Displaying items by tag: UAE

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.

Consumers across the UAE can now enjoy thousands of hours of some of the best Arabic and global content with the launch of the HUAWEI Video streaming service app. 

The new platform is the latest example of the growing ecosystem of features available on HUAWEI Mobile Services. HUAWEI Video can be viewed on Huawei and Honor smartphones and launches with a library of more than 10,000 hours of Arabic content, millions of videos and over 10,000 of hours of global content.

 “HUAWEI Video shall be committed to building a content ecosystem based on the global layout of the HMS, and to attracting more high-quality partners, thus providing all Huawei users with well-rounded and superb sensory experience around the world,” said Adam Xiao, Managing Director, HUAWEI Mobile Services in Middle East and Africa, HUAWEI Consumer Business Group.

The platform was developed by Huawei and has operated successfully in Mainland China since 2016. HUAWEI Video provides free and paid content that includes AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand) and SVOD (Subscription Video On-demand) giving users the option to purchase paid content with Huawei's In-App Purchases (IAP) service, and will soon have a live TV section that will host over 200 top international and regional channels.

HUAWEI Video offers an online streaming video service where users can browse, search, playback and cache online videos. Viewers can also opt into online promotions through the app.

There is a wide range of content already available from some of the region’s most famous actors. The service will initially be available on smartphones and tablets before also being accessible on Smart TV.  Users are greeted with a Home Screen that highlights recommendations as well as new content and the ‘best of’ from other channels.

Viewers can get the latest breaking news from the BBC, there is a section for trending videos with Dailymotion, thousands of hours of long-form content provided by H+ Network and other dedicated channels including: The Explorers, QelloConcerts, ToonGoggles, TVB and Mango TV.

HUAWEI Video offers a high level of customization allowing users to create an easily accessible favourite videos section. Sophisticated parental controls provide protection for younger viewers, while the ability to download content and view it offline means it can fit around your life. So, whether you are commuting or keeping the kids busy, you will always have something to watch. While watching a video, users have an extensive range of options to select their preferred playback quality and speed, change brightness or even share with others.

Meanwhile the VIP Experience provides gold color vision, ad-free and SVOD/VIP titles access. Huawei is working with well-known labels and producers to provide even more content for users such as video on demand and live TV.

Users can access this new service by simply logging into HUAWEI Video with their HUAWEI ID.

Etisalat announced the launch of its new ‘Freedom Unlimited’ plans, offering postpaid customers – for the first time in the UAE - unlimited local and international calls on select plans.

With the new ‘Freedom Unlimited’ plans, postpaid customers can choose a plan, based on their need and enjoy complete freedom from calling limits. They can make unlimited calls to mobile, or fixed numbers in the UAE, or majority of international destinations – enabling them to talk non-stop with their loved ones, freely connect with their families back home and enjoy peace of mind.

Khaled Elkhouly, Chief Consumer Officer, Etisalat, said: “At Etisalat, we are committed to providing top-notch benefits and bringing in customer-centric innovations that focus on fulfilling our customers’ needs. For postpaid mobile customers, we have constantly introduced best-in-value propositions to meet their growing and changing usage trends.

Etisalat’s ‘Freedom’ journey began with the ‘Your choice….your rules” with the freedom from plans commitment, followed by ‘Roam like Home’ that enables Freedom postpaid customers to continue enjoying local allowances while travelling overseas. We, at Etisalat, are keen on keeping the momentum of ‘Freedom’ going by offering the UAE’s first ‘Unlimited Calling’ options to give our customers the freedom to make unlimited calls whenever they want.”

Postpaid customers also stand to benefit from the limited time ‘Double Data’ promo without any additional charge when they subscribe to one of the eligible new Freedom plans. They can enjoy double data benefit for 12 months, starting from the day of activation.

Additionally, customers can either choose a no commitment option and enjoy complete freedom from a postpaid plan, or get a contract to save more. Customers also avail great benefits at a fair price, and enjoy ‘Smiles Unlimited Buy 1 Get 1’ subscription worth AED 20 a month for unlimited discount vouchers on shopping, dining, wellness and travel.

With ‘Roam Like Home’ access starting from just AED 100/ week, customers can use their local data and minutes on the new ‘Freedom Unlimited’ plans, while roaming across Etisalat’s preferred roaming partners globally. ‘Freedom Unlimited’ customers will also enjoy 100 Wi-Fi hours per month at more than 350 locations, including shopping malls across the UAE when they connect to ‘UAE WiFi by Etisalat’.

Huawei has announced the latest edition to its growing flagship HUAWEI P30 series with the launch of the HUAWEI P30 Pro Limited Edition Pearl White in the UAE.

Inspired by the flowing movement and clear essence of the clouds that reflect across salt flats, this new color is one of the most stunning additions to the HUAWEI P30 Pro’s color spectrum.

Huawei’s latest feature-packed device boasts an solid 128GB storage space and comes in a Special Edition Gift Box with a distinguished black ribbon that contains the Glamorous HUAWEI P30 Pro case embellished with Swarovski crystals.

Along with this stunning new color, users can enjoy the HUAWEI P30 Pro’s award winning features and powerful hardware.

This includes the world’s first Leica Quad Camera setup for stunning photos and videos in any situation, Kirin 980 chipset for powerful and efficient performance and a massive 4200 mAh battery with the 40W Huawei Supercharge that charges back up to 70% of the battery in 30 minutes only.

