BlackBerry application developers based in the UAE have put the brakes on their projects as they wait for a resolution between the telecommunications regulator and the maker of the device, Research In Motion (RIM).
UAE authorities have said the decision to suspend BlackBerry services in the country on October 11 is "final".
While the potential suspension is causing concern among the 500,000 BlackBerry subscribers in the UAE, it is also affecting the business prospects of some local companies with global aspirations that develop applications (apps) for the device.
"As far as we're concerned, we've stopped this development until the Government comes out with a concrete statement on what will happen to the BlackBerry," said Moshin Muhyidin, an applications developer based in Sharjah.
Mr Muhyidin was working on an app that would help project managers in the construction industry connect to their databases while on a job site.
He has already completed a web-based app for his customers but has put plans to finish developing a stand-alone BlackBerry app on hold.
"The impact will be huge for us because we were anticipating a lot of subscribers. There's a huge penetration of BlackBerry users in the UAE," Mr Muhyidin said.
The suspension has also affected Flip Media, an interactive advertising agency based in Dubai that has developed six apps for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
"Naturally, the uncertainty over the future of the BlackBerry in the GCC is a concern and that has forced us to shelve any plans we had for the moment," said Yousef Tuqan Tuqan, the chief executive of Flip Media.
About 10,000 BlackBerry apps are available on RIM's "App World", a fraction of the 253,000 apps available for the iPhone device. However, there are 41 million BlackBerry users around the world, providing ample potential for developers to make an app that could generate significant sales.
Ali Hamidi, the founder of Pirana Bytes, a start-up company based in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, fears the potential suspension will affect all UAE developers because they will not be invited to bid on future BlackBerry apps projects.
Mr Hamidi was working on a BlackBerry app that would allow access to a variety of instant messaging services, including BlackBerry Messenger, in one piece of software. However, he has also put the project on hold.
"We've been asked by some companies outside of the UAE to build games for the BlackBerry and we've got access to the developers' kit," Mr Hamidi said.
"The impact from a potential suspension will not really affect us too much because we build applications for other devices but the practicalities of testing on the devices will be the biggest obstacle for us going forward."
The looming suspension will also have an impact on potential entrepreneurs looking to develop their own BlackBerry apps, said Ashraf Khalil, an assistant professor of computer sciences at Abu Dhabi University.
"We wanted to make iPhone and BlackBerry applications and RIM has an academic collaboration programme we were talking to ? about supporting us," Mr Khalil said.
"This deal is no longer there because we're not sure if [RIM are] going to be here. We're not developing any BlackBerry applications ? unless there's clarification as to what's going on in the market."
RIM declined to comment.
@Email:dgeorgecosh@thenational.ae
Match info
Australia 580
Pakistan 240 and 335
Result: Australia win by an innings and five runs
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Date: Sunday, November 25
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20TV%204K%20(THIRD%20GENERATION)
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ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
%3Cp%3ECreator%3A%20Tima%20Shomali%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0Tara%20Abboud%2C%C2%A0Kira%20Yaghnam%2C%20Tara%20Atalla%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
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Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
'Tell the Machine Goodnight' by Katie Williams
Penguin Randomhouse
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
