African Technology News, Startups, Mobile and Social Media

Page 647

Wed, July 25th, 07:22 · Tefo Mohapi

New Deputy MD announced by Samsung Electronics SA

Matthew Thackrah has been appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of Samsung Electronics South Africa. He currently holds the position of Head of Consumer Electronics and IT Solutions, which he will maintain as he will be working in dual roles, according to the company. → Read more
Wed, July 25th, 06:38 · Tefo Mohapi

REVIEW: Samsung Galaxy Note, a hybrid?

Although the box doesn’t allude to it, the Samsung Galaxy Note is quite a big phone at 5.3 inches. With this size in mind, at first glance you are left debating with yourself whether it’s a tablet or a smartphone. All that doesn’t matter though as it has some of the best specifications on the smartphone market once you can look past the size. → Read more
Wed, July 25th, 05:00 · Tefo Mohapi

World Bank reports that mobile money in Kenya needs more regulation

In a report titled “Information and Communications for Development 2012: Maximizing Mobile”, the World Bank reports that mobile money in general -- and specifically in Kenya -- requires stricter regulation. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 14:26 · Tefo Mohapi

SIM backup service to be launched by Safaricom

Safaricom is reportedly preparing to launch a new service that will allow its customers to backup all the data on their SIM cards into the cloud. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 14:04 · Tefo Mohapi

SA’s The Innovation Hub seeks partnership with Nairobi-based institute

South Africa’s “The Innovation Hub” has formalised a strategic partnership with The Training Centre in Communication (TCC) in Nairobi, Kenya. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 13:25 · Vincent Matinde

ForgetMeNot Africa launches a job application service

ForgetMeNot Africa has launched Job Xpress, a service that allows users to send job applications via text messaging. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 12:56 · Tefo Mohapi

Nigeria’s iROKO Partners raises US$2 million

Nigerian based company iROKO Partners, the world’s leading online distributor of Nigerian movies and music, announced that it has raised US$2 million in a final round of funding from Swedish-based Kinnevik, an early investor in Groupon. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 12:46 · Tefo Mohapi

Samsung partners with Rovio, brings Angry Birds to SMART TVs

Samsung announced that it will, in partnership with Rovio, bring the popular Angry Birds game, which has been downloaded more than one billion times across different platforms, to its high-end 3D SMART TVs. The motion-controlled game will be available for download via Samsung Apps. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 12:25 · Tefo Mohapi

Cisco to lay-off 1,300 employees

Moving on to re-align the company in response to tough trading conditions, Cisco Systems has announced it will cut 1,300 jobs off its global workforce. This, according to the networking giant, is in response to “an uncertain economic outlook.” → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 12:07 · Dan Sudi

Video Connect Network officially branched out to Nigeria

Main One Cable and Tata Communication unveiled an international video broadcast centre termed as Video Connect Network (VCN) set to enable movie producers in Nigeria make more and better quality video content. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 11:50 · HumanIPO

Nigeria’s government asks GSM service providers to improve or quit trade

Providers of Global System for Mobile Telecommunications, GSM, in Nigeria have been issued a stern warning by the Nigerian Government demanding that they should either address the poor quality of service or leave the Nigerian business market. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 10:04 · Vincent Matinde

JoomlaDay goes to South Africa

On August 17 and 18, JoomlaDay will be making a debut in Cape Town, South Africa during the JoomlaDay meet-up. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 09:59 · Tefo Mohapi

Bank in South Africa heralds “banking on” social networking sites (SNS)

Customers of South Africa-based First National Bank (FNB) can now access a number of banking services on the giant social networking site Facebook. This is a first-of-its-kind banking innovation in South Africa. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 08:57 · Tefo Mohapi

Airtel and Umeme unveil new way to pay for electricity in Uganda

Umeme, Uganda’s leading electricity distributor, has partnered with a cellular network operator Airtel to unveil a new service, known as “Umeme TouchPay,” its customers can use to pay for electricity. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 08:33 · Tefo Mohapi

Kenya’s Ushahidi to be redesigned

The process of redesigning Ushahidi platform, a mobile app enabling users to crowdsource crisis information, is currently on track. The new platform, Ushahidi v3, will be a complete redesign of Ushahidi’s core platform with the front-end set to be more mobile web-focused. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 07:50 · Igor Hobotov

Africa’s first accelerator program to invest min. $200,000 spread across 8-15 startups by September 15th

Betting on high growth mobile/Web markets in Africa, the seed investment fund 88mph will now run the continent’s first intense 3-month accelerator program - inspired by Y Combinator - investing another minimum of $200,000 spread across 8-15 startups. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 07:08 · Tefo Mohapi

Blackberry’s Accessibility app, Screen Reader, updated

Blackberry’s Accessibility solution app named Screen Reader has been updated with new features to improve use of Blackberry smartphones by customers with visual impairments. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 06:30 · Dan Sudi

Safaricom unveils promotional offer dubbed ‘Wakenya Tuongee’

Safaricom yesterday launched a promotional offer branded ‘Wakenya Tuongee’ (Kenyans Let’s Talk) focused on persuading subscribers to make longer voice calls -- at a calling rate of 75 percent discount. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 05:00 · HumanIPO

Nokia changes strategy ahead of Windows 8 launch

Nokia is shifting its marketing strategy before the launch of its new Windows 8 smartphone this autumn. → Read more
Tue, July 24th, 04:00 · Gythan Munga

Upcoming African Startup Events, 24-31 July

For a business to be successful, a working synergy has to be developed among the business departments. Business and tech events are where this need is emphasized and taught. Here’s everything you need to know about upcoming technology events in Kenya and South Africa in a week. → Read more