Arab Mobile Communication Studies

Emirati slang revived with iPhone app Amna Al Haddad

2012-01-29T09:30:00.002Z

Emirati slang revived with iPhone app

Jan 29, 2012

DUBAI //Older Emiratis will tell you a barkhees is unlikely to buy you so much as an aranjous.

That will not mean much to many young Emiratis, as barkhees (miser) and aranjous (orange juice) are old slang terms unique to the Arabic spoken in the UAE.

Realising many such words could soon be lost if not recorded, Faisal Jassim and Thani Al Shafar, both 25, have launched a virtual dictionary of Emirati terminology in Arabic and English.

Their iPhone application Thikrayat (at www.appthik.co) collates these words for posterity and often pairs them with illustrations.

The name of the application is an old word meaning things remembered from the past.

"We started by accident," said Mr Al Shafar.

"We were getting to know words through the elderly in the family that we had never heard of before. We realised that we no longer used such words, so we started collecting them."

Mr Jassim said this disconnect between generations was "a tragedy, because these words give flavour to the Emirati dialect".

So far, 100 words have been included and 300 more with illustrations are to be released soon. Among the words that were fading from the language are nomlait, for lemonade; dahdeeha, meaning quick; and pankah, for ceiling fan.

"Our society has been established based on an oral history and our ancestors didn't read and write," Mr Jassim said. "When they pass away, their history and memories will be gone as well.

"If we don't preserve them now, they'll be lost. These words are what gives us a flavour. It's like our saffron, our spices."

Mr Al Shafar said the app was also aimed at engaging expatriates.

"The application can be accessed globally and foreigners can download it before coming to the UAE, and know the language and learn about the UAE culture," he said.

The two also accept feedback and suggestions from the public.

"We want the application to become a community project," said Mr Jassim.

Saudi government considers banning smartphones for public employees

2011-12-31T10:50:00.002Z

Saudi government considers banning smartphones for public employees

The Saudi government is considering banning all public employees from using smartphones and tablets, such as iPhones, iPads, and BlackBerry devices, during working hours after receiving complaints from the public, Saudi Gazette has reported. The directors general of three ministries have sent letters to their superiors requesting that they "look into the matter," the daily said, citing a source at the Department of Civil Status. Currently, there are no restrictions on public employees using smartphones and tablets.

Mobile phone penetration rates in the UAE are the highest in the Arab world, according to the latest report by the Arab Advisors Group.

2011-11-03T09:28:00.000Z

Mobile phone penetration rates in the UAE are the highest in the Arab world, according to the latest report by the Arab Advisors Group.

As at the end of September 2009, the rate for mobile phone users in the UAE stood at 193.5 percent, followed by Saudi Arabia with a rate of 165.5 percent.

The report, which covered 47 mobile operators in 17 Arab countries, also showed that there was a total of 241.3 million cellular subscribers by the end of Q3 2009.

This represented a 16.6 percent growth compared to the 206.9 million subscribers recorded at year-end 2008.

According to the Arab Advisors Group report, MobiNil (Egypt), Vodafone Egypt (Egypt) and STC (Saudi Arabia) were the largest operators in terms of subscriber bases.

MobiNil and Vodafone Egypt boasted 23.4 million and 22.1 million subscribers respectively while STC ended the first nine months of 2009 with 20 million subscribers.

Three new cellular operators launched in the region during the period covered by the report - Zain in Saudi Arabia, Viva (STC) in Kuwait, Vodafone in Qatar.

Smartphones change our habits in China

2011-11-03T09:26:00.003Z

Smartphones change our habits in China

Updated: 2011-11-01 07:34

By Wei Tian (China Daily)

Mail

Large Medium Small

A billboard advertising wap.cmread.com, the website of China Mobile. Itprovides a variety of content for its mobile phone subscribers. WuChanging / For China Daily

Publishers urged to break down novels into smaller segments to capitalize on new trend

BEIJING - Although millions of Chinese people have abandoned traditional books for mobilephone novels as smartphones becomes more popular, paying for what you read is merely anoption for most readers.

Su Chenhui has been a big fan of online novels since his college days but has never paid forany of the hundreds of books in his eight-gigabyte mobile phone memory card.

"There is not really much difference between a pirated version and a legal copy except for alittle delay if you want to get it free," said the 26-year old IT major graduate, adding that piratednovels can be easily reached via links provided by some search engines.

"It's pointless paying for what you can get free. Besides, most of the books are just potboilers. Iwould still pay for valuable content such as research reports, but in most situations when Ineed them I can always get access via an account that has been paid by my university or mycompany."

According to data from the China Internet Network Information Center, the number of mobileInternet users exceeded 303 million by the end of 2010, 30 percent up on the previous year.

The Yearbook of Digital Publishing in China (2010-2011), released by the Chinese Academy ofPress and Publication, showed that the total revenue of the digital publishing industry hasgrown from 21.3 billion yuan ($3.3 billion) in 2006 to 105 billion yuan in 2011.

Hao Zhensheng, the academy's director, said the emergence of micro blogs and tabletcomputers has created unexpected new opportunities for the industry.

However, despite all the optimism, a report by the market research company AnalysysInternational shows that only 21 percent of users surveyed are willing to pay for a newspaperon their mobile phones, although more than half said it's what they read most frequently.

Despite the findings, newspapers are the most likelyto make a profit among mobile phone readers.Other popular content such as novels, magazinesand cartoons all have less than one fifth of readerswho are potential payers.

More than a quarter of the people said they are notwilling to pay to read anything at all on mobilephones, and that group is still growing, AnalysysInternational's report said.

The report attributes the main reason for a shrinkingwillingness to pay to the easy access to readablecontent using smartphones, which lowers thethreshold for getting free information throughInternet access.

"Lack of quality content is also a reason for the poor financial performance of the mobilereading market," the report said, citing the fact that and only 8 percent of the readers saythey'll pay for literature.

"Publishers are still cautious in terms of putting their quality articles into mobile circulationbecause of the intellectual property problem. The problem of piracy remains very muchunsolved," the report said.

Traditional literature, serious and sophisticated as it is, is not really suitable for reading onmobile devices in short bursts. People would rather just buy books directly, it said.

With classical works fading away, social and lifestyle information are quickly taking up thescreens.

According to the report, choosing traditional literature for "frequent reading" has dropped from56 percent to less than 40 percent. Meanwhile, the percentage for social networks and blogshas doubled.

Sun Peilin, analyst and compiler of the report, said shortness in length and high interaction arethe two reasons why social networking sites have overtaken literature as the first choice forreaders.

"Mostly, when people read on their mobile phones, it's either at bedtime, waiting in line, or onpublic transport. In other words, in fragmented time," Sun said.

"Publishers should consider breaking down the novel structure into smaller chapters toaccommodate the new reading habits of mobile users."

The survey also listed the most popular literary websites in China, among which China Mobile'swap.cmread.com topped the list. Nearly 30 percent of those surveyed said they have visitedthe site.

The most popular book on wap.cmread.com has been clicked on 900 million times, and themost profitable novel has already made 12 million yuan.

"Mobile reading combined with the operator's binding service and vast client base are the keyfactors to the fast growth of the business," Sun said, adding that many of the reading servicesare paid monthly and are free of flow rate fees.

Online novels have not yet contributed to publishers' profits, but there is still the opportunity forthem to do so, said Liu Fang, chief executive officer of a digital publisher under the ChinaWriters Association.

"Some readers buy the physical book after they've read the digital version," Liu said. "Somobile reading does not really damage businesses but increases the size of a readershipgroup instead."

Having realized digital publishing is already an inevitability, many traditional publishers havebeen establishing a digital division over the past year, Liu said.

"When publishers unleash more of their quality content next year, mobile reading will see areal boom," he said.

China Daily

(China Daily 11/01/2011 page14)

From SMS to Smartphones: Tracing the Impact and Developmental Trajectory of the Mobile Phone in Asia

2011-08-22T12:51:00.002+01:00

From SMS to Smartphones:

Tracing the Impact and Developmental Trajectory of the Mobile Phone in Asia
13-14 February 2012, National University of Singapore

Asia is widely regarded as a region that has enthusiastically embraced information technology. This observation is especially true of the region's adoption and appropriation of the mobile phone. The affordability, versatility and ubiquity of the mobile phone has had a discernible impact on Asia. Despite the significance of mobile phones in the Asian landscape, research on this topic has been shaped by studies on the US and Scandinavia, while research on Asia is growing, but in its nascent stages. This workshop seeks to address the imbalance by bringing together researchers who are studying mobile phone trends in Asia and collectively, workshop participants will discuss and deliberate over the global implications of their research findings and the developmental trajectory of the mobile phone. The workshop will be held at the Department of Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore from 13-14 February 2012.

The workshop aims to be multi-disciplinary, comprising up to fifteen speakers who will have the opportunity for sustained discussion and engagement over two days. Based on the quality of proposals and the availability of funds, partial or full funding is available for successful applicants. Full funding would cover air travel to Singapore by the most economical means, plus board and lodging for the duration of the workshop. Priority for funding will be accorded to applicants who are based in Asia. We invite those interested in participating in the workshop to submit original paper proposals which should include a title, an abstract of 500 words, a short biography of 250 words by 15 September 2011. Papers that have been selected will be notified by 30 September 2011. If accepted, the full paper must be submitted by 30 November 2011. Selected papers will be developed and included in a special journal issue or edited volume. Please see the workshop website<http://blog.nus.edu.s
g/cnmblog/2011/08/16/call-for-papers-for-workshop-from-sms-to-smartphones-tracing-the-impact-and-developmental-trajectory-of-the-mobile-phone-in-asia/> for submission details.

