SA-made smartphone set for launch

Thulani Khoza. Source: Munghana Lonene FM via Twitter.

The T-Touch, due to be launched this month, is the brainchild of Wits University alumni Thulani Khoza, who partnered with fellow 'Witsie' Karabo Masenyadiloana, who handles the business side of the phone. "It all started when I first developed a security app and people responded well to it, so I thought that I could take it a step further and I started developing the phone," said Khoza.

The Android-powered smartphone has been in development since 2008 and has all the basic elements of a smartphone. But, said Khoza, it has more security features than other smartphones. "The security feature in the T-Touch lets the user encrypt the phone. This makes the phone 99.9% secure," Khoza said.

The phone also comes with a business app called Futurepreneurs already installed. The app, exclusive to the phone for now, will help up-and-coming local entrepreneurs to connect with others around the world - and those already established - via an electronic forum.

Khoza said local manufacture of the smartphone will create employment for "roughly 2,600 people". He said this would go a little way towards combating serious unemployment.

The T-touch will be available nationwide, but Mpumalanga-based Khoza said he cannot yet reveal any more details given the sensitive stage of negotiations with various stakeholders.

Source: The Times