Kenya and Tunisia student teams qualify for 2020 Microsoft Imagine Cup EMEA Regional finals

Kenya and Tunisia student teams qualify for 2020 Microsoft Imagine Cup EMEA Regional finals

2020 Microsoft Imagine Cup

Student teams from Kenya and Tunisia qualify for the next stage of the 2020 Microsoft Imagine Cup competition. They are part of ten online regional semi-finalists from the Europe Middle East and Africa region. They will get to present their ideas at the Microsoft Imagine Cup EMEA regional finals in Amsterdam in March. With a chance to win USD 20,000, Azure Credit and a trip to the Imagine Cup World Championship in Seattle.

The teams from Kenya and Tunisia make up the only three online regional semi-finalist from Africa. They are Wild Eye – Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT), Kenya, RedWalls – Tunisia and The Knights – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya.

The teams will have a chance to qualify and present their ideas at the 2020 Microsoft Imagine Cup world finals. Where they can win USD 100,000 cash, USD50,000 in Azure grants and a mentoring session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Other qualifiers are student teams from Ukraine, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, UK and Pakistan. Stay tuned, as we bring you updates till the world finals in Seattle.

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Windows 7 reaches end of support today but 40% of PCs in Africa still run it

Windows 7 reaches end of support today but 40% of PCs in Africa still run it

Windows 7 end of support

A year ago, Microsoft announced it will no longer provide security updates or support for PCs running Windows 7. Starting today January 14, 2020 the company is officially ending support for the OS. You can still use your computer but Microsoft will no longer provide you with technical support for any issues, software updates and security updates or fixes. I’ll tell you how risky this is in a bit.

In the wake of this announcement, only 65.4 percent of Windows devices worldwide run on Windows 10 according to stats from Stat Counter. It also shows that 26.8 percent of Windows devices still run on Windows 7. With about 1.3 percent still living in the Windows XP era.

Compared to Europe, 23.1 percent and the United States of America, 17.9 percent, Africa has 39.7 percent of Windows devices still running on Windows 7. With only 49.9 percent running on Window 10.

For consumers this is the end of the road. Organizations on the other hand might pay a hefty amount monthly for Microsoft to provide them with these services.

A month ago, Microsoft made a shocking revelation at the launch event of the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative. Where Regional General Manager, Consumer and Device Sales, Microsoft Middle East & Africa, Deniz Ozen, noted per Microsoft estimates, only a third of PCs shipped into Africa include genuine software.

Using an unsupported Windows 7 device will leave a user or business prone to several cybersecurity attacks. Resulting in losses and damages.

What Next after Windows 7 end of support?

As support for Windows 7 comes to an end, here is what Microsoft encourages you to do if you are still using the operating system.

While you could continue to use your PC running Windows 7, without continued software and security updates, it will be at greater risk for viruses and malware. Going forward, the best way for you to stay secure is on Windows 10. And the best way to experience Windows 10 is on a new PC. While it is possible to install Windows 10 on your older device, it is not recommended.

Kindly refresh, more to come …

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AI Challenge Program to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies in the UAE

AI Challenge Program to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies in the UAE

AI Challenge Program

Microsoft is helping the United Arab Emirates(UAE) government achieve its vision of becoming a leader in AI. By partnering with its National Program for Artificial Intelligence to launch the AI Challenge Program initiative.

The AI Challenge Program is to accelerate the adoption of AI technology in the country. The UAE government led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, sees AI as a pillar of its future strategies. Using artificial intelligence(AI) to shape the country’s development for the next fifty years. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed calls AI the “catalyst for the growth of global markets and new economic sectors“.

Microsoft will be supporting government organizations in leveraging AI technologies to address real life business challenges. While building strong local Emirati AI talents, shares Sayed Hashish, Microsoft UAE General Manager.

The Microsoft general manager signed the partnership with UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, at an AI expert retreat in Dubai.

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Dynabook unveils world’s lightest 13” business laptop, Portégé X30L-G

Dynabook unveils world’s lightest 13” business laptop, Portégé X30L-G

Portégé X30L-G

Portégé X30L-G, the world’s lightest thirteen inch business laptop, debuts at the floor of CES 2020 in Las Vegas. Manufacturer Dynabook Europe GmbH, says the device meets and exceeds Microsoft’s Modern Device standard.

Uniquely designed for portability

It is a very light device weighing only 870g. Uniquely designed for portability the company calls it. The new Dynabook comes powered with the latest 10th generation Intel comet lake U processor and 4GB of RAM. With varying SSD storage options to choose from.

Dynabook engineered the Portégé X30L-G to to cover extreme environmental variables with the MIL-STD-810G standards. The laptop is put through military-grade drop, temperature, humidity and dustproof testing. To demonstrate its overall robustness, ensuring it can withstand the challenging demands of today’s mobile workforce.

Device features include a sharp non-reflective 13” IGZO FHD LCD screen. Two USB 3.0 ports, a USB type-C port, full-size HDMI port and Gigabit-LAN port.

The launch of the Portégé X30L-G demonstrates our continued commitment to developing devices which are built with the modern day enterprise workforce in mind“, says Damian Jaume, President, Dynabook Europe GmbH.
“The device is a testament to our engineers and their ability to pack powerful business-oriented components into increasingly compact devices. The next generation of lightweight devices is here and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this innovation He continues.”

The Portégé X30L-G will be available in stores from mid February 2020. Estimated basic selling price is $1,599.

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Imagine Cup Junior : Microsoft targets younger students with Artificial Intelligence for Good Challenge

Imagine Cup Junior : Microsoft targets younger students with Artificial Intelligence for Good Challenge

Imagine Cup Junior

Microsoft is extending its global student competition program Imagine Cup to younger students with new Imagine Cup Junior competition. The new competition will target secondary school students between the ages of thirteen to eighteen globally.

Microsoft says Imagine Cup Junior competition will help students learn about technology and build 21st century skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. While coming up with ideas for improving the world around them. The first edition will focus on Artificial Intelligence and introducing the students to Microsoft’s AI for Good initiatives.

Microsoft VP Education, Anthony Salcito says “we believe the future is in the hands of students around the world. Who are increasingly driven by a sense of purpose and want to have a positive impact on the world and their communities“.

The goal of the competition is to create excitement and energy among students and educators Microsoft says. By giving them the opportunity to use Artificial Intelligence to solve real-world problems. Unlike the other, the Junior competition is only opened to schools and instructor led clubs. To participate in the competition an educator or instructor will need to register the institution for the Contest.

Click to find out more about the competition and how to participate.

Students and educators do not need to have prior knowledge of AI. Microsoft has created a host of materials, including templates and AI resource guides to help learn from scratch. The lesson guides include modules on Fundamentals of AI, machine learning and AI applications in real life.

Submissions for team projects will be open from February 3, 2020 and close April 17, 2020.

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