ArabWeeks

The Arab Woman Awards organizing committee visits KSA for the very first time this morning to meet with the other Judges, Board members of the awards.  Established in 2009 by ITP, the largest publishing house in the Gulf region (GCC), the awards have recognized and honoured over 170 successful women from across diverse fields including art, business, fashion, entrepreneurship and charity. In the past five years the Arab Woman Awards has grown from being held annually in the United Arab Emirates to reach three other regional countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and in 2015 will launch in Bahrain.

Sue Holt, Deputy Managing Director, ITP Consumer and Founder of the Arab Woman Awards said “We launched the awards after hearing stories of incredible women and wanted to provide a culturally acceptable platform in order to celebrate their achievements.  The awards have gathered momentum and we are proud to bring them to KSA to recognise the remarkable women of this country.  These awards will now run annually in January in order that each year we can discover more talented women and hopefully create positive role models for others”.

The fifteen winners of these awards are privately selected by a Judges Board who this year consists of highly influential women who have each demonstrated achievements and success in their own right.  Each board member was selected by ITP, based on their integrity, expertise in their own field and their role in the community.  This year’s Board includes: HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, CEO of Alfa International; Rasha AL Turki, CEO of Al Nahda Philanthropic Society for Women; Rola Ashour, Counselor and Lecturer at Dar Al Hikma Pharmaceuticals; Lina Al Maena,  Founder of Jeddah United Basketball Team and Nadine El Chaer, Editor in Chief at ITP Publishing.  The Arab Woman Awards Judges met today at La Cucina restaurant in Al Faisaliah Hotel Riyadh to discuss this year’s nominations.

Research into the nominations has taken two months with  ITP providing the Judges Board with a set of strict criteria to follow that ensures the winners are nominated objectively based on their accomplishments in the last 12 months and their contribution to the country.  Previous recipients of the Arab Woman Awards include HRH Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammad Al Qassimi , HRH Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif Mohammed Al Nahayan, H.E Huda Al Matroushi, H.E Fatima Al Jaber and HRH  Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Arab Woman Awards KSA 2014 ceremony will be held at a private glittering, ladies only gala dinner, by invitation only, on the 29th January 2014 at the Faisaliah Hotel Riyadh. The Arab Woman Awards are held in association with Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Mouza Al Shamsi, Marketing Director, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority  commented on their partnership with the awards saying “As a destination which is active and increasing prominent on the regional business events, education, sports, the arts as well as entrepreneurial scenes and is emerging as a high end fashion hub with some of the region’s most distinctive retail experiences, the Arab Woman Awards resonated well with us. We are enthusiastic about supporting an event which will roll out across this important region taking recognition of inspiration to the women of the GCC.” Other partners of the awards include Maserati, Al Zahra Breast Cancer Association, Sayidaty, Al Faisaliah Hotel and Rawaj International.

With the introduction of adaptable new devices, ASUS has brought to life the unimaginable in form of its new Transformer Books – T100 and T300. Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio are versatile products from ASUS which offer multi-functionality to the modern day users.

ASUS Transformer Book T100 is a 10.1-inch ultraportable laptop with an Intel Atom ‘Bay Trail’ Z3740 quad-core processor and a detachable 1366 x 768 display that can be used as a standalone Windows 8.1 tablet. With a slim design and durable finish, Transformer Book is one of the lightest laptops and 10-inch tablets around. Just 10.5mm thin, Transformer Book’s tablet display features IPS technology for wide 178-degree viewing angles. Its lightweight keyboard dock has precision-engineered keys for comfortable extended use, plus a large multi-touch touchpad with full Windows 8 gesture support.

Transformer Book also features ASUS Instant On technology for the kind of instant response that people have come to expect from tablets. Transformer Book wakes from standby in an instant and lasts for up to 14 days in standby mode.

ASUS SonicMaster audio technology gives true-to-life sound, and Transformer Book also features USB 3.0, 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Transformer Book is also bundled with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 with full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

ASUS Transformer Book T100 is available in the Jarir Bookstores across KSA at a competitive price of SAR 1699.

