This year’s technology news mainly concerned cyber security threats, financial data breaches, product launches and app outages.
Consumers received some positive news from the country’s telecoms regulator in October when it announced residents will be able to switch between fixed phone and broadband operators.
With du and Etisalat previously having a monopoly in certain areas of the country, observers were hoping the move, which could open the entire country to competition, may provide cost benefits to consumers.
Time will tell if prices will drop to levels seen in other major cities around the world, but one area where consumers in the UAE did see some positive development is in the area of streaming.
The country was included in the late June launch of Apple Music, and the expected arrival of Netflix at some point in 2016, joining the likes of Yahlive and others to provide wider offerings for viewers. Also, the ubiquitous Apple brand — which had a big year with the launch of the Apple Watch, iPhone 6s, and a super sized 12.9 inch iPad — saw its presence in the UAE increase with store openings at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates and Yas Mall in the capital.
esamoglou@thenational.ae
Read more on the UAE’s developments in 2015 in:
› Environment: The strength of the Paris Agreement is yet to be tested
› Education: A shift towards the sciences
