MENA-based tech company Yango, which has been investing in various verticals—from e-commerce tools and a car rental app to a food delivery service—has launched Yango Play, the first AI-powered entertainment service that combines video streaming, music, and mini-games in one place.
The platform offers a diverse range of entertainment options, featuring exclusive premieres of both Arabic and international movies and series, personalized music streaming, and interactive mini-games, all enhanced by Yasmina, an AI-based Arabic voice assistant. Now available in the KSA, UAE, and other GCC countries, the service provides subscribers with cross-platform access on smartphones and TVs.
‘Our goal is to provide users with a seamless and intuitive experience’, said Roman Shimansky, MENA Region Business Director at Yango Play, in an interview with media publication Edge Middle East earlier this year. ‘Yasmina allows us to deliver a more tailored interaction, making every moment on the app enjoyable, whether you’re listening to curated playlists, watching a movie, or playing a quick game’.
The service has introduced a differentiator not yet explored by any other platform: the use of artificial intelligence. That’s why Yango Play is positioning itself as a platform that supports regional content creators while diversifying entertainment offerings.
Among its content offerings, the app emphasizes local productions, providing a platform for Middle Eastern talent alongside international films and series. Popular Arabic blockbusters such as Ex and the sequel to Awlad Harim Kareem are already part of Yango Play’s growing library, which will continue to expand with both regional and global content.
‘We are deeply committed to celebrating local talent and authentic storytelling. Our platform not only offers international hits but also showcases productions that resonate with the cultural identity of the region’, added Shimansky.
AI as a streaming tool
A major highlight of Yango Play is its AI-driven music streaming feature, which creates personalized playlists based on user preferences. The recommendation system combines collaborative filtering and content-based models to analyze user behavior and improve suggestions. The engine even identifies the sound of a track—whether it’s a song or an instrumental piece—ensuring accurate and relevant recommendations.
‘Our advanced recommendation engine is tailored specifically for the region, using AI and Machine Learning to better understand user preferences. This technology ensures that each user’s experience is unique and continuously evolves based on their tastes’, concluded the executive.
