Microsoft announces launch of Windows 8 in Kuwait

VIA : news.kuwaittimes.net

KUWAIT: Microsoft Kuwait yesterday Celebrated Windows 8 with its customers. At a press conference this morning, Microsoft, along with its hardware partners Dell, Toshiba, Acer, Asus and Nokia, announced their presence at the Avenues mall phase 1 to showcase different hardware devices, touch based and laptops that are new to the Kuwaiti market, Windows 8 certified, and are available in all the retail stores starting today. Windows 8 offers a personalized experience to suit a wide range of requirements for the Kuwait market, whether it comes to work or play.

Addressing this morning’s press conference, Ehab Mostafa, Country Manager, Microsoft Kuwait, said: “Kuwait has always been an early adopter of new technology, and in line with the global release of Windows 8 which happened on Oct 26th, we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate the local arrival of Windows 8 on new devices with our consumers and partners.”

He added: “This year is an exciting year for us, as we enhance and strengthen our relationships with leading hardware partners to bring innovative new devices to Kuwait. These new products are designed to make full use of the capabilities of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, and we’re positive that customers in Kuwait will see huge benefits when they experience the new Windows on the latest devices.

“Business and consumer customers are going to get an enhanced experience when using the revolutionary and easy-to-use new user interface of Windows 8, and will also benefit from the wide range of apps that will be available from the Windows Store,” added Mostafa. The latest features will be widely accessible to Kuwaiti users, with Windows 8 available on more than 1,000 new Windows 8 certified PC and touch based tablet models, all on sale at retail locations throughout Kuwait. Additionally, Windows 8 will be available for download to upgrade existing PCs running Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7. The product will also be offered in 37 languages in Kuwait.

To highlight the full Windows 8 experience, Microsoft has a fun and interactive booth located at the Avenues mall, from Nov 29-Dec 8. Microsoft is teaming up with its hardware partners to display the latest Windows 8 certified devices, where mall visitors can try before they buy.

Nokia will be displaying its latest Lumia 920 and 820 Windows 8 Phone devices at the Avenues stand. The Nokia Lumia 920 is the flagship Windows Phone 8 smartphone, featuring Arabic language capabilities and the latest advances in Nokia PureView imaging technology for crisp, clear video and photos without flash. Dell is helping customers in Kuwait touch the future with a refreshed portfolio of business and consumer PCs built for Microsoft Windows 8, designed to provide a more intuitive computing experience and address evolving customer desires. Dell’s new systems deliver on the promise of new advances in computing: a leading-edge and intuitive touch experience, the security and manageability required by today’s always-on pace and the design aesthetic, style and precision workmanship customers demand.

As part of its ‘In Search of Incredible’ journey, ASUS unveiled a complete new line-up of Windows 8 touch enabled products. The new range enables new forms of functionality and applications targeting the entire spectrum of home and office users, while setting a new standard in performance, ease of use and innovative design. Toshiba PCs showcase the possibilities of what Windows 8 can do, providing a responsive touch experience on beautiful, precisely engineered hardware. Consumers will love interacting with Windows 8 on these devices. This is the beginning of a new generation of hardware development designed to take advantage of touch from Toshiba.

Acer designs products to enable everyone to explore beyond limits. The cool, fluid designs have smooth surfaces that make these notebooks comfortable to the touch. The notebooks are specifically designed for easy navigation and enhanced productivity through ergonomic design. In addition to the new devices, where the booth internet connection is powered by Mada Communications, Microsoft is offering to take photographs of you at the picture booth and an interactive zone. For children there is a special Kid Zone particularly set up for their fun experience from gaming to educational apps.

The latest OS is available in two retail versions, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. For business customers, Windows 8 Enterprise offers new possibilities in mobile productivity with features like Windows To Go, DirectAccess, and BranchCache, as well as enhanced end-to-end security with features including BitLocker and AppLocker. Launched at the same time is a new member of the Windows family designed for ARM-based tablets, Windows RT, which is available pre-installed on new devices. Windows 8 features the new fast and fluid Start screen that gives people one-click access to the apps and content they care most about, the entirely new Internet Explorer 10 that is perfect for touch, and built-in cloud capabilities with SkyDrive.

In addition to the range of new devices available, consumers can also upgrade their existing PCs. Through the end of January, consumers currently running PCs with Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, are qualified to download Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $39.99. Eligible Windows 7 PCs purchased between June 2, 2012, and January 31, 2013 in more than 140 countries can download Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of $14.99 with the Windows Upgrade Offer, available at www.windowsupgradeoffer.com.