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In the moment

A little piece i wrote: In the moment

They fly and dance and chirp and sing

In trees, on rooftops, in time and in tune 

They circle, fly straight, swerving and teasing 

Singing songs of delight and merry 

Songs from the heart in joy and merry. 

In time with the universe 

Tick tock

In tune with the waves and oceans, seas and rivers 

Flowing, one with another, 

Each into his own 

Each with his…

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The Samsung Ecosystem - Will the galaxies fit?

A new article i penned about the efforts being made by Samsung to dominate the smartphone market. The Samsung Ecosystem - Will the galaxies fit?

The New Galaxy of devices

Having a device is one thing.

Having a device that connects seamlessly with other devices is a different story, altogether. 

Having five devices that can talk to each other seamlessly, connect with other services  and still give with a unique user experience; that is the holy grail. 

Brett Jones of the Nielsen Connect Partner Network, refers to that holy…

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In search for redemption Still searching Stuttering up the hill Pressured and burden laden The noises awaken buried affection Affection that destroys strands of self…

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What do you get when you mix an ambitious technology company, a saturated mobile device market, cutting edge technology, and an eye-watering price tag? 

I will tell you. 

The Samsung Galaxy Fold.

The device, according to Tracy Kyei, Head of Marketing at Samsung Electronics West Africa (Ghana), has been in the lab since 2011. It has been undergoing tests and developments over the years. However, with the outdooring of the first true foldable smartphone device in Ghana, we learn a few things:

There are possibilities for mobile devices you have not even imagined yet.

Folding screens, as scary as they might seem, are a delight to behold. 

Samsung is leading the charge for a new phone category but will need to learn and adapt quickly. 

  The Past

The Samsung Galaxy Fold was the first mainstream foldable smartphone. A prototype of the device was first seen in November 2018. The initial rollout of the device to reviewers did not go very well as Samsung was forced to recall the handsets. This was because the foldable screen was breaking after just a few days of use.

  The Present

The device retails at GHC 12,999. 

There is a need to put that fact out there before I go further so you understand the kind of waters we are swimming in. The Samsung Galaxy Fold device is not for everyone. 

“We created Galaxy Fold also for those who want to experience what a premium foldable can do, beyond the limitations of a traditional smartphone.” That was how Tracy described it and for good reason as well. 

The Galaxy Fold has a 4.6-inch cover display. When unfolded, it has the world’s first 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display. The device has six cameras in all (yes, six). There is the 10MP selfie camera on the cover; a triple rear camera set made up of a 16MP ultra-wide, a 12 MP wide-angle and a 12 MP telephoto lens; then there is the 10MP selfie camera and the 8MP depth camera when you flip the phone open. 

Packed with 12GB of RAM, 512GB of internal memory, the mobile device pushes the boundaries a step further. The phone accepts one Nano SIM card and one eSIM card for the LTE version and only one Nano SIM for the 5G version. The fingerprint sensor is on the side of the phone. 

The LTE version of the phone has a battery capacity of 4380mAh from the two batteries inside it while the 5G version packs a 4235mAh battery. With wireless powershare, you can charge other devices with the phone (something we have seen from the Galaxy S10 and the Note 10 range of devices).

Aside from all of this, Samsung Ghana is promising what it terms “premium service” with this device. Firstly, upon purchase, there are a number of goodies that come in the box. You get a pair of Galaxy buds (retailing at GHC 700), a case made of Kevlar material and a disposable screen protector. What you will also notice is a lot of warnings and notices in the box giving you indications on how to use the device, care, and support. Its a GHC 12,999 phone for a good reason. 

You get a 24-month warranty on the device from Samsung Ghana. 

The Future 

Now that the specs and bells and whistles are out there, let us look beyond the numbers. 

The price tag is a clear indication of the sort of people who will end up using this device. It is a luxury device, plain and simple. It is not the kind of phone you should be taking to the beach or the swimming pool or to the club for that matter. It is not certified water-resistant or dust resistant either. 

