Bank Audi launched “Novo” today, an innovative concept that provides customers full control of a world of interactive banking solutions based on the concept of “Forward Banking.” Using cutting edge technology and a user-friendly interface, this new customer-oriented channel allows users to navigate through the Bank’s products and services and apply for them instantly on multi-touch interactive screens.
Set in a futuristic shell shaped architecture, the Novo booth includes two information stations equipped with state of the art digital screens, two latest generation ATMs which, besides the usual ATM services, enable visitors to deposit cash money and cheques, and a private interactive room ensuring complete confidentiality.
So far we’ve had an amazing and diverse array of talent come on board, but since there are a few of you out there that might still be hesitant to join, I thought I’d provide more information on why I think every single person attending the developer days should submit one, so that those who have cold feet might be encouraged and do so!
So, without further ado, allow me to start my list:
Technology is bringing change to the banking industry in the Arab world. The latest service in banking industry in the Middle East is e-Branches and smartphone applications. In 2010, Insightsmena showed that people in the Arab world carry out financial activities twice per week on average. The strategic approach for several banks in Lebanon includes e-branches and smartphone applications. This approach comes as a unique offer as banks aim to present convenience for their clients and maintain their position among other banks in the region.
The second Startup Weekend Cairo took place this weekend, 19th to 21st January, 2012, at the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center TIEC. Along with Startup Weekend Alexandria, the event is the third Startup Weekend to take place in Egypt, with more to come in several other areas.
"We are expecting innovative ideas, especially that this Startup Weekend was targeted to professionals, some people here have up to 18 years of experience in their respective fields." said Ahmed Faidy, one of the organizers of Startup Weekend in Egypt. This was done through an intensive screening process that filtered 1075 applications that applied in one week to the final 130 attendees. "The aim is to build a strong community and motivate people to break their boundaries, as well as network and build relationships that extend beyond the weekends.
Hearing Apple’s announcement regarding the release of iBooks 2 took me back to the late 90’s when I came across a cartoon strip featuring a young boy heading to class with a digital tablet instead of a backpack. Back then, digital tablets seemed a highly innovative way of perceiving the future.
iPads are interactive, easy to use, and easy to upgrade. Apple’s marketing head Phil Schiller confirmed that more than 1.5 million iPads are in use in educational programs and that Apple’s app store currently has over 20,000 education related apps. According to a survey conducted by Pearson Foundation in 2011, 70% percent of college students and college-bound high school seniors are interested in owning a tablet device, and 20% expect to purchase a tablet within the next six months.
M3allem.com is an online directory for craftsmen in Lebanon. The project is the brainchild of Zadi Hobeika who, when faced with the strenuous task of finding and dealing with craftsmen to renovate an office space, decided to start M3allem.com. The website lists all sorts of craftsmen including carpenters, gardners, masons, movers, and electricians among many others, with the ability to filter by governorates.
Wikipedia, Reddit, Google, WordPress, Mozilla, Facebook, Kaspersky, Tumblr, Twitter, Yahoo, and as much as 7000 websites expressed their dismay today at the SOPA (Stop Online Privacy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) legislations by blocking out, to varying degrees, content from their websites.
SOPA was conceived to protect ‘Big Media’ and the entertainment industry, record labels, movie studios and TV networks, from intellectual property theft. However the legislation spurred a major backlash from a large number of websites, pundits and associations.
With a rise in entrepreneurialism across the Middle East in full swing, 2012 is expected to see unprecedented growth in start-ups in the region, according to ArabNet Founder Omar Christidis. Following hard on the heels of the ‘Arab Spring’, many young people across the region have decided to take the leap and start their own ventures. The ArabNet Digital Summit 2012, to take place between 27-21 March, is the premier regional conference for the emerging Arab web/mobile industry.
“The recent events in the region have opened a tremendous opportunity to foster the growth of digital enterprises in the Middle Eastern market,” stated Christidis. “Despite the new challenges that have risen in the region, we consider the coming year as a chance to further empower Arab entrepreneurs and help them take ownership of their ideas. Supporting home-grown innovation and creativity is precisely what we aim to do at ArabNet and we expect this year’s summit to build on the phenomenal success of last year’s.”
With ArabNet Digital Summit 2012 fast approaching, we are delighted to announce our new and improved mobile site both in Arabic and English. Stay updated on ArabNet’s latest activities, read our articles, interviews & case studies, take part in our polls, and find out about the latest updates on our upcoming event by visiting m.arabnet.me from your phone or tablet.
The past year has brought a great change to the face of the online community in the Middle East and the world. Twitter users in Egypt doubled after the revolution and time spent online has also witnessed a great surge across the charts of online monitoring sites. The introduction of Siri (iPhone’s voice navigation), Google+ and Facebook’s continuous changes are a few of the landmarks of 2011. We wanted to find out what do the Social Media Professionals in the Middle East think of these changes so we asked them: What is ONE thing that 2011 has taught you about social media?
“The power of Social Media as a vehicle for disseminating a message and mobilizing; everyone has a voice. Every voice counts. There is power in numbers. Numbers trump the illusion of fear. Without fear barriers are broken and change is realized.”
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