Brief Round-up of the ongoing GITEX 2008 at Dubai

GITEX 2008, the biggest annual business and consumer technology exhibition in the region took off with a bang on 19th October 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. Well into its 28th year, the event, due to be last until 23rd October 2008, is hoped to see 130,000 visitors and 3300 host companies from 83 countries this year over the next five days. Gitex is organized by Dubai World Trade Center.

This year, the event features weeklong exhibition, titled 'Gitex Technology Week', includes tech-filled activities, which is segregated into three major elements – 'Gitex Business Solutions', 'Gulfcomms', and 'Gitex Consumer Electronics'.

Gitex Business Solutions is a leading exhibition, catering to government, SMB solution providers and enterprises. The high-profile event aims to provide a platform for the latest in technology developments, and involves participation of big names such as the Microsoft, Panasonic, and Ford.

GulfComms is the event dedicated for the telecommunications sector, which involves live demonstrations and presentations, displaying the latest in the mobile, IP, fixed and satellite sector. Consumer Electronics is one of the highly popular events of Gitex, which involves top global brands presenting their best deals in the fair. Now into its 18th year, the event features an exclusive technology fashion show, the world’s largest gaming tournament, and lot more.

This year’s event was inaugurated by H.H. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai Crown Prince on Sunday.

Gitex Shopper and Consumer Electronics Expo, the retail component of Gitex saw models displaying few of the latest gadgets being launched at this year's expo, as a part of Gadget Glam 2008. Several other hosts of brands are featuring their latest development at the expo. Major international companies such as the Blackberry, Dell, Google, Etisalat, HP, Microsoft, Panasonic, Sharp, Samsung, Sun MicroSystems, and Symantec have launched new products, and are likely to make big announcements.

The Day 2 of the event saw the display of the “world’s first watch mobile” by Touchmate. Apart from making calls, the gadget features a built-in camera, touch screen, voice and video recorder, T-flash card slot, and a stereo Bluetooth headset. Being a triband, it could be used anywhere in the world.

Panasonic launched the world’s largest Plasma Screen TV. Offering 150 inches of entertainment, the Panasonic representatives said that their record breaking television is yet hit the market, but is expected to be out soon.

The Archos internet media tablet, launched during the event yesterday, although appears smaller than its predecessors, offers mobile web surfing at the palm of your hand. It has a 5-inch touch screen and Wifi that permits to surf the internet, view photographs, play movies, while also scheduling and recording your favourite TV shows and downloading movies.

Another item that caught attention of the viewers is the latest trend of transporting data, through wearable flash drives in bright, funky colours. The PVC UFD by Nezac brings is an effective alternative to the otherwise dull USB. So for those of you who wish to carry data all the time, this is the trendiest way of doing it.

The Middle East is one of the fastest growing consumer electronic markets with the total ICT spend in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, due to rise by 50 percent to US$45bn by 2010. This is as per the studies by IMF and IDC, which indicates the popularity gained by Gitex in Dubai.

Entry to the trade events at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center is restricted to business professionals only. The tickets are priced at Dh.40 for a single day pass, and Dh.100 for five day pass. The participants can pre-register for the events online, or can pick up trade passes at the entrance.

The event is being held between 10am to 7pm from 20th to 22nd October, and from 10am to 5pm on 23rd October 2008. For more information on the event, log on to www.gitex.com.

Posted on 21/10/2008

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