Similarly, ASUS Transformer Book Trio is a new breed of ultraportable that can be used by one person as a laptop, or by two people at once as a separate tablet and desktop PC. Transformer Book Trio is powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor in Windows 8 laptop mode, but the 11.6-inch display detaches from the ‘PC Station’ keyboard dock for use as an Android tablet with its own Intel® Atom™ processor. The dock can then also be used as an independent Windows 8 desktop PC when connected to an external monitor.

ASUS Transformer Book Trio is available in the Jarir Bookstores across KSA at a viable price of SAR 5999.

Mahiuddin Khasru , Business Development Manager at ASUS, confirmed, ” The two products were launched in KSA in the presence of top officials of ASUS, including Leon Yu, Regional Head of ASUS; MT Ma , Country Product Manager for notebooks at ASUS and Yasin Chen, Country Product Manager for Tablets at ASUS including me.”

Talking about ASUS as world-class brand and it’s new products, he stated, “ASUS believes that the new transformer Books will usher in a fresh era within the computing market as by significantly boosting the standard of customer expectations from the future devices. “

He further added, “We aspire to lead the way to transformation through our revolutionary technologies and products that are capable enough in effectively uniting the entire world with just a click and our new products signify the same objective.”

ASUS had also showcased the two new Transformer Book ultraportables at an ASUS product launch event during Intel Developer Forum (IDF) 2013.

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, will shine the spotlight on Emirati heritage at the Dubai Heritage Season, with four weeks of cultural activities during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival.

Featuring back-to-back activities, the Dubai Heritage Season, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, will provide visitors to the city with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the rich Emirati heritage and culture, through a host of exhibitions, performances, and hands-on workshops.

Activating Dubai’s key heritage sites, the events coinciding with the 19^th edition of the region’s foremost shopping and entertainment extravaganza, the Dubai Shopping Festival, will be held at Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood and Hatta Cultural Village.

Nasser Juma, Member of the Organising Committee of the Dubai Heritage Season , Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “The sterling repertoire of activities, all of which are being held for the first time under the ‘Dubai Heritage Season ,’ have been designed to provide visitors with vivid insights into the evolution of the Emirate. With the Dubai Shopping Festival billed to welcome millions of visitors from the world over, the ‘Dubai Heritage Season’ is the perfect platform for visitors to interact, engage, and appreciate our heritage.”

The first week of activities will stage an array of cultural shows, followed by a week of revived traditions. The third week will comprise handicrafts, and the last week will feature traditional Emirati products. All of the activities will begin in front of the Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, and will then move to other areas within Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood.

The week of cultural shows will see performances of Al Ayala, Al Harbiya, Al Razeef, Al Nouban, Al Haban, Al Lewa, and a marine show, as a tribute to some of the proud dances and routines that are fading, and in an effort to preserve their rich cultural roots. Many of the groups will be marking their first performance in Arabic.

Bringing to light Emirati weddings, the second week of activities will provide visitors with insights into traditions and customs that are carried out during a wedding. During this week, visitors will also be able to participate in traditional games. The Dubai Heritage Season will dedicate an entire day during this week to orphans, elders, and children with special needs, with a special showcase of activities.

From wool making to sword carving and creation of accessories, Emirati handicrafts will take the centrestage during the third week; while the fourth week will play host to an array of exhibitions featuring traditional products created by Emiratis.

“The activities during the annual Dubai Shopping Festival will allow visitors to the Emirate a chance to revisit the past, while introducing them to customs that are carried out in the city to date,” he added.

Hatta Cultural Village will also host activities during the Dubai Shopping Festival spanning handicrafts that are native to the Hatta region, and performances by cultural dance troupes.

The Dubai Heritage Season will host activities until April 2014, providing visitors with a wealth of activities to revel in.

Visitors to At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace, can revel in the anniversary celebrations of one of the world’s most sought-after tourist attractions, with a week-long host of celebratory activities, from the January 4 to 10, 2014.

