Register to join the Mobile Web Ghana hosted, Microsoft AppFactory and get free training and mentorship in app and web development.
Mobile Web Ghana is accepting registration from interested applicants to the 2nd cohort of the Microsoft AppFactory fellowship. The program under the Microsoft 4Afrika initiative, is a partnership between Microsoft Ghana and Mobile Web Ghana.
The Microsoft AppFactory is a fully sponsored program where selected applicants get trained in Microsoft Technologies including Mobile Development, Web Development, Windows Development, project management, etc.
The program is also aimed at equipping the young software developers with hands-on experience while helping them build critical business skills to secure jobs or create their own businesses. Head over to the registration page to get started.
Some fellows of the 1st cohort shared their experience about their program;
I’ve been able to learn some valuable ethics and skills needed for the real world working environment; team work, consolidating different concepts together to build useful applications. – Derrick Korku
It’s been very challenging and innovative. I got to interact and learn from some of the industry’s best and dedicated professionals. Now I can tackle and solve problems. I have moved from just building anything to planning, building and deploying scalable applications. – Jeffrey Osei
Don’t forget you’ll need to have some form of knowledge in programming. A candidate must demonstrate the following as well as some of these will be used in determining your qualification:
A basic understanding of the computer science discipline
Coding proficiency in at least one high level language
Be a Logical Problem-solver
Be Passionate about technology
Be a Curious and continuous learner
Have above average communication skills and
Be a Team Player/Collaborator
A limited number will be selected so hurry to process your registration and don’t for get to let a friend know about the program.
Registered for the program, let us know what you think in the comments.
Microsoft Ghana has partnered with Mobile Web Ghana to officially launch, The Ghana AppFactory.
The AppFactory, a Microsoft 4Afrika initiative, was setup to help people with a great idea for an app get it built. The program which has ben set up in South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria finally gets rolled out in Ghana.
Mobile Web Ghana partnered with Microsoft to roll out the program in September 2016 when they opened up applications. The first cohort were received and trained. To crown that, there has been an event at the Mobile Web Campus to officially Launch the program.
What is App Factory Program?
The AppFactory is aimed at equipping young software developers and coders with hands-on experience, while helping them build critical business skills to secure jobs or create their own businesses. Participants will be mentored by senior software architects and app developers on how to design, implement and manage complex projects.
The AppFactory is a four month fully sponsored program. The selected individuals will be trained on Microsoft Technologies including Mobile Development, Web Development, Windows Development, etc.. The program allows fellows at the end to either launch their own businesses or secure placements with affiliate organizations.
Skills development is critical if Africa is to be a key player in the age of digital transformation. Many of our youth have brilliant ideas for apps but don’t have the time or resources to make these ideas a reality.
Through initiatives like the AppFactory we are providing our youth with the support they need to bring these ideas to life and we’re excited about the massive potential we have seen so far,” – Derek Appiah, Microsoft Country Manager Ghana
Application for the second fellows of the program will be announced in the second week of March and closed before April 2017. *We’ll update this page with the application link, so do check back* Also this isn’t going to be a very big class so if you are interested, apply early when applications are opened.
The program requires that you have basic skills in a high level programing language at least. It doesn’t matter which language, whether PHP, C#, Python, etc..
To be eligible for the program a candidate must demonstrate the following:
A basic understanding of the computer science discipline
Coding proficiency in at least one high level language
Be a Logical Problem-solver
Be Passionate about technology
Be a Curious and continuous learner
Have above average communication skills and
Be a Team Player/Collaborator
For more information about the program contact Mobile Web Ghana;
Call or Phone:030 250 5824
E-mail: info@mobilewebghana.org
Website: http://www.mobilewebghana.org
Interested in being an AppFactory fellow? Been a fellow in another country? Tell us what you’ll be looking forward to, or share your experience with us in the comments.
Creators Update is the name of Microsoft’s next Windows 10 major update. The update is scheduled to arrive early spring 2017 and for free.
Microsoft announced at the October Microsoft Event what Windows 10 users can expect in the next Update of the OS. The Update is geared towards a generation that want to create.
Microsoft’s Executive Vice President of the Windows and Devices Group, Terry Myerson, speaking out at the event about the update outlined 3 major updates Windows 10 users can look forward to.
