Posted inHardware & Software
Posted inConnectivity
Android powered Internet boxes can transform Africa
In the 21st century there’s one gigantic reality that many aspiring inventors bump into; there’s not much left to invent! While this may be so, the focus now (more than ever) is on building on what’s already there to solve humanity’s challenges and/or making life simpler. Groupon exploded onto the scene by tweaking a traditional coupon concept and panel beating it for the 21st century, the iPad (and “others”) squeezed laptops into a handheld wonder, while social networks took traditional human relationships online.
Posted inConnectivity Miscellaneous
The difficulties of registering a local domain in Zimbabwe
The need to have local Zimbabwean content on the internet has been widely discussed. The main idea being that the internet will become more relevant to locals if it has content people have traditionally consumed on platforms like TV, radio, newspapers, books and so forth.
Posted inBroadband
NetOne secures USD 60m funding, to launch mobile broadband by year end
NewsDay, reports that state owned mobile network operator NetOne has secured US$ 60 million for mobile broadband services. According to the paper, the funds have been sourced from China Export-Import Bank, Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), CBZ Bank and BancABC.
Posted inBroadband
We have 3.9G technology, says Spiritage Communications
Speaking at a Computer Society of Zimbabwe function yesterday, Spiritage Communications Managing Director Mr. Kangai Maukazuva disclosed the company has deployed a 3.9G network. Maukazuva was presenting the topic “Communication technologies for the future” to a huge group of information technology professionals. The presentation centered on the evolution in telecommunications to next generation networks (NGNs).
Posted inBroadband
The faulty Africom modems
Africom’s ZTE supplied modems are having compatibility issues when connected to Windows Home 7 machines. The problem occurs when the connect button is clicked on the dongle’s menu, leading to that most hated of Windows menaces; a blue screen. We visited the Africom shop along Jason Moyo Avenue on Friday and were immediately surprised by the lack of staff at the often congested shop.
Posted inBroadband
Spiritage presenting at Computer Society of Zimbabwe event
The Computer Society of Zimbabwe function this month (there’s one every month) is a presentation titled “Communication Technologies for the Future!” We just received the flyer from the society and we’re going to be there to listen in and interact with the techies and business people that come to these functions. But more importantly, we’re going to be there because of the opportunity to listen and speak to the presenters at the function, the Spiritage Communications executives.
Posted inBroadband Connectivity
Bridging the digital divide with eTXT. Killing SMS one innovation at a time
When eTXT launched in March this year we wrote “Econet launches eTXT, erases line between SMS and the Internet”. We wrote this because the application was another knife in the side for SMS. Yes, we want SMS to die. It’s super expensive for subscribers and belongs to a different era altogether.
Posted inConnectivity
About ICT systems security and the recent ZSE website hacking
In the past few years we have seen major developments in the availability and growth of high speed internet services in Zimbabwe. Such developments are a characteristic of the modern information and global economic age. At the same time such developments have led to the massive development and production of all kinds of software (Web Apps, Mobile Apps, etc.) to support and enable the organisations to carry out business over the internet.
Posted inConnectivity
Zimbabwe’s first TEDx event to take place in Harare
In less than 48 hours, Zimbabwe will see the first TEDx event hosted in Harare. The event is organized to bring innovators, entrepreneurs and activists together for a day to share ideas, interact and create synergies. It basically follows the format of the globally renowned TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) conferences run by the Sapling Foundation and formed to advance "ideas worth spreading."
Posted inStartups
3 more finalists are selected for the Startup Challenge
Yesterday, 16 August was an intense day at the Startup Challenge. A total of 10 tech startups pitched to the panel of judges and 3 were selected to go through to the next round. The startups that made it to the next round are, in no particular order: Software House (an Internet based tech hardware inventory tool), Funza (a recruitment company, looking to use the internet to implement some unique recruitment methods) and Ribe Networks (developing a chat aggregation social and social network & communication platform, Ribe Chat.)
