Smartphones such as the BlackBerry Z30 and Nokia's Lumia 1020 were among the most lauded devices that went on sale this month in conjunction with Gitex Shopper.
But these mobiles, along with other devices that will most likely be on display at Gitex Technology Week in Dubai from today, come from manufacturers that have struggled to sell their wares in North America of late – often despite positive product reviews.
Part of the challenge: wavering consumer confidence in these firms and the longevity of their products.
Nokia has long dominated sales of mobiles in the UAE. The company, based in Finland, commands more than 56 per cent of the local market.
Samsung comes in a distant second place with just 13.8 per cent of the market, according to a report from the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
But while Nokia's new Lumia 1020 boasts a 41-megapixel camera sensor and debuted in New York City with much fanfare this year, it has struggled to catch on with consumers in North America on the same level as the latest mobiles from Apple and Samsung.
At the same time, Nokia’s lower-cost devices are facing increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers that are more aggressive with their price points, says Anshul Gupta, a principal research analyst for Gartner.
Nokia’s selection of mobiles that cost less than US$100 are within a “highly competitive market”, acknowledged the company’s outgoing chief executive, Stephen Elop, during its latest earnings announcement. “While we are very encouraged by the consumer response to our innovations in this price category, our mobile phones business unit is planning to take actions to focus its product offering and improve product competitiveness,” Mr Elop added.
Lacklustre mobile sales, combined with continued operating losses, have led Nokia to cut more than 40,000 jobs over the past three years. Last month, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Nokia’s mobile phone business and access to its patents for €5.4 billion (Dh26.87bn).
Mr Elop is leaving Nokia to head Microsoft and increase its hardware and software presence both in the United States and abroad.
At Gitex, Microsoft plans to showcase its latest offerings, including new tablets, laptops and Windows 8.1 software. Despite being based in the US, the technology company is committed to supporting the Arabian Gulf’s development through innovations that will be demonstrated at Gitex, says Samer Abu Ltaif, the regional general manager at Microsoft Gulf.
“Gitex is an opportunity for technology, government and business leaders to be inspired by the innovation within the technology industry and find solutions that will address the requirements of their customers, enhance productivity and reduce costs,” Mr Abu Ltaif said when he announced Microsoft’s participation in Gitex this year.
BlackBerry, which is based in Canada, has also floundered for several years.
At its peak, BlackBerry – once known as Research in Motion – employed nearly 20,000 workers and was valued at about $80bn. Yet it now plans to cut 4,500 jobs, or about 45 per cent of its current workforce. And the phone maker is weighing a sale of some of the buildings it owns, as well as discussing a $4.7bn buyout deal with Fairfax Financial Holdings.
Meanwhile, interest in BlackBerry’s products has waned.
More than 70 per cent of respondents in a survey within the US said nothing could get them to buy a BlackBerry smartphone, including a bigger screen or lower price. That figure compared with 31 per cent for those who said nothing would convince them to purchase a new Android-based mobile, and less than 20 per cent for Apple’s iPhone, according to data released in April by the financial services firm Raymond James.
In the UAE, the BlackBerry has traditionally been stronger than Apple’s iPhone. The brand currently commands nearly 11 per cent of the mobile market here, followed by Apple with 7.4 per cent, according to the TRA.
Yet there are signs BlackBerry is weakening in the Emirates, too.
One survey of consumer electronics buyers in the UAE found Samsung mobiles, followed by Apple phones, dominated the market in terms of recent, as well as planned, purchases. BlackBerry devices were well behind the rest, according to Plug Ins, the local electronics retailer that released the survey last month.
The changing dynamics have made the UAE even more important for manufacturers from North America as they look to maintain, or ideally grow, their footprint. Increasingly, companies such as BlackBerry and Apple, based in California, have started rolling out their new flagship products in malls across Abu Dhabi and Dubai soon after their release in the manufacturers’ home markets.
“This shows how important this region is to their overall strategic plan,” says Ashish Panjabi, the chief operating officer of Jacky’s Electronics here in the UAE.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
LEADERBOARD
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WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Kill%20
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Company%20Profile
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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MATCH INFO
Watford 1 (Deulofeu 80' p)
Chelsea 2 (Abraham 5', Pulisic 55')
Company%20Profile
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The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
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