Nokia launches Lumia phones in Mideast as it looks to shine once more



Nokia has launched its Lumia smartphone range in the Middle East as it looks to regain some of its former glory, having been eclipsed by rivals Apple and Samsung.

The Finnish phone manufacturer said the region is one of just six global markets chosen to launch the Lumia 920 and its smaller, more compact version, the Lumia 820.

The Lumia 920 handset will be made available exclusively with du in the UAE on 25 November, priced at Dh2,499. The Lumia 820 will be priced at Dh1,899, Nokia said.

"Nokia is back," announced Tom Farrell, vice president of Nokia Middle East, at today's launch of the new range.

The move marks the Middle East debut of Nokia's Windows Phone range, viewed by some as a make-or-break attempt for the brand to reclaim lost ground in the smartphone business.

Nokia's share of the mobile-handset market and the smartphone category in particular has slipped drastically over the years against competition from the iPhone and devices running on the Android operating system.

The Lumia 920 phone is being marketed as the world's most innovative, and runs Microsoft's new Windows 8 platform, which includes Arabic-language capabilities. It includes the new Internet Explorer 10 for fast web browsing and the full Microsoft Office Suite.

"The Middle East is a tremendous smartphone market and the [region] is important to us," said Mr Farrell.

The Windows Phone operating system includes 120,000 apps for download, but just 5000 are specific to the region. According to Microsoft's regional head, 1,500 app developers are registering daily and more region-specific and localised apps will be made available.

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

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MATCH INFO

West Ham United 2 (Antonio 73', Ogbonna 90 5')

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 36', Moura 42', Kane 49')

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding