How Modern-day skiing: Drones and selfie sticks

Technology on the mountain has meant a huge increase in the number of photos and videos posted on social media.

Drones, selfie sticks and touchscreen-friendly gloves are the in-demand tech for skiers and snowboarders in New Zealand.

GoPros attached to helmets have been a common sight on the mountain for several years, but technology is making further inroads into the snow lifestyle.

This includes cellphone service all over the mountain, free wi-fi, hundreds of social media posts and the increasing number of people hunched over their phones while in the resort cafe.

The bigger ski resorts in New Zealand are no longer the rustic escapes of last century but hotbeds of technology, with places like Mt Hutt using them to do everything from making the mountain safe, stopping fraudulent use of ski passes and sharing videos on Instagram.

Mt Hutt ski area manager James McKenzie said they'd had about six requests for drones to be used on the mountain so far this year.

Snow bunnies are increasingly asking to take drones up the mountain.

He said if demand increased he would need to develop a policy to prevent any problems.

McKenzie said he hadn't seen anyone texting or talking while skiing or snowboarding, but using devices on lifts was popular.

"You see a lot of people chatting, with their phones shoved under their helmets so they keep their hands warm."

The days listening to the radio or rushing out to see the faxed ski report on the radio are long gone.

Now ski resorts uses websites and social media to tell people about conditions. If you want more information, take a look at the webcams or check other people's social accounts to get updates, photos or videos.

McKenzie said one of the most noticeable changes was inside the resort.

"There are a lot more heads down in the cafe and while you still see people talking, there's not as much as there used to be."

Chairlifts are a popular place to spend time on your phone.

But the tech is not only for the skiers and snowboarders. Resorts are using it constantly.

"Connectivity helps us make better decisions while we operate in an aggressive environment," said McKenzie.

Mt Hutt staff use iPads to identify people as they come through the lift gates. While this is primarily to stop people misusing passes, it's also used to find people to let them know if their car lights are on or if someone is trying to locate them.

Here are some tips to get teched up for the ski season:

APPS

The first app Kiwi skiers and boarders should download is the Met Service's Snow Weather (free for Android and Apple). You choose a mountain as your "home" though you also "favourite" other resorts. It gives you forecasts, current conditions and webcams to check the situation.

The Metservice's app.

The other popular apps for mountain users are those that track and map your runs and collate stats such as maximum speed, distance travelled and vertical metres.

They are suprisingly addictive and you can get competitive with yourself in trying to beat your previous personal best. My favourite is Trace Snow (free for Android and Apple), as it has a simple interface and also stops tracking automatically once you leave the mountain. Others worth trying are Snowcru (free) and Ski Tracks ($1.29), both for Apple and Android.

Other handy apps are Apple's Find Friends (free) to help locate mates on the mountain.

CAMERAS

There are a lot of GoPros on New Zealand mountains as people record themselves and friends charging down the slopes or performing in the park.

GoPros are the fan favourite and the company has just released a smaller version, the Hero4 Session.

McKenzie said the cameras are so popular they are now selling them in the shop at Mt Hutt. He also said ski selfie sticks are used a lot on the mountain.

But GoPros aren't the only option. Sony has three models of its Action Cam, starting from $349.

If you don't want to buy a new camera you can get a case for your phone and put it on your helmet, or just hold it. Hitcase makes tough cases for iPhones that come with a range of accessories so you can mount them on just about anything. Their prices start at $100.

SOCIAL MEDIA

If you or your friends ski or board then come winter your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds are probably full of snow antics.

Instagram is increasing popular in New Zealand and several mountains, including Mt Hutt, Cardrona and Rainbow have accounts. Most of those pics are for publicity but searching hashtags will show up plenty of pictures from people on the mountain.

Many resorts also are on Facebook and Twitter and they are good place to get information, or if things go bad, to complain.

WEBSITES

A fun part of skiing is improving your skills. While you can always use an instructor, technology can also help in the form of websites.

For Kiwi snowboarders, Snowboard Addiction is a great site. Started by a Kiwi who now lives in Whistler, the site features videos to help everyone from learners to those wanting to progress in the park. It has a selection of free videos but for the full package you need to pay US$59 (NZ$86)

Skiers can try the YouTube channel of Elate Media which has dozens of videos for a range of abilities.

Check Selfie Sticks

Source: awok.co/H1itfB

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Celebrate Ramadan lift - Online retailers

ECommerce in the region is expected to reach $15 billion this year

Global eCommerce providers such as Amazon do not have a presence in the Middle East,allowing local names to build strong regional franchises.

Dubai: As Gulf Arabs jetted off on their Eid holidays to mark the end of Ramadan on Friday, the region’s online retailers are celebrating a shift to shopping via mobile devices.

The retail haven of the Gulf may be lagging behind the world in digital consumer patterns, but the shopaholic region is catching up — and the lunar month when Muslims forgo food and water from dawn to dusk has been a boon for online sellers.

Ronaldo Mouchawar, chief executive of Souq.com, a market-leading shopping platform, says the proliferation of smartphones in large local markets, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is helping push shoppers online.

Souq.com, which is doubling sales every year and has financial backing from Naspers, the South African media group, expects a 20-25 per cent increase in traffic during Ramadan as people shop for Eid gifts, including expatriates buying presents for relatives back home.

“We see a big see push online and [changing] consumer habits due to mobile,” says Mr Mouchawar.

eCommerce in the region is expected to reach $15 billion this year, only 1 per cent of retail spending across the Middle East, according to Criteo, an online marketing company.