Set within the Asian context, the workshop seeks to address questions including, but not limited to the following:
*

does a digital divide exist in Asia with regard to mobile phone penetration and usage trends and if so, how can and should they be remedied?
* what are the implications of the development of mobiles - especially smartphones and mobile Internet - for contemporary media in Asia?
* how is the growing proliferation of the smartphone facilitating unprecedented forms and scales of communication?
* how are the location based services offered by smartphones altering user behaviour?
* how does mobile Internet use complement and possibly complicate fixed location Internet use?
* what implications does the growth of smartphone apps have for the cultural complexion of Asian countries?
* to what extent do smartphones and the behaviour which they enable test the boundaries of existing regulatory frameworks?
* how does the rising ubiquity of the smartphone and by implication, that of always-on, always-available Internet access challenge prevailing theoretical frameworks relating to inter alia, technology acceptance, mobility, communication, social influence and identity?

Workshop Convenors

Associate Professor Sun Sun LIM (sunlim@nus.edu.sgsunlim@nus.edu.sg>)
Department of Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore
Prof Gerard GOGGIN (ggoggin@usyd.edu.auggoggin@usyd.edu.au>)
Department of Communications, University of Sydney

Inventor Colm McMullan promises football app revolution

2011-08-21T12:59:00.003+01:00

Inventor Colm McMullan promises football app revolution

It is being billed as the iPhone App that will change the way you watch football, and the man behind it is very much hoping it does.

Colm McMullan came up with the idea of taking all the statistics that are shown at the end of a football match and putting them into a smartphone app.

People can use it to analyse the data, track every pass, see how a player's influence changes through the game, or compare teams or players statistics.

The idea is that it will resolve those football pub fights, or be the perfect aid to anyone planning a fantasy football team.

The app market is growing fast, with new apps springing up each day promising to revolutionise the way something or other is done. But Mr McMullan has picked his business path very carefully.

Originally from Randalstown, in County Antrim, he left a high-flying job with Microsoft to go it alone and try and turn his bright idea into a reality.

Total Football was launched for the world cup in 2010, but when the company that provides the data - Opta - saw how well the app was selling they decided to get in on the act.

They worked in partnership with Colm and had a follow-up app running for the Champions League last season. Now the big-guns are joining in.

This week the next app has been launched under the banner of football magazine FourFourTwo. It's a three-way partnership between the magazine, Mr McMullan, and Opta, and they all get a split of the revenue.

"FourFourTwo provide the kind of brand recognition and audience marketing that I could only dream of", said Colm.

So while others who develop an app either work hard and try and earn a living from it, or sell it and take their cut and run, Colm has chosen a different business route.

Not only does he receive a development fee, but he still gets a cut of the revenue for his app which is now running under a much bigger logo.

According to Colm, with the right execution, a bright idea really can turn into a big business success within the rapidly developing app market.

BlackBerry to help police probe Messenger looting 'role' Met police claim popular, encrypted and free Messenger service fanned riots in Tottenham and helped organise looting

2011-08-11T17:06:00.000+01:00

Josh Halliday
guardian.co.uk, Monday 8 August 2011 19.20 BST
Article history

BlackBerry has promised to help police investigate claims its Messenger service helped fuel and organise riots and looting in Tottenham, north London. Photograph: Lewis Whyld/PA

The maker of the BlackBerry, Research in Motion, said on Monday night that it would co-operate with a police investigation into claims that its popular BlackBerry Messenger service played a key role in organising the London riots.
Scotland Yard vowed to track down and arrest protesters who posted "really inflammatory, inaccurate" messages on the service, and the social networking websites Twitter and Facebook.
Patrick Spence, the managing director regional marketing at Research In Motion (RIM), confirmed that the BlackBerry manufacturer had contacted police to assist with the investigation.
However, the statement prompted fears from some BlackBerry users that their private messages could be handed over to the police.
"We feel for those impacted by the riots in London. We have engaged with the authorities to assist in any way we can," Spence said. He added that RIM complies with UK legislation on the interception of communication and co-operates fully with the Home Office.
RIM refused to comment further or answer a series of questions on the statement.
BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) appears to be the favoured method of planning the unrest that has swept across north London since Saturday evening. Unlike text messaging or Twitter, BBM is a free, private social network where almost all messages are encrypted when they leave the sender's phone – meaning that many messages are untraceable by the authorities.
RIM can be legally ordered to hand over details to police of users suspected of unlawful activity. However, the Canadian company would be likely to resist those demands and the content of users' inflammatory messages would be encrypted. The manufacturer has previously insisted that even it cannot unscramble users' messages when sent on the devices.
Although Twitter and Facebook have played a key role in past unrest in the capital, the Tottenham riots are thought to be the first in the UK so heavily orchestrated using BlackBerry Messenger.
The "broadcasts" – which are sent instantly from one-to-many BBM users – have been reposted and amplified on Twitter and Facebook. Evidence of rioters planning where to hit next spread quickly on the networks as the police struggled to keep up.
One BBM broadcast posted on Monday evening appeared to urge protesters to go looting in Stratford, east London. "If you're down for making money, we're about to go hard in east london tonight, yes tonight!!" it said. "I don't care what ends you're from, we're personally inviting you to come and get it in. Police have taken the piss for too long and to be honest I don't know why its taken so long for us make this happen. We need a minimum of 200 hungry people. We're not broke, but who says no to free stuff. Doesn't matter if the police arrive cos we'll just chase dem out because as you've seen on the news, they are NOT ON DIS TING. Everyone meet at 7 at stratford park and let's get rich."
Another broadcast implored protesters to "unite and hit the streets" in Kilburn, north-west London. On Sunday BBM users were urged to head to Oxford Circus for "pure terror and havoc & free stuff".
Steve Kavanagh, the deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, said that "really inflamatory, inaccurate" messages on Twitter were mainly to blame for the disorder. "Social media and other methods have been used to organise these levels of greed and criminality," he said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
Asked whether those behind the messages could be arrested, Kavanagh said: "Absolutely." He added: "That investigation is already under way and that is exactly the sort of thing we are looking at."
The main Facebook page set up in memory of Mark Duggan, the Tottenham resident whose death last week triggered the weekend riots, on Monday sought to distance itself from the violence.
The tribute page, which had close to 10,000 fans at the time of writing, on Saturday called for users to share videos and pictures of the torched double decker bus and police cars "to send the message out as to why this has blown into a riot".
On Monday the page struck a more conciliatory tone as unrest spread further across the capital. "If people cared about this 'Tribute' page, they will stop burning & looting. Those who encourage it, well you need to grow up. Mark's family do not need this!" those behind the page posted.

The competing arguments used to explain the riots

2011-08-11T17:05:00.000+01:00

Technology and social networking

"Social media and other methods have been used to organise these levels of greed and criminality," Steve Kavanagh, the deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police, told reporters.

This is an under-explored phenomenon, suggests Prof Wilson.

"For years we've been aware of gangs and football hooligans have been using technology to get together and fight. I think the police have been quite slow to respond to this.

"But as we know, mobile phones can also be used to counteract criminality and to an extent I think that's something the police prefer to downplay."

Is technology to blame for the London riots?

2011-08-11T17:03:00.002+01:00

Did social media and mobile telecommunications fuel this weekend's violence in London?

A number of politicians, media commentators and members of the police force have suggested that Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger, in particular, had a role to play.

Undoubtedly, some of those involved chose to chronicle their exploits live - from the midst of the action - using mobile phones.

A few were apparently even foolish enough to upload pictures of themselves posing proudly with their looted haul.

Others offered suggestions for where might be good to attack next, leading the Met's deputy assistant commissioner, Steve Kavanagh to say he would consider arresting Twitter users who appeared to incite violence.

But some experts fear the extent to which technology is to blame may have been overstated.

Misquoted

In its coverage, the Daily Mail quoted one tweeter, AshleysAR as follows: "Ashley AR' tweeted: 'I hear Tottenham's going coco-bananas right now. Watch me roll."

However, AshleysAR's full, unedited quote on Twitter reads: "I hear Tottenham's going coco-bananas right now. Watch me roll up with a spud gun :|".

Suddenly the tone of the message becomes markedly less sinister. Ashley later threatens to join in with a water pistol.

Despite the claim of Tottenham MP David Lammy that the riots were "organised on Twitter", there is little evidence of their orchestration on the site's public feeds.

Looking back through Saturday night's postings, DanielNothing's stream offers some promise of substantiating the theory with his comment: "Heading to Tottenham to join the riot! who's with me? #ANARCHY".

But it is followed soon after by: "Hang on, that last tweet should've read 'Curling up on the sofa with an Avengers DVD and my missus, who's with me?' What a klutz I am!"

BlackBerry's BBM requires users authenticate their contacts with a PIN

Another user - Official Grinz - appears to have been the first person to tweet the words "Westfield riot", referring to the west London shopping centre. Although his message seems to be tongue in cheek and there is nothing to suggest that he was more than observer, commenting on events as they unfolded on television.

The subject of a Westfield riot became widely discussed, but ultimately failed to materialise in the real world.

So why is the ratio of apparent incitement to action so low?

Freddie Benjamin, a research manager at Mobile Youth, believes that much of the online noise is just that.

"Once someone starts posting on a BBM group or Twitter, a lot of young people try to follow the trend," he told BBC News.

"They might not join the actual event, but they might talk about it or use the same hashtag which makes it sound like there is a lot more volume."

Such postings build what Mr Benjamin refers to as "social currency", elevating the messenger's sense of belonging to a group.

Private business

Away from Twitter's very visible feeds, there are perhaps more credible reports that rioters were using private communication systems to encourage others to join the disorder.

Following Saturday's trouble in Tottenham, a number of BlackBerry users reported receiving instant messages that suggested future riot locations.

BlackBerry's BBM system is known to be the preferred means of communication among many younger people.

“Start Quote

They might not join the actual event, but they might talk about it or use the same hashtag which makes it sound like there is a lot more volume”

End Quote Freddie Benjamin Mobile Youth

Users are invited to join each other's contacts list using a unique PIN, although once they have done so, messages can be distributed to large groups.

BBM is both private and secure, partly due to the phones' roots as business communication devices.

For that reason it is hard to evaluate how much information was coming out of the riots or how many people were suggesting alternative targets.

But despite the closed nature of BlackBerry Messenger, police may still have a chance to examine some of the communications that took place.

Research in Motion, which makes Blackberry phones, issued a statement in which it promised to work with the authorities.

