Haider sets off journey through emirates on solar powered wheelchair

Haidar Taleb receives the Guinness World Record certificate

Guinness World Record holder Haidar Taleb will set off tomorrow (Nov., 22, 2010) on a journey that will take him across all seven emirates in a solar-powered wheel chair. Haidar, a 47-year-old-Emirati, who built and designed the wheelchair himself, will travel more than 350km to promote innovation and renewable energy across the UAE in the run up to the National Day.

Starting in Fujairah, his 11-day journey will take him to schools, universities, police stations, and social centers for people with disabilities, before he finishes in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche on Dec. 2. Haider’s journey is sponsored by Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy initiative.

Haidar rose to national fame after setting a Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled in a motorised solar-powered wheelchair, when he travelled 14 hours non-stop from Masdar City to Sharjah on Nov 11.

“With this journey I hope to raise awareness of disability and sustainability, as well as what we can achieve as individuals if we have the courage and determination to try.  When we have this determination, there are no limits to our creativity. That is the message I want to spread,” said Haidar. “I set off in the hope of inspiring people across the UAE, but it is the overwhelming support I have already received that will be my inspiration until I reach Abu Dhabi.”

Haidar has already travelled part of the UAE with his first prototype of the solar-powered wheelchair, which he presented to the Young Future Energy Leaders (YFEL), a Masdar Institute initiative - part of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in 2010. Haidar will also participate as a speaker in next year’s YFEL in January 2011.

“With my upgraded solar-powered wheelchair, developed with Masdar’s support, I want to visit the seven emirates to demonstrate the value of renewable energy and sustainability,” Haidar said. “Investing time and effort to develop green technologies is very rewarding on different fronts. I believe there is a lot of talent in the UAE and one of the best ways to celebrate the National Day is by demonstrating what we are capable of achieving.”

TBS launches Cartoon Network Arabic 24/7 free-to-air channel

Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited (TBS), a Time Warner company, launches its free-to-air Cartoon Network in Arabic recently in a function held at Media One Hotel, Media City, Dubai. TBS regional officials and celebrities attended the official inauguration. The channel, broadcasting completely in Arabic across the MENA region, will feature over 500 episodes of the kids’ most popular shows including: Ben 10, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Ben and Izzy and Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, in addition to the Middle East’s popular 3D animation series, FREEJ.

The launch coincides with the opening of Turner Broadcasting System’s offices in Dubai Media City, the region’s leading media hub and a member of TECOM Investments.

With a reach of a potential 35 million homes in the MENA region, the new channel will be launched to target the growing audience base who are dedicated followers of Cartoon Network through airing locally produced shows, blockbuster movies and original productions.

In commemorating this announcement, Alan Musa, Turner Broadcasting System Europe Ltd. Vice President and General Manager, Middle East, Africa & Pan Region said: “Cartoon Network Arabic reflects TBS’s ambition and belief in local talent. Our initiative has come to life through investing in different strategic partnerships with companies such as ‘Lammtara’ and ‘Rubicon’. Both partnerships will result in generating new ideas and content in addition to distributing them outside the MENA region.”

Under the deal with Lammtara, the studio and creator of FREEJ, Turner will license and distribute FREEJ episodes and merchandise, and produce a local version of its original production, Skatoony, which will feature FREEJ characters, a first for the global animated channel. Rubicon Group, the creator of ‘Tareq wa Shireen’ and ‘Ben and Izzy will be working with Turner to air these series on Cartoon Network.

“We are thrilled to work with prestigious names such as Turner Broadcasting System and Cartoon Network. Their efforts and determination to create localised high quality content is admired and will be recognised amongst the industry. We are confident that our relationship with TBS will create new and innovative opportunities in the future.” says Mohammed Saeed Harib, Creator and Director of FREEJ.

Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, said: “We welcome Turner Broadcasting Systems to TECOM Media Cluster with the launch of its free-to-air Cartoon Network Channel in Arabic. This is particularly noteworthy as Turner will focus on original content creation for the channel in collaboration with regional companies. There is a huge demand for locally produced content and we believe this initiative will add definite value to the Arab media industry.

TBS’s efforts in publicizing and marketing Cartoon Network Arabic have manifested itself through various communication channels such as Print, broadcast and online. In addition to traditional media, community campaigns are being carried out throughout the region focusing on schools and mall visits to raise awareness among the targeted audience and educate them about the new channel and programs it will air.

Moreover, a website dedicated to the new channel was launched to provide detailed and up-to-date information about the channel and its shows.

Jacky’s Electronics and AMD announce Facebook winners

 Jacky’s Electronics, the UAE’s leading multi-brand consumer electronics retailer, and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) Middle East, have declared Naveen Kumar as the winner of their latest collaborative Facebook competition dubbed 'Every Store Counts' which concluded on Oct.10.

 The event was held at Jacky’s Electronics, Mirdif City Centre, Dubai. Ashish Punjabi, chief operating officer, Jacky’s Electronics and Bernard Biolchini, AMD Vice President Sales and GM, Middle East, Turkey & North Africa were present at the event. 

The winner Naveen Kumar, who visited 10 out of 11 Jacky’s outlets across the UAE, received an Acer notebook powered by AMD VISION Technology. Among the runners-up from the competition were Analyn Placides, Manu Gopal and Karen D’Souza. AMD Middle East selected the winners from participants who posted the most creative photo among the entries.