But that is a two-thirds increase since 2012, and the region is now regarded as one of fastest-growing online markets in the world — up 30 per cent year on year, compared with a worldwide average of 17 per cent.

Studying digital consumer patterns last Ramadan, Criteo reported a 23 per cent rise in retail sales and 42 per cent increase in online travel transactions for the most important month in the Muslim calendar.

“Some merchants are up 300 per cent in the first 10 days,” says Omar Soudodi, managing director of Payfort, an online payment platform that services the region’s largest eCommerce brands.

As the holidays start at the end of the month, however, buying patterns shift from computers to phones, with mobile purchases up 29 per cent in this period, according to Criteo. In Bahrain, almost half of all eCommerce transactions are made via a mobile device.

The fasting rhythm of Ramadan also has a big impact on buying patterns.

Fatma Al Mulla, an entrepreneur who runs one of a growing number of online cottage industries set up by Gulf women, sees strong orders through the night for her range of clothing and accessories as locals become more nocturnal.

The region’s shopping lifestyle, focused on the mall, also shifts. “We like to invite people into our houses, people don’t go to the mall — it’s time for the family,” says Ms Mulla.

Ulugbek Yuldashev, managing director of Awok, an online retailer, says online shopping jumps 35 per cent between the 7pm breakfast, known as iftar, and the night-time suhoor meal, a feast intended to sustain individuals through the next day’s fast.

Demand for kitchen gadgets has prompted UAE-based Awok to stock up on blenders and rice cookers used for family-sized meals.

Ramadan, renowned for family-oriented consumption, drives subscriptions to Netflix and Icflix, a regional streaming platform. Media channels save their best dramas and comedies for the family-focused month.

Despite the rise of online in the region, cash remains king, with about 70 per cent of eCommerce purchases settled with cash on delivery, owing to latent suspicion of online transactions.

That is one of several barriers to the growth of online retail in the region, says Saygin Yalcin, an internet entrepreneur who runs Sellanycar.com.

Limited logistics capacity is another factor, forcing successful retailers to build up their own delivery capacity within individual markets.

Tough laws that threaten jail for business operators who cannot repay debts have crimped the industry’s development, says Mr Yalcin, who sold his shopping club website to Souq.com in 2012.

Global eCommerce providers such as Amazon do not have a presence in the Middle East, allowing local names to build strong regional franchises.

“Local guys were quick to set up strong local presences, whereas big international ones went for global platforms,” says Dirk Henke, Criteo’s managing director for eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “Now locals literally rule eCommerce here.”

Source: awok.co/ACPWP2
Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Ramadan car hunt: Models grabbing UAE residents' attention

Cash discounts, free insurance, extended warranties on offer

Most car dealers try to wow those looking for a new set of wheels during the holy month of Ramadan. The offers include cash discounts, free insurance, extended warranties and service packages to lure customers into changing their old cars.

This urge to change/upgrade cars is not only seen in the brand new category, but also in the used car segment.

According to Dubizzle, a classifieds website in the region, several residents surf and scout for a good deal on wheels during this time of the year.

Its data shows that during Ramadan 2014, the top three searches for used car brands were BMW, Honda and Jeep; while the top three searched car models were Ford Mustang, Mercedes C63 and Honda Civic.

Toyota tops the most listed sedan cars in the country. The findings show that Toyota came first with its Camry model at an average price of Dh32,172.24 with an average mileage of 114,192km and model of the year 2008.

The second and third places went to Honda Civic 2009 and Accord 2010. Luxury cars were among the top three most searched sedan cars in the UAE. Mercedes and Porsche took the first and second place with their AMG C63 and Panamera models, while the third place went to Toyota Camry.

Among the German models in the UAE, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class took the first place, followed by Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW came third with its 3-Series models. For the top three most searched German models in the UAE, Mercedes-Benz C63 came first, Porsche 911 4S came second, and Mercedes-Benz G63 & S63 AMG came third.

Convertible cars were also something that people looked up on the website with the most searched being the Mini Cooper convertible, Audi A4 convertible and BMW M3 convertible.
The number one searched car throughout the year was the BMW 3-Series, followed by Land Rover’s Range Rover HSE and Jeep Wrangler.
Most people who took to Dubizzle to look for used cars performed the most searches at around 1pm and then the traffic dropped until after iftar, says the classifieds site. However, search activity went up again after iftar with a drop witnessed again during the night with the lowest search volume after imsak, around 6am.
A previous research by UAE-based online retail company, Awok.com, revealed that the hours between iftar and suhour are the most popular time to shop online in the country during this month.

Source:awok.co/MWTBnF
Website: www.awok.com
Post By : Ramiz Ali Khan

Check Best 6 waterproof cameras

Whether you’re off surfing or scuba-diving this summer, don’t miss a good photo opp just because you’re submerged

If you’re off on some water-based adventures, invest in a camera that can cope with the wet stuff.  Most waterproof cameras are also categorized as adventure cameras, meaning that they’re engineered to cope with the rough and tumble of extreme sports, if that’s what you’re doing. Not only do these cameras take snaps when submerged in water, many of them are also kitted out with extra features like being freeze proof, dust proof, crush proof and shock and drop-proof.

