Hours after the official launch in Dubai, Infinix Mobile in Uganda has launched the Note 5, the brand’s “Beyond Intelligent” smartphone, is part of the Android One program, designed to deliver a software experience by Google. Encased in the beautifully designed hardware of the Note 5, Android One brings secure and smart AI-powered innovations – like the Google Assistant and Google Lens – to everyone.

Following the global debut in Dubai, Infinix Note 5 has launched in more than 30 countries. Shoppers in Uganda, Nigeria, Egypt, India, Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, and many other countries will soon be able to get their hands on the new release. With TRANSSION joining the Android One program, Infinix’ Note 5 will bring young people in those countries a new intelligent lifestyle and empower them to become trendsetters.

Quick Infinix Note 5 Specifications;
OS Version: Android One
Display: 6.0″FHD+; 18:9,TDDI; 2.5D
Processor: MT6763
ROM / RAM: 32GB+3GB/64GB+4GB
Battery: 4500mAh
Front “Selfie” camera: 16 MP ,low light selfie ;4in1
Back camera: 12MP,1.25um large pixel;F2.0

The Note 5 smartphone is equipped with an Infinity 6.0’’ display FHD screen and a 18:9 screen ratio. The edge-to-edge screen also makes the device look stunning, both from a design and a technological perspective. The Note 5 device features a perfect 16MP low-light front camera, which allows selfie lovers to take professional selfies even in low light. As for the rear camera, it is supported by a 12MP resolution.

According to Infinx, Its long-lasting battery will provide 3 days on average usage with a 4500mAh battery, built with a 3A Fast Charge that will keep users fully functional throughout the day.

Infinix Note 5 will also support Google Lens – a new way to search what you see and interact with the world around you. You can take action on text, identify distinct plant and animal breeds, learn more about popular landmarks and discover products similar to the ones that catch your eye – like furniture and apparel. The feature will be available right in the Note 5 camera and through the Google Assistant.

Most Importantly, the Infinix Note 5 will retail at UGX 769,000/- and will have a Pro coming out later this year.

Instagram yesterday launched its service IGTV which is aimed at rivalling YouTube. IGTV is basically Instagram allowing users to upload videos up to one hour in length, up from the previous one-minute limit.

People will be able to upload vertical videos through Instagram’s app or the web. Everyone except smaller and new accounts will be able to upload hour-long videos immediately, with that option expanding to everyone eventually.

The new longer-form videos from content creators and users will also get callouts from the IGTV button alerting them to new content. By default, if you have an Instagram account, you have an account with IGTV and you can be a creator if you want to. It’s not only restricted to celebrities or anyone but all.

Instagram added an icon on the already existing app at the top right corner but have also gone ahead to create a focused app for IGTV which is available globally on iOS and Android.

While on IGTV, viewers will be able to swipe through a variety of longer-form videos, or swipe up to visit a Browse tab of personally recommended videos, popular videos, creators they’re following and the option to continue watching previously started videos.

Because it is rivalled with YouTube, many wondered whether IGTV will pay creators like YouTube does and it’s NO! For now.

During its launch, Instagram didn’t address the most important element of calling creators to showcase their work on IGTV which is them ‘making a buck’. However, according to the Recode after Tuesday’s presentation, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom noted that;

“We are committed to helping [creators] build their careers and make a living doing this work,” a spokesperson told. “After launch, we’ll be exploring and testing ways to help creators monetize.”

While this important aspect is in the Pipeline, IGTV is ready(has been ready) to be used by creators and let’s see how it performs on the market.

Credits: TechCrunch, Recode

The latest mobile phone innovation by Infinix is poised to hit the Middle East and Africa later this month at a glamorous unveiling event at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building on 24th June which will be followed by a local launch, the following day in Kampala.

Infinix, the TRANSSION Holdings premium smartphone brand, will partner with Google to deliver a “Beyond Intelligent” device. The all-new Infinix Note 5 is part of Android One program, designed to deliver the best Android OS experience powered by artificial intelligence.

More than 200 guests are invited from around the region to join Infinix and Google in celebrating the launch of Note 5 with an unprecedented mobile experience. With the new device, users will be able to experience AI through applications like Google Assistant and Google Lens.

Following the brand’s debut in 2013, Infinix has gone from strength-to-strength in the region. Commenting on this success, Benjamin Jiang, Managing Director of Infinix Mobile said: “We believe that advanced technology with stylish look and feel is the perfect combination for customers eager to shape the world’s trends. Alongside Google, we are excited to share our latest product and journey at the launch event next week. We are committed to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and allow users to enjoy and utilize the most advanced technologies available.”

During the launch event, guests will get an exclusive hands-on experience of the latest device before the official market release. 

THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM INFINIX MOBILITY

When mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems came into existence, most people perceived it as just a solution for business operations. After a short while, mobile POS systems became considerably revolutionized by many industries, especially the brick and mortar businesses. According to a market report by Transparency Market Research, there will be over two hundred million mPOS devices in operation worldwide by 2022. Many of the benefits of the system have been realized in the retail and restaurant industries. Other industries like the hospitality industry have just started experiencing the limitless possibilities presented by the system. Experts indicate that the system is going to extensively transform the hospitality and other related industries like hotels, food service, and travel.

