Technology to bring communities closer this Ramadan

Samsung introduces experience innovations for Holy Month

Dubai, 7th June 2016:  Samsung Gulf Electronics Co., Ltd has not only introduced a set of all-new applications for the Holy Month of Ramadan but also has announced significant updates to other applications useful during this time.

Samsung and developers Asgatech have launched applications that synchronize perfectly with most smartphones (running on Android 4.4 and higher with over 1.5GB RAM) and the Gear S2. The GPS-enabled Prayer Times app offers users prayer times of the day, with notifications and a timer that indicate the lead up to  the next prayer. The Gear version also helps indicating the Qibla direction in addition to the standard features. The Azkar application presents users various styles available along with time-notifications and a counter for the number of times Zikr is said. Specifically for Ramadan, the Emsakya application, available in English and Arabic, provides users a prayer schedule for Fajr, Sunrise, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha as well as Iftar and Emsak times. Similarly, the Gear App provides notifications and alert users for Iftar and Emsak times. Users can choose their locations from across the globe for the most accurate timings. The Prayer Times, Azkar and Emsakya applications all employ the Android platform.

Speaking of Samsung’s focus on user needs, Marco Vocale, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Gulf Electronics commented, “Innovation at Samsung has always centered around the consumer and has focused on making lives easier. Ramadan is a very important time in the region and we have introduced these solutions to bring families and the broader community closer in spirituality and faith. It is a classic example of technology amplifying life.”

A result of a partnership between Samsung and SHAHID (MBC Group’s video-on-demand platform), the next-generation content eco-system SHAHID PLUS offers viewers the region’s biggest library of exclusive on-demand Arabic series, shows and movies, without advertisements, across a range of Samsung’s devices and Smart TVs.  SHAHID PLUS features the season’s top Exclusive programming including Ma'moun wa shorakah starring Adel Imam, Qoumra by Ahmad Al Shugairi, Bab alhara 8, Ramiz bel'ab bel nar, and Haret elsheikh.   

Increasing the choice of provider availability to its consumers, Samsung is also offering consumers a chance  to enjoy their favorite seasonal TV shows including Sak Al Bambo— starring Soad Abdallah, Bab Al Reeh – starring Sa’ad Al Faraj, Bain Qalbain  - starring Abdullah Boushahri and  Malik Bin Al Rayb– starring Yaser Al Masri, in stunning 4K quality on the STARZ Play Arabia app, available on select Samsung Smart TVs. 

Catering to an even wider international community, the updated Holy Quran Audio Library application “MP3Quran” with the Mushaf Readable Feature allows users to listen to over 160 reciters. . It features multi-language support in Arabic, English, French, Dutch, Russian, and Spanish with verse by verse explanation. The app allows users to bookmark their progress and continue their recitation, as per custom.

In addition to offering more than 1,000 ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ offers that provides unparalleled access to several global hotspots including restaurants, cafes, premium spas, leisure attractions, golf courses and luxury hotels through the Galaxy Entertainer App, Samsung’s partnership with the Entertainer is presenting exclusive and unique ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ offers for Iftars and Suhoors this Ramadan.  Participating outlets include Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, Park Hyatt Dubai, Radisson Blu Hotel DMC, Times of Arabia, Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resorts, Le Royal Meridian Abu Dhabi and Courtyard by Marriot WTC Abu Dhabi to name a few. The Galaxy Entertainer App is available exclusively on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge devices across the GCC (excluding KSA) and the latest update including the Ramadan offers is available to download on the Google Play store.

With iftars and suhoors also set for the social agenda over the month, consumers who are looking for that extra touch of variety can access over 2,500 recipes, including 1,500 recipe videos with step-by-step cooking instructions, developed by famous celebrity Manal Al Alem, on their Samsung Smart TVs. The content on the app can be controlled by using hand gestures or remote pointers. Voice recognition is also fully supported in the app, for example: say the recipe name and the app will redirect you to the recipe screen. New recipes are added regularly.