MTN, NCC Reach Final Agreement over Fine

MTN has reached an agreement with the Nigerian government over the hefty fine the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) slammed on the network last year.

MTN in a statement made available to Innovation Village said it has agreed to pay N330 billion over three years (the equivalent of $ 1.671 billion(N332bn) at the official exchange rate and $902 million(N180bn) at the Lagos Parallel Market Rate) to the Nigerian government in full and final settlement of the matter payable as set out as follows:

• Naira 30 billion on 8 July 2016
• Naira 30 billion on 31 March 2017
• Naira 55 billion on 31 March 2018
• Naira 55 billion on 31 December 2018
• Naira 55 billion on 31 March 2019
• Naira 55 billion on 31 May 2019

MTN has also agreed to take immediate steps to ensure the listing of its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange as soon as commercially and legally possible after the date of execution of the settlement agreement. The network also promised to always ensure full compliance with its license terms and conditions as issued by the NCC.

We express thanks and gratitude to the FGN for the spirit in which the matter was resolved and believes this is the best outcome for the Company, its stakeholders, the FGN and the Nigerian people and that the relationship between MTN, the FGN and the NCC has been restored and strengthened, said MTN Group Executive Chairman,  Phuthuma Nhleko .

Tinder Bans Under 18 Users

Online dating company, Tinder has announced that users under 18 will not be able to access its app starting from next week.

On a platform that has facilitated over 11 billion connections; we have the responsibility of constantly assessing our different user experiences. Consistent with this responsibility, we have decided to discontinue service for under 18 users, we believe this is the best policy moving forward, Tinder said in a press release.

We have been reviewing this policy since early this year and believe it is the right thing to do.  A number of factors go into making a decision like this, but we’re confident we landed on the right policy, said Rosette Pambakian, Tinder’s Vice President of Communications.

The development comes after the company earlier promised a new transgender-friendly user experience. Until now, users between 13 and 18 have been in their own Tinder world, not showing up on the app for any swipers over the age of 18.

BFF, BRB and Other Chat Abbreviations Added to Oxford Dictionary

Is text messaging ruining or enriching the language? With 1 billion monthly active Whatsapp users worldwide as of February 2016 (up from over 700 million in January 2015) and other popular mobile apps and networks, Internet slang becomes an essential part of our everyday life. Busy, on-the-go users create chat abbreviations in an effort to save keystrokes. 

New terms originate from various sources, including chat rooms, email, mobile phone text messaging, social networks and others. While it does save keystrokes, decoding it sometimes can prove very hard.

The new 9^th edition of Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app for iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices comes with 900 new definitions from various areas and fields, including 25 well-known Internet slang terms that have been now “officially” recognised.

Top 25:
AFAIK: as far as I know.
AFAIR: as far as I remember.
AFK: away from the keyboard.
BF: boyfriend, best friend.
BFF: best friend forever.
BFN: bye for now.
BRB: be right back.
DD: darling daughter.
DW: 1. darling wife; 2. don’t worry.
GF: girlfriend.
HTH: hope this helps.
IDK: I don't know.
IMHO: in my (humble) opinion.
IYKWIM: if you know what I mean.
MYOB: mind your own business.
NSFW: not safe (or suitable) for work.
OH: other half (a person’s wife, husband or partner).
OMG: oh my God (used to express surprise, excitement, etc.).
ROFL: roll(ing) on the floor laughing (used to show that you find something extremely funny).
TBH: to be honest.
TMI: too much information (used to say that somebody has given some personal information that is embarassing).
TTFN: ta-ta for now (to say goodbye to somebody).
TTYL: talk to you later (used when ending a message to somebody or a conversation).
YMMV: your mileage may vary (used to say that people may experience a particular thing in different ways).
YOLO (often written as #YOLO): you only live once (used especially on the Internet to say that people should take every opportunity to enjoy life, or to excuse something stupid that you have done).

Check out the apps on:
Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oup.elt.oald9

iOS https://itunes.apple.com/app/oxford-advanced-learners-dictionary/id442911228?mt=8

This Google Smart Jacket Answers Calls and Connects to App

Google and Levi's recently unveiled a smart jacket tagged ‘Commuter’. The apparel allow users answer calls and perform some smartphone functions.

It features Project Jacquard technology, part of Google Advanced Technology and Products (ATAP). Project Jacquard uses a new method of manufacturing textiles to weave electronic sensors into the material, which means “smart” clothing lines aren’t all that far off.

