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Safaricom hopeful free MPESA transactions will be lifted at the end of the year (2020)

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Safaricom hopeful free MPESA transactions will be lifted at the end of the year (2020)

Mobile service provider Safaricom, has acknowledged in an interview with Reuters that it hopes measures put in place as a result of the corona virus such as free MPESA transfers on amounts less than Ksh. 1000 will be lifted at the end of the year. Free MPESA transactions were aimed at encouraging Kenyans to make cashless transactions that would reduce handling cash as a way to curb the spread of the virus through social distancing.

While the move was hailed by the public, Safaricom was negatively impacted in revenues, recording the slowest growth in recent years. MPESA has become the most used means to perform several financial transactions in the country such as sending money to someone, receiving money, paying for utility bills, requesting for short term loans and many more. As of the September of 2020, the mobile money platform has a staggering 27 million active users in an estimated 47 million Kenyan population.

MPESA has been at the core of Safaricom’s business and was recently fully acquired from it’s parent Vodafone in a move that saw it team up with South Africa’s Vodacom. As a way to curb the spread of the virus, Safaricom zero rated fees on peer-to-peer transfers, in accordance to the guidelines unveiled by the financial regulator – Central Bank of Kenya.

According to the firm’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa speaking to Reuters, they haven’t seen an indication free transaction should be extended any further. Although hailed by most Kenyans who relies on the service for their day-to-day activities, the measure negatively impacted Safaricom’s business that ended up dropping by 10.5 percent year on year growth during the first half. Consequently, MPESA revenue declined by 14.5 percent during the same period.

Ndegwa confirmed ongoing talks with the state financial regulator, and revealed plans to cut transaction costs for some MPESA services to boost business volumes that rose immensely during the pandemic period. To mitigate reduced returns in MPESA transactions, the mobile service provider has been focusing on home data plans as well as equipping more Kenyans with 4G capable devices through the Lipa Mdogo Mdogo arrangement.

Safaricom is also not yet done with MPESA, there are reports the telco has applied for various licenses from regulators to offer insurance, savings and unit trust products within MPESA platform. If granted necessary licenses, Safaricom will encroach in these market segments while utilizing technology and MPESA’s popularity to reach the untapped population in the country.  

Safaricom re-launches upgraded Moi avenue flagship shop with a training and gaming section

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Safaricom re-launches upgraded Moi avenue flagship shop with a training and gaming section

Safaricom has finally opened its remodeled flagship store along Nairobi’s popular Moi avenue, having undergone a four months renovation period. The colorful ceremony was graced by some of Kenya’s finest celebrities such as Eric Omondi and attended by the Chief Executive officer himself, Mr. Peter Ndegwa alongside the firm’s Chief customer Officer, Sylvia Mulinge. The shop will feature some of the best in technology including interactive display panels as the mobile service provider embark on a journey towards a customer focused approach.

Customer care has been a major thorn to many businesses in Kenya who are unable to cope with demand in the country, more firms dealing in the technology sector. Safaricom like many other companies has faced criticism in a manner they’ve been handling customers, where despite running the most popular mobile money service in the country, customers have had to hold online for several minutes before they are actually attended to.

But when it comes to retail stores across the country, Safaricom has one of the best shops with a vast availability network compared to other mobile service providers. The retail outlets handle most customer issues and also offers devices for customers to purchase. Just recently, Safaricom teamed up with Google to introduce Lipa Mdogo Mdogo initiative, aimed at bringing more customers to their 4G network from older 2G and 3G.

The remodeled shop has a unique video tunnel at the entrance with interactive display panels, device display screens for various handsets as well as accessories on sale. It’s also the largest shop from the mobile service provider, spanning 10,000sq feet and is expected to handle more customers from the current 1,000 it’s been handling per day.

Speaking on the development, Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the shop intents to offer personalized services to its customers for whichever need they may have. Ndegwa also acknowledged the move had been necessitated by a growing demand fueled by customer’s need for digital services. He concluded by saying the firm will strategize to drive digital inclusion.  

