Mobivision, a Dubai-based media firm, has announced the launch of Mobimag, a digital application that allows users to access regional newspapers and magazines through their smartphone and handheld devices, in the UAE.

Mobivision, a specialist in providing digital media solutions, said Mobibag is the first of its kind application that serves as a mobile home and media hub for print publications.

Mobimag's application is multilingual with Arabic support and is available to download free of charge, said a statement from Mobivision.

Mobimag not only provides users with the same experience of printed media, but also enhances the original material by adding interactive methods and new presentation capabilities like video, audio and animations, making it effective and intuitive advertising platform, it stated.

The mobile publication has the same look and feel as the physical copy, with no compromise made to the publication’s design, layout and advertisements. It is simple and user friendly and allows subscribers to browse articles and pages with ease, it added.

Commenting on the launch, Ibrahim Darraz, general manager, Mobivision said “While web-based news services have been available in the region for sometime now, accessing news content on your mobile phones as it appears in print is a new concept.'

'The launch of Mobimag is timely as the Middle East region sees promising growth in 3G mobile subscription and internet usage. The application is one of its kind and we are confident that it will open up new opportunities and further push the region’s growth in digital media,' he added.

According to Darraz, the value added services (VAS) and mobile applications industry in the Middle East is projected to experience an accelerated growth owing to proliferation of 3G networks, untapped potential and increasing adoption of smartphone devices by consumers.

'The benefit of this application is not limited to consumers alone, in fact Mobimag offers a new, untapped business model for publishers and advertisers in the region. Businesses can benefit from maximum exposure to their fast growing audience.'

'Mobimag allows users to interact and respond to promotions, advertisements and sponsored content by simply clicking on 'click to call' button featured on the digital publication,' he added.
 
It works as a tool for publishers to further understand the demographics of their readers and their preferences, said Feras Younes, Product Manager, Mobimag.

“With new technological advancements taking place in the print media it is vital for publishing companies to stay on top of these changes to remain competitive and relevant to their readers. Our customized solution will enable publishers to easily extend their reach and interact with a wide range of subscribers that was hardly possible before,” he remarked.

The application supports majority of the smartphones available in the market today and offers a consistent interface and user experience across all devices.

According to a recent IDC report, the worldwide Smartphone market grew over 56 percent in the first quarter of 2010 with the Middle East and Africa set to be amongst the top two global Smartphone markets with an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39 per cent over the next four years.

As the market for buying apps and downloads continues to increase, industry analysts predict that emerging markets such as the Middle East is where most of the growth in the mobile applications market is expected to come from in the near future.-TradeArabia News Service