Sony Ericsson recently announced the Middle East launch of Xperia arc S, the “fastest and the most entertaining” smartphone from the Xperia family. The award-winning Xperia arc S comes with a 1.4GHz processor, delivering 25 percent faster camera start up and media conversion, as well as 20 percent quicker web page rendering compared to Xperia arc. Ruediger Odenbach, GM, Sony Ericsson Middle East, said: “Xperia arc S is the fastest and most entertaining Xperia to date. It clearly demonstrates the premier range of smartphones in the Xperia family that are embedded with features and offer a great entertainment experience.” Xperia arc S includes best-in-class Sony technology such as 3D sweep panorama that enables images to be captured in 3D and then viewed by connecting the phone using the HDMI output to a 3D TV. Xperia arc S has a visually brilliant 4.2-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, an 8.1mp camera with HD video capability and Sony’s award winning Exmor R for mobile image sensor that enhances still images and videos even in low light conditions. Consumers also have access to a unique social entertainment experience of sharing through Facebook inside Xperia, in addition to the extensive world of Android with over 250,000 applications.

H&M, an international design-driven clothing retailer, is opening its 20th store in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 22. The store will be located at Olaya Street in Riyadh. The new 2,400 square meter H&M store will carry a wide range of fashion items for ladies, men and children. With its fashion concept, H&M offers a spectrum of styles with an aim for everyone to find its own individual style and satisfy distinct and specific tastes — from evening wear, business and sports attire to casual wear. “H&M looks forward to bringing style conscious shoppers in the Kingdom the inspiration to make their own personal fashion statement,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of design. “We hope that we can offer our customers added value through fashion and quality at the best price.” For women, this season’s autumn collection is influenced from 70s styles that are essential with longer lengths and wide trousers paired with blouses and comfortable knits along with leather accessories and a quirky hat to complete the look, while men’s fashion for autumn continues its focus on simplistic style and function. H&M currently has 56 stores in the Middle East — 19 in Saudi Arabia, 13 in the UAE, 7 in Kuwait, 8 in Lebanon, 3 each in Bahrain and Egypt, 2 in Qatar, 1 in Oman, and stores soon to open in Jordan and Morocco.