Gulf News reporters bring you the latest updates from Gitex Technology Week 2015, as the event marks its 35th anniversary

5.21pm: HP Middle East growth to slow in 2015

HP is forecasting modest mid-single digit growth in the Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa (Mema) region this year, a slowdown on 2014.

The Middle East contributes around 10 per cent to the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) portfolio and the biggest markets in the Mema region are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and South Africa. There are 76 countries in Mema.

Growth will slow this year because of “huge growth” in 2014 but also due to regional economic and political factors, Ala’a Alshimy, Vice-President Enterprise Group and Managing Director for Mema at HP, told Gulf News at Gitex Technology Week on Monday.

More here.

4.25pm: X-Concepts launches world’s first Islamic router

Dubai-based X-Concepts Corp has launched the world’s first Islamic router, first Islamic mobile app with value-added features and an Islamic tablet.

Dr Zakir Naik (left) and Assim Al Hakeem speaking at the launch of World’s first Islamic Router, App and Tablet at Gitex Technology week 2015 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Mohammad Asim Sajwani, president of X-Concepts Corp, said that the Islamic router is similar to a normal router but has extra features. The cloud-based Islamic firewall will work specially to protect your kids and family from the internet abuse.

He said that it will not only allow kids to watch prohibited sites but also inform the parents via email which sites your kid have visited. It will also give a detailed advice by Islamic scholars like Zakir Naik, Shaikh Assim Al Hakeem, Yousuf Estes and Peace TV on how to handle the situation.

More here.

4.20pm: Du to implement IoT at Dubai Silicon Oasis

Seeds of Smart City transformation are bearing fruits in Dubai now. Telecom operator du becomes the first operator in the Middle East deploying the true internet of things (IoT) network.

A visitor trying the virtual tour at du stand in Gitex Technology week 2015 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Carlos Domingo, senior vice-president for new businesses and innovation at du, told Gulf News that there were talks about smart solutions in the last few years and now is the time to put things into practice.

“We are doing pilot projects at Dubai Silicon Oasis, North of Shaikh Zayed Road and nearby our office at Dubai Media City for smart parking by using sensors.

More here.

4.13pm: Region to invest more in IoT projects

The internet of things (IoT) investment in the Middle East and Africa region is expected to grow 20.7 per cent to $7 billion (Dh25.7 billion) in 2016 compared to $5.8 billion this year.

Paul Black, IoT research lead for MEA at research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), said that IoT is part of every business discussion and digital transformation is driving operational efficiency, increasing employee productivity, garnering greater customer loyalty and creating new revenue streams.

“As digitisation accelerates, cutting edge infrastructure will increase a country’s GDP (gross domestic product), reduce spending and create jobs. It will allow governments to extend the reach and impact of public services by converting insights into action,” he said.

More here.

2.30pm: Money transfer portal launched

UAE-based foreign exchange and money transfer company Al Alnsari Exchange, has announced the launch of online money transfer portal called ‘eExchange.’

The web-based solution uses a highly secured gateway to enable customers to transfer money online at competitive rates to their loved ones at any time of the day using a computer or other smart devices by logging onto www.eexchange.ae.

The latest service complements Al Ansari Exchange’s continuous efforts to provide innovative services to its customers and at the same time maximise their convenience. In addition, it is also in line with the government "smart city" vision.

eExchange is a technologically advanced online solution built with a fast processing system and a user-friendly interface. Available round the clock 365 days a year, it is swift, hassle-free and gives freedom from long queues. Aside from offering highly competitive rates, eExchange sends email and SMS notifications for enhanced security.

11.32am: Meraas-Alibaba joint venture launches app to ease resto, cinema ticket bookings, Alexander Cornwell reports from Gitex

Yvolv, the new joint venture between Dubai's Meraas Holding and China's Alibaba Group, has just unveiled a new mobile payment application, Yvo, at the Gitex Techology Week conference.

The app can be used to book restaurant reservations, cinema tickets and order food to your home. Users will be offered rewards and the application will be first made available in Dubai.

Meraas Holding Chief Investment Officer Abdul Wahab Al-Halabi says the app will be rolled out across the United Arab Emirates and greater Middle East.

There are plans to extend the apps features to cover the property and oil and gas sectors, among others.

11.02am: Wellington mayor talks about how sensors help city monitor crime, Alexander Cornwell reports from Gitex

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown of Wellington City Council in New Zealand is now up speaking at the Gitex Techology Week conference.

The Mayor tells the audience her city has sensors that can hear the sound of broken glass and raised voices, and smell alcohol and paint from spray cans. If the sensors go off, the local police are alerted.

10.30am, Tuesday (Day 3)

The Prime Minister of Estonia Taavi Rõivas gives the opening address on Day 3 of the Gitex Technology Week conference.



