IT News
Harnessing the Power of Cloud Computing in Kenya
Sourced from InfoWorld. The topic of cloud computing has been doing the rounds for quite some time now, and businesses have been flooded with information promoting and supporting the use of cloud technology. With so much information out there about ‘the cloud’, it may take some time to fully wrap our heads around the implications of connecting to the cloud. What does cloud technology mean for Kenya and Africa, and how can we leverage these services to adapt and thrive in a digital world? The potential benefits of mass cloud adoption across Africa The benefits offered by cloud computing will differ within each individual business based on their unique needs. However, the underlying advantages boil down to the same three points: strategic value, flexibility and efficiency. Having access to c...
Kenyan Telcos could Compensate Users for Network Outages
Safaricom, Telkom and Airtel Kenya have decided to compensate customers who experience interrupted services due to network outages, reports Gadgets Africa. This comes shortly after the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) issued new draft regulations “to compel telcos to either pay or offer credit equivalent of the time users are without voice, data and SMS services”. These guidelines are said to be part of the Kenyan governments “effort to shield the millions of subscribers across the country from poor services related to network outages which include lack of internet connections”. This is something that is expected to push telcos to step-up the quality of their services. CA draft regulations “A licensee shall develop and implement an outage credit policy in situations where servi...
Why Good Governance is Key to AI Readiness
The events of 2020 have opened the world’s eyes to digital transformation as never before. Despite many people not being aware of the term, remote learning, working and socialising has seen people embrace more technology than ever. Much of this adoption is of technology that has been around for quite a while, but more and more, we’re seeing some advanced services and solutions being spoken about as countries and companies look to emerge from the crisis stronger. One of these, probably the most prominent, is AI. AI seems to make a regular appearance in success stories surrounding COVID-19 specifically. Lebanon is a case in point where citizens now have access to a health bot with an inbuilt symptom checker to conduct self-assessments for the virus. The sophisticated bot is able to identify ...
Huawei Introduces 6 New Gadgets at Global Launch Event
Huawei has unveiled six new gadgets at its global launch event, these include the FreeBuds Pro, the FreeLace Pro, the WATCH GT 2 Pro, the WATCH FIT, the MateBook X and the MateBook 14. These products are expected to bring a more ‘cohesive connected experience’ to consumers in their everyday lives. Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer BG, says that “great user experiences are always founded on innovation, but our journey of innovation always begins and ends with consumers.” Here’s a closer look at Huawei’s new gadgets: /* custom css */ .tdi_3_1ff.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_1ff.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Huawei FreeBuds Pro These are the world’s first true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones to support intelligent dynamic noise cancellation. Featuring both a hardware and ...
Google Launches Android 11 Go
Image sourced from The Verge Google has unveiled Android 11 Go – designed with low-powered budget devices in mind. A key feature of the stripped-down OS is that it is able to work on devices with 2GB of RAM or less. However, Google told The Verge that Android 11 Go is “only going to come out with new phones with that much memory”. Otherwise, Google expects Android 11 Go will allow apps to launch 20 per cent faster than on Android 10 Go. Google Launches Android 11 Google has launched the highly-anticipated Android 11 – the latest version of its mobile operating system – to a number of users who own select Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO or realme devices. The tech company says that this update has been optimised for how people use their phones – “giving you powerful device contr...
Infinix Unveils New X1 Smart TV in Kenya
Infinix has officially launched its new X1 smart TV in Kenya. With Android TV, a ‘high-quality’ viewing experience and the AIoT technology, the new smart TV is expected to develop the new business line for the company and ‘take the entertainment of local customers to a new level’. The X1 Android TV makes it easier for users to access 400,000+ movies and shows, play music and games, cast from any device onto their TV and add the apps they use most. The TV is also preloaded with Boomplay Music, a popular music app in Africa. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_b55.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_b55.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } It sports a frameless design, which substantially increases the screen-to-body ratio. To create an immersive home theatre experience, the TV also comes with th...
