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AndroidOne Launch will Polarize Smartphone Market, Google Benefits

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Google launched the first wave of AndroidOne devices in India in mid September, in collaboration with leading Indian device brands like Micromax, Karbonn and Spice.

These AndroidOne devices are priced in the range of US$105-110 (INR 6,399-6,499).

However, the International Data Corporation (IDC) believes that AndroidOne is crucial for Google to execute on its strategy to leverage the fast-growing Android user base to drive engagement for its increasing portfolio of essential Google services, including search, Maps, Google Now and others.

A consistent user experience, or at least a vastly improved one, will greatly increase engagement and ultimately revenues.

The secret sauce of AndroidOne rests on the reference designs that are at the core of the new products.

The initial wave of devices launched are all based on Mediatek reference designs of the MT6582 SoC chipset, while Qualcomm-based devices are expected for future releases.

Google is partnering with leading Indian mobile operators like Airtel and Reliance as well as e-commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon to launch the devices.

Launched in India to begin with, Google will expand this significant initiative to other emerging markets like Indonesia and Brazil.

AndroidOne represents the latest iteration of Google’s Next Billion strategy, a belated bear hug of the fragmented Android ecosystem.

IDC expects AndroidOne will attract significant sales and redefine the affordable smartphone segment by reshaping the mid tier with a range of devices that feature “good enough” device specifications for a fraction of the price compared to flagship devices.

In fact, AndroidOne will go further and effectively create a bipolar “pear shaped” environment where the high end will be dominated by the likes of Apple and Samsung with their iPhone and Galaxy flagship devices; and the low end will increasingly converge around the $100 Average Selling Price (ASP) benchmark.

Despite significant marketing spend already in evidence on AndroidOne, IDC believes India will be a tough crucible for Google.

Blocked out of China, Google has no choice but to make a large downstream investment in the Next Billion consumer segment in India.

Success in this segment will greatly enhance their ability to leverage Android to drive adoption by the Next Billion of the Google consumer cloud.

 


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MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

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Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.

MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

MTN Nigeria

 

The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”

Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.

Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.

The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.


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Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

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Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.

Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

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The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.

Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”

To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.


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MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

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MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.

MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

MultiChoice

The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.

The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.

The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.

MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.

Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.


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