Info Tech
Microsoft’s New Xbox One Sells Out
NEW YORK – Microsoft Corp.’s new videogame console drew crowds for its debut, emulating an upbeat launch by rival Sony Corp. while offering a different take on living-room entertainment.The Redmond, Wash., tech giant said it sold more than one million units of its Xbox One videogame console in the less than 24 hours since its debut. The $499 device launched in 13 markets around the world, and sold out at most retailers.
Microsoft said it is working to replenish stock as fast as possible.
Microsoft had previously said preorders were sold out as well and predicted it would set a sales record. “We are on track for the biggest launch of any kind,” said Yusuf Mehdi, head of marketing for the Xbox group, in an interview earlier this month.
But how long the strong demand will last for the Xbox One and Sony’s new PlayStation 4, which also initially sold out, remains a matter of debate. The console videogame industry has struggled to show growth in recent years, as some consumers turned to games created for mobile devices and social networking websites.
Market research firm PricewaterhouseCoopers said it expects world-wide console game sales to rise 4.2% to $25.98 billion this year, and projects another 6.4% jump in 2014. That is still far less than the 28% growth the industry saw in 2007 after the last batch of new videogame consoles were releasedOne concern is that some people may have lost the console habit, while a younger audience growing up on mobile devices might never begin playing in the living room.
“We’ve lost some gamers into other things,” said Paul Raines, chief executive of GameStop.
Mobile games account for some of that decline, he acknowledged. But Mr. Raines said activities like using social media and online video streaming have just as much of an impact.
Still, gaming industry executives remain upbeat following the dueling console launches. Sony, which attracted large crowds for the PlayStation 4′s launch on Nov. 15, said it sold more than one million units in its first day on the market. The device sells for $100 less than the Xbox One.
GameStop has said surveys of its affinity rewards program members indicated two-thirds of respondents planned to buy a PS4 or Xbox One within the next year. Its executives said the retailer had larger supplies than in previous launch years, and that initial indications were positive.Many customers who turned out for the Xbox One said they were excited about features such as its Kinect motion sensor, which enables customers to speak commands and wave their arms and bodies to control games, watch TV and surf the Web.
“It’s the future of technology,” said Jack Bewley, 47, who preordered an Xbox One and was attending a launch party at the Microsoft Store in San Francisco to buy a Kinect-focused sports game.
Unlike Sony, which stressed the new PlayStation’s prowess as a videogame platform, Microsoft has emphasized the Xbox One’s additional roles in entertainment. The device can control a television and stereo as well, for example, allowing customers to issue commands with their voices.
Such features could help Microsoft in the coming years, said Liz High, an analyst at the analytics and consulting firm SDL PLC. She said social media conversations and consumer purchasing habits suggest Microsoft’s approach of marketing to a wider group of customers will likely be more effective with the next wave of consumers.
Though videogame enthusiasts seem to be responding to the PlayStation 4 better than the Microsoft console so far, she said, “if we talk about next year, the Xbox One will be way ahead of the game.”Some industry executives say the two machines are roughly comparable in videogame play, making the quality of software an overriding factor. That means that the console makers must keep funding development of games by their own teams and encouraging outside developers.
“The ultimate vulnerability is whether Microsoft and Sony do enough to water the ecosystem,” said John Riccitiello, a former CEO at Electronic Arts Inc.
Another issue is gamers’ fondness for smartphones and tablets, and software written for them. Mr. Riccitiello isn’t convinced that mobile games will displace those for consoles and big-screen TVs, but others see the landscape changing.
“The pace at which tablet computing is catching up to what you can do on a larger screen is astonishing,” said Kristian Segerstrale, a former EA vice president who now invests in early-stage electronics and games companies.
Microsoft and Sony have attempted response to these threats by integrating tablet and smartphone functionality into their devices. Both have released companion apps, for example, that allow customers to control their game machines and view extra information, such as an interactive map of a racetrack.
– WALL STREET JOURNAL
In efforts at spicing up the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue, the management of ITREALMS Media has partnered with E-waste Producer Responsibility Organization of Nigeria (EPRON) membership organisations for a day-long collection scheme of small electronic waste on Friday, December 15, 2023.
The EPRON members aligning their partnership with 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue are EL-AS Tech Enterprises Limited and WEEE Eco-Friendly.
ITREALMS’ day-long collection scheme is part of the commemoration of 2023 international E-Waste Day (IEWD) within the ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue with the theme “You Can Recycle Anything with a plug, battery or cable” at Welcome Centre Hotels, International Airport Road, Lagos.
Revealing this collaboration, the Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media, the organisers of the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue, Sir. Remmy Nweke, urged mobile device enthusiasts to come along with their devices that have reached their end-of-life to the venue for proper disposition by professionals who would also be on grounds to address some topical issues.