INTERVIEW: How Tech is Changing the Face of Fundraising
Charities in the ‘know’ have been using technology to boost their fundraising abilities for years – whether it’s through live-streaming, virtual auctions or crowdfunding. But it wasn’t truly until the COVID-19 pandemic that these organisations had to solely rely on the digital sphere. With this in mind, a non-profit fundraising platform founded by two South Africans, GivenGain, decided that any charity or fundraiser can use its technology free of charge, connecting them with a socially aware new generation of Generation Z charity supporters. ITNA’s Jenna Delport had the opportunity to chat to Jannie Smith, Operational Manager at GivenGain, about the platform and its mission to not just connect streaming and fundraising but simultaneously helping to level the playing field between large and...
Mastercard and Zimswitch Partner to Transform Payments Sector in Zimbabwe
Mastercard and Zimswitch have partnered in an attempt to modernise Zimbabwe’s payment infrastructure – something that the companies believe will support the country’s Reserve Bank’s vision of an interoperable payment system that supports inclusive economic growth and boosts the digital economy. “We see this partnership as a positive development that will help us achieve our long-standing vision and our strategic plan to modernise payments systems and infrastructure, and build an inclusive financial sector that supports the socio-economic development of the country,” says John Mangudya, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Utilising Mastercard’s global network, Zimswitch will launch a co-branded contactless card programme that features EMV technology to enable safer, smarter and more s...
Microsoft Confirms Xbox Series X Launch Date
Xbox Series X Attention all gamers! Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox Series X will officially launch on 10 November – it will also be available for pre-order from 22 September. The console will retail for $499. The company says, “Xbox Series X will be our fastest, most powerful console ever and set a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility, allowing you to bring your gaming legacy, thousands of games from three generations and more forward with you.” “As we enter a new generation of gaming, we see a future where you’re instantly absorbed in your games – where worlds are even more lifelike, immersive, responsive and surprising – and where you are at the centre of your gaming experience. With the new Xbox Series X, we will realize that vision.” The latest Xbox is quite literall...
Spotify Lite Marks 1 Year Milestone
Sourced from Android Police It has been an entire year since Spotify introduced the world to its lite app – Spotify Lite. The app was built from the ground up based on user feedback and has allowed millions of listeners in areas with limited bandwidth and phone storage to enjoy audio wherever they are. In the 12 months since launch, listeners in 38 markets have enjoyed and discovered thousands of new artists and podcasts while easily controlling their data and storage. Even though some Lite users are, literally, on opposite sides of the world, they share some interesting listening patterns. For one, Mondays and Sundays are the top days for streaming, and lunch is the most common time to listen to music and podcasts. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_171.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_1...
Telkom Makes Changes to Board of Directors
Image sourced from Bandwidth Blog Telkom has made two changes to its board of directors – the appointment of Alphonzo Samuels as a non-executive director with effect from 1 January 2021, as well as Hemmanth (Herman) Singh as an independent non-executive director with effect from 25 September 2020. This comes after the telco revealed that Santie Botha and Khanyisile Kweyama, both independent non-executive directors, have made the decision to retire, with effect from 25 September 2020 and 31 December 2020 respectively. Samuels holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from UNISA and is said to be a seasoned executive with more than 35 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry. He also completed an Executive Development Program and a Program for Enterprise Leadership. He is well-positi...
Vodacom Zero-Rates COVID-19 Alert App
South Africa’s National Department of Health (DoH) and Discovery have partnered to launch a COVID-19 Alert app in an attempt to strengthen the existing contact tracing methods in the country. The app is a free exposure notification tool that lets users know if/when they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. It uses Bluetooth contact tracing technology, which simply tracks close contact (proximity) between smartphones and not the actual locations of the smartphones. Once users have downloaded and installed the app, it runs in the background. Bluetooth and notifications must be enabled for the app to work and users need to have access to a mobile or Wi-Fi network to send and receive exposure alerts. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_517.td-a-rec-img{ text-align:...
