New Google Play Store update makes the internet better for you and your kids

May 30, 2019

Google is great when it comes to making sure their Play Store is safe for everyone, and they might have a new update that makes it even safer for your kids too. While Google has been working on models to protect kids in the past, this new update might be the cream of that one – blocking out all of the sexual content, marijuana-oriented stuff and hate speech, to mention but a few.

The service has also improved to quell the distribution of counterfeit goods and services via the trusted platform.

For those who have been following updates to the Play Store, you will agree that Google already has a thing against sexual content. However, that was limited to depiction of sexual acts or escort services on the asap. With the new updates, they will now kick against nudity, lewdness or any profane content at all.

Gambling is also on the books of what Google has updated, given that the company has now mandated publishers of such content never to provide users with either money or any other thing of real-world value. If they keep this up, they might actually succeed in making the internet – the part of it that they control, at least – a better place.

PitchDrive II: Your African Tech Start-up can win an all-expense paid trip to Asian tech capitals

O. Christopher

May 10, 2019

If you are a start-up founder, would love to have an all-expense paid trip to Asia during which you get to network with industry leaders and of course, court funding to your project, get in here!

Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) has partnered up with the Google for Start-ups platform to bring you the second edition of PitchDrive. That said, PitchDrive II is bent on building on the success of the first launch of the program, learning from the initial venture to improve the access your start-up gets in this current edition.

At the end of this program, the aim is to have a strong relationship between African and Asia start-ups, as well as investors, in a bid to better the development of technology across both borders.

Who is eligible?

PitchDrive II is limited to the top 10 start-ups in hardware and deep tech all around Africa. This will include, but is not limited to, start-ups based in the following fields:

Artificial Intelligence
Augmented reality
Virtual reality
Deep learning
Machine learning
Internet of Things, and so much more.

How to Apply

Should your start-up be in any of the fields listed above or the general category suggested, you can head over to the official application dashboard to register your intent in the program. Note that applicants are being reviewed from now till the 20^th of May, so you might want to get started on your application process right away.

Besides, you should also know that applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. In other words, the earlier you get there, the better for you.

When will the tour be?

Current dates for the tour are set at between August 15^th to 31^st, and will span the five top tech capitals of the Asian market – Singapore, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Seoul and Tokyo.

That sure promises not just a lot of learning and networking opportunities, but a great deal of fun on the side too.

Research shows the best selling OEMs for Q3 2018

November 23, 2018

While new smartphones are still being launched by many industry giants in the last quarter of the year, Hong Kong-based industry analysis firm, Counterpoint Research has released reports of its finding on which of the OEMs sold/shipped the most unit of smartphones between the months of July to September 2018.

The source reports that although the overall shipment of phones reduced in Q3 2018 when compared to Q3 2017, some OEMs managed to grow the units shipped while some witnessed declined sales.

According to Counterpoint Research, Samsung, Huawei, Apple, Oppo, and Xiaomi were the top five sellers within the reported period with market shares of 19%, 14%, and 12% respectively. Oppo and Xiaomi comes in behind the top three with equal market share of 9%.

Breaking down it’s (Counterpoint’s) research into regions, the analytics firm made the following inferences:

Oppo had the most (16%) share in the Asian smartphone market for Q3 2018, followed closely by Vivo and Huawei at 15%.
Samsung was (by far) the best phone selling brand in European market, beating Huawei by a difference of 9% and Apple, by 12%.
Samsung also led the Latin America and Middle East African region as it held a 37% and 25% share of the respective market.
The North American market was, however, largely dominated by Apple (39%).

The third quarter of 2018 was a very interesting one. The fourth quarter would, definitely, be of no difference. I predict the leaders of the Q4 2018 Global market share would also be between Samsung and Huawei as both have released amazingly stunning devices in the concluding part of the year. Samsung, for example, unveiled a smartphone with a triple rear camera setup and another with four rear cameras both of which started shipping in October.

Huawei also unveiled its Mate 20 flagship duo. Apple, Oppo, and Xiaomi are also expected to follow closely.

Exynos 9820: Samsung announces new chipset

Olanrewaju Sodiq

November 14, 2018

In what seem to be an unexpected move, Samsung announces its new flagship system-on-chip to be most likely used on its high-end devices scheduled for release in 2019.

