Tag Archives: Tech

Venture capitalists look beyond tech to the dietary supplements market. Scientists express worry

How do you stay sharp and fit despite fatigue and age? By consuming substances extracted from blueberries, flowers and algae, say the makers of a new group of unregulated and unproven health pills. Trusting natural chemicals to solve inevitable ailments is familiar to anyone who has visited a GNC store or contributed to the $30 billion spent annually in the ... Read More »

Kenya: solar tech market set to rise

Kenya’s shift to renewable energy sources presents a lucrative and expanding market for solar equipment. This is according to Shenzhen Power Solution Limited Vice-President Susan Lee, who spoke to Xinhua news at an energy and power expo, held in Nairobi. “Our main focus [is] in household solar solutions that are affordable but are of high quality. We are scouting for ... Read More »

Market research tech startup Attest raises $3.1M

Attest, a London startup that has built a market research platform to enable companies to get market insights quicker and more often, has picked up $3.1 million in further funding. Oxford Capital, and Episode 1 led the round, with participation from a number new angel investors including London Business School Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing Paddy Barwise. The company ... Read More »

Wearable tech market far from worn out

Despite recent questions over whether wearable tech has had its day, one analyst has forecast that smartwatch sales will double over the next four years. Smartwatch shipments will grow from 43 million in 2017 to 86 million in 2021, according to CCS Insight, which also noted that there is “currently an air of cautious optimism” among manufacturers in this space. ... Read More »

Oracle Is a Bargain in a Bifurcated Tech Market

The bull market continues to push further into nosebleed-valuation territory, making it ever harder for investors to find bargains. But attractive buying opportunities still exist, even in the generally overbought technology sector. Here’s a tech bargain that’s a smart growth bet now: Oracle (ORCL) . You’re probably surprised, because many mega-cap blue chips are absurdly expensive right now. But even ... Read More »

Otigba: The experiment that grew into a tech market

I did my NYSC year in Lagos between 1988 and 1989, and I lived on Ola Ayinde street at Ikeja and later at the NYSC secretariat at Opebi. I knew the area very well. I saw Otigba spring up seemingly from nowhere, and it grew to become a major market for technology products. The traders there called themselves the “Lagos ... Read More »

Fitbit’s Dominance Diminishes But Wearable Tech Market Bigger Than Ever

Fitness trackers and smartwatches (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) Fitbit has taken a hit with year-on-year Q4 sales but the wearable tech market is bigger than ever. They are the two main takeways from the latest IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, which states that Fitbit shipments were down 22.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016: 6.5 million units compared to ... Read More »

United Continental Taps Apple and IBM for Mobile Tech Overhaul

PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY United Continental Holdings Inc. plans a major overhaul of its mobile technology, which will include the development of new apps and the upgrade of the iPhones and iPads used by 50,000 flight and ground employees. The air carrier will work with Apple Inc. and International Business Machines Corp., which announced an alliance three years ago to ... Read More »

Samsung Earnings Are Rebounding as Flurry of New Biz Tech Appears

One of the stories somewhat lost in the headlines earlier this month, is that of an impressive comeback. After almost two years of lagging performance, Samsung operating profits rose 80 percent during the last quarter over the same time last year. Reuters reports much of the cause of declining profits was due to losing part of the smartphone market share to Apple. While ... Read More »

Sensible Tech: Android Apps and Gadgets for a Smarter Smartphone

If you have just got your first Android smartphone, you have entered a wonderland of apps and gadgets. Some of these will drive you crazy, but others will become indispensable for your lifestyle. Google provides a number of excellent apps as standard with the Android system, but soon you might find yourself wanting something a bit more stylish. Take a ... Read More »