In an era where technology intertwines with daily life, AI emerges as a double-edged sword, cutting through the fabric of society with both promise and peril. As AI reshapes industries, it also casts a long shadow over fundamental human rights and ethical business practices. Consider the tale of a facial recognition system inaccurately flagging an innocent individual as a criminal suspect – and worse still, flagging individuals based on racial biases. Such instances underscore the urgent need for vigilance and responsibility in the age of AI.

The AI revolution and the rule of law

AI technologies are reshaping the legal landscape, introducing novel forms of digital evidence and altering traditional concepts of the rule of law. Courts worldwide grapple with the admissibility of AI-generated evidence, while law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on facial recognition and predictive policing tools, raising profound concerns about fairness, transparency, and accountability. The erosion of legal protections and standards in the face of AI’s opaque algorithms threatens the very foundation of justice, emphasising the need for regulatory frameworks that keep pace with technological advances.

The transformative power of AI in the legal domain is both fascinating and alarming. With the increasing spread of fake news, elections can be marred by misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. AI advances can be key in orchestrating verification campaigns, as a pilot project conducted by the United Nations Development Programme in Zambia’s 2021 elections showed. In the United States, the use of AI in predictive policing and sentencing algorithms has sparked debate over fairness and bias. Studies, such as the 2016 ProPublica report, have highlighted how algorithms can inherit and amplify racial biases, challenging the very notion of impartial justice.

These issues underscore the necessity for legal systems worldwide to adapt and ensure AI technologies uphold the highest standards of equity, accuracy and transparency.

Intersectionality of AI and human rights

The impact of AI on human rights is far-reaching, affecting everything from freedom of expression to the right to privacy. For instance, social media algorithms can amplify or suppress certain viewpoints, while automated decision-making systems can deny individuals access to essential services based on biased data. Automated content moderation systems on social media platforms can also inadvertently silence marginalised voices, impacting freedom of speech. The deployment of mass surveillance technologies in countries like China similarly raises severe privacy concerns, illustrating the global need for AI governance that respects and protects individual rights.

These examples highlight the critical need for AI systems that are designed and deployed with a deep understanding of their human rights implications. Ensuring that AI technologies respect and promote human rights requires a concerted effort from developers, policymakers, and civil society.

Closer to home, the issue of digital and socioeconomic divides further complicates the intersectionality of AI and human rights. AI-driven solutions in healthcare and agriculture, for example, have shown immense potential to bridge socio-economic gaps. The balance between leveraging AI for societal benefits whilst protecting individual rights is a delicate one, necessitating nuanced governance frameworks.

Whilst these frameworks are still nascent in many jurisdictions around the world, the United Nations has prioritised efforts to secure the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet. In 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted the UN resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet, which resolution was heralded as a milestone and recognises that all of the rights people have offline must also be protected online.

This resolution came off the back of other UN resolutions, specifically condemning any measure to prevent or disrupt access to the internet and recognising the importance of access to information and privacy online for the realisation of the right to freedom of expression and to hold opinions without interference.

In 2023, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said the digital world was still in its early days. Around the world, more children and young people than ever before are online, either at home or at school, but depending on birthplace, not everyone has this chance.

The digital divide means a staggering 2.2 billion children and young people under 25 around the globe still do not have access to the Internet at home. They are being left behind, unable to access education and training, or news and information that could help protect their health, safety and rights. There is also a gap between girls and boys in terms of access to the Internet. He concluded by saying “It may be time to reinforce universal access to the Internet as a human right, and not just a privilege”.

Corporate responsibility in the AI era

For corporations in South Africa, Africa, and globally, AI introduces new risk areas that must be navigated with caution and responsibility. General Counsel, the world over, are required to investigate and implement strategies around issues of privacy, data protection, and non-discrimination which are paramount, as the misuse of AI can lead to significant reputational damage and legal liabilities. Corporations must adopt ethical AI frameworks and corporate social responsibility initiatives that prioritise human rights, demonstrating a commitment to responsible business practices in the digital age.

Corporations stand at the frontline of the AI revolution, bearing the responsibility to wield this powerful tool ethically. Google’s Project Maven, a collaboration with the Pentagon to enhance drone targeting through AI, faced internal and public backlash, leading to the establishment of AI ethics principles by the company. This example demonstrates the importance of corporate accountability and the potential repercussions of neglecting ethical considerations in AI deployment. It also highlights that influential corporations hold a significant level of leverage in their environments. This leverage should be used to progress respect for human rights across the value chain.