The chipset, Exynos 9820 will bring on a lot of significant improvements in terms of performance and processes when compared to the Exynos 9810 that was released earlier this year which powered the likes of the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S9.

In terms of architecture, the new Exynos 9820 is based on 8nm LPP Fin Field-Effect Transistor (FinFET) process technology. And while this is an improvement from the Exynos 9810 which was fabricated on 10nm LPP FinFET process, it doesn’t come close to Huawei’s Hisilicon Kirin 980 and Apple’s A12 Bionic chipsets which are both based on the 7nm process.

Nonetheless, Samsung assures that the Exynos 9820 will bring about 15% faster single-core performance, 20% faster multi-core, and 40% more power efficiency than its predecessor. Samsung have also upped its GPU to an ARM Mali-G76 from Mali-G72. This GPU modification will allow afford users more time to use AR and VR applications on their devices while also delivering about 40% boost in performance and power saving capabilities.

On the GPU side the company put Mali-G76 cores which should deliver a 40% performance boost or 35% power savings, allowing longer usage of VR and AR applications. There’s also a new dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) on the Exynos 9820 to efficiently handle Artificial Intelligence-related tasks up to seven times faster than the Exynos 9810. In Samsun

It allows the processor to perform AI-related functions seven times faster than its predecessor. From enhancing photos to advanced AR features, the Exynos 9820 with NPU expands AI capabilities of mobile devices.

In terms of AI-related capabilities, this single NPU positions the Exynos 9820 as inferior to Huawei’s Hisilicon Kirin 980 which comes with dual NPUs. However, Samsung including it in the new chipset is a brilliant move.

The Samsung Exynos 9820 also uses improved Gigabit-class LTE-Advanced Pro modem which will bring about enhanced download and upload speeds on its smartphones.

The Exynos 9820 is said to be in mass production phases and would be available to be used on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10.

AirPod 2 to launch with Bluetooth 5.0 and Health-related features

Olanrewaju Sodiq

November 7, 2018

All seem to be falling in place for Apple Inc. to release its long-awaited sequel to its first generation wireless AirPods. Dubbed the AirPods 2, the launch was highly speculated to be sometime in October, not too long after the company announced its 2018 iPhones. While the accessories failed to launch last month, new information now suggest that the second-generation AirPods 2 are incoming.

The AirPods 2 recently passed the obligatory Bluetooth Special Interests Group (SIG) certification required of any device in the market that uses Bluetooth as a form of communication.

In a regulatory filing posted by the Bluetooth SIG, there were indications of the models numbers A2031 and A2032 for the upcoming Apple accessories. It isn’t exactly clear if the presence of two model numbers indicates that the AirPod 2 will come in two versions or if the model numbers belongs to two units of an AirPod pair. The listing also indicated that the AirPods 2 will support the latest Bluetooth 5.0.

In another entirely different filing under Hong Kong and Europe trademark revealed a name modification/expansion of the AirPods from an audio equipment to a “General wellness instruments”. This is an indication of health-related functionalities on the upcoming AirPods 2. There are reports that the second-generation AirPods will support heart rate monitoring, tracking capabilities, fitness sensors and more.

That’s not all, though. The upcoming AirPods is believed to be undergoing a number of revisions and upgrades when compared to its predecessor. Some new features to expect on the Apple AirPods 2 includes support for wireless charging via charging mat, an upgraded charging case, Siri (Hey Siri) integration, etc.

Albeit the AirPods 2 have surfaced on a couple of filings, patents and trademarks, there is no fixed/official launch date at the moment. We however expect to hear from Apple about the accessory in the coming weeks.

Google Permanently Shuts Down Google Plus

Olanrewaju Sodiq

October 9, 2018

Google have shut down its internet-based social network, Google Plus (or Google+) following a security glitch that caused the exposure of data of almost half a million users.

The exposure of users data occurred between the period of 2015 — 2018 and was caused by a faulty API that allowed developers have access to these data. While Google mentions that the exposed data were limited to Google+ profile fields information, it says that only 438 apps made use of this API and 496,951 users may have been affected.

The above figure is barely an estimate as Google cannot exactly confirm which users or how many users’ data were affected. This is because Google keeps the API’s log data for two weeks only. Even worse is the fact that not only users who use the affected apps were exposed but also, people connected to those users.

