January 2015 is almost at a close; however, the industry is already buzzing. During the course of the week Microsoft unveiled some of the core features of its latest operating system, Windows 10. Also gracing the headlines this week was social media application, WhatsApp. WhatsApp hit the headlines twice this week as a new WhatsApp scam went on the Warpath in South Africa. In addition to this, the development team at WhatsApp revealed that the application is now available to desktop users.
Also gracing the headlines this week was Telkom. Telkom has revealed that it will now be placing an extensive focus on SMEs.
Moving over to Zimbabwe, mobile subscriptions are now on the rise. This is according to the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
We also take a look at 10 vital tips to reduce your mobile phone bill. We hope you have a fantastic weekend. The top stories of the week can be found below.
News
Microsoft unveils Windows 10 with free upgrade option
On 21 January 2015, at a press and analyst event in Redmond Satya Nadella, Terry Myerson, executive vice president, Operating Systems Group, Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president, Operating Systems Group, and Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, among others, gave media a deeper look into Windows 10. Read More.
New WhatsApp scam on the warpath
As Africa is becoming more mobile focused, connecting via social media platforms such as WhatsApp, BBM, Facebook and Twitter is becoming more of a necessity. We, as Africans, use these platforms daily to not only converse with our peers, but to also conduct business, advertise brands as well as publish and share breaking news articles. Read More.
Telkom shifts focus to SMEs
South African telecom operator Telkom has revealed that the delivery of accessible and value-adding ICT functionality, specifically tailored to expanding Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), is its key priority in 2015. Read More.
Nigeria in need of USD 325 bln to expand network
Nigeria will need USD 325 billion to expand the country’s mobile network infrastructure capacity to meet international standards – according to the recently approved 30-year National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP). This is about 11 percent of the total investment targeted under the plan. Read More.
WhatsApp makes a move to PC
Popular messaging service “WhatsApp” has made its way to PC browsers across the African continent. The reveal was made public by the firm’s CEO Jan Koum – on the company’s Facebook page. Read More.
MTN reorganising Business Unit to enhance client experience in SA
MTN South Africa has announced the start of a process to reorganise its MTN Business unit, to strengthen its competitive advantage in the enterprise business solutions market. Read More.
HDS set to redefine data mobility & operational efficiencies
Hitachi Data Systems Corporation (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. has announced new capabilities in its entire Hitachi Content Platform portfolio. Now each system delivers true peace of mind in a wholly integrated and secure data, workforce and cloud mobility solution. Read More.
Fintech startup reveals money transfer service for West Africa
Azimo, an online money transfer service, has revealed that consumers across Europe can now send money to recipients in Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo in West African CFA francs for instant cash pick-up. Read More.
Google launches online portal for Nigeria’s 2015 elections
Google has launched an online portal where voters can keep an eye on the latest news about Nigerian politics in the run-up to the general elections in February. Read More.
Opinions
Securing the new era of big data
In the digital age, information is the new currency. And in order to get information, enterprises are mining data – and lots of it – for the knowledge that it can yield. Read More.
Technology will drive growth in Africa over the next five years
Chika Nwobi and Kresten Buch of Nigerian startup accelerator and funding programme 440ng discuss, with IT News Africa, the tech trends which will shape Africa in the next five years. Read More.
Will technology transform healthcare in 2015?
As technology has become more integrated with healthcare, consumers and medical professionals alike are adjusting to new ways of doing things. However, will technology transform healthcare in 2015? Read More.
Whose data is it anyway?
Enterprises of all sizes and across sectors are steadily embracing cloud computing and its various applications and benefits. Some companies are still more comfortable using the private cloud, others have embraced the public cloud, while a growing number are adopting a hybrid solution. Read More.
Interviews
Airtel to improve network & efficiency moving forward – Airtel CEO
IT News Africa had an exclusive interview with Christian De Faria, CEO – Airtel Africa AfricaCom 2014. The Airtel Africa CEO explains in the interview that Airtel is focusing on its customers, expanding in Africa, and improving the overall efficiency of the network moving forward. Watch the interview here.
Internet connectivity changes lives – Facebook VP
At AfricaCom 2014, IT News Africa had an exclusive interview with Chris Daniels, Facebook’s Vice President for Internet.org. Daniels explains in the interview that Facebook’s mission is to make the world more open and connected. Daniels also explains that Internet.org also has a mission, which is connecting the two thirds of the world that don’t have access to the internet. Watch the interview here.
Top Feature
Gartner: IT leaders must embrace marketing
ncreasing marketing technology investments are demanding more involvement from IT leaders to enable marketing to achieve full business value from its investments, according to Gartner, Inc. In 2015, IT leaders supporting marketing will need to build a stronger partnership with marketing and help to evaluate solutions (architecture, functionality, scalability, performance and security), source data, manage and consolidate the application portfolio, and integrate solutions. Read More.
Top Lists
2014′s Most Important Africans in Tech
The technology space in Africa is growing at an exponential rate. Naturally, the African continent is booming with potential in this sector.
Over the past few months, we have seen a great number of influential technology leaders as well as entrepreneurs greet the technology scene with innovative concepts and inspirational ideas. These African tech leaders are essentially placing Africa on the “map of innovation”. Read More.
10 vital tips to avoid excessively high mobile phone bills
More and more Africans are consuming value-added services over their mobile devices as data charges and smartphones become cheaper. With the festive season that just passed – most of us could do with advice on spending less money on our mobile devices. Read More.
Gadgets and Gaming
Dying Light physical release date unveiled
echland has revealed the updated global launch dates for Dying Light. The game will have a worldwide digital release on PC of January 27, 2015. In North and South America, the digital release and physical copies for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be available at the same day. Read More.
Review: Asus Fonepad 7
ablets and smart devices are evolving. While standard tablet devices offer users the ability to download apps, surf the internet, play games, take photos as well as make VOIP calls… very few actually offer users the ability to make and receive phone calls using a carrier SIM card. Asus has now met this demand with its latest low-cost tablet/smartphone hybrid device. Read More.
Review: Captain Toad Treasure Tracker
Nintendo is really treating gamers to some spectacular titles lately. While Nintendo did have a bit of a bad run during the launch phase of the Wii U, it is great to see that the console has risen from strength to strength over the past year. Nintendo’s latest title to hit the Wii U, which comes in the form Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, is one of the Nintendo Wii U’s highlights of 2014. Read More.
Review: Dragon Age Inquisition
The Dragon Age series has seen its share of ups and downs with Dragon Age: Origins being a great first entry while Dragon Age 2 unfortunately fell somewhat short in some areas. After much anticipation, Dragon Age: Inquisition has been released and looks to right some wrongs while still delivering a thoroughly enjoyable RPG experience. Read More.
Review: Xbox One – Then and Now
Microsoft’s Xbox One console caused a great deal of hype and controversy in the gaming industry when it was first announced. Microsoft leaned towards enforcing Digital Rights Management (DRM) in the early stages; however, the company saw fit to reverse the decision in order to capture its audience once again. While Microsoft hit a massive hole in the road with DRM, the truth is… that was then, and this is now. The Xbox One has been around for just over a year, but has the console moved from strength-to-strength over that year? Read More.
Review: Nextbook 2-in-1 Windows Tablet
When looking at the average price of a Tablet, Smartphone, or even a Laptop you can expect to come across devices prices that don’t essentially fit the budget. As Africa is becoming more mobile driven consumers as well as businesses are looking towards cheaper, yet fully functional devices. Read More.
Darryl Linington
