The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Samsung

  • Etisalat partners Samsung, Tecno, others on smartphone offer

    Etisalat Nigeria has announced a partnership with mobile phone manufacturers Samsung Mobile, Tecno Mobile and others to deliver the biggest Smartphone offer in the telecoms industry.

    The deal would see Etisalat customers become proud owners of trendy 3G Smartphone devices of their choice from as low as N7,000.

    Its Director, Consumer Segments Etisalat, Oluwole Rawa, said: “With the rising demand for internet consumption in Nigeria, especially on Etisalat’s Easyblaze, it became necessary that we partner with mobile phone manufacturers to deliver Smartphone devices with internet access at affordable prices to people who wish to own one.”

    He continued: “Depending on the type of device customers purchase, they can get as much as 1.5GB free data from Etisalat when they buy from any Etisalat Experience center or partner  stores nationwide.”

    He said as part of the offer “customers also get a whopping 100 per cent bonus data for 12 months on any data plan purchased between 200MB and 6GB”.

  • Insurgency inhibiting expansion drive, says Samsung

    Insurgency inhibiting expansion drive, says Samsung

    Korean household electronics giant, Samsung Electronics West Africa has said its plans to extend its expansion drive in the retail segment of the business to cover the country is being constrained by ongoing insurgency in the Northeast.

    The firm lamented that despite the willingness of trade partners to be part of the expansionary drive, the insecurity situation is not allowing that to happen.

    Its Director, Consumer Electronics, B2B & IT, Mr. Sunil Kumar, who spoke while unveiling the initiatives of the firm at deepening its presence in the country by taking its range of innovative products to all the nooks and crannies of the country, said as part of the initiative, it will open 90 retail outlets across the country in line with the evolution of the business.

    He said over the past years, the electronics business has been evolving with time, adding that the firm discovered at the middle of last year that the retail segment of the business was also undergoing great expansion.

    He lamented that the desire of the firm to do a pan-Nigeria roll-out of retail stores in partnership with its dealers and trade partners was being frustrated by the security challenges in some parts of the country.

    Kumar said: “We noticed mid last year that retail service in Nigeria is fast expanding. It is not a surprise because it is a global trend. So, we came to the conclusion that Samsung needed to expand its retail footprint in Nigeria in a way that brings values to the customers.”

    According to him, Nigeria is in the same category with other advanced countries in terms of timely availability of the firm’s range of innovation-driven products.

    He said: “Nigeria is not behind other countries. What is currently trending abroad in terms of  IT innovation is also available here in Nigeria. Therefore, rolling out such retail outlets will allow Nigerians to experience the products.”

    He added that aside the 90 retail outlets,  38 service centres, where trained technicians attend to customers’ product after-sales needs, had been created over the years.

    Kumar said the firm does not own any of the retail shops that are all over the country, saying it is part of the firm’s desire to grow the national economy and help raise the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) by allowing Nigerians to own the shops and employ people to run them.

    He added that as a further demonstration of its commitment to developing the local market, the firm has set up two assembly factories in Lagos, where over 350 people have been directly employed to engage in assembling Samsung’s products, adding that there are other people employed indirectly from the initiative.

     

  • Proliferation of fake phones worries Samsung

    Proliferation of fake phones worries Samsung

    Samsung Electronics West Africa has expressed dismay at the rate which mobile phones are being counterfeited in the country, lamenting that it has robbed many of their money and caused them trauma.

    Its Director, Information Technology & Mobile Division, Emmanouil Revmatas, said the firm is taking a multi-pronged approach to address the problem.

    Revmatas, who spoke on the sideline during the launch of Samsung biometric scanner enabled Galaxy Tab S in Lagos, said the firm was working with trade associations to find ways to protect the customers by way of “legitimising the business on the one hand and also working with the dealers to buy legitimate products.”

    He said: “We will also intensify our campaigns to get the customers educated that there are ways of checking their mobile phones before paying for them through checking the IMEI number. We are also working with the various agencies of government. It is a multi-faceted approach. The people engaged in this illicit business continue to be relentless.”

    He said the new flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S, is available in the country, adding that the Galaxy Tab S combines an advanced high definition display technology with a full range of premium content, aimed at providing consumers with an unrivalled entertainment experience.

