Nokia 8 takes its first bite of Oreo™

Nairobi, Kenya 29 November 2017 - HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, is excited to announce that Android™ 8.0 Oreo™ is now available for the Nokia 8. If you own a Nokia 8, you can enjoy a truly pure and secure version of Android Oreo, packed with the latest features to make content creation and sharing even more fun. 

Patrick Henchie – Head of Product, Sub-Sahara Africa, said:

“We’re proud to deliver our pure and secure take of Android 8.0 Oreo on the Nokia 8. We always want to give our fans the best possible Android experience. That’s why we’ve taken the time to test, optimize and refine the platform.

“Working together with our fans under our newly setup up Nokia phones beta labs, we’ve created a pure version of this highly anticipated mobile platform, delivering all the exciting new features with none of the unnecessary clutter paired with great performance and even better battery life. Android 8.0 Oreo is packed with new features that make communicating, creating, gaming and exploring even more fun.”

Always pure, secure and up-to-date Android experience

Nokia 8 delivers a pure version of Android 8.0 Oreo with no skins and no changes in the user interface. And with no pre-installed apps you don’t need or hidden processes that eat up battery life, it guarantees a snappy experience every time you pick up your smartphone. Monthly security updates come as standard to keep your smartphone safe, and give you real peace of mind in the palm of your hand.

Super powers that give you the best real-life experiences

Android 8.0 Oreo update on Nokia 8 enables fans to enjoy new features that will enhance their day-to-day experiences with none of the gimmicks:

-          Picture-in-Picture mode gives you the power to multi-task while processing power of Nokia 8 ensures the smooth operation of even the most demanding apps. Watch a YouTube clip while catching up with friends or check your bank balance while ordering from Amazon – the Nokia 8 processor ensures smooth operation.

-          No unnecessary apps come pre-installed on Nokia 8 and with Android Instant Apps, you can de-clutter your software even further. Just go to the supported link on Chrome and you’ll be able to use new apps without having to install them. Google Play Protect works to keep your device and data safe from misbehaving apps by scanning over 50 billion apps per day, even the ones you haven't installed yet.

-          Smart software helps the Nokia 8 power up even faster, letting you create content quicker than ever as moments unfold in front of you. Exclusive to Nokia smartphones, Dual-Sight™ mode means you can also stream your reaction to events on social media in real time, using both the front and back cameras simultaneously.

-          Android Oreo smart features limit background activity on the apps you use least, maximising battery life so your Nokia 8 will be ready for action when you are.

-          Because Nokia 8 stands for self-expression through content creation, fans can now visualise their emotions better than ever before thanks to the fully redesigned set of emojis on Android 8.0 Oreo – more than 60 of them being brand new!

Your Nokia 8 will automatically update with Android Oreo. You will receive a notification on your smartphone when it becomes available in your country.

Android Oreo will be coming soon to other Nokia smartphones, stay tuned for updates.

Airtel creates borderless network to make voice, data and SMS roaming affordable to travelers

·          In addition to allowing customers receive free incoming calls whilst roaming across Africa & South Asia, the ONE AIRTEL service will give them access to SMS and DATA at an attractive flat rate.

·         Increased use of data whilst roaming makes the introduction of the ONE AIRTEL service timely and beneficial to millions of Airtel’s travelling population.

Nairobi, Kenya, 29 April 2013 - Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa has introduced the ONE AIRTEL service which will further ease the burden of roaming costs whilst travelling. The newly introduced service will further enhance communication for travelers from Africa by enabling them access data and SMS, in addition to the currently available voice roaming, at a flat attractive rate whilst  travelling within Africa and South Asia.

Commenting on the service, Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer for Airtel’s operations in Africa, said: “Data usage has increased exponentially over the past few years, alongside the growing number of smart phones. There are an increasing number of excellent apps that can be used whilst on the go internationally. By introducing a flat and attractive roaming rate for data and SMS use, Airtel will help lower the communication cost for millions of frequent business and leisure travelers across the countries that we operate in.”