Moi Avenue Safaricom shop sections;

The store will have various sections targeting different customer needs, such as a training section that’ll be dealing with availing relevant information on a variety of products to customers including information regarding home fiber, enterprise and digifarm. Additionally, there will be a tech zone, dedicated to offering same day after sales services, down from previous seven days.

The store will also have a training section to provide information on a variety of products and services such as Home Fibre, Enterprise and Digifarm. There will also be a Tech Zone that will offer same day after sales service for devices, down from the previous 7 days.

Other features in the shop include Jitambulishe booths to offer silent voice biometrics enrolment environment, and a bulk Mpesa transacting booth, it’ll be the first of its nature to offer services to customers who need it.

A gaming section is also full-on display, its unclear what exactly customers will be doing in this section, but it’ll be interesting to actually see it in action.

Android users can now secure their MySafaricom App using biometric fingerprint authentication

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Android users can now secure their MySafaricom App using biometric fingerprint authentication

A recent update on the MySafaricom app has introduced a range of new features that further pushes its functionality to a whole new level. The App has been handy in managing MPESA services such as seamlessly making payments to Till and Pay Bill numbers as well as accessing a recent statement with a touch of a finger. The mobile application is now packed with a ton of new features though with a rather surprising caveat – most of these features are available to a handful devices bearing certain specifications.

MPESA is credited with a majority of cashless transactions here in Kenya, the mobile money service has expanded further from just sending and receiving cash on a mobile phone to become a full-blown financial service with the ability to request for loans and even manage savings. I remember the first time I installed MySafaricom app was mainly so I could seamlessly include withdrawal charges whenever I was sending someone money and also to confirm the recipient’s name before proceeding with the transaction.

Someone could easily say that we already have important features we need inside the SIM ToolKit, but for those of us using iPhones, the process of even locating the MPESA menu is actually quite tedious. And in some iOS versions, you rarely get the option to confirm the recipients details before pushing on the “send” button, which has in my case caused lots of wrong transactions.

Back to android users who now have a nifty feature that secures the app with a fingerprint. I must say this has been a long on Safaricom’s part, but which was highly needed. The feature is yet to rollout to everyone with a caveat on the version of android installed on your device, but it’s a good start at least.

Requirement to have fingerprint authentication enabled in MySafaricom App;

  • Your device should have android version 9 pie or older installed – android 10 and earlier is not yet supported and we don’t know when iOS devices will be brought onboard.
  • Of course, your device must not be rooted, there’s a clever workaround just in case
  • Biometric fingerprint hardware must be available on your device and in good working condition as expected.

How to enable fingerprint authentication on MySafaricom App

  • You’ll need to have the latest app from Safaricom, head over to the Google Play Store and download the latest app or update to the latest version
  • Once updated, you’ll see a welcome page asking to enable the feature
  • Just tap on “enable” twice
  • And place your fingerprint on the sensor
  • Click “OK” and you should good to go.  

LG Electronics and ASSA ABLOY partner to develop a transparent OLED automatic door

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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LG Electronics and ASSA ABLOY partner to develop a transparent OLED automatic door

South Korean electronics giant LG, has signed a memorandum of understanding with world leader in entrance systems – Swedish based ASSA ABLOY to unveil what will be the world’s first OLED automatic door that acts as a digital sign as well. ASSA ABLOY develops automated industrial, residential and pedestrian doors and with LG’s innovative OLED technology, the duo are expected to produce solutions with a view of commercializing them in due course.

In a nutshell, the two companies look to provide the best in what they currently offer that will end in a first-of-its kind innovative product. A combination of LG’s transparent OLED signage, SuperSign based content management solution and ASSA ABLOY’s entrance system is expected to result in what the two companies are calling a transparent product. Thanks to the partnership, the transparent OLED automatic door will have additional features such as greeting customers, communicating with employees as well as advertising opportunities that effectively stretch advantages beyond touchless access to buildings.