The Commuter gives the user access to maps and music and, as mentioned earlier, the option to respond to incoming calls. To control these functions, the wearer will have to tap or swipe on the smart jacket's cuff that has a Jacquard tag underneath it, which connects to the haptics and LED, to name a few of the embedded components. The tag is removable and rechargeable through USB.

Aimed at cyclists, the Commuter provides easy access to the said features on the go and yet washing-machine friendly. It is also connected to the cloud, as it comes with a mobile app where users can manage other software that will work with it.

The jacket is expected to be available by next year, Google said.

Is Nigeria Ready For High-Tech In Healthcare ?

A new research that examined how healthcare systems meet long-term global health challenges through integration and connected care technologies, has shown that emerging markets take the lead.

The global survey of patients and doctors, compiled by healthcare equipment manufacturer, Royal Philips shows that emerging economies such as United Arab Emirates and China are more inclined to adopt new technology. The study puts Australia 4th, the United States 6th and the UK 9th.

The Philips Future Health Index surveyed 25,355 patients and 2,659 healthcare professionals across 13 countries, and gives each country a score on its readiness to adopt connected care technology, embrace data sharing and integrate different parts of the health system.

The Future Health Index allows us to understand what the barriers to integration are in the U.S. and to explore how technology could be harnessed to accelerate the shift to preventative care, while still addressing the needs of Americans who are already managing health issues,” said Brent Shafer, CEO, Philips North America. “As a health technology company dedicated to improving people’s lives, we are now taking that a step further, working with leading healthcare networks such as Cleveland Clinic, Westchester Medical Center Health and Banner Health to understand how we can develop integrated technologies, care and business models that take healthcare beyond the hospital environment and bring it closer to home.”

The benefits of data sharing and joining up healthcare systems can be seen in the number of patients (74 percent) who reported that they had to repeat the same information to multiple healthcare professionals, while 60 percent even had to repeat the same tests.

The report also looks at attitudes to connected devices such as smartphones, apps and wearables that collect data on your health and wellbeing. More than half of the patients under 34yrs reported that they own at least one health monitoring device. Many of those surveyed believed that they have the knowledge to manage their own health effectively, although healthcare professionals generally disagreed. Not surprisingly, older patients felt less savvy about technology.

Unexpectedly, Japan sits at the bottom of the ranking. The country is famous for its robots and cutting edge technology, but strict regulation and a lack of centralised oversight are among the factors that have made the Japanese healthcare system less efficient than you might expect.

India: LG Wrestles Malaria with Mosquito Repelling TVs

Malaria has been a problem in India for many centuries, just as it is in Africa. According to the World Health Organisation(WHO) ,The hilly, wooded landscapes of India’s north and north-eastern states and the nomadic nature of many of its tribal groups contribute to the high number of malaria cases in that region of the country.Some 80% of the malaria cases reported in India occur in these states which are home to only 20% of the population. Internal conflicts and increasing population mobility pose additional challenges to eliminating malaria in the region.

Despite these challenges, India is working – and making progress towards the elimination of malaria. Since 2000, the country has more than halved the number of malaria cases, down from 2 million to 882 000 in 2013. And, the trend is continuing.

However, there is a bit of relief as electronic giant, LG  announced its Mosquito Away line of TVs for the country. The TV uses an ultra sonic device which generates sound wave at certain wavelength which is inaudible to humans but unbearable to mosquitoes.

The technology complies with the norms of global organizations and has been tested by International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (IIBAT), India as well. This technology does not use any chemicals, used in other toxic repellents, nor does it require refilling or any other maintenance and the most important part of the technology is that this independent operation which does not require the TV to be on to make the mosquitoes fly away, LG said.

After studying the Indian market, the South Korean company concluded there was no device of this kind that addressed the growing medical and hygienic issue of mosquitoes in the country. The Mosquito Away TV models do not release any harmful radiation, nor do they use chemicals .

The cheapest model, featuring a 32-inch display cost $400(N80,000) while the top-of-the-line 43-inch is priced at  $710 (N142,000).

iOS: Instagram Switches On Share Extensions to Make Posting Photos Faster

Instagram has updated its platform to make it easier to post from other iOS apps. Instagram enabled the share extensions, in order for users to send pictures directly to their feeds from apps such as Photos.

You can now try this out on Instagram, but first update to the latest version and then open the app you want to send a picture from. Press the share button and tap on the Instagram icon. A window will open to let you write a caption before posting to Instagram.

Have in mind that you cannot use Instagram’s filter and editing tools unless you open its app. The share extension means that it will be faster to share photos from other image editing apps that also have the feature enabled, however, which will be handy for those who like to post several times a day.