Port Elizabeth based Millbug today announced the launch of Millbug Vuya Tablet PC, a solar powered tablet PC that will facilitate mobile computing in areas with intermittent access to electricity.
Millbug believes that the Vuya Tablet PC will allow for greater participation of Africans in the digital economy. Less than one percent of content online is created by Africans and this alarming statistic needs urgent attention. Instead of celebrating the rise of the African consumer, this device seeks to catalyze the rise of the African producer.
Millbug, a firm founded by Sabelo Sibanda (30) and Thulisile Volwana (22) was founded in 2012 as an eCommerce company that sold fashionable women’s clothing to millennials. The company was nominated for a South African eCommerce Award in the same year and learnt many valuable insights on eCommerce, internet proliferation and technology use habits across the continent.
“Our conversion rates told a very interesting story about how our fellow millennials use the internet”, says Sabelo Sibanda (CEO of Millbug). “Constant tests revealed many insights that were hiding in plain sight”, he adds. Thulisile Volwana (COO of Millbug) continued, “People are more inclined to purchase tactile products online from devices with larger screen sizes e.g. tablet PCs, laptops and desktops and are more inclined to purchase digital content from mobile devices e.g. tablet PCs and mobile phones”.
It was through this discovery that the pair embarked on the development of a rugged, yet aesthetically pleasing tablet that effortlessly runs on the Android 4.4 KitKat operating system. Vuya means “be happy” in isiXhosa and it is the intention of the Millbug Vuya Tablet to bring happiness those that need it the most. For this reason, this tablet has a 1.2 GHz processor, 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of storage a photovoltaic (solar) power source as well as the ability to be charged using USB or a tradition power outlet.
Millbug received financial assistance from the SEDA ICT incubator for the certification of the device as well as consultation and mentoring from Ellen Fischat and Sipelo Lupondwana of the same Incubator. Millbug is incubated at the Port Elizabeth chapter of Shanduka Black Umbrellas.
The tablet will retail for no more that R1499.99 to ensure that it is within reach of its users.
Alan Straton
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I like the idea of a cheap laptop that can be charged anywhere. However, solar chargers are nothing new. I can order one online easily.
Connectivity is the real challenge. The Vuya tablet works on WIFI only. How, then, will people without access to wifi connect? The Vuya target market are almost totally excluded from any source of Wifi. I challenge Millbug clarify how they will ensure connectivity for thousands of people living out of reach of Wifi.
I trust that our meeting last week answered these questions Mr Abrahams. Kind regards.
It was a good discussion and I will follow your progress with great interest.
Cheers, thanks also for the wonderful advice!