Interswitch Group, a Pan-African integrated digital payments and commerce company, in partnership with Microsoft, has announced the launch of its innovative blockchain-based supply chain financing service.
This novel initiative brings together entrepreneurs, major financial institutions and corporate organizations, all on a single platform to provide end-to-end visibility that will ensure fast and seamless trade financing in supply chain operations.
The Interswitch Blockchain Service (Supply Chain FinanceModule), built and hosted using the Microsoft Azure Blockchain technology, provides a proven security, compliance and scalable cloud platform that accelerates and supports the next generation of blockchain applications.
Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Interswitch said: “In our 15 years of operation, we have experienced the bottle necks associated with the existing corporate-based financing infrastructure in Nigeria. This is why we are happy to partner with Microsoft, by leveraging the advanced technology of the Microsoft Azure Blockchain, to prove the possibility of building a distributed ledger that is practical, viable and has the propensity to solve some of Nigeria’s most difficult financial and logistic problems.”
According to him, with the launch of the Interswitch Blockchain Service (Supply Chain Finance Module), small to middle-sized businesses could access more funding in a shorter time (up to three weeks) from participating banks, such as United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB) and Zenith Bank Plc and enjoyed increased sales cycles from participating corporations, such as the Dangote Group.
He clarified that while the application of blockchain was usually associated with cryptocurrency, the Interswitch Blockchain service did not deploy the use of cryptocurrency in its application, explaining that transaction enquiries and verifications would be handled by authorized officials from participating entities, without the incentives of a cryptocurrency.
Michael Glaros, Principal Programme Manager, Microsoft Azure Blockchain at Microsoft Corporation, said: “We are excited about this partnership with Interswitch. This will be the first enterprise-grade blockchain service in Nigeria, and one of only a handful of production blockchain applications in use by banks and corporate globally. The blockchain technology is still in its infancy in Nigeria and we are happy to pioneer its deployment in partnership with Interswitch, an innovative and forward-thinking company which has evolved its business around financial technology”
He said the Interswitch Blockchain Service, armed with a single version of the truth across the supply chain, allowed Nigerian lenders and suppliers to identify and build relationships with high performing entrepreneurs, as this would help empower people to create more jobs, more wealth, and a more prosperous Africa.
“Interswitch, in collaboration with Microsoft, has built a platform that will allow anyone to build blockchain-based solutions easily and more cost effectively. It is truly blockchain for everyone with lower costs and shorter time.” Mitchell said.
Today, we read http://www.nairaland.com/3236793/fg-set-generate-electricity-uranium about the move by the federal government to generate electricity from the element Uranium, i read how many people opposed it while some agreed to it, let us briefly highlight some things about the heavy element Uranium.
Uranium is a very heavy metal which can be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy .Uranium occurs in most rocks in concentrations of 2 to 4 parts per million and is as common in the Earth's crust as tin, tungsten and molybdenum. Uranium occurs in seawater, and can be recovered from the oceans.
Uranium was discovered in 1789 by Martin Klaproth, a German chemist, in the mineral called pitchblende. It was named after the planet Uranus, which had been discovered eight years earlier. Uranium was apparently formed in supernovas about 6.6 billion years ago. While it is not common in the solar system, today its slow radioactive decay provides the main source of heat inside the Earth, causing convection and continental drift. The high density of uranium means that it also finds uses in the keels of yachts and as counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, as well as for radiation shielding. Uranium has a melting point of 1132°C. The chemical symbol for uranium is U. Let's keep going Dedicated to my grandmother who left me to the world beyond today 20/7/2016 @ exactly 10:00 a.m. she was 72yrs, Till her death Oshiahu Rose Ngwuta was a peaceful woman. We will miss you. http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/introduction/what-is-uranium-how-does-it-work.aspx
UK-trained Nigerian Engineer, Timothy Addigi Builds A 100% Nigerian Tractor
UK-trained Nigerian engineer Timothy AddigiTerfa is getting ready to launch a Nigerian-built tractor. Mr Terfa said: "I designed and built this
tractor, which is 100% Nigerian, with a team of
skilled individuals." He has called the tractor Ijodo, meaning labour in the Tiv language. See one more photo...
Source:
http://www.ajayiwrites.com/2016/07/uk-trained-nigerian-engineer-timothy.html.
It's almost a year since Microsoft launched Windows 10 - which means two things.
