Thursday 3 November 2011

Nigerian users still trust Blackberry after outage

Two weeks after the three days black out of Blackberry services across the world, Nigerian users still recount sad experiences. However, majority of them still repose unflinching trust in the services of the technology giant Research In Motion, RIM, saying their love for BB was unshakeable.
Just hear it straight from them:
Blackberry Bold 9700


The experiences of that three days were terrible. It was like suddenly being thrown into the thick darkness after many years in a room filled with bright light.  I was not able to check my email asap, I could not access my medical dictionary and could not keep contacts with my BBM folks.
But besides that,  I can still trust them . Perfection is ascribed to the supreme being alone. After all, my battery lasted longer compared to when my BIS was on'
        Femi Ajose, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Shagamu.
A friend of mine described it like being crippled. I was not just happy that I could not access the internet.
         Tosin  Stephens, — Lead way pensure PFA.

'Its just as if there was no blood running through my veins any more and I believed the device cannot be trusted again after the whole saga.'
        Adedoyin OluwatosinChevron Nig Ltd
'It really did not bother me much except for the cut off from friends who will naturally like to message me instead of calling. The Blackberry services can still be trusted. You see, the outage was a mechanical thing.'
                    Oluwakayode Ajala,  — Journalist
'It was a terrible experience for me, none of my applications worked, I could not chat, I lost virtually all my contacts but thank God, I backed my contacts up. It was not all boring though because I was using 2go on my Blackberry and I could connect with my peeps but the 3-day was a total disaster. However, the services can still be trusted.'
             Ayomide AdeyemiStudent                     

I was denied access to the internet and that was painful and frustrating but my joy is that I didn’t lose my contacts like I have heard others complain. It shows that no technology is full-proof. However that is not enough to write the technology off. I can’t do away with my BB.
       Sotubo Sunkanmi, — Student

Blackberry


The outage was disastrous. It frustrated every user even though MTN had notified me that the users of BLACKBERRY will experience technical problem, but when it did happen, I was like, disarmed. But these things happen once in a while and should not be seen as strange.
                Priscillia Ikhine, — Journalist


'It was very devastating...I felt very sad. I think they can still be trusted.'
                       Oladipo Oshodi GloverStudent

'It was terrible but thanks to the fact that I was busy throughout the three days,never felt it much but my phones were rendered useless.'
      Daramola Ademola Luqman —  Student

'In fact it was as if I as locked up in a cell,being denied access to the world. It was terrible. But I still love my BB.
      Adegbola Mujaheed,— Youth Corper.

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Nokia rolls out first Windows smartphones

New Nokia Window smartphones


By Prince Osuagwu

World mobile phone maker, Nokia at the Nokia world congress in London on Wednesday, launched two new smartphones based on Microsoft's new Windows Phone 7.5 operating system.
The phones, Lumia 800 and the Lumia 710 may begin Nokia’s  fight back against Apple's iPhone and rivals using Google's Android software.
Nokia's new boss, Stephen Elop, had previously warned that the company was stuck on a burning platform but with the launch of the new phones he said the the "rebirth" of Nokia has just happened.
The company promised to start shipping the Lumia 800 range almost immediately and potential buyers  in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands could as well satisfy their appetites by November.
However, Nokia also introduced another four new basic phones which are also targeted at developing countries.
According to Elop, the phones would dampen the boundaries between feature phones and smart phones, just as they would also bring the internet "to the next billion people".

ASHA
Nokia calls the new range of phones Asha, perhaps using it to identify its target market since the name derives from the Hindi word for "hope".
Although the phones will be relatively cheap, they will sport features like touch screens, 5 mega pixel cameras, bright screens, 32GB storage for music and long battery life.
Profit margins in the market for basic phones are razor thin, and so Nokia's main focus will be on its new smartphones.
Mr Elop acknowledged that the Lumia 800 was a design development of a previous Nokia phone, the MeeGo-based N9. He said the Lumia is the first real Windows phone and predicted the company would be the leader in smartphone design and craftsmanship.
The Lumia 710, which comes in a range of funky colours, will be pitched as the affordable Windows phone.
The phone's product manager, Kevin Shiels, said the new phones would have integrated cameras with high-end Carl Zeiss lenses. He demonstrated how Windows Phone shows information and updates directly on the first screen, without having to tap into applications.