It pointed out that, like other telecoms companies, it complies with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) which allows law enforcement to gain access to private messages when they relate to the commission of a crime.

Recruiting tool

What will concern investigators most is the extent to which recipients acted on any messages sent out.

Dr Chris Greer, a senior lecturer in sociology and criminology at London's City University believes that smartphones will have aided those involved, but are unlikely to have persuaded reluctant recruits to join the rioting.

"I don't think it is having any impact on the motivation to protest in the first place," he said.

"But once people have mobilised themselves and decided to take to the streets it is certainly much easier to communicate with each other."

Dr Greer pointed to the example of the 2009 G20 riots in London.

A report into the police handling of the protests, produced by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary (HMRC) found that technology had aided the rioters more than the police, he explained.

"Their methods of communicating with each other or pointing out where the police were at any given time and therefore where the protesters shouldn't be, and basically organising themselves was so much more sophisticated than the police."

It may turn out, after a more careful examination of the various messages being pinged around, that this was indeed a social networking crime spree.

The Met has indicated it is ready to act on any information it finds.

But that will take time and a more methodical study.

The extent to which investigators are able to sift out genuine rioters from the internet 'echo chamber' and then bring real world prosecutions will provide valuable lessons, both about the use and abuse of technology, and also law enforcement's capacity to deal with it.

النقال أثناء القيادة يسبب الحوادث

2011-08-11T16:50:00.002+01:00

النقال أثناء القيادة يسبب الحوادث

التحدث في الهاتف أثناء القيادة يفقد السائق التركيز (الجزيرة نت)

أسامة عباس-براغ

أكدت دراسة حديثة أعدتها جامعة مدينة أولوموتس التشيكية أن أغلب طرق التحدث عبر الهاتف النقال أثناء القيادة تتسبب بحوادث سير خطيرة حتى مع استخدام جهاز السماعة عن بعد دون الإمساك بالهاتف، لانشغال المخ بالحديث في حين يبقى التركيز على تعليمات القيادة ضعيفا جدا.
ويقول معد الدراسة الطبيب النفسي راديم بادوشيك إن السائق رغم إمساكه جيدا بمقود السيارة، فإن استخدامه جهاز السماعة (هاندز فري) والتحدث مع شخص اَخر يشعره بالأمان المزيف، الأمر الذي يجعله يسترسل في الحديث وبنسبة تصل الى 60% من قلة الإدراك، مشيرا إلى أن تأثير هذه الحالة وخطرها يكاد يكون أسوأ من قيادة السيارة تحت تأثير الخمور.
وأظهرت دراسة أجريت على حوالي 25 متطوعا، تساو بالنسب تقريبا بين الأشخاص الذين تحدثوا بشكل مباشر عبر الهاتف النقال، وبين من تحدثوا عبر السماعة فقط، من حيث عدم الانتباه وضعف التركيز أثناء القيادة، كعدم تذكرهم للطرقات الفرعية ولافتات مثل انتبه-تمهل-توقف، وغيرها من الاشارات الضرورية.
وبينت الدراسة على سبيل المثال أن الذين تحدثوا عبر السماعة وكانوا يقودون السيارة بسرعة 70 كلم في الساعة استخدموا الفرامل بعد أن قطعوا مسافة 22 مترا في 1.2 ثانية، أما الذين لم يستخدموا النقال فقد استخدموا الفرامل بعد تسعة أمتار فكان الفرق بينهما 13 مترا، في حين أن الذين تحدثوا بالهاتف مباشرة دون سماعة فكان رده الفعل عندهم متأخرا بفارق 18 مترا مقارنة بمن لم يتحدثوا بالهاتف.
وقال رئيس العيادة النفسية لدائرة براغ السابعة الطبيب يرجي تيل إن حالة الوعي الكامل أثناء الاسترسال في الحديث تأخذ الحيز الأكبر من التفكير وتختلف من شخص لآخر، فالبعض يبذل الجهد ويحاول السيطرة على الحديث والقيام بأعمال أخرى، لكن تبقى النتيجة في النهاية أن انحيازهم إلى التركيز على المناقشة أكثر من القيام بالواجب العملي، لذلك يكون رد الفعل بطيئا من الحالة العادية من النشاط الذهني الكامل أثناء القيادة على سبيل المثال.
وأضاف تيل للجزيرة نت عبر الهاتف أنه يجب عدم التقليل من أهمية قيادة السيارة بشكل كامل، لأن هذه المسألة تحتاج لتركيز بنسبة لا تقل عن 90%، خاصة قراءة اللافتات والتقيد بالسرعة واستخدام الفرامل في الوقت المناسب لتجنب وقوع الحوادث.
ويشير إلى أن مسألة استخدام السائق للنقال بشكل مباشر أو عبر السماعة أو حتى التحدث مع الآخرين في السيارة أثناء القيادة، كل هذه الأمور يمكن أن تتسبب في الحوادث وبنسب متفاوتة لأن قيادة السيارة تحتاج للتفكير والاستيعاب ورد الفعل السريع والقدرة على التحكم بالسيارة بسرعة وليس العكس، لأن ذلك يساعد في إنقاذ الموقف المفاجئ والطارئ من أجل سلامة الآخرين أثناء القيادة.
ويذكر تيل أن أحد مرضاه كان يعاني من حالة شرود الذهن فقط دون أن يتحدث بالنقال أثناء القيادة، وتسبب بعدة حوادث سير تم على إثرها سحب شهادة القيادة منه.
وقال هذا المريض إن آخر حادث وقع له كان بسبب انشغاله بالتفكير في حل بعض المشاكل، مشيرا إلى أنه لم يستعمل الفرامل نهائيا بعدما فوجئ بسيارة متوقفة أمامه وسط المدينة تريد الانعطاف نحو اليسار وتنتظر خلو الشارع المقابل من السيارات، مما جعله يصطدم بها وبسرعة 60 كلم في الساعة، ليستيقظ على إثرها في المستشفى بعد أن دخل في غيبوبة.

Fabian Hemmert: The shape-shifting future of the mobile phone

2010-09-24T11:04:00.003+01:00

آي فون.. السلاح الأميركي الجديد بالعراق

2010-08-12T12:50:00.002+01:00

آي فون.. السلاح الأميركي الجديد بالعراق

جندي أميركي يصوب رشاشته أثناء عملية عسكرية وفي معصمه جهاز آي بود (إندبندنت)

أصبح استخدام آي بود وآي فون -اللذين تصنعهما شركة أبل- شائعا بين الأميركيين في جبهات القتال بأفغانستان والعراق, إذ يعتبرونها مثالية لعصر "الحرب المعتمدة على الشبكات المركزية" لسهولة استخدامها والطمأنة على أمن برامجها, فضلا عن انخفاض سعرها لو قورنت بتكلفة تصنيع نسخة عسكرية توفر نفس الخدمات.

تحت عنوان "آي فون.. السلاح الأميركي الجديد بالعراق" استطردت ذي إندبندنت في بداية تقريرها عن هذا الموضوع قصة قائد دورية أميركية في حي الحيانية بالبصرة, قائلة إنه أخرج من جيبه جهازا صغيرا بعد أن واجهه شخصان اشتبه في أنهما يمثلان خطرا على دوريته, وبعد دقائق استطاع بواسطة جهازه ذلك أن يتأكد من هويتهما ويتركهما وسبيلهما بعد أن اطمأن لهما من الناحية الأمنية.

فهذا الجهاز -حسب الصحيفة- يوفر معلومات هامة للجندي, فهو يساعده في ترجمة اللغات وإرسال المعلومات وتحديد المسارات للقناصة, بل إن مشاريع يجري إعدادها حاليا ستجعل بالإمكان استخدامه في أنظمة توجيه أجهزة الإنسان الآلي الخاصة بإبطال مفعول القنابل وكذلك أنظمة استقبال المعلومات التي ترسلها الطائرات بدون طيار.

وقد مولت البحرية الأميركية تطبيقا سيمكن الجندي الأميركي من تحميل صور المعتقلين المشتبه فيهم مع تقارير مكتوبة عنهم ليكون بذلك قاعدة بيانات بيومترية عن أولئك الأشخاص (تشمل بصمة الأصابع والبصمة الوراثية وبصمة العين إضافة إلى صورة الشخص).

وسيمكن هذا البرنامج من مقارنة صور المشتبه فيهم وتعقبهم بعد إطلاق سراحهم.

ويرى مدير الاستخبارات العسكرية بالجيش الأميركي العقيد جيم روس أن آي بود هو ربما "كل ما يحتاجه الجندي الأميركي" في إطار الحرب الإلكترونية وتشغيل أجهزة الاستشعار.

واشنطن تنتقد تعليق أبوظبي لبلاك بيري

2010-08-12T12:47:00.002+01:00

واشنطن تنتقد تعليق أبوظبي لبلاك بيري

الإمارات بررت قرار تعليق بعض خدمات هواتف بلاك بيري بدواع أمنية (الفرنسية)

انتقدت الولايات المتحدة قرار الإمارات العربية المتحدة تعليق خدمات رئيسية لهواتف بلاك بيري، في حين تتجه السلطات في المملكة العربية السعودية إلى تعليق إحدى الخدمات الرئيسية لتلك الهواتف.

وقالت الولايات المتحدة إنها شعرت بخيبة أمل تجاه خطط الإمارات لتعليق خدمات الرسائل الهاتفية والتصفح الإلكتروني الخاصة بالهاتف المحمول بلاك بيري اعتبارا من 11 أكتوبر/تشرين الأول المقبل.

وترى واشنطن أن ما قامت به أبوظبي يرسي سابقة خطيرة في تقييد حرية تداول المعلومات. وقال المتحدث باسم وزارة الخارجية الأميركية فيليب كراولي "نحن ملتزمون بتعزيز التدفق الحر للمعلومات.. نعتقد أن ذلك مكمل لاقتصاد مبتكر".

