Leak: Nokia 7 Plus to carry 18:9 aspect ratio screen, dual cameras and other interesting specs

February 5, 2018

HMD Global is at it again, and now, they have promised to make a phone with the much-coveted 18:9 screen aspect ratio. This will also be spread across a large screen that would stand at 6 inches, and be privy to the Nokia 7 Plus.

Other details were released about the build and design of the Nokia 7 Plus too. Some of those included tips on a Gorilla glass that would sit on the front, aluminium material that would be used for the overall build and also, a dual camera setup. It is not surprising that these cameras would carry the Zeiss branding, and that even makes them more interesting to look forward to.

The selfie generation has been around for a while now, and the market is getting a little bit saturated. The Nokia 7 Plus aims to address that with the introduction of ‘bothies,’ allowing a user take pictures with the rear and front cameras simultaneously.

Such pictures would surely be beautiful pieces, considering that a 16MP camera would be sitting in front of the phone. On the back would be the 12MP camera (to be designed to shoot in a ‘wide’ mode) and a 13MP snapper (made to shoot in ‘tele’ mode instead).

To make the aluminium less slippery than normal, a ceramic-like texture would be adopted in developing it. On this aluminium body would the be other features such as the fingerprint scanner, and obviously, the Nokia logo.

Going under the hood, some of the expected specs for the Nokia 7 Plus are a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor, 4GB of RAM and an internal storage space of 64GB. Thankfully, there would be a microSD card slot for those who would want to expand the storage capacity.

To cap it all off, the mobile phone which is expected to ship with Android 8 Oreo out of the box would also feature fast charging capabilities alongside a USB Type C port

David Marcus: Messenger for Kids will make families better

O. Christopher

February 2, 2018

David Marcus: Messenger for Kids will make families better

Speaking at the Upfront Summit in Los Angeles this Thursday, David Marcus – the Facebook Vice President of Messaging Products – has spoken about the amount of backlash the brand is getting on the back of launching an instant messaging platform for kids.

You will recall that sometimes in December of last year, Facebook rolled out the Messenger for Kids application. According to them, this would serve the needs of kids aged 6 – 12.

Since its launch, some have appreciated the genius behind this decision. However, that group would not be as much as those who are kicking against it. For many, this is too early a time for kids to make an entry into the world of social media and constant instant messaging.

Marcus does not see anything wrong with the initiative though, going on to claim that

Families will be better off because it exists. I firmly believe it is a good product.

Defending the choice of product launch, Marcus explains that the idea of the application was to include young children in the family into family group chats. For that reason, the application would not function as a social media outlet as we have come to know it.

Apparently, he is one happier parent since the launch of the application.

“My daughter uses it on a daily basis now. It has enabled me to be more in touch with her” was his comment on the subject.

Leaving Messenger for Kids to rest, Marcus also addressed how he would not want the app to become used like email. While it was becoming increasingly important for businesses to keep in touch with their customers, he would appreciate if the businesses kept things t the customers being the first to engage/ start the conversation.

All this is coming after he addressed the issue of banning ads on cryptocurrencies, binary options and such other financial cases that might be fraudulent on the application. This is ironic since Marcus is one of the directors over at Coinbase.

Report: The wait might be over as new owner of 9Mobile is announced

O. Christopher

February 2, 2018

Report: The wait might be over as new owner of 9Mobile is announced

After a very lengthy sales process, the new owners of the 9Mobile brand – which was formerly known as Etisalat Nigeria – have been revealed. This is coming after a sales process overseen by both Barclays Africa and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In the time that the now-acquired company has been listed for sale, it had attracted interest from numerous bidders, seen brands pull out of the deal and also, been caught in other sale contractions.

Initially starting with a total of 10 bidders, the sales process saw this number reduce to merely five. Of the five bidders that made the final list, Airtel left the pool with claims that they could not trust an investment in something such as 9Mobile.

That is understandable, given that there is no determining the strength of the network since it failed under Barclays Africa and changed its name. After that, Glo and Helios failed to come forward with a bid, even as the deadline was drawing nearer.

