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Jordan, Microsoft ink JD14m deal
Jordanian information and communications technology minister Marwan Juma has said that the government and Microsoft will sign a JD14m three-year agreement to provide the kingdom's ministries and public agencies with software and training, the Jordan Times has reported. Under the agreement, which will be implemented by three local companies, Microsoft will finance the opening of 100 computer labs in several schools and provide the kingdom with technical and financial support worth $6m. As part of the agreement, the software giant will relocate its offices to the King Hussein Park in Amman, Juma said.
NEC plans major expansion in MIddle East
Japan's NEC Corporation, a global provider of internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions, aims to be among the top three retail solutions provider in the Middle East by 2012. Ranked 182 in the Fortune Global 500, the Japanese firm recently announced its expansion plans into the Middle East region, through its India subsidiary company -- NEC India Pvt. Ltd, and its newly appointed partner -- H.M.H. Establishment (HMH), a UAE-based IT company. 'We are confident of our growth (in the region) in H1 2010,' Takashige Mouri Associate Senior Vice-President, NEC Corporation, told Khaleej Times. 'We are happy to see that the market is steadily recovering and we believe that we have opportunity to grow along with the market in the region.'
Dubai-based Infinitec unveils infinite USB memory drive
Dubai-based start-up Infinitec has unveiled the prototype of the world's first Infinite USB Memory Drive to a selection of UAE's technology community. The plug-and-play drive, the first of its type to be developed in the Arab world by Middle East expatriates, Ahmad Zahran and David McKern, provides a comprehensive solution for transferring files and is compatible with any device that currently accepts the use of traditional flash drives or has a USB port, the company said.
Broadband speeds rise 18% in Middle East
UK-based broadband communications authority Epitiro has said that Middle East broadband speeds between September 2009 and January 2010 had improved 18%. The improvement, which had been recorded in 16 of the 21 countries and regions monitored, included a trend of improving reliability and connection times.
LG releases new notebook
LG Electronics has unveiled its flagship LG Widebook T380, a slim and light notebook with Intel's ultra low voltage processor to improve mobility and boost battery life. The new notebook features a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen LCD with a 16:9 aspect ratio running at a native resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The standard 8-cell battery can be used for up to 10.5 hours between charges.
Saudi market sees boom in computer hardware
Organisers of Gitex KSA 2010 are expecting positive demands in the PCs, notebook computers and computer accessories market at this year's exhibition. Shahid Bhatti, Project Manager of Gitex at Riyadh Exhibitions Company has said, at least 15,000 square metres of exhibition space has been allotted this year and are nearly sold out. The exhibition looks at prospects made by analysts estimating at least 550,000 computer units will be sold in Saudi Arabia this year alone. Current stock of installed computers in Saudi has been estimated to exceed 4 million units.
HP rolls out data centre services for small businesses
Technology behemoth HP has rolled out a new line of services for small and mid-size data centres, targeting clients that are looking to either outsource the task of coordinating support for their IT assets with multiple vendors, increase data centre efficiency or to assess capacity of their mission-critical facilities. It expands on the offerings provided through the company's services division, which in the most recently completed fiscal quarter was responsible for $8.7bn in revenue, or about 28% of HP's total revenue for the quarter ended January 31.
IBM has largest server market share as Middle East grows
While selling less units than HP, its chief rival in the server space, IBM retained its lead in revenue from worldwide server sales in the final quarter of 2009. According to market research firm Gartner, the vendor's sever revenues were followed by those of HP, Dell, Sun and Fujitsu. The worldwide server market overall showed signs of recovery from its slump, growing by 4.5% year-over-year. Fastest growth in server shipments took place in Asia-Pacific (19.6%), Middle East and Africa (13.4%) and the US (9%). Shipments declined in Canada, Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America and Western Europe.
Track gets Linksys distribution for GCC
Track Distribution has said it has expanded its distribution agreement with Linksys to include the Gulf Region. Track was an authorized distributor for Linksys previously for the UAE, Africa, Pakistan, Yemen and Levant Market. The company plans to recruit new partners for Linksys in these countries to further gain market share.
Amazon, Microsoft ink patent deal
A patent agreement has been signed by Microsoft and Amazon.com that allows the two firms to share technology in several areas including Amazon's Kindle electronic book reader and Amazon's use of Linux-based servers, Reuters has reported. The companies did not disclose details, but Microsoft said Amazon would pay it an undisclosed amount under the patent license agreement.
Effective Measure lands $4m investment from US firm
Effective Measure, an internet company focused on measuring the Middle East's online audiences, has attracted a $4m investment from an American venture-capital fund, the National has reported. The company, which works with website publishers to create audited visitor numbers that can be given to advertisers, has offices in Sydney and Dubai. Scott Julian, the chief executive at Effective Measure, said the funding would be used to launch products. The investment came from Rho Ventures, a fund that invests primarily in technology, healthcare and energy companies.
Mobile worker population to cross 1bn this year, says report
The world's mobile worker population will pass the one billion mark this year and grow to nearly 1.2 billion people - more than a third of the world's workforce - by 2013, according to a new forecast from IDC. The most significant gains will be in the emerging economies of Asia/Pacific, where a strong economic recovery and new interest in unified communications will drive healthy growth in all aspects of mobility spending, the report said.
Globalfoundries to make smartphone and tablet microchips
Customised microchip maker, Globalfoundries has signed an agreement with chip designer, ARM to make microchips for smartphones and tablets, The National has reported. Globalfoundries's partnership with ARM is another sign that the company is aggressively focusing on high-value customers to win market share from its rivals, said Thomas Sonderman, the vice president of manufacturing systems and technology for Globalfoundries. Globalfoundries is Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Investment Company venture with AMD.
Microsoft and Qtel form strategic alliance
Microsoft and Qatar Telecom (Qtel) have signed a partnership agreement to bring together integrated cloud-based services, software applications, mobile services and devices over Qtel's converged network. The agreement will also enable Qtel to deliver a number of new digital entertainment experiences for consumers to enjoy in the home and on the go.
Intel and Nokia merge software platforms
Intel Corp and Nokia have announced they will merge their Moblin and Maemo software platforms. The open software platform, called MeeGo, aims to accelerate industry innovation and time-to-market for new Internet-based applications and services. MeeGo-based devices from Nokia and other manufacturers are expected to be launched later this year.
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