مبررات التعليقوقد بررت أبوظبي قرارها بدعوى الأمن وقالت إن الطبيعة التقنية لبعض خدمات بلاك بيري مثل الماسنجر والبريد الإلكتروني وبرامج تصفح الإنترنت تبقيها خارج نطاق تطبيق التشريعات الوطنية في مجال الاتصالات.

"
سلطات الإمارات استندت في قرارها إلى كون تلك الخدمات تتيح السبيل أمام بعض الأفراد لارتكاب تجاوزات بعيدا عن أي مساءلة قانونية
"

واستندت السلطات الإماراتية في قرارها إلى كون تلك الخدمات تتيح السبيل أمام بعض الأفراد لارتكاب تجاوزات بعيدا عن أي مساءلة قانونية، مما يترتب عليه عواقب خطيرة على الأمن الاجتماعي والقضائي والأمن الوطني.

وقال كراولي إن بلاده تطلب معلومات إضافية من الإمارات بشأن مخاوفها الأمنية، لكنه حث أبوظبي على السماح بخدمات بلاك بيري من أجل المساعدة في التدفق الحر للمعلومات.

وأضاف أن "الأمر يتعلق بما نعتقد بأنه عنصر مهم من عناصر الديمقراطية وهو حقوق الإنسان وحريته في تداول المعلومات وتدفق المعلومات في القرن 21".

حالة السعوديةوعلى غرار الإمارات، تتجه السلطات السعودية إلى تعليق إحدى خدمات هواتف بلاك بيري. وقالت إحدى شركات الاتصالات في المملكة إنها توصلت بأمر من هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات إلى تعليق خدمة ماسنجر في بلاك بيري بدءا من الشهر الحالي.

وعلى خلفية ذلك طلبت شركات الاتصالات في السعودية (الاتصالات السعودية، موبايلي، زين) من شركة ريسيرش إن موشن الكندية التي تصنع أجهزة بلاك بيري إجراء تعديلات على خدمات الرسائل لجعلها متوائمة مع المتطلبات التربوية والاجتماعية في المملكة، وردت الشركة الكندية بأنها تعكف على إجراء تلك التعديلات.

بلاك بيري تدقق بطلب مراقبة سعودي

2010-08-12T12:46:00.002+01:00

بلاك بيري تدقق بطلب مراقبة سعودي

عدد كبير من الشباب السعودي يستخدم هواتف بلاك بيري (رويترز-أرشيف)

أعلنت الشركة التي تصنع الهواتف النقالة بلاك بيري السبت أنها تدقق في تقارير صحفية سعودية حول طلب مشغلي خدمتها مراقبة مضمون خدمة رسائلها الإلكترونية.

ولم تنف شركة ريسرش إن موشن الكندية أو تؤكد المعلومات عن تلقيها طلبا بهذا المعنى من هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات السعودية.

وأفادت الشركة في بيان عبر الإنترنت أنها تحقق في هذه التقارير وستقدم أي معلومات جديدة عند توافر عناصر إضافية.

وأوضح البيان أن الشركة "تعمل في أكثر من 170 بلدا وتحترم قوانين الحكومات".

وكانت المصادر السعودية ذكرت الخميس أن هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات السعودية تريد مراقبة مضمون رسائل بلاك بيري، ومنذ ذلك انتشرت شائعات حول نية الحكومة السعودية وقف هذه الخدمة.

ويستخدم عدد كبير من السعوديين، ولا سيما الشباب، هواتف بلاك بيري للاستفادة من خدمة الرسائل فيها.

ولم يتسن الاتصال بالهيئة السعودية السبت للحصول على تعليق.

لسعودية تبدأ بحظر التراسل عبر الجهاز بلاك بيري يستفز حكومات أمنيا

2010-08-12T12:45:00.002+01:00

السعودية تبدأ بحظر التراسل عبر الجهاز

بلاك بيري يستفز حكومات أمنيا

بلاك بيري أقلق عدة حكومات لعدم قدرتها على الوصول إلى خدماته المشفرة (الفرنسية)

قررت المملكة العربية السعودية بدءا من اليوم الجمعة تطبيق الحظر على خدمة المرسال (المسنجر) في أجهزة هواتف بلاك بيري المستخدمة على أراضيها، في حين قررت الإمارات حظر بعض خدمات هذا الهاتف انطلاقا من أكتوبر/تشرين الأول المقبل، كما أعلنت كل من الهند ولبنان والجزائر أنها تقيم المخاطر الأمنية المترتبة على استخدام هذه الخدمات.

ورغم الإعلان عن بدء الحظر اليوم في السعودية، لا يزال بإمكان مستخدمي بلاك بيري في المملكة الدخول على خدمة المسنجر.

ونقلت وكالة رويترز للأنباء عن مصدر قريب من المفاوضات بين شركة "ريسيرش إن موشن" (آر أي إم) الكندية المصنعة لبلاك بيري وهيئة الاتصالات وتكنولوجيا المعلومات السعودية قوله الليلة الماضية إن المحادثات أحرزت تقدما.

وأضاف المصدر أن الشركة أظهرت يوم الخميس "درجة من المرونة لم تبدها في الأشهر الثلاثة الماضية"، وأن هناك "تقدما"، مشيرا إلى أن الطرفين بدآ "مناقشة الأمور الفنية للنظم الجديدة".

ويعود التخوف الحكومي من هواتف بلاك بيري إلى التشفير العالي الذي يتمتع به الجهاز، بحيث لا يسمح للأجهزة الأمنية بمراقبة المستخدم والمعلومات المتبادلة عبر هذه الأجهزة، حيث تبقي الشركة هذه المعلومات على خوادم خاصة بها لا تتيح لمزودي الخدمة المحليين أو الأجهزة الأمنية الاطلاع عليها.

وتتلخص المطالب الحكومية في أن تتيح الشركة المصنعة لها إمكانية الوصول إلى معلومات المستخدمين، كالمحادثة والرسائل النصية والبريد الإلكتروني، وهو ما ترفضه (آر أي إم)، إذ أعلنت أنه من المستحيل لها أو لأي طرف ثالث أن يقرأ البيانات المشفرة المرسلة عبر خدمات بلاك بيري التي تقدمها.

السعودية بدأت اليوم حظرا على بعض خدمات بلاك بيري (الفرنسية)
دول المنع
وكانت المملكة العربية السعودية قد أعلنت أنها ستبدأ حظر خدمة المرسال (المسنجر) في بلاك بيري فعليا من اليوم، بينما قالت شركة آر أي إم إنها ستعرض اقتراحا نهائيا اليوم على السعودية لتسهيل استئناف كامل خدمات بلاك بيري، من غير أن تخوض في تفاصيله.

وتعللت هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات السعودية بأنها اتخذت هذا الإجراء، "نظرا لتعذر استيفاء الشركة المصنعة لأجهزة بلاك بيري للمتطلبات التنظيمية للهيئة".

وأعلنت دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة عزمها تعليق خدمات الرسائل الهاتفية والتصفح الإلكتروني الخاصة بالهاتف المحمول بلاك بيري اعتبارا من 11 أكتوبر/تشرين الأول المقبل.

وبررت السلطات قرارها بوجود "عواقب خطيرة على الأمن الاجتماعي والقضائي والأمن الوطني"، وأعلنت أنها ستعلق خدمات بلاك بيري حتى التوصل إلى "حل يتوافق مع الإطار التشريعي لقطاع الاتصالات في الدولة".

وفي الجزائر نسبت صحيفة الخبر الجزائرية إلى وزير البريد وتكنولوجيا الاتصال موسى بن حمادي قوله "نحن ندرس المسألة، إذا وجدنا أنها (هواتف بلاك بيري) خطر على اقتصادنا وأمننا فإننا سنوقفها".

وفي لبنان قال رئيس الهيئة المنظمة للاتصالات بالبلاد عماد حب الله إنها ستقيم المخاوف الأمنية المرتبطة باستخدام خدمات بلاك بيري في البلاد، وأضاف أن الهيئة ستبدأ محادثات بشأن مخاوفها مع الشركة المصنعة.

وعبر مصدر أمني لبناني عن مكمن التخوف بقوله "بلاك بيري يقع خارج نطاق المراقبة، لذا هناك مخاوف من أن تستغله جماعات إسلامية متشددة أو جواسيس".

وفي الهند أعلن وزير الاتصالات أمس أنديموثو راجا أن بلاده لم تتوصل بعد إلى اتفاق مع الشركة المصنعة لهواتف بلاك بيري، بعد أن ثارت مخاوف أمنية بشأن خدمات الجهاز الواسعة والمشفرة التي تلقى رواجا بين مستخدميه.

وأبلغ راجا الصحفيين أن مسؤولي وزارة الاتصالات الهندية مازالوا يناقشون الأمر مع شركة رسيرش إن موشن (آر آي إم) الكندية، وقال "لم نتوصل لاتفاق حتى الآن، نأمل التوصل إلى حل قريبا".

وتخشى الهند من أن يسيء متشددون استغلال خدمات بلاك بيري، إذ لا تستطيع الوكالات الأمنية الوصول إلى الرسائل المتبادلة عبر تلك الخدمات، وطلبت من الشركة عرض حل يعالج المتطلبات الأمنية للبلاد.

كلينتون أعلنت عن إجراء محادثات مع الإمارات بشأن بلاك بيري (الفرنسية-أرشيف)
مواقف أخرى
كما حذرت مملكة البحرين في أبريل/نيسان من استخدام برامج التراسل الفوري الخاصة ببلاك بيري لنشر أنباء محلية. لكن السلطات البحرينية أكدت اليوم أنها لن تتخذ أي إجراء لتعليق تلك الخدمات.

وفي الكويت ذكرت صحيفة "الجريدة" نقلا عن مصدر لم تحدد هويته أن آر آي إم أبدت "موافقتها المبدئية" على حجب 3000 موقع إباحي بطلب من الكويت، مشيرة بدورها إلى مخاوف أمنية من استعمال الجهاز.

ونفت الحكومة الإندونيسية الخميس أنها تسعى لحجب خدمات الرسائل النصية عن مستخدمي هواتف بلاك بيري المحمولة. واعتبرت أن هواتف بلاك بيري "جلبت الكثير من المنافع للمستخدمين".

