Tag Archives: WhatsApp

What’s App, Telegram, and Signal: what is it all about? Much ado about nothing!

 

All of a sudden, the talking point aside from the Corona Virus, is the degree of privacy which more than 2 billion What’s App users have, given that the Communication App belongs to Facebook. A Facebook Terms & Conditions update due for February will apply to What’s App too. Scores of persons are running off to newer and similar platforms Telegram and Signal, the latter said to be the most secure of the three and is recommended by Elon Musk.

Not understanding what the huge furore is about, I Googled to find information about the three platforms.  Few local publications have written about the topic, so I selected a detailed explanation I found on India Today: ‘What’sApp vs Signal vs Telegram: Which is more Secure’. Continue reading →

Airbnb: will it survive? Lots of hot air, poor beds, no breakfast, unprofessional hosts!

AirBnBMy trip to Europe in June and July included challenging myself to try Airbnb, given that the new shared accommodation service stems from the formal accommodation industry.  It was a ghastly experience, and I will think twice before using this accommodation service again!

Airbnb has taken off in its seven-year existence, with 1 million accommodation listings in 34000 cities and towns around the world.  It has become a swearword for the formal accommodation sector, and is a massive threat! Its popularity stems from the more affordable accommodation options offered, and the personal contact one has with the host, to receive personal tourism tips. Hotels are moving unsold stock onto Airbnb, testimony of the power of this new shared accommodation offering. Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 25 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Design news headlines

*   A total of 10,6 million South Africans use WhatsApp,  a free messaging service which was bought by Facebook last week.  This represents close to half of all adults living in cities and towns.   Facebook usage on mobile phones is at 9 million (45%), Mxit is at 25%, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) (21%), and Twitter 20%, according to a survey conducted last week.

*   The Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes will be participating at the tourism and travel show ITB in Berlin next month for the first time.  (received via media release from Random Hat Communications)

*   The ATKV-Oesfees will be held at Solms-Delta outside Franschhoek on 22 March, with headline acts including Karen Zoid, Theuns Jordaan, Robbie Wessels, and Loukmaan Adams.  It is the 7th Oesfees on the wine estate, and 100 performers will participate, to celebrate the harvest in the Franschhoek valley with local music and dance.  Last year more than 5000 music fans attended the Oesfees.   Solms-Delta is dedicated to preserving and developing the musical heritage of the Cape, through its Music van de Caab project run by Adriaan Brand.  Entrance costs R130 per adult. (received via media release from Paula Wilson Media Consulting)

*   Food Routes has launched a new Culinary Sensibility Identities (CSI) tool, allowing restaurant goers to match their culinary personality with that of a compatible restaurant on the Food Routes Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 20 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   A new (yellow) frame for Table Mountain has been erected at Bloubergstrand, to showcase Cape Town’s icon for tourists and locals wishing to get a perfect picture, and to tie in with Cape Town hosting the World Design Capital 2014.

*   In what many see as surprise news, Facebook will buy WhatsApp for $19 billion. WhatsApp has 450 million users, growing by 1 million a day.  It is attractive to Facebook in reaching a younger audience and to improve its mobile communication reach.

*   Constantia Fresh Fine Wine and Food Festival will be held this weekend.  On Saturday 22/2 wines from Constantia can be tasted as can be canapés prepared by Chefs Brad Ball from Steenberg’s Bistro Sixteen82, Bertus Basson from Overture, Edgar Osojnik from Buitenverwachting, and Peter Tempelhoff  from The McGrath Collection, all available at Buitenverwachting, from 15h00 – 20h00.  The cost is R400 and tickets can be booked via Webtickets. Tomorrow a themed tasting will be held by Jörg Pfützner, from 18h00 – 19h30, at R990 per person.  The Annual Constantia Fresh Dinner will be held tomorrow at Klein Constantia, and will be cooked by Chef Bertus Basson. Cost is R990.

*   The Cape Winemakers Guild has put together an amazing auction lot for the AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction, which will be held at Delaire Graff on 15 March.  The lot includes Continue reading →