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Bing.com to offer visual search
Microsoft has introduced visual search for its new search engine, Bing.com. that will let users browse results using pictures instead of text. The company said visual search will concentrate on four main areas: travel, health, leisure and shopping. 'The whole concept is that the world of search is going to change,' Microsoft's senior vice president of online services was Yusuf Mehdi, was quoted as saying by BBC News. 'There will be a more graphic way people will search, and it will pivot how people search.'
Extreme Networks expands regional base
US-based Extreme Networks has added AwalNet, a Saudi Arabia-based Internet Service Provider to its regional base of channel partners. Extreme Networks' regional channel base, which now includes 36 partners, also includes Kuwait's Al Alamiah Technology Group, Jordan-based Computer & Communications Systems Limited, and Amik Online, a Lebanese integrator and turn-key solutions provider.
Facebook Lite open to Middle East users
Facebook Lite, the new stripped-down version of the popular social networking website, is now available to Middle East users. The site is not completed yet, and most of its settings are still inaccessible, but is open for users and anyone can access it.
Orange Jordan sets up security centre
Orange Jordan has set up the Orange Information Security Operation Centre (OSOC) to provide managed security services. OSOC aims to provide enterprise customers with a range of managed secure services, starting from the very basic through to sophisticated secure integrated networking technologies and services, the company said.
The Open Group, Shift ink franchise deal
The Open Group, a vendor- and technology-neutral consortium has signed a franchise agreement with Shift Technologies, an IT and business consulting firm of the AW Rostamani Group. Shift Technologies will serve as The Open Group Arabia, and will provide localized access to information such as TOGAF and forums in the field of information security and enterprise architecture provided by The Open Group.
Bahrain TRA names security advisor
Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has announced the appointment of Nick Truman as its Specialist ICT Security Advisor to lead the activities of TRA, the government and industry in developing internet safety and security policies. Truman was formerly Head of Internet Security at the UK's British Telecom.
Intel unveils new processors in Gulf
Intel Corporation Middle East has launched several new desktop and server processors in the Middle East. The new line-up includes the Intel Core i5 processor family, two new Intel Core i7 processors and the Intel Xeon processor 3400 series, bringing Intel's latest Nehalem microarchitecture to mainstream desktop and entry server markets. The new processors are Intel's first to integrate both a 16-lane PCI Express 2 graphics port and two-channel memory controller, enabling all input/output and manageability functions to be handled by the single-chip Intel P55 Express Chipset, the company said.
Extreme Networks reports growth
Dubai-based Extreme Networks EMEA has reported a 5% increase in net revenue at $81.3m for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended June 28, 2009, compared to $77.2m in the previous quarter and a 17% decline compared to $98.3m in fourth quarter of last year. Fourth quarter non-GAAP net income stood at $2.3m, compared to non-GAAP net income of $3.0m in the fourth quarter last year.
Logicom to be APC distributor in Middle East
Dubai-headquartered Logicom, a Microsoft, Cisco and HP regional authorized distributor, has signed a distribution agreement with American Power Conversion (by Schneider Electric for the Middle East region. The agreement covers all major APC products and services, and will enable Logicom to distribute APC products across Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen.
UAE and Iran most connected Mideast nations
The UAE and Iran have the most internet users per head of population in the Middle East and North Africa, with 56.4 and 57 users per 100 inhabitants respectively. According to market research firm Euromonitor, Iran had the highest number of internet users at 41.1 million in 2008, followed by Egypt with 12.6 million. When looked at per head of population Iran led the Mena region, followed by the UAE. As a region, there were around 85.5 million internet users last year, accounting for 5.2% of worldwide internet users.
Mobily signs fibre deal with Rafal
Saudi Arabia's Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) has signed an agreement with real estate company Rafal to provide a range of services via fibre-optics for Blncyah development in Riyadh. Under the agreement, Bayanat Al Oula, a subsidiary of Mobily, will design and build a fibre-optics network infrastructure to provide smart teleco technologies and value added smart services, as well as facilitate IPTV, CCTV and wired and wireless broadband.
Etisalat runs internet upgrade plan
Etisalat is upgrading customers on its Al Shamil package to internet speeds of up to 16Mbps broadband, provided they have a fibre to the home (FTTH) connection. The teclo said slower speed upgrades are available to those customers who do not have FTTH. The free upgrade lasts only for two months, after which customers must decide if they want to start paying for the faster service, pick an intermediate speed or return back to the original service. Etisalat has been upgrading homes in the UAE this year to FTTH, starting in Abu Dhabi, with a plan to then include other emirates.
Microsoft on Word sales ban delayed
A Washington-based US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld the request by Microsoft that the permanent injunction that will stop Microsoft from selling the main version its Word program be delayed until it rules on the merits of the software company's appeal,the Financial Times has reported. A Texas court has earlier ruled barring Microsoft from allowing Word 2003, Word 2007 or forthcoming versions of the program to open files that contain what is known as custom XML.
EU investigates Oracle's Sun takeover
The European Union has begun its investigation into the planned Oracle takeover of Sun Microsystems. The commission is concerned that the $7.4bn deal could result in reduced competition in the computer database market and therefore higher prices. Oracle is the market heavyweight for propriety databases, while Sun develops the popular open source MySQL database. Last month the US Department of Justice cleared the way for the deal to go ahead.
Google expands presence in Jordan
Google has become a member of the Information Technology Association of Jordan and is seriously considering making the kingdom a hub for its regional centre, the association's chairman has said. By joining the association, Google will become more familiar with the Jordanian market and companies operating in the sector, which he said is likely to enhance chances of the Internet giant exploring investment opportunities with local companies in improving Arabic content, Marwan Jumaa told Jordan Times.
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