest podcast from TechCentral. Hosted by Nafisa Akabor, it looks at the latest gadgets - from smartphones to laptops and from headphones to smartwatches - as well as the latest from the world of motoring, with a particular slant towards electric cars. Because cars are gadgets, right?
Join TechCentral's Duncan McLeod and Nafisa Akabor as they unpack Samsung's biggest, boldest smartphone ever, the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
There's been plenty of hype around the S20 Ultra - does it live up to it? From 8K video recording to a 108-megapixel sensor, is this the smartphone to beat in 2020? Unfortunately, it's not all sunshine and roses.
For more technology news, visit https://techcentral.co.za/.
15 Sept 2019
Cars & Gadgets: Samsung's Galaxy Note10+ reviewed
In this episode of the Cars & Gadgets podcast, Nafisa Akabor tells TechCentral's Duncan McLeod all about Samsung's new phablet flagship, the Galaxy Note10+.
With Samsung Electronics' financial results under pressure, and competition mounting from lower-priced Chinese handset rivals, has the company done enough with this flagship to win over consumers?
And should you buy it?
For a full review of the Note10+, see Nafisa's review on TechCentral.
23 Apr 2019
Cars & Gadgets: Huawei's P30 Pro in review
In this episode of TechCentral's Cars & Gadgets podcast, Duncan McLeod chats to Nafisa Akabor about Huawei's new P30 Pro smartphone. The successor to 2018's well-received P20 Pro, the new model represents a major step forward.
Like Samsung, Huawei releases two flagship devices a year, the P-Series device in the first half and the Mate Series in the second half.
Duncan and Nafisa chat about what's new in the P30 Pro (and what's missing - a headphone jack), and go through the device's incredible rear-camera setup and its minimalist approach to a notch.
Is the P30 Pro better than the Samsung Galaxy S10, and how does it compare to Apple's latest flagships? Most importantly, should you be considering it as your next smartphone?
Listen to the podcast, and read Nafisa's full review on TechCentral, to find out.
27 Mar 2019
Cars & Gadgets: We drive Jaguar's R1.7-million I-Pace electric car
In this episode of the Cars & Gadgets podcast, Duncan McLeod speaks to Nafisa Akabor about Jaguar's new I-Pace electric car, which has gone on sale in South Africa.
Despite costing R1.7-million, the fully electric luxury SUV is already sold out, with new stock only expected next year.
The car, which exudes luxury, is powered by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery that has a range of up to 470km from a single charge. But how practical is it to own one in South Africa?
Nafisa took the I-Pace for a test drive and talks about the experience. She also explains how Jaguar is rolling out charging stations around the country to ensure drivers aren't left in the lurch, including on long journeys.
Read her full review of the vehicle here: https://techcentral.co.za/i-took-jaguars-r1-7-million-i-pace-electric-car-for-a-swim/88420/
14 Mar 2019
Cars & Gadgets: Samsung's Galaxy S10+ unpacked
In this episode of the Cars & Gadgets podcast, Duncan McLeod speaks to Nafisa Akabor about Samsung's new Galaxy S10+ smartphone, one of the most important releases for the Korean consumer electronics giant in years.
It's important because the company is getting a serious run for its money from Chinese manufacturers, particularly Huawei, but also Xiaomi and Oppo. Has the S10 line-up done enough to keep the Chinese rivals at bay? And is it enough of a step change to justify the upgrade?
In the podcast, Nafisa unpacks the new features in the S10+ and talks about its camera system (including the front-facing hole-punch design). She also looks at the phone's battery life, in-screen fingerprint reader and wireless charging capabilities.
30 Oct 2018
Cars & Gadgets: Huawei's Mate 20 Pro
In the latest episode of Cars & Gadgets, Duncan McLeod speaks to Nafisa Akabor about the new Mate 20 Pro from Huawei. Is this the best smartphone of 2018?
Nafisa has just returned from London, where she attended the global launch of the latest and greatest from the fast-growing China's consumer electronics giant, where the centrepiece was undoubtedly the new Mate 20 Pro, which goes on sale in South Africa on 1 November.
Huawei, which is building on the momentum of the very well received P20 Pro, is eyeing Samsung's crown as the world's biggest smartphone maker. And the Mate 20 Pro could help get it there.