That left the duo of Smile Telecoms Holdings and Teleology Holdings to make an offer, and that they did. According to figures showing up in the news, the latter company proposed $500 million to secure the rights to the network, while the latter offered a comparatively modest $300 million instead. With these numbers, it is not surprising why Teleology has now been announced as the new owners of 9Mobile.

While nothing has been confirmed from the parties involved in the sale as of yet, new reports are strongly indicative of this being the case. Should it pan out to be totally legit news, we believe the brand has fallen into good hands.

Currently, the CEO of Teleology Holdings Limited, Adrian Wood, was the first CEO of the MTN Nigeria group. Having gone on to man other projects since leaving the Y’ello brand, we believe he is capable of turning the network into something amazing.

Apple removes the Telegram apps from App Store because of inappropriate content

O. Christopher

February 1, 2018

Telegram – the fast-growing instant messaging platform – has been taken off the Apple Store for now. This was noticed by the guys over at 9to5Mac yesterday, and they have since taken to Reddit to create a thread on that.

Apparently, the application has fallen into the bad books of Apple and would remain unavailable till they fix it.

Currently, searches on the application would yield other instant messaging options such as Viber, WeChat and Skype. What is most intriguing is that even the Telegram X – which the company promises might or might not replace the initial build of the application – has been taken off the Apple store too. This is coming a day after the latter development application was announced for Android users.

There is no concrete reason as to why the application was taken off the app store. However, the founder of the Telegram app, Pavel Durov, responded to a Twitter user yesterday that it was on the back of ‘inappropriate content.’

In his reply, he wrote back that

We were alerted by Apple that inappropriate content was made available to our users and both apps were taken off the App store. Once we have protections in place, we expect the apps to be back on the App store.

To ensure best practices, Apple already has a template in place for those who would want their apps displayed on the Appstore.

One that particularly applies to instant messaging platforms like Telegram dictates that the platform have a method for disallowing objectionable materials from showing up on its app. Also, it asks for a mechanism to report offensive content that might have been missed by this filter, and a service that allows users block such abusive persons.

Taking down a major application such as Telegram is a show that Apple cares or about its users, and that would be a good note to fall back on.

Toshiba launches 7 New, Fast and Secure Laptops for Pros in the E-series

O. Christopher

February 1, 2018

Toshiba is currently enlarging its line of laptops, adding as much as seven new names to the already existent E-family of laptops. These new additions, it is believed, would be able to cater to the needs of professionals even when they are on the move. To that end, each has been equipped with high-end chipsets (up to the 8^th generation Intel Core in some) and is coupled with a perfectly rugged design.

The names of the new devices to launch are Portege X20W-E, Portege X30-E, Tecra X40-E, Tecra A50-E, Tecra Z50-E, Satellite Pro A50-E and Pro R50-E. The new Toshiba laptops take a deviation from the norms when it comes to the design of high-performance laptops and portable units.

While designers are known to give the high-performance varieties (usually) weak build, they have also been known to sacrifice great specs for ruggedness on the latter too. Toshiba thus blends these two features into one on the new additions to the E family.

For example, the Protégé X30-E has been detailed as coming with a reflective touchscreen based on the current In-Cell technology. This touch technology helps users navigate and consume content on the laptop without having to compromise the structural integrity of its build.

Speaking on the launch, the Senior Vice President of the PC and Solutions EMEA department, Maki Yamashita, said

The launch of the new E-generation further demonstrates our ambition to provide the fastest and most powerful laptops for professionals on the go. We understand that our users’ working patterns are continuing to evolve, and so we aim to provide them laptops that offer them the same performance, regardless of where they are working from. Our latest range of products will provide a mix of high performance, security, mobility and connectivity – and is ideal for today’s business user.

In addition to the ruggedness and high-performance nature of the laptops, they are also guaranteed to be very secure. There is provision for facial recognition and fingerprint scanning capabilities on the laptops, ensuring that the data of professionals are always secure.

