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Tala introduces flexible repayment terms and lower loan limits for customers

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Tala introduces flexible repayment terms and lower loan limits for customers

Mobile lending app – Tala has unveiled flexible loan repayment terms for its customers owing to the difficult period that most customers are facing. The mobile based loan lending app had initially suspended servicing loans to customers instead announcing a revised focus to small businesses that are finding it difficult to operate during this period. Current circumstances forced most Kenyans out of employment leaving them with no stable source of income they could use to repay their loans; this meant more defaulters on loans.  

Tala’s general manager for East Africa, Ivan Mbowa said the lender needed to make immediate changes to keep the team safe and business healthy.

Mbowa further said Tala had been doing its best to support its customers through these changes but acknowledged how the company let down most Kenyans seeking loans recently when they stopped offering loans altogether as reported by tuvuti.

“We know we won’t always get it right, so we want to thank you for your patience and understanding. These times are unprecedented, and we are learning from you every day about how to be resilient in times of crisis,” Mbowa further stated.

New changes in Tala loan requirements;

To adopt the current business environment, Tala has introduced a couple of changes to its operations that fall in the following categories;

1.      Flexible loan repayment

A measure that’s expected to cater for customers who are unable to repay their loans following the current crisis, Tala will now accept direct communications through email: [email protected], to work out a revised repayment plan.

2.      Modified lending

Tala explained that as much as they’d want to continue serving customers as previous during this difficult period, some customers may receive loan offers that are lower than their previous limit. This change is however not expected to affect existing customers in good standing with Tala, and will revert to the previous limit as soon as the situation normalizes.

3.      Trusted information

Tala has introduced a Resource Center within the app and website to provide crucial information regarding the current crisis to customers. The list has been curated with the help of its inhouse team and partners.

4.      Supporting essential workers

Tala has developed a long-term Community Support Loan for its customers who are providing essential services to their communities during this time – including accessible healthcare, fairly priced foods, or sanitary household products.

These new changes unveiled by Tala come at a time when financial services regulator Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) unveiled new measures governing the use of Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) effectively barring unregulated lenders from sending names of defaulters to the CRB’s.

Demystifying the complex reasoning behind mega camera setups on smartphones

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Demystifying the complex reasoning behind mega camera setups on smartphones

Smartphone cameras have evolved to the point of matching if not beating in some cases traditional point-and-shoot cameras. In fact, smartphones have generally outdone traditional cameras when it comes to technology with some devices featuring very complex lens setup that makes us wonder whether we’ve already reached the brim of innovation in the sector.

And just like we overcame the era of phablets by embracing bigger handsets, gone are the days when the selfie camera used to be a thing. It has become a new normal to expect just as good front camera as the backside sensor. The evolution of bezel-less smartphone displays almost threatened the very existence of the so-called selfie cameras, but instead, gave way to notches and in some instances pop-up sensors that have fallen-short of mass adoption due to their practicality. We can therefore agree that of many pieces such as physical keypads that used to make up a handset and finally gave in to newer technologies, we don’t expect manufacturers to abandon a selfie snapper anytime soon.

Things have taken a different direction when it comes to the backside-primary camera, instead of adding a number of pixels and in some cases a camera flash, primary sensors have instead embraced diversity rather than improvements. While you’ll find a phone manufacturer adding more megapixels for the selfie camera, the backside camera will almost have additional sensors to capture different modes of the same photo and combine them into a single superb image.

Camera setups on smartphones

There’s a ton of camera setups that a manufacturer could possibly come up with. But the idea behind several sensors is often abused rather than used to make a meaningful sense to the average consumer. Having several sensors doesn’t necessarily mean superb camera shots, the likes of early Google pixels and iPhones used to achieve commendable quality shots just with a single lens.  

To snap quality photos, you need more than just several sensors and many megapixels

The average consumers will probably make sense of what they see physically at the back of their devices, but there’s a lot that should be done under the hood with software to make that snap pop. That’s why the likes of Apple and Google thrashed the competition with usable shots is challenging environments such as night shots and moving objects. Smartphones being released now in the mid-tier segment will almost certainly have several sensors such as the recent Huawei Nova 7i, but what makes the difference is the actual implementation when taking those memorable moments.

