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Building for Web with HTML5 was presented by Mr. Sebastian Trzcinski-Clément, Developer Relations Lead, MENA, Google

Few highlights:

  • Sebastian: “IE is the only not HTML5 fully supported, if you want it then go next door”
  • HTML5 taking apps from desktop to web
  • HTML5 is good for GeoLocation
  • HTML5 1000 bytes of codes can generate scrolling text like in Matrix the movie
  • HTML5 excellent webGL options
  • HTML5 mix Speech API and Google Translate API
  • HTML5 gives you option to device orientation
  • Krikor: “HTML5 can do magic in your browser” :-)
  • Presentation link

    With the tremendous revenues being delivered by Apple’s App Store, the dramatic rise in popularity of Google’s Android, and the introduction of Windows Phone 7 and the Nokia partnership this year, there’s no doubt that mobile is the next major platform for development. This panel explores the potential and trends in the Arab app market, and weighs the tough choice facing developers: which mobile operating system should they build for?

    Moderator:
    Mr. Omar Christidis, Founder, ArabNet; Vice President, IBAG

    Panelists:
    Mr. Ghassan Chahine, DPE Lead, Lebanon and NEPA – IM, Microsoft
    Mr. Gilles Fayad, Director of VAS, Middle East and Africa, Qualcomm
    Mr. Rob Jonas, VP & Managing Director, Europe & Middle East, InMobi
    Mr. William Kanaan, New Business Development Manager, MENA, Google


    Photo credit: Gino Raidy

    Few highlights from the panel:

  • Omar asked: how many people have a smart phone in this room? And everybody raised their hands
  • It is the developers who build the products
  • William Kanaan: Google wants to encourage data usage in MENA region on mobiles phones
  • Android is running on 6-10% of devices in the Arab World
  • There is no clear data on how much consumers in the MENA are spending money on Apps
  • Gilles Fayad: ” social networking is part of our DNA”
  • Saudi Arabia is #1 worldwide in mobile community
  • The difference between the region and the rest of the world, is the open market, consumers can choose their phones freely
  • William Kanaan: “you go to mobile provider store, pick a device, buy a data plan and get a bunch of Apps”
  • Ghassan Chahine (MSFT) :”Microsoft is offering the developing tools for mobile”
  • 150,000 apps on Android market
  • Most attendees are planning to develop on Android platform
  • Gilles Fayad:”the next thing might be eBook market and dont underestimate the region to publish”
  • Ghassan Chahine:”YallaApps.com by Microsoft to submit your Windows phone developed apps”
  • Google will be bringing their paid Apps to the region soon, no time frame specified
  • Mobile apps show info in a different way from tablets and laptops, thus it is a different user experience
  • Tablets growing in the region but no data about unit sales
  • Gilles Fayad:”smartphones will have 50% market share by 2015″
  • You have a domain name and would like to have a self hosted WordPress blog for free? I will be doing this for you, and yes for FREE.
    So I will host 1 blog for free and here is the catch, all you have to do is to comment on this blog post and tell me why I should pick you and host your blog, you can say all the funny thing you like.

    P.S. this is valid only for Lebanese (in and out of Lebanon) – closing date 31 March 2011

    Less than 48 hours and ArabNet Shift Digital Summit is starting, check the program of day 1 here.

    The 1st day dedicated to developer and aims to draw engineers, the foundation of the web industry, from across the region, and address their technical concerns. It will feature programming case studies, tutorials, and presentations led by engineers at global platforms and regional development houses as well as allow developers to demonstrate their skills in exciting competitions.

    Participants will have access to the latest technologies and be able to connect and consult with senior engineers from major partner institutions.

    When we hear about counterfeit or imitated goods, the first things that cross our minds are luxury products like Rolex watches or Gucci purses.

    But the truth is counterfeit products are much more than that. They’re in every category of our lives: pharmaceuticals, household & supermarket products, food & beverage, luxury and daily cosmetics & beauty care, sportswear & sports goods, electrical appliances, cigarettes, car spare parts, baby food and baby toys & products…

    As consumers, our lives are in great danger. Some of us are aware of it but choose not to act, while others don’t even know how to tell the difference between fake and real products.

    Here are a couple of tips to help you spot counterfeit goods:

  • Watch out for deals that are too good to be true! If a product is offered at an unusually low price, think twice before you make your purchase and carefully examine the packaging.
  • Examine the packaging of the products you usually buy, this way you can easily compare and be able to spot a counterfeit product when offered to you. Reputable and well-known brands are always in neat packaging.
  • Take a short moment to read the information on the packaging, such as manufacturer, country of origin, logo, and look for any spelling mistakes.
  • Check the manufacturer’s website. Most manufacturers have a corporate website with all the information pertaining to the company.
  • Always purchase from a credible vendor and avoid adventurous outlets.
  • Request official invoices for all your purchases as they allow you to complain and get your rights back.

  • Brand Protection Group Lebanon