Friday 14 October 2011

Nollywood actor arrested for trafficking drugs

Baba Suwe in one of his movies



By Prince Osuagwu

Nollywood actor and veteran comedian, Alhaji King Babatunde Ayinla Nurudeen Olasunkanmi Omidina,  who is popularly known as Baba Suwe was arrested on Wednesday night for being in possession of substances suspected to be cocaine.
Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) who made the arrest said Baba Suwe was picked up at the International wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, while boarding an Air France flight to Paris, France.
Baba Suwe the family man; Doing what he was supposed to do in France


Baba Suwe was on his way to Paris to act as a master of ceremony in a naming ceremony of an Air France staff scheduled for Saturday.
 NDLEA source told FreeTalkAfrica that the Air France staff who the veteran actor was billed to perform the MC for, was also picked up immediately he was arrested.
The scanning machine at the airport detected suspected substance hidden in Baba Suwe’s stomach, but the suspect was alleged to have denied that such drug was on him.
A second scanning proved that he was carrying the substance and this led to his immediate arrest. He is said to have been kept at the NDLEA office at the airport, where he would remain until he starts excreting the drugs.
In another of his movies

Reacting to the sad news, the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Mr Segun Arinze described the act as “an embarrassment to the Nigerian motion picture industry.'
It a sad development I must tell. If truly he is arrested in connection with drug, he has come to the end of his career. I feel highly disappointed in him. Most of us have worked so hard to come the level that we are today.”
Arinze who is holidaying in America also added that “We cannot destroy the image we have built over the years because of the material things of life. We will meet with the executives of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners(ANTP) and decide on what to do with him.”
Another notable film director and producer, Lancelot Imasuen and his colleague the president, Association of Movie Producer (AMP) Paul Obazele respectively, condemned the act, describing it as “tarnishing the image of the industry. 
Obazele said, "Baba Suwe is an icon and everybody looks up to him in the industry. This is surely not a good news at all.”
For Lancelot, “I'm not particularly happy because it will affect all of us who usual travel out of the country on regular basis. I know that things are difficult, but must he descend so low to be arrested in connection with drug.”
Other actors and producers of the Yoruba genre of the Nigerian film industry where Baba Suwe is king, also reacted.  For popular director of the epic Yoruba film “Aramotu”, Niji Akanni, "this is shocking and abominable and it is going to affect his career and the industry at large. It is a bad news, he has no reason to indulge in that act. Nobody is happy about the news"
The man when he is not on set

Others who couldn't utter a word at hearing the news only screamed and refrained from making any comment. 
Baba Suwe is a very successful and popular Yoruba actor, famous for his comedy roles in Yoruba movies. He is one of the icons in the film industry, having worked with virtually everybody in the industry. He was a recipient of the African Artists and Entertainers Afro-Hollywood award in New York which is like the African Grammy.