The Prime Minister is talking about "e-Estonia," which commentators argue is the most advanced country in the world.



"Wireless is very Estonian," the Prime Minister said.

8.20pm: Robotics company branches into food service and taxi rides

Google driverless cars might still be in the future, but you might find yourself taking a ride in a driverless vehicle in the Middle East as early as next year.

Visitors experiencing CARBOT, from Digi Robotics, at GITEX Innovation week at Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai. Photo: Ahmed Ramzan

The catch is that these vehicles won’t be on the road. Digi Robotics, which is based in the International Media Production Zone, is developing self-driving vehicles, called Carbots, which will operate in airports, conventions centres, shopping malls and other large places with human traffic.

More here.

8.12pm: Shaikh Mohammad visits Gitex with Maktoum

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday toured Gitex Technology Week 2015 at the Dubai World Trade Centre

Accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Mohammad toured various stands and halls where he was briefed on the latest IT trends and products as well as smart applications, the best IT and security solutions for transactions and net works protection against hacking.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during a tour of Gitex Technology Week.

Shaikh Mohammad said Gitex is a global technological event in which students, researchers, inventors, trainers, traders, consumers, and global companies are taking part.

More here.

7.12pm: UAE demand for retail technologies grows

Technology companies offering retail-oriented software and related services say they expect demand to jump when new retail developments in the country are completed.

Speaking at Gitex Technology Week in Dubai, Vic Bageria, chief executive of Savant Data System, said that demand for retail technologies in the UAE has been strong in the last few years due to customers increasingly becoming tech-savvy and the opening of more shopping centres. He noted that this trend is expected to continue as new retail projects are completed in the next few years, such as the one at Mall of the World and Meydan One mall, both in Dubai.

More here.

6.24pm: Visa-issuing robot to zip around Dubai Airport

Dubai Airport may soon have a robot zipping around its terminals answering visa-related inquiries, renewing and even issuing visas to transit passengers.

The GDRFA robot.

The robot was unveiled at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) stand at the 35th edition of the Gitex technology week, which began on Sunday.

The robot, called the Amer Robot, was developed by a Korean technology company in cooperation with the GDRFA.

More here.

4.08pm: Enjoy coffee, free Wi-Fi at RTA bus stops

Waiting at Dubai’s bus stops will soon get less boring as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) plans to install free Wi-Fi at 100 bus stops.

Mohammad Al Ali, director RTA showing the new smart bus shelter which will have wifi, smart pay services, mobile phone charging with food and drinks.

By the end of December, when at least 50 of these Smart Bus Shelters will be ready, commuters will be able to sip their coffee or tea from the small cafes that will be available inside the bus stops, while browsing the internet or paying bills through the smart kiosk.

Fifty more will be ready by the end of January.

More here.

4.08pm: UAE demand for retail technologies to continue to grow

Technology companies offering retail-oriented software and related services say they expect demand to jump when new retail developments in the country are completed.

Speaking at Gitex Technology Week in Dubai, Vic Bageria, chief executive of Savant Data System, said that demand for retail technologies in the UAE has been strong in the last few years due to customers increasingly becoming tech-savvy and the opening of more shopping centres. He noted that this trend is expected to continue as new retail projects are completed in the next few years, such as the one at Mall of the World and Meydan One mall, both in Dubai.

“The biggest driver [of demand for retail technologies] is the government’s smart city initiative… these government initiatives are driving a lot of retailers to be up on the game… retail has been a big booster of the economy in the region… it’s just going to grow with the new developments coming in,” he added.

More here.

3.55pm: Dubai government agencies showcase modern fleet of vehicles at Gitex

A walk around the halls of Gitex would reveal not just high-tech gadgets, but also state-of-the art vehicles acquired by various government agencies in Dubai. Alexander Cornwell has taken some snapshots of the vehicles being showcased by Dubai Police, Customs, Ambulance First Response, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Department of Tourism and Ajman Police.

2.47pm: Do your grocery shopping on Dubai Metro - and get free delivery

Grocery shopping in Dubai has become a breeze as Dubai Metro commuters can now shop through the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) Smart Mall and have the goods delivered home free of cost.

Currently live at Mall of the Emirates metro station and on display at the 35th Gitex Technology Week, the Smart Mall enables people to sift through a range of 300 food products via an interactive 3D Ultra High Definition (UHD) nine square metre screen.

More here.

1.55pm: Shaikh Mohammad tours Gitex halls, reports Alexander Cornwell

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is touring the government hall at Gitex. He is accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai.

1.34pm: Play chess against a robot, anyone? Naushad Cherrayil shares his experience

I had a chance to play chess against a robot at DigiRobotics stand. Initially it all went fine but guess who won the match? The robot, as usual.

I play chess against computers every day at home and won many times. But here, I was beaten flat and square in just over three minutes. The robot is attached to a computer and moves as per the computer directions.

