Daily Data Consumption Per Person in Makkah and Holy Sites Reaches 4.41K

HANDOUT - 27 June 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslim pilgrims pray on the plains of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: dpa
HANDOUT - 27 June 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslim pilgrims pray on the plains of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: dpa
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Daily Data Consumption Per Person in Makkah and Holy Sites Reaches 4.41K

HANDOUT - 27 June 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslim pilgrims pray on the plains of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: dpa
HANDOUT - 27 June 2023, Saudi Arabia, Makkah: Muslim pilgrims pray on the plains of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), during the Hajj pilgrimage. Photo: dpa

The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) showcased the extensive network coverage at the Holy Sites, catering to millions of pilgrims during Hajj.

Through a diverse range of media platforms, including dedicated programming, live broadcasts, news websites, social media platforms, and dedicated Hajj portals, CST provided an immersive and inclusive lens into this year's annual pilgrimage.

CST revealed remarkable data usage and speeds at the Holy Site on June 16, with daily data consumption reaching 4.41K, which is equivalent to watching 1.81M hours of 1080p HD videos, while the data consumption per person amounted to 718 MB, exceeding two times the global data consumption per subscriber 270 MB.

CST also disclosed that the average mobile Internet download speed on that day reached 224 Mbps, while the average upload speed reached 34 Mbps.

The indicators also highlighted popular applications such as TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram as the most data-consuming platforms in Makkah and the Holy Sites.

These impressive network capabilities and advancements by CST have facilitated seamless connectivity, enhanced communication, and enriched the overall Hajj experience for pilgrims, underscoring the commitment to providing exceptional services during this sacred journey.



Amazon Reveals its First Color Kindle E-reader after Years of Development

Amazon's Kindle e-book app is seen on an iPhone in an illustration taken April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Amazon's Kindle e-book app is seen on an iPhone in an illustration taken April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Amazon Reveals its First Color Kindle E-reader after Years of Development

Amazon's Kindle e-book app is seen on an iPhone in an illustration taken April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Amazon's Kindle e-book app is seen on an iPhone in an illustration taken April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Amazon on Wednesday announced its first color Kindle e-reader following years of effort to bring the more immersive device to market.

The 'Kindle Colorsoft' carries a $280 price tag that compares with similar devices from other manufacturers available on Amazon in the range of $149 to $330. The Colorsoft relies on LEDs and other technologies to achieve the color display, according to a company statement.

Amazon had tried in prior years to develop color e-readers using eInk -- the technology available in its standard Kindles that requires minimal battery power. The Colorsoft will have a roughly eight-week battery life, compared with up to three months for its latest generation Paperwhite e-reader, Reuters reported.

The Seattle retailer also unveiled a new Paperwhite with a 7-inch screen, measured diagonally, two-tenths of an inch larger than the most recent generation's. It also revealed an updated Kindle Scribe e-reader, which allows users to jot onto the screen with a stylus and convert that into more legible text.

Users' in-book notations can be summarized by artificial intelligence software that can convert pages of notes into bullet points, the company said.

Amazon is still the market leader in e-readers, commanding more than three quarters of the market, by some measures. The devices are built to last for years and the company has said it sells them for close to cost, making money when people purchase books or other reading materials.

The COVID-19 pandemic fueled a surge in e-reader use, as many libraries stayed closed to enforce shelter-in-place policies but still offered wireless downloads of e-books.

Kindles are often put on sale during discount events, such as Prime Day. The Colorsoft will ship to customers on Oct. 30 and the new Scribe will ship on Dec. 4.