Innovative Restaurant Solutions

In a busy restaurant, servers waste a lot of time writing down customer’s orders and entering them into a POS system. Many restaurants have started using tablet-based systems that make it easy to enter orders and process payments. Available on various platforms, the system provides a more detailed menu description and considerably increases speed and accuracy of orders. Additionally, the system offers convenience such that customers can make their payments easily at the table. Improved versions of the system allow servers to split tabs to combine bills from several tables and thereby improving table turnover.

Some restaurants are characterized by long lines during busy meal periods. Most customers are dissatisfied with long queues leading to reduced royalty and revenues. However, such situations can be addressed with the mobile POS which can be used to serve numerous customers at the same time. On the other hand, employees can use POS mobile devices to act as both waiter and cashier significantly improving service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Credit Card Options

The use of credit cards in the traditional POS did not provide any customer information to the restaurant owners. However, through the mPOS systems, restaurant owners can get customers information such as mobile numbers and email address. Such information has become very vital in marketing strategies to target specific customers. Additionally, the system provides a more convenient way of providing loyalty programs to customers instead of the traditional paper punch cards.

Ordering

Mobile ordering is another interesting feature that is projected to change restaurant operations. Some versions of the mPOS system allow customers to access menus and make orders through mobile devices at the convenience of their seats. Such functionality reduces the likelihood of errors and considerably increases customer’s satisfaction.

Contactless payment methods have become popular in most mainstream industries. In the restaurant industry where queues are common, contactless methods allow lines to move faster due to increased pace of processing transactions. There is no better way of improving payments methods rather than the mobile POS system.

Labor

Labor cost severely affects revenues. Recently, minimum wages for restaurant workers has increased in the US making foodservice operators find new ways of offsetting the increasing labor cost. The mPOS system can streamline operations and thereby reduce the number of employees.

The benefits provided by the mobile POS systems in the restaurant industry are undeniable. There are many operations in the industry that have been significantly improved by the system. For instance, the ability to take or make orders at the table decreases the chances of making errors and also improves the payment process. Investors in the industry should consider employing mobile POS systems in their operations.

United Bank for Africa, a Pan-African financial institution, has moved to change the face of e-banking with the introduction of Leo, the UBA Chat Banker that enables customers to make use of their social media accounts to carry out a key banking transaction.

UBA brought together its customers and financial journalists at its Head office for the launch of its latest addition to its banking services. UBA introduced Leo, an innovation that is capable of revolutionizing the way banking is done in Africa. Leo, a UBA Chat Banking personality that enables the bank’s customers to make use of their social media accounts to carry out key banking transactions, comes as a solution developed with people’s lifestyles in mind.

With Leo, customers are able to open new accounts, carry out money transfers and airtime top-up among others right on their mobile phones. Designed to work within the platforms people are already familiar with, Leo has already taken off on Facebook Messenger. In the nearest future, the app is expected to show up on other social media platforms and all it takes to enjoy the services is simply to have a Facebook account.

At the official launch of Leo in Kampala, Johnson Agoreyo, Managing Director/CEO, UBA Uganda, explained that Leo, being an intelligent person, will give customers instant feedback as they transact their business on the platform.

“The formulation of this product is consistent with the bank’s customer-first philosophy, where we are doing things not the way we like but exactly what the customers want, where they want it, and in the exact platform, they want. Therefore, we at UBA have collaborated with Facebook to come up with this. In future, Leo will show up on other platforms,” he said.

Gloriaus Byaruhanga, the Head, Digital Banking, UBA Uganda, who took UBA customers and journalists present through a step-by-step demonstration on how to make use of Facebook chat function to enjoy seamless banking services through chat sessions, explained that Leo is not just a chat machine but an artificial intelligence service as well a personality meant to address any type of banking concern.

“Leo is ready and waiting to help with most transactions and to deliver any form of banking services. Leo is operating a lifestyle banking platform on Facebook Messenger to assist with your transactions while chatting with your friends and business partners,” Byaruhanga said.

“The security with this platform is that for every transaction, an OTP (One Time Password) is generated to the phone number that is registered on the account,” she said.

She explained further that to open an account and enjoy the chat banking advantage, the prospective customer just needs to log on to the Facebook Messenger and open up a chat with Leo, who then takes over the conversation by telling the customer what steps to take.

No doubt, as e-banking continues to reshape the way bank customers carry out their financial transactions by providing 24-hour services and saving customers the stress of joining long queues in banking halls, UBA is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to not just keep up with technology but to always stay ahead of the game.

Africa’s global bank is continuously innovating and developing strategies aimed at making banking seamless and effortless for millions of its existing and potential customers, while also ensuring the utmost safety of their transactions.

With eyes on the future, and conversant with the new trend in customer behaviour, the bank is constantly innovating, taking strategic steps to integrate more people into the digital financial services net, drive down the cost of service, and build consumer confidence in digital platforms.