R20/month uncapped wireless broadband

sly said:
"under embargo" #english please
Click to expand...

Sure, I'll try my best: It means Microsoft held the press briefing ahead of the official unveiling but didn't want articles to be published before the embargo date.

Embargoes are used for a variety of reasons, but in this case it was because the official launch was in Limpopo on a Saturday, which would be very inconvenient for journalists to attend (so, not many will).
 
Sounds nice but do not like the idea of M$ tablets. In the US the schools go for Chromebooks.
No games, no additional software, no maintenance, no updates, low cost, and everything is safely stored in the cloud
 
The bigger picture is that another successful project will highlight how important it is for government to fast-track releasing this spectrum to operators (importantly, the operators who are WAPA members) to greatly facilitate last-mile access both to urban and rural customers.
 
I see Microsofts marketing ploy here - their tablet is not selling well, so if they sponsor a few schools in Limpopo, they are hoping that the Department of Education will buy millions of tablets from MS. I just hope it won't be a repeat of the arms deal - but the tablet version.....order 8 million tablets (with fat kickbacks for the politicians) and then stack the tablets up in some warehouse, because none of the teachers will know how to use them or the software packages
 
LPCPT said:
Sounds nice but do not like the idea of M$ tablets. In the US the schools go for Chromebooks.
No games, no additional software, no maintenance, no updates, low cost, and everything is safely stored in the cloud
Click to expand...

How exactly will the data not be able to be stored in the cloud? You realize that Microsoft runs one of the worlds largest cloud hosting platforms?

That's a truly WTF comment.
 
shogun said:
How exactly will the data not be able to be stored in the cloud? You realize that Microsoft runs one of the worlds largest cloud hosting platforms?

That's a truly WTF comment.
Click to expand...

Or you could also not post an over the top reply based on a single point of his post.
The chromebook is exclusively cloud based and fits the other points mentioned. A MS tablet is not exclusively cloud based but has cloud functionality.
 
Rocket-Boy said:
Or you could also not post an over the top reply based on a single point of his post.
The chromebook is exclusively cloud based and fits the other points mentioned. A MS tablet is not exclusively cloud based but has cloud functionality.
Click to expand...

My apologies, let's look at the rest of the statements then:

No Games
False. There are plenty of web based jquery games.

No Additional Software.
This could be a huge drawback considering that you can add a host of educational software packages that can do things that a web page can't... but only if you'd use a tablet with apps (Windows or Android or iPad tablet).

No Maintenance.
What kind of maintenance are we talking here?

No Updates.
Assuming the ability to load apps, I'd think updates would be a good thing.

Low cost.
Who cares, if it's a trial funded by Microsoft, using their products. It would look rather strange if a Microsoft trial used Android tablets or iPads no? Would one expect a Google trial to use iPads? It costs Microsoft a fraction of the price to use their stock precisely because they have loads of it going to waste (and it's easily a marketing expense).
 
Jan said:
Embargoes are used for a variety of reasons, but in this case it was because the official launch was in Limpopo on a Saturday, which would be very inconvenient for journalists to attend (so, not many will).
Click to expand...
Journalists work a five day week even if something important/promising happens?
No shifts, no working in teams, flexible working hours which could accommodate such things?

Maybe it is a good thing. I really don't see why every newspaper and magazin has to have their own journalist at events. That looks to me like a colossal waste of resources, or maybe it is job creation.
 
markings said:
Journalists work a five day week even if something important/promising happens?
No shifts, no working in teams, flexible working hours which could accommodate such things?
Click to expand...

In my case it's the drive and the fact that I had other commitments today that would have potentially kept me from the event, rather than "working hours". While I can't speak for all news organisations, I would think that the concept of a 5-day work week doesn't really apply in any newsroom.

While attending the launch is nice, one doesn't actually have to be there to carry the story. Microsoft could have sent out a press release and let us ask questions by e-mail. This was more about availing the Microsoft SA boss for interviews, particularly for the radio and TV guys I would imagine.

markings said:
Maybe it is a good thing. I really don't see why every newspaper and magazine has to have their own journalist at events. That looks to me like a colossal waste of resources, or maybe it is job creation.
Click to expand...

Most news organisations don't have resources to waste anymore. It's about competition, and covering the angles relevant to your readers. Why does each mobile network operator have their own network team? Why do Samsung, LG, BenQ, and other electronics makers use different panels in their monitors rather than combining their research efforts?

You'll also hopefully see in my follow-up to the Microsoft story at 12:00 today that I tried to ask Microsoft the questions MyBroadband readers would have asked.
 
I seriously doubt the telecoms okes are gonna let this fly.. market will be killed, we can't have that! :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter