The State of Technology Innovation in the Middle East [Report]

Facebook: Engage don’t intrude (Part 2)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 19:33

In part 1 of this article we covered user’s mindset while on Facebook, in this second part we will dive into understanding what users are doing on Facebook and how marketers can benefit their brands by engaging with the users.
Understanding what users are doing on Facebook
There are different types of users on Facebook however the [...]

So you think you are an aspiring entrepreneur

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 0:09

While reading Silatech 2nd wave report “Voices of Young Arabs“, a report released late February this year which offers insights on Arab youth perspectives, hopes, fears, and ideas, the report’s key-findings inspired me to extract a list of criteria that if they are found in own-self/-environment he or she will have high potential to be [...]

Are you a start-up in the Middle East? Then please help yourself

Monday, February 15, 2010 21:52

I have been among internet start-ups in the Middle East for around 9 years, yet recently I started hearing this stereotype from people that twitter is their main place for start-up in these days so they start spending so much time on it and building hope around it; and my question always follow by: Is [...]

Startups Guide: Mind your website development process

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 17:00

If you got the idea of creating a website, an application, or even looking to revamp your website in order to start buzzing the media; it’s important for you to understand the road-map for this process and indulge yourself into the development before the web agency or the developer initiate the work [knowing that the [...]

Silicon Arabia (Part 3): The Talent Equation

Sunday, February 7, 2010 11:35

This article is the third in a multi-part series about entrepreneurship in the MENA region. In my first post, I laid out the five key attributes that I believe to be necessary for a sustainable and flourishing start-up ecosystem: infrastructure, talent, investment capital, mentors, and a culture of adoption.  In my second post, I explained [...]

Ahmadinejad: You can shop online but not tweeting

Friday, February 5, 2010 20:31

With nearly half of the population penetrates the worldwide web which represents 32,000,000 users, there should be at least one thing Iranian can do online if not tweeting or socializing on Facebook. The UK newspaper guardian exposed the new launch of the first online supermarket which is probably one of the rare activities you can [...]

Google is warming up for Arabia 2.0 event

Thursday, February 4, 2010 20:55

Despite the fact that Google is a bit late to organize such event, it will remain a big news for the industry.  Google is turning its head towards the Middle East and warming up to organize its first Google Day: Arabia 2.0 event.
Google Day aims to bring around 150 government and thought leaders together to [...]

Apple Launches iPad: Read The Very Detailed Official Press Release

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 22:32

This is the official Apple press release:
Apple today introduced iPad, a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch™ display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and [...]

Silicon Arabia: Can the MENA Region Become a Viable and Vibrant Hub for Start-Ups? (Part 2)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 12:24

This article is the second in a multi-part series about entrepreneurship in the MENA region.  In my first post, I laid out the five key attributes that I believe to be necessary for a sustainable and flourishing start-up ecosystem: infrastructure, talent, investment capital, mentors, and a culture of adoption.
You can also follow me on twitter: [...]

MediaWeek ME Monitor (Jan 24): Entrepreneurship, Apple, Flip Media

Monday, January 25, 2010 19:09

Read in Media Week Middle East (Jan 24, 2010) about interactive/digital media:

Who’s got the X Factor? – The year ahead could be a battle between monolithic media and those with a few tricks up their sleeves, according to industry heavyweights. “[In the Middle East] the truth is that the chance for entrepreneurial businesses to surpass [...]

Yallakora.com TV Plays Now On Mobile

Saturday, January 16, 2010 8:42

Yallakora.com, the leading sports website in Egypt and MENA region announces the launch of Yallakora TV for mobile phones, giving all users the privilege to watch match commentary and sports analysis from their mobile phones.
Yallakora.com is now considered the first website in the region to offer mobile phone compatible video streaming, allowing users to watch [...]

IBAG Announces The First Inaugural Conference for Arab Internet Business

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 0:05

IBAG, International Business Alliance Group has announced today the launch of the inaugural conference that will be held in Beirut on March 25th and 26th, 2010 about the trends and opportunities in internet business in the Arab World.

ArabNet 2010 is high anticipated to be the first event that brings together internet community to learn from [...]

Meet The Geek: Fouad Masoud Envisions His Internet Start-up As His Future Career

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 20:26

This is an interview with an internet start-up guy living in Dubai. This interview is meant to unleash his digital lifestyle; in addition to few insights about the interactive media industry in Middle East.

Tarek: Fouad Masoud, can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Fouad: First off thank you Tarek for giving me this opportunity [...]

Etihad Launches A New iPhone Application For Etihad Guest Members

Monday, January 11, 2010 20:35

It is the first iPhone application of its kind to offer real-time loyalty points redemption for its users. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, today launched a new Apple iPhone application for members of its award-winning loyalty program, Etihad Guest.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched today a new [...]

Communicate Monitor (Jan’10): Flip Media, Eye of Dubai, Qardi.com

Monday, January 11, 2010 20:08

Read in Communicate (Issue: January 2010) about interactive/digital media:
Very Briefs: Flip Media provides Du’s new website; Eye of Dubai wins best UAE internet website; Saudi first website for laon camparisons, Qardi.com, up and running….
Destination unknown – Marketing a destination can demand a different way of thinking. Visit London is the organized charged with marketing the [...]

Taya IT Launches In Beta A New Content Discovery Portal for Arabic Web

Monday, January 11, 2010 18:40

In an optimistic move towards the internet in the Arab World, a firm specialized in enterprise and internet search applications, Taya IT, announced today the launch of a new content discovery portal which serves as an independent gateway to discover and share the best content on the Arabic Web.
Yajeel.com was released in beta featuring a [...]

Masrawy.com Announces Record Annual Growth for 2009

Sunday, December 27, 2009 22:07

Masrawy.com, Egypt’s leading Arabic News, Media and Entertainment portal, announced strong year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth for the period Dec 2009 compared to last year.
Masrawy.com, a LINKonLINE managed web portal, proudly achieved a record annual growth rate that exceeds 100% with an increase in the number of visits to reach 15 million visit per month in 2009.
Since [...]

Communicate Monitor (Dec’09): YouTube, Online Games, Digital Agencies

Saturday, December 19, 2009 15:27

Read in Communicate (Issue: November 2009) about interactive/digital media:

Always Game – From World of Warcraft to Whack the Penguin, online gaming is a global phenomenon. And slowly but surely, the Middle East is playing its part. Once a gamer, always a gamer. That’s one saying video game developers like to hear. The world of gaming [...]

The First Brick For Building Mobile Innovation Ecosystem in The MENA Region

Friday, December 18, 2009 18:40

Finally mobile innovation ecosystem is taken seriously in the Middle East and North Africa, thanks to Qtel and Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) recent agreement on long term association which will combine Qtel regional footprint in 17 markets, with cutting-edge mobile technology facilities QSTP to provide.
This collaboration aims to develop relevant and localized mobile [...]