13 August 2008

Nokia Middle East and Africa launches Ramadan applications for mobile users worldwide

Nokia, the worldwide leader in mobility, today announced the launch of a range of mobile applications and content tailored for the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Building on last year's offering, the new solutions are free and come preloaded in select Nokia devices or as downloadable applications for a range of Nokia devices.

The online applications can be accessed and downloaded on the compatible Nokia devices from anywhere in the world, on www.nokia.com/ramadan.

The 2008 Ramadan offering from Nokia includes the Holy Quran, which allows users to read, search, bookmark and listen to Quran recitation. Other elements include Emsakya, Ramadaniat and Mozzaker.

Developed by ASGATech, the only Forum Nokia Premium Partner in the Middle East, all content of the Ramadan applications has been reviewed and approved by Al Azhar Al Shareef.

'The overwhelming response and feedback that we received from last year's offering allowed us to improve and expand this year's application, making it a complete solution that gives Nokia users a single and easy access to many of the cherished experiences that Muslims like to be close to during the Holy Month,' said Chris Braam, Vice President, Sales, Nokia Middle East and North Africa.

Building on Nokia's existing Maps platform, the new mobile services also feature locations of major mosques in KSA, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Pakistan, which can be navigated to using the Nokia Maps service.

'As the number one mobile device company in the world, we are now expanding into offering services and software that empower and enable Nokia device owners to fully realize the benefits of mobility, and the Ramadan applications come as part of this strategy.

In 2007, 14% of Nokia's global net sales came from the Middle East and Africa, so this is a region that is greatly important to us and we have committed to ensuring that we are tailoring solutions that meet the local needs,' added Braam.

The 2008 Ramadan offering includes:

• Mobile applications (available on pre-loaded devices or on www.nokia.com/ramadan) with user-interfaces available in Arabic, French, English and Urdu, include: Quran, Emsakya, Ramadaniat, Hajj & Umrah, Cards and Mozzaker.

• Mobile content (available on www.nokia.com/ramadan) features a choice of over 80 wallpapers, ringtones, themes and Anasheed (Islamic Songs).

• Mobile services (available on www.nokia.com/ramadan) cover Islamic landmarks, featuring major mosques in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Pakistan.

Mobile applications are available on pre-loaded devices or on the Nokia webste)with user-interfaces available in Arabic, French, English and Urdu, including the Quran, Emsakya, Ramadaniat, Hajj and Umrah, Cards and Mozzaker.

Mobile content features a choice of over 80 wallpapers, ringtones, themes and Anasheed (Islamic songs). Mobile services at the Nokia website covers Islamic landmarks, featuring major mosques in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Pakistan.

Wallpapers
*click to enlarge

The range of Nokia devices to offer pre-loaded Ramadan applications in the region includes the Nokia N78, Nokia N70 Music Edition, Nokia E51, Nokia 3120 Classic, Nokia 6500 Slide, Nokia 6300 and Nokia 2630.

Current users of the above devices as well as existing users of the Nokia N73, Nokia N95, Nokia N95 8GB, Nokia N82, Nokia E90, Nokia E71, Nokia 6210 Navigator, and Nokia 6220 Classic will be able to download the Ramadan applications, content and services, regardless of their location, through www.nokia.com which is available in English, Arabic and French.

The special Ramadan website at www.nokia.com is now live, and preloaded devices will be available in the region next week.