As with all cameras, waterproof  camera or not, resolution will play a big factor in determining the quality of your images. If your main priority is photography, settle for no less than 14 megapixels to ensure high-clarity shots. If you’re going to be recording video, a camera with 1080px recording quality is a must-have.

The depth to which the camera is waterproof will determine the type of activity it is suitable for. A camera that can withstand 40m of depth is ideal for deep sea diving, whereas a camera with 10m of underwater depth would be better suited for snorkeling or shallow scuba diving.

We’ve looked at rugged compact, action camera and compact system camera options. Each has undergone some serious scrutiny; tested in and out of water, dropped from heights and trialled in different lighting conditions to see whether or not it makes the cut. Here’s our edit.

Fujifilm Finepix

Fujifilm Finepix XP80 With an image resolution of 16.4-megapixels, this is a small but mighty compact camera. It’s lightweight but captures pristine images to depths of ten meters. We found this took good images both in and out of water (though it performs best in decent light) and the easy-to-master point and shoot function makes it ideal for beginners. Plus, its small frame and shock and dust-proof features mean that kids can get behind the lens, too. It doesn’t have the photo customisation abilities of more expensive models, but it’s a good all-rounder.

Olympus Tough TG

Olympus-TG-4-GPS Tough is definitely the right word to describe this one. Ideal for an adventurer, it’s crushproof, shockproof and freeze-proof. But, in interests of taking great photos in water, it’s ergonomic; chunky and easy-to-grip so it shouldn’t slide out of slippery hands. It has an ultra-bright lens and built-in wifi, GPS and a clever ‘e.Compass’ allow you to share your images on the go as well as keep track of your altitude and water-depth (it’s waterproof up to 15m), while you shoot stunning 16-megapixel images.

Nikon 1 AW

Nikon 1 AW1 Unlike the smaller cameras on the list, this one is a compact system camera with interchangeable lenses. This means it's bulkier than its compact competitors but it’s ideal for those who aren’t willing to compromise on picture quality. The 14.2-megapixel camera can go down to 15m, it has a pop-up flash and advanced adjustment options like the ‘Live Image Control’ function that means you can see how different effects – background softening and motion control, for example– will affect the final image. This is one for those who want to up their photography game. 

Buy now

Ricoh WG-5

Ricoh WG-5 In its update of the much-lauded WG-4, Ricoh has created a camera that addresses all the underwater needs you didn’t even know you had. The optional underwater mode eliminates the bluish tone that can wash-out underwater photographs and its unique flash feature takes two consecutive images, one with and one without, allowing you to choose and keep the best one after the moment has been captured. It can go as deep at 14m and resist temperatures down to -10C, and captures images with a crystal-clear 16-megapixel lens. It’s not as grippy as some of the tough cameras we tried but the unusual shape allows for large, well-spaced controls that are easy to operate when submerged. 

GoPro HERO4 Silver

GoPro HERO4 If you want to capture your surroundings in near-cinematic definition video, then this one is for you. This teeny gadget packs a lot of punch and is our recommendation for all the thrill-seekers out there – it captures film in 4K resolution (aka “Ultra High Definition”), is waterproof up to a whopping 40m and lets you keep your hands free to get right into the midst of the action with a range of additional accessories like mounts and straps.

Canon PowerShot D30

Canon PowerShot D30 This is an upgrade of Canon’s D20; you can use this one to depths of 25 meters, so it is ideal if you’re off on a diving adventure. With a 12.1 megapixel sensor, the images you get are decent, if not quite the quality of some of the of the higher-resolution machines. It has built-in GPS and HD video recording and is easy-to-use underwater. We’d just like to see an upgrade that includes wifi connectivity.

Verdict:

The GoPro HERO4 is hands-down the best option for capturing outstandingly high-quality video on the go, however if still images are your main format of choice then  the Nikon 1 AW1 reigns supreme. Its advanced photography options and interchangeable lenses means it will give you top-notch underwater snaps. If you can't stretch to that, and want something compact, we'd go for Ricoh's good all-rounder.

Check latest cameras & Accessories

Source:awok.co/WFvOFl

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Boeing says :Your gadget batteries endanger planes

Brit pilots agree: Get gizmos' batts out of holds

Boeing has decided that lithium-ion batteries, the engine-room of the tech gadget boom, are too dangerous to haul around in bulk on cargo planes.

The company has warned operators of its aircraft not to carry bulk shipments of batteries until logistics companies design better transport packaging and shipping procedures.

America's Federal Aviation Authority agrees, and over the weekend reiterated a warning first given in March that bulk battery shipments posed a potential risk to airliners.

If a battery develops a short circuit, the FAA explained, the build-up of hydrogen and other gases as surrounding batteries are also heated can defeat a plane's halon fire suppression system.

In May, the FAA gave this presentation to an airline fire protection meeting in Germany, explaining tests both on individual batteries and a bulk shipment.



FAA Battery Fire Test
Halon can't handle it: the FAA's battery fire test
It concluded that the total failure energy of Li-ion batteries is almost twice as much electrochemical energy as they can deliver.

A number of airlines were ahead of Boeing's announcement, with the Wall Street Journal listing Delta, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Air France as no longer carrying bulk shipments in the cargo holds of passenger flights.

While the FAA can warn operators of the dangers of Li-ion batteries, a law passed in 2012 means it can't regulate battery transport unless international regulators act first.

A week ago, the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) issued a separate statement calling for all passengers' Li-ion-powered gadgets to be carried as cabin luggage.

