Since its launch almost exactly one year ago, Apple's iPhone has become the most talked about electronic device of the 21st century. Judged by sales, profitability or global reach, however, the iPhone remains a distant follower of more successful products made by Nokia or Research in Motion, whose Blackberry remains the gold standard for business mobiles. But its impact on both the popular imagination and the technological elite cannot be denied.
The black, glossy touch-screen interface will go down with the iPod as a benchmark of modern design, while its functionality - an effortlessly smooth integration of music, video, internet and telephone - will have the entire market playing catch-up for years to come. At a little past 10pm last night, the charismatic chief executive at Apple, Steve Jobs, was scheduled to deliver another famed "Stevenote". A blend of performance art, slick marketing and technological evangelism, Mr Jobs's yearly product releases have attracted levels of popular and media attention like no other company in the world.
For months leading up to last night's address, it has been widely accepted that a new iPhone would be launched at the event. Knowing Mr Jobs and his ability to constantly surprise, this speculation may prove incorrect. But in the spirit of the Stevenote and the media frenzy it invokes, the following is a prediction of what a new iPhone will look like and how it will operate.
To keep the first iPhone thin, light and battery-friendly, Apple used a second generation (2G) chip set that transferred data over the EDGE standard, which allowed transmission speeds of up to 256 kilobits per second. The new iPhone could use new third generation (3G) chips that would allow for high-speed data communication, with speeds of up to 7.2 megabits per second. Such speeds would enable data-heavy functions like streaming video, web browsing and video calling to be done smoothly over mobile networks. The impact on battery life would be one of the major question marks to be resolved at the launch. Across the board, 3G-enabled phones generally show poorer battery life than the rest of the market.
One of the most visible features of a 3G-enabled phone is its front-facing camera, which allows the user to make a video call. It is expected that Apple would include such a camera in the new iPhone. The company's iChat instant messaging software, which is integrated into the Mac operating system, already has advanced video chat functionality. As Apple has already extended a number of Mac applications such as iPhoto, iCal and Mail, expect to see an iChat-powered video calling service included in the new iPhone. And as capturing frame-by-frame video is an integral part of video calling, it is likely that the new iPhone will also allow users to capture video from its camera, a feature not available on existing models.
In March, the company released a software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to create new applications for the iPhone. Apple has maintained a tight control over what can and cannot be installed on iPhones, and software developers must have their applications "approved" by Apple before they can be made available for installation. It is expected that a number of new, third-party applications for the iPhone could be released along with the new iPhone. Programmes would be sold through the company's "App Store" an extension of the iTunes Music Store, which is the world's largest music retailer.
Business-focused programmes that can integrate the phone with corporate applications will be popular, as Apple moves its focus to the corporate market dominated by the Blackberry. The customer relationship management business, Salesforce, has demonstrated an iPhone adaptation of its software at the launch of the SDK. Due to its large, touch-screen interface, the device is also promising a platform for game developers. With an inbuilt accelerometer, similar to the controller for the Nintendo Wii, the iPhone can detect physical movement, another feature likely to be utilised by game developers.
A Global Positioning System (GPS) chip is becoming a standard feature on high-end phones, and is one of the more likely candidates for inclusion in the new iPhone. The devices already come installed with a mapping feature, powered by the Google Maps service. In markets like the United States, location is roughly pinpointed on the map by locating the nearest transmission tower. By including a GPS chip, the mapping and location finding power of the iPhone would be greatly improved, and would remain as functional in outlying regions, and across the world, as it is in urban areas.
Internet applications and gaming that are location-based are expected to become mainstream in the coming years, as GPS becomes a ubiquitous component of cell phones and other devices. tgara@thenational.ae
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
MATCH INFO
Everton v Tottenham, Sunday, 8.30pm (UAE)
Match is live on BeIN Sports
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Company Profile
Company name: Yeepeey
Started: Soft launch in November, 2020
Founders: Sagar Chandiramani, Jatin Sharma and Monish Chandiramani
Based: Dubai
Industry: E-grocery
Initial investment: $150,000
Future plan: Raise $1.5m and enter Saudi Arabia next year
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Sting & Shaggy
44/876
(Interscope)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Copa del Rey
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Semi-final, first leg
Wednesday (midnight UAE)
Ferrari
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Story of 2017-18 so far and schedule to come
Roll of Honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia rugby season?
Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles
Fixtures
Friday
West Asia Cup final
5pm, Bahrain (6pm UAE time), Bahrain v Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy final
3pm, The Sevens, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Sports City Eagles
Friday, April 13
UAE Premiership final
5pm, Al Ain, Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
