Skip to main content

Middle East

See All Stories

Apple looking for London-based ‘Apple Pay Intern’ to help expand service into Europe

Site default logo image

apple-pay

A new UK job listing posted on Apple’s website and uncovered by iClarified indicates that the company is planning to expands its payment service into Europe and elsewhere. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that Apple wants to put its iPhone 6-based payment system into as many hands worldwide as possible, but this is one of the first indications of a move in that direction.

The intern will be part of a new London-based team that will help roll the product out across Europe, the Middle East, India, and Asia. Specifically the intern will be responsible for handling contracts and non-disclosure agreements between Apple and third-parties like banks and retailers.


Expand
Expanding
Close

That Apple Store in the United Arab Emirates could be the world’s largest

Site default logo image

mall-emirates

Middle East luxury lifestyle magazine Edgar claims “insider knowledge” that the planned Apple Store in the United Arab Emirates will be the largest in the world, and will be located in a huge shopping mall in Dubai.

US-based tech giant Apple will open its biggest store in the world at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, EDGAR can exclusively reveal […] Our undisclosed source said that the store – which will be the biggest Apple has ever built – was originally planned to replace the current cinema complex …


Expand
Expanding
Close

Hiring underway for first Apple Store(s) in the oil-rich nations of the Middle East

Site default logo image

dubai-30

If you look at map of Apple Store locations around the world, there’s one very obvious wealthy area of the world without a single store: the oil-rich nations of the Middle East. This now looks set to change, as ifoAppleStore spotted Apple job listings for the United Arab Emirates for the complete range of retail store positions.

The job listings appeared yesterday, and include the full range of store positions from Store and Market Leader, Manager, Expert, Creative and Specialist. The listings also include the Apple Store Leader Program, a 24-month development program for those who have just graduated from higher education …


Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Apple signs its first retail deal in Saudi Arabia

2649479

Less than two months after the Saudi Arabia government cleared Apple to begin marketing products and officially operate in the region, Apple has struck a sales deal with major Saudi Arabia-based retailer Jarir Bookstore. The deal includes both official sales inside of the Jarir retail stores as well as technical support for the products. Previously, Jarir had to use third-party means to secure its supply of Apple products, but now with Apple officially providing product supply, costs will go down for both the Bookstore and its customers, creating an overall improved experience for those looking to purchase Apple gadgets in Saudi Arabia.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple meeting with UK ad agencies in preparation for iTunes Radio rollout

Site default logo image

Screen Shot 2014-04-15 at 12.26.48 PM

Apple appears to be readying for an UK iTunes Radio launch in the near future. As indicated by this tweet, Apple’s director of iAd Paul Wright has recently been visiting media marketing agencies to discuss iAd in relation to iTunes Radio.

Bloomberg said that Apple was planning to launch in the UK in ‘early 2014’ last October, but so far this has not happened several months into 2014. Although many people have seen iTunes Radio sporadically appear on their devices in recent months, it is has only officially expanded to Australia beyond the US launch alongside iOS 7.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Site default logo image

Report: Apple snags Rolls Royce exec to strengthen corporate communications for EMEIA

According to a report from PRWeek, Apple has strengthened its European communications team with the hiring of Rolls-Royce’s director of external comms Josh Rosenstock in a newly created executive position. The report claimed sources close to the situation said the hire was based on “Apple’s desire to grow its corporate affairs capabilities as it becomes increasingly drawn into global regulatory and political issues.” Rosenstock will reportedly join the company in the coming weeks as the Director of Corporate Comms for the Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) and report to Apple Senior Director of Corporate Comms for EMEIA Alan Hely.

One source with knowledge of the move said the ‘heavyweight’ hire was a reflection of Apple’s desire to grow its corporate affairs capabilities as it becomes increasingly drawn into global regulatory and political issues… Another senior comms source added: ‘This is an acknowledgement from Apple there’s a need for wider horsepower when it comes to links with Whitehall stakeholders. ‘As Apple becomes an institution in its own right it needs to upskill in this area.’… It is thought Rosenstock will report to Alan Hely, senior director, corporate comms, EMEIA, Apple Europe.

Apple and Rolls-Royce declined to comment on the report.

Site default logo image

Former Apple execs Pascal Cagni, Tony Fadell, and others talk Apple at LeWeb (Video)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sMmme6wvJCw#!]

The LeWeb conference is running Dec. 4 through Dec. 6 in Paris, and father of the iPod and Nest creator Tony Fadell sat down yesterday to talk about Nest, product design, and the company’s future plans to bring Nest to 500 retail shops starting with Canada. Of course, as usual, Fadell’s former employer Apple was a topic of conversation. Fadell talked a little bit about what he learned from Steve Jobs in terms of product design, and he talked about his time at Philips compared to Apple and Nest.

Another interesting guest that made an appearance is Apple’s former Vice President and General Manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Pascal Cagni. He resigned in May. Pascal talked about his time at Apple and his former role at the company. He also talked about his working relationship with Jobs, his continued admiration for the company, and secrecy at Apple. The full video is below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dzSrB-b5yNs]

Site default logo image

This Gold-plated iPhone 5 will run you $4,300 [Video]

[ooyala code=”JxZmUxNjoylzrgDJtDjZX7Tao-xLN5se”]

As Apple fans from 22 countries are waiting in lines for limited quantities of the iPhone 5, some folks in the Middle East were offered up the opportunity to buy a 24-carat gold-plated version of Apple’s iconic device for a slight premium.

Just remember: Scratching is normal for any Gold surface; so do not try anything funny. [Via Bloomberg]


Expand
Expanding
Close

Facetime on the big screen? Yeah, iOS has that now

Site default logo image

Want that face on your big screen? No problem! Just Facetime with Rene Ritchie over at TiPb.  You see, the latest build of iOS 5 Beta 3 has support for Airplay.

With all of the new trickery in the AppleTV 5.0 software, it wouldn’t surprise us to see a family-like FacetimeHD option for the current AppleTV or even a new 1080P version.


Expand
Expanding
Close