Airtel customers will not need to register or buy new SIM cards, as they are automatically enrolled in the ONE AIRTEL service.  In addition to enjoying flat roaming tariffs for data and SMS, they will also be treated as local consumers so pay local rates whenever they travel to nations where Airtel operates in. The service is available in Airtel’s operations across Africa in Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In South Asia, Airtel is in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Mr. Beyers added “Whilst travelling, customers will feel right at home because they will be able to use their Airtel SIM cards in the host country. Airtel customers will also receive calls for free and have the opportunity to recharge their phone credit by using the host country’s top up vouchers. There is a nominal mark up on the local rate to cover for exchange rate differences and currency fluctuations.”

The service is poised to benefit not only the customers who want to be reached on their home number whenever they roam, but also all the high end smartphone users who will appreciate using the increasing number of data applications at a flat and attractive data rate.

With the ONE AIRTEL initiative, Airtel is fulfilling its vision of creating a borderless Africa. Personal and business relationships are no longer hindered by geography. Thanks to the mobile money platform, Airtel Money, financial transactions can also be done easily and affordably across the continent.

Samsung Galaxy S4 phones will soon be available in over 140 Airtel outlets across Africa

·         The world’s fourth largest mobile operator will make the coveted smartphone available across Africa

·         Airtel will offer 3 months free data plans to the customers who buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 handsets

Nairobi, Kenya, April, 25^th  2013 – Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), a leading telecommunications service provider with operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa, has remained steadfastly committed to providing its customers with cutting edge services. Beginning early May, consumers will have the opportunity to buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphones in all Airtel outlets across the African continent.

Airtel customers will not only get the chance to get their hands on the most sought-after mobile device of the year, but they will also get 3 months data to go with it. The offer is available while stocks last. 

Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer of Airtel Africa said: “We have responded to our customers’ demands for the Samsung Galaxy S4 and are very excited to make this ground-breaking phone available in Africa. Thanks to our 3.75G network, Airtel customers will be able to fully take advantage of all the features of this truly innovative mobile device."

Mr. Beyers added: “From a business perspective, smart phone penetration is linked to strong data growth. This is demonstrated through internal data which shows that  Samsung smartphones generate twenty times more data than feature phones.”

The much anticipated handset reached 10 million pre-orders in the first two weeks after its announcement. George Ferreira, Vice President and COO of Samsung Electronics, Africa says: “We are extremely happy to be partnering with Airtel across Africa, bringing the Samsung Galaxy S4 to their customers.  We are confident that Airtel customers will greatly benefit from the  data offering with the S4 ”

The Samsung GALAXY S4 is all about ‘togetherness’. It overcomes barriers of distance by enabling friends share screens, as well as explore each other’s favorite music, files and games.

Every picture taken on the Samsung GALAXY S4 can come with sound. The smartphone captures all the action and enables users relive all those exciting memories. As a real life companion, the new Samsung GALAXY S4 cares enough to monitor the health and well-being of its owner. By monitoring fitness levels during workouts and throughout the day, the device can help achieve  fitness goals. 

Nokia Asha 205 Dual SIM now available in East Africa

Nokia’s latest Asha device comes with a dedicated Facebook button and exclusive multimedia sharing feature, Slam

 

Nairobi, Kenya 17^th January 2013 – Nokia today announced that the Nokia Asha 205 Dual SIM, is now available for purchase in East Africa. Nokia’s most affordable QWERTY phone is the newest addition to the Asha range and is the only Nokia device to feature a dedicated Facebook button, making it perfect for highly social consumers who want the fastest access to their Facebook profile. Combined with eBuddy Chat, Twitter and support for popular email accounts such as Gmail, the Nokia Asha 205 Dual SIM is designed to ensure that people are never more than a few clicks away from their social networks.

 

This latest addition to the Asha range is available in a range of eye-catching colours such as Orange, Cyan and Magenta* at selected retail outlets across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Estimated retail prices: 

 

Kenya – KSH 5,499

Uganda – UGX 215,000

Tanzania – TSH 120,000

 

The Nokia Asha 205 Dual SIM is also one of the first devices to feature Nokia’s exclusive Slam feature. Slam allows consumers to share multimedia content like photos and videos with nearby friends almost instantly. Slam works with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones without the need to pair devices, and without the recipient needing to also have Slam**. In just a few clicks, people can ‘Slam’ their content to another device faster than with Bluetooth alone and without consuming Internet data.

