News

BlackBerry Movie Tells The Story Of The Famous Keyboard Phone

It’s time to take a break from the Steve Jobs movies and give some appreciation to Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie.

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2023

blackberry movie tells the story of the once famous keyboard phone

Are you a BBM and email enthusiast who misses phones with physical keyboards? In that case, you might be interested in the upcoming Blackberry movie, featuring the creation journey of the famous handset.

The film stars Jay Baruchel (How To Train Your Dragon), Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), and Matt Johnson, also the movie’s director.

BlackBerry is released in theaters on May 12th and covers how the once-famous phone became the premier business communicator, but ended up losing out to the smartphone. In the trailer, we see Johnson’s Doug and Baruchel’s Mike Lazaridis watching the infamous Steve Jobs announcement of the new iPhone, and the stress and excitement as the company pushes to launch its first product.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Video Games Set In The Middle East

If you’re interested in learning more about Blackberry’s rise to fine, or want a preview of the movie before it hits the screen, check out the book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry. The text forms the basis of the movie’s script and is a fantastic read for anyone with fond memories of rocking a Blackberry in the past, as well as a cautionary tale of a business ultimately going bust.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.