BALPA also wants regulators to specifically ban the batteries being carried in cargo holds

Source:awok.co/eq13m4
Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

You need to try this summer this Jewellery trends

Many of us have our favourite piece of jewellery; it could be a necklace given to us by a grandparent, a pair of earrings we bought for a special occasion and our engagement and wedding rings that we (should) wear every day.

However, like clothing, jewellery trends change every season and if you haven’t yet dived into the world of accessorising it might be time. Consider these jewellery trends to try out this summer and give your outfits a revamp:

Daydreamer

Look out for dream catcher inspired pieces, with crystals and feathers stealing the show for summer that would work perfect at festivals and with the current 70s trend that we’re enjoying on the high street. Check out Blue Vanilla’s 70s collection to pair your hippie chic-style jewellery with – along with that fun, printed bum bag (there’s no shame in using one) to keep all your bits and pieces safe in.

Under the sea

Marine life is also having its moment in the limelight, as Valentino showcased delicate shell and coral jewellery pieces at its spring/summer shows. If you’re looking for a statement piece to enhance your outfit (that doesn’t have a Valentino price tag) take a look at KT Ferris Creations’ handmade, intricate jewellery, featuring barnacles, shells and coral. Designed in America, KT imagines then creates every piece herself and then handcrafts them using crystal and various metals. This trend is perfect for those summer days spent at the beach or nights out with a cocktail in hand, at an outside bar.

Faux piercings

Always wanted your nose or helix pierced but never had the nerve to go through with it? Well, you’re in luck because a big trend for summer 2015 is faux piercings, which clip on and can be easily removed. While you might not want to go for the Rodarte look, which featured multiple faux piercings on the models’ eyebrows, you could opt for a fake nose ring that opens and closes to clip on your nostril – and horrify your mum when you go round for a roast on Sunday.

Wear your heart on your sleeve

Chanel’s slogan jewellery at the recent spring/summer shows featured bold statements such as “make fashion not war” and “ladies first” and is an easy trend to pick up for the coming summer months. Retailers such as ASOS and other high street stores are stocking similar designs with which to adorn your wrists. Tatty Devine is also a brand synonymous with quirky slogan and name jewellery, and you can even customise what’s written on yours.

When it comes to mixing up your jewellery this summer be sure to choose pieces that are well made, comfortable to wear (ideally you want to forget you even have any jewellery on until people compliment you on it) and that make you happy whenever you put them on.

Source: awok.co/PdVjqr

Website: www.awok.com

Check Latest Jewellery

Post: Ramiz Ali Khan

LG introduces Diamond Collection kitchen appliances -- sans smudges

LG introduces Diamond Collection kitchen appliances -- sans smudges
LG's new generation of kitchen appliances boasts a darker, more fingerprint-resistant shade of stainless steel.

LG Stainless steel appliances are designed to help your kitchen look its best, but start touching the things, and you'll end up with a kitchen full of smudges. LG's newest generation of appliances wants to help, with a special, smudge-resistant coating to help keep things looking pristine.
Dubbed the "Diamond Collection," the new appliances include multiple refrigerators, a microwave, a dishwasher, and both gas and electric double ovens. The coating gives the stainless steel a darker look -- along with fighting off fingerprints, LG claims that it's designed to pair perfectly with just about any decor.

The new appliances feature many of LG's existing bells and whistles. The collection's ranges and microwaves all feature "EasyClean" interiors, for instance, while the Diamond Collection dishwasher utilizes LG's "TrueSteam" feature to help eliminate the need for pre-washing. There are also Diamond Collection Door-in-Door refrigerators, a popular feature that offers quick access to in-door food storage

There's also a new four-door, "t-type" fridge in the Diamond Collection -- possibly an effort to keep up with Samsung's refrigerator catalog, where the four-door Chef Collection refrigerator ranks as the brand's most expensive. Pricing and availability for the entire Diamond Collection lineup is still to be determined -- it'll be interesting to see where that fridge lands in comparison with the Samsung model, which retails for a whopping $6,000.

There's nothing revolutionary about smudge-proof appliances, mind you. GE already sells "Slate" appliances with a dark grey, smudge-resistant finish, and high-end stainless steel Frigidaire models claim a smudge-proof exterior, as well. Still, fingerprint-averse consumers will certainly be glad to have some additional options.

Website: www.awok.com

AWOK.com Data Shows UAE Consumers Still More Confident of Cash on Delivery Payment for Online Purchases

AWOK.com gathers data on online shopping habits for UAE consumers: infographic

In the last 12 months, UAE-based online retail specialist, awok.com, has been tracking trends in online retail habits, which clearly demonstrate that while people are comfortable with buying online, they still prefer to use cash to pay for deliveries.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150604/748224 )
Awok.com reports that on average, cyber shoppers spend AED 500 minimum per transaction, with consumer electronics taking 57% of the purchases. Home and kitchen appliances come a distant second at 14%, with photography and cameras generating the least sales at just 4%.

"There is still a disconnect in trust for online purchase, versus online payment, as well as accessibility for card payment methods for some segments of society," says Ulugbek Yuldashev, Founder and CEO of awok.com. "However, we appreciate that not everyone wants to pay through a card, and awok.com caters to all preferences."

With the market continuing to mature quickly, males have been highlighted as the predominant force behind 'click and buy'; representing an overwhelming 76% of online shoppers. While the UAE's male-biased population certainly serves to enforce that figure, the social aspect of malls and browsing, still appeal more to the female consumer. 25-31 year-olds make up the biggest proportion at 58%.

