Gitex Shopper Day 1 launches: Nokia, Dell, HP

The following four days look set to spark consumer frenzy across Dubai, as the spring edition of the Gitex Consumer Shopper kicks off amidst some exciting new product launches to entice buyers.

On the checklist include new smartphones, touchscreen laptops and state-of-the-art televisions that will bring the cutting edge of technology, preferably at a bargain that is affordable for consumers.

Ashish Panjabi, COO of Jacky’s Electronics said: “Traditionally, Q4 is the ideal time for most tech companies to time their product launches. But today, the product life cycle has considerably shortened.

“Brands now have to plan multiple product launches with the demand for cutting edge technology increasing. This simply means, new products are rolled out even in Q1 of a year.”

Emirates 24|7 has the latest:

Smartphones

While many are disappointed that the highly anticipated Samsung S4, the BlackBerry Q10 and the HTC One smartphones will not be rolled out at the four-day event, starting April 4, there are others that will entice the early adapters in the market.

Neelesh Bhatnagar, CEO of Emax said: “Gitex Shopper Spring 2013 offers the perfect platform for us to launch a large number of technology products which could revolutionise the way we work and play. The most anticipated of these are the new Nokia handsets, the Lumia 520 and the Lumia 720.”

While the prices for both models will be unveiled at Gitex, Nokia has pitched the new Lumias as ideal buys for the budget conscious, calling it the company’s cheapest Windows Phone 8 offerings.

The 720 is definitely a step up from the 520, with a 1GHz dual-core processor, 512MB RAM and 8GB of internal storage.

The higher model also comes with a rear-facing 6.7 megapixels camera and a 1.3 forward-facing phone.

Both models come with a microSD card slot.

Tablets

Dell has taken the onus here to announce its first tablet in the region, with the XPS10 taking centrestage.

Commenting on the launch of their first tablet in the Middle East, Pearce Clune, Marketing Director, Emea Product Strategy at Dell said: “We will be launching our first tablet in the Middle East, the XPS10, during Gitex Shopper Spring.

“Powered by Microsoft Windows RT and dual-core ARM architecture, the XPS10 is designed for mobile professionals, delivering a tablet experience that enhances work and personal productivity.”

The 10.1-inch tab comes with an optional mobile keyboard dock (turning into an ideal laptop of sorts) and you get over 16 hours of battery life.

You won’t hear us complaining at this.

Laptops

Before you go scratching your heads, take a look at the TouchSmart technology that HP will unveil at Gitex.

“Consumers at the Gitex Shopper spring edition this April will have a fantastic line-up of HP products on offer through our retailers”, said Salim Ziade, General Manager, Personal and Printing Systems, HP Middle East.

“Our new TouchSmart technology makes using our products easy and intuitive to use and with full 10-finger sensing, ensures a thrilling experience.”

Say hello to the Envyx2, a hybrid PC comes with a detachable screen that becomes a full convertible when separated from the keyboard via a seamless magnetic latch.

The battery life for lasts for 19 hours, having a battery in both the base and the slate.

The Windows 8 gizmo weighs 1.4 kg, and when separated, the convertible portion weighs just 0.71 kg.

Incidentally, HP will also unveil its Envy 23 Touchsmart Desktop at Gitex.

Televisions

While 4K technology is the latest buzz word in television advancement, Nadeem Khanzadah, General Manager and Head of Retail, Jumbo Electronics said: “It is a little too soon for 4K technology to mass market itself, aside from being short on content.

“Added to that is the 84- and 75-inch televisions appealing to only a niche segment in the consumer market.”

Taking this into consideration, what will be visible at Gitex Shopper, according to the industry insider, is a bump in sales for new versions of 46 inches and above television segments.

"Sony will be rolling out 55-, 60- and 65-inch televisions at Gitex to appeal to this very market.”

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