Nokia to sponsor the mobile stream at this year’s Global Forum

Debut of the Forum on African soil

Nokia today announced its sponsorship of the mobile stream at this year’s Global Innovation & Technology Entrepreneurship Forum. The Forum, a joint initiative between infoDev, a global innovation program within the World Bank, and the Department of Science and Technology South Africa,  will take place from 28^th – 30^th May in East London, South Africa – the first time it will be hosted on the continent.

In its fifth iteration, this year’s Forum is titled "Harnessing innovative entrepreneurship for social and economic growth". The Forum will facilitate learning, business matchmaking, strategy, and knowledge sharing, with a special focus on the needs of African entrepreneurs and innovators.

The stream sponsored by Nokia - Maximizing Mobile: Extending the Mobile Revolution - will take place on Day 2 of the Forum. The aim is to explore how locally relevant mobile solutions are being developed by and for the poorest, how to create viable business models to support this vibrant market segment and how to drive scale across emerging markets.

“Nokia has for many years been focused on driving the local innovation ecosystem in Africa,” says Gerard Brandjes, vice president Nokia South East Africa. “As a key mobile player on the continent, we are committed to working with partners to explore new ways in which mobile innovation and technologies can improve lives, be it in the area of education, health or livelihoods. We run many successful programs with local developers across Africa and, through our ongoing partnership with infoDev and DST South Africa, we are pleased to be part of this year’s Global Forum.”

In parallel to the Global Forum, Nokia will also host a one day developer bootcamp on the 27^th of May at the ICC East London, to offer training support to local developers on the Windows Phone 8 platform. This is in collaboration with Microsoft South Africa as we continue to build the Windows ecosystem and ensure locally relevant apps for the Nokia Lumia range of smartphones.

Sony Launches Handycam PJ380 AND Cyber-shot HX300 with 50x Ultra High Zoom

• The Handycam PJ380 Features External Device HDMI Input and Enhanced Projection Capabilities

• The HX300 Features Unique ‘No Blur’ ‘Fast Focus’ Technology

Sony, the leading consumer electronics brand and Anisuma Traders Ltd., today announced the launch of two new product innovations in the Kenyan market- the Handycam HDR-PJ380 camcorder and the Cyber-shot HX300 digital still camera.

Handycam PJ380

The Sony Handycam PJ380 camcorder delivers Full HD video with enhanced projection capabilities. The external device HDMI input allows big screen projection, up to 100-inches (diagonal) of content (movies, slideshows, web pages, games) from compatible smartphones, Tablet devices or PCs on to any flat wall or surface.

Taking the ultimate theatre experience to the next level, the Sony Handycam HDR-PJ380 camcorder’s built-in projector uses a powerful 13 lumen lens. The compact, LED-based projector built into the flip-out LCD panel of the camcorder can project video and images onto any flat surface with upgraded resolution for a clearer and sharper picture.

Precious moments become even more special the second time around when played back in exquisitely rich 1920 x 1080/60p/24p Full HD video. Multiple connectivity options allow the footage to be shared on the big screen simply through connecting the camcorder to a compatible HDTV with an HDMI^™ cable. 

Featuring an advanced 26.8mm wide angle Sony G lens capable of 30x Optical Zoom and a further 55x Extended Zoom, the PJ380 ensures no spontaneous moment is ever missed.

The new Handycam also boasts the Exmor R CMOS Sensor that allows for Full HD 50p capture in multiple formats including AVCHD and MP4 recording. The Exmor R CMOS Sensor makes it possible to concurrently shoot 8.9 mega pixel still images and video without skipping any part of the action.

What's more, the camcorder offers minimal shake when shooting on the move with its Optical SteadyShot^™ Active Mode image stabilization, which facilitates significant blur reduction and stunningly smooth videos in a range of challenging situations.

Cyber-shot HX300

On the other hand, the Sony Cyber-shot HX300 digital still camera is a power-packed device that offers DSLR-like capabilities allowing ease of travel without the need to pack in extra lenses.

With a huge 50x optical zoom range – among the highest for any compact camera – the Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens covers a wide spectrum of shooting possibilities, from holidays and safari trips to sports, wildlife shoots and outdoor concerts. The T* coating on lens surfaces cuts reflections and ‘flare’, while Super ED and ED glass elements minimise chromatic aberration for satisfyingly sharp, high-contrast images.

The lengthiest shooting sessions are made pleasant and manageable by the camera’s balanced DSLR-style body and moulded ergonomic grip that fits comfortably into the hand. Add to that a full range of intuitively-placed controls including manual ring, custom button, jog dial and memory recall mode, and you have a camera that’s as good as a DSLR.

In a Cyber-shot™ first, the HX300 features newly-enhanced Optical Steady Shot for stress-free composition and clearer photos even at high zoom settings. This model delivers an improved performance as the high-speed autofocus at telephoto settings locks onto the subject around twice as quickly as its predecessor model, the Cyber-shot™ HX200V. Users will find it easier than ever to grab those spontaneous moments with crisp, blur-free results.

Superior Auto helps capture dimly-lit action, recognising subjects in motion too. Camera settings are adjusted automatically for crisp, blur-free images – from sun-drenched beaches to moody interiors and twilight scenes.

The HX300 also features the versatile new ‘Multi Terminal’ interface that allows intelligent communication between the camera and a growing range of shooting accessories.

The new HDR-PJ380 Full HD Camcorder and Cyber-shot HX300 are currently available across all Anisuma showrooms and other leading electronics retailers in Kenya.