The challenge of regulation

Regulating AI presents a formidable challenge, particularly in Africa, where socio-economic and resource constraints are significant. The rapid pace of AI development often outstrips the ability of regulatory frameworks to adapt, leaving gaps that can be exploited to the detriment of society. Moreover, regulatory developments in the Global North often set precedents that may not be suitable for the African context, highlighting the need for regulations that are inclusive, contextually relevant, and capable of protecting citizens’ rights while fostering innovation.

The fast-paced evolution of AI technology poses a significant challenge to regulators, especially in the African context, where resources and expertise in technology governance are often limited. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) serves as a pioneering model for embedding principles of privacy and data protection in technology use, offering valuable lessons for African nations in crafting their regulatory responses to AI.

Towards a sustainable future

The path towards a sustainable future, where AI benefits humanity while safeguarding human rights, requires collaboration among businesses, regulators, and civil society. Stakeholders must work together to develop and implement guidelines and standards that ensure AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly. Highlighting examples of responsible AI use, such as initiatives that provide equitable access to technology or projects that leverage AI for social good, can inspire others to follow suit.

Collaboration is key to harnessing AI’s potential while safeguarding human rights and ethical standards. Initiatives like the Partnership on AI, which brings together tech giants, non-profits, and academics to study and formulate best practices on AI technologies, exemplify how collective action can lead to responsible AI development and use.

As AI and related technologies continue to transform our world, we must not lose sight of the human values that define us. The intersection of AI, business, and human rights presents complex challenges but also opportunities for positive change, not only for governments but for corporations too. By fostering ongoing dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders, we can shape a future where technology serves humanity’s best interests, ensuring that the digital age is marked by innovation, equity, and respect for human rights. Corporate governance frameworks will need to adapt in response to these advances.

As Africa navigates the complexities of AI integration, the journey must be undertaken, byte by byte, with a steadfast commitment to ethical principles and human rights. The continent’s diverse tapestry of cultures and histories offers unique insights into responsible AI governance. By prioritising transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, African governments and corporations can lead the way in demonstrating how technology, guided by human values, can be a powerful tool for positive change. In the digital age, the fusion of innovation and ethics will define Africa’s trajectory, ensuring that AI becomes a catalyst for empowerment rather than a source of division.

Authors:

• Pooja Dela-Cron is a Partner at Webber Wentzel
• Paula-Ann Novotny is a Senior Associate at Webber Wentzel

What is Adventure Racing?

Adventure Racing (AR) is a grueling and exhilarating multi-day endurance event that challenges mixed teams of four to race through rugged terrain using a variety of outdoor disciplines such as trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, abseiling, and more, all whilst navigating an unmarked wilderness, strategically seeking out checkpoints (CP’s) laid out by the race course director, using only a topographical map and compass. The essence of adventure racing lies in teamwork, strategy, navigation skills, and the ability to adapt to unpredictable conditions.

The Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), comprising some 69 regional races held around the world, uniting the world’s best endurance athletes, culminates in the AR World Championship. The first took place in 2001 in Switzerland and this year the AR World Champs found its way to African soil for the very first time. The 2023 Adventure Racing World Championships held in the scenic landscapes of the Kouga Region, South Africa, hosted by Expedition Africa, marked a monumental gathering of 109 teams, with a vibrant mix of 436 athletes representing 36 nations.

It wasn’t just a test of human endurance but also a proving ground for the Garmin Enduro 2 with its Adventure Race function and importantly, its exceptional battery life.

The race covered a staggering 839km, encompassing 10 legs, a 56km trek, 181km cycle, 80km trek (including an abseil), 10km trek, 65km kayak, 3km trek, 224km cycle, 64km trek, 124km cycle, ending with a 32km trek to the finish. The actual distance covered at the end depended on how accurately a team navigated the route, with most teams ultimately exceeding 900km.

The Garmin Adventure Race Activity

In terms of the ARWS Rules of Competition, GPS devices capable of displaying position, maps, routes, distances, or any other location information that may assist a team with navigation, are not permitted. However, Garmin (with its Adventure Race activity) is the only multisport GPS-enabled watch that is sanctioned and approved to be worn during an ARWS race.

Garmin offers adventure racing functionality in several watches within their extensive range of multisport and outdoor watches. The Garmin Enduro 2, designed with adventure in mind, incorporates features such as navigation, real-time performance metrics, and the dedicated Adventure Race function. Other models which include the Adventure Race feature are the Fenix 6 and Fenix 7.

A participant is required to have the watch registered with the race director before the start of the race so that it can be verified at the end of the activity to ensure it was only used to record the adventure race.

Once activated, the Adventure Racing activity will not show you a map or a track of your activity, permit the use of any Connect IQ apps, or allow access to any other features that would help you navigate the course except for the compass and altimeter features which continue to function while recording the activity.