OLED Technology

OLED technology has been widely used in mobile devices and display panels such as television sets to offer better colors as well as efficiently consume power than what traditional LCD’s can possibly achieve. LG utilizes WRGB technology that’s credited with more accurate colors from the self-lighting OLED pixels and is know for exceptional contrast and brightness levels. Additionally, due to the nature of OLED technology which can easily be expanded to various sizes, it’ll allow the two companies to adhere to multiple sizes of entrances.

Speaking on the development, senior vice president and head of the Information Display business unit of LG Electronics Business Solutions Company Paik Ki-mun acknowledged they had an effective medium, thanks to their earlier large-sized transparent OLEDs currently available across the world.  

On its part, Christopher Norbye, executive vice president and head of Entrance Systems Division at ASSA ABLOY acknowledged that innovation was at the center of everything they do. Christopher further said he was proud to have partnered with LG in a bid to offer customers with top-of-the-line products such as the new transparent OLED automatic sliding door. He also pointed out the move would place their customers at the forefront by providing them with a one-of-a-kind solution in customizing brand and customer experiences.

Apple’s Airpods Max goes official with a steep price, makes no convincing case outside the ecosystem

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Apple’s Airpods Max goes official with a steep price, makes no convincing case outside the ecosystem

Apple products have always been expensive in comparison with the alternatives, and with the Airpods Max launching with a price tag of USD 549 (approximately Ksh 60,000) if you’re in the states, it only makes sense for those already deep in the ecosystem than let’s say new users. But what most people fail to understand is that, Apple has a specific niche that doesn’t require much convincing to go for such an expensive but not necessarily must-have accessory, in fact there are a ton of alternatives, my favorite being the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphone headset that does the job just right.

Just hours after the American tech giant released it’s first over the ear accessory, people all over the place were astonished at the starting price for the Airpods Max; justified or not, this will not be the first time the company unveiled something with a steep price but ended up selling in millions. The Airpods Max proudly marks the first time the company has had a headphone accessory depicting an over-the-ear design with a guaranteed support of all the company’s ecosystem.

While the initial price is around Ksh. 60,000 in the united states, we all know it’ll be even expensive once we have it here in Kenya, considering the shipping costs as well as taxes. But that doesn’t mean its an awful device, having Apple’s label comes with its own respect. And from the spec sheet, there are some areas once mentioning such as a H1 chip that’s credited with spatial audio, automatic device switching, and more.

Users will have a choice of five colors – space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink plus a carrying case. According to the company, significant improvement in sound quality compared to what we currently have on the market that’s been partly possible due to the 40-mm Apple designed dynamic driver makes the price justifiable. It renders deep bass, on point midranges while maintaining a crisp clean high-frequency extension to allow every note be heard.

Here are some important features you’ll be getting;

  • Spatial Audio
  • Automatic device switching
  • Audio Sharing
  • Charge via Lightning
  • Adaptive EQ
  • Active Noise Cancellation
  • Transparency Mode

We currently do not have the exact date these sets will be available here in Kenya, but for those who can’t wait, eBay and Amazon might be a good place to start, although prices might be exaggerated at this point.

How to deposit and withdraw money from the Kenya police Sacco via MPESA using M-TAWI

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to deposit and withdraw money from the Kenya police Sacco via MPESA using M-TAWI

The Kenya Police Sacco is among the most popular saccos in the country, it offers various services to members including credit and savings plans. And like many financial firms in the country, the Kenya Police Sacco has a mobile banking product dubbed M-Tawi that allows members to perform various transactions such as depositing money into their accounts or making withdrawals to MPESA using a mobile phone.

To use M-Tawi, members have to register for the service by following some simple USSD commands on their mobile phones; after which, they’ll have access to various mobile banking features right on their mobile phones.

