After having had a successful one-day public sale of Google Glass yesterday, Google has announced that it intends to have its modular smartphones from project ARA ready for the public by January 2015. We reported about Project ARA when it had just been announced where we were excited about the possibility of having a phone that you don’t have to replace in many years since you can upgrade whatever you want whenever you want or whenever its available. Think lego blocks version of smartphones.

Lets say your smartphone RAM is 1 GB, but your want to speed it up a little more to 3 GB so that your Temple run feels more fluid and faster. All you would do is buy the interchangeable 3 GB RAM modules and install instead of buying another smartphone altogether. Or may be you want to upgrade your TFT screen to IPS HD, that will now be possible in just an instant. This is almost like the good old desktop PCs which allowed you to swap components when you needed to do upgrades. With this technology, there’s something new to look forward to in mobile technology than just latest flagship devices with fancy-not-so-useful features costing an arm and a leg. For the first time, it may be possible for users to build a phone just the way they want it.

Google is even promising that users will be able to choose custom color schemes to further personalize their phones. I personally love this because its not only aimed at the nerds/geeks who love to play with hardware; Google is also crafting a carefully designed Aesthetic look to go with the phone. ZTE didn’t delay on its version of project ARA code named “Eco Mobius” .

Although we’re optimistic about the project, it’s less likely to be taken up by the mass market as is the case with other Google projects of this nature.

Image: TechCrunch

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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.

This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.

This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.

READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda

“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”

Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”

The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:

  • SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
  • Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
  • Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
  • Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.

Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.

Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]

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Biometric security authentication has made quite the splash in the smartphone arena the last couple of years. Fingerprint and Face ID/Unlock are two such Biometric features taking centre stage. Face ID is the newer of the two and as such commands a premium over its Fingerprint counterpart. Devices sporting Face ID are comparatively more expensive than those with just a Fingerprint sensor.

There is perhaps no other company that has fronted Face ID as much as Apple has. As such, we will refer a lot to Apple when talking about this biometric security authentication technology.

Apple made news when they completely overhauled their security authentication system and in the process got rid of Touch ID (Fingerprint) for Face ID for unlocking your iPhone and making payments. In true Apple fashion, consumers aren’t given the option to choose whether they like a feature or not before it’s given the boot.

Without a doubt, Face ID and Fingerprint ID are very convenient ways to maintain a level of security on your device. Instead of punching in a number or password every time, or an unlock passcode, you simply either touch the fingerprint sensor or look at your screen. But the questions still linger; is Face ID secure? What of Fingerprint?

How Safe is Face ID Versus Fingerprint/ Touch ID

According to Apple, the probability that a random person off the street could look at your iPhone X and unlock it using Face ID is approximately 1 in 1,000,000 (versus 1 in 50,000 for Touch ID). As an additional security protection, Face ID for iPhone allows only five unsuccessful match attempts before a passcode is required.

Things get muddy when it gets to twins and siblings though. The statistical probability is different for people that look alike and among children under the age of 13, because their distinct facial features may not have fully developed. My brother whose facial features are vaguely similar to mine managed to unlock 5 separate devices with my Face ID. We are yet to unlock each other’s Fingerprint ID.

From these observations, if somebody snatched your phone, the odds against them unlocking it are high. That ratio of 1 in 50,000 for Fingerprint/Touch ID is hard enough to beat. When it comes to Face ID, the ratio of 1 in a million becomes statistically impossible unless you have a database of the population stowed away somewhere. And even then, there are some caveats.

Clearly, Apple and a few other high-end smartphone manufacturers have their R&D departments burning that midnight oil for cutting-edge technology that won’t be easily beat. The same doesn’t apply to budget handsets that ship with Face ID and Touch ID. At times these have to cut some corners, thereby releasing these features as curiosities without any serious secure technology behind them. Consequently, we wouldn’t place much faith in these biometric security authentication features in lower-end smartphones just yet.

