Kenya would by mid this year experience an explosion in technology associated with fiber optic cables.

The East African Marine System (Teams) is expected to be operational meaning broadband speed and capacity will no longer be an impediment in Internet connectivity.

Already in many parts of the world like US, UK and Germany which are already utilising cable as opposed to satellite, an office is no longer a prerequisite for one to perform office tasks.

Innovators therefore are unveiling gadgets that support professionals on the move.

Mobility convergence and speed will be the catch words

In a bid to remain relevant in the computer industry, HP has recently introduced a range of mini laptops designs to meet needs of internet-eccentric consumers, mobile professionals and fashionistas.

Targeting  customers especially in this Valentine season the Compaq Mini 700 (for him) and HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition (for her)  come with  a 10.1-inch display, built-in webcam and wireless connectivity thus a perfect gadget for professionals on the move.
What is driving shift to retail market?
The undersea fibre optic cable project, which will link the Kenyan coast with the rest of the world is expected to bring down communication costs. The project is expected to provide affordable international broadband connectivity to Kenya and the Great Lakes region. It’s projected to slash bandwidth costs to affordable levels.
With Broadband technology expected to provide Internet users with a dramatically faster, more robust online experience, it will be the most significant breakthrough for customers and the industry.
The increase in broadband capacity will make possible for millions of people living in the country to access the Internet many times faster than most current connections.

How will it affect customers?

Computers today are becoming a centre of entertainment offering up music, videos and photos. Growth in Internet is largely driving this market shift that has seen purchases driven by both work and entertainment needs.

How are computer companies responding to this technological shift?
One of the products that HP expects to revolutionarize PC market is HP TouchSmart IQ800 series PC launched in the city recently. The all-in-one touchscreen desktop doubles as a TV with a huge 25.5-inch diagonal high-definition widescreen.
With HP TouchSmart, users can quickly check the weather; play music and create playlists; crop, edit and share photos; or watch TV – with only a tap or swipe of a finger.

We are now in a new era where Personal Computers feature elegant design and inviting new customer experiences.

For the Laptop market companies like HP are working with mobile phone service  providers (this is in the pipeline) to introduce inbuilt SIM cards powered by High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) Wireless Mini Card module which is capable of delivering superior internet speed.
The real long-term opportunity for notebooks lies in wireless modems built right into the computer, which offers customers the added benefit of mobility and ubiquitous coverage. HSDPA technology, he said will make life easy for customers, providing vastly better data speeds service for both corporate users and individuals.

How else is technology making computers a fun tool?
One way technology Companies like HP are transforming the way we see notebooks is changing the way lap tops look.
The HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition notebook reflects the changing needs of a modern customer who cares about fashion but is also passionate about technology.

HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition features elegant design and inviting new customer experiences that deliver the ultimate technology fashion. The Tam Edition is also mobile and light to help fashionistas stay more connected and simplify their busy lives.
HP has partnered with a world-renowned designer, Vivienne Tam, to create the special edition notebook.

The top of the notebook is gleaming red and bursting with peony flowers - the national flower of China that symbolizes prosperity, good fortune and happiness. The peony design is meticulously carried inside the notebook, under the keypad. The notebook also features a complementary embroidered storage sleeve that helps keep the exterior protected while being carried as a clutch.