David Ashford, the managing director of AppsArabia, demonstrates an iPhone app at the Dubai Games Expo yesterday.
David Ashford, the managing director of AppsArabia, demonstrates an iPhone app at the Dubai Games Expo yesterday.
David Ashford, the managing director of AppsArabia, demonstrates an iPhone app at the Dubai Games Expo yesterday.
David Ashford, the managing director of AppsArabia, demonstrates an iPhone app at the Dubai Games Expo yesterday.

Abu Dhabi-backed firm to launch its first iPhone app


  • English
  • Arabic

AppsArabia hopes the name Kalimat will become well enough known not to cause a scrabble for the dictionary to challenge when it is laid on the board, even if it does use all seven letters on the rack.

The mobile phone applications fund backed by the Abu Dhabi media free zone twofour54 is about to release Kalimat, an iPhone game similar to Scrabble, as its first app.

AppsArabia developed the game, which can be played in Arabic and English, with the Dubai entrepreneur Fares Fayad, who successfully pitched the idea to the fund.

Piranha Bytes, a software company based in Dubai Silicon Oasis, programmed the application.

"Up until that point we had only been working on our own games," said Ali Hamidi, the founder of Piranha Bytes. "Working with someone else was a new experience for us.

"Our tagline is 'pixel-perfect design' so we tried to go out of our way to focus on the details and get everything right. I think it really shows in the application."

Kalimat allows gamers to play words on a board using a seven-letter tile rack similar to Scrabble but with variations on rules and the point system.

It is due to be available on Apple's iTunes App Store next month, pending approval, and will cost US$1.99.

David Ashford, the general manager of AppsArabia, hopes the game will sell 50,000 copies over the next six months to help recoup the fund's investment and generate a revenue stream for the developer.

Mr Ashford was speaking on the sidelines of the Dubai World Game Expo where he formally announced the pending release of Kalimat, which means "word" in Arabic.

"It's Scrabble with a difference," he said. "We are also doing a feasibility study about migrating it for Nokia and BlackBerry devices.

"Our marketing will focus on the MENA region but we will be extending that to the global audience because it has appeal to Arabic speakers around the world."

Although there is no definite figure for the number of Arabic applications on mobile devices, most of them are developed outside the region.

But with about 167 million devices being shipped in the region next year, according to Research and Markets, there is a unique opportunity for developers to create localised content.

The global market for apps development is now valued at US$6.2 billion (Dh22.77bn) this year and is expected to grow to $22.1bn in 2013, figures from the technology research company Gartner show.

"We want to build a sustainable Arabic apps industry," said Wayne Borg, the chief operating officer of twofour54. "We want to bring the developers and entrepreneurs together and be the matchmaker to commercialise those apps."

AppsArabia is also about to release another three apps in January to help meet the demand for Arabic mobile content. They include FinJan, an Arabic cultural app, a musical instrument game and a word game for children.

The fund is also co-ordinating the development of an Arabic news app for a "global media company" that will be announced shortly.

Mr Ashford said that when Apps-Arabia was formally launched, it received about 40 investment applications from across the region.

Of those applications, 10 were chosen as viable projects, with the first four apps set to be released and the remaining still in development.

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Bobby Charlton 49
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Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
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Alan Shearer 30
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Essentials

The flights

Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes. 
 

The stay

A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

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Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
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Dust storm

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
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Meydan race card

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8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m​​​​​​​
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m​​​​​​​
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

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