    He explained that the Galaxy Tab S is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet which features a 10.5-inch screen alongside the most advanced super-AMOLED display with a resolution that is twice the high-definition standard associated with other devices in its category. It is also powered with enhanced productivity features for effortless multitasking, all elegantly housed in a beautifully crafted premium design.

    Its Managing Director, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the device will redefine how technology innovation enhances the quality of life.

  • Samsung, Apple seek end to patents war outside U.S.

    Samsung, Apple seek end to patents war outside U.S.

    Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Apple Inc said they had agreed to drop all patent litigation outside the United States, scaling down a protracted legal battle between the smartphone rivals.

    The iPhone and Galaxy handset makers issued nearly identical statements announcing the global ceasefire while vowing to pursue ongoing litigation in the United States, which analysts say involves much bigger amounts of potential damages.

    Last week, Samsung Electronics posted its weakest earnings since the second quarter of 2012, partly hit by rising competition from Chinese smartphone makers.

    Xiaomi took China’s smartphone crown in the second quarter after replacing Samsung Electronics as China’s largest smartphone vendor, data from Canalys shows.

    The legal battle between Samsung Electronics and Apple began in the United States in 2011 when Apple first filed a suit alleging that Samsung “slavishly” copied elements of its iPhones, the device which launched the industry.

    Days after the initial Apple suit was launched in the United States, Samsung Electronics sued its Cupertino, California-based rival in South Korea, Japan and Germany, kicking off a series of tit-for-tat cases that spread around the world.

    The latest agreement ends patent disputes in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom, countries where the smartphone market leaders had engaged armies of lawyers for what analysts said were questionable gains.

    The South Korean and U.S. tech giants declined to disclose the terms of the deal, but said it did not involve “any licensing arrangements and the companies are continuing to pursue the existing cases in U.S. courts.”

    The litigation raged on even as business flourished between the two companies, with Apple depending heavily on Samsung Electronics for components such as chips and liquid crystal displays.

    Apple and Samsung Electronics together dominate the global smartphone market with a combined market share of 37.1 per cent in the second quarter, according to Strategy Analytics.

    “They now see little need to wage a war around the world, which will only fatten the bills of lawyers,” said Young Park, a Hyundai Securities technology analyst in Hong Kong, adding that the deal raised the possibility of a final license agreement settling how the companies use each other’s patented technology.

    He and three other analysts whom Reuters talked to said they do not have estimates for the legal costs that Samsung Electronics and Apple are facing.

  • Samsung’s free service train lands in Lagos

    Samsung’s free service train lands in Lagos

    Dr. Samsung Free Service Campaign train has landed in Lagos and is calling on all consumers of Samsung to bring their devices such as mobile phones, television, audio visuals, digital cameras, IT products and home appliances for Free Servicing or Upgrade at the The Palms, Lekki and Ikeja City Mall in Lagos.

    According to a statement, any customer can walk into any of the special centres with his/her device and Samsung Smart Care engineers will be waiting to service or upgrade your devices free of charge in the special Dr. Samsung Free Service Campaign that started in Abuja and moved to Port Harcourt.

    Larger products such as refrigerators, washing machines, room air conditioners and colour TVs over 22’’ screen size will be service at the customers’ homes. Other products such as audio systems, DVDs, microwave ovens and 22’’ TVs should be brought to these special Samsung Smart Care centers for servicing or upgrade.

    On the campaign, its Managing Director, Mr. Brovo Kim, said: “Dr. Samsung is a reaffirmation of our commitment to providing our customers with the latest, top quality products backed by superior service and a widespread after sales service network. Samsung is committed to showing our customer appreciation by providing follow up servicing on all of our products.”

    Dr. Samsung offers free service or upgrade of all products bought in Nigeria which are under warranty and 50 per cent discount for spare parts on out of warranty items.

  • Samsung launches wattage sound system

    Samsung launches wattage sound system

    Samsung Electronics has introduced a 3,400 wattage giga sound system into the market.

    During the unveiling of the product, the Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Brovo Kim, said: “At Samsung, we believe and take pride in our innovation with design and features, with a view to delivering World class products, which enrich the lives of our consumers and deliver the future of technology today.”

    He explained that the sound system gives customers a party atmosphere anywhere.