Exposed data include users’ full names, email addresses, birth dates, gender, profile photos, places lived, occupation and relationship status. According to Google,

“It does not include any other data you may have posted or connected to Google+ or any other service, like Google+ posts, messages, Google account data, phone numbers or G Suite content.”

Although Google says it has carried out investigations into the data breach and found no evidence of data misuse by these developers, it went ahead to shut down the social network, also citing low usage and poor on-site engagement as reasons.

Adieu, Google Plus!

Due to data breaches in some apps that affected about half a million users on its social network, Google officially pulls the plug from Google Plus.

Microsoft adds 4 new hardware to its Surface line of products

Olanrewaju Sodiq

October 3, 2018

microsoft-surface-pro-6 — Microsoft Surface 6 Pro

Microsoft held a “Surface Event” in New York yesterday where it announced four (4) new hardware to its Surface line of products. Some of the products are entirely new, while some are updates to previously existing devices.

The new products are: Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Studio 2, and Surface Headphones.

The Surface Pro 6 is Microsoft’s latest laptop-tablet hybrid with interesting upgrades and modifications. The device comes as an update to last year’s Microsoft Surface Pro and it sports a new matte black colour and Intel’s 8th Gen Quad core processors that will make it faster (up to 67%) than its predecessor. The new Surface Pro 6 also boasts of impressive 13.5 hours battery life and improved internal cooling technology.

microsoft surface laptop 2 — Microsoft Surface Laptop 2

The Surface Laptop 2 was also unveiled and it succeeds the Microsoft Surface Laptop that was released over a year ago. The Microsoft new Surface Laptop 2 also debuts in a new matte black colour option and brings on a redefined keyboard for smooth and quiet typing. The laptop also rocks Intel’s latest Core i5 or Core i7 8th Gen Quad core processor with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage variants. Interestingly, RAM on the base model now starts at 8GB while battery can now supply more than 14 hours of usage time.

The Surface Studio 2 is Microsoft upgrade to the first Surface Studio that was released in 2016; Microsoft says the Studio 2 is the fastest Surface ever. Although the design is almost identical to that of its predecessor, it comes with improved graphics (50%), brighter screen (38%), and more contrast (22%).

The last Surface Product is the Surface Headphones. The accessory is a wireless Bluetooth headphone with built-in Cortana, active noise cancellation, 8 microphones, automatic pause and play (audio is paused when headphone are removed from the ears), and an impressive 15 hours of battery life from only 2 hours of charge (via the USB-C port). The Microsoft Surface Headphones are presently available in Light Gray colour only and will sell for $350.

The Surface Studio 2 on the other hand will cost $3,499; Surface Pro 6 – $899; and Surface Laptop 2 – $999. Shipping of these three products will commence on October 16 while the Surface Headphones will go on sale later in the year.

Xiaomi releases XR, XS and XS Max to show Apple’s new iPhones are overpriced

Olanrewaju Sodiq

September 17, 2018

In a bid to take a jab at Apple’s exorbitant pricing of its products, Xiaomi puts up special ‘product bundles’ named after the latest models of the newly launched 2018 iPhone.

The product bundles are named the Xiaomi XR, Xiaomi XS, and Xiaomi XS Max. And to further spice things up, the bundles are priced at exactly the same amount each 2018 iPhone models sells for.

The iPhone XR, for example, has a retail price of CNY 6499 (approx $947) in China. The device is the cheapest of the new 2018 iPhones. Xiaomi’s XR suit on the other hand come will, for the same price of the iPhone XR, get you a 6GB/128GB storage variant of the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE smartphone, one Mi Band 3 smartband, Bluetooth handsfree, and a 12.5-inch Mi Notebook Air with 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM version.

The message Xiaomi’s trying to pass here is: why buy one phone when you can get a laptop, a top-of-the-line Android flagship, and other accessories for the same price? And it makes sense.. doesn’t it?

The XS suit is Xiaomi’s iPhone XS shade. With the XS bundle, Xiaomi is offering the 8GB/256GB variant of the Mi Mix 2S smartphone, 13.3-inch Mi Notebook Air, Mi Band 3 and Bluetooth headset for the same C CNY8699 ($1266) price of the iPhone XS.