The android world has already seen sensors with more than 100 megapixels, while this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be able to take first-class pictures, it does however allow to shoot more distant objects and generally take in more detail if well implemented in both hardware and software.

Most phone makers have branded their cameras to support Artificial Intelligence (AI), the AI term is just a fancy marketing term that means there’s some tweaks done by the device’s software to enhance its capabilities such as detecting various lighting conditions or moods. Some phones can detect when you’re smiling and enhance that magic smile, refine photos to look as if you had makeup on you and hide pimples that could otherwise spoil an incredible moment.

Types of smartphone camera sensors and what they mean

As mentioned earlier on, there are different types on cameras you’ll possibly find on a smartphone with multiple primary camera setups.   

The Primary camera

Usually this is the main sensor with multiple megapixels under the hood to snap photos that will later be enhanced with details captured with other sensors.

Ultra-wide-angle camera

Like the name suggests, this is the sensor that captures an image at a wider angle. It’s very common with taking group photos to accommodate everyone, or taking a photo of a landscape that can only be envisioned as a whole to bring out the beauty.

The ultra-wide-angle sensor, is able to cover a much broader angle of view and is perfect for capturing the full view of a magnificent work of architecture, or of the far-stretching cityscapes. It can also easily fit the entire party into a group picture.

Depth sensor lens

The depth sensor has an important role in the setup to create studio-grade portraits by precisely blurring even the most complex background. This also works for multiple subjects. They’re used in smartphones to achieve portrait images that blur the background while keeping the subject in focus. it basically creates a 3D effect as well as measuring the distance of each point.

Telephoto Camera

A telephoto camera has a longer focal lens than normal that gives a narrow view and a magnified image. As we all know, one of the limitations with smartphone lenses is that they cannot change their focal length optically except periscope lens cameras, so manufacturers offer an extra camera with increased focal length. Users can therefore extend the reach of the camera without losing quality. In simple words, it gives you another zoomed in camera.

Macro camera

There have been mixed reactions as to what value the micro-lens actually adds to the smartphone photography. But in essence, macro camera lens are ideal for close-up shots, for instance small objects or insects or of a creative miniature world.

How to verify genuine LG products in Kenya using a mobile phone via a text message

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to verify genuine LG products in Kenya using a mobile phone via a text message

LG is finally stepping up its fight against counterfeits in the country following in the footsteps of Samsung which had led the initiative with an easy to use text message based method that allowed customers to send a serial number of the item they intent to buy and receive warranty status within minutes. The LG authentication service is based on a mobile platform that can easily be accessed by any Kenyan from any part of the country.

The mobile service platform from LG is set to help combat the menace of counterfeit LG products that are being sold in most streets within the Kenyan capital with Luthuli leading the pack. The platform which is readily available to any consumer works by relaying regional warranty status of items through a text message is also expected to be rollout to other African countries including Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania.  

Statistics released by Kenya’s Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) last year showed that close to three-quarters of Kenyans use counterfeit goods. Of that figure which rounds up to about 70 percent, 19 percent of them purchased goods knowingly while 49.6 percent claim they bought the goods because they were cheap. 17.3 percent stated they were looking for genuine items but couldn’t find and 18.3 percent were not aware of the risks posed by using substandard goods such as housefires and causing malfunctioning of other household appliances.

Earlier on in the week, tuvuti reported a similar initiative by CAK to assist consumers in detecting counterfeit mobile phones by sending their IMEI numbers to a short cord that would later return a confirmation text with phone’s model and make.

LG’s launch of a mobile platform to authenticate genuine products is part of a larger consumer education and awareness campaign by the electronics giant. LG is leading the fight on substandard products through its global initiative – “I love Genuine” campaign, that seeks to accelerate efforts to educate consumers about the effects of purchasing counterfeit or sub-standard goods, including having to replace them at shorter intervals. The move comes at a crucial time for LG to join the global fight against counterfeit products in the market especially in the wake of increased e-commerce in the electronics industry.

