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EMC signs Computerlinks as Middle East distributor
Network storage company EMC is signing up Computerlinks as a Value Added Distributor for the Middle East. EMC has said the agreement, which will be formally unveiled at Gitex in Dubai next week, 'will address customer demand' by giving them access to 'Computerlinks' deep market knowledge and expertise'. Computerlinks' current list of clients includes amongst others McAfee, Kaspersky, Microsoft and Blue Coat.
UAE TRA ups domain registration campaign
The UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched the second phase of its marketing campaign, which aims to target new businesses that have yet to register a domain name as well as existing organisations and businesses that have a web presence but have not registered for a (.ae) domain name. 'There are more registrars providing .ae domain name registration. Customers have the choice to select their registrar as competition leads to better service. The registration process brought online has also made it easier,' the TRA said in a statement.
'Free' version of Office 2010 to be issued
Microsoft has announced that it will work with PC manufacturers to put a free software package called Office 2010 Starter Edition on new machines, PC World magazine has reported. The new version will replace the company's Microsoft Works, and will provide reduced-functionality versions of Word and Excel and which features embedded advertising. Upgrade cards that turn Starter Edition into the full Office programme will be available from retailers.
Windows 8 details leaked
A leak from Microsoft's research and development team in the US, has revealed the software giant's plans for a 128-bit architecture successor to its upcoming Windows 7 operating system, PC World magazine has reported. 64-bit computers, which can address more RAM and are theoretically more powerful than 32-bit equivalents, are likely to become more popular with Windows 7, and a 128-bit version of Windows 8 would represent the next leap in performance. According to Microsoft's plans to release a new desktop version of Windows every three years, Windows 8 is scheduled to become available in 2012.
Alcatel-Lucent inks STC network deal
Alcatel-Lucent has inked a contract with Saudi Telecom Co for the upgrade of its network, providing STC its packet optical transport solution for DSLAM traffic aggregation and Ethernet business services, along with its DSL and GPON /MSAN technology, Saudi Gazette has reported. The company will also offer expertise in the areas of project management, network analysis, software integration, integration services and technical support services to deliver a true turnkey services solution.
Microsoft has high hopes for Windows 7
Microsoft's CEO, Steve Ballmer has said the company's new operating system will help pull it out of the worst period of its history, UK-based Sky News has reported. Windows 7, which will launch at the end of the month, will succeed where its unpopular predecessor Vista had failed, he said. 'Eight million copies (of Windows 7) are out on Beta tests and people love it,' he said. Profits at Microsoft fell by almost a third in the quarter between April and June.
Intel introduces performance rating system
Intel is planning to introduce a star rating system for PCs to outline their performance. Scaled from one to five, each star represents a combination of features including cores, threads, GHz, cache, performance per watt, architecture, and other technologies. More stars equates to better performance. "This Stars rating system aims to simplify the buying process and be a guiding tool for consumers in the Middle East to relate to technological advances" said Nassir Nauthoa, Intel General Manager, GCC. However, the rating system is an Intel-only introduction, not a recognized industry standard, so will not provide a performance comparison between similarly specced AMD- and Intel-based computers.
Intel ships Clarksfield mobile CPUs
Intel has brought out it latest processors aimed at the laptop market, the Core i7 Mobile Processor and Core i7 Mobile Processor Extreme Edition. Previously known by their codename Clarksfield and available now in the Middle East, the processors are designed to handle data intensive tasks such as digital video and gaming. Based on the Nehalem micro-architecture, Intel says that features include the ability to increase the CPU's clock speed by up to 75% and two channel DDR3 1333MHz memory support. Laptops now make up a large chunk of PC sales; in the UAE they now account for 80% of computer shipments.
Masiya opens Iraq offices
Kuwait-based systems integrator and IT services provider, Masiya has set up new corporate offices in Baghdad, Iraq, to cater to the company's expanding list of projects executed in the country. The projects include a bundle of versatile Value Added Services and platforms for Zain, in addition to SUN infrastructure deployment, maintenance and support services rendered to Nokia Siemens Networks and Motorola.
Lenovo launches Windows 7 optimizations
Lenovo has launched the Windows 7 Lenovo Enhanced Experience - a certification only available on Lenovo products that consists of new features, tools and optimizations designed to improve system performance and enhance the computing experience for customers running Windows 7 on Lenovo PCs. Among the benefits of the certification is advanced performance tuning, which enables both Think and Idea PCs to start-up significantly faster than identical configuration, non-optimized PCs, the company said. On select Think PCs, Windows 7 starts up to 56% faster compared to running Windows XP or Vista, and shuts down in as little as five seconds.
UAE domain name registration up
The UAE's Telecommunication Regulation Authority (TRA) has said that registrations of the .ae domain name have increased by 30% this year, with the most being from Dubai, Emirates Business has reported. The growth this year was mainly due to the new policy framework and a non-monopolistic environment among registrars, the regulator said.
UAE broadband speeds panned
According to a study by the Said Business School of Oxford University, the UAE has ranked in the bottom quarter of 42 nations in terms of the quality of high-speed internet services, below neighbours Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia as well as countries including Egypt and Tunisia, The National has reported. The notion of a "digital divide" between those with internet access and those without is now shifting to a "quality divide," according to the report.
Tandberg opens Middle East office
Tandberg has opened its Middle East head office, the Middle East Executive Briefing Centre in Dubai Internet City, the company has said. The facility is equipped with Tandberg's technology, telepresence and video conferencing solutions.
Vodafone Egypt predicts 160k broadband users
Vodafone Egypt has said that it expected to add 100,000 mobile broadband customers in 2009, raising its total broadband client base to 160,000, Reuters has reported. Despite being a high rate of growth, this pace of expansion would not impact service performance, Vodafone's CEO, Hatem Dowidar said. Analysts estimate the number broadband users at around one million, suggesting Vodafone Egypt had 10% or more of the market.
Cisco buys Tandberg to target collaboration market
Cisco is buying video-conferencing competitor Tandberg for $2.98m, the companies have said. Networking giant Cisco, which has a sizeable video-conferencing operation - will take all of Norwegian company Tandberg's outstanding shares, paying 11% over Wednesday's closing price of Kr153.5 ($26.57). The deal, which is subject to US regulatory approval, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2010. Cisco said that it would use the acquisition to 'expand its collaboration portfolio to offer more solutions to a greater number of customers'. John Chambers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cisco, said: "Collaboration is a $34 billion market and is growing rapidly -- enabled by networked Web 2.0 technologies. This acquisition showcases Cisco's financial strength and ability to quickly capture key market transitions for growth."
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