African Govts Must Encourage Use of Mobile Phones—MD of HMD

Manufacturers of Nokia Mobile Phones, HMD is urging government to create an environment that will open the economy up for the use of mobile phones to drive digital financial inclusion.

According to the company, the telecommunication space has evolved such that mobile phones now serve as an opportunity for people to create mobile money account to drive the financial inclusion agenda.

Speaking to Citi Business News on the issue, the General Manager of HMD Global in charge of West, East and Central Africa, Joseph Umunakwe said mobile technology can be used to improve economic growth.

“The link between mobile phones and economic development is very real and I think countries including Ghana are all getting there to use electronic devices to push economic development”

Mr. Umunakwe announced that HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has outdoored  the Nokia 1 which is be available to buy in Ghana.

“A breakthrough in accessible technology, the Nokia 1 delivers smartphone essentials, refreshingly familiar design and the reassuring quality of a Nokia phone to fans around the world. Running the latest Android Oreo™ (Go edition), a version of Android for devices with 1GB RAM or less , the Nokia 1 delivers extraordinary value with an exceptional experience encompassing all the features Ghanaians expect from a quality smartphone”.

Quality of Nokia smartphones for everyone

The Nokia 1 is the champion of giving more people access to technology. With the reassuring quality and design expected of a Nokia smartphone, it keeps users connected with all their smartphone essentials and apps.

With a quad-core processor, front and rear cameras, 4G connectivity and dual SIM, the Nokia 1 elevates everything Ghanaians love about feature phones in an accessible smartphone package. Combining a removable 2150 mAh battery and power-efficient IPS display, its hardware works with the optimised apps so users can make the most out of each charge.

Bringing back personalised style

The Nokia 1 brings a refreshingly familiar Nokia phone design featuring the iconic ‘Nokia smile’ in a fresh new package. Available globally in Warm Red and Dark Blue, users can also give their Nokia 1 a makeover thanks to the Xpress-on covers which come in a range of vibrant colours.

Designed with the same attention to detail as the phone’s original cover, users can simply click on and off in seconds to express their personal style with these exchangeable covers. Inherently coloured, the tough two-tone polycarbonate cover is ready to take on every day knocks and bumps with its durable design.

Mr.  Umunakwe, said: “There are more than 1.3 billion feature phone users around the world, many from markets in Africa[ii]. As the value market leader in feature phones, we understand the barriers and challenges people face when it comes to the step up to a smartphone, which is why we’ve made our most accessible smartphone ever. With the Nokia 1, we have combined the reassuring quality and design of a Nokia smartphone with the latest Android Oreo™ (Go edition) software to deliver exceptional value and realise our dream of creating a complete smartphone experience, accessible to everyone.”

Pure, secure and up to date with Android Oreo

Tailored to devices with 1GB RAM or less, Android Oreo™ (Go edition) comes with a new range of apps from Google designed to run faster while consuming less data.

Optimised to be smooth and fast, these include Google Go – a web search app, Google Maps™ Go, YouTube™ Go and Google Assistant for Android (Go edition), to quickly send messages, make calls, set alarms and do more, simply by using voice.

With fewer pre-installed and much lighter apps on Android Oreo™ (Go edition), users get 2x more available storage out of the box compared with Android Nougat .

All Nokia smartphones come with no bloatware, skins, UI changes or unnecessary apps pre-loaded onto the Nokia 1 phone, giving them a pure Android experience. Android Oreo™ (Go edition) offers a smooth and responsive experience, while making sure the device gets the latest security updates and features, including Google Play Protect, which continuously works to keep the Nokia 1 device, data and apps safe.

Source: Citibusinessnews