Internet Archives - Page 2 of 29

Mar292021 by editorNo Comments

Safaricom becomes the first institution to offer 5G Network services in East Africa

Safaricom becomes the first operator to offer commercial and superfast 5G network services in East Africa. Safaricom plans to partner with the government and corporates in revving up its newly launched 5G mobile Internet services. To deepen innovation in the health and agriculture sectors. This will be a success through value addition in other sectors and platforms. The telco on Friday launched the upgraded network in major urban centers including Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii and Kakamega, all of which routinely witness increased data traffic. “The 5G network heralds the era of intelligent connectivity and will be a key driver of this strategy by enabling us to build on the investments and successes of the last two decades to catapult Safaricom to the next level as we enable digital

Feb82021 by editorNo Comments

Safer Internet Day 2021: Together for a Better Internet

FinTech, Internet, Technology

Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. The theme for Safer Internet Day 2021 is “Together for a Better Internet." Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is currently celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns. Safer Internet Day 2021 takes place on Tuesday, February 9th, and

Jul272020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Africa can now predict weather related disasters

Internet, Startups, Technology

Most African countries have lacked good forecasting methods as weather becomes increasingly extreme A new weather forecasting system in Africa allows meteorologists to track approaching storms in real time, potentially saving lives from climate-related disasters, scientists said on Monday. The technology is already used in developed countries but was not available until recently in most of sub-Saharan Africa, according to scientists behind the project at the University of Leeds. "We had forecasting methods before but they were not as good," said David Koros, principal meteorologist at the Kenya Meteorological Department. "It's very important because we can issue information for the safety of lives, property and the environment," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The new method, ...

Jul222020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Instagram set to launch a TikTok clone called Reels

Internet, social media, Technology

Instagram has confirmed it will launch a TikTok clone called Reels early August in the U.S. and as many as 50 other countries. Reels has already launched in India and being tested in Brazil, Germany and France. The feature is Instagram’s attempt to recreate the short musical video format that thrives on TikTok. Reels will let users record and edit 15-second video clips set to music, or users will be able to reuse audio from another person’s video, as is commonly done on TikTok. Reels also includes editing tools including a countdown timer and the ability to adjust the video’s speed. Why Reels Is Likely To Be A Hit Likely integrations with Instagram and Facebook will jump-start Reels adoption. Recent Facebook and Instagram music licensing deals – for the most part missing on TikT

Jul132020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Safaricom Launches Android TV Box for Internet Streaming

Business, Internet

Safaricom has announced the launch of an Android TV Box as part of a strategy to bring its Home Fibre service to more homes. “Our Home Fibre service has been well received as it offers unlimited internet connectivity for the entire family in an affordable, monthly, package. The TV remains central to home entertainment and the lack of a feature to directly stream content from the internet has previously been a challenge for potential Safaricom Home Fibre customers. The Android TV Box now empowers customers to connect any TV to the internet opening up a world of endless entertainment options for the family,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom. The TV Box equips any TV with the capability to stream content from YouTube, Netflix, ShowMax, Hulu, Sling and other Android TV Applications.

Jul22020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Kenyan company, Usiku Games, has launched a video conferencing platform: Gumzo

Internet, Mobile, Startups

A Kenyan gaming company has launched a web-based video conferencing platform, Gumzo, which it describes as the first made in Africa video conferencing platform. Gumzo, which means "chatting" in Swahili, costs users $1 per week to access. How Gumzo works Gumzo has unlimited talk minutes and can accommodate an unlimited amount of users, according to Jay Shapiro, CEO of Usiku Games which created the platform. It has options of screen sharing and full-screen presentation mode, he added. Unlike many video conferencing applications, it has no app to download or extensions to configure. Its calls happen in the browser so they can work on any phone or computer with internet access. Shapiro says one of the problems Gumzo addresses is poor network quality. Most video conferencing...

Jun292020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

The Impact of COVID-19 on SME Financing in Africa

Business, Internet, Startups, Technology

The world have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic As the economic effects of the lock downs worldwide begin to solidify, the SME sector has been hit extremely hard by the impact of the coronavirus. As our brave healthcare workers and policy-makers around the world deal with this pandemic, SMEs in fast-growing economies are particularly vulnerable as they contend with reduced demand, disrupted supply chains and worsening lack of finance. While large businesses have debt and expenses that seal their fate, small ones lack resources to absorb even short term losses. The world needs SMEs to thrive - they account for more than half of most countries' GDP and are responsible for nearly seven in every 10 jobs. Now, more than ever, it is vital that SMEs are provided with the necessary fin...

Jun252020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Safari joins browsers that tell you who’s trying to track you

Internet, Mobile, Technology

It's part of a larger push-back on the intrusive practice that follows you across the internet. On Monday, Apple unveiled a new version of its Safari browser that'll tell you which ad trackers are running on the website you're visiting. It'll also give you a 30-day report of the known trackers it's identified while you were browsing. Additionally, it'll tell you which websites those trackers came from. The new features are a step toward transparency, giving you an idea of just how many trackers are following you around and taking notes on your behavior. The tech giant said that the new privacy feature in its underdog browser, Safari, will shine a spotlight on all of the ad trackers embedded on each article or website you visit. Safari’s new anti-tracking feature sits in the top part

Jun162020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

Facebook launches WhatsApp digital payments service

Internet, Mobile, Technology

WhatsApp Pay allows users to send money to one another for free. WhatsApp launched its digital payments service in Brazil while the messaging app capitalizes on its popularity in emerging markets. The move comes as the parent company Facebook forges ahead with plans to capitalize on emerging markets and bring e-commerce to its platforms, launching a WhatsApp-based digital payments service for the messaging app’s 120m Brazilian users. WhatsApp, the popular messaging app acquired by Facebook in 2014, on Monday unveiled a new payment service, WhatsApp Pay, which will allow users to send money to one another for free or make purchases from small businesses, without ever leaving the chat platform. After testing a beta version in India, WhatsApp has launched in-app payments in Brazil, the co

Jun122020 by Lynn WandiaNo Comments

What is Messenger Kids? Facebook launches video chat and messaging app in Africa

Internet, social media

Facebook's Messenger Kids app is now available in 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Available to download from the Apple App and Google Play Stores, Messenger Kids has been designed for children between the ages of 6 to 12 years, with the app including two new features aimed at helping kids connect with their friends and family. Parental Control Facebook says the App targets children who can't have Facebook accounts, in line with the company's policies. As such, it has parental control features which allow parents to customize the app for their children, including being able to edit and change contact lists and be notified if a child blocks or reports another user. In a statement, the company pointed to its expansion as refl