Terry’s highlights on the Windows 10 Creators Update include:
Coming as a free update early next year to the more than 400 million devices running Windows 10 and available to Windows Insiders this week.
Expanding vision for mixed reality. Virtual, Augmented reality and holographic computing with 3D for every one. Create share and experience 3D in mixed reality.
3D helps to bring your ideas to life. With 3D in the Windows 10 Creators Update you can capture, create, view and share in 3D. Microsoft says “See how amazing the world is when you unleash your imagination in a new dimension”.
Gamers can experience best in 4K gaming and in game broadcasting.
The Windows 10 Creators Update will allow gamers to easily broadcast their gameplay and create their own tournaments. Integration of new stream service Beam, built into the game play. So you can share or watch live game streams and interact in real time with broadcasters as well. Read more from the Xbox wire.
A faster way to connect and share with the people who matter most, family, friends, collaborators and fellow gamers.
Microsoft wants to put the people who matter and you care about in the middle of your Windows 10 experience. How do they achieve this? Well, there’s a new feature called MyPeople.
Your most important friends, family, and co-workers will be instantly accessible. With Windows MyPeople, you can pin your favorite contacts to the Windows task bar and easily drag and drop any document, photo or video right on top of the contact for easy sharing. You can receive unique notifications, Shoulder Taps, and easily view and open emails, IMs, shared documents and more, all in one place. The Windows MyPeople experience is also integrated across universal Windows apps for easy sharing.
Windows 10 still growing!
Current Windows 10 user statistics; Over 400 million people using Windows 10. That’s over 600 people who choose Windows 10 every minute of every hour of every day for the last year. Spent 200 billon hours of lives on Windows 10. 500% increase in gaming. 3 times as many developers building Windows 10 apps.
Just like the other major Windows 10 update, I expect this to arrive in April 2017. You can also trial out these update before their release by becoming a Windows Insider. There are may more features coming in the update. Check out more details of the Windows 10 Creators Update from our friends at Windows Central.
What do you think about the OS update announcement? A step in the right direction, a new set of disruptive helpful tools? share with the community. We’ll like to know hat you think.
The ZEPTO UmiTab 10.1″ 2 in 1 device has seen some more interest from the public. So I received one and took it for a spin so I can answer properly questions asked.
I received the Cyan colored ZEPTO UmiTab 10 device running Windows 10. I decided to upgrade it to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update(AU) for better performance. The Windows 10 AU definitely has a lot of bug fixes and improvements to battery life etc., etc. seem only fair.
We earlier did a specifications post on the ZEPTO UmiTab and you can check it out if you want to know what powers it.
It sits in a class of its own. It’s not a high end nor is it a low-end device. I believe it’s just perfect for the kind of customers it’ll attract. I see students and workers who need a PC for browsing, taking notes, watching movies and playing music.
The ZEPTO UmiTab 10 surely has some pro’s and con’s and i’ll dig a bit into it.
DESIGN
It certainly has a nice feel to it. It’s a detachable two in one device. Good thing the soft keyboard which doubles as a cover comes included. It’s easy to attach and detach. It has the Microsoft Surface magnetic clip thing. only I think the Surface clicks in and holds more solidly and firmly. But so far as it sits on a steady surface like a table, you need not worry.
At 550 grams it doesn’t feel heavy. You can carry it in hand as you would your notepad or diary, only this ends up being more powerful.
Performance
Sporting a Quad-core Intel Baytrail T-Z3735 processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB ROM means light work can be done. If you are a video and photo editing person, these aren’t the specifications that excite you. It works well-browsing websites and having quite a number of tabs open. Video and Music play works well. Using the installed Office 365 Home package that comes preinstalled is hustle free and effective.
Hardware There are a number of helpful hardware features that comes in the device. There’s the SIM card slot on the side, that allows for data connections. The data connection is pretty straight forward and very easy to set up and use.
Folks have asked if it can be used for making calls? Well unfortunately it doesn’t. The device doesn’t fall in the Mobile classification 8″ and below. So if you search for the Microsoft Phone from the app store you won’t find it. or it’ll show and tell you non-compatible device.