All of the activity metrics, heart rate, speed, distance, etc., as well as your GPS position and route are still recorded in the background, allowing review of your path and activity data after the activity has ended and been uploaded to Garmin Connect or third party app such as Strava. This is great for those, like me, fascinated with delving into all of the data and allows checking of the actual route against the intended course set by the race organiser.

Once in the Adventure Racing activity, the watch sets alerts, laps, calibrate the compass, and stop the activity through the Action Menu by pressing the Start/Stop button and selecting an item. It shows a data page in the activity that gives your start time, and time passed since the start of the activity. It will stop the recording when the activity is saved, and a new activity must be started if you stopped the activity by mistake.

The following features are allowed to be accessed during an Adventure Race activity.

Data Fields

• Compass
• Elevation (autocalibration is disabled)
• Heart Rate
• Lap Time
• Rest Timer
• Time of Day
• Total Time

Functions

• Alarm Clock
• Eat/Drink Reminders
• Bluetooth and ANT+ Sensors (paired sensors will only report allowed data, such as heart rate, during the activity. Other data will be available in the activity summary after saving and syncing the activity.)

Features that are disabled during the activity are grayed out in the menus and the watch shows the message Adventure Race Active if you try to access these features. The disabled features will not resume functioning until the activity is stopped and saved or discarded.

An important part of adventure racing is managing sleep deprivation and choosing when and for how long to sleep or nap, where strategic naps can be a game-changer. Having access to the alarm during the race turned out to be crucial as you don’t need to worry that you are going to oversleep.

The watch resumes activity after a restart if you choose to do so. It will automatically prompt you to Resume or Save after a restart.

Design and Build

The Enduro 2 boasts a rugged design that reflects its commitment to endurance sports. The fiber-reinforced polymer case is paired with a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass DX lens, ensuring durability in challenging environments. Its adventurous spirit is further accentuated by the stainless steel or diamond-like carbon (DLC) titanium bezel options, providing a mix of strength and style.

It features a water resistance rating of 10 ATM and robust construction that can withstand shocks, ideally suited for the unpredictable nature of adventure racing. The rugged conditions of the AR World Champs really showcased the Enduro 2’s durability. It withstood bumps, scrapes, and challenging weather conditions with ease, emerging from the race unscathed and ready for its next adventure.

A favourite feature of the watch for me is the Enduro 2’s nylon and Velcro watch strap, with lightweight and breathable construction. Transitioning between different disciplines or adjusting the fit on the go was hassle-free and the secure fit ensured that the watch stayed in place during intense activities without any discomfort or irritation. The strap was durable, resisting abrasions and maintaining its integrity throughout the race.

Another great feature is the watch’s flashlight function. Although I did not want to use the light too much so as to preserve battery life, this came in really handy during the nights as I was able to turn on the flashlight at a push of a button if I did not have my headlamp or bike light nearby. You can also adjust the brightness and switch between a white and red light.

Battery Life

For me, the standout feature of the Enduro 2 is its remarkable battery life. With solar charging and customizable Power Manager, the watch can last for weeks using the Ultra Trac mode, even in the most demanding scenarios.

Power Glass Solar Charging Lens

At the heart of the solar charging function is the Power Glass lens, seamlessly integrated into the watch face, without compromising the watch’s aesthetics or adding unnecessary bulk. In fact you don’t even know it is there. This specialised lens is designed to convert sunlight into energy, effectively transforming natural light into a power source for the watch. The Enduro 2’s solar charging is remarkably efficient even in less-than-optimal conditions. This means that, whether you’re racing under the sun or navigating through overcast skies, the watch continues to charge and extend its battery life.

The Enduro 2 will not stop the Adventure Race activity when the watch is plugged in to charge the battery unless the watch is plugged into a computer. Even though the battery life is remarkable, over an expedition-length adventure race like the AR World Champs, you will still need to charge the battery at times. I was able to do this at one of the race transitions after two and a half days of racing when the battery life was still at 50%. I charged the watch a second time at about the seven-day mark when the battery was fully depleted. The watch died just as I was plugging it into the charger and I was very happy to see that the activity resumed without any hiccup as the watch restarted.

Garmin Enduro 2 verdict

Having faced the rigors of the Adventure Racing World Championships 2023, the Garmin Enduro 2 surpassed expectations. We clocked 196 hours and 44 minutes of racing, just over 900 kilometers and 16,412 meters of ascent, with more than 48,000 calories burned. For adventure racing enthusiasts seeking a durable and reliable companion, this watch is a standout choice. With its robust design, comprehensive Adventure Race functionality, and exceptional battery life, the Garmin Enduro 2 proves itself as a trusted partner capable of enduring the most challenging adventures.

