Ideas worth spreading

You don't need an app for that

1,559,495 views | Toby Shapshak • TEDGlobal 2013

Are the simplest phones the smartest? While the rest of the world is updating statuses and playing games on smartphones, Africa is developing useful SMS-based solutions to everyday needs, says journalist Toby Shapshak. In this eye-opening talk, Shapshak explores the frontiers of mobile invention in Africa as he asks us to reconsider our preconceived notions of innovation.

Are the simplest phones the smartest? While the rest of the world is updating statuses and playing games on smartphones, Africa is developing useful SMS-based solutions to everyday needs, says journalist Toby Shapshak. In this eye-opening talk, Shapshak explores the frontiers of mobile invention in Africa as he asks us to reconsider our preconceived notions of innovation.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Toby Shapshak

Technology writer

See speaker profile

The publisher and editor of Stuff magazine, Toby Shapshak is a South African writer focusing on innovation — and the role it plays in Africa.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.