iPhone 3G To Debut As Hottest Sheik Chic

DUBAI - There's no immediate proof that the popularity of the original iPhone in the Middle East has been building to epic cult status since it's launch on June 30, 2007. Let's just call it a hunch. The Middle East region has been practically a forgotten market for Apple's hand-held super hero of the West. With that said, it's glaringly obvious to me that there is gargantuan potential for iPhone 3G to become the hottest new trend in Sheik chic when it officially debuts in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on February15th. 

Merrill Lynch released results in its annual World Wealth Report back in June of 2008 that the Middle East, as a region, represented the fastest growing base worldwide of wealthy people. "The UAE was the eighth-fastest growing nation in the world in terms of numbers of wealthy people last year, just below Singapore. India had the world’s fastest growth rate recorded at 22.7 per cent." Apple is poised to spark an iPhone revolution among the rich in the UAE, quickly positioning iPhone as the must-have accessory for every Sheik geek who wants to be recognized as an ultra-hipster with unlimited data cash to burn. How do you spell flossy in Arabic?

It's only a matter of exposure before the cult of iPhone begins to inspire followers inside the youth culture from every part of the Arab Kingdom, serving to drive demand upwards among the United Arab Emirate's most influential leaders desiring to capture a youthful taste of the cool factor. If you want to be the hottest guy in Dubai, you'll need to be sporting iPhone 3G as your primary arm candy. It's essential cutting-edge technology destined to accompany some of the world's wealthiest Middle Eastern culture vultures.

When you combine the ravenous demand for Apple's iPhone 3G with the wealth of the Middle East, there's simply no end to the potential for outright hysteria. Emirates Telecommunications confirmed on February 2nd that it had struck a deal with Apple to deliver iPhone 3G for its UAE home and in Saudi Arabia through the Mobily brand. Calling it the first iPhone deal of 2009.

The undeniable cult of iPhone mania is heading towards the Middle East like a tidal wave of historic proportions. You can bet your new Blackberry Storm, it's coming hard and fast. We're way past 'IF' by now. Apple has entered the final countdown to rockin' the casbah.

[photos by Kelvin Montalbo]

Comments

[Constable Odo]

Gold-plated iPhones for the Royal families. Sheikh, shiekh, shiekh. Shake your booty or at least your accelerometer-equipped iPhones. I'm surprised it took Apple as long as it did to get the iPhone in probably the most densely wealthiest areas of the world. The iPhone was made for those people. From the tots to the elders.

I guess Apple just had to work out the Arabic input which I suppose would make all the difference. Of course, the Royal families themselves are undoubtedly highly educated in English. But it would be necessary for the region in general to have standard Arabic imput on the iPhone. I can't hardly wait for the jump in sales. They'll buy iPhones by the truckload. I'm sure they'll really enjoy the Snow Leopard Mobile-powered iPhone 3.0.