• Richard Brown raced in the Truffle Hunters team at the 2023 Adventure Race World Championship

We’ve covered keyboard tricks for MacBook and Mac users, but we haven’t forgotten about our Windows fam. Check out these keyboard tricks will certainly help you shave off time off work here and there (P.S. wear a black hoodie and drink lots of coffee for the optimal hacker aesthetic).

1. Apply high contrast: Shift + ALT + Print

Sometimes the normal amount of contrast just isn’t enough and you need high contrast, because you live on the edge. Keep in mind that this shortcut opens a warning window before applying any changes, for good measure too. Not everyone needs high contrast. Anyway, Hit the combo mentioned above, click Yes or simply hit Return to switch to the high contrast setting.

2. Rotate screen: CTRL + ALT + Up/Down/Left/Right Arrow

This won’t work on every machine as it depends on your graphics card and video drivers. However, if it does work, it will rotate your desktop. It’s also the quickest way to play a trick on an unsuspecting victim.

You can make this change permanent through display settings. Head to the Settings app (press Windows key + I) and go to System > Display. Here you can change the Orientation from Landscape to Portrait or a flipped (upside down) version of the two.

3. Switch between open windows: ALT + TAB

This keyboard shortcut launches a layover window that shows all open applications. Hold the ALT key and hit the TAB key to move to the next application. Release both keys to open the selected window. You can reverse the direction by holding ALT + Shift while pressing the TAB key.

4. Delete without confirmation: Shift + Del

We all hate these nagging windows that constantly pop up asking if we’re sure we want to do something. Most of the time we really want to do the thing. If you want to quickly delete something, without being harrassed for confirmation, use this shortcut, simply right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, select Properties, and remove the checkmark next to Display delete confirmation dialogue.

5. Show desktop / restore open windows: Windows Key + D

Keen on quickly checking your desktop… because… you kinda forgot what it looked like after a 12-hour crunch session? Fear not! Instead of moving your mouse into the bottom right corner of your screen to see your desktop, press this keyboard shortcut. Gotta get back into work asap? Press it again to restore your windows exactly as they were before.

6. Lock system: Windows Key + L

You should never leave your desktop unattended (for obvious reasons). Before you head out to the loo or to grab another coffee, press this keyboard shortcut to lock your system. When you return and log back in, all the open apps and windows will appear the way you left them.

7. Shut down: Windows Key + X, U, I / U / R / H / S

You can shut Windows down with a few button clicks. It all starts with Windows key + X to open the Quick Access Menu, followed by the U key to expand the shutdown or sign out options. Finally, press I to sign out, U to shut down, R to restart, H to hibernate, and S to sleep.

8. Create your own desktop keyboard trick

Are there folders or applications you need a lot? Why not create your own keyboard shortcut to quickly access these tools. Remember that this will only work for shortcuts located on your desktop.

First, you need to create an actual desktop shortcut. In Windows 10, this has become a little more tricky. Right-click on the application in its program folder or send it from the Start Menu to the Taskbar and SHIFT + right-click its Taskbar icon, then select Create Shortcut from the context menu.

Make sure the shortcut sits on your desktop. Now right-click the shortcut and select Properties. You should see a line that says Shortcut Key: None. Click that line and then click a letter on your keyboard, for example, P. This will create a shortcut, here CTRL + ALT + P.

What about browser-specific keyboard shortcuts? Well, if you use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, then try these out:

Jump to open tabs: CTRL + [Tab #1-9] — Rather than scrolling through all your open tabs, you can quickly navigate to a specific tab if you know its position. For example, clicking CTRL + 4 will jump to tab number 4 (from the left). With CTRL + 9 you will jump to the very last tab, no matter how many you have open.

Move through tabs: CTRL + TAB or CTRL + Shift + TAB — Got too many tabs open for the previous shortcut to be useful? Like in Windows, you can use the CTRL + TAB shortcut to move through all of your open tabs from left to right. Add the Shift key to move from right to left.

Close Tab: CTRL + F4 — A quick, mouseless way to close a tab.

Open Closed Tab/S: CTRL + Shift + T — Did you accidentally close that tab? Restore it using this key combination.

Scroll PageDown Or PageUp: SPACEBAR Or Shift + SPACEBAR — Give your mouse wheel a break and use the spacebar to move up and down a website.

Toggle Full Screen: F11 — Quickly change into full-screen mode.

