Connect with us

News

HP Unveils True Tablet with a Work Ethic

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Hewlett-Packet (HP), the world’s largest technology company Wednesday, introduced it latest technology-mobility innovation, the HP ElitePad 900, a tablet that balances a beautiful design with enterprise-grade features, functionality and support amid pomp and ceremony to a select business enterprise and media audience in Lagos.
 
Designed for business, government healthcare and retail, it features HP ElitePad Smart Jackets, which add connectivity options and longer battery life along with specific add-ons that customize the tablet for specialized uses.
 
The HP ElitePad is an ultrathin, lightweight Microsoft® Windows 8 tablet that delivers features to keep IT managers happy and touts a design that employees will crave. It offers full serviceability, enhanced security and manageability found in HP Elite PCs, packed with a battery that passed over 115,000 hours of tests.
 
Ify Udoji, the Category Manager, PC  HP Nigeria Limited, said: “The Elitepad 900 is not a mere tablet, but a total enterprise solution targeted for your business needs. The product comes in a thin, sleek design and offers one up to 18 hours of non-stop Elitepad magic from day-to-day with its expansion jacket.”
 
Commenting on the device, Mark Ihimoyan, Consumer Channels group director, Microsoft, added: “One of the features of the HP Elitepad 900 is that it allows one to consume and create content. Also, with the product, one can go from a touch screen to a non-touch screen function just at the click of a button, thus catering to the needs of varied consumers. We are proud of our partnership with HP and excited to be here at the unveiling of this device. If you want to stay on the cutting edge of technology, this device is a must.”
 
Ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in the hand, the HP ElitePad offers a 25.7 cm (10.1”) display, weighs just 0.68and measures 9.2 millimeters (mm) thin.

The 16-by-10 aspect ratio maximizes the display area for ideal viewing of traditional business applications, as well as video content. Precision crafted, with an eye toward fit and finish, the HP ElitePad uses stylish, premium materials such as CNC-machined aluminum and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2.
 
Powered by next-generation Intel mobile processors, the HP ElitePad delivers PC productivity for those on the go and Intel x86 compatibility for existing business application support.

It is optimized for Windows 8 and supports touch-pen or voice-based input. The HP ElitePad also provides power efficiency and smartphone-style convenience with compatibility for traditional Windows applications, as well as easy integration into existing IT environments.
 
The unique, productivity-enhancing ecosystem of HP Smart Jackets and additional accessories designed specifically for the HP ElitePad expand the tablet’s potential, turning it into a total enterprise solution:

HP ElitePad Productivity Jacket—includes an integrated keyboard, connectivity ports, SD card reader and adjustable viewing angles for a complete computing experience.

HP ElitePad Expansion Jacket—adds USB, HDMI and other connectivity to get more done on the go. Add even longer battery life when bundled with the optional HP ElitePad Jacket battery.

The HP ElitePad Rugged Jacket—provides added protection HP ElitePad Docking Station—delivers an enterprise-class desktop experience with an added keyboard and monitor and also charges the tablet. Or, use it to set the tablet up as a secondary screen for phenomenal multitasking.

HP Executive Tablet Pen—lets customers write messages and notes in their natural handwriting directly on screen and then save or convert to typed text for use in other applications.
 
The HP ElitePad tablet’s 1080p front-facing video camera and 8 megapixel (MP) a rear camera with an LED flash and included CyberLink YouCam software help users easily communicate face to face, create high-definition (HD) web videos or record training videos without high production costs.
 
Powered by technology from HP Labs, the company’s central research arm, new HP PageLift is an application that automatically trims, and correctly lights and orients a captured image of a whiteboard, paper contract or other document so it is ready to use or share without requiring manual editing.
 
Users can easily print directly from their HP ElitePad to any ePrint-capable HP printer or to a networked HP printer without the need for downloading drivers. HP ePrint software allows users to print remotely at more than 24,000 public locations such as hotels and business service retailers. The HP ElitePad also helps small workgroups connect with HP Wireless Hotspot, a desktop application that allows users to share a wireless internet connection and network bandwidth.
 