Firstly, there's an Anniversary Update on the way. With that, some enhancements to Cortana and the web browser, Edge - as well as an attempt to reinvent the stylus.
Secondly, there's only one month left before the Windows 10 free upgrade offer ends. After that date, it will cost $119 (£89).
In a phone call with the BBC, head of Windows Yusuf Mehdi said more than 350 million devices were now being powered by Windows 10.
It has undoubtedly been a strong first year. Aside from the backlash from some users who felt Windows 10 was being forced upon them, the operating system is generally regarded as a welcome return to form for the company that still powers the vast majority of the world's desktop and laptop computers.
"Customer satisfaction is at an all time high," Mr Mehdi told me.
The lofty goal, set out by Microsoft 12 months ago, is to achieve more than a billion devices running Windows 10 within the next two years.
Satya's gamble
When Windows 10 was launched, the big news was that it would be made available as a free upgrade for Windows 7 or 8 users, on any device with hardware capable of running it.
At a time when Microsoft was well and truly left behind by the smartphone boom, the Windows 10 strategy, put into action by the then-new chief executive Satya Nadella, was certainly a bold move.
A year on, we're starting to be able to look at whether Mr Nadella made the right call.
"Despite progress towards the one billion goal, Microsoft faces the reality that consumer engagement is far greater on mobile than PC or tablet and this continues to be a significant disadvantage," said Geoff Blaber from CCS Insight.
Mr Blaber suggests Microsoft is already well down a path that has it placed as a company now almost entirely focused on businesses rather than general consumers.
"Over 300 million devices is solid progress for Windows 10 and Microsoft has successfully turned the tide of public opinion in the wake of Windows 8," he said.
"Nonetheless, Microsoft's future is moving towards a far greater focus on enterprise than consumer.
"Microsoft is successfully transforming Windows into a service and creating the platform for a future that's likely to be more about enterprise services, cloud and artificial intelligence than consumer computing."
When I interviewed Mr Nadella last year, I put it to him that people had historicallyonly used Windows begrudgingly. It was the operating system at school, at work, and on the only computer you could afford.
It was the only comment that had the usually ice-cool Mr Nadella a little riled.
With Windows 10, he insisted, people would come to not just need Windows, but want it. Perhaps even love it. The usage statistics show Microsoft has done well in getting people on Windows 10.
But to what end? The company is still well behind when it comes to powering devices that live in our pockets, rather than on our desks.
Tempting updates
The Anniversary Update, which will be released on 2 August, includes a hefty number of new features.
As has been a big trend across the tech industry this entire year, Microsoft's voice-activated assistant Cortana is becoming an even more integral part of the operating system.
On Windows 10-powered devices, Cortana will soon sit above the lock screen. That means you won't have to sign in to your device in order to interact with Cortana. It's a nice time saver - although the idea is already in place on Android and iOS.
Also in the time-saving pile is Windows Ink. The company has shared some infoon Windows Ink already, but the Anniversary Update will be when it makes its full public debut.
"In this release you're going to see the pen become a first-class method of input," promised Mr Mehdi, explaining how the pen - a stylus, in other words - could now be used to scribble notes quickly on to the screen.
Like Cortana, much of Windows Ink's appeal will be that you don't need to unlock the device in order to use it. You just click the pen and begin writing on the screen.
Also in the update: more uses for Windows Hello. For a while, Hello has been able to log you into a Windows 10 device just by recognising your face (or fingerprint).
Now Microsoft hopes to expand that capability to websites. Mr Mehdi envisions a time when you can sign in to your favourite websites using your face rather than a password - an obvious improvement at a time when security experts are questioning the long-term suitability of passwords.
The function works within the Edge browser. Web developers only have to add a small amount of code, Mr Mehdi says, in order to enable Hello log-ins on their site.
Don't expect many of them just yet, mind. Microsoft couldn't give me any examples of websites that were planning to incorporate log-ins via Hello.
The company pointed out that Windows 10 apps made by iHeartRadio and Dropbox already supported the function - though that had been the case for months, and did not include those firms' websites. A long way to go on that idea, then.
You could say this example alone underlines Microsoft's challenge at the moment.
It isn't having any trouble coming up with new and interesting ideas. But where Microsoft's Windows team still appears to struggle is in getting others - be they users or developers - to be as excited about Windows 10 as they are.
