Google Hangout to replace Google Talk?
Google is replacing its Chat gadget on Gmail with Google Plus Hangout, with photos, emoji, and free group video calls!
Some people want the old chat feature, and not join yet Google Plus, another social network with contacts that were supposed to be private to begin with.
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A recent report by Nielsen Online revealed the Internet penetration numbers in the Arab region. The numbers are an eye opener on who the heavyweights in the region are, and where Arab startups (or international companies targetting the region) should be investing.
(The report defined an Internet user one that accessed the Internet once at least in the last 30 days.)
| Rank | Country | Internet users | % of population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 17,060,000 | 21.2% |
| 2 | Morocco | 10,442,500 | 33% |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 9,800,000 | 38% |
| 4 | Algeria | 4,700,000 | 13.6% |
| 5 | Sudan | 4,200,000 | 10% |
| 6 | Syria | 3,935,500 | 17.7% |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | 3,777,900 | 75% |
| 8 | Tunisia | 3,600,000 | 34% |
| 9 | Jordan | 1,741,900 | 24.2% |
| 10 | Oman | 1,236,700 | 41% |
| 11 | Kuwait | 1,100,000 | 39.4% |
| 12 | Lebanon | 1,000,000 | 24.2% |
| 13 | Bahrain | 649,300 | 88% |
| 14 | Qatar | 436,000 | 51.8% |
| 15 | Yemen | 420,000 | 1.8% |
| 16 | Libya | 353,900 | 5.5% |
| 17 | Iraq | 325,000 | 1.1% |
What the report doesn’t address is the online payment capabilities in each of those countries. Internet access with the no commerce capabilities can only encourage consumption websites (news, brochures, blogs, …) with limited monetization potential, rather than full-fledged online services, and the numbers above only tell one part of the story.
The "I-ME-WE" cable is a new 12,000-kilometre submarine cable system that comprises three optical fibre cable pairs, connecting France to India via the Middle East.
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The Minister of Telecommunications Eng. Charbel Nahhas announced yesterday that he worked very closely with the Beirut International Airport to provide free Wi-Fi as a holiday gift now through September 15, 2010.
Additionally, as a result of this project, the airport will begin offering airport-wide free Wi-Fi indefinitely, starting next year 🙂
In the process of regulating the internet, and fostering freedom of expression in Lebanon, the Ministry Of Telecommunications in Lebanon added free on top of paid Wi-Fi: The authority decided to put out $90K for equipment and foot a $41K per year bill for service with 15 Mbps backhaul to handle what they believe will be 1,000 daily users.
Several companies are working with the airport on providing advertising.
“Because we care about our families abroad, we are very happy to extend our Wi-Fi Holiday gift to the millions of people who will spend time in airports over the next few months,” said Eng. Charbel Nahhas
“Telecommunications should not be a revenue stream for the government. We know that this is a very hectic travel season for Lebanese expatriates, and we hope that free Wi-Fi will make both traveling and connecting with friends and family a little bit easier.”
“Free and open access to the Internet has been a key passenger service initiative since the beginning of this year. The involvement of sponsors such as ESSA (Electronic Signatures and Services Authority) helps to ensure we can continue to keep Wi-Fi free.”
Just bring a WiFi-enabled laptop or mobile device and stay connected to family and friends for free while you travel!
The iPad. With a revolutionary, 9.7 inch touch screen, and amazing new apps, it does things no tablet PC, netbook, or e-reader could.
The Olayan School of Business (OSB) at the American University of Beirut hosted its second seminar as part of the Mikati CSR Speaker Series and the CSR initiative sponsored by the Mikati Group.
Dr. Dima Jamali opening the seminar
Apartments in Lebanon
Armigatus 
