What are the opening hours?

Monday 09:00 - 16:00 Tuesday 09:00 - 16:00 Wednesday 09:00 - 16:00 Thursday 09:00 - 16:00 Friday 09:00 - 16:00

http://www.connecteddevices.co.za/, https://linktr.ee/connecteddevices

Connected Devices Online Store, Office & Co. Level 2, The Zone @ Rosebank, 177 Oxford Road, Johannesburg (2026)

06/10/2026

I got hands-on with the Xiaomi 18 Pro — it looks like an iPhone 18 Pro, but with an extra screen and a potentially Samsung-beating Privacy Display

The Xiaomi 18 Pro is a unique mix of Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi

Dual-screen phones are having a moment (hello, iPhone Duo), but if you’re not yet ready to go full foldable, Xiaomi will meet you halfway: the Xiaomi 18 Pro comes with one-and-a-bit screens, and it’s shipping “globally” next year.

The successors to last year’s China-only Xiaomi 17 Pro, the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max boast an extra display on their respective rear panels: a 2.66-inch OLED for the Pro and a 2.86-inch, 120Hz OLED for the Pro Max. These mini screens can display widgets, wallpapers, and media controls, and can be used to frame selfies taken with the phones’ rear cameras.

That’s similar to what was on offer with last year’s Xiaomi 17 Pro devices, though with this year’s phones, Xiaomi is introducing its own — and potentially even better — take on Samsung’s popular Privacy Display technology.

Like Privacy Display on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi’s Smart Privacy Display can restrict side-on viewing to prevent people from snooping on you at angles beyond 60 degrees. It can also work its magic on notifications and widgets without affecting the rest of the display.

Notably, though, Xiaomi’s take on the technology can be applied to apps used in split-screen mode (maybe you only want to obscure one app, and not the other), as well as to specific locations and app notifications (because some pop-ups may be more risqué than others).

To read the full article please view the link below.

https://www.techradar.com/phones/xiaomi-phones/i-got-hands-on-with-the-xiaomi-18-pro-it-looks-like-an-iphone-18-pro-but-with-an-extra-screen-and-a-potentially-samsung-beating-privacy-display

Image credit by: Future
Article credit by: Axel Metz TechRadar

02/10/2026

I tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, and it’s a good phone — but not for the reasons Samsung says it is

A good phone hamstrung by a price increase

Picking the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE to be your next phone would be a good decision. But whether it’s the best decision is the chewier question.

As has been the case for the past several years, Samsung has launched one final version of its Galaxy S flagship phones just before summer is out (in the US and UK, at least). This “Fan Edition” device aims to provide a more streamlined experience, focused on camera capabilities and AI, at a more approachable price.

However, Samsung has this all backwards. The Galaxy S26 FE’s cameras range from OK to weak, and the AI tools will soon be available on older models. Plus, the price hike this year makes the phone a little less of a bargain.

Arguably, the real reasons you’ll want a Galaxy S26 FE are its big screen, fast charging, strong battery life, and surprisingly good gaming performance. But then, if those are your priorities, you may still be better off looking elsewhere.

Confused yet? Hopefully the rest of my Galaxy S26 FE review will clear things up.

To read the full article please view the link below.

https://www.techradar.com/phones/samsung-galaxy-phones/samsung-galaxy-s26-fe-review

Image credit by: © Richard Priday TechRadar
Article credit by: Richard Priday TechRadar

29/09/2026

OpenAI May Announce New Security Model, GPT-6 Cyber, Within Days

Sam Altman and co. are scrambling to score a win for AI after a spate of autonomous cyber attacks originating from frontier labs.

OpenAI will preview its next cybersecurity-focused model, GPT-6 Cyber, as soon as a few days from now, Fortune reported on Thursday.

It’s also reportedly launching some kind of product that will aid customers in deploying the new model securely; that product has yet to be named, according to Fortune.

The announcement is particularly notable as CEO Sam Altman has joined Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in calling for an AI slowdown after models at Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and Meta frontier labs all launched cyber attacks. Sources told Fortune that GPT-6 Cyber will likely preview at OpenAI’s Dev Day on Sept. 29, or possibly sooner, and launch within months.

GPT-6 Cyber is already undergoing testing by one segment of OpenAI’s Daybreak preview program, in which the company gives access to its most advanced models to vetted partners for cybersecurity testing and bug-hunting.

OpenAI has addressed concerns about rogue AI by announcing it will spend $1 billion subsidizing Daybreak access across the globe and as part of a “Daybreak for America” campaign, though this could be understood to be an extensive sales demo as much as it is any overall contribution to cybersecurity.

To read the full article please view the link below.

https://gizmodo.com/openai-may-announce-new-security-model-gpt-6-cyber-within-days-2000817143

Image credit by: Tom Mackay
Article credit by: Tom Mackay Gizmodo

25/09/2026

5 underrated Android 17 features you should check out immediately

Android 17 has been available for a couple of months, and it’s been rolled out to many of the most recent devices. This is sneakily one of the best updates Google has rolled out in recent years. Make sure you’re taking advantage of all the new features.