Image copyrightENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATIONImage captionVirtual reality is expected to feature prominently at E3
This year's E3 could prove to be a turning point - not just for gaming, but for the event itself.
Traditionally a place for studios to show off what they have been working on, this year the gaming industry extravaganza has shaped up a little differently.
Publisher EA has decided to run a separate event aimed at gamers, while rival Activision is letting the console companies promote its games, rather than having its own showcase.
"Usually it has been a retail show connecting publishers with buyers, but that is less relevant now due to the digital opportunities in gaming," said Piers Harding-Rolls, director of games at consultancy IHS Technology.
"But E3 still has an important role to play. It's where people learn about new products coming to market."
And plenty of studios have capitalised on the excitement around E3 to tease their new releases, many squeezing out announcements before doors open on 14 June.
Of course, if previous years are anything to go by, there are likely to be a few surprises during the week.
Game developer's ones to watch
Image copyrightARKANE STUDIOSImage captionDishonored 2 will be on display at E3
Harvey Smith has worked on critically acclaimed games including cyberpunk role-playing adventure Deus Ex, and stealth-action thriller Dishonored, which won the Bafta award for best game in 2013.
The BBC asked him to share the games he's most looking forward to at E3.
Image copyrightADAM SALTSMANImage captionOverland is a post-apocalyptic strategy game
Overland
I'm a big fan of Adam Saltsman. His game Capsule - an incredibly tense and claustrophobic space travel game - is sublime. Overland is a thoughtful, soulful, post-apocalyptic road trip game with a beautifully laconic art style. Every year, there's an indie game or two that just feels like it was made for me. This year, it might be Overland.
Image copyrightFUNOMENAImage captionLuna is a puzzle game inspired by origami and shadow puppetry
Luna
I really like Robin Hunicke's work and the art style is super cute - but it goes beyond that. I love that you're not really sure what kind of game it will be. It's the combination of looking sweet and naive on the surface, but somehow hinting at something more complex and sophisticated. I suspect it's a bit of a Trojan horse in that respect.
Image copyrightHELLO GAMESImage captionSpace exploration game No Man's Sky is highly anticipated but has been delayed
No Man's Sky
We play games for a variety of reasons. Some people play games to demonstrate mastery over systems; some play to marvel at a reality beyond ours; some play to feel a sense of wonder at the ecological grandeur of the world. No Man's Sky promises all of that, seducing us with unknown possibilities.
Image copyrightSQUARE ENIXImage captionDeus Ex: Mankind Divided is set in a future world filled with augmented humans
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
As one of the people to have participated in the genesis of the Deus Ex brand of dystopia, I am full of hope for the new Deus Ex game. If it's all I want it to be, it will present players with a gritty world gone wrong, challenging moral terrain, and flexible game systems that lead to improvisational "play" in the true sense of the word.
Image copyrightUNDEAD LABSImage captionState of Decay is a gory zombie survival game, which was re-released for Xbox One
State of Decay 2 (Rumoured)
As a fan of often nihilistic zombie fiction, I was really drawn to State of Decay. The original was a gem in the rough. The best thing about the game was the way it kept enabling player-driven stories. So many times, I got into a tight spot of my own making, then managed to get out of it through creative play. Some moments left me sweating and yelling when I got back to home base, and those moments were generally unscripted. If the new game is more polished, this could be really strong.
Image copyrightROCKSTAR GAMESImage captionRed Dead Redemption was set during the decline of the American frontier
Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rumoured)
I grew up watching spaghetti westerns. They're problematic, but they occupy a mythic place in my soul. I loved Red Dead Redemption for its pacing and exploration value - watching a good western is cool, but inhabiting one is another thing entirely. I still miss my beautiful horse, killed by a pair of mountain lions, both of which I shot dead and skinned. I hope the developers took note of the stories players told after engaging with the game.
Hardware reboot
Three short years have passed since the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One went on sale, but there is an expectation that both consoles will soon be refreshed.
In the past, Microsoft and Sony refined their consoles during their lifecycles with cosmetic changes and occasionally some useful upgrades such as a larger hard drive.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionWill Sony reveal a higher-powered PS4 for virtual reality?
But this time round more significant changes are planned.
Sony revealed to the Financial Times on Friday that it is working on an upgraded PS4 codenamed Neo. It said it would be able to play games in 4K resolution - but would not be ready to unveil at E3.