How to verify Authentic/Genuine LG Products

Whether it’s a new television set or a washing machine from LG, the authentication process is simple and all you need is a mobile phone;

  • First, identify the item’s model number and note it somewhere including the suffix
  • Compose a new text message on your phone with the model number including suffix such as “43LM6300PVB”
  • Send the text message to a toll-free number 0700 545454
  • You’ll receive instant response from LG which comes in handy especially verification at the point of purchase
  • The mobile verification platform for genuine LG electronics is also available to anyone who bought an LG item from 2012.

Speaking on the launch of the mobile based authentication system, LG East Africa Managing Director Sa Nyoung Kim said the company prides on continuous innovation and production of genuine home appliances that make life good for customers. He added that LG was passionate about offering unique solutions geared towards our customers’ needs while placing their safety first. Furthermore, Kim acknowledged with the introduction of SMS validation system, the company hoped to not only enforce the need for quality products but also protect customers from swindlers.

Safaricom now allows subscribers to Okoa Jahazi more than once

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Safaricom now allows subscribers to Okoa Jahazi more than once

Just after Safaricom won a case laying claim on its Okoa Jahazi feature, Kenya’s biggest mobile service provider by market share has further enhanced the feature to allow subscribers borrow airtime more than once before paying a previous Okoa Jahazi. The service works by enabling customers to borrow airtime and pay later when they most need it but are in no position to purchase.

A Kenyan high court earlier in the week dismissed an application by two Kenyans who sued the telecommunications giant alleging that the company infringed on their copyright with the launch of Okoa Jahazi in 2009. The high court judge Justice Mary Kasango threw out the claim by Christopher Omare and Michael Otachi, saying the two failed to specify how the company infringed on their copyright. The judge further said the proposal to Safaricom was too general and not original as claimed.

How Okoa Jahazi works;

Safaricom’s Okoa Jahazi service allows prepaid subscribers who meet a certain eligibility criterion to request for an advance airtime in the amount of Ksh 10, 20, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000. If the application for advance airtime is successful, Safaricom credits the requested amount less service charge to the mobile subscriber’s airtime balance.

Eligibility of Okoa Jahazi

  • One must be a Safaricom’s prepaid subscriber
  • Have a balance of less than Ksh.2
  • Have an active line meaning your line has not gone into expiry due to a failure to top up over a period of 180 days.

How you can use Okoa Jahazi more than once before paying previous Okoa

Safaricom now allows customers to borrow airtime more than once provided they meet a certain criterion;

  • Previous Okoa balance must not be more than 7 days old
  • You have not exhausted your Okoa Jahazi limit; meaning if you have a limit of let’s say Ksh 1,000 and borrowed Ksh 200, you can still borrow multiple times as long as the total Okoa Jahazi doesn’t exceed Ksh 1,000.

How to Okoa Jahazi

On your Safaricom phone, just dial *131# and follow the prompts.

Safaricom does offer other services on credit as well such as Okoa Stima as explained by tuvuti and other service providers continue to follow suit such as Telkom Kenya

How to check for genuine mobile phones from the Communications Authority of Kenya via text message

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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How to check for genuine mobile phones from the Communications Authority of Kenya via text message

Mobile phones continue to lead in the number of counterfeit electronics in Kenya, with a lot of counterfeits readily available in Nairobi streets. The trend has seen clones of major brands such as iPhones and Samsung phones sold to unsuspecting Kenyans only to realize when its already late. Previously, we reported on tuvuti how to avoid falling victim of counterfeits but as we all can agree even the smartest of us all can still be a victim.

The communications authority of Kenya has finally unveiled a text-based system that will help Kenyans identify counterfeit mobile phones by sending their IMEI number for verification. It has been pretty hard to tell apart fake android devices since most run the same android OS with similar interfaces compared to iPhones which you’d only need to login to the App store and differentiate an android mimic to the real Appstore.

