Arab Mobile Communication Studies

Nokia has unveiled new special editions of selected mobile devices that offer several varieties of Islamic applications. The devices that support the new Islamic applications are the Nokia 6131, Nokia 6233, Nokia 6070, Nokia E61, Nokia N73 and Nokia N80. The applications include Emsakya, which features prayer times, and the Islamic Organiser, an independent calendar that works on both Hijri and Gregorian systems.

This channel will be available to all XPress's subscribers at the start of the Holy Month. It will enable them to receive seasonal spiritual, entertaining and educational content on their handsets via SMS. By paying a fee for each received SMS, subscribers may get the prayer times, the Holy Quran, Hadeth, historical anecdotes about Islam, prayer wishes, information about Muslims, and lots more delivered straight to them on their handsets.

When asked to comment about this service, XPress's Senior Marketing and Products Development Manager Mr. Ayman Masri said 'Our new Ramadan Channel is our way of sharing with our subscribers the celebrations of the season. We understand that the holy month is a time when people like to experience spiritual depth and carry out their religious rituals. Now with a minimal fee per received SMS our subscribers can get rich seasonal content delivered to their handsets, for as always we at XPress hope to respond to our subscribers' demands and seasonal needs'

It is important to note that this service is only one of the many promotions XPress Telecommunications is launching in celebration of Ramadan, for its other Ramadan promotions include innovative Ramadan content on its XPlore Service, and more. Such innovations stem directly from XPress's belief that it is a key promoter of convenient communication in its community.

Short films shot using mobile phones are on display at the Pompidou art gallery and cultural centre in Paris. It is a growing trend known as "pocket film-making" because of the low costs involved. Clive Myrie reports from Paris.