وقالت وزارة الاتصالات وتكنولوجيا المعلومات في بيان إن الحكومة الإندونيسية طلبت أن تبني الشركة المصنعة لهذه الهواتف مركز بيانات في إندونيسيا، لكنها (الحكومة) لم تبد "أي رغبة في فرض قيود على خدمات بلاك بيري".

ردود فعل
وتسعى الشركة الكندية للوصول إلى اتفاق مع كل من الهند والسعودية والإمارات بما يتيح لها البقاء في هذه الأسواق، لكن دون التأثير على المزية الأساسية التي يتمتع بها جهازها وهي مستوى الأمان العالي.

كما أعلنت الحكومة الكندية عن مساعدتها لآر آي إم، إذ أعلن وزير التجارة الكندي بيتر فان لون في بيان أن كندا قلقة بشأن الأنباء عن الحظر الوشيك و"تداعياتها الأوسع نطاقا".

وأضاف فان لون مشيرا إلى السعودية والإمارات "نحن على اتصال مع مسؤولين في رسيرش إن موشن بخصوص هذه المسألة ونعمل مع مسؤولين حكوميين في هذين البلدين لمساعدة آر أي إم في الوقوف على مخاوفهم وإيجاد الحلول.

كما قالت وزيرة الخارجية الأميركية هيلاري كلينتون الخميس إن الولايات المتحدة ستجري محادثات فنية مع دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة ودول أخرى بشأن الحظر الوشيك لخدمة التراسل عبر هاتف بلاك بيري.

وقالت للصحفيين في واشنطن نأخذ وقتا للتشاور وتحليل المجموعة الكاملة من المصالح والقضايا المطروحة، لأننا نعرف أنه يوجد مبعث مشروع للقلق الأمني، لكن يوجد أيضا حق مشروع لحرية الاستخدام والوصول "للخدمة".

بلاك بيري ترضخ لشروط السعودية

2010-08-12T12:44:00.000+01:00

بلاك بيري ترضخ لشروط السعودية

الشركة المصنعة لهاتف بلاك بيري رضخت للشروط السعودية خوفا من حظر خدماته (الفرنسية)

وافقت شركة ريسرش إن موشن (آر آي إم) الكندية المصنعة لهواتف بلاك بيري على تسليم "شفرات" هواتف مستخدمي بلاك بيري إلى السلطات السعودية.

وقال مصدر مطلع لوكالة رويترز إن الشركة وافقت على تسليم الشفرات في إطار سعيها لتجنب حظر خدمة التراسل الفوري على الهاتف الذكي في المملكة.

وأحجمت الشركة الكندية عن التعليق، وأحالت الوكالات الإعلامية إلى بيان سابق قالت فيه إنها "تتعاون مع جميع الحكومات بمعيار ثابت".

وكانت المملكة السعودية قد هددت بحظر خدمة "بلاك بيري ماسنجر" يوم الجمعة الماضي قبل أن تمهل الشركة الكندية حتى الاثنين لتعمل مع شركات الاتصالات المحلية في اختبار خوادم بديلة لتلك التي تستخدمها الشركة الكندية.

وقال المصدر الذي رفض نشر اسمه لرويترز إن فكرة إنشاء خادم في كل واحدة من الشركات الثلاث المحلية ثبت أنها غير عملية.

ونتيجة لذلك، وافقت الشركة على أن تسلم وزارة الداخلية وجهاز المخابرات بالسعودية شفرات جميع مستخدمي بلاك بيري في المملكة.

وكانت الشركة قد تفادت أمس الثلاثاء بصورة مؤقتة حظرا مزمعا لخدمة التراسل الفوري بعدما قالت السعودية إن هناك تقدما يتحقق في معالجة مخاوفها.

وقالت هيئة الاتصالات وتقنية المعلومات، في بيان نشرته وكالة الأنباء السعودية الرسمية "نظرا للتطور الإيجابي في استكمال جزء من المتطلبات التنظيمية من قبل مقدمي الخدمة فقد قررت الهيئة السماح باستمرار تقديم خدمة بلاك بيري ماسنجر".

Can woman power break the siege?

2010-08-09T22:53:00.000+01:00

LINDA HEARD | ARAB NEWS

Two ships bearing medical equipment and medicines for Palestinians subsisting in the world's largest open-air prison have sailed from the port of Tripoli in Lebanon en route to Gaza.
What makes the Mariam and her sister ship the Naji Alali different from others attempting to break the siege is that they are manned solely by women.
The all-female passengers include Lebanese doctors, lawyers and journalists as well as the Shiite Lebanese singer/actress May Hariri. They are joined in sisterhood by a contingent of American nuns and other foreign activists. The organizers report being inundated with passenger requests including 400 from the US alone.
One of these courageous ladies, Serena Shim, chose to make the voyage despite being in an advanced stage of pregnancy. Others are suffering from cancer due to chemical weapons used by Israel during "Operation Cast Lead", says one of the organizers Samar Al-Hajj - the wife of the Lebanese general Ali Hajj. They are Muslims and Christians but all are united in a single goal: To force Israel to cease its illegal and immoral imprisonment of 1.5 million men, women and children.
Al-Hajj has characterized this display of woman power as being the "new secret weapon" against the "thieving enemy", but she insists that the mission is driven by compassion rather than politics and says the activists hold no allegiance to any political party or organization.
The women's intent is peaceful. There is nothing on board that could be construed as a weapon; not even a kitchen knife. But they are aware of the fate of nine activists who were murdered by Israeli commandoes on the Turkish vessel, the Mavi Marmara, last May and are readying themselves for any such contingency by carrying details of their blood type in the event they come under attack and require a blood transfusion.
They have also been asked to forego the outer trappings of their femininity, such as skirts and make-up and will be subject to food and water rationing that translates to no showering during the journey.
This particular flotilla may turn out to be a public relations nightmare for Israel whose government has sworn to intercept the ships. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gabriela Shalev warns her country will use "necessary measures" to prevent the vessels reaching their intended destination.
The women, on the other hand, say they will not be persuaded to abandon their boats. If Israel resorts to force as it has done on previous occasions and any of the women are hurt, the Jewish state's brutal reputation will be further enforced. How could its spin-doctors possibly explain an attack on defenseless women without becoming a laughing stock?
In fact, they are already preparing for this eventuality by suggesting the boats could be carrying weapons destined for Hamas and accusing the organizers of having links to Hezbollah. "If there was a mask of humanitarianism on previous flotillas, the mask have been removed completely from these boats, which are carrying representatives of Hezbollah and Iran," says Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.
The women deny any such relationship with the Shiite organization while Hezbollah has deliberately distanced itself from the venture so as not to politically taint the humanitarian mission.
Hezbollah's Executive Council Chief Hashem Safieddine has described "Israeli threats against women activists and journalists who are organizing new flotillas serve as proof of the immense fear the Zionists are living in." If Israel "is terrified by a boat carrying women who want to deliver aid to Gaza, how will this Israel be able to face the rockets and resistance bloc in the next confrontation," he added.
It may be that the vessels will ultimately be forced to divert to either the Israeli port of Ashdod or El Arish in Egypt, which is where a Libyan aid ship was recently forced to unload its cargo. But whatever is in store, nothing can detract from the bravery of these wives, mothers, daughters and servants of God who are knowingly putting themselves in harm's way for a greater cause. Their dedication and sacrificial spirit reaffirms my faith in human nature during an era in which materialism and selfishness has, sadly, become the norm.
Some weeks ago, I watched a documentary aired on Al Jazeera titled, "Gaza we are coming" that had me in tears. It focused on the very first expedition to Gaza by the Free Gaza Movement in August 2008. Filmmakers tracked the secret construction of two wooden boats in Greece, whose makers spearheaded by a pro-Palestinian Greek Vangelis Pissias were careful not to use mobile phones to contact one another and who arranged covert meetings to chart the project's progress.
Following various setbacks, the vessels eventually set-off for Gaza carrying 44 international activists from 17 countries. At first, the mood was celebratory but as they neared the shore, they were challenged by Israeli ships and ordered to change course.
The crews and passengers, aware that they could be blown out of the water, voted as to whether they should ignore Israel's warning and proceed or turn back. What really touched me was that they all voted to continue. I can hardly imagine their terror as they sailed those last few miles to a hero's welcome by thousands of Palestinians who hadn't seen a foreign boat enter their harbor in many years. A subsequent Free Gaza boat was rammed by the Israeli Navy and just managed to limp into a Lebanese port.
Equally commendable is the Viva Palestina movement that has organized several convoys overland to Gaza. In spite of many obstacles, it has launched "Viva Palestina 5 - a global lifeline to Gaza" which will leave London on Saturday, Sept. 18. This convoy will eventually merge with those from Casablanca and Doha and is timed to coincide with a large international flotilla.
The EU and the UN have called for an end to the blockade. Britain's new Prime Minister David Cameron has urged its lifting describing Gaza as a "prison camp". The US President Barack Obama has called the siege "unsustainable". Do Israelis have no shame?
How long can Israel continue to impede the people of Gaza's fundamental human rights? How long will the international community turn a blind eye to Israel's cruelty under the faux banner of security? As long as there are fearless people like the women of the Mariam and the Naji Alali, the people of Gaza can continue to hope in the knowledge they are not alone. God bless them and keep them safe!
(Sierra12th@yahoo.co.uk)

Cloud hangs over fate of BlackBerry service

2010-08-09T22:51:00.002+01:00

loud hangs over fate of BlackBerry service

By AGENCIES

Published: Aug 9, 2010 23:40 Updated: Aug 9, 2010 23:40

RIYADH: With the decision of the telecoms regulator in Saudi Arabia and the results of the tests conducted by three mobile firms still under wraps (at the time of going to press), hundreds of thousands of BlackBerry users were waiting Monday with bated breath to know whether the smartphone’s Messenger service was banned or not.

The three mobile operators in the Kingdom have been conducting tests on setting up of three servers to send communications and data through Saudi Arabia before Canada to allay Saudi Arabia’s security concerns.