Being a computer designed for users who would most likely always be on the go, the portability cannot be called into questions.

Huawei signs MoU with Dubai Tourism Authority, to display exclusive info about the city

O. Christopher

January 31, 2018

Dubai is a city that has always been on the top of the list for many as an ideal tourist destination, and with recent developments, more people will think so too. Huawei – the Chinese OEM – has partnered up with the Dubai’s Tourism Authority (DTCM) in a move that would see the company further project the city to the world.

It is expected that as soon as this deal takes off, users of phones made by the Huawei brand all over the world would start to get exclusive highlights into the wonders that lie inside the city of Dubai.

Perhaps, the most interactive way to do this would be to improve the theme packages, lock screens and galleries on these phones to celebrate the city. On top of that, DTCM is in the works with Huawei on a new EMUI OS that would help users of the phone explore Dubai better than others.

Asides the cosmetic changes, the global smartphone brand will also be involved in the provision of quality information about the city to its users. This information will range from images and videos in the city to information on events happening all around town.

That is not to mention the specialised service offerings to tourists, business people and residents. That could help anyone – regardless of their reason for being in the city – to have the best and a seamless online experience. Of course, that is if the person had a Huawei phone to call their own.

On the development, the CEO of Dubai Tourism, Mr Issam Kazim said

We are fully committed to raising consideration of Dubai as the destination of choice for global travellers and constantly seek exciting opportunities to reach new audiences. This MoU with Huawei will help us achieve that goal by increasing awareness of Dubai’s key selling points including local culture and heritage, gastronomy, retail, entertainment and adventure across Middle East, Africa and China travellers…

For a city which enjoys one of the highest influx of tourists and business people yearly, this new development is sure to increase those numbers in folds.

Snapchat enhances its Bitmoji so much, your avatars can even have your hair

O. Christopher

January 30, 2018

What is better than the Snapchat Bitmoji initiative? Don’t rack your brain for too long. The answer is ‘enhanced Snapchat Bitmojis,’ and that is what the company has now given its fans.

If you are a user of the popular picture and video sharing application, you are in for a ride. In a new update to the web-based application, you can now customise your Bitmoji to have over 40 different skin tones.

It does not end there, as they have also given you power over the hair. In fact, you have 50 different colours to choose from here, and a further 50 different hair treatment options. With these tools, there is rarely a case where you won’t be able to customise your Bitmoji to look remotely like you.

Coming with Bitmoji Deluxe, the company will surely make a lot of users happy with this new update. Likewise, it goes on to support that they are a racially-friendly outfit, dong well for their PR.

Although there is still no facial recognition technology to customise your Bitmoji for you, the Mobile app gives you the option to take a selfie while customising. That, it is believed, would help you pay better attention to details in your work.

In the backend, the new update gives Snapchat even more flexibility. If all that is technical jargons to you, it simply means that they have made it easier to update the Bitmoji system, so expect better updates in the future.

Acquiring the Bitmoji app for some $64.2 million back in the year 2016, Snapchat has been able to make something good happen with the application. What we hope right now is that the brand can expand faster before Facebook – one big company that shamelessly copies the ideas of Snapchat – starts its own version and aims to overtake.

Solo Phones partner up with Sterling Bank and 9Mobile to launch contract smartphone

O. Christopher

January 30, 2018

Solo Phones has taken the idea of contract phones to a new level, partnering with 9Mobile and Sterling Bank to bring out a smartphone with mobile plans coming with it out of the box.

The mobile phone, it is said, would be exclusively be available to those who currently bank or do other businesses with the involved financial institution. From the partner list, it needs no telling what telecommunications company would be supplying the data plans in this deal.

Grama Narasimhan, the Executive Director for the Retail and Consumer Marketing department of the bank, has said that

The partnership reflects the financial institutions’ commitment to delivering value to its customers.

Speaking on the contract plan, he made it known that customers who subscribed to the new idea would be able to enjoy a very attractive bundle of monthly plans, which comes in addition to a Solo Aspire 4 smartphone.