How to register for M-Tawi – Kenya Police Sacco mobile banking service;

  • On your mobile phone, ensure you have enough airtime and dial “*653#”
  • Follow the prompts by entering relevant information
  • After which you should receive a one-time password (OTP)

How to withdraw money from your Kenya Police Sacco account to MPESA

  • On your phone, dial *653#
  • Enter your PIN
  • From the options, choose “Withdraw”
  • Followed by “Withdraw to MPESA”
  • Follow the prompts with the amount and MPESA number to complete the transaction
  • You should receive a confirmation message from MPESA

How to deposit money from MPESA to your Kenya Police Sacco account

  • On your device, dial *653#
  • Enter your PIN
  • From the given options, choose Deposit
  • Followed by Deposit from MPESA
  • Select FOSA Account from the menu
  • On the next prompt, enter the amount you want to deposit
  • Confirm the amount
  • You should receive an MPESA prompt asking to enter your MPESA PIN
  • Once you’ve entered the PIN, you should receive a confirmation message of the transaction.

Google assistant upgraded to access calendar and meet events from multiple accounts

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Google assistant upgraded to access calendar and meet events from multiple accounts

The benefits of a smart home are endless, we are now able to seamlessly perform useful functions at the touch of a button or better yet using voice commands. Google Assistant has been one of the pillars that’s been steadily encouraging users to adopt a smarter future, allowing them to perform tasks by just issuing voice commands. However, being able to read from multiple accounts had remained a thorn that would otherwise make the integration even better, up at least until now. The assistant can now read upcoming calendar and meet events from multiple accounts.

Up until now, the Google assistant’s ability to relay information on your upcoming events has been limited to a single google account. Let’s say you have a smart speaker or just using hands-free voice commands to check on the next events on your phone via the Assistant, even though the process has been seamless thus far compared to manually opening your calendar for such events, it was only possible if you were using a single Google account. But for those who had multiple accounts such as one for work and another for personal use, they would have to sync these accounts to access their entire schedule using the assistant.

Although currently in beta, the new feature will eliminate this hurdle by allowing the assistant access multiple calendar and meet accounts for upcoming scheduled events. All you’ll need to do is ensure all accounts are saved in the assistant and any command issued thereafter will receive responses from all accounts. It’s a feature we expect to be live for everyone soon, just as we saw meet upgraded to allow for setting custom backgrounds.

How to give the Google Assistant access multiple accounts;

  • Launch the Assistant and tap on settings
  • Under “all settings” menu, look for “new accounts”
  • You’ll see an option to link secondary Google accounts
  • Once you’ve added the account, the assistant will access data from all accounts thereby relaying relevant information as is from all accounts.

This functionality is still marked as a beta and may not be live for everyone just yet; however, we expect Google to roll it out soon, so you may just have to be patient in the meantime.

How to login to your Zuku technicolor router and reset WiFi password or change WiFi name

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to login to your Zuku technicolor router and reset WiFi password or change WiFi name

Zuku is probably the most popular fixed internet service provider in Kenya, slightly outpacing Safaricom that has increasingly invested a fortune in the sector. The service provider is currently available in several parts of major tows like Nairobi and Mombasa with its fiber solution available in places like westlands and Umoja within Nairobi county. All you need is move in an area that’s covered by the provider and pay a small initial setup fee which includes subscription for the first month to start enjoying their services.

Zuku traditionally has a variety of routers that are installed to avail internet connection to subscribers; recently, the service provider has settled on the technicolor routers as they seem a bit stable in comparison with what they used to offer a while back. For those who have Zuku with this modem, it’s very simple to change your WiFi name or password by following some simple steps as shown in my guide below.

How to login to Zuku’s technicolor router with default credentials;

The company rarely tells its customers login credentials to their modems, perhaps to avoid them messing everything up. And for some reason, they are justified; you only need to follow my guide if you have some knowledge on routers and modems, otherwise you’ll be better off calling their customer care department for assistance.

  • While connected to the router, preferably via ethernet cable, or the WiFi network,
  • Type this link in your browser, Link: http://192.168.0.1/
  • The default username is (empty) don’t enter anything here, and use the default password: (admin)

Change Zuku wifi name and password;

  • Once logged in, click on the “Wireless” tab at the top
  • And select “Primary Network” from the left menu
  • You should see the current wifi name under (Network Name (SSID)) and password under (WPA Pre-shared Key) click on “show key” to view the password.
  • Click on any to change and click on “apply” once done
  • Note: if you were connected via WiFi, your computer will lose connection until you enter the new password.
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