The regulator, Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) had delayed the suspension of the service due to come into force on Friday, allowing time until Monday evening to test suggested technical solutions that would give authorities access to BlackBerry’s encrypted data.

“Nothing is clear yet. I own a BlackBerry and have subscribed to the service, but now I’m afraid it might be cut any minute,” 24-year-old gym manager Hussam Abu Baker told AFP.

“I can assure you that business is nearly halted,” mobile phone salesman Ahmed Al-Ghamdi said. “Everybody’s afraid and they all seem doubtful that BlackBerry services will continue.”

More than 700,000 people subscribe to BlackBerry in the Kingdom, with most reportedly purchasing the device for personal use. But Saudi Arabia fears the device could jeopardize its security.

Across the Gulf, governments are revealing various concerns, with Bahrain having cautioned against using BlackBerry to distribute local news while Kuwait wants a block on pornography.

Saudi Arabia is working on servers that may make it easier for authorities there to monitor BlackBerry traffic while the UAE so far is sticking to plans for its sweeping ban. The deadline being mid-October.

Local Arabic dailies have been reporting that the regulator, CITC, and the makers of BlackBerry, Research in Motion (RIM), are satisfied with the tests, with one reporting that a deal between the two was in the offing.

On Monday a technical source at one of the Kingdom’s three mobile phone companies as quoted as saying that the “tests on the server and requested programs... have been successful.”

Another telecoms source also said the talks between the CITC and RIM have ended “reaching a solution accepted by all parties,” according to Al-Shams daily.

But another official at a telecommunications provider was not as certain. “We have not received any response from the concerned authorities until now,” the official said, requesting not to be named.

CITC has remained mum since Saturday, when it gave the three providers a 48-hour grace period to seek solutions, while a deal with RIM appeared imminent. CITC announced last week it ordered mobile providers to block key BlackBerry services from Aug. 6 or face a $1.3-million fine. BlackBerry users were desperately hoping the service would be maintained.

Gulf activists brace as BlackBerry secrecy targeted

2010-08-09T22:50:00.002+01:00

Gulf activists brace as BlackBerry secrecy targeted

By ERIKA SOLOMON & FREDERIK RICHTER

Published: Aug 9, 2010 21:48 Updated: Aug 9, 2010 21:56

DUBAI/MANAMA, Aug 9 : Political activists in Gulf states where the maker of BlackBerry faces possible bans say its messaging service boosted their ranks, and they are now on the hunt for new ways to evade authorities.

"Social concerns" have been overshadowed by security warnings as governments from India to Algeria prod Research In Motion for access to encrypted BlackBerry programs, particularly its free Messenger texting service.

"Messenger was revolutionary for people here," said UAE lawyer and human rights activist Abdel Hamid. "It awakened them. That's something that won't just disappear."

BlackBerry Messenger was unique in its immediacy, ease of use, and secure encryption; It wasn't a Facebook page to maintain, or an e-mail the government could monitor.

While numbers on those using the encrypted service for activism or simple dissent are hard to establish, activists say such ranks are growing.

"It brought us new people we hadn't reached before. Not everybody uses the Internet but everyone uses the phone," said Nabeel Rajab, of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, who used BlackBerry to attract a few thousand online followers.

Many Gulf residents were once silenced by anxieties over state-monitored mobile phones and Internet. Criticism was stifled and protests banned, and political debate was rare.

Activists in the United Arab Emirates, which threatened to suspend not only Messenger but e-mailing and web browsing on BlackBerry in October, say they may have helped prompt the ban.

"When BlackBerry came, I started to get messages criticizing the government from people I'd never seen involved in activism. Regular people started discussing taboo subjects," said Ahmed Mansour, a UAE blogger. "It widened the circle of interest."

Messenger campaigns in the UAE have included critiques of state officials and attempts to organize protests.

A UAE police officer was fired after sending BlackBerry messages to encourage protests against rising fuel prices, the Arabic daily Al Emarat al Youm reported on Monday.

These efforts mirror events across the Middle East where Facebook has helped organize Egyptian democratic reform protests and Twitter and texts were used in Iranian protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election last year.

Cat and mouse

Banning BlackBerry services will intensify the game of cat and mouse with censors, activists say.

UAE users, like those in Saudi Arabia, are messaging each other to plot alternatives, including reverting to using proxy servers to evade censors, or anonymous forums and emails until the authorities shut them down.

"There is competition between governments and activists: The governments here ban, and the activists try to break it," said Rajab regarding Gulf users.

UAE-based Mansour said Gulf governments overlooked Messenger for a long time, even as the service fueled sales across the region, led by Saudi Arabia with more than 700,000 users.

"Not everyone knew about encryption. They just knew the government didn't seem to notice," he said.

He and others believe that Messenger, as with technologies that came before it, will be hard for users to relinquish. "A lot of these youngsters don't even set up an email account, they are more attached to these new gadgets."

Skype may be one alternative should countries ban or begin to monitor Messenger. Activists say international partners are already training them to use the encrypted Internet telephony system and evade censorship.

Across the Gulf, governments are revealing various concerns, with Bahrain having cautioned against using BlackBerry to distribute local news while Kuwait wants a block on pornography.

Saudi Arabia is working on servers which may make it easier for authorities there to monitor BlackBerry traffic while the UAE so far is sticking to plans for its sweeping ban.

"This will definitely impact the level of activism until a secure alternative is found. Until then, I guess we are back to Facebook," Mansour said.

قرار الإمارات بوقف بعض خدمات بلاك بيري

2010-08-09T19:19:00.000+01:00

قرار الإمارات بوقف بعض خدمات بلاك بيري

مقدم الحلقة: ليلى الشيخلي

ضيفا الحلقة:

- عاصم جلال/ مستشار في العلوم الإدارية وتقنية المعلومات

- لؤي الملائكة/ نائب رئيس شركة CDN وخبير في قطاع الاتصالات

تاريخ الحلقة: 2/8/2010

- أسباب القرار ووجاهة الهواجس الأمنية المرتبطة به
- تداعيات القرار والحلول الفنية الممكنة

ليلى الشيخلي
عاصم جلال
لؤي الملائكة
ليلى الشيخلي: أعلنت الإمارات وقف بعض من خدمات الهاتف المحمول بلاك بيري اعتبارا من شهر أكتوبر المقبل، وفيما ربطت أبو ظبي القرار بعدم توافق هذه الخدمات مع القوانين السارية في الإمارات أشارت التقارير إلى توجه سعودي مماثل وسط تأكيدات بأن الخطوة تعكس مخاوف أمنية واجتماعية لهذه الخدمات. حياكم الله. نتوقف مع هذا الخبر لنناقشه في عنوانين رئيسيين، ما وجاهة الهواجس الأمنية والاجتماعية المرتبطة ببعض هواتف البلاك بيري المحمولة؟ وهل هناك حلول فنية تضمن الاستجابة لهذه الهواجس مع استمرار خدمات البلاك بيري؟... حتى الرئيس الأميركي باراك أوباما لم يسلم من إشكاليات البلاك بيري الأمنية عندما تسلم السلطة في يناير 2009 سحب منه جهازه واستبدل بنسخة معززة بضمانات أمنية، إشكالات بدت جلية في توجه إماراتي سعودي نحو تعليق بعض من الخدمات التي تمس بحصانتها الأمنية بينما ترى الشركة المصنعة في هذا التوجه حساسية مبالغا فيها تجاه حرية التعبير وانتقال المعلومات.

[تقرير مسجل]

نبيل الريحاني: هذا الجهاز بات يثير قلقا متزايدا لدى عدد من الحكومات، إنه بلاك بيري الهاتف النقال الذي يتيح لمستخدميه عددا من الخدمات التي يتميز بها عن غيره، فقط على مثل هذا الجوال تستطيع التراسل بعيدا عن أعين شركات الاتصال المحلية فخدماته تمر بموزع حصري هو الشركة الكندية التي تصنعه وهي بالأساس التراسل الفوري بماسنجر بلاك بيري وتصفح الإنترنت والبريد الإلكتروني، ميزة شجعت كثيرين على اقتنائه للتواصل بعيدا عن أعين الرقيب الحكومي لكنها في المقابل أثارت حفيظة دول أهمها الإمارات والسعودية والهند والصين وجدت في هذه التطبيقات إشكالات أمنية مزعجة. يبلغ مستعملو بلاك بيري في الإمارات خمسمئة ألف مستخدم بينما يصل عددهم في السعودية إلى سبعمئة ألف مستخدم وتشير التقديرات إلى أن 80% من المشتركين في خدمة هذا الجهاز هم من الأفراد في حين لا يتجاوز نصيب الشركات 20% عكس التوزيع الشائع في بلدان نامية أخرى. أيا يكن الحال فقد قررت الإمارات تعليق عدد من خدمات بلاك بيري بداية من 11 أكتوبر المقبل إذا لم تفض المفاوضات الجارية مع شركة سيرشن موشن يضمن للحكومة الإماراتية الدخول على الرسائل المشفرة ومراقبتها وذلك للوقاية من تجاوزات أمنية قد يمثل نظام التشفير الحالي أرضية خصبة لها بحسب وجهة النظر الرسمية الإماراتية. تبدو السعودية مقبلة على نفس القرار وهي التي دعت الشركات المحلية لتجميد خدمة بلاك بيري وسط تأكيد من داخليتها أنها لم تمل هذا القرار على أحد بيد أن المخاوف الأمنية التي حركها هذا الجهاز هي نفسها تقريبا، تلك التي ترددت أصداؤها في البحرين وكذلك في الهند التي أكدت أن الذين شنوا هجمات مومباي سنة 2008 استثمروا تلك الخدمات المثيرة للجدل. دافعت الشركة المصنعة عن جهازها وهي التي تملك 41 مليون مشترك في العالم ستفقد 30% منهم إذا ما نفذت السعودية والإمارات قرار التعليق فقالت إن الأمر يتصل بحكومات لها حساسية من حرية التعبير ونشر المعلومات، توصيف ينطبق على الصين بسوقها العملاقة، سوق تخشى شركة سيرشن موشن من خسارتها في خال سيطرت نفس الهواجس الأمنية على بيجين هي الأخرى.

