IT News Africa: top stories of the week

Another week in the world of technology has flown by once again. This week we saw Microsoft place 18000 jobs on the chopping block.

Business Connexion also graced the headlines as the company has selected a suitable candidate to take over the reins as CEO.

Also featured this week is our review of BlackBerry’s cost conscious smartphone, the BlackBerry Z3.

While it has had a bit of rocky start, the Destiny Beta is now live and playable.

News

Business Connexion appoints new CEO
The Business Connexion Group (BCX) have revealed that Isaac Mophatlane has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from 1 August 2014. He will take over the role of his late brother, Benjamin Mophatlane, who passed away on 11 June 2014. Read More.

18000 employees face the axe at Microsoft
Microsoft is expected to cut up to 18000 jobs over the next year, this is according to a press release by the software giant. Read More.

MasterCard launches MasterPass in South Africa
According to MasterCard, MasterPass enables consumers to make convenient, simple, fast and secure digital payments. Digital wallets accessible through the MasterPass acceptance network allow consumers to store all their MasterCard or other branded credit, debit or cheque card information, and shipping and billing address details securely in one place. This gives them the ability to make secure online payments without the repeated hassle of entering these details each time. Read More.

Airtel sells telecom towers in Africa
Bharti Airtel has signed an agreement with Helios Towers Africa (HTA) to sell its telecom towers. The deal was made for an undisclosed amount. Read More.

Zambia: CEC Liquid Telecom appoints new MD
Liquid Telecom and Copperbelt Energy Corporation have revealed the appointment of Andrew Kapula as managing director of CEC Liquid Telecom in Zambia. Read More.

Nigeria to get cyberspace cleanup
Speaking at the cyber security forum, executive vice chairman Dr. Eugene Juwah, Nigeria Communications Commission, has called for a clean cyberspace drive in the country in order to prepare for more Foreign Direct Investments in the country. Read More.

Paynet extends chip adoption in Kenya
The development sees over 1 Million units of magnetic stripe cards held by customers of VISA, MasterCard and Kenya Bankers Association being replaced with the higher security EMV payment cards – carrying either VISA or MasterCard chip technology –  a significant stride in the adoption of EMV/Chip technology in Kenya, which pushes up the level of compliance with the new standard. Read More.

Opinion

How Social Media is changing sports coverage
With the FIFA World-Cup erupting all over the major social networking sites, Naomi Owusu, founder of Tickaroo, shares her thoughts concerning the effect social media has begun to have on the way we cover sports, and how it is affecting clubs, associations, and franchises as they attempt to keep up with the demands of their fans. Read More.

The hidden benefits of managed services
Customers are increasingly demanding rapid, excellent service from an organisation’s contact centre – and rightfully so. However, as contact centre managers look to add more communication channels, more capacity, and improve the service to customers, the CFO is looking for a tangible return on investment. While balancing these two stakeholders – as well as a host of other competing interests – many contact centre heads are realising the benefits of a fully outsourced managed services offering in the contact centre. Read More.

Gadgets & Gaming

Destiny Beta now live
The Destiny Beta has officially kicked off; however, it has not been without a few technical difficulties. The Beta went live last night, but those looking to gain access to the Beta were greeted with maintenance notifications from both the Bungie website as well as the PlayStation Store. Read More.

BlackBerry Z3 Review
Smartphones are essential to our day-to-day lives; however, with the latest technology costing a pretty penny at times, does BlackBerry’s cost conscious Z3 bring an affordable option to the table that is both attractive and usable in today’s technology powered world? Read More.

Darryl Linington