ICT

MICROSOFT OPEN DOOR CONFERENCE OPENS IN ACCRA.

The Microsoft open door conference was underway in Accra, wednesday, 22nd February, 2012 at the Kofi Annan ICT Center-AITI,Ridge,Accra. The conference went on with workshop session and exhibition displaying some of Microsoft New products on the market including Windows 7 suite, Office 2010 Home and Student edition, Standard and professional editions. Some of the keynote speeches delivered included one by the Deputy Minister of communication, Hon. Attuquaye Armah who made it clear the chosen theme for the program, that is,"Technology as a key driver in delivering business value in Africa" gives him great pleasure. He wwent on to mention that Microsoft has in the past collaborated with the Ministry of Education in software development to support teachers and learning in schools.

He explained further that the government e-Government infrastructure soon to be in place to ride on the national communication fibre backbone to connect  most public and educational institutions as well as district assemblies.

Again, the ministry has also developed an Information technology and Information Management scheme of service to assist the public service in attracting and retaining highly skilled IT/IM personnel to support the transformation in the government sector through the deployment of ICTs.The event was organised by Primus Advertising Limited.

Apple unveils new screen.

Rupert Goodwins, Editor of the technology website, ZD Net UK: "Unless you are a big Apple fan it will look like any other iPad."

Apple has unveiled a new iPad with a high-definition screen.

It said the resolution of the display was 2,048 by 1,536 pixels. The tablet is also powered by a new A5X chip with improved graphics performance.

Chief executive Tim Cook claimed to have "redefined once again the category Apple created".

Apple dominates the market but should face a fresh challenge later this year when tablets running the full Windows 8 system are expected to go on sale.

The new iPad - which is simply called by that name - also features a 5-megapixel camera sensor. It will be able to run on 4G LTE networks where the service is available and can act as a wi-fi hotspot for other devices if carriers allow the function.

It is 9.4mm deep, slightly thicker than the 8.8mm profile of the iPad 2. The basic 16GB model with only wi-fi will cost £399 and the top of the range 64GB model with wi-fi and 4G will cost £659.

Apple's marketing chief Phil Schiller said the tablet has the same 10-hour estimated battery life as the previous model using only wi-fi. That limit shortens by an hour when using 4G.

It is due to go on sale on 16 March in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Japan.

The previous model will stay on sale at a reduced price, starting at £329. Mr Schiller said that would make it more affordable for schools to buy the machine.

The firm also announced an upgraded TV box which can now handle 1080p video.

Films and TV shows will be sold via its iTunes store in the high-definition format.

IMS Research said Apple accounted for 62% of the global tablet market in 2011. Ahead of the press conference it said it expected that share to rise to 70% this year.

Analysts at Gartner said they expected Apple to maintain its lead and increase the volume of tablets sold - but added that the launch did not contain any news to cause them to increase their "bullish" forecasts.

"I'd call the new iPad an evolutionary device with some revolutionary experiences," said research director Michael Gartenberg.

Others expressed disappointment following the news noting that the new device's display did not include haptic touch-feedback technology or access to the iPhone 4S' voice-controlled Siri "intelligent assistant" as rumoured.

"As tablets are increasingly being used for personal media consumption, it is promising to see a better screen resolution," said Fred Huet, managing director of Greenwich Consulting.

"But will this be enough to ensure Apple's competitive lead in the marketplace? No."

However, the new iPad won praise from journalists at Engadget who were among the first to try out the tablet. They noted that the improved screen resolution should lead to improved apps.

"Apple just put an insane amount of real estate in the hands of crafty developers, and frankly, we can't wait to see what they cook up," wrote Darren Murphy.

Apple's shares closed 0.08% higher on Wall Street at $530.69.

This was Apple's first product launch since the death of Steve Jobs.

  Apple iPad 3 expected on 7 March following press event

Apple's press invitation appeared to show a person using an iPad - possibly the new device

Apple has announced an event on 7 March at which the company is expected to launch its latest iPad tablet.

Invitations sent to journalists read: "We have something you really have to see. And touch."

While not officially confirming the product's launch, the message was accompanied by an image showing what looked to be an iPad touch screen.

The iPad range, which first launched in 2010, has sold more than 50 million units worldwide.

It is not yet known when the new device will be available for sale.

Last year, sales of the iPad 2 began in the US nine days after the launch announcement - which also took place in March.

Apple's first two versions of the iPad transformed the market for tablet computers and made it one of the fastest-growing sectors of the computer industry.

Patent woes

However, recently Apple's dominant position in the tablet market has been challenged by a string of tablets powered by Google's Android operating system.

Later this year, industry experts expect a new category of tablet devices powered by Microsoft's forthcoming Windows 8 operating system.

Microsoft will announce details for the consumer versions of Windows 8 at an event in Barcelona on Wednesday evening.

The tablet market - just like the smart phone market - has been subject to intense patent wars, chiefly between Apple and its key challenger Samsung.

Apple is also embroiled in a dispute over the naming rights for the iPad with Asian electronics firm Proview.