The conversations surrounding algorithms are more frequent now than in the past because they’re in the mainstream. It’s no long just scientists that are aware computers learn on their own when given a few simple instructions. That’s really all that algorithms are: mathematical instructions.

Algorithms are like following a cake recipe to bake a cake. However, what’s pretty startling is that, unlike when baking a cake, sometimes you don’t have to tell computers exactly what to do every step of the way for a result to materialise. Rather than follow only explicitly programmed instructions, some algorithms are designed to allow computers to learn on their own (i.e., facilitate machine learning).

Finding your algorithm

This has trickled down into the election-influencing, ‘fake news’ fear-mongerers that are social media algorithms. The more you search for content, the more algorithms learn about you. By providing content specific to your previous searches, algorithms undoubtedly influence, alter or maintain your world views. Before the switch to algorithms, most social media feeds displayed posts in reverse chronological order. In short, the newest posts from accounts a user followed showed up first. Now it’s all about relevancy.

Take the experiment done by WIRED’s Sinead Bovell, as an example. Bovell created three different accounts on three different laptops (which had their history and cache cleared). On each account, she searched for content that aligned with one US political party over the other: Fox News for more conservative news, MSNBC for more liberal news, and ABC for a more neutral stance.

After just one video search for each of these news stations, Bovell’s feed became much more tailored to similar videos thereafter. In such ways, social media algorithms keep us tucked away in our little own echo chambers of compatible discourses. Social media companies know that if you support Trump then you’d want to see more pro-Trump content. And they’re going to give it to you, in order to increase website traffic and keep advertisers on their payroll.

It’s not hard to see why social media algorithms are controversial. Algorithms can influence us, even if we’re not aware of it. As the New York Times’ Rabbit Hole podcast explores, YouTube’s recommendation algorithms can drive viewers to increasingly extreme content, potentially leading to online radicalisation. It begs the question of just how much of your thoughts and behaviours are truly your own?

Recently, we’ve been deliberately trying to mess around with the algorithm that rules our worlds (with not that much success). We guess years of searches that have established a particular trend, coupled with the fact that there’s only so many videos on why feminism is bad we can click on before wanting to pull our hair out, is too solid for even the big bad algorithm to fully change.

Starting with a clean slate would likely make all the difference, but there’s already a lot of data the algorithms that surround us have to contend with. Shifting that… isn’t easy. At the end of the day, underneath all the algorithms are people. And we influence the algorithms just as much as they may influence us.

A click or two on your mouse may not seem like the most time-consuming acts you would carry out in your day, but those clicks (and the precious seconds they take) add up to minutes. The keyboard was designed in a way that users shouldn’t have to look at it to effectively click away. So the quicker you master being a keyboard-samurai, the less you would have to achingly reach out to that lonely mouse or trackpad. 

That means you’ll get the work done much faster, which is what we’re going to try and do this year. 

Some keyboard tricks you should know

1. Compose an email (⌘ + Shift + I)

If you find that you need to compose an email in a snap, simply use the ⌘ + Shift + I shortcut. This opens up the Mail compose page on Mail for Mac, which’ll allow you to dive right into posting rather than digging through your inbox and following through the laborious process of finding the compose button. 

2. Define a word (⌘ + Control + D)

Most Mac OS and iOS devices allow you to define highlighted words — that’s a nifty feature right there. Especially if you’re not quite sure what ‘extraneous’ means. To do this on a Mac, simply click on (even without highlighting) any part of the word you want to define, then press ⌘ + Control + D.

3. Specify your screenshots (⌘ + Shift + 4)

As you may or may not know, you can screenshot your full Mac screen using ⌘ + Shift + 3. However, if you want to screenshot a particular part of your screen, there’s a cool feature that makes it easy enough. Simply use ⌘ + Shift + 4, click, and drag the section you want to screenshot. A screenshot is automatically taken and saved directly on your desktop.

4. Minimise all screens (⌘ + Option + M)

If your abundant use of different windows are just getting in the way of you getting work done, why not minimise them all? You can do this in a snap by using the shortcut ⌘ + Option + M.

5. Cycle open applications (⌘ + Shift + Tab)

If you have a tonne of applications open (that happens sometimes, we get it), you can cycle through them and easily access each window without even touching your trackpad. With the ⌘ + Shift + Tab option, you can make this happen.

6. Quit a safari window (⌘ + W)

The ⌘ + Q shortcut allows you to quickly quit the current application you are in. However, what if you are in Safari and don’t want to quit out of everything, just the current window you are using? Make it happen with the ⌘ + W shortcut.

