Archive for November, 2009

Blackberry in Qatar – A quick guide

11 Nov, 2009  5 Comments

I was thinking of that song that has the line ‘Chikity Chinese the chinese chicken’ (What is that song again?) and tried to play with that for this blogpost but Blackity beeery the blacky berry didn’t sound right.

I’m not a blackberry fan. Most people in Qatar only get it because they want BBM. I don’t know why people don’t realize that you can get your email  If there was one reason to get a BB it’s because of the data packages they give you.

Now, you’ve probably found this page because you’re searching for information on BBs. You heard Hassan at your local Sheesha joint talking about BBM, or you were at a meeting and whipped out your measly Nokia only to notice that everyone else had a BB on the desk right? Maybe you noticed that all the ‘cool kids’ were talking about that great new fruit?

Providers:
Qtel and Vodafone both offer BB services (Vodafone’s services are to be launched very soon).
Each network has it’s own advantages and disadvantages. What you should be looking at is Roaming charges, data charges, data bundles, device support, and any packages they may have going on.

http://www.vodafone.com.qa – http://www.qtel.com.qa

Roaming is a BIG one. There are tons of stories of people traveling with their blackberries, roaming the net and coming home to a 4,000 QR bill. So read up on that or switch roaming OFF.

But what IS a Blackberry?
Put simply it’s a mobile device that’s primary focus is ‘real-time’ email. Thanks to the BBM service, you can use an application which is similar to MSN Messenger but it is always on in the background.

So what Blackberry should I get?
Personally? I would go for the new curve. It’s nice, light, small, and is priced well.

Not convinced by BB? Want something a bit better? GET AN IPHONE!

Disclaimer: Yes I am an iPhone fan (I used to switch my phone every 2 months to have the ‘latest’. This device is the ONLY phone I’ve stuck with, except to upgrade). It does everything most phones can do and more. Worried about touch screens? This screen is better. Worried about service? Vodafone is the official network to distribute the phone. Want a device that you can deal with emails quickly, add applications, send photos, and generally look cool with? Then you know what to do.

Mr. Q goes iQ

11 Nov, 2009  No Comment

Qatar's First iPhone pageYep! It’s time for another nice little update to the blog. To make life easier for those mobile users (not just iPhone users),I’ve installed a great new customization which will automatically display the blog in a mobile format. It’s faster, lighter, and looks great!

I’ll be modifying it now and then to tweak it and improve upon it. If you’ve got any requests, do let me know. Like it? Read the rest of this entry »

Villaggio Cinema is open!

2 Nov, 2009  5 Comments

I forgot to post this! The Villaggio cinema is open!

Here’s SaraCute’s comment!

I was walking last week around the Villaggio and saw a huge crowd around The One. I doubt many people were shopping for furniture, then I saw it!!!

The cinema is open! I dont know if it’s finished because I didn’t walk around, but it looks kind of plain and didn’t feel like a ‘normal’ cinema.

They’ve also got iMAX!!

I still think we need even more cinemas. I agree that the cinema also looked very plain, maybe too bright? Anyway something’s better than nothing and at least this cinema should ease ‘congestion’ from other ones.
I was walking last week around the Villaggio and saw a huge crowd around The One. I doubt many people were shopping for furniture, then I saw it!
The cinema is open! I dont know if it’s finished because I didn’t walk around, but it looks kind of plain and didn’t feel like a ‘normal’ cinema.
They’ve also got iMAX!
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Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.