reneg8or
Well-Known Member
The cloudless skies of the arid Karroo symbolises the absence of the cyber cloud across much of SA and Africa.
Smartphones and computers are being designed and built to connect via the cloud nowadays, by people living in developed countries who never may have known a world sans wireless broadband altogether. They assume that everybody on earth has no need for USB connectivity, Bluetooth to them may have no reason to exist, etc. People who are used to steer their course through life with the automated ease of appliances and devices that just never require someone to stop for opening a gate, or having to draw a pile of water, or having to snare something for dinner. They harvest at the mall and remain connected wherever they are.
They then proceed to creating devices and systems that will also be used in developing countries, where billions of people still have no potable water or flushing toilets. In my country, millions live in corrugated iron shacks and ride bicycles or on horseback. We are the most advanced country on the African continent and even in the legislative capital with some four million residents, it is quite easy to find a spot where not even Mxit or Whatsapp will function.
Apple and others seemingly try to force us through the cloud, something that does not exist in these countries, mostly. Android devices also have their difficulties connecting to a PC to sync and all and sundry are lobbying for Nokia PC Suite-alike functionality for all mobile phones and that should be part of all computer operating systems by default. That is the ideal.
The name Airdroid is descriptive and I am not blind to that. I am also not ungrateful for a free app that works well. Finding devices that can use it independently in developing countries is a real challenge. Because of the insane cost of MS Windows, honest folks like myself use Linux but 38% of Windows software installed in my country are pirated copies. Windows XP SP3 as well as Windows 7 Ultimate are even sold with used computers on Gumtree, much of it illegitimately.
Finding an integrated system on a limited budget in a developing country with erratic and insanely expensive internet connectivity becomes a quest at the very least. Phone and PC can't link to sync, there is little or no cloud and, even where present, most people simply cannot afford it.
First world countries make laws that effectively exclude their third world trade partners from transacting with them. Third world countries simply cannot afford the infrastructure to provide its impoverished users. It means that the first world countries are fencing themselves in and also alienating themselves from markets that must buy their products. The first world seems to be ignorant of how their decision affect others.
There is a real need out there for an Airdroid that will also be a cable-droid via USB or at the very least via Bluetooth. It should ideally support at least Ubuntu Linux as well as Lubuntu as the latter is being used widely by those not having access to higher specification computer systems.
It could be offered as a feature-rich paid application with a thinware free equivalent, with limited functionality. In meeting the ICT needs of developing countries, the first world will be exposing itself to a few billion more humans patronising them economically.
People here still spend hours in internet café’s every day, as there is neither landline nor cellular connectivity where they live. They travel relatively long distances to even get to such outlets. They do so as they need to use the internet for educational purposes as well as for commercial ends.
If we get these people to connect with others in a meaningful way, the economy can grow and new markets will be opening up. Manufacturers in developed countries will have better access to the raw materials they need and also enjoy better exposure for their products to new consumer markets.
USB or Bluetooth connectivity is an absolute must and I sincerely hope that someone will act upon this information and get going.
Smartphones and computers are being designed and built to connect via the cloud nowadays, by people living in developed countries who never may have known a world sans wireless broadband altogether. They assume that everybody on earth has no need for USB connectivity, Bluetooth to them may have no reason to exist, etc. People who are used to steer their course through life with the automated ease of appliances and devices that just never require someone to stop for opening a gate, or having to draw a pile of water, or having to snare something for dinner. They harvest at the mall and remain connected wherever they are.
They then proceed to creating devices and systems that will also be used in developing countries, where billions of people still have no potable water or flushing toilets. In my country, millions live in corrugated iron shacks and ride bicycles or on horseback. We are the most advanced country on the African continent and even in the legislative capital with some four million residents, it is quite easy to find a spot where not even Mxit or Whatsapp will function.
Apple and others seemingly try to force us through the cloud, something that does not exist in these countries, mostly. Android devices also have their difficulties connecting to a PC to sync and all and sundry are lobbying for Nokia PC Suite-alike functionality for all mobile phones and that should be part of all computer operating systems by default. That is the ideal.
The name Airdroid is descriptive and I am not blind to that. I am also not ungrateful for a free app that works well. Finding devices that can use it independently in developing countries is a real challenge. Because of the insane cost of MS Windows, honest folks like myself use Linux but 38% of Windows software installed in my country are pirated copies. Windows XP SP3 as well as Windows 7 Ultimate are even sold with used computers on Gumtree, much of it illegitimately.
Finding an integrated system on a limited budget in a developing country with erratic and insanely expensive internet connectivity becomes a quest at the very least. Phone and PC can't link to sync, there is little or no cloud and, even where present, most people simply cannot afford it.
First world countries make laws that effectively exclude their third world trade partners from transacting with them. Third world countries simply cannot afford the infrastructure to provide its impoverished users. It means that the first world countries are fencing themselves in and also alienating themselves from markets that must buy their products. The first world seems to be ignorant of how their decision affect others.
There is a real need out there for an Airdroid that will also be a cable-droid via USB or at the very least via Bluetooth. It should ideally support at least Ubuntu Linux as well as Lubuntu as the latter is being used widely by those not having access to higher specification computer systems.
It could be offered as a feature-rich paid application with a thinware free equivalent, with limited functionality. In meeting the ICT needs of developing countries, the first world will be exposing itself to a few billion more humans patronising them economically.
People here still spend hours in internet café’s every day, as there is neither landline nor cellular connectivity where they live. They travel relatively long distances to even get to such outlets. They do so as they need to use the internet for educational purposes as well as for commercial ends.
If we get these people to connect with others in a meaningful way, the economy can grow and new markets will be opening up. Manufacturers in developed countries will have better access to the raw materials they need and also enjoy better exposure for their products to new consumer markets.
USB or Bluetooth connectivity is an absolute must and I sincerely hope that someone will act upon this information and get going.