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Google Makes Products More Helpful in Arabic

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Google made a series of announcements today, at its largest event in the region, in a commitment to make its products more helpful to the Arab world. The announcements are new features on Google Search, the launch of Google Assistant in 15 new countries, a new safety feature on Maps and one million USD grant to scale digital skills programs next year.

Lino Cattaruzzi, Managing Director for Google in the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Every day, people in the Middle East and North Africa turn to Google for help, to get things done and to learn new things. Over the years, we’ve improved how our products work for in Arabic, whether that was on Search, Assistant, Maps or YouTube. We are committed to making our products more helpful to people in the Middle East and North Africa, and to scale our digital skills program to open opportunities for more people.”

The announcements include:

A richer, more visual Search experience in Arabic: A new display of information in a simple one-box related to movie timings, music, and sports – three of the top things people search for in Arabic.  

Cameos: A new feature that allows public personalities, actors, and artists to post videos on the Search homepage where they answer popular questions addressed to them.

Google Assistant in 15 Arab countries: Google’s virtual assistant, designed to help people get things done  like making calls, playing music and navigate traffic, will be available in Arabic and will understand the local dialects in 15 countries – United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Mauritania. The Assistant was launched earlier in 2019 in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Updates on Google Maps – Stay Safe: A feature that gives users an “off-route alert” when a driver has deviated from the suggested route by more than 500 meters, with an option to share live trip update with friends and family.

Motorcycle  mode in Egypt: A feature to help Egyptian motorcyclists navigate traffic and avoid congested routes

$1 million grant in digital skills: Google.org is regranting Injaz, an NGO that specializes in youth training, $1 million to scale digital skills trainings in Arabic, to reach a further 100,000 people in 2020.

The Google for MENA event was attended by hundreds of people representing government, business leaders, developers and entrepreneurs. In 2018, Google launched an Arabic digital skills program, “Maharat min Google,” which has reached more than 500,000 young people, women and underprivileged students in the MENA region. 130,000 of those were able to find jobs, grow their careers and their businesses.  

A 2019 research by Public First research company estimates that 89% of people in the UAE and Saudi Arabia use Search once a month to learn a new skill, and 80% of online Egyptians use Google Search because it provides new information not available by other means.

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Animenia Abu Dhabi Festival to Open Doors on 23rd October 2024

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Anime enthusiasts, get ready for a five-day immersive experience! The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and BRAG are bringing the inaugural Animenia Abu Dhabi festival to Manarat Al Saadiyat from October 23rd to 27th, 2024. This event promises to be a haven for anime and video game fans, offering a unique blend of entertainment, interactive experiences, and celebrity appearances.

Animenia will feature a diverse range of activities, including:

  1. Cosplay Extravaganza: Witness the world’s top cosplayers compete for a massive prize pool of over AED 400,000.
  2. Celebrity Meet-and-Greets: Interact with renowned anime directors, voice actors, manga artists, and video game creators.
  3. Live Performances: Enjoy a lineup of J-Pop concerts, anime-inspired shows, and captivating performances.
  4. Interactive Exhibits: Immerse yourself in themed exhibits showcasing iconic scenes and characters from popular anime.
  5. Gaming and Workshops: Explore a dedicated gaming hub featuring VR zones, Esports, arcade games, and engaging workshops.

The festival will host a stellar lineup of guests, including:

  1. Legendary Anime Figures: Renowned figures like Yoko Takahashi (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Ryo Horikawa (Dragon Ball, Super Smash Bros), Naoto Ohshima (Sonic the Hedgehog), and more.
  2. Cosplay Icons: World-class cosplayers from Thailand, Indonesia, France, Latvia, Japan, and Saudi Arabia will be present.

Tickets for Animenia Abu Dhabi are now available with pricing starting at AED 65 for a single weekday pass.

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Events

GAMERGY is Coming to the MENA Region

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GAMERGY is extending its presence to the MENA region. After exciting editions in Europe and Latin America, the festival arrives in Egypt. For three days (January 30 to February 1) it will become the global meeting point for esports fans and international players competing for the best prizes. For this new edition of GAMERGY, MENATech, a company of the GGTech Entertainment group, will have the collaboration and support of ievents, eProjects LLC, and Influence Communications, leaders in event management, communication and experience creation.