He picks up the pieces and places it perfectly in the square and then presses the timer. He doesn’t give time for me to think as he is very fast. But I am proud to say that I lost to a robot.

12.19pm: Alexander Cornwell checks out some interesting Gitex stands

There are 3600 exhibitors here at Gitex Technology Week this year so how do they catch the attention of the 140,000 visitors expected to pass through the halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre this week?

I’ve had a look around and spotted some interesting attempts to lure in visitors passing by.

First is Dubai Internet City, which has a stand located in the public walkway of the Dubai World Trade Centre – meaning you don’t need a badge to check it out (Remember, Gitex Technology Week is an industry trade event!).

And how are your table football skills? The guys at Dubai Internet City have set up a foosball table. So, if you think you’re the Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi of table football, this is one place to put your skills on show.

But that’s not all Dubai Internet City has done. It has also set up two virtual reality kits, one being a virtual reality racing game.

Inside the halls, the exhibitors know they need to do something unique.

NetApp, the American computer storage and data management company, has set up a Formula 1 racing game where visitors can challenge each other – the fastest time when I walked past was 1:45:471. NetsApp are in Hall 6.

But if you want a break from all the software and gadgets, then Cardz, a UAE-based company that makes identity, among a lot of other things, could be the place for you. They’ve set up putting green for all the avid golfers. The Cardz stand (and putting green) can be found in Hall 2.

Yesterday, a number of stands brought along their very own magician (a trend I've seen since my first Gitex Technology Week in 2013), but today they seem to have performed a disappearing act.

9.29am: Day two of Gitex Technology Week will soon get underway, Alexander Cornwell reports

The metal detectors and baggage x-ray machines that were here on Sunday at the entrances have been removed so exhibitors and visitors can expect a more smoother way in today. At 9.20am, contractors were putting the finishing touches on the stands and doors should be opening soon.

Keep up to date with all the news coming out of Gitex here on GulfNews.com

6.05pm: Pay for metro with Nol Watch

Commuters will soon be able to have smart watches to replace Nol cards as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is planning to introduce a series of NFC-enabled wrist watches that will help pay the public transport fares in Dubai, Gulf News can confirm.

On display at the 35th Gitex Technology Week, the wrist watches are currently being studied as one of the means of fare payment, just like the NFC-enabled smart phones.

“We have tied up with a firm, Watch2pay, for the devices. We have tested the devices and they have received the pass certificate by our technical team. Currently, we are conducting a survey with the commuters to have their feedback on the product and to find out what prices and designs would be ideal,” said Khalid Al Awadhi, Director of Automated Fare Collection at RTA.

More to follow.

5.29pm: Digital payments to outpace cash by 2020

UAE consumers, businesses, merchants, banks, forex exchanges and even government service providers will be handling far less cash by 2020, according to the digital payments service company, Trriple.

Annually, the UAE counts USD 230 billion in consumer payments to 170 government entities and more than 350,000 merchants. And yet cash accounts for more than 75% of all transactions in the Emirates, a number the company says is set to plunge as demand increases for a wide range of payment services, from mobile wallets and mobile point-of-sale to electronic payments and global money transfers.

“We are poised to usher in the ‘cashless society’ here in the UAE,” says Ahmed Fasih Akhtar, Trriple co-founder.

More here.

5.22pm: Alibaba's Dubai joint venture to start operations first half 2016

A new joint venture between China’s e-commerce company Alibaba and Dubai’s Meraas Holding will open a data centre in Dubai in the first half of 2016, Ethan Yu, vice-president of the Alibaba Group, told Gulf News on Sunday.

Alibaba and Meraas are forming a joint-venture big data cloud computing services company called Yvolv to cover the Middle East region. The two companies signed a partnership deal earlier this year and announced it on Saturday ahead of Gitex Technology Week.

“Dubai is the centre of Mena [the Middle East and North Africa], that is no doubt,” Yu said. “Dubai is the place to be if you want to get to the Mena area.”

More here.

5.14pm: 5G network showcased at Gitex

Now streaming high-capacity videos is going to become a piece of cake when 5G network is going to be implemented by 2020.

Both the telecom operators in the UAE are showcasing live 5G network demonstrations to achieve ultra-low latency and impressive peak data rates of 10Gbps.

Du demonstrated that a 5GB Blu-ray movie can be downloaded in 0.5 seconds on a 5G network while it took 50 seconds to download the same movie size on a 4G network. In 3G network, with a maximum speed of 42Mbps, it took 108 seconds to download 1GB of data. So you can imagine the time taken to download a 5GB movie, it will take 540 seconds.

Hats off to 5G but we are still five years away. Many telecom operators are testing the 5G but the GSMA hasn’t come to an industry standard on 5G network.

