News
UAE Ranks as the Most Connected Country on LinkedIn Globally
LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, released figures today announcing that it has hit the 500 million members milestone across 200 countries and 22 million members in the MENA region. A professional community of this size has never existed until now. Helping members to stay informed on relevant news and views impacting the professional world, LinkedIn’s UAE members rank as the most connected in the world. UAE users have a reported average of 211 connections per individual.
Boasting some of the highest social media penetration rates in the world, UAE residents are not only well connected, but also savvy to the potential of what a highly connected global community of professionals can do, and the value that is created for each member of the workforce. LinkedIn profiles are much more than just online resumes; they are a crucial online personal branding statement. When someone searches for an individual online, their LinkedIn profile is usually at the top of the search results and it is vital to make a powerful first impression.
With half a billion professionals on the network, LinkedIn understands the potential of what a highly connected global community of professionals can do and the value that is created for each member of the global workforce. This network is accessible to anyone with a LinkedIn account. With each connection a member makes, the total reach of their professional community grows and so does the career opportunities.
Every connection…
- Reflects an average of 400 new people a member can get introduced to and begin to build relationships with;
- Encompasses 100 new companies who may be looking for the skills and talents the member offers; and
- Represents connections to an average of 500+ jobs.
“We encourage all members to connect with relevant professionals to increase their industry networks. It is great to see the UAE ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to recognizing the value of a strong online professional network. A large majority of the UAE’s workforce has come from abroad – LinkedIn makes it easy for professionals seeking to connect with each other around the world, and to keep up to date with relevant companies and industry topics, wherever the market. We are excited to have reached the 500 million milestone globally, and look forward to seeing how our breadth of talented members will help us to achieve our goal of creating an economic opportunity for every member in the workforce,” said Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Emerging Markets, Middle East and North Africa.
Earlier in January 2017, LinkedIn released the LinkedIn UAE Power Profiles list, a celebration of professionals who understood the importance of investing in their online personal brand and who succeeded in growing their employer’s brand by becoming its ambassadors. These Power Profiles are skilfully growing their professional networks online and sharing insights on areas that they are passionate about. With over 3 million members in the UAE, and over 22 million members in the MENA region, LinkedIn is growing rapidly. LinkedIn opened their first office in the MENA region in 2012 in Dubai which serves as a regional headquarters to members and customers.
Accessories
CORSAIR to Collab with Call of Duty
CORSAIR has begun to release the first products in its multi-year, full cross-brand collaboration with the critically acclaimed Call of Duty franchise. This powerful new integration sees two of the world’s best-known gaming brands come together for the first time with the collaboration extending across multiple product categories at CORSAIR including Drop, Elgato, ORIGIN PC and SCUF Gaming.
“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Activision and have our world-class brands come together as CORSAIR is set to deliver premium performance for Call of Duty players across all platforms whether it’s playing Black Ops 6, capturing amazing content or streaming with friends,” said Thi La, President and COO at CORSAIR.
“Our goal has always been to fuel the Call of Duty fandom with best-in-class products built for today’s gamers and we couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with CORSAIR for the launch of Black Ops 6. The suite of officially licensed products will help elevate gaming stations everywhere in true Call of Duty Black Ops style,” said Brooke Carpenter, Senior Director, Global Consumer Products at Activision.
In addition to top-tier controllers from SCUF Gaming, CORSAIR headsets and keyboards and streaming equipment from Elgato, this collaboration will see the introduction of several high-end gaming PCs including the ORIGIN PC EON16-X laptop, ORIGIN PC NEURON gaming PC, and the CORSAIR VENGEANCE Gaming PC line. These high-performance gaming machines are designed for the ultimate gaming experience, featuring cutting-edge hardware, custom Black Ops 6-themed aesthetics, and superior build quality. With powerful processors, advanced graphics, and lightning-fast storage, Call of Duty fans will enjoy seamless gameplay and stunning visuals.
Beginning with the launch of the highly-anticipated Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, featured products launching today and throughout this holiday include:
CORSAIR
- HS80 RGB WIRELESS CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: A premium wireless gaming headset that delivers incredibly detailed sound through custom-tuned 50mm neodymium audio drivers with immersive Dolby Atmos. It features hyper-fast SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS and a broadcast-grade omnidirectional microphone that captures your voice with outstanding clarity.
- K65 PLUS WIRELESS CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Stand out from the crowd with superior skill and distinctive design.
- The CORSAIR K65 PLUS WIRELESS is a 75% gaming keyboard that maxes out on performance and personality. Step up your Switch game with pre-lubricated CORSAIR MLX Red V2 linear switches that make each keystroke silky smooth and responsive.
- M75 WIRELESS CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Sculpted by victory. Made for the spotlight. The M75 WIRELESS sports an expertly designed ambidextrous mouse shape and ultra-fast connectivity via SLIPSTREAM WIRELESS and Bluetooth.
- MM300 2XL CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: a high endurance cloth mouse mat for high-DPI gaming mice. Reinforced stitched edges guard against surface peeling, while the textile-weaved surface gives superior control for lethal in-game accuracy.
- VENGEANCE SERIES CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Step up your game with a CORSAIR VENGEANCE gaming pc, built with a full range of award-winning CORSAIR components, and powered by the latest cutting-edge processors and graphics.