As you would expect, most of the big changes are made available right away. Things like multitasking “Bubbles” and the Pixel’s new “Rambler” voice-to-text engine. However, there are a few under-the-radar features that you’ll want to go out of your way to enable.

Custom vibration patterns for each ringtone

It just makes sense
For years, it’s been possible to assign specific ringtones to your contacts. It’s an easy way to know who’s calling without looking at your phone. Why should those of us who prefer to keep our phones on vibrate have to miss out?

Force dark mode for all apps

Whether they like it or not
System-wide dark theme has been around since Android 10, but there are still apps that don’t support it. Android 17 added a new “Expanded” dark theme option that attempts to solve this problem. It even includes per-app toggles.

Even better app usage reminders

Think twice before doomscrolling
Google has quietly given Android — especially Pixel phones — some of the best “Digital Wellbeing” tools you can find. “Screen time reminders” are genuinely more helpful than time limits, and now, with Android 17, it’s been taken to the next level with “Pause Point.”

Dedicated volume slider for the assistant

A small quality of life improvement
Here’s a small, but welcomed change: your preferred digital assistant now has its own volume slider. Previously, you could separately control the volume for media, calls, ringtones, notifications, and alarms. Assistant volume was lumped in with media.

To read the full article please view the link below.

https://www.howtogeek.com/underrated-android-17-features-you-should-check-out-enable-immediately/

Image Credit: Joe Fedewa How-To Geek
Article Credit: Joe Fedewa

22/09/2026

Samsung Gallery finally syncs with Google Photos: Here's how to set it up

Your Galaxy phone now shares photos with the cloud service you're most likely to use. Samsung has confirmed that Gallery is starting to sync with Google Photos instead of Microsoft's OneDrive.

Well-known leaker Ice Universe and others have received the feature through an update to the Samsung Gallery app (version 15.9.01.7). If you have it, you need to enable syncing through Menu -> Settings -> Sync -> Sync photos and videos.

As 9to5Google observes, Google has multiple requirements before Photos sync can take effect. You need a Galaxy device running Android 13 or later as well as a personal Google account unsupervised by parents. You also have to give Google permission to share account info with Samsung.

There are also limitations with the photos and videos that do sync. They won't be part of Google Photos' highlights, Live albums, Memories, or search. Gallery, in turn, won't show imagery uploaded directly to Google Photos. If you were already bypassing Samsung's app, there's no rush to switch.

When does Samsung Gallery stop syncing with OneDrive?

You have just days to change over
Samsung has already pulled the option to sync Gallery with OneDrive if you aren't already using it. If you are, the OneDrive functionality will shut down on September 30.

This doesn't stop you from syncing directly with OneDrive. If you prefer that route, you can open your account profile in the OneDrive app, choose Camera backup, and turn the feature on. Photos and videos should upload automatically, and existing uploads won't be affected after the shutdown.

To read the full article please view the link below.
https://www.howtogeek.com/samsung-gallery-sync-with-google-photos/

Image Credit: Joe Fedewa How-To Geek
Article Credit: Jon Fingas

17/09/2026

Closing your Android apps to "save battery" is doing the opposite

You want your phone to last as long as it can on a charge, but you should pause before you swipe away those background apps — closing them might cause your phone to use more power, not less. It's counter-intuitive, I know, but here's why.

Most background apps aren't actively running in the background
Android suspends them, using your available RAM instead

When we open multiple apps on our computers, they all run at the same time, putting more strain on the CPU and using up more power in the process. Despite how it looks when we swipe up from the bottom of our phones to begin flipping through our recent apps, our Android phones are not doing the same thing.

Android freezes most apps when they are no longer open in front of us. These apps are saved in RAM, where they aren't using any additional power. When you switch back to the app, Android restores it from memory so quickly that it appears to have never stopped running.

There are a few exceptions, and they tend to make themselves known by requesting your permission for them to always run in the background. As Android explicitly warns you in the pop-up that appears, granting this permission may result in a noticeable reduction in battery life. These apps — which often include messaging apps, backup and syncing services, VPNs, and media players — do put added pressure on your processor as you open more of them, using up more power in the process.

To read the full article please view the link below.
https://www.howtogeek.com/closing-your-android-apps-to-save-battery-is-doing-the-opposite/

Image Credit: Bertel King
Article Credit By: Bertel King

14/09/2026

I just touched the iPhone Duo and Apple just solved the foldable crease problem in the most wonderfully basic way

All it took was a texture

Apple has officially entered the folding phone market with the passport-sized and quite attractive iPhone Duo. I know, we all thought it would be called the Ultra, but perhaps Apple will save that superlative for another day (or product).

In some ways, the iPhone Duo is exactly what we expected. A 5.4-inch external display and a large 7.6-inch internal or main, unfolded one. The size, shape, and specs are somewhat similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. But there are several exciting differences.