A mini HDMI, USB, Headphone and MicroSD card slot can be found on the side of the ZEPTO UmiTab 10. The available MicroSD card slot can help with expanding your storage space. It’s on the side, as a result, it is easy to pull and plugin. I used a micro USB OTG in the USB slot to access the contents on my phone. There’s also the option of connecting any USB device via an OTG, don’t know if it comes in the box. Didn’t get one but i’ll check and update.
Sound, Mic, Camera, Speakers
Having a 2 or 5MP camera isn’t a luxury in today’s world where some phones have bigger and better. However, I think it’s enough to get the light things like a video call out of the way. Well unless of course, you want HD. But then you pay more for those than this :). The 2MP front camera has face detection and the back 5MP seems quite decent with autofocus.
The Microphone wasn’t very loud in my test playbacks. Speakers were just okay for music and video. I’ll say not the best compared to sophisticated devices on the market.
Battery Life
Battery life is estimated to be between 6 to 8 hours. I experienced something around 5 and 6 hours. But battery lives are always subject to use. I one time during a video playback had around 10 hours estimated.
What I think:
It’s great value for money.
The soft keyboard didn’t quite hit it for me. it’ll take some getting use to. Gestures on the trackpad aren’t great. Maybe a firmware fix might come in handy.
The internal memory of 32 GB is just too small. You’ll have about 7GB of storage left to use. This is where the MicroSD card slot comes in.
It’s not lappable. More of either detach and use as a tablet or dock it on a table for effective use
The PC’s come in red, cyan/blue, black, gray and pink colors.
If there’s something you’ll like to know that I didn’t touch on. Or have you used or owned one and experienced it differently? Kindly share with us in the comments.
WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship has launched in Lagos, Nigeria. Microsoft’s Windows Insider chief Dona Sarkar launched the program.
Credit : Twitter – @MissTechyNG
After the 1st anniversary of Windows 10, the WINsiders4good initiative was introduced. The WINsiders4Good fellowship fellowship program is a series of global create-a-thons with the aim of helping insiders within a community build something for a local impact.
The WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship is part of our global #WINsiders4Good program designed to help Windows Insiders tackle important issues in their local communities. With the #WINsiders4Good Nigeria Fellowship, we want to build a fellowship of up to 20 Nigerian entrepreneurs to develop products and services that would help improve the lives of Nigerian people.
Who qualifies to be a part of the fellowship?
1st you need to be a legal resident of Nigeria and registered in the Windows Insider Program. You must have an idea that can help solve local issues. It also doesn’t matter if you have already pitched or shared it anywhere else before.
We would like to build a fellowship of 20 Nigerian entrepreneurs to become our first ever, inaugural class of #WINsider4Good Fellows. If chosen, you will receive hardware and software, including Windows 10, Office 365 and Azure credits. Along with 6 months of tailored technical and strategic mentorship from local and international leaders to help bring your unique idea to life.
? credit: Microsoft
Kindly note the following important dates for the program;
Round 1 Application Opens: September 21, 2016
Round 1 Application Closes: October 10, 2016
Round 2 Application Opens: October 17, 2016
Round 2 Application Closes: October 24, 2016
Fellows Announced: November 16, 2016
Wondering how and what IDEA will count for as good consideration for the fellowship?
A panel of Microsoft-selected local and global experts will select both Finalists and up to 20 #WINSiders4Good Fellows based on the following criteria. Social Impact: Your product or service addresses a common issue affecting a clearly identified segment of the Nigerian population and provides a clear benefit to the customers upon purchase and use of the product or service. Market Viability: The product or service has a clearly defined market and can be priced as such that it can be viable and sustainable as a business given the local context. Innovation: The product or service provides a unique approach to the issues faced by the local market through a net new innovation; an improvement on existing solutions; or a combination of multiple solutions for more effective and efficient intervention. Scalability: The business has the potential to serve customers across the geographic region where the entrepreneur is based, or across all of Nigeria.
If someone is chosen as a #WINsiders4Good Fellow,Microsoft will;
Connect them with the global community of Windows Insiders.
Prioritize and collaborate to unblock their technical issues that are preventing them from achieving their goal.
Mentor them with technical, strategic and business guidance for six months.
Provide hardware and software to bring their ideas to life.
Excited about the Windows Insiders community program coming closer to you in Nigeria? looking forward to getting your idea come to life and make an impact? Share and tell us about it in the comments.
If you want to re-live the launch event via social media shares, kindly visit here