Thursday 13 October 2011

Motorola builds first retail Android tab, ET1

By Prince Osuagwu



New Motorola ET1

Motorola Solutions, has unveiled the first in an emerging category of enterprise-class tablet computers designed for a variety of vertical markets. Tagged the ET1 tab, the new product brings the familiarity and popularity of a consumer-class user experience to true enterprise-class devices that includes enhanced durability, an optional barcode scanner and magnetic stripe reader, hot-swappable battery packs, and secure system software.
Key industrial-strength accessories such as secure multi-slot recharging stations are said to be also available in this new product.
The product is targeting those who use their PCs all day-long . The Wi-Fi-enabled ET1 is built password-protected, so it can be easily shared and instantly provisioned for each employee according to his or her level of responsibility and access rights.
Based on log-in information, managers can automatically control and monitor use of approved applications to help ensure on-the-job productivity is not compromised.
Because of the built in enterprise-ready hardened version of the Android operating system, the ET1 tablet is designed to be used 24 x 7 by multiple staff members.
The product is supported by Motorola’s portfolio of enterprise-grade software modules including RhoElements, a new HTML5 application enablement framework. This ensures that businesses can now quickly and cost-effectively develop enterprise applications once and deploy them on both traditional Windows Embedded Handheld and Android-based Motorola devices, allowing for consistent user experiences.
The ET1 incorporates a durable Gorilla Glass, 7-inch color display, designed for customer-facing applications containing video and images. In addition, the screen bezel can be customized to match the retailer’s brand.
Backside of the ET1 tab


Motorola’s ET1 tablet offers a comprehensive suite of enterprise-class features and accessories including durable design to withstand multiple bumps and drops during a workday, Optional integrated bar code scanner and magnetic stripe reader, hot-swappable rechargeable battery pack, with memory back-up battery to retain RAM data for up to 15 minutes when the main battery is removed, single- and multi-slot tablet and battery chargers, Front- and rear-facing cameras.
There is also the availability of Bluetooth-connected handheld bar-code scanners, mobile-payment readers and mobile printers in the new device.
Motorola says the ET1 tablet will be available from the Start with Comprehensive Coverage program, providing coverage for normal wear and tear as well as accidental damage to internal and external components, significantly reducing unforeseen repair expenses.
The tablet will be available anytime, this quarter

iPhone 4S hits 1m pre-orders

By Prince Osuagwu

Apple's new baby -iPhone 4S

Even with the demise of Apple’s Steve Jobs, his handiwork is still breaking barriers. This is as the pre-orders of Apple's iPhone 4S, a product introduced just a day before he died have exceeded one million mark in a single day.
Apple's Philip Schiller says that first day pre-orders of the new iPhone 4S are the highest of any new product that the company has ever launched. This also breaks the already known records of Apple’s previous single day pre-order record of 600,000 held by iPhone 4.
 iPhone 4S includes iOS 5 and iCloud that work with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store content in iCloud. iPhone 4S comes in either black or white and will be available in the US for a price of US$199 for the 16GB model and US$299 for the 32GB model and US$ 399 for the 64GB model.
iPhone 4S will be available from the Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, and select Best Buy, Target and Walmart stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 4 is available for US$99 and iPhone 3GS is available for free with a two year contract. iPhone 4S will roll- out worldwide to 22 more countries by the end of October including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Latest wackie Innovations in technology industry

Compiled by Prince Osuagwu



World’s cheapest tab now in India



world cheapest Aakash tablet

India has finally launched probably the world's cheapest 7-inch touchscreen tablet dubbed Aakash.
Aakash, means 'sky' in Hindi. The new innovation is a result of efforts by India's Ministry of Human Resource and Development to develop a low cost computing device that could be used by students across the country.
 Aakash, is set to be sold to students at the government subsidized price of US$35. The regular retail price of the tablet is expected to be around US$60 when the unit hits the shelves as a commercial version called the UbiSlate 7.





Behold RIM's new BlackBerry Tag app

RIM has unveiled BlackBerry Tag for its BlackBerry smartphone users to connect with one another and share multimedia content. BlackBerry Tag, which will be
Blackberry   

incorporated in the next BlackBerry 7 OS update, will allow users to share contact information, documents, URLs, photos and other multimedia content. BlackBerry Tag will also enable users to instantly add one another as contacts on BBM. BlackBerry Tag takes utility of NFC technology included in the recently launched BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 and BlackBerry Curve 9350/9360/9370 smartphones, and these are the first BlackBerry smartphones that will support BlackBerry Tag. RIM also plans to expose BlackBerry Tag through APIs on the BlackBerry platform, allowing software developers to take utility of 'tap to share' functionality from within their own applications.

