Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative: an affordable smartphone for Africa

As far as I know, Africa is not a country, neither is it a federation of countries. Why on earth do people think a "one size fits all" solution is right for a whole continent ? I am sick with this "standardization" of these people, this "y'all screwed people, in the same sinking boat, let us help you". People there don't need a cheap crap, they can see those gorgeous smartphones advertised on TV, and they want one of those, who would like a "smartphone for the poor people" ? So, stop this condescending business approach, be fair with the continent and ask for more equity. This way, African economy will thrive (this continent has a lot of resources), enabling millions of people, giving them chance to buy a full-featured smartphone and be proud of owning one.<p>But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a crappy low cost smartphone won't be of any help, I'm just saying thing can be lot more better, more fair and more "dignifying".

TL;DR: after establishing an almost undisputed OS monopoly through OEMs in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania, Microsoft is now looking forward to also trap most users from Africa on their first computing experiences by selling them refurbished cheap smartphones and PCs running an insecure and patchy OS under the umbrella of pushing development forward for their own good.<p>I wouldn't like to play a game of Risk with those executives.

There are Android smartphones that go for $50 in Africa. And they will be down to $30 by the end of this year. Now <i>that's</i> an affordable smartphone. Do they really think $150 is affordable in Kenya? That's like a high-end device for them.<p>And there are plenty of Android devices from $50 to $150 and beyond, too. Microsoft is in no danger of "winning" Africa.

I guess they're just late - <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/10/50-android-smartphones-are-disrupting-africa-much-faster-than-you-think-says-wikipedias-jimmy-wales/" rel="nofollow">http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/10/50-android-smartphones-are-...</a>

Is the "4Afrika" moniker designed for Africans or everyone else?<p>I'm not sure a phone branded "4Ozzies" would be appealing to me.<p>I don't think a "4mericans" would appeal to US mobile phone users either.

How about an affordable smartphone for America?

Haha man they can't sell any WP8 over here so they send them to Africa in hope of getting them hooked to Windows like they did to the rest of the world, after all the number of PC users there is really low and people all over the continent are buying cheap Android phones.<p>This is not charity...

Ascend W1 costs $300, so Microsoft is subsidising 50% of the phone. Not sure how that is not considered as price dumping. Also, the 4Afrika website looks like a typical short-lived Microsoft marketing initiative.

How about affordable food and water in Africa first?