By Editor
GITEX is not complete without one of the biggest ICT brands in the region, Touchmate. This year, among the stand stacked high with Touchmate merchandise, were the latest mobile devices powered by some of the most powerful technology in the world.
The Touchmate GITEX stand was abuzz with a flurry of activity as the company showcased its vast range of tablets, smartphones accessories and more.
Touchmate has built its reputation on offering arguably the widest range of IT products and accessories in the region and this year was no different. Of special focus at this year’s GITEX was the company’s new range of Windows and Intel tablets as the brand becomes one of the first in the region to launch tabs on the “Wintel” platform. No one could also miss the new striking Touchmate Gold tablet on display.
The Windows tablet comes with Windows 8.1 and Office 365 Personal pre-loaded for free. At around AED 699, the tablet offers a real bargain for a device built with true productivity credentials and 32GB of memory. Other innovations include wireless printing so these devices can serve both the end user and enterprise markets.
“This year has seen us deepen our relationship with Microsoft and Intel,” says CEO Vasant Menghani. “For the last few years the PC market has been shrinking but now the situation is turning.”
Vasant was appointed to the Intel Board of Advisors last year and part of the message to Intel was to move fast to the tablet market. With Microsoft renewed mobility focus, -the software giant offering Windows free for tablets 9” and smaller-this space is expected to bloom. Touchmate with these partners will work to bring even more products and innovations, Vasant says.
Further, Touchmate recently got into a franchise agreement with producers of the highly successful Transformers movie series to co-brand a series of Touchmate tablets. “Hasbro Inc., producers of Transformers, approached us to create Transformer branded IT products,” Vasant explained. “They have gone through our products and certified that Touchmate has the kind of quality they were looking for.”
The deal was signed about seven months ago and Touchmate showcased tablets under the Transformers name especially targeted for gamers. The two models of Transformer Tablets include the 7 inch Dual Core 721 model which comes pre-loaded with 50 games with 8GB memory. The 777 on the other hand comes with 100 pre-loaded games clocking at 16GB storage space and powered by a Quad Core CPU. Each model comes in three colours-yellow, blue and black & white and bundled with a tablet cover and ear phones. The sale price for the Transformer tablets is 399AED for the dual core, with the quad-core retailing at 499AED.
“These tablets are already generating a lot of interest and will soon be available an all the major stores. Our partners include new retail partner Jumbo Electronics as well as Jacky’s, Sharaf DG, Emax and Axiom,” Vasant explained.
Away from Windows, Touchmate recently launched Intel Android-based tablets, with the high quality performance expected from Intel CPUs but at a value price of between 399 and 450AED with 2 GB RAM. The flagship Intel tablet is a thin and light weight device powered by Intel Atom CPU in white and gold finish. “The speed is great with real PC capabilities. Customers also get 8GB storage and an ample 6-inch display. With this, we bundle a power bank and an Intel cover,” Vasant explains. “We are working closely with Intel to ensure we bring even better technology at an affordable rate extending a 20 year relationship between Touchmate and Intel,” he adds.
The eye-catching 7-inch 3G Touchmate Gold tablet is encased in a gold-plated front and back casing. This follows trends here in the Middle East with customers going for exclusive and unique gadgets. With KitKat 4.4, dual-SIM, 8GB memory which can be extended to 32GBs, this tablet’s beauty is more than skin deep.
Touchmate also has an expanded range of smartphones with an impressive array of 3G and dual-SIM smartphones. These include the 5” Quad Core Dual-SIM Ultimate smartphone; the Dual-SIM Hero 6” phablets and the 3G five inch and four inch Universe and Zaro phones respectively. All these are packed with the latest Kit Kat OS, powerful cameras and expandable memory.
GITEX, Vasant says, is always the ideal platform to showcase new products even among established partners. Technology partners such as Microsoft and Intel are also close at hand to exchange ideas and experience the latest in mobile technology.
In the run-up to the GITEX season, Touchmate amped up its already ubiquitous marketing campaigns. The company invested heavily in media advertising as well as outdoor advertising. “Our billboards are evident all over the UAE with the message of our Transformer tablets, Wintel tablets etc. We also have branding on Dubai taxis. Our ever-popular holiday offer is set to be renewed as well as free meal voucher booklets available with our tablets. Our free offers usually match the price of the product,” Vasant explains.