There is a learning curve any owner will need to get over with the Galaxy Fold. For example, though most Google services such as maps are optimized for the device, other apps such a Snapchat are not. Also while notification will be swiped from the left section of the open device, navigation keys will be on the right side of it. These new ways of interacting with a device could put someone off but if you spent the money to buy the device, I am sure you will not mind.

What is clear though is it the device is one of a kind. It is a surprisingly delightful piece of tech to hold in one’s hand and play with. It felt solid and durable when I had my chance with it at the launch event and I have to confess that the 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display was so good. I played Asphalt 9 on it and it was a charm. I can imagine watching a few Netflix hours on it as well to great delight. The device can easily serve as your phone and tablet at the same time, which is what I believe Samsung was gunning for in the first place.

In all, the Samsung Galaxy Fold is a glimpse into the future of mobile telephony and the experiences we could be having. The Fold is a device you should experience to understand and appreciate. The opportunities are countless with the flexible display options but, how functional will these devices actually be and at what cost will it come?

After the launch event last night, I penned this short review of the all new Galaxy Fold. Thoughts are welcome. Samsung Galaxy Fold: An expensive but flexible mobile future What do you get when you mix an ambitious technology company, a saturated mobile device market, cutting edge technology, and an eye-watering price tag? 

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Philip Ashon is Eva Lokko ICT Journalist 2019

Philip Ashon is Eva Lokko ICT Journalist 2019

Host of the #CitiTrends and Head of TV Production at Citi TV, Philip Ashon, has been adjudged the Eve Lokko ICT journalist of the Year at the Mobex Innovation Awards 2019.

The award is in recognition of his efforts at spreading digital literacy across the country and ensuring the empowerment of citizens through technology based applications.

This is the second time Philip Ashon is picking the…

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Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10 Plus: An initial Overview

From my initial experience with the device at the unveiling on Wednesday here is my review: Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10 Plus: An initial Overview

After weeks of leaks and rumours, we finally get to see the next iteration of the Samsung Galaxy Note series; the Galaxy Note 10. Regardless of the rumours, finally getting my hands on the device at the unveiling event in Ghana gave me the answer to a question I asked last year; how was Samsung going to top the Note 9? 

The release of this device, in a lot of ways, answers that question.

The Look…

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#CITITRENDS S05 EP9: Building and Sustaining Communities Online for Offline Impact

#CITITRENDS S05 EP9: Building and Sustaining Communities Online for Offline Impact

Online communities are for bonding and reaching out to one another. They create the spaces for people to share ideas and help resolve problems. How do you know which communities to join?  where are the most impacting conversations happening? Who are the leaders and how can you keep the community accountable? Gameli Adzaho, lead for Facebook Community Leadership Circles, Accra joined me on the…

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#CitiTrends S05 EP 8: Gaming - Beyond the Entertainment

#CitiTrends S05 EP 8: Gaming – Beyond the Entertainment

Fifa, Prince of Persia, Oware 3D, Mortal Kombat, PES; you name it. Incredible game titles that have shaped so many lives across the globe. Today, the gaming industry is worth billions and more investment continue to flow in that direction. However, is it an issue of just playing for the entertainment sake or there is more to it. Paul Ziem who is an Entrepreneur, Indie Game Developer and…

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#CitiTrends S05 EP7: 2019 Global Digital Trends & Trends to Watch in Ghana

#CitiTrends S05 EP7: 2019 Global Digital Trends & Trends to Watch in Ghana

In a week of incredible device releases such as the Galaxy Fold and the Mate X, there was very little space for anything else.

On Tuesday however, Naasei Boadi flipped everything on its head when he joined the show to talk about the global digital landscape and lessons for Ghanaian businesses and organisations.

He shared data from research about the number of people using social media daily and…

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#CitiTrends S05 EP6: The Digital Survival Kit with Jemila Abdulai

#CitiTrends S05 EP6: The Digital Survival Kit with Jemila Abdulai

She is a content creator like very few.

She is a mind worth listening to.

She enjoys a great chat. And that is what we had on Citi Trends this week with Jemila Abdulai, founder of Circumspecte.

