Tag Archives: business
Your smartphones now as Nol cards
Your smartphones now as Nol cards Amanda Fisher / 28 September 2013 By tomorrow, millions of Dubai’s public transport users will be able to pay for their trips simply by using their smartphones — but not if you have an iPhone. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the launch of its ‘Smart Nol’ service on Friday, a tie-up with etisalat and du that will also enable users to top up their Nol credit and check their balance. RTA Corporate Technical Support Services CEO Abdulla Ali Al Madani said the mobile system only worked on phones with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology — but should be able to be used for other small payments in the future. “We are providing this service for NFC-enabled mobile phone users via a special SIM card to use Nol services for public transport and in future for micropayments in (the) UAE. Customers will have a similar experience to Nol cards and there is no major change in using it. Currently we have more than six million Nol cards and we are expecting good (adoption) from our customer base since (the) UAE has a good number of NFC-enabled handsets.” The NFC is similar to bluetooth technology — though more streamlined. The Smart Nol will work by users placing their smart phones against the card readers at metro station gates or onboard buses and water buses. The SIM cards will be available at etisalat and Du business centres from tomorrow. Etisalat chief marketing officer Khaled El Khouly said in a statement the new technology would revolutionise travel. “The launch of the latest NFC technology solution will be the beginning of a new era on how we empower our customers, as well as service providers in the country.” Du chief commercial officer Fahad Al Hassawi said Du’s role went beyond providing telecom services but “to be a catalyst for society’s advancement”, in line with the Smart Government initiative. Jacky’s Electronics chief operating officer Ashish Panjabi said NFC technology was simpler to use than bluetooth and allowed information to be transmitted simply by tapping two devices together. “The issue is at the moment not everything is NFC-enabled…if you look at Apple, it’s got nothing NFC-enabled. With every new iPhone launch, we’re wondering whether it will be equipped with NFC, but I don’t think it will happen. I don’t think it’s something they believe in.” Apple was such a “significant player in the market” which compromised the chances NFC technology would become commonplace. More than 65 per cent of bus users in Sweden already use their mobile phones to pay for public transport, but there are other forms of technology than NFC such as the mobile barcode, which requires people to purchase barcodes which are sent to their phones, and the Google Wallet ‘tap-and-pay’ system already being used to pay for public transport in parts of America. Local company Beam are trialing a payment system using a mobile app which stores credit card details. Panjabi said the pitfalls of the NFC system were that many parties were required to cooperate, including the credit card companies, local banks, telecommunication companies and merchants. Apple may have “something up their sleeve”, such as plans to create their own mobile payment system. “Apple has got the largest repository of credit card data because hundreds of millions of people who have signed up with Apple have given credit card details, whether it be for music or games or devices…you would think (payment) would be something they could control and dominate through that material.” However, he said most people who had purchased a mainstream smartphone such as Samsung, LG or BlackBerry in the past two years would likely have the technology. The RTA advised people to check with their mobile phone providers about whether their phones were compatible. British consulting firm Juniper Research recently predicted mobile ticketing across all forms of transit would triple in the next five years, led by public transport — though it also said in markets where the iPhone was popular, such as North America and Western Europe, NFC technology would probably not take off. Panjabi said there was “no limit” of where cellphones would go next. “We’re looking now at the next step, which is wearable technology…we’ve seen the smart watch, Google Glass…that may eliminate cell phones one day.” – amanda@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
778 accidents caused by males in Dubai
778 accidents caused by males in Dubai Amira Agarib / 28 September 2013 Drink driving has caused seven deaths during the first seven months of the year. Major-General Mohammed Saif Al Zafin, Director of the General Department of Traffic, said that driving under the influence of alcohol led to seven deaths and 53 injuries in 157 accidents during the seven months of the current year. Last week, Khaleej Times reported road deaths so far this year were almost double than what they were during the same period last year, with 101 road deaths reported so far. Making a sudden turn topped the traffic violations list that led to 29 deaths and 200 injuries, followed by not paying attention on road, which led to 25 deaths, while 200 pedestrians were knocked down. He said that male drivers had caused 778 accidents and caused 93 deaths, while females were responsible for 107 accidents and eight deaths. Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road topped the list of the most dangerous roads and registered 13 deaths. Not keeping adequate distance between vehicles came in the third place leaving 25 people dead and 200 injured, while entry on prohibited roads led to three deaths. Driving in the wrong direction was responsible for two deaths and 22 injuries, while speeding caused four deaths and 28 injuries. Meanwhile, risky reversing, reckless driving, not adhering to lane discipline and overtaking led to one death. Car collision caused 1,052 accidents, killing 40 people, while 27 deaths were reported from 206 hit-and-run accidents. While overturning of vehicles led to four deaths, Al Zafin said private cars were responsible for 598 accidents and led to 144 injuries and 66 deaths, while 62 accidents were caused by motorcyclists, resulting in two deaths. Light heavy trucks caused 62 accidents and led to nine deaths, while heavy trucks caused 41 accidents and resulted in 8 deaths. Vans caused 41 injuries and nine deaths, while taxis caused 43 accidents and two deaths. While bicycle accidents led to three deaths.— news@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
UAE reaffirms support to UN role in Syria crisis
UAE reaffirms support to UN role in Syria crisis (Wam) / 27 September 2013 Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, met Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General, at the organisation’s headquarters on Wednesday. The two discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between the UAE and the United Nations, and exchanged views on important regional and international issues, particularly current developments in Syria and Egypt, and the situation in the Middle East in general, including developments in the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and the Iranian file, as well as other issues of common concern. Ban Ki-moon receives Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed at UN headquarters. -Getty Images The UN Secretary-General briefed Shaikh Abdullah on the priorities of the United Nations during the next phase, and its views on developments in Egypt and on the Syrian crisis, including the issue of the Syrian chemical programme. Ban Ki-Moon also briefed Shaikh Abdullah on international efforts being made to prepare for the convening of the Geneva-2 Conference. The UAE Foreign Minister reaffirmed the UAE’s firm support for the UN’s efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis and to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, as well as its efforts in support of peace negotiations. He reiterated the UAE’s commitment to continue its support for the activities of the United Nations, especially the political and humanitarian efforts to restore stability in Syria and the region as a whole. ShAikh Abdullah also met with some of his counterparts from different countries within the framework of his meetings on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly. Shaikh Abdullah met with the Foreign Ministers of Poland, Portugal, Uruguay, New Zealand, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to the Prime Minister of Tonga, Sialeataongo Tuivakano. The parties discussed ways to develop bilateral relations and cooperation in all fields, especially economic, commercial and cultural fields, including promoting programmes of official visits. Shaikh Abdullah also exchanged views with his counterparts on many issues of mutual interest, especially the Syrian crisis and the developments in Egypt, Libya and the Iranian nuclear file, along with the peace process in the Middle East and global economic conditions. Continue reading