A major update to last year's Mate 10 Pro, the new model features an in-screen fingerprint reader, facial unlocking and excellent battery life.
Nafisa and Duncan unpack the best the Mate 20 Pro has to offer, talk about that triple-camera setup on the phone's rear and debate whether Huawei has done enough to take the smartphone crown in 2018.
8 Oct 2018
Cars & Gadgets: Apple's iPhone Xs unpacked
In the second episode of Cars & Gadgets, Duncan McLeod speaks to Nafisa Akabor about the new iPhone Xs from Apple.
The Xs is one of three iPhone models Apple is introducing in 2018 -- the others being the supersized Xs Max and the "cheaper" Xr.
In the podcast, Nafisa unpacks the key differences between the three models, whether iPhone X users should consider upgrading (short answer: absolutely not) and why, in a highly unusual move, Apple decided to discontinue last year's model.
Duncan and Nafisa unpack Apple's new A12 Bionic chip and why the seven nanometer manufacturing process used is so important. They also chat about the Xs's camera system and what it can do that last year's model can't.
Perhaps most importantly, they discuss the battery life of the latest model and discuss what's new in iOS 12. Also, they ask: is Apple pricing itself out of the market with the new models?
7 Sept 2018
Cars & Gadgets: We drive BMW's insane i8 Coupé
In this episode of Cars & Gadgets, Nafisa Akabor and Duncan McLeod test-drive the new BMW i8 Coupé - while they record the podcast.
While inching forward in Midrand traffic, they talk about where the R2.1-million car is positioned in the market, how it performs and the practicality of owning one in South Africa. They then head to the Kyalami race track, before testing the i8's sheer muscle on a quiet back road.
The plug-in sports hybrid is now available in a Roadster for the first time (list price: R2.4-million), alongside a facelifted Coupé version.
The Coupé is a refresh of the original and features increased battery capacity for the electric motor -- up dramatically from 20Ah to 34Ah. This takes the pure electric range from a claimed 30km to 55km on the Coupé (it’s 53km on the Roadster).
The output of the Coupé's electric motor is 105kW, and combined with the 1.5l turbo-petrol engine’s 170kW, delivers a satisfying 275kW of power. This allows you to go from 0-100km/h in a blistering 4.4s on the Coupé, and 4.6s on the Roadster - with a top speed of 250km/h (electronically governed).
Listen to McLeod’s child-like excitement as he tests the acceleration claims. The full review is available on TechCentral.co.za.
3 Sept 2018
Cars & Gadgets: We talk to Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class
In this, the third episode, of the Cars & Gadgets podcast, Nafisa Akabor chats to Duncan McLeod about Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class, and specifically the vehicle's MBUX artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant.
In the podcast, listen to audio snippets of what MBUX can do, and how it differs from voice assistants from the likes of Google and Apple.
The company claims that the system grows to understand personal preferences and predict your needs, like switching to your favourite radio station, with the premise of the car adjusting to you and not the other way around.
Don't miss it!
In the second episode of Cars & Gadgets, Duncan McLeod speaks to Nafisa Akabor about Jabra's new "true wireless" earbuds, the Elite 65t.
In the podcast, Nafisa discusses how the 65t compares to its most direct competitor, Apple's AirPods, and why you should - or shouldn't - consider one over the other.
She explains the pairing process, how Jabra makes use of silicone tips to ensure optimal in-ear comfort and what the earpods are like to make and receive phone calls. She also talks about the Jabra's battery life and its charging case, which should ensure you can listen to music (or podcasts) all day long.
Remember, you can subscribe to Cars & Gadgets through almost any podcatcher - simply search for the show's name in your favourite podcasting app and hit the subscribe button.
Errata: It's stated in the podcast that Apple's AirPods don't work with Android devices. They do.
13 Aug 2018
Cars & Gadgets: The Samsung Galaxy Note9
In the inaugural episode of the Cars & Gadgets podcast, Duncan McLeod chats to Nafisa Akabor about the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note9.
Nafisa has been playing with the Note9 for the past few days. She gives her views on the device, who it's targeting and why it's such an important release for the Korean consumer electronics giant.
If you have feedback on the show, please send a WhatsApp to 0719991111.
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