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Microsoft Gulf chooses Dubai Metro App as winner of the Microsoft Tech Out Competition

Country-wide Microsoft competition received over 200 responses

Winning application is ideal for users of Dubai Metro to help plan their route & is]set to improve quality of life for the residents of the UAE

Microsoft Tech Out is a part of Microsoft 's continuous efforts to engage with developers and provide them with a platform to showcase their innovation

Dubai, UAE: January 16th, 2012 - Microsoft Gulf announced the winner of Microsoft Tech Out following an intense competition amongst developers who took part. The winning application, Dubai Metro , was developed by Tareq Atiek, a UAE-based developer. Tareq was presented with the first place prize of a trip for two to the Seychelles at the Microsoft offices in Dubai.

The Microsoft Tech Out competition encouraged local developers to build compelling applications that are specifically relevant to the UAE market. After a close race between over 250 participants, the Dubai Metro App was selected based on its usability, creativity and significance to the local market.

Michael Mansour, Director for Developer and Platform Technologies for Microsoft Gulf commented " Microsoft is always eager to encourage innovation particularly amongst aspiring developers. We are pleased that the competition has generated all this interest from participants across the country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tareq and thank everyone who registered to take part in the competition and congratulate the winner who has developed a very exciting and meaningful application for UAE residents using the power of the Windows 7 platform. Undoubtedly this app will help improve the quality of life of Dubai's metro travelers. "

The Dubai Metro Application is built entirely on Windows 7 platform and allows users to map their route through Dubai on-board the metro on their Windows Phone.

"We are excited about the winning Dubai Metro Application and the potential it has to improve the quality of life for residents of the UAE. We will continue to engage developers in 2012, by equipping them with the right tools, opportunities, knowledge and infrastructure that will enable them to foster an innovative mind set and harness their skills," said Samer Abu Ltaif, General Manager Microsoft Gulf .

Microsoft Gulf is regularly reaching out to developers and plans to continue to do so in 2012 through a series of competitions and seminars, one of which is Gulf Open Door, which kicks off in Qatar in February and aims to educate a large audience of developers , IT Professionals and Business Leaders around the latest application innovation and platforms.

-Ends-

About Microsoft Gulf
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:'MSFT') is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Gulf opened its Dubai-based headquarters in 1991. Microsoft Gulf today oversees Microsoft activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen. Microsoft Corporation's address on the World Wide Web is: www.microsoft.com Microsoft Middle East's Web site is www.microsoft.com/middle east

For more information on Microsoft Gulf , please contact:
Miriam Farshoukh
PR Lead - Microsoft Gulf
Tel: +971508249774
Email: a-mifars@microsoft.com

Weber Shandwick
Tel: +97143210077
Email: microsoft@ws-mena.com

© Press Release 2012