5.08pm: Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films used dark fibre, Gitex audience told

Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of New Zealand City Wellington, tells an audience at Gitex Technology Week that the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films used dark fibre the city council had installed years earlier.

Wade-Brown says smart cities need to think ahead to the future, pointing that the City of Wellington never thought the bow famous film series would be using dark fibre when the council was installing it.

Dark fibre can be used for private networking and as infrastructure for Internet access.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed entirely in New Zealand including on Mount Victoria, which is within walking distance from Wellington city. The Hobbit was also filmed in New Zealand, including Wellington.

4.56pm: TRA launches ‘Coverage’ to monitor mobile networks

The UAE Telecommunication Regulatory Authority is aiming to boost the competitiveness of the telcom operators and stimulate the mobile experience of the consumers as part of the Smart City initiative.

Saif Bin Ghleita, director of technology development affairs at TRA, told Gulf News, that ‘Coverage’ is a smart and innovative system developed by the TRA for field scanning, testing and analysing the performance of operators’ networks.

“We have tailor-made cars equipped with certain tools for monitoring and analysing the mobile networks that are available whenever needed. We monitor the social networking platforms and when we hear a complaint about an issue, we monitor the network issue and inform the concerned telco operators to rectify the issue. The issue can be electronically seen on our control room in Dubai immediately,” he said.

4.48pm: MoF launches eD-Mobile/Wallet applications for smart mobile payments

The Ministry of Finance, MoF, has announced the launch of the eD-Mobile/Wallet smart phone applications which will enable eDirham customers to use auxiliary and stored value amounts for making payment transactions, without having to physically produce a card.

eD-Mobile/Wallet applications, which support the UAE’s national plan towards an electronic and smart government, enables users to make secure, easy, fast and convenient electronic payments for services via the internet and mobile phones.

Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Under-Secretary for Resources and Budget Sector at MoF, said, “Mobile payments are experiencing a fast-paced growth nowadays, and our launch today of eD-Mobile/Wallet applications is another milestone in the continuous rally to keep up with the latest technologies, in order to provide eDirham system users with a variety of feasible and convenient channels.”

More here.

4.45pm: UAE number two for India’s electronics exports

The UAE has become India’s second top destination for export of electronics goods for the fiscal year 2014-15, said Kamal Vachani, regional director for Middle East at ESC (Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council), an autonomous body under the Indian Ministry of Communications and IT.

Vachani said that the US is the top destination for electronics exports valued at $1.01 billion, followed by UAE at $440 million. He said the Middle East region continues to enjoy solid growth rates despite global slowdown and especially the Gulf countries.

“India is making a number of efforts to enhance electronics manufacturing within the country,” he said.

More here.

3.50pm: Etisalat stand draws curious visitors, Alexander Cornwell reports from Gitex

Walking around Gitex on day one and it looks like telecom Etisalat has the grooviest stand out of everyone here this week. Curious visitors are passing by to check out the Formula 1 race car on display at the operators stand in Zabeel Hall.

Their stand, which is split in two with a public walkway down the middle, has the operators green branding floating above in a light display. We’re not sure what Etisalat is going for with their stand this year that includes Hospital, Smart Living, School and Transportation areas and people dressed up as nurses and school students but we will be sure to grab one of their executives this week to find out more about the concept.

2.07pm: Panasonic unveils virtual mirror

Among the companies slated to unveil their latest innovations at Gitex, Japanese electronics giant Panasonic has launched its Interactive Mirror.

Using built-in high definition cameras, the virtual mirror is enabled with face analyzing feature to point out every flaw, such as age spots or fine lines, and suggestions on how to fix them.

Dubbed as the new professional health and beauty advisor, the interactive mirror has an oval "augmented-reality portal" that activates with a press of a button on the remote. This product can be easily used by all ages, with only minimal instruction.

10.56am: Gitex Tech Week opens doors

The 35th edition of the Gitex Technology Week, which is taking place from October 18 to 22 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, has just been opened by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The five-day event is expected to draw more than 140,000 visitors from over 140 countries. More than 3,600 companies from over 62 countries have signed up for the event.

This year’s theme is ‘The Internet Future of Everything”, revolving around the pillars of innovation, connected cloud, big data, mobility and security, along with the return of the Google CSI Lab.

The event is also expected to welcome more than 140,000 visitors from over 140 countries including more than 20,000 C-level executives.

Of the 3,600 participating companies, 30 per cent are from the UAE and around eight per cent are from the Gulf countries.

What to expect at Gitex Tech Week

More than 3,600 companies from over 62 countries are taking part in the five-day Gitex Technology Week from October 18 to 22 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is also expected to welcome more than 140,000 visitors from over 140 countries including more than 20,000 C-level executives. Here's what to expect

With inputs from Naushad K Cherrayil and Alexander Cornwell