The bundle would consist all the essentials needed for a smartphone: Voice, SMS, Data plans, social media bundles and recharge bonuses. The contract also supports payments for the phone in installments, up to 12 months.

The Chief Marketing Officer of the bank, in the person of Henry Bassey, stressed that the partnership shows how committed the bank is to ensure every Nigerian is availed the opportunity to own a smartphone. Not just any smartphone too, but one with all the resources needed to enjoy the benefits of such a phone.

For those who are interested, he made mention of the juicy offers that come with the Solo Aspire 4 contract plan, listing them as 90 minutes of call time, social plans and up to 1.5GB of free data.

The deal is even bettered with the inclusion of an insurance plan. To take part of this deal, a Sterling bank customer can walk into their brand and walk out with the phone, all with a down payment of 10,000 Naira.

This should be noted as another feather in the cap of 9Mobile. Even though they are in the midst of a turbulent sales process, they still find time to support good causes. First was the release of the short film titled ‘Closed,’ and now, they have this offer to call part of their own. It is sure the brand has a lot more to offer to Nigerians under this new name.

9Mobile sale stalls again as stakeholders call for review of sales conditions

O. Christopher

January 29, 2018

In what was a poor turn of events for 9Mobile, Airtel and Globacom pulled out of the race to become the sole owners of the brand that was formerly known as Etisalat, even though they made the list of the final four bidders.

That opened the room for the other two potential buyers – Teleology Holdings and Smile Telecom Holdings – to throw in their bids. This they did, with the former company coming up top (with a $500 million bid), but things don’t seem to be looking up for 9Mobile still.

Even though a company has met all the requirements to make the sale a possibility, a little bit of holdup will prevent Teleology from getting ownership of the infrastructure owned by 9Mobile. At least, for now.

It is believed by some industry sources that the details of the sale are not as transparent as it should be, among other things.

The inside source also made the point that the conditions of the sale are being reviewed. That is understandable since a sale of this magnitude is sensitive enough to not be based on just who has the biggest pocket. Conditions may now include the operational efficiency of the company, contributions to the economy and the likes.

According to the source, which preferred not to be named in the press, the sums being touted by the sellers as the official bids received were not in any way correct. It is said that they might just be distractions to the general public so that the final winners of the bid could serve their own interests.

That being said, the source also confirmed that the parties involved in the sale (the Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigerian Communications Commission) remained impartial in dealing with the entire process.

No matter which one of these companies get to have the remains of Etisalat – now 9Mobile – it is sure that they will be able to manage it well. That is evident in the fact that both companies now have directors who have both, at one time, been the CEO of the MTN Nigeria group – the single biggest telecoms provider in the country.

Chinese Smartphone Market undergoes its first dip in Shipment volume in 2017

O. Christopher

January 26, 2018

Even though Xiaomi recently gained the upper hand on Samsung when it comes to the mobile market shares in the Chinese market, there is no growth indication for the general smartphone market in the region. In fact, according to a new report, the market is now seeing its first annual decline in shipments for the year ended 2017.

This was not totally surprising news since the Chinese market recorded an unprecedented drop in shipments in the second quarter of the year 2017. However, it was not expected that this drop would be sustained throughout the twelve-month period.

In total, the mobile phone shipments into this market dipped by four percent, and they will hope to make up for that in the coming years.

Dip or not, China is still the largest phone market in the world. Calculating the total units shipped after the decline in shipments, it still stands at staggering 459 million units.

This decline can be blamed on saturation in the market alongside other factors. That being said, one of the brads that would not have felt the impact of this dip so much is Huawei.

In the Q4 of 2017, just 113 million units of smartphones were shipped. This is down 14 percent from the previous year, but interestingly, Huawei was able to account for 24 million of those shipments. This represents a solid growth spurt and brand recognition for the company in a very competitive phone market.

Oppo and Vivo, on the other hand, do not have the same story to tell. In China, the two companies have seen their sales drop by a margin of 16 percent and 7 percent respectively. The good news is that they made up for this with the global emergence in other Asian markets in the same time frame.

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