Q&A: Help is just a click or two away
How is mPark Helper easier than relying on the old text message method of recharging a parking pass? The app can save data, such as a driver's vehicle plate number as well as parking zones they tend to use. This allows a driver to reload the information more easily, rather than typing it out each time they park there within a text message.
Besides the mPark Helper, what other apps are there in the UAE? There is the UAE Parking app, which was developed by Kryptotel and costs US$0.99 (Dh3.63). It uses the geographical location of where a car is parked so that drivers do not have to fill in a "zone number" of the parking space.
How does it work? It lets drivers pay for parking via text message, with two "simple clicks", the company claims. It works in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Tech-savvy drivers in Dubai can now charge and recharge their parking pass using an app for their mobile.
The mPark Helper app, which was developed by a company called Prototype and does not cost motorists anything to use, allows drivers to charge or recharge a parking pass without having to go back to their vehicle or dig around for coins.
Previously, motorists relying on Dubai's Road & Transport Authority (RTA) mParking service could send a text message to take care of this tedious task. The problem, according to Prototype, was that people had to type in their vehicle's licence plate details together with the parking zone number and the requested parking time, each and every time they wanted to use the service.
"Since this can be quite cumbersome, especially if you don't know the zone number or forgot how to construct the messages, Prototype developed the mPark Helper application that assists users with the same [process]," the company says.
This app saves data so drivers can reload information more easily. Yet, it works only on mobiles with Windows Phone 7 software, such as new models from Nokia. It also functions only when used with Dubai's parking system, and not those from other emirates.
Apps associated with vehicles have been growing in popularity in recent years, although software developers have been relatively slow to find local solutions for the UAE.
In North America, the Taxi Magic app for the iPhone provide people with a "tap-to-call" feature for cab fleets in more than 4,000 cities. It also offers online taxi booking, so there is no need to speak with anyone over the phone.
New York City, of course, is famous for its vast network of taxi services - for better or for worse. In July, one man born and raised in Manhattan launched the Report A Taxi app so passengers could either commend or condemn their cabbie.
Top 5: “On the go” apps for iPhone
1 Kayak (travel)
2 Yelp (restaurant reviews)
3 Word Lens (translator)
4 Weather Channel (climate check)
5 OpenTable (restaurant bookings
Source: Time
The Quote: Having lived in cities all my life, the one achievement that everyone can look forward to is getting the perfect parking spot. - Saul Perlmutter, an astrophysicist who won a Nobel Prize this year
nparmar@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
'The Predator'
Dir: Shane Black
Starring: Olivia Munn, Boyd Holbrook, Keegan-Michael Key
Two and a half stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
ROUTE%20TO%20TITLE
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
On the menu
First course
▶ Emirati sea bass tartare Yuzu and labneh mayo, avocado, green herbs, fermented tomato water
▶ The Tale of the Oyster Oyster tartare, Bahraini gum berry pickle
Second course
▶ Local mackerel Sourdough crouton, baharat oil, red radish, zaatar mayo
▶ One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Quail, smoked freekeh, cinnamon cocoa
Third course
▶ Bahraini bouillabaisse Venus clams, local prawns, fishfarm seabream, farro
▶ Lamb 2 ways Braised lamb, crispy lamb chop, bulgur, physalis
Dessert
▶ Lumi Black lemon ice cream, pistachio, pomegranate
▶ Black chocolate bar Dark chocolate, dates, caramel, camel milk ice cream
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Samaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5