| Microsoft Corp Launches 3D Emoticons for Windows Live Messenger Users in the Arab World January 31 2010 |
Microsoft Corp today announced the launch of an Arabic themed emoticon pack available for free on its Windows Live Messenger instant messaging tool. The pack has been designed specifically for the 51 million users across the Middle East and North Africa region and features 10 3D animated emoticons which can be easily included in any Windows Live Messenger conversation.
This set of emoticons – the first in a series targeting Arab users – marks the first time that users in the Arab world have symbols relevant to the region that they can use to express themselves. According to Microsoft, the Arab countries are amongst the highest ranking users of Windows Live Messenger worldwide.
Rula Ammuri, Country Manager of Microsoft Jordan stated, “This emoticon pack has been designed and developed here in the Middle East and is the 1st in a series that we plan to launch specifically targeting Arabic messenger users, providing them with instantly recognisable and humorous emoticons, display pictures and winks that they can use during online conversations with friends, family and loved ones.”
The pack comes in three languages, Arabic, English and French and can be downloaded for free from the Arabia and Magrheb MSN websites.
“MSN’s emoticons are already quite popular among Arab users, and you can expect this impressive and highly entertaining collection of Arabic emoticons to be a hit among the region’s Window Live messenger users,” said Zeid Nasser, Technology journalist and blogger. “Emoticons are just one way to personalise instant messenger conversations and make it easy to convey the way you are feeling. With smileys, cartoon characters and animated symbols it is quick and easy to bring the conversation to life.”
People around the world have been using instant messaging via Windows Live Messenger since 1999 and it has become one of the most popular forms of online communication with more than 360 million active users today. Being able to personalise Live Messenger has been core to the application since it was launched and is key to its continued success. |
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