How do you plan to tell your Christmas stories?

With only a few days to Christmas, every fun-loving person would be thinking of all the events to attend and the amazing places to be with their loved ones.

Attending holiday events are as exciting as capturing the moments on your phone to later share with family, friends and colleagues. One phone you can rely on to share all those holiday stories is the Nokia 6.1 Plus. Recently launched in the Country, the Nokia 6.1 Plus is a stunning, contemporary smartphone with an immersive, all-screen design.

Be it a family vacation in the coastal islands, a family gathering back in ‘shags’ or one of the many concerts being held around the country this Christmas season, you are fully covered with the Nokia 6.1 Plus as the device brings advanced image capturing features right in your palm.

Powered by a 16MP/5MP dual sensor rear camera, the Nokia 6.1 Plus delivers excellent sharpness and detail. You can bring your photos to life with HDR which delivers even better vibrancy and contrast, creating a feeling of greater depth.

What is more amazing is that you can capture highly detailed, mirror-like selfies with the perfectly balanced 16MP front camera and elevate your #Bothie game with AI enhancements on both cameras simultaneously.

The 6.1 Plus  device comes with fun filters, masks and 3D personas, as well as portrait lighting that adds captivating lighting effects to your images. Don’t forget to smile!

Together with optimised hardware and fast charging, you can create, edit and multitask effortlessly, without having to worry about whether your battery will last through the day.

Stand out from the crowd this season and tell your Christmas stories beautifully in real time.

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HF Appoints New Group Chief Executive Officer

 HF Group outgoing Group CEO Mr. Frank Ireri (lefts) hands over to the new Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robert Kibaara (centre). The handover was witnessed by HF Group Chairman, Steve Mainda. 

HF Group Plc has today announced the appointment of a new Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Robert Kibaara.  Mr Kibaara takes over from the outgoing Group CEO Mr. Frank Ireri who has been at the helm of the institution for the past thirteen years. 

Commenting on the appointment, HF Group’s Chairman, Steve Mainda said the appointment of  Mr. Kibaara marks a critical milestone for the Group as it comes at a time when HF has embarked on a new turnaround strategy focusing on full service banking, with investment in digital and retail banking.

“Mr. Kibaara is a seasoned banker who has an excellent track record of success in driving change and delivering outstanding business results over the years. In his new role, Robert will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the group’s turnaround strategy.”

With 24 years of banking experience, Mr Kibaara joins HF Group from NIC Bank where he served as the  Director for Retail Banking, and was instrumental in the growth of retail customer numbers and in the overall funding of the Bank through deposit mobilization. Prior to his tenure  at NIC Bank, Mr. Kibaara  held several leadership positions including Executive Director - Retail and Business Banking at National Bank of Kenya; General Manager - Integrated Distribution for Southern Africa and General Manager Personal Banking & New Business at Standard Chartered Bank; among other executive positions at Barclays Bank of Kenya.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from University of Sunderland (UK) and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) UK.

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Manchester United Parts Ways with Head Coach Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United following a string of poor performances.

The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the Premier League table having already lost five times in 17 matches, leaving them 19 points behind leaders Liverpool and 11 off fourth-placed Chelsea in the fight for Champions League places. 

Mourinho has continued to drop hints that he remains unhappy, following a summer transfer window in which he routinely complained at a lack of signings, with the Portuguese unable to persuade the club's hierarchy to sign a new centre-back. He now leaves after two-and-a-half years in charge at Old Trafford, with his final match in charge being Sunday's 3-1 defeat to arch-rivals Liverpool.

"Manchester United announces that manager Jose Mourinho has left the club with immediate effect," a statement read. "The club would like to thank Jose for his work during his time at Manchester United and to wish him success in the future. A new caretaker manager will be appointed until the end of the current season, while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a new, full-time manager."

Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal in the United dugout in the summer of 2016 and was tasked with leading the 20-time English champions back to the top of the domestic game after a barren three years since Sir Alex Ferguson's reteriment.

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Understanding how devices in the home are getting smarter and more intuitive

CES the annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association is a platform that large consumer technology companies make major announcements on advancement of technology in their products. The announcements in the last couple of years have integrated cloud, the Internet of Things, Artificial intelligence demonstrating how devices are getting smarter and companies collaborating to make consumers lives easier.

I want to break down the DeepThinQ 1.0 developed last year with the establishment of LG’s Artificial Intelligence Lab in Korea to accelerate research into AI. The platform enables integration of AI into a wider range of products, allowing LG product developers to apply deep-learning technologies to future products.

Products developed with DeepThinQ have a feature to educate themselves using cloud servers to become smarter over time. The learning feature is at the heart of this technology allowing LG products to understand not only their external environments but also the patterns of their customers. Imagine with me with the changing unpredictable weather patterns in Kenya having an air conditioner that learns the environment and patterns over time cools or warms the room automatically to the preferred temperature by the customers based on previous changes done.