Awok.com has seen significant response with returning customers now hitting 59%. Mobile technology plays a big role in supporting site accessibility, with a majority of customers accessing the site through their phones and smart devices. Android users are the most predominant, at 72% of shoppers, while the optimum browsing choice is Google Chrome.

For more information on AWOK, please visit http://www.awok.com

Source: awok.co/XhR4lR
website:www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Awok.com -Blog: AWOK.COM SEES TRIPLE FIGURE SALES INCREASE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2013

AWOK.COM SEES TRIPLE FIGURE SALES INCREASE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2013

By 2020 experts predict that e-commerce sales in the GCC are expected to touch $41.5 billion, one of the highest growths across the industry worldwide1. Internet spending in the Middle East is on the rise and GCC countries are expected to experience a 40% growth in e-commerce by 2020 according to industry research analysts Frost & Sullivan. In the two years since the COMPANY was first created, AWOK.com has grown substantially, initially dealing in electronics and gadgets and now selling a wide-ranging versatile product selection of household appliances, jewellery, consumer electronics and HEALTH AND BEAUTYproducts with new products added to the website on a daily basis. The site was first established in April 2013 with the intention of bringing reliable, quality products sold at the most competitive prices to consumers in the UAE.

AWOK.com, the UAE-based online shopping platform hits the two-year mark in April 2015, boasting a phenomenal 500% increase in sales compared to its first year of TRADING. The online platform also announced it will be launching a mobile app for consumers to be released later on this year. Since its launch, the website has witnessed strong year-on-year growth as well as increasing its portfolio of consumer goods. The COMPANY has grown to employ over 200 staff in the UAE and looks to increase its offerings to other countries in the region. The company’s success is a testament to the rapidly growing e-commerce industry in the region.

“AWOK.com’s solid growth is testament to the brand’s commitment in providing quality products at consistently low prices. Reaching this two-year milestone is a great achievement for AWOK.com and we look forward to achieving future growth in line with our third year targets. We are grateful to our loyal customers and are always striving for ways to identify and meet our consumer’s needs. 2015 marks a big year for us with the introduction of our mobile app being made available to consumers later on in the year. Our consumers already understand that online shopping is safe, easy and fast and with our new mobile application, they will be able to order must-have products directly from their mobile devices”, said Ulugbek Yuldashev, MANAGING DIRECTOR of AWOK.com.

With a vast warehouse, speedy delivery across the UAE and one-on-one customer service, AWOK.com prides itself on being a leader in the Middle East’s growing online market. Setting itself apart from other online shopping websites, AWOK.com operates all logistics in-house, allowing it to keep prices continuously low through sourcing directly from manufacturers, distributors and re-sellers. AWOK.com runs its own warehouse, a fleet of delivery vans as well as an in-house customer service team meaning that savings are passed directly on to the consumer. A promise to deliver to customers in the UAE within 12 – 24 hours and a dedicated aftersales tech support service on-hand ensures the company’s goal to attain 100% CUSTOMER SATISFACTION is on track.

For more information on AWOK, please visit http://www.awok.com/
Source:awok.co/UJKQos
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Awok.com -Blog: BlackBerry planning to launch Android smartphone w...

BlackBerry planning to launch Android smartphone with sliding keyboard

New smartphone would mark U-turn in company strategy as it struggles to stymie falling sales and moves to place software on iPhones and other Androids.



The next BlackBerry smartphone could run Android and have a sliding physical keyboard, according to reports.



BlackBerry briefly showed off a slider device on stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March, but has provided little detail on it since.



The move would make BlackBerry the latest Android device manufacturer, having brought Android apps through the Amazon app store to its BlackBerry 10 smartphones in an attempt to help tempt users with more apps.



Four sources talking to Reuters said the move to use Android is part of BlackBerry’s strategy to focus on SOFTWARE and device management, rather than handset sales after its MARKET SHARE declined to less than 1%.



Whether a move to Android, an about-face for the Waterloo, Ontario-based company, would spell the end of BlackBerry 10 devices is unclear. Launched in 2013, BlackBerry 10 devices have struggled to compete with Android smartphones from Samsung, Motorola or LG, or Apple’s iPhones, mainly due to a lack of big name apps.



“We don’t comment on rumours and speculation, but we remain committed to the BlackBerry 10 operating system, which provides security and productivity benefits that are unmatched,” said BlackBerry in a statement.



SOFTWAREand services, not phones

BlackBerry chief executive John Chen has pinned the company’s hopes on a new device management system called BES12, which allows corporate and government clients to MANAGE BlackBerry devices as well as devices powered by Android, iOS and Windows operating system.



One of the hurdles it faces in that transformation is convincing big customers that its device management SOFTWARE works across many different platforms.



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By launching an Android-based device of its own, BlackBerry would be sending a signal to sceptics that it is confident that the BES12 system can not only MANAGE , but also secure smartphones and tablets powered by rival operating systems.



In March, BlackBerry announced that it planned to deliver its patented security, productivity and communication tools to any mobile device running iOS, Android or Windows.



After launching its then popular BlackBerry Messaging app on Android and iPhone, BlackBerry said it plans to offer more in-house features on rival devices, including BlackBerry Hub and the predictive text capabilities of its virtual keyboard.



• BlackBerry left on the line as UK users continue to hang up



Check Blackberry phones in UAE

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan.

