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Dawn of Starlink: Kenya’s Internet Revolution

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The Kenyan internet market is poised to experience a major revolution with the arrival of Starlink, spearheaded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The company recently announced its plans to offer internet connectivity to several key towns in the country. Elon took to Twitter to share the exciting news shortly after the official announcement by Starlink Company.

This development is expected to revolutionize the local internet landscape by introducing advanced and cutting-edge technology. Starlink aims to challenge the status quo of satellite internet, promising speeds of over 150 Mbps to any location on Earth as long as its satellite dish has an unobstructed view of the sky.

With this groundbreaking venture, Elon Musk continues to cement his reputation as an innovative entrepreneur who fearlessly reshapes industries. Starlink’s expansion into Kenya marks a significant milestone in the journey toward universal connectivity and digital empowerment. The country’s tech-savvy population can now look forward to embracing the dawn of a new era in internet access, thanks to Starlink’s game-changing services.

The arrival of Starlink has the potential to disrupt the dominance of established internet service providers like Safaricom and Zuku, as the competition heats up in the race to provide faster and more reliable internet access.

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Spotify Has Quietly Hiked Prices in Kenya

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Spotify, the worldwide music streaming giant, has unexpectedly raised its subscription prices in Kenya. This change impacts all subscription levels, ranging from the economical Premium Mini to the extensive Family plan.

Spotify has just announced that it will raise the prices across all its subscription tiers in Kenya. This increase reflects how much one will have to pay to access premium features of the music streaming platform, with a new price change that applies to several user plans. This move is part of a wider trend within the streaming industry, where globally, these platforms inflate their prices in response to inflation and increased operational costs. Beginning today, users in Kenya will pay more to listen to their favorite music streaming services as Spotify continues to add more features and music to the platform.

The prices in Kenya have risen by 13.3 percent to 40.8 percent depending on the particular subscription. The wide range shows that some plans only have a moderate adjustment, while others see substantial rises. That is to say, many users are likely reviewing their current subscriptions or their more financially apt tiers. Specific reasons for these particular percentage increases have not been discussed, but this shows the platform’s intention: keeping profitability with competitive services.

Amongst the lot of subscription options, Premium Mini received the highest increase in percentage terms. The plan, previously the most affordable that gave access to Spotify’s premium features for either a day or a week, is now one of the relatively dearer options compared to other tiers. This steep increase may particularly affect users who rely on short-term premium access for occasional use and encourage them to either upgrade to longer-term plans or switch to other streaming platforms.

Here’s a comprehensive look at how Spotify’s prices have changed for Kenyan subscribers:

PlanOld PriceNew PriceIncreasePercentage Increase
Premium Mini (1 week)KES 49KES 69KES 2040.8%
Premium Individual (monthly)KES 299KES 339KES 4013.4%
Premium Student (monthly)KES 149KES 169KES 2013.4%
Premium Duo (monthly)KES 389KES 439KES 5012.9%
Premium Family (monthly)KES 479KES 549KES 7014.6%
  1. Premium Mini:The most economical choice experienced the largest percentage rise, at 40.8%. Such a substantial increase could affect users who depend on weekly subscriptions and are mindful of their budgets.
  2. Premium Individual and Student: Both plans saw a 13.4% increase. Although the absolute increase for students is smaller, the percentage rise is the same as that of the individual plan.
  3. Premium Duo:This couples’ plan experienced the smallest percentage increase at 12.9%, potentially rendering it a more appealing option for couples aiming to save.
  4. Premium Family: The price of the most expensive plan rose by 14.6%, potentially impacting households dependent on shared accounts.

For individuals seeking to optimize value, the Duo and Family plans may provide greater cost-effectiveness for those who are eligible. Students are advised to keep their verification current to maintain access to reduced rates.

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Infinix’s Hot Launch; The All New Hot 50 Series is Here

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Over the last couple of months, Infinix has been making waves in the smartphone market, and their recent attempt at solidifying this move looks set to serve Kenyan consumers as the smartphone manufacturer launches their latest series of budget-friendly gadgets, and oh are they something. 

The newly launched budget phone is the Infinix Hot 50i with functional elements users on a tight budget will find quite appealing. The budget-friendly market is where real competition exists if you ask me. Here’s whats on paper so far.

Infinix Hot 50i

The Infinix Hot 50i, part of the same Hot 50 series, brings its own set of features, which is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81, which is paired with 4GB of RAM.

However, this RAM can be expanded to 8GB, providing users with more flexibility depending on their usage requirements. This model offers similar performance in day-to-day tasks but at a more affordable price point.

Infinix Hot 50i Specs

  • Display: A large 6.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and 120Hz refresh rate.
  • Processor: Powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 processor, for smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming.
  • RAM and Storage: Available in configurations of 4GB or 6GB RAM, which can be virtually extended up to 8GB. The device also boasts a generous internal storage capacity of 256GB.
  • Camera System: 48MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera for selfies.
  • Battery Life: 5000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging.
  • Audio: Dual DTS speakers designed to enhance sound quality, making it ideal for music lovers and media consumers.
  • Operating System: Runs on XOS based on Android 14, providing a user-friendly interface with various customization options.
  • Additional Features:  A side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security, a USB Type-C charging port, and TÜV’s 48-month performance certification for long-term reliability.

Infinix Hot 50i Pricing

The Hot 50i is available in the Kenyan market at a price of KES 13,699, making it an attractive option for those looking for an affordable, yet capable smartphone.

The phone comes three attractive color options: Sleek Black, Sage Green, and Titanium Grey.

It will be widely available in retail stores after September 30th. Stay tuned to watch us review these units and give you a hands-on review of whether this should be your next phone or why not.

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New WhatsApp Feature Lets You Mention Contacts In Status Updates

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WhatsApp has recently added a new feature to its Status updates, allowing users to tag contacts directly.

Currently available on Android for users with beta version 2.24.20.3 or higher, this update introduces a @ button that lets you mention specific contacts in your Status.

Once tagged, they receive both a notification and a message, ensuring they won’t miss your update. Tagged contacts can also reshare your Status, but only they will see their mention, preserving privacy.

Unlike Instagram, WhatsApp keeps the identity of the original Status creator hidden when tagged contacts reshare it. One key thing to note is that if you’ve blocked someone from viewing your Status, they can still see it if tagged using this feature.

This update, along with WhatsApp’s other hidden features, aims to make interactions more personal and dynamic on the platform.

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