Monday 10 October 2011

More pictures........





There was also local music to ensure that the tourists truly get the drive

The story of South Africa strategy to attract investors through self Branding

By Prince Osuagwu

South Africa is not leaving anything to chances about its quest to be the hub of African businesses.
Recently it gathered journalists around the world to see for themselves what potentials abound in Africa, with South Africa as a reference point. The tour was not political just as it could have been in other African countries. Interestingly the South African government handed the BRAND SOUTH AFRICAN project to professionals who gathered experts in all sectors including Banking, Health, Energy and other business areas who reeled out action plans in their different sectors.
It was one of the most perfectly organised tours I have ever witnessed in my career as a journalist. The tour took the journalists from Nigeria,South Africa, Brazil, Russia, India, Egypt, Zambia, Kenya among others, across Johannesburg,Pretoria and Cape Town and in each location, it became clearer that South Africa is a proud African continent flag bearer.
What with the COP17 billed to be hosted there between November and December this year, the country is not ready to leave any bit of opportunity it could provide its business environment. An elated Minister of Internal Relations and Cooperation, Mrs Maite Nkoane who eventually is the incoming president of the COP17 is already celebrating the milestones of the event in the history of South Africa. For her, this is another World cup. And we all knew what leverage the 2010 world cup left for country.
From the Ten point plan Health Sector reforms by the radical South African Minister of Health in Pretoria to the Alternative energy plant and the robust wine farms in Cape Town, there was no doubt that South Africa has taken time to strategise on what it wants and those that would deliver them to the promised land.
The Brand Africa team stuck to time and made the tour worthwhile for the tourists. The hospitality is a story that has no end and the friendliness leaves a lasting taste in the mouth of all participants, to say the least.
These picture could speak volumes.
Enjoy them!





Having Fun in a dinner party on arrival day

Thursday 6 October 2011

Steve Jobs bows to Pancreatic cancer in a smart way




By Prince Osuagwu

The death of co-founder and former chief executive of US technology giant Apple, Mr Steve Jobs, yesterday could be described as a smart exit. This is judging by the fact that news of his death filtered in just a day after he introduced Apple’s latest iPhone 4S model.
Interestingly, Jobs's family had issued a statement saying they were with him when he died peacefully on Wednesday.


Jobs died at the age of 56. However, a better part of his life was dedicated to countless innovations that enrich and improve lives and make the world immeasurably better. Although cause of his death has not been yet announced, it could not be far from the pancreatic cancer which Jobs himself announced he was suffering from in 2004.
Like the American President said in his tribute to Jobs, "Steve was among the greatest of American innovators, brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it"
No matter how his life is viewed, Steve Jobs truly created gadgets which has changed people's perceptions of machines. Steve Jobs came into lime light when in April fools day 1976, he in conjunction with his school friend Steve Wozniak introduced the first Apple computer, tagged Apple 1. In fact, for more than two decades, after the first Apple computer, the company was predominantly a manufacturer of personal computers, including the Apple II, Macintosh, and Power Mac lines, but it faced rocky sales and low market share during the 1990s.

Cutting edge products


Since then the company through the visionary leadership of Steve Jobs, has introduced cutting edge products like the colourful iMac computer, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad to the world. The latest iPhone 4S model was also introduced just a day before his death.
However, the latest era of phenomenal success for the company has been in the iOS Apple range of products that began with the iPhone, iPod Touch and now iPad.
With a market value estimated at $351bn (£227bn), Jobs contributed immensely to making Apple the world's most valuable technology company, it has become today.

