If your phone isn't groaning under the weight of an array of food delivery, supermarket and shopping apps, can you even call yourself a UAE resident? Convenience has always been a buzzword in this part of the world, one that has been elevated to an art form thanks to the choice and quality of services provided.
Although expediency has always been part and parcel of UAE life, the pandemic has meant that even more products and experiences are available to be delivered directly to your door.
So, while this morning's supermarket delivery and tonight's takeout feast have been taken care of, here are 12 other goods and services you could get delivered to the comfort of your home.
Afternoon tea
There's no denying that the cafes and hotels of the UAE took this oh-so British tradition and ran with it. If you've been craving a treat, but don't want to venture out, then you can get an afternoon tea delivered to you.
The one from Ferns N Petals features two large fruit scones, farmhouse lemon biscuits, Dundee cake, Devon clotted cream, blackcurrant and strawberry jam, English tea and a box of white and dark chocolates to finish off on a sweet note. All you need to provide is the crockery and the sticky-out pinky finger.
Dh289, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.fnp.ae
Aquarium cleaning and maintenance
Aquariums are beautiful and calming things to have around you, but they also require constant upkeep to ensure your aquatic friends are happy and healthy.
Petzone offers a customisable aquarium cleaning and maintenance service, whereby members of the team come to your home to advise on everything from algae issues to the health of your fish.
They will even landscape your fish tank with plants, pebbles and caves, ensuring you have the most Instagrammable aquarium in the UAE (The Dubai Mall's notwithstanding).
Dh263 for aquarium cleaning service; Dh3,150 annual contract (one visit per month), available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.petzone.com
Bespoke bread
If supermarket bread doesn't float your boat, and you don't have the time to make your own, you can choose from a huge batch of different breads to be delivered to your doorstep fresh for breakfast every morning.
Order before 4.30pm for next-day delivery, and Early Bird will bring you anything from pretzels, chia seed bread rolls and pure rye, to wild farmer’s bread, baguettes and fitness loaves made with whole grain oats.
From Dh10, available in Dubai, www.earlybird.ae
Bike repairs
With cycling one of the most popular pastimes in the UAE thanks to miles of tracks and incredible desert views, bike repair and maintenance is also much in demand. But it can be a hassle to cart your bike to the repair shop when something goes wrong.
That's where Adam Bike Services comes in. With a fully kitted-out workshop van, the eponymous Adam comes to your house to fix everything from punctures to brakes, also offering expert advice on all things cycle-related.
Price subject to services, available in Dubai, 050 995 8288
Cheese party
Whether you're hosting an impromptu weekend get-together or fancy a change from the usual takeout, Cheese OnBoard lets you host your own cheese evening without doing any of the hard work.
Arriving in highly photogenic displays (you can always say you put it together yourself), it offers a variety of artisanal cheese boards that come with crackers and condiments to suit all sizes of gatherings, including a vegetarian option, for a sophisticated addition to any foodie's table.
Platters from Dh190-Dh350, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.cheeseonboard.ae
Indoor plant care
Even if your outdoor plants are being well looked after by a gardener, spare a thought for the care of your indoor plants. These are often a lot more temperamental than their hardier outdoorsy cousins, not to mention more pricey, which is where Plantscapes comes in.
The company will pay weekly visits to your home to water, fertilise, clean and trim indoor foliage, and will revive or replace plants that show signs of decline.
Price subject to services, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.plantscapes.ae
Market flowers
Florette has taken a different approach to flower delivery, whereby it not only sticks to seasonal blooms, but also eschews all the bells and whistles that come with traditional bouquets.
When you order from Florette's Flower Market, don't expect reams of environmentally unfriendly coloured paper or cellophane, but rather a simple paper-wrapped bouquet offered at wholesale prices for a minimalist farmer's market vibe.
Price subject to services, available in Dubai, www.florette.ae
Oven cleaning
There are certain kitchen appliances that everyone would rather avoid having to clean. Behind the fridge, inside the toaster and, of course, the oven. But as with most things in the UAE, you can outsource this job to the experts. Oven King UAE promises to give your greasy and food-encrusted appliance a sparkling new lease of life.
Price subject to services, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.ovenkinguae.com
Personal chef
Whether you want someone else to take on the responsibility of cooking for a dinner party, or want to treat yourself to a night away from the kitchen, Take a Chef allows you to book a personal chef to provide a private dining experience in your home.
Choose from a range of cuisines, including Mediterranean, Japanese and French, then simply provide a few details about your kitchen and choose the date. And what's more, the chefs clean up after themselves, too.
From Dh250 per person depending on group size, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.takeachef.com
Photo framing
There's a meme that states: "The time between taking a photo and then getting it framed is approximately 57 years" – a statement that anyone with photos stacking up on their phone can agree with. But it can be time-consuming to get pictures printed, then go frame shopping.
However, at draft frames, you simply upload your photos, choose the frame you want, and it will be delivered to your door in a few days. There are also collage, canvas and mini frame options.
From Dh115, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.draftframes.com
Singing telegram
We've all experienced that moment when a birthday is looming and you've forgotten to get a gift. Or, alternatively, you've been racking your brain for a present that's a little out of the ordinary.
Step forward The Big Moo's singing telegram service, which can be delivered to the birthday boy or girl's doorstep. You can even choose the costume the singer will wear to serenade them on the big day.
Price subject to services, available in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, www.thebigmoouae.com
Salon treatments
If you can't get to the salon for your weekly pampering session, then the beauty specialists can come to you. Home Service Salon offers a range of treatments, including manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, facials, body scrubs, microblading, eyelash extensions and henna design. You can also book a blowout , as well as an array of hair styling treatments.
Price subject to services, available in Dubai, www.homeservicesalon.ae
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Read more:
Serving up a legacy: How some of Dubai’s oldest restaurants are remaining relevant in 2021
Infinity roses and floral workshops: why flower shops in the UAE are in full bloom
Why you should treat your garden like any other room: how to create a versatile outdoor space on a budget
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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
RESULTS
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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
It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Wonka
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Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The details
Colette
Director: Wash Westmoreland
Starring: Keira Knightley, Dominic West
Our take: 3/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
WHAT IS GRAPHENE?
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics.
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
