MUSCAT: The Ministry of Information on Tuesday launched the Ayn.om digital platform, which will stream a large collection of Omani audiovisual content on smart devices.
The project was launched as part of the plans and efforts to keep pace with the developments in the media, especially with the emergence of online or mobile streaming services that allow viewers to access the past, current, and live programs anytime and anywhere.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Information invited people to use the platform by downloading the Ayn app on their smart devices or by visiting the website for giving their feedback to help improve the quality of services.
Ayn.om services are available via smart devices (phones, tablets, and TV), offering experiences that are different and in line with the changing technological trends.
The beta version was launched on September 1 and the platform received positive feedback from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman. The number of views on the platform since the trial launch was 4,700, 000 from around 170 countries, while the total downloads of the application via smart devices and screens were 74,000.
Suggestions received during the trial period help the technical team to work on the improvement of the security features.
Apart from video blogs (Vlogs), the platform offers live streaming of radio and TV channels, in addition to the provisions to watch the programs missed within 48 hours under the ‘Do Not Miss’ category.
Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, said that the launch of this platform coincides with Sultanate of Oman’s celebrations of the 11th of January anniversary, the day when His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik assumed reins of power as the architect of Sultanate of Oman’s Renewed Renaissance. “This move comes to keep pace with the digital transformation within the goals of the country’s Vision 2040.”
The Directorate General of Electronic Media said that Ayn.om will be producing new programmes that will be launched in the coming days.
The platform shares a special content of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, at the forefront of the newly launched platform, including letters, official visits, and news. The content is constantly updated to keep the user of the “Ayn” platform constantly informed of the most prominent updates.
The platform also includes a special space for the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said, including speeches, official visits, tours, military events, national celebrations, and rare content that has not been broadcast before on Omani TV; with the aim of perpetuating the memory of the late Sultan.
“To enhance digital culture, the ‘Ayn’ platform will present a new qualitative addition to the platform, which is also one of the first initiatives in the field of audiobooks in the Sultanate, which is read by a selection of Omani voices, most notably Muhammad al Marjibi, Ibrahim al Yahmadi, and other prominent media personalities. It includes a variety of fields between history, literature, biographies, travel literature, and others.
By Vinod Nair & Zakiya al Hussaini