Folded and in my hand, the iPhone Duo feels, quite honestly, nothing like any iPhone that's come before it. Heck, Apple even redesigned iOS to accommodate the unusually shaped displays, putting the dock and other controls on the right side (no word on whether you can move them to the other side). For larger screens, that might make everything more thumb accessible.

Image Credit By: Lance Ulanoff / Future
Article Credit By: Lance Ulanoff TechRadar

10/09/2026

Google Account Storage fills fast by design—here's why and how to fix it

I love the simplicity and automation of my Google Account storage and how I can save valuable photos, videos, screenshots, PC/device files, and my Android phone data with little effort, but I don't like how easily and quickly it fills up, especially with default settings. I was frustrated, so I decided to take control of what Google syncs to regain valuable space. Google Account storage has definitely changed over the last decade, like Google Photos' Image Saver media becoming part of your storage space (June 1, 2021) and Drive separating from Photos (July 2019) because it was "supposedly" confusing to consumers.

While Google Photos is always uploading media, Drive saves your Android device data and shared/collaborative files, while Gmail fills up your cloud space with emails and attachments. The list could go on, but you get the idea. Paid plans are highly affordable and competitive, but by design, it is too easy to fill up storage space, hoping you'll upgrade to a paid plan through Google One. Google One appears in space management pages but only to promote subscriptions and manage your existing cloud data.

With so much automation and convenience, it doesn't take too long for your free storage to reach its limit, so it's important to understand what syncs where, control what gets stored, and manage it so it doesn't fill up fast.

To read the full article please view the link below.
https://www.howtogeek.com/why-google-account-storage-fills-fast-and-what-to-do/

Image Credit: Steve Larner How-To Geek
Article credit: Steven Larner How-To Geek

08/09/2026

Will the iPhone Ultra really be 'Ultra'? 5 features the foldable could surprisingly ditch, from Face ID to MagSafe

Not quite living up to the name

September 9 could be an exciting day for Apple fans, because along with new editions of long-running phones, like the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, we’re also expecting the company to finally launch its first foldable, possibly dubbed the iPhone Ultra.

This of course will almost certainly be the most expensive iPhone in history — though if you think of it as an iPhone and iPad all in one then it could still be reasonably good value. But despite the definitely high price and the possibility of ‘Ultra’ in the name, it might actually be lacking some standard iPhone features.
Their absence will probably be part of an effort to keep the device slim, but in some cases could also be a cost-cutting measure, and combined they might make some buyers question just how ‘Ultra’ — and how good value — the phone really is.

We’ve detailed these possible omissions below.

Face ID
It’s long been rumored that the iPhone Ultra won’t have Face ID — instead it could have a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. Though unlike the last iPhone to sport Touch ID (the iPhone SE (2022)) this will probably be built into the power button, rather than being housed in a large home button under the display.

A telephoto camera
Another casualty of the iPhone Ultra’s likely slim build could be a telephoto camera, with this phone reportedly having just a dual-lens rear camera, with wide and ultra-wide sensors.

An Action button
Apple debuted Action buttons back on the iPhone 15 Pro series and since then loads of iPhones have had one, but the iPhone Ultra reportedly won’t.

To read the full article please view the link below.
https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/will-the-iphone-ultra-really-be-ultra-5-features-the-foldable-could-surprisingly-ditch-from-face-id-to-magsafe

Image credit: Ming-Chi Kuo
Article Credit by: James Rogerson TechRadar

03/09/2026

7 things to expect at the 'Surprise and shine' Apple event, from the iPhone Ultra to new AirPods

New phones, watches, and more

Apple’s big September event is under two weeks away at the time of writing, with invites having been sent out for a ‘Surprise and shine’ event on September 9.

So what surprises can you expect? Well, given how extensively Apple’s products and services tend to leak, there’s a chance there won’t be any major surprises at all. But there certainly will be some big announcements — likely to be headlined by the first foldable iPhone, which could be dubbed the iPhone Ultra.

That’s probably going to be joined by other iPhones, Apple Watches, and an assortment of other devices, so there could be lots to see even if none of it comes as a complete surprise. Below, we’ve detailed the most likely Apple announcements.

The iPhone Ultra is likely to be the biggest announcement at Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ event, as this is set to be the company’s first foldable phone — something we’ve heard rumors of for many years at this point.
In fact, it’s been so long now that it’s almost hard to believe it’s actually about to land, but all signs suggest it is.

To read the full article please view the link below.
https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/7-things-to-expect-at-the-surprise-and-shine-apple-event

Image Credit: Future
Article Credit by: James Rogerson

Connected Devices Online Store

06/10/2026

02/10/2026

29/09/2026

25/09/2026

22/09/2026

17/09/2026

14/09/2026

10/09/2026

08/09/2026

03/09/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request

Monday	09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 16:00
Thursday	09:00 - 16:00
Friday	09:00 - 16:00