In a public notice issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), the authority unveiled the text based counterfeit mobile phone verification system referring to its mandate to protect consumers against devices that weren’t genuine. The authority is currently in charge of preventing the sale of illegitimate electronic devices in the country adding to its regulatory roles in the telecommunications, e-commerce, cyber-security, broadcasting as well as postal and courier services.  

How to verify a genuine mobile phone from the communications Authority of Kenya via a text message

  • First, you’ll need to find out the phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) number by dialing *06#
  • Write the IMEI number somewhere, or if its on the retail box, note it and key in a new message body
  • Compose a new text message with the IMEI number such as “35600000000000000000” and send it to 1555
  • The sms does not attract additional charges
  • You’ll then receive a response from the CAK showing the phone’s details including “Make” and “Model”
  • If the details match, then it’s confirmed to be genuine anything else is an immediate red flag of a counterfeit handset.

The authority further cautioned Kenyans against devices that are not genuine saying they are of poor quality and do not offer the ultimate experience. Besides offering poor service, CAK added that these phones could also pose as a risk to personal health as well as national security.

The Huawei Nova 7i goes on pre-order in Kenya with free goodies worth KES 7,000

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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The Huawei Nova 7i goes on pre-order in Kenya with free goodies worth KES 7,000

Pre-orders of the recently announced Huawei Nova 7i are now live here in Kenya. Tuvuti recently reported on Huawei’s intention to bring the phone to the Kenyan market and indeed is now on pre-order. The Chinese phone manufacturer announced a price tag of Ksh 29,999 with some premium accessories included. Customers are expected to make pre-orders up until 24th May from retail outlets across the country including Jumia and Lipa Later. The Nova 7i will be bundled with a free band 4 worth Kshs 4,699 and Bluetooth headset worth Kshs 2,499 for customers who make a pre-order.

Touted for its social media emphasized specs, the handset is expected to impress social media fans with its 48MP Quad AI camera setup that offers exemplary shots. The setup consists of a 48MP HD camera, 120° ultra-wide-angle sensor, a dedicated macro lens and an independent depth sensor, which work in sync to generate flawless images that are worthy your social profile. Underneath are all the necessary sharing apps that will upload those photos in a few touches.

On the front panel, there’s a 6MP AI single-camera setup that Huawei says it’ll master and capture the best of you anytime, anywhere, in any lighting. Huawei Nova 7i’s selfie is said to perform just as well under low lighting environments with a built-in night setting that will capture just as much detail in the neon-lit background, and brilliantly renders your skin as well as facial contours.

The primary camera with 48 megapixels underneath is supported by the proprietary Kirin 810 chipset and its magnificent AI, to enable an intelligent image synthesis algorithm that merges the best parts of multiple shots to form a final image with sharper, richer details than what a standard 48MP sensor would otherwise capture.

Adding some icing to the cake, there’s a 120° ultra-wide-angle sensor, that will capture a broader area and is touted for those perfect full view snaps whether it’s an interesting architecture, or far-stretching cityscapes. It can as well fit the entire party into a group picture.

And lastly within the primary setup is a macro camera that is best suited to snap close-up shots, such as the extraordinary patterns on a butterfly’s wings, or of a creative miniature world. The depth sensor plays a critical role in creating studio-grade portraits by precisely blurring even the most complex background. This also works for multiple subjects.

IThe HUAWEI nova 7i comes with a high-performing Kirin 810 chipset, a 4200 mAh high-capacity battery, and 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology.

Old Mutual launches Arifa, a Facebook messenger chatbot to serve its customers

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Old Mutual launches Arifa, a Facebook messenger chatbot to serve its customers

Old Mutual has unveiled a Facebook messenger chatbot that’s expected to offer unitholders the convenience of managing their accounts online as well as giving directions to investors on their investments journey. The use of bots to serve basic customer care queries has increased amongst firms in Kenya with tuvuti reporting adoption by Safaricom through Zuri and even the government in managing the current outbreak.

The Old Mutual Investment Groug (OMIG), is the latest firm to join in on the upcoming customer care focused technology based on chatbots that incorporates common queries on to their chatbot systems with expected customer-based answers. With the unveiling of Arifa Chatbot, the investment group hopes to handle common queries from customers without having the need to call or visit a physical office.

