MTN unveils super-cheap 3G feature phone running KaiOS

[Jamie McKane]

MTN unveils super-cheap 3G feature phone running KaiOS

MTN has announced a partnership with China Mobile, chipmaker Unisoc, and software developer KaiOS to launch a 3G “smart feature phone” for Africa.

Speaking at AfricaCom, MTN CEO Rob Shuter said the phone will be brought in at a cost of $20 (R290).

 

[Pythonista]

Considering the "apps" it will have, it's hard to see why they left out Whatsapp ... aside from the obvious one ..

 

[skimread]

Google also just released an Android version called Android Go Edition for low cost smartphones for Africa
https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/

 

[Ockie]

“Even though South Africa is more advanced in terms of 4G penetration, there is still a large number of users who use our 3G network,” Shuter said.

So instead of bringing in a cheap 4G phone, you plan on flooding the market with more 2G/3G handsets and lock in that spectrum even longer. OK then.

 

[Swa]

See it's a 3G feature phone and it's cheap. @jannievanzyl
No reason to keep clinging to 2G

 

[Dan C]

Google also just released an Android version called Android Go Edition for low cost smartphones for Africa
https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/

That looks decent.

 

[Rabobi]

Considering the "apps" it will have, it's hard to see why they left out Whatsapp ... aside from the obvious one ..

Probably due to bad user exp. These probably dont have touch screens?

 

[Sayf777]

See it's a 3G feature phone and it's cheap. @jannievanzyl
No reason to keep clinging to 2G

So what happens to all POS devices? Don't they work on 2G?

 

[Pythonista]

Probably due to bad user exp. These probably dont have touch screens?

Hmm - well - if the phone can do voice (duh) then it should be able to do the whatsapp voice. And if it can send a sms, then the "keyboard" should be good enought to send a whatsapp message. But you are right - whatsapp probably does expect some sort of decent interface.

 

[Rabobi]

Hmm - well - if the phone can do voice (duh) then it should be able to do the whatsapp voice. And if it can send a sms, then the "keyboard" should be good enought to send a whatsapp message. But you are right - whatsapp probably does expect some sort of decent interface.

Ive tried whatsapp on a non touch screen. Never again. Ever. The scrolling is difficult for example

 

[Swa]

So what happens to all POS devices? Don't they work on 2G?

Are we going to keep an expensive service running just because some market segment refuse to upgrade? They won't do so if they aren't forced. And no, most POS devices are ethernet. It's only the insecure ones they carry around that's gprs or 3g.

 

[Pandas2]

Google also just released an Android version called Android Go Edition for low cost smartphones for Africa
https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/

Android Go has been around for a while now. The Nokia 1 for example is an Android Go edition phone. Android Go edition started when Android 8.1 Oreo came out

 

[skimread]

With smartphones increasing to in price. I suspect that next Samsung foldable phone will

Android Go has been around for a while now. The Nokia 1 for example is an Android Go edition phone. Android Go edition started when Android 8.1 Oreo came out

https://mybroadband.co.za/news/smartphones/255693-google-go-launched-in-south-africa-a-faster-way-to-search.html

 

[system32]

These big button dumb phones are great for the elderly.

I imported a Jethro Phone recently for my dad - would have happily got this.

 

[kianm]

So what happens to all POS devices? Don't they work on 2G?

Piece Of Shyte devices ?


On a serious note I think that is the bigger problem besides people's cellphones

 

[falcon786]

Piece Of Shyte devices ?


On a serious note I think that is the bigger problem besides people's cellphones

My bussinesses POS run on 3G too...

 

[Swa]

My bussinesses POS run on 3G too...

Careful. Jannie says 3G is going before 2G.

 

[falcon786]

Careful. Jannie says 3G is going before 2G.

It's retro...