The tablet wars are heating up again as the industry's latest contender, the BlackBerry PlayBook, has hit the market.
Shipments of the device began in North America last week and it will be made available internationally by the end of this quarter.
But Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of the PlayBook, faces an uphill battle in a market Apple has dominated globally with its iPad and iPad 2 tablet computers.
In February, more than a quarter of consumers in the US said they planned to buy a tablet in the future, although fewer than 5 per cent of them said they wanted the PlayBook. That compares with 82 per cent who said they intended to buy an iPad, says a report released last month by the market research company ChangeWave.
But there are signs the PlayBook may prove popular in this part of the world. Some people have listed the device for sale or pre-order on regional sites such as Souq.com for between Dh2,049 (US$557) and Dh4,000 before its international release. As was the case when Apple's iPads were first listed in the UAE, these prices are higher than the suggested retail prices of $499 for the 16-gigabyte model to $699 for 64 gigabytes.
Business professionals who have been holding back from dishing out dirhams on an iPad hoping the PlayBook would be a worthy opponent may be disappointed.
Early reviews and reactions have been mixed, with some complaining the PlayBook lacks basic built-in applications for e-mail, scheduling appointments on a calendar and the popular BlackBerry Messenger chat feature that more than 35 million people use on their RIM mobile phones.
A spokesman for RIM says tablets can synch with BlackBerry smartphones so information can be updated in real time, but it is not saved on the computer. The devices connect wirelessly through Bluetooth when they are within 30 metres.
The PlayBook's multitouch screen also works quite well and can play high-definition movies.
But what remains to be seen is whether the PlayBook will pack enough punch to take a bite out of Apple's market share.
Two gadgets, one sector
Research In Motion (RIM) and Apple have battled it out before over their smartphones, the BlackBerry and the iPhone.
What are some of the differences between their tablets?
One is that the iPad started with numerous applications that could be downloaded from its store, with more than 65,000 now available. RIM is creating an apps shop for its PlayBook, although that probably means far less choice once customers try to download games, restaurant finders and other kinds of apps.
Are they about the same price?
Yes. Both models cost between US$499 (Dh1,832) to $699 in the US, depending on specifications. International pricing is still being finalised for the PlayBook, but a spokesman for RIM says it should not be dramatically different.
How else do they differ?
The PlayBook is smaller, at 130mm wide by 194m tall. It weighs only 400 grams. Some business professionals prefer the more compact device, particularly if they travel frequently.
And what about the iPad’s size?
Those who prefer more digital real estate, to watch movies or read e-books for example, may very well prefer the latest iPad. It boasts a 9.7-inch screen, compared with PlayBook’s 7 inches. But while it is certainly wider and taller, at 185.7mm by 241.2mm, it also weighs a heftier 601 grams.
Top 5 best-selling tablets
1 ViewSonic gTablet
2 Motorola Xoom / Android Smart Tablet
3 Samsung Galaxy Tab
4 Apple iPad 2
5 Apple iPad
(Source: Amazon.com)
The Quote
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." Popular Mechanics magazine, circa 1949
nparmar@thenational.ae
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
