This photo was used for the introduction of the Ovim tablet, the magical device we started about a decade ago. It was a really good business as we supplied to the Nigerian Navy, Shell, UnityKapital and some companies. Named after my village in Nigeria, the Ovim tablet bundled some of the earliest Android apps. In short, we ran an Android app store with hundreds of apps.
I made a call and wrote in late 2010: “Nigerian Developers – Fasmicro says Focus on Android Platform…We understand that Blackberry is popular today in Nigeria, but Android will eclipse it within the next few months”. When I wrote that in my old blog, Nkpuhe ( a Revelation), many could not understand as Blackberry was still popular in Africa. (The original full post is archived here.)
But I saw the future and built a business on Android. We even met the CEO of Shell as we worked to develop something for them. Then, from nowhere Tecno came, and the party ended. Competition and asymmetric attack: Tecno’s price was superior and we found no space to exist.
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That takes me to the news that LG has closed its smartphone business: “LG Electronics Inc has confirmed it will wind down its loss-making mobile division after failing to find a buyer following the approval of its board of directors on April 5.” I tell you one thing LG: it hurts! Hardware is the most difficult business in this world – you are one generation away from extinction.
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Why can’t LG produce for Africa?