Apple will be opening its fourth store in the UAE on Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island, it said on Thursday, adding to its long list of retail locations around the world.
The iPhone maker said Al Maryah store — set to be Apple's 517th globally — will have views of the waterfront promenade, integrating it with the local community and culture.
It also demonstrates the importance of the UAE market for Apple, which already has three stores in the country including at Abu Dhabi's Yas Mall — which was relocated and refreshed last week — and in The Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates.
Following the latest announcement, the UAE will have the most Apple stores in the Middle East and North Africa region.
From its first outlets that opened in the US in 2001, Apple currently has stores in 25 countries, according to its website. Its outlets have become an integral part of the company’s image and culture.
From big restoration projects to aesthetically impressive facades, here are 10 of Apple's most unique stores globally, in order of their opening.
Ginza, Tokyo (2003)
The Apple Ginza showroom's biggest claim to fame is that the Tokyo store was the first to open outside of the US, although it was the 73rd for the company. The multi-storey outlet is also Apple's tallest store and has one of the longest Genius Bars, where tech support is offered, and has elevators that operate with no buttons.
Before the launch of the iPhone in 2007, among Ginza's flagship products were the PowerBook G4, the pre-modern-day iTunes and the iDVD.
Regent Street, London (2004)
Opened in 2004, Apple's Regent Street location in the West End shopping district was the company's first in Europe, and featured an interior made of stainless steel, glass and stone. It received a makeover in 2016, incorporating hand-cut Venetian smalti glass tiles and a central grand hall adorned with trees.
Another pre-iPhone era opening, Regent Street's flagship products at its launch were the iMac G5 and iPod Photo — both of which have long been discontinued.
Fifth Avenue, New York City (2006)
Popularly known as “The Cube” due to its shape, Apple's Fifth Avenue store in New York launched with a bang in 2006, with the company's late co-founder Steve Jobs also welcoming its first customers. It was also an important launch pad for the first iPhone, which was unveiled the following year.
In its 2019 redesign, the store gained a spiral steel-and-glass staircase, mirror-glass Skylenses and honey locust trees. Through 2019, Fifth Avenue welcomed more than 57 million visitors — more than the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building on an annual basis.
Opera, Paris (2010)
When the curtains were raised on the Apple Opera store in Paris, it was described as a “work of art” and the “grandest”. It features a mosaic tile floor, marble floors, a curving balustrade, wrought iron railings, columns that extend all the way up to the ceiling and a large spiral staircase at the centre — all while keeping the original aesthetic details of the building, which was formerly a bank.
Its location has also added to the store's appeal, with the outlets flanked by Opera Garnier and the popular Paris Opera.
Pudong, Shanghai (2010)
A week after the Paris launch, Apple opened another marvel in Shanghai with its Pudong store. But unlike Paris's historic theme, the first Apple store in the Chinese financial hub embraced a modern vibe. Its entrance features a huge glass cylinder that ferries people to the store, which is underground.
The store is also surrounded by two of the tallest skyscrapers in the world — the Shanghai World Financial Centre and the Oriental Pearl Tower.
The Dubai Mall (2017)
The Apple store at The Dubai Mall, which opened in April 2017, features a balcony that can be visited via motorised carbon-fibre “solar wings” and offers visitors a panoramic view of the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa.
While this was Apple's third store in the UAE, it was also the first in the Middle East to offer the “Today at Apple” learning programmes.
Piazza Liberty, Milan (2018)
Apple's Piazza Liberty branch in Milan — one of two in the Italian city — contains a waterfall called the “glass fountain”, an eight-metre attraction that also serves as the outlet's entrance and a backdrop to the large outdoor amphitheatre.
Featuring backlit ceiling panels, the store, created by Apple's former design head Jonathan Ive and Foster + Partners, has the feel of an art gallery.
Central World, Bangkok (2020)
Apple clearly loves glass and in 2020, the company went all in and unveiled its first store made entirely of glass in Bangkok's famous Ratchaprasong intersection.
The store, which features a cantilevered tree canopy roof, has two levels connected by a spiral staircase that wraps around a timber core. Customers can also choose to use the store's cylindrical lift which has a facade of mirror-polished stainless steel.
The store also directly connects to the Skytrain as well as the city’s largest shopping centre.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore (2020)
Arguably the most unique Apple store in the world, the sphere-shaped Marina Bay Sands outlet “floats on water".
The Pantheon-inspired store's sphere has an all-glass dome structure that is fully self-supported, made up of 114 pieces of glass and offers 360-degree panoramic views of the city and its skyline.
Entirely surrounded by water, it is Apple's third retail location in Singapore.
Via del Corso, Rome (2021)
One of Apple's biggest restoration projects, the Via del Corso store is located at the grand Palazzo Marignoli, a 19th-century palace located in central Rome.
Inside, visitors will find original detailing of locally sourced Carrara marble, including a staircase dating back to 1888. Several pieces of art have been restored and incorporated into the new store design, including multiple graffiti panels created by Italian painter Afro Basaldella in 1950 and two large ceiling paintings that date back to the early 1900s.
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Nick's journey in numbers
Countries so far: 85
Flights: 149
Steps: 3.78 million
Calories: 220,000
Floors climbed: 2,000
Donations: GPB37,300
Prostate checks: 5
Blisters: 15
Bumps on the head: 2
Dog bites: 1
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Mountain%20Boy
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
More on animal trafficking
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
More from Armen Sarkissian
SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 6
08.00-15.00 Technical scrutineering
15.00-17.00 Extra free practice
Friday, December 7
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 1
15.30 BRM F1 qualifying
Saturday, December 8
09.10-09.30 F4 free practice
09.40-10.00 F4 time trials
10.15-11.15 F1 free practice
14.00 F4 race 2
15.30 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE SQUAD
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Ahmed Raza, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Chirag Suri , Zahoor Khan
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Light of the Moon
Director: Jessica M Thompson
Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David
Three stars
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
