Q&A: Help is just a click or two away
How is mPark Helper easier than relying on the old text message method of recharging a parking pass? The app can save data, such as a driver's vehicle plate number as well as parking zones they tend to use. This allows a driver to reload the information more easily, rather than typing it out each time they park there within a text message.
Besides the mPark Helper, what other apps are there in the UAE? There is the UAE Parking app, which was developed by Kryptotel and costs US$0.99 (Dh3.63). It uses the geographical location of where a car is parked so that drivers do not have to fill in a "zone number" of the parking space.
How does it work? It lets drivers pay for parking via text message, with two "simple clicks", the company claims. It works in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Tech-savvy drivers in Dubai can now charge and recharge their parking pass using an app for their mobile.
The mPark Helper app, which was developed by a company called Prototype and does not cost motorists anything to use, allows drivers to charge or recharge a parking pass without having to go back to their vehicle or dig around for coins.
Previously, motorists relying on Dubai's Road & Transport Authority (RTA) mParking service could send a text message to take care of this tedious task. The problem, according to Prototype, was that people had to type in their vehicle's licence plate details together with the parking zone number and the requested parking time, each and every time they wanted to use the service.
"Since this can be quite cumbersome, especially if you don't know the zone number or forgot how to construct the messages, Prototype developed the mPark Helper application that assists users with the same [process]," the company says.
This app saves data so drivers can reload information more easily. Yet, it works only on mobiles with Windows Phone 7 software, such as new models from Nokia. It also functions only when used with Dubai's parking system, and not those from other emirates.
Apps associated with vehicles have been growing in popularity in recent years, although software developers have been relatively slow to find local solutions for the UAE.
In North America, the Taxi Magic app for the iPhone provide people with a "tap-to-call" feature for cab fleets in more than 4,000 cities. It also offers online taxi booking, so there is no need to speak with anyone over the phone.
New York City, of course, is famous for its vast network of taxi services - for better or for worse. In July, one man born and raised in Manhattan launched the Report A Taxi app so passengers could either commend or condemn their cabbie.
Top 5: “On the go” apps for iPhone
1 Kayak (travel)
2 Yelp (restaurant reviews)
3 Word Lens (translator)
4 Weather Channel (climate check)
5 OpenTable (restaurant bookings
Source: Time
The Quote: Having lived in cities all my life, the one achievement that everyone can look forward to is getting the perfect parking spot. - Saul Perlmutter, an astrophysicist who won a Nobel Prize this year
nparmar@thenational.ae
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The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
Arsenal's pre-season fixtures
Thursday Beat Sydney 2-0 in Sydney
Saturday v Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney
Wednesday v Bayern Munich in Shanghai
July 22 v Chelsea in Beijing
July 29 v Benfica in London
July 30 v Sevilla in London