Additional user-experience software includes the CyberLink Media suite, which enables users to manage and create audio and video content with the same easy-to-use interface as other HP business PCs.  Also, users can record and listen to audio with a stereo microphone and headset jack that feature the richness of SRS Audio.
 
Information management is made easy with Evernote, which captures, saves and synchronizes information across devices with impressively quick search capability, and Skitch software that eases collaboration with colleagues by quickly marking up images with captions or sketches.
 
The HP ElitePad offers a long life cycle, stable image, three-year limited warranty and HP Global Series Support, all of which IT managers expect in an enterprise tablet. The HP ElitePad is fully serviceable with an optional, industry-unique service tool for self-maintainers that allows customers to access the panel, battery, motherboard and unibody chassis, helping reduce downtime and keep sensitive data and devices in-house.
 
In addition, organizations will appreciate the enterprise-caliber data, device and identity protection from HP Client Security, including HP BIOS Protection, Security Manager and HP Drive Encryption. Additional security features include Device Access Manager, Computrace and Sparekey.
 
Device deployment and ongoing support and maintenance are made easy with x86 compatibility and support for HP Client Management solutions. The LANDesk Management Suite also increases security and eases management by providing differentiated tools to locate and protect data on lost devices, remotely capture SIM card info for mass WWAN activation and enforce geographic policies to remotely lock, full wipe or selectively wipe data.
 
A testimonial of the product by Ndubuisi Okafor, a banker at Diamond Bank, was applauded by attendees at the event Okafor noted that: “The Elitepad 900 is a pure business product which you can integrate into your business environment. I have tested it and think that it is a nice product. We look forward to more innovations from HP in the nearest future.” 
 
Highlights of the launch event were an elite demo session. The event was well attended by members of the business community, top Corporate and Enterprise CIOs.
 


Kindly share this post

Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

News

Lassa Fever, Others Claimed 952 Lives in 2024 – NCDC

Published

on

Kindly share this post

No fewer than 952 Nigerians have been killed by Lassa fever, cholera, measles, diphtheria, and yellow fever in 2024.

Lassa Fever, Others Claimed 952 Lives in 2024 – NCDC

This is according to data from the National Public Health Institute, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

A breakdown of the data showed that as of week 52, the country recorded 9,685 suspected cases of Lassa fever, 1,187 confirmed cases, and 191 deaths across 28 states, and 138 local government areas.

As of October, the centre recorded 14,237 suspected cases of cholera, 378 deaths in 36 states, and 339 LGAs.

The centre also recorded 18,187 suspected cases of measles, 9,330 confirmed cases, and 73 deaths in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory across 751 LGAs as of October 2024.

Comparatively, suspected cases of cholera in the current year increased by 220 per cent compared to what was reported as of week 39 in 2023. Likewise, cumulative deaths recorded have increased by 239 per cent in 2024.

As of September, the NCDC recorded 12,085 suspected cases of diphtheria, 7,784 confirmed cases, and 309 deaths in 21 states across 170 LGAs.

The NCDC also recorded 1,484 suspected cases of Mpox, 124 confirmed cases, across 28 states, and the FCT as of November 3, 2024.

As of September, the country recorded 2,248 suspected cases of yellow fever, 18 confirmed cases, from 592 LGAs in 36 states and the FCT, and one death.

 

 

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

90 Percent of Workers to Pay Lower Taxes in Tax Reforms-  PACFTR

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Taiwo Oyedele, chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform (PACFTR) has said that contrary to speculations, individuals earning about N1.7 million or less per month will pay lower Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax under the proposed Tax Amendment Bills before the National Assembly.

90 Percent of Workers to Pay Lower Taxes in Tax Reforms-  PACFTR

Besides, workers earning the new minimum wage and slightly more will also be fully exempted from tax obligations.

Addressing various tax issues on X, formerly Twitter, Oyedele said these thresholds will result in over 90 per cent of workers in the public and private sectors paying lower taxes while high income earners will pay slightly more in a progressive manner up to 25 per cent for the ultra-high net worth individuals.