Biography
Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco in Feb 1955 to students Joanne Schieble and Syrian-born Abdulfattah Jandali. He had a summer job at Hewlett-Packard while at school but dropped out of college after six months and went travelling in India, where he became a Buddhist.
He was to launch Apple with his school friend Steve Wozniak in 1976 and also caused the first Apple computer to be sold the same year.
In 1985, there was a boardroom squabble and he left Apple and bought Pixar animation company in 1986 for $10m. He managed the company he called NeXt until 1996 when Apple bought it. He returned to become Apple’s CEO in 1997. At return, Jobs  brought with him a new corporate philosophy of recognizable products and simple design. With the introduction of the successful iPod music player in 2001, Apple established itself as a leader in the consumer electronics industry, dropping "Computer" from its name.
Jobs married in a Buddhist ceremony in 1991 and has three children with his wife. These are in addition to a daughter from a previous relationship. He is said to have a personal wealth estimated at $8.3bn (£5.4bn) as at year end 2010
He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and after three periods of sickness leave, resigns as Apple CEO in August 2011
As the face of Apple, he represented its dedication to high-end technology and fashionable design. Inside the company Jobs was said to have exerted a level of influence unheard of in most businesses.
In 2004, Mr Jobs announced that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer. He had a liver transplant five years later. In


id="lw_1317942857_5">January 2011
, he took medical leave, before resigning as CEO in August and handing over his duties to Mr Tim Cook.
In his resignation letter, Mr Jobs said: "I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role."
Jobs remained Apple's chairman till death.


In his tribute to Jobs, the new Apple CEO, Mr Tim Cook, said that “Steve Jobs left behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple".

Monday 29 August 2011

Sunday 28 August 2011

Mercy Johnson weds in Lagos


Mercy and hubby walking the isles

You know the popular Actress, Mercy Johnson? The Diva wedded on Saturday in Lagos amid tight security. Although several stories have been told before and even after the wedding, everybody should respect the sanctity of the marriage institution and allow husband and wife to live in peace and perhaps solve whatever problem there may be.
We wish her a happy married life because she deserves it. After all she has played her part by using her acts to to attract much revenue to the Nollywood industry and the entire economy in general.
Mercy, HAPPY MARRIED LIFE from Free Talk Africa.





The Quintessential Mercy

Even as a model, she is not far away

No doubt she is endowed

You cant even ignore her behind

Nokia targets 1 billion new mobile entrants with two new products

McDowell



By Prince Osuagwu (who was in Nairobi, Kenya)

Frontline mobile phone makers, Nokia, at the weekend announced that it was targeting to use the next few years to connect the next one billion people that are yet to be connected to  mobile communications.
To achieve that, the company also at the weekend, launched two mobile devices, the Nokia 100 and Nokia 101, which it said were strategically designed to be affordable to enable the new entrants migrate effortlessly onto the growing mobile world.
The products which were unveiled at the Serena Hotels, Nairobi Kenya, according to Nokia, were also built with relevant smart applications and are targeted towards the emerging markets where most of these one billion new entrants live.
Unveiling the new products, Nokia’s Executive Vice President, Mobile Phones, Mary McDowell said that “We recognize that for many of the next billion people, a phone purchase is an investment. People are looking for a phone that offers great features but also one that is dependable,”.
“The launch was in continuing with Nokia’s commitment to connecting the next billion consumers with mobile devices that offer modern, attractive designs, a range of practical and fun features, and services that extend the value of the phone with access to information and entertainment”.
According to her, “the Nokia 101 is Nokia’s fifth dual SIM device in the last three months and is the most affordable to date. The dual SIM functionality enables users to connect to two different networks to receive calls and messages while the Nokia SIM manager allows users to select which SIM card to use to make a call or send a text message”.
Nokia 100