Weekend Sunrise Views

At the Top, Burj Khalifa is now giving visitors the opportunity to watch the sun rise over the city of dreams, while taking in panoramic views of Dubai, on Fridays and Saturdays.

Date: Until February 28, 2014

Price: AED 125 for Adults; AED 95 for children

Pop-Up Quizzes

During the anniversary week, visitors to At the Top, Burj Khalifa will stand to win an array of prizes with the ‘Hourly Pop Quizzes,’ where Burj Khalifa staff will ask visitors questions based on their evocative and interactive journey. Each hour, one winner will receive a gift hamper of At the Top, Burj Khalifa merchandise, upon providing the right answer.

Birthdays at At the Top, Burj Khalifa

At the Top, Burj Khalifa is spreading the celebratory spirit to visitors marking their birthday during the week, by gifting them with complimentary gift hampers worth AED 500.

‘Creative Greeting’ on Social Media

Fans and followers of the official At the Top, Burj Khalifa’s Facebook and Instagram will be given the opportunity to participate in the celebrations by posting their most creative and prolific greetings congratulating the tourist attraction on its anniversary. The winner of the ‘Creative Greeting’ contest will be announced after the celebratory week, and will walk away with a gift hamper.

ASUS, one of the top-three notebook vendors and maker of the world’s best-selling  motherboards, launched today extremely hi-tech Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio in Saudi Arabia.

The launch event was attended by Leon Yu, Regional Head of ASUS; Mahiuddin Khasru, Business Development Manager at ASUS; MT Ma , Country Product Manager for notebooks at ASUS and Yasin Chen, Country Product Manager for Tablets at ASUS.

Mr. Jonney Shih, Chairman of ASUS, said, “ASUS is a leading enterprise in the new digital era which designs and manufactures products that perfectly meet the needs of today’s digital home and office environment. ASUS offers a broad portfolio of devices that includes motherboards, graphics cards, optical drives, displays, desktop and all-in-one PCs, notebooks, netbooks, servers, multimedia devices, wireless solutions, networking devices, tablets and smartphones.”

He further mentioned, “Our new products are designed considering the changing user demands. The Transformer Books are highly capable and sophisticated perfectly fitting into current era’s highly challenging corporate environment and fast lifestyle.”

During the launch event, Leon Yu, Regional Head of ASUS, stated, “Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio have the productivity of a laptop and flexibility of a tablet. Therefore, these devices are ultra-portable, highly consumer-oriented and  have flattering looks with an added advantage of a long-lasting battery. Both products feature a two-part dockable design which is a result of unique combination of the productivity of a laptop with the portability of a tablet and the flexibility to switch between the two in an instant.”

“Transformer Book T100 features a 10.1-inch ultraportable laptop with an Intel® Atom™ ‘Bay Trail’ quad-core processor and a detachable HD display that can be used as a standalone Windows 8.1 tablet. With a slim design and durable finish, Transformer Book is not only one of the lightest laptops currently available at just 1.07kg, but also one of the lightest 10-inch tablets around, at 550g. Therefore, this device has high compatibility, detachable touch screen and exceptionally long-lasting battery,” remarked Yasin Chen, Country Product Manager for Tablets at ASUS.

Talking about the features of new ASUS Transformer Book T300, MT Ma , Country Product Manager for notebooks at ASUS, informed, “The new ASUS Transformer Book T300 is a larger version of the T100, with a detachable 13.3-inch Full HD IPS multi-touch display that acts as a standalone Windows 8 tablet. It is powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor for seamless multi-tasking performance. Further, Transformer Book T300 has up to eight hours battery life and features a sleek metallic design with a durable soft-touch finish.”

Mahiuddin Khasru , Business Development Manager at ASUS, concluded, “Leading transformation is the core policy of ASUS. We believe in advancing by developing innovative technology solutions for our valued consumers. At ASUS, we believe that the revolutionary ideas and technologies can effectively connect the entire world to encourage and facilitate growth and evolution. ASUS is a world-class brand committed to compliance to international standards of manufacturing and deliverability. “

MORE PRODUCT INFORMATION

ABOUT TRANSFORMER BOOK T100:

High-performance laptop and lightweight tablet combined

ASUS Transformer Book T100 is an extremely compact ultraportable for people who want the productivity features of a laptop with the easy portability of a tablet — and the flexibility to switch between the two in an instant.

