That leaves Equity with few competitors in Africa and none that can match its scale.

WSJ: Using Small Loans to Generate Big Profits

Even so, the region's film industry still has a long way to go before it can match the scale and reach of its Western rivals.

CNN: Latin tempo reverberates through film world

While HTC has apparently entered into a "close relationship" with Microsoft and Windows Phone 8, there will be nothing to match the scale of HTC's Sense additions to Android.

ENGADGET: Windows Phone 8S by HTC hands-on: a bright Windows phone that holds promise (video)