The collection of small electronic wastes especially mobile phones and like-devices, would be carried out by EPRON member organisation, EL-AS Tech Enterprises Limited as facilitated by ITREALMS Media group as part of this year’s ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue on Friday, December 15, he added.
He disclosed that the exercise would commence at Welcome Centre Hotel by 9am till close of work hours the same day.
Nweke pointed out that the collection of small e-waste items would include mobile phones, pointers mouse, earpieces, rechargeable torches, phone chargers, to name a few.
Further, he said, that this initiative has become time-serving because some people may have missed any other opportunity before now for the year-long campaign, hence this awareness on e-Waste has to be continuous, “ITREALMS came up with this scheme.”
Nweke beckoned on Nigerians, especially mobile phone users, to leverage the opportunity in disposing of their mobile devices they no longer use, of course in exchange for a voucher or gift item.
In her reaction to this year’s day-long small waste collection, EPRON Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Faluyi, described the initiative as commendable, expressing confidence it would intensify the collection of end-of-life devices for proper disposition.
Mrs. Faluyi, also urged Nigerians to take advantage of this day-long collection of small wastes courtesy of ITREALMS Media.
Recalling for instance that in October 2022, EPRON had partnered SLOT alongside some UN agencies for collection of small e-waste items in Lagos, including the United Nations Information Centres (UNIC), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
This is even as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Aminu Maida and Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Aliyu Jauro, would both lead speakers at the 2023 ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue slated for this Friday, December 15, in Lagos.
Today, September 12, the tech corporation Apple will introduce the iPhone 15, their newest iPhone model.
According to a Forbes story, this model, which will be introduced at the company’s “Wanderlust” event in Cupertino, California, will be available in four variations: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Here are five things you should know about the new iPhone 15 model.
1. The new model is made of titaniu, not stainless steel as some other Apple smartphone models, Senior research analyst at DIGITIMES, Luke Lin reports.
2. The Pro Max model will feature double the optical zoom on the iPhone 14 as it comes with a newly-introduced ‘periscope lens upgrade, performing 5-6x optical zoom.’
3. The Pro models will carry an A17 bionic chip expected to make it perform faster.
4. The iPhone 15 model will feature a USB-C charging port, the same port featured on some Android phone models.
5. Due to its titanium shell, the new model is anticipated to be more expensive to purchase. The following is the speculated price list, as reported by Forbes:
The iPhone 15 starts at $799, the iPhone 15 Plus at $899, the iPhone 15 Pro at $1,099 ($100 increase), and the iPhone 15 Pro Max at $1,299 ($200 increase).
In an effort to reduce the exorbitant cost of Premium Motor Spirit, better known as petrol, the Infrastructure Bank Plc announced its collaboration with FEMADEC Group on Monday to offer 500 buses powered by autogas (Compressed Natural Gas).
Partners in the agreement claimed that the project was created to provide citizens with dependable, affordable, and environmentally friendly travel options, taking into account the negative effects of the nationwide increase in PMS costs.
Under Decree No. 51 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1992 Constitution, the Infrastructure Bank, originally known as the Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc, was founded in 1992 to promote the quick development of infrastructure throughout the nation.
In a statement issued in Abuja on its partnership with FEMADEC, the bank said, “The preliminary offer extended by TIB lays a solid foundation for the expansion of FEMADEC Group’s CNG bus fleet.
“With plans to introduce 500 CNG buses within the next five years, commencing with an initial batch of 50 buses in the forthcoming year, this proposal stands poised to instigate significant change.
“The acceptance of this proposition by FEMADEC Group, notably championed by Fola Akinnola, the Group Chief Executive Officer, is a testament to their zeal and dedication to this alliance.”
The bank described the partnership as a “pivotal endeavour that is primed to redefine Nigeria’s public transportation landscape, offering dependable, cost-effective, and ecologically conscious travel alternatives for citizens, while harmonising with the nation’s broader sustainability ambitions.”
“This partnership represents a remarkable stride towards a more ecologically aware future for Nigeria’s transportation sector, highlighting the shared commitment of both TIB and FEMADEC Group to sustainable advancement and progress.”
It said FEMADEC Group’s strides in operating Compressed Natural Gas buses, including the existing fleet of 20 CNG buses under LAMATA, underscored their unwavering dedication to ecologically sound solutions, a commitment predating the fuel subsidy removal.
“Their leadership within the CNG value chain is undeniable, and the new alliance with TIB underscores their foresight.
“This partnership seamlessly aligns with TIB’s sustainability objectives, echoing their resolute endorsement of the government’s net-zero and climate change agenda.
“The bank’s aspiration to champion Nigeria’s infrastructure progress is evident in its endorsement of pivotal initiatives like this, yielding expansive positive impacts on both the environment and society,” the bank stated.
The bank added that it would continue to make a significant contribution to the country’s growth as a leading financial institution committed to advancing effective and long-lasting infrastructure projects.
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