SCUF Gaming
- REFLEX CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Stay unstoppable with ergonomically designed remappable paddles, adaptive triggers, and onboard profiles that allow you to quickly switch from one game to another with SCUF Reflex for PlayStation 5.
- INSTINCT PRO CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Engineered for better performance and responsiveness, SCUF Instinct Pro for Xbox Series X|S provides four remappable paddles, interchangeable thumbsticks, and instant triggers that switch from regular to a mouse-like click at the flip of a switch.
- ENVISION PRO CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Designed to deliver the best experience for controller PC gamers. SCUF Envision is equipped with 11 additional remappable inputs, ultra-fast wired/wireless connectivity, advanced software for macros and endless customization options.
- UNIVERSAL CONTROLLER PROTECTION CASE CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: This case has an impact-resistant exterior and a soft, padded interior to protect your controller from dents and scratches, even while travelling. It works to protect any Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PS4, or Xbox One controller.
Elgato
- STREAM DECK MK.2 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Features 15 customizable LCD keys to control apps and platforms. Hit the store for app plugins, icons, tracks plus effects, and keep your setup fresh with interchangeable faceplates.
- WAVE:3 USB MICROPHONE CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: A premium microphone and digital mixing solution that fuses plug-and-play convenience with broadcast-grade circuitry.
- WAVE MIC ARM LP CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: A studio-grade boom arm for your premium microphone, Wave Mic Arm LP sits below the shoulder line for an unobstructed view.
Drop
ARTISAN KEYCAP CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: A 1u artisan keycap featuring a jet-black acrylic keycap with a bite jutting out to meet your fingertips.
ORIGIN PC
- ORIGIN PC NEURON CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: A gaming powerhouse engineered for intense action and precision. Equipped with cutting-edge hardware including powerful graphics cards, fast processors, and more. With fully customizable options and up to 8TB of storage, you’ll have the space and speed to dominate every game. Encased in a sleek design, the NEURON brings unparalleled power and style to your gaming setup.
- ORIGIN PC EON16-X CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 6 EDITION: Experience unparalleled performance and immersive gameplay in a sleek, custom design. Fully customizable, add on a plethora of storage and high-quality DDR5 memory with components by CORSAIR.
Specific products are available now or open for pre-order. Additional categories, launch dates, and more details on this groundbreaking collaboration will be announced over time.
Gadgets
Canon Intros SELPHY QX20 Portable Colour Photo Printer
Canon Middle East unveils the latest addition to its portable printer range with the launch of the SELPHY QX20, an exciting evolution to the previous QX10, enabling users to continue broadening their creative horizons with greater freedom. Leaning into popular social media formats, this upgrade now supports 2:3 as well as square paper sizes and is available in on-trend terracotta red, dark grey and classic white.
The new QX20 is a must-have gadget for those with a passion for creativity. Whether that be making visual notes for personal projects, decorating journals or scrapbooks using sticky-backed paper, crafting personalised notes for loved ones, or simply decorating wall spaces, SELPHY QX20 delivers high-quality, long-lasting pictures straight from a smartphone. The flexibility in paper sizes lends itself nicely to 365 photo challenges, inviting users to print one photo a day as a wonderfully tangible way to remember smaller daily moments.
Without the need for ink cartridges, the SELPHY QX20 uses dye sublimation technology that produces smudge-free, high-quality photos. An overcoat is added to resist the effect of fading. Easily transportable and complete with a built-in battery and Wi-Fi compatibility, the printer fits comfortably in a bag, meaning it can be used on-the-go to transform memories into physical keepsakes on the spot. At home, its compact size means it can sit neatly on any shelf or desk without competing for tabletop space.
Beyond the choice of paper size, wider creative expression is available with the SELPHY Photo Layout App, where fun artistic touches like stamps, filters, borders, and text can be added to special memories. For example, snowflakes can be added to a selfie to use as a Christmas table place card or hearts when making a homemade Valentine’s Day gift. The update also includes collages, frames and customisable borders, with new edge-to-edge printing meaning more of the memory can be seen with each print.
Joining an expanding portfolio of portable mobile printers, including the CP1500, a super compact photo printer for the desk, and the Zoemini range, a series of pocket-sized devices to print instant peel-and-stick photos, the latest QX20 fits perfectly into this line-up – a functional yet stylish printer and the ideal product for unleashing creativity, anytime, anywhere.
Gaming
Steam Revamps Game Purchases
Steam has taken a proactive step to inform users that purchasing games on its platform grants a license rather than outright ownership. This move aligns with a new California law that will require digital storefronts to disclose the true nature of digital game purchases.
While digital games offer convenience, they have always been subject to the terms and conditions set by the game publishers. This can lead to situations where access to games can be revoked, as demonstrated by Ubisoft’s removal of The Crew last year.
The new California law aims to increase transparency for consumers by preventing storefronts from using misleading terms like “buy” or “purchase” without clarifying that they are acquiring a license. Steam has already implemented this change, informing users in their shopping carts that purchases grant a license.
This move reflects Steam’s commitment to consumer protection and transparency. It is a positive step towards ensuring that gamers are aware of their rights and the potential limitations of digital game ownership.