Here are the slides for Google Nigeria 2011
- • Web-as-a-platform: Chrome for Developers
- Webmaster Tools for Business
Updated Links To Google Nigeria Presentations (May 07 2011)
Blackberry® Playbook In Good Early Showing Despite Poor reviews
The BlackBerry PlayBook beat expectations by selling more than 50,000 devices when it launched recently, according to estimates from RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky. That puts Research in Motion’s first crack at the tablet scene ahead of Motorola Xoom and Samsung Galaxy Tab in regards to units moved on launch day. Several analysts said the strong first-day showing probably came from pre-sales to business customers already toting a BlackBerry smartphone, which is critical to access some features on the PlayBook.
In a research note sent to investors yesterday, Abramsky said he and his team checked with 70 different retail stores, including Best Buy, Staples, and RadioShack outlets, to ask about PlayBook sales on the first day. The team found a range of responses from light sales to 11 percent of the stores sold out, but overall leading to an estimate of 50,000 sold on opening day this past Tuesday, including presales.
The PlayBook has earned a fair share of negative reviews based on some of its current shortcomings. Abramsky believes some of those issues may be largely resolved through wireless updates and new 4G versions of the tablet that RIM is planning for later this year. Currently available in a Wi-Fi-only version, a 4G edition of the tablet is headed to Sprint soon. RIM is also planning 4G versions that can run on Verizon Wireless’s LTE network and the HSPA+ networks from AT&T and T-Mobile (PDF). For now, however, the company is running into some initial difficulties with both AT&T and Verizon.
AT&T has so far refused to support RIM’s Bridge app that lets BlackBerry users pair their phones with the PlayBook over AT&T’s 3G network. That piece is critical, as RIM has been touting the syncing capabilities between its BlackBerry phones and the new tablet.
The 7-inch tablet in itself is not a bad device by any stretch of the imagination in terms of build and operating system. Unlike Motorola’s Xoom — and the other Android tablets — there was virtually no interface lag to speak of. The multitasking was intuitive and the whole device just felt like a labor of love. The only problem is that It just doesn’t have the apps to back it up.
Research in Motion said 3,000 apps were ready at launch. But the iPad already sports more than 79,000 native tablet applications, and more than 300,000 iPhone applications that run on the iPad. Google is also pushing out a new version of its Android mobile operating system that is geared toward tablets as it makes a strong push into the tablet market — which will already have access to the more than 100,000 apps on the Android Marketplace. The PlayBook will support some Android applications, but none of them will be native — so they might face performance issues.
The PlayBook also still doesn’t sport a native email client and is missing a lot of other crucial BlackBerry features, like BlackBerry messaging and a calendar application. PlayBook owners have to connect the PlayBook with a BlackBerry phone with bluetooth wireless to gain access to those features. It’s largely for security reasons — but those missing features cripple the PlayBook when compared to other dominant tablets on the market like the iPad.
GMP Analyst Michael Urlocker downgraded Research in Motion despite the announcement, saying the BlackBerry PlayBook was not ready for the market due to missing features and a lack of applications. Apple’s iPad has so far sold more than 15 million units since it launched last April. New versions of the PlayBook that support various wireless networks should be out later this month — though no wireless providers have jumped on board with Research in Motion yet. So the PlayBook still can’t stand up in terms of sheer portability for tablet users that don’t have a BlackBerry smartphone to tether to the device.
SMEs Edge Multinationals In Innovation Largely Due To Consumerization
Canalys has announced its latest trends analysis regarding the impact of consumerization on unified communications (UC) and collaboration, signaling a growing opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to out-innovate their larger enterprise counterparts. The report also highlights how the consumer experiences of corporate decision-makers are shifting vendor business models.
Some traditionally enterprise-focused UC vendors have incorporated consumer-inspired products and features into their offerings. Pad-style devices, such as the Cisco Cius, are one such example. Other vendors are forming new alliances across different technology markets to help address hybrid customer demands. Virtualization specialist VMware, for example, announced a partnership with LG Electronics Mobile to promote a single device for business and personal use. Meanwhile, Avaya has opted to focus on a user-friendly collaboration environment via its Desktop Video Device.
More consumer-focused brands, such as Skype, are aggressively seeking greater credibility as business solutions providers. Brands with strong consumer backgrounds, such as Microsoft and Google, are set to gain from this market trend.
‘Consumers’ constant exposure to new technologies in the software and Internet world has put greater pressure on UC vendors to match the pace, which traditional players have had trouble doing in the past,’ said Clark. ‘At the same time, the very heart of lucrative PBX sales – desk phones – is at serious risk, as more mobile and PC-centric end users challenge the status quo, further threatening established vendors.’
‘Due to changing business models, more traditional UC vendors will need to shift not only their offerings, but also their go-to-market strategies,’ said Clark. ‘On the surface, the new UC business environment offers channel partners opportunities to grow, by providing software as a service, or consulting. The slow uptake of the former, however, indicates that the channel has yet to adapt its sales processes to reflect a more value-added approach.’
Garage48 Continues in Lagos – Get Those Ideas Out in 48Hours
It is happening. Garage48 has arrived in Africa. Lagos will host the first one.
For the first time in its existence, the Garage48 event series is coming to Lagos. Together with two world companies, Google and Nokia, it will take place from the 6th to the 8th of May 2011 at the Lagos Resource Centre, Victoria Island. Originally developed in Europe, Estonia and expanded to other countries, the purpose of the event is to build new web and mobile services in one single weekend – 48 hours.
Garage48 Lagos will take place at Lagos Resource Centre – a place of quiet and comfort. The venue has established resources for training and learning in an atmosphere of peace and serenity. The focus of the Lagos Resource Centre is to be relevant to the training and formation needs of the professional communities in the region.
Address
9 Anifowose Street – Off Adeola Odeku,
Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria
The following are the skills set needed for participants.
- Graphic Designers – mavericks creating visual identity and user interfaces
- Web Developers – HTML/CSS/JS/AJAX wizards making the design work smoothly in all web browsers
- Programmers – planning technical architecture, writing functional code and testing the outcome
- Mobile Developers – building apps for mobile platforms
- Visionary entrepreneurs and project managers – people with ability to start new business ideas, run teams and deliver
- Marketing and Business Development – evangelists and sales wizards making the products fly and reach the audience