7. Peak at your desktop (⌘ + F3)

There may be times when you need to refer to a file or see an image that can be found on your desktop. You might even need to delete or drag it out, but maybe you don’t want to minimise or quit your applications. Just use the ⌘ + F3 shortcut, which spreads your windows to the top to reveal only the desktop.

8. Minuscule volume adjustments (Option + Shift + F11 or F12)

Okay, sometimes you just want to adjust the volume of the music that you are listening to, but you just can’t get it to that perfect audio level? With the Option + Shift + Volume Up or Volume Down shortcut, you can make very minuscule volume adjustments to get to the level you want.

9. Delete entire words (Option + Delete)

It can be a pain to have to press and hold the delete/backspace buttons until the entire word you typed is deleted. With the Option + Delete command, you can easily rid your doc of that whole word. You can press it as many times as you want to delete multiple words. Might be time to restart the whole paragraphs, don’t ya think?

10. Scroll to very top/bottom (⌘ + Up or Down)

There are multiple ways to scroll. You can click-and-drag the scroll bar on the left of the screen, you can use your trackpad, or you can use the keyboard arrows. However, when you press ⌘ + either the Up or Down Arrow, you can race to the top (or bottom) at lighting speed.

11. Minimisation slow-mo (Shift + Minimise Window)

This is just for a fun effect to show friends and family. If you want to have your minimising screen minimise in slow-mo, simply press Shift then minimise your screen with the yellow button.

12. Access address bar (⌘ + Up + L)

If you want to type something in the search bar without even touching your trackpad, simply press ⌘ + Up Arrow + L. From there, you can quickly type directly into your web search and find your all-important research quickly.

13. Fast shut down (Control + Option + ⌘ + Eject)

If you find yourself in a rush and need to shut down the computer right away, you can do so with the Control + Option + ⌘ + Eject button. Clearly, it’s very hard to do this command accidentally. For good reason, once activated, you have very little time to save documents or pages before shut down. So make sure you save before doing this command.

14. Finder shortcuts (⌘ + Shift + A, U, or D)

Finder is the hub of files and applications for your Mac. This means that it can sometimes be a bit cluttered to navigate around. With the ⌘ + Shift + A shortcut in Finder, you can quickly go to the Applications page of Finder. ⌘ + Shift + U takes you to Utilities and ⌘ + Shift + D escorts you to the Desktop folder of Finder.

15. Inverted colours (Read More)

Inverted colours may be a cool feature for some people, however, for others, it can be an important way for them to navigate around their computer. This is why it takes some tinkering in the Accessibility section of Settings (System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Accessibility). From there, check off the “Invert Colors” box. Then with the ⌘ + Control + Option + 8 commands, you can change colours to and from being inverted.

Is it harmful to keep your phone plugged in overnight? Will a nearby magnet erase your hard drive? What about incognito mode? Does it really work?

Here’s a look at some of the most common misunderstandings about the tech products we use every day and debunking any attached myths.

Using antivirus will completely prevent infections

Sounds logical, right? Antivirus software should protect your computer! Well, not all the way all the time.
Hundreds, even thousands, of new types of viruses and malware are released every day and can spread more rapidly than ever before. Security programs have to be able to keep up with the near-impossible task of identifying and protecting against countless new infections. Add to these newer types of infections, such as ransomware, that is almost impossible to protect against, and your antivirus program has a tough job.

While it should be part of your overall security strategy, an antivirus program is by no means the end all be all. Think of it as your house. You install locks on the doors (antivirus) to protect against most intruders. But those locks won’t prevent someone smashing a window, or alert you to an intrusion. Locks, like antivirus programs, work in conjunction with other tools to offer robust security.

You should always let your iPhone battery completely die before recharging

We’ve all noticed the slow decline of battery quality over time with our phones; how 90% would drop to 60% in the span of five minutes. Well, according to Apple, this is not the result of charging your phone whenever you feel like it.

The tech giant points out on its website that you can charge your iPhone whenever you want without worrying about the battery. “You complete one charge cycle when you’ve used (discharged) an amount that equals 100% of your battery’s capacity — but not necessarily all from one charge.”

Holding a magnet close to your computer will erase all of its data

Technically, this isn’t wrong. Remember how it easy it was to wipe a floppy disk with a magnet back in the day? The same concept applies today, but you’d need a really big magnet to wipe your computer’s hard drive.  Experts told PCMag that hard drives on modern computers would only be susceptible to really strong magnets with really focused magnetic fields — so your average pineapple-shaped fridge magnet wouldn’t do the trick. Unless you have access to a laboratory degausser or government tools, you don’t have the ability to damage a drive with magnets.