She also described the Nokia 100 as “perfect device for people looking for durability and simplicity as well as affordability when making calls and sending text messages. The Nokia 100 is Nokia’s most affordable colour display phone, and people can enjoy its new attractive grid-based menu system with fun and easy-to-read icons. Furthermore, the Nokia 100 features an FM radio, enabling users to tune into their favorite music stations, whether on-the-go or at home.
Both the Nokia 101 and Nokia 100 offer Nokia Life Tools and Nokia Money which provide instant access to locally-relevant information on healthcare, education, agriculture and entertainment.
Nokia said that the Nokia 101 will be available in the third quarter of 2011 while the Nokia 100 will be available in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Nokia 101



Sunday 7 August 2011

Sam Loco Efe dies


Loco: A man cut out for stage business
.....His life, his achievements


By Prince Osuagwu

Sam Loco Efe, one of the most talented actors of contemporary Nigerian theatre, was announced dead today. He has for many years distinguished himself as a rare talent for both Television (TV) and stage drama.The 66 year-old actor was said to have died on location, in his hotel room in Owerri, Imo State, where he was on location to shoot a new movie. Late Chief Sam Loco Efe was a multifaceted actor, writer and singer and as a trained artiste, Loco was a trainer and moulder of future leaders.
Hear Loco when he was alive

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Nokia talks tough with Dual SIMple

The Dual SIMple category



Nokia may have come into the mobile Dual SIM technology market a bit late compared to its competitors. But with its new range of dual SIM phones, Nokia X1-01, C2-00 and C2-03 phones, the company is perhaps making sure that what it lost to the late entry is recouped from innovation.
The features imbued on the new range of products, according to Nokia is to ensure that dual sim technology lovers enjoy flexibility as never before. No wonder, they were tagged Nokia Dual SIMple brands. The phones have the  new  Easy  Swap  innovation  which  means that users can change SIMs without switching  off  the phone.
With the new Nokia Dual SIMple range, consumers can assign  ringtones  to  each  SIM  so  they  know which SIM is being called. Consumers  can  also decide which phone to assign to calls, which to assign for  browsing  the  web  or  even  which to use to send sms’ based on their preferred  operator  offers.
E7: For the Bigger boys.......


Other  features  include microSD support up to 32GB,  media  player, 3.5mm AV connector, GPRS, camera, micro USB connector slot  as  well as the new Nokia web browser which makes browsing faster and more affordable.
The Nokia Dual SIMple phones come with Nokia’s proprietary Nokia Life  Tools  Service  which  gives  consumer  access,  tips  and  advice on Agriculture,  Education,  Entertainment  and  Healthcare. Nokia’s Head  of Care, Mr Silvin Sinan, explained that these features and benefits are only available in  genuine  Nokia devices and advised Nigerians to avoid being conned into buying counterfeit devices under any guise. He reminded consumers to always be  original  and  buy authentic Nokia products with the 12 months warranty sticker  on  the  phone  box  and  even  go a step further by using the sms warranty  check,  using  their  IMEI to ensure that the physical product is indeed fully covered by Nokia 12month free warranty service.
N8: Ready for real work? you must need this.....

That was just as the Head of Marketing, Nokia West Africa, Mr Reuben Onwubiko also said that the robust portfolio of Dual SIM  devices  would  meet  the  respective  needs  of  different consumers.
By the way, Onwubiko, hinted that more of the dual SIM innovation from Nokia are expected in the near future, to distinguish class in manufacture of mobile phone devices and technologies.

