The service, similar to Apple's iPhone App Store, was launched in other parts of the world more than two years ago and enables users to search, download and update applications produced by third-party developers.
The service, similar to Apple's iPhone App Store, was launched in other parts of the world more than two years ago and enables users to search, download and update applications produced by third-partyShow more

BlackBerry customers frustrated over App World programme



DUBAI // UAE BlackBerry users keen to get extra features and applications on their phones, long available in the rest of the world, will have to wait a little longer after the pre-release version of its application store was taken down amid complaints of bugs and crashes.

A beta version of the long-awaited BlackBerry App World was quietly released last month by Research In Motion, the company that makes the popular smartphones. However, RIM was careful to warn that it was intended for testing only – a warning that some users’ experience appears to have borne out.

The service, similar to Apple’s iPhone App Store, was launched in other parts of the world more than two years ago and enables users to search, download and update applications produced by third-party developers.

People who chanced upon the beta version were able to download App World and use it to download applications.

But yesterday customers who tried to use the service were presented with a message saying “BlackBerry App World is not currently available in your country.”

However, Apps that were downloaded while the beta was operating continued to work.

RIM said in a statement: “We are currently still validating BlackBerry App World in the UAE, but we will keep you posted on availability.”

Some BlackBerry fans who downloaded App World regretted doing so. Sara Bianchi, a Dubai resident, said: “The App World icon appeared on my BB and as I clicked it, it allowed me to download it and create a BB ID.

“I received six messages from the application informing me of upgrades available for BlackBerry Messenger, Facebook, MSN, Twitter, AOL Instant Messenger and Google Talk.”

She upgraded three of the apps that she uses, including Facebook, and the handset asked her to restart it to complete the process.

“After I rebooted, all three icons, programs, history and contacts had disappeared from my BlackBerry. Gone! Nowhere to be found.

“I had to download and reinstall BBM and MSN again from my browser – and luckily the contacts reappeared.

“However Facebook can no longer be downloaded or upgraded or installed as from wherever I try, it takes me back to App World and then tells me it is not available! How frustrating!”

Usman Naeem is one of a number of residents who have turned to Twitter to express their anger at the continuing unavailability of App World. He tweeted: “It’s extremely frustrating that the Android Market and BlackBerry App World do not work in UAE.”

The delay in the arrival of the BlackBerry service – which had been launched in the US on April 1, 2009 – is understood to have been caused by the time taken to complete regulatory procedures.

Meanwhile the BlackBerry PlayBook, RIM’s answer to Apple’s popular iPad tablet computer, has gone on sale in the US and Canada to a muted response. There was no sign of the huge queues of buyers seen at the launch of the iPad.

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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The Bio

Name: Lynn Davison

Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi

Children: She has one son, Casey, 28

Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite Author: CJ Sansom

Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now

Why are you, you?

Why are you, you?
From this question, a new beginning.
From this question, a new destiny.
For you are a world, and a meeting of worlds.
Our dream is to unite that which has been
separated by history.
To return the many to the one.
A great story unites us all,
beyond colour and creed and gender.
The lightning flash of art
And the music of the heart.
We reflect all cultures, all ways.
We are a twenty first century wonder.
Universal ideals, visions of art and truth.
Now is the turning point of cultures and hopes.
Come with questions, leave with visions.
We are the link between the past and the future.
Here, through art, new possibilities are born. And
new answers are given wings.

Why are you, you?
Because we are mirrors of each other.
Because together we create new worlds.
Together we are more powerful than we know.
We connect, we inspire, we multiply illuminations
with the unique light of art.

 Ben Okri,

Company%20Profile
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Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

UNpaid bills:

Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019

USA – $1.055 billion

Brazil – $143 million

Argentina – $52 million

Mexico – $36 million

Iran – $27 million

Israel – $18 million

Venezuela – $17 million

Korea – $10 million

Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019

USA – $2.38 billion

Brazil – $287 million

Spain – $110 million

France – $103 million

Ukraine – $100 million

 

Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics

 

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Moonfall

Director: Rolan Emmerich

Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry

Rating: 3/5

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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