Speaking on the launch, the managing director of Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG) Peter Anderson said the firm was focused on enhancing processes through digital transformation, which entailed integrating digital technology in all areas their business that will fundamentally change how they operate and the value delivered our customers.

He also acknowledged how the market landscape around the world is changing rapidly, making the Arifa Chatbot innovation underscore the company’s commitment to customer needs in these changing times.

Old Mutual Investment Group unveiled the Unit Trust Funds investment channel in April 2003 under the previous entity name Old Mutual Investment Services (OMIS). In 2019, the business received regulatory and Unit Holder approval to transfer the Unit Trust Funds from Old Mutual Investment Services Kenya (OMIS) to Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIG).

Anderson also pointed out how the transfer of the Unit Trust Funds was informed by a decision to place the management of all client funds under one company (OMIG) as opposed to two companies. He noted ever since the unit trust arm had grown exponentially, and were glad to be taking yet another big stride with Arifa.

Back in 2012, Old Mutual had unveiled i-INVEST – a USSD based platform that allowed Kenyans to invest using their mobile phones from as low as Kes 10 in the Money Market Fund. Arifa Chatbot is therefore expected to complement the operations of i-INVEST and encourage investment among Kenyans.

Anderson further encouraged investors by pointing out the Journey of investment which he said began on day 1 and from the company’s experience, he said those who started out with the lowest price range in i-INVEST were usually testing the reliability of the channel to their financial goals and thereafter invest more, having learned what works for them.How to use Arifa Facebook Messenger Chatbot;

How to use Arifa Facebook Messnger Chatbot for UAP Old Mutual

Cytonn unveils e-wallet option for instant money transfers to MPESA, Bank and to other customers

Tuvuti Editorial Team
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Cytonn unveils e-wallet option for instant money transfers to MPESA, Bank and to other customers

Cytonn investment has introduced a digital wallet that will allow customers make direct transactions from customer to another customer, customer to bank, customer to MPESA and a Paybill option to manage online transactions without a hustle.

The e-wallet option is powered by Cytonn’s money market fund and is touted to earn customer’s interest of up to 11 percent when they invest in the fund.

Speaking on the launch, Edwin H. Dande, Chief Executive Officer at Cytonn Investments said the money market firm was in the process of identifying client needs and offering effective and efficient solutions to them. He added the digital wallet solution will complement existing options to allow for instant features such as Instant2MyMpesa, Instant2MyBank, Instant2PayBills, Instant2TransferUnits Instant2SendMoney, Instant2Invest and most importantly earns customers interest of up to 11% P.A.

Instant2MyMpesa feature allows customers to transfer money instantly from Cytonn Money Market Fund (CMMF) to MPesa and Instant2MyBank allows direct transfer from Cytonn’s money market to their bank accounts.

Through Instant2PayBills, Cytonn customers will be able to instantly pay for their bills as well as utilities while Instant2TransferUnits will enable the transfer of units from customer’s CMMF to another member of CMMF

On the other hand, Instant2SendMoney will empower customer to send money from Cytonn money market fund (CMMF) to any bank account or Mpesa number and Instant2Invest will allow the transfer of investments into and out of our CMMF account.

How to access Cytonn money market fund (CMMF) e-wallet

Customers can access both by using the official Cytonn application downloadable from both the Play Store and App Store or by a USSD Code.

  • On your phone, dial USSD code *809# where,
  • You can create an account, request a call or opt for more information on products
  • Download and install Cytonn app on play store.

Customers will then be able to withdraw their cash to M-Pesa or Bank (via PesaLink) with a daily limit of Ksh300,000, and send money from their wallet to another M-Pesa number or Bank account that does not belong to them, instantly.

The Cytonn Money Market Fund is one of local established low-risk investment alternatives that aims to maintain a high level of current income while protecting investor’s capital and liquidity.

Speaking on the same, Cytonn Investment Senior Manager Fintech, Brand and Innovation said the company had embarked on alternative value-added services such as a CMMF linked debit card and a lending facility to offer more value to the growing number of clients.

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