GITEX: Beyond Expectations

The who’s who of the global ICT industry congregated in Dubai in November to mesmerise the tech geeks with an array of new technology products and services in the GITEX and GULFCOMMS 2006, reports Akshay Bhatnagar from Dubai

The Middle East is one of the fastest growing ICT (information, communication and technology) markets in the world. According to international market research firm IDC, the Middle East ICT spend will hit a whopping US$16.8 billion by 2010–up from just US$8.4 billion in 2005. The 2006 editions of GITEX (the premier Gulf Information Technology and Communication Exhibition) and GULFCOMMS (the Middle East’s largest International Telecom Event for Mobile, Fixed, IP and Satellite Technologies) held in Dubai from November 18-22 proved that global industry giants are looking at the Middle East market to drive their businesses

One of the largest ICT events in the world, GITEX and GULFCOMMS 2006 occupied 13 halls and more than 62,000 sq. m. (33 per cent more than last year) at the DICEC complex. This year, there were 1,347 exhibitors (up 16 per cent) from 76 countries (up 23 per cent), with country groups from the US, Syria, Hungary and Portugal coming in for the first time.
Sales during the event hit a record high of more than RO8.2 million, with over 130,000 visitors from around the world. “This year’s event was the occasion for the announcement of many major launches and the conclusion of numerous business deals by the international IT and Telecom community. We are proud to play a part in contributing to the growth of the dynamic industry in this region,” said Dubai World Trade Centre Director-General, Helal Saeed Al Marri.

Generation Next
Most of the global and regional ICT giants made their presence felt by sparing no effort to attract the visitors. The big daddies such as Microsoft, Panasonic, Samsung, HP, Sony, Sharp, Lenovo, Cisco, Acer, Adobe, Canon, LG, i-mate, Epson, Fujitsu Siemens, Hitachi, IBM and Juniper Networks, etc., adopted aggressive marketing promotion strategies, ranging from colourful stalls, innovative displays, infotainment programmes to eye-popping freebies to woo the crowd. Many companies launched and showcased their new products for the first time in the Middle East.

Samsung: Imagine the Possibilities: Samsung wowed the crowds in Hall 5 with a splendid selection of new audio-visual, IT and mobile products. Samsung’s massive stand covered almost 700 sq. m. based on ‘imagine the possibilities’ theme, providing visitors with an insight into trends that will shape the future. Products on display included the latest plasma TVs, the first Blu-ray disc player for the Middle East market, the smallest laser printer in the world, a wide variety of products for mobile phones and an entirely new concept MP3 player. Samsung’s launch of SGH-P310, which comes with a newly designed exterior and a revamped abundance of features to be termed as the ‘Card Phone II’, attracted mobile enthusiasts. Samsung also introduced its latest innovative laptop models to the Middle East market for the first time. The notebook display focused on the SSD notebook PC and also the ultra mobile PC. The ultra mobile Samsung Q1 notebook weighs in at just 777g and features the latest touch screen technology.

Intel: Quad-Core: A powerful solution to the challenge of faster processing has been made available by Intel in the form of multi-core technology and processors. It involves using several microprocessor execution cores concurrently so that tasks are shared and computer response times speeded up accomplishing numerous tasks faster. Earlier in January, the Intel Core Duo processor–based on dual-core technology–for mobile PCs was launched. The next leap is not far away–microprocessors using 4 execution cores (so called “quad-core”) are already under development and are scheduled for launch before the end of 2006.

Intel is pioneering the use of multi-core processors in desktops and laptops. The impact of dual-core or multi-core processors is like having six or eight cylinders in your car engine rather than the typical four, or driving on a 10-lane on a motorway rather than a six-lane one. The new processing technology delivers immense speed and responsiveness for general purpose servers, workstations, digital media creation, high-end gaming and other market segments that crave for performance.

Sun: New Java Platform: Sun Microsystems offered an exclusive preview of the next major Java platform, known as Java SE6. It is designed to enable users to develop and deploy Java applications using their desktop servers, in addition to embedded and real-time environments. It promises to increase developer productivity in addition to enhanced management and serviceability by offering monitoring and management capabilities ‘out of the box’ to help users diagnose common Java SE problems. Sun also heavily promoted its successful Solaris Operating System, Sun Fire Server and Sun Ultra workstation ranges at GITEX.

Canon: HD Camcorder: Canon, a leader in photographic and imaging technology, introduced the new HD camcorder XL H1: the next generation XL series video camcorder. The new model records HDV in 1080/50i to miniDV cassettes (MPEG-2 at 25Mbps), using Canon’s new DIGIC DV II engine for HD processing. With a further progressive shooting mode (25f), the 1/3” 1.67 Megapixel 3CCD XL H1 boasts the highest resolution in the HDV class, as per Canon. Incorporating real professional connectivity, this new addition to the current X family of XL2 and XM2 camcorders is likely to become the tool of choice for production houses, studios and low-budget freelance moviemakers eager to make the transition to HD production.

Sony Ericsson: Music, Imagining and Lifestyle: Sony Ericsson’s display highlighted its Walkman phones, digital imaging, or K series, mobile phones, the stylish Z series lifestyle phones and the penultimate business phone, the P990i. The company presented its newest Walkman music mobile phones, the W850i, W710i and the W950i. With the latest music capabilities, these mobile phones are as diverse a media tool as one can hope for. Sony Ericsson has made significant additions to the Walkman series. Both phones make music downloads and sharing faster and more convenient.

Giant Strides
Taking the lead, the software giant Microsoft launched its much-anticipated Windows Vista, the 2007 Office System and Exchange Server 2007 in the region. Ali Faramaway, VP Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa said, “These products will help businesses overcome the challenges of our increasingly information-saturated world, enhancing the way people collaborate, communicate, protect and manage content, and find, use and share information.”

Leading global software and technology solutions provider, Adobe Systems, also launched its award-winning Adobe Flex 2, a strong framework to rapidly develop applications for the majority of its user base.

World leading solution providers like CA and SAP made key announcements at GITEX 2006. CA announced its broad-based solutions for risk mitigation and compliance to enhance the built-in capabilities included in Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. Exclusive launches at the event were presented by industry majors, like i-mate which unveiled the i-mate JAQ3 for its global debut in the Middle East; and the new expanded Enterprise Application Solutions (EAS) offering by Epicor, which caters to retail, hospitality, services and manufacturing sectors.

Sony showcased its Blu-ray high-definition (HD) format expecting that regional demand for it will be driven by the popularity of the much expected Playstation 3 (PS3). The technology giant’s GCC managing director Masaru Tamagawa said, “Once people start playing Blu-ray disks on their PS3s, they will see how good the quality is and start buying the Blu-ray technology itself. Blu-ray technology and the PS3, which are already available in the US and Japan, will be launched in the Middle East in March 2007.”

Epson Middle East showcased its range of consumer high definition products led by its impressive EMP range of home entertainment solutions. Most popular display was HD ready projector EMP-1715, which Epson claims is the world’s first XGA 3LCD projector with USB connectivity and multi-screen technology.

HP, the Gold Sponsor for the event, presented a state-of-the-art interactive ‘HP Zone’ that showcased the smart home concept as well as a wide array of HP Lifestyle products. Network International, the region’s most leading card solutions provider, ran a credit card promotion with over 30,000 fabulous prizes including airline tickets, DVD players, memory sticks, laptops and plasmas.

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