Plazes – What Has Nokia Done With This German Startup?

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May 2, 2011

New York Times reported three years ago that Nokia had acquired Plazes – a German social media company.

Nokia said Monday that it has inked a deal to buy Plazes, a German social network, as part of the mobile phone giant’s push to transform itself into a next-generation entertainment company.

Nokia is positioning itself as a promoter of social networking, with photo and video sharing and games for users of its cellphones. That is because Nokia predicts that in the next five years, mobile phone users will create 25 percent of the entertainment watched on so-called smartphones, like the iPhone and BlackBerries.

On Plazes website, they have this note

Nokia has acquired the services provided through plazes.com. Together with the Plazes team, Nokia will work on further improving and developing this service for you.

For those that read the day this was announced, we could not see more. Nokia is still working on improving and developing the platform. This is one of the reasons why these acquisitions are good for the bank and not good for passion, sometimes. Recall Cisco‘s acquisition of Flip? They just killed it. Yes, that hot product.

When Twitter Clone Is On Twitter – YarnPad, A Nigerian Startup, Needs To Yarn More

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Tekedia Editors

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May 2, 2011

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YarnPad is a Twitter like service developed in 2010 by the due of Victor Sylva and Deji Kadri. It offers a real-time information network that let people share and discuss things that interest them. The etymology of their name comes from ‘yarn’ which is a slang in Nigeria meaning ‘talking or talk about”.

People

Connect with other nigerians around the globe to network, share ideas and collaborate.

Topics

Solicit real-time feedback and benefit from previous discussions.

Events

Discover relevant events in your local area and post your own.

It is really possible that YarnPad is not yarning a lot as it has tweeted only thrice. And we checked if it does yarn more on its site, we could not find any evidence.

Microsoft Needs Help Nigeria – Use Genuine Software

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Tekedia Editors

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May 1, 2011

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Microsoft joins the industry practitioners on the crusade against illegal software which we support, 100%. The Vanguard reports that “unless sound IP policies were put in place to help reduce software piracy and counterfeiting which threaten legitimate businesses and expose consumers to the risks that come from using non-genuine software, the fight against piracy may be far fetched”. This reasoning was attributed to Emmanuel Onyeje, General Manager Microsoft Anglophone West Africa.

This is very interesting but that is a losing argument, if Microsoft implies an economic risks through virus or malware. If you make the presentation that someone using illegal Word or Excel is exposing his/her business to risk, you will never win this game Microsoft. There is risk associated with piracy, but not the one you are thinking. While using illegal bank ledger like Flexcube could cripple a bank, the use of Word is largely harmless. If you push that risk argument you will not get any help and they will say, we are ready to face the economic risks, if that is what Microsoft has in mind.

The best strategy is just to define that as crime. If you use illegal software, you are stealing and must be treated that way. Make it clear that it is illegal and punishable by law. To many, that is a better threat than any associated self-inflicted economic risks on using Microsoft products.

Microsoft will need a new engine of growth as Apple redesigns the tech ecosystem. It has to be and getting all the revenues from their software will go a long way. We wish them good luck but they must communicate the criminality of piracy better. The risk is there and it is going to jail. Period.

Startups In Nigeria Need Sustainable Models – Where is Netaviva?

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Tekedia Editors

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May 1, 2011

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We are noticing that many startups in Nigeria are going down. They come to business and register their domains, but as soon as it is time to new the domains, they go .gone. Nwalla is no more online and we just checked Netaviva and noted that it is not available also. We hope these are hosting issues and not that these firms are out of business.

We got this from Netaviva website in case you do not know the firm

Netaviva is a web-based application that provides business/social networking tools. Netaviva connects professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs in Africans with their projects, ideas or business proposals. This allows individuals, entrepreneurs, companies, advisers and investors to see straight through the Africa market and collectively self-publish, match, learn, validate and consume different types of equity market content in hours.

Netaviva allows individuals, enterpreneurs, investors, companies in Africa to create professionally-oriented profiles, find an expert, share knowledge and facilitate online transactions. Netaviva major features are business plans dashboard, marketplace system, and business directory.

The startup ecosystem in Nigeria is very toxic. There is no infrastructure. The cost of broadband remains high while electricity is nowhere. Until government helps in these regards, it will be very difficult to sustain these companies.

Cameroon Coworking Hub Invites Fellows – Time To Co-share, Co-Learn and Co-Create Is Here

By

Tekedia Editors

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May 1, 2011

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ActivSpaces is an open innovation and collaboration platform in Cameroon. It is similar to iHub in Kenya. Based in Buea, it works in many areas of technology – social media, hardware and creativity. It has a Fellows program which is very popular – readers in Cameroon could give it a try.

The ActivSpaces Fellows Program is an opportunity for talented, enthusiastic people to come to Cameroon and work beside equally talented and highly motivated local developers and tech entrepreneurs. The goal is to facilitate a mutual transfer of skills, knowledge and expertise. We encourage men and women of all cultures, nationalities and creeds to apply. Fellows spend their time in Cameroon working on projects with ActivSpaces members, leading workshops, coordinating projects, advising entrepreneurs and more.

How it Works
Fellows will come to Buea, Cameroon and work alongside a dynamic group of talented programmers helping to support projects while also offering mentoring and business coaching on a peer-to-peer basis. Fellowships are typically for one month, but may be longer or shorter depending on your desire. To participate, you will need to cover your travel expenses to Cameroon. Accommodations are available at a quiet guesthouse with private rooms and shared kitchen facilities within walking distance to ActivSpaces. The guest house is situated near the base of 4090m Mt. Cameroon, the highest peak in West Africa, and has spectacular views of Douala, Buea and the Gulf of Guinea. A local market and several restaurants are conveniently located nearby.

Before you arrive, you should consult your local travel medicine clinic about which vaccinations and medications you’ll need for your stay. The CDC has this useful health information for travellers to Cameroon.

Multiple-entry tourist visas for Cameroon are valid for 90 days and must be obtained prior to your arrival. Check with your local Cameroonian Consular office for specific visa requirements, as these vary depending upon your country of origin. If needed, we can provide you with a legalized letter of invitation to assist you in this process.

When you arrive, we can arrange airport pickup at Douala International and transport via private car to Buea. Rooms at the guesthouse are simple but clean and adequate for short or long stays. Bring your own towel and toiletries. Housekeeping services are provided and the kitchen is equipped for you to prepare your own meals.

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