Closing apps on your iPhone saves battery life

So apparently this is a myth. According to 9to5Mac, in 2016, an Apple fan actually emailed CEO Tim Cook to get the final word on whether or not closing apps improves battery life. Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, answered in Cook’s place. The email asked whether Cook quits his iOS multitasking apps frequently and whether this is necessary for battery life, to which Federighi replied: “No and No.”
I don’t know about you but I’m closing my apps anyway.

Private/Incognito browsing keeps you anonymous

Listen, I don’t know what you search on the internet in your own time but you should probably know that ‘incognito mode’ does not make you invisible. There’s a misconception that “incognito” and “private” are synonymous with anonymous. If you’re using Incognito Mode in Google Chrome or Private browsing in Safari, it simply means the browser won’t keep track of your history or automatically log into any of your accounts.

Basically, it’s good for keeping other people who use your computer from seeing what you’ve been doing. But it won’t keep your identity or your ISP hidden from the sites you visit — so keep that in mind if you’re visiting sites you shouldn’t be.

Device manufacturers purposely make old models slow down to push you to purchase new versions

I know. This does seem like a fact at times. You bought a phone a year or two ago, and now the manufacturer is releasing a new version. Suddenly you notice apps slowing down, freezing, and other unusual issues. But one could simply attribute these companies focusing more on their newer, shinier projects.

When newer models come out, developers begin designing and optimizing apps for the updated versions – leaving your older technology in the dust. Unless they dedicate resources to keeping old versions supported, you’ll notice more issues than before. So while it’s not intentional, older version slowdowns can be an unfortunate side effect of new model releases.

Leaving your phone plugged in damages the battery

Like most people, you probably leave your phone plugged in overnight long after the battery is fully charged. There has been a general perception that doing so will damage your smartphone’s battery, but the truth is actually more complicated.

Leaving your phone plugged in doesn’t damage your device, per se. But Dominik Schulte, managing director of German battery technology consultancy firm BatterieIngenieure, previously told Business Insider that leaving your smartphone at 100% for extended periods of time can cause it to age faster. Other experts, however, have said that charging your phone overnight will have no noticeable impact on the battery ageing process. 

So, there you have it. While some myths are flat out wrong, others and their truth are a tad more complicated. Hopefully, these myth busters will help you get to know your tech a bit more.

Here’s what South Africans watched on Netflix in 2020: 

Our own content

This year showed that the world has an appetite for South African content with titles made in Mzansi making the Top 10 lists in many countries around the globe.  Alongside the two Netflix Originals that landed on the service this year, Queen Sono and Blood & Water, Mzansi’s ‘most travelled’ South African titles of 2020 include Santana, Seriously Single, 8, Bedford Wives, Mrs Right Guy, Hole in the Wall, Baby Mamas, Kandasamys: The Wedding, Momentum, Riding With Sugar, The Groom’s Price and the award-winning documentary, My Octopus Teacher.

Foreign media

With travel restrictions in effect, South Africans used entertainment to satisfy their wanderlust by watching foreign-language titles. Viewing went up by almost 200% (compared to 2019), proving that you don’t need a passport to sate your curiosity about other cultures and countries. Subscribers made the following titles their favourite destinations: Lost Bullet (France), Money Heist: Part 4 (Spain), Barbarians: Season 1 (Germany), Rogue City (France), Dark Desire: Season 1 (Mexico), The Paramedic (Spain), DJ Cinderella (Brazil), The Platform (Spain), and Mosul (Iraq).

SA’s Top 10 longest-running contenders

Throughout this year there were some titles that South Africans couldn’t get enough of. These series and films enjoyed the longest run on South Africa’s Top 10 lists after their launch on the service in 2020. The titles range across multiple genres and include Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, Blood & Water, Money Heist, Modern Family, Love is Blind, Sex Education, The Queen’s Gambit, Lucifer, Emily in Paris, The Stranger, Ozark, Umbrella Academy, Spencer Confidential, Dynasty and Family Feud South Africa.

Are you more of a rom-com fan than an action one? Well, in no particular order, here are the top 10 films and series, organised by genre, that South Africans gorged on this year:

ACTION: South Africans love a good action title. In 2020 we watched twice as much action content compared to 2019. In a year when real-life action and adventure were hard to come by, these were the most popular action titles in 2020: Warrior Nun: Season 1, The Old Guard, Extraction, Bloodshot, Project Power, The Losers, Bad Boys for Life, Spider Man: Far From Home, Charlie’s Angels and Lost Bullet.

COMEDY: Nothing beats SA’s sense of humour in the face of adversity. In 2020, South Africans turned to comedy content as an escape. The top options? Space Force: Season 1, Hubie Halloween, Holidate, Work It, The Sleepover, Emily in Paris: Season 1, The Wrong Missy, Coffee & Kareem, Love Wedding Repeat and Desperados.