The last bundle — the XS Max suit— will sell for the same CNY 9599 ($1397) price as the new 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max and come with 6GB/128GB Mi 8 smartphone, Mi notebook Pro, a Mi Band 3, and a pair of neckband-style Bluetooth earbuds.

The Xiaomi XR, XS, and XS Max packages will be available for sale in China only and it is Xiaomi’s way of saying ‘Hey Apple, your devices are too costly’ while opening the eye of the public to Apple’s ridiculous pricing structure.

LG announces new Bluetooth and AI Speakers to its XBOOM audio lineup

Olanrewaju Sodiq

August 21, 2018

With the intention of improving its XBOOM line of audio products, LG Electronics will be introducing 2 new wireless and smart speakers to the series at the upcoming IFA 2018 expo — a consumer electronics and home appliances trade show which will commence from 31 August in Berlin, Germany.

The upcoming audio products are the LG XBOOM Go and XBOOM AI ThinQ smart speakers.

Designed with user convenience and quality in mind, the LG XBOOM Go is a wireless speaker (the first of its kind) that will adopt Qualcomm’s aptX HD support for a lossless 24bit/576kbps hi-res audio streaming experience. The XbooX Go will also come with unmatched quality in terms of clear treble and thumping bass.

Other features of the XBOOM Go include external multicolour mood lighting, Grab-N-Go and X-grip handles for portability and stability, Pro DJ Wheel for creative mixing and scratching. The XBOOM Go will be available in three variants; the PK3, PK5, and PK7.

The LG XBOOM AI ThinQ speaker, on the other hand, will have features of the XBOOM Go and Google Assistant-enabled; allowing users control the speaker via voice commands and function in similar fashion as the Google Home does.

The audio quality of the LG XBOOM AI ThinQ speaker is expected to blow users away as the device was made in conjunction with Meridian Audio, an English manufacturer of high-performance, high-fidelity audio and video components and systems. The XBOOM AI ThinQ will arrive in two variants, the WK7 and WK9.

The WK9 model of the XBOOM AI ThinQ will reportedly launch with an 8-inch display. With the display and Google Assistant on top, the WK9 XBOOM AI is expected to function the same way the Lenovo Smart Display works, but with better speakers.

Other feature of the speaker include water resistance and long battery life. No pricing details are available but it is expected that information regarding all models of both speakers are expected to be unveiled at the upcoming IFA 2018 event.

Gmail’s ‘Confidential mode’ feature makes it way to mobile

Olanrewaju Sodiq

August 18, 2018

According to Google’s latest update to its email platform, Gmail, users will now be able to send and receive ‘confidential’ emails; just when we thought email security couldn’t get any better.

Google has, no doubt, furnished Gmail with quite a number of feature over the past couple of months (Nudge and Smart Unsubscribe, for example), but this one’s definitely a super cool addition…and a big deal.

Although the confidential mode has been around for a while (say July) as part of Google’s redesign of the Gmail platform, it is now making its way to mobile devices.

When turned on, the new feature allows Gmail users send and receive confidential emails by setting an expiration period to mails; expiry date can be set to 24 hours, a couple of weeks, months or even years (max 5 years).

Sender of a confidential email can also withdraw the recipients access to the email at any time. To make the mail even more confidential, receivers of such mail cannot reproduce the mail either by copying, printing, downloading, or forwarding the content to a third-party.

However, there is no measure in place to restrict recipients of a confidential mail from showing someone else the mail, or taking a screenshot of the content. While Google doesn’t have total control over the recipients device, it can at least notify the sender whenever a screenshot of his/her mail tagged ‘confidential’, just how SnapChat does.

In addition, the recipient(s) could set a mail to request a password (which will be sent to the receiver by Google via SMS) before accessing the content of such mail. The sender, however, has to provide the receiver’s phone number before such message is sent.

Passcodes to unlock a confidential mail will be sent to recipients using a Gmail address via SMS while recipients using other mail providers can receive passcodes either through SMS or in their email box.

How to use Gmail Confidential mode

To send a confidential mail:

1. Ensure you have the latest version of the Gmail app

2. Launch Gmail

3. Compose mail

4. Click on the three dots menu button

5. Click ‘Confidential Mode’

6. A new page will open up, then you can proceed to set expiration date or turn off confidential mode

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