Displaying items by tag: Consumer

Apple has announced the delay of the implementation of its new anti-tracking feature, designed to ensure that apps and websites don’t track users without their consent.

This will mean that apps will need to ask users for their permission to access the ad-tracking ID on iPads and iPhones. However, this has been delayed as it was meant to be part of Apple’s latest iOS 14 update which was set to be released in autumn 2020.

Apple has disclosed that these changes have been postponed to the beginning of 2021 in order to give websites and app developers the chance to modify their services to fit this.

However, Facebook warned that the tech giant’s new privacy measure would make one of its advertising tools “ineffective” on iOS 14 and that “it may not make sense to offer it on iOS 14”. Apple has essentially forced Facebook to no longer collect ad-tracking IDs of its users on iOS 14.

The anti-tracking feature, which uses a truly unique code for every operating iPhone, makes it compulsory for users to grant permission to apps and websites to be able to access information on their data which is basically used to figure out their online behavior.

This comes at a terrible time for app developers who are already dealing with a COVID-induced recession. The revenue of free apps will be affected immensely as the opportunities for the tracking, collection and sharing of data will be limited to such a huge extent because users will most likely prefer to maintain their privacy.

Huawei’s AppGallery, the tech giant’s official app platform and the world’s third largest app marketplace, has captured the attention of users across the UAE despite it being a relatively new player to the market.

Huawei achieved this by adopting a “glocal” strategy which combined the best attributes of globalized collaboration with those of localized business operations, hence encouraging developers to create innovative and high-quality apps that enhance the experience for users in the Emirates.

Designed for all users

HUAWEI AppGallery offers consumers in the UAE a boutique app experience with intuitive apps that integrate the best elements from around the world while adapting them to the needs of users in the UAE.

Through the dual principles of “glocal” and "Security above all else", only quality apps are selected with personalized recommendations that are based on the needs, requirements and preferences of users in the UAE. These apps aim to enrich the lives of users through locally driven content and services. This brings added convenience to consumers by removing the trial and error approach of searching through a sea of apps for the most suitable choice.

Consumers are often confronted with App platforms that are packed with a vast selection of apps. However, a lack of screening or filtering leaves many confused when searching for a particular app. This is made more complicated with the huge increase in the number of smart devices, which means developers need to account for different hardware, thereby affecting app performance.

Huawei is well placed to offer users a more integrated experience across devices due to the experience it has built up by developing a wide range of smart consumer-facing electronics products.

As a result, Huawei is uniquely positioned to directly engage with users in the UAE and address their demands with quality apps, especially in times where staying at home is still encouraged. This means dedicated apps for stylus-equipped tablets, foldable phones and the App Multiplier feature work cohesively with devices to deliver a more comfortable and interactive user experience.

HUAWEI AppGallery has been tailored to ensure that only premium services are accessible, encompassing globally distributed apps and popular local UAE content. It integrates a stringent app screening mechanism as well as an exclusive classification system that is applied on a global scale.

This approach has seen HUAWEI Video secure over 140 million monthly active users (MAUs), and in-depth collaboration with global and regional partnerships and content partners. Huawei smartphone users in the UAE are free to browse a rich pool of content, which is global in scope but local in character, to enjoy immersive entertainment at any time.

HUAWEI Music aims to enrich the lives of its listeners with the sounds they crave and has so far gathered tens of millions of tracks from leading music production companies. It is now available in over 100 countries and regions around the world, with more than 160 million MAUs.

*Note: All MAU data is as of the end of 2019.

End-to-End support for UAE and regional developers

Huawei understands the crucial role developers in the region can play in creating apps that cater to the needs of users. As such it provides app developers with localized operation support. In fact, the "Shining-Star" program committed 1 billion USD in comprehensive assistance for the less downloaded, under-monetized apps, as well as quality local apps in innovative development, app publication, application integration and lifecycle end-to-end operation along with point-to-point technical assistance.

The "Shining-Star" program is complemented by the all-new Huawei DigiX Labs initiative, where Huawei works closely with local developers to fine-tune the user experience in AppGallery. Huawei DigiX Labs are focused on innovation, testing, R&D and various services, in wide-ranging technological fields such as gaming, education, child care, financial services, quick apps, AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality) and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

DigiX Labs play an important role in final device commissioning, development capability testing and tool experience fine-tuning, and have so far made it to eight global cities: Dubai, Dublin, Moscow, Dusseldorf, Warsaw, Mexico City, Johannesburg and Singapore.

HUAWEI Developer Day (HDD) events provide opportunities for both Huawei and app developers to discuss industry trends, new technologies and previous cases, so that outside developers can fully leverage the shared capabilities and services of Huawei's consumer business. This in turn delivers more integrated and innovative experiences to the end user.

