Business | Technology
Arabic version of iPod to be launched soon
An Arabic version of Apple's hugely popular iPod will hit the market soon, officials have revealed.
- By Saifur Rahman, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 January 18, 2006
Dubai: An Arabic version of Apple's hugely popular iPod will hit the market soon, officials have revealed.
"Apple is working on this. A prototype has already been made available to us," said Elias Abou-Rustom, general manager of Arab Business Machine, Apple's independent marketing company for the Middle East.
"This could be launched in the Middle East in the coming months."
Rustom said his company is working closely with Apple on launching the Arabic version of the computer's latest innovation, Tiger operating system, which makes computing much easier and user-friendly.
The popularity of the iPod is driving Apple's sales globally as well as regionally.
Apple Computer's first-quarter revenues reached $5.7 billion, exceeding expectations, as iPod sales tripled and Macintosh computer purchases topped 1 million for the fifth straight period.
The company's retail stores posted revenues of more than $1 billion for the first time. Apple sold 14 million iPod music players and 1.25 million Macs. Apple sold 4.58 million iPods in the fiscal first quarter a year earlier, when revenues reached $3.49 billion.
Rustom said: "Apple's regional growth mirrors its global growth. Sometimes it's higher than Apple's global growth."
"Apple's growing product line has also seen significant success in the Middle East through 2005," Rustom said.
"While the iMacs continue their traditional popularity in the region and worldwide, the iPods have become an iconic product for people of all ages across the Middle East.
"We will definitely see a number of key technological advancements at Apple in 2006."
Apple has sold 8 million videos through its iTunes service since the online store introduced the feature, and the company has sold more than 850 million songs.
Also, Apple unveiled an iPod remote control and an FM tuner at the show and it is releasing an update of its MacOS system software.
Apple is the leading seller of digital music players in the US, with the iPod accounting for 69 per cent of devices sold between January and November, according to NPD Group, in Port Washington, New York.
More from Technology
More from Business
Business Editor's choice
-
Do unemployment figures flatter to deceive?
Jobseekers and recruiters give out mixed signals ranging from optimism to downright despair even as official data show recovery
-
Banks can increase their share
Longer opening hours, more locations outside cities and lower charges can help
-
Geepas idea blossomed in Dubai
The journey led from a small shop in Bahrain to a $1.27b company in the UAE