Awok.com -Blog: UAE Consumers Still More Confident Of Cash On Delivery

Awok.com -Blog: UAE Consumers Still More Confident Of Cash On Delivery

In the last 12 months, UAE-based online retail specialist, awok.com, has been tracking trends in online retail habits, which clearly demonstrate that while people are comfortable with buying online, they still prefer to useCASH to pay for deliveries.

Awok.com reports that on average, cyber shoppers spend AED 500 minimum per transaction, with consumer electronics taking 57% of the purchases. Home and kitchen appliances come a distant second at 14%, with photography and cameras generating the least sales at just 4%.

“There is still a disconnect in trust for online purchase, versus online payment, as well as accessibility for card payment methods for some segments of society,” says Ulugbek Yuldashev, Founder and CEO of awok.com. “However, we appreciate that not everyone wants to pay through a card, and awok.com caters to all preferences.”

With the market continuing to mature quickly, males have been highlighted as the predominant force behind ‘click and buy’; representing an overwhelming 76% of online shoppers. While the UAE’s male-biased population certainly serves toENFORCE that figure, the social aspect of malls and browsing, still appeal more to the female consumer. 25-31 year-olds make up the biggest proportion at 58%.

Awok.com has seen significant response with returning customers now hitting 59%. Mobile technology plays a big role in supporting site accessibility, with a majority of customers accessing the site through their phones and smart devices. Android users are the most predominant, at 72% of shoppers, while the optimum browsing choice is Google Chrome.

Source: awok.co/qpFys3

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Cash on Delivery is still king for majority of online UAE consumers

Dubai: Despite all of the talk about paperless transactions, e-commerce or innovations in the financial markets, cash is still king.

The majority of consumers in the UAE are not comfortable paying their new smartphone, perfume, toilet paper and other everyday essentials with plastic, a new study suggests.

Awok.com, an online shopping store in Dubai that sells all kinds of consumer goods, from cameras, phones to kitchen appliances, has been tracking trends in the retail habits of consumers in the UAE.

The company found that among those who buy stuff online, 85 per cent would rather pay cash on delivery, while only 15 per cent opt to use their credit or debit card.

These online shoppers, majority of whom are presumably keeping a stash of cash in their wallets at all times, are mostly men (76 per cent) and between 25 years and 34 years of age.

They spend an average of Dh500 on every purchase.

While online shopping is increasingly becoming popular, consumers in the UAE are quite not ready to fully embrace the culture of cashless payments due to security concerns.

"There is still a huge disconnect in trust for online shopping versus trust for online payment," Ulugbek Yuldashev, managing director of awok.com, told Gulf News.

"Consumers are still uncomfortable sharing their banking details online due to fear of being defrauded."

As to what they mostly shop for online, statistics showed that the most searched categories are mobile phones, tablets, watches, jewellery and perfumes.

Consumers electronics, preferred by 57 per cent of the customers, top the list of popular items,  followed by home and kitchen appliances (14 per cent), apparel and accessories (10 per cent), other categories (10 per cent), health and beauty products (5 per cent) and photography and cameras (4 per cent).

The majority of online customers (52 per cent) use their smartphones to shop, while a significant number (44 per cent) place orders through a desktop and a small number (4 per cent) through a tablet.

Payments experts have long noted the slow uptake of cashless payments not just in the UAE but in many markets around the world.

In 2009, 62.4 per cent of total consumer payments were made in cash, compared to 4.9 per cent for card transactions.

Experts had earlier attributed the trend to the low levels of investment in the payment systems infrastructure and concerns over credit card debt and security.

Source: awok.co/wW2u4D

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Cash on Delivery is still king for majority of online UAE consumers

Dubai: Despite all of the talk about paperless transactions, e-commerce or innovations in the financial markets, cash is still king.

The majority of consumers in the UAE are not comfortable paying their new smartphone, perfume, toilet paper and other everyday essentials with plastic, a new study suggests.

Awok.com, an online shopping store in Dubai that sells all kinds of consumer goods, from cameras, phones to kitchen appliances, has been tracking trends in the retail habits of consumers in the UAE.

The company found that among those who buy stuff online, 85 per cent would rather pay cash on delivery, while only 15 per cent opt to use their credit or debit card.

These online shoppers, majority of whom are presumably keeping a stash of cash in their wallets at all times, are mostly men (76 per cent) and between 25 years and 34 years of age.

They spend an average of Dh500 on every purchase.

While online shopping is increasingly becoming popular, consumers in the UAE are quite not ready to fully embrace the culture of cashless payments due to security concerns.

"There is still a huge disconnect in trust for online shopping versus trust for online payment," Ulugbek Yuldashev, managing director of awok.com, told Gulf News.

"Consumers are still uncomfortable sharing their banking details online due to fear of being defrauded."

As to what they mostly shop for online, statistics showed that the most searched categories are mobile phones, tablets, watches, jewellery and perfumes.

Consumers electronics, preferred by 57 per cent of the customers, top the list of popular items,  followed by home and kitchen appliances (14 per cent), apparel and accessories (10 per cent), other categories (10 per cent), health and beauty products (5 per cent) and photography and cameras (4 per cent).

The majority of online customers (52 per cent) use their smartphones to shop, while a significant number (44 per cent) place orders through a desktop and a small number (4 per cent) through a tablet.

Payments experts have long noted the slow uptake of cashless payments not just in the UAE but in many markets around the world.