    He added: “With our latest innovation, you can get the party started with the Premium Hi-fi Component Audio System’s Beat Waving and 3D Beat Lighting. Visualise the high-wattage sound and experience superior sound quality. See and feel the rhythm and beat through Beat Waving which illuminates the speaker in sync with the music. 3D Beat Lighting perfectly flashes lights and patterns that flow with the music, transforming any party place to the atmosphere of your favourite club.”

    According to the Product Manager, Audio Visuals, Margaret Ijebi, the Premium Hi-fi Component Audio System gives consumers the opportunity to be the DJ of their own party.

  • Samsung unveils Galaxy S5 in Nigeria

    Samsung unveils Galaxy S5 in Nigeria

    Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new Galaxy S5 smartphone, alongside the latest in its industry-leading wearable device line, the Gear Fit and Gear 2, in Nigeria.

    The Managing Director of Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the Galaxy S5 will redefine how technology innovation enhances quality of life. “With the Galaxy S5, Samsung is going back to basics to focus on delivering capabilities that matter most to our consumers. Consumers today are on the lookout for mobile tools that inspire and support them as they improve their everyday lives. The Galaxy S5 represents an iconic design with essential and useful features that focus on delivering the ultimate smartphone on the market today through people-inspired innovation.” he said.

    Also on display at the event were brand new additions to Samsung’s wearable-technology line-up, the Gear 2 and Gear Fit, offering consumers enhanced connectivity alongside an integrated communication experience. The Gear 2, an upgrade of Samsung’s original Gear device, incorporates a 1.63-inch screen, a 2-megapixel camera that is now located on the device’s screen, a sensor that enables usage of the device as a television remote control and a personal fitness coaching guide. The device also comes with a range of changeable straps and interface themes that lets wearers create their own style, with a choice of colours including Charcoal Black, Mocha Grey and Wild Orange.

    Also, the Director, Information Technology and Mobile, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas said: “At Samsung, we understand that the next generation of wearable mobile solutions must directly reflect the diverse interests and needs of consumers. Our Gear product portfolio continues to expand with unique devices for a wide range of lifestyles, including the Gear 2 and the new Gear Fit designed to help those consumers striving to live fit and active lives without sacrificing their own personal style or their ability to stay connected on the go.”

    Revmatas added that the Gear 2 and Gear Fit can run for between two to six days before requiring a battery recharge, depending on usage levels and number of connected devices.

    In further demonstration of its commitment to providing innovative, consumer-oriented service, Samsung announced that the new Galaxy S5 smartphone will feature Samsung Premium, an advanced version of the company’s original 24-month accidental damage from handling (ADH) warranty.

  • Academy renews graduates’ hopes

    Academy renews graduates’ hopes

    Going back to a technical college years after making good grades in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was not something Mrs Juliana Idowu wanted for her son, Adebowale Ayobami.

    But she had no choice as her husband’s mind was made up.  Adebowale was not going to sit around writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) any longer and fail to secure admission.  He had to go back to technical college to learn vocational skills.

    Today, Mrs Idowu is glad that he did.  Adebowale was one of the 72 students who graduated from the Samsung Engineering Academy last Tuesday after an intensive one-year programme learning to repair electronics.  This is in addition to his certificate after completing the three-year progarmme from the Government Technical College, Agidingbi.

    Adebowale was one of the prize winners at the graduation but was absent because he is already working in Uyo, thanks to the training.

    An elated Mrs Idowu who stood in for him, said: “The training is very good.  At first I did not want my son to go to a technical college because he had passed out of Specialist College, Ogba, with good results in WAEC. Even his brother was against it.  But his father had the final say.  After he finished from the technical college, he was sent to Samsung.  After that, he got employment at Uyo and we are happy.”

    The Samsung Engineering Academy was established in 2012 in collaboration with the Lagos State government through the World Bank-supported Lagos State Eko Project, which focuses on improving secondary and technical education.

    The students went through training in different areas of specialisation, including Audio visuals, Home Appliances (HA), Information Technology Mobiles, which imbued them with skills to repair smart TVs, smart phones, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and laptops among others.

    In her speech, Ms. Ronke Azeez, Special Adviser to the Governor on Eko Project, who was represented by Mr Kayode Adeleye, said the graduation showed the partnership is working.  He admonished the graduands to build on their training to improve even more.

    “What you have acquired here is a seed which if sown will germinate into a big tree.  The skills you have gained will differentiate you from the rest of your colleage if you decide to seek employment.  If you decide to further your education, your skills will still be useful; or if you decide to go into entrepreneurship, you will be different,” she said.