When using Face Recognition to unlock your device, your phone could be unlocked by someone or something that looks like your image. As Face recognition is less secure than Pattern, Pin, or Password, we recommend using the Iris recognition, Fingerprint recognition, Pattern, Pin, or Password to lock the device. Additionally, if you use your face as a screen lock method, your face cannot be used to unlock the screen when turning on the device. Official Samsung S8/S8+ Disclaimer The statistical probability is different for twins and siblings that look like you and among children under the age of 13, because their distinct facial features may not have fully developed. If you’re concerned about this, we recommend using a passcode to authenticate. Apple , About Face ID advanced technology

Face ID Privacy Concerns

The likes of Huawei, ZTE and OnePlus have at some point in the past been caught secretly transmitting data from their smartphones back to Chinese servers. These backdoors while not always ominous are a clear signal that security breaches are a clear and present danger.

Apple, which has a rather impressive track record where privacy is concerned has some checks and assurances in place. The iPhone’s TrueDepth camera captures a user’s facial data by projecting 30,000 invisible dots to creates a depth map of the face.

This Face ID data is encrypted and protected by the Secure Enclave, which is something akin to a super-secure vault in your device. Any data in the Secure Enclave, which can also include eSIM data and mathematical representation of your face never leaves your device and is not backed up anywhere. Theoretically, that is.

Conversely, security in budget smartphones is meh! They intentionally never really say how they implement the security features behind Face ID. Where is it stored and What’s to say that the data we so trustingly offer isn’t being transmitted back to their servers?

A Secure Enclave is a gold standard when it comes to device security. It’s basically a small portion on your device that is inaccessible mere mortals like you and I. But that’s the sore point. Many OEMs don’t bother adding a Secure Enclave in their SoCs (System on Chips). By design, this security flaw compromises data stored on a device leaving it open to attack.

Face ID/ Fingerprint ID Security Safeguards

To use Face ID as is the case with Touch ID, you must set up a passcode. In a perfect world (and with iPhone), a passcode will be required of you when:

  • The device has just been turned on or restarted.
  • The device hasn’t been unlocked for more than 48 hours.
  • The passcode hasn’t been used to unlock the device in the last six and a half days and Face ID hasn’t unlocked the device in the last 4 hours.
  • The device has received a remote lock command.
  • After five unsuccessful attempts to match a face.
  • After initiating power off/Emergency SOS by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button simultaneously for 2 seconds.
  • If your device is lost or stolen, you can prevent Face ID from being used to unlock your device with Find My iPhone Lost Mode (iPhone)

That’s all well and good and we laud Apple’s implementation of biometric authentication. The same standards, it appears don’t apply to cheap smartphones that are capitalising on the popularity of Face ID. We made a few observations with a $200 smartphone along with 3 more slightly before that price tag. These are our observations in the real world about Face ID.

  • You can have as many tries as you like
  • You don’t have to make eye contact with the phone camera.
  • Subsequently, it can be unlocked when you’re asleep/or closing your eyes
  • The phone can be switched off without authentication but can’t work without passcode after Restart
  • There is no information about the actual technology running Face ID.
  • Limited uses for Face ID other than unlocking the phone.

Last word

Biometric authentic technology is not made to replace a password or PIN on a smartphone. It rather complements those security features already in place. For this reason, you are often not able to unlock your device with either Face ID or Fingerprint/Touch ID when the device starts.

Unlike Apple which touts Face ID as the future, Samsung is more pragmatic in their claims. Where’s the joy in having a secure device your family members can unlock with a smile? Defeats the whole purpose of security where Face ID is concerned. Our advice is to take this technology with a grain of salt. The future is here, but not quite.

Sydney Mugerwa is a seasoned consumer tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with a passion for reviewing the latest gadgets and smart devices. From smartphones and wearables to smart home products and cameras, Sydney breaks down the complexities of consumer tech, making it easy to understand through detailed reviews and how-to guides. His mission is to simplify tech jargon and help readers make informed decisions in the ever-evolving world of technology.

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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.

The key launches included:

  • CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
  • MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
  • MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
  • TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.

Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”

“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”

Laury Bai, TECNO CMO

Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”

James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek

CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography

TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.

Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer

The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”

Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud

The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.

TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability

To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”

Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK

Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.

MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers

The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.

World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14

Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.

TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.

Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm

In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.

The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series

TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.

TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future

Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.

Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.

Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.

With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.

Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]

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