 

“The Nokia Asha 205 with QWERTY keyboard and dedicated Facebook button is perfect for the vibrant youth market in East Africa,” says Bruce Howe, General Manager for Nokia East Africa. “Recent reports from Social Bakers indicate that there are now almost 3.3 Million Facebook users in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and the majority of these are between the ages of 18-24. In Kenya alone, Facebook users grew by over 30% in the last 6 months, highlighting the importance of making Facebook access seamless”.

Other key features of the Nokia Asha 205 Dual SIM include:

·         eBuddy screen notifications that keep users up-to-the-minute on new conversations

·         A comprehensive mobile entertainment package, including 40 free EA Games available for download, along with tens of thousands of other apps available from the Nokia Store

·         Nokia’s exclusive Easy Swap technology that enables consumers to change SIM cards without having to turn off the device

·         The Nokia Asha 205 Dual SIM phone remembers the settings of up to five SIM cards making it easy to switch between making calls or using the Internet

·         Great standby time: up to 25 days

The new device takes full advantage of the Nokia Xpress Internet platform, which uses Nokia's cloud technology to reduce data consumption by up to 90%, helping consumers enjoy more affordable Internet access. It also features Nokia Nearby, a web app that helps consumers discover points of interest such as restaurants, shopping and ATM close to their location.

 

*Phone colours may vary by country

**’Slam’ currently not compatible with iOS and Windows Phone devices

 

TECNO launches a 3G smartphone as It Eyes the Youth Market

29^th November 2012, Nairobi, Kenya– TECNO  announced the introduction of the N3, its latest range of Dual SIM 3G Android Smartphone in Kenya in partnership with Qualcomm. The new phone model known as N3 and it will be soon on sale in outlets countrywide. The phone model is linked to a new communications campaign dubbed “Be Yourself” that is aimed at connecting with the youth market. 

Speaking during the press conference, Vice President of TECNO, Arif. Chowdhury said “The youth in Africa are vibrant and constantly want to stand apart with their own identities. As a mobile phone company, we understand the need to constantly engage them and TECNO as a brand is committed to connecting with the African youth’s motivations and passions.”

Mr. Chowdhury added, “The TECNO N3 is designed specifically for the young African consumer and offers a great mobile phone experience, with access key features that young people look for such as social networking, access to thousands of apps and entertainment at a good price point. We are using the Be Yourself campaign to introduce this phone model because we feel it’s the best platform for us to connect with the youth.”

TECNO has partnered with Qualcomm, a world leader in 3G and next generation mobile technologies to provide N3 with a powerful chipset of Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM7225A, which packs everything you need for a best-in-class experience on N3, which will give consumers the best 3G smartphone experience expectantly.

The trendy 3G Smartphone runs on the high performing Android 2.3 operating system, supports both 2G and 3G networks and is powered by 1GHz processor to allow consumers to enjoy a higher Internet speed and a faster running speed. And it’s dual SIM phone.

In addition, TECNO N3 comes with a variety of apps that allow the consumer to connect to their social networks with ease and especially Flash Share. Flash Share is unique transfer software that allows one to share files in any format and size in group at an amazingly fast speed. The most interesting point is that you can just slide a picture and transfer it to another phone in a second. TECNO also says that another unique app PalmChat, a free chat app that can connect with friends across all platforms, will be preloaded on N3 soon. And what is specially worth taking a moment to flag is that you can look for new friends via PalmChat only by shaking the phone.

 “We are always endeavoring to provide customers with appealing mobile communication products with superior quality and agreeable services. By partnering with these key corporates, we believe that we will meet our consumers’ needs and provide them with a one-of-a-kind experience with the N3” said Mr. Chowdhury.

Through this campaign, TECNO hopes to further solidify its foothold in the African market and propel itself even further as a company committed to providing its consumers with high quality mobile phones for the best possible mobile phone experience at a good price point.