Saudi accord to prevent ban on Blackberry 'in sight'

2010-08-08T07:52:00.000+01:00

Saudi accord to prevent ban on Blackberry 'in sight'

The ban was due to have been implemented on Friday

An agreement to prevent a ban on the Blackberry smartphone in Saudi Arabia is "in sight", Saudi officials say.

Saudi Arabia was to ban the phone on Friday because it operates an encrypted message service that cannot be monitored.

Officials said a deal was likely whereby the authorities would have access to decipher exchanged messages.

Several other countries have expressed security concerns over the Blackberry system.

Encrypted data

An official with one of Saudi Arabia's three licensed mobile operators told AFP news agency: "A deal has been virtually reached and we are in the process of adding the final touches."

It is believed a special server for the messenger system will be set up in the country as part of the deal.

One Saudi official told the Associated Press news agency that tests were under way to see how such a server would work.

Blackberry's encrypted data is stored in Canada, the home country of manufacturer RIM, out of reach of third party monitoring.

Saudi Arabia had said this meant it did "not meet the regulatory criteria of the commission and the licensing conditions".

Blackberry has about 700,000 subscribers in Saudi Arabia.

Services were reported to have stopped working for four hours on Friday but then resumed.

An agreement could help overcome concerns expressed in other countries such as India and the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE has said it will ban Blackberry e-mail, messaging and Web browsing in October

Two Gulf states to ban some Blackberry functions

2010-08-01T16:36:00.002+01:00

Two Gulf states to ban some Blackberry functions

The UAE denies censorship is involved

Two Gulf states have announced bans on some functions of the Blackberry mobile phone, claiming security concerns.

The United Arab Emirates is to block sending emails, accessing the internet, and delivering instant messages to other Blackberry handsets.

Saudi Arabia is to prevent the use of the Blackberry to Blackberry instant messaging service.

Both nations are unhappy that they are unable to monitor such communications via the handsets.

This is because the Blackberry handsets automatically send the encrypted data to computer servers outside of the two countries.

The UAE ban is to start in October, while the Saudi move will begin later this month.

Abdulrahman Mazi, a board member of state-controlled Saudi Telecom, has admitted that the decision is intended to put pressure on Blackberry's Canadian owner, Research in Motion (RIM), to release data from users' communications "when needed".

The UAE's telecoms regulator, TRA, said the lack of compliance with local laws raised "judicial, social and national security concerns".

RIM has yet to comment on either case.

There are an estimated 500,000 Blackberry users in the UAE, and 400,000 in Saudi Arabia.

Analysis

By Ben Thompson, BBC Middle East business reporter

A year after the UAE's botched attempt to download spyware onto Blackberries, it seems the government is still not happy that it can't monitor emails sent and received by Blackberry users.

So it now says it will ban the devices altogether.

But given the popularity of the Blackberry here, an outright ban will be controversial.

Forums and blogs already talk of a 'step back to the stone age' and 'another PR disaster for the UAE'.

But is an outright ban actually likely?

Many here see this as little more than a power play from the UAE authorities - an attempt to force RIM to hand over the security codes or face losing a lucrative market.

But for RIM, it's unlikely to be too concerned. Whilst the UAE is a wealthy and lucrative market, it's also a small one.

Censorship denial

TRA said some Blackberry services would be suspended from 11 October "until a solution compatible with local laws is reached".

"It's a final decision but we are continuing discussions with them," said TRA director general Mohammed al-Ghanem.

"Censorship has got nothing to do with this. What we are talking about is suspension due to the lack of compliance with UAE telecommunications regulations."

It follows an alleged attempt by TRA last year to install spyware on Blackberry handsets.

And in 2007 RIM refused TRA access to the code for RIM's encrypted networks so it could monitor email and other data.

Power play?

Media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders told the BBC last week that while the UAE was playing a "technological leadership role in the Arab world", this was backed by "repressive laws" and a "general trend of intensified surveillance".

BBC Middle East business reporter Ben Thompson said the threat by the UAE was likely an attempt to wring concessions out of RIM.

"Many here see this as little more than a power play from the UAE authorities - an attempt to force RIM to handover the security codes or face losing a lucrative market," he said.

India has also raised security concerns over Blackberry data services, saying they could be exploited by militants.

Mobile television is unlikely to take off

2010-06-20T13:03:00.002+01:00

An emergency screen

Mobile television is unlikely to take off

Apr 29th 2010

A YOUNG man gazes intently at his mobile device, to which he is listening through earphones. He is so engrossed in his film, his television show, his computer game or whatever he is watching that he does not notice he is blocking the door of the train. Other passengers glare at him. “Do it at home,” counsels the bright yellow poster on the Tokyo metro.

In 2009 some 43% of Japan’s population watched TV on mobile phones, according to Impress R+D, a research firm. It is the only country apart from South Korea where the platform has become commonplace. But mobile television in Japan is not all that mobile. When broadcasts began in 2005, people were expected to use their toys to while away long commutes by train or to kill time while waiting for the bus. Instead they mostly choose to play with them at home.

Imagine a teenage girl who wants to watch an episode of her favourite soap opera. The living-room television is being monopolised by her father, who is watching sport. Her brother is using the computer. What does she do? If she is an American, living in a reasonably affluent household, she simply switches on another television. There is probably one in her bedroom. If she is South Korean or Japanese, on the other hand, she is more likely to live in a high-rise flat with only one set. She settles down in her tiny bedroom, pulls a mobile phone out of her pocket and turns it on. The screen is small but adequate. “You know the characters already,” explains Younghee Yung of Nokia, a phonemaker.

When asked why people watch mobile television in their homes, Japanese and South Korean media executives tend to make the same gesture. They clutch their mobile phone to their chests, signifying “mine”. The appeal of mobile television is not so much that it is portable but that it is personal. When it proves impossible to reach agreement with other television-watchers in a household, mobile TV is a reasonable fall-back option. It is also a dismal business.

In both Japan and South Korea practically everybody gets their mobile television free. Phones come with receivers that pick up digital broadcast signals, which are usually sent in bursts to conserve battery life. The service was supposed to be supported by advertising, but the prop is weak. Although many Japanese and South Koreans watch television on their phones, they tend to do so briefly and erratically, so programmes often attract small audiences. In South Korea a 15-second advertisement on mobile television costs less than one-tenth of what it would take to reach the same number of viewers on broadcast television.

If mobile TV is not used enough to make money from advertising, it is also not essential enough to persuade lots of people to pay. “There is no business model,” says Kei Shimada of Infinita, a Tokyo consultancy. South Korean broadcasters have threatened to stop paying for reception on the Seoul subway, which was wired for mobile broadcasts in 2005. Seong-Choon Lee of KT, a Korean telecoms firm, says the company is wondering whether to carry on with mobile television at all.

Even before it catches on elsewhere, mobile television is failing in the two countries where it seemed most likely to succeed. The experience of Japan and South Korea suggests that people will watch TV on tiny screens if they have to. But those countries also provide a reminder that popularity does not always translate into business success. Old-fashioned TV wins again.

Mobile Phones in Dubai

2010-05-30T07:44:00.000+01:00

Bling' handsets

International brands have adopted the city as the place to experiment with new designs aimed exclusively at the Arab market.

Young people are adopting mobile phones with modern designs

"Well, there are different segments obviously. There is a very predominant segment which would go for what you would call 'bling' design," said Hamad Malik, regional marketing director at LG. "People here like golden colour mobiles, pink colour mobiles do very well."

The Blackberry in particular has found a cultural niche in what still is a conservative society where pre-marital liaisons between boys and girls are strongly discouraged.

Younger generations of Emiratis are turning in droves to the mobile phone's free instant messaging service which leaves no trace of conversations on the handset, unlike text messages.

Distinctive features such as built-in solar charging, compasses pointing in the direction of Mecca and reminders of prayer times, also give international phone brands leverage with an underserved local market.

BBC Janala on Asia Today

2010-02-18T03:58:00.001Z

BBC TECHNOLOGY on How has your phone changed your life?

2010-02-15T15:16:00.000Z

How has your phone changed your life?

Africa has the fastest-growing cell phone market in the world. We want you to tell us why. How has your mobile changed your life?

In South Africa, mobiles outnumber fixed lines by eight to one. Kenyans own more than 15 million handsets, while in Nigeria, the cell phone has "leapfrogged" the PC as the easiest way to surf the net.

SMS texts have been used to send malaria warnings, raise awareness of HIV/Aids, and even to report post election violence. In rural communities, cell phones are a lifeline for traders and farmers, helping them get better prices and save on huge journeys.

To coincide with this week's Mobile World Congress, the largest event of its kind, we want you to tell us about your mobile.

The evolution of the mobile phone

2010-01-11T18:45:00.000Z

The evolution of the mobile phone

Nokia 1011 (1992): One of the first phones to use the new GSM phone system. Because the signal was digitally encoded, random snoopers with radio receivers were no longer able to listen in to private conversations.

HIDE CAPTIONS START SLIDESHOW

Image 2 of 11

Bookmark with

What are these?

Google phone

2010-01-05T07:14:00.000Z

Speculation rife on Google phone

Information about the Nexus One is all over the web

The web is awash with gossip and rumour about the imminent arrival of a Google-branded phone.

The search firm is widely expected to unveil the Nexus One phone at a press conference scheduled for 5 January at its California HQ.

It is believed Google will sell the gadget directly to customers and that it will also be available, subsidised, from mobile operators.

Google has remained tight-lipped about what will be unveiled at the event.

Hands on

Kenyan mosque jams mobile calls

2009-07-18T21:08:00.000+01:00

Kenyan mosque jams mobile calls

One mosque has tried to fine people whose phones ring during prayers

A device which blocks mobile phone signals has answered the prayers of some Kenyan Muslims.

Imams in Kenya have long complained that mobile phones constantly rang during prayers, disrupting services.

