Microsoft's Windows Phone has been touted as the next "iPhone killer" in the smartphone market.
But a lack of Arabic support or a local applications store could dampen its appeal in the Middle East.
Mango, a version of the Windows Phone operating system with 500 new features, was unveiled at the Burj Al Arab hotel on Tuesday evening, at the same time it was announced in New York.
New functions include multitasking, Facebook-compatible text messages and better integration of contact information with social networking sites.
Microsoft said the operating system would support additional languages, including Czech, Chinese and Norwegian.
But a full Arabic version is still in the pipeline, said Gustavo Fuchs, the director of mobility at Microsoft in the Middle East and Africa.
Microsoft was working on it with Nokia, with which the software company recently signed an agreement for the handset maker to use the Windows Phone operating system, Mr Fuchs said.
"We don't have a timeline yet to have the full user interface in Arabic," he said. "We are working very hard to have all the services of Windows Phone … available locally."
David Ashford, the general manager of AppsArabia, an investment fund supporting mobile applications development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), said the Windows Phone 7 (WP7) operating system had "huge potential" in the region.
"Microsoft have done it right," he said. "The operating system is superb and I think WP7 will do well in Mena because Nokia is strong here, and all new top-end Nokia smartphones will run WP7."
However, he said the Microsoft Marketplace applications store, which has not officially launched in the Mena region, must support Arabic to be a success.
"It needs to support Arabic language and it needs to be fully available to publishers in this region, and to consumers in this region," said Mr Ashford.
This year, Microsoft launched Yalla Apps, a local website that gives software developers in the Middle East the ability to create mobile apps for Windows Phone devices.
But under this system, developers of paid applications receive only 50 per cent of the revenue from the sale of apps, less than with most other app stores.
"This is not attractive to app entrepreneurs - it needs to be 30 per cent to Microsoft and 70 per cent to the publisher to compete with the other platforms," said Mr Ashford.
Mr Fuchs said Microsoft was working on a full launch of the Marketplace apps store in the Gulf with revenue sharing more favourable to app creators.
"When we launch our Marketplace for developers … developers get 70 per cent of the revenue," he said.
The new Windows Phone operating system is expected to be available free to existing users later this year.
Microsoft this week announced partnerships with the manufacturers ZTE, Fujitsu and Acer to build handsets running the Windows Phone operating system. It currently runs on phones made by HTC, Samsung and LG.
Matthew Reed, an analyst in Dubai with Informa Telecoms & Media, said Windows Phone did not compare favourably with the likes of the iPhone operating system (iOS).
"[We] don't believe it stacks up well against iOS, let alone BlackBerry," said Mr Reed. "Microsoft is still a small player in the operating system market globally and in this region, too. There are only a few handsets that use the system."
However, Mr Reed said Microsoft's partnership with Nokia could change this.
The collaboration "is likely to give MS's system a bigger role. We expect Nokia handsets that use the Microsoft operating system to become available from the end of this year or early next," he said.
bflanagan@thenational.aew
Specs
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RESULTS
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What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a way of cleaning your blood when your kidneys fail and can no longer do the job.
It gets rid of your body's wastes, extra salt and water, and helps to control your blood pressure. The main cause of kidney failure is diabetes and hypertension.
There are two kinds of dialysis — haemodialysis and peritoneal.
In haemodialysis, blood is pumped out of your body to an artificial kidney machine that filter your blood and returns it to your body by tubes.
In peritoneal dialysis, the inside lining of your own belly acts as a natural filter. Wastes are taken out by means of a cleansing fluid which is washed in and out of your belly in cycles.
It isn’t an option for everyone but if eligible, can be done at home by the patient or caregiver. This, as opposed to home haemodialysis, is covered by insurance in the UAE.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Abu Dhabi traffic facts
Drivers in Abu Dhabi spend 10 per cent longer in congested conditions than they would on a free-flowing road
The highest volume of traffic on the roads is found between 7am and 8am on a Sunday.
Travelling before 7am on a Sunday could save up to four hours per year on a 30-minute commute.
The day was the least congestion in Abu Dhabi in 2019 was Tuesday, August 13.
The highest levels of traffic were found on Sunday, November 10.
Drivers in Abu Dhabi lost 41 hours spent in traffic jams in rush hour during 2019
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Jurassic%20Park
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
