Top 10 Trends At Gitex 2012

1. Cloud computing

Cloud was probably the most popular jargon-term used by almost all the participants at Gitex this year. Companies in the region are no more just talking about it, but have already started implementing the technology, say experts.

Eyad Shihabi, managing director of HP Middle East told Gulf Business that cloud adoption in the region is almost matching that of adoption worldwide.

2. IT security

Cyber crime was a popular topic at Gitex this year, especially because of the rising number of online attacks on prominent local companies in the Middle East such as Saudi Aramco and Qatar’s Ras Gas.

Symantec, Kaspersky and several other security system providers stressed the importance of recognising the threat and improving security infrastructure.

3. Smartphone drive

With smartphone penetration in the GCC reaching incredibly high rates, all the vendors in the market are eager to enter the sector.

While Intel plans to launch its smartphone in the region in the short-term, Lenovo confirmed that it is in discussions to introduce its own smartphone in the region sometime in the future.

4. Windows 8

Microsoft hosted one of the busiest stands this year, since the IT giant had prominent displays of its soon-to-be launched operating software, Windows 8. Dubai is one of the six cities in the world that will officially launch Windows 8 on October 26. The new operating system avoids the traditional Microsoft “start button”, and is designed for interface via keys, mouse and touch.

5. Telecom partnerships

First-time exhibitor Saudi Telecom Company (STC) announced six new partnerships during the event including tie-ups with Wikipedia, Hilton Hotels, Huawei and Ericsson.

6. Government push

The UAE government had a particularly strong presence at Gitex this year, and we saw some interesting announcements from public entities.

Dubai Taxi Corporation said that it was starting a smart taxi pilot project that would see vehicles fitted out with interactive ‘infotainment’ LCDs providing customers with internet access, important government services and smart advertisements.

The UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) launched UAEpedia, an online encyclopedia about the UAE. Using an open-source model, the site will allow the general public to contribute and modify content about the country.

7. SME focus

Start-ups in the MENA region grew eight fold since 2005, according to a report released by Dubai Internet City (DIC) during Gitex.

But speaking to Gulf Business, Prashanth K Gulati, an angel investor, revealed that funding for tech start-ups is very low in the region. Most investors in the region are reluctant to fund start-ups and smaller companies because of the high risks involved.

8. Social media

Social networking is growing faster in the Middle East and Africa than anywhere else in the world, largely due to the Arab Spring, said a new report released by eMarketer and the Starcom MediaVest Group. Some 70.2 per cent of the region’s internet users will use social media this year, the report estimated.

In terms of deals, Google Apps signed an agreement with the Ajman Free Zone Authority during Gitex to provide productivity and communications solutions to AFZA’s 5,000 customers.

9. Innovation

One of the oft-heard words at the tech event was “innovation”. Every company stressed the importance of “constantly innovating” and claimed that it was the only way to beat competition.

And there’s certainly going to be a lot of competition going ahead; Intel estimates that by 2012, there will be 15 billion internet-related devices across the world.

10. 50 Cent

Hip-hop singer 50 Cent added the star element to the show, when he launched his SMS Audio Headphones across the region in partnership with UAE-based Shift.

“This is a great venture, you can steal and download music but you can’t steal a headset,” he said.

“Walking through Gitex is like walking through the future. Dubai is the perfect springboard to launch SMS Audio, because the emirate is famous for its pursuit of high standards in everything it does,” he added.