For more updates on the latest gadgets and technologies, please visit Jacky’s Electronics’ fanpage on www.facebook.com/jackysuae/

Alauddinte Adbhuthavilakku on Asianet

 Airing Time: Monday To Friday at 9.30

The new serial Alauddinte Adbhuthavilakku, started airing from October 4, depicts the classic Arabian tale of Aladdin and his magic lamp.

It begins with the story of Aladdin's forbearers and then goes on to depict Aladdin's story — his quest for the lamp, the strange events that happen to him while on the quest and how he must fight to keep the lamp and the genie from getting into the wrong hands.

Jacky’s and AMD launches latest Facebook competition ‘Every Store Counts’

Wild hunts for the AMD staff are happening across all Jacky’s outlets in the UAE to win the newest personal computer with AMD VISION Technology.

Jacky’s Electronics and AMD Middle East, have launched the latest Facebook competition dubbed as ‘Every Store Counts’ from Oct 3 to Oct. 9. Fans must visit any Jacky’s store and look for a staff member wearing an AMD VISION t-shirt and take funky pictures of themselves with the so-called ‘AMD Visionary’ staff.

All Facebook users from the UAE and fans of Jacky’s Electronics can enter the competition. Participants must visit the Jacky’s Electronics Facebook page, and post their entries on the said fan page www.facebook.com/jackysuae/. Fans may post as many entries taken from different outlets. The more photos taken at various outlets mean the more chances of winning. Official contest rules are posted on the fan page’s competition tab.

AMD Middle East will select the most creative photo among the entries to receive a PC with VISION Technology from AMD. The winner will be announced on Oct. 10 in an award ceremony at the Jacky’s Mirdif City Centre outlet.

“Facebook is an effective way to directly communicate with our customers. Through our fan page, we manage to update and inform our loyal customers on the latest products available in the market as well as knowing their feedback on our services,” said Ashish Panjabi, Chief Operating Officer, Jacky’s Electronics.

“Holding competitions on a regular basis allows us to reward our fans with the newest gadgets such as an Apple iPad, Sony Ericsson Xperia and HP Envy Notebook. Together with AMD, we are giving away a computer powered by VISION Technology, a combination of cutting edge processing and video power for a remarkably vivid visual experience,” he added.

VISION Technology from AMD simplifies the PC buying process by embracing the contemporary ways in which consumers use PCs, rather than relying upon often confusing technical specifications. By combining powerful visual processing technologies, VISION Technology from AMD is ready to help consumers use their computers to enjoy high definition video entertainment, edit and share photos and video with friends, or collaborate and communicate online.

Bernard Biolchini, Vice President Sales & General Manager, AMD Middle East, Turkey & Africa said, “We are delighted to partner with Jacky’s for this Facebook competition. We believe that this social media activity will increase the awareness of AMD amongst the internet-savvy. This is only the beginning as customers will see more exciting activities from AMD and Jacky’s in the future”.

Jacky’s Electronics and HP Middle East announces Facebook competition winners

Jacky’s Electronics and HP Middle East, who recently delighted shoppers with a range of great deals and promotions, announced the winner of Facebook competition in a press conference held at Jacky’s Electronics outlet Level 2, The Dubai Mall.

Raaghini Wazacz receiving her HP Envy Notebook 

Ashish Panjabi, Jacky’s Electronics’ COO; Jimmy Patel, Jacky’s Electronics general manager and Suad Merchant, HP Middle East’s Retail and Trade marketing manager were present at the function.

Raaghini Wazacz won the latest HP Envy Notebook in the Facebook competition. The five runners-up were Mohammed Qubaisi, Joel Haddad, Hasina Nagaria, Abdul Mukit and Mudassar. HP Mini Raffle winners Purva Milind Khare, Renji M. Jacob, Ali Abdullah, Araman, Banschand, Min Guobring and Zuber Mohsen received HP Mini Netbooks.

3D enabled Blu-ray Disc Home Theatre Range from Sony

Sony Gulf recently unveiled its latest 5.1 channel 3D-enabled Blu-ray Home Theatre Systems BDV-IZ1000 and BDV-E970W, and the 3D-enabled HT-CT350 and HT-CT150 3.1 channel sound bars.

The 5.1 channel surround systems feature Blu-ray Disc playback, DVD upscaling, the award winning XrossMediaBar XMB on-screen menu and Internet streaming, allowing access to a wide range of on-demand content and the latest cinematic technologies that allow consumers to experience the ultimate entertainment in their living rooms.

Both systems sport a slimline, minimalist look to match the stylish new BRAVIA(r) models. The Home Theatre Systems BDV-IZ1000W and BDV-E970W can play 3D content from Blu-ray via the latest 3D-enabled BRAVIA HDTVs. The first all-in-one home cinema systems, the two models from Sony can play high-definition 3D content from Blu-ray Disc, and can also access a world of online video entertainment from the BRAVIA Internet Video platform.

The Home Theatre Systems also include Entertainment Database Browser by Sony to access disc cover art, actor, and production information, as well as IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling to improve standard definition and web video quality. Both systems are also DLNA Digital Living Network Alliance certified, enabling the system to stream content from a wide range of external devices that can be controlled with their own universal remote control or with an iPod touch or iPhone.

The BDV-IZ1000W and BDV-E970W are equipped with Sony's S-Master digital amplifier and both deliver 1000W power output. The BDV-IZ1000W delivers the full cinema experience via five ultra slim speakers, using a virtual 7.1 wireless rear speaker system, while with the BDV-E970W, a real 7.1 set-up is also possible with the wireless upgrade kit WAHT-SBP2. The BDV-E970W comes with four floor-standing main speakers for front and rear, left and right channels, a high-power subwoofer and a centre speaker as standard.