In 2009, 62.4 per cent of total consumer payments were made in cash, compared to 4.9 per cent for card transactions.

Experts had earlier attributed the trend to the low levels of investment in the payment systems infrastructure and concerns over credit card debt and security.

Source: awok.co/wW2u4D

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Cash is still king for majority of online UAE consumers

Only 15% of consumers who buy online pay with cards

Despite all of the talk about paperless transactions, e-commerce or innovations in the financial markets, cash is still king.

The majority of consumers in the UAE are not comfortable paying their new smartphone, perfume, toilet paper and other everyday essentials with plastic, a new study suggests.

Awok.com, an online shopping store in Dubai that sells all kinds of consumer goods, from cameras, phones to kitchen appliances, has been tracking trends in the retail habits of consumers in the UAE.

The company found that among those who buy stuff online, 85 per cent would rather pay cash on delivery, while only 15 per cent opt to use their credit or debit card.

These online shoppers, majority of whom are presumably keeping a stash of cash in their wallets at all times, are mostly men (76 per cent) and between 25 years and 34 years of age.

They spend an average of Dh500 on every purchase.

While online shopping is increasingly becoming popular, consumers in the UAE are quite not ready to fully embrace the culture of cashless payments due to security concerns.

"There is still a huge disconnect in trust for online shopping versus trust for online payment," Ulugbek Yuldashev, managing director of awok.com, told Gulf News.

"Consumers are still uncomfortable sharing their banking details online due to fear of being defrauded."

As to what they mostly shop for online, statistics showed that the most searched categories are mobile phones, tablets, watches, jewellery and perfumes.

Consumers electronics, preferred by 57 per cent of the customers, top the list of popular items,  followed by home and kitchen appliances (14 per cent), apparel and accessories (10 per cent), other categories (10 per cent), health and beauty products (5 per cent) and photography and cameras (4 per cent).

The majority of online customers (52 per cent) use their smartphones to shop, while a significant number (44 per cent) place orders through a desktop and a small number (4 per cent) through a tablet.

Payments experts have long noted the slow uptake of cashless payments not just in the UAE but in many markets around the world.

In 2009, 62.4 per cent of total consumer payments were made in cash, compared to 4.9 per cent for card transactions.

Experts had earlier attributed the trend to the low levels of investment in the payment systems infrastructure and concerns over credit card debt and security.

Source:awok.co/r3LmRx

Website: www.awok.com

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

AWOK.com Data Shows UAE Consumers Still More Confident of Cash on Delivery Payment for Online Purchases

AWOK.com gathers data on online shopping habits for UAE consumers: infographic 

In the last 12 months, UAE-based online retail specialist, awok.com, has been tracking trends in online retail habits, which clearly demonstrate that while people are comfortable with buying online, they still prefer to use cash to pay for deliveries.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150604/748224 )

Awok.com reports that on average, cyber shoppers spend AED 500 minimum per transaction, with consumer electronics taking 57% of the purchases. Home and kitchen appliances come a distant second at 14%, with photography and cameras generating the least sales at just 4%.

"There is still a disconnect in trust for online purchase, versus online payment, as well as accessibility for card payment methods for some segments of society," says Ulugbek Yuldashev, Founder and CEO of awok.com. "However, we appreciate that not everyone wants to pay through a card, and awok.com caters to all preferences."

With the market continuing to mature quickly, males have been highlighted as the predominant force behind 'click and buy'; representing an overwhelming 76% of online shoppers. While the UAE's male-biased population certainly serves to enforce that figure, the social aspect of malls and browsing, still appeal more to the female consumer. 25-31 year-olds make up the biggest proportion at 58%.

Awok.com has seen significant response with returning customers now hitting 59%. Mobile technology plays a big role in supporting site accessibility, with a majority of customers accessing the site through their phones and smart devices. Android users are the most predominant, at 72% of shoppers, while the optimum browsing choice is Google Chrome.

For more information on AWOK, please visit http://www.awok.com

Source: awok.co/XhR4lR
Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Mobile Apps: Is Arabic less popular in UAE?

Saudi leads the list in terms of popularity of Arabic apps

Arabic mobile applications are downloaded far too fewer times in the United Arab Emirates compared to any other country in the region.

Saudi Arabia leads the list in terms of popularity of Arabic apps. About 89 per cent of people in the kingdom download Arabic apps regularly compared to just about 39 per cent in the UAE.

Well, before you can come to any conclusions about the language preference here, the result is a reflection of the cosmopolitan culture and  a large presence of expat population in the UAE.

The results were revealed by  Nader Kobeissi, Managing Director Mena of On Device Research on the sidelines of the ongoing two-day Arabnet Digital Summit 2015 in Dubai.

“Dubai’s numbers are low, simply because of the large number of expat population and a very active app download pattern among Westerners and Europeans,” says Kobeissi.

“About 70 per cent of Westerners, including Europeans download more than 5 apps in a month and did so during the past month and these are mostly apps in English,” he said.

The popularity of Arabic apps among the Arabs in the UAE, however, continue to remain high, at about 68 per cent and on par with Egypt. In Jordan 70 per cent of the apps downloaded are Arabic, compared to 54 per cent in Lebanon.

However, the survey also points out almost 34 per cent of those polled, which covered about 500 users from each country in the region, did prefer international apps, while about 31 to 30 per cent said they did not find what they wanted in Arabic and failed to find good quality Arabic apps.