Nokia connects with the youth in Kenya through smart phones

Local research reports validate the value proposition of the Nokia Asha range

Nairobi, Kenya – Nokia today shared a number of key trends identified by local research reports on Kenyan youth culture. This follows the recent launch of the Nokia Asha mobile phone range, signaling Nokia’s intent to connect with the youth market. The Nokia Asha range provides smartphone features at more accessible price points attractive to this vibrant market segment. Research now indicates that this strategy is paying off.

The Institute for Economic Affairs estimates Kenya’s youth to be around 9 million strong. In fact, those under the age of thirty-four comprise a staggering 78% of Kenya’s overall population, and over 80% of that target group has mobile phones. In terms of mobile internet usage, social networking is the clear leader at almost 60% of usage, followed by internet browsing, other forms of communication such as e-mail and chat, and streaming or downloading music.

“The youth in Kenya are all about self-expression,” says Bruce Howe, General Manager for Nokia East Africa. “Whether through music, fashion, technology or design, the youth are searching for individuality while at the same time being part of a socially connected community, and mobile phones play a key role in this always connected lifestyle. In fact, research indicates that the youth spend more on air-time than on any other item, including clothing and transport.”

Recently, Youth Dynamix (YDX) conducted research amongst the local youth market to identify trends and insights. The topline report called out five key pillars of Kenyan youth culture - music, entertainment, fashion, technology and sport. This is consistent with research that Nokia has undertaken, as well as insights from Instant Grass youth agency.

While music tastes vary and provide opportunity for individualism, it is clear that local music is hugely popular amongst the youth, with Camp Mulla emerging as a firm favourite. When it comes to entertainment, the youth are discerning and expect this to be tailor made for their needs with gaming gaining in popularity.

Fashion is another important pillar within the context of youth, who spend 64 billion Kenyan Shillings a year on clothes. ‘Avant-Garde’ fashion is also growing in popularity as the youth seek to stand out from the crowd, and second hand markets are the place to be seen, as they offer more affordable access to high fashion items.

Technology plays a central role in the lives of Kenya’s youth. YDX estimates that young Kenyan consumers send an average of 250 text messages per day, and over 40% surf the internet from their mobile phone daily. They are also at the forefront of social networking with 76% having a Facebook account and 61% a Twitter account. Social currency is important to these consumers and they like to be the first to know and share information.

“If you look at the value proposition of the Nokia Asha range, it aligns perfectly to the needs of the youth market,” adds Howe. “Nokia Asha offers freedom of choice across design, colour, form factor, feature set and price point. It also offers a seamless music and entertainment experience with thousands of apps at your finger-tips, and Nokia Browser for faster, cheaper and more enjoyable web browsing.”

The first Nokia Asha phones to arrive in Kenya earlier this year – Nokia Asha 200, 201, 302 and 303, all offered a full Qwerty keyboard and integrated social networking for the best possible social and chat experience. This unique range was brought to life through the ‘Let’s Qwerty’ campaign, these phones created a buzz in the local market and quickly gained traction.

Now Nokia has extended the range with two new products, the Nokia 202 and the Nokia 305, which is the first full touch Asha product. The Nokia 305 has the additional benefit of coming to market with an exclusive-to-Nokia offer of 40 free* to download games from Electronic Arts (EA), featuring much loved titles like Tetris®, Bejeweled®, Need for Speed(TM) The Run and EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA 12.

“Nokia Asha builds on our commitment to bring great mobile products to our consumers by truly understanding their needs. And the experience goes beyond the phones to the thousands of applications that are available on Nokia store, the innovation through Nokia browser, right down to our locally relevant marketing campaigns that are attracting the attention and admiration of the youth”, concludes Howe.

Nokia is currently running the “Don’t Break the Beat” campaign which is a search for East Africa’s top cypher from amongst the youth. Auditions in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have already taken place with several club battles now underway ahead of the national finals. This will culminate in early September with the East Africa finals, where the winner will walk away with 250,000 KES in prize money and a recording contract.

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