Global by Design

Adventures in Web Globalization

Global by Design header image 4

Entries Tagged as 'Arabic'

iGoogle: Now in 42 Languages

October 19th, 2007 · 1 Comment

The customized Google home page known as iGoogle has been localized into a bunch of additional languages, bringing the grand total to 42. Here are the most recently added languages:
- Arabic
- Bulgarian
- Catalian
- Croatian
- Icelandic
- Indonesian
- Latvian
- Lithuanian
- Malay
- Serbian
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Tagalog
Since languages span borders, the total number of country domains now supported by [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Arabic · Business globalization · Google · Languages · Software Localization · Translation

The Localization of iPhone

August 29th, 2007 · 1 Comment

So I gave in to my inner geek and purchased an iPhone.
One of the things I first noticed (and love) about the Web browser is the .com button on the keypad, shown here.

Of course, this little shortcut isn’t so handy if I want to visit a .org or .edu Web site.
It’s also not much use [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Apple · Arabic · Business globalization · China · Domain names · Unicode · Web Globalization

The Web Globalization Report Card 2007

April 11th, 2007 · No Comments

Is just about ready for publication.
You can see which companies are included in this year’s report here. This has been a particularly exciting report to write because there are some very clear trends developing. There are also a few new entrants to the Top 10 list. Here’s who made the Top 10 list last year.
If [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Arabic · Global By Design · US Hispanic Market · Web Globalization

The Rise of the Arab Internet

September 28th, 2006 · No Comments

According to Madar Research, there were more than 26 million Arabic-speaking Internet users at the end of 2005, an increase of 50% over 2004. Although overall Internet penetration in the Arab world is still less than 10% (the UAE leads, at 8.5% penetration, followed by Qatar and Bahrain), more multinationals are now taking notice. [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Arabic · Business globalization · Web Globalization

McDonalds in China; Elle in the Middle East

June 20th, 2006 · Comments Off

The Wall Street Journal features two articles on business globalization and localization — from McDonald’s building drive-thrus in China to Elle publishiing a Middle East edition.
For Elle, the challenge is complex because there is no one “Middle East” market when it comes to fashion and cultural dress codes. Says the article, “Clothing customs vary widely [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: Arabic · Business globalization · China · Web Globalization

Google News Adds Arabic

June 15th, 2006 · Comments Off

Google News has added Arabic to its portfolio of 35 localized sites. This site takes a language-specific approach to the news rather than country-specific approach.
It’s getting a little crowded at the bottom of each News page…

[Read more →]

Tags: Arabic · Google · Web Globalization