UAE: Du Launches LTE Service.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

UAE: Du Launches LTE Service.

UAE telecom operator Du has stepped up mobile broadband experience with the launch of its LTE network. Operator expects to provide internet service at speeds of up to 100 Mbps with the new LTE Internet Key. 

The cost for du’s LTE Internet Key is a one-off payment of AED799 for the device, plus AED55 for a monthly data line. A special LTE 25GB bundle is available for only AED500.

“Our LTE network is taking online connectivity to the next level. Customers with an LTE Internet Key can experience some of the fastest internet connection speeds in the world,” said Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

Du is introducing LTE using 1800MHz band. LTE1800 MHz will improve cell-edge speed, extend site coverage, and provide better indoor coverage compared to LTE 2.6GHz, said the operator.

UAE: Dubai: Samsung Galaxy S3 already on sale. A week early.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

UAE: Dubai: Samsung Galaxy S3  already on sale. A week early.

Samsung's Galaxy S3 Android smartphone is reportedly already on sale in Dubai, a week before its global launch.

The smartphone, reported to be the most pre-ordered Android device to date, was originally scheduled to make its debut in Europe at the end of the month but tech websites across the world have reported that the phone is already being sold in stores across Dubai.

The first report came from social news site Reddit after a customer spotted a "now available" sign for the smartphone outside a local store. Another customer  claimed to have purchased the phone for around $680.

Samsung toppled Apple as the world's biggest smartphone maker in the first quarter, boosted by its Galaxy devices running on Google's free Android software.

Samsung Electronics has received some nine million pre-orders for its third-generation Galaxy S smartphone, Korea Economic Daily reported last week.

Samsung said in April that the new Galaxy smartphone would "substantially contribute" to its second-quarter earnings.

It is not known if the Dubai stores received the smartphone early or whether retailers have broken the release date.

UAE: Samsung Launches Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) and (10.1)

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

UAE: Samsung Launches Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) and (10.1)

Both slates can now be purchased through leading authorized retailers across the country, including 3G and Wi-Fi versions of both models, which bring in Android 4.0 ICS.

Samsung did not unveil any details on Galaxy Tab 2 series prices in the UAE, at this time.

“With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 series, we aim to expand the choice of tablets for our consumers. Our current tablet portfolio includes products with variations in sizes, hardware and features. The Galaxy Tab 2 series is an ideal choice for consumers seeking a tablet that provides a complete multimedia experience whilst ensuring a solid performance in a compact form factor,” said Mr. Ashraf Fawakherji, General Manager of Telecommunication Group at Samsung Gulf Electronics.

UAE: Sony launches the Xperia U, dual-core smartphone.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

UAE: Sony launches the Xperia U, dual-core smartphone

The Xperia U's new UI enhances the Android experience and offers rich applications and content with a simple and clean look. The Xperia U also boasts a 3.5-inch display that is powered by a mobile BRAVIA engine for crystal clear clarity.

Xperia's U has a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 5MP camera with fast capture, HD recording and the ability to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images. The phone operates on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), which will receive an upgraded to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) in the third quarter of 2012.    

Spyridon Gousetis, Director of Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications, Middle East and Africa, said: "The Xperia U is an extremely stylish phone that delivers the best in Sony's iconic identity design philosophy. Packed with a range of distinctive features such as xLoud and Sony 3D surround sound audio technology, it offers a complete smartphone experience."

The Xperia U also has a transparent strip that changes colour based on the colour of the photos being viewed by users in a gallery, or the album art of tracks being played.

It is available in black and white at leading electronic stores in the UAE. The Sony Xperia U is priced at AED 1,199 ($326). 

                                          

UAE: Google launches YouTube, a UAE version.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

UAE: Google launches  YouTube, a  UAE version. 

Google said on Sunday it has launched a local version of YouTube for the UAE.

The new YouTube.co.ae comes as the video platform continues to build on the largest collection of videos online.

The local version of YouTube means that people who visit the site will see on the homepage the most popular videos in the UAE along with those that are rising in popularity, Google said in a statement.

From YouTube's inception, people in the Middle East have been active members of the global community, both watching and uploading countless videos, it added.

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched his own YouTube channel in February.

The Dubai Government Media Office announced the launch, saying it was the latest move by Sheikh Mohammed, also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, to better interact with the public.

YouTube in the Middle East and North Africa has seen the number of playbacks doubling in the past year and users in MENA upload one hour of video per minute.

There are 167 million video views a day in MENA, putting the region in the number two spot in the world, behind the US and ahead of Brazil.

"We have seen enormous growth for YouTube in the MENA region and expect this expansion to continue even more significantly with the launch of the UAE domain. " said Ari kesisoglu, managing director, Middle East North Africa at Google.

"A primary objective for us is to encourage local content from regional users, which we believe will be fuelled by this latest development."

Last year, loca YouTube versions were launched for Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Yemen.

UAE: Samsung released the Galaxy Tab 7.7

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Samsung has released its Galaxy Tab 7.7 in the UAE, the device is the first tablet to feature the Super AMOLED Plus display.

"At Samsung, we strive to be at the forefront of the Gulf's tablet market. The launch of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is a reflection of our commitment to providing a range of tablets to suit each Galaxy tablet user. Whether its size, functionality, speed, or features the consumer is looking for, Samsung has the product available." said Ashraf Fawakherji, general manager of Telecommunication Group at Samsung Gulf Electronics. "The Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the perfect tablet for an on-the-go lifestyle and the amazing quality of the display will definitely enhance the user's viewing experience."

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 offers both voice and video calls and runs on the latest 3.2 Honeycomb OS. The device comes with a 1.4GHz dual core processor, measures 7.89 millimetres thick and weighs 335 grams.

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 also features 1080p full HD playback, DivX including multi codec and Micro SD. The device also includes Universal Remote Control functionality, allowing control of the entire home entertainment system - TV, Set top box, DVD, Blu-ray player, AV audio system - from one device. 

The tab has access to Samsung's Hub Services, offering access to content including games, eBooks and music. 

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 includes a pre-loaded Game Hub, pre-loaded with social games, and features access to Samsung's Music Hub service, which offers 15 million songs for preview, download and play.

The Reader's Hub service allows users to access over 2.3 million books, 2,000 newspapers and 3,000 magazines in up to 49 languages, and Samsung's Social Hub service is designed to aggregate email, contacts, calendar and social network connections into a single interface.

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 also comes preloaded with the full suite of Google Mobile Services including access to more than 250,000 applications on Android Market, Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps 5.7 with 3D maps, and Google Talk with video and voice chat.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab 7.7 is available at electronics retailers across the UAE at retail prices starting at AED2,699. (US$734,80)