Transformer Book features a new Intel Atom Z3740 quad-core processor for smooth multi-tasking performance and incredible energy efficiency, and lasts for up to 11 hours on battery power. The lightweight keyboard dock features precision-engineered keys designed for comfortable extended use, plus a multi-touch touchpad with full Windows 8.1 gesture support.

Just 10.5mm thin in tablet mode, Transformer Book’s10.1-inch display has a crisp 1366 x 768 resolution and features IPS technology for wide 178-degree viewing angles with excellent daylight visibility. Capacitive multi-touch gives fine fingertip control in tablet mode, while exclusive ASUS ‘Reading Mode’ technology adjusts the display automatically to make the screen easier to read for long periods.

ASUSInstant On and SonicMaster Audio technology

Transformer Book also features ASUS Instant On technology for the kind of instant response that people have come to expect from tablets. Transformer Book wakes from standby in an instant and lasts for up to 14 days in standby mode.

ASUS SonicMaster audio technology gives true-to-life sound, and Transformer Book also features USB 3.0, 802.11a/b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. Transformer Book is also bundled with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 with full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

This product is available at Jarir Bookstore at a price of SAR 1699.

Summary

ASUS Transformer Book T100 is a 10.1-inch ultraportable laptop with an Intel Atom ‘Bay Trail’ Z3740 quad-core processor and a detachable 1366 x 768 display that can be used as a standalone Windows 8.1 tablet. With a slim design and durable finish, Transformer Book is one of the lightest laptops and 10-inch tablets around. Just 10.5mm thin, Transformer Book’s tablet display features IPS technology for wide 178-degree viewing angles. Its lightweight keyboard dock has precision-engineered keys for comfortable extended use, plus a large multi-touch touchpad with full Windows 8 gesture support.

¹Specifications and product availability are all subject to change without notice and may differ from country to country. Actual performance may vary depending on applications, usage, environment and other factors.

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ABOUT ASUSTRANSFORMER BOOK T300:

Transformer Book Trio — laptop, tablet and desktop PC in one sleek design

ASUS Transformer Book Trio is a new breed of ultraportable that can be used by one person as a laptop, or by two people at once as a separate tablet and desktop PC. Transformer Book Trio is powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor in Windows 8 laptop mode, but the 11.6-inch display detaches from the ‘PC Station’ keyboard dock for use as an Android tablet with its own Intel® Atom™ processor. The dock can then also be used as an independent Windows 8 desktop PC when connected to an external monitor.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

This product is available at Jarir Bookstore at a price of SAR 5999.

Summary

ASUS showcased two new Transformer Book ultraportables at an ASUS product launch event during Intel Developer Forum (IDF) 2013. Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio are the latest models in a wide range of mobile and desktop computers from ASUS that will transform your expectations about technology. Transformer Book T100 and Trio both feature a two-part dockable design that combines the productivity features of a laptop with the portability of a tablet, but Trio also has a keyboard dock that can also be used as a desktop PC when its tablet display is detached.

The iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks display by Emaar Properties, the global property developer, at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building and Downtown Dubai, captivated the world and put the international spotlight on Dubai, alongside the largest fireworks display and celebrations held in the city at The Palm Jumeirah, The World Islands, and Burj Al Arab.

With millions of visitors – both residents and tourists – building the excitement in Downtown Dubai, the Burj Khalifa fireworks display was a true spectacle of artistic creativity. Ten stunningly different firework sequences on Burj Khalifa marked the run-up to a musical countdown for the New Year.

Each display also told the world a story – of the UAE’s inspiring success, Dubai’s positivity and ambition, and the design narrative of Burj Khalifa, which is choreographed to the captivating melody of symphonic orchestra music of Downtown Dubai, ‘The Centre of Now.’