We spoke about what sort of skillsets and tools young entrepreneurs and business leaders need to survive in a digital future.

Lola Kassim, General Manager of Uber West Africa joined me to talk about how…

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#CitiTrends S05 EP5: Funding Your Startup with Eric Osiakwan

#CitiTrends S05 EP5: Funding Your Startup with Eric Osiakwan

When you get the chance to set up a business, one of your biggest headaches is funding.   Where do you get the money, how do you pay back, how much money will you get?  My guest this week was a serial investor, business leader and global technology icon. Eric Osiakwan is the Managing Partner of Chanzo Capital is an Entrepreneur and Investor with 15 years of ICT industry leadership across Africa…

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#CITITRENDS S05 EP 4: Building for Africa vrs Building in Africa with Ethel Cofie

#CITITRENDS S05 EP 4: Building for Africa vrs Building in Africa with Ethel Cofie

CEO of Edem Technology Consulting, Ethel Cofie was my guest on the show this week as we explored what it means and takes to build a technology company for Africa that serves the African continent and its needs as against building a technology company in Africa whose focus is outside of the content.

  Ethel touched on everything from the money business to the lack of understanding of the…

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#CITITRENDS S05 EP 3: Writing and Publishing in a Digital Age with Keni Ribeiro

#CITITRENDS S05 EP 3: Writing and Publishing in a Digital Age with Keni Ribeiro

The queen was here. What an episode! Elated to have had the pleasure of chatting with blogger and writer Keni Ribeiro about what it means to write for a digital audience and also what platforms to distribute content on. Keni spoke about her beginnings as a writer and her influences. She shared insight into how to win in the content creation war and also some great life lessons for…

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#CitiTrends S05 Ep 2: How to get into Tech with Edem Kumodzi

#CitiTrends S05 Ep 2: How to get into Tech with Edem Kumodzi

A sombre week indeed for the tech community on Africa.

Six staff members of Kenya based technology firm, Cellulant, were killed in a terror attack by five al-Shabab-linked terrorists. 

Cellulant is an online payment solutions provider in the region. 

The six are: Ashford Kuria, Dennis Mwaniki, Jeremiah Mbaria, John Ndiritu, Kelvin Gitonga,Wilfred Kareithi.

Edem Kumodzi however lifted our spirits…

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#CitiTrends S05 Ep1: Globalising Africa's Technology with Emmanuel Gamor

#CitiTrends S05 Ep1: Globalising Africa’s Technology with Emmanuel Gamor

We are ready for a new year, are you?

And what a way to start things off?

Technology consultant and member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Hub Accra, Emmanuel Gamor, was my guest for the first episode of the show.

He cautioned that Ghana risks losing its competitive advantage on the global stage if it fails to identify the unique opportunities technological advancements offer.

He…

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Invest in African start ups - Ghanaian techprenuers

Invest in African start ups – Ghanaian techprenuers

Photo from 2017 Africa Summit.    Source: Africa Summit

Ghanaian technology entrepreneurs have called on African investors to look within the continent and channel much needed support to the local businesses that are solving the continent’s problems.

According to them, local investors need to see the vision and impact that start ups have and must invest at the early stage.

These revelations were…

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#CITITRENDS S04 EP 27: CELEBRATING GHANAIAN TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURS with Jewel Thompson & Lauren McKown - Idea to Impact Project, Randy Caiquo - Crowdfrica and Tom-Chris Emewulu - SFAN

#CITITRENDS S04 EP 27: CELEBRATING GHANAIAN TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURS with Jewel Thompson & Lauren McKown – Idea to Impact Project, Randy Caiquo – Crowdfrica and Tom-Chris Emewulu – SFAN

Finally, we close out the Ghanaian Techprenuers Month on Citi Trends and it what a blessing it has been.

Learning about viable local solutions that are changing lived everywhere.

Super excited to have been able to bring you all these conversations.

This week Jewel Thompson of Ashesi University and Lauren McKown of MIT joined me to talk about their latest collaborations called the ‘Idea to Impact…