Global Media News

Microsoft Gives Ghana Media Outreach for a Chance at Global Service Networking

The company Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is the top worldwide leader in software, services, devices and suggesting solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential to work with media networking.


In particular, Microsoft has been developing programs to help the development of countries that do not have the abitlity to reach outside of their networking services. For example, Microsoft’s program, 4Afrika Initiative was created to build Africa’s developing networking services, international communication and media. The programs goal is to build an internal communication within Africa and this program has grown since its first appearance in 1992 working with South Africa.

Recently Microsoft has been reaching out to the citizens of Ghana to help improve their services of internet, television, and cellular devices to connect with the other countries of Africa. Recently the citizens of Ghana were able to receive their first televised commercials through the help of Microsoft’s program 4Afrika Initiative and their service networking partnership. According to the Ghanaian Times, a state-owned daily press, this networking system has been allowing students and businesses to purchase affordable high speed internet bundles and devices that would help them connect to the global media (TV, internet, social media, and broadcasting) on a global spectrum. Not to say that Ghana hasn't been exposed to any sources of media within the country, but since the 4Afrika Initiative program citizens have been able to connect and grow outside of their homes bases. In Ghana there are a few sources of press (private, state-owned, and weekly), television broadcasting, and radio stations that its citizens have access to connect to. Moreover, by 2012 17% of Ghanaians were using the internet, but the internet services did not allow people to connect to the World Wide Web (www.)

Sony's New Online Photo Sharing

    Sony plans on launching its new online photo sharing service called PlayMemories Online. This new service is being offered in six countries such as Japan, the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, and the U.K. starting May 25. The new service will offer 5GB of free space. Basically what the service does is allow users to upload photos and videos taken with Sony products such as its cameras, using its PlayMemories Home software for Windows and Macintosh. The program also allows for photos to be uploaded from smartphones and tablets using a new Android app that will be available from the Google Play store.

    The photos that are uploaded can be shared online, or viewed using Sony's Bravia TVs or digital photo frames. According to PCW some of Sony cameras are equipped with wi-fi and they are able send images and videos directly to tablets or smartphones, which can then be uploaded to the service.

This new service plans to be one big part of a major operation by Sony to connect their many products through online platforms. This new service could seem to be a copy of their rival ,Apple, who's online service iCloud allows for this same type of online connection between its products.  Samsung is also said to be coming  out with their own online programs.

Along with pictures Sony is also trying to connect its gaming products into the program. Sony had recently announced a new photo editing suite for the PlayStation 3, to use together with PlayMemories Online. Any files that are stored on the gaming device will also be able to be viewed and edited using Sony's handheld Vita and PlayStation Portable consoles such as the PSP.

According to GMA news "On the other hand, Sony is also trying to incorporate its gaming products into the project. Sony is also working to improve their online services in other areas. They have taken many of their online music, movies, and games and have added them to its Sony Entertainment Network, and according to the Times "Sony says it will eventually open up those services to devices running on other operating systems and may make them accessible to Mac users, said Nick Sharples, director of European corporate communications for Sony."