Now the juiciness of this technology comes when LG products in the home with AI in them learning o automatically adjust the music, lighting in the home. I am particularly interested in the Insta view door to door Fridge that is smart enough to send messages to your phone and tell you when you are running low on various groceries. It would be even more convenient if LG collaborated with a local supermarket and I would have my groceries delivered to my home.

I think it, I act it out and the product learns with time that I enjoy a cooler room during the day or possibility of seeing in the future if my air conditioner can get input of the current temperatures and adjust accordingly if warm, moderate or cooler. DeepThinQ is adaptable to your way of living through learning your patterns thus making you focus on other matters as the mundane such as changing the AC or having to think of shopping after a late night is done. You start dozing on your couch and the light dim or the music volume goes down or off when a conversation takes place or your child is playing the piano.

ThinQ will change the way consumers use products as the products provide intelligent services, which is the age we live in. To more collaborations as LG innovates on this advanced platform and key is to roll out these products worldwide as internet connectivity continues to increase year on year with smarter communities. The next generation is in for a treat with smarter technologies.

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Smart and Connected Homes: Looking into Smart TVs

Kenya has 36 Million, internet/ data subscriptions, according the Communications Authority sector statistics report for Q3 1^st January - 31^st March 2018. This shows growth in access to the internet and not forgetting that 90% of these subscriptions are via the mobile phone. That leaves the 10% of those accessing the internet via a smart device. Common smart devices shared in the home with the family could be a PC or lately a smart television that all have access to.

Digital migration that took place in 2015 made many Kenyans adopt more digital devices to access terrestrial television stations. The past two years have marked the increase in sale and adoption of smart televisions that are internet enabled. This has come at a time that consumers are looking for more variety in terms of what to watch and controlling what you watch, as you demand it.

One time you can be entertaining guests and get on YouTube via your Television to play some music background. Having access to the internet means consumers can now stay updated real time as movies and series are up loaded online. The Internet also enables us to stay connected by accessing global news that you can watch conveniently on your TV.

Many Kenyan families are watching the news via their smart TV, which says goodbye to subscriptions to pay TV and a big hello to the World Wide Web, catering for you and your family. The amount of content shared and created online thanks to Google creators and filmmakers is nothing short of amazing.

To enjoy this experience you need a television that is not only smart not just in terms of getting the internet connectivity but also having advanced smart technology. LG is taking leadership in taking smart TVs to the next level. LG is collaborating with Google Assistant to give their Televisions an Artificial Intelligence fueled edge.

Imagine a TV that has a predictive feature where it can schedule the music and Television shows you watch consistently based on your past behavior. Your Television knows that Saturday morning the family would like to watch child friendly shows and based on your recent searches the TV plays music and cartoons that you enjoy. This platform is consumer – oriented giving new levels of control to the consumer, enabling 2018 LG TVs to deliver an intuitive AI experience.

I like the idea of issuing voice commands from connected devices like my phone to my Television. Google Assistant is a brilliant idea and allows the owner of the LG smart TV to make easier searches moving from how we currently search by typing what we want to watch then click the search button on the screen. Smart brings convenience into the home, smart brings AI to life, I endorse the move in technology and cannot wait to see the next frontier as technology evolves and more adoption of smart Television takes place. Also seriously thinking about purchasing that LG Think smart TV.

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KENINDIA ASSURANCE MARKS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Kenindia Assurance has reiterated its commitment to doing business in Kenya even as it repositions itself for accelerated growth within East Africa. The insurance company, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in Kenya, is looking at product diversification and regional expansion. Under its new strategic direction, Kenindia seeks to achieve a customer satisfaction index of 95 per cent matched by customer retention of 95 per cent in the short term.

Kenindia Managing Director Mr. Inderjeet Singh said that their 40 years of experience and national presence has given the brand the ability to understand the needs of the market, and bring to the table innovative products and quality financial solutions and services that essentially deliver unique experience to their customers.

“As we celebrate our 40^th anniversary, it is our vision to move to a strategic position regionally to address and meet the demands of an ever changing customer base with the aim of creating a cohesive business culture across all business units and countries of operation,” said Mr. Singh.

Mr. Singh added that the insurer would continue investing heavily in information and communications technology systems to expand its regional network while improving their service delivery.

“We are working with the latest platforms and versions of Genisys and E-Life to ensure quality service provision and faster turnaround time to our customers,” said Mr. Singh.

The insurer has since grown to be one of the largest insurers in the country with a growing network of 13 branch outlets across the country and a large network of brokers and agents supported by digitized solutions.

Kenindia Chairman Mr. Mahendra Mehta said that the insurer’s underlying strategy is to continue to digitize, make customer experience seamless, personalized and omni-channel as it moves into the future.

“We continue to reaffirm our commitment to the people of Kenya as we look forward to celebrating the next 40^th year of our operations in the region," said Mr. Mehta.

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Watching Made Smarter Through LG’s ThinQ AI TVs

It is nearing the end of 2018 and televisions are better and more advanced than ever. Televisions have rapidly evolved over the last couple of years.  Not long ago, terms like 4K and Ultra HD sounded like technology that was only suited to wealthy early adopters. Fast forward to the present times and Ultra HD is slowly becoming the new standard when it comes to televisions in the country.