DOCUMENTARIES: 2020 taught us to open our eyes. We saw this in the way the world embraced My Octopus Teacher – a documentary highlighting the beauty of nature. This year, documentary content SA also embraced include: Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, The Social Dilemma, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, American Murder: The Family Next Door, Coronavirus Explained, Unsolved Mysteries: Volume 1, David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet, Down to Earth with Zac Efron: Season 1 and World’s Most Wanted: Season 1.

DRAMA: We can’t ignore a good drama, and SA was glued to: A Fall From Grace, Blood & Water: Season 1, Ratched:Season1, The Queen’s Gambit: Limited Series, Enola Holmes, Rebecca, Lucifer:Season 5, Barbarians:Season 1 and The Last Thing He Wanted.

FANTASY: Many South Africans used fantasy to escape to different worlds with a Top 10 that includes: Locke & Key: Season 1, Jumanji: The Next Level, Cursed: Season 1, The Letter for the King: Season 1, Always a Witch: Season 2, A Choo, The School Nurse Files: Season1, The Protector: Season 3, The King: Eternal Monarch: Season 1 and The Protector: Season 4.

ANIME: This year saw us watching more anime content (over 200% compared to 2019 — but that might just be because there was more anime content available). Anime titles that pique South African fans’ interest include Castlevania: Season 3; Altered Carbon:Resleeved; Parasyte: The Maxim: Season 1; Blood of Zeus: Season 1; Pokémon: Mewtew Strikes Back – Evolution; Yu-Gi-Oh!: Season 1; Dragon’s Dogma: Season 1; The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of the Gods; Transformers: War for Cybertron: Siege and BAKI: The Great Raitai Tournament Saga.

KIDS CONTENT: SA’s kids had their own ideas of what they thought was the best entertainment. This included: Feel The Beat; The Angry Birds Movie 2; The Willoughbys; The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run; Over the Moon; Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous: Season 1; Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey; Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave; The Big Show Show: Part 1 and Latte and the Magic Waterstone.

ROMANCE: In a year of extraordinary hardship and sadness, South Africans loved to love. We watched triple the amount of romance content compared to 2019. The titles that keep the romance flame alive include The Kissing Booth 2; Seriously Single; Love, Guaranteed; Operation Christmas Drop; To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You; The Princess Switch: Switched Again; Christmas Made To Order; Dash & Lily: Season 1; Christmas Under Wraps and Always A Bridesmaid.

HORROR: Those who preferred their entertainment a little spooky made it known with: Dracula: Season 1; Escape Room; The Haunting of Bly Manor; A Quiet Place; The Babysitter: Killer Queen; Don’t Listen; The Purge: Anarchy; Brightburn; Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare: Extended Director’s Cut and #Alive.

THRILLERS: The suspense was raised with thrillers watched by SA including Fatal Affair; Spenser Confidential; Cypher: Season 1; Money Heist: Part 4; Dangerous Lies; The Last Days of American Crime; Rogue City; 8; Dark Desire: Season 1 and Night Hunter.

SCI-FI: It’s always fun to see what the future might hold, and SA watched plenty of sci-fi with Snowpiercer: Season 1; Code 8; Into The Night: Season 1; Men In Black: International; Biohackers: Season 1; The 6th Day; Altered Carbon: Season 2; Star Trek: Discovery: Season 3; Godzilla and Colony: Season 3 being the top choices in this country.

REALITY: In 2020, some chose to escape their own reality and immerse themselves in others’ by watching double the amount of reality content consumed in 2019. The most popular reality titles include: Love is Blind: Season 1; Family Feud South Africa: Season 1; Dream Home Makeover: Season 1; Too Hot To Handle: Season 1; Floor is Lava: Season 1; Crazy Delicious: Season 1; Get Organized with The Home Edit: Season 1; Million Dollar Beach House: Season 1; The Titan Games: Season 1 and The American Barbeque Showdown: Season 1.

K-DRAMA: This year, South Africans discovered their love of Korean dramas (K-Dramas) and boosted viewing by nearly 300%, with members enjoying: Kingdom: Season 2; The World of the Married: Season 1; My Secret Romance: Season 1; The King: Eternal Monarch: Season 1; The Uncanny Counter: Season 1; It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Season 1;  Guardian: The Lonely and Great God: Season 1 and The School Nurse Files: Season 1.

South Africans certainly took advantage of Netflix’s escapist nature to get through this year! Anyone else planning on spending the holidays bundled up in bed and binge-watching any shows they missed out on?