LG’s 3D sound Blu-ray Home theatre to berth Nigeria

The LG new Home theatre.....truly amazing


Plans are  in top gear by Life is Good, LG Electronics to unveil its  latest Home Theatre  system; the HX996TS, 3D sound Blu-ray Home system.
The system uses new approach to deliver sound and provide perfect soundtrack for watching movies in 3D. The sound quality comes via three key innovations. The Vertical 3D Sound Channels which emits sound through the tops of the four Tallboy Speakers to expand the sound field up to the ceiling. The resulting audio waves fill the space above viewers’ heads, for a strikingly realistic sound that makes viewers feel like they are right in the middle of the movie.
Managing Director, LG Electronics, West African Operations, Jaeyoung Lee, said, that the 3D entertainment system would explode in the years ahead and the company was setting the pace with the new  product.
He said that from connectivity to sound, it has been tailored to produce the best 3D home entertainment experience possible even as the company plans to making it available in the Nigerian market soon.
From indications, the 3D sound experience is comparable to the Cinema Dome effect, which perfects 3D sound via LG’s unique DSP algorithm. The algorithm analyzes individual audio channels in real-time, guaranteeing seamless sound tracking and a truly immersive sound. The combined effect is an upwards and backwards expansion of the sound field, putting viewers right at the heart of the audio.
The third part of the LG 3D sound comes by its Dual Subwoofers. That is another place where LG added innovation. Instead of the conventional single subwoofer, two subwoofers are placed on the opposite sides of the television, delivering a powerful sound that greatly enriches the overall audio quality. The Dual Subwoofers add a room-filling, low attack undercurrent for a strikingly realistic soundtrack.
For Lee, technology is complete with the HX996TS Specifications. It ranges  from 7.2ch 1280W total output power with 3D sou
You can't beat the Livespeakers too....

nd to LG Sound Gallery with parabolic speaker, USB recording (MP3 file creation from music CD), 2 HDMI In (HDMI 1.4), ARC (Audio Return Channel), Firmware upgrade for advanced function and services, External HDD playback (DivX HD, MKV), Music ID capture and streaming (Gracenote),  iPod / iPhone cradle, Wi-Fi direct, Ethernet, DLNA compliant, Smart TV Technology.

JVC's new dock has room for iPad and iPhone at the same time

Thats the JVC docking station.....isn't it amazing?



Traditionally, the docking system which gives users opportunity to use their devices while charging it, can only dock one device at a time. However, with the growing innovations in technology, anything is possible. That is why it was not surprising when JVC recently announced the introduction a sleek new speaker dock that can accommodate both an iPad,  iPhone and iPod at the same time.
JVC's new  6.1-inch UX-VJ3 features two separate, wall-mountable, full range labyrinth-type speakers that can be positioned by the user. It has a total output of 30 watts with a frequency range of between 73Hz and 18kHz and 10 percent total harmonic distortion.
The support at the rear is angled slightly back, onto which a landscape-oriented iPad leans while docked. It rests on the left of a full-width LED illuminated base, on an included height adjustment spacer if needed. To the right are the playback controls, an LCD display for the clock/alarm or included AM/FM radio and the dock for the iPhone/iPod - which can be rotated for either landscape or portrait viewing.
Users can enhance the audio by activating the four-band EQ, surround sound mode or bass boost, there's a video out from the dock so that iDevice content can be viewed on a television and non-Apple device audio can be fed into the system via an aux input.
However, the odd in the device is that being an Apple-centric speaker system, the mini-USB input is only compatible with a Windows-based computer system.  JVC said the product would be available soon at US$199.95 price.

Tablets to drive mobile broadband market in 2011

Mobile tablet



Booming sales of tablets in 2011 will help drive a 57.8 percent increase in shipments of mobile broadband devices, according to a study by IHS. Shipments of mobile broadband devices in 2011 are projected to climb to 157.9 million units, up from 100.1 million units in 2010. Aside from tablets, the mobile broadband segment includes devices such as notebook and netbook computers, as well as e-book readers. This year's growth rate for mobile broadband devices parallels the 57.4 percent expansion of 2010, and coming on top of a larger base affirms the market's strong performance for the second year in a row. Shipments will continue to rise during the next few years but at lower rates, declining to 38.1 percent in 2012 and gradually trending downward until 11.0 percent in 2015 to some 350.7 million units. The five-year CAGR, computed from the starting year of 2010, stands at 28.5 percent. Within the segment, tablets will represent the fastest-growing mobile
ipad2......another mobile tablet

broadband device this year with shipments projected to reach 58.9 million units, up 239.3 percent from 17.4 million in 2010. Of the various ways to enable broadband access for consumer electronics devices, mobile hotspots and embedded chipsets are the fastest-growing methods, growing 25 to 50 percent faster than the overall market, according to IHS. By 2015, the majority of mobile broadband devices will use LTE, the market researcher expects, in line with consumer demand for faster speeds and, perhaps more important, lower latencies or delays from their mobile broadband networks.

