Latest news with #iPhoneography
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
20 Years of iStore: How a Tech Retailer Redefined Innovation and Customer Experience
From classrooms to communities, and from groundbreaking services to digital-first shopping, iStore's two-decade journey has redefined what it means to put people at the heart of technology. For two decades, iStore has been more than just a retailer. From the first day doors were opened at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, in 2005, iStore set out to do something bigger than simply sell Apple products. The retailer set out to make technology more accessible, more affordable, and more impactful for South Africans. Since then, that single store has grown into a nationwide footprint and premium brand that prides itself on being at the centre of innovation and customer experience. iStore quickly expanded, opening new locations in Menlyn and Clearwater by 2006, and not long after, became the home of South Africa's very first iPhone launch. However, these were not just product launches; they were milestones that brought South Africans closer to the innovative tools that can inspire creativity, learning, and communication. Innovation with Purpose The iStore has always been about more than products. The retailer has also placed a focus on empowering communities and customers. In 2009, iStore partnered with iSchoolAfrica to bring Apple technology and products to underserviced schools across the country, a partnership that continues to this day. Similar initiatives followed, from iPhoneography, which encouraged creativity through mobile photography, to the school projects by Springbok players, Siya Kolisi and Cheslin Kolbe, that made a direct impact in local communities. At the same time, iStore maintained its goal of finding new ways to add value for everyday customers. From trade-in programmes and same-day authorised repairs, to click-and-collect services and one-hour deliveries. iStore has consistently asked: how can we make the Apple experience easier, smarter, and more convenient? Partnerships with FNB and Discovery even set global benchmarks for how technology and innovation could be made more affordable and rewarding. New opportunities soon followed. In 2009, iStore launched its online store, expanding access beyond physical locations. When the pandemic struck, virtual events like iStore Meets provided customers with ways to stay connected, inspired, and learning, even during challenging times. By 2025, the introduction of the iStore app offered yet another convenient channel for customers to shop, track purchases, and engage more deeply with their favourite products. From Launch to Legacy Today, iStore is recognised as South Africa's home of all things Apple. But beyond the products, it represents relationships built over years, trust earned through commitment to consistent service, and experiences that exceed expectations. From students walking out with their very first MacBook, to entrepreneurs using Apple technology to grow their businesses, iStore has been there as a partner in their journeys. Twenty years later, that story is still being written. iStore continues to evolve, finding new ways to make Apple more accessible, to add real value, and to make a meaningful impact. The products will always change with the times, but the one thing that will never change is the customer-first spirit that has defined iStore's past two decades, and will carry it into the future. Watch the full story here: iStore Turns 20 — More Access. More Value. More Than Just Devices.
Gulf Today
04-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Emirati team wins AIDA medical competition
The Scientific Committee of the 11th edition of the International Conference in Dermatology and Aesthetics (AIDA) in Abu Dhabi, organised a scientific medical competition on the sidelines of the conference with participation of five teams from the GCC countries. The Emirati medical team, comprising three newly graduated female dermatologists, Dr. Fatima Al Qaidi, Dr. Al Reem Al Hosani, and Dr. Aisha Al Shawab, who are in internship at Rashid Hospital in Dubai, won the competition. The UAE medical team was awarded first place, as determined by the scientific committee, which comprised specialists and experts from the conference's participating countries in the fields of dermatology and aesthetics. The five participating teams, representing the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait, were presented with medical cases and asked medical questions. These cases were then subject to medical diagnosis by members of the participating medical teams. The second day of the 11th edition of AIDA witnessed a series of significant scientific and medical lectures that focused on the utilisation of artificial intelligence in medical contexts, including cyber cosmetic surgery and next-generation cosmetic practices. The lectures highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to facilitate smarter, safer and more effective treatments, as well as skin rejuvenation through DNA. Additionally, the use of regenerative medicine in aesthetic medicine was explored, along with facial treatments derived from salmon semen, which represent recent trends in rejuvenation and radiance. In addition, a number of medical issues in the field of dermatology and nursing were discussed, including: laser treatment for skin of colour, with a focus on achieving optimal results and avoiding complications; clinical-pathological correlations in pigmentation disorders; the aetiology of emerging skin diseases; biological therapies in children; eczema and food allergies; and the management of Alzheimer's disease through drugs that regenerate neurons. Furthermore, a series of workshops were organised for medical professionals, with the aim of training them in the treatment of various cases, as well as in the optimal and safe use of dermatological and cosmetic treatments, and in facial rejuvenation. The implementation of these workshops was facilitated by the introduction of novel pharmaceutical agents and the integration of a contemporary ultrasound apparatus, which served to facilitate safe injection procedures. This technology provides medical professionals with a visualisation of the layers of the skin in colour, thereby enabling them to safely perform injection procedures. In addition, a workshop on iPhoneography, in collaboration with Apple was conducted to provide instruction on the use of the latest iPhone model to capture images of skin disease sites that are both clear and accurate. The workshop examined the technical capabilities of the device, which assist the medical team in treatment and document the treatment process through pre and post-operative photography. A training workshop was also organised on the use of threads in cosmetic surgery, training doctors on safe procedures by identifying facial layers and arterial locations. Concurrently, the Emirates Society of Dermatology convened a meeting to deliberate contemporary advancements in the dermatological domain and prevailing treatment methodologies. In addition, a special session was held by the Canadian Board of Dermatology, with a focus on the safe new uses for dermatological treatments and the future of cosmetic surgery. The conference, which is being supported by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, has seen a significant turnout and notable participation from leading dermatology specialists and experts. In addition, it is featuring distinguished participation from associations specialising in dermatology, cosmetic surgery, and lasers from the GCC countries, the Middle East, and around the world. The conference also features the AIDA Exhibition, which is showcasing the latest technologies and devices used in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases, laser therapy, and cosmetic treatments. These devices and technologies are being showcased for the first time in the region for the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases and cosmetic treatments. This year's exhibition will comprise approximately 25 exhibiting companies, who will present the latest devices and medical equipment related to dermatology, cosmetics and lasers. The conference will continue until May 4, 2025 the capital city of Abu Dhabi.