Additional features include: GPU Turbo 3.0 for gaming enthusiasts; wireless reverse charging; massive 6.47 inch display with in-screen fingerprint and HUAWEI Acoustic Display Technology that helps to create a better viewing experience by minimizing the bezels.

The HUAWEI P30 Pro Limited Edition Pearl White in Special Gift Box with Glamorous Case embellished with crystals from Swarovski will reach the Huawei experience and e-commerce stores on August 8th at a price of AED 2,599 in limited quantities.

Packing the unique Pearl White color and the HUAWEI P30 Pro’s premium features, it is the perfect gift this Eid season to capture every unforgettable moment

Today Amazon.ae announced the launch of the all-new Kindle Oasis in the UAE, which offers many new innovative features.

In view recent roll-out of 5G network technology by UAE telecom operators, Huawei will launch its highly anticipated 5G smartphone - HUAWEI Mate 20 X (5G) in the UAE this July. Supporting a wide range of patented 5G technologies, the device is expected to represent high-speed connectivity and powerful performance. HUAWEI Mate 20 X (5G) - Huawei’s first commercial 5G-enabled smartphone will usher UAE users in a new era of smart mobile technologies in July.

Large-scale 5G rollout began in 2018 with the GCC countries currently in the 1st wave of 5G rollout. Huawei started developing its own 5G technology as early as 2009 and has since invested significant resources into developing 5G across its device, network and chipset offerings.  In 2017 and 2018, Huawei invested almost US$1.4 billion into 5G product development. As of June 2019, Huawei has won 46 commercial 5G contracts globally.

The UAE has adopted a new national AI strategy in the hopes of establishing a brand of artificial intelligence within the nation.

Oracle, in collaboration with Redington, a leading distributor and an Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) partner operating across Middle East and Africa launched a dedicated Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in Dubai to enable knowledge share and ready availability of Oracle Cloud to help Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN)members develop and implement transformative cloud projects across the Middle East.

Etisalat announced the successful completion of the first MENA IPTV (Internet Protocol television) service over an existing WTTx (4G) network trial. The trial is the first of its kind over an existing LTE network, and opens the doors to advanced 5G-era streaming services like IPTV over existing wireless networks.

WTTx (4G) provides fast access to home broadband markets over existing LTE networks, enabling operators to quickly launch IPTV services, and greatly improving ROI by finding the right synergy between WTTx and FTTx.

Etisalat launched commercial use of WTTx (4G) based wireless broadband internet access and voice services with abundance of 3.5 GHz spectrum last year. The announcement is the start of a new journey as the regional first wireless IPTV and Video-On-Demand (VOD) services, which are based on 4G/LTE customer-premises equipment (CPE) and set top boxes (STBs). Furthermore, this innovative service will pave the way for Etisalat to lead 5G in the world.

Saeed AlZarouni, Senior Vice President, Mobile Network, Etisalat said, “IPTV over WTTx will revolutionize TV service availability for Etisalat customers, making it seamless for them to watch subscription-based e-Life TV content across Etisalat’s 4G networks. Etisalat customers are becoming more reliant on Home Broadband (HBB) services; therefore, offering rich TV entertainment over our LTE network will address this requirement and meet their growing need for rich and varied content.”

AlZarouni added, “A WTTx solution also creates an opportunity for us to maximize existing LTE investments and capacity while improving returns as it provides immediate delivery for IPTV home entertainment.”

UAE based satellite operator Yahsat announced the successful trial of a 50Mbps in-flight connection that will change the way passengers experience air travel. The result of a unique partnership between Yahsat, du, Etihad Airways Engineering, Hughes Network Systems and Carlisle Interconnect, the high-speed broadband offering will be available for airlines to offer its passengers within the next year.

Using Yahsat’s Al Yah 2 satellite, and the latest generation Ka-band technology, the test took place in Abu Dhabi, simulating the environment found on an Airbus A320 aircraft. This new level of performance for in-flight connectivity (IFC) will mean passengers have an in-flight browsing experience similar to the service available in their home or office, including access to HD streaming content, social media, online shopping and the ability to connect with friends and family via messaging apps.

"We are incredibly proud to have brought together leading Emirati and global companies to achieve this milestone,” said Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of Yahsat. “It paves the way for Yahsat to bring further breakthrough technologies to the markets and segments it serves, adding another key pillar to Yahsat’s portfolio of market leading services and solutions.”

Following this successful test, selected guests will be invited to experience the ultra- fast connectivity for themselves, onboard an Etihad Airways Flying Testbed Airbus A320 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow taking place from the 12th to 16th of November. Subsequently, Yahsat and its partners plan to execute the key next steps over the coming year to rollout the solution to commercial airliners across the Middle East, and beyond.

Saleem Al Blooshi, Chief Infrastructure Officer at du said the operator’s partnership with Yahsat is a “testament to our commitment towards adding life to life through innovative new technologies, and we are pleased to be a part of such a monumental step in aviation history. This partnership will allow us to establish the necessary infrastructure needed to keep passengers comfortably connected in the air through the latest and most advanced in-flight connectivity.”

Al Blooshi added, “We believe that together we will set the benchmark for high speed WiFi in the air and we look forward to enhancing our customer experiences like never before. Furthermore, we are introducing our state of the art Data Analytics as well as our Backend systems to this innovative In-Flight WiFi which enables the Airline Industry to use such analytics of the user behavior to enhance even further the customer experiences on board airplanes.”