Touch New Technologies

01/09/2026

11/07/2026

Apple just sued OpenAI, Tang Tan, and io Products for trade secret theft — and it could stall OpenAI's first AI hardware device and its IPO.
Here's what didn't fit on the slides: Apple's filing names two ex-employees. Tang Tan — a 25-year Apple veteran who worked on iPhone and Apple Watch, now OpenAI's Chief Hardware Officer — allegedly circulated an internal Apple "Need to Know" security document to coach new hires on dodging exit checks. Chang Liu, an engineer, allegedly kept his Apple laptop and downloaded dozens of confidential files after leaving. Apple says it raised concerns with OpenAI in February and got silence. The awkward part: OpenAI bought Jony Ive's startup io for $6.5 billion to build this device — a company founded by Apple's own former design leadership. Apple wants damages plus an injunction blocking OpenAI from using any of it.
Is this Apple protecting innovation — or punishing employees for leaving? 🍎/🤖

28/04/2026

South Africa’s 2026 Economic Pivot: Restoring Credibility and Regaining Footing 🇿🇦

As we move through 2026, the South African economy is at an "important turning point."

For the first time in 17 years, public debt is expected to stabilize as a share of GDP (at 78.9%), signaling a systemic shift from stagnation toward structural recovery.
Here are the four key pillars defining the 2026 outlook:

1. Growth Driven by Reform The National Treasury projects economic growth of 1.6% for 2026, an upward revision supported by a lower inflation target of 3% and improved fiscal credibility that has already secured South Africa’s first credit-rating upgrade in 16 years.

2. The R1-Trillion Infrastructure Push The government has committed to spending more than R1 trillion on public-sector infrastructure over the medium term.

A significant portion is targeting the "TNT" framework of reconfiguration:
Transnet’s logistics overhaul (Port of Durban Pier 2 and rail open access).

NTCSA’s energy market liberalization to end monopolies.
Track-and-Trace (T&T) technological offensive by SARS to reclaim R20B–R30B lost annually to illicit trade.

3. An SME-Friendly Fiscal Environment To support small businesses, the VAT registration threshold has more than doubled to R2.3 million, effectively removing thousands of SMEs from the compliance net.

Additionally, R20 billion in proposed tax hikes were scrapped, providing critical breathing room for industrial operators facing margin compression.

4. Tourism as a Countercyclical Engine Tourism has emerged as a powerhouse, with international arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic levels (10.5 million in 2025).

The sector now contributes 4.9% to 9% of GDP and supports nearly one million direct jobs, stepping in where traditional industries have faced headwinds.

What this means for Industrial 4IR: At Touch New Technologies, we see 2026 as the year to deploy "4IR infrastructure with 5IR intent." [Conversation History] With the stabilization of the national grid and the release of high-value spectrum for 5G, the foundation is ready for Agentic Manufacturing.

The window to achieve our SAAM 2035 targets is narrow, but with debt stabilizing and infrastructure investment flowing, the "implementation test" of 2026 will determine South Africa’s competitiveness for the next decade.

How is your organization navigating this economic pivot? 👇

28/04/2026

Standards are not the cost of doing business. They are the price of admission to the global economy. 🌍

There is a growing conversation in South Africa about the "investment gap" in global standards. While some see compliance as an expense, we see it as the foundation of our future.

At Touch New Technologies, we aren't just checking boxes; we are building the infrastructure that allows businesses to compete on the world stage. We believe that if you want to play in the global economy, you don't just need a ticket you need the right tools to navigate the journey.

That is exactly where meets . 🔗
By combining real-time traceability (TRU-TRACE) with seamless system integration (NEXUS), our team is helping organizations move beyond "getting by" to achieving true global excellence.

We’re proud to be driving this innovation right here at home, proving that South African technology can set the bar for the rest of the world.
A huge shoutout to the dedicated team behind these solutions, innovation is a team sport, and I’m proud to be on this one.

Let’s raise the bar together. How is your organization approaching the challenge of global standards this year?

23/04/2026

South Africa's deep-tech startups don't fail for lack of ideas.

They fail because of capital intensity, compliance complexity, lack of OEM access, and missing mentorship.

We know — because we crossed that gap ourselves.

Today, Touch New Technologies (TNT) is stepping up as a TIA Deep Tech Venture Builder — not as a consultant, not as a theoretical accelerator, but as an ecosystem architect with 12 years of lived industrial experience.

What we bring to ventures:

🔩 VITAL IoT → Day-1 machine connectivity, no hardware R&D needed
🧠 AURA → Pre-trained industrial AI models, zero-to-inference in weeks
🏭 SYNC Twin → Digital twin 'what-if' modelling for client pitches
🔐 TRU-TRACE → Instant regulatory-grade ESG & traceability compliance
🖥️ NEXUS → Enterprise-grade UI/UX without expensive front-end dev cycles

Every R1 of TIA funding we're requesting unlocks R2.78 of total ecosystem value.

We are shifting from SaaS vendor to definitive catalyst for South Africa's next generation of Black-owned industrial startups.

12 years. 5 platforms. One mission.