His explanation came against the backdrop of general concerns that workers might pay more under the proposed tax reform initiatives of the federal government.

According to him, planned changes to the current tax table of personal income brackets and rates was to discourage arbitrage in some cases between the two income tax regimes.

He said the current tax table was introduced in 2011, stating that due to high inflation and lack of review, the structure has resulted in “fiscal drag” where many low income earners have been pushed to the top tax bracket over time.

This, he said, meant that an individual earning just N400,000 a month was paying the same top marginal income tax rate as a wealthy individual earning about N20 million per month.

“Therefore, the tax table has become regressive rather than progressive, as it was originally designed.

“Also, the current personal income tax regime does not encourage formalisation given that the effective top tax rate on companies is nearly double that of enterprises, which also encourages arbitrage in some cases between the two income tax regimes.

“Hence, the proposed changes seek to address these issues and simplify the system by incorporating current reliefs and allowances into the bands and rates to achieve an overall lower effective tax rate for the majority of workers,” Oyedele said.

Further addressing concerns over taxation of workers’ income in the proposed regulation, he  clarified that apart from the N800,000 per annum, which was exempted from tax, there was a rent relief of up to N200,000 per annum, which together will exempt individuals earning up to N1 million per annum (about N83,000 per month).

He said: “This is particularly beneficial to low income earners. Also, the new tax bands and rates have been designed to avoid a situation where individuals earning slightly more than the exemption threshold are taxed to an extent that makes them worse off than a person whose income is within the exemption threshold.

“For example, a person earning N30,000 per month is exempt from tax while a person earning N30,001 per month will pay about N500 leaving the latter with a net of N29,500 which is N500 worse than the person earning N30,000.

“Under the tax bills, this problem has been addressed, as everyone will be eligible to the first tax-free bracket.”

He also revealed that  statutory deductions, including pension and National Housing Fund contributions, were still applicable under the new tax bills.

According to him, “These are contributions under the National Housing Fund, National Health Insurance Scheme, Pension Reform Act, interest on loans for developing an owner-occupied residential house, annuity or premium paid for life insurance, and rent relief up to N200,000 per annum.”

He said while part of the objectives of tax reforms was simplification, the impact of the Consolidated Relief Allowance (CRA) and Personal Relief had been incorporated into the tax table such that the overall goal of exempting low income earners and reducing taxes for middle income earners was achieved.

Addressing worries over the removal of CRA and personal relief, which seemingly amounted to giving a relief with one hand and taking it back with the other, Oyedele pointed out, “By integrating the reliefs into the tax brackets and rates, many taxpayers with basic education would be able to calculate their taxes with little or no assistance thereby achieving the dual objectives of lower tax burden and tax simplification.”

On suggestions that the tax rate for the second band seemed quite steep, moving from zero per cent to 15 per cent, he said, “By comparison, the second band under the bills, which is to be taxed at 15 per cent, is currently being taxed at a marginal rate of 21 per cent even after all reliefs and allowances.

“So, while the 15 per cent may appear steep from zero per cent for the first band, it is lower compared to the current tax table.

“The real impact for a person earning about N3 million per annum equivalent to the aggregate of the first and second brackets is a lower effective tax rate of 10 per cent compared to about 12 per cent under the current tax table.”

 

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

FG Plans New Firm Expand Credit Access to Nigerians

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Federal government will establish a national credit guarantee company in May to lend to businesses and individuals, according to President Bola Tinubu.

FG Plans New Firm Expand Credit Access to Nigerians

Bola Tinubu

Tinubu in an speech on Wednesday, said that “To achieve this, the federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises.

He said the company would partner with government institutions such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, as well as the private sector and multilateral institutions.

“This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth. It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people,” Tinubu said.

Eight months ago, Tinubu launched the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, to enhance access to credit to employed Nigerians.

The implementation of the programme was planned in stages, beginning with Federal civil service employees and now the general public.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending