Posted inGadgets & Apps
Posted inConnectivity
Launch of the new red Telecel was planned for Valentine’s Day
We've been receiving bits of information (and some reaction) to Telecel’s re-branding push that we wrote about 2 days ago. According to a reliable source, revelation of the new red colors and new logo were scheduled to happen on the 13th February. Yes, just before Valentine’s Day.
Posted inConnectivity
Google’s “Don’t be evil” put to test with Search+
About two weeks ago when Google launched Search plus Your World, we wrote an article noting that what was really worrying was not anti-trust lawsuits or the war of words that ensued between the search giant and Twitter. More worrying was Google’s betrayal of the trust that we the users have in it to deliver the best search results.
Posted inConnectivity
Our experience migrating from Disqus to Facebook comments
Before we moved the comments system on this site from Disqus to Facebook about a week ago, we had thought about it for a while and the decision wasn’t any easy one to make. Eventually we decided to move. And this is why:
Posted inConnectivity
Telecel Zimbabwe rebranding
If you have been to the Telecel Zimbabwe Harare city branch in the past few days, you probably noticed the mobile operator is changing its colors. The new Telecel Zim, as you can see from the picture below, will be red. The outgoing is the blue logo on the right.
Posted inBroadband Connectivity
Exclusive: Liquid Telecom acquires Zimbabwean ISP, ZOL
We just got news that Zimbabwe Online (ZOL) has been acquired by the Liquid Telecommunications Group. ZOL is now officially part of the Liquid Telecom Group. From the information available to us so far, ZOL will remain an independent company in terms of branding and operations.
Posted inConnectivity How To
How to use Paypal in Zimbabwe without a Paypal account
Having read so many comments and stories here on how you cannot access PayPayl services in restricted countries like Zimbabwe, I felt compelled to share how you can use PayPal without having access to PayPal, having no PayPal account, and without the means to create a PayPal account.
Posted inConnectivity
The internet goes on Strike: Wikipedia blacks out
The internet is on strike today. One of the most popular website globally, Wikipedia, has blacked out in protest against SOPA and PIPA. If you visit Wikipedia today it will load you a black page with the following text:
Posted inConnectivity
Introducing the JumpStart initiative, inaugural event
Today, we have some exciting news that we know tech entrepreneurs, developers, designers and others among you would love to hear. At the end of this week, JumpStart, an initiative we’re part of, will be holding its inaugural event at the Harare Club in Harare.
Posted inBroadband Connectivity
My journey to Wedza. An experience with technology in rural Zimbabwe
I had a chance to see the “hot” mobile phones in Wedza in all their shapes and sizes. The Chinese made models topped the list perhaps because of their key features – dual sim support, high audio output, multimedia support (ability to play a range of audio file formats, record audio/video clips and snap JPEG photos with reasonable resolution).
Posted inConnectivity
Where our music anti-piracy activists get it wrong
The term “piracy” implies that the wide availability of unauthorized copies of copyrighted content is the result of bad actors preying on the legitimate market. But history teaches us that it is primarily a result of market failure, the unwillingness or inability of existing companies to provide their product at a price or in a manner that potential customers want.
Posted inConnectivity
It’s Nhava all over again, only this time the name is Swav
Good news like this press release travels fast. No sooner had it been published than Zimguardian picked it up and repeated the PR. It’s said if you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. Eventually a big local daily newspaper, the NewsDay, picked the lie and amplified it yesterday. But in these connected times we live in there’s high risk repeating a lie; someone will eventually call you out on it.
Posted inConnectivity
9 years’ worth of The Herald’s internet content is offline
We have noticed that for a while now all our internet page links to the Herald made before 2011 have not been working anymore. Links like this one (http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=20101&cat=8) which we linked to from a story on 7 December 2010. Or this one (http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=14244&cat=8 ) we linked to on 14 January 2010 from this story. There are more examples. You get the page below when you click on the links:
Posted inBroadband Connectivity Startups
Our information technology predictions for 2012
Another exciting year in information technologies lies ahead with a lot of promise for the continued growth of the sector. Below, we provide our thoughts on what we think 2012 holds. It would be great to know what you the reader think in the comments.
Posted inConnectivity
Google not acting in our best interest with ‘Search plus Your World’
Google’s latest move to integrate Google+ with the Google search engine results page (SERP) got me worried. Google says from now on, the results you see in Google Search will include personalized Google+ data related to the search. It basically ties Google+ as a social network to Google search to produce a product that "understands not only content, but also people and relationship." These features can be turned off but how many people make the effort? The new features are called “Search plus Your World”.
Posted inConnectivity
Telecel introduces new MD, explains need for expats
We received a news release from Telecel with more information on the news the Herald broke on Monday regarding the coming in of new managing director John Swaim. The release basically confirms the development but says the arrangement is an interim one and likely to last only a single year. Swaim says he'll spend his time here looking for a new Zimbabwean leader to take as the leader at Zimbabwe's second largest mobile operator.
Posted inConnectivity
Zimbabwe’s tele-density rises to 74.7%
Zimbabwe’s tele-density rose to 74.7% as 2011 came to a close. Mobile phone subscriber statistics we received from the Post and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) recently show that all mobile phone operators registered an increase in subscribers since the last release of stats in September 2011.
Posted inConnectivity
Press Release: New Telecel boss envisages growth in 2012
Newly appointed Telecel Zimbabwe Managing Director John Swaim sees his new appointment as a temporary one that should lead to the appointment of a Zimbabwean to run the local company.
“I have come in as managing director in an interim position, while looking for a Zimbabwean to take over from me,” he said.
Posted inConnectivity
Mobile & web commerce in 2012, unlocking the value of connectivity
At the beginning of 2011 we predicted that Zimbabwe would see internet and mobile commerce services launched in Zimbabwe. As the year came to close, it was certain we were right on target with the prediction: Econet launched EcoCash they extending the use to more than just remittances and airtime; Zimswitch confirmed to us in an interview they were working on an internet payment gateway which they were going to launch before 2011 ended. But something happened on the way to heaven
Posted inConnectivity
John Swaim bounces back to Telecel Zimbabwe MD position
According to a report in the Herald today, John Swaim has been appointed to replace Aimable Mpore as Telecel Zimbabwe managing director, following failure by the later to renew his work permit. If the Herald’s sources are correct, this brings an end to Aimable Mpore’s less than pleasant stay in Zimbabwe as Telecel’s top man.
Posted inBroadband Connectivity
Why you should ignore the ‘We have 4G!’ adverts
In 2010, Ecoweb (and Econet subsidiary) was first to come out with the message that they had launched a 4G internet service. The company had just launched its mobile WiMax platform April 2010; a first in Zimbabwe. Of course consumers had no idea what this 4G thing was. The real benefit a lot of people saw wasn’t the speed that the new generation was supposed to offer, it was the mobility.
