Whispering Windows’ to revolutionise outdoor advertising
May 2006
Masonlite Multimedia, distributors of high-end multimedia products in the Middle East, has announced the introduction of Whispering Windows, a revolutionary technology that turns a glass or a rigid surface into a massive sound radiator. This is the first time that the technology,
developed by FeONIC, specialists in the conceptualisation, design, development and commercialisation of products based on smart materials, is being introduced in the Middle East.Whispering Windows, which has immense possibilities for application in the retail and shop floor advertising sector, is designed with an amplifier and automatic gain control system that allows the volume generated by the window to remain at a fixed level above ambient sound thus eliminating noise pollution. This adds a new dimension to the retail audio industry, particularly where multiple audio sources are used in the same venue
Rob Partos, Managing Partner, Masonlite Multimedia, said, “Whispering Windows is a new generation technology that turns a surface into a loudspeaker when mounted on it. Such a technology would have massive implications on the way shop floor or window advertising in retail spaces are organised. As the retail sector is facing rapid growth and becoming extremely competitive, retailers are choosing bolder and more innovative advertising concepts that would ensure foot fall in their respective enterprises.” “Most professional multimedia hardware products we encounter are evolved from existing technology. It’s very rare that a totally new product emerges, unlike anything else on the market – the Apple Mac, plasma displays and MicroTouch touchscreens spring to mind over the last 20 years – however Whispering Windows falls into this category; it’s a genuinely innovative product unlike anything else out there and the sound quality has to be heard to be believed. We’re delighted to be able to introduce it to the region” he added.
Chris Theis, Executive Director at MediaZest, the worldwide license holder for retail applications of Whispering Windows, commented: “We are delighted that Masonlite Multimedia has chosen to introduce the revolutionary Whispering Windows technology to the Middle East. There is huge potential in this region’s rapidly growing retail sector for innovative shop floor and window advertising concepts and we believe Whispering Windows to be an ideal solution. We have seen a growing interest from retailers in the UK and Europe and are thrilled to be launching the product to wider audiences.”
According to recent reports the amount of retail space throughout UAE is increasing at a fast pace with Dubai leading the way. Within the next five years, Dubai's share of the country’s total retail space will jump to 34 per cent from its current 17 per cent. New investments in retail in Dubai are expected to reach US $10 billion by 2010. The rapid growth and increasingly fragmented customers means that retailer have to turn to innovative techniques that would capture the attention of prospective customers.
Rob Partos said, “Over 45 percent of the GDP of any economy is driven by the retail sector. The retail sector in the UAE is rapidly expanding, both in terms of size and profitability which is driven by high per capita expenditures and increasing tourist inflow. The numerous shopping centres and retail outlets here have attracted all types of consumers from all over the world, offering them the best competitive prices. The retail sector of this region has been looking for a way that allows people to both hear and see products. Whispering Windows is precisely the solution they have been looking for.”
Gulf Air Malayasia Tourism Board to Work Together
Gulf Air and a high-level delegation from Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) have agreed to set up a task force to study possibilities of joint co-operation to promote the upcoming 50 years of Malaysia's nationhood. The task force to promote “Visit Malaysia 2007” was agreed during talks between Gulf Air Vice President Business Units Ali Murtada, Vice President Marketing and Sales Lee Shave and the Malaysian delegation headed by MTPB’s Deputy Director General Datin Dalilah Ahmad.
"Malaysia is one of the popular destinations for Arabs as it has been witnessing a steady increase in the tourist's arrival over the years from the GCC countries and we are expecting a significant jump in the tourists arrival in 2007," said Ms Ahmad, quoting statistics.
Around 147,646 Gulf tourist visited Malaysia last year up from 123,000 in 2004, says Ahmad."Gulf Air has been flying to Kuala Lumpur for years and its Holiday Division, Gulf Air Holidays, has been offering travellers fantastic, value-for-money holiday packages to various destinations including Malaysia," said Mr Murtada.
"Now with the biggest network in the Middle East, the airline is best positioned to cooperate with MTPB.”During summer, Gulf Air flies six flights a week to Kuala Lumpur. The two sides also discussed the possibilities of code-sharing between Gulf Ai and Malaysia Airlines.
The delegation comprised of Amirrudin Abu, Director, International Promotion Division, Syed Muhadzir Jamallulil, Director, (UAE, Gulf & Iran) of Tourism Malaysia, Halimy Mahmoud, Regional Vice President (Middle East and Africa), Malaysian Airlines and Anwar Udzir Second Secretary, Embassy of Malaysia in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
UAE authorities pledge to step up anti-piracy drive ahead of annual software piracy study release
May 13, 2006 The UAE authorities have announced stepping up of efforts to bring down software piracy levels in the country by reinforcing their association with Business Software Alliance (BSA), the organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world, with a view to effectively safeguard the integrity of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
The proposed measures include organizing more awareness campaigns to create better understanding of the detrimental impact of software piracy, and ensuring rigorous enforcement of IPR and copyright laws. The move comes just weeks ahead of the release of the annual worldwide piracy figures by IDC (International Data Corporation), the IT industry’s leading global market research and forecasting firm.
“Looking at the most developed and progressive economies in the world, one can find that they all have creditable records in keeping piracy under check and that stringent enforcement of IPR laws has been a major contributing factor to the success they have achieved. For UAE to achieve similar global profile it is essential that it steps up its drive against piracy, especially in light of the globalization efforts and the country’s accession to the WTO regime,” said Juma Al Leem, Director of Censorship Department in Dubai.
“In addition to joining hands with BSA in organizing awareness programs, we will also work closely with the various governmental and security bodies in the UAE to regulate and organise the trade of the intellectual and artistic products. Software piracy is a crime and violators will be criminally charged according to the UAE copyright law number 7 enacted in the year 2002,” Al Leem added.
Jawadh Al Redha, Co-Chairman, BSA-Middle East, said, “It goes to the credit of the UAE authorities that even amidst the country’s recent economic boom and the widespread adoption of IT solutions, they were able to keep piracy levels admirably low. BSA has been working at various levels to safeguard the integrity of IPR laws in the UAE, and we are resolved to step up the anti-piracy drive in close cooperation with the various public and private sector bodies in the UAE.”
The UAE has consistently maintained the lowest piracy level in the Middle East by tackling the piracy problem head-on. The UAE is the only country in the Arab world and one of just two Asian nations, the other being Japan, to merit a place in the list of 20 global nations with the lowest piracy rates.
“While the increasingly sophisticated methods employed in copying software admittedly pose a challenge to our efforts, we are confident of overcoming these obstacles through coordinated efforts with the UAE authorities. The fight against piracy is an ongoing process, and while the UAE already boasts the lowest piracy rate in the region, we will continue to strive towards bringing piracy levels further down,” Al Redha concluded.