A few years ago, the idea of OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs was taken with a pinch of salt but barely a decade after, OLED TVs are transforming our viewing experiences in our homes. Being the first to introduce OLED TVs in the market, LG electronics have been in the forefront seeing to it that OLED technology gets embedded in the long list of TV jargon.

These new models have transformed TVs from a primarily recreational entertainment platform to a more productive and all-rounded tool that can go a long way in helping you run your household more efficiently.  This has been made possible through the integration of Google Assistant which helps users set up and use voice commands. Through this, one is able to get help in activities like checking the weather forecasts and even news reports and bulletins by simply speaking into the microphone in the remote and issuing specific commands.

LG’s ThinQ TVs have the ability to interact with other ThinQ-enabled smart home products such as air conditioners, lights and speakers therefore offering the luxury of more than just watching.

In ensuring that viewers enjoy viewing experiences, LG’s super UHD TVs are fitted with LCD (Liquid crystal Display) backlight control which utilizes multiple dimming zones to display the dark and light areas of a picture in a more crisp manner thus leading to an improved picture quality and detail.

Do not worry about the color of your sitting room’s wall not matching with your television. LG’s signature OLED televisions have an innovative wallpaper design that provides viewers with an immersive watching experience that blends in with the interior walls of their houses.

LG electronics marketing manager East Africa, Moses Marji asserts that the technology involved in its latest range of OLED and Nano Cell TVs are aimed at offering the best pictures to viewers and ensuring that they experience a seamless viewing. He said, “Our super UHD TV lineup with LG’s proprietary Nano Cell technology is a huge milestone in televisions and in display technology as a whole. As LG, we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology that are not only consumer-friendly but also elevates user lifestyles and offers them unmatched convenience.”

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HF Group CIO George Njuguna voted CIO of the Year

George Njuguna, Chief Information Officer, HF Group was voted ‘CIO of the Year’ for 2018 during the 10^th Anniversary of CIO East Africa gala awards hosted at Enashipai Resort in Naivasha, Kenya.

Consequently, HF Group also won the Gold Mark and Plus One Award - best financial Services Sector awards for its innovative digital banking platform, HF Whizz.

Organized by CIO East Africa Magazine, The prestigious  Annual CIO 100 Awards celebrate 100 organizations (and the people within them) who are using information technology in innovative ways to deliver business value, whether by creating competitive advantage, optimizing business processes, enabling growth or improving relationships with customers.

Mr. Njuguna’s charge has been to create a vision, direction and delivery program for the company’s digital transformation agenda.

One of his main achievement is the launch of the Group’s digital financial services platform, HF Whizz, which has enabled the Group’s banking subsidiary HFC to diversify and grow its digital banking business while addressing consumer demand for banking on the go.

“The development of the Whizz platform was a huge undertaking and is one which I’m proud of as it advances ideas that deliver on the evolving business needs and high customer expectations and at the same time addresses a broader strategic objectives of the business,” he said.

While congratulation his team for the big win, the HF Group Acting Managing Director Sam Waweru reiterated that the win is a big vote of confidence for the strategic investment the Group has made in digital banking.

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Housing Finance Posts Sh325m Pre-Tax Loss

Sam Waweru, HF Ag Managing Director

HF Group has reported a pre-tax loss of Ksh325m for the period ending 30 September 2018. Customer deposits for the period recorded an increase of 3 % to Ksh34.6 billion up from Ksh33.6 billion registered in 2017. Loans and advances to customers declined by 11% from Ksh51.1 billion in 2017 to Ksh45.4 billion. As a result, net interest income declined from Ksh2.1 billion in 2017 to Ksh1.7 billion, attributable to lower loan interest and investment incomes in the current period.

Total non-interest income decreased by 7 % due to lower property sales and credit fees from loan sales recorded during the period.

Total gross non-performing loans (NPLs) increased during the period to stand at Ksh8.9 billion from Ksh8.1 billion, occasioned by unfavorable macroeconomic factors which largely affected the financial and real estate sectors in the country. Equally, the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS 9) has meant that the Group had to take a higher provision on a comparatively lower loan book.

Commenting on the results, the acting Group Managing Director, Mr. Sam Waweru said; “Whereas the performance is attributable to several macro-economic factors that have adversely affected business, we have a revamped strategy that aims to diversify and turnaround the business. Previously, our strategy was anchored on real estate and property finance business; however, our future strategy includes diversification that includes investment in digital and full service banking capacity in order to grow revenue streams as we reduce reliance on a monolithic business.”

In late July 2018, the banking arm of the group – HFC Ltd - launched a strategic focus on digital banking via a financial services platform dubbed HF Whizz. So far, the strategy has resulted in the acquisition of over 200,000 new customers, majority being in the micro segment, who have benefited from micro loans and other full banking services available on the platform.

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