Symantec builds escape route for mobile workers against system attack

From Left: Channel Manager Nigeria and Ghana, Symantec,  Adeyemi Adeleke, Group Public Relations Manager Emerging Markets Peter Rae,  Regional Vice President,  Emerging Markets Kevin Isaac and  the Enterprise Account Manager, Oseme Osobase at the Symantec press briefing to announce Symantec Endpoint Protection 12 in Lagos recently.



By Prince Osuagwu

Symantec has announced the company has expanded its encryption solution set with the introduction of Symantec PGP Viewer for  iOS, which enables mobile workers to view encrypted email on an Apple iPad, iPhone, or iTouch, and a new version of Symantec Endpoint Encryption Full Disk Edition.
This new version according to the company,......

Nigeria needs trusted ICT advisers to various stakeholders — CISCO

By Prince Osuagwu


Dibor
After announcing recently that CISCO has over 1 million students on its academy recently, Free Talk Africa tracked the company’s Area Academy Manager,
West & Central Africa, Mr. Chinedu Dibor, and besides confirming the information, he also advised on how entreprises should help Nigeria raise trusted ICT advisers to various stake holds of the economy.

Enjoy the interview.....

‘How ICT solution can curb the Boko Haram menace’

Boko Haram........The kind of bombs they use



By Prince Osuagwu

Former President of the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, ATCON and the Executive Chairman, Technology Development Company Limited, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem has in different occasions argued that unless government took ICT development seriously, it may not properly tackle problems of national security.

Addressing capital flight with satellite business, the NIGCOMSAT solution

Satellite


By Prince Osuagwu

The Nigerian Communications Satellite, NIGCOMSAT Limited, last week, gathered stakeholders at the International Conference Centre, Abuja , to discuss the future of satellite business in Nigeria. The confab which was woven around the theme Optimizing Satellite Communications for National Development, also meant to galvanise interest of investors towards using satellite business to help the Nigerian economy out of the woods.

Etisalat hooks on Telefonica Spain for Broad-Based Cooperation




By Prince Osuagwu

Two of the world’s leading telecommunications companies, Etisalat UAE and Telefonica Spain, jointly announced recently that they have signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to enter into a broad based cooperation. This partnership will allow both groups to collaborate on a range of strategic areas given their capabilities and expertise. As a result, the companies will strengthen their capabilities to address global industry trends and compete in each of their markets, capturing efficiencies and advancing initiatives aimed at better serving their customers’ needs across their respective footprints.

Monday 25 July 2011

Confusion over new CT ministry


       *We’re confused, NIG president
       *It’s not time yet to clap, NCS chairman
       *Stakeholders fault FG on two grounds

By Prince Osuagwu

President Jonathan

The Information and Communications Technology, ICT ministry became necessary in Nigeria with the speed of development convergence has brought into the world economy. It became more so, with the radical transformation the economy experienced with the introduction of the Global System for Mobile communication, GSM, in the country in 2001.
Many industry stakeholders like the now President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr Titi Omo-Ettu, his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwen, Chairman of the Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo and the President of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, ISPON, Dr Chris Uwaje among a host of others, who have envisaged the benefits of convergence in an emerging ICT economy like Nigeria, raised their voices to this call.
Different advocacy groups in the ICT sector like the Joint Action Group for ICT awareness and Development, JACITAD, Nigerian Computer Society, NCS, Nigerian Internet Group, NIG, Information Technology Association of Nigeria, ITAN among others, also joined in the call.