Sony added it would be more expensive than the basic version, which will continue to be made, but did not say by how much.
"If you look at the type of PC that is required to output 4K games, those are really very powerful devices. I think that would thrust console gaming into a different space in terms of the cost," said Mr Harding-Rolls.
Image copyrightMICROSOFTImage captionThe Xbox One is bigger than its predecessor
Gaming blogs have also suggested that a smaller Xbox One could be unveiled at E3.
The console has been criticised for being bulkier than its predecessor, although Microsoft designer Carl Ledbetter has explained the size helps keep the machine cool and allows it to run quietly.
Nintendo has already confirmed it is working on a new console - codenamed NX - but has said it will not be showing the device at E3.
Virtual becomes reality
Image copyrightSONY
Virtual reality was expected to steal the show at last year's E3, but despite high-profile backing from the likes of Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, gamers with VR headsets are still few and far between.
Headsets such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive are finally making their way onto gamers' faces, so 2016 could be the year that blockbuster titles that attract the masses are announced.
Sony's PlayStation VR is due out in October - perhaps perfectly timed for the highly anticipated space exploration game No Man's Sky to be revealed as a launch title.
Creator Sean Murray has said it would be a "perfect fit" for VR, and it has been tested in Oculus - but he has yet to reveal more.
Image copyrightHELLO GAMESImage captionSpace exploration game No Man's Sky could be released for PlayStation VR
Microsoft currently has no VR hardware of its own, instead focusing on its Hololens augmented reality helmet, which superimposes graphics over real-world views.
But the Xbox controller already works with the Oculus Rift headset, and there is speculation that Microsoft will announce a tie-up with the Oculus platform.
"Microsoft has been looking at an open approach to VR, inviting manufacturers to use its Windows platform to build their businesses on," said Mr Harding-Rolls.
"I think it would be a stretch to go from those ideas, to announcing an exclusive agreement to bring a particular VR headset manufacturer to Xbox One.
"But it has to put forward strategies to convince Xbox 360 users who haven't converted yet to upgrade."
And for the players?
The PS4 has pulled ahead of Xbox One in the console race, so gamers will be watching Microsoft closely for exclusives. Gaming blogs have suggested two series featuring the undead will be revived.
Image copyrightCAPCOMImage captionMicrosoft is placing its bets on zombies
"We're expecting Dead Rising 4, and State of Decay 2 - both have performed well on the Xbox platform before," said Tom Phillips, deputy news editor at Eurogamer.
Some of last year's biggest announcements - such as first-person shooter Gears of War 4, and role-playing game Scalebound - have yet to be released.
Sony too has yet to deliver on some of its previous announcements, such as The Last Guardian, a fantasy-adventure about a boy who befriends a cat-bird hybrid creature. It was first announced at E3 in 2009.
Image copyrightSONYImage captionThe Last Guardian has been in development since 2007
"The Last Guardian has achieved an almost mythical quality by this point," said Mr Phillips.
"It's finally coming out this year, so hopefully it's the last time we'll see it trailed at E3. But it does feel like when these big games do come out, they are generally well received, as with Uncharted.
"This year, I think we'll see Sony hand over the stage to some of the games it has tie-ins with, such as Call of Duty."
The military-inspired shooter began as a Windows game in 2003, but now offers some add-on content to PlayStation gamers first.
Image copyrightNINTENDOImage captionNintendo has been working on a new Legend of Zelda game
It's shaping up to be a relatively quiet E3 for Nintendo, but it is likely to attract attention with its much-delayed Legend of Zelda game, with a new quest for the young sword-wielding hero Link.
It is one of the bestselling series of all time, but the latest instalment has been repeatedly delayed. First announced in 2014, is now tipped to be a launch title for the NX console, and could end up being the last big home-grown game Nintendo releases for the Wii U.
Not everything promised at E3 is successfully delivered.
Ubisoft was criticised after its 2012 demo of Watch Dogs featured superior graphics to those that appeared in the released console games. A San Francisco-set sequel has been teased ahead of E3.
Image copyrightUBISOFTImage captionWatch Dogs protagonist Aiden can hack countless computer systems using a smartphone app
"First time round there was huge interest in the game, but it didn't quite live up to expectations," said Mr Phillips.
"Ubisoft has a history of having a good idea but not quite getting it right until the second release, as with Assassin's Creed.
"Hopefully with this sequel they have had time to refine it."