In 2019, 45 HDDs were held in 32 countries, with tens of thousands of developers including many from the UAE participating in-person. This resulted in 163% (yoy) more developers outside of China opting to design for the AppGallery platform. In the near future, HDD will continue to expand its footprint to cover Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and Latin America etc., to share the unique benefits of AppGallery with interested developers around the world, and to build a seamless AI life.

HUAWEI AppGallery has quickly established itself as one of the top 3 app marketplaces globally where users can enjoy a safe finetuned experience. By supporting UAE-based developers in creating exciting apps, local users will be able to enjoy even more enhanced experiences tailored to their needs.

In the framework of the Mobile World Congress 2019 edition, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei unveiled the world’s fastest foldable 5G phone, just four days after rival Samsung became the first major handset maker to offer the feature.

A leading US consumer watchdog has voiced their concerns regarding the details of the proposed merger agreement between mobile operators T-Mobile US and Sprint.

Comments made by President Donald Trump suggest he could implement a 10% tariff on Apple products imported from China. In an interview with The World Street Journal, Trump was questioned about the possible iPhone and laptop tariffs.

“Maybe. Maybe. Depends on what the rate is,” He said, “I mean, I can make it ten percent, and people could stand that very easily.”

A 25% tariff increase on $200 billion of Chinese goods are expected by Trump, and he will also add $267 billion worth of tariffs onto goods that are not already subjected to existing tariffs if the two countries don’t make a deal.

When asked about whether he would delay an increase in tariffs from 10% to 25% on January 1st, Trump said it would be “highly unlikely”, which looks set to cause further tensions between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The trade war is likely to hurt American brands such as Apple, and affect their sales.

Previously exempt from the tariffs, Apple products such as the IPhone, AirPods and the Apple Watch would be affected. His comments saw the Apple stock down nearly 2% in after-hours trading.

Finnish telecommunications vendor Nokia has announced that it has signed a lucrative patent license agreement with Chinese consumer electronics behemoth OPPO.

OPPO, which is headquartered in Guangdong, is globally renowned for its innovative smartphones and was voted as the top smartphone manufacturer in China in 2016.

It has been disclosed that under the agreement, OPPO will make payments to Nokia for a multi-year license period. However, the terms of the agreement made between the two entities will remain confidential between the parties.

Nokia Chief Legal Officer and President of Nokia Technologies, Maria Varsellona, expressed her delight at the deal with the Chinese smartphone firm and said it further illustrated the benefits its global licensing program offers partners.

"OPPO is one of the leaders in the smartphone industry and we are pleased to welcome them as a Nokia licensee. This agreement further validates our global licensing program."

Chinese smartphone vendor Huawei Technologies has altered its strategic approach in Kenya in a bid to boost sales of its handsets. It has restructured the price of some of its devices and is now showcasing smartphones that are retailing at between $100-200. It is hoping that a sharp increase in sales will boost its market share in Kenya.

Huawei is currently positioned as number three in relation to market share in the African nation which has been described as a fast-growing local smart devices market. Huawei is trailing South Korean conglomerate Samsung Electronics and Tecno which is owned by Hong Kong’s Transition Holdings.

Huawei’s manager in Kenya, Derek Du said it entered the smartphone market by introducing three smart phones, but it didn’t focus on products retailing for under $200 and that costed the company long-term. In an effort to increase its market share in that segment from 4% to 15% it will overall its entire strategic approach.

Kenya’s telecommunications incumbent Safaricom enjoys a 72% market share (around 28m users) and they reported that there is now 13 million smartphones on its network, which is a significant jump from 10 million last year.

Kenya consumers have finally parted with their well-worn standard phones in favor of relatively cheap devices that offer them faster internet speed and access to applications such as WhatsApp, online banking and taxi-hailing services. According to Du, Huawei has switched its strategic focus after it became evidently clear that the average Kenyan consumer is price sensitive.

Du added: “The new focus on the lower end of the market has come about because the Kenyan consumer is price-sensitive. The $100-200 is the key part we can play. If we can bring it up, it means we will also bring up the whole market share.”

He believes that change will enable Huawei to boost its overall market share to around 25-30%, from the current 14% it has been rooted on for the last two years. Research has revealed that the average Kenyan worker earns an annual wage of $1,200, which subsequently means that most people can’t afford expensive smartphones.

Huawei’s previous approach centered on their mid-range smartphones were it enjoys a 30% market share. Huawei has enjoyed a successful twelve months globally, and the Chinese conglomerate, based in Shenzhen, is now seen as a real threat to the smartphone monopoly which is dominated by Samsung and Apple.

Huawei’s African boss said that the Kenyan economy was enjoying a resurgent comeback after a difficult number of years, and is in a stable position. This makes it an attractable market for investors, and du has reiterated its commitment to growing its business in Kenya.