Technology and faith are becoming ever more compatible, it seems. And as all-inclusive devices top the agenda of consumers across the world, gadgets that encompass their every need are always high in demand.
With Ramadan nearly upon us, mobile phone giant Nokia has launched a range of phones and software to enhance participation of Muslims in the Holy Month.
The 2008 Ramadan software marks Nokia's comeback offering, following a successful version launched last year during the same time, says Mohamed El Sheakh, business manager for software and services in the Middle East. "The overwhelming response and feedback that we received from last year's application was the reason we made it into a complete solution," he says. "In 2007, it was the N73, which people called the Ramadan phone."
From an application that includes the entire Holy Quran, which allows users to read, search, bookmark and listen to recitations, to a suite that features a variety of informative sections and services, the new software is a huge improvement from the previous version, which had limited options, he says.
"We have invested heavily in research and there was a specific request for the Quran to be put on the phone," says El Sheakh.
Seven handset models preloaded with the application, and packed in special Ramadan boxes, will soon be available in the market, while a further eight models will be made compatible and users can download the software free from the company's website, he adds. The Ramadan phones will retail at the same price as regular ones.
"We are expecting this to be extremely popular in the region," says El Sheakh. "We want people to understand that Nokia is not just about handsets but also a services and software developer."
The application, called the Ramadan Suite, will consist of a main icon and seven other icons inside that will access different informative sections and services. Clicking on Cards, for example, will allow you to send Ramadan and Eid greetings.
The
Emsakya (beginning of the fast) icon will tell you the fasting times for your location and also the prayer times for each day throughout Ramadan, while the
Hajj and
Umrah sections will tell you all about the journeys and rituals of these two pilgrimages. There is also information on monuments and places, a prayer beads counter and a pilgrim's diary.
The
Mozzaker feature gives the five daily prayers as text and the Ramadaniat feature will show the jurisprudence of fasting and information on Z
akah Al Fitr,
Laylat Al Qadr,
I'tekaf and other events during the fasting month.
There is also a full Arabic edition of the Quran with audio capabilities where you can listen to recitals and bookmark the section where you last left off.
Included in the Ramadan application, which is available in English, Arabic, Urdu and French languages, are also 30 Arabic-style musical ring tones.
All content for the application has been developed by Egypt-based mobile content developer Asgatech and approved by Al Azhar Al Shareef Mosque in Cairo.
"We have marketed this heavily and there will be worldwide access because of the website," says El Sheakh.
The phone also features the locations of major mosques in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan using Nokia's map technology. This includes the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi and Dubai's well-known Jumeirah Mosque.
According to El Sheakh, Nokia Middle East is looking to push its new phones to the global market this year.
"In 2007 we did not have the Quran or the website and nothing to download and in 2006 just the prayer times and an Islamic calendar," he says, adding that 14 per cent of Nokia's global sales came from the Middle East and Africa last year.
"So if you look from the years 2006 to 2008 we have gone from local to regional and worldwide.
"We have now opened all these devices so anyone can have access to the software wherever they are."
For Chris Braam, the vice-president of sales with Nokia Middle East, the launch of the application is an attempt to get closer to mobile users in the region.
"This year's application is a complete solution that gives users a single and easy access to many of the cherished experiences that Muslims like to be close to during the Holy Month," he says.
"We are now expanding into offering services and software that empower and enable device owners to fully realise the benefits of mobility, and the Ramadan applications come as part of that."
GET YOUR APPLICATION- The software is available in English, Arabic, French and Urdu.
- While the preloaded phones will be available soon, current users of the following devices can also load it up and use the application: N73, N95, N958GB, N82, E90, E71, 6210 Navigator and 6220 Classic.
- You can download your software from nokia.com/ramadan in the language of your own choice
Ramadan Kareem!
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