Abdulla Lahej, Group Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Properties, said: “The celebrations in Dubai now serve as a true benchmark for New Year’s Eve galas across the world. Colourful, spectacularly planned, and creatively executed, the events also underline the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to offer a flourishing, inspirational, and dynamic growth environment in the city, for people from around the world.”

He added: “Emaar’s Downtown Dubai New Year’s celebration is our tribute to the nation, our leadership, and the people. Having achieved iconic status in a very short span of time, the festivities are a catalyst for the tourism and events industry, and will continue to build Dubai’s reputation as the must-visit destination, along with Sydney, New York, and London, among others.”

Starting off with a dramatic countdown through a display of effects racing up to the pinnacle of Burj Khalifa, 828 metres high, the fireworks began with spectacular sequences including a colourful salute to the nation with the colours of the UAE National Flag. Silver pearls lend an unmatched ambience in a sparkling celebration of Dubai’s success, especially with its win to host the World Expo 2020. Another stunning display was the tribute to Burj Khalifa, with the fireworks evolving into petals, wrapping the tower much like the Hymenocallis desert flower, which inspired the design of the building.

The Downtown Dubai New Year’s Eve Gala was held with the support of the Emirate’s key government entities including Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence, the Roads & Transport Authority, and Dubai Ambulance Corporation, among others.

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a tremendous development in its economy in last two decades which in turn has stimulated the growth in technology sector as well. The expectations of the active technology consumers have soared high as they demand smart technology which can easily fit in their fast lifestyle. Taking into consideration the current scenario and  to match the demand for highly sophisticated technology systems, ASUS has developed revolutionary products – Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio. These unique products are ultra-portable, highly user-friendly and  extremely productive. ASUS will launch these products on Dec 31, 2013 after which these products will be available in the KSA market.

Leon Yu, Regional Head of ASUS; Mahiuddin Khasru , Business Development Manager at ASUS; MT Ma , Country Product Manager for notebooks at ASUS and Yasin Chen, Country Product Manager for Tablets will be present at the launching event.

 Transformer Book T100, and Transformer Book Trio are the latest models in a wide range of mobile and desktop computers from ASUS that will transform your expectations about technology.

Mr. Jonney Shih, Chairman of ASUS, said, “The ASUS Transformer Book T100 is a perfect transformation of a PC as it has features like full compatibility, detachable touch screen, immersive entertainment and exceptionally long-lasting battery. This new product from ASUS will simply transform consumers’ expectations from the upcoming technology.  ”

“It is truly a game-changer for today’s mobile lifestyle,” he added.

Both ASUS Transformer Book T100 and ASUS Transformer Book Trio, have a two-part dockable design which is a dynamic combination among  high productivity feature of a laptop and portability of a tablet. However, the most important feature is the flexibility to switch between laptop and tablet features  in an instant. Transformer Book Trio goes further still, with a keyboard dock that packs its own processor, so it can also be used as a self-contained desktop PC when its display is detached for use as a tablet.

ASUS Transformer Book T100 is a rare combination of a high mobility notebook and a tablet. Featuring a sleek design and durable finish, Transformer Book T100 is one of the lightest ultraportable devices in the market. It is apt for smooth multi-tasking performance and incredible energy efficiency that can last up to 11 hours on battery power.

ASUS Transformer Book Trio is a new breed of ultraportable device which is a perfect unification of a laptop, tablet and desktop PC. Powered by a 4th generation Intel® Core™ processor in Windows 8 laptop mode, the 11.6-inch display is capable of detaching itself  from the ‘PC Station’ keyboard dock and thus can be used as an Android tablet with its own Intel® Atom™ processor. The dock can then also be used as an independent Windows 8 desktop PC when connected to an external monitor.

ASUS previously showcased the two new Transformer Book ultraportable devices at an ASUS product launch event during Intel Developer Forum (IDF) 2013. Transformer Book T100 and Transformer Book Trio are the latest additions to the wide range of mobile and desktop computers market.