Posted inMiscellaneous
FBC Bank introduces MasterCard Prepaid services
FBC Bank has begun offering a MasterCard Prepaid service that enables locals to shop online across various platforms worldwide. In a campaign dubbed ‘Load & Go’ the bank initially introduced the campaign through the endorsement of local music icon; Oliver Mtukudzi, advertising the service’s access to leading merchants around the world.
Posted inConnectivity Miscellaneous Startups
Pictures: the Startup Challenge on 15 August 2011
We spent the better part of today at the Startup Challenge interacting with tech startups and watching them demo. It was an exciting day, filled with a lot of great ideas presented by some of the most interesting Zimbabweans in tech. It's not easy to explain how it feels to be amoung such amazing people and watch them passionately talk about their startups.
Posted inBroadband
Some Opera tips for saving mobile internet bundles
A little over a week ago, we posted some interesting stats from a report published by Opera, makers of the popular Opera Mini mobile internet browser. Opera also included some tips on optimizing internet usage on mobile devices and we thought you would find them handy. Most of us have limited data plans and buy expensive internet bundles from the mobile operators so these tips can help save a few dollars.
Posted inConnectivity
TTCS Zim launches TTCS Kenya in partnership with SevenSeas Technologies
A press release by Kenyan SevenSeas Technologies (SST) has announced a new joint venture between the company and Zimbabwe’s Twenty Third Century Systems (TTCS). The joint venture between the two companies will see the founding of a SAP business solutions firm called Twenty Third Century Systems Kenya (TTCSK)
Posted inConnectivity
Press Release: Econet launches SMS campaign for Somalia aid
ECONET Wireless has launched a campaign that enables its customers to send desperately needed aid relief to famine-stricken Somalia via SMS.
The “Save a Life” SMS campaign will raise funding to support an international aid effort in Somalia, where a combination of the worst drought in 60 years and armed conflict has left an estimated 3.7 million people in desperate need of food aid.
Posted inConnectivity
Details of the ZSE hacking. It happened twice and it was through Joomla
On Saturday, we posted information revealing that the hacking of the ZSE website that happened last week was at the application level. We have since received more details of the hacking incident itself and it appears the ZSE website was used by the hackers to host viruses and a phishing website.
Posted inConnectivity
Africa’s Telecoms Titans: Orascom Telecom Holdings
Orascom Telecom Holdings is a global telecoms operator based in Egypt and is now majority owned by Vimpelcom Group. The company is part of Orascom Holdings, Egypt’s biggest conglomerate and the commercial vehicle of Africa’s wealthiest family.
Posted inConnectivity
Econet Wireless trampling on the same rights it used to fight for
So, we’re also shocked by Econet’s move to gag Alpha Media and its partners over Econet stories deemed defamatory. We’re shocked because we didn’t expect this from Econet of all companies. And we’re also shocked because, whatever Econet articles were written by Alpha Media, we somehow didn’t see the defamatory side of the story. We don’t even remember which articles these were, save for one by the Zimbabwe Independent about shareholder activism. We didn’t find it particularly defamatory, but we’re not Econet so…
Posted inStartups
Startup Challenge: Open for applications to 15 August qualifying event
At the qualifying Startup Challenge event, held last week alongside BarCamp Zimbabwe on 3 August, only 2 startups, Mukela Travel and Sadomba-Mahari, managed to make it to the finals. The target was 5 startups to battle for the collective prizes totaling $25,000 - sponsored by Zimbabwe Online (ZOL).
Posted inConnectivity Startups
MTN rolls out Africa and Middle East Apps Challenge
MTN Group- Africa’s biggest telecommunications firm; has introduced an Africa and Middle East focused app development contest. According to an article by Business Day South Africa last week, the company has begun the challenge as part of a build up to the launch of its own app store. It is inviting software developers across its operating markets and beyond to submit innovative applications that are built on or address African and Middle Eastern experiences.