Imam Hassan Kithiye says he bought the machine in Dubai and it has been well received by his congregation.

A BBC correspondent in north-eastern Kenya says other mosques around Garissa town are now trying to raise enough funds to buy their own device.

One mosque has resorted to fining congregants $3 if their phones ring during a prayer service.

But this failed to solve the problem, imam Sheik Abbi-Azziz Mohamed told the BBC.

"We used to use that tyrant approach but it didn't work. Some people are so poor that they cannot even afford to buy airtime. We couldn't expect them to pay," he said.

2009-03-21T12:11:00.001Z

نموذج للرسائل التي يتوصل بها المواطنون على هواتفهم

الجنس يخترق هواتف المواطنين

خطوط ساخنة تراود الزبناء عن أنفسهم

جمال وهبي

«مبروك فزت بصك رقم 2310 وقدره 20 ألف دولار. اتصل بالرقم 0035988815400109»، هذه رسالة (sms) من بين المئات من مثيلاتها التي توصل بها آباء وشبان ونساء على هواتفهم المحمولة التابعة لشركات الاتصالات. لكن المفاجأة التي تصيب متلقي الرسالة هو كون الرقم الهاتفي يعود لخط جنسي ساخن، حيث يرد على الهاتف صوت نسوي يبدأ بمغازلتك جنسيا، قبل أن يدعوك إلى ممارسة الجنس عبر الهاتف، بعد أن يعرف هل أنت ذكر أم أنثى. وندد العشرات من النساء والعائلات في اتصال لهم بـ «المساء» باختراق هواتفهم بهذا النوع من الرسائل المخلة بالآداب وبالقانون المغربي، كما يستنكرون منح معلوماتهم الشخصية لهذه الخطوط الجنسية الساخنة التي تنصب على المشاركين في الهاتف المحمول تحت ذريعة الفوز بآلاف الدولارات، وذلك ليس سوى مدخل لممارسات مشبوهة ودخول مباشر إلى عالم العلاقات الجنسية عبر الهاتف. وذكر أحد الآباء من الذين توصلوا أول أمس بالرسالة أن هذه التحرشات تتعارض مع منع القانون المغربي لكل إخلال بالحياء والاحترام العام الواجب. قد يكون «جنس الهاتف» أمرا غير جديد بعد أن توفر في السنوات السابقة عبر شبكة الإنترنت والفضائيات الأجنبية التي أتاحت إمكانية الاتصال بأرقام دولية وفتيات أجنبيات لممارسة الجنس معهن عبر الهاتف، لكن الجديد بالنسبة للمغرب هو أن مصدر الرسالة هو من داخل البلاد، رغم أن مقدمات هذه الخدمة يتكلمن من الخارج حسب لهجتهن السورية أو اللبنانية. واللافت أن هذه الرسائل لا تقتصر على الذكور فقط، بل شملت الإناث اللائي توصلن بها منتصف الليل أو في صباح أول أمس. واستغرب مستقبلو الرسائل كيف تسمح وكالة تقنين الاتصالات بهذا النوع من الخدمة، حيث أصبحت تشكل ظاهرة بيع الخطوط المستعملة مناخا خصبا للمعاكسة وترصد النساء، وتؤدي في الوقت نفسه إلى صعوبة معرفة مستخدم الهاتف، إذ يمكن لأي شخص معرفة أي رقم يريده بسهولة لتنعدم أو تكاد تنعدم معها الخصوصية في ما يتعلق بأرقام الهاتف المحمول.

El vergatario will soon reach Derb Ghalef Market

2009-03-07T09:16:00.001Z

Caracas - Venezuela is to start selling a cellphone in May that's billed as one of the world's cheapest: a $14 (R140) handset that includes an MP3 player, radio and camera.

President Hugo Chavez unveiled the phone - named "El Vergatario" - on Thursday, saying it would be produced by a joint Venezuelan-Chinese firm and marketed across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The firm, Vetelca, is 85 percent controlled by Chavez's government, with the remainder owned by ZTE of China.

Putting movies on mobiles

2009-02-28T20:41:00.000Z

Putting movies on mobiles

Kevin Spacey feels that mobile films are the future

Mainstream movies get their recognition at awards ceremonies such as the Baftas and Oscars and movies for phones are getting their turn at MoFilm - the first mobile film festival.

The awards highlight the increasing impact that mobile phones are making in the entertainment industry.

The first ever mobile film awards got a touch of Hollywood glamour as it was hosted by multiple Oscar winner Kevin Spacey.

Describing his involvement, he said: "When I started to hear about MoFilm, I started to hear about what they were trying to do with respect to short films and content being able to go on to people's phones.

"And in some cases realising that, in some countries, this might be the first time they ever see a movie," he said. "They won't see it on that big screen, they'll see it on a small one."

New platforms

Many aspiring filmmakers are frustrated by the lack of opportunities to screen their work but mobile phones are increasingly being seen as a new platform for these short works.

"Just the notion that yet there is another place - a further journey for artists, film-makers, documentarians - anyone who wants to express themselves and find a way to have that expression be seen by a wide audience," said Mr Spacey.

"When you think about how many people have mobile phones in the world, it's pretty ridiculous," he added.

FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE

More Digital Planet

Download the Digital Planet Podcast

The MoFilm competition received 250 entries from more than 100 countries. Entries were restricted to films that were five minutes or less in length - ideal for viewing and sharing on mobile phones.

An independent jury then selected a shortlist of five film-makers from which a winner was chosen by an audience voting using their phones at the Mobile World Congress.

"English as a Second Language" produced by Frank Chnindamo and directed by Jocelyn Stemat, won the MoFilm grand prize.

"This is about giving people in other countries a platform, and an ability to show their work, I'm here to support an idea that's about other people," said Mr Spacey.

"Purists may hate this but guess what guys, this is what our kids are looking at, they are engaged in this, they want this device.

"This is about people who are inspired and kids want this, they are more informed, they get it," he added.

The majority of films made for mobiles are short in length, taking into account the screen size, however this could be overcome as technology advances.

It is an incredible opportunity, particularly for young emerging film makers

Kevin Spacey

"I'm not sure that something could be longer than ten minutes and be able to sustain itself on that kind of screen," said Mr Spacey.

"Although, I know that one of the things we are learning here is that there are mobile companies that are creating phones that have the ability to watch stuff at higher quality."

MoFilm is pioneering content for mobile and online services that Mr Spacey feels is a world away from Hollywood.

"I am the only person from the film industry here, I see its potential, I get it," he said.

"It doesn't seem to me that other people are aware of it yet but I can see where it's going to be in five or ten years time.

"It is an incredible opportunity, particularly for young emerging film makers."

Start here

As screen sizes get larger, films for mobiles may get longer

Mr Spacey's involvement with grass roots movie makers does not begin and end with hosting the MoFilm ceremony. Mr Spacey co-founded the Triggerstreet website that allows budding film-makers to showcase their work.

"I started the website about six years ago, and we now have close to 400,000 members around the world," he said.

"We started out with short films and we've done a whole series of short film festivals on the site.

"There are screen plays, plays, there's novels and now comic books which we just started - it's become a platform for independent film makers.

"One of the things we've learned at Triggerstreet, cause when we started, we didn't quite frankly know whether we were going to get wedding videos and porno.

"The quality of work and the simple ability at story telling, the thing that ignites someone and inspires them to tell a story, can really come from anywhere," he added.

Digital Planet is broadcast on BBC World Service on Tuesday at 1232 GMT and repeated at 1632 GMT, 2032 GMT and on Wednesday at 0032 GMT.

You can listen online or download the podcast.

Arab Mobile Communication Studies

Emirati slang revived with iPhone app Amna Al Haddad

Emirati slang revived with iPhone app

Saudi government considers banning smartphones for public employees

Saudi government considers banning smartphones for public employees

Mobile phone penetration rates in the UAE are the highest in the Arab world, according to the latest report by the Arab Advisors Group.

Smartphones change our habits in China

Smartphones change our habits in China

Updated: 2011-11-01 07:34

By Wei Tian (China Daily)

From SMS to Smartphones: Tracing the Impact and Developmental Trajectory of the Mobile Phone in Asia

Inventor Colm McMullan promises football app revolution

Inventor Colm McMullan promises football app revolution

BlackBerry to help police probe Messenger looting 'role' Met police claim popular, encrypted and free Messenger service fanned riots in Tottenham and helped organise looting

The competing arguments used to explain the riots

Technology and social networking

Is technology to blame for the London riots?

“Start Quote

النقال أثناء القيادة يسبب الحوادث

Fabian Hemmert: The shape-shifting future of the mobile phone

آي فون.. السلاح الأميركي الجديد بالعراق

واشنطن تنتقد تعليق أبوظبي لبلاك بيري

بلاك بيري تدقق بطلب مراقبة سعودي

لسعودية تبدأ بحظر التراسل عبر الجهاز بلاك بيري يستفز حكومات أمنيا

بلاك بيري ترضخ لشروط السعودية

Can woman power break the siege?

Cloud hangs over fate of BlackBerry service

loud hangs over fate of BlackBerry service

Gulf activists brace as BlackBerry secrecy targeted

Gulf activists brace as BlackBerry secrecy targeted

قرار الإمارات بوقف بعض خدمات بلاك بيري

Saudi accord to prevent ban on Blackberry 'in sight'

Saudi accord to prevent ban on Blackberry 'in sight'

Related stories

Two Gulf states to ban some Blackberry functions

Two Gulf states to ban some Blackberry functions

Related stories

Analysis

Mobile television is unlikely to take off

Mobile television is unlikely to take off

Mobile Phones in Dubai

BBC Janala on Asia Today

BBC TECHNOLOGY on How has your phone changed your life?

How has your phone changed your life?

The evolution of the mobile phone

The evolution of the mobile phone

Bookmark with

Delicious

Digg

Facebook

reddit

StumbleUpon

Google phone

Speculation rife on Google phone

Kenyan mosque jams mobile calls

Kenyan mosque jams mobile calls

El vergatario will soon reach Derb Ghalef Market

Putting movies on mobiles

Putting movies on mobiles