    In his keynote address, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr. Brovo Kim said, the firm hopes to train 2,000 electronics engineers at its facility at Government Technical College, Agidingbi, and 10,000 engineers across Africa through the academy by the end of 2015 to fill the gap for technical skills in the labour market.

    “More skilled engineers are needed to fill the supply and demand gap that has emerged in the mobile and digital consumer electronics industry for technical skills.

    I am so proud of you today and you should too. I want to emphasise that technical and vocational education are not inferior type of education,” he said.

     

  • Samsung pledges more engineering academy

    Samsung pledges more engineering academy

    South Korea-based electronics manufacturer, Samsung Electronics has promised to create more opportunities for Nigerian youths to become self-employed and employable.

    Director, Hand Held Products, Samsung West Africa, Emmanouil Revmatas, said the firm would do this through the spread of the Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy (SEEA) in the country.

    Revmatas who spoke on the sideline with The Nation in Lagos said: “Two electronics engineering academy are already up and running in Lagos and Ekiti states respectively. This is an iniSo this is the first group of students. This is a project we have funded and it is being done in association with the Nigerian government and the ministry of education. So the curriculum is basically aligned.

    “We don’t want somebody to walk away with Samsung’s qualification alone but we want them to walk away with Nigerian qualification as well. So, the academy is really up and running.”

    According to him, the firm is trying to train young people to equip them to stand alone to do business, get employment if Samsung cannot employ them so that they could also contribute to the growth of the national economy and reduce unemployment and its associated crimes.

    Aimed at addressing the critical technical and engineering skills shortage in Africa, in 2011, Samsung launched its SEEA in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria as part of the company’s broader goal to develop 10 000 Electronics Engineers across the continent by 2015.

    The SEEA provides hands-on, vocational skills training for Grade 10-12 students. Opening up skilled, well-paying job opportunities for its students; differentiates Samsung’s quality of service to its customers as we build a workforce of technicians and exclusive service experts in line with the government’s drive of creating decent jobs, especially for young citizens.

    He said students selected go through a year’s programme which comprises of Basic, Intermediate and Advanced engineering skills, aligned to their set Curriculum at corresponding technical skills.

    Upon completion of the programme at the Academy, students earn themselves an opportunity for an internship at Samsung or Samsung’s Channel partners. Outstanding performers stand a good opportunity to participate in a year-long Learnership opportunity at Samsung’s headquarters in South Korea as part of the 100 African young leaders programme.

  • Company readies 1000 ex-militants for Samsung job

    AS part of federal government’s effort to re-integrate restive youths into legal and productive ventures, a government’s sponsored training has landed about1000 ex-militants with a Samsung job offer.

    This feat is courtesy of Bradama International Skill Works Limited, a welding and fabrication facility and one of the few vocational centers accredited by the government to impart the lives of these hitherto straying young persons.

    It would be recalled that in eight months ago, the federal government through the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Mr. Frank Kuku announced the expiration of the amnesty program by 2015, despite fierce agitation by some groups springing up in the oil-rich region. But understanding the prevailing circumstances, the federal government is making provision for those whose trainings will elapse after the deadline for the scheme.

    It is in this regard that the company located in Ondo State, is according to its CEO, Chief Bibopere Ajube, maintaining a compressive array of plants, machinery and staff strength that complement the wide range of services it can provide.

    The company, last Thursday unveiled about 500 ex-militants who had been trained under the scheme, having thoughtfully laid down arms for peace.

    “It might interest you to know that Samsung Heavy Industries, South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries’ (SHI) Nigerian subsidiary recently secured a $3bn order from a Nigerian firm to build a floating production, storage and offloading facility (FPSO) in the country. SHI was awarded the Igini Gas plant project and it will need to train and employ over 1000 staff, most of whom will be beneficiaries of the amnesty program,” Ajube said.

    He noted that in consonance with the federal government amnesty philosophy, a new lease of life is offered more and more to ex-militants who are gradually being re-integrated into the healthy public from where they once defected. “We were in this struggle together and I was spending every Kobo I made to build this facility for my brothers from the creek and because I realised they need to have livelihoods. So, I built this hostel to make them have what to do with the rest of their lives”, Ajube said during the inspection of the facility.