Apps
Samsung Pay Launches in the United Arab Emirates
Samsung Gulf Electronics has announced the launch of its much-anticipated, flagship mobile payments service, Samsung Pay, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Simple and Secure, Samsung Pay can be used to make purchases almost anywhere you can swipe your debit or credit card.
Following registration, users can easily choose a payment card from their smartphone, use their fingerprint to validate their identity and tap their device on a payment terminal. Making a payment is as easy as that.
Tokenization is in place to protect users’ credit-card data, with digital identifiers or “tokens” generated to replace sensitive payment information for every Samsung Pay transaction. Additional security is provided through fingerprint authentication and Samsung KNOX, which protects the device at both hardware and software levels.
Samsung Pay is compatible with MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology, as well as NFC (Near Field Communication), which means any place of business that accepts credit card payments can also accept Samsung Pay. Users can add up to 10 payment cards to their Samsung Pay account. They can continue to enjoy the privileges and benefits their cards offer, without having to carry them around.
Samsung Pay works with Samsung’s patented Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology as well as with Near Field Communication (NFC). MST replicates a card swipe by wirelessly transmitting magnetic waves from the supported Samsung device to a standard card reader. Through MST, Samsung Pay will work seamlessly on most point of sale terminals in the UAE.
The UAE is the first country in the Middle East to introduce the service and the 14th in the world, following successful launches in the United States, Korea, Russia and more. In just under two years since its initial launch, Samsung Pay is now present in 17 countries, including those with early access.
“We are thrilled to introduce Samsung Pay in the Middle East, an innovative new service that we believe will evolve the way people in the UAE carry out their purchases. With Samsung Pay, we are confident that we are providing customers and merchants a mobile payment service that will pave the way for a cashless society in the UAE,” said Mohammad Gharaibeh, Head of Enterprise, Mobile Business at Samsung Gulf Electronics. “Our goal with Samsung Pay is to drive and lead innovation in mobile commerce, providing our customers with a mobile wallet solution that is simple, secure and available almost anywhere. Since the early access introduction of Samsung Pay last year, we have seen great momentum and experienced significant consumer adoption.”
Samsung Pay is strategically expanding its partnership ecosystem to provide greater flexibility, access and choice for customers. Samsung Pay has partnered with major payment networks, such as Mastercard and Visa, to bring mobile payments to consumers. The service will also launch with major UAE banks, including the ADCB, HSBC, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, RAK Bank and Standard Chartered to make the service available to more consumers in the UAE.
“We have partnered with major banks and payment networks to provide our customers with a wide range of choices when it comes to making purchases. We are committed to making Samsung users, lives easier and we are currently working on bringing more and more partners on board soon,” added Gharaibeh.
In the UAE, Samsung Pay is currently available for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Note 5, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 (2016) and Galaxy A Series (2017). Samsung Pay will also be available for the Gear S3.
Apps
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Comes to PUBG MOBILE
PUBG MOBILE has announced a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures to celebrate the highly anticipated theatrical release of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Animation and Wingnut Films’ The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This epic collaboration combines the battlegrounds of Middle-earth with lore-inspired events and skins, available for a limited time.
Starting today through January 7, players will be able to join the Allies of the Realm, standing in steadfast defence of the famed Hornburg. Through daily tasks, players will prove their mettle by selecting Normal or Elite challenges, each victory advancing the glory of the realm. As they progress in their noble endeavours, players earn points toward generous rewards, with Elite challenges offering the most coveted treasures. The Allies of the Realm event is a true test of courage and honour, celebrating the unwavering spirit of those who rise to the challenge!
PUBG MOBILE players can also claim items inspired by legendary myths, such as the formidable Skadiwynn Sentinel character set, the powerful Gungnir M24 sniper rifle skin, and the iconic Gjallarhorn Double Barreled Shotgun skin. For thrill-seeking players, an epic adventure awaits those bold enough to explore.
“We strive to bring immersive content that complements the excitement PUBG MOBILE players have come to expect,” said Anthony Crouts, Senior Director of Marketing for PUBG MOBILE. “By blending the lore of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim with the winner-takes-all action of PUBG MOBILE, we’re giving fans the best of both worlds. We can’t wait to transport players back to Middle-earth with our lore-inspired in-game challenges and skins.”
“Our partnership with PUBG MOBILE brings an exciting new dimension to our theatrical campaign for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, merging the worlds of immersive gameplay and movie storytelling to bring richer experiences to key audiences,” said Cameron Curtis, Executive Vice President of Global Digital Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim movie tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg— a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their destruction.
The PUBG MOBILE x The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim collaboration is available until January 7, 2025.
Apps
Google Maps Integrates Waze Incident Reports for Enhanced Navigation
Google Maps has started to display Waze incident reports during navigation, allowing users to contribute by confirming road conditions via prompts. This integration follows Google’s July announcement that both apps would share more data, including Waze-sourced road closures, construction updates, speed cameras, and police presence information.
Over the holiday weekend, a Reddit user shared a screenshot of a prompt indicating “Police reported ahead” based on Waze driver reports, as reported by 9to5Google and Android Authority. Users can update these reports to reflect current conditions, similar to other incident notifications in Google Maps.
This is the first confirmed sighting of the feature in action, but more reports are expected. Despite merging the teams behind Maps and Waze, Group Project Manager Can Comertoglu told The Verge that the apps will continue to operate separately. Waze’s 500,000-plus contributors prefer some features of Waze over Google Maps, and vice versa.
This new feature enhances Google Maps’ functionality by leveraging Waze’s real-time incident reporting, providing users with more comprehensive and up-to-date information on their routes.
Apps
Yango Maps Launches Live Public Bus and Marine Transport Tracking in Dubai
Yango Maps, the popular navigation app, has introduced a significant upgrade for Dubai users. The app now offers real-time tracking of public buses and marine transport, providing a more efficient and convenient commuting experience.
Thanks to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)’s open data policy, Yango Maps can now display accurate and up-to-date locations of public transportation vehicles. By switching to the “Transport” tab, users can easily view the real-time movement of buses and ferries on the map.
The app also allows users to search for specific bus numbers and view their routes, stops, and estimated arrival times. This feature is particularly useful during peak hours or in extreme weather conditions, as it helps users plan their journeys efficiently and avoid unnecessary waiting.
Yango Maps continues to evolve with innovative features that aim to simplify urban navigation. By incorporating real-time public transport data, the app empowers users to make informed decisions and optimize their daily commutes.
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