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Live: Updates From Gitex 2014

All the news and views from the region’s biggest ICT event.

WhatsApp can officially hide online status, announces rollout of Communities

Facebook Has No Near-Term Plan To Monetise WhatsApp: CEO

Facebook’s final WhatsApp acquisition price tag has risen an additional $3 billion because of the increased value of Facebook’s stock in recent months.

HTC Unveils New Camera ‘RE’ And ‘Selfie’ Phone, HTC Desire Eye

RE comes with a16MP sensor and full HD video recording while the HTC Desire Eye includes 13MP front and rear cameras.

IT Spending By MEA Manufacturers To Grow 40% By 2018

Robust GDP growth, quick adoption of 3D platform technologies and increasing awareness of IT threats is boosting regional IT spend.

Mubadala Acquires Full Ownership of IT Firm Injazat After Buying HP’s Stake

The Abu Dhabi fund acquired Hewlett-Packard’s 40 per cent stake in Injazat for an undisclosed sum.

Sony’s Xperia Z3 Dual And Z3 Compact Launched In UAE

Xperia Z3 Dual is priced at Dhs2,999 while Xperia Z3 Compact will cost Dhs2,499.

Whatsapp new privacy features

Facebook’s WhatsApp Acquisition Now Has Price Tag Of $22bn

The acquisition was announced by Facebook in February and recently received regulatory approval in Europe.

Apple To Hold iPad Event On Oct. 16

The iPhone maker is expected to unveil the new iPads and the latest updates to its iMac line, according to reports.

Can Apple Make Wearables “Cool”?

While the new smartwatch from Apple looks good, experts say it is far from a revolutionary product.

Review: BlackBerry Passport

BlackBerry’s latest smartphone is wide and unwieldy, but has some promising new features.

Dubai Detectives To Get Google Glass Face-Recognition Technology

Software developed by Dubai police will enable a connection between the wearer of the glass and a database of wanted people.

Up to 40% Of UAE YouTube Users Come From Mobile

A study by Google found that 80 per cent of smartphone users in the UAE watch online videos on their devices.

UAE Consumers Not Concerned With iPhone 6 Plus Bending Issues

While ‘Bendgate’ may not have an impact, concerns that the phone does not have a “premium” feel may hamper UAE sales, says expert.

French Affordable Smartphone Player Wiko Launches In UAE

Wiko, which claims to be Europe’s fastest growing smartphone brand, has launched eight models in the UAE.

UAE’s TRA Warns Against Fake iPhone 6 Units

The regulators warnings come after a number of fake iPhone 6 handsets were confiscated from various locations across the UAE.

Up to 53% Of Data Generated In MENA Not Protected

The Middle East and North Africa region is expected to see its digital universe grow by over 600 per cent by 2020, finds new study.

UAE’s TRA Records Surge In National Domain Registrations

The rise in registrations on the UAE’s national domain also indicates an increase in the amount of Arabic content online, the telecoms regulator said.

Ex Apple CEO’s Obi Mobile Launches Five Smartphones In the Middle East

Ex Apple mogul John Sculley plans to launch five mid-to-low end smartphones across the Middle East in the coming months, following the company’s Indian entry

Apple Plays Defence On iPhone 6 Bending, Software Concerns

Apple said its iPhones feature stainless steel and titanium inserts to reinforce high-stress locations and use the strongest glass in the smartphone industry.

Transport App Uber Launches Two New Services In Dubai

A new affordable option, uberX and a corporate account service, Uber for Business, will now be available in Dubai.

Apple Releases iOS 8 Workaround To Fix Dropped Cell Service

Apple said it would release iOS 8.0.2 in the next few days to fix the issue and offered step-by-step instructions to reinstall iOS 8 using iTunes.

Pictures: BlackBerry Launches New Smartphone ‘Passport’ In Dubai

The square-shaped smartphone targets business professionals and will retail for Dhs2,699 in the UAE.

Apple iPhone Rollout Marred By Bending Phones, Dropped Cell Service

Apple iPhone 6 Plus buyers discovered their phones can bend when placed in back pockets.

BlackBerry Set To Launch New Smartphone, Passport

The Passport boasts a big square screen and a unique touch-sensitive tactile keyboard.

Lenovo Launches First “Layered” Smartphone, VIBE X2 In UAE

The company also announced the launch of the VIBE Z2, and its flagship VIBE Z2 Pro, which is priced at Dhs2,499 in the UAE.

Apple Sells Record 10m Units Of iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus In First Three Days

Last year, Apple sold nine million iPhone 5S and 5C models in 11 countries, including China, in the first weekend.

India’s XOLO Plans Middle East Smartphone Push

The manufacturer is hoping to lure Middle Eastern consumers with a range of competitively priced tablets and smartphones.

Bug Delays Apple’s HealthKit Availability On iOS 8

HealthKit gathers data such as blood pressure and weight from various health apps on Apple devices, and can be viewed by doctors at one place.

New iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus Get Rave Reviews, Called “Excellent”, “Beautiful”

Apple launched the new phones on September 9, and they go on sale from September 19 onwards.

Dubai’s RTA Launches Five Mobile Apps Offering 30 New Services

The new applications that were released include the Drivers and Vehicles smartphone app, Smart Parking app, Business Sector Services app, Salik Smart app and the Public Transport app.