The venue chosen for the celebration of this new edition of GAMERGY is Al Burouj, developed by IMKAN Misr in Cairo. Attendees will have access to a wide range of games for PC, mobile and consoles, with exciting tournaments, live performances by top artists, meet & greets with influencers and the best esports teams in the region. GAMERGY is a pioneering event designed for video game enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. The next edition in Egypt will create an immersive environment where the physical and virtual worlds will merge, allowing participants to connect and engage in unforgettable experiences.

GAMERGY has organized more than 20 successful editions in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Miami, and Panama, consolidating its status as a dominant force in the e-sports, leisure and entertainment scene for the whole family. Mario Perez, CEO de MENATech, expressed his enthusiasm, “We are very excited about the first edition of GAMERGY in the MENA region, and it is a privilege that it is being held in Cairo. Following the expansion of GAMERGY over the past three years, with successful events in Spain, Mexico, Panama, Miami, Argentina and beyond, this marks an important milestone for us. Egypt’s gaming community is truly impressive and we are delighted to have the opportunity to engage with them and deliver an unforgettable experience to gamers of all ages. With the support of our partner in the Middle East, eProjects LLC, we are confident that GAMERGY Egypt will be a standout event on the GAMERGY International Tour.”

Sherif ElBassiouny, CEO of eProjects LLC, commented on the unique coalition, saying, “Hosting this groundbreaking eGaming event in Egypt is a testament to the nation’s growing influence in the digital and entertainment sectors. We are proud to bring together gamers and enthusiasts from across the MENA region, fostering innovation, competition, and community. This event not only highlights Egypt’s potential as a regional hub for eSports but also reflects our commitment to empowering the youth and embracing the future of digital entertainment. Together with our local partners, ievents and Influence Communications, we are paving the way for new opportunities in this thriving industry.”

GAMERGY combines entertainment and innovative technology, offering a unique experience where fun and creativity come together, as well as a disruptive experience for visitors and gamers alike. It will offer top-notch content on all aspects of the gaming world and showcase the latest technological advances in esports.

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Events

Power League Gaming and HUAWEI AppGallery Team Up for AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament

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Power League Gaming has announced its latest account win with HUAWEI AppGallery taking on the role of event and production management partner for the AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament in Egypt. Held on September 6th at the Westin Cairo Golf Resort and co-sponsored by the Egypt Tourism Authority (ETA) and the Egyptian Esports Federation (EEF), the tournament was a joint initiative between AppGallery—HUAWEI’s official app distribution platform—and Yalla Ludo, the region’s leading mobile board game app. Featuring fierce competition among 32 players and a total prize pool of $20,000 awarded to the top winners, the event aimed to enhance Yalla Ludo’s presence within HUAWEI AppGallery’s expanding app ecosystem.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Power League Gaming’s long-standing partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, reflecting its commitment to promoting the AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC). Power League Gaming was exclusively chosen for this project over competitors from Egypt and the UAE, highlighting the agency’s unmatched expertise in the region and its ability to deliver world-class event management solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gaming industry.

Celebrating the renewed collaboration, Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, said: “We’re thrilled to join forces with HUAWEI AppGallery once again for the AGC x Yalla Ludo tournament. This partnership is more than just an event; it’s a chance for us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in gaming in the MENA region. At Power League Gaming, we’re committed to crafting an unforgettable experience that not only engages participants and viewers but also sets a new standard for event excellence. The tournament turned out a resounding success, enhancing HUAWEI AppGallery’s brand presence and deepening our connection with the gaming community.”

As the chosen event and production management partner, Power League Gaming delivered a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless and engaging tournament experience. These services included venue build and design, 3D renders and mock-ups, complete venue audio-visual setup (AV)-LED screens, technical support, complete branding production, all creative design elements and a full broadcast and esports solution, including broadcast asset designs and implementation. Power League Gaming also managed staffing and technical expertise to deliver a flawless event.

The AppGallery Gamers Cup x Yalla Ludo Tournament not only celebrates the collaboration between these two dynamic brands but also highlights the growing influence of mobile gaming in the region. With the MENA region’s gaming market value expected to reach $10 billion by 2027*, fueled by the growing number of gamers and the rising popularity of mobile games, the tournament was perfectly positioned to capture the vibrancy of the region’s gaming scene.

Through this partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery, Power League Gaming has delivered a premier gaming event, captivating audiences and further establishing its presence in the competitive gaming market. For more information about Power League Gaming, visit powerleaguegaming.com.

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