Gaming apps continue to remain the most popular category in the region, followed by social media and music.

About the most downloaded apps, gaming related apps stood at 60 per cent, compared to 16 per cent of health and fitness related apps and 18 per cent of shopping related apps.

Utility related apps are downloaded mostly by those over 30 years – while, lifestyle, shopping and education are the three most popular categories among female mobile users.

The survey also revealed details about the nature of app purchases. “Majority of those buying apps - about 39 per cent - are doing so not because of its advanced features, but to avoid advertising,” says Kobeissi. About 37 per cent do so for additional content while, 29 per cent buy something which has been previewed on screen.

According to the survey, about 37 per cent of those buying apps go ahead and make in-app purchases and about 53 per cent don’t spend any money on buying apps and  majority of them simply because there are not many interesting apps out there in the market.

“Almost 20 per cent don’t trust the payment security system, while 16 per cent cannot find what they want to buy,” he said.

Saudi Arabic again continued to lead the numbers in terms of app purchases with about 51 per cent of users having paid to download apps, compared to 41 per cent in the UAE and Lebanon.

Source: awok.co/wNilNA

Website: www.awok.com

Buy Smart Phones in UAE

Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Awok.com -Blog: Popular cooking appliances make meal prep

Awok.com -Blog: Popular cooking appliances make meal prep easy for...: Whether you’re the best home chef or just the busiest, everyone can use a bit of electric assistance in the kitchen. Rice cookers, steamers...



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Awok.com -Blog: Apple says 'Apple Watch,' the world says 'i Watch'...

Awok.com -Blog: Apple says 'Apple Watch,' the world says 'i Watch'...: Many consumers still think of Apple's first smartwatch as the 'iWatch,' as evidenced by a recent trip to San Francisco for a ...





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Apple says 'Apple Watch,' the world says 'iWatch'

Many consumers still think of Apple's first smartwatch as the 'iWatch,' as evidenced by a recent trip to San Francisco for a wearable technology conference. The branding confusion represents at least a minor marketing misstep for Apple.

"Is that the iWatch?"

Early on an unseasonably brisk morning last week, a purposefully stern TSA agent in the JetBlue terminal of the Boston's Logan International Airport posed that question after I used my Apple Watch as a boarding pass and moved through security on the way to a wearable technology conference in San Francisco.
state of cios
State of the CIO 2015

More than 500 top IT leaders responded to our online survey to help us gauge the state of the READ NOW I considered the question for a moment, showed a hint of smile and said simply, "Yeah, it is," even though the nit-picky editor in me wanted to inform the gentlemen that it's an Apple Watch, not an iWatch. Had I chosen to correct the agent — it's never a good idea to correct a man in uniform, by the way — my efforts would have been futile. For better or worse, the Apple Watch is still the iWatch to lots of people, thanks in no small part to the seemingly endless deluge of "iWatch rumor" stories that led up to Apple's official announcement last fall. 

The TSA example is just one of many instances during the past week in which I watched complete strangers refer to the Apple Watch as the iWatch. The second incident occurred on the same day, inside an infamous beer bar in San Francisco's Lower Haight neighborhood, called Toronado. The surly, tattooed bartender was showing his Apple Watch to another patron, and I overheard the barfly refer to it multiple times as an iWatch. (The bartender didn't correct him either.)

A couple of days later, I called Capital One customer service to activate Apple Pay on my Watch. After I successfully answered a handful of security questions and verified my identity, the bubbly female representative said, "Congratulations on your iWatch! Enjoy using Apple Pay."
At the Wearable World Congress event, the Apple Watch was front and center, and guess what? More than a few attendees unconsciously referred to the smartwatch as the iWatch.

In other words, Apple appears to have a slight branding issue.

If the company had its way, the Apple Watch might have been the next great iProduct, falling in line with the iMac, iBook, iTunes, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Apple even filed for trademark on the name "iWatch" in a number of countries, including Columbia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan and Turkey, according to 9to5Mac.com.

Other entities have attempted to trademark the term in the United States and Europe during the past years, according to CNBC, and Swiss watchmaker Swatch, initiated a few different legal filings to block the use of the name iWatch, which it says is too similar to its trademarked "iSwatch" name.
Apple is a marketing and branding juggernaut. It puts just as much energy and attention to detail into the way it presents its products as it does designing them to function as seamlessly as possible. And its failure to secure and use the name iWatch seems like an unfortunate misstep for a marketing team that doesn't make many of them.

Of course, the fact that lots of folks are calling Apple's first smartwatch the iWatch, even though that is not its name, isn't really a big deal. The name won't significantly affect sales, and it also won't fix many of the software bugs spotted by early users. (My Apple Watch's fitness tracking features pale in comparison to my Fitbit, and in some cases don't work at all, for instance.) 
Regardless, I can't remember the last time I saw a technology product on par with the Apple Watch so frequently "misidentified" in the market, and it's hard to believe Apple didn't see this branding confusion coming — or do something more to avoid it.

Source:awok.co/sCz5n7
Check Apple Watch or iWatch price in UAE* >>>awok.co/q9xuJR

Website: www.awok.com
Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan

Awok.com -Blog: Top 5 Features To Expect: iPhone 6s

Awok.com -Blog: Top 5 Features To Expect: iPhone 6s: While the iPhone 6 was a huge success, some expect its successor, the iPhone 6s, to be leaps and bounds ahead of it. From Force Touch ...

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Post By: Ramiz Ali Khan