Techloy

Covering technology and innovation in Africa, since 2008.

[techloy]

#SOCIAL: These official “Lite” versions of the most popular apps are being used in countries with less powerful Android devices and slower mobile internet. Facebook Lite Twitter Lite LinkedIn Lite Google Go Instagram Lite Messenger Lite YouTube Go Gmail Go Skype Lite Line Lite Spotify Lite Opera Mini Which Lite version do you use? https://www.instagram.com/p/CMmLr5Ll3Al/?igshid=y97tqlrd57m3

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JUST IN: #Zugacoin, a #cryptocurrency, launched in December 2020 by Nigerian Archbishop #SamZuga which made its first conversion into Fiat currency recently, can now be used to purchase any type of vehicle and products made by @officialinnosonvehicles anywhere in the world. https://www.instagram.com/p/CMZEM5KD_o4/?igshid=1ctvs23zzomm9

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Chinese AI company @bytedance, which uses machine learning to tailor a newsfeed for each individual viewer out of traditional and new media sources, is the highest-valued startup in the world with a value of $75 billion, according to @cbinsights. [via: @statistacharts] https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-dNKOl0ng/?igshid=681a9b16mj0

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Ghana has become the first African country to launch a Universal QR Code that allows merchants, service providers and institutions to receive payments from bank accounts, mobile money wallets or internationally issued visa or MasterCards instantly, according to the country's Vice President, @mbawumia. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-K44MajcDw/?igshid=1gcygkfhqjh8r

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The 32 African countries where developers can sell their apps on the Google Play Store. (Data as of March 25, 2020) Algeria Benin Botswana Burundi Congo (DRC) Cote d'Ivoire Egypt Eswatini Gambia Ghana Guinea Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe Source: Google https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Kh4nwD-pK/?igshid=1qb5asf0vi042

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Nigeria's @nitdanigeria says that its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT) identified a number of phishing websites capitalising on the #COVID19 pandemic to defraud Nigerians, according to Mrs Hadiza Umar, its Head of Corporate Affairs & External Relations. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KM7eCjGVi/?igshid=uiz1m6kupbjf

[techloy]

Google has opened up its Play Store to developers in 16 new African countries - Benin, Botswana, Mali, Mozambique, Burundi, Congo, Togo, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone - allowing them to start distributing their free and paid apps and games. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JmemmDcE0/?igshid=166axcssta7m6

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Alphabet's high-speed internet balloon project, #ProjectLoon in partnership with @telkom_ke, has finally been approved for use in Kenya, after president Uhuru Kenyatta fast-tracked regulatory approval to boost connectivity in a move to help fight the spread of the #coronavirus. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JkExnj0Ny/?igshid=15077fgpdylmz

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Instagram has launched a new feature called #CoWatching, allowing users in direct-message conversations to check out saved, liked and suggested photos and videos together while video chatting with their friends, to support users and their communities during the #coronavirus pandemic. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JiX3ODpfv/?igshid=10nzfilub00oa

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The United Arab Emirates is reportedly unblocking apps that use voice over IP, including Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, Google Hangout, Zoom, and Blackboard to help employees work remotely, according to Bloomberg. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JhFGtjIlX/?igshid=1dj5cr04g8vf4

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Apple has announced that the App Store is launching in 20 new countries across the world next month, with 8 African countries including Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, allowing developers to make their apps available in these markets. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JgwsNjZB7/?igshid=scvke4vdf6j4

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The world's 10 most expensive cities https://www.instagram.com/p/B99fevsFzDQ/?igshid=1siw44ucl9xv0

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Egypt recorded 142 startup deals valued at over $95 million in 2019, up 26% over 2018, according to the 2019 Egypt Venture Investment Report by @magnitt_mena, which ranked the North African country first by number of deals in the MENA region, ahead of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). https://www.instagram.com/p/B99VZa4lXQ6/?igshid=1jvvjch4hdhqw

[techloy]

According to a recent NOI Poll, 26% of Nigerians say they are immune to #COVID19, with 40% citing being a 'Child of God' as a reason and 30% citing having 'strong genes' as a reason; while 63% of Nigerians are concerned that they might get #COVID19. https://www.instagram.com/p/B99OQ9PlzD7/?igshid=1q6tkqqz4tgi7

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The Kaduna State government @govkaduna has introduced a multi-functional Residents Card powered by @vervecard "to support a suite of citizen services", according to Mike Ogbalu III, the company's CEO, in a LinkedIn post yesterday. H/T: @asemota https://www.instagram.com/p/B94t6x6hcJS/?igshid=9bna9t05kax7

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The African Development Bank (@afdb_group) has announced health and safety measures, including telecommuting, video conferencing in lieu of physical meetings, to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in country's where it operates, including its headquarters in Abidjan. https://www.instagram.com/p/B94tzGWBCmc/?igshid=vl01eu8do52d

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Nigeria's Central Bank plans to inject an additional ₦1 trillion stimulus into the economy, in response to the #CoronavirusOutbreak. https://www.instagram.com/p/B94tnsFhw5N/?igshid=1us93y56d22y4